The Overlaker Magazine- Summer Issue 2023

Cycles of Change

Spring Arts Season

What a beautiful year it has been in the arts department. ArtsFest teamed up with Grandparents and Special Friends Day highlighting the musical arts with a choral performance and visual arts with displays and interactive activities all over campus. During that time, the arts department also unveiled its new “Little Free Student Art Gallery” for the community to enjoy and add items to the collection. Students and adults alike are encouraged to visit and contribute small pieces of art to the gallery located right outside the Art Barn. A particularly fun highlight from the year was more than 100 student musicians traveling to Disneyland!

One visitor everyone got to meet at the end of the year, was “Piggy Stardust.” She is a fiberglass pig originally part of the “Pigs on Parade” you may have seen around Seattle in 2001 and 2007. She was in desperate need of a new look and an Overlake parent asked the department to give her a makeover before she was donated back to the Fisher House in Seattle. Visit @theoverlakeschool on Instagram to learn more about the Pigs on Parade and the Fisher House.

Matilda the Musical

The All-School Musical returned for the first time since the start of covid. Matilda the Musical was a joy-filled experience bringing together students of all ages to present the show. The show follows a precocious young child as she navigates the world with her extraordinary abilities and amazing empathy. The set was beautifully constructed by our expert stagecraft classes. The theme was books, everything from the chairs to the main backdrop was modeled after the design of books.

An Absolutely True Story

The Truth Lies in the Struggle

©2023 Jean Johnson Portraits | JJSHOTME.com

Celebrating Milestones

Anniversaries

Moving On

Rhonda Andres – 25 years

Gerald Buhaly – 16 years

Matt Horvat – 11 years

Kevin McKenna – 6 years

YEARS 15

YEARS 5

Shea Fleming – 5 years

Shawnee Smith – 4 years

AJ Pettway – 2 years

Jenni Baldwin, Susan Messier, Eric Clifford (not pictured)

Rhonda Andres, Karen Mihata

Delanie Seman, Tara Mounsey, Laya Fawal, Shea Fleming, Travis Boyce, Joanna Guiler, Nicole Balin, Pam Tietje, Karen Zaidberg, Camille Lucas (not pictured)

Mia Wall, Dave Parsons, becca Flora, Mike Fine, Mike Krumbolz (not pictured)

Rhonda Andres is Calculating Her Next Move

Wrapping up her silver anniversary (25 years) at Overlake this year, math teacher Rhonda Andres is retiring. “Seeing the students grow and mature through the years as they approach adulthood is very special,” recalls Andres. “I also

have a lot of memories around our Project Week activities. Being with the students outside of the classroom and really getting to know them in that way has made for many special relationships.”

Andres’ two children Keegan and Kaelyn, who graduated from Overlake in 2010 and 2013 respectively made her time here on campus extra special. “I loved that my own kids grew up here and then attended school here as well. Seeing them on the paths or in the Campus Center was always a highlight.”

Originally from Kentucky, Andres says she plans to make that her home base. “I will probably be near or with my mother until I make a decision as to where to settle down. My son still lives in the Seattle area so I know I will be coming back frequently to the area! I am also looking forward to a lot of travel, both in the U.S. and abroad.”

Bon voyage Rhonda and remember to come visit us on campus once in a while!

Gone Fishing

After 37 years in education, and 16 years at Overlake, Upper School Head, Gerald Buhaly is off to a well-deserved retirement. While he never imagined he would end up in

education, Buhaly found a love for learning at schools in Sweden and Germany, just to name a few places he was before coming to Overlake. He served as an administrator but also got to experience the school through the eyes of a parent as his children, Connor (’13) and Meike (’15) graduated from Overlake.

“I like to say that it was the best professional development I ever had because, even though I had worked in high schools all my career, I’d never experienced it as a parent.  To watch my children go through high school here was eyeopening and inspiring as well, because all the things that I had said to promote the school, I could see as a parent happening with my own children. It’s really rewarding to be able to be in this position and have your children thrive in a school that you’ve helped to guide.”

As he looks to the future, he is excited to spend more time traveling, y shing, gardening, and spending time with his children and their families. Well done, Gerald!

Overlake’s Cycles of Change

It’s been long known that school years run on a predictable cycle — the school day starts and ends at a certain time, classes run off a predictable schedule, and the school year begins and ends much like the previous year with all the natural ebbs and flows of student events and milestones along the way.

And for the past 11 school years Overlake’s Head of School Matt Horvat has led each cycle. Earlier this year he announced his plans to become Head of School at the American School in London for the 2023–24 school year, setting off a nationwide search for a new Head of School. Because the Board of Trustees wanted to ensure they had the most robust pool of candidates, they didn’t rush the search and instead focused on bringing in an Interim Head of School for this coming school cycle, with the permanent HoS starting in the 2024–25 school year.

As luck would have it, the Board found talented individuals for both positions. Please welcome Eric Temple and Gretchen Warner to our Owl community. In the following pages we honor Matt for his tenure, get to know Eric a bit more before he joins us for the 2023–24 school year, and we introduce you to Gretchen who will take the lead for the 2024–25 school year cycle and many more after that.

A Quick Q&A Session with Matt

Running a middle and high school keeps Matt Horvat busy. He can easily start the day with pre-school meetings with faculty and staff at 7:30am and continue until late in the evening attending student events, such as sporting events or musical performances or board of trustees and committee meetings. He is often the first one on campus (as the Head’s House sits adjacent to the school buildings) and is the last one to walk through the dark campus on his way home via a path in the woods. Rather than take more of Matt’s time with a traditional sit-down interview, we proposed a series of questions that he could ponder on his own time.

How would you describe the Head of School job at Overlake to someone in five words or less? Exciting, challenging, amazing, fulfilling, and lonely

What has been the most surprising part of being the Head of School at Overlake?

Everyday something happens at school that is not what I expected. That could be something I learn from a student or a colleague, something I experience walking to work or being on the campus, or something I read or learned about the school.

What wildlife have you encountered since living on the campus these past 11 years?

Bobcat, deer, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, various types of birds, raccoons, bear, possum, fish, frogs, and the list goes on and on…

Is there a favorite spot of yours among our 73-acres campus?

I think in the early morning or late evening when the sun is either rising or setting. The light from the sun moves in incredible ways through campus and it is just awe inspiring.

What is your proudest achievement as Overlake’s Head of School?

Getting to work with amazing students and colleagues.

What do you wish you had a chance to do over again with your job?

Not stress out about various parts of work.

What is something you think most people don’t know about Overlake?

Initially the school had a dress code that included boys wearing ties to school — very short lived!

With your crystal ball, how do you picture Overlake in 20 years?

Still located on this beautiful campus with additional space included in the 73-acres. The school might be larger. The town of Redmond now is much bigger. Overlake has transportation to the light rail and public bus service to campus. Students come from around the Puget Sound region. The school has access to housing for employees and runs a robust mentoring program for young teachers. It has added a few sports and continues to be a leader in teaching and learning.

What advice do you impart to Overlake’s next Head of School?

Have fun when you can, watch classes, go to events, and see students and your colleagues in action. Don’t let the urgent get in the way of what is important and important work is never urgent (I think President Dwight D. Eisenhower said something like this!).

Matt Through the Years

2012–13

Matt’s first school year and the 45th anniversary of Overlake.

SPRING 2015

The school successfully completes its reaccreditation with NWAIS.

MAY 2015

A new strategic plan is launched that lays out the extensive construction that would take place in the coming years under the Doors to Discovery capital campaign.

FALL 2015

A full-time instructional coach starts working with faculty at Overlake, one of the first such positions in the area.

2013–14

Matt begins the underpinnings of a new strategic plan for the Board of Trustees to consider, which includes a $35 million capital campaign to build the Whitten Math & Sciences Center, grow financial aid endowment, and build the Welcome & Discovery Center.

AUGUST 2014

A large cohort of new faculty members join Overlake as Matt begins the change from a 5-course load to a 4-course load for faculty in order to make room for adult collaboration time.

FALL 2014

The school year begins with the use of CANVAS for student’s online learning platform.

SUMMER 2015

Overlake begins Overlake Summer, offering a wide range of one-week camp offerings to Overlake students and the rest of the greater community.

AUGUST 2015

Student one-to-one device program launches with the help of CANVAS as a backbone learning management system.

2016–17

Matt begins working on the conditional use permit (CUP) from King County in order to begin construction of the Whitten Math & Sciences Center.

SPRING 2016

The governance committee under the Board of Trustees is formed for the first time in Overlake’s History.

2017–18

Matt oversees the many celebrations of the school’s 50th anniversary.

Cycles

2018–19

Matt commissions a committee representing the school to create a set of community values.

MARCH 2020

Matt helps orchestrate remote, online schooling during the worst of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

MAY 2021

The Whitten Math & Sciences Center, constructed during COVID-19, opens for students.

JULY 2021

Overlake begins Summer Link, a program designed to help students from area local public schools close the learning gap that can occur during the summer months.

2021–22

Coming Together, the second strategic plan under Matt’s tenure begins. This one focusing on aspects of diversity & inclusion, wellbeing, recruitment & retention of employees, and aligning our identity with our values.

MAY 2022

New mission statement is created, and first-ever vision statement is created.

2022–23

Matt oversees the school’s 55th anniversary.

APRIL 2021

After being an online school for a year, Overlake transitions to hybrid learning, allowing for both in-person and remote learning for remainder of school year.

MARCH 2023

The Matt Horvat financial aid scholarship is created honoring Matt’s passion for inclusive educational access.

Ten Fast Facts About Eric Temple, Overlake’s Interim Head of School

1

Grew up in New York, lived in Massachusetts, and then moved to California in 1988 — never looking back.

2

Failed retirement. After retiring from Lick-Wilmerding High School after 2021–22 school year, Temple joined Educators Collaborative, a full-service consulting firm for schools.

3

Has been the Head of School for two California independent schools.

4

Is an English teacher by trade, but currently is an Executive Coach, Search Consultant, and enjoys doing workshops on school culture, strategic thinking, DEIJB, and the future of independent schools.

5

Currently lives with his husband, Garry, in Palm Springs. They’ve been married for 23 years.

6

Is a strong believer in the transformative impact of experiential education.

7

Doesn’t currently have any pets but he grew up riding horses and competed in the National Horse Shows, and then coached the Tufts University Equestrian Team to second place in the National Collegiate Finals.

8

Hobbies include woodworking, gardening, and hiking. Recently developed a love for riding electric bikes all over the place.

9

Is super excited about being with fifth through 12th grade students at Overlake. He loves our project-based learning and out outdoor education, the beautiful campus and warm community where connection is of vital importance. He’s also excited to live in the PNW for a year.

10

Begins at Overlake right after the 4th of July.

Cycles of Change

Meet Gretchen Warner, Overlake’s Next Head of School

“I am honored, humbled, and enthusiastic to become Overlake’s next Head of School,” beams Gretchen Warner, as she reflects on her recent visit to Overlake. “I admire Overlake for its dynamic history and founding values, though it was meeting students, faculty, staff, parents, alums, and trustees during my visit to campus that made me most eager to join this amazing school.”

Warner is excited to begin the next chapter of her professional life at Overlake starting with the 2024-25 school year. She is first and foremost an educator, with more than 20 years of experience in independent schools. “I have been a teacher for as long as I can remember. In first grade, I would bring two copies of my homework home so I could teach my younger sister what I was learning. During my teenage years, I coached and taught swimming to people of all ages. In graduate school, I discovered I loved teaching more than researching inorganic chemistry. And I’ve been teaching ever since.”

Overlake’s mission is also my own. I look forward to partnering and collaborating with the people in the Overlake community and as we build a bold future for the school.

GRETCHEN WARNER

Warner has worked at various independent schools, including Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles, and most recently The Madeira School outside of Washington D.C. Her responsibilities at these schools have progressively increased from teacher, to dean of students, to upper school division head, to her first head of school appointment at Madeira in July 2020. “My tenure at Madeira began at

the height of COVID-19, the beginning of the nationwide racial reckoning, and the fabric of democracy being questioned ten miles from the school’s front gate. When I became a head of school in July 2020, no one knew if schools could open safely, let alone how; and I had the added complexity that Madeira is comprised of 50% boarding school students and 50% day school students. There was never a better time to be a scientist head of school reading complex data, collaborating with those with differing viewpoints, and making complex decisions.”

During her three years at Madeira, Warner has launched a five-year strategic plan that focuses on areas such as expanding academic excellence in student-centered ways; fostering an equitable, inclusive, and joyful community; recruiting, retaining, and supporting highly effective educators; and developing philanthropic and environmental sustainability. She has also launched and overseen the construction of a new $24M STEAM academic center.

Warner is taking these experiences and many more achievements to Overlake where she is eager to learn about our great community. “I believe fiercely in everything that Overlake is: a school that is thoughtfully future-focused with a commitment to equity and inclusivity, a school that empowers students to shape their community in important ways, and a school that inspires students to become ‘multifaceted individuals’ with a ‘passion for learning, ready for any path that contributes to a better world.’ These are the very values that have always been fundamental to me as an educator. Overlake’s mission is also my own. I look forward to partnering and collaborating with the people in the Overlake community as we build a bold future for the school, as guided by Overlake’s vision, values, and the core mission of championing students.”

Prior to her July 2024 start, Warner plans to be in touch on a regular basis with Interim Head of School Eric Temple during this coming school year.

Thanks to the generous support of our community, Overlake’s Doors to Discovery campaign, the largest campaign in the school’s history, has raised more than $25 million toward our $35 million goal.

The beautiful Whitten Math & Sciences Center was completed during the first phase of the campaign, and we have raised nearly $5 million for financial aid endowment.

We are currently focused on raising the funds needed to construct our new Welcome & Discovery Center, which will be a thriving hub for students, faculty, and families, and a home for our entire community.

To learn more about the Doors to Discovery campaign, please visit overlake.org/discovery.

Welcome & Discovery Center

$7 MILLION GOAL – $3.3 million raised as of press time

A student and community center is more than just a building. It is a place where students can learn, grow, and connect with each other and the world. The centerpiece of this new facility will be a multipurpose space that can seat 250 guests. With a dedicated lobby and pre-function area, we will be able to host all kinds of events, meetings, and gatherings that aren’t possible today. The flexible space will also enable us to bring our community together to celebrate and congregate throughout the year in meaningful and collaborative ways. New administrative offices and a conference room will also be housed in this building so that our professional staff can serve families and students at the highest level.

Naming Opportunities

Every gift to Doors to Discovery is deeply appreciated and helps move us closer to our goal. All donors, at every level, will be included on our donor recognition wall. Below are opportunities to have a gift named in honor of the donor or in honor/ memory of a family member or loved one.

WELCOME & DISCOVERY CENTER

• Welcome & Discovery Center facility: $5 million

• Discovery Hall (multipurpose room): $3 million

• Entry & Lobby: $1 million

• Admin Wing: $1 million

• Conference Room: $500,000

FINANCIAL AID ENDOWMENT

• Named endowment scholarship fund: $100,000 and above

• For a list of our current named endowment funds, please visit overlake.org/endowment

Benefits of the Welcome & Discovery Center

• Providing a student-centered learning environment that focuses on the individual learner’s needs and interests.

• Allowing students to engage in project-based, interdisciplinary learning that connects curriculum to real-world challenges.

• Fostering self-direction, curiosity, creativity, and collaboration among students, which are essential skills for future success.

• Offering a variety of flexible and adaptable learning spaces that can accommodate different learning styles and preferences.

• Creating a positive and supportive classroom culture that encourages student choice, voice, and risk-taking.

• Involving meaningful feedback from teachers, peers, and community partners that helps students measure their progress and improve their learning.

• Building a strong sense of belonging and community among students, teachers, and families.

A new student and community center is a valuable investment for our school and our students. We are creating a learning environment that prepares students for the future and inspires them to solve problems and make a difference in the world.

Ways to Give

If you are interested in supporting the Welcome & Discovery Center or financial aid endowment, please contact Director of Development Brisen Brady at bbrady@overlake.org or 425-868-1000.

CLASS NOTES

1970s

Keith Himmelman (’73) made the trip from Napa to join our first Bay Area Alumni Reception in more than a decade. He had many wonderful stories of Overlake’s earliest days, as he attended classes on all three of our historic campuses: Redwood Manor, the YMCA, and the present campus.

to the West Coast for our Founders Day celebration, where his Uncle Caspar “Cappy” Clarke was honored as the first chair of Overlake’s Board of Trustees. Cappy is the brother of Overlake’s founder, the late Charlie Clarke.

1980s

Chelsea Slosky Miller (’89) attended the NYC Owl Reception in February. She is the Director of Development for The Hechinger Report, which covers innovation and inequality in education.

1990s

Kate Rabinowitz (’78) is helping to organize the James Reber Callaghan Scholarship Endowment Fund to honor the legacy of Jim Callaghan, who served as Overlake’s Board President and was a tireless champion for the school in its start-up era. Jim is also the father of John (’75), Kevin (’76), Leigh (’78), Mark (’79), and Maria (’81). Jim passed away recently, and the Overlake we enjoy today was made possible in no small part by his vision and leadership. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Callaghan family at this time.

Jeff Hillman (’91) and his son Noah visited campus from their home in the Boston area, where Jeff is a consultant. They were pleased to see the Denver Ulery Woodshop still going strong in the Art Barn!

2000s

Congratulations to Zach Carver (’00), whose movie The Race to Alaska is now available on most streaming services. Learn more at r2akthemovie.com.

Andy Schneider (’00) attended the Bay Area Alumni Reception and is busy doing music and high tech.

Michael Armstrong (’01) joined us for Making a Life Day, presenting his path to becoming a product manager for Upwork. Puget Sound Business Journal named Sahar Fathi (’01) one of its 40 Under 40 for her work as Policy Director in the Washington State Attorney General’s office.

Cebert Noonan (’79) was among more than 50 Owls and guests who attended the New York City Alumni Reception in February. And more recently, he came out

Jenny

, despite being 37 weeks pregnant, gave two Making a Life Day presentations on the nonprofit she founded, Doggone Seattle, which rescues and places dogs that would otherwise be euthanized with foster and forever homes. Of course, she brought one of her beautiful dogs to campus, much to the delight of the students who attended!

Thanks to Beckley Mason (’04) and Calla DiPietro (’08) for co-hosting our successful NYC Alumni Reception in February! Their knowledge of local watering holes and good taste made all the difference.

Jason Roth (’95), Eric Hanson (’97), and Chloe Bowen (’99) attended the Bay Area Alumni Reception. It was wonderful to see our ’90s alums!

DB Nordin (’02)

Keith Himmelman (’73) and Eric Hanson (’97)

Ryan AuYeung (’09) participated in Making a Life Day and gave engaging sessions on his journey working for United and Alaska Airlines. Ryan is current Head of Competitive Strategy at Alaska and serves on our Alumni Board.

KOMO News featured a story about Jordan Griffith (’09) for her work supporting her students at Broadview Thompson K-8 School by purchasing school materials out of her own pocket.

2010s

Stephanie Roush (’10) attended the NYC Owl Reception. She updated us on her work producing, directing, and writing independent films. One of her projects was recently featured on Netflix. She also participated in Making a Life Day in April, sharing her journey and experience in the world of filmmaking with our Upper School students.

Simone Alene Gabriel-Scherief (’12) shared her journey to becoming a professional musical theater performer at Making a Life Day.

Bob Gardner (’12) and his fiancé Nicole both attended the NYC Owl Reception. Bob is a software engineer at Adobe in New York.

Kirsten Parris (’12) presented at Making a Life Day about her work as a lawyer; Kirsten is an Associate Attorney at Gordon Thomas Honeywell and serves on our Alumni Board.

Madi Clelland (’14) and George Birch (’17) also attended our Bay Area Alumni Reception. George has been working in high tech and Madi is in healthcare.

Bradley Furber (’15) recently joined the private Overlake Alumni Connection LinkedIn group, and reports that he is currently pursuing his master’s in finance at Seattle University.

Nessa Kent (’15) reports that she has founded Mess Arts, a nonprofit community-based art program for all ages, based in New Orleans.

Samantha “Sam” Paley (’15) attended the NYC Owl Reception. She is an actor, songwriter, singer, and performing artist, and has recently released her debut single entitled Two Front Teeth.

The New Yorker recently added a short documentary film by Nic Kuklinksi (’16) entitled Thank You for Your Service to their permanent online collection. The film was Nic’s thesis project for his degree from Chapman University in 2022.

Elizabeth Riffle (’16) joined the Bay Area Alumni Reception in May. She was at Microsoft until recently and is now actively seeking a new position in the product management, team leadership, UX, or customer development space.

Shirya Syal (’16) and her sister Divya Syal (’20) made the trip up from the South Bay to the Bay Area Alumni Reception by train. Shirya is a Life Science Research Professional at the Stanford Cancer Correlative Science Unit, and Divya is a Computer Science and Engineering student at Santa Clara University.

Nelson Ngouenet (’17) took the train up from Philadelphia, where he is pursuing graduate studies in the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at Penn, to join the NYC Owl Reception. He and two colleagues are developing a portable solar powered water purification system for the 2.1 billion people living mostly in the global south, who lack access to safe clean water. Nelson shared some of his journey so far with Upper School students during Making a Life Day in April.

Devika Chipalkatti (’18) and Maria Russinovich (’18) also participated in Making a Life Day. Devika is working in software engineering at Disney and Maria is in marketing at RocketDocs.

Grace Fujinaga (’19) is a member of the Penn Women’s Lacrosse team that won the Ivy League. Congratulations to Grace and her team!

Andrea Wynn (’18) also made the journey to the NYC Owl Reception. Andrea is a machine learning scientist working on her MSE at Princeton. She also serves on our Alumni Board.

Faculty & Staff

Bella Steedly (’19) was named D-III Ultimate Frisbee Rookie of the Year! She is currently at Wellesley.

Lisa Orenstein joined us for our New York Alumni Reception, thank you so much for joining us!

Long-time performing arts faculty member Sarah Fitzpatrick attended the Bay Area Alumni Reception recently, at the invitation of hosts Fabien Heitz (‘02) and Madeline Klineman (’15)

Keep those stories coming; we love to hear from you!

If you have an update you would like to share, please email alumni@overlake.org.

Spring Sports Wrap-Up

For complete season results, go to overlakeowls.com

BOYS’ BASEBALL

Coach

Mike Davidson

GIRLS’ GOLF

Coaches Shawn Farmer-Sese and Erin Menath

The combined Overlake and Bear Creek baseball team, the Growls, had a phenomenal season, boasting an 18–7 record. In conference play, the team went 11–4. This level of playing sent the team to the State championships to continue their season with tournament play.

Coach Davidson shared, “This was a special team with a culture driven by our group of eight seniors who understood this experience is about brotherhood more than the wins and losses. Guys like Corbett M. (’23), a two-year captain who came up clutch so many times this year when we needed him. There are a lot of good players and good memories graduating from this team with plenty of opportunities for young players coming up.”

A major highlight of the season was that the Growls won their first bi-district championship this season, defeating Cedar Park Christian 4–1 at Joe Martin Stadium in Bellingham. Captain Corbett M. hit .322 and led the conference with 23 RBI. He was selected as an All-Emerald City League player, along with Bear Creek teammates Sebastian G. (’23) and Michael K. (’23). The 2023 Growls advanced to the State tournament with the #5 seed but fell to Colville in extra innings to finish with a 17–5 record. Next season, the Growls look to add eight Overlake rising 9th graders who had a strong MS baseball season this year. See you at the ballpark next Spring!

Girls’ golf ended a memorable season with a fantastic showing at State. The entire team will return next year, so the sky is the limit for this group! Sophia S. (’24) was Team Captain and did a wonderful job bringing this young team together. The entire team did a spectacular job of representing Overlake, always playing by the rules and with great integrity.

Girls’ golf plays with a modified Stableford scoring system. To put the team’s improvement into perspective, in the first match of the season they scored 59 as a team. By the end of the season, in three separate matches, they scored 93, 97, and 102.

Finishing second as a team at State, second in Bi-Districts, and second in the league tournament culminated from everyone’s hard work this season. Every player had at least one qualifying score for the league championship. Throughout the season, each player worked to improve and saw this reflected in their performance.

• Sophia S. (’24), Suri B. (’26), Sherry F. (’26), Augustina H. (’24), Maia W. (’25), Simaya G. (’26) all qualified for the league playoffs

• Suri B., Sherry F., and Sophia S. qualified for State and Bi-Districts

• Suri B. placed fifteenth in State

• Sherry F. and Sophia S. tied for seventh overall in the State Assistant Coach Prohn shared, “I can’t emphasize enough how every single team member contributed to the overall team’s success this season and how much every golfer improved.” Golf is a sport that requires a ton of skill, but also teaches great life skills. Next season looks to be even better!

BOYS’ LACROSSE Coach Colton Umberger

GIRLS’ LACROSSE Coach Nicole Rockwell

The boys’ lacrosse team truly coalesced into a family. The teammates embraced this concept and came together as a cohesive unit for the entire season. A season highlight was Senior night, where every senior scored a goal and the whole team came together to celebrate the win.

Coach Umberger noted that not only did Alec O. (’23) make the All-Conference team, “he really stepped up as a leader of the team and it would have been a very different team without him.”

The team also benefitted from strong leadership from Senior Captains Jake S. and Jack W.

Umberger said, “I’m looking forward to another great season next year. We will have a ton of seniors and upperclassmen step up to be leaders and will hopefully see a bunch of new faces as well. I love this program and this school and am glad to be a part of it.”

The girls’ lacrosse team never gave up and continued to work together to overcome adversity throughout the season, even while the team’s win-loss record might not reflect the desired outcome. This year, the team truly embodied the essence of sportsmanship, growth, and resilience.

One special memory for Coach Rockwell was the away game against Stanwood. There was a very long bus ride with lots of team bonding, a hard-fought game, and pizza to end the day. Experiences like this encourage the team to stick together and look forward to next season.

Coach Rockwell wanted to give a special shout out to Peishan P. (’25), who “came out to practices and games with a positive attitude and always gave 100% effort. They are a true example of a team player and a coachable athlete.”

Rockwell is looking forward to next season to continue to improve as a team and add some new ninth-grade talent!

BOYS’ SOCCER Coach

Scott Lane

GIRLS’ TENNIS Coach

Jeff Loranger

The Overlake Owls boys’ soccer team had an impressive season, finishing with a record of 12–8–3 and a second place finish in the State championship! Led by Senior captains Rishi S. and Nathan L., the team exhibited skill, determination, and remarkable teamwork throughout the season.

The team consistently performed at a high level. Each victory was hard-earned, and every setback served as motivation to bounce back stronger. The team’s strong defensive line, agile midfielders, and lethal forwards worked in perfect harmony, providing a well-rounded and cohesive unit on the pitch.

The State championships were a culmination of the Owls’ hard work and dedication throughout the season. Although they fell just short of clinching the title, their second-place finish was a testament to their skill and determination. The players showcased exceptional sportsmanship, pushing themselves to the limit and leaving everything on the field.

As the season came to an end, the Overlake Owls boys’ soccer team could look back with pride on their accomplishments. With nearly 20 returning players, next year’s team will be a force to be reckoned with.

Girls’ tennis had an exceptional season, going undefeated in conference play! The three captains, Sylvia L (’24), Sadie W. (’24) and Sharon Z. (’25), did a great job supporting the team in practice and during matches. Coach Loranger shared that Sylvia L. really stood out being a vocal leader and model of working hard while having fun each day.

The team also found success at the State Tournament in Yakima. In singles play, Sarina Z. (’26) finished fourth. On the doubles side, we are proud to share that Sylvia L. (‘24) and Sharon Z. (’25) finished first in state! With all the hard work and success in the state tourney, Overlake won the state team title! This is the third such title in the girls’ tennis program at Overlake. Looking ahead to next year, Loranger notes the youth of the team, “The fact that we don’t have any seniors on our Varsity team is exciting for next year. The chance to add another player or two to our team is also exciting as our upperclassmen will be able to show them the culture of our team and welcome them into an environment that pushes each other to work hard, be competitive, and have fun while playing.”

Winter Season Wrap-Up

BOYS’ BASKETBALL Coach David Bigelow

Thanks to a great boys’ basketball team, packing the gym on game night was something special and thoroughly exciting for the Overlake community this year. Highlights of this exceptional season include Overlake’s first ever win against King’s Schools, in front of a standing-room only crowd at Overlake on January 13th. It was a night that will long be remembered.

The team ended the season with eighteen wins, a fantastic accomplishment. The team also advanced to the State Championship Tournament for only the fourth time in school history! And once there, they fought their way to a 6th place finish by winning two nail-biter games. This was an incredible accomplishment, and the team represented Overlake with grace and sportsmanship.

This team boasted four lifer Owls from the 5th grade team who played all 8 years: seniors Hudson I., Alec O., Jake S., and Jack W. Their leadership and team spirit will be missed. Next season will bring a new direction under incoming coach Taylor Banks. That team will have solid returning guards and the biggest incoming freshman class since our outgoing senior class.

Coach Banks in looking forward to next season shares, “I am truly honored to join the Overlake family and excited to coach these young men. I am looking forward to working with the entire boys’ basketball program grades 5th–12th while we instill program continuity, competitiveness, toughness, and togetherness. The future is bright, and I am thrilled to do it TOGETHER.”

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Coach

Rick Nelson

The girls’ Varsity basketball team had a formative season, showing they are tenacious competitors while being caring and fun teammates. One highlight of the season was the State tournament run where the team won five games in a row in a win or go home situation. Coach Rick Nelson strongly feels the entire season was a success, even though the team did not make it to the State tournament this year.

The team benefited from strong leadership from the team captains Sarah G. (’24), Kristen H. (’24), and Sadie W.’ (24). Nelson also notes that the whole team grew over the season and improved, specifically the bench players.

Looking forward to next season, Nelson wants to focus on ensuring the rising seniors have a great final season as the team continues to compete towards the conference championship. Adding new members to the team and growing the program from the Middle School to Varsity will be a priority for upcoming years.

Reflecting on his first season as an Owl, Nelson said, “I have really enjoyed my first season at Overlake. The staff, student body, and team were nothing short of amazing. I also appreciate the relationship with Athletic Director John Wiley. His leadership has allowed me to grow as a coach and a member of the athletic team at Overlake.”

EMERALD SOUND CONFERENCE

All-Conference Honors

BOYS’ SOCCER

Matthew B. (’24)

Hayato N. (’25)

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The Overlake School

GIRLS’ GOLF

Suri B. (’26)

Sherry F. (’26)

Sophia S. (’24)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Shawn Farmer-Sese

BOYS’ GOLF

Zubin S. (’23)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Justin Prohn

GIRLS’ TENNIS

DOUBLES

Sae K. (’26)

Sylvia L. (’24)

Sadie W. (’24)

Sharon Z. (’24)

SINGLES

Sarina Z, (’26)

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

FIRST TEAM

Jake S. (’23), Forward

Jack W. (’23), Forward

SECOND TEAM

Nikita D. (’23), Forward

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The Overlake School

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The Overlake School

20301 NE 108th Street

Redmond, WA 98053-7499

Upgrade to Student Parking Lot

Everyone knows another name for summer in Seattle is “construction season.” And it’s as true at Overlake as it is anywhere else.

This summer, Overlake will be paving the student parking lot. The paving project is a King County requirement as stated in the school’s Conditional Use Permit that also saw to widening the road leading into campus last summer. This project will also include a drainage vault west of the lot down the hill which will hold storm water runoff. The parking lot will be completed and ready for use by the time school starts back up in the fall, while work on the vault will continue through October.

This work should not impact the flow of traffic much but please note that small delays are possible if you come to campus this summer. Students will be able to enjoy the new paved lot this fall.