MEMORIES THAT STICK - Harbor Day School

3443 PACIFIC VIEW DRIVE, CORONA DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 92625 | HARBORDAY.ORG | SPRING 2012 

MEMORIES THAT STICK 

PERFORMANCE OF THE WIZARD OF OZ 1986 (ABOVE) | PERFORMANCE OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2012 (TOP)

A MESSAGE FROM THE 

HEAD OF SCHOOL 

I 

know that you will enjoy this 

version of the Harbor Day 

School Beacon. We hope that it 

will convey even more clearly 

what happens on this terrific 

DOUG E. PHELPS 

campus. Our alumni of Harbor 

Day School move confidently into the larger 

world of secondary and higher education into fulfilling 

careers, strong families, and leadership roles 

as citizens in an increasingly demanding world. 

The theme of an increasingly complex world can 

intimidate all of us. Yet with all the pitfalls that 

could lie in our graduates’ paths, they represent 

the successes found in the almost six decades of 

Harbor Day School. 

What these graduates have in common is 

something that you can often read in the 

eyes of our youngest students. Their eyes 

tell us they are growing up in a culture that rewards 

parent-teacher partnerships, strong effort, fair play, 

ingenuity, teamwork, and support of ideas larger than 

themselves. Those ideas, such as supporting their 

classmates, their teams, their the School families, 

and even “classmates” at Mbahe Primary School 

in Tanzania, are instilled from the beginning of 

Kindergarten and nurtured throughout their time on 

our campus. Eventually, they join the greater family 

of Harbor Day School alumni. The quality of those 

graduates appears in the increasing number of our 

parents who are themselves graduates of the School 

and seek the same foundation for their children. 

For almost three generations, the faculty and 

staff at Harbor Day School have worked tirelessly 

in preparing our students for a world that 

will offer challenges that we can't predict. Our alumni 

are proof that with the right foundation, they can meet 

and conquer those seen and unforeseen challenges. 

Thank you for your support as we move forward for 

the next generation. n 

PAGE 2 BEACON — SPRING 2012

MISSION DRIVEN 

Simply put, a MISSION 

STATEMENT is a statement 

of purpose for a 

company or an organization. 

It reflects and 

guides the goals and values of an institution. 

In the opening scene of the 

memorable movie, Jerry Maguire, 

Jerry talks about creating the mission 

statement for his company and calls 

it a suggestion for the future. It is true that mission, vision, and core values are future thinking 

as well as aspirational, but they can also hold beliefs that are deep-rooted in history and tradition. 

A school turning 60 years old this fall understands the significance of these elements. 

Harbor Day School has refined its mission statement over the past few months; not only does 

the statement call to the future, but it also speaks to the preservation of the community this 

school represents. 

This issue of the Beacon 

explores the community 

and traditions of 

Harbor Day School. The 

school has evolved over time, 

but many events and programs 

have remained the 

same and maintain their relevancy. 

Events like the Blue/ 

Gold Track Meet and outdoor 

education trips stay pertinent because they directly 

relate to the school’s mission and curriculum, whether 

they build strong moral character or train confident 

learners. In an ever-changing world, tradition creates 

a framework that generates an emotional response. 

Ask alumni about their favorite memories of Harbor 

Day School. These former students will recall the 

holiday programs, Colonial Day, Grandparents’ Day, 

and the list goes on. These are memories that stick for 

all alumni. n 

NOELLE BECKER 

ALUMNI RECALL THEIR 

FAVORITE HDS MEMORIES 

Kristen Hatfield, (’88) 

“I definitely loved the Blue vs. Gold competition 

the best! I also have great memories of the Upper 

School Christmas programs.” 

Reid Varner, (’97) 

“Turkey Bowl for sure. Colonial Day was up 

there too.” 

Katie McKitterick, (’02) 

“Grandparents’ Day, Eighth Grade Play, Turkey 

Bowl, Thanksgiving and Christmas Programs, 

Moving Up Day, Fourth Grade State Fair, 

Third Grade Gold Rush, Blue and Gold Track 

Meet, Kindergarten Halloween Parade! Am I 

allowed to vote for everything?” 

BEACON — SPRING 2012 PAGE 3

Reflections 

BY CHRISSIE 

(PORTER) EMMEL ‘80 

It’s hard to believe that Harbor Day School will be celebrating its 

6oth anniversary this fall. I hate to admit how old that makes me 

feel! I started Harbor Day in the fall of 1973, before the The 

Moiso Family Activities Center, The Blass Gymnasium, and the 

Upper School additions. We had assemblies, performances, and 

holiday programs in the now dwindling “Big Room.” Sheep once 

grazed where The Moiso Family Activities Center now sits, and we 

played volleyball and basketball on a blacktop that is now The Blass 

Gymnasium.When my husband and I decided that Harbor Day School 

was the right school for our three children, I was so excited to share 

with them the special traditions that I experienced during my time here. 

Iwas thrilled to find that Harbor Day School still 

holds dear its great traditions. Each fifth grader 

discovers whether he or she is a member of “team 

blue” or “team gold.” This spirited rivalry plays out 

during 45-year-old intramural sporting events like the 

Turkey Bowl and Blue-Gold Track Meet, both 

bedrocks of Harbor Day School. Family members 

will always share the same team color, and I’m filled 

with a great sense of pride as I watch my children take 

the field or court to represent Blue! 

Everyone loves a hot dog slathered in mustard, 

ketchup, or even chili! Hot Dog Day began 

60 years ago, and this once-a-week treat has 

developed into a complete five-day-a-week hot lunch 

program. Today’s extensive menu has come a long 

way from the limited choices of orange slices, potato 

chips, and homemade desserts. 

In 1973 our outdoor education program began 

when our lucky Eighth Grade class ventured out 

for a ski trip to Squaw Valley. Eighth Graders 

continue this tradition of outdoor education now 

by spending a week at the Catalina Island Marine 

Institute. The experience was so successful that the 

program expanded to the rest of the Upper School 

with trips to El Capitan, El Camino Pines, and Astro 

Camp. These trips provide a wonderful time for the 

kids to learn, bond, and form lifelong memories. 

Music and performance form cornerstones of 

a Harbor Day School student’s experience. 

The incredible talent and hard work of our 

music teachers and students, both shy and bold, is 

showcased during the Eighth Grade Musical and the 

Thanksgiving, Holiday, and Grandparents’ Day programs. 

Our first official Grandparents’ Day kicked off 

in 1974 with a musical performance, classroom visits, 

and, of course, a hot dog lunch! The tradition has 

continued for 38 years with over 600 grandparents in 

attendance last year! I know this day is special for all 

of our grandparents, and they love being able to share 

in such an important place in their grandchildren’s 

lives. My grandmothers have saved and treasured the 

handwritten invitations, artwork, and thank you 

notes sent to them over the years. 


HARBOR DAY SCHOOL FAMILIES WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE COLLAGES AND DISCUSS THE KEY WORDS IN THE REVISED MISSION STATEMENT. 

Rewarding academic excellence is another 

one of Harbor Day School’s many traditions. 

The faculty and students have great fun with 

these competitions and mark individual and team 

accomplishments through Pi Day, The Robotics 

Team, Latin Conventions, National Geography Bee, 

Promising Young Writer, and MathCounts. Following 

a more than 40-year-old tradition at each semester’s 

end, the School awards a “Pat on the Head” to any 

child in grades four through eight who achieves all A’s 

and B’s and also top scores for effort. The pride and 

joy from this recognition cannot be measured! 

All of these traditions create the special culture 

of Harbor Day School. They unite us as 

students, parents, alumni, and faculty. In 

addition to these old and cherished traditions, we 

continue to create new ones, like the Back to School 

Picnic, all of which contribute to our unique atmosphere. 

Harbor Day School is a very special place in 

more ways than I can count. n 

CHRISSIE (PORTER) EMMEL WITH HER MOM AT GRADUATION 

FACT: THE FIRST BLUE/GOLD TRACK MEET TOOK PLACE IN 1968. 


NINE YEARS 

BY BENJAMIN MOST ‘12 


Nine years ago, I entered the gates of 

Harbor Day School as an eager Kindergartner 

to embark on a thrilling voyage. 

In the past nine years I have grown, both 

physically and mentally. I have learned 

about the world and the laws that govern 

it. I have seen the magnificence within 

numbers and shapes, the elegance of patterns, and the order 

that exists within randomness. I have learned the power of 

language and discovered how to speak it, to write it, to wield 

it as a tool. In nine years, Harbor Day School has given me 

knowledge, and I intend to use this knowledge as best I can. 

Already, I have accomplished several achievements 

for which I feel great pride. I have 

succeeded in math and science at Harbor Day 

School; my teammates and I received an honorable 

mention in the ExploraVision science competition, 

and I tied for first place at the chapter level of 

MathCounts. My MathCounts team received fourth 

place overall and progressed to the state level. 

Furthermore, I recited 4,030 digits of pi this year on 

March 14, also known as “Pi Day”; I rank seventh 

among all of the pi digit memorizers in the United 

States. Skilled English and literature teachers at 

Harbor Day School have encouraged me to write 

and have assisted me in my endeavors, which allowed 

me to earn such honors as a Silver Key award in 

the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest’s California 

division. History and geography teachers, informing 

me about the past and its effects on the present 

and the future, have filled my mind with learning. 

I have partaken in the Harbor Day School Latin 

program as well and received the first place academic 

and first place overall middle school awards at last 

year’s California Junior Classical League. Without 

Harbor Day School, all of these accomplishments 

would have occurred only in my dreams. 

More than my academic successes, however, 

I appreciate the enthusiasm that I feel 

every day when I arrive at school. At many 

schools, students fear learning and consider education 

to be a mandatory agony that they must endure. 

At Harbor Day School, however, the teachers make 

learning an enjoyable process. True success lies not in 

trophies or plaques but in laughter and a passion for 

learning. Pride exists not in accolades or honors but 

in the quality of one’s character. Throughout my nine 

years at Harbor Day School, the teachers and staff 

have greatlyimpressed upon me the important values 

of life. Every day I wake up with a feeling of pride 

and contentedness in my heart. For this pride I owe 

Harbor Day School, my home of nine years, the place 

in which I learned the true meaning of success. n 

TOP: BEN DONS HIS CROWN AS PI KING FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW. 

BOTTOM LEFT: BEN WITH ENGLISH TEACHER MRS. SNIFF. 

BOTTOM RIGHT: BEN CELEBRATES WITH HIS MOM AFTER RECITING 4,030 DIGITS OF PI. 


HARBOR DAY 

SCHOOL 

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 

NURTURING 

JOY 

ANNUAL FUND2011-2012 

MORAL GROWTH 

CURIOSITY 

EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE 

EVERY DAY 

www.harborday.org/giving 


THANK YOU to all who have already made gifts to this year's 

2011-12 ANNUAL FUND. Please join the many who have supported Harbor Day School 

and consider giving a gift by June 30. Your continued generosity allows Harbor Day 

School, every day, to impact all our lives, one student at a time. 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

BLUE AND GOLD CIRCLE 

The Argyros Family Foundation 

Ashley, Lauren and Gunnar Gehl 

Mrs. Stephanie Argyros 

BLUE AND GOLD CIRCLE 

Anonymous 

HEADMASTER’S CIRCLE 

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Airth* 

FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE 

Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Deckey* 

Jacqueline Badger Mars 2000 

Charitable Lead Trust 

Graysen and Chandler Airth 

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ueberroth* 

EDUCATORS’ CIRCLE 

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Anderson* 

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Briggs 

Mr. Mark Czepiel and Ms. Amy Paul* 

Mr. and Mrs. Hirad Emadi* 

Mr. Jeff Gehl 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lin 

Mr. and Mrs. Bahram Mirhashemi 

Mr. and Mrs. Reza Shakoori 

Linda I. Smith Foundation 

Julia Blatz 

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Vaughan 

Mr. and Mrs. James Warmington, Jr.* 

HARBOR CIRCLE 

Mr. and Mrs. John Cashion 

Kate and Tessa Montgomery 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Chung* 

Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation 

Mr. and Mrs. Pete Eastman 

Mr. and Mrs. James Furey* 

Dr. and Mrs. Sanjay Grover* 

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Massey* 

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Montgomery 

Leslie Cashion Montgomery (’84) 

The O Hill Family 

Mr. and Mrs. Chad Peets 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shea, Jr. 

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Shean* 

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sonenshine (’87) * 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sparr 

Kristy Riddle 

Dr. and Mrs. David Wirta 

*Board of Trustees member 

This list reflects all gifts or pledges 

received as of April 5, 2012. 

SEAHAWK CIRCLE 

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Busick 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gomez 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gutman 

Mr. and Mrs. Kambiz Mahdi 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Most 

Mr. Christopher Rodriguez* 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ruck 

Mr. and Mrs. John Saroyan 

Mr. Phil Strok and Mrs. Lisa Bynum 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Trane 

Aubrey and Mary Callaghan 

Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Von Der Ahe* 

Dr. and Mrs. Todd Walkow* 

Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Withrow 

Mr. and Mrs. Terry Yee 

FRIENDS 

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Anderson 

Mr. Dann and Dr. Anne-Marie Angeloff 

Anonymous 

Bank of America 

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Blatz 

Diana Gaede Blatz (’77) 

BNY Mellon Community Partnership 

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brenner 

Jake and Reese Simkins 

Mr. Jefferson Cowart (’99) 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cuneo 

Sienna and Dominic Cuneo 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dailey 

Mr. and Mrs. Matt D’Ambrosia 

Tara Simpson D’Ambrosia (’86) 

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Decker 

Edison International 

Mr. and Mrs. Kent Elliott (’84) 

GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program 

Mr. and Mrs. James Gapp (’81) 

Mr. Mark Harrison (’82) 

Mr. Thomas Hauge and Mrs. Nina Diamant 

Mr. and Mrs. David Janes 

Ms. Linda Kenerson 

Brooke and Paige Kenerson 

Drs. Doug and Gigi McConnaughey 

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent McGuinness (’79) 

Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Mix 

Mrs. Debra Devine Morton (’81) 

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Muchnick 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mullane 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Nanula 

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Naruse 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Neushul 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul O’Connor 

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Oliphant 

Mr. and Mrs. Toby Page 

Pfizer Foundation 

Matching Gifts Program 

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Pickell* 

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Piercey 

PIMCO 

Mr. and Mrs. John Schmid 

Drs. John and Monica Schwab 

Mr. and Mrs. Coby Sonenshine (’84) 

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Stern 

Mr. and Mrs. John Stomber 

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Strauch 

Dr. and Mrs. Greg Super 

Dr. and Mrs. Richard Taketa 

Mr. and Mrs. David Viale 

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Vovan 

Wells Fargo Foundation 

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Woodall 

Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Yoshida 

HDS FACULTY 

AND STAFF 

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas E. Phelps 

Mrs. Noelle Becker 

Mrs. Carole Blake 

Ms. Pamela Burke 

Ms. Erin Byrne 

Mrs. Joan Coleman 

Brady and Luke Hatfield 

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Coleman 

Ms. Francesca Drino (’95) 

Ms. Cara Ducey 

Mrs. Courtney Duke 

Mrs. Jennifer Fenner 

Mr. James Gapp (’81) 

Ms. Amelia Gomez 

Mrs. Susan Ihrke Johnson (’88) 

Mrs. Cassie Keturakis 

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Mauser 

Mrs. Marilou McCarty 

Ms. Alexa Miller 

Mrs. Melissa Mullane 

Mrs. Wanda Nordstrom 

Mrs. Sarah Oliphant 

Mrs. Faith Pickett 

Mrs. Meera Ratnesar 

Mr. Jean-Paul Rimlinger 

Mrs. Kristin Rowe 

Mrs. Siouxzie Salisbury 

Mrs. Heather Schmid 

Ms. Terra Shirvanian 

Mr. Gary Skwarczynski 

Mrs. Marie-France Smith 

Mrs. Mary Ann Sniff 

Mrs. Jennifer Traverse 

Mrs. Lynette Vieira 

Luke and Isabella Palazzo 

Ms. Courtney Zarrilli (’92) 

Ms. Amy Zucker 


WE GOT THE 

BEAT 

BY NOELLE BECKER 

‘‘ 

Iwant to get them hooked in the first six weeks. Starting in 

Kindergarten, I want every child to leave with a sense that he 

or she wants to keep involved in the arts,” says music teacher 

Janet Kempke. Why is the music and theater program at 

Harbor Day School different? For one thing, the teachers use 

methods that rely on more than just the children’s reading 

capabilities.“Their ability to learn and understand is much greater 

than whether they can read or not,” remarks Kempke. One such 

method is referred to as call and response, where the teacher first 

sings, and has the students repeat. One of the greatest challenges of 

the program is realizing the complexity of the music. Students as early 

as Kindergarten begin to learn the basics of music theory. They come 

to understand the use of beat and rhythm; this understanding in turn 

enhances students’ learning in other subjects, such as mathematics. 

Students also develop strong public speaking skills through a series 

of performances in which they are involved throughout the year. 


PAGE 10 TOP LEFT, MIDDLE, RIGHT: CLASS OF 2012 SING THEIR HEARTS OUT DURING THE UPPER SCHOOL HOLIDAY CONCERT. 

JULIA BLATZ ('13) AND NATALIE RODRIGUEZ ('12), SHOW OFF THEIR MUSICAL AND DANCE TALENTS. 

PAGE 11 LEFT TOP: 1988 FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS PERFORMING AT THANKSGIVING PROGRAM. | PAGE 11 LEFT BOTTOM: A 1984 EIGHTH 

GRADE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE OF ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. | PAGE 11 MIDDLE & RIGHT: LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS ELYSE JOHNSON AND 

COOPER MULLANE PERFORM IN THIS YEAR'S THANKSGIVING PROGRAM. 

Upper School music and theater teacher, Mary 

Nemeth explains, “I plan lessons to reach as 

many different learners as possible. We’ll start 

with a warm-up activity, which involves movement to 

music, and then we do vocal warm-ups where we work 

on proper breath support, embouchure, and solfege 

syllables. Following that we will do ear training, where 

I might play a melody on the piano and have the students 

sing it back a cappella. Then we’ll sing some repertoire. 

I also keep an agenda on the board so students can 

anticipate the next activity.” 

After 24 years of teaching at the School, Mrs. 

Kempke aims to produce a high-level music 

program with lots of depth to it, which is 

one of many reasons people choose to come to Harbor 

Day School. Most of the performances that began 

as small efforts are now grand productions. The music 

department has their hands in planning events that are 

staples at Harbor Day School, including Colonial 

Day, International Day, and Grandparents’ Day. 

The Thanksgiving program is probably the 

most challenging performance of the year, as 

students, including Kindergartners, need to 

learn and memorize a total of 12 songs with multiple 

verses! Parents tend to be awestruck as they witness 

their young Kindergartners performing at such an 

elevated level. They can see their children’s beaming 

faces as they sing in harmony with the music teacher 

and can see the trust and connection they have with 

one another. The clever use of lighting and sound 

effects highlight these magical moments while still 

maintaining the theater’s cozy atmosphere. 

The Holiday Program has also evolved over 

time, and each year the theme has a new sound 

or flavor to it. The school even has its own 

Handbell Choir! Every child gets a chance to participate 

in the show in some way. 

Before the conclusion of their Eighth Grade 

year, students perform in the well-known 

Eighth Grade Musical. Just like being a member 

of a sports team, students are required to attend 

practice, learn their lines, and try their best, or risk 

sitting on the sidelines. Lots of work goes into creating 

the final performance, but students learn how to 

challenge their own capabilities and work outside 

of their comfort zone. In the end, the musical 

becomes a defining moment for many alumni. 

Mrs. Kempke and Mrs. Nemeth approach their 

classes with a lighthearted and humorous 

attitude – sometimes using witticism to engage 

the children and hold their interest. Mrs. Nemeth 

wants her students to fully experience music through 

careful listening and movement, whether it’s bouncing 

tennis balls to a beat, folk dancing, or choreographing 

their own dance to an Elvis song. Mrs. Kempke 

declares, “Music has a lot of texture and is a boatload 

of fun. It’s the best job I have ever imagined!” n 


ART 

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JOHNNY ELLIOTT, LOGAN STERN, KATE DIETRICK 

STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN WORKED ON COLLABORATIVE 

TABLE-PAINTING PROJECTS THAT ARE COLORFULLY 

DISPLAYED IN THE ART ROOM. 

STUDENTS STUDIED THE ARTISTS MONET, PICASSO, AND ROUSSEAU. 

RYDER DUNN’S MATISSE ART PROJECT IS BEING SHOWN 

AT THE COLOR IT ORANGE EXHIBITION. 

THE YEAR BEGAN WITH AN ALL SCHOOL BUTTERFLY PROJECT. 

FIRST GRADER, WILLIAM DUMA, USES INK, PASTELS, WATERCOLORS, 

AND METALLIC PENCILS TO DECORATE HIS BUTTERFLY. 

JOHN TIPTON ('18) AND LUKE HOFER ('18) 

SECOND GRADERS STUDIED THE SCREAM BY MUNCH. 

THEY PRODUCED THEIR OWN VERSION USING 

SANDPAPER AND WAX STICKS. 

FOURTH GRADER, DARCY CHUNG, LEARNS HOW TO TURN HER 

FABULOUS OWL COLLAGE INTO A PRINT AND GETS HER ART CHOSEN 

TO BE SHOWN AT THE COLOR IT ORANGE SHOW. 


EXPLORATION 

The Art Department, led by Mrs. Hammond and Mrs. Yagar, have been 

very busy exploring a full line-up of visual arts projects this year. 

FIFTH GRADERS, LAUREN EWING AND GUNNAR GEHL HAVE FUN WITH 

FEATHERS WHILE MAKING THEIR CERAMIC BIRDS. 

SEVENTH GRADER, BEN HAMMOND, LEARNS HOW TO 

THROW POTS ON THE WHEEL WITH MS. SALISBURY. 

CLAIRE HOLLAND (‘12) 

THE EIGHTH GRADE ELECTIVE CLASS DREW 

THEIR OWN SELF-PORTRAITS, AS WELL AS 

SKETCHED THEM ON THEIR IPAD’S. 

STUDENTS STUDIED VIVID FLOWER PAINTINGS BY GEORGIA O’KEEFFE 

AND CREATED THEIR OWN UNIQUE FLOWER IMAGES. 


The Importance of 

Social Studies 

BY 

JENNIFER FENNER 

AND MARTI MURPHY 

As parents and teachers of young students, we have an 

obligation to demonstrate the role each of them plays 

as a citizen of the global community. The Social Studies 

curriculum at Harbor Day School is designed to lay 

that strong foundation for understanding how our 

world works. From studying American Colonial history 

to a comprehensive study of geography, Harbor Day School students are 

amply prepared for their high school years and beyond. Class and crossgrade 

level events help solidify the importance of Social Studies, while 

making it come alive for each child. 

The Social Studies curriculum begins as soon as 

students arrive in Kindergarten. A favorite 

event that kindergartners through fourth 

graders experience is International Day. While completing 

a cross-curriculur and focused unit of study 

on a single country, each grade learns about that culture’s 

native dances, songs, food, art, and literature. 

The students then follow with a celebration filled with 

music, dancing, and costumes. 

In Lower School, a defining moment in the 

program for our third graders is the recreation of 

the California Gold Rush. The Harbor Day Gold 

Rush event, which has occurred for the last 21 years, 

is set in the school’s sand covered playground, where 

children feverishly pan for gold. Fourth graders take 

part in a yearlong and in-depth study of U.S. geography. 

To exercise their knowledge, students perform 

and present their state report at the annual Harbor 

Day School State Fair. 

In Upper School, American history graces Fifth 

Grade with the study of Native American societies 

of the Eastern United States and the early European 

explorers. The Colonial Day reenactment brings great 

perspective to the study of American history; students, 

teachers, and parents participate together in a 

variety of activities, such as building early American 

toys, learning the art of candle making, and even 

preparing and tasting a batch of Johnnycakes. 

In Sixth Grade, students study ancient history. 

Concluding the year with a Medieval Faire, students 

play their part as members of a feudal manor by 

producing textiles, writing and performing ballads 

to entertain the court, and dining on an authentic 

Medieval fare. 

Sixth and Seventh Grade students study human, 

as well as physical, geography (or physiography). 

These lessons provide students with a greater 

understanding of how our planet’s structure helps to 

keep us all interconnected. They also help students to 

develop a deeper understanding of the way that 

culture, society, economics, and geography affect the 

historical events of the past and the present. After 

completing their studies, students learn that they are 

expected to play a part as a global citizen. 


TOP LEFT: SIXTH GRADE FIELD TRIP TO THE GETTY VILLA MUSEUM 

TOP RIGHT: FOURTH GRADER, GABRIELLE MONTGOMERY, CELEBRATES IRELAND DURING INTERNATIONAL DAY 

BOTTOM LEFT: THE ANNUAL MEDIEVAL FAIRE PUT ON BY SEVENTH GRADE. 

BOTTOM RIGHT: KINDERGARTNERS PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FESTIVITIES. 

Perhaps most unique is the study of geography 

in Seventh Grade. Harbor Day is one of the 

only schools in our region that requires its students 

to spend a full year of study in geography. As part 

of their final project of the year, seventh graders are 

tasked with creating their own map of the world, and 

then turning it into a globe. As students enter Eighth 

Grade their focus of study returns to United States history. 

Studying intently about our country’s rich history 

and governmental structure, they prepare for the much 

anticipated annual trip to Washington D.C. 

Graduates from Harbor Day School leave with 

many fond memories of these exciting events 

and programs provided by our Social Studies 

curriculum, which allow them to “step back in time” 

and become an active part of history. Together, these 

creative and thought-provoking lessons and activities 

provide Harbor Day School students with not only 

the knowledge necessary to greater appreciate the 

world in which they live and grow but also the ability 

to stoke their eager imaginations! n 


HARBOR DAY SCHOOL 

ATHLETICS 

BOYS’ FLAG FOOTBALL 

Harbor Day Boys’ Flag Football teams won 

first place in both Division ‘B’ and ‘C’, 

through the City of Newport Beach. In 

February, students were honored at a ceremony 

held by the Newport Beach Parks and Recreation. 

Both teams faced tough competition through the 

season, but persevered with the help of their 

talented coach, Ethan Machado, to win it all. 

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL 

Both Sixth Grade Girls’ Volleyball teams, 

Division 1 and Division 3, have a reason 

for their big smiles after being victorious 

in winning the league championship. Coaches 

Pam Coleman and Kim Coleman helped lead 

both teams to triumph! 

BOYS’ BASKETBALL 

Kudos are in order for the HDS Sixth 

Grade Boys’ Basketball team, lead by 

Coach Chatom Arkin who took the 

league championship this year. What an incredible 

feat! n 

THE RESULTS ARE IN! 

THE CURRENT BLUE/GOLD SCORE IS…BLUE 466 GOLD 498 


LUNCH+FASHION 

LADIES EVENT 

M A R C H 2 , 2 0 1 2 


HARBOR DAY SCHOOL REFLECTS ON THE PASSING OF TWO BELOVED MEMBERS OF THE HDS FAMILY 

BY LESLIE BROCKMAN 

WE REMEMBER 

JOHN F. MARDER, JR. 

FOUNDING HEADMASTER 

NOVEMBER 26, 1929 – JANUARY 7, 2012 

Harbor Day School grieves the loss of two dedicated and beloved people this year – 

Founding Head of School John Marder, Jr. and teacher and Director of Technology 

Jeanne Robb. They were integral in developing traditions and curriculum into 

what we now appreciate on a daily basis. 

For instance, did you know that our current main building 

was designed to resemble a ski lodge, complete with 

a fireplace to read by? That was one vision of Headmaster 

John Marder way back in 1969. Other traditions that he 

began include Blue/Gold competition, Turkey Bowl, Grandparents’ 

Day, the establishing of an endowment fund, Pats 

on the Head scholastic recognition, and Hot Dog Day every 

Wednesday – the seed of our current Hot Lunch Program. 

Also because of John Marder, Harbor Day School has 

outdoor education experiences in the Upper School. They 

began in 1973 with ski trips to Squaw Valley for the Eighth 

Graders, became week-long adventures at Catalina Island 

Marine Institute, and then broadened to include the Fifth, 

Sixth, and Seventh Grade overnight trips. 

In 1978, when Harbor Day School achieved its full 

enrollment of 44 students in each grade, Mr. Marder decided 

it was time to add a music program for all grades to the curriculum. 

Leslie Brockman (current Director of Alumni) was 

hired to develop and establish that department. Just a few 

years later, Harbor Day School’s Seventh and Eighth graders 

began performing full-length operettas and Broadway productions. 

John’s 26 years of dedication were for the children; 

his legacy is Harbor Day School. 

In the fall of 1978, Jeanne Robb began as a Fifth-Grade 

teacher, thus inspiring six years of students. When she transitioned 

into the technology field, she inspired even more 

Upper School students to learn about those “new inventions” 

– the Apple II computers. (How timely that the first Macintosh 

computer was released in 1984, just when Jeanne began teaching 

technology.) Many of these learners were so motivated by Miss 

Robb’s enthusiasm and knowledge that they work “in the 

business” today and carry on her legacy. 

Before the onset of medical problems, Jeanne Robb was 

an avid tennis player, an outdoor enthusiast, a folk and country 

music fan, and a guitar player. Miss Robb amazed us with 

her courage and positive attitude despite all of her health 

challenges. Her strong spirit and sense of humor will always 

be an inspiration to us, and we will all greatly miss her. 

JEANNE ANN ROBB 

FIFTH GRADE TEACHER & 

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY 

MAY 31, 1950 – FEBRUARY 25, 2012 

THOUGHTS FROM STAFF AND STUDENTS ON 

JOHN MARDER AND JEANNE ROBB 

“I’m pretty sure anyone who knew Mr. Marder would say they 

learned something valuable from him, and I bet we all learned 

something different.” —BRAD THOMPSON, (’83) 

“Truly a loss for us all. He pulled my teeth, doled out wisdom, and 

kept me on my toes, growing up inside and outside the HDS walls.” 

—CHRISTINE GOSTANIAN CAWTHON, (‘90) 

“What a loss. It feels like just yesterday we were at the Turkey Bowl 

and Mr. Marder was in those classic blue and gold, plaid pants – 

always rooting for everyone to do his/her best, always positive, 

always teaching us to be better people.” 

—HEATHER JACKSON, (‘83) 

“It was an honor to follow John Marder as the Headmaster of 

Harbor Day School. He was truly an educator of note. I first met 

him when he was the president of the 260-member Elementary 

Schools Heads Association. He was well-respected by his peers.” 

—FORMER HARBOR DAY SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL, 

SID DUPONT 

“She was an amazing teacher who touched so many students’ lives 

with her sense of humor and valuable teaching skills. She will be 

greatly missed by many.” 

—TARA SIMPSON D’AMBROSIA, (’86) AND CURRENT PARENT 

“She was one of a kind and will be missed. I think of her often 

as she first taught me Apple II, and now I work for Apple.” 

—BRAD ROTHWELL, (’96) 

“She provided an Apple II GS foundation in computing that has 

carried me personally forward as I built upon said foundation brick 

by brick, story by story, making me the technologically savvy man 

I am today! Without her foundation, none of that would have 

been possible.” —RYAN ACHTERBERG, (‘94) 


LEFT: JOHN MARDER AND JEANNE ROBB AT THE 1984 OLYMPICS | MIDDLE: JOHN MARDER TELLING THE CHRISTMAS STORY. | RIGHT: JEANNE ROBB IN LAKE TAHOE 

H A R B O R D A Y S C H O O L 

Alumni News 

AMY WALTERS, HDS CLASS OF 1988 

PRODUCER AT NPR 

AMY WALTERS 

CELEBRATING 

THE NYC MARATHON, 

NOVEMBER 2010 

Since 2003, Amy Walters (’88), has been 

working for National Public Radio, currently 

as a producer. She has produced 

hundreds of stories for NPR, won the 

most coveted awards in broadcast journalism, 

and is NPR’s go-to producer for 

breaking news around the country and 

around the world. Some of her earlier 

work includes producing on-the-ground 

coverage of the war in Libya, the BP oil 

spill in The Gulf of Mexico, the earthquake 

in Haiti, Hurricanes Katrina and 

Rita, and the war in Iraq. Just this March, 

Amy produced stories on Bravo’s latest 

reality show, “Shahs of Sunset,” along 

with an exposé of a detention facility 

near San Antonio, contributors to Newt 

Gingrich’s campaign, and revisions of rules for playing on the 

beaches in Los Angeles. 

Amy has been commended for her investigative work 

and in-depth series and was honored by the American Bar 

Association with the coveted Silver Gavel Award. Comments 

from her fellow producers and correspondents include the 

following: “Amy is one of the very best producers in the public 

radio system. Always able to get at the heart of the story, 

she possesses journalism instincts that are second to none. 

Through a combination of talent, skill, and very hard work, 

Amy Walters has managed to make every reporter that she’s 

worked with sound better. There doesn’t seem to be a situation 

into which she cannot hurl herself: hurricane, earthquake, 

prisons, even Washington D.C.” 

In her free time, Amy loves to travel the world to learn 

new things (for both work and pleasure) and to run marathons, 

including the New York Marathon just over a year ago. n 

THE AMAZING LIFE OF 

THE BIOLOGIST 

BY DARCY CHUNG (’16) 

Biologists Dr. Kevin Rowe (‘90), 

and his wife Karen came to visit 

Harbor Day School on February 1, 

2012. They met with Upper School 

students in their science classes 

and gave a fascinating presentation 

at an all-school assembly. 

Kevin and Karen are both 

Mammologists at the Victoria 

Museum in Melbourne, Australia. 

DR. KEVIN ROWE WITH 

UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS 

AT HARBOR DAY SCHOOL 

They have even traveled to an unexplored portion of the 

rainforest in Indonesia to find new species of rodents. One 

type of rodent species they discovered is the first rat with 

without molars! To locate animals, they travel through deserts 

and forests, set up cage traps, follow footprints, and use 

hidden cameras. They make discoveries that can help people 

understand more about rodents and mammals in general. 

To most people, a rodent is just a regular animal, but to these 

amazing biologists, it is an animal full of wonder! 

Kevin and Karen are the proud parents of a two-yearold 

son, Leben, who is, of course, the grandson of our own 

Mrs. Rowe, Director of Lower School. n 

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 20) 


HARBOR DAY SCHOOL 

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19) 

ASHLEY ECKENWEILER, “THE BRAINS” 

Alumni News 

Alumna Ashley Eckenweiler (’95), was 

featured recently in the March edition of 

Riviera magazine. The article, entitled 

“The Brains,” comments that Ashley 

has spent the last three years directing 

the Orange County Music Awards, but 

her role took a new turn when her PR 

firm, The ACE Agency (THEACEAGENCY.COM), 

purchased the program in 2011. Since 

then, the organization has launched an 

iPhone app and given away a guitar a 

week during its Showcase Series. 

“We’d expect nothing less from this 

ASHLEY ECKENWEILER 

musically-inclined woman who seeks 

to spread the sounds of O.C. around the globe,” states the 

author. Ashley replied, “Elevating what is happening in our 

community will only lead to greater accomplishments.” n 

In the article, Jenn explains, “I love putting students and 

their parents at ease. I tell them there is a school for everyone. 

The best school is really the one that is the best fit for the 

student, not the school that happens to have the big name. 

There are over 3,000 colleges in the United States, so there 

truly is a school for everyone.” 

Jenn Curtis was on campus in March and met with 

Director of Alumni, Leslie Brockman, and the Directors of 

Lower and Upper School, Kristin Rowe and Meera Ratnesar. 

It had been 15 years since Jenn had seen the school, and 

she thoroughly enjoyed checking out all of her former 

classrooms and connecting with former teachers, such as 

Mrs. Keturakis and Mr. Gapp, who also happens to be her 

neighbor. n 

ALUMNI ATHLETES 

JOHN HERING, FOUNDER AND CEO, LOOKOUT 

John Hering (’97), founder and CEO 

at Lookout, was featured in an article 

in CNN Money this past January. 

The article, titled “Under 40: Ones to 

Watch,” names “the hottest young 

stars in business across the globe.” 

JOHN HERING 

John is commended for growing 

his market from 100,000 users 18 

months ago to 12 million now. Lookout offers a mobile security 

application to the consumer, has partnerships with three of 

the top four wireless carriers, and has raised $75 million in 

funding, while its staff has increased from 10 to almost 100. 

The magazine continues, “These stars are innovators, disrupters, 

and job creators, and it’s a pretty safe bet that you’re 

going to be working for them someday...if you aren’t already.” 

Congratulations, John! We wish you continued success. n 

FUTUREWISE CONSULTING 

JENNIFER CURTIS (LEFT) 

AND CASEY EMERY (RIGHT) 

OF FUTUREWISE 

CONSULTING 

Alumna Jennifer Bowie Curtis (‘97), 

was featured in an article in the Newport 

Beach Independent newspaper on 

March 11, 2012, written by our own Cindy 

Trane Christeson (‘69 and current HDS 

grandparent). 

Jennifer Curtis and Casey Emery 

(wife of alumnus Chase Emery, also ‘97) 

are co-owners and consultants of Future- 

Wise Consulting (FUTUREWISECONSULTING.COM), 

which offers programs over and above 

the traditional college consulting businesses. 

Their mission is to empower 

students and accelerate success. 

PHOTO CREDIT: CDM 

PHOTO CREDIT: DAILY PILOT 

ALLYSON BRAHS 

MOORHEAD AND 

DAVENPORT 

KELSEY HUMPHREYS 

Ally Brahs (’08), has signed a national 

letter of intent to the University of Washington 

to play soccer. Ally was recently 

named “Girls Scholar Athlete of the 

Week” (OCVARISTY.COM). With a GPA of 4.20, 

Ally has been an exemplary student and 

community ambassador. She is a National 

Merit Scholar commended Student and 

a member of both the National Honor 

Society and the California Scholastic Federation, 

along with volunteering for the 

National Charity League and the Constitutional 

Rights Foundation. Ally is the Sea 

Kings’ team captain and has also played 

on the lacrosse team and runs on the track 

and field team. n 

Signing national letters of intent to be on 

the men’s golf teams were alumni John 

Davenport, Columbia University, and 

Michael Moorhead, USC. Both John and 

Michael are current seniors at Corona del 

Mar High School and alumni (’08). 

Others from that same Harbor Day 

class to sign are Jack Gorab, Brown University 

(soccer) and Sarah Cox, Stanford 

University (soccer). n 

In volleyball, Kelsey Humphreys (‘09), 

was named to be on the “Daily Pilot 

Volleyball Dream Team” and earned All- 

CIF Southern Section Division I-A honors. 

Sage High School freshman Halland 

McKenna (‘11), received All-CIF Southern 

Section recognition for helping her girls’ 

volleyball team qualify for section championship 

matches. n

MEMORIES THAT STICK - Harbor Day School

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