I graduated from Roycemore in 1985. I've treasured my time there ever since.

For the next five years, I looked for a major at USC. Classical Music Composition eventually won, after I tried Mathematics and Computer Science. I volunteered at the student radio station, eventually becoming Program Director. I worked in the Drama Department from Sophomore year on, building and demolishing sets, and running sounds and lights. I wrote symphonies for myself and music for student films, all the while causing no end of havoc among the school's mainframes.

Once out of college, I started working in cartoons. Starting at the lowest job available, known as a Production Assistant, I worked my way up from getting donuts and delivering film canisters all over Los Angeles on a one season Fox show called “Peter Pan and the Pirates,” up to coordinating post production on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Simpsons.” I like to say that my job there was to make sure Homer came out the right shade of yellow. It was on “The Simpsons” that I met my wife, Wendy.

Cartoons were not as much fun for me as they look on TV, so in the mid 1990s I transitioned to video games. I worked on several Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo titles including “Robocop vs. Terminator,” “Aladdin” and most of the “7-Up Spot” games. In the late 90s I started a video game company in Vancouver, Canada. “Mad Genius Software” published one title, “Gunmetal” for the PC, in October 1998, the month I got married. The company eventually failed, but everyone involved learned graduate-school level lessons.

Computer Graphics have played a part of all my jobs since 1991 when I did a flying logo for the “Turtles” production company. You can still see that animation at the end of the original episodes on YouTube. My first real dive into doing CG full time was on “Babylon 5,” where I animated spaceships and blew them up. The technology was amazingly primitive compared to today, but the writing, the design, the challenges and the team were worth every 18-hour work day. Not only did I learn “tricks of the trade” that serve me well today, but I learned important lessons about delivering quality work under trying conditions.

Since then I've had the privilege to contribute computer graphics to projects that I loved, like “Spider Man 3,” “Bubba Ho-Tep,” “Serenity,” and “Battlestar Galactica.” To get there, I've worked just as hard on projects I had little personal attachment to, but whose fans deserve the best I could bring, such as “American Wedding,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “The Vampire Diaries,” and ABC's "Revenge.” And to those that fall somewhere in the middle, but are now so famous (or infamous) that they've helped my career, such as “Sharknado.” Most recently, I worked as CG Supervisor on 4 TV shows at once...one of them being "The Orville," a well loved and popular TV show. I lead and managed a team of computer artists to deliver their best work under the usual challenging TV delivery schedule.

It hasn't all been about work. In 2014 I earned my Private Pilot's License. Besides flying for fun and to some really out-of-the-way restaurants, I fly for the Civil Air Patrol. Volunteering for them allows me to help with search and rescue efforts, as well as introducing high-school age cadets to the wonders of flying.

Another volunteer group I offer my time to is the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences--the Emmy's people. There I helped shape the current rules surrounding the Emmy award, and in 2008 was elected Governor of my Peer Group – Special Visual Effects.

Looking back on almost 30 years in the entertainment industry, I can not say the work has always been fun or fair, and it's rarely glamorous, but there have been brilliant moments that make it all worth the sweat and frustration. And I have tried to learn something from every opportunity, short or long.

- Wednesday, May 29th, 7th and 8th Graders Leave for Washington DC
- Wednesday, May 29th, Senior Appreciation Lunch
- Thursday, May 30th, Last Free Yoga at Roycemore, 5:00pm (All Ages Welcome)
- Monday, June 3rd, Lower School Culmination Night, 5:00pm
- Tuesday, June 4th, Pre-K and K Breakfast, 8:30am
- Tuesday, June 4th, Last Day of School for Upper School
- Wednesday, June 5th, Middle School Late Start, 10:00am
- Wednesday, June 5th, Last Day of School for Early Childhood, Lower School and Middle School
- Wednesday, June 5th, Middle School Awards and Moving Up Ceremony, Families Welcome, 1:30-3:00pm
- Wednesday, June 5th, Alumni Social in Honor Of Geoffrey Mark '85, Roycemore School Library, 5:00-7:00pm (RSVP Here)
- Thursday, June 6th, Upper School Commencement, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Last Week For Free Yoga!

This Thursday is the last day for Yoga at Roycemore School. This event is free and open to the public with all ages and abilities welcome to attend. 

Thursday, May 30th
5:00-6:00 pm
Roycemore Library
Bring Your Own Mat

Sponsored by Phoenix Yoga Project.

Last Call To Lock In Pricing For JST 2020 China Trip

Upper School students can still sign up for the China Adventure Trip taking place during JST 2020. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip with a 6-city itinerary led by Roycemore faculty. To lock in the lowest price possible, enroll before the end of this school year.

Contact John Trowbridge with questions.

Do you know that 1/3 of all food produced in our country ends up in a landfill? Thanks to our 8th Grade, this information is a tasteful reminder to the Roycemore community each day in the Dining Hall. These students used Adobe Spark to create infographics calling attention to the devastating affects of food waste. The infographics motivate diners to clean their plates! If they are over served, people can participate in the compost program started by the Upper School Sustainability Class. The blue barrels on the south side of the building, near the garden, are composting food waste for the benefit of the Roycemore garden.

Let Ms. Bixby ([email protected]) know if you would like a summer tutorial on how to make DIY composters for your own back yard. There are many styles and recycled materials available. It's relatively easy and great for our planet. 

Reminder: Sign Up For Summer Camp

Whether you are looking for Camp Griffin or Inspiration Factory, this is the time to register! Options are available for students from Pre-Kindergarten through High School.  Early drop off and extended day options are available most weeks. Sign up today!

Evanston 4th of July Parade 

Join us to celebrate Independence Day this summer with the Evanston 4th of July Parade.  We are looking for volunteers to participate in the 4th of July parade with the Roycemore School float!

Thursday, July 4th
Parade Starts at 2:00pm
Parade Information: http://www.evanston4th.org/

The 2019 FIRE SALE is now open.

The auction will re-open from May 24, 2019 to June 6, 2019, with proceeds going to Roycemore's Financial Aid and Scholarship Fund. Don't miss reduced pricing on these final items, and a last shot at some cool experiences!!   

Race with Roycemore This June!

We are proud to be a sponsor for the YWCA's annual Race Against Hate. Sign up to run with the Roycemore Team or volunteer to help out at the Roycemore Booth during the event. 

Sunday, June 16th
7:30am
Floyd Long Field (Northwestern University)

Volunteers can sign up directly with Team Captains Darcy Aksamitowski or Bellamy Taylor Pines.

Congratuations goes out to Upper School students Mark Reiland and Dan Cen. Their artwork was entered in the 38th Congressional Visual Art Competition and their pieces were selected for display at the Skokie Public Library. Here they are at a reception with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky celebrating the young artistic talent of High School students in the area.

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