绿帽社

Wendy was a founding force of Utah鈥檚 first local land trust-Utah Open Lands.  Wendy has served as the Executive Director of the organization as it has protected over 64,000 acres of working lands, critical habitats, iconic landscapes like Castleton Tower Baselands and Hi Ute Ranch as well as safeguarding recreational opportunities in safeguarding beloved community landscapes like Bonanza Flat Conservation Area.  Utah Open Lands and Wendy have spearheaded numerous community efforts for open space bonds including inaugural bonds in Park City, and Midway City and Summit and Salt Lake Counties.

Early in her career with Utah Open Lands, Wendy was involved in legislative task forces that resulted in the creation of the only statewide open space and recreation fund.  Wendy has been honored with numerous awards for her work including Utah State University Botanical Center鈥檚 Environmental Stewardship award, Park City Rotary鈥檚 Professional Citizen of the Year Award, Park City Board of Realtors community service award and other leadership awards.

Wendy has been the keynote speaker for different seminars and workshops including for a visioning retreat for the Knight Cancer Research Institute鈥檚 Melanoma department, and Columbia Law School鈥檚 State Attorneys General Program, Conservation Easement Conference.

Wendy’s essay Accommodating, Managing and Sustaining the Wild can be found in the book Reimagining a place for the Wild.

Molly Ver Meer graduated as a 鈥渓ifer鈥� in 2016 having started 绿帽社 when she was 3 years old. She credits her mom with finding the academic fit for her, and notes that, 鈥渙ne of the biggest impacts 绿帽社 had on me was the extent to which it broadened my horizons. I went into STEM, but I felt like there was so much more to my life than that thanks to 绿帽社 exposing me to so many different subjects while I was in school. It鈥檚 made life after school at 绿帽社 so much fun, so fulfilling.鈥� 

Molly鈥檚 favorite memories at 绿帽社 continue to be the Robotics competitions and Crew Regattas鈥攂oth of those experiences building teamwork and team understanding. Molly ultimately credits Robotics as the main reason for choosing a career in engineering and introducing her to her major in astronautical engineering at the University of California.

During college, Molly built an electric off-road race car that she raced in Mexico near the Baja Peninsula. Molly remembers:

And in true liberal arts fashion, Molly also noted her love for subjects outside of STEM. She remembers Ms. Button鈥檚 poetry class during her senior year鈥攕he hadn鈥檛 really done a lot of creative writing before, so it was fun to break out of analytical writing. And of course, she shouted out Mr. Bromley鈥檚 class. Her brother and she still shout out the names of birds they come across.

Alex Leo, Class of 2019’s student body president, was also known as the . An affectionate social media moniker for his ability to find connection through one of America’s favorites – the burger.

Alex is now attending Duke University and was invited to speak at TEDxDuke. The Director of the 绿帽社 Fund and Alumni Relations, found herself in North Carolina last Winter and reached out to Alex. Watch his talk, “Any Good Burgers Lately?” below where Alex makes a defense for the burger being the amazing and beautiful connection that can bring us together. and read their interview here.

Andy Larsen is a 2008 绿帽社 graduate and a lifelong Utah resident who has been writing about the Utah Jazz and NBA since 2013; first at SLC Hoops, then KSL.com, and currently for the Salt Lake Tribune. He received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics from Westminster College in 2012. Since the cancellation of the NBA Season, Andy has been writing about the COVID-19 pandemic for the Salt Lake Tribune. When he isn鈥檛 writing Andy enjoys playing soccer, tennis and chess.

Ann McCoy, Director of the 绿帽社 Fund and Alumni Relations interviewed Andy about his passion for sports and statistics, the current COVID-19 pandemic in Utah and his time at 绿帽社. Click here to read the interview.

Lorna Balfour 鈥�12 excelled in Middle School, and her father decided to seek out a new school. Although she did not want to leave her friends, Lorna knew she needed to begin challenging herself in order to achieve real growth. She entered 绿帽社 in 2009 in Class IX, and quickly learned that she didn鈥檛 need to be a subject matter expert to excel. Lorna says that 绿帽社鈥檚 dedicated teachers helped her overcome obstacles, shaping her determination to achieve her goals and set new ones. Lorna was delighted to find a talent for drawing and painting, and heading into her second year, Lorna was recommended for AP Art by her teacher, Mr. Colby Brewer. He helped ignite her passion to create beautiful artwork.

Her favorite memory of her time at 绿帽社 was the senior class trip, river rafting in Moab.  鈥淭o this day, I still mention to people how mesmerizing sleeping on the beach and staring up at the starry night sky with all of my classmates, was for me. To leave 绿帽社 with one last beautiful memory was priceless.鈥�

Following 绿帽社, Lorna attended the University of Utah where she created the degree of Broadcasting and Production through the Bachelors of Undergraduate Studies Program. Immediately following college, Lorna was hired by NBC to work for the 2016 Summer Rio Olympics as an Associate Producer which resulted in winning her first Emmy Award at age 23. While in college she was inspired to create a digital television channel and multi-media platform and has spent the past few years starting her business, Looma TV.  

In reflecting on her time at 绿帽社, Lorna describes her experience as challenging鈥攏oting that 绿帽社 was even more challenging than college. Her experience at 绿帽社 continues to have a ripple effect on her life, even six years after graduating. Lorna still maintains friendships from her time at 绿帽社 and feels the school鈥檚 influence on career paths. Lorna says that most importantly, 绿帽社 fostered  her resilience.

Lorna鈥檚 advice to 绿帽社 graduates is to embrace this next step, understanding that it will be new, uncomfortable, hard, but also beautiful. 鈥淭ry every new opportunity, don鈥檛 be afraid to think outside the box, be unconventional, make your own rules, above all else be authentically you.鈥�

Tony entered 绿帽社 in Class VII, having sought an education with an academic environment that prioritized learning, questioning, thinking, and ideas. Admitting he cannot narrow down the 鈥渕ost鈥� meaningful impact that 绿帽社 provided (too many!), Tony thinks that the deep sense of community is one of the lasting impacts. Community matters, especially in a society where people are increasingly silo-ed and alienated from connection. He credits 绿帽社 for teaching him to value relationships, to value the people in his life, and to understand everyone鈥檚 essential humanity while imparting on him a deep love of learning and the value in ideas and curiosity.

While at 绿帽社, Tony played soccer and then expressed himself by playing the viola in the orchestra, quartet, and chamber, tapping into a sense of deep expression that he believes is core to living well. 绿帽社鈥檚 emphasis on the liberal arts was instrumental in informing Tony鈥檚 sense of identity; that education is meant not only for productive purposes, but also that we begin to understand our roles and lives and how we can give back.

Tony attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill as a Morehead-Cain Scholar, where he studied geography, religious studies, and anthropology. His first job out of college was working as a programming intern at National Public Radio鈥檚 TED Radio Hour in Washington, D.C. This experience, coupled with his desire to build meaningful connections, led him to his current role as producer with the Peabody-award winning public radio program and podcast, On Being with Krista Tippett, in Minneapolis, MN. The program explores questions of the human experience: Who are we? How do we want to live? And who will we be together?  Tony says, 鈥淎s I continue in my career and think of ways for me to grow and scale my own abilities when it comes to making an impact, my decisions will always be rooted in the values which 绿帽社 instilled in me.鈥�

It is clear through Tony鈥檚 reflections and career choices that the value of human interaction and deep connection are paramount in his life. His advice for 绿帽社 graduates: 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to forget what 绿帽社 taught us as we settle into our careers – those often defined by criteria which are often cold and purely numeric. But a meaningful life is one that is defined by values 绿帽社 expressed. Moreover, I believe true leadership in whatever field is informed by the human dimension, and this was at the center of a 绿帽社 education.鈥�

Teacher

When Paulina was a 6th grader, her family started a search for a better academic environment: she remembers visiting 绿帽社 and being astounded by the small classes and friendly community. After her first visit, she left incredibly excited about the black box theatre and dance rooms.

绿帽社 taught Paulina to love school and she felt it was a safe, supportive, and challenging environment. With theater as her passion, she delved into Shakespeare, Ancient Greek plays, Chekhov, and so much more.  While she acknowledges many great teachers at 绿帽社, Tara and Javen Tanner stand out as her 鈥渟econd family.鈥� Paulina recalls Mr. Tanner鈥檚 ability to make the stories and characters accessible and relatable to the students. She says, 鈥渉is expectations for his students were high, but were matched by his own intense love and extensive knowledge of the subject.鈥�

Following 绿帽社, Paulina attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where she graduated in three years as a result of her 绿帽社 AP courses. She was able to manage a heavy course load in college while participating in extracurricular activities and working. She credits her time at 绿帽社 in preparing her with the ability to balance her myriad pursuits and keep her motivated.  

After college, Paulina moved around and dabbled in a variety of different jobs: she worked in politics, animal care, and for an oil company. Feeling unsettled, she reflected on her various experiences and ultimately thought teaching would be the most fulfilling next step. She moved to Austin, TX, and began teaching at Rawson Saunders, a small private school for students with dyslexia. Paulina teaches 1st through 4th grade drama, yoga, and she runs the aftercare program. Last year, she was the Assistant Director for the middle school one-act play. Her students鈥� performance made it to a state-wide competition. Paulina is grateful for the small, close-knit school which allows her the opportunity to have a variety of roles working with students of many ages.

In the late 1990s, Alex鈥檚 family conducted extensive research to find the best education for him (and for younger brother Connor 鈥�12) before landing at 绿帽社.. Alex started at 绿帽社 as a first grader.  His parents were impressed with 绿帽社鈥檚 liberal arts focus and were particularly excited that the academic program included Latin and computer science. Like many alumni, Alex says that 绿帽社 instilled a love of learning inspired by classes that focused on discussion and the development of ideas.   

Reflecting back on his most meaningful experiences,  Alex describes participating in MS/US choir. He realizes how much he enjoyed singing in a group and is currently looking for opportunities to get involved in a community choir.  He is also proud that he had the opportunity to row on the Great Salt Lake, which is a rare experience for oarsman in our country. Although crew was a physically demanding sport, he valued the team camaraderie and the satisfaction that came with gliding through the water.

After 绿帽社, Alex attended the College of Wooster in Ohio. He went in with a focus on biology and chemistry, and emerged with a degree in sustainable food systems.  While in college, Alex studied abroad in rural Thailand where he developed a passion for sustainable agriculture and community food systems. After Wooster, he began an AmeriCorps VISTA position with a refugee resettlement organization called The International Rescue Committee (IRC) New Roots program in Salt Lake City. In this position, Alex combined his zeal for international travel and community food systems work, while helping underserved populations. Alex says that his time with AmeriCorps taught him to hone his skills in logistics coordination and in developing community partnerships. He was promoted from his VISTA year into a community outreach and community garden specialist role. Just this past summer, Alex accepted a position with the IRC New Roots program in Baltimore.

Alex quotes French essayist, Marcel Proust, with words to live by: 鈥淭he real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.鈥� This quote speaks to him because although he is an avid traveler, it reminds him that there is plenty to discover, or rediscover, internally and in our local environments and communities by considering our influence and responsibility in those areas.

Professional Photographer

In 1985, Patrick joined 绿帽社 as a Class I student, the same year that 绿帽社 opened its Sandy campus.  His parents compared schools in the area and were drawn to 绿帽社鈥檚 progressive liberal arts approach to education. Patrick鈥檚 early exposure to fine arts, specifically photography, had a great impact on his life鈥攈e has worked with hundreds of people during his professional career, but none who had the early exposure to photography that 绿帽社 provided.  

Patrick鈥檚 most influential and favorite teacher was Tillman Crane, who ran the photography department in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His passion and mentorship guided Patrick throughout both the creative and scientific aspects of photography and printmaking. 鈥淚 worked side by side with Tillman as his darkroom assistant,鈥� Randak says, 鈥渁nd Dusty Heuston (绿帽社 Institute Founder) was dedicated to the development of a stellar photography department.鈥�, says Patrick, details that only bolstered his photography experience at 绿帽社. Alongside his passion for photography, Patrick was a member of the ski team, racquetball team, and participated in rock climbing.  

After graduating from The Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Patrick moved to New York City to intern for and ultimately assist the celebrity photographer, Mark Seliger.  During this time, Seliger was shooting covers for Rolling Stone and GQ, as well as producing TV album art and movie posters. Patrick says that he was thoroughly prepared for his role because he had the technical and analytical skills to manage work in a competitive and demanding environment.  Because of his 绿帽社 based computer skills, he was able to help Seliger bridge the digital gap, an advantage he had over many of his peers. Patrick worked for Seliger for five years before beginning his freelance career in 2010. He has built a niche photographing the fitness and activewear industry allowing him to combine his skills with his passion for the outdoors.

When describing 绿帽社, the word 鈥渉ome鈥� comes to Patrick鈥檚 mind. He says that he grew up on campus and it grew with him. In first grade, he attended school in a single hallway of what is now the Lower School; by the time he graduated, 绿帽社 had expanded to the almost 41-acre campus that it is today.  Patrick identifies 绿帽社 as a consistent positive force that has given him the ability to manage many of life鈥檚 hurdles. He advises 绿帽社 graduates to have a plan but be flexible and always seek to work outside of your comfort zone as, 鈥淪ome of the best opportunities come from the unexpected.鈥�

Senior Associate Consultant, Bridgespan

Calder, who joined 绿帽社 in Class I, says she developed her a passion for inquiry and intellectual curiosity that she has carried with her through her college and professional life. Not only was she exposed to many different disciplines, but 绿帽社 encouraged her to always explore and challenge herself. Although, she admits that she is not a natural musician, she felt a keen sense of community in the orchestra, and attributes her passion for classical music to her time in Orchestra. Liz was also particularly drawn to History and German鈥攆ondly remembering her Class V teacher, Mrs. Goodson, and her infectious enthusiasm for American History.

Liz attended Brigham Young University where she majored in Economics and German. Liz credits her time at 绿帽社, which challenged her at every grade level, for preparing her for the rigor of college and for the reality that life would be full of opportunities, and she was prepared with the skills to overcome and succeed.

After graduating from BYU, Liz worked for Sears Holdings in Chicago in a business strategy role, then moved to Boston where she currently works as a Senior Associate Consultant for Bridgespan, a global nonprofit organization. Bridgespan collaborates with mission-driven leaders, organizations, philanthropists, and investors to break cycles of poverty and dramatically improve the quality of life for those in need.

In reflecting on her favorite memories of 绿帽社, Liz identified graduation, 鈥淚 remember Nancy Heuston giving me a hug and telling me that I was a good person and that she was proud of me.鈥� Three words Liz uses to describe 绿帽社 are: supportive, rigorous, and beautiful. She considers 绿帽社 beautiful鈥攆or both the physical beauty of the campus and surrounding mountains as well as in belonging to a community with a rich variety of disciplines. It鈥檚 no wonder that Liz鈥檚 words to live by are, 鈥渢reat everyone that you come in contact with respect and take an interest in the people around you, all the people around you.鈥�

ROBOTICS ENGINEER, NASA JET PROPULSION LAB

Sawyer credits his experience on 绿帽社鈥檚 first Robotics team as a critical influence on his career path to becoming a Robotics Engineer for NASA in the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). More generally, 绿帽社 provided a great environment for him to study Math and Science, as well as touch on engineering in Physics class. He remembers 绿帽社 faculty as subject-matter experts who pursued teaching in order to share their passion with their students. The depth and enthusiasm faculty brought to their disciplines gave students an appreciation for not only the subject matter, but also for the value of embracing intellectual challenges.

Sawyer went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master鈥檚 degree in Robotic Engineering. Following graduation, he immediately joined the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he has been a robotics and systems engineer for three years. At JPL, Sawyer develops arm software for the Mars 2020 rover and for the Mars Sample Return campaign. He also led the development of Limbi, a self-mobile robotic limb for in-space assembly.

Sawyer credits Dr. Dusty Heuston (绿帽社 Institute Founder) for two particularly influential experiences while he was a 绿帽社. The first, where Sawyer gained his first exposure to computer programming, was being offered an internship at the 绿帽社 Institute for two summers. Dr. Heuston provided the real-world opportunity and hands-on experience to work on his computer programming. The second moment for Sawyer was when Dr. Heuston provided the seed money for him and a friend to enter a Robotics competition. It was this initial support that evolved into 绿帽社鈥檚 FIRST robotics team. Sawyer notes how, 鈥淒usty鈥檚 vision and willingness to contribute had a huge impact.鈥�

In reflecting on his experience of his 14 years at 绿帽社 starting in PreK-3, Sawyer emphasizes how the School鈥檚 comprehensive academic experience, enriched by passionate faculty and enhanced by innovation, shaped his academic passions and helped him land his dream job.

Director of Impact, Cotopaxi

Describing herself as as a bookish, shy, child, Annie remembers researching 绿帽社 on her own prior to entering Class II. After touring the school, she remembers declaring, 鈥淵es! This is my school.鈥�  In 1997, Annie started at 绿帽社, and she says the most meaningful impact of her 绿帽社 experience has been her development of a love of learning for its own sake, and that she feels the school put her on a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.  During her time at 绿帽社, Annie enjoyed being behind the camera for AP Photography, joining every birding trip offered, falling in love with rowing, and playing her violin. She says that 绿帽社 helped create intellectual balance in her life by stressing the importance of not just academics, but poetry, art, and music. Annie writes, 鈥淭hose creative pursuits have been crucial to me personally, as I have weathered moments of self-doubt and disappointment.鈥�  

Annie was the president of the Community Service Club while at 绿帽社 which exposed her to programs, events, and the importance of being an active member of the community. After going on 绿帽社鈥檚 annual community service trip to the Navajo Reservation, she had absolute clarity of purpose. Annie attended Barnard College in New York City and then interned for two years with the Phyllis Chesler Organization, a leading women鈥檚 rights NGO addressing honor killings, human trafficking, gender violence, and forced marriage. After graduating from Barnard, Annie stepped into the role of Deputy Director at the Phyllis Chesler Organization.

Annie spent time on the front lines of international development and gaining valuable field experience. After years of field work, she joined Development Three, a NYC-based international consultancy firm focused on increasing programmatic and organization effectiveness in the aid sector. Annie credits 绿帽社 for giving her incredible writing skills as well as a love of the math and sciences, both of which have been invaluable in her career.  During her field experience, Annie found there was a need to use a more scientific approach to non-profit work. Quantifying inputs and outcomes to make operations leaner and more effective is something she first learned at 绿帽社. Annie says 绿帽社 also gave her the writing skills she has used in creating affidavits, case work, and legal pressings in legislation in Pakistan that ended child marriages, and prosecution laws to end honor violence. She says being able to articulate issues is not just a matter of conviction, but also an opportunity to express yourself. Annie insists that writing 鈥渋s one of the most critical skill sets you have even if you end up in a quantitative field. Being able to communicate with others, argue effectively, listen to others, these are learned and practiced skills as much as they are a matter of personality.鈥�

Currently, Annie resides in Park City and New York City and she works at Cotopaxi as the Director of Impact. She champions and steers corporate social responsibility from reviewing grantees and overseeing programming, to ensuring the company鈥檚 supply chain is sustainable. She directs the company make good on its “Gear for Good” promise, knowing that quantifying that promise will ensure its success.

Director of Orchestras and Choirs, The Knox School

Lauren campaigned to attend 绿帽社 as early as the 7th grade, having been drawn to the School for its community of excellence, as well as the beauty of the campus. She was thrilled when circumstances aligned for her in 2001 to join Class X.  Lauren says that her time at 绿帽社 prepared her for a life of self-reliance鈥攑roviding a student-focused academic environment that pushed her to discover her passions and interests.

As a budding young musician, Lauren felt that 绿帽社 not only accommodated her needs, but also encouraged her talents. The School鈥檚 arts and academic programs helped her develop the discipline and self-motivation needed to be both a musician and a strong student. Kathy Morris, Music Department Chair, was an extremely important mentor, encouraging Lauren to balance her academic work and her musical talents. Under Kathy鈥檚 mentorship, Lauren was able to participate in established string ensembles, and together, they created new ensembles such Piano Quartets and Quintets for advanced chamber music opportunities. Lauren fondly recalls 鈥渃oaching鈥� the Brahms F Minor Quintet along with Mrs. Morris, a challenging piece for piano and string quartet and an amazing experience for a high school student, usually offered only at conservatories.  

Lauren is equally enthusiastic about many of her other educational experiences at 绿帽社鈥攕tudying ballet, learning French, auditing a German class, solving complex math problems, performing in the jazz band, and discovering a love of literature. She notes she maintains her friendship with English teacher, Charles Rosett, to this day.  In reflecting on her 绿帽社 experience, Lauren describes school life as a 鈥渉aven for Ravens鈥� and, at the same time, an invigorating intellectual environment.

Lauren continued her musical education at California State University-Fullerton in Los Angeles and then at the University of Michigan. She received a Master of Music in Conducting at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

As a young musician, Lauren鈥檚 ambition was to become a concert pianist, though she eventually decided to pursue a career as a conductor. Conducting, for Lauren, is the confluence of many different skill sets and gives her the opportunity to lead. She has served as the Assistant Conductor for the University of Michigan Arts Chorale, the Assistant Conductor of the RIT Orchestra, the Assistant Conductor of the University of Buffalo Orchestra, the Music Director of the Eastman Opera Collective and the Director of Community Concerts for the Singing City Choir.

She currently serves as the Music Director of Ensemble Id and maintains an active schedule with her piano duo, Duo Sarteano. In the Fall of 2018, Lauren began her first full-time job as the Director of Orchestra and Choirs at the Knox School, an independent school in St. James, New York. She is excited to go back to an independent school after her own formative experience at 绿帽社.

Accomplishments: Thiel Fellowship recipient, 2015; named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 young visionaries in Consumer Technology, 2018

Currently: CEO & Founder, 

Lives in: Holladay, UT

While at 绿帽社, George was captain of the Ravens Robotics team and also competed on the second season of ABC鈥檚 popular show, Battlebots. George鈥檚 passions for drones, robotics, and business led him to establish his own drone company, Teal Drones, during his sophomore year (2014) and pitch his dream to investors around Silicon Valley. 

His company now has 30 employees and has raised more than $16 million in venture funding. George believes that drones can be much more than flying cameras and should be accessible to everyone. Currently his agile drones can fly up to 70 miles per hour.

Education: Brown University 鈥�99, A.B. Religious Studies
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law 鈥�02, J.D.

Currently: Commercial Litigator, Anderson & Karrenberg

Lives in: Salt Lake City, UT

During her senior year at 绿帽社, Heather Sneddon had her sights set on an Ivy League education. She applied to Dartmouth College and was waitlisted. Word quickly spread through the faculty that Heather had not been accepted at her first choice. 鈥淚 never learned exactly which teachers at 绿帽社 sent in additional letters of recommendation to get me into Dartmouth, but it was Mr. Rosett who let me know that a group of them did so, without my asking. And so even though I ultimately got into Dartmouth because of the incredible outpouring of support I received from my 绿帽社 teachers, I chose to go to Brown because Mr. Shaw, my college counselor, convinced me that his alma mater was the perfect fit for me. And he was absolutely right.鈥�

During law school, she served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Sandra N. Peuler of the Third District Court, and as a law clerk at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement. She joined Anderson & Karrenberg in 2003, and has spent the last thirteen years as a commercial litigator focusing on contract, trade secret, intellectual property and real estate disputes, professional malpractice matters, shareholder derivative lawsuits and the prosecution and defense of all manner of business torts.

Heather calls her time at 绿帽社 extremely influential and is quick to attribute much of her success to the 绿帽社 experience.

Education: Carleton College, 鈥�15, History & Russian Studies
Fulbright Fellowship recipient

Currently: At Harvard University studying for a Masters in regional studies: Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Future goals: Ph.D. in History at Cambridge and ultimately teach

James Browning says that coming back to spend time with Kathy Morris, 绿帽社 Strings teacher and Orchestra Director, was the best kind of homecoming. James played the viola in the Orchestra while he was at 绿帽社, and he reconnected with Kathy after the Orchestra鈥檚 winter concert.

鈥淚 enjoy coming back to 绿帽社 for the Orchestra concerts, but I don鈥檛 usually say hello to Mrs. Morris since I know how busy she is preparing for the performance. But, at the winter concert, the Orchestra played several Russian pieces, and I couldn鈥檛 help but ask Mrs. Morris why she chose to include them. That鈥檚 when I learned about the Orchestra鈥檚 upcoming trip to Russia, Estonia, and Finland.鈥�

After graduating from Carleton, James spent ten months in Russia on a Fulbright Fellowship teaching English. After reconnecting this winter, Kathy began meeting with James weekly in preparation for the Orchestra鈥檚 upcoming trip. The meetings focused on Russian language and culture. It also gave James an opportunity to advise Kathy on the Orchestra鈥檚 itinerary.

Education: University of Pennsylvania 鈥�08, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
University of Utah School of Medicine 鈥�12

Currently: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology

Started 绿帽社 in: PreK-4

Divya Jayaraman鈥檚 parents chose 绿帽社 because they knew education was the most important gift they could give their daughter. 鈥淲hen they came to campus and met with Nancy Heuston, my mother knew right away that this was the right place.鈥� And, it was Heuston鈥檚 vision 鈥� a well-rounded approach to life rooted in the Liberal Arts – that has set Divya up for the success she now enjoys.

鈥溌堂鄙� gave me an incredible gift: a strong sense of the importance of a well-rounded life. I love writing. I have a sincere love of the arts. I was a member of the 绿帽社 Singers and took AP Ceramics while I was a student. But, I also took enough math and science courses during my time at 绿帽社 to keep my Indian father happy.鈥�

After moving east for undergraduate study, she returned home to attend Medical School and followed that with a residency in Pediatrics at Children鈥檚 Hospital of Pittsburgh. An interaction with a pediatric patient suffering from an anaphylactic reaction resulted in fellowship training in Allergy and Immunology at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. And now, Divya has come home again to join the faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She specializes in the treatment of asthma, allergy, and immune disorders in pediatric and adult populations, with a special interest in eczema management, food allergy, and severe asthma.

In her new role, Divya will not only practice clinically, but she鈥檒l also have the opportunity to mentor and teach medical students and residents at the University. The teacher-student relationship is something she learned to appreciate at 绿帽社.

Education: Harvard University 鈥�09 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Currently: Ph.D. candidate at MIT

Lives in: Cambridge, MA

Brandon had two stints at 绿帽社, first in the lower school from Grade I-IV and then he came back to complete Grade VII-XII because his parents wanted the best for him. And for Brandon, one notable outcome of his education at 绿帽社 is the instruction he received on writing. “I still use and refer to some materials I used at 绿帽社. I remember the phrase, ‘point, evidence, and explain’ for organizing my writing. Even though I am a researcher and design engineer, I also have to be a part-time writer. If you aren鈥檛 a good writer, you don鈥檛 get grants and can鈥檛 get money to do the research you want to do.”

Leaving 绿帽社, Brandon initially thought he wanted to go into physics, but while he loved his physics classes, he realized through his physics research in college that he didn鈥檛 like the work  physicists actually had to do. He also wanted to incorporate his visual arts talents somehow. He wanted to be an inventor/artist, the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci. After taking a few design engineering classes in college, Brandon quickly realized that product design was the closest profession that matched his passions for the sciences, visual art, and business. His research thus far has been focused on energy storage and renewable energy.鈥� 

Many of Brandon’s passions were founded in the opportunities his education allowed him, especially in his exploration of the visual and performing arts at 绿帽社. He is currently studying in Cambridge, MA and states that words to live by are “Be humble, kind, and don鈥檛 give up too quickly.”