Alumni Memories
Words of Wisdom for the Future
Jordan Cole entered Viewpoint School in 2004 from Village School. His academic success earned him induction into the Cum Laude Society, Latin Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. He received the World Languages Departmental Award in Latin two consecutive years, and the 2010 Bank of America Foreign Language Certificate in Latin. Also, Jordan was a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and for his many contributions to Viewpoint, he received the Thelma B. Sitton Award in 2009. Jordan accumulated many volunteer hours of service and serves the community in the Founders’ Club. He earned Bronze and Silver Medals in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Program. Jordan received basketball and football awards, and managed the Football and Swim Teams with great spirit. Jordan will attend Duke University in the fall. As Salutatorian of the Class of 2010, Jordan spoke at the Viewpoint Commencement in the spring of 2010. The following is an excerpt from Jordan’s speech
Leaving the safe confines of high school, it will soon be time for us to assume control of a planet glimmering with hope, but also wrought with problems, most notably environmental in nature. It is on us to right the wrongs and do the right thing. People always say that we’re the future: but maybe the future is now. Maybe our world cannot afford the time to wait until we’re officially “the future.” If we have enough knowledge about and compassion for this world, then I don’t see a problem with assuming our role sooner rather than later. More than ever, our planet is in dire need of people who care about things beside merely themselves. True, the late, legendary Coach John Wooden, who passed away at 99 last week, once remarked, “the team that makes the most mistakes wins.” However, he meant “good mistakes,” – in which you try your best but don’t succeed – not “lazy mistakes”: this becomes apparent upon hearing another of his quotes, “do not mistake activity for achievement.” Class of 2010: it’s good to make mistakes. It’s great to make mistakes. In fact, the only way you get better at life is by making mistakes and learning from them. But just remember: be smart in your mistake making! Whenever you attempt something to the best of your ability, know that it is impossible to truly fail.
Jordan Cole
Class of 2004
Class of 2004 Graduate Honored for his Achievements
Jake Gutman graduated from Village School in 2004. At that time, it was already clear to those who knew him, in and outside of the classroom, that he was about to accomplish many extraordinary things in his life. So, when he graduated from Harvard-Westlake in the spring of 2010, it was no surprise that he would be recognized for the qualities that always made him a unique and inspiring person.
The following is a description from Harvard-Westlake of one of the awards Jake received upon his graduation.
Humanitas (2009-2010 Jake Gutman)
This award is given to a senior by the faculty in a year when the majority of the faculty feel there is a senior worthy of it. This senior epitomizes the following human qualities: service to the school, friendliness, courtesy, kindliness and consideration for others, a sense of sincerity and humor and loyalty to the community.
This year’s recipient has been described by one teacher as being “in all things; ever-helpful, ever-generous, ever-kind, humble and utterly reliable.”
This natural leader serves this community as a peer support leader, admissions volunteer, student council prefect, film festival director, athletic fanatic, theater technician and club leader.
No job is too big or small – whether it’s making a facebook group to generate support for a school team or organizing a week of activities to raise awareness about genocide.
With a deep commitment to addressing the world’s ills, our recipient’s service moves beyond our walls, serving Thanksgiving dinner to L.A.’s homeless, building houses in Tijuana and fences in Fiji, teaching computer skills in a South African township, and making a documentary about the water crisis in Ethiopia.
A friend to all, he truly changes everything he touches and will, no doubt, continue to make the world a better place.
It should be noted that Jake also received the 2010 Visual Arts Department Award for Video and the George Coleman Award for his spirit, dedication, generosity, engagement and selflessness to his class. We will look forward, with eager anticipation, to all he will accomplish in the future!
A Path In Art
My passion for art started at a very young age and was fueled by my Village School art teacher, Margot Mandel. Art became an integral part of my life from this time at Village School, through the years at Marlborough, and my decision to attend art school. By the time I earned my BFA in Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design with honors, I had already received several art awards and my focus in art had centered on oil painting, specifically the marriage of photo-realism and complete abstraction while depicting the human body submerged in water.
2008 through 2009 was a fruitful year. Within six months, three events took place that opened many doors in the Los Angeles art community: I was invited to be one of 400 artists shown and auctioned at the Venice Art Walk benefiting the Venice Family Clinic; I was chosen, out of 60,000 submissions, as one of the top ten most promising artists of 2009 by the famed online London Saatchi gallery; and following this, I was offered a contract for a show with The James Grey Gallery at Bergamot Station for October 2009.
Upon graduation, I began to prepare for this October show by creating new pieces and helped form a group called (3b+1). This group is composed of four women, including myself, who find places outside the gallery setting to show our work and thus ultimately create our own opportunities and exposure.
I sold two major pieces at the gallery, which facilitated the curation and creation of two art happenings with the group (3b+1), also facilitating inclusion in several art shows around Los Angeles. I am currently working with the Venice Family Clinic for the annual Venice Art Walk, and looking forward to be in an auction February 13th where I will be painting live during bidding at Lucent L’Amour, proceeds from which will purchase musical instruments and art supplies for inner city children.
My life, and a long family history of involvement with the arts, have profoundly impacted my sense of self and my art. My work addresses childhood memories and ambiguous fantasy, but revisited through maniacal adult eyes. The randomness of this perspective drives me to hold onto images and photographically captured moments, in the hope of imposing stability and permanence to experiences and realities long past, often reconstructed over times and through longing. This obsession with the past and with memories is a bifurcated experience, which I then attempt to suture together through the practice of my artwork.
I look forward to more shows, helping others with their art careers, and using my talent as positive influence on new generations, breathing life and joy and a place to express oneself in a healthy fashion. None of this would be possible without Margot Mandel.
Francesca Quintano
Class of 1999
All Alumni Reunion 2008
On Sunday, April 22nd, 2008, a bunch of familiar faces walked into an unfamiliar place. The faces belonged to about 150 Village School alumni and their parents. The unfamiliar place was our new Center for the Arts and Athletics. “Whoa! This is the coolest gym I’ve ever seen!” was the cry for many as they toured our new building with their mouths open in astonishment. Several turned almost green with envy: “Why didn’t we get to have such an amazing gym?” was also heard.
Invitations were issued to classes dating back to 1999. Those Village graduates were now sophomores in college. Matt Newberg (class of ’01), who would be off to the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, DJ’d the event. Dandy Don’s served ice cream sundaes, and alums signed t-shirts and perused their old yearbooks. The teachers who attended were delighted to see their former students. Classmates greeted each other warmly and caught up with each other after touring the building. Some people got to see their old sixth grade buddies after many years. Often the older buddy hadn’t seen their kindergarten buddy since they were six years old.
Many thanks go to Mrs. Slotnick who worked hard with a student committee to make the day fun and memorable. Hopefully this will become another Village School tradition.
Jordan Sholem
Class of 2005
Memories of a Village School Alumna -
Class of 2000
What do you think of when you see the color red? Village School! Remember the red tee shirts we used to wear parading back and forth to the park for P.E. - dressing for school was never so easy!
Although graduating from sixth grade and starting at a new school is very exciting, my memories of Village School will never be replaced. From my first days in first grade, all the way up to sixth grade, there were many new experiences and challenges to be met. Some of my favorite times at Village include building the log cabin in third grade, student government elections, going to Sacramento, Williamsburg and Catalina, the sixth grade play, the Haunted House, graduation, and I'm sure none of us will ever forget Ms. Mandel's laugh!
Village School was like a home away from home for me. Although we worked hard, we had a lot of fun too. I felt very well prepared when I entered middle school. Even though many of my Village School friends are at different middle schools, we still keep in touch. For me, Village School is the BEST elementary school around!
Greetings from Washington!
Dear Ms. Malone,
Long time no speak! I saw you walking with Ms. Williams and Ms. Slotnick on the way to an appointment I had in the Village, but I was too far away to you to hear me if I yelled "hello" and was running quite late.
Again, I just wanted to say I think Village has done a great job with its new facilities and am so grateful for the education I received there nearly a decade ago (save for fifth and sixth grades, I truly was receiving the majority of my education there deep in the 1990s!).
It's incredible how much has happened since I've started at The George Washington University. I absolutely love DC; it's a vibrant city with amazing street life and is constantly changing. I just started internship number 11 at the Office of Congressman Howard Berman on Capitol Hill. After working on Hillary's campaign for 15 months, raising money to defeat Prop. 8 at Equality California this summer, and interning Obama's campaign in Virginia this Fall, I thought it'd be appropriate for me to return to serve in government for the first time in over 3 years.
Please send my regards to the staff and faculty at Village School. Although it has been so many years since I've been in elementary school, I would've never made it to where I am today if it weren't for the six years at Village that provided me with the educational foundation that our country should strive for when educating our children. I hope one day we can make the education I received at Village School a reality for all American children.
Thanks,
Joe Goldman
