East Bay School (1973

East Bay School (1973 - 1977)

Once upon a time, three bright young people got together and decided to start a school. Living in the East Bay, they called their creation "East Bay School." Don't let the name deceive you, the only aspect of the school that was common or generic was its name.

The three full-time teachers, Joe, Sandy, and Mary-Louise, poured their hearts into their work yet still had fun, and the students did as well. Some part-time teachers soon joined the cast: Ken Jenkins, John Milwitt, Anne Boddum, Jerry Boddum, Gisela Harle, Cathie Simmons, and others. Because the number of students remained small (around twenty), the student to teacher ratio was fantastic.

The students learned by leaps and bounds, and felt sorry for their friends who had to go to conventional schools that were no fun. It was through the remarkable efforts of the teachers that the students were exposed to so many things beyond the mainstream, and their lives were forever enriched.

The Teachers Today

Mary-Louise Ruth (formerly known as Mary-Louise Martynn) has been teaching at English at Oakland High School and is busy in creative writing; e-mail her at mlrandrz@earthlink.net.

The Students Today

Teari Akiyoshi is now known as Terese Engolz and is an agricultural economist in the San Francisco Bay Area. See some of her past work at http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~stratsoy/new/welcome.html, or e-mail her at agribiz@yahoo.com.

Sheryl Chapman is not only a great artist, but has been doing web site design as well. See some of her work at http://www.sherylchapman.com, or e-mail her at schapman@proxicom.com.

Leo Fernekes is an engineering entrepreneur in New York City. He recently sold his last company and is now at http://www.controlledentropy.com, or e-mail him at leo@controlledentropy.com.

Dan Martynn is the district conservationist for Colusa County. Dan is now married and has a couple of children. E-mail him at Dan.Martynn@ca.usda.gov.

Julie Scornaienchi is still bright and positive, and now has three kids as well. Working somewhere along Highway 680, she can be found at jewelsfff@aol.com. Damon Vickers has not only become a handsome young man, but a smart one as well. See what goes on in his head at http://www.damonvickers.com, or e-mail him at vickers@freewwweb.com. Mark Walsh is a software engineer presently working in the greater Bay Area. See his web page at http://www.km6xu.com, or e-mail him at mark@km6xu.com. Missing Teachers Friends, please help us find information on these teachers: Joe DuVivier is currently flexing his skills as an artist. Sandy Thacker is teaching general construction to kids and is still active in documentary photography. See her book, "Hard-Hatted Women" at Amazon.com. Anne Boddum is still living in Rockridge, she is now a grandmother. Jerry Boddum has done well in commercial real estate, one of his kids is enrolled at Columbia. Gisela Harle is keeping busy teaching at a public school in Germany. Ken Jenkins has written several books, and has directed and performed in a variety of plays in Mendocino County. John Milwitt Cathie Simmons Clyde, Katia, Rob... Missing Students Friends, please help us find information on these students: Tina Akiyoshi is living in Washington with her husband and teenage son. Hillary Baldwin Neal Beyer who was loved by all passed away from leukemia. Dan Bruno is a teacher of auto mechanics somewhere in the Bay Area. K.C. Clausen Mitch Ferrell Alan Fischer Tom French Greg Friedman is a most brainy fellow and was last seen working in Japan. Lianne Garfield Peter Jow Glenna Justice has a son enrolled in one of Sandy's classes. Devon Lacey Steve Lawler Mike Levinson Michael Lewis Madeline Marschak Tim Marschak Eric Martynn is teaching English in Rio, Brazil. Noel McComas Rolf Mende Pepe Merel Alex Nelson Lorry Parcell Carl Roberts became a great athlete and nice guy, married Kim Lucas, has a son, moved to Oregon. Dee Scott Lauren Shannon Holt Simmons was last seen in Colorado (but not with Liz), married in the mid-80's. Alan Smith was last seen as a really (and we mean really!) fast 10K runner. Roxanne Stewart Michelle Torres was last seen living with her husband and two kids in Isleton. Paul Turner was recently seen floating around the East Bay. Chipper Vaughn Liz Watne was last seen in Oregon; married a good man named Greg in 1983. Scott Whidden is a very successful entrepreneur and is now running the show at Fentons. Shauna Whidden Shelley Whidden Lynn Woodcock Michael Worth is apparently doing movie work in Hollywood. Check him out here. Beth, Charles, Clark, Iwalani, Jerry, Seth... School Pictures Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of your favorite school friend: Holt and his nice dog Shelty enjoy chatting on the phone. Holt's Mom, Cathie, says that she could tell that he was talking to Liz because of the smile. (1976) Holt, just looking relaxed. Holt was cool, and he could fix almost anything! (1975) Liz, one of the smartest in the class. (1976) Liz after East Bay School. What a pretty lady! (1979) Mark on Telegraph just south of 30th Street. (1974) Mark on one of those fun Lake Tahoe school trips. (1975) Teari just after East Bay School. (1977) The map of the area around East Bay School. The first location (1973-1975) on the southwest corner of Telegraph Avenue and 29th Street in a big red church (note the church on the map), and the second location (1975-1977) was south of 24th Street between Broadway and Webster in a huge white church (note the church on the map). The second location has been replaced by a large office building. This page is maintained by Mark Walsh and was last updated on 05/02/03. Mark can be reached at mark@km6xu.com, and he welcomes your comments, hints, and suggestions. Thanks!