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David Emmel |
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Class of 1975 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did anything that you learned as a student prepare you for your current career and/or activities in the arts?
Spanish Club, Drama Club, Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, and Golf teams. Sports and competition require a variety of strengths from an individual. Concentration, cooperation, coordination, and or course, creativity. Blending Arts into sports requires creativity. Individuals may not be the best on the field of play, but by blending in a dose of creativity, instead of pure horsepower, that individual can achieve advantages beyond what is the norm. Creative thinking, and problem solving requires brain agility. Sports requires physical agility. Blending the two gives the individual an advantage over those who rely solely on one or the other.
2. What type of activities have you been involved in since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your educational experiences and career opportunities that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students hoping to pursue a career in the arts?
Straight out of college I worked in the Television industry for almost 12 years. I held a variety of positions at 2 different stations, and gained a lot of valuable experience. I would encourage anyone starting out to be open to different jobs within an organization and gain experience. Of course I’m older now…old enough to be a parent of anyone attending Oak Hall. It used to be that a college education was your ticket to a better life. I recently heard on talk radio, that today’s college education is the equivalent of yesterday’s high school education. And that if you go to college, be prepared to seek a post-graduate degree. While I don’t necessarily agree with what I heard on the radio, if I could pass on one bit of wisdom it would be this: Education provides opportunities. Almost 20 years ago, I pursued an MBA, and it opened a few career doors. Education opens your eyes to different ways of thinking. There’s not just one way to solve any given problem, sometimes there are several. Education provides the individual with the skill-set to attack problems from different directions. And, the more education you have, the better equipped you are to solve issues.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe. This may include a story about a favorite faculty member, a prom or sports team memory, or any other experience that makes your decade seem venerable to the current student body.
In the Ninth grade I had a wonderful Geometry teacher at Oak Hall, Mrs. Elfe. I had a difficult time understanding the subject and would call her almost every school night asking her to explain things. She was patient, and always willing to help. One day, the light-bulb finally went on, and from that day forward I "got it." I’ve always remembered her unselfishness, and her willingness to help. After that, I was no longer hesitant about asking a teacher to explain things "one more time."
4. Did you have any other relatives who also attended or now attend OHS? If so, what are their names and what are they doing now?
Mark Emmel, is my nephew. He’s currently pursuing an MBA in the Jacksonville area, while working part-time.
5. Is there anything you would like to say to current students that the above questions did not address? Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote that would be today’s equivalent to your senior yearbook quote?
The one piece of advice I offer is not to be afraid of hard work...either in the classroom or in the workplace. Once you’ve started your career, treat everyday like you are earning your paycheck for the very first time. Get up the next day and earn it again. Satisfaction comes at the end of the week when you can look back on your weekly accomplishments and know that you put in your best effort. Never, ever think that you are better than anyone else.
Some of my favorite quotes are from F. Scott Fitzgerald: "A big man has no time really to do anything but just sit and be big." and "Action is character." |
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Fran Leadon |
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Class of 1984 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did anything that you learned as a student prepare you for your current career and/or activities in the arts?
When I was 15 I could throw a football 50 yards with accuracy. So Coach Clifford made me come out for the team as a quarterback. But I had no work ethic and I took everything personally. I could never remember the plays. I complained. So I sat on the bench. From that disappointment I learned that it’s not enough to have talent. You have to shut up and work hard.
2. What type of activities have you been involved in since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your educational experiences and career opportunities that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students hoping to pursue a career in the arts?
I wasted four years after Oak Hall going on and off to Santa Fe. When I was 22 I finally went to UF, as a freshman, and majored in architecture. Unlike when I was at Oak Hall and Santa Fe, I worked really, really hard and finally did well academically. I did so well I was able to go to Yale for graduate school. Since then I’ve been a productive architect, professor, musician, and writer in New York. So if you’re not doing well at Oak Hall, don’t worry about it – there’s still time to turn it around.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe. This may include a story about a favorite faculty member, a prom or sports team memory, or any other experience that makes your decade seem venerable to the current student body.
When I was at Oak Hall there weren’t any high school-level art classes, so I enrolled in life-drawing classes at night at Santa Fe. That’s where I learned to draw.
4. Is there anything you would like to say to current students that the above questions did not address? Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote that would be today’s equivalent to your senior yearbook quote?
Don’t worry if you’re not doing well in high school. It is a tiny sliver of your life. Don’t listen to anyone else when it comes to what you want to do for a career. Do what makes you happy and do it in your own way. |
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Cathy Shiao |
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Class of 1999 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did anything that you learned as a student prepare you for your current career and/or activities in the arts?
I was mostly involved in my art courses with Robert Ponzio, he was the one who suggested that I apply to Parsons in NY. Without his guidance and support I would have never pursued a career in fashion design.
2. What type of activities have you been involved in since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your educational experiences and career opportunities that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students hoping to pursue a career in the arts?
Ask lots of questions, research, and focus. I would say, in the Arts, it’s especially important to have your own vision in mind and the courage to follow that dream.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe. This may include a story about a favorite faculty member, a prom or sports team memory, or any other experience that makes your decade seem venerable to the current student body.
I was an extremely shy kid. My family and I were not always received well in the community. It didn’t help that we were not from the United States and my parents didn’t speak English well. OHS provided my sisters and me a safe environment for us to learn, grow, and feel accepted.
4. Did you have any other relatives who also attended or now attend OHS? If so, what are their names and what are they doing now?
I-Shien Shiao is the Athletic Trainer for GA Tech football and Kristina Shiao is studying Psychology & Journalism at FSU. I am extremely proud for having such talented and amazing sisters.
5. Is there anything you would like to say to current students that the above questions did not address? Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote that would be today’s equivalent to your senior yearbook quote?
"The road to success is always under construction." |
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Caitlin Moe (Lowery) |
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Class of 2006 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did anything that you learned as a student prepare you for your current career and/or activities in the arts?
As a student at Oak Hall, I was a part of the String Ensemble, National Honors Society, Key Club, Latin Club, President of Student Government my senior year, ran Cross Country and Track & Field, and was concert-mistress of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra, I was extremely fortunate to have studied under Roger Nubern during my time at Oak Hall. I really don’t think I’d be doing what I’m doing and pursuing music the way I am had it not been for him. He was the first person to push me and force me to experiment outside of classical music. It started with bluegrass, folk and jazz, and eventually led to creating string arrangements for rock and pop. He inspired me to start songwriting, and I’m pretty sure he was one of the few people that didn’t question my short-lived college days to pursue music (I happened to get an incredible touring opportunity...stay in school, kids!)
2. What type of activities have you been involved in since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your educational experiences and career opportunities that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students hoping to pursue a career in the arts?
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that nothing is too crazy. Pursuing a career in the arts can be strange since there isn’t exactly structure involved. I always have to remind myself that the worst thing anyone can say to you is "no," and the worst thing that can happen is you tried...so just ask and give it a shot! You’d be surprised at how many times I’ve crazily called up people asking for auditions or favors and be shocked at how many times it came through. Since graduating from OHS, I’ve toured arenas with rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra as the solo electric violinist; I’ve been touring with DJ Mia Moretti for the past 2 years in the US, Europe and Asia, and we recently had the dream opportunity of opening for Stevie Wonder in Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve, opening for Janet Jackson at the Louvre in Paris, and performing at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, the Clinton foundation, and music festivals; I also recorded strings and performed with artists this past year such as Lady Gaga, Skylar Grey, Sam Sparro, Low, and Wakey!Wakey!.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe. This may include a story about a favorite faculty member, a prom or sports team memory, or any other experience that makes your decade seem venerable to the current student body.
Running was a huge part of my life in high school, so I’d have to say that winning the state championship back to back for track & field and runner-up for cross country were definitely highlights for me. We had such a dedicated and supportive group of girls and coaches...we still go running together if we happen to be in Gainesville at the same time! Also, on a different note, if you see Mr. Legare, ask him about the time one of his students ate a quiz in his physics class...
4. Did you have any other relatives who also attended or now attend OHS? If so, what are their names and what are they doing now?
My younger brother John Lowery graduated OHS in 2010. He’s now studying Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Florida.
5. Is there anything you would like to say to current students that the above questions did not address? Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote that would be today’s equivalent to your senior yearbook quote?
"The chief object of education is not to learn things but to unlearn things." - G. K. Chesterton I started playing violin when I was 4 years old and studied classical music for 15 years under Sonnhild Kitts. When I moved to New York City after high school I was a little burned out from such strict, intense training, but knew I wanted to be a violinist. Every day and night I would make it a point to go listen to music and immerse myself in different genres. I eventually started making musician friends and would play out with them all over the city. It was incredibly nerve racking at first because I was so used to reading music given to me; it almost felt as though I had to "unlearn" what I knew in order to adapt to the different bands and songwriters I was working with. But at the same time, I wouldn’t be the player I am had I not put the time and dedication slaving over hours and hours of etudes, scales and technique books. I encourage every artist to perfect their craft through discipline, but at the same time let go and subconsciously use your craft...that’s where the creation lies. |
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Judy Holloway Boucias |
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Class of 1978 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did you learn anything as a student that prepared or inspired you to live abroad later in life?
I was involved in basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, student government, volunteer work, and horseback riding while I attended OHS. In teaching me four years of Spanish, Senora Isabel Striker made me curious about her native country of Guatemala, which eventually led to my first experience of living abroad in Colombia.
2. What type of international service, scholarship, leadership or other activity have you done since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your adult years that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students?
I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel and to live abroad, beginning with the Oak Hall senior class trip in 1978 to the Bahamas, followed almost immediately by living in Manizales, Colombia, as part of an exchange program sponsored by the Rotary Club. In 1982 as a college student, I studied at Tel Aviv University, traveled to Egypt and Greece, and then backpacked alone through Europe for four months. When I married, my husband and I decided to take advantage of sabbatical leaves offered to professors; accordingly, we have lived in Paris, France (1989); Lincoln, New Zealand (1997 and 2004); and we leave for Vienna, Austria, in 2011. These experiences, plus hosting French and Thai exchange students, plus trips to Thailand, Malaysia, Fiji, Dominica, and other countries have enriched my life, challenged me with the study of four foreign languages, and given me friends all over the world.
I have learned that hard work in pursuit of a worthy goal satisfies as nothing else does. Students, you cannot tell now what the impact of your education will be; trust that what you learn will enrich you in ways you cannot imagine.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe.
Today’s students would be shocked to know that at OHS in the seventies, the newest students had to wear burgundy and gold beanies for what seemed an interminable length of time, some teachers smoked while they taught class, and faculty, staff, and students laid down the sod of the school’s football field when it was created—the best lesson ever on area, as my math teachers said.
4. Did you have any other relatives who also attended or now attend OHS? If so, what are their names and what are they doing now?
My sister Jean Holloway Robinson (1980) lives in Gainesville, my brother Sam Holloway, Jr. (1980) lives in Gainesville and is the CEO of Holloway Wealth Management, my niece Katie Robinson (2008) is a senior at the College of Charleston, my nephew Matt Robinson (2011) is a freshman at the University of Georgia, my niece Caroline Holloway is a sophomore and my nephew Jack Holloway is in seventh grade.
5. Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote?
--Traveling changes your mind and your life. Find ways to travel as part of your studies, work, and relationships, and do not let fear deter you from leaving the familiar. Realize, too, that traveling does not have to be exorbitantly expensive.
--The value of material things does not approach the value of experiences and of the people with whom you share them.
--If you cannot travel, read. |
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Mary-Jeanne Caldwell Cabanel |
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Class of 1981 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did you learn anything as a student that prepared or inspired you to live abroad later in life?
At OHS, I really loved theater. Marilyn Wall and Mike Beistle really encouraged me, and looking back, I think acting was really the beginning of establishing a sense of self. Theater really gave me permission to act and dream big. Somewhere over the rainbow was always my favorite song. "Way above the chimney tops" landed me in France and in Switzerland where I have been for the last 20 years.
2. What type of international service, scholarship, leadership or other activity have you done since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your adult years that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students?
The one activity that has always been a constant since Oak Hall and even before is writing. I wrote for the Columbia Spectator at Columbia University and was Editor in Chief of Das Tor while getting my MBA at Thunderbird Global School of Management. The fuel behind this writing has always been a real curiosity to know more about the people and subjects that I am writing about.
This curiosity is really the edge that helped me bridge cultural gaps and learn to love and appreciate the differences of world cultures. For OHS students that dream of living abroad, the single biggest tip I can offer is travel with curiosity and a willingness to learn new things. This willingness to learn will bring you knowledge you never dreamed of and friends you only hoped for.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe.
To be honest my time at Oak Hall was marked by adolescent angst and lots of insecurity. My parents were getting divorced and I felt different and not quite up to par. My saving grace, and indeed my greatest mentor was Eileen McCarthy Smith, my English teacher and guidance counselor. Somehow, she saw me for who I really was, coached me to become my best and encouraged me to dream the dreams that led to who (and where) I am today.
Dancing with her at my wedding in France is one of my greatest memories; it was indeed a celebration of the dreams obtained and the distance travelled.
4. Did you have any other relatives who also attended or now attend OHS? If so, what are their names and what are they doing now?
My brother Todd went to OHS. He owns a successful flooring business in Colorado, and has despite, waves of recession managed not only to keep healthily afloat but also to have one of the best personal relationships and sense of work life balance of anyone I have ever known.
5. Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote?
Eleanor Roosevelt said, "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," and indeed dreams turn an excellent education into a fulfilled life. So dream big, spread your gifts, and dare to impact the world. It needs you. We need you. Bon courage et bonne chance! |
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Helena Chapman |
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Class of 1999 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did you learn anything as a student that prepared or inspired you to live abroad later in life?
As an Oak Hall student, I was involved in Key Club for community service activities, Spanish Club as part of the four-year language study program, and athletics through Junior Varsity and Varsity Tennis. I focused my musical interests in local and state classical piano competitions as well as the OHS Blues Rebellion Jazz Band and Pep Band with alto and tenor saxophones. On weekends and summers, I volunteered at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Medical, Surgical and Cardio-Thoracic Intensive Care Units. My OHS Spanish studies sparked my passion for international travel. As an OHS junior, I traveled to Pulawy, Poland, as a teacher’s aide for a one-month conversational English camp for Eastern European students. My high school experiences formed a solid foundation for me to continue my Spanish and music studies in college as well as transition my community service activities into the health discipline. This combination of public health, international medicine and Spanish language skills well prepared me for living abroad, finding my life focus in medicine and making a positive impact on community citizens abroad through research and academics.
2. What type of international service, scholarship, leadership or other activity have you done since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your adult years that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students?
Since graduation, I completed courses from five universities. I became involved with pre-medical and community service organizations, perfected skills in Spanish by traveling to Spain and increased my knowledge of dengue and other tropical diseases in Cuba. As a senior at the University of Florida (UF), I conducted my first research study in Havana, Cuba, which motivated me to pursue graduate studies at UF in Public Health and Epidemiology and continue my research in neighboring islands of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. As I gained further research skills through my graduate program and my research assistantship, I trained an interdisciplinary team of public health, medical and nursing students for an international health study on Tuberculosis in Ecuador, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These experiences motivated me to pursue medicine in the Dominican Republic, where I continue organizing health educational projects and outreach health clinics in rural communities. I also serve in key leadership positions and have submitted articles for publication to international journals.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe.
First, no matter how hard I struggled in my Spanish IV class, even failing the A.P. Spanish exam, Ms. Margarita Avellaneda always encouraged me to be bilingual. Second, although an accomplished pianist since elementary school, learning a woodwind instrument was not an easy task. Mr. Robert Nubern provided lessons, independent studies and invited me to join the OHS Blues Rebellion jazz band and pep band. Without these amazing professors, I would not have continued to perfect my language skills, saxophone and piano music lessons. Presently, I am bilingual and an accomplished musician of the piano, alto and tenor saxophones.
4. Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote?
My favorite quote that describes my journey from high school (Florida) to international health and living abroad (Caribbean) is reflected in: "The real voyage of discovery is not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes" (Marcel Proust). Although a diploma certifies that I have completed specific academic requirements for a degree (seeking new lands), it fails to describe my personal pathway to success, through hardships and innovative new experiences along the way (seeing with new eyes). I would advise any OHS student to take advantage of high school, community activities and your parents’ sage advice. As your voyage of discovery, develop your athletic or musical skills, engage in community service activities and participate in academic clubs. If you do, you will find that this journey will enhance your ability to see through new eyes, discover your talents and show your passion that will guide you toward a successful future. |
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Abby Friedman |
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Class of 2003 |
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1. What type of activities were you involved in when you were an OHS student? Did you learn anything as a student that prepared or inspired you to live abroad later in life?
As a student at OHS I was involved in a very wide array of activities, and I think that having this opportunity to dabble in so many different fields has helped to enable me to immerse myself in foreign cultures. Most obviously, I was very involved in the French club, culminating in serving as its president my junior year, which certainly would only mark the beginning of my passion for French culture. I was also a member of Chain Reaction, Key Club, and the National Honor Society, which all fostered a strong sense of community and reflection about how it can be improved. This constant examination of how a community should function has helped to accustom me to the cultural dialogues and debates I have taken part in while living abroad.
2. What type of international service, scholarship, leadership or other activity have you done since graduating from OHS? Have you learned anything through your adult years that would be helpful or instructive for current OHS students?
Since OHS, I have taken part in an immersion study abroad program my junior year of college in which I attended classes at the Sorbonne as well as a Graduate year of studies in Paris. During this time we took part in debates concerning current events issues in France such as the presence of the veil and the burqa, immigration concerns, the augmentation of the national age of retirement from 60 to 62, and many topics provoking societal unrest in France. During my year as part of the Teaching Assistantship Program in France, I was placed at a socially and economically mixed high school in the suburbs of Paris. During this time I was able to discuss these concerns on a daily basis with the youth of France as well as introduce them to current events and cultural differences of the United States.
3. Describe an experience from your time at OHS that current students would find interesting or hard to believe.
For our senior prank, the majority of the school arriving for the morning assembly was met with an almost entirely empty section for the senior class. The seniors who were in attendance seemed determined to stretch out every minute of the assembly with one long-winded announcement after another. When everyone was finally dismissed, they exited to find that all of their backpacks, which they had tossed out front as always, were missing, having been collected and hidden out of sight. However, more alarmingly, they realized that they were also under the attack of those missing seniors, all armed with water balloons and water guns.
4. Did you have any other relatives who also attended or now attend OHS? If so, what are their names and what are they doing now?
My younger brother David Friedman ‘07 also attended OHS. He recently graduated from Dartmouth College and is about to start his first semester at Stanford Law School.
5. Do you have any advice that would be helpful for current students or perhaps a favorite quote?
My advice to current students is to always remain aware of the world around you and to get out and see as much of it as you can. It is very easy to grow comfortable in a bubble of safety and familiarity, but my most worthwhile and educational experiences have been the result of throwing myself into an unfamiliar and uncertain situation (aka leaving my friends in warm and sunny Florida to attend a college in the middle of rural Vermont or leaving the comfort and conveniences of living in the US for a life in France). Mark Twain said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness," and I would agree that I have learned the most important lessons simply from experiencing foreign countries and cultures first-hand. |
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