LC Graduate Salute 06 2023

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Caps thrown, tassels moved at graduation ceremonies

By Nona Sue Friedman

Senioritis abounds as high schools prepare for graduation ceremonies. Seniors take a big sigh of relief for this bittersweet moment as they cross the stage, take their diplomas and move their tassels across their brims.

Following are some of the ceremonies where students from the area are graduating.

Immaculate Heart High School had one of its alums, actress and activist Yara Shahidi, executive producer and lead actor of “Grown-ish,” and a recent Harvard University graduate, speak at its ceremony. The event took place at the Hollywood Bowl with 115 girls graduating on May 30. It is the school’s 117th graduating class.

Larchmont Charter High School will witness 102 students leave their campus on Wed., June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. The guest speaker is Myrna Castrejón, president and CEO of California Charter Schools Association.

The entire class of 69 girls will graduate from Girls Academic Leadership Academy

member Holly Mitchell will address the audience as the keynote speaker. This is GALA’s

Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles

Private, international preschool-12th grade - English and French programs

We proudly present our students’ university acceptances for the Class of 2023

Adelphi University

American University of Paris (FR)

Babson College

Boston University

Brown University

Cal Poly Pomona

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

California State University, Chico

California State University, Fullerton

California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Sacramento

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Chapman University

Clark Atlanta University

Columbia University

DePaul University

Drexel University

EHL Hospitality Business School (CH)

ESSEC Global BBA (FR)

Elon University

Fisk University

Georgetown University

Hampton University

IE Business School (SP)

Lewis & Clark College

LIM College

Loyola Marymount University

McGill University (CAN)

Mount Holyoke College

New School - Parsons

Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University

Reed College

Rhodes College

St. Mary's College of California

San Diego State University

San Francisco State University

San Jose State University

Sarah Lawrence College

The George Washington University

Tuskegee University

University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley - Science Po Dual BA

University of California, Davis

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Delaware

University of Denver

Congratulations Seniors!

University of Illinois Urbana

University of Kansas

University of Mass, Amherst

University of Mass, Dartmouth

University of Michigan

University of NC - Chapel Hill

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of Southern California

University of Washington

Vassar College

William and Mary

Williams College

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GALA GRADUATES pose on their college signing day.

(GALA) on Thurs., June 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the USC Bovard Auditorium. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

LARCHMONT CHARTER seniors enjoy a class picnic.

SENIORS AT IMMACULATE HEART pose in sweatshirts indicating their college destinations.

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Ceremonies

(Continued from page 2)

first graduation of students who started at the school in sixth grade in the school’s opening year. Of the 69 grad-

uates, 40 have been at the school for all seven years.

Pilgrim School will graduate 20 students for its class of 2023 in the school sanctuary on Mon., June 5 at 6 p.m.

Le Lycée Français de Los

Angeles has 40 students graduating on Sat., June 10. Novelist and filmmaker Amanda Sthers, a Paris native currently living in Los Angeles, will speak at the ceremony.

Loyola High School will graduate 302 students on Sat., June 3 at 9 a.m. at Hayden Circle on campus. Principal Frank Kozakowski is the key-

note speaker. Marymount High School graduated 78 seniors on May 26 on the grounds of the high (Please turn to page 4)

LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES pose on athlete signing day; left to right are Carson Chavez for baseball, Harrison Lavery for cross country, Holmes Wormald for football and Ryan Espinoza for volleyball.

MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL seniors take pride in their future schools.

SENIORS AT LE LYCÉE are dressed in their caps and gowns, ready to walk across the stage.

MARYMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL seniors sport their college sweatshirts.

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Ceremonies

(Continued from page 3) school. Marina Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of

Commerce, spoke to the girls as their keynote speaker.

The 88 seniors at Oakwood School voted on what they wanted at their graduation ceremony. In lieu of a keynote speaker, they chose to have 10 student performances and 12 student speeches at their ceremony on June 8.

The 112 seniors at Marlborough School graduated in a ceremony on May 25. They took their final steps as high school seniors in matching white dresses as they accepted their diplomas.

SENIORS AT MARLBOROUGH enjoy the water after taking their well-earned rite of passage pool plunge on the last day of classes. First, they run across the school field chanting “2023,” wait for a countdown at the pool’s edge and then they all jump in!

Los Angeles High School, whose mascot is the Romans, will watch their seniors take diplomas and graduate on Fri., June 9.

The Chronicle would like to congratulate all of the graduating seniors of 2023.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Don’t forget to keep us in mind for when you do something remarkable and newsworthy. We always like to highlight our residents near and far.

CLASSMATES AT PILGRIM SCHOOL assemble for one of their last pictures before graduating.

2023 GRADUATES at Immaculate Heart spell out their year.

SENIORS AT OAKWOOD SCHOOL gather with classmates on campus.

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Graduates share their choices, aspirations, plans

By Casey Russell

Marlborough graduating senior Ondine Corsmeier said she has loved the allgirls aspect of her school. “I feel like it made me a more confident and comfortable person,” said Corsmeier. She recognizes that she is unafraid to speak up and say how she feels and recognizes the fact that this will serve her well as she steps into her next chapter.

Corsmeier played water polo, was an editor of the yearbook and has been involved with Alexandria House through the social justice Capstone project. The Capstone elective partners students with organizations. Girls spend the summer and first semester volunteering and making connections. During the second semester, students create and implement a project with the organization. Corsmeier worked with the preteen group at Alexandria House and feels like her experience at the nonprofit solidified her interest in becoming a therapist.

In the fall, the graduating senior will attend Colgate University. “I’ve lived in the same house my whole life and gone to two schools. I’ve known my friends for so long,” said Corsmeier. “I wanted a big change.”

The East Coast can deliver on that.

“One thing I’m nervous about is the weather,” said the Ridgewood / Wilton resident. Corsmeier said she is excited for the liberal arts experience because, in her words, “I’m 18 and I might change my mind.” She is looking forward to trying

new things and discovering more about herself, what she wants to do and how she wants to spend her life.

The only child said her grandparents live in Wisconsin on a horse farm. She stayed there for six months during the pandemic and plans to visit them for the shorter school breaks.

When asked if there was a certain teacher who had a big impact on her, Corsmeier said, “Ms. Wright was my advisor for my social justice Capstone and she is the nicest person I’ve ever met… she definitely shaped my senior year and my potential future career.”

This summer, the graduate will be traveling to Europe for a month with one of her best friends, Alix Erlij. “We wanted to go to places we thought we might not get the chance to go back to,” said Corsmeier. The duo will explore Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Athens and the Greek island Paros. “We planned the trip ourselves. I worked at the Marlborough summer camp for the past two summers to save up for the trip.”

Heading to UCLA for life experience and education

Oakwood Secondary School

graduate Gavin Gardner has attended his soon-to-be alma mater since seventh grade. During his time at the school, he has been involved with volleyball; Oakwood Students for Progressive Reform (OSPR), a student-led club which discusses current events; and AIDS Walks Los Angeles, an organization that focuses on fundraising money to donate to different organizations that help people affected by AIDS.

Gardner is proud that Oakwood has raised approximately $15,000 for the past two years. The school’s fundraising efforts have broken $40,000, rivaling the donation amounts of companies like Starbucks and Paramount.

One of the reasons Gardner loved Oakwood so much was because the school focuses on fostering one-onone relationships between teachers and students. One teacher that really changed

the way that Gardner thinks and influenced the kind of student he is is Mickey Morgan, a longtime Oakwood teacher in his 80s. Morgan was connected with OSPR and AIDS Walk LA. “I think he really embodies what a teacher should be,” said Gardner.

In the fall, Gardner will be attending UCLA. The graduate likes that UCLA has a lot of school spirit and said, “I ultimately chose UCLA because it is a large school in a large city. [That will] give me a chance to meet a bunch of (Please turn to page 7)

Ondine Corsmeier

Gavin Gardner

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Graduates

(Continued from page 6) interesting people. It also has a business economics course.” Gardner is hoping to gain a great education while learning to live and experience life on his own.

When asked how school has shaped him, Gardner said it has taught him “the importance of critical thinking and voicing my opinions.”

When asked what he’ll do this summer before heading off to UCLA, the Windsor Square resident told us that his mom’s plans for him differ from his own. “I plan on hanging out with my friends and traveling, but my mom plans that I get a job.”

Gardner is going to work on juggling those three things.

Graduate will give back before attending UCSB

Miracle Mile resident Ella Harrington will soon graduate from Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), a school she has attended since sixth grade. Harrington said that, because the pandemic hit when she was a freshman, her favorite years of high school were her junior and senior years. “It was just fun to be out in the world again,” she said. According to Harrington, having lived through attending school online made her realize how much stu-

dents had taken for granted.

Harrington describes herself as very social. One of the activities she has participated in throughout high school is Students Run Los Angeles, a nonprofit that trains kids to run the Los Angeles Marathon, which she has run three times. She is a cabinet member and historian for the student-run class, which offers counseling and support through one-on-one interactions. Harrington was trained during her junior year and currently counsels seven students.

When asked if her work as a peer counselor has influenced her future aspirations, she said, “I’ve always been characterized as the thera-

pist friend.” For a long time, Harrington wanted to go into a therapy field, but she has since realized that she wants to be a gynecologist. “I think

it’s important for there to be women gynecologists. We need doctors who are emotionally intelligent, friendly and kind — who can create an environment that will make people feel welcome. I’m also interested in how the female body works.”

The LACES senior is currently committed to UC Santa Barbara in the psychological and brain sciences on a premed track. She will be the first person in her family to attend college in the U.S. Harrington loves that UCSB is part of the UC system because of the internship opportunities it can provide. She said she also feels like it’s a school at which people “work hard, play hard.”

(Please turn to page 8)

Ella Harrington

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Graduates

(Continued from page 7)

As for next year, Harrington is applying for a deferral at UCSB because she plans to do a gap year in Israel where she will be working on a farm and teaching English to people in the neighboring communities. Born in Israel, Harrington moved to the U.S. when she was 2, and it’s important to her to do a year of service there.

The senior has received several grants, but in the short term plans to keep working at Trader Joe’s and babysitting until she leaves for her year in Israel.

Charlie Hoge is graduating from Larchmont Charter High School this year after having attended LCS schools since kindergarten. The Windsor Square resident recently attended his sister Annabella’s graduation from Georgetown College. Clearly, this is a year of change and celebration for the Hoge family.

During high school, Hoge played varsity baseball, soccer, tennis and volleyball and was named captain of both the soccer and volleyball teams.

When he’s not playing sports, the graduating senior told us he has a variety of interests, including reading comics, throwing pottery, playing video games, editing videos, building things and hanging out with friends.

With all of these myriad interests, Hoge is looking forward to college. “I’m excited to take a broad range of classes and learn about ways to be a ‘maker.’ Plus, I want the opportunity to meet lots of different people, explore clubs and activities and learn more about myself.”

Hoge is still deciding among three universities: UC Santa Barbara, the University of Oregon and the Universi-

ty of Washington. These are his top choices because they are large schools with great outdoor cultures and diverse student populations. But before the new graduate heads off to the school of his choice, Hoge will be going on a school art study trip to Europe, getting his driver’s license and “searching for summer jobs to earn some extra cash for college.”

When asked what his aspirations for the future are, Hoge said, “My number one goal in life is to be happy.” He feels like the key to that is surrounding himself with the right people and, over the next four years, learning how he can be a “maker” and combine his interests in physics, art and technology.

Though Hoge says he will miss his friends and family and is a bit nervous about whether or not he’s making the right choice, he is not fearful or nervous about the changes that are coming. “My parents taught me the importance of doing the right thing and being a good person. I’m grateful for that.” Hoge is also thankful for his teachers at LCS and his best friend Zander, who, Hoge said, “has shared more laughs with me than I can count.”

The launch and promise of Prop 28: arts in public schools

By Helene Seifer

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center was the venue for last month’s presentation on the implementation of the adopted California initiative measure to provide arts funding in public schools, known as Prop 28. The legislation earmarks a slice of the California school budget for arts and music education, and it passed with 65 percent of the vote in November 2022. Resources will begin reaching schools by the fall.

To set the stage for an arts-fueled discussion on May 22, the Orchid Quartet, an all-female string quartet, welcomed guests with classical music and the theme from the TV series “Bridgerton.”

Hancock Park resident Jason Alexander, best known for his role on “Seinfeld,” served with wit and charm as the Master of Ceremonies.

Featured participants included: Austin Beutner, Proposition 28 author and former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent; rapper will.i.am; State Superintendent of Public In-

struction Tony Thurmond; president-elect of the California Teachers Association David Goldberg; Max Arias, executive director of SEIU Local 99, the union representing teaching assistants, custodians and bus drivers, among other personnel; Rachel Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center; Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, executive director of the UC-CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning; and president and CEO of the California Community Foundation, Antonia Hernandez.

Beutner started his address with some impressive statis(Please turn to page 14)

HOST Jason Alexander.

Goal number one: happiness

Charlie Hoge

Marymount LOS ANGELE S Congratulations,Class of 2023!

We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2023 graduates who have all been accepted to a four-year collegiate program and gained admission to 155 colleges and/or universities. Please note that all institutions with one or more graduates attending are denoted in bold, and that schools with an * indicate multiple enrollees.

Arizona State University

Barnard College

Bates College

Baylor University

Boston College*

Boston University

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo*

Case Western Reserve University

Chapman University*

College of the Holy Cross

Connecticut College

Duke University

Fordham University*

George Washington University*

Georgetown University*

Hampton University

Harvey Mudd College

Howard University

Indiana University

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

King’s College

Lehigh University

Loyola Marymount University*

McGill University

New York University*

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Parsons School of Design at The New School

Purdue University

Rice University

Santa Clara University*

Santa Monica College*

Scripps College

Skidmore College

Southern Methodist University*

Spelman College

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Texas Christian University*

The University of Texas at Austin

Trinity College*

Tufts University

Tulane University*

University of California - Berkeley*

University of California - Davis

University of California - Los Angeles*

University of California - San Diego

University of California - Santa Barbara

University of California - Santa Cruz

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Georgia

University of Maryland

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Notre Dame*

University of Oregon*

University of Pittsburgh

University of Richmond

University of San Diego

University of Southern California*

University of St. Andrews

University of Virginia

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University*

Wake Forest University*

For more information on this outstanding group of young women, please scan the QR code:

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

OFF TO COLLEGE: Comedy writer’s book relays lessons learned in a college bar

By Nona Sue Friedman

While attending college at Syracuse University, Adam Lorenzo became the owner of one of the infamous bars in the college town in Upstate New York. First he just worked there. Then he found out the owner was selling it. Being the industrious guy that he is, he worked a deal, purchased the bar and continued going to school.

He spent every day at the bar. He typed his school papers, bartended, studied and slept there. He considered the bar “a cathedral of knowledge.” He found that the setting and interactions with patrons and employees taught him a lot about life. Always wanting to be a writer, he saved his thoughts and pearls of wisdom on scrap paper in a fishbowl at the bar. Perhaps it could be a book someday?

Fast-forward 20 years. Lorenzo sold his bar, spontaneously moved to the Larchmont area with his fishbowl full of miscellaneous knowledge and achieved his dream of becoming a comedy writer by working for David

Letterman, “Saturday Night Live” and “Everybody Hates Chris,” among others.

The Larchmont area gave him a sense of community he needed after moving across the country. He frequented many of the shops along the Boulevard and was a regular at the Larchmont Barber Shop (now relocated to Fairfax Avenue at Fourth Street).

As Lorenzo says, “I owe my career in sitcoms to the late barber Jerry Cottone.” Cottone had faith in Lorenzo and passed one of his scripts to another of his customers, the producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” This was Lorenzo’s break into sitcoms.

Then the pandemic hit in 2020. Lorenzo still had the fishbowl filled with kernels

of knowledge. Writing a book was his quarantine project.

The book, “All I Need To Know I Learned From My College Bar,” is the result. Much like owning the bar and becoming a writer, Lorenzo took a chance and was not afraid to fail.

At 110 pages with 100 illustrations by Antonio Giovanni Pinna, the book is chock-full of useful insights about life and how to be a good, thoughtful person and make the most out of life’s opportunities.

(Please turn to page 11)

COMEDY WRITER Adam Lorenzo displays his first book on Larchmont Boulevard.

ONE PAGE from Adam Lorenzo’s book.

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Scholarships awarded for excellence in math and engineering

The George and Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship awards were given May 16 to the 2023 award recipients by the board of directors of the Los Angeles Chapter of the international Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE).

This is the 27th year for Fairfax High School and the third time for Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) students to receive these awards.

As the education chairman of the Los Angeles Chap-

Starfest 2023 is

June 4 at Ebell

ter of SAMPE, Dr. Howard Katzman, senior scientist at The Aerospace Corporation, congratulated Paulina Chavira, a Fairfax High School senior, and Natalia Castillo, Emely Amador-Menzie and Kana DeCoste, three seniors from GALA.

Three other GALA seniors (Ella Salim, Jillian King and Carlee-Rae Deveaux) received book awards.

Councilmember Heather Hutt’s office sent each scholarship recipient a certificate of congratulations, and Evette Kim, her deputy for constituent

Adam Lorenzo

(Continued from page 10)

Starfest 2023 Student Variety Show and fundraiser is this Sun., June 4 at 1 p.m. at The Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. The show will benefit the city’s L.A.C.E.R. Afterschool Programs (Literacy, Arts, Culture, Education, Recreation). Hosted by L.A.C.E.R. co-founder Will Seymour of Windsor Village and actor Richard Montoya, the show will feature student performances and a raffle including Laker and Dodger tickets.     Visit lacerafterschool.org.

Each page has a phrase or a couple of sentences with clever illustrations, such as “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough.” It’s not a long read; it’s short, sweet and to the point and filled with insightful, witty phrases for a more purposeful life.

Lorenzo’s book was published in the spring and is available locally at Chevalier’s, Barnes & Noble and Kitson, as well as online. The cost is $14.99.

services and special programs, represented the councilmember at the ceremony.

The Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship program was initiated in 1996 shortly after the death of Irene Epstein to

recognize her strong desire to assist financially needy, academically deserving students to attend college to study engineering, science, mathematics or medicine. Last year, with the passing of

Irene’s husband (and former Larchmont Chronicle columnist), George, SAMPE voted to change the name of the scholarship to the George and Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship.

Councilmember Heather Hutt; Sheyla (Emely Amador-Menzie’s mother) and Vanessa Arredondo, SAMPE board member, student chapter liaison.

SAMPE SCHOLARSHIP Committee member Sue Epstein, top left; Alma Saiya, Los Angeles SAMPE board president; Ryoko (Kana DeCoste’s mother), Dr. Howard Katzman; GALA students: Emely Amador-Menzie, Natalia Castillo and Kana DeCoste; Alan Hiken, SAMPE board member; Paulina Chavira, Fairfax High; Evette Kim, deputy for Constituent Services and Special Programs for

GRADUATES OF 2023

Traveling students discover Japan's strong sense of community

By Kellyn Lanza

In April, I was fortunate to be among 81 Immaculate Heart High School students and 13 adult chaperones touring in two groups throughout Japan. It was the trip of a lifetime. Over the course of a week, I made many new memories as we explored a new country and culture.

After a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles, we landed in Tokyo and spent three days exploring Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, parks and shopping districts, and, of course, enjoying delicious food! From Tokyo, we traveled to the mountainous area of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu region, stopping in Kamakura and Enoshima on the way. In Kamakura, we saw the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Buddhist temple Kōtokuin, home to an 11.4-meter-tall Buddha statue.

That night, my tour group stayed in the New Hakkeien resort in Hakone, where students and chaperones donned casual kimonos called yukatas for a traditional hot pot meal of meat and vegetables. We entertained each other with karaoke and lounged in the hot springs, also known as

onsens. The next day, we visited the area’s volcanic region, where we took a boat ride on Lake Ashi, explored Owakudani and rode a cable car to Mount Komagatake.

That afternoon, we experienced the bullet train as we traveled to the ancient city of Kyoto. The next day featured a full day of exploring, including a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Next, we went to the beautiful historic landmark known as the Golden Pavilion and later toured Nijō Castle.

On our last full day, we explored Nara and the Kasu-

ga-tashi shrine, where we fed friendly deer that have lived in the area for generations. For our final evening, we traveled to Osaka and spent time exploring Dotonbori Canal Street. Japan is one of the most peaceful, clean and safe countries I have ever visited. For example, we witnessed many children walking alone or with other youngsters. From (Please turn to page 19)

Fairfax High School

JUNIOR AVA BLUE VEITH inhales the scent of cherry blossoms.

Photo by Callie Webb

Congratulates its 2023 Graduates as they prepare to enter the Colleges and Universities of their choice.

Best wishes to our students as they embark on their next journey. Fairfax High Lions are academically and culturally prepared for lifelong learning experiences, leadership opportunities, and careers in a changing multicultural world. Their journey will now begin!

IN HAKONE, (left to right) Kellyn Lanza, Camila Deras and Gaby Rubalcava enjoying a traditional hot pot meal.

Photo by Callie Webb

Right: IMMACULATE HEART High School students and their chaperones visiting the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

Photo by Kevin Turcotte

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

GALA team wins top prize at Get Lit’s Classic Poetry Slam

By Casey Russell

Get Lit’s 12th annual Classic Slam recently took place and, for the third year in a row, the middle school team from Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) took home their age group’s top prize. They competed at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

GALA’s high school team also excelled at the event, which was attended by hundreds of Southern California’s young student poets. The team was one of four that made it to the high school finals, which took place at the Theatre at Ace Hotel.

The competition is the largest Classic Poetry Slam in the world. Participants recite poems from Get Lit’s yearly anthology. Each participant also writes an original poem that responds to what he or she recited. The two pieces are performed live at the competition, and students are judged on the quality of their writing and performance.

Rachel Knopfler, a teacher at GALA, founded the poetry teams four years ago and brought the Get Lit curriculum to her English classes. She credits Liz Hicks, GALA’s

principal, for agreeing to offer a Slam Poetry elective. “I think implementing the curriculum into our classes helped us win. I also think the fact that we are an all-girls school helps the girls feel safe and empowered to use their voices.” Slam poetry can touch on vulnerable topics.

Knopfler said the teams met at lunch to be coached. Though they swapped groups periodically, Knopfler worked mainly with GALA’s high

(Please turn to page 19)

GALA moving to new campus in 2024

The Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) has been granted its own campus. No more co-locating on the Los Angeles High School campus at West Boulevard south of Olympic Boulevard.

In the fall of 2024, the single-sex school will take over surplus Los Angeles Unified School District facilities at 2328 St. James Pl. near USC

and next to Mount St. Mary’s University (MSMU) Doheny campus.

GALA is very excited to have its own campus, as stated in a YouTube video about the move. An inside source revealed that the school leaders believe this move will enable the school to reach its full potential.

They are also looking for-

ward to being neighbors with MSMU, a women’s college with which they already have a relationship. Their new home has lots of classrooms, office and counseling space, a large multi-purpose room with a stage and a big field. GALA plans to move there in time for the start of the 2024 –2025 school year.

WINNING TEAM (left to right) Raquel Luna (11th grade, coach), Jay Montes, Ella Small, Ferris Young, Teddy Wachs, Isabella Suarez and Zoe O’Brien.

HIGH SCHOOL team on stage at The Ace Theater before the finals. Left to right: Katie Gomez, Maya Henry, Sierra Leone Anderson, Estie Kung and Ollie Mitchell.

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Charter School Collaborative created during COVID-19

By Helene Seifer

In at least one case, positive strides came out of our years of COVID-19 isolation: the forming of the Los Angeles Public Charter School Collaborative (LAPCSC), an informal information-sharing group that has already helped best practices in education flourish.

“It is an unexpected silver lining of the horror of COVID that this group came together,” says Amy Held, executive director of Larchmont Charter School.

The Collaborative was founded mid-March 2020, right when the pandemic was beginning to hit and educators were struggling to understand what was expected of schools. Five or so charter school executive directors, including Held, jumped on a Zoom call to compare notes. The conversation was so helpful they decided to Zoom-meet every Wednesday morning. Now, three years later, executives from 31 charter schools regularly participate in the weekly video calls, including the three Larchmont Charter Schools. Held explains that there is no leader and no agenda for

the calls. During the pandemic, school executive directors would bring up such topics as “Do you understand the latest health guidelines?” or “What are you hearing from parents?”

Their conversations led to direct actions, including one that changed how Larchmont Charter communicated with parents. “Larchmont would send out a weekly eblast,” notes Held, but she kept hearing about something called Parents Square, a platform that stores all announcements and letters and that links to the school calendar and parent directory. Larchmont Charter switched. Held emphasizes, “I’m a big believer in the wisdom of crowds.”

Other programs discussed and adopted by many are i-Ready Diagnostic, to assess the need for student interventions in various subjects, and Care Solace, a concierge service to help connect students, families and staff to mental health services.

A newer initiative created by the group is a program to send teachers and school leaders to visit other excellent schools, including private schools, to directly observe

ideas in action. Held says that the reason that the LAPCSC is successful is that charter schools are in a unique position to implement changes since they have their own school boards and are smaller than LAUSD-run schools. Held explains, “As small schools, a part of our

Prop 28

(Continued from page 8) tics, noting that “Barely one in five public schools in California currently has full-time arts teachers.” Passage of Proposition 28 is expected to generate close to $1 billion, which would make it “the largest investment in arts education in the history of the country,” creating an additional “15,000 good-paying arts jobs.”

A highlight of the afternoon was the personal story of rapper will.i.am. In an interview with Beutner, the performer talked about growing up in the projects in Boyle Heights. He traveled to a magnet school in Pacific Palisades, where he began playing beats on the lunchroom tables.

“Music changed my life,” he explained. “Even though I was poor, my currency was my

secret sauce, our super power, is our ability to be nimble. We really know our students and our families.” Held tells a story about being able to think out of the box to help a particular student. “We had a student who was really struggling. He had a lot of behavior issues. We hired an alum [who had

also felt the pull of gangs] to provide one-on-one support. The alum called the student every day and drove him to school.” With that help, that student graduated. Information about the Los Angeles Public Charter School Collaborative is at www.lapubliccharters.org.

creativity. I could cash it in for social currency.”

That concept that the arts bring confidence and belonging to young people was a common thread throughout the event. Beutner moderated the first panel, which addressed, “the promise of

Prop 28,” and all the panelists mentioned the importance of the arts when they were young, including Tony Thurmond, who said, “I grew up on food stamps and government cheese. School was everything. Music helped me find my voice.”

PANELISTS (left to right) Max Arias, executive director SEIU local 99; David Goldberg, president-elect of California Teachers Association; Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction; and Austin Beutner, Proposition 28 author and former Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent.

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

Nurses and patients benefit when we all step up to help

By Suzan Filipek

Elected leaders and community members vocally applauded nurses during the pandemic. Groups sang their praises from outdoor balconies. Others made handmade cards thanking them for their care.

While those were touching tributes, the nursing workforce was already burnt out before COVID-19 hit.

Once the pandemic struck and the hospitals were full and beds were scarce, the level of stress rose, which only increased an exodus among the nursing workforce which continues to this day.

Longtime Larchmont commercial property owner Ronald Simms and his wife, Victoria Mann Simms, hope to stem that exodus, and they hope others will join the effort to make a sea change in health care.

“It behooves all of us to do something. We’re all going to need [nurses] sometime,” said Victoria, co-founder and president of the Simms / Mann Institute & Foundation.

Ronald Simms is founding donor and vice president of the foundation, which recently honored 30 nurses with

a no-strings gift of $10,000 each as part of the “Off the Chart: Rewarding Nursing Greatness” project.

“I think nursing is a science, but it’s also an art. Nurses really have great knowledge and understand science… and they are compassionate,” Mann Simms told us last month on Zoom.

“[People] are not seeing the depth and breadth of what [nurses] do. Now we’re in a national and global crisis… [Nurses] are leaving, retiring and burning out. Our health and safety depends on nurses,” said Rachel Barchie, executive director of the foundation and a Ridgewood-Wilton resident.

“People lack understanding of nurses. They are experts in

hematology, pediatric care, in ICU. They are scientists,” she added.

Off the Chart is a threeyear, $2-million campaign that aims to shine a light on the nursing profession and is an urgent call to action as more than a third of nurses are considering leaving the profession and only 20 percent report feeling valued. (According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the pandemic, and by 2027, almost 900,000, or almost one-fifth of 4.5 million total registered nurses, intend to leave the workforce.)

Recognition

Award recipients come from

City of Hope, UCLA Health and Keck Medicine of USC and were chosen for their leadership skills, ingenuity and expertise in caring for others. The awards program is modeled after the MacArthur Foundation — applications are not accepted, nominations are anonymous and a strict review process is followed.

“It was a big surprise to all the nurses. It wasn’t something any of them expected,” Barchie said.

The gift can be used for self-care, such as a vacation. One nurse plans to fix her old car, while another will pay for childcare, said Simms.

Lisa Johnson, a nurse of 25 years, will probably add the $10,000 to her savings, for now.

Johnson had planned to be a doctor but switched to nursing when she realized she would spend more time with patients. “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Johnson said.

Receiving the gift was “so extraordinary. It makes you stop dead in your tracks that someone could go so far beyond the norm and provide you with this recognition. I still am in awe,” said John-

son, executive administrator of quality, patient safety and outcomes management at Keck Hospital of USC. She established a groundbreaking approach to mortality review which lessens medical errors and patient harm.

Mann Simms, who is on the board of several hospitals, was inspired to take action to address the plight of nurses last year during National Nurses Week. (The week ends annually on May 12 — Florence Nightingale’s birthday.)

Simms, a psychologist and child development specialist, said she already was alarmed by the level of stress she saw during the pandemic. Her interest in the nursing field was sparked 20 years earlier when she saw firsthand the benefits of integrative care of mind, body and spirit alongside medical treatments — a program that her father (Ted Mann of the Mann Theatres chain) received during treatment for lymphoma at the end of his life.

Three-year program

Going forward, following last month’s awards event held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing (Please turn to page 19)

Rachel Barchie Executive Director

Victoria Mann Simms Co-founder, President

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

CAMPBELL HALL Claire “Cal” Lesher

10th Grade

As the school year draws to a close, CH is jampacked with lots of fun events. The Junior Curators have an open reception of the Senior Show and The Arts Festival Exhibition. The festival will display paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics, sculptures, films and animations made by 7th through 12th graders in the biggest exhibition of the year.

Our annual CH Community Sunday — Shine Your Light will bring the CH community together for a day of service and outreach. We will bring in donations and raise money for places such as Hillsides, Hands for Haiti and St. Anne’s Family service.

The Secondary Spring Music Concert Series is in full swing! It includes the Spring Sing Choral, Evening of Jazz and Popular Music. Orchestra concerts will be held throughout rest of the school year. The CH annual Dance Company Spring Concert, featuring dancers in grades 5-12, will also soon take place.

Lastly, we wish the class of 2023 the best. May you all have a summer of adventures! See you in the fall.

CATHEDRAL CHAPEL

By Olivia Sherman

6th Grade

We began our month with Teacher Appreciation week and ended it with Spirit Week. On Spirit Day, students participated in relay races and class competitions. Our kindergarteners and 1st graders read at our Spirit Week Mass.

We have had a successful sports season. Our softball team made the playoffs. They were undefeated in league play! Our A, B and C track teams placed in regionals, as well.

We had our inaugural Spring Fling / Art Show and Silent Auction in May. It was a really cool even. We displayed student art and host an outdoor dinner.

Student Council elections will take place in June and we will bid farewell to our 8th graders on June 9. We will also honor and celebrate our principal, Miss Tina K. Kipp. She is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service to our school. There will be a 12 p.m. Mass on June 11, followed by a reception in the school auditorium.

THE CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION Eloise Cotteleer 5th Grade

In May, 5th grade students present their Fifthsonian projects to the entire school. Fifthsonian gets its name from the Smithsonian. The purpose of Fifthso is to create a museum where people can learn about important events and figures of the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to doing a research paper on the subject they select, students have to create an artifact that is connected to their topic for the museum.

For my Fifthso project I chose to explore Pop Art. My artifact was a replica of one of Roy Lichtenstein’s most famous pieces of work. It was a collage of the word ‘Pop!’ done in his iconic comic book style.

It was fun to explore what everyone researched and to see the artifacts they made. There was everything from a detailed diorama depicting D-day to a replica of the Titanic. Fifthso projects are the culmination of many different learning experiences we have had throughout the year, and based on the museum the fifth grade class created, it’s been a very busy and productive year!

CHRIST THE KING Joshua Lo 8th Grade

The month of May began with the 8th grade retreat to Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center. The class of 2023 learned more about God, and took steps toward becoming more devout followers. Shortly after, the whole school participated in the annual May Procession.

The Fun Run in May was a chance for students to raise money for the school while running as many laps as they could. And, families and friends had a fun afternoon at the school’s Hoe Down on May 13. All students performed dances to country and western music and then everyone enjoyed a delicious barbeque dinner. Our school was entertained again at the end of May when our drama club performed “Beauty and the Beast.”

Members of the class of 2023 are looking forward to their graduation and will be celebrating at Disneyland.

A sports night will soon be held to reward students who performed well in sports throughout the year and council elections are swiftly approaching.

E.S.L.A Isabel Viola 12th Grade

As the days begin to warm and the dampness of rain retreats, we find ourselves needing to shed a few items of clothing from our winter wardrobes. For this reason, and because of the environmental injustice caused by fabric waste, ESLA’s Environmental Club decided to host a Clothing Swap.

The very first of its kind, the swap was such an enormous success that another is already planned. Students and staff throughout the community participated in the event.

This week, ESLA is proud to present the playwriting elective’s stories during the Play Festival. Screenplays and directorial guidelines written by students will be showcased to community members and their families.

Following these exciting performances is ESLA’s art fair, CoachESLA. This annual event is a chance for family and friends to celebrate the art that students have worked all year to create. Music performances and visual arts from both middle and upper school students will be on display, and we cannot wait to see everyone’s artistic side!

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE Miles Hoffman 6th Grade

My class and I got to have our ditch day at the end of May.

We missed school for a day to go bowling, play games at Dave and Busters and try to get out of an escape room.

We even rode in a limousine! Talk about a way to end a year! Am I right?

During this final month of school, we have a lot on our minds.

Many of us have been at Hollywood Schoolhouse most of our lives. I personally have attended Hollywood Schoolhouse for nine years!

Now, we’re getting ready to graduate. We’re sad to leave, but are all also excited for our secondary school experiences. We feel ready and prepared to embark on this new journey.

Speaking of journeys, we recently got to go on a walking field trip to Congregation Kol Ami Synagogue on La Brea Avenue.

It was amazing for me to learn about some of the customs, traditions and to even see artifacts at the site.

IMMACULATE HEART Kellyn Lanza 12th Grade

Happy Summer Break from Immaculate Heart! After a month filled with sports playoffs, art shows, testing and more, Immaculate Heart High School concluded the 2022-23 school year on May 26 with Class Day. After four days of our Cumulative Assessment Period, we gathered in the auditorium to commemorate the year and say our goodbyes to the seniors and many beloved teachers.

In the evening on Class Day, the Class of 2023 gathered together for the Baccalaureate Mass, a final event on the Immaculate Heart campus. On May 30, I was among the 115 seniors who received diplomas on the Hollywood Bowl stage before friends and family. It was an unforgettable evening.

While I will be moving on to the next chapter of my life at Northeastern University, I am grateful to have been the voice of my school for the Larchmont community these past two years.

I will always miss Immaculate Heart, but I am eager to see what the future holds.

LARCHMONT CHARTER Yena Rhee and Alastair Ayandele 4th Grade

will be a fun and full month! Have a nice summer, and we look forward to reading reports from next year’s student reporters!

NEW COVENANT ACADEMY Sue Jung Park 10th Grade

THE OAKS Amelia Goldberg 6th Grade

With summer near, this article will be our last! We’re about to become 5th graders, and we’ll tell you about the traditions taking place this month.

First, 4th graders will vote on songs to perform during Morning Sing. June 9 we will have a special sashing ceremony. Third graders present each 4th grader with a personalized sash. A special fabric mural, created by the 4th graders, along with our garden and art teachers, will be displayed at the ceremony and later, at the new school site on Wilshire.

Later this same day is the Step Up Ceremony. Each class sings a song and each teacher gives a speech. Then we celebrate together by eating popsicles and playing on the Hollygrove field one last time during a family picnic.

Another highly anticipated event is field day on June 12. Students get to compete in athletic contests for prizes.

With all that’s happening, June

As the season of summer is rolling around, it’s time to put on sunscreen and have fun under the sun! To kick off summer, the eight-week summer enrichment program was offered to all students at New Covenant Academy.

Kinder through 7th graders were able to review what they have learned the last year and get a preview of what to expect for their upcoming school year. In addition, various electives were provided so they could learn more about their interests.

Students in 8th through 12th grades were offered UC Scout Courses to take over the summer! UC Scout Courses are online UC-approved courses that allow students to earn college credit and a boost in their GPA. More summer fun awaits we huskies, and I hope you are excited to see what NCA’s next chapter holds as much as I am!

This time of year, as we near the start of the summer season, at The Oaks it is always buzzing.

When we recently returned from our allschool campout, students started practicing for the circus, another enormous Oaks tradition. With the 1st and 2nd graders using pogo sticks, 3rd to 6th graders are performing on unicycles and even a diablo (a juggling or circus prop with circling discs and balanced on sticks).

The circus has many acts.

This year, I am doing one of the most terrifying acts, the fivefoot unicycle.

To do the five-footers, you have to first ride forwards across the gym and then backwards. A 5-foot unicycle is obviously five feet tall. But, in reality, our feet are only three feet above the ground and our heads are about eight feet above the ground. At the circus, every student has an opportunity to display the skills they’ve been learning for two months.

This is my last year and everyone in my class is determined to do their best.

THE GRADUATES OF 2023

OAKWOOD Scarlett Saldaña 12th Grade

With three minutes left on the clock until 3:30 p.m., seniors slowly started trickling into the center of campus, the Old Senior Lot. We rushed to form a circle. As the circle connected, I started to tear up even more.

Since the start of my academic career, I’ve built long-lasting bonds with my classmates, and having continued to do this through high school has made it even harder to leave. Even though we’d see each other the next day at prom, it still felt bittersweet knowing we wouldn’t be in the same classes again.

“Three… two… one!” Seniors bolted toward the center of the circle, initiating a tight hug for the Class of 2023. As I embraced my classmates, I couldn’t help but think about how much we’ve all changed. From rambunctious kids to teenagers preparing for their next step in life, Oakwood has been supportive through our journey. Without my academic opportunities, I would not be the person I am today, and I have St. Brendan and Oakwood to thank for my growth into a more confident, mature person.

PAGE ACADEMY Isabella Argiropoulos 7th Grade

May went by pretty quickly!

We started off the month with Teacher Appreciation Week during which we celebrated our amazing teachers and all that they do for us.

On May 12, we had our amazing Spring Show, called “Dancing Through the Decades.” Our students gave spectacular musical dance performances in front of a huge crowd of family, friends and faculty! The show was followed by a special Mother’s Day barbeque.

The week of May 15 was Page Spirit Week. Students dressed up for the themed days.

The last day of our school year is June 9 with the junior kindergarten and kindergarten graduation ceremony on June 13, and the remaining grades graduation ceremony on June 14. Page Summer Camp will start on June 19.

I want to thank all of you for reading my column this year. I have enjoyed sharing the events of the Page Academy school year with you! Happy early Father’s Day and I hope you all have a fantastic summer!

PILGRIM SCHOOL Allison Pak 9th Grade

The last months of school are the busiest and richest months at Pilgrim. We had the school musical, “Matilda,” the dance show, the sports banquet and Arts Fest (our film, visual arts and performing arts festival).

The boys’ varsity volleyball team won the Omega League Championship and made it to the California Interscholastic Federation semi-quarter finals. Way to go Panthers! It’s been a great sports season at Pilgrim.

Pilgrim School celebrated Asian Heritage Month on May 12, with an event on Festival Plaza. People set up food with tasting stands of ramen and fried rice. We had dragons and martial arts at the beginning of the month, too! Pilgrim School has been invited to the Consulate of China to celebrate Asian Heritage Month and we are honored and excited.

Seniors and juniors also had their Prom. It was held in downtown Los Angeles and was a blast! The seniors are graduating on June 5 and we can’t wait to celebrate them!

ST. BRENDAN Jack Byrne 8th Grade

St. Brendan had a great month with lots of events. On May 17, we celebrated Nick’s Favorite Lunch.

Continuing the spirit of giving back that former SBS student Nick Fagnano exemplified, students paid a small fee to eat a delicious lunch made by Jay Fagnano, Nick’s father.

The money raised was donated to the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to encouraging young people to discover their character strengths and the joy of service.

The next event at St. Brendan is the Mini Carnival. At the Mini Carnival, 8th graders host games for the whole school. It’s so fun!

The 8th grade will finish the year with the Baccalaureate Mass. Graduates will be blessed, and afterwards we will enjoy a luncheon. St. Brendan will hold the 8th grade graduation on June 2.

We will prepare to leave St. Brendan School and take everything we have learned with us to high school.

ST. JAMES’ Evan Listi 6th Grade

One of June’s most exciting events is the 6th Grade Commencement Ceremony. This year it will take place on June 13 in the beautiful St. James’ Church, with a graduation dinner to follow at the Wilshire Country Club.

There are many meaningful events leading up to graduation. One of my absolute favorite traditions is the Letter Ceremony. Teachers selected by students for their positive impact present their personalized letters to 6th graders.

Another event is the Graduation Parade. I am looking forward to this, as I remember being younger and watching the 6th graders wave goodbye. Other events include: the Candlelight Chapel, Huzzah, at the Head of School’s house, and the Gratitude Breakfast. They are all so special.

Though this is a bittersweet time for 6th graders, we are all looking forward to our middle school adventures. Thank you so much for reading my articles this year.  I hope you all have a great summer!

Aadyn Chan-Lopez

Kaden Choi

William Choi

Nikcolas Delos Reyes

Pablo Espinoza

Mark Francis

Roberto Gonzales

Alexa Hernandez

Keisha Hicban

Ashley In Rhian Kim

William Kim

Chloe Lee

Samantha Lira

Joshua Lo

Dimitri Paredes

Adrian Peraza

Isabelle Rosales

Uriel Tellez

Jacob Uy

Matthew Valencia

Ryder Williams

Max Yaghoubian

WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2023

THIRD STREET Nikka Gueler 5th Grade

May was a busy month at Third Street. We had lots of preparations for graduation, which takes place on June 9, and also for Third Street’s Got Talent, on June 2, which shows off our students’ many skills. I will be doing a ventriloquism skit with my puppet Gertrude. Fifth-grade students also had a special dance party at the beautiful Carondelet House, close to downtown Los Angeles.

Our school’s garden received a generous $5,000 donation from Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products as part of its “Lots of Compassion” initiative, calling on people to use the power of the garden to inspire change.

I’m sad to say this is my last writing assignment for Third Street Elementary. Writing for The Larchmont Chronicle has been a great experience, and I would like to thank everyone who helped me along the way, with a special thanks to Laurie Brown (Ren’s grandmother who volunteered her time,) and Principal Helen Lee. On behalf of my co-reporter Ren Stoppani Brown and myself, best wishes to everyone.

THE WILLOWS Simone Meltzer 8th Grade

The annual Willows “Party on The Pier,” which is one of the most anticipated nights of the school year, took place recently. Our school took over the Santa Monica Pier, and it was packed with staff, students and other members of The Willows community.

Our incredible DJ Lumpee Li, who is a member of the Willows tech support team, provided the music for the night. We all got to enjoy a popular ride dubbed “the dragon ride,” which had recently been taken out, repaired and replaced.

Willows kids are sure to treasure the memories of nights spent running around with friends, going on rides and eating junk food. Even though we 8th graders will be graduating this year, most likely this will not be our last Pier Party, as many of us plan to return as alumni.

In addition to teachers, staff, and kids, Willows alumni and former students are also invited. It’s always a great way to reconnect with old friends. The Pier Party never disappoints.

Japan trip

(Continued from page 12) my experience growing up in Los Angeles, most people do not feel comfortable walking alone until high school or later.

Every town also had hundreds of vending machines and shops with special treats like matcha floats, glazed strawberries, frozen grapes and candies. For our meals, we enjoyed sushi, ramen, hot pot and more!

Coming from the car-oriented city of Los Angeles, it was interesting to witness

GALA

(Continued from page 13)

school team while 11th grader, Raquel Luna, coached the middle school girls.

“Raquel has been an amazing mentor to them. She helped coach them through the whole process and made them feel so safe,” Knopfler said.

The teacher told us that, when the slam poetry comopetition was over, the girls were feeling ecstatic and proud of their performance.

“They really came together and it was beautiful to see,” Knopfler added.

Cathedral Chapel School

2023 AJHD 1st Place L.A. Archdiocese & 3rd Place NCEA National Champions

hundreds of people taking the subway, biking and walking. In a way, these modes of transportation highlighted the community of Japan because people were constantly together, even when traveling.

Japan is also home to innovative technologies including trains that go 200 miles per hour and vending machines with actual meals. Accompanying my tour group was our friendly and informative tour director, Tomo-san, who was also joined by three other local daily guides, each of whom spent a day showing us

Nurses

(Continued from page 15)

Arts in Beverly Hills, the program aims to add two more hospitals to the program for a total of five, granting $10,000 to 10 nurses at each site in each of the next two years.

The underlying hope is that other foundations, philanthropists and individuals will step up and work on similar nurse recognition programs with their own hospitals and organizations.

“We think everybody can do their part. We’re trying to raise awareness,” Mann Simms continued. “We’re

their favorite sites and telling us about Japan’s history. Everyone we met was passionate about the country and excited to share its beauty and culture with us.

While I have enjoyed my experience growing up in Los Angeles, visiting Japan showed me how much peace, cleanliness, safety and community my city lacks. I hope that one day Los Angeles, and the rest of the U.S., will have a peaceful, clean and safe environment that heightens our own sense of community.

Senior Kellyn Lanza graduated May 30.

trying to broaden the understanding.”

She hopes the protocols and guidelines developed this past year can help others get started on their own paths.

The foundation, founded in 1984, has also developed the Simms Mann — UCLA Center for Integrated Oncology and other programs.

This most recent project has been uplifting, especially coming out of a pandemic. “It has been such a joyful experince for all of us,” Mann Simms said.

To learn more, visit offthechart.simmsmannfoundation.org.

Gregory Baumann St. Monica High School

Sabrina Castaneda Bishop Conaty High School

Katherine Choi Notre Dame High School

McKenzie Craig-Young Immaculate Heart High School

Jonathan Cruz St. Monica High School

Ryan Deloach Loyola High School

Isabella Diaz Bravo Medical Magnet

Isabella Donayre Immaculate Heart High School

John Gary St. Monica High School

Evan Gauguin Fores St. Monica High School

Eva Griswold Providence High School

Oyikien Iniya-Jacobs Loyola High School, New York

Drew Jacob Palos Verdes High School

Adrienne Jopanda Immaculate Heart High School

Nicolas Kyles Loyola High School

Aden Lee Los Angeles High School

Caden Lee Loyola High School

Joseph Lim Cathedral High School

Sophia Pagliari Immaculate Heart High School

James Park Loyola High School

Tiago Perez Loyola High School

Vironich Reyes Immaculate Heart High School

Jaslyn Sigaran Bishop Conaty High School