St. Mary's Summer Magazine 2020 by St. Mary's School

ST. MARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2020 MAGAZINE

Dear St. Mary’s Community, Unprecedented. How many times have we said, read or heard that word over the last few months? But, how else do we describe these times? As I reflect back on the 2019-2020 school year, it was filled with many moments that pushed us as educators, students, parents and a community. We had to tackle the new and unknown, address the how and quickly pivot to provide the answer. When we started this academic year, no one knew how it would end. While it’s not at all what we anticipated, I am incredibly proud of our students. They persevered and demonstrated their world-sized hearts and world-class minds every day. In the article, “Remote Learning = New Experiences” there are great examples of students thinking about the world around them and inquiring how they can make a difference, which is the cornerstone of an IB education. I am filled with gratitude for our talented faculty and staff. This past school year, they rose to so many challenges and provided meaningful solutions to educate and support all of our students. Our faculty innovated and adopted new methods of teaching. They stretched themselves to creatively and thoughtfully celebrate our students. It was amazing to witness the yard sign deliveries, car parades and drive-in promotions. These actions brought so much joy to our students and families. I am so appreciative of our faculty and staff. As I look to the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, I am filled with hope. We are ready begin a new chapter and reopen our campus to all our students, faculty and staff on August 24. Thank you for your continued support. Please stay safe and healthy.

Sharon Taylor Head of School

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

Remote Learning = In the spring of 2020, education across the world changed. Teachers and students were thrust into new learning environments. The delivery of content, mode of communication and manner in which interactions occurred were quickly modified. It felt and looked different. At St. Mary’s, however, our fundamental beliefs related to teaching and learning never altered. On campus or remote, we continued to innovate our program. Developing engaging learning experiences that inspire action is central to the IB philosophy, and this spring, new units of inquiry were introduced, units that called for critical and creative thinking and encouraged students to make the world a better and more peaceful place.

Changing the World – Grade 3 Imagine...you are on a boat sailing to an island paradise. Suddenly the boat begins to sink, but thankfully a small, deserted island is within swimming distance. You don’t have much time and must decide which items you want to save. Will you reach for food or the TV? Medicine or a football? What is a need, and what is a want? When do our needs become rights? Grade 3 students were faced with this dilemma as they dove into a new unit of inquiry: how do human beings use activism to protect their human rights? Grade 3 Lead Teacher Keri Del Conte explained the need for this unit. “It’s important for third graders to know that they have rights, and it’s their responsibility to protect those rights. Third graders are innately passionate and empathetic. Driven by our mission statement, ‘world-sized hearts, world-

class minds,’ we were able to tap into their hearts and expose students to current global issues. Our students were ready to learn the interconnectedness of global issues, how they can take action and have an impact on humankind and the environment.” Students started with two questions: what are your rights and who is responsible for protecting these rights? Then students were introduced to the United Nations (UN) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, 17 goals designed to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Using these goals as a guide, each student created a wish for the world. Wishes included quality education for all, access to clean water and sanitation and the elimination of hunger around the world. For Grade 3 student Brenner Allen, this was an opportunity to explore racial equality and social justice.

New Experiences To better understand the topic, Brenner researched the history of racism, wrote a persuasive paper, presented it to his class and took specific, meaningful action by attending a peaceful protest meant to raise awareness around the importance of social justice. Sharing his experience, Brenner explained, “While at the protest, I was happy to see so many people there who felt the same way I did. There were people of all ages and all different races showing their support for people around the world. We held up signs, and people honked their horns and cheered when they drove by. We also took part in a moment of silence to remember those people who have been victimized by racism and hate.” Sharing what he gained from his experience, Brenner stated, “I realized that I still have a lot to learn about racism and what we can do to help end it.” Recognizing you have a voice and the ability to effect positive change in the world is a solid start.

Good Mutts – Grade 8 The dystopian novel study, a new unit in Grade 8, opened with an invitation. “Think beyond what is presented in the book and analyze the characters and setting with a sense of suspicion. They may not be what they first appear,” explained Hannah Goldie, MYP Language and Literature teacher. “Dystopian novels are full of illusions.” Birds may be listening devices designed to spy on citizens. Wasps, tools to induce hallucinations and fear. In Suzanne Collins’ dystopian novel, Hunger Games, these mutts, or muttations, genetically modified animals used by the government to maintain control, are a source of great angst. But, are all muttations bad? Can genetic modifications be a force for good? These questions were the catalyst for the “Good Mutts” project.

After exploring and debating the use of both fictional and nonfictional genetic modifications, the students were tasked with the creation of a positive “muttation,” one that can solve a problem in the world. This type of project-based learning provides an authentic, meaningful purpose for study, allowing students to deepen their knowledge and skills and unleash creative energy. Working in teams, students collaborated virtually to research, design and create their own genetically modified muttation. “It was actually not too hard to collaborate with my group because we had been taught how to use Google Slides before the quarantine and that really helped us. We also used FaceTime to talk, so sharing ideas was easy,” explained recent alum Marcus Vlok. Vlok and his group began by linking two problems of interest: expensive and inefficient naval weapons and ocean pollution. The next step, consider how both of these issues could be solved with a single muttation. Selecting from plants, animals or landforms, the group chose two elements of nature and combined them to tackle the issues. The result: the whalcano! This military mutant uses its camouflage to sneak under ships. It spews lava out of its spout, destroying the enemy combatant without being tracked and at a fraction of the cost. An added benefit...any materials left from the attack are quickly disposed of as the whalcano feeds on the trash in the ocean to fuel its lava. Recognizing the importance of developing the communication skills of her students, Ms. Goldie asked them to present their creations in Zoom sessions. “Sharing their presentations with one another when we were so new to remote learning allowed students to step outside their own adverse situations and engage with a sort of imaginary service to their community,” she explains. Like Katniss Everdeen, the main character in Hunger Games, the students overcame difficulties, adapted to new environments and recognized they are stronger and more resilient than they ever dreamed.

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

Preparing for a Positive Back to School Transition New beginnings are synonymous with mixed emotions, and this year those emotions will likely be heightened as you prepare to drop your children off for their first day of school. We’re emerging from a prolonged quarantine while adjusting to unfamiliar protocols and procedures just to participate in daily life. This is an unprecedented time in history, and we’re all learning as we go. When all else fails, I encourage you to rely on what you know. People thrive on routines. Part of what’s been so difficult these past few months is the routines we once took for granted were abruptly upended. However, that’s all about to change again. School is right around the corner, so it’s important to think about transitioning back to the classroom. One of the ways you can set your children up for successful transitions back to school is by reinstating routines that will prepare them for the year ahead. For example, begin enforcing a reasonable bed time a week or two before school starts. You’ll also want to share information about the changes they can expect this year including what drop-off and pick-up will look like, so they can get used to these new ideas and ask you any questions before the big day. Talk to your children about all the ways they’ve learned to keep themselves safe – through hand washing, sneezing into their forearm and

Dr. Carmen Andesron

using a mask when they cannot physically distance. Communicate, communicate, communicate. If you don’t know the answer to a question, let your children know you’ll find it. If they express worries, say something like, “I can understand why you might feel that way,” and then convey your confidence that St. Mary’s is doing everything they know how to do to keep our community safe. I’ll often encourage a reluctant child by telling him/her to try something as an experiment. That way if it doesn’t work, we can make adjustments as we go. Social support will be paramount with regard to helping your children feel comfortable as they return to school. Friendships naturally ebb and flow, but it’s difficult to tell how the quarantine may have affected social relationships. Every family has different rules with regard to technology, and it’s likely children had different levels of access to their friends. Make a point to encourage connection with other students before the first day back, so your children are excited to reconnect with their peers. In doing so, take their lead. Ask who your child would like to connect with rather than limiting these interactions to individuals you prefer.

Talk to your children about all the ways they’ve learned to keep themselves safe Once the big day is here, it’s important to remember children take their cues from you. If you’re nervous about dropping your children off, they will pick up on that. Separation anxiety applies to parents too. Be as calm as possible and help them focus on the positive things they’ll experience this year. If you’re uncertain about whether in-person learning is right for your family, reach out to your division head or myself ahead of time, so we can answer questions you may have to alleviate anxiety. We’re here to support you. If there are tears during drop-off, that’s okay. Please trust we are well equipped to care for students who may feel upset. More often than not students recover quickly once parents leave and go on to have really great days. So as the summer comes to an end and we gear up for another year at St. Mary’s, I encourage you to talk positively about the upcoming year in front of your children, share favorite memories from when you were your child’s age and remember we’re all in this together!

Sidney Morales 2020 Recipient of Father Ernest D. Sillers Legacy Award

Every year, St. Mary’s School presents the Legacy Leadership Award to honor a Grade 8 student who demonstrates superior leadership skill, evidence of service and civic responsibility. This is the culmination of the St. Mary’s Leadership Program. The competition focuses on four main principles called the Four A.C.E.S. of Leadership, which form the cornerstones of a strong community: Attitude, Commitment, Engagement and Service. Each applicant writes two timed essays, then a judging committee narrows the semi-finalists to 12 finalists. The finalists undergo an individual interview conducted by a panel of judges representing our local community and business leaders. This year’s incredible group of 12 finalists include: Gabriella Eifrig Matthew Far-hadian Caden Gaffaney Georgia Jeanneret Olivia Leddy Logan Mickelsen

George Mohammed Sidney Morales Lauren Moro Caitlin Quinn Marcus Vlok Kira Wensinger

Congratulations to Sidney Morales, the recipient of the 2020 Father Ernest D. Sillers Legacy Leadership Award. Sidney is an extraordinary student leader, Grade 8 Ambassador and visible member of her community. She served as the assistant editor-inchief of the yearbook and a vital teammate on St. Mary’s Mock Trial Team. Sidney participated in track, cross-country and lacrosse. She has loved being a part of our school musicals where she served for three years as an ensemble cast member and lead costume designer. Congratulations and best wishes to Sidney as she continues her studies at Pacifica Christian High School.

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

St. Mary’s Class of 2020 On June 30, 2020, St. Mary’s School celebrated its 26th Graduation Commencement and first-ever drive-in ceremony for its Grade 8 students. Faculty and families gathered in their cars to safely recognize and honor the incredible Class of 2020. It was wonderful to be together one final time before our students launch into high school. The St. Mary’s Class of 2020 will always hold a special place in the history of St. Mary’s. Student leaders delivered thoughtful and inspirational speeches, including: Class Valedictorian and IB Scholar Recipient Calvin Howard, ASB President Caitlin Quinn, Legacy Award Winner Sidney Morales and Salutatorian Gabriella Eifrig. The evening was complete with a beautiful violin solo of “Courante” by graduate Ruth Wu. St. Mary’s is proud to have properly celebrated our students with an in-person, drive-in ceremony. The Class of 2020 has demonstrated perseverance, and we know they will continue to throughout their lives. Best of luck to all our graduates. We wish you all health and success and hope to see you on campus in the future.

The following is the Class of 2020 graduates and the high school they will attend this fall: Armon Alemzadeh Jackson Baldwin Tristan Barndt Hudson Bates Leith Bauer Logan Bonswor Logan Bos Christian Bullock Natalie Chapman Hanlin Chen Leigh Chien Jack Codet Lauren Cosgrove Jordan Dauod Sofia Di Cesare-Bystrowicz Gabriella Eifrig Sophia Elizalde-Rendon Matthew Far-hadian

Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School San Juan Hills High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Gap Year San Juan Hills High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School University High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School San Juan Hills High School St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Santa Margarita Catholic High School St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Eston Kallins Luther Kingston Owen Lau Theodore Le Olivia Leddy Trinity Lee Jack Link Keegan McGann Carolina McNamee Charlotte Memoly Logan Mickelsen Ava Mirhosseini Mary Mitchell George Mohammed Sidney Morales Ashley Moro Lauren Moro Hayeon Oh

Pacifica Christian High School Dana Hills High School JSerra Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Laguna Beach High School Pacifica Christian High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School

Sophia Farrish Hayden Finley Ethan Furlong Caden Gaffaney Cole Gamble Rachel Georgianna Natalie Geyfman Joseph Gideons Soraya Golshani Brandon Gorski Braden Green Jordan Gross Kian Gulbrandsen Sonia Gupta Calvin Howard Yiting Huang Ava Jacobson Georgia Jeanneret Eve Jewgieniew

Capistrano Valley High School San Juan Hills High School San Clemente High School Mater Dei Catholic High School Laguna Beach High School Capistrano Valley High School Tarbut V’Torah St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Mater Dei Catholic High School Sage Hill School JSerra Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School Crean Lutheran High School Mater Dei Catholic High School Pacifica Christian High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School

Justin Ohlmeyer Henry Olsheim Sutton Olson Lucas Owens Abigail Pearson Leo Pich Gavin Purcell Samuel Qu Caitlin Quinn Christian Rief Brady Schaefgen Alexander Singh Luke Stellar Marcus Vlok Minh Vo Kira Wensinger Leo Woods Ruth Wu Luca Zuccato

JSerra Catholic High School Laguna Hills High School JSerra Catholic High School Santiago Middle School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Cathedral Catholic High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Mater Dei Catholic High School Gap Year Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Crean Lutheran High School Santa Margarita Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School Laguna Beach High School JSerra Catholic High School JSerra Catholic High School

High Schools by the Numbers:

Top Private School Committments

Graduates High School Commitments

20%

ATTENDING PUBLIC

80% ATTENDING PRIVATE

4 3

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

Grade 8 Individuals and Societies Passion Project

Dan Kearney

Knowledge is critical, especially in history, where having a mental timeline of key events helps us contextualize new information. Knowledge is the currency that allows us to participate in the marketplace of ideas, to express informed opinions and to take part as citizens in a democratic society. How we interact with knowledge is as important as the knowledge itself and, in an age of acceleration and relative uncertainty, having the skills to effectively and confidently interact is essential. For example, accessing a nearly unlimited amount of knowledge is not very helpful if we don’t have the skills to evaluate the sources from which this information comes. During the final five weeks of the school year, Grade 8 took part in the I&S (Individuals and Societies) Passion Project. Students chose their topics and, not surprisingly, the topics spanned a wide range – Nazi propaganda, women’s suffrage, JFK’s assassination to name a few. This is key because when students have a high degree of choice in their learning, differentiation and motivation occur naturally as students move into what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls the “flow channel” between boredom and anxiety. They, almost literally, find their groove. While students explored the topic they are passionate about, I worked with them on a series of essential research skills such as crafting a meaningful research question. One skill in particular deserves further explanation as it is related to this debate about knowledge. Since we can’t possibly teach all the knowledge (and why would we even want to try?), I believe empowering students to build background knowledge quickly is an important and oftentimes overlooked skill. Grade 8 practiced this skill – which includes using key terms and specific text types and evaluating sources – to help them prepare for deeper exploration of their topic. Throughout the project, students maintained a digital research notebook that allowed me to view and give feedback on their progress, ideas and questions. Their final product was an oral presentation, recorded and collected on our Passion Project website. I invite you to visit this website. It includes further description of the project, as well as all Grade 8 presentations. It can be found online at sites.google.

St. Mary’s Fund Thank You Thank you to our St. Mary’s Fund Committee

$610,000

Catherine and Matt Anderson, Committee Co-Chairs Serena Benson, Chair, Board of Trustees Dennis Boyer Kathy Brandenberger Audrey Bryant Jordan Floriani Jill Guinosso Nancy Hermansen New Donors Patty Lawhead Susan Lew Jennifer Mickelsen Jeff Minhas Keely Ng Jen Pangborn Leadership Dawn Steele Donors Chris van den Berg Mary Wattenberg Joy Wang Maria and David Wayland Stellar Xu Aaron Zeigler

Raised

408 Donors

Donors Increased Their Gifts

$1,495 672

Average Gift

Students Benefited

On behalf of all our current and future students, thank you to everyone who generously donated to the 2019-2020 St. Mary’s Fund. The St. Mary’s Fund made a world of difference for our students, faculty and programs by raising more than $610,000. For a complete list of donors, please visit www.smaa.org/smf2020. As the single most important philanthropic priority for the school each year, the St. Mary’s Fund allows us to provide a transformative education that could not be funded through tuition alone. Our stellar academic programs, classroom ratios and beloved teachers are not possible without generous donations. To continue to prepare our students to be empathetic, independent and courageous leaders of today and tomorrow, we constantly challenge our faculty, curriculum and spaces to be extraordinary. Contributions to the St. Mary’s Fund allow us to grow stronger as a school, more engaged as a community and most importantly, offer our students a brighter future. St. Mary’s has flourished into an innovative campus with best-in-class educators who cultivate world-sized hearts and world-class minds day in and day out.

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

Class of 2016: College Bound Falcons When our students graduate and leave the nest, we continue to support them from afar. We are proud of the St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class of 2016 and wish them health and happiness as they embark on their college journey this fall.

Derrick Adams Parker Alvarez Hayley Augustini Megan Beiswenger Anastasia Bekis Brian Byrd Marco Caldarone Joey Cha Andrew Chang Ryan Christensen Kalista Cowden Suzie Cullen Ben Cunningham Gabriella Dalgaard Andrew Deakin Jonathan DeBarro Jessica Elizalde-Rendon Cole Engleman Matthew Fanticola Nicholas Fish Isabella Floriani Farrah Fuerst Sarayna Gandhi Jack Gannaway Lillian Goodyear Genevieve Hilbert Ciara Hunt Nathaniel Hwang Ryan Jacobin Ella Kang Elizabeth Katzman Aidan Kelly Amelia Kitts Laila Klinsmann Valerie Kramer Rohun Krishnan Camille Landreth Alexander Lindborg

Georgia Institute of Technology Ottawa University Arizona New York University Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Emerson College Chapman University University of California, Irvine New York University University of California, Santa Barbara California State University, Fullerton Tulane University University of San Diego Baylor University San Francisco State University University of California, Berkeley Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University of Southern California Chapman University Northeastern University Loyola Marymount University University of San Diego University of California, Los Angeles Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business American University University of California - Davis Northeastern University University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles Columbia University Boston College Biola University SCAD School of Art and Design University of Michigan Pomona College Point Loma Nazarene University Saddleback College

Dylan Long Luke Malecka Lucas Marcinkowski Jake Martin Stephen Masson Charles McFadden Caden McMackin Jackson McNamee Gordon McNeill Andrew Mitchell Amanda Newman Josette Odgers Henry O’Neill Keith Openshaw Riley Orcutt Matthew Orihuela Megan Pearce Maxx Principale Sydney Querner Connor Rees Kiana Rees Nicole Ryu Kyle Sakabe Cameron Shirangi Taylor Silver Nicolas Sliheet James Stanton Jacob Stewart Zoe Strickland Christiana Tedesco Shelley Teichrow Jared Tenney Dylan Vanek Samuel Wolter Emma Wray Angie Yogaratnam

Georgetown University California State University, Long Beach Loyola Marymount University Chapman University University of California, Los Angeles Concordia University Loyola Marymount University University of Chicago Georgetown University Brigham Young University University of Portland University of California, San Diego Gap Year University of Southern California University of Georgia University of California, Los Angeles San Diego State University Boise State University College of William & Mary University of California, San Diego San Diego State University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of the Pacific Pitzer College University of Michigan San Diego State University University of Utah Tulane University Loyola Marymount University Texas Christian University Saint Mary’s College of California Brigham Young University University of California, Irvine University of Oregon Boise State University University of California, San Diego

Congratulations to all Falcon student athletes who signed to compete in college athletics. Josette Odgers – University of California, San Diego Swimming Sydney Querner – William and Mary Swimming Rilly Orcutt – University of Georgia Softball Caden McMackin – Loyola Marymount University Golf Nicole Ryu – Massachusetts Institute of Technology Softball Amelia Kitts – Biola University Tennis Rohun Krishnan – Pomona College Tennis Parker Alvarez – Ottowa University Arizona Water Polo Jack Gannaway – Santa Clara University Water Polo Cameron Shirangi – Pitzer College Football Luke Malecka – California State University, Long Beach Water Polo Chad McFadden – Concordia University Lacrosse

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

We are excited to share stories from our alumni making a positive impact in the world – demonstrating their world-sized hearts and world-class minds.

Alumni Updates CLASS OF 2005 Lauren Cullen ‘05 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where she played on the water polo and swim teams. Lauren studied psychology and studio arts at Loyola Marymount University. Upon graduation, Lauren felt compelled to give back and served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Chicago’s City Year program and co-taught in various classrooms in a large Chicago public school. Lauren is currently working for Fusion Academy, a private, one-on-one school, as the Director of Outreach. She works to build connections with local schools and professionals to provide and sustain a truly individualized and alternative experience for students.

CLASS OF 2012 Abigail Jackson ‘12 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2016. She recently graduated from the University of Southern California as a Phi Beta Kappa member and a Renaissance Prize Winner with a BS in computational neuroscience and a BA in philosophy. While at USC, she was the Executive Director of TEDxUSC and a student researcher in the molecular biology department. Abigail has been awarded a Fulbright Grant to research upstream biopharmaceutical manufacturing at the Max Planck Institute in Magdeburg, Germany, before attending graduate school. Frances Gargano ‘12 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2016 and from Marymount Manhattan College in 2020 where she majored in dance performance with a concentration in jazz. While at Marymount, she had the opportunity to audition to be a New York Jets cheerleader for the NFL. Frances is currently awaiting to attend New York Jets Flight Crew Training Camp. She enjoys yoga, pilates, cooking and exploring the city.

CLASS OF 2014 Aedan Frazier ‘14 had a strong finish to his sophomore year at Purdue University. He currently is enjoying his virtual internship at Intel as a Memory Validation Intern. He looks forward to returning to school this fall to continue his classes in microprocessors, digital circuit design and software engineering.

Amanda Smith ‘14 is a junior at the University of Arizona majoring in animal science and Iden Mozafin ‘14 attends the Berklee College of Music. A special thank you to these alumni and many others who stopped by this past year to visit and see the new campus. Robert Colley ’14 is studying chemistry at Cornell University, and Kristina Gonzales ’12 graduated from Boston University this spring with plans to attend Tufts University for graduate school in the fall.

CLASS OF 2016 Anastasia Bekis ‘16 graduated from Sage Hill School this spring and will be attending Emerson College in Boston. She plans to study creative writing.

Ben Cunningham ‘16 will attend Baylor University in the fall and plans to double major in environmental and political science. He will pursue a pre-law track. Caden McMackin ‘16 has committed to study and play Division I golf for Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Caden graduated from JSerra High School this spring where he was two-year honor student. Caden recently won the AJGA Enagmic Golf Tournament as well as The Toyota Tour Cup. He has many top-five finishes throughout the country in major golf tournaments and is ranked in the top 50 for AJGA in the country.

Nicole Ryu ‘16 has committed to study and play softball at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Mass. Nicole, the youngest member of the Korean National Softball Team, held a .450 average as a lead-off hitter. She also played in the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Tournament for four years and reached the Colorado Invitational Tournament semifinal round. Nicole graduated from St. Margaret’s where she has been a four-year member of the track & field program. Nicole volunteered her time as a St. Margaret’s Admission Ambassador and as a Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano tutor. She intends to major in chemical engineering at MIT. Keith Openshaw ‘16 graduated from Mater Dei High School and will attend USC. At Mater Dei, Keith played water polo for four years where he was Varsity Team Captain. Keith was selected to represent Mater Dei as the Boys State Representative in Sacramento, earned the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated with honors. He enjoys skiing, surfing, building and investing. For the past two summers, he had interned for companies in financial investing. He looks forward to studying economics and mathematics.

Derrick Adams ‘16 graduated from Mater Dei High School where he was Valedictorian, received the STEM Award and a CSF Scholarship. Derrick was CSF Vice President (also a lifetime member), Captain of the Robotics Team and Head Club Commissioner. He was in the National Honors Society (three years) and ASB (four years). Derrick was also on the track team and volunteered every summer as a counselor at Special Camp for Special Kids. Derrick also earned his Eagle Scout where his project was installing trail signs at Crystal Cove State Park. Derrick plans to attend Georgia Tech where he will be in the Honors Program studying computer science.

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

Cole Engleman ‘16 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School where he received an Eagle Alumni Scholarship, CSF Scholarship and the Mohammad Vali Ghahreman Memorial Scholarship for global citizenship. Cole played Water Polo for four years, was co-captain for two years and was on the swim team for four years. He also played club water polo for Orange County Water Polo and his team went onto compete in the Jr. Olympics. He received the Outstanding Academic All-American Award. Cole performed with the Steel Drums Honor Band including performances at Segerstrom and was a semi-finalist for Orange County Register Artist of the Year his senior year. Cole participated in MUN, the Robotics Team and Film Club, where he wrote a National Award & Scholarship Winning Film against drunk driving. Cole is a lifetime CSF member and a National Honors Society member. He performed over 100 hours of service and earned his Eagle Scout designation. Cole plans to attend USC Marshall School of Business | Leventhal School of Accounting where he will pursue a degree in accounting. Stephen Masson ‘16 graduated from Laguna Hills High School with an IB diploma. Stephen won the CTE Computer Medallion, played Varsity Volleyball and earned his Eagle Scout designation. Stephen will attend the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in mechanical engineering. Gordon McNeill ‘16 graduated from Sage Hill School and will attend Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Services. Gordon has also achieved National Master Status as a chess player. Amelia Kitts ‘16 has committed to study and play tennis for Biola University and pursue a degree in nursing. Amelia was a four-year varsity Santa Margarita Catholic High School tennis player and captain for the team. She has been a four-year participant in Model United Nations and choir. She traveled to Austria and the Netherlands for choir tours.

Christiana Tedesco ‘16 will major in fashion merchandising and marketing at Texas Christian University this fall. She is a graduate of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Link Crew Leader and a 2019 Nordstrom Fashion Ambassador. She also volunteered as a camp counselor for adults with developmental disabilities with the organization RAD (Rising Above Disabilities). Taylor Silver ‘16 was nominated for Orange County Register Artist of the Year for the ComputerAssisted Visual Arts category. Taylor graduated from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and will be attending the University of Michigan’s BFA Art & Design program in the fall.

Jackson McNamee ‘16 graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School and will attend the University of Chicago, majoring in philosophy. Jackson earned his Eagle Scout and won the following awards: first place chemistry student at Santa Margarita by the American Chemical Society, Honorable Mention for Humor and Flash Fiction from Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and youngest participant at 2019 Yale Writing Workshop. In addition, Jackson writes plays and performs stand-up comedy.

CLASS OF 2018 Genevieve Masson ‘18 received a MACY’s Bright Spot Award and a John Raitt (JRay) Award for Female Soloist, for her performance as Little Cossette in Les Misérables at Laguna Hills High School.

New Community Members Join St. Mary’s Board of Trustees Over the past school year St. Mary’s welcomed five new members to the Board of Trustees. We’re also thrilled to announce a new addition to the Board for the 2020-2021 school year, Catherine Anderson. On behalf of all our faculty, staff and community, St. Mary’s is incredibly grateful for the leadership, stewardship and service of all our board members, including the newest members: J.J. Abraham, Catherine Anderson, Dennis Boyer, Keith Buckley, Kevin DeAllen and Jeff Minhas. We also want to recognize and thank Scott Green for his nine years of service as a trustee. Scott was an instrumental member of many committees from strategic planning to the Imagine More Campaign. Thank you Scott for your dedication and support of St. Mary’s. J.J. Abraham J.J. Abraham officially joined the St. Mary’s Board of Trustees in July 2019. He and his wife Christa, Sofia (Grade 7) and Eli (Kindergarten) have been part of the St. Mary’s community since 2013. They were immediately drawn to St. Mary’s because of its IB curriculum and down-to-earth community of parents, teachers and staff. J.J. has over 26 years of experience in the real estate industry, developing mixed-use, multifamily and resort communities throughout the U.S. and Mexico (Los Cabos). He spent the last eight years as the division president of California for Lennar Corporation’s (the nation’s largest homebuilder – NYSE: LEN) start-up apartment development platform. As the first employee in California, he was able to grow the division into a $4 billion portfolio, building anywhere from three-story suburban apartment communities to luxury high-rises in downtown San Diego and the Bay Area. Both J.J. and Christa are originally from Texas. J.J. grew up in Houston and is a graduate of SMU in Dallas, and Christa grew up in east Texas in a small town called Greenpond and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Ironically, the two met each other in 1999 only after J.J. moved to California and she stepped into his previous position in Texas. Catherine Anderson Catherine, her husband Matt, Tyler (Grade 7), Sean (Grade 5) and Caris (Grade 2) have been at St. Mary’s for the last three years. Catherine has volunteered a great deal at school, including serving on the Development and Care & Compassion Committees. She attended Princeton University, where she was a student athlete, graduating cum laude. Catherine recieved her law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. She began her career at Latham & Watkins, LLP in Los Angeles where she specialized in land use, as well as finance and partnership law as it applies to the real estate industry. She became general counsel at Lytle Development Company in 2005, a real estate development company with a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial properties, including the largest residential development ever approved in the County of San Bernardino. Catherine helped form and found CapRock Partners, an industrial investor and developer in the Western United States, before slowing her career to focus on her family in 2012. Catherine has a wide spectrum of board and non-profit experience. Most relevant to St. Mary’s, Catherine and Matt, were founders of Pacifica Christian High School (2015), along with four other couples. Matt is a founding and current board member with Catherine serving on the Development Committee and in various other capacities since its inception. The experience with Pacifica has provided much firsthand knowledge of the operation of educational facilities. Catherine is devoted to her family and children and is particularly committed to the field of education where she hopes to provide the best future for the upcoming generation.

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

Dennis Boyer Dennis is the proud grandfather of Alicia Kate Mendoza (Grade 8) who enrolled in St. Mary’s three years ago grade after immigrating from the Philippines. Dennis is a big believer in private education and a proponent of philanthropy in private schools to help close the tuition gap. By attending St. Margaret’s Church, the Boyer family developed a strong connection with Father Ernest Sillers, making their bond with St. Mary’s School all the more special to them. In his earlier career with Marriott, Hyatt and Westin, Dennis worked in operations, accounting and sales/marketing. He has a BSBA degree in business administration with a major in hotel & restaurant management from the University of Denver. Dennis graduated from Army and Navy Academy, an all-boys college preparatory boarding school in Carlsbad, Calif. He serves or has served as trustee for Army and Navy Academy, Laguna Beach Community Foundation and as vestry member for St. Margaret’s Church. Dennis resides in Laguna Niguel with his wife, Choo Choo, an interior designer. They have two sons, Preston and Clarke, and two grandchildren, Alicia and Hunter. The Boyer Family enjoys outdoor activities, golf, travel, entertainment, art, antiques, museums and history, and they love St. Mary’s. Keith Buckley Keith Buckley’s family is entering their fifth year at St. Mary’s. He has two children at St. Mary’s, Brooks (Grade 6) and Avalon (Grade 4). Keith has enjoyed seeing his children grow and flourish within a creative learning environment, make great friends and establish habits that will serve them well throughout their lifetime. He operates a private equity backed design center business that has been a vital member of the community for 35 years. In his free time, Keith enjoys coaching his kids’ sports teams, running, biking, traveling and spending time with family.

Kevin DeAllen Kevin and his incredible wife Kim have seven amazing children. Four of their children attend St. Mary’s, Margaux (Grade 6), Knox (Grade 4), Nash (Grade 2) and Wells (Kindergarten). Kevin serves as the head of Argyll & Co. where he leverages proprietary, behavioral science technology to create the predictive analytics used by executives and leaders to sharpen their intuition for talent selection, properly motivate individuals, save time and reduce actual stress related behaviors at work. He studied business administration at USC Marshall School of Business and social entrepreneurialism at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Kevin co-founded Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa, created Teen Leadership Camp for foster kids, and he and Kim have established scholarships and social programs for AIDS orphans in Namibia, Africa. His family actively serves and supports the Orange County Jewish Community Center. Kevin was recently appointed to the Miracles for Kids’ board of Directors. Jeff Minhas The Minhas family is entering their eighth year in the St. Mary’s community. Both Maggie and Jeff are active volunteers and participants around the school. Maggie leads the cheer team, and in addition to a trustee, Jeff is an active member of the Development Committee. Their two oldest children attend St. Mary’s: Logan (Grade 7) loves math, technology, football and basketball, and Charlotte (Grade 3) loves math, science, cheer and dance. The Minhas’ youngest son, Carter can’t wait to officially join our academic community in another year. The Minhas are also deeply ingrained in the UC Irvine community, where Jeff and Maggie fell in love and Jeff serves as executive director of Alumni Relations. Maggie owns and operates a family photography business, Maggie Minhas Photography. St. Mary’s is a second home to the Minhas family. The incredible culture of education and community has forever impacted their lives, and they look forward to paying it forward to future generations of Falcons.

Editorial Team Managing Editor: Heather Wilkins Contributors: Carrie Zulanas, Carmen Anderson, Dan Kearney, Christine Downie, Lindsay Winn, Jennifer Engleman, Virtue Bird

Connect with Us!

We enjoy hearing from our alumni and would love to know what our students are pursuing. Email us your updates and photos at alum@smaa.org.

Uniform Update

We are excited to announce our new uniform partner, DENNIS Uniform. To ensure consistency and appropriate representation of our school colors, style and fit, please purchase all your uniform pieces directly from DENNIS Uniform. All clothing items are available both in-store and online at DENNIS Uniform. We are no longer using any outside vendors to embroider or add a logo to articles of clothing for uniform purposes. Students are not required to have their last name embroidered on Chapel sweaters. Please visit www.dennisuniform.com to sign up for an account, access promotions, order uniforms and find information about their Mission Viejo store (23322 Madero, Unit B). Our school code is AN00MY. DENNIS will handle in-store fittings and sizing recommendations (within current health guidelines). Please note: uniforms from the past school year are grandfathered in and are acceptable for the 2020-2021 school year. All spirit wear is available on campus in our student store when we are able to reopen campus to visitors. We will offer a variety of shirts, sweatshirts and outwear. Visit www.smaa.org for more information or please contact Jim Cox.

Save the Dates

Virtual Book Talk with author Jo Boaler October 1, 2020 at 6 p.m. In her revolutionary book, Jo Boaler, a professor of education at Stanford University and acclaimed math educator, reveals the six keys to unlocking learning potential based on the latest scientific findings. Join us virtually as Jo Boaler shares the details of her latest book to achieve a limitless life without barriers.

Please save the date for our annual St. Mary’s Golf Classic on Monday, November 9, 2020, at the private golf course of Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano. It will be a fun day on the course to show your support and come together as a community with your fellow Falcons in a safe environment. Save the date for St. Mary’s 2021 Gala “An Evening of Enchantment” on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the Balboa Bay Club Resort. This is a fun evening filled with fellowship and celebration and an opportunity for us to raise significant contributions toward key programs that enhance our school.

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 and Maggie Cox – ’18. Our students look forward to seeing you every day during the summer and love their time at camp with you!

ST. MARY’S 2020 MAGAZINE

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