Jeffrey Karsh, Class of 2002, is a Partner at a Real Estate Investment Firm
Meet Jeffrey Karsh, a partner at private real estate investment firm Typerion Partners in Los Angeles, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Jeffrey attended Clairbourn in the early 1990s, from preschool through sixth grade, before his family moved to Beverly Hills. Jeffrey recalls his time at Clairbourn as still “vivid” in his memory, where he recalls the teachers who inspired him and the friends he enjoyed and loved spending time with. Emily Coolidge, Class of 2012, interviewed Jeffrey to find out more about his cherished time at Clairbourn and how it helped boost his confidence in third grade as a top tennis player and influenced his further education. She also asked him what advice he has for those interested in a similar career path.
Taylor Marks Class of 2011 is currently pursuing a career in health and wellness.
Our Clairbourn alums continue to impress us with their talent, eloquence, kindness, strong work ethic, beauty, intelligence, and wisdom. Taylor Marks, Class of 2011, is no exception. We caught up with her during a visit to the Clairbourn Families Association Tennis Social, and in between her stellar tennis shots, we asked her if she would be featured.
She enthusiastically agreed to be featured, pointing out that Clairbourn has had a significant impact on her childhood. Although she has had a wide variety of experiences after high school, including attending university in San Francisco, and living in such a diverse and fast-paced city, she will always remember Clairbourn as the place where she had an “overwhelming sense of community and family.” She learned important skills here, and she made lifelong friendships. Clairbourn was a place where she was nurtured and encouraged and loved. Her tight-knit family, including her mom, who is active as a Board Member at Clairbourn, continues to inspire her to work hard and pursue what she loves.
With an infectious laugh and effervescent personality, Taryn Johnson, Class of 2000, simply glows. Now that her daughter Harper is enrolled in the kindergarten class at Clairbourn, it marks five generations here.
The family history dates back to the mid-1940s when Taryn’s great-grandmother, Lola Wallden, started her career as a school bus driver and retired in 1982 as the Assistant Head of School. Taryn’s grandmother, Beverly Thomson, was the preschool and kindergarten teacher from 1971 until the year 2000. Taryn’s mother, Jodie Robison, is also an alum of the school and worked in the finance office for years.
From left: Aaron C., Aidan S., Kennedy K., Samantha F., and Isabel C.
Clairbourn students excel at public speaking. It is therefore very natural for every member of the graduating 8th grade class to write a remembrance speech when the school year comes to a close. This speech is designed to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their journey at Clairbourn—specifically to write about their personal growth, the challenges they overcame, meaningful opportunities, and their appreciation for inspiring teachers. While every student writes a speech, only 10 students (about 1/3 of the class) is asked to give a public presentation of their speech at the Morning Assembly, the Awards Assembly, or the final Graduation event. Here are excerpts from five of the speeches given at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
“I have been at Clairbourn for 8 years. My Clairbourn experience has been much more than a journey through education, it has actually been like a basketball game. Kevin Durant says, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” Sometimes, I faced people or challenges bigger than me. Other times, I missed many shots that discouraged me. However, at the end of the day, it is not the score that really counts. It is how I persevered and worked hard towards my goals that really counts because it showed me how to work hard and walk the road in order to succeed.” – Aaron C.
[At Clairbourn I learned that] “…staying present helps us to not dwell on the past or overthink the future, which allows us to enjoy our current experience… We don’t want to miss the good right in front of us. I urge everyone to remind ourselves to always be present.” – Aidan S.
Isabel C. speaks at the Awards Assembly
“In my time here, opportunity has knocked on my door many times… through these opportunities,I have figured out who I am.” -Kennedy K.
“I want to say thank you to the Clairbourn community for shaping me into the person I am today, giving me the encouragement I needed through thick and thin, and ultimately teaching me that failure is not fatal.” – Samantha F.
“I have learned so much from the entire Clairbourn community— everything from algebra, to crafting a thesis, to self-worth and emotional vulnerability.” – Isabel C.
Aaron C. Remembrance Speech video available here. Aidan S. Remembrance Speech video available here. Kennedy K. Remembrance Speech video available here. Samantha F. Remembrance Speech video available here. Isabel C. Remembrance Speech video available here.
Clairbourn School Provides Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School Grades | Serving Families in the Pasadena, California, Area and Surrounding Cities (K-12 Private Schools) | Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to request information.
Twenty-two members of Clairbourn’s Class of 2015, and some of their parents, returned to campus for a reunion celebrating their completion of high school and their new adventures in college. They enjoyed yearbooks, a breakfast buffet and time for visiting with each other before joining the Awards Assembly where they shared their future plans with teachers, current students, and parents in attendance. Afterwards, they spent time on the playground, visiting classrooms, and speaking to their former teachers who were thrilled to see them all grown up.
Clairbourn School Provides Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School Grades | Serving Families in the Pasadena, California, Area and Surrounding Cities (K-12 Private Schools) | Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to request information.
The Class of 2019 is special in many ways. They demonstrated creativity when some of them wrote and produced an original song for the whole middle school to perform in the Thanksgiving assembly. They demonstrated generosity when class members donated original art for display in the Manor House. They demonstrated tenacity and sportsmanship when they won the league volleyball championship this year. They showed leadership when they started new traditions, like the international lunch, that bring the school together. They showed heart when they found they had exceeded their fundraising goals and chose to donate the funds to a deserving charity. They showed scholarship when class members earned significant merit scholarships at many of the high schools they will attend next year. This is an amazing group of individuals who, together embody the mission of Clairbourn, Creating scholars and leaders with heart.
Head of School Dr. Amy Patzlaff spoke to the graduating Class of 2019 at their Graduation Ceremony on June 5, 2019.
Congratulations to Clairbourn’s Class of 2019. They will be attending high school at FSHA, Flintridge Prep, Gabrielino, Harvard-Westlake, LaSalle, Loyola, Maranatha, Mayfield, Polytechnic, Principia, San Marino, St. Francis, and Westridge. Way to go, Cougars!
Clairbourn School Provides Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School Grades | Serving Families in the Pasadena, California, Area and Surrounding Cities (K-12 Private Schools) | Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to request information.
Richard and Eric Dong with Dana Bean, the Communications Director at Union Station Homeless ServicesRichard and Eric Dong with Dana Bean, the Communications Director at Union Station Homeless Services[/caption]Richard (Class of 2014) and Eric Dong (Class of 2016) were presented a prestigious Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award on November 7, 2018 for their contributions to the Union Station Homeless Services. The event took place at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Los Angeles Chapter. Continue reading “Clairbourn Alums Richard and Eric Dong Honored with Young Philanthropist Award”
Brothers Richard and Eric Dong Honor Dr. Nafie with Performance and Award at his Retirement Party
At the on-campus event honoring Dr. Nafie for his 39 years of service to Clairbourn School, alumni Richard and Eric Dong gave a moving piano performance and speech. They performed the Hungarian Dance by Brahms, Rondo Alla Turca by Mozart and Marche Militaires by Schubert. They expressed their deep gratitude for Dr. Nafie’s tenure as Headmaster of Clairbourn and presented him with a congressional recognition award from Congresswoman Judy Chu. You can watch the full video here: Continue reading “Alumni Richard and Eric Dong Perform and Present Award to Dr. Nafie in Honor of his Retirement”
Brothers Richard and Eric Dong Honor Dr. Nafie with Performance and Award at his Retirement Party