A Fresh Start: Harbor Day’s New Kitchen and Dining Experience
PAGE 27
Annual Giving | PAGE 28
Seahawks Athletics | PAGE 30
Middle School Holiday Program | PAGE 32
Lower School Holiday Program | PAGE 33
Thanksgiving Program | PAGE 34
Snapshot Stumper | PAGE 35
LET’S STAY CONNECTED!
FOLLOW HARBOR DAY SCHOOL ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Threads @harborday
Instagram @harborday
Facebook @harborday
LinkedIn Find Harbor Day Alumni Association
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Angi Knapp'75 Evans
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Noelle Becker
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Olivia Baumgartner
WRITERS
Olivia Baumgartner
Noelle Becker
Angi Knapp'75 Evans
Amy Meyer
Kate Reim
EDITORS
Noelle Becker
Forrest Valdiviez
DESIGN
Eric Neuner | neuNERDesign
PHOTOGRAPHY
Noelle Becker
Sargeant Creative
PRINTING
Orange County Printing Company
Mission Statement
Harbor Day School’s Mission Statement says, Harbor Day School provides an academically challenging, well-balanced education in a nurturing and inclusive family-centered environment. Our faculty inspires curiosity and a desire to learn, and cultivates in students the confidence, strong moral character, and perseverance to thrive. We celebrate diversity and traditions, value collaboration and innovation, and cherish our community and the lifelong relationships developed.
Non-Discrimination
Harbor Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other programs administered by the School.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
—
JOSEPH ADDISON
As this issue of The Beacon nears the press, my Harbor Day School Class of ’75 eagerly anticipates its 50th reunion—a milestone that feels momentous. While 50 years may seem like a long time, we are not Harbor Day’s inaugural class. In just two years, HDS will celebrate an even greater milestone: its 75th anniversary.
Having witnessed much of Harbor Day’s history and growth, I can appreciate what has changed and what endures in a Harbor Day education. Reading and writing have always been fundamental disciplines within the HDS curriculum. Today, lower school students learn reading and phonics through the Orton-Gillingham method. If you visited HDS 10 years ago, you would have seen classes taught via the Units of Study method. When I taught kindergarten in the early 90’s, we used Letterbooks to introduce phonics. Prior to that, early HDS readers learned their Words in Color. Each method was considered the best for its time. It’s our intent that every HDS graduate emerges as a confident, capable reader.
Our school’s emphasis on reading shows itself beyond the primary classroom. Students have access to thousands of real books in our inviting library. They find literature everywhere, even in their science and art classes. Writing and grammar study walk hand-in-hand with reading, as Harbor Day students continuously develop their language skills and appreciation.
As artificial intelligence grows in capability and ubiquity, educators, employers, parents, and others wonder which skills the future will demand. Will we need computer programmers when computers can program themselves? Will accountants, architects, and attorneys become obsolete? Yet the one skill that no one suggests will disappear is reading. Reading and effectively expressing oneself—both orally and in writing—remain essential.
Given the timeless value of literacy, I invite you to enjoy this issue of the The Beacon, where you’ll learn about the Orton-Gillingham method. You’ll discover a curated selection of books from librarian Amy Meyer that beautifully illustrate the power of a sincere apology. Read on to learn about Harbor Day’s new lunch program and to find our students’ heartfelt reflections on this year’s school theme of Respect. Keep reading, Harbor Day School. Gradatim ad Summum, Angi Evans'7 5 | Head of School
STEP BY STEP TO LITERACY SUCCESS IN LOWER SCHOOL
By Kate Reim
Guided by the Harbor Day School motto,“Gradatim ad Summum,” Harbor Day provides a sequential literacy program that builds students’ phonics skills step-by-step, starting in kindergarten and progressing throughout lower school. The Orton-Gillingham approach to phonics education emphasizes understanding spelling patterns rather than memorizing word lists. This emphasis on skill acquisition, as opposed to rote memorization, empowers students to develop enduring literacy skills and the confidence needed to become capable readers and writers.
ORTON-GILLINGHAM
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a structured, multisensory approach to teaching literacy that combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning to strengthen phonological awareness, phonics, and decoding skills. Lessons are explicit, sequential, and individualized, focusing on mastery before moving forward. The OG approach to literacy teaches phonics, decoding, spelling, and writing through hands-on techniques like tracing, tapping, and blending so students develop strong literacy skills that will support them throughout their lives.
The students love using sand trays! Their engagement with this activity is an easy way to review and practice the phonic patterns we have covered.
“ “
Teaching students to recognize and apply spelling patterns, rather than memorizing isolated word lists, fosters a deeper understanding of language. “ “
HOW ORTON-GILLINGHAM
IS USED IN THE CLASSROOM
The Orton-Gillingham approach to phonics is implemented in the classroom through the IMSE (Institute for MultiSensory Education) curriculum. The IMSE curriculum is grounded in structured literacy, which aligns with the principles of the science of reading and incorporates OG strategies to provide daily evidence-based lessons that emphasize explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction. It ensures that the Orton-Gillingham approach to phonics is effectively brought into the classroom daily through carefully designed, sequential, and strategic materials.
KATE REIM
Key Components of the IMSE Phonics Curriculum:
THREE-PART DRILL
The Orton-Gillingham Three-Part Drill is a foundational activity designed to reinforce phonological awareness and previously taught skills. It includes three stages: the visual drill for recognizing letters and sounds, the auditory drill for sound discrimination, and the blending drill for decoding words. In the blending board activity, students improve their literacy skills by practicing word decoding through sound segmentation and blending to reinforce their letter-sound associations and fluency.
RED WORDS
Although most words in the English language are phonetic, some words are irregular and require memorization as a strategy for spelling.
The Orton-Gillingham method calls these nonphonetic words “red words”—the color red being a signal to stop and pay attention. These irregular words are taught using a multisensory approach that engages sight, sound, and touch. For example, students break down the number of sounds in each word, tap their arms to repeat the correct spelling, and trace each letter with a red crayon in their workbooks.
SAND TRAYS
Sand trays are a tactile, sensory tool used in OrtonGillingham instruction to reinforce sound-letter relationships. Students write letters in the sand while saying their names and sounds aloud: “C says /k/.” Students divide their sand in half for multiple sounds and write both letter representations: “C says /k/, K says /k/.” This process increases as students learn more ways to represent each sound. In response to using the sand trays, first grade teacher Jaime Zwerling says, “The students love using sand trays! Their engagement with this activity is an easy way to review and practice the phonic patterns we have covered.”
DICTATION
Unlike the blending board activity in which students are tasked with decoding, dictation helps students encode words by requiring them to listen, break down each word into its sounds, and then translate those sounds into written letters. Students are instructed to pound, tap, and point to words that follow the spelling pattern. As students practice their dictation and encoding skills, they become more adept at recalling correct spellings and understanding how spoken language translates into written form.
In conclusion, the Orton-Gillingham approach sets students up for success by providing a research-based, multisensory method for teaching structured literacy. Teaching students to recognize and apply spelling patterns, rather than memorizing isolated word lists, fosters a deeper understanding of language. This approach helps students build lasting literacy skills and equips them to confidently tackle more complex reading and writing tasks as they progress through their academic journey. n
his year, Harbor Day School is spotlighting the pillar of RESPECT, an essential part of building a strong and supportive community. At our annual first-day morning gathering, Head of School Mrs. Evans encouraged students to start by respecting themselves—because when we value ourselves, it becomes easier to show kindness and consideration to others. The conversation continued that week with the Student Council Leadership Team at an all-school assembly, who shared practical ways to demonstrate respect daily, from treating teachers and classmates with kindness to taking care of recess equipment and keeping lunch tables clean. By prioritizing RESPECT, Harbor Day School can create a school where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard. When students RESPECT themselves, each other, and their environment, Harbor Day School becomes a place where character shines! ■
— BLAKELY JOHNSON | FOURTH
I can respect myself by doing and being what I want to be and not letting other people choose for me.
GRADE
—ROSIE ZAHOUL SANS FOURTH GRADE
ICANRESPECT MYSELFBYBELIEVING INWHATICANDO.
DILAN PIER| FOURTH GRADE
To me, respect means showing kindness, fairness, and personality. I think if someone gives one a genuine compliment, listens to one politely, or stands up for someone, it would immediately make them feel twice as better and brighten their day.
ADLER TSAI | SEVENTH GRADE
I CAN RESPECT MYSELF BY ALWAYS TRYING MY BEST AND NEVER GIVING UP.
VALENTINA BEATON | FOURTH GRADE
I CAN RESPECT OTHERS BY LISTENING TO THEIR IDEAS.
NINA BROWN | SIXTH GRADE
I respect others by showing empathy and listening to their perspectives and opinions.
ANTONIO YIM | SIXTH GRADE
I can respect other people by noticing them and saying “hi” to them in the hall.
— COCO CHIAO | FOURTH GRADE
spect others by in them in our football game.
I
I can respect myself by always thinking positive and trying my best.
— CHARLES SUN | FOURTH GRADE
can respect myself by going to bed early; that way, I am ready to learn the next day.
— EMMA CHAPMAN | THIRD GRADE
— ZACHARY RATTET | THIRD GRADE
I can respect myself by keeping my desk clean and going to bed early.
RIAAN PAI | THIRD GRADE
To me, respect is being aware of others around and appreciating them. I can respect others by treating them all equally.
— NATALIE TAO | SIXTH GRADE
On November 16, our Harbor Day community embraced the spirit of the Wild West, donning cowboy hats, bolo ties, and boots and heading over to Big Canyon Country Club for Boots & Bling—an unforgettable evening of generosity, camaraderie, and school spirit. The evening started with a mesmerizing acoustic performance by the ever-talented musician Aquile, setting the perfect tone for the festivities. Guests enjoyed axe throwing, his and hers bourbon and tequila bars, delicious bites, beer burros, and they even had the chance to customize their own cowboy hats. As the evening unfolded, nearly 350 enthusiastic dancers packed the dance floor, moving to the high-energy sounds of the Jimmy Charles Band.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, underwriters, and spirited live and silent auction bidders—not to mention the inspiring participation in Raise Your Paddle—the night grossed more than $700,000 in support of our school! Proceeds from the paddle raise effort are dedicated to the Building Maintenance Fund. Thank you to our extraordinary event co-chair couples, Jessie and Matt McCormick and Amber and Tim Smith, whose dedication and hard work over many months made this spectacular night possible. And to everyone who contributed, attended, and celebrated with us—thank you for making Boots & Bling an evening to remember! ■
CO-CHAIR COUPLES: Jessie and Matt McCormick and Amber and Tim Smith
DANCE
HARBOR DAY SCHOOL
Harbor Day’s on February 6 brought more than 425 of us together for an evening filled with music, dancing, and delightful treats. The DJ kept the energy high, leading students and parents through the “Macarena,” the limbo, and a spirited conga line. Guests enjoyed burgers and fries from TK Burgers and sweet treats from Recess Ice Cream Truck. Festive heart-themed backdrops and a fun photo booth added to the excitement, giving everyone the perfect opportunity to capture memories with friends and loved ones. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our incredible co-chairs—JULIA BEATON, MARIANNE LARKIN, ANGELA MARGOLIS, and CHRISTINE WANG—along with their dedicated volunteers, for organizing an event brimming with much heart and cheer. ❤
By Amy Meyer
TOP 5 PICTURE WITH MRS. MEYER SAYING I’M SORRY
One of the most important ways to demonstrate respect—yet often the most difficult—is to apologize when we are wrong.
eaching children the value of a sincere apology helps them develop empathy, strengthen relationships, and take responsibility for their actions. Books about saying sorry can help kids (and adults!) learn how to make amends, express genuine remorse, and understand the emotions of others. Whether through funny stories, heartfelt lessons, or relatable characters, these books make learning about apologies engaging and meaningful. Here are some great choices to help children understand the importance of saying “I’m sorry.”
I’m Sorry You Got Mad
BY KYLE LUKOFF
Told through increasingly earnest apology notes, this picture book models how to apologize and take responsibility for a mistake. Jack’s first note simply states, “I’m sorry you got mad.” With the guidance of his teacher and several drafts, Jack eventually writes a letter acknowledging his mistake, apologizing sincerely, and possible solutions to correct the situation.
How to Apologize
BY DAVID LAROCHELLE
This humorous picture book gives readers guidebook-style tips and tricks for saying sorry. Each section in the book depicts animals in situations where an apology is warranted, such as a porcupine popping a balloon, and gives specific instructions explaining when, where, and how to make amends. I love to read this book to older children because they enjoy the silly humor but also find the earnestness of the instructional text a great way to discuss conflict.
Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon
BY WENDY MEDDOUR
This is a perfect book for any child who apologizes too much. Peggy is a pigeon who apologizes and yields when confronted, even if she has done nothing wrong. A larger, more confident bird encourages Peggy to stick up for herself and not let others boss her around. Peggy learns the right time to apologize and the right time to ask for an apology. Children find the mild, nonsensical insults thrown about in this book hilarious as they learn about the importance of genuine remorse.
Sorry (Really Sorry)
BY JOANNA COTLER
This heartfelt picture book by Joanna Cotler shows how one act of kindness can change everything. When Cow’s bad mood spreads across the farm, each animal passes along the hurt—until Dog breaks the cycle with kindness. This is a touching story about emotions, apologies, and the power of saying sorry. I always select this book when a child is struggling to apologize because he or she was hurt first.
Horrible Bear!
BY AME DYCKMAN
When Bear accidentally breaks a girl’s kite, she angrily calls him “Horrible Bear!” Upset, Bear decides to be horrible—until the girl realizes she may have overreacted. This fun and heartfelt story is a great entry point to a discussion about tempers. The illustrations are excellent, and I highly recommend pointing out the way small changes in facial expressions can communicate emotion beyond our words. n
CLASS NOTES
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT | Q&A with Kristin Sheward'86
Alumna
Kristin Sheward‘86 joined Harbor Day School in September 2024 as the community engagement and events manager. Kristin previously worked as an event manager for Newport Harbor Educational Foundation and Share Ourselves. She also has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, focusing on events and marketing.
What excites you most about your role as the community engagement and events manager?
I’m looking forward to supporting the Harbor Day School community through events throughout the year. Gathering people together for varied events such as grade level parties, the Fall Benefit, and Grandparents’ Day gives people so many ways to connect on a small and large scale. Also, working with the volunteers is another opportunity I’m so happy about.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time as a student here?
I have so many favorite memories from when I was a student here! I’m a big reader, and I definitely attribute my love for reading to the wonderful library and longtime school librarian Mrs. Anne Polkingharn—she always had such great book recommendations for me. Sometimes I would even go to the library at recess to read. When I was a student in fifth grade, there was a reading program where you earned a different color “belt” based on books read— that was one competition that I was good at! I also always loved the holiday program and getting to dress up. And even though I’m not super sporty, I loved the Turkey Bowl. Harbor Day has so many traditions, and I think that’s part of what makes it so special.
How has the school changed since you were a student?
Well, the biggest change is the new building! But there are some other changes, too–Mandarin and robotics weren’t here when I was a student. The middle school didn’t have an advisory program. There wasn’t a Beyond the Bell After School Program, and we didn’t have the HDS Families Program yet. I do remember that we had hot dog day on Wednesdays, and we brought our lunch every other day. Now, the school has a lunch program. I enjoy seeing all these changes as the school has evolved!
What
do you like to do in your free time?
I love to go on long walks with friends either around my neighborhood or on Balboa Island. I’ve loved traveling with my family, and in a few months, we’ll send our second child off to college, and we’ll be empty nesters. I’m looking forward to visits to see the kids at their respective colleges. Going out to dinner with family and friends is always fun. I also love hosting friends and family for get-togethers at our home—but I am not a cook! I’m all about ordering in/picking yummy things up! n
50 YEARS SINCE HDS
70’s
1975
Shelley Garner '75 Belling has dedicated her time and expertise to numerous school boards and committees, sailing organizations, decorative arts organizations, and local philanthropies. A member of the Garden Conservancy’s Society of Fellows since 2007, she has also served on its board since 2014. Shelley’s two daughters graduated from Harbor Day School in 2003 and 2008, respectively, during which time her husband, Phil Belling, served on the HDS Board of Trustees. Today, Shelley and Phil enjoy their time as proud grandparents to their two young grandchildren.
Suzi Bishop 75 Burke along with classmate and Head of School Angi (Knapp) Evans, invites you to “come see and share what we have been up to in the last 50 years. SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025, for a Newport Harbor Bay Cruise and dinner.”
Scott Woodard '75 married his longtime love, Lori, and together they have a blended family, including her three children, two grandchildren, and his twin daughters. His twins, Sierra and Sage, are set to graduate from the University of Utah this spring. Scott continues to enjoy skiing, surfing, tennis, and mountain biking and is looking forward to retiring in a couple of years.
Scott sends a “cheers” to everybody in his class and a big high-five to his friend Kip Konwiser. After Harbor Day, Scott attended Corona del Mar High School before earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Southern California.
1977
Sending healthy wishes to everyone in the HDS family with a high TEN on the nose to Scott Woodard! Ride on! – Kip Konwiser'77
1975 | The Graduation Class of 1975.
80’s
1985
ABOVE: 1975 | Scott Woodard
LEFT: 1985 | Robert Panetti
RIGHT: 1989 | Darci Dutton Reimund
1989
Robert Panetti'85 joined the Rockefeller Global Family Office as a Managing Director after previously being with BlackRock, coinciding with the opening of their Newport Beach office. He lives in Corona del Mar with his wife, Kelly, and their two dogs, Bailey and Chester, and enjoys running into HDS alumni in the neighborhood! After Harbor Day, Robert attended Mater Dei High School before earning his B.A. in Economics, cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine. A CFA Charter holder, he has served as President of both the CFA Society of Orange County and the Newport Corporate Plaza Building Owners Association.
Darci Dutton 89 Reimund is the Chief Creative Officer and General Contractor of Darci Reimund Designs, which has offices in San Francisco and Sun Valley, ID. For nearly two decades, she honed her expertise in project management, leveraged technology processes, and continuously innovated to solve complicated problems at iconic companies like Apple, Google, and Intuit. Turning her passions into her profession, she pursued and earned contractor licenses in both California and Idaho. After Harbor Day, Darci attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Economics from the University of Southern California. She went on to complete a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder and obtained an Interior Design Certificate from Cañada College. For more information on her work, visit: [darcireimunddesigns.com].
25 YEARS SINCE HDS
90’s
1994
After 22 years in New York City, Melisa Moehlman 94 Melling and her family moved back to Corona del Mar. Their children— Declan (11), Arabella (9), and Jack (6)—are settling in well and loving their first SoCal winter, especially year-round outdoor sports! They’re also enjoying plenty of quality grandparent time, including a special birthday trip to Hawaii for Grandpa in January. They are excited to be back home surrounded by family and friends. After Harbor Day, Melisa attended Corona del Mar High School before graduating magna cum laude from Princeton. She went on to study at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and spent several years in finance before taking on her current role as a Venture Partner with 3L Capital Management.
00’s
2000
Braden Barnett '00 is a clinical assistant professor of medicine specializing in endocrinology at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at the Keck School. After Harbor Day School, Braden attended Sage Hill School before earning his undergraduate degree at Stanford University. He pursued his M.D. at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2012 before returning west for his residency and fellowship work at the University of Southern California.
| Eighth Grade Musical Anything Goes
Jeremy Beecher '00 is in his third year with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, where he serves as a federal prosecutor in the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section. He has prosecuted a range of violent and financial crimes, with his current work focusing on investigating and prosecuting transnational criminal organizations. He has also prosecuted a number of cases involving fentanyl distribution resulting in death. Jeremy shares, “Those cases are challenging, but it has been very rewarding to help secure justice on behalf of victims and their loved ones.” Prior to his role as a federal prosecutor, Jeremy spent over seven years with Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLC, specializing in complex civil litigation with an emphasis on mass torts, trade secrets, and professional liability matters. Before entering private practice, he clerked for the Honorable Josephine L. Staton of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Before law school, he worked for several years as an on-air news reporter at a Pennsylvania ABC affiliate. After Harbor Day School, Jeremy attended Phillips Academy Andover before returning to California to earn his B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Trojan. He went on to earn his J.D. from UCLA School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif, named a Michael T. Masin Scholar, and served as associate editor of the UCLA Law Review. Jeremy resides in West Hollywood with his wife, Brenda, their six-month-old daughter, Lola, and their pup, Buster.
Juliane Caillouette '00 is the Managing Director at the Sustainable Restaurant Association, based in London, U.K., where she has expanded its impact to 35 countries worldwide since taking on the role in 2021. The SRA is an organization dedicated to building a global hospitality sector that is socially progressive and environmentally restorative. Before this, she spent five years leading school food policy and education programs for British chef Jamie Oliver (of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution). After Harbor Day, Juliane attended Sage Hill School before earning her B.A. in American Studies from Stanford University. She moved to London in 2010 after spending two years in New York City. Juliane shares, “I got married in 2011 with a good few HDS alumni at my wedding: Jena Vuylsteke was a bridesmaid, Hayden Hutchinson, Tim Wilkins, and Braden Barnett.” She has two boys, Rowan and Avery, who are almost eight and six. Education remains a top priority for their family, and she serves as chair of the Board of Governors at her children’s primary school in London. They love nothing more than adventures and travel around the world.
HEY ALUMNI
GOT UPDATES?
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you have a life update, please share it with your Harbor Day community. You can email us at development@harborday.org or scan the QR code above to fill out the Alumni Update Form.
1994 | Melisa Moehlman Melling & Family in Hawaii 2025.
CLASS NOTES
2000 (CONTINUED)
Hunter Sheetz'00 is approaching 10 years with Meta, where he directs strategy and operations across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. Prior to Meta, he worked as a management consultant with Kearney, where he has driven strategies and delivered results for businesses from California to Nigeria. Hunter also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, where he deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, supported strategic planning for NATO, and led anti-piracy operations for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and Marketing from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Oxford. Hunter lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Serena, and two children, Lincoln and Nicole. He is the proud uncle of three Harbor Day Seahawks (Lily, Ella, and Luna Palazzola).
2005 | Wilson and Naomi Mae Knapp
2011 | Charlie Evans
2001 | Kristen Nelson Green and family
2002 | The Malikowski family at Harbor Day on the first day of school 2024.
2000 | Hunter Sheetz with his family.
2001
Ben Maggard'01 resides in Costa Mesa with his wife, Katie, and their three sons, Cooper (4) , Dylan (3), and William (2 months). He serves as the AVP National Account Manager at Chicago Title’s National Commercial Services division in California and has been on the CT team for nearly a decade. After Harbor Day, Ben went to Corona del Mar High School before earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Chapman University.
Kristen Nelson'01 Green is a Principal at Valeas Capital Partners, where she focuses on limited partner relationships and capitalraising efforts. Before joining Valeas in 2024, Kristen was a Director at Hellman & Friedman, specializing in limited partner relationships and fundraising for nearly nine years. She also worked in Investment Banking at Montgomery & Co. After Harbor Day School, Kristen attended Newport Harbor High School before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. Kristen lives on Balboa Island with her husband and two sons.
2002
This year, Christine Burke'02 Malikowski’s daughter, Malia, joined the HDS family as a part of the class of 2033! Christine says, “We are so excited to be back on campus regularly!”
2005
Wilson Knapp'05 and his wife, Elise, welcomed their child, Naomi Mae Knapp, on January 28, 2025, in Pompton-Plains, N.J. Weighing in at 6 lb, 3 oz, Naomi is also the first grandchild of Beth and Tommy Knapp'78. The family plans to return to California following Wilson’s professional commitment in New Jersey. Wilson shares, “Maybe Naomi will be lucky enough to attend HDS in the future and contribute to Gold’s dominance like her dad and grandpa before her,” reflecting on day 15 of fatherhood. Elise and Wilson were married in October 2021.
10’s
2010
Kavi Sakraney'10 is completing his fourth year with AbbVie, currently serving as Director of Portfolio Strategy & Analytics. Before this, he spent over three years with McKinsey & Company, and held roles with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited in Hong Kong as well as Opus Financial Partners in Irvine, CA. After Harbor Day School, Kavi attended Sage Hill School before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Duke University.
2011
After joining Solace Capital Partners in 2022, Charlie Evans'11 now serves as Vice President and is based in Los Angeles, CA. Before joining Solace, Charlie was an Investment Banking
Analyst at Macquarie Capital, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, private capital raises, public offerings, and other financial initiatives across the consumer, gaming, and leisure industries. Following Harbor Day, Charlie attended Corona del Mar High School before earning his B.S. in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.
2013
Vinson Chiu'13, a member of Team USA’s badminton team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, recently returned to Harbor Day School to see his jersey and Olympic banner displayed in the school’s new gymnasium. During his visit, he toured the campus and reconnected with his former PE teacher and coach, Mr. Coleman. Vinson’s banner now hangs alongside those of other Harbor Day School Olympians: Kevin Hanson'96 (volleyball) and Charlie Buckingham'03 (laser sailing).
2013 | Vinson Chiu with Coach, Mr. Coleman.
CLASS NOTES
2015
Jenny M. King'15 is enjoying her time in Washington, D.C., as a first-year law student at Georgetown University Law Center following her work staffing the campaign for Nathan Hochman, D.A. for LA. After graduating from Harbor Day School, Jenny attended Sage Hill School, then earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Tulane University, graduating magna cum laude and earning a place on the Dean’s List.
Harbor Day School was thrilled to welcome back Class of 2015 alumnae Audrey and Nicole Nourse for an all-school assembly last November. The four-time University of Southern California beach volleyball champions shared their inspiring journey with the student body, highlighting how Harbor Day helped shape their path to success. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a growth mindset and building meaningful relationships in achieving their goals.
2016
Isabelle Searles'16 will graduate in May 2025 with a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Cox Business School at Southern Methodist University. She will begin working for Deloitte right after graduation.
20’s
2021
Siena Mahdi '21 and Sienna Moatazedi'21 have been named valedictorians of the graduating class of 2025 at Newport Harbor High School. Their families have shared that the Harbor Day faculty deserve a lot of credit for establishing a strong foundation rooted in good study habits and sparking intellectual curiosity. Congratulations, Siena and Sienna!
2015 | Jenny King
2015 | Alumnae Audrey and Nicole Nourse give a presentation during an all-school assembly at Harbor Day.
A Fresh Start: HARBOR DAY’S NEW KITCHEN AND DINING EXPERIENCE
This school year marks an exciting milestone for Harbor Day with the completion of our fully equipped school kitchen and the introduction of FLIK Independent School Dining as our new food service partner. The HDS school community is now enjoying fresh, wholesome meals crafted by a dedicated team of chefs and dietitians. This furthers our strategic goal of offering students an on-campus dining plan with nutritious food options.
FLIK Independent School Dining is committed to providing nutritious, high-quality meals prepared by an on-site chef who thoughtfully curates menus using locally sourced ingredients. The diverse offerings cater to various dietary needs while incorporating regional flavors, ensuring that every meal is both delicious and nourishing. With this new partnership, Harbor Day is elevating the dining experience and fostering a culture of healthy eating within our school community. n
Meet our Flik dining team: Vince Juarez, Reggie Mishler, Chef Andy Lord, and Alfonso Pacheco
ANNUAL GIVING TO DATE
Harbor Day School is grateful for the contributions of the families listed below who have supported the Annual Fund, the Fall Benefit, and Financial Aid through February 28, 2025. Your support is most appreciated, and gifts may be made through June 30, 2025 to be included in this year’s reporting. The Annual Report of Philanthropy is published in the fall recognizing our community’s support.
Nearly 66% of our families have participated thus far, and our goal is to reach 100% by June 30. Thank you for your generous support on behalf of our school!
THE LITERARY SOCIETY
$100,000+
The Fry Family Foundation
Cynthia Fry
Lindsay and Lance Jordan
Stephanie Workman
Jeri and Danny McKenna
The Whitten Family
VISIONARIES
$50,000+
Anonymous
Jenny and Jeff Gross
Annette and Joe Oltmans
Cari and Chad Peets
Brandy and Arnold Valdez
Grace Yum Zimmermann and Kent Zimmermann
BEACONS
$25,000+
Gina and Luke Feltham
Katy '96 and Doug Hanke
Patricia and Jason Kellogg
Kara and Brandon Kerns
Amber and Tim Smith
Stacy and Jeffrey Stone
SEAHAWKS
$10,000+
Alexandra and Alan Airth
Julia and Robert Beaton
Chelsea and Joel Block
Elizabeth Norris and Patrick Boulva
Nicole and Michael Cudzil
Cameran and Josh Davis
Chris P. Dialynas Family Foundation
Daisy and Tony Fan
Danielle and Matthew '93 Foster
Emily and Jeffrey Irwin
Nanci and Jim Irwin
Iram and Zafar Khan
Taylor '98 and Brinson Lingenfelter
Vivien Liu and Joe Li
Sophie and Philip Lu
Mahta Mirhosseini and Navid Ghalambor
Laurel and John Nelligan
Kathy and Joe O'Donnell
Katey and Bryce Osborn
Iris and Gerard Rivera
Elizabeth Ryan
Sue and Sam Sabaugh
Cynthia Schwarz '75 and Prakash Sakraney
Veronica and Evan Slavik
Glenys and Jim Slavik
Kerri and Danny '87 Sonenshine
Ani and Reed Stoecker
Audrey and James Sun
Joyce and Rob Ukropina
Laura and Tim Vanderhook
Jennie and Scott Watson
Jessica and Eric '94 Werner
Helen He and James Xia
Sharon Yang and Gordan Xu
Peggy and Mohsen Zahedi
Ying Zhou and Jiansheng Jin
INFLUENCERS
$5,000+
Anonymous (2)
Gay Callan and George Stone
Jennifer '98 and Matthew '97 Chapman
Anna-Marie and Brian Claassen
Shana Jiang and Bill Dai
Amanda and Michael Erlinger
Jenine Esmail and Samer Habbas
Courtney and Duke Hasson
Maggie and Jonathan Horne
Michelle and David Horowitz
Cindy Huang and Ted Hsu
Stephanie and Kevin Kaberna
Karla Kraft and Anderee Berengian
Amy Laurendeau and Christopher Lal
Bonnie Lee and James Sung
Debbie Huang and Allen Lee
Ellen and David Lee
Diane and Brent Liljestrom
Natalie and Sean Matsler
Dina and David Moatazedi
Kay and James Olsen
Hayley '98 and Michael Palazzola
Carrie Pereira and Mahender Makhijani
Beth'94 and Alex Root
Jaimee and Gregory '04 Stone
Julie and Clayton'99 Stone
Allison and Bradley '01 Stone
Marissa and Scott '08 Stone
Nicole and Scott Townes
Catherine Lee and Mark Tran
Megumi Yamato and Marco van Akkeren
Christine and Tony Wang
Stephanie and Todd Watts
Liz and Spencer Williams
Vanna Yi and CK Wong
Megan He and Wei Wu
BUILDERS
$2,500+
Mackenzie Kent
Pooja and Pankaj Badlani
Alia and Rami Batniji
Dinah and Jun Cho
Margarita and Mark Donnelly
Angi'75 and Peter Evans
Leslie'04 and Oliver Evans
Mei-Chi and Greg Flesher
Kristen and Brian Gooding
Caroline and Kevin Gray
Erin'01 and David Kingsley
Jillian and Robert'02 Knapp
Lisa and Terry O'Neil
Kelley Otis
Angela and Alan Parkin
Elena'93 and Jeff Singletary
Jacqueline and Gene Smith
Sheila Swaroop and Ashok Tripathi
Ayesha and Afnan Tariq
Stacey and Marc Thomas
Maile and Mark Trumbo
Yoko and Gene Tsai
Yang Wang
Wendy Jin and Rong Xu
PATHFINDERS
$1,000+
Melody and Frank Antilla
Apoorva Jha-Bansal and Sharad Bansal
Olivia and Ludwig Baumgartner
Lauren and James Bellofatto
Trisha and Barrington Burke
Nicole and Dean Camaras
Tyke Camaras'24
Cathie and Mark Cardelucci
Heather and Jefferson'99 Cowart
Michelle and Tim Danaher
Lesly and John Davenport
Nina Jafari and Parshaw Dorriz
The Geiler Allen Family
Whitney and Michael Gomez
Natasha and Nick '02 Gross
Sudhir and Abha Gupta
Meghan and Andrew Hoffman ll
Cait and Ross Holland
Sindhu and Micah Jindal
Liz and John Kirkowski
Kirby '06 and Peter Kurzeka
Jill Mather and Daryl Landy
Marianne and Tom Larkin
Bell Li and Jun Zhou
Lauren and Jason Liljestrom
Angela and Jon Margolis
Diana and Craig McCallister
Ari Moshayedi and Matthew Krasinski
Adriana and Eric'90 Olsen
Susan and Toby Page
Rupali and Vijay Pai
Connie and Matthew Pavlovich
Catherine Peets '20
Emma Peets'17
Rowdie Peets'16
Jayne and Bryce Pickart
Taryn'01 and Oliver Pilco
Ginger and Don Ressler
Shelli and Tracy Riddle
Cate and Dan Robinson
Jillian'99 and Jason Sabaugh
Natalia Sans and Daniel Zahoul Lopez
Whitney and Grant Shifflett
Dezina and Neil Soni
Jodie and John Spanos
Venzila and Satinder Swaroop
Laurel and Scott'96 Tippett
Leanne Huang and Anthony Tsai
Jordan and Wes Webb
Lindsay '01 and Bart Welch
Hanci Song and Kuan Yang
PIONEERS
UP TO $1,000
Anne-Marie Angeloff
Danny Angeloff '24
Mary Kate Angeloff '22
Ragan Angeloff '20
Anonymous (3)
Emily Horowitz '98 and Chatom Arkin
Noelle and Jon Becker
Jeremy Beecher '00
Evelyn and Colin'91 Best
Carol and Walter Boice
Annie and Jeff Bower
Roshi and Jeremy Brigham
Magi Yang and Greg Chan
Brittany and John'03 Chapman
Laura and Mike Constantiner
Andrea and James Danaher
Allison and Matthew'01 Danzig
Nicole Pierce-Dapra and Jeffrey Dapra
William Davenport'11
John Davenport, Jr.'08
Christina Davenport '14
Mahsa Mahmoudi and Seth Dinan
Jessica Escobar-Vu and Chris Vu
Stephanie and Nick'97 Foster
Jackie and Clint Graham
Kristen'01 and Will Green
Sue and Doug Hirsh
Kristi and Bryan Hogsett
Mira and Mike Jafar
Catherine and Matthew Jara
Amanda Johnson'92
Jennifer and Brandon'96 Johnson
Hagan and Jeff Kappler
Parto and Aria Khalili
Ava Khan'22
Danyel Khan'20
Jensen Klein'18
Lila Klein'13
Nolan Klein'15
Ryan Klein'83
Elizabeth Knight '11
Landon Knight '11
David Kuehn'81
Linda Lai
Esther and Christopher Lopez
Joel Maki
Kimberly and Leigh Martin
Katie Matthews
Kathy and Joe McCurdy
Whitney'91 and Joseph Morgan
Melissa and Mike Mullane
Bonnie and Chris Mumford
Jamie'96 and Martin Mumford
Darlene and Brian Nelligan
Amy and Ryan Nwankwo
Sarah Oliphant
Heather Paff and Chris Gstrein
Renee and Michael Pallera
Janet Peterson
Caitlin'90 Pickart and Anil Tiwari
Sonali and Rogelio Pier
Carolyn and Aaron Ponoroff
Nina Prasad and Ryan Murphy
Margie and Francis Quinlan
Jean-Paul Rimlinger
Jennifer and Jesse Rodriquez
Lurie and David Royal
Kristen Statton and Jatin Sharma
Brooke'93 and Chris'96 Shepherdson
Valen and Zachary Singerman
Meggen and Ray Stockstill
Elisabeth and Eric Swope
Patti and Richard Taketa
Lizzie and Matt Thomson
Susie and David Vanker
Jane Zuo and Steven Wang
Michelle Wilcox and Steve Weston
Mary and Chris Williams
Scott Woodard'75
Sophia and Eugene Yim
Teresa Young and Paul Boschetto
Vanessa and Zack'95 Zarrilli
Kathy Liu and Lin Zhang
With our sincere gratitude, we are pleased to announce a new total for the Always Home campaign : $53.89M
This updated amount includes a gift from the Stephanie and Kenneth Grody Family
Thank you!
FALL AND WINTER ATHLETICS
6TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
COACH CHATOM ARKIN
Cece Arkin-Horowitz, Shreya Badlani, Perry Block, Nina Brown, Hadley Davis, Charlotte Irwin, Alice Lee, Ami Louis, Natalie Tao, Savannah Turner, and Ophelia Wu*
MIDDLE
6TH GRADE BOYS’ FLAG FOOTBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACHES MIKE COLEMAN AND JEAN-PAUL RIMLINGER
Kamal Batniji* , Beckham Butcher, Alex Cawthon, Colin Costanzo* , Evan Costanzo, Kingsley Dai, Luke Huey, Beckett Johnson, Max McCormick, Pierce Moatazedi, Cain Pallera* , Aldon Parkin, Blake Peterson, Roge Pier, Liam Rehm, Brixton Smith, and Hendrik van Akkeren
BOTTOM
7TH GRADE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
COACHES JOSHUA PARKS AND JOSEPHINE PICKARD
Lilliana Aali, Annalyse Dowers, Caroline Gross, Anya Khan, Alice Lee, Cindy Li, Abby Robinson, Natalie Tao, Paige Whitten, and Lily Zwerling
*Athlete Not Pictured
WINTER SEASON
TOP
7TH GRADE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
COACHES JOSHUA PARKS AND JEAN-PAUL RIMLINGER
Baron Dear, Chance Godfrey, Clint Graham, Lucas Jones, JP Kirkowski, Cooper Liljestrom, Theodore Liljestrom, Luca Nami, Danny Tiwari, Adler Tsai, and Hudson Williams
MIDDLE
6TH GRADE BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM 2
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACH MIKE COLEMAN
Rishi Arora, Alex Cawthon, Troy Chan* , Jameson Huey, Luke Huey, Cole Kappler, Pierce Moatazedi, Hendrik van Akkeren, and Jacob Wang
BOTTOM
6TH GRADE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL GOLD TEAM
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACH JOSEPHINE PICKARD
Cece Arkin-Horowitz, Perry Block, Nina Brown, Hadley Davis, Charlotte Irwin, Lily Jin, Alice Lee, Natalie Tao, and Ophelia Wu
*Athlete Not Pictured
MIDDLE SCHOOL |Holiday Program
Holiday Program |LOWER SCHOOL
THANKSGIVING PROGRAM
SNAPSHOT STUMPER
Can you identify the girls in this photo, the year, and event? If you have an answer, send your best guess or confirmation by scanning the QR code and filling out the form or emailing communications@harborday.org.
This is the boys 5'4" and under basketball team that has both class of 1992 (seventh graders) and class of 1991 (eighth graders). (left to right) Justin Acuff' 91 , DJ Sigband ' 91 , Mark Utman ' 91 , Mike Knecht' 91 , Colin Browne' 91 , Jack Hogan' 91 , Brandon Park' 91 , and Mark DeCristo' 92 .
Many thanks to Colin Browne' 91 , Whitney Morgan ' 91 , Mark DeCristo' 92 , and Mike Knecht ' 91 for helping us solve our snapshot stumper.
BEYOND THE BELL | SUMMER CAMP 2025
Harbor Day is excited to present our Beyond the Bell Summer 2025 Program from July 14 through August 8
Each session will run weekly, Monday through Friday, with AM camp options from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and PM camp options from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WEEK 1: JULY 14 - JULY 18
WEEK 2: JULY 21 - JULY 25
WEEK 3: JULY 28 - AUGUST 1
WEEK 4: AUGUST 4 - AUGUST 8
Each camp gives students an opportunity to explore various topics in a fun, nurturing, and creative environment. Go to: www.harborday.org/beyond-the-bell for more information.
