Teaching with the Times: How Harbor Day is Approaching AI in Education
PAGE 10
Top 5 Books with Mrs. Meyer
PAGE 14
Latin SCRAM 2025
PAGE 18
IN THIS ISSUE
A Message from the Head of School | PAGE 03
Parent Social: Women’s Wellness Event | PAGE 13
Fall Benefit 2025 | PAGE 16
Word Search | PAGE 17
Class Notes | PAGE 20
Turkey Bowl | PAGE 23
Seahawks Athletics | PAGE 24
Annual Giving | PAGE 26
Middle School Holiday Program | PAGE 28
Lower School Holiday Program | PAGE 29
Thanksgiving Program | PAGE 30
Snapshot Stumper | PAGE 31
LET’S STAY CONNECTED!
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Mission Statement
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Angi Knapp 75 Evans
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Noelle Becker
WRITERS
Noelle Becker
Angi Knapp'75 Evans
Amy Meyer
Heather Paff
Kate Reim
EDITORS
Noelle Becker
Forrest Valdiviez
DESIGN
Eric Neuner | neuNERDesign
PHOTOGRAPHY
Noelle Becker
Sargeant Creative
PRINTING
Orange County Printing Company
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.
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
“Citizenship is the chance to make a difference to the place where you belong.
— CHARLES HANDY “
National citizenship, honorary citizenship, dual citizenship, digital citizenship…citizenship has many facets. As the theme of this school year, citizenship has been in the spotlight at Harbor Day School. Citizenship can invoke patriotism, voting, and staying informed on issues impacting our city, state, and nation. As we’ve studied citizenship at Harbor Day School, we’ve seen that it impacts every aspect of our community, and it has proven to be a rich topic of exploration. This issue of The Beacon highlights many of the ways that we have taught, modeled, and recognized citizenship on campus.
Starting on the first morning of school, our Student Council leaders opened assembly with a lively demonstration of good and bad citizenship. These leaders set the tone for the year and encouraged students to act in ways that improve our school environment. Their examples included listening to a teacher and taking care of school supplies and property. Throughout the school year, the Student Council has both taught and demonstrated the value of good citizenship on campus.
As artificial intelligence grows, digital citizenship becomes vital. Harbor Day’s forward-looking faculty has explored using AI for teachers and students, with an eye toward leveraging its benefits and steering away from dangers and pitfalls. In library and technology classes, teachers explicitly teach digital citizenship. Harbor Day Latin students have enjoyed attending
SCRAM, a large regional Latin celebration, for decades. We had the opportunity this fall to act as good citizens of an organization by taking our turn to host this big event. Our Latin students learned that planning an event and welcoming others is a lot of work and a lot of fun, and that reciprocating is an act of citizenship.
Our students grow physically, intellectually, and morally. Growing good citizens begins in the earliest grades, where we prepare our students not just for future citizenship, but to “make a difference in the place where [they] belong” today. Harbor Day School is a wonderful place to learn to be a good citizen and to put the idea of citizenship into action.
Gradatim ad Summum, Angi Evans'7 5 | Head of School
ABy Kate Reim
t Harbor Day School, character education is woven into daily life through six core character traits: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. This year’s focus on CITIZENSHIP demonstrates how individual actions contribute to community well-being. Through a shared language of values and citizenship, students across grade levels can participate in social-emotional learning that supports the development of strong moral character. This shared foundation fosters a clear sense of belonging and reinforces the importance of individual actions within a community.
CITIZENSHIP
Second graders brought this focus on citizenship to life through a collaborative, inquiry-based project in Ms. Sarah Oliphant’s and Mrs. Linda Chiao’s classrooms. Working in small groups, students explored what it means to be a good citizen within the school community by interviewing faculty members. They asked thoughtful questions such as, “What does being a good citizen mean to you at school?” and “How do you make sure all students feel included?” From these conversations, students learned that citizenship is always grounded in kindness and community, even if its expression varies. As second grader Tate Milinovich reflected, “Citizenship is not just working to work, but working to help others.” This empathetic, action-oriented perspective highlights the power of authentic learning experiences in supporting character education within the school community.
Citizenship has also been a central theme in schoolwide assemblies, with students exploring how their individual actions matter within a community and contribute to its culture. In the fall, members of the Eighth Grade Student Council delivered a lively presentation that helped students better understand citizenship through examples of positive and negative
choices. In the winter, the Culture and Community Committee expanded on this work by leading an assembly that explored different seasonal holidays within the community and the traditions that bring people together. During the Veterans Day assembly, four Harbor Day parents who have served in the armed forces shared reflections on their time in the military and spoke about how belonging to a larger group gave their service purpose and meaning. Their stories helped students understand citizenship as a commitment rooted in teamwork, responsibility, and care for others.
Together, through these classroom and schoolwide experiences, Harbor Day School provides students with a character education that reflects its commitment to educating the whole child. By centering citizenship as a core value, students grow as both learners and leaders, with a deeper understanding of how communities thrive and cultures take shape. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, treat others with kindness and respect, and use their voices to make positive change. This social-emotional development prepares students not only to be successful learners but also to be thoughtful, engaged citizens who look out for others wherever they go. n
TOP LEFT: The Culture and Community Committee presented seasonal holiday traditions during a weekly assembly in December. Students participated by giving examples of different traditions during the holidays and how it brings people together.
TOP RIGHT: Nurse Mackenzie Starkey answers questions about citizenship with students in Mrs. Linda Chiao's second grade class.
Veterans and HDS Parents from left to right: Scott Townes, Martin Mumford, Mick Denner, and David Kingsley
Citizenship is not just working to work, but working to help others.
“ “
1. This collaborative project captures our fourth graders’ understanding of citizenship. Each student shared a personal way they can be a good citizen, contributing a handprint cutout that forms the stripes of the American flag. 2. Veterans (left to right) Mick Denner, David Kingsley, Scott Townes, and Martin Mumford pose for a photo with their children (left to right) Charlie Denner, Jack Kingsley, Kate Kingsley, Connor Townes, Brynn Mumford, and Cora Mumford. 3. Art Teacher Ms. Leslie Yagar talks about what Citizenship means to her while second grade students record her answers and ask questions. 4-5. Eighth Grade Student Council Leadership Team present at the first assembly of the school year speaking on the topic of Citizenship. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JP Kirkowski, Hudson Williams, Cece Cudzil, Quinn Root, and Paige Whitten.
Canines of Carpool
We love seeing our four-legged friends roll through carpool each day! From small dogs to big dogs, with heads popping out of windows and tails wagging, these furry companions have become beloved regulars in our drop-off and pick-up routine. Here are just a few of the dogs who brighten our days.
SAGE LI
ATHENA SHARMA
BISCUIT RIVERA
BODI MORGAN
CLOVER STAMPLEY
DUNCAN DENNER
DOLLY IRWIN
FINN DOGSON RAWI
GRACIE GROSS
MINNIE BROWN
OLIVE YI
PEPPER WATTS
GOLDIE ALSTON
GUNNAR SLAVIK MICK TRUMBO
OLIVER YOUNG
RIO MOSHAYEDI
ROCKET AND LUNA BATNIJI
MAPLE PALAZZOLA
TEACHING WITH THE TIMES:
How Harbor Day Is Approaching AI in Education
By Kate Reim
I-
Teaching Responsibility and Ethics Across Grade Levels
At Harbor Day, AI education is intentionally scaffolded to reflect students’ developmental stages and learning needs. In kindergarten through fifth grade, the academic emphasis is on awareness and understanding rather than use. Students build a foundational knowledge of what AI is, where it appears in their digital lives, and why thoughtful judgment matters—without direct interaction with AI chatbots. This early approach prioritizes curiosity and supports students in developing a foundation of digital awareness.
Beginning in middle school, the educational focus shifts from awareness to AI literacy. Sixth graders receive an introduction to ethical AI use, with an emphasis on academic integrity, while seventh and eighth graders engage more deeply with topics such as fact-checking
n today’s educational climate, artificial intelligence raises meaningful questions about how technology fits into learning, and as a school community, Harbor Day is committed to exploring AI integration with intention and care. Our approach centers on using AI to augment learning rather than replace it, and to deepen the educational experience for both students and faculty through guided engagement. By maintaining a balanced, proactive approach, we aim to preserve the core of a child’s education while leveraging new technologies to foster character, digital literacy, and critical thinking.
AI outputs, plagiarism, and bias. Across these grades, students are guided to think critically about how AI works and how human choices shape its outcomes.
Just as students are learning to navigate AI tools within the educational landscape, faculty members are also engaging with the technology in purposeful ways. For teachers, AI is viewed as a tool to assist and augment effective, efficient instruction, with careful attention to maintaining pedagogical integrity and student safety. Teacher-based resources like Magic School can amplify student learning by integrating instructional features, such as scaffolding strategies to support classroom engagement across multiple modalities.
Families are also key partners in this learning. Harbor Day encourages parents and guardians to support AI ethics and literacy at home by helping students navigate digital spaces with care. More information on the scope and sequence of AI instruction across grade levels can be found in Harbor Day’s Position Statement on Artificial Intelligence.
ABOVE: Director of Technology, James Gapp and Director of Middle School, Susan Johnson spent time with eighth grade students at the beginning of the school year introducing them to Harbor Day School’s philosophy on AI. Together, they explored how AI can augment and not replace their work, while also discussing prompt engineering and the limitations of AI.
HDS faculty pose for a photo withEric Hudson (bottom center) after a full day of professional development focused on AI.
TEACHING
WITH THE TIMES:
How Harbor Day Is Approaching AI in Education
Goal: understand what AI is, recognize when it is used, develop media literacy, and foster curiosity and wonder appropriate AI tools with teacher oversight Follow teacher rules regarding AI use to augment learning Manage simple tasks with AI tools Evaluate and critique AI outputs to ensure fairness and accuracy
Faculty are accountable for all work products, including work conducted in partnership with AI. A value of Harbor Day School is knowing our students well, and AI use should serve that goal.
Goal: Know how AI works and how data shapes bias, learn to create and refine prompts and manage simple tasks, and build responsibility, adaptability, and judgement.
Faculty will take all possible precautions to protect student and family privacy in its use of chatbots, and should never input student or parent names, addresses, grades, or other sensitive information into a chatbot.
AI in the Clasroom: Building Critical Thinkers
Supporting students in the classroom as they navigate AI integration and its appropriate use begins with two core components: education and guided practice. In sixth grade, Director of Technology James Gapp introduces students to prompt engineering, the practice of crafting precise questions to guide AI thoughtfully and to recognize when its responses may be inaccurate or misleading. Students in seventh and eighth grade build on this foundation by exploring more advanced prompts, questioning outputs, verifying sources, and considering how AI reflects human choices, assumptions, and data.
In sixth through eighth grade English classes, students complete most writing in the classroom, with AI occasionally positioned as an editor rather than an author to foster critical thinking. Students evaluate AI-generated feedback and decide whether it strengthens their work—and why. This approach reinforces higher-order thinking, including metacognition, while emphasizing student ownership of the writing process. By giving students intentional opportunities to explore and engage with AI under clear guidance, Harbor Day ensures these tools augment learning rather than replace it.
Harbor Day School in the use of AI with their children outside of school by supporting students in conforming to Harbor Day’s rules and guidelines regarding AI usage for varying grade levels, classes, and specific assignments. Further, the School expects parents and guardians to help students understand that many digital sources use AI to provide content that is inaccurate and misleading.
9/25
Over the summer, Harbor Day welcomed technology expert and educational consultant Eric Hudson for a full-day professional development session focused on AI in the classroom. During his presentation, faculty explored specialized AI tools and prompting strategies, engaging in lively discussions about the possibilities and limitations of integrating technology into the classroom. Faculty members also explored how to design personalized materials, including rubrics and instructional plans tailored to student needs. This comprehensive workshop helped build a shared vocabulary around AI use and provided teachers with concrete strategies to enhance student learning across all grade levels.
Looking Ahead
AI is an arrival technology, and as a school, we recognize that our plans and practices will continue to adapt as tools improve and new questions arise. However, what remains constant is our educational commitment to character and critical thinking. By teaching students how to use AI—and, equally important, how to question it—Harbor Day prepares learners for the future while fostering thoughtful participation in the present.
TOP LEFT: Harbor Day School’s current position statement on AI.
TOP RIGHT: Faculty wrote on sticky-notes notes to express their thoughts and feelings about AI, during an activity led by educational consultant Eric Hudson. Some shared ways AI could
Parent Social: WOMEN’S WELLNESS EVENT
On January 21, Harbor Day’s Parent Council Social Committee hosted a women’s day of wellness at Shady Canyon Golf Club. Moms came together for a refreshing morning focused on self-care, connection, and health. Guests enjoyed breakfast, a curated coffee cart, and specialty wellness drinks while participating in chair massages, LED therapy, recovery sessions, and a high-energy aerobics class. The morning concluded with an inspiring nutrition talk by renowned holistic nutritionist Kelly LeVeque, who shared practical strategies for balanced eating, stable blood sugar, and targeted supplementation to support energy, strength, and long-term wellness. The event offered a needed pause from busy schedules and a chance to recharge in a beautiful setting. We would like to thank our Parent Council Social Co-Chairs STEPHANIE KABERNA and KATHY O’DONNELL for creating a welcoming and restorative space for our HDS moms. n
Bene
fit Co-Chairs
Stephanie Kaberna and Kathy O’Donnell
Citizenship is one of the core pillars of our school community, guiding how students treat others, share spaces, and contribute to the wider world. At its core, citizenship means being an active, thoughtful community member. Good citizens show respect, act responsibly, and work for the common good. Reading together lets families discuss values such as kindness, fairness, empathy, and civic responsibility. These five book recommendations help families explore and embody citizenship in ways appropriate and engaging for children.
By Amy Meyer
The Invisible Boy
BY TRUDY LUDWIG
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig tells the story of Brian, a quiet child who feels unseen by his peers. Watercolor illustrations depict Brian’s invisibility, slowly brightening as small acts of kindness change his experience at school. The book highlights how exclusion can occur unintentionally, giving families the opportunity to consider kindness from the perspectives of both children who feel excluded and those who might seek to extend kindness to a quiet peer. Families can use this story to discuss citizenship by noticing others and understanding how everyday choices affect a community.
What Can a Citizen Do?
BY DAVE EGGERS
What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers introduces young readers to the idea that citizenship is active and participatory. Using clear language and real-world examples, the book shows how individuals can engage in their communities through voting, advocacy, and community service. Families may use this nonfiction text to discuss taking informed action and recognizing one’s role in a democratic society. It also provides a practical foundation for conversations about rights, responsibilities, and how change happens at both local and national levels. This book is a wonderful starting point for young citizens and a great way to prompt conversations about the distinct actions good citizens may take.
Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation
& Conspiracy Theories
BY ELISE GRAVEL
Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories by Elise Gravel helps readers understand fake news and disinformation and why they spread. Through quirky illustrations and silly examples, this picture book breaks down how to evaluate information and determine if a story is
true, building media literacy skills that are increasingly essential in today’s world. Gravel provides us with a fun way to start conversations about critical thinking, sources, and the civic responsibility to seek truth in the stories that shape our society. Your children will want to read this book because there are underwear on the cover, and the entire family will gain common language and concepts related to media literacy.
The Wednesday Wars
BY GARY D. SCHMIDT
Set in the 1960’s, The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt is a chapter book that prompts readers to think about citizenship within the context of the Vietnam War and the social revolution of that era. The story follows seventh grader Holling Hoodhood as he navigates school, family expectations, and the challenges of growing up amid significant cultural turmoil. The novel explores themes of responsibility, empathy, and understanding different perspectives with tenderness and humor. Families can use the book to discuss being mindful of how our actions affect others, standing up for what is right, and contributing positively to the communities we are part of. It’s a rich story for exploring how personal choices, character, and moral courage shape both individual lives and the wider community.
The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge
BY M.T. ANDERSON
Some older students tell me they find many contemporary, realistic fiction novels to be overly didactic and patronizing. I see what they’re saying: Many well-intentioned authors and publishers perceive a need for “books with a message” and produce books with timely, important themes; however, these books sometimes feel heavy-handed and cheesy to our most skeptical readers. This is why I adore The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson. This novel-comic hybrid follows a disastrous diplomatic mission between elves and goblins in a fantasy realm, revealing how fear and misinformation distort understanding between groups. Told through opposing perspectives, the novel shows how bias and incomplete information can escalate conflict and undermine trust. The book offers a powerful way to explore civic responsibility as informed participation, critical thinking, and respectful engagement in a diverse society. n
HARBOR DAY SCHOOL 2025 FALL BENEFIT ON THE
The A Toast on the Coast Fall Benefit on November 15 brought together over 350 guests for an unforgettable evening by the water. The clear skies offered a welcome break from the rain, creating a perfect atmosphere for the Harbor Day School community at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. Attendees enjoyed great company and conversation, all while sharing a commitment to our faculty and students. The strong turnout and positive spirit set the tone for the night.
Thank you to our co-chairs TARYN PILCO and KIRBY KURZEKA, as well as the dedicated committee volunteers, whose time and effort made the benefit possible.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, underwriters, enthusiastic auction bidders, and inspiring paddle raisers, we raised a record-breaking total of more than $855,000 for our school! This amount includes nearly $300,000 from the paddle raise, which will support the new Faculty Fund established this year in honor of Angi Evans. This fund acknowledges the foundational role our teachers play in shaping both the exceptional education and character of our students. With this endowed fund, we are committed to attracting and retaining the dedicated, talented individuals who truly make Harbor Day shine.
We are grateful to each of you who contributed, participated, and toasted Harbor Day with us—thank you for making A Toast on the Coast a spectacular success! n
Benefit Co-Chairs | Taryn Pilco'01 and Kirby Kurzeka'06
Harbor Day School Word Search
HARBOR DAY SCHOOL WORD SEARCH
HARBOR DAY HOSTS LATIN SCRAM DAY!
By Heather Paff
Imagine an event where showcasing your knowledge of ancient languages, history, and culture is celebrated, geeking out is “in,” and wearing your homemade toga is not only accepted but also cool. If this sounds appealing to you, then SCRAM (Southern California Regional Amici Madness) is your scene. The first SCRAM was held in the fall of 1994 at Woodbridge High School, organized by their chapter of the California Junior Classical League, also known as the Latin Club. While Harbor Day School students have enjoyed attending SCRAM for decades, this year HDS hosted SCRAM for the first time—and HDS Latin students knocked it out of the park!
Led by students Lilliana Aali and Liran (Lily) Jin, HDS’s SCRAM was praised by Latin teachers from around Southern California as one of the best-organized and most exciting events in recent memory. The event featured impressive decorations and unforgettable energy from the 450 Latin students who participated in over 30 activities and competitions.
Seventh grader Liran Jin enjoyed the Roman Rap Battle. “It was so funny. It feels like a nerd battle with Latin students,” she said. Sixth grader Ava Berengian commented, “My highlight is Project Runway because we got to make someone into a Minotaur.” Meanwhile, sixth grader Adam Jin preferred Certamen, a trivia game similar to Jeopardy, because he “love[s] getting [his] general knowledge tested.”
“ My highlight is Project Runway because we got to make someone into a Minotaur. “
— AVA BERENGIAN SIXTH GRADE STUDENT
HDS students also hosted several activities at SCRAM, including a scavenger hunt, a mythology dating show, gladiator fights, hydra tag, a colloquium on how to build and operate a catapult, and even a Zoom colloquium with best selling author of the book Circe, Madeline Miller. Many students found joy in hosting. “I loved being with my friends (while hosting) the Roman Dating show and the labyrinth,” wrote Sierra Taketa. Beckham Burke, who hosted the gladiator fights, shared, “The gladiator fights were awesome and very fun to watch.” Lilliana Aali reflected, “My highlights of SCRAM were running the labyrinth with my friends and listening to Madeline Miller.”
Harbor Day alumni also contributed to the success of SCRAM. Skylar Taketa‘23 helped run a service project making lunches for the unhoused, while Ben Harrison‘22 hosted mythology-themed Dungeons and Dragons sessions. Current student Anna Harrison noted, “A big highlight of SCRAM for me was Dungeons and Dragons…I would gladly play it again.”
Overall, SCRAM at Harbor Day was a celebration of community, creativity, and classical learning that students will cherish for years to come. n
1. CA JCL Southern Representatives and HDS students, Liran Jin and Lilliana Aali, welcome all SCRAM attendees during the opening assembly.
2. Harbor Day students Emma Evans, Lilliana Aali, Alex Cawthon, Cora Mumford, and Clinton Hackett help set up and welcome guests to campus.
3. Sierra Taketa, Victoria Sun, Emma Evans, Penelope Zahedi, Lily Zwerling, Anya Khan, and Ayla Mohtashami set up gift bags and welcome students from other schools.
4. Guests participate in a Zoom presentation with author Madeline Miller.
5. HDS students and alumni gather together for a SCRAM group photo.
6. Students from University High School preparing the game room.
7. The opening general assembly where JCL officers welcome delegates to SCRAM.
CLASS NOTES | ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT | CLASS NOTES
70’s
1975
Elliott Turner is enjoying life in San Diego as the owner of a property management company and looks forward to attending the Blue-Gold Track Meet this year.
80’s
1986
Jillian Gustafson Smith and her husband have been involved with American Field Service, hosting exchange students, for about six years. This year, she is also serving as the orientations coordinator for the National Capital Region. They have loved building their family in this way and traveling to visit their students and their families. The photo shown is with Inès of France, the most recent student they hosted.
90’s
1998
After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Cory Ray enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to Afghanistan as the platoon medic in a scout reconnaissance squadron. During leave, he and his wife, Robyn, were married in Santa Barbara, where they met in college.
Following an honorable discharge, he attended Pepperdine Law School, earned his Juris Doctor, and passed the California Bar. He practiced as an associate attorney at two law firms, handling a wide range of matters, before completing a weekend MBA at USC’s Marshall School of Business, graduating on the
Dean’s List with honors. He currently serves as in-house counsel at Fox Corporation, supporting legal matters across the media, sports, and entertainment industries. He and Robyn have two children—a threeyear-old daughter and a nine-month-old son. Most recently, they lost their home of nearly ten years in the Palisades Fire, but they remain hopeful for a swift recovery and a return to the community they love.
00’s
2003
Kate Wilson Lerios and her husband, Andrew, welcomed their baby girl, Olympia, in July 2025. The family recently returned to Newport from Los Angeles after nearly a decade to begin an exciting new chapter close to friends and family. Andrew continues to work at Newmark as a National Retail Advisor, representing retail tenants and restaurants locally and nationally. Go Blue!
2005
Heather May Hutchings and her husband welcomed twins, Holly and Pierce, on November 15, 2025. They are enjoying all the fun with three kids under the age of two!
2006
Mackenzi Burke Stuart lives in Eastside Costa Mesa with her husband and children, Liam (3) and Stella (1.5). She earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Christian University, with an emphasis in English as a Second Language.
2009
After graduating from USC’s MBA program last May, Samantha Sanchez-Lee joined her family’s technology firm, C3 Tech, and is part of the leadership team driving growth. She was married in New York City last October and has since made Costa Mesa home with her husband, Killian. The couple recently adopted a dog, Diego, and are happily enjoying this busy, joyful season of life.
GIn Remembrance of Geoffrey Burns
eoffrey Oliver Burns was born on February 28, 1992. He grew up in Corona del Mar, California, where he was a brilliant, kind, and curious child. He attended Harbor Day School and then Sage Hill School, excelling in science, language, and math, and earning many academic accolades, including the AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Scholar awards. During high school, he participated in the National Junior Classical League and became the California State Champion for his outstanding catapult and trebuchet designs and performance. He also competed in track and field, sang with the All-American Boys Chorus, and earned his Eagle Scout Badge at age 16. In fall 2011, at the start of his sophomore year studying Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Quantum Physics at Carnegie Mellon University, Geoffrey passed away after improper treatment at a Pennsylvania hospital for injuries from a car accident.
In 2016, his father accepted an honorary posthumous degree from
Dylan Thies shared that he recently got married! “I wanted to share the biggest news in my life from 2025. I got married to the love of my life, Caroline, on April 25. We got married in her hometown in Barcelona at Castell de Sant Marçal. It was the most beautiful day and weekend, celebrating with all our family and closest friends.”
Dylan is a graduate from Sage Hill School and Hamilton College in New York. He is currently an Assistant Vice President at State Street working in Strategy & Business Management.
Carnegie Mellon University on his behalf.
Geoffrey was an old soul, deeply compassionate and thoughtful, with a love for animals and an appreciation for classical music and talk radio. He had an unwavering sense of right and wrong and could always be trusted to order the filet. He had a wicked sense of humor and was unafraid to challenge or speak his mind, yet always listened sincerely to others. By his teens, he was remarkably confident and self-assured. Geoffrey left an enduring impression here on Earth but was always destined for more than our corner of the universe could offer.
In January 2024, Geoffrey’s ashes were launched into space aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. As of now, the rocket is over 120 million kilometers from Earth and travelling between Mars and Jupiter in a heliocentric orbit, marking the start of Geoffrey’s eternal journey through deep space.
CLASS OF 2006
CLASS NOTES
10’s
2017
2016
In 2024, Karina Grover graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with dual degrees in Psychobiology and Communications. Currently, she is an LA Rams Cheerleader and will begin medical school this fall
After graduating from Texas Christian University in May 2025 with a B.S. in Psychology and Child Development, Morgan Czepiel worked in Human Resources at Menlo Microsystems, Inc. in Irvine, California. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in applied psychology with a focus on organizational and consumer psychology at the University of Southern California, expecting to graduate in December 2026. In January 2026, she relocated to New York City to join F. Schumacher & Co.’s People & Organization team, which supports performance management initiatives across the organization.
20’s
2021
Sienna Moatazedi is in her second semester at the University of Southern California, studying Business Administration. She plans to pursue an emphasis in entrepreneurship and minor in AI. Sienna was named to the Marshall Dean’s List for fall 2025, an honor for students with a GPA above 3.5 in their first semester. She looks forward to continuing her academic studies
2022
Mackenzie Vovan, a senior at Corona del Mar High School, is currently serving as the president of the 2025–26 Student Board Members for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD). She has been involved with the ASB board for the past three years. Mackenzie also helps run the Science Scoop program alongside fellow HDS alumna Violet Yoshida'22 According to the program’s website, Science Scoop aims to ignite interest in science among middle school-aged students.
Shay Nussbaum is currently a senior at Newport Harbor High School and serves in ASB as the Head Spirit Commissioner, where she helps plan the student sections for all Newport Harbor
sporting events. She is also involved in Youth in Government (YNG) as a member of the Youth Governor’s Cabinet. The cabinet recently traveled to Sacramento to debate bills and met with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Chief of Staff to learn about his day-to-day responsibilities and how the office operates. As part of the cabinet, they sponsored legislation and developed a budget for California’s YNG program. In school, she is enrolled in AP Calculus, AP Government, IB English, and AP Art History, while also competing in varsity water polo and varsity swimming.
2024
Addison Stern is a sophomore at Corona del Mar High School and participates in flag football, soccer, and lacrosse. Her flag football team recently won the D2 CIF-SS championship, and she was honored as Player of the Year. She is enjoying school and looking forward to the upcoming CIF soccer playoffs and the lacrosse season.
Parker Stern attends Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California, and is a member of the school’s golf team, which is a strong and successful program. At Stevenson, he also started a Miracle Babies Club that supports and benefits the Miracle Babies organization.
2025
Brooklyn Tennant is a freshman at JSerra Catholic High School, where she competes as a runner. She has been recognized as the #2 Fastest Freshman in Orange County-Cross Country, All-State First Team Cross Country, All-County First Team Cross Country, and one of the top 50 freshmen in the USA. The Harbor Day community is incredibly proud of all she has accomplished so far!
HEY ALUMNI
GOT UPDATES?
HARBOR DAY SCHOOL TURKEY BOWL 2025
THE BLUE- GOLD SCORE AS OF MARCH 17, 2026
B LUE 477 | GOLD 519
FALL AND
R A THLETICS
5TH GRADE
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
COACH CHATOM ARKIN
Colette Chiao
Mia Flesher
Miranda Ji
Blakely Johnson
Lily Palazzola
Camille Ponoroff
Sloane Smith
Charlotte Stone
Everly Wang
Jameson Webb
6TH GRADE
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACH JON GROGAN
London Best
Noora Dinan
Coco Geiler Allen
Paige Hanke
Caroline Kirkowski
Harper Lee
Dempsey Olsen
Bella Peterson
Charlotte Peykoff
Dorothy Sun
Cameron Suplizio
Cassin Tippett
Kaley Tiwari
Sage Ward
7TH GRADE
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACHES JOSHUA PARKS AND JOSEPHINE PICKARD
Cece Arkin-Horowitz
Perry Block
Hadley Davis
Alice Lee
Amandari Louis
Natalie Tao
Ophelia Wu
6TH GRADE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACH MICHAEL COLEMAN
Ludwig Eckermann
Will Gooding*
James McDonald
Luke Robinson
Nathan Ronaghi
Tristan Schumacher
Jacob Stoecker
Ben Whitten
Aiden Zhou *NOT PICTURED
6TH GRADE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACH JOSEPHINE PICKARD
Leila Batniji
London Best
Charisse Chen
Paige Hanke
Caroline Kirkowski
Emily Lopez
Malone Morris
Kaley Tiwari
Avery Workman
8TH GRADE GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACH KATIE CURCI
Caroline Alston
Julia Chapman
Dylan Davis
Annalyse Dowers
Anya Gandhi
Caroline Gross
Eden Horne
Emma Milinovich
Reese Paolone
Quinn Root
8TH GRADE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
COACHES
JEAN-PAUL RIMLINGER AND JOSHUA PARKS
Baron Dear Clint Graham
JP Kirkowski
Cooper Liljestrom
Theodore Liljestrom
Anton Rowe
Ford Stiefel
Danny Tiwari
Adler Tsai
ANNUAL GIVING TO DATE
Harbor Day School is grateful for the contributions of the individuals and families listed below in alphabetical order who have made an annual gift to Harbor Day School via the annual appeal, a Fall Benefit underwriting or sponsorship, and/or the paddle raise July 1, 2025 - March 1, 2026. Your investment in Harbor Day is most appreciated, and gifts may be given through June 30, 2026. Our goal is to reach 100% participation by June 30, 2026, so please join these incredible donors with a gift today. Please note that donors to other funds and recognition of giving by level will be featured in the full Report on Philanthropy in the Fall.
Anonymous (6)
Alexandra and Alan Airth PP
Emily Horowitz'98 and Chatom Arkin FS
Pooja and Pankaj Badlani
Emily '00 and Derreck Barker
Alia and Rami Batniji
Olivia FS and Ludwig Baumgartner
Julia and Robert Beaton
Noelle FS and Jonathan Becker
Jeremy Beecher '00
Shelley'75 and Philip Belling PP
Lauren and James Bellofatto
Karla Kraft and Anderee Berengian
Evelyn and Colin'91 Best
Shiv Bhanu
Vicki and Walter Blass PP
Chelsea and Joel Block
Lisa Briggs PP
Robert Briggs'12
Katherine Briggs'14
Teresa Young and Paul Boschetto
Shanon and Colin'91 Browne
Trisha and Barrington Burke
Jody and Scott Burnham PP GP
Candace Callan
Magi Yang and Greg Chan
Jennifer'98 and Matthew'97 Chapman
Brittany and John'03 BoT Chapman
Mojun and Alex Chen
Yating Lu and Yuchi Chen
Anna-Marie and Brian Claassen
Maureen and Brian'92 Coleman
Heather and Jefferson'99 Cowart
Sarah Cox'08
Nicole and Michael Cudzil
Amy Paul and Mark Czepiel PP
Shana Jiang and Bill Dai
Michelle and Tim Danaher
Andrea and James Danaher GP
Allison and Matthew'01 Danzig
Lesly and John Davenport PP
Cameran and Josh Davis
Chris P. Dialynas
Family Foundation
Margarita and Mark Donnelly
Nina Jafari and Parshaw Dorriz
Stacy and Dana Dowers
Kelly'05 and Andrew Ellis
Amanda and Michael Erlinger
Angi'75 FS and Peter Evans PP
Diana and Gareth Evans
Sally Evans'09
Grace Fogel'21
Anne Foodym
Danielle and Matthew'93 Foster
Stephanie and Nick'97 Foster
Debbie and Tom Foster GP PP
Suzanne'83 and Peter Freyer
Cynthia Fry GP
Vicki and James Furey PP BoT
Stephanie Argyros Gehl'84 PP
Mahta Mirhosseini and Navid Ghalambor
Whitney and Michael Gomez PP
Charles Gomez'23
Isabel Gomez'18
Kristen and Brian BoT Gooding
Caroline and Kevin Gray
Kristen Nelson Green'01 and Will Green
Jenny and Jeff Gross
Natasha and Nicholas'02 Gross
Sudhir and Abha Gupta GP
Katy'96 BoT and Doug Hanke
Sue and Doug Hirsh
Meghan BoT and Andrew Hoffman ll
Cait and Ross Holland
Emily and Jeffrey Irwin
Janelle and Robert Irwin
Courtney and Blake Johnson
Susan'88 FS and Sean Johnson PP
Amanda Johnson'92
Dana and Craig Gordon Johnson PP
Lindsay and Lance Jordan PP
Stephanie and Kevin Kaberna
Mina and Mustafa Kazem
Patricia and Jason Kellogg
Mackenzie Kent
Parto and Aria Khalili
Iram and Zafar Khan
Ava Khan'22
Danyel Khan'20
Erin'01 and David Kingsley
Carole and Richard Kingsley GP
Ryan Klein'83 PP
Jensen Klein'18
Lila Klein'13
Nolan Klein'15
Jillian and Robert'02 Knapp
Elizabeth Knight'11
Landon Knight'11
Ari Moshayedi and Matthew Krasinski
David Kuehn'81
Kirby'06 and Peter Kurzeka
Jill Mather and Daryl Landy
Catherine and John Lanni
Marianne and Tom Larkin
Thomas Larkin'31
Amy Laurendeau and Christopher BoT Lal
Alison and Brett Ledger
Bonnie BoT Lee and James Sung
Catherine Lee and Mark Tran
Debbie Huang and Allen Lee
Nina Fang and Di Li
Guoli Li and Zhen Lin
Taylor'98 and Brinson Lingenfelter
Vivien Liu and Joe Li
Heather and Daniel Lorti GP
Joel Maki FS
Christine'02 and Brett Malikowski
Natalie and Sean Matsler
Michaela and Jeffrey Mazur
Diana and Craig McCallister GP
Kathy and Joe McCurdy GP
Lauren'99 and Michael McDonald
Megan and Bryan Milinovich
Melissa FS and Mike Mullane PP
Nina Prasad and Ryan Murphy
Laurel and John Nelligan PP
Miranda and Ricky'02 Nelson
Jennifer and Brian Niccol PP
Kathy and Joe O'Donnell
Sarah Oliphant PP FS
Adriana and Eric'90 Olsen
Lisa and Terry O'Neil
Katey and Bryce Osborn
Chris Gstrein and Heather Paff FS
Susan and Toby Page PP
Hayley'98 and Michael Palazzola
Connie and Matthew Pavlovich
Cari BoT and Chad Peets
Rowdie Peets'16
Pamela and John Peterson GP
Janet Peterson
Jayne and Bryce Pickart
Sonali and Rogelio Pier
Taryn'01 and Oliver Pilco
Margie and Francis Quinlan PP
Kate Reim FS
Jean-Paul Rimlinger PP FS
Iris and Gerard Rivera
Cate and Dan Robinson
Beth'94 and Alex Root
Lurie and David FS Royal
Tina and Ehsan Sadri
Cynthia Schwarz'75 and Prakash Sakraney PP
Suzanne and Robert Searles PP
Kristen Statton and Jatin Sharma
Natalie Shaw'01
Brooke'93 and Chris'96 Shepherdson
Whitney and Grant Shifflett
Veronica and Evan BoT Slavik
Amber and Tim Smith
Kerri BoT and Danny'87 Sonenshine
Dezina and Neil Soni
Jodie and John Spanos
Hillary'00 and Greg'96 Stampley
Whitney and Phil'99 Stemler
Morgan and Lance Stern
Anne'94 and Val Stiefel
Meggen FS and Ray Stockstill GP
Ani and Reed Stoecker
Allison and Bradley'01 Stone
Gay Callan and George Stone GP
Jaimee and Gregory'04 Stone
Julie and Clayton'99 Stone
Marissa and Scott'08 Stone
Stacy and Jeffery Stone GP PP
Tina and Tim Sun
Alexandra and Richard'86 Taketa
Patti and Richard Taketa GP PP
Ayesha and Afnan BoT Tariq
Shannon Tarnutzer GP PP
Laurel BoT and Scott'96 Tippett
Nicole and Scott BoT Townes
Leanne Huang and Anthony Tsai
Yoko and Gene Tsai
Mary Lynn and Rusty Turner GP PP
Megumi Yamato and Marco van Akkeren
Laura and Tim Vanderhook
Christine and Tony Wang
Yang Wang
Jennie and Scott BoT Watson
Stephanie and Todd Watts
Jordan and Wes Webb
Jessica and Eric'94 Werner
Michelle Wilcox and Steve Weston
The Whitten Family BoT
Julie and Justin Wilson III PP
Scott Woodard'75
Stephanie Workman
Vanna Yi and Ck Wong
Megan He and Wei Wu
Helen He and James Xia
Wendy Jin and Rong Xu
Garland and David Yi
Violet Yoshida'22
Jack Yoshida'20
Helen Ni and John Zhou
Bell Li and Jun Zhou
Grace Yum Zimmermann and Kent Zimmermann
Melia and Michael Zweiback
Jaime FS and Michael Zwerling
BOT – BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FS – CURRENT/FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF
GP – GRANDPARENT
PP – PAST PARENT
MIDDLE SCHOOL |Holiday Program
Holiday Program |LOWER SCHOOL
THANKSGIVING PROGRAM
SNAPSHOT STUMPER
SESSION DATES
SESSION DATES
BEYOND THE BELL | SUMMER CAMP 2026
BEYOND THE BELL | SUMMER CAMP 2026
Harbor Day is excited to present our Beyond the Bell Summer 2026 Program from July 13 through August 14
Harbor Day is excited to present our Beyond the Bell Summer 2026 Program from July 13 through August 14
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.:
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.:
SESSION 1: JULY 13 - JULY 17
SESSION 1: JULY 13 - JULY 17
SESSION 2: JULY 20 - JULY 24
SESSION 2: JULY 20 - JULY 24
SESSION 3: JULY 27 - JULY 31
SESSION 3: JULY 27 - JULY 31
SESSION 4: AUGUST 3 - AUGUST 7
SESSION 4: AUGUST 3 - AUGUST 7
SESSION 5: AUGUST 10 - AUGUST 14
SESSION 5: AUGUST 10 - AUGUST 14
(Brush Up Camps – current or incoming students only)
(Brush Up Camps – current or incoming students only)
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. Camps are designed for incoming kindergarten through incoming 8th grade students.
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. Camps are designed for incoming kindergarten through incoming 8th grade students.
