UPrep Magazine - Summer 2022

VOL. 6 NO. 2

UPrep SUMMER 2022

MAGAZINE

The Art of Innovation Inside the ULab: A Closer Look at UPrep’s Future Page 6

Creative Thinkers: Four Innovative Alumni Page 16

In this issue: 3

Message from Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau

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Harnessing a Culture of Innovation

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Inside the ULab: A Closer Look at UPrep’s Future

10

Show Your Work: Building Deeper Connections to Water and Wellness

12

Show Your Work: Students Build Academic Skills with Book of the Dead

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Student Studies Science of Cooking during Independent Study

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Creative Thinkers: Four Innovative Alumni

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New Staff Members Bring Their Expertise to UPrep

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Mock Trial Team Enjoys Stellar Season

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On the Bookshelf

OUR MISSION University Prep is committed to developing each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.

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35

44

Student Awards

Alumni News

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36

45

In the Arts Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX

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News from Our Colleagues

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Athletics in Review

UPrep Together— A Record-Breaking Success!

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42

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Class Notes

Upcoming Events Above: Students from the Marimba intensive play at UPrep Together, our annual community celebration and fundraiser.

Front cover: Taha Ebrahimi ’97 poses at Cal Anderson Park with pages from the book she is writing and illustrating that maps Seattle’s widest and oldest street trees.

SUMMER 2022

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jennifer Zell, PRESIDENT

Michelle Goldberg

Andrea Thoreson

Scotland Nash, VICE PRESIDENT

Quyen Hamilton

Blake Titcomb ‘09

Jarrad Harford, TREASURER

Van Katzman

Mandira Virmani

Ninevah Lowery, SECRETARY

Patricia Landy

Jeremy Wacksman

Ric Anderson

Russell Normann ‘86

Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau,

Ed Billingslea, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Steve de Beer

Sujal Patel

EX OFFICIO

FOR ACADEMICS

Juli Cook

Timothy Richey

Susan Lansverk, ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Elizabeth (Liffy) Franklin

Dani Ruthfield

FOR FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Terry Nelson Froggatt

Andrew Selby

Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Ursula Phelan, PARENT GUARDIAN ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, EX-OFFICIO

Christina Zembruski, FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE, EX-OFFICIO

Joel Sohn, DIRECTOR OF UPPER SCHOOL Susie Wu, DIRECTOR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL Brian Gonzales, DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION AND EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

Ryan Hannon, DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Kelly Herrington, DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE

PARENT GUARDIAN ASSOCIATION President: Ursula Phelan Upper School Vice President: Myndee Ronning Middle School Vice President: Michele Miyoshi Treasurer: Alexa Crawford

COUNSELING AND STUDENT SERVICES

Secretary: Jenna Sylvester

Taylor Kanemori ’09, DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY,

Past Executive: Tracy Pozil

EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

Governance: Krysia Johnson

Mary Beth Lambert, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Development Liaison: Denise Angelone

AND COMMUNICATIONS

Admissions Liaison: Quyen Hamilton

Debbie Playter, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Community Service Event Liaisons: Mary Balmaceda, Nicole Mirchandani

AND BOARD ASSISTANT

Diversity and Community: Julie Kang Global Programs Liaisons: Laura Constable, Tracy Zheng

UPrep

M AGAZINE

Parent Guardian Education: Rupali Chauhan, Missy Gleason, Melissa Heaton, Robin Waterman Parents for the Arts: Melissa Donsbach, Paige Hansen-Shankar Sports Boosters: Cynthia Dold, Kati Pagulayan, Michelle Perham, Robynn Takamiya

EDITOR Nancy Schatz Alton

12th Grade Reps: Andrea Basinski, Amy Colando, Jean-Francois Luu

CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Schatz Alton, Anne Bingham, Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau, Claire Fallat, Brian Gonzales, Leah Griffin, Mary Beth Lambert, Catherine McNutt, Rebecca Moe

10th Grade Reps: Julia Guthrie, Lauren Woodman

11th Grade Reps: Kimberly Briar, Kauser Dar, Sandhya Subramanian 9th Grade Reps: Caitlin Angeloff, Aija Christopher, Gail Ticeson 8th Grade Reps: Kate Madrid, Wendy Guy, Kristie Shields, Tim Stoddard 7th Grade Reps: Kelly Campbell, Linda Chou, Tember Fasulo 6th Grade Reps: Jen Falck, Alicia Litton, Alison Scott, Lucy Wacksman

PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Bontje, Kellen Davis, Claire Fallat, Abby Formella, Libby Lewis, Kedzie Moe, Rebecca Moe, Grace Silverman, Esme Tilghman, Andrew Storey COPY EDITOR Miriam Bulmer DESIGNER Anne Bryant Creative © 2022 University Prep 8000 25th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115 206.525.2714 www.universityprep.org UPrep Magazine is published twice yearly by the Marketing and Communications Office at University Prep.

The class of 2022 graduated at McCaw Hall on June 13.

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“The new creative learning spaces in the ULab will enable us to expand upon what we already do so well, so our students will have a lasting impact on the community beyond UPrep.”

Dear UPrep Families and Alumni, It was a thrill to complete an entire school year on campus and in person after a year and a half of virtual and hybrid learning. A full sports season swung back into action, and we ended the year with our baseball team and soccer team playing for state titles. Athletes from our track-and-field and tennis teams also competed for state titles. What a year to be a Puma!

Work has begun on the site of the ULab building, which is across the street from our main campus.

It is exhilarating to see trucks moving on and off the property, to hear construction sounds through my office window, and to imagine the structure that will rise from the rubble that now covers the lot.

In this magazine, you will learn much more about the spaces in this new building. The ULab will reflect the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of UPrep. This school has always been a place where we have asked our students to stretch their thinking beyond what they already know to what they need to learn.

Then, they can use this knowledge to become intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizens of the world. The new creative learning spaces in the ULab will enable us to expand upon what we already do so well, so our students will have a lasting impact on the community beyond UPrep.

We are proud to showcase two of our teachers and the courses they teach through the Show Your Work series. These articles highlight why our students are so excited to come to school each day and why our teachers are indeed our greatest asset at UPrep. You will not find the courses they teach in most school curriculum offerings, but you will find them at UPrep.

Finally, we interviewed four alumni who graduated from UPrep and embarked upon impactful and innovative careers. These alumni were inspired by their UPrep teachers to imagine, create, and realize their dreams. Students dream big while at UPrep, and it is rewarding to see who they become once they leave us for journeys into uncharted waters.

Wherever you are this summer, I hope you find a place to relax and dig into this magazine to see all that is happening at UPrep!

With appreciation,

Ronnie Codrington-Cazeau HEAD OF SCHOOL

SUMMER 2022

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Harnessing a Culture of Innovation BRIAN GONZALES, DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION AND EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

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he theme of this edition of the magazine is “The Art of Innovation.” Like collaborating in a jazz ensemble or pitching a start-up, innovation is not a linear process. To me, innovation requires the gumption to try something novel and to embrace the inevitable trials and tribulations along the way. At UPrep, we offer students many opportunities to engage in new

learning adventures. They pick up new instruments, build robots from scratch, go on Semester Away programs, get on stage for the first time, and lead consent education workshops. They explore their curiosity and showcase courage. They apply critical thinking skills, become more resourceful, and expand their ability to ask for help. These are the foundations of innovation, and I see it in every nook and cranny at UPrep.

From the Swimming and Water Safety intensive (on page 10) to the Book of the Dead project highlighted on page 12, our faculty’s capacity for creativity and innovation after two years of COVID-enforced perseverance is inspirational. Beyond the classroom, our students learn from alumni who return to campus to coach sports and lead clubs, like the two students on the Mock Trial Team, profiled on page

“At UPrep, we offer students many opportunities to engage in new learning adventures.

They pick up new instruments, build robots from scratch, go on Semester Away programs, get on stage for the first time, and lead consent education workshops. They explore their curiosity and showcase courage.”

23, who were coached by Patrick Trompeter ’94. Beyond that, four alumni share how UPrep prepared them to take risks and innovate in the fields of data visualization, technology, data science, fashion, and content creation (page 16). And there’s our new Senior Leadership Team members, introduced on page 20, who bring their expertise to our community.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, the ULab Capital Campaign is transforming our campus with the construction of the 39,000-square-foot, three-story ULab. It will be the hub of the Upper School—focused on amplifying the signature learning experiences and collaborations that are essential to thriving in an ever-changing global community. On the first level of the building, students will collaborate in the Beitel Commons, meet with our renowned college guidance counselors, and explore experiential learning opportunities in the Office of Innovation and Adventure. On the second floor, project classrooms and the new Makerspace will foster opportunities for invention, from coding drones to fabricating 3D prototypes. On the third floor, inspiration comes to life in the ULab Faculty Office and seminar-style classrooms where students will be challenged to learn beyond disciplines, to dig deeper and take intellectual risks, and to explore who they are and how they can make an impact in our community. I cannot wait to see students brainstorming on the rooftop deck, taking a community yoga class in the Wellness Studio, and tinkering in the Makerspace.

The ULab will be a game-changer, offering each student a place to connect to the amazing learning experiences UPrep offers and develop their potential to be creative and innovative Pumas out in the world.

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Inside the ULab: A Closer Look at UPrep’s Future

BY MARY BETH LAMBERT, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Currently under construction across the street from UPrep’s existing campus, the ULab will create a second academic hub, dedicated to igniting student passion for collaboration, creativity, and leadership through interdisciplinary and project-based learning. Here’s a sneak peek at one innovative space on each floor of the building, with insights from leaders in our UPrep community.

“In the PE department, our mantra is movement brings inspiration.

We think of physical fitness as supporting students’ physical, mental, and emotional health, and providing them with the skills and building blocks to learn and improve their confidence and competence to move in a variety of ways and situations.”

–KAYLA ROBERTSON, CHAIR, PE DEPARTMENT

WELLNESS STUDIO This half-gym will provide additional space for Pumas

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to move and explore different types of activities that embody wellness, such as yoga, dance, and fitness classes.

WELLNESS STUDIO

The space outside the gym will offer opportunities for students to use a TRX System (Total Resistance Exercises), a workout that uses specialized suspension equipment, body weight, and gravity to build strength, balance, flexibility, and core strength. There will also be dedicated space for bike storage for students who ride their bikes to and from school.

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INCLUDE OFFICE

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OFFICE FOR INNOVATION AND ADVENTURE This office will serve as a hub for students and faculty participating in UPrep’s signature Global Link courses and Semester Away programs, preparing outdoor adventure experiences, and hosting international students. For example, the Office for Innovation and Adventure staff will help students plan an ECHO (Enriching Community Health in the Outdoors) experience, guiding students to determine how their adventure will build community with others. Teachers will also collaborate with each other here to plan intensives that have a travel component. This office also partners with teachers to custom-design experiential learning based on their curriculum, their goals, and their students.

“At UPrep, global and outdoor education are place-based, community-based, experiential learning opportunities.

With global education, we foster opportunities focused on interacting with people in a new destination. With outdoor education, we foster opportunities focused on interacting as a community in a new outdoor environment.”

–KATE WILLIAMS, GLOBAL AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER

SUMMER 2022

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INVENT MAKERSPACE N

MAKERSPACE Filled with the newest technology tools—laser cutters, virtual reality (VR) headsets, soldering tools, 3D scanners and printers, and high-end computers dedicated to 3D design use—the 1,123-square-foot facility will make so much more possible for our community. Students will gain experience in design, engineering, and digital arts. Fine arts students, wearing VR headsets, will have the space to spread out and collaborate in a virtual world on a sculpture, painting, or other creations. Students in biology class may build a robotic arm to mimic the operation of a human arm. Computer science students can use a 3D scanner to design models of real-world items that they place into the video games they create.

“The Makerspace will be also available before and after school and during Community Time and office hours. They can bring in projects from home, build a project with faculty or coaches, or join one of many clubs, where beginners and experienced students can build and learn new skills with their peers.”

–JONATHAN DELGADO, ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR

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INSPIRE ULAB FACULTY OFFICE When we think of subjects that students study in school— English, history, math, science, PE, art, and languages—those are understood to be discrete disciplines. The reality is that in order for a student to fully understand what they’re trying to accomplish in a physics classroom, they need to have a working knowledge of all those subjects, so they can pull from them and transfer that knowledge to the problem that they’re trying to solve.

Interdisciplin­ary learning helps UPrep students make deeper, more meaningful, and lasting connections with their learning.

ULAB FACULTY OFFICE

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“Interdisciplinary learning prepares students for life beyond UPrep.

When our alums report back to us about the work that they are doing in research labs, nonprofits, medicine, and start-ups, it all has interdisciplinary components to it. There are no more discrete subjects that they have to master, but instead a blending of knowledge that they need to be able to command and pull from at any given time.”

–JOEL SOHN, UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR

ULab Campaign Gains Momentum To bring the ULab vision from a concept to reality,

everyone’s financial participation. We look forward to

UPrep embarked on a $25 million fundraising campaign—

inviting the support of our entire community ahead

the largest in the history of the school. Thanks to early

of our ribbon-cutting celebration in the fall of 2023.

support from our Trustees and major-gift-level donors, at the time of publication we have raised more than $17.4 million. The ULab Campaign Committee will continue to meet with families over the course of the next school

If you feel you are ready to make a stretch gift today, please contact the Development Office at development@universityprep.org.

year. To reach our philanthropic goal, we will need SUMMER 2022

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SHOW YOUR WORK

Building Deeper Connections to Water and Wellness

BY NANCY SCHATZ ALTON, WRITER /EDITOR

The Class: Swimming and Water Safety Intensive Students learn how to improve their own fitness and understand the science behind swimming, while also learning first aid, CPR, and other safety skills to practice around water. Students explore topics through experiences in the pool and the open water, from taking a community water aerobics class to working with a swim rescue firefighter. They develop their cardiorespiratory endurance by learning and practicing fundamental swimming strokes and fitness games and activities like modified water polo and water aerobics, to name a few. Students also dive into documentaries and projects and read the book Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui.

The Task: Deepen Connection to Water and an Understanding of Wellness Physical Education Teacher and Department Chair Kayla Robertson created this intensive around five themes based on the book Why We Swim: well-being, community, survival, flow, and competition.

Her main aim, though, is for students to diversify their idea of what a swimmer is and for each student to find their own connection to water. She wants each student to explore how they enjoy the water, whether that means sitting by the water, having fun on the water—say, paddleboarding or playing a game in the water—or swimming competitively. “The book reminds us that everybody is not a swimmer, but everyone has a story to tell about their relationship to water,” says Kayla. By the end of the three-week intensive, she hopes the students have a clear idea of how water and swimming activities can help them achieve an overall sense of well-being.

The Outcomes During this intensive, students connect to the water in so many ways. “We talk about this sense of ‘blue mind.’ Science shows that being near, on, or in water can make you feel happier. When we are close to, on, or in the water, we can disconnect from the busyness of the world, and be calm and relaxed,” said Kayla.

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The students are introduced to many water opportunities that connect them with the themes, especially for those who don’t see themselves as swimmers. When the class went on an overnight adventure to Orcas Island on a beautiful sunny day, they did a cold-water immersion in the icy water in a calm bay inlet.

“This was thrilling, exciting, and nerve-wracking. It’s salt water and there’s jellyfish and crabs. But it was a choose-your-own-adventure challenge, so some just dipped their toes in, and some sprinted to the water and dove in,” said Kayla. “Afterward, we warmed up in hot soaking tubs together. When I asked a student who isn’t a strong swimmer yet how they felt, they said, ‘Calm and relaxed.’

We talked about the shared sense of community that comes from doing the cold-water and hot-water immersions together, especially when you’re able to relax with a gorgeous view of nature.”

Kayla believes an overarching sense of well-being comes from doing things that benefit all aspects of health, including physical health, mental health, social health, and environmental health. “Swimming is inherently multidimensional. When you are in the water outside, you’re connecting with so many different elements of yourself and nature. You might be working on your physical health, using swimming as exercise. But it could also be meditative, even if you just consider the way we breathe when we swim,” she said.

The students learn to inhale quickly above water and then exhale slowly underwater. They also learn that this type of breathing activates their parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body. “There’s also a rhythm and repetition to swimming.

Oftentimes, that rhythm is why you feel a sense of mindfulness: when you can let your thoughts go and be present,” said Kayla.

“As a student becomes more confident swimming, that sense of flow leads to their sense of well-being.”

Student Sophie Angiulo, 11th grade, said the class helped her refine her definition of wellness. She thinks mental health is a big part of

GET TO KNOW TEACHER KAYLA ROBERTSON

wellness, and that physical exercise is a big part of being mentally

As a high school student, being involved in sports and school was

happy. “Being able to go to the pool every day and having all these

a way for Kayla to find a positive community. Her first job, at age

water experiences helped my well-being. I feel like I am one with

16, was teaching swimming lessons to children. She didn’t swim

nature when I am in the water. I feel at peace and well,” she said.

competitively until 10th grade, but at one point held seven school

“I learned that many people find their well-being from water. But

records and was the first female at her school to compete at state

I also learned that this looks extremely different for everyone. The

as an individual swimmer. She also met her husband on the high

water has a lot to offer: pretty views, beautiful sounds, and more.”

school swim team. Kayla became a PE teacher because her teachers

Student Loobna Shego, 11th grade, shared that swimming is great

and coaches were influential mentors in her life. She relishes the

for both her physical and mental health. “When I’m swimming,

joyful moments of triumph in the classroom, such as when students

it’s just me and the water; my other problems disappear,” she said.

are brave and jump into the deep end. “I love helping students

During the intensive, Loobna learned about AfroSwimmer, a community that uplifts and supports Black swimmers. “I was so interested in seeing how swimming and blackness intersect and how swimming brought together this group of people,” she said.

“AfroSwimmer is a community that bonds over struggle and success. Being a young Black swimmer, seeing this community was so inspiring and motivates me to become a better swimmer.” ■

believe in themselves—when they do something beyond their own expectations and spark creativity and joy through movement.

Teachers help students discover their potential, and sometimes we first find that confidence through our bodies in physical endeavors. Then that confidence carries over into their life,” said Kayla. She also loves designing curriculum and innovating with her colleagues, and that’s part of why she likes being the chair of the PE department.

SUMMER 2022

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SHOW YOUR WORK

Students Build Academic Skills with Book of the Dead

BY NANCY SCHATZ ALTON, WRITER /EDITOR

The Class: Religions and Philosophical Traditions of the Ancient World This course focuses on the religious and ethical traditions of ancient and preindustrial cultures around the world. The goals are to understand the key concepts and values that underlie these traditions and to consider the importance of religious and ethical thinking to the human experience. Students examine the continued influence of these traditions on the modern world. They consider Mesopotamia and Egypt, Classical Antiquity, and the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), as well as West African, Mesoamerican, and East and South Asian traditions.

The Task: Create a Pacific Northwest Book of the Dead The Book of the Dead refers to scrolls produced during ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom (c. 1550–700 BCE) that contained a series of spells and instructions meant to ease the passage of the deceased through tests that must be overcome to reach the Field of Reeds (paradise in the afterlife). Students use their knowledge of ancient Egyptian traditions to create a modern Book of the Dead that reflects their own culture and daily life in the Pacific Northwest. The finished group project needs to demonstrate an understanding of the scroll’s purpose by showing the deceased being guided through tasks by a deity or deities before facing a final judgment. Students also must demonstrate their understanding of artistic conventions used in ancient Egypt.

The Outcomes Students slowly build their academic skills during this yearlong 8th grade class, and this rigorous and joyful group project is well placed, said History Teacher Raj Bhat. “As someone who also teaches 9th grade history, I have a clear sense of what lies ahead,” he said.

Note taking is one example. The goal is to teach students to create a note-taking habit and to take notes in a systematic way that is efficient and helps them retain information. “I learned a new style of note taking where you don’t directly copy [what the teachers says or writes] but paraphrase in your own words,” said student Zoe Mann.

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GET TO KNOW TEACHER RAJ BHAT The more time Raj spent teaching while earning a master’s in art history at the University of Washington (UW), the more he liked it.

“I get the biggest kick out of noticing flashes of inspiration, when a seed is planted with the potential to grow even bigger.

Hopefully, when students experience that spark, they go and explore a new path,” said Raj, who also earned a BFA at the Parsons School of Design and a master’s in teaching at the UW. He was one of the founding consulting teachers for the World History Project, a free online course for high school students that will be used in thousands of U.S. classrooms within a few years. Before becoming a teacher, Raj wore many hats: he owned a coffee cart called Orbit Espresso in the 1990s and spent time as a freelance graphic designer, too.

Raj said the Book of the Dead project is the perfect marriage of

with legs, to be the representative of Amit, the soul-devouring

knowledge and creativity. “It’s the most fun students have all year,

monster. The character Insert Name Here or INH was a Starbucks

and it’s often one of the best demonstrations of what they’ve

employee who hoped to pass tests to get into the afterlife. Their

learned, not just about ancient Egypt, but what they’ve learned

salmon-headed character Posidon represented Anubis, the god who

about how to learn,” he said, noting that History Teacher Gus Feliu

guides the dead. A $10 Amazon gift card was weighed against the

created the project when he started teaching at UPrep in 2012,

feather of order on the last final judgment panel.

and that this is the first time in three years that students have

Jin said this project taught him about effective time management

done the project due to the pandemic.

“It’s the most fun students have all year and it’s often one of the best demonstrations of what they’ve learned, not just about ancient Egypt, but what they’ve learned about how to learn.”

–History Teacher Raj Bhat Raj said the project is about taking creative risks, not about creative ability. Students take something they have learned about from the distant past and graft it onto a milieu that they are more familiar with. “For example, if Amit is a soul-devouring monster from ancient Egyptian mythology who is part hippo, part croc, and part lion, what would the Pacific Northwest version of that be?

I’ve gotten everything from the Fremont Troll to orca-eagle hybrid beasts, all from making a creative leap that is based on connecting new knowledge with something familiar,” he said. “The risk is in

and the responsibility of holding up your part of the project.

“It was a lesson on the balance of putting in a lot of effort into it and meeting the time constraints at the same time because we had so much to do,” he said.

To keep the students on task, Raj repeated the instructions often and reminded them to look over the rubric to remind themselves of his expectations as they started each workday. “One of my key goals is to move them, little by little, toward the much more complex projects they will be asked to tackle in high school,” he said. “I want them to practice meeting many expectations, but in a way that is fun, lower-stakes, and less stress-inducing. In many ways, I think of this project as training wheels for next year.”

While Raj aims to teach students how to record, organize, manage, and make connections between all the bits of information delivered in the course, he also hopes the information is meaningful to the students, too. “Specifically, with this project, I hope they synthesize the information in a way that is useful, creative, and valuable to

the fact that this is one of the few projects they’ll do at this age

them in some way,” he said.

where they can’t look up the right answer. That’s often a scary

Delphine said it has been interesting to see what different cultures

leap for them to make.”

and religious groups think the parameters are for living a good life.

Student Delphine Laramee said it was fun to play with stereotypes

“It’s made me apply this knowledge to my daily life and think about

of the Pacific Northwest. Her group, which included Zoe, Jin Hyun,

my own parameters for living a good life,” she said. ■

and Sam Berntsen, created the character Primeit, an Amazon box

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Student Studies Science of Cooking during Independent Study MARY BETH LAMBERT, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

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ophomore Haydn Gleason enjoyed the challenges she

2. Re-creating the Cake

experienced in her UPrep science classes. So much so that she

This project tried to re-create the chocolate white chocolate cake

wanted even more challenge. With support from chemistry

available from Seattle’s Simply Desserts. After interviewing Deborah

teacher Mikayla Patella-Buckley, this spring Haydn pursued an

Sigler, a pastry chef and owner of Simply Desserts, Haydn used her

independent study (IS) and designed a course for herself entitled

own research and applied her science-related skills of experimenta-

The Science of Cooking: A Deep Dive into Culinary Physics, Creativity,

tion and experimental design. She made four versions of the cake,

and Sustainability. “I have loved cooking and baking for years,

altering ingredients each time, collecting and recording data for

and I am ready to take this passion and apply it to my education,”

each version.

Haydn explained in her IS proposal.

3. How Do You Cook the Perfect Steak?

An IS is open to Upper School students who wish to pursue a topic

This was Haydn’s guiding question at the intersection of everything

of interest beyond the course offerings at UPrep. Students are

she was learning. The more she learned, the better she could answer

required to submit a proposal for their course of study, have met the

the question. “I wanted to make the most scientifically perfect

graduation requirements in the department of interest, and work

food based on reactions, but also what was sustainably best for

with a sponsoring faculty member who oversees the student’s work.

the world,” she said. “My questions included: How do proteins

Haydn divided her course into two topics: the physics and chemistry

cook when you apply heat? How does heat affect the fat and

of cooking and environmentally conscious cooking. She chose two

caramelization process? Is meat the perfect steak or is there a

books to guide her learning:

meatless option that is more ethical and sustainable?”

• Science and Cooking: Physics Meets Food, from Homemade to

Haydn met weekly with Mikayla, who helped answer specific

Haute Cuisine, by Harvard professors Michael Brenner, Pia Sörensen,

science questions. Mikayla also helped guide the course design,

and David Weitz, helped Haydn understand the physics and chem-

making it doable within the time frame. “She helped me under-

istry underlying the recipes she would make, explained why recipes

stand I had to prioritize what I wanted to learn. She also helped

work, and answered commonly asked cooking questions with

me understand the importance of reflecting on what I learned

science. Topics she studied included phase transformations, heating

and why it mattered to my larger project goals,” Haydn said.

proteins, viscosity, elasticity, volume fraction, and foams.

Haydn’s course also gave her a new outlook on discovery.

• Can Fixing Dinner Fix the Planet?, by Jessica Fanzo, looks at

“Innovation isn’t just about creating something new; it can be

the intersection of the world’s agricultural, environmental, and

about connecting ideas that already exist and combining them in

nutritional needs, and climate change and the environment.

new ways so that you are creating something new,” she said.

The book also includes sustainable actions for individual consumers

Reflecting on her IS, Haydn encourages other students to consider

and cooks. Topics Haydn studied included veganism, GMOs

designing their own course. She used to think that there was a limit

(genetically modified organisms), and food production.

to what she could do as a student, choosing from UPrep’s offerings.

The goal for Haydn’s course was to prove that food is a lot more

“Now I know if there is something I am interested in, I can take

than what most of us know it to be. “I believe that food and

charge of what I want to learn about, and UPrep will help me go

cooking can teach us so much about ourselves and the world we

beyond what they offer,” said Haydn. “I also learned I can apply this

live in,” she said. “I designed my IS to start small, quite literally,

idea to my life and learn about whatever interests me. I have all of

on the molecular level, and to expand so I could gain as complete

the tools and resources I need to learn.”

a picture as I could in one semester.”

Haydn continued her study of the science of cooking this summer.

To document her learning, Haydn designed three projects:

Her plans included attending a program at Brown University,

1. Weekly Meals Haydn planned and cooked a meal based on what she learned that week. She created a slide deck to track the meals, which included a short write-up about what she saw and learned, remaining questions, and photos of each meal.

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launching a neighborhood cookie baking business based on her IS learning, and possibly beginning to write a book about the concept of the most scientifically perfect food. “I am a lot more curious than I used to be. I ask myself more questions and I’m excited to find the answers,” said Haydn. “And if the answers aren’t out there, it is exciting to think that I could be the one to find them.” ■

“Innovation isn’t just about creating something new; it can be about connecting ideas that already exist and combining them in new ways so that you are creating something new.” –Haydn Gleason

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Left to right: Taha; pages from a book that Taha is writing and illustrating, which will be published in spring 2024.

Creative Thinkers: Four Innovative Alumni

BY NANCY SCHATZ ALTON, WRITER /EDITOR

What does it mean to have an innovative mindset? We spoke with four alumni about their ability to evolve and take risks in their work lives.

They also share how UPrep prepared them for their journeys.

Taha Ebrahimi ’97 is the director of Tableau Public, Tableau Software’s free data visualization platform to explore, create, and publicly share data stories online. Her curiosity has led her through several career innovations, including being a journalist, obtaining an MFA in nonfiction writing, and working in marketing for finance companies in New York City. She moved back to Seattle in 2018 and, in addition to her job, is currently working with Sasquatch Books to write and illustrate a book mapping Seattle’s widest and oldest street trees (out in spring 2024).

Tell me about your pivot from working in finance to becoming the director of Tableau Public.

I’m a writer and storyteller at heart, so my interests have always centered on communication. During my last job at a financial company, I often had 15 minutes of anyone’s attention to help them understand a complex topic so they could make an informed decision. That’s when I recognized how powerful it is when you combine data with visual storytelling. I found out about Tableau Public and started using it to distill a lengthy report the company published. When I heard Tableau Software was looking for a new director for the platform (an old friend from UPrep alerted me about the job posting), I decided to apply.

What do you love about working at Tableau Public?

I’m a big believer in following your curiosity, so I love working on a product that empowers anyone to use data to explore their interests. I also love the data visualization community that has 16

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formed around this passion for good data storytelling. They’re analysts, students, teachers, artists, governments, and journalists from around the world.

How did investigating your own interests lead to the book you are currently writing?

During the early days of the pandemic, I started taking epic walks and decided to learn how to identify trees. Out of necessity, I began drawing these crude analog neighborhood maps that I could carry on my walks that included descriptions of how to identify certain trees. Then I found a street-tree data set the City of Seattle has published since 1950 and I started playing around with it in Tableau Public. One thing led to another, and these drawings became the inspiration for my book.

How did UPrep help build your innovation skill set?

UPrep was a great place for learning how to be curious and how to think. One of the key parts of innovation is being open to possibilities. If you lock yourself into one goal, you miss the exciting possibilities on the periphery. The ability to think creatively is also what led me to get interested in using data to communicate effectively—which led me to my current work at Tableau.

The teachers at UPrep sparked my curiosity and gave me permission to be creative. The small class size mattered a lot because that’s how I learned how to express myself and not be afraid to talk out loud.

We were also treated like what we had to say mattered. I started a petition to ask the school to drop a class requirement called Life

Left to right: Snorkel AI staff; Henry.

Skills and I was encouraged to present our case to the curriculum advisory committee. While I remember that experience in detail, I strangely don’t remember if we won or not, which is indicative of the unintended, lasting impact. That kind of real-life learning experience wasn’t out of the ordinary at UPrep—and that’s how I started practicing being actively curious and recognizing unscripted opportunities.

Henry Ehrenberg ’11 is a co-founder of Snorkel AI, a technology startup that builds software to help data scientists and developers quickly create high-quality datasets and AI models.

He earned a B.S. from Yale and a master of science from Stanford, and has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for six years.

Please explain the work of Snorkel AI in lay terms.

AI [artificial intelligence] makes our lives better in many ways, from self-driving cars to using Google Translate, but there are a lot of challenges when it comes to building AI systems. That’s where Snorkel AI comes in. To create a new AI system, you need to provide it with an enormous data set for it to learn from. Usually, this involves experts manually labeling thousands or millions of individual data points with the right answer. For example, if I am building an AI system that can read X-ray images and find ones that likely have a broken bone in them to help prioritize radiologists’ time, radiologists first need to provide thousands or millions of X-ray images with broken bones manually marked. This is extremely timeconsuming and not a great use of a radiologist’s valuable time.

At Snorkel AI, we build software that helps experts and engineers work together to create data sets in AI systems more quickly and less expensively, and to make those systems more understandable.

What’s Snorkel AI’s origin story?

My co-founders and I started Snorkel as a research project during graduate school at Stanford, and later turned it into a company.

When we tried to apply exciting new AI tech to real-world problems at places like Stanford Hospital, we found ourselves constantly bugging experts to manually label data for us. Snorkel AI was born out

of this frustrating and inefficient experience and wanting to speed up the process of building high-quality data sets for creating AI systems. I’m not a serial entrepreneur always on the hunt for a new business to start, but I was convinced that this work needed to be done so people can solve real-world problems with AI technology.

What’s your definition of innovation?

To me, the definition of “innovation” is super simple: doing something new. Something that’s more interesting to me is how you make innovation impactful. Every year, I reread “You and Your Research,” a talk by mathematician and engineer Richard Hamming about what it means to find and solve an important problem.

To me, to make innovation impactful, you need to be empathetic— really understanding challenges people are facing to solve the right problems in the right ways.

How did UPrep help build your innovation skill set?

Whether it was a teacher or friends, someone was always actively encouraging me to try something new and to explore ideas.

The curriculum was also thoughtfully designed with a unique focus on how what you’re learning touches the real world. For example, linear regression (you know, y = mx + b) was something I learned in 7th grade but has weirdly played a very important role in my life. If I had just memorized it and hadn’t built an intuitive understanding, I wouldn’t have been interested enough to take a senior elective on how you can apply that to predicting who’s going to win a baseball game, and then follow that to college and grad school.

What experience at UPrep influenced you?

Working on The Puma Press newspaper, including a year as the photo editor and a year as the co-editor. I learned how to tell a clear story and get a point across in words and images. I went on to be the photo editor at the Yale Daily News during college, where we put out the newspaper five days a week. Working on both papers was a formative experience, because it connected me with the community and I learned how to effectively tell a story. Being able to effectively communicate with people is a big part of what I do, and I began learning how to do that while working on The Puma Press.

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Left to right: Priyanka; the Evvy Vaginal Health Test.

Priyanka Jain ’12 is the co-founder and CEO of Evvy.

The company’s mission is to close the gender health gap by discovering and leveraging overlooked biomarkers in the female body—starting with the vaginal microbiome. She received her B.S. from Stanford University and has lived in New York City for the past six years.

Why did you decide to start a company focused on understanding female health?

Before Evvy, I was the head of product at pymetrics, which builds algorithms to make the hiring process fairer and more efficient.

There, I became aware of the challenges and opportunities of bringing algorithms into highly regulated industries, and the importance of intentionally designing ethical algorithms— especially when you have biased training data.

This gap is especially pronounced in health care. Amid dealing with my own mysterious health care issues, I found out that women weren’t required to be in clinical research in the U.S. until 1993, and we’re diagnosed on average four years later than men across over 700 diseases. Our lack of understanding of the female body is a symptom of a massive data gap: almost all the data that we’ve used to define health and disease to date has been based on middle-aged, midsized, white men. In fact, the female body is constantly giving off a myriad of unique signals that could help us understand when we’re healthy and sick, but we’ve never paid attention to these signals since we didn’t study women.

Tell me more about Evvy.

Our first product—the Evvy Vaginal Health Test—is the first-ever at-home vaginal microbiome test to use metagenomic sequencing (a mix of DNA from multiple organisms and entities) to tell you what’s up down there, why it matters, and what you can do about it. Evvy is closing the gender health gap by discovering how female biomarkers can be better leveraged to diagnose, treat, and predict risk for complex health conditions in the female body. More than 30 percent of people with vaginas suffer from imbalances in the vaginal microbiome every year. The latest research has uncovered 18

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groundbreaking links between the vaginal microbiome and critical female health outcomes, such as infertility, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), preterm birth, gynecologic cancers, and more.

Yet, many women and people with vaginas had never had access to that information about their own bodies. Since Evvy launched in July 2021, we have created one of the world’s largest data sets on the vaginal microbiome. We are working on a variety of research projects and clinical studies so we can leverage our platform to improve the understanding of this biomarker.

“In journalism and Mock Trial Club, I began developing my communication skills—one of the most important skills for my job as a CEO.” How did UPrep help you build the skills necessary for innovation?

The small classroom dynamic and discussion-based classes were critical in exposing me to different ways of thinking and multiple perspectives. Through class discussions, it was clear that there isn’t just one way to approach the world, and issues don’t have only one solution. I remember a 9th grade English project where we took a strong stance on an issue and presented our argument to the class. None of us knew that two weeks later you had to do the exact same thing again—but for the opposite side of the argument.

By being explicitly taught to see problems as multidimensional, I learned to pay close attention to how everything can shift and evolve.

What experiences at UPrep have shaped your career?

In journalism and Mock Trial Club, I began developing my communication skills—one of the most important skills for my job as a CEO. Through journalism, I learned how to communicate concisely, always being told to make articles 100 words shorter, and then another 100 words shorter. Through Mock Trial, I learned the importance of making crisp arguments and thinking on my feet.

Left to right: Idalia; Idalia working for the wardrobe department of a TV show.

Idalia Kaplan ’16 is a fashion designer, stylist, artist, and sketch writer. She’s a 2020 graduate of the Fashion Design program at the Pratt Institute—where she played on the basketball team— in New York City. Before she moved to Los Angeles this August, she worked as a production assistant for the costume and wardrobe departments for TV shows.

You graduated from Pratt as the pandemic began. How did the timing of the pandemic require you to innovate?

It was sad and disappointing. The design show we waited for all four years did not happen. I designed and made over 20 pieces by hand and had no platform to share my work. The creative industry in NYC shut down, too. Since I’d been cutting friends’ hair since high school, I went to barber school and worked at a barbershop.

When I told a woman while cutting her hair that I wanted to work in costume or wardrobe on a TV show, she said, “Oh, I know someone; let me connect you.”

That’s how I began working on shows and became a driving production assistant for The Blacklist, which meant I drove shoppers to stores in Manhattan. Let’s say the shopper buys 15 red sweatshirts: I drive the tops back to the show and tag them into the catalog; the actor tries them on; and then I return the 14 unchosen sweatshirts to the store. If I continue working in wardrobe/costume for film and TV, Los Angeles will offer me the same opportunities. I moved here with a friend, and we want to start creating our own content, including writing and performing comedy sketches. My brother, Zachary ’13, and his friends have a production company here, and I want to work on creative projects with him, too.

How do you deal with the inherent failure that comes with creativity?

It’s the worst feeling when you put hours of work into something, and then it doesn’t fit the model. I try to see it as a learning experience and reconstruct it or create something new from the mistake.

I’ve thought a lot about choosing how to react. You can be down on yourself, or you can do something that wasn’t your original intention and grow, potentially creating something better. I always

tell people I’d much rather laugh than be angry. It’s important to feel all emotions, but for my creative purposes, I’d rather laugh, and I try to integrate that philosophy into every aspect of my life.

How did UPrep help prepare you for your life and career?

The adults created a supportive, encouraging environment.

I became comfortable being an individual at UPrep and straddling many worlds. I loved being in the art room; I played soccer, basketball, and softball; and I danced or sang at every Music Day. This sounds cliché, but I could have a conversation with a teammate, then talk with someone in theatre, and then hang out with people in the art room. I learned you can have totally different experiences from someone, but you can always find something in common and you can always have a good conversation. Making friends in different spaces is always beneficial, and a necessary skill for making connections in the creative field.

“I learned you can have totally different experiences someone, but you can always find something in common and you can always have a good conversation.”

What’s your favorite UPrep memory?

I was co-leader of the GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) during my senior year; it was so cool to be a part of! We put on a big LGBTQ+ event and invited GSAs from other schools to attend. It was my first time organizing an event, and I loved it. I remember we invited queer individuals from a range of professions to speak to students. It was very rewarding and led to me coordinating orientation at Pratt.

I also recall being in a pumpkin pie eating contest as a junior during an assembly. When the other contestants shoved their faces into the pie, I pulled a fork and knife out of my pocket and slowly began eating. At that moment, I realized that I love making people laugh and it’s good not to take things too seriously. ■

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New Staff Members Bring Their Expertise to UPrep

BY MARY BETH LAMBERT, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

This fall, we welcome three new members to UPrep’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The SLT is the group of administrators who work closely with Head of School Ronnie CodringtonCazeau and are responsible for the daily operations of the school.

Combined, these leaders have worked in and attended a dozen independent schools spanning the globe. They bring diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and expertise. They are eager to join the UPrep community and embrace our mission to develop each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.

There will be many opportunities this fall for our community to welcome and learn more about these leaders. We are delighted to welcome Ed Billingslea and Ryan Hannon to the Puma family and welcome back Taylor Kanemori ’09.

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Ed Billingslea

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR ACADEMICS

Ed formerly served as the assistant head of school for student services at Greensboro Day School (GDS) in North Carolina.

At GDS, he also was the dean of student life and upper school director and helped launch its partnership with Global Online Academy. Ed has served in counseling, coaching, and administrative roles at Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, and The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia.

Why are you excited to join the UPrep community?

I’m excited about the dedicated faculty, the welcoming student body, the Senior Leadership Team, and UPrep’s position as one of the best independent schools in the Pacific Northwest—with the opportunity to become one of the best schools in the country. I am also excited to have my daughters (Kori ’25 and Kayla ’28) experience the excellent teaching and learning available at UPrep.

How do your leadership experiences prepare you to carry out UPrep’s mission?

Working closely with faculty, counselors, and learning support coordinators helped me create an environment where students feel comfortable taking academic risks and embracing their responsibilities to give back to their local and global communities. I also have experience collaborating with various school constituencies while always keeping students at the center of those conversations.

Tell us about the entrepreneurship curriculum that you helped launch at GDS? I designed the curriculum and taught both entrepreneurship courses. These courses—Entrepreneurial Problem Solving and Social Entrepreneurship— provided students problem-solving, collaboration, and presentation skills, and strengthened our ties with businesses and community leaders.

“Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work can be difficult, and it can and should also be fulfilling and joyful work.”

—TAYLOR KANEMORI

Taylor Kanemori ’09 Ryan Hannon

DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGMENT

Ryan served as the director of enrollment, marketing, and communications at the Bosque School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was the founding director of admissions for GEMS World Academy in Chicago; the director of admissions at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City; the director of admissions and marketing for the Metropolitan School of Panama; and the assistant director of admissions at the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago.

Why are you excited to join the UPrep community?

I believe deeply in the inquiry model of learning. UPrep is a leader in engaging students to develop critical thinking skills in order to make meaningful contributions in the world. It was amazing to see this work in action when I visited campus.

What led you to work in admissions?

I was a college tour guide, and I never left! I fell in love with working with students and families to explore a place I love.

Every day is different, and I meet incredible people.

What is a career achievement that you are especially proud of?

I am most proud of the connections I have made with students and families all over the world. I have been able to keep in touch and visit with past parents and guardians whenever I am back in places like New York or Panama! It has been incredible to have former students connect with me on LinkedIn and see their positive impact on the world.

DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING

Taylor served as the director of equity and inclusion at the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences; she previously served as a 9th grade advisor. Taylor also worked at Seattle Country Day School as an admissions assistant, PE teacher, and teacher’s aide.

She is currently the Board Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee at The Meridian School.

Why are you excited to return to the UPrep community?

My oldest brother started attending UPrep when I was two, and I could not wait to be a Puma. I wanted to participate in everything he told me about: Shake Hands with Shakespeare, Ski Bus, Ultimate Frisbee. I did all that and I belonged to the Creative Arts Society, served with Key Club, and traveled to Samoa. I know many of those opportunities and more are offered to current students. I cannot wait to be at UPrep again!

Why did you decide to work in independent schools?

As a Puma, I learned that if I was thoughtful, asked questions, and contributed to the community, I could leave something better than I found it. I believe in making change within an organization to contribute to a greater cause. I work in independent schools because I believe they can be more accessible, equitable, and inclusive, and become models for how the education system can truly address the needs of all students.

How do you hope the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging will support UPrep students?

I hope our office can continue to be a resource for community members who are seeking to better understand the world. I want our office to support students in the ways they need and value support. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work can be difficult, and it can and should also be fulfilling and joyful work. I hope our office hosts and facilitates challenging conversations and experiences and joyful ones, too, as they are equally important and not mutually exclusive experiences. ■

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Mock Trial Team Enjoys Stellar Season

BY NANCY SCHATZ ALTON, WRITER /EDITOR

E

very October, the Upper School Mock Trial Team receives the fictitious case they will try at the YMCA Youth & Government Mock Trial district tournament

This year, the students worked on a civil case where a plaintiff sued an extreme sports corporation after he fell in a hole while biking at one of the corporation’s resorts. The 22 students, who were put on either the more experienced Blue Team or the less experienced Green Team, begin learning the case during their three-hour Sunday practices and one weeknight practice.

The students took on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and a bailiff who keeps time during the trials.

As the district competition approached, more practices were added, and Sunday practices often lasted four hours.

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At the district competition, each team competes in four rounds.

Cade loves that the work you put in pays off during the

In each round, one side of the team, either plaintiff or defense,

competitions. “How much you know about the details of the

competes against the opposing side of an opposing school.

case influences the outcome of the case,” he said. “I memorized

The Blue Team finished first and the Green Team finished second

my witness statement, but my coaches told me if I remembered

at the competition, which meant they qualified for the state

the other witness statements, I could add a second layer of

competition. At the state competition in April, the Blue Team

details to my testimony.”

finished 11th and the Green Team finished 13th in a field that

At one point during the season, Cade felt he knew more about

included 24 teams. The following students were nominated for awards at the state competition: •

Komathi Anand and Pascale Carlson, 10th grade; Haley Hoffman, 11th grade; and Alexandra Sniezek and Shraeya Iyer, 12th grade, were nominated for Best Attorney

•

Nicky than he knew about himself. “While in character, I believed I actually had fallen off my bike and into a hole,” he said.

This year, Cade won Best Witness at the district competition.

While he adores acting, Cade will study filmmaking in college and hopes to write, direct, and produce movies.

Maddie Takamiya and René Quiroga, 10th grade; Ben Reichert, 11th grade; Cade Evered, Shraeya Iyer, and Alexandra Sniezek, 12th grade, were nominated for Best Witness

Mock Trial participants learn trial skills, critical thinking, persuasive argument, public speaking, acting, and writing skills. “We all learn a lot about how to work cooperatively, how to listen to each other—listening is a critical trial skill—how to argue persuasively, and how to compromise,” said Coach Dawn W Todd, a former

“I became more composed and surer of myself. I just felt so much more confident that I had the ability to say things on the fly,” Shraeya said.

lawyer who has coached the UPrep team for almost two decades.

“Students learn what evidence is and what it isn’t, and they

Shraeya: Future Attorney with Passion for Law Senior Shraeya Iyer participated in

become confident.”

Coach Patrick Trompeter ’97 loves observing how students become more creative and curious about what the facts mean—rather than what the words say—as their confidence grows. “The ability to critically evaluate what one reads and hears, to place it in a larger context of information and evaluate whether it is reliable, and

Mock Trial throughout Upper School.

“I’ve known that I want to be a lawyer for a long time, and I wanted to see if my passion for law was based in reality,” she said.

then to allow it to change one’s beliefs may be one of the most

Shraeya usually played the part of a

important life skills we can teach to young people,” said Patrick,

lawyer during Mock Trial competitions.

a lawyer who was on the Mock Trial Team when he was a UPrep

She loved learning about case theory and evidentiary rules and how to structure questions and examina-

Upper School student.

Cade: Actor and Budding Filmmaker Senior Cade Evered joined Mock Trial this year because he likes acting.

He played two witness roles. “I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the three-hour practices on Sunday nights where we would go over the trial,” he said. “As I learned the witness statements, I started developing the characters. I treated it much like a play.”

Cade played Nicky, a person who fell off his bike into a hole at an extreme sports resort who was suing the resort, and Brohm, a witness on the defendant’s side who was a professor of mountain biking ethics. “During the competition, you respond to questions while in character. That’s really fun because you feel like you are

tions. “It was also so interesting to analyze different cases and see how it could support my case,” she said.

Although the competition trials were online this year, Shraeya has fond memories of competing in a Kitsap courtroom in person in the past. Reflecting on her Mock Trial experiences, she recognizes her growth as a public speaker. “I became more composed and surer of myself. I just felt so much more confident that I had the ability to say things on the fly,” Shraeya said. “My confidence in interacting with different people also improved, whether I know them well or if they are completely new to me.”

This year, Shraeya won Best Attorney at the district competition.

“I’m prouder of my actual performance than winning awards. I felt calmer and more collected during the trials this season,” she said.

In college, Shraeya wants to study finance as an undergraduate, and then plans to attend law school. ■

someone else,” he said.

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ON THE BOOKSHELF

BY ANNE BINGHAM AND LEAH GRIFFIN, UPREP LIBRARIANS

In the UPrep Library, innovation, challenge, and an opportunity to try something new can be found in each book you open. In the list for this issue, we offer insight into the art of a talented UPrep alumna, a tasty tome about innovative cooking, a guide to local beaches, and a deep dive into nature’s best architect, the beaver!

The Loves of Our Lives

By Karsyn Wallace ’18 UPrep students are encouraged to embrace their artistic talents. We enjoy seeing their work in the hallways and on the stage. As librarians, it is extra special when we get to see a student’s work published in print. In 2021, UPrep alumna Karsyn Wallace published The Loves of Our Lives, a multigenerational account of a family’s history seen through the eyes of Black women who live in the United States. Three protagonists navigate complex emotions and scenarios across time in a novel that is fast-paced and well researched. We are so proud of Karsyn’s innovative art and hope you enjoy it, too.

The Wok

By J. Kenji Lopez-Alt When we heard this issue’s theme was “The Art of Innovation,” we immediately thought about local author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s cookbook The Food Lab, which uses science to explain the art of cooking. We were thrilled to learn his new cookbook, The Wok, came out in March! This new cookbook is full of color and techniques to use as you explore the culinary arts in the kitchen. It breaks down the science behind 200 of his favorite wok-utilizing recipes and pairs cooking techniques with raw food options. This is a great option for students who loved the Student Chef intensive.

Northwest Know-How: Beaches

By Rena Priest August has arrived, which means it’s time to get outside and play in the sand and surf. Washington’s poet laureate penned Northwest Know-How: Beaches. This darling book is filled with local knowledge about Washington and Oregon beaches, and it includes artistic renderings by Jake Stoumbos, maps, and poetry. Although fall is almost here, the beaches described within these pages would make lovely destinations during any season.

Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

By Ben Goldfarb Sometimes nature is the best innovator. In Eager, author Ben Goldfarb lays out the case for beavers as important and innovative architects of our waterways. Not only do readers learn about this influential species, but they also discover how North America was colonized by beavers and how beaver integration into environments all over the world can help us combat drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the effects of climate change. ■

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In the Arts

Upper School Play In early April, the Upper School Play Production and Stagecraft classes presented The Bully Plays. This collection of eight one-act plays was performed by a cast of actors new to the craft of acting.

They performed roles ranging from mime to tragic to comic in plays that are intended to create a dialogue centered on the bullying confronted by today’s young people. The Stagecraft students undertook scenic design, set construction, and running crews for performances of each play with great creativity, efficiency, and excellent enthusiasm.

Upper School Visual Arts Showcase and Musical Performance On May 6, students from Visual Art I, Visual Art II, Visual Art III/IV, Art of Craft, Graphic Design, and Photography I and II shared work from a wide variety of projects and artistic media that they had created during the spring semester. With more than 70 students displaying their favorite pieces, the showcase was our first opportunity to have an end-of-year show since 2019. The Vocal Ensemble opened the concert with a beautiful candlelit processional singing “Long Time Traveller” in three-part harmony. They also performed “Rumor Has It/Someone Like You” by Adele and Ryan Tedder, “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, and “Safe and Sound” by Taylor Swift. The Chamber Orchestra performed Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony, “Masquerade Waltz” by A. Khachaturian, theme from Howl’s Moving Castle by Joe Hisaishi, Vivaldi’s Bassoon Concerto in D minor, and “Sicilienne” by Carl Maria von Weber, arr. Dushkin. Solo performances were given by Quinlan Drabek, 11th grade; Griffon Ou, 9th grade; and Tuesday Sohn, 11th grade. The Varsity Jazz Ensemble played compositions by Sonny Rollins, Ray Charles, Ray Bryant, Joe Zawinul, Youngblood Brass Band, and Roy Hargrove, with solos by all.

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Middle School Musical During spring semester, 30 Middle School students and three faculty memorized, sang, danced, acted, designed, built, and learned complex technical systems to create our production of Matilda, the Musical, JR. Costumes were designed, magical disappearing cakes and self-writing chalk were figured out, harmonies were refined, quick costume changes were mastered, and choreography for dances and scene changes was perfected. On May 12, the application of this talent and hard work brought two exciting and entertaining performances to UPrep audiences. Vivid characterizations, beautiful singing, and seamless technical support made for hilarious and invigorating performances for actors, stagehands, and our audience.

Middle School Visual Arts Showcase and Musical Performance On May 18, Middle School students from World Art, the 6th grade Fine Arts rotation, and Photography selected their favorite works from their spring semester portfolio for exhibition. The Visual Arts Showcase presented an eclectic array of student artwork illustrating the talent of our students. The concert was a creative display of the students’ recent musical efforts with performances by the Traditional Jazz Combo, Jazz 1, Orchestra Band B1, Orchestra Band Chamber Ensemble, Orchestra Band II, the Middle School Orchestra, and the Intermediate Jazz Ensemble.

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Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX

BY REBECCA MOE, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

A

ccess to female role models early in my life was a significant factor in my decision to become a director of athletics. I attended high school from 1987 to 1991 and participated in three varsity sports. My athletic director (and softball coach) was Edna Fraser. In her career within the Milford Public School system, Ms. Fraser worked to elevate opportunities for females in sports and education. I experienced challenges and inequities as a high school female athlete and, more notably, as a college athlete. But never once did it cross my mind that women could not be athletic directors.

In fact, I think the other two high school athletic departments in Milford, Connecticut, were also led by female athletic directors during my time in high school. The leadership and visibility of these women paved the way for my own career.

Rebecca Moe playing D1 softball for Fordham University in 1995.

Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school that receives funding from the federal government, went into effect on June 23, 1972. Still, female high school athletic directors remain a significantly underrepresented group in the state of Washington and across the country. As I look back, I realize that female leadership, role models, and mentors made both an unconscious and conscious impact on my journey. Representation matters. While working at UPrep for 23 years—as director of athletics since 2006—I have worked with other female athletic directors and our ever-important male allies to do my best to set an example for the future generations that will continue the work. I only wish that I could thank Ms. Fraser in person. I know she would be proud to hear that I am an athletic director and a leader in my state association Washington Secondary Schools Athletic Administrator’s Association (WSSAAA) and within the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). Knowing that I am part of her legacy and that I actively work to advance women in athletic leadership would make her smile.

I see my role at UPrep as leading, encouraging, and promoting all aspects of sports leadership. I lean in to challenge the status quo and the systems that prevent growth, development, and leadership for all who aspire to be on the playing field—as an athlete, leader, ally, or educator. While we have a lot to celebrate as Title IX turns 50, I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 50 years bring as we continue to work toward creating an equal playing field in athletics.

GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Follow uprep_athletics on Instagram or @UPrep_Athletics on Twitter to see the day-to-day Puma perspective, with coverage of our UPrep teams, coaches, and alumni athletes who play in college. Both feeds give an insider’s view of our program.

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UPREP MAGAZINE

Athletics in Review

The winter and spring athletics seasons were a combination of starts, stops, pivots, and adjustments. Many Middle School and Upper School students joined our education-based athletics program, and we enjoyed the return of traditional spring sports for all Pumas.

Our student athletes learned lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, accountability, and Puma pride during sports practices, team-building exercises, and competitions. Wearing the UPrep uniform is a privilege, and the Pumas continued to lead and demonstrate our values throughout our community, region, and state.

Basketball Season Finished on a High Note Our varsity basketball teams advanced in their conference playoff structure. The boys won playoff games against Sultan and Summit Sierra and lost to King’s and Bear Creek to end their season at 13-7. Our girls team finished up a tough division schedule and then played four playoff games—beating Eastside Prep and Forest Ridge and losing to Bush and Sultan. The Pumas finished 5-12

Thank you to all the Pumas, coaches, and families for your constant support of our co-curricular athletic program that began August 23 and concluded May 28.

In total, 72 percent of our students participated on one of our 53 teams.

for the season.

JAMES JOHNSON NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR, COHO DIVISION Congratulations to Coach Johnson, who has been leading our varsity basketball program for four years.

He has guided our program through the long COVID-19 stretch and through a league/conference realignment. His commitment to teaching his players basketball and how to be responsible community members is at the forefront of his coaching. Coach Johnson is the real deal— a triple threat. He is an outstanding teacher, the 9th grade dean, and a valued coach. Thank you, Coach Johnson, for all you do for our students, your colleagues, and our community.

SUMMER 2022

29

Spring Sports Review Our spring sports teams battled a cold, wet spring. There was a robust turnout: 146 Middle School Pumas and 145 Upper Schools Pumas fielded 18 teams. Because of the pandemic, this was the first typical spring sport experience for our Middle School Pumas, and it was great to see many new faces playing Ultimate, baseball, and track and field. The success of our varsity teams begins with a fun, well-organized Middle School program. The goal this year for all our Middle School students was to learn what it means to be a Puma athlete. This work will continue next year, and we are excited to welcome our rising 8th graders and new community members to our Upper School sports community.

Our varsity Upper School teams found success at the conference, district, and state level. On May 28, the Pumas capped off a historic feat: all three team sports were state qualifiers, and tennis and track and field, our individual-sport teams, had state qualifiers, too.

No. 5 seed, Colville, 11-3, and No. 4 seed, Deer Park, 1-0, to earn the trip to the IA semifinals at Yakima County Stadium. In this

Ultimate

matchup, the Pumas again played conference rival Cedar Park.

The Varsity Ultimate Team made a long-awaited return to the

The team rallied from 0-5 to 6-5, but lost 7-6 to the No. 1 team.

Ultimate State Tournament. The Pumas (seeded No. 3 in the

The Pumas played in the early consolation final. Chelan scored

Emerald Sound Conference) played Roosevelt (the Seattle Public

three runs in the top of the first. In the bottom of the seventh

Schools No. 1 seed) on a Tuesday evening at Robert Eagle Staff,

inning, the Pumas scored four runs, with senior Sean Fried getting

losing 5-12 to end their season.

a walk-off hit to score two runs and earn the win. This team never

Track and Field

gave up and ended their season with a third-place trophy, out of 51 1A teams in our state.

The Pumas had many personal records and fantastic finishes at the Emerald Sound Conference Championship Meet. The following

Soccer

students advanced to the District Meet at Granite Falls: Makari Jack-

The Varsity Soccer Team finished third in conference play and then

son, Jimari Marks, Asher Todd-Taraday, Nick Rosenthal, Max Seitz,

began a remarkable postseason run. The Pumas beat Overlake

Mohamed Hassan, Mattias Keaunui, Sohvi Borland, Claire Miyoshi,

1-0 and Seattle Academy 2-1—earning a ticket to State and the

Allie Sniezek, Maddie Takamiya, Kate Glenn, Jackie Takamiya, Emma

Conference Championship game versus Bush, which ended in a

Serralles, and Adriana Hernandez. At the District Meet, two Pumas

loss for UPrep. At the State Soccer Tournament, the Pumas,

punched their ticket to state with a top four finish! At the State

seeded No. 12, played the No. 5 seed, Seton Catholic, in the first

Championship Meet in Spokane, Max finished ninth in the 110-meter

round in Wenatchee, winning 2-0. In the quarterfinals, the Pumas

hurdles. Maddie finished seventh in the triple jump, earning a medal

played the No. 4 seed and host, Cascade, and won in an overtime

and a place on the podium. She also broke the school record in

penalty kick shootout. At the State semifinals, the Pumas played

the triple jump, which was set in 1991.

the Highland Scotties, winning 4-2. At the State Championship,

Tennis

Saturday afternoon, which was the first time a UPrep boys soccer

Freshman Galia Harmelin finished second in the conference and

team played in the State Championship since 2014. The Pumas were

second at the District Tennis Tournament, and played a lot of tennis

unable to counter the Bush goals and lost, finishing second (as we

at the two-day State Tennis Tournament, finishing as the third-place

did in 2014). The Pumas were ranked 12th out of the 20 teams

medalist! She will be a force in 1A Girls Tennis in the years to come.

entering the tournament and went on to earn the second-place

Baseball

the Pumas played crosstown rival The Bush School on a very rainy

trophy, out of 73 1A teams in the state of Washington. I am proud of how the team played, carrying themselves with class and

The Varsity Baseball Team entered the postseason as the No 2. seed

integrity as the time ticked away and winning the game became

from the Emerald Sound Conference and won two early district

out of reach. I want to thank Coach Alec Duxbury for a remarkable

games on May 7 vs. Blaine (6-0) and South Whidbey (7-1). These

season, taking these Pumas as far as they could go as he concluded

wins secured another trip to State. The District Championship game

an amazing career as the leader and coach of our teams. After 29

vs. Cedar Park ended in a loss for UPrep. At the Spokane/Ferris

seasons, coaching both the boys and girls soccer teams, Alec will

Regional Tournament as the No. 12 seed, the Pumas bested the

be stepping down as the head coach at University Prep. ■

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UPREP MAGAZINE

ALL CONFERENCE AWARDS GIRLS BASKETBALL First Team All Conference: Paris Buren Second Team All Conference: Jane Scroggs Team Sportsmanship Award BOYS BASKETBALL Most Valuable Player: Henry Wright Honorable Mention All Conference: Alex Bontje Honorable Mention All Conference: Zack Lagunoff Team Sportsmanship Award SOCCER First Team All Conference: Alex Bontje Second Team All Conference: Kellen Davis Second Team All Conference: Owen Howland Second Team All Conference: Quin Drabek Honorable Mention All Conference: Will Rothman Honorable Mention All Conference: Josh Yi

BASEBALL First Team All Conference: Yoshi Malady First Team All Conference: Zack Hampson Honorable Mention All Conference: Nathan Crawford Honorable Mention All Conference: Sean Fried Honorable Mention All Conference: Harry Rothman ULTIMATE Co-Most Valuable Player: Jane Scroggs First Team All Conference: Eliza Barton Coach of the Year: Linnea Soo ’14 TENNIS First Team All Conference: Galia Harmelin TRACK & FIELD First Team All Conference, triple jump: Maddie Takamiya First Team All Conference, 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter: Max Seitz First Team All Conference, high jump: Mohamed Hassan SUMMER 2022

31

MATRICULATION LIST Barnard College Boston College (2) Boston University (2) Bowdoin College Case Western Reserve University Chapman University (2) Colorado College (3) Cornell University Dartmouth College Evergreen State College Emerson College Emory University George Washington University (2) Gonzaga University (3) Harvard University Harvey Mudd College Johns Hopkins University Loyola Marymount University

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

BY KELLY HERRINGTON, DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING AND STUDENT SERVICES

It’s time to celebrate the class of 2022. Their resilience and grace were on full display

Loyola University New Orleans McGill University Northeastern University (2) Northwestern University Occidental College (3) Pitzer College (2) Pomona College (2) Rochester Institute of Technology Santa Clara University (3) Syracuse University Tufts University (4) Tulane University

as they diligently navigated the college process during an unusual time. Next year,

University College Dublin (Ireland)

they will navigate their way across the globe as they matriculate to 47 different

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Davis

institutions in 19 states, Washington, D.C, two Canadian provinces, and Ireland.

University of Colorado Boulder (2)

Forever Pumas, they will become Jumbos at Tufts University and Bears at Washington

University of Rochester

University of Michigan

University in St. Louis. They will wear maroon and gold at Boston College and blue

University of San Diego (2)

and buff at George Washington University. Wherever they matriculate, they will

University of Toronto

carry with them the attributes they gained through their UPrep experience: a desire

University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia

to connect across cultures, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for social justice.

University of Washington (10)

Our new graduates understand their strengths, know how to actualize their dreams,

Wake Forest University

Vanderbilt University (2)

and realize the power they have to create a better community for themselves and

Washington University in St. Louis (2)

others. We look forward to seeing how the class of 2022 embraces challenge and

Whitman College

thrives in an ever-changing world.

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Western Washington University Willamette University Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Matriculation by college student body size

26%

52%

admit rate for all submitted applications

applications to

22%

Will attend

47

of class recognized by National Merit

different institutions in

19

states + D.C., as well as two Canadian provinces and Ireland

150

Submitted

752 168

35% 39%

The classes of ‘18–’22 attend

college admissions representatives visited UPrep (3/4 of these visits were in person)

different colleges

131 31

institutions in states and five countries

Matriculation by distance from home

31% 14% 15%

22%

18% SUMMER 2022

33

COLLEGES WITH THREE OR MORE MATRICULATIONS 2018–2022 University of Washington (29) Santa Clara University (22) Whitman College (10) Colorado College (9) Chapman University (8) George Washington University (8) Gonzaga University (8) Occidental College (8) Western Washington University (8) New York University (7) Pitzer College (7) Tufts University (7) University of Oregon (7) Washington University, St. Louis (7) Northwestern University (6) Scripps College (6) University of California, Los Angeles (6) University of Colorado, Boulder (6) University of Southern California (6) Loyola Marymount University (5) Seattle University (5) University of Michigan (5) Boston College (4) Brown University (4) Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (4) Carleton College (4) Northeastern University (4) Tulane University (4) University of Chicago (4) University of Denver (4) University of St Andrews, Scotland (4) University of Wisconsin, Madison (4) Boston University (3) Dartmouth College (3) Elon University (3) Emory University (3) Grinnell College (3) Middlebury College (3) Pomona College (3) University of British Columbia (3) University of Puget Sound (3) University of San Diego (3) University of Washington, Bothell (3) Vanderbilt University (3) Wake Forest University (3) Yale University (3)

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UPREP MAGAZINE

Student Awards DAVID BASS MEMORIAL AWARD This award is given to one Middle School student and one Upper School student who embody notable academic improvement and the spirit of growth recognized and cherished by UPrep.

• Middle School: Guetty Moita • Upper School: Gabrielle Pitre FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARD This award is given to the senior who consistently cares for others, has a positive spirit, embodies inspirational qualities, and whose very presence enhances life at UPrep.

• Hermona Hadush GARRY AND ELLEN JONES MEMORIAL AWARD This award recognizes individuals who have exhibited special qualities in relationships with others on campus. The recipients are a positive force on campus, have a special sense of commitment and compassion, and maintain their own individual self without diminishing another’s dignity.

• Julia Cappio • Cade Evered JULIA CALHOUN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD This award is given to graduating seniors who throughout their time at UPrep have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service. As part of the award, each student will designate a nonprofit organization to receive a donation from UPrep in their name.

• Muna Hassan • Andrew Bell PUMA PRIDE AWARD This award is given to those students whose selfless contributions have made a significant difference in the life of the school.

• 9th – Siddharth Ramanathan, Kathryn Ye • 10th – René Quiroga, Aida Richey • 11th – Julia Cappio, Ethan Matsubayashi SILVER PUMA AWARD This award is given to senior class students whose standards of personal excellence and force of character deserve recognition.

The students are selected based on commitment, scholarship, pride in UPrep, leadership, integrity, inspiration, and citizenship.

• Parisa Harvey • Adriana Hernandez Jimenez • Chris McCarty • Gabrielle Pitre SUSTAINABILITY AWARD This award is given to students who have demonstrated an ongoing interest in creating a greener community. Through education, volunteer work, and devotion to a more sustainable way of life, the recipients of this award have shown that they are committed to an environmentally responsible lifestyle.

• Kellen Davis • Theo Barton

JEANETTE C. WILLIAMS WRITING AWARDS Jeanette C. Williams held a special place in her heart for all those students who, in her words, “[weren’t] done cooking yet.”

This year the award is open to all 12th grade students and is given to recognize exceptional skill in the craft of writing and to reward those students with a desire to risk originality and risk the interpretation of their work.

• Parisa Harvey – Best Portfolio • Sarah Bunker – First Runner-Up MARK CULLEN COMMITMENT TO ATHLETICS AWARDS • Harry Jackson • Jane Scroggs SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR • Abby Headstrom • Andrew Ye ATHLETE OF THE YEAR • Alex Bontje • Yoshi Malady • Jane Scroggs MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD • Jaiveer Chauhan • Ben Frischer • Marin Gant • Larissa Rosenthal • Max Vukelic THEATRE RECOGNITION AWARD This recognition goes to a student who has been involved in the equivalent of at least four Play Production or Stagecraft classes and has devoted artistic effort beyond required class time in the craft of acting, play directing, or theatre stagecraft.

• Mira Brown WOODY HERMAN AWARD FOR MUSICAL IMPROVEMENT • Travis Ticeson • Kelton Sonoda ERICA HAMLIN AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN MUSIC • Jennifer Bou • Max Gitenstein • Peter McCormick NATIONAL ORCHESTRA AWARD • Quin Drabek • Tuesday Sohn DIRECTOR’S AWARD FOR ORCHESTRA • Ellie Assadi • Roxanne Smith LOUIS ARMSTRONG AWARD FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE • Eleanor Karis-Sconyers • Oliver Litton

SUMMER 2022

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News from Our Colleagues

Leah Griffin and Senator Patty Murray

Shannon Salverda at the Leadership and Design Fellowship

Scott Collins, Journalism Teacher, was elected treasurer of the

of Fulbright applicants receiving an award. Mikayla, with her family,

Washington Journalism Education Association for the 2022–2024

will travel to Finland for four months (January through April 2023)

term. He served as the organization’s vice president for the past

to study how Finnish teachers support female students and students

two years.

of color in their science classes. She will visit schools from early

Leah Griffin, Librarian, and Senator Patty Murray passed the Survi-

elementary all the way through graduate/teacher training.

vors’ Access to Supportive Care Act in March 2022. The legislation,

Veronica Salas, Visual Arts Teacher, was selected out of 450 appli-

which Griffin inspired and led advocacy efforts on, sets national

cants for an artist-in-residence opportunity in Puebla, Mexico, at the

standards of care for sexual assault exams, identifies services for

Arquetopia Foundation. She spent three weeks this summer working

survivors, and appropriates $150 million to train and pay sexual

on a project based on her great-grandfather’s career as a musician.

assault nurse examiners.

Shannon Salverda, Learning Specialist, concluded her Leadership

Priscilla Lindberg, History Teacher, participated in a program set in

and Design Fellowship year at the spring convening in Denver,

Mongolia with the American Center for Mongolian Studies this sum-

Colorado. She presented her yearlong project, which was on how

mer. She was awarded a fellowship to participate in a three-week

to de-silo learning support, counseling, Social Emotional Learning,

research study examining the impact of mining on the natural and

and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice services in independent

human geography. She has a long involvement with Mongolia and

schools.

Mongolian culture: she worked there for two years and is married to a man she met in Mongolia in 2005.

Julie Smith, Learning and Testing Specialist, recently completed a master of education in educational foundations degree,

Mikayla Patella-Buckley, Science Teacher, is a recipient of a

specializing in global perspectives on educational policy and

Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program to

practice, at University of Hawai‘i at Ma­­noa.

carry out educational research in Finland. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Participants are chosen based on their academic merit and leadership potential. It gives recipients the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and help find solutions to shared international concerns. The pool is very selective, with no more than 20 percent 36

UPREP MAGAZINE

Susie Wu, Director of Middle School, co-chaired a committee for the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), which resulted in the organization’s first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice statement in April 2022. The statement in its final version will be published on the ERB website.

Farewell We bid a fond farewell to the following members of the faculty and staff who are moving on to new adventures. We thank you for being part of our community and wish you the best: Damaris Altomerianos, Virginia Caynak, Kayleigh Concepcion, Dani Kim-Davis, Anabelle Ferguson, Lindy Hayden, Patrick King, Rocío Medina-Ovando, Alyssa Reyes, Caleb Strehlo, Jacob Taylor-Mosquera, Nhu-Quynh Tu, Anne Van Loen, and Robyn Veraa.

ONCE A PUMA, ALWAYS A PUMA

Longtime Teacher and Coach Retires After serving 29 years at UPrep, English Teacher and Head Coach Alec “Dux” Duxbury ’87 retired this June. He learned one of his teaching maxims from a mentor during his first year of teaching: learn your students, teach yourself. “University Prep has been a good place for me to practice what has been my life’s work so far: I became a much better teacher, a much better coach, a much better outdoor leader, and a much better human during my time here. I thank the institution and my colleagues for allowing me to grow as a professional in all my areas of interest,” said Dux. Senior student and soccer player Jane Scoggs said Dux is one of the most intelligent, compassionate, reliable people she has ever met. “He cares deeply about each of his students, players, peers, and fellow members of this community. Whether we are in the classroom or on the pitch, Dux achieves the perfect balance of humor and drive,” she said.

PE teacher Nate Whitney said he appreciates Dux’s positivity. “Dux consistently and clearly voices his expectations with players. I think the greatest compliment I can give Dux is that I would not hesitate to have one of my children play for him,” he said. Next year, Dux will coach for the Seattle United soccer club, and will continue to play rock shows with his band, Rocket Bleach.

In Memory of Beloved UPrep Founder Chris McGarry AUGUST 06, 1939 –JANUARY 6, 2022 Chris was born in Jamaica, New York. Her family moved to New Jersey when she was young, and Chris proudly considered herself a New Jerseyite all her life. She moved to Seattle in 1969; she loved her newly adopted Northwest home. Chris received her B.A. in Education from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) and received her M.A. from Lesley University in Massachusetts. She taught at Pascack Valley High School and Carteret High School in New Jersey; Roosevelt High School in Seattle; and Raymond High School in Raymond, Washington. In 1976, Chris and six other teachers founded University Preparatory Academy. She contributed tirelessly to the advancement of our school. While here, she held many positions: UPrep Board of Trustees member, admissions director, librarian, Parent Council liaison, and English and language skills teacher. She cherished her relationships with the students she taught, keeping in touch with them long after they had graduated. After a 40-year career as a dedicated and beloved educator, Chris retired in 2001.

Chris loved to travel and visited family and friends along the East Coast and elsewhere. She is rememChris, far left, at the Commons Grand Opening in 2019.

bered for her positive outlook, kindheartedness, fun-loving personality, and endearing New Jersey accent. Chris was active in the Seattle Urban League, University-Ballard Lions Club, Trinity United Methodist Church in Ballard, United Methodist Women, and the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, which promotes the growth of women educators.

A celebration of her life was held at UPrep in March. “I met Chris as ‘Ms. Petersen’ when I came to UPrep as a sophomore in the fall of 1976. She was my advisor,” said former UPrep Trustee Sara Gerhart Snell ’79 at this service. “Chris was warm, caring, and curious about who I was and what I wanted in

Chris, third from right, at the 1989 kickoff for the capital campaign that raised money for building UPrep’s permanent campus.

life. These are ordinary things we expect from friends, yet, in the context of student-teacher relationships, it was unusual. Thank you, Chris, for your generosity, humor, compassion, and steadfastness.”

SUMMER 2022

37

Paying Tribute to Four Leaders We have a saying at UPrep: “Once a Puma, always a Puma.” The four Senior Leadership Team members who moved on in June to new opportunities embody that saying well.

We thank them for their leadership and hard work on behalf of the UPrep community and look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments.

As the director of advancement, Catherine Blundell demonstrated her Puma pride by supporting UPrep’s fundraising for more than 15 years. Under her leadership, UPrep’s annual giving increased each year and the school created meaningful engagement opportunities for our community. On the personal side, Catherine is the proud parent of two Puma alums, Drew ’10 and Natalie ’12. Catherine is now the director of development for the St. Thomas School in Medina.

In 2012, Shavette McGhee became the director of diversity and community. In this role, she grew Social Justice Day and affinity group programming. In 2018, Shavette became the director of enrollment management and filled our school with students who were excited about the UPrep experience.

Shavette is now the assistant head of school for student experience at Seattle Academy. She will still be with us as a UPrep parent to her daughter, Kayla ’24.

E-chieh Lin came to UPrep to be a fine arts teacher in 2015. E-chieh quickly became a leader and reduced her teaching load to work part time in the Diversity and Community Office. She became the director of diversity and community in 2017. Her coaching of faculty, staff, and students has moved UPrep forward along its journey to becoming a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just community.

She is now the director of inclusion and well-being at the Taipei American School in Taiwan.

Ten years ago, Richard Kassissieh became UPrep’s academic dean. He was soon promoted to assistant head of school for academics and strategic initiatives. Richard led the implementation of intensives; created Inside UPrep, the school’s internal program for tracking student progress; enhanced professional development through his management of Individualized Teaching Improvement Plans for faculty development; launched a new course request program for student course sign-ups; and created a new and improved scheduling module for the school. We wish him well in his new position as head of school at Stratford Hall School in Vancouver, B.C.

Board of Trustees Update We welcome the following new members of the board and bid goodbye to Lisa Bontje, Mark Britton, Geoff Buscher, Charisse Cowan-Pitre, Jason Froggatt ’87, Tracy Pozil, Tori Ragen, and Cheryl Scott.

Steve de Beer has been head of school at

of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and is a

Westside School, a preschool–8th grade

frequent presenter for the National Association of Independent

independent school in West Seattle, since

Schools. He has an M.Ed. in teacher education from the University of

2018. During that time, the school has

Massachusetts and a B.A. in linguistics from the University of York

expanded its campus and grown enrollment

in England. Originally from Sussex in the south of England, he lives

by more than 30 percent. He also served as

in Seattle with his wife, Steph Bruno, and has two 20-something

the head of school at Friends School in

daughters: Emma, who works in independent school admissions,

Boulder, Colorado, where he led the

and Leah, who lives in Tampa, Florida.

initiatives to purchase and redevelop a second campus, launch a successful middle school, and grow a renowned teacher training program. He spent 21 years in teaching and administrative roles at Stanley British Primary School in Denver. For six years, Steve chaired the Annual Conference of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools. He currently serves on committees for the Northwest Association of Independent Schools. He was selected as a practitioner expert by the Making Caring Common Project 38

UPREP MAGAZINE

Quyen Hamilton served as a grade-level representative and admissions liaison in the UPrep Parent and Guardian Association.

Born and raised in Seattle, Quyen attended The Evergreen School and Shorecrest High School, and graduated with a B.A. in comparative religion from the University of Washington. Quyen is co-chair of the

Assisteens of Seattle, a student-led service organization supporting

development consulting teams for Microsoft, Boeing, and other

underserved youths in our community, and master instructor at The

Pacific Northwest companies. She retired after the birth of her first

Bar Method, a local and national fitness chain. She and her husband,

child. She and her husband, Fergal, are the parents of Ciaran ’22

Adam, have three children: Sam ’23, Thomas ’25, and Eloise.

and Fiachra ’24.

Jarrad Harford is the Paul Pigott-PACCAR

Danielle Ruthfield is a strategic financial

professor of finance and chair of the Finance

advisor to individuals, families, and com-

and Business Economics Department at the

panies in transition. Previously, she was a

University of Washington’s Foster School of

marriage and family therapist and the head

Business. He grew up in Pennsylvania and

of Northwest Family Therapy, a group ther-

earned his B.S. from Penn State. He earned

apy practice in Seattle. She has also served

his Ph.D. in finance with a minor in organiza-

in leadership and development roles at the

tions and markets at the University of Roch-

Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and as

ester. His teaching focuses on core finance, corporate governance,

a program manager at Amazon. Danielle

and acquisition analysis. Jarrad currently serves as a managing editor

was previously the chair of the Board of Trustees of The Evergreen

of the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. He and his

School, and as the chair of the Development Committee, she helped

co-authors are working on the sixth edition of their textbook,

deliver a successful $20 million capital campaign. She is a fellow

Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. Jarrad was a long-serving

in the Wexner Heritage Program, a worldwide Jewish leadership

member of the University Child Development Center (UCDS) Finance

initiative. She has a B.A. from the University of Puget Sound and

Committee and a member of the UCDS Board of Trustees for six

master’s degrees from Seattle University and Seattle Pacific

years. He and his wife, Katrina Strand, are the parents of Evan ’24

University. Danielle her husband, Scott, and two daughters, Mica

and Cole ’25.

and Nava ’25, live in Shoreline.

Russell Normann ’86 owns and operates a

Blake Titcomb ’09 graduated from the

private commercial real estate company with

University of Puget Sound in 2013 with a

a unique and growing portfolio in the Puget

B.S. in geology and a minor in economics.

Sound region. He oversees all aspects of the

Blake is passionate about giving back to his

business and takes great pride in serving its

community and has served on a number of

diverse family of tenants. Prior to working

philanthropic boards. He served as president

in real estate, Russ had a successful career

of the UPrep Alumni Board for four years

in the technology industry for more than a

and currently sits on a Family Foundation

decade. Russ graduated with degrees in philosophy and mathemat-

for Sustainable Forests and Communities Initiative Committee

ics from the University of Washington. He has participated on the

and Financial Committee. Blake is a senior account manager at

UPrep Alumni Board, serving on the Finance Committee for several

PitchBook, a financial software company. While he and his wife,

years. He enjoys sailing, skiing, traveling, and spending time with

Brittany, do not have any little Pumas, they are very fond of

family and friends, many of whom stretch back to his days at UPrep.

their German shepherd, Maya.

Russ and his wife, Heather, are the parents of Ben ’21.

Jeremy Wacksman is the chief operating

Ursula Phelan is the president of the UPrep

officer at Zillow Group. He previously served

Parent Guardian Association, where she

as president and chief marketing officer at

previously served five years as past exec,

Zillow Group. He has also led marketing and

treasurer, and grade-level parent representa-

product management efforts at Microsoft

tive. She also worked with Development on

and Trilogy Software. He advises startup and

several events, co-chaired the Puma Fund for

growth companies, including serving as a

two years, and has served as co-chair for

board director for Rover.com and Room 77

UPrep’s Open House. Ursula is from Ireland

and as an advisor to Dollar Shave Club and GoFundMe. Jeremy

and received her B.S. in computer science and psychology from

earned a B.S. in computer engineering from Purdue University and

University College Dublin. Her professional career started in Ireland,

an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at

where she was project manager at IBM. With her move to Seattle,

Northwestern University. He and his wife, Lucy, are the parents

Ursula consulted with both public and private companies with

of Eli ’25 and Miles ’29. ■

full responsibility for sales and delivery. She managed software SUMMER 2022

39

UPrep Together— A Record-Breaking Success!

BY CATHERINE MCNUTT, ANNUAL GIVING MANAGER

O

n April 1, nearly 200 UPrep parents and friends gathered at Fremont Studios for a festive evening of celebrating our community and raising funds for our Endowed Financial Fund at UPrep Together. It was the first time in three years we gathered in person and the first time

we offered a hybrid format, with an additional 143 families joining via livestream. Our Jazz Band, marimba players from the January intensive, and students from the Middle School Dance class lit up the stage, while student and alumni speakers shared what a UPrep education means to them.

John and Shelly Sage, parents of Matthew ’22, Nicholas ’16, and Jackson ’14, expressed their gratitude for the unique and exceptional educational experience that each of their three Pumas

UPREP TOGETHER FAST FACTS

received at UPrep.

Thanks to our community, we raised $754,590 for the Endowed Financial Aid Fund. This fund helps

•

Total raised: $754,590

us create an economically diverse student body and welcome those who would not be able to

•

41 families were first-time donors to UPrep Together

attend UPrep due to financial constraints. Through the support of our entire community—parents,

•

21 families new to our school gave to UPrep Together

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UPREP MAGAZINE

guardians, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and friends—we live our mission every day.

We are grateful for our donors at every level who help make a UPrep education possible for future Pumas. Thank you for your continued dedication to and support of UPrep! ■

SUMMER 2022

41

Class Notes Nicole (Gyulay) Edmondson ’97

Greg Carlson ’90 and Ray Larson ’90

Brent Beecher ’93 and Ara Greer ’97

Katie Schade ’09

Greg Carlson ’90

to join a parade in London (known as the Lord Mayor’s Show),

After seventeen-plus years of living in Northeast Seattle (close to

representing the bank. I wore what they call “the Pinks,” which is

UPrep), my wife and I headed south to Chehalis, Washington, where

the traditional uniform of Bank of England stewards. I didn’t always

we both work remotely. In January 2022, I started working for Cal-

appreciate it at the time, but, in hindsight, I’m so grateful to UPrep

lan Advertising, a Burbank-based agency that works with Amazon

for providing the foundation that led me to the job I love, which is

Studios and Sony Pictures, among many other theatrical/streaming

also one of public service. I never could have guessed I would end

companies. I’m still in contact with fellow class of ’90 members:

up here!

Ray Larson, Matt Roach, Andrew Blackwell, and Ryan Rogers.

When we meet up, it’s not uncommon for us to randomly sing a

Katharine (Durkee) Cappo ’04

tune from one of the many spring musicals we were involved in.

Earlier this year, my husband Mark, our three-year-old son, Danny, and I moved to Boulder County, Colorado. After a rocky start that

Brent Beecher ’93 and Ara Greer ’97

included an emergency evacuation due to wildfires, we are settling

Ara Greer and I are back on campus! We’re thrilled that our

into our new home. I recently joined the Dawson School as their

daughter, Alea, will be the next generation of Pumas in our family,

new director of development and have enjoyed getting to know

starting 6th grade this fall. Congrats, Alea, we can’t wait to see

my new community. We’re enjoying exploring a new state and

how you make your own UPrep experience!

taking weekend trips.

Nicole (Gyulay) Edmondson ’97

Katie Schade ’09

This year I earned a promotion to lead policy analyst at the Bank

After moving to Sydney, Australia, five years ago, I’ve done exactly

of England. For those who might not know, the Bank of England

what my mom always feared: met a boy and decided to stay for

is the UK’s equivalent of a combination of the Federal Reserve and

good! My fiancé, Erick, and I are getting married in December 2022,

the Securities and Exchange Commission. It sets interest rates to

and I’m grateful that Alyssa Vaughan ’09 will make the trip to be a

control inflation and regulates banks and insurance companies to

bridesmaid. In the meantime, we are busy settling into domestic life

make sure the financial system keeps functioning, so we all can go

and I am making the transition from a consulting career to in-house

about our daily lives. In my new role, I help make rules for finan-

strategy for a new challenger bank here in Sydney. If you’re ever

cial firms to help stop major financial crises (like what happened

in Australia, please reach out to catch up or get some great

in 2008) from happening. In the attached picture, I had a chance

recommendations!

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UPREP MAGAZINE

Nikai Johnson ’14

Kipras Mazeika ’18

Katharine (Durkee) Cappo ’04

Jackson Ragen ’17

Henry Buscher ’21

Nikai Johnson ’14

I am thrilled to start full time with the symphony in September,

I just published my book, Spirits of Sarana. It’s a young adult fantasy

and I hope to reconnect with many of my former classmates and

novel dealing with toxic masculinity and communication. I’ve been

teachers upon my return to Seattle.

working on it for the past three years and I’m very excited to now share it. The e-book, paperback, and audiobook are now available

Henry Buscher ’21

at most major retailers. More info on the book can be found at my

In early February, I accepted an appointment to the United States

website: wordsofafeatherpress.com. Please check it out if you have

Military Academy at West Point, having spent one year at Dickinson

a chance. Thanks!

College. I thoroughly enjoyed my year at Dickinson, but I’m super excited to be starting my four years at West Point. This summer, I

Jackson Ragen ’17

will begin Cadet Basic Training, or Beast, as it is known. Additionally,

In February 2022, I joined the Seattle Sounders FC for the 2022

a week after receiving my appointment, I self-published my first

season, with team options for 2023 and 2024. In my time at UPrep,

novel, Kings & Generals, which is now available on Amazon. While

I played for the Pumas in 2014, 2015, and 2016—earning league

attending West Point may limit my ability to write for a while, I fully

MVP in both my sophomore and junior seasons. In my senior year,

intend to continue the hobby and publish more books. Overall,

I played for the Sounders Academy. I also attended the University

these past few months have been eventful, and I look forward

of Michigan, where I was awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of

to what the future holds.

the Year during my senior season. After graduating from college, I was drafted by the Chicago Fire FC in 2021 and moved to

STUDENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Seattle through the College Protected Period Priority.

In June, 30 students returned to campus for a Student Leadership Summit. Our Pumas participated in workshops on project management, how to run a meeting, long-term vision planning, collaborating with others, communications as a leader, and more. They ended the day with an alumni panel discussion featuring Taha Ebrahimi ’97, Kelabe Tewolde ’13, Alli Bunker ’18, and Michael Gary ’20.

Kipras Mazeika ’18 I just graduated from Rice University in the spring of 2022 with a bachelor of music in bassoon performance, and I was fortunate enough to win the audition for bassoon and contrabassoon with the Seattle Symphony! I agreed to audition in January 2022, thanks to the encouragement and generosity of my high school teacher, Francine Peterson, to whom I was first introduced by Thane Lewis.

SUMMER 2022

43

Upper and lower left: Alumni from the classes of 1987–2022 met at Flatstick Pub in Pioneer Square for games and pizza before attending the Seattle Sounders match on July 23. Right: Members of the class of 2016 reconnected at Bale Breaker & Yonder Cider in Ballard to celebrate their belated five-year reunion.

Alumni News

Alumni Summer Events Return

BY CLAIRE FALLAT, DEVELOPMENT ENGAGEMENT AND ALUMNI MANAGER

We are so excited to share that in-person alumni events returned

Alumni Board Update

joined us at the Sounders game against the Colorado Rapids to

As we embark on a new school year, our Alumni Board membership

cheer on alum Jackson Ragen ’17 on the pitch. Our group gathered

is growing! Alumni Board members advise the school about alumni

at Flatstick Pub in Pioneer Square before kickoff to play putt-putt

events and communications, and they lead the Alumni Association.

golf and grab some bites. On Saturday, August 6, we welcomed

For the past four years, Blake Titcomb ’09 has served as our

alumni back to campus for games, food, and campus tours. It was a

president. His leadership and positive spirit have been wonderful

fun evening of reconnecting and celebrating our UPrep community.

assets for the board, and we are thrilled that he is joining the UPrep

The classes of 1982, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2016, and 2017 also

Board of Trustees. We look forward to seeing Blake at UPrep alumni

celebrated their reunions at our events throughout the summer.

events in the future. Rachel Pesando ’96 will be taking on the role of president this fall. She is a parent of two current Pumas, and she has served on the board since the early 2000s. We’re also thrilled to announce that we have three new members joining the board this year: Toby Cattolico ’04, Caracol Haley ’14, and Chris McCarty ’22; Chris will be joining as our young alumni representative. This school year, our Alumni Board members will represent the classes of 1982, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2004, 2014, and 2022.

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UPREP MAGAZINE

this summer! On Saturday, July 23, 40 alumni, teachers, and families

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH UPREP! Have you moved, started a new job, gone back to school, or experienced other exciting life changes in recent months? We’d love to hear what’s new in your world and share your updates with the UPrep community. Send your news and photos to us at alumni@universityprep.org.

Upcoming Events Please note that dates may change; check the Family Portal for updates.

First Day of School Wednesday, August 31

New School Year Socials: at UPrep, 5:30 p.m.

Welcome back! The ceremonial

6th Grade Social: Thursday, September 8 11th & 12th Grade Social: Wednesday, September 14 7th & 8th Grade Social: Thursday, September 15 9th & 10th Grade Social: Tuesday, September 20

ringing of the UPrep bell will mark the beginning of the 2022–2023 school year.

The UPrep Development Office is thrilled to welcome our parents and guardians back to campus this fall! To celebrate the return to school, we are hosting four socials on campus throughout the month of September. Parents and guardians are invited to attend the social(s) that correspond to their child(ren)’s grade levels. More information about these socials will be shared via email.

Back-to-School Nights Middle School: Thursday, September 22, at UPrep Upper School: Thursday, September 29, at UPrep Join us for this annual opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and a variety of faculty and staff at UPrep.

More information about these events will be shared in All-School Emails.

Puma Fund Kickoff Monday, October 3 Join us this fall as the entire UPrep community comes together to support our Puma Fund campaign. This inspiring effort benefits every student and teacher in our school.

OUR MISSION University Prep is committed to developing each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.

SUMMER 2022

45

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 1268 8000 25th Ave NE | Seattle, WA 98115

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

This fall, the students from the senior class will attend 47 different institutions in 19 states, Washington, D.C., two Canadian provinces, and Ireland. They will wear Harvard crimson and Dartmouth green and white. They will become Big Red Bears at Cornell University, Huskies at the University of Washington, and Blue Jays at Johns Hopkins University. And they will be forever Pumas! Class of 2022, we can’t wait to hear your news of the world beyond UPrep!

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