Class Notes

Winter 2022

"It was great meeting Janet Paskin '94 at a Bloomberg staff party one night amid the high-rises in Hong Kong. It was a classic case of 'Oh, I'm from Seattle, too. Small world. What school did you go to? University Prep? Me too! Even smaller world!' I've now been with Bloomberg Television 18-plus years, based in Hong Kong and Beijing over that time span. I'm the chief North Asia TV correspondent covering the business, finance, and politics of China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Interesting times indeed! There's no question that University Prep seeded me with the curiosity and wanderlust needed for this job."

Summer 2022

"After seventeen-plus years of living in Northeast Seattle (close to UPrep), my wife and I headed south the Chehalis, Washington, where we both work remotely. In January 2022, I started working for Callan Advertising, a Burbank-based agency that works with Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures, among many other theatrical/streaming companies. I'm still in contact with fellow class of '90 members: Ray Larson, Matt Roach, Andrew Blackwell, and Ryan Rogers. When we meet up, it's not uncommon for us to randomly sing a tune from one of the many spring musicals we were involved in."

Summer 2022

"Ara and I are back on campus! We're thrilled that our daughter, Alea, will be the next generation of Pumas in our family, starting 6th grade this fall. Congrats, Alea! We can't wait to see how you make your own UPrep experience."

Winter 2022

"I moved to Hong Kong with my partner, Jen, and our three kids (Saul, age 10, and Dahlia and Eliza, age 6) at the end of 2019. It was almost 18 months before my employer, Bloomberg News, had a proper office party. That's where I learned that Stephen Engle '84 and I both went to UPrep—what a small world. You can read my work on www.bloomberg.com/authors."

Summer 2022

"This year I earned a promotion to lead policy analyst at the Bank of England. For those who might not know, the Bank of England is the UK's equivalent of a combination of the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission. It sets interest rates to control inflation and regulates banks and insurance companies to make sure the financial system keeps functioning, so we all can go about our daily lives. In my new role, I help make rules for financial firms to help stop major financial crises (like what happened in 2008) from happening. I recently had the chance to join a parade in London (known as the Lord Mayor's Show), representing the bank. I wore what they call "the Pinks," which is the traditional uniform of Bank of England stewards. I didn't always appreciate it, but, in hindsight, I'm so grateful to UPrep for providing the foundation that led me to the job I love, which is also one of public service. I never could have guessed I would end up here!"

Winter 2022

"With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting upheaval in the airline industry (not to mention my wife carrying and delivering our third child in the midst of a pandemic), I decided to take an extended military leave of absence from United Airlines to finish up my active-duty military service. I spent the past year and a half flying and instructing on RQ-4 Global Hawks at Beale Air Force Base, California. I recently took a three-year tour of duty for the California Air National Guard, working on manpower and operational planning for domestic operations (wildfires, COVID-19 response, food bank support, and supply chain issues). It is very satisfying to see military personnel and processes being used to make life better for people in California."

Winter 2022

"While working at architecture firms in Seattle and Bellevue, I wrote and illustrated a quirky book about a pet goldfish, entitled Punter Facts (www.punterfacts.com)."

Summer 2022

"Earlier this year, my husband Mark, our three-year-old son, Danny, and I moved to Boulder County, Colorado. After a rocky start that included an emergency evacuation due to wildfires, we are settling into our new home. I recently joined the Dawson School as their new director of development and have enjoyed getting to know my new community. We're enjoying exploring a new state and taking weekend trips."

Winter 2022

"I am still living in Seattle. I recently opened a yoga studio with my husband. It's called Take Care (www.takecare.yoga) and it's located in the Old Spaghetti Factory building in Belltown. It has been such a joy to start a business in the city where I grew up, in a building I have always know and loved that is now a city landmark. Seattle has changed so much over the years, but the folks that own small businesses still have just as much heart (if not more) now as they did before. I am thankful to be here and would love to welcome all Pumas to come through and say hello. Y'all are always welcome."

Winter 2022

"After eight years in New Mexico, my partner, Jon, and I moved back to the Seattle area in November 2020. While in New Mexico, I attended the University of New Mexico School of Law, where I focused on Indian law, and then I practiced as a public defender and later in children's law for the state of New Mexico and several Tribes. However, I missed my family and the ocean during the hot desert days, and I am happy to be back in the Northwest. Since moving home, I have gotten to spend time with those I love and whom I missed so much while away. I now work for a national law firm and assist Indian Tribes across the country in court and economic development. I hope everyone in the UPrep community has a wonderful year filled with light, warmth, and love."

Winter 2022

"Hi, UPrep community! After graduating college and spending a few years working in the physical therapy industry, I moved to Walla Walla, Washington, to start my private personal training business. Along the way, I met my husband of two years and I celebrated my seventh full year in business in August of 2021. I run a successful studio as a strength and conditioning coach and corrective exercise specialist, with a focus on rehabilitation, chronic pain, and sports performance enhancement. I have spent my free time working to mentor individuals looking to expand into the physical therapy, exercise, and general sport science industry. I would love to help and offer to mentor anyone from the UPrep community who may be considering going in this direction. Just reach out! Sending this as a thank-you to all the wonderful teachers who invested in me and brought me to where I am today. I am so grateful for my high school education and experiences."

Winter 2022

"I finally finished school forever (probably)! I graduated in May 2021 from the University of Michigan Medical School with my MD and started my residency in anesthesia at UC Irvine in July. I'm grateful for all the support from family and friends along the way!"

Winter 2022

"After earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the UW in 2019 (with fellow UPrep alumnae Bekah Strong '01 and Lauren Rotkis '06—small world!), I started working as a palliative care nurse practitioner at Valley Medical Center in Renton. Prior to and throughout the pandemic, my team had the privilege of walking alongside patients with serious illness, with the goal of promoting quality of life, alleviating symptoms, and planning for the future. While it has been an incredible honor to support hospitalized patients and their families these past few years, I transitioned to EvergreenHealth Hospice Care in December, where I help care for people at home in their final weeks and months of life. In other news, my husband, Ed, and I recently celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary and are incredibly privileged to be settling into our first home in Edmonds."

Summer 2022

"After moving to Sydney, Australia, five years ago, I've done exactly what my mom always feared: met a boy and decided to stay for good! My fiance, Erick, and I are getting married in December 2022, and I'm grateful that Alyssa Vaughan '09 will make the trip to be a bridesmaid. In the meantime, we are busy settling into domestic life and I am making the transition from a consulting career to in-house strategy for a new challenger bank here in Sydney. If you're ever in Australia, please reach out to catch up or get some recommendations!" 

Winter 2022

"My wonderful wife, Brittany, and I got married on Camano Island on August 14! We had a small ceremony with a few close friends and family. I can't wait to take Brittany to more alumni events in the future!"

Winter 2022

"I am the artistic director of Threshold Theater, an emerging theater company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a mission to produce fresh LGBTQ works (www.thresholdtheatermpls.com). Recently, I have been involved in shows with the Twin Cities Horror Festival and HUGE Theater."

Summer 2022

"I just published my book, Spirits of Sarana. It is a young adult fantasy novel dealing with toxic masculinity and communication. I've been working on it for the past three years and I'm very excited to now share it. The e-book, paperback, and audiobook are now available at most major retailers. More information on the book can be found on my website: www.wordsofafeatherpress.com. Please check it out if you have a chance!"

Summer 2022

"In February 2022, I joined the Seattle Sounders FC for the 2022 season, with team options for 2023 and 2024. In my time at UPrep, I played for the Pumas in 2014, 2015, and 2016—earning league MVP in both my sophomore and junior seasons. In my senior year, I played for the Sounders Academy. I also attended University of Michigan, where I was awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year during my senior season. After graduating from college, I was drafted by the Chicago Fire FC in 2021 and moved to Seattle through the College Protected Period Priority."

Summer 2022

"I graduated from Rice University in the spring of 2022 with a bachelor of music in bassoon performance, and I was fortunate enough to win the audition for bassoon and contrabassoon with the Seattle Symphony! I agreed to audition in January 2022, thanks to the encouragement and generosity of my high school teacher, Francine Peterson, to whom I was first introduced by UPrep Music Teacher Thane Lewis. I am thrilled to start full time with the symphony in September, and I hope to reconnect with many of my former classmates and teachers upon my return to Seattle."

Winter 2022

"I have recently released the novel The Loves of Our Lives with the publisher New Degree Press. This is my first published book, and it is available to purchase on Amazon."

Summer 2022

"In early February 2022, I accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, having spent one year at Dickinson College. I thoroughly enjoyed my year at Dickinson, but I'm super excited to be starting my four years at West Point. This summer, I will begin Cadet Basic Training, or Beast, as it is known. Additionally, a week after receiving my appointment, I self-published my first novel, Kings and Generals, which is now available on Amazon. While attending West Point may limit my ability to write for a while, I fully intend to continue the hobby and publish more books. Overall, these past few months have been eventful, and I look forward to what the future holds."

Winter 2022

"So far during my gap year, I've been to a lot of new places and met a lot of cool people. I went to Central America for 70 days this fall, exploring Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama with a group of other students like me and two awesome instructors. Some of the activities we did included learning how to scuba dive (I saw a hammerhead shark!), surfing, and working on a farm in the mountains. We also released hundreds of baby sea turtles into the ocean! I feel very lucky that I was able to do this amazing trip, and I look forward to exploring more of the world."