Mes Amis Magazine Fall 2011

FA L L 2 0 1 1

Mes Amis

f or e s t r id g e s c h o ol of t h e s ac r e d h e a rt

“…to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values.”

FALL 2011

Mes Amis Alumnae Relations Director

One thing I have come to appreciate during my tenure at Forest Ridge is something many of you have known for a long time: When the talk turns to the education of young women in the United States for the past two centuries, it is clear that no one has done it better than the Religious of the Sacred Heart. From the small school founded in 1818 in St. Charles, Missouri, to the 22 schools thriving across the country today, a Sacred Heart education empowers its graduates, equipped with the Goals and Criteria, to change the world.

Julie Lundgren

Contributors

Janet Burns Emma Kellogg ’16 Julie Lundgren, Honorary Nicole Morris Ruth Nordoff ’16 Peggy O’Connor Lily Orth-Smith ’16 Mark Pierotti Krysta Svore ’97 Diana C. Wall, RSCJ ’82 (Broadway) Margo Paddock, Copyediting

Photographers

Kim Eng Julie Lundgren Peggy O’Connor Bridget Rafferty Ileana Tomich ’11

On the Cover: Cailyn Griffith works in the science lab.

(Cover photo by Rachel Dekman ’13.)

Design & Production CHM Graphics

Printer Litho Craft

Mes Amis “My Friends” Magazine is published in the fall and spring by the Forest Ridge Marketing and Communications Office.

We walk humbly on hallowed ground here at Forest Ridge; those who have gone before us, both as students and educators, have made profound contributions to our world. Although the road has not always been easy for them, the women we feature in this issue of Mes Amis have persevered, and their accomplishments represent a sampling of those of our graduates and of our students today. For example: • K ris Samuelson ’66 is a professor in the Art and Art History Department at Stanford University for almost 30 years, as well as director of the Film and Media Studies Program, not to mention an Oscar-nominated documentarian.

• Shannon Underwood ’81, spent last year living in Florence with her husband and three children. This article tells of their experience in Italy and features a short interview with her daughter Kylie Gartland ’13, who attended a coed IB school in Florence.

• L ynn Teplicky Hennagin ’61 founded a video production company in 1987 that produces documentaries that educate people on many subjects; her favorites are those that impact society and create social change.

• Srilakshmi Remala Kamdar ’97 works as the director of technology and digital strategy at the Washington STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Coalition.

Sri is involved in using technology to help teachers become better at what they do and reach students more effectively.

• D enise Frisino ’70 just wrote a novel, Whiskey Cove, about rum-running between Canada and Washington state. Set in the San Juan Islands, the fast-paced story, featuring a strong female protagonist, addresses the many changes to society brought about by “The Noble Experiment.”

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart 4800 139th Avenue SE Bellevue WA 98006-3015

425-641-0700 | phone 425-643-3881 | fax

• D ebbie McLaughlin ’83, Forest Ridge High School learning specialist, talks about her work with our students today. Her father, Bob, whose involvement at Forest Ridge has spanned decades, currently serves on several Forest Ridge board committees.

Take some time to enjoy the stories of these fascinating women and rest assured that we are working every day to send even more talented young women into the world. Your support goes a long way toward making our young women’s dreams come true. Thank you for continuing to believe in Forest Ridge!

Printed on recycled paper

Gratefully, Mark L. Pierotti, Head of School

inside this issue…

2 P ure Poetry – seventhgrade writers and “Where I’m From” poems

12

5 A nnual Fund Appeal – Girls First!

15

6 Around Campus 8 Specializing in learning Debbie McLaughlin ’83

12 Alumna Profile: The world through the eyes of Kris Samuelson ’66 15 Th e global education experience of Shannon Underwood ’81 and Kylie Gartland ’13 16 Class Notes 28 Milestones

Mission Statement 5

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart provides a diverse and rigorous college-preparatory environment that inspires young women to become confident, compassionate leaders.

As a member of a global network of more than 150 schools, Forest Ridge educates to the following Sacred Heart Goals:

• A personal and active faith in God

• A deep respect for intellectual values

• A social awareness which impels to action

• The building of community as a Christian value

• Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

Pure Poetry In the spring of 2011, students in Elizabeth Matlick’s seventh-grade English class wrote “Where I’m From” poems inspired by the poet George Ella Lyon.

Their goal was to investigate their particular perspectives through the images, stories and sounds of home.

The girls focused on being specific with word choice and creating insightful conclusions. In addition, students who were simultaneously enrolled in Mandy Underhill’s seventh-grade ceramics class designed a companion piece of artwork to represent their writing. With the goal of visually revealing the mood, tone and symbolism of their poetry, the girls used bisque tiles and low-fire glazes to complete a signature piece of ceramic art. The poems and artwork pictured here are a small sample of their work. We hope you will enjoy them.

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Poets, from left to right, Emma Kellogg ’16, Ruthie Nordhoff ’16, and Lily Orth-Smith ’16.

Where I’m From

By Ruthie Nordhoff ’16 , I am from colored pencils es. sbe Fri and os Leg m fro chair in Emily’s room, I am from the blue puffy g life. my chaotic, ever-changin like comfortingly solid, un cats I am from the goldfish, the s, dow sha g sin cha and g pin lea t. frolicking around my fee ears, I’m from bonfires and big . yer Be from Bennett and the multi-taskers, I’m from the indecisive and g! gbu Slu and from Nose goes! and these thy gifts, I’m from Bless us oh Lord care-worn dinner table, and hed atc scr recited over the tio ven nal family I love. surrounded by the uncon by the ocean, I’m from the blue house h to the beach. pat dy san g, din and the win smell of cranberry bread. the and From pineapple boats with candy canes, I’m from Christmas cards on Santa’s lap. fit to and too many children finger painting, er.

Now, lost are the days of gs looking over my should the watchful eyes of siblin y. dit mo a precious com Family time has become liday, But every summer and ho driving to the airport, I find the familiar faces of those flying home.

I am from this joy, a scattered family, reunited once again.

Where I’m From

By Emma Kellogg ’16

I am from grass stains from horse hair and eagle feathers.

I am from the rock slabs of the back porch from the pond rushes and the raspberry plants who offer plump berries when the cookie jar is gua rded.

I’m from bare feet and ben t from Kellogg and Nelson. paperclips I’m from the all-nighters and the can-doers, from Reel ’er in! and Get to sleep!

I am from Poppy and Ste lla’s cloven footprints and fuzzy ears, their pollen lips, and hon eysuckle breath.

I’m from slippery dock ste ps and Cattail down from boot prints on clean rugs and a tadpole-filled mayo jar.

I’m from a dusty hoof pri nt pressed into a mountain trail and the long grass that gua rds the way.

As I walk through our hal lway of pictures, my eyes scan the years, weddings, trips, dinners, in countless quantities, a mural of memories continuing forward and stretching back.

Where I’m From

By Lily Orth-Smith ’16 I am from humming computers and buzzing bees, From dust bunnies and stray mice And the breeze that rustles the maple tree I come from the lavender under the carpet, From Martinelli’s and musty paper And from mold on the seat belts I come from the blackberry brambles with feathery leaves, The smell of summer’s black sweetness From bleeping oscilloscopes And scrumptious black cod, From LEGOs on bleak Rainy days And from the baseball my grandpa caught To save my Mommy I am from hoof picks, And salt spray on the beach From wooden wardrobes and elegant tassels I am from well-loved books, Alice, Black Beauty and Charles-Wallace Books

I could read With my eyes closed I am from “Get down from there now!”

“Stop that this instant or else!”

And from Jojo and Chippers, Their furry tails Flitting Through my dreams In my mind I have a picture book: Snapshots, never taken Pictures, imagined They beckon to me, sending snow and summer winds, Days Long forgotten Memories Treasured Each An open window To my imagination

Mes Amis Fall 2011 3

giving

Time-sensitive information for those over 70½.

Here’s another clever way to give to Forest Ridge School: For a short time, you can use an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) distribution for your donation to Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

In 2006, the federal government introduced the IRA Charitable Rollover.

This provision was extended as part of the Tax Relief Act signed in December 2010, but it will expire soon: Dec. 31, 2011.

A feature of the tax code allows any taxpayer aged 70½ or older to contribute as much as $100,000 in IRA assets directly to qualified charities. This donation can satisfy the minimum distribution required beginning at age 70½.

This is how it can benefit both you and Forest Ridge: If you withdrew $1,000 from your IRA and paid tax at a rate of 25 percent, you would have $750 to donate. Alternatively, if you donated $1,000 directly from your IRA, Forest Ridge would receive $1,000. The direct IRA gift is particularly advantageous if you do not itemize since it simply excludes the donation from your income. The donor does not claim the disbursement as income or take a deduction for the donation.

If you have any questions about IRA Charitable Rollovers, please contact your financial advisor or IRA administrator. To request a sample letter for your IRA administrator, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement, 425-201-2410.

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giving

The Annual Fund Appeal 2011-2012

Girls First !

What is the Annual Fund Appeal?

Who Gives to the Annual Fund Appeal?

The Annual Fund raises funds to bridge the gap, or shortfall, which refers to the difference between tuition and the actual cost of running the school. Tuition only covers 91 percent of the cost of a Forest Ridge education, making the Annual Fund Appeal vital to balancing our budget. Contributions go directly to operational expenses. Because Forest Ridge is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Annual Fund gifts, unlike tuition, are tax-deductible.

The Annual Fund is supported not only by current families but also by trustees, the faculty and staff, alumnae, parents of alumnae, grandparents, some students and other friends of the school.

Be a leader!

Typically, more than half of the monies raised by the Annual Fund are given by members of the Millennium Club, donors who contribute a minimum, unrestricted gift of $3,000 or a combined personal and corporate matching gift of $4,500 or more. We ask that you give at a level that is appropriate for your family.

How do I give to the Annual Fund Appeal?

There are many ways to donate to Forest Ridge—cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, stock, or pledge and pay by June 30, 2012. Or email Janet Burns at janetbu@forestridge.org to make other arrangements. You can also make a gift online: Go to www.forestridge.org and click Support FR. Corporate matching funds are very much appreciated!

Your Annual Fund contribution makes a difference to the students of Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

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campus Update

New Admission Director Forest Ridge welcomes a new Director of Admission, Emily L. Dapper, who joined the Forest Ridge Community on Aug. 15.

A native of Minnesota, Dapper earned her B.A. in English and communications from Jamestown College, a liberal arts college located in Jamestown, ND. For the past six years, Dapper served as the Assistant Director of Admissions at the Academy of Holy Angels (AHA), a Catholic, college-preparatory high school in Minneapolis, MN. During her time at AHA, Dapper was part of a two-person admissions department that maintained an enrollment of 750 students. Prior to AHA, Dapper worked in the Marketing Department for the MN School of Business/Globe College, located in Plymouth, MN. “We are thrilled to have Emily as part of our community,” said Head of School Mark Pierotti. “Her enthusiasm, energy and ideas for recruiting and attracting mission-fit families are exciting and will be of great benefit to Forest Ridge. Please join me in welcoming Emily to Forest Ridge.”

Across

She comes to Forest Ridge from Canyon Del Oro High School in Arizona, where she created the dance program. She holds a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from Seattle Pacific University.

High school Mandarin teacher Lynne Mallinson comes to Forest Ridge via China, where she had a lengthy teaching tenure. An accomplished translator, she looks forward to bringing her expertise to the Mandarin classroom. Most recently, Ms. Mallinson has taught community college math. Inga Aesoph is returning to the Seattle area after having concluded her graduate studies at the University of Montana. Ms. Aesoph is joining the English faculty on a part-time basis while continuing her teaching commitments at the community college level. Also in the high school, Sensei Nui Tateyama joins the International Languages Department. In addition to teaching Japanese, Sensei assumes responsibilities associated with the Exchange Program; during this school year, Sensei will collaborate with Mrs. Audrey Threlkeld on coordinating exchanges for Forest Ridge girls and for exchange students who come to Forest Ridge.

New Middle School Faculty include, from left, Crissy Stemkowski, Alison Mohrbacher, Christine Witcher, Maureen Gardner, Cathie Travis and Kari Levin.

New Upper School Faculty include, from left, Jessica Secan, Inga Aesoph and Lynne Mallison.

Meet our new faculty and staff Forest Ridge is blessed with an abundantly talented and dedicated faculty and staff. We welcome the group of talented and passionate teachers who join us this year: High School: Jessica Secan is the new director of the Dance Company; she also teaches dance, yoga and PE in the high school.

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Middle School: Cathie Travis, who has been a member of our community as a long-term substitute and individual tutor, will now join us full-time teaching seventh– and eighth–grade math; she will also be a member of the eighth-grade team. Christine Witcher will teach sixth- and eighth-grade math and fifth-grade science and will co-teach eighth-grade science with Bill Lewis. Ms. Witcher, who has a bachelor’s degree in science with an emphasis on geophysics, is completing her master’s in teaching at Seattle University. Maureen Gardner joins us as the new seventh-grade English teacher and member of the seventh-grade team. Mrs. Gardner is completing her master’s in teaching at the University of Washington; she holds a master’s degree in writing from Georgetown University.

Campus Alison Mohrbacher will be our new sixth-grade humanities teacher.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a teaching certificate from Gonzaga University. Mrs. Crissy Stemkowski is the new middle school learning specialist. She comes to Forest Ridge from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, where she served as learning services coordinator. Ms. Kari Levin is the new MS Japanese teacher. Ms. Levin holds a Master of Arts degree in Japanese Language from the University of Hawaii and has taught Japanese in Kentucky and in the Seattle area.

National Merit Semifinalist, Commended Students

Senior Emma Murphy has earned the status of National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Emma is among the 16,000 students recognized as Semifinalists— selected from about 1.5 million students who took the PSAT in the fall of 2010.

These Semifinalists, the highest-scoring entrants in each state, represent less than one percent of each state’s high school seniors. Emma and the other academically talented high school seniors will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $34 million, which will be offered next spring.

Congratulations to Emma and to Forest Ridge’s eight Commended Students, all seniors: Ashley Bucklin, Maggie Liu, Clemence Mendoza, Cady Moris, Caroline Osborne, Jennifer Seely, Shanthi Shanmugam and Megan Wissler. Commended Students are those students who placed in the top five percent of students who took the 2010 PSAT.

Scholarship finalist Shanthi Shanmugam ’12 was a finalist in the prestigious Executive Women International Scholarship Program (EWISP), an annual, competition-based program that awards more than $200,000 in college scholarship money to qualifying high school juniors each year. Her speech, “The Biggest Problem Facing Her Generation: Creativity and the Educational System,” earned Shanti a second-place finish and a $1,500 scholarship. EWISP has been recognized by Money Magazine as one of the top 12 scholarships in the United States. Students are nominated by their schools to participate in the scholarship competition. Judges select scholarship winners based on their scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, good citizenship and extracurricular activities.

campus Update

State tennis champ!

Michelle Lui ’14 won the girls singles title at the Washington State High School Tennis Championship in Yakima over the Memorial Day weekend.

Michelle defeated her opponents, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1, 6-0, and lost just three games all tournament.

Michelle finished the season as league, district and state champion and went undefeated on the year.

The Forest Ridge High School tennis team also went undefeated on the season, winning the Emerald City League title. Fanny Anderson ’14 and Olivia Cero ’14 defeated their opponents, 6-1, and 6-2, enabling the Ravens to win the match and be crowned Emerald City League champions. The team went on to win the Emerald City League Tournament and finish second at the state championships.

Great season, Ravens!

MS Math Olympiad Middle school students Claire He ’18, Sierra Peter-Contesse ’18, Claire Price ’18 and Shivani Shanmugam ’18 represented Forest Ridge at the Washington State Math Olympiad competition this past May. Rebecca Ruddy ’12 coached the girls in preparation for this competition. The Forest Ridge team brought home medals for their “Superior Solution” to the long problem section of the competition.

Scholarship winner Morgan Burdick ’11 was chosen from more than 4,000 applicants to be one of nine Sullivan Scholars entering Seattle University this fall.

The Sullivan Leadership Award represents Seattle University’s holistic definition of academic excellence, one that transcends classroom performance. The award is a full scholarship, equal to tuition, room and board for each of four years, designed to support students whose records reflect their commitment to service, leadership, academic rigor, community, spirituality and global awareness.

Mes Amis Fall 2011 7

Debbie McLaughlin ’83: HS Learning Specialist

Making learning even more special at Forest Ridge Peggy O’Connor Director of Marketing & Communications

What does learning look like at Forest Ridge?

It looks as different as each of the 395 students in the Forest Ridge community. Learning is never simply black and white; it comes in every color, shape, size and language. Learning is confident. Learning is timid.

Learning is loud and large. Learning is quiet and small.

Learning comes easily to some girls. And for many, learning is difficult.

Without exception, learning is different for everyone. That’s where Debbie McLaughlin ’83 comes in.

Since 2009, McLaughlin has been the high school learning specialist at Forest Ridge. It’s a job that she delights in because every work day is—well, different.

“Actually, I sort of fell into this learning specialist area,” McLaughlin says. She had taught theology at Forest Ridge in the mid-1990s as part of an eclectic career in education that found her teaching theology at a Catholic school in Maryland, serving as campus minister at Seattle University, working as a community organizer–social justice is a big theme in Deb’s life and then, for 10 years, working as an ESL (English as a Second Language and adult basic education (GED) instructor at the community-college level.

“In that environment, I ran into a lot of people who were struggling with college, and I began to think that the challenges for many of them might have been due to undiagnosed learning disabilities. That’s where I was introduced to LD, ADD, dyslexia, etc.,” McLaughlin explains.

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The community college experience offered McLaughlin on-the-job training as a learning specialist and excited her with the possibility of putting that knowledge into action. She had by then moved into an administrative role as director of basic and transitional studies at Seattle Central Community College.

“When the position of learning specialist at Forest Ridge became available, I was stunned. I love Forest Ridge, and I had never dreamed I could come back to work here. I was especially thrilled that Forest Ridge was forward-thinking enough to acknowledge that there were students who had learning differences,” McLaughlin says.

In August 2009, the high school created a part-time (.6 FTE) learning specialist position, which has since expanded to a .75 FTE. High School Director Dr. Carola Wittmann was the person responsible for creating the position and identifying McLaughlin as the right person for the job.

“The high school did not have a system in place that addressed differentiated learning and teaching,” Dr. Wittmann explains.

“At the time, we had a part-time mental health counselor (shared with the middle school) who was largely under-utilized.

In restructuring, that position morphed into a learning specialist with an emphasis on eighth- to ninth-grade transition and faculty training.

“Deb fit that position perfectly.”

In her role as High School Learning Specialist, McLaughlin is a member of the high school’s leadership team and also a member of the school’s new Challenge Success team (see sidebar story on page 10). In that capacity, she works with students, parents and faculty members to provide learning strategies and training. McLaughlin has conducted homework sessions, study groups and ongoing professional development in the areas of cognitive diversity, learning issues and differentiated instruction.

She also plans to work closely with the new middle school learning specialist, Crissy Stemkowski, and the middle school leadership team to learn more about the needs of specific students as they enter high school. And McLaughlin will continue to increase her participation with the admissions team, meeting with prospective students and their parents and consulting with counselors, tutors and partner schools. “That will be important so we can be clear and transparent from the first point of contact with inquiring families and students,” Dr. Wittmann adds.

For Deb McLaughlin, the creation of her role at Forest Ridge was, as she said, exciting —and surprising.

“Forest Ridge has come very far since I graduated in 1983. When I was here, the school was traditional, and the curriculum was classical: reading, writing, math,” McLaughlin says. “Now there is recognition that there are increasing numbers of students with learning differences and needs. As teachers, we tend to get caught up in teaching, and we forget that we need to stop and look at kids and see what their individual needs are. Let’s take a deep breath, step back and realize that these are kids, that their executive functioning isn’t fully developed and that perhaps we can’t expect them to be operating at the highest level all the time,” McLaughlin adds.

A major part of McLaughlin’s job is to work with teachers.

Overall, the faculty’s reaction has been good, McLaughlin says.

“We’ve had a lot of great interactions, lots of good one-on-one coaching and some workshops on differentiated learning and ways to check assumptions and attitudes,” she adds. “Like everything, it’s a work in progress. Although right away, Sr. Marcia O’Dea told me, ‘We are really glad to have you here. We have girls who need you so much,’” McLaughlin says, smiling.

For most of the high school faculty, Dr. Wittmann adds, Deb McLaughlin has become a very credible resource. “She provides them with strategies that are student-specific; she intervenes on behalf of the student but also helps the teacher be ‘heard’ by the student and her family,” Dr. Wittmann says.

The parent community has also welcomed a learning specialist, although for many parents, it is difficult to accept that their child has learning challenges. “A big part of my job has been making connections with parents. There have been a couple of instances when parents haven’t talked to their daughters about their learning issues It really helps for parents to talk to their kids, so we can figure out the best plan for their daughters,” McLaughlin says.

“Parents love Deb because she is accessible and she follows through on things,” Dr. Wittmann adds. “The kids are becoming increasingly comfortable discussing their learning styles with her.

I hear more and more students say they’re bringing a friend to ‘learn about learning.’”

“I love how open Deb is with her office space,” Dr. Wittmann says. “It is always available to students whether or not she is on campus, and kids are making use of it.”

The reaction of students to her learning services is what has meant the most to Deb McLaughlin.

“When I talk with kids, I say right out, ‘My job is to work with students who have learning differences. There’s no shame, no stigma. I want you to know that everybody learns differently; everybody is smart in her own way,’” McLaughlin says.

“Building relationships with the girls is important,” she adds.

And being visible has helped, too.“I have girls who just walk right in and ask for help. Our girls are amazing advocates for themselves,” she says. “Others come because they ask their friends if I can really help, and their friends tell them that they have gotten help. I am not a ‘hammer’ kind of person. I want the student to be comfortable. I’ve sent an introduction letter to a student and parents, and parents have thanked me because it put their child at ease,” she adds.

Developing her role and continuing to gain the trust and participation of students, parents and teachers is an ongoing process, McLaughlin says, but one in which she has a great deal of hope and confidence.

“Forest Ridge, like many private schools, has had a culture in which learning differences have been, if not hidden, at least not openly addressed. But I have hope because Forest Ridge has always really paid attention to students and their needs. We do a great job of that. If we continue to pay attention to students and really listen to what they need in order to learn … that will bring change.

“Challenge Success will help us do that,” McLaughlin adds. “I am excited about that program. Challenge Success has helped schools make significant changes. We have a great opportunity through Challenge Success to listen to the voices of students and take them seriously, to make Forest Ridge a place where students with learning differences are not just accommodated but truly welcome,” she says. continued on page 10

Mes Amis Fall 2011 9

Special at Forest Ridge

continued

“Knowing that is part of what energizes me.

That and the students: I enjoy the energy of the girls. I‘ve worked with teens before but had forgotten how much energy they have.

Better yet, they are such cosmic, deep thinkers. They are questioning their roles in life,” McLaughlin says. “I get to watch them and work with them as they look at their lives and their roles in the future. That’s a great thing for me.”

It’s a role she relishes a great deal—but she still manages to leave time in her life for her family and her work as an artist.

McLaughlin started WaterLight Mosaics in Seattle, a fine art and architectural mosaic studio. She uses glass, porcelain, tile, stone or other unique tesserae (a small piece used in mosaic work) “to bring works of beauty and meaning to homes and public spaces,” according to her artist’s statement on her website, http://waterlightmosaics.com/ Her work as an artist helps define the point she makes to students about learning in their lives: everyone learns differently; learning occurs in many places beyond the classroom; and there should be room in their teenage years for more than just studying. “I like to help girls see that they are not just ‘doing school,’” McLaughlin says.

“And if they can’t do that at a place like Forest Ridge, where can they?”

Challenge Success at Forest Ridge Last May, Forest Ridge hosted a faculty workshop and parent presentation by Dr. Denise Clark Pope, senior lecturer at the Stanford University School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success. Challenge Success is a research and intervention program that aims to reduce unhealthy pressure on youth by championing a broader vision of youth success.

Forest Ridge was then invited to participate in Challenge Success at Stanford this fall. The school put together a team of eight, including two students and two parent representatives. The team, which includes Madison Pollastro ’13, Mackenzie Strafford ’14, faculty members John Fenoli and Judy Pettet, parents Janelle Aberle and Seema Jejurikar, learning specialist Debbie McLaughlin and Director of High School Carola Wittmann, traveled to Palo Alto, Calif., on Sept.

30 to attend a weekend workshop and meet with the school coach assigned to Forest Ridge.

As a Challenge Success school, Forest Ridge will now participate in an extensive survey administered by Challenge Success and collaborate closely with the coach to identify and address student stressors. Disaggregating the survey data will take several months, after which Dr. Clark Pope or one of her colleagues will return to Forest Ridge to share the results with the community.

“We think this will be an important chapter in the life of the high school at Forest Ridge,” says Dr. Wittmann. “The premise of Challenge Success is that we need to broaden our definition of success so adolescents understand that success comes in more than one form. We want to start raising adolescents who are resilient, receptive to critical feedback and able to reject the societal push to try to be perfect.”

One highlight of the Sept. 30 visit to Palo Alto for the Forest Ridge group, Dr. Wittmann says, was a keynote by Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D., M.S. Ed., FAAP, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Ginsburg noted that we are “not raising kids for college, we are raising them for the world. The world needs resilient people who admit they make mistakes.”

That’s one goal that Dr. Wittmann has in mind by participating in Challenge Success: helping Forest Ridge girls develop the resilience necessary for living and working in the world of today and tomorrow.

“We know that we will have our work cut out for us following the survey and the analysis of results,” she explains. “But we’ll take on the tough issues, doing what we can here at Forest Ridge to reject the country’s culture of always pushing kids to be perfect, of overwhelming them with homework and activities until there is little room for family dinners and quality time–one baby step at a time.”

One of Deb McLaughlin’s mosiac pieces, kitchen cabinet doors.

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For more information about Challenge Success, visit www.challengesuccess.org

alumnae news

Letter from the Alumnae Board President Dear Beloved Forest Ridge Alumnae and Friends, As another school year is under way, we are reminded of the profound importance of education both locally and globally. While speaking at Forest Ridge several years ago, Melinda Gates emphasized the power of education, in particular the power of educating young women: “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman.

But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. It’s complicated by the fact that in most nations women receive substantially less education than men.”

I have witnessed this firsthand. I recently returned from eastern Africa, where girls are often denied education, and in the few regions where both genders are educated, the facilities and educational resources are in such a deteriorated state that the student-to-teacher ratio is 100 to 1 and students suffer from respiratory illnesses. There, I reflected on the power of Forest Ridge and our sisterhood of Sacred Heart schools worldwide; while struggling to strengthen my own voice, I was blessed with help, guidance, and support from the Forest Ridge family. As FR alumnae, we were able to develop our voices in a community that fosters the strengths of young women. We have been given a “golden ticket” that allows us access to places, people, and ideas that will change the world and, hopefully, to impact education globally, allowing all young children to find their voice.

Our alumnae are already directly changing the face of education at Forest Ridge and around the world. At Forest Ridge, Deb McLaughlin ’83 serves as High School Learning Specialist, Emily Castle ’02 is the Middle School Assistant for Academics and Student Life, Jasmine Reyes ’03 is Associate Director of Admission, and Jen Nicol ’05 is the Middle School Technology Specialist. Representing the Alumnae Board, Sheila Donohoe Hill ’59 is a retired teacher with 24 years teaching experience in Bellevue, Gina Fernandes ’04 has her master’s degree in higher education administration from George Washington University, and Laura Emerson ’03 is currently finishing her master’s degree in teaching.

Happily, this edition of Mes Amis highlights several remarkable alumnae working to improve education: Kris Samuelson ’66, Deb McLaughlin ’83 and Srilakshmi Remala Kamdar ’97. We recognize and thank all of our Alumnae around the world working to change the face of education.

I hope to see each of you at a Forest Ridge Alumnae event this year. Many alumnae gathered for the 3rd annual Alumnae Reunion dinner on Oct. 21. It was a special evening of reminiscing and friendship that brought together alumnae from 1942-2004. In the spring we will have a wine and cheese event on March 1 and our Forest Ridge Alumnae Association Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon on May 11.

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

Sincerely, Krysta M. Svore ’97 Forest Ridge Alumnae Board President

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Alumnae Profile: Kris Samuelson ’66

Telling

the story

By Julie Lundgren Alumnae Relations Director

This past summer I had the great pleasure of meeting Kris Samuelson ’66, longtime Stanford professor and Oscarnominated documentarian. After living in Tokyo for a year, Kris recently finished making Tokyo Waka, a 63-minute documentary essay about Tokyo’s people, its crows, and their coexistence. She took time from her busy schedule to answer some questions about her career.

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Q.: With an overabundance of “storytelling” in the world today through vehicles such Facebook and YouTube, how do you, as a documentarian and educator, teach quality storytelling?

A. There is a lot of generic storytelling out there these days. It is so easy to pick up a camera and create a little film—even off-the-cuff. A lot of this work is mediocre, simply repeating some of the old storytelling modes without a lot of originality.

That said, every so often I see a film that is really trying to frame a story in a fresh way. There is a lot of experimentation out there, both weak and strong.

I also think there are new strands of visual communication developing that lend themselves to quick and casual exchanges.

I wouldn’t call them storytelling in a strict sense in that they don’t have the conceptual development I look for in narrative.

They can, however, get people talking about the topic at hand.

Good storytelling is challenging. In teaching storytelling approaches, I introduce students to the classical linear structures (causal, chronological, conflict-result) but also like to get students thinking about less obvious formal storytelling strategies, such as essays, diary films and poems. My work falls more into this latter category, which is why I find it of particular interest.

Q.: Looking at the subjects of your documentaries—the Vietnam War, homelessness, 9/11, to name a few— you educate the public on sensitive and difficult issues.

Have your films ultimately facilitated social or environmental change?

A.: It is difficult to really know the effects of films one creates.

In that they enlighten, inspire, disturb and promote discussion,

Alumnae PRofile

I believe they make important contributions to the topics raised and issues exposed. It is also the filmmaker’s job to make sure the films get out into the world to be seen by the widest possible audience. With this in mind, dissemination through nontheatrical educational distributors—television broadcast or cablecast, web downloads and film festivals— becomes important. The filmmaker is not always the best person to manage all these outlets, and it is a struggle to try to get the finished film in the hands of those who can help. There is so much more media being distributed these days that it becomes ever harder to organize the outreach. At the same time, as the digital opportunities continue to expand, I do think the internet will become the best highway for getting films out to intended audiences, even if the films are viewed on a laptop rather than a large screen.

Q.: You are the chair of the Art and Art History Department as well as the director of the Film and Media Studies Program at Stanford. What importance does art and art history play in your documentaries?

A.: Students in our M.F.A. program in documentary film and video take studio art, art history, and film studies courses in addition to their production classes. This has a significant impact on their ways of seeing and understanding the world around them. This is great preparation for them as filmmakers.

I definitely see these influences in my work, which I create with my husband and filmmaking partner, John Haptas. We have worked on films together for 20 years while also working fulltime in our respective occupations. I have taught at Stanford for 29 years, and John is a freelance film editor. We were able to take a sabbatical in 2010 with an arts fellowship from the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, a jointly supported program of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Bunkacho of Japan. While in Japan, we had the opportunity to experience Japanese art, music and drama, plus interact with other artists who had the fellowship during the same time period. All of this input had a profound effect on the making of Tokyo Waka.

Q.: What was the key message behind your latest documentary, Tokyo Waka? How is a documentary like this discovered by the public?

A. Tokyo Waka is a poem that wanders through the culture and history of Tokyo in the company of its crows—20,000 of them—sardonic observers of the residents of the most modern city on Earth trying to cope with the relentless tenacity of nature. We wanted to use the crows to consider the interaction between humans and nature in a complex urban setting, as well as provide a window into Japan itself through the many characters we included. Now that the film is completed, we will begin to push it out into the world via film festivals and, hopefully, television sales. We will then sign with a distributor who will present it to educational markets.

Q.: What do you find most fulfilling about making documentaries?

The crows in Tokyo Waka.

A.: M aking documentaries allows you to dive into a subject, thoroughly research and explore it, and then make a creative product to share with audiences. I can’t imagine what could be more engaging and stimulating. At the same time, it is very hard, detailed work to develop the film conceptually, aesthetically and visually. It is expensive, and it is complicated in that you must have knowledge in a number of areas. You need to be dedicated, because each project takes considerable time, even years, to complete.

Q.: Did you or do you encounter resistance as a woman in the film industry? If so, what advice would you give to Forest Ridge students and graduates who are interested in the field?

A. Th e fictional film industry never particularly interested me.

I worked in it a bit early in my career, but I did feel it was much harder to be a woman and succeed. Women tended to be more in the support roles, or, at best, as film editors. That has changed dramatically, and you see more women directing and producing now. It is still a tough path, but better.

Q.: D o story ideas come easily for you? Do you have another one in the works?

A.: I find I see story ideas more quickly than when I started out, but trying to find the unique topic and formal approach always remains a challenge.

One sees lots of repetition in narrative structures, almost as a default. An example would be the endless number of “competition” documentaries out these days. The protagonists are pitted against one another as they strive to compete in whatever competition is the topic: athletics, academics (e.g., spelling bees), dancing, whatever. This provides a natural and easy narrative arc, but the films all start to seem the same to me. I guess I’m more interested in the films that look at topics a bit sideways.

Q.: Y ou are celebrating your 45th Forest Ridge reunion this year. In reflecting back on those 45 years, do you feel being educated in a single-sex environment made a difference in your life?

A.: D efinitely. I feel attending Forest Ridge gave me much more self-confidence and trust in my ideas than I might have had from attending a coed high school. Frankly, there were just fewer distractions and a whole layer of social awkwardness that I didn’t have to deal with (except outside of school!).

Mes Amis Fall 2011 13

alumna spotlight

Alumna: Shared knowledge, equity in education benefits all students

By Julie Lundgren Alumnae Relations Director

Srilakshmi Remala Kamdar ’97.

Srilakshmi Remala Kamdar ’97 knows exactly the October day when the “light bulb” went on for her.

As a member of Leadership Tomorrow, a group of 80 community leaders who had gathered to study and address education challenges facing educators in the Puget Sound community, Sri and her colleagues were visiting Newport High in Bellevue and Franklin High in Seattle. The event was Leadership Tomorrow’s “Education Day,” and the group had spent the morning at Newport meeting with school leaders, teachers and students and touring updated classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities, complete with SMART Board technology. That afternoon they visited Franklin, a school in a community of color in south Seattle, and encountered quite the opposite situation.

“What hit me really hard,” Sri recalls, “was seeing firsthand the gap between the haves and the have-nots, seeing a person’s access to education based on their family’s social economic status and zip code — and in this case only nine miles apart, a short ride across the I-90 bridge. America isn’t the land of opportunity anymore, where you pick yourself up by the bootstraps. America is very disparate.”

14 Mes Amis Fall 2011

Moved by this experience, Sri is dedicating her career to changing the education system so that all people, not just those with resources, have access to a quality education. Sri had earned a double degree from Carnegie Mellon University in human computer interaction and anthropology and developed a great skill set around business and project management in the software world. But now she was looking for a way to apply her knowledge to her passion—education.

Opportunity presented itself last spring when Sri received a call from the Washington Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition. STEM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing innovation, equity and excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in Washington state.

She was asked to join Washington STEM as the director of technology and digital strategy. STEM’s mission, which appealed to Sri, includes finding the best and brightest teaching practices in order promulgate them throughout communities of all sizes and types across the state, especially traditionally underserved communities.

“We are at a critical time in our history when education must be made current.

After all, education hasn’t changed much since the 1950s,” Sri explains. “We need to produce our own innovative, creative students who receive exposure and skills that give them the opportunity to choose STEM careers. If our education system doesn’t support our children, then it puts them on a track of mediocrity,” she adds.

She continues, “Through ... strategic investments in teachers—where we find innovative educators around the state, rural to urban, and give them the resources they need—we observe a ripple effect of shared learning.” One of her projects involves a digital strategy: using an online community to allow teachers to blog about their ideas, photos and progress in their classrooms. “Through this shared knowledge, where a teacher from Neah Bay can learn from another teacher in Spokane, valuable feedback is exchanged, and teachers become invigorated, making them better teachers.

Ultimately, the students benefit.”

Sri believes, “Strong leadership from the top and great teachers are what make schools excel—teachers like those at Forest Ridge who opened my eyes to the world, pushed me to think and to be curious and who instilled in me the desire to know more.”

Always the student, this fall, Sri started a master’s program in public administration with a focus on education policy at the University of Washington. Sri’s passion for learning has deep roots. She remembers the wisdom of her father, a man from a small, rural village in India who knew the value of both education and hard work, who said,

“Access to opportunity is through education. Work hard, excel, and opportunity will present itself.”

alumna spotlight

From Forest Ridge to Far Away:

Living Abroad is an Education

By Julie Lundgren Alumnae Relations Director

“Spellbound, I watched as the Austrian doctor set my son’s broken wrist with a fish trap and pulleys,” Shannon Underwood ’81 remembers, recounting one of her most vivid memories of living in Europe with her family last year. This type of unexpected, real-life experience that living in another country provides is what Shannon, her husband David Gartland and their three kids, Kylie ’13, Kevin and Sean, discovered when they spent a David Gartland, Shannon year living in Florence, Italy.

Underwood ‘81, Kylie ‘13, And, despite this unorthodox Kevin and Sean Gartland. doctor visit, Shannon notes that Austria’s health system was efficient and excellent, albeit expensive.

“When we had Kevin's permanent cast put on in Italy it took us about eight hours of waiting, but the Austrian health care had cost us approximately 8,300 percent more. So there is your trade-off,” Shannon concludes.

Shannon and David decided Florence would offer the best combination of schooling, housing and culture, access to great biking through the Tuscan countryside, and the chance for Shannon to continue her art history studies. When asked about living in Italy, Shannon shares, “It was hard. Our pace of life in the United States is so different that it takes quite a long time to adjust to the more lackadaisical tempo of Italy. When you go to the bank in Italy, it’s going to take 25 minutes to walk there and 40 minutes standing in line to get your money—if they have money that day.”

Shannon also learned about the brutal Florentine weather.

“Houses—ours was 600 years old and stone—and apartments can’t use heat or air conditioning in April or October as a national energy-saving measure and October was a hard, cold month,” Shannon says. And while attending Mass at one of the two monasteries in the neighborhood, she enjoyed the relaxing Gregorian chanting but noted, “It was bitterly cold, and everyone really suffered in those cold, stone, unheated and unlighted churches.”

Challenges aside, “Florence was a good place to live,” Shannon says. “There is a lot to see and do beyond museums, shopping and churches. There are a Series A soccer team, wonderful countryside to explore, ski slopes and beaches just an hour away, plus, of course, hundreds of wineries.” Shannon also found an increased amount of family time, adding, “This past year gave us so much time together because there were far fewer activities. We played a thousand games of chess, read a billion books and became addicted to Hell’s Kitchen on television!”

Shannon concludes, “Whilst on our yearlong adventure, we traveled to Paris, London, Bath, Stonehenge, Austria and even the Philippines. We visited Rome, Venice, Puglia, Vesuvius, Capri, Sorrento, Genoa and all of the hill towns. It's a big country and a big world, but with kids there is also schoolwork, parties, sports and hanging around with their friends. Ultimately, for them, it's just life somewhere else.”

Kylie’s European Adventure Living abroad during her sophomore year in Florence showed Kylie Gartland ’13 how Forest Ridge compares to a European school. Perhaps the most striking difference besides location was the presence of boys. “My school was coed, which was really fun, but it did actually make learning more difficult,” Kylie says. “It was harder to concentrate and excel with all the distractions. On the upside, I met my boyfriend Alex right away, and it was really fun to be with (him) all day. On the whole, though, I prefer a single-sex school.”

The International School of Florence gave Kylie an opportunity to experience an International Baccalaureate Programme. “When I saw the type of kids who took IB in Florence it made me realize how fortunate we are to have the program at Forest Ridge. It is the world standard, and with the IB diploma I will be able to apply to any university in the world,” Kylie says. She continues, “I think I’m ahead in Spanish, even in math and English and maybe a little behind in the sciences. Our Italian school didn’t seem as strong in the sciences, but it might have been that the courses were taught as three-science subjects per year, so I took physics, chemistry and biology in one year.”

When asked how learning at the International School was different from learning at Forest Ridge, Kylie says, “My classes were in general not as difficult as at Forest Ridge, except for Spanish, which was very advanced because all the kids in my class were either native Italian speakers or native Spanish speakers. It moved really fast. Also the PE there was harder. We had to start every PE class by running two miles, and if you lagged, went too fast, talked back or pretty much did anything else, you had to run extra laps.”

And while eating in Italy may be one of the world’s best experiences, Kylie adds, “The cafeteria food was appalling!”

Kylie Gartland ’13 pictured during her year in Italy.

Mes Amis Fall 2011 15

class notes

We’d love to hear from you! Please share any news about yourself or a classmate for the Mes Amis magazine. We also encourage you to send any story ideas or contributions. Please send your submissions to the Communications Office at peggyoc@forestridge.org

1940s For news of Sue Lane ’48, see 1970s Class Notes.

Britta Roberts Showalter ’49 was back in town for a family reunion. She has 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and two more on the way!

1920s 1950s Harriet Berens Barrett ’28 passed away at age 101 on September 26, 2011. Harriet was a tremendous supporter of Forest Ridge, and saw the school through many phases and in several places from Seattle to Bellevue. Her appreciation and devotion to the Sacred Heart and the work of the RSCJs remained steadfast. Harriet’s granddaughter, Katie Geraghty ’80, in her eulogy Harriet Berens Barrett ’28. for Harriet said, “Grandma lived a life of service to others. She did not call attention to her actions; she simply did what she could. As St. Madeleine Sophie said, ‘Your example, more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world’.”

1930s

For news of Marguerite DeDonato Meade ’35, see 1950s Class Notes.

For news of Virginia McMonagle, RSCJ, ’39, see 1950s Class Notes.

16 Mes Amis Fall 2011

Sonya Quitslund ’53 and Pat Powers McIntyre ’52.

Patricia Powers McIntyre ’52 and Sonya Quitslund ’53 enjoyed the Casa Grande Ruins in Arizona while traveling last May. Mary Ella Baker Bronson ’55 of Eugene, Oregon, writes that she and Betty Lou Hodgins Bartky ’55 of Bethesda, Maryland, visited Carla Mahne Rosenblum ’55 in San Jose, California, for a wonderful reunion in August. They went to Oakwood Sacred Heart in Atherton and met with Sr. Virginia McMonagle ’39, who had just celebrated her 90th birthday! Forest Ridge forms a lifelong bond!

Marilyn Lockwood Jones ’57 writes, “I missed my 50th reunion. I had planned to be there, but my mother, Cecilia DeDonato Lockwood ’29, passed away two days prior to the reunion. It has been two years since I've returned to Seattle, where my sibling and numerous cousins live.

class notes

Holy Names of Jesus and Mary on Nov. 7, 2011. Unfortunately I cannot be in Seattle for the 50th anniversary of our graduation. Hope everyone will have a great time!”

With Sr. Virginia McMonagle ’39 (center) are Class of 1955 classmates Mary Ella Baker Bronson, Betty Lou Hodgins Bartky and Carla Mahne Rosenblum.

Of all the DeDonato sisters who attended Forest Ridge, Marguerite DeDonato Meade ’35 is the last of the sisters left.

She lives in Los Altos, and seven of her children live in the vicinity. My daughter, Cecy, and I started working together 22 years ago and are still enjoying ourselves. Cecy is a graduate of Broadway.” Marilyn and Cecy create scarves and umbrellas; visit their website at http://jnjdesigns.biz to see a sampling of their work, including a Forest Ridge silk scarf.

Karen (Penni) Steiner ’57, missing the camaraderie of her classmates, decided to get her class together for monthly lunches. And so far, nine out of a class of 28 have said yes for their first meeting in October. Karen writes, “All of us from Alaska to Florida are included. So if you are traveling this way keep the first Wednesday of the month open. Someone will be able to pick you up via train, airport or dock.”

Kitty Morrow Sheahan Meredith ’58 writes, “Marie Reno Manchester ’58 and I spent time with Kas Fitzmaurice Stroh ’58 and ALL the Fitzmaurices at Manzanita on the Oregon Coast during the first week of August. It was a blast. Lots of golf and beautiful sunshine! It’s always so wonderful to spend time with friends who are like family. Love to all in the class of ’58.”

1960s

Catherine Ferguson ’61, SNJM shares, “I will be ending 10 years as the coordinator of an NGO, UNANIMA International, which works at the United Nations on behalf of women and children, immigrants and refugees, and the environment. I will be starting a five-year term as the congregational leader of the Sisters of the

Members of the Class of 1963 held a celebration in honor of their classmate, Chrissy Madsen Miskimon who passed away in August 2011. Wanting to do something special for Forest Catherine Ferguson, Ridge in Chrissy’s memory, they took SNJM, ’61. up a collection for a “Congé Fund.”

Claudia MacDonald Wicks spoke for the class, saying “Chrissy was a lot of fun. We all enjoyed our Congés so we bought a little piggy bank to collect funds to donate to the school and help pay for a little bit of fun on one of the Congé days in honor of Chrissy.”

Class of 1963 classmates, from left, (back) Claudia MacDonald Wicks, Ann McKinstry Gerner, Mary Engstrom Wright, Sharon Hynes Lynch, Pat Wood Killien, Marilee Dunham Markle; (front) Kathleen Geraghty, guest Mae Miskimon, Danielle Sullivan Hubbs, Sheila McHugh Magnano, Patricia Hagen and Ann Hanify Baisch.

Kris Samuelson ’66 is profiled in an article on page 12.

For news of Monica Smith ’63, Tina Smith Mead ’67, Cary Smith Johnson ’69, see 1970s Class Notes.

For news of Susie Shannon ’65, see 1990s Class Notes.

Judy Pigott ’67 writes in with three pieces of news: “The first (piece of news) is that my daughter, Cari Boyd ’93, is living in Germany with husband Rob and their almost-2-year-old, Will.

Cari is expecting baby number two sometime in late winter. I’m looking forward to visiting, not only for Thanksgiving and Cari’s birthday but also to be supportive after this new one arrives.

Lucky me.

(Continued on page 19) Mes Amis Fall 2011 17

class notes

’ 6 1 A lumna is

Still Having Fun

By Julie Lundgren Alumnae Relations Director

After a brief stint working in her husband’s law office, Lynn quickly realized that legal work was not for her. As an artist, Lynn knew she needed creativity and intrigue in her life. In 1987 she founded a video production company, Communication Images Productions. She says, “I like new people, new

“Do not die safely in a rocking chair—get out and experience everything— live your life,” Lynn Teplicky Hennagin ’61 counsels. Lynn takes her own advice. A successful career woman, brain aneurysm survivor, and wife and mother of three, she has no time to waste.

situations and new stories. Things are always changing in video. There’s art, creativity and the challenge. It’s like a chess game: how do I tell the story?”

The stories Lynn most likes to tell are those that create social change and impact society. “I’m on a number of nonprofit boards, and I help raise funds by creating films that attract grant money and audiences who help support the nonprofits.”

Lynn’s work has included projects for Africa Bridge, an organization that helps thousands of children in Africa, the Epilepsy Foundation, the Oregon Association for Retarded Citizens, as well as for an organization for sexually abused children and several women’s shelters.

Lynn’s videos have won many awards. Most notably, she is a three-time winner of the Telly Award, which is awarded each year to honor excellence in local, regional and cable TV commercials as well as non-broadcast video and television. She acknowledges, “You have to have a good eye and know how to touch people’s hearts. Not everyone can do it.”

Forest Ridge had a lasting impact on Lynn. She says, “The nuns taught you to think for yourself, to take charge and to have confidence. They helped make leaders. My Forest Ridge education gave me a social conscience that led to the work I do today.”

Fifty years later, Lynn is still close to her classmates; she regards them as her best connections. Lynn never thought she’d still be working in the video business at her age—but she’s having too much fun to stop now!

18 Mes Amis Fall 2011

class notes

(Continued from page 17) The second thing is that Personal Safety Nets (www. personalsafetynets.com) has expanded. Now in our fifth year, we're celebrating by offering all programs and presentations free (or almost free). The goal is to reach the hearts and minds of another 5,000 or so people. We've joined with many others to help replace fear and isolation with security and connection.

The third is that I, along with PSN, was honored this spring with the Bill Grace Leadership Legacy Award from the Center for Ethical Leadership. I was surprised, honored beyond words and touched deeply. Thanks go to my family and Forest Ridge for helping set a foundation that was herein recognized.”

Margaret Lane ’78 shares, “I am a lawyer, the deputy director of the Washington Vaccine Association, an organization that funds childhood vaccines, and the owner of a consulting business. My husband and I have two boys, ages 10 and 12.

A highlight of last year was a trip to Miami with my mom, Sue Lane ’48, my dad and my sister, Mary Jo Lane O’Donnell ’82. We attended the AASH Conference, where my mom was recognized as the Cor Unum award recipient for the Western Region.”

1970s Denise Frisino ’70 – see her story on page 18.

Mary McKay Vial ’70 writes “The big news here is that we are launching our last child, Tierney, to Marquette University at the end of the month. Peter and I will be empty nesters!

Wow, does time fly.”

For news of Evelyn Shannon ’72, see 1990s Class Notes.

Tina Smith Mead ’67, Monica Smith ’63, Mary Smith Smith ’72, Betsy Smith O’Neil ’76, Cary Smith Johnson ’69.

“Bonjour Mes Amis. Sending good thoughts and prayers from all the Smith Sisters!,” wishes Mary Smith ’72 and her sisters, Monica Smith ’63, Tina Smith Mead ’67, Cary Smith Johnson ’69 and Elizabeth Smith O'Neil ’76.

Julia Burns ’14, Terry Burns, Connor Burns, Gary Locke, Ambassador to China, Mary Whitney Burns ’77 and Genevieve Burns ’08.

Mary Whitney Burns ’77 and her daughters, Genevieve Burns ’08 and Julia Burns ’14, enjoyed a quick trip this past June with her family to Washington, D.C., where they had a chance to visit with then-Commerce Secretary, now Ambassador to China, Gary Locke in his office.

Ann Stafford ’79 will be moving back to the Northwest this fall after having lived on the East Coast for several years. Ann, a colonel in the U.S. Army, has been serving as the associate academic dean at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. Previously, she attended the Navy War College in Newport, R.I., and worked strategy, plans and policy at the Pentagon. Ann will be leaving active duty to join her son, Nicholas, 15, who is a new student at Bellevue High School. In her new role, Ann will work in West Seattle as the director of accreditation for the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS). Ann looks forward to reconnecting with friends and family and to skiing this winter!

(Continued on page 18)

Mes Amis Fall 2011 19

class notes

Denise F risino ’ 7 0

Whiskey Cove Receiving rave reviews from her editor as well as support and guidance from Seattle historian and writer Paul Dorpat of “Seattle Now & Then,” Denise Frisino ’70 has just released her latest work, Whiskey Cove.

A story of rum running between Canada and Washington state in the 1970s, Whiskey Cove is told from the viewpoint of an elderly woman who is still haunted by a murder that occurred 40 years earlier. Reviewer Barbara Mullen said, “Whiskey Cove fascinated me with [its] insights into Northwest history and the role women played in rum running during Prohibition.” While the story is fictional, it is based on extensive research about rum runners in the San Juan Islands that Denise did with her father years ago.

A must-read for those looking for strong women characters leading exciting lives.

Denise spent her summers playing and working in the numerous islands that define the Pacific Northwest, where her family spans four generations. At age five she took to the stage and has been involved in theater and the film industry in Seattle and Los Angeles as an award-winning actress, writer and producer. Denise has published various articles and a short story. She taught English, drama, writing and video in the Seattle public school system, where she received the A+ Award for Excellence in Education. She was raised by a journalist and editor for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer who taught her the power of the written word. Denise and her husband proudly call Seattle their home.

Whiskey Cove may be ordered through Amazon or at http://www.whiskeycovebook.com/

20 Mes Amis Fall 2011

class notes

1980s

Karen Gerard Campbell-Wood ’80 writes, “I am currently in a state of transition, preparing to take the exam to become a licensed independent clinical social worker. Once my exam is completed I will be moving to the Philadelphia area to join my husband, who was recently appointed to the position of assistant vice president of high speed rail for Amtrak. We will be living in a quaint little town called Media, which was the first fair-trade town in North America. Our son Andy will remain in the Seattle area while he completes his M.B.A. at UW. For the past few years I have counseled bereaved family members for Franciscan Hospice, and I found the work to be very fulfilling. I am hoping to find similar work on the East Coast. Please look me up if you are in the area! I am looking forward to visiting with classmates Jan Chalupny, Debbie Barry Fixman, Suzie Reinhart and Roberta Devitis for one final book club meeting before I leave town.”

Allison Edwards Inglett ’81 was not able to attend the reunion for the class of 1981 this past summer, but she is happy about her new position at Wynn Las Vegas as their HR information systems administrator.

“An incredible career opportunity for me and at the largest company I have directly supported in a systems role,” writes Allison. She continues, Avery Alanah Bonvillian, “More exciting than this granddaughter of Allison Edwards new career, I am the first Inglett ’81. grandmother of the class of 1981. Our daughter Madison and son-in-law Garrett are the proud parents of Avery Alanah Bonvillain, born December 26, 2010.

Shannon Underwood ’81, husband David and kids Kylie '13, Sean and Kevin report that they are back from spending a year in Italy and glad to return to their family and friends.

Read the family’s story on page 13.

The 1981 graduating class had its 30-year reunion in August with a girl’s night on July 16 and a family barbecue on July 17. From left to right are Jeanne Flohr, Sue Johnson, Shannon Underwood, Sharyl Portin Bergerud, Mary Nichol, Sara Ramseyer Klein, Suzanne Stafford, Patty Mays, Suzanne Wilson, and Lori Dauphiny.

Laura Bell Hammarlund ’84 is working towards a M.F.A. in arts leadership at Seattle University and working at Seattle Musical Theatre, located in Magnuson Park in Seattle.

“Come see one of our fabulous musicals,” encourages Laura.

“There's free parking!”For more information go to: www. seattlemusicaltheatre.org.

Colleen Kearney Roberts ’84 and her daughter, Katie Roberts ’18, traveled to Italy this past spring. A highlight was visiting the Trinità dei Monti at the top of the Spanish steps in Rome and seeing the Mater Admirabilis fresco. “It was wonderful to have our Enfant du Sacre Coeur passports in order to see the fresco and to share Forest Ridge history with my daughter,” writes Colleen.

Colleen Kearney Roberts ’84 and her daughter, Katie ’18, on the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Megan Furness Berger ’85, who recently married, writes, “We have six kids now, ranging from nine to 19. It is a little insane, but we love every minute of it.”

Kelly Summers Losse ’86 shares, “I live in Bellevue with my husband, Darron, and our two daughters, Alexis, 13, and Quinn, 10. We have owned our own business, a promotional advertising company called XQ Creative, for the past 11 years.

Looking forward to the 25th reunion this year!”

For news of Mary Jo Lane O’Donnell ’82, see 1970s Class Notes.

Mes Amis Fall 2011 21

class notes

1990s

Liz Nedeff ’91 writes, “I am a cultural affairs officer serving in the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. I'm on my fourth diplomatic assignment with the U.S. Department of State.”

For news of Cari Boyd ’93, see 1960s Class Notes.

The children of Laurie Zettler ’87.

Laurie Zettler ’87 writes, “We’re settling in to the craziness of being outnumbered by kids—Gus (August) joined the crew last October. Vivian, 8, is now a professional big sister and usually a big help. Miles, 5, is excited he has someone smaller to boss around and someone who appreciates his showmanship. Rufus is losing fistfuls of hair but putting up with it all very well. Eric and I do chaos pretty well and continue to drag everyone around on big trips whenever we can. We loved our big west coast road trip this summer, visiting Amy Miller ’87, Dara Northcroft ’87 and lots of elephant seals along the way. We’re still in Ballard and spend as much time as possible in Mazama in the woods.”

Andrea Moody ’88 moved with her family, husband Kurt and sons, Ernesto, 11, and Jahiem, 6, to Washington, D.C., where she will be re-establishing her fine art appraisal business. “I look forward to connecting with any FR alumnae in the D.C. area,” writes Andrea.

Lara Ursin Cummings ’89 shares, “My husband, Joel, and I are working in Pullman, Wash., as librarians at WSU. This April, we finalized the adoption of our two toddlers, Esther Marie, 3, and George, 2. Needless to say our lifestyle is very different now: filled with lots of playtime Esther Marie and George and laughter! Emie and George Cummings, daughter and son keep us busy, busy, busy, but we of Lara Ursin Cummings ’89. wouldn't trade it for anything!

I've reconnected with a lot of FR friends on FB and have enjoyed getting to know everyone again. If you happen to be heading to eastern Washington or are planning on visiting WSU I'd love to meet up!”

22 Mes Amis Fall 2011

Karen Patterson Gridilla ’93 married Joe Gradilla over Labor Day Weekend 2011 in the Chapel at Forest Ridge. Among those in attendance were from left to right (back row) Kristine Jamie Patterson ’94, Julie Lundgren, Lorien Anderson Moore ’93, Siobhan Malone Martinez ’93, Jessica Imeson MS ’89, (middle row) Carey Grady Engesser ’93, Sharon Kallander ’93, Evelyn Shannon ’72 (Joe Gradilla’s mother), Susie Shannon ’65 (Joe Gradilla’s aunt), (front row) Kathleen Patterson ’99, Kristin Brokaw Sakai ’93, Karen Patterson Gradilla ’93, Paige Furness MacMillan ’93, and Jennifer Friedrich Wood ’91.

Jessica Allen Minnitti ’97, Rob Minnitti and Madison Sophia Minnitti.

Jessica Allen Minnitti ’97 and her family recently moved from Seattle to Kauai, Hawaii, after her husband Rob was offered the C.O.O. position for a large, statewide cleaning company

class notes

in Hawaii. Jessica plans to continue practicing business law on Kauai. She is enjoying playing with her daughter, Madison Sophia, 16 months, in the tropical paradise.

Tiffany Carey ’98 serves as director of advancement at Bertschi School in Seattle. While at a conference in Colorado, Tiffany met Beth Crutcher, director of advancement at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, N.J., causing her to recall her time as a FR junior, when she spent a semester on exchange at Stuart. “I have vivid memories of my little adventure across the country. I even extended my stay longer than planned because I so enjoyed the school and the family I was staying with. Now, 15 years later, as a fellow professional working in independent schools, it was a treat to reconnect with Stuart.

The Sacred Heart network is truly far-reaching!” says Tiffany.

2000s

Odessa Goedert ’01 has taken a new job with GE Aviation in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a lead sourcing specialist in composite engine parts; and she has recently become engaged.

Lauren Mikov ’03 performing in Oklahoma!

summer in Oklahoma! and Into the Woods at Kitsap Forest Theater in Bremerton. She remembers the first time she performed in Into the Woods as a junior at Forest Ridge!

Over Labor Day weekend, Lauren continued her annual tradition of running in the Disneyland Half Marathon— for the sixth year in a row.

Elizabeth Tedrow ’02 and her new husband, Chris Austin, playing with their dog, Joy.

Elizabeth Tedrow ’02 graduated last May from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, earning a Master of Science in health promotion. She has taken a job at the New York State Office of Mental Health as a project manager.

Lauren Mikov ’03 is still working at the King County Library System but has also started her own social media consultancy, The Social Stage, on the side. She provides social media management for several local and national companies. Lauren continues her acting, too, performing this past spring and

Srilakshmi Remala ’97 and Srilata Remala ’03 at Srilakshmi’s wedding.

Mes Amis Fall 2011 23

class notes

Sheena HaydenReed ‘04 graduated with a M.S.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania and recently started her new job as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Oberlin College.

Susannah Howard ’07 graduated in June with a B.S. in diagnostic ultrasound and will be finishing up her 12-month clinical internship at Virginia Mason this fall.

Brianna Hartzell ’08 is a canoe and mountaineering instructor for Outward Bound in the North Cascades.

Sheena Hayden-Reed ’04 with her mother.

Erin Hanley ’06 graduated from Scripps last May and took a two-year teaching assignment with Teach for America. Erin is teaching biology and physiology at an alternative school in Oakland, Calif. Erin has met up with fellow Forest Ridger Kate Phillips ’04, who is in her second year of Teach for America and lives nearby in Berkeley.

Lilly Saffer ’06 shares, “I am currently starting my second year at William & Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, Va., after graduating cum laude from Wellesley College in 2010.

At William & Mary I am a graduate research fellow and a staff member of The Journal of Women and the Law. I am active in several student organizations, including the theater company I started, Law Revue. I spent this summer working for a rural legal aid clinic; my ambition is to practice family law and child advocacy.”

Meaghan “Libby” Shaker ’06 is spending the fall in Lille, France, working as an intern for the French law firm, Triplet & Associés.

Keili Elisabeth Geller ’07 graduated in May 2011 from the University of Hawaii. In addition to managing a full college course load, Keili was a competitive Tahitian dancer and also spent many hours volunteering for the Honolulu Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii.

Keili Geller ’07 on her graduation day.

24 Mes Amis Fall 2011

Nevu ’14, Nikita ’11 and Neha Jejurikar ’09

Neha Jejurikar ’09 traveled to Europe with her family and visited Mater Admirabilis at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome with her two sisters, Nikita Jejurikar ’11 and Nevu Jejurikar ’14.

Emily Pollock ’09 was nominated for an award for her efforts in creating an audio guide for a class she took winter quarter 2010 at Stanford. The video is posted on the Cantor Museum’s website: http://museum.stanford.edu/speakingaboutart.html.

Tanya Shah ’09 is part of the University of Southern California branch of Global Medical Brigades. For the past two years, she has traveled to Honduras with as many as 50 other USC students to help provide health care to rural communities where access is limited.

Molly Urquhart ’09 writes, “Rachel Marie Beckwith, cousin to Megan Urquhart ’07 and Molly Urquhart ’09, passed away from injuries sustained in the major car crash on I-90 on July 20. Despite the loss, Rachel continues to inspire others, most notably through her involvement with charity: water.

People from around the world have donated, and Rachel has raised more than $1 million. To learn more, visit: http:// mycharitywater.org/rachels9thbirthday. Rachel was present during several Forest Ridge events while my sister and I were in school. I always believed she would change the world.”

class notes

AASH Western Regional Conference - at Forest Ridge!

The AASH Western Regional Conference will be held at Forest Ridge Aug. 10-11, 2012. Regional meetings take place every other year, and 2012 is our year to host the conference. There will be AASH business to attend to, but there will also be opportunities for socializing and spiritual reflection. The meetings are a great way to reconnect with your alma mater as well as make new friends from other Sacred Heart associations. Representatives from all of the 13 associations in the western region will be present. They are: Arizona AASH Atherton Alumni of the Sacred Heart, California Alumnae of the Sacred Heart, Los Angeles AASH Orange County, California Alumnae of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco Broadway Alumnae of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco Stuart Hall Alumni, San Francisco San Diego Sacred Heart Alumnae Association Colorado Alumnae, Denver, Colorado Alumnae/i of the Sacred Heart, Las Vegas, Nevada Alumnae of Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Bellevue, Washington Wyoming AASH Vancouver Alumnae Association, British Columbia, Canada Look for more information to come. Everyone is invited to join in the fun.

College Alumnae Panel is Jan. 6, 2012 Save the date! We will provide lunch before the panel begins where teachers and staff will welcome you back, followed by a dessert reception afterwards. If you are from the classes of 2008, 2009 or 2010 and would like to be a panelist, email Alumnae Relations Director Julie Lundgren at julielu@forestridge.org. We are looking for a panel that represents a mix of colleges, fields of study and years of study and will select accordingly. Everyone is welcome to join in the Q & A portion of the discussion. Come join us!

Mes Amis Fall 2011 25

Alumnae events

FOREST RIDGE Distinguished ALUMNAE AWARD NOMINATION FORM Each year the Forest Ridge community recognizes individuals as Distinguished and Honorary Alumnae. This year’s tribute will take place at the Alumnae Spring Luncheon on Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Washington Athletic Club. We are asking alumnae to nominate someone they feel is deserving of the award.

Nominees for the Distinguished Alumnae Award should fulfill the following criteria:

1. Possess a strong loyalty to the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria.

2. Demonstrate a commitment of service to others.

3. Be a graduate of a Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart.

Recent Alumnae Award Recipients: 2011 Jenny Durkan ’76 Rhoady and Jeanne Marie Lee, Honorary 2010 Judy Pigott ’67 Julie Lundgren, Honorary 2009 Sandy Robison Kemper ’72 Janet Graeber, Honorary

2008 Mary Magnano Smith ’61 Alycia Long Allen ’69 (posthumously) John Fenoli, Honorary 2007 Class of 1954 Class of 1955 Class of 1961 Class of 1963 JoAnne Clampitt, Honorary

2006 Sharon Carey LeeMaster ’53 Christa Gadola ’98 2005 Jan Chalupny ’80 Alix Furness ’86 Marcia O’Dea, rscj ’56 (Broadway), Honorary 2004 Peggy Taylor ’69 Soleil Leilabadi ’98 Dean Shoemaker, Honorary

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM AND RETURN TO THE ALUMNAE OFFICE BY December 31, 2011 Your Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________ Email : _ ____________________________________________________ Name of Nominee: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominee’s Phone: ________________________________ Nominee’s Email: _____________________________________________ Years Attended Forest Ridge School: _ ___________________________________________________________________________ Service to the Community: _ __________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Service to the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria: ____________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you would like to nominate more than one alumna, please copy this form.

Nominations should be emailed, faxed or mailed by December 31, 2011, to: Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Alumnae Office 4800 139th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, WA 98006-3015 julielu@forestridge.org • Fax: 425-201-2430 26 Mes Amis Fall 2011

Alumnae events

FRAA Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon “Cœur de Jésus, sauvez le monde! Heart of Jesus, save the world!”

Jenny Durkan ’76 used those words from the familiar school song to begin her speech as the 2011 Distinguished Alumna at the Forest Ridge Alumnae Association Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon on May 13. “It’s not just a song, not just a memory, it’s a mandate that sends us off into the world. It is from numerous, diverse acts of courage that human history is shaped. Each time a woman (or man) stands up for an ideal, acts to improve the lot of others or strikes against injustice, she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. We have an obligation to better the world because we are, each one of us, ripples in the pond,” said Ms. Durkan, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington.

The Forest Ridge Alumnae Board welcomed the Class of 2011 into the Forest Ridge Alumnae Association, the greater Alumnae Association of the Sacred Heart (AASH) and the International Alumnae Association (AMASC) during the ceremony at the Women’s University Club in Seattle.

The Class of 2011 learned about the alumni network, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington which numbers more Jenny Durkan ’76 was honored as the 2011 Forest Ridge Distinguished Alumna. than 51,000 members from all the network schools in the United States and Canada, underscoring that their Sacred Heart education is part of a unique global network with common values put forth in the Goals and Criteria.

The seniors and their parents had the opportunity to meet other alumnae and to hear from 2011 Honorary Alumni Jeanne Marie and Rhoady Lee, longtime Forest Ridge supporters, parents of Sharon Lee ’69, Maureen Lee ’74 and Mary Pat Lee Osterhaus ’76 and grandparents of

Elena Busto ’03, Lauren Busto ’05, Elizabeth Graf ’06, Jacqueline Lee MS’ 07, Katherine Lee MS ’09 and Sheila Osterhaus MS ’07. Members of the Class of 2011 were pinned by alumnae with their alumnae pins, which seniors would wear later at graduation. The girls were also given passports that, along with their alumnae pins and class rings, will give them access to any Sacred Heart institution around the world. They will be welcomed with open arms as one of the family as they travel and meet other Sacred Heart alumni.

Make plans to join us at our next FRAA Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon on Friday, May 11, 2012. Invitations will be sent as well as posted on the Mes Amis Alumnae Portal on the Forest Ridge website.

Rhoady Lee and his wife, Jeanne Marie Lee, speak at the 2011 Spring Alumnae Luncheon and Induction Ceremony at which they were honored as Honorary Alumnae.

From left to right, Head of School Mark Pierotti, Jenny Durkan ’76, Forest Ridge Alumnae Board President Dr. Krysta Svore ’97 and Alumnae Board Vice President Dawn Hoffer ’87.

Mes Amis Fall 2011 27

milestones

Births Rebecca Buccola Pelletier ’00 welcomed Allison Kate Pelletier on August 17, 2011.

Megan Furness ’85 and Rick Berger.

Weddings Megan Furness ’85 to Rick Berger on May 14, 2011.

Karen Patterson ’93 to Joseph Gradilla on September 4, 2011.

Srilakshmi Remala ’97 to Viren Kamdar on June 4, 2011.

Jenny Sonstelie ’97 to Nate Irish on Saturday, September 3, 2011.

Elizabeth Tedrow ’02 to Chris Austin on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

Karen Patterson ’93 and Joseph Gradilla.

Srilakshmi Remala ’97 and Viren Kamdar.

28 Mes Amis Fall 2011

In Memoriam John Aberle, M.D., grandfather of Kylie Aberle ’13, on August 17, 2011.

Helen Arthur, grandmother of Deb McLaughlin ’83, on July 11, 2011.

Harriet Berens Barrett ’28, mother of Louise Barrett ’54, RSCJ and Patricia Barrett Geraghty ’56, grandmother of Katie Geraghty ’80 and Mykaila Ostrom ’11, on September 26, 2011.

Joan Burns, mother-in-law of Mary Whitney Burns ’77 and grandmother of Genevieve Burns ’08 and Julia Burns ’14, on July 9, 2011.

Josephine Humphry Emmons ’38 (Broadway), mother of Josie Emmons Turner ’73.

Don Michael Fiorito, brother of Ann Fiorito Damm ’65, on June 19, 2011.

Chrissy Madsen Miskimon ’63 on August 9, 2011.

William E. Pierson, M.D., husband of Louisa Brown Pierson ’52, on September 3, 2011.

Dr. Gustav "Bob" Robert Robertson, Jr., father of Heather Robertson ’90, on April 13, 2011.

Mimi Williams, mother of faculty member Alison Seaton, on August 26, 2011.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Seattle, WA Permit No. 259 4800 139th Avenue SE, Bellevue WA 98006-3015 | forestridge.org

SAVE THE DATE Friday, March 23, 2012

FOREST RIDGE AUCTION