Class of 1969 gives sculpture to alma mater Class of 1969 gives sculpture to alma mater (July 13, 2005)

By Katie Bearman

Special to the Almanac

In a grove of trees at Menlo School in Atherton stands a new, life-sized bronze sculpture of a mother deer and fawn, crafted by 1969 graduate Miles Metzger.

The piece was donated in May by the class of 1969, says David Dubbs, another 1969 graduate and the organizer of the class' 30th and 35th reunions. Plans for the gift were solidified at the 35th reunion, he says.

Mr. Metzger, Mr. Dubbs, and the other 68 members of the 1969 senior class attended Menlo School when it was a preparatory school for boys. It's now a co-educational, sixth-through-12th-grade school.
David Dubbs

Mr. Dubbs, who grew up in Atherton and now lives in Woodside with his wife, 5-year-old daughter, and 10-year-old son, says he lost touch with most of his high school classmates after graduation because he lived in New York and San Francisco for many years.

When he moved to Woodside in 2000, Mr. Dubbs thought it would be fun to plan a 30th reunion and track down his high school friends.

"It was fascinating," he said of reconnecting with his buddies and learning about the paths they pursued.

Their career choices include working as a sports anchor for Fox news in Philadelphia; flying airplanes for Virgin airlines out of the United Kingdom; and, for Mr. Metzger, sculpting.
Miles Metzger

Mr. Metzger says he has dedicated his professional life to art, working as a sculptor for about 32 years.

Shortly before the 35th reunion last year, he told Mr. Dubbs that he had dreamed of putting one of his works on Menlo School's campus.

Entitled "First Lesson At Menlo," the sculpture represents educating and nurturing, and honors the school's teachers, says Mr. Metzer.

"We wanted it to be thematically resonant with what we and the school are all about," Mr. Dubbs adds.

Casting bronze giants is no cheap task, so a fundraising drive was launched. The two men decided the endeavor should be a class project, funded entirely by 1969 graduates. The class ended up raising $15,000.

The names of all 70 graduates are inscribed on the dedication plaque, which sits alongside the sculpture.

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