The Return of Arts Fest

Viewpoint Made History at Our 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee

On May 7, the Viewpoint community gathered together at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the School’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of achievement by our students, alumni, teachers, administrators, parents, and volunteers. Guests also were treated to a live acoustic performance by GRAMMY-award-winning band Train. Our 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee netted $1 million, the most in the School’s history, for athletic and wellness initiatives including the Peak Performance Center. The community’s extraordinary philanthropy is a signal to the bright future and infinite possibilities of Viewpoint School. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee leadership, all of our supporters and volunteers, and our entire community for helping us make history.

All views and opinions expressed by Viewpoint School are not necessarily shared by The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation.

Top: Jubilee beneath Air Force One Bottom left: Mark McKee at the podium to welcome guests. Bottom center: Pam Shriver P’24, Trustee and Auctioneer Bottom right: Marcella Navarria and John Heubusch P’22, ’25, Executive Director of The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute From left to right, Top Row: A toast to a great night at the Jubilee; Ken Jeong P’25, ’25, Jon Chu Middle Row: Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train; Michelle and Robert Bradway P’28, ’28 Bottom Row: Mary and John Conlin P’21, ’22; Ramona Smart P’33, Krystal Dry-Murphy ’03, P’34, Kyle Murphy P’34, Wade Smart P ’33; Victor Alston P’31,’35, Mark McKee, Maxine Hurt P’31,’35

Shooting the Breeze(way) with Two Alums About Life at Viewpoint, Then & Now

By Christy Salcido, Chief Marketing Officer

IN JUNE, I sat down for a conversation with two of our very own alums – Alison Steelberg Corneau ’97, P ’23, ’25, Primary and Lower School Technology Integration Specialist, and A.J. Hernandez ’04, Director of Digital Marketing & Communications – to walk down memory lane and hear about their Viewpoint journeys. Sitting at the lunch tables in the Breezeway – where time has mostly stood still (aside from the missing pay phone!)– brought them right back to their Upper School years on campus. Christy Salcido: Let’s start by going back in time. What’s significant about sitting here in the Breezeway? Alison Steelberg Corneau: This was where all the high schoolers hung out, so when you were a little kid and walked past this area, you always looked in this direction to catch a glimpse of the really cool big kids. At the time, the Breezeway emptied right out on the field where all the action was happening with the football players and cheerleaders. There was a giant set of steps, so if you were in Eighth or Ninth Grade you would hang out sitting on the steps until you worked your way up to the Breezeway itself. A.J. Hernandez: Yes, there were little sections of students congregating in and around the Breezeway every day – freshman and sophomores in one area, and juniors and seniors claiming their own spots. I started as a freshman so I only ever hung out here whenever I wasn’t in class or riding my skateboard around. All of my classes were in this Behrens building – it wasn’t the massive campus it is now. Christy: Tell me what lunchtime was like back in the day at Viewpoint. A.J.: Three words: Sam’s Food Truck. Remember, this was before food trucks were a thing and were still being referred to as Roach Coaches. But, the food was – and still is – killer. Lunch time was a little chaotic, and then Sam would pull up his truck where this gate is by the Breezeway and everyone would head over there. Alison: Yep, you always saw students coming back to the Breezeway with their food truck trays and there also were two vending machines in here. One for drinks and one for snacks. But, the School would not sell soda! I remember Funyuns were a popular choice, but to this day, I’ve never tried one.

Above: Alison Steelberg Corneau ’97, P’23, ’25 with A.J. Hernandez ’04

Christy: Ok, one more trip down memory lane. What existed then, but doesn’t now?

Alison: The pay phone. Kids today have no idea what it’s like to find a quarter to make a call. I had to figure out a ride home every day and oftentimes I’d make a collect call. I got really good at making collect calls.

A.J.: I didn’t use the pay phone because I had a cell phone, but it was a flip phone. But, I do remember that all high school students were allowed to leave campus during lunch – even Ninth Graders. But, there wasn’t much around – lots of open land – and Sagebrush Cantina. A lot of kids would have their cars souped up and sit in the parking lot at lunch. Open trunks with subwoofers, playing video games. Christy: What do you think has changed the most about Viewpoint since you were both Upper School students? Alison: Size and scope. The campus itself is so much bigger and the curriculum and choices have expanded. But, I will say that we had a lot of choices back then too – from ceramics to yearbook and language and economics. Despite how big the School’s become, Viewpoint has always offered amazing opportunities and individualized attention to its students, and the School does its best to accommodate all of the students’ wants and needs. You can be into theater and robotics, and also play a sport. A.J.: The physical space is what’s changed the most since I attended Viewpoint. Overall, it feels like a completely different school, but then there’s pockets of familiarity – like the Breezeway, the Pavilion, the pool, and some of the same teachers I had are still here. Christy: Tell me about your journey from student to alum to employee, and for Alison, to parent. A.J.: I’m really passionate about what I do career-wise as a digital marketer and content creator. I saw a significant opportunity for me in this role at Viewpoint. That’s why I’m here, but the School’s so different, it doesn’t feel like I’m working at my old high school. I’m also a family guy now and being closer to home and working in a school vs. corporate environment is important to me. Alison: I grew up at Viewpoint, so for me it was an easy decision to return because this is literally my home. Even my own kids spend more time at school than they do with us. In terms of a career path, I originally wanted to be a trauma nurse, but then teaching found me and led me back to Viewpoint. I’m working in my Upper School history teacher’s classroom. As a parent, I’m grateful that our girls have so many choices at their fingertips. Viewpoint provides a great foundation so no matter what you choose to do for the rest of your life, you’ve been exposed to foreign language, technology, Shakespeare, amazing history, and the list goes on. Everything’s intentional. Everything’s thoughtful. Everything’s innovative, and it keeps changing. Christy: One last flashback. I believe music is what feelings sound like. If you walk by my office in Founders’ Hall, you’ll usually hear 80s music which is the backdrop of my high school years in Chatsworth. What song or artist brings you back to high school? A.J.: Weezer’s Green Album. Alison: YES! I had Weezer’s single – “The Sweater Song.” And there we have it – a music connection between a ’97 and ’04 Viewpoint alum.

As her daughters (Anabelle Corneau ’23 and Madeleine Corneau ’25) begin their senior and sophomore years, Alison is expanding her role at Viewpoint as Alumni Relations Coordinator. Please reach out to her with your ideas to make the alumni program better. We want all of you to rediscover Viewpoint School. A.J. Hernandez began his role as Director of Digital Marketing and Communications in September 2021 and has made a significant impact on the quality of content being produced at Viewpoint. He and his wife Sarah are the proud parents of four-year-old Gavin and one-year-old Olivia.

Our Alumni Are Cookin’

ON JULY 23, The Los Angeles Times named Anjack Thai in Sherman Oaks, the family restaurant of Justin Pichetrungsi ’04, “The Times 2022 Restaurant of the Year.” We could not be more proud or happier for Justin! To read more scan the QR code below: