The senior issue 2014

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Alec has really become a solid guy. He has really impressed me with his dedication in the gym, losing close to 100 pounds. Anyone will tell you that Alec has really changed in a good way in the past year.

-Kiyan Mashhoon

Senior Issue

Ian is an exuberant human being.

He is unbelievable in all aspects of life.

-Daniel Reisman

Nadia is one of a kind. She is not afraid to speak her mind but in a refreshing way.

And I love her!

-Demari Braly

Demari is always so fun to be around, and it was great to have her on the soccer team this last year!

I’ll miss her next year!

-Clara Madsen

May 30, 2014

I’m constantly surprised of how much we are alike.

I’ll feel a certain way about something and tell her, and she’ll have felt the exact same. She’s so funny and intelligent and kind. She has a perfect balance of being able to find solutions to problems and being able to bring lightness and laughter to a situation. She’s just a freaking rad human being.

-Mitsi Gamble

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Senior Issue

May 30, 2014

Lessons from a Lifer: Owl You Need to Know about Laguna

By KAYLEE STRACHAN

Thirteen years is a long time to stay in one place, especially with the same people.

Titled a “lifer” for my time spent at Laguna, I am often made fun of or questioned, but I wear that label with pride.

I can’t speak for the four other lifers graduating along with me or the many others that have done their time as well, but my time at Laguna will forever be something I treasure, a place I call home.

I know how cheesy that sounds, but I know that the lessons I have learned and the memories I have made here will stick with me for the rest of my life.

At the Lower School, the “Keys to Citizenship” were bestowed upon me: honesty, responsibility, respect, kindness, and service.

I may have been taught these guidelines in elementary school, but as I moved my way into the Middle School, I was expected to use them everyday in my work, with my peers, teachers and even complete strangers.

Like all adolescents en route to becoming the model citizens we were molded to be, I made mistakes.

I couldn’t uphold those standards everyday, but that was part of the learning experience.

Learning how to deal with failure, disappointment, embarrassment and letting others down.

Perhaps these were some of the most important lessons I learned in those few years.

When I finally moved onto the last

PHOTO: TARA BROUCQSAULT

JUST A COUPLE OF LIFERS: Colton Johnson and Kaylee Strachan at their final Jogathon. chapter of my life at Laguna, new challenges were posed in front of me.

One of the benefits of going to such a small school is that my classmates and teachers were always available to me.

Their accessibility made it easy for me to become an advocate for myself.

While I admit that this is still not a strong suit of mine, I have definitely

made progress.

Not only have I learned abstract lessons, but the classes I took truly fulfilled their purpose.

I can honestly say I would have been 10 times more nervous than I already am to recite poetry or present about the function of peroxisomes without the help of Public Speaking. And who

knew a dead language could teach me so much about life?

My classes became many little families. I learned just as much from my peers as my educators.

Throughout my time here, I have watched my class change.

People come, people go. I had to learn to adapt.

That sounds strange because I was not the one moving to a new place, but I was still meeting new people.

This was something that always made me uncomfortable, but as the years went on, I became more at ease with the process.

As newcomers walked through the arch to enter the school, I was not only proud but also excited to be someone who could answer their questions or show them around.

Adjusting to new faces became a lot easier when I realized that they were just as lost as I was, in fact, probably more so.

Laguna came to be my comfort zone, my safe haven.

In a few days, I, along with my classmates, will leave the stable place that will always be my home.

Although this fact is incredibly exciting and unbelievable, it terrifies me.

However, I know that everything I have learned, and all the memories I have made, will be carried with me, so I will never truly leave this sanctuary behind.

So now I will walk out, leaving all I have known behind, but I will also leave a place open for others to walk in.

CAPTURED IN KINDERGARTEN: (left to right) Andrew Puzder, Kaylee Strachan, Cuyler Zimmerman, Kiyan Mashhoon, and Colton Johnson.

Seniors Gain “Real World” Experience with Senior Project Program Immediately after they finish taking their AP exams, seniors launch themselves off campus and land all over the country, immersing themselves internships and gaining real-world experience as part of the school’s Senior Project program.

Senior projects have been a meaningful tradition at Laguna for over 30 years and are a distinctive feature of its curricular requirements, culminating with student presentations. This time-honored graduation requirement continues to draw critical acclaim, and for many impending graduates is a singularly influential capstone experience of their Laguna career, often confirming an undergraduate major or signaling plans for an advanced degree or professional career. Over two days, 40 senior speeches are delivered, many augmented by sound, digital image, video, Power Point, and performance components.

This year’s senior projects are as follows...

Alec Abajian—The Workplace Challenge at Elite Fitness Training Ian Bankhead—Santa Barbara Symphony Project Nadia Belton—Body, Mind and Soul with the Jenny Schatzle Program Demari Braly—Introduction to Film at Zucker Productions Chloe Brown—Artists and Their Inspiration with artist Alden Marin Maya Christian—Notes for Notes Recording Studio Internship Kimberly Crickette & Kaylee Strachan—Interior Design at Home Furnishing Ben Furukawa—Hedge Fund Intern at Freestone Capital Management Mitsi Gamble—Krav Maga Self Defense Studio Lucia Hartmann—Architectural Intern with Jeff Shelton & Bob Easton Margaret Hartmann—Cottage Hospital Ambassador Andrew Horak—Luthier Apprenticeship with Linda West Cellos Colton Johnson—Marine Science Institute Invertebrate Research Erica Keane—Student to Teacher at St. John’s Home for Boys New York Caty Lafitte—Community Memorial Hospital with Dr. Dominic Tedesco Margaret Lazarovits—Detecting Cosmic Rays Muons at UCSB Lindsay Ligon—Lauren Ledbetter Design & Styling Nashville, Tennessee Clara Madsen—Radiology in Washington, D.C. & Santa Barbara

Maya is a really good artist and a really good friend.

-Hannah Nagy

Grace is an amazing person and friend!

She is on the quiet side but definitely is one of the most sassy people I know.

-Lucie Hartmann

Kiyan Mashhoon—Intern at TFC Manufacturing Inc. Daniel Moghtader—Hedge fund Management with Dave Bradley Hannah Nagy—DASH Extern Watch Doctors Assisting Seniors Molly Nylen—Storyteller Children’s Center Conrad Perry— Santa Barbara Bowl Olivia Pickett—Marketing at CKE Restaurants Tristan Prinz—Surgery & Trauma Intern at Cottage Hospital Andrew Puzder—Intern at True Vision Systems Inc. Daniel Reisman—Santa Barbara School of Squash Intern Michael Reyes—Counselor at the Santa Barbara Boys & Girls Club Chloe Richman—Television Production XIX Entertainment Hollywood, CA Sammi Schumer—Investigating Cardiology with Dr. Joseph Aragon Dalton Smith—Be Green Packaging Quentin Tedesco—Property Management & Acquisition FPA Multifamily Allison Lewis Towbes—The Miracle Project Beverly Hills, CA Andrew Vignolo—Produce Sales & Marketing at Top Brass Marketing Hughes Williamson—Find the Best Internet Innovation & Development Grace Woolf—Intern with Santa Barbara Magazine

Kimmy is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. She never fails to make me laugh, usually while discussing kidneys, Batman, or our countless adventures getting lost. From plotting surprise adoptions to belting out songs while driving, I know she always has my back. She is my partnerin-crime, my twin, my best friend, and I couldn’t be more grateful.-Kaylee Strachan

Ben is soft-spoken but an intelligent man.

I admire her intellectual abilities and she is hilarious.

-Cuyler Zimmerman

-Chloe Brown

May 30, 2014

Senior Issue

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...Jenny Jenkins ...The whale assembly ...Lauren, Carolina, Josh, Parker, Joey, Kate, Tyler, Briggs & Kevin still went here ...Michael & Chanelle ...JT & Olivia ...Daniel & Aija ...Kevin & Molly ...Mariana & Noah ...Quentin & Caty ...Green & Tasty (aka Brown & Nasty) ...The dam flood ...The Great LG Hunt of 2011 (aka Prom) ...Hannah lost her voice again ...Andrew Vignolo let the football team give him a Mohawk ...Mr. Beck sang “Hide Yo Kids”

...Mica and Haley came and went ...Ryan, Tiana, Mariana, Autumn, Joe & Aija still went here ...Alexa joined our class ...Allison & Justin ...Daniel got swole ...Nadia & Cameron ...Tiana & Logan ...JT & Olivia again ...Quentin & Caty...still ...Kaylee’s house was the sophomore parking lot ...The fire department came to Winter Formal

...Naturebridge...We try not to ...Quentin ripped Kiyan’s prom date’s dress ...Alexa got her head stuck in the fence at Berkeley ...Ryan & Clara ...Ace’s accident ...Tony Cherot taught physics ...Sammi & Dalton ...Quentin & Caty...still goin’ strong ...The boys whistled 24/7 ...We learned African American Vernacular English ...Ben became an Adonis ...Michael’s memoir at El Cap ...Dorfman rapped ...Colton & Sienna ...Quentin & Caty...3 years, 2 months, 27 days ...Andrew Puzder became Barney Stinson ...We had our first (and only) pep rally ...The first Sadie Hawkins Winter Formal ...Colty J got a tattoo ...Ms. Hill made Clara recite her poem with a volleyball ...We almost didn’t have a prank ...We took the school bus to Prom

Lucie has always been someone I could count on to help me no matter what, inside of or outside of school. She’s an amazing friend, and I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes in life.

-Lindsay Ligon

Margaret is one of the sweetest people I know.

She’s an amazing friend and has a great sense of humor. She has such a kind heart, and I am really going to miss her friendship next year!

-Grace Copeland

He’s the most eccentric man alive.

-Alec Abajian

Brittle bones. Brave biceps.

-Dalton Smith

Erica’s one of the smartest people I know and she’s always been a great friend to me. I couldn’t thank her enough for everything she’s done for me.

-Molly Nylen

Senior Issue

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“...travelling around the world (again).”

-Lindsay Ligon

“...finding cures for diseases.”

-Erica Keane

“...simply farming.”

-Andrew Vignolo “...playing highlevel squash and hopefully coaching as well.”

-Daniel Reisman

“...gracing the silver screen or the Broadway stage.”

-Allison Lewis Towbes

“...unlocking the secrets of the universe as an eager post doc on the forefront of physics.”

-Margaret Lazarovits

“...28.”

-Grace Woolf “...10 years wiser.”

-Caty Lafitte

“...having fun with an awesome career.”

-Margaret Hartmann

“...living my life.”

-Lucie Hartmann “...still not a doctor.”

-Andrew Puzder

“...finally have taken a decent picture.”

-Kimmy Crickette

“...a mom.”

-Chloe Richman

“...have an occupation other than student.

-Grace Copeland “...drinking a cocktail served by my butler.”

-Olivia Pickett

“...happy.”

-Daniel Moghtader “...living on a boat off the coast of some island in the French Polynesia.”

-Cuyler Zimmerman “...I don’t know.”

-Nadia Belton

We laugh a lot together. She’s easily the most amazing friend I’ve ever had.

She’s a weirdo and I love her immensely.

-Chloe Richman

“...sitting court side at a Chicago Bulls basketball game.”

-Quentin Tedesco

“...graduated from college and figuring out what career I’d like to pursue.”

-Hughes Williamson “...traveling the world with my pet monkey.”

-Conrad Perry

“...done with school and have a good job.”

-Hannah Nagy

“...a more well-rounded, educated, and a happier person.”

-Maya Christian

“...a stay at home dad.”

-Dalton Smith

“...baking barefoot in my kitchen.”

-Kaylee Strachan

You’re my best friend, my ‘twin.’ To quote the wonderfully cheesy musical, “Wicked,” ‘because I knew you, I have been changed for good.’ Love you to the moon and back, can’t wait to take Chicago by storm!

-Allison Lewis Towbes

May 30, 2014

Lindsay is an amazing friend and all around person. She is down to earth, funny, smart and I know she will succeed at whatever she does in life! #gohuskies -Margaret Hartmann

“...hopefully working in the medical field.”

-Sammi Schurmer

“...hopefully figuring out what I’m doing with my life.”

-Chloe Brown

“...rolling in mad cash.”

-Alec Abajian “...wiser.”

-Mitsi Gamble

She’s a great teammate, on and off the court!

-Grace Woolf

Kiyan is a very funny and outgoing guy. He definitely made my high school experience more enjoyable.

He comes off as a guy who doesn’t take anything seriously. He’s mature and takes things seriously when he needs to, and I think that’s a great balance to have and will go far in life.

-Michael Reyes

May 30, 2014

Daniel Moghtader is without a doubt the largest man on campus.

His determination coupled with his calm and collected demeanor has made him a wonderful teammate, classmate, and friend for the past four years.

-Conrad Perry

Senior Issue

Even though Hannah may seem quiet at first, once you get to know her she is very sweet and very kind. Something people may not know is that she is very funny.

Hannah is an overall kind soul.

-Maya Christian

Molly is the perfect friend to have by your side -- smart, funny, and compassionate -- whether you are stressed or just looking for a good laugh, Molly is there for you.

-Erica Keane

Conrad is a good friend who always has a smile on his face and is a jokester. He is also the number one Dota 2 player at Laguna Blanca. Watch out for him at TI5.

-Hughes Williamson

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Olivia’s always in a good mood and excited, and it’s so contagious. She’s so much fun, and I’m going to miss her next year.

-Nadia Belton

Senior Issue

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May 30, 2014

Learning How To Fail

By ALLISON LEWIS TOWBES

F

I got a C on my very first essay in Ms. Tidey’s freshman English class. The essay was on “Fahrenheit 451,” a book that I’d breezed through over the summer. It wasn’t an F, but it was a C, and it was heartbreaking.

Throughout middle and elementary school, I’d loved English class. I was a voracious reader and I actually enjoyed writing essays. I had never gotten a B, let alone a C. I went crying to Ms. Tidey, asking for some explanation: in my mind I was a hard worker, I’d read the book, I didn’t feel I deserved the grade.

I stood there, an overeager, teary girl, begging for an answer – and Ms. Tidey smiled.

I was caught off guard. Not only did she give me a reason, Ms. Tidey told me what I could do to be better.

She gave me a second chance. She turned my personal failure into an opportunity for learning.

That lesson that I learned in Ms. Tidey’s class epitomized my experience at Laguna Blanca as a whole.

In the last four years, in Geometry and AP Spanish and Biology, I have learned how to fail

– and, more importantly, how to be okay with it.

Recently, I sat in on a conversation between several seniors taking Calculus.

“It’s a lot of work, and sometimes you can’t believe how often you fail,” said one.

“But that’s the point of the class. You fail now so you pass later,” said another.

We all know that our education at Laguna isn’t going to

be a cakewalk. But it can be a challenge for students to relinquish control and accept the fact that they might not graduate with perfect grades.

As crazy at it seems, not everything goes your way in life. No matter how hard a worker you are, there will come a time when you will fail. It’s inevitable: you might not get that big promotion, you might not even get hired.

Accepting failure doesn’t mean letting the disappointment overcome you, it means taking that loss and learning from it.

The ability to fall down and stand back up with a new sense of purpose is possibly the greatest takeaway I got from my time here. I learned how to fail, and it is something I will undoubtably carry with me for the rest of my life.

Maya Angelou once said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

These are words to live by, and words that I will hold onto as I walk out of the arch for the last time after graduation.

I intend on failing for the rest of my life, and I intend on growing because of each and every failure.

Failure isn’t a pitfall, it is a jumping-off point.

ART: LUISA CAMERON

A Letter To My Freshman Self

By ALLISON LEWIS TOWBES

Dear Freshman Self, Four years ago, I was you. I remember how it felt to walk into the freshman quad, blushing furiously as I struggled to open my locker for the first time. How tall the upperclassmen looked. How exciting my first assembly was. There are so many things I wish I had known, so many memories I wish I had held on to. To save you the nostalgia, here’s a list of things (one for each year of grade school) I wish I had known as a freshman. Listen carefully, the next four years are going to fly by.

1. Get your requirements out of the way. No one wants to be that senior in Personal Development, it’s not nearly as much fun when you’re not surrounded by your innocent freshmen peers.

2. Try something new. Whether it’s Drawing and Painting when you don’t know the difference between Primary and Secondary colors or Lacrosse when you’ve never played a contact sport, you’re bound to make memories.

3. Go to a few dances. Yes, they’re lame, and yes, you can always find something about the music to complain about, but your high school experience isn’t truly complete without at least one night of Homecoming drama.

4. Go to your senior prom. Believe it or not, it will be a magical night. It’s also your last night before Senior Projects as a class, all together. Cherish it.

5. Keep up with your schoolwork. YOUR GPA MATTERS! Colleges do take time to check up on your grades, and a couple of lost math assignments can lower that A- to a B. 6. Defy expectations. Be the class jock with the incredible musical talent. Be the wallflower who excels in Mock Trial. If “Glee” taught us anything, it’s that no one has to confine themselves to one label.

7. Get spirited. Laguna Blanca is a wonderful, beautiful, magical school and you should be proud to go here. That is all.

8. Know when to work and when to play. First semester senior year is not a time to slack off, but make sure you take a couple of breaths sophomore year because you actually have the time.

9. Take care of yourself. Your parents were right when they said not to pull too many all-nighters – you’re running the risk of getting sick. You should also consider getting some exercise, it’s a great way to blow off steam and feel good about yourself.

10. Relax. There will inevitably come a time when your life catches up to you and you feel overwhelmed by the stress. Take a breath, this happens to everyone and it will not kill you. Just make sure to take some time to calm down.

11. Make friends. Ignore the cynics who insist that the friendships you make in high school won’t last. You want to surround yourself with people who love you; it will make the next four year better than you could ever hope for.

12. Tell your family you love them. Even if you can’t wait to get out of town, you’re going to miss them when you go to college. More importantly, they’re going to miss you. Take the time to show how much you appreciate them and make some memories to last a lifetime.

Keep these things in mind as you go onward and upward, finding new meaning in each and every day on campus. Four years ago, graduation seemed like a faraway mirage, not quite real, not at all tangible. I wish you the best of luck, you’re going to move mountains.

Sincerely,

Your Senior Self

Tristan is a great guy. He’s extremely smart and is always fun to hang out with.

-Quentin Tedesco

He is the same person as Doctor Who. -Ian Bankhead

Daniel is the most perfect human being I’ve ever met. He exemplifies perfection in the truest sense of the word.

-Andrew Horak

Michael is an astounding role model for people of all ages. Michael Reyes is an amazing athlete on the court, and a leader off the court.

-Daniel Moghtader

Chloe is the most amazing friend I’ve ever had and she’s always there for me no matter what.

I’m going to miss her so much next year!

-Caty Lafitte

May 30, 2014

WHERE WE’RE HEADED

HAWAII

CALIFORNIA

Colton Johnson Cuyler Zimmerman

Kiyan Mashhoon Andrew Vignolo

Cal Poly

University of Hawaii

WASHINGTON

Santa Barbara City College Alec Abajian Michael Reyes Sammi Schurmer

University of Washington Ben Furukawa Lucie Hartmann Margaret Hartmann Lindsay Ligon Kaylee Strachan

University of Southern California Chloe Brown

UC Berkeley

NEW YORK

Erica Keane

UC Los Angeles

New York University

Tristan Prinz

Alexa Zangrillo Grace Woolf

Santa Clara University Caty Lafitte Olivia Pickett

The New School Chloe Richman

Chapman University

Hobart and William Smith College

Kimmy Crickette

University of San Francisco

Daniel Reisman

MISSOURI

Demari Braly Hannah Nagy

Loyola Marymount University

Washington University Andrew Puzder

TEXAS

Daniel Moghtader

Claremont McKenna College

Rice University

Clara Madsen

COLORADO

Ian Bankhead

MISSISSIPPI

University of Denver

University of Mississippi

Andrew Horak

Colorado School of Mines

Dalton Smith

MICHIGAN

Conrad Perry

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Michigan

Hughes Williamson

Quentin Tedesco

ILLINOIS

University of Chicago Margaret Lazarovits

Northwestern University

WASHINGTON, D.C. George Washington University

Allison Lewis Towbes

MASSACHUSETTS

Mitsi Gamble

Wellesley College Molly Nylen

GAP YEAR Grace Copeland Maya Christian

Sammi is a lively, bubbly, energetic girl who is very sweet and would never hurt a fly.

-Talia Giordano

Kaylee is the most genuine and goofy person I have ever met. She’s made me laugh so hard I’ve cried and she’s made me cry so hard I’ve laughed.

I owe her for everything--from Batman themed inside jokes to the countless times she’s kept me sane.

It’s true, when we are together we can’t function, but she’s my goon and I thank my lucky stars that she chose to be my best friend.

-Kimmy Crickette

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NORTH CAROLINA

Wake Forest University Nadia Belton

He’s a nice guy and is easy to get along with.

-Colton Johnson

Quentin is just a quality human being. He is an elite athlete and a very knowledgable man in all fields of life. Simply an exceptional person.

-Scott Johnston

I can’t believe I was lucky enough to meet my long lost twin, let alone become as close as sisters. Here’s to four more years together. Let’s go blow the Windy City away.

-Margaret Lazarovits

Senior Prank 2014

PHOTOS: CATY LAFITTE & ALEXA ZANGRILLO

It has truly been an honor to be a teammate and great friend of the CIF-SS all-time most-interceptions-in-a-singlegame record holder. It was Ojai Valley, but hey, it still counts.

-Stephen McCaffery

Don’t be fooled: Hughes is a complex man.

-Tristan Prinz

Grace is pretty much the definition of a giving person.

If you were to ask if you could borrow a sweater, she would bring you five different full outfit choices with matching bags and shoes. Grace you’re a one in a million star, keep shining.

-Hannah White

She’s always looking for an adventure. She loves doing anything crazy or silly, and I’ve never met anyone like that.

-Olivia Pickett

Cuyler is a softspoken guy,but he is a true Adonis after closer scrutiny.

-Ben Furukawa