Mike Radway (Founding Students 1965/66)
One of the founding students from the 1965/66 school year, Mike Radway, recently retired after serving as Chief-of-Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to Rick Metsger, Chairman and Board Member of the U.S. National Credit Union Administration. Mike says, “It was an honor and a privilege to be appointed by, and serve in, the administration of President Barack Obama, who was also kind enough to allow me to take time off to attend ISKL’s wonderful 50th anniversary celebration.” Mike has retired to his home in Portland, Oregan. He’s pictured on the left at the first ISKL “Daisy Mae” dance in 1965 with dance “queen”, Brenda Kriss, who chose Mike to be her “king”.
William Birdthistle – 2019 Teaching Award
Joining United States Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan and esteemed legal scholars Richard Epstein and Cass Sunstein, ISKL alumnus William Birdthistle (Class of 1991) has been awarded the 2019 Teaching Award from the University of Chicago Law School. William teaches a Securities Regulation course and is the first non-tenure-track recipient of the teaching award. Congratulations!
Takatsugu Amano (Class of 1984)
ISKL alumnus from the Class of 1984, Takatsugu Amano (Taka) has made history by starting the first shochu distillery in North America, the American Sochu Company in Frederick, Maryland. Shoshu is the ‘other’ Japanese spirit, the ‘not’ sake! It’s a change in direction for Taka who previously had his own business helping American companies navigate the sales culture in Japan. Kanpai!
Suzanne Estévez (Class of 1996)
Working at the cutting edge of wearable technology, Suzanne Estévez (Class of 1996) has taken on the role of Vice President of EyeSucceed, exclusive partner for the food safety industry for Google Glass. Suzanne’s ISKL memories include “a Slurpy at the 7-Eleven, a haircut at Winnie’s and roti chani at Naan’s Corner.” Luckily, they’re all still here!
Yinky Chan (Class of 2012)
Congratulations to Yinky Chan (Class of 2012) who graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemical Engineering. Yinky has taken up a role as a Nuclear Operator at Ontario Power Generation and is very keen to catch up with other ISKL Alumni in the Toronto area.
Matt Smith (Class of 2003)
In May, cartoonist and ISKL alumnus Matt Smith (Class of 2003) visited the classroom of his brother, Grade 4 teacher Andrew Smith (Class of 2005). Andrew teaches at Mulgrave, an IB school in Vancouver, Canada. During his visit to Mulgrave, Matt led Andrew’s class in comic-making workshops. Matt then went on to exhibit at the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, a yearly comic convention in British Columbia, exhibiting his Smith vs Smith and Gruesome Comics, and running a workshop for kids. While there, he was visited by fellow ISKL alumnus (and Matt’s former university roommate) Ben Bisset (Class of 2002). You can find more information about Matt’s work at SmithvsSmith.com/workshops-lessons or contact him at [email protected].
Jodi McNally
Jodi McNally, who attended ISKL from kindergarten to Grade 3 in the late 80s (her mom is Cheryl Foertsch, former teacher), and husband Gray have recently opened a new restaurant in Chicago. A neighborhood taco place called Old Pueblo they serve food inspired by the Sonora region of Mexico. Jodi is pictured here with Gray and children Teddy and Mackenzie.
