Page 5 - 2017-18 LBS Annual Report_Final_Neat

YOU STARTED OUR LEGACY

“When I attend Laguna reunions even today, I see so much fondness
for the school among the alumni. I attribute that to
the size of the school. Keeping it small allows for close relationships
with the students and faculty.”

YATES SATTERLEE ’53
Alumnus, Former Faculty, & Parent – Chris ’78, Lydia ’80

When Yates Satterlee ’53 began school at Laguna “That sense of connection certainly inspired me,”
Blanca in 1948, the thing that struck him most was the sense Satterlee says. “I hope my students felt I cared about them
of intimacy. It was an atmosphere of caring that founders individually because that’s something I found so valuable as
Edward Selden Spaulding, Rodney Mulford Heggie, a student. I also hope those students know how very much
Harrison Townsend, and Hilda McIntyre Ray had already I appreciate being invited to join them at their reunions.
created on the Laguna campus, and many would name it as Seeing my former students is always a thrill for this old
Laguna’s greatest legacy. teacher.”
“When I entered Laguna, I felt as if I had become a Like many Laguna faculty today, Satterlee took on many
recognizable person for the first time,” Satterlee says. “I was roles. During his tenure, he served as Department Chair
the kid who had always tried to keep quiet and stay in the for mathematics, coach in all seasons, yearbook advisor,
back row. It was impossible to do that at Laguna. That was junior class advisor, and even helped DJ school dances.
exactly what I needed.” He also started the school’s alumni association, locating
Satterlee attended Laguna from eighth grade until he every alum Laguna had graduated until that point. Perhaps
graduated in 1953, and it’s an experience he treasured both in most importantly, he focused on simply being there for his
the classroom and outside of it. It was a time when students students.
and teachers alike played a large part in caring for the school “It’s my belief that all teachers are different,” Satterlee
campus. Shop teacher Charles Cash, for instance, directed says. “For a particular student, one teacher might be perfect,
the construction of all of Laguna’s buildings in the summer and for another they might be horrible. I’m not sure how
months, and students spent one Friday afternoon each many students I was the perfect teacher for, but I hope there
month forgoing their sports regimen to keep the campus were many.”
clean. Satterlee’s own children, Chris ’78 and Lydia ’80, also
Following his graduation in 1953, Satterlee attended attended Laguna. He was proud, he says, to give them the
Williams College and was invited back to Laguna in 1957 opportunity to be known in the same way he had been as
to replace retiring founder Townsend as Laguna’s math a student. And Laguna is proud that Satterlee—among
teacher. By then, the school had added a kindergarten and several other alumni—has gone on to know Laguna as
Sam Rugg—Satterlee’s former teacher—had succeeded student, teacher, and parent. Today Satterlee teaches in the
Spaulding as the school’s headmaster. Still, the feeling field of adult education. He enjoys cycling and lives with his
of connection and caring remained a tangible part of the wife, Maritere, in Santa Barbara.
Laguna experience.

4 LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL