IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURES
Building My Pillars of Character | PAGE 04
Adeleine Chen | PAGE 06
From Lesson Plans to Life Plans: | PAGE 2 6
Catching Up with Former Faculty | PAGE 08
Commencement 2024 | PAGE 14
IN THIS ISSUE
A Message from the Head of School | PAGE 03
A Fond Farewell | PAGE 04
Faculty Milestones | PAGE 05
Eighth Grade Musical | PA G E 12
Matriculation Lists | PAGE 1 8
Grandparents’ Day 2024 | P AGE 20
Eighth Grade Thank-You Breakfast | PAGE 2 1
New Members of the Board of Trustees | PAGE 2 2
Blue-Gold Track Meet | PAGE 2 4
Alumni at the Track Meet | PAGE 2 5
Class Notes | PAGE 2 6
OCArts4All | P AGE 3 0
Snapshot Stumper | PA G E 3 1
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Angi Knapp'75 Evans
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Noelle Becker
WRITERS
Noelle Becker
Olivia Baumgartner
Adeleine Chen'24
Rowan Oliphant'16
EDITORS
Noelle Becker
Forrest Valdiviez
DESIGN
Eric Neuner | neuNERDesign
PHOTOGRAPHY
Noelle Becker
Sargeant Creative
Tom Baker Photography
PRINTING
Orange County Printing Company
©2024 HARBOR DAY SCHOOL (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ) No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from Harbor Day School.
MISSION
Harbor Day School provides an academically challenging, well-balanced education in a nurturing and inclusive family-centered environment. Our faculty inspires curiosity and a desire to learn, and cultivates in students the confidence, strong moral character, and perseverance to thrive. We celebrate diversity and traditions, value collaboration and innovation, and cherish our community and the lifelong relationships developed.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Harbor Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other programs administered by the School.
FOLLOW HARBOR DAY SCHOOL ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | @harborday Facebook | @harborday LinkedIn | Find Harbor Day School Alumni ON THE COVER: The graduating class of 2024.
A Message from the Head of School
The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community.
— PAUL BLOOM
Fall is always an exciting time at school. I love getting to welcome our new kindergarteners to the Harbor Day Family, while I marvel at seeing our eighth graders lead the student body. I can so clearly picture them as the smaller, eager lower school students they were a few years ago. We charge our eighth graders with a good deal of responsibility, and I know that in less than a year, they will impress us with their maturity, knowledge, height, and their readiness to move on to high school.
Last year’s eighth graders blazed a trail before they graduated in June. They were the first to graduate in our beautiful new theater, where they were also the first to perform their Eighth Grade Musical, The SpongeBob Musical. We proudly sent these graduates to many local high schools and several prestigious boarding schools across the country. I know that they will shine in their new school communities, both academically and in extracurricular pursuits. We truly miss our students when they leave. However, Harbor Day is fortunate to have 51 Current Alumni Parents (CAPs) who returned to send their children to HDS. In the spring, we gathered for a fun Blue-Gold Pickleball Tournament. I’m not sure who won, but I can tell you that our CAPs retain the competitive natures that took them from HDS to parenthood.
The Harbor Day community spent the spring and the beginning of this school year enjoying the return of traditional events, such as the Blue-Gold Track Meet
(Gold won by a small margin!) and enjoying games and Pie ‘N Burger at the Back-to-School Picnic on our new field and outdoor spaces. Students, faculty, parents, and alumni all love our HDS traditions, and we gather to celebrate many of them in the fall, including first-day photos by the mailbox, the kindergarten Halloween parade, and the Turkey Bowl.
As we put construction in our past, we focus on our strong community and our mission to provide an “academically challenging, well-balanced education in a nurturing and inclusive family-centered environment.” To that end, we continue our beloved Harbor Day Families program. I know that my family, Double Trouble, can’t wait to reconnect, catch up on family news, and welcome our new kindergartener. It’s going to be another great year.
Gradatim ad Summum, Angi Evans | HEAD OF SCHOOL
A Fond Farewell
MEGAN CARTER
After nine wonderful years at Harbor Day, we bid a fond farewell to first grade teacher Megan Carter as she says goodbye to Harbor Day. Mrs. Carter’s classroom was a masterpiece of creativity, with every corner reflecting her talent for making learning exciting and meaningful. Her beautifully designed boards and engaging phonics and math activities made learning fun and effective for every student she taught. Mrs. Carter’s ability to inspire her students, particularly in writing, was matched only by her ability to make everyone feel welcome and appreciated. While we’re sad to see her go, we’re excited she’ll have more time to enjoy with her family.
“
Megan Carter is the kind of person who makes everyone, colleagues and students—feel welcome and appreciated. Over the years, I have been lucky to work with Megan in a variety of ways, from sharing a classroom to leading one of her own. Megan is the kind of teacher everyone wants their kids to have. She brought excitement and enthusiasm to her class every day and created a safe and caring space where her students flourished. It is a bittersweet goodbye for now, as she leaves to spend quality time with her children and family. While we won’t be seeing her around the halls of HDS this year, I am grateful for the years we worked together and excited to see what the future holds for her!
“
— Jaime Zwerling | FIRST GRADE TEACHER
After a decade of dedication to kindergarten, we bid adieu to Casey Lange, whose innovative approach to education brightened the lives of so many students. From Star Wars - themed celebrations on May the 4th to turning her classroom into a camping scene, Ms. Lange made learning a delightful experience for her students. We will miss her commitment and enthusiasm as an educator and a colleague. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors. May the Force always be with you, Ms. Lange!
Saying goodbye to Casey Lange after a decade together is a monumental task. She’s an extraordinary teacher who poured her heart and soul into every lesson, inspiring her students with creativity and enthusiasm. Casey’s ability to transform subjects into engaging, interactive experiences through her masterful use of Google Slides is just one example of her dedication to her students’ learning. Beyond the classroom, her talents are boundless—from her artistic flair and infectious cheerleading spirit to her competitive edge. Her laughter, friendship to so many, and unwavering support to her students and colleagues have been invaluable to our school community. We’ll miss her dearly but are excited to see her embark on this new chapter.
CASEY LANGE “ “
— Casey Hogan | KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
2023-2024 Faculty Milestones
At Harbor Day, we take pride celebrating the dedication and commitment of our esteemed faculty. Milestone achievements are recognized every five years, starting at five years of service. This tradition allows us to honor the hard work and lasting impact our school employees make on the Harbor Day School community.
5 YEARS
10 YEARS
20 YEARS
25 YEARS
35 YEARS
James Gapp
Casey Hogan
Jeff Peters
Lauren Buth
Linda Chiao
Sierra Matheson
Casey Lange
Lorenzo Panuco
Building My Pillars of Character
By Adeleine Chen | CLASS OF 2024
My nine years at Harbor Day School have not only given me an education that prepared me for high school but also helped me build a strong character that will guide me for life. The six pillars of character hold up the foundation of Harbor Day: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Growing up at HDS, I have received countless opportunities to develop my pillars of character.
At Harbor Day, I learned not only how to work alongside other students but also what it means to be kind. Volunteering for Make A Difference Day every year allowed me to give back to my community while learning how to run a booth. I have witnessed firsthand how our efforts to raise funds for charities such as Bracken’s Kitchen and Well Beings can help make a difference in our community. I also joined the Kindness Club to give others a sense of belonging. We cannot always tell what someone is going through, but we can try to make someone’s day better by making them feel accepted. Even a simple compliment or “How are you?” can brighten a person’s day.
Harbor Day teaches students the importance of trust and community through collaborative activities, such as group presentations and dodgeball teams. An example of when I learned how to be a trustworthy teammate whom others could rely on was when I joined the Girls’ Volleyball team. Regardless of whether we won or lost a point, we always gave each other high-fives to keep the morale high. Working alongside my peers, I learned that we will not go as far if we do not support each other as a team.
“
At Harbor Day, I gained more than the study skills and knowledge that prepared me for high school; more importantly, I forged the pillars of character that continue to guide me in the future.
When it came to projects, time management was a challenge for me. I would often procrastinate on projects and complete my homework late at night. To battle this challenge, I progressively changed these habits and set goals for myself. I ran for leadership positions in clubs such as Latin Club, where I had bigger responsibilities beyond my own. I willed myself not to get distracted by social media, scheduled time to focus on my work at home, and utilized the Portal to organize my tasks. As a result, I developed better habits to become a more responsible student.
“
— ADELEINE CHEN CLASS OF 2024
Growing up as an introverted student, I struggled to advocate for myself. I progressively learned to come out of my shell when I auditioned for the Eighth Grade Musical and participated in Harkness discussions. When I ran for student leadership positions in the Student Council and Latin Club, I not only gained the confidence and voice to express my ideas but also helped others express theirs. I found my voice as a student leader who could speak up on behalf of the community by listening and putting plans into action.
I am grateful for my HDS experience and all the unforgettable memories. With the support of dedicated teachers and friends, I have grown in confidence and learned the importance of kindness, teamwork, and leadership. At Harbor Day, I gained more than the study skills and knowledge that prepared me for high school; more importantly, I forged the pillars of character that will continue to guide me in the future. n
TOP (page 6) | Adeleine (center) with classmates Luke Bellman, Erynn Pak, and Oliver Harrison at the 2024 Make A Difference Day event at Harbor Day, raising funds for charity. BOTTOM LEFT (page 6) | Adeleine receives the Head of School Award from Mrs. Evans at graduation. BOTTOM RIGHT (page 6) | Adeleine (bottom right) with middle school student council members.
FROM LESSON PLANS TO LIFE PLANS: Catching Up with Former Faculty
By Rowan Oliphant '16
Douglas Hirsh [1971-1974]
Middle School History, Math, and Physical Education Teacher
On a sunny summer day in Orange County, it is gently raining in Douglas Hirsh’s small town in Virginia, where he has lived with his wife for 44 years. During a phone call, Mr. Hirsh laughs and recalls his time as a P.E. instructor at Harbor Day, noting that not once was a class rained out. The conversation about the climate difference is a lovely reminder of how far the Harbor Day community extends—coast to coast across the United States and often even beyond.
Mr. Hirsh expresses his excitement at connecting with The Beacon to reminisce about his impactful years at Harbor Day. “Every day was great,” he says. He recalls when a group of parents intended to steam hot dog buns in festive blue water for the annual track meet, only to watch kids turn them down, due to their resemblance to moldy bread. One of his favorite stories is how he and fellow teacher John Rainey never packed a lunch, knowing they could eat what their students didn’t want. In the mid-70’s, Mr. Hirsh returned to Virginia to help his father run the family fiberglass giftware business, a job he enjoyed until the business was sold in 1981. Since then, Mr. Hirsh has worked in hospitality as a hotel task force member and travels across the country to address various needs within the industry. He also dedicates his winter and spring months to coaching lacrosse at Washington and Lee University, leading his team against universities such as Amherst, Middlebury, and various Ivy League schools. From 2002 to 2010, Mr. Hirsh competed in international lacrosse tournaments in countries such as Australia and the UK. His jerseys still adorn the walls of his home. In the late 1980’s, he revisited his high school sport of skeet shooting, which he continues to enjoy today.
Mr. Hirsh greatly looks forward to touring the new building on his next trip to Southern California, when he and his wife will fly out to see their daughter and her family in San Diego. His son resides near him in Salem, Virginia.
THEN | A photo of Mr. Hirsh from the 1974 Yearbook that was dedicated to him.
NOW | Mr. Hirsh present day.
FUN FACT:
The fiberglass company mentioned by Mr. Hirsh in the article made the HDS MAILBOX that Harbor Day School uses each year for students to take photos with on the first day of school. The mailbox was originally a gift to former headmaster John Marder, given by Mr. Hirsh to commemorate his memorable times at the school.
Kris Rowe [1983-2018]
Fourth Grade Teacher and Director of Lower School
Few in the Harbor Day community remain untouched by Kris Rowe’s lasting impact on student life during her decades of service at the School. Students may recall following her lead around the school perimeter in the annual Kindergarten Halloween Parade, listening to her read stories in the library, or visiting with her beloved iguana, Izzy, in the atrium by her office.
Now retired, Mrs. Rowe has remained in Orange County, dedicating her time to her family and animals. A knowledgeable equestrian, she often volunteers at Mustard Seed Ranch as an equine therapist, working with vulnerable teenagers and adolescents needing behavioral guidance. “It’s incredible,” she says, describing how horses can have a calming effect on people of any age. With their gentle presence, horses can help children develop valuable skills through the responsibility of equine care.
Every morning and evening, Mrs. Rowe tends to her sweet-natured horse, Tommo, who has reached the age of 33. She spends time with him on trail rides and cares for his needs at his home in the Back Bay. She and her husband, John, along with their dogs, Madison and Lily, often drive up to their quiet home in the green landscape of Idaho, where they relax and enjoy nature.
Mrs. Rowe’s son, Sean Rowe, has established his own HDS legacy as the woodshop and 3D design teacher, a specialty concentration that few K-8 schools in the country offer to their students. Her grandson Anton is now in seventh grade at Harbor Day, while her granddaughter Fiona’21 prepares to graduate high school. Although Mrs. Rowe holds a special place in her heart for the former HDS building, she is thrilled by the progress the school has made since the finalization of the new facilities. The Rowe family continues to enrich our community, and we deeply cherish the many wonderful years Mrs. Rowe spent nurturing HDS students.
(CONTINUED
NOW | Mrs. Rowe with her horse Tommo.
THEN | Mrs. Rowe with her iguana, Izzy.
FROM LESSON PLANS TO LIFE PLANS: Catching Up with Former Faculty
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9)
Cassie Keturakis
[1990-2015]
Kindergarten and First Grade Teacher
Cassie Keturakis still graces the Harbor Day community, when she’s substitute teaching at the school. Reflecting on her time as a kindergarten teacher, she vividly recalls watching her students build a structure out of blocks. She remembers how each child eagerly shared their engineering strategies, listened to one another, and collaborated to create a plan for a strong foundation. Their faces lit up with joy as they succeeded, a moment she cherishes most from her classroom days. “That’s what I miss the most about the classroom,” she says. “That look children have on their faces when an idea connects.” She also expresses her appreciation for her kindergarten teacher counterpart, Casey Hogan, who for so many years has, and continues to, built the foundation for children’s learning at Harbor Day.
At home in Orange County, Mrs. Keturakis volunteers at her church’s food pantry, welcoming anyone in need without exception. She recalls helping a Ukrainian doctor who had been displaced from his country with his family and had found refuge with the help of the church. Passionate about helping teaching children to read, she expertly tutors children with dyslexia, using the Orton-Gillingham method. This approach breaks large words into smaller letters and sounds.
Day to day, she attends lunches with friends, enjoys Pilates, visits family in Europe and the U.S., and is a member of a book club formed by HDS faculty members. She prioritizes spending time with family and friends, giving back to her community, and finding joy in every day. She describes her life as “lovely and blessed.”
NOW | Mrs. Keturakis (right) and kindergarten teacher Casey Hogan pose for a photo together on a day when Mrs. Keturakis came back to help as a substitute teacher in kindergarten at Harbor Day.
THEN | Mrs. Keturakis with students at Harbor Day in 2003.
Sidney Dupont [1993-2006]
Head of School
Dr. Sidney Dupont’s esteem for Harbor Day shines through in his praise for the faculty members he worked alongside during his time as head of school. He names valued community members, including Katie Robinson, James Gapp, Pam and Mike Coleman, Meggen Stockstill, Mary Ann Mailloux, and Gary (Ski) Skwarczynski. He also commends the Board of Trustees for their dedication, noting how they consistently “pushed the school forward” in new directions, ensuring Harbor Day’s continued reputation as an exceptional educational institution.
During his time at HDS, Dr. Dupont spearheaded significant developments, particularly in expanding technology use in the classroom. Harbor Day was on the cutting edge of technology in education. Dr. Dupont always kept his students’ interests at heart. He recalls one year when he heard the news of a 2:00 p.m. helicopter flyover above the city in honor of a local police sergeant. To ensure the students could witness the display, he scheduled an earthquake drill for 1:50 p.m., timing it perfectly so the entire student body would be outside during flyover.
In retirement, Dr. Dupont remains active, spending much of his time traveling the world. He and colleagues in education took a trip to Ireland in August, followed by a safari trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Dr. Dupont recently embarked on a cruise to Antarctica, where he spent a week on the continent, witnessing seven varieties of penguins, including Chinstrap and Gentoo. He looks forward to many future travels with family and friends.
At home in North Carolina, where he lives with his wife, Dr. Dupont stays engaged in his community by volunteering with the NCAA and officiating track and field events. He also golfs every day that he can. n
“
Harbor Day was on the cutting edge of technology in education. Dr. Dupont always kept his students’ interests at heart.
“
THEN (left) | Dr. Dupont at his desk in 1997. NOW (right) | Dr. Dupont present day.
EIGHTH GRADE MUSICAL
Lights, Camera, Action! Lights, Camera, Action!
This year’s Eighth Grade Musical featured a live production of The SpongeBob Musical. Under the direction of Mr. Joel Maki, musical direction of Ms. Robyn Leon, and stage management of Ms. Courtney Zarrilli, the class of 2024 dedicated countless hours to creating a whimsical and delightful performance. A notable highlight about this performance was that it took place in Harbor Day’s new theater! The new theater boasts a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, including remotely controlled cameras for show recording, a video switcher for multi-angle event coverage, full theater lighting controls, and a 64-channel audio mixer. These advanced features enhanced the vibrant visual effects and clear audio. This incredible production set a high standard for future musicals and performances at Harbor Day School and created lasting memories for these eighth grade students. n
COMMENCEMENT 2024
“Class of 2024, congratulations! What a journey you all have had. Your years at HDS, and in particular your Middle School years, have been memorable and marked with tremendous growth. Like Mrs. Evans mentioned, many of you have been here since kindergarten, while others have joined the class along the way. No matter how long you’ve been at Harbor Day, you each have been an integral part of the Class of 2024…
…First, you will be remembered for your energy. You have always been a very energetic group, possessing an intensity when you approach activities. Whether it be playing a pick-up game of basketball at recess or participating in a History Jeopardy game, you were all in it to win it. While this energy has, at times, been boisterous and loud, we’ve noticed a growth in how you’ve harnessed this energy for the positive during the later part of middle school…
…Next, you also will be remembered as being a very diversely talented class. Some of you are very academically talented and took on additional academic challenges outside the regular school lessons and found great success…
… Additionally, many of you excel in athletics and are talented in a wide variety of sports. Of particular note was our Girls’ Basketball team, who made it to the finals, and the Boys’ Basketball team, who made it to the semifinal in our very competitive public school league. In track and field, the girls in the C division won the league championship, and our entire track team demonstrated camaraderie and sportsmanship. Many of you have amazing athletic talents in areas outside of HDS sports, including water polo, football, lacrosse, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis, dance, and surfing, and you appreciate the value of teamwork, competition, and hard work that athletics provides.
We look forward to watching you pursue these talents in high school and beyond.
And some of you are exceptionally talented in the arts. Several of you have had work displayed in various visual art shows throughout the county. Additionally, “The SpongeBob
Musical” highlighted many of the wonderful musical talents… It was wonderful to see your class truly come together during your musical production and appreciate the unique talents that each of you offers. Continue to pursue your talents while simultaneously supporting those with different talents. This diversity only makes our community stronger, and we all benefit from each other’s strengths.
Finally, you will be known as a class who values your friendships and enjoys having fun with each other. There are definitely some solid friendships in this class, and there have been many joyous moments. And I have some props to prove it. For example, a turtle picture kept popping up in the most random places during your middle school years. It’s made appearances on doors, clocks, signs, and Mr. Gauthier’s podium. I’m not sure what it is all about, but I’m sure it always made those who know smile…I hope these memories are something you will always treasure, along with the friendships that you have made here at Harbor Day School.
Class of 2024, we will miss you greatly. Thank you for the memories and we know you are ready for the next phase of your academic journey. Please keep in touch and come back often.
Mrs. Susan Johnson'88
CONGRATULATIONS
GRADUATES WITH ALUMNI FAMILY MEMBERS
Top row from left to right: Cooper Kelly, Caren Kelly 88, Caitlin Pickart 90, Molly Tiwari, Ryan Steelberg 88, Hudson Steelberg
Middle Row from left to right: Kevin Smith 89, Anne Stiefel 94, Eric Olsen 90, Mark Harrison 82, Brad Doane 85
Bottom row from left to right: Hill Smith, Frankie Stiefel, Ella Olsen, Oliver Harrison, Chet Harrison 84, Emma Harrison, Logan Doane
EIGHTH GRADE AWARDS
FULL LIST OF 2024 AWARDS
Andy Devine Memorial
Performing Arts Award
Capriana Cuneo
Sydney Ilczyszyn
Art Award
Sloane Williams
Ceramics Award
Adeleine Chen
English Award
Sloane Williams
Gary Skwarczynski Service Award
Luke Bellman
Finn Hoover
Emery Pelinka
Harrison Technology Award
Oliver Harrison
Head of School Award
Adeleine Chen
History Award
Finn Hoover
Latin Award
Adeleine Chen
Literature Award
Emma Harrison
Mandarin Award
Brody Majit
Mathmatics Award
Hong Ning “William” Shu
Pam Coleman Athletic Award
Cooper Kelly
Ella Olsen
Science Award
Aleah Berengian
Sean Sheward Spanish Award
Molly Tiwari
Spirit Award
Aleah Berengian
Sydney Ilczyszyn
Ella Nami
Emery Pelinka
Hill Smith
Mandarin Award Brody Majit and Sherry Wang
Spirit Award
Ella Nami, Sydney Ilczyszyn, Emery Pelinka, Aleah Berengian, Emma Steelberg' 20 , Ragan Angeloff' 20, Riley Harrison' 20, Hill Smith, and Arman Rofougaran' 20
Literature Award
Emma Harrison and Chatom Arkin
Art Award
Sloane Williams and Dayna Sable
CLASS OF 2024 HIGH SCHOOL MATRICULATION LIST
Danny Angeloff
Liliana Badii
Luke Bellman
Aleah Berengian
Elle Calvert
Tyke Camaras
Kamilah Cavner
Adeleine Chen
Austin Cohen
Capriana Cuneo
Logan Doane
Sophia Eckermann
Ryan Evans
Lyla Fischbein
Blake Fraley
Emma Harrison
Oliver Harrison
Kalani Hogsett
Finn Hoover
Sydney Ilczyszyn
Cooper Kelly
Maggie Kirkowski
Madeleine Lal
Brody Majit
Chase Martin
Ella Nami
Ella Olsen
Erynn Pak
Emery Pelinka
Taylor Peters
Cooper Piercey
Landon Ressler
Milan Rofougaran
Kiana Sadri
Hong Ning Shu
Hill Smith
Jake Sokolowski
Nicholas Sokolowski
Hudson Steelberg
Addison Stern
Hudson Stern
Parker Stern
Frankie Stiefel
Molly Tiwari
Sloane Williams
Anne Yu
LIST OF HIGH SCHOOLS ATTENDING
Corona del Mar High School
Costa Mesa High School
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
JSerra Catholic High School
Mater Dei High School
Newport Harbor High School
Orange Lutheran High School
Pacifica Christian High School
Phillips Academy Andover
Phillips Exeter Academy
Sage Hill School
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Stevenson Day & Boarding School
CLASS OF 2020 COLLEGE BOUND
Jazmine Aftabi
Ragan Angeloff
Alexandra Boserup
Gianna “Gigi” Bryant
Aubrey Callaghan
Ava Cohen
Cameron Danz
Carter Danz
Chloe Davis
Chase Decker
T.J. Dilley
John Elliott
Isabella Fawaz
Grant Franey
Petra Gapp
Alexandra Gomez
Chandler Green
Riley Harrison
Rio Haupt
Danyel Khan
Dillon Lane
Michael Lynch
Madeline Mahoney
Dylan Mirhashemi
Cooper Mullane
Tate Natland
Alex Nguyen
Catherine Peets
Aidan Powell
Ellena Reposa
Kristy Riddle
Arman Rofougaran
Sarah Sonenshine
Sage Specter
Emma Steelberg
Logan Stern
Talia Tse
Walker Vaicek
Dilan Vanjani
Peyton Vovan
Reed Wainwright
Erika Wein
Everett Welton
Lucy Wolter
Jack Yoshida
Carson Zhu
LIST OF COLLEGES ATTENDING
Adelphi University • Boston College • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo • Chapman University
Dartmouth • Indiana University • Irvine Valley College • Loyola Marymount University
New York University • Northeastern University • Northwestern University
Notre Dame • Saint Mary's College • San Diego State University • Scripps College
Southern Methodist University • Stanford University • University of Arizona
University of California, Los Angeles • University of Colorado, Boulder • University of Georgia
University of Pennsylvania • University of Southern California • University of Texas
University of Virginia • University of Washington • University of Wisconsin, Madison Washington University, St. Louis • Weslyan University
In loving memory of Gianna "Gigi" Bryant
Grandparents’ Day 2024
Harbor Day School’s Grandparents’ Day, themed “The Fabulous Era” took place on Friday, May 11, and was a delightful journey through the past. Nearly 600 grandparents waltzed down memory lane, surrounded by the sights and sounds of bygone decades. This heartwarming event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of over 100 parent volunteers who transformed the school into a nostalgic wonderland. Students, under the direction of musical maestros Joel Maki and Robyn Leon, dazzled grandparents with a spectacular performance. The eighth graders’ rendition of “Don’t You Forget About Me” was an 80’s flashback treat. After the show, grandparents and guests were invited to explore the campus, including viewing classroom projects and art showcasing students’ masterpieces. Thanks to the creativity of our faculty and art teachers, Leslie Yagar, Dayna Sable, and Courtney Zarrilli, the day was a treasure trove of memories for everyone involved. n
EIGHTH GRADE THANK-YOU BREAKFAST
The Eighth Grade Thank-You Breakfast has become a cherished annual tradition where eighth grade students thank their HDS family “parents” during a morning breakfast. Student Council President, Emery Pelinka, delivered a touching speech to the faculty and staff. She expressed her gratitude for their dedication and hard work, and highlighted several faculty and staff members who have served as role models to her over her years at HDS. This event beautifully highlights the mutual respect and admiration between the students and the faculty. It’s a heartfelt expression of the students’ gratitude for their teachers and the appreciation faculty feels for their students, having witnessed their growth throughout their journey at Harbor Day. n
In the song, “I Am Your Child.” Barry Manilow sings: “...Whatever I know I learned from you ... Whatever I do You taught me to do...”
NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOAR D
Katy Hanke´96
Katy Hanke is a senior fixed-income sales director at Capital Group. In this role, she focuses on expanding the firm’s fixed-income market share with large institutional clients. Before joining Capital, Mrs. Hanke was a senior vice president and account manager at PIMCO. Before that, she was a portfolio analyst at Russell Investments in Sydney, Australia. Mrs. Hanke began her career in investment banking with Cowen and Company and investment consulting with Callan. In addition to her professional career, Mrs. Hanke is a current board member of the Orange County chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research.
Mrs. Hanke holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Emory University and the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. She is an alumnus of the Harbor Day School, class of 1996 and she and her husband, Doug Hanke, are the proud HDS parents of Paige (fifth grade) and James (third grade).
Meghan Hoffman
Meghan Bakshi Hoffman has been a practicing attorney for over 16 years. She works with the Public Law Center, Orange County’s largest pro bono law firm, assisting foster parents, relatives, caregivers, and prospective adoptive parents seeking free legal services relating to dependency cases in the Orange County Juvenile Court. Before beginning her work with the Public Law Center, Mrs. Hoffman was Senior Litigation Counsel at Hyundai Motor America’s national headquarters, managing and providing strategic direction for class action, franchise, intellectual property, and product liability claims and lawsuits. During her time at Hyundai, Mrs. Hoffman developed a robust pro bono program and collaborated with the Public Law Center to create a free legal clinic staffed by Hyundai employees for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) patients, and their families.
Mrs. Hoffman graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in political science. She obtained her Juris Doctorate from The University of Texas School of Law. Before joining the Harbor Day School Board of Trustees, Mrs. Hoffman was the Community Service Committee Co-Chair on Harbor Day’s Parent Council for two years. She also currently serves on the board of the Newport Beach Chapter of the National Charity League, Jrs. She and her husband, Andrew, reside in Newport Beach and have three children—Andrew (fourth grade) and Caroline (second grade), who both attend Harbor Day School, and Beatrice, who is in preschool.
OF TRUSTEES 2024-25
Bonnie Lee
Dr. Bonnie Lee is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine with dual appointments in the Departments of Dermatology and Pathology. Her roles include Residency Program Director for dermatology and Co-Director of Dermatopathology. As a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Lee correlates patients’ skin manifestations with findings under the microscope, a unique niche in medicine that she loves to teach her residents.
Prior to joining the University of California, Irvine in 2019, Dr. Lee was the Managing Director of the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology in New York City, a high-volume Dermpath Diagnostics subsidiary of Quest, and an Assistant Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Division of Dermatology, where she practiced for 10 years.
Dr. Lee grew up in Pasadena, CA, attended Princeton University, where she studied comparative literature, and then graduated Alpha Omega Alpha from the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine. Her clinical and research interests include skin cancers, applications of A.I. in dermatopathology, complex medical dermatology in safety net populations, and a broad spectrum of inflammatory skin diseases. She is married to James Sung, and they have two sons, Owen (fourth grade) and Theo (second grade), who love attending Harbor Day School.
Afnan Tariq
Dr. Afnan Tariq is a physician and healthcare leader specializing in cardiovascular innovation and structural interventional cardiology.
Dr. Tariq is an MD/JD, a proud graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University Law Center, and currently serves as a
Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of California, Irvine.
Dr. Tariq has led innovation efforts at Edwards Lifesciences, is a named inventor on cardiovascular patents, and currently is CEO and Co-Founder of a venture-backed digital health startup, improving management of chronic diseases through technology.
He also holds leadership roles for the national cardiovascular societies, with roles on advocacy committees and the DEI committee, focusing on improving patient care and advancing health equity. Dr. Tariq has been invited to speak at numerous prestigious conferences and has published extensively in global medical journals.
Dr. Tariq has previously served as a student representative to the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, has been an alumni interviewer for the University of Pennsylvania, and has served on the Youth Board of the Brooklyn Hospital Center. Most importantly, Dr. Tariq and his wife, Ayesha, are the proud parents of four children, with his two eldest children, Ainoor (third grade) and Aliana (first grade), attending Harbor Day School. n
CLASS NOTES
MEET SABRINA KING | CLASS OF 1993
If Princeton athletics have been on your radar, you’ll likely have heard of Harbor Day’s Sabrina King’93. Sabrina attended Santa Margarita for high school before heading to Princeton, where she played volleyball under legendary coach Glenn Nelson, who is the winningest coach in Princeton history. Her player bio includes these facts: she was a standout player on the court and 1999 Ivy League Player of the Year; She ranks in the all-time top 5 at Princeton in kills (1,367), digs (1,441), and aces (121); She has either played with or coached almost every member of the top 5 in each major statistical category.
You may have crossed paths with her if you’re one of the 28 Harbor Day alumni who have gone on to attend Princeton since the 1990s. Sabrina graduated in 2001, then became Nelson’s sole assistant coach in 2002. That spring, she assumed all responsibilities for the women’s program. In seven years as an assistant coach, she helped guide the Tigers to Ivy League titles in 2004 and 2007. As head coach since 2015, she has continued to make history, earning Ivy titles in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
There is no doubt that Sabrina’s unwavering dedication to volleyball has been a source of inspiration for many. Over the decades, she has excelled as a player and a coach while also instilling a truly unique philosophy that sees volleyball as a parallel in life. She is a remarkable athlete and coach, but what sets her apart is her concentrated focus on the student and studentathlete experience, emphasizing that achievement is rooted in “failing forward.”
MIDDLE LEFT: Sabrina’s eighth grade yearbook dedication page.
BOTTOM LEFT: A cast photo from the Class of 1993’s musical Bye, Bye, Birdie Sabrina King 93
Sabrina King 93 | Head Coach Princeton Women's Volleyball
70’s
1975
Scott Woodard’75 is the Western Regional Manager at Lumibird Medical and resides in Laguna Beach. He dedicates his time to conserving clean water and protecting sea mammals through partnerships with NGOs Clean Water Now and The Whaleman Foundation. A lifelong waterman, Scott has surfed, dived, sailed, fished, windsurfed, water-skied, and bodysurfed all around the world which motivates his deep commitment to clean water. After graduating from Harbor Day, he attended Corona del Mar High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Southern California.
1978
The President of the University of Southern California awarded Thomas “Tommy” Knapp’78 the designation of Clinical Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurship, effective
upon his retirement from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. At USC, Tommy served as the Academic Director of the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and as a professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship in the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, lecturing more than 5,000 undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students since 2008. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from USC. He founded Club Sportswear in the early 80’s and Honolua Surf Co., an action sports industry leader. He is a partner in Blue Jay Bay Ventures, a real estate investment firm. Tommy is a five-time Golden Apple Teaching Award winner, along with the 2000 Environmentalist of the Year, awarded by SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association). He holds two gold medals as a triathlete in 2004 and 2005. He is also the 1990 Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year for the USC Marshall Greif Center.
90’s
1999
Philip Stemler’99 completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University and earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. After graduating from law school, Philip settled in Newport Beach with his wife, Whitney. They have two sons, ages ten and five, attending elementary school. Since law school, he has dedicated his career to public safety as a
prosecutor. He is a candidate for school board in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in Trustee Area 3 for fall 2024. He is grateful for all the support from HDS alumni and parents. You can find more information about Philip on his website, [stemlerfornmusd.com].
00’s
2007
During Harbor Day’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, alumnus and chef Alessandro Coppola’07 treated educators to a lovely breakfast and lunch. Alessandro is currently a partner and executive chef at Iron Catering Crew.
10’s
2010
Alec Taketa’10 is an associate at Apollo Global Management and resides in New York City. After Harbor Day School, he went to Corona del Mar High School and graduated from Cornell University, majoring in Economics. He received his CFA while working at PIMCO after graduating from Cornell. He continued his studies,
Scott Woodard’75 with his two daughters.
CLASS NOTES
2013
2010 (continued) pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, conferred in 2024. An avid soccer player, Alec continues to play in his free time, including as captain of Booth’s club soccer team and in numerous recreational leagues.
Vinson Chiu’13 competed in badminton in Paris at the 2024 Olympic games.
After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2022, Vinson competed in mixed doubles at the 2023 Pan American Games, winning a silver medal with Olympic teammate Jennie Gai. The pair also won a silver medal at the 2024 Pan American Championships in Guatemala.
Julia Blatz’13 is a founding member, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist with Vodka Breadbowl, a bubble grunge band that originated in Boston, MA, and reconnected in 2022 in Los Angeles. Julia went to Sage Hill School after Harbor Day before heading east to Berklee College of Music in Boston. An avid outdoors person, she is also a certified California Naturalist and outdoor educator with Hawks LA. While she was visiting family back in June, Julia decided to swing by campus for the Blue-Gold Track Meet. After catching up with faculty, she found herself crossing paths with many visiting alumni, and one in particular: Grant Franey’20. Grant was her HDS family first grader when she graduated in 2013, making the HDS reconnections span more than 20 years in a moment. After Harbor Day, Grant went on to Sage Hill School before committing to the University of Southern California.
2014
Skylar Alexander’14 is the Strategy and Growth Business Analyst at the Trilon Group, an infrastructure consulting firm. She previously worked at Arrow Electronics as a data analyst for the corporate audit team, and was on Arrow’s ECS North America marketing team, where she ran internal communications and delivered B2B advertising. Skylar received her Bachelor of Science in Information Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she minored in financial analytics. After Harbor Day School, she attended Mater Dei High School where she played varsity volleyball.
2016
she was the Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Independent, leading a team of 120+ staff writers and business members, doubling the publication’s article count and publishing cadence, and increasing the staff size 10x during her tenure. One of her articles was featured in Sal Khan’s TED Talk on A.I. in Education. Her interest in journalism and history inspired her honors senior thesis, “The Making of a Partisan Press.” Marbella was also a starter on Harvard’s Varsity Sailing Team as a skipper and a crew member. She helped lead Harvard to two national championships, two national podium finishes, and earned a U.S. national championship and world championship outside of college sailing. In addition to earning All-American, All-NEISA, All-Ivy, and All-Academic titles, she concluded her college sailing career by being named as part of the 2024 College Crew of the Year, the highest award for a crew in college sailing. She was one of four finalists for the Harvard Varsity Radcliffe Prize, awarded to the most outstanding undergraduate female athlete on a Harvard Varsity team. Marbella recently moved to New York City, working as a Wealth Management Rotational Analyst at Morgan Stanley. She was recently admitted to Columbia Business School, where she plans on enrolling in the fall of 2027 to pursue her MBA.
2019
Reade Decker’19 and his sailing teammates took first place in the Open Fleet Race, securing Stanford’s sweep of the PCCSC Championships in May. In the A division, Reade and crewmate Alexis Young sailed for the division’s best score. Later that month, he finished first for Stanford in the Eastern Open Semi-Finals B division. Reade went on to Mater Dei High School after Harbor Day and has been sailing since childhood.
Olivia Krotts’19 plays water polo with the Princeton Tigers. They won their conference championship (CWPA), and the team traveled to Berkeley for the NCAA tournament. This summer, she studied at the London School of Economics and now studies at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. After Harbor Day, she went to Mater Dei before heading to Princeton University.
Marbella Marlo’16 recently graduated from Harvard College with honors in history and a secondary in English. At Harvard,
Julia performing with bandmates in 2024.
Alec (second from left) at his MBA graduation.
20’s
2020
Chase Decker’20 added a win this summer at the Naples Sabot II Northern Regional Championship before heading to Dartmouth this fall for sailing. Chase is a C420 North American Champion and Triple Crown Champion, two-time CJ Buckley Race Champion, two-time high school fleet race champion, and three-time high school team race vice-champion. Chase attended Mater Dei High School following Harbor Day and sailed often with his brother as a Monarch.
Chandler Green’20 graduated from Newport Harbor High School and was voted “Friendliest” senior alongside former classmate Jake Shubin. She heads to Stanford University in the fall. Chandler was also the alumni speaker at Harbor Day’s Class
Chandler gave the alumni address at Harbor Day’s 2024 commencement. of 2024 Commencement. She gave sage advice to the audience: “High school is notoriously full of ups and downs. It’s unpredictable, confusing, and a little messy sometimes. But when you go through your first heartbreak, EGBOK (everything is going to be okay). When you fail a test: EGBOK. When a friend turns out to be different than you thought: EGBOK. Know that whatever your journey may be, it’s a beautiful one, and it’s yours. And remember that HDS truly will always be your home; these relationships you have made can and will last if you want them to. And most importantly, remember that everything is going to be okay.”
2021
Charli Krotts’21 has committed to pursuing water polo at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2025. In fourth grade, Charli’s state research project was on Michigan,
seeding her interest in the D1 school. After Harbor Day, Charli went on to Mater Dei High School and continues her senior year playing as a Monarch.
Nicole Thorp’21 has committed to playing beach volleyball at Pepperdine University in the fall of 2025. During her years at Harbor Day, Nicole played both beach and indoor volleyball for the Tstreet and Spiker Volleyball Clubs. In high school now at JSerra, she continues playing for both beach and indoor teams.
2022
Following an undefeated season, Parker Johnson’22 won the US Rowing Youth National Championship in the junior rowing men's 4+ boat with Newport Sea Base on June 9. After Harbor Day, Parker went on to Pacifica Christian, where he is currently a junior.
HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a life update, please share it with your Harbor Day community. You can email us at development@harborday.org or scan the QR code above to fill out the Alumni Update Form.
Chandler and former Harbor Day classmate Jake Shubin were voted friendliest seniors at Newport Harbor High School.
STUDENT ARTISTS
SHINE AT ART SHOWS
Harbor Day students demonstrated their exceptional artistic abilities at the OCArts4All Student Art Showcase, hosted by the Orange County Department of Education. An impressive 25 student art pieces were selected for the exhibition, with several pieces also earning spots in the Junior Art Exhibit at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Harbor Day’s dedicated art teachers continue to play a vital role in inspiring and nurturing the creative spirit within our students. n
OCARTS4ALL 2024 SUBMISSIONS
Kindergarten
2D | AYLA DORRIZ – Lil’ Pumpkins
2D | ALIANA TARIQ – Safari Zebra
2D | AVA KERNS – Rainbow
First Grade
2D | JAD JAFAR – Monster
2D | OLYMPIA ZAHEDI – Self-Portrait
3D | AIDEN TAI*– Piggy Bank | 3rd Place - 3D Art
Second Grade
2D | BRADLEY QUINN*– Robot | 3rd Place - 2D Art
2D | LIZZIE STONE – Treehouse
3D | LUCAS WU*– Blue Bird | 3rd Place - 3D Art
Third Grade
3D | DILAN PIER – Clay Leaves
Fourth Grade
2D | ANNA HARRISON – Dia de los Muertos Sun & Moon
2D | WILL GOODING – Mandala
2D | COOPER STERN* – Box of Chocolates | 3rd Place - 3D Art
3D | PAIGE HANKE – Owl
Fifth Grade
2D | LILY JIN – Tim Burton Portrait
2D | CECE ARKIN-HOROWITZ – What’s in a Name?
3D | BECKHAM BUTCHER*– Elephant Bobble-Head | 1st Place - 3D Art
Sixth Grade
2D | BECKHAM BURKE – Self-Portrait | 3rd Place - 3D Art
2D | CAROLINE ALSTON – Self-Portrait
2D | LILLIANA AALI – Petals
Seventh Grade
BRIAN CHEN – Water Drops
PRESTON DECKER – Op Art Cones
KIERNAN KAPPLER – Mountain Reflection
Eighth Grade
2D | SLOANE WILLIAMS – Yasmin
3D | HUDSON STERN – Wishing Well
1. Aliana Tariq poses next to her creation.
2. Anna Harrison stands next to her Dia de los Muertos Sun & Moon piece. 3. Cooper Stern takes a photo next to his box of chocolates art piece.
Jad Jafar and Olympia Zahedi point to their artwork.
Ayla Dorriz shows off her certificate next to her artwork.
6. Ms. Yagar with Bradley Quinn pose with Bradley’s robot drawing. 7. Art by Sloane Williams.
SNAPSHOT STUMPER
NEW SNAPSHOT STUMPER! Who is in this photo and what year is it? If you have an answer, send your best guess or confirmation by scanning the QR code and filling out the form or emailing communications@harborday.org.
SNAPSHOT STUMPER SOLVED!
These students from the class of 1993 pose for their grade level photo. Top row (left to right): Heather McDonald Jones, Corinne Melchior, Lindsay Mock Galen. Bottom row (left to right): John Gostanian, Dana Mesenbrink, and Wesley Kidder.
Thank-you to Brooke Shepherdson, Christine Cawthon, and Dana Mesenbrink who helped solve our Snapshot Stumper.
