Space Exploration, Medical Breakthroughs, Provocative Photography, Sustainable Vinification, and Parker Legacies.
FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL ANNUAL ALUMNI BULLETIN 2024
Greetings from the Alumni O ce
Stay Connected
Shara
Kevin
Dual Citizen Babysitter Restaurant Hostess Linguist Gamer
Musician Nonproft Organization Founder Waitress Violinist
Sports Team Manager Refugee Children Tutor Pizza Chef
San Diego Union-Tribune Scholar Athlete Team Captain Writer
Environmental Activist College-Bound Multi-Sport Athlete
John F. Kennedy Profle in Courage Essay Semifnalist
SolidWorks-Certifed Miss San Diego Outstanding Teen
Club Captain Parker Upper School Club Founder Podcaster
Gold Award Girl Scout Thrift Store Employee Public Speaker
Research Assistant at the University of California, San Diego
Computer Repair Technician Artist Stand-Up Comic Ballerina
American Sign Language Certifed Church Pianist
Foundation President Family Business Employee Archer
Little League Baseball Umpire Computer Programmer
President’s Volunteer Service Awardee Eagle Scout Lifeguard
Online Theater Company Founder Grocery Store Clerk App Designer
Rock Climber Religion Teacher Figure Skater Clothing Designer
Competitive Irish Dancer Student-Athlete Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
CIF Spirit of Sport Awardee Gymnast Fast-Food Restaurant Cashier
Rock Climbing Instructor Coca-Cola Scholar Semifnalist
National History Day Champion Martial Artist Church Volunteer
First-Team All Coastal League Player Jewelry Maker
Advocate for Autism Awareness National Merit Finalist
Silver Award Girl Scout Thrift Store Enthusiast Sailing Coach
College-Athletics Bound Miss Teen Poway Published Author
Figure Skating Instructor MADCAPS Member
San Diego Symphony Concertmaster Construction Worker
AmeriCorps’ Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Awardee
National Art Society Member J-Teen Board Member
4-Year Varsity Team Starter Teen Volunteers in Action Member
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist
Celebrating the legacy of four Parker teachers as they head into retirement
Parker legend and cra sman Barry Cheskaty retires a er nearly 50 years of shaping students’ lives.
As I sit here looking back 48 years, I have no regrets. I can’t think of anything I would’ve done other than this.
— Barry Cheskaty
Barry Cheskaty lives by the advice he professes. He is generous with his time and his spirit, he is always gracious and kind, and his smile lights up a room, bringing joy to those around him.
— Head of School Kevin Yaley, Ph.D.WHAT’S NEXT FOR BARRY
“One of my favorite memories was the feeling of accomplishment when making a piece of art…that was actually useful to my parents. Up until then, I had only made art that was nice to look at…This has provided a sense of purpose for me as an active working artist. I currently make custom engagement rings for a living, and they are both beautiful AND functional as a symbol of marriage.”
—Vanessa Mitchell Delmotte01
“Mr. Cheskaty was my woodshop teacher for a few years in the early 90s, which was my favorite class. I still talk about it to this day and proudly display my creations in my home!”
Courtney Silbiger ’95
“Mr. Cheskaty taught me to begin at the beginning of an idea and work my way through the details to achieve excellence. He taught me that from the smallest undertaking to the planning and completion of a complex project, attention to detail is required in the planning and execution.”
Joel Smith 82
Going in after school and getting to finally assemble all the parts of my trophy pedestal that I had been working on for over two years. Mr. Cheskaty took photos of me standing next to my creation, and I could see the look of pride on his face.
“In class, we learned not simply technical skills but also the art of self-sufficiency and initiative. Equally significant was learning when to seek assistance, and with Mr. C we knew that every question would be met with thoughtful consideration.”
— Jade Willey ’ 13
“The skills I learned from Mr. C will last a lifetime. I have repaired and refinished furniture, finished a large kitchen butcher block, built chairs, and assembled many furniture items over the years. I have made cutting boards, letter openers, and handheld mirrors for gi s for my family. But above all, I gained self-confidence and felt appreciated and valued.”
—Wendy Driscoll Hiner 86
“To this day, I still use my woodshop skills. Whether it is fixing things around the house or building sets/props for my daughter’s dance studio, I am reminded of all the fond memories of my years in the woodshop.”
– Annalisa Steinbach Zorn ’92
Snigdha Nandipati 16Admitting it’s “Hard to Say Goodbye” to Parker musical powerhouse, Michael Gonzales
WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE PARKER LEGEND IN THE YEARS AHEAD?
While Mike leaves behind a huge impact on the music department, the impact he has left on all of us through his music, his voice, and his smile will live on well after his retirement.
Drop a Line
— Kevin Yaley, Ph.D. Head of SchoolCelebrating the retirement of John Hulsey a er 34 years of making a difference in every area of the Parker community
Three decades of expertise, six years of Parker impact, and a shared experience between mother and daughter
a Line
a Line
Drop Drop
We welcome the following alumni families with students joining Parker for the 2024-2025 school year.
Rob says: “Having both attended Parker our whole lives, Christine and I knew from the day we decided to start a family that we wanted to send our children there too. There is no better environment to foster bright, kind, well-rounded leaders than at Parker, and we are over the moon about being able to begin this next family chapter with the School.”
Daniel says: “Parker provided so much for me, including many of my closest friends to this day. There is such a strong sense of community here, and we are excited for Isla to enjoy her version of Parker.”
Trevor says: “Past and future Lancer Men, there was only one choice that honors and embodies the Parker Lancer Man spirit: sending your firstborn to Parker’s Lower School! We are thrilled that Opal will attend Parker this fall. We hope she may also be considered for the title “Lancer for Life” in the graduating Class of 2038.”
Witty. Defiant. Commanding. Innovative. Present. Informed.
Make the weird art. Write about that weird thing. Make art as if you’re not going to be graded on it.
— Kate Biel ’ 11
From Terror to Wonder in the Art Classroom
Securing the Linda Vista Campus and the School’s Financial Health
A Clear Sign of Something Special
The Infamous Maypole Music MishapRead the stories of 10 Parker Alumni who are pioneers in their fields and industries.
JULIE NEWMAN ’ 10
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
F“I still get letters and notes from my early days coaching Parker, how the lessons [team members] learned still apply in their lives, whether it’s as a mother, in their careers, or overcoming some tough things,” John said.
HANNAH EHERENFELDT ’ 15 MEDICAL SIMULATION
IMALIA FISHER ’09 DIGITAL ACTIVISM
AMalia was inspired to start Vocal Media a er working on the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016 . The campaign was a frustrating experience because she felt it didn’t leverage the current culture by using social media platforms in the way they were intended—to communicate with the younger generation.
SIMONE LEONARD ’ 11
EMPLOYMENT LAW
IDR CEDRIC GARLAND ’60 MEDICAL RESEARCH
TCedric still looks back fondly on his time at Parker. “Sometimes people ask me, ‘What was the most important part of your education?’ and I always say it was the years I spent on Randolph Street. It’s a grand institution, and I’m very lucky to have been a student at Francis Parker School,” Cedric said.
MICHAEL HORTON ’04 VINIFICATION
MMCGRATH ’23 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM
WMATTHEW GOLDBERG ’01 EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION
SHEA
The final phase of our two-decades-long vision for our Campuses, Parker Forward, will be complete in the fall of 2024. At Parker, student health and well-being are paramount, and this transformational project dedicates time, space, and resources to every student’s physical and mental health. Watch the transformation in action at parkerforward.com/livestream.
Parker’s Hall of Fame recognizes exceptional talent and honors community members who excel artistically and athletically and represent the virtues imparted from a Parker education.
Brothers and Parker alumni Matt and Andrew Rubin joined forces to shake up mental health education.
THE IDEA BEHIND SYMPTOM MEDIA
GROWTH OVER THE YEARS
THE SECRET TO AVOIDING FAMILY DRAMA
Parker Moment
GRADE 3 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
GRADE 2 OLIVEWOOD GARDENS
GRADE 6 ASTRO CAMP
GRADE 7 CAMP AT THE CATALINA ISLAND MARINE INSTITUTE
GRADE 9 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INTERIM WEEK
I am very inspired by the students’ presence, their politeness, their desire to work with our students and make the world a better place one person at a time...
If all students are like this, then our future is in excellent hands.
— Fernando J. Hernandez Perkins Elementary School Principal
ASB LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
GRADE 12 HONORS ENGLISH FIELD TRIP TO MOUNT LAGUNA
ARGENTINA | 11 DAYS
Iguaçu National Park
M'Borore Reservation
Jorge Borges Tour
Devil’s Throat Waterfall
Museo Evita
CAMBODIA | 15 DAYS
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
Angkor Thom
Elephant and Leper King Terraces
Angkor Wat Temple
ECUADOR | 15 DAYS
Quito City Tour
Salsa Lessons
Ciudad Mitad del Mundo
KENYA | 13 DAYS
United Nations Office in Nairobi
Karura Forest Hike
Camp Tsavo Stay
Shimba Hills National Reserve
MOROCCO | 13 DAYS
Roses Valley and Water Roses Cooperative
Gorges Dades
Kasbah Tamnougalt in Agdz
Bahia Palace
Hammam Bath
SPAIN | 12 DAYS
Costa del Sol
Alhambra Gardens
Córdoba Guided Tour
Reina Sodia and Prado Museums
Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España
Parker alumni are invited to the inaugural Alumni Awards Ceremony to celebrate and recognize our 2024 award recipients on the evening of May 31, 2024. The event is at a private home in Mission Hills. Space is limited.
RSVP by May 20 to alumni@francisparker.org.
ENDOWMENT REPORT AND UPDATE
DO YOU REMEMBER THE LAST TIME YOU SAT CROSS-LEGGED ON THE FLOOR WITH YOUR FRIENDS?
IF IT WAS IN LOWER SCHOOL , IT’S BEEN TOO LONG.
Alumni Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 31, 2024
San Diego, CA
Class of 2024
Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 4 pm
Linda Vista Campus
Parker Retiree’s
“We’re Not at School!” Brunch
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
San Diego, CA
Alumni Connected Coffee
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
Francis Parker School
This is an exclusive opportunity for Parker alumni with school-age children held before the start of the admissions season in October.
Parker Homecoming and John Herman Court
Recognition
Friday, Oct. 18, 2024
Linda Vista Campus
Milestone Reunions (Class years ending in 4s and 9s) and Class of 1974 50th Reunion Oct. 18-20, 2024
San Diego, CA
Contact alumni@francisparker.org if you are interested in volunteering!
Alumni Holiday Hang
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024
San Diego, CA
Parker’s Day of Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 Online
Platinum Reunion for the Classes of 1940-1974
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025
San Diego, CA
Class of 1975 50th Reunion
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Parents Association Gala May 10, 2025
Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Spring Arts Night
Monday, May 19, 2025
Linda Vista Campus
Alumni Awards Ceremony
Friday, May 30, 2025
San Diego, CA
