Alumni Highlights
Alumni Update
Brendan Pierce
Brendan attended Charles Armstrong School (CAS) from 1986-1988. When he transitioned from CAS, Brendan attended Woodside High School, where he entered the Special Education program under the wonderful guidance of Shirley Yoerg and Maureen Campbell and after four years, graduated tenth in his class in 1995. He went on to the University of California at Berkeley, where he was allowed accommodations such as extra time on exams. He graduated in 2000 with a B.A in Psychology. He then entered the work force for two years before returning to school at Mills College in the post-graduate pre-med program. After completing that program in 2004, Brendan worked in the operating room of the Pacific Medical Center as a respiratory technician while applying to medical school. Although he had resistance from those who administer the Medical College Admissions Test, he convinced them to allow him additional time in taking the MCAT in August 2005. He is currently one of the plaintiffs in litigation supported by Disability Rights Advocates of Alameda to ensure that other potential med students are allowed their rights under the federal Americans with Disability Act guidelines and receive a chance to compete on a level playing field when applying to medical school.
Brendan has completed his first year of medical school at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. He is grateful for the support and encouragement he has received from the faculty and fellow students. He hopes to return to the Bay Area (his “favorite place”) for his residency.
Sarah La Vive Baron
Sarah arrived at Charles Armstrong School as a fourth grader in 1999 and transitioned from CAS in 2002 as an accomplished, self-confident sixth grader who also knew how to be her own advocate. We recently received a letter from Sarah’s mom, LaVive Kiely stating, "Sarah was awarded the President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement at her 8th grade graduation ceremony. I nearly fainted. She is an outspoken and proud dyslexic learner and a joy to her teachers, and a social super magnet, in addition to beautiful. I don't think she would be what she is now with out all of you – thank you!”
Paris Fetter
In 2002, after struggling through fifth grade, Paris arrived at Charles Armstrong School and entered sixth grade. He graduated from CAS at the end of eighth grade in 2005. By the time he graduated from CAS, he had straight As and was president of the CAS Student Council. He is currently a sophomore at Stuart Hall High School. In a recent letter from Paris’ mother, Kathleen, she said, “Last year we had a meeting with all the teachers and they were very impressed by his organization and self advocacy skills. And so far he has mostly As with an occasional B! Thank you so much for giving Paris the tools he needed to turn his life around! Thank you! We are forever grateful!"
Miles Mulcare
Miles entered Charles Armstrong School in the second grade in 1988 and left in 1992 left as at the end of fifth grade. In 2004, he graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. The summer he graduated from Lewis and Clark, he went to work for Nike’s Corporate Responsibility Department located at their headquarters in Beaverton just outside of Portland, Oregon. After completing his contract, he returned to San Francisco and traveled throughout Cambodia, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. Miles is now a Sales/Marketing Officer in the Institutional Services and Asset Management Department of Union Bank of California, in San Francisco.
Bryan Guthrie
Brian was a student at Charles Armstrong School from 1985-1987. He received his Masters degree at Cal State Long Beach in Counseling Psychology (with support from tutors) and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. He works at the Orange County Department of Health as a Psychologist and is passionate about reaching public school teachers about learning differences. Because of his mother, Carol, Bryon, became a Special Education teacher in the Santa Ana School District and helped start Prentice Day School with Sharon Ettinger.
Jeffrey Ortiz
Jeff arrived at Charles Armstrong School in 1994 and entered fourth grade. He transitioned from CAS in 1998 at the end of seventh grade. Jeff then moved to Utah and attended Brighton High School. He was one of a few proud winners of the Utah State Poetry Contest. He went on the University of Utah and is currently a Film student at the University of Utah and maintaining a 3.0/ 3.5 GPA, which he admits is not very easy.
Natalie Tamburello
Natalie entered Charles Armstrong School as a third grader in 1998. She transitioned from CAS at the end of fifth grade in 2001. Upon leaving CAS, she attended Drew College Preparatory School. She received the 2003-2004 Scholar of the Year Award at Drew and was admitted to an honors chemistry class as a sophomore. She is a frequent panelist for the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and Parents’ Education Network (PEN) student panels on children with learning differences. Natalie is a signer for a Latin Jazz band at Drew and was the supporting lead role in a citywide musical theater program. She is also excels in equestrian sports as she took 1st place in a Equestrian Pole Bending in the Western Horse Competition.
Kathryn Molitor
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Gonzaga University Signs Charles Armstrong School Alumna Kathryn Molitor to Row. When Kathryn graduated from Palo Alto High School last year, she was offered a letter of intent from Gonzaga University for the 2006-2007 school year where she could continue to could put her rowing expertise to work.
Kathryn’s senior year in high school was a busy one. In June 2006, she was awarded a Paly Alumni Scholarship, given to one male and one female student in each graduating class. She also received The Rachel Austin Award for academic achievement and three President’s Volunteer Service Awards, in 2002, 2003 & 2004. While at Palo Alto High School, Kathryn says that she was especially lucky to participate, along with several other CAS alumni, in a three-year American Sign Language (ASL) pilot program. “ASL is a great language for visual learners,” Kathryn said. “The name says it all, sign language.” Kathryn said that rowing is easy for dyslexic learners because everyone on the team must learn new directions and coordinates. “The whole novice boat starts learning from the same place – you are sitting backwards with either a port or starboard oar. It may even be an easier adjustment for a dyslexic.”
Rachael Leiter
Rachel first attended Charles Armstrong School in 2003 as a second grader and stayed for two years before leaving as a third grader in 2005. She is now thriving at Keys School in Palo Alto, and told us she is making many new friends and has great teachers.
She is one of the top students in mental math, reading and science (her personal favorite). She was apprehensive regarding whether or not she could keep up in class but twice a week, she works with a learning specialist who is very helpful. Additionally, Rachel is moving up in her Tae-Kwon-Do class getting ready to test for her brown belt. (That means she is three belts away from a black belt). She shares some of her classes with other black belts and is even sparring with them! She has definitely found a passion. Next up: she plans to join the ‘SWAT’ team for Tae-Kwon-Do and help assist the teacher with training the class. Wow!