DP Times 2024 DHHS Grad Guide

Class of 2024 Photos by Kaila Mellos Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 11

danapointtimes.com

PRESENTING the CLASS of 2024 Congratulations graduates! You have grown and excelled in the classroom, in the arts, on the athletic field, in leadership roles and in service to your community. You are an extraordinary group of young adults headed to colleges and universities across the nation and the world, incredibly well prepared for the remarkable journey ahead. We are very proud of you, and have great faith in you. Remain true to yourselves and your Tartan values. We look forward to seeing your lives unfold with meaning and purpose.

Godspeed Tartans! Tartans Forever!

31641 La Novia, San Juan Capistrano, California 92675 | 949.661.0108 | www.smes.org | Founded in 1979

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 12

danapointtimes.com

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

f C l a ss o

2024

Dana Hills High School Class of 2024

BY KAILA MELLOS

T

he students of Dana Hills High School Class of 2024 bid farewell to the place they’ve called home for the past four years on Thursday, May 30. These individuals, who embarked on their high school journey amid the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, walked across the stage with a sense of accomplishment, knowing they’ve triumphed as new graduates.

As they walked out onto the football field to the music of the Dana Hills Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by teacher James Caestecker, the students were surrounded by friends, family, and school staff who had cheered them on for the past four years.

Once the students were seated, Assistant Principal Ashley Ortiz welcomed all 478 graduating students and their guests.

“I want to welcome you all to the commencement celebration for the graduating Class of 2024. We are honored that parents, family, friends, community members, and guests have joined us today to recognize our outstanding group of graduates,” Ortiz said in her introductory remarks.

“Unfortunately, our principal, Dr. (Brad) Baker, is unable to attend today’s event, as he is celebrating his own son’s graduation. But he extends his heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024 and expresses immense gratitude to all parents, family members, and staff for their contributions in making this momentous occasion possible.”

Associated Student Union president Sofie Miller then conducted the Pledge of Allegiance for the crowd, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the South Orange County School of the Arts Jazz Choir, conducted by Ray Medina, and then a rendition of the song “In

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

My Life” by The Beatles.

Another welcome, accompanied by words of wisdom, came from someone everyone at Dana Hills High School knows and loves: Steve Arizobal.

“Graduating Class of 2024, it has been so great to greet you every morning in the parking lot with Dr. Baker and chase you back to your class when you have taken the passport too long,” Arizobal said. “As you go out in the world to do great things, just remember that even though you are now young adults, you will always be my children.”

As the welcoming speeches concluded, the dignitaries rose to start the presentation of diplomas. Dignitaries and honorees presenting included Capistrano Unified School District trustee Amy Hanacek; trustee Dr. Gary Prichard; Associate Superintendent to Education and Support Services Dr. Greg Merwin; Chief Technology Officer Stephanie Avera; Dana Point Councilmember John Gabbard; Laguna Niguel Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Oddo and Councilmember Foster “Gene” Johns, and DHHS senior class adviser Lindsey Lee. With 478 diplomas distributed, it was time for the four student speakers to address their class. Scholar of Scholars Elle Waske was first, followed by Aidan McCormick and Emily Perez, and closing with Sophie Miller, who was also Dolphin of the Year. All four touched on the impact of the last four years and how much all the students have been able to grow into themselves.

As the ceremony drew to a close, seniors turned their tassels, led by Senior Class President Grace Willard, to end the commemoration of their hard work. With that, graduation ended, friends embraced, and families ran onto the field to congratulate their seniors.

Page 13

danapointtimes.com

4 f 202 o s s C la

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Principal Dr. Brad Baker’s message to the Class of 2024

BY DR. BRAD BAKER

A

huge congratulations to the Dana Hills High School Class of 2024! You’ve worked tirelessly to reach this significant milestone, and your dedication is truly inspiring. This achievement is a testament to your perseverance and hard work.

As you move forward, remember the power of connection and inspiration. Stay connected with the Dana Hills community and the friends who have supported you along the way. Seek out new relationships that will challenge and motivate you. Let your journey inspire others to pursue their dreams with the same determination and passion.

Keep striving for excellence, and never give up on your goals. Your success story is just beginning, and with your talent and drive, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Congratulations once again, Dolphins, and here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities!

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 14

danapointtimes.com

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

f C l a ss o

2024

Scholar of Scholars: Elle Waske

H

ello to the illustrious Class of 2024 and all of you here today supporting us!

We’ve had a great and grueling past four years, and I’m happy to see everyone here today. I’ll keep this brief, I promise.

I’d like to take you on a journey — a journey that begins with a batch of lemon bars. For my brother’s birthday, I was attempting to make them, as a surprise. I followed the recipe, popped them in the oven, but when I pulled them out, they looked more like soup than lemon bars. So, I kept putting them back in the oven, and with each check-in, they got a bit better — but I still had my doubts that they would ever shape up. When my mom walked in, she told me I had more options than I thought I did — I could give it more time, and that if it didn’t work out, we could always make something else. I got several things out of that experience: I learned a new recipe, had fun despite the mishaps, and, of course, used it as inspiration to write this speech all these years later.

Now, I know you’re wondering how this connects, but stick with me here.

Our time at Dana Hills High School has resembled this process of making lemon bars —full of hard work and mishaps, but we’ve found fun in every corner of our high-school experience.

From surviving the pandemic to braving the horror of the T-Mobile cell tower going down and losing our own time capsule, we’ve experienced a full spectrum of memorable high school moments that are fun to reflect back on. And, seeing as we’re all here today, the school hasn’t been burnt down from a “false fire alarm” that turned out to not be so false. I think that’s a pretty big win for all of us.

For surviving that craziness alongside us, I’d like to give a big thank you to the teachers and faculty on campus! And, while many of our most cherished memories and lessons learned

were made during school hours, I want to take a moment to express gratitude to those who made our high school experience special long after the 3:15 bell rang. Thank you to all the parents, siblings, and friends who stood by us through late nights, shared laughter, and brought smiles to our faces.

I’d also like to thank the ingredients that helped me cook up my own high school experience. I’d like to thank my parents, my younger brother, Eric, my close friends, my teachers, my HMO cohort, AP Gov Period 6, and Silly Milly for making my high school experience as wonderful as it has been.

So, back to those lemon bars...

In the end, I waited. I opened the oven to find lemon bars instead of soup. Life’s a bit like baking those lemon bars, isn’t it? Sometimes it feels like a recipe for disaster, but if you keep at it, things start to come together. So, whether you’re on track to conquer the world or still figuring out which ingredient you’re missing, keep pushing forward. Embrace the journey, relish the detours, have fun, and never shy away from improvising in your very own recipe for a dish called life.

Every one of us here has the potential for greatness. So, keep chasing those dreams, even if they take a little longer than expected or you realize you’re on the wrong path — there’s always the option to add a new ingredient, or make something else entirely! Everyone follows a different recipe. To the Class of 2024, I’d like to wish you a very bright future, where whatever dish you choose to make turns out wonderfully. Even though I’ve been your scholar of scholars for 2024, eh... What do I know? I don’t even have my high school diploma yet. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

YEARS

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

CLASS OF 2024 G R A D U A T E S

For 50 years, Capistrano Valley Christian Schools has been dedicated to providing educational excellence in a Christ-centered environment. We equip students with credentialed teachers and championship level coaches who genuinely care, ensuring they are fully prepared for life and leadership.

32032 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Since 1973

(949) 493-5683

facebook.com/capovalleychristian

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 15

www.cvcs.org @cvcseagles

danapointtimes.com

4 f 202 o s s C la

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

2024 Dana Hills graduates Christina Abrams Courtney Adams Annabelle Adversario Karyme Aguirre Enciso Mia Alcantara Kyle Alexander Lauren Allain Micah Allen Brandon Alonso Javier Alva Rodrigo Alvarez Torres Ariel Amin Darius Amiri Rayan Anabtawi Tessa Anderson Jasmine Aparicio Camacho Annika Arreola Sandra Arteaga Bryce Aviles Mike Ayala Mendez Gabriella Badgwell Rilynn Baker Sophia Ballard Madison Banuelos Victoria Barba Catherine Barnett Lillian Barr Jessica Barron Kai Bartholomew Dominic Barto Oliver Baskurt Arno Battaglia Sebastian Becerril Pastrana Macey Beightol James Bellino Tatiana Bellomo Angelica Berardi

Chase Berry Viola Bertolino Jessica Beutler Luay Bishtawi Mercedes Bloom Claire Boersma Joel Brda Blaise Brebner Miguel Brito Ethan Britton Noah Brown Kayley Buc Liam Buck Baron Buehler Madison Bui Makenzie Bui

Violet Burke Jenna Bush Jolie Bush Lucille Reana Butacan Lyrah Cabrera William Calder Alina Callahan Edwin Cambray Addison Campbell Victor Canchola Axel Canongo Cejudo Gissel Carachure Trinity Carey Emmeline Carlisle-Besseling Josina Carlisle-Besseling Matthew Carpino Sabine Carr Sophia Carrillo Laylani Carter Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 16

Samuel Carter Alex Castillo Juliette Caudillo Sabrina Chang Liza Charles Evelin Chavez Evelyn Chavez Sierra Chiakmakis Alondra Cigarroa Dionisio CiPollone Benjamin Clark Matthew Clayton Martha Colin Anna Collar Lucy Collar Lily Collins Arie Covarrubias Aguirre Lauren Crabtree Jordan Cram Jacob Crouse Alberto Cruz Madison Culp Graciella Curran Alyssa Darst Spencer Davis Ashley De Jesus Josabeth De la Rosa Donovan Dean Madison Dellner Riley Dellner Nathan DePierro Alexa DeShazer Nicholas DeShazer Kathryn Dewey Mckayla Dickerson Kylie Dickson Caden Diehl Sophia Dillon See GRADUATES on page 17 danapointtimes.com

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATES from page 16 Artem Dobrin Kaili Dodd Hayden Dominguez Kaitlyn Donner Peyton Dopf Emma Eckl Keegan Eckl Elise Edwards Ariana Esquivel Sofia Estes Damon Estrada Reed Ezor Jordan Farinich Grady Faris Joseph Faris Kayla Faussette Grace Fermelia Hayden Finley Cash Flaman Allen Ford Jacob Fowler Parker Fox Audrey Francisco Nathan Freeborn Nicholas Fry Allison Fuentes Ortiz Alexander Fuller Mason Galaviz Simone Gallagher Carl Lawrence Garcia Kevin Garcia Rocio Garcia Jimenez Arlett Garrido Cathryn Geaney Adalee Geiss Camryn Geiss Elana Gelfer-Mundl Kaden Georgia Giulianna Gerard

Daniel Ghobadi Brianna Gholson Gage Gibbs Desiree Glass Anthony Gonzalez Erica Gonzalez Sophia Gonzalez Stephanie Gonzalez Vanessa Gonzalez Julia Gordon June Gosselin Gabrielle Graham Anastasia Gray Lily Green Nikolas Grguric Janie Gryzanoski Shelem Guzman

f C l a ss o

2024

Logan Harris Naomi Hawkes Jayden Hernandez Lorelai Hernandez Cindy Hernandez Villagomez Jenna Hess Ryan Heunemann Isabella Hickey Alyssa Higgins Avery Higgins Mason Higgins Deacon Hill Mitchell Hill Taylor Hill Lucy Himmelberg Lauren Hoffman Kira Holman Ruby Hong Benedek Horvath Abigail Hulse Siena Hunter George Husek Sara Ibgui Bentley Jacobo Gavin Jacobs Holden Jensen See GRADUATES on page 18

Abigail Haas Emma Hall Jillian Hamilton Colin Hammerman

WARRIORS MEET THE FUTURE!

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2024

100%

CLASS OF 2024 ACCEPTED TO ONE OR MORE 4-YEAR COLLEGES

3.61

THE AVERAGE GPA FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS

714-234-2771 | FAIRMONTSCHOOLS.COM Anaheim | Anaheim Hills | North Tustin | San Juan Capistrano | Serving P-12th Grade

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 17

danapointtimes.com

4 f 202 o s s C la

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATES from page 17 Christian Jergensen Karmel Johnson Kaylani Johnson Matteo Johnson Mila Johnston Gracie Jones Lucia Josse Sutula Eli Kalfin Joseph Katnik Madeline Keene Savannah Keene Hailey Kim Luther Kingston Kinsley Kirkpatrick Krossley Kirkpatrick Spencer Kleips Tessa Koelliker Louie Kojima Kate Kokx Esme Korman Noah Kucera Cameron Kuntz Christopher Lagunas Daniel Lapanc Amelie Larios David Larsen Maia Laule Travis Lawless Isabella Lazo Maya Leon Thomas Leonard Kassidy Lerum Katlyn Lieberman Valerie Linares Aiden Lindsey Alexandrea Lindsey Olivia Lindstrom Elizabeth Lipa Hana Lipa Travis Lisabeth Isabella Llamas Sara Llopart

Evelyn Lopez Vanessa Lopez Quinci Lott Maritza Loya Ryland Loyd Summer Luboviski Dylan Lucich Alexander Lugosi Hudson MacDonald Jonathan Macias Brandon Magana Maura Mahoney Chase Mairs Ghamous Makideh Elisa Marapinela Valerie Mariche Diego Martinez Elizabeth Martinez Camacho Jacob McCall Aidan McCormick Mia McDermott Connor McDonald

Alyssa McHenry Matthew McIntyre Jamil McKean Delaney McRae Andrew Mendoza Jessica Mendoza Mattie Merino Tatum Metz Roxanne Meyer Shea Mezzasalma Lukian Milinovich Sofie Miller Donya Moaddeli Donatella Mondino Jackelinne Montero Jeshua Morales Arriaga Amanda Moreno Catherine Mostrey Brayden Muir Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 18

Fares Mujarkesh Mason Mullinix Isabella Mulqueen Aiden Munoz Juanmartin Munoz Luis Munoz Cooper Murphy Ally Nadell Laila Naji Jesus Nandi Madelyn Nasers Vivian Negrete Preston Newkirk Ian Noonan Talan Noorian John Noxon Peter Obleas Madyson O’Brien Isaac Ocana Lopez Andres O’Connor Honora O’Connor Vaughn Ohanesian Aaron Ohlson Ethan Ohlson Rihanna Olayo Santiago Oliva Evan Oliveras Zoe Oliver-Tuck Tuesday Ondo Riley O’Neill Zuzanna Otomanska Alyson Pacheco Jennifer Pacheco Jaime Jennifer Parks Travais Parnell Joshua Alexander Pasion Molly Pearce See GRADUATES on page 20 danapointtimes.com

CONGRATS

‘24

GRADUATES 949.493.7773

@COFFEE IMPORTERS

SOFIE ROSE MILLER

Congratulations on graduating from Dana Hills!

We look forward to the great things you will do at Berkeley and the experiences you will have there.

Love Mom and Dad

CHASE BERRY Congratulations! We loved watching you play football.

Wishing you all the best at the University of Utah!

Love Grandma Linda, Poppy, Grandma & Grandpa

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

IAN NOONAN

CHASE BERRY Congratulations Chase! We are so proud of you!

Enjoy your next adventure at the University of Utah!

Love Mom, Dad and Caden

ALEX SEGAL

Congratulations Ian! We are SO proud of you and look forward to the next phase in your journey through life!

Love Mom, Dad, Grandpa Evan, Cupcake and Sparky

Thanks California PTA, DP Chamber of Commerce, DP Historical Society and Uzair Qureshi for the scholarships!

Family, friends, teachers and community make my success possible. I will make you proud.

ADALEE GEISS

SOFIE ROSE MILLER

Congratulations to our graduate!

You have made us so incredibly proud, Ads. Go chase your dreams, baby girl - the world is yours.

All our love, Mama, Dad, Radley and Goose Page 19

Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishments at Dana Hills High School. We know that you will continue making us proud at Berkeley!

Mom-mom and Pop danapointtimes.com

4 f 202 o s s C la

DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATES from page 18 Emily Perez Tara Perryman Mason Pettingill Sayil Pino Francesco Pitera Luca Pitera Stephanie Plata Francois Poh Ndoumin Wyatt Popka Elliott Potter Savannah Poulsen Dennis Powers Aaron Proctor Yaretzy Prudente Platon Pukhov Gabriella Putrino Gabriel Quilantan Tyler Radley Marisol Ramirez Nicole Ramirez Morales Joseph Ramos Sterling Rapp Samantha Rascon Samantha Reinberg Juan Restrepo Evan Rey Yovani Reyes Govany Reyes-Beltran Nick Rezaie Brooke Rhorer Concetta Ricciotti Derek Richardson Noah Richardson Lauren Rider Malaya Ring Ronald Roberts Luke Robinson Michael Rodgers Ashley Rojas

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Yileidy Rojas Emily Rossi-Yslas Anthony Ruggerello Mackenzie Ruggerello Parker Rupe Jose Saavedra Gomez Vanessa Sagastume Christopher Salcedo Jonathan Salgado Nicole Saline Ty Salvaggio Alan Sanchez Francisco Sanchez John Sanders Ireland Saunders Madilynn Scaia Katie Schaffer Paige Scheer Jackson Schenkenberger Annabell Schneider Nathan Schupbach Liliana Schwartzman Logan Scodeller Alex Segal Naya Seligson Matthew Shackelford Makyla Shelton Merrick Short Skyler Sievert Cortlynn Sieverts Kayla Sill Gavin Simon Alexa Simonyan Harmanvir Singh Charles Sisler Marcus Sjoholm Jenna Slechta Heather Smith Mikyla Smith Rocco Sofonio

Maritza Solano Jesse Sparks Christian Spaulding Makaya Speier Joseph Sprague Dax Stabile Aidan Steele Shelby Steen Kaidin Stein Anjali Strampello Tenaya Strand Sophia Strempfer Jordan Studer Sosefina Sualua Chloe Suer Matthew Sumida Kaitlyn Swartzentruber Andrew Szkiba Luke Tanael Kayden Tarvaran Ryan Taylor Sean Taylor Julian Teel Tristan Theard-Garcia Yvonne Theard-Garcia Isla Thomas Wyland Thomas Dane Thompson Ryan Torab Jessica Torabi Sarai Torres Vaughn Trager Christian Tran Natalie Traver Jessica Trinidad Wyatt Turpin Agustin Valencia Perez Myles Van Wyhe Daniel Vasquez Yazmin Vazquez Christopher Victorino Stephanie Villanueva Zuniga Page 20

Cael Vincent Lola Von Dwingelo O’Shea Walder Dylan Wall Kayli Wallin Cooper Walsh Dennin Walton Owen Wand Logan Ward Elle Waske Kenzo Watanabe Avery Watson Kate Weinert Reese Weinert Chloe Weir Gavin Weisberg Makenzie Weiss Jack Wentzel Luke Wettengel Kalena Whitaker Landon Whittaker Shawn Whitten Grant Wilks Grace Willard Zack Williams Evan Wilmert Madeline Wilson Garrett Woodruff Leilani Wright Stella Wrobel Melissa Yasui Spencer Yerger Penelope Yerkovich Benjamin Yoneda Ava Zaharek Iliana Zamarripa Kiara Zaragoza Juan Zarate Chavez Artem Zhokhov Ezra Zimmerman Lailah Zisch

danapointtimes.com

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

4 f 202 o s s a Cl

Capistrano Valley Christian School Dana Point graduates Eva De La Torre Alyssa Herbrandson Emily Herbrandson Eli Manrique-Aparicio

Haiden Motika Cetin Seles Gabrielle Susag Halle Van Rensselaer

Noah Walther Christian Wilkinson Addison Williams

Fairmont Schools Area Graduates Leighton Becker Richard McCade Caso Raegan Connelly Dylan Cranford Anchal Dabba Cody Feick Bryce Herman Noah Hierl

Dylan Krugh Casey Le Grant Meier Trevor Meier Ava Mirhosseini Trent Mork Marlen Penaloza Salma Smaoui

Owen Swanson Michael Takla Ryan Te Vinh Thanh Lam Tran Lindsay Wade Mu Yang

JSerra Dana Point Graduates Natalie Baker Vela Brianna Bittner Drew Bowman Charles Caruso Thatcher Dilley Ryleigh Fitzsimmons Charley Giacobetti Kilian Hannegan

Owen Johnson Carson Lough Vance Luedtke Avery Meissner Ashley Moro Lauren Moro Joseph O’Melveny Aidan Ortega

Caitlin Quinn Abigail Roberts Lucas Robles Isabella Scarcelli William Schattmaier Giuliana Schulte Amanda Taba Sydney Wood

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Dana Point graduates Raphael Philippe Garrero Abracosa Dania Alexa Arteaga

Tai Guo Yizhen Jia Emma Leigh Tomlinson

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

John Allen Tomlinson II Heidi Marin Tufo Luke J. Wolcott

Page 21

danapointtimes.com

KE'Z dh> d/KE^

E ,/>>^

> ^^ K& ϮϬϮϰ͊ dŚĞ dĂƐƚĞ ŽĨ ĂŶĂ Θ 'ƌĂĚ EŝƚĞ ĐŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ĞdžƉƌĞƐƐ ŽƵƌ ƐŝŶĐĞƌĞƐƚ d, E<^ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂŵĂnjŝŶŐ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚƐ͕ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ͕ ŝƚŝĞƐ ŽĨ ĂŶĂ WŽŝŶƚ ĂŶĚ >ĂŐƵŶĂ EŝŐƵĞů͕ ,,^ Wd^ ͕ ĂŶĚ ĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂŶĂ ,ŝůůƐ ,ŝŐŚ ^ĐŚŽŽů ůĂƐƐ ŽĨ ϮϬϮϰ͊

^ĐĂŶ ĨŽƌ dĂƐƚĞ ŽĨ ĂŶĂ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͗

Thank you to the 2024 Taste of Dana Restaurants!

ĂŶĂ ,ŝůůƐ ƵůŝŶĂƌLJ ƌƚƐ

Dana Point Times June 14 - June 20, 2024

Page 22

danapointtimes.com