SPRING The Laker 2020
Sam Dykema ’71 A Student of the World TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORS Shellie Javier Kala Montoya 3 16 From the Top 3: Reasons to be Excited GRAPHIC DESIGNER Head of School About the ULS Garden John Ritter
PHOTOGRAPHY Danielle Nelson Shellie Javier
PRINTER 4 17 Thomas Press (Waukesha, Wis.) Hawk Hill Senior Spotlight: Happenings Joe Gehl ’20 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Adam Rix, President Martin Ditkof, Vice President & Secretary Greg Ploch ’80, Treasurer McKenna Bryant ’95 Hank Ehrsam 7 18 Scott Gass Faculty Feature: Alumni Speaker Series: John Griner Kirsten Huberty Molly Seidel ’12 Alex Inman Holly Templeton Myhre ’95 John O’Horo Ed Schaefer ’80 Joan Shafer Margaret Tackes 10 20 The Laker is published by University Hawk Hill History: Alumni Lake School. It is mailed free of charge, Field Hockey News twice a year, to alumni and friends of the school.
To update your address or share comments and ideas: Email: [email protected] 12 22 Call: 262-367-6011 Feature: Sam Dykema ’71 Lakers Write: Advancement Office, Student of the World We’ve Lost University Lake School, P.O. Box 290, Hartland, WI 53029
2 | LAKE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
I am writing today during a time unlike any other — and on a Hawk Hill that looks and feels very different.
First and foremost, I hope that all members of our Laker community are doing well. I also want to thank all of you who are serving on the front lines during this pandemic.
During this unprecedented time, I often reflect on community and resilience. Community and personal relationships are a hallmark of our school. Even as we miss our students, faculty and staff, we are working hard to continue special traditions that we all cherish — school assemblies are now enjoyed online, Lower School announcements happen with a new volunteer every day, and Upper School faculty personally delivered caps and gowns to seniors.
When we return to on-campus learning, the importance of being together will have a new meaning.
The resilience of our students and our faculty is remarkable. Student engagement and dedication during distance learning continues to be a positive reflection on them and the good work of the faculty. Faculty support — in so many ways — makes it possible for ULS to continue to fulfill its mission and make a profound difference for each student.
I hope that everyone remains safe and healthy during this pandemic. Thank you to those who have offered renewed support to help ensure that each student and our school thrives. As is referenced in our strategic planning tagline, our best days are ahead of us as we soar beyond brilliance.
Onward,
Timothy Horner Interim Head of School Head of Administration
SPRING 2020 | 3 1 2
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HAWK HILL HAPPENINGS
STRATEGIC PLANNING & VISIONING DAY UPDATE students. The solar field is located on ULS land near the corner of Nagawicka and Vettleson roads. ULS is working through the “Soaring Beyond Brilliance” strategic planning process to build a vision for the This partnership is part of We Energies’ future of our school. The seeds of this effort were innovative Solar Now program, which will create 35 planted during the winter 2018 Brilliance Assembly megawatts of clean, renewable energy that benefits and dovetails with the completion of a renewed all We Energies customers. The installation provides accreditation process through ISACS (Independent a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about Schools Association of the Central States). renewable energy. Through this agreement, ULS will offset its carbon footprint and develop applied Visioning Day, hosted in January, was a great success science curriculum for its students. that produced new ideas and insights from our ULS community of alumni, parents, faculty and students. 2 Mr. Bicha-Dale Retirement In April, Initiatives Day provided an opportunity for Dar Bicha-Dale, ULS Technology Specialist, will be us to create initiatives that will support the vision, retiring in June. He has been the man behind the goals and strategic priorities that developed on electronic curtain since June 2000, making sure Visioning Day. These ideas will be translated into everything is running smoothly on campus. And by actionable items — projects, programs and activities everything, we mean the network, our datacenter, for consideration in the Soaring Beyond Brilliance campus devices, user support (hardware and Strategic Plan. software), printers, class bells, phones, Internet, Google, PCR, security filtering, and generally all 1 Solar Installation computer woes. ULS partnered with We Energies on a 1,200 solar panel installation that will generate clean energy While we are sad to see him go (and a little scared), and a unique learning opportunity for ULS we are happy for him and his wife Nancy to finally
4 | LAKER 4
enjoy retirement together. Mrs. Bicha-Dale taught or School Counselor, Peter Humphreys-Loving. After at ULS for 37 years. According to Mr. Bicha-Dale, the donations were counted, the “winner” was she has quite the list of activities to keep them Humphreys-Loving. busy. “I’m looking forward to more gardening, cooking, reading, and more time spent in fiber More than 400 alumni, teachers, students, parents and arts, like spinning and weaving,” he said. friends helped make #GivingTuesday a success for ULS. The community gave more than $52,000 in a single His last official day is June 30, but plans to day. The gifts will support need-based scholarships, continue supporting various facets of ULS tech teachers and campus projects. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes, on a part-time basis. Good who participated! luck, Mr. Bicha-Dale! Thank you for 20 years of keeping us up and running.
3 Young Alums Panel Young alumni were welcomed back to Hawk Hill prior to Thanksgiving break to visit faculty and participate in a special college panel for Upper and Middle School students. The panel participants offered insight on their college experiences and explained how ULS prepared them for the rigors of higher education. Of the 14 participants, Cassidy Hill ’17 is shown here.
4 Giving Tuesday Made a Big Splash To encourage donations for #GivingTuesday last fall, those who donated could vote for one of three people to take a polar bear plunge into the cold waters of Nagawicka Lake in Delafield: Interim Head of School and Head of Administration, Timothy Horner; College Counselor Emeritus, Mike Dolan;
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5 Barn Bash Foundation Teacher Fellow. Only 100 teachers The annual Barn Bash during Homecoming and receive this award each year in Wisconsin. She will Alumni Weekend brought out members of the receive a $6,000 grant and will be recognized at a Laker Community to Hawk Hill to enjoy live music luncheon this spring. ULS will also receive a and mingling with alumni, faculty and parents. $6,000 grant. (Pictured left to right) Tracy Evinrude-Coogan, Ruth Koepke Heimke, Jean Gmur Busch, and The Kohl Teacher Fellowship program recognizes Sydney Meyer Shimko from the class of ’94 and supports teaching excellence and innovation in enjoyed a 25th Anniversary Reunion Dinner and the state of Wisconsin. Recipients are chosen based kept the reunion going at the Barn Bash. on “superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and 6 Grace Liska-Verdu ’19 stopped by to sign a copy their leadership and service within and outside the of her book, “Lost In The Laundry: The Story of classroom,” according to the Herb Kohl Educational the Separated Sock.” Liska-Verdu wrote and Foundation website. illustrated the book. It is available for purchase on Amazon. Congratulations, Grace! Señora Mocchi teaches Spanish II through AP Spanish in the Upper School. She has spent 25 years teaching 7 Sports Update the language and culture she loves. “I am honored to The ULS women’s varsity basketball team was be chosen for this fellowship,” said Señora Mocchi. “I the Indian Trails Conference Champion for the want to thank my colleagues and my students who second year in a row. They were 17-4 overall and inspire me every day. I have always strived to create a 12-1 in conference. Way to go, Lakers! safe and supportive place for students to learn, take risks, fail, pick themselves up, and grow. Teaching with 8 Kohl Award Recipient a passionate mind and a liberated heart has made all US Spanish teacher Señora Ann Mocchi was the difference in what I share with my students selected as a 2020 Herb Kohl Educational every single day.”
6 | LAKER FACULTY FEATURE KIRSTEN HUBERTY
Kirsten Huberty is the Upper School physical sciences teacher. She teaches physics, chemistry, AP chemistry, and intro to computer science. Kirsten is also the facilitator of the STEAM Club.
Q: How did you become interested in teaching? my dad suggested I go to MSOE for an engineering degree and then get my teaching certificate. So that’s A: I knew I wanted to be a teacher since high school. what I did! My dad is a professor, my grandpa was a professor, and my grandma was a teacher. In high school I would Q: Why do you like teaching science? volunteer a lot with youth groups and so I knew I liked working with kids. I knew I wanted to go into teaching, A: It’s just so fun. I’ve always liked learning how things but I took a bit of an untraditional path. I was accepted work and being able to do hands-on work. Learning to UW-Madison, but my parents couldn’t afford to how the universe works is cool — knowing how to send me there. Since my dad was a professor at MSOE understand the world around you and being able to I could go there for free, but they didn’t have a teaching describe it in new ways. It’s very tactile and visual. program. I knew I wanted to be a science teacher, so You can actually see the relationship between things.
Kirsten Huberty is the Upper School physical sciences teacher.
SPRING 2020 | 7 AT A GLANCE
Q: What is your favorite lesson to teach?
A: It goes in cycles, but seeing those connections is probably my favorite thing. I love it when I can tell that students have made a connection.
Q: Can you tell us about the TEALS program?
A: The TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) program is funded through Microsoft Philanthropies and is designed to get computer science into schools. They provide the curriculum and the projects. They pair a teacher from the school (in this case, it’s me) with a few volunteers who are working professionals in the tech industry. Those volunteers come in once a week and help co-teach or lead the class. It’s great because they show the real-world application of the theories. The students have been really excited about the program and I’m glad we are able to expose them to computer science.
Q: What is STEAM Club? Huberty and her dog, Babu.
A: STEAM club is a student-run club for any Upper School students interested in “STEAM-y” topics. STEAM chicken coop, but they are also working on designing, is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, modeling, and building a custom door latch with a Art and Mathematics. STEAM members meet once remote-controlled switch for the coop door. The STEAM a week during lunch to discuss topics ranging from club presidents run the club, facilitate and serve as geothermal GIS mapping, to 3D-modeling software, technical advisors of the 3D printers and laser cutter. to favorite video games. STEAM club also has ongoing, The members of STEAM club are extremely motivated, year-long projects. One project STEAM club is working and I am constantly impressed with their creativity on is the chicken coop project. The main objective and the work they produce! is to implement solar power for the Lower School Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: In my free time I love to hang out with my husband and our rescue dog, Babu. We’re both engineers, so we like to tinker and build things. Our basement is constantly a mess with all our ongoing projects! I like to sew, craft, paint, knit and (indoor) garden.
Q: What is your dream for ULS?
A: I would love to see it grow. I really love the philosophy of this school and the approach to education. I wish more kids could have that opportunity.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job at ULS?
A: The kids here are really great. They just make this whole job amazing. I can’t imagine teaching with a better group of students. I love it. That’s what’s cool about ULS — the students are very passionate about technology and all these cool new things. ULS has given them an outlet to explore that. I look forward to coming to school because I know that they’re good kids and Huberty is the facilitator of the student-led STEAM Club. they’re engaged. They want to learn. It’s been awesome.
8 | LAKER AT A GLANCE
THERAPY D GS IN SCHOOL At ULS, we often welcome therapy dogs into the Lower School. There are so many benefits! Students are relaxed around Copper and have more confidence in their reading skills since they don’t feel judged. Students naturally show care and attentiveness toward the dogs. For students who have not grown up around dogs, they learn to be at ease and comfortable with them.
Here W.2e Grow ULS Online Auction Support the ongoing growth of our students, teachers and school at the ULS online auction.
May 18 - 22, 2020
Don’t miss your chance to bid on some special items and support the annual Laker Fund, student programs and teacher professional development.
For more details go to UNIVERSITYLAKE.ORG
SPRING 2020 | 9 HAWK HILL HISTORY A LOOK AT ULS FIELD HOCKEY
THE HISTORY OF FIELD HOCKEY AT ULS IS ALMOST AS RICH AS THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL ITSELF.
“I loved playing field hockey at ULS and have such great memories of teammates and coaches, including Sue Carlson and Ellen Langill,” said Kathy Rosenheimer ‘75. “Our team won State and the Midwest Championships, as well! Happily for me, my daughters all played at ULS. Two of them went on to play all four years in college and become captains of their respective college teams. My eldest daughter has coached at ULS for several wonderful years. The sport and the school have obviously played a huge role in my family’s lives.”
LAKER PRIDE One constant in ULS field hockey was always the ULS’ first field hockey team in 1961. wonderful support from the Laker community. There was a time when everyone would park their cars alongside the field and come out to watch the games. The first field hockey teams at ULS started competing When the Lakers would score, a proud parent ran to in 1961, not long after the school opened in 1958. A their car and honked their horn. Pretty soon everyone name often synonymous with the ULS program is Sue was honking their horns at once. A tradition the Lakers Carlson, who joined as a coach in 1970. She read about loved, but perhaps the opponents did not! an opening for a field hockey assistant in the Lake Country Reporter and knew it was meant for her. Carlson recalls the teams always having fun and doing She piled her four children and several dogs into her a great job. For motivation she would sometimes go Volkswagen bus. When she pulled up on campus, to the top of the hill on I-94 and write, “Go ULS Field everyone jumped out and started kicking balls. Mr. Hockey.” One year, she had the whole team stand at DePeyster, the Headmaster, took one look, started to the top of the hill and when she blew her whistle, they laugh, and said, “you’re hired.” Carlson was overjoyed, would all come down yelling and cheering. The spirit but realized it had been a long time since she had and team comradery could not be denied. Carlson still played, let alone coach a team. She went to the library has former athletes reaching out to tell her how playing for a book on field hockey. There was only one book! field hockey had such an important significance in The librarian told her she could keep it, and she still has that book. With an impressive number of winning seasons under her belt, it’s safe to say she was a great coach.
In 1971, Carlson was joined by Ellen Langill. The two coached together for many years and won several championships. Just as our current athletics program encourages all to join, the coaches really wanted to make the sport accessible to anyone who was interested. “Some of these kids had never done anything before and suddenly to find out they could dribble a ball down in between cones and shoot … you could see their faces light up,” said Carlson. “The fun and the gratification Varsity Field Hockey Champs, 1990. they felt conquering the stick was special.”
10 | LAKER their lives. The sport helped them grow and maintain CONTINUING THE TRADITION friendships and gain self-confidence. Looking to the future of the field hockey program, there is hope that the tradition will continue. There is Former coach Carla Konet (Head Coach, 2000-2013) a closeness everyone gains while playing together and fondly remembers the 2006 Season. “On the day of it will likely leave an everlasting impact on your life. the championship final, we gathered in the Upper Just ask Lola Kappus Leopfe ’68 who mentioned she School commons, reviewed the game plan, calmed still has her wooden stick from 1968. our nerves, and proudly walked as a Laker team down the road to the field,” said Konet. “Our opponent was Talk to any former Laker field hockey player and you Arrowhead and the atmosphere was electric with fans will likely hear wonderful memories of a sport that left from both teams filling the bleachers and sidelines. a lasting impression on their lives. Whenever you’re And what home game wouldn’t be complete without in the area, be sure to come back and cheer the team Mr. Dolan adding some Laker magic by running around on — maybe even honk your horn! the field with the ULS flag? Although we ended up losing a hard fought game, everyone knew the season had been a special experience. As post-game set in, teammates embraced, dried tears, congratulated the winners, and then posed for a team picture with the ULS green and white flag proudly draped in front of us. I’ll never forget those smiling faces. Win or lose, Laker spirit was on full display!”
While every year might not have been full of winning seasons and championships, there were always star players and many Lakers that went on to play field hockey at Cornell, St. Louis University, Trinity and more. “I was always so happy for the girls that got to go on and continue their field hockey careers in college,” said Carlson. ELYSE HORNER ’20 TALKS FIELD HOCKEY
Most recently Elyse Horner ’20 signed on to play “Field hockey has played a huge role in my life since Division 1 field hockey at Ball State University. The 4th grade,” said Horner. “I never would have thought Laker family couldn’t be more proud. that a sport could teach me so many valuable life lessons — lessons that have molded me into the person There has always been a tremendous amount of pride I am today and will influence me forever. These lessons surrounding the field hockey program at ULS. It trickles are not just ones that have taught me to be a good down from generation to generation, like so many other player on the field, but also to be a better person traditions here, and is an “integral part of the culture” off the field.” says former field hockey coach Chelsea Rosenheimer ’05, daughter of Kathy Rosenheimer. Horner feels that thanks to field hockey, she has learned the importance of being a good teammate and how Coming from a long line of Laker field hockey players, to get along with people who are different from her. Chelsea grew up enthralled with the sport. Field hockey She has learned how to accept critique and improve became a huge part of her life, first as a player and because of it. She also shared that she has gained later, coming back as a coach. As a player she was confidence and interpersonal skills; learned the one of the first teams who went to the Gateway Classic importance of a healthy lifestyle; learned self-advocacy; in St. Louis. It was an incredible bonding experience and gained the ability to strive for her goals. for her and her teammates and something she will “Through this journey I have encountered the most always remember. amazing people, who have had such a positive influence on me. I do not think I would have been able After graduation Rosenheimer eventually came to work to achieve my goals without them. I will always be at ULS and was excited to have the opportunity to grateful for everything that the sport has taught me coach field hockey as well. As a coach she loves how and I am so excited to continue to follow my dream the sport, “really expands your sphere. Even though and my passion at the collegiate level where I know ULS has always been a relatively smaller school,” she I will continue to learn many new lessons,” she said. said. “Playing field hockey gives you the opportunity to meet students at other schools and join club teams.”
SPRING 2020 | 11 FEATURE A STUDENT OF THE WORLD
SAM DYKEMA ’71 LEARNS FROM FOREIGN SERVICE AND GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Dykema in Morocco.
12 | LAKER If the world is a classroom, then Sam Dykema ’71 or plans, I saw a flyer advertising French language hasn’t graduated — nor does he want to. Spending classes at the Sorbonne in Paris.” his senior year of high school as a foreign exchange student in Denmark was an early course in travel that He left Madison after his junior year, enrolled in the would turn into a lifelong curriculum. Retired from the language program, and lived in Paris for the next six U.S. State Department foreign service, a career that years. He would return to Wisconsin each summer sent him all over the world, he now works part-time to work, then back to Paris for the academic year. at U.S. embassies abroad. Receiving a Bachelor’s degree in modern history from the Sorbonne in 1984, Dykema also completed his Dykema developed his global education through a mix undergraduate studies at UW-Madison in 1983, 12 years of language studies, travel and first-hand experience. after graduating from ULS. He credits his extended When not employed at an embassy, he splits his time education experience to growing up in the 60s. “The between renovating his home in Madison, Wis., and Vietnam War was raging, the hippie thing came roaring living in Debrecen, Hungary, with his Hungarian wife in ... it was the non-conforming, drop-out era,” he said. Zsuzsanna and two teenage daughters, Aranka “There was no roadmap to adulthood, let alone finding and Zsofia. a career path.”
In 1986 he tried a new direction and took the foreign service written exam, passing the oral portion in 1987, to be a candidate to become a diplomat. “The foreign service exam is not easy. It’s a general knowledge test “ There are lots of creepy like the SAT, but the oral section, administered by seasoned foreign service officers in Washington D.C. poses real-world scenarios. You really have to think crawling things in West on your feet,” he said. Africa, but serving in While he was on the waiting list for the foreign service, Dykema joined the Peace Corps. During his two-year service, Dykema constructed market hangars in a the Peace Corps was remote village in Togo, West Africa. He helped the locals mix cement and chop down teak trees to construct open barn structures. “In the Peace Corps, it was up an unforgettable to each of us to settle into the local community. We had a small salary, but enough to survive. Volunteers were trained to watch out for each other. There are experience.” lots of creepy crawling things in West Africa, but serving in the Peace Corps was quite a fun time and — SAM DYKEMA ’71 an unforgettable experience,” he said.
In 1992 he was invited to join the foreign service and become a U.S. Diplomat. Following 12 weeks of The list of places he has lived and worked will make training in D.C., he embarked on assignment to Haiti your head spin. This writer had to look up not only how as a consular officer. “Haiti was my most interesting to spell many of them, but what country they are in. assignment,” he said. ”I adjudicated immigration visas “Living and working abroad is exciting,” he said. “I still and saw some really heartbreaking cases. A daughter enjoy it. I have a travel bug that continues to nourish received her visa to America, but the mother was my world view.” refused for medical reasons. An orphan child was most likely born in the U.S., but had no evidence other A GLOBAL VIEW than a faded photo taken as a baby somewhere in the After graduating from ULS in 1971, Dykema followed U.S. The child was essentially stranded in Haiti, unable a winding path to his eventual career. While attending to prove her citizenship. When Haitians get to America the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 70s, he they work hard to assimilate and most usually succeed. gravitated from philosophy and art courses, to Ottoman In Haiti, poverty can make life an absolute dog fight.” history, Islamic studies and Arabic language. “Classes with international students sparked my interest in After two years in Haiti, the State Department learning more about the world,” he said. “In my late assigned Dykema to Budapest, Hungary, where he 20s, while still a college undergrad with no goals married Zsuzsanna. They moved to Bamako, Mali,
SPRING 2020 | 13 Zsofia was born. For their final tour abroad, the family moved to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
“I am a student at heart and spent a lot of my career studying one thing or another. I spoke French tolerably well, then studied Hungarian, Russian and Slovak. Hungarian is a difficult language to learn. My family speaks it so I make a noble attempt, but I mostly twist my daughters’ ears,” he said.
After 20 years, he retired and settled his family in Debrecen, Hungary. Retirement only lasted a year. “The State Department hires retirees to fill staffing gaps similar to schools hiring substitute teachers,” he said. His post-retirement assignments include: Dykema (middle front) joined the Peace Corps in the late 80s. Basra and Baghdad, Iraq; Rabat, Morocco; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; New Delhi, India; Dhaka, for two years where he was a political-consular officer, Bangladesh; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; and most recently, twice traveling to Timbuctoo with the United Nations Kabul, Afghanistan. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to check on Tuareg refugees. Assignments in “expeditionary diplomacy postings” require extra training and security. Upon arriving to Next was Ukraine as a General Services Officer. Basrah, Iraq in 2012, he described, “We drove from the Then, during Russian language studies in D.C., his first airport to the embassy in an armored truck called a daughter Aranka was born just days before they moved Rhino. The consulate was a former military base ... a to Kiev for two years. Following Kiev they went to bit like a medieval fort with walls, guard towers and Bratislava, Slovakia, where his second daughter armed checkpoints.”
Dykema always made an effort to get to know the people around him. “In the West we have limited understanding of how the Muslim world works. It’s very functional. Muslims are educated, honest and hard working. They care deeply about their families. Despite what we hear about radicalism, in virtually all the countries where I’ve been assigned, Muslims were wonderful people to live and work with.”
PART OF THE JOB Dykema’s responsibilities as a foreign service officer were as varied as the locales in which he lived. Starting out as a consular officer adjudicating visas and issuing passports, then doing economic and political reporting assignments, he found his niche managing the basic services needed for an embassy to function. In Abu Dhabi, he backstopped the contract that supported American customs officials who were there to screen passengers boarding flights to the U.S. “I oversaw the contractors. They managed the housing, transportation, shipment of personal belongings, enrollment of kids in school — all life-support areas. I usually managed the processes and supervised the people providing the logistical support needed for embassy employees to do their jobs. Managing resources for an embassy is a very complex business.”
Dykema was involved in other things you might not Dykema served as a Junior Diplomat in Haiti in 1992. expect, like drafting the embassy landscaping contract
14 | LAKER in Rabat, Morocco, and supporting official events. “Imagine putting together a fancy homecoming with huge flags, strings of lights, white tablecloths, good food, and a classy jazz band. It’s that type of project that made Rabat special,” he recalled.
Last summer in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, his job was to clean out the basement of the main office building. “After the building construction 12 years prior, there remained two tons of metal parts, piping, fixtures and fittings — basically scrap construction material. We hired movers to box it up and pack it into a 40-foot shipping container. The embassy then auctioned off the container with the stipulation that whoever bought it had to take it away with everything inside. Problem Dykema (left) enjoyed working in the Peace Corps in West Africa. solved,” he said.
“After retiring, I have gravitated to things like spatial responses to the challenges of our time. Respect the issues and improvising storage solutions. I can declutter knowledge and learning of past generations. Above warehouses and organize parking lots full of equipment. all, don’t drink conspiratorial Kool-Aid, or buy and In an embassy environment it’s important to know who sell intellectual snake oil.” the key players are, where the resources are, and what is needed to motivate everyone to better organize Dykema thanks his good fortune to have been able the limited space available,” he said. to travel and experience different cultures with a fascinating career as a U.S. Diplomat. His advice THE ULS YEARS might be valuable for all of us — students young While at ULS, Dykema discovered his interest in foreign and old. language and history. “Even though I was a mediocre student in French, I always enjoyed the language experience. I stayed reasonably awake in history classes, and have since had the opportunity to live and work in many of the capitals that I first learned about at ULS,” he said.
His family moved to Wisconsin in 1963. His brother Kryn ’70 and sister Kate ’68 also graduated from ULS. Dykema’s mom Jane was the athletic director in the 60s and coached the girls field hockey team to state championships several years running. He recalls his dad, Raymond, building up the ice hockey program. Dykema spent many winter nights spraying the ice rink with water.
“We had an over-the-top drama club. The drama coach put on big productions — like ‘Li’l Abner’ — with enormous choirs and all kinds of hoopla,” he recalled. “Thanks to Facebook I am able to hear from classmates that I haven’t seen in years. I still cherish my Lake Country friends and hope to meet up with many more when I finally wind down from all these travels.”
When asked what advice he has for current ULS students, Dykema shared a few ideas: “Seek truth and try to act with dignity and honor. Be humble, tolerant and learn to recognize bigotry for what it Dykema at his home in Madison, Wis. is. Embrace change in life and find your own unique
SPRING 2020 | 15 REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW GARDENS BY PAM BISBEE TOP 3
Mrs. Pam Bisbee, ULS physical education teacher, received a grant from the Kettle Moraine Garden Club to build a garden. It will include raised beds, rain barrels, compost bins, a pollinator garden, herb garden, and more. “We hope everyone will enjoy the garden for raising crops, flowers, watching insects, and more,” said Bisbee.
There are so many reasons that she is excited about the new space, but these are the top three.
1 VEGETABLES 3 NATIVE PLANT POLLINATOR GARDEN
Students will grow tasty vegetables and grains to Native plants donated by a local expert will be planted enhance our school lunch program. We will have nine as a pollinator garden to entice butterflies, moths, bees, raised beds with additional space to provide variety, beetles and more to visit our garden. It is estimated freshness, nutrition, and great taste for the school that pollinators are responsible for one out of every lunches prepared daily by Mrs. Buchanan and Liberty three bites of food that we take! Pollinators are Kitchen. In the future, we hope students will be able struggling worldwide — mostly due to loss of habitat to pick and taste the sweet delicious flavor of sugar and suitable flowering plants. Our pollinator garden snap peas right from the garden. Cinderella Pumpkins is a great way to help them out while also increasing with their deep orange flesh will make beautiful and our food production. Students will explore and discover delicious pumpkin pies. Garlic planted in the late fall the beauty of the different butterflies, bees and other can be used in the kitchen the following year. insects that will come to the garden to feast on all the native flowers — purple coneflower, yellow coneflower, bee balm, black-eyed susan, purple prairie clover, and 2 HERBS much more.
Stone Bank Gardens has graciously agreed to donate plants for our herb garden. We plan to grow tarragon, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, fennel, dill, oregano, mint, savory, marjoram, basil, cilantro and more. These herbs can be used in the school lunches, dried for later use, or eaten fresh right out of the garden. Exploring the colors, textures, smells and tastes of these herbs will be a sensory adventure for all who visit.
16 | LAKER SENIOR SPOTLIGHT JOE GEHL
Joe Gehl is a senior at University Lake School and will graduate in June. Joe is a ULS “lifer.” He shares with The Laker his experience as a student and his plans for the future.
Q: How do you describe ULS to friends who go to other schools? A: The first thing I usually say is that it’s a very small school, but if I were to list specific things that we do I would normally bring up Intersession and Field Day because they are both pretty cool. I also like Senior Projects because we get to go out and do something that we’re interested in.
Q: What is it that you love most about ULS? A: There’s a bunch of things I really like about ULS. I like the no-cut athletics because I know that at probably any other school I would not get the chance to do two sports in the fall. I can do both cross country and soccer, and I really like that. Academically I really chickens. That’s pretty fun. I’ve also been fortunate like the ability to meet with our teachers during free enough the last few summers to have gone on some periods or before and after school. pretty great trips including visiting Cedric, my foreign exchange student, in Germany. Q: What were you involved in at ULS? A: I did four years of Honor Projects starting in 7th Q: What are your plans after graduation? grade. For fall sports, I did soccer and cross country. A: I don’t know where I’ll be going just yet, but I am Winter has always been skiing — I love to ski. And planning on studying biomedical engineering because then in the spring I’m on track. I really like science. I liked the lab work that we did here. Whenever we get a project-based assignment Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? in class I really enjoy that. A: During the winter when I’m not at school, I’m probably skiing. But during the summer I spend a lot Q: Any words of wisdom for younger students? of time sailing or biking. I have this great job where I A: Take full advantage that all the teachers are willing harvest lettuce and drive tractors and catch escaped and able to meet with you whenever you need them.
SPRING 2020 | 17 ALUMNI SPEAKER SERIES MOLLY SEIDEL ’12
The ULS Alumni Speaker Series brings distinguished alumni back to campus to share their post-ULS story with current students, faculty and staff. It is a great opportunity for students to get a glimpse of life after ULS and provides real-life examples of Laker success.
WIAA state championships in three events. In 2011, Molly was named Gatorade Wisconsin Female Cross Country Runner of the Year, as well as the Gatorade National Female Cross Country Runner of the Year.
After ULS, she competed for the University of Notre Dame. She is a four-time NCAA champion, four-time ACC champion, and received the 2016 Mary Garber Award for the top female athlete in the ACC. After college, she became a professional runner for Saucony Freedom Track Club.
“I’m really grateful that I can always call myself a Laker, and come back to see my teachers that I had in Kindergarten through 12th grade,” she said to the students, staff and parents in the Treiber Theater. “It’s a really special moment for me today, and I’m so happy to be here and share this with all you guys,” she said.
Seidel has a list of athletic awards a mile long, but it’s important to note she is also a National Merit Scholar and was elected to Cum Laude Society for academic excellence. Seidel credits her ULS education for helping her become a well-rounded person, not just an athlete. “It was truly something special running up Hawk Hill or being part of the super relay on Field Day, and realizing that running was something that I was good at. But I also learned that I could be good at other things. I realized that my academics were just as In 4th grade, Molly Seidel ’12 was asked to create a important as my athletics. I had to be a full, all-around card and write down her biggest hope and dream. person. I couldn’t just run around in circles the rest Seidel wrote that she wanted to go to the Olympics of my life. Community stewardship is so important and win a gold medal. Now, at the age of 25, half of to me. It’s not just about you; it’s about what you that dream is becoming a reality. put out in the world. Being a Laker taught me those things,” said Seidel. In her first-ever marathon, Seidel placed 2nd at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Atlanta and will represent Team USA Seidel found the perfect outlet for her love of giving in the women’s marathon. ULS welcomed the school back. She travels to Ethiopia two times a year with legend back to campus to speak to students about the Girls Gotta Run Foundation to work with school her incredible journey toward the Olympics in Tokyo. girls, aged 12 to 16, on run training and empowerment through running. The foundation also helps the girls Molly discovered her talent for running in physical get academic scholarships so they can pursue their education class, then went on to run cross country and own dreams. After the Olympics she hopes to return track and field for ULS. During that time, she won 12 to Ethiopia.
18 | LAKER Race organizers handed her an American flag about 600 meters from the finish line. “In my opinion, that was way too far from the finish! There is a lot of room for someone to beat you.”
The final stretch was an amazing experience for Seidel. “There were so many people, it was like coming through a scream tunnel. It was just overwhelming happiness. I thought, ‘oh my gosh, I’m an Olympian!’”
After this incredible accomplishment, Seidel still maintains her humble nature. “I don’t see myself as better than other women in the field. On that day I was ready to perform. On a different day, under different circumstances, you don’t know how it’s going to be. I think that anyone, given the right conditions, can succeed. Everyone has a talent that they can shine in.”
Seidel ran cross country and track and field for ULS. ON PACE FOR THE OLYMPICS For now, Seidel will continue to train in Boston where THE OLYMPIC TRIAL she lives and works. At some point she will train at To prepare for the Olympic trial, Seidel trained more than she ever had before. Leading up to the trial, she ran 115 miles a week; about 16 to 18 miles a day. She also trained in the mountains. “It was kind of scary going into the race because it was the biggest, most talented field of marathoners they’ve ever had. There were more than 400 women,” she said.
“The trial was one of the craziest races I’ve ever been in. It was my first marathon and one of the hardest races, but at the same time I was able to run in a way that I never have before. I feel like my brain was totally keyed in. I was pushing and pushing. Coming into that final mile I didn’t want to move anymore, but I knew I Seidel and some fans in the Upper School. was 1 mile from making the Olympic team.”
the U.S. Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. About two weeks before the Olympics, she will travel to Japan to train with her Team USA marathon teammates.
Seidel admitted that she didn’t expect this outcome. “Going into the trial, I didn’t even have the goal of making the Olympic team. My goal was to run as hard as I could, and try to finish knowing that I left it all out there on the road,” she said. “My next goal is to get in a really good training block before the Olympics and see what I can do.“
Her final advice for ULS students? “Don’t be afraid to go after your dreams. Even if people tell you your dream is silly. If it’s important to you, go after it with everything you have. If you feel passionate about something and feel it with everything in your heart, don’t be afraid to make sacrifices and go through A common sight — Seidel at the top of the podium. the challenges to get what you need.”
SPRING 2020 | 19 1 2
ALUMNI 3 NEWS
20 | LAKER Bobbin Beam ’70 and Jim Ritter ’70 are organizing After graduating in 2015 from Coe College with a a 50th reunion for their class this summer. More Bachelor of Arts, Kaylen Podjaski ’11 went on to details coming soon, but feel free to reach out to become athletic training certified and attended [email protected] with any questions. University of Jamestown to earn her doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. She is now a practicing pediatric 1 Jeff Erwin ’62 embarked on a canoe trip to Island therapist in North Dakota and will be moving to Royale this past summer. Minnesota soon where she continues to work with children and adults. Christine Rutkowski Schlagenhauf ’81 has been working at Workforce Health for the past 11 years Lydia Bronner ’14 graduated from Grace College in May as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, specializing of 2018 and moved to Indianapolis. She works as the in obesity and weight loss. She and her husband Education & Events Coordinator at the Neighborhood John celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Christian Legal Clinic. She is loving her role there. last October and they have two daughters; one a senior at Boston College and the other a Elliot Chang ’15 is now in his first year of medical sophomore at Wake Forest University. She loves school at the University of Wisconsin School of to work out and has recently started CrossFit in Medicine and Public Health after graduating from addition to her favorite, triathlon training. Northwestern University with a degree in Biology. Elliot is aiming to pursue a career in surgery. In his Brad Zernov ’84 has been married to Kelly Zernov free time he likes to powerlift and is looking forward for 30 years. They have three kids: Kate, 26; Lauren, to entering an official competition this summer. 22; and Linnea, 19. They have one grandson, Niko. Jeff and his wife live in Sun Prairie, Wis., and is a Congratulations to Sarah Emma ’17 who will be franchise owner of InXpress in Madison. starting a new position at the Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine at Harvard 2 On April 4, 2019, Ken Kealey ’97 and his wife, Medical School. Saide, welcomed a baby boy, Nash William Kealey, to the family. Grayson Shadrick ’17 is finishing up her junior year at UW-Milwaukee with a degree in Marketing and Adam Wegner ’97 moved to Winston-Salem, N.C., Advertising. She is working as an Experience in October to start a job as an orthopedic spine Coordinator at Serendipity Labs in Wauwatosa, and surgeon with OrthoCarolina. Adam also welcomed is also the manager of the UWM men’s hockey team. a baby boy, Nash Thomas Adam Wegner, on Grayson now calls North Carolina home. February 15, 2020. Currently working toward a psychology degree at Sally Barkow ’98 joined U.S. Sailing as an Olympic University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erin Farley ’17 is Team Coach and Performance Manager. also pursuing a career in modeling and was signed to Ford Models last year. Helena (Haas) Solarte ’05 and her husband are expecting their second child in July. Their 2-year-old After participating in theater at ULS, Oliver Kuhtz ’18 daughter, Amelia, is excited to be a big sister. has continued with that passion and recently starred as Dickon in “The Secret Garden” at the Lake Country Lindsay Kellner Shearman ’08 is an Assistant Playhouse in Hartland, Wis. Trainer and the Business Manager at Knollwood Farm. In 2012 Lindsay graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky. In 2013 she married her college sweetheart and they now have a 2-year-old daughter, Olive. They recently visited her husband’s family in Australia during the horrific wildfires.
3 Star Simmons Wall ’08 married Shawn Wall on July 23, 2019. The happy couple recently purchased their first house in Iowa.
Congratulations to Mark Ditkoff ’09 on receiving the Best of Pueblo: Real Estate Agent recognition.
SPRING 2020 | 21 LAKERS WE’VE LOST We extend our deepest sympathy to those who have lost a loved one. We honor their memory.
NOVEMBER 8, 2019 DECEMBER 16, 2019 Richard G. Reinders Theresa DeBruin Father of Laurie A. Reinders ’79, Richard A. Reinders ’80, Mother of George J. DeBruin ’85 Craig T. Reinders, class of ’81, Michelle Reinders, class of ’86 and Joel P. Reinders, class of ’88 DECEMBER 28, 2019 Sean J. O’Neil ’11 NOVEMBER 14, 2019 Son of Brenda and Timothy O’Neil Ferdinand (Tim) Hinrichs Father of Christopher W. Hinrichs ’75, JANUARY 14, 2020 Heidi Hinrichs Sindic ’77, Margaret A. Hinrichs ’77, Diane McCollian Wendy S. Hinrichs ’78, and Timothy P. Hinrichs ’80 Friend of ULS
DECEMBER 12, 2019 Alex J. (Laddy) Hoffman ’71 Have we accidently missed someone? Brother of Juliann Hoffmann Eckl, class of ’68, Please let us know by contacting Eric P. Hoffmann ’69, Geoffrey T. Hoffmann ’77, Val Warshauer, Advancement Assistant, and Kurt A. Hoffmann ’79 at 262-367-6011, ext. 1451. 18-UNLS-2177 de Peyster Society Ad_V2 (5) copy.pdf 1 1/25/18 12:39 PM
The de Peyster Society
The de Peyster Society was formed in honor of University Lake School’s first Headmaster, Joseph B. de Peyster, and recognizes those individuals who have designated ULS in their will or estate plans.
To learn more about supporting the future of ULS with a planned gift, please contact: Kala Montoya, Assistant Director of Alumni & Donor Relations [email protected]
22 | LAKER Your Laker Fund gift supports teachers (like Bronner, Bielot + Booth).
Making a difference is now even easier. universitylake.org/give Seegive how good back.it feels to
SPRING 2020 | 23 Non- Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
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Lakers play field hockey while spectators line the field with their cars in 1976.