SCHOOLS

Alumni return to stage a musical July 29 – Aug. 1

The theatrical production “Caroline, or Change,” which was shut down by the pandemic in March 2020, will get its moment on the Immaculate Heart stage thanks to efforts by the school’s alumni.

Former students from the last 10 years will join members of the original cast to tell the story of Caroline Thibodeaux, a Black maid whose world in 1963 Louisiana ripples with change.

“The cast felt very connected to Caroline’s struggle,” said drama teacher Heather Chesley. “We kept thinking we would reopen in two weeks, two months, and we could share this very important story. Now, our cast and alumni will return to present this story that ignites discussion and empathy.”

Recent alumna Khafira Freeman, Class of 2020, who is now a student at New York University, will return to the stage as Caroline, the role she prepared to play before the original production was cancelled.

The show runs from Thurs., July 29 to August 1. Visit immaculateheart.org.

Loyola High School of Los Angeles has tapped Damaine M. Powell to helm its varsity basketball program.

Coach Powell comes from St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, where he was the head coach for the past seven years. “I’m very excited to join one of the best academic institutions in the state of California,” said Coach Powell. “I’m looking forward to joining an elite team of administrators to continue the excellent tradition of boys’ basketball at Loyola.”

At St. Paul’s, his team twice had the best record in school history and clinched the conference championship four times. His 26 years of coaching experience include serving as the coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills for 10 years, winning the conference championship three times, coach at Compton College, winning two state championships, and as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California for three years, helping to lead them to the NCAA tournament.

In addition to his coaching experience, Coach Powell is an educator, who has taught history and algebra in the past; he will teach Algebra 2 at Loyola.

“The many championships he and his teams have won throughout his career speak for themselves,” said Loyola Athletic Director Chris O’Donnell.

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DAMAINE POWELL

OAKWOOD SCHOOL

By Scarlett Saldaña 10th Grade

As the Oakwood Summer Programs come to an end, orientations will come around to help students prepare for the beginning of their classes on Aug. 31. Since the end of last school year, the administration began to plan for a safe return back to inperson learning, in preparation for this fall. With this in mind, Oakwood hopes to bring both elementary and secondary students back to campus to attend in-person classes, clubs, and even school-wide events, as long as the current COVID situation continues to improve. Including this, Oakwood plans to bring back the 7th, 9th, and 11th grade camping trips. Normally, the 7th graders go to the Kings Canyon National Park, the 9th graders head to Kennedy Meadows, and the 11th graders visit the Russian River. However, to allow the seniors to make up for their missed junior trip, these excursions will be pushed back a few months into the first semester, instead of occurring at the beginning of the school year. Along with these planned trips, there is also the exciting new addition of the Oakwood Kitchen, which was first proposed almost two years ago. Now, despite its past construction delays due to the pandemic, the kitchen will soon be ready to serve students fresh, healthy, and delicious meals. With all of this positive change coming our way, I am incredibly excited to begin my junior year, and I look forward to seeing more positive developments as the months go by. NEW COVENANT

ACADEMY By Dale Lee 10th Grade

We are halfway through summer school and it’s been full of vivacity and excitement. Students enjoyed many different clubs and gardening class has been a student favorite. Huskies have been planting and cultivating vegetables and appreciating firsthand the fruits of harvesting. Maybe they’ll even learn to cook with these fresh ingredients! As we enter the second month of the summer course, students will have the opportunity to change the electives of their choice. Maybe our outstanding chess players can learn how to play soccer or (Please turn to page 11)

Have a Happy Summer!

Neville Anderson, MD, FAAP Amaka Priest, MD Courtney Mannino, MD, FAAP Board-Certified Pediatricians

• We care for children 0-21 years old • Most PPO Insurance plans accepted • Complimentary “meet the doctor” appointments available

Back to School Edition

Publishes Thursday, September 2 Call Pam Rudy to reserve your space by Monday, August 16 Monday, August 16

By Suzan Filipek Dinah Yorkin often strolled to her neighborhood bookshop, Chevalier’s, to buy books and get recommendations for new ones. So, when the Hancock Park student was granted anything she wanted through Make-AWish Greater Los Angeles, she chose to help out her favorite bookstore. And she wanted to buy books for local students who could use them. “My wish had multiple layers,” Dinah, 14, said last month. The bookstore was struggling during the pandemic, she explained. “I really wanted to support them, but I also wanted to support children in public schools because they really needed it.”

Challenged since age 4 Dinah, who has been hospitalized and on medication since she was diagnosed at four with kidney disease, was featured along with her father, David Yorkin, on KTLA 5 News June 16. Recipients of Make-A-Wish usually ask to experience a memorable experience, “and you turned it to help so many more,” the on-air newscaster said to Dinah. As part of her wish, she selected books from Chevalier’s for each grade level at Hollywood Elementary. In addition, Make-A-Wish gave a check for $3,500 to the school to buy more books to fi ll empty shelves at its library. When the pandemic started, the elementary school sent students home with library books not expecting the pandemic to last as long as it has. “Now the library needs a lot more books. Getting this check, they were able to get more books,” Dinah explained. “It’s so rare, and so wonderful, when a child gives their wish away. She’s so wise for her years,” said Jaya Vadlamudi, vice president, marketing and communications for Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles.

At Marlborough The experience “was all really, really incredible,” said Dinah, who will be a ninth grader this fall at Marlborough. Receiving many thank-yous from the students at Hollywood Elementary at a book-

WISH RECIPIENT Dinah Yorkin (far right) with mom Alix, Dinah’s twin sister Dolores and dad David. Dinah gave books to all the students at Hollywood Elementary School.

giving ceremony at the school was the best part. “It was so sweet, and they were all so nice and so grateful,” said Dinah. At a luncheon following the event, Make-A-Wish members each gave Dinah a copy of his or her favorite book to read. “So, I got 11 books that I really love, and I am now making my way through them.” When the effort started, her father added, “It was all-hands on-deck because [Make-AWish] wanted to make sure it happened before the end of the school term. “They couldn’t have been more responsive. It was a wonderful experience for our whole family,” David Yorkin added. Chevalier’s Books Chevalier’s was also pleasantly surprised. “It was wonderfully unexpected for Dinah to use her wish in that way to benefi t not just us, but an entire elementary school full of kids,” said Chevalier’s manager Katie Orphan. Book sales dropped during the pandemic, and the bookshop was forced to leave its longtime site, but it quickly found another spot across the Boulevard. “There’s been this nice confl uence of events,” said Orphan. The neighborhood continued to support the store during the pandemic, and readers now are returning in person. “Lots of folks are coming to the Boulevard to browse books again for the fi rst time in a year … and we’re having these great restaurants as neighbors” bringing in many fi rst-time customers. Dinah is doing much better these days, thanks to a new medication, and she’s visited the new bookshop numerous times since it opened earlier this year. She especially likes the wood fl oors at the new bookstore. “It feels so welcome and opening.” Visit wish.org/la to donate and learn more about MakeA-Wish Greater Los Angeles, which grants wishes for children with a critical illness.

LarchmontVillage

New Covenant

(Continued from page 10) even ping-pong. Our high school students have been working vigorously on their college courses, but have also had their chance to join in on the fun. They can help coordinate and teach our younger Huskies in different clubs or get some exercise by utilizing our school gym.