Graduations & Promotions

Congratulations, Spuds!

Class of 2022

OVS has given so much to us over the past years. Whether it was just a year or 15 years, this school has changed us.”

– Ryan Farrell (L18, U22)

We have made memories upon memories with one another. From our freshman camping trip to Monterey, to our senior rafting trip on the Rogue River in Oregon, all the way to sitting on this amphitheater stage in front of our friends and family, awaiting the steps we have been so carefully prepared to take.”

– Paige Muller (L18, U22)

Head of Upper Campus Message

By Craig Floyd, Head of Upper Campus

Class of 2022 — what a wild four years it has been for you. You arrived as ninth graders to a campus reeling from the Thomas Fire. You took classes in every available space that we had to use for classrooms, the girls lived in dormitory trailers, and there was a long-term promise of new buildings to come. Approximately one-third of you came from Lower Campus, already having forged friendships and bonds while there. One-third of you started in 9th grade as new OVS students trying to figure out how to blend with the Lower Campus crew. The other third of the class trickled in over the following years.

For the 13 of you who started as freshmen, you took part in new student orientation, started classes, played sports, began the Upper Campus Outdoor Education program and were well on your way. In January 2019, Mr. Weidlich and I took your class on a camping trip to Monterey to delve into the world of John Steinbeck. To say the trip was eventful would be an understatement. What truly set this trip apart from others was the torrential rain, or something I have come to call the “Deluge.” In true OVS spirit, the class rose to the challenge and overcame the difficulties caused by the Deluge. Grit and perseverance were key, as were several trips to the Laundromat to dry clothing and sleeping bags. What none of us knew after that trip was that your class would have another Deluge in a year’s time. As you finished your freshman year, some among us had concerns about the identity of your class. Who were you academically and socially? Would you be able to gel and come together as a class? Were you ready to invest in your school and lead?

You started your sophomore year much like you finished the prior year. Questions persisted. Then, in March of 2020, the new Deluge hit. The COVID pandemic brought much of the world to a halt. But at OVS, while we closed our buildings, we never closed our school. After missing just one day of classes, students resumed their academics remotely. The flexibility, grit and resilience of the OVS community showed through. While students returned to their homes around the world, isolated from direct, in-person interactions with their friends, something special began to take place. The OVS community figured out how to have co-curricular interactions. Virtual advisory, virtual campfires and virtual team competitions were some of the major innovations developed by students and faculty to interact in a non-academic format.

When in-person classes resumed in the fall, not all members of the Class of 2022 were able to return due to travel restrictions or health concerns. Those who were able to be on campus flourished, drawing energy from being back in person and interacting with their peers. Over the year, as more students returned, the Deluge of the pandemic flipped a switch in this class. They became more cohesive and thirsted for personal connections. They felt they were ready to take on the world because they knew everything.

Unfortunately for them, they quickly learned late in their junior year that they did not know everything, as the faculty dodgeball team relished the opportunity to put them in their place. Did the class take that loss and mope? Heck no, it had the opposite effect. They grew stronger.

When school opened this past fall, when this class behind me stepped foot on campus, there was one final Deluge, except this time it did not have a negative connotation. The Deluge was this class arriving, ready to put their mark on the school. They arrived two days before school was scheduled to open and were welcomed with new buildings that had no furnishings in them. Undaunted, they worked tirelessly to get the campus ready for all the students to arrive. Soon, they all went camping to the Channel Islands and local beach locations. Upon returning from camping, the real work began. AP classes, college applications, athletics and more outdoor ed experiences. Did this class succeed? You better believe it. Academically they took a wide range of classes, challenging themselves along the way. Athletically, this class led the school to four league championships, seven CIF playoff appearances, and many All-League honors. They performed on stage, provided service to their school and their community, and showed they are prepared in every way to be part of the world off The Hill.

Upper Campus Major Awards

WALLACE BURR AWARD

Eugene Fisher, India Getty-Pruss Established to recognize the student, or students, who have made a significant impact on the OVS community by giving unsolicited service.

ROBERT G. COOPER AWARD

Charlotte Ferrier Honors the senior who has demonstrated the most growth during his or her senior year.

A. CARL KOTCHIAN AWARD

Catherine “CatieJo” Larkin Awarded to the most outstanding scholar, not only for academic achievement but also for this student’s level of effort and intellectual curiosity.

ANDREW KILLE AWARD

Catherine “CatieJo” Larkin Given to the senior who has demonstrated himself or herself to be a leader with a strong sense of community; one who has been consistently hard working, helpful, friendly, and who has exhibited a good sense of humor.

Head of Upper Campus Craig Floyd presents Eugene Fisher and India Getty-Pruss with the Wallace Burr Award.

DOROTHY BURR LITERARY AWARD

Hyunung Choi Recognizes the student for outstanding writing based on the submission of written work.

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Ryan Farrell, India Getty-Pruss Given to the athletes who have most demonstrated integrity, leadership, and, above all, good sportsmanship.

JB CLOSE AWARD

William Ramsay Recognizes the student, or students, who have exhibited the most enthusiasm and active participation in the outdoor program.

CARL S. COOPER AWARD

Tigran Nahabedian Recognizes the underclass student, or students, for their leadership and character. It is an award that neither dwells in the past nor predicts the future. It honors the individuals for who they are, here and now.

ALEXANDRA ALVAREZ – BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC

In the Class of 2022, no one attended OVS longer than Alex, starting here at age three. Anyone who knows her knows that her first love is music, and it is in this capacity that she set herself apart. She was the heart and soul of the OVS Garage Band, shined in talent shows and played the lead of Elphaba in the spring musical, Trouble in Oz. Her main instrument is her voice, which can mesmerize and inspire. She is largely self-taught in guitar and piano, but in recent years she studied Music Theory and Composition at OVS, and in her senior year was one of a handful of students pioneering one of the newest course offerings, Guitar. At the voice recital the night before graduation, she gave a tour de force performance with her voice and guitar that demonstrated the depth of her talent. Alex worked hard to carve her own path as a high school student, no easy task given that her parents and her grandmother work for the school. She was solid in the classroom, taking on a range of challenging AP courses, and her teachers over the years praised her work ethic, noting most specifically her facility with the written word. For the past two years she served as yearbook editor, pushing our small yearbook staff to meet deadlines and produce a quality product. Alex was the best of the best, a lover of the outdoors, a fierce competitor and a student leader in many areas.

MARLEY BURROUGHS – SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE

There was no one more spirited than Marley in the Class of 2022. Indeed, Marley was boisterous, emotive and plugged in: her energy was infectious and she was the kind of the person you wanted supporting your team. To see her at a baseball game or on a soccer pitch or on the sidelines of a dodgeball game was to bear witness to a force of nature. If you had seen her on stage at the year-end recital, rocking hard to Metallica’s “Sad But True,” you would have understood just how much energy this young woman possesses. In her years at the Upper Campus, she was seemingly everywhere. She has been a rocking bass player for the school’s Garage Band, a class representative to Student Council, a tough-nosed goalie on the soccer team, and a ready and willing volunteer for countless school and non-school activities. She charmed us with her performance as Dorothy in the spring musical, Trouble in Oz. She ran track, played volleyball and walked laps to raise money for cancer survivors. For her Senior Capstone, she gave us a wonderful glimpse into the wonders of SCUBA diving (a master of puns, Marley might say she took a deep dive into the subject), and throughout her years at OVS she reminded us often of the need to be socially conscious and deeply aware of issues surrounding gender and racial inequality in our high school community and beyond.

NICOLAS CILIA – COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO

Few students demonstrated as much maturation and growth as Nic did in his four years at the Upper Campus. He was a scholar and an athlete, a contributor anytime he was asked and often even if he wasn’t. He grew into leadership positions in the Outdoor Education program and in the dorms — he’s the guy teachers and staff knew they could count on if they needed to get something done. A shrewd investor, he flourished in Business Math. A smooth gambler, he often raked in piles of chips during the H Block Board Game elective. A born negotiator, he thundered away as a prosecutor during the Mock Trial that culminated the senior year Law and Society class. But make no mistake, sports — particularly baseball — are his passion. His Senior Capstone presentation was on the benefits of competitive sports. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands, don’t get him talking about his love for his Bay Area sports teams. Closer to his home away from home, Nic played multiple positions on the Omega League championship baseball team, earning first team All League honors this year. At one point in the season, he was one of the hottest hitters in Division 7 for CIF’s Southern California section. He hopes to go on to play college baseball next year, and we wish him the best of luck in that endeavor.

LOGAN DAILY – UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS

Since arriving as a freshman, Logan steadily found his stride as a student and contributor to the OVS community. He worked hard in many of his classes, and he took advantage of co- and extracurricular activities outside the classroom, plugging into the many offerings at our school and demonstrating substantial growth in many areas. Over the past four years he developed good work habits and learned to perform at his optimum. But it was outside of the classroom where Logan really shined. He managed to plug into a range of co-curricular activities, thriving, for example, as a contributor in our Outdoor Education program. Whether it was backpacking, surfing or hiking, Logan was in his element when exploring the world around him, and he emerged as a quiet leader, helping his younger, less experienced peers find the same wonder and joy he did. That growth was evident in the sports arena. He learned a lot about himself through his experiences on our soccer and basketball teams. However, where he really established himself, through dedication and hard work, was on the golf course. He spent countless hours working on his game and established himself as the top athlete on our golf team, leading it to the Omega League title this past season. Ultimately, it was his passion for golf that led him to UNLV to pursue a degree in hospitality with an emphasis on golf management next year.

RYAN FARRELL – CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

A member of the OVS community since Kindergarten, Ryan emerged as a tenacious student and athlete. Hard working and motivated, his teachers and coaches witnessed the fervor with which he pursued his goals. His many years within this tight-knit community provided him the opportunity to blossom into a contributor on his campus and in his community. His drive and doggedness were apparent in the classroom, where he flourished in a number of challenging classes. A curious and conscientious student, he pursued academic questions for the sake of learning, not just to earn a grade. Perhaps as a result, leadership became one of his strong suits. On a vote by the faculty, he was selected to participate in the California Boys State Program and the Pepperdine Youth Leadership Seminar, both of which aim to bolster student service and citizenship. And he was consistently chosen by teammates to serve as captain of the varsity baseball and soccer teams, an emphatic nod to the esteem in which he is held. Indeed, it is in the athletic arena where Ryan truly shined. He was a relentless competitor who played hard but played fair. He led the soccer and baseball teams to CIF playoff appearances, and was recognized as the league MVP in baseball the past two years and the soccer MVP this year. He also in back-to-back years earned the school’s Sportsmanship Award, one of the highest honors OVS bestows on its students.

CHARLOTTE FERRIER – SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

Charlotte is a fiercely independent young woman, a student who is strong, ethical and socially conscious. She is the kind of person who won’t tell you what she does well, but rather will let her talents and contributions speak for themselves. During her time away from campus during the pandemic, Charlotte had to decide whether she wanted to devote the time and effort to being the best student she could be, and whether she was ready and willing to make the investment to be a contributing citizen to the larger world. The answer was an emphatic yes! Going all-in, she challenged herself with rigorous coursework and created ways to contribute. She founded and secured money to operate a chapter of Bring Change 2 Mind, a group dedicated to raising awareness and generating support for students struggling with mental health issues. She worked with the junior board of Doctors Without Borders, and this past year served as president of that board, which organizes fundraisers and otherwise supports the group’s global efforts. That is Charlotte in a nutshell – she finds her passions and then dedicates herself to mastering them. She cares deeply about all that is in her world, and in her years at the Upper Campus she cared about the world beyond her school on the hill. At graduation, she was honored with the Robert G. Cooper Award, which recognizes the senior who has demonstrated the most personal growth. It was an honor well deserved.

ERIK HATELY – FASHION INSTITUTE OF MERCHANDISING

Creative, committed, cerebral and curious, Erik sought distinctive and diverse opportunities to explore his interests, develop new skills, and engage with those around him in his four years at the Upper Campus. In his senior year, he was a key member of the Omega League championship golf team and a staff writer in the award-winning OVS journalism program. He was a highly accomplished student. As a matter of fact, his teachers extolled his commitment and contributions, verbal and written, to his classes, especially in subject areas that were his strengths, which included English and history. In his classes, he delivered keen insight and made connections other students tended to miss. Overall, he challenged himself by taking seven AP and honors classes over the course of his high school career, distinguishing himself throughout the college-level curriculum. On top of that, he was a talented artist, demonstrating his gifts for drawing and fashion in the classroom by taking advanced courses in those subjects, and by taking summer courses aimed at furthering his knowledge and expertise. His Senior Capstone was a presentation true to his passion, providing a master class on up-cycling clothing so that the extreme waste in the clothing industry would be minimized. A young man of depth and substance, Erik is moving on to fully develop his artistic gifts, and the world off the hill will be the better for it.

KAI TUN “CARLTON” HSU – SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

Cool and calm, quiet and cerebral, Carlton was a student who stood out in many regards. He was selfless, funny and kind. He was a deep thinker, a student who was curious about the world around him and his place in it. He possessed a maturity and wisdom well beyond his 18 years. He found his passions and then dedicated himself to mastering those. He cared deeply about all that was in his world, and he was a go-getter, always prepared to let his actions speak louder than his sentiments. Carlton challenged himself in the classroom, the sports field, and the outdoors. He took a number of Advanced Placement classes and won the respect of his teachers, who praised his dedication to developing deep understanding in a broad range of courses. He competed on the football field and soccer pitch. But most of all he was an artist and an innovator. Carlton is a phenomenal dancer, wowing his peers and faculty on many occasions. Additionally, he has taught dance in his native Taiwan, and here at OVS, and he has used it to break down age and cultural barriers. At the year-end awards ceremony, Carlton was recognized for one of his greatest strengths, as he earned a joint award in journalism and video production for the work he put in to chronicling the people and events that made up the year at the Upper Campus. His contributions were invaluable and appreciated.

HONGJU “DARREN” JIN – UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Darren made the most of his time at OVS, engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in outdoor education, resident life, athletics, and college preparatory academics. He was a programmer on the robotics team, played varsity soccer and ran cross country. In the spring of his final year, he led the charge to revive the Senior Snack shop to raise funds for the class gift and for the class to receive its senior privileges. He earned various class awards as the outstanding student in courses including Algebra II and Spanish. A naturally gifted student and strong thinker, Darren’s teachers commented on his many contributions to those classes that held his interest, noting that he regularly demonstrated his intellectual precision and an impressive motivation to further his knowledge and understanding of the course material. He took on the challenge of seven Advanced Placement classes during his time at Ojai Valley School, and rounded out his academic work with courses that tapped his true talents, such as video production and art. Indeed, it was his artistry that punctuated and elevated his academic career. That artistry was on full display this year in Darren’s Senior Capstone project, for which he created a children’s fairy tale book depicting his journey from Korea to California. In many ways, his journey is just starting, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

NICOLAS JUGAN – COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

Nic – full of spirit, opinions, and conversation – was an incredibly deep thinker, and downright brilliant in many ways. In the classroom or at the lunch table, he could hold forth on any number of subjects that sparked his interest, demonstrating a true thirst for learning and an abundance of intellectual curiosity. He soared in those classes where he was most plugged in, and over the years he earned year-end class awards as the outstanding student in courses including English and Biology. More impressively, as he matured as a student, he chose to challenge himself academically, taking on Advanced Placement classes. Additionally, he was a writer for the award-winning journalism program, and went so far as to be an investigative journalist when he took on the Tik Tok One Chip Challenge. Needless to say, it provided for good video. He experienced various non-academic offerings that OVS offers, including going all-in as a golfer on our varsity squad, becoming one of our most improved players, and one of our most competitive. As a participant in the school’s Outdoor Education program, he developed a great interest in the outdoors and completed a solo trip to the Channel Islands for his Senior Capstone project. That was Nic in a nutshell. He found his passions and then dedicated himself to mastering them. He found the grit and guts to work through challenges, and we are confident that his strength of will and growing intellectual acumen will serve him well in his next chapter.

ALDEN KOSKOFF – UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

Possessing the soul of a poet, the spirit of an explorer, and the tenacity of an old school journalist, Alden is truly a Renaissance man. Arriving at Ojai Valley School his junior year, he added much as a student and contributor to our small campus. Animated, gregarious, and self-assured, his teachers and coaches praised his ability to work hard to pursue understanding and express himself confidently in class and through his work. He was remarkable in his advocacy for the issues that meant the most to him: environmental stewardship and the power of connecting with the outdoors to name a few. He is a rare learner who will surprise you with the depth of his thought and the power of his perception. He is also a leader and a doer in so many capacities, serving in his senior year as the Student Council’s outdoor education representative, a vital, frequent contributor to the school’s award-winning journalism program and a key member of the varsity golf team. Academically, he was especially drawn to history, political affairs and languages, and his teachers praised his keen intellect and curiosity. Creative and cerebral, Alden took full advantage of all the school had to offer, whether it was hiking the Sespe, surveying the ecosystems of the Channel Islands, or standing in at goalie on the Omega League championship soccer team. His contributions were many and they will be missed.

CATHERINE “CATIEJO” LARKIN – SMITH COLLEGE

By every measure, CatieJo was an exceptional student and citizen at Ojai Valley School. Selfmotivated and driven at all times, and in all instances, to perform at her highest level, no matter the task in front of her, she possesses a keen intelligence and an inquisitive curiosity for knowledge. She extended many of her academic passions beyond the classroom, especially as they pertained to the need to address climate change and develop sustainable practices. Just as impressively, she maintained these high-powered pursuits while holding a variety of leadership positions and actively engaging in virtually every aspect of the school’s cocurricular and extracurricular program. During her high school career, she served as yearbook editor, worked backstage to support school musicals and theatrical performances, and served as a student leader. She brought toughness, grit, and perseverance to everything she did. It was evident in the classroom where she tackled a challenging course load, and on graduation day she was recognized with the Carl Kotchian Award as the top scholar and the Andrew Kille Award as the top all around senior. It was evident in our Outdoor Education program where she scaled rock faces and hiked steep trails with determination. And it was evident beyond the classroom, where she joined forces with other students to launch initiatives aimed at healing the local watershed and reversing other effects of climate change. Integrity, determination and intellectual curiosity are all qualities that earned her the respect of her peers and teachers.

DONGHYUN “DANNY” LEE – BOSTON UNIVERSITY

A naturally gifted student and strong thinker, Danny demonstrated a broad range of academic interests that, in addition to math and science, included Advanced Placement exploration in history, English and Spanish. Danny made the most of his time at OVS, engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in outdoor education, resident life, athletics, and college preparatory academics. He participated in a diverse range of experiences, proving to be a strong contributor to our varsity cross country, track and soccer teams, the latter of which he helped lead to two CIF playoff appearances. A bit on the quiet side, Danny’s teachers say he regularly demonstrated his intellectual precision and impressive motivation to further his knowledge and understanding of course material, and it is that commitment that has earned him a perpetual place at the top of the OVS Honor Roll. Now, because he is on the quiet side, imagine our surprise when we learned during his Senior Capstone project that he actually has an alter ego: DJ Danny. During that presentation, he joined with a fellow student to showcase a project where he essentially revealed his ambitions to be a music producer. He called it his “Music Dream,” and it included a business plan to create and stream music on Soundcloud. The project was really impressive. And we just have to send him off by saying this: DJ Danny, Keep Dropping That Beat!

ALEXANDER MANNING – UCLA

Strong, ethical and self-aware, Alexander is the kind of person who won’t tell you what he does well, but rather will let his talents and contributions speak for themselves. His teachers praised his ability to work hard to pursue understanding and express himself confidently in class and through his work. And those who coached him or worked with him outside of the classroom praise his willingness to invest, to help make others better, and to wake up early to support service projects and lead outdoor education endeavors. He arrived at Ojai Valley School at the start of his junior year, and he quickly earned a reputation as a devoted student, athlete and participant in this community. Alexander’s character of discipline and careful attentiveness to detail was evident in every task he took on, inside and outside of the classroom. Despite his short time at OVS, his peers elected him student body president, and he was selected by American Legion representatives to serve in the California Boys State program. Always pushing himself to be better, Alexander’s commitment to excellence was never clearer than when he was on the athletic field. At OVS, he was a varsity cross country runner, the quarterback of our flag football team, a starter on the varsity soccer squad, and a starting outfielder on the varsity baseball team. His Senior Capstone project, reflecting on a service trip to the Dominican Republic, exemplifies the person he is: hard-working and always giving back to the community.

BRODERICK MOLLER – MENLO COLLEGE

Brody lived his OVS years to the absolute fullest, leaving no corner of his high school experience untouched. On the baseball field, in the Student Council room, in the journalism newsroom, on outdoor excursions, and in the classroom, he did it all. His resume is a testament to his love for our school community, but it is also evidence of the curiosity and commitment he infused into everything he did at the Upper Campus. A natural leader, he served as the Student Council’s athletic and public relations representative, served on our school’s Leadership Council, and served as a class representative. He was selected by the faculty to represent OVS in the Boys State leadership program and in the Charles B. Runnels Youth Citizenship Seminar.

However, it is in the athletic arena where Brody truly shined. He helped the boy’s basketball and baseball teams to multiple CIF playoff appearances. He was named a first-team All League selection in baseball this year, and his work behind the plate as catcher was instrumental in helping the team have its most successful post-season run ever. His love of sport and competitive desire also contributed to the Senior Class team winning the school’s Dodgeball Tournament by knocking off the faculty team for the championship. Off to Northern California on an athletic scholarship to play baseball, Brody is living a dream that reflects the hard work and commitment he puts into all he does.

ALANA “ALI” MOLLISON – UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

She arrived at Ojai Valley School at the start of her junior year and quickly got busy engaging in the wide range of opportunities offered in outdoor education, resident life, athletics, and college preparatory academics. It took some time for Ali to gain traction in her classes, but by her senior year her teachers described her as an enthusiastic learner, one who was genuinely curious about the work at hand. She flourished as an essayist in her English classes, and was an inaugural member of one the school’s newest offerings, Equine Science. For her Senior Capstone project, she put together a wonderful presentation on handling finances and credit. The presentation was so well done and is one that the Upper Campus is likely to adopt it for the Freshmen Seminar class. Ali’s commitment to excellence was never clearer than in the equestrian arena, a sport she loves and worked hard to master. She held a number of jobs, internships and volunteer positions outside of school, and most of them involved horseback riding in some way, including working at a feed store and in a veterinarian’s office. Moreover, with outdoor education being core to our curriculum, Ali went on multiple horseback riding excursions, exploring the outdoor world from a saddle. Eager to take the next step onward to college, she is prepared and well equipped to do so.

PAIGE MULLER – OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Cross county league champion. Award winning ceramicist. Wrangler of seniors slow to finish their senior pages for the yearbook. In her years at the Upper Campus, Paige experienced the breadth of what the OVS program has to offer, and she was the better for it. To be sure, there were times when it wasn’t easy. I mean how could it be. Her entire family is so deeply embedded in Ojai Valley School – her mother, father, brother, grandfather, two cousins and two aunts all graduated from the Upper Campus. And in case you didn’t know, her uncle is a graduate as well, and now serves as head of the high school campus. That’s a lot of OVS for any young person to handle. And still, Paige persevered, taking ownership of her academic and co-curricular career. She is a cross country champion, leading the league final from start to finish in her freshman year to take that crown. She took Advanced Placement courses in English, Environmental Science and Psychology, performing at a high standard that demonstrates she is ready to handle a college course load. She contributed to the soccer team and the equestrian program, and in her off hours worked at a private ranch feeding horses and mucking stalls. Those activities and interests fit perfectly with her goal of pursuing a career in veterinary science, and we wish her all success and she begins the next chapter of her exploration.

LUCIA RODRIGUEZ CLEMENTE – SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE

Although she was the last of the seniors to join Ojai Valley School, arriving at the Upper Campus at the start of this school year, Lucia wasted no time settling in and making the Upper Campus her home away from home. It seemed to happen so effortlessly for her – with that wide smile and wicked sense of humor, she made friends easily across all grades. In this one short year, her contributions were plentiful. That was especially true on the sports field, where Lucia quickly set herself apart as a participant and competitor. Here’s what you need to know about Lucia – it doesn’t matter what game she was playing, she played to win. It was as true on the four square court in front of the Garrett Family Steps as it was on the basketball court, where she served as captain of the OVS team. If you have ever seen her play, then you know she is relentless on the court, the personification of “Tenacious D” on defense and a sharpshooter from behind the three-point line. But perhaps more impressive is the tenacity she has shown this year in the classroom. In the complex world of academic requirements, Lucia had to take a range of rigorous academic classes that included two math classes and a study of the history of the United States. She added much to our community, and we are certain she will do the same as she moves forward.

ZITENG “DANNY” WANG – SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

Don’t let his calm, quiet demeanor fool you. Danny was an athlete and a scholar in his years at the Upper Campus, a young man who demonstrated his focused and steady character throughout his years at Ojai Valley School, which began as an eighth-grade boarding student at the Lower Campus. Living apart from family and studying in a second language can be challenging for anyone, not to mention the challenges of transitioning to a new school and group of adolescent peers, but Danny managed it all, and is now ready and well equipped to move on. He grew much as a student, emerging out of our ESL program to take on the challenge of AP Physics and Honors Calculus. Outside of the classroom, he ran cross country and track, working his way up to varsity competition in both sports. He also participated in his home country in a variety of competitions and service projects, including earning top awards in a competition to employ synthetic biology to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. In his senior year, he served on the yearbook staff and demonstrated his talent in video production, contributing to the community in ways that often weren’t highly visible but that were highly valuable to us all.

College Acceptances for the Class of 2022

Matriculations are noted in bold.

American Richmond University in London University of Arizona

Berklee College of Music Boston University Cal Lutheran University

Cal State University, Channel Islands (3) Cal State University, Chico (2) Cal State University, Humboldt (2) Cal State University, Los Angeles Cal State University, Monterey Bay (2) Cal State University, San Marcos (2) Cal State University, San Francisco (3) Cal State University, San Jose Cal State University, Sonoma (2) California University of Pennsylvania University of California, Davis

University of California, Los Angeles (2)

University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside University of California Santa Barbara University of California, Santa Cruz (2) Case Western Reserve Clarke University

Colorado State University (5)

Concordia University (2) University of Colorado, Boulder (3) University of Colorado, Denver

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising

Fordham University George Washington University University of Hawaii, Manoa Holy Names University (2)

University of Illinois (2)

Indiana University Loyola Marymount University

Menlo College

Montana State University New York University University of New Hampshire

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Northeastern University University of Oregon (4) Ohio State University

Oregon State University (2)

Oregon State University, Cascades Otis College of Art and Design University of the Pacific Penn State University (2) Pepperdine University Reed College

University of San Francisco (2)

Saint Mary’s College of California

Santa Clara University (ED)

Seattle Pacific University The School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of Visual Arts Skidmore College

Smith College

SUNY Courtland

Syracuse University (4)

Union College University of Utah Wesleyan College

University of Wisconsin (2)

Senior Farewell Address

By Alex Alvarez (L18, U22)

I’ve been tasked with giving the farewell speech, and I have found this assignment a bit difficult. We live in troubled times, times where, for too many, the farewells have been permanent. We live in times where school shootings, questions about our fundamental rights, and the rage of a pandemic have left us distressed about the world we are about to head into. We see these headlines pop up all the time. They are anguishing. Confusing. Alarming. And I think it is important for the Class of 2022 to stop and reflect as we are on the cusp of adulthood. It is important to understand the world we are going into, to determine our purpose going forward. And it’s important to remember that all we’ve been through, all we’ve accomplished, is worthy of celebration.

The 19 of us up here on this stage have been through fire, learning during a global pandemic, and now graduation. This is worth celebrating. Making it to this stage, despite the adversities, might seem like such a small thing in comparison to the troubles of the world at large, but this is worthy of celebration.

The senior dodgeball victory, taking down the faculty. Worthy of celebration. Our class not drowning each other on the senior trip down the Rouge River. Worthy of celebration. The defense winning this year’s Mock Trial. Worthy of celebration. AP exams, SATs, Capstones, final exams, negative COVID tests, college acceptances, CIF playoff games, yearbook signings, graduation rehearsal — all worthy of celebration. The things we get to do in this insular protected place should be celebrated. And in this day in age, in these troubled times, that is especially true. It is important for us to remember how special this place is, and even through our grumbling (we all remember the hot mess that was the freshman trip) it is important to understand how good we’ve had it.

My dad has always described the Upper Campus as a magical place, and that’s sometimes hard to see. It’s hard to see this when we don’t want to get up to go to classes. It’s hard to see this when the faculty enforces dress code. It’s hard to see this when all of us up here are so ready to make the transition to the next phase in our lives. It’s hard to

see the magic. You have to look hard for it. But I know there’s magic in the 40+ years that Francisco “Chico” Covarrubias has been making magic in the kitchen. He is retiring this year, and I know that is well worthy of celebration. There’s magic in the work my grandmother has done in her 30+ years at the Upper Campus. I know I’m biased, but I also know she’s one of the best teachers up here. There’s magic in Mrs. Colborn, who seems to do 50 jobs and then on top of that has to deal with our Law class, which is like herding cats. You sometimes have to work hard to find the magic but it’s here. It’s everywhere. It’s easy to be cynical. It’s easy to be judgmental. It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own provincial lives, but for the Class of 2022 our job is to maintain perspective. From my perspective, as the OVS student who has been here the longest, and thus gets to sit in the last seat, I want to say this: I did not get to share the memory of my first day with you (Ryan, you were off by a couple of years). However, I am able to share the memory of my last day with all of you. And here it is. We are a class filled with individualists, artists, musicians, and baseball boys. We are a class that is ready, a class that has gone through the fire (quite literally), and a class that has come out the other side, stronger and ready to take on the world. Thank you.

Paige

Oregon State University Animal Science

Logan

University of Nevada Las Vegas Hospitality & Golf Management

Alana “Ali”

University of San Francisco Undeclared

Charlotte

Santa Clara University English

Broderick “Brody”

Menlo College

Sports Management

Nicolas

College of San Mateo Economics/Marketing

Lucia

Santa Barbara City College Undeclared

Marley

Santa Barbara City College Psychology

Ryan

Cal Lutheran University Sports Management

Alexander

UCLA Undeclared

Erik

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Fashion Design

Nicolas

Colorado State University Communication Studies

Alden

University of Wisconsin Geography & Journalism

Hongju “Darren”

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graphic Design

Kai Tun “Carlton”

Syracuse University Information Management and Technology

Ziteng “Danny”

Syracuse University Business

Catherine “CatieJo”

Smith College Environmental Science

Alexandra

Berklee College of Music Vocal Performance

Donghyun “Danny”

Boston University Entrepreneurship

Head of Lower Campus Message

By Laurie Clark, Head of Lower Campus

It is my pleasure to welcome all the parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, teachers, administration, and members of the Board as we celebrate our Eighth Grade Commencement for the Class of 2022. I would like to say Thank You to the families for their understanding and support during this trying year. We appreciate your patience, acceptance of change and your overall support and understanding of the decisions we had to make to keep all of us safe — and open.

To the 19 graduates seated before us, you have accomplished a significant milestone in your lives. We are here today to honor you, recognize your achievements, and celebrate your journey. Today we look ahead with confidence, knowing that we have positioned each of you well for the next part of your journey. You will be an OVS eighth grade graduate, and you are well prepared for whatever your future may hold.

Back in early May, during our traditional Pons Dinner, CatieJo Larkin (L18, U22) had a wonderful speech in which she wrote: “During my time at Lower we were always encouraged to ask for help to voice our needs. The people that supported you through the time you are on Lower Campus don’t disappear once you graduate. Some of the most influential mentors, even to this day, are people from my times at Lower

Campus.”

So from a senior headed off to university, listen to her words and know we will always be here for you and hope you come back You will soon look back on your time here at Lower and reflect on all the different things you participated in and all that you accomplished, the fun you had with friends, teachers and dorm parents, and I hope that you smile and think it was a pretty cool experience.

You leave here having learned a lot, but you have much more to learn in the years ahead. Be willing to keep on learning — from your teachers, coaches, parents and friends. Maintain a positive attitude, a helpful disposition, a willingness to try new experiences. Keep reading, be helpful, clean your rooms, practice your instruments, be good to each other, be good to yourself and keep smiling. Best of luck in your future and be sure to come back and visit.

Major Awards

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

David Thele The highest honor we can give an eighth-grade student. Its purpose is to commend the student who, with his or her actions and attitude, contributed to the school community in a sensitive and constructive manner in all phases of school life.

HEAD OF SCHOOL’S AWARD

Stirling Wallace, Lily Quinn, Liv Henderson Given for the significant contributions an eighth graders, or eighth graders, have made during their years at Lower Campus.

MICHAEL J. HALL-MOUNSEY AWARD

Shun Tateno Honors the boarding student who has consistently served as an outstanding role model for his or her peers and who has demonstrated initiative, leadership, and responsibility.

JB CLOSE AWARD

Miles Ramillosa Given each year to the student who best exemplifies the goals of the OVS Outdoor Education program. His or her consistent contributions to camping, backpacking, and rock climbing trips, love and respect for nature, and commitment to helping others in the face of adversity set this student apart.

MICHAEL D. HERMES AWARD

Kayiba Johnson, Arya Samadzadeh Given to the most outstanding eighth-grade student athletes.