The Banner

the official publication of Seoul Foreign School

Winter 2017 - Volume 10, issue 2

Contents 39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil Seodaemun-gu Seoul 03723 South Korea T | 822.330.3100 F | 822.335.1857

Cover Photo

by Keren Ben-Shoshan (Senior), 3rd Place Winner in Nature Category for HS Discovery Week photo contest NAGANEUPSEONG FOLK VILLAGE: “Where Modernism Sees Tradition”

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Messages from Grandparents

4

Letter from the Board Chair

5

Letter from the Head of School

6-11

Advancement Office Update

12

Theatre Update

13

Service Activities at SFS

14-15

Discovery Week

16-17

Faculty Profile, Worden Family

18-19

Sports Update

20-21

Alumni Interview, Hyungji Park ‘85

22

Service Events

23

Homecoming

24-31

Alumni Visits/Notes

32-33

Alumni Reunions

34-35

In Memoriam, Langston King Rogde

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Letter from Advancement Office Intern

Messages from Grandparents

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Lydia and Matthew,

Dear Alice, Philip and Alex,

예쁘고 올바르게 살아가는 훌륭 한 손녀가 되길 바란다. 사랑한다!

We will never forget the moment that we became your grandparents. The world we live in is a better place because of you two. You will always be in our prayers and hearts.

We are delighted that you’ve made a successful transition to SFS and proud of everything you’ve achieved in your young lives. We look forward to watching you grow!

Love, Grandpa & Grandma

Love, Grandpa & Grandma.

--------------------------Our dear and lovely Yoon Suh and Kevin,

------------------------------Chris,

We are very glad that you both were admitted into this wonderful SFS. We always pray and hope that Yoon Suh and Kevin will grow to become a very good schoolgirl and schoolboy through this wonderful school, and thereby become very good grandchildren to your Grandparents.

I am thankful for the privilege to meet you in this world. 할아버지가 우리태현이를 오래 지켜줄 수 있게되 면 좋겠구나. 사랑한다~

You are our hope and our joy. We love you and are prepared to support you always.

외할아버지가 -------------------------------

사랑하는 손녀 Isabelle,

할머니

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Dearest Gabriel and Marissa,

It was so nice to see and visit with you this past October! You have grown into a fine young man and a fine young lady, and we are so very proud of you both. Please continue to study hard and play hard, and do not forget to give your parents a little bit of grief once in a while to keep them on their toes. :) We will look forward to seeing you two again in Chicago this summer.

With much love, Harabuji & Halmonie

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From your Grandparents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To our beloved Emma,

We are absolutely delighted to see you growing beautifully in your third year at Seoul Foreign School.

We are so thankful for all the wonderful teachers who continue to encourage your strong mind, joyful & bright spirit. We love you with all our hearts!

Your biggest fans, Grandma & Grandpa

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FACULTY PROFILE Letter from the Board Chair

“ONLY GOD MAKES THINGS GROW,” AND THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS A STEP IN FAITH TO STRENGHTEN THE SFS THAT WE KNOW AND LOVE. From left: Bill Majors, Jaedan Chair, Penelope Kim, Board Chair, Horace H. Underwood ‘60, Colm Flanagan, Head of School, and Paul Scofield, Former Council Chair.

Dear SFS Community,

H

appy New Year! By now I trust you are well settled into 2017.

I am hopeful that the holidays and the turn of the year have given you pleasant opportunities to reflect back in gratitude and to look forward with anticipation for a fresh start. Even better, here in Korea, we get to enjoy both the solar and the lunar New Year holidays.

The SFS Board has also been actively engaged in planning for the future.

As you are probably aware, SFS is blessed with over 100 years of history as a Christ-centered school, educating children of the international community in Seoul. The Board aims to uphold this legacy of excellence in every aspect of the work we do.

On campus, you can easily see the fruit of ongoing planning and stewardship as the new High School building construction continues. Its changing profile is a tangible reminder of how we are growing. Yet many other decisions for SFS’s future are coming to fruition in less visible ways.

After a rigorous two-year process, SFS successfully renewed its accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges,

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the Council of International Schools and the Association of British Schools Overseas. Academically, each section of our school is exceeding expectations for the first year of transitioning to a full IB program that includes the PYP, the MYP, and the IB Diploma. Through the leadership of dedicated parents, the PTA has redefined itself for greater partnership between the administration and parent community. Perhaps less exciting, but most importantly, SFS received an unqualified financial audit - the best possible result - from PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The Board’s primary purpose is to ensure the long-term sustainability of SFS. This is why we recently began our latest round of strategic planning, a process we undertake every five years.

Together with the Administration and the other SFS governance bodies, the Board will focus intensively over the next three months on what efforts are needed to take SFS into the future. As 1 Corinthians 3:7 declares, “only God makes things grow,” and the Strategic Plan is a step in faith to strengthen the SFS that we know and love.

Looking at pictures of SFS over the decades, our campus and our

SFS in the 60’s

community have grown in ways the original founders may have hardly dared to imagine - and we are not finished yet.

Yet what has not changed is who we are as a “Christian school for everyone,” in the words of former Head of School, Dick Underwood. Today, as we plan for tomorrow, we stand firm on the eternal foundation that is “already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV) The Board plans with and supports our Head of School and his team of administrative, managerial, and academic professionals who run the school and its programs day-to-day, to ensure that SFS is here for our children’s children. It is our privilege to serve and build on SFS’s legacy with faithfulness to the past, gratitude for the present, and a vision of excellence for the next 100 years.

In His service and yours,

Penelope Kim SFS Board Chair

Letter from the Head of School

We strive to create a learning community that truly lives up to being ‘a Christian school for everyone.’

Group picture of SFS Korean Classified Staff at their Christmas Party

Dear SFS Parents, Grandparents, Alumni & Friends,

T

o understand the history of Seoul Foreign School is to know a community ‘rooted in its history but with a passion for change.’ The reason we have such a wonderful campus is a result of past SFS leaders making brave decisions based on the future needs of our school. One such change is the building of our new High School, due to open in the summer of 2018.

Anyone who has been on campus over the last few months will be aware of the incredible progress that has been made. I am fortunate enough to have an office window that looks directly out on the entire process. We have been greatly impressed by the organization and precision that the construction company has brought to the project. This has meant minimal disruption to the regular activities of the school. Indeed I know that many of our students have been thoroughly fascinated by this spectacle of demolition and excavation.

As an educator, it is hugely exciting to be part of creating a learning environment in which our High School students will be able to flourish.

Not only will the new facility have classrooms, science laboratories, libraries, art studios and design areas all constructed to meet the needs of a 21st century education, it will also house numerous communal areas where students and educators can meet together in less formal settings, allowing for collaborative and spontaneous learning opportunities.

The SFS High School will be an open, airy and vibrant space. It will have a college campus feel, helping to prepare your children as they move closer to the next stage of their educational journey.

Yet the construction work is not our only preparation for 2018. Our curriculum developments and our renewed focus on the quality of teaching & learning throughout every section of our school mean that our students will be able to make the most of these fabulous facilities.

We continue to refine our practices to recruit the best teachers. We commit ourselves to the International Baccalaureate, now widely accepted as the very best educational program,

and we strive to create a learning community that truly lives up to being ‘a Christian school for everyone.’

These are exciting times to be part of Seoul Foreign School! Anyone within our community interested in discovering more about the work we are undertaking and how they might support and participate in these efforts, should contact us. We welcome your involvement, and we are only too happy to meet with you!

As you look through the pages of this edition of The Banner, you will learn more about how we are striving to reach out to make SFS a truly global and inter-connected community. I look forward to seeing friends and alumni in Chicago and Los Angeles at our next two SFS gatherings!

Best wishes & God Bless,

Colm Flanagan Head of School

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Advancement Office Update

SFS Annual Fund Dear SFS Community,

O

ne of the central goals of the Advancement Team is to reach out to the community and build meaningful relationships. We do this in a number of ways including exciting events such as the Community Golf Tournament, Grandparents’ Day, Alumni Committee Meetings, and the Alumni Reunion Dinners that take place in Seoul as well as in the UK and the US, where lifelong connections are forged.

Community Golf Tournament On September 27th, parents, alumni, faculty, and representatives from other international schools in Korea gathered for a round of golf. The purpose of the event was to establish and maintain organizational/personal connections and meaningful relationships. All proceeds went to SFS’s Annual Fund, which for the current school year is set to help fund the Climbing Wall.

Grandparents’ Day On November 24th, SFS’s grandparents joined us for a reception, a historical picture slide presentation, tours of their grandchildren’s classroom, and a photo opportunity with their grandchildren in front of the Christmas tree. The goal of this special event was to honor our

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school community’s grandparents and help them become better acquainted with their grandchildren’s international school life. After the event, deeply moved by the Christ-centered vision and mission of SFS, several grandparents contributed generously to the school’s Annual Fund as well as to the Building for the Future Fund.

Alumni Committee Meeting On December 5th, the Alumni Committee, consisting of SFS’s faculty and six Seoul alums, gathered for the annual dinner meeting with two goals in mind: First, to help connect SFS’s alums with our current High School students so that there can be a dynamic mentor/ mentee relationship; and second, to select the Alum of the Year Award recipient. The main criteria for the award embodies those who have dedicated their lives to contributing positively to society by making a significant impact through humanitarian efforts.

A life characterized by service and philanthropy, this year’s Alum of the Year Award goes to… Mr. Nicholas Park, who graduated from SFS with the class of 1993. Nick will have the honor of presenting the Alumni Award to an exemplary graduating senior who will be selected by the Alumni Committee at our High School Graduation Ceremony in May.

Alumni Reunion Dinners (Seoul, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles) On January 13th (Seoul), January 14th (London), January 28th (Chicago), and February 4th (Los Angeles), the annual Alumni Reunion Dinners were held in the above cities. These wonderfully nostalgic occasions were all about reconnecting with old friends, sharing some great stories and memories of the yesteryears, and getting caught up with what is happening currently at SFS. It is through these gatherings that lifelong SFS alumni friendships continue to thrive.

This year our School Board, Head of School, and Senior Administrators are developing a Five Year Strategic Plan. Through this process we aim to review and enhance all of our efforts in the Advancement Office to promote, support, and develop SFS. We are grateful to our community for providing us with much needed encouragement and support.

Sincerely,

Esther Myong, Ed.D. Director of Communications, Marketing, & Operations

Community of Donors Donations 2016-2017 THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Donated $10,000 or more to the Annual Fund during the fiscal year

Emma Lee RED AND BLACK CLUB Donated $5,000 or more to the Annual Fund during the fiscal year

Minsoo Choi and June Kang Rayoung (Madeline) Lee Hyungji Park ‘85 THE CREST CLUB Donated $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund during the fiscal year

Anonymous Edward and Henry Chung Colm and Sinead Flanagan Hyun Sook Hong James and Sarah (Hubbard) Gunberg ‘71 Jason and Ryan Gurewitz and Dako Huang Ashley Jung The Kahng Family Annie (Wonhyeong) Kim Euiseok Kim and Regina Ryu ‘87* David and Sun Young Kim Ian Wonwoo Kim Jee Hee Kim Jack and Edie ’77 Moon Joon, Esther, Gabriel, and Marissa Myong The Nahm Family Iris and James J. Park CENTENNIAL CLUB Donated $100 or more to the Annual Fund during the fiscal year

Anonymous - “In celebration of the work of June Kang” William and Anna Bae Barry and Karolyn Benger Yoon Suh & Jun Woo (Kevin) Chae Eunhi Chung Cho Alice, Philip and Alex Choi Lydia and Matthew Choi Soyoung Chung Kimble Cook ‘83 Romulo H. Delmendo ‘79 Hana and Maya Eldessouky The Evans Family Heejin Kim Gregory ‘06 Eugene Jeong John K. Johnson ‘69* The Kent Family Albert Kim ‘14 Andrew Kim ‘15 The Legacy CLUB Made a monetary donation during the fiscal year

Jiyoung Jung Yoo Soo Kim

John Kim ‘71* Minji Kim Haejin Koh Byunguk Lee Daniel Lee Isabelle Lee Michael O’Donnell ‘70 Gil Pak ‘90 Chris (Tae Hyun) Park Susan Pope Chandler ‘90 The Prest Family Niklas and Mia Redler-Thompson The Sanderson Family The Searles Family Iris Shin Reina Shin Esther Smith, Former Faculty Yoojin Um James S. Weaver, Jr. Family Fund

Eun Joo Lee Memorial for Gail J. Riggs Meyer ‘70 Insil Tak Emma Wang

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Community of Donors Annual FUnd DOnation 2015-16

THE CREST CLUB 8th Grade 2015-16 From the 2015-16 SFS Board on behalf of Mr. Minki Synn for his service as Board Chair From the Cho Family – Paul, Jiyeon, Christopher ’12 and Natalie Min Soo Choi & June Kang Daddy Daughter Dinner Dance Planning Committee 2016 Linda and Joe Erlinger Colm & Sinead Flanagan Kathleen and Timothy Gray James and Sarah (Hubbard) Gunberg ‘71 J&J Catering The Kae Brothers George Dongkyu Ko Euiseok Kim & Regina Ryu ‘87* Henry Kim & Family Jerome and Silvia Kim Jinwook Kim & Jennifer YJ Kang W. Amber Kim ‘12 in honor of Rev. Yong Il Kim W. Andrew Kim ‘14 in honor of Rev. Yong Il Kim Kenneth and Rebecca Lee Seoyoon (Annie) Moon Joon, Esther, Gabriel, and Marissa Myong The Nahm Family John ‘70 & Masumi O’Donnell Katherine and Justin Oh Jasmine, Iris and James J. Park Don and Rose Robinson

Dae Woon Kim Eensoo Chris Kim Jeung Soo Kim Yoo Soo Kim Haejin Koh Zifei Liu Andy and Joanna Lee Blair, Kim, Hudson & Maguire Lee Byunguk Lee Chang Hee Lee Eun Joo Lee Hugh Heung Sang Lee Inseop and Jungah Lee Jinju Lee Moonjin Lee The Lycett Family Jack & Edie ‘77 Moon Young Sik Moon Seung Min Nam Susan Pope Chandler ‘90 The Prest Family The Sanderson Family S. Schrader & Y. Kim The Searles Family Susan Sell-Haynes SFS Faculty Misty Shipley and JJ Akin Cindy Slover Butikofer ‘71 Roy Smith Shannon and Justin Smith Frank Shyn ‘87* Adam, Lauren, Jade & Ella Teather Brad and Jo Thies Yoojin Um Esther Washburn Smith, Former Faculty Insil Tak James S. Weaver Jr. Family Fund Jessica ‘15 & Michael Woo Peter Yap Sheila Yap Myeongho Yeom and Kelly Wang Hye Sun Woo Taewho Yoon

CENTENNIAL CLUB 5th Grade 2015-16 5J 2015-16 The 5th Grade Class of 2014-2015 Class of 2016 Miyeon Bahng Eunhi C. Cho Youngwoo Cho Young Min Choi Chua Ken Hon and Family Soyoung Chung The Cooper Family Scott and Molly DeBoer Kanghoe Do Hana and Maya Eldessouky The Foord Family Gardon & Greyvensteyn Brian Hall Jeff and Jenn Holcomb Hyun Sook Hong The Hong Family James Hopkins Judy and David Hwang Audrey Im Mike and Lauren Jackson Byeong-guk Jeon Celine Jin Ji Young Jung Calvin Anthony Kamphuis The Kent Family The Kersting Family Charles Kim ‘91, Kristina Kim ‘01 & Hyunju Kim ‘02

THE LEGACY CLUB Anonymous Young Bo Bae Benjamin Choi Christian Choi ‘14 Ja Yong Choi Jong Chul Choi Young Woo Choi Byung Sik Chung Chan Kun Chung Paul Escalante-Mead Mathew & Dao Gibault Janelle Grover Seong Hoon Hong Wan Hee Hong Shirley and Peter Hutchin Won Joo Hwang Colin ‘22 & Trevor ‘20 Jackson Menya Jefferson Woo Tak Jeun Jin-hyuck Joo Young Nam Joo Sang Oh Kang Albert Y. Kim ‘14 Chul-hoi Kim Kyu Heon Kim Sung Han Kim Yoo Hwan Kong Hong Seo Koo Micah Kuhl Ryan & Lindsay Kuhl Ohin Kwon Byung Ju Lee

MILLENNIUM CLUB Emma Lee Jenna Lee Jaeyoul Kim Tzu Yu (Lillian) Sheng ‘15 RED AND BLACK CLUB Danam Engineering Inc. Rayoung (Madeline) Lee

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Jae Hun Lee Jung Yong Lee Keun Chul Lee Seong Hwa Lee Seung Jae Lee Seungwoo Lee Sally McEachen Justyna and Triston McMillan Moonki Min Byung Sil Park Yong Min Park Paul ‘04 & Hannah Rader Grace, Joshua & Aletheia Roth Dong Jin Shin Mark and Laura Worden Chang-geun Yang Bo Ram Yoo GRADUATING SENIORS CLASS OF 2016 Christopher Chang Yu Ray Chu Aidan James Dobson Edward Drummond Marcus Foley Andreas Frame Seinna Kang Joo Young Kim Jeong-Ho Moon Claire Soo Jeong Nam Addison Smith Liliane Thoelen Andreas Wiora Qingyu Yan Erin Nayeon Yu

“I donated to the Annual Fund as a token of my heartfelt gratitute, love, and well wishes toward SFS.” Eunhi Cho, ES Admin. Assistant

Community of Donors ANNUAL FUND

DONATION 2014-15 THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Haelyung Hwang & Younghee Cha Jenna Lee Yong Sung Park Tzu Yu Sheng RED AND BLACK CLUB Eulho Suh & KyungEn Kim ‘90* THE CREST CLUB Anonymous Alum Robert and Sondra Black Christian ’14 and Benjamin Choi Colm and Sinead Flanagan James and Sarah (Hubbard) Gunberg ‘71 Justin Jang Euiseok Kim and Regina Ryu ‘87* Nina H. Kim ‘83*, Peter S. Choi and Kate Kim Choi George Dongkyu Ko The Lim Family - Class of ‘07 & ‘10 Esther and Joon Myong The Nahm Family Katherine and Justin Oh Jasmine, Iris and James J. Park Peter and Kelly TomHon CENTENNIAL CLUB Anonymous Alum Harold Benjamin ‘51* Christina Farley Hyun Sook Hong Mike, Lauren, Trevor & Colin Jackson The Kent Family Blair, Kim, Hudson & Maguire Lee Hugh Lee GE Star Award - Christopher Luke ‘14 Susan Pope ‘90 Elliot & Helena Prest The Rudolph Family Carol Ann Sauer LaCroix ‘71 Frank Shyn ‘87* Juhie Suh ‘92 The Teather Family Yoojin Um Peter Wang ‘68 James S. Weaver, Jr. Family Fund LEGACY CLUB Albert Kim ‘14 GRADUATING SENIORS CLASS OF 2015 Jaime Carlos Agravante Yoon Hyuk Chang Nathan Cheung Joo Hun Choi Yong Han Choi John De Less Lucy Dornbach Patrick Hahn James Hahn Chang Min Hyon Christy Joo Toby Kim Craig Jae-Huhn Kim Andrew Kim Natalie Kim Benjamin Kim Chang Hyun Kim Lauren Koo David Lee Jae Hyun Lee Kate Lee

Sharon Lim Johannes Mansson Callum McEachen Leonardo Migliardi Juan Miques Ayushi Mistry Brian Park Jonathan Sheldrick Laure Shin Michelle Sohn Kai Summers William TomHon Ana Villarreal

“I gave to the Annual Fund because I love the history of this school and I believe in its future.”

Anonymous Donor

ANNUAL FUND DONATION 2013-14 1912 SOCIETY Jenna Lee THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Yong Sung Park Tzu Yu Sheng RED AND BLACK CLUB Jane Nicole Lee THE CREST CLUB Hyung and Andrea Ahn Robert and Sondra Black BT&I—Kay Song Christian and Benjamin Choi John and Alice Engstrom Christina Farley James and Sarah (Hubbard) Gunberg ‘71 Haelyung Hwang and Younghee Cha J&J Catering Euiseok Kim and Regina Ryu ‘87* Roger H. Kim ‘93 George Dongkyu Ko The Lim Family The Nahm Family Hyungji Park ‘85 Jasmine, Iris & James J. Park Peter Pin ‘77 Michelle Sohn Peter and Kelly TomHon Verizon Matching Fund CENTENNIAL CLUB Olivia and Alicia Chung Donald N. Clark ‘61 Romulo H. Delmendo ‘79 Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hunsaker Mike and Lauren Jackson Graeme and Carol Kent Henry Kim Blair and Kim Lee Brian Lee Susan Pope ‘90 The Rudolph Family Joanna Seung Richard and Cynthia Seymour Frank Shyn ‘87* Michael L. Stern ‘78 Kisoon Nam (Chun) Lauren, Adam, Jade and Ella Teather Yoojin Um James S. Weaver, Jr. Family Fund LEGACY CLUB Anonymous Christian Choi ‘14 Albert Kim ‘14

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Community of Donors ANNUAL FUND DONATION 2012-13

CENTENNIAL FUND DONATION 2011-12

THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Do Yoon Kim Tzu Yu Sheng

THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Jeremy & Hojung Cheung (Parents of Nathan & Eunice Cheung) Christy Joo Eric Joo Do Yoon Kim Kathleen and Rachel Lee Helena and Isabelle Park Yong Sung Park The Shin Family

RED AND BLACK CLUB Jaeho and Soojin Choi Jane Nicole Lee THE CREST CLUB Hyung & Andrea Ahn Anonymous Yasmeen Bae Robert and Sondra Black Leo Cho From the Cho Family—Paul, Jiyeon, Christopher and Natalie Christian and Benjamin Choi The Kimberly Clark Foundation John and Alice Engstrom Rob and Laura Everett James and Sarah (Hubbard) Gunberg ‘71 Haelyung Hwang & Younghee Cha Euiseok Kim & Regina Ryu ‘87* Nina H. Kim ‘83*, Peter S. Choi and Kate Kim Choi Seogoo Lee & Suyoung Nam The Lim Family Hyungji Park ‘85 Jasmine, Iris & James J. Park Sookook Company Peter & Kelly TomHon CENTENNIAL CLUB Christina Farley Hyun Sook Hong Mr. & Mrs. Brian Hunsaker Mike & Lauren Jackson George Dongkyu Ko Alice D. Lavina Harry, Linda & George Rudolph ‘07 Jack and Rachel Shao Frank Shyn ’87* Yoojin Um James S. Weaver, Jr. Family Fund Rick Wilson

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RED AND BLACK CLUB In memory of Edwin W. Crowe ’43* For our SFS children and in honor of our parents, Richard and Patricia Ashcraft and Ed and Thelma Gaylord from John and Lynn Gaylord John ‘70 and Masumi O’Donnell Tzu Yu Sheng THE CREST CLUB Jinsoo and Pearl Bae Yasmeen Bae Robert and Sondra Black In honor of the MS Faculty 2011-12 from your student, Andrew Ilhoon Byun Dong Soo Byun From the Cho Family - Paul, Jiyeon, Christopher and Natalie Christian and Benjamin Choi Noah Tae-sun Chung ’95 John and Alice Engstrom Josh, Ben and Jacob Everett Rebecca Freeman Kathleen and Timothy Gray Hana Bank—Yonhi-dong Branch Hyong Min Kim Hyong Seok Kim Nina H. Kim ’83* and Peter S. Choi George Dongkyu Ko Camila and Gabriela Gonzalez Koo James and Sarah (Hubbard) Gunberg ’71 Celine Jin J&J Catering Stephan Min Jason Oh Hyungji Park ’85 Jasmine, Iris and James J. Park In memory of Christopher Mark Thomas, loving uncle of Edward Joseph Pasternak Langston and Linda Rogde Peter and Kelly TomHon Buhm Jin Yoon CENTENNIAL CLUB Jaime Cabal Anna Castagnaro Donald N. Clark ‘61 Lydia Colston Killough ‘81 Dan & Joneen Copeland Nick, Sally, Isobel and Estella Corben Drs. JB and Bette Crouse, Jr. Patricia Robin Evans In honor of Mr. John Gaylord, from your SFS Children of our Centennial Year Chloe Dain Han Christine Jane Han Youngsook Hahm Hyun Sook Hong Ryan Jeon Jeen and Bomsinae Kim Yoo Soo Kim John Kimm ‘84 Korea Exchange Bank – Yonhi-dong Branch

Jennifer Koenig ’92* Grace and Riley Kwak Family Andy and Joanna Lee Chang Hwan Lee Haeeun Heather Lee ’05 Jaehyun Jacob Lee The Jugant Family In honor of Mrs. Mary Ellen Lee, from your 1L children of our Centennial Year Robert Lee ’60* David Livingston ’72* Monika and Ewa Marczuk In honor of Ms. Dawn Melarvie, from your SFS children of our Centennial Year In honor of Mrs. Edie Moon from the HS cast of ‘Back to the 80s’ Mitsuaki Morita ’79* John C. O’Donnell ‘70 Maura O’Donnell-McCarthy ’75* Gene Jaewoo Park Harry, Linda & George Rudolph ‘07 In Memory of Robert G. Sauer, Former Trustee & Teacher Frank Shyn ’87* Yage Song Yarene Song Hannah Summers Kai Summers Linda Wang Judi Sargent Whitmire ’78 Sen Di Ten Yoojin Um In honor of Mr. Nathan Walker from the MS cast of ‘Oliver Twist’ Morgan and Jordan Yi Youngja Yum THE LEGACY CLUB Lance, Mary, Ethan, Mason and Porter Ence Kisoon Nam Misty Skidmore

Community of Donors ANNUAL FUND DONATION 2010-11

ANNUAL FUND DONATION 2009-10

THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Do Yoon Kim

THE MILLENNIUM CLUB Do Yoon Kim Heather and Sunny Yi

RED AND BLACK CLUB Anonymous Chul Ho Chang Timothy Cho THE CREST CLUB Leo Cho Christian and Benjamin Choi Shirley Droese John and Alice Engstrom Josh, Ben and Jacob Everett SeungChul Peter Hyun Rachel Lee Tzu Yu Sheng CENTENNIAL CLUB Andrew Byun Rebecca Dignan The Heller Family Carol Ann Sauer LaCroix ‘71 Alice Lavina Harrison Lee Harry, Linda and George Rudolph Heidi Stallings Michael Stern Peter and Kelly TomHon St. Mark’s Lutheran School

RED AND BLACK CLUB Kay Song (BT&I) The Kwun Family John C. O’Donnell The Shin Family THE CREST CLUB Hongchul and Yasmeen Bae Christian and Benjamin Choi James and Julie Danahy John and Alice Engstrom James and Sarah Hubbard Gunberg Celine Jin Ji Yong Lee Tracy and Tim Mohr The SFS Classified Staff Shou Liang Wang Yonhee Badminton Club CENTENNIAL CLUB Anonymous Kevin, Dee and Baker Family Andrew Byun Eunhi Cho Hyun Sook Hong Warren and Robin Hudson Carol LaCroix Andy and Joanna Lee Young Sun Lee Amy Lindholm Elizabeth Lloyd Patrick O’Malley Pete and Judy Penick Elise K. Prosser Langston and Linda Rogde Harry G. Rudolph Peter and Kelly TomHon

“I benefitted so much from attending SFS for ten years, a long time ago. It’s so exciting to see the improvements that SFS has made, and I am especially excited that a beautiful new high school is being built! I’d like to do my part in contributing to a terrific space for future generations of SFS students, so they can grow and thrive even more than I did!”

Hyungji Park, SFS Alum, Class of 1985

THE LEGACY CLUB Anonymous Jeff and Barbara Benson Tony and Margaret Curran Caroline Hahn Yoo Soo Kim Insil Tahk Yoojin Um Buhm Jin Yoon Youngja Yum

Donor Groups: LEGACY CLUB CENTENNIAL CLUB THE CREST CLUB RED AND BLACK CLUB MILLENNIUM CLUB 1912 SOCIETY

$1+ $100+ $1,000+ $5,000+ $10,000+ $50,000+

Bold and Italicized = Repeat Donor 11

Theatre Update,

Edie Moon, Drama Director

Students during Olivia dress rehersal

One hundred and twenty students take us to the world of Victorian England in Olivia. This is the story of a brave little girl (perhaps related to the popular character Oliver) who goes from orphanage to orphanage. Unlike some of the other

children she meets, however, she has a fiery spirit and refuses to succumb to the injustices of being an orphan in Victorian England. While other orphans ask for “more,” she asks for “less” as the food is too despicable to eat. Later, she inspires even the miserly Scrooge to give money to the poor. In the meantime, she meets Fagin and Dodger, Sherlock Holmes and Watson, George Bernard Shaw, Eliza Doolittle and some feisty flower girls who become her good friends.

The Key Stage 2 students began their journey in September when they started the process of learning their first songs and dances. Under the watchful care of their teachers, key stage leader, directors, and the incomparable Drama Mamas, the musical becomes heartwarming and inspiring. The world of Victorian England comes to life as well through the magic of costumes, sets, lighting and props.

The Year One IBTA (IB Theatre Arts) students are in the throes of preparing for their student led production of 100,

by Diene Petterle, Neil Monaghan and Christopher Heimann.

On February 8th and 9th in the Black Box Theatre, the students in the Year One class will be actors, directors and designers as they create the world of the Void and ask the question, “What memory would YOU choose if you must choose one memory from your life and capture it with a magical camera so that you can pass through to eternity?” 100, the play, was devised by theimaginarybody theatre company in England and was first seen at the 2002 Edinburgh Festival. The IB Theatre students have never been afraid of facing a theatre challenge, and this play will be no exception.

The high school spring musical will take an unexpected turn this spring with the performance of the Broadway musical, The Addams Family. Many might know the Addams Family from cartoons in The New Yorker of the 40’s and 50’s, the television show of the 60’s, the movies of the 80’s and 90’s, and now the Broadway musical! The quirky, unconventional, and odd approach to life of this family is widely recognizable

MS theatre,

Donna Youngblood, MYP Drama Teacher

Rehearsals are under way for The Masked Musketeer, a raucous comedy of the swashbuckling kind. The men of a small Spanish village are called to Madrid by the king, leaving only the women and three unruly “boys” behind. It doesn’t take long for the village to be overrun with bandits, so the three take it upon themselves to become musketeers. But these wanna be swashbucklers are more like knee bucklers, and they can’t even get the saying right! (All for three and three for all?!) Meanwhile, the women are coping with their own problems, and they grow discouraged until a masked musketeer swoops in to help before mysteriously disappearing.

Later, when the bandits find out the town has a hidden treasure, they take a hostage, demanding to have it and the masked musketeer delivered to them...or else!

VISIT BY GUEST FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER In preparation for the upcoming production of The Masked Musketeer, the SFS Drama Department hosted Alexis Black, Adjunct Professor of Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University trained in Movement for the Stage and specializing in Sword and Found Weapons Combat. She is an Actor/ 12

regardless of your age. This year, 45 high school performers at SFS will put their own interpretive touch on this story. On April 7th and 8th in the Lyso Center, the curtain will go up on an evening of surprises, special effects, music, dancing ancestors, and more to pique anyone’s curiosity. Go down memory lane and join the Addams Family. They are kooky and they are spooky, but why not?

The Masked Musketeer fight training

Combatant with Society of American Fight Directors, extensively experienced in choreography and instruction. In addition to 12 years of acting, directing and choreographing experience, working in the United States and Europe, she assisted famed Broadway Choreographer, David Leon, in fight choreography and movement on the Broadway production of Fool for Love, with Sam Rockwell and Nina Arianda.

Ms. Black worked with the Bandits and Musketeers of the SFMS Spring Production, instructing them in the basics of stage sword combat and preparing the four major combat and chase scenes for the show. Don't miss checking out all of their hard work on March 9th and 10th in Robb Hall at 5:30pm!

Service Activities at SFS

The spirit of service is intricately interwoven into the very fabric of SFS. It has become a part of our identity.

Service is an integral part of the mission of SFS, incorporating the

entire SFS community—students, parents, faculty, and staff. These are just some of the countless stories of service from SFS that weave a beautiful tapestry of how SFS has reached out to help others.

From ES students helping out at the soup kitchen in Joanna Lee’s class to HS students visiting senior citizens through the Discovery Week program of “Scents of Service” led by HS faculty, Min Sung Kim, Janie Brooks and Baena-Sallai Aliz, the thread of service keeps weaving through the heart of our school.

Service transcends language, culture and age. It brings all of these differences together. Accepting, caring and giving to others in genuine ways are indeed Christ-Like attitudes that are worthy to pursue.

With exciting future service plans this coming spring, such as a “Disco dance party” for the disabled students at ESWS Pyungtaek facility, and planting trees to help our environment in Seodaemungu, we hope to keep weaving the thread of service into the tapestry of SFS’s identity.

by Jean Kim, Christian Ministries Leader

SO-GOOD Project In our host district of Seodaemun-gu, 1800 to 2000 elderly and impoverished families go to the local food market to buy food at a menial cost. It has been reported that poverty has increased, but less people are giving to the food market.

For the SO-GOOD Project 2017 Canned Food Drive, SFS has worked hard to fill the empty shelves and provide canned goods and everyday items for the food market. The market not only received enough items to fill its shelves this winter, but the staff was able to put together extra gift boxes for the homebound elderly for the Lunar New Year, thanks to all of our awesome students and parents.

SFBS & Cambodia In Cambodia, malnourished children forage for meals daily, have little clothing to wear, and life becomes a struggle for the many to just make it through the day. To support these children, Seoul Foreign British School raised more than 5 million won for books, clothing and toys. During a Skype call with these Cambodian children, we learned that in order for the Cambodian children to come talk to us, they had to miss the chance of finding meals for that day. Instead of getting food, these children greeted the BS students to thank them.

They wore the donated BS uniforms and smiles that truly expressed, “Thank you for caring for me.”

Ethel’s Maul While the girls at Ethel’s Maul (founded by our first SFS teacher, Ethel Van Wagoner Underwood) were fast asleep, teachers and caretakers silently went around placing a decorated Christmas stocking by each sleeping girl. The teachers smiled thinking about how surprised the girls would be at the sight of the gifts the next morning. As the sun pierced through the morning sky, giggles and laughter filled the air. This was the first time these girls ever received a gift on Christmas morning. All this was possible through the care and time given by SFS’s own high school faculty led by Justyna McMillan, who made 49 amazing Christmas stockings for the girls at Ethel’s Maul.

KS3 Choir I went with the British school KS3 choir, led by Grace Hahm, to sing for the elderly at a convalescent home in December.

The audience sang along in Korean as the students sang the Christmas carols in English. I realized through this that helping others is not just about our deeds or being nice.

Rather, it is the ability to be able to connect with others in a genuine way. The choir was connecting collectively to another group with an age difference that spanned over 7080 years! The language was different, but they were able to connect through the carols as the choir members’ hearts of service shone through their singing. The different languages did not create a discord, but a harmony of young and older voices!

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Discovery Week Twenty-seven Discovery Week courses were offered from October 30 – November 6, 2016, which for many is a highlight of their high school experience at Seoul Foreign School. A photo contest was also held after the Discovery Week trip. For more information and photos from 2016 Discovery Week, please visit: http://seoulforeign.wixsite.com/discovery-week

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iscovery Week’s mission is to provide SFS High School students with an excellent experiential education. It is an opportunity to further SFS’s Mission Statement of promoting Christian values, personal integrity, and responsible world citizenship.

To this end, DW courses provide students with an experience from at least one of the following educational elements: service; culture/education; adventure/skill development; and host country experiences.

Discovery Week is a required curricular program sponsored by Seoul Foreign School. It is a regular school week in that the program has educational objectives, but it is different in that courses are offered in a format which most often does not resemble traditional classroom instruction. The offerings are rich and varied and may be conducted on SFS campus, in Seoul, throughout Korea, or overseas. Along with other SFHS students, our hope is that students will be exposed to people, places, and ideas with which they do not ordinarily come 14

in contact. The courses meeting the Discovery Week mission are designed each year by faculty sponsors and approved by the high school administration.

“Contributing to the Eco Bungalow Project was an amazing opportunity as I was able to contribute to a larger project that could potentially help the village and its people in the future.” anonymous student (Eco-Bungalow Project Laos) [Picture from trip, right]

“This year, we visited a Tay village, which is one of the 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam. We learned a lot about Tay culture and its differences and similarities to mainstream Vietnamese culture. This challenged us to think critically about the dangers and benefits of globalisation, as well as the preservation of the cultures of marginalised groups. We were also able to help with building...which let us save the skilled workers of the village time and energy and contribute something meaningful.”

Goose Masondo (vietnam service trip) [Pictures from trip, left] Taken during the Eco-Bungalow Project Laos within the Nong Khuang village.

“Our trip to rural Japan was eye-opening and really allowed us to disconnect from our city lives. We were opened to a lot of new perspectives that do not exist in our every day lives. Through meeting with local rice farmers and workers, we were warmed by their extreme kindness and patience with foreign teenagers.

We got in touch with traditional culture in its purest form, even through a homestay experience. We’ll never forget their incredible hospitality and the amazing food that they were so willing to provide for us. Our trip to Japan taught us a lot about values and morals we will carry with us for a long time.”

Gabriella Chu (A Japanese walkabout)

[Picture from trip, left]

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FACULTY PROFILE

MEET THE

WORDEN FAMILY MARK WORDEN, AQUATICS COORDINATOR & LAURA WORDEN, SPORTS ASSISTANT

From left: Josh, Mark, Laura, Dan, and Nathan

How did you come in contact with SFS? Some friends from our home town in Oregon were working at an international school in Korea and they spoke very highly of their experience teaching there. They told us about an opening at SFS in aquatics and suggested we apply. Laura and I had both worked in aquatics for many years, but never overseas. We weren’t currently looking for a new position, but with our youngest son starting college we were more flexible to consider living and working in another country. We never would have known about this opening if our friends hadn’t 16

pointed it out. We looked into the position and decided it would be good to mix things up, as far as our normal work routine, and go on an adventure together.

How would you characterize your experience at SFS? Well, one thing we’ll mention is that we prayed before we came to SFS. We prayed that God would use us in a positive way in relation to our school, church, friends, and community. After a few short years, we realized we are the ones who have been positively affected. We love the school, and we

feel deep ties to many new friends.

And being at SFS has introduced us to a new church and a new community, both of which have been wonderful experiences.

One of our goals for taking a job at an international school was to build memories together as a married couple and this has certainly been a result of being at SFS. Our experience at SFS has been educational, memorable, positive and even life changing.

How do you feel about SFS’s community with respect to your own spirituality and faith?

What, in your opinion, is SFS’s greatest strength?

SFS’s greatest strength is its belief that the character of the employees it recruits is essential toward maintaining the type of excellence that sets it apart from other international schools. In addition to recruiting employees for character, SFS values building character in its students. That commitment to teaching and building character in students is one of the main reasons why we love SFS so much.

A faith-based mission statement is what attracted us to SFS. We have enjoyed being able to be open about our faith while on campus, and we are glad to see that SFS has maintained its faith-based focus for decades. Many schools that were started by a church or mission board have long since dropped those religious ties, and we are glad SFS has maintained its own.

It has been encouraging to our own Footnote: Sadly, Mark and Laura will be faith to participate in monthly prayer leaving SFS in June. Though their time with meetings on campus and to be a part us was short (two years), they have etched an of an on-campus weekly Bible study. indelible mark in the community with their We couldn’t have done that at our exemplary work ethic and compassionate spirit. previous public school in the States.

They will be sorely missed.

What would be your recommendation for SFS for the future?

We recommend that SFS continues to maintain its faith-based mission statement and its encouragement of a Christ-like attitude.

We recommend that the School continues to explore service projects for students in the local community.

We encourage the global service projects that currently occur, including those enabled by Discovery Week, but we especially encourage the school to reach out and serve locally in a way that makes our surrounding community glad that SFS is a part of it.

From left: Nathan, Josh, Laura, Mark, and Dan

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SPORTS UPDATE 2016 Crusader Cross Country

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he SFS Cross Country team had another excellent season in 2016. While young and new to the challenges of running at the highest levels of KAIAC competition, both the boys and girls finished the season with a 24-3 record, each claiming second place in the Conference regular season and third place at KAIAC Tournament finals.

A total of 9 runners earned their Varsity Letter for the first time this fall, 4 of whom were freshmen.

SFS had 4 boys and 5 girls place on the KAIAC All-Conference Team.

Boys All-Conference Runners: Ty Hacking, Hudson Lee, Adam Kennedy, and Harry Kang Girls All-Conference Runners: Jane Andersen, Erica Kim, Josephine Vibe-Hansen, Charlotte Nouwen, and Silje Jasienski SFS had one boy and three girls place on the KAIAC AllTournament Team.

Boys All Tournament Runners: Ty Hacking Girls All Tournament Runners: Jane Andersen, Erica Kim, and Josephine Vibe-Hansen

While all runners performed tremendously this year, of note was sophomore Jane Andersen, the regular season female KAIAC Champion. At the API XC Meet in Guam which featured some of the best runners in the Asia-Pacific area, Jane placed third out of 118 runners.

2016 Crusader tennis The season of strong team play was complimented by some truly memorable individual performances. Ellie Lee did not only finish the league undefeated, she did so without dropping a game 80-0.

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Dongkyu Choi, a reserve player on the 2015 squad, made such a concerted effort at off-season improvement that he ended 2016 as the league #2 Singles Boys Champion. Not to be outdone, seniors, Lynne Chong, Chloe Lee, Sean Kim, YooJoon Lee and Zachary Park capped off their SFS tennis careers as undefeated league winners.

n mid-August, as the SFS Tennis team began to take shape, a sense of expectation arose around the team.

This squad, already rich in upper-class experience and talent, was joined by a prodigiously skilled group of freshmen and The KAIAC tournament offered little change from the regular season as the sophomores. The potential existed for a Crusaders won the girls and boys team truly successful season! titles. Propelling the team were standout performances from Yunah Ough and With the start of league play, the team Terryn Jung, who played perhaps the began to show just how successful it tournament’s most dominant tennis in would become. A 10-0 season-opening winning their doubles final. sweep of TCIS demonstrated more than just a strong start: it was the beginning of a season-long habit of dominance that propelled the team into an overall undefeated record in league play. A record of 100-0 requires no superlatives.

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While on the boys’ side of the draw, Tawan Banyatpiyaphod showed his mental toughness in overcoming a 3-6 deficit to win the #1 Singles Boys Championship Title in a thrilling final.

Andrew Suh and Ting Wang also capped

off stellar seasons with their doubles partners and left the tournament as champions.

APAC provided the toughest competition of the year, though the SFS athletes proved talented enough to take home the boys and girls titles and four individual titles. Jasmine Kipa, a hugely talented singles player, showed her versatility and teamed with Lynne Chong to win the girls’ doubles in dominant fashion.

Tawan Banyatpiyaphod swept aside the competition in boys’ singles and breezed to the singles title. Ellie Lee, in Middle School this time last year, made quick work of the competition and took home the girls singles title. Perhaps most impressive were Zachary Park and Yunah Ough who won the mixed doubles title while playing together for the first time all year.

Looking back on their year, the team can take great pride in their accomplishments - both as individuals and as a team. Their undefeated season and overall wins at both KAIAC and APAC have established a new standard by which to measure the SFS Tennis team in the future.

2016 Crusader Boys Volleyball KAIAC League, we finished 9-3 … not bad - but our 3 losses were crushing 0-to-3 set defeats to YISS & SAHS, who both finished the Conference ahead of us. At the APAC Tournament, we were inconsistent but had some really amazing moments - finishing 3rd place (with a 4-4 record). At times we played well enough to beat any team there, but we had trouble maintaining our energy level. Overall, it was a strong showing which would serve us well as we tried to defend our KAIAC Tournament Championship for the 4th straight time.

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ith only 6 returning Varsity players and 1 returning coach, this year’s team seemed ill-fated to pull off the KAIAC Conference & Tournament Championship DOUBLE 4-PEAT! In the

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his year, our team went 12-0 claiming the title of Conference Champions. The team was led by our seniors who helped us, the new coaches, transition to SFS. The seniors helped out in practices and games by doing the warmups and often coming up with drills that we could use in practices. This was valuable to the team and to us as new coaches at this school.

During KAIAC league play, we lost only a few sets with OSAN being our toughest competition. We did, however, have a few sets where we were down and had to battle back and win--which the girls did, to their credit. They never gave up even when it seemed that the other team had the momentum and we could have lost.

The APAC-Asia Division tournament was held in Beijing this year where the girls worked hard and played well against some really well-trained teams. Brent proved itself to be the strongest team at the tournament in both pool play and the playoffs.

In order to keep the KAIAC Tournament Championship 4-PEAT streak alive, we would need to beat two teams who had dominated us during league play.

The bad news … in the past 27 years, no KAIAC team - either girls or boys has ever been able to accomplish this feat → finish 3rd in the Conference and WIN the Championship. The KAIAC semi-final match against YISS will go down as one of the best displays of steely determination, mental toughness and total reversal of domination by a team I have ever coached - we won 25-12, 25-23, 2520. To the finals … in an epic 5-set battle befitting a KAIAC Tournament

Championship finals, we emerged as the clear winners, culminated by a dominating 15-4 deciding set score.

We did it! The KAIAC Championship 4-PEAT streak is alive! Stay tuned until next year to see if there will be a fabled FIVE-PEAT! Congratulations to our two captains: Daniel Bang & Ghye Brown - both earned ALL KAIAC & ALL APAC & Team Co-MVP honors. Daniel had a pivotal role in the team’s ‘comeback’ tournament victory - amassing more than twice as many kills as the nearest competitor - and he was awarded the KAIAC Tournament MVP. Kudos also go to (Senior) Paul Yoon, (Junior Setter) Brandon Sohn & (Freshman Libero/ Setter) Gabriel Myong - all three snagged ALL KAIAC recognition. Overall Record 16-7 (9-3 Conference; 3-0 Tournament; 4-4 APAC).

Thanks to (JV Boys) Coach Kamphuis for his support and (APAC) Coach Hwang for her help with motivating the guys to achieve their potential.

by Coach Adam Teather

2016 Crusader Girls Volleyball

In our match against them, we played with spirit and determination and almost took a set off of them. In spite of the loss, the team didn’t back down and gave it their best effort.

At the season ending KAIAC Tournament, the Crusader girls once again played with poise and determination to ultimately take the championship. Not that it was an

easy run. In fact, there were a number of hard won sets that kept everyone on edge. In the end, the girls showed their true character by working for every point, staying disciplined and not giving up. Overall the season was a very successful one, filled with memories that will live long into the future.

by Coach Brad Johnson 19

Alumni interview,

Hyungji Park ‘85

Launching the Design Factory Korea, April 2015

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graduated from SFS in 1985, flew some seven thousand miles to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started as a freshman at Harvard College. Freshman year was a blur of late-night discussions about the meaning of life (over pizza), “comping” for the Harvard Crimson (the daily student newspaper), and taking introductory science courses. After two years of majoring in Biology, a summer spent as a research assistant in a major research lab taught me that 1) I did not want the life of a postdoctoral research fellow, ten years later, and 2) not everyone in the world reads novels in any spare time available. Revelation number two led me to walk into the English department office, ask if I could major in English (with honors) in two years (although I had not taken a single college course in English literature).

Junior year was possibly the best year of my life. I was flush with the thrill of a new major (I had loved reading and writing throughout my time at SFS, but I think I was just hypnotized by Mr. Moon into loving biology also), holding leadership positions in student clubs, and generally enjoying college. Senior year I spent writing a senior thesis and debating the meaning of life after college.

After one year as a teaching fellow at Concord Academy, I went to graduate school in English Literature at Princeton University. Six years saw another change. I entered graduate school thinking I would major in 16th century Renaissance lyric (again, entranced by my college version of a Mr. Moon), and left majoring in 19th century Victorian novels. I had spent

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all of my junior high and high school years reading and re-reading (and crying over) the Brontë novels, and now, I had truly come home.

My first academic job was as an Assistant Professor at Union College, in Schenectady, New York. I loved teaching at a small liberal arts college, and the interactions with my students and colleagues there really set the foundations for me on how to be an academic. After four years there, genetics and destiny brought me back to Seoul and Yonsei University, and I have been in the English department here, just one slight fence away from SFS, since 2000. I married a year later, in 2001, and my husband joined me at Yonsei soon after. Two kids, now 11 and 13, followed.

My field of research is the 19th century English novel, and I look into questions like, what was England’s relationship with its colonies, and what is the novel’s role within this historical fact of Empire? Sometimes I will begin my class with the question, why are we here? Why are we in this classroom, speaking in English, and why should we spend a semester learning about the 19th century English novel? I answer that it is because of what happened in 19th century England (the greatest empire in the world at the time), and the fact that England’s power coincided with the advent of modern technology as we know it, that English became the world language. If the Internet Revolution had happened three hundred years earlier, we might all be

speaking Spanish, or Chinese. Recently, I extend these interests to probe into questions of location: How can my work as a scholar of English literature reflect, even take advantage of, the fact that I live in Seoul?

I have also been an administrator.

At Yonsei University, I developed the educational programming for the new Residential College program at the International Campus in Songdo. I also spent four years, until recently, as Dean of Underwood International College (UIC), Yonsei’s all-English honors college. We say that UIC is an American liberal arts college within a major Korean research university, and combines the best of both worlds. It was really exciting to be an administrator and to think constantly about what educational programs would benefit students. As Dean of UIC, I hosted lots of international visitors, doubled the size of our students and our faculty, created new programs such as the Design Factory Korea and a whole new set of interdisciplinary majors, and learned from colleagues from all over the world. It was an unforgettable experience.

But what is most important to me is my life as a teacher and as a researcher. In research, I hope to uncover new ideas and make original connections that will benefit other scholars and students. In the classroom, I get to help young people discover new insights into literature and our society. I believe that I have the best job in the world. I get to read books that I love, write about those books, and share my love with young people. And I get paid a living wage to do what I love. It is a joy to come to work every day.

alumni interview,

Hyungji Park ‘85

Having a class outdoors, on Yonsei’s campus, Spring 2014

What was your experience like attending SFS? How long were you here?

I was at SFS for ten years, from second through twelfth grade (I skipped a grade along the way). SFS was a much smaller school at the time, and my graduating class had some 40 students in it. Ten years at SFS taught me everything I know about social relationships…only a few of my classmates were with me for the whole decade. I learned to make friends, to let them go, and to welcome new ones.

Do you feel SFS prepared you well for College?

As far as I know, I was the first SFS graduate to go to Harvard.

In high school, SFS was my entire life—we had no hagwons or tutors at the time (or at least, I didn’t!). Going to school, staying after school for clubs or activities, and then coming home to do homework or whatever my teachers at SFS had directed me to do was all that I did. At Harvard, in everything from academics to my extracurricular choices, never once did I feel less prepared than the classmate sitting next to me.

What was most exceptional about my SFS experience, in retrospect, was its tremendous internationalization. Colleges boast of their “diversity,” and I remember feeling that my college’s diversity was nothing compared to that of SFS. SFS taught me, intuitively and instinctively, the meaning of diversity and respect for all cultures, beliefs, and personal backgrounds.

A family trip to Cappadocia, Turkey, January 2015

Any message you would like to convey to the high school seniors who may want to pursue a career in your field?

Do what you love. Don’t choose a career based upon what you think you “should” do…think about what career would allow you to spend the most time doing what you “love” doing. How can your hobbies lead to a career? Only if you do what you love will you do your best in it, and stay for the long run.

A quote we may use from you regarding your memories at SFS? Gosh, it’s hard to come up with something to apply to the most formative decade of my life. The ten years that I spent at SFS were unique. One interesting element of my life then was that I had a somewhat distant relationship to a complicated period in Korea’s history. Did I grow up in Seoul during the years 1975-85? Yes, I was physically in Korea during that period, but I was culturally in an international school that could have been anywhere. One of the constant facts in my schooling experience was the tear gas that would drift over to SFS in the late afternoon. I thought then more of the discomfort than I did of the politics. Little did I know that, a decade and a half after leaving SFS, I would return to Seoul, just across the fence to the university that was ground zero for all of that tear gas.

With Kenzaburo Oe, Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, at Yonsei’s World Forum, March 2015

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Service Events “The best part, however, was being able to try CPR on the dummies and to practice giving the Heimlich maneuver using the special training apparatus.”

Lauren Teather, SFS Faculty

CPR Training On August 10th and 11th during faculty workdays, all school-wide faculty members (about 270 people) received first-aid training— CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), AED (automated external defibrillator) and the Heimlich maneuver. Nine firefighters from the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters came to our campus and provided four training sessions in Robb Hall. Before these sessions, the SFS Health Office worked closely with the firefighters for about a year in order to provide this training in English. They brought the training mannequins, AEDs and Heimlich training vests so that all teachers and TAs could engage in “handson” practice.

Also, on November 1st and 2nd, the firefighters from the Seodaemun Fire Station came to the campus and offered the same kind of first-aid training in Korean to all classified staff (about 110 people) including bus drivers, bus safety monitors, and cleaning staff. The purpose of this training is to provide a safe school environment for students and faculty, and to comply with the new enforcement regulations of the School Health Act.

by Dr. Jae-Eun Lah, School Nurse

Energy Chat As part of their Unit of Inquiry on Energy, the SFES Grade 4 classes toured the school grounds to note the types of energy used on campus. Then they interviewed Mr. Andy Lee, Director of General Affairs, and Head Technician, Mr. Moonjin Lee. Grade 4 students (and teachers!) were captivated as Mr. Lee and Mr. Lee explained how energy is converted, stored and used at SFS. They also discussed SFS’s plan to use energy sustainably by installing solar panels in the new High School building.

by Leila Webb, ES Grade 4 Teacher

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Homecoming Games January 13, 2017

SFS 49 vs HHS 53 (L) KAIAC Record 5-2 Overall Record 5-2

It was a tough loss against Humphreys High School, Pyeongtaek (HHS), at our annual homecoming game. We had a great crowd and the game was filled with exciting moments with both teams hitting big shots at different points in the game.

We were still very close to winning the game and were on the verge of turning the corner.

However, all of our team goals are still in front of us, and we are hopeful this game will give us the experience we need to win the APAC and KAIAC finals.

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Alumni notes/visits Alumni Visits/Notes

1970s

Class Rep: Veronica CREVECOEUR ‘76 John KIM ‘71* was recently elected to be the new president of the Korean American CPA Society of Northern California. He will hold this position for the next two years. He attended the Korean American CPA conference in September and will be attending the next conference in October of 2017 in Jeju-do. This will be the first time this conference is hosted outside of the U.S. When he comes for this conference, he plans on visiting SFS as he will be going to Seoul around that time.

Karen Winchell DUBERT ‘72 attended SFS from the third through the twelfth grade. Upon graduation she entered Trinity International University earning a BA in English Education and graduate degrees from Northern Illinois University (MS Ed) and Columbia International University (MA Ed). As a missionary, she volunteers in community developments and mentors youth by training them to be future leaders. She has worked in Swaziland (4 years), the People’s Republic of China (1 year), Mozambique (19 years) and Zimbabwe (1 year). She currently is working in South Africa (4 years) where she provides services to the marginalized people in that area. Her project, called East Mountain, focuses on Africa’s future leaders, including those from surrounding townships.

Rebecca ‘76 and Debbie ‘84 DIGNAN recently visited SFS. Debbie’s daughter, Lacey, came along for the adventure. Good times. Rebecca is a cardiac surgeon at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney and has been an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales since 1996. Debbie, who attended the University of Wollongong in Australia after graduating from SFS, met her future husband there and settled in for the duration. She continues to live in NSW and is now enjoying being a grandparent.

Rebecca’s memories of SFS revolve around sports (basketball-captain of the team; soccer), hiking around Ansan (Saddleback) and…oh yes…studying (class salutatorian, no less). Debbie’s memories revolve around hanging out in the cafeteria, the ajumonis that worked at the school, the basketball games with all the cheering and chanting that accompanied them, Mrs. Riemer’s sewing and food classes, and Jack & Edie Moon’s year of romance in 1984. When asked about the most lasting impression she has of SFS, she said “the caring teachers I had and the life-long friends I have made.”

Rachel MOON ’78 was back in Korea for a couple of weeks visiting with her daughter Elizabeth (attending Yonsei University for 6 months). With some free time on her hands, she stopped by to get a full tour of the school and see how it has changed over the years. The answer is…a lot!! Two things that hadn’t changed were the Korean gate and the Annex. Seeing the terrazzo floors and the old stairwells in the HS brought back more than a few memories of days gone by!!! Like most returning alumni, she was impressed by the quality of the new facilities and was interested in the plans for the new HS building.

After 20 years in the Washington, D.C. area, the family moved to Charlottesville, VA, where Rachel serves as Chief of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She is studying factors affecting sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. One of her current projects aims to understand the influence of the social network (family, friends, and peers) and social norms (explicit and implicit rules of a social group) on parental decisions about how and where their infants sleep. She hopes to learn how the differences in social networks and norms contribute to disparities in SIDS and sleep-related infant deaths particularly among African-Americans.

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1980s

Class Rep: Chang (Dean) PARK ‘89 Jim RATHBUN ’80 graduated at the end of Jack Moon’s first year at SFS as a teacher. Jim was the son of missionary parents here in Korea associated with The Evangelical Alliance Mission, also known as “TEAM.” Jim attended SFS from 1971-1980, from 3rd through 12th grade except for 5th and 10th grade when his parents were on furlough in the U.S. His brothers, John Mark ’75 and Joel ‘78, and sister, Joanna ‘84 also attended SFS. Jim attended Wheaton College located west of Chicago and taught math for 16 years until he decided to engage in missionary work. He spent 13 years in Venezuela and has become active in global outreach work. He currently serves as the Director for Northeast Asia for TEAM mission.

Jim remembers his days at SFS with great fondness. Band and winning backto-back Far East Basketball Championships in ’79 and ’80 rank at the top of his memories. But he was quick to comment that the community of friends that he had, left an indelible memory. He also remembers his teachers as caring individuals who went the extra mile to support and prepare him for life and ministry.

After SFS, Alice KIM ‘82 studied at Cornell University receiving a B.A. in Economics in 1986 and then went to Harvard University to study architecture (First Professional Degree-1990) which she has pursued since then. Currently she is Co-founder and Principal of John Friedman (husband) and Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK), and is also Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Architecture. Alice has been a speaker on TED Talks where she offered her perspective on architecture.

She noted “Many people don’t realize that architecture is first and foremost a service career. While we strive for artistry, above all we are providing shelter, useful and functional space, and inspiring environments to make people’s lives better, more productive, and more creative. We are also responding in a sensitive way to the environmental challenges that the world currently faces.”

They provide their expertise to numerous public service projects that benefit underprivileged or marginalized communities in areas where they work.

Alexander LIM ‘86 attended Cornell University and graduated in 1990, having received an AB with Distinction in all Subjects including Genetics and Developmental Biology. He went on to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to become an MD in 1994. His residency was in Anesthesiology at the University Health Center. He then served as an anesthesiologist in the USAF for 4 years (1998-2002) in Lackland AFB in Texas. Currently (2002 to present) he is an anesthesiologist and partner in a private practice with Carolina Anesthesiology, at High Point, NC. He is married to an Internist and has two sons.

David BROWN ‘87 graduated from St. John’s College with a degree in Liberal Arts. He then returned to his science roots and got his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Davis, in 2001. Now he is a professor of Mathematics at Colorado College, a selective Liberal Arts college.

David teaches a wide range of math courses, and carries out research in Mathematical Biology. He is married to a biologist (clever move) and has had to learn enough about lacrosse to coach his son’s team. His favorite dessert is π.

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Alumni notes/visits Alumni Visits/Notes

1980s

continued Vickie SHIN ’89, sister of Lawrence SHIN ‘94, stopped by to visit and find out how things were going with her husband during their short break from work.

Vickie, who attended Brown University, is now an Interventional Cardiologist.

Her husband is a radiologist, and they are currently living in Redondo Beach, CA. When I asked her about her memories of SFS, she mentioned being on the Brain Bowl team, participating in Model UN and serving as the newspaper editor for The Spirit. But beyond the specifics, she spoke of the lasting impressions that SFS teachers had on her. She remarked, “As I mentioned before, my line of work has led me to be a ‘professional student’ for a good part of my life.

And I’ve been fortunate enough to have come across some amazing teachers and educational experiences. But I think my years at SFS were the most formative and influential. Not only for the knowledge gained, which can fade with time, but rather for the foundation of values and the desire to learn that can’t be quantified by any standardized tests. The unique environment that an international school fosters opens our eyes to so many different worlds and people. And one of the most important things we learn is that there is so much to learn…and we are motivated to continue learning throughout our lives.”

1990s

Class Rep: David RHA ‘92 Class Rep: Benjamin CHAI ‘94 Class Rep: Renee KANG ‘94 Class Rep: Lionel CHUFFART ‘95* Shelly (Ben MAYOR) ZIV ‘91* came by to visit SFS after a 30 year absence. Shelly and her older sister, Mirit, attended SFS from 1982 until 1987 before returning to Israel. She was amazed to see the incredible changes in the school’s facilities and commented that she would love for her son to attend a school like SFS. Her strongest memories revolved around the “amazing staff and students from all over the world that together established a unique community where we all had the chance to learn and absorb each other’s cultures and traditions.” Oh yes…she also remembers cinnamon roll days down in the cafeteria!

Shelly started as a writer and editor for a magazine but has shifted jobs and is now chief business officer for Nununu Baby Ltd., a clothing chain. Check it out at Nununuworld.com! Outside of work, Shelly is involved in the organization, Roots; its aim is to assist the aging holocaust survivor population, many of whom are alone and without families and a lot of them without means. “We make sure to provide them with food especially around the holidays, and offer them some company and basically make sure they know someone is there for them.”

Jaime CHEW (1990-93) stopped by the office the other day with her two adorable daughters. We took a tour of the school that was mostly new to her, except for our stroll through the HS building. The terrazzo floors, the hallways and lockers and classrooms all brought back many memories. Jaime went to UNLV for her studies and now lives in Selangor, Malaysia, where she holds a job as Director of Marketing and Communications. When I asked her about one lasting impression she has about her time at SFS, she remarked “…the friendly teachers who taught me. We still keep in touch after all these years. SFS has a great education program.” For those of us here, that’s music to our ears.

Julie SCHUBERT-SPONAGEL ‘91 attended SFS starting in pre-Kindergarten and graduated in 1991 (missing just kindergarten, 4th grade, and 9th grade for furloughs). She went to Point Loma University in sunny San Diego, CA, majoring in Communications-Business. She is now a corporate trainer & sales manager in the field of software & consulting solutions for Talent Management / Human Resources. She also spends time volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Downtown Outreach KC where she works to feed the homeless and the poor.

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Bo MOON ‘95 attended Cornell University and studied in the College of Engineering after graduating from SFS. His expertise is in Business Development and Innovation. Currently he is Head of Innovation Strategy, a Think Tank Team associated with Samsung. Outside of work, Bo serves as a mentor in the iMentor program (imentor.org) helping underprivileged students gain the skills needed to graduate from high school and enter college. He is a volunteer and supporter for NYC Relief (http://www.newyorkcityrelief.org/), a Christian mobile food/job assistance provider for the homeless.

Erica SUNG ‘96 was in Seoul along with her sister, Andrea ’98, and dropped by the school to see how things had changed. Erica studied at Wellesley College for her undergraduate degree and did her graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Medial Pediatric Speech-Language pathology. Currently she lives in Los Angeles and is working as a speech pathologist and loving every minute of it.

When asked about a lasting impression she had of the SFS community, she replied, “One of the things I will always cherish about my time at SFS is the opportunity to have grown up with people from all over the world. I will forever be appreciative of having learned about all different types of cultures in a naturalistic way, and I hope it has made me a better global citizen.”

Andrea SUNG ‘98, like her sister, graduated from Wellesley College. She then entered the job market and found herself trying out a number of different jobs before settling on her current position as the Director of Operations for a restaurant launched in South Pasadena, California. When not at her job, Andrea has reached out to others in need through organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Hope for LA. She’s a woman on the move.

Her memories of SFS include the community feel of the school, growing up with teachers who remained with SFS over the years, the making of lifelong friends and the wonderful experience of being a Third Culture Kid growing up in a thriving, evolving urban environment. Other memories included the terrazzo floors, the traditional Korean gate, and the buzz of everyday school life.

Julie YOO ’98, also known as Jules, treated us by coming to visit SFS along with her husband, Albert, and their adorable baby Aiden. Aiden was a happy camper throughout the entire visit and deserves a big shout out. Jules mentioned she believes there is a special, unique bond that exists among SFS alumni. She talked about her friends as life-long friends and spoke nostalgically about her days of playing volleyball and soccer. After finishing at MIT, she pursued her interest the field of technology. She ultimately co-founded Kyruus--of which she is the Chief Product Officer. Kyruus was founded by a team of physicians and technologists who saw an opportunity to leverage Big Data to better measure the variation across physician practice styles. They then develop solutions to help maximize the value of every physician in the context of healthcare delivery networks.

Currently living in Boston, MA, she serves on the Board of Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council, dedicated to enabling the technological ecosystem. Her company participates in a volunteer effort called Cradles to Crayons which provide clothing packs to kids around Boston area who are in need. In 2016, she was recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, an honor for which we would like to congratulate her.

2000s

Class Rep: Jennifer CHA ‘02 Class Rep: Michelle LEE ‘03 Class Rep: Alex PAIK ‘04 Alyson SLACK ‘00 graduated from American University with a BA and MA in International Economic Policy. She currently works for New York State’s Economic Development Agency. Outside of work, she moonlights as a professional violinist by night and on weekends.

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Alumni Visits/Notes

2000s continued

Jaekuen LEE ‘01 attended Seoul Foreign School from K-12. Less than three months after graduation, America was attacked on 9/11, which drove him to enlist in the United States Army with the intent of serving in direct combat.

He has served for the past 12 years as a Green Beret in Army Special Forces.

Jaekuen’s career has exposed him to the extremes of the human condition, from conducting disaster relief operations during the flooding in Thailand, to participating in unconventional warfare exercises in Korea, and to embedding in rural villages in southern Afghanistan to protect them against a brutal and radical insurgency. He has forgone any substantial profit or personal gain otherwise generally afforded to an SFS graduate, but what he has gained is a true appreciation for selfless service, a thorough understanding of grit and perseverance, and a unique appreciation for life that can only be realized through a willingness to give it up so that others may live.

Anna (COHEN) LANDIS ‘02* lives now in Lawrence, Kansas. She and her brother attended SFS from 1990-1992. She studied at the University of Kansas for both her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and for Law School. Currently, she is an attorney for the State of Kansas Department of Revenue - Legal Services Bureau.

Marla AQUINO ’02, her husband, and sleeping baby daughter Margarita dropped by to say ‘Hi’ and reconnect with anyone from the past. A tour of the school from Mr. Krugler left her impressed with how much the school had changed. When asked what lasting impression she has of the school and her time here, Marla commented on the caring and supportive atmosphere that remains a hallmark of SFS. Marla and family currently live in Metro Manila in the Philippines where she attended Ateneo De Manila University and studied law. Currently she is splitting her time between practicing law and being a mother.

Maki SAITO ‘04 was at SFS from 2000-2004. After graduating, Maki attended Yonsei University with a major in International Studies at the Underwood International College. Currently she is working at Interpark, an online company. While this is not related to her field of study, she has been able to utilize her multilingual capabilities while seeking other job opportunities.

Outside of work, Maki volunteers at her church. This past summer she went to work with Kids International Ministry in Cainta, Philippines, which is something near and dear to her heart.

Minju CHO (Michelle while at SFS) ’06 graduated from SFS in 2006 and attended Harvard University, where she studied political philosophy in the Government Department. She spent three years after college working in Korea and China, and then went to law school at Yale University. She graduated in 2016 and took and passed the California bar exam. She is currently a law clerk to a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and next year will have a similar job working for a judge on the Supreme Court of California. After she is done with her clerkships, she plans to be an immigrant rights’ lawyer or a public defender. She intends to devote her career to defending the civil and human rights of the poor and marginalized, especially indigent immigrants and criminal defendants.

Ien CHI ‘09 graduated from Oxford College/Emory University as a religion major.

He went on to work as a freelance writer, director and editor. After graduating from college in May 2014, he’s worked hard to pursue his vision of feature filmmaking. Currently, he’s on set editing his first narrative feature film starring Christine Woods (Walking Dead), Karen Fukuhara (Suicide Squad), and Miyavi (Unbroken) - directed by his good friend Joe Sill. Watch out for it in theaters in about 2 years! The film is tentatively entitled Stray, and it’s a history/drama/ action film set in a dark magical noir world.

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2010s

Class Rep: Kayla MOON ‘10 Class Rep: Joon KIM ‘14 Brian SHIN ‘11 attended Boston University at the Questrom School of Business majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting and Management Information Systems. He also was commissioned as an officer in the US Army through BU’s ROTC program.

On the civilian side, he is currently working as a data analyst at a software company. On the military side, he’s served as a platoon leader for the 812th Military Police Company and currently serves as a signal officer for the 399th Combat Support Hospital. Outside of work he also partners with a few full-time missionaries as their financial supporter and works with an organization called ‘Route One’ (http://lovedbyrouteone.org/) that fights human trafficking.

If any students are interested in pursuing a career in the US military or are exploring scholarship opportunities through ROTC, he is more than happy to answer any questions they might have or direct them to the appropriate resources. He said, “I know I had a good amount of trouble finding out the information I needed, and there was no one really available to explain how things worked. They can email me at emailofbrianshin@gmail.com.”

Apart from studying Business Administration at IE University (Madrid, Spain), Jacob LUNDEN-WELDEN ‘12 is pursuing a career in his hobby of music. He is currently the lead guitarist in a local band called Go The Distance, as well as the singer and rhythm guitarist of a band that he started. Apart from bands, he is involved in many other acoustic duos and trios. With the acoustic band, he has been very involved in supporting local charities by playing for different fundraisers. By combining his love for music with the delight of spreading happiness, he has been able to find incredible joy. He finds that doing what you love really has a positive impact on your daily life, because everything you do is fun.

Former Faculty

Nellie Baldwin MINER Schultz passed away on Wednesday, January 18th, from ovarian cancer in the company of her son and daughter, Todd Schultz and Aimee Feuser. Nellie’s entire life was centered on the value of education. A long-time elementary school teacher, she retired in 2008 but continued tutoring and substitute teaching. Nellie invented games and other tutoring aides, customizing her approach to each child. Nellie will be remembered for her positive attitude, resourcefulness, creativity, zest for life, and strong Christian faith. Nellie is survived by her two children; her beloved two granddaughters, her brothers James and John; and her sisters Joyce, Norma, and Marie.

Becky ANDERSON, former SFS High School Spanish teacher (1981-85), passed away on September 6, 2016, from cancer. She was a much loved high school teacher while at SFS. Becky was always so open and friendly and supportive of the students. The 1985 yearbook was dedicated to her with the words: “Ms. Anderson, your care for students was in everything you did. From the extra time you put in with each student, to your enthusiastic and happy nature in and outside of the classroom, you showed us the worth of learning by your dedication to teaching. The hallways were always bright with your smile and cheerful greetings. You were the best friend and teacher many of us could hope to have. We will miss you deeply.” Those sentiments are even more true now.

Barbara STANLEY, who taught at SFS from 1972-76, recently passed away from heart failure. She and her husband, Art, as well as Kathleen and Mark, their children, came to SFS in 1972. Art was the Religious Activities Coordinator, and they lived up in the old “dormitory” long since gone now sitting on the site of where D Building is. Barbara used to joke about all she had to do was get up in the morning, open the door from their apartment, and she was in her kindergarten classroom. (continues next page...)

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Alumni Visits/Notes

Former Faculty Cont. (...cont) There was a fireplace in that classroom left over from when it was a dorm, and we used to have faculty gatherings gathered around that fireplace with folks like Ian and Rona Robb, Helen and Chuck Debelak, and we’d do singalongs with Ian Robb thumping away the beat on a styrofoam box he’d grabbed out of the classroom. Wonderful memories of some really great people.

It was good to spend time with Jonathan and Soon-ok Borden as they were visiting family back here in Korea. Chuck Krugler, Jack and Edie Moon, Joon and Esther Myong all gathered at the Beastro for an evening of good food and lots of laughter. Jonathan is now retired and living in Shanghai with his wife who continues to teach at Shanghai American School – Pudong Campus. Jonathan served as the HS principal there for many years but is now able to engage only when he wants to. He highly recommends that option. Dusting off a previous skill set, Jonathan now substitutes in the Middle School when needed.

Soon-ok will continue to teach Kindergarten for two more years before she retires. In the meantime, Jonathan is beefing up his cooking skills and promises to share those with anyone that comes to visit. Having been a guest in their house in the past, I highly recommend it.

Dick Underwood with Former Korean classified staff The Underwood clan were invited back to Korea this fall to celebrate the first Underwood’s (Horace Grant Underwood) work in Korea, the founder of Yonsei University. It was the 100th anniversary of his death, and 27 Underwoods came to honor his work. Horace was Dick Underwood’s grandfather.

Dick Underwood’45 was a member of Seoul Union Church for much of his adult life and served on the

church council as well as various committees. On Sunday, he spoke to the congregation reminding them of the role played by the church in the early days and the importance of it being a place at which many missionary kids expanded the campus from two to eight committed their lives to Christ. academic buildings. He established a salary, benefit, and retirement plan with In the years that Dick Underwood was suitable convenient housing to attract Head of School at SFS, the student and retain faculty. Over the years, Dick body grew from about 120 to over was dedicated to recruiting and retaining 1,200. He helped to incorporate the an excellent faculty along with a loyal and British School and the IB Program and dedicated Korean staff.

Dick Underwood with Current SFS Staff and Faculty 30

Alumni Notes

Book Review

L

Rituals of Separation

iz Rice and I were contemporaries,

by Elizabeth RICE ’82

growing up in Korea in the 1960s and 70s. I graduated from SFS in 1979, she in 1982. So I was very eager to read her recently published memoir, Rituals of Separation. What I didn’t know is that once I started reading, I wouldn’t be able to put it down. I laughed, I cried, I sighed, I reflected – there was just so much to relate to. It was her story, but it was mine, too.

Rituals of Separation is Liz’s poignant and eloquently told story of identity, belonging, discovery and adaptation, emerging from her experiences growing up as a missionary kid in Korea. But it is so much more than a memoir. As she shares her particular story about growing up with her family, friends, and beloved Ajumoni in various Seoul neighborhoods, Liz also tells us much about Korea’s tragic and triumphant history, rich culture, and vibrant people.

Korea of the 1960’s and 70’s was in rapid transition, rebuilding from the devastation of the Korean War, grieving from the uncertainty and loss that followed the country’s division at the 38th parallel, and trying to gain its own identity as an emerging democracy at a time of ironfisted dictatorship. Liz takes the reader through these turbulent times, through the eyes of the daughter of activist missionaries who joined with others to form the now-famous Monday Night Group. They worked with their Korean counterparts to restore the rights of poor laborers who were driving the engine of modernization in South Korea but were tragically exploited, oppressed, and silenced.

Liz’s observations about Korean culture, made from the vantage point of one who felt both Korean and American, are related with great insight, respect, and admiration. She discusses, amongst other things, the significant influence of Confucian ideals in Korean society – respect for elders, communal living, high and low language – and how this shaped her own sense of identity.

Rituals of Separation is fun to read, laced with keen observations and good humor. Upon moving to the USA in the 1980s and becoming slowly acculturated there, coming to grips with the dual reality of her American heritage and her

Korean upbringing, Liz describes how “I would later look upon a box of Choco Pie cookies with the love that only a child can have for a fake, marshmallowfilled, waxy chocolate snack.” Oddly, I think many of us have had that same experience!

Ultimately, though, this is a story about trying to understand and reconcile one’s “Koreanness” with one’s “Americanness.” Liz does a fantastic job of explaining the reality and the depth of this struggle. For many it may seem obvious – look in the mirror, you’ll see who you are. But it’s not nearly that easy. When you spend your formative years in another place, another culture, speaking another language, behaving like the people around you – it defines you. So leaving that place and that culture, and adapting to your so-called “home country” can be challenging. Liz describes her own journey of adaptation in a deeply personal and revealing way, but with insights drawn from other authors as well.

As someone who grew up in Korea during the same era as Liz and who experienced a somewhat similar journey upon moving to the States, I felt her memoir was a great gift to me. But it is also a great gift to anyone who did not share that particular experience but is nonetheless seeking to understand the challenges and rewards of cross-cultural adaptation anywhere in the world.

by Peter Dorow ’79

SFS Alumni Interested in becoming a Class Representative?

Want to share alumni news?

Want the visit SFS campus?

Want to host a reunion?

If so, please contact: Jack Moon at jack.moon@seoulforeign.org | 02.330.3100 ext. 19103

LIKE US https://www.facebook.com/alumnisfs JOIN US http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Seoul-Foreign-Alumni6667255?home=&gid=6667255&trk=my_groups-tile-grp TAG US https://instagram.com/seoulforeign4u/ FOLLOW US https://twitter.com/SFS4u

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Alumni Reunions

There were stories told, laughter added and friendships reignited... it was good fun, good food and all around good times.

Seoul Alumni Reunion A

lthough many alumni returned to Seoul to visit their families during the Christmas season, most could not attend the Homecoming basketball game and the Reunion that followed as they had to return to their universities for the start of a new semester.

But that didn’t stop those who were still around. From 6:30 - 9:00 pm on Jan. 13, over 40 alumni gathered at Paulie’s Pizzaria in downtown Gwanghwamun to celebrate at the Seoul Alumni Reunion. There were stories told, laughter added and

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friendships reignited. Some alums were surprised to find classmates that they had lost contact with living right under their noses here in Seoul. We had a wide variety of classes represented at the reunion the earliest from 1973 to our newest from 2016. The class of 2015 won the prize of having the most alums represented.

It was good fun, good food and all around good times. Join us for this reunion if you happen to be in Seoul next January. The welcome mat is always out.

Alumni Reunions

T

London Reunion

he London SFS Alumni Reunion saw nine alumni share a meal in the hip new restaurant, KIMCHEE, in downtown London. Over a meal of tasty and authentic Korean food, the nine alumni shared their stories and memories of their time at SFS. Present were alumni who graduated in the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and even a recent graduate from 2013 attended the event. It was an evening where the Alumni remembered the nurturing care and desire for excellence that they experienced during their time at SFS. By the end of the evening, new friendships were made, new alumni relations established, and we all departed the restaurant proud to be associated with SFS. *Due to a tight printing schedule, it was not possible to include photos from the Chicago and Los Angeles reunions here.

They will however be featured in the spring edition of the Banner.

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In Memoriam

In Loving Memory

Langston King Rogde

God very clearly blessed Seoul Foreign School when he brought Langston Rogde to our community. SFS students for many years to come will benefit from the insight, commitment, professionalism and Christian care that characterized Langston and his contributions to our school.

O

ne of the truly significant contributors to the development of Seoul Foreign School as we know it today passed away on 1 October 2016.

Langston Rogde served as the school’s Chief Financial Officer and eventually Assistant Head of School – Operations from 1996 until his retirement to San Antonio in 2010. His tenure at SFS coincided with and was instrumental in fostering a historic period of growth of SFS - both with respect to enrollment and the building of new facilities.

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A stereotypical school financial person is often described as one who is focused on numbers at the expense of relationships. Langston lived his life as the antithesis of such a description.

He was approachable, and his office was always open to anyone who had a question, a concern, or an idea. During discussions about major school policies, programs, or facility development, he always began the conversation with two questions: Does this fit with and further our mission? And, will this significantly support student learning? When it was clear that the project would further

Letter from the Advancement Office Intern these two foundational criteria, he creatively sought means through which the school’s financial resources could best support the effort.

A Certified Public Accountant, Langston ensured that the school’s finances were expertly accounted for and utilized appropriately. His reputation spread, and he was asked to take a leadership role among the EARCOS business managers designing and implementing region-wide faculty salary surveys.

A committed Christian, Langston and his wife, Linda, were strong supporters of the weekly Catholic mass held on the SFS campus. Following his retirement, he served as treasurer of the St. Vincent De Paul Council of the Greater San Antonio Area, and, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in San Antonio, he provided free tax accounting services for the needy.

Langston is survived by his wife, Linda, who served as a librarian at SFS for many years; his son, John, and John’s wife and their son (also named Langston); and his daughter, Amanda, who is an SFS alumna, class of 1999, and her husband and son.

God very clearly blessed Seoul Foreign School when he brought Langston Rogde to our community. SFS students for many years to come will benefit from the insight, commitment, professionalism and Christian care that characterized Langston and his contributions to our school.

With respect and gratitude, Harlan E. Lyso Former SFS Head of School

“I found Langston open to upgrades in facilities that would improve every aspect of our school and extracurricular program. Whether in fine arts or athletics, whether it was SWEP or KAIAC or APAC, he listened and supported each suggestion graciously.”

Jack Moon, SFS Faculty

Hannah Buggeln Advancement Office Intern

A

fter hearing about Seoul Foreign School in an obscure way (from my professor who knew a professor who knew someone at SFS), Seoul Foreign School has gone to capture my heart in more ways than one. Whether it was the wonderful people with whom I worked, or the moms I was able to meet in the Spirit Shop, or even the impressive students who always spoke with such politeness, Seoul Foreign School is a flight of stairs above the rest. I have found this to be a community in which people genuinely care about each other and help each other grow to be their best selves.

Not only have I enjoyed the environment, but the internship itself has been incredibly valuable.

The experience has been filled to the brim with ample opportunities to expand my practical skill set in the fields of marketing, public relations, editing/publishing, and social media.

I highly recommend pursuing an internship in the Advancement Office for any student with even a hint of interest. I have been and will continue to wear the SFS shirt I bought with pride, even when I go back home to the States!

Thank you to everyone who made this a great learning experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to have an internship at such a place, and every day I learn so much from the people around me.

If you or anyone you know is interested in an internship opportunity in the SFS Advancement Office, please contact: Blair Lee, Assistant Head of School - Academics at blair.lee@seoulforeign.org Priority will be given to SFS Alumni!

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