von Beringe - In The Zona

Overseas&under-par!
STORY AND INTERVIEW BY LEAH MOTZKIN
JUNIOR - PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
W
Konstantin
von Beringe
CrasePhoto
hile faced with the difficulty of living alone and attending a
highly academic school thousands of miles from his family,
Konstantin has excelled as a golfer and a community leader.
He has remained dedicated to his golf goals, working with coach
John Stahlschmidt at PGA Tour Golf Academy at TPC Scottsdale. At
school, Konstantin is the captain of the PCDS golf team and founder
of the investment club. Konstantin recently sat down with his classmate
Leah Motzkin to answer questions about his golf career, his
move to America, his schooling, and his life in Phoenix.
LEAH: At what age did you know that you wanted to be a golfer
KONSTANTIN: I started playing golf when I was about four years old. My
dad and I always practiced in the garden, hit over and below trees and tried
to hit windows with plastic balls. When I was ten years old, I started to take
golf more seriously and began playing tournaments. When I was fourteen,
I decided to move to the United States to pursue my golf goals. LEAH:
What do you love about golf KONSTANTIN: First of all, I like that while
it is mostly an individual sport, if one wants to add the aspect of a team,
then that works just fine, as well. Also, it is mentally as well as physically
challenging and the thought of every shot counting adds stimulating
pressure. And of course, I always enjoy being outdoors. LEAH: What was
20 • In the Zona!
the hardest adjustment that you had to make KONSTANTIN: It was
definitely hard to come to the U.S. without my parents. In the beginning
I missed them a lot, especially when golf wasn’t going the way I wanted it
to. But after a while, I got used to it. The language was not too hard for me,
as I had already studied it. Though, the American culture is pretty different.
The food, the way people behave—I had to adjust so I wouldn’t stand
out too much. LEAH: On the same note, what do you miss most about
Switzerland KONSTANTIN: Mostly my family, as well as my home. Also,
I miss the different kind of food that is served in Switzerland. LEAH: Are
you related to the famous Captain Robert von Beringe, who discovered the
mountain gorilla KONSTANTIN: Yes, he was my great-grandfather. As of
today, my dad is very engaged in the protection of the Mountain Gorillas
and has even made a movie about Robert von Beringe and the Gorillas.
I am planning on contributing to their protection as well. LEAH: Word
around the PCDS campus is that you always have the best Swiss chocolate,
is this true KONSTANTIN: Yes, definitely. Whenever my parents visit from
Switzerland they bring over many pounds of chocolate, fresh from the
factory. LEAH: Have you enjoyed attending PCDS
PCDS Junior
from Switzerland
Born in Düsseldorf, Germany and having
lived in both Austria and Switzerland, Phoenix
Country Day School junior Konstantin
von Beringe is a word-class golfer who came
to Arizona to pursue his golf career.
KONSTANTIN: Yes, it’s a great school, both academically demanding
and filled with great people all around. For example, the teachers are
very friendly, as well as helpful. LEAH: What do you like about PCDS
KONSTANTIN: I enjoy the high level of academics and the small classroom
sizes. Also, I really like our campus and think that the school has a great
variety of courses to offer. LEAH: As captain of the PCDS golf team, how
does the outlook seem for the season
“I think we (PCDS) have a pretty solid team,
similarly to last year. I am confident that we
will go to the Team State Championship...”
KONSTANTIN: I think we have a pretty solid team, similarly to last year.
I am confident that we will go to the Team State Championship, and I am
sure we have players that can compete for the individual championship as
well. LEAH: You placed first at the 2A/3A Metro Region golf tournament in
2010. How did you feel after winning KONSTANTIN: It was a great feeling,
especially since it was my first season on the team. I had two awesome
days with the team and want to thank them, as well. The second round was
especially exciting due to a 69 (3 under par), which made me very happy.

LEAH: Which are your favorite golf courses in Arizona KONSTANTIN: My
favorites are TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, We Ko Pa, and Whirlwind. LEAH:
What spots in Switzerland do you recommend for tourists KONSTANTIN:
Zurich is a great city, and anyone who likes skiing or snowboarding
should visit the Alps. LEAH: What are your favorite bands KONSTANTIN:
Queen, Beatles, and Steppenwolf. LEAH: What’s your favorite subject
KONSTANTIN: AP Art History. LEAH: Who’s your celebrity crush
KONSTANTIN: Definitely Taylor Swift :)
Luckily for us, Konstantin wants to stay in the United States
for college. He plans on playing college-level golf and will
decide from there about going professional. His golf talent aside,
Konstantin is a community leader who will undoubtedly make
great contributions to our society.
ZONA reporter Leah Motzkin
Leah Motzkin, a PCDS Junior, is the editor-in-chief of the schools’
student-run publication, The Active Voice, and the schools’ Spanish
magazine, En Este Momento. On PCDS campus, she is also
involved in Student Senate, PCDS’s literary magazine Daybreaks,
and Cultural Dance. Leah works as a staff member for azTeen
Magazine and as an intern at AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute.
Leah
PCDS
Sophomore
“We shape our buildings,
thereafter they shape us.”
~ WINSTON CHURCHILL
CELEBRATING
years 50 of excellence
Phoenix Country Day School
Garron
RODGERS
PCDS Sophomore
Garron Rodgers is a gifted student and
graphic designer at Phoenix Country Day
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School. Only a sophomore in high school, photographer
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rides, hotels, shows and more!” explains
Garron. Turn the page to read more
about this super-creative kid...
heidipease@cox.net
480 540 2126
Mr. Creative -
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480 540 2126 • heidipease@cox.net
heidi s pease
photographer

1.
Garron’s Work - 1. The “Active Voice” logo was designed in the summer 2010
for PCDS’s High School newspaper: “The Active Voice.” 2. The “Our Town” poster
was created in September 2010 for the Upper School fall play of “Our Town.”
ZONA: How long have you been doing graphic design and how did you get
started GARRON: I have been interested in design since I was in elementary
school. I used to design posters and brochures for all of my presentations
in school. I eventually took a graphic design class at PCDS in the summer
with Mrs. Katie Zink where I learned how to use Photoshop and I learned
the principles of layout. Ever since then, my interest in using graphic design
elements and composition has been focused on creating the highest possible
impact. ZONA: What computer programs do you use to do your design Which
one is your favorite Are you a Mac or a PC guy GARRON: I am definitely
a Mac guy. I appreciate the design of Apple’s products and the simplicity
of their user interface. I also admire how Apple packages their products—
each a work of art! I have a 15” MacBook Pro and the programs I can’t live
without are Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. I use Photoshop to
create and edit pictures; Illustrator to create vector images, logos, and poster
elements; and InDesign to put everything together. ZONA: Tell us about the
projects you have done for your school and how you went about getting those
projects GARRON: I have done many design projects for my school. One of
my favorite things to design is posters and logos. I have designed an eagle
logo for The Active Voice, PCDS’s student newspaper. I have also done posters
for fundraisers, plays and T-shirts. I don’t normally seek out design projects,
they tend to find me! People around campus will approach me and ask me to
design something for them, knowing it’s something I enjoy doing.
I am also the co-layout editor for the Phoenician, our school’s yearbook. We
have a great staff and an excellent editor and we have all been working very
hard on this yearbook. I hope the student body enjoys it! We’ve dedicated
thousands of hours (and numerous Friday nights!) working on this project.
We want this yearbook to be memorable, as it commemorates PCDS’s 50th
Anniversary, so we are working extra hard to make it a special piece of work.
3.
Garron’s Work - 3. The “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” poster was
designed in January 2011 for PCDS’s spring musical 4. The “Head in a Jar” costume
was designed by me in October 2009. I used a backpack frame and cardboard
to create the second body. The illusion is that the man’s head (my head) is
dismantled from his body and he now carries it around in a jar. I won the “Best
Halloween Costume” award.
22 • In the Zona!
2.
4.
ZONA: What do you plan on doing with your graphic design skills
Where do you see yourself in 5 years GARRON: In five years I see myself
in a college—but I don’t know which. I have just started with my college
planning. When I am out of college, I eventually want to be a themed
entertainment engineer. They are the ones that design themed parks,
rides, hotels, shows and more! I am really interested in creating themed
spaces that transport the guests into different time periods and different
atmospheres. I believe in this career, I can still use my graphic design skills
and translate them to architectural spaces and attractions. ZONA: Where
do you get your ideas What inspires you to do your designs GARRON: I
get ideas from books, other artist’s work, and the internet. In order to come
up with designs I usually have to brainstorm and draw my ideas. One of my
favorite tools on the web is Stumble Upon. I use it almost every day and I
enjoy seeing other people’s ideas and projects.
“One of my favorite
things to do is
to find a new
Photoshop tutorial
and learn new
techniques. I just
get in the zone and
find something fun
to design.”
–Garron Rodgers
ZONA: Where do you do most of your designing Is there a special environment
that makes you super creative GARRON: I do most of my designing at my
desk during the weekend. One of my favorite things to do is to find a new
Photoshop tutorial and learn new techniques. I just get in the zone and find
something fun to design. I spend lots of time with my family in San Diego
and my family enjoys helping me with my projects. A few years ago I filmed
my cousins heads against a black background and then used my projector
to project their faces on a 3D wig head. It created the illusion that the
wig heads were talking. ZONA: Have you ever done any family Christmas
cards, or anything like that GARRON: I have lots of fun designing cards—
especially pop-up cards. I have many pop-up designs and I always find
new ones to make. This Christmas I designed a card where a bouquet of
poinsettias popped up when you opened the card. I can’t wait to design
another card this Christmas.
One of my favorite tools is the X-acto knife. I use it for everything, and when
serious cutting jobs are required, I use my Graphtec Craft Robo. It is basically
a printer, but instead of ink, it has a sharp knife that cuts the paper. I create
the designs in Adobe Illustrator and then I send it to the Craft Robo and
seconds later I have a perfectly cut intricate shape. ZONA: What’s your favorite
work of art What’s your favorite advertising campaign on TV What’s the most
annoying commercial on TV GARRON: My favorite work of art is the optical
illusion water fountain in the “Wrong Garden” created by James Dyson. It is a
water fountain where the water looks as though it is flowing up hill and over
flowing. My favorite design commercials are from Apple. I like how classy
they are. My favorite funny commercials are the Dorito’s commercials from
the Super Bowl. The commercials that are the most annoying are the Geiko
commercials. The first one was funny but the next hundred were not. ZONA:
I heard you were working on a project at your home projecting images on water.
Can you please tell us about that GARRON: Yes, I have been experimenting
with water engineering. I am fascinated with fountains. I have seen many
water screens, (mainly at Disneyland water shows) and I am trying to create
a portable water screen system. A water screen is basically a vertical sheet
of water that you can rear-project images and movies on to. It will appear as
though the images are floating in mid-air. I have successfully created a water
screen from a 180-degree sprinkler but I have yet to find a pump powerful
enough to recirculate the water.