York Students shine on "Chinese Bridge"

Three York students earned top spots at the “Chinese Bridge” U.S. West Coast Competition: Chanha Kim and Justin Wong tied for second and Genevieve Roeder-Hensley third place.

The "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition is a large-scale international contest assessing students' Chinese language proficiency and knowledge about China, Chinese cultural talents, and comprehensive learning abilities.

The competition was started to kindle interest and passion in foreign youth learning Chinese and to further their understanding of Chinese language and culture. Over 20,000 students from more than 50 countries around the world participated in the preliminary competitions.

To qualify for the U.S. West Coast Competition, students submitted a four to five-minute recording on Chinese language in their lives. Judges selected the best submissions to attend the competition where students delivered their original recordings in person. In addition, students prepared a two to three-minute presentation on a cultural activity or talent like the art of Chinese paper making or playing a Chinese instrument.

York School Chinese teacher, Lei Lei Bates, is understandably excited.

“I am so proud of our students," she said in a statement. "This is a highly competitive competition, and for our first time competing, I was very pleased with their preparation and results.”

Justin Wong , Chanha Kim , and Genevieve Roeder-Hensley

York School and Stevenson seniors, candidates for the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Kevin Zamzow-Pollock, a graduating senior at York School, and Teeger L. Blasheck, from Robert L. Stevenson School, are among the 4,000 candidates in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars program.

They're believed to be the only two graduating seniors from Monterey County selected for the recognition.

A panel of educators will review the names and accomplishments of these candidate and select 800 semi-finalists in early April. The commission of Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 citizens appointed by the president, will select the finalists. The U.S. Department of Education will announce up to 161 chosen scholars in May.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors granted upon graduating high school seniors. They’re selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in school activities.

Congratulations, Kevin and Teeger! What a great honor!

York's Umar Momen is new outstanding youth philantropist for the Central Coast

York graduate Umar Momen was named Outstanding Youth Philanthropist for the Central Coast after raising over $15,000 to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh.

It's the eight time in the last 12 years that a student from York garners the honor, school officials said in a statement.

Umar, now a freshman at UC Berkeley, was honored at the 24th annual National Philanthropy Day of the Central Coast on November 20 at The Inn at Spanish Bay. The award is presented by the Associaiton of Fundraising Professionals.

As a child, Umar visited Bangladesh, his parents’ homeland, and was shocked by the poverty he saw, and those images stayed with him. When he reached high school he researched solutions and discovered the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee —BRAC – the country’s largest nonprofit development organization.

As a sophomore at York School in 2012, he volunteered at two schools that served impoverished children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. When he returned to the United States he launched a fundraising campaign for BRAC with the goal of providing education that would serve up to 130 children – a financial goal of $5,000. Within two months, by talking with family, friends, friends of friends, and strangers, he inspired a reaction of giving and reached his goal.

Umar returned to Bangladesh to volunteer with BRAC in 2014. He learned about Kishori clubs, which serve girls ages 11-19 living in the slums of Bangladesh, who are often neglected, abused, or sold as child brides. Kishori clubs provide health, life-skills, leadership, and professional training education. Umar again undertook a crowd funding campaign when he returned to the U.S. and raised $10,241, enough to train 222 facilitators for the Kishori clubs.

During his four years at York, Umar volunteered over 1,000 hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He's now working with BRAC to start a Youth Action Network in Berkeley for BRAC’s work in Bangladesh.

TedxYork described as a "resounding success"

The beautiful people of York School hosted their first ever TedxYork, and sounds like it was awesome.

The event featured a variety of creative thinkers from the York community who each uses a new medium to solve problems or retell good stories. There were graduates, current students, and a faculty member among the presenters; and as with many Ted style events, there were also tears and laughter.

For a full list of the presenters, click here.

Launched in 2009, TEDx is a program of locally organized events that bring the community together to share a TED-like experience. Some of the best talks from TEDx events have gone on to be featured on TED.com and garnered millions of views from audiences across the globe.The independently organized event, licensed by TED, featured local voices and TED Talks videos under the theme of “A New Medium.”

Sounds like a 'not-to-miss' event. Next year!

York School alumni featured in the Wall Street Journal

Several former students of York School were featured in the Wall Street Journal for their senior class project -- a video "Message to My Future Self," which is done as a way to start the college application process.

"For almost two-decades we've been asking our seniors to look into a video camera and respond not only to the question, ‘What do you want to do?’ but more importantly, ‘What kind of person do you want to be?’" said Chuck Harmon, head of school, referring to the project. "Our experience, as well as educational research, confirms that the character traits that students develop are the key factor in their living meaningful lives characterized by success and happiness.”

Fourteen members of the 53-student class of 2004 returned to the York campus this month to reconnect and watch what their teenage selves had planned for the now present future. Their reactions are nicely condensed in the WSJ article, which grouped their reactions based on this question: what do you wish you'd known then?

You can find the article here. 

Robotics teams make the Monterey Bay proud

The competition in St. Louis came and went, and the boys and girls from York, Seaside, and Carmel robotics teams did great.

As you probably remember from my earlier reporting, the three robotics teams earned the right to advance to the final competition in St. Louis, Missouri. They left last week, competed, and had time to tour around (judging by the photos posted by Tom Clifford, Carmel's coach extraordinaire. You can look at his blog here.)

Katy Castagna, York's mom extraordinaire, accompanied her son and all the teams through their adventure. She reports that the Seaside Bay Bots had the best record, with six wins and four losses. York's Deus Ex Machina and Carmel's Rocking Bots both had four wins and six losses.

"We should be very proud to have three local teams compete among 400 of the best from all over the world," Katy wrote.

Indeed, we are.

(Photos courtesy of Tom Clifford and Katy Castagna)

Monterey Robotics clubs heading to national competition

Monterey Peninsula leaders stepped up to help the students of Carmel, Seaside, and York high schools so they could all go to the national FIRST robotic competition this weekend in St. Louis.

Donations came in big and small, and among the largest ones were $2,500 from Seaside Rotary going to their high school and $2,000 from the Yellow Brick Road Foundation to Carmel High School. An online fundraiser also raised about $2,500.

All schools are sending their teams to Missouri this weekend. Good luck, guys and gals! Can't wait to hear how you all do!

York School surpasses $3 million fundraising goal.

York School exceeded the $3 million goal of a fundraising campaign to boost endowments for financial aid for students and for the professional development of its faculty, officials announced Thursday.

"Financial contributions are vital to the life of a non-profit institution like York," said Head of School Chuck Harmon. "The contributors to The Campaign for York have made an investment in the present and future of this great School, and we are grateful for their continuing generosity."

Top donors to the campaign were Peggy Downes Baskin and Jack Baskin of Carmel and Santa Cruz, whose total giving to York rose to more than $1 million. The Baskins were honored for their financial support at an event at York on Thursday.

Other major donors to the Campaign for York include: Corie and Fane Opperman of Santa Cruz, The David and Lucille Packard Foundation, Beverly and Lyman Hamilton of Carmel, Betty and Jim Kasson of Carmel Valley, and Susan Aqeel and son Omar Aqeel (York Class of 2007).

In total, 214 donors contributed to the Campaign for York.

The Campaign for York will provide funds for student financial aid. Approximately 40 percent of the students at the independent school receive need-based financial aid. York School has 225 students in grades 8-12.

The fundraising campaign also will provide funds for professional development opportunities for York teachers, such as stipends for professional growth conferences, workshops, and supplemental coursework, funding for special projects and the development of innovative courses, grants to research best practices, teacher exchange opportunities, and artist, economist, and writer-in-residence programs.

Ben Jealous not coming back to Monterey Bay -- at least for now

Pacific Grove resident Ann Jealous, mother of NAACP national leader Ben Jealous, told me Monday she does not expect her famous son to return to the Monterey Bay area any time soon.

"As much as Benjamin loves this area, it’s my understanding that he’s negotiating with universities located near Washington. He’s interested in teaching on the East Coast, it's my expectation that he’ll continue to live there as least for a while," Ann Jealous said.

In a story written by my esteemed colleague Krissah Thompson of the Washington Post, the Herald announced Monday Ben Jealous is leaving the NAACP after five years at the helm.

Jealous, a York School alumnus, grew up in the Monterey area, where his family remains. In five years, he's become a super-star of the civil rights movement and has returned the NAACP to a place of national prominence.

York School board of trustees elects new officers

Jane Paulsen of Carmel, a former journalist and public relations professional, is the new chair of the board of trustees for York School. Paulsen is the parent of a current student and of a 2010 York graduate.

The board of the independent school also elected Mary Adams of Pebble Beach, president and CEO of the United Way Monterey County, as vice chair.

The board also re-elected Gary Ray of Monterey board secretary, and elected Marilyn Calciano of Santa Cruz board treasurer. Ray, a partner in the Salinas law firm of Ottone Leach Olsen & Ray LLP, is the parent of two York students. Calciano also is the parent of two York students. Newly elected to the York board were: Drew Gibson, Carmel Highlands; Matt Simis, Monterey; Kirsti Scott, Aptos, and Gordon Howie, Redwood City.

Austin Eaton of York gets to keep his hair

Remember the hair-raising challenge York sophomore Austin Eaton put himself through last week?

It all turned out for the best.

Austin Eaton raised $3,456 with his "Save It or Shave It" campaign to aid in the reconstruction of the medical clinic in Bom Jesus, Angola. Contributors to the cause were invited to vote with their donations on whether Austin would or wouldn't shave his locks.

The vote was 2:1 to save the curls, and he obliged.

Austin was asked by his church missions team to head the fundraising effort to Build A Bridge of Love to Angola, and decided to create an event that would include his fellow York students and community.

The proceeds will benefit the Bom Jesus Medical Clinic on the campus of Methodist church that serves a rural community of 10,000 people. The church also plays a key role in supporting the Angolan people to eliminate malaria in their country.

This isn't Austin's first fundraiser to battle malaria in Africa. Last year he raised $2,700 at a luncheon to benefit "Imagine No Malaria," an effort by the people of the United Methodist Church to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa by 2015.

York student Austin Eaton willing to put his hair where the money is

Here's an innovative way to raise funds for a good cause. Austin Eaton, a 15-year-old Aptos resident and student at York School, can be recognized from afar by his head of curly hair. Well, his mane could come down -- or not -- depending on how much money he raises one way or another.

Money raised will go to rebuild a medical clinic in Angola.

Eaton and his family are organizing the “Save It or Shave It” concert and picnic for Friday, June 21 from 6 until 8pm on the lawn of the Aptos Community United Methodist Church. There will be live music and food for purchase -- which can be pre-ordered here.

Admission is free and guests will be asked to donate to the Angola clinic rebuilding cause, and say whether they want to see Austin's locks come down or stay.  At around 7:30pm, the will of the donors will be revealed and stylist Julie Rasmussen of Seaweed Hair Design will be on standby, razor in hand, ready to oblige on the will of the donors. 

Austin was asked by his church missions team to head the fundraising effort to Build A Bridge of Love to Angola, but he seized the opportunity to expand his efforts beyond his congregation. The Bom Jesus Medical Clinic, which will be helped by the "Save it or Shave it" campaign, serves a rural community of 10,000 people and plays a key role in supporting the Angolan people to eliminate Malaria in their country.

Donations can be mailed to the United Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 or brought to the event Friday. Checks should be payable to ACUMC with the words “Save It-Angola” or “Shave It-Angola” written on the memo line.

For more information call 688-2210 or find the concert and picnic here.

I'm curious to see which was the hair goes. Stay tuned.

York receives handsome donation for scholarships, professional development

Philanthropists Peggy and Jack Baskin of Carmel and Santa Cruz have just donated $770,000 to the "Campaign for York" for scholarships and professional development.

The Baskins were appropriately cheered by students and faculty at an all-school assembly last week at York School, when the announcement was made.

The Baskins are huge supporters of education, and they have also contributed to the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation and other worthy educational causes. It's nice to have caring people in our midst.

Six Monterey County Students Take Honors at California State Science Fair

Rohan Bushan and Paul Kunz, 7th graders at the International School of Monterey; Ailis Dooner, a sophomore at Carmel High School; siblings Aradhana and Kapil Sinha, a senior and freshman at Salinas High School respectively; and Montana Sprague, an 8th grader at York School; shone with their projects at the 62nd annual California State Science Fair last week in Los Angeles. Over 1000 participants from 413 schools throughout California competed for top honors.

Bushan and Kunz took third place in the junior division, general microbiology, for their project “Nitrate: A Threat to Plankton.” Their lab research was conducted at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and they examined how nitrate in water sources affect aquatic microorganisms such as plankton.

 Dooner received honorable mention in the senior division, pharmacology/toxicology for her project “Targeting Lung Mutagenesis.” Ailis used laboratory equipment under supervision at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

The Super Sinha Siblings took third place in the senior division, plant biology for their project “Evaluating Peronospora Presence in Salinas Valley & Analyzing DNA Similarity in Downy Mildew Pathogens Affecting Spinach." They discovered downy mildew is infecting Salinas Valley spinach and spreading by contaminated seed. They developed a way to identify the lethal pathogen, and proposed more effective seed screening methods to prevent further spread of Peronospora.

Sprague took second place in the junior division, zoology, for her project, “Can Fish Get Jet-Lagged?” She investigated the effects of circadian rhythm disruptions on the training and memory of common goldfish.

These students earned the opportunity to participate in the California State Science Fair by finishing first in their division and category at the Monterey County Science & Engineering Fair, sponsored by the Monterey County Office of Education, CSUMB, the Naval Postgraduate School, and many community partners, March 8-10, 2013. A total of 23 projects from Monterey County participated at the State Science Fair.

Dooner, and the Super Sinha Siblings will represent Monterey County at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona, May 12-17.

York luminaire gets another award

York School senior Kendall Ronzano, selected last year as the young philanthropist of Monterey County, was selected by the National Center for Women & Information Technology for the 2013 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. The award which recognizes high school girls for their ambitions and achievements in computing and technology. Ronzano received her award at a ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 9.

The award encourages young women to succeed in technology. Despite their advances in academia and the workforce, women are disproportionally underrepresented in computing fields: they hold only 25 percent of all technology occupations, earn 18 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in computing, and represent just 19 percent of all Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science test-takers. The Aspirations in Computing program encourages young women to persist in a field where women traditionally have been underrepresented.

The 35 award winners were selected from more than 1,800 applications from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and overseas U.S. military bases. Each winner will receive $500 cash, a laptop computer, an engraved award for both her and her school, and mentoring opportunities with Bank of America employees.

Ronzano, who was featured in the Herald last year, credits her interest and aptitude in computer science to early exposure and encouraging teachers starting with Mr. Jacobs at Mission Hill Junior High who taught students coding in sixth grade. She pursued that interest and turned it into a passion at York School where she learned programming languages and how to apply them in project-based learning. “York is a safe place for girls to take their technology interests to a higher level. Once we learned the practical application of something we were encouraged to experiment by going beyond our comfort zone with the tool.

Ronzano was selected by her peers to serve as this year’s Technology Officer, one of the positions on the executive student council. In considering her college options, she plans to pursue a major in Computer Science and minor in Latin.

York Student Co-Authors Korean E-book Bestseller

John Lim, a junior at York School, worked in collaboration with his sister Minju Lim, a student at UC-Berkeley and York School alumna, to co-author a Korean e-book entitled "How to Survive in America as a Teenager". Although John was born in the states, his family is native to Korea with Korean being their first language.

"When my sister got up to Berkeley, she made friends with several Koreans who didn't speak English very well...It inspired her to write a book on contemporary English, specifically on how modern Americans phrase things. And she asked for my help," John said.

The goal of their e-book is to serve as a practical guide for international students studying in the U.S. Some chapters include: "Interesting Episodes of Foreign Students in the U.S.", "How to Survive in High Schools and Colleges", and "Communication Guide including Basics of Emoticons and Texting". It is available for purchase online through several Korean online bookstores. The book was on the Korean e-book bestseller list for a month and continues to sell pretty well, York officials said.

The tone of the e-book is light-hearted and fun, John said. The book not only provides useful tips on how to decipher text message abbreviations and emoticons, but also includes common misused phrases their Korean-speaking friends would endure that were "comical and sometimes awkward," John stated.

Story provided by Shanna Kesler, York communications manager.

York opens its doors for fall fair

The yearly celebration, organized and hosted by the students, features food, games, student performances, farmers market, used book sale, and more. Proceeds benefit the private school’s student financial aid and the various activities and charitable causes of participating student clubs.

The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.

For more information, call 372-7338 or click here. 

York and Santa Catalina students to Vienna for nonproliferation conference

Students from Santa Catalina High School and York High School in Monterey are among those chosen to attend the Spring 2012 Student-Teacher Conference of the Critical Issues Forum, April 30-May 2 in Vienna. The Critical Issues Forum is an educational program managed by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Students from five U.S. high schools, five Russian high schools in closed nuclear cities, and one school from Bosnia & Herzegovina, along with nearly a dozen Austrian high school students, are scheduled to present their findings on this year’s topic of “Nuclear Safety and Security.” The conference is being held as a side event to the 2012 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee, giving students the opportunity to experience international diplomacy firsthand. The conference culminates a year-long program designed to increase high school students’ awareness of nonproliferation and disarmament issues and enhance critical thinking skills. During this conference, students will provide creative presentations on their research and solutions for enhancing nuclear safety and security. I've had the opportunity to attend the conference in the past, and it's truly remarkable to see these young people at work, so passionately engaged in such important topics. To watch a video of the program, click here.

Yet another amazing senior

York School Senior Teo Lamiot was awarded “Best High School Delegate” at the World Affairs Council’s Congress on Challenges to American Power last month. Lamiot’s earned the accolade with his participation in the policy simulation "What method(s) should the global community use to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons?" His award included a certificate, an autographed book by a conference speaker, and lunch with New York Times’ columnist David Sanger.


Lamiot, who will be a freshman at Stanford University in the fall, is one of those amazing kids that roam the halls and hills of York: he is President of the York Student Council; President of Model UN; Secretary of Junior State; a member of Shield, the York student ambassador organization; and a member of the York Cross-Country and Track Team. The National Security Language Initiative for Youth awarded him a scholarship to attend language school in Turkey during the summer of 2010. He has volunteered for more than 1,000 hours with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And no doubt, he’s also an amazing person.

The World Affairs Council explores in-depth the many regional challenges that are unfolding in the context of a fluid and dynamic global economic and environmental landscape that raises serious policy concerns. Forty-one students who share a keen interest in international affairs and policy and 4 educators received the scholarship. About two-thirds of the students were from various high schools across northern California, and one- third were from universities such as Yale, UC Berkeley, UCLA, CSU Sacramento, University of the Pacific, and University of Santa Clara.