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Riya covers Bill Long’s decision to attend West Point & pursue a future in aerospace engineering.

Kayden highlights Leo Gray’s standout senior year, from ASB & theater to a debut on the volleyball court.

Gabby reflects on growth, friendship, & finding her voice during her fouryear journey at Pinewood.

Esha features three Pinewood seniors who plan to pursue their passions for the arts in college & beyond.

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MAY 8, 2025

INSTAGRAM: @PINEWOODPERENNIAL

PINEWOOD SCHOOL, LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VI

THEPERENNIAL.ORG

Wells and Eivers Leave Lasting Legacy at Pinewood JAKE REYNDERS Staff Writer

As the 2024-25 school year winds down, English Teacher David Wells and Theater Teacher Doug Eivers say goodbye to Pinewood. The pair of indispensable teachers have made the decision to move on in less than a month, and they will be missed. In his 17 years of teaching at Pinewood, Wells has had a profound effect on Pinewood students as writers, communicators, and people. Junior Zoe Detrick said she will miss his dedication.

“These two have had a profound impact on our students for many years. We can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for the school.” “Mr. Wells is always willing to help students, whether he’s staying after school or spending some extra time during lunch with us,” Detrick said. “I really appreciate it because he was always there when I needed the help.” While Wells has helped hundreds of Pinewood students improve their English skills, his mentorship reaches far beyond the classroom. Senior Alakh Kapadia said Wells provided him and his classmates with invaluable life advice. “We were sitting in class and, talking about relationships, and he asked our class, ‘what are the two words you can say to your partner to win any argument and equally frustrate them?’” Kapadia said. “After I guessed the words ‘I’m sorry,’ he said that the two words were

Photo by NOX BRADLEY

DAVID WELLS, English teacher, to depart from Pinewood after 17 years.

Photo by NOX BRADLEY

DOUG EIVERS, Theater teacher, to leave after 25 years.

‘Yes, dear.’ Now, every time he has that conversation with his 10th grade class and I’m walking by, he calls me in to answer his question. It’s our running joke.” Eivers has had a huge impact on his students throughout his 25 years at Pinewood, and he says he will miss it dearly. “Pinewood is my family and community,” Eivers said. “I basically grew up here and met a bunch of amazing people who helped me develop professionally and personally.” Eivers has too many memories to count from his decades teaching at the school. “My highlights come from traveling internationally and watching students perform in some of the most beautiful places in the world,” Eivers said. “The Vatican was a very special trip for me because our students sang in St. Peter’s Basilica around New Year’s, and then the next morning listened to the Pope give his New Year’s Day message. Seeing so many people in the same place be passionate about something was an amazing experience.” Eivers said he will miss everyone, especially the students. “The department can do the minimum and still get paid, but we’re willing to go the extra mile and make performing arts the best we can for the students,” Eivers said. “I do this every day so they can get their shine and experience that feeling of accomplishment.” Scott Riches, President and Head of Pinewood School, said that both of them will be missed. “The Pinewood community will deeply miss Doug Eivers as he begins a new adventure in Texas and David Wells as he enjoys his next chapter in retirement,” Riches said. “These two have had a profound impact on our students for many years. We can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for the school.”

Upper Campus To Undergo Historic Renovation NONA BROZELL Staff Writer

For the first time in its history, Pinewood Upper Campus will receive a full renovation. The rebuild, which could possibly begin as early as the summer of 2027, will make existing classrooms larger, add in new specialty spaces for non-core subjects, and foster community growth. President and Head of School Scott Riches played a large part in the creation of the renovation plan. However, this process also included meeting with members of the faculty and administration in order to establish a design that most benefits the community. Pinewood is currently fundraising for the rebuild through donations from the community and profits from the annual auction. The school is also waiting for the renovation plans to be approved by the town of Los Altos Hills. One of the primary goals of the reconstruction is to create larger, more modern classrooms with advanced equipment. Head of Upper Campus Eve Kulbieda said that the school wanted to improve the experience for students and visibly express its strong curriculum. “Pinewood has an amazing academic program, and

we would like the buildings to represent that in a physical way,” Kulbieda said. In addition to larger classrooms, the renovation will include new specialty areas, such as a larger theater for the performing arts program and a makerspace for robotics and engineering. “With this new state-of-the-art equipment, we’ll be able to better prepare students for college and their future careers,” Riches said. The new campus will also include more community spaces, such as a student center called The Hub, an indoor cafeteria, a larger Cue Quad, and a refurbished gym. “It’s very important to us that the students have places to be themselves and spend time with one another,” Riches said. Along with improving physical spaces, the school hopes that the rebuild will further strengthen Pinewood’s community. One way that Pinewood aims to accomplish this is by adding 75 new high school students to Upper Campus. This will result in each grade growing by around 18 students. Kulbieda noted that the construction process itself will help students become more comfortable with change. “Often people will anticipate a build with anxiety,

and they forget about all of the neat stuff that will come with it,” Kulbieda said. “This renovation will give students an experience that will help them become more resilient and open minded.” With the renovation comes the chance that classes will take place in different locations. However, Kulbieda mentioned that possible challenges, such as the need to switch classrooms or move off campus for periods of time during the rebuild, won’t negatively affect academics.

“It’s very important to us that the students have places to be themselves.” “The renovations won’t have an impact in the classroom,” Kulbieda said. “Our curriculum will still be as strong as it is, with the only difference being the physical locations.” Both Riches and Kulbieda are looking forward to the renovation, the expanded course offerings, and the community growth that it will bring to Pinewood. “This is one of the most transformational times in the school’s history, other than the founding,” Riches said. “It’s very exciting, and we’re all looking forward to it.”