::::::::::::::::::::::::: LABthe magazine for alumni, parents, andLIFE friends of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools | SPRING 2012 LISTEN TO THE POEM! U-HIGH POETS STAND AND DELIVER IN THE NAME OF MY COUNTRY LAB GRADS FIND THEIR CALLING IN MILITARY CAREERS IN THE HALLS: THE INAUGURAL LABARTS EXHIBITION LAB NOTES: CLASS NOTES & ALUMNI NEWS LABLIFE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::999PIECES OF ART from the director in this issue ON THE WALL::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: LabLife, published three Dear Friends, times a year, is written for 01In the Halls Many of the projects in the the University of Chicago Science teacher sings the Laboratory Schools’ At least half of LabLife readers do not live in or around blues, high seas on the exhibition were autobiographical. One community of alumni, Chicago, so you might not be aware of how interesting it Great Lakes, emeritus group of nursery children, taught parents, faculty, and staff. is to live in a city that will have hosted the NATO Summit retirements, and more. by Meredith Dodd, Tomoko Hata, and Stephen Pratt, created ink and Director on May 20–21—the city filled with representatives David W. Magill from the 28 member and 22 partner foreign countries 04A place for everything watercolor self-portraits. Each artist participating in the Summit. This will have been the first supplied an interpretation of their Editor time an American city other than Washington, DC, has 14Connections 2012 Catherine Braendel, ’81 More than 750 guests hosted a NATO summit, so we decided to reschedule the attended this year’s gala. Contributors Rites of May across two separate weekends. The LabArts exhibition Laura Demanski, AM’94 Carrie Golus, AB’91, AM’93 16Lab+ Kay Kirkpatrick, MAT’72 It was an unusual move, but when the When will you put up represented every medium: the ice? Early Childhood Katherine Muhlenkamp world is visiting Chicago, it’s the least we Heather Preston Campus construction is fine arts, performance, music, Laura Putre can do. humming along—just ask a We want graduates nursery-schooler. Benjamin Recchie, AB’03 even web design. Elizabeth Station As a gentleman of a certain age Listen to the poem! Beth Wittbrodt to feel secure in their (who is typing on an iPad, using the 18 At the world’s largest teen finished image: “Blueberry internet, and therefore, has the world poetry festival (and in the Design own community while eyes,” “My eyes look up when I Good Studio at my fingertips), I cannot express how classroom), U-High poets think,” “I notice I have no legs in drastically my view of the world has stand and deliver. Photography recognizing their the picture.” changed during my lifetime: a world Chris Kirzeder Four-year-old students Marc Monaghan economy has emerged influenced heavily 22Tipping the scales responsibilities as global Bucking a national trend, taught by Mary Jones, Niloufer by Asia; technology has changed our Lab Notes Correspondents girls at Lab hold equal The inaugural LabArts exhibition Hai, and Jane Burwell Hecht day-to-day lives; and global solutions Dozens of diligent alumni citizens. ground in computer created autobiographical and agents are required to solve the problems of science. On the last weekend in January, Kovler with the teachers, and we had great collaborative self-portraits our planet. Gymnasium became an exhibition support and leadership from Katy Publisher 24In the name of my space for nearly 1,000 pieces of art Sinclair and John Biser.” with their seventh-grade University of Chicago country created by Lab students, ages three to The event drew heavily on buddies. Each image included Laboratory Schools But as an educator, I can surely tell you that I know we (and by that I mean not just Lab grads find their calling two silhouettes—one of 1362 E. 59th Street American schools but we here at Lab) may not be doing enough to prepare our students in military careers. 17. With its high ceilings, tall windows, volunteer efforts. Parents Tracy Chicago, IL 60637 and bare white walls, the gym made a Coe Jennifer Rhind the preschooler and one of for how their lives will be influenced by the rest of the world. Certainly, Lab students and joined with p: 773-702-3236 surprisingly convincing approximation faculty to gather the works of art and the seventh-grader, each f: 773-834-9844 (and faculty) have benefited from the cultural differences that are a natural part of the 26Lab Notes Class notes and profiles of of a gallery space—folded-up coordinate musical performances. immediately identifiable. www.ucls.uchicago.edu UChicago environment and being part of a major metropolis. (Lab families speak a Irving Wladawsky-Berger, basketball hoops and “Go Maroons!” Garland Taylor—parent, fine artist, Illia Mazurek’s third-graders combined total of more than 53 languages in their homes, after all.) And absolutely, ’62, SM’65, PhD’72; Andrea Please send comments to scoreboard notwithstanding. and art preparator—donated his time created a series of personal individual teachers are including a world perspective as part of their curriculum. But Ghez, ’83; Lara Nie, ’85; [email protected] Historically, the annual and talent to create the display space, narratives in the form of three recognizing our need to prepare students to be global citizens is not a formal part of Todd Belcore, ’98. Connections gala included a student and dozens of volunteers mounted drawings with captions: a Volume 5, Number 3 our school mission. Maybe it needs to be. 39In Remembrance arts component. But in an effort to the show the night before it opened. memory, an event from the © 2012 by the University of make the exhibition available to a Music co-chair Katy Sinclair organized present, Chicago Laboratory Schools During the 2012–2013 school year, we will be examining our mission statement, one 41From the U-High much broader audience—not least and helped prepare students for a and an that has guided our efforts for more than a decade. It may be the perfect time to Midway imagined Reproduction in whole or of all the students themselves—the series of informal music and dance include a more global perspective in what defines a Lab education. I am impressed part, without permission of planners, led by Connections co-chairs performances. future: “I the publisher, is prohibited. that many schools are placing global education and citizenry high on their agendas for Cynthia Heusing and want to be improvement. We want U-High graduates to feel secure in their own community while Anna Marks, created a a zookeeper recognizing their responsibilities as global citizens. How the Schools foster that should new stand-alone event: when I grow be born of an institution-wide conversation and mission-driven commitment. LabArts. up and invent “We wanted to a new species I invite you to share your thoughts with me on what defines a global citizen. Please send make more out of the of elephant,” an email to [email protected]. great work the kids are “In the future doing,” says Ms. Marks. I want a David W. Magill, EdD The show represented trampoline in Director every medium: fine arts, my dining room performance, music, instead of a even web design. Adds table.” Ms. Heusing, “This was a tremendous collaboration “I notice I have no legs in the picture.”page 1 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::soundbite::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::01::::::::: Emeritus retirements in 2012

Frances Moore-Bond has worn many hats at Lab, including parent to daughters Ebony, ’93, and Naima, ’97. After a quarter-century of service to the Schools, she’s retiring this June. Ms. Moore-Bond started in the High School as learning consultant and testing coordinator, at times also serving as an advisor for sophomores and juniors. She was the faculty sponsor for the Black Students’ Association and organizer of the High School’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day assembly. In the latter role—a highlight of her Lab tenure—she helped to grow the gathering to include Middle School students as well. When she moved to the Middle School in 2001, Ms. Moore-Bond became the school admissions and testing coordinator. She continued working with the Middle School Black Students’ Association. Today, as she prepares to retire, she’s Lab’s assessment specialist, overseeing all standardized testing for the Lower and Middle Schools. Ms. Moore-Bond says she intends to take “a little break” before deciding what to do next, but she knows she’ll remain active with the organizations for which she currently volunteers: the HistoryMakers, the Golden Apple Foundation, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Gamma Phi sororities.

When Elvira Pellitteri started teaching at Lab in 1986, she had just 15 students in her U-High Latin class, and the only foreign languages being taught in the Lower School were French and German. Today, as Ms. Pellitteri prepares to retire, there are more than 100 students of Latin in the High School, and Spanish classes are available to students from third grade on up—due in no small part to her efforts at promoting those languages over her 26 years at Lab. To entice more students to enroll in Latin, Ms. Pelliteri started a Latin club. “For many years introduces we did an annual Roman banquet” featuring Roman food, togas, and grape juice from goblets, Math in motion them to the she says. Meanwhile, in the Lower School, she and fellow teacher Ann Beck started a third-grade concept Spanish class in 1987, adding new grade levels as the original cadre of students moved on to each Or why the Schools bought next grade up. “I always welcomed the opportunity to teach in all the grades,” she says, “because it of linear motion detectors was so wonderful to see the students develop over the years.” functions and Math is getting Middle and High Retirement doesn’t mean Ms. Pellitteri won’t be working: she has been studying for the past the slope- School students out of their seats four years for a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University and will graduate this May. intercept this year. Seventh- and eighth-graders After retiring from teaching, she hopes to find a position as a mental health clinician at an agency, form of an taught by Anna Blinstein and Kathleen working with Chicago’s Latino community. Bressler and U-Highers taught by equation of a Nadja Aquino, Julia Maguire, and line. In another Rosa McCullagh are using motion exercise, detectors in class to learn how the students High seas on the Great Lakes detectors—which are designed for learn about behavior of a graphed line reflects The wind firmly in his sails, a InterScholastic Sailing Association. educational use and use ultrasonic exponential functions by dropping movement. determined Lab student started a now- Those efforts yielded a modest pulses to detect the students’ position a ball and using the detector to Ms. Blinstein first became flourishing athletics club. turnout, so Jacob tried harder and movement—directly to their record its maximum height on each interested in using motion detectors Growing up, senior Jacob the next year, directly contacting graphing calculators. Ms. Aquino’s successive bounce. In the High School Rosenbacher prized the time he spent students he knew had sailing High School classes—Accelerated labs, students use the detectors in Indiana, sailing with his father experience. By the spring of 2011, Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, to study piece-wise defined linear Students learn about exponential on a Hobie Cat. “I’m not an athletic the sailing club was up and racing, Accelerated Precalculus/Calculus A, functions and to model periodic person,” says Jacob. “But anyone can with about 12 members. and Precalculus—perform similar motion. functions by dropping a ball and be a competitive sailor with almost no The team now practices two to demonstrations by connecting their Ms. Aquino says her students experience or much athletic skill—all it four times a week at the Columbia using the detector to record sensors to computers. “think it is really cool to get the graph takes is a little practice, some intuition, Yacht Club into the late fall and By these means, students on the computer screen,” as opposed and a bit of basic geometry.” starting up again in late March never sailed before they joined, and now its maximum height on each experience how motion can be to measuring and plotting it manually. When Jacob began his freshman (when the water temperature hovers they are very into it. I think everyone represented graphically, which is “a They appreciate it, Ms. Blinstein year, he knew that he wanted to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit). They’ve on the team feels the same way about successive bounce. fundamental concept of mathematics notes, “when the mathematics they sail competitively. There was just participated in several regattas, coming sailing—there is something exhilarating and science,” Ms. Blinstein says. are learning is connected to the real one problem: Lab’s sailing club had in second at the Rickover Invitational at about sailing on a windy day. It feels after seeing such an experiment in a In one laboratory demonstration, world.” disbanded about three years earlier. Belmont Harbor in spring 2011. invigorating, almost dangerous, but the math textbook, and soon designed a the students walk at a constant Undaunted, he set out to reestablish the Jacob is proud of that worst-case scenario is that you get cold demonstration suitable for her seventh- speed toward or away from a motion club, posting flyers in the halls, placing accomplishment, but most pleased to and wet. That’s quickly remedied by a and eighth-grade algebra students. detector, then try to write an equation a notice in the daily email bulletin, see fellow students fall in love with his hot shower.” describing the resulting graph; this The young mathematicians attach the and registering with the Midwest passion: “Many kids on the team had

::::::::02:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::In foreground: Maya Baroody and Jacob Rosenbacher 03::::::::: :::::::::::A PLACEFOREVERYTHING :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE:::::: In the loop A look at two of Lab’s looping In Blaine TIPSTOIMPROVE classrooms 113, Maureen Ellis and Delores a child’s (or anyone’s) executive On a rainy spring morning, Marie Rita teach a Randazzo and Sandy Strong’s nursery function skills:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: looping nursery- classroom is a hive of happy, noisy, four- to-kindergarten year-old activity. On the rug, two of the classroom. One > Organization translates to less anxiety. children are dancing to reggae music; major change This includes organized lockers, backpacks, nearby, the classroom rats, Jumpy and to the four- to and desks. Organizational tools include Serena, wander freely. five-year-old color-coding, bullet points, categories, Despite the dancing, the rats have classroom, say and all things that help the brain discover never been stepped on. Because they Ms. Ellis and Ms. Rita, is relationships. are teaching four-year-olds this year, that children don’t stay in Ms. Randazzo and Ms. Strong feel the room all day, but have > Put away the comfortable letting the pets roam free; “specials”: art, music, gym, distractions—cell next year when they have three-year-olds, and library. Five-year-olds phones, iPods, says Ms. Randazzo, Jumpy and Serena are also allowed to visit the anything that will will probably have to stay in their cages. library by themselves, not keep students The Woodlawn classroom is one of just with the class. from concentrating a number of looping classrooms at Lab. This year, the four-year- solely on their work. Helping hone a child’s confidence and academic success. In a looping classroom, the teachers olds are experimenting There’s evidence that organizational prowess Importantly, mastery of executive have the same children two years in a with building things out of increased media use How organized are you? Is your bag function skills is a better predictor of row. It’s an idea that’s common to both wood, using glue to hold reinforces immediate overflowing with papers? How many success in school than IQ. Reggio Emilia and Waldorf educational the structures together. rewards, breadth over depth, and has resulted emails are lingering in your inbox, Parent Barbara Kern, who helped philosophies. Next year, the classroom in an overall decrease in our attention span. waiting for your reply? Most of us organize the event in her roles as Since the ages of the students will include a woodworking would benefit greatly from some co-chair of LD@Lab and Parents’ change every year, the classroom has table with hammers, saws, > Despite the fact that we perceive ourselves schooling in the art of executive Association co-president-elect, says, to change too. Last year, when Ms. and drills. to be more efficient with our digital devices, function. Executive function is the “I walked away with the message that Randazzo and Ms. Strong’s students The manipulatives area we are actually less productive, as the brain broad term used to describe an array teaching a child to be organized and were three, their cubbies were labeled also changes, broadening cannot process two things at the same time. of skills (that may or may not come thoughtful in how they plan short- and with both their photo and their name. from Duplos to include items like Legos, (And this in a world where the average person naturally to any given person) including long-term tasks (even simple ones) This year, there is only a name, with the cubes, tangrams, and polyhedrons for checks his email/text messages every 20–30 time management, focusing and will help ensure success later in life.” expectation that the four-year-olds have Since the ages of the students the five-year-olds. And while this year’s seconds.) And 78 percent of kids ages 12–14 maintaining attention, self-regulation, Ms. Kern plans to implement some learned to recognize it. classroom library features a range of reported sleeping with their cell phones. They and problem solving, to name a few. of the suggestions at home for both Last year, at group time, the three- change every year, the picture books, next year there will be a are on alert all night and wake up when a text In a January Parents’ Association her children and herself. “I already year-olds were each given a picture (say, range of leveled easy readers. classroom has to change too. arrives. This continuous awakening prevents presentation Georgia Bozeday, director changed my Outlook calendar to a a dog) and found their assigned place Ms. Ellis had one of the first the brain from going into late REM cycles, of educational services at the Rush weekly view, not daily.” on the rug by matching it to an identical looping classrooms at Lab, adopting which is critical to feeling rested and memory NeuroBehavioral Center (RNBC), picture. This year, the four-year-olds are this approach in the mid 90s. At Lab, so important for a young child. It aids development. addressed the role of executive More information is on the RNBC website. given a number and have to find that. teachers are given a lot of autonomy, their brain development and social function in relation to a child’s “Everything that we do is done with life she says, and some welcomed the development,” she says. “The children > Creativity and ingenuity require in mind,” says Ms. Randazzo. “We’re not opportunity to loop. know others more deeply, instead of uninterrupted time to think, explore, and learning numbers just to learn them, but For Ms. Ellis, an advantage of more widely. They develop very close problem-solve. Being bored can turn out to be because they’re useful when we work and Mastery of executive function a looping classroom is that at the connections.” a good thing! play.” beginning of the second year “both the The block area last year was cleaned skills is a better predictor of kids and the teachers don’t have to start > Planning is essential. Effectively use the up every day. This year, the four-year- all over again. With young kids, the first week-at-a-glance planner by listing the date success in school than IQ. olds’ more complex structures are few months are transitional.” In addition, homework is given and the date it is due (if allowed to stay up for a week, sometimes says Ms. Rita, “The sense of community not next day) and prioritizing homework by even longer, “if it’s a structure they’re is very strong in the second year.” urgency and importance. very invested in,” says Ms. Randazzo. Ms. Randazzo agrees: “Continuity is

::::::::04::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Sandy Strong 05::::::::: :::::::::inthehalls::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Teacher Francisco Dean with U-Highers at the Louisville Jazz Conference Inspiring Middle School athletes New coaches bring talent and Over the past two years, the accomplishment to Lab Middle School has welcomed several More than 2,500 jazz lovers Whether dribbling a basketball or coaches who bring deep knowledge and from 20 countries converged at the thwarting opponents on the soccer experience to their roles. “It’s exciting,” conference. A friendly atmosphere made field, many Middle Schoolers seize says Mr. Ribbens, who describes these it easy for students to pick up tips and the opportunity to participate in Lab new hires as techniques from peers, teachers, and athletics. The Middle School program inspirational by guest artists. “It was an intensive four example. days of seeing what the rest of the jazz consists of15 different teams and—says world is doing, and interacting with Lab athletics director David Ribbens— professionals and student players,” says focuses on skill development and having Mr. Dean. He has attended the event fun. Coaches work closely with their before but brought Lab musicians for counterparts in the High School to the first time, hoping they’d be inspired develop poised athletes who are ready to see the rewards that come from for higher levels of competition. learning to play their instruments well. Mr. Dean teaches Jazz Combo, an advanced music course for ensemble Tracy Granzyk Wetzel, members. The group performs regularly With music teacher Francisco at school and community events under basketball:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Louisville…and Dean, the ensemble travelled in January his direction. A trumpet and French Tracy Granzyk Wetzel (daughter of High to Louisville for the third annual horn player, he earned a master’s School English teacher Steve Granzyk) all that jazz! conference of the Jazz Education in jazz studies at Indiana University. Jeff Sanders, finished her first season as girls’ basketball coach in February. Ms. Wetzel If there’s a Latin feel to the music you Network. They attended master classes He taught music in his native Texas, basketball:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: played for Maine West High School in Des hear U-High’s Jazz Ensemble playing and clinics, performed in late-night in Indiana, and in suburban Chicago Players on the eighth-grade boys Plaines under the guidance of prominent this spring, blame it on a trip to jam sessions, browsed for new music, before coming to Lab in 2010. basketball team look up to coach Jeff coach Derril Kipp; her team made it to Louisville. and enjoyed concerts—including Latin Sanders—figuratively and literally. A offerings. the state tournament twice. She also 6’9” former NBA player, Mr. Sanders played Division I basketball during her has coached at Lab for two seasons. The sophomore year at the University of Arianna Lambie, track::::::::::: players, says Mr. Ribbens with a chuckle, Arianna Lambie, says Mr. Ribbens, “has Illinois at Chicago. After college, Ms. “come up to his waist.” Mr. Sanders an amazing track pedigree.” Ms. Lambie Wetzel earned a master’s in kinesiology New board members::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: played for Georgia Southern University is in her first season as a track coach, and sports psychology. She studied from 1986 to 1989. The school retired his and also taught Sandy Bixby’s science burnout in swimming coaches at the Appointed by UChicago President 2012 #42 jersey, an honor bestowed on only classes during Ms. Bixby’s stint as U.S. Olympic Training Center, publishing Robert J. Zimmer, the following individuals Felix Baker, ’87 Siddharth (Bobby) Mehta two players in its history, and inducted interim Middle School assistant principal. several papers on the topic. Before have joined the Laboratory Schools’ Board Managing partner of Baker President and chief him into its athletics hall of fame. Mr. As an undergraduate at Stanford coming to Lab, Ms. Wetzel worked in the of Directors: Brothers Investments in executive officer of Trans Sanders holds Georgia Southern’s single- University, Ms. Lambie was part of the health care industry as both a freelance New York. Union, LLC, and parent of season records for points scored, field varsity cross-country and track team, sports journalist and a sports psychology a U-High student. goals made, and blocked shots, and distinguishing herself as one of the consultant. Ms. Wetzel “puts her heart 2011 after graduation embarked on a 15-year Sidney R. Dillard Chaka Patterson finest runners in that program’s history. and soul into coaching,” says Mr. David Kistenbroker career as a professional basketball player. Partner at Loop Capital Of counsel at Skadden Arps, Ms. Lambie earned 14 All-American Ribbens. “And makes basketball a good Managing partner at the He spent five years in the NBA with the Markets, LLC. She has two Slate, Meagher & Flom, and awards, including eight top-three NCAA experience for her players.” law firm Katten Muchin Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, and children at Lab. parent of two children at Lab. performances, and was a member of Rosenman, LLP, and a parent the Atlanta Hawks, two years in the Stanford’s American record-holding of two children at Lab. Continental Basketball 4x1,500-meter relay team. She majored Austan Goolsbee Raghuram Rajan Association, and eight in earth sciences with a concentration in David H. Song The Robert P. Gwinn The Eric J. Gleacher seasons playing for teams The players, says Mr. Ribbens energy studies, completing BS and MS The Cynthia Chow Professor Professor of Economics at Distinguished Service in Spain, Italy, and Turkey. degrees. After graduating she spent two with a chuckle, “come up to of Surgery, chief of the University of Chicago Professor, University Before arriving at Lab, years competing professionally as part of plastic and reconstructive Booth School of Business. of Chicago Booth School Mr. Sanders coached the Nike’s track and field team. his waist.” surgery, and vice-chairman, He is a parent of three children at Lab. of Business. His child is a Lab Amateur Athletic Union

Department of Surgery, at the University middle schooler. Derrick Rose All-Stars of Chicago Hospitals, and a Lab parent of 15-years and under team, and a minor three young children. league professional team called the Chicago Steam. :::::::::06::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::07::::::::: ::::::::::inthehalls:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Mark Krewatch

But it is Clooney who plays King in out in King. He has spent his life as the Recommended the Oscar-nominated movie. King, on the tranquil face that maddens others, and page, is filled with internalized frustration now, in crisis, he finds a carelessness Modeling civility one buddy at a time reading that he contains behind a cautious, often around him that boils his own insides. His On most Tuesdays, Peggy Doyle’s natural fit. Her seventh-graders already awkward, exterior. Clooney, instead, lends more manic capacity is right there—even if seventh-graders and Mary Jones’s knew her four-year-old children, Luc and U-High English teacher him a natural ease and edge: frustration it remains latent in the novel—and Clooney nursery students have a standing play Maisie, who were in Ms. Jones’s class. Mark Krewatch recommends and indignation bubble through a failing and Payne put it to work. date. They read, bake cookies, take walks In practice, it was a little challenging at The Descendants, by Kaui placidity. It’s a very good performance, It’s easy to be disappointed with to Botany Pond, and just enjoy spending first. Most of the children in Ms. Jones’s Hart Hemmings—and the but as films distill the nuanced rhythms even a four-star film adaptation when time with each other. class were only three years old, with movie, too. wild, and 100,000 fallow plantation acres of interior language to dialogue and it doesn’t match our own vision—but “We listen to them, just as they in no older siblings, and they were “a bit slipping away—with something less than action, there are losses, and Clooney’s how could it? We each have our own. As turn listen to us,” one of Ms. Doyle’s freaked out by the bigger kids,” says Ms. Matt King, patriarch of a charisma. King, for me, is not Hemmings’ King. a number of sophomores learned this students, Akhil Rajan, wrote in an essay Doyle. The classes met only about once a Hawaiian dynasty adrift in Which is to say: something less than There are moments, however, when fall while examining film adaptations of about the buddy program, which is a month for group activities. Kaui Hart Hemmings’ debut George Clooney. he’s not far off. In the novel, King, waiting short literary works, a movie might be longstanding tradition at Lab, but a new But because Ms. Jones has a looping novel, The Descendants, narrates his in an airport security line as he inconsistent with your expectations, but it classroom, this year the same nursery accruing misfortunes with cynicism and tracks down the lover of his dying can unlock new perspective. If you trust students are back—and a little older. whimsy, detachment and embrace. A movie might be inconsistent wife, reflects, “There’s nothing the director cared about the book as And this time, Ms. Doyle and Ms. Jones The descendant of a missionary’s worse than being angry and seeing much as you—and I trust Payne—then ask matched each of the nursery students opportunistic son and a native princess, with your expectations, but it tranquil faces all around you.” In yourself, what did he or she see that you with a seventh-grader. Boys are matched King wades through his tragicomic that moment, I see what Clooney didn’t? with boys, girls with girls, because at that circumstances—an unfaithful, comatose can unlock new perspective. and director Alexander Payne teased age, it’s developmentally appropriate, wife, teen and tween daughters gone says Ms. Jones. The seventh-graders plan the activities for their nursery buddies. When they baked cookies together, for example, one student made the dough at home A safe place for difference and another brought the cookie cutters. Spectrum, a student-run club at Lab, Lab to talk about the history, treatment, attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, For the seventh-graders, spending promotes discussion and activism on and rights of people with AIDS—and the bullying, and harassment, even though experience for Ms. time building block structures or doing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender club raised nearly $1,000 for the Chicago “there’s not really that big a bullying Doyle’s class. “We other play activities “gives them a chance (LGBT) issues. The group—which AIDS Foundation. True to its name, issue at Lab,” says adviser and U-High affirm and support to be little kids themselves again,” welcomes LGBT and straight students— Spectrum has welcomed a broad array of science teacher David Derbes. In fact, them when they says Ms. Doyle. At the same time, the has 10–15 active members, including speakers to share their experiences and high school students who come out decide to build a big buddies enjoy having an adult-like expertise with Lab students: a dad from as gay or lesbian often need as much castle out of bricks, responsibility to teach and help their PFLAG (Parents, Friends, and Families support to face their families at home or paint a pumpkin little buddies: “The kids get the same of Lesbians and Gays); a member as they do to feel comfortable at school, like Batman or satisfaction teachers get. They know how of Chicago’s About Face Theatre; says Spectrum president and senior Spider-Man.” excited the little buddies are to see them. Kristen Schilt, a UChicago sociologist Mara Weisbach. Akhil’s essay It forces them out of their self-conscious, who studies transgender issues; two While the club tackles serious issues, was part of his seventh-grader selves.” legal scholars from the University of members also want to have fun: in class’s presentation Chicago; and an activist who works with March, they joined students from gay- homeless LGBT youth at the Broadway straight alliance groups around the city Youth Center. Spectrum founder Mollie at the Rainbow Ball, a dance they helped at the annual Middle School Stone, ’97, now the associate director organize at the University’s Quadrangle civility program this year. of the Chicago Club. Their buddy program with Children’s Choir, Mara plans to continue her own the nursery students, Akhil also met with activism around LGBT issues at Bowdoin wrote, demonstrated all of members. College, where she will enroll next fall. the qualities “of an ideal Joining Even after she leaves Lab, she expects community, where people their peers at Spectrum will keep providing a safe would listen to each other, schools around place for U-High students to talk, relax, affirm each other, learn from board members. They meet weekly, and the country, and be themselves. That kind of haven each other, include each other, thanks to energetic leadership, they do a Spectrum is important for every adolescent, says and support each other.” lot more than sit around and talk. members have Mr. Derbes, “no matter how they are When Ms. Doyle tried the For example, to mark World AIDS organized different.” buddy program with her class Day, Spectrum invited three presenters to events to bring last year, it seemed like a

:::::::::08::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::U-Highers at the Rainbow Ball :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::09::::::::: ::::::FROM THE SYLLABI :::::The right books can help children Having read the Newberry Award- :::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::below: John W. Rogers, Jr., ’76, and Athletic Director David Ribbens winning Number the Stars by Lois :::::::::::::::::::::::inthehalls Lowry—a fictionalized account of NAVIGATE difficult topics the evacuation of Jews from Nazi- held Denmark to safety in Sweden— Stephanie Mitzenmacher’s fifth- Basketball court dedicated to grade students had many questions about the Holocaust. How to answer questions about subject matter that is John W. Rogers, Jr., ’76 potentially so beyond a child’s years In February, at Alumni Pack the Gym friends were all fellow is an issue that comes up regularly for Fireflies in the Dark: night, the upper Kovler basketball Labbies. parents and for teachers. And to guide The Story of Friedl court was named in recognition of Then he paused a child to the right reading material is Dicker-Brandeis and Lab parent, board chair, and alumnus and added, “Well . . . I the Children of Terezin to support the process by which that Number the Stars Susan Goldman Rubin John W. Rogers, Jr., ’76. The long- have other friends, too.” child can absorb, understand, and Lois Lowry Surviving Hitler: A Boy awaited dedication honors Mr. Rogers’ And the hundreds of World War II Hana’s Suitcase respect history and culture. in the Nazi Death Camps contributions to the building of Kovler guests—many Lab alumni Andrea Warren Sean Connolly Karen Levine Middle School librarian Cynthia Gymnasium, which opened in 2000. who fully appreciated the Oakes explains that teachers and Mr. Rogers is chairman and CEO of sentiment—burst into librarians “start by addressing where Luckily, Lab has an extraordinary Ariel Investments, LLC, and friends from laughter. the kids are developmentally” and collection of Holocaust texts from every area of Mr. Rogers’ life showed up: asking themselves “within what which to choose. Funded by the Ratain from co-workers to high school buddies context can those students look at family, the Lower, Middle, and High to Ariel Academy students, some of an issue?” When it comes to difficult School libraries have amassed nearly whom are now U-Highers. In a surprise, subjects like war or death, says Ms. 200 volumes related to Judaism in congratulatory video to Mr. Rogers, Oakes, “we start with factual books the Gisela and Leo Finder Collection. My Secret Camera: Life Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, that are clear and honest but not Lab librarians, in partnership with in the Lodz Ghetto The Hidden Children ’82, thanked Mr. Rogers for mentoring graphic. That’s very important—we experts from the Spertus Museum, Tell Them We Howard Greenfeld Frank Dabba Smith and don’t want to traumatize children. have developed the collection over Remember: The Story of Mendel Grossman him from the time he was ten years old. Some of the books we selected in this the years. Inside each volume, a the Holocaust Following the video, Mr. Rogers took Susan D. Bachrach situation are created by children who bookplate reads, “This collection the floor of the basketball court and went through the experience.” These of books about the Holocaust is explained to the crowd that his closest texts allow young readers to process dedicated to the memory of Leo, his events through the eyes of someone mother, Giesela, and the 2 million their own age. Jewish children killed by the Nazis.”

Sports Highlights:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: IHSA All-State honor Girls Basketball and women’s épée, respectively. Senior Andrew Palmer was Undefeated at home during regular Sophomore Elle Hill took fourth selected for the IHSA All-State season (and beating Clemente High in women’s foil. Sophomore Academic honorable mention team, on Senior night) varsity finished Harrison MacRae won the second marking the first time a U-High with a much improved season annual Midway Fencing Classic Lab athletic director named athlete has reached this level of record of 15–7. Junior Sophia championship in men’s épée. honor in the past 10 years. Andrew Gatton was selected ISL first team Juniors Willa and Nathaniel Green Director of the Year is a four-year member of cross- and IBCA 2A honorable mention. (yes, the Greens are triplets) took The Illinois Athletic Adding context to the peer-selected country and track and field teams. She also advanced to the state third in women’s and men’s épée, Director Association award, Athletics Coordinator Gail finals in the three-point shooting respectively. named Lab Athletic Poole explained, “it’s an indication of Boys Basketball contest. Freshman Kendall Rallins Director David earned respect among Dave’s peers and Varsity finished the season with a was selected for ISL second team, Boys Swimming Ribbens the Division recognition of the high standard set by 17–11 record. The season ended and lone-senior Brenda Benitez Junior David Tong finished second 1 (Chicago area) Dave for the athletic program at Lab.” in a tough double overtime loss received honorable mention. in the IHSA Sectional meet in the in the IHSA Regional semi-final 100-yard backstroke, missing the Athletic Director of Says Director David Magill, “Since to Seton Academy, the top ranked Fencing school record (57.11 set in 1996 by the Year for schools in class 1A/2A. Dave Ribbens became Lab’s athletic 2A team in Illinois. Sophomore In this fourth season of U-High Erik Mikaitis, ’96) by .22 second. Says Mr. Ribbens, “I am honored and director in 2003, his peers have Max Rothschild and junior Michael varsity Great Lakes Fencing U-High Dean of Students Larry humbled and also thrilled for our U-High witnessed a transformation. We are very Dowdy made the ISL first team, Conference competition, senior McFarlane returned to coach his community—our students, coaches, much a place where it is possible to be a and the Maroon’s lone senior, Louis Duncan Holmes and junior 30th swim season at Lab, working and families—for making the athletic good athlete and a good student.” Van Craen, was given an honorable Charlotte (Charlie) Green with the JV team. experience a valued part of their mention. finished second in men’s saber children’s education at Lab.”

:::::::::::10::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Harrison MacRae ::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::11::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Mark Wagner :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

this year’s theme was SAILL: Support, blues as a form of recreation and a way Science teacher Affirm, Include, Listen, and Learn. In to express emotion. As the blues migrated A stick is just a stick—except February, students attended five faculty- to urban areas like Chicago and then conducted workshops, one on each overseas to countries like Great Britain, when it’s not sings the blues topic. Mr. Wagner’s workshop addressed others embraced and influenced the genre, It was on a trip to Botany Pond during Then came winter. The leaves fell, Teachers’ diverse knowledge the Listen theme and he developed it developing styles like Chicago electric the first weeks of school that stick-mania and the children spotted a cardinal. informs the conversation during specifically for Diversity Day. Assisting blues and blues rock. took hold of the nursery schoolers taught Suddenly it was sticks and birds and Middle School Diversity Day him with the presentation was Middle Diversity Day and workshops like by Maureen Campbell, Paige James, nests. The teachers shared photos of In Belfield 262, students watched intently School counselor Michel Lacocque, whose Mr. Wagner’s, says eighth-grade science and Wendy Minor. The wagon they’d real nests and simply asked questions. as a visual history of blues music flashed brother, Lab alum Pierre Lacocque,’70, is co-chair and Diversity Day committee taken along for the walk was returned How is a nest made? How can we hold before their eyes: a man in Mississippi a blues musician. member Tony Del Campo, support Lab’s to the Woodlawn classroom loaded with the sticks together? The children had flicking his fingers across a diddley bow; A goal, says Mr. Wagner, was to longstanding commitment to helping sticks that already been working with wire and clay, Muddy Waters singing in a nightclub; Led reinforce one of Diversity Day’s perennial students appreciate the experiences the children and they began to make the intellectual Zeppelin performing onstage. In between principles: that diversity can enrich lives. of others and see the world through a had gathered. and creative connections that resulted in scenes, Middle School science teacher Mr. Wagner traced the history of the multitude of perspectives: “We’re giving And with that, “personal nests.” Mark Wagner placed the images in blues, showing how people from different students different lenses to look through.” a yearlong Heading into the late spring the context, outlining how the blues began in backgrounds and cultures have exploration children expressed interest in a more the Mississippi Delta in the late 1800s and performed, appreciated, and began to collective nest project—building a giant spread to different corners of the globe. transformed the genre. African unfold. nest. “We can’t be sure where the stick The class was part of Lab’s third American sharecroppers, he told students, developed the At Lab’s theme is going,” says Ms. Minor. But in a annual Middle School Diversity Day, and nursery school, Lab classroom, one can be sure the idea teaching is will take flight. guided by students’ interests—it’s How to survive thrive a fairy tale The children had already been Live theater is part of any Labbie’s from “Hansel and Gretel” to embrace a philosophy Lower School career, but this year’s vegetarianism instead of eating him. called emerging working with wire and clay, and they first-graders took their play-going The play was a hit with its target curriculum. So experience and ran with it, becoming audience. “All of my students gave what happened began to make the intellectual and playwrights, set and costume designers, it five stars,” says teacher Eileen next? During a morning meeting teachers and performers of their own puppet Wagner. When they returned to their asked the children, “What are other creative connections that resulted in shows. Their work was guided by their classroom, she led an age-appropriate things we can do with sticks?” teachers; they were inspired by a play on literary deconstruction of the common “And the hands go up. And the list “personal nests.” the schedule at the Lifeline Theatre: How elements of fairy tales: magic, good was long,” says Ms. Minor. Glitter-wands, to Survive a Fairy Tale. Each year the first and evil characters, royalty and castles, baskets, a campfire, paintbrushes. “Our grade takes on one overarching project groups of three and seven, and the job is to observe. The kids are trying that brings together all five classrooms. familiar opening and closing lines to figure out their world—they have In 2010, kids learned about mammoths “Once upon a time” and “they lived passions and we want to help them and mastodons; 2011 brought a focus happily ever after.” For further research, follow their passions,” she continues. on poetry; this year’s students wrote and many fairy and folk tales were read. “We never would’ve thought of these staged original fairy tales. Armed with this knowledge, Ms. things.” Fairy tales usually have a dark side, Wagner’s students turned to writing After making glitter-wands, the notes teacher Nefatiti Rochester; and their own tales, working in pairs. Like children turned to paintbrushes—with the hero of How to Survive a Fairy Tale, Jack in the play, the first-graders sticks as handles and fabric, plant, Jack, has been shielded from them by took cues from their own world; for or grass bristles. With supervision, his mom and dad—not so coincidentally, protagonists, many chose characters a princess and a frog. Unexpectedly from video games, like Mario and Yoshi. children learned to use saws and drills to catapulted into a fairy tale world one In art class, they created scenery and By April, when the time came to attach the bristles to the handles. Once night, Jack has to navigate through puppets; later, they performed their fairy attend the last play on their calendars, completed, the three- and four-year olds the plots of stories like “The Three tales for each other. Other classrooms students could approach it as seasoned examined and compared the varying Billy Goats Gruff” and “Jack and the studied and wrote their fairy tales earlier theater veterans. The play, Naked Mole marks made by each brush. Beanstalk” without knowing any of the in the year, with the trip to Lifeline as a Rat Gets Dressed, also at Lifeline, was folk-tale ground rules. Using quick wit grand finale. based on a Mo Willems book that was and 21st-century wisdom, he narrowly beloved by many in Ms. Rochester’s avoids some gruesome fates—for class. That afternoon, at least, they lived example, persuading the hungry witch happily ever after.

::::::::12::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::13::::::::: More than 750 guests (parents, faculty, staff, and alumni) attended this year’s Connections gala at Navy Pier. The Connections committee, chaired by parents Cynthia Tim Stoelinga, Sara Stoelinga, Heusing and Anna Marks, worked with more than 100 Shelley Davis, and Omar McRoberts parent, alumni, and student volunteers to run an evening of dining and dancing with both silent and live auctions. Among the most “Lab” items auctioned off that Connections 2012 Co-chair Anna Marks, Development Committee Chair Chris McGowan, evening were a personal LEGO lesson with Victoria & and Connections 2012 Co-chair Cynthia Heusing Albert Museum-featured teacher and LEGO master David Kaleta, ’95 and an over-sized collage portrait, “Tribute to Steve Jobs,” a tonal charcoal puzzle created as a shading exercise in Mirentxu Ganzarain’s Studio Art class. Each U-Higher created a square, and the The U-High Dance Troupe full image was revealed only when the squares were assembled as a whole. As part of the Lab+ effort, proceeds—nearly $500,000—will help fund the creation of outdoor spaces at Lab that foster exploration and curiosity even as they encourage play or exercise or contemplation. And in keeping with Connections’ tradition, one quarter of the proceeds will benefit student financial aid. See more photos online at http://www.ucls. uchicago.edu/support-lab/connections/ Parent and professional auctioneer Rick Levin led Carol Rubin and U-High Math teacher the live auction connections-2012-slideshow/index.aspx. Shauna Anderson

Deanna Quan, ’89, Nabil Moubayed, Greg Stacy, and Andee Stacy

Gautami Nerurkar and Colleen Sheenan, Cindy Cruise, Sandy Wang, Mariana Ingersoll, Bhupendra Khanolkar Kiran Younus and Samar Ahmad and Cynthia Ballew

Cheryl Rudbeck and Thomas Rudbeck

Chelsea Smith, Kali Evans-Raoul, Rian Walker, Ralonda Rogers, and Jennifer Mason Montague, ’87 Jeff Porter William Lin and Maria Lin

:::::::14:::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::15::::::::: It’s easy to forget how big and wide and site gives them ownership that will aid in that marvelous the world can be. If you need a transition. She explains, “It provides them with a reminder, just take a walk with a three-year-old. little more security.” Moving is widely recognized Teacher Carrie Collin does it every week, and this as being on the short-list of life’s main stress- year Lab’s Stony Island construction site has been a regular destination. and the children wave their “Anytime we go for a walk, we come back and debrief as a group,” she says. Teachers prompt goodbyes, saying,“thank you for the children to reflect on what they saw and guide the children to posit and discuss answers to their own questions, thinking through cause and effect: BUILDING our school.” inducers and happily, the children are developing > Do they work at night? (Probably not, it would an infectious enthusiasm. “To see the kids get be too noisy for the neighbors.) excited—it helps me get excited,” says Ms. Collin. > Will the construction workers make our new The construction workers have become toys? (Let’s bring all of our old toys!) used to seeing these little repeat visitors. And the > How will the workers put in the windows children wave their goodbyes, saying, “Thank you (a.k.a., “the ice” to one marveling child)? (They’ll for building our school.” have to wear gloves.) > Will they build our playgrounds before the inside of the building? (The cranes and big machines might run over our new play equipment.) > “I saw lightning this morning. Will the workers be OK?” (Someone probably called them and told them to stay home.)

For young children (and even some adults), it’s hard to look at a photograph and fathom that a field of rubble will become a real building. But as the work has progressed, the shape of Earl Shapiro Hall is becoming more obvious. The children have had a chance to look at the actual blueprints. And the site is coming together rapidly because the engineers are bringing in concrete beams fully formed, so the building can be pieced together like a set of building blocks. When Ms. Collin drew a parallel to building with LEGOs, the idea literally clicked for her kids. While the children must stop at the fence ::::::::::::::::::When will you put up the ice?::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: for safety reasons, a closer look reveals much: With the exception of some electrical work, the basement is complete (yeah, storage!) And Early Childhood Campus construction is the structure of the building is obvious now, : particularly when viewed from the interior. The humming along—just ask a nursery-schooler classroom spaces are clearly delineated, as is the interior courtyard. One can see the heat pipes running through the floors, the beams that separate each classroom, and the kitchen hookups in the shared spaces. And for the lucky few invited to climb on the roof, it becomes obvious just how extensive the third floor outdoor play space will be. For Ms. Collin there is an important emotional aspect to this educational process: “It’s their school. They will be kindergarteners when they move to this building.” And visiting the

+INVESTING IN LAB THE POWER OF LAB :::::::::16:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::17:::::::::: It’s ten o’clock on a chilly Tuesday in February, and all over Chicago, hundreds of LISTEN TO THE POEM! teenagers can feel the electricity they’ve created with their poetry. >>> ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: At the world’s largest teen poetry festival (and in the classroom) U-High poets stand and deliver BY ELIZABETH STATION

::::::::18:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::19:::::::::: [1] It’s ten o’clock on a chilly Tuesday in February, “WITH WRITING, YOU NEED TO KILL and all over Chicago, hundreds of teenagers can feel the electricity they’ve created with ALL THE VOICES IN YOU their poetry. At an annual youth poetry festival known as Louder Than a Bomb (LTAB), young THAT TELL YOU YOU’RE writers have gathered in venues around the city to perform their poems for each other. NOT CREATIVE, It’s a competition, or “slam,” where YOU’RE NOT IMAGINATIVE.” judges award scores to individual and team performances. But as emcee Billy Tuggle reminds the throng of excited teens who pack a Columbia College lounge, “The point is not the points, it’s the …” Latino boy who unleashes a tirade about the “Poetry!” they shout in unison. writing guru Natalie In the slam’s opening minutes, U-High abusive men in his life like a gospel sermon. U-High sophomore Emily Hsee and juniors Goldberg calls a junior Nora Engel-Hall steps up to the “sweetheart” voice: microphone. She is one of six poets on Inverse, Alexa Greene and Stefania Gomez offer intricate, emotional pieces about conflict and “Maybe it’s your the first team to represent Lab in the festival’s grandmother or 12-year history. Her poem, “Prosthetic,” loss. The room often falls quiet—but it grows grandfather, your best conveys the love and empathy she feels for her friend, your third-grade grandmother, who is going blind. “Grandma,” charged when the judges award perfect tens to Alexa and a few other students. As hip- teacher—whoever gave To sharpen their craft, the students have she begins, “I got these eyes from you.” you words of attended open mics and writing workshops The audience listens, hushed, as Nora’s hop music blares and participants whoop in appreciation, Tuggle reminds them to “applaud encouragement. And [3] run by Young Chicago Authors, which presents words draw them in. She has memorized her that’s the only voice you should respect.” LTAB. “We come from different backgrounds the poet but never the score.” The girls from Inverse practice after school, poem but at one point she falters, unable to As Lab students move from grade school than most of the people we meet at slams,” Every “bout” (or round) at LTAB in an empty U-High classroom. Laughter, remember a line. There’s a momentary silence to high school they leave nursery rhymes admits Asha. “Making connections with a more concludes with group poems composed and support, and poetry flow in equal measure and then, students around the room begin aside. Analytical writing gets greater emphasis. diverse part of Chicago is a very good thing.” performed by four members of each team. as their coach, Nina Coomes, helps prepare snapping their fingers in encouragement. Nora Continuing to study poetry “helps to remind By sharing the stage with other young U-High senior Asha Ransby-Sporn and them for their first LTAB bout. She tells them recovers and delivers the rest of the poem them of the musicality and pleasure of the poets, the Lab students have forged bonds sophomore Leah Barber bound up to the mics that Chicago poet Kevin Coval, the festival’s unfazed, as an ‘L’ train rattles by outside. poem—hearing it as well as eventually writing with peers from schools on the South Side and to help Alexa and Emily deliver “Get Well cofounder and artistic director, believes that One by one, teens take the stage and it,” says U-High teacher Barbara Wolf. Her around the city. As Stefania reflects after the Soon,” about a child visiting an elderly relative slam poets should perform for three people. perform poems that are as diverse as the city sophomore English class includes a unit competition is over, “We also earned a place in the hospital: “A girl of eight sees death and The first is yourself, says Ms. Coomes, itself. Nearly 90 teams are participating in the showing “the arc of poetry over the centuries. within a community that respected us and that is told to hug and kiss it . . . This is eternal because your words are worth sharing. The competition, mostly from public schools, but We start by looking at the formal requirements we respected.” forehead kisses goodbye and waiting your turn second is “that person in the audience who is also from independent schools in Chicago, in early poetry and move into modernism and not to have the right words.” going through the exact same emotion as you contemporary work.” Yet Inverse does have the are and is now not alone.” The third person is [4] Sophomores read Shakespeare’s sonnets right words; when the scores collective: “You’re reading a poem for all the Most spoken-word artists say they want to before studying Romeo and Juliet. In Carolyn are tallied, the Lab team comes other poets who have been on that stage. By connect, not just compete, with other poets, Walter’s Literary Monsters class, juniors and out on top and advances to the respecting that space and giving it your all, and slam etiquette reflects this ethos. At the Witnessing the event, it’s easy to see why seniors pair up with fifth-graders to write next round. As the crowd swirls you’re respecting the memory of their poetry.” LTAB semifinals—held on a weekday afternoon writing and performing poetry is cathartic, and poems inspired by Beowulf (the younger around the stage and the poets Ms. Coomes, a first-year student at the in March at Victory Gardens Theater—the how the slams give teens a vehicle to express students read a young-adult translation while congratulate each other, it’s hard University of Chicago, competed in poetry boisterous crowd never boos when a judge gives words and feelings that may be hard to share their high school “buddies” tackle Seamus to say who is more stoked—the slams herself while in high school at Northside a score they consider too low. elsewhere. “We all have something to say and Heaney). U-High students or their faculty College Prep. She calls the experience “amazing Instead, they bellow, “Listen to the this is where we’re saying it,” explains Alexa. Students in Carrie Koenen’s introductory sponsor, English teacher Steve and formative.” Coaching the U-High team poem!” It could be the festival’s unofficial Lab has academic, sports, and arts clubs, adds poetry class reflect on poems by different Granzyk. has inspired her to switch from pre-med to an slogan. Emily, “but this is really a different experience authors and create anthologies of their favorite English major; she hopes eventually to teach in In the elegant, dark theater, the audience from any other club.” works. Some agree with the criteria that Chicago Public Schools. listens intently as Stefania delivers “The Olateju Nora says that creating spoken-word [2] Garrison Keillor proposed in Good Poems. “A “You can’t make a living being a poet,” she Family Moves to North Oaks, Minnesota,” poems “is satisfying in a way that analytical A week before, at Lab, Mr. really good poem is sticky and cuts through says, “but I think you can make a lot of changes a poem about a childhood friend who has writing isn’t. There’s something so personal Granzyk is trying to coax poetry the static,” says Ms. Koenen, citing Keillor. “It by teaching other people to be poets and to use committed suicide. Fingers snap in approval about performance poetry and that’s partly the out of the juniors and seniors makes you stop what you’re doing and listen.” their voices.” when Asha recites lines from “Brown Girl point.” in his Film for Writers class. He Because they use a smaller canvas than While Inverse has a coach and faculty Grows Up Black,” a tribute to her mother. Leah is even more direct. “This is the suburbs, and Indiana. In 2012, some 800 shows them scenes from movies by Robert short stories or novels, “poems really do sponsor, the team members are proud that they As the afternoon winds down and the not Shakespeare’s poems; this is not Emily students attended LTAB, which bills itself as Altman and Akira Kurosawa, hoping that the focus you,” says Mr. Granzyk. He sees the created and run it themselves. As sophomores, points are totaled up, Lab’s South Side neighbor Dickinson’s poems; this is not Sylvia Plath,” the world’s largest teen poetry festival. powerful visual imagery will stimulate a creative growing poetry slam movement in Chicago and Stefania and Alexa started a spoken-word Kenwood Academy emerges as the winner. But she says. “The movement is happening right In their poems, students reveal both response with words. worldwide as a chance for a new generation to poetry club at Lab; last fall, the club organized Stefania and Asha’s performances earn them now—all around the country. unique and universal experiences. The audience “With writing, you need to kill all the build on age-old oral traditions. Before people a school competition where teachers and places at the final bout for individual poets “The movement is us.” laughs with a petite, white girl who shares the voices in you that tell you you’re not creative, could write, they spoke their poems and stories students selected the six-person team to later that week, and Inverse can be proud of its travails of being a nerd. They are riveted by a you’re not imaginative—or somebody might aloud. “Right now, kids are really ripe for that,” look at it and think you’re a terrible person,” compete at slams. LTAB debut. The girls came, they saw, and—as he says. “They need to know they can turn Kevin Coval would say—they “threw down.” he says. Instead, students should find what their feelings into art.” ::::::20::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::21:::::::::: Audit an hour of a U-High Advanced Placement or Advanced Topic Computer Science class and try to identify what’s unusual. The computers? Some new coding language? What if you know that in most upper-level high school computer courses only 20 percent of the class will be female? Look again. More than half of the U-Highers registered this year for these courses are girls, and already next year’s class registration is shaping up along the same balanced gender lines. It’s been that way for a couple of years now. Across the country, there are efforts at universities, corporations, the Department of Commerce, and in other in political circles to address the challenge of attracting women to the “STEM” fields—science, technology, In Ms. Putman’s Lower School classes at Lab, engineering, and math—but a series of girls and boys were, and are, on equal academic decisions, boosted by some attention-getting footing, but by high school girls were forgoing external recognition, have addressed that CS electives. challenge and helped change the profile of the A conversation began to take shape at typical U-High student computer scientist. Lab in the early 2000s about the possibility TIPPING THE SCALES While Lab has offered Advanced of creating a required CS class in the High Placement courses in computer science for School. In much the same way that art teaches ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: more than two decades, the classes only a person to see the world through a different BY Jacqueline Von Edelberg attracted a small group of students and lens, teachers felt that understanding how a disproportionately few girls. It is not for lack computer scientist solves problems might also Bucking a national trend, girls at Lab of role models—most of the CS faculty has broadly benefit students. Says High School been, and continues to be, female. In the Principal Matthew Horvat, “There are schools HOLD equal ground in computer science early eighties, the Schools’ administration that have a CS requirement, but they are sent German teacher Karen Putman to learn teaching mostly software. We didn’t want to computer programming at Stanford, one of the teach that type of class. How does a computer first courses for K–12 educators. Armed with scientist think? What tools does a computer her facility with languages, and a willingness scientist have at his or her disposal? Even today to learn a new one or two, Ms. Putman turned there are very few schools that have that as a out to be a natural choice. “I accepted syntax!” requirement.” laughs the four-decade-plus Lab veteran. High School CS teachers Marty Upon her return, Ms. Putman began to Billingsley, ’77, and Baker Franke, in transform the school’s “open computer lab” partnership with other CS faculty, helped setting into a program focused on building champion the idea. But in making a CS course fundamental skills. Starting with sixth a requirement, the teachers understood that graders (and adding grades each year), she the curriculum must engage a broad array trained students to approach programming of students, most of whom would not see assignments in terms of real-world problem themselves as computer people, per se. Says solving. Her goal, to “prepare students for a Mr. Franke, “Our goal is not to turn out technology that doesn’t yet exist,” is just as legions of computer scientists but to give relevant today as it was 30 years ago. students a view into how computing impacts or might be coupled with some other area of interest in order to create things and make new Putting women in STEM discoveries.” fields and CS-thinking With the advent of the half-credit into liberal arts requirement three years ago, says Mr. Horvat, According to the Department of Commence, “We were putting students in a situation while women hold nearly half of all jobs in where they could see that they have a natural the US economy, they hold only 24 percent talent that they might not have tapped into of STEM jobs. The reasons are complex but otherwise.” many agree that the gender split starts early. Says Mr. Franke, “The required course has helped maintain the diversity of upper level courses. We’re now seeing interest from not only women, but across racial and socio- economic strata as well. At the very least, the diversity in the upper level courses reflects the :::::::::22::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::23::::::::: “There are schools that have a CS requirement, University of Chicago’s Computation Institute. schedules and tells them what common free She was hired as a teaching assistant her In December, Mr. Franke was honored as time they have when they bump their phones sophomore year and began heading her own BUT they are teaching mostly software. a White House Champion of Change—one together. “The satisfaction students gain from sections soon after. These teaching credentials, We didn’t want to teach that type of class. of 12 leaders in the effort to recruit and retain developing a program that has some higher combined with her academic achievement, girls and women in STEM fields. purpose beyond mere entertainment, especially translated into job offers from Silicon Valley How does a computer scientist think? when it helps those in their community, companies, including Google and Facebook. Finding the common is much more profound and might even And, while most students get thrown into What tools does a computer scientist convince them that they could do this for the MIT’s introductory CS sequence with little humanity in computer rest of their lives and be happy,” he says. high school training, Ms. Kuo already knew have at his or her disposal?” science the basics. That training gave her a leg up Lab’s CS faculty had been giving serious Graduating “digital divas, when she applied for positions at Travelport, thought to why girls were registering for CS MIT’s Media Lab, and Amazon. But the real classes and how gender might be influencing web chix & coder girls” gift from her Lab CS teachers was confidence: student learning. In the lower grades, Ms. The department’s collective efforts to recruit “Our teachers told us that we could achieve Putman notes that “even from the earliest days female students has inspired women graduates great things if we applied ourselves. All the girls there were conversations about making sure all to pursue CS studies in college and continue in my class took that lesson to heart,” she says. students felt comfortable” and the gap between on to careers in the field. Ms. Morant, who While MIT’s male-dominated CS department boys and girls was not as prominent in the studies CS at MIT and spent last summer intimidates some of her female peers, Ms. Kuo Lower School, in part “because activities were interning at Microsoft, insists that Lab’s well- hardly notices the gender imbalance. always very open-ended and about building rounded curriculum helped set her apart from In the liberal arts tradition, Mr. Franke skills.” However, in the upper grades teachers her peers. At MIT, she’s successfully married feels that studying computing actually makes saw more pronounced differences. her interests in art and technology in her work students better, more sophisticated thinkers Middle School CS teacher Ruthie Hansen on artificial intelligence at the Media Lab’s in other disciplines. Going back to the fine believes that all students learn best when “an Personal Robots Group, and in supporting arts comparison, he says, “a drawing isn’t just academic discipline taps into their existing the theater department’s online presence. a technical representation of something, it’s a interests and affinities” and that girls are more This summer, she plans work at a video game form of human expression as well. Computing likely to wrap programming projects into a company, Demiurge, as a game designer and is really no different. Like drawing, in CS you compelling story. For example, one of her engineer. need a technical understanding of how things female students created a first-person game Ms. Lucido credits her Lab CS experience work in order to do anything. It is just the based on the bakery business. The player- for allowing her to jump into more advanced foundation for something more profound— baker must use pastry bags to dollop icing classes as a freshman at Brown. Because she hit the ability to create things and express oneself.” onto cakes rolling by on a conveyor belt. The the ground running, professors took notice. programming is nearly identical to any other typically male first-person shooter game, but by adding a sympathetic main character and setting, and a problem to solve, the student created a very different experience. Like Ms. Hansen, Ms. Billingsley, who teaches an eighth-grade class, believes that girls get excited by programming if the game tells a diversity of Lab’s population—which hadn’t more creative story. She describes one female always been true.” student who took the code behind a game in In a parallel but important turn of events, which a spaceship dodges missiles and created in 2008 Mr. Franke encouraged Aimee Lucido, a new game in which Winnie the Pooh floats ’09, and Elisabeth Morant, ’09, two of three holding a balloon, dodging honeybees. female AP CS students (in a class of 14), to Mr. Franke, the sole male teacher in the apply for the National Center for Women & department, was never personally interested in Information Technology award (NCWIT). gaming, so he never taught it. He suspects that Both girls won. by excluding game programming, he ended “I presented [the awards] to them at our up attracting more girls to his classes because school’s annual award ceremony, and it was “the people who are interested in programming the only award given by my department to video games are the same people who are anyone,” Mr. Franke says. “The next year Junior Patricia Perozo won the NCWIT award interested in playing them: mostly boys.” almost half of my AP class was girls, and again last year. Patricia wasn’t interested in CS until Mr. Franke tries to appeal to both girls a girl in the class [Emily Kuo, ’09] won the she took the required CS course. “Without and boys by calling upon their “innate human NCWIT award and I called her up on stage, that class,” she says, “I wouldn’t have even appetite for solving problems and being useful Seniors Madeline Lindsey and Edward alone, at the school’s award ceremony. Since known that I liked computer science.” A and helpful to others.” When U-High adopted Brooks. Maddie is a three-time NCWIT then I’ve never had a gender equity problem in scheduling conflict prevented Patricia from the new schedule, kids were confused about national runner-up and has taken all the class.” taking AP CS her sophomore year, but Mr. when they would be able to connect with CS courses Lab has to offer. Franke taught her independently. This led friends. He asked students to write a cell- to a much coveted summer internship at the phone application that compares two people’s :::::::::::24::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::25:::::::::: Air Force Captain Sara Carrasco, ’99

BY BROOKE O’NEILL, AM’04 IN THE NAME OF MY COUNTRY N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Air Force Major Michelle Mafia Tarkowski, ’94, N N N N N N Lab grads find their calling in military careers N N N N N N N N with husband and son

go for duty around the country,” recalls Capt. an Air Force scholarship, she enrolled at the Staff, FEMA, and the Secret Service to oversee N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Willoughby. “I had nothing but respect and University of Missouri-Columbia. personnel for events in North America where admiration for the fine people I met.” “From my first day of AFROTC, I knew I armed forces support is requested, such as As his senior year approached, Capt. had made the right decision and that I wanted hurricanes or national security incidents. N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Willoughby contemplated “if and how I would to be an officer in the Air Force,” she recalls. “I never second-guessed myself or thought serve in the armed forces.” After two scouting She graduated in 1998 and has been in active that I wanted to do anything else,” says Maj. visits to the Air Force Academy in Colorado military duty ever since, holding assignments Tarkowski of her military path. “I still feel that N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Springs, he applied and was accepted. Yet it such as working for the Pentagon’s Deputy way to this day.” wasn’t until his junior year, after majoring in Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and biology and considering a medical career, that Services, and being stationed in Germany, Sharing a purpose—and he decided “once and for all on flying.” Texas, and Alabama. “I felt strongly about serving my country These days, Maj. Tarkowski is a Force a sacrifice and believed—and still do—that the military Support Officer at Peterson Air Force Base Navy Captain Craig Haynes, ’81, shares was the best avenue for me to do so,” says in Colorado Springs, where she works closely the sentiment. He originally wanted to be Capt. Willoughby. Today he’s at Sheppard Air with State National Guard units, the Joint a commercial pilot and joined the Navy to Force Base in Texas, where learn to fly, but after a series of unexpected Every afternoon, the teenager would dust the after-school world revolved a lot around my he’s an instructor pilot for the developments—failing the required eye framed medal hanging on the library wall. neighborhood,” he says. “I saw what a positive Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot test, for one—found his way into Naval Running a cloth across the glass, he read the impact the military had on peoples’ lives.” Training Program. intelligence, where he’s worked for nearly 25 inscription countless times, committing the Lt. Col. Carrasco had found his calling. Air Force Major Michelle years. soldier’s story to memory. Now an infantry officer and Bronze Star Mafia Tarkowski, ’94, also “There’s a great unity of purpose in what The Marine’s name was Lance Corporal recipient, he joined the Marine Corps in 1993 weighed going straight from we do,” says Capt. Haynes, who has risen Emilio A. De La Garza, Jr. A native of East while a student at Emory University and Lab into a military service up the ranks, serving in Operation Desert Chicago, Indiana, he died fighting in Vietnam has since been stationed around the world, academy, but opted for and posthumously received the nation’s highest including three separate combat deployments Air Force Reserve Officers’ recognition, the Congressional Medal of in Iraq between 2003 and 2006. Training Corps (AFROTC) Honor, for bravery. His family donated the Among Lab alumni, military careers like instead. “I knew that paying medal to the nearby public library, where it left his are few and far between. “It wasn’t the path for college was going to be a an indelible impression on one local boy. least traveled,” says Lt. Col. Carrasco with a challenge, and that joining “He gave his life for his country,” says laugh. “It was the path not traveled.” The few Michelle Mafia Tarkowski in Qatar the military was a great option Lt. Col. Samuel Carrasco, ’91, who cleaned who do choose it get there in different ways, to help pay for it,” says Maj. the medal as part of his after-school job. “I but all have one thing in common: a desire to Tarkowski, who didn’t think can still almost recite his citation verbatim.” serve their country. seriously about the armed Meanwhile, a few older friends joined the forces until late in high school. Marines. Standing up to serve “I didn’t have a set vision of “I really developed a deep respect for Air Force Captain Robert Willoughby, ’01, what I wanted to do, but I what they did,” says Lt. Col. Carrasco, grew up wanting to emulate his father, a flight knew I wanted to be a leader who commuted to Lab every day from surgeon with the Air Force Reserves. “As a kid, in whatever career path I East Chicago on the South Shore line. “My I would often travel with him when he would took,” she says. Thanks to ::::::::26::::::::::::::::LABLIFE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::27:::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: his younger sister to the Air Force. Thinking like a Labbie :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: “I have chosen a job that puts Reflecting on their military paths, the :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: service for our country above self,” Carrascos and others credit Lab for pointing :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: says Capt. Sara Carrasco, ’99, who them in the right direction early on. “One joined the Air Force Judge Advocate similarity between the military and Lab School General’s (JAG) Corps after earning life is that everyone tries to overachieve—and a law degree at Emory. “Doing so as the teachers don’t settle for mediocrity,” says an attorney was the skill set I could ::::::fromtheMidway:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Lt. Col. Carrasco, remembering how physics contribute to the military.” teacher David Derbes helped him excel in U-High Midway • Tuesday, March 13, 2012 • PAGE 4 Currently stationed in class, even though “I was bad at math.” Along with high standards, says longtime “Lab’s emphasis on individuality Lab teacher Joyce Carrasco (Sam and Sara’s mother), the school gives students “the AS THE MIDWAY SEES IT has given me freedom to make some very open choices,” the strength to think including career options that aren’t the most common among their peers. But did that focus Something has changed...but why? on my own, voice my opinions, and on freethinking conflict with the military’s highly structured environment later on? stand up for what I think is right,” Hardly, says Maj. Tarkowski. “There’s SAYS maj. tarkowski. a misconception that there’s no place for individuality in the military,” she says. In reality there’s a diverse cross-section of Storm, in Afghanistan (as part of the elite Joint Afghanistan, Capt. Carrasco practiced Staff), and recently in Guantanamo Bay, as law at an Atlanta civil litigation firm a Joint Task Force officer. During his career, before becoming a JAG. “Knowing the his responsibilities have included providing experiences and sacrifices my brother has intelligence to strike groups on where to made in the military was a big factor,” she sail and where threats exist, briefing Navy says. Since joining four years ago, she has SEALS for missions, and supervising teams of served at Air Force Bases in Germany and intelligence officers. Las Vegas, practicing civil, criminal, and “I can walk into any military base in the operational law. “In one day,” she says, world,” he says, “and feel like those individuals “I could be running the base legal tax have the same kind of mission I do, that same center, drafting a few wills, and prepping commitment to serving.” a court-martial.” It’s a diverse mix that It’s the same pledge that drew Lt. Col. would be hard to replicate in the civilian Carrasco to the Marines—and, more recently, workplace, where attorneys are typically more specialized. Recent military history:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Of course, a military career also U-Highers attending and I can’t see myself brings plenty of challenges: uprooting US Service Academies anywhere else.” every few years, long separations from In her 15 years as a While the academies are family, and putting one’s life in harm’s U-High college counselor, cost-free, students must way. “Service members recognize that Patty Kovacs has seen commit to minimally eight they may make the ultimate sacrifice only a handful of years of service, five in defending our country,” says Capt. U-Highers apply for, and active duty, at potentially Carrasco. ultimately matriculate at, any location in the world. It’s something everyone must face, a US Service Academy. And the application backgrounds and opinions. “Lab’s emphasis In addition to Air Force process is unlike other says her brother, who lost friends and men on individuality has given me the strength Captain Robert Willoughby, higher ed institutions. during his time in Iraq. “But,” he adds, “I to think on my own, voice my opinions, and ’01, who attended the Air Says Ms. Kovacs, also understand that there are no victims in stand up for what I think is right.” Force Academy, only two “Not only does entrance our service. We all elect of our own accord “Being in the military is not as closed- others have gone on to demand a rigorous to serve our country in the capacity that we minded and conservative as everyone thinks,” a service academy. Matt academic record, do. That gives me a sense of peace.” adds Capt. Haynes, who encourages civilians Fitzpatrick ’09, and David applicants are required In his seven years as a pilot, Capt. to talk to an enlisted relative or friend about Chung, ’11, are both at to take a phys. ed. exam Willoughby has experienced no greater West Point right now. and a health exam. There their experience. “Perspective is everything,” reward than bringing troops home safely says Haynes, who last year invited old friends In an interview with are many preexisting from combat zones. “Seeing the excitement the U-High Midway, Mr. conditions—some quite Josh Hyman, ’81, and Lab teacher Mike on their faces,” he says, “as well as the Fitzpatrick says, “It’s a common—that would Moses, ’81, to visit him in Guantanamo Bay. rigorous institution, and disqualify a student from happiness of their loved ones when they “They got their own perspective,” he says. “It certainly isn’t for everyone, service. And applicants get off the aircraft is one of the best feelings demystifies a lot of things.” but the challenge of need a nomination from I’ve had on the job.” At the end of the day, says Capt. Haynes, making it through is part their US senator or “the kids in uniform aren’t so different from of the allure of the place, congressman.” any Lab Schooler.” :::::::28:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::LABLIFE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::29::::::::: Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID   Chicago, IL 60637 Permit No. 1150

1362 East 59th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637

WHY i made a planned gift to lab (and shared my pear pie recipe to boot) ::::have you already James Orr, ’61, SM’75, PhD’82, has the Schools as a beneficiary for a included Lab in your funded a charitable gift annuity to retirement plan. Some options provide estate plans?:::::::::::::::::::: benefit financial aid at Lab. Dr. Orr is income to you and your family; others Please let us know so we can honor a practicing physician in pathology at may have significant tax benefits; and you in your lifetime and discuss your Resurrection Health Care in Chicago. all of them ensure future support for desired goal for your gift. This is one of Dr. Orr’s first annuities the Schools. Please contact: to any institution. And he makes a For many individuals, a bequest Heather McClean, ’93 great pear pie, which is already the may be a way to make a gift that they Director of Gift Planning talk of U-High’s Alumni Relations and couldn’t afford during their lifetime. Phone 773-834-2117 Email [email protected] Development Office. For others, a bequest to Lab might be “Lab is the best institution I have the culmination of years of charitable Dr. Orr’s recipe can be found ever been a part of. The faculty was giving. Made with cash, securities, online at: http://ucls.uchicago.edu/data/files/ solid, but even more important, the real estate, or a retirement plan, a gallery/ContentGallery/PearPie.pdf students were the most inquisitive, charitable bequest is fully deductible thoughtful, and analytical group of for estate tax purposes. Like us on Facebook and join the people I have ever encountered in my conversation: www.facebook.com/laboratoryschools life. An annuity is a reasonable way Phoenix Society for planned gifts and to make an investment in the school. endowments Join us on LinkedIn: It is my way of paying them back. It’s Alumni who include Lab in their http://www.linkedin.com/ groups?about=&gid=63030 simply something I owe.” estate or who make life income arrangements are honored as What is a planned gift? members of the University’s Phoenix Planned gifts come in many forms, Society, which comes with special from bequests to charitable trusts and recognitions and invitations to events. gift annuities. You can even designate