Fall 2006

“As a strong and financially stable institution with the highest quality facilities, the Seven Hills School will be a leading educational community that dedicates extensive resources to the development of a professional and talented faculty, promotes respectful relationships with all people and the environment in which we live, and cultivates a vibrant culture of continuous learning and development.”

~Vision 50, William H. Miller Fall, 2005

In This Issue

Graduation Highlights

Japan Exchange Trip

2005-2006 Financial Report

Honor Roll of Donors & Volunteers

Reunion ‘06 Photo Gallery

Alumni School Destinations & News

Graduation Highlights, Class of 2006

June 8, 2006 marked a shining milestone in the lives of our eighth grade graduates. Amid many smiles, tears, inspiring quotes, awards, and memories, teachers and students thanked parents and one another for their hard work, inspiration, affection, and cooperation. A few excerpts from the Graduation week speeches give a glimpse into the hearts of the Class of 2006: 

“You, the Class of 2006, know that you have made a very big and positive impression on this school, on the students who will remain here, and on your faculty who will remember this class with great fondness for your leadership, your creativity, for your boldness, and your attitude and interest in diversity, and service to our school, community and our world.” Bill Miller, Headmaster

“Beginning the first day of kindergarten as a shy child burdened with separation anxiety, I reflect back on how I have grown tremendously in a multitude of different ways that seem unbelievable to me now. …It is truly difficult for me to comprehend that anxious little girl who could barely part with her mother for six hours on that premier day of school. Now, going to school each day is exciting for me, because I never know what new and exhilarating adventures await for me.”      Alanna Hulburd, graduate

“As I think about all the teachers…about how much they give of themselves and their time… The entire staff is always available if any student needs help and they make it simple for us to ask questions. It is hard to express in a simple speech the impact you have all made in my life. You have all made a lasting impression in my heart and it is something that I will take with me wherever I go.” Teresa Lucas, graduate

“This year, I, along with seven of my eighth grade associates, were chosen to be peer mediators. We learned how to solve problems between two students, eventually helping them solve problems on their own. And through applying these skills to by own life, my social experiences continue to be positive and rewarding.”  Cameron Che, graduate

“Looking back I realize that one element I never would have experienced by going to a different school, was the feeling of family here at Seven Hills.”  Hannah Foletta, graduate

“The Seven Hills experience in numbers: 11, the number of great years I have had at Seven Hills, each one different…36, the number of fantastic teachers I have had. All taught me valuable lessons, whether about hard work, being myself, or diagramming a sentence….16, the number of time Mr. Brown threatened to fail me for wearing a Stanford shirt….13, the number of homework assignments that I forgot and my mom had to bring to school…4, the number of times I almost caught a leprechaun…37, the number of things Mr. Shargel blew up in science class…23, the number of poems I memorized in first grade, (hurt no living thing!)...Infinite, the number of memories at Seven Hills, and the number of pieces of myself formed by those memories that I will keep in my heart for the rest of my life.”  Annie McKenna, graduate (pictured right)

“I have a confession regarding this Class of 2006. I never really wanted graduation day to arrive. I love the Class of 2006 and if Reagan and Bush, and oh, my gosh, even Nixon got four more years-why can’t I?”  Scott Espinosa-Brown, Assistant Headmaster

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Happenings on the Hills 

 Alumni counselors in abundance

Seven Hills Summer Camp was a “winner” this season, according to Susie Canchola, Seven Hills Camp Director, and Matt Shargel, director of Mr. Shargel’s Science Adventures Camp that took place on the Hills, along with Summer Camp.  

Canchola believes one of the reasons for its success is that nine Seven Hills Alumni, who all share a great enthusiasm for their elementary school alma mater, were camp counselors this summer. Marc Gould, Class of 2000, Becky Horton, Class of 2001, Taylor Nelson, Class of 2002, and Colin Hanna, Class of 2003 each directed one of the many specialty stations that were offered throughout the regular Camp 8 week program.

Five younger alumni were science counselors in training with Matt Shargel: Travis Kupp, Class of 2002, Sami and Max Prehn, Class of 2003, Hennessy Miller, Class of 2004, and Ali Espinosa-Setchko, Class of 2005, helped aspiring young scientists carry out 5 weeks of hands on exploration and games, including study of radio waves, remote control planes, and building robots. Becky Horton, a sophomore at Davidson College in the fall, was a four year veteran of Seven Hills Summer Camp. She liked the amount of variety that was built into the summer program this year.  “The kids had a lot of fun. There was more structured activity through the special stations like sports, art, and swimming each day,” noted Horton. 

This was Marc Gould’s first year at Summer Camp, but he was not new to camps. He explained, “The counselors each headed up a specialty station which they really liked, and so they inspired the kids.”

Taylor Nelson, who was the Sports and Science stations activity director, and who worked at other camps for the past five years, commented,  “The counselors really cared about the kids, and the kids were better behaved than at other camps I’ve experienced.”

Horton noticed that campus had changed a lot since she was a student, especially “the way all of the new playground features are designed to help kids do hands on activities, and reinforce things they learn more about in the classroom.” Gould appreciated that the campus has changed, “but the school has kept the sense of a small, tight-knit community. I’ve seen a lot of the same faculty from my years here, working around the school all this summer, which was nice.”

All 5 Science Adventure counselors agreed that they really enjoyed working with the kids. Hennessy Miller liked learning how to program a robot, and observing how creative the campers were in building their own. Ali Espinosa-Setchko admitted that the job turned out to be more difficult than she had imagined it would be. “You have to watch them constantly,” she explained. Kupp elaborated, “We learned patience. You’ve got to figure out a way to handle the kids without losing your cool.”

When Mr. Shargel asked them if they thought they could handle Science Camp if he weren’t there, Sami and Max Prehn concluded that they could, but cautioned, “for about half a day.”

Seventh Graders Go to Washington DC

Just a regular day at Seven Hills...

                          turning the creek green.

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Reflections on Seven Hills School return Exchange Visit to Kita Ward in Tokyo, Japan.

By Gretchen Bartzen

Nineteen members of the Class of 2006 traveled to Japan this summer to repay the visit of 20 eighth grade students from Kita City, Tokyo, last November 2005. Middle School humanities teacher Michael Sandberg led the trip, which was a combination of home stays with host families, visits to 13 different schools, and sightseeing. In the words of graduate J.D. Nosal at the farewell ceremonies on the last evening of the trip, students’ overwhelming impression of Japan and their new found friends: “Japan is cool.”

The Kita City-Seven Hills Exchange Program at Seven Hills School, which is in its seventh year, is sponsored by International Exchange Studies (IES) as a way to promote world peace and understanding through cross-cultural, educational exchanges. Japan is a beautiful, varied, country and the Japanese people extend a warm welcome and most generous hospitality to visitors.

Some personal reflections on our experience:

Though Tokyo is a city of over 12 million people, the Japanese take care to bring nature into their surroundings, with potted plants and trees crowding sidewalks, parks and tree-lined streets.

The Japanese people are healthy—they eat diets with low fat content and exercise constantly, walking more than they ride, and riding bikes when they are not walking. Japanese food constitutes an adventure in creativity, textures and tastes, and sometimes courage! As Mr. Sandberg noted in his farewell speech to our hosts, listing “top ten” pieces of advice for future Seven Hills exchange visitors: “Be ready to eat food that might be looking back at you.” 

Art and artistic presentation of almost everything abounds: from the food arranged on plates at the most humble of restaurants, to a gift purchased at the 100 yen store being tastefully and cheerfully wrapped before one even pays for the merchandise.

If you love gadgets, you will love Japan. The many sanitizing and comfort-giving features of their standard toilet are irresistible. One of Mr. Sandberg’s favorite Machine observed was the four seater stroller, designed so that two children side-by-side, could face two other children across from them. Another was the “training chopstick”, with the two sticks attached at the critical juncture.

Politeness, cleanliness, formality, and order are standard in public behavior, which makes traveling about Tokyo surprisingly easy and pleasant, even if you happen to be trapped in the almost unbelievable crush of humanity present during rush hour on the Japanese Railroad (JR) platform in the morning.

Japanese formal practices such as the tea ceremony, “Cha-no-yu,” and flower arranging, “Ikebana,” encourage reflection on such enduring principles as simplicity, harmony, and the beauty of nature.

Thoughts from student traveler Annika Canueto:

Japanese food is very exotic and different compared to American food. Some of the foods I tried in Japan include :tongue, raw horse, raw fish, octopus and squid (both raw and cooked)

There is plenty of transportation in Japan. If you live there, you literally do not need to own a car. There is a subway system all over the country, taxis everywhere, buses and more!

There does not seem to be much crime (stealing and kidnapping) in Japan compared to the US. I would often see children on the subway, as young as 5 going to class each morning by themselves. It surprised me because you would never see that happen in the US. Another thing I noticed was that almost everyone in Japan has a bike. I also noticed that they park the bikes anywhere, many without locks. It really surprised me that no one stole them.

Happy Retirement

Phyllis Ronhaar and Carol Johnson

Carol retired last June after 24 years of teaching, the last 16 at Seven Hills.

100th Day Festival

2005-2006 Annual Report

Message from the Board Chair

I would like to first welcome everyone back to school.  Hopefully you all had a relaxing summer and managed to find shade during those 112 degree days in July!!  Particularly once the power went out.  How much fun was that?  As you come back to campus please take a moment to walk by the new outdoor play areas at the Preschool.  Many of you have commented in the survey and other ways that the Preschool facilities are falling behind the rest of the school.  A major improvement project this summer was a joint redesign of the Preschool and Junior Kindergarten play yards.  Also, please make a special effort to welcome the new teachers this year and particularly the new families that have joined the Seven Hills community.

For the Board of Trustees, this coming year will start very differently than last year.  Last year we began the year with a brand new Chair and 12 trustees that had served one year or less on the board.  This coming year we welcome one new trustee, Cathy Cutler, and a new PIA Liaison, Mary Anderson.  Sadly we will be saying goodbye to three Trustees that have served Seven Hills tremendously over many years.  The three departing trustees are Ruwani Jayasingha, David Lardner, and Pat Sullivan.  You will be missed.  Thank you very much for all you have done for the school!!

Last year’s focus for the Board of Trustees was to work with Bill and together develop a vision for Seven Hills that would define where we wanted the school to go in the future.  Bill defined the time period as being the year 2012 (our 50^th anniversary) and labeled the plan “Vision 50”.  Bill began articulating this vision late last year and will continue to do so this year.  For this coming year our focus as a board will be on insuring there is a robust execution plan behind this vision and to insure we can accomplish every aspect of this vision.  We will begin this effort with our annual retreat the end of September.

Thank you again to everyone for all your support in my first year last year as the Board Chair.  I am looking forward to another great year working with all of you in the Seven Hills Community.

Kent Godfrey

Chair, Seven Hills School Board of Trustees

2005-2006 Parent Involvement Association

While the Board of Trustees, working with and supporting the Headmaster, is the guiding arm and policy making body for the School, the PIA Board and its 28 + Committees are the volunteer backbone and heart of Seven Hills. The PIA mission is to foster a positive sense of community, and support the faculty and administration in carrying out the School mission by coordinating all the parent volunteers and events.

In the words of our Webmaster and now emeritus Co-President of the PIA, Linda Loza, “Volunteerism has a long history at Seven Hills and our community depends upon creative and energetic families.  The high quality and wide variety of programs are possible because we have a generous and committed parent body.  Involvement with the PIA offers you some unique benefits: a special closeness with your child, a practical demonstration to your child of the value you place on education and volunteerism, the development of long lasting friendships and the opportunity to share your talents and learn something new from others.”

The long wonderful lists of donors and volunteers in this Annual Report are in large part a result of the hard work, dedication, love, and leadership of the entire PIA.

“Vision 50” supporters step forward early…

Cathy and Roy Yih and their son Aaron joined the Seven Hills School community in 1999 when Aaron entered Kindergarten. Now their new daughter Sophie will soon enter Seven Hills Preschool. Since the month they arrived they have come forward to offer extremely generous support for all of the fundraising and community building projects that have helped Seven Hills successfully complete the Capital Campaign, and continue to improve programs each year.

Before Bill Miller had even completed drafting “Vision 50”, the School’s new strategic plan last fall, the Yih’s contributed a major gift to support a new Lower School science center, one of Vision 50’s planned main program improvements. Roy, a Seven Hills Board member and Cathy, a two-time past Auction Chair, kindly took some time this summer to explain why they have made such an investment, financially and with personal involvement, in Seven Hills.

Roy explained:  “We have a strong connection with the science field and wanted to make a long-term investment in our children and possible future scientists.  Personally, we both have always put what time we could into making this world a better place. We also wanted to contribute financially to an institution that could help not just our children, but other children, enjoy the education experience.  We believe Seven Hills has a fantastic science program and we need to keep the children interested, fascinated and engaged in science, and to keep the program growing.  We know that soliciting for funding is hard, especially when you are a private school.”

Roy is now beginning his third year as a Board member. “Being a Board member has meant a lot to me personally, as I feel much more connected to Seven Hills. The issues discussed at these meeting give me a whole new appreciation of just what a major undertaking it is to run a school well, now and for the future. I am very happy to be part of this Board which cares so much about the School and where it is going.  It is heartwarming. I am so busy running a company, but to me the investment in time is meaningful, because I know it helps our kids, and all the children at Seven Hills. It is an honor to serve our community in this way.”

Cathy reflected on her service: “I always knew that whatever community my children were a part of, I would be a part of as well.  Volunteering and giving back to the community has always been a given for me, but I wanted an opportunity to make a significant impact on someone’s life.  It turns out I found a way to make a significant impact on many people’s lives… not just one child, but all the children at Seven Hills.  I am fortunate to have had the experience of chairing the auction for two years.  It was a full time job, and I got little sleep, but it was because it was such fun.  I met and worked with people I might not have ever known, who are now great friends.  I achieved a lot of what I set out to do, and I also discovered how much more the teachers, administration, and staff at Seven Hills do--- than just their jobs. Contributing money is great, but contributing time is greater. Its impact on me has lasted far greater than any amount of money we've contributed to any organization.”

Local Nonprofit Books for Barrios seeking help

By Travis Kupp, Seven Hills Alumnus, Class of 2003

The Philippine Archipelago of Southeast Asia is a country facing discouraging problems that cannot be effectively addressed by a population lacking a basic education.  Although steps have been taken to improve the country’s public education system, many schools still only have a few books to serve an entire student body, and libraries are even scarcer.  The not-for-profit organization Books for the Barrios is committed to strengthening elementary school education in the Philippines through grassroots work in the local community.

Books for the Barrios has been in operation since 1981, and has been providing the Philippines with books, school supplies, and toys to aid in early childhood development and education.  Since then they have implemented a “Model of Excellence” school program which raises the bar for public schools by improving facilities, teacher training, and curriculum development.  Locally, the organization provides American students—like some Seven Hills School students and alumni—with a positive, hands-on experience with philanthropic work, and a cultural education about the Philippine students who are benefiting from their efforts.

Currently, Books for the Barrios is facing a financial crisis.  Due to the disastrous effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, most of the smaller donations—on which the organizations relies—have been diverted to aiding natural disaster victims.  Without significant and immediate funding, the organization may be forced to close its doors as soon as September of this year.  They would be most appreciative of donations of any size.  For more information, and to make a donation, please visit http://www.booksforthebarrios.com/.

Alumni News

Class of 1976

Susan Sandler who lives in San Francisco, recently celebrated her 13^th wedding anniversary. The nonprofit organization she founded, Justice Matters!, will celebrate its 10^th anniversary on September 23^rd this year. They launched a new website this summer at www.justicematters.org.

Class of 1978

Mike Duncan is engaged to be married to Elizabeth Towhill of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mike proposed while they were on a cruise last spring. They will be married in November or April in Port St. Lucie, where they both live. 

Class of 1980

Kristin Babb Sprague was named one of the Contra Costa Times Top 25 Honorable Mention-Best Athletes in the Bay Area on June 12, 2006. She is the only athlete in U.S. Synchronized swimming to compete for 8 national teams. She won Gold in the 1982 Olympics.

Lia Rocca Plonka lives in Plainfield, Illinois. She is married, with two wonderful boys, ages 2 and 7. She has her elementary teaching degree but is currently taking time off to be a full-time mom. She would love to hear from her classmates and find out what they have been up to.

Class of 1986

Murali Moorthy, an orthopedic surgeon at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, attended the Reunion in June. He is married and has a 2 year old.

Class of 1991

Stephanie Pottruck entered graduate school in psychology in the fall of 2005, and is very happy. Prior to that she was working in the film industry. She sends greetings to her classmates.

Class of 1992

Allison Plambeck earned a Master's in Family Therapy (MFT) from JFK University and is currently working towards licensure.

Class of 1993

Jeremy Ashimine recently relocated to Walnut Creek from the Santa Cruz area. Besides developing a career as an artist through his fire dancing, which he performed at the June Reunion, he also plays in a band, paints, and works as a personal chef. He currently also works at a local restaurant, Va da vi.

James Patterson started an e-business as a book re-seller. He will soon be joining a new company

Class of 1994

Bo Espinosa-Setchko is working at the non profit organization called “Reproductive Health Technologies Project” in Washington D.C. The organization follows policies related to women’s reproductive health and rights, including access to contraception, environmental contaminants and their effects on fertility, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion rights, and genetic testing.

Ross Warner has been teaching guitar at Seven Hills for 2 years. He attended and performed at the June Reunion. He played baseball for UC Davis.

Class of 1995

Vanessa Totten is working for O'Rorke, Inc., a public relations/advertising firm in San Francisco and Beverly Hills, while attending graduate school. She can work in LA while classes are in session and San Francisco during breaks. She has completed one of two years towards a Masters in Public Policy at USC.  O’Rorke, Inc. specializes in government clients, and has been a great complement to her coursework.

Class of 1997

Nicolle Howard graduated from Chico State University.

Class of 1998

Catherine Silva graduated from UC Berkeley in June with a BA in Public Health with an emphasis on Community Health and Human Development. She will attend graduate school for an M.S.N. to obtain a Nurse Practitioner license in Boston, at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

David Von Bargen who lives in New York City, visited campus last spring. He graduated from George Washington University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Creative Writing last spring. He recently received a commission with the US Army as an Armor Second Lieutenant. He will be training for the next year, and will join the Third Infantry Division in Savannah, Georgia. David attended Seven Hills from PreK to 5^th Grade. One of his best memories was seeing a peacock wander into his classroom and watching the teacher shoo it away.

Alan Wells will graduate in the fall from UC Davis in design and environmental studies.

Class of 1999

Jason Bowersmith debuted last spring in the Contra Costa Musical Theatre production of Beauty and the Beast, and continued acting with DiabloValley College Theatre, performing in Jekyll and Hyde. Jason served as master carpenter for all of DVC’s productions last year. This fall Jason will attend Los Medanos College’s Fire Science program to become a firefighter.

Laura Patterson devotes most of her time to developing her singing career, and will attend college this fall. She has recently moved to Los Angeles. Laura performed one of her recently recorded songs at the Reunion in June. She writes her own songs and prefers pop rock.

Class of 2000

Andrew Dolinko has completed his sophomore year at Johns Hopkins and is majoring in biophysics with a minor in English and voice at the Peabody Conservatory. He has made the Dean’s list during both his years. Andrew is also a member of the a cappella group, the Barnstormers. He is doing research, on the connections between DNA and cystic fibrosis.

Marc Gould was a Seven Hills Camp counselor this summer. As a sophomore at Indiana University, he is majoring in business, and minoring in history. After college, he is considering a career in the field of social relations, or perhaps the entertainment or restaurant management field. He plays inter-mural basketball at IU where he finds the academics in a field of 40,000 other students fairly intense. “Though the classes are often large, you can always meet with a professor if you wish.”

Becky Horton is a sophomore at Davidson College near Charleston, North Carolina and is enjoying the “Southern experience”. She might major in English or history, and is considering applying to law school after her undergraduate degree. She is enjoying playing varsity lacrosse. 

Whitney Livermore and the Williams College Women's Basketball team went to the Sweet 16 of the Division III National Championships last winter. She attributes the success to her Seven Hills teammates, since they made basketball such a lively experience.

Class of 2001

David “Buck” Ashburn finished his freshman year at University of Santa Clara.  He is working over the summer as a barista at Starbucks.

Taylor Gramkow completed his freshman year successfully at Hofstra University on Long Island. He will attend Chapman College in Los Angeles this fall. He is looking forward to majoring in Communications, and in participating in the cohesive community he has observed at Chapman.

Marshall Miller will attend UC Irvine in the fall, and will major in Public Affairs.

Sabrina Yee graduated with honors June 2005 from St. Andrew’s Priory School for girls in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was elected as the first non-Hawaiian president of the Hui Club, and was active in sports. She also served as the chairperson for the school’s service committee. She is now attending the University of San Francisco, majoring in science and continuing her love of hula and promoting Hawaiian culture. Her family has moved back to the Bay Area, and is now living in Alamo. 

Class of 2002              Class of 2002 College Choices

Hayley Ashburn graduated this year from Las Lomas.  She was on the Varsity Cheer and Lacrosse teams.  She is looking forward to attending University of Colorado at Boulder.

Kimi Sawanobori was happy her dad could take her for a mini-reunion with her 7^th grade classmates last May in Washington D.C. during their class field trip.  

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Alumni Reunion Revisited

The Seven Hills Alumni Reunion on June 10, “Spotlight on Alumni Artists”, was one of the best gatherings ever-with a wide showing of alums from the 80’s through the 90’s and 00’s. Many current and former faculty were on hand to register the amazing amount of growth and experience that alumni displayed since the one to 25 years or more when they were “resident” at Seven Hills. 

Alumni artists who performed after former trustee, Meribeth Farmer’s, catering crew’s perfect barbecue lunch: Carla LoCoco, Class of 1992, displayed some of her “Paris rooftop” collection of sketches; Jeremy Ashimine, Class of 1990, who gave a thrilling demonstration of the art of fire dancing (without the fire, but in full painted costume); Ross Warner, Class of 1994, performed one of his own blues guitar numbers, and Laura Patterson, Class of 1999, sang one of her recent recordings, an original song composed by a friend. An award winning writing piece by Nick Sullivan, Class of 2003, was also on display.

Veteran Seven Hills English and French teacher, Marianne McBride, interviewed the artists about how they have managed to practice their art and make a living at the same time. Below is a list of attendees by Class and a Reunion album by photographer and Seven Hills Reading Specialist Barb Eaton. If you were there and we missed you, shame on us!

Next year’s Reunion,  Save the Date is: Saturday, June 9, 2007.