A record number of alumni returned to campus recently for Career Night 2023 to share their time with our juniors and seniors and talk about choosing a profession, getting into college, tips for success, and providing highlights of their lives after graduating from SKS.

Fourteen alumni spanning graduation years 2017 to 1973 came back to the Mountain, with one alumnus participating via Zoom from San Diego for this year’s Career Night event. In addition, several alumni spoke to SKS classes during the week via Zoom: Jodie Gerson ’91, a psychologist and Ph.D. candidate, spoke to a Psychology class; retired judge Harold Kennedy ’73 spoke to an Introduction to Law class; and Geoff Merrell ’78 spoke to a Personal Finance and Business class about his career in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the oil and gas industry. In addition, lawyer Dominque Manpel, Esq. ’79 came to campus in person to speak to another session of the Introduction to Law class.

The evening of Career Night began with a campus tour led by two sophomore Blue Key Club members, where the youngest alum noted the many positive changes on campus since her graduation. Before meeting with students, the alumni presenters got acquainted and received an update on the School today by Head of School Jonathan Lamb in the Smidt Room followed by a delicious dinner in Henderson Dining Hall.

For their discussions with students, the alums headed across campus to Dyar and Ogden Halls. Every classroom in both buildings was in use with 60 juniors and seniors rotating three times into a new room to hear about careers and topics of their choosing. The juniors and seniors who participated had no shortage of questions for the alumni and had great things to say about the experience:

Dantia S. ’24: “It was really interesting to know all the behind-the-scenes work that a movie has. I realized that there are a lot of areas that interest me in the filming industry. I learned a lot about it.”

Mac M. ’24: “It was very cool to talk to someone with a very similar career path to what I want to do; in addition to some interesting conversations about very specific things.”

Jasper L. ’24: “I’ve learned that having several dream jobs is possible and that they can coexist. I’m hopeful that I can work at both at my strength: the medical field; and my passion: acting. The speaker was my dream in a living body.”

Fernando M. ’23: “I learned about the glamorous part of the art world, which was really interesting.”

Our alumni presenters also had positive things to say, stating that it was an “excellent event” and “a meaningful experience to be back on campus and with SKS students.” Sincere thanks go to this year’s presenters:

Scott Cantor ’73:  
Athletic Training and Health, Physical Therapy, Entrepreneur

Cherella Cox ’85:
Journalism, Marketing, and Business Reporting

Jaime Cunningham ’16:
Talent Agent for Gold, Inc.

Simone Bazadona Dominguez ’98:
Fashion, Business/Project Management

Johnathan Flores ’12:
Criminal Justice, New York State Highway Patrol

Emil Daubon ’93:
Green Beret Medic, Actor, and Video Game Script Writer

Ken Goldwasser ’78:  
Coordinator for Vehicle, Airplane, Boat Resources -TV and Movie Supportive Services for Marvel Studios

Benjamin Greenwald ’92:
Criminal Law

Bryan Guglielmi ’03:
Painter and Muralist

Yasmine LaBarca ’95:
Forensic Psychology

Dr. Josh Lehman ’92:
Medicine

David Perez ’02:
Private Art Advising and Consultation

Jonathan Scharf Ph.D. ’12:
Nano and Electrode Engineering

Sara Smith ‘17:
Social Services and Support for Children and Families

If you are interested in participating Career Night 2024, please contact Lynn Crevling at lcrevling@sks.org.