LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL MAGAZINE 1926FALL 2018 II | 1926 Fall 2018 | 01 A Word from the Head of School — Generosity Inspires Greatness We are reminded every day that we are on the leading edge of a technology tsunami. This wave of change creates great uncertainty and great opportunities. In this new “connected age,” it is no longer “ Unleashing our just about you or me. It is about us. ego allows for a University of Virginia professors Edward D. Hess and Katherine Ludwig’s research suggests that more open mind, people who are less self-absorbed will be positioned for greater success in the future. Unleashing our ego allows for a more open mind, acceptance of our mistakes and weaknesses, an outward focus, acceptance of and an openness to enlist others to help us think, innovate, create and continually learn. our mistakes and We are not saying that a complete loss of self-interest or ambition is advisable. Certainly not. We recognize, however, that success in life is coming more often to those who value relation- weaknesses, an ships and are willing to be emotionally engaged, and generously help others. In his book Give and outward focus, Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, Adam Grant argues that helping others regardless of what you get in return (i.e., generosity) is the foundation of effective collaboration, innovation, and an openness quality improvement and excellence. Grant’s book highlights research indicating that higher to enlist others rates of giving are predictive of higher profitability, productivity, efficiency and lower turnover rates in organizations. to help us think, In this edition of 1926, we focus on alumni who understand the value and importance of innovate, create generosity. “Generous” is a term that describes who we have been, who we are, and who we will be in the future. La Jolla Country Day School is known not just for our academics, arts and and continually athletics but also for our commitment to developing citizen leaders who are inspiring greatness learn.” for a better world by leading with dignity. As part of that development, we recognize that generosity of time, talent and treasures are the keys for a remarkable community, as well as a happy, successful and healthy life. Gary Krahn, Ph.D. Head of School 02 | 1926 EDITORIAL STAFF SEL THOMSON BY ILLUSTRATION COVER Editor Tiffany Tran AssociAtE Editors Giving Rachel Baxter 1926 Jennifer Fogarty FALL 2018 ISSUE + REPORT ON GIVING | EditoriAl support 2017–2018 Joanne Bradley Nate Heppner P ’25 ’27 ’32 Katelyn Sigeti ’06 photogrAphErs Rachel Baxter John Bilderback Vanessa Calderon P’27 ’29 Sarah Deragon Bruce Fayman ’77 P’15 ’17 ’19 Jennifer Fogarty Nate Heppner P ’25 ’27 ’32 Sandy Huffaker Howard Lipin San Diego Union-Tribune FEATURES Jon Lyons Wil Matthews Todd Mitchell P’15 ’17 24 | COVER 34 Polis for Colorado Tiffany Tran Living a Promise There’s More Than Miranda Penn Turin Four alumni set out to make a Fun in Games U.S. Embassy Minsk difference in the world. Dave Rohrl ’81 designs and produces dEsign Lauren Vajda Design mobile games. Onward Upward LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IN EVERY ISSUE hEAd of school Gary Krahn, Ph.D. 02 A Word from the 22 Overheard AssistAnt hEAd of school Notable quotes for AcAdEmic AffAirs Head of School Colleen A. O’Boyle 04 Social @LJCDS 38 Milestones AssistAnt hEAd of school Alumni celebrations for EnrollmEnt mAnAgEmEnt 06 On Genesee Ave… And outrEAch Campus news and notes 40 1926 Inez Merlyn Odom Looking back at our history 16 …and Beyond AssistAnt hEAd of school 42 for dEvElopmEnt Trending in alumni news My Inspiration Susan Nordenger dirEctor of mArkEting And communicAtions Tiffany Tran REPORT ON GIVING | 2017–2018 1926 is published twice a year (fall and spring) by the La Jolla 44 Letters & Financials 67 Alumni Giving Country Day School marketing and communications department. 48 Country Day Fund 68 Gifts with Restricted Letters and comments are Purposes welcomed and can be sent to 58 Blue Bash Giving Tiffany Tran, La Jolla Country Day 70 Ways to Give School, 9490 Genesee Avenue, 62 Special Gifts La Jolla, CA 92037, or [email protected]. Fall 2018 | 03 Social @LJCDS INSTAGRAM FOLLOW LJCDS /LaJollaCountryDay � /LaJollaCountryDay � /LJCDS � /TorreyAthletics /LaJollaCountryDay 04 | 1926 FACEBOOK & TWITTER 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 We welcomed back 1,120 Rose Schindler was sent Congratulations to the Evie Calderon ’29 presented Torreys for the first day to the Nazi death camp 5/6 boys’ lacrosse her Line and Color painting of school. We are so happy to Auschwitz-Birkenau and team for winning their to Dr. Krahn. This new artwork have all of your bright, smiling was unable to finish school. Central Division playoff is going to make his office faces back on campus. Students were so moved championship game! � look great! � � Here’s to a great year! by her story, they decided POSTED ON MAY 15, 2018 POSTED ON JANUARY 11, 2018 POSTED ON AUGUST 22, 2018 to recognize Mrs. Schindler with an LJCDS diploma. � POSTED ON JUNE 4, 2018 Fall 2018 | 05 On Genesee Ave… DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY Building Community In spring 2018, the Upper School cleared the typical academic schedule and dedicated a full day to the Hope Conference: a student-led opportunity for education and inspiration to embrace diversity with dignity. longside Upper School humanities teacher and family structure, shared passions and more. Affinity groups bring inclusivity coordinator Robin Stewart, a team of together people with common interests, goals or purpose. Students students spent several months planning a meaningful selected from 19 various options based on which group they best A conference filled with affinity group work, panel self-identify with, including Jewish students, international discussions, a documentary film screening, a guest speaker and students, nontraditional families, Middle Eastern heritage, multi- a special performance. racial heritage and LGBTQIA+. In its fourth year, the LJCDS Hope Conference is modeled Students are encouraged to lean in to discomfort. “I share that this after the National Association of Independent Schools’ People of represents some of the discomforts that the world holds right now, Color Conference (PoCC) and the Student Diversity Leadership and these are the types of conversations that you may find yourself Conference (SDLC), both of which faculty, staff and students in at your first job or your first boardroom,” explains Stewart. attend annually. Many of the student leaders on the Hope Confer- After meeting in affinity groups, students selected from a variety ence planning committee are past attendees of SDLC. of peer-facilitated panel discussions featuring topics ranging from “One of our main goals is to foster dialogue about diversity the history of queer people in America to discrimination based on because our school is very homogeneous, and it’s important to us skin color, otherwise known as colorism, to effects of mental health to bring attention to the diversity that is present at our school and on the community and society. to create a sense of community for people who may have more Planning such a conference doesn’t come without challenges. trouble finding it,” says student leader Syd Schlafman ’18. “We have a lot of students for whom race and ethnicity, for instance, “I also think it sheds light on the diversity we have,” adds student isn’t a driving factor in their identity journey quite yet,” says Stewart. leader Jami Guzman ’18. “A lot of students, when they come here, “I think one of the greatest challenges for our student organizers is think we have no diversity. And we have a lot of diversity in this meeting resistance from students who are just not ready, or who school in terms of people’s interests, where they come from, their don’t understand where they are in their journey or how it fits into backgrounds [and] their passions.” their education.” In the student-facilitated affinity groups—where adults were Schlafman, who led the white European heritage affinity group, not permitted—participants shared candid conversations sur- shares that she’s seen great progress in the community throughout rounding race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, her four years in the Upper School. “Historically, it has been a very 06 | 1926 difficult group to lead because a lot of people ness. After the screening, the community are very resistant to this kind of dialogue,” was invited to attend performances by Voices she shares. “But this year was one of the of Our City Choir, a San Diego homeless choir. first years where it was actually a very solid Guest speaker Onaje Woodbine, the discussion about race and privilege. We author of Black Gods of the Asphalt, delivered discussed whether there is white culture, a powerful and moving talk on sports as a does white privilege exist, and do white space of inequity. He challenged the commu- people have a responsibility to use white nity to look at basketball differently, sharing privilege for positive action. that urban basketball courts serve as a sacred “I learned that you have “[The conference] is very tangible evidence space where young black boys and men go to to take everyone’s that growth as a community is possible,” adds “claim their humanity”—a place of healing and Schlafman. “I think that we’ve become more community. Woodbine’s personal narrative experiences into willing to have these kinds of discussions. about growing up in the inner city of Boston, account and explore The climate surrounding these kinds of playing and quitting basketball at Yale, and discussions and the ideas that are promoted studying street basketball and religion gave that with them.