Alumni/ae> Class Notes > Spring 2004
Tell us what you are up to and don't be modest; we want to hear it all: school, job, family and more. Send photos! E-mail us today!
1970s
| Michael Gold '73 is keeping himself busy in Minneapolis, Minnesota running his consulting firm, Jazz Impact. Jazz Impact is Michael's brainchild, a firm dedicated to using jazz as a model to improve businesses. As he explains it, "jazz uses a system that enables collaborative improvisation to thrive-the very same skills that many corporations rely on for success. Innovative response to change is what business in the 21st Century demands." E-mail Michael at michael@jazz-impact.com or check out his website http://www.jazz-impact.com. | |
1980s
I had the pleasure of exchanging
a few emails with Cecile Eldridge '88 whose New Year has been full of
changes. "I am getting ready for the spring semester at Hunter. I am working
towards a certification to teach Spanish. I am certified to teach French, but
unfortunately French is not in demand. I live in the age of "Freedom Fries"…In
the meantime I am also training as an esthetician as a sideline while I am in
school. Actually, if you know anyone who would like to receive a free facial/face
massage feel free to give them my contact info. I need victims to practice on.Rest
assured that I have not injured anyone. (Yet!)"
Well, there you have it. Cecile can be reached at Mrsperezteacher@aol.com.
Alex "Prince Hal" Clifton '89 says, "HEY YO!" These days Hal is living with his family in Garrison, toughing out the "recession/depression." "My band is better than ever, claiming great marks of respect from local popularity, but patiently waiting for widespread acceptance and fortune. Anyway, I would love to see you and our buddies as soon as possible." E-mail Hal at coybot@yahoo.com.
I received a nice note
from Angus Grieve-Smith '89 who shared with me the "biggest
news in my life recently": http://www.panix.com/~grvsmth/Nicholas/.
E-mail Angus at grvsmth@panix.com.
1990s
Kevin Arlyck '90 is currently "paying for any youthful transgressions by now trying to teach social studies to kids as delightful and infuriating as I imagined myself to be in middle school" at a small alternative public school in Brooklyn, NY. Kevin joined us at our Thanksgiving alumni/ae gathering and let us know that he is "getting ready to leave my career as tormentor of early adolescents and throw myself at the mercy of cruel and capricious university professors, who will control my life for the next thousand years as I try to do a Ph.D. in history." While reminiscing with Kev at the reunion he reminded me of "a late-afternoon game of 4-square ending with the sound of shattered glass, as an enthusiastically-slammed ball found its way into Jose Spencer's loft overlooking the old Big Room. We ran." E-mail Kevin at chillwizzard@mindspring.com for the rest of the goods on him.
I had the wonderful pleasure of receiving an email from Sarah Haber '90, now Sarah Mogol. She writes that she is currently "…living in Baltimore, with my husband Andy and our almost 3-year old daughter Sophia Ellis. I spent some time working at Goucher College (after graduation) in the development office. However, since having my daughter I have been developing my own business, The Bountiful Experience, through which I teach cooking classes and light catering. Please send my best wishes to Barbara, Don, Peter, Liz, and also to Dwight and Allison if they are still there!" You can e-mail Sarah at: sarahcooks@comcast.net.
Heartfelt congratulations to Leila Nihal '91and Joshua Meehan '91 who were married August 16, 2003. Karly Nihal '97 was maid of honor and Jay Nihal '99 was groomsman. Leila and Josh would love to hear from people and can be reached at leijosh@rcn.com; they reside in Brookline, MA.
In the same spirit, Erica
Priggan '92 writes "say goodbye to Priggen and hello to O'Toole!"
Erica and Jamie O'Toole were married last August. "The wedding was so beautiful,
and I was so happy to have old friends there who I hadn't seen in SO long."
Other Day School alums present at the wedding were, Andrew Gray '93,
Jacob Rosen '92, Nathaniel Antman '93, Jared Finkelstein '93
and Mika Dashman '93.
Jonathan Renbeck '92 says his most enduring PDS memory is "sitting
on the stage at 39 New Hackensack Road on Fridays and counting down the minutes
until Dungeons and Dragons would begin at 3:00." Jon is living and working
in Poughkeepsie NY these days and would love to hear from you. E-mail Jon at:
Renbeck@yahoo.com.
Jacob Rosen '92, who is currently living in New York City while completing a Ph.D in philosophy from Princeton, took time out of his busy schedule to join us at the alumni/ae gathering. Jacob is proud to announce that out of "loyalty to my ten-year-old self" he is still a vegetarian and because he is in school and has no time to read to himself that "the 'Catcher in the Rye' is being read to me." Jake would love to hear from old friends, write him at: Jacob.Rosen@earthlink.net.
They say three is the magic
number, and three weddings it is.Chloe Rolnick '93 announces that she
is now Chloe Bland and writes to us about her wedding that it " …
was the best day of my life thus far, although being married is pretty wonderful
too. Josh surprised me (and all our friends and family) by doing the funky chicken
in the middle of our first dance. It set the mood for the whole reception and
everyone got out on the dance floor...we even have footage of some of our friends
doing a break dance circle in the middle of the reception...back spins and all."
Chloe and Josh live in Brooklyn where she is in graduate school studying psychology.
Write them at chloe.bland@verizon.net.
I recently received an update from Jason Berry '93, who wrote to
say, "I just got back from a trek in Africa...Mauritania...deserts, couscous,
Berbers, turbans, sand storms, etc. Awesome. Tonight I am in Paris, waiting
for a friend to fly in from Dublin. We are heading to Geneva Switzerland tonight.
We are going snowboarding for a month. I am meeting Tamar (Cunningham '93)
in Chamonix too. She is there for the entire season! Dennis (Valencia
'93) will be coming into town too...on Jan 6 or so. He'll be up there with
us for two weeks. Then it's back to Dublin in Feb.Ciao for now." E-mail
Jason at: jason_in_ireland@hotmail.com.
| Dennis Valencia '93 also enjoyed his trip to France. "Back in January, I took some time off from work and spent 10 days skiing in Chamonix, France with Jason Berry ('93). We had the best time there skiing, eating and having drinks at the pub (picture enclosed). I even got a chance to put my 7 years of PDS French into practice. Also, Jason and I got a chance to meet up with former Day School student Tamar Cunningham." E-mail Dennis at: drvalencia@hotmail.com. |  |
It was fantastic to see Andrew Gray '93 at the alumni/ae gathering. Andrew is currently living riverside in nearby Tivoli where he is working as a general contractor while he puts himself through graduate school. E-mail him at: Andrew@32b.com.
Elias Moor '95 writes, "Hey there. I was checking out the PDS website and seeing what people were up to. I miss the East Coast and all my old classmates.... Well, most of them :) I moved from New Paltz to Hollywood four months ago. In this period of time I got into a car accident, bought Ikea furniture, worked on the show FAME, the HBO Bill Maher Special "Victory Begins at Home" and am currently the post-production assistant on the film The Last Samurai. I've been meeting and working with amazing people. It has been a crazy transition from upstate NY to Hollywood, but so far the move has been well worth it." Elias (or Earl, if you are in the know) would love to here from his old "peeps"; he can be reached at: Kampri@aol.com.
Fantastic to see Ivan ("I've never seen a Gnome") Brennan '96, who joined us at our alumni/ae gathering over the Thanksgiving break. "As far as my current whereabouts and whatabouts, I'm living in Seattle, working a few different jobs (barista, catering, maybe bussing tables soon), working on my music and still trying to get an instrumental speed metal band going. That's about as much as I can tell you without having to kill you :]" E-mail him: ivanmnemonic@hotmail.com.
When asked to write her own class note entry Paloma Mele '98 wrote, "Where are you?" Since I happened to have seen Paloma quite recently I can correctly answer that question and report that she is living in New York City in an apartment that has quite a fine view of the Empire State Building. She spends a great deal of her time in deep contemplation. However, occasionally--and only after long periods of silence and much deliberation--she will proclaim such truths as "1) I'm never going to figure out what the meaning of life is - so get over it. 2) All adults are children." When pressed for a personal philosophy or motto Paloma considers the question for some time and then says "Nothing is perfect. Love thyself…or try to" and then nervously giggles to herself. It was wonderful to see Paloma at our alumni/ae gathering. E-mail her at: pzmele@aol.com.
Kierstyn Sharrow '99 is currently on tour with the American Dance Machine in a show called Broadway Danc'in. She also made an appearance at our alumni/ae gathering where she gave a shout out to "Laura Cowan and the rest of the Class of 99!" When asked if she would write her own class note entry, Kierstyn wrote "Anyone out there still? (It would be nice to see everyone again.)" Kierstyn can be reached at almostbutnotquite@yahoo.com. Write her!
Gabe Hare '99 attended our alumni/ae gathering and tells me he is busy these days doing "high energy physics research." He gives a "shout out" to "Jonathan Heiles and Barbara Wood" and thanks them for "giving me a great approach and start."
I also have heard from Joshua Betz '99, who suggests that a part of our upcoming alumni/ae newsletter should include "…an "alumni/ae sightings" section where people write in to you to say "Hey guess what! I was buying a six-pack in Food Emporium and who was five people behind me in line at the register? None other than Kara Tatelbaum '96 buying pita bread and a half-gallon of milk (skim)! I didn't say anything though because I never really knew her and she definitely didn't know me." And then you would put in the Alumni/ae Sightings section: 'Josh Betz '99 saw Kara Tatelbaum '99 in NYC in line at the Union Square Food Emporium while buying beer. He reports that she was buying pita bread and milk (skim). They did not speak and we have confirmed by e-mail that Kara Tatelbaum '96 indeed has no idea who Josh Betz '99 is.' I think it would be a wonderful addition." Thanks Josh. I love the idea and think we should also include a point system where one would receive more points if they included pictures from said encounter. Any takers? Josh also made an appearance at the alumni/ae gathering and told me he plans to move to New Paltz after he graduates from NYU this December. With 20/20 hindsight after spending four years at a school that was not PDS he has an even greater appreciation for the PDS philosophy. When asked what his most enduring PDS memories were he said "doing the original musicals"...as well as some other (unprintable here) things. E-mail Josh at joshuadbetz@aol.com.
2000s
Kelsey Mallet '00 joined us at the alumni/ae gathering and tells me she is "planning on graduating from William Smith in May 2004." E-mail Kelsey at: kelseyjm82@hotmail.com or mallet@hws.edu.
"Take everything in stride" says Tony Moore '00, who is currently studying at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. It was fantastic to see Tony over the break at our alumni/ae gathering. Still an immense presence on the 4-square court, drop Tony a line at amoore@andrew.cmu.edu.
"Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow." Daniel Mirsky '00 quotes James Dean when asked his personal motto at our alumni/ae gathering. Dan is currently living in Colorado and attending Colorado College. Between classes he is working in the school's climbing gym and tackling the immense peaks that the Rockies provide those enthusiasts of the sport. Dan wanted to give a shout out to "my man J.C. and of course I mean the great Johnny Cash." Drop Dan an e-mail at: danmirsky@coloradocollege.edu.
Elan Danziger '01 is " a junior at Ithaca College and have my own radio show with two other students, spinning underground hip-hop. I'm also an historian for the campus theatre organization, IC Players, and I perform in their productions as well." Elan was present at our alumni/ae gathering where he chose to give a shout out to "my homies! (too many to mention)" and told me his personal motto these days is…"roll with the energy." E-mail Elan at: punkassgoldpower@yahoo.com.
Flynn Jones '01 has stopped eating Kid Cuisine "because poison is bad for you." Currently reading Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonalds by Ray Kroc and having recently finished Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, Flynn is an authority on the matter. He is currently taking classes at Marist "of all places" and has come to realize that in life "there are absolutely no constants." Flynn also joined us at the alumni/ae gathering over the break. Write him at monstevr@hotmail.com.
Yali Lewis class '01 writes, "I just discovered the PDS web page and it made me quite nostalgic! I thought I'd write and say what I'm up to." Yali left PDS after 11th grade and moved to Manhattan. Currently she is a junior at Yale University, and double majoring in art and art history. "Within the major, I'm a painting concentrator, but I work in many media, and count photography and printmaking among my favorites. I still sometimes think about my art classes with Joan Kay and Wayne Toepp. This year, when my painting class went junk hunting, I reminisced about my first "dumpster-diving" experience in Wayne's Art Books central study. Hmm, what else...I spent this past summer in London and had a blast--what a fun city. That's all for now." Yali would love to hear from classmates. She can be reached at yali.lewis@yale.edu.
It was great to get an email from Emmanuelle "Manou" Joassaint '01. She wrote: "Last semester I began working in prisons, working with inmates on their life goals, drug addictions, writing skills and other items (but, the people I've worked with have taught me way more than I could possibly teach them). I have also been elected to the board of directors of an international NGO called Education for Development, Inc, which is a non-profit organization/think-tank that communicates with various primary/secondary and university school systems and establishes exchanges between host countries in East and Central Africa and the United States...and it also researches international education initiatives and collects (comparative) data on literacy rates. I am currently undertaking a research project with a Smith professor on the history (pre-colonial to decolonization) of the conflict in Northern Uganda (which has been exhausting work, but certainly compelling). I'm still doing the same things I usually do (DJing, slam poetry, the academic honor board, Queer activism), and it's been a hectic but deeply satisfying past couple of years. I hope to apply for the Fulbright (to Uganda) in the next year or join the Peace Corps to East Africa so, before I leave the country, I'm writing to plug Smith College. I don't live in New York anymore so I can't come and advertise Smith to PDS students who may be interested, but: tell people to go to one of the Five Colleges (Hampshire, Amherst, Mt Holyoke, Smith, UMASS). [The area] has a wealth of resources, and if students are interested in int'l affairs, the arts, politics, engineering...then this is the area to be, hands down. PDS's academic atmosphere got me started, the 5-Colleges finished it off. Cheers!"
Attending NYU and reading a great number of books is what is taking up most of Daniel Bush's '02 time these days. That didn't stop him from joining us at the alumni/ae get-together held over the Thanksgiving break. Dan tells me the best book he has read recently was The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. He is currently reading a personal favorite of mine, Bound for Glory, by Woody Guthrie. E-mail Dan at dab302@nyu.edu.
It was great to see Siri Crane at our alumni/ae gathering, although she is quick to point out that she "didn't graduate…but would have in 2002…I think." Siri told me that she is currently living in New York City, going to acting school and working. She wanted to give a shout out to "FLYNN!" and recounted to me her most enduring Day School memory: "In my 9th grade year Flynn, Galen, and I were walking to Kenyon after morning meeting and all of a sudden the wind picked up and blew me over. It took Flynn and Galen about 20 seconds to notice me and when they turned around I was lying on my back laughing like mad, but I couldn't stand up because my backpack was too heavy." Send Siri e-mail at: zee@netstep.net.
"I truly miss PDS" writes Samantha Hoe '02, "even though my true memories of PDS consist of 39. I miss the people, the memories and most of all the feeling of comfort and completeness I had while at PDS. PDS has given me more than anything has ever given me. I am what I am today because of it and for that I am forever grateful. It's incredible that some people in my class have known me all of my life and it's amazing that I have had the privilege to have them in my life and PDS is the reason for everything I have to be grateful for. Thank you." It was wonderful to see Sammy at the alumni/ae gathering over the break. She would love to hear from you: Sam3505@aol.com.
Daryl Mallet '02 was also present at the alumni/ae gathering. Daryl is currently attending William Smith College, along with her sister (Kelsey '00), and she reports that "Dashboard Confessional" is the CD getting the most play currently on her CD player. E-mail Daryl at: dashinka84@hotmail.com.
Samantha Schock '02 joined us at our alumni/ae gathering. When I asked her what she was currently doing with herself she replied, "I am going to college and enjoying life." Send Samantha a hello by e-mailing her at nefertiti@webjogger.net.
Lucy Knisley '03 has
been busy producing her comic strip Stop Paying Attention while trying
to stay warm at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She wrote "Hey!
I've been keeping up with the comics. If I went the lazier route, I could point
you to the issues online, at fnewsmagazine.com, under comics, but if
you want me to send them out, I can do that too, it just requires walking outside
in a Chicago February, which, I'm sure you can understand, I'm less than thrilled
to do.
Anyway, I'll probably end up sending out the new issue, and possibly next month's
issue, to anyone who wants 'em (my dad, Wayne, you, et. al.) sometime in March,
when it's not so brutally cold out (the post office is really far away from
my dorm). So glad to hear from you! I just got the poster of my class. Hilarious
stuff, that. I laughed so hard that my roommate thought I was an epileptic."Stay
warm Lucy; we'll point our readers to the online version.E-mail her: lknisley@artic.edu.
Keep those cards and letters coming! E-mail Jared Finkelstein or Sandra Moore and we'll be sure to post your news. Photos are welcome, too!
FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF
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Hello,
other former faculty and staff members! Do send us some
news!!
It doesn't have to be earth-shattering. Just tell us what you're up to. We really do want to hear from you! Write us now. |
Our goal is to update classnotes every 6-8 weeks. We can't do this, however,
unless we hear from you! Please write to the alumni/ae
office so that we can post your news! 
