Class Notes

All Alumni

On September 15, 2022, Seattle-based alumni and former faculty/staff gathered for an evening of Torrey connection and camaraderie at the Torreys in Seattle regional event at the Seattle Tennis Club, co-hosted by Sally Peters Davidson '68.

On October 13, 2022, Boston-based alumni met up for pizza with Geordie Mitchell, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement.

On October 21, 2022, alumni and former faculty/staff in the New York City area joined us for our Torreys in New York regional event at the Yale Club, co-hosted by Harry Nam '84.

On November 25 and 26, 2022, alumni and their families returned to campus for our annual Alumni Games— flag football, lacrosse, soccer and baseball.

On January 29, 2023, New York City-area alumni and former faculty/staff gathered at Porchlight for our second Torreys in New York regional event.

On February 24, 2023, six remarkable alumni returned to campus for the annual Career Day, where they shared their career paths at Upper School Assembly and held breakout sessions with the senior class.

On April 18, 2023, LJCDS Legacy Families (alumni who have returned to LJCDS as current parents and their families) gathered together for the Legacy Family Dinner— a special evening in celebration of their multi-generational commitment to LJCDS.

From August 25-27, 2023, alumni returned to campus in droves for the annual Alumni Weekend— the highest-attended Alumni Weekend ever!

Festivities included the Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception (celebrating the contributions and dedication of four remarkable individuals in the LJCDS community), Class Reunions for the Classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2013, the Alumni Pickleball Game, and the Alumni Family Picnic.

On September 14, 2023, Los Angeles-based alumni and former faculty/staff gathered at The Art Room for an evening of connection, camaraderie and learning about exciting updates at LJCDS from Head of School Gary Krahn.

Classes of 2023-2014

The Class of 2023 made their class gift to the school as they were welcomed into the alumni community at the Senior Giving Day Breakfast on May 10, 2023. Thanks to the generosity of the Goldman Family, the Gooding Family and the Stickney Family, each gift made by a member of the class was matched dollar-for-dollar. We thank the Class of 2023 for carrying on this tradition of philanthropy!

On January 6, 2023, 10 fantastic alumni from the Class of 2019 returned to campus for the annual Collegiate Alumni Panel, where they shared their college experiences and advice with the senior class as the Class of 2023 prepared to embark on their own college journeys. Panelists were Kai Acol, Wynton Bastian, Madison Held, Dakota Hernandez, Skyler Kelley-Duval, Nina Khosla, Isabel Miralles, Ruhi Parikh, Alex Steigerwald and Rachel Weiss. We thank them for making this year’s panel a wonderful experience for our students as they prepared to embark on their own college journeys!

On January 4, 2023, young alumni gathered together at the Crack Shack Encinitas for an evening of food, fun and connection hosted by the Recent Graduates Committee of the LJCDS Alumni Council.

On December 23, 2022, the Class of 2017 celebrated their 5-Year Reunion at Ballast Point Miramar. Current and former LJCDS faculty/staff joined them for the festivities!

Bradley Couch '16
As a recent college graduate, I’m back in San Diego and have started my career in Commercial Real Estate Brokerage. I help local landlords and businesses achieve a high level of confidence in the sale, lease, and management of commercial property.

Paulina Perez-Curiel ’14 married Victor Campos on May 9, 2021.

Classes of 2013-2009

Stacey Shanken Palonsky ’13 married Eric Palonsky on May 22, 2022.

Tommy Edman ’13 married Kristen Masako Edman on November 23, 2019.

Isabel Hagood Wigley '12 married Mark Wigley on September 3, 2022.

Andrea Fatima Vargas Torres Suárez ’11 married Marc Celso Villasenor Suárez on July 7, 2020.

Joelle Juarez ’11

Feels like just yesterday we were goofing around in Ms. Stewart's English Class, going to Tara's after parties, and cheering on the boys at the football games. I'm fortunate to have been part of such a fun and loving group. Class of 2011 will all always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for showing me the true meaning of family.

Brook Mehregany ’11

After leaving LJCDS I went to an accelerated six-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

Shayla Dinwiddie Griffard ’11 married Taylor Griffard on July 7, 2018 in Oceanside, California.

Montell Allen ’10 and wife Kelsi Allen welcomed son Montell Andre Allen III on July 22, 2020.

Adam Saven ’08 and Bianca Bianchi Saven ’10 got married on September 15, 2019, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.

Miles Himmel '10 and Kristin Hill '13 got married on August 15, 2020.

Vinny Pujji ’10 married Alexandra Jewett on August 21, 2021.

Catherine Race Remley ’10 married Luke Remley ’10 on August 10, 2019.

Jodi Morris Rycyzyn ’10 married Michael Rycyzyn on August 7, 2021.

Jihoon Yoon ’09 is engaged to Lauren Gelgur. They plan for a 2021 wedding.

Classes of 2008-2004

Melanie Kaplan ’08 married Anthony Grimaldo on April 16, 2023.

Christian Malécot ’08 and wife Abigail Malécot welcomed son Jean-Luc Malécot on July 16, 2021.

Samantha Schlossberg Campbell ’08 and Zachary Campbell ’08 welcomed son Aaron James Campbell on March 8, 2020.

Lizzie Ellison Staresnick ’08 married Kevin Staresnick on July 28, 2018 in Fallbrook, California.

Missy Ackley '08 is engaged to Jesse Meyer. They plan for an October 2019 wedding.

Maya Babla Appiah ’07 and husband Ashwin Appiah welcomed son Reyan Chandra Appiah on December 27, 2020.

Michael Saleh '06

I became a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California on June 25, 2020 and I’m pursuing a career in Sport and Performance Psychology!

Alexandra Berenter ’06 and husband Aaron Newton welcomed son Thomas Scott Newton on February 8, 2022.

Kirsten Dorr Hurst ’06 and husband Jeffrey Hurst welcomed son Ryan Melink Hurst on May 23, 2022. He joins brother James Dorr Hurst (2).

Jacquelynn Vanderlip Holly ’06 and husband Geoff Holly welcomed daughter Adelynn “Addie” Layne on October 8, 2021. She joins brothers Colten (9) and Hendrix (6) and sister Savannah Grace (4).

John Noerenberg ’06 and wife Cara Noerenberg welcomed daughter Haylee Marie Noerenberg on August 8, 2021. She joins brother Brayden (2).

Kirsten Dorr Hurst ’06 and husband Jeffrey Hurst welcomed son James Dorr Hurst on May 23, 2020.

Sam Morris ’06 is engaged to Kaitlyn May. They plan for a June 2021 wedding.

Andrea Walker ’06 and husband Allen Morris welcomed daughter Scout Walker Morris on February 12, 2020.

Austin Lyman ’06 and wife Elizabeth Lyman welcomed son Wyatt Stephen Lyman on July 18, 2019. He joins older brother Bradford Lyman.

John Noerenberg ’06 and wife Cara Noerenberg welcomed son Brayden Scott Noerenberg on February 16, 2019.

Kate Wright ’06 married Harry Fisher on October 21, 2018, in San Diego, California.

Shelley Pressman ’06 married Daniel Himes on October 6, 2018 in Cooperstown, New York.

Sarah Kaslow '05
Bringing Torrey pride to the frontlines of the COVID pandemic in Brooklyn, New York: Sheila Blumberg (left, married to Michael Blumberg, Class of 1999), a Vascular Surgeon, and Sarah Kaslow (right, Class of 2005), a General Surgery resident, taking care of COVID patients at NYU-Brooklyn.

Nicole Fenton Wilson ’05 and Evan Wilson ’05 welcomed son Noah Gordon Wilson on July 9, 2020.

Vignesh Raman ’05

Since high school, I spent two years in the Singapore Armed Forces, graduated summa cum laude from U.C. San Diego with a degree in biochemistry and cell biology, spent two years working as a cell biologist in Singapore, graduated with a medical degree from Dartmouth College, and am now a junior resident in general surgery at Duke, with the goal of becoming an academic cardiothoracic surgeon.

Favorite LJCDS Memory:

Hiking Angels Landing in Zion, an experience I can look upon with amusement only in retrospect.

Sergio Martinez ’05

Sergio E. Martinez just left the military after 6 years of service. He and his wife, Amanda, moved to northern Virginia.

Jennifer Campbell-Brooks ’04 and husband Levi Brooks welcomed son Munro Martin Brooks on August 5, 2020.

Alexa Zigarmi Talbot ’04 and husband Ryan Talbot welcomed daughter Susannah Talbot on February 7, 2019.

Stefanie Lenz Kreamer '04 and husband Jonathan Kreamer welcomed daughter Bethany Jubilee Kreamer on November 26, 2017. She joins older brother Theophilus (Theo), age 3.

Impressively, at the age of 24 days old she traveled with us from Florida where we currently live to San Diego and even made an appearance at LJCDS. Big brother Theo started preschool, Jonathan is an economics professor at Florida State University, and Stefanie is a rural family medicine physician in Gadsden County, FL.

Indya Talbot Yuill ’04 and husband Braden Yuill welcomed son Jett Brady Yuill on September 27, 2019.

Michael Hirshman ’04 married Denise Ajiri on December 8, 2019.

Classes of 2003-1999

Porschia Talbot ’03 and wife Dawn Marie Talbot welcomed daughter Hendriks Ray Talbot on August 12, 2022. She joins sister Harlow (3).

Amanda Gooding Weingarten '03 and husband Jason Weingarten welcomed son Trevor Nathan Weingarten on January 3, 2019.

Jennie Ellison Chong '03 and husband Alex Chong welcomed daughter, Taylor Rae, on November 15, 2016.

Porschia Talbot ’03 and wife Dawn Marie Talbot welcomed daughter Harlow Grey Talbot on October 19, 2019.

Natalie Brand ’02 and husband Kristopher Ensley welcomed son Chance Gerald Ensley on December 23, 2022.

Natalie Brand '02 became a Washington, DC- based correspondent for CBS News' Newspath.
Favorite LJCDS Memory: Mr. Fayman's journalism class and yearbook.

Maiya Chard-Yaron ’02

For the past five years, I have been living in Washington, D.C. and working at Maryland Hillel, serving the University of Maryland, College Park. In June, I will begin a new role as executive director of Texas Hillel in Austin.

Ali Brooks McCracken ’02 and Casey McCracken ’02 welcomed daughter, Lilah James, on August 30, 2016. Lilah joins big sister Madison (3).

Joely Pritzker ’03 and husband Jacob Gelfand ’02 welcomed son Solomon on June 12, 2016.

Jessica Laun Shaw ’01 and husband Cullen Shaw welcomed son Julian Harris Shaw on June 1, 2019. He joins older brother Solomon Connor Shaw, born Jan 25, 2016 (age 3).

Jorian Polis Schutz ’01

After a few years studying Torah in Jerusalem I bought a farm (literally) in Central Virginia, where I have been collaborating on a regenerative agriculture project that dovetails with aspects of Jewish learning and culture. For instance, I designed and published a circular Jewish calendar called Misaviv (www.circlecalendar.com) and this will be our third year in production, with thirteen different artists each year. As a writer, I am beginning work on a graphic novel, while finishing a book of essays on Yosef and the Jewish holidays. I am also collaborating on a number of other instigatory projects including a quarterly intensive study program in Brooklyn and a music fellowship. I have been an avid practitioner of yoga since 2007, and I underwent a teacher training in 2012.

Diego Rovira ’00 and wife Jamie Rovira welcomed son Brayden Luca Rovira on June 27, 2021. He joins older sister Rylee (4).

Keith Jones '00
Dylan (named after Bob Dylan) turned 1 year old. His big sister Ella (named after Ella Fitzgerald) loves dancing and listening to music with her mom Megan and her dad Keith.

Favorite LJCDS Memory:
Being a Country Day lifer.

Keith Jones ’00

Continue to be hands-on servant leader running my family business Ace Parking. Daughter Ella GrAce Jones (3), son Dylan Thomas Malin Jones (1) and wife Megan are the light of my life. Being an active and positive member of our San Diego community remains a core value for my family and business.

Lindsay Kroener ’00 and husband Danny Kurz ’00 welcomed son Ben on April 21, 2019. He joins older sister Emma (4).

Julie Landa Keryc ’99 and husband Todd Keryc welcomed daughter Madison Paige Keryc on August 31, 2022. She joins brother Matthew (7).

Classes of 1998-1994

Christian Navarro '97 and wife Sarah Owens Navarro welcomed their first son Gavin James Navarro on May 24, 2023, in New York City.

Christian Navarro ’97

After living and working in advertising in San Francisco for well over 14 years, I decided to move to New York City. I took a job as the associate director of brand at Spotify: somehow magically combining my line of work with my passion for music.

Niki Castle-Kay ’96 and wife Tricia Castle-Kay welcomed son Kai Castle-Kay on March 8, 2017.

James Garfield ’96

I am living in Clairemont and working as a writer/researcher at Integrated Marketing Systems in Pacific Beach.

Kelley Friedgen ’95

My husband Kyle, our son Alexander, and I welcomed our second son Knox to our family on July 25, 2017. Weighing in at 10 pounds and 4.5 ounces, Knox announced his presence with authority. We were lucky enough to have help on hand in the form of my mom and former LJCDS Biology teacher Gloria Friedgen, my father Ralph, and my sister Katie. All are doing well and we are loving every minute with our two boys!

Brian Jones ’94

Love you guys and gals. If you’re in San Diego let’s connect. I miss you and look forward to seeing you!

Classes of 1993-1983

Stephanie Weiss '92
In June 2019, I released my first solo CD, "Sacred & Profane: Duo au courant Performs Song Cycles of Daron Hagen" with my pianist/duo partner, Christina Wright-Ivanova, on the Albany Records label. https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Profane-Courant-Performs-Cycles/dp/B07R9J2HGD

Lisa Liguori ’92 married David Calvo on May 4, 2019 in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Seth Dosick '91 married Kristine Ruzylo on October 30, 2021.

Laura Drogin Lee ’86

My husband, Bruce, and I have been living in Chicago for 24 years and have raised our 3 children here. Julianna, 22, just graduated from Villanova University. Genevieve, 19, will be a sophomore at Loyola University of Maryland and Chirstopher, 16, will be a junior at Loyola Academy. We love traveling and spending time at our lake cottage in Wisconsin. If you are ever in Chicago, please let me know!

Classes of 1982-1972

Sonia Ahn ’81

It's been many years since I've seen anyone from my class. I would love to hear news of different paths people have taken; my path has certainly taken many unexpected turns. I am currently living in Australia with my husband and son, and our dog, of course. Our class was small and there were more than a few colorful characters. It would be nice to touch base and see what you all have been up to! Pass on your email and telephone number. Wishing you all well.

Favorite LJCDS Memory:

Graham crackers and milk!

Robert (Konrad) Moore '80

Hi, would love to hear from classmates. Life flashes so quickly. Best Regards, Robert (Konrad) Moore

Susan Fletcher Baldwin ’76

Aloha Class of 1976,

My life has been full of wonderful adventure since our days at Country Day. I'm happily married, living in Maui and helping run my husband's ranch, Piiholo Ranch. Missed the last reunion by a few days but hope to attend another in the future. Hope life has been good to you all.

Favorite LJCDS Memory:

My favorite memories were the great teachers I had over the six years I attended LJCDS. Our graduating class was under thirty students so individual classes were small in size. So, you were able to get to know your teachers better. A couple who stand out are Mr. Schultz and Mr. Goodell. Mr. Schultz taught middle school French. He was always helping me hide from Mr. Jones, the Middle School Headmaster, when I didn't have the proper uniform on. Kids always loved to hang around his class to talk with him as he genuinely took interest in them. Mr. Goodell, our art teacher, was one of a kind and inspired creativity. I appreciate him to this day.

Lisa Renshaw ’76

I proudly flew from LAX to March for Science on April 22 in Washington, D.C.! Even though I would never have considered myself a political activist (until this year at least), my education at LJCDS taught me that we cannot deny knowledge and science or stop fighting ignorance and greed. Hit me up if you want a copy of my "Patriotic Pussyhat" pattern!

Bonnie Hough '75

Bonnie Hough, principal managing attorney at the Judicial Council's Center for Families, Children and the Courts, was honored with the California Lawyers Association Lifetime Achievement Award on October 11, 2019. The award honors the most distinguished long-term achievements and sustained substantial contributions to the substance or practice of family law in California.

Geary Sheridan '73
Still happily single. Favorite LJCDS Memory - Senior class yearbook photo :) "A picture is worth a thousand words." Looking forward to attending class of '73 50th graduation reunion 🌷 Hare Kṛṣṇa 🌷

Craig Chase '72
Purchased an awesome original painting from my friend Lee MacLeod of Santa Fe NM. We were both graduates in 1972. So cool to reconnect after all these years!

Classes of 1971-1964

Lee Lambert ’68
In the process of releasing my next book (More Amazing Stories of Divine Inspiration. It will be available by December 20, 2022. You can contact my publisher Xulon Press to get it.

Sally Peters Davidson '68
My husband Tim and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in late February, 2021. Three "kids" and three grandkids now; all live in Seattle area. We are blessed. We love to travel and recently spent time in Vietnam and Thailand, also Mexico. The world is such a beautiful place... Love staying in touch with some of my 1968 classmates, and loved our 50th reunion a few years ago.

Lee Lambert ’68

Favorite LJCDS Memory: Friendships I formed with students (back then) from my class and others. I also enjoyed friendly relationships with many of the teachers from my high school years. From what I know there are still three former teachers from that time period who are still alive. They include: Bud Macatee (Alaska), Dick Springs (Idaho) and John Fahey (Los Angeles).

I became a grandfather for the first time last April (2019) when my daughter and her husband who live near Santa Cruz, CA had their first son. I am working on my third book, entitled "More Amazing Stories of Divine Intervention", a follow up to my 2nd book "16 Amazing Stories of Divine Intervention" (Xulon Press). For contact and more information, go to www.JamesLLambert.com.

Sally Davidson ’68

Such fond memories of "early LJCDS" when it was scattered in buildings in downtown La Jolla, beginning with site of the John Cole's bookstore, and assorted buildings near the Village Pet Shop. Those were the days! We'd walk to the Community Center for recess. Now, there's a gorgeous and impressive campus near UTC. Wow. I still stay in touch with a few of my 1968 classmates and look forward to our 50th reunion in 2018. Hope many return.

Steve Harvey ’67

Graduated from Stanford 1971, MA in Creative Arts Therapy, Lone Mountain College, 1978, PhD professional/school psychology, University of Denver, 1981, private child/family psychology in Colorado Springs 1984-1995. Child Psychologist with the US Army/Navy in Germany and Italy 1995-2003, Consultant Psychologist with National Health Care service in New Zealand 2003-2016, School Psychologist, DoDEA-Andersen AFB currently. Married with two wonder children-now young men. Living around the world has actually been a very interesting life. My wife Connor and I are now teaching some in China and scuba diving here in the Pacific. I keep being challenged by working among so many different cultures, especially those who are indigenous.

Favorite LJCDS Memory:

There were plenty of memories from then, actually. One that stands out now was my being a part of the football team my senior year. We a good football season then, winning several games. I remember being joyous when we won and so devastated when we lost our final game, and sharing this so openly with my mates and coaches. It really became a model for me really investing myself in something and then going with whatever happened before the world became so complex. I also had such a good relationship with a few teachers who really cared about what I was doing; this encouragement helped me believe more in myself.

Bill Booth Jr. ’66

My wife, Diana, and I live in Vista on a hill which provides us great views, cooling ocean breezes, and sunny days. With our Golden Retriever, Beebo, we have managed a desert type landscape project while keeping ourselves busy with stimulating travel to Mexico, Canada, and the Philippines. Initially after retirement in 2008, I moved to the garden island of Kauai, developing a tropical palm estate but health issues and missed family connections ultimately brought me back to La Jolla in 2019. Life is well lived here in Vista and Diana and I maintain a healthy lifestyle with daily Beebo walks all over the North County of San Diego.

Hal Beecher ’66

I went to what I hoped would be a 50th reunion last fall, but I was the only person from '66, so I had dinner downtown with my son, Julian, who lives in San Diego and operates an oil platform off Huntington Beach (commutes by helicopter). His roommate, Michael Hartfield, was in Rio in the summer as a member of the USA team, long-jumper. We watched him qualify in July in Eugene. In May, I received Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Program first Lifetime Achievement Award. I am continuing to publish on the relationship between fish populations and quantity of water in streams and lakes. For the Instream Flow Council (www.instreamflowcouncil.org), I am heading the program committee for FLOW 2018, an international conference on water management to be held in late April 2018 in Fort Collins, CO.

Click here to read more from Hal.

Class of 2016 Milk Break

Alumni Thanksgiving Event

Class of 2011 5-Year Reunion

Class of 2016 Milk Break

Andy Altman and Grounds Manager Lee Sawyer

Decade Reunions 2016

Corey Meyerson, Krista Liskevych Mason and Kelli Davis Pease,10-Year Reunion

Decade Reunions 2016

Decade Reunions 2016

Class of 2011 5-Year Reunion

Homecoming Tailgate

Career Day 2017

Decade Reunions 2016

Alumni Baltimore Reunion

Decade Reunions 2016

Alumni Thanksgiving Event

Legacy Family Dinner

Decade Reunions 2016

Decade Reunions 2016

Career Day 2016

Alumni Baltimore Reunion

Legacy Family Dinner

7Y9A9992

Alumni Thanksgiving Event

Class of 2011 Reunion

Class Notes

All Alumni

Classes of 2023-2014

Classes of 2013-2009

Classes of 2008-2004

Classes of 2003-1999

Classes of 1998-1994

Classes of 1993-1983

Classes of 1982-1972

Classes of 1971-1964

La Jolla Country Day School

Country Day Connection Newsletter

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