2022-2023 Dunn School Journal

Editorial Team

Joshua

Graphic Designer

An Lai

Head of School

Kalyan A. Balaven

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Guy Walker ’76, P’05

Associate Head of School Gene Vachon, Simon Sweeney

Assistant Head of School Barbara Haig

Chief of Staff Jennifer Freed

Admissions Office

Mike McKee, Sarah Harris, Amanda Milholland

Business Office

Chad Stacy, Lisa Rosenberg, Emily Garcia

Marketing & Communications Office

Joshua D. Scroggin, Gill Griffin

Philanthropy Office

LynnRae Dunn, Jennifer Ellis, Samantha Jessup Stalling

Additional Contributors

Mike Chapman, Kelsey Sullivan ’06, Quinby Janes, Carol Ann Elwell, P ’24, Leslie Vincent, P ’04, ’06, and ’12

Mission Statement

The Dunn School community educates whole students to their fullest potential in preparation for a life of learning and responsible leadership in society.

Core Values

In the Dunn School community, we as students, teachers, staff, parents, trustees, and friends are committed to understand and live by the following core values: Emotional Wellness, Physical Readiness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility, Moral Courage.

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In This Issue 2 Head of School’s letter

A message of gratitude and welcome from the school’s 9th Head of School. 4 Celebrating 65 years of history We wouldn’t be where we are today without the strong foundation laid by Tony Dunn. We look back and celebrate together!

Current news on campus

Catch up on the latest at Dunn School.

20 year club Seven of our professional community members tally up 20+ years of dedication to Dunn.

With a history in entrepreneurship, Dunn now formalizes the program thanks to a generous gift.

Report on Philanthropy

Celebrating our generous supporters and volunteers in 2021-2022.

The latest quarterly update from the Dunn community across the world. 63 Then & Now

Looking back into the archives at how things once were, and how they are now.

The Viewfrom The Mountaintop

Tony Dunn said, “It is important to realize that education is an end in itself. Its by-products — the high school diploma, the college degree, the professional job openings — are not nearly as important as the expansion of the mind and the subsequent flowering of the personality. The view from the mountaintop is the reward of the climber.”

Sixty-five years later, the view is still the same. We still cheer wildly as a community from the sidelines when we beat Midland in sports and know the gopher holes on our practice fields like the back of our hands.

We still stuff our journals, full of reflections from Joshua Tree or Yosemite, into our backpacks and feel the stiff soreness in our arms from paddling the Colorado. We still smell like Santa Barbara surf and track the dust on our footsteps from forest treks through winding trails of our beautiful valley.

We still sit together for formal dinner, learn how to tie a tie,

or dress up for Halloween. We still squish together in the barn, laugh, and applaud as we watch the school play. We dishwash, bricklay, stone-turn, fence-paint, landscape, and embrace any job that teaches dedication and service.

We don’t attempt, we achieve.

I’m the 9th headmaster at Dunn School, and I’m proud to serve in the model set by Tony Dunn. A model that champions Whole Student Education. Whole Student Education is when a student is fully seen, heard, and known.

I was not lucky enough to go to a school like Dunn as a child. I was a public school product and due to my family’s economic situation, I lived a transient lifestyle in my high school years. It was in high school that I did hit the lottery by being placed in Tommie Lindsey’s rhetoric class by mistake. He was a whole student educator, who dug into his own pockets to make sure I could afford speech and debate tournament fees and have food to eat. He would drive me to

wherever my family was staying, so that I could be safe from the gang-related violence that surrounded my school.

Mr. Lindsey saved me. He single-handedly made sure I made it to college and beyond. I was seen, heard, and known because of Mr. Lindsey. So, at every life-changing moment, I reach out to him to celebrate — whether it be my marriage or the birth of our children. And so, when the moment came, I called him up to announce I was named Head of School of Dunn School – and these were the words we exchanged:

“Mr. Lindsey, I wanted to let you know I’m going to be the Head of School of Dunn School in Los Olivos, California.”

“Say that again.”

“Los Olivos, California?”

“I went to boarding school in Los Olivos, California.”

What poetry! The teacher who I’ve been chasing as an educator learned it all at the very place I was now moving to.

He was the snake of justice captured in our crest who wrapped his coils around me and faced me in the right direction and led me on the right path. Here I am now, ready to do the same for our students at Dunn.

Ne Tentes Aut Perfice is alive and well as part of the vision for the Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program, our athletics teams, and the residential life opportunities. And we continue to define ourselves in these terms and in the spirit of Tony Dunn.

We are thriving. The intersection and strength of Whole Student Education is exemplified by our core values, by entrepreneurship as defined in our motto, and by our residential life, where teaching, advising, and coaching are not limited to the school day. Dunn School students are seen, heard, and known.

Attempt not but Achieve.

Or, get it Dunn.

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY

Where we’ve come from…

In the spring of 1957, Anthony B. Dunn was seeking a site to open a boarding school for teenage boys. Already a renowned teacher in the Santa Ynez Valley, the World War II vet and Oxford educated Brit had a dream to provide the unique blend of college preparatory education combined with practical life skills, all which remain the hallmark of Dunn School to this day.

Serendipitously, the trustees of what was then known as the Valley Farm School were seeking a visionary. Their aim was to secure the future for the student body of mostly younger children and stuard them through high school. Tony did all that and more, birthing a legacy that only strengthens 65 years after first bringing his dream to fruition.

Founding principles

Dunn School existed on paper before anywhere else. It was a true entrepreneurial leap that took legal form before there were students, buildings to house them, or teachers to educate them — even before all this, plans were made to conjure those exact things.

All that existed initially were principles, spelled out in articles

of incorporation for a Dunn School that had no grounds or anything else tangible.

Tony Dunn knew he wanted to provide a residential boarding school experience to students at a value. He wanted students to learn skills — both academic and practical — that would turn them into self-sufficient citizens, and he knew the best way to forge them was through an educational model that nurtured students throughout the traditional school day and beyond.

That concept of Whole Student Education was the entrepreneurial idea after which every development in the past 65 years at Dunn School has followed.

Today, the Dunn professional community teaches to five core values: Emotional Wellness, Physical Readiness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility and Moral Courage. Through honing those values, students live the dream that started with Tony all those years ago. Experiencing curriculum and community building that supports them through evenings, weekends, and adventures beyond the campus grounds, Dunn students carry Tony’s name and legacy on their paths to becoming our society’s leaders.

A look back...

1957-1958

Tony Dunn became the first Headmaster of The Valley Farm School. That fall, the school opened with 49 students, from Nursery School to 10th Grade.

1960-1961

Thirteen seniors made up the first graduating class of Dunn School.

1966-1967

Tony Dunn died on January 3, 1967. The new Headmaster was William Webb of Catalina Island School.

1970-1971

Admissions opened to local girls as day students. Pete Robbins started the boys lacrosse team.

1973-1974

With the arrival of Nancy Roome, the Tutorial-Remedial (now Learning Strategies) Program began.

1974-1975

Bill Webb retired and Nick Thacher became Interim Head for the following school year.

1976-1977

Ed Simmons became Headmaster.

1979-1980

Dunn Middle School opened with two teachers and 18 students in 6th and 7th grades.

1982-1983

Steve Loy became the fourth Headmaster.

1984-1985

Faculty-led “Spring Trips” were replaced by the Outdoor Education Program, led by Randy Judycki.

1990-1991

Ground was broken by Business Manager and former teacher Robert Jurgensen on Loy House, kicking off admissions for boarding girl students.

1992-1993

Dunn’s fifth Headmaster, Eric Ruoss joined the school.

1995-1996

Girls approached parity with boys in the student body. At the end of the

school year, Jim Munger was named the sixth Headmaster.

1999-2000

Two new boys’ dorms were dedicated to Rose and Peter Knoles and to Mike Boone ’79, becoming Knoles House and Boone House respectively.

2005-2006

Boys Varsity Soccer won 17 straight games to win both the Condor League Championship and the California State Soccer Championship in Division 6, Southern Section.

2007-2008

In Jim Munger’s final year as Headmaster, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary at Spring Family Weekend. Michael Beck was selected as the school’s eighth Headmaster.

2019-2020

The first new building on campus in 20 years, the Cindy Bronfman Leadership

Center, was completed… just in time for the school to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020-2021

Current Head of School, Kalyan Balaven, joined the Dunn School community.

2021-2022

Earwig Inc. was formalized into the Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program, offering several new entrepreneurship courses to students. The first Founder’s Day event was held, recognizing Tony Dunn’s legacy and celebrating some of Dunn’s first alumni.

Guy R. Walker ’76, P’05

To say I know a thing or two about Dunn School and its history is somewhat of an understatement. I’ve been blessed to be part of this community for many years… not quite 65, but close enough.

I’m a proud member of the Class of 1976, a parent to an alumna from the Class of 2005 (Cianna Walker), have been a trustee for a number of years, and am now honored to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees. But perhaps one of my favorite claims is that I’ve attended 49 consecutive commencement ceremonies at Dunn School, and I look forward to watching the Class of 2023 next spring, which will commemorate my 50th consecutive year!

The traditions, the community, the Whole Student Education at Dunn School are what keep me coming back.

While the world around us grows and changes, Dunn remains grounded in its foundations. And while the school has evolved to stay current, adapting to new methods, technologies, and more, for me, Dunn has always been my constant.

The concept of Whole Student Education is a holistic approach to learning and teaching that has also been a constant of this school. It offers students not just the academic knowledge and skills to succeed, but it also empowers our community with the social and cultural nuances to be successful in life.

This approach is what Tony Dunn embodied as a leader, father, teacher, and so much more. And this whole student approach is also embodied in our new Head of School, as he follows in Tony’s footsteps.

To our Dunn community, I am proud to celebrate the school’s 65th anniversary with each of you, and I look forward to many more years of continued growth, success, and tradition.

Ne tentes aut perfice.

ecognition of Service

We celebrated the retirement of three remarkable members of our professional community in recent years. Willy Haig taught his final Math class on May 25, 2022, while Alice Berg and Leslie Vincent finished up their tenures in the Learning Strategies department a year prior in 2021. During one of their final meetings, Willy pointed out that between the three of them, they’ve spent nearly 100 years at Dunn!

Alice, Leslie, and Willy, we thank you for your grace, wit, kindness, leadership, and dedication to Dunn! You have each made a huge impact on your students and the greater Dunn community.

Years at Dunn: 1989-2022

Titles: Math Teacher and Department Chair; Soccer coach extraordinaire

Spent the first months of retirement hiking, biking, and camping in seven U.S. National Parks.

Willy’s Memories & Achievements:

• Created and taught an innovative, integrated honors math curriculum (although won’t claim this brilliance).

• “Winning the talent show with Barbara when we destroyed Stand By Your Man.”

• Single-handedly had the most catchphrases on campus!

A lice Berg

Years at Dunn: 1989-2021

Titles: Co-Director of Learning Strategies

Currently living in the Santa Ynez Valley with husband Steve, and actively volunteering for the Los Olivos Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels, and People Helping People.

Alice’s Memories & Achievements:

• Picked up the mantle of leadership from Nancy Roome in the Learning Skills Program (now the Learning Strategies Program).

• “In 2015, I started bringing in Poppy, my therapy dog. Students would stop to say hi or take her for a walk. Poppy always knew how to make everyone smile.”

• “When I started at Dunn, my son, Michael McCann ’02, was in kindergarten. We used to bring our children on school trips, so Michael learned to rock climb at Joshua Tree at age 5, and later learned to camp and kayak. I’m certain those early experiences gave him his love of the outdoors.”

• “The best part of my job was watching my students develop into incredible adults.”

L eslie Vincent

Years at Dunn: 1991-2021 Titles: Associate Director and Teacher for Learning Strategies (Leslie also returned last year to help as a Science substitute)

Currently living in Lompoc with husband Nick, who makes guest appearances with Dunn’s Facilities Department.

Leslie’s Memories & Achievements:

• “I loved traveling to Hawaii with Don Daves-Rougeaux and the girls track team, and hiking along the Kern River with Randy Judycki during an OE trip.”

• “It was so rewarding to travel with my LS cohorts to the Learning & the Brain Conference in San Francisco, where we listened to top scholars and brought knowledge and ideas back to Dunn.”

• “I was surprised and honored to be called onstage at a graduation ceremony to receive a gift to Dunn in my honor from Preston ’15 and Chandler ’15 Hughes.”

TO THE CLASS OF 2022! CONGRATS

We celebrated our recent graduates during a special ceremony on Saturday, June 4, 2022.

During the commencement, former College Counselor Liz Tyng exhorted the students with these words, “I hope that you will seek out and soak up every possible opportunity. That you will push yourselves and take risks. And most importantly, invest in the process of learning and prioritize the journey over the outcome. And, please, please, please take at least one course each year that simply piques your curiosity.”

In his speech, Head of School Kalyan A. Balaven shared, “Tony Dunn said, the view from the mountain top is the reward of the climber — and I believe the reward for the community is manifest in our view of you. We are so proud of you, of all you accomplished, even as you faced all your hurdles. It’s been our privilege and our joy. Thank you for what you gave to Dunn.”

We extend congratulations once again to the members of the Class of 2022 and trust that, in the throes of matriculation and acclimating to a new environment, they will remember that change is good because it spurs intellectual and personal growth.

Invest in the process of learning and prioritize the journey over the outcome.

Liz Tyng

Quinby Janes

Dear Dunn Community,

I am elated to be a student leader in this special year, our school’s 65th anniversary! Within the first few weeks of school, I already felt the buzz of excitement all the way from the Carpe Diem sign on the southeast side of the Middle School to the art patio on the northwest corner of the upper campus.

This school year holds growth and the education of the whole student on an entirely new level. The thread that is Dunn has woven the most caring, motivational, and endearing community

I have ever been a part of; this year it is more emphasized than before.

I am looking forward to hosting more fundraisers, bringing back the entwined nature of the day and boarding students, and fostering an uplifting community that is our home.

I am incredibly honored to be this year’s Student Body President as it is a time of immense positive change that will have tangible effects on both student and professional communities.

Best wishes,

STUDENTS’ ‘SCIENTIFIC PIZZA’ VIDEO HITS PBS AIRWAVES

As part of a science class project last spring, Dunn Middle School students Keenan Zekaria and Elijah Ormond explored the science behind pizza and why the crust rises in the oven. To help demonstrate their learnings in a more exciting way, the boys created a video showing how to make dough from scratch.

Thanks to their thorough explanation and stellar cinematography, this video was selected by KQED public television to be showcased at the California STEAM Symposium in Anaheim, Calif., in October 2022. Check out Dunn’s YouTube page to see it for yourself!

MLK JR. INVITATIONAL SPEECH TOURNAMENT

He voiced his dream, decades ago, for social justice, equity and inclusion, in one of America’s — and the world’s — most memorable, influential speeches. Dunn School now actively plans to honor the life and legacy of that celebrated dreamer, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by hosting a two-day Invitational Speech Tournament bearing his name. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Jan. 15, on both Dunn’s Middle and Upper School campuses and will involve student contestants from a variety of independent and public schools in grades 4-12.

DUNN BOYS BASKETBALL

POISED FOR ‘BIG’ SEASON

While the Dunn boys soccer team looks to continue its rich winning tradition on the pitch this season, another winter sports team also has high expectations — and the height to match.

Helmed by first-year Earwigs coach Ray Vazquez, the Dunn boys basketball program includes four players at 6-foot-7 or taller, three of which feature in the varsity starting lineup.

Headlined by Latif (6’9”) and Seal Diouf (6’9”, pictured above), a junior and sophomore sibling combo, the Earwigs also include sophomore Theo Anderson (6’7”), while the rest of the starting lineup is also over 6 feet.

“We have a realistic goal of winning the league,” Director of Athletics Kelsey Sullivan ’06 said, “for the first time in a long time.”

AVAILABLE NOW: Real World Education

The Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program officially launched this fall. Inspired by the school’s former business manager, and funded by one of his grateful students, this program is off to a tremendous start. Built out from the popular Earwig Inc. model, the Jurgensen Program now offers students students six distinct opportunities:

1. Jurgensen’s Summer Entrepreneurs - This two-week summer program gives prospective Dunn students a taste of entrepreneurship, business management, and investment management.

2. Jurgensen’s Toolkit - A two-trimester upper school class, the Toolkit introduces students to design thinking and the entrepreneur’s mindset, and allows them to interact with existing entrepreneurs and businesses.

3. Jurgensen’s Market and the Earwig Cafe - A trimester-long intensive that allows students to manage every facet of the school’s student-run business ventures. Hands-on is the model, and net income is the goal!

4. Jurgensen’s Pioneers - A select group of senior student entrepreneurs are provided the time, tools, and support to work independently on their own business ventures.

5. Jurgensen’s Investors and Philanthropists - With the market and cafe generating nearly $50,000 a year in profit, someone has to invest all that money! Here students learn to invest in common stocks, real estate, and alternative investments using the best learning tool — real money! Their scholarship endowment account is creeping up on $300,000 and is compounding at market-beating rates!

6. History and Philosophy of Status and Power - We seek to send our graduates out into the world with both knowledge of the dynamics of power as well as the philosophical underpinnings that allow our students to seek their “why.”

Here’s what current students are saying…

I have never had a class as collaborative as this one. I hope to start a business one day and believe this class will give me a big head start to do so.

- Roan Cassidy, 10th Grade

In class we learn rebranding, presenting the new product to the business, and handling investment decisions. I am thrilled to see what I am able to accomplish with my peers.This class pushes me out of my comfort zone, giving me more confidence to make BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals).

- Gretchen Grenier, 9th Grade

I love how our class is made up of interactive, hands-on learning. This is exactly how we need to learn, as entrepreneurship and business management are the most creative things in the world.

-Luke Heald, 11th Grade

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL

Pandemic restrictions have heavily influenced the way we gathered in person over the past two school years. One casualty of the care we took in limiting the spread of COVID-19 was Fall Family Weekend. Traditionally, this was a time when Dunn invited families on campus to experience a bit of student life.

In reflection of some of those recent opportunities missed, for this fall, the special weekend became Fall Family Festival, bringing a spirit of celebration and fun to the annual slate of activities.

Families enjoyed sporting and artistic activities, miniclasses, drama and music performances, stargazing, and a dedication of the new Reflection Haven. Many thanks to the families of our students who ventured on campus to enjoy the student experience.

SENIOR STUDENT LEADERS HELP TAME THE WILD

I wanted to do this program because when I was a freshman I didn’t have any seniors to talk to. After our recent trip, I still talk to a lot of freshmen who were in my group. They know I’m here to help them.

It was a big ask but a unique opportunity and challenge for any Dunn School senior willing to embrace it: lead groups of freshmen on a weeklong adventure trip through the Yosemite National Park backcountry.

Dunn’s Outdoor Education department solicited the seniors, and in August 2022, 18 of them stepped up to meet the moment. The seniors served as trail group co-leaders and expedition role models for the freshman groups.

As a part of the arrangement, Dunn partnered with Lasting Adventures, a leading California outdoor adventure company, to assist the seniors with logistics, selecting trail routes, and securing permits.

Each senior was given the task of serving as “Leader of the Day,” conducting a morning meeting and an evening reflection, managing routes, and planning meals and activities. The 18 student leaders returned to campus with a renewed sense of confidence and poise that will serve them for the entire school year and beyond.

20 YEAR CLUB

We’re even more thrilled to recognize seven members of our professional community who have been part of the Dunn School fabric for 20 years or longer. Alumni, current students, families, colleagues, and industry peers will all agree that these individuals have given tirelessly to enhance and inspire the lives of our students.

For all that and so much more, we share our utmost gratitude and sincere love… and some fun superlatives in the much-loved yearbook style, thoughtfully drafted by colleagues.

Time at Dunn: 33 years

Titles at Dunn: Math, Science, Chemistry, Biology and STEM teacher, Science then STEM Department Chair, Director of Summer School, Coach of track, volleyball, soccer, pickleball, Student Government Advisor, Director and then Dean of Leadership, Assistant Head of School for Leadership (and several more!)

Most likely to challenge Beyonce for the title of Queen Bee… and then a dance off!

Time at Dunn: 24 years

Titles at Dunn: Learning Strategies Teacher, Soccer and Pickleball Coach

Most likely to teach you the sport of pickleball, and then destroy you and everyone you know in said game.

Time at Dunn: 22 years

Titles at Dunn: Spanish teacher, World Languages Department Chair, Coach of Boys & Girls Volleyball, Cross Country, and Swimming, Outdoor Ed trip chaperone

Most likely to run 25 miles, bike 15, and swim 5 before the rest of us wake up.

If you have a special story about one of these remarkable individuals, please share it with us at alumni@dunnschool.org or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. We’d love to hear from you!

We’re grateful and honored to have such incredible teachers and staff.

Ulises Castaneda | Time at Dunn: 22 years

Titles at Dunn: Boone and then Senior House Head, Spanish teacher, Assistant Baseball Coach, Boys & Girls Basketball Coach, Dean of Students, Dean of Equity and Inclusion

Most likely to cry while watching Selena, even during the 100th time!

Gene Vachon | Time at Dunn: 21 years

Titles at Dunn: English teacher and Department Chair, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, Drama Director, Loy House Head, Academic Dean, Dean of Curriculum, Dean of Faculty, Principal, Associate Head of Student Life and Professional Growth (and several more!)

Most likely to say YES… to everything!

Vicki Vachon | Time at Dunn: 21 years

Titles at Dunn: Upper School Assistant, Activities Director, Ceramics teacher, Loy House Head, Student Store Manager, Girls Tennis, Dance, and Drama Coach

Most likely to have the best candy and snacks stashed in her office… and she’ll share, but only if you help out with planning the next best student activity!

Nancy Ortiz | Time at Dunn: 20 years (1973-1975 & 2004 to present!)

Titles at Dunn: Girls Soccer and Volleyball Coach, Learning Strategies Teacher

Most likely to sneak away with an event’s floral centerpiece — especially if there are succulents — only to make a more beautiful plant arrangement for the Learning Strategies patio and garden.

NEW FACES ON CAMPUS

Please join us in welcoming (and in some cases, welcoming back) these new members of our Professional Community.

Innovating Education

Expanding the curriculum at Dunn School

Heading out of a global pandemic, Dunn is poised to continue to develop passionate and engaged learners, both teachers and students.

Last year, through a collaborative process that included students and teachers, we were able to create innovative courses to complement our existing slate of core classes. During the summer, teachers undertook an Understanding By Design workshop to design their new courses, as well as to

refine units within the regular academic core curriculum. Through this process, a number of new courses were added to our offerings to provide students with a greater breadth of choice.

Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFT is a micro-economics class proposed by History and Entrepreneurship Teacher, Alex Westcott. Here they will examine economic principles and investigate the underlying technology and processes related to NFTs. Alex will be assisted by industry expert, Shingo Lavine.

Veteran MLB, NHL, and NFL presenter, Gary Thorne, is teaching a Sports Journalism course. Students produce content and examine sports through a journalistic lens. Sports Science and Media Lab is a complementary course examining the role of statistics and video capture increasing athletic performance, coaching analysis, and viewer understanding. The course has been developed by Physics teacher David Mason.

Communications teacher, Gil Griffin, will be helming our Speech and Debate program. The signature event of

this class is organizing and facilitating our Martin Luther King Jr. Speech Tournament in January 2023.

History and Philosophy of Status and Power is a senior level history course taught by Head of School Kalyan A. Balaven and Associate Head of School Gene Vachon. Here students examine the role of hidden and overt power at a school, local, and international level.

David L. Middleton, an automotive engineer with F1 experience, has designed and implemented a nation-first MIE Racing Simulation course, interweaving STEM and motor racing in an innovative program designed to mirror the tasks undertaken by a racing program in a simulated manner. Students test, refine, and race their cars on simulators while gaining a practical understanding of STEM.

Raising Entrepreneurs

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunn alum Jim Geller ’75, President and CEO of Gellar International, got a phone call from a place he hadn’t visited nor thought about in years. On the other end of the phone was Chad Stacy, Dunn School’s CFO and co-instructor of a unique student-centric business class. Chad asked Jim if he’d be interested in collaborating on a project with his alma mater.

Six months later, Jim showed up to campus carrying a cooler filled with the finest cuts of meat and twice-baked potatoes. He lit the wood-fired grill and thanked students in person for their collaboration. He shared that their marketing ideas for his new line of salty Asian snacks were among some of the best he has seen in his career.

His enthusiasm was real. The student experience was high stakes and collaborative. The resulting growth was amazing for both the students and Jim. The renewed connection between an alum and his alma mater will last a lifetime.

During his time as a Dunn student, Jim Gellar was inspired to pursue his business passions. A former teacher

encouraged him to study in Asia, and while abroad he was drawn to the unique foods he discovered. He has spent his career building a business based on the import/export of foods between Asia and the United States. His big business break came when he brought wagyu beef from Japan to America and landed an exclusive supplier relationship with the famous Bay Area restaurant, The French Laundry. Now as a business executive, Jim has been excited to connect again with Dunn students and inspire the next generation of business leaders.

Jim’s story at Dunn mirrors the experience of so many Dunn alumni through the years who have embraced the Ne Tentes Aut Perfice spirit. Mike Boone ’79 was mentored by teacher and Dunn’s first business manager, Robert W. Jurgensen, to pursue entrepreneurship as a creative career. Mike went on to invent and market the white board, the battery-powered flickering candle, and the Cremo line of men’s grooming products. He credits much of his success to the relationship he built with and the instruction he received from “Jurgy.” His gratitude to Jurgy and his appreciation for Dunn’s

current commitment to teaching entrepreneurship inspired him to donate a multi-year, seven-figure gift to expand the school’s program and reach more students with a deeper curriculum.

Now in the first year as an expanded and re-branded Robert W. Jurgensen Entrepreneurship Program, the school is reaching 62 students, versus 18 in the year prior. Dunn has added four additional classes plus a summer camp to the program, and the students are engaging in deep topics including investing, business management, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, philosophy, and power dynamics.

Chad Stacy, now the Director of this visionary program, is always on the lookout for the next business partner to connect with his students. Perhaps you are a successful entrepreneur, investor, or philanthropist, or know of former classmates who might be interested? Chad would love to talk to you about the possibility of a collaborative project with our current students.

Change in Residence

Tony Dunn’s vision of the boarding school he founded in 1957 described a community that “imparts... the desire for knowledge,” a community that “abhors the Educationists and welcomes the Educator.”

Our new Director of Residential Life, Toby Castle, is the sort of educator that Tony had in mind. He recognizes the need for a whole student residential program that thrives “by placing students at the center of authentic, communal, immersive challenges;” a residential program that creates “opportunities that not only grow students’ confidence, but also cultivates their intellectual curiosity and build deep, long-lasting friendships.”

Before arriving at Dunn, Toby served as the Associate Head of School at Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys in Maryland, and as an educator and administrator at The Scots College and St. Luke’s Grammar School in his native Sydney, Australia. In all these roles, Toby’s work focused on building

and rebuilding residential programs based on character education and development of the whole student.

In the short time that Toby has been a part of the administration at Dunn, he has introduced some new structural and philosophical approaches to the residential program, designed to provide an optimal context in which the professional community can nurture and support boarding students.

Toby says, “It is the responsibility of the teacher and the teaching community to recognize that a student’s emotional and social wellbeing can facilitate or impede their academic engagement, application, commitment, and ultimately their school success. The quality of a student’s relationships, the structure behind their social processes, and the philosophy that undergirds their

collective agency affects how and why they learn in all spheres of life.” It is the residential boarding program that contributes to this ecosystem of formation and why we’re thankful to have Toby and his family part of the Dunn School community.

And now Toby and his wife Kelley have embarked on the greatest of their adventures by recently welcoming their daughter, Ada Joy. We are thrilled to have the Castle family as a part of the campus community and privileged to have Toby as our inaugural Director of Residential Life.

students and professional community members celebrate at a formal dinner.

DMS CHARGES AHEAD

The 2022-23 academic year at DMS is both a time for change and for reviving old traditions.

Notably, longtime DMS Head Simon Sweeney has transitioned to become Associate Head of School for Curriculum and Learning. In his stead, Christy Nordgren has taken the reins at DMS after over a decade at Dunn School, serving in various capacities including MS/US English Teacher, Summer Director, 12th Grade Dean, and DMS Athletic Director.

Moving on from a few COVID-hampered years, DMS hit the ground running. The year started with its traditional opening week camping trip, followed by much-loved events such as the Barn Dance, Try-athlon, Astronomy night, 8th Grade San Francisco trip, and 7th Grade Pinnacles trip. Also back for the first time since 2019 is everyone’s favorite: internships!

A recent (past 5 years), but valuable process is our capstone project for 8th Grade students. Mentored by STEM Department Chair Meg West and Social Studies teacher Bob Perez, students identify a problem within the school or greater community, and over the course of the year, they formulate solutions. This culminates with a presentation to teachers, classmates, and school community members.

New to DMS this year is the inclusion of Art as a core academic class, as well as the Academic Adventure Week. The Academic Adventure Week takes place in December, and students choose from a variety of topics such as Marine Biology or Economics in an experiential learning environment.

What hasn’t changed is DMS’s commitment to the growth of each student through an adaptive and engaging program. Students are faced with appropriate challenges and are encouraged to push themselves at every turn, all the while being supported by their peers.

Carpe Diem!

FINDING COMMUNITY

8th Grade student Ellie Coulter faces challenges and gets back up.

Ahead of the 2020-2021 school year, in the throes of the pandemic, Ellie and her family moved from Orange County to the Santa Ynez Valley. With this change, Ellie didn’t know what to expect for her 6 th grade year. By her own admission, Ellie planned to be at her previous school from kindergarten to 8 th Grade, so the transition was both unexpected and difficult.

Starting that school year at DMS, Ellie met her classmates via Zoom, finding small points of connection with peers virtually, while dealing with patchy internet and interloping snakes. She quickly learned that most of her classmates were already familiar with one another.

Once on campus, Ellie recalls one of the first breaks between classes. “A large group was sitting together, so I went over and sat nearby. Then someone turned and invited me into the circle. It was hard, and a bit exciting, so I just had to throw myself in there.”

Over the next few years, Ellie faced several challenges. She found that these made her grow as a person and also grow to bond better with classmates.

An early challenge was during one of her first DMS bike rides. While cycling on a path in front of Mattei’s Tavern, Ellie’s front tire lost traction, and she fell into the dirt. As she sat on the ground, a few weeks into a strange school, she started to ponder the choices that got her to this moment.

In a way, her next move would exemplify her time at DMS. Ellie decided to get up, get back on the bike, and tough it out. As she said, “What else to do but get back on the bike?”

While the next few miles and future rides were tough, and while there were a few more falls, Ellie grew from this experience, and now almost enjoys biking.

Further adventurous challenges bonded her and her classmates – OE trips to Gaviota Peak and Pinnacles – as well as increasing difficulty in classes. Over time, these shared experiences bring them together as a community, and as high school beckons, strengthens the bonds.

Jodi Pitts, P’26

Santa Ynez, CA. Appointment: 2020

Jodi attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where she graduated with a degree in marketing from the business school. She worked in Public Relations for Starwood Hotels and Resorts in New York, and is currently a director at Colony Capital, planning and overseeing their annual investor conference. A native of the Santa Ynez Valley, Jodi and her family own and run Happy Canyon Vineyard.

Maria Zhang P’23

Palo Alto, CA. Appointment: 2020

Maria Zhang is Vice President of Engineering for Google. Prior to Google, Maria has been Vice President of Engineering for both Meta and LinkedIn. Maria worked as CTO at Tinder, where she built a world-class team of engineers and scaled the app to serve a rapidly growing global user base. Maria also worked as Vice President of Engineering for Yahoo Mobile, and managed teams at Microsoft, Zillow and NetIQ Corp. She also founded Alike, a mobile local recommendation app, which was later acquired by Yahoo. She studied Computer Science at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor and Master’s degree.

Karen Anderson, P’22

Los Altos, CA. Appointment: 2021

Karen is the General Counsel at Verifone, the global leader in secure electronic payment solutions. Before joining Verifone, she led litigation groups at Flextronics International and Intuit. She also represented technology companies in a wide variety of intellectual property, commercial, and employment disputes as a litigation attorney at Fenwick & West. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and Princeton University.

Randall Day

Los Olivos, CA. Appointment: 2021

The Rev. Dr. Randall Day has served as Rector of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos since 2008. He has served on the boards of many church, community, and governmental organizations through 37 years of ordained ministry and has developed and implemented a range of programs to address community needs. Currently, Randall also serves on the board and several committees of the Santa Barbara Foundation and was named Santa Ynez Valley Man of the Year in 2019. In addition to extensive board governance experience, Randall brings countywide community relationships as well as connections with Dunn School families.

Trustees

Executive Committee

Jonathan Sutton Day ’08

Los Angeles, CA. Appointment: 2021

A proud member of the Class of 2008, Jon graduated from Claremont McKenna with a dual major in International Relations and Philosophy. In partnership with fellow Dunn alum and classmate Alex Forster ’08, Jon co-founded Ironwood Hospitality Partners, which specializes in revitalizing distressed hotels across the country. He also serves as a Director of the W. M. Keck Foundation.

Stephane de Bord ’90

San Francisco, CA. Appointment: 2021

Stephane attended the University of California at Santa Cruz, and then Fordham University where he earned his MBA. Stephane started his career in finance working for JP Morgan Chase in New York City and then spent six years working for a private equity firm in San Francisco. Today, Stephane spends his time on entrepreneurial projects primarily in the energy and transportation sectors. He also spent over 10 years as a Board Member of the French American and International School and was the Treasurer for a good part of his tenure there.

Stephen Dini ’89

San Francisco, CA. Appointment: 2021

A champion of creating communities and opportunities for children, Steve Dini has been working in and around schools for more than 30 years. Currently, Steve is Director of Advancement at the French American and International School in San Francisco, a PK-12 independent school with 1,100 students. He also served as Director of Alumni Relations, Annual Fund and Athletics at Dunn School. Steve was also an accomplished lacrosse coach at every level from youth, high school, club, and at the NCAA Div. II level. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico.

Autumn BadeltFanning ’99, P ’28

San Francisco, CA. Appointment: 2022

Dr. Autumn Badelt-Fanning grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley. She was a prefect at Dunn School and graduated with the honor of the Trophy of Excellence in 1999. She received a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Oregon State University and became the Founder and CEO of her own mobile veterinary service in 2010. The business was recently acquired by national organization BetterVets, and Autumn is serving as Regional Operations Director for the California region.

Honorary Trustees

FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE BOARDROOM

Q: What words would you use to describe yourself as a student?

A conversation with trustees Steve Dini ’89 and Stephane de Bord ’90 as they reflect on their experiences as Dunn students

Stephane de Bord ’90: I came to Dunn primarily because the school offered kids additional scholastic support. I was a Learning Strategies (LS) student when the department was run by its founder Nancy Roome. I also struggled because English was not my first language. Dunn offered me a safe place where I could build on my scholastic skills with the support I needed. While at Dunn, I could see myself becoming a better student; my writing skills and ability to think critically improved.

Steve Dini ’89: Before I arrived at Dunn, I felt like an outsider from traditional education. At that time, I would describe myself as frustrated, left behind, misunderstood, and an outcast. As soon as I arrived at Dunn, my educational journey changed. Like Stephane, I was also a student in the LS program. Once in that program, I’d describe myself as seen, heard, understood, challenged, valued, and cared for. Before Dunn, I didn’t think of myself as a student. But Dunn helped me become the student I was meant to be, an inquisitive and active learner.

Q: As a student, did you ever think you might serve as a trustee one day?

SdB: No, I didn’t think I would serve as a trustee back then. However, I was very aware that the school helped me tremendously and in many ways shaped me to be who I am today. As I progressed down the path of life, I realized more and more how important it was to give back to the school that gave me such great friendships and prepared me so well for college and beyond.

SD: I’d have to agree with Stephane. As a student at Dunn, I had no optics into who the trustees were or what they did. Yes, I had seen them on campus, but I never interacted with them. It wasn’t until much later that I understood the importance of board service.

Q: Now as a trustee, what about Dunn School is important to you?

SdB: Dunn is a very different place today than it was when I attended. Looking back, it reminds me how, as time moves on, places change because people change. That being said, I believe Dunn has successfully adapted to change, all the while keeping its mission of educating kids from all walks of life. Some students, like me, need to be in the LS program, and others don’t need that extra academic support. Some are into sports and others into the arts. Dunn values these kids no matter how different they might be, which I believe is important. When I walk around campus these days, I feel really proud of this institution and that it still manages to successfully and positively impact students’ lives on a daily basis.

SD: I feel a huge sense of responsibility to ensure the future success of Dunn. I want Dunn to be the best at whatever it takes on. I’m not a fan of the term “best kept secret,” and I feel that Dunn has struggled with the moniker for as long as I’ve known the school. I’m competitive by nature, and I’ve always believed that Dunn should take its seat as one of the best schools in the state. I hope that while I’m on the board, we can achieve this together.

Q: With more insight into how the school operates, and all that goes into it, what would you tell your younger self?

SdB: As I’m sure many alumni will agree, it’s a little sad that our younger selves don’t fully appreciate what we had at Dunn School. I didn’t fully appreciate the dedicated teachers, many of whom were overqualified. I’ve since learned that they taught us high school students because that’s what they loved to do. I would tell my younger self to take advantage of all the school has to offer, both academically and socially. It was really a unique time in my life, and in reflection, so brief.

SD: To be honest, I’d tell my younger self to go talk to the board and say these three things: 1. Build endowment. By doing this from the school’s start, it would help ensure the future of the school. 2. Keep your core identity and traditions. Schools that have a strong identity linked with traditions do not waver over time. Those common threads that bind multiple generations of alumni and faculty to the institution are critical to its long-term success. Boarding schools especially have a unique position to create such a special place rich with these traditions. 3. Be bold. Tony Dunn founded Dunn School to be a different type of school, one that built young people of strong character and purpose. To be bold, you need to be confident, to achieve you need to try. That in its core is what Ne Tentes Aut Perfice means to me, and I strongly believe the school should never waver from this.

Q: Any other thoughts to share?

SdB: I’m really proud and happy of where the school has been, and where I think it will be going over the next ten to 65 years. Dunn is still one of the few boarding schools on the West Coast that offers a welcoming environment for students who might not be a fit for more stereotypical prep schools. These kids will thrive and be understood for who they are.

SD: I agree with Stephane. Dunn changes peoples lives! In my professional career, I’ve had the unique opportunity to meet Dunn graduates from all eras. It’s amazing to make these connections and the one thing that rings true for everyone is that Dunn changed their life for the better. Knowing that Dunn also did that for me makes me especially proud of the work we are doing on the board. GO EARWIGS!

Home!

In late August, we welcomed over 150 students and their families to the Upper School campus, kicking off the 2022-2023 school year.

Student leaders and members of the professional community guided new and returning students through signing up for classes, learning about which sports they could play, preparation for the Outdoor Ed trips, and of course a bit of fun with the Carnival.

What a way to get the party started!

Achieving for UKRAINE

“What can we do?” This was the question Dunn School administrators asked while the world watched the horrors unfolding as Russia began its invasion into Ukraine in February 2022. We immediately waived tuition for our only Ukrainian student, but we knew we could do more. We couldn’t help but think of the innocent students whose education was upended and the uncertainty they must be experiencing.

In response, we established the Ukrainian Student Scholarship Fund. Reaching out to education representatives in Eastern Europe, our school connected with Ukrainian students who needed a safe, welcoming, and nurturing place to learn, live, and thrive.

Ne Tentes Aut Perfice. Do not simply try, but achieve.

We turned “What can we do?” into Ne Tentes Aut Perfice, because we are Dunn School.

August 2022 arrived and with it five students from Ukraine, now living and studying on Dunn’s campus, with a sixth Ukrainian student expected mid-year.

Welcoming these students to Dunn was possible because of support from the school’s friends, parents, alumni, and members of the professional community who spread the word, made generous donations, and lifted their paddle for the Ukrainian Student Scholarship Fund at our 2022 Spring Gala.

Thank you from all of us. You made a difference.

To support the continued need to provide financial assistance to Dunn School’s Ukrainian students, please consider making a gift to the scholarship fund: www.dunnschool.org/ukraine

The incoming freshman class for the 2022-23 school year is one of the largest and strongest in Dunn School’s recent history, with 42 students.

Combined with a solid rising 8th Grade class from DMS, we added students from regions including the Bay Area, Cambria, Illinois, Los Angeles, Montecito, Seattle, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vail (among others).

The recent admissions year brought incredible athletes, artists, and academics who have already garnered praise and recognition from Dunn’s professional community.

We can’t wait to watch you all grow and succeed!

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP

It was an active, competitive, and challenging season for Earwig student-athletes, who took to the fields, courts, and running trails to represent Dunn School against rivals inside and outside the Tri-County Athletic Association (TCAA). During athletic hours, student-actors honed their chops on stage, producing and performing a play before a public audience at the Nancy Luton Jackson Barn.

CROSS COUNTRY

The boys team, one of the largest in recent years with 22 students, ran its way into qualifying for the preliminary round of the CIF-Southern Section Championships at Mt. San Antonio College with a clutch topfour finish at the league finals. Isaac Bakwira, Alexander Grenier, and Matthew Musson all earned All-League Honorable Mention honors. Three freshmen girls — Ava Loper-Benson, Fallon McKee, and Margaret Watson — were also named Honorable Mention All-League.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

While not TCAA-sponsored, Ultimate Frisbee had its finest season yet, getting an unprecedented number of players, as nearly 30 Dunn students came aboard the team. The Earwigs had never before beaten archrival Cate, but this fall, they defeated the Rams in a three-match sweep. Sophomore Xuan Fu (David) Li won the team’s Most Valuable Player award.

VOLLEYBALL

Other coaches might consider winning one match in the season a lean year, but varsity head coach Isabella Marshall ’18 said she’s proud of what her girls accomplished. “Everybody grew individually and the team grew exponentially with their relationships on and off the court,” Marshall said. “The season was full of learning and laughter.” With a total of 33 players on both the junior varsity and varsity teams, Dunn’s girls volleyball squad was its largest ever. Team MVP Karis Ford earned Second Team All-League honors, while co-captains Sophia Lawrence and Quinby Janes, and Alex Gorski were All-League Honorable Mentions.

TENNIS

Two girls scored victories on the court for their play and attracted TCAA notice. Flori Prause and Cambria Rheinschild got nods for Second Team All-League performances.

BASEBALL

The team used the fall months to have returning and potential new players take part in an intense skills building and conditioning regimen and compete in intrasquad practice games. For some students, this fall’s program served as their first introduction to the sport.

Earwigs with TCAA All-League Honors

Volleyball

Second Team All-League:

• Karis Ford, 12th grade

Honorable Mention All-League:

• Alex Gorski, 12th grade

• Quinby Janes, 12th grade

• Sophia Lawrence, 12th grade

Tennis

Second Team All-League:

• Cambria Rheinschild, 9th grade

• Flori Prause, 10th grade

Cross Country

Honorable Mention All-League:

• Isaac Bakwira, 9th grade

• Alexander Grenier, 11th grade

• Ava Loper-Benson, 9th grade

• Fallon McKee, 9th grade

• Matthew Musson, 11th grade

• Margaret Watson, 9th grade

DRAMA

Dunn student stage players spent their daily athletic hours — and some weekends — on their craft. The cast learned, then rehearsed, and ultimately staged an adaptation of playwright David Lindsay-Abaire’s edgy, dark comedy, “Wonder of the World.” The play was performed at the Nancy Luton Jackson Barn, in front of a public audience over two weekends, including shows during the Fall Family Festival.

MEET MIKE!

A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was that many sought greener pastures outside of cities’ concrete jungles. A Maryland native, Mike Chapman and his family arrived at Dunn in the fall of 2021 in search of more space and a change in scenery.

In addition to the move, Mike sought a career pivot, aiming to blend his passion for the outdoors with his love of teaching. Dunn’s Outdoor Education program was in need of a new Director, so the match was made.

Mike’s love for the outdoors and travel was found through a myriad of experiences, notably time spent as an English Education Volunteer for the Peace Corps in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and during more than 10 years as an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps Reserve. Mike also worked in International Affairs for the Department of State and Department of Defense before making the leap to full-time education at St. John’s College High School where he served as an instructor for the Cadet Corps Leadership Program.

When asked why he cares so much about outdoor education, especially in a school environment, Mike shared, “I’ve witnessed the power of outdoor field experiences leading to group cohesiveness and teamwork.”

“During Marine Corps training, shared adversity in field training environments would help unify people of different ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultures. Being part of this dynamic and important experience is what drove me to want to recreate a similar outdoor educational experience for youth.”

As a fan of Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound, Mike truly believes in this quote from Hahn, “There is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.”

Mike is enthusiastic about his duty is to ensure that each and every student at Dunn has the opportunity to “see it” in the incredible California wilderness. He’s proud to stand on the shoulders of Hahn and those who built and grew Dunn’s OE program over nearly four decades, and he looks towards this program’s unique present and promising future.

THE JOURNEY AND THE DESTINATION:

Students Delight in Outdoor Education

To say August was a busy month for the Dunn Outdoor Education Program would be a major understatement. In a three-week span, all seven grades in the school embarked on four separate trips to open the 2022-2023 academic year.

Dunn Middle School students continued their tradition of camping before classes, with an oceanfront trip to Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, while the Outdoor Education department paired 9th and 12th graders for a backpacking orientation trip to Yosemite National Park.

Juniors explored the Southern Sierra Nevada mountain range, backpacking in the trails around Jennie Lakes, Cottonwood Lakes, and Rae Lakes, and sophomores ventured to Santa Cruz Island, in Channel Islands National Park for a week of snorkeling, sea cave kayaking, day hiking, and service learning.

For Pamayah Hibbert, a sophomore, snorkeling while on the Channel Islands trip helped grow her confidence.

“Swimming out in the ocean and being underwater looking at the kelp forest scared me at first,” Pamayah said. “But doing it and knowing I could do it again felt great. It was good to get out of my comfort zone.”

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

This past year you elevated Dunn School’s fundraising program to new heights, and then you stretched further to support the unforeseen needs of students from Ukraine.

Every year we create a budget that allows us to live out Dunn School’s mission, and thanks to YOU — our generous donors and volunteers — we had an outstanding year.

In the pages that follow, we celebrate hundreds of supporters and honor your collective generosity and unmatched

commitment to our students. You’ll see pictures of students doing the most with the opportunities you all have helped provide — from classroom engagement to adventurous expeditions, musical highlights and Piece o’ Cake exhaustion. Dunn students thrive because of your generosity.

Thank you, and congratulations on a fantastic year!

With appreciation, LynnRae Dunn Director of Philanthropy

The Professional Community

Advanced Degrees – 51%

Average Class Size – 12 Students Student: Faculty Ratio – 5:1

The Student Body Total Students: 224 160 at Upper School 64 at Middle School International Students – 15% Students with Tuition Assistance – 44% More than ⅓ of Upper School students started at the Middle School

Dollars in Action

Tallied up experiences thanks to Annual Fund dollars from the 2021-2022

year

meringues baked during Mini-Term last year.

Change Maker $50,000 or more

Michael K. Boone ’79

Kimberly K. Branagh, P ’21

Cindy and Adam Bronfman, P ’12

Kristen Carlson, P ’26

Randy Clark ’71

Robert Day, P ’08

Lisa and Scott Ramsey Wendy Shepherd ’73

Visionary $25,000-$49,999

Timothy K. Bliss, P ’04

Stephane P. de Bord ’90, P ’23

Jonathan Day ’08

Tina and Jonathan J. Grunzweig, P ’20 and ’23

Mary and C.J. Jackson, P ’04, ’06, and ’06

Susan Jorgensen and Alice Gillaroo

Douglas Otto, P ’10

Eric Roberts ’89

Champion $10,000-$24,999

Autumn Badelt-Fanning ’99 and Steven Badelt, P ’28

Julie Bornstein, P ’24

Nadege and Jay A. Conger, P ’17 and ’20

Janice Gangolli, P ’27

Chris Gaskin and James Gaskin ’71

Mary and Steven Gorski, P ’23

Ingrid Jackson and William Jackson ’80, P ’21

Adrienne Grant and Paul Jennings, P ’26

Electra and Peter Lang, P ’22

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Timothy Tatum ’70

Lara and Isaac Zekaria, P ’27

Qiang Zheng, P ’23

Ambassador $5,000-$9,999

Karen and Patrick Anderson, P ’22

Stephanie and Daniel Bailey, P ’22

Yong-Ling and Irving Beiman, P ’20

Cindi and William Bone, P ’85, ’86, and ’90

Alison Chaput, P ’23

Vincent Chow

Erin and William Coulter, P ’27

Lisa Dini and Stephen Dini ’89

Flintridge Preparatory School

Amy and Michael Grenier, P ’24 and ’26

Tricia and Paul Heald, P ’24

Brenda Kyle and Jim Hedges, P ’25

Bill Jason ’74

Renee Johnsen, P ’25

Janet and Barry Lang, P ’23

Erica and Brian McLoughlin, P ’25

Kristine and Robert Muller, P ’04

PayPal Giving

Jodi and Sean Pitts, P ’26

Silke and Jason Shidler

Cheryl Stauffer, P ’04 and ’07

Morton Sullivan ’64

Lan and Eric Takahashi

Anne Thacher and Bruce Thacher ’73

Elizabeth and Charles Witt, P ’27

Logan Worchell ’08

1957 Founder $1,957-$4,999

Anonymous

Blackbaud Giving Fund

Heather and Derek Carter, P ’25

Laura Cogan, P ’27

Daszkal Bolton Family Office Fatemeh Farahmandfar and Kalyan Balaven, P ’27

First Republic Bank

Flik Independent School Dining

Heather and Derek Carter, P ’25

Elizabeth Hastings ’72 and Newlin Hastings Angie and Stephen Janes, P ’22 and ’23

Debbie and Randy Jones, P ’09, ’11, and ’14

Kris Kealey and Theresa Dollard, P ’24

Electra and Peter Lang, P ’22

Mary and Scott Leaver, P ’25

Julie and Matt Leonard, P ’28

Robert Lieff

Keryn and Ted Mathas

Grace Pacheco, P ’02

Mia and David Renaud, P ’27

Sally and Nicholas Thacher

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

The Santa Ynez Valley Family School

Laura and Chris Urquidez, P ’23 and ’24

Jutta and Thomas von Falkenhausen, P ’23

Molly Walker and Guy R. Walker ’76 and P ’05 Wealth Management Strategies, Inc.

Richard J. Wiles-Arnott ’16

Pamela and Stanly Witherspoon, P ’17 Maria Zhang, P ’23

Advocate $1,000-$1,956

Kimberly Brandon

Diana Brelsford Brooke S. Comer ’76

Dorothy Corbi Janet Dreisen Rappaport Carol Ann and Timothy Elwell, P’ 24 Hayley Firestone ’77

Benhardt Fischer, Jr. ’70

Roberta Forbes Warren, P ’24 Lara Freeman, P ’22 Herbert P. Friedman ’72

Amy and Rob Gordon, P ’25

Cathy and Geoffrey Graber, P ’27 and ’29 Mary Heyden and David Andersen, P ’25

Gigi and Kenneth Hollister, P ’24

Jennifer Aft and David Kokorowski, P ’25 & ’27

Russell Ledbetter ’82

Megan McGrath Gates, P ’28

Wanda and David Mills, P ’29

Alexander Moore ’10

Sherri and Jose Noel, P ’24

Lila and John Ormond, P ’27

Elizabeth and Dan Reeves, P ’96

Gary Robinson

Andrea Schumacher

Phoebe Smith and James Dingman, P ’28

Sarah and Chad Stacy, P ’20, ’22, ’24, and ’27

Yan Sun, P ’24

Synthia Sutton, P ’08

Bernie Taupin, P’03 and ’06

Gladdys Uribe ’98

Pamela and John Wieben, P ’03

Partner $500-$999

Allen Construction

Whitney and Philip Arnautou, P ’14

Bolton & Company

Sara and William Cumbelich, P ’23

Patti Duell

Lauri and Barry DeLaczay, P ’23

Mitchi and John Dragonette, P ’22

Stephanie and Brian Federmann, P ’24 and ’26

Fidencio Flores ’10

Barbara and William Haig, P ’02 and ’06

Beate Halligan

Lisa and John Hockin, P ’20

Rhonda and Clint Johnson, P ’23

Kay and Andrew Knightley, P ’26

Christine Lee and Stuart Levy, P ’23

John Meier ’63

Jameson Montanio

Victoria and Ky Mortensen, P ’25

Amy and Michael Musson, P ’24

Kathy Odell

Lyn Dee and Ross Rankin, P ’99 and ’01

Sindi Rust Westberg ’84

Santa Ynez Valley Real Estate Company

Frank Schirrmeister, P ’22

Wendell Shepherd ’00

William Spurgin ’65

Kelsey Sullivan ’06

Sandy and Vincent Sullivan, P ’06 and ’09

Lauren and Simon Sweeney

Shannon Tupper and Ray Kahn, P ’27

Bree and Chad Valla, P ’24 and ’27

Eva Van Prooyen Gillian Zucker

Earwig up to $499

Fausto Aceves ’76

Colette Alea-Barroso, P ’25

Judith Alex Kellyn Allavie Amazon Smile Kros Andrade

Tracy Angel and Rudy Alvaro, P ’17, ’20, and ’25

William Arnerich

Siheen Asfaha and Dennis Bushta, P ’28

Helena and Cris Avery

Caroline and Michael Balaban

Mara Ballmer

Cecilia and Juan Barboza, P ’23 and ’25

Patricia Behmand, P ’23

Cynthia and Michael Bigelow, P ’23

John Billig ’64

Walker Blake ’22

Marisa and Brian Bolton

Michelle Bone ’90 and Richard Smalldon, P ’15 and ’26

Kelly Brumfield-Woods

Eric Cano, P’22

Agustin Cano

Hugh Carpenter ’66

Pippa Carson, P ’24

Alley and Mike Chapman

Justin Ching ’07

Norman Christie ’83 Woosung Choi ’08

Robyn Clark

John Cooper ’64

Erin and William Coulter, P ’27 and ’28

Don Daves-Rougeaux

Devon Davison

Randall Day

Sydney Delgado

Jeanette and Nicholas de Luca, P ’28

Theresa Desmond

Adam Dove

Wylie H. Drummond, III ’67

LynnRae Dunn, P ’23

Lynn Shapiro and Michael Dunn, P ’06 and ’09

Garrett Eaton

Lockwood Eddy ’67

Leanne and Ryan Elliott, P ’26 and ’28

Karen Evans

Jose Farias

Lee Farretta

Benedikt Fischer

Alex Forster ’08

Jennifer Fotherby ’01

Robert Fowler

Sarah Freiler

Jennifer Freed, P’25 and ’28

Brandi and Jeffrey Fry, P ’22 and ’22

Esron Gates, P ’28

Steven Gebhardt, P ’22

Iliana and Paul Gelles, P ’21 and ’25

Amy and Mark Geriak, P ’21

Shani and Nicholas Gianis, P ’25

Steve Gill

Scott Goodman ’12

Jay Gould, V ’12

Jillian Haig ’06

Richard Haig ’02

Charlotte Harrington, P ’22

Christine Hatch Santi ’87 and Gabriele Santi, P ’24 and ’26

Shannon and Jim Hazard, P ’22, ’24 and ’26

Trish Hecker, P ’23 and ’26

Barbara and Marlon Hibbert, P’25

Pamela Hill

Miki and David Holden, P ’92

Susan Holland and David Foote, P ’24 and ’25

Paula and James Horvath, P ’26

Wendy and Mark Horvath, P ’20 and ’24

Sarah Harris-Hunt and Matthew Hunt, P ’28 and ’29

Spencer Huttmann ’12

Aaron Joerg ’23

Titilola Johnson-Agiri ’04

Audra Johnson and Seth Shomes, P ’26 and ’28

Elizabeth Jones and Greg Jones ’79

Peter Kendall Blake

Steve Kokotas, P ’24

Seppo Kolari, P ’22

Jacqueline and Jordan Kruse, P ’23

Ian Lamm ’20

Robert Lawrence, P ’15

Edle and Bo Liljeblad, P ’22

Susan Loewenberg

Pieter (Forde) Loring ’75

Celeste Marin

Estela and Victor Marin, P ’23

Bethany Markee, P ’22 and ’25

Richard McCarty ’67

Christine and Michael McKee, P ’26

George McKenzie ’67

Amanda Milholland

Daniel Missirlian ’07

Kathy Mobbs, P ’27

Sarah Moore and Raymond Simpson, P ’23

Nancy Navarro and Joseph Fink, P ’24

Jamie Nelson

Christy and Kirk Nordgren

Roxane Olsen-Markee, P ’22 and ’25

Melissa Ordoñez

Kathleen Osta and Anthony Smith, P ’23

Jackie Pace and Oscar Reyes, P’28

Jill Pettley Schafer ’77

Britt Plante

Elizabeth Poett Campbell and Austin Campbell, P ’29

Monika Prince and Andrew Keeley, P ’28

Leslie Pruitt and Slade Kenett, P ’23 Sophia Quay-de la Vallee

Gina and Hans Rheinschild, P ’24 and ’26

Charlotte Riegert, P ’29

Vicki Riley

Regina Risi, P ’23

Gena and Brian Robinson, P ’26

Mike Rosauer

Lisa and Mark Rosenberg Meg and Christopher Rydman, P ’26 and ’29

Dana Ryoo ’16

Salge Family

Alejandra Santos and Ulises Castañeda, P ’15

Cynthia and John Sanger

Jacqueline Schafer

Kathleen and Charlie Schaffer, P ’27

Samantha and JD Scroggin

Madeline Sexton ’12

Beth Shipley and John Moisan, P ’23

Beth Simas

Sarah Moore and Raymond Simpson, P ’23

Linda and Clark Small

Linda Speirs and Daniel Speirs ’87

Elizabeth Spencer

Andrea Speraw ’77

Samantha Stalling

Diego Stephenson Carrasco ’26

Sophie Sutherland ’22

Tristan Thai

Leah Tiethof

Danny Townsend

Julianne and Zachary Tullis-Thompson, P ’22 and ’29

Elizabeth and Taylor Tyng, P ’26

Cynthia Vachon

Vicki and Gene Vachon, P ’24

Linnea Van Kirk, ’98

Madeleine Vecchione ’12

Leslie and Nick Vincent, P ’12, ’06, and ’04

Nancy and Bradley Waters, P ’20, ’22, ’23

Margaret and Jim Watson, P ’26 and ’29

Christina and Tim Weir, P ’17 and ’25

Tracy and Alex Westcott, P ’28 and ’28

Amber and Shawn Whitney, P ’26

Lindsey Wilkin

James Wilson

Lena Wilson

Benita Zapata and Gabriel Cano, P’22 Christina Zimmerman ’08

Foundations

Aft-Kokorowski Family Fund

Ayco Charitable Foundation

Charities Aid Foundation America

Coulter Family Charitable Fund

Craig Bellamy Foundation

Electra McDowell Lang and Peter Alfred Lang Foundation

Jason Family Foundation

Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

John Jay Hopkins Foundation

Johnsen Family Fund

JP Morgan Securities Charitable Gift Fund

Larry the Lobster Fund

New York Life Foundation

Page & Otto Marx, Jr. Foundation

Santa Barbara Foundation

Santa Ynez Valley Foundation

Schwab Charitable

The Ann Jackson Family Foundation

The E. Richard Jones Family Foundation

The Eric Roberts Foundation

The Mae Family Foundation

The Stauffer Charitable Fund

W.M. Keck Foundation

Wealth Management Strategies, Inc. Whale Beach Foundation

Anthony B. Dunn Heritage Society of 1957 Members (Planned Giving)

Bill Allen ’64

Anonymous

Mike Boone ’79

Steven Breeze ’61

Hugh Carpenter ’66

Joseph V. Costello III ’70

Jennifer DuBois and William DuBois ’80, P ’25

Edward and Joyce Engs III, P’80

Beryl Geller, P’75

Russell Ledbetter ’82

Robert and JoNan LeRoy

Gail McGrath, P’79

John H. Sanger

Sarah and Chad Stacy, P ’20, ’22, ’24 and ’27

Guy R. Walker ’76, P’05

Chris Wesselman ’65

William and Claire Wolfenden Family Trust ’84

Endowment Donors

Brooke Comer ’76

Randy Clark ’71

Benhardt Fischer, Jr. ’70

Chris Gaskin and James Gaskin ’71

Steve Gill

Elizabeth Hastings ’72 and Newlin Hastings

Jason Family Foundation

Russell Ledbetter ’82

Kristine and Robert Muller, P ’04

Sarah and Chad Stacy, P ’20, ’22, ’24, and ’27

Timothy Tatum, ’70

Sally and Nicholas Thacher

The Stauffer Charitable Fund

Pamela and John Wieben, P ’03

In Kind Donations

Kellyn Allavie

Anonymous

Au Bon Climat

Kalyan Balaven

Beckmen Vineyards

Bella Mia

BNY Mellon Wealth Management

Braastad Family

Kimberly Branagh and Stephane de Bord

Brave & Maiden Estate

David Brown

Buellton Garage

Butterbean Studios

California Tacos

Robin Clark Austin

Parker Clay

Nadege and Jay Conger

Crawford Family Wines

Crown Point Vineyards

Jonathan Day

Stephen Dini

DiPietro Guitar Studio

Dragonette Cellars

Carol Ann and Timothy Elwell

Fatemeh Farahmandfar

First Street Leather

Fidencio Flores

Four Brothers Wine Co.

Janice Gangolli

Esron Gates

Cathy and Geoffrey Graber

Tina Grunzweig

Haig Family

Halper Fine Art

Heaven Scent

Heritage Pork

Susan Holland

Ice In Paradise

Industrial Eats

InHouse Test Prep

Island Packers

Rene Johnson

Debbie and Randy Jones

Brenda Kyle and Jim Hedges

Anne and David Lawrence

Los Olivos Rotary Jazz and Olive Festival

Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe

Margerum Wine Company

Megan McGrath-Gates and Lucas & Lewellen

Vineyards

Kathy Mobbs

Amy Musson

Napa River Inn

Nielsen Building Materials Addison Osta Smith

Jodi and Sean Pitts

Plenty Boutique

Tara Povah Barnicoat

Regina Risi Roblar Farm

Deb Robles

Rowan Leigh Boutique

Rudy’s

Santa Barbara Adventure Company

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Sea Smoke

Solvang Knives Etc.

Swedish Candy Factory Sweetzer Cellars

Bernie Taupin

Tensley Wines

Teori Aestetics Med Spa

The Clique Gifts Leah Tiethof Ulises Torres

True Addiction Bree and Chad Valla Valley Hardware Yip Fitness LLC

Zaca Coffee

Lara and Isaac Zekaria

Volunteers

Angelina and Michelle Acuna Jen Aft and David Kokorowski Siheen Asfaha

Ceci Barboza

Jennifer Benson

Carisa Bramble and Chris Blasman

Michelle Bone and Richard Smalldon

Kristen Carlson

Dania Carrasco and Peter Stephenson Cindy and Mike Clark

Tamara and John Clark

Laura and Brian Cogan

Erin and William Coulter Jeannette and James De Luca

LynnRae Dunn

Julie and Brian Dunstan Leanne and Ryan Elliott

Carol Ann Elwell

Autumn and Joshua Fanning

Fatemeh Farahmandfar and Kalyan Balaven

Stephanie and Brian Federmann Carlee Fernandez and David Lovering

Jennifer Freed

Esron Gates

Janice and Julian Gangolli Shani Gianis Lisa Glenny

Amy and Robb Gordon Cathy and Geoff Graber

Kate Greer

Amy and Michael Grenier

Mike Griffiths

Tina Grunzweig

Shannon and Jim Hazard

Sarah Harris-Hunt and Matthew Hunt

Mike Hecker

Trish Hecker

Genevive Herrick and Jacob Grant Paula and James Horvath Mihoko and John Jones Kay and Andrew Knightley

Jackie Kruse

Julie and Matt Leonard Connie Lukas

Jenele and Phil Martin

Megan McGrath Gates

Christine and Mike McKee

Keri and Ryan Metzger

Kathy Mobbs

Suzie and Miguel Moreno

Tori Mortensen

Amy Musson

Christy Nordgren

Lila and John Ormond

Jackie Pace and Oscar Reyes

Isabel and Jonas Paz

Jodi and Sean Pitts

Tara Povah Barnicoat

Monika Prince and Andrew Keeley

Leslie Pruitt and Slade Kenett

Mia and David Renaud

Gena and Brian Robinson

Meg and Christopher Rydman

Veronica Sandoval and Sean Foy Christine and Gabriele Santi Kathleen and Charlie Schaffer

Audra and Seth Shomes

Phoebe Smith and James Dingman Sarah and Chad Stacy

Shannon Tupper and Ray Kahn Liz and Taylor Tyng

Marci Valencia Bree and Chad Valla Meg and Jim Watson

Tim Weir

Meg West

Tracy and Alex Westcott

Jim Whitesell

Amber and Shawn Whitney

Kira and Paul Wilcox

Elizabeth and Charles Witt

Lara and Ike Zekaria

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of donor lists, occasional errors and omissions do occur. Please let our Philanthropy Department know of any errors or omissions by contacting us at philanthropy@dunnschool.org

Categories Givingof

Annual Giving

Gifts to the Dunn School Annual Fund help the school’s current-year operating expenses. Annual gifts make up the difference between what tuition covers and the actual cost of running the school.

Unrestricted Gifts

Each year, these gifts allow for the ability to respond innovatively to the current highest priority and changing needs of Dunn School. Usually contributions to the Annual Fund, unrestricted giving supports the annual operating budget and adds incredible value to the academic and residential life programs beyond tuition income.

Restricted Gifts

Donors may specify that their gift to the Annual Fund be applied to a particular program or project — such as providing funds for financial assistance, faculty salary or professional development, or maintenance of buildings and grounds.

Capital Gifts

Capital gifts are designated for construction or renovation projects, but sometimes these gifts can also go into endowment. Current and recent building projects include the Cindy Bronfman Leadership Center, gymnasium, dormitories, classrooms, and other athletic facilities.

Anthony B. Dunn Heritage Society of 1957 Members (Planned Giving)

Deferred gifts made through estate planning vehicles such as bequests, trust, or gifts of real or personal property. We believe this type of giving is particularly special for those who believe in giving back for the benefit of future generations, would like to link a family name with the school in perpetuity, and/or for those who will be able to make a larger gift at death than during their lifetimes.

Endowed Gifts

Thanks to the generosity of dedicated alumni, parents, and other supporters, Dunn School is fortunate to have an endowment that is managed effectively for long-term sustainability. Contributions to an endowment fund are considered major gifts and contribute to the solid financial foundation of the school.

The interest produced either helps fund a portion of the school’s operations, or funds a specific purpose, program, or scholarship at the behest of the donor.

If you are interested in contributing to any of Dunn School’s existing endowed funds or if you would like to set up a new endowment, please contact our Philanthropy Department at philanthropy@dunnschool.org

A few existing endowed funds include:

Jackson & Luton Family Faculty Fund

Provides professional development funds for faculty to attend teaching conferences and workshops, so that Dunn School teachers continue classroom excellence.

Rowland & Sullivan Family African Scholarship Provides scholarship dollars for tuition, room, meals, and living expenses for deserving African students.

Earwig Foundation Fund

Created by students in the school’s entrepreneurship program, this fund is a student-managed account which invests net income from the student café. Currently at about $250,000, when the fund reaches the $1 million mark it will be allocated to student scholarship.

A PLACE WHERE LEADING MATTERS

The Cindy Bronfman Leadership Center’s construction was completed just as the pandemic kicked off in March 2020. Unfortunately, with the closing of campus, the new center wasn’t properly enjoyed or used for several months. However, ever since school reopened and students came back to campus, the newest building, affectionately known as CBLC, has been a hub of activity.

Our Newest Alumni

Congrats to the Class of 2022 and welcome to Dunn’s Alumni Association! We’re all so proud of you and excited to see where your next adventure leads you.

All 38 members of the class were admitted to 4-year colleges, and they will attend 35 colleges in 15 different states across the USA, with one brave lass heading to Scotland and one young scholar continuing education in his native Brazil.

Nolan Anderson Oklahoma State University, OK

Morgan Anderson Savannah College of Art & Design, GA

Madeline Bailey University of St. Andrews, Scotland

Eren Baltaoglu Chapman University, CA

Joseph Bickford Whitworth University, WA

Walker Blake University of Oregon, OR

Anna Braastad Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, AZ

Irwin Cano Rochester Institute of Technology, NY

Jay Charness Occidental College, CA

Jeremy Dove University of Colorado Boulder, CO

Sophia Dragonette Hollins University, VA

Margery Fang Wesleyan University, CT

Manuela Flores Scripps College, CA

Hunter Fry St. Mary’s College of California, CA

Blake Gebhardt Cal Poly, CA

Brigitt Hernandez Cal Poly, CA

Colin Janes Syracuse University, NY

Hansson Ji University of Buffalo, NY

Peppi Kolari University of the South, TN

Fletcher Lang Rochester Institute of Technology, NY

Kelten Liljeblad Babson College, MA

Vanness Liu School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Selina Ma School of Visual Arts, NY

Lily Markee University of the South, TN

Amara Murphy University of Richmond, VA

Aaliyah Perry Mount Holyoke College, MA

Shelby Phillips PrattMWP College of Art & Design, NY

Madison Railey Cal State - Northridge, CA

Keyvan Rains Chapman University, CA

Caio Rocha University of Fortaleza, Brazil

Emilia Schirrmeister Pepperdine University, CA

Quinn Stacy DePaul University, IL

Sophie Sutherland Belmont University, TN

Cheshire Valentine Willamette University, OR

Zefa Tullis-Thompson Rice University, TX

Aidan Waters University of Michigan, MI

Allison Wilcox UCLA, CA

Hadley Woods Fort Lewis College, CO

Alumni Takeover

Not only did Jillian Haig ’06, Kelsey Sullivan ’06, and Samantha Stalling ’05 grow up together on the soccer fields of Santa Ynez, the three are also proud Dunn Earwigs and played soccer, lacrosse, and performed on the stage of our beloved Barn together.

These ladies are the latest in a long list of alumni returned to join the professional community.

Jillian has taken on the role of Dean of Upper School, the first woman in that position, after having played an integral part of Dunn’s theatre program for ten years.

Kelsey started in 2013 as Athletics Director, took on another challenge in the Alumni Office for several years, before taking a break in 2018. She now returns to campus in her original position leading Dunn’s athletic program into the future.

Nearly twenty years after moving from Dunn, Samantha returns to campus to lead the Alumni Relations program, in the same office where her mother, Hayley Firestone ’77, worked for a number of years.

IN ACTION

Was there something about your experience at Dunn School that motivated you to pursue a career in art?

Natalie Carroll ’10: The time and individual guidance my teachers gave me was only possible because of the environment Dunn provided. Nancy Yaki, taught me to view art class as more than time for self expression. She pushed me past my comfort zone to show me I was capable of more. Both she and Celeste Weidman were very invested in my creativity and growth.

Sazan Pasori ’11: I remember being in my music, film, and art classes and completely losing track of the time. When the bell rang, I was sad! I wanted to be making things; it felt so much more natural. I cherished the catharsis and the ability to ‘get lost’ in the work with the many extreme feelings I was experiencing.

Sofia Zubi ’12: The overall experience at Dunn was home for me. From the friendships I cultivated to the teachers and staff, everyone was supportive and laid a proper foundation for me to focus and find my identity. After going to seven

different high schools, I started at Dunn my junior year, and finally, I enjoyed learning. Dunn’s art program was intimate and allowed me to explore my passion.

Was there someone from your days at Dunn who inspired you or your work?

Mackenzie Lisenby ’09: I am where I am today because I was taught the principles of photography, film, Adobe Photoshop, and multimedia design from Kam Jacoby. I also gained the confidence to pursue a career in design thanks to Nancy Yaki and her excellent guidance in AP Art. And my continuous curiosity and interest in bringing meaning to my art is attributed to the late, great Ralph Lowe ’71.

Felicia Garcia ’09: My two favorite classes were Photography with Ryan Bowden and Social Movements with Erin Cook . I decided to attend a liberal arts college where I majored in psychology and minored in sociology. Working in the museum field has allowed me to marry all these interests — I still get to work in the arts, but a lot of my work focuses on social justice issues and how they can be addressed through art and art institutions. It really is a dream career.

Natalie: Amy Geriak’s class gave me confidence in my ability to pitch ideas, Erin Cook’s class encouraged me to engage in social justice, and my art teachers encouraged me to find work in non-traditional fields. I just finished working on “Wendell & Wild” (now on Netflix) which is a stop-motion animated horror comedy with strong social justice themes. So somehow my career right now is a perfect amalgamation of those skills and values.

Sazan: I had so many motivating coaches, teachers, and advisors during my time at Dunn (both in middle and high school). Nancy and Matt Yaki helped me build a solid creative foundation, and I still reference their teachings constantly. Willy and Barbara Haig advised me in school and on the soccer field. Erin Cook, the Geriaks, Susie Childs, Alejandra Santos, Ulises Castaneda, and the Brodericks. Thank you all for giving little Sazan all the guidance and encouragement I needed to be a success.

Sofia: It was incredibly helpful and inspiring to have Callie Martin as both my art teacher and advisor. The philosophy class with Ralph Lowe broadened my perception and awareness in a way that continues to inspire my work. I remember our very first day of class, he didn’t start class with a hello, but instead stated, “We are all going to die.” While this statement made all the students nervously giggle, it succinctly introduced the many metaphors we would read about.

What skills that you learned while at Dunn have you continued to use or build upon in your career?

Felicia: One of my favorite experiences was the Outdoor Education (OE) program. Through this program, I developed skills that I have drawn on since graduating. OE taught me about working with a team, which I’ve needed in my experience working for a number of small organizations where everyone needs to work collaboratively. Through my Dunn experiences out in nature, I also developed confidence in my own strength and abilities. I’ve found there have been some challenges in pursuing this career and having that confidence in myself provided the determination I needed.

Sazan: When I was younger I never understood the impact of the word “community.” It felt overused and general to me at the time. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve witnessed the power in collectives and I’ve grown to resent the emphasis on individualism in our culture and society. The community at Dunn demonstrated some very radical care and support that I don’t witness every day as an adult. Now, I do my best to provide the guidance that I was lucky to receive in my youth, by volunteering and teaching arts to youth in Los Angeles. I strongly encourage artists and non-artists alike to spend time with youth or neighbors in our communities.

Sofia: Living at a boarding school, I learned how to be disciplined, self sufficient, and organized. To this day, I keep a weekly planner of to-do lists, and even though I am selfemployed, I wake up early and start my day like I would a 9-to-5 job. Having been immersed with students from all over the world, I learned how to connect and listen to people who are different from me. In the real world, especially in New York, it’s one big melting pot, so the diversity at Dunn helped prepare me.

Mackenzie: I worked as a graphic designer for a variety of clients over the past 10 years, including The Society of California Pioneers Museum in San Francisco and Cavallini Papers & Co. Having recently completed the General Assembly User Experience Design Immersive, I hope to combine my skills in graphic design and user research to build websites and digital products in the next chapter of my career.

Natalie: I’m a multidisciplinary creative so I’ve had a wide breadth of roles since graduating from Dunn. After studying Art and Film at UCLA, I worked for a Low-Brow/ Pop Surrealist art gallery, then for two film companies before moving to Portland, Ore., in 2014. I taught stop-motion to kids as an after-school art teacher and also worked at an art shop/gallery in my neighborhood and sold my work there. I got a job at Laika Studios, and from there I moved on to an independent studio to work on a Henry Selick project.

Sazan: My career has been a game of chutes and ladders… After moonlighting as a copywriter, content strategist, and motion designer, I’ve settled into the role of Art Director over the last five years, which allows me to engage my multidisciplinary creative background. I had to (and still have to!) do a lot of networking and YouTube learning to stay relevant in the ever-changing digital landscape, but I’m a big believer in the idea that when you love something and put yourself out there, opportunities find you.

Felicia: After I received my MA in Museum Studies from New York University in 2018, I had various jobs and internships in that field in New York City, Salem, Mass., and then Santa Fe, N.M. I currently work for an NYU organization called Local Contexts that is adjacent to the art/museum world, while also doing contract work for museums. In the last year, I worked with the Peabody Essex Museum (Mass.), the Field Museum (Chicago), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) on several projects. I

also do freelance writing on Native American art for the Native American Art Magazine.

Sofia: Once I graduated from Pratt Institute in 2017 with a BFA in Painting and Art History, I immediately dove into the art world. I was a ‘gallerina’ in Chelsea, an art assistant, substitute teacher at the Waldorf School. In 2020, I quit all my other jobs and met with collectors and gallerists who started supporting my artwork. Because of this, I’ve been able to commit to my own studio practice full-time. In early 2021, I was invited to join an art residency program at ESKFF in Mana Contemporary, a museum/art studio space in Jersey City. It felt like the modern Warhol ‘Factory,’ a collective of artists working and collaborating, ballerinas dancing down the hall, and a vast museum on the first floor. After my residency there, I moved up to having my own studio space and even my first solo show in New York City. To those considering a career in art, I’d share the following: In any risk you take, you must believe in yourself. Focus on the hard work and the mastery of your craft, and everything else will fall into place.

What has your artistic career looked like so far?

Building Confidence to Soar

Brett Woodard ’21 was always curious about airports, planes, and how they all worked. He has a vivid memory of being on vacation and watching planes take off at Honolulu International Airport for hours alongside his father.

Growing up in California with frequent visits to Oregon, Brett joked that he was basically in the “tinderbox for the whole nation.” From this, his curiosity in fire-fighting sparked.

When he first came to Dunn School as a rising 8 th grade Summer Academy student, Brett wasn’t as optimistic. He struggled with confidence, wasn’t sure he could keep up with studies, and he had a hard time engaging socially. While surely Brett wasn’t the only one who found this experience hard, alongside his peers and with help from teachers like Mark Geriak, Brett learned how to be more independent, challenge himself, and how to make friends.

These lessons progressed when Brett joined the Upper School a year later.

“I continued learning a lot of major life lessons during my time at Dunn. While I’m still learning, my confidence, independence, courage, social abilities, and study habits found a solid foundation at Dunn.”

Crediting the Whole Student Education approach, Brett believes one of the most important aspects of his high school education was that he constantly felt supported.

“You have faculty, staff, and classmates who can help and

mentor you through classwork, experiences, and more. There are so many positive role models who are always available.

“It took me time to gain the courage to ask for help; I was nervous and shy. But the more comfortable I felt on campus amongst friends and teachers, the more confident I became, and then I had the strength to seek help.

“My Learning Strategies teacher and advisor, Gillian Kinnear, was my rock. She helped me navigate most social and academic challenges. She and Mr. Geriak were always there for me and helped me stay on track. That being said, practically every teacher I had at Dunn, in and out of class, supported me and helped shape who I am.”

Once his confidence grew, Brett was inspired to challenge himself academically, and he enjoyed taking innovative courses through the Earwig Inc. program and an engineering and design course, taught by Donna Frost and Matt Yaki.

Now in his second year at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz., Brett works two jobs at the airfield and loves both his flight training and aeronautical science classes. After he graduates, Brett will be certified to fly commercially and plans to pursue further training to become a fire-fighting pilot.

been given the tools to make the best of my time at university. I know it continues to get harder, but I now have the confidence to continue moving forward and chase

“I’ve

my dreams.”

Thanks to my time at Dunn, I learned how to interact and work with different people, different personalities, different challenges.

Celebrating a Career of Producing Stories

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about the moving images? One could argue that videos have infinitely more impact. And surely Bob Bassett would agree. Bob taught at Dunn School from 1972-1975, starting as an English teacher who quickly added Photography and Cinematography, yearbook production, and lacrosse coach to his list of titles.

Because of his experiences making films at Dunn, Bob continued his own education at UCLA’s prestigious film school, where he gained the skills to then become a freelance cinematographer and producer. In 1981, Bob was asked to start a film program in the Chapman College (now University) Communications Department.

Bob’s 38-year tenure at Chapman saw the creation of a unique film school, which grew to become the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Over the years Dodge College has been recognized as one of the top programs in the U.S. and world. Many will recognize its successful alumni, including the Duffer Brothers, who write and direct Stranger Things, and Justin Simien, who wrote and directed both the feature and TV series Dear White People.

Several Dunn alumni have expressed that their memories with him at Dunn are alone worthy of a dedicated feature film. While much can be written about Bob’s remarkable professional career, please just enjoy these memories from Bob’s days at Dunn.

About teaching at Dunn

I’ve taught at three different independent schools – Robert Louis Stevenson School, Catalina School for Boys, and Dunn. It goes without saying that Dunn was hands down my favorite. I just felt like it was the most rewarding full-time experience as a teacher, constantly living what you’re learning. Man, Dunn was 24/7!

physical education, you learned how to repel out of buildings for a quick escape. A lot of people had horses around campus in those days, so we had some action on horses. This was in 1973 and it became my first movie — D.O.N.E. 1873.

Death Valley motorcycle adventure

On coaching lacrosse

There was a teacher at Dunn who coached lacrosse – you might recognize his name – Pete Robbins. He was also known for taking kids on fantastic rock-climbing trips.

All 10 of us faculty would meet regularly, and at one point, Pete was planning to take a sabbatical. So he asked if I’d coach lacrosse while he was away. I’d never played, I’d never coached, but sometimes I’d go out and watch the games. So I went to the library and got a book on coaching and lacrosse strategies. I was surprised to see there were quite a few of them, and so I taught the student players those strategies. And guess what, we won the league!

D.O.N.E. 1873

I was a photographer when I arrived at Dunn, and the bomb shelter on campus was the perfect darkroom. Down there I found an 8x10 video camera, which was new to me, as well as a movie camera. So I started filming things.

I turned the school into a school for bank robbers… When you went to English class, you learned how to write ransom notes. For

I took a group of 10-12 kids to Death Valley for a camping and photography trip one February. We visited the Ubehebe Crater which is quite deep, and there’s really nothing there at the bottom of it. But there’s a trail that goes all the way around the crater, so we decided to make a stop-action picture along it. We had everyone hunch down like they were riding on a motorcycle, then jump up, and we’d shoot a frame each time they were in the air. The resulting movie run at 24 frames per second shows the students as a motorcycle gang gliding down the Ubehebe Crater without touching the ground. It was exhausting! But that’s the kind of fun we had.

Dunn Eats

Another film we made with the entire student body was one of my favorites. Back then, we all ate in the same dining hall. And of course, being a school full of rowdy teenagers, now and again there was a food fight. So, one evening we made a film about one giant food fight. All the students were in the film and loved it!

Looking back

There’s just something special about Dunn School. I got to know all the students so well, and we had a great deal of fun together. Being with the Earwigs was one of the favorite times of my life. I would love to hear from any of my former students at robert.bassett72@gmail.com

“Being with the Earwigs was one of the favorite times of my life.”

Class Notes

1970s

Hayley Firestone ’77 - “After stepping away from my much-loved career in development, and thanks to extra time at home during the pandemic, my husband and I decided to start a coffee roasting company. Zaca Coffee, our Buellton-based coffee roasting and distribution company, was born out of a love for the early morning ritual of sipping a cup of joe watching the sun rise over the Figueroa Mountains. I highly recommend the Yama blend, which is the name my two granddaughters gifted me… it definitely gets this Yama going in the morning!”

been in Portland, Ore., since 1990 doing construction and real estate. I still enjoy playing soccer and music… old passions. My son and I are currently working on becoming certified to fly and scuba dive. Hopefully, we can dive next summer during the visit to Dunn. I am in touch with Rob Katsuno and Clain Campagna on a regular basis and our door in Portland is always open to any Earwigs passing by. Best regards to all!”

Stephanie Holthaus ’85 and Lisa Lucas ’85 - Stephanie & Lisa recently reunited in Santa Fe, NM!

Richard Haig ’02 - In a Santa Barbara beachside ceremony, Richard married Casey Canon of Philadelphia, Pa. in September, 2022. In attendance were family, including Richard’s father Willy, former math teacher, his mother Barbara, Assistant Head of School for Leadership, sister Jillian ’06, Dean of Upper School, dear friends, and fellow Earwigs, including Cole Barrington ’03, who officiated, and Tahlia Burkett Helvy ’03, who photographed the affair. Congratulations to the couple!

1980s

Phil Coates ’83 - “Hello Earwigs, I am looking forward to our 40th class reunion. I have a 10-year-old son

2000s

Jordan Moon (Hitt) ’00 & Brita Stone (Popma) ’01 - Brita and Jordan recently met up in Los Olivos to collaborate on a new women’s health venture. Brita, a midwife by trade, is setting her sights on opening a new local practice for holistic women’s health. Meanwhile Jordan is a registered nurse who consults with individuals and families for advance care planning and end of life care.

and want to show him the campus and surrounding area to give him a sense of what we experienced. I’ve

Wade Cowper ’05 - Along with partner Paula Phan, Wade decided to forgo a traditional wedding and instead held a commitment ceremony and music festival at the start of summer. Dubbed “Waula Festival,” an amalgam of their two first names, the festivities were a benefit concert for Sarah House, a Santa Barbara-based home and endof-life care service for people of low income. These two truly knew how to spread the love, and included in the celebrations were fellow Earwigs and Wade’s long-time best friends Orin Cadwell ’ 05 and Tyler Davidson ’ 05, as well as Clara Cadwell ’ 01, Olive Cadwell ’

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Tommy Cortez ’05 & Amanda Cortez (Fraser) ’05 - “Tommy has been working in commercial real estate for the last 7 years, and a career opportunity brought us from the Santa Ynez Valley to Orange County. We have been here two years now and have enjoyed exploring a new area as a family! Our two kids (Isla, 6 and Landon, 4) keep us busy and we love visiting “home” whenever we get the chance. We recently traveled back to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We love driving the kids by the Dunn campus and pointing out where mom and dad met!”

Coral Genochio (Hendler) ’09 -

“I got married in July 2019 and welcomed my daughter, Logan Jane, in July 2020. I live in Portland, Ore., and work as an Executive Assistant for a non-profit.”

Maha

Okinawa,

subtropical island of Japan. The resort has been featured in Forbes, National Geographic, Vogue, and on global media such as NTD TV News broadcasted to 50 million households in the US and Europe. You can make reservations to stay at the resort at treeful.net, and be sure to check it out on Instagram @treeful.treehouse, and on Maha’s Instagram account, @naturally_maha. Any questions or to learn more, reach out to Maha; she’d

Katie Chambers (Rushing) ’09 -

“I currently live in Nashville, Tenn., and work for Dollar General doing Product Development for their private label brands. My husband, Will and I were married in 2017 and just welcomed our third baby; we now have Charlotte and her two brothers, Henry and Brooks. There’s a small group of us Dunn kids that live in Nashville and spend time together. We’ve all been friends since our DMS days, so approximately 20 years now!”

Connect with Dunn

Looking to reconnect with an old classmate? Have you recently moved? Want to see some old photos with friends from your Dunn days? Let’s stay connected…

Class Notes

Carrie Creighton - Former French teacher, Carrie Creighton married Shawn Cruikshank of Ogdensburg, N.Y., in July 2022 in Pennsylvania. The couple continued the celebration in August with California friends and family, including members of the Dunn community, in Los Alamos, Calif. Helping shower the newlyweds in love were Denise Holmes, Susie Childs, Tom Holmes, Callie Martin, Rhett Broderick, Keri Nielson Rhodes ’04, and Whitney Holmes ’05.

releasing my first full album, which will be finished later this year and ready to release either later this year or early next year! I am still working on a release date! I can be found on Instagram @dibsonthibs, where I post music as well as music-related announcements such as shows I will be playing at and when I am releasing a new song or album!”

Connor McMorrow ’11 - “My beautiful bride, Lindsay, and I had a wedding celebration in May 2022 in the Santa Ynez Valley. In attendance were some fellow Earwigs, including Kyle Nelson ’11, Corbin Meyer ’11 and Ruthie Schorr , and the Walker sisters, Ella, Georgina, and Tamsyn.

2020s

Macey Turbow ’20 - “I am currently going into my third year at UCLA. I’m extremely fortunate to be at a school that encourages intellectual growth, similar to what I always had during my seven years at Dunn.”

2010s

Michelle Thibodeaux ’14 - “I have been working and living in Portland since graduating from Lewis & Clark in 2018. My true passion has always been music, and Mr. Yaki was a huge inspiration for me while I was at Dunn. Nowadays, I perform at open mics, house shows, and paid gigs as well. I am very excited to be

Share your latest address, email, or other details with alumni@dunnschool.org.

And be sure to visit our LinkedIn and Facebook Alumni groups.

Grace Gentry ’19 - Grace is studying marketing with a focus in professional sales at UC Boulder. Last year, she was the president of her school’s Alpha Chi Omega chapter, and along with the executive board, she founded an event to raise money for domestic violence awareness. After just two years, this event has already raised over $45,000 for Safehouse Denver. Dunn School’s Associate Director of Admissions, Amanda Milholland recently

Richard Cheng ’20 - Richard came to visit campus in September with some friends from UCSD, where he’s currently studying cognitive science. He enjoyed reconnecting with Dunn teachers and friends.

Richard Cheng ’20 with Ethan Aday ’23 while visiting Dunn.

Stella Wang ’21 - “I’m at University of Washington in Seattle studying public health. I had an amazing first year and hope all the seniors are

excited for college! It was so fun to come back. Dunn was a great place to grow up. Don’t take it for granted!”

Lisa Lucas ’85

Helps Bust a Myth — and Wins an Emmy

She just knew, while sitting in her U.S. history class at Dunn, that something wasn’t accurate.

Lisa wondered why all the stories of great individual achievements in her textbook never included nonwhites — particularly Native Americans and women.

Maddie Bailey ’22 - “Scotland is absolutely incredible, I’m in awe of where I go to Uni! I’ve fallen completely in love with the country. In between my studies, I have taken many day trips to little towns around St. Andrews. School is definitely different from Dunn, challenging but I’m learning a lot. I hope everything back in Los Olivos is incredible. I miss the Earwigs!! Sending all my love to the community. ”

So Lisa took it upon herself to do her own, unassigned academic deep dive, spending hours in the library researching, then crafting a 20-page paper, profiling 10 notable American women and men of color. Now an independent filmmaker who lives in Santa Fe, N.M., Lisa recalled telling her Dunn history teacher, when she turned in the paper to him, “this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Her passion for helping provide voice to the voiceless recently crystallized on the red carpet in Scottsdale, Ariz. Lucas and a team of producers, including Comanche-Blackfeet woman Zhane Meyers, won a 2022 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for the documentary feature film, “However Wide the Sky: Places of Power.” Their film aired on PBS and highlighted the history of eight sacred spaces across the American Southwest and their cultural significance to regional Native American nations.

“A lot of what I do is myth-busting and breaking down what nonindigenous people think they know about indigenous people,” Lucas said.

“In this film, we intertwined stories about the spaces and went to the tribes. They allowed us to tell the stories of what happened there, from the historical to the political. All land is sacred to these tribes and it is alive and is very much a part of their culture.”

The entrepreneurial Lisa Lucas heads LikeMinds, a film production company currently raising money to shoot and produce a feature film with the working title, “They Love, They Lie. ” For more information on Lucas and her past and current projects, visit www.likemindsnm.com

In Memoriam

Thomas Staub ’64

It is with a heavy heart that I share that Tom Staub – Dunn School, class of ’64 – has transitioned to a different reality. He died at age 77 on November 15, 2022 after suffering a major stroke. His son and daughter were at his side when life support was disconnected.

Tom was an ‘Early Dunner.’ Dunn was in its infancy and, in many ways, so was Tom. He wasn’t sent to Dunn as a stepping stone to Harvard, MIT, or a slick job on Wall Street. He was shuffled away to a far-off land where he was surrounded by over-achievers and geniuses. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, no? But Tom THRIVED at Dunn. He made friends and found good, interesting people with healthy family relationships who had dignity and acted with integrity. This was a new experience for him – and he LOVED it! The world began to open up for Tom.

He learned how to play soccer at Dunn, and EXCELLED at it. He got into baseball and track, but what REALLY clicked for Tom was basketball. In basketball, Tom found his niche, found what he was MEANT to do. He never made the Big Time because he was hampered by physical limitations – he wasn’t 6’8”! But he had the skills and the heart of a champion. He once held the league record for scoring – 37 points against Cate! He remained indebted to Dunn School, his teammates, and Coach Hargrove to the end of his life for what he learned from those experiences.

When I entered Dunn, it was a very strange experience for both of us. Tom and I found ourselves in a healthy environment without the chaos, trauma, and insanity that was attendant in our home. It was, perhaps, the first time in our lives that we got to know each other as humans and not victims. Without all the external trauma, drama, and stress of home, Tom became SO loving, charming, and funny.

Tom is survived by his son John, his daughter Teresa, Pete his beloved dog, and me, his younger brother.

Tom remained loyal to and SO loved Dunn – all the way to his last breath.

FOR TOM by Michael Staub

‘Your brother is dead…’ his son seemed to whisper to me And somewhere I heard the ping of a thread snapping free

A ping that keeps pinging and pinging again And a snap that keeps echoing questions like, ‘when?’

Forever. Gone

Lost and untethered – as alone as the sea He was MORE than a brother –and he was MUCH more than me

Abused and tortured – in a horror called ‘home’ We held on to each other – and now we’re alone

He is alone – with the earth an’ the ants an’ the bugs an’ the sky And now I too am alone and wondering why

Why is it like this?

Over and over it roars through my mind

Death does its worst – to those left behind

See you soon, Yer Bro

In Memoriam

Daniel Freeman ’09 –

“DFree” by Leslie Vincent Daniel fully embraced his life at Dunn! He was an athlete, musician, and friend to many. As his advisor and Learning Strategies teacher, I was gifted with a respectful, engaged young man who appreciated the support and care he received at Dunn. Daniel developed a passion for the piano under Mr. Yaki’s care, put his full energy into the Dunn basketball and football teams, and welcomed his teachers’ lessons.

Daniel’s story is unique. He shared stories of times spent with a loving grandfather who prepared him special meals, as well as a beloved sister and niece. Yet, his earliest years revealed adversity and insecurity. Witnessing this dilemma, caring and concerned men took Daniel under their wings and provided him with a safe educational foundation, first in junior high at Ojai Valley School and later high school at Dunn. Daniel went on to Curry College in Massachusetts and finished his college education at a film school in Los Angeles.

Sadly, Daniel’s daily struggle to find meaning and balance in his adult life proved insurmountable. Daniel met a tragic end this past August. His kind spirit will be deeply missed.

Gardner Logan Mein ’84 –

Logan grew up in Pacific Heights, attended Stuart Hall and then Dunn School, before receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Menlo College in 1991. He worked for an e-waste recycling firm, and then in the late 90’s went on to launch his own successful company, Resource Recyclers, Inc. He also worked as an art agent and founded the Mein Studio Gallery in San Francisco.

Logan is remembered as a true San Franciscan, who believed in living an authentic life. He was a fanatical skier, consummate trout whisperer, and was known for his eclectic taste in music.

After overcoming a CNS Lymphoma diagnosis in 2021, and despite being vaccinated, Logan was exposed to COVID-19 in early 2022 and his weakened immune system was not strong enough to fight the virus. He is survived by his brother and best friend, Gardner Williams “Willie” Mein, Jr., his sister-inlaw, Richele, and his two favorite people in the world, his niece Aimee and nephew Wylie.

Eric Yellin ’84 – Respected assistant director Eric Yellin passed away in January, 2022 in his Newport Beach, Calif., home after a year-long battle with cancer. Eric worked extensively in television, serving as first A.D. on series including Law & Order, Damages, Royal Pains, The Following, and more. He also worked on films including In the Bedroom, The Squid and the Whale, and Jack Reacher.

Eric was born on September 8, 1966 and was raised in Newport Beach. After attending Dunn, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Boston University in 1988. He then moved to New York and began his film career as a production assistant. Eric married Rosadel Varela, after meeting on the set of Shaft, and they had two sons, Griffin and Nolan.

Len Kado – On July 27, 2022, Leonard Ryo Kado, loving son, husband, father of three children, and grandfather of four grandchildren, passed away at the age of 71. Len was born on June 19, 1951, in Gilroy, Calif. to John and Alice Kado. He graduated from Gilroy High school in 1969. He graduated from UCSB with his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1973. He received his MBA in economics from UCLA in 1974. On August 25, 1973, he married Linda Reiko Kawashima. They raised two daughters, Laura and Leslie, and one son, Logan.

He was the Director of Finance, economics teacher, and a multi-sport coach at Dunn School for 16 years. He made a lasting impression and impact on the school and its community. Alumni and former colleagues describe Len as someone who “knew how to have fun,” “had the best laugh,” “was thoughtful and kind,” and “a man of so much integrity and uncompromising morals.” Many are lucky to have memories of playing across the chess or ping pong table from Len.

Then Now &

1957

Two young female students return from a jog around the old ‘Lap Tree.’

2022

Students play ping pong and walk to class in the Math and History Quad, which now encircles what we believe to be the same large oak on the left. What we think is the old ‘Lap Tree’ can vaguely be seen behind one of the buildings, located next to the pool.

If you can tell us more about the old Lap Tree, please send a note to alumni@dunnschool.org. We’d love to make sure we’re correct about this fun piece of history!

Many thanks to Eric Roberts ’89 for inspiring this article concept, and to Michael Dunn for his help in navigating the potential location of these comparable photographs.

Building Her Way Gratitude with

Dunn opportunity helps Melia Collins-Byrd ’25 thrive

From her early childhood, Melia Collins-Byrd, now a boarding sophomore, was curious about how things worked. Her mother leaned on her to set up the household DVR and fix appliances. Melia would even take electronic items apart to learn how they worked, then rebuild them.

Melia’s inquisitive nature and knack for solving problems helped her excel at KIPP Scholar Academy, a Los Angeles charter middle school. Her math teachers saw her academic potential and passion, so during a KIPP summer program, they helped Melia with her high school applications. That’s how she found out about Dunn School.

Melia applied and months later, she was beyond excited to learn she got in.

“I was going to be the first in my family to go to boarding school,” Melia said. “My mom had wanted me to attend a

prestigious school and move away from the public school system. The acceptance letter said financial aid would be granted, so our entire family felt such joy, and relief, that I could commit to Dunn School.”

Melia is now excelling in a number of advanced classes, and she’s proudly taken on a range of leadership roles.

“I like that there’s so much opportunity for students to have input in decision-making here,” Melia said. “I’m currently on Loy House Council, and I’m also a member of the Interact Club, Fusion Club, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and Birthday Club.”

Last year Melia attended (through Zoom) the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Student Diversity Leadership Conference. This year, Melia represented Dunn School at NAIS’s annual People of Color Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The conference is an opportunity for members of traditionally underrepresented groups to network and in workshops, discuss and document their experiences at predominantly white academic institutions.

“Everything we learn is brought back to Dunn,” Melia said. “And I can already see it making a difference.”

Melia also plays on Dunn’s girls volleyball teams and helps out as a campus tour guide. As a boarding student, surrounded by friends, Loy House also is a refuge for Melia.

“Getting access to a Dunn School education means I can actually consider and pursue a career in astronautical engineering,” Melia said. “I’ve always dreamed of building something that will help us explore and learn about things beyond the earth. I believe that by learning more about space, then we can learn more about new ways to protect where we live.”

To be continued…

We hope you have enjoyed reading the Dunn Journal. It has been an effort of love to collect the pictures, draft the articles, and gather the stories shared on these pages.

One of our favorites is the “Then & Now” pictures. It serves as a reminder that Dunn School is not only a repository of memories, but a place that exists here and now, with stories being made every day.

Whether your Dunn School story was written decades ago or is still in creation, alumni or parent, teacher or student, you are part of Tony Dunn’s wonderful legacy to educate the whole student to the best of their potential. Thank you for making 65 years of Dunn School possible!

The Anthony B. Dunn Heritage Society of 1957 was created to honor the generosity of donors who leave a legacy gift to Dunn School in their will or estate plans. These gifts can come in many forms – a bequest, a gift of real estate, or making Dunn School a named beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement fund. Legacy gifts are added to the school’s endowment, providing financial sustainability for decades to come. It’s a way to ensure that Dunn’s story isn’t The End, but always To be continued...

For more information on how you can leave a legacy at Dunn School, let’s have a conversation. And for other ways to give to Dunn, please visit www.dunnschool.org/give.

Sincerely, Dunn School’s Office of Philanthropy philanthropy@dunnschool.org

2555 W. Highway 154 P.O. Box 98 Los Olivos, CA 93441 805.688.6471

Founder’s Day – April 28, 2023

Middle School Commencement – June 2, 2023

Upper School Commencement – June 3, 2023

Alumni Weekend – June 9-11, 2023