Deerfield Families FYI February 18, 2022

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Dear Deerfield Families:

We begin this week's Families FYI with a special note for the parents and guardians of members of the Class of 2022 regarding Commencement: We are pleased to officially announce that we are planning for in-person, on-campus events! Invitation packets (with ten invitations per graduate for families to distribute) should arrive in mailboxes early in March. In the meantime, please:

Save the Date (s):

Friday, May 27 through Sunday, May 29

For planning purposes, an initial schedule of events is available at Deerfield.edu/commencement. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

2022 Commencement Key Note Speaker:

The Honorable Victor Wright '84 P'20

Dr. Austin and his leadership team are pleased to announce that the 2022 Commencement Key Note Speaker is Deerfield trustee emeritus, past parent, and Academy alumnus the Honorable Victor Wright.

Judge Wright was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Compton, attending Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary and Willowbrook Junior High schools. In 1981, he and several other students from Willowbrook took advantage of an opportunity to attend boarding school. So, at 15 years old, with the support of family, friends, and teachers, and the aid of a scholarship from A Better Chance, Inc., Judge Wright came to Deerfield.

In 1984, he returned to Los Angeles, attending the University of Southern California (USC), and earned bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Economics. He matriculated to Yale Law School, where he studied as a John M. Olin Fellow in Law and Economics, became a director of the Moot Court Board, participated in the Domestic Violence Project, and worked on the Yale Journal of International Law. After earning his Juris Doctorate (Law) degree, Judge Wright worked in private practice for two years at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, representing clients in commercial litigation, real estate transactions, bankruptcy proceedings, and First Amendment litigation.

In 1993, he began working in the General Litigation Division of the Office of the County Counsel (the attorneys for the County Board of Supervisors and other County agencies), where he successfully represented the Sheriff’s Department, Department of Public Works, and other County agencies, as well as the Superior Courts, in a variety of civil and criminal matters, in both state and Federal courts.

In February 2003, Judge Wright started working in the Sheriff’s Legal Advisory Unit, with primary responsibilities for providing representation and advice to the Sheriff’s Custody, Correctional Services, and Court Services Divisions. In essence, he helped to manage all aspects of jail inmates’ lives, including medical and mental health services, educational opportunities, food delivery, religious life, housing and security issues, drug recovery, and family counseling services.

On March 5, 2006, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Victor Wright to the Superior Court, where he serves as a judge, assigned to a felony court in the Southwest District, with occasional responsibilities over some civil matters. Today, he presides over a criminal trial department in the Southwest District (Inglewood Courthouse). He is the Assistant Supervising Judge of that District, which covers the South Bay beaches to South Central Los Angeles, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Culver City. Judge Wright served on the Executive Boards of the California Judges’ Association (CJA), and the California Judges’ Foundation (CJF), and as Editor-in-Chief of The Bench, CJA's quarterly newsletter, and serves on the Community Outreach, Court Services, and Court Security committees of the Los Angeles Superior Court. He has also served on the Drug Court, and Compensation and Benefits committees in Los Angeles. Judge Wright is a founding member of the Association of African-American California Judicial Officers (AAACJO).

On a personal note, Judge Wright and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Sarah ’20 and Lauren, and they reside in Los Angeles. In May of 2011, Judge Wright was elected to Deerfield's Board of Trustees, and he has said that he considers his service on the Board as one of the greatest honors of his life. Judge Wright loves to cook, spend time with his family, and attend football, baseball, and basketball games with his friends and family.

Academic Support Pro-Tips:

We’re moving into the final stretch of the term—your students are doing a great job! Here are some tips to help them stay focused, organized, and confident going into the end of term. And remember: teachers, advisors, and our Academic Support Team (Mrs. Koyama and Dr. Pfeffer) are wonderful resources for students!

Reminder:

Travel Update from the CSGC

June Travel

We are on track to embark on three trips during March Break, and we are currently finalizing our slate of offerings for travel in June. June trip information will be shared early next month, and applications will be due just after the March Break. As the public health landscape remains dynamic around the world, we are designing a set of opportunities that will be robust and resilient, and are eager to dust off our passports as we relaunch international travel with students!

Spring Sports Schedule

Now Available!

Remember! You can always check team scores, highlights and livestreams online.