Class of 2021: Senior Strong

Mater Dei’s has a unique tradition in naming the class valedictorian and salutatorian. Seniors with a 4.0 cumulative GPA are invited to submit a speech for review to a special selection committee comprised of various campus administrators.

Selections are revealed as the final award at Senior Awards Night. Due to current gathering guidelines, the Classes of 2020 and 2021 have made Mater Dei history with not only having multiple ceremonies on campus, but also multiple class speakers.

From left: Kailia Utley, Isabelle Tran, Tiffany Le, and Owen Logan.

TIFFANY LE - VALEDICTORIAN 9 A.M. CEREMONY Speech theme: How photos tell our class story First reaction to big news: “Say what?!” Staying strong: Parents, best friends, confirmation program, and inner motivation to make the yearbook special kept me strong. What I learned about myself in COVID: “I realized I’m not an introvert and I got to explore being more creative while trying to be adaptable.” College and Life Plans: Chapman University Fowler School of Engineering - Majoring in Data Science/ Analytics Influential Person: Mrs. Sueiras, Crown Yearbook Advisor - “She encouraged me and really made yearbook room a home and a safe place for me.” Favorite Part of MD: “The opportunities you have here no matter where you come from.”

OWEN LOGAN - SALUTATORIAN 9 A.M. CEREMONY Why I chose MD: The generous financial support I was granted. Service Hours: 1061 Elementary School: St. Barbara, Santa Ana Parish: St. Columban, Garden Grove

Speech theme: Storytelling with inspiration from great movies First reaction to big news: Humbled Staying strong: Keeping an open mind. “As much as we were restricted, we had a lot of new opportunities inside and outside of school.” What I learned about myself in COVID: “Being at school builds your character - the interactions and relationships.” College and Life Plans: Boston University - Majoring in Film Influential Person: Mr. Andy Roberts, Film and Media Arts Teacher - “He so much more than a film teacher and teaches life lessons and character building moments. Favorite Part of MD: “The idea that you can be a scholar, an artist, and athlete at the same time. There are so many walks of life here - you get a more rounded world view. Why I chose MD: I can’t point to one thing, but Monarch pride permeates everything and the opportunities offered here just doesn’t happen at other schools. Service Hours: 400 Elementary School: Mariner’s Christian, Newport Beach Parish: Mariner’s Church, Newport Beach

ISABELLE TRAN - VALEDICTORIAN 4:30 P.M. CEREMONY Speech theme: Comparing the life stages of a bird to our development in high school First reaction to big news: Speechless What I learned about myself in COVID: I realized my growth and I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, which I’m really proud of. Staying strong: Being creative and finding ways to help people even during this difficult time. College and Life Plans: CSULB Nursing – pursue Masters and Nurse Practitioner Influential Person: My mom and the Campus Ministry Team. “My mom saw my full worth, my capabilities. She pushed me to come the best version of myself.” Favorite Part of MD: Students are given so many opportunities to develop a relationship with God and the example that Jesus set to serve others. Why I chose MD: School isn’t just school at Mater Dei. We focus on community and go out into the world and do things. Service Hours: 1000 Elementary School: Blessed Sacrament School, Westminster Parish: St. Polycarp, Stanton

Speech theme: The small moments shape you into the person you are. First reaction to big news: Relieved [because I was so nervous], but grateful. Staying strong: As ASB President, I had make the most out of a year where we didn’t know what we were going to get. We were granted a new confidence to try different things. What I learned about myself in COVID: Even the smallest things can make an impact on someone’s life. KAILIA UTLEY - SALUTATORIAN 9 A.M. CEREMONY College plans: Vanderbilt University, Swim Scholarship; Pre-Med but hoping to explore classical studies as well. Influential Person: Ms. Costa, Associate Activities Director. “I learned so much from her in the care, effort, and support she gave the ASB team.” Favorite Part of MD: The same core values you find in so many people really builds this community. Everyone wants to do something more and looks within themselves to see that Mater Dei is a bridge to what is next. Why I chose MD: The shared motivation of the student community. Service Hours: 268 Elementary School: St. Bonaventure, Huntington Beach Parish: St. Anne, Seal Beach

Congratulations to the following Monarchs who have signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level. These student- athletes join an elite group of young men and women blessed to participate in college athletics. Their hard work, dedication, countless hours of preparation and the support of their family has paid off in the opportunity to continue playing the sport they love. Best of luck next year!

Baseball Sebastian Guzman – Washington University in St. Louis Scott Morales – CSU San Bernardino Brenden Morris – Colorado Mesa University Chase Nichols – CSU San Bernardino Drew Porter – CSU Northridge William Rice – Newman University Skye Selinsky – Columbia University Alonzo Tredwell – UCLA AJ Valle – Columbia University

Basketball (Boys) Wilhelm Breidenbach Dorsz – University of Nebraska Nick Davidson – University of Nevada Harrison Hornery – University of Southern California

Basketball (Girls) Maeaali’i Amosa – Pepperdine University Brooke Demetre – Stanford University Alyssa Durazo-Frescas – University Nevada, Las Vegas

Cheer Angelique Vasquez – Morehead State University

Cross Country Tait Vigeland – University of Portland

Football Terrence Caldwell – Cornell University Jaylin Davies – University of Oregon Raesjon Davis – University of Southern California Cristian Dixon – University of Michigan Ross Maseuli – San Diego State University George Miki-Han – Colorado State University Tyler Narayan – United States Naval Academy Kyron Ware-Hudson – University of Southern California Marceese Yetts – Air Force Academy Golf (Boys) Ryder Henares – Loyola Marymount University

Golf (Girls) Lauren Calvillo – Trinity College

Lacrosse (Boys) Tyler Curry – Grove City College

Lacrosse (Girls) Lauren Friedman – Amherst College Skyler Nielsen – Columbia University

Soccer (Boys) Connor Place – UC San Diego

Soccer (Girls) Ceanna Doria – Southern Methodist University Abigail Hampton – Southern Methodist University Megan Hogate – University of Texas Faith Nguyen – UCLA

Softball Gabriella Heftved – Hamilton College Natalie Marshall – University of Kansas Morgan McConnell – University of North Dakota

Song Kaitlyn Bujakowski – Rutgers University

Swimming & Diving (Girls) Lizzie Mackowiak – University of Arizona Kailia Utley – Vanderbilt University

Tennis (Girls) Grace McSkimming – Sacramento State University Track & Field Samantha Sloan – Chapman University

Volleyball (Beach) Colby Bennett – University of Southern California Rachel Blair – Concordia University

Volleyball (Boys) Nick Hoffmeyer – Concordia University Josh Rosenblum – CSU Long Beach

Volleyball (Girls) Cadence Gronski – Santa Clara University Zaria Henderson – UC San Diego Isabella Lesage – Northwestern University Lauryn Sweeney – Fordham University

Water Polo (Boys) Clay Kaneko – Pepperdine University Grant Loth – UCLA

Waterpolo (Girls) Casey Coppock – UC Santa Barbara Janna Tauscher – UC Berkeley