Advisor

(reprinted from "" by)

"See the leaves come tumbling down; red, purple, orange gold and brown..."

Sixteen years after leaving Allen-Stevenson alumnus Erik Cliette '81 can still recite the songs he learned in second grade while under the direction of music teacher Robelyn Schrade-James.

"Would you like me to recite the School song?" asks the 30 plus alumnus. As director of Harlem Hospital's award-winning injury prevention program, The Urban Youth Bike Corps, Erik's plate is always full. However, he frequently stops by A-S to visit his friends in the development office or say hello to associate headmaster John Pariseau, or help organize an alumni event. You'll never come to a Phonathon, Alumni Basketball Game or Alumni Dinner without seeing Erik. "Allen-Stevenson is my home and was a wonderful place to grow up. Aside from an excellent education A-S exposed me to many things that have made a tremendous impact on my life-music, opera, art, sports, good friends and great teachers.

During his A-S days, Erik played the violin and distinguished himself as an Athlete. He remembers having to have to leave his house very early each morning to get to Mr. Stanley Gauger's orchestra and playing the role of a Pirate in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirate of Penzance. Besides and active role in music and drama, Erik was captain of Championship teams in Lacrosse, Basketball, and Football. Ultimately, in 1981 he shared the Athletic Cup with his long time friend Jason Anderson.

"Allen Stevenson is foundational to every other academic institution I've ever attended. Of the many things that I am grateful to A-S for is that it taught me how to think, reason and evaluate situations and information which ultimately are the tools that allow us to succeed in this world. After A-S, Erik went to Loomis Chaffee and then to the University of Rochester where he earned a BA in English and Political Science as well as a Masters in Education. He spent a year taking pre-med science requirements a Marymount Manhattan College and will soon sit for graduate entrance exams. He thinks he will either become a Pediatrician or a Doctor of Public Health; Erik's wife Kina is in the last year of her psychiatry residence at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

As director of the Urban Youth Bike Corps (UYBC), Erik works with at-risk adolescent youth, ranging from 12 to 18-years of age. " all kids want to belong to something, whether it is negative or positive," says Erik. "The UYBC offers them something positive and constructive to do with their otherwise free time." The program includes Bike Safety workshops, local, national and international bike trips and hands on mentoring. " I would like for the children in my program to experience some of the same wonderful opportunities visited by A-S boys." The programs main purpose is to keep children safe from traumatic injury by eliminating situations that cause them. Every day I see the impact the program has on these kids."After only four years of existence says Erik, "there has been a 50% decrease in traumatic injuries to Harlem's youth.

Erik is constantly involved with Allen-Stevenson. He is a member of the Alumni Executive Committee and coordinator for the Annual Alumni Basketball Game. He is first on the phone inviting alumni to events and encouraging them to give to the Annual Fund. " I give every year to the Annual Fund and encourage my school mates to do the same. We have to appreciate what A-S stands for, and what it did for us. When it is all said and done, the work I do with A-S is my way of giving back to a place that has given me so much."

First Created, Sept. 1996 by rgc@ilt.columbia.edu

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