Harker Quarterly, Winter 2009

Page 31

Milestones Staff Updates

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Culinary Student. She recently completed the required courses to become a certified executive chef through the American Culinary Federation and is seeking her third gold medal in order to become a judge at culinary competitions.

n July, Craig Pasqua, US tennis coach and director of the Harker Oakwood Tennis Training System and Summer Tennis Camp programs, was on a panel of athletes at the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Kids Town Hall Forum at the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford. Pasqua also worked this summer in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska with Standing Tall Tennis (SST), an organization that provides tennis, sports and educational opportunities to Native American children on reservations. Pasqua is the president of STT and chairman of USTA’s diversity committee. Effective this school year, Dan Hudkins, director of information systems, is managing the network administration team led by Mark Locascio, the help desk and technical support group led by Jesse Lara and the application development and systems integration group led by Preeti Sharan. Harker photographer Mark Tantrum of the Office of Communication has had one of his photos published in a large format book, “175 Photographers: A Collection of Contemporary Photography from JPGmag. com.” Tantrum’s photo, taken in Toyohashi, Japan, in 2001, is titled “One Man’s Treasure is Another Man’s Junk.” Tantrum is also a first-place winner in the Altpick Awards Photography Single category for “Balloon and Needle,” taken in 2009, earning him a Nikon Cool Pix camera and sundry other prizes. Terry Walsh has moved from director of alumni relations to archivist. With her vast knowledge of Harker, accumulated over her 30 years at the school, she adds tremendous value to this important endeavor. As an archivist, she will help preserve Harker traditions and history. Christina Yan ’93 has returned to Harker as director of alumni relations. See story, page 37. Danae McLaughlin is now assistant to the executive chef in the Harker kitchens and will assist in overall business management of the food services department. McLaughlin joined Harker in 2007 after attending the

“Balloon and Needle” by Mark Tantrum

Professional Culinary Institute in Campbell, where she graduated with honors and received the Bert Cutino award for Outstanding

College counselor Kevin Lum Lung was a presenter at the Challenge Success conference at Stanford in late September. Challenge Success is an expansion of the successful SOS (Stressed-Out Students) Project at Stanford University, founded by Dr. Denise Pope, who spoke at Harker several years ago. Lum Lung was a panelist and presenter for a session titled “College Admissions: The Long View.”

John Near Memorial: October 10, 2009 (May 28, 1953 - Sept. 26, 2009)

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he life and contributions of John Near, 31-year veteran U.S. history teacher and coach, were celebrated with tears and laughter by a crowd of nearly 500 on Oct. 10 in Nichols Hall on the Saratoga campus. The moving tribute brought Near’s family, friends, fellow teachers, alumni, students and parents together to share anecdotes, reminisce, and, ultimately, celebrate a life well-lived. From a stage featuring Near’s classroom and coaching memorabilia, including a roll-top desk and sports jerseys, speakers reminisced on how Near contributed immeasurably to the development of the school – and thus thousands of students. Speakers included Diana Nichols, former head of school and current Harker trustee and consultant; Head of School Chris Nikoloff; three of Near’s lifelong friends; alumnae Jessica Liu ‘04, VyVy Trinh ’07 and Near’s daughter, Casey ‘06; and Jim Near, John’s father.

“The life and contributions of John Near ... were celebrated with tears and laughter ...”

There was a slide show set to music that illustrated Near’s many roles: teacher; coach; husband of Pam Dickinson, director of Harker’s Office of Communication; father; son; brother; and friend. Attendees shared their special John Near memories and moments during open mic time, each anecdote illustrating a caring, passionate teacher. Following the program, Near’s favorite snacks, such as popcorn, apples and brownies, were served. From the dozens of anecdotes and memories, it is clear Near’s life and impact leave a legacy that will continue to inspire his thousands of students, scores of peers and friends and his own loving family. Visit Harker News Online for a slideshow of the memorial. Honoring Near’s wishes, donations can be made to any one of the following: The John Near Excellence in History Education Endowment Fund (Harker School Advancement Office; 3800 Blackford Ave; S.J. 95117; checks to The Harker School, memo line “John Near Endowment Fund”); Hospice of the Valley www.hospicevalley.org/giving.html; CaringBridge www.caringbridge. org/visit/johnnear/; Silicon Valley Wellness Center www.svwellness.org/. To order a DVD of the memorial, e-mail communications@harker.org. H A R K E R Q U A R T E R LY

WINTER 2009

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