Cover: 2cm x 2cm grid on an A3 format. The Oliver Chene ’16 students then transferred by hand the image to a larger A2 canvas overlaid Self portrait, 2013 with a 4cm x 4cm grid—an enlarging Acrylic on paper technique often used by artists during Oliver joined the School in Grade 2 the Renaissance. when his family moved to London from Using acrylics in a cool and a warm Greenwich, CT. His brother, Jasper, shade of each primary color plus white, Contents graduated in the Class of 2013. Oliver the students set to work on recreating is a three-season athlete, playing their portraits in paint. volleyball and basketball, and rowing Visual arts teacher Martin Drexler on the crew team. In London, he enjoys (P ’23; ASL 2008–present) says, watching movies with his friends and “This is a perfect example of mixing old finding the best burger restaurants techniques with new technology. And in town. rather than an exercise in portraiture, the The class project that produced project was primarily an assignment in Oliver’s work began with students taking color theory. The students responded a series of photographs of themselves. extremely well and produced some Once the perfect shot was achieved, it wonderful pieces that will make up part was uploaded to Photoshop, manipulated of their Advanced Placement Studio by the artist, and then overlaid with a Art portfolios.” 4 Commencement 2013 10Alumni in Technology The Class of 2013 at Five ASL alumni help to Central Hall Westminster shape today’s tech world Accents, Fall 2013 Our mission is to develop the intellect and 19Technology at work at ASL 22When computers came to ASL character of each student by providing an © The American School in London outstanding American education with a A snapshot of how ASL A look back at the early days of The American School in London global perspective. One Waverley Place students embrace technology the computer at ASL London NW8 0NP The American School in London is a in their learning United Kingdom non-denominational school and does not T +44 (0)20 7449 1200 discriminate against any individual in any way F +44 (0)20 7449 1350 on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual [email protected] orientation, religion, or ethnic or national www.asl.org origin in the administration of its recruitment, admissions and educational policies. The magazine is mailed without charge to current parents, alumni and former faculty and staff, and to many parents of alumni and friends of the School. Editor: Wendy Robinson Contributors: Cathy Adams, Liz Allen, Colin Bridgewater, Esther Cole, Roberto d’Erizans, Martin Drexler, Coreen Hester, Jim Heynderickx, Kristin Howe, Caitlin Huson, Alice Iacuessa, Bill Iacuessa, Libby Jones, Matt Kish, Ashour Lazar, & Gallery 3 News Join Together Auction success 15 Sandy Mateus, Mariam Mathew, Joanne Morris, John O’Toole, Sarah Ong, Salma Raza ’93, John Servente, Patty Strohm, Yolandi Strydom, Jenny Thomas, Spotlight on London 8 The New Frontiers campaign for ASL 15 Steve Townsend, William Vaughan Class notes 26 TEDxASL 16 Photography: Astonleigh Studio, Alessandra de Costanza ’11, Di Holmes, Faculty notes 31 A big round of applause for the 2012–13 Annual Fund 16 Caitlin Huson, Wendy Robinson Alumni news 32 The Commons transformed 17 Feature illustrations: Jacinta Sullivan Design and art direction: Powell Allen Ltd Alumni events 34 Harold T. Cruikshank Award 17 Printer: Empress Litho Limited In memoriam 37 Trustee news 18 The American School in London, founded in 1951, is an independent, non-profit, college preparatory day school for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The student body comprises 1,350 boys and girls who represent more than 50 nationalities. Gallery The American School in London Left: Educational Trust Limited Alessandra de Costanza ’11 Mrs. Hester, 2011 Members of the Board of Trustees The United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s The Hon. Matthew Barzun, Honorary Chair Lori E. Fields, Chair Michael P. Spies, Vice Chair Mary F. Marsh, Company Secretary Coreen R. Hester, Head of School R. Derek Bandeen Karen L. Brush Caroline M. Clark Christopher Finn Priya Hiranandani Vandrevala Left: Paige Jernigan Letter from the Head of School Juliette Rooney ’19 Alexander M. Knaster Elephant Donna M. Lancia Mixed media on paper Alison LeMaire It has often struck me that it’s impossible to go anywhere in the David Novak world and not bump into someone who has a connection to ASL. MS visual arts teacher Dwight M. Poler Salma Raza ’93 (ASL Elaine Proctor-Bonbright Our alumni populate every interesting place there is to go! Whether 2005–present) says, Victoria K. Robertson it’s on an airplane to a remote island, at a falafel truck at midnight “Grade 6 students selected a William H. Roedy in some city center, or a chance encounter at an engaging cultural variety of patterns and infused Joanna Shields them in the space of their Julie G. Skattum event, the ASL connection is always there, ready to be discovered. favorite animal. The black-and- Ramez Sousou white designs were juxtaposed William T. Tucker So there’s nothing quite like an ASL reunion event to reinforce this against a vibrantly layered Kashif Zafar notion. Last night I was in Washington DC for our fall reunion get- background created in ink.” Artist Juliette was moved Advisor to the Board of Trustees together. Particularly touching was witnessing students, parents, to produce her painting by a Richard A. Bailey faculty from all decades make immediate connections. Somehow that family trip to Africa last The American School in London shared understanding of the energy, excitement and eccentricities of November. She says, “I saw Foundation many elephants and African an education in London came to the surface, even for those meeting animals, which gave me my William A. Obenshain, President for the first time. The tales abound—the beloved teachers, the Barbara G. Coloney, Vice President inspiration.” Juliette was born Coreen R. Hester, Head of School world events, the family adventures, the wonder of London, the travel in London and has attended Julie Alexandre ASL since K1. She has a delights and disasters—and invariably the conclusion, “It was a brother, Sam ’17. Juliette’s Albert D. Angel life-changing experience.” Truly, I feel so fortunate to hear the Alison Blood favorite classes in school are Daniel F. Coughlin stories through many lenses. art and English, because she Timothy Craighead loves drawing and writing. Brad F. England This fall’s issue of Accents features an emphasis on our alumni John R. Farmer in technology as well as our regular news items about the special Lori E. Fields happenings on campus. Kudos to our alumni who have used the David E. Fife ’89 Diana H. Greene characteristic ASL creativity and drive to come up with innovative Deirdre McKechnie uses of technology, from new phone apps to accessing services on William C. Mules the web. Always current, always dynamic, we applaud our alums. Janet Newkirk Barry M. Sabloff You make us proud. And we’ll surely be seeing you soon, William L. Scheffler ’66 somewhere around the world! Ellen R. Stofan Susan J. Wilen Warmly, Ex Officio Member Cathleen Wolfe ’86, President, Alumni Association The American School in London Foundation (UK) Limited William A. Obenshain, President Andrew J. Sukawaty Coreen R. Hester David I. Stillman (P ’02 ’04; ASL 1995–97, 2007–present) Head of School 2 The American School in London Accents Fall ’13 3 Feature HE sun always shines for familiar to every ASL graduating class. She adds that the faculty are impressed solvers and build a better world. graduation. Always. But on Everyone stands to honor the graduates with the Class’s commitment to the Now it’s time for the ceremonial part Friday, 14 June, the “currant as they process to take their places in school’s Community Partners, athletic of the proceedings—the presentation of bun” is struggling to emerge the spotlight. This is the culmination of leadership, and engagement in the Middle ASL high school diplomas. Dr. Chodl Tfrom the low-lying cloud that has their education at ASL—an education East Cousins project. “You have brought reads the names of the members of the loomed over the city for the past that has developed their intellect and a compelling combination of skills and Class and they step forward to receive week. Nothing, however, can dull the character and given each and every one perspective to ASL.” their well-deserved certificates from spirits while emerging from Westmin- a global perspective. To finish, Mrs. Hester lauds the Mrs. Hester and Ms. Fields. ster tube station in an eager stream Following rousing applause, Head of attributes of the Class of 2013, As the newly graduated students return of ASLers—faculty, staff, families, School Coreen R. Hester takes her place “Multilingual and international, artistic to their seats, proudly clutching their friends—to be met with the full glory at the podium to begin the morning’s and political, you possess guts and gilded diplomas, Dr. Richards asks the of St. Stephen’s Tower, which houses proceedings. After welcoming those gutsiness. You have earned our respect. Lifers in the Class—those who have arguably the most famous bell in the assembled to the commencement Welcome to your graduation exercises.” attended ASL from first to last—to stand world, and the Palace of Westminster. exercises for the Class of 2013, Mrs. Board Chair Lori E. Fields (P ’08 and be recognized. This year, there are “Earth hath not anything to show Hester shares her reflections on the ’10 ’14) adds her congratulations to the 13 students who have attended ASL from more fair,” wrote Wordsworth, and class that leaves a noteworthy legacy.