Na Mea HouThe latest news from Parker School

August-September 2014

Welcome Back to School!Aloha, Parker School Families!

Here we are at the start of a new school year, and I hope you share my excitement in looking forward to the adventures that we’re going to have over the next nine months. We’ve had a very successful admissions season, so there will be lots of new faces around campus. I’m especially looking forward to getting to know our kindergartners, the only class that is 100% new. Kumu Jackie and the rest of the lower school are sure to make them feel right at home, and they are sure to have an action-packed year. At the

other end of the age spectrum, I’m eager to watch the seniors settle into their new role as the leaders of the upper school. What with painting and decorating the senior lounge, planning the upper school campout events, and stepping aboard the college application roller coaster, it will be a very active first month for them. Fortunately, this group is packed with ability, so I’m sure they’ll handle it with style and ease.

I’ve been thinking this summer about what it is that makes Parker School students different from those of other schools across the country. I believe that a lot of it has to do with the unusual degree to which they are heavily involved in a wide variety of activities. Our graduating seniors tend to have a lot of entries on their resumes, bringing together areas as diverse as academics, the arts, athletics, debate, community service and leadership. It makes them great candidates for college, but more importantly it makes them very well-rounded human beings. So why is it that our kids are so ready to jump into new experiences? Partly, it’s because a small school like ours needs lots of participation if we are to put together so many teams, acting companies, school clubs, etc., and there is a sense that they will be needed if they sign on. More importantly, however, Parker students are a gutsy bunch, unusually willing to take the risk to engage in new opportunities and challenges. What really helps this along is that our collective community is strongly supportive of each of its members. Where would our middle/upper school talent show be without the enthusiastically positive reception from the student body? Would our lower school students be quite so willing to put everything they’ve got into the holiday concert if they weren’t certain that their performance would be eagerly appreciated by their schoolmates and families? And would we continue to have a succession of young vocalists bravely standing forth on stage to sing solos in our musicals if they weren’t certain that their audience was rooting for them with every note? The thing I love most about this school is the way in which everyone embraces the notion that success is very much a group endeavor. We celebrate the individual triumphs of others, and we know that everyone else will be cheering when it comes to be our turn in the spotlight. What a great school!

Aloha,

Carl SturgesHeadmaster

Our MissionAt Parker School, every student is known, valued and nurtured. Our small-school setting and dynamic program foster confident, compassionate individuals who are thoroughly prepared for college, who enthusiastically engage in life and who positively contribute to an ever-changingglobal community.

Stay informed by checking the Parker School website regularly at www.parkerschoolhawaii.org.

Na Mea Hou is published August through June by the Advancement Office of Parker School.

Advancement Director:Jennifer Richardson

Communications/ Marketing Specialist:Katie Callender

Advancement Associate:Renee Brighter

Graphic Design/Web Specialist:Amicheli Salyer

Please e-mail articles, photos, class notes or event notices to to advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org. News about students and submissions from students are especially welcome.

Help Parker School Go Green! If you receive a hard copy of the newsletter, ask to receive Na Mea Hou by e-mail only. Notify us at advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org.

Na Mea Hou

On behalf of the Parker School Board of Directors, welcome to another great year at Parker School.

This is an exciting time to be part of Parker School as we continue to build on our leadership in academic

excellence strongly anchored in our sense of ‘ohana. Nothing exemplifies this spirit more than the first alumnus to sit on the Board of Directors, Ethan Tweedie, passing along to future graduates the solid foundation and academic momentum he received.

We are also entering a time of growth. From the iPad Initiative, a full-time college counselor ( Joanie Brotman), successes in advancement, the increase in enrollment, to our U.S. Presidential Scholars, National Merit Scholar Finalists, the award winning debate team, and the expansion in athletics as well as the arts, Parker School is embracing the challenge of maximizing the potential of the whole student.

These are just samples of the recent successes of Parker School. So much more has been accomplished and so much more is to come. The dedicated faculty, staff and board look forward to the opportunity to join and guide the students in the coming year and the future.

A Word From the Board Chair John Richards Three of Parker School’s top debaters participated in the

National Forensic League National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas June 15-20. Junior Carrie Hiller and seniors Jaren Ashcraft and Luke Potter qualified for the Nationals at the state level tournament on O‘ahu in April (when Hiller was a sophomore and Ashcraft and Potter juniors).

Though these students did not end up placing at the Nationals, they all greatly enjoyed the experience. Ashcraft and Potter were invited to stay on, and did stay, after they completed their Public Forum Debate rounds, to judge the middle school debate national competition. Hiller, who competed in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, opted to stay and participate in the optional Extemporaneous Debate competition. This competition allowed only 30 minutes to prepare for rounds, and though it was not a formal part of the national tournament, Hiller advanced through several rounds.Hiller said, “The National Championship of Lincoln-Douglas demonstrated the dedication, talent, and variety of debate styles of kids across the country, but Extemporaneous Debate, which I did after I moved out of Lincoln-Douglas, was far more fun. With only 30 minutes of preparation and unexpected topics, it was equal-opportunity and fairly informal. I’d recommend it for future Nationals contestants.”

“Nationals was an experience unlike any other,” said Ashcraft. “We debated the best of the best and laughed about our rounds with friends from all over the country. We hope to return next year and compete with all of the great people we met this year.”Ashcraft’s father, Tim Ashcraft, accompanied his son on the trip. He said being at Nationals was a “great experience” and that it’s “nice to know that Parker Students can compete with anyone in the country!”

The Parker debate team has begun preparing for its first multi-school tournament of the year, which will take place this fall.

Parker Debate Students Compete at Nationals

From L to R: Parker students Luke Potter, Carrie Hiller and Jaren Ashcraft on a break during the National Forensic League National Tournament in Kansas June 15-20.

The final round of the National Forensic League National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas.

August-September 2014

From Advancement Director Jennifer Richardson

Aloha, Parker School families! I am pleased to announce that thanks to your support, we raised nearly $95,000 for the 2013-2014 Park-er School Annual Fund! The Annual Fund is Parker School’s primary fundraising initiative and directly benefits our students during the academic year. As with most independent schools, tuition at Parker School does not cov-

er the total expense of educating our students. Your donation has been put to immediate use in our classrooms, to maintain our beau-tiful campus, and to fund various programs such as debate, sports, and visual and performing arts.

Again this year, we are asking members of our community—par-ents, grandparents, alumni, faculty, staff, board members, and friends—to contribute as generously as possible to the 2014-2015 Annual Fund. While major gifts are essential to our school’s eco-nomic strength, gifts of all sizes make a difference, and every con-tribution is important. 100% participation at all levels will increase Parker School’s ability to uphold our high academic standards, meet the needs of students and teachers, and maintain our beauti-ful learning environments.

In addition to the Annual Fund this past year, we are proud to have raised $100,000 for other important improvements such as a new school-wide software information system, high-tech Vernier equip-ment for the science department, as well as funds for student schol-arships. Our big fundraising events—the Kahiau auction and our golf tournament—combined, raised $233,000 for financial aid.

Parker School is grateful for the generous and loyal support of our families and extended community. Please help to inspire and en-courage others by giving or pledging early. On behalf of all of us at Parker, we appreciate your partnership and look forward to another terrific year supporting the people and programs that help make Parker School truly wonderful!

Exciting things to watch for this school year: • The continued rollout of the new Parker School brand.

You will see our new logo and look appear on logo wear and other merchandise items, communications materials, signage and other materials as they become available, plus a brand-new website and admissions materials will make their appearance later in the fall.

• Fairways & Friends Golf Tournament: November 8, 2014.

• Kahiau, our annual auction gala: March 7, 2015.

THANK YOU!

PARKER SCHOOL THANKS YOU

for your support of the

2013-2014 Parker School

Annual Fund!

Thanks to you, our ‘ohana, we raised nearly $95,000!

As we gear up for our 2014-2015 Annual Fund

campaign, we look forward to your

continued support.

Mahalo!

Na Mea Hou

2014 Parker School graduate Lysha Matsunobu attended the U.S. Presidential Scholars Recognition Program June 22-25 in Washington, D.C. She is one of two students from Hawaii selected as U.S. Presidential Scholars.

U.S. Presidential Scholar awards are based on academic achievements, transcripts, school evaluations, leadership skills, personal essays and community service. Application for the program is by invitation only and more than 3,000 high school seniors are invited to apply each year. The 141 national finalists are selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964, and it has honored more than 6,500 of the nation’s top-performing students since its inception.

“Finally visiting Washington D.C. was the most anticipated part of my summer,” said Matsunobu. “The Recognition Program was the incredible culmination of high school and I was so delighted that my former AP U.S. History teacher, Mrs. Sturges, the one who taught me all about the rich history of the capital, was also able to attend the Medallion Ceremony with me.”

Matsunobu listed the highlights of the Recognition Program as: seeing the national monuments, meeting First Lady Michelle Obama; visiting the White House; being honored at the Medallion Ceremony and being presented with her U.S. Presidential Scholar Medallion by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; listening to an inspiring speaker series by a distinguished selection of men and women of Congress; enjoying the U.S. Presidential Arts Scholars’ performance at the Kennedy Center; and discussing the importance of civil duty in democracy with other scholars.

Matsunobu said, “There was an exciting undercurrent of optimism and energy that easily sparked conversations such as the one which I sat down to during lunch at the Capitol. While we dined, three other scholars and I openly debated the aspects of nuclear and solar power as sustainable energy sources of the future. Never have I had the privilege of that

sort of spontaneous conversation before. Every scholar had their list of achievements yet everyone I met was gracious and friendly and easy to talk to.”

Matsunobu, the daughter of Miriam and Neal Matsunobu of Kona, was also a 2014 National Merit Finalist. As a student at Parker, she was a Richard Smart Scholar, earned the Yale Book Award, was an AP Scholar with Distinction, and earned the National Forensics League Degree of Distinction for her accomplishments on the debate team. She was a member of the Parker School Investment Club, National Honor Society President, Lincoln-Douglas Debate Captain, and class of 2014 valedictorian. Matsunobu has also been recognized

for her science accomplishments—she attended the Summer Science Program (SSP) in Santa Barbara in 2013. SSP is

“one of the oldest and most successful summer enrichment programs for academically gifted high school students.” She was one of only 72 out of 742 national and international applicants accepted to attend. She was also a presenter at the Galaxy Forum in Waimea last November.

In 2010, Parker student Mary Kamitaki was selected as a U.S Presidential Scholar Program semifinalist and last year, Parker student Paul Gregg was named one of the two 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars from Hawaii.

Recalling more about the Recognition Program, Matsunobu said, “Shedding a reverential tear when the First Lady entered the room, walking down cobblestone streets, receiving a wickedly awesome medallion, and sharing laughs during the talent show at the end of the program are all going to be memories I’ll cherish,” Matsunobu said. “But more than that, the people I got to meet and talk to were the best and most valuable part of my experience and in turn, I’d be remiss not to thank the teachers, friends, and family who helped make that experience possible for me. I may need a while to fully realize the gift that is the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, but I can most assuredly say the trip was an absolute treat. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to end senior year.”

US Presidential Scholar Matsunobu Attends Washington Ceremony

U.S. Presidential Scholar Lysha Matsunobu with Parker School English and history teacher Ruth Sturges

in Washingon D.C. after the Medallion Ceremony.

August-September 2014

Parker School Announces 2013-2014

Third Trimester Headmaster’s List

and Honor Roll

Congratulations to the students who made the Headmaster’s List and Honor Roll during the third trimester of the 2013-2014 school year. Students on the Headmaster’s List earned GPAs of 3.75 or higher. Honor Roll students earned GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Headmaster’s List-Upper SchoolJaren Ashcraft, Breanna Bellatti, Sarah Bellatti, Seraphim Benoist, Shanelle Bolner, Larissa Bolstad-Urquhart, Tawny Bright, Jamie Burns, Dashiell Cotton, Malia Davis, Sophie Dommer, Eric Fetsch, Kevin Grace, Savannah Harriman-Pote, Carolyn Hiller, Marie Jobes, Darien Jones, Erika Kasberg, Kosuke Kume, Kyra Matsuda, Lysha Matsunobu, Anna McFarland, Marlo Mundon, Grant Nair, Maddison Nelson, Kyley Nishimura, Luke Potter, Harmo-ny Ring, Coco Romano Giordano, Mia Scibelli, Maia Tarnas, Skye Waipa

Honor Roll-Upper SchoolShelby Alligood, Salina Andreas, Matthew Bal, Kenneth Bond, Sean Dunnington, Julia Ebert, Zachary Gooding, Madyson Harper, Julia Lee, Sivan Najita, Maria Navarro, Mackenzie Nelson, Aolani Peiper, Keala Prietto, Isabella Robertson, Christina Sharpe, Kathleen Smith, Zoe Somerville, Olha Sosyak, Nohili Thompson, Ryan Touchet, Joshua Yost, Zoe Zivalic

Headmaster’s List-Middle SchoolJadyn Ashcraft, Jaipal Brar, Hali’a Buchal, Hunter Bugado, Lucy Callender, Ryanne Doherty, Anna Gaglione, Malaya Hill, Kirk Hubbard, IV, Shen MacKenzie, Owen Matsuda, Craig McFarland, Alissa Mullin, Sara Mundon, Noelani Murray, Audrey Louise Nixon, Masen Note, Kellen Sakaitani, Shanti Scarpetta-Lee, Hiroki Soler, ZoeVann, JordanVedelli, Zane Willman, Severin Wold, Tierney Wold

Honor Roll-Middle SchoolMeira Bonnici, Tage Boyette, Conner Brown, Gracelyn Jardine, Sophia Kaufmann, Lee Weiser

ANNUAL FALL

Parker School ‘Ohana:Join us for our

Friday, September 55:00 p.m.

Parker Upper School Campus

All Parker School families invited!Bouncy house, cake walk,fun for kids of all ages...

The school would appreciate volunteers to help with this event. Contact Emily Pagliaro for more information: email

epagliaro@parkerschoolhawaii.org or call 808-885-7933 ext. 7107

A great way to meet faculty, staff, administrators, students and families!

BBQ

Na Mea Hou

College Counselor Joanie Brotman’s Summer Adventures

Parker’s college counselor Joanie Brotman did some important work for the school’s college counseling program over the summer. She attended the Best of Boston Tour, a brand-new fly-in program for college counselors. This year approximately 80 counselors from some of the top college preparatory schools in the nation gathered in Boston to get an in-depth look at Tufts University, Northeastern University and Boston University. After the Best of Boston tour, Brotman got to visit Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brown University, Yale University, Wesleyan University, Connecticut College and the five-college consortium (Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Hampshire College) with veteran college counselor Ralph Figueroa, who is the central figure in the bestselling book The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College by Jacques Steinberg.

Brotman next spent an additional ten days participating in the College Horizons program, which was held at Dartmouth College this year. College Horizons is an organization dedicated to increasing the number of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students succeeding in college and graduate programs. Founded in 1998, they have been committed, through admissions and financial aid workshops, to serving Native students on the path to higher education. College counselors and college admissions officers from throughout the country worked intensively with 100 native students, guiding and mentoring them through every aspect of the college admissions process.

Brotman said, “It is so rewarding to know that these 100 students will go to college, that they really have a shot.” A huge benefit of the program is that the kids and their mentors grow very close and maintain a network that continues long after. She said that the kids can reach out to any of the college or admissions counselors any time during the process and that it is so helpful for them “that they have a whole network of people that understand them and can help them.”

Brotman helped to coordinate College Horizons being hosted here on the Big Island last summer. Three Parker students so far have participated in the program. Darnee Brighter and Nohili Thompson took part last year and are heading off this year to Oregon State University and Cornell University, respectively. Aolani Peiper participated in this summer’s program and now has a huge support network and important skills to help her as she begins her college admissions process this fall. Joanie with Ralph Figueroa at MIT.

Joanie with a College Horizons group at Dartmouth College.

August-September 2014

When you check out at KTA, simply say you would like your points to go to Parker School, code #46. The more points we receive, the more cash we will receive from KTA’s Kokua i Na Kula program (KTA will distribute $100,000 among Hawai’i Island Schools). You can also win points by donating cans of food for The Food Basket, discarded mylar for Recycle Hawai’i, and/or pet supplies for the Hawai’i Island Humane Society. Please visit www.ktasuperstores.com for more information.

SHOP KTA, EARN POINTS FOR PARKER

Give Aloha is an annual program through which Foodland directs its charitable giving to the organizations that are important to its customers. All Hawaii 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to participate each year. During September, Maika‘i customers are invited to make a donation of up to $249 (per person, per organization) at checkout to their favorite non-profit organization registered in Give Aloha. Foodland matches a portion of each donation. This year, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match each donation up to a total of $300,000 for all organizations combined. Since the program began in 1999, a total of more than $21 million has been raised for the community. We hope you will designate Parker School as the charitable organization of your choice. Use your Maika‘i Card and mention Parker School, code #78172, at checkout. Visit http://www.foodland.com/our-community/give-aloha for more information.

Take Advantage of Foodland’s Give Aloha

Matching Gift for Parker!

Na Mea Hou

Check Out Waimea Town Market!Waimea Town Market at Parker School began in 2008 with just eight vendors. The brainchild of Dr. Paul Johnston, parent of Parker alumnus McCrae Johnston ‘11, the market now bustles with over 30 vendors offering a wide variety of high-quality products. Set on the lawn just behind and to the side of the historic Parker School Theatre, the market has become a wonderful community gathering place on Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Located right in the middle of town, with Mauna Kea as a backdrop, it is regularly enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Johnston, a physician-turned-farmer who moved to Hawai‘i in 1999 and started Kekela Farms in Waimea 12 years ago, first proposed the idea for the market to Parker School leaders in 2008. He said, “My son McCrae was a student at Parker at the time we started the market. He was loving his experience there, and I had a deep appreciation for all the school was doing for him.” Johnston also understood that 2008 was “a tough year for many private schools…. So when the idea of a potentially profitable enterprise was hatched, one that also needed some commercial space, Parker, with its center-of-town location, came immediately to mind: here was a way to help this terrific school, and at the same time create something of value for the community.”

Initially, Johnston estimated that the market could bring in $20,000-$22,000 per year for the school. Just last year, it brought in $33,000! Since its inception, the market has brought in over $140,000 for Parker (by the end of this year it will be nearly $160,000).

Waimea Town Market also runs and/or pays to support a number of events free to the community throughout the year such as: taiko drummers as part the Cherry Blossom Festival; Fourth of July events and contests; Bubble Day; flash mobs; HA!man cello concert; Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival (HPAF); St. Patrick’s Day party and fiddlers; Halloween dog costume contest and vendor booth decoration contest; Art Market before Christmas; and a giant pumpkin contest (in cooperation with the 4-H Junior Master Gardeners program and Kohala Center). The market also hosted an event for the American Heart Association. The money for these events does not come from vendor rent, but from a small monthly vendor fee that goes directly into a promotions fund. This fund has also contributed some to past Parker capital campaigns.

The market is also very supportive of other community non-profits as well as of local elected officials. Free booths are given to organizations such as Hospice, Girl Scouts, HPAF, and Kahilu Theatre to promote their causes and events. Once per quarter, elected officials are given the opportunity to set up a booth and meet and visit with constituents. Candidate talk-stories along with voter registration booths have also been featured at the market.

It is important to note that the Waimea Town Market is completely run by volunteers. The volunteers donate their time and effort for the benefit of Parker School. The market is also unique in that, because the vendors’ rent is passed through to Parker School, there is a direct link between supporting the vendors and supporting the school. There are many markets out there now, and vendors have a choice of where they will set up and sell. Therefore, when the Parker ‘ohana supports the Waimea Town Market vendors, it encourages the vendors

to remain, which, in turn, directly benefits Parker School.

Headmaster Carl Sturges expressed gratitude for how much the market has done for Parker financially and for how it has generated more awareness about the school. He said, “The farmers’ market has exceeded our expectations. It is a friendly, classy operation

under Paul Johnston’s guidance and gets a lot of people onto campus to see what Parker School is all about. A number of farmers’ market customers have told me that they had no idea that our facility was so extensive until they had visited the market on Saturday morning.”

Johnston said, “My appreciation for Parker School continues, even though McCrae has graduated and now attends college. And I guess you could say the market has become so much a part of me now that I can’t envision not continuing with it.”

“I would also like to thank Doc (Dr. Sturges), and Jonathan Vedelli (school business manager) for their positive attitude about the market, and their willingness to support it,” said Johnston. “And I’d especially like to mention Eric Sills (school maintenance director), who has been an invaluable ally, coming in early to turn on electricity, set up tents for some of our nonprofits, and being there when we needed him for special events. I just love being on the same team with these folks, and I’m delighted to be a distant cousin of the Parker ‘ohana!”

Market goer Whitney Demorest purchases fresh spinach from Kekela Farms’ Paul Johnston (market founder/coordinator) and Betsy Sanderson.

August-September 2014

Summer Fun at Parker

Parker School’s summer programs came to a successful close in July. This year the school added two new programs. In addition to the popular summer camp for ages 5-12, enrichment courses for ages 11-17 and Challenger Sports’ British Soccer Camp for ages 3-14 were offered. In the Parker Summer Camp, the young campers enjoyed science, art, drama, athletic activities, and lots of excursions. The older kids had fun in a variety of enrichment courses such as an acting/improv intensive, Chinese Kempo and self-defense, and outdoor survival skills. British soccer coaches spent a week with young soccer enthusiasts during the British Soccer Camp held on Parker’s soccer field. The kids learned everything from technical skills to sportsmanship. Plans for Parker’s 2015 summer programs are already underway.

Na Mea Hou

Parker School is pleased to announce new faculty and staff members beginning this 2014-2015 school year:

Tina Doherty – Middle School HeadLast year, Doherty fulfilled the role of Middle School Coordinator and this year has been appointed Middle School Head. This role is new for Parker and reflects the recent growth of the middle school program, now with two sections in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. She said she is looking forward to continuing the development of Parker

middle school’s rigorous academic program and expanding on the opportunities for experiential learning, community involvement and character development. Doherty, a math and science teacher since 1997, with middle school, high school and community college experience, has worked at Parker since 2006. Originally from New York, she earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from California State University at Northridge and a master’s in education from Pepperdine University. Doherty was an NCAA swimmer in college and has been an age group and high school swim coach. She moved to the Big Island with her husband and two daughters in 2004.

Nicole Vedelli – Athletics DirectorBorn and raised on O‘ahu, Vedelli moved to the Big Island in 1995 to work in the hotel and property management industries. Prior to joining the Parker staff in 2009 and becoming the lower school physical education teacher in 2011, she taught physical education at Waimea Country School. Now, along with directing Parker’s

growing athletics program, Vedelli coaches high school girls cross country and teaches a high school conditioning class. She holds her Bachelor of Science degree in Management from University of Hawai‘i, Manoa and is certified with the American Council on Exercise in Youth Fitness and Sports Conditioning. She and her husband have two children who attend Parker School.

Hayley Blondin – Lower, Middle & Upper School Spanish TeacherBlondin graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Spanish. She also holds a master’s degree in education with a concentration in bilingual education and English as a second language (ESL). Blondin joins Parker after working for

four years as the 2nd/3rd grade multi-age teacher and garden coordinator at Waimea Country School. She expanded her knowledge of Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures while studying in Spain, teaching in Peru and Costa Rica, and traveling in Panama and Bolivia. She also worked as an ESL teacher and program coordinator in Indiana, as a bilingual language arts teacher in Wisconsin, and as a cultural immersion project instructor for Indiana University. Blondin has a keen interest in

sustainability and the outdoors and has completed the Ku ‘Aina Pa Garden Teacher Training and the E Lauhoe Wa‘a Teacher Training.

Tani Cordova – PAU Assistant (Parker After-School University, Parker’s K-5 after-school program)Raised in Washington State, Cordova earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. In 2010 she moved to the Big Island to complete her master’s degree in tropical conservation biology

at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo. She taught dance for several years and loves working with all age groups. While at UH Hilo, she instructed a biology lab before teaching at Hawai`i Preparatory Academy’s (HPA) summer program and as a substitute teacher at HPA during the regular school year.

Christina Culligan – Lower & Middle School Art Teacher, Upper School Yearbook Advisor, Upper School Assistant Debate CoachOriginally from Salt Lake City, Culligan recently moved to the Big Island. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Art Education and Theater Arts Education from the University of Arizona, and completed her

Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. Previously, she worked for five years as a high school visual art, theater and psychology teacher at a private school in Tucson, Arizona and has done extensive work as a muralist and scenic painter. She has also taught visual art and theater at various summer camps and community organizations in Arizona.

Heather Emmons – 4th Grade TeacherEmmons joins Parker after working as a second and third grade teacher at Hualalai Academy in Kona. Previously, she worked as a third grade teacher at Hilo Union Elementary and as a first grade teacher at Iroquois Point Elementary on O‘ahu. She holds her bachelor’s degree in visual arts with an art history minor from Bowdoin

College in Maine and her master’s in education from University of Hawai‘i (UH) with a focus in elementary education. At UH, she was a member of Pi Lambda Theta, the International Honor Society. Raised in Waimea, Emmons has also spent time abroad as an intern at the American School in Japan.

Dr. Matt Hamilton – Upper School Physics & Math TeacherAfter receiving his Ph.D. in physics from Colorado State University (CSU), Dr. Hamilton started working for Parker School in January 2014. Originally from Colorado, he moved to the Big Island in 2011. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees are also from CSU. He has experience

working as a tutor and with various outreach programs.

Announcing New Faculty & Staff...

August-September 2014

Announcing New Board MembersParker School is pleased to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors: Julie Hendricks and Frances Simperman.

Julie Hendricks Born and raised in Waimea, Hendricks graduated from Hawaii Preparatory Academy. While earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, she worked as an intern with Tori Richard, Ltd. in the sales and marketing division. After graduating, she worked in sales at Fee-McClaran, an interior

design showroom in Honolulu, then later as a project manager at the prominent Honolulu interior design firm, Philpotts and Associates. Hendricks then launched a design company that focused on local sourcing of home decor. After nearly a decade on O‘ahu, she and her husband moved back to the Big Island to raise their children, both Parker School students. Hendricks said, “I am honored to serve on the board for Parker School. I feel fortunate to be a Parker parent and grateful for the teachers and staff that make our small school so amazing!”

Frances Simperman Simperman is retired from a long career as owner and operator of Typesetter Corporation, a commercial printing business in Bellevue, Washington. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Cytology, she also worked as the Director of Cytology at Northgate Hospital in Seattle. Holding a bachelor’s degree in special

education from Seattle University as well, she worked as a special education instructor in Seattle area public schools and served as a representative of the Special Education Department of the Board of Education in Renton, Washington. She was a member of Soroptimist International for 20 years, serving as president of the Bellevue chapter for three years. Simperman was nominated to be the Nelly Cushman Business Woman of the Year, her printing business was named one of the Ten Fastest Growing Businesses in the North West for three consecutive years, and it was awarded numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze Printing Awards. Presently, Simperman is a committee member for the Elsie Pauly Corette Scholarship Fund for Carroll College in Helena, Montana and is a board member of the Simperman Foundation in Seattle. Originally from New York, she and her husband divide their time between the Big Island and the Pacific Northwest. She said, “I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Parker School Board and their commitment to excellence in the education and development of the children of the Island of Hawai‘i.”

Sarah Mares – Middle School Math and Science TeacherMares is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis in physiology. Prior to working at Parker, she taught middle and high school science for 11 years in California. She has also worked as an educator for the Long Beach

Aquarium of the Pacific, the Catalina Island Marine Institute, and the City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Aquatic Camp Department.

Seneca Ropp – Lower & Middle School Physical Education TeacherRopp comes to Parker after working as a physical education teacher for several years in Oregon. She has also taught math and language arts at the elementary level and holds her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. Ropp has also coached

middle school track and middle and high school basketball.

Amicheli Salyer – Graphic Artist / Website SpecialistSalyer moved to the Big Island from North Carolina in 2012 and began working at Parker School in May. Originally from Venezuela, then Kentucky, she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Eastern Kentucky University. Salyer has worked as a

graphic designer for over 14 years, with experience in state and local government agencies, retail and the private sector.

Julia O’Shaughnessy – Middle School English TeacherHailing from Bellingham, Washington, O’Shaughnessy moved to the Big Island this summer. She graduated from the University of Iowa with her bachelor’s degree in English with a music minor and secondary education certificate. She completed her practicum and student

teaching in Iowa City in 7th grade language arts and in 11th and 12th grade reading and composition. Since, O’Shaughnessy has worked as a substitute teacher and professional tutor in both Iowa and Washington State.

WELCOME to Parker!

Na Mea Hou

Athletics News by Athletics Director Nicole Vedelli

Aloha and welcome back to school, everyone! I hope this finds you relaxed from the summer but ready to start playing hard this year! It is not too late for student athletes to sign up for fall sports. If you haven’t signed up, just come to practice and bring water and wear appropriate footwear and clothing. The coaches and I want to see you there!

Upper school boys and girls cross country teams meet in front of the main school building for practice Monday through Thursday, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Middle school boys and girls cross country teams meet at the same place Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Lower School Cross Country for 3rd–5th graders will begin practices August 28 with Coach Tiffany Freitas (more information and sign-up sheets have gone out in lower school Friday Folders).

The upper school girls volleyball team practices on Mondays at Thelma Parker Gym from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at New Hope Church from 4:00–6:00 p.m. Middle school co-ed volleyball will begin in September and practices will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays after school. Keep an eye out for the signup sheet that will soon be posted on the Middle School bulletin board.

About our coaches: I’m excited to have Coach Michael Landers back for another year with the upper school girls volleyball team. I’m also thrilled to announce Seneca Ropp as the assistant girls volleyball coach and lower and middle school PE teacher. I will be coaching the high school cross country team along with assistant Coach Buff Winderbaum, who will also be coaching the middle school boys cross country team. Coach Shellie Note-Gressard will be coaching the middle school girls cross country team. All of the coaches are ready to play hard and run, but the most important question is: Are YOU? We will see you at practice!

Also, the PARKER BULLS SOCCER CLUB is looking for any varsity soccer players or any high school students who enjoy working and playing with younger children, to assist the coaches on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Please contact John Polhemus at 896-6867 or email him at pbsc@parkerschoolhawaii.org.

TO ALL STUDENTS: I encourage and challenge you to join a team, even if you haven’t played these sports before. The quote of today’s generation is, “YOLO” or “You only live once,” so I’m asking you to please join a team and experience everything you can to find your passion. I dare you! If you decide not to join a team, then I hope you will be at the games to support your friends and cheer them on. Parker School has the best school spirit and it’s wonderful for our student athletes to feel your support. Please join in the fun!

Mahalo for your support and I look forward to an amazing year with Parker School Athletics. If you have any questions, feel free to email me anytime at nvedelli@parkerschoolhawaii.org.

5th grader Kai Griley had a great and full summer of swimming. He came in 1st place for his age group in both the Hapuna Rough Water Swim and the King’s Swim in Kona. Both are over one-mile-long open ocean events. In July, Griley qualified and made it to the Long Course Meters Swimming State Championships held on O‘ahu. Here he claimed two silver medals in both the 50 and 100-meter butterfly. He just missed a gold medal by a mere half second on the 50 butterfly. His other two medals were in the 50 and 100-meter backstroke, and his relay team earned a bronze in the 200-meter medley relay.

ATHLETICS SCHEDULE

(Subject to change—please check the Parker School website or weekly Web-flash for updates)

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS/GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Saturday, August 30 @ HPA - 10:00 a.m. (2 races)Saturday, September 6 @ Kamehameha - 10:30 a.m. (4 races)Saturday, September 13 @ Waiakea - 10:00 a.m. (2 races)Saturday, September 27 @ HPA – 10:00 a.m. (2 races)Saturday, October 4 @ Kea’au – 3:00 p.m. (2 races)Saturday, October 11 @ Kamehameha – 10:00 a.m. (2 races)Friday, October 24 @ HPA - 2:00 p.m. BIIF Champs - (4 races)Friday, October 31 @ Oahu – 8:30 a.m. HHSAA Champs – (2 races)

GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL Wednesday, August 27 - Kealakehe @ Parker - 6:00 p.m.Saturday, August 30 - Parker @ Pahoa – 10:00 a.m.Tuesday, September 2 - Parker @ Kohala – 6:00 p.m.Saturday, September 6 – Parker @ Kamehameha – 10:00 a.m.Tuesday, September 9 - Makua Lani @ Parker – 6:00 p.m.Friday, September 12 - Parker @ East Pac – 6:00 p.m.Tuesday, September 16 - Parker @ Laupahoehoe – 6:00 p.m.Saturday, September 20 - Parker @ Waiakea – 10:00 a.m.Wednesday, September 24 - Konawaena @ Parker – 6:00 p.m.Friday, September 26 - Hilo @ Parker – 6:00 p.m.Wednesday, October 1 – Parker @ Honokaa – 6:00 p.m.Wednesday, October 8 – Kea’au @ Parker – 6:00 p.m.Friday, October 10 – Parker @ HPA – 6:00 p.m.Monday, October 13 – Play off for ties Hilo @ WaiakeaWednesday October 15 BIIF Playoffs D-II 1st round (at home sites)Friday, October 17 – BIIF DI and DII Semi Finals (at Konawaena)Saturday, October 18 – BIIF DI and DII Finals (at Konawaena)

*Home games noted in red.

KAI GRILEY EARNS MEDALS IN SWIMMING

August-September 2014

Mahalo to our generous sponsors:

12th Annual Golf Tournament at Hualalaibenefiting financial aid

Saturday, November 8, 201412:30 p.m. shotgun start

Registration limited to 72 players, so sign up now!

SCHEDULE OF TOURNAMENT DAY ACTIVITIES

8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Hualalai Spa open (call 808-325-8000 to make your reservations; mention Parker School golf tournament)

11:00 a.m. golf check-in begins

12:30 p.m. golf tournament begins, shotgun start

4:30 p.m. post-tournament reception & awards ceremony (open to golfers and non-golfers; cocktails and heavy pupus sponsored by Four Seasons Resort

Contact the Parker School Advancement Office for more information: email advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org or call 808-885-8709.

Registration form on reverse of this page

PLUS: This year, for non-golfers:

Hualalai Spa Treatments

(offered all day, subject to availability)

a portion of all proceeds go to financial aid at Parker School

PARKER SCHOOL’S

Na Mea Hou

Thank you for supporting Parker School’s Fairways & Friends! All proceeds go to financial aid at Parker School!

Payment Summary

Platinum - $2500 - Includes tee sign and 6 entries (3 teams)Gold - $1750 - Includes tee sign and 4 entries (2 teams)Silver - $1200 - Includes tee sign and 2 entries (1 team)

Bronze - $500 - Includes tee signCopper - $200 - Shared tee sign (maximum three per hole)

Title Sponsor:

Designate a hole preference: 1st choice:___ 2nd choice:___ 3rd choice:___ No preference: ___Please call the Parker School Advancement Office at (808) 885-8709 for more information

Sponsorship Opportunities:

NOTE: THE FORMAT FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT WILL BE A 2-PERSON, SELECT DRIVE, LOW SINGLE NET SCORE

Golf Registration: $250 x ______ (no. in party) = $________

Sponsorship level: ___________________ (Please fill in sponsorship level) = $________

Number of non-golfers attending awards ceremony/cocktail reception: _______ ( x $50 per person) = $________

Additional Donation to Parker School Financial Aid: = $________

Number attending spa: ________ (Reservations and payment to be made through Hualalai Spa 808-325-8000)

TOTAL PAYMENT = $________Method of Payment:

□ Check enclosed, payable to Parker School □ Please charge my credit card (circle one): Visa MasterCard Account No.: _______________________________ Exp. Date: _________ Security Code: ________

Name on Card: ______________________________ Signature: _______________________________ Return completed form to: Parker School Advancement Office, 65-1224 Lindsey Rd., Kamuela, HI 96743

continued from previous page...

Participant Information:Name: ________________________ Phone: ____________Email: ___________________________________________Mailing Address: ___________________________________

I will be bringing the guests listed below:Name: ________________________ Phone: ____________Email: ___________________________________________Mailing Address: ___________________________________ __________________________________

Name: ________________________ Phone: ____________Email: ___________________________________________Mailing Address: ___________________________________ __________________________________

Name: ________________________ Phone: ____________Email: ___________________________________________Mailing Address: ___________________________________ __________________________________

I will participate in: □GolfTournament-Handicap___;Team1or2___ □HualalaiSpaTreatments □AwardsReception

Guest will participate in: □GolfTournament-Handicap___;Team1or2___ □HualalaiSpaTreatments □AwardsReception

□GolfTournament-Handicap___;Team1or2___ □HualalaiSpaTreatments □AwardsReception

□GolfTournament-Handicap___;Team1or2___ □HualalaiSpaTreatments □AwardsReception

(Ifplayingonteam,indicatepreference)

(Ifplayingonteam,indicatepreference)

(Ifplayingonteam,indicatepreference)

(Ifplayingonteam,indicatepreference)

August-September 2014

PTSO News by PTSO President Jude McAnesby

Welcome back to school!

Thanks to all who attended the orientations on August 14. It was a nice opportunity to meet and welcome new families as well as sixth and ninth graders. We hope that everyone has a great start to the school year!

Middle and upper school families: be sure to keep an eye out for information about your grade level family get together, which will take place soon! This is a fun, relaxed way to meet new families and re-connect with friends.

Please join us for our first General Membership Meeting on September 8 at 8:15 a.m. at the upper school. PTSO brings together home and school, sharing ideas and perspectives while helping parents and teachers work together to enhance our children’s education. It’s a great way to meet other parents. Be first to hear about important news and events at school and contribute your energy and ideas to improve the learning experience of all students. We have lots of exciting programs and events this year! We look forward to seeing you there.

Fall Barbeque will take place on September 5. PTSO will host a hospitality table and the wildly popular cake walk. It is a great gathering for all Parker families.

Please contact your 2014-2015 PTSO Board members if you have any questions or want to get involved:

President: Jude McAnesby jmcanesby@gmail.com, 510-220-4737

Vice President: Gena McFarland genamcfarland61@gmail.com, 502-644-2580

Treasurer: Mike Buchal mb@buchal.us, 989-0106

Secretary: Pam Adams tandemadams@yahoo.com, 443-1376

Lower School Representatives: Kendall DiDonato, kendalldido@yahoo.com, 345-5212 TiffanyFreitas, tufftiff14@hotmail.com, 896-2169

Middle School Representatives: Mary Stancill, mary@marystancill.com, 936-3632 Dore Centeio, ashadowland@gmail.com

Upper School Representatives: Geoffrey Mundon, g.mundon2008@gmail.com, 936-7763 Kim Dalton, kim@kjdaltonphoto.com

Student Council News by Student Council Coordinator Jessie Marshall

Aloha from the Parker School Student Council! This year’s officers are: Luke Potter, president; Kosuke Kume, vice president; Sarah Bellatti, secretary; and Shen MacKenzie, treasurer.

At our July retreat we began to plan many upcoming events, including family meetings, pep rallies, Make a Difference Day,

the annual canned food drive, Love Fest, and student dances and game nights. We also brainstormed new ways for our Parker ‘Ohana to have fun, learn about the world, and contribute to our community. We believe this will be a fantastic year, and we’re excited to get started! If you’re an upper school student and want to join us, please consider running for student council representative. And no matter who you are, it’s our goal to make your year at Parker a little bit brighter.

ALUMNI NEWSEmilie Skladzien ‘13 is attending Linfield College in Oregon and announced that she will be photo editor of the Linfield College newspaper next year.

Kieran Najita ’12 traveled to Israel for two weeks this past summer with the organization Birthright Israel. The group explored many parts of the country including Jerusalem and Masada, and they stayed in Bedouin-style tents. Sierra Manker ’11 went on the same trip the previous winter.

Jenna Gerdsen ‘10 graduated from Puget Sound, is doing a summer internship with a theater company and then will be beginning a masters in dramaturgy at Santa Cruz on a full-ride scholarship; she is even getting a living expenses stipend and will be teaching some undergrad classes!

Jenny Sanford ‘09 is a professors’ assistant at Harvard Business School. After graduating from Haverford College in Pennsylvania this year, she spent time working at an exclusive dude ranch.

Maximilian P. Hagen ‘05 is engaged to Matthew R. Judd. A wedding date has not been set, but Maximilian says it will be when gay mar-riage is legal across the United States, probably 2015 or 2016.

Parker English teacher Kiyoshi Najita writes that Maylan Ackerman ‘03 and he recently recorded a song together. Maylan wrote the lyrics and performed the vocals and Mr. Naj played all of the instruments.

Aaron Crabb ‘03 and his wife Amanda are expecting a baby boy in September.

Cassidy Quinn ’06 announced that her sister Winter Quinn ‘02 was accepted to the Richardson School of Law at University of Hawai‘i at Mˉnoa. She will begin at the end of August.

Kalei Gregory ’00 was married in July to Lia Cain at Kalei’s family property in Waimea. Ryder Millar ‘00 was the best man and Rand Castro ‘99, Kahinu Payne ‘99, Lea Rouse ‘01 and Kai Wooder were all the grooms’ attendants. Former Parker teacher Dave Clark flew in from Boston to attend and many other current and past Parker students also attended the special event. Silas Standard ‘00 married Cali Atkinson on the summit of Vail Mountain in Colorado on July 26.

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65-1224 Lindsey RoadKamuela, HI 96743Address Service Requested

DATES TO REMEMBERAugust 28 & 29 Upper/Middle School Camp Out

September 1 Labor Day - NO SCHOOL/OFFICES CLOSED

September 4 Lower School Picture Day

September 5 Fall Barbecue - 5:00 p.m., Upper Campus

September 8 PTSO General Membership Meeting - 8:15 a.m., Upper Campus September 10 Lower School Back to School Night

September 17 Upper/Middle School Back To School Night

September 19 Upper/Middle School Picture Day

October 3 Middle School Unity Day/Upper School Class Retreats

October 9 & 10 All School Parent/Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL

October 13 Discoverers’ Day - NO SCHOOL

October 14-17 Lower School/Grades 7&9 SAT10 Testing

October 15 Grades 10&11 PSAT Testing

October 17-19 & 25-26 Fall Play

October 25 Make a Difference Day (National Day October 26)

For details check the Parker School calendar and announcements at www.parkerschoolhawaii.org

Note: In preparing this publication we diligently try to avoid errors and omissions. Please accept our apologies and notify the Advancement Office if any are discovered.

Happy Birthday Faculty & Staff!August: Hayley Blondin, Christina Culligan, Mindy Higgins, Jessie Marshall, Julia O’Shaughnessy, Heather PolhemusSeptember: Hapi Delenia

Ahualoa Farm Alaska Wild Salmon* Baron von App Wood ArtBeeing Aloha Honey CompanyDownes Grounds Coffee FarmHawaiian B Natural FarmsHawaiian Candyman Hawaiian Homegrown Wool Honomu Jams Ian Lindsey PhotographyIsland Herbal

Island Thyme GourmetJavaloha CoffeeKekela FarmsLittle Paradise Mai Bacon Manowaiopae Homestead Farm‘Ohana PiesParker School Garden* Poppas Orchids Sandwich Isle Bread Si Nuan Thai

Star of Heart MassageSunrise FarmSweet & Savory Treats Tammey’s Tamales Tea Hawai‘iTropical FruitsiclesTrue Hawai‘i Blue Whole Better Woods Catering

* Absent for summer

Waimea Town Market at Parker SchoolSaturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please share exciting Parker student, alumni or employee news with us at advancement@parkerschoolhawaii.org. We cannot guarantee publication, but will

do our best depending on space availability. We do edit submissions. Mahalo!