The Biannual Magazine of Sequoyah School INSIDE

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PhoenixThe Biannual Magazine of Sequoyah School

WINTER 2018 / 2019

INSIDE On Learning: Social Justice in the Sequoyah Classroom & Humanities at the High School Student Reflection: PHOENIX is the biannual magazine of Sequoyah School 8,312 Miles & Counting Editor: Aparna Bakhle Copy Editing & Proofreading: Juliana Ferry Graphic Design & Production: Jean Hwang Director of Communications: Randy Bunnao Sequoyah Athletics Contributors: Michael Barak, Josh Brody, Steven Frank, Jocelyn Holland, Lorin Knell, Annual Report A K-12 independent school Ryan McDaniel, Elena Mindry-King, Emilia Peters, Elena Phleger, Susie Tanner, Kay Yamamoto 626.795.4351 sequoyahschool.org Photography: Nicki Belle, Brian Eagen, Dennis Escobedo, Julie Frank, Patricia Han, Events, Alumni News, and More Lee Michael Krieger, Elena Mindry-King, Marisol Perez, Elena Phleger, RJ Sakai, Catherine Tung, ©2019 Sequoyah School. All rights reserved. Kat Ward, Barefoot Times Message from the Board President Message from the Head of School A True and Genuine “Let’s found a school!” Community of Learners

In 1958, a group of educators and parents I am often struck by the combination of from the Pasadena area took a giant “The Sequoyah School looks idealism and pragmatism in our students leap of faith to start a new kind of school. upon education as a leading and teachers. In this latest issue of the Sixty years ago, that first classroom was out process, not a pouring Phoenix, you will read about our youngest a mixed-age group of eight students and in. It seeks to provide an learners in the Bamboo Forest tackling one lead teacher. Today, Sequoyah is a environment in which each the local issue of homelessness, and community of more than 350 students students in the Junior High applying math and 50 faculty spanning kindergarten child will be encouraged to to connect the bigger idea of financial through high school. stretch himself to his fullest security to the practical need for a living capacities for thought, wage. You’ll also have the opportunity to While we’ve grown a lot since those first It’s an exciting time at Sequoyah — 1958 — ensuring that the intellectual, of financial services experience, take a deeper dive into our high school years, Sequoyah has remained faithful feeling, and action.” we are preparing to purchase our physical, and emotional well-being of DuVon is currently a Senior Vice humanities program where students not to its original ideals of providing an Sequoyah School, Statement of Values, 1958 cherished K-8 campus, our high school each student is known and cared for. President/Senior Relationship Manager only read about history, they engage in experiential and innovative curriculum will graduate its first Senior class this Today, the school remains faithful to its at Wells Fargo. He has served on the and recreate it to make it palpable and grounded in pedagogy that is student- where one’s individual growth and spring, and, in case you haven’t heard, original ideals, where our students thrive school’s diversity committee for many meaningful to their lives today. centered and humanistic in its approach. contribution to the larger community is we’re turning 60! in a diverse community, appreciated for years and is presently the chair of the their individuality and supported by a socioeconomic diversity subcommittee. Sequoyah is a unique place to learn, given the highest regard. In each of these examples, you’ll The board of trustees is entrusted progressive approach to learning. A native of Chicago, he and his wife, see firsthand how a Sequoyah K-12 with the responsibility of ensuring Karen, have been proud Sequoyah education encourages civic engagement. that Sequoyah has the resources Turning 60 is a big accomplishment! parents for the past six years. Our students actively participate in the and organizational capacity to fulfill It’s a time to be thankful for our world around them — in the classroom, its mission and to ensure a future for original founders whose spirit, drive, On behalf of the board of trustees, on campus, and in the larger community. the next generation of students. I am and passion can still be felt today. thank you to all current and past As we embark on our 60th year, the incredibly proud and inspired by the work Those early pioneers were guided by families, faculty, staff, alumni, and school remains committed to providing we have accomplished in support of a commitment to learning through friends for your dedication and our students with the hope to believe Sequoyah. Through thoughtful planning the authentic exchange of ideas, investment in Sequoyah. Because of in their idealism and the pragmatic and strategic direction, we’ve grown perspectives, and shared experiences. your support, we have an auspicious tools to turn their deepest passions into our campus, student body and staff Sixty years later, Sequoyah remains a and exciting future ahead of us! something real and tangible. to a level that has allowed for program special place where learning is honored expansion while keeping the school on a and celebrated each day — a true and path toward long-term sustainability. genuine community of learners. At the same time, we continue to It is also my pleasure to introduce and maintain and honor our rich history welcome our newest board member, Michael Barak Josh Brody and tradition going all the way back to DuVon Davis. With nearly two decades Board President Head of School 1 Learning by Jocelyn Holland Learning

contained in the executive order behind a travel ban barring immigrants and refugees from predominantly Muslim From Kindergarten to High School countries from entering the United States. In collaboration with math specialist Chad Robertson, they also analyzed the numerical data contained Social Justice & Activism within the travel ban. Last year, Cynthia’s focus on the history of immigration in America in the Sequoyah Classroom began with current events. Following the rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA, a federal policy that protects Sequoyah is related to community, utilizing regional history, geography, undocumented immigrants who were and economy as a means of developing social awareness. brought to the United States as children from deportation, her class actively —David Ferris, “Philosophy and Goals of the Sequoyah school,” 1959 considered the perspectives of the students and families whose lives were In a document created the year after environment. Although the current explains, “moving from the ‘what?’ to fundamentally changed by the decision. Sequoyah was founded, David Ferris, generation of Sequoyah students is the ‘so what?’ to the ‘now what?’” a Professor of Education at Occidental growing up in a vastly different historical With the help of theater specialist In the Bamboo Forest, a mixed-age College, and one of a number of influential context compared to the late 1950s, Susie Tanner, one group of students classroom of kindergartners and voices involved in developing the the same commitment to community is staged performances that centered on first graders, the study of homes philosophy for the school as we know it evident in the classrooms of today. monologues of Dreamers, most of whom has led naturally to the problem of today, puts it as succinctly as possible: are DACA recipients. Another group of Emily Singer, Director of Curriculum homelessness and the question: what Sequoyah is related to community. students produced a short documentary and Student Support, shares the belief can we do? To answer the question, presentation on their engagement with From those first years onward, the that a commitment to social justice is the school’s youngest students spoke the Glazer Family Dreamers Resource nurturing and education of individual at the core of a pedagogical mission with people engaged with this issue, Center at Cal State L.A. A separate students has occurred within an devoted to challenging the mind, including Terry Tornek, the mayor group of students also interviewed and academic context that emphasizes nurturing the heart, and celebrating of Pasadena. During a visit to their studied the work of Alex Alpharaoh, an the knowledge, skills, and ethical human dignity for everyone. “Even classroom, Mayor Tornek was asked to undocumented poet/actor/activist and awareness necessary to both in our youngest classrooms, the explain what he has done to improve creator of the one-man show, WET: A understand and participate in pressing connection to community emerges from the lives of homeless community DACAmented Journey. issues within and beyond our immediate the application of those ideas,” Emily members. The students also used the money earned from a hot lunch to take per hour, more than double the current a field trip to Target to buy clothing to minimum wage of $11 per hour, to be At the high school, current issues are donate to Families in Transition, a local financially secure in Los Angeles. integrated into the curriculum through homeless student assistance program. the social innovation program, or SIP. In In Catherine’s pre-algebra class, one classroom, students debated the For junior high math specialist Catherine students learned how to calculate best way to share perspectives on the Tung, integrating social activism into the percentage and interest rates, concept of “universal basic income” — curriculum connects students to the including compound interest, in order the idea of a government providing a question of how to help working families to understand the logic behind home regular income to its citizen regardless in Los Angeles achieve financial dignity. mortgages. Students also analyzed of employment status. In their attempts Inspired by Kristen Goggin, a six-grade federal data on wages between 1938 to test its viability as a societal model, teacher in San Francisco who challenged and 2009, and formulated linear and the students decided that an interactive her students to model the principles of quadratic equations in order to model game format simulating economic microfinance in their own community, predictions for future years. Catherine took on a similar project at practice and social reactions that could Sequoyah. The students began by In Over There, a classroom of 5th then be marketed to a target audience developing math-based problems that and 6th graders, former lead teacher might be a better option than, for included determining the current cost Cynthia Lee guided the understanding of example, a performance piece. emerging social issues for her students of living. They calculated that it would In another classroom, students through the lens of community activism. require a living wage of at least $25 exploring the power of art as a vehicle In 2017, students took apart the language 2 continued 3 Learning Campus Events Art Night

for social change prompted a study of the history of muralism in Los Angeles. They researched the process of creating murals and learned about the important role murals play in Los Angeles’ cultural history as well as its fragility as an art form susceptible to both the elements and urban development. Created in 1977 by “Los Dos Streetscapers” (Wayne Healy and David Botello), the mural Chicano Time Trip, painted on the side of a bank building in downtown Los Angeles, provided an excellent opportunity for a class field trip and case study for art as social activism. The current generation of Sequoyah students is confronting a range of social and political issues that the founders of the school likely did not anticipate, just as future generations will confront new issues not yet on our horizons. In these uncertain times, however, there is comfort to be found in continuity: the fact that Sequoyah is related to community, however we choose to define it. 4 5 Congratulations 8th Grade Class of 2018! Congratulations 8th Grade Class of 2018!

GUEST SPEAKER Elena Mindry-King ’09

Excerpt from Elena’s speech: After high school, I was so in need of voice is what is most important and if a break that I chose to take a year off it’s telling you that you don’t want to from studying. So, I volunteered on a do something, then just don’t! In the winery in South Africa. I learned how end, this chapter of your life is all about to drive a tractor, how to weld, how to finding that voice and learning what it’s avoid cobras and how much it hurts trying to tell you about yourself. I’d like when you drop a barrel on your hand. to close with a message for the parents But the most important lesson I learned and guardians, but those of you on was the value of listening to my inner stage should listen, too. I know that you voice. Working alone in a field for eight want only the best for your children, but hours a day, five days a week, you get remember that they are their own people a lot of one-on-one time with that little and while you can do your best to help voice. My voice told me what made me them along the way, their path is their feel good and what seriously sucked, own and they need to find it on their own. and it told me that I wanted to learn There’s a passage from The Prophet more and continue studying. But even by the Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran. My when I came back I had no idea what mother’s mother shared it with her and I actually wanted to study! my mother shared with me. I hope you will hold it in your heart as I do: I enrolled in astrophysics classes and went to UC Santa Cruz thinking I would Your children are not your children. study environmental science. Turns out, They are the sons and daughters of I hated both subjects. But I loved my Life’s longing for itself… linguistics classes. I studied French, You may give them your love Russian, German, and Arabic; I travelled but not your thoughts, in North and West Africa to improve my For they have their own thoughts… French and Arabic and I even managed to land a translation internship while You are the bows from which your children I studied in Senegal. But it was only as living arrows are sent forth .... while in Senegal that I got up the courage to ask the department head if I could create my own major in Applied Linguistics instead of letting the opportunity pass. Within a week he responded saying the major had been approved, and this past March I became the first student to graduate with a degree in Applied Linguistics. My point in this rambling story is to demonstrate to you all that you don’t need to know your path yet and many of you won’t know your path for years to come. Try new things, go explore, but listen to what that voice in the back of your mind has to say; you can take advice from those around you, friends, Elena currently lives and teaches high school English in parents, teachers, advisors, but your Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, France. 6 7 Sequoyah Sports - Flag Football Girls Volleyball - Sequoyah Sports High School High School

Middle School

8 9 Learning by Steven Frank Learning

A Delightful Sound Humanities at the High School

Two years ago, I wasn’t getting enough “That’s how we read in Ian’s class.” I pentameter adorned the walls: Untax sleep. Sam, my 16-year-old son, had could see their humanities teacher, Ian the rich...plans to stack the bricks joined the pioneering class of 10th Chang, was going to work me hard. against outsiders...a man of conflicting graders at Sequoyah’s High School. intents...pawns who see one square To combine history and English in a I would come home from teaching my but not the rest. humanities class is itself a statement own students, craft a sumptuous meal of the school’s philosophy. Just as the The humanities program at the High for my family, clean the war zone that “Students related the social and green space program. They obtained Another team of students became physical location of the high school is in School asks students to engage is our kitchen after I cook, and be on economic justice work they do through a booth at a local farmers market and interested in street art, which has been the shared space of a Unitarian Church— with their own pedagogy beyond the my way to bed when a voice would SIP to the ways coffee growers share gave away one-hundred native plants both a political and artistic feature and its student body a blend of diverse schoolhouse gate. With the Social detain me. profits, make collective decisions, and to families without green space in their of Los Angeles’ history. Inspired by identities—so is its curriculum a wrecking Innovation Program (SIP), students are distribute labor as key stakeholders in homes. Another team was moved to the exhibition Sin Censura: A Mural “Odyssey?” ball to barriers of all kinds. “Integration tasked to look at community problems the global coffee economy.” help victims of domestic violence. Calling Remembers L.A. at the Natural (of history and English),” Ian explains, that need to be solved. During the themselves “Survivors-to-Thrivers,” they History Museum, they created a social Dutifully, I would follow Sam into his SIP also fosters team building and “means that we can demonstrate for program’s initial year, teams focused met with the staff at Shepherd’s Door, a studies curriculum for 5th graders that room, ready to read aloud from Homer’s responsibility. At Exhibition Night, I forgot students that the record of human on the L.A. River, a literal and figurative domestic violence resource center, and presents murals as windows into the epic tale of a soldier’s ten-year quest for an hour that I was attending a high endeavors, including literature and art, is single strand through our city’s helped redesign the comfort baskets often under-represented stories of L.A. for home. On those nights, I felt like school event because it felt more like an itself integrated, much the way their own environmental, economic, and social that the center provides to survivors by history. They also built a website to Odysseus, a decade from my own bed. extended TEDx talk. One team of SIP experience is lived integrally, and only challenges. They met with residents adding handwritten notes and stress share their curriculum with 5th grade Sam didn’t have much background in students, working with Hahamongna divided by effort of mind.” both housed and homeless, business balls to enhance mental health. teachers for free. mythology, didn’t recognize the face owners, community leaders, and officials Nursery, had launched a small-scale What better loom to weave history and that launched a thousand ships or the at the Mayor’s Office. They identified literature on than a poem? After the 2016 names of meddling gods who interfered. problems and presented viable solutions presidential election, a study of metrical I became his Wikipedia Dad, reading at Exhibition Night. verse in the form of sonnets turned aloud and offering mnemonics to help into an experimental project on citizen Last spring, under the direction of RJ him tell Hades from Hermes, Artemis engagement. The name of the project, Sakai, Director of Social Innovation, 10th from Athena. His cousin Emilia, also a “A Dreadful Sound”, was born after the and 11th graders travelled to Alajuela, classmate, joined us via speakerphone. students had memorized the final couplet Costa Rica, where they lived with host They were a terrible audience, frequently of Walter Raleigh’s sonnet, “On the Cards families, learned about the Costa Rican interrupting—at first with questions and Dice”: Full many a Christian’s heart economy, climate, and culture, and but then, increasingly, with comments, shall quake for fear/ The dreadful sound showed their gratitude for the visit by connections, and insights that only of trump when he shall hear. helping to build and paint a local church. happen when students really engage with a text. Sam would jot down lines on To mark the first 100 days of the Trump “Students were paired with families the theme of hospitality, while Emilia had presidency, students and faculty wrote in a small coffee-growing community an ear for Homer’s language and how a cycle of 100 sonnets reflecting on their nestled in the mountains. They his extended maritime similes were an real-time relationship to the experiment had conversations with community apt device for the seafaring Greeks. of American democracy. On Exhibition members about their structure as a Night in 2017, a culminating event at growers association and a producer- “Why do you keep interrupting me?” I’d the high school, sonnets in iambic owned cooperative,” RJ explains. ask, longing for my pillow.

10 continued 11 Learning Campus Events

the Constitutional Convention game, a re-enactment that gets them to don white wigs and deliver persuasive speeches in the voice and identity of our Founders. Poetry makes an appearance here too: why memorize the Presidents when you can memorialize them in a collaborative poem, each student wrangling a different Commander-in-Chief, from Trump to Washington, into a single stanza? Late in my son’s junior year, I found myself getting to bed on time. Humanities at Sequoyah had tampered with my biological clock, and I couldn’t fall asleep before eleven. I knocked on Sam’s door; he was busy writing an essay about the 2016 election and how the path to the Democratic nomination had been corrupted by the party itself. “How’s that going?” I asked. “Great,” he said. “Almost done.” “Need any help? With grammar or anything?” While the SIP program draws students’ teacher Sean Hamidi observes, “I’m interests toward community issues, most proud when guests walk into “Nope. But I’ll be ready for you to scratch another hallmark of the high school my classroom, take note of students my back in fifteen minutes.” curriculum at Sequoyah—Talking facilitating their own conversations in I stood there in the doorway feeling Leaves—turns their focus within. groups or as a class, and have to look bereft. No longer the Wikipedia Dad, I When the eponymous Cherokee Chief around before confirming that there is, now had time to kill mopping the kitchen Sequoyah saw the written language of in fact, a teacher in the room.” floor. Which means that Humanities at white settlers, he was amazed by their At Sequoyah, you won’t find A.P. Sequoyah has inspired my son, invested “talking leaves,” and set out to create (Advanced Placement) U.S. History. The him in his own education, and tempted a phonetic alphabet for the Cherokee acronym itself, A-PUSH, reveals why: 11th him with the intrinsic motivation of learning language. He understood the power graders won’t be pushed to memorize that happens when you are curious and of a written language to preserve a facts bound for the bubbles on a challenged, and your ideas are taken people’s history—their stories—for many multiple-choice exam; they’ll be lured into seriously by teachers and peers. generations to come. In keeping with that the drama, blood, discord, compromise, original intent, Talking Leaves challenges This Spring, Sam and fifteen fellow and imperfect order that make up our students to discover a relevant thread pioneers will be the first graduating national story. Instead of a textbook, they throughout the year’s curriculum, write senior class at Sequoyah before leaving tote A Little History of the United States, a paper about it, and then present their for college. Lucky for me, another niece a one-volume sweep of the subject, thesis to a panel of peers and teachers. of mine will still be at Sequoyah in the part of the Yale Little History series. This semester-long project makes it 9th grade. I’ll be waiting by the phone, Instead of A.P. practice tests, they play impossible to memorize and move on. Homer in hand. Students have to mull, make connections, argue, write, and defend. Their learning, like Chief Sequoyah’s syllabary, is designed to last. Both SIP and Talking Leaves give Sequoyah students far more agency in their own education than you will see at most other high schools. As Humanities High School Play 12 13 Social Innovation Program & Field Studies Social Innovation Program & Field Studies 10th & 11th grade Cedral, Pérez Zeledón Province Alajuela, Costa Rica May 2018

14 15 Community Events Campus Events Halloween

Beach Day

16 17 Field Studies Field Studies 9th & 10th grade Jr. High Camping Quaking Aspen Point Reyes National Seashore Southern Sierra Nevada & Samuel P. Taylor State Park August 2018 Marin County October 2018

18 19 Field Studies Field Studies Mojave National Preserve Morro Bay Treehouse Egret’s Perch October 2018 October 2018

20 21 Farewell Messages Farewell Messages Elena Phleger Susie Tanner

Dear Sequoyah Families, Greetings Sequoyah Community,

While I am sad to leave, I am also ready to be on my way with all of you in my After 23 years as a Sequoyah Theatre Specialist, I am excited to move on to heart. I will be joining my husband on the east coast where he recently became focus on other aspects of my career as a theatre professional. I will continue as the Dean of Vermont Law School. My two boys brought me to Sequoyah twenty a member of the Theatre faculty at L.A. County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). years ago. It was just the right place for each of them and for us as a family. In My company Theatre Workers Project will tour socially and politically relevant many ways, it has been the most important school in my life. plays and teach workshops at underserved middle and high schools.

In 2006, I became Sequoyah’s first full-time Director of Development. A year or so Through multiple grants from the California Arts Council and other grantmaking later, I was asked to take on communications. In each role, I was given opportunities organizations, I’ll be leading my team of artists in projects that include creating to learn. Imagining a path through complex challenges, expressing a compelling theatre with formerly incarcerated adults and inmates at the California State vision, and raising the necessary funds and setting a course of action are Prison in Lancaster, planning theatre workshops for LA County probation officers collaborative efforts. It has been my pleasure to work side by side with exceptional and the Youthful Offenders Program at Valley State Prison, and running an after- colleagues and volunteers. Together, we developed the K-8 campus, adding new school theatre program for children of incarcerated family members. And as an buildings, the perimeter fence, landscaping, gardens for learning, and solar power. independent theatre artist and member of Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA and the We started a new high school and strengthened relationships in the community. SAG-AFTRA Radio Players, I’ll continue to direct public readings and plays.

Over the years, I spent a lot of time thinking and writing about Sequoyah’s I will always be grateful to Sequoyah for the education of my son Conrad (’05) HABITS OF MIND, and because they relate to what I have been doing I wanted over nine wonderful years. His Sequoyah education taught him values and skills to share some thoughts about three of them in particular: far beyond reading and writing. Sequoyah instilled in him a lifelong love of learning, a passion for intellectual exploration, and the courage to take creative risks. CREATIVITY We should celebrate the role of imagination—and I don’t mean this in a trivial As a teaching artist, I’ll always be grateful for the freedom I had to create cutting- way. It is very difficult to imagine and then realize a possibility—these are equally edge theatre projects, the many deep collaborations with creative teachers, and important things to be able to do and very difficult to do without someone else’s the talented and generous parents who supported my work over the years, and help. It requires compromise and… of course the awesome kids! As a theatre artist with a passion for doing work that speaks to social issues, it is always my hope that the actors with whom I COLLABORATION work will be moved and transformed by the subject matter they are presenting. My father once told me, “You do not want to be the smartest person in the room, you want to be the most prepared and the one who listens…the one who asks Musician and activist Tom Morello once wrote, good questions and is a pleasure to work with. Find a way to spend your days I think that there are artists of different genres whose calling is to use their art working with people you want to be with, that you enjoy being with, that you to hope to affect and better the human condition…It’s a group that I’m proud to learn from.” And, be counted among. STEWARDSHIP It is indeed a group that I am proud to be a part of as well, and it is my heart- Good ideas and good schools, like good people, do not always succeed, but we felt hope that the Theatre program at Sequoyah will continue to offer young should support them. And this is very important—there is no foregone conclusion. people opportunities to explore social and political issues and consider this Communities with purpose require lots of thought, work and investment, calling as well. planning, conversation and sometimes difficult decision-making. Wishing you all many daring creative adventures! I found all of this and I am honored to be part of Sequoyah’s story. I can’t wait to Susie hear about the next chapter. I’ll be sure to keep in touch.

Thank you and best wishes,

Elena

22 23 Sequoyah Roots Sequoyah Roots

Mikhaila Quezada-Freda ’09 graduated Marriages Transitions & Passing from The Cooper Union School of Art in Alumni News & Updates December 2017 and was a part of the last In the spring of 2018, Charlie Holzweissig, class receiving full-tuition funding (the school father of Kay ’82 and Craig ’84 Holzweissig, plans on returning to providing full-tuition passed away at age 84 in Portland, Oregon. He funding to students in about ten years). Upon participated in the junior high camping trips in the 1980’s with Sequoyah teacher Sarah Starr. In April, Maya Almaraz ’97 and her mother, Elsa Flores Almaraz visited Maya’s favorite Sequoyah Eliza Cooper ’00 graduating, Mikhaila received the Jacques teacher, Claudia Ziroli, now retired, on the Big Island of Hawaii (before the eruptions). They enjoyed raced in her first and Natasha Gelman Foundation Award for their reunion with her. National Champi- Demonstrated Ability in Art. For the time being, onship in Paratri- she is living and working in Queens, New York. athlon, and won! She is especially grateful for her education at Now, as one of Sequoyah and having art class with Erin Trefry the top visually in 7th and 8th grade. Her time at Sequoyah impaired triathletes solidified her desire to learn, and her work with in the country, Erin allowed her freedom to grow as an artist Erin Bates ’04 and Rikki Johnson she has some ex- from a young age. She is photographed with citing decisions to Oscar Russakis ’08 who also graduated from On June 30th, Sequoyah teacher and alum Cooper Union. Erin Bates ’04 and Rikki Johnson celebrated make about what Bruce Hubbard with his children Mei-Ling and Jonathan. comes next. Eliza after winning the Paratriathlon their marriage in beautiful Altadena surrounded by family and friends. Many Sequoyah commu- Bruce Hubbard was a Sequoyah parent from In May, Henry Griffith ’10 graduated from nity members helped to make the event extra 1991 to 2001. He brought science experiments UCLA, where he majored in economics. special, including an (almost) all-Sequoyah to show the kids and built a darkroom. He parent and alumni band. Their dog, Peggy Hill, was passionate about learning and teaching This year Hanne Irish-Hurlow ’15 discov- was heavily involved in the wedding and a great and seemingly knew something about every- ered a passion for environmental science and time was had by all. thing. His love for art and science, talents and decided to shape her Westridge volunteer intellect, mixed with the Sequoyah experience requirements around that passion. In June, have shaped two beautiful kids, Mei-Ling ’99 she volunteered in Costa Rica with her best and Jonathan ’01 Hubbard. The Art Center friend, Kate Crowell. They stayed at Pacuare College of Design, where Bruce taught for 30 Nature Reserve where they protected and years, held a remembrance to celebrate his life tracked leatherback turtles during the birthing on July 14, 2018. and hatching process. She witnessed and did (L-R) Elsa Flores Almaraz, Claudia and Eric Ziroli, Maya Almaraz and her boyfriend Nick incredible things including mama leatherbacks Mikhaila Quezada-Freda and Oscar Russakis Pazia Bermudez-Silverman ’12 will be Sula Bermudez-Silverman ’07 earned her giving birth, relocating 3 nests, and releasing Brandt Rohde ’11 and his parents, Mel going into her third year at Brown University BA in Studio Art from Bard College in 2015 over 100 baby leatherbacks into the ocean. Malmberg and Joe Rohde, said aloha in the Erin and Rikki with Sequoyah parents Colleen Dunn Bates where she is double concentrating in Africana and studied at Central Saint Martin’s School She highly recommends volunteering in this town of Pahoa, HI to past parent and former and Darryl Bates, and Emily Bates ’07 Studies and Computer Science. Her research of Art and Design in London. Upon graduat- amazing and life-changing experience! Sequoyah administrator Patti Pinto and former work is focused on understanding and prevent- ing, she was an honorary artist in residence Sequoyah teacher Claudia Ziroli. Patti has ing algorithmic and technological bias in the at Project Row Houses in Houston, Texas. In been volunteering to evacuate people in the computer science world. At Brown, she is the 2018, she received her MFA in Sculpture from path of the lava. She keeps track of everyone leader of Brown’s Organization for Multiracial the Yale School of Art. who goes into the affected areas and makes and Biracial Students and volunteers for the sure they return safely. Claudia gives educa- Sexual Health Awareness Group. This past tional tours and is also really involved in the Sequoyah Jr. High students display their own restaurant summer she worked as a Getty Multicultur- community. Mel says “It was great to see them reviews on the patio. al Undergraduate Intern at the Institute of and they are safe. Come visit!” Writer, humanitarian, and beloved Sequoyah Contemporary Los Angeles in the department Leatherback Turtles parent and father to Leon, Jonathan Gold of Learning + Peggy Hill being escorted by Jr. Bridesmaids Olive and Stella Engagement. Tosh Le ’15 recently co-wrote a Dungeons and passed away this summer in Los Angeles. She gives credit Dragons adventure called For the past decade, Jonathan would visit to Sequoyah for The Magician’s Compass. the Sequoyah classroom during the Junior inspiring her to This adventure will be run High unit on journalism. Jonathan shared with pursue a variety on a multitude of venues students his process of deconstructing a meal, of academic and worldwide and will be note taking, and recommendations for tone personal inter- available for purchase and style. A true Angeleno, Jonathan’s life is ests as well as within the year on a testament to the celebration and value of giving her life- DMsGuild.com. Tosh will diversity. It is in this spirit that Sequoyah will long friends. be releasing more adven- continue Jonathan’s legacy, making meaningful Pazia and Sula Bermudez-Silverman Joy Silverman, Sula and Pazia, and George Bermudez Tosh Le tures in the near future. (L-R) Bobby Johnston, Harrison Whitford, Lukas Frank ’08, connections between the food we prepare and Brandt Rohde with Patti Pinto (left) and Claudia Ziroli (right) Phoebe Bridgers ’09, Garret Lang ’03 and Rob Waller the communities it brings together. 24 25 2017-2018 Annual Report 2017-2018 Annual Report

Treasurer’s Report Revenue Financial Statements

The creation and growth of an extraordinary K-12 educational Sequoyah Educational Center program is not possible without the generosity and support 82% Statement of Financial Position of Sequoyah community members, past and current parents, Tuition & Fees grandparents, alumni, and friends. 2018 2017 Each year, your generous donations to Annual Giving, jogathon, 13% Assets: and the auction enable Sequoyah to attract and retain an Cash & Equivalents $ 5,263,589 $ 3,789,770 Charitable Accounts Receivable 5,597,449 5,046,054 extraordinary group of teachers and specialists who are 5% Contributions committed to an innovative curriculum where individual attention Pledges Receivable 65,715 142,210 Auxiliary Prepaid Expenses 26,840 26,840 and support is given to each student’s social, emotional, and Programs / Other academic progress. Marketable Securities 161,096 149,603 Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment 4,108,663 4,324,566 Like most independent schools, Sequoyah depends on Total Assets $ 15,223,352 $ 13,479,043 charitable giving to sustain the school’s institutional values, Expenses Liabilities: in particular a founding commitment to an inclusive and Accounts Payable $ 12,663 $ 48,035 socioeconomically diverse school community. On average, Accrued Liabilities 412,401 235,343 30-40% of students pay less than the top tuition. As a result, our 73% Bank Loan 2,444,092 2,549,581 students benefit from an inclusive school community with a broad Salaries & Benefits Deferred Revenue 8,340,807 7,3 97,16 5 spectrum of social, economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Total Liabilities $ 11,209,963 $ 10,230,124 The board of trustees has taken thoughtful and concrete steps to 16% Net Assets: Facility & secure the long-term financial sustainability of the school. Looking Equipment Costs Unrestricted $ 3,441,634 $ 3,024,174 ahead, we’ll continue building on this momentum through next 11% Temporarily Restricted 500,300 153,290 year’s capital campaign whose success will secure the future of Permanently Restricted 71,455 71,455 Other Program Sequoyah for generations to come. Costs Total Net Assets $ 4,013,389 $ 3,248,919 Lorin Knell Treasurer, Board of Trustees Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 15,223,352 $ 13,479,043 December 2018 Statement of Changes in Net Assets

For the fiscal year ended 2018 2017 Giving to Sequoyah Revenues: Tuition & Fees $ 7,476,648 $ 6,192,711 Fundraising Annual Fund – Recurring Events $ 707,6 6 0 $ 587,597 Donations to the annual campaign enable Sequoyah to sustain a long-term commitment to an inclusive, diverse school – In-Kind Contributions 15,779 121,274 community with extraordinary teaching and student-centered – Other Gifts 500,300 87,9 0 9 education. Annual gifts offer Sequoyah the greatest flexibility in – Subtotal: Fundraising $ 1,223,739 $ 796,780 addressing strategic priorities and pressing needs. Other Revenue 414,890 362,658 June Olson Fund Total Revenue $ 9,115,277 $ 7,3 52,149 Established in honor of June Olson to promote socioeconomic Expenses: diversity at Sequoyah, this fund is used to assist with tuition; Program Services $ 5,243,804 $ 4,770,384 subsidize daycare; provide monies for camping trips and camping Supporting Services 3,107,0 0 3 2,205,481 equipment; and provide funding for other special programs. Yvonne Pinto Scholarship Fund Total Expenses $ 8,350,807 $ 6,975,865 The fund’s annual interest benefits students attending Sequoyah Change In Net Assets: $ 764,470 $ 376,284 whose parent(s) or guardian(s) are Sequoyah employees. Grants Net Assets at the Beginning of the Year $ 3,248,919 $ 2,872,635 can be provided to assist with tuition, subsidize daycare, and Net Assets at the End of the Year $ 4,013,389 $ 3,248,919 provide for field studies and other special programs. 26 27 2017–2018 Annual Report 2017–2018 Annual Report Donors

Junior High Parents & Families Anonymous Stephen Wacker and Alyssa Weiss Sequoyah Alumni Annual Fund 2017–2018 Class Representatives: Axels Gregory and Juanita Weingart Gabriela Ayala ’21 Ronald A. Balangue David and Alexandra Winkowski *5-9 Years of Giving **10+ Years of Giving (Consistent records for giving started in 2002) Karla Griego & Stacy Horth-Neubert Josh Brody ’86** Maria Achell Yolanda Barker Baochun Yang and Grace Shen Jason Chuan ’70 Amon-Franceschi Family Joanne Belonsky and Jon Stern Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Yokomizo Fina Flores ’90 Bamboo Forest Brian Wills and Lexi Brown Martha and Esteban Villanueva Katherine Williams and Robert Waller* Anonymous Gita and Steven Cugley Michael Gardiol ’88 Parents & Families Womack Britton Family Brett and Jennifer Webster Joyce and Joseph Ybarra* Michael Alexander and Catherine Gudis* Renee Dake Wilson and Brian Wilson** Sequoyah Staff Anne Hughes ’75 Katherine Williams and Robert Waller* Jane Yoo and Jason Chuan* Ross Breitenbach Bren and Nicholas Davidge Marc Alongi* Edward Knell ’82 Class Representative: Sarah Wetherbee and Lara Plutte-Breitenbach * Maria Demopoulos and John Tanzer** Backyard Parents & Families Brian Wills and Lexi Brown Donna and Kristofer Youngstrom* Carolina Arango Lorin ’86 and Amy Knell ** Anonymous Mark Brown and Bob Cesario** Ara Dergevorkian Josh Brody ’86** Peter Knell ’84 Class Representative: Zeth Ajemian and Anahid Gharakhanian Brach and Robbie Cabral Elizabeth Camacho and Felix Avila** Bob Cesario** Regina M. Mills ’68 Robert Adams and Amy Talkington Treehouse Parents & Families Over There Parents & Families Renee Dake Wilson and Brian Wilson** Catherine and Jay Ehrgott Pao and Jenny Chiu Ian Chang Paige Napier ’92 Kim Ennis Diana and Zeth Ajemian Class Representative: Jason Freeland Class Representative: Neel Keller Charles and Ismenia Dane* Betty Chavez Nicole Rabaudi ’87* Mia Doi Todd Kirsten Everberg and Alex McDowell Jennifer and Ed Barguiarena Robert Abad and Monica Mitrani* Robert Abad and Monica Mitrani* Ruben Davila and Amber Sturdivant* James Cooper Charlie Rudnick ’03 Maria Fregozo and Michael Gardiol ’88 Jacob Deno Sr.and Yasmin Lagunas Michelle Feynman Shauna and Darren Bigby* Robert Adams and Amy Talkington Michael Alexander and Catherine Gudis* Kim Diaz Robert Sakai ’04 Haley Gottlieb and Hendrix Marceca Bill Deverell and Jenny Watts Julie and Steve Frank Madison Brookshire and Emily Singer Axels Elena Phleger** S. Vernallis ’11 Michael and Heather Andrews Lisa Ginsburg and Lori Ball Pei-Jung Ho and Masahji Stewart Eike Wilson* Jean-Philippe Fontaine Azizi Williams ’92** DuVon and Karen Davis Mary Jane Biancheri* Ethan Bearman and Fina Flores ’90* Carmen Greene Stephanie and Bill Kilpatrick Amanda and Shepard Fairey* Alex and Ty Gaffney* Graciela and Rafael Del Toro Loren Bouchard and Holly Kretschmar Shauna and Darren Bigby* Laura Gabbert** Lisa Harris Taejo and Naoko Kim Drew Gagné Past Faculty, Staff & Trustees Eike Wilson* Ross Breitenbach Bridget Carpenter and Chris Harrison* Sidra Gifford Anne Hughes ’75 Erik Grise Josh Kun and Ceci Bastida Colleen Bates Elizabeth Flahive and Jeff Cox and Lara Plutte-Breitenbach * Ruben Davila and Amber Sturdivant* Sunil Golwala David and Rebekah Johnson Salvador Lagunas* Leonardo Cablayan Emily and Dack LaMarque Michele and Joaquin Grey Sandra Jones Jasmine and Jackson George Renee Dake Wilson and Brian Wilson** Joe Deegan-Day and Nina Hachigian Eileen Lee* Bette Cooper Alfredo and Vilma Livas* Sarah Gossage and Joseph Grimm* Adam and Fariba Katz Aimée and Folkert Gorter Ralph DeFelice and Zoe Haruyama Ralph DeFelice and Zoe Haruyama Ann Liashkov** Michael and Robin Kinman Carl Friedlander Sonny and Jen Lulla Thomas and Karla Griego** Ben Moran* Peter and Brie Grousbeck* Amanda and Shepard Fairey* Rafael and Graciela Del Toro Jill Ganon Carrie and Courtney Holt The Knell and Retmal Family Shari Majumder The Meyer Family Emily and David Haskell Jenny and Jason Freeland* The Fenske Family* Susan Harmon** Dianne Houston and Crystal Cooper Anders and Lisa Lansing Julian Petri Gil Refael and Jocelyn Holland Mel Malmberg* James and Vera Hourani Ileen Goldsmith, Nathan Pierce and Ivory* Ryan Ihly and Claire Robinson* Anne Hughes ’75 Eileen and David Lee* Robert Sakai ’04 Hannah MacLaren Lee Anne Schmitt and Jeff Parker Matt and Katie Kenyon Laura Gowen and Roman Sydorak* Neel Keller and Molly Callendar** Jeff Hurlow and Jennifer Irish** Gabriel Liebeskind Emily Singer Michele Milner** Caterina Scorsone and Robert Giles Robert Johnston and Jamie Chapman* Ron and Nicole Logan* Claire Campbell and Ikon Leshno Peter and Brie Grousbeck* Stephanie and Bill Kilpatrick Catherine Tung Diane Park* Paula Kessler and Neal Brown** Doris Lonk Giapis and Konstantinos Giapis Kevin Shinick and Eileen Meyers The family of Grey Napier Susana and Jorge Longhi Spencer Kook* Ilan Vaisman Michelle Seely Alice Kimm and John Friedman* Jeffrey and Stacey Mann* Elsa von Heydenreich Madison Brookshire and Emily Singer Harry Sinclair Jeffrey and Stacey Mann* Salvador and Liliana Lagunas* Robert Johnston* Christopher Kirk and Karena Dacker** Paula Manzanedo and Daniel Schmit* Azizi Williams ’92** Sarah Wetherbee and Emre Sahin Lendell and Tamika Thompson Jonah Peretti and Andrea Harner Kai and Kameron Lennox Blake Koh and Sonia Nikore* Jeannette Martin Katherine Williams* Amy Yanow Alumni Parents Alyssa Tomoff and Drew Gagné Joya Roy and Ben Moran* Elisa and Tommy Nixon* Rebecca Koppenhaver Ross and Karen Martin Dyane Wilson and Anthony Orona** Joan and Andreas Aebi Tony Yanow Idoya Urrutia Elizabeth Schaeffer Jenny and Matthew Umhofer* Monica Mazariegos Kay Yamamoto** Dorrie and Phil LaMarr** Mary McCullough Lolla Alyan** Jordan Wallens and Yvette Hassakoursian* Donna Youngstrom* Sophia and Dan Lin Luis Ayala and Rosemarie Becerra-Ayala** Pond Parents & Families Raphael Simon and Phillip de Leon* Out Back Parents & Families Susan McMartin Tembi Locke* Beverlyn, Jon and Vincent Mendez Michael and Randee Barak** Teri Stein and Eric Pettit* Trustees Class Representative: Rich Dean Nest Parents & Families Class Representative: Patrick Ferry Kelly and Sujal Mandavia* Kathleen and Turi Meyer Colleen and Darryl Bates Robert Abad* Kristina Bell and Andrei Marinescu Class Representative: Alycia Rossiter Kim and Sebastian Apodaca* Aaron Neubert and Stacy Horth-Neubert* Monique Moore and Jean-Claude Lesaca Angela and Francisco Becerra Michael Barak** Loren Bouchard and Holly Kretschmar Diana and Zeth Ajemian* Egret’s Perch Kinoka Ogsbury and Matthew DeSario* Mr. Alfred W. Mordecai Jeff and Wendy Brickmont Axels Josh Brody ’86** Bridget Carpenter and Chris Harrison* Parents & Families Summer Phoenix and Mrs. Victoria S. Mordecai Patrice and Leonardo Cablayan Anonymous Mary Jane Biancheri* Elizabeth Camacho** Nicole ’87 and Facundo Rabaudi** Judith Murray John and Bette Cooper* Han Choi and Lily Kim Kristine Bell and Andrei Marinescu Class Representative: Kinoka Ogsbury Patrick and Juliana Ferry* Rachel Countryman Catalina and Daniel Rios Sophia Nardin and Luke Wood** Laura and Steve Dahl** Charles and Ismenia Dane* Carol and Adam Bowman Maria Achell Laura Dahl** Jenny and Jason Freeland* Sidhartha Sabikhi and Meghna Andley* Laurie Ochoa and Jonathan Gold Alex Douglas Helga Eike* Richard and Alex Dean Madison Brookshire and Emily Singer Douglas and Keri Axel Gary Goodman and Julia Edwards* Anastasia Simone* Nora Ortega Franklin and Marianne Dryden Patrick Ferry* Sarah and Michael Ellenberg Ian Chang and Nicole Belle Ethan Bearman and Fina Flores ’90* Thomas and Karla Griego** Michael Simpson Alison and Ed Peters Elena Phleger and Tom McHenry** and Hayley Marcus Simpson* Marianne and Monty Polonsky Laura Gabbert** Jean-Philippe and Susan Fontaine Maria Fregozo and Michael Gardiol ’88 Ramsey Condor and Beatrice Valenzuela Shauna and Darren Bigby* Suzi Hoffman-Kipp* David Thomas and Tara Plocek* Mario Prietto and Leda Ramos Laura Gowen* Shirin and Carl Friedlander Zetna Fuentes Rafael and Graciela Del Toro DuVon and Karen Davis Carrie and Courtney Holt Melissa and Mike Townley Meaghan and Sam Register Eryn Hoffman Alice Fung and Michael Blatt** and Victor Villar-Hauser Patrick and Juliana Ferry* Robin and Cort Fey* Alfredo and Vilma Livas* John and Michele Waller David and Fumie Revel Lorin Knell ’86** Tracy and Robert Gaestel Zoe and Mark Hodges Robin and Cort Fey* Sarah and Michael Ellenberg Blake Koh and Sonia Nikore* Azizi Williams ’92** Jenny Rivera and Roberto Flores Dorrie LaMarr** Jill Ganon and David Arnay Ann Liashkov** Stephen Hootstein Jasmine and Jackson George Gary Goodman and Julia Edwards* Paula Manzanedo and Daniel Schmit* Katherine Williams and Robert Waller* Melina Root and Mick Stevens Phillip and Ingrid Gardiol and Pietsie Campbell Sonny Lulla Gina and Brett Gurewitz Laura Gowen and Roman Sydorak* Catalina and Daniel Rios Desiree Williams-Trinidad Jose and Silvia Royo Susan and Robert Harmon** Tami Howard and Garth Trinidad Rhonda and Daniel Shorter Sujal Mandavia* Huston Horn** Diego Gutierrez and Kim Diaz Diego Gutierrez and Kim Diaz Elizabeth Schaeffer Joyce and Joseph Ybarra* Michael Simpson Stacey Mann* Mary Jane Horton and Stuart Shipko* Emily and Indraneel Karlekar Alfredo and Vilma Livas* Kelly and Sujal Mandavia* and Yvette Hassakoursian* and Hayley Marcus Simpson* Susie North* Alex Hudnut and Michele Milner** Amit Kunte and Neha Nanda Chris Lombardi Alan Minsky and Sheila Nicholls Larissa Schnitger and Matthew Monahan* High School Parents & Families Charlie Siskel and Abigail Deser Gwen Owens** Bill Hunnell Susana and Jorge Longhi Gagan and Chad Naeger Lisa Nicola and Jeff Chapman* Clara Solis and Jeffrey Hernandez* Class Representatives: Lori Thrun Debbie Reed Rebecca and Peter Knell ‘84* Michael Mills and Miranda July Jonah Peretti and Andrea Harner Elisa and Tommy Nixon* David Thomas and Tara Plocek* Keri Axel, Julie Frank, Anne Hughes Robin Toma and Debra Suh Neil Stevens Ann Liashkov** & Paula Manzanedo John Underkoffler Richard Nason and Shue-Ping Sun Jessica and Christopher Raymond Kinoka Ogsbury and Matthew DeSario* Melissa and Mike Townley Irene Tsatsos and Alan Tollefson Mark Maier and Anne Schiller Alicia and Jason Adams P. Tamu Usher and Adilifu Nama Brian Wilson** Maggie Nelson/Harry Dodge Liesel Reinisch and Gary Eckwortzel Summer Phoenix Shari Majumder and Frank Ticheli Azizi Williams ’92** Julio Alanis and Denise Ptacnik Heather and Thomas Unterseher Luke Wood** Alison Maker Lisa Nicola and Jeff Chapman* Alycia Rossiter and Matthew Silverman Raphael Simon and Phillip de Leon* Desiree Williams-Trinidad John Angus and Rhonda Schulman Jeff Walker Joyce Ybarra* Mel Malmberg and Joe Rohde* John Stephens and Arianne Groth Emily Singer and Madison Brookshire Jenny and Matthew Umhofer* and Garth Trinidad 28 29 Campus Events Donors (continued) Grandparents’ Dorothy Martinez and Larry Abrams Dan and Kitty Davis Friends of Sequoyah School Netflix Joe McLaughlin and Carolyn Fitzgerald Dr. Bill and Marne Deverell Matt Allio Pasadena Community Foundation Lynn McOwen Kathryn Doi Todd Anonymous Red Green Blue Fund of Eugene Moy and Susan Sing Franklin and Marianne Dryden the Liberty Hill Foundation** & Special Melinda Doi Manchester Robert A. Waller Foundation Molly Munger and Stephen English John and Aurora Espino* Bill and Claire Bogaard Rovi Solutions Corporation Gwen and Ron Owens** Jack and Anne Fallin Robert Day Salesforce.com Foundation Diane Park* Jo and James Fecteau Arnold Siegel and Susan Futterman Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Carolyn Pearson** Patrick and Eileen Ferry* Martha Wood Friends’ John Peterson and Margo Gordon** Merona Ravetch Frank and Martin Frank LLP – In honor of Stacy Horth-Neubert Swain Barber Foundation Sally Pfeiffer Phillip and Ingrid Gardiol Corporations & Foundations Elena Phleger and Thomas McHenry** Grama Grama Grama Union Bank Foundation** Achieving America Family Foundation Shelley Powsner and Steve Skrovan** Judy Kenyon Warner Bros. Impact Program AmazonSmile Foundation The Walt Disney Company Foundation Day Nina and Richard Rosen Mrs. Nan H. Lombardi Lenox D. Baker Weingart Foundation* Jo and Steve Sakai* Flora Majumder and Frances W. Baker Foundation Nancy Salter and Peter Garrison Toni Moran* Wells Fargo Foundation Educational Capital Group Co Charitable Foundation Matching Gifts Program Janet Scott Bernadene C. Morgan Elgonix, LLC WILO Fund of Bank of America Michelle Seely Barbara Nelson The Kula Foundation Charitable Gift Fund John Sobieski Anna Nicola Neil Stevens and Li Huo Andrew and Ilse Nocker Steve Terui and Evy Hasegawa Della Peretti John and Jennifer Underkoffler Mark Pettit Courtenay Valenti and Patrick Roberts Darryl Allen Phillips Ellen and Lewis Turlington* Ed and Suzanne Plutte Kayley Vernalis Jeanne Redden* Louise Woo A.C. Riley Kay Yamamoto** Ron and Judy Romines Mr. and Mrs. PJ Rossiter Grandparents Betty Sargent Ninfa and Oswaldo Abad Jacqueline Sevareid Dyane Asimow Marjorie and Howard Silverman Linda Axel John Sobieski Lenox D. Baker and Frances W. Baker Ted and Ellen Stein John and Martha Bell Donald Wallens and Sharon Sindell John and Lillian Biancheri* Robert and Judy Waller Susan Cheever Shea and Merton Shea Joan Ybarra Susan and Michael Crall Gene and Sheila Curtis Other Funds & Campaigns 2017–2018

Auction Donors Suzanne and Dante Ariola Aimée Smith and Folkert Gorter Jogathon In-Kind Donors Chained Rabbit/Kelsey Wetmore Carol and Adam Bowman Clara Solis and Jeffrey Hernandez Trader Joes Golden Road Brewing Crystal Cooper and Dianne Houston John Stephens and Arianne Groth Water Village/ Luis Bustos KTP/David Lee Renee Dake Wilson and Brian Wilson Matthew and Jenny Umhofer Stephanie and Leo Dencik Idoya Urrutia MBS Equipment Company /Eric Tennant, June Olson Fund Joe Dougherty and Marc Deaso Deb Deverell Victor Villar-Hauser and Zetna Fuentes Silverlake Wine Helga Eike and Chris Wilson Michele and John Waller Charles and Ismenia Dane Jasmine and Jackson George Jennifer Wood and Jim Barry Auction Underwriters Nina Hachigian and Joe Deegan-Day In-Kind Donations Yvonne Pinto Stephanie and Leo Dencik Susan and Robert Harmon Suzanne and Dante Ariola Emily and Indraneel Karlekar Suzi Hoffman-Kipp La Monarca Bakery/Alfredo Scholarship Fund Taejo and Naoko Kim Jocelyn Holland and Gil Refael and Vilma Livas Charles and Ismenia Dane Melina Root and Mick Stevens Stephen Hootstein and Pietsie Campbell Eileen and David Lee Michele and John Waller Holly Kretschmar and Loren Bouchard Jen and Sonny Lulla Other Donations Alfredo and Vilma Livas Jill McArthur and Joe Clark Marsha Bohr Sponsor a Staff or Joseph Pell Lombardi John Sobieski Heather Reisman Faculty Member Mike Mills and Miranda July Susie Tanner Susan North Juanita and Gregory Weingart Robert Adams and Amy Talkington Jo and Steve Sakai Julie Ariola

The Advancement Office makes every effort to accurately record and acknowledge all gifts and contributions. We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask that you notify Ryan P. McDaniel, Director of Advancement, at [email protected] or by calling (626) 795-4351 x215 30 31

Student Reflection By Emilia Peters ‘19

8,312 Miles and Counting UPCOMING Sequoyah Connect Coming Soon! 2019 EVENTS Connect with the Sequoyah community across Reflections on the Journey and Experience of High School continents, industries, and generations — whether MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY—ALL SCHOOL MEETING you are looking for college or career advice, want January 18 to connect with fellow alumni, or need to hire an Throughout my sophomore and junior years at Sequoyah, I’ve travelled 8,312 miles by van, bus, train, plane, and river raft 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION intern or employee, or would like to be a mentor, across the United States and Costa Rica. According to Google February 9 SEQUOYAH CONNECT makes it all possible. Look for Drive, I’ve produced 4.7 GB of research papers, creative writing JOGATHON an email invitation to the online network in 2019! assignments, and Powerpoint presentations. And, I have February 22 participated in 293 Morning Meetings. Of which, seventeen hours and seven minutes were spent in meditation. HIGH SCHOOL PLAY — BIG FISH Alumni Committee April (dates TBD) The Sequoyah Alumni Committee has been working These moments of profound introspection, the unforgettable cross-country and international experiences, and the insatiable EARTH DAY HOT LUNCH CELEBRATION behind the scenes to support our upcoming 60th curiosity of my teachers and peers have transformed my April 19 birthday party (see back cover) and on some exciting perceptions of not only the world, but also the potential of one’s CONFERENCE FOR YOUTH CHANGEMAKING plans to grow the alumni database and encourage presence within a greater community. April 27 more alumni to reconnect and participate in Through the Talking Leaves curriculum, the Social Innovation MUSICALE alumni events. The committee’s goals also include Program (SIP), and the Stewardship groups, Sequoyah has April 26 & May 10 recruiting class representatives and planning an educated my classmates and me about the interconnectedness of the world around us. We are taught to identify unusual 8TH GRADE PLAY alumni weekend. parallels between academic subjects and explore underlying May 31 similarities between seemingly separate societal factions. And, HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBITION NIGHT most importantly, we are encouraged to question, discuss, and June 3 debate these discoveries. K-12 ART NIGHT To learn more about alumni activities However, Sequoyah is a school of action and a community of June 4 changemakers, so simply teaching and examining these topics at Sequoyah, update your contact has not proved satisfactory. Instead, the administration has especially rewarding because it allowed guests from other 8TH GRADE GRADUATION encouraged student activism and organized countless hands- schools to familiarize themselves with Sequoyah’s students and June 6 information, or share news & updates, on, service-oriented field trips, providing us with opportunities to emerging traditions. HIGH SCHOOL BACCALAUREATE engage with members of our communities, whom we might not please contact Kay Yamamoto at This experience inspired me to start the Preschool Partners June 7 otherwise meet. club (a group that organizes fun activities and games for the HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION [email protected]. In SIP, teams of freshmen and sophomores conceptualized and preschoolers with whom we share our campus) and join the Ad June 8 implemented solutions to social, political, and environmental Hoc Student Affairs Committee (student activists who planned problems. As a junior, I participated in the high school’s first two school-wide walk outs in honor of victims of school shootings, group of independent SIP projects. With the freedom to identify a day of educational workshops about the history of gun violence an issue specific to my interests, I spent the year researching and gun legislation, and a protest to promote gun reform). food waste and food deserts; interviewing stakeholders; visiting During our first international trip to Costa Rica, my classmates off-campus sites; and presenting my findings to peers, teachers, 2018-19 BOARD OF TRUSTEES and I not only escaped from our phones, but we also parents, and other professionals. experienced what it was like to leave the excessive, complex Michael Barak, President Robert Abad Eryn Hoffman Students are also afforded many opportunities to contribute lifestyles to which we have grown accustomed. While living with Susan North, Vice President Elizabeth Camacho Ann Liashkov on-campus in addition to our off-campus participation. While the my host family in Cedral, I most admired the joy and fulfillment Stacey Mann, Secretary Rachel Countryman Sonny Lulla culture at the high school has evolved, the emphasis on student they found in simplicity. Their lives were built around meaningful Lorin Knell ’86, Treasurer Laura Dahl Sujal Mandavia involvement has remained consistent. As the Co-Chair of the relationships, unobstructed by many of the materialistic Student Activities Committee, I helped plan several school-wide distractions prevalent in my life. Travelling to another country Josh Brody, Head of School DuVon Davis Gwen Owens events, such as the Gryphon Olympics (a day of inter-advisory forced me to understand how limited my perspective is, but Helga Eike Debbie Reed competition), Spirit Week, and Sequoyah’s first Winter Formal! it also inspired me to reexamine the world from hundreds of Patrick Ferry Brian Wilson These challenges and accomplishments taught me about the new angles. I am so grateful to have had this life changing Laura Gabbert Joyce Ybarra significance of effective collaboration, communication, and opportunity, and I can’t wait for the many more exciting Laura Gowen organization within a functional team. The school dance was Sequoyah adventures to come. 32 Nonprofit Organization US Postage 12 ineenen school PAID 535 South Pasadena Ave Permit No 697 Pasadena CA 91105 Pasadena, CA

PhoenixThe Biannual Magazine of Sequoyah School

WINTER 2018 / 2019