CAIS

The following are updates from CAIS alumni and former students. Individuals are listed by graduating year or last year attended. For more Alumni News, go to the Alumni section on CAIS’ website, www.cais.org.

Class of 1997

Julia Brown
Whitman College, Asian Studies major; Convent of the Sacred Heart High School.

"I recently started a new job at Tarrant Apparel Group as an Assistant Merchandiser. I am loving my new job in the fashion industry! I use my Chinese when contacting fabric vendors in China and our overseas offices in Hong Kong and Mainland China. I have also begun training for the Solvang Century Ride in March 2006 on my road bike (the ride is 100 miles!) to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. To donate, go to: www.active.com/donate/tntgla/brownjm. Thank you!"

Class of 2000

Natasha Bogopolskaya
Claremont McKenna College, French, Russian, and Psychology major. International High School.

"My life goals include becoming an elementary school teacher or child psychologist. I enjoy yoga. On campus I am very involved with Jewish life. I am also very interested in human rights issues. Languages are my passion. I feel that speaking more languages allows me to communicate with different types of people on different levels, thus opening my mind to many issues in life. I plan to study abroad next year for two semesters: first in Dakar, Senegal and then in St. Petersburg, Russia. I would like to say thank you to my CAIS teachers!"

Class of 2001

Andrew Tio
University of Southern California, Engineering major with minor in Video Game Design and Management. Saint Ignatius College Preparatory.

"I plan to obtain a career in the interactive media industry. I spend my free time drawing and designing possible ideas for future projects. I plan to continue my Chinese studies while in college.

Class of 2002

Misha Bogopolskaya
International High School.

"I am a senior at IHS. Just like in middle school, I’m still playing basketball and soccer. Also, I am still an active member at my synagogue where I now teach three days a week. I continued to take Chinese class through my sophomore year. I am still connected to the Chinese culture and am considering taking Mandarin in college."

Class of 2003

Lin Luopajarvi International High School.

"My dream since first grade has been to become a pediatrician. Although it's still my dream, I am now also considering stem cell research and surgical dentistry. At IHS, I am taking higher level IB Chinese courses."

Whiting Chiu
Urban School of San Francisco.

"I am a junior at Urban. I discovered more about myself by joining the Urban Singers, a chorus group, and Brown Bag club, a drama club. I’m learning Spanish and I’m a member of the cross-country team. CAIS prepared me well for Urban by placing a strong emphasis on academics. Also due to CAIS, I was able to apply the techniques used in learning a second language to my third language, Spanish. My favorite classes right now are Constitutional Law and Winter Production. I am also taking AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, and Spanish III."

Class of 2004

Chris Chien
Drew School.

"My interests include sports, eating, running and listening to music. My current goal is to make it into a college. I still use my Chinese to communicate to others who speak the language."

Class of 2005

Adrienne Chum
University High School.

"I'm still playing cello. I enjoy swimming. Homework keeps me busy. I think I might want to become a doctor someday although I’ll be deciding over the next few years so this may not be final.” (Adrienne was recently awarded a United States Achievement Academy scholarship grant. She was nominated by CAIS math teacher Rita Soukhova.)

Kathleen Mak
The Cate School.

"I started at Cate readily prepared, especially in math. My advice to CAIS students: If you learn how to manage your time and workload in middle school, which I did, the struggle will not be as great when you enter high school. Although I am not able to attend Chinese class here—they have no higher level after level four—I use it to communicate with teachers and students who speak Chinese.

JR Wong
Lick Wilmerding High School.

"I am doing well here at Lick. I have many friends and I’m participating in many events. My best classes right now are Electronics—where I create circuits—and my Jazz Improv class."