Beaver Reflections:
I graduated from Beaver in 1969 and had a wonderful experience. I was just there for two years but they were extremely action-packed. This was during the height of the protests against the Vietnam War and the Sexual Revolution. There was a lot of social ferment and Beaver was definitely not excluded from that. Students, teachers and administrators alike were affected by these times. These were probably not experiences that other classes go through, but looking back they were extremely worthwhile. Thinking about a specific teacher who had a major impact on me, Ms. Thompson comes to mind in the English department. She was a no-nonsense, down to earth, and brilliant teacher. She was justifiably legendary.

What is #happeningnow in your life:
After graduating from Beaver, I moved into the South End of Boston for some time. I later moved out to San Francisco where I enrolled in UC Berkeley. Following three and a half years of the university, I dropped out to become a jazz vocalist. I was a jazz vocalist until my early 30s. After my tenure as a vocalist, I became a corporate speechwriter for 10 years. Finally, after those 10 years, in 2003, I started my own business as a speechwriter and public speaking coach. With the ongoing pandemic, I have had to transfer my usual in-person classes and seminars online which has been an adjustment. However, I am extremely grateful to still have an opportunity to work and still be able to stay in contact with my clients.

“Because of the nature of the class I was in and times we were living through, it took me some time to really realize what an excellent education I had gotten at Beaver. I hope that the kids who are fortunate enough to receive that education now will come to appreciate it as well.”

– Jezra Kaye ’69

Advice to Beaver students:
You have to take care of yourself and plan for your financial future but you can’t ignore your own passion and love for specific things. There are things that you may be able to do that no one else in the world can do. There are experiences and perspectives that you as an individual can bring that others can not. If you can incorporate those insights into your planning for a secure future, you are much more likely to end up with a job that you love and can grow with.