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Transcript of OakTree Times - Fall/Winter 2013-14
OakTree Times
F A L L | W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 - 1 4
Ensemble ActSHARING THE SPIRIT OF POLY MUSICALS
Inside :Hollywood in the iPad® age
Coyote ambassadors
Advanced Placement Chinese
OakTree TimesF A L L | W I N T E R 2 0 1 3
Ensemble
Act
Hollywood in
the iPad® Age
Four artistic disciplines, more than 100
performers and technicians, and one
loyal audience uphold Poly’s musical
theater tradition.
Four alumni reflect on the past,
present, and future of the
entertainment business.
p.10
p.18
Features :
A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R T H E P O LY T E C H N I C S C H O O L C O M M U N I T Y
Advanced Placement Chinese comes to the Upper
School … The War Photographers screening … Students
flock to fencing team … and more news from Poly.
Second-graders discover international friendships
with help from a few furry ambassadors.
Highlights from Poly’s fall athletic teams ... all Varsity
teams qualify for playoffs ... 24 All-Prep League athletes
... one Prep League title.
Poly Events … Annual Fund at work … Class Notes …
In Memoriam … plus alumni profiles: Eric Haskell ’69,
Colleen Chien ’91, and David Wiseman ’99.
Upper School teacher and coach Chris Schmoke
gives advice to his 15-year-old self and reflects on the
meaning of Poly.
p.05
p.09
p.21
p.22
p.34
The Patio
In the Classroom
Panthers in the Zone
Poly Connections
P.S.
Departments:
ON THE COVER:
Cole Porter’s Can-Can (1970)
OAK TREE TIMES EDITORIAL STAFF:
Leslie Carmell, Director of Communications
Michelle Feynman, Communications Officer/Photographer
Jennifer Godwin Minto, Photographer
CONTRIBUTORS:
Amanda Edwards ’92, Irene Mason,
Debbie Reed, and Thomas Sale.
Gina Sabatella, Photographer
Stay Connected
facebook.com/poly
twitter.com/polytechnic
twitter.com/polyalumni
04 H E A D O F S C H O O L M E S S A G E
A slice of Poly life
With this issue, we introduce a new format for the OakTree Times, one that
emphasizes Poly’s vibrancy. On the following pages and in future issues, you will
find a dedicated news section, The Patio; a close-up on teaching and learning
called In the Classroom; multiple feature stories; athletic profiles and team
recaps; and our new Connections section for alumni, parents, and friends.
Given the daily life on our campuses—and the extraordinary pursuits and
contributions of our extended Poly community—the OakTree Times inevitably
captures only a slice of Poly life. Yet as that theatrical term suggests, when
rendered faithfully, a slice of life can be representative and illuminating.
In this issue, we put the limelight on the spring musical, a defining
interdisciplinary experience treasured by many alumni and a tradition that
continues to connect students across campus and across years. As we prepared
this story, we received many more memories from alumni than we could
include in the magazine. I encourage you to visit the Poly website to read them
all and to see more photos from musicals past and present.
These pages also highlight people and programs that make Poly a vital
experience and tell but a few of Poly’s compelling stories. As the alumni
participants in our recent entertainment roundtable (see page 18) discussed, we
live in a time of abundant outlets for storytelling. We encourage you to listen
to Voices of Poly on our website, follow our athletics on Twitter, or read about
campus news online or in the pages of the OakTree Times.
Deborah E. Reed
Head of School
“ These pages also highlight people and programs that
make Poly a vital experience, and tell but a few of Poly’s
compelling stories. ”
05T H E P A T I O
Poly’s Upper School Chinese language program has grown steadily since 2010, adding a new course level each year. This past fall, Upper School teacher Lois Chung off ered an AP course, enabling students to take seven years of Mandarin, beginning in sixth grade.
“We really believe in cultivating global citizens here at Poly,” says Chung, “and learning a language is one of the best ways to learn another culture. Especially for our students who have studied Spanish and know English—if they add Mandarin, they can communicate almost anywhere in the world.”
The study of Mandarin demands many hours of practice and memorization, particularly because speaking
and listening have no relationship to reading and writing. “For students, it’s like focusing on two diff erent languages at the same time in order to progress,” says Chung.
For the eight students enrolled in Poly’s inaugural AP class, the challenge is invigorating. “We pride ourselves on the linguistic obstacles we overcome,” says senior Simone Abegunrin. “We write lengthy essays, we analyze movies, we talk about the college application process, we compare and contrast American and Chinese education systems.At this level, we are directly applying the Chinese culture to our own lives and seeing how Mandarin interacts with the world around us.”
The Patio
Poly introduces Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture
Instructor Lois Chung, third from right, with Global Initiatives Program students in Beijing
06 T H E P A T I O
The Patio
Nineteen new faculty and staff members joined our community this year and recently completed their fi rst semester at Poly. A distinguished and creative group, they bring a broad range of skills and experiences to the school. Among them is a former member of the Nigerian Olympic basketball team; a triple major in behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, and biochemistry; and a volunteer counselor at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
New faculty and staff join Poly
As part of Poly’s Global Initiatives Program, GIP coordinator and faculty member Rick Caragher invited Steve Kochones ’84 to discuss his fi lm, The War Photographers, with the Poly community last November. The fi lm was commissioned by the Annenberg Space for Photography and debuted last March with the exhibit WAR/PHOTOGRAPHY: Images of Armed Confl ict and Its Aftermath. The fi lm explores the work of six accomplished photographers who have documented confl icts past and present, in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Vietnam to South Africa. Kochones answered questions from students about his career, the process of fi lmmaking, how diff erent cultures tolerate the depiction of war, and the men and women who serve as our eyes on the battlefi eld. Speaking to his Poly audience, he remarked, “Thank you for coming to take a look at this fi lm—the fi rst time it’s been screened at a school. It’s good to have it shown to the next generation—those who will lead the way we go in war and in peace.”
Steve Kochones ’84 screens The War Photographers at Poly
© David Hume Kennerly
Read more about new faculty and staff at
www.polytechnic.org/webextras
When English teacher and coach Laura Holmgren first launched Poly’s competitive fencing team, she thought the group would likely attract 10 or 12 students. Six years later, Poly’s team ranks as one of the largest in the area, with almost 50 students participating. They compete in United States Fencing Association (USFA) tournaments throughout the region, against both schools and fencing clubs that include fencers of all ages.
“The great thing about fencing is that it’s not age-specific,” says Holmgren. “Sometimes the kids are matched against other students, but sometimes their opponents are much older. It’s also a sport where girls compete successfully against the boys, and it allows for many different body types. All of this makes for some great life lessons.”
The USFA ranks fencers A through E (A being the highest), with the vast majority of fencers being unclassified. Last year, five Poly students earned their E rankings—an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to the maturity and dedication of Poly’s program and players.
Holmgren describes fencing as “a very strategic sport—you have to decide quickly, on your own, how to respond to your opponent. There’s a counter move for everything, which requires a lot of analysis and problem-solving.” Perhaps this is one reason the team has attracted
so many Poly students. When asked what makes her the most proud, however, Holmgren responds, “We have an outstanding reputation for our sportsmanship and behavior. Other
teams and clubs are always asking us to tournaments because our kids
are so gracious.”
The Patio
Students flock to fencing team
This past fall, Middle and Upper School students headed for the hills (and the ocean, desert, and rivers) for Poly’s annual Outdoor Education trips. The multitude of activities included mountain biking in Mammoth; sailing and marine science off Catalina Island; sustainable living at Jameson Ranch in Glennville; river rafting on the Klamath River; and backpacking to the Havasu River waterfalls in Arizona.
Poly takes to the
wilderness once again
Emily Gifford ’14
“ We have an outstanding reputation
for our sportsmanship and behavior.
Other teams and clubs are always
asking us to tournaments because
our kids are so gracious. ”
– LAURA HOLMGREN
07T H E P A T I O
08 T H E P A T I O
The Patio
Last October, Ana Marie Acosta ’14 became the third student in Poly’s history to be crowned Rose Queen, joining Aliya Haque Coher ’95 and Jennifer Halferty Johnston ’97 who also served during their senior years. According to the Tournament of Roses, Ana was selected from more than 900 Pasadena-area young women who participated in the Royal Court tryouts, which focused on a combination of qualities, including public speaking ability, poise, academic achievement, and community involvement.
At Poly, Ana is captain of the Varsity equestrian team and a cabinet member of the Girls Service League. She hopes to pursue a career in neurosurgery.
Poly senior Ana Marie Acosta
named 96th Rose Queen
Award-winning writer Cornelia Funke, author of the Inkheart trilogy, kicked off the annual Poly Book Fair last October with assemblies for the Lower and Middle Schools. Funke talked about the writing process and answered lively questions from her audiences. More than 110 families attended opening night of the Book Fair, and more than 50 books were donated to Mother’s Club via the third grade community service project.
Last November, fifth-graders participated in their annual mercado, or market, practicing their Spanish while “shopping” for a variety of donated food items. The fun curricular activity also has a positive impact in the community: With the food donations that Poly collected, 25 families at the Healthy Head Start program in Pasadena received a box full of staples and enough food to have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.
Poly celebrates the 32nd
annual Book Fair
Fifth grade mercado doubles
as food drive
09I N T H E C L A S S R O O M
In the Classroom
Three years ago, when Suzie Arther ’89’s second-graders were in kindergarten, they helped launch a unique learning network, the Coyote Project. The brainchild of Middle and Upper School art teacher Jim Barry, the project gives Lower School students a chance to connect with peers in places as far-fl ung as Mali, France, Cyprus, China, India, and Brazil.
The project centers around a corps of stuff ed coyotes sent from Poly to join other students around the globe. Arther’s class recently sent a welcome package to their counterparts in Senegal, the newest location to join the group. This particular coyote was well equipped for his journey: In addition to a class letter, Arther’s students created juice boxes, sandwiches, and other foodstuff s from paper, along with a book, blanket, and pillow to ensure the coyote’s comfort en route.
To date, the Coyote Project has reached 11 countries beyond the United States. Using the project’s multilingual website, children share photos of themselves taken with the coyote, as well as coyote stories and photos of themselves acting out simple math equations with their fi ngers. “The goal is to get kids to communicate with each other and to feel like having friends around the world is a natural thing,” says Barry. “We use math as a communication tool because
numbers are the same in all languages.” Needless to say, anticipation runs high in Arther’s class whenever there is a return package to be opened or an email to be read from another country.
Barry, who has a degree in anthropology and spent fi ve years living in Senegal, personally makes all the international connections, sometimes through Poly parents and often through the work he does helping schools in other countries with their websites.
In Arther’s classroom, the interdisciplinary benefi ts are enormous as well as a lot of fun for the children. “The project incorporates writing, reading, math, geography, map skills, art—you name it!” she says. “It prompts my students to ask all kinds of questions.” Second grade classes taught by Jenine Almahdi and Joanne Hwang also participate in the project. As a result, Barry estimates that at any given time, there are about a dozen coyotes traveling around the world. Says Arther of these furry emissaries and the connections they inspire: “It helps my students develop understanding, empathy, and compassion. They learn to see themselves in many diff erent children and communities around the world.”
Second-graders send coyote pals around the globe
Learn more about the Coyote Project at
www.polytechnic.org/webextras
AEnsembleOn the evening of March 17, 1961, the curtain rose, literally, on what would soon become a community-wide tradition at Polytechnic School—the Upper School spring musical. The evening’s production, Good News, set on the fictitious campus of Tait College in the Roaring Twenties, tells the story of football star Tom Marlow and studious Connie Lane who fight and woo, surrounded by flocks of sorority girls and a horde of “big men on campus.”
Above: Poly’s first musical, Good News (1961), included these “Varsity Drag” dancers. Front row (left to right): Joan Schirtzinger Palmer ’63, Holly Smith Jones ’63, Posy Anderson Smith ’64, Sara Eddy McCracken ’63; back row (left to right): Judi Kennedy Hersey ’62, Janice Finch Schumacher ’62, Nancy Kennedy Monjo ’63, Robin Riley Martin ’64. Right: Brenda Chen ’16 and Brandon Lew ’15 in On the Town (2013)
10 F E A T U R E
Act FOUR ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES,
MORE THAN 100 PERFORMERS
AND TECHNICIANS, AND ONE
LOYAL AUDIENCE UPHOLD
POLY’S MUSICAL THEATER
TRADITION
11F E A T U R E
12 F E A T U R E
The original program in the Poly archives shows a large cast of principal characters supported by no less than three choruses totaling 40 students. Another 21 students served as set builders, stage crew, and other supporters. The faculty production staff included Vivian Young, who led Poly’s theater department for 33 years, along with other teachers who oversaw music, technical direction, art direction, and programs. Three parent committees assisted in the areas of scenery, choreography, and costumes and props. From the very beginning, Poly’s Upper School musical was an ensemble eff ort.
Today, that spirit continues, supported by robust programs in theater, vocal music, orchestral music, dance, and design. Each spring, a quarter of the Upper School student body participates in the production—as actors,
dancers, set and lighting operators, front-of-house volunteers, and myriad other roles. A loyal audience of fellow students, Lower and Middle School children, teachers, alumni, families, friends, and even local neighbors make the play’s brief run an annual sellout. After 52 years, the Upper School musical remains a major highlight of Poly’s spring semester.
The spring musical for 2014 will be Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate. Poly previously produced the show in 1996 and 2004 (pictured, with Lauren Libaw ’05 as Lilli Vanessi and Ryan Braun ’04 as Fred Graham).
Bobby Burrows ’85, Eugene Bahng ’88, Ben Massey ’86, Jon Nalick ’85, Peter Koetters ’86 in Oklahoma! (1985): The
fi rst musical to be staged in the new Garland Performing Arts Center. The show was produced again in 1995 to
celebrate the building’s 10th anniversary.
See more musical photos and read more alumni
memories at www.polytechnic.org/webextras
13F E A T U R E
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALLThe idea of the ensemble runs deeper than production
statistics: It is the fundamental teaching tenet of Poly’s theater program. “We like to use a quote from Konstantin Stanislavsky as a touchstone,” says Performing Arts Department Chair Cynthia Crass: “’Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.’ Students hear that from third grade on. Whether we’re talking about a play, a dance production, or a concert, to be successful, the performers must give themselves over to what is best for the group. We spend a lot of time working on these ideas in rehearsal, and we hope it fosters some profound life lessons.”
In many ways, the department’s ensemble commitment mirrors Poly’s larger commitment to service. Participants are encouraged to help each other in whatever ways they can regardless of their assigned roles. Costume repair and laundry, for example, are communal tasks throughout the show’s run. Students come to the theater to sew or iron during their free periods or on the weekends.
Teachers also focus firmly on process before product. While the overall aim is to produce a good show, the true purpose of a Poly musical is self-discovery. The stages of planning, rehearsing, building, and performing a musical
offer countless opportunities for students to grow and learn. Broadway-style music challenges classical dancers and instrumentalists to expand their repertoires. Technical crews must transform a blank stage using both time-honored stagecraft techniques and solutions of their own devising. And the list goes on. “Adolescents are continually looking for ways to think about the world, investigate adulthood, and express themselves,” says veteran teacher Tina Cocumelli. “We try to offer them a safe place to take risks and to join in something larger than themselves. Hopefully it’s a defining experience that they will remember for years and years.”
MANY ART FORMS, ONE WHOLEProduction of a comedy or drama requires a relatively
small number of moving parts: director, actors, and technical crew. Musicals, on the other hand, bring together many different artists—actors, singers, dancers, instrumentalists, as well as technicians, all led by a team of directors in charge of different areas. By opening night, these disparate elements must come together as a whole.
Poly is fortunate to have a veteran faculty team in place; most have worked together for more than 20 years. In addition to Tina Cocumelli, who generally serves as theatrical director, and Cynthia Crass, who acts as one of the principal choreographers, the group includes Alan Geier as musical director and Ria Kubota as orchestral director, with technical direction by Richard Sherrell and Tom Allard. This year, Danielle Pigneri rounds out the group as Poly’s new dance instructor.
The team’s first challenge each year is to select a title, a task that requires extensive deliberation. Each teacher assesses the strengths and difficulties of any given candidate from the perspective of his or her particular craft. Together they arrive at a choice that will both challenge and capitalize on the talents of the current cadre of Poly students.
“Over a four-year period, we aim to give students distinct experiences with four different types of musical theater,” explains Crass. “This year’s seniors, for example, did Beauty and the Beast as freshmen, a Disney fantasy show. They followed that with Sweeney Todd, probably
“ MY FAVORITE MEMORY IS OF THE MOMENT BEFORE EACH
SHOW WHEN THE CAST GATHERED IN THE DRAMA ROOM.
THE FEELING OF UNITY IN THE GROUP—SHARING FINAL
NOTES, FOCUSING ON THE SHOW, AND ENCOURAGING ONE
ANOTHER WAS EXTREMELY POWERFUL. ”
—Stewart Dorsey ’02
Little Shop of Horrors (2009) featured a pit band instead of the usual orchestra. Left to right: Alan Geier, Eli Chau ’09, Kevin Geier ’09, Julian Albinski-Euler ’11 [in back], Rob Hayes, Austin Jenkins ’09.
14 F E A T U R E
Sondheim’s toughest piece. Then last year, we did Bernstein’s On the Town, an incredibly challenging show because most of the story is told through dance, and the music is really difficult. This year, we looked at our group and asked, ’What haven’t they done yet?’ We chose a Cole Porter musical, Kiss Me, Kate, that offers a ’play within a play’ experience [Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew], as well as a wide variety of music and dance—jazz, swing, folk, modern, tap. It will be great fun for both the performers on stage and the orchestra in the pit.”
With a title selected, the production team must establish a style concept for the show. “The concept provides a touchstone for our individual work,” explains Geier. “When we did Sweeney, for example, we chose not
to be realistic. We wanted a very austere look. As a result, instead of using the pit, we put the orchestra behind a scrim so that nothing came between the actors and the audience. With a shared concept to guide us, we can each concentrate our specific disciplines and come up with ideas to help express the common goal.”
Once a show is cast and rehearsals begin, the task of weaving together a complete production becomes even more complex. Actors must gracefully incorporate three different crafts—acting, singing, and dancing. They must explore the time period and the psyches of
their characters. Designers and stage crew must devise a way to evoke a basketball court in one scene or a church sanctuary in the next. Dancers must analyze choreography in minute detail, focusing not only on individual steps, but also on how to navigate a crowded stage without major collisions. Ultimately, everyone must come to
Little Shop of Horrors (2009): Stage operators Aubrey Walker ’11 (who also provided the voice of Audrey II) and Bowen Zhang ’09 emerge to take their bows during curtain call.
14 F E A T U R E
“ I WANT MY OWN CHILDREN TO HAVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES
ONE DAY…A PLACE WHERE THEY LEARN HARMONIES AND
JAZZ HANDS, HOW TO ENUNCIATE AND STAND FIRM ON
TWO FEET, UNDERSTAND HOW ENSEMBLE IS ANOTHER
WORD FOR FAMILY. ”
—Gillian Thomas Kessler ’92
Guys and Dolls (1990)Guys and Dolls (1982)
15F E A T U R E
understand the play as both a text and a living, breathing act of performance.
“We see students apply the same intellectual curiosity and acumen as they do to all their Poly work,” says Cocumelli. “They come armed with extraordinary text analysis skills from their English classes. They bring historical perspective from their history classes. They divvy up the research and teach each other, whether about meat pies in 19th century London or navy bases in the South Pacific.”
When opening night arrives, the audience may not realize they are watching hundreds of small ideas and individual creative choices made throughout the strenuous rehearsal process. “It takes a lot of compromise, a lot of generosity, getting it all to come together in a unified way.” says Geier. “But this allows our students to learn what it really takes to produce a great show. It’s not just about the creation of art—it’s about collaboration. You’re working together to create something meaningful and beautiful.”
THE GLEE EFFECTOver the last two decades, a major shift has taken place
in theater programs at the collegiate level. Musicals, once eschewed as low-brow, now command major resources and attention. Institutions such as Michigan, Ithaca, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, UC Irvine, and others offer highly-compeititve musical theater programs attracting
applicants from across the country. A major movement toward show choirs, a capella groups, and musicals has
grown across the U.S., typified by television shows like Glee and The Sing Off.
Given its 52-year history with musicals, Poly has long recognized the value of such
experiences. “Poly has a century-old commitment to theater, as well as a strong musical theater tradition, thanks in large part to Vivian Young,” says Cynthia Crass. “Our costume collection dates back to the ’40s and
was sustained by generations of parents. In the early years, they got together and sewed these rich and
beautiful pieces.” Today Poly is the beneficiary of endowed funds that support replacement or
strategic expansion of the collection each year.
Guys and Dolls (2005)
Janna Wennberg ’14, Beauty and the Beast (2011)
16 F E A T U R E
A milestone in Poly’s thriving program came in 1984, with the construction of Garland Center for the Performing Arts. Up to that point, musicals used the small stage in what is known today as Founders Hall—a complicated proposition with a cast of 60-plus adolescents. Among other features, the new center provided a generous proscenium stage, complete with an orchestra pit, technical sound booth, and wing space, as well as dressing rooms, scene shop, and costume storage.
Since then, Poly’s performing arts program has only continued to diversify and grow. “When I arrived in 1979, I was the only music teacher for both the Middle and Upper Schools,” says Alan Geier. “I offered two classes and had four people in my first choir. Today, students are able to participate not only in an orchestra, but also
in chamber music, Jazz Band, plus courses in music theory or appreciation. We offer four levels of dance. Theater coursework covers not just acting but things like playwriting and theater history. The popularity and success of the Upper School musical flows from an advanced, multifaceted program that has grown to be an integral part of Poly.”
TREASURED MEMORIES AND TRADITIONSLike so many Poly traditions, the spring musical
builds community—connecting students, teachers, alumni, and parents across generations. In the early days, mothers and fathers, often Hollywood professionals themselves, volunteered to design scenery, gather props, or choreograph dances. Today, they continue to help out behind the scenes, mending costumes, doing hair and makeup, and feeding hordes of hungry cast and crew members on performance nights. The musical brings upper- and lowerclassmen together to work on a common project, and it creates bonds between the Upper School and the Middle and Lower Schools. During The King and I, younger students joined the cast to play the royal children. For The Music Man, Middle School band members doubled as the band coached by con artist Harold Hill.
Jane Davidson ’11 and Katie Antonsson ’11 prepare for Beauty and the Beast (2011) in the Garland dressing rooms.
The philosophy of Poly musicals has always been “Everybody Plays.” Before the construction of Garland in 1984, the small stage in what is now called Founders Hall could get very crowded. Shown here: the cast of South Pacific in 1971.
Behind the scenes, the “pre-show circle” remains a powerful tradition: Cast members gather each night in advance of the show to warm up, discuss adjustments, and recognize each other’s contributions. Many cite this experience as a highlight in their Poly careers and appreciate the opportunity to read congratulatory messages from alumni of musicals past.
“At events and reunions, I hear again and again how the musical remains a defi ning memory for so many alumni and families,” says Head of School Debbie Reed. “It’s an experience that ties all of us together. We enjoy
the wonderful, quirky, sometimes unexpected talent of individual players, while also celebrating the entire group and a labor of love that would not exist without the cooperation of many, many participants.”
For students, the skills gained as technicians, actors,
dancers, or instrumentalists often continue to shape their professional and personal lives. Twice in thelast decade, Poly’s Performing Arts Department has surveyed alumni and received stories from teachers, surgeons, entrepreneurs, lawyers, MBA students—as well as those active in the entertainment industry—about lessons learned onstage and backstage. Among those was one graduate whose words provide a fi tting dénouement: “I saw fi rsthand how the magic of opening night put the countless hours of rehearsals and hard work into perspective and made them seem completely worthwhile—and this same principle applies to many of the most meaningful things in life.” Bravo. Encore.
17F E A T U R E
“ FROM THE METALLIC GREEN AND SILVER ENSEMBLES WE
WORE IN ’WE’RE IN THE MONEY’ IN 42ND STREET ... TO THE
COLORFUL AND RATHER LARGE WIGS, BLACK PLATFORM
SHOES, AND HUGE HOOP SKIRTS WE WORE IN ONCE UPON
A MATTRESS, WE ALWAYS LOOKED AMAZING. ”
—Meghan Thornton ’06
See more musical photos and read more alumni
memories at www.polytechnic.org/webextras
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2010). Left to right: Hassaan Shahawy ’12, Anna Gilman ’11, SaraLee Steiner ’10, Shelley Garg ’13, Jenna Lomelli ’11, Kate Chulay ’13, Natalia Ramirez ’10, Catherine Lehman ’13, Katie Morgan ’10
Sarah Bartlett Wilson ’96, Anna Christy Stepp ’94, Philip Schneider ’96 and others in 42nd Street (1994)
00 S E C T I O N N A M E
FOUR ALUMNI REFLECT ON THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS
Hollywood in the iPad® age
18 F E A T U R E
19F E A T U R E
Are the outlets for storytelling changing from traditional models in this era of new technology?
Adam Stone: One of the trends in the business right now is that great creators, actors, and artists have moved to the television space to work on great dramas. As a result, the drama in the feature space has been in decline. It’s probably the first time in my memory that people, especially those within the Hollywood community, perceive working on a TV show as interesting as, and well-regarded as, working on a film.
David Stone: Over the last five or six years, we’ve had this massive expansion in the cable side of the television industry, and then there are all the streaming outlets. Each one wants a piece of programming that’s going to define the identity of their network the same way The Sopranos became a brand identifier for HBO, or Mad Men did for AMC. Then you have Netflix making a really authoritative statement with a show like House of Cards, with all the elements that define premium, like a recognizable star [Kevin Spacey] who really, at the end of the day, is a movie star. So you have outlets for ideas that otherwise were harder to find homes for. You wouldn’t find a home for a show like Enlightened on the Fox Network.
Mike White: It’s all cyclical, but right now it feels like TV is a place where you can do more truly original stuff. I think
you can in features, but you have to really hit the bull’s eye; you have to be very smart about it and approach it from the standpoint that you really have to thread the needle. Everybody has a different end game. For me, it’s to be able to do work that I’m proud of, and to get the resources to do it is a victory in itself. I want to be responsible to the partners I make something with; I want them to make money. But at a place like HBO, the criteria for success is a little bit more in the vagaries, and that allows for a show like Enlightened. In the feature business, the sense of what is a hit has gotten so big that there’s not enough reason to make movies that look like they could just do okay anymore.
On October 31, Poly hosted an alumni roundtable discussion on the state of the entertainment industry. Held at The Athenaeum at Caltech, the event was the second in a new series that brings Poly graduates together to share their experiences, insights, and achievements in the many endeavors they pursue after graduation.
Moderator Adam Stone ’96, president of production at Vertigo Entertainment, who assembled the panel, both led and participated in a lively conversation between his brother David Stone ’00, a television packaging agent at William Morris Endeavor and graduate of USC Film School’s Peter Stark Production Program; writer, director, actor, and producer Mike White ’88, who has worked on acclaimed television shows Freaks & Geeks and Golden Globe winner Enlightened, which he co-created, co-produced, acted in, and directed for HBO, as well as films like School of Rock, Nacho Libre, and The Good Girl; and Sean Bailey ’87, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.
The discussion, made all the more entertaining by White’s choice to wear an elephant costume (it was Halloween, after all), ranged over myriad industry topics. Below are some of the highlights.
20 F E A T U R E
How are production and distribution models shifting?
Sean Bailey: The movie business as we historically know it—going to a theater and buying ticket—has some real challenges for smaller movies. As people adjust to a world where they can get movies or shows over iTunes or Netflix, the appetite to go pay fourteen or fifteen bucks to buy a DVD has gotten smaller and smaller. The decline of the DVD business has been a major hit to us. The other thing that’s happened for smaller movies is that in local markets around the world—China, India, Germany, France—we’re seeing their production and storytelling abilities really start to elevate. They’re telling stories specific to their markets that are culturally relevant, with stars their communities know. So for us to go compete with a $20-million drama in France where they have a $20-million movie where all the jokes are perfectly timed and connect to that culture, it gets very hard for us. What can we do better than anybody else in the world? For Hollywood, that’s spectacles—these grand, huge, entertainment propositions. So it becomes really scary because there are so many chips on these bets.
David: With the big studios, we’re beholden to a certain set schedule: theatrical movie release, then a particular window, then DVD and Blu-ray, then video-on-demand. But what you see with a lot of young entrepreneurs now is they’ll go to Sundance or somewhere with a movie, and you’ll see really interesting deals where the movie is sold simultaneously to a few theaters, and you can get it on the same night on iTunes. You’re starting to see hybrid models that I think are very interesting for the future of more narrative-focused, writer-director-oriented storytelling.
What does it take to break into entertainment?
Adam: I always tell people, “Don’t get into the business if you don’t have a thick skin, if you can’t create something out of nothing, or if you’re not a self-starter.” What do you think are the most important qualities for someone who wants to make a name for themselves in the business?
Sean: Perseverance and commitment—all the things great entrepreneurs have across the board. The ability to go in and think of a reason why a big studio should do something, make a compelling case for it, and then be relentless in pursuing that case. You have to adjust, invent, sell, and never tire.
Mike: I think in the entertainment business you have to be both crazy and sane. You have to be a dreamer and think outside of the box—for lack of a better cliché—but at the same time, there’s a lot of money involved and a lot on the line, and you have to be able to work both sides of that equation. You have to take risks but also be a person people can trust enough to put their faith and their money and careers in.
What are your thoughts on the future of the industry, and what advice do you have for Poly students?
Sean: We’ve seen real consolidation around the five or six major media companies, so I think it’s a really ripe time to go be an entrepreneur in Hollywood, to really look at what does storytelling look like, how can I do things a new way? There’s huge disruption happening in terms of how storytelling gets to an audience, and whenever you see consolidation, those big companies inevitably become a little slower and little more bureaucratic. In Silicon Valley, history is written every year about two people in a garage changing everything, and I think that’s going to happen to storytelling. I think someone’s going to come up with a way to tell stories using existing social media. I think we’re going to see another [Orson Welles’] War of the Worlds moment, when we actually believe something is happening because we believe in this digital universe. I think something’s going to blow our minds, and I’m excited about that.
David: I agree with that. The only nuance I give is to make sure you understand the fundamentals before you revolutionize all of it. There will be someone who doesn’t adhere to that at all and says “I don’t need to know the history of this business to turn it all on its head,” and they’re going to be right. But for the vast majority, make sure you have those basics before you move forward.
Mike: To bring it back to Poly, I really think Poly provided me with a work ethic that has been useful to me throughout. As a writer, you have to be a self-starter, and the work ethic of Poly and being able to succeed at Poly—I think those things have definitely been a part of whatever success I’ve had. If you’re a Poly graduate and your focus is the entertainment business, you’ll be able to put those skills to use.
21P A N T H E R S O N T H E F I E L D
The Varsity cross country team benefited from senior leadership
which balanced the inexperience of freshman runners. The team
battled through a string of injuries and pulled together behind
the inspired performances of the younger runners. The Panthers
finished their season by qualifying for the CIF-SS finals, led by
senior Evan Gancedo, who qualified for the CIF-State finals,
finishing sixth overall.
Under new head coach Chris Schmoke, the Varsity football team
(8-3) returned to postseason play after a two-year absence. The
Panthers won their first eight games of the season, mixing a
dynamic offense and stout defense en route to a second-place
finish in the Prep League. In its first year back as a part of Poly Athletics, the Varsity girls
golf team (3-2) made huge strides. Eleven girls joined the program
and renewed Poly’s competitive spirit in the sport of golf. They
finished the season with three straight victories, while freshman
Angela Liu qualified for the CIF freelance tournament.
The Varsity girls tennis team (12-4) was the definition of
consistentcy throughout the fall season. With a combination of
veteran leadership and solid newcomers, the Panthers finished
second in the Prep League and made it back to the first round of
the playoffs.
Year after year, Poly’s fencing team grows in both the number
of athletes and the team’s skill levels. Led by head coach Laura
Holmgren, the 2013 Varsity fencing team found great success,
with numerous fencers placing at various tournaments
throughout the season. The program also produced its first
collegiate signee: Senior Emily Gifford signed her letter of
intent to fence at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Cross country
Varsity football
Varsity girls golf
Varsity girls tennis
Varsity fencing
The Panthers enjoyed a terrific fall athletic
season. Every Varsity team qualified for
the playoffs and produced a total of
24 All-Prep League athletes, in addition
to one Prep League title. Poly teams won
an astounding 74 percent of their games
and matches, surpassing last year’s total
winning percentage.
PANTHERS
IN THE ZONE
Poly’s volleyball program has experienced great success in recent
seasons, and the 2013 Varsity girls volleyball team (17-7) wasn’t
any different. The Panthers began their season by winning the
Poly Invitational and finished tied for second in the Prep League,
highlighted by an impressive win against Chadwick.
Varsity girls volleyball
A year after winning Poly’s first ever CIF championship in water
polo, this year’s Varsity water polo team (22-6) achieved a perfect
10-0 to win the Prep League title. They made an impressive
playoff run, culminating with a berth in the CIF-SS semifinals.
Varsity boys water polo
22 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
This past September, a group of more than 40 Poly alumni, parents of alumni, and friends gathered for a special viewing of the exhibition, “A New Sculpturalism: Contemporary Architecture from Southern California,” at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Downtown Los Angeles. Architect Warren Techentin ’86 guided the group through the exhibition, explaining architectural theories and concepts behind the models. Included in the exhibition was work by Warren’s firm, WTARCH, and by Thom Mayne, a current Poly grandparent and father of Rich Mayne ’82. The exhibition, which opened last June and ran through September, examined the work of 38 major and emerging practices in Los Angeles architecture of the past 25 years. After spending time in the museum, guests walked around the corner to FarBar for a casual happy hour and continued conversations.
MOCA exhibition featuring
Poly alumnus
Scott Collins ’82 and Rich Mayne ’82 with former Director of Development Diane Binney
Tanner Johnson ’10, Chloe Gaffney ’08, Jamie Morrison ’08, Mimi Beá ’10
Events
On a Friday evening last July, alumni from a wide range of class years, along with friends and spouses, gathered for a seaside happy hour at Sonoma Wine Garden in Santa Monica. The event was an opportunity for the more than 30 in attendance to reconnect with classmates, as well as meet others from the Poly community in the Los Angeles area.
Annual alumni receptions in New York have been a priority for Head of School Debbie Reed and the Alumni Association. The gatherings serve as great opportunities for alumni, parents of alumni, and friends residing on the East Coast to hear updates from the school, stay connected with classmates, and make new Poly connections. This past October, nearly 50 alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and former faculty and staff gathered for a reception with Debbie Reed at the home of Alan and Ilona Nemeth Quasha ’85. The alumni in attendance spanned the Classes of 1954 to 2009.
Summer Westside Happy Hour
Annual New York Reception
23P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
Stan Hales ’57 and Hannah Frank ’05
Last October, a group of 30 alumni, parents of alumni, former faculty, and grandparents gathered together at the home of Erick and Marion Mack ’47 ’47 in Palo Alto. Guests spent the evening on the Macks’ garden terrace, enjoying the late autumn evening while catching up with classmates and friends. Head of School Debbie Reed shared updates from campus and the life of the school, highlighting programs and activities taking place back at Poly.
Palo Alto Reception
The Poly alumni community extends beyond those who studied as students at the school: It also includes parents and grandparents of alumni, as well as former faculty and staff. Earlier this year, a few former teachers and staff members came together with the goal of forming a group focused on providing opportunities to stay connected with the school and with each other. In May, nearly 30 enthusiastic participants met for an organizing meeting. In October, they gathered again for a casual luncheon and heard from Poly’s archivist, Barbara Bishop, who showed
photos of the lunch guests that were taken over the past decades at school. Still in its early stages, the group, going by the name Poly PoPs (for Poly People of the Past), is planning social and community outreach events and communications, all with the purpose of maintaining their Poly connections.
If you taught or worked at Poly and would like to be involved, please contact the Alumni Office at [email protected].
Former faculty and staff reconnect through new group
Row 1 (seated, l to r): Annamarie Mitchell, Jolly Urner, Gretchen Gantner, Ann Nelson, Elizabeth Lanski Row 2: Marie Assaf, Susan Grether, Joyce Kressen, Linda Massey, Carolyn Fox, Celinda Pearson, Susie Wilson, Sally Barngrove, Brian Wright Row 3: Dorothy Wooddell, Lou Fox ’55, Howie Farer, Dave Ivory
Events
24 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
Philanthropy
At the whiteboard in a Lower School classroom, students are diagramming sentences using a document camera and an interactive pen. Thanks to the technology, they experiment quickly with diff erent word combinations, share their work easily with fellow students, and fi nd lively solutions together.
In the Middle School, mobile carts follow students from class to class, providing iPads or laptops as needed. Students create music projects in GarageBand, learn how to program robots, explore the Earth’s rotation cycles, and research topics for their next debate. It is a time for self-refl ection and discovery, laying a foundation for the Upper School years.
In the Upper School, all freshmen participate in a mini-course designed to build skills for online coursework, which are increasingly critical for college. Through practical experience, they begin to answer such questions as How should I interact with the instructor when we aren’t face to face? and What apps or software must I master in order to fl ourish in an online environment?
Throughout the Poly campus, these and other technology experiences have become part of the very fi ber of education,
always in support of the learning process. “We’re preparing students for a world we can’t fully envision now,” explains Laura Holmgren, Upper School education technology coor-dinator. “We are so fortunate at Poly to have the resources to help our students become confi dent, creative users of technology, even as it advances. But beyond any particular device or program, our goal is to give students the fl exible, adaptive thinking skills they will need to succeed as the world and technology change around them.”
Poly is able to make this commitment to its students thanks to loyal philanthropic support, and especially to gifts given through Poly’s Annual Fund. By coming together with thousands of Annual Fund gifts of all sizes, parents, alumni, and friends enable Poly to sustain programs that are extraordinarily diverse, ambitious, and inspiring—including the technology program.
“This is an exciting time in Poly’s history,” refl ects Director of Technology John Yen. “Technology is making the world smaller and more accessible to our students and allowing us to create or explore in ways that were once unimaginable. We’re grateful for a generous community that keeps Poly always moving forward in every arena.”
Technology: One example of the Annual Fund at work
To learn more about the Annual Fund and its impact,
please visit www.polytechnic.org/annualfund
25P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Brecken Armstrong Kelsey ’95 volunteers at a fall 2013 phonathon.
Poly Connections
Philanthropy
Debbie Reed’s tireless efforts have made Polytechnic School a stronger, more vibrant community in every way. When she retires on June 30, 2014, she will leave a campus that is newly equipped for a second century and carefully restored to preserve the best of Poly’s history. Over the last 12 years, she has demonstrated great caring and insightful leadership in all her work with students and their families, along with faculty, staff, and the greater Pasadena community.
To honor Debbie’s legacy, the Poly Board of Trustees is working to establish the Deborah E. Reed Scholarship Fund, with the goal of providing full tuition for two Poly students each year. “Although much of her work during her tenure focused on our campus, the students are Debbie’s real focus and priority,” explains Board President Dale Harvey. “We thought it would be fitting to recognize her contributions with a scholarship fund that will enable students to be part of this community to which Debbie has given so generously of herself.”
To participate, please contact Colin Allen, director of major gifts and planned giving, at [email protected] or 626-396-6342.
The results are in, and fall phonathon volunteers once again made a tremendous difference for Poly and the Annual Fund. A total of 56 parents, alumni, and parents of alumni pitched in, making more than a thousand calls and emails that resulted in $167,476 in gifts and pledges from 236 members of the Poly community. This outstanding accomplishment and team effort surpasses last year’s fall phonathon totals.
There’s still time to join the group effort—spring phonathons will take place on March 18 and 20, 2014. In the words of volunteer Aliya Haque Coher ’95, current Poly parent and chair of the Annual Fund Committee of the Alumni Board, “It’s a great way not only to support Poly, but also to catch up with classmates and see other alums. We always have experienced volunteers on hand to help new callers and to provide support throughout the night. It feels good to know that we’re contributing to this wonderful educational experience that is Poly.”
Interested in volunteering? Contact Katherine Goar, development officer, annual giving and alumni relations, at [email protected] or 626-396-6335.
Fundraising underway for a
scholarship to honor Debbie Reed
Kudos to fall phonathon
volunteers!
26 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
Lucy W. Harrell ’39 My daughter and
I entered the local Salmon Derby. We
entered four King Salmon and won all sorts
of trophies. It was a blast! Daniel Crotty ’51 I continue on the board of the local
irrigation supplier. Water and California
remains a very big issue. Susan Straubel Champion ’52 This year, we have taken
cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska
with our children and five grandchildren,
traveled to the East Coast and St. Laurence
River, and have taken trips to our San Juan
Island home. I’ve still been playing a little
bridge and golf two to three times per
week. Robert Campbell ’53 and Darilyn
“Dee” Deane are closing in on their 53rd
year of marriage. Their three children have
found careers on both coasts ranging
from nuclear energy to pharmaceuticals
while raising three grandchildren. After
attending Stanford, Bob was project
manager during the construction of
Foothill College in Los Altos. In 1978, Bob
and Dee created a computer systems
company serving Southern California
clients and helped found two organizations
supporting homeless families with children.
Starting in 1999, Bob co-founded and
was president/CEO of the San Diego
North Economic Development Council,
representing an area with a population
of more than one million. Today, he is
chair of the regional agency designated
to provide transportation services for the
handicapped, elderly, veterans, and other
underserved populations throughout the
region. Edward Wolcott ’56 I have a new
grandson, Darien Warner Wolcott, born
March 7, 2013.
Charles Gates ’67 I attended Poly for
nine years, from kindergarten through
eighth grade. I was very happy there and
still remember everyone pretty clearly.
In 1963, my family moved to Santa
Barbara. I continued my education at
The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey,
Yale, and University of Pennsylvania with
a Ph.D. in classical archaeology. My wife,
Marie-Henriette, is also an archaeologist,
specializing in the Ancient Near East. We
have two adult daughters, now living in
Boston, Mass. In 1990, after 11 years in
Chapel Hill, N.C., we signed up for one year
at Bilkent University, Turkey’s first private
university in Ankara. I began writing a
blog about the daily life in Turkey:
www.ankarascribbler.blogspot.com.
Recently, my long-in-the-works historical
mystery novel, “Escape from Smyrna,” was
published. Greetings to all classmates from
the Class of 1967 who were with me in
those pre-high school years! Best wishes
from Ankara. Geoffrey Knox ’67 My
eponymous communications firm, Geoffrey
Knox & Associates, is going strong in New
York City after 20 years. Our firm helps
progressive nonprofits make the case for
social justice and advancing goals globally
on issues such as HIV/AIDS, women’s
sexual and reproductive rights, and LGBT
equality. But what a surprise when I found
out that our wonderful summer intern from
Columbia University’s master’s program in
communications practice was a Poly
alumna! Noy Nimakorn ’05 spent her
junior year at Poly as an AFS student from
Thailand. Having been an AFS student
myself in 1966, I couldn’t have been
more pleased to discover our shared
connections. We both agreed that we had
to study harder at Poly than anywhere else
in the world, but it was well worth it.
Toni Valpredo Rudnick ’69, Marnie Barrett ’69, and Pam Venable Sutton ’69 (pictured left to right) had a Class of 1969
“mini-reunion” in Reno, Nev. on Sept. 8.
Pam’s studio, Crystal Wind Glassworks, was
featured on the Reno Open Studios Art
Tour, and Marnie came to help out for the
weekend. Toni stopped by the event on her
way back to Walla Walla, Wash., from
Class Notes
1939-1959
1960-1969
Classes of ’99, ’94, ’89, ’84, ’79, ’74, ’69, and ’64
Mark your calendars now
for Poly reunions!
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Visit www.polytechnic.org/alumnievents
for more information.
Class Notes Editorial Policy:
The editorial staff gives preference
to those class notes that come from
primary sources. We reserve the right
to edit class notes (primarily because
of space considerations; occasionally
for clarity). We do not have the
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for inaccurate or false information
that may inadvertently find its way
into a class note. We thank you for
your understanding.
To submit a class note, send an emailto [email protected].
27P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
managing her summer business, the
Truckee River Raft Co. After 15 years in
Arroyo Grande, Marnie retired from the City
of Grover Beach and relocated back to the
Santa Barbara area in the fall.
Philippe Tusler ’72 Our eldest, Sophie,
is married and living in Brooklyn, N.Y. They
design, configure, and support archival
systems for art museums and libraries.
Our younger daughter, Charlotte, is in
her last year of veterinary school at U.C.
Davis, where she hopes to specialize in
animal ophthalmology. Needless to say,
we are very proud of them. Meanwhile,
I just ended five years with Southern
California Edison, where I was in charge
of software quality at the San Onofre
Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Since
the plant has been decommissioned, so
have I. I miss seeing the surf at Trestles
every morning. We’ll see where the next
chapter takes me. I look forward to seeing
all of you at the next reunion! Debbie King Donahue ’73 My “baby” has started
college at Texas A&M University, and I
am now an empty nester. Michele, her
husband, and their three children live
near me in Houston, while Andrea and her
husband live and work in the New York City
area. The real estate market in Texas has
been amazing this year, which has been
a real blessing. If you are in the Houston
area, give me a call! Mark Rapaport ’73 I hope that my classmates are healthy and
happy. Kathleen Wheaton ’75 At Poly,
I was awarded the John Manley English
Prize at the end of ninth grade. I have
worked mostly as a journalist and travel
writer, including 12 years in Spain and Latin
America. My first short story collection,
“Aliens and Other Stories,” a loosely linked
collection about exiles of Argentina’s dirty
war, won the 2013 Washington Writers
Publishing House Prize for fiction and was
published this past October.
Class Notes
1970-1979
Thirty-four years ago, Eric Haskell ’69 was appointed by the Department of French at Scripps College, where he quickly became known for both the intellectual depth and the entertaining flourishes of his lectures. An expert on French culture and interdisciplinary humanities, as well as the director of the Clark Humanities Museum at Scripps, Dr. Haskell has now joined the ranks of some of the world’s other great creative minds—Marcel Marceau, Audrey Hepburn, T.S. Eliot, and Rudolf Nureyev, to name a few—as a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters). He was awarded the honor by the French government in July, followed in November by the country’s complementary award, the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight of the Order of the Academic Palms). Together these prizes attest to Dr. Haskell’s unwavering commitment to art, research, and engaging, thoughtful teaching, a path inspired by his Upper School French teacher at Poly, Renée Bel Geary. “Madame Geary dedicated herself to the task of exposing her students to the infinite riches of studying a culture other than their own,” he says. “Her rigorous training and discipline, inextricably linked to the quest for perfection, as well as her joy for sharing knowledge, have had a life-long influence on my teaching and scholarship.”
Monsieur Didier Wirth, Commander of the Order of the Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres), inducted Scripps Professor Eric Haskell (left) as Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at the Château de Bénouville, Normandy, France this past July.
A L U M N I P R O F I L E
Eric Haskell ’69
M O R E P H O T O S A N D M E M O R I E S F R O M A L U M N I A T W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G
28 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Colleen Chien ’91 explored everything from sports to journalism to academics as a Poly student. Much later, she realized they were all paths to the same end. “Through being on The Paw Print, hanging out with friends on the tennis court and track, and from my teachers and peers, I learned how to think critically and on my feet,” she says now. That ability took her through an engineering degree at Stanford, law school at UC Berkeley, and a series of career moves enviable for their dynamism and variety: law firm associate, fellow at the Stanford Center for Law and Biosciences, Fulbright Scholar in investigative journalism, strategy consultant and spacecraft engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. In 2007, she took a position on the faculty of Santa Clara University School of Law, a job she’s currently on leave from after being appointed senior advisor for intellectual property and innovation in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. For Chien, this new assignment is a dream job and a chance to make a real difference. “Academics are a great source of problem-framing and early stage ideas. Many and perhaps most ideas don’t work, but some of them have the potential to change the world. I think of policymakers as not only idea-generators but also the commercializers of great ideas, whose job it is to bring solutions to big problems and get them over the finish line.”
Poly Connections
The Fay brothers, Todor ’77, Jonathan ’81,
and Benjamin ’86, were among a host
of brave alumni playing a mix of current
Poly Varsity and JV athletes in the alumni
soccer game on July 5. Photo courtesy of
their sister, Lisa Fay Matthiessen ’78.
Fulton Collins ’85 has been named the
2013-14 international chairman of the
Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO),
to which he was first exposed as a Poly
student and many parents were members.
Fulton is chairman and CEO of Network
Communications, Inc., one of the largest
U.S. publishers of local printed and online
magazines for the real estate market. He is
a third-generation YPO member and joined
the YPO Lone Star-Dallas Chapter in 1998.
Class NotesA L U M N I P R O F I L E
Colleen Chien ’91
1980-1989
Classes of ’99, ’94, ’89, ’84, ’79, ’74, ’69, and ’64
Mark your calendars now
for Poly reunions!
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Visit www.polytechnic.org/alumnievents
for more information.
29P O LY C O N N E C T I O N SM O R E P H O T O S A N D M E M O R I E S F R O M A L U M N I A T W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G
Joseph Mathews ’91 We welcomed our
third son, Sam, on Aug. 29.
Adam Warren ’92 I am blessed to have
amazing friends like these! (pictured left to
right) Tod Kanegae ’92, Amber Tyson ’94,
Tara Newman ’92, Adam Warren ’94, and
Lauren Arnault ’94.
Jonathan Kidder ’93 has been named
interim head of school at Park Day School,
a K-8 progressive school in Oakland, Calif.
Previously, Jon was assistant head of Drew
School in San Francisco.
Larry Perkins ’95 and Nichole welcomed
Dagny Mae Perkins on August 5. She
weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches long.
Joshua Callahan ’96 Jess and I welcomed
Alex Jay Callahan to the world on July 21. It
sounds like the past year has produced a
big crop of Class of ’96 offspring—no doubt
a lot of new little faces to meet at our
next reunion! We are enjoying life in San
Francisco, although I do my best to stay a
Dodgers fan.
Scott Steuber ’96 On Oct. 3, Rachel and
I welcomed our daughter, Colette Louise
Steuber, who weighed in at 6 lbs. 15 oz.
and measured 18.5 inches.
Nine ’98ers (that’s 11.25% of the class)
had babies in August and September, and
they are all girls. Six of the nine are class
couples! Griffin Booth ’98’s son, Walker
Otis Booth, was born on June 6. On Aug.
31, Vicki Chan Kim ’98 and Peter Kim had
Elie Joy Kim.
On Sept. 8, Jane Bryson ’98 and Jeremy
Milo had Emma Jane Milo.
Khori Dastoor ’98 and her husband,
BenJoaquin Gouverneur, welcomed Soraya
Inez Gouverneur on Sept. 8. She was born
at Alta Bates in Berkeley, Calif. BenJoaquin
is an engineer working for Tesla Motors.
Khori is a program officer for the Packard
Humanities Institute. They live in Oakland.
On Sept. 15, Nicky Chuck Sweeney ’98
and Ryan Sweeney ’98 had Hanna
Elizabeth Sweeney.
On Sept. 19, Jennifer Wang ’98 and Sean Dougall ’98 had Annika Brynn Dougall. On
Sept. 20, Ariana Kahn Tice ’98 and Dane Tice ’98 had Rhedyn Lyra Tice. John Prescott ’99 and his wife, Hallie, welcomed
daughter, Nora Christine Prescott, on
Dec. 2, 2012.
Poly Connections
Class Notes
1990-1999
30 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
After two years of training to qualify, David Stone ’00 is competing in the 2014 Boston
Marathon in honor of Jamen Amato ’03,
who passed away from Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma in 2009. David and Jamen were
close friends and played soccer together
at Poly. As part of the race, David is raising
support for the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society through Team In Training.
Megan MacLennan ’03 and Jonathan
William Crowley were married June 15, at
The Wauwinet, a hotel in Nantucket, Mass.
The couple met at Bowdoin College, from
which they graduated.
Stuart Siciliano ’03 and Alison Murray
Harden were married July 13, at The Beach
Club in Santa Monica, Calif.
Lt. Stephen Huffman ’04 is flying F/A-18
Super Hornets with Strike Fighter
Squadron 32, the “Swordsmen.” His
squadron is assigned to the aircraft carrier
USS Harry S. Truman, which deployed in
July and will return next spring. Pictured is
Steve piloting his plane on the flight deck
of the Truman. Catherine Karayan Wilbur ’04 Gregory
Wilbur and I were married in May just
across the street from Poly at The
Athenaeum at Caltech. Greg and I met at
NYU Law. My brother, Paul Karayan ’02,
and my cousin, Emily Dickinson ’16, were
in the wedding party. Jason Nagata ’04,
Marc Takei ’04, John Pearson ’04, Natalie Varner Matson ’06, and former faculty
member Celinda Pearson were also in
attendance. Greg and I currently live in
Washington, D.C., while I finish my two-year
clerkship at the United States Tax Court.
Since moving here, we’ve bumped into four
Poly alums. Please let us know if you’re in
town! We’d love to see you.
Seth McCurry ’05 I graduated from King’s
College London with a master’s degree in
environment in development in January. I
completed my dissertation on the potential
of high-tech aquaculture projects as
development schemes, with a specific
focus on Madagascar and the Maldives.
After spending a month recovering from
my incredible and exhausting summer,
I moved to Indonesia. I am now living in
the remote Sumatra province of Bengkulu
(visitors welcome), where I am helping
to set up a sea cucumber farm for the
Orange County-based company Innovare
Development and Consulting. I am also
documenting my adventures in Asia on a
blog: soloinsumatra.wordpress.com.
Logan Tiari ’05 and Jennifer Regas-Riewerts ’07 were married on July 27.
The wedding party included Alexandra Bakaly ’07, Joanna Hardy ’07, Madeline Goldberg ’07, Winston Mi ’05, Steve Clark ’05, Christiaan Strong ’05, and
Nicholas Regas-Riewerts ’05.
Class Notes
2000-2011
31P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
Poly Connections
Molly Nelson ’06 I’m working at an
independent school for children with
learning disabilities in Culver City, Calif. Grace DeVoll ’07 is an assistant to the
executive producer of the TV show Arrow.
She spends her days scheduling, phoning,
and editing, and her nights nursing her
beloved TV blog, tubetoptelevision.com.
Her search for bloggers has put her back
in touch with many writerly Poly ’07 alumni,
including Hannah Withers, Willie Myers,
Mary Gumport, and Elise Kuo. Grace
recently got paid to write for TV and she
ran a mile, both for the first time. She isn’t
sure which is a bigger accomplishment. Caitlin Latta ’07 recently started
graduate school at USC’s Rossier School of
Education. She is pursuing her master’s in
postsecondary administration and student
affairs and loves the program so far. Matthew Szeto ’07 I am doing my second
year of law school at NYU School of Law.
While I like New York, I’m hoping to practice
back in Los Angeles. Samantha Chau ’09 I graduated from the University of Southern
California with a bachelor’s degree in
health promotion and disease prevention
studies, and finished my master’s degree
in global medicine in December 2013. Elizabeth Chau ’09 graduated cum laude
from the University of Southern California
with two bachelor’s degrees in international
relations and East Asian languages and
cultures. Olivia Russak ’11 A year into her research assistantship
studying adolescent development and
biological risk markers for schizophrenia,
Olivia now serves as lead undergraduate
research assistant in the ADAPT Lab
(www.adaptprogram.com) at the University
of Colorado, Boulder. Next semester, Olivia
will be studying abroad in Durban, South
Africa, researching local perceptions of
and accessibility to mental health care. She
plans on using this data for a senior honors
thesis in clinical psychology.
Class Notes
During a PolyConnect lunch talk last October, David Wiseman ’99 not only discussed his art, but he also brought a little bit of the great outdoors inside. From delicate botanical drawings to bronze and porcelain light fixtures, sculptures, and other pieces, Wiseman’s work is inspired by actual nature and by “the depiction of nature in patterns and motifs from cultures around the world, like stonework in traditional Korean homes (hanok), pre-war Viennese wallpaper and textiles, Indian jali screens, Turkish mosque tiles, yakuza (Japanese mafia) tattoos, and Haida animal paintings.” All of these influences combine in his ethereal, organic designs, which occupy private homes, retail stores, and, most recently, West Hollywood’s public library and the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, where he just sent a large chandelier. Wiseman, who attended the Rhode Island School of Design, found returning to Poly very gratifying. “I took a less conventional route than many, and I remember feeling a little ambivalent about this when I was a student. As an alum, I hope to offer a unique perspective about choosing a career in the arts or perhaps devoting one’s efforts to other causes one is passionate about.” His advice for aspiring artists would be well heeded by everyone else, too: “Make and create. You have to overcome the fear of being bad at something.”
A L U M N I P R O F I L E
David Wiseman ’99
Photo by Mark Hanauer
M O R E P H O T O S A N D M E M O R I E S F R O M A L U M N I A T W W W . P O LY T E C H N I C . O R G
00 S E C T I O N N A M E
Josephine Smith McWilliams ’35
May 22, 2012, Hanover, Vermont
Josephine was born Dec. 24, 1919, the
daughter of Frank and Nelle DeWitt Smith,
in Pasadena. She attended Poly from first
through ninth grade. On June 26, 1940, she
married John McWilliams ’31; they were
married 62 years. Soon after their wedding,
they moved to Pittsfield, Mass., and then
Williamstown, Mass., before retiring in the
Woodstock, Vt., area in 1974. Josephine
was involved in the Berkshire Garden
Club and was a member of the Junior
League. She was an avid needle worker.
She is survived by her four children, John,
Patricia, Carol Gibson, and David; seven
grandchildren; two great-granddaughters;
and four nieces and nephews. She was the
sister of Gertrude Smith Calmer ’29 and
Harvey Dewitt Smith ’29.
Harry F. Hopper, Jr. ’36 June 17, 2013, Chevy Chase, Maryland
Harry was born on March 26, 1921, in
Pasadena, where he graduated from Poly,
and later the Catalina Island School for
Boys. He interrupted his matriculation at
Dartmouth College to volunteer for the
American Field Service before the United
States entered World War II and served
to support the British army in the Middle
East and North Africa. Harry returned to
the United States and served as a Navy
corpsman, instructor to the Marines.
Following graduation from Dartmouth
College, he attended the Johns Hopkins
School of Advanced International Studies.
Speaking fluent Arabic, he started his
40-year career in the Middle East in 1950
as a commercial attaché with the U.S.
Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After
serving the State Department, he worked
at ARAMCO, Trans-Arabian Pipeline, and
as a manufacturers’ representative in
Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan. Harry
is survived by his wife, Adriana Fucile
Hopper, and his children, Nataly Hopper Berckmann ’68, Harry F. Hopper III,
Edmund J. Hopper, Laurence F. Hopper,
and Albert F. Hopper. Harry is also
survived by his sister, Jane H. Ware ’39;
12 grandchildren; and two great-
grandchildren. Harry is predeceased by
his brother, Wilbur M. Hopper ’37 (godson
of F. Dan Frost ’36), and sister, Florence Hopper Boom ’42.
Frederick J. Carr, Jr. ’38
August 22, 2013, Encinitas, California
Frederick was born Jan. 6, 1923, in
Wisconsin. His family, including his sister,
Mary E. Scales ’33, moved to Pasadena
in 1929. Frederick was a graduate of
Poly, Catalina Island School for Boys,
and Harvard College. In World War II,
he served in the Army Air Corps and
spent 19 months in Tunis, Tunisia as
a communications officer in the Army
Airways Communications System,
becoming detachment commander there
with four officers and 140 airmen. He
founded Carr, Beedle, Hastings & Dennis
Insurance Agency and Brokerage firm. He
was active in community services, serving
as president of the San Marino Kiwanis
Club for two terms and as president of
the Monte Vista Grove Kiwanis Club of
Pasadena. He also served as president
of the Independent Insurance Agents
and Brokers Association of Pasadena. He
and his wife, Kathryn, moved to Encinitas
in 1986; they both loved the beach life.
In the winters, they enjoyed many ski
vacations with their extended family to
Mammoth, Vail, and Snowmass, as well as
abroad once to Switzerland. As members
of Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, both
were avid tennis players and golfers. Also,
during retirement years, Frederick and
Kathryn traveled around the world. He
was predeceased by Kathryn, to whom he
was married for more than 60 years. He is
survived by their three sons, Frederick III,
Kenneth, and Thomas, and by three
grandchildren. He is also survived by his
second wife, Nancy Noble Carr, whom
he married in April 2011. They had dated
70 years earlier, when Frederick was
attending Harvard.
Benjamin Haines Shattuck ’43
June 28, 2013, Evans, Georgia
Born in Los Angeles on March 26, 1928,
to Charles Henry Shattuck, Sr. and Bess
Haines Shattuck, Ben was the younger
of two sons, including Charles Henry Shattuck, Jr. ’38. Ben attended Poly for
seventh through ninth grade, followed by
Cate School, and he graduated from San
Marino Prep School in 1946. He attended
the University of California, Berkeley,
graduating with a degree in business
administration in 1950. While at Cal, he was
a proud member of Delta Kappa Epsilon
fraternity, The Skull & Keys, The Scabbard
and Blade, and the Beta Beta Club. In
1950, Ben married Ann Waynick Ruble and
started their family of four daughters while
living in San Marino. Ben spent time with
his family skiing, backpacking through
the Sierras, and bird hunting. In 1950,
Ben enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served
during the Korean War as an officer on
the submarine USS Blackfin until 1953. His
professional career began in sales. He then
worked as a broker for Mitchum Jones &
Templeton, and ultimately in investment
management with National Securities &
Research Corp. In 1968, Ben began his long
tenure with Capital Group Inc., retiring in
1990 as senior vice president of American
Funds and vice president of Capital
Research Management Company. Ben
is survived by his wife of 22 years, Mary
Richards Yort Shattuck, four daughters,
and three stepsons. Ben and Mary lived
in Sonoma County until relocating in
Poly Connections
In Memoriam
32 P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
We extend our condolences to the
families and friends of those listed
below and hope this section assists
those who wish to honor their Poly
classmates and friends. Poly publishes
obituaries as space allows when we
receive notice that an alumnus/a or
former faculty or staff member has
died. If we have neglected to list
someone, please send us biographical
information, which we will print in
a subsequent issue. Please note:
Listings include those received
through September 2013.
00S E C T I O N N A M E
2010 to the Augusta, Ga. area. Ben is also
survived by 18 grandchildren, eight great-
grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Jean F. Ducommun ’46 June 11, 2012, Novato, California
Jean was born Feb. 28, 1931, in
Alhambra. He enjoyed camping trips
to the mountains and deserts with his
children and had an endearing sense of
humor and love of cats. He is survived
by his four daughters; loyal companion,
Maureen Ahsani; sailing buddies Ben and
Diana Landis and Lennart Anderson; and
caring ex-wife, Carol Ducommun. Jean
was predeceased by brothers Edmond Ducommun ’33 and Alan Ducommun ’31,
and sister Patricia L. Frey ’49.
Ruth Stewart Martin ’46
June 20, 2013, San Marino, California
Ruth passed away peacefully in her home
surrounded by family. Ruth was born in
Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 1931. She was
a fourth-generation Californian, as her
great-grandfather, Lyman Stewart, moved
west and was the founder of Union Oil
and co-founder of Biola University. She
leaves behind a large family, including
three children, Leslie Martin Thompson,
W. Lawson Martin III, and Laura Stewart Martin Stone ’81; 14 grandchildren;
eight great-grandchildren; her sister
and brother-in-law, Barbara Stewart Jameson ’48 and Frank W. Jameson;
their children, William S. Jameson ’82
and Ruth Jameson Pasqueletto ’83;
and many cousins. Ruth was raised in
Pasadena, where she attended Poly
from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Her high school years were spent at the
Master’s School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She
attended Pomona College, lived in San
Francisco several years with friends, then
moved back to Pasadena where she
married William L. Martin II ’44 in 1953. She lived in San Marino for
most of her adult life and was active in
many community groups and volunteer
endeavors. She was also an award-
winning actress in various community
theater groups, including the San Gabriel
Community Theater and the Nine O’Clock
Players. In her later years, she enjoyed
spending time with family, working with
computers, gardening, reading, and
meeting monthly with a group of her
community theater friends.
Calvin Wells ’46 August 15, 2013, Santa Ana, California
Calvin was husband to Mary Wells and
brother of Jonathan B. Wells ’52 and
Mary Wells Jenks ’44. He also is survived
by seven children, 14 grandchildren, and
two great-grandchildren. Calvin moved to
Pasadena from Pennsylvania and attended
Poly before attending Fountain Valley High
School in Colorado Springs, Colo. After high
school, Calvin attended the University of
Virginia on a football scholarship. After his
freshman year, he enlisted in the Marine
Corps and served two tours of active duty
in Korea. He left a decorated Marine and
enrolled in and graduated from Claremont
Men’s College, where he played baseball
and football and joined the wrestling team.
He and Mary started a janitorial business
before they opened a drapery business
that supported the family until he retired
a few years ago. Calvin enjoyed spending
time with his children and family. He
coached his children’s sports teams and
started off-road racing with his oldest son.
He raced in desert events in California,
Arizona, Nevada, and Baja California, with
his biggest victory in the Baja 1000.
Jean Fonda Shank ’53 September 4, 2013, Santa Monica, California
Born in Van Nuys on March 21, 1939,
Jeanie was the daughter of Robert Charles
and Mary Cossar Fonda of Pasadena.
Jean attended Poly from fifth through
eighth grade. Following graduation from
Ethel Walker in Connecticut, she attended
Hollins College in Virginia, University of
California at Berkeley, and University
of Southern California. In 1962, Jeanie
married Gene Kelly Shank, with whom
she spent 51 years. They raised four
children together in Santa Monica. She
enjoyed entertaining family and friends,
playing tennis, and tending to her rose
and vegetable gardens. Jeanie was an
active member of the Junior League,
Westside Guild of Children’s Hospital, and
particularly, St. Matthew’s Parish School
and Church. She volunteered at the St.
Matthew’s Thrift Shop, was a leader of the
Altar Guild, and participated in Helping
Hands and Saints Alive. Jeanie is survived
by her loving husband; four children,
Katherine, Peggy, Skip, and Mary; and
seven grandchildren.
Phyllis Hansen Heistand
August 10, 2013, Port Murray, New Jersey
Former faculty member Phyllis Hansen Heistand died of complications from
multiple sclerosis. Phyllis was born on
April 4, 1937, in Waseca, Minn., to Martin
and Hazel Hansen. Phyllis attended
Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and
moved from Stillwater, Minn., to California
in the early 1960s. She earned her
teaching credential and began teaching
at Town School in San Francisco, where
Jolly Urner was then head of the Lower
School. In 1972, Jolly was director of Poly’s
Lower School and encouraged Phyllis to
come to Poly, where Phyllis taught fourth
grade from 1972 to 1985. In 1982, she met
and married David Heistand ’66, whose
mother, Margaret, worked in the business
office at Poly for many years. In 1985,
Phyllis and David moved to Stephensburg,
N.J. Phyllis was an active member of St.
James’ Episcopal Church in Hackettstown,
N.J., editing their monthly newsletter,
coordinating the English as a Second
Language program, and creating the
community’s mystery parties with a fellow
parishioner. She loved her dog and she
counted birds for Cornell University in the
winter. She was an associate of the Holy
Cross Monastery in West Park, N.Y., active
and engaged there with many friends. In
the last few years, despite her difficulties
with MS, she worked on playing the Irish
harp. She is survived by her husband,
David; her brother, Paul; and two second
cousins.
Poly Connections
33P O LY C O N N E C T I O N S
34 P. S .
P.S.Chris Schmoke
I come from a family of farmers on one side and factory workers on the other, none of whom went to
college. I was one of the kids who didn’t recognize that college was an option—I thought my ticket out
would be the military. Then I had a chemistry teacher in high school who made a big impact on me.
He and my football coach said “You could get a scholarship and go to college.” Once I decided I was
going to do that, I never wavered in my major. I was always going to be an educator, and I was always
going to teach science.
Ha! Number one would be: Don’t wear red parachute pants. And if your sweatshirt has no sleeves, but
14 zippers that don’t unzip anything, you probably don’t need to wear that combo. But really, I was an
anxious student in terms of the social aspects of school. I played sports but was also into music and
acting and that was definitely not cool. Trying to balance that and not care what anybody thinks, that’s
part of adolescence and growing up. High school was something I endured, but it helped shape me as
a teacher, and I don’t know that I would trade that.
Partly because I had such a hard time liking my teachers and staying interested in school, I carry a sense
of responsibility to be entertaining—I take it seriously. I tell a lot of stories, and I make lots of analogies
that relate back to what we’re doing. Kids everywhere have the same needs: They want to know that
you’re interested in them beyond teaching them the difference between velocity and acceleration.
Last year when my oldest son was diagnosed with diabetes, the way the community rallied, I’ve never
seen such support. It reaffirmed what my wife and I already knew, which is that Poly is a real community.
It’s about families and passion and diversity and creativity and everybody is welcome and everybody’s
gifts are valid. The biggest hope or question I have is how can we translate this to more schools, more
places, more environments so that every kid has these opportunities.
What was your high school experience like? Did it factor into your
decision to become a teacher?
If you could give your 15-year-old self some advice about surviving
high school, what would it be?
What is your style and teaching philosophy?
Has being a member of the Poly community changed your life?
Q:
Q:
Q:
Q:
Chris Schmoke, a Michigan native, arrived at Poly seven years ago. After earning a degree in science education at Northern Michigan University, where he was also captain of the football team, Schmoke was a public high school science teacher, department chair, and coach for 11 years before heading west. Schmoke teaches Upper School chemistry and physics and is head varsity football coach and head track coach.
P.S.
with Chris Schmoke
Panthers in the Zone
Class Notes and Alumni Profiles
Inside :
F A L L | W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 - 1 4
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