CALIFORNIA IB STUDENT OF THE YEAR St. Mary’s Alumna Kristen Walker ‘11 received our state’s highest IB honor this past spring. Awarded California IB Student of the Year, Kristen exemplifies all that is IB. This former St. Mary’s ASB President and Legacy Award winner continues to be a principled and caring leader, retaining inquiry at the core of everything she pursues. Summer Intern Maddie Burchill ‘10 had the opportunity to catch up with Kristen and learn more. When did you graduate from St. Mary’s? I graduated from St. Mary’s in 2011 after spending almost 9 ½ years as a Falcon. I really feel that I developed my genuine love of learning while attending St. Mary’s, where I had the pleasure of having strong mentors who have helped shape me to become the person I am today. Where did you go to High School? I attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School, which was a perfect transition from St. Mary’s. At SMCHS I was able to grow academically, participate in many leadership and extra-curricular activities, and strengthen my faith and service to the community. Did you complete a high school IB program? Yes, I received the International Baccalaureate Full Diploma after successful completion of this academically rigorous twoyear program. The program is designed to bring a global mindset to motivated learners. It has components such as the Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) Project, the Extended Essay on a particular IB subject, and the Theory of Knowledge essay and presentation. It was definitely a challenging and rigorous program, yet was one of my favorite memories of high school. All of the students in this program were like one family, supporting and encouraging each other through the whole process. It was difficult, but in the end, it was so worth it.
How did St. Mary’s prepare you for the IB Diploma Programme? St. Mary’s gave me a strong educational foundation so that I was able to succeed academically in high school. Having prior International Baccalaureate knowledge definitely gave me a sense of confidence in myself that I could approach and solve new challenges. At St. Mary’s, teachers always stressed the importance of learning and incorporating the IB Learner Profiles into our schoolwork, and this integration has lead me to emulate these exact Learner Profiles throughout my high school years. The St. Mary’s IB Programme gave me a solid foundation of the IB philosophy and the type of thinking that is involved in this type of global learning. SMCHS expanded on my previous knowledge and took the program to the next higher level. Tell us about your recent IB award? I was honored to receive the IB Student of the Year Award from the California Association of IB World Schools and the IB Worthy Student Award from SMCHS. I could not be more grateful for the recognition from my IB counselor and teachers who see the hard work, diligence, and potential in me. Where are you going to college this fall? I will be attending Washington University in St. Louis as an Annika Rodriguez Scholar. This has been my “dream school” for the past couple of years, and to actually be going still feels like a dream. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me in college and beyond!
What do you plan to study? I plan to major in Global Health and the Environment and minor in both Biology and Psychology. In addition, I will be on the pre-medical track, and my goal is to attend medical school after graduation. Over the next four years as a student, I will be studying at a place where my passions for medical service and academic success will flourish. I currently work for Dr. Yolanda P. Gomez, volunteer at UC Irvine Medical Center, and intern at a Biomedical Engineering Lab at UC Irvine so I would like to continue to pursue medically oriented opportunities in college, as well as extend my experience into medical service on a global scale. My goal is to dedicate myself to helping others for the betterment of their health and general well being. How do you anticipate an IB education will continue to assist you in your studies? I definitely think that it is important to be a well-rounded student that is always inquiring about the world around oneself. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to receive an International Baccalaureate education. This particular educational rigor and approach is something that transcends the classroom. I really believe that it is applicable to my future endeavors in medicine because it has instilled in me genuine IB Learner Profile qualities, including a passion for service and a love for learning. ST. MARY’S SUMMER 2015 NEWSLETTER
2
Students Defend Title and Bring Home Another Maths Quest Win St. Mary’s School is proud to announce that their Maths Quest team took first place at the 18th annual Maths Quest Competition in Oslo, Norway in May. Maths Quest is a prestigious international math competition endorsed by the European Council of International Schools. The main purpose of this competition is to challenge talented math students under the age of twelve while celebrating and promoting the joy of learning mathematics. More than 20 international teams competed, but St. Mary’s School was the sole United States representative at Maths Quest in 2015. In addition to defending their championship title, fifth grade students Leyton Breese and Amelia Kang won the first and third place individual awards respectively, and teammate Kendrick Choi received first place in the construction category. The fourth team member was Daniel Palfi who also earned very high scores. Faculty members Nancy Qushair and Dustin Mittelsteadt coached the team throughout the school year and accompanied them to Oslo. Bill Phillips, Mayor of Aliso Viejo, presented certificates and “Friend of Aliso Viejo” pins to Maths Quest participants Daniel Palfi, Leyton Breese, Amelia Kang and Kendrick Choi at the City Council meeting. pictured: Sharon Taylor, Head of School, and Dustin Mittelsteadt, Teacher and Coach Also Not pictured: Nancy Qushair, Teacher and Coach
“Our continued success at this competition is a testament to the depth of the International Baccalaureate education offered here at St. Mary’s School,” said Head of School Sharon Taylor. “We are so proud of our four participating students on this team and the school victory.”
As part of the competition, students visited several sites in Oslo and were asked to solve mathematical questions regarding various Oslo exhibitions. Students also worked on a Construction Challenge with the task of making a model of one of Norway’s unique landmarks. The rest of the competition included an Individual Challenge, Team Challenge, Practical Challenge and Investigation Challenge. The students stayed with host families for four nights during the competition ensuring a truly international experience of Norwegian culture and traditions. When the team returned from Oslo, the students appeared live on TV on May 15, competing in the Mathletes’ Challenge against the anchors of Fox News Good Day LA. The Maths Quest team was further honored at the Aliso Viejo City Council meeting on June 17. Congratulations to team members and coaches! This incredible experience represents the hard work and joy of learning mathematics.
International Collaboration Science teachers Erin Bratcher and Katie Hobbins are continuing to develop international relationships with educators in Sweden through PEAK, a school outreach program funded by The Energy Coalition promoting energy and environmental sustainability. Ms. Bratcher and Ms. Hobbins traveled to Stockholm last spring where they visited five schools and shared classroom strategies and integration practices for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with Swedish faculty. The schools ranged from early education through high school, and the classes included nature, wood-working, electricity innovations, machinery and technology. Ms. Bratcher and Ms. Hobbins learned how their international colleagues incorporate the IB Design Cycle (investigate, plan,
design, create, and evaluate) into challenging lessons and how it helpes students consider creative solutions. The St. Mary’s educators learned how inquiry-based lessons integrated the use of one-to-one devices. They observed how students’ creativity was unleashed through building and tinkering. They also saw how students proved their understanding of the lessons through communication followed by more inquiries and ultimately led to further investigations. Ms. Bratcher and Ms. Hobbins returned to St. Mary’s with renewed inspiration and enthusiasm for the International Baccalaureate Programme and the opportunities for learning it provides. They will continue to brainstorm with their St. Mary’s colleagues to create learning environments or makerspace where
Makerspace — a community-operated workspace where people with common interests, often in computers, technology, science digital or electronic art, can meet, socialize and collaborate
Erin Bratcher, center, with teachers visiting from Sweden
students can share resources and knowledge to collaborate on projects across all disciplines. Earlier in the year, science educators from Sweden visited St. Mary’s to learn how the International Baccalaureate curriculum is implemented on our campus. This exchange of strategies in the international community is an asset to both communities, which will translate into even more innovative makerspaces and creative lessons for students at St. Mary’s.
3
International Field Studies St. Mary’s is pleased to announce the three international field study opportunities for the 2015-16 academic year: France, Costa Rica, and Italy. The field study to Hong Kong will be offered again in 2017. A critical aspect of the IB curriculum, we are continually enhancing the field study experiences offered to our students. These field studies support the aim of the IB Programme to “develop internationally-minded people” by providing the opportunity for overseas travel and short-term integration into intercultural communities. International field studies prepare students for positive interaction in a global setting through experiencing other perspectives. Learn more at the Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, September 10 at 1:15 pm.
COSTA RICA
ITALY
FRANCE
Costa Rica participants explored culture and biodiversity.
Students enjoy the sights and sounds of Rome.
Students walked in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh.
Costa Rica – 7th & 8th grade students Trip Dates: February 9-18, 2016
Italy – 7th & 8th grade students Trip Dates: March 12-23, 2016
France – 7th & 8th grade students Trip Dates: April 14-22, 2016
Immersing students in the language and culture of this wonderful Spanish-speaking county, students are exposed to bio-dynamic farming, ecology, history, culture and language through two unique educational and travel philosophies: the Story Approach and Expedition Mentality. They meet local leaders and visionaries such as Juan Sostheim, owner of Rancho Margot. Nestled between a rain forest and cloud forest in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Rancho Margot offers outdoor classrooms where students feel inspired to treat their surroundings and those around them with respect. This attitude is later realized in authentic service learning, positively affecting the lives of indigenous people.
St. Mary’s partners with the International School of Milan (ISM) to provide an exchange program for both of our schools. ISM, a Kindergarten – Grade 12 World School, is the largest international school in Italy; and this dynamic exchange program helps students to develop internationally-minded attitudes, experience new perspectives, gain in-depth knowledge of Italian culture, and create friendships and memories that last a lifetime. This unique partnership offers St. Mary’s families the opportunity to host an ISM student in their home, helping the student learn about American culture and practice English. Later, our students journey to Milan where they reconnect with ISM students while staying in host family homes and attending ISM. St. Mary’s students and chaperones travel throughout Italy to delve further into Italy’s rich history and culture.
The France field study offers students a fun, enriching experience into the history and culture of France. Students embark on a journey throughout Paris’ famous landmarks: The Louvre, Champs Élysées, Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the unforgettable ascending of the Eiffel Tower. A visit to The Chateau of Versailles, Monet’s gardens in Giverny, and a trip to the countryside are also part of the itinerary. Students experience all the beauty France has to offer: the language, the picturesque scenery and the famous French cuisine, while walking in the footsteps of Louis XIV, Napoleon and Victor Hugo. C’est la vie!
This summer St. Mary’s hosted forty-three Chinese students. They participated in a variety of academic classes such as ancient and U.S. history, as well as music, media, arts and as seen here cooking. The visit provided a great cultural experience for both the Chinese students and the St. Mary’s students and staff.
ST. MARY’S SUMMER 2015 NEWSLETTER
The St. Mary’s 21st Commencement Ceremony on June 5 honored the 83 members of the Class of 2015. As graduates proudly stood before faculty, their family, and friends, the celebration was filled with joyful achievements and scholarly accomplishments both for the students and the School.
CLASS OF 2015
St. Mary’s Graduation –
C L A S S
2 0 1 5
The impressive evening lineup opened with a wonderful musical performance by graduates Emily Khosravi and Melody Tajalli, followed by the notable and articulate commencement speeches delivered by the Class of 2015 Valedictorian, Grant Kinsey, IB scholar, John Grayson, Legacy Award winner, Alexandra Audette, ASB President, Peter Herold, and in closing Salutatorian Ashkaan Mahjoob. Together these students represented their class and their school with intelligence, humor and grace.
O F
Marissa Gabrielian - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Daniel Gamini - Sage Hill High School Addison Gann - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Sameer Ghai - Beckman High School Lauren Glass - Dana Hills High School Arabella Gonzalez - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Avery Gray - Tesoro High School John Grayson - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Aiden Greengard - Laguna Beach High School Michael Hamilton - Mater Dei High School Ryan Harding - Dana Hills High School Angeliki Hairris - Corona Del Mar High School Bruno Hernandez - JSerra Catholic High School Peter Harold - JSerra Catholic High School Jackson Hilbert - Pacifica Christian High School Emily Ho - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Briana Jahangiri - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Emma Johnson - Cathedral High School Terrence Jung - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Kiana Kamali - Laguna Hills High School Isabella Kechejian - JSerra Catholic High School Quinn Kelly - Corona Del Mar High School Emily Khosravi - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Parker Kinney - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Grant Kinney - St. Margaret’s High School Chloe Komrosky - Mater Dei High School Kelly Lester - Sage Hill High School George Maalouf - West Geauga (OH) Ashkaan Mahjoob - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Neil Messmer - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Laily Milani - Santa Margarita Catholic High School John Muri - JSerra Catholic High School Katelyn Murphy - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Sophia Nenninger - Laguna Hills High School Andrew Newman - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Tori Palenske - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Delaney Phillips - Sage Hill High School Bayleigh Pickering - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Joshua Prentice - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Catrina Presutto - JSerra Catholic High School Logan Purcell - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Matthew Querner - Dana Hills High School Keeley Rasich - JSerra Catholic High School
Courtney Rodriquez - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Chloe Schaefgen - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Roman Schrock - JSerra Catholic High School Ryan Sears - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Ryan Simpson - Sage Hill High School Skylar Strickland - JSerra Catholic High School Lena Suheimat - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Nicholas Surfas - Williston Northampton School (MA) Melody Tajalli - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Karenna Traylor - Laguna Hills High School Katherine Tudor - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Evan Tuesta - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Angelo Vacca - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Alissa Villanueva - Laguna Hills High School Andrew Wager - JSerra Catholic High School Jordan Walker - Tesoro High School Nicholas Williams - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Joseph Yezbak - JSerra Catholic High School Charlotte Zovighian - Sage Hill High School
– GRANT KINSEY, 2015 VALEDICTORIAN
we will all carry lessons learned and friendships formed over the year, into high school and beyond.
might not always remember Newton’s Laws of Motion or the Quadratic Formula, I’m confident that
Apply skills gained here at St. Mary’s to your futures and whatever they may hold. And while we
Ashland Anderson - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Alexandra Audette - Mater Dei High School Lauren Barry - Briar Woods High School (VA) Isabella Blake - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Allie Boyce - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Oliver Breese - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Matthew Burkhardt - JSerra Catholic High School Benjamin Byra - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Christian Caves - Dana Hills High School Jonathan Chance - Sage Hill High School Jasmine Chang - Crean Lutheran High School Ava Chao - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Brian Coyne- University High School Michael Cullen - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Miranda DeBruyne - Sage Hill High School Andrei Dumitrescu - Valley Christian High School Jake Ebach - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Jack Ewert - Aliso Niguel High School Katherine Ferrier - Dana Hills High School Isabella Fiorentino - Santa Margarita Catholic High School Jillian Fudali - Crean Lutheran High School
Will attend the following High Schools:
CLASS OF 2015
6
Class of 2011 Off to College Shwan Ahmed: Marist College Myles Angel: Chapman University Aasish Appannagari: Purdue University Peter Auriemma: Southern Methodist University Matthew Bartush: Northern Arizona University Evelyn Blackburn: University of San Diego Morgan Byrne: UC Berkeley Haitham Chehabi: UC Irvine James Colley: Drexel University Carlee DiNicola: Southern Methodist University
Candace Miller: Cal State Fullerton
Charles- Olivier Dube: Polytechnique Montrèal
Kaylie Monahan: University of Colorado, Boulder
Nicholas Edman: UCLA
Madeline Morales: Southern Methodist University
Michael Elsanadi: UC Berkeley
Lucas Mullarky: University of Colorado, Boulder
Kennedy Farrell: Boise State University
Andrew Ormonde: Northern Arizona University
David Fice: Southern Methodist University
Zachary Petersen: Loyola Marymount University
Joseph Fice: University of Arizona
Paige Ratliff: University of Alabama
Jordyn Fisher: University of Alabama
Paige Schuler: Colorado State University
Christian Fronczek: Full Sail University
Ryan Simmons: San Diego State University
Jack Harris: University of San Francisco
Olivia Smith: Utah Valley University
Erik Juliusson: Purdue University
Rhys Spierkel: Southern Methodist University
Brenten Kelly: University of Oregon
Joseph Vinci: University of Washington
Dylan Kinney: Michigan State University
Lauren Virzi: Humboldt State University
Kiera Makowecki: Texas Christian University
Kristen Walker: Washington University, St. Louis
Emilie Marcinkowski: Georgetown University
Victoria Yanco: UC Santa Barbara
Alana Mellgren: University of San Diego
Information from the rest of the Class was not available at the time of printing
NEW “FALCON DADS CLUB” AT ST. MARY’S! A new club for dads is forming at St. Mary’s!
Falcon Dads Club is a purposeful social organization of St. Mary’s fathers who gather for fellowship, volunteerism, and fundraising for the school. We have an exciting social and fundraising calendar planned for the upcoming school year and welcome St. Mary’s dads to join us. For more information, please contact Falcon Dads Club chairmen: Trev Lattin 949-306-5617
Rob Rollo 310-922-3974
7
Summer Alumni Intern Madison Burchill graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2014 and currently attends the University of Arizona where she is majoring in communications. She is a part of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority where she spends her time volunteering and “building strong girls.” Maddie is interning this summer at St. Mary’s in the Advancement Office, a wonderful experience which will enhance her future career.
Welcome Back Falcons St. Mary’s Summer Resort has long been a place where our alumni visit when they are home from college or on summer vacation from high school. We truly enjoy hearing how they and their classmates are doing at school and in other adventures. This year, we have many alumni working and volunteering in several areas around campus in summer classes, camps and athletics.
The amazing support of summer athletics by our Falcon alumni provides our summer students with a unique perspective on coaching and learning from their favorite role models. Stories of alumni “glory days” never fail to entertain.
Nick Valdez ‘12 and Cami Fenton ‘12 work side by side supporting our 43 Chinese student visitors to Summer Resort (see article on page 3).
Active on campus are Alexi Campbell ’06 (Day Camp), Annie Iacobelli ’12 (Day Camp), Maddie Burchill ’10 (Alumni Intern), and Michael Della Maggiore ’09 (Day Camp). Not pictured: Izzy Kechejian ’15.
ST. MARY’S SUMMER 2015 NEWSLETTER
FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, ALUMNI, AND SUPPORTERS OF ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Laguna Niguel, CA Permit No.1091
ST. MARY’S An IB World School • 7 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 • Tel 949-448-9027 • Fax 949-448-0605 • www.smaa.org
Contributors: Carole Blake, Erin Bratcher, Madison Burchill ‘10, Virtue Byrd, Jim Cox, Heidi Galloway, Amy Hoffman, Greg McCollum, Nancy Qushair, Jennifer Risner, Arturo Valdez and Kristen Walker ‘11.
SAVE THE DATE Thursday, October 8, 2016 (During Cancer Awareness Month)
7:00 am to 1:00 pm American Red Cross Blood Drive in the St. Mary’s School Gym