OakTree Times - Spring/Summer 2014

SPRING | SUMMER 2014

OakTree Times

Teachers as students: PROFESSIONAL GROWTH PROGRAM AT POLY

I n s i de :

Poly honors Ken Frank ’74

Celebrating Debbie Reed

Poly’s debate programs

OakTree Times SPRING | SUMMER 2014

Feat ures : 10 Teachers as Students

p.

Poly’s professional growth program provides faculty with unique study and travel opportunities that inspire their work in the classroom.

14 Poly Honors Ken Frank ’74

p.

Alumnus Ken Frank ’74, owner of La Toque restaurant in Napa Valley, is fêted as Poly’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.

16 Celebrating Debbie Reed

p.

Retiring Head of School Debbie Reed is recognized for her inspiring and tireless leadership of the school for more than a decade.

A P U B L I C A T I O N F O R T H E P O LY T E C H N I C S C H O O L C O M M U N I T Y

Departments: p.05 The Patio Poly debate teams have banner year … SEP relaunches

OAK TREE TIMES EDITORIAL STAFF: Leslie Carmell, Director of Communications

as PFS! … Leadership through diversity … and more

Michelle Feynman, Communications Officer/ Photographer

news from Poly.

Jennifer Godwin Minto, Photographer

CONTRIBUTORS:

09

p.

In the Classroom Entrepreneurial seniors explore the challenges of start-ups.

Jenine Almahdi, Gillian Bush, Ann Diederich, Amanda Edwards ’92, Greg Feldmeth, Katherine Goar, Noah Kim ’14, Debbie Reed, Carmie Rodriguez, Gina Sabatella, Thomas Sale, Katie Ward ON THE COVER:

Robert “Doc” Farrar engages with eighth-graders from his U.S. History class.

Panthers in the Zone seasons … seniors who completed 10 of 12 seasons …

ed ct ne

Highlights from Poly’s winter and spring athletic

n Co ay St

19

p.

Panthers at the college level. facebook.com/poly twitter.com/polytechnic

22

p.

Poly Connections Poly Events … Annual Fund at work … Class Notes …

In Memoriam … plus alumni profiles: Adam Warren ’92, Daniela Witten ’01, and Geoffrey Knox ’67.

34

p.

P.S. Middle School Director, coach, Diversity Committee co-chair, advisor—Jenn Tolbert, who wears many hats, reveals something from her Poly bucket list.

twitter.com/polyalumni

Thank you, Poly Contrary to popular opinion, school people always have mixed feelings about June and the close of another school year. The Lower School teacher who has built a community in the classroom and strong connections with students feels bereft as she closes up her classroom. Though fifth- and eighth-graders move from one side of a campus to another, the farewells are heartfelt, and teachers wonder if they will recognize or be recognized in the fall. The long goodbyes to our seniors tug at everyone’s heartstrings, and this year, for me, perhaps the tug is a little sharper as I have watched them learn to read, become adolescents, and now graduate.

Helping me put in to words what I have always felt about working in schools, and only more so here at Poly, is NAIS President John Chubb’s recent newsletter on the subject of emotion in which he says “Students need to see and feel that the people that they care about—and who care about them—value their success.” He believes that the best schools have something special that data could never show. At Poly, the spirit, passion, and values of adults and students alike are palpable. There has always been an interconnectedness and a common purpose to learn.

A strong faculty is essential for a school that has the depth and breadth of Poly’s program. In this issue of OakTree Times, the last during my tenure as head of Poly, it seems fitting that the article is about the work of the faculty. They

“

At Poly, the spirit, passion, and values of adults and students alike are palpable.

”

have led the way in the development of our Global Initiatives Program, the Upper School’s Bring Your Own Device Program, the Middle School’s interdisciplinary days, and the adoption of Singapore Math, as well as literally dozens of other initiatives.

Schools are people, and it is the people of Poly who brought me here. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this community and for the relationships that have resulted. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives for the past 12 years. Go Panthers!

Deborah E. Reed Head of School

04

HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE

The

Patio

Poly speaks out: Middle and Upper School debate teams Poly students are confident and well spoken and, without a doubt, comfortable expressing their opinions; thus it should be no surprise that the Poly debate program is thriving.

All students learn the basics of debate in sixth grade in a six-week Block class, and then have the option the following year to join the Middle School team, coached by Katie Ward and Frances Callero. This year, more than 50 Poly seventh- and eighth-graders participated in the Middle School Public Debate Program (MSPDP), a national league established by Claremont McKenna College (CMC). Competing in Saturday tournaments, students research topics ranging from fracking to high-speed rail, and then engage in three-onthree parliamentary-style debates. In March, Poly hosted 22 schools and nearly 350 students at the annual Poly Middle School Debate Tournament, during which six Poly eighthgraders qualified to participate in the Claremont National Championship Tournament in April.

The High School Public Debate Program (HSPDP), also associated with CMC, was brought to Poly this year by sophomore Nikolas Angelopoulos and is coached by Upper School Librarian Aquita Winslow. Debating both prepared and impromptu motions, the HSPDP league is a natural progression for MSPDP debaters. Nikolas is also a member of the U.S. International National Debate team and has represented the United States in debates in China, Slovenia, and Canada, with an upcoming tournament in Thailand.

In Slovenia, Nik helped the team win first place.

Poly also competes in the National Forensics League (NFL) in Policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate on the high school level. Melan Jaich has coached the team since 1996 and started the Policy, or team debate, part of the NFL program, which emphasizes extensive research on one yearlong topic. Since then, Poly has qualified for the NFL National Tournament in all but four of those 17 years. This year, two teams also qualified for the prestigious Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky in the spring. Recently finishing second in the nation, the Poly team of seniors Lev Asimow and Julia Alison qualified by winning the Berkeley Round Robin Tournament. The team of juniors Manny Medrano and Richard Hathaway qualified at the Arizona State University competition. Poly is only one of two schools in California that sent two teams to the Kentucky competition this year.

T H E PAT I O

05

The

Patio

SEP relaunches as PFS! After more than 20 years of partnering with the Pasadena Unified School District and three other Pasadena independent schools (Chandler, Mayfield Junior, and Westridge), the Skills Enrichment Program has become Partnership for Success! The new name emphasizes the underlying nature of the collaboration, which is a publicprivate partnership aimed at helping all of its select public school students achieve their own version of success.

Public school principals choose the students to attend this program for five weeks each summer, beginning with rising fifth-graders and culminating in the summer

preceding their senior year of high school. For most PFS! graduates, the definition of success includes college, and the program’s eight-year commitment to its students includes academic enrichment courses that are designed to prepare those students for college. The new name comes with additional program components, including year-round community events for PFS! students and their families and small teacher-student cohorts that meet regularly to help students stay focused on academics and connected to the PFS! community.

Seventh grade explores hunger and homelessness As part of a comprehensive interdisciplinary focus on hunger, Poly’s seventh grade recently explored the topic throughout their courses, culminating in Interdisciplinary Day on May 2, during which they participated in handson activities. The morning consisted of activities at four stations: cooking breakfast for patrons at Union Station Homeless Service (food was later delivered to the organization), creating a shopping cart of items for $1.50 or less (the extreme poverty line), completing online games on freerice.com that resulted in rice being donated via the World Food Programme, and participating in a “banquet.”

At the banquet, 5% of the students were provided a pizza lunch, 20% dined on chicken and rice, and 75% were given rice but no eating utensils. Prior to the day, students explored hunger through statistics in math, learned about sustainability in science, discussed Depression-era hunger by reading Of Mice and Men in English, and compared domestic food insecurities between various states in geography.

06

T H E PAT I O

Their in-depth study of issues of local hunger and homelessness helped prepare seventh-graders for an inaugural event they hosted for the Middle School in partnership with Union Station Homeless Services called “Camp Out To Stamp Out Homelessness.” The event was both a fundraiser for Union Station and an opportunity for students to broaden the scope of their understanding of the challenges homelessness and hunger pose for individuals and families in our local community.

The

Patio

John Bracker pays a visit to Poly This spring, incoming Head of School John Bracker, along with his wife, Rachel Countryman, visited the Poly campus. Over the course of several days, John met with board members, administrators, faculty and staff, and students and their parents.

He attended receptions for newly accepted students and witnessed some exciting Panther athletic contests.

Their children, Emma and Mason, will be on the Poly campus this summer assisting with the PolySummer program. John will join Poly as head of school on July 1. For more information, visit www.polytechnic.org/transition.

Service leagues unite to raise awareness about sexual violence The cabinets of Poly’s Men’s Service League and Girls’ Service League joined forces for the first time in support of Denim Day on April 23. The campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court when a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. Wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. A large percentage of the Upper School student body and faculty wore jeans in support of the effort.

Read more about this unique unit online at www.polytechnic.org/webextras

Sarah in the second grade For the past three years, the second grade teachers at Poly have found a creative and innovative way to weave the historical fiction book Sarah, Plain and Tall through their lessons and single-subject classes. The story follows an American family through challenges and change in the 19th century. Students explore the story through writing, art, science, Spanish, library skills, and technology.

T H E PAT I O

07

The

Patio

Camelot comes to campus On the last Friday of the school year, sixth grade students completed their study of King Arthur in English and the Middle Ages in History with their annual Medieval Festival. Dressed in homemade costumes, students began the day with movement performances with medieval themes, monologues from “Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!,” a play of “Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady,” and musical interludes by students in the sixth grade Strings class. The rest of the day included crafts, juggling, an armaments demonstration and battle simulation, navigating with an astrolabe, and an interpretation of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights by Poly’s storyteller, Tom Allard. Thanks to the contributions of many parent volunteers, the students enjoyed a sumptuous feast in the Dining Commons, which was transformed into a “Great Hall,” decorated with goblets and banners.

Poly group explores leadership in diversity Last December four Poly students, accompanied by faculty advisors, traveled to Washington, D.C., to join more than 1,600 students from many independent schools to participate in the National Association of Independent School’s Student Leadership Diversity Conference (SDLC).

As Poly junior Chris Lopez reflected, “This experience allows anyone from any background to embrace his or her identity, to learn to appreciate their differences from other people, and to become a more effective and versatile leader by being aware of differences, all while creating a familylike connection with 1,400 other students.” Junior Megan Tcheng called the conference “transformative,” and senior Simone Abegunrin found her SDLC experience in 2012 to be so “life altering” that she returned to the conference for a second time to take on the role as peer facilitator.

08

T H E PAT I O

Learn more about leadership in diversity at www.polytechnic.org/webextras

The Poly contingent shared that they emerged from the conference feeling more culturally aware. The conference helped to energize the multicultural organizations and foment dialogue on diversity and inclusion on Poly’s campus and beyond. Sophomore Andres Martinez concluded that SDLC has given him “the confidence to address different perspectives that often go unnoticed,” and he looks forward to facilitating at the upcoming Across Colors Conference in the fall.

In the

Classroom

Learn more about econ entrepreneurs at www.polytechnic.org/webextras

Econ entrepreneurs examine business world According to Forbes, eight out of 10 startup businesses fail.

In his senior seminar on Economics, Poly Upper School teacher Jose Melgoza attempts to prove that statistic wrong—at least on a local level. In this course, Poly entrepreneurs are guided through the process of opening their own “businesses.” Consistent with Poly’s commitment to community outreach, each group selects a charity for which it raises funds through its new venture. The results are varied: Some businesses thrive, some fail, and some are downright humorous.

Each group first must develop a business plan, including branding, goods and resources, and marketing. The competitive nature of this project begins immediately. The group that has a sound plan and presents it well will qualify for a lower interest rate on a loan than a group that doesn’t quite have its project well thought out. The “loan” comes in the form of seed money provided by Poly for each group, which must be repaid from the proceeds of their business.

The balance is given to their selected charity. The project culminates in Econ Week, during which the groups hawk their wares during lunch on the South Campus.

The program, launched nearly a decade ago, was originally the brainchild of students themselves and has evolved over the years. What started off with a somewhat laissez-faire attitude “grew very big very fast and has

become incredibly competitive,” Melgoza shares. Advisors offer guidance to the groups about what types of goods tend to sell well and which have proven to be flops; they also help them scale down grandiose ideas which might not be feasible.

Econ Week has become an exciting tradition, often with a carnival feel, as Melgoza describes it. Laurianne Williams, Upper School director of student activities, assists by ensuring that the groups are well aware of the guidelines and by coordinating the needs of the “businesses” as they prepare to sell their goods. The products have varied greatly over the years. Food stuffs tend to be the most popular; however, a few years ago, one creative group managed to coerce a number of faculty to record a Christmas CD, which still mysteriously surfaces each holiday season. Another time, a group sponsored a petting zoo, complete with a monkey with which people could pay to have their picture taken. While this last idea was original, it didn’t prove lucrative for the group.

The Economics entrepreneur program not only teaches students about developing and managing a business, but it is also an opportunity for them to have fun and express their creativity. “It’s one way for seniors to make one last imprint on the Poly community,” Melgoza says.

IN THE CLASSROOM

09

Teachers as students: Professional growth program at Poly

By Jenine Almahdi, second grade teacher

“TRAVEL and change of place impart new VIGOR to the MIND.” —Lucius Annaeas Seneca, De Tranquillitate Amini, A.D. 60

10

F E AT U R E

One of the highlights of my time Poly has been the opportunities for my own growth as an educator. I continually look for ways to improve and refine my skills so I can be the best teacher I can be. I am grateful to be a part of a community that is filled with like-minded souls and that supports my own passion for learning and improvement. After every conference, I return to Poly feeling energized, excited, and inspired to make the next year my best yet. It truly is a gift.

Poly’s Director of Professional Growth Jon Fay feels that “Professional growth is providing resources, time, and materials for faculty and staff to continue to develop their skills and to learn new ways of doing things.”

Summer grants give teachers the chance to attend in-depth workshops to gain new perspectives, have their imaginations sparked by new locations, and feel inspired with new ideas to bring back to the classroom. I recently talked with some of my colleagues about some of the professional growth opportunities they have experienced the past few summers.

LEARNING ABROAD As a beneficiary of the George R. Hedges Memorial Fund, which provides for international study for faculty members, Upper School History teacher Greg Feldmeth worked on an archaeological dig in England and visited Hadrian’s Wall during the summer of 2012. He recounts, “Following a week of exploring, I joined an archaeological dig sponsored by Durham University at Binchester Fort near the village of Bishop Auckland. Binchester was on a major Roman north-south road, and I joined a team of college students and professors who were excavating the ruins.” When asked why he was attracted to this opportunity, Feldmeth responds, “I’ve always been fascinated with Hadrian’s Wall, which was built in the second century and stretches across the north of England. I had read about it but never seen it.”

The Hedges Fund also made it possible for Upper School History teacher Carol Pixton to travel to Italy. “I have taught Western Civilization for many years, and while presenting material on the Renaissance, I have discussed the many famous works of art that are so foundational to our civilization, but I had never seen them in person,” Pixton explains. When asked how this experience has

Second grade teacher Jenine Almahdi brings to her classroom the skills she learned at a Columbia-sponsored writing conference.

enhanced her teaching, Pixton reflects, “It really makes a difference that I can talk about Florence firsthand, rather than abstractly.”

A recipient of a grant from the Sarah Gilfillan Global Studies Fund, Upper School Spanish teacher Laura Pendorf traveled to Central America to study the history of the Maya. Her journey began in Antigua, the “colonial capital” of Guatemala. “The streets are cobblestones, and many buildings date back hundreds of years. The city was devastated by an earthquake in 1717 and is filled with ruins from that time.” Pendorf then traveled to Copán to view the “ IT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT FLORENCE FIRSTHAND, RATHER THAN ABSTRACTLY. ” —Carol Pixton

ruins. “I visited many museums, and I tried to talk to people as much as I could and immerse myself in the Spanish language. I knew it was going well when I started to dream in Spanish.”

Experiencing historical artifacts up close offers a priceless learning opportunity to bring back to the classroom. Feldmeth recalls that his trip helped him “develop a richer appreciation for the importance of careful research in the process of building historical knowledge. “I came back with a better understanding of the need to share artifacts, to visit museums, to do more than read and talk about history.” Feldmeth says he was reminded “that every part of every lesson needs to help students make better F E AT U R E

11

sense of the world. This is especially important in history, where achieving mastery over the sheer number of facts can distract one from essential questions.”

TEACHERS AS STUDENTS As a way to cultivate deeper relationships with students and their families, fourth grade teacher Kara Ramirez traveled last summer to Colorado Springs to attend the Stanley King Counseling Institute, a weeklong course designed for educators who are most likely the first to respond to a student or family struggling in some way. Ramirez explains that the objective “is to expose non-counselors to some of the techniques we can use to improve relationships with our students and their families.”

Last summer, Middle School science teacher Tom Berrian was able to attend the NXT Teacher Training at Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Education Center with funds from the Curtis L. Frost Study Grant.

Through this program, Berrian focused on the Lego Mindstorm program, which he uses in his seventh grade Robotics class. “The training allowed me to have a more solid understanding of programming language for the robots,” he says.

Not only did this program give Berrian the skills and foundation for the Mindstorm program, but it also helped him hone his teaching style. He shares, “It gave me a more solid feeling of how I can present the material to students.”

Also a beneficiary of the Frost Study Grant, Middle School history teacher Robert Farrar attended the Future of Learning program at Harvard University. Led by Project

Middle School students benefit from Tom Berrian’s experience at a robotics training program.

12

F E AT U R E

Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Rogers finds enjoyment in watching her students get excited about writing.

Zero co-founders David Perkins and Howard Gardner, the five-day program focused on the influence of technology on education, how the latest brain research influences pedagogy, and globalization. The intellectual intensity, opportunity to hear from experts in the field, and deep discussion of the future implications in education were factors Farrar cited when he said the experience rated as the best professional growth opportunity in his 31 years of teaching. He relished the moments he called “hallway opportunities,” where he could collaborate with people from different perspectives and places. Hearing from well-published professionals at the forefront of their fields, Farrar says, “was a mountaintop experience.”

As educators, we not only harbor a passion to instruct, but to be lifelong learners. Many teachers have cited their own passion to learn more as a major reason they pursued these opportunities. Farrar explains that it is his “insatiable desire to learn and broaden my thinking” that drives his professional growth.

The greatest gift of these professional development opportunities is, of course, what teachers bring to the classroom. Farrar believes that a “successful professional growth experience should infuse in you a sense of urgency that ‘I have to apply this.’”

UNITED THROUGH WRITING Writing instruction is being revitalized in the Lower School, thanks to the vision of its director, Paula Martin.

Over the past three years, almost all Lower School teachers have attended the five-day Writing Institute at Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project, housed at Columbia University. Lucy Calkins, founding director of The Reading and Writing Project, is renowned for her in-depth research, publications, and curricula regarding literacy in the classroom.

Third grade teacher Marie Amaya explains that the workshops were “dedicated to teaching educators the best practices and methods for motivating, encouraging, and supporting children through the writing process.” Dodie Gregg, fourth grade teacher, adds, “We spent five days with a trainer who took us through a variety of lessons that I could take back to Poly and implement immediately in the classroom.” “ A SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL GROWTH EXPERIENCE SHOULD INFUSE IN YOU A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT ‘I HAVE TO APPLY THIS.’ ” —Robert Farrar

When asked what inspired her to send the Lower School faculty to the Writing Institute, Martin shares, “There has been more research in the last 10 years in the teaching of reading and writing than the last 50 years in the field of education. Don’t we want to know about new instructional techniques and technological advances?” Lower School teachers shared her enthusiasm for strengthening their writing instruction. “I jumped at the chance to learn new and exciting methods that were research-based,” says first grade teacher Rusty Buchanan.

Martin believes that having a common experience fosters collegial bonds and builds a common language among the Lower School faculty: “When you’ve all had the same training, experiencing your professional selves, getting to know each other, that develops trust with colleagues, which translates into good teaching and learning for kids.” Upon their return to Poly, Writing Institute attendees shared their newfound expertise with other Lower School faculty. “With our shared experience

Rusty Buchanan, first grade teacher, saw the workshop he attended as an opportunity to learn new teaching methods.

and common language in place in the Lower School, we can have deeper conversations and ensure continuity among the grades,” Martin says.

When asked how they have benefited from attending the institute, teachers are brimming with enthusiasm: “It definitely inspired my writing lessons in the classroom, and it enhanced the way I teach writing,” shares kindergarten teacher Jennifer Rogers. Second grade teacher Joanne Hwang adds, “Conferences help you reignite energy and passion in your teaching.”

Explains Emily Brown, first grade teacher, “One of the best parts of the experience was the opportunity to engage in the Writing Workshop model as a ‘student.’ By adopting the learner’s lens, I had new perspectives on the personal and intimate nature of the writing process. I am developing a better understanding of the vulnerabilities my young students feel when they express themselves through writing.”

Having these opportunities each summer to be inspired and energized by travel or in-depth institutes gives us all the chance to return to our classrooms with a wealth of new ideas. Over the years, so much of my own identity as a teacher has been shaped by this process—the opportunity to go somewhere, experience and learn something new, be inspired, and feel compelled to continue to refine my craft so that I am a stronger teacher and professional.

F E AT U R E

13

P O LY H O N O R S

Ken Frank ’74 as 2014 Distinguished Alumnus

by Noah Kim ’14, The Paw Print editor-in-chief

photo provided by La Toque

POLY RECENTLY HONORED CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED CHEF KEN FRANK ’74 AS THIS YEAR’S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS. FRANK—WHOSE NAPA VALLEY RESTAURANT, LA TOQUE, IS THE RECIPIENT OF A COVETED MICHELIN STAR—IS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS DISCIPLINE AND UNRELENTING DEVOTION TO THE CULINARY ARTS.

Frank, who is not formally trained as a chef, says, “There was no master plan. I’ve always loved food and cooking.

I helped my mom figure out weekly menus going way back. I’m the oldest of five and the oldest grandson of a fascinating grandfather with whom I was able to spend lots of quality time and who would do a lot of activities with me in the kitchen.”

In 1972 during his sophomore year at Poly, Frank and his family traveled to France as part of the school’s Dudley 14

F E AT U R E

Wright Fellowship awarded to his father, Norman Frank, who was then a Poly math teacher. In the French village where they were staying, Frank attended a public school and was served food prepared by three local women in a family-style cafeteria. For Frank, it was a revelatory experience that helped him arrive at the conclusion that he loved both to eat and cook high-quality cuisine. “I gained 30 to 40 pounds eating incredibly good food,” he says. “It was the first time I really started to notice food as an art form.”

Desiring to stay in France as long as possible, Frank lodged with a friend for the summer after his family returned to the United States and got a job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. After six weeks, the owners of the restaurant gave him the opportunity to move into the kitchen as a chef’s assistant.

After returning to the United States and while completing high school, Frank worked a series of restaurant jobs, including a stint as a cook at an Angeles Crest burger eatery called the Warming Hut. Initially, Frank wanted to become either a doctor or a marine biologist and attended UC Irvine after graduating from Poly. “I found that I really felt at home in the kitchen. I just thrived there,” he says.

Frank left college to pursue his career and got a series of jobs in the Newport Beach and Los Angeles areas, using his experience in France to his advantage. “Back in the mid-’70s, you were a chef if you spoke French and could make a couple of pints of soup.” He opened a restaurant, “ I BELIEVE THAT RUNNING A RESTAURANT IS NOT UNLIKE WHAT A MUSICIAN OR ENTERTAINER DOES, IN THAT EVERY NIGHT, WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR DOORS, IT’S A NEW PERFORMANCE, A NEW GAME. EVERY NIGHT IS AN ADVENTURE. ” —Ken Frank ’74

the original La Toque, in 1979, a few days shy of his 24th birthday. He was both the youngest employee and the boss.

Although the restaurant’s first few months were plagued by mishaps, including a fire in the dining room, Frank stayed with La Toque in Los Angeles for 14 years.

Frank’s current restaurant, the new La Toque, opened in 1998 in Rutherford, Calif., before moving to Napa Valley, a place where Frank had always dreamed of living. “I thought to myself, Napa is a beautiful, rural destination that will support my career. I have lots of friends in the wine business and a wine list with more than 1,800 selections.

There is an incredibly strong food and wine culture in the Bay Area. I knew that the kind of restaurant I wanted to run had a good chance of thriving there.”

In 2007, when the Michelin organization first published its San Francisco Bay Area guide, La Toque was awarded a

Former Poly math teacher Norman Frank joined his son, Ken, on his visit to campus.

Michelin Star, widely considered one of the highest honors a restaurant can achieve. As one might expect, obtaining a star requires fanatical devotion to the kitchen, and Frank and his staff are “fiercely proud” of theirs. Anonymous inspectors visit restaurants looking for fantastic quality food and service. “If we ever lose our star,” Frank jokes, “someone will die.”

In Frank’s view, the cooking world is fiercely competitive and occasionally disillusioning. Yet he holds firm that culinary school is unnecessary for those who wish to work as chefs. “If you don’t have talent, school won’t help you.

If you have talent, you don’t need school. School helps with the business and sanitation aspects of running a restaurant, but not the actual process of cooking.”

Success in culinary arts, Frank believes, requires unrelenting commitment to the kitchen and a passionate love of cooking. “It’s a remarkable field. I learn things from staff and from eating in other restaurants. Occasionally, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with a great idea. It’s a career that has really allowed my creative side to flourish.”

When Frank visited Poly to receive the Distinguished Alumnus award in February, students, faculty, and fellow alumni had the opportunity to hear about his inspiration— and to get quite hungry. Frank says, “I believe that running a restaurant is not unlike what a musician or entertainer does, in that every night, when you open your doors, it’s a new performance, a new game. Every night is an adventure.”

F E AT U R E

15

Celebrating Debbie Reed

By Carmie Rodriguez, former assistant head of school

THE NEXT HEAD MUST BE AN INSPIRING LEADER … A STRONG, ORGANIZED MANAGER …

ABLE TO FUNDRAISE EFFECTIVELY … DEAL WITH MULTIPLE CONSTITUENCIES … BE PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO CHILDREN AND TO THEIR EDUCATION AT EVERY LEVEL OF A PK-12 SCHOOL. {Qualities of a new head as noted in position statement for head of Polytechnic School in 2001}

As Debbie Reed retires as head of Polytechnic School, we all know how extraordinarily blessed we are to have had her as our leader for the past 12 years. Given the breadth of her accomplishments and the impact she has had, perhaps the best way to honor Debbie’s legacy is to look back at the qualities we were hoping for in a head back in 2001 and to provide her with evidence that she far exceeded our expectations. She leaves with the enormous gratitude of the school community, whose voices are sprinkled throughout …

The next head must be an inspiring leader …

“Debbie brought a model of high expectations, selfdiscipline, an unwavering work ethic, and a consistency 16

DEBBIE REED RETROSPECTIVE

of energy that could be inspiring just as she walked by.”

Quite simply, no one works harder than Debbie Reed.

School days for Debbie began at 7 a.m. and continued into the evening; weekends were filled with quiet hours in her office or attendance at school events; and summers, with anticipation for the next school year and more ideas and plans for moving Poly forward than could ever be accomplished in a lifetime!

“She LOVES to be around people and has a deep interest in knowing about them, caring for them, and inspiring them.” No one is more committed to what it means to be in a community than Debbie Reed. She takes an interest in others that goes beyond what is required of a school head.

She remembers names and family ties and situations,

she responds to those going through difficult times with attention, care, and favorite meals or ice cream. She wildly applauds accomplishments of others while never focusing on her own. She has inspired faculty and staff at the opening of school meetings, as she shared her excitement and vision for the coming year and honored those who reached milestones in their Poly careers.

“Her way with people at Poly, from Lower School students who visit her on their birthdays, to students and parents at Poly events on and off campus, to teachers who seek her guidance and support, she makes each person feel special and worthy and supported as a learner/teacher and member of this special Poly community.” No one inspires individual and institutional confidence the way Debbie Reed does. As she greets students in the morning carpool line, her excitement for a new day is infectious, and even the most indifferent Middle Schooler cannot help but feel upbeat about a new school day. As she walks the campus with a seriousness of purpose, a smile on her face, and a delightful quick-step stride, she engages in conversations with adults and children, inspiring them to be their best selves, to grow, to demonstrate Poly Pride in big and small ways.

… must be a strong, organized manager …

Over the years, Debbie guided the school through the adoption and implementation of its Master Plan, new construction, and major renovation, moving buildings and trees in the process. Watching her in meetings with city officials, architects, construction companies, one could only marvel at how much this educator knew about city ordinances, space, light, color, and structural specifications.

Her management of the day-today activities of the school is even more impressive. Debbie understands the needs of all three divisions, leading a process of brand analysis that resulted in admissions materials, publications, and a website that

emphasize the strength of “three schools, one Poly.” Debbie has always considered the hiring of new faculty and staff as one of her most important managerial responsibilities.

She has an eagle eye when reading resumés, seeing potential in candidates that others might easily dismiss, and her interviewing skills are legendary. She hired 80 of the current 131 faculty members and 36 of the present 55 staff members, many of whom would name Debbie as a key reason for coming to Poly. Her creation of the Teaching Fellow program in the Middle School, support of the Hixon Intern program, and the professional growth of her own faculty and staff speak to her passion for the mentoring of future teachers and school leaders.

… must be able to fundraise effectively …

The evidence is all around us—a swimming pool, new libraries, classrooms and offices, science labs, arts facilities, beautiful open spaces for students, and the renovation of historic buildings. All of this was possible through Debbie’s genuine and personal style of fundraising, which always focused on buildings and programs that serve the needs of the school’s students. A total of 3,335 community members contributed more than $93 million to the most ambitious capital campaign in the school’s history, and the Annual Fund numbers have more than doubled during her tenure, with a growth of 21% over the course of the recent campaign. This success can be tied directly to the confidence that funders had in the school under Debbie’s leadership and her vision for the future. In typical Debbie fashion, her gratitude was heartfelt, as she made all donors, no matter the size of their contribution, feel honored and appreciated.

… must be able to deal with multiple constituencies …

In any given week, Debbie finds herself in meetings and conversations with neighbors, construction workers, parent board members, city officials, prospective families, students, faculty, staff, and other public DEBBIE REED RETROSPECTIVE

17

and private school leaders. Given her network of school leaders and their respect for her work, Poly’s reputation nationally and internationally has flourished. But it is closer to home that her ability to bring together multiple constituencies is most valued. Gathering all divisions for a school-wide assembly on Grandparents and Special Friends Day, greeting prospective families—especially those new to independent schools—to Admissions Open Houses, honoring veteran teachers and welcoming the new, she thrives on the diversity of the school and the people she encounters. One teacher noted, “She fostered connections with people from the school’s past while looking toward how to best serve the people who would be the school’s future.”

… must be passionately committed to children …

One particular teacher’s comment about Debbie sums it all up: “She really likes the children. They know it. It is important to them, and they really like her back.” The

18

DEBBIE REED RETROSPECTIVE

world stopped whenever a Lower School student came to her office for a birthday ribbon, and she found ways to see the world and the school through Middle and Upper Schoolers’ eyes by teaching a class, serving as an advisor, greeting them by name, and watching them perform in athletics and the arts. She understands that each student has his or her own way of learning and that mistakes are part of growing up, and all are deserving of second chances.

… and to their education at every level of a PK-12 school.

“Debbie has inspired us all to stretch ourselves and to give the best of ourselves to our classes and our kids. She has also created space and opportunities for us to create innovative and dynamic programs that make us all proud to be at Poly.” Quite simply, thanks to Debbie’s leadership and vision, the program at Poly is stronger than it has ever been. She planted seeds by encouraging faculty to look at vibrant programs at other schools, ensuring professional growth funds for summer collaborative

For a slideshow tribute to Debbie Reed, visit www.polytechnic.org/webextras

work, and bringing speakers to campus to challenge us to think about the world in which our students would live.

Thus, it is no surprise that programs and innovation have flourished during her watch—the formation of a Faculty Curriculum Committee that ensures the continuity of curriculum from K-12, the expansion to three classrooms in grades K-2, the adoption of the Singapore math program “ SHE LOVES TO BE AROUND PEOPLE AND HAS A DEEP INTEREST IN KNOWING ABOUT THEM, CARING FOR THEM, AND INSPIRING THEM. ”

and a comprehensive literacy program in the Lower School, the addition of Mandarin to the World Languages offerings, the integration of technology including a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program in the Upper School, and participation in the Global Online Academy.

Every academic department has been enhanced with the addition of electives, and Visual and Performing Arts now

have facilities that accommodate their rich and expanded programs. She has supported the athletic program and has nurtured the teacher/coach model: 22 of the 25 Varsity teams now have faculty or staff members as coaches.

Just as Debbie encouraged faculty to look beyond their four walls, she pushed the school to become part of the global community. With the creation of the Global Initiatives Program, students in every division have a deeper understanding of other cultures and what it means to be a global citizen, as they enroll in new course offerings, travel internationally with Poly teachers, and host students from other countries.

At Debbie’s installation as Poly’s ninth head of school, she was presented a magic wand to help her accomplish the work that needed to be done. As we bid her farewell, we can acknowledge that no magic wand was needed; she was the magic, and we are forever grateful to her.

DEBBIE REED RETROSPECTIVE

19

PANTHERS

IN THE ZONE Top (left to right): Simone Abegunrin, Erik Chan, Brian Ward, Michael Bowman, Will Genske, Juliet Johnson, Hana Svitek, Evan Gancedo, Andrew Ruys de Perez Bottom (left to right): Josh Ball, Natalie Edwards, Matt Carter, Caroline Harvey, Jack Kayyem, Kaitlyn Olah, Emily Gifford, Maddi Holder, Natalie Treister.

The Class of 2014 had 18 student-athletes participate in 10 out of 12 seasons of sport, five of whom competed in all 12 seasons of sport.

Simone Abegunrin – Soccer (4), Track and Field (4), Golf (1), Volleyball (1)

Evan Gancedo – Cross Country (4), Soccer (4), Track and Field (4)

Jack Kayyem – Football (4), Soccer (2), Track and Field (4)

Josh Ball – Water Polo (4), Soccer (4), Baseball (2)

Will Genske – Football (4), Basketball (4), Track and Field (3), Volleyball (1)

Kaitlyn Olah – Volleyball (4), Basketball (4), Swimming (4)

Michael Bowman – Football (4), Basketball (4), Baseball (4)

Emily Gifford – Fencing (6), Track and Field (3), Cross Country (2)

Andrew Ruys de Perez – Soccer (4), Tennis (4), Cross Country (2)

Matt Carter – Football (4), Soccer (4), Volleyball (4)

Caroline Harvey – Water Polo (4), Swimming (4), Cross Country (2)

Hana Svitek – Softball (3), Volleyball (2), Soccer (2), Water Polo (2), Badminton (1)

Erik Chan – Fencing (9), Badminton (1)

Maddi Holder – Soccer (4), Softball (3), Cross Country (2), Badminton (1)

Natalie Treister – Volleyball (4), Softball (4), Soccer (3)

Juliet Johnson – Tennis (4), Soccer (4), Softball (1), Badminton (1)

Brian Ward – Soccer (4), Volleyball (4), Water Polo (2).

Natalie Edwards – Basketball (4), Softball (4), Volleyball (2)

Panthers at the next level It was a great year for our student-athlete alumni. Poly had 29 Panthers playing at the collegiate level this past year, with some earning player of the week honors in their respective conferences. To learn more about our alumni athletes and those who will be joining them from the Class of 2014, please visit the Panthers at the Next Level webpage at www.polytechnic.org/panthersincollege.

20

PANTHERS IN THE ZONE

PANTHERS

IN THE ZONE

WINTER RECAP

The 2013-14 winter season saw Varsity teams bring home four Prep League championships. Each Varsity team qualified for the playoffs and produced a total of 28 All-Prep League athletes, 15 All-CIF selections, and one CIF-SS Player of the Year. Poly Athletics won an astounding 77 percent of their games and matches.

Varsity boys basketball The Varsity boys basketball team (16-10) enjoyed much success throughout the season, playing in highly competitive games on a weekly basis. The Panthers started the season by winning the Webb Tournament and finished third in the Prep League, returning to the second round of the CIF-SS playoffs for a second consecutive year. Three players were named to the All-Prep League teams to go along with one All-CIF selection.

Varsity girls basketball The Varsity girls basketball team (21-9) had an incredible season that saw numerous overtime games and a deep postseason run. The Panthers won their sixth consecutive Prep League championship and

made it to both the CIF-SS finals and the second round of the CIF-State playoffs.

Three players were named to the All-Prep League teams, in addition to two All-CIF selections and the CIF-SS Player of the Year.

Varsity boys soccer Varsity boys soccer (13-4-5) captured the Prep League championship after battling through a very competitive league schedule. The Panthers followed up with two playoff victories, earning them a spot in the quarterfinals of CIF-SS. Seven players were named to the All-Prep League teams, as well as two All-CIF selections.

Varsity girls soccer

The Panthers captured their second consecutive Prep League championship and made it to the quarterfinal round of the CIF playoffs. Nine players were named to the All-Prep League teams, in addition to four All-CIF selections.

Varsity girls water polo Varsity girls water polo (26-3) dominated the regular season and the Prep League, capturing their third straight championship. The Panthers advanced to the semifinals of the CIF playoffs.

Six players were named to the All-Prep League teams, as well as six All-CIF selections.

The Varsity girls soccer team (23-2-1) turned in a very successful season.

SPRING RECAP The 2013-14 spring season saw Varsity teams bring home six Prep League championships, making Poly the overall leader in League championships for the year, with a total of 11.

Badminton Varsity badminton (6-8) had an impressive second year, improving their overall winning percentage from last season. The Panthers had four representatives qualify for the League finals.

Varsity baseball Varsity baseball (16-5) went undefeated in the Prep League to win their 19th consecutive League championship. The Panthers had 11 straight victories and headed into the playoffs as the second-ranked team in CIF-SS Division 6.

Varsity boys golf The Varsity boys golf team (10-2) started the season winning their first 10 matches, highlighted by winning the “Mystic Niblick” for the fourth straight year by a combined 63 strokes. The Panthers advanced to CIF Regional Tournament with their second-place finish in the Prep League, in addition to being represented

by three golfers in the CIF individual championships.

Varsity softball The Varsity softball team (14-4) won Poly’s sixth Prep League championship of the spring season. The Panthers reeled off 11 straight victories during the season and carried that momentum into the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs.

Varsity swimming and diving Varsity girls swimming returned to the top of the Prep League after finishing first at Prep League finals. The young Varsity boys swimming team finished second in the Prep League at the same meet. Swimmers from both teams qualified for the CIF-SS finals.

Varsity boys tennis Varsity boys tennis (15-1) clinched their second straight Prep League championship by going undefeated in Prep League play.

The Panthers won their last 11 matches in a dominating fashion. They headed into the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs as the top-ranked representative from the Prep League.

Varsity track and field Varsity track and field swept the Prep League finals to bring home League championships for both the boys and girls teams. Highlights of the season included: The Panthers’ girls breaking a school and league record in the 4×100 meter with a time of 48.27, junior Richard Hathaway breaking a school record in the 3,200 meter with a time of 10:04:00, and junior Parker Mathews being named the field most valuable player.

Varsity boys volleyball Varsity boys volleyball (8-12) won six non-League games, highlighted by a strong showing in the Providence tournament, where they won three out of their four matches.

PANTHERS IN THE ZONE

21

Poly

Connections

Events Volunteers gather for annual Community Service Day The Poly Alumni Association’s annual Community Service Day is a tradition that continues to bring together alumni, parents of alumni, and current Poly families for service projects in the local Pasadena community. This March, more than 50 volunteers, including alumni from a range of class years (1977 through 2008), spent the day cleaning and organizing the Hillsides library, rehabilitating Cottonwood Canyon with the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, and planting native plants and a butterfly garden at the Lamanda Park and Hastings Branch libraries in Pasadena.

Minnie Ingersoll ’94, Marion Ingersoll Quinones ’87, Joe Nootbaar ’87, and Jon Shlens ’95 at the Poly reception in San Francisco

Alumni receptions in San Francisco and Santa Barbara Annual regional receptions in the Bay Area have been a priority for the Alumni Association and Head of School Debbie Reed. These gatherings provide alumni in the area the opportunity to reconnect and to hear updates from the school. In January, alumni and parents of alumni from the classes of 1963 through 2010 gathered at The City Club of San Francisco for a reception with Head of School Debbie Reed and members of Poly’s Board of Trustees Wendy Munger, Ruth Zeronian Edwards ’83, John Babcock ’87, and Saeed Jaffer ’89. In April, nearly 30 alumni and parents of alumni from the classes of 1942 through 2001 in the Santa Barbara area gathered for a reception at The Santa Barbara Club.

Attendees at both events enjoyed visiting with Debbie Reed during her final months as Poly’s head of school, hearing highlights of programs and activities taking place at Poly, and reconnecting with fellow alumni.

22

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

Aliya Haque Coher ’95, Amanda Barrett ’93, and Carolyn Barrett ’91 volunteer their time at Lamanda Park Library

Poly

Connections

Events

Front row (left to right): Carolyn Fox, Marie Assaf, Dawn Cobb. Middle row (left to right): Annamarie Mitchell, Christy Rakow, Priscilla Dunn Flynn ’44, Tricia Marrs, Celinda Pearson, Howie Farer, Glennie Cameron, Tess Damasco, Linda Stowitts, Debbie Reed, Susan Grether. Back row (left to right): Barbara Bishop, Elizabeth Lanski, Gretchen Gantner, Susie Wilson, Dorothy Wooddell.

Former faculty and staff gather for a tour of the Poly Archives Poly’s former faculty and staff group, PoPs (Poly People of the Past), returned to campus in February for a guided tour of the Poly Archives offered by Archives Manager Barbara Bishop. Some current faculty and staff members also joined the tour. The group of more than 20 caught a glimpse into Poly’s rich history and enjoyed a trip down memory lane through photographs, vintage school uniforms, classroom projects, trophies, and awards. The PoPs group plans social and community outreach events throughout the year, all with the purpose of maintaining their Poly connections. If you taught or worked at Poly and would like to be involved, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@polytechnic.org.

Alumni share their professions through PolyConnect Lunch program PolyConnect lunches offer Upper School students the opportunity to learn firsthand about a particular profession while enjoying a casual lunch.

Alumni discuss their personal career experience, as well as their field or industry in general. Speakers provide a brief history of their path since leaving Poly, along with a snapshot of a typical workday, and students are invited to ask questions. Lunches are held on campus several times throughout the school year; all Upper School students are invited to attend. This year, entrepreneur Brian Nickerson ’96, interventional radiologist Christine Ghatan ’01, architect Tom Marble ’78, and Los Angeles Times journalist and current parent John Horn ’78 Upper School students with Brian Nickerson ’96 after a returned to campus for a PolyConnect lunch.

PolyConnect lunch

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

23

Poly

Connections

Philanthropy

Faculty enrichment: Endowment gifts at work Whether honoring educational values or celebrating the memory of a loved one, benefactors of professional growth at Poly make a special impact in the classroom. Endowment funds that support Poly teachers and staff in expanding their expertise reach back as much as fifty years, while others were recently initiated as gifts to The Next 100 Years campaign.

Poly parents Chris and Katie Poole chose to establish The Poole Family Faculty Development Fund as part of that capital effort. “We believe that having a strong faculty development capability is important to attract and retain the best teachers,” explains Chris, who is also a recent past president of Poly’s Board of Trustees.

All endowment support demonstrates a visionary commitment to the school’s long-term strength. Named funds such as the Pooles’ that direct support to teachers’ continual growth recognize the critical importance of a dynamic and engaged faculty in every student’s experience.

“With the high cost of living in and around Pasadena, Poly faculty need all of the resources they can get to fulfill their desires to enhance their knowledge and skills for the benefit of our students,” Chris says.

24

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

As this issue’s feature story describes, Poly teachers use the opportunity for field study to enrich their instruction with greater depth of context. World languages and history courses become more vivid with a teacher’s first hand travel experience, while faculty who attend special training in math or literacy instruction return with new tools to address a variety of learning strengths.

The many donors who contribute to faculty growth help bring this new life to Poly’s curriculum every year. Each winter, faculty and staff can begin dreaming and planning for the summer as they consider an application available school-wide for assistance with travel or study experiences that would enhance their work. A committee of faculty and staff peers evaluates the applications while considering the intent of the funds supporting professional development.

The variety of projects underway this summer speaks to the vision of Poly donors and faculty alike. From a new dance and theatrical collaboration to Lower School faculty traveling in China, teachers’ enrichment is sure to invigorate the coming school year.

Poly

Connections

Philanthropy

Reunion Giving adds vitality to Poly’s Annual Fund This May, Poly alumni spanning seven decades returned to campus in celebration of Reunion Weekend. Captivating conversations, lively laughter, and warm embraces captured the spirit of the weekend.

Leading up to the festivities, reunion committees for each class year ending in 4 or 9 built enthusiasm among classmates by sharing event details, creating social media group pages, and planning programs. One way in which reunion classes commemorate the year is by making a gift to the Annual Fund in honor of their reunion. Strong participation in the Reunion Giving Program helps ensure that the Poly experience continues to enrich current students and future generations.

This year, reunion gifts totaled $246,669, with three classes’ showing more than 40 percent participation, a remarkable feat. The Class of ’99 contributed the largest amount after a challenge grant of $50,000 from the committee sparked enthusiasm. A Class of ’89 committee member offered to shave his head if 100 percent of the class contributed, likely providing the needed boost for the class to earn highest participation honors. All of the classes set a high bar for next year’s celebration!

Trips down memory lane and the celebration of dedicated class giving efforts, especially by the Classes of ’99 and ’89 (above left and bottom right) were highlights of Reunion Weekend, along with the induction of the Class of 1964 into the 50-Year Club.

See more photos at www.polytechnic.org/alumninews

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

25

Poly

Connections

Class Notes Linda Pauling Kamb ’47

Cynthia Nash Hummel ’56

Class Notes Editorial Policy:

Still living in Pasadena! I have four sons,

In Montana, the winter weather blew in

The editorial staff gives preference to those class notes that come from primary sources. We reserve the right to edit class notes (primarily because of space considerations; occasionally for clarity). We do not have the resources to fact-check class note entries; therefore, we cannot be liable for inaccurate or false information that may inadvertently find its way into a class note. We thank you for your understanding.

two grandsons, and seven grandaughters.

with multi-minus temperatures, then

Patricia Haze Walter ’47 We love our relatively new home and living near our three families and our 11 grandchildren, ages 4½ to 29.

Amanda Nyce McIntyre ’52 Still exploring the world—off to Iceland and Greenland in July.

warmed up to a balmy 50 degrees. Our family, children, and one granddaughter (age 2) are all fine. My energies seem to continue along the same paths. Travel occupies our time for several months each year. We have visited 136 countries and plan to add eight more before the end of 2014. Since retiring from teaching German in 1998, I have taken piano lessons and love the stimulation and

To submit a class note, send an email to classnotes@polytechnic.org.

reward of beautiful music. Tennis is a sport I can enjoy all year here, four months outside and eight inside in what we call “The Bubble,” an inflated cover over four

1939-1959

courts. About 10 years ago when digital cameras made their debut, I began shooting with gusto. I have owned four

Mary Bacon Lyon ’39 I am alive and still buying green bananas

increasingly sophisticated digital cameras

and stopping en route to smell the roses.

Lorraine Panos Clearman ’54

in the meantime and have engaged the

Summer 2013 in Paris at a reunion of

expertise of a photographer to teach me

Suzanne Felt Kerr ’39

classmates (second from left) Alison

the essentials of his art. In January, I was

Still doing pen and ink drawings of New

McKelvey Clayson ’57 behind husband

awarded the grand prize in a photo contest

York City and Houston and starting on

Jim Clayson and (right) Lorraine Panos

for Grand Circle Travel, winning a trip for

San Francisco for 2014 note cards and

Clearman ’54 and brother Jim Panos ’57.

two to any of its destinations. Greetings to my classmates.

calendars.

Watson Alberts ’44 As the holder of the Watson and Marilyn Alberts Chair in SETI research at UC Berkeley, Geoffrey Marcy was honored

by The National Science Foundation for discovery of extrasolar planets.

Elizabeth Boone Hogen ’55 I have retired as head of school and am enjoying living in the Sonoma area and in the Cambridge area in England and working with the faculty of education at Cambridge University.

Glen Gustafson ’57 Continued joy in life of sailing, sheriff’s department volunteer work in emergency preparedness, and stock market.

Christopher Wilmans ’58 We have a beautiful new grandaughter, Edith Louise, born April 20, 2013. A new cousin for Talie in Poly’s sixth grade!

Stay connected: follow us at twitter.com/polyalumni

26

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

Poly

Class Notes 1960-1969

Connections

ALUMNI PROFILE

Adam Warren ’92

Robert Immler ’62 Candy McCaslin ’62 visited us in Brattleboro, Vt., in late September 2013.

Priscilla Gillett Hoecker ’64 Our grandson, Jack, will be attending Poly for kindergarten in the fall–fourth generation!

David Wright ’65 Still reviewing about 50 concerts a year for Boston Classical Review and serving as chairman of the Wellesley Historical Commission, my third year of each.

Gabrielle Groth-Marnat ’65 I have retired. Life in North Idaho is fantastic. I have a small ranch with horses, dogs, and a cat. Riding in the morning

Photo by Jodie Martin

and kayaking or sailing on the lake in the afternoon equals one spoiled, happy person. I will be in Scotland visiting Virginia (Stevie) Blankenhorn ’65 in July 2014.

John Wingler ’65 July 1, 2013, was a joyous day, as I was finally able to marry my lifelong partner, Lee Conger, on the first day California’s Proposition 8 was voided. Happily married after more than 20 years.

Nancy Flournoy ’65 I am still teaching statistics. Students are great. We finally finished our house in Croatia—what an adventure!

Vance Smith ’66 I’ve retired, and I love it! Now if I could move Vermont to the beach, I’d be in heaven.

Roger Riffenburgh ’67 I continue to live in Silcon Valley and edit

Mentors show up with unexpected guidance at many points in life, as Adam Warren ’92 has discovered. Today, he is an Oakland-based orthopedic surgeon who helped found OrthoJamaica, a volunteer organization devoted to reducing the burden of disease caused by accidents and injuries in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Warren was inspired to become a doctor during his Poly years when his football teammate Andy Heger was seriously injured in a CIF playoff game.

“Andy’s mom, Dr. Astrid Heger, saw I was very concerned about his care and convinced me to pursue medicine. She showed me that it was important for young people that I be a very visible doctor of color.” The exposure to community service Warren gained at Poly with guidance from former Assistant Head of School Carmie Rodriguez was formative as well, followed later by a physician mentor who taught him to work hard for people who would otherwise be forgotten. Through OrthoJamaica, Warren shares his expertise in trauma surgery where he sees great need. “In such a resource-poor setting, the organization’s $1 million in donations might not make a huge difference, but I do think empowering the doctors in training there is sustainable and far-reaching.” Thus, the chain of mentorship continues with vitality.

the Bay Area GOP newsletter.

Learn more about Warren’s outreach at www.orthojamaica.org.

M O R E P H O T O S A N D M E M O R I E S F R O M A L U M N I AT W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

27

Poly

Connections

ALUMNI PROFILE

Daniela Witten ’01

Class Notes Alexandra Smith Maclay ’69 Still loving Vermont—skiing, kids are out of college, and my husband, Bill, is writing a book on energy. Come visit!

Sarah Tilghman Nalle ’71 I retired from teaching college history in June 2013, and I look forward to spending more time in Spain and writing.

Laurie Farber ’73 When my youngest graduated from high school, it was time to leave Rochester, N.Y., and move to Baltimore to join my husband.

Highlights of the year include my son’s being chosen as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and my middle daughter’s engagement.

Photo by Ari Steinberg

Eric Helfenbein ’74

Daniela Witten’s enthusiasm for statistics is actually contagious, which hints at what her courses as a University of Washington professor are like—and why she caught attention for the Forbes “30 under 30” list of leaders in science and healthcare. In her specialty of biostatistics, Witten develops machine learning techniques for analyzing “Big Data,” especially in biology. “The field of biology has transformed in the past 10 years as new technology has helped researchers generate huge amounts of data in a single experiment,” she explains. While biologists profile the activity of every single gene in a cell, for example, the statistical tools available to analyze the data are lagging far behind. Witten and her colleagues aim to bridge that gap. Her drive is clear after having become a professor at age 26, recently publishing a book with colleagues, and working with a cancer research center. Witten displays one secret for success—an extra positive outlook—when recalling her time at Poly: “My family moved to Pasadena from New Jersey just before my junior year of high school, so I spent my junior and senior years there. The sunny days, beautiful campus, and great electives like French and Spanish Literature made Poly feel like summer camp!”

She did, in fact, work, progressing through undergraduate and graduate degrees at Stanford before moving on to Seattle. Witten wonders, “Alaska next?”

Healthcare Advanced Algorithm Research

28

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

I am now a principal scientist with Philips Center, formerly known as HP. Still doing electrocardiology but have recently expanded to analysis of expired CO2 during cardiac arrest and brain trauma.

My 2014 projects will also include early warning predictors of life-threatening events for critical-care in-hospital patients.

Still love the work after 33 years! Our daughter is halfway through law school at UCLA; son is halfway through business school at University of Arizona; both are doing great. Stan Honey ’73 recently gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the LiveLine technology for the TV broadcast of the America’s Cup here in San Francisco, very impressive. Looking forward to seeing more of you!

Stuart Butler ’74 Enjoying life in the Bay Area. Living with and helping my delightful mother.

Poly

Connections

Class Notes Kathleen Wheaton ’75

1980-1989

At Poly, I was awarded the John Manley English Prize at the end of ninth grade.

Ruthann Melbourne ’84 Hello to all my Class of ‘84 friends! It’s wonderful to see all of the continued

Since then, I have worked mostly as a

Steven McCoy-Thompson ’80

journalist and travel writer, including 12

I am starting a new role as executive

years in Spain and Latin America. My first

director at Urban Solutions, a nonprofit

short story collection, “Aliens and Other

that promotes urban development in the

Stories,” a loosely linked collection about

San Francisco Bay Area.

positive changes at Poly.

1990-1999

exiles of Argentina’s dirty war, won the 2013 Washington Writers Publishing House

Robert Ward ’81

Prize for fiction and was published this

Still raising four children and spending

October.

as much time as possible outdoors in western Colorado. There have been several

Kathryn Nickel Levenson ’76

occasions during 2013 when I reconnected

I continue to be active in volunteer

with old Poly pals. Enjoyed a great meal

work. I have been an interviewer for

at John Simpson’s ’80 beautiful home

Harvard College since 1990 and East Bay

in Carpinteria, a spectacular hike to an

co-chair for three years. I took a break

abandoned marble quarry with Tom

Leigh Winter Martin ’95

this year, as my son, Max, applied. I have

Laidig ’80 in Colorado, and a long

On Feb. 17, my husband, Justin, and I

been in emergency communications with

weekend of camping and exploring in

welcomed Keane Winter Martin and Trevor

RACES and Search and Rescue for the

Utah’s Escalante Desert with Linus

Winter Martin to our family, joining big

Contra Costa Sheriff for about 10 and six

Kamb ’83. Poly and all the friends I

brother, Burke, who is 2.

years respectively. Last year, I joined the

made there continue to enrich my life.

American Red Cross in external relations for several cities, drumming up shelter sites and donations for emergencies, and DAT (Disaster Assistance Team).

While at Poly, I volunteered for the Union Station soup kitchen and at the Robert M. McCurdy Nature Center. I was pleased to read about the volunteer activities Poly students pursue. I enjoyed visiting my sister, Cheryl Nickel Prueher ’72, this past year on her farm in Idaho. I work for the Social Security Administration and travel with the kids. This year, we visited Caye Caulker, Belize, and England.

Fort the latest in alumni news and events, visit www.polytechnic.org/alumni

Anne Gifford Ewing ’96 Kristin Olson McKissick ’84

My husband, Mark, and I welcomed a

Great ski year in Colorado. Enjoying

daughter, Georgiana Elizabeth Ewing, on

working with The Nature Conservancy,

Oct. 26, 2013. “Georgie” weighed in at

doing other volunteer work, and raising three boys.

7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 19 inches long.

Jacqueline Beaumont Herman ’84

Goli Haghighian Compoginis ’98

After eight years in Switzerland, my family

My husband, John, and I welcomed our

and I moved back to sunny California. All

daughter, Georgia Lily, on Jan. 21.

three children are at Cate School, and I am busy resettling.

M O R E P H O T O S A N D M E M O R I E S F R O M A L U M N I AT W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

29

Poly

Connections

Class Notes

Class of 2014 Following a traditional entrance to the sounds of bagpipes played by Poly parent Chris Halsted, the 97 members of the Class of 2014 took the stage in June for the last time as Poly students. Senior class president Peregrine Lang gave opening remarks and presented the class gift. Following a musical performance by some of the seniors, James Ellis, dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business, delivered the commencement address. Dr. Jamie Neilson, Upper School director, presented the class, while Head of School Debbie Reed and Board of Trustees President Dale Harvey presented the diplomas. Congratulations to the Class of 2014 and their families!

30

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

Poly

Class Notes 2000-2011

Connections

ALUMNI PROFILE

Geoffrey Knox ’67

Sarah Guest Bowling ’03 Mark Bowling and I were married in Garrison, N.Y., on Oct. 27, 2013. After four years of living in Manhattan, we will be moving this summer to Louisville, Ky. (Mark’s hometown), in order to be closer to family. I would love to catch up with any alums in N.Y. before we move, or down South if any of you live near Louisville!

Mark Dodge ’05 Mark and Susan Dodge married Dec. 28, 2013.

Natalie Varner Matson ’06 Natalie Varner Matson ’06 married Richard Matson on July 13, 2013, in Pasadena, at her mother’s house. Charles Varner ’02, Meghan Thornton ’06, and Molly Nelson ’06 were members of the wedding party. Guests included Ryan Katsuyama ’90, Arielle Linsey ’06, and Alexandra Maddox ’06. Prior to the wedding, Natalie and Rich bought a house in Stoneham, Mass. Natalie works in nearby Burlington as an environmental engineer, and Rich works in Boston as a structural engineer.

Alexander Beá ’08 As a Venture for America fellow, I will be working for the next two years in New Orleans, La., at a start-up company.

M O R E P H O T O S A N D M E M O R I E S F R O M A L U M N I AT W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G

Photo by Claudia Hehr

More than 20 years after Geoffrey Knox ’67 founded Geoffrey Knox & Associates to help progressive nonprofits reach their social and political goals, he is still excited about his work. “I love breaking down barriers to equality,” Knox says. “Getting to work alongside activists fighting for the basic human rights to health, education and employment, sexual and reproductive rights, the choice of if, when, and whom to marry—so many things most Poly alumni have not had to worry about—never ceases to be thrilling.” Knox pulls together experts in media placement and strategic planning to support these causes in his New York City community, across the United States, and globally. In addition to his years of work experience, Knox draws from formative Poly lessons in effecting change. “The teachers challenged me to think beyond the obvious and the stereotypes of the day, and they treated me as an intellectual equal with genuine interest in my ideas,” he says. This support, along with encouragement from Vivian Young and Carol Cierco to express himself fearlessly on the Poly stage, has direct bearing now when he trains executive directors and advocates in public speaking and interview techniques. Recently Knox has balanced his work at the United Nations or in sub-Saharan Africa with the creative life of a playwright. Having his plays produced on stage offers another thrill altogether.

P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S

31

Poly

Connections

In Memoriam We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those listed below and hope this section assists those who wish to honor their Poly classmates and friends.

Poly publishes obituaries as space allows when we receive notice that an alumnus/a or former faculty or staff member has died. If we have neglected to list someone, please send us biographical information, which we will print in a subsequent issue.

Please note: Listings include those received through May 2014.

Robert E. Hunter, Jr. ’37 October 1, 2013, Sonoma, California

John E. Fleming ’40 February 2, 2014, Aliso Viejo, California

Bob passed away nearly five months after his 91st birthday. He owned Robert Hunter Winery, the 42-acre vineyard that distinguishes itself as the smallest champagne house in California and is touted as one of the most intimate winery experiences in the Sonoma Valley. Along with his wife, Ann, Bob cultivated the 70-acre estate that includes the vineyard and the family’s home. Bob was a friend to many, an astute businessman, and a sage advisor who had an incredible amount of faith in future generations. He was an avid hunter and fly-fisherman and, according to his son, was “a great shot” and fly-fished into his 90s. Bob is survived by his beloved family: wife, Ann; three daughters, Ruth Hunter-Daniels, Liza Hunter, and Catherine Morton Hunter ’74; son, Robert E. Hunter III ’78; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He is the brother of Helen Wolfe ’29 and Louise Hunter ’31 and uncle of Laura Rowan Peake ’56, Christopher H. Wolfe ’65, and Catherine L. Wolfe ’68.

John, professor emeritus at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Margaret Eaton Brown Fleming and Thomas Fleming Jr. John is the twin of Louis Fleming ’40, and brother of Thomas Fleming Jr. ’32. When John was four years old, his family moved to Pasadena. After graduating from Poly, he attended The Webb School. In the 10th grade, he was introduced to Zemula Waldo Pierce. A romance blossomed, and they were married in 1946, a marriage that lasted almost 68 years. John received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Caltech in 1946, and then served as a naval military government officer in the post-war Pacific. Upon his discharge, he attended Stanford University, where he earned an MBA. While enjoying a successful corporate career and teaching science on the side at a private school, John realized his real interest lay in education. He was awarded a doctorate of business administration in 1965 from USC. He taught at Cal State Los Angeles before joining the faculty at USC in 1966, where he was a professor until 1990. He was a dedicated and caring father. John is survived by his five children, George E. Fleming ’66, James C. Fleming ’72, Zemula Carolyn, Mark, and John; nieces, Helen Fleming ’69, Mary L. Fleming ’67, Sarah T. Fleming ’71; nephew Louis B. Fleming, Jr. ’77; great-nephews, Jack Fleming ’17 and Ray Fleming ’19; 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

John M. Sickler ’37 March 20, 2014, Palm Desert, California Francis P. Graves Jr. ’38 December 23, 2013, Bayfield, Wisconsin Francis was born on May 14, 1923. He is the brother of Jane Graves Otten ’39 and Selwyn J. Graves ’43. He is survived by his wife, Donna.

00 32

SE P OC LY TIC OO N NNNAEM CE TIONS

Charles W. Gates II ’41 June 22, 2013, Seattle, Washington Charles was born in Chicago, Ill, on Sept. 23, 1926. He was the son of Charles Clifford Gates and Lela Courson Gates.

His grandfather, Charles Warner Gates I, for whom he was named, was a founding member of the Crossett Lumber Company in Crossett, Ark., and was also an early benefactor of Caltech, where he and his brother, A. Peter Gates ’09, established the Gates Hall of Chemistry. When Charles II was two years old, his mother was widowed, and soon afterward took him to live in France for four years. After leaving France, he moved to Pasadena with his mother and attended Poly. He then attended Cate School in Carpenteria, and later UC Berkeley. In December 1948, he married Helen Elizabeth (Betty) Upton, and they had four children: Charles Warner Gates III ’67, William Upton Gates ’70, Geoffrey Stephen Gates ’72, and Elizabeth Courson Gates. In addition to his wife, four children and their spouses, he is survived by six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; siblings Russell S. Bayly ’34, Maybelle Bayly Wolfe ’38, and Roy D. Bayly ’41; as well as many cousins, including Charles G. Morse ’41.

James D. Watkins ’41 July 26, 2012, Alexandria, Virginia Iris Rogers Argento ’42 September 30, 2013, New York, New York Davis U. Merwin ’43 October 28, 2013, Bloomington, Illinois Davis was born June 22, 1928, in Chicago, Ill., to Davis Merwin and Josephine Chronkite Underwood Merwin. He married Nancy Snowden Smith on Nov. 14, 1958.

Davis served with the United States Marine Corps for several years. In 1951, he went first to Japan and then to Korea, where he was a second lieutenant and spent eight months as a rifle platoon leader in the Korean War. He was then assistant operations officer of the 3rd Battalion,

Poly

7th Marines, and later aide de camp to Gerald C. Thomas, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division. He was president of Evergreen Communications, Inc. Bloomington from 1969 to 1980; publisher of The Daily Pentagraph from 1968 to 1980, and president of Wood Canyon Corp. from 1993 to 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Josephine Underwood Thompson ’41. He is survived by his son, Fell Merwin; daughter, Laura Priess; stepsons, Michael Todd and James B. Tailer IV; and three grandchildren.

Kenneth L. Colborn ’44 December 8, 2013, Pasadena, California Kenneth was born May 2, 1929, in Pasadena. He is best remembered for his dedication to his community, friends, and family. Ken attended Poly and The Webb Schools. His mother, Julia R. Colborn ’20 and uncle, James R. Rounds ’15, also attended Poly. He actively supported both Poly and Webb throughout his life. He served as a commander in the United States Navy and continued his close relationship with the Navy by volunteering for the Pasadena Navy League. Ken was an avid woodworker and donated hundreds of Adirondack chairs and tables to schools, charities, and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Inglis Colborn. He is survived by his children, Ann Pizzinat and her husband, Chris Pizzinat ’84, Matt, and Kate, and seven grandchildren.

Schuyler A. Haskell ‘44 March 9, 2014, Newport Beach, California Schuyler, “Sky,” was born Sept. 24, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of four, he moved with his parents to a ranch outside of Tucson, Ariz. In 1932, Schuyler and his family moved to Pasadena, where he attended Poly with his siblings, Katherine Hall Douglas ’34, Coburn Haskell ’40, and Melville H. Haskell, Jr. ’45. He then attended high school at The Cate School with the Class of 1946. He was a member of the first class of Claremont

Men’s College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Arizona.

In 1950, he married Joan Katherine Taufenbach. Sky’s primary occupation was as an agricultural grower in the Palo Verde Valley of California. He was an accomplished pilot, a passion he had pursued since the age of 15, achieving instrument rating certification. Besides flying, Sky’s true passion was the game of golf, and he achieved a seven handicap in his prime. Sky is survived by his children, Coburn “Cobe” Haskell ’69 and Sarah Haskell Greene ’73; half-siblings, Mary and Mark; stepbrother, Bill Woodin; and grandsons.

William H. Allen Jr. ’47 March 17, 2014, Newport Beach, California William, “Bill,” was born Feb. 25, 1832, to the late William Herbert Allen Sr. and Eleanor Bush Allen in Los Angeles. He was raised in Pasadena. He graduated from Stanford University in 1954. While at Stanford, Bill rowed with the Stanford crew and participated in the Olympic trials.

Bill finished his studies at Woodbury Business School in 1956. After a brief time as an auditor with Price Waterhouse & Co., he left to pursue a career in real estate development. Bill married the love of his life, Sharon Ann McGinnis, in 1964. They lived and raised their family in Pacific Palisades, where Bill was a past president of St. Matthews Parish School Board. He was also an active member of the California Yacht Club. His sailing accomplishments included the SORC Nassau Cup, Transpacific Yacht Races, and multiple races to Mexico. Bill is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, William, Warren, and Wendy; sisters, Joan Allen Funk ’42 and Priscilla Allen Ahern ’44; and grandchildren.

FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION John Bergen April 10, 2014, Templeton, California As the head of school from 1976-1980, faculty member, and parent, John Bergen played an instrumental role at Poly. Over

Connections

the years, many students have benefited from his generosity through the John Bergen Community Service Award, which recognizes a student’s extraordinary commitment in the sphere of social services. John began his career as a teacher and school administrator in 1955.

He became a member of the faculty of The Taft School of Watertown, Conn., and continued there for 21 years in several roles, including English instructor and dean of faculty. After leaving Taft, he became head of Poly. Upon his departure from Poly, he pursued a career as a professional fundraising consultant assisting nonprofit organizations with capital campaigns. John married Hannah Bergen in 1983. They lived in Pasadena, moved to Eureka, Calif., and then to Templeton, Calif. Hannah and John were active members of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atascadero.

Known for his public service, John was a consummate humanitarian, gave generously to many causes, and helped friends and family through the years. A lover of the arts, he studied literature and poetry, appreciated music, sang in several choirs, and took up watercolor painting in his retirement. John is survived by his wife, Hannah Bergen; daughters, Jocelyn Bergen ’79 and Elizabeth Dinkins ’84; grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Dr. Stan Sheinkopf April 14, 2014, Pasadena, California Dr. Stan Sheinkopf taught English in the Middle and Upper Schools at Poly from 1984 until 2003. He inspired students and colleagues with his enthusiasm for life and literature, his commitment to the overall life of the school, and his passion for teaching. Before coming to Poly, he served for many years as a teacher and administrator in the Pasadena Unified School District, teaching at Blair High School and serving as principal at Muir High School. Sheinkopf, who was 82, is survived by his wife, Barbara, who also taught at Poly, and his children, Stephen and Megan.

P O L Y SCEOCN TN I OENC TNI A OM NE S

00 33

P.S.

Jenn Tolbert

Jenn Tolbert joined Poly as the Middle School director in the fall of 2008. In addition to serving on the administration team, Jenn coaches Middle School girls basketball, co-chairs Poly’s Diversity Social Justice Inclusion Committee and WASC/CAIS accreditation team, and has been a member of the PolyMorphs (faculty and staff singing group).

Q:

What lead you to a career in education? Were there any special mentors or moments that propelled you to where you are now?

I started out thinking I wanted to be a dentist. When I passed out at the sight of a needle during an internship experience, I decided that dentistry was not my calling! What I did come to realize was that I loved working with children, and this naturally lead to a career in teaching and administration. I have been blessed to have tremendous mentors along the way, chief among them are Debbie Reed and former Assistant Head of School Carmie Rodriguez.

Q:

What is most rewarding about your role at Poly?

I most enjoy the days when I am visiting classes. I have such admiration for the teachers at Poly who work hard to engage students through a creative, vigorous, and relevant curriculum. Above all, I appreciate seeing in action the special relationship between student and teacher. When all of this comes together in the classroom, it’s magical. I also enjoy being an advisor. This year I have an all-boy sixth grade advisory, and it has taken my understanding of Middle School boys to a whole new level. It has been the best professional development ever.

Q:

What is your best piece of advice for Middle Schoolers?

Always take time to play four square.

Q:

You’ve been a coach, Diversity Committee member, PolyFit Club member, and are now co-chairing Poly’s accreditation process. Is there anything at Poly you haven’t done that you’d like to experience?

As a sports fan, I have always admired the role of the mascot in generating school spirit. One day, I would like to see what it feels like to be the Poly Panther.

Q:

What is your guilty pleasure?

I love to play Words With Friends. Does this make me an online gamer?

34

P. S .

1030 East California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106 626.396.6300 : www.polytechnic.org

Change Ser vice requested

OakTree Times SPRING | SUMMER 2014

I n s i de: Panthers in the Zone Class Notes and Alumni Profiles

P.S. with Jenn Tolbert

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pasadena, CA Permit No 1879