LabLifethe magazine for alumni, parents, and friends of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Spring 2017 SPRING 2017 in this issue

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 22 U-High’s New Wave 04 The Bookshelf Beth A. Harris Journalism 05 In the Halls 28 Humans of Lab 09 Sports Highlights 32 Lab was (or would 16 In the World to remain as LabLife have been) Nirvana 19 Behind the Scenes for These Honorees 20 Dewey Dance 34 Taking Action 38 Throwback 40 Alumni Notes interim director 46 Alumni in Action

FROM INTERIM DIRECTOR BETH HARRIS This year has reminded me why I, Exploration like so many of you, am passionate and celebration about Lab.

Dear friends, Students are creating and young scientists presented We are celebrating. performing as never before. the results of experiments in > People packed Kovler Gym I am honored to have the > In the new Sherry Lansing controlled trials that each had and fan buses to cheer the opportunity to remain in my Theater, the U-High dreamt up. boys basketball team as they role as interim director as the drama program has had the advanced to Regionals for search process for the next opportunity to dive deeper We are exploring the diversity the fifth time in the past head of Lab continues. Since of ideas that both grounds— starting in this role last July, with programming in student seven years. directing as well as musical and and amplifies—critical thinking. In February, University of vice president and general I have grown to better know > Students, faculty, staff, technical theatre. Likewise, Chicago Executive Vice counsel for 13 of her 30 our people, and in the course > In March, Lab hosted 29 and alumni all turned out to Middle Schoolers are delving young Teach for America President David Fithian years at UChicago. During of doing so I have deepened celebrate security guard Mike and Lab Board Chair David a portion of that time, she my appreciation for how much into musicals—most recently: educators and welcomed Cephus upon his retirement. Kistenbroker announced was the individual at the this community cares about the The Sound of Music. And new the group from Hiroshima Schools and the education of space has spurred student University that hosted three > And nearly 400 parents, that Lab would extend the University with oversight our children. interest. Now three different of our faculty members last faculty, and staff had a ball at search process for the next of Lab. Ms. Harris served Ours is a community of clubs—Improv, Glee, and summer. the first ever Dewey Dance director of the Schools, on the Laboratory Schools which we are justifiably proud. Theatre—are making use of … many in 80s costumes and and that Beth A. Harris Board from 2002 through the MS Drama Studio. > Nationally-known interfaith many doing Thriller dance would continue as interim 2015 and all three of her We continue to spark and leader Eboo Patel spent the day cultivate a love of ideas in our moves! director until the next children are Lab graduates. > Primary students are at Lab speaking to adults and director takes office. Says Ms. Harris, “I look students and to encourage operating full-size sewing This year has reminded me a desire to learn about, and working with students. As Messrs. Fithian and forward to continuing to machines in their Creation why I, like so many of you, Kistenbroker wrote in an work with our families, respect, one another. These Station makerspace. One class > And Lab music teachers am passionate about Lab. I values are deeply embedded email to the Lab community, faculty, staff, and students sewed “breathing buddies”— continue a collaboration look forward to another year in our fabric and they with two British filmmakers; “we now find ourselves so that when the next underpin the very rich tapestry small bean bags that that of exploration and celebration on a more typical timeline director is welcomed into kids use when practicing they are helping to develop with everyone in our that shapes our students’ the educational tools to for searches of this type our halls, she or he will educational experience. mindfulness with breathing community. and may therefore attract arrive at a school that is exercises such as “belly support a PBS documentary, By remaining focused on Thank you for all of your candidates for whom a July focused on its mission, breathing.” America Epic, about record those things that unite us as a companies and recordings support and effort on behalf 2017 start was not possible. united by shared values, community, we are better able > And fifth graders shared their that democratized music in of Lab. While it is difficult to predict vibrant, and ready to to build on our strengths and research at the annual Fifth the 1920s. the cadence of the search continue Lab’s distinguished to celebrate the remarkable Grade Science Conference, an going forward, it may be tradition of remarkable accomplishments that unfold all-grade poster session at which possible to identify, select, teaching and learning.” in this very special place. Beth A. Harris and announce the next director in early fall for a

LabLife, published three Editor Heather Preston Photography University of Chicago Volume 10, Number 3 July 2018 start.” times a year, is written for Catherine Braendel, ’81 Maureen Searcy Chris Kirzeder Laboratory Schools © 2017 by the University of Ms. Harris, took over as the University of Chicago Anne Ryan 1362 E. 59th Street Contributors Lindsay Simon Chicago Laboratory Schools Laboratory Schools’ Keith Ulrich John Zich Chicago, IL 60637 interim director in July 2016. community of alumni, parents, Jeanie Chung www.ucls.uchicago.edu Reproduction in whole or faculty, and staff. Megan E. Doherty, AM’05, Design Lab Notes Correspondents part, without permission of She served as University PhD’10 Janice Clark Please send comments or Interim Director Dozens of diligent alumni updated contact information to the publisher, is prohibited. Beth A. Harris Lorraine Murray agents [email protected], or call 773-702-0578.

02 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 03 THE BOOKSHELF InIn the the Halls Halls

Recommended xxxWhat is a human being? reading English teacher Darlene McCampbell recommends Einstein’s Dreams, by Alan Lightman Parent MDs help kids tackle complex anatomy and grossly, entertainingly, simulate complex bodily functions

professor of haunting images of combat violence through I’ve just read a physics and unutterable beauty. It’s a literacy to Chicago.) creative writing tantalizing little book with Reading aloud to little chapter to a class at MIT, Alan big ideas. kids is natural. They’re at Cook County Lightman I’ve read chapters aloud to sprawled on the carpet of the authored Einstein’s Dreams. “Stars and Dust,” my High library, comfortably entering Jail that led to This is a short novel, really School story-writing class, other worlds. But big kids, a most moving a collection of stories, with that captivate both the science including adults, hunger for different chapters envisioning kids and the literary kids. I’ve such moments as well. It’s conversation about different theories of time. just read a chapter to a class at not only that there’s a bit of why we would—or Time goes backwards, time Cook County Jail that led to respite from busy lives, but stands still, time moves in a a most moving conversation a reminder of why we read, wouldn’t—wish for circle. There are interludes about why we would—or why we study great literature our most precious of Einstein in Switzerland wouldn’t—wish for our most in the first place. There’s the working in the patent office, precious moments in life sheer joy of entering another moments in life to dreaming these different to last forever. (The class in world and the challenge to last forever. visions of time. It’s sheer the jail is part of a program what we already believe. poetry, developed by Debra Gittler, There’s the invitation to simple ’98. Her organization, reflect on our own lives. language ConTextos, is a nonprofit This book is about time and about the life that for us with teacher- is inevitably fleeting.Einstein’s training Dreams will enchant you and and literacy puzzle you. Time will seem The children and included a photograph that program in suspended while reading this they had taken with their iPads. El Salvador. She has lovely little book. built three-foot The pièce de résistance brought their efforts to tall digestive came courtesy of Dr. Wyers’ husband, Dr. Stephen Wyers, tracts using, and yet a third physician/parent, among other Kapuluru Reddy, who gave the FROM THE SYLLABI young anatomists a tour of the Across Lab students are things, plastic digestive system, explaining why talking about standing up bags (mouth humans burp, fart, pee, and for their beliefs. Librarian poop. Then, working in small Check your pulse with a and stomach), groups, the children built three- Lee McClain pulled together a marshmallow. plastic tubing foot tall digestive tracts using, collection at the Lim Family Martin & Mahalia: Memorize the parts of a cell among other things, plastic bags His Words, Her Song (esophagus), Library that celebrates people The Case for We March Brave Girl: Clara and by singing a rap song. (mouth and stomach), plastic Loving: The Fight for Shane W. Evans the Shirtwaist Makers’ Andrea Davis Pinkney who’ve taken a stand. She Interracial Marriage Strike of 1909 Build a model of a cell with and panty hose tubing (esophagus), and panty included some fiction titles Selina Alko Michelle Markel Jell-O™ (cytoplasm), dried (small and large hose (small and large intestines). about kids defending each apricot (nucleus), raspberries The students squished graham (mitochondria). intestines). other in social situations crackers, bananas, and raisins Lauryn Marinho and Grace through the tract, adding some as an age-appropriate way Bissonnette’s second-graders key in a stomach?) Kids made saliva (water), gastric juice of introducing the concept studied the human body and stethoscopes using rubber tubing (orange juice), bile (green food of social justice to young its systems with professional and funnels and fashioned coloring), and enzymes (yellow children. “As I created the list guidance and a series of lungs and diaphragms with food coloring) throughout the and pulled the books, I was Malala, a Brave Girl from hands-on activities. Physician/ plastic cups and balloons. After process—until the messy end. The Smallest Girl in Elizabeth Leads the Separate Is Never Pakistan/Iqbal, a Brave Boy parent Mary Wyers talked pleased to discover that many the Smallest Grade Way: Elizabeth Cady Equal: Sylvia Mendez from Pakistan each part of the ten-week unit, Justin Roberts Stanton and the and Her Family’s Fight Jeanette Winter about the skeleton and shared students wrote in their digital were already checked out!” Right to Vote for Desegregation x-rays and MRIs. (Ever seen a Tanya Lee Stone Duncan Tonatiuh blogs about what they learned

04 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 05 In the Halls Dedication to diversity Fishy fact What’s the scale for measuring fluffiness? MLK activities make history A conference of scientists— more relatable to Labbies fifth grade scientists

The celebration of Dr. Martin Assembly Hall. Produced Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, Lab alumnus and parent of two Dropping a ball is easy but how a little engineering and a little away,” says Mr. Maharry. Some Luther King’s birthday is an through the Writers Theatre the and Inclusion Ken Garcia- graduates, Allen Musikantow, do you drop a ball without your ingenuity,” says Mr. Maharry. students find that independence annual event at Lab, but one show, which weaves together Gonzales says he plans to ’58, confirms the lore around hand? That’s harder and that’s the “There is creativity when you nerve-wracking while others find that is expanding in scope real interviews, poetry, hip-hop, find more ways to get students one specimen in the Lab type of problem at the core figure out how to measure it freeing. The kids also need to and depth as students explore history and multimedia, follows involved, either in discussions taxidermy collection: “I can of the unit that culminates something that’s not normally fail. “We call the process getting issues of social justice, the story of a 14 year-old-girl or spearheading community tell you the fish story is true. in the fifth grade science measured.” He describes the your experiment to move from conference. diversity and equality in age- as she learns the stories of service projects. “When it My son, Josh (Class of 2001), student who had to develop fantasy to reality.” appropriate ways. both celebrated and unsung comes to our core principles “It’s not a science a numerical color scale to The entire project takes caught a hammerhead shark fair,” emphasizes determine whether she could about five weeks, starting with “Social justice has been Chicago-based Civil Rights of respect around diversity and in Key West while we were a long-standing part of the activists. And assemblies difference, it’s about who we fifth-grade science slow the process of an avocado the students identifying a topic on a family vacation, and in Jeff Maharry Lab curriculum,” says nursery featured guest speakers are going to be as people.” teacher . going brown. And dropping on which they could run a a weak moment I agreed to teacher David Kaleta. including: Science fairs involve something without one’s hand controlled experiment. After “Nursery- and kindergarten- have it mounted in a full body adults judging being a variable? Kids built the class goes through a sort of children. Instead, tripods and containers where the peer review, giving each other aged children are beginning > Poet Quraysh Ali Lansana, method. It was seven feet long, A Gift from Mr. Maharry bottom falls away. feedback on proposals kids to have an increased interest author of but did not look so large until Greensboro, who talked to ESH wants his students to have a In addition to the formal conduct their experiments, in “fair” and “unfair” and how it arrived back in Chicago and children about friendship and true meeting of peers, sharing lessons of science—the methods record their results, prepare those concepts pertain to was moved to the upper bunk the civil rights movement research, and discussing their and data collection and a poster board, practice their their daily lives.” After reading of my son’s bed. The next work like adult scientists do. No conclusions—the students also presentations in class, and learn several books telling Rosa > Author/activist Timuel Black, morning he requested the fish scores, no awards. “Parents are learn independence. Normally what it “means to be a helpful Parks’s story, the children in AM’54, who spoke at the Lower be removed to its next home: invited as a bonus.” class experiments are conducted audience his class acted it out. “In each School assembly the science department at Modeled after higher in groups. But for this project, member,” telling we gave every actor a U-High.” education poster sessions, what each student is responsible for says Mr. chance to be part of the bus > Thomas C. Holt, the Mr. Maharry began seven years their own experimental design, Maharry. boycott and protest the laws UChicago James Westfall ago as a small, in-class effort, execution, and presentation. that they thought were unfair.” Thompson professor of now involves all 140 fifth graders They assist one another, helping Older students attended American and African American taking over the cafeteria for a to run trials or proofread, a one-woman play, The MLK History (and a Lab parent), who night to present their research to but each student is the lead Project: The Fight for Civil spoke to U-Highers their fellow fifth-grade scientists. researcher. “That safety net of Rights, in Gordon Parks “The best projects require having teammates to rely on goes

06 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 07 In the Halls SPORTS Oops! It’s airplanes SPRING HIGHLIGHTS 2017

Child-centered learning spurs teachers to change direction

DANCE TROUPE FENCING SQUASH BOYS SWIMMING

Seniors Danielle Garcia, Alexis Four students medaled at the In its third year as a varsity Senior Eamonn Keenan Porter, and Tamera Carter Great Lakes Conference and sport the team had a record finished 12th in the state in captained this year’s squad, Illinois State Championships: interest with 32 students on 200m IM, earning the first performing at basketball seniors Danny Kim (saber) the team. Former pro Mark team point in 65 years. He contests and school events. 3rd place at Great Lakes and Heather joined Peter Wendt set six school records this top 8 at State; Janine Liu to coach the Maroons. The season: 200m free, 200m IM, (saber) 3rd place in both Great Maroons recorded wins over 100m free, 500m free, 100m Lakes and State; Athena Chien Lake Forest High School, Lake back, and 100m breaststroke. (foil) 7th place at Great Lakes Forest Academy, and Latin Keenan now holds nine of and 3rd in State; and junior in match competition held at the 11 swim records, making Clemente Figueroa (foil) 3rd Metrosquash. him the most accomplished place in State. swimmer in Lab’s history.

INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Three seniors qualified to compete in the Illinois Indoor State Championships in Bloomington: Chavon Hussey Nursery School teachers learning, Mr. Kaleta and Ms. about coming to school every qualified in high jump. Lillia Dave Kaleta and Amy Tomaszewski embraced day is that I don’t know what’s “What I love about Wilson and Charlie Marks both Tomaszewski started the the opportunity to follow going to happen.” teaching this age qualified in the 60m and 200m school year with skyscrapers the children’s interest: they Giving the students a dash. Both finished ninth (of on the brain. “Each year Dave changed course and shifted chance to lead the way is is that we might BOYS BASKETBALL 23 runners) in the 200m, and and I sit down and think about their focus to airplanes. a cornerstone of how the have an idea in in the 60m Lillia finished 12th how to set up our classroom Moving forward, the class duo approaches teaching. Finished the season with a and Charlie 18th. Charlie also to provoke thoughts, interests, explored the topic from all “By listening and following mind of where we 19-5 record, winning their 5th finished 9th in the 400m dash. questions, and creativity,” angles, from reading books their lead we hope to foster want to go, but Regional Championship in the Ms. Tomaszewski says. “This about aviators to making their a community of respect and past seven years and winning the ISL Championship with a year we decided to put up own planes—big and small— responsibility in our classroom,” it’s really up to perfect 12-0 record. Senior EAMONN KEENAN, HORACE SHEW, MITCH WALKER, SONNY LEE skyscrapers and skylines with out of cardboard, paper, and Ms. Tomaszewski says. “We the kids to show Jameel Alausa was named the hope of sparking interest blocks. One highlight was a trip want them to know that what 1st team Illinois Basketball and conversations about cities to the Museum of Science and they think and have to say us where they’re Coaches Association, All-City and community.” Industry, where the kids got to is building the foundation of going,” Mr. Kaleta Honorable Mention, and ISL The students arrived and design their own airplanes and who we are as a classroom Co-player of the Year. Named set to work exploring the test-ride on a flight simulator; community.” reflects. All-Conference were seniors classroom’s LEGO center— teachers and students alike Mr. Kaleta notes that he Oliver Maciak and Nick Telman Mr. Kaleta is a LEGO artist in also enjoyed experimenting with and Ms. Tomaszewski didn’t and junior Christian Brookens. his spare time and incorporates a wind tunnel in the learning lab start out the year as “experts empowered and competent,” his passion for the medium into to see which everyday objects on airplanes”—instead, they GIRLS BASKETBALL his teaching. But rather than could fly. embraced the unknown and Ms. Tomaszewski says. “There’s so much that they building skyscrapers, as the “What I love about teaching found themselves learning Finished their season with a don’t know yet when they come teachers thought they might, this age is that we might have alongside the students. 13-9 record winning the 2A in to any classroom at any the kids started gravitating an idea in mind of where we Together, they all developed Regional Championship for age,” Mr. Kaleta adds. “What toward building airports and want to go, but it’s really up new insights into the world the second time in school we always like is for them to playing with toy airplanes. In to the kids to show us where of aviation. Delving so deep history. Juniors Tia Polite and feel like they’re experts on keeping with the Reggio Emilia they’re going,” Mr. Kaleta into one particular topic gave Roxanne Nesbitt were named something.” philosophy of child-directed reflects. “What I love most the kids a chance “to feel ISL All-Conference. LILLIA WILSON

08 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 09 In the Halls Working out the bugs Grand slam Emeritus retirement Primary Schoolers get a jump start on Middle School’s first poet-in-residence helps coding and computational thinking students break new ground

It’s not surprising that Lab bees which accept directional “There are lots of ways Ms. Harrison’s Adam Gottlieb was leading Chicago Authors, he also This spring, NK teacher the East Coast to be near their educators are being proactive codes such as up, down, left, of working computational a poetry workshop in one of works individually with Maureen Ellis will pack up her five young grandchildren. “I in arming their students with and right. As queen bee in thinking, like sequencing second-graders Lab’s seventh-grade humanities teachers to make sure his classroom for the last time want to be more present in advanced technology skills. this scenario, Ms. Harrison and problem solving, into are currently classes when one student wrote work supports their lesson after 29 years at Lab. When their lives,” she says. “I want But what may surprise some gives instructions for the any subject,” she says. “I see a poem about having long hair. plans. With Ms. Doyle’s asked what she will miss the to be close to them while they is that today’s Labbies are kids to program into their real value in teaching these learning to code In ten minutes,” Mr. class, he did a workshop on most, she answers without are young.” Lucky them. taking computer programming bee-bots. The end goal is concepts and connections using colorful Gottlieb says, “he wrote this civil disobedience, tying it to hesitation. classes and learning to code a dance party of sorts with when students are young.” fierce, amazing poem where he Romantic ideals. “The kids,” Ms. Ellis says. as early as first grade. all of the robots performing She’s a firm believer that “bee-bots,” claimed his identity in a really For a seventh-grade unit “At this age, they are just “These kids are still a 25-step choreographed this approach is a great fit for nuanced way. I thought that on identity, he led a discussion “I enjoy the miniature robots starting to figure everything learning their left from number. Once programming Lab’s mission. “It’s all about was very mature and brave for of Gene Luen Yang’s graphic out, and their enthusiasm is freedom to get to right, and here they are is completed, Ms. Harrison persistence and collaboration. shaped like bees a seventh grader.” novel American Born Chinese energizing.” programming,” says computer will start the music and the We can show that technology The student subsequently and drew from the Young know my students which accept Ms. Ellis began her 45-year science teacher Lisa Harrison. bees should start moving in can be a tool for kids to read the poem at Lab’s Chicago Authors curriculum, career in early childhood and build my A 20-year veteran of synch. However, she concedes create, not just directional codes Diversity Day. Middle “What It’s Like to Be (Me).” education at the University of the Laboratory Schools, that success isn’t always the consume.” School Humanities teacher For an eighth-grade unit on curriculum in a way such as up, Illinois–Chicago’s first-ever Ms. Harrison—who wrote the desired situation. Peggy Doyle described it and the idea of America, they read daycare center, where she I feel will benefit proposal to pilot the use of “Kids learn how to down, left, and the other poems students Langston Hughes’ poem, “Let ultimately became the director. iPads in the classroom—has problem solve through the have written under Mr. America Be America Again,” them the most,” right. When she joined Lab’s faculty always been an advocate bugs. So when one goes left Gottlieb’s guidance as “really leading to a lengthy discussion phenomenal. People were right after the November in 1987, she was thrilled by she says. for using technology as instead of right, it opens the weeping.” election. the autonomy Lab affords their a learning tool. Now, she door for conversation about This year, Mr. Gottlieb Both Ms. Doyle and Mr. teachers. “I enjoy the freedom teaches computer science in what went wrong. Analytically, worked with Middle School Gottlieb are pleased to see the to get to know my students second grade and introduces ‘Did the program work the way classes as Lab’s first teaching collaboration extend to next and build my curriculum in a technology across curricula. we wanted it to, and how do poet-in-residence. While year. “He’s very soft-spoken way I feel will benefit them the Her second-graders are we fix it?’” Ms. Harrison says. his classes are grounded in and kind,” Ms. Doyle says, most,” she says. currently learning to code Ms. Harrison is always his spoken-word poetry “and a really insightful young Post-retirement, she and using colorful “bee-bots,” looking for opportunities to performance background man to whom the kids respond her husband plan to move to miniature robots shaped like support teaching and learning. and his work with Young very positively.”

10 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 11 In the Halls The Bluest Eye Outdoor The chemistry of the Mark Plotkin | Muriel Rosenthal classroom planned Alumni Speaker Series Sophomore English teachers assign novel that for Fall 2017 nudges students out of their comfort zone

TEACHER KIRSTEN WILLIAMS

For some, thematics for the year (‘home’ comfortable tackling, even A long-held hope for Lab Recognizing the At the third annual Mark Plotkin | He brought teacher Darlene The series is made possible the thought and ‘identity’), diversity, if they are queasy about the educators will be realized when multidisciplinary nature of Muriel Rosenthal Alumni McCampbell to tears as he through the generosity of of helping language patterns, and subtext content. But then hopefully we the planned outdoor classroom the project, teachers from Speaker event for U-High thanked her for helping him find Mark Plotkin, ’64, in honor of high school that lend themselves to close can use that momentum to get is completed by Fall 2017. across subject areas have been students, Lab had the honor his calling and write his first his mother, who insisted he students analysis, length, etc.” to those harder discussions— What used to be “Pebbles,” involved in the planning. Art of hearing from the Reverend sermon. His route took a twist attend the Laboratory Schools. navigate The Bluest Eye, a story and have those discussions be the kindergarten playground classes might use the space to Howard-John Wesley, ’90, through bio- and electrical- “There is a special chemistry Toni about an African American girl better informed.” adjacent to Kovler Gym, will gather inspiration for drawing pastor of the historic Alfred engineering degrees and a turn that happens between students Morrison’s growing up during the Great Students also looked now serve as a natural space for and photography, while Street Baptist Church in at medical school before he and alumni when they have The Bluest Depression, offers a frank and carefully at and reflected upon instruction at all grade levels. science courses might take the Alexandria, Virginia, where decided to become the fourth the opportunity to exchange the Obamas can be found generation of men in his family ideas,” says Director of Alumni Eye—a often bleak exploration of race Morrison’s foreword, says Mr. The classroom will feature opportunity to get a hands-on complex novel infused with and self-esteem. Mr. Krewatch Krewatch, “where she addresses a pond and a stream and be in the pews. Pastor Wesley to serve as a Baptist preacher. Relations Jeremiah Stevens, look at different life cycles. won the NAACP Chairman’s When asked whether we lived “They share a common tough racial and ethical and teachers Kirstin Williams, her desire that her characters— surrounded by “living walls” to “We live in a big city, Image Award in 2016 for his in a “bubble” at Lab and in understanding of culture, issues—might be too Colin Rennert May Ian , and as awful as some of their create a sense of immersion in so giving kids as many commitment to social justice the University community, he purpose, and place that creates Taylor challenging to even consider. are measuring success by actions might be—should be the natural world. opportunities as possible to be and several of his sermons are explained that the Lab “bubble” a palpable trust and respect.” Not so for the Laboratory student conversation. sympathetic, but not pitiable. up close and deeply connected housed in the Smithsonian’s he experienced in high school Schools’ sophomore English “We at times used close She talks about how she made with the natural world is really National Museum of African is the way he wished the world >> IF YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU teachers. Summed up by analysis of text and language the novel purposefully difficult The classroom important,” notes Lower School American History and Culture would be. KNOW, WOULD LIKE TO BE A educator Mark Krewatch, “The pattern as a more objective to create distance between will feature a pond Principal Sylvie Anglin. faith-based collection. But “The students who heard PART OF A STUDENT–ALUMNI big question about the book,” entry point to talk about reader and character.” In addition to connecting here at Lab, he spoke with him speak in October were CONVERSATION, PLEASE he says, “is not whether we the book’s difficult content, But not between teacher and a stream and students with nature, Ms. the empathy of someone who so impressed with his talk CONTACT LAB’S OFFICE OF would do it again, but whether which naturally lends itself to and learner. be surrounded by Anglin hopes the outdoor understood the experience of that they still reference that ALUMNI RELATIONS, ALUMNI@ we could find another book broader social discussions,” classroom will connect students our students, and he described assembly and his message to UCLS.UCHICAGO.EDU, TO that has those social issues.” explains Mr. Krewatch. “The “living walls” to with each other. “The more we how his own life was rooted in this day,” wrote High School BE INCLUDED ON A LIST OF He explains that the teachers richness of the text, I think, create a sense of look for ways to connect our what he learned at Lab. Dean of Students Ana Campos POTENTIAL SPEAKERS. considered a number of can lend some comfort to kids, the smaller the feel of as she announced that a factors in selecting Morrison’s those discussions—looking immersion in the the community.” student committee had chosen text: “personal experience at technique is something natural world. Mr. Wesley as this year’s U-High among department members, ideally any student can feel commencement speaker.

12 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 13 In the World Lab students work with the U-High’s advanced Obama Foundation to explore architectural planning Computer Science courses Hands-on and getting young people out into the tech world

The Barack a list of the different ways the included Concepts have Eight years ago, Lab became system from the ground up— Advanced students with college students), to Obama library might serve the local an outdoor one of the first schools in the they design the core pieces being recognized in national Presidential community, and from there, the space for included an country to have a high school of hardware that perform have received competitions for high school Library won’t kids set to work devising and community outdoor space requirement in computer actions on data, build circuits, any number girls. open for a modeling building designs that members to science. Now, more than 200 write software, and build the Alumni from these few more might serve those functions. congregate for community students are learning how to operating system. of accolades, advanced classes have gone on years, but art The unit was a hit with the and a round Helena teacher Gina Alicea is already fourth-graders and the Obama auditorium echoing the one in members to code and build computers One student, from winning to work for Google, Facebook, getting her students involved. Foundation alike, so Ms. Alicea Gordon Parks Arts Hall. congregate and a from scratch. Abney-McPeek, was recently programming Microsoft, Uber, and Amazon. In 2015, when the Obama decided Ms. Alicea also hopes they’ll “The main goal is to announced as a National “These companies are Foundation announced that to give it gain something a little more round auditorium demystify technology,” says Runner Up for the Aspirations hackathons (while changing the face of how we the library would be located another abstract from their experience: echoing the one in Computer Science teacher in Computing Award for going head-to- use technology,” says Ms. on the South Side, Ms. Alicea go with “That their creative expression Marty Billingsley, ’77. “What high school girls, and others Billingsley. “We didn’t teach was set to teach architecture her eighth- is important. That their creative Gordon Parks Arts happens when you use your (Jonathan Lipman, Wanqi Zhu, head with college them everything, but we gave to fourth-graders. She typically grade class voice is important. That they, Hall. phone to take a picture and Alex Gajewski, and Ashwin students), to them the preparation they started the unit with a tour this year. too, can be involved in this upload it to Instagram? How do Aggerwal) were selected as needed to go out into the of downtown Chicago and a Once again, the students have community project.” you represent numbers, images, “Facebook’s Favorite” at a being recognized industry.” comparative study of Hyde been working with the Obama Ms. Alicea sees the Obama children,” she continues. “To sound, and movies with wires programming competition in national Park’s Victorian- and Prairie- Foundation staff to make sure Library unit as an extension help the students tie in to those and hardware?” at the University of Illinois– style architecture. But the form follows function in their of Lab’s broader philosophy, competitions for curiosities, and to help them A pair of advanced courses Urbana-Champaign, where Obama Library presented a designs—and this group is “which is to learn by doing, and further develop their ideas, is high school girls. new opportunity to get the kids “taking it even further,” Ms. be involved in the environment allow U-Highers to push they were the only high school the Dewey way. Not to read engaged with local architecture. Alicea says. While the fourth- around you,” further into both the software students participating. about it, but to actually do it.” The Obama Foundation graders’ ideas tended toward she reflects. and the hardware aspects of Advanced students have proved receptive to the idea of the fantastical (think swimming “Dewey’s CS. AP Computer Science is an received any number of other working with Ms. Alicea’s class pools and helicopter pads), philosophy intensive programming class, accolades, from winning and sent some of their staff to the eighth-graders have is to involve and in Computer Architecture programming hackathons Lab to meet with the students. been taking a more practical the curiosity kids build an entire computer (while going head-to-head Together, they brainstormed approach: their concepts have of the

14 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 15 In the World Argonne adventure Hull-House and fiber art help illustrate the immigrant experience

In February, the Jane Addams The students considered Hull-House Museum provided Chicago’s immigration boom a serendipitous educational in the late 19th and early 20th experience for Naadia Owens’ centuries, when the exponential junior and senior students. population growth created Ms. Owens, who teaches “issues that occur [in a city] African American and US when you don’t have time to History at U-High, took 23 plan,” says Ms. Owens. The of her students on a tour of students looked at the city’s the museums’ permanent changing demographics and exhibits: The Hull-Home, how Addams and Hull-House where Addams and the other alleviated some of those settlement residents lived, problems and enriched the lives to the building would have and the former Residents’ of the people they served. experienced. Dining Hall. After watching a video on It was a temporary exhibit At Lab, the students Hull-House’s work and its of fiber arts, however, that had just begun a unit on importance to Chicago, the unexpectedly galvanized the immigration history, covering group toured the buildings, students’ imagination and the Progressive Era, social including Addams’ personal brought home the lessons they reform, and of course Jane quarters and demographic had been learning. Artist Aram Addams herself. Some of the maps she created. They Han Sifuentes’ “US Citizenship ideas they investigated were, in talked about the institution’s Test Samplers”—fabric panels Along with teacher Zachary 1940s. There they heard Ms. Owens’ words, the “push ethnographic work with West embroidered with portions Hund, SM’11, PhD’15, from Mark Rivers, director and pull factors—things that Side communities, the vestiges of the test—resonated with 26 Advanced Topic Chemistry of UChicago’s Center for make people leave a place and of the larger organization the students, sparking a lively students visited Argonne Advanced Radiation Sources, come to a place. Over time and (now gone), and its legacy. discussion of the meaning of National Laboratory, which toured the Advanced Photon across groups, pull factors tend The students especially citizenship, the requirements grew out of the University Source labs, and visited to be similar, such as work and enjoyed seeing Addams’ placed upon immigrants of Chicago’s work on the the Center for Nanoscale economics.” actual bedroom and learning seeking it, and what they could Manhattan Project in the Materials. what an immigrant coming do to help those struggling with the cost of taking the exam.

1816 LabLife LabLife Spring Spring 2017 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 17 In the World Behind the Scenes CF

Learning African Blaine Hall THE POWER OF LF RF American history ss becomes TEAMWORK 2B 1B through music 3B Ted Ratliff is valuable on the ball field, Ellis Island P in the classroom, and in the community

C a not-for-profit school them my championship ring as Dignity Diner, which serves for children with learning a precursor to a conversation a wholesome meal to 40–60 disabilities. New to Lab this … and also because I find if Chicagoans in need every year, Mr. Ratliff had to adjust they think I’m a cool guy, they Tuesday. One evening, he to students who are achieving are more eager to please,” he brought his students along to at a higher level, but he feels adds with a laugh. help out. that his special education skills A firm believer in giving “I think it’s important have been not only applicable, back to the community, for kids to be able to identify but extremely beneficial. Mr. Ratliff develops and poverty and to know what “I don’t go into cruise implements ACT/SAT prep they can do to help,” says Mr. control because the kids here programming for the Chicago Ratliff. “They did an amazing are academically successful,” White Sox’s Amateur City job.” Mr. Ratliff says. “In special Elite (ACE) program, which This spring, Mr. Ratliff, education, we were always engages Chicago’s inner- his students, and their parents challenging students to city youth by using baseball will host a potluck cookout f you visit Earl Shapiro perform at a higher level. I use as a learning tool. He also at a UChicago baseball game. Hall’s playground those same skills at Lab to help volunteers at Lakeview’s After the game, the kids are during recess, you my students reach their fullest free to run out on the field and won’t find second- potential.” “Recess is a great mingle with the players. grade teacher Ted “Interacting with the Ratliff quietly supervising opportunity for me players is a great way for from the sidelines. A Frontier my students to begin to In February two fourth-grade song was sampled from Ray to connect with my To help their students “The students took their League Championship understand that they are classes went on a musical Charles. understand the experiences of characters very seriously,” pitcher and UChicago baseball genre journey. Studying At the DuSable, students and build part of a larger academic early 20th-century American Ms. Davis says. “They loved coach, Mr. Ratliff prefers community,” Mr. Ratliff gospel, rock ’n roll, R&B, hip students were treated to immigrants, third-grade acting out their roles. We to jump right into the action, on their teamwork hop, jazz, disco, funk, soul, everything from African songs says. “Besides, I can’t think teachers Ginger Phillips and hope that, in conversations organizing games and and house, they prepared for a to spirituals, 60s soul to skills,” Mr. Ratliff of a more appropriate place Debby Davis immersed their about the current experiences laughing along with ‘Team trip to the DuSable Museum to Motown—all the while dancing, for Team 227 to celebrate an 227’ (named for their room explains. “Plus— see a live band bring the music singing, and asking questions. students in a simulation of immigrants and refugees amazing school year than a to life. “It was a success. I project. in the United States, that the number at Lab). I want recess! I baseball game.” Students in Joseph was giving out pencils for Each student was assigned students will remember [the “Recess is a great want to play, too!” Kearney and Erin McCarthy’s Valentine’s Day and gave the an immigrant profile from simulation experience] and opportunity for me to connect classes selected the genres kids an option of a regular that time period. They have compassion and speak with my students and build and each student researched Valentine’s pencil or a Black made preparations for their out against injustice,” Ms. on their teamwork skills,” Mr. two musicians in one genre— History pencil,” says Mr. characters’ trip to Ellis Island, Davis adds. Ratliff explains. “Plus—I want Aretha Franklin, Prince, The Kearney. “They all wanted the including deciding what to recess! I want to play, too!” he Temptations, The Roots, and Black History ones.” pack, saying goodbye to friends adds with a laugh. He doesn’t go into cruise Common, among others. and family, and cooking Mr. Ratliff radiates control on the baseball After writing biographies Each student hardtack to eat on their long enthusiasm as he talks about field, either. In 2008, he about the musicians’ lives journey. his two greatest passions: helped take the Windy City and influences, the students researched two teaching and baseball. He Thunderbolts to the Frontier created posters with QR codes Each simulation session had a variety of possible pitched for Boston College, League Championship. Now, that linked iPads to audio of musicians in one where he earned his BS in the music. outcomes, and the students he coaches at UChicago in the genre, then wrote wrote journal entries—in human development and spring before hitting the road “It’s about exposure. It MS in developmental and opened up their awareness of biographies about character—for each scenario. with professional leagues in They also researched their educational psychology. He the summer. the influences of what they’re also earned an MS in special listening to today,” says Mr. the musicians’ lives own family histories and “Baseball gives me a way education from Northern Kearney, mentioning that they and influences. created family immigration to connect with the kids. now know something they Illinois University and taught Sometimes I’ll show them presentations for their at Hyde Park Day School, heard in a Kanye West classmates and parents. pictures of me playing or show

18 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 19 NEW SCHOOL RECORD: LARGEST GROUP OF PARENTS TO LEARN THE THRILLER DANCE TOGETHER SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017

TURNS OUT, THERE’S PASSION FOR A PARTY AT LAB. Now that Connections, Lab’s gala fundraiser, takes place only every other year, a group of parents spearheaded what became the Dewey Dance. More than 500 parents, faculty, staff, and alumni turned out for this casual 80s-style gym dance, many in period Chitra Nair Lab Board Chair David Kistenbroker Dewey Dance Co-chairs: Veronica attire (think Madonna, Run and Cynthia Heusing Votypka, Beebe Roh, and Neethi Pinto DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, and John Hughes movies). The dance raised the roof and more than $188,000 to purchase a new minibus (to transport students everywhere from soccer tournaments to band competitions) and to support the cost of new playground equipment. The party also appealed to a new crowd: more than half Thriller dance lesson did not attend Connection last year—that’s a thrill.

Jay Nacu Meggan Friedman and Sam Valenzisi

Andy Jessen, Philip Connell, and Tom Levinson

Michael Lee and Cathy Lee Dewey Dance parent committee Angela Cobb and James Smith

20 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 21 U-High’s new wave journalism

With a new educator and new technologies, U-High’s tradition of top-notch journalism evolves

By Michael Rubin

22 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 23 “WE HAVE A CULTURE HERE THAT REALLY RESPECTS THOUGHT, REFLECTION, AND KNOWLEDGE— WHERE THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THAT JOURNALISM PLAYS A ROLE IN ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE,” MR. AIMONE SAYS.

24 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 25 t’s 9:35 p.m. on a Monday night look like,” Paige says, “but Mr. Aimone shaped her high school experience as a faculty. Mr. Brasler ensured that his and a Facebook post congratulating really gives us the tangible tools needed to whole and led her to realize that a career A PUSH TOWARD work ethic, passion for journalism, About a student athlete on placing at state achieve our goals.” in the field is on her horizon. Next year, A MORE and emphasis on professionalism were has just received 100 likes, reaching These “tangible tools” include a new Marissa will attend the Medill School of ingrained in every one of his students. student-author over 1,400 people. online portal that allows students to create Journalism at Northwestern University, STREAMLINED AND “I think what he wanted to teach Students have used Facebook yearbook pages with the latest Adobe one of the most prestigious and us was that journalism is a lot of hard to communicate and connect with InDesign and Photoshop software from competitive journalism programs in the MODERN PAPER, work and once you go through all Michael Rubin one another for years, but in 2015, anywhere they have a connection to the country. those processes, you can really get a the U-High Midway joined the social Internet. Additionally, both the Midway “Since day one, Mr. Brasler had been PAIRED WITH THE product that you’re proud of,” Marissa media sphere. Besides this expansion, and U-Highlights staffs take advantage preparing me to write stories in the paper, MENTORSHIP says. “Besides teaching me the basics the Midway has undergone extreme of Google Drive and a workflow and that level of seriousness pushed of interviewing, design, and writing institutional changes sparked by one of management website as new modes of me to do better,” Marissa says. “I really OF MR. AIMONE different types of articles, he emphasized the newer additions to the Lab faculty, communication and work organization. appreciate the amount of authority Mr. going after the story and writing it in the journalism teacher AND THE LEGACY best possible form. He didn’t settle for Logan Aimone. OF SUCCESS anything less than perfection.” Prior coming to After taking over Mr. Brasler’s role, Lab, Mr. Aimone ESTABLISHED BY Mr. Aimone has continued a strong worked for School emphasis on pursuing high quality while Newspapers Online FIVE DECADES OF bringing the paper into the modern age and had led the of journalism. Thus far, this includes National Scholastic STUDENTS AND an expansion of the Midway to have a Press Association. MR. BRASLER, HAS growing Facebook presence. He spent the first “I think we are still evolving and Michael, a junior, is an assistant editor ten years of his HELPED U-HIGH that we have made great strides on social for the Midway and has been a student career in his native media,” Mr. Aimone said. “The fact that at Lab since kindergarten. Outside of Washington state JOURNALISTS we are closing in on a thousand ‘likes’ journalism, Michael is on the junior board teaching high school CONTINUE TO on our Facebook page for the Midway— for U-High’s Model United Nations team, journalism, where his where we post three times or so a week— is a junior peer leader, and a Maroon students earned top BE RECOGNIZED shows that there’s engagement there that Key Society ambassador. Michael is also national honors for the school seems to be embracing.” involved in United Synagogue Youth, a newspaper, website, BY NATIONAL A push toward a more streamlined conservative Jewish youth organization, and yearbook. He co- and modern paper, paired with the for which he is chapter president this year. Michael’s interests include wrote two journalism JOURNALISM mentorship of Mr. Aimone and the political science, constitutional law, and textbooks and has ASSOCIATIONS legacy of success established by five international relations. received state and decades of students and Mr. Brasler, has national awards for AND helped U-High journalists continue to teaching, advising, be recognized by national journalism and free expression. And just as Mr. Aimone has trusted Brasler and Mr. Aimone afforded us. ORGANIZATIONS. associations and organizations. U-High Paige Fishman, senior and an editor- U-High journalists to take a more They treated us like adults, they treated Midway staff members have earned top Despite all of these changes, Marissa in-chief of the U-Highlights yearbook, authoritative role on their respective staffs, us like good journalists, like people with awards in Illinois and have placed high in believes that the paper’s biggest strength believes that Mr. Aimone’s arrival in students have trusted him as a mentor integrity, which I think is really important national competitions. Two students were is something that has remained constant the Lab community has allowed her to and confidant. in the high school community.” runners-up for Illinois Journalist of the throughout: disciplined, reliable channel her voice as a journalist and really “After the election this year, I went Current U-High students only had a Year: Michael Glick in 2015 and Marissa journalism. look at the publication with a new vision. into the office to work on my pages and short time to learn from Mr. Brasler, who Martinez in 2017. “The Midway is so unique because “I think he understands that with he came into the back and just asked me retired in 2015, but they have come to According to Mr. Aimone, the unique people trust and respect our opinions and technology on the rise, journalism is how I was, and we had a really honest value and admire his incredible influence environment of Lab journalism has led to our newsgathering skills,” Marissa added. constantly changing. His teaching really conversation about the election,” arts on their foundational journalism continued success. “Being in a position to create news for changes with the technology and he editor for the U-High Midway newspaper education. “We have a culture here that the students, the teachers, and the alumni lets us, the editors-in chief, have a lot of Natalie Glick says. “I truly felt that I had “Mr. Brasler was a pillar of the really respects thought, reflection, and is a really important skill to have. Being freedom,” Paige says. an ally and a person who I could come U-High community in the eyes of a lot knowledge—where the community involved in the Midway means we are Bringing an individualized style of talk to about these issues. I walked away of people who have gone through this understands that journalism plays a able to decide what the school needs and teaching to the table, Mr. Aimone has from the conversation feeling comforted institution, and with that in mind, he had role in advancing knowledge,” Mr. wants to know.” fostered a sense of responsibility among and empowered.” a very specific procedure that he followed Aimone says. “What the culture at Lab his students that they feel is unique to Marissa Martinez, a senior and a for years, which worked really well,” Paige respects is not only dissent or debate, but Lab’s journalism classes. Mr. Aimone Midway editor-in-chief, started on the says. “I think that from him, I learned a really wanting to know things. That is continues to demonstrate an emphasis on Midway staff with former adviser Wayne lot of the basics of writing copy, editing definitely not something that happens at a personalized teaching approach, which Brasler, a nationally recognized educator stories, and finding an angle.” other schools. I don’t think we have an allows each student to find their own who spent more than 50 years teaching Recognizable to any of Mr. Brasler’s adversarial role with the administration journalistic voice. U-High journalism and is credited with past students, his demand for excellence here. It’s more of an understanding where “It’s easy to have a lot of great ideas creating the Schools’ award-winning and his meticulous attention to detail the students and the community can about the yearbook and what it should program. Marissa says journalism has were unparalleled among the U-High learn from one another.”

26 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 27 Humans of Lab Eighth grade students start by really seeing their diverse community

by art teacher Sunny Neater-DuBow

umans of Lab is know everyone already. I wanted to getting up the courage to venture outside inspired by Brandon create a project that would cause my of their friend groups:) students learn Stanton’s Humans students to look fresh at the diversity how to go beyond the basic point-and- of New York project. of our community and get to know the shoot features of the native camera app Upon arriving in New different members of our community in on the iPad to learn about technical York, Stanton says that a new way. aspects of exposure compensation, he was immediately And so, like Brandon Stanton and classical and non-traditional composition, impressed with the diversity of the city— his original quest to photograph the and post-processing by layering a variety which is similar to my own impression of rich diversity of New York, my “Digital of apps. Students also learn how to record Lab after arriving here three years ago. Media: Art on the iPad” students set and edit their interviews and turn them Many of my eighth graders have been out to photograph and better know the into visual design elements. here since they were in Nursery School vibrancy and diversity that makes up the and may be lucky enough to take for Lab community. The Humans of Lab installation is granted the rich diversity that we have In addition to practicing their currently on display in the Gunvor Refetoff here, or they may feel that they kind of conversation and interviewing skills (and Gallery, first floor Belfield West.

28 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 29 “DIGITAL MEDIA: ART ON THE IPAD” STUDENTS SET OUT TO PHOTOGRAPH AND BETTER KNOW THE VIBRANCY AND DIVERSITY THAT MAKES UP THE LAB COMMUNITY.

2430 LabLifeLabLife SpringSpring 20172017 LabLife Spring 2017 31 Interestingly, one will find names of people who never set foot in a Lab building. Peter Meerdink (outside a U-High biology lab) and Gertrude Jacobson (outside the home economics and sustainability classroom) have been honored by a relative who feels that “connecting these Midwestern educator/ scientists to the best independent school in the country is a perfect way to celebrate their lives.” Dr. Meerdink was born in 1919 on an Iowa farm. A gifted athlete

ACROSS LAB, DOZENS OF practice, the United State Department CLASSROOMS of Agriculture recruited him and he AND SPACES continued to work for another 20 years. Lab was (or would Gertrude Jacobson, the donor ARE MARKED says, “was a woman ahead of her time.” Born in 1918, she earned her bachelor’s Says Primary School teacher Eli WITH A PLAQUE degree in 1940 from the University of have been) Nirvana for Johnson, “She was a role model for me Minnesota and began teaching home as a woman in the world. She connected HONORING economics. Like many women of the with people. She was unfazed by things. SOMEONE SPECIAL time, she stopped working outside of the We get frenetic around here but Myrtle home when she got married. She returned was a rock.” TO THE DONOR to teaching when her husband died these honorees Ray Lubway, AB’50, AM’57, a Lab unexpectedly in a truck-train accident teacher from 1953 until his retirement in WHOSE GIFT in 1950. To enhance her professional University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf3-01082, Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf3-01082, Special Collections Research Center, 1990 was well-known across campus and knowledge and skills Ms. Jacobson took FAR RIGHT: RAY LUBWAY, AB’50, AM’57, WHEN HE WAS A STUDENT AT THE COLLEGE throughout Hyde Park for his baritone HELPED MAKE THE a sabbatical during which she toured voice and acting skills. In 1963 he began LAB+ CAMPAIGN A Europe to observe educational methods a three year stint as the first principal of and curricula for possible adaptation with Lab’s newly formed Middle School. He SUCCESS. her students. Her classroom enrichments rom the moment he someone special to the donor whose before buying a controlling interest in was known for encouraging his students continued throughout her 30 year career could read, Jason Tyler’s gift helped make the Lab+ Campaign a the Kenosha Evening News. He served to be more creative, lecturing and writing until her retirement in 1980. grandmother stressed to him success. The generous gifts that allowed as publisher for the next 40 years, and on the subject. One of his methods for “They were Midwesterners to the the importance of education. the building of Gordon Parks Arts Hall, became vitally involved in Kenosha civic helping students explore creativity was tips of their shoes,” is how these two She had a profound Earl Shapiro Hall, and the Sherry Lansing life. A Journal Sentinel story about Mr. to have his them produce and appear in professionals have been described. “And influence on both Jason, Theater anchored the transformation of Brown said: “More than anything, Brown annual musicals. Lab would have been nirvana to them.” ’89, and his sister, Jamie, ’01. And in a the Laboratory Schools campus, as did believed that good newspapers made for Mr. Lubway, who died in 1995, way, because of her grandchildren, Myrtle the many other gifts by people who also good communities. ‘It is not a business at sang and acted with the local Gilbert & Shumpert also had a profound influence wished to commemorate an individual all,’ Brown liked to say. ‘Nor is it a way of Sullivan Opera Company, participated on generations of the Lab community. they felt shared Lab values. life or even a philosophy. Newspapering, in in the University’s “Revels,” and during When Jamie enrolled at Lab, then Elizabeth Brown did not realize that short, is a delightful disease, the only cure the mid-1960s, hosted a children’s TV Lower School Principal Beverly Biggs Lab’s journalism suite would bear the for which is heavier doses of the same.’” show, “Read Me a Story,” on WMAQ- hired Ms. Shumpert as an administrative name of her husband, Howard Brown, Honorees range from alumni to Channel 5 on Sunday mornings. The assistant. “For my grandmother, the ’40, who died in 2011. “He learned the whole families to long-time employees. program featured Mr. Lubway reading to Lower School Office was more of a home art of journalism at Lab,” she says. “While Current Lower School secretary Loretta a group of elementary school children and than simply a place to work. Being in the he was a shy and modest man, having Palmer worked alongside Ms. Shumpert conducting a discussion. center of the school she adored was the his name linked to an award-winning for years and describes her as a “jewel.” “He was a master teacher in highlight of her professional life,” says program would embarrass him—but She, and many others, noted Ms. everything he undertook,” said former Mr. Tyler. “For my mother, sister, and me secretly delight him!” Shumpert’s kindness which made the Lab psychologist Burt Faldet at the time the Lower School Suite is the perfect spot After Lab and two years at Andover, office a welcoming place for teachers and of Mr. Lubway’s death, “He loved what in high school he declined the St. Louis to honor this amazing woman who loved Mr. Brown went on to graduate from students alike. “I first met Myrtle in 1998. he was doing and loved to see people Cardinals’ invitation to try out as a Lab’s children and faculty so much.” The Princeton, the Columbia School of She was a humble yet spunky, beautiful, learn and grow. . . . He loved his kids and pitcher in order to pursue his veterinary plaque outside the office suite now bears Journalism, and the business school at and very nice person,” says Ms. Palmer. wanted them to achieve freedom through medical career. He established his practice her name. Western Reserve. He served as a foreign “Whenever I had a question or needed self-discipline, an understanding for the in Henry County, Illinois (home to one Across Lab, dozens of classrooms and correspondent with the Chicago Sun- some advice, her wisdom took me to a need of order.” of the world’s largest swine populations!) spaces are marked with a plaque honoring Times and the Cleveland Plain Dealer higher level.” where he focused on large animal medicine. When he retired from private

32 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 33 Taking action

Lab helps bring Syrian refugees to Hyde Park

by Megan E. Doherty, AM’05, PhD’10

34 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 35 hey came with just their Lisa Sukenic, and Zack Ruelas received suitcases—entire lives a grant from the Parents’ Association to compressed into just a few put toward this project. Ms. Weide and bags. Mr. Ruelas bought supplies for students After a couple frenzied to make jewelry and winter accessories to months of raising money sell. The earrings, necklaces, scarves, and and gathering household items, the hats sold at the Fall 2016 Holiday Bazaar greater Hyde Park communities brought in $2,500. Ms. Mitzenmacher is welcomed a family of Syrian refugees to going to use her part of the grant money Chicago. And Labbies participated at to invite a Syrian refugee artist to help every stage. her students create art for the family. Ms. On December 23, 2016, a welcome- Sukenic and Ms. Mitzenmacher, along wagon 15 people strong drove out to with third-grade teacher Jessica Palumbo, LAB STUDENTS O’Hare International Airport. They had organized a clothes drive to help each colorful signs saying things like “Welcome family member build a wardrobe. AND TEACHERS to Chicago” in Arabic, and balloons that “I think that we have a sense that needed no translation to understand. we are very privileged in our lives and (ALONG WITH The family—mom, dad, and three little in our school community, and we want girls—had traveled over 5,000 miles after to help others also do well in life,” says MANY COMMUNITY living in Turkey for two and a half years. Ms. Weide. “It feels good to be in a MEMBERS) WERE Finally, they were home. community of people who feel we can be “It was an emotional experience for agents of change.” ONLY TOO WILLING all of us. The family was so thankful, you could see the relief on their faces,” said TO STEP UP, Lab parent Dorothy Pytel. “There were tears.” BUT THEY HAD Ms. Pytel, a member of Hyde Park’s TO RAISE $8,000 Augustana Church, had been hearing more interest in mobilizing to assist AND FURNISH AN refugees through the local interfaith council. When she learned her son’s class APARTMENT FOR was delving into the refugee crisis at Lab, she wondered if it was possible to bring a A FAMILY OF FIVE. the relationships we’re building in that she learned there had been Syrians remained involved through mentoring family to the neighborhood. WITH JUST TWO the community. It’s a way to act on living under the tarp who had nowhere and tutoring. She reached out to RefugeeOne, a our mission of showing kindness and else to go. Lab librarian Susan Augustine refugee resettlement agency in Chicago, MONTHS UNTIL compassion to others,” says Ms. Roche. “It was amazing to me that, after has helped to organize everything which had previously been reluctant Before coming to Lab, she volunteered having seen so many statistics and stories from ESL training to managing the to bring families to Hyde Park. More DEADLINE, THEY in the Peace Corps and later worked about Syrian refugees in the news, I had family’s communications about doctor’s expensive and far from Rogers Park, for Heartland Alliance, another refugee been so close to some of them,” says appointments. where RefugeeOne resettled other refugee SPRANG INTO resettlement office in Chicago—and Olivia. “Though we so often hear of “It sort of snowballed. We became families, the agency feared Hyde Park to ACTION. she still mentors an Iraqi refugee family Syrian refugees as statistics, we need to more and more involved,” says Ms. be too isolated. But when another agency through their program. “It’s really opened remember that they are people, just like Augustine. “We really like the family. brought a family to the South Side, my eyes to the importance of connecting the rest of us.” They’re kind, bright, easy going, and RefugeeOne proved willing to give Hyde The remainder of the money came with people across divisions. It’s too easy The club’s biggest fundraising effort eager to learn. It’s just a joy to work Park a chance. The Hyde Park Refugee from direct donations to a special “Hyde to make assumptions or generalizations was for the Hyde Park Refugee Project. with them.” Project officially formed, with the Schools Park Refugee Project” fundraising page about someone,” says Ms. Roche. By hosting bake sales and selling goods at That joy recently doubled: in mid- and a U-High student club among its added to RefugeeOne’s website. Founded in January 2016 by then- the Bazaar, the $500 they and the Middle February, the Hyde Park Refugee Project contributing partners. Lab Service Learning Coordinator sophomore Olivia Issa, the Refugee Club School Asian Students’ Association raised received a surprise call from RefugeeOne Lab students and teachers (along Hannah Roche advised the U-High now has about 20 members. Created as paid to make sure the family had a fully asking if they could be ready in a few days with many community members) were Refugee Club which took charge of a space to discuss and learn about the stocked pantry and refrigerator waiting to accept a second family, friends of the only too willing to step up, but they had collecting donated items from the Lab refugee crisis, the group hosts speakers for them. Some students also helped first family. After a mad dash to outfit to raise $8,000 and furnish an apartment community: couch, coffee table, postage and workshops. They’ve also taken action. prepare a dinner of stuffed grape leaves, another apartment (in the same building), for a family of five. With just two months stamps, cleaning materials, toiletries, Last year they assembled kits filled with salad, and cookies, so there would be a Hyde Park welcomed the new arrivals on until deadline, they sprang into action. clothes, toys, beds, TV, dishware, toiletries and sanitary items for Medical home-cooked meal ready as soon as they February 22. Middle Schoolers decorated their blankets, towels, kitchen supplies. And Teams International, which delivered returned from the airport. “The project exemplifies Deweyan classroom doors, inviting people to vote a number of students joined other them to refugee camps in Greece. Bringing the family to Hyde Park learning by doing. By interacting with on the best one by putting dollars in volunteers moving in furniture and Olivia became invested in learning was, in some ways, only the beginning people whose lives have been impacted jars. They raised $879 toward apartment setting up the home in anticipation of the more about the refugee crisis while of the journey. The new residents have and shattered by the refugee crisis, you furnishings. family’s arrival. visiting family in Lebanon. She noticed a language to learn, bureaucracy to get a deeper knowledge of what it means a tarp stretched down the side of the navigate, school to attend, and jobs to when there’s a conflict and lives are torn Lower School teachers LindaWeide, “I think the focus of a service mountain behind her family’s house, and apply for. Many members of the Lab apart,” says Ms. Pytel. “It’s building the ’77, Stephanie Mitzenmacher, learning program needs to be about it was only after she was back in Chicago community, including Olivia, have community at Lab in a new way.”

36 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 37 THROWBACK 1960

Built in 1960 and designed into interior space in 1993, by architects Perkins+Will, when Lab completed the U-High once opened onto Middle School addition Kenwood Mall under (which explains why one this cloistered walkway can see bits of exterior connecting Blaine and wall enclosed in the Middle Belfield. It was transformed School staircase.)

University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf2-08171, Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

36 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 39 ghetto. I spoke in Venice, Boston, Riverton, WY. Another website, 1960, found at least one person “Early in 2016, I bought a Field but at Miller Park in nearby and Cambridge, MA; New York greatamericaneclipse.com, will give in common from their medical house south of Fredericksburg, TX, Milwaukee. With Miller Park’s Alumni notes City; and Washington, DC. I am you all the information you’ll need training days. Ronnie Anson with gorgeous views and wonderful ample parking and its retractable 70s finishing up other projects with to make viewing plans. and his wife, Susie, were here last dark skies perfect for astronomy roof, a great time was had by all as 1970 Class Representative more to report soon!” Clear skies, always.” week, and Ronnie’s incorrigible and astrophotography, which have the Cubs clinched the division that Hannah Banks Bobbe Press Wolf reports: “I personality has only mellowed always been main passions of mine. evening.” 107 Garland Road Newton, MA 02459 just closed my amazing exhibition 1957 Class Representative slightly with age, leaving Susie, I joined the Fredericksburg Theater From Jeremiah Stevens, 617-877-7885 (cell) ‘Fifty Couples Over Fifty,’ which Elizabeth (Elsie) Hughes my husband Phil Leavitt, and me Company and we just finished a director of alumni relations: “I had 617-236-1876 was shown at Three Crowns Park Schneewind rolling our eyes and laughing much production of the British farce, the pleasure of visiting Joe Belmont senior center in Evanston. During Apartment 8A 130 Eighth Avenue [email protected] of the time.” Noises Off, where I had the role of for a couple of hours a few days the installation, the small world Brooklyn, NY 11215 Lloyd Dallas. I think still having before he died. He was very happy got smaller when former Labbie [email protected] 1971 Class Representative 1961 Class Representative my British accent helped in the to have seen so many of you and Judy Lieb Malkin walked up 718-783-0003 Susan Yost James Orr auditions! talked with even more of you last Keep in Touch 1948 Class Representative and shyly asked if I was ‘Bobbe 2759 Plymouth Avenue Apartment 3802 “I also connected recently year as a part of organizing your The Lab Notes section of this Dorothy Drucker Nesbitt Press.’ We hugged and exchanged 1958 Class Representative 1660 North La Salle Drive 50th reunion. We have included Columbus, OH 43209 with Kim Mosley in Austin, [email protected] magazine is where alumni 9005 Oak Trail Circle our short stories. For more about Allen S. Musikantow Chicago, IL 60614-6027 an obituary at the end of LabNotes which I visit frequently as I have 614-231-9435 come to connect with the Santa Rosa, CA 95409 my exhibition, see http://www. 9110 NW Highway 225A [email protected] taken largely from his comments in a stepdaughter who lives there. Schools and fellow classmates. [email protected] chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ Ocala, FL 34482 the 50th reunion yearbook.” I dropped in to see him when Rob McNeill writes: “Spike Please contact your class 847-291-4131 evanston/lifestyles/ct-evr-go-bobbe- [email protected] “Joe asked me to make sure to wolf-tl-0223-20170222-story. 55th CLASS REUNION/1962 his wife, Linda, was having an (Steven) Kaplansky and his wife, representative or the Office ------OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 find someone to take his place as html.” exhibition/sale of her pottery. Laura, visited us after marching of Alumni Relations and 1949 Class Representative Class of 1959: Interested class representative, who will be the Development with any updates Ernest J. Dunston “I am traveling to Burma together with 500,000 others on in volunteering to serve as ------‘pain in the rear that you need to the National Mall in the Women’s about yourself or friends who 4 Tetilla Road 1952 Class Representative your class representative? for a couple of weeks with some Class of 1962: Interested keep everyone in touch.’ We will March on Washington. We had a attended Lab. If your graduation Santa Fe, NM 87508 William T. Salam Email the Alumni Relations of my Canadian cousins. My in volunteering to serve as have Joe in our hearts.” house full of marchers, including a year is without a representative, [email protected] 114 Prospector Pass & Development Office at great uncle, Sir William Keith, your class representative? few from Hyde Park. please consider volunteering to 505-466-4346 Georgetown, TX 78633 [email protected]. was acting governor of Burma in Email the Alumni Relations 50th CLASS REUNION/1967 “Spike and Laura have retired serve in this fun and important [email protected] ------the 1920s and my cousin’s great & Development Office at OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 and are often found visiting their role. Email notes, information, 512-868-1915 grandfather, Sir Harvey Adamson, [email protected]. relatives around the country and in or questions to labnotes@ucls. was governor for many years in the 1967 Class Representative 50s 1953 Class Representative ------Toronto. uchicago.edu. 1951 Class Representative previous decade, so we’re hoping to Barry S. Finkel Cordelia “Corky” Dahlberg 60s 1963 Class Representative “I remain in the paid labor Lynn Manaster Alperin 1960 Class Representative find some records of those times. 10314 South Oakley Benedict David Stameshkin force as a professor at Georgetown 16 North Dansby Drive Ellen O’Farrell Leavitt Although with the passage of time, Chicago, IL 60643 University, teaching history Galveston, TX 77551 885 West Stone Barn Road 176 Treetops Drive 40s Franklin Grove, IL 61031 7508 North Red Ledge Drive and the military takeover, there [email protected] and international affairs classes Lancaster, PA 17601 [email protected] Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 might not be much left. 773-445-4112 and writing. My latest is J.R. EMERITUS ALUMNI REUNION [email protected] [email protected] OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 815-677-0093 [email protected] “I still write Android software McNeill and Peter Engelke, From your class representative: 717-341-5188 (Pimlical Advanced Calendar), but From your class representative: The Great Acceleration. My wife “Jack and I are celebrating his 1954 Class Representative From your class representative: also enjoy having more time on my “Our 50th reunion is coming Julie Billingsley, ’75, Franny 1945 Class Representative semi-retirement with a Caribbean “Starting in late January, we had a C.E. Steuart Dewar writes: “I in October. If anyone wants to Bud Gibbs Richard Heller hands for astronomy, piano, and Billingsley’s sister, continues her cruise. We in Galveston welcome number of classmate visitors with had a very difficult 2015—my assist in the planning or help me Apartment 19E 421 Ellendale Drive other interests. success as a triathlete and coach the annual migration of the whom we swapped stories and beautiful wife, JoBeth, finally lost find missing classmates, please 146 Central Park, West Nashville, TN 37205 “Finally, I have two guestrooms of other triathletes. Our eldest is a snowbirds.” shared memories. Earl Silbar and a three-year fight with melanoma, contact me.” New York, NY 10023-2005 [email protected] always set to go, so if anyone finds computer engineer in Connecticut, Marvin Goldsmith reports: “I his wife, Sue Schulz, were here, and which for a time looked like it and the others are students at Yale, [email protected] am enjoying great winter weather 615-343-0473 themselves in Texas you are always 212-362-0104 that always means great discussions had been beaten with advanced most welcome to visit!” 1968 Class Representative Georgetown, and Stanford, so we in Florida, serving on the house about affairs, both national and immunotherapy treatments. A Richard Dworkin have an empty nest. committee for our country club Louie Zand writes: “I’ve been a international. Later, Chuck Buben few weeks after that my brother, Apartment 24 “I’ve been reading John Boyer’s From your class representative: with responsibility for advising on solar eclipse chaser for well over 1964 Class Representative and Colly Nichols and Doug Robert Dewar, ’61, was diagnosed 130 West 16th Street The University of Chicago: A History “The next reunion weekend is food, beverage, and facilities. I also 50 years. Eclipse chasing has taken Robert Friedman Kirkpatrick and his wife Joanie New York, NY 10011 and learned a good deal about October 13–14. We hope that enjoy text conversations with my me to some fabulous places and on with stage four colon cancer and 720 Appletree Lane were here at the same time—so of [email protected] fathers of various Lab families, many of you—particularly those oldest grandson who is studying some incredible adventures all over he, too, passed away a few weeks Deerfield, IL 60015 the world. I have long felt that a course we had a get together with 212-366-6636 including Bernard Meltzer, one who live in Chicago—will decide in Stockholm and traveling to later. Still, a few weeks after that, [email protected] to come. If you are interested in total eclipse of the sun is the most all the Labbies we could round up. one of my best friends keeled over of Ed Levi’s closest friends and many different countries. I eagerly 847-945-6933 advisers.” attending, please contact Susie await the decisions of two other beautiful sight in all of nature. Doug and Ian Dresner, both MDs from a heart attack. Needless to Stein, ’45 ([email protected]), grandchildren as they choose their A good friend of mine made a who hadn’t seen each other since say, I am glad 2015 is receding into ------or me as soon as possible. We colleges this year.” short film that captures the joys of the past. Class of 1966: Interested 45th CLASS REUNION/1972 eclipse chasing. You can view it at OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 welcome members of all Emeritus Art Koff writes, “The Koffs “At the end of 2015, I donated in volunteering to serve as Alumni classes (1954 and earlier). are in the southern Caribbean—St. eclipseguy.com/videos/hooked-on- the Dewar Wildlife Gorilla Facility your class representative? the-shadow. We look forward to hearing Johns and Barbados—having a to another organization, Project Email the Alumni Relations 1972 Class Representative “This year’s solar eclipse, on from you.” ball in perfect weather. We are also Chimps, which is retiring some & Development Office at Colin Smith planning a Baltic cruise in August. August 21, will be quite special as [email protected]. 99 Mill Road it will be the first one visible from 250+ chimpanzees that were Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1612 1946 Class Representative Meanwhile, RetiredBrains is in the at a medical research facility in ------Judy Daskal the United States since the 1970s. [email protected] process of being acquired, and I Louisiana. It was just too difficult From Joe Belmont: “With tickets Apartment 1804S 5050 South The path of totality—where you 831-818-1455 will continue to contribute as well to keep it all going with the at Wrigley hard to come by, a group Lake Shore Drive want to be—will run from the as write for MarketWatch.” personal stresses I was facing, and of 12 classmates and a total of 21 From your class representative: Chicago, IL 60615 Ben Ravid writes, “I have Oregon coast eastward, across the Ian Dresner, ’60, and Douglas this will actually be a far better use people went to the Cubs game on “Our class has been conspicuously [email protected] delivered lectures regarding entire country, before heading out Kirkpatrick, ’60, looked up mutual of the facility I built. September 24, not at Wrigley Spike Kaplansky, ’71, visits Rob absent from LabLife for some 773-493-8373 commemoration of the 500th year into the Atlantic Ocean. We will be watching the big show from friends online while at dinner in McNeill, ’71, in Washington, DC, for time, so after some urging from of the establishment of the Venice Arizona the Women’s March

40 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 41

Jim Johnston, ’72 activities for October 13–14. Please in The Church of Jesus Christ with our super-sized Pomeranian, 1974 Class Representative Elizabeth Kieff , ’91, led double- Chase Chavin, ’97 and Stefanie come and celebrate, but, even more of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Ruby. We both continue to Dan Kohrman dutching at the Dewey Dance in Chavin at the Dewey Dance in March importantly, volunteer to help From 1974–1976 I was a full-time perform regularly and teach at the 3606 McKinley Street NW 80s March organize our reunion! If anyone has missionary in Mexico. From University of Central Oklahoma Washington, DC 20015 1980 Class Representative ideas for making our 45th reunion 2001–2006 I was bishop of my in the School of Music. We still [email protected] Rhonda Gans a memorable event, please do step congregation. I’ve also been a live in Edmond, OK, where, yes, 202-966-2445 Apartment 112 up and get in touch with me and/ nursery leader, caring for children sometimes we curse even the dirt 440 North McClurg Court or the alumni office.” 18–24 months during Sunday for being so damn red! Sam and I 1975 Class Representative Chicago, IL 60611 Diane Weil Burkom writes: school, a teacher of religion class enjoy traveling during our breaks Goddess Simmons Drew [email protected] “I retired about two years ago from to high school students, and many from teaching, and in the last few 10305 Jimenez Street 312-645-0248 almost 30 years in public health other roles. Currently I’m a leader years have begun to lead music Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 appreciation study tours, most Bruce Uphaus during a surprise research to spend more time with in the Cambridge Stake, which is a [email protected] From your class representative: recently to Central Europe. visit to my house last month, I my six grandchildren, ages 2–9, grouping of congregations. 818-890-9740 “A fun time was had by all for “I am a founding board have decided to do the honorable all of whom live close to me. I “My father died in 1999. He Pack the Gym night on January Timothy W. Wright, III, Julie Allen, member of Painted Sky Opera, a ------thing and become your class keep busy with volunteer work was on the UChicago faculty until 1976 Class Representative 17, showcasing the Lab Boys Amber Stroud, ’97, and Yvonne when I am not needed to babysit, he retired. My mother still lives new professional opera company Stuart Field Varsity Basketball game vs. Latin. Class of 1988: Interested Faddis-Stroud at the Dewey Dance representative. in Central Oklahoma. We just in volunteering to serve as in March “I recently sent an email to giving time to the Maryland Zoo in Hyde Park, half a block from 1609 Blue Sage Drive Jon Siegel, Anne-Bernadette in Baltimore, my synagogue, the where I grew up and three blocks completed our first performance Fort Collins, CO 80526-3714 Weiner, and I welcomed Randy your class representative? those of you for whom I have an season—in the black!—and are Email the Alumni Relations email address and was gratified to local chapter of Brandeis National from Lab. She is now 87. I enjoy [email protected] Moss (Latin, ’80) back to his Committee, and a program to returning to Chicago. My three now working on plans for next 970-219-5364 former school to watch the & Development Office at receive many replies. For those who year. [email protected]. did not hear from me, I urge you to provide weekend food to homeless siblings, Jeff Johnston, ’74, Mary game. Randy attended Lab from children in Baltimore. Since my Beth Johnston, ’78, and David “I also work for the Jewish 40th CLASS REUNION/1977 kindergarten through seventh ------contact me with your email address OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 husband is still working, our Johnston, ’82, all graduated from Federation of Greater Oklahoma grade, and made many memories so I can include you in future City where I continue to be the 1989 Class Representative electronic correspondence. I had vacation time is limited, but U-High and are in Utah, South with us. Once you are a part of director of Camp Chaverim, a full- 1978 Class Representative Mekeda Johnson-Brooks optimistic intentions of sending a we have been to Amsterdam, Carolina, and Seattle. For five years our class, you are always part service day camp that runs for eight Andrew G. Neal 7425 South Rhodes Avenue snail mail letter to everyone, but Copenhagen, and the Canadian our son worked for the University of our class! We caught up over Rockies recently and plan to tour and lived in Hyde Park. weeks every summer. 2438 North Marshfield Avenue homemade pizza and sodas and Chicago, IL 60619 that has proven to be an evanescent “Our two daughters are grown Nova Scotia this summer. We “Lab was great for me. I Chicago, IL 60614 cheered U-High to a decisive [email protected] was a wonderful flashback to those project, rather reminiscent of and have left Oklahoma, preferring will celebrate our 42nd wedding attended from Nursery School [email protected] victory. Plans were made to keep in 773-783-0445 recesses in middle school when my annual resolution to do an to live on the coast rather than anniversary this August. I hope you through 12th grade, except for 773-348-6367 touch. Looking forward to seeing Double Dutch was a post-lunch Ironman race. the heartland. Our elder daughter, regularity! So much fun! “I live in Santa Cruz with hear from other classmates and can 11th grade, when we lived in more classmates in the near future!” share with all what everyone has Boston for a year while my dad Talia Magrill, lives in Los Angeles, 1979 Class Representatives “We are still working toward my wife Barbara and daughters where she works in the fashion our 25th anniversary class gift been doing for the past 45 years!” did a sabbatical at Harvard. At Karl Wright 1981 Class Representative 90s Emerald (Columbia, ’17) and industry. Our younger daughter, 1990 Class Representatives Jim Johnston writes: “My a Lab reunion five years ago 13957 Davana Terrace Paul Robertson so please contact the Office of Marina (a junior in high school). Mira Magrill, lives in New York, Dan Kirschner wife, Mary, and I met my junior or so, I chatted with Darlene Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 Suite 1408B 8750 Georgia Avenue Alumni Relations for donations or Barbara and I moved to Santa where she is making her living as a 606 Forest Avenue year at Princeton. She graduated McCampbell, my senior-year [email protected] Silver Spring, MD 20910 suggestions.” Cruz from Madrid, Spain, where professional flutist. River Forest, IL 60305-1710 from Bryn Mawr. We married in English teacher. She was still 818-981-2723 [email protected] we met and were married. After a “We are looking forward to a [email protected] long career in software engineering, 1979, the year I graduated, and we teaching! She was one of my 301-588-3859 trip to New York in April for the Jessica DeGroot 312-346-3191 25th CLASS REUNION/1992 I now divide my time between moved from New Jersey back to favorites. OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 premier of Sam’s ‘Concerto for 4918 Cedar Avenue flying, fiction writing, and hobby Chicago, where I got an MBA at “We live near the Lexington Flute and Orchestra,’ performed by Philadelphia, PA 19143 35th CLASS REUNION/1982 Tara P. Shochet farming. I keep in touch with my Booth in 1981. We have lived in Green, where the American Mira and the Chelsea Symphony.” [email protected] OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 1182 East Court Street 1992 Class Representative extended family in the UK and Lexington, MA, since 1992. When Revolutionary War began early 215-471-5767 Iowa City, IA 52240 Shrunali Rai the Caribbean and am planning a we arrived here, our six children the morning of April 19, 1775. 1973 Class Representative 1983 Class Representative [email protected] [email protected] flying expedition to South America were from 1–10 years old. Now Each year the town re-enacts the Kevin Spicer Hans Massaquoi Cheryl Buckingham 319-354-0893 and the West Indies next year. In a they are from 25–35 years old. Two Battle of Lexington. All Labbies Apartment A 1122 Chelsea Avenue 26054 York Road [email protected] 1993 Class Representative most unlikely development I have are living in New York City, and are welcome to park on our lawn Santa Monica, CA 90403-4656 Huntington Woods, MI 1991 Class Representative Alan Heymann become something of a ‘gym rat,’ one each in Massachusetts, Utah, (between 5–6:00a.m.), walk to [email protected] 48070-1311 1984 Class Representative Mariann McKeever 2703 Dennis Avenue and in tragic irony have discovered and Southern California. Three the Green for the re-enactment, 310-315-1833 [email protected] Susan Mack Taple [email protected] Silver Spring, MD 20902 my athletic abilities too late to are married. One has two children. and then join us for breakfast. We Our son David, born in 1987, died usually have about 150 people. It’s 313-510-7721 [email protected] [email protected] have benefitted our alma mater, Erik Neumann reports: “I’ve been of leukemia at age 27 in 2015. a great time. The Boston Marathon From you class representative: 202-468-9554 for which I offer my profound working on a website of physics “Since 1986 I’ve been on my is later the same day. See you soon, 1986 Class Representative “Gatherings at Lab always bring apologies. simulations called myPhysicsLab. Sam Perlman the opportunity to catch up with 1994 Class Representative Martin Booker at own as a management consultant, I hope!” “I ran into They are interactive, animated, P.O. Box 652 fellow Lab alumni, since many of Michelle Maffia Tarkowski our 40th Princeton reunion last advisor to entrepreneurs, and Linda Congreve Levin, real-time simulations that you can Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 us are now also Lab parents. At the [email protected] year. He is living in Milwaukee. part-time chief financial officer. writes: “I hosted our 40th reunion play like a video game. You can My clients (over 150 of them in [dinner] in the party room of the [email protected] Dewey Dance on March 4, I ran Bruce Uphaus was in California move objects with your mouse, into Renee Simon in the coat 1995 Class Representative for his sister Ellen’s birthday and he all) have been in software, life building in which I live. There or change the strength of gravity sciences, consumer-branded food, were about 14 classmates, and check line. The dance was already Dan Hartley informs me that he is still an active or stiffness of springs, etc. Please 30th CLASS REUNION/1987 in full swing, and many parents, [email protected] yachtsman, racing his sailboat in professional services, advanced some came with their spouses. I’d spread the word if you know OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 materials, construction, and other be glad to host again. October is faculty, and alumni were in full Austin, TX. He and I were partners people who are into math, physics, 1980s regalia. 1996 Class Representatives in a wooden one-design sailboat areas. It’s a good life, with lots of unpredictable, weather-wise, in the or computer science. I’m hoping variety, learning, and fulfillment. Windy City, but our party room 1987 Class Representative “Elizabeth Kieff provided a Shira Katz racing with the Chicago Yacht to find teachers interested in using Barbara Harris Working with founders and has an adjacent roof deck which we total blast from the past by pulling 260 Chattanooga Street Club in the 1980s. the website. [email protected] entrepreneurs is my calling in life. can use.” out a clothesline mid-party. With San Francisco, CA 94114 “This year marks our 45th “Otherwise I’m living in Seattle Jon Siegel, ’80, Rhonda Gans, ’80, the help of our spouses and a few My firm is called Johnston Co. I’m Pamela Richman writes: “I former Lab classmate Randy Moss, [email protected] milestone reunion from U-High and spending a lot of time playing innocent bystanders, we took over and the Alumni Relations & still working hard and enjoying it. live with my husband, composer cello—mostly classical chamber and Anne-Bernadette Weiner, ’80, at Alumni Pack-the-gym Night in the Lower Kovler hallway and had Elena Arensman McPeak “I’ve always participated actively and pianist Sam Magrill, along music but some jazz, too.” Development Office has planned January turns jumping Double Dutch! It [email protected]

42 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 43

Top: Lauren Levine, Becky Levine, Jon Bromley, James Bromley, and 2003 Class Representative Kayla DeSouza writes, and high school students. He best known for his dance film,In ’03, Benji Derman, Marcus Sullivan; Stephanie (Lentz) Bromley, ’00 John Oxtoby “I just released my first solo EP, received national recognition a Rehearsal Room. His four-decade Middle: Josh Levine, ’02, Susan [email protected] ‘Walk Steady EP,’ on Spotify, for his leadership, passion, and director/writer/producer career Levine, Mike Levine, Daniel Levine, Obituaries ’10; Row: Hannah Levine, ’00, and 2004 Class Representative iTunes, Amazon, and Google commitment to teaching the spanned film, television, and Ruby Levine Marcelo Pappas Play. I will also be entering the lessons of genocide and the theatre. Hahn also created Caramel [email protected] Master of Science in Leadership Holocaust and to recognize it Sin, Inc., a national gourmet for Creative Enterprises program at was the result of individual and food company. Born in Chicago, 2005 Class Representative Northwestern University this fall to institutional choices. Bill retired he attended Interlochen Arts Mark Berberian further my career as a musician and in 2015 as Chief of Staff of the Academy, graduated from U-High, Apartment 3 arts administrator.” United States Holocaust Memorial held a BA in art and English from 850 West Diversey Parkway Ben Meyer writes, “I’m Museum in Washington, DC, after Syracuse University, and an MFA Chicago, IL 60614 currently serving as an AmeriCorps 25 years of service. For 40 years, in film from New York University. [email protected] member for City Year in he was in demand as a speaker, He is survived by his brother, Hannah Levine writes, “After 773-348-7233 Washington, DC, in a first-grade writer, and advisor for programs Arthur, and his wife of 38 years, working in finance in Chicago for classroom, supporting the students, sewing, water aerobics, fitness, that brought lessons of prejudice, Melanie Ray. over six years, I spent 18 months the school, and my partner 1940s book clubs, bridge games, and genocide, and the Holocaust to working for a food technology 10th CLASS REUNION/2007 teacher.” attending classical music concerts audiences. Mr. Parsons is survived start-up in San Francisco before OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 John Rheinstein, ’45, AB’47, and other cultural and social by his wife, Sylvia; his son, Scott; 1970s recently returning to Chicago. I’m SM’57, died on January 10 in 2014 Class Representatives events with fellow retired teachers. and his grandchildren. enjoying spending more time with Bedford, MA, at the age of 86. 2007 Class Representative Lillian Eckstein Kay was preceded in death by Stephen Brown, ’73, died on my partner Marcus Sullivan, our He was born in Gardelegen, Molly Schloss [email protected] her husband of 48 years, Mark Scott L. Spear, ’64, MD ’72, January 22 in Fort Wayne, IN. dog Ruby, my parents, my siblings Germany, in 1930. His parents [email protected] 773-548-7390 M. Rubin. She is survived by a died on March 16 at his home in Steve was born in 1956 in Chicago. Josh Levine, ’02, Becky Levine, immigrated to the United States daughter, Susan, stepson, Jeffrey, Bethesda, MD, at the age of 68. After graduating from U-High, ’03, and Danny Levine, ’10, as in 1933. In 1935, the family 2008 Class Representative Boluwatife (Bolu) Johnson stepdaughter, Kaila, her sister, Scott was an icon in the field of Steve majored in psychology 20th CLASS REUNION/1997 well as reconnecting with Lab moved to Chicago, where John’s OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 Victoria Rogers [email protected] Ellen O’Farrell Leavitt, ’60, plastic surgery, and died in a happy at Drury College in Missouri. classmates. I hope to see many of father taught at the University [email protected] 708-351-8473 and her brother-in-law, moment in both his life and career. Post college, he moved to Fort you soon! I recently launched HRL of Chicago Law School. There He is survived by his wife of 37 Wayne, where he was a human 1997 Class Representative Phil Leavitt, ’60. Strategy, LLC and am learning 2009 Class Representative John attended the Laboratory years, Cindy, his brother, James, resources manager for Magnavox/ Win Boon a lot while consulting for several Schools. After graduating from Jaya Sah Geoffrey Garth Kennedy, ’57, his sister, Carol, his three children, Raytheon. Steve is survived by his 10433 Lochmere Court companies. After a 17-year hiatus Dartmouth in 1951, John served [email protected] died on January 15 after a three- Alexandra, Geri, and Louis, and his wife, Dorothy, his mother, Helen, Fort Wayne, IN 46814 from swimming, I decided to join as an officer in the Navy during and-a-half-year battle with cancer. grandchildren. his daughter, Melanie, and two [email protected] a masters team and I’m loving the Korean War. He went on Geoffrey was born in Hyde Park grandchildren. 260-616-1022 the camaraderie, workouts, and to obtain a master of science in to Carolyn Noreen Geisel Scott Joe Belmont, ’66, died on competition. Please reach out if 10s physics from the University of March 18 of cancer. Joe’s passion and Leonard Henry Greatwood. you’d like to learn more about 2010 Class Representative Chicago in 1957. John joined the He graduated from Knox College– was baseball; he had 41 years of masters swimming!” Loren Kole Systems Analysis Group of MIT 00s Galesburg, IL, with a major in experience as a player and 15 years 2000 Class Representative [email protected] Lincoln Laboratory’s Re-Entry philosophy and religion. He as an umpire. After graduating Tiago Pappas 2001 Class Representative Systems Program in 1960 where received his master’s in social work from U-High, Joe played college 3654 N. Lincoln Greg Kohlhagen 2011 Class Representative he was a major contributor to the from Rutgers University and at baseball at the University of Chicago, IL 60613 [email protected] Rachel Sylora development of ballistic missile Columbia University. Throughout Illinois as a walk-on. Joe lived in [email protected] [email protected] defense technology until his his career he worked for New Milwaukee for the last 44 years, 773-435-0447 Johanna Budzilowicz produced retirement in 1990. He was also Jersey’s state child welfare agency, but always remained an “Illini” a documentary, Midsummer in part of the Lincoln Laboratory 5th CLASS REUNION/2012 the Montclair West-Essex Guidance and was thrilled to watch the Stephanie Lentz writes, “It is so Newtown, with Tom Yellin and team which served as scientific OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 Center in New Jersey, and the Cubs in the playoffs (in person) in great to get back in touch with the Braden Cleveland Bergan for The advisor to the US Army Missile Genesee County Community Milwaukee, and eventually win the Laboratory Schools! My husband Documentary Group. In the wake Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Mental Health Center in Child and World Series in 2016. Joe worked Jon and I live in Milwaukee. I’ve of the Sandy Hook tragedy, the 2012 Class Representative Marshall Islands for four years. Adolescent Services. He is survived as a medic/first-aid instructor in spent the past seven years here film explores the ‘power of art to Ary Hansen In 1956, John married Mary by his wife, Evelyn Nida Blanford the local Army Reserves, taught working as a director in real estate assist in healing even the most [email protected] Elizabeth (Betty) Jones. They lived Kennedy. He is also survived by his elementary school, worked as a investments for Northwestern profound grief’ and tells the stories 773-324-4012 in Lexington, MA, for 51 years first wife, Patricia, their daughters, nursing home administrator, and Mutual. I really enjoy having of one grieving couple who honor until a final move to Carleton- sold life insurance before retiring. 2013 Class Representatives and his grandchildren. the opportunity to combine my their daughter through music and Willard Village where Betty died of Joe always had a wonderful sense of Sarah Curci interest in real estate and urban of a community of children who Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived humor, was in great spirits, and was [email protected] development with the mission find their voice through a rock-pop by his wife, Eve Rheinstein; his 1960s beloved by his family, friends, and of supporting families plan for version of A Midsummer Night’s children Bruce, Lilo, and Eric; and U-High classmates. He is survived and achieve financial security. My Dream. The film was screened at Amartya Das grandchildren. William S. Parsons, ’63, died by his brother Fredrick Belmont, husband and I enjoy exploring the Gene Siskel Film Center in [email protected] on December 23, 2016. Mr. ’68, his children, Jon and Mindi, the many diverse neighborhoods January and February. Parsons earned a BA in history and by his grandchildren. of Milwaukee as well as the great Michele Demaio writes, “I am 1950s from Cornell College and an MA outdoor landscapes Wisconsin has taking the University of San in teaching from the University David Hahn, ’66, died to offer. Our son James will be 15th CLASS REUNION/2002 Diego radio station that I run to Kathleen O’Farrell Rubin, ’54, OCTOBER 13 –14, 2017 of Wisconsin. He cofounded unexpectedly December 23, 2016, two in June and is busy keeping a conference in New York where AB’65, died on February 17 in the Massachusetts-based Facing at his home in the Hollywood us on our toes. If you are visiting we are up for an award for best Camarillo, CA. After graduating History and Ourselves National Hills at the age of 68. David was Milwaukee or have an interest in a overall college radio station, online- from the University, Kay taught Foundation, a seminal and the founder and president of an career in real estate or investments, only, for a university with 10,000 elementary school in Du Page nationally-recognized teacher arts advocacy foundation and a feel free to contact me at lentzst@ students or less. We are really County for more than 30 years. training program for middle multi-award-winning filmmaker gmail.com.” excited about it!” She enjoyed knitting for charity,

44 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 45 Alumni in Action Practices what he Fueling the arts Representing Tackling health preaches Angelique Williams District 27 disparities Ronald Barnes, ’66, MA’15 Power, ’89 Justin Slaughter, ’98 Nora Geary, ’00

graduated from college,” he are African, Latino, Asian, disparities. policies and practices that says. “Really, if it hadn’t been Arab, and Native American. “My mother worked for foster learning environments for Lab, I wouldn’t be where I To reframe the issue of why the Chicago Department of for kids that are supportive of am today.” smaller, minority-focused arts Public Health for 35 years,” he physical activity and healthy His current research organizations are not thriving says. “I was always fascinated nutrition. with the effects that our public interest in the integration of like larger, Eurocentric arts Since 2014, she’s helped health initiatives have on our support Michelle Obama’s technology and psychology organizations, they asked themselves what would communities. Minorities are still Let’s Move initiative, a public to mentor youth partly stems disproportionately impacted by health campaign that seeks to from his tech background. Over happen if minority arts organizations were invested in chronic illnesses. We need to do reduce childhood obesity and the course of his career, he a better job bringing awareness, like larger ones. encourage a healthy lifestyle in worked at AT&T, IBM, Western screening, and access to health children. Fueled by the work Electric, and Bell Labs, where care.” “Kids spend over 30 hours ethic she inherited from her While he sees many a week in childcare settings, so from 1979–80 he was network parents—a police officer and a administrator for the team that When Justin Slaughter, ’98, challenges ahead as a freshman When Nora Geary, ’00, these are important places for teacher—Ms. Power rolled up BA’02, was a U-High junior, he legislator in a state that hasn’t tested and developed protocol As president of the Field participated in Lab’s junior-year them to learn healthy habits,” Foundation of Illinois, her sleeves and got to work took a class in African American had a budget in two years, he for the Internet before it went to bring her ideas to fruition. community service program, Angelique Williams Power, ’89, history with Charles Branham. traces not only his confidence volunteering in the former into worldwide application. While her days now are a and work ethic, but also his Ronald Barnes, ’66, MA’15, supports cultural and civic That same year, then-Illinois Cabrini Green housing projects Working with states Living in Chicago and healthy mix of meetings with organizations that tackle some State Senator Barack Obama desire to help others, to the left a mark. spent most of his life in watching kids become victims began his career. Mr. Slaughter rigor and civic-mindedness of and communities, corporate America before of the most intractable issues “I saw that not everyone has of circumstance led him to facing Chicago. took note. his Lab education. access to the same resources she helps them deciding to go back to “I love that I represent wonder what he could do to “There’s a direct Asking important “I was interested in, and based on where they’re born, school to study religion and attracted to, the things he was a district I’ve always lived in contribute to the functionality of correlation between ways of grow up, and live,” she says. enact policies and psychology. and pointed doing in the area. I started and that I can give back to inner-city youth. His idea is to seeing that you learn through “It was a pivotal moment that practices that will He noticed there was a paying attention to government, the people and communities has guided everything I’ve done develop an interactive program art, and the ability to ask questions—for but I didn’t know if I wanted I know,” says Mr. Slaughter, disconnect between what he that requires students to harder but hopefully better professionally since.” foster learning was telling his children to do— instance, about to be an elected official,” he who is focused on connecting She channeled that submit status reports on their questions,” says Ms. Power. says. “I just wanted to give back his constituents with effective environments study, study, study—and what experience at the Posse lives. By evaluating responses “Too often conversations racial inequity in and help others, and being in programs and services, and he had done when he was in start and end at symptoms Foundation, where she helped for kids that are to a series of questions the arts—led her government puts me in a good making government work for connect students from urban school. which would include subtle rather than asking about root position to do that.” them. “I’m just someone who supportive of “I didn’t apply myself. I public high schools to top-tier direction in moral and ethical causes.” to cofound Enrich Now State Representative wants to fight for the less colleges around the country got mediocre grades,” said behavior—for instance, if you Those skills were for Illinois’ 27th District, Mr. fortunate, and put in the extra and noticed teenagers coming physical activity and Chicago. Slaughter began his political effort to work together to find Mr. Barnes, who is currently see someone drop money, cultivated from a young age into the foundation’s office healthy nutrition. working on his PhD in by her Lab art teacher, Ms. career in college, interning for solutions.” what would you do?—school program staff, foundations, with bags of fast food. “One psychology at the University of Kaplan, who instilled in her Chicago Congressman Bobby day I said jokingly, ‘You have counselors might assess if any nonprofits, and young people Chicago. students that ideas are some Rush. After briefly working as a got to stop eating that crap.’ she says. Her team helps intervention is needed. seeking advice, Ms. Power substitute teacher in Englewood providers implement practices of the world’s most valuable “I love that I A student snapped at me that In addition to his doctoral currency. reflects that she was always and then for a legal firm, he she only had five dollars to eat like no screen time in daycare became district director for represent a district research in psychology, Mr. “I learned how to ask driven by the same sense that day, so she wasn’t going to centers outside of educational Kwame Raoul, ’82, who took purposes, offering fresh fruits “Money is not Barnes enjoys writing books: better questions,” Ms. Power of purpose, without knowing buy a couple apples,” recalled over Obama’s state senate seat. I’ve always lived in and vegetables, supporting happiness. It’s Practice What You Preach, says. “Instead of going into a exactly what she wanted to do. Ms. Geary. “Something is not Preach What You Practice “I’ve always wanted to Working with Mr. Raoul inspired and that I can give right with our policies and moms’ breastfeeding, and museum and asking, ‘Why is Mr. Slaughter to devote himself connecting providers with much more (2016) and some forthcoming this art?’ we should ask, ‘How make the world a better place. back to the people food systems if she feels like Philanthropy is a moral and to government. her best option is fast food. I resources. gratifying to do titles. does it make you feel? How Mr. Slaughter, who Although the change “Money is not happiness. is the artist in dialogue with humble obligation to be a and communities wanted to know how to make was a New Leaders Council the healthy choice the easy doesn’t come quickly, the things for other It’s much more gratifying to others throughout history?’” good partner and neighbor Chicago 2015 Fellow, plans I know,” says Mr. choice.” slower process allows for more do things for other people,” he Asking important and in the city where you live,” to concentrate on economic in-depth and thorough analysis. people” he says. she says. “It’s about figuring That moment prompted says. “When you can accept pointed questions—for development, technology and Slaughter, who “It takes patience and out everything you can offer, her to get masters’ degrees in your total being and reality, you instance, about racial inequity innovation, criminal and youth persistence,” she says. “But whether it be money, space, is focused on public health and social work He credits his counselor at make yourself strong.” in the arts—led her to cofound justice issues, and public from Wash U., St. Louis. even changing one standard in Lab, Carolyn Smith, with Enrich Chicago. Comprised ideas, or support, and to give health. His experience teaching connecting his childcare licensing regulation it as easily as possible and Now an ORISE Fellow at encouraging him to go to a of a coalition of local non- underscored how many inner- Centers for Disease Control impacts millions of kids. That’s with humility.” constituents with small school where he wouldn’t profits, Enrich Chicago aims city youth are denied much- and Prevention, Ms. Geary a big win worth celebrating. needed resources and equal be easily distracted. “If it hadn’t to increase management, effective programs tackles childhood obesity. Small changes can have wide funding, and support for opportunities. Similarly, he grew Working with states and reach.” been for her, I would not have up with an insider’s perspective Chicago-area artists who and services. communities, she helps enact on the problem of health care

46 LabLife Spring 2017 LabLife Spring 2017 47 Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Chicago, IL 60637 Permit No. 1150 1362 East 59th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637

We look forward to save the date welcoming you back to Hyde Annual Alumni Donor Thank Park this fall for Lab Alumni You Party Weekend 2017! Mid-summer Chicago All alumni are encouraged Invitations to come. This annual to return to campus and event celebrates the generosity reconnect with the Lab of alumni who gave at any level community. U-High class during fiscal year 2017. years ending in ’2 and ’7 will celebrate milestone reunions Young Alumni Thanksgiving and enjoy special class Party gatherings and dinners. Saturday, November 25 Chicago Please contact the Join alumni from the classes Office of Alumni Relations of 1997–2012 for this annual and Development with any post-Thanksgiving event. questions, 773-702-0578 or [email protected].

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 AND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017