Larchmont Chronicle
JUNE 2025
GRADUATES OF 2025
Seniors don caps and gowns and say farewell to high school
By Nona Sue Friedman
Around this time, thousands of high school seniors in the area are finishing their journey of secondary education before moving on to college, tech school, a gap year, a job or whatever else might inspire them.
But, before moving into the next phase of their life, parents, students and caregivers get to celebrate them with graduation from high school—a rite of passage after years of hard work.
Following is what is happening at schools throughout Los Angeles. A big congratulations to all the seniors!
Oakwood School is graduating 90 students on Thurs., June 5. At this school, the
graduation ceremony is completely student-led. This includes speeches and per-
formances by the graduates. Students voted for the four faculty speakers and the processional and recessional songs were decided by a stu-
dent committee.
The dean of Loyola
School of Education, Estela Zarate, will speak to
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Marymount
OAKWOOD SENIORS enjoy class kinship.
SHOWING PRIDE for their future school are the young women of Marymount High School.
AT A SPECIAL SENIOR picnic, Larchmont Charter seniors relax.
LOOKING PROUD in their caps and gowns are the seniors from Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Seniors
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL
Gisele Alino
Savanna Alora
Tomasz Bajon
Gavin Barros
Esther Cho
Alvin Choi
Ashley Cruz
Ruby Escobedo
Karlie Francis
Lilianna Gaitan
Zoe Griswold
Anjella Guiza
Briella Guiza
Alex Ko
Isaac Kwon
Valeria Lira
Gryphon Lozano
Emalee Magno
Ethan Nogoy
Stella Orta
Isabella Pokos
Janeth Quintanilla
Kaylee Raiz
Bonaventure Slamet
Rex Tobar
Olivia Torres Lucas Williams
Our Graduates will be attending the following schools
SIGNING DAY for the boys at Loyola High School.
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139 seniors at Larchmont Charter
LaFayette Park’s graduation ceremony on Wed., June 18. The event is taking place at the Gothic Reviv-
AN INTIMATE CLASS at Pilgrim School poses in front of their school’s historic bronze doors.
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WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Seniors
(Continued from Page 3)
al-style, 92-year-old First Congregational Church of Los Angeles.
Thirty-one students will graduate from Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles on Fri., June 13, at 10 a.m. at the Théatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd.
On Sat., May 31, Notre Dame High School will see 317 seniors cross the stage in the school’s football stadium. This marks the school’s 75th commencement ceremony.
The CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, Theresa Edy Kienne, spoke at Marymount High School ’s graduation ceremony on May 23. Sixty girls moved their tassels from right to left.
The Hollywood Bowl is where 95 girls will ceremoniously complete their tenure at Immaculate Heart on Tues., June 2, at 8 p.m.
The speaker, Brigid LaBonge, an artist and community advocate and also the wife of the late Council memeber Tom LaBonge as well as the keynote speaker.
Senior boys of Loyola High School will walk across the platform placed on campus in Hayden Circle on Sat., June 7, for the school’s 156th graduation ceremony. Board Chairman Robert Foster will address all 290 students.
This is the 100-year anniversary of Fairfax High School. On Tues., June 10, at 6:30 p.m., 363 students will proudly cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
Thirty-four seniors will graduate from Pilgrim School
on Thurs., June 12. They will hear from Pilgrim faculty at the ceremony which takes place on campus.
ALL 363 students pose in the gymnasium at Fairfax High School.
NOTRE DAME High School, known as the Knights, will graduate 317 students.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Graduates talk about hopes, desires as they head off to college
By Nona Sue Friedman
Josie Barker of Ridgewood Place was very excited to finish Marlborough School on May 15. She started there in ninth grade and it was not an easy transition.
At Marlborough, she liked the facilities, teachers and classes best. But her first year was quite difficult and a big adjustment. Barker said she had a test or a quiz every week, advance placement classes were expected—“just part of the culture”—and the entire experience was “very intense.”
Barker persevered and was accepted to University of Colorado at Boulder, where she is committed to going, at least for now. She is waitlisted at Cal Poly San Louis Obispo (SLO), which was her first choice, until she toured Boulder. Then, the pendulum swung toward the campus near the Rocky Mountains. If she gets off the waitlist at SLO, she’s not sure she’ll change her commitment.
At either school, she plans on majoring in environ-
mental science. She’s really looking forward to “choosing classes curated to what I want to learn” and especially likes that this major doesn’t have a math requirement. She says, “It’s an interdisciplinary study that is humanities based.” A few friends from her former school, Wildwood, are planning on going to Boulder as well.
She’s looking forward to exploring the area, hiking and snowboarding. But she’s most excited about having freedom and learning.
This year is ending just as intense as her tenure at Marlborough began. Barker hada
psychology test on the last day of school. A few days later, the entire senior class went to Hawaii for five days. Nothing like completely relaxing by the beach knowing you have finished high school and have somewhere to go in the fall.
When the girls return from their trip, they will don their white dresses, a Marlborough tradition, and graduate.
By Suzan Filipek
Matthew Hoegee plans to study business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The Loyola senior had considered majoring in psychology after taking advancement placement classes in the field, but an internship helped change his mind.
He had worked for a neighbor in his Hancock Park neighborhood who is a political consultant. “She helps people run for local government,” he told us last month.
It was handling the political donations that sparked his interest in business. That and also, “You can get into a lot of things from business,” real estate and finance among
them, he said. says Hoegee. Before he heads to Boulder, he will travel to Hawaii this summer with friends and family and play golf in Oregon. It’s a sport he enjoys for fun, and he has also swung a club or two at the Wilshire Country Club (before it closed for remodeling).
Hoegee is a longtime member of the Loyola Cubs baseball team but plans to spiff up his skiing skills in Colorado. When he heard good things about the Boulder school from family who attend there, it helped him make the decision to move to the Rocky Mountain state.
Art, sports and Cape Cod are on her calendar
By Suzan Filipek
Riley Houlihan is excited about her major—graphic design—and her choice of college.
“I’m really fascinated with logos of companies and album covers. You can learn a lot in graphic design,” the Immaculate Heart senior and Brookside native told us.
She chose the major so that she can pursue a career in art. She loves to draw and sketch and has taken art classes since her sophomore year. Her latest endeavor is learning screen printing.
After graduation on June 2, Houlihan will attend Endicott College in Massachusetts beginning in late August.
When she toured the school it quickly soared to the top of her list of choices for its location and proximity to family on the East Coast.
“I have a lot of family there,” she told us.
She follows in the footsteps of her older sister Zoey, who is attending the same East Coast college. The surrounding Boston area is a place the
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Josie Barker
Matthew Hoegee
Boulder, Colorado, could be this senior’s new home
Loyola senior heads to Boulder in the fall
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Graduates
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sisters are familiar with, having spent several summer family reunions on Cape Cod.
Riley is looking forward to another get-together this summer with her extended family, enjoying clambakes and other beach activities. A cousin’s wedding in Ohio is also on her calendar.
Besides art, Riley is athletic and hopes to continue playing soccer in college.
She has played the sport throughout high school and most recently served as co-captain of IH Varsity Soccer.
She started playing the game as young as 3, encour-
aged by her dad, who was also her coach.
“I fell in love with the sport. I’m going to try out for the school team [at Endicott],” she tells us.
In case she doesn’t make the grade [for soccer], she plans to start a club team or has other ideas.
We’re pretty sure she’ll make the team.
By Nona Sue Friedman
Carroll Jenkins was playing volleyball at a tournament in Las Vegas when he was spotted on the court by the coach for Vassar College. They chatted there. The coach wanted him for his team, and vice versa. Although it’s no guarantee of entrance with a college coach gunning for you, it does help, according to Jenkins. He feels “I could have gotten in on my own merits, but it certainly was helpful having the coach on my side.”
Jenkins is thrilled to be heading East and to be a teammate for his favorite sport. He started playing the game as a freshman at Larchmont Charter High School (LCS) and fell in love with it. After his sophomore year, he
joined a club team. Between the two, that’s a lot of games per week.
Jenkins likes solving problems and creating things. He is interested in studying engineering mechanics and Vassar doesn’t offer those, so his plan is to study applied math and physics. Before his junior year, he’ll apply for a special program between Dartmouth University and Vassar, where he could earn an engineering degree. Otherwise, he’ll continue with math and physics, get his degree and apply to a graduate program for engineering. He’s got it all figured out.
Jenkins in a native of Los Angeles and has lived near Brookside his whole life. He is
a “lifer” at Larchmont Charter, starting in kindergarten. He says, “Connections and friends are what I’ll look on back fondly. I have a small pool of friends that I hang with and want to stay friends with long after high school.”
He commented, “The first part of senior year with applications and SAT testing was hellish.” Now, he has time to kick back and play his favorite video game, Apex Legends.
Pilgrim
By H. Hutcheson
Lucas Garcia is a graduating senior headed to California Institute of Technology in Pasadena to study genetic engineering.
He has attended Pilgrim School since kindergarten-a lifer. One of the oldest schools in Los Angeles, est. 1958, the senior class is matriculating a mere 34 students. Garcia says, “The small size was good for me because I could really develop a relationship with my teachers, and I could continue deep into an interest or topic over the years.”
He was able to do research while in high school at his future college, Caltech, using enzymes to breakdown PFAS-
which are forever chemicals.
Students are required to enter the university undeclared for a major, but he has a plan to, “… go the biochemistry route, more biosynthetic tech, genetic engineering in multicellular organisms.” judging by my silence, he clarifies, “animal genetics.” Garcia’s graduation is this month, and he will celebrate with family, grandparents visiting from Virginia and, “of course, friends!”
When asked about any fun summer plans, he responded “My friends and I are planning a road trip.” It sounds like Garcia will be traveling down many interesting and exciting roads!
Riley Houlihan
Carroll Jenkins
Lucas Garcia
Vassar and volleyball are this senior’s dream ticket
senior headed to Pasadena Caltech
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Club volleyball is a necessity for players with college aspirations
I was astonished this past January when I attended my first club volleyball event, the SoCal Cup in Downtown’s Los Angeles Convention Center. The Cup, a three-day annual volleyball tournament for boys 11-18, draws hundreds of club teams from all over the country and occupies the two largest halls at the convention center. Each of these cavernous hangars houses over 50 individual volleyball courts.
Upon entering, the first thing one notices are volleyballs arcing up and down throughout the immense hall as they are spiked, drilled, volleyed, set, tipped and walloped. The place is like a giant bingo hopper. Then the echoing sound of competition takes over as players, coaches and parents cheer, officials blow their whistles and hundreds of hands make contact with volleyballs.
Overwhelming? You bet. But also exhilarating.
SG Elite
SG (San Gabriel) Elite Volleyball Club is one of L.A.’s premier youth volleyball training facilities, and their teams
Youth Sports
by Jim Kalin
compete at the SoCal Cup as well as other tournaments locally and throughout the U.S.
The club’s initial home and workout location was the San Gabriel High School gymnasium, but when Kenji Mukai took over as director in 2007, he acquired a new space near Atwater Village in the Glendale Commerce Center and added the word “Elite.”
SG Elite’s present facility is state-of-the-art and spacious. It features seven courts, each secluded from the others with floor-to-ceiling netting. There’s also an independent weighttraining center, Vertimax/plyometric systems, a film room and a wall of flat screen HD TVs so parents can watch close-up as their young athletes train and practice.
“We provide a family atmosphere,” says Shari Iwatani, SG Elite boys’ teams director and coach. “It’s not just a business.”
During the COVID-19 shutdown, SG Elite delivered volleyballs and backyard net systems to anyone who re-
quested them.
“We also did a lot of fundraising and helped families who were affected by the recent fires.”
Since joining the SG Elite coaching staff, every one of Iwatani’s teams has surpassed their preliminary rankings at the season’s start. Her 2023 Boys 15 Elite team won a gold medal at the Junior National Championships.
Homegrown
SG Elite began as a girls’ volleyball club, and the ladies still outnumber the boys. Presently, there are 17 boys’ teams and 61 girls’ teams at SG Elite.
“We didn’t begin a boys program until 2012,” says Iwatani. “Originally, we were viewed as a good starter club for boys, then they would leave. That’s not the case anymore.”
Ray Barsemian has been the Boys 18 Elite team coach and the club’s head trainer for two years. He’s also the associate head volleyball coach at Fullerton College. Barsemian was a two-time college All-American for Concordia University Irvine and a member of SG Elite’s inaugural boys’ team. He was the club’s first male player to
commit to an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division-1 college. One of his current 18 Elite players, Carroll Jenkins, is a senior at Larchmont Charter High School and will play volleyball for Vassar College next year.
Popularity
“Men’s volleyball is growing,” says Iwatani. “It’s becoming more popular and competitive.”
That may be, but it still has a long way to go before it reaches the same level that women’s volleyball is at. There are
SG ELITE’S state-of-the-art facility has seven individual courts.
SG ELITE’S BOYS 18 team celebrate after a game-winning point at the SoCal Cup.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
In praise of honoring our fathers and embracing the day!
By Helene Seifer
Father’s Day, celebrated on the third Sunday in June, falls on June 15 this year. Have you bought your tie yet?
Gifts were not always a part of the day dedicated to honoring dads. The first Father’s Day took place in 1910 and was primarily a religious holiday. It became a national holiday in 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed legislation making it official, but unlike the enthusiastic adoption of Mother’s Day, men initially eschewed the honor, thinking that being pampered made them appear weak. These days most fathers embrace the day.
Three Larchmont Chronicle readers shared stories with us in praise of their fathers. Always shows up
“I think what makes my dad special is his unique ability to meet you where you are,” says Jake Harris of his father, Jim Harris, a recently retired lawyer and Hancock Park resident. “My dad is an intellectual at heart and loves to read and learn and understand. He and I discover information differently, but he figured out how I under-
stand and process things. He would support the decision I was making even if it wasn’t the choice he would want for me. He allowed me to follow my passions.”
The firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Dept. shares that his father always attended his Little League games, cheering him on through high school sports and even traveling to catch Jake’s college baseball games. “He’s silly and goofy and he’s fun,” Jake states, “But he’s serious when he needs to be, and he always shows up.”
“I have a really great relationship with my dad and I’m really grateful for how present he is.”
Dedicated to family
“My father’s name was
Howard Kimbley Payne,” says Yvonne Adams. “He was born in 1899 in Kentucky.” She adds, “My father was a real serious dresser. He looked good. He had a straw hat in the summer, a wool hat in the winter.”
The Fairfax District resident’s father worked for the post office and bought some property after he moved to Monrovia. “My father was a very nice man. He was very dedicated to his family. He really took care of us and made sure we had the things we needed.” And the things they craved. “We would drive to
Pasadena to go to See’s Candy, 50 cents a pound. We all had a sweet tooth except Daddy. If he wanted a snack at night, he made oatmeal. I hate oatmeal.”
When the retired special education teacher was accepted to university, she says, “My father was very proud of my going to UCLA and made sure that I got anything within reason to stay in school.” Since Black people were not allowed to live on campus in the 1950s, Adams explains, “I stayed at the ‘Y’ across the street. He always paid for me, everything in full.”
“I learned from my father to have a work ethic and to be a nice person.”
Kind, warm and loving
“My father was one of the kindest, warmest, most loving fathers and human beings that I have ever met,” states Laurie Schechter. “He was very affectionate, physically affectionate, always hugging. He would say ‘I love you’ all the time, so he was verbally affectionate. And he also expressed it in always wanting to help.”
Joseph Schechter, a psychiatric social worker, died
in 2018, just shy of his 91st birthday. Laurie remembers that he always helped people by fixing things. When they rented a house in the Berkshires for the summer, her father would fix whatever was broken in the home, even though it belonged to someone else. The Mid-Wilshire resident adds, “When I moved into New York City I had a very tiny room. I needed a bed, so he made me a bed that was elevated and underneath I could put a desk.”
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him,” she says. “His love, warmth and kindness forever fill my heart.”
BONDING OVER BASEBALL: Jake Harris (left) with his father, Jim Harris.
YVONNE ADAMS with her dad, Howard Kimbley Payne, in their Monrovia home, circa the mid-1940s.
BIRTHDAY DINNER at Yamashiro for Joseph Schechter’s 90th birthday: (L-R) Laurie Schechter; her father, Joseph, her mom, Carolyn; and sister Nancy.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Stellar Fairfax and GALA students received scholarships
Eleven seniors received awards from the George and Irene Epstein Memorial Scholarship Program last month.
Six of the students are from Fairfax High and five hail from the Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA). The recipients were chosen by the board of directors of the Los Angeles chapter of the International Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE).
Howard Katzman, senior scientist at The Aerospace Corporation, and education chairman of the Los Angeles Chapter of SAMPE, announced the names, and the presentation was held at Fortune House restaurant on San Vicente Boulevard.
Scholarship recipients receive $3,000 each and book awardees $1,000.
The program was initiated in 1996, shortly after the death of longtime area resident Irene Epstein, her daughter Sue Epstein told us. Fairfax was chosen because that was where the Epstein children attended. GALA was later added because it is a STEM school, and the
scholarships are for students studying science, medicine, engineering or mathematics.
George Epstein, who died in 2023, penned a poker column for the Larchmont Chronicle
He was an engineer who worked for the U.S. Air Force Space Systems, among other notable endeavors.
Awardees
Fairfax High scholarship awardees are Hillary Tong and Mukhammadjon Mukhitdinov
Tong plans to attend Harvard College where she will major in computer science, aspiring to become a software engineer and conduct computational psychiatry research.
She hopes to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning tools that collaborate with psychiatrists and medical professionals to reduce misdiagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Tong started the Girls Who Code Club at Fairfax and also incorporated a UCLA mentorship program.
She also served as president of the Society of Women in Engineering Club and MESA (mathematics, science engineering achievement) Club.
She is the founder and cap-
tain of Fairfax’s Academic Decathlon Team and captain of the Robotics Team.
Mukhitdinov will attend UCLA, where he will major in biochemistry in hopes of becoming a dentist. Mukhammadjon is captain and manager of the boys’ varsity tennis team and helps coach the girls’ tennis team. He is vice president of the Bible Reading Club, participates in the Korean Language and Culture Club and the Korean Drumming Group and has participated in the Early Academic Outreach Program.
GALA scholarship awardees are Chloe Watkins and Johana Miel
Watkins ranks first in her class and will attend UCLA as a computer science major. She will go into the field of robotics, hoping to develop medical robots and prosthetics. Passionate about coding and robotics, she has worked with one of the head programmers and the designated debugger of GALA’s robotics team. She mentors middle school teams with programming and assists other teams in debugging. Watkins is treasurer of the Chemistry Club
and is actively involved with the Young Voters Club and Rhizome, a grassroots organization the helps teenagers make changes in their community.
Miel will attend either UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, or UC Santa Barbara where she will pursue a pre-med track. She plans to become a pediatrician. She is president of the Kababayan Club (the Filipino Club), works as a UCLA healthcare volunteer, and is a GALA student ambassador.
The following Fairfax students will receive book awards: Mohammad Erfan Firooz Bakhsh will attend UC Santa Barbara, majoring in pre-biology on the path to becoming a medical doctor.
Jocelyn Puerto will attend Los Angeles Trade Technical College to pursue an Associate of Science degree in automotive and related technology before transferring to a four-year university.
Ronisa Zalzar will attend Santa Monica College where she will major in general science with the goal of becoming a medical doctor.
Yulitzen Juarez will attend Cal State Northridge with a major in radiology.
The following GALA students will receive book awards: Emma Kenney will attend Carnegie Mellon where she will major in psychology.
Wendolyn Stanfill will at-
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AWARDEES: Chloe Watkins, Johana Miel, Hillary Tong and Mukhammadjon Mukhitdinov.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
GirlsBuild National summit: a step toward a brighter future
By Ella Wolovitch
“Pay it forward. It never hurts to go back and make sure that those behind you can stand next to you one day,” declared Aiyana Sha’neil, a GirlsBuild alum. Her inspiring words of self-love and confidence reverberated through the 2025 GirlsBuild Summit on April 23.
GirlsBuild is a nonprofit organization that empowers and inspires girls of all backgrounds. The mission is to instill confidence into young women and equip them with the leadership skills needed to make change in their community.
GirlsBuild partnered with the LA Promise Fund, a local nonprofit, to host the 10th National GirlsBuild Summit, which took place at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, bringing over 5,000 local students together for a day filled with community building and empowering speakers.
When my chapter of GirlsBuild at Larchmont Charter High School offered me the opportunity to attend, I enthusiastically jumped at the chance.
The day began with the
HelloFuture College & Career Fair, which had a wide variety of booths with information about various colleges and career options. It was intended to inspire girls to work and study in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields where women are often underrepresented.
My school’s chapter hosted a booth that distributed zines, or homemade publications, made by my fellow club members. Attendees strolled and explored the opportunities for learning while excitement buzzed through the air. The anticipation of the remainder of the day was evident through the students’ scattered chatter.
Once in the theater, stu-
dents heard from an array of powerful guest speakers. Among my favorites were women like Candace Nelson, an accomplished CEO and the founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes; Cameron Brink, a WNBA player on the L.A. Sparks ; and Aiyana Sha’neil, a poet and writer who performed a beautiful poem, touching many. These women, and the many other speakers, exuded confidence and inspired the audience with their many accomplishments and devotion to their careers and their leadership roles were memorable.
The energy throughout the event was uplifting and created a truly passionate environment, which is how
GirlsBuild creates change in the community.
There were many elements of audience participation, engaging the listeners and calling them to action. Students from different schools were able to come up and propose their ideas for passion projects to Candace Nelson, who listened and gave advice on creating an impactful and successful business.
As the event came to an end, I looked around and felt a sense of oneness with everyone who attended. It
felt special to be somewhere where everyone felt so connected by shared ideas. Attendees were there to uplift women to accomplish great things, and we were intertwined by the wonderful message that GirlsBuild and the women who spoke at the summit perpetuate. Being surrounded by strong women filled me with a sense of fulfillment and hope for a bright future. It felt powerful to be at this event, like a step in the right direction toward gender equality.
GIRLS READ THE ZINES that were written and designed by the Larchmont Charter chapter.
LARCHMONT CHARTER’S GirlsBuild club in front of YouTube Theater.
Photo by Stacey Mahoney
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Lucky 21 Gala for Larchmont Charter
NEIGHBORHOOD PALS
Nona Friedman of Ridgewood
Caroline
Student stories, ‘Impact’ told at Marlborough
Marlborough School hosted the nonprofit Plus Me IMPACT May 17. Five Los Angeles County School District students selected from over 238 applicants shared how their personal stories matter in shaping their communities.
The scholarship recipients
Youth Sports
(Continued from Page 8) presently 26 D1men’s college teams. Women’s volleyball has 334 D1 teams. This makes the competition for boys who want to participate in college a challenge. For those
are Jesus Ayala James from Monroe High School, Jimena Castaneda from Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, Mazel Ceniza from John F. Kennedy High School, Hanna Corona from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School and Lorenzo Flores from Alliance Morgan
athletes, off-season club volleyball is a necessity.
“And there’s always more interest immediately after the Olympic Games.”
If that’s true, SG Elite better get ready, especially with the 2028 Summer Olympics heading to Los Angeles.
About 350 teachers, staff and parents from all four campuses convened at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood for Larchmont Charter School’s Lucky 21 Gala on May 9. Attendees bid on more than 300 auction items, took a turn in the photo booth, spun the lucky wheel for a prize and enjoyed the open bar while mingling with friends. Guests were treated to a delicious Mediterranean dinner followed by dancing.
The TK-to-12th-grade school was the brainchild of moms from Windsor Square and Larchmont Village, who started talking about it while their kids played in the park. It became a reality that has lasted for the past 21 years.
DINNER AND GAMES were enjoyed by attendees inside the ballroom.
WINDSOR SQUARE resident and Larchmont Charter staff member Alissa Chariton (left) checks people in with co-worker Esmeralda Sandoval.
ENJOYING DINNER are (left to right) Andrew Chi and Mike Armbruster of Ridgewood Wilton and Susan and Stephen Matloff of Windsor Square.
ENJOYING THE OPEN bar are AJ and Julie Johnson of Windsor Square.
Wilton (left) and
Tracy of Hancock Park take a quick selfie before dinner.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
Benefit was California Dreamin’
About 100 parents and faculty attended Tree Academy’s annual fundraiser at the home of Margaret and Chris Jacquemin on May 15.
A California Dreamin’ theme provided the backdrop for the event, which raised funds to sustain the sixth- to 12th-grade school’s resources and provide assistance to help maintain a diverse student population.
Food and drink were provided by Tamar Chafets, Mark Gold, Mr. Leaf Wines and Rosa Vodka.
Silent and live auctions were held and an online auction continues through Thurs., June 5, on Charity-
Buzz. Student musical performers provided entertainment.
Founded in 2016 by Paul Cummins (of Crossroads and New Roads schools), the school offers college-prep classes and a wide range of electives.
Scholarships
(Continued from Page 11)
tend UC Santa Cruz majoring in environmental studies / biology with plans to become an environmental engineer. Trinity De Leon-Chavarria will attend UC Riverside majoring in biology.
AT THE BENEFIT are (left to right) Sarah Moore, director of Operations and Admissions; parent and host Margaret Jacquemin; Head of School Phú Trầnchí, and actor, musician and parent Jack Black.
WE SALUTE THE GRADUATES OF 2025
A spring gala of students and superstars not to be missed
Westside Ballet will be holding its spring showcase, “Masters of Movement,” alongside a gala at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage Sat., May 31, and Sun., June 1. The performance will include three of our Hancock Park dancers: Lux Saevitz, Romy Tomich and Elle Shim.
At the showcase, the pre-professional dancers will perform excerpts from “Coppelia,” a contemporary work of Mark Tomasic, and Bob Fosse’s “Cabaret.”
The Saturday evening galafeatures performances by Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia of the New York City Ballet. Peck is a Westside alumna who was also featured in Prime Video’s ballet dramedy “Etoile.” The ballet to be performed is an evocative duet of Jerome Robbins’ “Other Dances,” a waltz and four mazurkas (a Polish folk dance style) originally set for Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
The gala audience will be pleased to also see students in George Balanchine’s “Circus Polka,” Justin Peck’s “Bloom”—including Los Angeles Ballet’s Kate Inoue and Marcos Ramirez—and
“Le Conservatoire,” including Danish star Nilas Martins and Adrian Mitchell of the Mikhailovsky Theatre Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. And if that is not reason enough to attend, a portion of the proceeds will go toward the school’s Fire Scholarship Fund to support over 40 families who lost homes in L.A.’s January fires by helping with
dance school costs. Additionally, both fire and police first responders will be honored.
The gala takes place Sat., May 31, at 7 p.m. Spring showcases will be both May 31 and Sun., June 1, at 1 p.m. All events will be at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Tickets can be purchased at westsideballet.com/ springtix.
USC 2025 School of Cinematic Arts Graduate magna cum laude!
WESTSIDE BALLET LOCAL STUDENTS, left to right, Lux Saevitz, Romy Tomich and Elle Shim will perform alongside superstars from the ballet world. Photo by Sarah Madison
TILER PECK AND ROMAN MEJIA featured in “Etoile.” Peck is also a former Westside dancer. Photo by Erin Baiao
GRADUATES OF 2025
NEW COVENANT ACADEMY
Kailey Kim 10th Grade
Seniors made lasting memories during their final school events, including the senior chapel, a breakfast ceremony, a sunset evening at the beach, and a thrilling trip to Universal Studios for the Grad Bash. As they prepare for their next chapter, they’ve left behind wisdom and encouragement for the underclassmen who will follow in their footsteps.
NCA also hosted a special banquet to honor the girls’ basketball and
CAMPBELL HALL
Claire “Cal” Lesher 12th Grade
boys’ volleyball and basketball teams. Players came together for a night of great food, recognition, and awards, celebrating their hard work and dedication throughout the season.
And, of course, the Class of 2025 marked their graduation with a special commencement ceremony, celebrating their achievements, college acceptances, and scholarships. NCA couldn’t be prouder of its graduates, and we wish them success in all that lies ahead!
With the school year now behind us, it’s time for everyone to rest, recharge, and enjoy the break. Congratulations on all your hard work, NCA students—you made this year unforgettable!
After the 2025 prom “Spring Fling,” was a smashing success. Students began to prepare for final exams while seniors prepared to embark on graduation and their new journey into university life. School will wrap up fast for another remarkable year. Before the school year ends, we are jam packed with ample amount of fun events. These include the Dance Departments presents “Alice in Wonderland,” the Spring Sing Choral Concert, The
Drama Lab Experiment, and lastly, our Film and TV Screening Festival. Plus, our annual Bagpipers Ball where all proceeds benefit Campbell Hall’s Financial Aid Programs.
Personal note, this is my final column for the Larchmont Chronicle. I am extremely grateful to the Chronicle team for allowing me to write about my schools since fourth grade. I have loved writing for the Chronicle each month and will always cherish it. Next year, I will attend Northeastern University in Boston to pursue a degree in engineering.
Congratulations to the class of 2025! This is Cal Lesher signing off for the last time. Best of luck to everyone in all your adventures!
GRADUATES OF 2025
LARCHMONT CHARTER WILSHIRE
Emory Tom Kirkwood & Xavier Mason 3rd Grade
It’s June! Which means summer is nearly here! Before we set off for camps and travels and endless days of playing under the sun, we have our musicals! This year we’re having a “Sponge Bob” production. It will be on May 29 to 30 at 5 p.m. You can buy tickets at the Larchmont Charter store.
Another thing that’s great about June is our abc countdown to the end of the school year. This is a favorite school tradition! Over the last 26 days, we’ll participate in many ways to show our school spirit! Highlights from past years are P for Popsicle and C for Character dress up.
This June, we’ll also be celebrating Pride Month with an assembly, fun crafts, and special books in the library.
More traditions? We have a competition for best yearbook cover. Last year’s winner? Rory K.
One more thing before break: Thanks teachers for supporting us through the year. We appreciate you.
Enjoy your summer!
(p.s. It’s been fun writing for the Chronicle! What a great year at LCS!)
THIRD STREET
Maya Johnson 5th
Grade
Greetings from Third Street Elementary School! We are wrapping up Teacher Appreciation week. We had fun spoiling our teachers and letting them know how much we care about them.
The countdown has begun for the last few weeks of school!
On June 6 the 5th graders will participate in the 5th grade luncheon and school spirit day. Later that night, the school will have its annual 3rd Street’s Got Talent event! Parents are invited to watch students play instruments, dance, do skits, etc.; it’s sure to be a fun night! June 7 is the 5th grade dance, kids are invited to dress up and dance to their favorite songs!
On Tues., June 10, we have the last day of school and the 5th grade Culmination. Lastly,
on Wed., June 11, there is a staff appreciation luncheon. For parents interested in Summer School for their children, Third Street Elementary will be hosting summer school and many of our teachers will be teaching. There will also be Creative Brain Camp and Got Game Camp. I am sad to say goodbye to Third Street Elementary but excited because this school and teachers prepared me for my next adventure - middle school! :)
THE WILLOWS Wren Meltzer 7th Grade
students sing songs to the grades taking their place that have to do with the year’s curriculum. StepUp is always bittersweet because we know we will miss school even though we are excited for summer. Finally, the end of school also brings the end of my Larchmont Chronicle column for this year. I have loved writing it, thank you for reading it.
ST. BRENDAN Alyssa Lee 8th Grade
ers, little buddies, and the warm school community. I know I speak for our class when I say being part of St. Brendan has changed us for good. Congratulations to all the graduates!
LARCHMONT CHARTER
SELMA
Elsie Mohr 5th Grade
For my last entry of the year, I am choosing to write about my favorite week of the entire school year, Spirit Week! Every year on the last week of school, without fail, Spirit Week commences, and students (especially me) take it upon themselves to go all out. Each day of Spirit Week has a different theme; pajama day, crazy hair day, and dress-like-a-teacher day. On the final day of the week there is an event we call Step-Up. Step-Up is a Willows tradition when each grade “steps up” into the next grade. Elementary and upper elementary school
With the school year coming to an end, we look back fondly and cherish the memories we’ve made at St. Brendan. May went by quickly with our talent show, book fair, mini carnival, fun run and musical. The last couple of weeks will go by even faster with the 8th graders graduating on June 6, kindergarten graduates June 9, field day on June 12, and end of school picnic June 13. As part of the 8th grade graduating class, it is a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell and say thank you to all our friends, teachers, and the school that will always be a second home to us. We will miss the sports events, musicals, field trips, fundrais-
Happy almost summer! Kids at Larchmont Charter are itching with excitement as the school year comes to a close. But summer’s not the only thing to look forward to. Eighth grade is having their grad night at Universal Studios, and speaking of graduates, fourth-grade students will be celebrated during our annual bridging ceremony. They will receive personalized sashes and step over a bridge, symbolizing their “bridging” to fifth grade at the Larchmont Selma campus. Seniors are getting ready for prom, and middle school students can’t wait to hang out and sign yearbooks during the Yearbook Live event. There are so many fun celebrations. These last few weeks are going to fly by. Happy end-of-school year and have a great summer!
GRADUATES OF 2025
LARCHMONT CHARTER
LAFAYETTE PARK
Ella Wolovitch 9th Grade
Recent weeks at LFP have been full of hard work and excite ment. Student government elections took place on May 1 and 2, and campaigning happened during the week before. President is Soobin Park, vice president Jincheng Wan, treasurer Aiden Smith and secretary Devon Jasiukonis have been elected for next year.
Additionally, AP tests are taking place and care packages were distributed for students taking the tests since they have been hard at work studying for these important exams.
Also, our weekly school news station, “Chanel Moon,” has been live broadcasting many engaging segments with games, interviews and school updates. As the school year is coming to an end, it can be hard to stay focused, but students are working hard to end the year strong.
MARLBOROUGH
Madison McClure 9th Grade
achievement. Our commencement speaker is Brigid LaBonge, a member of Immaculate Heart’s Board of Trustees, the wife of the late City Councilman Tom LaBonge, and the mother of IH graduate Mary-Cate LaBonge, Class of 2012.
The end of the school year was quite eventful for our students. Our school recognized our spring sports teams at our Spring Sports Banquet on May 14. This banquet celebrated the season and accomplishments of our athletes. Our Juniors and Seniors celebrated their prom on May 16th at the Skirball Center. The theme for the night was “The Garden of Hesperides.” Following prom was our cumulative assessment period, in which all of our students took
their final exams of the year! Finally, we ended the year with Class Day, where our students come together to reminisce on the year, sign yearbooks, and give a farewell to our graduating seniors. We hope all of our seniors have a great time in college next year, and we will miss them! Have a great summer!
PAGE ACADEMY
Amanda Arigiropoulos 8th Grade
Hello, my Larchmont friends! After 10 wonderful years at Page Academy, I will be graduating on June 11, and am heading to high school (Ar-
cher ’29!). This year was marked by me repeatedly saying, “This will be my last (fill in the blank) at Page.” And although they were my last, Page Academy’s Teacher Appreciation Week, its annual Spring Show and Mother’s Day barbecue, Spirit Week and Spelling Bee will be back next May and for many years to come. The community at Page Academy is one any child, student and parent could ever hope for. It has been my second home for all of these years and will continue so in my heart. I have been very privileged to have had the love and support of the teachers and staff here and I will miss them all deeply.
In June we are wrapping up the school year. The JK and kindergarten graduation and
awards ceremony will be held on June 10 and the 1st to 8th Grade Graduation and Awards Ceremony will be held on June 11. I want to congratulate all of my graduating classmates - our time at Page has been full of terrific achievements, amazing adventures and lasting friendships. All my best wishes to my friends who are lucky enough to still have some time at Page ahead of them, including Page Summer Camp, which will start on June 16. I have enjoyed my time reporting on all of the amazing things that go on at Page Academy! I leave you with this last thought - “You’re off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So ... get on your way.” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
Marlborough middle school’s play “Clue” just opened! It was comical, murder mystery based on the 1943 board game. All of the middle schoolers were amazing and the costumes were absolutely beautiful. Marlborough’s performance of Alice by Heart was nominated for numerous Jerry Herman awards, which are basically the Tonys but for high school students. They were nominated for Best Musical Staging and Choreography as well as Best Costume Design. As for sports, our varsity lacrosse team just won its quarter finals against Santa Margaritas and has its semifinals for Division 1 against Mira Costa this Friday, May 9. Our Track and Field team is the Angelus League Champion!
IMMACULATE HEART
Rosie Lay 11th Grade Summer’s finally here! This year, 95 IH seniors will cross the stage at the Hollywood Bowl and receive their diplomas on Mon., June 2. Family and friends will be there to cheer the Class of 2025 on this
