This document provides short biographies of several new members of the Marin Horizon School community, including teachers, staff, and administrators. It highlights some of their backgrounds, interests, and what drew them to work at Marin Horizon. The new community members come from diverse locations and have a range of experiences, but share a passion for education and working with students.

1. on the Horizon
Marin Horizon School
2013–2014 Annual report

2. 1
02
16
07
19
13
23
What Have We Been Up To?
Letters from: Head of School,
Board Chair, and Parent
Association President, Board &
Parent Association Members
We Are Grateful
Notes from the Development
Office, Art Auction highlights,
and operating budgets
New Faces on Campus
Meet some of our newest
community members
Donor Lists
Thank you to our many
generous supporters!
A Day in the Life of the
Toddler Cottage
What, exactly, are our youngest
learners doing over there?!
Marin Horizon Alumni
Alumni spotlights and highlights,
Mums of Alums, Alumni Outing
Day, 8th Grade and Beyond,
Class of 2014
Marin Horizon School believes that every child can grow up to make
a difference in the world. Every day, our faculty enthusiastically
delivers a top-notch education to children from preschool through
middle school in joyful classrooms where academics and character
are of equal importance. We do this because we believe the world
doesn’t just need smart people. The world needs smart people with
the courage to be kind and to stand up for what’s right.
Cover photo by Chris Baker, Co-Director of Environmental and Outdoor Education

3. 32
Dear Marin Horizon Families,
The Triple Helix:
Excellence, Ethics and Engagement
Recently, the Harvard Graduate School of Education hosted an
event called, “8x8: HGSE Faculty Members Share Their Bold Ideas
to Improve Education,” at which faculty members gave brief
talks on a variety of topics about education for the 21st Century.
One of the professors on the panel, Howard Gardner, known for
revolutionizing our definition of intelligence, argued his theory of
multiple intelligences — a critique of the notion that there exists
but a single human intelligence that can be adequately assessed by
standard instruments — very convincingly. He went on to say that “successful people need
to have a combination of excellence, ethics and engagement.” I would also argue that the
same notion holds true for successful organizations. A powerful statement, and one that
closely aligns with Marin Horizon’s mission, and the work that we did together last year.
To that end, I am proud to write here that it was another year in which we increased our level
of parent engagement and our commitment to excellence. We worked to find ways to create
institutional permanence for Marin Horizon, which will help us retain the exceptional
faculty we have, allow faculty to retire when they need to, attract new faculty of the same
caliber, as well as keep tuition increases at bay and ensure that we retain our socio-eco-
nomic diversity. We also delved into deep reflection during our reaccreditation Self-Study
for the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).
One strategy for creating institutional permanence was the formation of the Innovative
Revenue Initiative (IRI), a Board-approved ad-hoc committee tasked with looking at ways
to increase non-tuition revenues for the school. The IRI Committee will continue its work
during the 2014–2015 school year to research and more fully develop several business
concepts that could generate additional income without taxing current resources. This
committee has been a great avenue for us to engage with parents who might not otherwise
see themselves as Marin Horizon volunteers. We were able to take advantage of the wealth
of knowledge and expertise within our own community — entrepreneurial, marketing,
legal, technology, and human resources — in ways we hadn’t previously done. I would like
to thank Abby Adlerman Platter for her dedication and diligence in helping me get IRI up
and running. And thanks also to the many volunteers who “ideated,” crunched numbers
and generally brought their A game to the table!
Another deeply engaged group of volunteers, led by Committee Chair Doug Grant, continued
to move the needle on the Leadership Phase of our current major giving campaign. We held
many meaningful and enlightening meetings with families able to support Marin Horizon
at a leadership level. As we move into the Community Phase of the campaign in the Spring
of 2015, we are grateful for the generosity of the donors who have helped us raise 34% of our
overall goal, at the time of this writing. Your belief in, and support of, our goals has truly
inspired us.
Our commitment to excellence, ethics and engagement did not waver as we prepared for the
thoughtful completion of our Self-Study Report, a year-long reflective exercise that is a
requirement of being reaccredited by CAIS. Many of the questions in the Self-Study require
parent feedback, and so we hired OMP Research to run a parent survey, in which over 60%
of our families participated. Stay tuned, the results of the survey are being analyzed and will
be shared with the community in the near future. In the meantime, the Self-Study is due in
December, 2014, and culminates with a visit in Spring, 2015 from a team from CAIS.
Any one of these initiatives would keep a school busy during a normal year! I would like to
thank our Board of Trustees, along with my incredibly dedicated Faculty, Staff and Administra-
tion for their support, hard work and most especially, good humor, during this incredibly
busy year. Together, we accomplished so much for this wonderful school.
My promise continues to be that as a community of learners, we will never tire of challenging
our students’ minds, listening to their voices, and nurturing their hearts.
Warmly,
luis ottley, mba, ed.d.
Head of School

4. 54
Dear Marin Horizon Families and Friends,
The Board of Trustees for an independent school is responsible
for long term strategic planning and fiduciary oversight. As I
write this, we are immersed in a new school year, reminding me
that our work as trustees is always forward looking.
I am proud to present the following highlights of the Board’s work
reflecting the successful 2013–2014 school year:
• We were thrilled to witness the successful launch of the new
Toddler Cottage on Miller Avenue, the result of a two-year strate-
gic initiative led by the Board and Head of School.
• The Capital Campaign Steering Committee worked with commit-
ment and passion to sow the seeds for successful future major funding. Once accomplished,
the result will be permanent support of our distinct and highly effective team teaching
model and permanent support for tuition assistance.
• The Site Committee, together with outside professional expertise, conducted a thorough
evaluation on how to maximize our facility now and in the future, with exciting improve-
ments to be supported by fundraising efforts as well.
• The inspired new Innovative Revenue Committee convened to dream up and propose to
the Board several potential business opportunities that could ultimately generate additional
sustainable revenue for the school. They were next tasked with delving deeper into the
viability of each idea.
• In addition, the Board passed a strategic plan for diversity which specifies actions and
funding needed to best support the experience of all students, families and staff.
I would like to thank the 22 Trustees with whom I worked so closely for the hours of inde-
pendent and committee work they donated. Their commitment goes far beyond a monthly
meeting and echoes long after they leave. Their stewardship of a strong partnership with
our Head of School helps the school thrive. As I step down as Board Chair, I am confident
that the new leadership will take the reins with aplomb.
After 12 years as an active parent at the school, I will stake my claim that on any day, at any
moment on this campus you will find effective, engaged, and joyful learning. It has been
my privilege to travel the school’s full arc with my daughter from enthusiastic toddler to
confident, well-prepared, and well-grounded graduate; my son is not far behind her and
I love seeing them both navigate the world with the help of a strong Marin Horizon lens.
Regards,
trigg mcleod
Chair, Board of Trustees, 2010–2014
Livie ’15 and William ’17
Dear Marin Horizon Families and Friends,
I thoroughly enjoyed my first year as President of the Parent
Association. I am amazed by the nurturing environment, the
energy and generosity of the parents, and the spirit of volunteering.
I genuinely appreciate being able to create a feeling of welcome
and inclusion, as the foundation for the wider school community.
Together, we had a lot of fun in 2013–2014! We were busy orga-
nizing potlucks, rolling out Sign-Up Genius, hosting Moms’ and
Dads’ Nights Out, organizing teacher appreciation luncheons,
and of course, checking for lice. We introduced a fun shopping
night at The Store in downtown Mill Valley that raised $1,500; we
also hosted fun, interesting and educational community events:
a downtown lunch; our annual Chili Cook-off Bingo Night,
chaired by Sonia Lee; several Parent Education events; Dine Donate dinners at local
restaurants, and Grandparents and Special Friends Day, chaired by Katie Dyos.
The Annual Art Auction was also a huge success and blew through all previous records for
fundraising and attendance! The Parent Association would not have been as successful were
it not for our incredibly talented and dedicated Auction Co-Chairs, Samira Willson, Marcy
Rush and Lisa Kutzkey. They introduced a few exciting party ideas at Calypso Night at the
Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon: a lively (some would say competitive!) wine toss for fun
prizes, and a tequila pour during the Live Auction. Thanks to their efforts, along with the
hard work of countless volunteers, and all of you, our generous school community, we raised
over $188,000 at the auction, and including other fundraising events, the Parent Association
was able to contribute $191,000 to the school’s operating budget, up $13,000 over 2012–2013!
I’m looking forward to my continued service to Marin Horizon, and our children, as I
embark on my second year as President. I have learned so much from my experience and
plan to continue to share my enthusiasm and appreciation for this wonderful community!
Warmly,
bari cessna
President, Parent Association, 2013–2015
Cade’17, Hope ’18 and Shane ’23

5. 76
2013–2014
Board of Trustees
CHAIR
Trigg McLeod
Head of School
Luis Ottley, Ed.D.
Vice chairs
Gerry Hansen
Paul Levitan
Secretary
Andrea Elkort
Treasurer
Kirk Hobbs
Parent Association Liaison
Bari Cessna
Faculty Members
Catherine Hills
Kristin Lorenz
Parent Members
Abby Adlerman
Liz Brown-Lewin
Craig Croteau
Tim Dixon
Marsha Dugan
Rob Edington
Doug Grant
Diana Greenstone
Cindy Grijalva
Gina Hector
Daniela Manning
Desmond Pollock
Chris Yates
Community Members
Scott Duyan
Head of Presidio Hill School
Jesse Pearson ’86
Chair, Alumni Council
2013–2014
Parent Association Board
President
Bari Cessna
Dining for Dollars
Stacy Pasko
Lost and Found
Sonia Lee
Class Parents
Kerrilyn Garma
Hospitality
Sonia Lee
Parent Education
Daniela Manning
Grandparents Special Friends Day
Katie Dyos
Annual Art Auction Co-Chairs
Marcy Rush
Lisa Tenorio-Kutzkey
Samira Willson
Treasurer
Kevin Smead
Graphic Design
Regan Ural
Spirit Wear
Shelly Horton
Chili Cook Off
Sonia Lee
Of course, we at Marin Horizon couldn’t do what we do so well without
the incredible dedication of our Board and Parent Association volunteers.
These parents, alumni and community members devoted countless hours
and talents to our school and our students, and we are a better place for it.
Thank you!
6
In our last issue, we highlighted several of
our long-standing community members –
teachers and founders who have been with
Marin Horizon for more than twenty years!
Now we’d like to give you an opportunity
to get to know some of our newest com-
munity members a little better, and give
you a little insight into how they came to
join us at Marin Horizon. We are proud to
have such a richly diverse faculty and staff,
hailing from all over the world, each with
an interesting and varied background.
We welcome them into our community!
NEW
Faces
ON
Campus
1
3
7 8
6
4 5
2I was on a TV
show when I was
five years old.
I am a celebrant,
screenplay writer and…
former hair model!
Favorite teacher? My mother, for
teaching me how to be a student
both in school and in life.
If I weren’t a teacher, I’d be
a major league shortstop
or a sea captain.
One day, as I was reading a story to the class, I heard a loud CRRRACK!
The chair I was sitting in had snapped and I fell to the ground. As I lay
there for a second, one of my students whispered, “I think she’s dead!”
Favorite food?
Anything that
contains sugar!
I love to
travel around
the world.
The first time one of my students heard me laugh
— really laugh — he described it by saying, “It
sounds like a chipmunk riding over a rainbow.”
who said it?
Can you guess which one of our newest community members said the following? (Answers on page11.)

6. 98
Claire Garwood
“As long as I remember, my passion has been working
with young people and guiding them towards achieving
their goals and improving their skills,” says Claire, a native
of Toronto, Canada. The oldest of five siblings, she grew
up teaching and supporting her siblings in all sorts
of activities.
“Teaching felt like a natural path to follow,” she says, con-
tinuing, “I love working with Middle School students because
they have such creative ideas and perspectives to share,
but sometimes they aren’t sure how to best communicate
their ideas to others. My favorite thing is working with my
students to help them express their thoughts and opinions
in a way that is clear and organized but still maintains their
unique teenage voice.”
A world traveler who has lived in both Italy and Ireland,
Claire loves food (“spicy, sweet, crunchy, savory, I love it all!”)
and music; her other passions include interior, clothing and
furniture design, as well as repurposing flea market finds.
Danny Scuderi
“Every day I get to analyze and talk about books, poetry, and
the power of language to a roomful of kids who, for the most
part, think my jokes are funny. Middle school students are at
an age where they can engage deeply with a text, so we are
able to have some powerful discussions about what literature
can teach us about people and the world. That’s a pretty
great way to spend a workday.”
Danny, who grew up in sunny southern California, was
inspired early on by his own parents’ love of learning, and
later by his Sophomore English teacher who taught him
“perspective and a true appreciation for the power of words,
all while seeing me for me and appreciating my sense of
humor. I felt heard, understood, and I developed a love for
poetry that sticks to this day.”
It makes sense, then that Danny would become a teacher,
after stints in PR/Marketing and editing first. He says, “when
I first stepped on campus, there was a palpable warmth to
the teachers that made me immediately feel comfortable.”
Danny is also an avid soccer fan, plays ukulele, paints old
windows, and makes a killer banana bread (his mom’s recipe!).
Sedny Serafin
Sedny, who was born in Haiti and raised in San Rafael,
remembers his favorite teacher, Barbara Wonder, from 3rd
grade as someone who “really cared about her students.”
It’s no surprise then, that he found his way to Marin Horizon,
where we hold the relationships between students and
teachers in such high regard.
After attending Bahia Vista and Davidson Middle School,
Sedny continued on at San Rafael High School where
he excelled at track and field. He became a bus driver in
2005 and we are lucky that he joined our community in
2014. In addition to taking such great care of our students
on our busses, Sedny also helps out with our Field of
Dreams program.
Though he’s travelled extensively, he cites a visit to Miami as
his favorite trip so far. And when he’s not enjoying Haitian
food and music, he loves to spend time with his family.
Learning Support Specialist
Lizzie Porter-Roth
“I love that I get to meet so many new people and learn
about their families,” says Lizzie, whose mom is Anne Porter-
Roth, our Librarian and Media Literacy Specialist. Lizzie
came back to Marin Horizon after graduating from Whitman
College with a BA in Environmental Humanties, and several
years working in retail in Washington State.
When she’s not fielding questions from prospective parents
or doing data entry (“the nerd in me gets a lot of satisfac-
tion from figuring out the technical and logistical aspects of
the job”), Lizzie likes to read, eat and take her dog explor-
ing around Mt. Tam and the beaches of West Marin. In an
alternate universe, Lizzie would be a race car driver, but here
in our world, she’s enjoying being part of the administrative
team in an educational environment.
Lizzie traveled to Panama with our Class of 2014 group last
summer and is still on cloud nine over the trip, during which
she chaperoned 10 students and got to visit our own Luis
Ottley’s home town and elementary school. “I’m still pinching
myself and making sure I didn’t dream it. The opportunity of
a lifetime!”
Admissions and Development
Associate, Class of 2001
Middle School
Language Arts Teacher
Bus Driver

7. 10 11
Des McKissock
“It took me a while but I found that travel was the best form
of education; it humbles you, it broadens your perspective and
makes for some awesome campfire yarns!” says Des, whose
favorite stop on his world tour so far has been Cuba.
It’s no wonder that travel calls him, since Des harkens from
the southernmost city on the planet: Invercargill, New Zealand,
where his favorite 8th grade teacher challenged him to be
creative and think outside the box (which we’re sure helps him
in his current role!). He went on to study politics and classics
at college.
When he’s not helping keep our campus in tip-top shape,
Des enjoys rugby (he came to the US as a rugby coach
for Kansas University), seeing live music and hanging out
with his family. “My son is the funniest person I know and
hanging out with him is the coolest, most rewarding time
in my life!”
Paul Austin
“I love working with young people. To be able to positively
influence a child’s life is a wonderful feeling,” says Paul, who
grew up in Marin City and graduated from Tamalpais High. He
recently received his degree in Psychology from Dominican
College after studying Early Childhood Education at Texas
Southern University.
He joined Kathleen and Chandi’s class in 2013, though his
history with Marin Horizon goes back even farther. His soon-
to-be wife’s son, Kiran started as a Toddler, and his mentor,
Stevie Lee, has been teaching here for 16 years and has had
5 children graduate.
In addition to working at Marin Horizon, Paul is the Recre-
ation Director at the Marin City Community Services District
where his programs reach local youth and young adults
year-round. If he weren’t teaching, Paul would be traveling
around the world as a motivational speaker.
Greson Torchio
“My favorite thing about teaching is when the students make
connections between their own experiences and what we
are learning in class. These ‘light bulb’ moments help make
the curriculum come alive. In science, building the pumpkin
catapults was a highlight.”
Before landing at Marin Horizon, Greson taught 5th grade in
San Francisco, and worked with middle school students on tall
ships in San Francisco Bay where he discovered a passion for
getting young people excited about taking on new challenges
and discovering their strengths.
A native of New Jersey (where he recently returned for his
wedding!), Greson was inspired by a 10th grade teacher who
“believed in every student and helped each of us believe in
ourselves. I often think about his method of teaching in my
own classes.”
An anthropology major who attended Kenyon College, Greson
has had plenty of opportunity to study culture in places as
disparate as New Zealand (“the most beautiful place on
earth”) and Minnesota in his travels. Here on the Left Coast,
he enjoys riding his bike and picnicking in Golden Gate Park,
and plays “anything with strings.”
Ellen Beller
“I came as an interim accountant and ended up staying be-
cause it is a really sweet school and nice place to work,” says
Ellen, who joined us in 2014. A Bay Area native, Ellen is also
a musician whose favorite teacher is the one who taught her
to play guitar.
A world traveller, Ellen’s favorite stop so far has been the Fiji
Islands. Back on local soil, she enjoys live music and theater,
and finds joy in spending time with her family, including her
3-year old grandson, DJ.
Facilities Director Primary 3 Assistant
answers from page 7: 1) Ellen Beller, 2) Danny Scuderi, 3) Des McKissock, 4) Lizzie Porter-Roth,
5) Sedny Serafin, 6) Claire Garwood, 7) Paul Austin, 8) Greson Torchio
Middle School Math and
Science Teacher
Accounting Manager

8. 12
Last year was our first in our new Toddler
Cottage on Miller Avenue, and it was amaz-
ing! Not only did we blossom in our new
spaces, but we got to ride the Adventure Bus
(a gift made possible by the previous year’s
Fund-a-Need) to the main campus to spend
time with the “big kids!”
So, what exactly are we doing over here?
We’re busy! Our youngest students change
so quickly that we are constantly shifting
directions to meet their developing needs.
Life can be confusing for little children, full
of new situations. For this reason, we have
a daily set schedule and highly predictable
routines. Every morning we start with a long
period of work time followed by circle and
snack. After a visit to the bathroom we all go
outside. After lunch, some children stay for
nap while others go home to rest.
The Toddler Cottage is a carefully curated
environment that has been set up to take
advantage of our earliest learners’ natural
curiosity and abilities. During work time,
children are free to move around the class-
room choosing work off the shelves; work
options vary as they mature and as the sea-
sons change. Children can select work that
calls to them and stay with it as long as they
like. Little children love repetition. It is the
key to their mastery of their own learning.
What are the teachers doing? We may guide
a child to help them make a good choice,
give lessons on materials, offer encour-
agement or ask questions that deepen a
child’s exploration. You might hear, “Oh, a
tower! Can you build it a different way?” It
is our intention that children have time to
explore and move at their own pace without
interruptions from adults so that they can
develop concentration and learn to stay
with projects until they feel like they are
complete. The opportunity to work without
interruption is the beginning of time man-
agement and leaves children space to listen
to their own needs.
At circle, we come together as a whole
class. We sing songs, recite poems, play
games, and have lessons on materials.
We also talk about taking turns, being a
friend, holidays, birthdays and anything
that comes up. With some games we play,
children get a chance to talk and dance in
front of a group. This is the seed of public
speaking that gets nurtured and developed
throughout the Marin Horizon curriculum.
With singing and recitation of poems we
experience the beauty of language, expand
our vocabularies, develop the muscles of
the face, lips and tongue that create clear
speech, and learn to memorize. We discuss
By Catherine Hills, Head Teacher, Toddler Program
13
a day
in the life
of the
toddler
cottage

9. 1514
concepts like colors and numbers, germ
theory, and the rotation of the earth around
the sun.
Children are like sponges, they are learning
all the time, not just during “work time” or
when adults are giving direct instructions.
Every transition, every interaction with a
teacher, a peer or a visitor is an opportunity
to learn social skills. At snack time we learn
to talk to each other, how to clean up, how
to try new foods, how to have table man-
ners including asking politely for more and
thanking the person who brought snack.
Sometimes we talk about what happened
earlier in the day and sometimes we con-
nect about ways we are the same and differ-
ent. “I have a baby at my house, too.”
While we do cover some topics that sound
academic (counting, names of letters,
seasons, colors, parts of a tree, and Martin
Luther King) we are looking for ways to
support the cognitive and physical struc-
tures that are key to continued learning in
school. Children need to be able to sit and
stand, walk and run comfortably so they
can sit and listen with ease. They need to
have the muscle strength to manipulate
pencils and scissors, learn to manage their
emotions, attention, and focus in a variety
of situations. They need to think for
themselves and feel confident that they
can succeed even in the face of challenges.
Our Toddler program allows for lots of fun,
exploration and independence, yet en-
courages and promotes the growth of the
skills and attitudes that allow our children
to become great students and citizens of
the world.
No wonder little children nap. They accom-
plish so much in only four hours!

10. 17marinhorizon.org/waystogive16
Every year, as I put pen to paper (fingers
to keys!) and start to pull together donor
and volunteer lists and reach out to Alumni
for updates for On the Horizon, I simply
marvel at the level of generosity that they
reveal. We are so lucky to have such a sup-
portive and engaged community — current
and alumni families, Trustees, Faculty
and Staff, grandparents and friends —
and I am proud to be able to acknowledge
everyone here. For your donations, for
your hours of volunteer work, for your kind
words and for giving us the gift of educat-
ing your children. Thank you!
In this issue, you will find updates about
our strong financial position which we
owe to your support and the diligence
and careful stewardship we practice as an
institution. I would like to especially thank
my stellar ’13–’14 Development Chair,
Andrea Elkort, along with Horizon Fund
Co-Chairs Lizelle Green and Tatem Read.
In 2013, we brought back the Phone-a-
thon to great success, stood out front and
reminded people how important their
support is, and moved the needle on parent
participation up to 82%.
Further thanks go to Bari Cessna, who as
Parent Association President, brought her
own fresh perspective on parent/school
relations. And no year would be complete
without our Annual Art Auction, deftly
co-chaired by Marcy Rush, Lisa Tenorio-
Kutzkey and Samira Willson (see next page
for more!).
Over the next few pages you will find
information about our finances, as well as
the names of the many generous donors
who choose to support our students and
programs.
We couldn’t do what we do without each
one of you.
Thank you!
lyla max
Director of Development
we are grateful!
17
auction highlights
The 2014 Annual Art Auction, Calypso,
was a record-breaking success! Held
once again at the Corinthian Club in
Tiburon, we had our highest attendance
ever, and raised $189,178 in support
of teacher salaries, professional develop-
ment, and tuition assistance.
Our three co-chairs, Marcy Rush, Lisa
Tenorio-Kutzkey and Samira Willson
(pictured above, top left), put on an
elegant, Caribbean-themed night with
steel drums, jerk chicken and signature
Calypso Sun and Marina Mojito cocktails.
The weather cooperated once again,
and we enjoyed beautiful views of the San
Francisco Bay while bidding on silent
auction items and parties. New this year,
the Wine Toss promoted a healthy com-
petition and promised some great prizes!
Later, the Live Auction and Fund-a-Need,
emceed by our very own Middle School
Language Arts teacher, Danny Scuderi,
helped make the evening a rousing suc-
cess. This year’s Fund-a-Need supported
the founding of our new Field of Dreams
program that allows us to take our 3rd-8th
grade P.E. classes to our local public parks
for expanded programming, and frees up
much-needed space here on campus for
our youngest learners to spread out during
their P.E. class time.
Of course, we have to thank the 60+
volunteers who supported the co-chairs.
We had every skill set represented —
overall management, design, branding,
business development, finance, event
planning, video production, you name it.
We couldn’t be any more grateful!

11. 1918
Marin Horizon
statement of Activities
School Year 2013-2014
This issue of On the Horizon was produced by Marin Horizon’s Development Office and includes all gifts received between
July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. In preparing this report, every effort was made to ensure that all information is accurate and complete.
If there is an omission or an error in spelling, please accept our apology and notify Lyla Max, lmax@marinhorizon.org.
2010-11 Revenue 2010-11 Expenses
Revenue Amount Percent
Tuition Fees $7,553,220 95%
Daycare, Enrichment, LSP 493,115 6%
Investment Income 238,667 3%
Summer Camp 152,761 2%
Fund Raising 677,012 8%
Other Income 36,866 0%
Less Tuition Assistance -1,158,839 -14%
Total Revenue net of tuition assistance 7,992,802 100%
expenses Amount Percent
Personnel $4,959,881 62%
Plant Transportation 551,652 7%
Program 675,212 8%
Operations Overhead 548,457 7%
Loan/Mortgage Costs 775,430 10%
Depreciation 527,175 7%
Total Expenses 8,037,807 100%
Fund Raising
Other Income
Tuition Fees
2010-11 Revenue 2010-11 Expenses
Loan/Mortgage Costs Program
Plant Transport Operations Overhead
Personnel
We are grateful to
the many parents,
Trustees, Faculty,
Staff, grandparents,
friends, foundations
and corporations
that support
Marin Horizon.
2013–2014
Horizon Fund
Participation
We are very proud to
have again reached 100%
participation from our
Trustees, Faculty and Staff.
Founder
$10,000+
Anonymous
Nina and Christopher Buchbinder*
Beth and Neil Cherry+
Jennifer Fitch McNerney and
Patrick McNerney
Gale and Jon Love
The Schow Foundation*
Sally and Bill Van Ingen*
Benefactor
$5,000–$9,999
Abby Adlerman Platter and
Brian Platter
Anonymous (2)*+
Andrea and Daniel Elkort*
Nancy and Jarom Fawson
Nina Frank+
Louisa and Andrew Gloger*
Reed Maltzman and
Jennifer Gosselin+
Diana and Scott Greenstone*
Kristine Jaeger*
Rebecca and Christopher Lien*
Susan Sakmar and Kirk Hobbs*
Catherine and Greg Stern*
Marina and Alan Terpins
Kathryn Van Dyke and Doug Grant*
Director’s Circle
$2,500–$4,999
Sarah Chao and Chris Downing*
Jennifer and Craig Croteau*
Lizelle and Martin Green
Dyer Grote and Rob Edington*
Gerry Hansen*
Karyn Hillman and Timothy Dixon+
Stephen Jaeger*
Angie and Noah Knauf
Snezana and Thomas Larsen+
Lauren and Paul Levitan*
Natalie and Richard Loggins+
Ashley and Elvin MacDonald
Trigg and Bill McLeod*
Nicole and Andrew McWhorter*
Elizabeth and Michael Mooney*
Suzanne Passalacqua and
Peter Gobos+
Dara and Scott Potter+
Tatem and Morgan Read+
Julie and Narendra Rocherolle
Anne and James Smith
Mona Steinberg*
Annie Williams and Harry Shulman*
Matt Wyman and
Jacqui Lopez-Wyman
Pam and John Zissimos
Leadership Circle
$1,000–$2,499
Anonymous*
Susan Baker+
Candice and Todd Barker
Hannelore Barnes and Bruce Pflaum*
Barbara Brown+
Janet Brown-Lewin and
Elizabeth Brown-Lewin*
Susanne and Paul Carek
Joanne Chan and James Kramer*
Mary and Todd Clyde
Suzanne DiBianca-Lieser and
Ted Lieser
Katie and Jamie Dyos
Carrie Eagles and Luis Ottley Ed.D.+
Alisa and William Egan
Tay and Matthew Franklin
Brad Frazee
Kim Gallelli and David Brown+
Allison and David Geisler
Livia and Mutahar Glasgow*
Natalie and Ian Gotts
Colleen and Hunter Hancock*
Amy Hershman and
Richard Patterson+
Marlis and Kjartan Jansen
Elizabeth and Kirt Jorgenson
Bill Kissinger
Susan Kreusch and Kevin Smead*
Sharon Lange-Kallweit+
Jennifer and Zephrin Lasker
Sonia Lee and Alan M. Grumet+
Christine Makuch-Simpson and
John Simpson+
Shruti Mathur and Rohit Agarwal
Porter Merriman
Mrs. Mary R. Morgan+
Andrea Newell and Paul Howe+
Anne and Dean Ornish, M.D.
Gabriella Piccioni and Matt Kursh
Sharon Portnoy and Mark Danzig*
Mimi Rowe and Chris Rodzewicz*
Mary Russell and Nicholas Oust
Meme and Peter Scherr*
Usha and Jonathan Schick
Jade and Charles Schoenhoeft*
Stacey Silver and Jonathan Yolles*
Catherine and Stephen Simon
Sarah Slaymaker and Ryan Stever
Robin and Geoffrey Strawbridge*
Lisa Tenorio-Kutzkey and
Tim Kutzkey
Margret and Kevin Trilli
Regan and Timothy Ural*
Michelle Verloop and Robert Ahearn+
Raveewan Vorachard and
Steven Pugh*
Aimee Westbrook+
Samira and Nicholas Willson+
Susan and Christopher Yates*
Denise Zanze+
Contributor
$500–$999
Nicole Annenberg-Johnson and
Allan M. Johnson III
Anonymous+
Chris Armstrong and Lou Dangles+
Leila Azad and Kaveh Alizadeh
Bari and Sean Cessna*
Helena Chaye and Key Shin
Gwynne Church and Chris Bull
Josephine and Jay Courant
Rachel Courtney and Sean Reilly
Amy Cunha and John Lymberg
Lauren Cuthbert and David Robinson*
Pauline and Bill Egan
Gianna Frazee
Johanna and Michael Gridley*
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hermanos
Bonnie and Bill Hoppin+
Shelly and Brett Horton+
Keith Kallweit*
Mira Kim and Darren Malvin
Julianne Langley and Albert Kun
Megan Lisska and Peter Bryan
Marie and Tom Lyons+
SoYoung Mack and Michael Nash+
Lawrie Mott
Stacy Pasko*
* Donor has given at least five consecutive years. +
Donor has given at least three of the last five years.
Daycare, Enrichment, LSP
Summer Camp
Investment Income

12. 20 21
Jade Prospero*
Beth and Jonathan Rutchik*
Carol Schussler Van Wijnen
Barbara Sharp and Carl Spitzer+
Dana and Jeff Swisher+
Michael Thompson
Tiana Wimmer and Warren Leiden+
Nashara and Scott Wisenbaker
Sally Xu-Plants and J. Daniel Plants+
Friend
Up to $499
Beth and Dain Anderson*
Anonymous (2)
Chris Baker+
Cara and Christopher Barde
Jennifer and Guy Bar-Nahum
Linda Baron and Thomas Luehrsen
Ellen Beller
Soraya Betterton and Brian Urey*
Sharman Bonus*
Joel Booth*
Ana Briseno
Ashleigh and Chris Brody+
Edith and Fred Bucoy
Kristen and Louis Commesso
Amber Copeland
Angelique Craney
Mr. and Mrs. Michel Cure
William Dacus
Heyward Hare and Dana Dacus-Hare
Whitney and Lansing Davis
Maxine De Cook
Renee DeCurtis
Charlie Denby+
Kitty Desmond+
Faybeth Diamond+
Marcello Diaz
Debbie Dicker
Linsly and Chris Donnelly
Kyle Donohoe
Laura Duggan*
Michael Duncan and
Thomas Richard+
Brenda and Scott Duyan+
O’Dea Edington
Erik Egol
Christopher Elbers+
Anjuli Elias ’96
Ross Elkins
Angie Evans+
Bethany Freed and Chris Arian
Kerrilyn Garma*
Claire Garwood
Kiffany and Marshall Gibbs
Paul and Constance Goldsmith*
Tracy and Felipe Gomez
Annie Gordon*
Nancy Greenfield+
Cindy Grijalva and Sandra Stone*
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Grijalva+
Susan Guadagno and Al Tommei*
Harriet Hayward*
Kathleen Hazelton-Leech*
Gina and Byron Hector*
Chandi and Lewis Hemapala*
Catherine Hills and Audrey Borden*
Bill Hoppin
Victoria and Jeremy Huerta-Miller*
Merrill and Robert Hunn*
Hillery Jaffe-Urell*
Danielle and David Jarvie
Rachel Kelley+
Amy Keroes and Jeffrey Fisher
Shiriel King Abramson
Johanna Kleppe and
Stephen Schneiderman+
Suji Kong and Matthew Bennett
Lois E. Kortum and
George W. Mc Bride
Angella and Erik Kriens
Amy Kronberg
Toshiko and Eijun Kujo
Cori Ladd and Michael Beerman
Emily and Jamie Land+
William and Margaret Lang
Jennifer LeCoq+
Natalie and Ted Lee
Veronica March-Lee and Stevie Lee+
Andrea Lenzi+
Hilary Levey
Meg and Jeremy Levie+
Mr. Andrew Lien
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lisska
Kristin and Todd Lorenz+
Christina Mace Turner and
Alex Turner*
Daniela and Michael Manning*
Lyla Max and Thomas Paffel+
Sharon and Stephen Mayo*
Curtis McCready
Michelle and Michael McCulloch+
Ashley Mevi and Kevin Kneafsey
Kate Milliken and Adam Karsten
Victor Morales and Sharon Halpern+
Lorelei Morris*
Mattie Naythons
Jesse Pearson*
Jacqui Pearson Long+
Maria and Joe Penny
Lys and Robert Plotkin
Anne Porter-Roth*
Maureen Poxon*
Diane and James Reed*
Jillian and Andy Rhine
David Rivers
Lucy Roberts*
Laura Roche+
Amy and Stephen Rosenthal*
Jennifer Rund
Marcy and David Rush+
Cheng Saechao
Mary Sample-Mattos+
Alison and Yair Schers+
Danny Scuderi
Laura Seligsohn and Rich Williams
Kristina and Christopher Shaffer
Peggy and Leon Sharyon+
Mark Sherburne+
Lois Sheridan*
Anna Shubeau+
Jennie and Christopher Skelton
Mr. and Mrs. James Skelton
Suzanne Leon and Dan Smiley*
Mariko Smiley and Sarn Oliver+
Mr. and Mrs. James Smith
Colleen Smith
Susan Smith
Jennifer Spielberg*
Kathryn Starke+
Dana Sugarman Johnson and
Matthew Johnson+
Tenisha Tate+
Karin Taylor and Steve Hermanos
Sarah and Jim Taylor
Gloria and Mark Thomas
Greson Torchio
Kathleen Walton
Talley and Paul Webb+
Katie and Gene Webb
Tanya Weliky
Ms. Susan Weliky
Carla Wilkins+
Karen Woodall
Rachel Wynn and Van Wilshire+
Lyndsay Yuska+
Tom Zito+
GRANDPARENTS FRIENDS
Anonymous (2)+
Barbara Brown+
Walker Brown-Lewin ’16
Alden Brown-Lewin ’22
Noah Brown-Lewin ’22
Edith and Fred Bucoy
Audrey Green ’19
Devon Green ’20
Angelique Craney
Alexander Pasko ’15
Benjamin Pasko ’17
Mr. and Mrs. Michel Cure
Kaz Cure ’25
William Dacus
Alonzo Hare ’20
William Hare ’24
Pauline and Bill Egan
Brooks Egan ’24
Nancy Greenfield+
Alonzo Hare ’20
William Hare ’24
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Grijalva+
Aidan Stone-Grijalva ’16
Liam Stone-Grijalva ’19
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hermanos
Ansel Hermanos ’21
Bonnie and Bill Hoppin+
William Hoppin ’14
Griffin Hoppin ’18
Merrill and Robert Hunn*
Toshiko and Eijun Kujo
Kaia Land ’22
Maxwell Land ’19
Karen Larson
Isabella Larson ’23
Reese Larson ’25
Mr. Andrew Lien
Daniel Lien ’17
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lisska
James Bryan ’25
Victor Morales and Sharon Halpern+
Alexandra Stone ’11
Natasha Stone ’17
Maria and Joe Penny
Noah Penny ’22
Andrew Penny ’24
Mr. and Mrs. James Skelton
Rawlings Skelton ’25
Reid Skelton ’26
Mr. and Mrs. James Smith
William Smith ’16
Michael Thompson
Katie and Gene Webb
Carter Read ’24
James Read ’26
Ms. Susan Weliky
Jasmine Weliky-Bermudez ’21
ALUMNI ALUMNI families
Beth and Dain Anderson*
Chris Armstrong and Lou Dangles+
Kristen and Louis Commesso
Faybeth Diamond+
Debbie Dicker
O’Dea Edington ’12
Christopher Elbers+
Anjuli Elias ’96
Paul and Constance Goldsmith*
Annie Gordon*
Harriet Hayward*
Kathleen Hazelton-Leech*
Hillery Jaffe-Urell*
Shiriel King Abramson ’12
Lois E. Kortum and
George W. Mc Bride
William and Margaret Lang
Curtis McCready ’90
Michelle and Michael McCulloch+
Lorelei Morris*
Lawrie Mott+
Mattie Naythons ’09
Jesse Pearson ’86*
Jacqui Pearson Long+
Lys and Robert Plotkin
Anne Porter-Roth*
Maureen Poxon*
Diane and James Reed*
Jillian and Andy Rhine
The Schow Foundation*
Carol Schussler Van Wijnen
Peggy and Leon Sharyon+
Mark Sherburne+
Lois Sheridan*
Anna Shubeau+
Jennifer Spielberg*
Kathryn Starke+
Dana and Jeff Swisher+
Sarah and Jim Taylor
Kathleen Walton
Lyndsay Yuska+
Faculty sTAFF
Beth and Dain Anderson*
Chris Baker+
Ellen Beller
Sharman Bonus*
Joel Booth*
Ashleigh and Chris Brody+
Kristen and Louis Commesso
Amber Copeland
Heyward Hare and Dana Dacus-Hare
Maxine De Cook
Renee DeCurtis
Charlie Denby+
Kitty Desmond+
Marcello Diaz
Debbie Dicker
Kyle Donohoe
Laura Duggan
Carrie Eagles and Luis Ottley Ed.D.+
Erik Egol
Christopher Elbers+
Anjuli Elias ’96
Ross Elkins
Angie Evans+
Claire Garwood
Annie Gordon*
Susan Guadagno and Al Tommei*
Harriet Hayward*
Kathleen Hazelton-Leech*
Chandi and Lewis Hemapala*
Catherine Hills and Audrey Borden*
Victoria and Jeremy Huerta-Miller*
Merrill and Robert Hunn*
Hillery Jaffe-Urell*
Rachel Kelley+
Amy Kronberg
Veronica March-Lee and Stevie Lee+
Andrea Lenzi+
Hilary Levey
Kristin and Todd Lorenz+
Lyla Max and Thomas Paffel
Michelle and Michael McCulloch+
Lorelei Morris*
Anne Porter-Roth*
Maureen Poxon*
David Rivers
Lucy Roberts*
Jennifer Rund
Cheng Saechao
Mary Sample-Mattos+
Alison and Yair Schers+
Danny Scuderi
Mark Sherburne+
Lois Sheridan*
Anna Shubeau+
Colleen Smith
Susan Smith
Jennifer Spielberg*
Kathryn Starke+
Greson Torchio
Carla Wilkins+
Karen Woodall
Lyndsay Yuska+
Corporate, Foundation,
Donor Advised Funds
Matching gifts
American Endowment Foundation
Apple Matching Gifts Program
Artisan Partners Limited Partnership
Autodesk Matching Gifts
Program–USA
Blackrock Matching Gift Program (2)
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Fidelity Foundation Matching Gifts
to Education Program
Gap Foundation Matching
Gift Program
Hawthorn PNC Family Wealth
Jewish Community Endowment Fund
Jewish Community Federation
Love Family Charitable Fund
Marsh McLennan Companies
Matching Gifts Program
MCM Foundation
R.S. Evans Foundation, Inc.
Salesforce Foundation (2)
Schwab Charitable Fund (3)
The Benevity Community Impact
Fund/Apple Inc.
The Benevity Community Impact
Fund/Genentech
The Benevity Community Impact
Fund/Google
The Clorox Company Foundation
Employee Giving Campaign
The Hanley Foundation
The Schow Foundation
United Way of the Bay Area
Wells Fargo Foundation
Woodbury Foundation
* Donor has given at least five consecutive years. +
Donor has given at least three of the last five years.

13. 2322
FUND-A-NEED
The 2014 Fund-a-Need was
a great success, raising
$85,000 towards our new
Field of Dreams program,
which allows us to take
3rd –8th grade students
to local parks for extended
P.E. classes, while also
freeing up much needed
space on campus for
our youngest students to
enjoy during their own
P.E. classes. Thank you to
the many parents and
friends who supported this
innovative program!
Anonymous
Susanne and Paul Carek
Helena Chaye and Key Shin
Sarah Chao and Chris Downing
Lauren Cuthbert and David Robinson
Jaime and Katie Dyos
Andrea and Daniel Elkort
John and Megan Esrey
Nina Frank
Allison and David Geisler
Jennifer Gosselin and
Reed Maltzman
Diana and Scott Greenstone
Cindy Grijalva and Sandra Stone
Dyer Grote and Rob Edington
Colleen and Hunter Hancock
Shari and Bjarne Hansen
Karyn Hillman and Tim Dixon
Kristine Jaeger
Stephen Jaeger
Danielle and David Jarvie
Liz and Kirt Jorgenson
Amy Keroes and Jeffrey Fisher
Johanna Kleppe and
Stephen Schneiderman
Susan Kreusch and Kevin Smead
Jenny and Zephrin Lasker
Jenny LeCoq
Sonia Lee and Al Grumet
Rebecca and Christopher Lien
Natalie and Richard Loggins
Jacqui Lopez-Wyman and
Matt Wyman
Gale and Jon Love
Kayvan Malek
Lyla Max and Tom Paffel
Trigg and Bill McLeod
Nicole and Andrew McWhorter
Gillian and Cliff Mishalko
Carrie Eagles and Luis Ottley, Ed.D.
Hanne Barnes and Bruce Pflaum
Tatem and Morgan Read
Julie and Narendra Rocherolle
Mary Russell and Nicolas Oust
Beth and Jonathan Rutchik
Susan Sakmar and Kirk Hobbs
Peter and Meme Scherr
Jade and Charles Schoenhoeft
Roger and Susan Schow
Stacey Silver and Jon Yolles
Catherine and Greg Stern
Robin and Geoff Strawbridge
Lisa Tenorio-Kutzkey and
Tim Kutzkey
Kathryn Van Dyke and Doug Grant
Michelle Verloop and Robert Ahern
Samira and Nick Willson
Tiana Wimmer and Warren Leiden
Rachel Wynne and Van Wilshire
8th Grade Legacy Gift
Last year, we asked our
Class of 2014 students
themselves to take
responsibilty for their class
gift — to great success!
We worked with the class
throughout the year to help
them understand their role
as future alumni/ae and
stewards of our school, and
together they put together
the inaugural 8th Grade
vs. Faculty Wiffle Ball Game
(the 8th graders won!). It
was a fun afternoon filled
with school spirit and pride,
and they raised over $700
towards the Class of
2014 Legacy Gift to the
endowment!
Gregor Avison ’88
Gregor got married last summer to Jennifer
Case. They live in Colorado with their two
daughters, Chloe and Tessa. Gregor is
a restaurant and educational consultant.
“Marin Horizon School will always be
a home for me, a place where I feel
safe and loved, and a community
filled with people who are passionate
about teaching and learning.”
Sarah Janoff-
Brinn ’99
From Marin Hori-
zon School, Sarah
attended Marin
Academy and then
Bates College for
her undergraduate
degree, and says her time at both were well
supported by the foundation she had built
during her time at Marin Horizon, which
“instilled in me a love of learning, taught me
that school can be fun, and made me feel
confident in myself as a student.”
After graduating from Bates, Sarah moved
to New York City where she began working
with foster children in the South Bronx and
eventually pursued a Master’s Degree in
Clinical Social Work at Columbia University.
About 10 months ago, Sarah moved back to
California and last June, she spoke at Mov-
ing On – her first visit in 11 years! “Walking
onto the campus, I saw familiar faces and
the smiles of teachers and administrators
who had been instrumental in supporting
me both in my academic development and
in my personal/emotional growth. I felt
like I had come home.”
In October, Sarah married Lior Brinn, an
attorney, at the Outdoor Art Club in Mill
Valley. While they haven’t had time for a
honeymoon yet, they’re hoping to get to
Europe next year.
“Marin Horizon School will always be a home
for me, a place where I feel safe and loved,
and a community filled with people who are
passionate about teaching and learning. I
strongly believe my decision to enter into
the field of clinical social work is directly
related to my years at Marin Horizon and
I take my responsibility as an alumna very
seriously. I strongly believe in the school’s
mission and philosophy and I am grateful
that I had the opportunity to be a part of
such a dynamic, innovative, loving, and spe-
cial school for so many years and hopefully
for many years to come in the future.”
“You’d be surprised how far Beth’s
adage, ‘be nice, don’t be mean,’ can
take you.
Jack Schow ’02
Since graduation
from Marin Horizon,
Jack has called both
the East and West
Coasts home. After
high school at Marin
Academy, he went
on to get his degree from the Rhode Island
School of Design. Once back in the Bay Area,
he began his career in commercial photog-
raphy, working primarily with furniture and
home goods companies, and learning to
appreciate just how hard it can be to make a
throw pillow look good!
But he was once again lured back east to
New York City, “the country’s capital for all
things photographic,” where he continues
to hone his craft and follow his true passion:
making pictures of people. He has worked
on a wide range of shoots, for clients
“We give what we can because we believe wholly in Marin Horizon School.
The gift our kids are given here is building the strongest of foundations
for the future of their education. At Marin Horizon they are bathed in a
learning style which is shaping their lives and the way they look at the
world and approach learning. This is a gift they will rely on daily as they
move through higher education and guide them to be successful adults.”
Regan Timothy Ural
Chase ’19, Gabrielle ’16, Timo ’22

14. 24
including Martha Stewart, Entertainment
Weekly, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, the
New York Jets, Bloomingdales, Saks, the
Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Vogue.com.
He is also fortunate to be learning more
about his craft from two of modern pho-
tography’s masters, Martin Schoeller and
Annie Leibovitz. “Having the chance to
learn from my heroes is a truly humbling
experience, and gives me pause to consider
how lucky I am to be here doing what I love.
I have found that a basic ability to work co-
operatively together with others and just to
be kind is an anomaly that is noticed. You’d
be surprised how far Beth’s adage, ‘be nice,
don’t be mean,’ can take you.”
Nick Dietz ’04
This fall, Nick start-
ed medical school
at the Georgetown
University School
of Medicine, and is
looking forward to
dissecting a cadaver
and learning body physiology, along with
American History and Government. He will
be attending the 2014 Society for Neuro-
science Conference to learn more about
the new trends of applying neuroscience
research to improving clinical health out-
comes and promoting the creation of medi-
cal technologies — an area he’s passionate
about and hopes to contribute to himself
one day soon! “As much as I miss California
and Mill Valley,” he says, “it’s been a great
adventure so far.”
Greer Gurewitz ’11
Greer is a senior
at Redwood High
School, who is ap-
plying to colleges
where she can study
neuroscience. She
is currently taking
Honor Biomed, where she got to interview
professionals in her chosen field, and will
do an internship next semester. The high-
light so far has been getting to hold, observe
and diagnose a human brain!
“Even now, I’m still feeling the strong roots
Marin Horizon gave me,” she says. “In my
AP Biology class, we started the year dis-
cussing organism classification and my
teacher was pretty impressed with my imme-
diate knowledge of binomial nomenclature.”
Emma McCarthy
Emma, a senior
at Redwood High
School, where she
specializes in the 100,
200 and 500 yard
freestyle, is currently
training nine times
a week in preparation for the 2014 Winter
Junior National Championships. Next year,
she will attend University of Arizona, where
she was accepted early and will compete
with the Wildcats who finished in eighth
place at the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s
Championship. She plans to study business
at the Eller College of Management.
Emma says that she is really enjoying her
senior year and is taking a lot of interesting
classes, her favorite being AP Biology.
This year, she is also working with the
special education department at Redwood,
mostly with students who have Autism
Spectrum Disorder. “I have to say, it’s a
truly amazing experience. Looking forward,
I couldn’t be more excited for college. I
love high school, but I’m definitely ready to
start a new chapter of my life. I think that
not only Redwood, but Marin Horizon as
well have prepared me for the next part of
my life. Despite my being ready for college,
I am trying as hard as I can to live in the
moment and embrace these last few months
at home.”
25
Spotlight On:
Amie schow ’04
After Marin Horizon, Amie pursued the arts at Marin Academy
and The Oxbow School in high school, and continued to
pursue art and fashion in college at Rhode Island School of
Design and Woodbury University.
During her sophomore year of college she turned her atten-
tion to fashion design, which ultimately became her major
and the focus of her recent senior thesis, for which she
created a five look line of high end women’s separates inspired by Native American culture.
The line, named Native Tongue, was a response to a recent “Native American” trend in
fashion, but with its own twist. Amie made an effort to portray the essence of this culture in
a respectful, culturally and socially aware manner.
After graduation, Amie used Kickstarter to crowd fund a short fashion film of the same
name. She recently screened Native Tongue at the Miami Fashion Film Festival.
Amie is currently a freelance wardrobe stylist and designer in Los Angeles and continues
to build her website (www.amieschow.com), which offers a curated blend of new and
vintage art and fashion, and where you can also see Native Tongue.
“It’s been ten awesome years since I graduated ­—
ten years filled with art, education, and tons of new
experiences. I feel really lucky to have been exposed
to so much art and creative, hands-on education at
Marin Horizon.”
Pictured above: pieces from Amie’s recent collection, Native Tongue
’11

15. 27
Preston Crowe
Preston, a student
at San Rafael High
School, was recently
awarded a Certifi-
cate of Congressio-
nal Recognition in
honor of winning
the first-ever House Student App Challenge,
which was established by the U.S. House
of Representatives in 2013 as a nationwide
event that invites high school students to
compete by creating and exhibiting their
software application, or “app,” for mobile,
tablet, or computer devices on a platform
of their choice. It is designed to promote
innovation and engagement in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math) education fields.
Preston won for his game, “Stealth Square,”
which he coded for his first semester final
for his Introduction to Computer Program-
ming class. Congressman Jared Huff-
man presented the Certificate in person.
Preston’s app will be featured on the U.S.
House of Representatives’ website and on
display in a U.S. Capitol exhibit alongside
apps from each participating congressional
district.
Shiriel King-Abramson ’12
Shiriel, who fondly remembers “the small
classes and warm, fuzzy environment of
Marin Horizon,” went on to Redwood High
School where, she says, her “favorite parts
of school are writing and copy editing for
The Redwood Bark, the school’s newspa-
per.” She is also studying Spanish literature.
She is finding the work of sophomore year
challenging but meaningful.
Outside of school she tap dances at Happy
Feet Dance School and plays flute with the
Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra; she
also teaches private lessons in both, as well
as tutoring 6th and 7th graders who are
preparing for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
Shiriel is a fellow with the Diller Teen Fel-
lows Program, an immersive leadership
program for 10th and 11th graders.
Emilie Sklar ’12
Emilie Sklar is
currently a ju-
nior at the Urban
School, where she
is a member of the
Student Admissions
and Community
Outreach Committees. “I have had an abso-
lutely great experience at Urban so far!” she
says of the San Francisco high school. When
not at school, Emilie can be found at Planet
Granite where she is on the climbing team
with three other Marin Horizon alumni;
she will be competing in the USA climbing
competition series this year.
Recently, Emilie and group of Marin Hori-
zon alumnae revived their old soccer team
and had “an extremely fun season” play-
ing Mill Valley recreational soccer. Emilie
says that she is really enjoying both the
academic and social aspects and opportu-
nities at Urban and has “found that Marin
Horizon prepared me incredibly well for
high school.”
Shosi Hansen ’13
Shosi is a sophomore at The Branson
School. As a freshman she enjoyed tak-
ing Environmental Science and Roots of
Civilization, the latter especially because
“she had previously studied similar topics
in sixth grade and was able to stay ahead
in the class.” In Environmental Science,
she could see the connections between the
class and the real world, which Mo Poxon,
our Middle School Science teacher has
always encouraged. The similar teaching
styles and love for teaching at Marin
Horizon and Branson helped make
26
Spotlight On:
Hannah Schwalbe ’05
“When I think back on Marin Horizon I remember celebrating
Earth Day, camping at Gualala, and partaking in a magic circle
or two. But really what comes to mind is harder to describe
than any one memory and is more of a feeling.
The first day I walked into middle school I was a shy and
unconfident kid when Beth Anderson looked me in the eyes
and told me I was going to be the first female president. That’s
a lot to absorb as an 11 year old but the best thing anyone could have said. Nothing has made
me more confident than someone else’s unyielding belief in me. Nothing made me work
harder than wanting to be the person that somebody else believed I could be.
Beth was not the only one inspiring students to be their best. Each teacher pushed us enough
that we got to the right place, without pushing so much that we resented it. (I have no idea
how they managed this accomplishment; the teachers must all take psychology classes be-
fore starting to work at Marin Horizon!) Somewhere around 7th grade I figured out that I had
no interest in politics, but my confidence and drive remained and pulled me more and more
towards the sciences.
My career started my junior year of college when I got a summer job as a wildlife biologist
for Glacier National Park. My official job title was Biological Science Technician — leave it to
the government to make the best job in the world sound boring. That summer I collected data
on endangered and critical wildlife in the park. During the weekday I was paid to hike and
observe animals, which is exactly what I did on my weekends as well. My data was used to
help the park create the right policies to protect its wildlife. What more could an “outdoors-y”
girl ask for?
After Glacier, I graduated with a degree in environmental science from Northwestern Univer-
sity. Last year I decided to take a big jump across the Atlantic Ocean to Bioko Island, in the
little known West African country of Equatorial Guinea, working for the Bioko Biodiversity
Protection Program. Bioko Island is a paradise. Imagine thousands of acres of land untouched
by modern society. No roads, no cars, no people for miles around. Pristine forests and beach-
es sprawling in both directions, monkeys hanging in trees and thousands and thousands of
sea turtles.
I primarily studied three critically endangered species, leatherback turtles, green turtles and
drill monkeys, the lesser known cousins of mandrills. During the dry season, The Gulf of
Guinea is home to the second largest nesting sight for leatherback turtles in the world. At
night they heave their bodies out of the water and up onto the beach to lay their eggs. In the
photo above I am chasing after a rare green turtle that was late returning to the ocean after
nesting. I was able to snatch a photo with her as the sun rose.
After six months the turtles leave, and the monkeys start to move around more to prepare for
the wet season, and so I moved on too. Now I work for a whale watch in Maine which collabo-
rates with an organization called Allied Whale that focuses on humpback whale research.
It’s cliché, but it can’t be said enough, if you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your
life. Finding out what you love can be a winding, twisting path but I can’t imagine a better
place to start than at Marin Horizon. The school doesn’t close any doors, it only opens them.
When asked to write a little bit about myself, I didn’t know what to say. Really all I want to
express is a big, heartfelt thank you.”
’12

16. 28
ALUMNIthe transition from middle school to high
school seem easier to Shosi.
As a freshman, Shosi also started row-
ing and going from not having previously
played a sport to practice six days a week for
two and a half hours a day was a big change.
Nonetheless she survived, and thrived, and
is now rowing on the varsity squad. She
discovered that her Marin Horizon orga-
nizational skills came in handy. “I had to
learn to be very efficient and stay extremely
organized. I never thought that planner I
got in fourth grade would actually be helpful
past middle school, but I wouldn’t have
survived without it.”
Mac Lyons ’13
Mac, who is
continuing to play
basketball at Marin
Academy, has also
recently joined the
Country Club Bowl
League in San Rafael
— what started as a fun summer activity
turned into a stint on the local league! He
is also in Marin Academy’s production of
The Good Person of Szechwan. And while it’s
hard to fit in homework, a play, sports and
bowling, he says he was well-prepared at
Marin Horizon for life in high school.
If you’ve got an adventure to share,
an updated address, news about college,
career, family, or anything you think
we’d like to hear, or if you’re interested
in becoming a class captain or joining
the Alumni Council, please contact Bev
Boorman at bboorman@marinhorizon.org
or 415.388.8408 ext. 234.
Alumni Council
Jesse Pearson ’86, Chair
Bev Boorman
Ashley Goldsmith ’97
Susan Schow (Amie ’04, Jack ’02, Sam ’02)
Robin Strawbridge (Angus ’12, Forrest ’15)
Dana Swisher (Henry ’07, Peter ’10, Kate ’12)
“Nothing has made me more confi-
dent than someone else’s unyielding
belief in me. Nothing made me
work harder than wanting to be the
person that somebody else believed
I could be.”
Hannah Schwalbe ’05
28
mums of alums
On Sunday, April 27, 2014, a group of about
21 Mums of Alums gathered for a lovely
brunch at Piatti to reminisce and catch up.
We had mums of alums from as far back as
1990 and as recent as last year — what a great
tribute to Marin Horizon’s history!
Spotlight On:
Ashley Goldsmith ’97
“After graduating from Marin Horizon School, I was eager to
look ahead. I was more concerned with starting fresh in high
school, than thinking about how sad it was to leave the only
school I had ever known. My focus was completely on my
present and future — not on processing the past twelve years
of my life. Now with more perspective, I see that Marin Horizon
is a very significant part of my past, present, and future.
Over the past few years, I have chosen to contribute, participate, and grow with the school in
a number of ways. I am a member of the Alumni Council, I have been a substitute teacher
and teaching aide, and was once a chaperone for Gualala. I believe this is evidence that our
school stays with us after graduation. We may move on to other institutions and communities,
but Marin Horizon remains part of the essence of our being. It is integrated into our souls
whether we realize it or not! This realization is significant because it proves that Marin Horizon
graduates have compassion, a sense of connection to the world, an insatiable curiosity, and
a desire to give back.
The lessons, experiences, friendships, and challenges from my time at Marin Horizon have
stayed with me and have informed much of who I am today — and I know that I am not alone
in my continued commitment to the Marin Horizon community. I started thinking about all of
the graduates whom I keep track of on social media (and in real life!) and realized just how
many of them have returned in various ways. Just in my small network, I know alumni who
have become teachers, substitutes, chaperones, contracted artists, Alumni Council members,
staff, and summer camp counselors for Marin Horizon. This school leaves a lasting impression
on all of us — parents, students, faculty and staff. I for one, am forever grateful for the many
gifts that Marin Horizon has bestowed upon me.”
“The lessons, experiences, friendships, and challenges from my time at Marin
Horizon have stayed with me and have informed much of who I am today —
and I know that I am not alone in my continued commitment to the Marin
Horizon community.”
Photo at left: Hillery Jaffe-Urell, Luis Ottley,
Lawrie Mott. Photos this page, clockwise from top:
1) Alletta Bayer, Nancy Saarman, Susan Schow
2) Devi Brown, Connie Goldsmith, Mo Poxon
3) Catherine Cox, Mona Steinberg, Mo Poxon
4) Annie Gordon, Simone Jordan, Nancy Saarman
5) Linda McCready, Simone Jordan, Cate Elston

17. 30
ALUMNI reunion
Spring 2014
Chris Baker and Joel Booth, Environmental
and Outdoor Education
Marin Horizon’s Environmental and Out-
door Education Department has developed a
strong connection with our alumni, and over
the years our program has grown and thrived,
in part, due to their involvement. Be it Sam
Schow ’02 guiding middle school adventures
to Tomales Bay and to Lake Tahoe, or Shayna
Lee ’10 and Christina Fallone ’10 joining
us as guides-in-training on our 8th grade
Lake Tahoe trip, or Simone Wainwright ’11
on a day hiking trip, having alumni share
their wisdom from their experiences in high
school, college and beyond, is priceless.
Between Joel Booth, our resident Yosemite
big wall climber, and the many expert rock
climbers in our alumni community, we knew
a day of climbing at San Francisco’s Planet
Granite was in order for our alumni reunion
last spring. Aidan Linscott, ’12, Emily Sklar,
’12 and Sofia Miller, ’12, (all members of
the Planet Granite Climbing Team) joined a
group of 10 other alumni for a fun day on
the walls.
After eating breakfast and some catching up
on campus, the group boarded our Adven-
ture bus into the City. We had every level of
climber in the group — from competitive to
first-time climbers strapping on a harness
and lacing up climbing shoes for the first
time, yet every one of these Marin Horizon
alumni had fun and challenged themselves
that day!
The afternoon’s activity provided a wonder-
ful venue for friendships to be rekindled and
a forum to reconnect with the Marin Horizon
community. We look forward to future out-
ings in our quest to bring people together
through shared experiences!
Eighth grade is a
transitional and
transformational
year. For many of
our students who
are getting ready
to move from their
day-to-day life at
Marin Horizon,
this is the last in a
12-year experience!
Even for those who
have not been here since their Toddler
year, it can be a bittersweet time – our
students form strong bonds with each
other and our faculty, and though they are
certainly ready to spread their wings and
fly away, they will always be Marin Horizon
students.
This year we asked Eva Kranefuss (pictured
above) to give some insights about her last
year at Marin Horizon, and her transition
into 9th grade at Marin Academy. Below
are her answers, and don’t miss her
poignant poem on the following page.
What was your favorite part of 8th grade?
My favorite part of 8th grade was the sweat
lodge at Redwood Glen. It was a bonding
moment for our class. We acknowledged
that we had had our ups and downs but
at that moment, there was no drama, no
judgment.
Fondest memory of Marin Horizon School?
Hiking Mt. Tam in 6th grade. It rained and
it hailed and we all bonded and had a lot
of fun. We all realized that complaining
wasn’t going to help so instead we talked,
sang songs, and just had a lot of fun.
Most challenging part of 8th grade?
I think the most challenging part of 8th
grade was trying to avoid “senioritis.”
Once I got into high school, I wasn’t as
driven to get my homework done or even
get good grades. I had to push myself really
hard to keep my grades up because I was
lacking motivation.
Describe your experience of the high school
application process. Was it hard? Scary?
Stressful? Fun? Did you like the process?
The high school application process was
hard but fun. It was hard to write the ap-
plications because they had to be my very
best. I spent a lot of time writing them but
I think I did very well. It was also fun be-
cause I got to tell the schools who I thought
I was and I think it opened my eyes up to
who I am as a student and a person.
What were you most concerned about in
going into 9th grade?
My main concern was making friends.
Since I had been at Marin Horizon for
9 years, I had never needed to make too
many new friends. Being at Marin Acad-
emy, I had to make a whole new set of
friends who like me for who I am. I was
very scared that nobody would accept me
but I was wrong, and I was able to find
a whole group of friends who are just as
wacky as I am!
In what ways did Marin Horizon prepare you
for 9th grade?
Marin horizon prepared me for high
school very well. I was taught certain skills
like annotating and problem solving which
I use a lot. Marin Horizon also taught me to
Eighth Grade and beyond
31

18. 32
be curious, always do my best work, and
get help when I need it. This helped me
keep good grades during my transition into
high school.
How was your transition into 9th grade? And
how is 9th grade now that you’ve had a few
months to settle in?
My transition into ninth grade was very
easy. I kept good grades and already
knew many of the skills that my new teach-
ers were trying to teach me. Now that I
have been in high school for a couple of
months, I feel much more comfortable. I
understand how to keep a balance between
school and friends.
Anything else you want us to know about
being a Marin Horizon 8th grader and getting
into high school?
I always thought eighth grade and the
transition into high school would be hard
but Marin Horizon made it easy. The
application process was a breeze and the
transition was easy and painless.
Where I’m From
Eva Kranefuss ’14
I am from binders
From staples and pens that always seem
to get lost
I am from the tiny campus
(small, happy, and filled with laughter)
I am from wood chips
The woodchips that hurt your bare feet and
knees when you fell
I am from pajama day and smart alecks
From Anderson and Ottley
I’m from the social awkwardness and total
klutziness
From “Because I don’t like you” and “It’s too
late baby now, it’s too late”
I’m from all are created equal and the most
socially acceptable place on the planet
I’m from Mill Valley and 35 years,
Burritos and pizza
From Danny’s dinosaurs and daily hugs
from Beth
In my bookshelf lie the yearbooks.
Memories saved, frozen in time.
My friends, the notes they would leave me
and all of the fun and laughter experienced
together. Every outdoor education trip and
every drop of rain I felt.
I am from here, where I grew up
and learned
33
eighth grade class of 2014
We are proud of our graduates and the choices they and their families made for their
high school education. We wish you all the best of luck and hope that you stay in touch!
Branson School
Drew School
Marin Academy
Marin Catholic
Redwood High School
San Francisco University
High School
St. Paul’s School
Tamalpais High School
The Bay School
The Urban School

19. 305 Montford Avenue Mill Valley California 94941
415 388 8408 www.marinhorizon.org