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Vail Mountain School

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The mission of Vail Mountain School is to prepare students intellectually, emotionally, and ethically to thrive in a collegiate setting and beyond

with the life-long purpose of active participation in

global citizenship.

Tom WashingPresident

Juan Carlos AzizBruce BolyardGlenn DavisKristi FerraroLouise IngallsSally JohnstonJosh LautenbergAlejandro MartíDan McKennaKaia Moritz x’89Linda PancratzMary RandallMichael Slevin ’93Ann SmeadPatrick McConathy, ex officio

Peter AbuisiHeadmaster

Editor: Emily TamberinoEditorial Advisor: Peter AbuisiDesign & Production: Emily TamberinoPhotography: Nancy Cole, Emily Tamberino, with thanks to various teachersContributors: Peter Abuisi, Bob Bandoni, Katy Lackey ’03, Jaime Kellogg, Sharon Schmidt

Printing: Colorado Printing Company

All letters and editorial comments should be directed to:VMS MagazineVail Mountain School3000 Booth Falls RoadVail, Colorado 81657(970) 476-3850communications@vms.edu

The editor reserves the right to edit submissions to the VMS Magazine.

To read this issue of the VMS Magazine online, please visit www.VMS.edu/vmsmagazine2011.

COVER PHOTO: 8th graders Willy Girten, Olivia Bolwell, and Georgia Hintz stand inside a 258 cm

avalanche pit they dug on Vail Pass during a practical science lesson on snow physics.

Letter from the Headmaster 2

Reflections VMS Traditions: Lifelong Memories Throughout the Journey 4

Good News for VMS 12

Focus Bringing Learning to Life 14

People VMS-Cambodia-Tibet Shoulder-to-Shoulder 28

Welcome New Trustees 32

Philanthropy at VMS The Many Facets of Philanthropy 34

Don’t Miss! 40

Alma Matters Alumni Reconnect at VMS 44

Class Notes 46

Katy Lackey ’03–Lessons Learned Abroad 54

Alumni Featured at Back-to-School Night 56

Former Faculty News 60

Parting Thoughts Peace Is... 64

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Letter from the HeadmasterDear VMS Families and Friends,

It is always a pleasure to reflect on highlights of the school year. This edition of the Vail Mountain School Magazine captures reminiscences with a particular emphasis on the connection between the many things we learn in school and their immediate applicability. The philosophy of education reformer John Dewey is alive and well at Vail Mountain School! His principles are infused into the experiences of students and teachers alike. The particular quote that summarizes the connection be-tween a VMS education and Dewey’s beliefs is that, “Education isn’t preparation for life, it is life.”

The following pages provide compelling examples of carrying what is taught in the classroom into arenas where the concepts can become imprinted through experience. Glance back at the cover of this issue for a vivid illustration picturing students who culminated their classroom study of snow physics with a quick trek up a nearby mountain to dig snow pits and gain a greater understanding of the infrastructure and composition of the white flakes that blanket our campus five months of the year. Other opportunities to practice what we teach range from the cross-age tutorials that match older and younger schoolmates in skills lessons, to a tradition that features students preparing and serving Thanksgiving Breakfast to the entire school and the senior class orchestrating its Commencement before an audience of well-wishers from throughout the community.

Whether doing volunteer work in our state, traveling to disparate parts of the world in pursuit of experiences in citizenship, vis-iting the classrooms of age-mates in distant Africa through technology, or reaching deep within ourselves for poetic expression, the benefits of a thoughtfully planned education are always at hand.

Perhaps reading this VMS Magazine will lead to a few moments of personal reflection on the seamlessness between what we learn and how we live.

Sincerely,

Peter M. Abuisi Headmaster

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Letter from the Headmaster

Vail Mountain School is committed to its green initiatives. Our choice in printing this issue of the VMS Magazine

on an environmentally sound paper that contains 10% recycled fibers saved the following resources:

trees water energy solid waste greenhouse gases

1 fully grown 591 gallons 984,725

BTUs 65 lbs. 129 lbs.

Environmental Impact Estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator.

The editors of the VMS Magazine appreciate you recycling your copy of the issue when you are finished enjoying it.

The VMS Magazine is published yearly by the Development Office. © 2011, Vail Mountain School. Readers may send mailing address changes, letters, news items, and e-mail address changes to VMS Magazine, 3000 Booth Falls Road, Vail, Colo-rado 81657, or e-mail communications@vms.edu.

Parents: If this issue is addressed to a son/daughter who no longer maintains an address at your home, please send the correct address to: Vail Mountain School, 3000 Booth Falls Road, Vail, Colorado 81657 or alumni@vms.edu.

Pointillism by Molly Blakslee ’21

The Cap & Gown ceremonymarks the last day of classes for the seniors and is

punctuated by being dressed in traditional cap and gown by their Honor Guard.

VMS TradiTionS:Lifelong Memories Throughout the Journey

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Class Night is a ceremony at which seniors are honored by the faculty and representatives of local

organizations. Students are awarded for their various accomplishments, and teachers share memories and

words of advice with the graduating class.

at Kindergarten Graduation, the school’s youngest students are addressed by their teach-ers and given diplomas, marking the completion

of their first year at VMS. at the conclusion of the ceremony, the students depart the theatre in the

capable hands of the first grade teachers.

Field Day brings every VMS student, teacher, and staff member together for one last morning

of games, cheers, and camaraderie before the school year concludes.

at Commencement, seniors write and lead the ceremony. Parents of the graduates

award them their diplomas.

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For younger students, the 1st day of school is a time to share sto-ries of summer with old friends, meet new schoolmates, and delve into exciting adventures in learning. Middle and upper schoolers spend the first few days of school on outdoor orientation trips. Students explore group dynamics and test their own inner limits while enhancing their knowledge and appreciation of the environment.

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The annual Family Fun Run brings the community together for a spirited

run and family picnic.

For four decades, student, parent, and faculty volunteers have welcomed guests from all over the

world to the school’s annual Home Tour. This “all hands on deck” fundraiser

benefits tuition assistance.

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Spirit Week begins with Western day, Sports Fan

day, and Blue & White day. on Blue & White day, the community gathers for a

pep rally to support the fall sports teams who com-

pete the following day at

Homecoming. That evening, the upper schoolers gather for a

dinner dance at school.

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The Common is transformed into a bookstore each year for the

Book Fair & Food for Thought Luncheon.

Halloween is not only an opportunity to dress in costume; in addition, seniors and kindergartners gather to carve pumpkins,

a bonding experience neither class ever forgets.

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The Thanksgiving & International Breakfasts and the annual Gift Exchange are holiday traditions that bring students, teachers, and alumni together for

a special meal followed by assemblies featuring student performances.

Good News for VMS

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Good News for VMS

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A philosopher of education, John Dewey first suggested that, “Education isn’t preparation for life, it is life,” and, “I believe that education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.” With an appreciation of these principles, a Vail Moun-tain School education is truly a journey. Lessons are “brought to life” in two ways: Teaching comes alive when students can see and feel their subject matter, and lessons become a part of life when they are understood and applied. Learning, then, is realized and embraced as a lifelong endeavor that begins early on and is built upon every day.

Along the educational journey, VMS faculty make use of interac-tive and meaningful teaching methods to convey the basic cur-riculum of a college preparatory education, while also incorporat-ing the essential elements of the school’s mission and philosophy, which include attention to each student’s social and emotional development, ethics, and local and global citizenship. Building on

the knowledge students gain from traditional classroom lessons, teachers create opportunities for “real-life” encounters that allow students to immerse themselves in, and better connect with, their subject matter. These tangible experiences prompt students to en-gage in, question, and, ultimately, more deeply understand the world they are inheriting. Rather than memorize facts and figures, students are given tools and methods for seeking the answers to their questions; a skill that is essential in college and life. Teachers find that these genuine learning experiences encourage students to empathize and take responsibility for addressing personal, lo-cal, and global challenges, ultimately empowering them to bring about change in the world.

Following is a sampling of the meaningful lessons that students have learned this year—lessons that might have begun with a tra-ditional teaching approach, but were embellished, transformed, and “brought to life.”

Every day at Vail Mountain School, students of all ages ExPERIENCE what they learn, SHARE what they know, CONNECT with their education, and APPLy lessons to life.

Bringing Learning

Contemporary 1st graders journey back in time to learn what life was like for students “long ago.”

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Bringing Learning to Life

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Pizza boxes, handmade chef hats, aprons, and Monopoly money were some of the props used in a kindergarten lesson that incorporated language arts and math earlier this year. Inspired by a workshop the kindergarten teachers attended, entitled “Developing Social Competency in young Children,” they assigned the youngsters the task of visiting pizza shops close to home and observing the operation for ideas to recreate a restaurant within the doors of Vail Mountain School. Students returned with their impressions of the various businesses they visited and quickly went to work on simulating what they saw. They split themselves into waiters and waitresses, chefs, hosts, and bus boys and girls, and every student tried each role, comparing and contrasting the experience from one job to another. Working under restaurant managers (their teachers), students cut pizzas into slices, discussing the fractions they were creating. They added up bills for their “customers” and subtracted when they received their payment, and they learned how to spell words like “cheese” and “pepperoni.” When they felt they were ready, the students opened “shop” for business, inviting

parents, book buddies, and friends for a meal. Kindergarten teacher Brooke Beebe comments, “The students raced back and forth from their customers to the ‘kitchen,’ and took their roles very seriously. They had fun while improving their social competence skills, present-ing the ‘menu’ to older students and adults with confidence; working together to insure that each person was served; and practicing their critical thinking skills, determining what was working and how to improve their restaurant as they went along.”

Schools Long Ago long dresses with hoop skirts and shawls over their shoulders to keep warm. The class discussed how simple it was to wake up, eat breakfast, and drive to school in heated cars that morning, sometimes traveling with only their own family members. In

contrast, they empathized with children of long ago, who would wake up very early to help with the morning’s chores and then walk, possibly miles, to get to school, picking up neighborhood children along the way. They learned that students of long ago at-tended school only a few months at a time because they were needed to help on their families’ farms the rest of the year.

Bringing Learning

When the lower school social studies curriculum asked teachers to address “what school was like long ago,” first grade teachers Kara Robinson and Kristen Kenly were struck by a multitude of ideas for teaching this unit in ways that would allow their students to compare and contrast student life in the early 1900s and today. The lessons, they decided, would all take place in the Homesteader Cabin on the north side of Vail Mountain School’s campus—a historical landmark, originally built and owned by early settlers of Booth Creek, the Baldauf family, over 100 years ago. The stu-dents arrived at school one cold morning in February, wearing the clothes of pioneer children, and were greeted by their teachers in

Kenya Becker-Perez ’23 takes an order at the kindergarten pizza shop.

Kindergarten

1st grade

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Before the first graders began their work, they were given writing slates and a piece of chalk, and were shown old school supplies like quills and ink, primers, and horn books (a piece of wood covered in cow’s horn for protection, which would encase a page nailed to the wood for instruction each day). The boys were asked to sit on one side of the room, while the girls sat on another. They were instructed to stand up when speaking and address their teachers as “ma’am.” Lefties tried writing with their right hands since these students would have been forced to switch hands long ago. When the students were thirsty,

they ladled water from a pot. While none of the students misbehaved to warrant it, each student stood in a corner of the room wearing a dunce cap to see how it would feel to be punished in such a way. On the lighter side, the students played “hot potato” with real hot potatoes at recess, and they churned butter, which was en-joyed with pieces of bread and hot cider.

This is Resort Life When second grade students learned about urban, rural, and suburban communities in their social studies class, one question was on many minds: “What type of com-munity is Vail?”

After some discussion, the students determined that they are very fortunate to live in what is called a “resort com-munity.” Second grade teacher, KC Lasher, explains, “We talked about some of the characteristics that make our community unique, like the many hotels, restaurants, and businesses that serve seasonal residents and visitors.” The class quickly realized that Vail’s status as a world-class ski resort has determined the town’s status as a resort commu-nity. Mr. Lasher showed the students photos of Vail when

Bringing Learning

Cloe Cunningham ’22 takes lessons on a slate with chalk.

Sam Lautenberg ’22 churns butter.

Second graders in the underground tunnel beneath the gondola

2nd grade

lettuce and cabbage were the area’s primary source of industry, and they decided that if the ski mountain didn’t exist, Vail would be a rural community and likely a much smaller town with fewer residents and visitors. They then poured over photos of the creation of the resort and its evolution. Realizing how vital the ski mountain is to the nature of our community, the class journeyed on an impromptu, unforgettable field trip to Vail Mountain. The students toured an underground tunnel that begins at large loading docks under the Arrabelle and ends at the base of the gondola, where large cargo cars are loaded to transport food and resources up the mountain, making Vail’s gondola one of the few in the world to haul supplies as well as people. Mr. Lasher comments, “The students were in awe to be standing in a place that few people even know exists. A couple of students remarked that the next time they’re standing in line at the gondola, they’ll imagine what is being transported underneath them. They all really began to appreciate the complexities of a mountain resort and the effort and resources required to make it so successful.”

After watching two cargo cars get loaded and unloaded, the students boarded the gondola for a ride to Eagle’s Nest Ski Patrol Headquarters to learn about the Ski Patrol, a job that is unique and vital to a resort community. The students learned that while all communities rely on police and fire officers to insure the safety of the community, the Ski Patrol plays as important a role on the mountain. Following a tour of Patrol Headquarters, the boys and girls were shown some of the medical equipment used in emergencies. The class simulated an evacuation—one boy was put in a body air cast, and his classmates carried him to a nearby ski rack. “It was hard work,” explained Graham Spessard. The students discussed the importance of skier safety, and each student was given the opportunity to take a test to earn a Junior Ski Patrol pin. In order to pass, the students were required to answer questions and successfully complete 12 pushups. Mr. Lasher was happy to report, “All of the students re-ceived their pins! More importantly, they now take an even greater responsibility to insure their own safety as well as those around them.”

“I soon realized that no journey carries one far un-less, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.” ~Lillian Smith

In order to better understand the history, geography, politics, economy, and culture of people who inhabit various parts of the world, third graders “traveled” the globe, bringing back lifelong les-sons to share with their classmates, teachers, parents, and friends. Each student selected a country, exploring places such as Ghana,

Lessons From Around the World

Ryan Cole ’21 plays a role in the simulation of an evacuation.

Caroline Chlipala ’20 wears ancient Egyptian garb to

illustrate this element of the culture.

3rd grade

4th Graders Into LearningA fourth grade social studies unit on European exploration of the New World prompted students to literally “dive into” history and recover artifacts that would tell them more about what was brought to and from the Americas by European voyagers.

After reading about the explorers and watching an online, interactive presentation on their classroom’s ActivBoard, the students played jeop-ardy games and participated in enrichment activities. The unit culmi-nated with an “underwater archeology” exercise, which was especially memorable for the students. The class designed a ship’s hull out of masking tape, and Mrs. Schlossinger placed photos of artifacts around the ship. The students “dove” into their sunken ship, retrieved an arti-fact, and after bringing it to “the surface,” they categorized it as some-thing that was either brought by an explorer to America or taken back to Europe from the Americas. They rescued such objects as a compass, an astrolabe (a tool used to help navigate), maps, and cash crops like

France, India, Australia, and Lebanon. Along their journeys, the students not only gained a better understanding of their chosen countries, but they also learned how to conduct re-search using local and world-wide resources. They practiced taking notes and discerning from the vast amount of details they discovered through research, outlining the information, crafting topic and concluding sentences, writing expository paragraphs, and publishing their findings. They discussed how seeing pictures, listening to music, and hearing stories about their chosen country helped them better understand those places. Then, each student set out to create a visual and oral presentation to share with his/her teachers, friends, and parents on Around the World Day in February. Dressing in the customary garb of their countries, the students arrived at school on Around the World Day, bringing with them food, traditions, and stories from abroad. Each student delivered a three to ten minute presentation. Third grade teacher Kristin Douthitt comments, “We all learn from each other and gain more perspective on the ways of life in varying countries.” The experience culminated with a special lunch, featuring foods from “around the world.”

Dive

Ms. Douthitt’s third graders represent 14 different countries on Around the World Day.

Ripley Stone ’19 dives into a representative sunken ship in search

of artifacts.

4th grade

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to speak about Afghanistan, the nation. The students were enlightened and heart-ened to hear about the country’s tribal sys-tems and beautiful geography. Still gripped by Parvana’s story, the students asked their teachers if they could read Parvana’s Jour-ney, the sequel to The Breadwinner. “The students’ desire to further explore Parvana’s journey was an inspiration to all of us. And, being able to respond to the students’ inter-ests and curiosities is truly the gift of work-ing in an independent school,” says their teacher, Jaime Kellogg.

Because of the difficult scenarios the stu-dents had to consider as they read more about Parvana's struggles, their teachers

tobacco and cotton, exploring the materi-als to construct their own understanding of the concepts. The activity encouraged the students to seek out answers rather than memorize facts. Mrs. Schlossinger com-ments, “Experiential exercises like this one create memorable experiences that help stu-dents grasp abstract social studies concepts. Through the use of movement and inspec-tion, students capture a moment or feeling that is central to understanding a particular concept or historical event.”

By taking on the roles of underwater ar-cheologists, the students were urged to practice comparing and contrasting, high level thinking skills that are fundamental to learning and life. The exploratory nature of the activity also developed teamwork, leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Mrs. Schlossinger comments, “One of the most important skills students learn at VMS is analysis. As teachers, we prompt with questions that require students to analyze the big picture and draw conclu-sions. In the case of the underwater arche-ology exercise, the students realized how objects contributed to the history and cul-ture of the societies who used them. They discussed the challenges those societies faced and were able to sympathize. When students become more aware of other cul-tures, past and present, they become em-pathetic and, eventually, take action. This is an example of how ethics and global citi-zenship are seamlessly woven into the cur-riculum at VMS.”

When the fifth grade read The Bread-winner by Deborah Ellis, they began a journey that challenged them to con-sider a life in which hunger, trust, and safety are ongoing concerns. The stu-dents were mystified to read the story about a young girl, Parvana, who lives in Afghanistan at the time of Taliban control and is forced to cut off her hair, disguise herself as a boy, and step into the role of “breadwinner” for her family when her father is forcibly taken away to a Taliban prison. The students were exposed to shocking facts about the de-bilitating control of the Taliban and es-pecially their treatment of women. To contrast the negative feelings that arose from reading The Breadwinner, the 5th grade teachers invited VMS history teacher and world traveler, Ryan Gray,

5th Graders Journey to Afghanistan and Beyond

“...being able to respond to the

students’ interests and curiosities is truly the gift of working in an independent school.”

5th grade

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asked them to articulate their impressions through a newspaper they would entitle “Afghania.” The publication included “in-terviews” with characters from the books, advertisements of items that Parvana sold in the marketplace in Kabul, comics, and an article written about the destruction of the World Trade Center Twin Towers. “Seeing the students become more aware of global issues and relating them back to their own lives was an eye-opening experience,” says Kellogg.

Also along the students’ journey with Parvana, they were introduced to Shan-non Galpin, founder of “Mountain 2 Mountain,” an organization that focuses on bringing equality and education to the women and young girls of Afghani-stan. Ms. Galpin visited the classroom and shared pictures and stories of her experi-ences in Afghanistan. She brought a burqa,

which each student tried on. One student commented, “I just cannot imagine wear-ing a burqa all the time. It’s really hard to see.” The students sent Ms. Galpin thank you notes after her visit. One student wrote, “I learned that if I was in a room with 22 kids my age, and I was in Afghanistan, only two of those kids would be able to read and write. I might not be able to write this letter to you.”

From their readings on Afghani-stan, the class considered the plight of other children in difficult cir-cumstances through their readings of three novels—My Brother Sam is Dead; Bud, Not Buddy; and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963. These stories introduced the class to the challenges children faced during the American Revolution, the Great

Depression, and the Civil Rights Move-ment. The students read-ily made connections between the struggles of the characters in these stories and Parvana, and they began identifying groups of children who are suffering in modern day societies, includ-ing our own right here in Eagle and Summit Counties.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. Volunteerism Day approached, the students knew exact-ly what they wanted to do to commemo-rate Dr. King. By doing chores at home for spare change and conducting a class food drive, they raised funds and gathered non-perishables for the Food Rescue Express in Eagle County, which provides meals to children who wouldn’t typically get fed over the weekends. Ms. Kellogg concludes, “Being able to help fight hunger here in our own community is a rewarding first step in the journey to be global citizens.”

A thank you note to Shannon Galpin from Ben West ’18.

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Children Inspiring HopeThis year, sixth and seventh grade service skills classes explored “core values,” including those that are related to individuals, families, schools, communities, and great leaders. In addition, students have engaged in several service projects that have directly benefited our community and the world. One particularly meaningful, hands-on service assign-ment asked students to correspond with children in Ghana through art exchanges centered around two themes: human connection and connections to our natural environment. Through Children Inspiring Hope (CIH), an organization that bridges cultures with arts and education projects, the middle school students created and sent peace flags, a hand-painted banner that read “peace,” and a soccer ball to EP Primary Ho-Bankoe school. Amy Gaylor, founder of CIH, brought back peace flags from the students in Africa; a banner with their handprints that read “Ntifafa,” which translates to “peace” in Ewe; and a documentary video of the African students receiving the gifts VMS students sent them. The exchange in Vail was also documented, and will be shared with the students in Africa when Ms. Gaylor returns next. Seventh grader Tai Kerzner commented, “It’s really cool to see what they’ve been doing in Ghana and to see all the thought and time they’ve put into their projects. It really means a lot. It shows that they are thinking about us while we think about them. We haven’t ever met each other, but we still have this connection.”

Ms. Gaylor comments, “Students are em-powered that they can make a positive im-pact in the world while having fun at the same time, truly becoming compassionate citizens of the world.”

After visiting with the sixth and seventh graders, Ms. Gaylor said, “I am always inspired by the joy and power of con-nection between these students, and the genuine impact on their world view…The opportunity to paint, draw, and express their own creative nature, and loving kindness with children across the globe...it is miraculous.”

In commemoration of African American History Month, 7th grade humanities students created an antebellum artifact museum in the Common. Applying what they had learned in class about pre-Civil War African American history, the stu-dents recreated artifacts from clothing to utensils to the interior of a slave cabin and served as docents of their museum. Students, teachers, and parents strolled through the exhibits and learned what life was like before the Civil War. By taking the lead in teaching others, the 7th graders had to become “experts” in the subjects they were presenting. 7th grader Lauren Viola comments, “When we started this, I didn’t know that so many people helped slaves es-cape.” Colby Wilson adds, “I felt like a real archaeologist.”

Docents of History

Colby Wilson ’17 looks at pictures of the art exchange in Ghana.

Michele Philippon ’16 serves as a docent at the 7th grade antebellum artifact museum.

6th grade 7th grade

Life-Saving Lessons for 8th GradersBrett Falk has been teaching 8th grade science at VMS for over 20 years. One of his most popular lessons, snow physics, recently became even more engaging when he began inte-grating data from the campus weather station. Located on top of the west side of the school building, the weather station was originally designed by a student. Basic information gath-ered by the weather station is transmitted to the VMS website; details that are more useful to budding scientists at the school are available on a remote website. The 8th grade has used the weather station to observe the air pressure recorded over a period of time, concluding that the air pressure at this elevation is very close to the lowest pressure ever recorded at sea level. They used the temperature, dew point, and relative humidity data generated by the weather station to explore the role of moisture in determining weather. They also moni-tored how weather in the area is affected by our continental location and its effects on our snow pace. This information proved helpful in their study of snow physics and avalanches.

For the next step in bringing this lesson to life, Mr. Falk and Ms. Sideli invited avalanche in-structor Mike Duffy to campus to teach a course on avalanche safety and awareness. Mr. Duffy comments, “I was very impressed with the stu-dents’ knowledge of avalanches. It was greater than most adults who take my class.”

Finally, to apply the lesson to life and truly test their knowledge of snow physics, the class ven-tured out to Vail Pass, where they identified snow types firsthand, dug avalanche pits themselves, and determined stability. The field trip was followed by the 8th grade overnight hut trip. Clay Kirwood ’15 comments, “After digging the avalanche pits and learning the science of snow, I feel safer and more prepared for the backcountry.”

Mr. Falk adds, “This lesson truly comes alive when the students can see firsthand what they originally learned in the classroom, and because of where we live and our outdoor pursuits, this is a lesson that is practical in life.”

Now in 10th grade, student Sage Ebel reflects on the experience she had in 8th grade, “I remember this lesson because the information could save my life one day.”

In the spirit of citizenship and to gain a practical un-derstanding of the modern art environment, the 9th Grade Foundat ions studio art class decorated can-vases inspired by social issues and the efforts of non-profit organizations to address specific issues. Each student chose a different non-profit and carefully planned a piece of artwork that ex-pressed the issues the non-profit addresses. Once completed, the students formally pre-sented their works at a gallery opening at Al-pine Arts Center in Edwards. The pieces were on display and made available for purchase for one month. All proceeds generated from the sale of the artwork were donated to the charities of choice as well as the youth Foun-dation’s Alpine Arts Scholarship Program.

Art teacher, Slade Cogswell, comments “This experience not only gave students an opportunity to hang their artwork for inter-pretation, but it also provided the very real scenario of selling art for a cause.”

Art for Life

Clay Kirwood ’15 measures the layers of a snow pit he and his classmates dug on Vail Pass.

Heidi Ortiz ’14 hangs her artwork, a piece dedicated to Children's Hospital.

7th grade 8th grade 9th grade

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Initiated by upper school teachers, VMS launched a new program, Intraterm, for 10th graders this year. Students spent one week pursuing a chosen course of study designed to enrich the traditional curriculum and the student’s intellectual curios-ity. The course titles included “Water, Water, Ev-erywhere?;” “Digital Citizenship;” “Psychology and Film;” and “Eat, Talk, and Play: Exploring Language and Learning.” The courses engaged students in diverse activities such as meeting with legislators at the Capitol to discuss water issues,

video conferencing with students across the country; visiting the Speech, Language, and Hearing Center at the University of Colorado; serving in a Denver soup kitchen; and much more. “The courses were designed to be enriching and fun, but also required fo-cus, participation, and work on the part of students,” explains Director of Upper School Adam Dubé. The students were extremely positive about the program. One student commented, “I will always remember how important water rights are and how much of an issue they will become with our increase in population.” Another said, “The whole learning experience was illuminating.”

Words to LifeThis winter, Mr. Morris asked his 11th grade English class to compose a poem inspired by Robert Frost’s need to “summon aptly from the vast chaos of all that I have lived through.” He encouraged students to follow Frost’s ad-vice to “begin in delight (i.e. the surprise of remembering), proceed through a series of revelations, and end in [unanticipated] wis-dom.” He explains, “Like Frost, all of us have difficult moments hidden in vague memories of the past; I intended to give students the opportunity to transform these moments into meaningful personal realizations.” Fol-lowing is 11th grader Paco Holquin’s poi-gnant response to the assignment.

The CreekI stood at the edge of the water

In the shadow of the forest.A creek came trickling from the highlands

Of decent size and perhaps aBit more potential, mired by debris—

Twigs, branches, dirt, all the usual.

A single leaf twisted down andLanded square in the flow, then floated

Away. It was hard to pick it outAmong the rest of the sea, yet

There it was—I would not lose it—I will sway Death and save the memory

(No one deserves to lose to history).

But as I follow, the distinct Piece of life no longer was just that.

The forest gave way and the ocean came,And everything looked like water.

“The whole learning

experience was illuminating.”

10th Grade Immersion in Intraterm

Elizabeth Bolyard ’13 interacts with a child

on the youth Foundation’s Magic Bus.

10th graders visit Climax Mine in Climax, CO

10th grade 11th grade

A Capstone lessonFor approximately 33 years, Mr. Abuisi has invited Dr. Bill Fifer to speak to his 12th grade psychology classes on human develop-ment, and specifically fetal and neonatal behavioral, physiological, and brain development. Dr. Fifer is a professor in psychiatry and pediatrics at Columbia University and assistant director of Sackler Institute of Developmental Psychobiology. A close friend and for-mer teacher under Mr. Abuisi’s leadership, Dr. Fifer looks forward to his visits to Colorado each year. He says, “As a student myself, I truly enjoy the opportunity to come back to VMS each year and see how the best possible learning conditions are structured and how students learn in those very special environments. As a professor, I think it’s important to teach students how the principles they’re learning about in class are applied to very real clinical situations. Psychology covers so many different topics, and few students have the chance to even read about the psychobiology of fetal and neonatal infants. It’s rewarding to expose the VMS students to some of the latest research on this fascinating period of development.”

For one week this March, Dr. Fifer met with the seniors daily and shared his latest findings on fetal, newborn, and premature infant neurobehavioral responses to environmental stimulation during sleep, and the effects of prenatal exposures on later neurodevelopment. Senior Sophe Friedman comments, “It was fascinating to hear from a professional in the field, talking to us about some of the latest projects and studies. It’s amazing what modern science is teaching us about the importance of human development even at the prenatal and neonatal stages.”

Dr. Fifer’s visit serves as a bridge between theory and experience—what the students learned in class and what they will see and experience in the next phase of their educa-tional journey in psychology, a trip to New york City, which will take place this spring. This annual tradition is not only intended to promote bonding for the graduating class, but is also highly educational and meaningful. On the first day in the big city, the stu-dents venture to Columbia University Hospital to see firsthand the tools and subjects of Dr. Fifer’s research. The class receives a personal tour of the neonatal intensive care nurs-ery and clinical research laboratories at the hospital’s psychiatric institute from a medical doctor, researchers, and scientists. The goal is to provide students with an opportunity to see the practical expression of topics they’ve been discussing and to ask questions of the clinicians in their environment. Mr. Bandoni, who has chaperoned the trip since 1992, comments, “To witness the technology and resources that are being dedicated to this par-ticular form of science is a new experience for the seniors. It is inherently striking because while the students naturally have images of the world of psychology and psychobiology and medicine, this experience provides direct witness to the things they read in books.”

Senior Jaime Morten is looking forward to the trip. She says, “It will be a great learning experience to connect what we’ve read in our textbook to real scenarios.” Dr. Bill Fifer speaks to seniors during his visit to VMS.

12th grade

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VMS coaches view each sporting arena as a “classroom” for helping student-athletes develop lifelong habits and skills. The philosophy of the athletic department is based on five “pillars” of success: technique, tactics, fitness, character, and lifestyle. Whether students are on the fields, on the courts, or on the slopes, they are learning lessons they can apply to their lives today and into their futures–lessons like goal setting, teamwork, character development, the understanding of a healthy lifestyle, and how to balance “work” and “play.”

Photos by Jorge Navas, Kristin Anderson of the Vail Daily, Cindy Ryerson, Mike Gehl, and

Johannes Spaeh

Left to right, top to bottom: Hannah McKeever ’14 reaches to spike the volleyball, Sean McKeever ’12 and Paco Holquin ’12 block the basketball, Eva Spaeh ’12 on the Nordic track, members of the 2011 telemark team, John McKenna ’11 represents VMS in an alpine race,

and Avery Bellis ’14 dribbles the soccer ball in an early season game.

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27

Students at VMS learn early on that art is ubiquitous! Through varied experiences with a wide array of media and tools, students learn to appreciate art and express themselves. The lessons they learn on stage and in the art studios transcend the actual work they create–

Art Department Chair Kelly Eppinger explains, “With each creative challenge, students are learning how to problem solve, a skill they are able to apply to their other classes and to life.”

Left to right, top to bottom: Caleb Chicoine ’16 plays for the Concert Band, a painting by Riley Ebel ’11, Brandon Rosenbach ’14 puts the finishing touches on a sculpture, Tyra Kuller ’16 portrays her family’s voyage from Sweden to America “Viking style,” members of the

Combined Band, and a painting of an adobe home by Marc Philippon ’18.

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This winter, Bob Bandoni, VMS assistant head of school and executive director of Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder (SStS), formally Ethically Engaged youth (EEy), traveled to Asia to forge relationships and formalize humanitarian projects for SStS and Vail Mountain School. When he found Internet connectiv-ity and time to write, Bob sent e-mails to family, friends, and colleagues, imparting stories from his travels and tones of inspiration for global education.

“I think that SStS has a chance to contribute to this story in a way that can engage more and more people to bring more

and more dignity to humanity. The ‘next generation’ is always looking to identify themselves—let’s guide them

toward the identity of honorable global citizens.”

VMS - Cambodia -TibetShoulder-to-Shoulder

VMS - Cambodia -TibetShoulder-to-Shoulder

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“Everyone–from many nations–rich and poor–understands and believes in Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. All of them–some

through translators–nod their heads when they hear of our mission, our intent. Some grin–others stay pensive. The world

is poised for the next generation to guide it in a positive, thoughtful, intelligent direction.”

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“Everyone–from many nations–rich and poor–understands and believes in Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. All of them–some

through translators–nod their heads when they hear of our mission, our intent. Some grin–others stay pensive. The world

is poised for the next generation to guide it in a positive, thoughtful, intelligent direction.”

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Welcome new trusteesVMS Affiliations: My son, Brett, is a 9th grader who joined VMS in the 8th grade. Brett had such a good experience at VMS that his younger brother, Peter, decided to join 6th grade this year. Board Committees: Marketing and Admissions Committee, the Real Es-tate Committee, and the Compensation Committee Other Volunteer Activities: I serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the Town of Avon and as a director for the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority.

Business Affiliation: I have my own law firm in Avon and have been practicing business and real estate law since graduating from UC Berkeley’s law school in 1988. What do you and your family find unique/special about VMS? It’s a supportive and inspiring community of educators, students, and families. All of the VMS staff goes “above and beyond” to give each student an excellent school experience. What inspired you to serve on the VMS Board of Trustees? I worked closely with the Board on a bond refinancing last year. I was impressed with the talent, dedication, and collegiality of the Trustees. It’s an effective Board for an excellent institution, and I was honored to be asked to join.

Kristi Ferraro

VMS Affiliation: My sons, Charlie and Pablo, are in the 8th and 6th grades, re-spectively; and my daughter, Andrea, is in the 3rd grade.

Board Committees: Marketing and Ad-missions, Development

Other Volunteer Activities: I am very involved with the VMS Gala sponsorships.

Business Affiliation: Restaurante Tinto/Selvatica Park, Cancun, and I am in the process of doing business in the Valley.

What do you and your family find unique/special about VMS? VMS represents the Spanish expression, “Mi casa es tu casa” (my house is your house). From day one, we felt the sense of commu-nity from the school, the parents, and the students.

What inspired you to serve on the VMS Board of Trustees? VMS has given so much to my family that this is a way that I found to give back whatever I can. It is also a great way to under-stand and support the long term goals of VMS, which directly af-fect my children and the children of fellow parents. My colleagues on the Board are great individuals from whom I learn a great deal.

Juan Carlos aziz

“VMs represents the spanish expression, ‘mi casa es tu casa.’”

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VMS Affiliations: I have two children at VMS–Sam in 1st grade and Hannah in 4th.

Board Committees: Development Committee Chair, Mar-keting and Admissions Committee

Other Volunteer Activities: I am the VMS chair of Annual Giving. I also serve on the Open Space Advisory Committee for Eagle County and am involved in several philanthropic causes.

Business Affiliation: I am the co-owner of Sonnenalp Real Estate in Vail Village.

What do you and your family find unique/special about VMS? We love the intimate size and design of the school. We particu-larly love the theatre as a place children can practice public speak-ing and perform. We also love the way all ages are commingled at the school and work together on reading, pumpkin carving, Field Day, and other events.

What inspired you to serve on the VMS Board of Trustees?I am so thrilled with the education my children are getting at VMS that I wanted to help in any way possible.

Josh lautenberg

“i am so thrilled with the education my children are

getting at VMs that i wanted to help in any way possible.”

VMS Affiliation: Our son has been studying at VMS since 9th grade, and he is now a junior.

Board Committees: Financial Committee

Other Volunteer Activities: I am the founder and president of MExICO SOS, an organization devoted to give a voice to Mexican citizens, promote legal reforms, transform the judicial system, and fight against corruption and crime.

Business Affiliation: In addition to social change that I have pro-moted through SOS, I have collaborated on the Board of the U.S. Mexico-Foundation, and I created the Martí Foundation to help orphan children through donations from my personal artwork. I am the chairman of the board of Deportes Martí, S.A. with over 130 retail sport stores in Mexico. I am also chairman and founder of 42 Sport City Health and Fitness Centers, chairman of Fer-ruco Equity Partners (corporate offices and shopping malls), and chairman of Ferruco Vail Ventures (The Sebastian Hotel in Vail). In addition, I am a member of the board and partner in the fol-lowing companies: PROCORP, Progress Investments LLC, Pag-atodo, and Hildebrando S.A. de C.V.

What do you and your family find unique/special about VMS? VMS has the ability to help build the character to help young people find success in life.

What inspired you to serve on the VMS Board of Trustees? I was drawn to being part of the Board of Trustees to learn more deeply about independent schools and especially VMS, as well as to add any input I could share to help the school to reach its goals.

aleJandro Martí

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The Many Facets of PhilanthropyAs I reflect upon John Dewey’s philosophy of

education, and the many ways that VMS embraces this philosophy by “bringing learning to life,” I real-ize what an important role philanthropy plays in that process. Not only do VMS philanthropic ini-tiatives result in a significant portion of the funding needed for special programs and resources, but phi-lanthropy, in and of itself, is at the core of a number of VMS experiences that “bring learning to life.”

A VMS mom recently shared with me that her first grader inquired where she was going one eve-ning as she left home to attend an Annual Giving meeting. The mom replied that she was going to school to attend a meeting to help raise funds for the school, and that this was an important part of being a member of a com-munity. The little girl told her mom she was proud of her for helping the school and that she wanted to give to the school. A few weeks later, an Annual Giving donation arrived on my desk from this little girl in a donor return envelope, which she had clearly filled out herself. I was touched by this little girl’s act of sharing and how philanthropy brought learning to life for this family.

The pages that follow illustrate how VMS students, parents, faculty, staff, and ad-ministrators embrace philanthropy, serving as role models for each other and gaining knowledge through their philanthropic undertakings along the way.

Here’s to philanthropy and the many ways it brings learning to life at VMS!

Sincerely,

Sharon Schmidt Director of Development

VMS Parent-Initiated Phi•lan•thro•py The mission of the VMS Parent Partner Association is to provide enrichment in a way that encourages and celebrates parental involvement and parent education and promotes com-munication, supports and appreciates Vail Mountain School staff, and honors the mission of the school so that our children’s educational experience is enhanced. To that end, Parent Partners sponsors the Home Tour, Holiday Gala & Auction, and Annual Giving, which will fund approximately 11% of the school’s Fy11 operating budget.

The Home Tour

$97,000 Goalcomprises approximately 1% of

fy11 operating budget to provide financial assistance

The Many Facets of PhilanthropyVMS Parent-Initiated Phi•lan•thro•py The mission of the VMS Parent Partner Association is to provide enrichment in a way that encourages and celebrates parental involvement and parent education and promotes com-munication, supports and appreciates Vail Mountain School staff, and honors the mission of the school so that our children’s educational experience is enhanced. To that end, Parent Partners sponsors the Home Tour, Holiday Gala & Auction, and Annual Giving, which will fund approximately 11% of the school’s Fy11 operating budget.

The Home Tour The Holiday Gala & Auction

$97,000 Goalcomprises approximately 1% of

fy11 operating budget to provide financial assistance

$270,000 Goalcomprises approximately 3% of

fy11 operating budget to provide unique educational experiences and financial assistance

Annual Giving

$600,000 Goalcomprises approximately 7% of

fy11 operating budget to provide unique educational experiences and financial assistance

Phi•lan•thro•py Spelled[fi-lan-thruh-pee]–nounAltruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, prop-erty, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

Raise Your Handwith Vail Mountain School Students

Support VMS Annual Giving at www.vms.edu/giveonline

35

VMS Parent-Initiated Phi•lan•thro•py Parent Partners also sponsors events and programs like the Book Fair, Garage Sale, Logowear, Student Photos, Box Tops, SummerQuest Plant Sale, and Door to Door Organics, as well as overseeing the Homebase Parent and teacher appreciation undertakings each year. The proceeds raised from the above events are distributed via a Parent Partners grant process for initiatives in support of its mission.

Clockwise: Sara Charles and her daughter, Erica ’14, sell logowear at the Fun Run; volunteers pose

with a wide variety of items at the Garage Sale; parent Anne-Marie

Keane makes purchases at the Book Fair; and Christina Lautenberg gives Ingrid Savin ’22 her family’s box of

fresh, organic produce from Door to Door Organics.

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Student-Initiated Phi•lan•thro•py The mission of Vail Mountain School’s Philanthropy-Service Group is to empower and inspire members of the VMS community and the larger population to improve our world through the combination of philanthropy and service. This student organization oversees student initiatives that support local, regional, national, and international causes.

Clockwise: Kindergarten fundraiser for Adopt-a-Family, 12th grade fundraiser for the Eagle County Watershed, 1st grade fundraiser for tsunami relief for children in Japan, and 3rd grade fundraiser for Operation Smile

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Faculty-Initiated Phi•lan•thro•py VMS faculty support curriculum initiatives for students of all ages throughout the academic year aimed at instilling an appreciation for and an understanding of local, national, and global needs.

Clockwise: 6th graders collect food for the Make a Difference Day Food Drive; Thea Knobel ’13 paints a wall at the Family Learning Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Volunteerism Day; Kaitlyn Harty ’17 and Regina Hernandez ’17 transport a gift for the Adopt-a-Family gift pro-gram; Kristina Bock ’11 spends time with a toddler at the Children’s Garden of Learning during Martin Luther King, Jr. Volunteerism Day;

and 7th graders Dylan Cunningham, Tyra Kuller, Jordan Brandt, and Michele Philippon volunteer for the Youth Conservation Corps.

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Parent/Faculty/Student-Initiated Phi•lan•thro•py VMS parents, faculty, and students work together to raise funds to support unique, grade-wide educational experiences that take place outside of the traditional classroom setting. Whether it is the 5th grade trip to Crow Canyon, the 8th grade trip to Denver, the 9th grade trip to Costa Rica, the 10th grade college trip, or the senior trip to New york City, learning is brought to life on the trip itself, as well as through the fundraising activities that take place in the preceding months.

Leo Salamunovich ’13 sells pizza to fundraise for the 10th grade college trip.

Natalie Lash ’14 sells churros and pretzels to benefit the 9th grade class trip to Costa Rica.

The Falks enjoy Bingo Night, a fund-raiser for the 8th grade trip to Denver.

Parents volunteer as course marshals for the Fun Run, which raises funds for the 5th grade trip to Crow Canyon.

Riley Ebel ’11, Bob Bandoni, and Cody Cirillo ’11sell donuts to raise funds for the 12th grade

New York City trip.

39

40 vms magazine

Raise Your Handwith Vail Mountain School Students

Support VMS Annual Giving at www.vms.edu/giveonline

FOUNDED IN 1962

for more details, visit www.vms.edu/agbrochure

41

Save the dateand join us on a journey across the sand and seasfor an evening of exotic adventures!

2 0 1 1 V A I L M O U N T A I N S C H O O L

HOME TOUR

970-477-7170 | hometour@vms.edu | www.vms.edu

Opening Doors to Homes & Providing Opportunities for Education in the Vail Valley

AND DON’T MISS

Vail Mountain School Golf TournamentSeptember 18, 1:30 p.m. Shotgun Start | Sonnenalp Golf Club

SUNDAy, SEPTEMBER 18, 201110 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This year’s tour will be at Arrowhead at Vail.

40 th Annual Home Tour

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All Vail Mountain School Parents are Invited to Get Involved in the VMS Parent Partners

“To me, being a volunteer means becoming part of something that is bigger than you. It means becoming involved in the VMS community and making a difference in the lives of our children. It is my way of giving back to the school that is teaching and

molding my children to adulthood. There is a Chinese proverb that I love- “Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” I feel that the volunteers at Vail Mountain School live by this. Give us a project and we will

make sure it is a success! Taking on the Gala two years ago seemed like an overwhelming task but I realized that with the talent and help of all of our parents it would be easy and fun. When volunteering for these events you develop a camaraderie and

bond with the other volunteers that just make you want to give it your all! you also realize that this is all about the students at Vail Mountain School–our children.” - Nancy Cole, Chair of the Holiday Gala & Auction

Be a Leader • Get Involved • Volunteer

Mission of the Parent Partners:The Vail Mountain School Parent Partner Association provides enrichment in a way that encourages and celebrates parental

involvement and parent education and promotes communication, supports and appreciates Vail Mountain School staff, and honors

the mission of the school so that our children’s educational experience is enhanced.

Be a part of the school’s future now!For more information and volunteering opportunities, please contact:

Christina Lautenberg at jandcski@vail.net or 376-5064

43

Show Your School Spirit!T-ShirTS, SweaTShirTS, ScarveS, ToTe bagS,

jerSeY blankeTS, & More

To order, conTacT ScharleS@McpSvail.coM

go vMS!

Share The VMS Magazine with a Friend!

Please share your copy of the VMS Magazine with someone who might be interested in learning more about the school.

An electronic copy of the magazine is also available at www.VMS.edu/vmsmagazine2011.Additional magazine copies and other VMS publications are available at admissions@vms.edu.

Vail Mountain School

vms magazine 2011Celebrating 48 Years of Bringing Learning to Life

Alumni Family Day

Above: alumni soccer players represented the classes of ’84 - ’08.

Alumni Reconnect at VMS

Bob Bandoni and Quincy McAdam ’98

Chris Woods ’08, Tony Ryerson ’09, Carder Lamb ’09, and Rob Fitz ’09

Doug Bowen ’90, Oliver Comp-ton, and Justin Bauer ’90

Members of the class of ’09: Harper Kaufman, Nima Sherpa, Kaitlyn

Zdechlik, and Mia Bandoni

Mothers & Daughters: Elsie ’08 and Jeanne Macsata, Jan and Mary ’10 Sackbauer

Colin Sullivan ’03, Whitney Simmonds ’03, Maddie Sullivan ’05, Bowen Rodkey ’03, Katy Lackey ’03, Jane Chipman ’03, and Gregory Flynn ’07

Larry Benway ’85, Peter Davis ’81,

and Stephanie Pitcher ’85Bill Stephens ’85, Ted Gwathmey ’85, and Betsy Blanford Walker ’85

44 vms magazine

Alumni Reconnect at VMS

Chris Woods ’08 and teacher Mike Morris

Kate Kaemmer Drescher ’88 and Karina Mueller Patman ’87

After the originally scheduled Thanks-giving Breakfast was cancelled due to inclement weather, Tony Ryerson ’09

made it back for the rescheduled event.

thanksgiving Breakfast

International Breakfast

Alumni who attended the International Breakfast represented the classes of ’87 - ’10.

on campusVisit

Holiday Gala & Auction

Barrett McAdam Phillips ’96 and Peter AbuisiHilarie Bellis ’10 joined her

sister, Avery ’14, on campus for lunch this winter.

Chanda Wilcox ’09 and Sean Minnett ’09

Della Elich ’07 and coachMike Garvey

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’76

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’85’90

’86

’88

’84’78

Erik Brofos ’76 shares, “I am living in Vail full time, and my daughter, Whitney, is at-tending CU Denver in pursuit of a busi-ness management/marketing degree. I am on year 34 with the Vail Ski School and skiing with clients that I’ve had in many cases for up to 30 years. Knees still going strong! Summer finds me on my bike, rid-ing a pass somewhere and some rounds of golf trying to stay a couple strokes better than my daughter. I still have my painting business in the summers as well, which has been going strong for 30 plus years. So, the three Brofos’ are happy, healthy, and love being a part of this community and VMS.”

Dorothy Distelhorst ’78 shares that her oldest daughter, Cynthia Edgerton ’10, graduated from VMS in 2010. Cynthia is attending St. Michael’s College in Ver-mont, where she is in the Honors Program and is playing varsity volleyball. Dorothy’s second daughter, Ellen Edgerton ’13, is currently a sophomore at VMS.

Douglas Brown ’84 says of his two boys, “I helped coach my two boys in soccer this fall. They were on the same team, so it was great fun. Torsenn made it to US Nation-als last year at Copper [Mountain] for Skier Slopestyle. He placed 16th. Cale is right behind his brother on the slopes. La-crosse and skiing are their favorite sports, and they are both great students.”

Nick Christensen ’85 serves as an adjunct professor teaching real estate law at Colo-rado State University. He is also involved in the community and has served on sev-eral non-profit and industry boards. Last year, Nick was co-chairman of the United Way campaign for Larimer County. He is also co-chairman of the Regional Develop-ment Council for the Community Foun-dation of Northern Colorado.

Gail Lorch Brandt ’86 is keeping busy in the Vail Valley with her 4th and 7th grade daughters at VMS. Her days are filled with driving to school and volunteering for a variety of activities at VMS from the Home Tour and Gala to the Garage Sale. Her family is making the most of the snowy winter by skiing as many days as possible.

Barrie Tyler Hillman ’86 is the associate head of school at West Sound Academy, a 6-12th grade International Baccalaureate World School in Poulsbo, WA. She also teaches humanities to middle school stu-dents. This summer, she will assume the role of head of school.

Winifred Lloyds Lender ’86 lives in San-ta Barbara, California with her husband, Daniel, and their three sons. Winifred has a private practice in psychology and is on the Board of Crane Country Day School. Trying to keep pace with her active boys, Winifred plays inter-club tennis, but has yet to move up from the caddy position when the family golfs! The family visited the Am-

azon jungle in July and got to see tarantulas, piranhas, and “every insect imaginable.”

Michele Clem Clembury ’88 bought a house on James Island (close to Charleston) in May and is in the process of learning to be a responsible homeowner after five years of living aboard a 42’ sailboat. She left her job in June to pursue a degree in nursing, with the hopes to move aboard again in a few years to become a travel-nurse with her family. She invites fellow alumni to visit, “if you come through the Old South.”

Justin Bauer ’90 started his 12th year as brewmaster at the Rockslide Brew Pub in Grand Junction and spends lots of time with his three year old daughter, Morgan, and his wife of seven years, Amanda.

Miranda Bailey ’91 still lives in Holly-wood, making movies through her pro-duction company, Ambush Entertain-

clASS noteS

Miranda Bailey ’91 in a promotional poster for her latest film

’94’91

ment. She recently directed Greenlit, a documentary about the environmental impact of the film business, which is out on video at Amazon. Her next film, SU-PER, is scheduled to open in theaters in April. Information on Miranda’s films is available at www.ambushentertainment.com. Miranda says she was lucky enough to celebrate her son’s third birthday with VMS classmate Laura Maitland Brown ’91 and her two children, who have re-cently moved to the west coast.

Christopher Slevin ’91 chronicled his illness and eventual diagnosis of Gullain-Barre Syndrome in an article in West Holly-wood Patch. He says he was able to overcome the syndrome with “intensive physical, oc-cupational, and speech therapy.” He cre-ated his own physical training regimen that began with one mile per hour on the treadmill and slowly increased by a tenth of a mile. With many hours of hard work, over many months, his body began to re-cover. To that end, Christopher has opened a green gym called the Sweat Garage in West H o l l y w o o d to help ath-letes and non-athletes alike maintain their athleticism or get fit. In the Patch, Chris-

Christopher Slevin ’91

’93

’92

my family!” His sons just turned five and enjoyed a pirate’s weekend at Disney, fol-lowed by a huge party at their home with 80 kids. Chad is running commercial real estate around the country and even has a self storage center right here in Avon. He and his family have been living in Naples, Florida for the past 15 years.

Michael Slevin ’93 and his wife, Page, welcomed their new baby boy, Sawyer, on June 5, 2010.

Heather DelBosco Centurioni ’94 is thrilled to be working with Tom Boyd ’93 and Steve Katsaros ’91 on the Noke-ro Ski 4 Light project. Together with her brother, Chris, they are spearheading a light bulb donation for the nomadic peo-ple of Kenya. More information on this project is available at www.nokero.com/ski4light.

Brittany Lund Park ’94 married Craig Park in Queenstown, NZ on April 13, 2009. Brittany shared, “It was an amazing five-day event filled with loads of love and laughter.” On November 5th, 2010 they welcomed their first child, xavier Noel Park, in Tribeca, New york. The happy family is moving to San Diego, where they are eager to join fellow VMS gradu-ate Diana Maitland Baker ’95, as well

topher was quoted as saying, “I know what it is to struggle, to take one step at a time. I started the Sweat Garage because I want to help others with their struggle.”

Becky Cunningham ’92 and Cameron Thompson are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Paige Elyse Cun-ningham Thompson, on November 10, 2010. Their son, Peyton, is now three.

Jed Gottlieb ’92 traveled to Greece for 10 days in May of 2010 and visited six islands in the Cyclades earlier in the summer of 2010.

Carlos Mier-y-Teran ’92 reports that he is expanding his restaurant business to the United States.

Chad Lund ’93 shares, “My wife, Debo-rah, and I have been married for many wonderful years, and I could not ask for a better soul mate.” Chad’s oldest daugh-ter is graduating high school this year. His six year old daughter had open heart sur-gery a year and a half ago, and Chad re-ports, “you would not know that anything had been done; she is the best athlete in

Peyton and Paige, children of Becky Cunningham ’92

Tom Boyd ’93, Heather Centurioni ’94, Chris DelBosco, and Steve

Katsaros ’91

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48 vms magazine

’97

’96’95

as Dana Carlson x’96 for mommy groups and new adventures.

Diane Maitland Baker ’95 reports that she and her husband, Aaron, recently moved to San Diego.

Murph Gottlieb ’95 delivered his 100th baby during his intern year. He is in his first year of OB/GyN residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He and his wife, Jen Williams Gottlieb ’95, are expecting a son in June. Jen is a nurse in Interventional Radiology at the same hospital as Murph, in Philadelphia. Last year, they traveled to Thailand, Cam-bodia, and Greece before moving to Phila-delphia from Norfolk, Virginia in order to start residency and a family.

Jaime Walker ’95 just completed her first year as the community relations officer for the Town of Avon. She reports the work as, “both challenging and rewarding as I am writing a lot, interfacing with the public, and working with a talented group of people.” Jaime and her husband, Scot, live in Eagle. Of VMS, Jaime says, “I miss VMS and have many fond memories of my time there both as a student and staff member.”

Last August, Barrett McAdam Phillips ’96 and her sister, Quincy ’98, took Bar-rett’s daughters, Hayden and Weston, to International Falls, MN to visit their sister, Kyrie ’01, and her fiancé, Kalan.

After graduating from Carleton College in 2000, Robert Woodruff ’96 took a few years to work as an EMT before going to medical school at the University of Minne-sota. He graduated in 2006 and started his orthopedic surgery residency in Louisville, Ky. He was married in January, 2007, and life has only accelerated from that point. He and his wife are now proud parents of two girls, Isla, who is nearly 3, and Emmy, who is 9 months old. Robert plans to fin-ish his residency this June and will start a spine surgery fellowship in Houston in August. He shares, “I look forward to the change of scenery and pace as well as the challenges ahead.” Tag Hopkins ’97 is engaged to be mar-ried to Melissa Lunt. They are planning a summer wedding. He is in his 4th year of medical school at University of Colorado, Denver and will be graduating in May. He

begins a residency in emergency medicine in July. Tag works on the Flight for Life helicopter out of Frisco from time to time, and he says each time he flies into Vail, he looks down on the VMS soccer field and remembers the “awesome double sessions with the soccer team and Mr. Bandoni.”

Piper Elliott Abodeely ’98 says that she and her husband, JJ, and son, Porter, are excited to welcome their next addition to the family in late June. They are living in Seattle and love sharing adventures together as a family. Porter, age 20 months, even got on skis while in Vail this Christmas!

After graduating from physician assis-tant school at The George Washington University with a master’s in health sci-ence, Pepper Etters ’98 accepted a posi-tion as Physician Assistant in General/Trauma Surgery with the Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital/Mayo Health System in Mankato, Minnesota. His daughters, Jody and Kayla, are adapting to their new life in the midwest as the family remodels their new home and awaits the next addition to their family (due in April). They have seen

Piper Abodeely ’98 and her family

Brittany Lund Park ’94 and her family

Hayden (5) and Weston (2), daughters of Barrett Philips ’96

’99

’98plenty of snow this year, which Pepper says reminds them of the mountains, and they even have a small ski hill in town to get the little ones started early!

Lindsey Allen Kirby ’98 says that she and her husband, Travis, recently had the op-portunity to reconnect with Peter Hart ’95 at a wedding. She says, “It was nice to visit with him about years gone by, work, friendships, and children.”

Heidi Holzfaster Kostin ’98 shares that she and her husband, Konstantin, wel-comed their son, Christopher, into the world on October 20, 2010. He has a very proud big sister, Addison (3), who is always eager to help out and show Chris-topher the ropes! They still enjoy living in Boston, Massachusetts. Heidi has taken time away from her law practice to be a full-time mom. Konstantin continues to travel the world as an International Skat-ing Union official and coach. Heidi says, “Hopefully in a year or two, we will be able to accompany him on his many travels!”

Brandon Levy ’98 and his fiancée, Jaime, are planning a wedding in Mazama, WA on June 12, 2011. They live in Plain, WA during the winters and spend time in Vail during the summers. Brandon works as an avalanche forecaster for the Washington State Department of Transportation and a raft guide for Timberline Tours. Jaime was on the US Women’s Softball Team in 2004 when the team won a gold medal in the Athens Olympics. She is a graduate of the University of Washington (2003) and ’01

’00

currently practices as a licensed massage therapist.

Quincy McAdam ’98 reports that she con-tinues to work at Red Sandstone Elemen-tary School in Vail as a 2nd grade teacher. She is also working towards a master’s de-gree in education and reading.

Lauren Walker Harris ’99 and her hus-band, Todd, are delighted to announce the birth of their son, Walker Wallace Harris, born in Denver on October 23rd. Lauren said, “We are fortunate to spend quite a bit of time in Vail still, as we commute weekly from Denver and enjoy weekends with family, in-cluding my sister, Jaime Walker ’95.”

Jennifer Jordan x’99 reports, “I have lived in the Netherlands for one year now and am loving it. Wonderful culture, people, and job!”

Zachary Mitchell ’99 is pursuing his MBA at the Leeds School of Business. While busy with school, he is planning to do some traveling this summer to Argen-tina and Greece.

Ben Kuruvila ’00 and his wife, Kris-tin, continue to reside in Denver. They welcomed a new baby girl on May 31st, named Iyla, who is doing very well. She enjoys her play dates with William Vand-eford (son of Aaron Vandeford ’00).

Blair Ruder ’00 lives in Durango and works for the Adaptive Sports Association of Durango, teaching people with disabil-ities how to ski. During the off-season, Blair works for the Forest Service on a wildland fire handcrew. She recently ad-opted a border collie/terrier named Bean, and spends time mountain biking, back-packing, rock climbing, and trail running with her new companion. Addie Robinson ’01 will graduate from University of Illinois school of medicine this April and will start a family medicine residency in June. Addie writes, “I was home over the holidays to see the family and get a bit of a mountain fix. I skied with fellow VMS alumni, Ray Bernardo ’04, Josh Smith ’04, Colby Ricci ’00, Whit-ney Hopkins ’00, and of course Duncan ’04 and Courtney ’05 [Robinson].” Ad-die traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah for the month of February to ski while doing a cardiology and forensic pathology rota-tion with the University of Utah.

Slade Cogswell ’01 is a teacher and coach at Vail Mountain School. He eagerly shared

Lauren Walker Harris ’99 and her

family

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’03’02

news of his wedding in March in Mexico. He also earned a fifth place in his fantasy football league this winter–a reportedly big improvement!

Sarah Hallenbeck ’02 is a school psychol-ogist in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She lives in Fort Collins. Her fiancé, Mark, is an ad-junct professor at CSU and a doctoral stu-dent in educational research and method-ology. They are planning a June wedding in Denver.

Lara Bossow ’03 is the new Johnson & Wales University-Denver women’s volley-ball head coach. Bowen Rodkey ’03 is currently living in Brooklyn, New york working as a pho-tographer and assisting various fashion, advertising, and editorial photographers. Since graduating from the Rochester In-stitute of Technology, he has discovered a deep passion for brewing beer and is considering it as a viable career alternative.

After three years of teaching in Boston, Whitney Simmonds ’03 moved back to Colorado last summer and is currently working towards her master’s of music in

choral conducting at CSU. In addition to her coursework, she directs the CSU Women’s Chorus and has a graduate teach-ing assistantship in the music education department. She shares, “So far, I’m loving school and being back in Colorado.”

Alexandra Dulude ’04 graduated with a degree in molecular biology from Colgate University in 2008, and has since been working in a lab in Scottsdale, Arizona, conducting Phase I clinical oncology trials for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). She studies the phar-macodynamics and pharmacokinetics of blood and tumor samples isolated from advanced cancer patients enrolled in the institute’s first-in-human anti-cancer drug studies. Alexandra says, “It is a tough field, but we are inching closer to better treat-ments!” Alexandra always dreamed of be-coming a doctor, and was recently accept-ed to medical school at the University of Arizona-College of Medicine in Phoenix. She is excited to share, “I will begin my vigorous journey next fall.”

Bowen Rodkey ’03

Whitney Simmonds ’03 directs the children’s chorus.

’04Blake Higgins ’04 was recently accepted to the University of Colorado, Denver School of Dental Medicine and will be-gin classes in August 2011. He is a 2008 graduate of the University of San Diego, and since graduation, he has worked in San Diego and studied at the University of Northern Colorado. He participated in two medical/dental mission trips with CURE International in Honduras. CURE volunteers provide free medical and dental care to underserved populations.

Josh Smith ’04 is pursuing his master’s in mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Darmstadt on a scholarship from Jeppesen (a Boeing Company). He will be working at the Jeppesen office in Frankfurt upon finishing his studies.

Sylvan Ellefson ’05 was named to the 2010/2011 National Training Group by the United States Ski Association (US C-Team). He placed 10th in the American Birkebeiner, the largest cross-country ski race in North A m e r i c a n . Sylvan is cur-rently living in Vail.

Sylvan Ellefson ’05

Gather your VMS friends and make plans to join us at

Vail Mountain School!

Celebrate the 5th-35th reunions of the classes of1976 • 1981 • 1986 • 1991 • 1996 • 2001 • 2006

Alumni Family Day

August 13, 2011

Stay tuned for details!51

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’06’05

Zoie Liotta ’05 and her fiancé, Thomas Hartland Mackie ’05, are in Dallas and “loving every moment of it.” Thomas works with his family, and Zoie is pursuing interior decorating. The couple is traveling a lot for work and planning their autumn wedding in Dallas.

Courtney Robinson ’05 co-led the Stu-dents Shoulder to Shoulder trip to Bolivia with Slade Cogswell ’01. She reports, “It was eye-opening, challenging, exhilarat-ing, and rewarding.” Courtney also ran the Trans Rockies Run and participated in the 24 Hours of Moab race.

Patrick Scanlan ’05 is in his second year of Teach for America in Harlingen, Texas. He has learned to adapt to the challenges of teaching fifth grade and is enjoying a much calmer classroom this year. He plans on moving to Denver this summer, where he will pursue a career in development.

Madelyn Sullivan ’05 moved to Aspen af-ter spending the fall working on a small

Courtney Robinson ’05 at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

farm in Maine and interning with a bota-nist who works with wild foods and medi-cine. She is hoping to continue making art in the form of books, prints, bicycles, drawings, and woodworking. Madelyn will be biking people around town as a member of the pedi-cab team. She comments, “It’s a great way to get in shape, be outside, and earn my keep.” She plans to stay in Aspen through the summer and take a few excur-sions on sailboats and surfboards.

Mary “Z” Warren ’05 made the dean’s list last spring semester when she was taking 21 credit hours. Currently, she is in her fi-nal internship at an elementary school in Tampa, and is scheduled to graduate from the University of South Florida in May. After graduation, she plans to teach abroad in Japan through a USF program.

Katie Wear ’05 left Vail, where she was working in commercial real estate, to ex-plore a new career. She moved to New york City last fall to live with two friends from Duke University. Katie started work-ing for an investment firm called William Blair & Company in November, where she currently pursues institutional equity sales.

Hillary Higgins x’06 graduated from Uni-versity of Northern Colorado in May 2010 with major achievements in sociology and was awarded the Patricia Wilkins-Wells Memorial Service Award and Scholarship. She is currently attending graduate school at UNC in applied sociological practice.

After earning a bachelor’s degree at Buck-nell University in May 2010, Drew Riley ’06 entered graduate school at Bucknell. He is currently doing research for the im-plementation of turbines in the ocean and rivers. These turbines are much like wind turbines, but are much smaller and use moving water to generate electricity. Drew is scheduled to graduate in May 2012 with a master’s degree in mechanical engineer-ing with a focus on hydro-kinetics. He pre-sented at the American Geophysical Union in December to over 19,000 attendees and plans to present this coming December. Drew is hoping to speak at other confer-ences around the US where the focus is on marine hydro-kinetics (MHK) or fluid dy-namics.

Lindsay Wright ’06 is currently studying for her master’s in sport and performance psychology at the University of Denver. Lindsay is also working as a certified nutri-tion and wellness consultant.

Kris Caples ’07 spent last spring living in Mendoza, Argentina.

Della Elich ’07 spent the summer of 2010 in the San Francisco Bay area and is cur-

McLain ’02 and Mary “Z” ’05 Warren

’07

rently moving to Denver to experience ur-ban Colorado.

Kelsey Ferguson ’07 is studying at Mid-dlebury College and planning to graduate in February 2012 with a degree in theatre (directing) and English.

Mallory Kaufman ’07 just completed an internship with the Los Angeles Commu-nity Action Network, where she worked with residents of the downtown Central City East community. She plans to gradu-ate from Occidental College this spring.

Janelle Kibler-Silengo ’07 is a senior at the United States Merchant Marine Acad-emy. She comments, “It’s been a long time coming, and after a cumulative year of traveling around the world (for school studies), I am finally in one place for an entire year [at the Academy]!”

Elle Tietbohl ’07 contracted with Air Force ROTC.

Georgia Wettlaufer ’07 plans to graduate in June from Denver University with a BS in biology and is currently finishing her fi-nal season ski racing for the university.

Joely Denkinger ’08 spent September through December in Syria, studying abroad for her Arabic language and inter-national relations double major at the Uni-versity of St. Andrews, Scotland. She just moved back to St. Andrews for the rest of the school year, and says that she is looking

’08forward to catching up with friends and getting back to “normal student life.”

Jackson Higgins ’08 is currently a junior at the University of San Diego and is study-ing business administration and manage-ment. He recently completed a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain, where he studied business and Spanish.

Alexandra Navas ’08 has declared a dou-ble major in Spanish and journalism at Northwestern University, two fields that she hopes will complement each other. She is the current president of the NU Cycling Club and has been busy prepar-ing the team for their racing season, which kicks off in Kentucky. The team competes throughout the Midwest at the Division 1 level, and they quali-fied last year for the National Champion-ships in Wisconsin. In addition, Axie and a friend have started the Collegiate Cy-cling News website (CCN.com), where they collect content from contributors in other conferences around the nation. This past summer, Axie was in Nicaragua for two months, working in a public health clinic and learning about international de-velopment. She was paired with four other American interns, working with the Foun-dation for Sustainable Development and the community to develop an indigenous

medicinal garden (with over 50 different plant species) and an ecology curriculum for the local high school students.

Kelsey Peck ’08 is currently pursuing a double major in political science and non-profit leader-ship at Seattle University. She works at the Writing Center as a consultant and at Tree-house Tutors as a tutor. Kelsey spent most of fall quarter traveling with the basketball teams as a cheerleader. She says, “I love cheering for my school!”

After spending her freshman year in Paris, Laura Reichardt ’08 is attending New york University and is pursuing Middle Eastern studies. Recently, Laura had the opportunity to travel to Israel, where she ascended Mount Masada and a mountain in Roron Crater, on a trip sponsored by

Laura Reichardt ’08 in the catacombs in Israel

Kelsey Peck ’08

Axie Navas ’08

53Class notes continued on page 59...

Through her travels halfway around the world to work in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, environmental con-servation and resource management, and gender equality, Katy Lackey ’03 has learned meaningful lessons that she plans to apply to the way she lives today and into the future. In 2008, Katy began working for World Camp, an organi-zation based in Malawi, Africa that empowers children in impoverished communities through education. Since 2000, World Camp has sent teachers into rural schools and street shelters in several countries to teach children about chal-lenging issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, and environmental awareness. World Camp hosts interna-tional volunteers and works in primary schools and sur-rounding villages. Katy comments, “My favorite part of our curriculum is male empowerment–it’s the section where I am often utterly frustrated or filled with inspiration. And, of course, [another favorite] the daily Banana Song, a song

we use in the mornings at camp to energize people for the day and encourage kids to open up and be themselves. you just can’t top singing and dancing in the early morning with 300 people in the middle of nowhere and under those unparalleled African skies.”

Other highlights that Katy notes include writing and piloting a wind energy curriculum in Malawi, running health workshops with over 500 women in India, witnessing the rescue of a goat being washed away in an African rainstorm, and watching a pack of lions eat a giraffe on safari. Katy admits, “I’m still vegetarian, but it was just so fascinating.” Katy most enjoyed spending time with a family of four who are “living positively with HIV” in one of Ahmedabad’s largest slums.

Katy reveals, “As I reflect back on my travel experiences, many people ask what I have learned and how I integrate that back into my life here in the States. Though I believe these are both endless processes, I feel the overall ‘lesson’ is clear. These people and plac-es challenged me with all sorts of ideas, to learn new skills, accept different cultural practices and confront impossible hardships.

Katy lackey '03–lessons learned Abroad

With children at a Gujarati Medium School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

"But through all of this runs a common thread–that at the core we are all simply...human."

Katy lackey '03–lessons learned AbroadBut through all of this runs a common thread–that at the core we are all simply...human. That when it comes down to it, regardless of our access point or the path we choose to pursue, what we fight for is the same.”

From her travels, Katy shares the following lessons learned abroad.

1. Everything is impermanent. 2. Sometimes dancing, singing, sharing a meal or just sitting staring at each other and laughing communi-cates much more than speaking the same language. 3. We all have prejudices. It’s more important to recog-nize them and understand where they come from, than to give them up or pretend they don’t exist. 4. Teenage girls and boys worry about the same things, regardless of what country they live in. Communicating with the opposite sex is just as confusing and nerve-racking at that age wherever you are. 5. Being “bored” is a more American con-cept than anywhere else. Sitting around do-ing nothing is actually a quite acceptable and enjoyable way to spend the afternoon or day.

Katy will be pursuing a master’s degree in cli-mate and society at Columbia University in the fall.

With Vihar staff in Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India (photo by Claire Tyree)

With a female empowerment group at RBRC Secondary School in the Old City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

"But through all of this runs a common thread–that at the core we are all simply...human."

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Alumni Featured at Back-to-School nightThis fall, parents were given a glimpse of alumni/ae success stories in a slide show at Back-to-School Night, which featured 12 of Vail Mountain School’s alumni in careers and settings worldwide. “Seeing the variety of these alumni’s accomplishments and pursuits inspired me to envision my own children’s futures at the school and beyond,” comments Annalisa Savin, whose children are new to the school this year. She adds, “The graduates make it evident that the school’s approach to global citizenship is, in fact, effective, as many alumni go out into the world to make a difference in the western hemisphere, third world countries, or right here in Vail.” The following alumni were some of those highlighted in the slide show.

carlos Mier-y-teran ’92Education: Universidad Iberoamericana, Industrial Engineering; Harvard Business School, MBA

Occupation: Principal, Grupo MyT–a restaurant concept-developing company

“Representing the country of Mexico in the 1992 winter Olympics was the fulfillment of my dream and would not have been possible without the support of VMS.”

Stephen Katsaros ’91 Education: Purdue University, School of EngineeringOccupation: Inventor, developed the world's first solar light bulb

“At VMS, I learned to be a good person. I know how dedicated everyone at VMS was and I am very appreciative for what I learned.”

thor Jürgen loberg Greve ’84Education: Brandeis University, BA; University of Manchester (UK), Master of Science

Occupation: Senior Economist, The World Bank

“VMS teachers taught me to ask the right questions, and to not stop asking.”

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Addie Robinson ’01Education: Williams College, BA; University of Illinois Medical School

Occupation: Fourth year Medical Student“VMS...gave me the opportunity to be inquisitive and think critically. Training my mind to

look for more than one answer, understand ambiguity, and look for creative solutions provided good training that I … will use as a doctor.”

elle tietbohl ’08 Education: University of Pittsburgh, Nursing School Occupation: Third year Nursing Student, Air Force ROTC“The most direct way Vail Mountain School has helped me is through the academic rigor and early, frequent exposure to public speaking. Now, public speaking is something I can do naturally and confidently.”

Whitney Hopkins ’00 Education: Stanford University, BS; Parsons New School of Design, Masters in ArchitectureOccupation: First year Grad Student, Product Designer for Smart Design; National Speaker for Biomimicry Institute; Designer of award-winning Cardinal Health Endura Scrubs“First and foremost, I believe that VMS helped foster me while I was developing my value system. Particularly through ethics classes and the high standards everyone was held to at VMS, I thor-oughly developed my ideas of moral behavior early. Because of this, I find that everything I do is driven by my own convictions.”

erik edborg ’92Education: Colorado College, BA

Occupation: Founder, Buntport Theater Company; winner of more than 50 theater awards, including 14 Denver Post Ovation Awards; commissioned to write an original play for the

Denver Center Theater CompanyWhile addressing the 8th graders at his VMS commencement, “During our 8th grade year, we managed to break a glass door, a window, and a fish tank, and to accidently uproot a tree while

skiing in Snag Park. We weren’t vandals; we just hadn’t attained the grace of dancers.”

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keep in touch with your classmates and friends!

The following legacies are students who are related to Vail Mountain School graduates or whose parents have attended Vail Mountain School: (back row to front row, left to right) Marshall Thompson ’12, Craig Tietbohl ’12, Tanner Shelden ’12,

Ian Reid ’11, Lauren Zdechlik ’11, Bridget Moffet ’11, Monika Gehl ’13, Bianca Reimers ’13, Sierra Brill ’13, Jordan Brandt ’16, Willy Fair ’13, Zac Wirth ’14, Luke Gorsuch ’13, Andrew Zdechlik ’13, Lorina Byrne ’15, Sophe Friedman ’11, Clare Elich ’11, Eva Spaeh ’12, Georgia Hintz ’15,

Trevor Shelden ’15, Maddie Donovan ’17, Eric Zdechlik ’17, Sally Ryerson ’12, Nicole Byrne ’12, Olivia Maritz ’11, Tucker Cocchiarella ’13, Colin Green ’14, Alex Reid ’16, Emily Bandoni ’12, Avery Bellis ’14, Ellen Edgerton ’13, Scott Hintz ’18, Nicole Falk ’18, Taylor Brandt ’19,

Maddie Peck ’12, Nick Whiteford ’16, Sarah Landreth ’11, Hanna Slevin ’20, Marley Chappel ’20, Connor Falk ’23, Kjersti Moritz ’23, Liv Moritz ’23, Cami Johnson ’22, Zella Gorsuch ’21, Talia Tyler ’20, Bridget Donovan ’19, Annika DuPont ’19, Luke Tyler ’18, Max Whiteford ’18, Callan DeLine ’14.

Not pictured: Jacqueline Lazier ’21, Flinn Lazier ’17, Kellyn Peck ’17 Francesca Faessler ’15, Kendall Peck ’14, William Sterett ’14, Jaime Morten ’11

2010-2011 Legacy Students

Holly Domke ’10 presented the Alumni Scholarship Award to JC Hernandez ’11 at Commencement in May 2010. Alumni give this scholar-ship to a rising junior who exempli-fies the school’s mission and shows intellectual curiosity, independent thinking, and personal standards. The award helps offset college expenses.

visit the vail Mountain School

aluMni group on facebook!

’09

the Jewish organization, Hillel. Laura has also signed with Airforce ROTC, where she is learning problem-solving, team-building, leadership, and the history of the Air Force. Laura is studying jujitsu after concentrating on Krav Maga, an Israeli form of self-defense, which she worked on in France the year before.

Over the summer of 2010, Lucy Sack-bauer ’08 studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica at Universidad Veritas. She took a medical Spanish class and a Costa Rica health care class. She comments, “It was an unforgettable experience.” This past fall, Lucy moved from Bozeman, MT to Billings and started upper division nursing classes and clinicals. She reports, “I am still telemark skiing and loving it.” In February, she headed to Grand Targhee for a tele-mark big mountain competition, which is the first stop in the telemark freeskiing tour. Over Christmas break, Lucy worked almost every day teaching skiing with Chris Woods ’08 and Lani Bruntz ’07.

Zachary Smith ’08 is studying at CU Boulder, majoring in human resource management and minoring in German

Lucy Sackbauer ’08 with her nursing class

language. For the past eight months, Zach has held an internship at an artist book-ing agency called Crescendo Artists. He is studying the violin.

Chris Woods ’08 is enjoying his junior year at CU. He just moved into a new apartment with David Deline ’08. Chris reports, “My classes are getting very difficult, but I’m enjoying them, and it’s great running into other VMS graduates on campus like Zach Smith ’08, Molly Etters ’08, Sean Min-nett ’09, Ruben Saucedo ’09, and recent graduates John Landreth ’10 and Shawn Byrne ’10.”

Mia Bandoni ’09 has declared an art his-tory major with a concentration in phi-losophy and psychology. This winter, she is teaching Bates students how to telemark ski. She is enjoying school and plans to live in Florence, Italy next fall in a study abroad program.

Robert Fitz ’09 spent part of his winter break teaching skiing to children at Beaver Creek Ski School. He is enjoying his time at CSU.

Will Foster ’09 and his sister, Randi Fos-ter ’08, have taken on the roles of student ambassadors for Fort Lewis College.

Cole Graskamp ’09 is studying market-ing and consumer behavior with a minor in English at Tulane University. He was recently elected president of his fraternity.

Harper Kaufman ’09 is majoring in reli-gious studies at Lewis and Clark University.

Alex Morten ’09 was awarded a partial scholarship to study abroad in London this summer and made the Dean’s List at Texas Christian University.

Tony Ryerson ’09 is skiing for the Har-vard Ski Team and has been competing throughout New England.

Nima Sherpa ’09 enrolled at the Colorado School of Mines this winter and is interest-ed in their biomedical engineering major. She is working with the non-profit, Stig-gy’s Dogs, which pairs shelter dogs with veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Nima is planning to travel to Nepal this summer and trek Mt. Everest with her father.

Matthew White ’09 is currently a sopho-more at the University of Virginia, and is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in the history of science and tech-nology. He spends as much time as pos-sible in Vail so he can ski and coach a bit at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail.

Chanda Wilcox ’09 is majoring in bever-age management at the University of Ne-vada in Las Vegas. She has joined Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

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Hilarie Bellis ’10 has declared a business-cinematic arts major at the University of Southern California. She says she loved the football season at USC and is enjoying the year-round sunshine.

Taylor Biegler ’10 is enjoying her time at sunny and warm Loyola Marymount Uni-versity. She joined Delta Gamma Sorority, as well as the snowboarding team there.

Holly Domke ’10 moved to Oxford, Mis-sissippi over the summer before heading north to Cornell University to start her freshman year this past fall. She is now set-tled into the demands of school and Navy ROTC life at Cornell. She earned a chair position in the campus organization, Soci-ety of Women Engineers. She also joined the synchronized skating team.

Charlie Grant ’10 is studying kinesiol-ogy at Mesa State College to become an athletic trainer. This semester, he is taking basic athletic training classes such as CPR, First Aid, and several others. Charlie is also a member of the Mesa State ski team.

Meredith White ’10 has chosen to double major in art and journalism at Southern Methodist University.

AJ Yanke ’10 reports from the Colorado School of Mines that he placed 13th in an intramural golf tournament out of 72 teams. He earned an A in his physics course and “survived” Calculus II with honors – he says, “Bring on calculus three!”

FoRMeR FAculty neWSHeather Batchelor, former middle school humanities teacher, and her husband, Pe-ter, live in Western Massachusetts with their three dogs. Heather works at a pub-lic school, teaching history and running an intervention program for students who are most at-risk of dropping out of high school. Ms. Batchelor shares, “I’m two dis-sertation chapters away from earning my doctorate, which will probably be finished next fall.”

Christy Bouldin, former first grade teach-er, lives in Denver and teaches at Aurora Academy as a literacy coach and literacy support teacher. She also continues to teach ESL to adults at a company called The Learning Source.

Dan Conzelman, former second grade teacher, lives in Chile and teaches second grade at International School Nido de Aguilas. He also guides fly-fishing trips in Patagonia in the summers. Dan is engaged to be married.

After leaving Vail, Kirk Duwel, former math teacher, married Lauren Botsford at her parents’ lake-house in Wolfeboro, NH. Other former faculty in attendance included Kristen Brock and Carrie Cur-tis. Kirk and Lauren moved to New york City, where Kirk began postbaccalaureate work at Columbia University in prepara-tion to apply to medical school. This year, while applying to medical schools, he is

working on a master’s of science in human nutrition at Columbia’s College of Physi-cians and Surgeons. He also works with Healthy Schools Healthy Families, a com-munity outreach program in seven East Harlem and Washington Heights schools. The organization is aimed at health edu-cation and specifically obesity prevention. Lauren teaches Spanish at a private Jewish day school on the Upper West Side.

Tashina Ellefson, former staff member, moved to Ft. Collins. She is now spending more time with her mother, and “living vicariously through my boys (Sylvan ’05 and Kjell ’09).” Caitlyn Florentine, former VMS staff member and SummerQuest teacher, lives in Bozeman, Montana and will gradu-ate from Montana State University with a master’s of science in geology this spring. She has a job as a lab manager on campus and is teaching snowboarding at Big Sky part-time. Caitlyn reports, “Life is good here, but the Gore Range will always have a special place in my heart!”

For two years after leaving VMS, Walid Hamzi, former math and science teacher, recruited, directed, and taught at an al-ternative high school in Summit County, helping students who were at-risk of drop-ping out earn their diplomas. He now lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he works as an adjunct professor of earth science and geology at Palm Beach State College. He and his wife, Kate, have been

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training for an Olympic distance triathlon in Daytona.

Bill Kenney, former upper school biol-ogy faculty, is in his 20th year teaching at the American School in London, where he teaches AP Biology, Biology, and outdoor leadership. He will take over the science department chair position for the second time next academic year. Bill divides his time between London and Ireland. He is looking forward to the Olympics in 2012, as the Olympic Park is about a 15-minute bike ride from his flat.

Dave Laub, former instrumental music di-rector, is living in Boulder and playing a lot of music. His main project is called Fried Grease, a six-piece funk rock band. Dave shares, “We’re a few weeks away from releas-ing our first EP!” Dave has been freelancing as well and notes one highlight was playing with Chicago’s Little Al Thomas and The Deep Down Fools at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival last fall. Dave adds, “And for the most random of all things I’ve been

d o i n g . . . I started a real estate investment company!”

Katie Brazelton MacFarlane, former registrar, telemark coach, and 6th grade homebase teacher, married last October and is planning a trip to Africa with her husband, Bill, to climb Kilimanjaro and go on a safari.

Mandy Hansen Marino, former music fac-ulty, is living in Evergreen, Colorado with her husband, Mark. The couple is in the process of buying a home in expectation of the arrival of a baby boy in April. She is stay-ing very busy as music director for Church of the Apostles, assistant director of prelude to the Evergreen Children’s Chorale, and teaching music at Montessori of Evergreen. Mark’s painting business is steady and grow-ing. Mandy says, “We miss Vail, but we are so happy to be part of the wonderful com-munity in Evergreen. We wish everyone the best and hope you are all well!”

Tiffany Swan Markoski, former third grade teacher, and her husband Keith, live in Osterville, MA with Keith’s two children, Reese and Kam, and their baby, Lilly, who was born on December 27, 2010.

Renee Marcaccio, former kindergarten and first grade teacher, spent last year in France improving her baking and pastries skills in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Renee says, “I had the opportunity to trav-el around Europe, meet people from all over the world, and eat delicious goodies!” Renee is currently substituting in Eagle County and teaching ski school in Vail.

She spends her summers in Rhode Island, working on Block Island.

Lauren Merrill, former art teacher, opened Alpine Arts Center in Edwards, a commu-nity arts center for children and adults, as well as an art gallery, art store, and paint-your-own-pottery studio. She says, “It has been a rewarding experience, especially because I still get to see many VMS students and faculty in art classes and at events!”

Kristine Oelberger, former 4th grade teacher and art faculty, teaches 4th and 5th grade at Red Sandstone Elementary. She and her husband, Brandon, created a goal to climb the seven summits. Since then, they have summitted Denali, Mt. Elbrus, Mt. Blanc, and for their honeymoon, they

summited Mt. Everest on May 25, 2010. Their next adventure will be in Tanza-nia, where they

Lauren Merrill at Alpine Arts Center

Kristine Oelberger Chalk and her hus-band, Brandon Chalk on Mt. Everest

Dave Laub plays with his funk rock band, Fried Grease

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will attempt Mt. Kilimanjaro. The couple also hopes to finish climbing all of the Col-orado 14ers.

Since leaving VMS, Jamie Ramsdell, for-mer 4th grade teacher, received his master’s degree from University of Virginia; taught at Moses Brown in Providence, RI; lived and taught in the Bahamas; and worked as the director of admission at Fay School in Southborough, MA. Jamie was mar-ried two and half years ago, and this year, he is traveling with his wife as she enjoys her sabbatical from the secondary school where she is employed. The couple has vol-unteered at the African Leadership Acade-my in Johannesburg, South Africa; lived in Rome for a month; traveled through many of the cities of Europe; and saw friends and family along the east coast of the United States. They are hopeful that they will have one more trip this fall, which would in-clude coming through Vail to see some of their old friends.

Laura Rhoades, former kindergarten teacher, is currently living in Boulder but visits Vail regularly to ski. She is teaching kindergarten at a charter school in Broom-field, CO. Laura is planning a July wed-ding in Philadelphia.

Former second grade teacher, Stacie Rier-son, lives outside of Minneapolis near Lake Minnetonka and does as much sailing as the summer will allow. Stacie says, “Sailing season starts in May, and I can hardly wait

to get out on the water!” When the water freezes and the temperature dips below freezing, Stacie spends her time playing on an outdoor broomball league called “The Buzz.” She reports, “Surprisingly, I love be-ing on the frozen lake just as much as I love it in the summer.” Stacie works at The Blake School. She says, “It is a wonderful school and I am always thankful for what I learned from my students and the parents at VMS.”

Former Spanish teacher, Julia Mire Single-ton, teaches middle school French in Doug-las County, south of Den-ver. She and her husband have a four year old daughter, Daphne, and a two year old

son, Henry. Julia reports, “Life is wild, but awesome. I miss skiing, but have snowshoe-ing right out our door so we’re very lucky.”

Alison Soule, former middle school hu-manities teacher, lives in Charlestown, MA and works at Thayer Academy in Braintree, teaching 8th grade English and coaching JV field hockey and lacrosse. She keeps busy with her nieces and nephews. Last summer, Alison road biked in the Pan Mass Challenge (for the Jimmy Fund/Da-na-Farber Cancer Institute of Boston) and

is busy gear-ing up for two days on the bike again this August.

Laurie Davenport Stavisky, former 5th grade teacher, and Steve Stavisky, former music faculty, continue to make the Vail Valley their home. Laurie works at Eagle Montessori School, and Steve has been a realtor with Slifer, Smith & Frampton for the past 10 years. Steve also teaches private piano lessons to many students through-out the Valley. Their daughter, Kate, is a 4th grader at VMS. Their son, Jake, will be “kindergarten ready” in the fall.

Stacie Rierson sails on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with Team AmaZinn

Children of Julia Mire Singleton

Alison Soule as she crosses the finish line at the Pan-Massachu-setts Challenge

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Sarah Merrill Strouthopoulos lives in Durango with her husband, Chris. Sarah teaches third grade at a public school in the area, and her husband is a professor of English at San Juan College in New Mexico. Sarah excitedly shares, “Our big-gest news is that we’re expecting our first baby in late April, and we’re having a boy!” Most winters, Sarah is out each weekend backcountry skiing, but right now, she is counting down the days to meeting the new member of their family.

Kelly Tissier is currently teaching Span-ish at Graland Country Day School in Denver. She says that although she misses her “little ones at VMS,” she loves middle school! Kelly also serves as the facilitator for the 5/6 Service Council, which is a stu-dent group that does fundraisers, service projects, and various drives throughout the year. Kelly says, “I hopped on the road biking bandwagon and competed in most of the long distance rides last year, includ-ing the Triple Bypass, Copper, MS150, El-ephant Rock, etc. I ended up being a top 100 fundraiser for Bike Multiple Sclerosis

The Stavisky family

in Colorado.” Kelly is now training for her first half Ironman in Walt Disney World this May, as well as the Death Ride in Cali-fornia in July. She also plans to chaperone a trip for Graland’s 8th graders through Russia and China this summer.

Tasha Urbanowski, former English and humanities faculty, and Steve Womer, for-mer music faculty, send their best to every-one at VMS. Currently, they are teaching math and English in New Jersey. They now have two little girls, one in third grade and one in nursery school. Tasha shares, “We hope to bring the girls to Vail some day and catch up with all the exciting devel-opments at VMS–we enjoy reading those updates and seeing pictures in the annual magazine.”

Amy White’s children are almost seven and four. Her husband, Nick, will finish his residency in June 2012. Amy works as a multicultural services manager, oversee-ing interpreters and translators across the county and educating people in cultural

Aubrey (4) and Cormac (7), children of Amy WhiteKelly Tissier at the Outdoor Divas Triathlon last year

competency, specifically working with foreign-born workers. Last summer, Amy started doing triathlons and she hopes to complete several this summer. Amy says, “We miss Vail, of course, but are looking to our next adventure soon!”

This issue’s Alma Matters contains notes collected until March 8th. Notes sent after that date will appear in the next is-sue of the VMS Magazine.

If you would like to share your story with our parents at Back to School Nights (as referenced on pages 56-57), please email communications@vms.edu.

what's new with You?Share your news & photos

with the vMS Magazine by emailing

communications@vms.edu.

Peace Is...

...through the eyes of 1st graders64 vms magazine

SaVe the DateS!Friday - Saturday, April 29th-30th

Family Garage Sale

jFriday, May 27th

35th Annual Commencement

jSaturday, August 13th

Alumni Family Day

jMonday, August 29th

First Day of School

j Sunday, September 18th

40th Annual Home TourVMS Golf Tournament

Monday-Friday, October 24th-28th

Annual Book Fair Wednesday, October 26th

Food for Thought Luncheon

jSaturday, November 12th

36th Annual Holiday Gala & Auction

jWednesday, November 23rd

Thanksgiving Breakfast 8:30 a.m.

jFriday, December 16th

International Breakfast 8:30 a.m.

For updates and information on school events, visit www.vms.edu.

68 vms magazine

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