Ojai Valley School Family Tree, Fall 2023

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. Nicholas Thacher (L60), Chair

Mrs. Patricia H. Farber, Treasurer

Mr. Andrew Helman, Secretary

Mr. James Casey (L95)

Ms. Kimberly Cluff (L83)

Dr. Robert G. Cooper Jr. (L61)

Mr. John B. De Nault III

Mr. Ousmane Fofana (U09)

Mr. Craig Marcus

Mrs. Sally McClenahan Dyer (L87, U91)

Ms. Gail “Gigi” Ordway (U78)

Dr. Gretchen Schuette

Mr. Hongyang “Bob” Zheng (U09)

GRATUS AETERNUM

Leaders Honored for Distinguished Service

CHAIRMAN: Mr. A. Carl Kotchian

PRESIDENTS: Mr. Edward Yeomans and Mr. Michael D. Hermes (L53)

HEADMASTER: Mr. Wallace Burr

TRUSTEES: Mr. Robert E. Chesley, Mr. David J. Donlon, Mr. Benjamin E. Nordman, Mr. Anson S. Thacher, Mr. William Hair

4 Head of School’s Message Lessons from the Class of 2023

6 Land and Climate Initiative

OVS doubles down for the environment

9 Before 8:10

Student journalists go behind the scenes with the hardworking OVS staff

16

Campus News

Gala, projects, sports and spring camping trips

22

Graduations and Promotions

Celebrating this year's ceremonies and graduates

45

Faculty Departures

With gratitude to Stephanie Gustafson and Mike Mahon

48

Alumni News

Alumni Weekend events & send-off for the Boyds

ON THE COVER THIS PAGE CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to Upper Campus journalism teacher Fred Alvarez and his students for their contributions to this issue, including seniors Eugene Fisher (L19, U23), Hannah Little (L19, U23), Ella Schuette, Emanuel Zagata-Jacobson, and Zimo Zeng. Other contributors include: Zach Byars, Lars Kuelling, Misty Hall, Alex Rothwell, Ted Tambakis, Wendy Tremiti, and Tracy Wilson. Thank you to designer Logan Hall of Sideways 8 Creative.

At their graduation ceremony, the seniors performed a song written by Outdoor Education Coordinator Zach Byars that was inspired by their final Outdoor Education trip to the Rogue River in southern Oregon. “Cherish the memories — live on forever. Don’t let them fade out, think of the river. Hold them close when you go far; no matter where you are,” are lines from the chorus of “Floating On.”

Middle Schoolers on this year’s WallaceInman trip backpacked for nine days over 85 miles in the Los Padres National Forest backcountry. With many of the usual spring backpacking areas closed due to the historic winter rains, the group blazed trails — and crossed many flowing creeks — from Nira Campground to Quatal Canyon this year.

Becoming Ourselves Lessons from the Class of 2023

Dear Alumni and Families,

As most of you know, this was my first year as Head of School. Thank you to everyone who welcomed our family to the Ojai Valley School community, from the alumni who taught me about the school’s deep ties to the land, to the teachers who showed me, again and again, how genuinely aligned the school remains to its mission. Under their guidance, OVS students truly are developing the academic strength, character, and selfconfidence to meet life’s future challenges and contribute to an ever-changing world.

Just look at this year’s graduates.

They are a powerhouse group, headed to fabulous colleges and universities around the world, (see their bios on page 28). They are also creative, compassionate, and hardworking. As I stated in my speech at their Graduation, I’m grateful to all of them for introducing me so thoroughly to OVS and teaching me many lessons about what makes the community unique. Here are a few:

• Joy resides in doing hard things, like planning and pulling off a 250-mile summer hike, fixing a malfunctioning robot on the fly, setting a new personal best on the cross country course, or successfully navigating Mrs. Wilson’s junior English class.

• There is great beauty found within lumps of clay, blank canvases, and blocks of wood. That beauty just needs human inspiration and intuition to set it free.

• There is great power in student voices, as demonstrated

in multiple masterfully written articles for the student journalism website On the Hill, including the truly exceptional in-depth reporting for the “Before 8:10” article, reprinted in this issue of Family Tree (page 9).

• Community and camaraderie are authentic here, as evidenced by the constant celebration the seniors had for each other, for the faculty, and for those in the broader community they supported through their dedicated service.

This year’s senior class made it clear that our youth have the vision and resiliency to confront a rapidly changing world, especially in the face of a climate crisis not of their making. They will lead the way forward with their visions for sustainable fashion, for regenerative practices in managing natural resources, and for an equitable future for the world’s inhabitants.

Notice that none of the lessons they imparted on me were focused on national accolades, test scores, AP Scholar designations, or the names of certain prestigious colleges. Why is that?

A recent New York Times article titled, “What We Lose When We Push Our Kids to Achieve,” by Adam Gopnik, draws the distinction between achievement and accomplishment. In it, Gopnik describes the two this way:

“Achievement is the completion of the task imposed from outside — the reward often being a path to the next achievement.

“Accomplishment is the end point of an engulfing activity

Mr. Kuelling graduates Student Body President Eugene Fisher (L19, U23).

we’ve chosen, whose reward is the sudden rush of fulfillment, the sense of happiness that rises uniquely from absorption in a thing outside ourselves.”

As I told the seniors at Graduation, when their parents and I were students, all of us took part in an achievement test as a part of our yearly educational program. I’m not talking about the SAT, ACT, or AP tests. I’m talking about the middle school Presidential Fitness Test, which measures fitness via max reps of pull-ups and sit-ups, various sprints, and a softball throw for distance.

I could hurl a softball, but pull-ups didn’t come easily to me, and I’m certainly no speed demon. Long story short, the Presidential Physical Fitness Test said I was not a good athlete, at least by the metrics it used.

Now, fast forward 40 years, and imagine a different setting than a middle school gymnasium. One night this past spring, two students decided to hold an impromptu pull-up competition on the steel girders of the Littlefield Commons. One of the students looked over and said, “You in, Mr. K?”

Oh, man, I thought. Will I be able to rep out even one pullup? Will I be a complete failure in the eyes of this small group of seniors? And so, I jumped up off a chair, grabbed onto the girder, and repped out a couple of pull-ups before the metal bit into my palms and I dropped back off the beam as the students erupted in hoots and hollers.

This was an accomplishment. Two seemingly insignificant

pull-ups while hanging from a girder; certainly not enough to achieve a Presidential Fitness Award, but a significant accomplishment nonetheless when you’re in your fifties and battling middle age.

Gopnik anticipates moments like these in his article, saying, “Self-directed accomplishment, no matter how absurd it may look to outsiders or how partial it may be, can become a foundation of our sense of self and of our sense of possibility. Losing ourselves in an all-absorbing action, we become ourselves.”

Alum Aaron Wolf (L16, U20) referenced this at the Senior-toAlumni Dinner when he told the seniors, “From here on out, you make your future. You will not be measured by what you have achieved, but by what you have done.”

And so, an extremely accomplished group of students helped teach me the meaning of Integer Vitae, of wholeness, symmetry, and soundness of life, and ultimately, of the true value of an OVS education: the opportunity to become ourselves.

Lars Kuelling OVS Head of School

Mr. Kuelling high-fives the seniors at their Graduation ceremony.

OVS Doubles Down for the Environment

Land and Climate Initiative Adds New Courses, Graduation Requirements

By Fred Alvarez

Until a few years ago, OVS history teacher Tyson Luneau admittedly knew little about the study of environmental history.

But graduate school changed all that, plunging him deep into a discipline that examines in a multitude of ways the relationship between humans and the natural world. That study has become one of his greatest passions, taking him across the globe in recent years, including this summer where he is conducting research in North Africa in support of his Ph.D. dissertation exploring the impacts, environmental and otherwise, of French colonialism.

In the 2023-24 school year, his affinity for the subject will hit closer to home when he launches two new semester-long courses open to juniors and seniors at the Upper Campus: Environmental History and Environmental Justice.

“I’ve told the students (the classes are) going to be radically different than any other history classes they have taken,” said Mr. Luneau, who plans to create a series of college-style seminars aimed at prompting students to read, research,

discuss and write about the ways the environment has shaped human history.

“I want us to more directly emulate the work that historians actually do,” Mr. Luneau added. “It is an area of history that has real-world ramifications for what we’re dealing with regarding climate change and other forms of environmental degradation.”

Creation of the new courses was sparked in large part by the school’s ambitious Land and Climate initiative, a campaign launched this past school year aimed at making students and staff true stewards of the land by having them engage in forward-thinking education on climate and sustainability.

That campaign builds on programs and curriculum already in place, including the school’s renowned Outdoor Education program and existing initiatives that focus on everything from sustainable energy production to environmental restoration work. The goal is to identify opportunities to expand on current practices, providing a path for OVS to position itself as a national leader in Land and Climate education.

High School students can meet the new Land and Climate graduation requirement through a range of course offerings, from hard sciences such as Geology, Marine Science (above), and AP Environmental Science, to social science courses such as Environmental History and Environmental Justice.

As part of that effort, a push is underway to make the school’s curriculum more deeply reflect its commitment to Land and Climate. At the Upper Campus, that includes the introduction of new courses such as those created by Mr. Luneau. But it also includes the introduction of a new requirement that students take at least one course in Land and Climate to receive a high school diploma.

Beginning with the Class of 2026, students will need a minimum of 18 units (the current minimum is 17) to meet graduation requirements. Students can meet the new Land and Climate requirement through a range of offerings, from hard sciences such as Geology, Marine Science, and AP Environmental Science, to social science courses such as Literature of the Wilderness and History and Science of the Channel Islands.

AP Art, AP Seminar and AP Research — which comprise the AP Capstone diploma — could also fulfill the requirement if the projects in those courses focus on sustainability or climate change.

Mr. Luneau said. “But having the opportunity to dive deeper into these issues, and also to dive into a more localized version of them, will be so good for our students.”

A student at heart, Mr. Luneau knows what he is talking about.

A native of New England, he holds a Masters degree in French Colonial History, Imperial Russian History and Latin American Environmental History from the University at Albany, and he is nearing the end of his research work for his Ph.D from the same institution. His doctoral dissertation focuses on the environment, infrastructure and construction of the French and Russian colonial empires.

Ask him about any of this work and he will speak at length and with passion. Ask him about what he plans to teach at OVS next year and he will do the same.

“I want us to more directly emulate the work that historians actually do. It is an area of history that has real-world ramifications for what we’re dealing with regarding climate change and other forms of environmental degradation.”

“A committee of teachers came together to talk about why this is an important and relevant addition to the graduation requirements,” said Laurel Colborn, assistant head of campus for academics. “The committee felt that it is one thing to say you are a sustainable school, but quite another to build it into your curriculum and make it a requirement for students graduating from your program.”

— Tyson Luneau Environmental History and Environmental Justice teacher

For example, he is particularly excited about a field study component of one of his new classes that will have students examine and visit the Salton Sea, an environmental mishap that subsequently

spurred a now-defunct tourist industry. In the last quarter century, the Salton Sea has become California’s most polluted lake, as water loss, due to drought and other factors, has resulted in a variety of environmental problems.

Mr. Luneau’s new courses certainly fit the bill.

The Environmental History course, for example, examines the evolution of the relationship between humans and the natural environment in the modern era. That relationship cuts two ways — just as humans have had a significant and increasing impact on their environments over the last several centuries, the natural world also has played a key role in shaping the trajectory of human civilizations.

The second semester Environmental Justice course builds off the fall semester course in Environmental History, examining the relationship between environmental change and social justice. Though the course will examine developments around the globe, there will be a strong focus on environmental issues in the United States, especially in California, including air and water pollution, drought and wildfires, food waste, agriculture, industrial waste cleanup, and climate change. “I try to build an environmental focus into all of my classes,”

“We’re going to do the discussion, but then we’re going to actually go and see it,” said Mr. Luneau, who just completed his first year of teaching at OVS. “Actually being there and experiencing the place for yourself makes such a phenomenal difference on your understanding and interpretation.”

In the end, Mr. Luneau said he is thankful for the school’s new emphasis on Land and Climate, noting that it is allowing him to incorporate his own academic and environmental pursuits into his teaching.

At the same time, he said it is providing a much-needed expansion of the social studies curriculum and a timely exploration for students of pressing issues they will face for years to come.

“When I saw this push on Land and Climate, I said, ‘Ok, now’s the time, let’s pitch it and make it happen,’” Mr. Luneau said of the new course offerings. “It’s something I had hoped to do once I got here, and I’m happy that it happened so soon.”

Field Studies Coordinator to Enhance Projects Across Grade Levels

By Tracy Wilson

Nearly a century ago, Ojai Valley School Founder Edward Yeomans wrote that natural science “all begins by looking and listening, and does not at all begin by the way of books, or by anything at all indoors, if you can help it.”

This belief – that students learn best when outdoors, exploring the natural world around them – continues to be a guiding tenant of the school philosophy. Now, OVS is taking the concept a step farther by creating a new position to promote hands-on field studies from Pre-Kindergarten to grade 12.

The new Field Studies Coordinator will be responsible for creating and maintaining partnerships with local organizations to advance the school’s Land and Climate curriculum, supporting teachers with field studies opportunities, tracking field studies units across the curriculum, and showcasing student work over the course of the year.

Science teacher Miles Munding-Becker (L09, U13) will take on this new role in fall 2023, in addition to teaching Marine Science and AP Environmental Science at the high school. An OVS alum, Mr. Munding-Becker knows firsthand the curriculum across the grade levels, having started in pre-school and graduating from the Upper Campus in 2013.

Mr. Munding-Becker earned his degree in Environmental Science at the University of Redlands, with a minor in spatial studies, and recently completed his Master’s at Cal Poly Humboldt. The skills he learned in those programs –the observational wisdom of looking and listening and gathering data –

make him an ideal candidate for the field studies role.

“When you are involved in research at a university you exercise the types of skills Yeomans is talking about on a weekly or biweekly basis, or more depending on the research you are involved with,” Mr. Munding-Becker said. “In my case, I was in the field collecting data once a week or more during the field season. In other words I was immersed in my project.”

As Field Studies Coordinator, Mr. Munding-Becker hopes to enhance existing field studies projects while also bringing new opportunities to both campuses.

Currently, the most expansive field studies project at OVS is the sixth grade year-long study of the Ventura River Watershed from its origins in mountains north of Ojai all the way down to the estuary in Ventura. Students venture outside the classroom for a series of hands-on field trips to observe and analyze the watershed, including its role and impact on agriculture.

Head of School Lars Kuelling notes that field studies units, like the Watershed Project, are the perfect way for students to learn through observation, interaction, and analysis.

“At OVS, field studies are not a stand-alone course, separate from other academic courses, or held only during distinct times of the school year,” Kuelling said. “Instead, students regularly engage in active learning outside of their classrooms.”

Other examples of current field studies include Marine Science students

traveling to the Ventura River estuary to collect and test water samples while observing first hand the dynamic effects of the recent storms, as well as first graders observing pollinators in their Lower Campus garden.

For Mr. Munding-Becker, those are just a few of the projects on the docket. Broadening partnerships with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and other community groups will also be a focus in the coming year.

“OVS has been doing field studies for a long time, but I think my role will be to consolidate what teachers are already doing and make it more streamlined so I can better support them on their own projects,” he said. “I already have a pretty good sense of what the K-12 education at OVS entails, and I am also familiar with many of the staff since they also taught me. I hope this makes collaboration easier.”

Miles Munding-Becker will be OVS’s new Field Studies Coordinator.

Before 8:10

The work we don’t see.

Every day, OVS students come to school, go to class, attend their sports, and then head home or to their dorm rooms. It is a cycle that happens without fail, and it is one in which much is taken for granted.

We, as a school, too often ignore some of the most valuable members of our community. They are the backbone of our campus, waking up early and arriving before sunrise to clean and cook and reset the campus so that teachers can teach and the rest of us can learn. For many of us, these workers are anonymous, and their efforts often go unnoticed and under-appreciated. But we profit from their toil, and without them, OVS simply would not be able to run.

May 1 is a significant day for OVS seniors because it is National College Decision Day. But more importantly, it is a day celebrated around the world as International Workers Day. On that day, On The Hill student reporters and photographers Eugene Fisher (L19, U23), Hannah Little (L19, U23), Ella Schuette, Emanuel Zagata-Jacobson, and Zimo Zeng joined these workers as they performed their important tasks, shadowing them from the early morning darkness to the start of the first class at 8:10 a.m.

This is a day in their lives.

Photos and story by OVS student journalists

4:25 a.m.

It’s a dark and damp morning, and Anali Calderon has just arrived for work, wearing her pink and gray flannel. She immediately heads to the now unused mail room to grab cleaning supplies and a vacuum. Ms. Calderon does this every morning –she has a rhythm and a systematic layout in her head that allows her to clean on autopilot. Her first stop is Room 7, where she takes out the trash and recycling simultaneously, and then follows up by wiping the white board with long and graceful strokes. Ms. Calderon then hops into a golf cart to pick up Maria Ceja, another member of the cleaning staff. The moment they return, it’s straight back to work. In fact, they work nonstop, doing their jobs with efficiency and grace.

The sound of a car locking goes off signaling that Adriana Valdez, the third member of the cleaning crew, has arrived. Equipped with her cleaning supplies and black and blue vacuum, she immediately gets started. There is an unspoken pattern that these women have created. Ms. Calderon goes on from a fully cleaned Room 5 to Room 3, allowing Ms. Valdez to tackle Room 4. The pattern continues throughout Burr Hall. While they do this dance, Ms. Ceja has already vacuumed the front office and squeegeed the glass table in Mr. Floyd’s office. These women have been on campus for 20 or so minutes,

and not once do they stop to take a drink of water or take a breather.

5:30 a.m.

The dusky mountains of Upper Ojai are still immersed in silent darkness when members of the kitchen staff Martha Hernandez, Jesus Covarrubias, and Moises Ferrel get out of their cars and enter the Littlefield Commons cafeteria. They unlock the kitchen door, roll up the metal curtain that guards the serving stations, and wash their hands before starting a morning of orderly busyness. They check the menu of the day to plan out their tasks, preparing for breakfast, and if they

have time, lunch too. It’s a Monday morning, which means it will be a hot breakfast of French toast, along with hard-boiled eggs and oatmeal.

The three of them work with a practiced efficiency. Mrs. Hernandez brings out the coffee machine and boxes of cereal, while Mr. Covarrubias takes stacks of plates to the front of the serving line. On the other side of the serving line, Mr. Ferrel is pouring hot water into the tank, which helps keep the food warm. By this time, the toaster and dish tubs are ready too. Mr. Covarrubias takes fruit out of the cooler, grabs the cutting board and knife and starts the main part of his job: handling the fruit bar and salad bar. At the same time, Mr. Ferrel takes out several loaves of French toast bread, which he made the previous day. He mixes the toast batter, consulting no recipe.

“I make it every Monday,” he says, “so I already know what to do.”

5:40 a.m.

Before the sun climbs to the horizon and far before the first student wakes up, Gil Saucedo unlocks the thick iron gates of the business office near downtown Ojai. Mr. Saucedo’s morning routine is quick and efficient, and he’s got the bus inspection down to a science. Before the bus is even

Mr. Covarrubias readies the serving line. Previous page: Anali Calderon vacuums a classroom.

The kitchen staff prepares fruit for breakfast.

turned on, Mr. Saucedo raises its massive hood to check the oil and fluid levels, then circles the bus to inspect each lug nut on every tire. The bus passes the first level of screening. Mr. Saucedo cranks the key on the dormant yellow monster. The engine fights against the cold air and radiates a deep rumble into the silent morning.

The next phase of utility checks turns the bus into what sounds and looks like an arcade game. Mr. Saucedo flips on all of the light switches, and the bus suddenly emits a great amount of energy into the morning with emergency lights flashing overhead, alarms wailing, windshield wipers skidding, and an illuminated stop sign shooting off of the side. Mr. Saucedo listens, watches and checks off his list.

“If anything at all is wrong on one bus I have to hop in another one and start the process all over again,” he says.

From dead batteries to flat tires, Mr. Saucedo has to factor in buffer time in case of emergency. Because no matter what happens behind the scenes Mr. Saucedo knows he will have parents and children waiting for him.

“If I’m late,” he says, “everybody will be late.”

6:40 a.m.

Ms. Ceja powers on the golf cart and drives to the girls dorm, where the only person awake at this time is sophomore Min Lee. Ms. Calderon works in the conference room, wiping down the table, and rearranging the chairs so that they are a perfect distance apart. Ms. Valdez works on the Upper Campus teachers’ lounge, while talking about the beauty of her old home, Playas Mulege, Mexico.

Nearby, all the lights gradually turn on in the Littlefield Commons, where Mr. Covarrubias finishes cutting fruit for breakfast and starts getting ready for lunch. Mr. Ferrel, on the other hand, begins to cook French toast, dipping the bread in batter and laying them on the iron griddle, where they sizzle and release their fragrance. At the same time, Mr. Ferrel opens the oven door and inserts a tray of eggs into the oven to boil. The two versatile ovens came with the new buildings two years ago – they help bake desserts, roast meats and vegetables, steam rice, and much more. They make everything easier for the kitchen staff.

6:05 a.m.

The bus is nicknamed “Ol Betsy,” and it is Mr. Saucedo’s favorite. This morning, it is running perfectly and everything is going according to plan. As it warms up, Mr. Saucedo starts on his other morning responsibilities. He opens the smaller set of iron gates into the business office and flicks on the lights in the open-air hallway.

He ducks into the kitchen and puts on a pot of coffee while he picks up the two mailboxes addressed to both the

Lower and Upper campuses. He then checks the scheduling board to make sure nothing has changed. The white board is marked with scribbles, arrows and Xs all done in brightcolored dry erase markers. The board might look messy, but it is gold to transportation staff.

“It gets messy, timing gets messy and things change,” Mr. Saucedo says. “But people are relying on us to be there so we just have to get there.”

6:15 a.m.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Hernandez takes out her spiral notebook, in which she has neatly translated and copied down countless recipes from the original OVS cookbook. She opens the notebook to the page of the item she will be making today — carrot cupcakes — one of the students’ favorite snacks. In five baking pans, Mrs. Hernandez patiently puts paper cupcake liners into each hole, then she consults the recipe again before mixing all the ingredients. Mr. Ferrel, standing to the left of Mrs. Hernandez, is cutting onions for the tasty, beloved Tomato Bisque Soup.

6:24 a.m.

Isidro Zamora is the first of the maintenance workers to arrive at the maintenance yard, unlocking the gate to prepare for the arrival of the rest of the crew. The silent morning is disturbed by the crashing of the doors of shipping containers where the equipment is kept. He retrieves two gas-powered leaf blowers and puts them on the bed of the OVS maintenance truck.

The rest of the crew, Manny Calderon-Lopez and Juan RuizFlores, arrive together. They both sip their coffee and take a moment to embrace the dim, wet morning before helping prepare the leaf blowers for a morning of action. Mr. RuizFlores and Mr. Zamora retrieve jerry cans from one of the shipping containers and begin pouring gasoline into the leaf blowers. With an understanding of what to do, the crew doesn’t need to talk, making the silence of the morning even more deafening, and making each crashing container door and clanking gas can even more piercing. Once the blowers are ready, the bed of the truck is shut, the engine is fired up and the crew drives to the top of the hill.

6:35 a.m.

The sun is now up, and although the mist is yet to lift, the cleaning crew pushes forward. Ms. Calderon has migrated over to the girls dorm and immediately starts putting away dishes that were left the night before. Junior Clara Ferrer Ferreria is up, doing her morning workout. By now, Ms. Valdez has vacuumed and started cleaning all of the windows in the multipurpose room.

Just down the way, José Luis Maldonado, who works in the stable, steps into the kitchen, helping carry a tray of cupcakes from the back kitchen to the oven. He is delighted to be here.

“I come here everyday to see my friends and have coffee,” he says.

6:45 a.m.

Mr. Saucedo reaches for the radio knob and flips to KLOSFM 95.5 where he listens to various morning shows pop on. On other days he just listens to music. Morning noise helps “break up the monotony.” For the first 40 minutes he drives alone, carting rows of empty seats through morning traffic and sipping his coffee as he passes the Ventura harbors. When you think about the school bus, you hardly think about what it takes to get the bus there. Mr. Saucedo is proof that it doesn’t just magically show up.

Minutes later, the bus pulls into its first stop: Mandalay Bay, Oxnard. Waiting only seconds by the canal-filled neighborhood, eighth grader Vana Dakessian, the only Oxnard passenger, hops onto the bus and takes a seat.

“How was your camping?” asks Mr. Saucedo. Now that a student is on the bus, Mr. Saucedo transforms from the solo driver who must make it to his destination to the best welcome party a tired middle schooler could hope for.

6:48 a.m.

The maintenance truck parks by the media lab, and Mr. Zamora and Mr. Ruiz-Flores throw the leaf blowers on their backs and fire them up, the same way they do every Monday morning. Instantly, the stillness is engulfed by the thundering sound of the blowers as the crew begin to make its way through the fog-covered campus.

Meanwhile, Mr. Calderon-Lopez waters the planter bed in Burr Hall. He flicks the hose left to right to ensure all the plants get equal water. He looks deeply into the bed, almost

as if he is examining each plant. As he slowly loops around the planter, he stops when he reaches the tree, giving it some extra water before continuing his way around. Once he is done watering the planter, he drags the hose toward the vending machine.

“Can’t forget to water the milkweed for Ms. Davis,” he says, aiming the stream of water at a few barely sprouting plants. He quickly finishes soaking the milkweed, then turns off the hose and methodically begins to coil it so it is ready for its next user.

6:52 a.m.

Ms. Ceja is making sure that the windows in the library are clean and streak-free. The morning is still quiet, birds are chirping, but students (except Min who has now migrated

The maintenance yard is abuzz with activity as the staff goes about their many tasks.

Mr. Calderon-Lopez carefully waters the native milkweed plants.

to the library) have yet to stir. On the other side of the new buildings, Ms. Valdez carefully realigns the chairs in the Astronomy classroom, but briefly pauses when Ms. Ceja (who has finished the library) stops in to have a quick chat.

7:00 a.m.

With a soft ring, Mrs. Hernandez’s cupcakes have finished to perfection – the inside is tenderly soft while the outside has turned golden brown and crispy. The sweet aroma escapes the small, confined oven and joins with the French toast’s rich smell of cinnamon, vanilla, and butter.

Nearby, the sound of the industrial-powered leaf blowers continues to echo through campus, while down the hill Mr. Maldonado arrives at the equestrian barn. He walks into the stables and immediately fills a large bucket with grain; he then carries it over to the hose and fills the bucket with water before setting it on the ground. The horses take notice, restlessly walking to the front of their stalls, ready for their breakfast. Mr. Maldonado hikes from the barn to the arena, where two horses are roaming. After climbing through the fence and walking toward one of the horses, he takes a moment to pet it before attaching a lead and walking it back to the barn.

7:07 a.m.

Mr. Saucedo reaches for the radio once again and turns on the infamous OVS bus music: Classic Rock Station FM 103.3. The Marina Park pick-up spot in Ventura is empty besides a few dogs chasing tennis balls on the misty grass and their hoodie-wearing owners. The first coffee-clutching parent steps out of his car and helps retrieve bags from the back seat as two little ones twirl over to the bus door. The bus sits in silence as the two get on and their dad waves goodbye.

In the next two minutes, parents and children pour in from both sides of the sidewalk to the bus doors. Small kids strapped with even smaller backpacks hike up the bus stairs and workbound parents stand at the door chatting with Mr. Saucedo.

Kids are almost as eager to see Mr. Saucedo as he is to see them. In the frenzy, you can’t even keep straight who is talking, but they are all talking to Mr. Saucedo.

“Good Morning Gil,” parents and kids alike say.

“Buenos dias!”

“Hey Gil, look at my new backpack.”

“So sorry we’re late Gil!”

“We are supposed to leave by 7:15 but there are usually a few stragglers,” Mr. Saucedo says at 7:20. “I really don’t

like to leave anybody if they are a little late. We all run late sometimes, I get it.”

Students are starting to wake up and walk to breakfast, but the cleaning crew is still working hard before they can sit down for breakfast themselves. Ms. Ceja, Ms. Valdez, and Ms. Calderon work together on the walk-through bathrooms, briefly talking about their game plan for the rest of the morning. Ms. Ceja and Ms. Calderon stay in the bathroom area, refilling toilet paper rolls and trash can liners, while Ms. Valdez does the same thing in the cafeteria bathroom. The mops and rags come out in both bathroom areas, making sure that the students and faculty have clean toilets and sinks to use.

Ten minutes later, Ms. Ceja and Ms. Calderon work around the girls getting up and getting ready to make sure that the lounge is in tip-top condition. Ms. Valdez is all the way at the other end of campus, cleaning up in the boys dorm in the same way. These women are the reason why each morning the dorm looks as good as when it was first built. 7:20 a.m.

Mr. Maldonado wipes down the wet seats of the vibrant green Gator. Dry enough, he sits down, and drives over to a stack of hay that towers over him. Carefully, he cuts equal squares of hay and loads them into the back of the cart. Once the bed is full, he covers the hay with a dirty gray tarp to keep it dry.

“I know exactly who likes to eat what,” Mr. Maldonado says on the short drive back to the barn, “and how much everyone wants to eat.”

He parks the Gator in the middle of the stalls, and in one

Mr. Maldonado soaks grain for an elderly horse.

smooth motion grabs a square of hay, swings open a stall door and tosses it in the corner before shutting and locking the door. Like clockwork, he goes from stall to stall and does this until the Gator’s bed is empty.

The mist turns to rain. Mr. Maldonado fills a bucket with grain and puts it in the corner of a stall. Ames, a large black horse standing at the back of the stall, is uninterested in his breakfast.

“Come on guy,” he says, encouraging the horse. Ames reluctantly walks towards the grain and begins to eat.

Then, Mr. Maldonado grabs the bucket of grain that he began soaking when he arrived, and walks toward a stall.

“He has stomach problems,” gesturing to the horse in the stall, “so he needs to eat the wet grain or he will get sick.” He puts the bucket in the stall and claps his hands as all the horses have been fed. Early morning work complete, he jumps back in the Gator and drives up to breakfast.

7:35 a.m.

The bus is stuck behind a garbage truck and going at a grueling start-and-stop pace on North Ventura Avenue. So close to the Ojai city limit and so close to the next destination, Mr. Saucedo just sits back and accepts the delay “It’s trash Monday,” he says. “Things like this slow us down everyday.”

7:45 a.m.

It is finally rest time for the cleaning crew. Ms. Ceja and Ms. Calderon put down their cleaning supplies and head to the cafeteria to grab breakfast and take a much-deserved break. Ms. Valdez is still working up at the boys lounge, but she will soon join them.

In the meantime, Mr. Ruiz-Flores, leaf blower still roaring, starts walking down the hill from Mr. Floyd’s office. As he walks, he thoroughly clears the road, making sure every last leaf is gone. Teachers begin to arrive, driving past him on their way up the hill. When he arrives at the bottom of the hill, Mr. Zamora starts down the student parking lot. Together, they finish making the lot look spotless, as the earliest of the

students park and walk up to breakfast.

8:09 a.m.

Evil Woman plays as an undertone to the bus’s engine working to pull the vehicle around the twisting turns of Reeves Road. The gap increases between the cars in front and the line grows behind. Mr. Saucedo puts on his blinker next to the field and lets those running late pass by him. The noise from the engine is heard from the day student parking lot and kids jump out of cars and run up to where the bus passes in hopes of catching a ride up the hill. Mr. Saucedo, being everyone’s morning angel, opens his doors and lets the reluctant walkers hop on.

Once up the hill, Mr. Saucedo opens his doors for the final time on his morning run. He wishes everyone a good day, turns off the bus, and grabs the mail box labeled “Upper.” He says a quick hello to Mr. Floyd and Mrs. Quinn and anyone else in the office before ending his morning rush to get the kids where they need to be. He walks up to the cafeteria, keys clipped to the loop of his pants and the bus stationary, to enjoy a bite to eat with fellow morning shift workers, who are also enjoying their first break since the break of dawn.

8:12 a.m.

Everyone is sitting down for breakfast, chatting together and relaxing. This too is a practiced routine, and it is one that few students recognize, much less appreciate, as they run off to class.

And still the cleaning ladies come to school everyday at 4:00 a.m. to make our campus sparkle. And still the maintenance workers make sure our facilities and campus are fully functioning. And still our kitchen staff makes sure that we are fed every breakfast, lunch, and dinner before they too can eat. And still our transportation crew works hard to make sure students make it to school on time and safe.

On The Hill Staff writers and photographers Eugene Fisher (L19, U23), Hannah Little (L19, U23), Ella Schuette (U23), Emanuel Zagata-Jacobson (U23) and Zimo Zeng (U23) contributed to this story.

After his morning bus runs to Oxnard and Ventura, Mr. Saucedo delivers mail to the Upper and Lower Campuses.

Day & Sleep-Away • Ages 3-15

Two 3-week Sessions:

June 24-July 12 and July 15-Aug. 2

Specialty Camps:

Outdoor Adventures • Fine Arts • Robotics

ESL • Flight Camp • Performing Arts

Equestrian • Junior Camp

Activities including:

Archery • Swimming • Rock Climbing

Beach Adventures • Sports

Arts & Crafts • Woodshop & lots more!

10% off for OVS Alumni!

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the more than 260 alumni, parents, faculty and friends who attended our Gala and Auction at the Upper Campus in May. It was our largest attendance to date and a wonderful night in support of Ojai Valley School!

Together we raised more than $173,375 in support of the OVS Annual Fund, including $57,300 from the Fund-A-Need paddle raise that will be restricted for professional development and enrichment opportunities for our teachers and staff. There truly is no more important investment that a school can make than investing in its educators, and collectively we did just that! Proceeds from the night also included $15,313 from the Silent Auction and $67,850 from the Live Auction, as well as direct donations and ticket sales.

We genuinely appreciate the contributions of so many members of our community, especially our event sponsors. Beyond the fundraising, it was a beautiful evening to gather with friends and enjoy a family-style dinner that featured local farmers, bakers, brewers and vintners. The band rocked into the night, and despite the cool weather there was an evident warmth among those gathered under the stars.

Mark your calendars for May 4, 2024, and please reach out to Development Director Brian Schlaak and the Gala team at bschlaak@ovs.org if you are interested in being an event sponsor, donating an auction item, or getting involved!

New Equestrian Director Halkett Takes the Reins

Ojai Valley School is pleased to announce the hiring of George Halkett as its new Equestrian Director. Mr. Halkett, who will start in September, will oversee the program for grades PK-12 and serve as the Middle and High School competitive equestrian team coach. He replaces longtime director Stephanie Gustafson, who is retiring (see page 44).

“The Equestrian Program is central to the OVS experience, and George is an accomplished coach and a respected leader in the equestrian world,” said Head of School Lars Kuelling. “We are thrilled our students and equestrian staff will have the opportunity to work with a top-notch instructor as we look to rebuild our competitive riding program in grades 6-12.”

A native of Scotland, Mr. Halkett has served as the Director of the Stoneleigh-Burnham School Equestrian Center for 15 years. While there, he coached students to multiple national championships, including the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Championship title in 2002, 2003, and 2004, the Interscholastic Dressage Association National Championship in 2002, the USHJA Reserve Champion in Horsemanship in 2020, and two IEA Individual Dressage

National Champions in 2022.

Beyond his experience coaching at the middle and high school levels, Mr. Halkett has coached at multiple college programs, including leading the program at the Savannah College of Art & Design (GA) and founding the equestrian program at Albion College (MI). Early in his career he was a member of the Queen’s Household Cavalry in the British Army, including riding in the wedding of Prince Charles to Princess Diana.

Mr. Halkett has competed internationally and coached students to international competitions including the FEI Samsung International, Volvo World Cup, and the International Intercollegiate World Championships. Additionally, Mr. Halkett, a British Horse Society International Senior Coach, runs the only secondary school program in the U.S. to offer British Horse Society Certification.

OVS Track and Field Advances Three Runners to Omega Leage Finals

Ojai Valley School runners posted powerful performances at the Omega League track and field finals in May, with three OVS athletes emerging as league champions in four contested events.

Junior Karin Hahn (L20) was a double champion for OVS, earning victories in the 800 and 1600 meter runs. Karin also anchored the girls 4 x 400 meter relay to a second-place finish. Fellow junior Soren Saye (L20) won the boys 800 meter while also running a leg of the second-place 4 X 400 meter relay.

Sophomore Prudence Currey Schafer (L21) took the 400 meter crown in a personal best time. She also finished second in the 200 meter dash and ran the opening leg of the 4 X 100 relay.

OVS coach Fred Alvarez said he was pleased with the way his runners performed in the league final, especially given that this was the first track season the Omega League has been able to stage since 2019 because of COVID-related cancellations.

“I was just happy to have to have a track season this year and to give our athletes an opportunity to run,” Mr. Alvarez said. “As a team, our runners performed powerfully, and I was really happy that within the group we crowned three new Omega League champions in four events.”

In other performances of note, junior Eli Roston (L20) came within a second of qualifying for CIF in the 1600, while junior Clara Ferrer Ferreira earned two-second place finishes in the 1600 and the 800, setting personal best times. With only a handful of seniors on the team, the future is exciting.

“We were able to build a solid foundation this year,” Mr. Alvarez said. “I can’t wait to see how these athletes perform in the future.”

English as a Second Language Classes Return to OVS Campuses

Ojai Valley School has resumed its English as a Second Language (ESL) program following a two-year pause brought on by the COVID pandemic. The Upper and Lower campuses welcomed seven ESL students during the 2022-23 school year and that number will nearly double in the fall.

Started as early as the 1950s, OVS has had a tradition of welcoming students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. For many years ESL courses helped international students overcome language barriers and prepared them for mainstream classes. The pandemic, however, significantly impacted the program. Lockdowns and travel restrictions made it impossible for new students from other countries to enter the U.S. Consequently, the decline in the number of international students led to a pause in ESL classes.

That changed in fall 2022, however, when the Lower Campus welcomed four students in grades 6-8 into an English Language Development program designed for beginning and intermediate language learners. In January 2023 three midyear ESL students with more advanced skills joined grade 9.

At the High School, the ESL program is composed of Advanced ESL Reading, Advanced ESL Writing, and ESL History. Additionally, students typically take Biology, a

math class, and an art class. The ESL courses are intended to support students in developing English language proficiency, which includes reading, speaking, listening, and writing.

“(The courses) are designed with the goal to develop all those four critical skills and support students to then transition out of ESL and into what we call mainstream classes,” said Assistant Head of Upper Campus Laurel Colborn, who oversees academic affairs.

OVS student Emily Wang was among the new 9th graders who started in January. The biggest challenges for her were living away from her home in Beijing, China, for the first time and overcoming the language barrier. But she persevered with support from her peers and teachers.

“I love having classes with my friends,” she said. “Their humor motivates me to be enthusiastic in the class … Of course I miss home. Sometimes there are things that we just have to do independently.”

OVS Runners Help Hydrate Mountains 2 Beach Marathoners

For the second year in a row, OVS cross country team members and other students from Upper Campus volunteered at two aid stations for the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon in mid-May, giving water to runners on the 26-mile course that starts in downtown Ojai, loops through the east end of the valley, and ends at the beach in Ventura. This USATF certified Boston Marathon Qualifier event is among the largest marathons

Outdoor Education Spring Treks

Across the grade levels, students ventured near and far this past spring to explore rivers, canyons, mountains and meadows as part of the Outdoor Education program. Some highlights included rafting trips for Middle and High School students on the Kern River in Central California, and a multi-day rafting trip on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon for the senior class.

Spring Middle School backpacking trips were difficult to plan this year due to damage to roads and trails from winter storms. With traditional destinations in the Sespe Wilderness off limits, Outdoor Education leaders Matt Inman and Duncan Wallace re-routed to trails in the Dick Smith Wilderness north of Santa Barbara – and were greeted with epic rivers and carpets of wildflowers.

Outdoor Education is a beloved tradition at Ojai Valley School and a core part of the school’s philosophy of educating the whole child through hands-on experiences that challenge, enrich, and inform students about the natural world around them.

Monarch Butterfly Population Rebounds at Upper Campus

The Upper Campus experienced a surge of monarch caterpillars this spring and recent efforts to expand their habitat promises to dramatically increase the population of threatened butterflies in years to come.

Assistant Head of Upper Campus Crystal Davis led efforts with a team of student gardeners to plant milkweed seedlings donated by Native Monarchs, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping restore habitat for the monarch. The entire lifecycle of a monarch butterfly is dependent on milkweed –female monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves, and milkweed is the only plant on which monarch larvae feed.

Going back more than a decade, OVS had a large, thriving population of monarchs at Upper Campus and students, teachers, and staff members were dedicated to the protection and proliferation of the delicate creatures. Unfortunately, the milkweed habitat was lost in the 2017 Thomas Fire.

“They’ve been coming back every year, but in very small numbers because there hasn’t been a milkweed population to support larger numbers,” Ms. Davis said. “And now there is, or there will be … I think we’re going to have a really strong population [of milkweed], at least in several places around campus. It’s really exciting.”

Second Graders Present State Projects at Lower Campus

Where can you go for a hot air balloon festival? Where can you see a saguaro cactus bloom, or visit the deepest lake in the U.S.? And who makes the best cheese? Our Second Graders had the answers to all of these questions, and lots more, in their State Report presentations in late May. Darcie George’s class spent weeks researching individual states, then created reports and display boards with maps, facts, tourist hot-spots and important historic destinations. Our Lower Campus community got to see the culmination of their hard work in the Greenberg Center, where they proudly shared all they had learned.

Class of 2023

Now that we are on the brink of leaving the school, we ask, how will we be remembered? While it is hard to say, we do know this, we will not be remembered for our GPAs or test scores, but who we are. We will be remembered for the spirit we gave to the trail, the heart we left on the field, the debates we had, well, virtually anywhere. We will be remembered for our infectious laughs, our caring and dedicated souls, and our connection to each other and to OVS, and, let’s be real, you know you’ll miss us.” — Eugene Fisher (L19,

U23)

We are a class of environmentalists, pilots, designers, teachers, journalists, businessmen, and engineers. Contrary to what most people would think, our differences are what make us so close. By supporting and pushing each other to try new things, we discover things about ourselves that we might never have imagined.”

— India Getty-Pruss (L19, U23)

Head of Upper Campus Message

By Craig Floyd, Head of Upper Campus

Forty years ago, family, friends, and faculty sat in this amphitheater as the Class of 1983 gathered for its graduation ceremony. The seniors that day all had ideas of what their futures would hold, much like the 18 seniors seated behind me. Everyone wondered what life would look like in five, 10, and 20 years. No one was sure where life would take them, but they were sure that the education they received at OVS would carry them through. Today that is still true.

Half of the Class of 2023 started at Lower Campus and arrived at Upper ready to take on the challenges of high school. They were joined by five new members to participate in student orientation, classes, athletics, and Outdoor Education trips. They settled into English 9, Humanities and their other classes. They began to have a sense that nothing could stop them. Unknown to them, and all of us, the COVID pandemic would shut down much of the planet. Students were sent home to learn remotely and struggled to remain connected. Through the efforts of Student Council and the faculty, socialization was able to take place and allow for student development during that time. Luckily, we were able to return to in-person learning, with modifications, early into this group’s 10th grade year. Outdoor Ed trips resumed, sports resumed, but what was most important was their want and need for face-to-face interactions.

By the time this group became juniors, we knew that they were a group of doers. As they began having deeper discussions with Mr. Alvarez about college choices, this group showed determination to take on the college process in front of them. They took challenging course loads, pushed to be included on more outdoor trips and led athletic teams to CIF playoffs. They ran for Student Council offices and applied for leadership positions; they landed internships and immersed themselves in pre-college programs. And they became closer as a class.

As seniors, they were a force to be reckoned with. They were entrepreneurial, starting their own businesses. They were creative, showing their artistic talents. They became dodgeball champions, taking down the faculty in a memorable championship battle. Their bond grew stronger.

Back in June 1983, on this graduation stage, a senior – with a full head of hair and an outstanding mustache – stepped up to the podium to deliver the Invocation. He said: “The school community is often referred to as a family. The dorm parents are like our parents away from home. The day faculty are like our aunts and uncles. Most of all, the students are brothers and sisters. The family endures through good times and bad times, happy and sad times. In most families, there is a time when the child or children move on. The place may be far away or it may just be around the block. This graduation ceremony is much like that. It is time for some of the children to leave home. Some will go far away and others will be close by. There will be times when the family will get back together or when just a few members will meet up. The family members will be able to help each other through the good and bad, no matter how far away or close by they may be.”

Forty years later, those words still resonate in me and for this class. Sitting on this stage, you have weathered the ups and downs of your high school years. You will always have a strong bond and do not forget each other through thick and thin. You are on the cusp of a grand new adventure. While you know where the adventure will start, where it will lead you is yet to be determined. Your future is in your hands, now, go do great things! And maybe, just maybe, one of you might return back here to lead the Upper Campus, like that mustachioed senior who spoke 40 years ago. And even if that doesn’t take you to this podium, I hope it will always bring you back to OVS, where you will always be part of this family and where you will always have a home.

Upper Campus Awards

WALLACE BURR AWARD

Established to recognize the student, or students, who have made a significant impact on the OVS community by giving unsolicited service.

Eugene Fisher

ROBERT G. COOPER AWARD

Honors the senior who has demonstrated the most growth during his or her senior year.

Will Ponczak

A. CARL KOTCHIAN AWARD

Awarded to the most outstanding scholar, not only for academic achievement but also for this student’s level of effort and intellectual curiosity.

Tigran Nahabedian

ANDREW KILLE AWARD

Given to the senior who has demonstrated himself or herself to be a leader with a strong sense of community; one who has been consistently hard working, helpful, friendly, and who has exhibited a good sense of humor.

Eugene Fisher

DOROTHY BURR LITERARY AWARD

Recognizes the student for outstanding writing based on the submission of written work.

Vivianne Lee

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Given to the athletes who have most demonstrated integrity, leadership, and, above all, good sportsmanship.

Prudence Currey Shafer, Eugene Fisher

JB CLOSE AWARD

Recognizes the student, or students, who have exhibited the most enthusiasm and active participation in the outdoor program.

Logan Wallace

CARL S. COOPER AWARD

Recognizes the underclass student, or students, for their leadership and character. It is an award that neither dwells in the past nor predicts the future. It honors the individuals for who they are, here and now.

Ben Manning

Will Ponczak (above) and Tigran Nahabedian (below) receive their awards at the Upper Campus Graduation ceremony.

CALEB CARVER — Oregon State University, Cascades

Few students demonstrated more growth during their years at OVS than Caleb. He is a deep thinker and downright brilliant in many ways. Animated, gregarious, and self-assured, Caleb is full of spirit, opinions, and conversation. Indeed, the proof of his knowledge of academic curiosity can’t truly be found on a transcript or a test score. Instead, sit with him in a classroom or at a lunch table, and listen to him discuss subjects that interest him – robotics, soccer and outdoor pursuits. He can talk about these and plenty of other subjects for hours, demonstrating a thirst for learning that will carry with him to his future college classes and activities. Most importantly, in his time at the Upper Campus, Caleb was a doer. Captain of the robotics team. Co-founder of our newly resurrected varsity volleyball squad. Gutsy cross country runner and fearless goalie on the soccer pitch. Now just to prove there’s such a thing in this world called karma, Caleb volunteered to coach a local youth soccer team of eight and nine year olds, learning much about the herding-cats nature of being responsible for those younger than him. Caleb said it was one of the hardest things he’s ever done, but that it was worth it to give back to the game he loves. That’s Caleb in a nutshell — he gave us the best of what he had to offer, and OVS is the better for it.

ETHAN CHEN — Michigan State University

What a journey this young man had. A fierce competitor and an active member of our school community, Ethan steadily found his stride as a student and contributor to the Upper Campus since arriving freshman year. He served as a class representative, and this year was elected by his peers to serve as the Student Council’s Athletic Representative. In the classroom, he worked at mastering the material, and sometimes, this did not come easily to him. But there is no quit in Ethan. He took advantage of extracurricular activities outside the classroom. Whether it was backpacking, mountain biking or rock climbing, Ethan was in his element when exploring the world around him. That was even more true in the sports arena, where Ethan established himself a leader on our varsity baseball and flag football teams. But make no mistake about it, basketball is this young man’s passion. He is the team captain and the leader of a team that for the past two years he helped lead to CIF playoff berths. Two years in a row, coaches voted him first-team all league, which says much about his qualities, character and commitment. That commitment has extended beyond our school, as Ethan has established a nonprofit aimed at developing the basketball skills and overall health of underprivileged teens in his native Taiwan.

HYUNUNG CHOI — University of Southern California

He is a standout in so many regards. Focused, directed and self-assured, Hyunung has lived his OVS years to the fullest, leaving no corner of his high school experience untouched. On the athletic field, in the Student Council room, in the dorms, on the Festival of Talent stage, and in the classroom, Hyunung has done it all. His resume is a testament to his love for our school community, but it’s also evidence of the curiosity and commitment he infuses into everything he does. He has challenged himself in the classroom, taking nine honors and Advanced Placement classes in everything from AP English to AP Chemistry. In fact, he essentially served as a teacher’s aide – a first for our school – in AP Calculus, joining with the instructor this year to mentor struggling students. In other areas, Hyunung is a natural leader. He was elected by his peers to serve as Student Council vice president and selected by the administration to serve on the school’s Leadership Council and as a dorm prefect. He was equally committed in the athletic arena, where he was selected as soccer team captain and he helped lead the squad to its first-ever postseason CIF berth. He also has been a mainstay on the varsity baseball team, selected by coaches as a first-team all-league player. Hyunung has written his story well at OVS, finding his passions and dedicating himself to mastering those. He cares deeply about all that is in his world, and he’s a go-getter, always prepared to let his actions speak louder than his sentiments.

ROMAN CLUFF-THOMPSON Pitzer College

What a voice this young man possesses, and not just the one he showcased on stage. In his years at the Upper Campus, Roman emerged as a dedicated scholar, a strong contributor to our school community and a passionate advocate for issues important to him, and that should be important to us all. He was active in many ways, taking star turns in the school’s musical productions, helping establish initiatives to support LGBTQIA+ students and their advocates on our campus, and working to make our school community greener and more sustainable. Academically, he demonstrated growth as a student, moving from a reserved participant to a young man exploring all facets of the academic program. Outside of the classroom, he played leading roles in our musicals (including the smooth-talking Billy Flynn in this year’s production of Chicago) and wowed crowds as a golden-throated crooner in solo performances. He conceived and carried out creation of an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to promoting the ethical treatment of animals and the earth, and he served as a student mentor and as a member of the school’s Leadership program. This year, he served as the Student Council’s Sustainability Representative, chosen by his peers to lead efforts to reduce our impact on the earth. Dedicated to the end, he just a few days ago concluded a campaign to collect recyclables at the Upper Campus and cash them in to support our local Humane Society. Roman has the kind of big heart that makes a big difference.

ZACHARY DANINO Oregon State University

To understand what this young man is all about, you only need to know something about his nearly lifelong investment in the OVS community. He officially started at the Lower Campus when he was 5 years old (although he began hanging out in his grandmother’s secondgrade classroom even earlier), and he arrived on the graduation stage having fully absorbed the whole of the OVS experience. That was especially true at the Upper Campus. On the athletic field, on the student government campaign trail, and in the classroom, Zachary emerged as a leader and contributor. He served as lead engineer for our competitive robotics team, served as vice president of Student Council, and worked hard to earn key roles on our varsity soccer, cross country and volleyball teams. A naturally gifted student and strong thinker, he distinguished himself in the classroom, taking nine AP and honors courses. Not one to boast about his own accomplishments, his teachers say he regularly demonstrated his intellectual precision and motivation to further his knowledge. On Student Council, Zachary helped lead service efforts and he did so with enthusiasm, prodding his peers to put down their phones, put away their video games and get out of their rooms to do good work for others. Finally, he emerged as an aficionado of the outdoors, taking full advantage of the Outdoor Education opportunities unique to our school. In fact, his senior capstone project paid tribute to those endeavors as Zachary embarked on a solo camping trip that put into practice all of the skills and knowledge he learned.

LUCAS FELIPE – American University of Rome

His clothes are DISGUSTING. No, really, that’s the name of his clothing brand, an entrepreneurial venture he launched while at the Upper Campus. Turns out, he is a man of many talents. A deep thinker, gifted writer and Festival of Talent funny man, Lucas was never short on words and could spin your head with his observations and opinions. He often bursts into song, loudly and exuberantly. We don’t know what he’s listening to, maybe Disney classics or the Glee soundtrack, but it happens more often than you might think. And that said, do yourself a favor and listen to Lucas discuss subjects of greatest interest to him — music and sports, race and equity — and you will discover a young man with a mind at work. He will eagerly tell you how his clothing line is progressing, what his stocks are up to in the Business Math stock simulator, and how Brazil was robbed in the World Cup. He will also tell you how OVS made a difference for him, allowing him to mature as a student and to challenge himself in many areas. He was active in the leadership of the school, having been elected by his peers to serve as Senior Class Representative, and taking a leading role as a varsity starter on the basketball team last year and on the soccer team this year. He seized opportunities and squeezed them for all they are worth, and we expect him to do the same next year as he heads to college in Italy.

EUGENE FISHER — New York University

After graduating from Lower Campus, Eugene started at a different high school, but returned to OVS during the pandemic as we reopened to in-person classes. It was heartening to know that Eugene’s decision was driven, in part, by his desire to return and help rebuild a school that had lost half of its campus in the 2017 Thomas Fire. He arrived, midway through his sophomore year, to the dust and chaos of an all-out rebuilding effort, and he was among the student leaders who provided the sweat and muscle to move us into newly constructed buildings nearly two years ago. Of all the accolades we can heap on Eugene, we are most impressed by his commitment to serving his community, on the hill and beyond. In his time here, he set a high academic bar in the classroom, taking advantage of a full range of Outdoor Education opportunities, and competing in three varsity sports, one of which, volleyball, he helped restart after years of dormancy. Eugene devoured our most rigorous course load, earning an AP Scholar with Honor distinction from the College Board. But here is what is truest about Eugene: if there was an opportunity to volunteer, he was among the first to sign up. If there was a chance to improve our campus, he did not hesitate to extend a helping hand. For all that and more, Eugene was presented the Wallace Burr Award for his commitment to service and the Andrew Kille Award, which recognizes the senior leader with the strongest sense of community.

EIKI FUKUYAMA — Cal State University, Fullerton

Kind, easy going, a good friend to all — and the school’s sharpest dresser — Eiki grew by leaps and bounds as a member of and contributor to the OVS community. In many ways, he is one of our most-improved players, a student who has matured and learned how to learn, and that has been particularly impressive to witness. Eiki was a boarding student at OVS all four years of high school, and he made this campus his second home – not an easy task for anyone, much less a teenager required to adjust to a new country, culture and customs. Eiki made the most of his time at OVS, engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in outdoor education, resident life, athletics, and college preparatory academics. He plugged into a diverse range of experiences, joining his fellow students to remove trash from local roadways, volunteering to sell student-made pottery at our annual celebration of all things Ojai, and distinguishing himself as a steady and meticulous camera hand in video production. But it is the athletic arena where he really set himself apart, emerging as a key member of our golf and tennis teams. In fact, he was instrumental in helping the golf team earn a playoff appearance, a rarity for OVS in that sport.

INDIA GETTY-PRUSS – Pratt Institute

A student artist of rare talent and initiative, it has been fascinating to watch India’s worldview take shape through her artistic vision. This year, for example, she combined her passion for art, textiles and sustainability to research and create more sustainable methods for producing her artwork. She also launched her own clothing brand, producing and selling an array of handcrafted shirts, sweatshirts and other items. Impressive accomplishments, to be sure. And yet none of that goes nearly far enough to sum up who India is and what she contributes. She has been an exceptional student and citizen in her years at Ojai Valley School, maintaining her high-powered pursuits while holding a variety of leadership positions and actively engaging in virtually every aspect of the school’s co-curricular and extracurricular program. A look at her transcript will reveal a superior student, one recognized by the College Board as an AP Scholar with Distinction. She was selected by the administration to serve on the Leadership Council, and she was chosen by her peers to serve as Student Council secretary. She truly has designs one day to change the world, and we would not bet against her. Because what we have all witnessed over the past four years is the size of India’s heart. Whether it was helping to organize a clothing drive as part of an upcycling initiative or serving as cross country captain, India has been a standout in so many ways – and we expect no less as she heads off to college in New York.

DONGKEON KIM — Embry-Riddle University

This kid wants to fly. In his time at the Upper Campus, we’ve seen Dongkeon do this in an earthbound way — flying around the bases on the baseball diamond and up and down the field on the soccer pitch. But he honestly has designs of going to college and ultimately learning how to become a pilot, and that is incredibly admirable. Since arriving at Ojai Valley School his freshman year, Dongkeon has demonstrated his focused and steady character. Donning his characteristic friendly and easy going demeanor, Dongkeon developed improved work habits and the ability to meet deadlines, especially when the pressure was on. But it was outside the classroom where Dongkeon demonstrated some of his greatest strengths, helping lead the school’s baseball and soccer teams to league championships and playoff appearances. He was selected by coaches as a first-team allleague player in both sports, and he helped lead the soccer squad a couple of years ago to its first-ever post-season CIF berth. Perhaps most notably, he was a starting pitcher on this year’s baseball team, a squad filled with young players who struggled to squeeze out wins this season. However, that didn’t stop DK from throwing hard and giving his best, demonstrating what true leadership is.

HANNAH LITTLE — Northeastern University

Around here, she insists on being called D1 Hannah, a bow to her prowess in athletics. While we have had fun working through her prospects of playing Division 1 college basketball and running Division 1 track, what is true is that we will miss Hannah’s bigger-than-life bravado, her off-the-charts confidence and her unique brand of all-consuming energy. In the academic arena, she tackled our most rigorous course offerings, earning a College Board distinction as an AP Scholar. She was a strong leader, elected by peers to serve as a class representative and selected by the faculty to serve in the school’s leadership program and as a day student prefect. She joined every one of the school’s musical productions, taking star turns as Glinda the Good Witch in Trouble in Oz and as Velma Kelly in Chicago She racked up achievement awards in Spanish, geometry, pre-calculus and ceramics, and last year won the Dorothy Burr Literary Award, the highest honor a writer at our school can achieve. She also won achievement awards in journalism, a craft that she mastered and made her own – so much so that in her senior year she served in a new role as Editorat-Large, taking on the responsibility of working with the Ojai Valley News to resurrect the Student Union, a publication that highlights the journalistic work of local high school students throughout the valley. Hannah almost single-handedly brought that publication to life, and in doing so came to understand that her true talent lies in helping others shine.

TIGRAN NAHABEDIAN — Stanford University

Ask his teachers and they will describe him this way: An enthusiastic learner. A contributor to the community. A master of memes, and a whirling blur on the dance floor. Tigran is a leader – passionate and committed to excellence in all endeavors. He does so many things well that it would be easy for his head to swell. But there is no such hubris from Tigran; he is humble, kind and understated in all he does, possessing the maturity to understand that his ultimate gift is gracious service to others. That service began in elementary school, when he announced to a National Parks official that his dream job was to be director of the National Parks Service. Weeks later, he found himself face-to-face with the NPS director at a volunteer event, and a life of purpose was born. Since that time, his leadership activities have included serving as an advisor to the Outdoors Alliance for Kids in Washington, D.C., serving as a youth board representative for the Channel Islands Park Foundation, and serving as the first Buddy Bison Student Ambassador to the National Park Trust, pioneering the framework for a new generation of youth outreach committed to connecting children to public lands. That energy and commitment translated to the classroom, where he consumed our most challenging courses and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, the highest honor bestowed by the College Board. Along the way, Tigran racked up numerous honors, including the A. Carl Kotchian Award as the school’s most outstanding scholar. Integrity, determination and intellectual curiosity are all qualities that have earned Tigran the respect of his peers and teachers. He lives his life with gusto, and, by doing so, he has made his mark on our campus and on the world beyond it.

WILL PONCZAK — James Madison University

Will says he wants to study computer science, but we think he should consider law or something where persuasion is key. Because this year he accomplished a first for a boarding student, convincing the Head of Upper Campus to allow him to hold a job in town. Now what’s special about that is that “town” is about seven miles from the Upper Campus, which meant that Will had to ride his bike to and from his coffee shop job, leaving his dorm room in the pitch black darkness of morning and pedaling past a lot of unseen wildlife (imagine the bears, bobcats, and mountain lions that watched him zoom by). Hard work is one of Will’s strongest suits, and he was able to demonstrate that repeatedly at OVS, especially when he took charge of stocking and selling items in our Senior Snackshop, which raises funds for the senior class. He is a salesman at heart, and he was in his element when managing that venture. Will emerged as a strong and perceptive thinker in the classroom, and it was fun to watch his brilliance bubbling underneath his calm, cool exterior. Challenge him to a game of chess or step onto the dodgeball court as his foe. You’ll see a different side of this young man, one who earned our admiration and respect. At Graduation, he was honored with the Robert G. Cooper Award, which recognizes the senior who has demonstrated the most personal growth in his or her senior year.

ELLA SCHUETTE — Smith College

By every measure, Ella has been an exceptional student and citizen at Ojai Valley School. Self motivated and driven at all times, and in all instances, to perform at her highest level, Ella possesses a keen intelligence and an inquisitive curiosity for knowledge. She demonstrated her academic grit by taking the most challenging courses available, including three Advanced Placement classes her senior year. She demonstrated service to her school community, and to the community at large, by establishing programs that seek to boost cultural diversity and promote inclusivity. Just as impressively, Ella maintained these high-powered pursuits while holding a variety of leadership positions and actively engaging in virtually every aspect of the school’s co-curricular and extracurricular programs. She served as yearbook editor, was selected to take on the role of dorm prefect and launched a GSA club at our campus to provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students. She was elected by her peers to serve on the Student Council and was selected by faculty to represent the school in various leadership programs, including the Charles B. Runnels Youth Citizenship Seminar at Pepperdine University. She also won achievement awards in various courses including journalism, where in her senior year she served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and On The Hill website. She played basketball and ran cross country, the latter of which happened after Ella learned there were not enough runners for the girls to field a team. Ella laced up her shoes and answered the call, learning much about her own capabilities while supporting her teammates.

LOGAN WALLACE – University of California, Santa Cruz

You want to know how tough this kid is? He hiked 250 miles of the John Muir Trail in the middle of the summer – just for fun! Impressive, but not surprising. He has been at OVS since infancy, living at the Frost Hall boys dorm at birth when his parents were resident counselors there and rising through the grades as a stand-out camper and student at the Lower Campus. Upon arriving at the Upper Campus, Logan quickly earned a reputation as a devoted student, a tenacious athlete and a young man genuinely curious about the world around him. Outside of the classroom, he was elected by his peers to serve as Outdoor Education representative and unofficially he served as a frequent outdoor ambassador, helping younger students explore and enjoy the outdoor experiences that are at the center of our educational philosophy. He learned Wilderness First Aid, served as a lifeguard at summer camp and joined the Green Valley Project, where he worked to preserve natural habitat in our valley. Before graduation, he was presented the J.B. Close Award as the outstanding outdoorsman. He provided the same commitment and contributions on the athletic field, where he excelled as a first-team all-league cross country runner, a first-team all-league varsity soccer player, and the starting outside hitter on the school’s varsity volleyball squad. Throughout his time at OVS, Logan signed up, plugged in and led the way, and we have been the better for it.

SEAN WU — University of Wisconsin

Sean is an originator, an idea producer and a contributor, and he has emerged as a valuable member of our community in his years on the Upper Campus. Whether it was helping to launch a school garden or pickup trash as part of our Adopt-a-Highway Program, Sean engaged in a variety of service efforts, and he did so with a wide smile and boundless enthusiasm. Sure he emerged as a dedicated student in the classroom and a tenacious athlete on the cross country course, but Sean’s best quality is his care for the world beyond this hill. He honestly wants to help heal the earth and to help those less fortunate, and he worked hard to persuade everyone in his community to respond to that need. Sean’s drive and tenacity were apparent in the classroom, where he tackled a range of challenging Advanced Placement classes and excelled in subjects that drew his interest, including those in the area of sustainability and environmental studies. Sean helped restore native habitat through work with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and helped produce and distribute upcycled “seed bombs” at the local farmers’ market. Further from school, he planted community gardens and worked to transform plastic bottles into raw, recycled material in his native Taiwan. Sean has found purpose in the pursuit of helping others and healing the planet – it’s now part of his civic DNA, and we can’t wait to see how that passion develops in the coming years.

EMANUEL ZAGATA-JACOBSON — UCLA

He is a brilliant thinker, outstanding contributor and rare learner who will surprise you with the power of his perception. Emanuel is also a leader and a doer in so many capacities, helping publish our school yearbook, produce the student newspaper and power various projects, including the resurrection this year of the school’s surf team. Emanuel’s resume is a testament to his investment in our school community, but it’s also evidence of the curiosity and commitment he infuses into so much of what he does. Academically, he took a range of challenging Advanced Placement courses and earned high marks on many of those exams, so much so that the College Board last summer named him an AP Scholar with Honor. Outside of the classroom, Emanuel’s leadership was demonstrated in multiple ways. He was selected by the faculty to be part of the Boys State citizenship program, and he became a leader in the outdoors, especially when it came to answering the early-morning call to test the waves as part of Dawn Patrol. Always pushing himself to be better, Emanuel emerged as a gifted ceramicist, putting hours into that craft and practicing it this year at the AP level, and as a dedicated cross country runner, forging himself to become the team’s captain and a valuable member of a varsity squad that earned back-to-back league championships.

ZIMO ZENG — University of California, Davis

She arrived at Ojai Valley School at the start of her junior year and quickly got busy engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in Outdoor Education, resident life, and college preparatory academics. In those academic subjects where Zimo was most interested, her teachers described her as an enthusiastic learner, one who was genuinely curious about the work at hand and interested in learning for the sake of learning. Zimo is somewhat quiet, but full of surprises. A native of China, she is fluent in three languages and tackled the AP German exam last spring – earning a high score on that test without taking the AP German course. Outside of the classroom, she dedicated herself to cross country, where she was an all-league selection and key member of the varsity squad, and to journalism, where she worked her way into the advanced class by demonstrating her ability to tackle complex reporting and writing assignments. Putting her experience into practice, she was part of a crew of journalism students who crafted and published a wonderful tribute to the workers — maintenance, cleaning, kitchen and transportation — who make the Upper Campus run. It was a project well executed and for Zimo it truly showcased the depth of her talent. Funny and a good friend to all, humble and understated, Zimo soaked up the OVS experience and made the school better as a result.

Logan UC Santa Cruz Environmental Studies

Caleb Oregon State University, Cascades Computer Science

Hyun Ung University of Southern California Human Development & Aging

Zimo UC Davis Political Science

Emanuel UCLA Economics

Zachary Oregon State University Technical Engineering

Eiki CSU Fullerton Business

Tigran Stanford University Computer Science

Roman Pitzer College Environmental Analysis

Dongkeon Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Aviation

Sean Purdue University Natural Resources & Environmental Science

Lucas American University of Rome Business Marketing, Fashion

Ethan Michigan State University Finance

Ella Smith College Education & Child Study

Hannah Northeastern University Media and Screen Studies and Journalism

Eugene New York University Global Politics & Culture, Journalism

India Pratt Institute Fashion Design

William James Madison University Computer Science

Class of 2023

Class of 2023 College Acceptances

American University of Rome

Binghampton University

Boston University

California College of the Arts

Cal Lutheran University

Cal State University, Chico

Cal State University, Fullerton

Cal State University, Humboldt

Cal State University, Long Beach

Cal Poly Pomona

Cal State University, San Diego

Cal State University, San Francisco

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

UC Berkeley

UC Davis

UC Irvine

UCLA

UC Riverside

UC San Diego

UC Santa Cruz

Champlain College

Colorado College

Colorado State University

University of Colorado, Boulder

Concordia University

Connecticut College

Embry Riddle University

Emerson College

George Mason University

George Washington University

Hult International Business School

University of Illinois

Illinois Tech

Indiana University

James Madison University

University of La Verne

Lewis and Clark College

Lindenwood University

London College of Fashion

Loyola Marymount University

Macalaster College

Mercyhurst University

Michigan State University

Western Michigan University

University of Minnesota

New York University

University of North Dakota

Northeastern University

Occidental College

Oregon State University

Oregon State University, Cascades

Ohio State University

University of Oklahoma

Parsons School of Design

Penn State University

Pepperdine University

University of Pittsburgh

Pitzer College

Pratt Institute

University of Puget Sound

Purdue University

University of Redlands

Reed College

Rutgers University

Saint Louis University

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

USC

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seattle University

Smith College

Stanford University

St. Lawrence University

Syracuse University

United States Merchant Marine

Academy

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin

Vassar College

Vermont State University

Western Washington University

Whitman College

* Matriculations in bold

Farewell from the Class of 2023

By Logan Wallace

Logan: Let’s start from the beginning, the very beginning. It is September 7, 2011. It’s 8:00 a.m. and three kids file into the Kindergarten classroom, clutching to their parents coats, princess and Lightning McQueen backpacks at their backs and tears welled up in their eyes as they said goodbye to everything they had ever known. One of them considered himself a veteran; his home, the boys dorm, was only about a hundred yards away. The next child felt nervous, yet a sense of familiarity in that he had spent hours in the second grade room with his grandmother. The last Kindergartener, in fashion, probably showed up late. Her bright blonde hair fluffed at her shoulders as she threw a tantrum about her first day at Ojai Valley School.

Now the date is June 2, 2023, and the same three kids are standing together in front of you. This time we are 15 years and 12 grades older. Tears once again swell to our eyes as we prepare to say goodbye to everything we have ever known. And this time we don’t clutch the hands of our parents, but our diplomas.

This final bunch that you see in front of you took years of luck and chance to accumulate. Friends joined us through elementary years as we ran around the once monstrous play structures of the Lower Campus. Friends joined us as we battled atop the floating log at Hume Lake in the High Sierras. And new friends joined us each year of high school.

Looking back to freshman year, it feels like just yesterday that we all had braces, high-pitched voices, pimples and awkward smiles. There was the first sports season, the first reading journal, the first camping trip, the first set of laps (the second set of laps, the third set of laps.) Yet we overcame these firsts.

Zachary: But one day that all came to a halt. Thursday, March 13, 2020. We all cheered and laughed about taking two weeks off of school for something that seemed no worse than a common cold. But then two weeks turned into four and four into eight and all of a sudden we were all sitting at home watching the Class of 2020 graduate on our laptops. No track, no baseball, no prom. Just like that, our freshman year was over, our first year of high school had come to an end not with a bang but a whimper.

As sophomores we started the year online, but we had learned a few tricks this time. We downloaded all the extensions that let us freeze our screens and pretend to do work while we really played on our phones. And then we were back at it. We were allowed to go to school again, but it wasn’t the same. Masks, social distancing, and outdoor classrooms changed the way OVS operated as a whole.

Our junior year we were finally able to return to a sense of normalcy. Once again we had cross country meets, soccer games, and a real prom. And we had the first classes in the new buildings. It seemed like OVS was finally returning to what it once had been.

Hannah: As the end looms near, we begin this period that I will be referring to as Reflection – a time that comes swiftly and quietly. It is like a storm that brews furiously on the other side of the hill, just out of sight. Reflection at first feels like heaven. When everything is coming into perspective. Reflection then begins to thunder and pour. The people around you start hugging you more. And you realize that all you have been talking to people about is where you’re going, what you’re doing next. The answers to these questions have changed. The answers aren’t “I’m getting groceries at Westridge or planning to catch a movie in Ventura.” The answers are New York or Rome or Oregon.

Though the storm has not yet flooded we know that it is near. Summer weeks will count down and the storm will flood. It will carry off our final moments of childhood and leave us intimidated.

But then finally the storm will clear to reveal a new world. With the traditions, habits and expectations washed away, we will be able to enter the new world light and free only tethered by the love and support that gushes from our families, friends and community. The sun will peak through the clouds and we will be OK. Reflection will come to an end and we will embark on our journeys and we will be OK. I hope that the imprint OVS has left on us can be just as significant as the legacy we have left behind. We will forever have something special together. Connected as the OVS Cass of 2023.

(L19,U23), Zachary Danino (L19,U23), and Hannah Little (L19,U23)

Floating On

The week before Graduation, the seniors navigated 43 miles of whitewater on the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon. The flow was ideal, the weather superb, and the outcome another successful outdoor adventure. On the return journey, the seniors stopped to explore the redwoods along Northern California’s coastline, and put a time capsule in the forest.

The bond they forged on the trip – and over the last four years – was memorialized in a song written by Outdoor Education Coordinator Zach Byars and performed by the entire Class of 2023 during their Graduation Ceremony.

By Zach Byars

Cherish the memories — live on forever

Don’t let them fade out, think of the river

Hold them close when you go far; no matter where you are

Close your eyes and come back when you want

Thinking back to how it started, where it all began

Half of us were playing at the playground hand in hand

New faces from new places, were welcome to our home

Into this Ojai Valley, together we would roam

Cherish the memories; live on forever

Don’t let them fade out, think of the river

Hold them close when you go far no matter where you are

Close your eyes and come back when you want

So here we sit before you, on our Graduation day New adventures waiting, and we’ll gladly say Thank you for the lessons, and your time and patience too

Our friends and family gather here, impossible without you

Cherish the memories; live on forever

Don’t let them fade out, think of the river

Hold them close when you go far no matter where you are

Close your eyes and come back when you want

We’ve made it this far together, the next chapter not so clear

But we’ll always have the river, and our memories so dear

Exploring creeks and mountains, all the places we would go

It’s hard to stop the power of our river when it flows

Cherish the memories; live on forever

Don’t let them fade out, think of the river

Hold them close when you go far no matter where you are

Close your eyes and come back when you want

Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Promotion

First to Fifth Grade Promotion

Sixth & Seventh Grade Promotion

Eighth Grade Graduation

Lower Campus Awards

“All 32 of you have accomplished a significant milestone in your lives. We are here today to honor you, recognize your achievements, and celebrate your journey. Today we look ahead with confidence, knowing that we have positioned each of you well for the next part of your journey. You will be an OVS 8th-grade graduate, and you are well-prepared for whatever your future may hold. You will soon reflect on your time here at Lower, and reflect on all the different things you participated in and accomplished, the fun you had with friends, teachers, and dorm parents, and I hope you smile and think it was a pretty cool experience.”

— Laurie Clark, Head of Lower Campus

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The highest honor we can give an eighth-grade student. Its purpose is to commend the student who, with his or her actions and attitude, contributed to the school community in a sensitive and constructive manner in all phases of school life.

Clementine Rowan

HEAD OF SCHOOL’S AWARD

Given for the significant contributions an eighth grader, or eighth graders, have made during their years at Lower Campus.

Celeste Ayala, Annabel Billings

MICHAEL J. HALL-MOUNSEY AWARD

Honors the boarding students who have consistently served as an outstanding role model for his or her peers and who has demonstrated initiative, leadership, and responsibility.

Noelani Hooks, Atsuhito “Joe” Kano

JB CLOSE AWARD

Given each year to the student, or students, who best exemplify the goals of the Outdoor Education program. His or her consistent contributions to camping, backpacking, and rock climbing trips, love and respect for nature, and commitment to helping others in the face of adversity set this student apart.

Andrew Radford, Cole Huey

MICHAEL D. HERMES AWARD

Given to the most outstanding eighth-grade student athlete.

Matthew Bowden

PAUL PITTMAN AWARD

Recognizes the student, or students, who have exhibited the most enthusiasm and active participation in the equestrian program.

Kian Rothwell

Matthew Bowden (above) and Noelani Hooks (below) receive their awards at the Eighth Grade Graduation ceremony.

Super Mahon

Reflecting on Mike Mahon's 21 years of service to OVS

By Misty Hall

When Mike Mahon agreed to attend a Thanksgiving dinner in 2002, he had no idea how radically it would change his life over the next two decades. Several people at the dinner worked at OVS, and they got to talking about a computer teacher who had quit suddenly before the holiday break. “I knew many who worked at OVS, and they really seemed invested in making the program special,” Mr. Mahon remembered. Initially, he took the job for the three weeks between the Thanksgiving and winter breaks. By the end of that school year, “I was awarded the golden handcuff, a fulltime job, and housing. I don’t think I ever looked back,” he said.

Twenty-one years later, he reflects on a career that had him wearing multiple hats — many at the same time — including teacher, advisor, Outdoor Education trip leader, Student Council advisor, website manager, database manager, educational technology coordinator, middle school coordinator, and Assistant Head of Lower Campus. But oftentimes, the jobs that didn’t have official titles ended up being the most meaningful. Things like “teacher who was always up in the tech booth helping students run the lights and soundboard for school plays,” and “teacher who helped middle schoolers figure out how to take photos of the curvature of the Earth.”

And that’s where Mr. Mahon really shines the brightest — right in the pocket, figuring it out with the kids in a

hands-on environment. Where inquiry and supportive educators produce much more than the sum of their parts. Nowhere was that more clear than during Project X. The high-flying (literally and figuratively) Middle School club charged students to build and launch a homemade weather balloon into near space. “When Mike Mahon asked me if I wanted to be part of the OVS Space Program, I chuckled because I knew he wasn’t kidding,” said alum Jason Goldman (L01, U05).

“We believed that the barriers to knowledge were so minimal that our greatest gift to students would be showing them that they could literally learn anything thing they want, with minimal adult support,” Mr. Mahon said. “Our only rule in Project X was to try not to directly teach the students anything. We could question, inspire, provide resources, maybe even a nudge here and there, but they would have to ask the right questions and succeed on their own.”

Two years in a row, OVS students successfully launched their homemade balloons more than 80,000 feet above the surface of the Earth. But Mr. Mahon and Mr. Goldman didn’t just measure that success by the incredible photos the kids brought back.

"I remember that somehow, the kid who didn’t talk became the Director of Communications, coordinating with actual federal agencies," said Goldman. "The kids were lucky to have his kindness, inclusion, and creativity."

“It was magical,” said Gary Gartrell, former Head of Lower Campus. “Those kids were as focused and engaged as I have ever seen in any activity at OVS, inside and outside the classroom.”

But, as Mr. Gartrell pointed out, moments like this were common when Mr. Mahon got involved. Up in the Wolf Den (the tech booth in the Greenberg Activity Center), “Mike came up with this idea to have students take on this job of supporting All School and the performing arts by taking charge of the sound, lighting and video presentations,” said Mr. Gartrell. “It is a very high pressure situation with a lot of responsibility. Aaron Wolf (L16, U20) went from a very shy Middle Schooler, to a hero to his peers partly for his work in the booth. Mike had the foresight to start that tradition that allowed Aaron to find his passion and for those who followed.”

Aaron reflected that, although he didn't know it then, these were some of the most transformative moments in his life. "Mike had a keen ability to motivate his students in their interests, taking them from observers to active participants," he said. "His constant encouragement and investment in my success helped me find a home in the tech booth. Because of Mike, I found an identity in the interests that had always been beyond reach. It gave me solid ground to stand on when I had nothing, it gave me the confidence to lean into my interests and grow as an individual. Upon writing this, I realized my passions now have all evolved from the activities

Mr. Mahon brings Island of the Blue Dolphins to life with 8th graders at the Channel Islands.

I would have never explored had it not been for the joy that Mike had for helping his students find what sparked their interests."

As a leader on Outdoor Education trips, Mr. Mahon was a mentor to students and staff alike — and a mean backcountry guitar player, too. “I wasn’t a real leader until I led my first trip at OVS, and no aspect of my leadership since is uninformed by something related to a backcountry experience,” Mr. Mahon said. “Being six days out in a remote wilderness, exploring off-trail, and doing it with your eight favorite Middle School students will test every aspect of your leadership, organization, fitness, and perseverance, but it will make you happier than anything else you can do in this life.”

Indeed, there were few things that happened at OVS during Mr. Mahon’s tenure that didn’t involve him somehow — leading the Surf Club, guiding the Student Council leaders, participating in every “Fossils vs. Students” sports game, summiting Machu Picchu on a spring break excursion, speaking on the value of good character at All School meetings, curating a fabulous playlist to help start everyone’s school day, substitute teaching in the woodshop (he’s a fair hand at carpentry) and just about every other classroom … the list is indeed too long for these pages.

Which is not to say it was all happiness and rainbows. After all, Mr. Mahon was also in charge of discipline. But even then, there was a bit of magic.

“Mike has a special way of holding kids accountable to be the best possible version of themselves,” said Head of Lower Campus Laurie Clark. “Students often come back and thank him for his mentorship. Even when he was disciplining them! More than one has said, ‘You being hard on me is what turned me around.’”

Mrs. Clark credits Mr. Mahon’s leadership for helping the school (and herself) get through the COVID pandemic. “He lives and breathes the foundations of OVS, and he made sure that we kept our traditions even though we had to work around COVID. He cared so much about keeping it as ‘normal’ as possible for the students … We could’ve made our lives so much easier if we didn’t do the plays, or camping, but Mike was

like, ‘NO! We have to make it happen!’ And he always did!”

Mr. Gartrell heartily agreed, “Mike has been one of the key ingredients that makes an OVS student the confident and well-rounded graduate we are so proud of,” said Mr. Gartrell. “He always helped out his peers, whether it was part of his job description or not … He made the school better, he made the students better ... he made me better.”

In true Mr. Mahon style, he turns it all back to the OVS community. “I feel blessed to have known so many fantastic kids,” he said. “Students in PK-8 are the most idealistic they will ever be. In my estimation, these uncorrupted ideals will set you straight if you live in the moment with them.”

He had similar praise to sing of his colleagues. “The teachers here are the most dedicated, supportive, and beautiful people I know," he enthused. “This institution really is a credit to their passion and hard work. I’ll forever be grateful that they allowed me to lead for as long as I did. Their support, encouragement, and tireless determination made many things possible for our students. I'll miss their partnership, care, and friendship deeply.”

Moving forward, Mr. Mahon hopes to remain a close friend and contributor to OVS. We look forward to seeing him hiking the Ojai trails, riding his bike through town, and surfing local beaches.

From left: Camping on Santa Cruz Island in 2018; launching the Project X balloon in 2015; working with students in the Wolf Den in 2022.

One of many "Fossils" basketball games.

Barn-voyage!

Stephanie Gustafson retires as OVS Director of Equestrian

By Misty Hall

Horses are as much a part of OVS as Frost Hall. From the school’s earliest days, they have been valued as important members of the teaching staff, imparting lessons that go far beyond basic horsemanship.

Sharing these lessons with students is something Stephanie Gustafson is going to miss. After decades spent in the OVS

barns — including 11 years as the Director of Equestrian — "Mrs. G" is retiring this fall.

There’s lots to reflect upon from her years at OVS, from big things like taking equestrian students on trips to places like Ireland and Portugal, to small things like watching a student post the trot first the first time. “Teaching beginners is really where it’s at in terms of gratification,” said Mrs. G. “If you can keep them safe while they are skill building, you can not only give them a new activity/skillset but, in some cases, also a life-long passion — who wouldn’t want to be part of that? It’s also very empowering for girls and young women to learn how to be the leader in a partnership that physically is so lopsided — I love watching those tough, confident girls graduate, and knowing that our horses and equestrian program contributed to their growth.”

Ellen Hou (U18) can attest to that. After a year of typical high school sports like cross country and basketball, she decided to give equestrian a try. That decision — and Mrs. G’s guidance over the years — changed her life. It would lead her on a path to the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she’d compete on the equestrian team and earn a degree in Equestrian Studies.

“One of the things she helped me with is that you continuously learn,” Ellen said of Mrs. G. “I really appreciate that about her — yes, she is knowledgeable, but she was also not afraid to tell us if she didn’t know something. She’s a student, as well! She has a teacher, too! She taught me it’s OK to not know things. Not only with horses, but in life … you are always learning.”

Mrs. G’s lessons continued long after Ellen graduated from OVS. When COVID hit and SCAD closed, Mrs. G offered Ellen a room at the Gustafson home. Working side by side with Mrs. G and the OVS horses — many of whom

Mrs. G with Nutello at the Upper Campus.

were also staying with Mrs. G — transformed a very difficult time into something Ellen remembers fondly. “I don’t know how to quantify it, what she did for me,” Ellen said.

That dedication to the students — and the horses — lies at the core of Mrs. G’s being. During the Thomas Fire, she gathered a group of helpers to evacuate the horses safely. “She led with a calm confidence,” remembered Krista Mrs. Belgum, Lower Campus riding instructor. “She had a plan. We all knew what we were going to be doing. She never seemed panicked.” Even when the fire and smoke forced them to evacuate the horses several times to several locations, Mrs. G stayed steady. “She lived with those horses while they were evacuated,” Mrs. Belgum said. “She literally set up camp right next to them!”

But it’s Mrs. G’s day-to-day care, year after year, no matter the weather or the holiday, that Mrs. Belgum will remember most. “Stephanie often cares for the sick/injured school horses at her house so that she can watch them around the clock and administer meds,” Mrs. Belgum said. “She also takes a group of them over breaks. She also feeds every

year on Christmas Day with her family so that no one has to work more than a partial day.” Mrs. G, it’s worth noting, frequently tips her hat to the many folks who have helped her over the years, especially her family. “Thank goodness for their help, it saved us on so many occasions.”

Although she shares the kudos, “She’s never above the work,” Mrs. Belgum added of Mrs. G. “If somebody’s out sick, she shows up with a pitchfork in hand at 7 a.m. and cleans the whole barn. She holds horse care and horse wellbeing at the top of her priority list. I have so much respect for that.”

For Mrs. G, that’s a no-brainer. “We need to train and care for our horses ethically and with compassion — putting their needs in the forefront of any decision. They are not

just a means to an end for our own egos — that’s a hard, but necessary, lesson for our students. Mostly, there is joy caring for them day in and day out. They are so powerful and yet so gentle — that mixture constantly amazes me.”

Mrs. G admitted she’ll miss the OVS horses the most — no surprise there. But Mrs. G isn’t putting away her tack just yet. She’ll continue working in her own barn, training and competing. She’ll also be learning a new skill: equine bodywork. “I love to learn new things and really need, as a person, a fairly constant sense of exploration/adventure,” Mrs. G said. “The horses and students have supplied that for so many years. In September, I plan to start a course in equine bodywork, and I have a young horse I recently imported from Spain — that will keep me learning for sure.”

So while it’s not exactly a kick-back-and-relax kind of retirement, she’ll have plenty to keep her busy — and memories to spare. “I have so much gratitude to the OVS community (including the horses) for making my journey so rewarding, meaningful and enjoyable; for turning my passion into a profession — that’s a real gift."

Mrs. G, teaching in the barn at the Lower Campus, circa 2006.

Sightseeing in between dressage lessons, in Portugal in 2018.

Mrs. G with her frequent barn helpers — children Emma (L14, U18), Matt (L11, U15) and Alex (L05).

OVS on the Road

Please join us at one of our upcoming fall and winter Alumni Events!

September 21

Boulder, CO

Regional Alumni Gathering

September 30

San Francisco, CA

Regional Alumni Gathering

October 27

New York City, NY

Regional Alumni Gathering

November 15

Boston, MA

Regional Alumni Gathering

December 9

Ojai, CA

Spud Classic Golf Tournament

December 21

Ojai, CA

Festivus Holiday Alumni Gathering

In addition to these social gatherings, OVS will be on the road meeting prospective new international students and families in Beijing, Taipei, Mexico City, Tokyo and Lagos. If you know a family interested in learning more about OVS, please reach out to the Admission Office at admission@ovs.org.

Aaron Wolf Imparts Advice at Senior to Alumni Dinner

Just before graduation, the Class of 2023 gathered for the Senior-toAlumni Dinner, an informal event held at Boccali's restaurant to welcome the soon-to-be graduates into the Alumni Association. As part of this tradition, OVS invites a young alum to serve as guest speaker to share words of advice about the transition from high school to college.

Aaron Wolf (L16, U20), an environmental science major at UCLA, agreed to serve this year. Aaron came to OVS in the 6th grade and he distinguished himself as a leader and a scholar on both campuses.

In the aftermath of the Thomas Fire, Aaron was among the students who returned early from the December

break to help prepare the campus to reopen. He and his classmates were significant contributors to the community. And so it was particularly painful when the pandemic shut down their final year at OVS. No prom. No

Colborn (L16, U20) and Olivia Brown (L16, U20). "But we can invite Aaron here to join your dinner and share his wisdom about the importance of staying connected as you venture out into the world."

Senior-to-Alumni Dinner. No in-person graduation ceremony.

"We can't go back in time and recreate those missed experiences," Advancement Director Tracy Wilson said in introducing Aaron, accompanied by classmates Avery

Aaron talked about the struggles he and his classmates had transitioning to college during the pandemic. Community was hard to find at first, he said, but over time he made connections. He encouraged the seniors to work through the initial challenges and embrace opportunities to get involved and make the college experience meaningful.

"From here on out, you make your future," he said. "You will not be measured by what you have achieved, but by what you have done.”

Pons Dinner Bridges the Gap Between Middle and High School

This spring, more than 120 students and faculty members gathered for the 27th annual Pons Dinner under the Wallace Burr Pergola. From the Latin for bridge, Pons is a time to recognize the 8th graders and other Lower Campus graduates, now in high school, as they prepare to transition from high school to college.

Pons is an important alumni event that emphasizes the importance of staying connected to each other and the school.

Alumni guest speaker CatieJo Larkin (L18, U22) talked about how the bonds she formed at OVS were an anchor during her first year at Smith College.

“As we all move forward in life, it may seem easy, or even expected, to lose

touch with those who once meant so much,” she said. “Yet, I have found that the bonds I created here really never fade away, whether it is emotionally or physically. In fact my best friend and I, whom I met on my tour of OVS in 5th grade, actually go to college not only in the same state on the other side of the country, Massachusetts, but only an hour away from each other! We

swear it was not on purpose! It’s just that unbreakable OVS bond.”

CatieJo also shared some advice with the students: be confident and know that OVS has prepared you for the challenges of high school and college.

“The rigorous academic programs, the dedicated faculty, and plentiful extracurricular opportunities have equipped us with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel,” she said. “The countless hours spent in classrooms, playing fields, and back country have taught us the importance of perseverance, and adaptability. We have learned to navigate the complexities of life, understanding that success is not solely measured by our achievements but by the character we exhibit along the way.”

OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL ALUMNI WEEKEND 2023

Alumni Weekend Wrap-up

Thank you everyone who attended Alumni Weekend! The Saturday evening social, dinner and Boyd-a-palooza concert not only set a new standard for entertainment at our annual reunion weekend, but gave retiring Upper Campus teachers John and Lisa Boyd a memorable send-off as they retire after 37 years.

We also enjoyed a hike on Shelf Road and a Paint-and-Sip class led by alumna Michele Floyd (L84). And Head of School Lars Kuelling provided a preview for alums of the Strategic Plan to enhance programs, modernize facilities and continue to build an engaged community of boarding and day students.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for next year’s reunion weekend: June 7, 8 and 9, 2024!

In Case You Missed It

John and Lisa Boyd first arrived at the Upper Campus 37 years ago and helped shape the OVS music, science, and photography programs. The Boyds were profiled in a retirement story in the spring issue of Family Tree. You can read the story on the publications page of website at ovs.org/alumni

1. John Boyd (top left) and Lisa Boyd (center) with alumni from the 1980s and 1990s, including Susan Lau (U92), Jess Brolin (L87, U91), Tomoko (Seino) Hotema (U94), Courtney Atinsky (U92), Susan (Nagaoka) Lux (L92), Tracy Fryer (U93), John De Nault (L89, U93), Patricia Boyd (L04, U08), Chris Treese (U92) and former teachers Judy Oberlander and Craig Anderson.

2. From left: classmates William Burke (U73), Jimmy Cooper (L70, U73), Monica Casey (L70, U73), and Oscar Kornblatt (U73) celebrate their 50th reunion.

3. From left: Andrew Town (L05, U09), John Wickenhaeuser, Cooper Hefner (U09), and Gary Dinkins.

7. From

Carol Thom, Mohi Khairandish (L77, U81), Richard Pell (U79), Glen and Roya (Khairandish) Kim (U80), Jimmy Cooper (L70, U73) and Gary Dinkins. 8. Clockwise

Laurie Wright (L76, U80), Brian Dallas (L79, U83), Sunny Sheldrake (U82), Craig Floyd (U83), Lynn Whipple, Mohi Khairandish (L77, U81), Roya (Khairandish) Kim (U80), Karen Farmer (L77, U81) and Christian Elberfeld (L76, U80). 9. Susan Lau (U92) and John Boyd. 10. Former teachers John Wickenhaeuser and Dave Edwards.

11. From left: Breanna Farber (U03), Lisa Boyd and Sarah Bunter (L99, U03).

12. From left: CatieJo Larkin (L18, U22), Ryan Farrell (L18, U22) and Alex Alvarez (L18, U22).

4. Brothers Robert Cooper (L61) and Carl Cooper (L64, U68) share a laugh with alumni Steve Rowland (U74), Jacob Smith (L95, U99), and Zach Smith (L86, U90). 5. Chia Hersk (L88, U92) and Courtney Atinsky (U92). 6. Eleanora Burright and Dahee Roh (L13, U17).

left:

from left:

1. Tomoko (Seino) Hotema (U94), Tracy Fryer (U93), Chris Kang (U10), Lisa Boyd, Alex Alvarez (L18, U22), Wen Lazo-Dowdy (L15, U19), Craig Anderson and John Boyd perform at Boyd-aPalooza in the Littlefield Commons. 2. Andrew Town (L05, U09). 3. Cooper Hefner (U09) and John Boyd. 4. The Boyds and Craig Anderson.

5. Alex Alvarez (L18, U22) and John Boyd.

6. John Boyd and Ted Jung (U17). 7. The Boyds with siblings Jared Silverman (L09, U13) and Taylor (Silverman) Aziz (L04), their father, Howie, and spouses, Laura and Ari. 8. Carol and Michael Hall-Mounsey with Lisa Boyd.

OVS Gathering of the ‘Ancients’ defies June Gloom

By Liza Cass White (L61)

What a difference a year makes for the renamed Gathering of the Ancients, formerly the OVS Sedona reunioneers, who abandoned their Sedona “Living Springs Camp” for the more Ancient-friendly Upper Campus common room and dorms. The June 2022 gathering was so hot we didn’t hike because heat stroke loomed and this year it was so cold and wet that events were moved inside! But June Gloom didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of these mostly Lower alumni, ages 75 to 80, who still want to connect. We began reconnecting in 1992, still happy to hike and swim and provoke and prank all who joined, like pseudo-sibs on a 36-hour Life’s Seas Cruise, every four years. Now most are wading on Life’s shores but still loving the view.

Frances/Fanny/Casey Case (L61) was and is our convener, provisioner, keeper of memorabilia, and herder of us all to this Gathering as the tail end of the official OVS Alumni Weekend. Now it is every year in deference to our more limited cosmic time. This year, some attendees even came for pre-Alumni Weekend activities that included a Friday night dinner at Boccali’s with newcomer Ancients Weezy Griggs and Terry, and a passel of Cooper siblings all in one place. Some attendees enjoyed the Ojai Music Festival and the Libbey Park ceramics show with another Cooper sharing her art. The hike along Shelf Road,

From left: Bill Issacson (L60), Judy Land (L61), Susan (Cooper) Shaver (L59), Jim Churchill (L61), Steve and Judy (Huckins) Quilici (L60), Birgitta Steiner, Caren Olsen (L61), Denise Daniel, Robert Cooper (L61), Daphne Cates (L62, U65), and Bob Anthony (L61)

resplendent with flowers and foggy Valley views, was sadly in lieu of the Piedra Blanca trails that the rains have currently wiped out. The evening conversation from the new Head, Lars Kuelling, about his aims for the school and his energy to think creatively with the Board to accomplish them, was the apex of the serious stuff.

But Sunday brought 19 Ancients, plus a few of their significant alum-nots together (yes, our crowd is growing), for Taco Sunday and the first official sleep on the incomparable Girls Dorm mattresses. This is a good space to say that the school and staff are magnificent in supporting us: extra tables/dishes/ BBQs/room distribution/lowering of beds to walk-on not jump-on heights and just the warmest of welcome. We do pay our way, but couldn’t do this without them.

Monday’s brunch at the Ojai citrus ranch of Jim Churchill (L61) had all you could eat eggs, sausage, scones – all freshly prepared by Jim and partner Gael and then the orchard tour commenced. Oh my, the things we learned about avocado love with receptive flowers opening in the morning as female and in the afternoon as male; no more smudge pots for freeze control; and the fragility of citrus farming in the Anthropocene. The day continued in many directions but not before Bobby Cooper (L61), Bob Anthony (L61). and Fanny/Casey packed it all up as Julie

Fowler Westerfield (L61) arrived with 3 homemade guava pies – that we enjoyed at Monday’s farewell dinner. Some of us went for another hike into the Upper Ojai Valley; some wandered the very narrow halls of the Lower boy’s dorm; some watched World Cup soccer, and some dallied at the Ojai Valley Inn.

Monday’s dinner as ever emerged from Fanny/Casey’s months of preplanning and Costco’s cornucopia. She even mastered sous vide for pre-cooking the BBQed chicken while Bobby and Bob manned the tri tip Master Chef BBQ station. Ruthie Col (L61) added troves of Amazonian handmade jewelry for purchase to support OVS and the Peruvian Adopt-ASchool that she travels to each year. Nick Thacher (L60) (our Ancient’s gift as Chair of the OVS Board of Trustees) did

not sing Men of Harlech but, as a dual alum, did manage a lively two-step between OVS’ and Thacher School’s alumni celebrations. Head Lars Kuelling and wife Patty punctuated the “old timers” conversation with their many experiences and energy for the still vital OVS way of life. By the end, all Gloom had been extinguished by lights out time.

If this Gathering were a live oak tree, Nick Thacher (L60), Bill Isaacson (L60), Lana Lucking (L57), Susie Cooper Shaver (L59), Judy Huckins (L60), Weezy Griggs Hagen (L59) and Terry Hagen, were our Root Ancients; Caren Olsen (L61), Judy Land (L61), Julie Fowler Westerfield (L61), Bobby Cooper (L61), Selby Smith (L61), Jim Churchill (L61), Bob Anthony (L61), Liza Cass (L61) and Fanny/Casey Case (L61), were our Trunk Ancients; and Daphne Cates (L62, U65), Spencer Garrett (L62, U65) and Kirk Warren (L62, U65), were our Branch Ancients. And those precious alum-nots? They are our acorns and our sunlight that has allowed us to prosper. Next year we gather from June 9 to 11.

Clockwise from left: Hikers Crystal Davis, Shawn Davis (L90, U94), Robert Cooper (L61), Monica Casey (L70, U73), Mohi Khairandish (L77, U81), Glen and Roya (Khairandish) Kim (U80), Carol Thom, Brian Schlaak, and Fanny/Casey Case (L61).

Kirk Warren (L62, U65), Daphne Cates (L62, U65), and Spencer Garrett (L62, U65).

Pattie Rascoe Bakke (L76, U80), a devoted mother and compassionate friend whose warmth and humor were bigger than life, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. She was 60.

Pattie was born in Manhattan Beach, California, on January 8, 1963. She began attending Ojai Valley School at the Lower Campus as a 7th grader in 1975 and continued to the Upper Campus for high school. She graduated in 1980 and continued to be an active OVS alumna, attending events and staying close with her friends and classmates. A video memorial in her honor was played during the 2023 Alumni Weekend and enjoyed by those who knew and loved her.

It was at OVS that Pattie discovered her passion for Theater Arts. She loved singing, acting, and dancing. After graduating from OVS, Pattie attended Loyola Marymount University as a Theater Arts major. But her interests went beyond the arts. Pattie excelled in everything she attempted, including volleyball, soccer, and horseback riding. Classmates and family members remember Pattie as vivacious and smart, with a keen sense of humor.

“One memory I have of Pattie was when we were in a history class together and Mr. Cooper told us to read the chapter and pick the most important paragraph and write a report about it,” classmate Rahil Kim (U80) said. “Of course, the genius Pattie was, just before class she wrote one sentence: ‘I think every paragraph in this chapter is important.’ And she got an A!”

Terre (Gallagher) Steinbeck (L76) recalled that Pattie was an animal fanatic. “She was also a scoundrel, like us all,” Terre said. “Once or twice we would sneak out, letting the mares out onto the soccer field. Then (ahem), we’d let out the stallion. I don’t think we ever got caught but I DO know there was a foal or two the following year.”

Pattie went on to live in Hermosa Beach and raise her sons. She returned to OVS to serve as a summer camp counselor and dorm parent for a summer when the boys were young.

Later in her life, Pattie moved with her family to Southern Oregon, where she lived for the remainder of her days. She was actively involved in supporting her daughter, Grace, with gymnastics, and she worked in numerous restaurants and wineries, making many friends along the way.

Pattie is survived by her sons, Jesse, Jeremy, and Joshua Bakke and daughter Grace Bakke; grandson Hayes Bakke and daughter-in-law Brittney Bakke; mother Glendene Rascoe; sisters Carolyn BattenKimzey and Karen Rascoe Farmer (L77, U81;

brothers Steven Rascoe and Roux Rascoe; several nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

Joseph Culp (L76) remembered Pattie with a poem:

Dearest Pattie; more than a school mate 11,12,13,14... closer to “sister” or something else hard to define, as we lived 9 months a year witnessing each other, morning, noon and nightthose unkempt, emblazoned ragamuffin days, some scrubbed and shiningour oddball family of mismatched orphans working it out under ancient oak trees and the dust of gentle horses in that sleepy valley.

Always my sweet rival in every class, we competed nose to scrunchy nosethe highest grades, who was best and brightestyou smartly poking my impossible arrogance; “Quit singing that stupid LumberJack Song!” as we hiked the high Sierras, with grins, long hair, freckles and braces, shouting in sunshine, yearning in the quiet snowfall…

When I finally saw you in Ashland some 40 years later, we forgave each other anything, for the joy of recognition, of appreciating, who we became when we weren’t looking; surviving and thriving, through kids, parenting, partners, still growing… your eyes held me warm and you let me spill out my life as I never could in our intractable youth. Sun-kissed flower, or inevitable twin, it was enough to know you were still thereyour clear beam of light that travels on. I want to believe you did all you needed to do. And for all your beloveds surely lucky for your touch. You never let me forget your birthday was always one day before mine. A playful elbow to the ribs, you still got me beat. A piece of my heart goes with you.

Pattie Rascoe Bakke (L76, U80)

Parents of Alumni:

If your son/daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office (805-640-2578) of his/her new mailing address.