20 HANDS ON Creative curricular offerings spark new skills
26 CELEBRATING CDEP 2025 May old Casa de Piedra not fade from their hearts
14 • Making History
The 2024-25 Girls Varsity Soccer team notches the program’s first-ever California Interscholastic Federation Championship by winning the Southern Section Division 6 title. 20
• Learning with Our Hands
From exciting xBlock electives to guest artists, and even special offerings outside the classroom, students got their hands dirty—literally and figuratively—this winter and spring while developing new perspectives and skills.
Honoring the Class of 2025
We celebrate the Class of 2025 and their final days as students at Casa de Piedra.
Visiting
News and milestones sent to
51
Celebrating a combined 60+ years of
ON THE GROUND
A Message from Head of School Jeff Hooper
As I write to you today, we have just said farewell to over 400 alumni and their guests who spent the weekend on the Thacher campus celebrating their reunions. These Toads— from classes ending in 0 s and 5s—spanned seven decades and far-reaching geography, but hold the common bond of a unique shared experience that only they can truly understand.
I was reflecting on this unique experience when I spoke to our on-campus community at this year’s All-School Banquet in late May. Specifically, I considered how our school’s founder, Sherman Day Thacher, chose a site for his school that was—both in 1889 and today—at the rugged wilderness frontier. He clearly did not have convenience in mind. Rather, from the start he chose a wild, beautiful, somewhat impractical, and certainly hardscrabble location for his school. It was that choice, to situate the School precisely here, that has profoundly influenced the culture and identity we have developed over the years since.
In our school’s long history, major technological innovations beyond Sherman Day Thacher’s wildest imagination have transformed the way we live. The automobile, the radio, the television, the calculator, the telephone, the personal computer, the internet, the smartphone, social media, machine learning, and generative artificial intelligence— each of these has had a profound impact on the human experience and also changed the ways we live and learn together here at Thacher. And each provides an opportunity
to decide, intentionally, what will and will not persist in the wake of each change.
As I read through the pages of this issue of the Thacher Magazine , I’m reminded of not only the exciting changes that have emerged, but also of the values, programs, and philosophies that persist. Despite no shortage of tools, technology, and new techniques, we remain committed to working with our hands as a form of experiential learning. Whether it’s building architectural models, preparing our terrain for a future micro farm, or other artistic pursuits in the Fab Lab and ceramics studio, Thacher’s academic facilities and curriculum continue to inspire creativity,
ON THE GROUND
collaboration, and meaningful engagement, both mentally and physically, with the material.
This innovative spirit was also evident in the joy and talent displayed by this year’s CIF Champion Girls Varsity Soccer Team. Anchored in the “second scoreboard” ethos that has always been a part of Thacher athletics, driven by their competitive spirit, hard work, and camaraderie, and bolstered by inspirational coaches and community members committed to their development, these young women are a shining example of our athletics program at its best.
And finally, the Class of 2025—now CdeP 2025— celebrated their graduation last month at Thacher’s 136th Commencement. Receiving the same diplomas as their predecessors for generations before them, these honorable, fair, kind, and true Toads head out into college, career, and
beyond, ready to bring their unique perspectives to new communities around the world. While we will miss them terribly, there is great comfort in knowing that they too share this special bond of years spent together in the literal and figurative “rugged wilderness frontier” that Sherman Day Thacher originally intended for this school and its students.
I wish them, and you, a restful summer spent with family and friends and, as always, I look forward to seeing you on campus again soon.
In Community,
Jeff Hooper Head of School
The Thacher campus circa 1896
A bittersweet last night all together celebrating the 2024-25 school year. Up next: Senior Banquet and Commencement for the Class of 2025!
THE PERGOLA
I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
During his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in Oslo, Norway, 1964
IN SERVICE
We were honored to celebrate the living legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. over a weekend of cultural excursions and community service. From the Black Image Center and Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to the Blue Sky Center in nearby Cuyama and our own Ojai MLK Day observance in Libbey Park (and close to 20 other locations throughout Ventura and LA counties centering culture and service), students and faculty engaged in meaningful learning and work.
Learning hands-on within the SUAY Sew Shop in Los Angeles proved to be a worthy adventure for our students. Part of their day was spent learning from the skilled laborers who recycle, reuse, and repurpose textiles, clothing, and other materials in an effort to divert them from landfills.
Mesa Farm in Ojai hosted Thacher students as they landscaped and planted several areas with native plants. The single-unit tiny homes at Mesa provide transitional housing for young adults who are in need.
THE PERGOLA
MAKING NEW FRIENDS
Two new pigs joined the Thacher community in February, named Gnocchi and Tortellini by vote of the students and faculty/staff. Sixteen new pullets (10-week-old toddler hens) also made their way to Casa de Piedra via Santa Paula in March after an extensive roundabout journey from Lompoc.
INTO THE DEEP WITH ROBOTICS
The Advanced Robotics class, taught by Todd Meyer CdeP 2000, finished in third place (out of 15 teams) in this year’s FIRST Tech Challenge “Into the Deep” competitions. Through it all, the class of mostly seniors and two juniors navigated both programming and physical engineering challenges with their robot. Each student problem-solved and contributed solutions for battery voltage issues, gear ratio experimentations, and 3D printed parts. Next year the course will be offered as an xBlock elective, and Mr. Meyer is hoping to host a robotics competition at Thacher in the GATES Fab Lab.
BBQ AND BASS
The Thacher Advanced Jazz Combo traveled to the Bay Area to perform two sets at Horn Barbecue and to spend some time in San Francisco. The evening was attended by many members of the Thacher community, and the musicians gave an amazing performance.
Songs included “Four” by Miles Davis, “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr., “Song for My Father” by Horace Silver, and “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock.
Thanks to all who came out to enjoy and support.
TIME ON THE TRAIL
Named for Thacher’s second Head of School, the Morgan Barnes Trail, which begins soon after the second crossing on the Horn Canyon Trail, was in need of clearing and repair work after some major rains over the past few years. With the help of our community, including all the 9th graders and Upper Riders who donated a Saturday of their time, the trail has been repaired and is now usable once again.
THE PERGOLA
TUNING IN
Kingsley Braham and Serapión Fernández, both CdeP 2025, built a radio telescope to add to the Thacher Observatory. It will receive radio signals from Jupiter, the Sun, and the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
COLLEGE CASE STUDIES
All Thacher 11th graders and guests from Cate School, Laguna Blanca, and Carpinteria High School participated in the annual Case Studies event in April. Forty-seven colleges and universities were represented by senior admissions officials at this year’s event, hosted by Cate.
(UN)PROM
While many other high schools celebrate prom with limo rentals, fancy clothes, and corsages, Thacher hosts a biennial UnProm. Organized, planned, and decorated by the faculty, UnProm originated in the late 1990s and has been going strong since. This year’s theme—"Oops! I'm at the Wrong Event!"—brought out the creativity in attendees, who were not meant to spend more than $20 on their outfits, as the UnProm “rules” state.
OUTSIDE OUTLOOKS
VISITING SCHOLARS, ARTISTS, AND EXPERTS SPARK NEW IDEAS AND INSPIRATION
Education & AI
Thacher faculty spent a generative day together learning from Eric Hudson, a facilitator and strategic advisor who supports schools in making sense of what’s changing in education, especially around the use of AI. During his time on campus, Eric engaged the full faculty in two sessions, offered a specialized session for teachers of writing, and worked with members of the academic leadership team.
Thacher on Thacher
Tony Thacher CdeP 1958 was the invited guest for a Head’s Invitation and Community Dinner in late April, just as the annual Ojai Tennis Tournament drew to a close. Tony’s involvement in the tournament has stretched for more than sixty years, dating back to when he was a teenage ball boy. Of note, current Thacher students still volunteer as “ballkids” at The Ojai. Now serving as an elder statesman of sorts, Tony regaled the assembled Thacher community with tales of tournaments past, as well as his own family’s history with The Ojai. Spring also marks the peak of Pixie season, a select variety of tangerines grown at Tony’s family’s Friend’s Ranch and a staple on the Thacher campus.
L.A. Expressions
Saxophonist, composer, and educator Tom Scott visited campus in May, working with students in our Advanced Jazz and String Ensembles, and bringing the house down with his band L.A. Express during the final Head’s Invite event of the 24-25 school year.
An Exploration of Interdependence
We welcomed New York Times-bestselling author and Emmy-nominated storyteller/comedian/podcaster/author Baratunde Thurston to campus for a Head’s Invite in March. Thurston wove together stories of interdependence through our relationship with nature, each other, and technology, and shared his life experiences and perspectives as the host of America Outdoors on PBS, for which he traveled the United States finding stories rooted in our common desire to understand and engage with the natural world around us.
Spotlight on Singer
Academy-Award winning screenwriter Josh Singer (Spotlight, Maestro, The Post) spent a day on campus in May, visiting a creative writing and English class, enjoying lunch with interested students, and working with students in our Advanced Acting class.
Professor Proskurowski
It was an incredible honor to welcome Dr. Wlodek Proskurowski and his family to campus. During his two days at Thacher, Dr. Proskurowski shared his story of survival of the Holocaust as a child living in Poland during World War II. His generosity of time included a Head’s Invite for our whole on-campus community as well as opportunities for small group and oneon-one conversations. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Proskurowski is a retired professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Southern California, an author, and great-uncle to Cruz Natori ’28.
Space Force
Commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base Colonel Mark A. Shoemaker and his senior team visited Thacher in early May for lunch and conversation with students and employees about all things Space Force. Colonel Shoemaker commands spacelift and range operations in support of national and combatant commander requirements and supports operational and development missile system testing for the Department of Defense.
Girls Basketball WINTER SCOREBOA RD
Two notable victories over Cate propelled Thacher’s girls basketball to another successful 8-6 overall season. With only two graduating seniors, Co-Captains Shiraz Rothschild and Kaili Chu, the varsity squad looks to return next year with a solid roster of ready-for-primetime players.
Addy Yoon ’28 turned in truly impactful plays all season long, according to Coach Christina Yuan. She’ll be joined by rising seniors Tenzing Lama (1st Team All-League), Bea Lageschulte (Honorable Mention), Jaeda Liddell, Taylor Carney, Trinity Clough, and rising juniors Jude Shumaker, Marguerite Laub, and Sienna Karlen
Despite a tough loss in the second round of CIF Playoffs, the team is looking for a deep run next season.
Boys Basketball
Thacher varsity boys basketball advanced to the second round of the CIF playoffs, having tied for first place in Frontier League during the regular season at 7-1, and finished with an overall mark of 14-6. As ever, the 14-point victory in front of a packed Voit Gymnasium over rival Cate the night before students departed for winter break will serve as a lifelong memory for the varsity Toads.
Seven hard-to-replace seniors will depart the program, including Co-Captains Pierce Kelly and Nicolas Peyromaure de Bord. In many ways a new era of Thacher basketball will emerge in the years to come.
Significant accolades were awarded as Sam Lust was named Co-Frontier League Player of the Year; Kelly was named to the 1st Team; Brady Vondriska, Angus Harris, and Peyromaure de Bord made the 2nd Team. Additionally, Lust was named 2nd Team All-County Small School Division (Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties), and he participated in the Counties’ All-Star game.
Look to up-and-coming stars Spencer Jacobson ’26, Aidan Lee ’26, Lachlan Chow ’27, Abel Janes ’27, and Evan Murunga ‘28 to helm the remaining squad.
Boys Soccer
Despite some tough losses, the boys soccer program flourished in the fun department. Dubbed “a season of growth,” by Coach Juan Sánchez, the team is poised for better success in coming years with an abundance of talented younger players.
Graduating seniors include Charlie Parkes, Serapión Fernández , Jayden Lee, César CelónHerrera, Lance Jin-Ngo, George Daniel, and Miles Maxwell —all with incredible personalities and leadership qualities that will be missed.
Look to Jungbin Yoon ’27 (First Team All-League) to join Alex Keeling ’26, Jayden Li ’27, and Omar Sosa ‘26 as they take on other skilled Frontier League opponents of Villanova, Laguna Blanca, and St. Bonaventure next year.
Making
The 2024-25 Girls Varsity Soccer Team notches the program’s first-ever California Interscholastic Federation Championship by winning the Southern Section Division 6 title.
I loved playing on this team. My teammates were kind and supportive; they pushed me to become a better player.
Since Thacher began admitting girls in the late 1970s, girls soccer has thrived at Casa de Piedra with several league championships and many deep playoff runs. However, success for the program and its players has been measured by more than just victories on the field— team camaraderie, the fundamentals of the sport, and healthy competition are upheld as the program’s core values and help make a positive team culture. Known here at Thacher as the “second scoreboard,” this means that every winter, dozens of Thacher girls gather on the storied Upper Field—under the view of Ojai’s Twin Peaks—to make lifelong friendships, share in the joy of ‘the beautiful game,’ and grow as competitors.
Building on the program’s success in recent years (during which the team won the Frontier League, garnered individual accolades, and were CIF finalists) the 2023-24 season was also a standout. The Thacher Toads finished second in the TriValley League (7-2-1), competed in CIF Playoffs, and had nine players receive AllLeague Honors, including the Offensive Player of the Year award.
In reflecting on that season, one player offered: “I loved playing on this team. My teammates were kind and supportive; they pushed me to become a better player. What I will remember most is the community of people and the way they cheered everyone on regardless of what happened in the games. Practice in the rain was a highlight for sure. We were all soaked and muddy, but it was a lot of fun.”
YEARNew DRIVE Same B
uilding on the energy and momentum of the 2023-24 season, this year’s team started off strong. Made up of nine sophomores, four juniors, and five seniors—along with ninth-grade impact players Charlotte Mullennix in goal and Kea Woltag— the Toads delivered an undefeated 8-0-1 Tri-Valley League season and lost only their first game against non-league opponent Santa Barbara in late November.
The victories continued in January, when under the steady leadership of Head Coach Edgar Arceo, Assistant Coaches Issa Lopez and Toby Elmore, and senior Captains Maddie Lee and Catherine Feira, the Toads took six league wins to finish their regular season at 9-1-4, outscoring their opponents 38 to 13.
High scorers for Thacher included both Captains Lee (13) and Feira (9), as well as sophomore Lola Clemens (5), senior Julia Bressie (4), and junior Annikka Zhou (3). Feira also topped the assist list with 10 on the season, while Lee had five, and Zhou earned three assists. Goalkeeper Charlotte Mullennix kept the opposing goal count to just three throughout January.
ROAD
VICTORY
By February, the team was deep into post-season play, defeating Charter Oak, Anaheim, San Gorgonio, and Godinez to earn a record of 13-1-4 and reach the CIF-SS Division 6 Final against Whittier Christian on February 28 at La Habra High School.
A Toads fan bus delivered an enthusiastic crowd of supporters to watch the nail-biter of a game that went into extra time knotted at 0-0. Two scoreless, ten-minute extra time periods sent the game to penalty kicks. Each team made the first three shots, both missed their fourth attempts, but made their fifth shots, tying the game 4-4. Thacher goalkeeper Mullinnex kept Thacher’s dream alive to the end when she blocked Whittier's next penalty. This teed up Captain Maddie Lee, who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the back of the net to win the championship with a 5-4 final score.
“Well before being crowned with this CIF title, this special group of players were champions off the field," said Head Coach Edgar Arceo. "They showed up every day and played for each other, not just a trophy, and that togetherness, that team bond, is what ultimately made them rather victorious." He added, "I'm so proud of each and every one of them!"
Catherine Feira was named the division's Player of the Year, while Edgar Arceo was named Coach of the Year. Additionally, Georgia Browning ’26 and Mullennix were named All-CIF 1st Team.
In terms of league awards, Co-Captain Lee earned Offensive Player of the Year; Browning earned Defensive Player of the Year; Co-Captain Feira, Zhou, and Mullennix earned First-Team honors; Bressie, junior Bodhil Clark, sophomores Mia Gaona and Elise McLoughlin earned Second-Team honors; and junior Arden Brailer and sophomores Clemens and Gina Li earned Honorable Mentions.
As CIF-SS Division 6 Champions, the Toads received an automatic bid to compete in the CIF State Girls Soccer Championship, but with spring break and many players traveling for college visits and a much-needed academic hiatus, the team chose to forgo competing at the tournament.
"Led by Coach Arceo and Captains Maddie Lee and Catherine Feira, the 2024-2025 girls varsity soccer team produced one of the best all-around sports seasons in my time at Thacher," said Jason Carney, director of the afternoon program. "The team was well coached, had outstanding student leadership,
and consistently performed at the highest of levels. The girls played with passion, skill, confidence, toughness, and joy, and they absolutely represented the School in all the best ways possible. This will be a team that will be long remembered by many."
“We’re so proud of this team—not just for making history, but for the heart, joy, and sportsmanship they brought to every game," said Head of School Jeff Hooper. "This win is a huge milestone at Thacher, and it reflects the strength and spirit our student-athletes have been building for decades, as well as reinforces our commitment to continue growing opportunities for girls to compete, lead, and shine.”
SPRING SCOREBOA RD
Baseball
Thacher finished with a 9-8 record and reached the CIF Playoffs for the third straight year—the second year in a row playing in the competitive Tri-Valley League. Sophomore Henry Preloger received 1st Team All-League recognition and was named the league's Co-Pitcher of the Year. He threw a no-hitter with nine strikeouts in the final game of the regular season.
The senior class of eight players included six starters who earned All-League honors: Pitcher/infielder Cole Mason (1st Team), catcher Henry Molfino (1st Team), outfielder Brady Vondriska (2nd Team), pitcher/first baseman Miles Maxwell (2nd team), outfielder Sam Lust (Honorable Mention), and third baseman Cesar CélonHerrera (Honorable Mention). The senior class graduates after leading the program to 33 wins in the last three seasons and posting a 5-0 career record against Cate, including a road win in the lone matchup this spring.
Next year's team will rely on its youth, as there are no rising seniors on the current roster. Rising juniors Preloger, Cael Parker (All-League Honorable Mention), and Abel Janes will lead Head Coach Stuart Johnson’s team.
Beach Volleyball
This spring, Thacher beach volleyball welcomed six new ninth graders to the squad, and with them came a wave of energy, athleticism, and promise. Right from the start, Jaylah Castro and Ori Ouermi made an impact, meanwhile, Jude Shumaker ’27 emerged as one of the most improved players, earning her a 2nd Team All-League honor for her performance in the CIF prelims. Penelope Shih, also a sophomore, brought fierce determination and played a standout match against Providence’s top pair.
Senior Julia Bressie (earned 2nd Team All-League) and junior Cata Brown, played a high level of volleyball all season, and Cata’s consistent effort and support of younger teammates didn’t go unnoticed. Sophomores Lila Pinizzotto and Marguerite Laub also stood out, earning All-League Honorable Mentions and showing what steady improvement and positive attitudes can do for a team.
Girls Lacrosse
The Spring 2025 season was one to remember for the Thacher Varsity Girls Lacrosse team. Under the leadership of senior Captains Sophia Brant (Goalie), Caiden Bang (Attacker), and Maddie Lee (Midfielder), the team brought heart and hustle to every game, improving steadily and building strong team chemistry from start to finish.
Several returning players made major impacts this season: Hannah Housden ’26 brought consistency and creativity to the attack, as well as earning 1st Team All-League honors and the team's Most Inspirational Player award. She will lead the team as Captain next year along with fellow junior and 2nd Team All-League member Bea Lageschulte Phoebe Jin-Ngo ’27 delivered in high-pressure moments and earned team MVP as well as 1st Team All-League recognition. Another sophomore, newcomer Cece Chaffin, made an immediate impact on defense, playing with tenacity and a strong field sense.
Track and Field
Thacher’s track and field squad had several incredible storylines from the year: winning a league meet at Villanova; sending 16 athletes to CIF prelims in Carpinteria; and most notably Rafa Kelliher ’26 broke the school record by jumping 6’3” in the high jump.
Boys Lacrosse
This was a season of real progress for the Thacher Boys Lacrosse Team. After a rebuilding season a year ago characterized by strong enthusiasm but few wins on the field, the 2025 team found its way to a great deal more tangible success. A notable highlight was avenging an early-season, one-goal defeat to Cate with a dominant six-goal victory in the final game of the season.
The Toads boasted a potent offense this season, led by senior Captains Pierce Kelly, the team’s primary offensive ball-carrier and distributor, and Andy Dachs, a lethal finisher and the team’s leading goal-scorer. The other two senior Captains, Lance Jin-Ngo and Dyon Thompson, made their impact through the midfield, while juniors Jackson Slaughter and Craig Watkins took home All-League honors in the Channel League as a midfielder and a goaltender, respectively.
The team was fortunate to have a close-knit and spirited group of student athletes this season. Chloe Hamilton ’26 and Charlie Clarke ’27 encouraged others and maintained positive attitudes throughout the season, netting them the team’s Spirit Award. Lola Clemens ’27 and Carlos Ochoa ’25 came back from injuries and were able to qualify for League Finals and Prelims, respectively.
Fortitude and resilience embodied other members of the team, according to Head Coach Dr. Sarah DelVecchio. Sophomores Elise McLoughlin and Lachlan Chow exhibited tremendous courage for tackling the 4x400m race, something neither had ever run before. Mia Gaona ’27 proved herself in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, and Mateo Escalante ’26 cleaved 30 seconds off his 3200m time and broke the 10-minute barrier for the first time. It is of particular
note that Lu Rodriguez ’27 and Kelliher won the coveted Thacher Track Cup for performing at the highest levels for the 2025 Track and Field team.
Boys Tennis
Boys tennis had a great season thanks to an experienced squad of singles and doubles players, who made it all the way to the Div. V CIF Semifinals. Drawing out the eventual champions from Capistrano Valley (a school with four times the enrollment of Thacher) despite winning the same number of sets 9-9, the Toads eventually fell on total games 76-83.
Seniors Eli Bouganim, Ryan He, Mateo Nix, Serapión Fernández, and Angus Harris provided heartfelt inspiration to their teammates all season long. Ever a staple of Thacher’s athletic offerings, look to juniors Austin Du and Alex Keeling to represent the tennis program proudly. Current sophomores Paolo McCarrey, Beckett Frisina, and Declan Reenan will build off impressive 10th grade campaigns to help the Toads make another deep run into the CIF Playoffs.
with our
HANDS LEARNING
Thacher’s academic program seeks to inspire students’ intellectual curiosity, risk taking, creativity,
and growth.
The School believes that the best learning happens when students are known, supported, stretched, and challenged; when learning is applied and authentic; when spaces and places are built for adventurous minds; and when students find purpose and joy in their learning.
To facilitate this approach, our spaces are designed for and equipped with tools that inspire creativity, collaboration, and hands-on engagement with the material. This winter and spring, there was no shortage of such engagement. From exciting xBlock electives to guest artists, and even special offerings outside the classroom, students got their hands dirty—literally and figuratively—while developing new perspectives and skills.
SCREEN PRINTING
In the “Magic of Printmaking” xBlock elective taught by Ari Noelke, students began by learning the fundamentals of printmaking, including basic processes like vinyl stencil making and reduction prints to gain a foundation in creating repeatable designs. Building on these essentials, they then progressed into screen printing, or silkscreen—a printing technique where ink is pushed through a mesh screen (also called a stencil) onto a surface to create a design—delving deeper into more advanced techniques.
It has been great fun to share this art form, and to work in the vibrant Fab Lab environment.
ARI NOELKE, Student Activities Coordinator
In the screen-printing portion, students learned to design, coat, and prepare screens, creating their own screen stencils and transparencies and gaining hands-on experience in the complete screen-printing process, from coating silk screens and exposing designs to rinsing and preparing screens for printing. Once their screens were ready, students experimented with printing on both paper and fabric goods, developing technical skills along with creative confidence. By the end of the term, each student created a custom-designed T-shirt or hoodie to take home.
FROM THE FAB LAB TO THE FARM
Alec Robinson, photography teacher, interim animal program coordinator, and all-around man of many talents, brought a number of fun, hands-on project opportunities to our students this year. Among them were two unique offerings: welding and micro-farming
Welding is a fabrication process that joins two or more pieces of metal (or thermoplastics) by melting and fusing them together, usually with the help of heat, pressure, or both. It's widely used in construction, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and many other industries. Learning how to weld requires addressing physics, chemistry, and design.
“Welding is a wonderful skill and an art that has limitless possibilities,” said Robinson. “Like many practices, it can be approached from a variety of angles: industrial, fabrication, art, sculptural, and more.”
In just two short demos, Robinson provided instruction on safety and welding basics, a demo of Tungsten intert gas (TIG) and stick arc welding—processes that use an electric arc and coated metal rod respectively—and an opportunity for students to try their hand at metal inert gas (MIG) arc welding, which uses a continuous wire electrode, a shielding gas, and an electric arc. They also tried their hand at using an oxy-acetylene gas torch to melt and cut steel.
Welding is a wonderful skill and an art that has limitless possibilities.
ALEC ROBINSON, Photography Teacher & Interim Animal Program Coordinator
Just a few weeks later, Robinson also organized an event to begin preparing an area on campus that will ultimately become the Thacher microfarm. Microfarming is the practice of growing crops or raising animals on a small-scale farm, typically using limited space, resources, and often sustainable or intensive methods to maximize yield per square foot. It is popular in urban or suburban areas and ideal for individuals, families, or small communities looking to produce food locally—either for personal use or small-scale sales (like at farmers' markets).
After two Sunday events, a small group of students and faculty rotated on the tiller, installed t-posts for the fence, and trenched most of the fence line in order to bury the bottom of the wire to keep critters out of the crops. Next up was finishing the last of the trench, installing the fence wire, making a second pass with the tiller, and then the important and satisfying job of seeding the cover crop. This beneficial crop will grow over the summer and be tilled in to add nutritious content to the soil when we return in August.
ARTISTIC EQUINE EXPLORATIONS
In Megan Hooker’s classes, which include Ceramics I, Ceramics II, and Ceramics III-Advanced, students explore the methods and materials of the art of ceramics. They learn a variety of hand-forming and wheel-throwing techniques, building their skills as they take on more challenging and complex forms. Honing their craftsmanship remains central as they continue to explore new methods and develop a personal voice in the medium. Those ambitious students who wish to continue their exploration of stoneware and porcelain clay reach Ceramics III-Advanced, which is an extensive exploration of the functional and expressive aspects of clay.
This year, students across all three course levels had the privilege of working with award-winning Ojai Studio Artist Valerie Freeman. Freeman takes an organic, expressive approach to creating her spontaneous, hand-built, ceramic sculptures and urns. Embracing gestural, natural movement, several of her works incorporate California Thomas Fire ashes and casts from local fruit and flora and are enhanced with her opulent colorful glazes. Freeman shared her time and talent with our ceramics students this spring as they worked to create beautiful sculptures inspired by the horses in their lives here at Thacher. These pieces were on display in the GATES gallery during Big Gymkhana Weekend.
I loved the opportunity that the figurative focus and time limitation offered my students.
MEGAN HOOKER, Ceramics Instructor
“I met Valerie during the Ojai Studio Artists Tour at her home studio,” said Megan Hooker, ceramics instructor. “Her horse series was so unique and I couldn’t figure out how she was firing the large pieces. We talked at length about horses and clay and she shared her firing secrets and generously offered to volunteer her time teaching a class to my students. I loved the opportunity that the figurative focus and time limitation offered them. They had only one class period to complete the legs, and one class to form the body and head, and convey movement through the piece.”
ENVISIONING OUR SPACES
Talbot McLanahan, Architect was established in 2005 in Venice, California and specializes in custom residential and light commercial work. Before starting her own practice, McLanahan worked in a variety of offices building experience in retail, aerospace, educational, entertainment, and residential projects and has also taught design studio at Otis College of Art + Design and held teaching assistant positions at SCI-Arc and UCLA. She received an undergraduate degree in architecture with honors from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studied at the Architectural Association in London, and earned a master’s of architecture degree from SCI-Arc, also with honors.
This winter and spring, McLanahan offered an eight-week xBlock elective workshop in architecture, through which students were given the opportunity to design individual cabins on the site of the Thacher campus. Students chose their own sites, and ideas were developed through sketching, scaled drawings, and threedimensional models.
“Bringing Talbot to Thacher was an incredible opportunity to introduce our students to the world of architecture," said Dr. Kamala Qalandar, director of programs for technology and innovation. "Her ability to merge professional insights with hands-on design instruction created an inspiring and deeply engaging xBlock and it was exciting to watch our students bring their ideas to life under her expert guidance.”
Class
Class of 2025
Senior Banquet
The night before graduation, the Class of 2025 gathered with their families and friends to eat, dance, and celebrate the end of their time as Thacher students.
of 2025 Award Recipients
School Chair Award
Lance Nicolas Jin-Ngo
The Elizabeth Helms Award for Excellence in Athletics
Madeline Young Lee and Pierce Kennedy Kelly
The Thacher Cup
Elina An Chen and Madeline Young Lee
The Charles L. Tutt Silver Bowl for Integrity and Responsibility
Danica Gabriella Hernandez
2025 2025 CLASS OF
STUDENT FAVORITES STUDENT FAVORITES
Find Something to Smile at Every Day
Remarks by the 2024-25 School Chair, Lance Jin-Ngo CdeP 2025
Tonight is the ending of the final chapter to our book. We set down the pen to the book we wrote, starring the classes of ’25, ’26, ’27, and ’28.
It's sad and it’s scary. For us seniors, there’s nothing easy about saying goodbye to the people you’ve spent every waking hour next to, to the people who you’ve mucked next to, and to the people who you love.
Frankly, there’s no more rewarding time than now. Four years. Hours of hard work. Bruises and broken bones from games. And once in a while, tears from tests. But now that it's over, what are we really rewarded with? Let me tell you this, it’s better than receiving a diploma, and it’s better than getting into a good college. We get a safety net. We get a family. We get friends who we can fall back on. Teachers who we can trust. A place where, when we need something, a toad will be there.
I mean, within ten or even twenty years down the line, I’ll be telling my future friends stories about “my high school friends.” They’ll be hearing about the time where I lost my friends Brady and Serapión to Minecraft. Or lunch table debates on the harmful side effects of seed oils. And even the times where a group of us were studying for one of Ortiz’s impossible stats quizzes late at night, and in the middle of our studying, Pierce Kelly asks, “Wait, guys, what even is a statistic?”
Tonight, I speak to you all, not here to tell you a story or to tell you to “take more risks.” I stand here tonight, simply as a farewell. As a letter of appreciation and gratitude to you
all. As a thank you for these four amazing years. And during these past four years, and especially this year, I know none of us got here alone. So this speech is dedicated to those who’ve been by my side.
To the student body—there are no words to describe the love I have for you. I hate that we have to leave. I hate the fact that in a couple of days, you won’t be there. I’m afraid that later on, I won’t find a group of friends as good and loyal as the ones I have now. You’ve stuck with me through my Salty Crew phase, through power outages, and through 1008 days of Thacher. There’s nothing I will miss more from this place than you guys.
I will miss the so-called “locked-in” study halls in the senior section. I will miss infinite emails about bears, titled, “Bear on Pergola EOM.” I will miss the daily college office candy visits, between and even during class. I will miss the basketball and volleyball games directly after Community Dinner. And most importantly, I will miss all of you. You guys are the best thing that's happened to me.
To my family—my greatest strengths and my biggest supporters. I know most of them aren’t here tonight, but they deserve the world. My parents have poured everything into me and my siblings. The sacrifices and the love they give are incomparable. They have taught me the greatest lessons in life, and the ones I want to pass on. And as my mom always says, “find something to smile at every day.”
To the adults—you all are just wonderful. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making us successful, motivated young
adults. Thank you to Mr. Conway for the life talks during Econ lessons, to Ms. Henderson for singing “Femininomenon” with me on EDTs, and to many, many more.
I’ve come to realize that this will be our last time all together in the same place. No more sunsets, no more experimental assembly games, no more study hall checkins, and no more banquets. There’s nothing easy about the next couple of days. Finally, yes, it's time for the last hugs, the last tears with your people. My last time being in the School with my little sister.
I wish there was more time, but how lucky are we that things worked out the way they did. Even though now most of us are heading onto different paths, just remember, we all once walked this one together. I couldn’t be more proud or happier to be graduating with this group of kids, the lovely class of 2025.
I’ll never forget the care you’ve all shown me. So thank you all, from the deepest part of my heart, for letting me serve as your School Chair. I’ve tried my best, and I’ve loved this school. But now, it’s Austen Faris's turn to pick up the pen and write the title to the new book, starring the classes of ’26, ’27, ’28, and soon, ’29. Cheers to you all for a oncein-a-lifetime year. Do things that make you happy. Live the life you want to live. Make it full of love. Hold on to the ones close to you. At the end of the day, as Vin Diesel said, “The most important things in life are the people in this room. Salud, mi familia.” Goodnight Thacher—for the very last time.
Commencement
CLASS OF 2025 Matriculation
Amherst College
Bard College
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
California State Polytechnic
University - Pomona
California Polytechnic State
University - San Luis Obispo
Colby College
Colgate University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Duke University
Middlebury College
Morehouse College
Mount Holyoke College
New York University
Northeastern University
Occidental College
Pepperdine University
Princeton University
Providence College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Santa Clara University
Southern Methodist University
St. Lawrence University
Stanford University
State University of New YorkCortland
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
The New School - Parsons School of Design
Tulane University
University of California, Riverside
University of California - Santa Barbara
University of California - Santa Cruz
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of Pennsylvania
University of Southern California
University of St Andrews
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Wellesley College
Yale University
GATHERINGS
You know the drill… enjoy these smiling faces from Thacher community members who attended a Thacher event in the last six months. We hope you will attend a gathering and be amongst the pages of the next Thacher Magazine!
Not featured because we had too much fun and forgot to capture the moment: A Portland gathering hosted by Randy Labbe CdeP 1960, a Boston gathering in the middle of a snowstorm, two Former Trustee dinners in San Francisco hosted by Alex Herbert van Helden CdeP 2002, and a Colorado Springs GOLD meet up.
WASHINGTON, DC GATHERING
Hosted by Sarah Brown-Campello CdeP 2008
NYC GATHERING
Hosted by Nicole Wan and Glenn Shapiro P ’25
Grady Jacobsen CdeP 2013, Harry Hayman CdeP 2014, Nick Cunningham CdeP 1946, Head of School Jeff Hooper, and Harry Hoffman CdeP 2008
Amanda Ach CdeP 2008, Sarah Brown-Campello CdeP 2008, and Maddi Sowash CdeP 2008
Darius Lamport CdeP 2024, Sunny Balzary CdeP 2024, Ezinne Okonkwo CdeP 2024, Teal Smith CdeP 2024, and Justin Park CdeP 2024
Hosted by Patti and Brian Smallwood CdeP 1983 P ’26, ’28
Brian Smallwood CdeP 1983 P ’26, ’28, Katherine (Bechtel) Thompson CdeP 2003, Ryan Donnelly, Erin Hafkenschiel Donnelly CdeP 2001, Patti Smallwood P ’26, ’28, Director of Advancement: Philanthropy, Governance, and Strategy Jeff Berndt P ’20, ’21, Reed Gulick-Stutz CdeP 2014, Wil Caldwell V CdeP 1998, and Nina Brown de Clercq P ’26, ’27
The Thacher School 33
Defne Egbo CdeP 2019, Andrea Viera CdeP 2019, Lila Potter CdeP 2020, Eve Spalding CdeP 2020, and Nicole Bassolino CdeP 2018
Yael Natori P ’28, Jordana Munk Martin CdeP 1990 P ’21, ’27, and Leah Reimer P ’28
GOLD GATHERINGS
We celebrated CdeP 2015-2024 all throughout GOLD Month leading up to March Magic. Through 14 gatherings across eight states, we connected with 131 of our Graduates of the Last Decade. Thank you to all of the GOLD hosts who helped us pick the best restaurants, called their classmates, and helped bring a piece of Ojai to more than a dozen cities around the country.
Trevor Carson CdeP 2022, Reyna Kleemeier CdeP 2021, Jordan Yates CdeP 2023, Maria Galgon CdeP 2024, Ethan Zhang CdeP 2022, Director of Afternoon Programming
Jason Carney, Lily King CdeP 2023, Alyssa Ruiz CdeP 2022, and Ellis DelVecchio CdeP 2022
Béa Pierrepont CdeP 2018, Theo O’Neill CdeP 2018, Piper Stacey CdeP 2019, Libby Galgon CdeP 2019, Henry Zhou CdeP 2024, Julian Tinmouth CdeP 2023, Conor Kelly CdeP 2022, and Dylan Jin-Ngo CdeP 2022
We welcomed over 400 Thacher alumni and guests to this year’s Reunion Weekend, which included trail rides, luncheons for the 25th, 30th, 50th, and 55th reunion classes, rock climbing, observatory tours, mountain biking, seminars on topics including “Thacher Today and Tomorrow” and “Doing the Greatest Good,” and time with Learning Courage.
Thacher reunions have been, and we hope will continue to be, opportunities for dialogue, processing, and healing for individuals and classes alike. We strive to create welcoming, survivor-centered spaces at each reunion that put the School’s values of Honor, Fairness, Kindness, and Truth into practice. This year, as a signal of solidarity with the sexual assault survivors in the Thacher community— especially those who have not been ready to return to campus—members of the Class of 2000 provided special shirts for attendees to help communicate their support of and admiration for their fellow alumni. One way alumni showed their recognition of the trauma these survivors have experienced and the bravery they have demonstrated was to wear these shirts in their class photos, which you'll see shared in the photos on this page.
REUNION
CLASS NOTES
1945* To celebrate the 80th Reunion of DOUG SMITH, we visited him and his wife Meredith in their beautiful New Hampshire home. Doug and Meredith keep a bountiful vegetable garden, tap maple from their trees, chop their wood for their wood-burning stove, and stay active in land and lake preservation work. They recently even welcomed two Dartmouth students, TEA WALLMARK 2020 and JOURNEY NEULIGHT 2023, to their home to connect on their shared experiences at Dartmouth and Thacher.
1951 BROOKS CRAWFORD shared, “I retired from the free medical clinic at St. Anthony’s and teaching in the ophthalmology department at UCSF at age 91 in August 2024. I am still busy on committees and maintaining our garden and weekend house in Bolinas, and trying to learn Spanish and play a ukulele which I built. In February, I skied with a younger friend at his annual Men’s Ski Week in Sugar Bowl. I have enjoyed hiking in Marin County on weekends, backpacking with my younger brother, who carries a much heavier pack, and playing tennis.”
1955* An update all the way from Norway, PAAL THYHOLDT and his wife just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a few months ago. We were sad to have missed Paal at his 70th Reunion this past June.
1968 Last February, TRAV NEWTON gave a presentation to the Santa Barbara Westerners about his and GREG BARD’s great-grandfather, Thomas Bard. After serving in the Union Army as a scout in the Civil War, he was sent to Ventura in 1865 by President Lincoln's Assistant Secretary of War Thomas Scott. He was a Santa Barbara County Supervisor from 1868 to 1973 and U.S. Senator from 1900 to 1906. He and his brother Dr. Cephas Bard were friends of Sherman Day Thacher and helped him gain accreditation for the school. Classmates DAN MCGILVRAY (Lorna), BRAD MACNEIL (Lynn), RED SMITH (Betsy), and Trav's wife, Tori, and sister, Georgie, attended. Photo below of Thomas Bard and President Teddy Roosevelt in the 1903 parade on Main Street in Ventura.
On June 5, DYKE MESSLER gave a tour of the 1908 Greene & Greene Gamble House Museum (commissioned by his great grandparents) to classmates DAN MCGILVRAY, BRAD MACNEIL, RED SMITH, JIM RILEY, JEFF RHODES 1967, and TRAV NEWTON The tour included Huntington Museum Curator of Western Americana Josh
Garrett-Davis and Curator of Architecture Erin Chase. Brad and Lynn Macneil had all over to dine at their Altadena home which survived the fire. On June 6, Brad gave a tour of the 1908 Fényes Mansion and Pasadena Museum of History where he was the curator. On June 7, Tori and Trav attended an opening at the Museum of Ventura County where they were greeted by Director ELENA BROKAW 1987 She hung former Thacher faculty Edgardo Catalan's 1989 "City Lights" in a place of honor at the entrance. Next to it is the late Frances Hofsess painting, "Thacher View."
1969
DAN GREGORY was the guest editor for the recent Classicist No. 21, published in New York by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, covering the architectural history of Northern California. Find your own copy on the Books tab of classicist.org.
1974
DAVID GRAHAM is happy to report that he performed with his beloved Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium in April. He says, “We performed Jocelyn Hagen's exciting multimedia symphony, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci This will be the second time the group has performed at Carnegie. The experience is bittersweet, as it marks
Photo credit: Museum of Ventura County
the retirement of Cheryl Anderson, our esteemed conductor and personal friend, whose baton I've sung under for 35 years. Still, a wonderful swan song for us all. Still feeling warm from the Class of 1974's wonderful 50th Reunion. Here's wishing CdeP 1975 a lallapalooza of a reunion this year!”
1977 ANDY HOLMAN announces, “What began as a 2017 alumni Reunion lecture and with source code from NFL and Olympics training is a new 2025 FDA-cleared device/diagnostic with the support of 15 CdeP angel investors. Inmedix® CloudHRV™ is now available to clinicians to measure heart rate variability (HRV) stress state with exceptional and proprietary, clinical precision. Thank you, fellow 1977, 1978, 1976, 1975, and 1974 Toads!”
1981
CAROL MCCONNELL spent a couple of days with fellow CdeP classmates JESSICA BELL HINDERSTEIN, SARAH JOHNSON GRAHAM, and CELIA STOLTZFUS They had a wonderful time catching up and sharing great memories of their days at Thacher.
ALUMNI PROFILE
TED RHODES CDEP 1965*
A Champion and Changemaker: The Creative Journey of a Local Activist and Artist
Since 1985, Carpinteria has been home to a vibrant creative force whose work behind the lens, on stage, and in the community has helped shape the cultural and environmental spirit of the many groups, individuals, and organizations fortunate to feel his impact. A community leader, activist, photographer, and musician, Ted Rhodes CdeP 1965 brings passion and purpose to every facet of his life, blending artistic expression with deep-rooted civic engagement.
Ted’s early professional life was spent in the heart of Hollywood’s film industry, working as a Key Grip on a number of iconic movie productions such as Beetlejuice and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but after years in the fast-paced world of film, he shifted his focus from the big screen to the causes, people, and landscapes that inspired him. Once settled on the South Coast, Ted quickly became active in local land-use and planning issues, engaging in pivotal environmental, political, and educational community initiatives.
Whether traveling in Cuba or merely walking his beloved Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve, Ted’s photography merges his skills as a photojournalist with his efforts to create fine art images, reflecting his appreciation for both the natural beauty and the human stories he encounters. His images have been featured in local, regional, and national publications, as well as prominently displayed on the public kiosks at the trailhead of the Franklin Trail and Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve. His fine-art photography has also been showcased in local juried exhibitions as well as occasional solo shows, including the Carpinteria & Summerland Artists Studio Tour—an annual event he once helped organize for the Carpinteria Arts Center.
Ted’s creative expression extends beyond the visual arts to the world of music. For over twenty years, he has also served as one of two official photographers for the Santa Barbara Blues Society, capturing the energy and emotion of live performances. He’s also the founder of The Americana Cats, a local band that performs throughout the Santa Barbara area.
As an activist and organizer, Ted has managed several critical political campaigns in Carpinteria and played a leading role in the successful 1990s grassroots campaign to save the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve & Viola Fields, a beloved natural space that today stands as a testament to the power of collective action through public acquisition efforts and community stewardship. Thanks to the valiant efforts of Ted and a number of other local conservationists, the Carpinteria community has been able to acquire several more parcels of Bluffs open space, culminating on Valentine’s Day of 2025 when the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County permanently saved and protected a 2.48-acre parcel known as “Rincon Gateway” at Carpinteria’s southeastern entrance. The site will remain undeveloped and safeguard rare coastal habitat, enriching public access and ecological resilience. Yet, a final battle awaits to try to save and preserve one last section of the Carpinteria Bluffs that is still threatened by development.
In addition to his work in Carpinteria, Ted has supported a number of organizations and initiatives in Santa Barbara, sharing his musical and production talents with Santa Barbara Middle School as co-producer of their annual Songfest afternoon of student performances, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Fund for Santa Barbara, a community foundation in Santa Barbara County with the mission of advancing progressive change by strengthening movements for economic, environmental, political, racial, and social justice.
Whether through his grassroots advocacy, his camera lens, or his harmonica, guitar, and songwriting, Ted’s work is a celebration of place, people, and purpose. With the ongoing support and encouragement of his wife Joni, Ted continues to use his creative gifts and civic dedication to uplift communities—advancing their causes, amplifying their stories, preserving their beauty, and helping to ensure that activism, art, and music remain essential threads of their cultural fabric.
CLASS NOTES
ALUMNI PROFILE
GRACE BINGHAM CDEP 2015*
A Therapist Rooted in Connection and Compassion
For those navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence and early adulthood, having someone who truly understands the emotional intensity of that journey can make all the difference. That’s what drives the work of Grace Bingham CdeP 2015, a dedicated therapist who brings both professional insight and deeply personal experience to her work with teens and young adults.
“Reflecting on my time at Thacher, I remember forming some of the deepest connections of my life—relationships that became a tether during moments of personal struggle and family loss,” said Bingham. “Like many adolescents, I grappled with inner turmoil brought on by academic pressure, major life transitions, and the emotional intensity of growing up. During my time there, I found myself leaning heavily on the care and closeness of those around me. That emotional support was pivotal to my well-being and gave me a profound understanding of the challenges young people face—many of which often go unseen or unspoken.”
Even in the face of those bonds, Grace recalls how rarely mental health was openly discussed during her time at Thacher. Therapeutic resources were scarce, and the stigma around emotional vulnerability left many students— herself included—without the support they needed. These early experiences planted the seeds of a calling: a desire to be the kind of supportive presence she once longed for.
Today, Grace helps adolescents and young adults navigate the complexities of mental health, identity, and personal growth. Her approach is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and the belief that healing happens in relationships. “Therapy, to me, is a process of gently peeling back the layers of distress to rediscover one’s strength, clarity, and sense of self,” she says.
Grace’s work is deeply informed by the transformation that happens not just through insight or technique, but through being truly seen and accepted. That understanding—first forged in the dorm rooms and dusty trails of her own youth—remains central to her practice today.
“I became deeply interested in how people make meaning of their internal lives,” she explains, “and how much healing can happen when someone feels truly seen and accepted.” It’s this presence—grounded in compassion and genuine connection—that she now offers to others.
Reflecting on my time at Thacher, I remember forming some of the deepest connections of my life.
1987 JEN CRITTENDEN wrote an original musical comedy, Regency Girls, that premiered at the Old Globe in San Diego last spring. It's described as a 19th-century abortion romp: "Our heroine Elinor Benton is in a predicament: she's pregnant, unmarried, and faces certain ruin. So she gathers up her three best friends and sets off on a life-changing road trip to find Madame Restell, the wickedest woman in London, renowned for helping women with ‘female troubles.’ This epic journey, hilarious and profound, transforms each of them as they make choices about their own futures." It was such a success that Regency Girls is now Broadway bound.
1994 RIKA HOWE TOLL, NATE TOLL, and their daughter, Josephine, have been sailing full time since August last year. Rika and Nate are taking a sabbatical from teaching and Josephine is completing her high school junior year on the boat. They have been able to meet up with Toads along the way - ALLISON HENRY 1993, BRIAN BENNETT, JENNIFER KRITZ, and FELICITY HOWE ARNOLD 2000 They have sailed as far north as Boston and as far south as the Exumas in the Bahamas during this school year. They returned to land life in Oklahoma in May.
1995* EMILY KATE MOON shared, “The third book of my children’s book series, the Science Pals, will be published this June! Following DROP: An Adventure through the Water Cycle (2021) and PUFF: All About Air (2024), now RAY: How Light Works (2025) is coming to teach us how light powers life on Earth. Writing and illustrating this book has been my most challenging project yet, and I’m so excited to share it with the world!” She adds, “The first book I ever wrote and illustrated, incidentally, was my Senior Project in 1995. It was about fairies, not science, but it was a start! Happy reading, my fellow Toads!”
1998 KIM TURNER recently caught up with several Thacher alums in San Francisco and reports how wonderful it is to run into and hang out with Toads around the Bay. Kim continues to work on social justice and civil rights causes in her professional work, enjoys chasing after her two elementary-age kids and dog, and hopes to get back to campus soon, always delighting in updates from Ojai about teams, activities, and amazing feats of current and past Thacherites!
first Thacher Reunion. WHITNEY LIVERMORE went above and beyond in carrying out her duties as co-officiant. During the ceremony, a Thacher choir composed of Whitney, NIKKE ALEX 2003, ALI ARASTU, CARA BONEWITZ, LAUREN FISKE, BIANCA KISSEL RUSSELL, and STEPHANIE RAUNER sang a moving, harmonized rendition of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" to a captive audience.
2011 JACK SLIGH got married earlier this year to Tami Boyce! A whole crew of Thacher friends were in attendance, including CHRIS EATON 2004, LESLIE SLIGH 2007, WILL RUTTER, OLIVIA STONEHOUSE, TREVOR MULCHAY, JIM SLIGH 2004, KYLE GRIFFITH, EUNICE GRIFFITH 2010, RICHY YUN, and BRYANNA LLOYD
2000* In July 2024, JULIA ROMANO published her first book, an integrative health postpartum guide for health practitioners and mothers. It has received glowingly positive reviews: "Yoga Therapy for the Whole Mother is an essential resource for yoga therapists and will also be of tremendous value for health practitioners interested in expanding care beyond the biomedical model." Along with Julila’s postpartum yoga therapy work, she is in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor in her new home state of West Virginia where she and her husband have four children, own a farm, and are putting down roots to see what blossoms.
2008 MATTHEW EILAR and Alexander Castillo-Kohlenberg were married at the Olivas Adobe in Ventura on April 27, 2024. ETHAN NONOMURA was in the wedding party, and an all-star cast of friends from the Class of 2008 helped celebrate. Left to right: CHRISTINA EILAR 2012, LOGAN KROLOFF, RITA WALTON, KELSEY HARRINGTON, Alexander Castillo-Kohlenberg, Matthew Castillo-Kohlenberg, Ethan Nonomura, EMMO GATES, Taylor Black, ALESSANDRA WASTE
2004 In September 2024, KELLY PERCIVAL married Justin Shilad, just three months after Justin spent a weekend in a bunk bed while surviving his
2010* Head of School Jeff Hooper sent in his own class note and photo. He shared, “I had a great time with these delightful souls in San Francisco: TIM REED, SARINA PATEL, BRIANNA BOHNETT, ALBERT PEREZ, and SEBASTIAN SCHELL We caught up on Thacher memories, their many post-Thacher triumphs, classmates, and the Thacher of today. It was super fun and this is such a great class. Should be a great reunion as well!”
2014 OLIVIA SIMONSON kicked off this year getting married to Nick Sullivan in a beautiful ceremony in England. Alongside her, with Maid of Honor duties, was CLEMENCIA GARCIAKASIMIROWSKI
2015* SASHA ONGLEY is the assistant producer of To Dance Is To Resist, a featurelength documentary on queer Ukranian resistance by Julian Lautenbacher that follows the poetic love story of a queer Ukrainian couple who are professional dancers. The film closely follows their experience of love and war, finding refuge and empowerment in Kyiv’s underground LGBTQI+ community. The project is in post-production with the director currently in Kyiv collecting final footage. They are seeking donations and coproduction and distribution collaborators to help get this important story out to the world. Sasha invites anyone interested in supporting the film to reach out directly.
2018 BÉA PIERREPONT shared, “I am in my second year of veterinary school at Tufts University with an emphasis on equine medicine and surgery!”
2019 ANNA-LIISA EKLUND has been living abroad and shared, “Hello Toads! Since September, I have been living in Madrid, Spain teaching English at a local secondary school. I love working with students, improving my Spanish, and exploring Madrid. My brother JAMES EKLUND 2022 studied abroad in Madrid during the Fall 2024 semester which made my experience all the more special. Here we are watching the LaLiga El Clásico match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona back in October. Wishing everyone a Feliz Año!”
2020*
ANNA PATA is thrilled to share that she’s been working in the film industry in Gold Coast, Australia since graduating with her Bachelor of Film & Television degree last year. She’s had the opportunity to work on two feature films (a Christmas one and a thriller) in the art department! The thriller is being released in theaters this summer, and she is looking forward to hopefully working on more film sets in the future.
2021 At the Washington University in St. Louis graduation ceremony, graduates DASH MARTIN and SOPHIE BEKINS had their Thacher siblings, THEO MARTIN '27 and KAI BEKINS 2023, there to celebrate!
2023
JOSHUA BILLINGTON,
, and ELLE
enjoyed some Thacher catch-up time at Berkeley.
2024 Thacher was well represented at the National Collegiate Volleyball Club Tournament! DUNCAN GRIMES 2021 competed for Vanderbilt; GAGE GRIMES competed for Dartmouth; and GRAHAM ROGERS competed for Claremont McKenna. Graham and Gage found themselves facing off against each other in the first match! Also pictured here is SHELL DUNCAN GRIMES 1989
ELIZABETH DOMINGUEZ shared, “I've been working as a research assistant in a lab since the fall semester and I am excited to begin working on my own project! The lab focuses on the proteins involved in the creation of the eggshell in C. Elegans (a very small but famous worm) and
CHAO TANG
O HILL
my project will seek to find the existence of new proteins using CRISPR-edited worms and various other techniques, all of which is very exciting.”
BEN BILLINGS has joined the Red Devil Sports Network (RDSN) at Dickinson College and is learning the craft of sports broadcasting. Next year he will be the Vice President of the club!
Former Faculty
PETER SAWYER was honored at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History this past January. Peter has volunteered at the Sea Center for 16 years, sharing his background in biology and ecology to guests visiting Stearns Wharf.
EDGARDO CATALAN is a name remembered and revered by many alumni that have come through Thacher. He is living in Chile and has just opened his current art exhibit at the University of Valparaíso.
ALUMNI PROFILE
KATIE VYHNAL CDEP 2021
A Budding Biologist on a Global Mission to Understand Nature’s Complexities
Fresh from earning a BA in biology at Occidental College, Katie Vyhnal CdeP 2021 is already making waves in the world of ecological research. With a deep love for the natural world and an eye toward global conservation, she is preparing for a prestigious Fulbright research fellowship that will take her to the tropical forests of Malaysia to study a uniquely fascinating parasite-host interaction: the Ophiocordyceps fungus and its ant hosts.
Katie’s journey into scientific research began not with a specific fascination for lab techniques, but through a strong desire for mentorship. During her first semester at Occidental, she took an introductory zoology course taught by Dr. Shana Goffredi, whose enthusiasm and authenticity left a lasting impression. “I wasn’t even all that interested in lab research at the time,” she recalls. “I just knew I wanted to learn from her.” That initial spark of interest matured into a three-year commitment to Goffredi’s Microbial Symbiosis research laboratory, where they explored the diverse interactions between invertebrates and microorganisms.
Katie’s favorite project during this time was working with tropical insects, a study that bridged lab analysis with immersive fieldwork in Costa Rica’s rainforests. “To some, it would be excruciating,” she says of the hot, humid days spent collecting specimens in the dense understory. “To me, it was exhilarating.” That transformative experience cemented her love for tropical ecology and field biology, leading her to pursue a semester abroad in Quito, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. There, her curiosity expanded into a broader interest in conservation and the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
Upon returning to Occidental, Katie channeled her field and research experience into a new goal: earning a Fulbright to continue studying ecological systems at a global scale. Her upcoming project, in collaboration with Dr. Wan F.A. Jusoh at Monash University Malaysia, aims to identify the specific strains of Ophiocordyceps fungi and the ant species they parasitize. Using molecular tools to sequence DNA, she hopes to clarify which fungal strains are dominant in the region and which ants serve as their primary hosts—research that could fill a significant gap in current ecological knowledge.
Katie’s love for biology took root as a student at Thacher School. Inspired by her Field Biology course, she developed a foundational passion for environmental science. Summers spent working as a counselor at “Turtle Camp”—a collaboration between Thacher and the Turtle Conservancy—further reinforced her dedication to conservation and mentorship.
Driven by curiosity, grounded in gratitude, and fueled by a desire to give back, Katie is poised to deepen our understanding of nature’s complexities—and to inspire others along the way.
To some, it would be excruciating... To me, it was exhilarating.
IN MEMORIAM
ALUMNI
Philip F. Ticer CdeP 1941
We recently learned of the passing away of Philip Ticer, who was the last living member of CdeP 1941.
John H. McLaren CdeP 1952 P ’88, ’92
John Howard McLaren passed away on December 8, 2024, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease and dementia. This news was shared by his daughter, Jessica CdeP 1992, in a family announcement.
At Thacher, John was active both academically and athletically. He served as a prefect and was a member of the Committee of X. He played on the First Soccer Team and captained the First Baseball Team, while also participating in the Lettermen’s Club and Dramatics. Known for his humor, he was remembered by classmates for his familiar phrase, “Okay, okay! Don’t push me. I’ll go to my room myself,” during evening lights out.
Jessica’s remembrance noted that despite his long illness, John’s wit, humor, and kindness remained with him. He maintained a strong interest in sports, politics, and the world around him throughout his life.
C. Barclay Goldsmith CdeP 1955
Charles Barclay Goldsmith attended Green Fields Country Day School and graduated from The Thacher School in 1955. While at Thacher, he was an active participant in campus life, serving on the Student Council, The Notes Board, "Arch" Board,
and as a member of numerous teams and clubs, including the Green Gymkhana Team, Glee Club, Masquers (Actors Committee), Pack and Saddle, Museum Board, and Rifle Team. Known for his dry wit and distinctive humor, Barclay once quipped about a letter on his dresser "perfumed" for effect, only to reveal it was from his mother, Mae, a moment fondly remembered by classmates.
After Thacher, Barclay earned a BA in English from Stanford University and an MFA from Carnegie Mellon University. He taught theater at Pima Community College for 33 years and was an original member of Teatro Libertad. He later founded Borderlands Theater, where he developed new works and trained hundreds of actors. His career was dedicated to creating theater that uplifted marginalized voices, and he was widely recognized for his contributions, both locally and internationally.
In addition to his work in the arts, Barclay was active in the sanctuary movement through Southside Presbyterian Church, advocating for immigrant rights.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith; sons Christopher (Kelly) and Patrick (Carol); grandchildren Tomás and Clarissa; sister Kathryn Allen; and brother Timothy Goldsmith. A service will be held in the fall.
David L. Laylin CdeP 1955
David Lewis Laylin passed away on November 20, 2024, at the age of 87. Born in Washington, D.C., David later made his home in Orange, Virginia.
During his years at Thacher, David was known for his humor, quick smile, and enjoying a cigar. An active participant in campus life, he sang in the Glee Club and Octet, played soccer, baseball, and tennis, and competed with his horse, Bandit, in Gymkhana events. A champion at the chessboard and a self-proclaimed "chemist of sorts," he was also known as the Smoke Shack President.
David’s wide ranging interests and active presence were known across campus, “from Montecito to Palm Springs.”
He is survived by his daughters Malena Laylin, Simonne Laylin Shuey, and Tafline Kay Laylin; his wife Carol Hallman; and his stepchildren Christopher and Jessica Hallman.
Wesley R. Petit CdeP 1959
Wesley Petit CdeP 1959 passed away in February 2025. His wife, Linda, shared that he maintained an active interest in tennis, classical music, and fishing throughout his life.
At Thacher, Wes captained the J.V. Tennis Team and played on the First Tennis Team, the “A” Basketball Team, and the First Soccer Team. He was also involved in the Pack and Saddle Club, the Outdoor Committee, and several other campus organizations.
He is survived by his wife and two sons. He is remembered by his classmates and the Thacher community.
Lloyd R. DuBois CdeP 1960
We recently learned that Lloyd DuBois passed away in 2024.
At Thacher, Llloyd quickly became a notable presence on campus. Early in his Middle School years, he earned the distinction of “A” Camper and maintained a strong record in both camping and gymkhana. Throughout his Upper School years, Lloyd was involved in a wide range of activities, including acting, journalism, debate, tennis, and student leadership. He served as a prefect, a delegate to SBS/ICT, a member of the The Notes Board, and captain of the Second Team Soccer and J.V. Tennis teams.
The 1960 yearbook notes Lloyd’s versatility, combining strong academics with myriad extracurricular pursuits. In addition to his athletic and leadership roles, Lloyd was known for his writing and love of horses, often seen heading into the hills near campus during his free time.
Lloyd’s contributions to the Thacher community are remembered by his classmates and peers.
Edmund F. Pellissier CdeP 1964
Edmund Pellissier CdeP 1964, passed away in 2024. His sister, Michele, shared news of his passing with the school and noted that his Thacher experience empowered him to live a fulfilling life.
During his three years at Thacher, Edmund was known for his good humor, determination, and active participation across many areas of campus life. He was a member of the Horse Program, Green Gymkhana Team, Tennis Team, Glee Club, and Outdoor Committee. He served as President of the Pack and Saddle Club during his senior year and earned the distinction of "A" Camper.
Edmund is remembered by his classmates and the Thacher community.
Edmund's yearbook spoke about his leadership on camping trips, his dedication to horsemanship, and his ever-present sense of humor. He left a lasting impression on his classmates; they had fond memories of their time together.
Derrick von Schlegell CdeP 1966
Derrick von Schlegell CdeP 1966 passed away in 2024.
At Thacher, Derrick participated actively in campus life. His senior yearbook reflected
his interests through a collection of musical references and quotations. After graduating, he attended UCLA.
Derrick is remembered by his classmates and the Thacher community.
Nori Livermore CdeP 1966 P ’04
meaningfully with faculty and staff. (All of this continued when Whitney joined the Thacher faculty, too; Nori and Mo were just as present at Thacher basketball games when Whitney coached as they had been when she was a player!)
Whitney’s Thacher friends have shared that they, too, benefitted from Nori’s presence at Thacher: that he taught them how to care for others, how to understand and rejoice in the wilderness and in relationships formed with others, how to embody a spirit of optimism and hard work, and how to give freely of oneself, without expectation.
In addition to wife Mo (Thacher Trustee 19912001), daughter Whitney CdeP 2004, and brothers Sam CdeP 1969 and Dave CdeP 1973, Nori is survived by a large and loving family of Thacher Toads: nieces Laurel Peterson CdeP 2002, Kaggie Orrick CdeP 2006, and Caroline Jeffers ‘27; nephews William Peterson CdeP 2008 and Olivier Domergue CdeP 2013; and cousins Dick Livermore CdeP 1964, Sara Livermore CdeP 1979 and Rob Livermore CdeP 1979 and Sam Orrick CdeP 1979, and Murray Orrick CdeP 1977.
Norman “Nori” Livermore CdeP 1966 passed peacefully in February after an 18-month journey with pancreatic cancer. In characteristic Thacher style, Nori lived every day to the fullest, meeting each challenge with optimism, patience, and grace. He loved spending time with his family in the mountains, working on projects around his ranch, cheering on his favorite basketball teams, taking time to connect with his patients and their families, and indulging in ice cream whenever possible.
At Thacher, Nori was known for seizing every opportunity to learn something new and improve himself, as well as for giving his best to every task in front of him. Nori was a proud member of Thacher’s basketball and baseball teams, and he loved any time spent on the back of (or on the ground with) his horse. He cherished the relationships that he forged with schoolmates and teachers alike, and he was looking forward to attending his 60th Reunion next June.
As a Thacher dad, Nori was a spirited and supportive fan for his daughter Whitney’s teams and performances, alongside his wife Mo. He enthusiastically took part in all areas of Thacher parenthood: bringing treats to the dorm, sitting in on classes when allowed, and connecting
Nori left this world a better place, and he truly embodied the last line of our beloved Banquet Song: “to do the best work in the world that we can, ‘til the best we can do is all done.”
Written by Mo Livermore P ‘04 & Whitney Livermore CdeP 2004
Dr. Edward H. Koo CdeP 1972
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of my beloved brother, Dr. Edward H. Koo CdeP 1972 (“Eddie”). For a cancer with a typical prognosis of three to nine months, he defied expectations by a wide margin, battling pancreatic cancer for over 18 years – a remarkable testament to his extraordinary resilience and willpower.
Eddie’s time at Thacher was a defining period in his life, a chapter that shaped him into the man he would become – a pillar of honor, fairness, kindness, and truth. At Thacher, he developed the foundations of his intellectual curiosity and enduring work ethic, qualities that would carry him through a distinguished career in medicine and research.
Despite the relentless battle with cancer, Eddie remained steadfast in his commitments,
IN MEMORIAM
continuing to nurture his family and excel in his profession. He touched countless lives with his insight, humor, and compassion, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond his work.
After Thacher, Eddie pursued higher education at Amherst College, followed by medical school at Duke University. He completed postgraduate training in pathology and neurology at UCSF, further honing his expertise in neuropathology at Johns Hopkins under Dr. Don Price. This training prepared him for his influential roles as a neurologist and neuropathologist at Harvard, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and later as a professor and researcher at UC San Diego and, in the later years, concurrently at the Singapore National University Hospital, where he became a prominent leader in the study of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Eddie’s journey from Thacher to becoming a leading figure in Alzheimer’s research exemplifies the profound impact that his early experiences and values from Thacher had on his life and career. His unwavering dedication to science, his colleagues, and his family will be deeply missed, but his legacy endures in the lives he touched and the advancements he made in his field.
To me, Eddie fully embodies Thacher’s core value “to do the best work we can do, 'til the best we can do is all done.” He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his son, Jeremy; and his daughter, Allison.
With love and remembrance, Alex Koo, CdeP 1982
Michael Maurette M. CdeP 1980
Michael M. Maurette CdeP 1980 passed away in March 2025.
Miguel Hernandez CdeP 1988
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our classmate, Miguel Hernandez, in early March. Miguel is survived by his wife, Miki, and their children, Lucas and Erika.
Born in Piru, California, Miguel’s journey took him across the globe. He lived in Ojai, Washington, D.C., Palo Alto, San Francisco, Tokyo, Poland, Nashville, and finally London, where he passed away. He earned a BA in Public Policy from Stanford and an MBA from Northwestern (Kellogg), and built a successful career in finance, with leadership roles at Bank of America, Salomon Brothers, Volpe Welty, Franklin Templeton, and Lazard.
At Thacher, Miguel was elected School Chairperson by his peers and served as captain of the Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team. His leadership was both steady and inspiring. “Everyone liked and trusted him,” wrote Vic Wykoff CdeP 1988. “He was an excellent choice.” As a pitcher, Miguel was unmatched. “He had it all—fastballs, curves, sliders, and a nasty knuckleball,” Vic recalled. “He might have been our Shohei Ohtani.”
Miguel’s spirit extended well beyond the diamond. “To condense Miguel’s life into accomplishments is to miss the point,” wrote Peter Justin O’Brien CdeP 1988. “He was kind, generous, loyal—a lifelong friend.” Peter recalled a recent dinner in London, just weeks before Miguel’s passing. “We spent half the time laughing, and the other half talking about how much we loved our families.”
The stories of Miguel at Thacher are legendary—his role in the “hot sauce challenge” on the balcony of Middle School, his Latin classes with Marvin Shagam, his deep respect for teachers like Junius ("J. B.") Close, and the enduring friendships that defined his life. “Miguel found joy in his work,” Vic wrote, “but he made time only for the people he truly cared about. That included his Thacher friends.”
Miguel was our first classmate to pass, a humbling reminder of time’s passage and the ties that bind. His absence is deeply felt, but his memory remains alive in the hearts of those who knew him.
“To Miki, Lucas, and Erika,” Peter wrote, “please know how deeply Miguel loved you—and how proud he was of you. He told me so often. He always will.”
May Miguel’s life continue to inspire us, and may he live on in the stories we share.
Memories by Victor Wykoff CdeP 1988 & Peter O’Brien CdeP 1988
Rachel V. Crow CdeP 1998
The new girls… I remember Rachel as I remember myself: a sophomore transplant from the big city. Walking into a strange new dream world - feigning strength and openness, while actually feeling utterly topsy-turvy. We bonded right away from this place of shared new experience. We talked and walked for a week straight, backpacking across the Sierras, becoming fast besties in a way that feels so much more attainable at age 15. Rachel and I were a match in our fierce felt-sense of selfknowledge and self-advocacy, as we successfully lobbied for a rare roommate switch immediately upon returning to campus.
And that’s how it started. We became two of a crew of six brilliantly bonded young women, who were utterly enraptured with each other, with our explorations of friendship, music, nature, and unbridled joy. Rachel touched so many more students as well, forming friendships that extended into adulthood and took her across the wide West.
Rachel had a way about her that was absolutely hilarious and outspoken but also coy and grounded. Never one to hold back a laugh, never one to back down, she was a force of strength and a source of comfort to us.
Solidly an East Coaster, Rachel embraced becoming a West Coast girl with all of herself! Whether horseback riding, studying plants, making art and music, or exploring the beaches, Rachel dove into it all with abandon.
Our time all together was brief but powerful, resonating always in all of our hearts.
We can still hear the sound of her - laughing so hard that we were all brought to joyful tears, then as now.
Remembrances by Jackie (Festa) Bloom CdeP 1998
Submitted by Bronwen Halsey Murch CdeP 1998
THIS SUMMER WE SAY GOODBYE TO TWO LEGENDARY, LONG-TERM THACHER FACULTY MEMBERS WHO MADE A REMARKABLE, INDELIBLE IMPACT ON THE SCHOOL AND ITS STUDENTS.
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAUGHT
2,000
DANCING in the RIGHT DIRECTION
n her 2019 TOAD Talk, Gallia Vickery reflected on the lessons she took away from E.B. White’s 1945 children’s novel Stuart Little. Primary among them was that it is ok to change your life plan, as long as you are moving towards something rather than running away. “But you don’t have to be in a hurry,” Gallia shared, “because I think you can be moving toward something important for a long time.”
As she completes her thirty-fourth year at Thacher, thankfully Gallia was not in a hurry here. When she arrived in 1991, she was initially hired as a sabbatical replacement for math teacher Tom Foster and to run an extra-curricular dance activity. It would take her two more years to have dance approved as a fall afternoon activity. In the ensuing years she choreographed over 125 dance pieces and close to 30 musical theater productions.
"To have built something so vibrant, so powerful, so important from scratch, is an achievement with very few parallels in our school's history," said Jeff Hooper, head of school. During her more than threedecade Thacher tenure, Gallia has held a number of roles, including Math Department Chair, AP Testing Coordinator, and advisor to junior girls. She did that and more while also raising two daughters, Melissa CdeP 2003 and Sasha, with her husband Bill.
Shared one former students, "Gallia taught me dance, for sure, and math, for sure, but what she really gave me, was a vision of what being a woman could be. I knew I could be smart, and go to a good school, and dance, and get married, and love my job, because she did all those things and more. I learned how to speak up from Gallia, and I haven't stopped since. Thank you Gallia for showing me how to be a woman and a leader."
As she wraps up an extraordinary teaching career marked by meaningful contributions too many to count, the closing paragraph of Stuart Little remains a fitting tribute to her Thacher journey and the many adventures ahead:
“As he peered ahead into the great land that stretched before him, the way seemed long. But the sky was bright, and he somehow felt he was headed in the right direction.”
Thank you, Gallia, for allowing your life plan to unfold here at Casa de Piedra, and for gracefully “moving toward” this important work for these 30+ years.
Gallia is a titan. An icon. A keystone of this faculty. There is no replacing her, and there will never be another quite like her.
JEFF HOOPER, Head of School
The MCMAHON MAGIC
fter more than 20 years at Thacher, Bill McMahon retires this summer from his role as Director of Enrollment and Planning. He joined the School in 2003 from Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts, where he served as the Director of Marketing and Planning following work in advertising in New York City. Bill earned his BA at Colgate, where his four sons—also Thacher graduates— attended college, and his MBA at Columbia.
AWhen asked about his favorite part of the day at Thacher, Bill said it’s “talking with families about the School’s amazingly positive peer community.” His ideal EDT? Sea kayaking down the leeward side of Catalina Island and spending the afternoons snorkeling in the kelp forests.
IN HIS FIRST YEAR, APPLICATION NUMBERS INCREASED BY 13%
BY THE TIME OF HIS DEPARTURE, APPLICATIONS HAD RISEN BY 56%
For the past 30 years, Bill and his wife Sabina have also spent their summers in Orford, New Hampshire directing Camp Moosilauke, a summer program for boys founded in 1904.
In a 2012 interview about that year’s admission cycle, Bill commented, “The willing enthusiasm each applicant showed throughout the admission process is testament to how the unique magic of The Thacher School—a place where academic rigor and a nurturing community coexist in a way like no other—has come to life for a new generation of Toads.”
Congratulations, Bill, on your more than two decades at Thacher, and for the many, many ways your own “unique magic” has shaped the School for generations to come.
IN THIS TIME, WE’VE RECEIVED ABOUT 13,000 Applications
PERSONALLY INTERVIEWED APPROX
1,750 Families
1,447 AT THACHER Students ENROLLED
The Thacher School
5025 Thacher Road
Ojai, CA 93023
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A Saturday evening in early April provided a splendid setting for a community bonfire under the stars.
