Summer 2019 Newsletter EDITORIAL TEAM Managing Editor: Heather Wilkins Contributors: Carrie Zulanas, Arturo Valdez, Dan Kearney, Christine Downie, Lindsay Winn, Jennifer Engleman
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PAGE 3 Leading Our Falcons: Señora Foerster
PAGE 4 2019 – 2020 International Field Studies
PAGE 7 Learning STEAM Through Play
St. Mary’s Introduces Intersession 2020 BY DAN KEARNEY
A major part of the St. Mary’s experience are the experiences themselves. We believe when students learn through a hands-on method learning is deeper and more profound. Our student-centered, innovative approach to education empowers young people to care about the world they live in and to value the contributions they can make. In Middle School, this manifests itself in many ways, for example, theatre about the Holocaust and tolerance; podcasting about immigration in I&S; using big data to justify action plans on global issues in our math classrooms; and, in science class, examining how individual actions affect the planet. It is in this spirit we proudly share a new program in St. Mary’s Middle School: Intersession 2020. This exciting new program will build upon our philosophy of innovation and student-centered learning. Intersession will take place April 6-9, 2020, the week prior to Spring Break and will take the place of regular academic classes for all Middle School students. This program is an extension of the current International Field Studies offering.
During Intersession students will have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Southern Utah.
The goal of Intersession is to provide students with a wide range of choices that will further develop their world-sized hearts and world-class minds. From working with homeless animals or learning to surf, to taking a trip to Silicon Valley (cont. on page 4)
“Intersession 2020 is the next step in the evolution of experiential education at St. Mary’s. Grounded in individual choice, community engagement and collaboration, students have opportunities, near and far, to extend their learning beyond the conventional. In the process, they have the opportunity, to deepen their understandings of themselves, others and the world – while fueling their curiosities and perhaps igniting new passions.” – Walt Linaweaver, Head of Middle School.
Leading Our Falcons: Señora Foerster Last school year, Mrs. Foerster moved from a Grade 1 teacher to the Spanish Language Acquisition Teacher for Grades K through 2. She has made a tremendous impact on the Spanish program, and students are thriving in her classroom. We spent some time catching up with Mrs. Foerster about her approach to learning and her experiences in her first year as an Exploratory Teacher at St. Mary’s.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS What I didn’t expect from this past year was how I would take these special moments with the students and use them to guide my instruction, just as I had done as a grade level teacher, only in a different way. The K through Grade 2 Spanish students are inspiring. They have taught me how important it is for them to have repetition, but in different ways. I do not present the same material the same way. Instead, we learn the same words through a different story or game, and we extend beyond the words to make it more complex when they are ready.
LOOKING AHEAD
TAKING A RISK When I heard about the position opening, I felt like this was my chance to do something different and challenge myself. I thought this position would be my dream job because of how many more children I would get to know and love. Having the opportunity to bring the joy of learning a new language to the students I adore has been such an amazing experience. I am so glad I took the risk and went for it.
Acquiring a language is a slow and consistent process, but needs to be exciting at the same time. A few of my goals are to: 1) Provide students with real-world applications to Spanish; 2) Encourage communication – students need to communicate with others; 3) Experience the language. We can do that through many ways such as following a recipe or practicing going to the market and buying groceries; and 4) Inspire students to learn more about Spanish so that when they leave my classroom, they will continue to be interested in the language.
APPROACH TO LEARNING
The students taught me how to assess their understanding in their own individual way. Students show what they know differently, and it is my job to understand and celebrate it.
CONNECTION My main priority as a language teacher is to connect with students, so they feel comfortable coming into my classroom and taking risks by communicating in Spanish. The Commons makes it easy for me to make this connection because I am able to eat lunch, spend time talking, and listening to students. I also visit classrooms where I can play games with students and help them experience Spanish once again.
“Mrs. Foerster brings such emotion, energy, and passion to anything she does, and her Spanish program is no different. Through innovative teaching methods she engages all her students and helps them fall in love with learning a language.” – Doug Patterson, Head of Lower School. 2
2019 – 2020 International Field Studies As an IB World School, St. Mary’s is always looking for opportunities to apply the concepts taught in classrooms to the world outside our campus. Our International Field Studies, near and far, provide hands-on, extraordinary experiences for our students to gain greater awareness of other communities, cultures, themselves, and the interdependence that binds us all together.
Italy Exchange and Italy Trip DATES: International School of Milan visits St. Mary’s October 25 – November 2, 2019 DATES: St. Mary’s travels to Italy March 26 – April 9, 2020 Note: Since this is an exchange program, please contact Mr. Fragasso for trip specifics and trip and/or host participation. APPLICANTS: Grade 6 – 8 Students FIELD STUDY LEADER: Vince Fragasso – Email: vince.fragasso@smaa.org TRIP DETAILS: St. Mary’s partners with the International School of Milan (ISM) to provide an exchange program for both our schools. ISM, a Kindergarten – Grade 12 World School, is the largest international school in Italy, and this dynamic exchange program helps 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 homes. In spring, our students journey to Milan where they reconnect with ISM students while staying in host family homes and attending ISM. During their travels, our students will tour Rome, Florence, Venice, and Pisa and explore Ancient Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance historical sites, experience the great art and architecture found there, and embrace the wonderful culture, cuisine, and customs of the area. The tour is inspired by and supports our Middle School history curriculum. Ciao!
FRANCE DATES: April 3 – 13, 2020 APPLICANTS: Grade 6 – 8 Students FIELD STUDY LEADER: Ludivine Forté – Email: ludivine.forte@smaa.org TRIP DETAILS: This field study provides an enriching experience into the history and culture of France. Students embark on a journey throughout Paris’ famous landmarks: The Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and Eiffel Tower. A visit to The Château de Versailles, Monet’s gardens in Giverny, and a trip to the countryside and Normandy, will offer unique historical perspectives on the experiences of WWII soldiers. We will visit “D-Day” beaches, the Memorial Museum and the American Military Cemetery to pause and pay our respects to fallen soldiers. The south of France and Monaco are also part of our 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!
COSTA RICA DATES: April 4 – 13, 2020 APPLICANTS: Grade 6 – 8 Students FIELD STUDY LEADER: Arturo Valdez – Email: arturo.valdez@smaa.org TRIP DETAILS: The Costa Rica Field Study is an irreplaceable opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the language, culture, green lifestyle, and positive mentality of this wonderful Spanish-speaking country. With the rainforest, countless rivers, and vast flora and fauna in the background, our students will take part in daily activities aimed at expanding their knowledge, personal experiences, and understanding of the world. We will explore, discover, learn, build relationships, and engage in meaningful and sustainable service. At the core of this field study is the collaboration and partnership we have with the Monte Sion School, which is located in the Cabécar indigenous region. Here, our group will work hand-in-hand with members of the Monte Sion community to make improvements to their school. Our travels take us from Rancho Margot, nestled between rain and cloud forests in a UNESCO biosphere reserve at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, to Puerto Viejo and the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge on the Caribbean Sea. Throughout our journey, we will meet local and global leaders and visionaries who deeply care for the protection of the environment and inspire us to make the world a better place to live. All this while having the time of our lives. ¡Pura Vida!
Summer 2019 Newsletter
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Intersession 2020
(cont. from page 1)
or camping in Utah, Intersession will provide a diverse menu of options for Middle School students. Some activities will take students far from Orange County, while many may keep students close to home. The cost of these trips will range from no cost to fees on par with our current international and domestic field studies trips.
U N P L U G I N U TA H : Steve McQueen once said, “I’d rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth.” Join Mr. Mittelsteadt and escape the hustle and bustle of Orange County. Get away from electronics and social media and enjoy the great outdoors in Southern Utah, truly one of the most magnificent regions of America. Following a fun road trip across Southern California and Nevada, students and chaperones will arrive in Escalante, Utah, where they’ll be staying in cabins. The next four days include exploring the best the area has to offer, including a full-day guided canyoneering expedition at the Grand Staircase National Monument. Then, alongside one of Escalante’s best guides, students will learn to fly fish. After visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, our students will go on local day and night hikes. The trip promises to be one of team-building, bonding, physical challenges, and the great outdoors. M O D E R N DAY M E TA L S M I T H I N G : This activity will offer hands-on practical science experiences through metal. Crafting items out of metal is one of the oldest occupations in human history. Taking copper, silver, gold, and other metals, and turning them into jewelry, pots, tools, and weapons is as old as our first civilizations. Our own Ms. Liotta is a metalsmith connoisseur. She will bridge the ancient practice with a modern day flair. Students will learn physical and chemical properties of different metals while creating beautiful ornaments and on-trend jewelry using traditional metalsmithing tools and techniques.
We will post the Intersession Catalog online, which will provide more details surrounding the why and how of Intersession, as well as specific itineraries and all planned activities. Also, during the Intersession Fair in early fall, students and parents will have the opportunity to speak with the teachers leading each activity. We’re confident Intersession 2020 is going to be an incredible opportunity for students to learn outside of the classroom and, in ways, their experiences will stay with them for a long time.
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Learning STEAM Through Play
BY CARRIE ZULANAS
“Hmm...that’s hard,” stated one student when asked to share her favorite memory from Kindergarten. After thinking for a while, she smiled and exclaimed, “Oh, I know. It was when we used sticks and marshmallows to build shapes!” There is much to support the introduction of STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) in the early years. Children are natural inquirers, engineers, and collaborators, and they learn to make sense of their world through handson and open-ended play experiences, which are key components in STEAM education. Providing children with opportunities to explore their world has always been a part of our Early Education Program. In recent years, however, we have enhanced our STEAM program, and teachers have become more intentional with their provocations and questions. Challenges such as, “Can you make a structure that floats?” or “Can you create your favorite animal using paper geometric shapes?” are regularly incorporated into units of inquiry. Students have choices in the materials they use (e.g., blocks, Legos, Magna-Tiles, ramps, balls, water, sand, playdough, etc.) as they discover the answers to not only these questions, but also their own. How do the children develop their own questions? Through play. Play is an important component of STEAM education in the early years. Play-based activities allow children to learn and develop skills in a joyful, constructive way, and the students in EEP and Kindergarten frequently have time to explore the materials on their own. Last year, while using the ramps in class, Kindergarten student Lucas Camargo began experimenting with the height and length of the track. He noticed the smaller ball consistently went faster than the larger one. By letting the children take the lead in exploring, they have opportunities to reflect and form their own theories. Lucas’ theory, “Since the ball is smaller, it is easier for the air to go around it.” For Junior Kindergarten (JK) student Maddy Osvalds, free explore became a time to nurture her engineering and artistic skills. Inspired by a unit focused on how geometric shapes can create art, Maddy used paper, glue, and string to build a variety of 3D sculptures. Although independent projects at first, her creations quickly gathered interest after she presented her work in class. “As her peers observed her innovative work, they were inspired and invited to create along with her. This creative and open collaboration not only resulted in wonderful communication and teamwork, but also produced some interesting group projects and proud students!” explained Kim Moraitis, JK Lead Teacher. At St. Mary’s, STEAM experiences are designed to solve real-world problems, to explore different ideas, and to inspire flexible and persistent problem solvers. These activities start with our earliest students and serve as access points for learning, guiding student inquiry, and promoting creative and critical thinking, the foundation of an International Baccalaureate education.
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St. Mary’s Class of 2019 On June 12, 2019, St. Mary’s School celebrated 79 graduates at the 25th Commencement Ceremony. Faculty, friends, families, and alumni gathered together to recognize and honor the Class of 2019. Student leaders delivered inspirational messages and speeches, including the Class Valedictorian and Legacy Award Winner Katrina Lattin, ASB President Kendall Memoly, and IB Scholar and Salutatorian Darius Mahjoob. Grade 8 student Gabriel Tsai set a beautiful tone for the evening with a phenomenal violin performance. In Darius Mahjoob’s speech he recognized his experiences at St. Mary’s and challenged his classmates to make a difference in the world. “It’s one thing to sit in a classroom and learn about something; but it’s entirely different to experience it in person. This is what separates St. Mary’s from other schools. Its goal is to immerse their students in every subject, to help us be successful and more aware of current events, and to increase our understanding of the world around us.” We congratulate all of our graduates, wish you much success, and hope to see you on campus in the near future. The following are the Class of 2019 graduates and the high school they will attend this fall.
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Siena Adderton - Sage Hill School
Parker Firestone - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Danielle Almas - Corona del Mar High School
Grace Friedl - JSerra Catholic High School
Nick Augustini - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Helen Fu - Sage Hill School
Eli Bradley - Mater Dei High School
Jake Gabrielian - JSerra Catholic High School
Jack Bryant - Mater Dei High School
Hayden Gamble - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Nick Bryant - Mater Dei High School
Nora Gamini - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Emily Byde - JSerra Catholic High School
Rayan Gandhi -JSerra Catholic High School
Nora Cannon - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Simran Ghai -JSerra Catholic High School
Shea Carter - JSerra Catholic High School
Carson Green - Sage Hill School
Maxwell Chao - Laguna Hills High School
Reagan Heslin - JSerra Catholic High School
Grace Chapman - San Juan Hills High School
Ethan Hess - Aliso Niguel High School
Trent Chiasson - Crean Lutheran High School
Hunter Hett - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Shay Clark - Tesoro High School
Andrew Houfley - JSerra Catholic High School
Alana Constantino - Capistrano Valley Christian School
Kate Hovland - Newport Harbor High School
Jalen Constantino - Capistrano Valley Christian School
Shawn Jahangiri - San Juan Hills High School
Mason Corris - Laguna Hills High School
Cloe Jewgieniew - JSerra Catholic High School
Blake Doppenberg - Laguna Hills High School
Kendall Kaese - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Dylan Duplanty - JSerra Catholic High School
Julien Kechejian - JSerra Catholic High School
Jackson Ecker - JSerra Catholic High School
Matthew Kechejian - JSerra Catholic High School
Hailey Ellingson - JSerra Catholic High School
Brennan Keena - JSerra Catholic High School
Eleni Engelbrecht - Sage Hill School
Haley Kirchhoff - JSerra Catholic High School
Kailey Eun - Mater Dei High School
Matthew Krugh - JSerra Catholic High School
Sebastian Faller - Mater Dei High School
Katrina Lattin - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
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High School by
Emma Levinski - JSerra Catholic High School
Jackson Riley - JSerra Catholic High School
Kayla Lewis - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Kayla Sandford - Capistrano Valley High School
Vincent Lorenzi - Pacifica Christian High School
Rishi Shah - Crean Lutheran High School
Darius Mahjoob - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Michael Simonian - JSerra Catholic High School
Marina Martinez - JSerra Catholic High School
Max Starr - JSerra Catholic High School
Minka Martinez - St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Kennedy Stewart - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Audrey Masson - Laguna Hills High School
Austin Strohmeier - Sage Hill School
Cate McMackin - JSerra Catholic High School
Carrie Teichrow - JSerra Catholic High School
Kendall Memoly - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Gabriel Tsai - Sage Hill School
Arman Mobayen - JSerra Catholic High School
Gianna Van den Bosch - Sage Hill School
Sophia Moran - St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
Aidan Verde - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Angelina Moschetti - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Max Villanueva - Laguna Hills High School
Keyon Namdar - Crean Lutheran High School
Alex Voigtlander - La Jolla Country Day School
Ryan Namdar - Crean Lutheran High School
John Wagner - Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Brooks Orradre - Sage Hill School
Emma White - JSerra Catholic High School
Carolina Pestana - Sage Hill School
Navin Yogaratnam - Sage Hill School
Ethan Rhee - Gap year
the Numbers Summer 2019 Newsletter
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College Bound Falcons When our students graduate and leave the nest, we continue to stay in touch and support them. We are proud to share that the St. Mary’s Class of 2015 will attend the following universities this fall. Congratulations and best of luck!
Ashland Anderson - Baylor University Alex Audette - University of Washington Lauren Barry - University of Colorado Boulder Isabella Blake - University of California, Irvine Allie Boyce - Baylor University Oliver Breese - Northeastern University Matthew Burkhardt - Vanderbilt University Ben Byra - Loyola Marymount University Christian Caves - Portland State University Jonathan Chance - Bowdoin College Brian Coyne - Boston College Michael Cullen - Loyola Marymount University Miranda deBruyne - Cornell University Andrei Dumitrescu - University of California, Los Angeles Jake Ebach - Indiana University Jack Ewert - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Katherine Ferrier - Brigham Young University Isabella Fiorentino - University of Pennsylvania Marissa Gabrielian - University of Colorado Boulder Daniel Gamini - Babson College Addison Gann - University of St Andrews, Scotland Sameer Ghai - American University Lauren Glass - Syracuse University Arabella Gonzalez - University of Arizona Avery Gray - Auburn University John Grayson - University of Southern California Aiden Greengard - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Mick Hamilton - University of Virginia Ryan Harding - University of Wyoming Angeliki Harris - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Bruno Hernandez - Pace University Peter Herold - University of California, Los Angeles Jackson Hilbert - Biola University Emily Ho - Boston University Brianna Jahangiri - University of California, Berkeley Emma Johnson - University of Dayton
Terrence Jung - Duke University Kiana Kamali - Saddleback College Isabella Kechejian - Saddleback College Quinn Kelly - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Emily Khosravi - Loyola Marymount University Parker Kinney - University of California, San Diego Grant Kinsey - Vanderbilt University Chloe Komrosky - University of California, Davis Kelly Lester - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Ashkaan Mahjoob - Dartmouth College Laily Milani - University of California, Berkeley John Muri - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Katelyn Murphy - San Diego State University Sophie Nenninger - University of California, Los Angeles Tori Palenske - San Diego State University Cammi Phillips - Northeastern University Bayleigh Pickering - University of Oregon Josh Prentice - University of California, Los Angeles Logan Purcell - University of Colorado Boulder Matthew Querner - University of San Diego Keeley Rasich - Gonzaga University Courtney Rodriguez - Baylor University Chloe Schaefgen - Duke University Roman Schrock - San Jose State University Ryan Sears - Washington University St. Louis Ryan Simpson - Brown University Skylar Strickland - Seattle University Nick Surfas - Pepperdine University Melody Tajalli - George Washington University Karenna Traylor - University of Colorado Boulder Katherine Tudor - California Baptist University Evan Tuesta - Laguna College of Art & Design Angelo Vacca - University of Colorado Boulder Alissa Villanueva - University of California, Santa Barbara Andrew Wager - California State University Fullerton Jordan Walker - Boise State University Cole Williams - San Diego State University Joey Yezbak - Grand Canyon University Information from the rest of the class was not available at the time of printing.
Alumni at Summer Resort Every summer alumni come back to campus to support our Summer Resort program. We appreciate our alumni who help provide a fun and unique experience for our campers. Thank you Jacob Makowecki ’14, Brady Rowe ’14, Frances Gargano ’12, and Maggie Cox ’18. Our students look forward to seeing you every day during the summer and love their time at camp with you!
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Keeping Up With Our Alumni CLASS OF 2011
Kristen Walker ‘11 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2015 and from Washington University in St. Louis in 2019 with a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology and a concentration in pre-medical studies. Kristen thoroughly enjoyed her four years at Washington University including involvement in the Annika Rodriguez Scholars Program, Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, GlobeMed, Global Medical Brigades, Chi Omega Sorority, Pre-Medicine Society, Association of Latin American Students, and Timmy Global Health. She also performed in two cultural dance productions. Kristen valued working as a calculus peer-led Team Learning Program leader, an academic mentor for calculus, and an undergraduate research assistant. Kristen plans to remain in St. Louis to pursue post-baccalaureate studies and research opportunities. She is excited to apply to medical school in one year with hopes of enrolling in 2021.
CLASS OF 2012
Kristina Gonzales ‘12 graduated from Mater Dei Catholic High School in 2016 with a 4.3 GPA, recognized as a scholar athlete and was a member of the Associated Student Body and National Honors Society. She was awarded for completing over 400 hours of community service, and during that time began her involvement with RAD (Rising Above Disabilities) camp, which she continues to be involved with through college. Kristina is a rising senior at Boston University where she is majoring in behavior and health and minoring in Spanish studies. Kristina has helped to raise thousands of dollars for The Be Positive Foundation, which provides financial assistance for families with a child who has cancer and funds pediatric cancer research. Through this same organization, she recently traveled to Peru on a six-day trek through the Andes mountains to Machu Picchu to represent their fundraising team. She is now a campus leader and will be going to Nepal next May to trek Everest Base Camp in support of the same charity. Kayla Jahangiri ‘12 was valedictorian and graduated with honors and an International Baccalaureate full diploma from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2016. She participated in Model United Nations, ASB and swim team during her four-year career, and was a member of National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, an AP Scholar Award recipient, and a National Merit semi-finalist. Kayla is passionate about service and served her community with National Charity League, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, San Juan City Council, and many other organizations. Kayla has received many service awards including the Congressional Award Gold Medal. After three years at UCLA, Kayla graduated magna cum laude with a global studies major and global health minor. She received the highest departmental honor for her thesis which explored the conflict in IsraelPalestine. She traveled to Israel last summer to research her thesis. While at UCLA, Kayla was philanthropy chair for Bruin Belles Service Association, worked at the Burkle Center for International Relations, and was marketing coordinator for the Olive Tree Initiative. Next year Kayla will travel and intern in Europe before applying to law school. Kathryn Querner ‘12 graduated summa cum laude from the University of San Diego in 2019 with a degree in English. During her three years at USD, she completed the honors program, tutored at the writing center, copyedited for The USD Vista, and studied in Prague for one semester. Kathryn also had the opportunity to intern with the California Innocence Project and to conduct a funded summer research project on British literature and the law. This fall, Kathryn will begin her first year at the University of Virginia School of Law where she plans to specialize in public interest law.
Summer 2019 Newsletter
CLASS OF 2015
Jack Ewert ‘15 graduated from Aliso Niguel High School in June. He was president of Lion Heart for Teen Volunteers and worked at Ecom Medical assisting the engineers to build monitoring equipment for patients. He also helped with construction projects for Santa Ana Schools. His hobbies include surfing and programming apps. Jack plans to attend California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in the fall, majoring in agricultural business. Katherine Ferrier ‘15 graduated from Dana Hills High School in June in the top 15% of her class. She was a four-year member of Key Club, Pep Squad, California Scholarship Federation and Health and Medical Occupations Academy, which awarded Katherine the Most Outstanding Student of the Year during her freshman and junior years. Katherine was president of the Make-a-Wish Club during her junior and senior years, cheer captain during her sophomore year, and a Dolphin Ambassador. She received multiple academic awards for achievement in English and other subjects. Katherine was baptized into the LDS church in 2018 and went to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mérida, Mexico, where she helped build a school for young girls who were rescued from trafficking and prostitution. She also initiated an independent business and is currently the CEO/president of KF Videos. Katherine is the recipient of two private scholarships based on merit, leadership, academics, and character and plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall, majoring in nursing. Karen’s hobbies include working out, going to the beach, hanging out with friends, hiking, going to church, and volunteering. Arabella Gonzalez ‘15 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May. While at Santa Margarita, she volunteered at Special Olympics and as an individual counselor for a ten-year-old boy during one week of Special Camp. Arabella began playing volleyball in fourth grade at St. Mary’s School and continued to play for Santa Margarita High School. She also played club volleyball as a setter through the 18’s division. She plans to attend the University of Arizona in the fall, majoring in film production and minoring in business. Arabella’s hobbies include going to the beach, spending time with friends, and painting on canvas anything that reminds her of the beach. Avery Gray ‘15 was a valedictorian for Tesoro High School in June. She played lacrosse at Tesoro High School and was involved with National Charity League where she completed over 400 volunteer hours. She especially enjoyed working with children’s charities including Special Camp and Orangewood Home. Avery plans to pursue her passion for teaching high school science by attending Auburn University in the fall, majoring in science education with a concentration in physics. John Grayson ‘15 graduated magna cum laude from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May and plans to attend the University of Southern California in the fall, majoring in communications. John received an outstanding leadership award for his role as ASB President for the Class of 2019. Brianna Jahangiri ‘15 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May with an International Baccalaureate Certificate, National Honor Society recognition, and California Scholarship Federation honors. She received the Coeur a Coeur leadership in service award, the Prudential service award, the Presidential Service Award (6 years), and went to Washington D.C. to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal Award. Brianna was Vice Chair of San Juan Capistrano City Council Youth Advisory Board and continued to work with Participate to Educate, a philanthropy that collects school supplies for the underprivileged, which she founded while at St. Mary’s. Brianna plans to attend the University of California at Berkeley in the fall, majoring in environmental studies.
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Chloe Komrosky ‘15 graduated from Mater Dei High School in May. She is excited to begin her journey to become a veterinarian by majoring in animal biology at the University of California at Davis in the fall. Ashkaan Mahjoob ‘15 was valedictorian of the Class of 2019 at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He plans to attend Dartmouth College in the fall, majoring in economics. During high school, Ashkaan was a member of ASB and held the offices of vice president during his freshman, sophomore and junior years and executive vice president during his senior year. He was a member of the Steel Drums Honor Ensemble for four years and a member of Swim Team, National Honor Society and Model United Nations. Ashkaan founded the service club Keys2Happiness and performed with this group in 20 concerts at senior housing facilities throughout his high school years. He also tutored first-generation college-bound high school students through Breakthrough San Juan. Ashkaan’s hobbies include photography, music, hiking, and hanging out with friends.
Angelo Vacca ‘15 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May as an AP Scholar, Eagle Gold Scholar, and a member of the California Scholarship Federation. He also received the Caritas Christi award for basketball in his freshman year. Angelo will attend University of Colorado Boulder in the fall where he has been accepted into the computer science/ engineering program and the global engineering honors program. Joey Yezbak ‘15 graduated with honors from the Law Magnet Program at JSerra Catholic High School in June. He was a member of the Theater Program and participated in many plays throughout his high school career. Joey plans to attend Grand Canyon University in the fall, majoring in history.
Katelyn Murphy ‘15 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May with a 4.61 GPA. She was a member of both the track team and the lacrosse team. At the conclusion of her final lacrosse season, Katelyn was named Trinity League MVP, All-County 1st Team, All-County Player of the Year, and an All-American. She received a scholarship to play Division One lacrosse at San Diego State University where she will attend in the fall, majoring in business. Tori Palenske ‘15 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May where she participated on the nationally ranked dance team during all four years. She plans to attend San Diego State University in the fall, majoring in dance. Josh Prentice ‘15 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in May as an International Baccalaureate Full Diploma candidate. He was also an AP scholar. Josh plans to attend the University of California at Los Angeles in the fall, majoring in business economics. Josh was involved in Model United Nations and received three Best Delegate awards, seven Outstanding Delegate awards, three Commendable Delegate awards, and eight Research Awards. He traveled to a MUN conference at Georgetown University and to international MUN conferences in London, Prague, and Munich. Josh initiated charity drives for the homeless through the Illumination Foundation. He was also a tutor at Rancho Santa Margarita Boys and Girls Club. His hobbies include trumpet, basketball, and fantasy football.
St. Mary’s Alumni at SMCHS Senior Awards Night – from left to right: Chloe Schaefgen ‘15 (Summa Cum Laude, Full IB Diploma Candidate, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation member), Ashkaan Mahjoob ‘15 (Valedictorian, Summa Cum Laude, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation member), Ryan Sears ‘15 (Summa Cum Laude, Full IB Diploma Candidate, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation member), John Grayson ‘15 (Magna Cum Laude, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation member), Oliver Breese ‘15 (California Scholarship Federation member, National Merit Commended Scholar), and Brian Coyne ‘15 (Full IB Diploma Candidate, California Scholarship Federation member)
Keeley Rasich ‘15 graduated from JSerra Catholic High School in June and plans to attend Gonzaga University in the fall, majoring in business. Keeley has volunteered at Special Camp for Special Kids, Laura’s House, National Honor Society tutoring, Serra’s Pantry, and Second Harvest Food Bank. Her hobbies include tennis, hiking, Special Camp for Special Kids, Laura’s House, and the Business Magnet Program. Keeley is currently an intern at Kaiser Aluminum. Ryan Simpson ‘15 graduated from Sage Hill School in June and plans to attend Brown University in the fall, majoring in computer science. He will travel to Vietnam during the summer to participate in a Sage Hill service project to assemble and distribute wheelchairs and to install water filtration systems. Ryan’s hobbies include computer science, art, graphic design, and app design.
We were thrilled to have 43 alumni attend the Class of 2019 Graduation.
Connect with Us!
We enjoy hearing from our alumni and would love to know what our students are pursuing. Email your updates and photos to alum@smaa.org. 10
Welcome to Our New Board of Trustees Chairwoman: Serena Benson Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, St. Mary’s parent, Serena Benson, will be serving as our new Board of Trustees Chairwoman. Matt Stewart previously served as chairman for the past three years and has been instrumental in bringing the school’s strategic plan to a reality. With the graduation of Mr. Stewart’s youngest daughter from St. Mary’s, it was a natural progression to have a new leader at the helm. Our community appreciates and thanks Mr. Stewart for all his service. The Benson family has been a part of the St. Mary’s community since 2012 when their son Hayden started Kindergarten. New Board Chairwoman, Mrs. Benson, both chaired and served on the Development Committee for several years, has been an active member of our Board of Trustees for the past three years, and has served as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the past two years. During her three-year term, Mrs. Benson plans to advocate for parents and children at St. Mary’s and to have a direct, positive impact on our school. Her desire to lead stems from her goal to “continue to maintain an effective working relationship with our Head of School setting the tone for the future of the Board, including establishing a common purpose, running meetings effectively and efficiently and shaping the agenda in relation to goals, strategy, budget, and governance matters.” Mrs. Benson is oftentimes found at the school gate welcoming students and families in the morning. When Mrs. Benson is not on campus, she is leading her real estate management company, visiting the various assets she manages and serving on the Board of Valiant Women at Mission Hospital. She loves attending spin classes at Grit Cycle, going to the Farmers Market in Laguna Beach and having dinners at Sushi Laguna. She, along with her husband Matthew and son Hayden (Grade 7), lives in Laguna Beach. Serena Benson with her husband Matthew
Uniform Updates We have three partners that offer flexible and practical choices for school uniforms: • LAND’S END: Head-to-toe uniforms Toddler through Grade 8. School code: 900148669. • TOMMY HILFIGER: Head-to-toe uniforms Toddler through Grade 8. School code: STMA04. • EAST BAY: Spirit wear tops Youth through Adult. No code needed. Visit www.smaa.org for more information or please contact Marna Graham at 949.448.9027, ext. 320 or marna.graham@smaa.org.
Summer 2019 Newsletter
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Summer 2019 Newsletter ST. MARY’S SCHOOL 7 Pursuit Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 smaa.org PAGE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 3 Leading Our Falcons: Señora Foerster
PAGE 4 2019 – 2020 International Field Studies
Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Laguna Niguel, CA Permit No.1091
PAGE 7 Learning STEAM Through Play
Save the Date For the 2019-2020 Social Community Events Fri., Sept. 6 PTF Hosted Welcome Back Coffee Fri., Sept. 27 Founder’s Day Fri., Oct. 18 Mother/Son Game Night Mon., Nov. 11 St. Mary’s Golf Classic Fri., Nov. 22 EEP/LS Grandparents’ Day Mon., Dec. 2 Kick-off to Community Candy Canes Fri., Jan. 31 Father/Daughter Dance Sat., April 4 St. Mary’s Spring Gala Wed.-Thurs., April 29-30 All School Art Show Fri., May 15 PTF Hosted Spring Community Event Thurs., May 21 Middle School Family Day and Expo