CANADIAN ACADEMY

REV EW Scientia Clavis Successus “Knowledge is the Key to Successful Service” Spring 2010

The REVIEW is published by the Advancement Offi ce for alumni, parents, students, faculty REVIEW is published by the Advancement Offi ce for alumni, parents, students, faculty REVIEWand friends of Canadian Academy. Editor: Robert Hengal. Graphics consultation: Todd Welbes. Please send letters, news items, and address updates to the Alumni Offi ce (alumni@canacad.ac.jp). Fred Wesson—Headmaster, Charles Kite—Assistant Headmaster Melanie Vrba—High School Principal, Michael Colaianni—Middle School Principal Matthew Flinchum—Elementary School Principal Jon Schatzky—Elementary School Assistant Principal Amy Wesson—Director of Advancement, Robert Hengal—Director of Alumni Relations

CANADIANACADEMY, ACADEMY, ACADEMY 4-1 Koyo-cho Naka, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 JapanPhone: 81-(0)78-857-0100 Fax: 81-(0)78-857-3250

www.canacad.ac.jp

Cover calligraphy ver calligraphy ver characters are Hitsu-Ryoku, the vigor of one’s literary style, by Selina Woodham ´10.

2009: Yuka Nagaoka, Ken Starling, Karina Thakur

2008: Nicole Jordan, Ayukta Thakur2007: Lillian Madrigal, Johann Qua

Hiansen2006: Shridevi Bajaj, Takuma Tanaka2005: Maria Cho, Namita Lal, Hironori

Maeda, Lovina Sachdev2004: Anisha Jhaveri, Min Joo Lee, Mai

Nitta, Blake Pierce2003: Rie Wang, Jovan Yamagishi 2002: Arpana Bothra, Anupam Kumar2001: Ashok Pillai, Moritz Plischke2000: Stephanie Arndt, Tara Wakely1999: Kwang Joon Kim1998: Sarah Kashani, Kaoru Yamaguchi 1997: Manisha Motwani 1996: Maria Yakura 1995: Pitch Ruanglek 1994: Alex Young 1993: Naomi Halewood, Charles Hill 1992: Hani Debs, Scott Prebola 1991: Caitlin Broderick, Kamal Ramani 1990: Sheri Shamdasani Sen1989: Peter Shane, Janelle Nine-Guidry1988: Greg Smith 1987: Lisa Eby Coscia 1986: Andrew Meehan Migita 1985: Yuki Sugimura Robinson, Jackie

Dadlani1984: Kojiro Dan, Naoko Tani Fukuchi,

Seiji Okamura, Marie Liang Ryo 1983: John Jun Hirai 1982: Johanna Leonhardt Hirota 1981: Debbie Bergh 1980: Karin Johansson 1979: Garet Gluck 1978: David Emanuel 1977: Steve McArtin 1976: Pauline Baldwin 1975: Beverly Cunningham Washichek,

Phil Friesen 1974: Celia Oyler, Joel Likins 1973: Ellen Cary Bearn1972: Joan Griswold, Ann Parsons

Scheleen 1971: Tim Gillespie 1970: Greg Maxey 1969: John Cunningham 1968: Meggan Moorhead, Gordon

Sakaue1967: Stanley Flewelling 1966: Mark Ericson 1965: Mike Fay, Stanley Wayne 1964: Cookie Jarmain Smith-Otani 1963: John Gillespie 1962: Barbara Johnson Rogers 1961: Karen Cole Lockwood, Joy

McGarvey Bupp 1960: Robert Steffey 1959: Sharon Herrgott 1958: Mary Helen Hilburn Kuehner 1957: Representative needed *Pre-war: David Bach ´42, Karina

Dahmen ´41

To serve as a Class To serve as a Class T Representative or to contact a representative, please visit www.canacad.ac.jp

Alumni ClassRepresentatives

Canadian Academy inspires students to inquire, reflect, and choose to compassionately impact the world throughout their lives.

Above: Sakura blossoms on Miyajima Island viewed during the annual 9th Grade trip to Hiroshima. CAʼs students study Japanese history and then journey to Itsukushima Shrine and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This tradition continues to be one of the highlights of the year for our Grade 9 students.

Phot

o by

Bob

Hen

gal

1

Verbal Images Staff, 1988

Power of Writing

Writing inspires us, causes us to laugh or cry and feeds our desire for knowledge. Canadian Academy has a long literary history from the earliest editions of the Red and Grey to the 1960 Nagamine Echo to the 1988 Verbal Images. In this edition of the REVIEW we REVIEW we REVIEWare looking at the power of writing from student works in the school literary magazine Lucidus Pulpa to writings by our alumni and the authors who have visited CA and inspired our students.

Nagamine Echo Staff, 1960

StudentsStudentsPower of Writing

StudentsPower of WritingPower of Writing

StudentsPower of Writing

2

Lucidus Pulpa: Creativity in a Constant Cascadeby Kurt Lucas, Lucidus Pulpa, Advisor

Restored in 1999, Canadian Academy’s literary magazine, Lucidus Pulpa, is a key conduit for student creativity. Over the past decade, Lucidus Pulpa has repeatedly earned top awards in several international contests for high school literary magazines for outstanding writing, the wide variety of genres represented and most recently, for superior design and graphics. The magazine is published annually in May, comprising forty pages of the best examples of poetry, creative prose, original drama, and student photography, selected by Lucidus Pulpa staff. In addition, since the reintroduction of the annual CA Sophomore Speech Contest in 2007, the winning speech has appeared in the magazine’s most recent editions. The magazine serves primarily as a forum for students to share the wide-range of opinions and imaginative

notions that make CA a school with a vibrant mix of ideas and beliefs. From frequent musings on life in Kobe to debates on the nature of spirituality, Lucidus Pulpa continues to provide our community with a forum for exploring CA’s changing face while remaining true to our ideals to produce top-quality writing and highlight the best our students can produce. As CA approaches our centennial, the staff looks toward both continuity and rebirth. Lucidus Pulpa hopes to remain true to our original name, providing writing that illuminates, as we continue to evolve into a publication that aligns itself with the school’s mission statement: Canadian Academy inspires students to inquire, refl ect, and choose to compassionately impact the world throughout their lives.

CA Celebrates Eighty Years of Oratorical Skills From 1930 to 2010 Canadian Academy students have demonstrated their oratorical skills. In the fourth annual Sophomore Speech Contest topics ranged from women’s rights to students being risk-takers to the need for a more intensive sports program. Anna Johnson, the winner of this year’s contest, spoke on the true meaning of compassion. The other participants in the contest Anna Johnson, the winner of this year’s contest, spoke on the true meaning of compassion. The other participants in the contest

included: Adrian Fajardo, Michael Henty, Evangel Jung, Katie Meikle, George Miller, Jasmine Naseri, and Sanam Thapar.

1930 Speech Contest Winners 2010 Sophomore Speech Contest Participants with High School Principal, Ms. Vrba

StudentsStudents

In Medias Res was written for the 2009 Lucidus Pulpa by Mateen

Moghbel´09. Mateen is the son of CA alumnus Zafar Moghbel´69.

3

teachers observing the grief I wanted to provide a window for them to see and better understand the internal grief, to create opportunities for conversation and foster courage in them to reach out to the grieving child or family. On a personal level, I wrote this book because I wanted my daughter to understand that at some level I comprehend the utter devastation of her loss. For example, she instantly became an only child. And, given our ages, while Peter and I lost John for perhaps 30 to 40 years, she lost him for 60 to 70 years. I also wanted to convince her (and my husband and myself) that the gripping, paralyzing pain immediately following John’s death would somehow lessen, even as we continue to honor and cherish his memory.

This book does not exactly mirror our own family’s story. Yet it does tap into the emotions and experiences of our loss. My son, John Reagan Philips, was an absolutely delightful and compassionate child and young man. His death from a drug overdose at age nineteen devastated our family and our broader community. Always My Brother portrays a parallel journey of grief and My Brother portrays a parallel journey of grief and My Brotherattempts to offer understanding and hope to others suffering from such a loss. Sibling death is often considered the unrecognized grief. Surviving siblings are sometimes even admonished to be “extra good,” because their parents are grieving. In Always My Brother I wanted to honor siblings for the My Brother I wanted to honor siblings for the My Brotherdevastating loss they face with the death of their brother or sister. For the grieving child or family I wanted to portray and affi rm their often confusing, contradictory emotions, offer realistic hope that with the passage of time the gripping, paralyzing pain would ease as the family members cherish and honor their loved one and create opportunities for shared conversations. When a surviving sibling read my manuscript and said, “This was me,” I knew this book could be a helpful, healing resource. For friends, extended family, classmates, and

Jean Reagan ´73:Always My Brother

Jean Reagan ´73 has completed her fi rst children’s Always My Brother. It was published in June 2009 Always My Brother. It was published in June 2009 Always My Brother

by Tilbury House Publishers. This story is about sibling loss told from the perspective of the younger sister. It parallels the emotional journey of her family’s story following the loss of her son. www.jeanreagan.com

This book does not exactly mirror our own family’s story. Yet it does tap into the emotions and experiences of our loss. My son, John Reagan Philips, was an absolutely delightful and compassionate child and young man. His death from a drug overdose at age nineteen devastated our family and our broader community. My Brotherattempts to offer understanding and hope to others suffering from such a loss. Sibling death is often considered the unrecognized grief. Surviving siblings are sometimes even admonished to be “extra good,” because their parents are grieving. In My Brotherdevastating loss they face with the death of their brother or sister. For the grieving child or family I wanted to portray and affi rm their often confusing, contradictory emotions, offer realistic hope that with the passage of time the gripping, paralyzing pain would ease as the family members cherish and honor their loved one and create opportunities for shared conversations. When a surviving sibling read my manuscript and said, “This was me,” I knew this book could be a helpful, healing resource. For friends, extended family, classmates, and

Jean Reagan ´73:Always My Brother

Jean Reagan ´73 has completed her fi rst children’s book, Always My Brotherby Tilbury House Publishers. This story is about sibling loss told from the perspective of the younger sister. It parallels the emotional journey of her family’s story following the loss of her son. www.jeanreagan.com

Power of Writing

AlumniAlumniPower of Writing

AlumniPower of Writing

Ms. Reagan credited her CA teacher, Ms. Mary Fae Coulter (CA Faculty 1969-1971), with teaching her to write, “even

though her strictness intimidated me sometimes.”

Jane Yolen, a well-known childrenʼs author, commented:

“In a better world, no child would need a book about the death of her brother. But here is a tender, even joyful book about such a tragic event.”

4

Alice J. (Stubbs) Wisler’s ´79 new novel How Sweet It Is was released How Sweet It Is was released How Sweet It Isin April 2009 by Bethany House. Ms. Wisler shares a brief comment on the book below. Deena Livingston leaves a broken romance and a chef’s job to head to the mountains of North Carolina. Her deceased grandfather’s will states his cabin

nestled in Bryson City is hers if she will teach cooking at a church-run after-school program he founded. The Center is for disadvantaged boys and girls and Deena is not at all ready or excited about her grandfather’s plan. But with the help of those in the community, Deena learns to not only embrace the children, but to repair her own broken life. They say that life imitates art, and since I did work at a group home for girls after graduating from college, I suppose my novel has a little of my reality within its pages. www.alicewisler.com

Alice J. (Stubbs) Wisler ́79: How Sweet It IsAlice J. (Stubbs) Wisler’s ´79 new novel in April 2009 by Bethany House. Ms. Wisler shares a brief comment

Alice J. (Stubbs) Wisler ́79: How Sweet It Is

There is hope. Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in 1826, “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”1 Chinese society depended on the Emperor to appoint virtuous bureaucrats and to chop the heads off offi cials who abused their authority or who didn’t look out for the welfare of the people. If the Emperor was unwilling or unable to force government employees to be virtuous, the dynasty collapsed and there was nothing ordinary people could do to save their society. Chinese citizens had no input to government; Americans

Bill Taylor ´63: Avoiding the Confucian Abyss

AlumniAlumni

can vote non-virtuous leaders out of offi ce. Politicians waste our money on empty trains, ineffective schools, and ineffi cient industries because we let them. If Confucius were alive today, he’d see the same loss of virtue in America that he saw 2,500 years ago. With the Chinese government reintroducing Confucius’ ideas, China is climbing out of the abyss of the Confucian cycle just as we’re sliding in. We don’t have Confucius with us, but we have his writings and observations. Let’s take a tour through America with Confucius by our side, doing what a virtuous Emperor would do.

girls after graduating from college, I suppose my novel has a little of my girls after graduating from college, I suppose my novel has a little of my

Bill Taylor ́63 writes, “Confucian ideas were thick in the air while I grew up in Japan. As I got older, I realized that Confucius’ ideas about government and about society were as fundamental as Euclid’s axioms of geometry. My fi rst book, What Every Engineer Should Know About Artifi cial Intelligence was published by the MIT Press. I am writing a book, What Every Engineer Should Know About Artifi cial Intelligence was published by the MIT Press. I am writing a book, What Every Engineer Should Know About Artifi cial Intelligencewhich applies Confucius’ well-tested advice to what is going on in America. My book points out that the United States is falling further and further from Confucius’ path of virtue just as China is getting back on his path.” Following is an excerpt from the preface of Mr. Taylor’s latest endeavor. He welcomes all comments.

We’ll see where our leaders are harming our economy, stealing our liberty, and making society less and less effective in taking care of our people. We can fi x our problems through the ballot box, but will we? There are only two ways citizens can affect government – ballots or bullets. If we don’t use the ballot box, our society will collapse into anarchy or tyranny and we’ll need the bullet box instead. Ballots or bullets, which will it be? The choice is ours. 1The Shingle, (University of California, 1968) p. 257, quoted in the Economist, July 4, 2009, p. 30

5

I challenged myself to write a 500-word essay (This I Believe) on my favorite topic: Death. I thought you might enjoy reading a condensed version of my belief on the topic that I’ve worked with during the past fi fteen years of my life: I believe that death is not the big deal we sometimes make it out to be. And I have learned this through the privilege of walking beside those who are preparing to die. In 1989, I lost my own mother to cancer. Death was a pretty big deal to me then. Afterward, however, I knew on some level that my mother was just fi ne, probably in heaven. But I hadn’t yet sorted out what I really thought about death. Then, a few years after Mom’s death, I became a hospice worker. I never dreamed I’d learn so much by rubbing shoulders with the dying. First and foremost, death need not be feared. Rather, when the time comes, death can be embraced with open arms. It is a time for reuniting with the spirit world from which we all come. It is a time for ecstatic celebration and home going. It is a time of connecting with the angels. As one woman posed just before leaving her body: “I see hundreds of angels!” Secondly, the dying taught me “there is so much more than meets the eye.” I’ve heard about many mystical experiences while journeying with the dying. I have also had my share of such experiences. Once, I walked into a room of a man who

Ms. Hoaglund was born in Tokyo, Japan, daughter of Lutheran missionaries. She spent her childhood growing up in Japan, attending Japanese public schools through the eighth grade. As a result, she is bilingual and bicultural, and has used her language and cultural skills in a variety of ways through the years. After fi nishing high school at Canadian Academy she moved to the United States for college. She graduated from Yale College, and later attended seminary and received her Masters of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1984. In 1985 Ms. Hoaglund began parish ministry at Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she was ordained in the United Church of Christ. She continued in parish ministry for ten years, serving a variety of U.C.C. churches in Hawaii and in the Great Northwest. She changed her focus of ministry in 1995 when she began working as a bereavement coordinator for a hospice program in the Puget Sound area. She added spiritual counseling to her repertoire that same year, and has continued with this work to this day. Ms. Hoaglund also trained in spiritual direction (1994-1997), and serves as a spiritual director and consultant. Because of her broad universal perspective, her ministry has an “inter-faith” quality. She also continues to preach and perform weddings, memorial services, funerals, and other rituals, sharing her universalist perspective. www.changewith courage.com

Ms. Hoaglundʼs earlier work

Maria Dancing Heart Hoaglund ´73:The Most Important Day of Your Life: Are you Ready?

asked me later, “Who was that woman who walked in with you when you came into my room?” I was speechless for a time, as I was not aware of anyone with me when I walked into his room. My own mother came to me once, too, through a woman who

could read spiritual energy off of people. And Mom introduced me to my unborn brother who was the one my Mom had miscarried many moons ago! Thirdly, I have learned that all of life is a kind of preparation for death. Shortly after my book, The Last Adventure of Life, was published, I met a young Buddhist volunteer fi refi ghter in a health food store. We got to talking about life and death and my work. The young man exclaimed to me, “In Buddhism, birth is the hard part. Death is easy, because we have the rest of our lives to prepare for it.” Wow, what a concept: We could use the rest of our lives, especially our many goodbyes and farewells, as grist for the mill to prepare for the most important day of our life –- the day of our graduation from earthly life when we are free to release everything and everyone from our lives. Finally, I’ve made the joy-fi lled discovery that all of life is interconnected.

We are connected with all that is here on earth; we are also connected to all that is in heaven. The more we believe in this Magic of the Universe, the more it comes alive in our lives. The more we believe that synchronicity guides our lives, the more it does. Lastly, “Don’t die wondering,” for we just may get exactly what we believe.

6

In the Japanese city of Nara, 1,000 deer wander the huge park and its nearby streets. They are said to be messengers from the gods, although as far as I can tell the main message the gods have sent, so far, is: “Do you have any more of those crackers?” Also: “Don’t step there.” The crackers are called shika sembei, and each of Nara’s deer seem to eat about 400 of them a day, which might make it more lucrative to sell deer crackers from a sidewalk stall than it is to sell octopus balls, which are something people eat. Actually, octopus balls are pretty good, even if you’re not an octopus. Eating street food in Japan, where I am traveling now, whether you’re a deer or a person, is sort of essential. You get off the train, you’re hungry, it’s not time for lunch yet, so you buy something, often with only the vaguest notion (or not even that) of what’s in it. In Nara, I encountered men beating with large black hammers on green paste in a barrel outside a little shop. They were grunting dramatically, and a crowd had formed. To the right of them were little cakes made of the green paste, coated with something that looked a little like sawdust. I bought one. I think there was something else in the middle. There’s always something else in the middle of what you’re eating in Japan. It was pretty good, too. I don’t know what the coating, the green stuff or the inner surprise was. I don’t even know how to tell you what it tasted like, because it didn’t taste like anything I’ve ever had. I will say this. If you get off the plane in Japan and

say, “I don’t like gelatinous things or things I don’t recognize,” you might as well turn around and go home. I started to worry about the deer because it seemed as though they were making an evolutionary leap backward. They have no natural predators. People serve them food all day. And they have an unwarranted sense of self-esteem. One deer actually walked out of the woods and planted himself right next to a cracker stand to

make the whole cracker-to-deer handoff a little quicker, because people wouldn’t want to, you know, have the fun of going out in the park and fi nding him. So one might conclude that the deer are going backward and that, in 1,000 years, they will be easily mistaken for slightly ambulatory, needy trees. But Japan is so rarely what it seems, and my hosts

here, the Wessons, told me they saw a deer stand at a crosswalk in Nara and calmly wait for the light to turn green before proceeding. (In Japan, everybody — antlered or not — waits for the walk light even if there is no traffi c for miles in either direction, and if you jump the gun you will basically confi rm their worst suspicions about gaijin, which means “foreigners” or “accidents waiting to happen.”) And from several other sources, I read that some Nara deer will even bow to people who have bowed to them. So they’re adapting. Within a few years, the deer will be riding on Japan’s extraordinarily effi cient train system, although it may take them a few generations to sort out all the differences among special-rapid, limited express, super-rapid, bullet, local, modifi ed potrzebie and cumulonimbus. OK,

Colin McEnroe: Witty and Opinionated Radio Talk Show Host, Columnist, Author, Social Commentator and Playwright

6

In the Japanese city of Nara, 1,000 deer wander the huge park and its nearby streets. They are said to be messengers from the gods, although as far as I can tell the main message the gods have sent, so far, is: “Do you have any more of those crackers?” Also: “Don’t step there.” The crackers are called of Nara’s deer seem to eat about 400 of them a day, which might make it more lucrative to sell deer crackers from a sidewalk stall than it is to sell octopus balls, which are something people eat. Actually, octopus balls are pretty good, even if you’re not an octopus. Eating street food in Japan, where I am traveling now, whether you’re a deer or a person, is sort of essential. You get off the train, you’re hungry, it’s not time for lunch yet, so you buy something, often with only the vaguest notion (or not even that) of what’s in it. In Nara, I encountered men beating with large black hammers on green paste in a barrel outside a little shop. They were grunting dramatically, and a crowd had formed. To the right of them were little cakes made of the green paste, coated with something that looked a little like sawdust. I bought one. I think there was something else in the middle. There’s always something else in the middle of what you’re eating in Japan. It was pretty good, too. I don’t know what the coating, the green stuff or the inner surprise was. I don’t even know how to tell you what it tasted like, because it didn’t taste like anything I’ve ever had. I will say this. If you get off the plane in Japan and

Colin McEnroe: Show Host, and Playwright

Power of Writing

Visiting AuthorsPower of Writing

Visiting AuthorsPower of Writing

’’‘‘I love Japan. I’m leaving in a ‘‘I love Japan. I’m leaving in a ‘‘day or so, and even though I ‘‘day or so, and even though I ‘‘have tried to see as much, eat

as much, drink as much and wander as much of the country as a middle-aged man with a bad knee can, I didn’t get ’’a bad knee can, I didn’t get ’’enough.

Since 1976, Mr. McEnroe’s columns have won numerous national awards and appeared in Since 1976, Mr. McEnroe’s columns have won numerous national awards and appeared in hundreds of newspapers across the U.S. and around the world. While at Canadian Academy Mr. hundreds of newspapers across the U.S. and around the world. While at Canadian Academy Mr. McEnroe met with individual classes, spoke at a high school assembly, and met with CA faculty McEnroe met with individual classes, spoke at a high school assembly, and met with CA faculty about communication now and in the future. Mr. McEnroe currently teaches at Trinity College in about communication now and in the future. Mr. McEnroe currently teaches at Trinity College in Hartford, CT and writes Hartford, CT and writes To Wit, a daily blog for The Hartford Courant. This was Mr. McEnroe’s The Hartford Courant. This was Mr. McEnroe’s The Hartford Courantfi rst visit to Japan. He had an opportunity to visit the ancient capital of Nara and below are his fi rst visit to Japan. He had an opportunity to visit the ancient capital of Nara and below are his humorous thoughts on that visit in the Spring, 2009. http://blogs.courant.com/colin_mcenroe_humorous thoughts on that visit in the Spring, 2009. http://blogs.courant.com/colin_mcenroe_to_wit/to_wit/

7

Holly Thompson: Young Adult Author, Bi-Cultural Themes

Ms. Thompson was raised in New England and is a long-time resident of Japan, Ms. Thompson is a lecturer at Yokohama City University, where she teaches creative writing, academic writing, short stories

and American culture. www.hatbooks.com.

Visiting Authors

Ms. Thompson met with Canadian Academy elementary and middle school students. She explained to the younger students how she created her beautiful picture book, The Wakame Gatherers. The story is about a young girl whose family has roots in Japan as well as America, and the adventure she has with her two grandmothers from “two different seas.” Middle school students were treated to a “sneak peek” at Ms. Thompson’s work-in-progress, Centering Jake. This book is about an American boy attending a Japanese school and his interactions with peers and the people in his neighborhood. Ms. Thompson was asked what got her started as a writer? A love of stories and words. I started in my teens by writing poems that I shared with my brother. Later, at Mount Holyoke College, several writing teachers inspired me to try creating short stories. I loved the challenges and limits imposed by the short story form. When I fi rst lived in Japan I began writing stories seriously but they were all set in the U.S. At New York University I wrote my fi rst stories set in Japan. This bicultural life, going back and forth between the U.S. and Japan, has fueled most of my writing since.

I made a couple of those up, but the point is, they are all very effi cient and timed out to the minute; and it’s very comforting to think that, even as you stand on a platform whimpering because you couldn’t fi gure out which train to get on, the one you should have been on is right on schedule, several hundred miles away from you. I feel like a loser because, even though I have been on dozens of different trains here in Japan, I have not so far ridden a Shinkansen, or bullet train. In fact, I have ridden on several of Japan’s slowest trains. These are not bullet trains. These are not even arrow trains. They’re more like blunt object trains. They don’t whistle through the air. They kind of pound you into submission. But even the most pokey Japanese train — the kakueki-teisha-futsu-densha, or “super-destination-resisting snail train” — is faster, sleeker, smarter, cleaner and more able to solve basic math problems than the sharpest American trains. They should take young Japanese trains that haven’t fi gured out yet what they want to do with their lives and send them to the U.S. to tutor our trains. JAPANESE TUTOR TRAIN: “You must arrive at every station at the exact moment that has been promised in the schedule. OK?” AMERICAN TRAIN: [long pause] “Huh?” However, none of the preceding can possibly convey how much fun this country is. For example, at baseball games, the crowd actually does things. I mean besides punch and vomit on each other. I went to an Orix Buffaloes game, and the crowd sang and chanted for the whole nine innings. Every player has his own song, which some of the spectators sing. During the seventh-inning stretch, the crowd blows up balloons, sings yet another song while waving the balloons in a complicated and rhythmic way, and then, as one, releases them so that the air above you is fi lled with a colorful spermatozoic display, illustrating the manner in which future baseball players will be conceived. I love Japan. I’m leaving in a day or so, and even though I have tried to see as much, eat as much, drink as much and wander as much of the country as a middle-aged man with a bad knee can, I didn’t get enough. Last Wednesday, visiting Kyoto, I took a bus at the end of the day back to the place that spoke to me most powerfully — the Yakasa Shrine. It’s an old, old Shinto place where people go to commune with the kami, the divine spirits that inhabit everything, every rock and tree and bird. I watched the people who went solemnly before me, and I tried to do as they did (although I later discovered that the ritual, like so many things here, is more painstaking and specifi c than I had guessed). It was twilight outside the beautiful vermilion shrine. I bowed and pulled on a rope that rings a bell overhead to alert the deities. I bowed again and clapped my hands, again to attract the gods and cleanse the air. I tossed money into the offertory box, bowed again and backed away. I didn’t really ask the gods for anything, except a chance to come back.

8

Canadian Academy – no surprise – was a very nice facility, especially the new Early Learning and Activities Center with its playful architecture and elegant interior design (Mondrian would be proud). And Rokko Island was, in its own way, an idyllic spot. At the end of fi ve days, I sort of knew my way around: where to get the train, fi nd the Starbucks, buy groceries, the price of a canteloupe (yikes!). And now I was off to Tokyo, where I’d have to start all over again.

Jon Agee autographs his books for elementary school students

Jon Agee: Noted children’s author and illustrator Mr. Agee is the author and illustrator of ten books for children, inluding Mr. Agee is the author and illustrator of ten books for children, inluding The Return of Freddy LeGrand (a School Library The Return of Freddy LeGrand (a School Library The Return of Freddy LeGrandJournal Best Book of 1992), The Incredible Painting of Felix ClousseauThe Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau (an American Library Association Notable The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau (an American Library Association Notable The Incredible Painting of Felix ClousseauChildrens Book), and Dmitri the Astronaut, named one of the ten best picture books of 1996 by , named one of the ten best picture books of 1996 by Dmitri the Astronaut, named one of the ten best picture books of 1996 by Dmitri the Astronaut The New York Times. Mr. Agee shares his thoughts about his visit to Canadian Academy and Japan. www.jonagee.comAgee shares his thoughts about his visit to Canadian Academy and Japan. www.jonagee.com

I’d never been to Japan before, but I’d seen pictures, Kurosawa movies, heard stories from friends. So, in April, when I arrived at Canadian Academy on Rokko Island, I was a little thrown off. Where were the quaint, narrow streets and the old wooden houses? The rock gardens, the bonsai trees, the shrines? A few minutes later Jeanie and Mike Colaianni glided up on their bicycles and gave me the low down. Rokko Island had its charm, but it wasn’t the real Japan. The real Japan was four stops away on the nifty elevated train. The next night they took me there for dinner. And, yes, it was real! On Monday morning I was in familiar territory, a darkened room with an overhead projector. Tiny preschoolers fi led in. I drew them picture riddles as they guessed out loud for the answers. I also told them stories that evolved simultaneously in my drawings on the screen. Then came the elementary, and, on Tuesday, the middle school kids. Here I could talk and draw about the creative process; how I generate ideas for

stories or wordplay, stories or wordplay, create characters and create characters and humorous situations, humorous situations, get the most out of page get the most out of page turns, fi rst lines, picture turns, fi rst lines, picture composition, and I even composition, and I even touched on the dreaded task of revision. The kids were bright and engaged. They laughed at my punch-lines (the funny ones) and asked good questions. On Thursday, I had a couple informal discussions with high school art students, one of who remembered me from my visit, six years ago, to Colegio F. D. Roosevelt in Peru. Coincidentally, that’s where I fi rst met Fred and Amy Wesson, along with Jon and Celia Schatzky, and it was great catching up with both couples. Back in Peru, Fred had whipped me at tennis. He had home court advantage (literally). I was hoping for a grudge match, but better yet, we found time for an elaborate Japanese dinner.

Mr. Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. At age twelve, he was enrolled in Aoyama Gakuin in Tokyo and sent to live with his maternal grandmother. During this time, Mr. Say apprenticed himself to Noro Shinpei, a cartoonist

whom he greatly admired. This period marked the beginning of his serious training in the arts and was to prove pivotal in Mr. Say’s life, as documented in his words in The Ink-Keeper’s Apprentice. Mr. Say is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winner Grandfather’s Journey (1993) and the Caldecott Honor winner The Boy of the Three-Year Nap (1988). He is known for his technical skill and varied style, and his books pay tribute to Japanese culture and folk tales as well as his own personal experiences. www.houghtonmiffl inbooks.com/authors/allensay/author.shtml

Mr. Say on how he begins his picture books: Usually, my books start with a very vague notion or idea. Then I begin to draw things that come into my mind. Eventually, I see a pattern within the pictures. It is this pattern that develops into a tentative plot. My next step is to complete all my paintings for the book. After they are fi nished, I write the story. This may seem like the reverse of what appears to be the natural storytelling process, but for me, the plot of the story develops through the pictures.Allen Say in Canadian Academyʼs main theater

Visiting AuthorsVisiting Authors

Allen Say: Caldecott Medal Winning Author

9

Our annual fundraising event this year was held in Canadian Academy’s P&G Black Box theater. Over fi fty students participated from our Interlude and

Symphonic Winds/Jazz Band, KISS (Kansai International School Services) ushers, and the Tech Team. Master of Ceremonies, Kiran Sethi ´83 presented the grand prize, two round-trip tickets to London on Turkish Airlines, to raffl e winner Ms. Kaoru Neukomm.

Over 800,000 yen was received in support of the event. Proceeds support CA’s Field of Dreams project: the acquisition and development of land adjacent to our campus to accommodate organized sports and recreational activities. Included is re-development of outdoor areas to promote life-long, healthy, daily activity. The project aligns with our school’s Core Values and Learner Profi le, and is supported by our Physical Education, Activities and Health Programs. The project also benefi ts our greater community through an environmentally positive impact on Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture-our concept includes planting trees, covered “sun-safe” areas, replacing sand fi elds with a green surface, and creating natural physical-use spaces such as a walking trail.

ur annual fundraising event this year was held in Canadian Academy’s P&G Black Box theater. Over

Annu

alFu

ndra

iser

Raves Jiro Yoshida’s talent and personality fi lled the room. The professionals making jazz with our students made it just right...

Otsukaresamadeshita. ...I just wanted to let you know the concert was a ‘Feel Good’ event.

What was most exciting for me personally, was to hear the accolades that Yoshida-san had for our students and their musical ability. I was proud to hear him compare Ray Brown ´11 to Frank Sinatra, to offer to become Ben Ryu’s ´10 personal manager, to congratulate Jon Levy ´05 on his achievements since graduating, and to compliment Fuko Ito ´10 both on her ability with the trombone and her taste in music...

10

Dr. Grubel, Mr. Nakagawa and India’s Consul General Swarup. It was exciting to hear the contest results. Japanese language teachers Ms. Mosser and Ms. Sato as well as High School Principal Ms. Vrba were there to represent Canadian Academy along with Mrs. Qua Hiansen, parent of Monica ´05and Johann ´07.

Remi Saeki ´11 was the grand winner of the 30th Bilingual Speech Contest sponsored by the Kobe Cross Cultural Center. The theme for this year: To Break Through the Global Crisis in the 21st Century, What Kind of Leadership Is Needed? As grand winner, Remi won a trophy presented by the mayor of Kobe, a round trip ticket to Cairns, Australia from Jetstar and a Canon EOS Kiss X2 Digital Camera. Sean Qiao ´11 was the gold prize winner placing second in the competition. He received (Japan American Women of Kansai) JAWK’s gift of a Panasonic HDD Blu-ray disc recorder. There were eleven fi nalists from eight countries. Each contestant was asked to give a ten minute speech in English and Japanese on the selected theme. Judging the speeches this year were Winners of the Kobe Cross-Cultural Speech Contest

Pair of CA Students Score Double Win at Bilingual Speech Contestby Lisa Qua Hiansen

CA C

urre

nts In September 2008, a small group of students

from Grade 10 formed to regularly participate in international mathematics competitions. Since then, this team has grown to more than fourteen participants, and includes students from various grade levels. The students are ably lead by Seung Hyun Song ´11, along with Sean Qiao ´11 and Kevin Chen ´11. The club meets once per week for two or three hours to practice skills and work on competition problems. The club is open to everyone and anyone who has a passion for mathematics; the participants need not be the most outstanding mathematicians, as most of the competitions entered are group competitions. Instead, it is the social bond and stimulation of mathematical thought that make this club and gathering meaningful for them. Whilst competitive strength may not be the main aim of the group, students have individually and collectively achieved

CA Math Club continues a tradition of excellence! by Elizabeth Durkin, Mathematics Department Head

some outstanding results! One founding member of the club, Kevin Chen ´11, scored exceptionally well in the annual AMC (American Mathematics Competition) in February 2009 with 132 points. In doing so, he placed himself well within the top one percent of participants worldwide, and was

CA C

urre

nts

CA C

urre

nts

10

From the Red & Grey, 1981: Math Club

Back Row: Laurence Chang, Woo Young Choi, Peter Kuhlman, Kyle Cunningham,

Long Ho Chen, Kee-Bum Hong, Yoshimi Tomizawa, Laurencina Farrant,

Sonia Ramani Front Row: Keiji Johnson, Mike Laurio, Patrick Yu, Sanjay Arora, Karin Hansen,

Minju Kim, Mahoko Kamatsuchi

The Math Club provides opportunities for the mathematically

inclined to test and improve their prowess. Many of the members

of the Math Club participate in the All Japan International

Schools Mathematics Contest held in the Kanto Area each year.

The contest involves 90 minute tests at seven different levels.

The tests are made up by the Mathematics Departments from the participating schools: Rapid Computation, Junior High Mad-Hatter, Algebra I, Algebra II and Trigonometry, Senior High Leap Frog, Geometry and Calculus. At least twelve international schools have taken part in the contest each year. Our teams have kept Canadian Academy winning fi rst place for fi ve years in a row.

Former mathematics teachers Mr. Guthrie

(1981-2008) and Mr. Samuel (1956-1986)

with the fi rst place trophies from the All Japan Math Contests

11

In the Math Notations competition one of our teams fi nished fi rst and the other team placed second. Also, the students are looking forward to the ASMA (the American Scholastic Mathematics Association) series, which consists of four short written tests over four months where the top eight scores count.

Canadian Academy students and teacher Ms. Nishizawa toured three USA Japan Bowlwinners to Byodo-in Temple in Uji and Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, during their visit to Japan. Tomo Nishizawa ´07toured the group in Hiroshima. CA partnered with the Japan America Women of Kansai (JAWK) to offer the visiting students, U.S. national winners in the study of Japanese language and culture, a chance to meet with students living in Japan.

CA Welcomes USA Japan Bowl Winners

Winners of the Kobe Cross-Cultural Speech Contest

Pair of CA Students Score Double Win at Bilingual Speech Contest

CA Math Club continues a tradition of excellence!

Math Club 2009-2010

hence invited to be involved in the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) in late March. This was indeed an honour for Kevin. Kevin even managed to score above the mean in this extremely diffi cult competition. Since

then, the group of fourteen students has competed in other mathematics competitions, namely Purple Comet and Math Notations. The students formed two teams for the Purple Comet competition, and one team placed fi fth out of several hundred participating teams.

From the Red & Grey, 1981: Math Club

Math Contest Team 1981

Back Row: Laurence Chang, Woo Young Choi, Peter Kuhlman, Kyle Cunningham,

Long Ho Chen, Kee-Bum Hong, Yoshimi Tomizawa, Laurencina Farrant,

Front Row: Keiji Johnson, Mike Laurio, Patrick Yu, Sanjay Arora, Karin Hansen,

Minju Kim, Mahoko Kamatsuchi

1212

CA C

urre

nts

CA C

urre

nts

CA C

urre

nts

CA C

urre

nts

Compassionately Impacting Our Island

Forty students from both the High School and Middle School Ecology Clubs and members

Forty students from both the High School and Middle School Ecology Clubs and members

of the Class of 2012 joined their teachers to participate in the Rokko Island Clean Up

of the Class of 2012 joined their teachers to participate in the Rokko Island Clean Up

Campaign. The campaign was sponsored by the Rokko Island Beautifi cation Comittee who

Campaign. The campaign was sponsored by the Rokko Island Beautifi cation Comittee who

appreciated the efforts of CA students to make Rokko Island a cleaner place to live.

appreciated the efforts of CA students to make Rokko Island a cleaner place to live.

15th Anniversary of the Hanshin Earthquake

Rokko Island commerated the 15th Anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake with a memorial walk/run on the green belt surrounding the island. The earthquake struck at 5:46 AM on January 17, 1995. Over 300 people including members of the CA comunity participated in the memorial event.

Headmaster Fred Wesson announces departure Headmaster Fred Wesson has announced to the Canadian Academy community that he would be leaving CA after the 2010-2011 school year, so that he and his wife Amy could be closer to their family. On behalf of the community Board of Trustees Chair, Ben Shaman, expressed his appreciation for Mr. Wesson’s service to the school, and he

announced that a worldwide search for a successor was underway. If you know of a possible candidate and would like to offer your suggestion, please contact the school’s search consultant, John Magagna at Search Associates at his email address: SearchCentralHQ@cs.com

13

How can I show my support for Canadian Academy?Canadian Academy inspires students to inquire, refl ect, and

choose to compassionately impact the world throughout their lives.

Donations tax advantageCanadian Academy holds Tokutei Koeki Zoshin Hojin in Japan.The Canadian Academy School, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profi t association in the USA.

Credit CardMake a secure online donation with your credit card in US dollars: http://www.canacad.ac.jp/page.cfm?p=580

International Bank Transfer (funds in any currency)Account name: Canadian AcademyBank name: Mizuho Bank, Kobe BranchAccount: #1014098International SWIFT code: MHBKJPJT

Checks: mail US dollar checks to Canadian Academy’s US FoundationThe Canadian Academy School, Inc. 15 Roszel RoadP. O. Box 5910Princeton, NJ 08540USA

RecognitionDonations to Canadian Academy are recorded from July 1 to June 30 each year. An Annual Report honors the names (or Anonymous) of our donors, usually in the fall issue of the Canadian Academy REVIEW.

Students in all grade levels at Canadian Academy embrace the following learner profi le: • Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.• Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global signifi cance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.• Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.• Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confi dently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.• Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

• Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.• Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment• Risk-takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.• Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.• Refl ective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Excerpt taken from the IBO document, Towards a continuum of international education, 2008. The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

Inspiring minds, Nurturing compassionFor more information please contact Amy Wesson, Director of Advancement (advancement@canacad.ac.jp)

Compassionately Impacting Our Island

14

international schools I have seen in the past 30 years as well as the international milieu in general, the student population is far more varied than it was in the 1960s. Amidst the differences, including the move away from church affi liation and Canadian certifi cation, the institution has changed, maintained traditions, and survived while generations of students have departed to make signifi cant contributions throughout the world. Nearly 100 years old! It was more than a little strange having a lengthy visit to CA because it is a place, an experience, which brings back so many memories. Mine were not the memories of recent graduates who actually walked within the present walls. Mine were

the memories of buildings now pulled down and, mostly, of friends and classmates with whom I grew up. Well; I did some of my growing up there and I’m still striving for a bit more! Since my visit, I have had the pleasure of expanding my circle of contacts with old CA friends to a few more of my classmates as well as a whole bunch from other classes and some former teachers. It was good to view old yearbooks on the CA website and then look for some of the missing friends through Facebook, the Internet or just by networking. So, now I am looking forward to returning to CA again soon. This time, I am sure I’ll be overworked again; I hope so. It’s good to be able to give back a little because even on this visit, I came away with more than I gave. That was just like graduation in 1964.

industry as something that boils down to simple luck and innate talent. I think they got a little taste with this workshop of how advanced planning, hard work, careful research, identifying reachable goals and moving towards them, seizing opportunities when they come, and just being a decent human being can

have a huge impact on your success in any fi eld that you may choose. Would that every student in the world could get that message.

The students who had an opportunity to participate in Jon Levy’s workshop were impressed with Mr. Levy’s obvious passion for what he does. He made a decision earlier in his life that music was what he wanted to aim for as a career, and then proceeded to take every step possible to give himself a chance to be successful with it: choosing the right school, networking and broadening his experience with other aspects of the industry besides performance. I just got a kick out of seeing one of our own return here and serve as such an inspiration to younger people. Many students this age see success in the music

As I walked to Canadian Academy in October last year, I refl ected: I have been fortunate in being able to visit CA from time to time since graduating in 1964, but not often. Once, in 1981, with my mother who also graduated from CA (Mary Boyd Stanley ´32) and my wife: some of my old teachers greeted us. Again, in 1995, three months after the Hanshin Earthquake: rather subdued. And another visit to the old school site on Nagamineyama in 2004: apartment houses and the relocated Union Church, but the old playing fi elds were there! Each visit brought back memories of times, happy and sad, and of friends. But late last summer, I revealed my intention to visit again and, for my trouble, was dragooned into three lecture/discussions about Japanese history in the high school. I was supposed to focus on the years up to the Allied Occupation, but like any good historian (is there one?), I seriously overstepped my constraints. It was good clean fun: this time, I was not sent to see the principal for misbehavior, although I did have the pleasure of meeting her as well as a good portion of the other senior administrators. They say you can’t go home, but of course that’s half true and half nonsense. CA is still there even if it is in a different location (man-made island instead of a natural mountain) and even if it feels different. It’s bigger by far, yet not a large school. It’s completely modern and well equipped – the latest computers instead of those old manual typewriters with faded ribbons. And like all

Jonathan Levy ʼ05 recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music and performed and

discussed the life of a musician for music classes.

Jonathan Levy ´05 workshops with CA music studentsby Michael McHugh, Choir Director

14

Retu

rning

Alum

ni

Tom Stanley ʼ64 spoke to a number of social studies classes during his visit to CA. Dr. Stanley is a former

professor of Japanese History at the University of Hong

Thoughts on returning to CAby Tom Stanley ´64

15

Geila Zilkha ʼ87 lent her talent to the

annual charity concert sponsored by the

American Chamber of Commerce Japan Kansai

Chapter (ACCJ) and Kansai International

School Service (KISS) held at CA.

Madoka Ito ʼ92 shared her art work and experiences as a professional artist with the advanced art class.

Ela Ghadimi´72 welcomed Monica Qua Hiansen ʼ05to work with her as an intern in social studies classes.

Ms. Qua Hiansen is a recent graduate of Barnard College and will continue her teacher training in June.

On returning to the other side of the classroomby Monica Qua Hiansen ’05 This is what I know. Every year, at every graduation, we seniors walk into that auditorium and stand on that brightly-lit stage. Pomp and Circumstance plays like a wedding march, and we’re equally excited and apprehensive as we descend the steps. Will I cry at the ceremony? Will I succeed at university? Will I trip onstage? We know, though we don’t nearly say it enough or may not even fully realize it at the time, that we are there because of two sets of people - our families in the audience and our teachers onstage with us. That sense of gratitude never goes away, and in fact deepens over time as we truly comprehend the value of our Canadian Academy education. I’ve attended six graduation ceremonies here at CA, including my own in 2005. Since then, I’ve spent four years in New York, studying pension reform, Native American archaeology and chaos theory. I’ve seen Yo-Yo Ma at Carnegie Hall, spent lazy afternoons at the Guggenheim and attended a meeting at the United Nations. But now I’m back at CA, not as a student but as an intern, as a future teacher. I sit in on ninth-grade history and geography classes with Mr. Hengal and Mrs. Ghadimi (though I’m supposed to call them Bob and Ela now). I get to talk to seniors and seventh-graders about economics, about progressive taxation and market failure. I’ve even fi gured out how to work the copy machine. I’m the new kid again, dealing with

block schedules and wondering who to sit with at lunch, constantly meeting new faces and forgetting names fi ve seconds post-introduction. I’ve lived in seven countries and attended fi ve different international schools, so in theory this new

kid business should be a non-issue. Indeed the faculty and administration have been so warm and supportive that the transition has been smooth. I walked into the Elementary School the other day and stepped into that tiny square courtyard for the fi rst time in years. As a fi rst-grader I saw bottle rockets launched from that gray-tiled fl oor. Mr. Nelson shut the lights off in our classroom so we could see the

universe with just a fl ashlight and some bouncy balls. When he showed us Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous speech, I was mesmerized. I too wanted his dream where “little children would not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I literally learned to count at CA, using the number line in Mrs. Miller’s KB class. Mrs. Mosser taught me one through ten in Japanese in the second grade, and then how to compare the causes of the First World War in IB SL Japanese a decade later. I’ve come back to where I started, to peer behind the curtain and sit somewhat awkwardly in the faculty lounge. It’s been the oddest and most interesting experience, in part because of my age. A junior in history asked if I was a new student during the fi rst three minutes of class while the ninth-graders thought I had graduated from college fi ve years ago.

The more I get to know these students and see their potential, the more I realize how much I want to teach. NGOs always advocate education. The idea is that if you give a man a fi sh, he can feed himself for the day - but if you teach him how to fi sh, he can feed himself for life. I want to teach young adults how to fi sh, not to blindly memorize whatever I toss out but how to think for themselves. I want to teach young adults what matters - that the world is so much bigger and more complex than they could ever imagine but that they have a responsibility toward it, as citizens of their own backyard and the globe. I want to teach them how to solve problems creatively, recognize the value of opposing views and interpret issues with an open mind so that when they get to university and are on their own, they won’t be so quick to oversimplify or assign blame or fall back on xenophobic stereotypes. I grew up with an incredible education. My teachers chose to be educators. They were passionate not only about what they taught but about learning itself. They saw how much education could impact the world. Ms. Fisher read eleven drafts of my extended essay. Mr. Ferguson is someone I still go to for advice and encouragement. I feel so lucky to have been educated by people who truly care about who and what they teach. And I know that they feel they’ve learned as much from their students as we have from them. Twenty or thirty years down the line, I want to teach kids about the darkest times in our history. I want them to question who writes our textbooks and why they do. I want to look back and know that I’ve had a role in making the world a little less apathetic. I want to be a teacher. I want to be the kind of teacher I had here at CA, someone who is so much more than just a teacher. Everyone deserves a Mr. Nelson or a Ms. Fisher or a Mr. Ferguson. And if I can be that for someone, then I’ll be quite satisfi ed.

16

10th Reunion: Class of 1999, October 10, 2009

Sascha Landau´99, Nishant Pathela´99, Pramit Shewa´99, Ojiro Tokushima´99, Sandra Ota (CA Faculty 1970-Present), Matthew Flinchum (CA Faculty 1985 -Present), Isaac Watanabe´99, Miya Inui´99, Bob Hengal (CA Faculty 1976-Present), Kali Littlewood´99, Heather Metzler, Huei-Li Lin´99, Bryan Metzler´99, Liza Mamtani´99, Chiami Ishibashi´99.Liza Mamtani´99 commented: “The reunion just hammered home the usual story with CA kids - no matter how long it has been and no matter how much has changed, there is no adjustment period needed when the crowd gets back together again. The Kobe Crowne Plaza bar location was very elegant and we also ended the night elegantly at a ramen-ya, which was great. The only sad part was that the teachers didn’t join us for the after-hour festivities. Considering how little they have aged, we were very disappointed!”

CA: In the NewsThe Japan Times, Monday, September 28, 2009Newslinks, International School Services, fall 2009Kansai Time Out, September 2009Asahi Newspaper, Sunday, October 18, 2009GuangZhou English Channel (GZTV), Guangzhou, China,

October 23, 2009Yomiuri Newspaper, December 12, 2009Yomiuri online newspaper, December 17, 2009NHK World TV, Japan 7 Days, January 16 and 17, 2010Ajisai, Kobe International Center for Cooperation and

Communication, March 2010The Japan Times, Monday, March 8, 2010

Recording for NHK TV program Japan 7 Days in the ELAC Sound StudioJapan 7 Days in the ELAC Sound StudioJapan 7 Days

The REVIEW Online You can fi nd past issues of this REVIEW at: http://www.canacad.ac.jp/page.cfm?p=552 or by visiting the alumni section of the CA website. In an effort to fulfi ll our mission statement to “...compassionately impact the world...” we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint. We would like to ask for your help. If you would like to receive a digital copy of the REVIEW instead of a printed one please contact the REVIEW instead of a printed one please contact the REVIEWAlumni Offi ce at: alumni@canacad.ac.jp Once you have registered your request with the Alumni Offi ce you will be notifi ed via email as soon as the next edition of the REVIEW is online. An added advantage is that you will be able to read the REVIEW as soon as it is completed!

17

Standing: Rika Ahn´87, Takashi Morimoto´87, Kojiro Dan´84, Koji Nakamura´90, Licca Chen´86, Mira McIntosh Sakata´84, Kae Jo´84, Fred Alsdorf´62 (CA Faculty 1976-2009), Rica Fujino´84, Satoru Yamamoto´84, Keith Guthrie (CA Faculty 1981-2007), Anna Ueyama´84, Naoko Tani Fukuchi´84, Kaya Hiraoka´87, Marie Kawai´88 , Keiko Guthrie (CA Faculty 1981-2006)Seated: Hitoshi Morimoto´87, Hitoshiʼs son, Bob Hengal (CA Faculty 1976-Present), Hyo-Joong Kim´85, Kiran Sethi´83, Seiji Okamura´84.

Kobe Reunion October 31, 2009

The Class of 1984 celebrated its 25th reunion in Kobe on October 31, 2009 at the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. We were fortunate to welcome Mr. Robert Hengal, Mr. and Mrs. Keith and Keiko Guthrie, Mr. Fred Alsdorf, and Dr. David Willis. In addition, many friends from other classes in the 80’s joined us to make this an extra special event. One of the highlights of this reunion was to honor the life and contribution of Mamiko Kawai ´84, thanks to Seiji Okamura’s ´84 memorial video produced for this event. Many other members who could not attend this event were also featured: Morris Kimura ´85, Yuki Sugimura

´85, Sonia Dart ´84, Elizabeth Miller ´84, and Pang-Jen Su ´84. We were reminded of the contribution CA friends have been making in the world. Marie Kawai Hisamatsu ´88 represented Mamiko’s family at this reunion. We thank all CA alumni from around the world that sent us personal messages. All messages were distributed at the reunion and reminded us of the strong connection we have with them. Many have expressed a strong interest in joining us for the 30th reunion. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to welcome them all in Kobe! Naoko Tani Fukuchi ´84

The Class of 1978 will hold their reunion from Thursday, July 29 to Sunday, August 1, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Evanston is a bordering surburb of Chicago (about 20 minutes by train to the city). It is a small city of around 70,000 people and is home to the world renowned Northwestern University and headquarters of The Rotary International. You may contact Ajay Gidwani ´78 (ajaydg@aol.com) for more details.

Upcoming ReunionsClass of 1970 Class of 1978 Class of 1980 Class of 1990

The 2010 Alumni OdysseyThe Class of 1970 will be holding their reunion in Kobe. The offi cial events are from Friday, June 18 to Sunday, June 20, 2010. Only Class of 1970 members and their families are invited to the offi cial events. Unoffi cial gatherings are on Thursday, June 17 and Monday, June 21, 2010. You may contact Charles Ohmori ´70(czohmori@yahoo.com) for more details.

The Class of 1990 will hold their reunion in San Francisco from Friday, July 2 to Monday, July 5. It is in honor of the class of 1990’s 20th reunion but alumni from all classes are welcome. Please contact Sheri Shamdasani ´90 (sheri_shamdasani@yahoo.com) or by phone at (917)-599-8939.

The Class of 1980 will hold their reunion in San Francisco on July 30 to August 1, 2010 and it is open to all classes, signifi cant others, and children. Anyone interested may contact Karin Johansson ´80 (kjohansson@comcast.net)

18

Mailbox

Dae-In Cha´93 and Kiran Sethi´83

Back: Bob Hengal (CA Faculty 1976-Present), Frank Cary´72, Kiran Sethi´83, Chris Rayne (CA Faculty 1981-90, 1996-2001), Day Lancaster´72, Koichi Hama´69, Jimmy Minamoto´71, Tetsu Fukui´94, Tim Thornton (CA Faculty 1980-98), Dylan Nagaoka´99, Shojiro Tokushima´95, Justin Nagaoka´94, Ryosuke Aoki´95, Riki Melwani´87, Yoshinori Hayashi´97, Taeya Kang´87, Koji Ito´93, Sam Pyun´87, Govind Mahtani´91, Andy Meehan´86, Wiza Han´87, Dino Mizushima´91, Peter Shane´89Front: Kana Amaki´97, Ae Suh Kimura´98 , Kaiko Kunii, Yuka Nagaoka´09, Lauren Shaman´98, Hiroko Tabuchi´97, Ying Ku´89, David Satterwhite´69, Suzuka Inden´93, Dae-In Cha´93, Licca Chen´86, Miki Sakai´90, Asuka Nakao´01

Tokyo Annual Reunion December 4, 2009

George ´17, Patrick ´13, Oli and Mike ´13, Oli and Mike ´13,Tooher-Hancock (CA Faculty 2000-05) are presently in Lima, Peru at Colegio Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), known as the American School of Lima, where Oli is the High School Principal.

Former faculty members Chris Rayne (1981-90, 1996-2001) and Tim Thornton (1980-98) with

Riki Melwani´87

CA staff members Miyuki Miyaji, Mineyo Takiyama and Aki Yoshikawa welcome back former faculty member Pat Fisher (CA Faculty 1981-2008), visiting from her home in Turkey.

Special thanks to: •Dae-In Cha ´93 who again organized a wonderful reunion in Tokyo. As Dae-In commented: “It was the third annual alumni gathering in Tokyo, and the party was a BLAST! It’s always so natsukashii and great to catch up with friends from CA. Looking forward to the fourth one next year!”•Kiran Sethi ´83 who travelled from Kobe representing CA’s Advancement Committee.•Reunion attendees for their generous donation to CA.

Faculty

19

1920’s

Ora Dell Henderson Murray, daughter of Martha Logan Henderson ´26, visted CA along with her husband and representatives of the Kagawa Foundation. Martha’s father, Charles Alexander Logan, was instrumental in helping the young Toyohiko Kagawa. Mr. Kagawa then devoted the rest of his life to charitable works. Ms. Murray was visiting Japan at the invitation of the Kagawa Foundation and took time out of her schedule to visit her mother’s alma mater.

Faculty

CA Staff: Dave Ferguson, Darrick Mosser, Aki Yoshikawa, Tami Mizushima, Steve Hryncewicz, Sandy Ota, Chuck Kite, Miyuki Miyaji, Bob Hengal, Sachiko Takihara and David Harris wishing former faculty member Connie Knofl ick (1991-2000) a happy birthday. Connie and Art are in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Paul Govers ´92 writes: “It would probably shock most people who knew me then to hear that I’m an IT Project Manager and spend most of my days organizing people/schedules/resources/budgets for large projects (such as building new software). My strange career path has taken me to Washington, DC (2 years), New York (3), London (4), Texas (2), and Charlotte NC (2). I’m now waiting to see what the next chapter will look like and keeping my passport handy!”

1990’s

Makoto Sugino ´95 writes: “I graduated from International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo in March 2000. Then I went on to graduate school at Okayama University and Sophia University. Presently I am working at Sophia University as a post-graduate fellow. My major is in Economics, in particular, Applied Microeconomics. Recently, I’ve been working in environmental economics. The main topic of my research is the global warming issue. As a part of my research I am presently working with the Ministry of the Environment (Japanese government) on developing a domestic emission trading scheme.”

Sarah Kashani ´98 writes: “I’m currently working on a PhD degree in social anthropology and I’m back in Kansai to conduct my dissertation research on Zainichi Korean entrepreneurship and postcolonial subjectivities in Japan. I’m feeling a bit of reverse cultural shock after living abroad for eleven years but I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to live at home again. I’ll be here until the end of this year so I’m looking forward to getting in touch with alumni that are residing or visiting in the Kansai area!”

2000’s

Kia Kavoosi ´03 visited CA from Australia where he is now living. He had the chance to meet up with his former classmate Jovan Yamagishi ´03.

1990’sFormer parent Mrs. Schokker (1988-91) returned to CA for a visit from her home in the Netherlands. She had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Sandy Ota.

CA Email UpdatesHave you been receiving your CA email updates? If not contact your Class Rep (see inside front cover) or the Alumni

Offi ce at: alumni@canacad.ac.jp

20

Anupam Kumar ´02 celebrated his marriage to Shalu Rana with family and friends. Anupam is working in Washington, DC at Blackboard and his wife, Shalu, is a school teacher in Manhattan, New York.

2000’s

Arunav Patnaik, Richa Kumar´97, Anupam Kumar´02, Anupamʼs parents Pradeep and Rita Kumar

Raj Virani, Gopal Thakral´02, Anupam Kumar´02, Shalu Rana, Anisha Jhaveri´04, Aarti Virani´02

Keisuke Nakayama ´05 had the opportunity recently to meet with one of his favorite jazz pianists, Ahamd Jamal. Keiksuke met him in Boston after one of his performances.

Jovan Yamagishi ´03 organized the 5th Annual Soccer Match for Hope at CA, 2009. He writes: “One may be quick to label the December 6th event, Soccer Match for Hope as a success. However, the true success is yet to be determined with two questions unanswered. One, with our support for cancer research, will 2010 provide cancer patients with a cure? Second, will CA students accept this charity work as, not just an annual event, but a way of living: to help those who are in need of

us. Thanks to many supporters, we were able to raise ¥273,600. What was most encouraging about this year, was the number of volunteers that came to set up the event, and take charge of the various booths. There was a sense of pride amongst these individuals that wanted to see the event achieve more than the previous years, and it was because of this that we were able to raise more funds than last year.”

Shiki Funakoshi ´01 writes: “After graduating from Berklee College of Music, I did a year of practical training in Boston, then returned to Japan for my album recording. My album Love Story was released last September and is currently sold at various websites and stores. It’s a mini album with 7 songs which I wrote, arranged, and produced.”

Tomoko Hirotani ´05 visited CA in February and was greeted by her former classmate Monica Qua Hiansen ´05. Tomoko is taking a semester off from Penn State from which she expects to graduate in 2011.

21

In Memoriam

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you that It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you that It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I inform you that my father-in-law, my father-in-law, my father-in-law, Arvind Chotai ´41, passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. Shelley A. Chotai December 8, 2009. Shelley A. Chotai December 8, 2009. Shelley A. Chotai

2000’s

Mark Krikke ´06 and Sarah Krikke ´09 visited CA. Mark was visiting from Germany where he is working and Sarah was on winter break from her university studies.

Theodore Van Doorn ´40 passed away on November 23, 2009 at his home in Belvedere, California at the age of 88. Born on August 1, 1921 in Yokohama, Japan to Johannes Wilhelm Van Doorn and Tora Inouye, Ted was the youngest of four children. A survivor of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, he was raised in Kobe and attended Canadian Academy. Upon graduation, Ted became a writer for the Japan Chronicle, an English language newspaper based in Kobe. Ted became a proud American citizen

in 1951, settling in San Francisco where he founded his successful giftware company Vandor Imports. He was an avid fi sherman and confessed a need to live in sight of the Pacifi c. He moved to Marin County in 1975. While his many life adventures took him across the globe, it was always a great joy to return to the tranquil waters he loved so much. He leaves his wife Alicia, his children Cyrena and Theodore; his nephew Bob Scriba ´59 and his niece Eva

Duesler ´62; his step-children Chris and Sara; his son-in-law Jean Luc and his daughter-in-law Heather; and his many close friends and colleagues, all of whom loved and admired him greatly. He will be missed most by his fi ve grandchildren, Chloe and Amelia Nouzille, and Max, Fiona and Phoebe Van Doorn, as there are still fi sh to catch and kites to fl y. Eva Duesler ´62 Editorʼs Note: Tedʼs visit to CA was reported in the Spring 2006 REVIEW.REVIEW.REVIEW

Chihiro Hirai ´08, John Rabb ´08, and Karma Lal ´08 stoppped by during their winter break from university to visit with Melanie Vrba the High School Principal.

Sang Hyung Lee ´07 visited CA from South Korea where she is studying. She is pictured here with her award for Outstanding Senior Project of 2007.

Minami Minami ´07 has written the new single, Bump Bump,for Korean pop singer BoA which was produced by Japanese hip-hop artist Verbal.

Former elementary school teacher Mae Lott (CA Faculty 1977-81) passed away in December 2009.

Maya Araki ´08 writes: “Hello everyone! I would just like to let everyone know that, since leaving CA in 2005, I have moved to Adelaide, Australia. I am currently doing a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Adelaide, which I am fi nding highly enjoyable. I can’t wait to visit CA in the future. I have seen photos of the new building and it looks amazing! All of the students at CA are very lucky to be able to learn with the aid of such facilities.”

Editor’s Corrections:•Tom Hosack ´09 will be attending the

University of Bristol after his gap year.•Apologies to donors not listed in the Fall

REVIEW: Darrick and Atusko Mosser, Red and Grey (¥10,000 up to ¥49,000)

Countdown to CA’s Centennial Celebration in 2013

As we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Canadian Academy we will be reprinting photos from CA’s history. Please share your photos with us!

Sports Day 1985—Going for the gold! After another heated Sports Day competition on Nagamineyama the Grey Team celebrated a narrow victory over the Red Team 1123 to 1121 points!

Photo by Alden L. Berry