FALL 2025
Charting the Course for St. Margaret’s Future
St. Margaret's Launches New Strategic Plan
The Magic of Experiential Learning
The Student Impact of the St. Margaret's Commons
Preparing Students For College and Beyond
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DEPARTMENTS
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2 TA R TA N S N A P S H O T S What’s happening around St. Margaret’s? Learn the latest, from the Early School to Upper School.
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LOOKING FORWARD St. Margaret’s unveils its new Strategic Plan after a yearlong process engaging the entire school community.
8 PERSPECTIVE How experiential education fosters immersive learning that is academically vigorous and transformative — and how it is implemented at St. Margaret’s.
26 10 What Does It Mean To Be An Episcopal School? The meaningful diversity of faith at St. Margaret’s is a core strength, aligned with the school’s Episcopal identity that continues to guide its vision, values and direction.
12 Nurturing the Creator Within: Visual Arts at St. Margaret’s At St. Margaret’s, creativity meets real-world skill as the next generation of artists learn to shape stories that matter.
15 The Future of Food The St. Margaret’s Commons will enhance the community and enrich the student experience in a space where Tartans come together over the shared experience of a delicious meal.
17 Athletics in the Commons A sneak peek of how the St. Margaret’s Commons will provide student-athletes with a best-in-class experience.
18 The Road to College The work of the College Counseling Office serves to channel the team’s expertise to partner with students as they seek out the right fit for their educational journeys.
21 Commencement 2025 The festivities for the Class of 2025, as well as milestones for the classes of 2032 and 2029 captured in photographs.
40 Remembering Markham B. Campaigne St. Margaret’s longest-serving Headmaster was integral to the story of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and leaves a lasting legacy among all who knew him.
CLASS NOTES AND ALUMNI U P D AT E S Stay connected with your classmates: Discover who's traveling, changing careers, getting married and more!
30 PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY NOTES Get the latest news from St. Margaret’s professional community, from awards to retirements to anniversaries.
32 TA R TA N S C E N E S What’s happening in the St. Margaret’s community? Check out photos from the latest events on and off campus.
34 HONOR ROLL OF DONORS In recognition of the generous St. Margaret’s community and its support of a variety of philanthropical initiatives.
GUIDEPOSTS
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S T. M A R G A RE T’ S E PI SCO PAL SC HO O L H E A D O F SC HO O L Dr. Jeneen D. Graham
Message from the Head of School
E D I TO R I A L D I REC TO R Ryan Wood M A N AG I N G E D I TO R Marites Olano A R T D I R ECTO R Sarah Kustera
Dear Tartan Family, I am overjoyed to share the latest edition of the Highlander Magazine! It is with tremendous gratitude for your steadfast support that we share some incredible milestones and the pathway toward the future of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. This issue of the Highlander Magazine reflects on all that we have accomplished — including celebrating our remarkable Class of 2025—while also looking ahead to our exciting and innovative future plans.
CO P Y E D I TO R Jennifer Perez E D I TO R I A L BOARD Patrick Bendzick, Jennifer Blount, Stephanie Capen, Victor Cota, Jeneen Graham, Marites Olano, Jonathan Tufo, Ryan Wood
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We are pleased to share St. Margaret’s bold and visionary Strategic Plan. Grounded in our mission and Episcopal identity, this remarkable roadmap will chart the course for the future of our school.
CO N TR I B U TO RS Tom Baker Photography, Patrick Bendzick, Jennifer Blount, Ryan Carey, Lynda Collier, Niki Cram, Robert Edwards, David Larsen, Rian Otto, Jonathan Tufo, Amy Warren.
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Construction is underway on the St. Margaret’s Commons, a state-of-the-art dining, athletics and community center. This issue dives into the many ways the Commons will enhance student life and elevate our school community from farm-to-table dining — including our new garden partnership with The Ecology Center and the city of San Juan Capistrano — to fitness and recovery spaces and everything in between to ensure that our community is thriving.
Highlander Magazine is published biannually by the Communications Office as a St. Margaret’s Episcopal School community magazine.
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Experiential education is at the forefront of best practices for intentional and purposeful learning, and it will have a lifelong impact on students. Dr. Ryan Carey, our director of extensions and experiential education, wonderfully explains why this method of learning is so transformative and why you will see more of it at St. Margaret’s in the years to come.
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We are honored to celebrate the life of the late Markham B. Campaigne, the second Headmaster of St. Margaret’s whose leadership helped to shape our school as it stands today.
St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other schooladministered programs.
In addition, don’t miss the stories on our incredible college counseling program, our visual arts faculty, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal identity and how it guides our vision, values and direction. As we begin another memorable school year, please join us in celebrating how far we’ve come, giving thanks for where we are today and looking forward to the next step in our journey. With Tartan love,
Our mission at St. Margaret's Episcopal School is to educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service. S T. M A R G A RE T’ S E PI SCO PAL SC HO O L 31641 La Novia San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 949.661.0108 www.smes.org
Jeneen Graham, Ed. D., Head of School
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Tartan Snapshots Scan here to read more St. Margaret’s news and watch films at www.smes.org/news
Grade 7 Students Pitch Solutions to Real-World Problems in 'Tartan Tank' Event
STEAM Expo Spotlights Joyful Learning at St. Margaret's There was something for everybody at St. Margaret’s annual STEAM Expo, an event that celebrated the joy and wonder of STEAM. It took place on Chalmers Field and featured a wide variety of hands-on activities centered around science, technology, engineering, art and math. Attendees could get an up-close look at exotic reptiles, try out several design challenges, test their speed and strength with radar detectors and test-drive the St. Margaret’s robotics team’s competition robot, among dozens of activity stations for learners of all ages. Attendees also learned more about student programs, including the Upper School’s Focus on Impact club and the Middle School Tartan Tank projects.
Cross-Divisional Project Inspires Curiosity for Space Exploration The Space Exploration Exhibit is a cross-divisional collaborative project between St. Margaret’s Upper School astronomy students and grade 3 science students. The Space Exploration Exhibit displayed handbuilt physical models of past, present and future space missions and was specifically designed for Lower School students to spark curiosity about the vast universe and highlight the process of scientific discovery. 2
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A group of grade 7 students stepped into the entrepreneurial spotlight, presenting innovative business ideas to two seasoned entrepreneurs and former Shark Tank contestants who were guest mentors for the school’s signature “Tartan Tank” program. The event, modeled after the popular television show Shark Tank, provided grade 7 students a platform to pitch product ideas developed over several weeks of research, collaboration and design thinking. From sustainable consumer goods to techbased solutions, each student team identified a problem and proposed a market-ready innovation to address it.
Early School’s WOW Night Showcases and Celebrates Student Learning The annual Early School WOW Night brought families to St. Margaret’s for a celebration of the meaningful play-based learning that took place throughout the school year. Families were invited to WOW, or Works of Wonder, for an opportunity to see student work and student-led projects. Families visited classrooms, the atelier (art studio), the Demonstration Lab and the Outdoor Classroom.
Lower School Students Showcase Love of Books in Orange County BOB Tournament
Upper School Students Discuss AI in Roundtable With Professional Community Upper School students joined St. Margaret’s professional community AI Task Force to share their perspectives as part of a dynamic and thoughtful session on the role of artificial intelligence in student learning. Drawing from their personal experiences, the students– all Peer Counselors at St. Margaret’s – answered a series of questions designed to spark discussion on how students use AI for support, their perspective on current AI-related school policies and their thoughts on introducing AI literacy early in the curriculum.
St. Margaret’s grade 4 and grade 5 students took part in the 9th annual South Orange County Battle of the Books Tournament held at St. Margaret’s, with the Tartan teams winning first place and fourth place. The final battle to determine the overall winner was so close, the competitors were locked in a nail-biting battle for an extra 13 questions. Battle of the Books, or BOB, is a competition featuring head-to-head matchups with teams answering questions regarding details from books on a 20-title reading list, adding a competitive aspect to reading.
Grade 5 Students Dive Into Water Conservation With Consumption Project Lower School’s grade 5 students experimented in a home waterconsumption project designed to help students understand the significance of water conservation, especially in a region like Southern California where water scarcity is a growing challenge. Students tracked their personal water usage at home. Armed with simple tools, they calculated usage from their showers, bathroom faucets and kitchen sinks, documenting the amount of water each activity consumed. The project aimed to raise awareness about how individual behaviors contribute to overall water consumption.
St. Margaret's Students Excel at Washington University Chemistry Tournament Twelve Upper School students competed at the 9th annual Washington University Chemistry Tournament (WUCT), where they faced off against 168 high school students from across the nation in a rigorous daylong competition. Hosted at Washington University in St. Louis, the event attracted teams from 15 states for a full-day chemistry marathon. The tournament featured four challenging events: an individual exam, a “Three Topics” exam (where students worked in pairs), a team exam requiring fullteam collaboration, and “Breaking Bonds,” a fast-paced chemistry Jeopardystyle round with 21 packets to solve. The students displayed remarkable skill and teamwork, securing impressive results in a variety of events. HIGHLANDER
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Tartan Snapshots THE ARTS
Tartan Seniors Honored for Their Pursuit of the Arts in College St. Margaret’s honored three Upper School seniors who have committed to pursue the arts at impressive schools: Tori Clark, Helena Lawry and Tessa Maryott were honored at the Upper School Convocation. “This is an extraordinary achievement to be accepted to these schools to continue their arts education,” said Director of the Arts Dan Pacheco.
St. Margaret’s Fosters Cross-Divisional Connections Through Musical Petting Zoo St. Margaret’s Early School - grade 12 campus continued to provide unique opportunities for students to connect through cross-divisional opportunities, enriching their educational experience with moments of joyful learning and interaction. The Darcy Rice Center for the Arts became the setting for the Upper and Middle School students with Early School students at the annual "Musical Petting Zoo." Upper and Middle School orchestra students hosted the event, which gave Early School students the chance to explore a variety of musical instruments in an interactive and engaging setting. The older students led demonstrations of instruments such as the cello, double bass, flute and violin. Early School students were invited to try out percussion instruments, including tambourines, maracas and finger cymbals, offering them a hands-on introduction to instruments and music.
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Upper School Tartan Dancers Perform at the Happiest Place on Earth Upper School Tartan dancers had the exciting opportunity to perform at Disneyland as part of a special collaboration with Dance the Magic, an organization dedicated to turning performance dreams into reality for dancers. In preparation for the performance, the dancers learned parade choreography from a professional Disney choreographer. The routine was recorded and sent to Director of Dance Kirsten Harvey, who worked closely with the students to bring the choreography to life.
Students Experience Bronze Casting Workshop at ArtLofts Upper School students in AP 3D Design, Advanced Study 3D Design and Advanced Clay Handbuilding learned a new form of art in a series of hands-on sessions in Laguna Beach: bronze sculpting. The Upper School students immersed in the bronze casting workshop titled Artists Voice: Sense of Place that was held at the ArtLofts in Laguna Beach. This innovative program focused on the ancient technique of lost wax bronze casting, allowing students in Upper School’s advanced courses to create detailed metal sculptures from their own wax models.
TA R TA N AT H L E T I C S
Boys Soccer Makes Inspired Run to CIF-SS Finals Girls Lacrosse Wins CIF-SS Championship St. Margaret’s girls lacrosse team won the CIF-SS Division II championship with an 11-8 victory over El Segundo High School. The win marks St. Margaret’s first postseason crown in girls lacrosse since 2019 and the program’s first CIF-sanctioned title. The Tartans finished the season with a 16-3 record, and the CIF championship adds to the program’s storied history, which includes U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section titles in 2008, 2018 and 2019.
The St. Margaret’s boys soccer team had an inspired postseason run, advancing all the way to the CIF-SS Division VI championship game after a string of four consecutive 1-0 victories in the CIF playoffs, with several of the matches decided by late goals.
Athletics Roundup
Class of 2025 Student-Athletes Commit to Play Intercollegiate Athletics St. Margaret’s had seven student-athletes from the Class of 2025 commit to play intercollegiate athletics, continuing their academic and athletic career at a range of prestigious colleges and universities. The student-athletes represent five St. Margaret’s teams — boys volleyball, girls basketball, girls lacrosse, football and girls tennis.
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The Tartan surf program had a successful season, winning the Scholastic Surf Series season competition for the first time since 2017 and qualifying eight surfers for the state championship.
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St. Margaret's football team rolled out new VICIS ZERO2 helmets, which feature a cutting-edge Flexible Outer Shell Technology to absorb impact and enhance player safety.
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St. Margaret's Middle School 7/8 boys lacrosse A Team won the Parochial Athletic League Championship, edging St. Anne's School 13-12 in overtime. The win marks the second consecutive year the Tartans have brought home the PAL Cup. HIGHLANDER
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Launch of New
STRATEGIC PLAN Charts the Course of St. Margaret’s Future St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s Board of Trustees and Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham launched the new Strategic Plan in August to establish a long-term vision for the future of the school. The implementation of this plan will begin during the 2025-2026 school year.
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Looking Forward
“St. Margaret’s is stronger than ever — academically, financially and operationally,” Board of Trustees President Dana Sullivan said. “This allows for us to be mission-focused and also highly aspirational when envisioning the strategic future of our school and how we can enhance the educational experience for all Tartans.” The Strategic Plan is rooted in the school’s mission, core values, vision statement and Episcopal identity. A yearlong process that engaged the entire school community culminated in a focused set of strategic priorities which will be implemented by St. Margaret’s professional community under the leadership of Dr. Graham. “This plan deepens St. Margaret's commitment to developing the whole child while also being adaptive to a number of evolving trends in the educational landscape, namely artificial intelligence,” Mrs. Sullivan said. “The steering committee concentrated on what it means to develop students for ‘lives of’ learning, leadership and service. Beyond creating a successful college student, this plan envisions how St. Margaret's can best serve students and alumni so they are empowered to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. “This plan sets St. Margaret's up to be a leader among independent schools and to pursue continued excellence in all facets of its program.” During the 2023-2024 school year, the Board created a Strategic Plan Steering Committee and engaged Ian Symmonds of Ian Symmonds & Associates to serve as a consultant for the strategic planning process. Together, they conducted a series of collaborative exercises to identify and prioritize key strategic areas based on research findings. St. Margaret’s solicited feedback from parents, students, professional community and alumni through anonymous surveys, in addition to feedback from the local community, idea-generating exercises at PTF General Membership Meetings and PTF Executive Board Meetings, and the completion of a market research report to better understand St. Margaret’s positioning in the educational landscape. This feedback was influential in identifying strategic directions that the school community is eager to pursue. The findings were aggregated and presented to the steering committee, a 21-member team made up of Trustees, school leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, students and parents.
The pillars of St. Margaret’s new Strategic Plan were further developed through several engagement opportunities. A professional community in-service day in January was dedicated to generating ideas and clarifying focus areas. The Board of Trustees dived into strategic-plan work at several meetings, including multiple Board long-range planning committee meetings. From there, a 34-member design team divided into eight groups, which held several meetings to talk through ideas and feedback and to collectively craft initiative proposals for consideration. These proposals were aggregated and discussed at a final steering committee meeting in early May, before a final draft was put together and presented to the Board of Trustees. The plan was approved by the Board over the summer for implementation. “We are grateful for all the members of our school community who shared their thoughts and ideas over the past year, as well as to Patrick Bendzick, Assistant Head of School for Health and Wellness, for his extraordinary leadership and hard work in overseeing this process,” Dr. Graham said. “The new Strategic Plan is a visionary plan that allows us to dig deeper into what makes St. Margaret’s unique and positions us to grow to even greater heights. We are excited to continue moving our school forward, with our students at the center of all we do — now and into the future.”
Scan here to view St. Margaret's Strategic Plan or visit www.smes.org/strategic-plan
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This Is Experiential Learning
BY DR. RYAN CAREY Director of Extensions and Experiential Education
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he rocks at the Dana Point Headlands were slick with spray as the tide eased out, revealing an intricate patchwork of anemones, mussels and scuttling hermit crabs, the “elusive and indefinable boundary” of what Rachel Carson called “the marginal world.” In clusters of three and four, students knelt beside shallow pools with notebooks and handheld meters, sketching organisms, logging temperature and dissolved oxygen, and noting which species clung to the splash, high, mid and low zones of the intertidal.
Beachgoers would be forgiven if they mistook these studious young scholars for members of a collegiate scientific field station, so intent were they on documenting adaptations like a limpet’s grip or a sea star’s tube feet. Actually, they were St. Margaret’s Upper School students in Dr. Jennifer Ross-Viola’s Marine Science class. That day they were not on a mere field trip — where students are led through a site while passively receiving “information” — but were doing field work — where students actively engage with a place, asking their own questions, putting their prior knowledge to use and taking charge of their own learning. Prior to visiting the headlands, students in Marine Science investigated intertidal zone patterns in the different regions of the shoreline. They researched the major invertebrate groups critical to the dynamic intertidal zones of the Northern Pacific and even dissected members of those groups. While at the headlands, they put this knowledge to work through a series of open-ended investigations in the field. On-site, they recorded water temperature and salinity across zones, mapped microhabitats where organisms avoid desiccation and wave action, and ran a hermit-crab shellpreference study before tagging observations for later analysis. It was the start of a cycle of inquiry where experiences demand reflection, reflection informs explanation, and explanation drives the next round of experiments back in the lab. Field work is just one aspect of learning that typifies experiential education at St. Margaret’s, a form of teaching and learning rooted in the idea that students learn best when they are empowered to pursue their passions, take risks, build relationships and create work that matters to them. The concept of experiential education is not new. Educational psychologist David Kolb formalized it in a series of publications beginning in 1975 that culminated in his 1984 "Experiential Learning." Drawing on constructivist ideas from Jean Piaget and John Dewey’s belief that experience and reflection — not memorization — are key to meaningful learning, Kolb developed a four-part cycle: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation. Concrete experiences beyond the walls of the classroom, or place-based experiences, ask students to engage not just with knowledge, but with the people and places of our world. Collaborating with community partners, students in Victor Cota’s Wealth, Poverty and Ethics class learn about the world not from a teacher or textbook, but rather from organizations
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KOLB'S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CYCLE
ACTIVE EXPERIMENTATION
CONCRETE EXPERIENCE
Trying out what you have learned
Having the actual experience
ABSTRACT CONCEPTUALIZATION
REFLECTIVE OBSERVATION
Learning from the experience
Reflecting on the experience
Perspective
"Open-ended projects where students craft their own questions and develop their own interpretations — the kinds of work that scholars and experts do — makes this work inherently meaningful because it becomes a genuine extension of the student." and individuals with firsthand knowledge of issues and questions of that class. Good experiential learning connects teachers and students with our community and activates our dedication to service and a commitment to the common good. Reflection, as much as experience, is essential for academically vigorous experiential learning. The field is where we gather raw material: observations, artifacts, data, questions. But the classroom is where we return to interpret, analyze and create. After developing their own telemetry and recovery systems for rockets that they design on their own, Dr. Eric Trumbauer’s Advanced Engineering students launch their complex creations from the 50-yard line of Tartan Field. Here, failure is even more valuable than success as it gives the engineers the opportunity to test their designs in the real world. Returning to the classroom, they analyze the data, refine their systems and test their creations again. They repeat this iterative process — test, reflect, revise — in final projects completely of their own design, which have resulted in everything from fully automated and fabricated vending machines to electronic art exhibits.
Above: Middle School students at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. Left: Middle School and Upper School students launch rockets on Tartan Field.
After structured reflection, students get to work putting their experiences and ideas into practice by creating meaningful projects, performances, presentations, or further experiments. While at the The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside, students in Sherry Wagener’s Art Across Cultures class in the Middle School explore the museum, guided by a series of journal prompts that ask them to consider works of art that draw on the history they have already learned. They return to class to study Tomás Ybarra-Frausto’s concept of Rasquachismo and create their own “Rasquache Story,” a personal sculpture project that assembles found or repurposed objects to express identity, resilience and humor. These moments synthesize experience and insight, giving students the chance to think and act like experts.
We are in a moment of transition, note education writers Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson in their new book "The Disengaged Teen." The 20th century, they note, was an “age of achievement,” where academic success was measured, in part, by how much students knew and could recall from teachers and classes that dispensed a set of facts. But our current world of facts-on-demand and AI chatbots suggests the dawning of an “‘age of agency’ [where students] will need to not only identify where they want to go but also be able to drive their own learning to get there.” Being curious. Asking questions. Critically engaging the world — all of it, not just what’s on the test. These are the hallmarks of agency in learning.
Open-ended projects where students craft their own questions and develop their own interpretations — the kinds of work that scholars and experts do — makes this work inherently meaningful because it becomes a genuine extension of the student. Moreover, creating exhibits, breaking news stories, or sequencing DNA gives students the opportunity to feel what it’s like to be a curator, journalist, or geneticist. Randy Bass, at Georgetown’s Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, notes that in “learning to be” (as opposed to “learning about”), students focus “not on the expert’s products but, rather, on the expert’s practice.” Bass argues that “decades of research has taught us that a lot of meaningful activity — struggling, processing, sense-making — is going on in the intermediate space between novice and expert.” Giving students the opportunity to meaningfully grapple with those processes is one of the most valuable rewards of experiential learning.
Experiential learning starts from this premise. It not only provides opportunities for agency and engagement, but it models what that looks like. In other words, it teaches agency. Guided by St. Margaret’s commitment to educate hearts and minds for lives of learning, leadership and service, experiential learning fosters purposeful, immersive learning that is academically vigorous, intellectually transformative and emotionally resonant. Hands-on experiences ask students to engage in intellectual inquiry, cross disciplinary boundaries and collaborate with and serve others. Students navigate real-world challenges with courage and creativity, learning through process, reflection, feedback and iteration. Experiential learning is not just a method — it is a mindset and a mirror through which students come to know their unique worth and their responsibility to the world. HIGHLANDER
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hat Does it Mean to Be an Episcopal School? St. Margaret’s is a leading independent school with an Episcopal identity that shapes the school’s vision, values and direction. BY RYA N WO O D
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n the spring of 1979, the Reverend Canon Ernest D. Sillers, with the blessing of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, gathered interested families at El Adobe Restaurant to discuss the possibility of an Episcopal school and church in San Juan Capistrano.
At the time, Father Sillers was the priest-in-charge of St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Mission, which was meeting on Sundays at nearby Marco Forster Middle School. As he often did, Father Sillers dreamed big and worked hard. Just a few months after that meeting at El Adobe, the first day of classes at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School took place on Oct. 1, 1979, with 79 students ranging from kindergarten through grade 6. The first activity of the day was Chapel, and the school’s first hymn was “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” St. Margaret’s has come a long way since 1979. It is now one of the leading independent schools in the nation, serving 1,234 students annually as it sees through its mission of educating the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service. One constant, though, is the school’s commitment to its Episcopal identity as a cornerstone of its work.
Today, St. Margaret’s educates students from 28 Orange County communities, representing 17 faith backgrounds. About 10 percent of St. Margaret’s student body identifies as Episcopalian. That diversity of faith is seen as a strength of St. Margaret’s and is consistent with the school’s Episcopal identity that remains forefront in the school’s vision, values and direction — more than four decades after Father Sillers’ dream became a reality.
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In all it does and all it aspires to be, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School seeks to uphold the basic principles of the Episcopal tenets that individuals and institutions are called to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. Episcopal schools like St. Margaret’s are Christian; however, they are not solely communities for Christians. Rather, they are ecumenical and diverse ministries of educational and human formation for people of all faiths and backgrounds. St. Margaret’s leadership reflects this commitment. The Right Reverend John Harvey Taylor, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, is Chair of St. Margaret’s Board of Trustees. A majority of St. Margaret’s Trustees must be members in good standing in the Episcopal Church, a requirement designed to ensure the values of the Episcopal Church are upheld in the school’s mission and Strategic Plan (see page 6). Among the Trustees is the Reverend Canon Robert Edwards, rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. A longtime member of the St. Margaret’s community, Father Rob has been instrumental in shaping the spiritual learning of St. Margaret’s students over his decades of service. “Our goal as an Episcopal school is to nurture the spiritual development of each individual,” Father Rob says. “We welcome everyone into our community, seeking to love our neighbors as ourselves. We seek to explore the complexities of faith by asking questions, inviting differences of opinions, and by discovering an innate sense of wonder.”
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s an Episcopal school, St. Margaret’s integrates religious and spiritual formation into the curriculum and life of the school community. This includes:
CHAPEL SERVICES: Led by the St. Margaret’s chaplains, Chapel is an integral part of the student experience, nurturing character, grace, community fellowship and spiritual wellness. Chapel takes place once a week in Early School, four days a week in Lower School, twice a week in Middle School and once a week in Upper School. AC ADEMIC S: In addition to Chapel as a source of spiritual education, a weekly spiritual practice class is part of the Lower School special subjects curriculum for kindergarten-grade 5. Middle School courses include a grade 6 enrichment course on spiritual wellness and a grade 8 elective focused on spirituality and world religions. St. Margaret’s Upper School has elective requirements around religion and philosophy, which offers students choices such as World Religions, Hebrew Bible as Literature, New Testament as Literature, Philosophy and Ethics, and Wealth, Poverty and Ethics. ALL-SCHOOL SERVICES: Joyful all-school gatherings such as the St. Margaret’s Day All-School Service (celebrating the school’s namesake) and the All-School Spring Service bring the entire school community together for readings, prayers, homilies and music rooted in Episcopalian traditions. Students have leadership opportunities during these gatherings, serving as acolytes or readers. COMMUNIT Y: The school’s Episcopal identity is present throughout the school community. Service learning, including the annual All-School Service Learning Project, often includes projects aligned with St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. In addition, the school’s core value of equity and inclusion was born from its Episcopal identity. C A MPUS: As St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and School share a campus, students are encouraged to visit the Church’s sacred and safe spaces — including the Chapel, the Fountain Courtyard, and the meditation labyrinth and garden — for solace and reflection throughout the school day. St. Margaret’s is a proud member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), an organization which advances Episcopal education, strengthens Episcopal schools, and fosters “excellence through association” by providing essential services, resources, conferences and networking opportunities for 800 member schools. Among the many resources offered by NAES is guidance on Episcopal identity and what it means to be an Episcopal school. A 2021 statement from NAES highlights the meaningful connection that member schools cultivate between education and Episcopal identity — a connection that St. Margaret’s has embraced since its first day of classes in October 1979. “Episcopal schools are places where people from all different types of perspectives and traditions show up and engage in the joyful process of learning,” the NAES stated. “This is not only what we are supposed to do, but what we love to do.”
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“I often hear students say they want to be an artist when they grow up, and I immediately tell them they already are.” – Mary Mayer-Grubb, Lower School visual arts teacher
BY M A RI T E S O L A N O
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n any given day at St. Margaret’s, you may find a group of young filmmakers storyboarding a short film in the editing suite, or Lower School students with watercolor-splattered sleeves engrossed in their mixed-media collages. In another instance, an Upper School student is seen carefully shaping clay into a delicate ceramic form in the class studio. Across campus, fellow students capture moments of beauty through their lenses, turning St. Margaret’s campus scenes into compelling photographic art. Here, the arts are not extracurricular: They are essential. St. Margaret’s is a school where visual arts is more than expression. It is a dialogue between the students and the world. It is experimentation, reflection and, sometimes, joyful chaos. This is where creativity meets real-world skill, and where the next generation of artists — some future professionals, others lifelong creators — are learning to shape stories that matter. What sets the program apart is the deep integration of professional practice into the classroom teaching that makes up the visual arts program. Every visual arts faculty member — Karen Bennett, Joe Hoff, Heather Holmes, Mary Mayer-Grubb and Jesse Standlea — brings not only
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pedagogical skill but lived creative experience into the studio. From international exhibitions and published works to outdoor photography expeditions and collaborative film productions, these educators don’t just teach art — they live it.
A R T A S C O R E C U R R I C U L U M : T H E P H I LO S O P H Y BEHIND THE PR AC TICE At the heart of St. Margaret’s visual arts program lies a bold premise: Art is central to human development. The department doesn’t just teach art — it teaches through art. Rooted in a philosophy that values personal passion, individual voice and creative exploration, the visual arts curriculum gives students something increasingly rare in a hyper-digitized world: the time and space to slow down, create with their hands and reflect deeply. St. Margaret's environment balances structure with learned autonomy, where students aren’t just completing assignments — they’re building identities. Whether crafting a narrative film or sculpting from found materials, students are invited to engage with big ideas and personal stories. And this isn’t reserved for those destined for creative careers.
“Some of my students just love that it’s a creative part of their week,” says Mrs. Mayer-Grubb, Lower School art teacher. Lower School students are learning the freedom to explore art in a fun and safe learning environment. “They’re learning patience, risk-taking and how to admire and understand each other’s work. These are lifelong skills.” For Joe Hoff, Upper School and Middle School photography teacher who worked as both an outdoor educator and a guide in the national park system, art is inseparable from experience. “Photography is a great means to affect how one appreciates their immediate surroundings,” he explains. “Once a student recognizes something simple — like the way a shadow falls across a wall — they more regularly notice how remarkable our daily lives are.” Mr. Hoff’s Advanced Placement Photography students take on independent projects that span the entire school year, mirroring the kind of long-term, self-driven work seen in professional creative careers. “They choose what to study, what their image is about, and how much they want to challenge themselves,” he adds. “It ends up modeling what it might be like for them to continue to keep art in their lives in the future — whether it becomes their profession or a lifelong pursuit.”
R E A L-W O R L D R O O T S , R E A L-W O R L D I M PA C T Karen Bennett, Upper School and Middle School cinematic arts teacher, brings a career that reads like a dream for many aspiring creators: editing for John Williams, working on Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, and collaborating with directors like Tim Burton and James Cameron. However, it was in the classroom, not the editing bay, where she found her true calling. “I realized that teaching film wasn’t just about passing on technical knowledge — it was about helping students find their voice,” she says. “The skills they develop, such as problem-solving, diplomacy, and creative thinking, are the same ones I used in Hollywood. Only now, I get to help them discover those tools early.” Ms. Bennett’s students have created award-winning films, traveled the world as festival jurors, and participated in collaborative projects that fuse art, music and history. What is one of the most exciting? A “Live to Picture” series, where student-made films are scored live by the Middle and Upper School orchestra — a nod to Mrs. Bennett’s roots in film scoring and a powerful example of interdisciplinary learning in action. Heather Holmes, studio art teacher, echoes this vision. “Trends and shifts in the industry come and go,” she says. “But my students’ unique voices and styles are who they are, and they should never feel the need to alter their art just to fit fleeting fads.” Her focus is on helping students build confidence in their creative identity — especially those who arrive unsure of their abilities. “I can’t count how many times a student has come in saying they ‘can’t draw,’” Ms. Holmes says. “Then they realize not only do they have artistic capabilities, but they are actually good at it, too! That discovery of potential is pure magic.” But perhaps the most important message is that creativity, when cultivated in a meaningful and supportive environment, transcends the studio. It becomes a mindset, a toolkit for life.
Mr. Hoff reminds his students. “If you use art to explore life, to document your interests or motivate you to do interesting things, you’ll always have a reason to keep making — and that’s what matters.” Art serves both personal reflection and global connection, encouraging students to see creativity as a lifelong journey of self-discovery and empathy. It’s a similar vision the faculty has in common. Ms. Holmes sees art as both a mirror and a window. “All art is essentially a self-portrait,” she says. “I want my students to gain deeper insight into a society or belief system different from their own by studying the works others create. My dream is that this opens their minds and hearts to the big, beautiful, diverse world around them.” St. Margaret’s students will carry the arts with them — not just to galleries or studios, but into boardrooms, classrooms and communities. Because at St. Margaret’s, being an artist isn’t a label you earn someday. It’s a truth you claim now. HIGHLANDER
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T H E Q U I E T R E V O L U T I O N : A R T A S W E L L- B E I N G A N D EMPOWERMENT In today’s results-driven climate, St. Margaret’s offers a holistic approach: Art isn’t an “extra.” It’s a necessity. As more attention is paid to students' mental health and personal development, the arts can serve as an anchor. “There’s this beautiful moment when a student finishes an art piece and stands back and sees it,” Mrs. Mayer-Grubb said. Ms. Bennett shared a similar example of the rewards of teaching the arts. “That pride, that sense of calm — it’s real. One student told me she watches her own films when she’s anxious because it reminds her of what she’s capable of. That’s the power of creative education.” The program also encourages students to connect with global perspectives — telling stories that span cultures, eras and emotions. And through experiential learning, like field trips and gallery visits, art becomes a way to understand the world. Students think deeply about the human condition and reflect about the stories, photography or art pieces an audience responds to emotionally. Visual arts students are well aware of the profound effect art has on our culture and history. Ms. Bennett adds, “In a world where technology changes rapidly, the skills our students need most are creativity and adaptability. Filmmaking, like any art, is ultimately about human connection.” Visual arts speaks to a culture of intentional creativity, of personal transformation through the act of making–a sentiment that Jesse Standlea captures well. Mr. Standlea is a seasoned visual arts educator whose own creative evolution — from high-concept sculpture to crafting intimate, functional pottery — mirrors the philosophy he brings into the classroom. “I see myself as an example,” Mr. Standlea explains, “not just in terms of technical skill, but in how I structure my creative practice. I’ve realized that the most important connection is human, not about trends. Artists form trust by staying consistent.” Mr. Standlea’s current focus is mindful sculpting and the simple ritual of creating a handmade cup has reshaped how he teaches and how students
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think about their own work. The power of a single object, lovingly crafted and used daily, reminds his students that art’s impact often lies in the personal and present. “What if a simple daily act, like drinking from a thoughtfully crafted cup, could help someone slow down, tune in and reconnect with themselves?” he said. This mindset doesn’t just inspire; it anchors the curriculum. Mr. Standlea brings in practices like daily journaling and a philosophy he calls “fail fast,” which encourages students to embrace mistakes as necessary parts of growth. “Mistakes aren’t failures — they inform us where to go next,” he says. “That’s part of a growth mindset.” The visual arts program teaches students more than learning the mechanics of a brushstroke or how to frame a shot. They develop habits of mind that cultivate resilience, curiosity and reflective thinking. Through techniques like design thinking, storytelling and immersive fieldwork, they begin to see that their creativity isn’t separate from the world around them — it is their way of understanding and shaping the world.
A C O M PA S S F O R T H E F U T U R E What’s clear at St. Margaret’s is that visual arts are not a nostalgic nod to the past. The program is an investment in the future. While St. Margaret’s students learn more than simply wielding paintbrushes and cameras, they’re also learning to collaborate, to lead, and to express thoughts without words. They are learning to notice, to question, and to persist. Artists eventually develop their own internal compass that helps navigate uncertainty, embrace their individuality and tell stories that matter — whether to an audience of millions or to one person sipping from a favorite handmade cup. “We call visual arts the ‘quiet art,’” says Mrs. Mayer-Grubb. “The next time you admire a student’s work, look closely. There is a whole world of voice, story and emotion in every piece. That’s what we’re helping them discover.”
TheFUTURE
OF FOOD
at St. Margaret's
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat together is a celebration.”
F
or much of history, meals have brought us together — a collective experience that has connected people to loved ones, to their cultural roots and to the communities they call home.
The St. Margaret’s Commons, upon its completion in the fall of 2026, will serve as the school’s new heart of the campus and a hub for student health, wellness and movement. Yet through the nutritional programming and gathering spaces planned for the 30,000-square-foot facility, the Commons promises to be something else — a community-building space where Tartans come together over the shared experience of a delicious meal. Student life will change with the completion of the St. Margaret’s Commons, and school leaders are hard at work piecing together the logistics and programming that will best optimize the facility for students and the greater school community.
B Y R YA N W O O D
“We are so excited for the St. Margaret’s Commons and all it will do to enhance the Tartan experience,” Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham said. “As we watch the progress of construction with anticipation, school leadership is hard at work planning the operations of this space. It’s important that we ensure the high quality of our nutrition services and the use of this spectacular dining hall to bring students together. It will be a game changer for all Tartans, and we look forward to our students, parents and professional community coming together to experience all the Commons will offer.” St. Margaret’s has partnered with CulinArt, a dining services company with a proven track record of providing nutrition solutions for boarding and day schools, higher education and corporations. CulinArt will have chefs on-site at St. Margaret’s every school day, preparing fresh meals and snack options inside the Commons’ state-of-the-art kitchen. In its work with other independent schools, CulinArt has earned praise for its preparation of mindful, balanced and tasty meals that appeal to palates of all types. CulinArt and St. Margaret’s are collaborating to create a menu with variety, nutritional benefits and great taste that appeals to students of all ages, from Early School to Upper School. HIGHLANDER
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n preparation for the Commons and its dining services, several St. Margaret’s school leaders visited Francis Parker School in San Diego during the spring to observe the logistics of its food services. As a fellow PreK-grade 12 independent school which also partners with CulinArt, Francis Parker’s operations provide an insightful look into how food services in the St. Margaret’s Commons might work.
The Tartan delegation — including division principals and other administrators — observed details such as the flow of students during lunch hours, the silverware used and the food options that proved popular with school-aged children. St. Margaret’s administrators had conversations with Francis Parker leaders about menu creation, accommodating picky eaters and food allergies, managing meals for special events on campus, and other logistics. “We were able to see what we could replicate and what we may do different in terms of food options, as well as flow and routine with our younger students,” said Lower School Principal Jennifer Blount. “We were also able to talk to school leaders about healthy food choices, limiting waste and more. It was an insightful visit, and it built excitement for what’s to come here at St. Margaret’s.” The St. Margaret’s Commons will provide lunch for every division of the school, a daily snack for the Lower School, and grab-and-go market options for Middle and Upper School students available throughout the day. The Commons’ kitchen area features amenities like a pizza oven, a “Tartans To-Go” counter with snack options, multiple food stations and a beverage station. In addition, a renovated Sillers Hall kitchen will serve as a second location for serving food prepared in the Commons, specifically for Lower School students. Early School students will have lunch delivered from the Commons to their division each day. To learn more about how you can support Tartans Thrive, the capital campaign for the St. Margaret’s Commons, please visit TartansThrive.org or reach out to Jonathan Tufo, St. Margaret’s Executive Director of Advancement, at jtufo@smes.org.
Introducing La Novia Farm, a New Community Space In a partnership between the City of San Juan Capistrano, The Ecology Center and St. Margaret’s, a new community garden, La Novia Farm, is being developed on a parcel of land adjacent to St. Margaret’s campus. Through experiential programming led by St. Margaret’s educators, La Novia will spark curiosity, deepen environmental stewardship and strengthen connections with one another. In addition, fruits and vegetables grown at La Novia will be served in the St. Margaret’s Commons. Visit TartansThrive.org to learn more about La Novia Farm and how it will enhance the St. Margaret’s community into the future.
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TheSTUDENT -ATHLETE IMPACT
O F T H E S T. M A R G A R E T ' S C O M M O N S
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he St. Margaret’s Commons will have a profound impact on Tartan student-athletes, who will enjoy an expanded weight room, an outdoor dynamic training space, increased sports medicine amenities, and dedicated studios for cardio, recovery, film study and more. Here’s a sneak peek at how the St. Margaret’s Commons will provide student-athletes with a best-in-class experience for preparation, training and recovery:
WEIGHT ROOM: More than 80 percent of Upper School students are part of at least one of St. Margaret’s 26 sports teams. The St. Margaret’s Commons’ spacious strengthtraining space triples the size of the school’s previous weight room to better accommodate the need of Tartan athletic teams, as well as Personal Fitness and Wellness classes. The new weight room will have cutting-edge technology, new equipment, and will have the capability to accommodate multiple athletic teams at the same time. OUTDOOR DYNA MIC TR AINING: The weight room opens to a large turf area for dynamic training, such as plyometrics and speed work, led by St. Margaret’s coaches and its highly experienced strength-training staff. FILM L AB: Among its many potential uses, the theater-style film room in the St. Margaret’s Commons will be a place for all Tartan athletics teams to watch film of past performances, scout future opponents or just meet as a group. S TUDIOS: Dedicated spaces in the St. Margaret’s Commons will be a place for movement, cross-training and recovery. These spots include a cardio studio featuring spin bikes, treadmills and elipitical machines; a recovery studio, which includes yoga mats, foam rollers and more; and a performance studio with high-tech performance tools including a simulator. SPORT S MEDICINE: An expanded sports medicine space will ensure that all Tartan student-athletes get the care they need to stay healthy, happy and prepared for peak performance. The new space will have innovative tools in cryotherapy, electrotherapy, compression and more. HIGHLANDER
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The Road to College: How St. Margaret’s College Counseling Office Prepares Tartans for the Next Step Jessica Zhu ’25 found St. Margaret’s College Counseling Office to be invaluable as she began the college admissions process. Like every Upper School student at St. Margaret’s, Jessica was assigned a designated college counselor in grade 10 to serve as a mentor throughout her process. Jessica’s counselor was Amy Warren, St. Margaret’s Director of College Counseling, and the two met frequently to talk through timelines, review essays and answer important questions. “I communicated with Ms. Warren very frequently, especially at the beginning of my senior year,” Jessica said. “Whenever I had any questions regarding the college process, schools or my essays, I would reach out to her and she would quickly schedule a meeting.” As the admission timeline progressed, Jessica felt the usual stress that comes with finding the right fit for this important step. “Ms. Warren would reassure me that everything would be OK, and having that kind of support was really comforting,” Jessica said. Upon graduating from St. Margaret’s, Jessica enrolled at the University of Southern California. She considered it the perfect ending to her college-admissions path. Success stories like Jessica’s abound at St. Margaret’s, which has a robust collegecounseling program that is individually tailored to each student’s academic interests, extracurricular passions and future ambitions. Through a comprehensive process that starts in grade 9 and follows students throughout their Upper School years, with one-on-one care and attention provided by expert college counselors who know and love each student, St. Margaret’s college counseling program is thorough and studentcentered and prepares 100% of St. Margaret’s graduates to matriculate to a four-year college or university. “St. Margaret’s students are in fantastic hands under the care of our expert team of college counselors,” Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham said. “Our counselors have more than 70 years of combined admissions and higher education
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experience, have working relationships with college admission representatives across the country, and are driven by the loving, caring connections they develop with each student. We could not be more proud of the work our College Counseling Office does to help students in this exciting next step in their journey.” The College Counseling Office consists of Director of College Counseling Amy Warren and Associate Directors of College Counseling Erica Huerta, Ben Lah and Seaby Rodriguez — all experienced in the college-admissions process. In addition to the hallmark of St. Margaret’s program — a student-centered approach that dives deep into learning what is important to all Tartans as they take this important step — St. Margaret’s College Counseling Office maintains relationships with the admissions offices of colleges and universities around the world, works closely with Upper School administrators and teachers to shape curriculum at St. Margaret’s, and stays informed on trends developing within a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. The College Counseling Office also works closely with teachers and coaches for students looking to continue their artistic training in college, or play college athletics. The college counseling process formally begins in grade 9 and carries students through college matriculation. Each year is intentionally coordinated and mapped, as students develop meaningful relationships with their college counselor, define their interests through their Upper School years, and develop introspection, empathy, ownership, resilience and joy as they decide on the next step of their educational journey with confidence and excitement. “We recognize that every student is different, and our philosophy focuses on guiding each individual student to help them better understand the values, priorities and academic interests that shape who they are,” Ms. Warren said. “By prioritizing self-reflection during the application process, students will find the fit they are looking for — a college or university where they feel comfortable and supported so that they can continue to grow and thrive.”
9 Freshman Year St. Margaret’s college counselors are available for Upper School freshmen to answer any questions as they look at course registration and other important topics. While the focus for grade 9 students is in setting a strong academic foundation in Upper School and finding cocurricular paths to enrich their high school experience, the touchpoints between college counselors and grade 9 parents begin. A parent meeting in the fall introduces grade 9 parents to the college counseling program and St. Margaret’s college counselors, while programming through College Money Method helps students and parents understand financial aid and other important aspects of college.
Sophomore Year
Senior Year
The relationship expands during grade 10, as each sophomore is assigned a designated college counselor who will stay with them through the college-admissions process. During grade 10, students start more in-depth learning about college admissions. The College Counseling Office will have sessions to teach what goes into a college application and what students can expect between grade 10 and their final college selection in grade 12.
The fall of senior year is time for students to finalize a thoughtful, balanced list of colleges that take into account their values, how they best learn and what they want in their next school experience. Students work individually with their counselor to review applications and fine-tune essays. With the guidance of their college counselor both individually and through the CGM block, students understand the process for each school and any special requirements or deadlines depending on the path they want to pursue. Students have the opportunity to meet with college admissions representatives in person while finalizing their list, as more than 100 colleges and universities visit St. Margaret’s campus each fall to meet with students.
Students are also introduced to Scoir, a college search tool and application management system that is used frequently throughout their time in Upper School. Sophomores also take practice ACT and SAT tests to familiarize themselves with the format and structure of standardized testing.
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Parent meetings are designed to dive into the college admissions landscape and often feature admissions representatives who share insight.
Seniors weigh early-action and early-decision options and submit applications by the deadlines put forth by each school. Students start receiving letters of admission as early as December, and typically make their final college selection by May 1.
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Junior Year
More than 100 colleges & universities visit St. Margaret’s campus each fall to meet with students.
The college counseling program becomes more individualized in grade 11. Students have regular meetings with their designated college counselor, who gets to know the student’s personal interests, strengths and goals and answers any questions about college options, standardized testing and more. College counselors also will meet with families for conversations, in addition to continued education around financial aid and other aspects of the college-admissions process. In the wintertime, a kick-off event brings the college-admissions process into focus for juniors and their families. The spring semester is the start of College Group Meeting (CGM), a block during the school day where juniors come together and collectively learn more about college admissions, from basic terminology to more in-depth understanding of how applications are evaluated. At the end of grade 11, college counselors take students on a trip to San Diego, where they visit the University of San Diego, San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego over two days. St. Margaret’s also participates in a case-studies event where grade 11 students and parents play the role of “admission committees” to review and discuss fictional student application files, providing students and parents valuable first hand insight into the mind of college admission officers. Families are also encouraged to visit college campuses during breaks in the school schedule to get a feel for different choices, from small liberal arts schools to large universities. HIGHLANDER
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Meet the College Counselors St. Margaret’s College Counseling Office consists of four highly experienced college counselors who all have backgrounds in college admissions. Here’s a closer look at St. Margaret’s college counselors:
Amy Warren Amy Warren is the director of college counseling at St. Margaret’s. Ms. Warren joined the St. Margaret’s College Counseling Office in 2010 and has been the director since 2024. Over the years, she has guided hundreds of Tartans as they sought the right fit when exploring colleges and universities across the country and around the world. Prior to joining St. Margaret’s, Ms. Warren was the counseling department chair at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. She previously worked in selective graduate admissions at Teachers College, Columbia University and as a crisis counselor in Buffalo, N.Y. Ms. Warren remains active in professional organizations and has presented at both the National Association of College Admission Counselors and Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools national conferences. She has served as an application reader for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation as well as the Gates Foundation. Ms. Warren received her Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Williams College, where she was a 16-time All-American swimmer. She holds a Master of Education in psychological counseling and a Master of Arts with a focus in school counseling, both from Teachers College, Columbia University. Ms. Warren is a native of upstate New York and a graduate of Deerfield Academy.
Erica Huerta As associate director of college counseling, Erica Huerta brings a wealth of experience from her work in highly selective college admissions at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Pomona College. She previously served as an assistant dean of admission at Pomona and later supported students and families as an admission reader for UCLA. With experience reviewing thousands of applications at both institutions, Ms. Huerta offers deep insight into the admissions and selection process. As the former admission officer who reviewed St. Margaret’s applications, she understands firsthand how to effectively articulate the strengths of St. Margaret’s students and its academic program. Committed to ongoing professional development, Ms. Huerta is an active member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) and continues to serve as an external reader for UCLA. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UCLA and her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from New York University.
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Ben Lah Ben Lah joined St. Margaret’s College Counseling Office in 2023 as an associate director of college counseling. He began his career in education at the Webb Schools in Claremont, Calif., where he taught math and coached tennis and soccer. He eventually left to attend graduate school in New York City and later to work in undergraduate admissions at the University of Southern California. Mr. Lah later worked in college counseling at various independent schools for 13 years, most recently at The Bishop's School in La Jolla. Mr. Lah is committed to helping students find their voice and tell their story through authenticity, self-awareness and occasional soulsearching. He earned his B.A. in Economics from Pomona College and his M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Seaby Rodriguez Seaby Rodriguez brings 25 years of experience in the field of admissions to her role as associate director of college counseling. Mrs. Rodriguez joined the St. Margaret’s college counseling team in 2024, coming from St. John’s Episcopal School in Rancho Santa Margarita. At St. John’s, she worked in the admissions office for nine years, during which time she fell in love with working at Episcopal schools. Prior to St. John’s, Mrs. Rodriguez was associate director of admission at Chapman University. During her time at Chapman, she trained and managed the admission staff in the application reading process. She was also responsible for international student admission to the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs, and she traveled around the world to work with students. In addition to her time at Chapman University, Mrs. Rodriguez was also assistant dean of admission at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Between her years at Occidental and Chapman, she worked at the Buckley School, a K-12 independent school in Los Angeles. Mrs. Rodriguez graduated cum laude from Boston College, with a B.A. in psychology and a concentration in French. She also has a Master of Arts in education, leadership and administration from Chapman University.
COMMENCEMENT 2025
Congratulations 2032 CL A SS OF
St. Margaret’s honored grade 5 students with one of the Lower School’s most beloved traditions — the ceremonial tossing of the red sweaters. Following the final Chapel service of the year, the Class of 2032 took a celebratory walk to Chalmers Field, passing each Lower School grade along the way. Parents and younger students lined the route, cheering them on as they made their way to the field, where they joyfully tossed their red sweaters into the air in a symbolic farewell to their Lower School years.
CL A SS OF
2029
Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham and Middle School Principal Mike Allison, together with the Middle School faculty and staff, proudly presented the Class of 2029 for promotion to the Upper School. Held on Chalmers Field, the ceremony included remarks from Mr. Allison, a speech by Middle School Student Council President Blake Mashour, and the presentation of certificates to the 110 members of the grade 8 class.
HIGHLANDER
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COMMENCEMENT 2025
2025 THE CLASS OF
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CLass of 2025 Graduates are Attending...
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Colleges and Universities in...
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college abroad (switzerland).
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Plan to compete in intercollegiate athletics
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Plan to Pursue an Arts-related Discipline
“I think it’s important to be willing to change your mind, to be curious enough to keep learning who you are, and brave enough to become that person — even if it’s not the version you imagined yourself becoming right now." - Andrew Rusli, class of 2025 valedictorian
Scan QR code for recaps and photo galleries from Commencement 2025
COMMENCEMENT 2025
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C L ASS OF 2 0 2 5 HIGHLANDER
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A LU M N I U P DAT E S L E T T ER FRO M T H E TA R TA N A LU M N I A S S O CI AT I O N P R E S I D EN T
Dear Fellow Tartans, To the Class of 2025, welcome to the Tartan Alumni Association! We are thrilled to have you join our alumni community of more than 3,000 Tartans. A special thank you to Madison Lewis and Coco Johnson who have volunteered as the Class of 2025 agents. I would also like to make a special mention of Luke Newman '25, son of Todd Newman ’91, as our newest legacy graduate. We are so proud of everything that you have accomplished during your time at St. Margaret’s, and we look forward to seeing you continue to pursue your dreams in college and beyond. Tartan alumni around the world are ready and willing to support you however we can with your endeavors. This was a productive year for the Tartan Alumni Council. We pursued multiple projects over the course of the year to benefit students and Tartan alumni. These projects included hosting an online webinar for the classes of 1986-1990, creating a Linkedin workshop for current high school students, putting together three class reunions, three regional events (Bay Area, New York, Dallas) and the holiday party, emailing college-aged alumni reminding them of the Tartan Alumni network while applying for internships, welcoming the most recent graduating class with personalized letters, and connecting students with alumni for their Independent Senior Projects.
For this upcoming academic year, the Tartan Alumni Association will continue with our vision that the Tartan alumni network becomes more robust, philanthropic and inclusive. We will continue to fulfill this vision by providing support to Tartans, emphasizing the value of service in its many forms and strengthening our sense of community. We encourage all alumni to come back and engage with the school however they can. As to how you can get involved: •
The Tartan Alumni Council is interested in recruiting additional members. If you would like to get involved, please contact Lynda Collier (Lynda.Collier@smes.org) in the Alumni Relations office. We would love to have you.
The Tartan Alumni Council is also excited to announce the launch of a new set of regional contacts in an effort to grow Tartan networks all over the country. In addition to connecting Tartans with each other based on geographic regions, these regional contacts will also help welcome our newest graduates by offering support, mentorship and various opportunities in their respective local areas. If you would like to become the lead contact in your own region, want to get involved or have a suggestion on building out these regional networks, please reach out to the Tartan Alumni office. We would love to have your help!
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Be on the lookout for upcoming local and regional events. These are a great opportunity to connect with old friends and fellow Tartans.
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If you can assist current students in a professional capacity, such as providing ISP positions, informational interviews, internships or career advancement opportunities, please let the Alumni Council know.
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Continue to let us know how you are serving your community and if there are ways for other Tartans to get involved.
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Consider donating to St. Margaret’s, either by supporting financial aid through TALE or the Tartans Thrive campaign.
A big thank you to the Tartan alumni currently serving as regional leads: • Bay Area, based in San Francisco: Mattingly Messina, Class of 2013 • Midwest, based in Chicago: Caroline Ullem, Class of 2020 • Northeast, based in Boston: Francelia Lievanos, Class of 2016 • Northwest, based in Seattle: Deanna Emsley, Class of 1986 • Southwest, based in Dallas: Peter Gottlieb, Class of 2018 • Southern California, based at St. Margaret’s: Lynda Collier, Director of Alumni
•
Share your unique perspective with other students and alumni and help foster a sense of belonging in K-12, college and beyond. Please contact Victor Cota (victor.cota@smes.org) for opportunities to assist with equity and inclusion efforts.
Finally, the Tartans Thrive campaign continues to move forward with incredible success. I encourage all alumni to learn more about Tartans Thrive and consider giving to this transformational project.
David Larsen ‘16 President, Tartan Alumni Association
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This is a great time to get involved at St. Margaret’s, as our school and alumni network undergo important transformations. We hope to see you soon
Class Notes C O M P I L E D B Y LY N D A C O L L I E R
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Nirav Shah is the founder of OC Players, a nonprofit youth girls basketball organization which consists of a 200-player recreation league, six club teams and a skills program. The organization is focused on building the next generation of women leaders and building a community of strong girls who leave everything on the court while showing respect and love for one another. Nirav and his wife, Rajeshree, have two daughters who attend St. Margaret’s.
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25-YE AR REUNION: Has it really been 25 years? The Class of 1999 came together for its 25th reunion in December at Trevor at the Tracks, catching up and reconnecting. Thanks to everyone who came out!
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20-YE AR REUNION: The Class of 2004 enjoyed its 20th reunion at Marbella Country Club in December. It was great seeing so many of you!
CE L E B R A T I O N S : T A R T A N B A B I E S
Rachael Stoddard '02
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Zach Johnson works in private sector intelligence in the Washington, D.C., area and connected with the Tartan delegation in the nation’s capital for the annual grade 8 trip in May.
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Jessica Roe Kirschner and her husband, Scott, welcomed their first daughter, Katherine Elizabeth, in April. Ian Thomas and his wife, Clarke, were married in San Clemente and now live in San Jose.
'10
Melanie Hess married Misha Pakvasa in Mission Viejo in December 2024. The couple welcomed a baby boy, Bodhi Carl, in 2025. Congratulations!
Jessica Roe '09
'11 '02
Michael Boyle is a Navy Commander who became the Commanding Officer of VAW-117, a carrierbased command and control squadron. Nicknamed “The Wallbangers,” they fly the E-2D Hawkeye. Congratulations to Rachael Stoddard and her husband, Nick, who recently welcomed a baby girl Sienna.
Chloe Hoff married Drew Walworth on May 9 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Attending the wedding were fellow Tartan alumni Riley Pok, Mitchell Pok, Andrea Ellis, Olivia Collins, Kayla Schmitt and Ashtin Evans. The newlyweds live in Carlsbad, where Chloe works as a grade 3 teacher. Michael Dougher and Eden Frost Dougher ‘12 live in Laguna Niguel and recently welcomed their second daughter, Holly. Their firstborn, Etta, is thrilled to be a big sister!
Michael Dougher 11' & Eden Frost Dougher '12
Alumni: Are you interested in hosting an ISP? We are grateful for the alumni who have provided a valuable opportunity for current St. Margaret's students as an Independent Senior Project (ISP) host. Interested in hosting an ISP in 2026? Reach out to alumni@smes.org to learn more!
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'12
Alena Riggs, Jenna Zusman and Ellie Schwartz Bennett ‘13 came to St. Margaret's for the STEAM Expo to share more about their careers in STEAM. Alena works for Seatrees, Jenna is a clinical psychologist in Oceanside and Ellie is an orthodontist in San Clemente.
CE L E B R A T I O N S : T A R T A N W E D D I N G S
'13
Emily Morton opened an occupational therapy center in San Juan Capistrano serving teens and adults with customized treatments to meet a wide range of needs. Check her out at forward-focus.com.
'14
10-YE AR REUNION: The Class of 2014 came together for its 10th reunion at Marbella Country Club in December. It was a great night! John Williams married Alexandra Larken in June. The couple were married in Riverside, Conn., and now reside in Manhattan, N.Y.
John Williams '14
Ian Thomas '09
Casey Healy '17 & Tyler Jones '17
Chloe Hoff '11
Joey Westendorf '19
'16
Francelia Lievanos graduated from New England Law Boston with a concentration in immigration law. Noah Choi graduated from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and began his residency at Stanford University. He is training as a doctor of internal medicine. He celebrated his graduation with several Tartans, including Gabriel Ong, Andrew Nallathambi, Derek Lindquist and Joshua Ong ‘17.
N OTA B L E: A LU M N I S O C I A L S
CHICAGO: Chicagoland Tartans came together at The Drawing Room in October 2024 to reconnect. They were joined by Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham and Chief Financial and Operating Officer Alanna Cajthaml. DALL AS: Tartan alumni in the Dallas area came together at the Rustic for a great evening reconnecting and networking. They were joined by Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham and Director of Alumni Relations Lynda Collier. LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles-area Tartan alumni got together last year in Santa Monica, joined by Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham and Director of Alumni Relations Lynda Collier. If you are interested in helping plan an alumni social in your area, please email Lynda Collier at lynda.collier@smes.org.
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S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
Class Notes
Casey Healy and Tyler Jones were married on Nov. 16, 2024 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They now reside in Playa Vista. Thank you to Shara Famili, who came to St. Margaret's to host a LinkedIn workshop for the Upper School and was also the alumni speaker at the Class of 2025 Senior Banquet!
'17
'20
'18
'22
Cailin Young graduated from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability with a Master of Science. She specialized in sustainability and development and ecosystem science and management, aligned with her passion for coastal resiliency and water resources management. She has since accepted a fellowship with the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institute.
'19
5-YE AR REUNION: The Class of 2019 gathered together for its 5th reunion at Marbella Country Club in December. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! Joey Westendorf married Jacob Denninger in Washington, D.C., on June 7. Joey is a rising 2L at Georgetown University Law Center. Among those celebrating the special day were her parents, Ryan Westendorf ‘99 and Kim Maxey Westendorf ‘99 along with sister Tatum Westendorf ‘20.
Robbie Healy recently ran into Jack Hanna ‘22 while Jack was doing a West Point Cadet Troop Leading Training at Fort Hood, Texas. Robbie graduated from West Point in 2024 and is now a second lieutenant and a fire control platoon leader for a Patriot missile battery. Thank you to Aidan Momtaz, Isabelle Vartanian and Sophia Kistler ’24 —all students at the University of California, San Diego — for leading St. Margaret’s Class of 2026 on a tour of the UCSD campus. The meet-up was part of a College Counseling tour of three San Diego universities with the incoming senior class.
'24
Gabriella Eifrig is a student-athlete at Georgetown University and had a fantastic freshman season on the women’s golf team. She was named Big East female golfer of the week in April, and at the end of the season was named an All-American Scholar by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.
Georgetown University Athletics
N OTA B L E: A LU M N I H O L I DAY PA R T Y
Thank you to the many Tartans who joined us at the Head of School residence in December for the annual Alumni Holiday Party! It was great for all the Tartans to see old friends and reconnect with teachers. Save the date for this year’s holiday party on Dec. 19, 2025. Details to come! FOR MORE ALUMNI AND PARENT OF ALUMNI E VENTS VISIT: W W W. SMES .ORG/ALUMNI
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PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY NOTES Dr. Stefania Rubino Named Early School Director St. Margaret’s is pleased to introduce Dr. Stefania Rubino as the new Early School Director. Dr. Rubino is a longtime early-childhood instructor, innovator and leader, with more than two decades of experience developing innovative learning environments and fostering early-childhood instructional leadership. She comes to St. Margaret’s after working as an instructional coach in early-childhood education for Washington, D.C., Public Schools, where she provided leadership and support while facilitating professional-development opportunities and innovative curriculum strategies. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Pre-Primary at the Lowell School, an independent school in Washington, D.C. During her tenure at Lowell, she led the school’s renowned early-childhood program and, among her accomplishments, developed and launched The Wonder Lab, a STEAM-based learning environment. A native of Italy, Dr. Rubino holds multiple degrees, including degrees from Istituto Magistrale “Carlo Tenca” in Italy and a bachelor's from Endicott College in Massachusetts, as well as masters degrees from Sunbridge College and Arkansas State University and a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Stefania Rubino join St. Margaret’s and lead our remarkable team of early childhood educators,” St. Margaret’s Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham said. “Dr. Rubino has long demonstrated an expertise and passion for the Reggio Emilia approach to early-childhood education that inspires St. Margaret’s Early School program, and her intellect and warm personality will resonate with our youngest learners and the entire Tartan community. I’m so excited to partner with her in the years to come.”
Professional Community Emeritus St. Margaret’s bestowed its highest professional community honor, Professional Community Emeritus, to two exceptional professional community members. This prestigious title is reserved for those with a distinguished historical record of exceptional, meritorious service to St. Margaret’s. With the induction of Jeannine Clarke and Jill Fincher, the total number of Professional Community Emeriti at St. Margaret’s now stands at 24.
1992 JEANNINE CL ARKE
Jeannine Clarke was awarded Professional Community Emeritus for her 34 years as a member of the St. Margaret’s professional community, most notably as the Middle School Principal for 18 years. A St. Margaret’s alumna in the school’s second-ever graduating class of 1987, Mrs. Clarke has been a pillar of the St. Margaret’s community for much of the school’s history. Since joining St. Margaret’s professional community in 1991, she has worked as a Middle School teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal, served as an adviser, a volleyball coach and so much more. She most recently served as St. Margaret’s Director of Special Projects.
JILL FINCHER
For her 27 years of service to St. Margaret’s, Jill Fincher was named Professional Community Emeritus. Mrs. Fincher has worn many hats at St. Margaret’s, most recently serving as administrative assistant in the Upper School. She has also worked in Tartan Athletics and has taught ExEd courses in the Upper School.
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S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
2000
Honors and Accolades V I C T O R C O TA R E C E I V E S T H E S U S A N A . R E M S B E R G A W A R D
St. Margaret’s Director of Equity and Inclusion Victor Cota was the 2025 recipient of the Susan A. Remsberg Award, given annually at the All-School Closing Ceremony to a St. Margaret’s professional community member for outstanding contributions and significant impact on the school community, exemplifying a profound commitment to St. Margaret’s mission and core values in the past year or recent years. Mrs. Remsberg was in attendance to present the award to Mr. Cota. The Susan A. Remsberg Award was established in 2019 following Mrs. Remsberg's retirement. It honors those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to our school's mission and core values. Among the esteemed past recipients are Jeannine Clarke, Tupper Spring, Janice Avalone, Lisa Mers and David Beshk.
2024-2025 Anniversaries 25 YEARS Todd Clarke, Lower School Rob Lakeman, Middle School Rian Otto, Middle School Hope Petrozzi, Early School Blake Reemtsma, Upper School 20 YEARS Peter Clark, Upper School Eric Harrington, Middle School Leigha Long, Wee Tartans Kim Quon, Auxiliary Services 15 YEARS Daniel Miranda, Building and Grounds Esther Hsu, Upper School Edmund Herlihy, Upper School Phoebe Larson, Admissions Amy Warren, College Counseling 10 YE ARS Rachel Beauchene, Human Resources Patrick Bendzick, Health and Wellness Victor Cota, Administration Andrea Chou, Upper School Cheryl Cragun, Upper School Heather Harney, Auxiliary Services Alexandra Jennings, Upper School Karen McCollum, Admissions Kylie Middlebrook, Middle School Monica Quiroga, Wee Tartans Corinne Samskey, Middle School Meredith Schumacher, Upper School Thomas Spellmire, Upper School Rachel Stephens, Middle School Bryan Sullivan, Upper School Rebecca Tufo, Middle School
5 YEARS Geovanna Besikof, Upper School Stephanie Capen, Administration Lynda Collier, Advancement Michael Davis Jr., Athletics Mark Fava, Security Linda He, Upper School Linling Hsu, Arts Scott Lipsky, Athletics Gabriela Lopez, Lower School Daniel Matlock, Middle School Lindsay Neuhausen, Lower School Julie Noll, Admissions Emma Perry, Health and Wellness Makenna Pinkey, Upper School Roberto Martinez Reyes, Security Chelsea Shoemate, Lower School Daniel Solarz, Upper School Ashley Tyus, Lower School Lauren Wood, Health and Wellness
Tartan Transitions PROFESSIONAL COMMUNIT Y EMERITUS Jeannine Clarke, Administration (34 years) Jill Fincher, Upper School (27 years) RETIREMENTS Masami Stahr, Upper School (11 years)
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TARTAN SCENES
PTF Library Luncheon The Tartan community came together to celebrate one of St. Margaret’s longestrunning and most-cherished traditions, as the 43rd PTF Library Luncheon welcomed more than 340 supporters to the Montage Laguna Beach. An afternoon of friendship and fellowship featured beautifully decorated tables that reflected the theme Once Upon a Time in celebration of fairy tales and other magical literature. The Library Luncheon was organized by event chair Blanca Shidla and the Library Luncheon committee — Lynsey Winters, Jaymie Cutaia, Brittaney Crock, Elin Markarian, Sanaz Nikravan, Loreal Spenuzza, Brittany Rovell and Katie Downey.
2025 Tartan Open A day of fun and fellowship and a great round of golf with friends brought supporters of St. Margaret’s together for the Tartan Open, an annual fundraiser supporting St. Margaret’s students. The tournament took place at El Niguel Country Club and raised more than $80,000 for the school’s need-based Financial Aid program, which works to make the opportunities of St. Margaret’s accessible to capable and talented students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
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S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
PTF New Board/Old Board Brunch
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
St. Margaret’s Parent Teacher Fellowship bid farewell and celebrated the many successes of the 2024-2025 school year during the PTF New Board/Old Board Brunch in the Cloobeck Family Atrium. This annual event is a time to reflect on the hard work of the organization under the direction of outgoing PTF President Tania Robertson, while looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year under the leadership of incoming PTF President Kari De Vries and the PTF Executive Board.
More than 500 special guests joined Lower School students for the annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day — a joyful morning with breakfast and Chapel service, classroom visits and, of course, quality time with loved ones. A yearly springtime event, Grandparents and Special Friends Day is an opportunity for loved ones to visit campus and the Lower School and for students to share their everyday experience at St. Margaret’s.
Swallows Day Parade St. Margaret’s Episcopal School joined the local community in celebrating San Juan Capistrano and the return of the swallows at the 65th annual Swallows Day Parade. St. Margaret’s has been a proud presenting sponsor of the Swallows Day Parade for many years, and a delegation of Tartans enthusiastically marched with signs displaying the school’s core values, laser-printed 3D swallows made and decorated by students, and championship banners earned by Tartan student-athletes this school year. HIGHLANDER
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2024-2025
HONOR ROLL OF DONOR S The following pages recognize the incredible generosity and support of our Tartan community during the 2024-2025 school year. With many important philanthropic initiatives underway to sustain and enhance our ability to further our mission of learning, leading and serving, it is humbling to see both the number of benefactors on this list as well as how many are supporting multiple programs and projects in concert with one another. This concept of total giving is a healthy marker of our community’s ability to and willingness to support the school where it is meaningful to each donor. We thank you for your generous gifts and for your love and support.
G I V I N G L EG EN D:
- J O N AT H A N T U FO, Executive Director of Advancement
*Gifts for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Annual Giving Capital Giving, Building, Alumni & Endowment PTF Events Tartan Open Community Giving, Breakthrough & Special Camp
I N D I V I D UA L S Anonymous • • • • •
Lisa Aschoff •
Peg and James Berens •
Noha and Sam Abboushi • • •
Mozhgan Ashtari •
Lisa and Gary Berman • •
Melody and Fred Burbank • •
Yasmin El-Ezaby and Mark Atalla • • •
Carol and Mike Bertolino • • •
Julie and Robert Burch •
Mitchell Austin '04 •
Jamie Bewernitz and Jelle Brons • •
Olivia Burgess •
Monica and Mark Awadalla •
Katsina and Rabinder Bhatia •
Yamili Burgos Pacheco '14 •
Tiffany Bai and Shifu Deng • •
Jennifer and Eric Blau •
Kathleen and Terrance Burke •
Tiana Baird '19 •
Erin Browne and Chris Bledsoe • • •
Kelly Burke •
Bethany Weeby and Simon Baker • • • •
Reshma and Ryan Block •
Erin Burke and Tiffany Wilding • • •
Jennifer and Peter Balint •
Jennifer '87 and Lance Blount • •
Lisa Cabrerra •
Duke, Juliet and Reece Ballard • •
Carol and Pierre Boldt • •
Kristen and James Caggiano • •
Jessica Banks •
Brooke Ziccardi Boman and Chris Boman •
Wendy Cai and Bill Ye • •
Danielle Aceves-Dalal and Raj Dalal • Theresa Acosta and Blake Reemtsma • Beth and Hank Adamany • • Danette Adams • Aria Afshar '04 • Jessie Akers • Alison and Nicholas Alexander • Maala and David Allen • Lora and Michael Allison • Calla Allison • Aline Fagundes and Arthur Almeida • • •
Karen Barbeau • Jennifer and John Barber • •
Maria Mendoza Molina and Moises Alvarez Garcia •
Nicki and Scott Barber •
Armine and Kurken Alyanakian •
Sophie Barnes '25 •
Neda Amanat and Alireza Fategh • Cynthia and Nelson Amaral • • Milind Ambe • Joan and William Ames • Lily Lin and Montgomery An • Adnan Anabtawi '04 • Kim and Michael Anderson • • Lea and Tom Anderson • Ingrid and Rick Andrews • • • Nicole Andrews • Stephanie and Jason Angelos • • • Aneliya and Javaid Ansari • • • • Candy and Duraid Antone • • Patricia and Chris Appel • Stacy Shi and Foster Arata • Carol Armstrong • Amanda Arnold and Payton Banks • John Arnold • Gabi and Matt Arruda '94 • Carla and George Arzente • • • •
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Maddie Barkate '19 • Katherine and Robert Barnes • • Danielle and Gill Barnett • • The Barnum Family • • Oscar Barreras • • Nancy and Ramy Barsoum • • • Jennifer Bartz • Allison Bassiouni • Christina Batiz and Ari Canelos • • Maia and Chris Bauman • • Brandy and Tommy Beadel • • • Tom Beckerle • • Atousa Givi and Emad Behbahani • • Heather and Aaron Behle • Sarah and Dan Beighley • Mallory and Owen Beitner • Maile and David Bellosi • Marit Kreidel and Jeff Benabio • • • Andrea and Patrick Bendzick • • Mark Bennett • • Karla Kraft and Anderee Berengian •
S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
Margaret and Joseph Boneno • Gillian Duncan and Danilo Bonilla • • Joni and Eric Boranian • Paul Boranian '19 • Rosalyn and Michael Botuchis • • Lori and Rob Bowlby • Laura Bowlby • Amanda and Sinjin Bowron • • Choo Choo and Dennis Boyer • • Janie Yap-Bredall and Scott Bredall • • Cecily and Don Breit • Angela and Cary Bren • • Belinda and Kevin Brent • • • Blayne and Brian Brinket • • Francesca and Matt Brisbois • • Kristen Britton • Diana and Robert Brookes • Joslynn and Chip Broun • • Susan and Jeffrey Brown • • Roberta and Alan Brown •
Masy and James Bunnell •
Qinmin Wang and Dong Cai • Alanna and David Cajthaml • • Yolanda and Rafael Calderon • Sara Mattos and Felipe Camargo Diaz • Anna Cancellieri • Robert Canchola • Susan Canchola • • • Jade and Sean Cao • • • Amabel and Michael Capelle • • • Beth and Ryan Carey • • Jessica Carlson • Mackenzie Carpenter '14 • Brenda and Christopher Carr • Devon Carr and Daniel Ivascyn • • Christine and James Carreon • Raquel Carrillo • Ali Carter '04 • Brandyn and Brad Cashion • • • • Heather and Timothy Causee • Kito Cetrulo •
Melissa Lodoen and Tim Bruckner •
Gauri Kanwar and Paroon Chadha • • • •
Amy and Vince Bruno • •
Alexander Chan • •
Stephanie and George Bullock •
Sally Li and Wai Kei Chan • •
Jamie Anne and Chadwick Bunch •
Cheryl Liu and Howard Chang • •
Sunny Chang and Boat Quan •
Saxon and Chris Copps •
Ping Liu and Gary Chang • •
Carolina and Colin Cormac •
Wendy Channing • •
Destiny Corrigan •
Jenny and Jason Chao • •
Cherise and Victor Cota • • •
Kristina and Mark Chatow • • • •
TJ and Rosanna Coveyou • •
Linlin Che and Cheng Zhang • •
Christina and Patrick Crerar • •
Tom and Michelle Chen • • •
Madysen Crnic '14 •
Judy Chen/Liyong Wang Family • • •
Ruth and Patrick Cruise •
Celine Chen • • •
Pam and Ken Cruse • •
Donna and Brian Chen •
Jen and Christian Cunningham • •
Ivy Chen and Cody He •
Meredith and Glen Curran • •
Mike Chen and Jessica Zhou • • •
Jaymie and Rory Cutaia • • •
Jinhong Tian and Huairong Chen •
Cheery Song and Richard Dai •
Yuan Wang and Yang Chen • • •
Maggie Zhang and Charles Dai • • •
Connie Chen and John Shen • • •
Sherry Dai and Ki Lun Ng • •
Celine Song and Peter Chen •
Anne Dalfiume •
Cici Chen and Johnny Yeung •
Sonia Patel and Danny Dalton • • •
Carina Chen and Roger Lo • •
Catherine and Dave Dandel • • •
Tina Liu and Hao Chen • •
Sandy and Gregory Danz '93 • •
Lisa Chen and Ping Gong • •
A.J. Dapelo '04 •
Claudia Chen and Damon Liang • •
Shara Davis •
Ying Chen and James Sun • • •
Shannon and Bret Davis • •
Jing Wang and Zhen Chen • •
Valerie Day and Leo Day • • •
Yan Wang and Li Chen •
Lorena Villarreal De La Fuente and Darian De La Fuente •
William Chen • Kevin Chen • • Dan Cheng and Xiu Zhang • Chris Chester • Esther Kwan and Eddie Cheung • • Terra and Adam Chez • • Urania and Charlie Chien • Annie and Phillip Chin • • Lisa Cho and Wonjae Yoon • • Annette Han and Ryan Choi • • Stephanie and Daveen Chopra • • • • Ran Li and Robert Chou • • Laurel and Debashis Chowdhury • • • Ciaoli Jin and George Chu • • Meng-Chieh Tsai and Shan-Chi Chuang • • Kim Ciabattoni • Michael Ciabattoni • • Edgar Ciniceros • • Minyao Chen and Kevin Clampitt '89 • • Mrs. Christy Clarey • Jack Clarey '19 • Sarah and Peter Clark • Victoria Cleary • • Lyn and Paul Clute • Matthew Colglazier '19 • Helen and Philip Collen • • • Lynda and Robert Collier • • • • Zachary Collins '14 •
Kari and Michael De Vries • • • Diane DeBilzan • Cynthia and James DeBoard • • Nicole and Joe deBuzna • • Gina and Philip deCarion •
Lindsay '00 and Rob Eres • • • •
Amanda Gold '14 •
Susan and Mike Etchandy •
Elijah Goldtrap • •
Ashley and Josh Ettwein •
Jessica and Benny Gomez •
Diana and Gareth Evans • • •
Haimin Zhang and Zhiqiang Gong •
Robin and Blaine Evanson • •
Nicole and Xiaobin Gong •
Jing Fan and Yan Li • •
Lei Zhao and Yiqin Gong • • •
Jie Yang and Sunny Fan • • •
Stephanie and Antonio Gonzalez • •
Lili Fan and Jinfu Li • •
Ashley and Ashton Good • •
Maureen and David Fancher •
Irene Goodwin •
Tamara and Darren Fancher '89 • • •
Dee and Galen Gornowicz •
Lina Lu and Jimmy Fang •
Natalia Gourova and Anton Kedin • •
Boriana and Nelson Farias • • • •
Alexa Gozali '04 and Justin Phan '04 •
Reba and Michael Farjami •
Robbie Graham '19 •
Setareh and Farshad Farjami • •
Jeneen and Andy Graham • • • • •
Taiana and Frank Fasel • •
Danielle Graham •
William Feige • •
Amy and Mike Grant • • • •
Susan Lein and Simon Fellowes •
Amita Sapra and Lloyd Greaser • • •
Iris Liu and Daniel Feng •
Rory and Derek Greer • •
Sherry Feng and Alvin Tan • •
Amy and Liam Griffin • • •
Su Cui and Kunwu Feng • •
Lisa and Tom Groeninger •
David Field •
Kevin Groeninger '19 •
Amber and Kevin Fink • • •
Tracy and Scott Grove •
Melissa and Jordan Fisher • •
Geeta and Sanjiv Grover •
Natalia and John Fluman •
Anouk and Atul Grover •
Kate and Taj Forer •
Nina and Sanjay Grover • •
Jennifer Forman •
Cole Gruberth • •
Staci and Joseph Fournier •
Jennifer and Robert Grumet • • •
Danielle and Chris Fox • • •
Jim Guerinot • •
Claire and Daniel Frahm •
Hilary Guerinot • •
James Frahm '14 • •
Veronica Guerinot '19 •
Menghan Li and Huanjun Ding • • •
Staci and Ben Francois • • • •
Emily Guerinot '25 •
Lori and David Djavaherian •
Channing and James Freeman '99 • • • •
Laura and Sam Guevara • •
Katie DeShan • •
Penny Dolina-Borja • Natalie and Peter Dolukhanov • • • Yuna Liu and Steve Dong • Queenie Xiao and James Dong • • Deborah and David Doomey • Marcella and Chris Dornin • • • Katharine '00 and Ryan Downey '98 • • • • Deidre Downing • Katie and Craig Driver • • Kevin Drumm • • Sherry Ding and Raymond Du • Anna and Nick Dulcich • • Jen and Joe Duran • • • Krishma Dutia and Mahesh Guruswamy • Janice and Albert Eddow • Christine Eddow • Caren and Vernon Edler • Jameson Edwards '14 • Flavia and Charles Eifrig • •
James Freeman '30 • • Shuang and Rich Frick • • Kimberly Fross • Pauline and Chris Frye • • Angie Gao and Thomas Fu • Huifeng Fu and Raymond Wang • Cindy Fu and Gary Zhang • • • Gennalyn Galang • Marisa and Mike Gallegos • Nancy and Robert Ganem • • Bin Gao and Wenjiang Yang • Chang and Chao Gao • Jing Gao and Chaohua Song • Yi Li and Neil Gao • • Michelle and Rico Garcia • • • Karen and Scott Garner • Christopher Gaudreau '03 • • Ashley Kalimada and T.C. Geach '00 • • Cristin and David Gianulias • • Jessica and Bobby Gill • • • •
Clark and Greg Collins • • •
Johan Ekvall • •
Casey and Andrew Comeau •
Suad Elias-Atala and Francisco Romo-Pardo • • •
Amanda Gittelman '04 •
Chase Elliott '04 •
Melinda and John Glowacki • • • •
Mako and Steve Comer • Trevor Connon '99 • Courtney Coons '02 • •
Suzi and Bryan Godber • •
Rachel Nasre and Ramez Eskander •
Kelly and Gardner Ellner • •
John Glosser '97 • Emily and Tom Glynn • •
Marco Guerrero '04 • Monica and Joe Guillena • • • Aysel and Ray Gunar • • • Annalee Gunderson '19 • Jia Guo and Gongxun Tang • Mona Zhao and Dennis Guo • • Helena and Mathi Gurusamy • • Tram and Tim Gustin • • • • Esther and John Ha • • • Mark Hadfield • Gail and Ed Haft • Samantha Haft '20 • Jarrett Haft '22 • Ellie Mahjubi and Bruce Haghighat • • • Casey and Brandon Hagy • • Rebecca Hahn • Lulu and Chris Hallenbeck • Deanna and Gary Hallgren • John Hallissey • Maryam and Bobby Hamidi • • Ashley and Nicholas Hamilton • • • • Keri and David Hammer • • • Amy Han and Fei Li • • • Felice Han and Ken Hou • • •
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Elizabeth Hanauer and Paul Pohoresky • •
Vivian Huang and Eason Sun •
Gloria Kepiro
Esther Zhu and Edan Lee • • •
Aaron Hancock • • •
Yanni and Simon Huang •
Fatima Saqib and Ahad Khan • •
Cathy Shao and Vincent Lee • •
Lara and Conor Hughes • •
Angelica Botero and Roger Killer • •
Grace and James Leigh • • •
Laura Hunt Newman • • •
Randa and Dean Kim '94 •
Tami and Ryan Leshaw • • • •
Pat and Marc Hurlbut • •
Julie and Anthony Kim • •
Jaclyn and Stefan Lessard • • •
Tessa Hurr '14 •
Katie and Jae Kim •
Bobby Levey '15 •
Sarah Hussain •
Seungyun Ha and Jay Kim • • •
Delaney Lewis '14 •
Crystal and Robert Hutter • • •
Amanda and Brian Kim • •
Kimberly and Robert Lewis • •
Michelle Ligao and Leon Huynh • •
Florence and Ed Kim •
Heather Lewis • Qingna Sun and Jun Li • •
Sarah Hancock • • • Alexandra Hanna '15 • Michelle and Zachary Hanna • Miranda Wang and Kyle Hao • • • • Lori Olvera and Pete Harle • • Heather and Bryan Harney • • Jillian Harper '14 • Kristina and Rupert Harper • • Everine and Eric Harrington • Amy and Chet Harrison • Anne and Mark Harrison • • • Aubrey Hart '15 • Stephanie '86 and Geoff Harvey • • Kirsten and Daniel Harvey • Nancy and Fred Hasani • • Lisa and Kevin Haskins • Selene He and Dennis Liu • •
Muhamed Ibrahim •
Debbie Kim and Simon Lee •
Jill and Jarod Ikeda • •
Carol and Brian Kim • •
Zhaoxia Wu and Jieming Li •
Abigail and Jeremy Illenberger • • •
Cathryn and Bryant Kim •
Jing Zhang and Shaohui Li • •
Nikki Imai •
Rendy Kimbrell •
Qirui Song and Davis Li • •
Eric Irwin • •
Carolyn King '14 •
Mingzhen Li and Yuan Shao • Fiona Li and Hao Zhao •
Lisa and Richard Isola • •
Grant Kinsey •
Mary and Kambiz Izadi •
The Klausner Family • • • • •
Annie Li and Yingjie Sun • •
Georgina Jacobson and Kevin Clare • •
Jennifer Klein •
Miya Li and Eddie Peng •
Carter Jahn '14 •
Afshan and Brian Kleinhanzl •
Lilian Li and Johnny Qu •
Melissa and Stephen James •
Sarah and James Knapp •
Xulian Li and Dezhao Yang • • •
Monica and Collie James • • • •
Melissa Koch •
Crystal Li and Jeffrey Liu • •
Lieta and Joseph Janczyk •
The Korinke Family • • •
Sherry Li and Weiwei Zhang • • •
Elizabeth and Paul Janczyk '04 • •
Ayaka and Amit Kothari •
Qianying and Donghao Li • •
Sunny Lim and Steve Jantzi •
Milena Pamukova and Daniel Kovachev •
Sunnie and Steven Li • •
Mojdeh Roboubi and Omid Hemmat • •
Negar Javanmardi and Arsalan Liaghat • • •
Joan and Harold Kraft •
Tiffany Wang and Jinrong Li • •
Michael Hennessy •
Alexandra and Mark Jennings •
Claire Kraft '14 •
Cindy Li and Dongming Zhang • •
Darci Herbold •
Lijun Zhang and Changsong Jia • • •
Alex Kratzer '19 •
May Liang and George Yan • •
Ivy and Ben Krysiak •
Mengping Wang and Michael Liang • • •
Gloria and David Kuang • •
Stephanie Liang and Matthew Xu •
Juan He and Fei Zhou • Michelle He and Joey Wang • • • • Ying Zhang and Alan He • • Beth and Rob Healy • •
Anita and Ira Hermann • • •
Emma Jia and Ya Zhou •
Meow Herndon and John Morris • • •
Yu Tian and Hongtao Jiang •
Becca and Ted Heyming •
Lin Yuan and Kai Jiang • •
Erika and Colin Higgins • • •
Serina Jiang and Jack Wang • •
Ethan Hill '19 •
Fen Jiang •
Carilan and Richard Hill •
Yi Jin and Jianwen Yao • •
Kristin and Sean Hinze • •
Serena Jin and Tianyi Zha •
Rachael and Matthew Hitch • •
Sally Jipson •
Stephanie and Mike Hoback • •
Anneliese Johansson •
Lule and Zen Hoda •
Monica and Thomas Johnson • •
Emma Hoefnagels •
Sloane Johnson '27 •
Jamie and Jake Hoffnagle • • •
Lauren and Weston Johnson •
Jeni and Alexander Hoggan • • •
Leo Johnson •
Kattherine Holcomb • •
Veronica Johns-Richardson •
Melissa Liang and Sen Hong •
Ashley Joy • •
Alexa and Derek Horn • •
Taylor and Devon Junkin •
Emily Horowitz •
Katie and Rick Kalvoda • • •
Katy Hou and Tom Mai •
Alexander Kamgar '14 •
Patsy and John Howard •
Eva and Michael Kammerer •
Linling Hsu '98 •
Kai and Sinan Kanatsiz • • • •
Xi Liu and Thomas Hu •
Tina Huang and Will Kang • • •
Gefang Hu and Zhiyun Zhang •
Alina and Jay Kang •
Shubei Pan and Peixun Hu • •
Lisa Kao and Fergus MacDonald •
Mindy Hu and Hongbo Liu • •
Anna and Christos Karmis • • •
Annie Hua and Shuangyou Zhang • •
Eileen Kawas •
Jennifer and David Huang • •
Spencer Keane '10 •
Mrs. Peiqian Li and Mr. Weiqiang Huang • •
Teresa and Derek Kees •
Annual Giving
36
Juliana and Mike Kelly •
Capital Giving, Building & Endowment
S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
PTF Events
Nicole and Brad Kuhn • •
Qunicey Wang and Baojun Liang • • •
Sara and Stephen Kuljis •
Merielle and Joe Liao •
Jaclyn and Brian Kurzawa • •
Qiming Liao and Chen Wang • •
Joanne Liao Kuy and Devin Kuy • • •
Joanne Tseng and Stanley Liao • •
Jane Park and Eric Kweon •
Jennifer and Michael Limb '06 • •
James Kwon • •
Linda Zhao and Gavin Lin •
Heather Kwon •
The Linaweaver Family •
Krissy and Virgil Kyle • •
Luke Linaweaver '19 •
Melissa Yu and Ryan Labovitch • • •
Keith Lind •
Anthony LaFrano •
Cristine and Tim Lindenfelser • •
Robert Lakeman •
Heidi Lindner •
Xian Li and Weitang Lang • •
Chase and Justin Lippert •
Amanda Salter and Carl Langfeldt • • •
Marie and Scott Lipsky •
Kristen and Randall Lanham •
Yiwen Liu and Ajun Liu •
Mia Souiyah and Sam Laraki • •
Lihui Sang and Baotong Liu • •
Megan and Reginald Lavender • • •
Lucy Liu and Robin Wei •
Cathie and Michael Lawler •
Yuan Lu and Hong Liu •
Christine and Tobias Lawry • •
Shan Tian and Sarvy Liu • •
Alissa and Timothy Leason • •
Kate Yang and Tony Liu •
Robin and JK Leason •
Carol Liu and David Tang • •
Alisa Ledbetter • •
Mary Ma and Clark Liu • • •
Joyce and Andy Lee • •
Jingwen Zhang and Jeffrey Liu •
Thuy and Jay Lee •
Shiyao Peng and Robin Liu •
Annaka and Jefferson Lee • •
Linda Liu and Vincent Wu • • •
Janet and Jimmy Lee •
Elise Lu and Michael Liu • • •
Joanne and Jimmy Lee •
Lucy Liu •
Grace Lee and Jackson Min • • •
Yuanyuan Liu and David Zhao • •
Tartan Open
Community Giving, Breakthrough & Special Camp
Tanya Liu and Brian Xu •
Chase McLaughlin '96 • •
Lily Norwood-Smith '19 •
Nick Puoci • •
Xinting Liu and Hsin Tse • •
Christie and Sean McMahon •
Elizabeth and Lee Novick •
Betsy and Michael Purpura • •
Angela Yang and Howard Liu • •
Jennifer and Michael McPhie •
Katie and Fred Nunez '01 • •
Cindy Qi and Scott Yao •
Cindy Liu and Andy Su • •
Deena and Matthew McRae •
Heather and Marlo Nykolaychuk • • • •
Lisa Qian and Haihong Wang •
Joanne and Rev. James Livingston • •
Julie and Jens Meggers • •
Andi O Hill •
Carrie and John Quintanar • • •
Stacie and Christopher Lizarde •
Shabnam and Steven Mehr '94 • •
Robert O Hill •
Megan '99 and Chris Racicot •
Joy and Robert Locke •
Katie Melkonian •
James and Rebecca Ocean • •
Christy and Brian Rayburn • Deepthi and Vishnu Reddy • • •
Walter Lohnes • •
John Melsom • •
Dylan Ochal '04 •
Leigha and Elliott Long •
Dana Melsom • •
Megan and Brendan O'Farrell • •
Archana and Venkatesh Reddy •
Gabriela and Paul Lopez •
Michelle Mendoza •
Larissa Ohanesian '14 •
Lisa and Brittan Reese • •
Sara and Tyler Louie •
Zixuan Meng • •
Patricia and Kevin O'Leary •
Cynthia and Ryan Reich • •
Petra Lowery •
Michelle and Michael Menzia •
Kathryn and Spencer Olsen • • •
Andrea and David Reinkensmeyer •
Cris Lozon • •
Erin and Eric Mertlbauer • • • •
Hannah Olsen '19 •
William Reinkensmeyer '19 •
Patty and Raymond Lu • •
Wendy Messenger • •
Lisa and Terry O'Neil • •
Sonia and Jim Remick •
Christine Xie and Aubrey Lu • • •
Mattingly Messina '13 •
Eugenia Gosga and Javier Ortiz •
Yanan Ren and Jialin Wang • •
Grace Shi and Yongzhen Lu • •
Michael Messina '15 •
Liz and Dan O'Shea • • •
Dante Renzulli •
Aida Lucatero •
Adrienne and Karl Metz •
Stacey and Zach Lundin • •
Kristen and Brian Miazga •
The Thomas and Victoria Otterbein Family • • • •
Natalie Rezai •
Doris Luo and Eric Yao • • • •
Naomi and Elliott Micha • •
Kristina and Gleb Lvovich • •
Agnes and Hendrik Michels • •
Nolan Lynch •
Kylie and Mike Middlebrook • •
Maureen and Greg Lynds • •
Liana and Randy Miller •
Kyle Lynds '19 •
Brant Miller '14 •
Adriana and John Lyons • • •
Lane and William Minton • •
Xiaolin Wei and Feiyu Ma •
Indrani Gill and Harry Mirchandaney • •
Sissy Ma and Will Zhu •
Janet Mitchell •
Aleeza and Pat Maciariello •
Jeanne and Stefan Mohler • •
Angela and Lester Mackenzie • •
The Monge Family • • •
Kevin Maghami '06 •
Kat Moore •
Natalia Novacek and Jarrett Mahoney •
Gina Moorman •
Cecilia and Ralph Mai •
Tom and Natalie Moran • •
Soo L. Malchow •
Shawna and Justin Morasch • •
Juliana and Alex Mallmann • •
Bethanie and Brian Moriarty • •
Yajuan Chen and Kevin Mao •
Laurie Moroch • • •
Elaine and Jason Mar •
Mark Morris • • •
Matthew Margason '19 •
Erin and Steve Morris •
Elin and Kevin Markarian • •
Cathy and Matt Moses • • •
Dania and Joshua Markum • •
Britta and Pedro Mota •
Ghanim Marouf '00 • •
Xiaojun Mu and Bo Wang • • •
Brooke and Abe Marouf '01 • • • •
Karen and James Murphy • • •
Seanna Grob and Mike Marsch • •
Lucas Nagy '99 • •
Crista and Chad Martin • • •
Brenda and Leon Nash •
Rian and Andrew Otto • Jamison Overend '04 • Holly and Eric Oxford • • Lynn and Steve Ozonian • • • Nicole and Kolin Ozonian '02 • • •
Maria Mendoza and Daniel Reyes • Teri and Darcy Rice • • • Tina Wang and Jeffrey Richman • Julia Riggs '14 • Jennifer '87 and Mark '86 Risner • •
Dan Pacheco •
Nancy Rivas De Orellana and Alberto Orellana-Gonzalez •
Dailey Packer •
Lara and Casey Roberts • • • •
Susan and Toby Page •
Amy and Jeff Roberts • •
Bibi and Oz Parineh •
Tania and Michael Robertson • • •
Michelle and Andy Park •
Tracy and Ryan Robertson • •
Linda and Erik Pasin •
Emma and Brooks Robinson '14 •
Katie and Israel Passwater •
Jacqueline and Mark Robinson •
McCaully Patch '12 •
Kendall Amish Robison '16 •
Swati and Ajesh Patel • • •
Katie and Mikel Rodin • • •
Amisha and Haresh Patel •
Marisa Arpels and Ignacio Rodriguez • •
Ashley and Darren Pavel • •
Seaby and Max Rodriguez •
Natasha Pavia • •
Patricia Rogers •
Lisa and Christopher Payne •
Kent Rogers •
Cameron Pearson •
Wendy Romagnino-Perry and Johnnie Perry • • •
Kris and Brian Peay • Qiao Peng and Xihui Wei • Jennifer Perez • Amy Perez •
Veltria and Juan Roman • Marina Romo-Elias '26 • Jessie Xu and Charlie Rong • •
Maggie Perez-Quintana '19 •
Izabella and Alex Rooney • • •
Kristen Perlmutter •
Alison Rosenbaum and Benjamin Siegel •
Shawn Haydel and Luis Martinez •
Lindsay and Tyler Neuhausen •
Trisha and Joshua Marx •
Erin and Ryan Newman '94 • •
Michele and Brian Maryott • • •
Jennifer and Todd Newton • •
Trisha and Gary Marzolo •
Grace Ni and Faqiang Sheng • •
Kathryn and Layn Phillips • •
Pearl and Nick Mashour • •
Stacey Nicholas •
Marlett Phillips
Kimberly and Farzad Massoudi •
Anda Nicolae and Costin Peiu • •
Susan and Larry Phillips •
Sarah Mathias •
Sanaz and Sean Nikravan • • •
Kimberly and Colby Matthews • • • •
Lijuan Zou and Yonghe Ning • •
Morgan Barrows and Anthony Pichardo • • •
Emily '95 and Matthew '94 Maxey • • •
Rachel Xin and Lee Niu • • •
Diana and Craig McCallister •
Jin Wang and Kunlun Niu • •
The McCallister Family • • • •
Connor Nock • Family • • •
Annette and Sean McCarthy • •
Connor Nock '19 •
Paige and John McCord • •
Sarah Noe and Jason Palmer • • •
Lauren and Scott McEwan '02 •
Katharine and Martin Nonna •
Hiroka and Jeff McGuane • •
Tara and Brian Norton •
Kristy McKnight •
Melissa and Zachary Norwood •
Emma '11 and Shannon Perry • Sandra and Ryan Pertz •
Sherilyn Pillsbury • Cindy and Jeff Pintar • Leslie and Evan Pohaski • Stuart Pollard '19 • Christie and Victor Poma • • • Sabina Pons • Lydia Chiu and Lee Pooler • Shail and Shawn Powers •
Brittany and Ryan Rovell • Angela and Charles Rowan • Jack Rubenacker '16 • Wrenna Rubio • Erin and Jaritt Ruff • Pimonsiri and Pieter Ruig • • • • Chelsea and Tyler Runge • • • Jennifer and Mike Russo • • • Nazli Azimi and Kevin Sadati • • Clementine '12 and Matthew Saggiani • Nazanin and Siamak Saidi • • • Lesley and Ernesto Salazar • Emily Mehr Salehi and Mohsen Salehi • • Brendon and Mykaela Salisbury '06 •
HIGHLANDER
37
Lynette and Robert Sanseverino • •
Shelly Soenen and Michael Sprague • •
Georgia and George Valaskantjis • • • •
Joanna and Jason Weiss
Michelle and Matthew Sant •
Elizabeth Spring and Paolo Benzan •
Peter Valaskantjis • •
Rong Wang and Wenbiao Weng • •
Cheri and Peter Santora • • • •
Jessica and Robert Springer • • •
Rosario Valdez •
Lisa and Justin West •
May and Steven Sapra •
Neeti Nanda and Sharran Srivatsaa • •
Ashley and Brad Vanar • •
Jan and John West • •
Amanda and Michael Saunders • • • •
Bonni and Dave Stachowiak •
Neeta and Jeff Vargo • •
Eric Westendorf '88 •
Amanda Saunders •
Ashley '14 and Devin Stagg
Tara Sheehan and Adam Vart • •
The Westhead Family • • •
Shawna and Chris Schaffner •
Cathy and Rick Stahl • •
Briana and James Vartanian • • • •
Alysa and Michael Wheelock •
Allison Schauppner • •
Maggie and Jeremy Stamelman • •
Socorro and Ernesto Vasquez • •
Shelley and Rick White • • •
Erik Scheel '19 •
Jessica and Nathan Stanley • • •
Jennifer and Tomer Verona • •
Heather and Mark Whitehead •
Jackie and Alex Schenquerman •
Heidi and Cameron Steele •
Andrew Victor '14 •
Manuela Vazquez and John Whitledge •
Camille and Jonathan Schmidt •
Anastassia and Brendan Steele • • •
Annie Wang and Michael Villa •
Michelle and John Williams • •
Janet Keller and Bernie Schneider • •
Lynda and Don Steffensen •
Ricardo Villagomez • •
Molly and Barry Wilson • •
Sheri and Werhner Scott • •
Rachel Stephens •
Bryant Villamil '18 •
Staciana Winfield • Helen and Eli Winkler •
Connie and Matthew Sears •
Jennifer and John Stephens •
Galina and Vitaly Vishnevski •
Jennifer Sele •
Denise and Jonathan Stillman •
Alexandra and Kostas Vitakis • •
Lindsay Winn • •
Stacy and Scott Seminoff •
Layla and Rob Stone • •
Tobi and Conan Vitale • •
Lynsey and Matt Winters • •
Figen Sen and Bernard Shamsai •
Brooke and Timothy Strader •
Kate and Martin Vojtus • •
Dana and Jay Wohlgemuth • • • •
Jennifer and Theodore Serentelos •
Vicki Stump •
Ann Vu •
Jack Wohlgemuth '19 •
Shivani Maheshwari and Hemant Wadhwa •
Taylor Wong '19 •
Kian Shakerin '14 •
Kayla and Sean Su • • • •
Layla Shakerin '19 •
Michelle and Scott Sukut • • •
Julie and Rob Shanahan • •
Dana and Bryan Sullivan • • • • •
Kristin and Cameron Shank • •
Lauren and George Sumner • • •
Tom Shanley • •
Jiong Fei and Ed Sun • •
Lydia and Thomas Shapiro •
Wendy Sun and Sam Wang •
Erin and Steven Shapiro • • •
Amy Sun •
Yuri and Vivek Sharma •
Liang Zhao and Jun Sun • • •
Catherine and Kenneth Shaw •
Akiko and Glen Sutton • •
Randi and Mike Shea • •
Katie and John Swift •
Camille Sheets '12 •
Carly Taberski and Daniel Filippi •
Qiong Niu and Tianwei Shen • •
Keyon Talieh '19 •
Jean Wei and Rich Shen • •
Heather Lee-Tam and Jack Tam •
Rong Zou and Zhikai Shen • •
Archer Spindle '26 •
Laura and Thomas Sherlock •
Kristi and Thomas Taylor • •
Seiko Takizawa and Steven Shi •
HT Teo and Boon Yong • •
Blanca and Benjamin Shidla • • • •
Jennifer and Ty Thaiyananthan •
Hannah Shin '15 •
Nancy and Paul Thede • • • •
Christine Shook •
Edi and Joshua Thimons • •
Bahareh and Homey Shorooghi • • •
Megan and Mark Thomas • •
Elissa and Sandy Siegel •
Vanessa and Clint Thompson •
Lindsey and Joe Silva • • •
Ania and Casey Thormahlen •
Michele and Gary Silverman •
Sarah Thurin '19 •
Michele and Gregg Simon • •
Melody and Aaron Titus • • •
Katie and Mike Smith •
Jacob Tompkins '14 •
Deirdre and Douglas Smith •
Dana Tompkins •
Lewis Smith '19 •
Jessica and Elisha Torrance •
Aubrie and Jeff Smith • •
Laura and Eric Toubin • •
Jacqueline Smith •
Nicholas Troop '04 •
Charlotte and Dermot Smurfit • •
Ying Zhang and Steven Tsui • •
Maxwell Solomon '04 •
Rebecca and Jonathan Tufo • Gloria and Matthew Turnbull •
Maggie Tan and Calvin Song • •
Lily Turner • •
Charlotte Song and Ethan Zhao • • •
Jinhy Yoon and John Tze • • • •
Loreal and Jay Spenuzza '03 • • • •
Beth and Scott Ullem • •
Archer Spindle '26 •
Donna Upton •
Lindsey and David Spindle • • • •
Madeline Ursini '14 •
38
Capital Giving, Building & Endowment
S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
Shep and Tina Wainwright • • Kristin and Michael Walseth • • David Walters '13 • Judy Chen/Liyong Wang • Yali Liu and Mike Wang • • Jack Wang • • Hongyu Ji and Huanjie Wang • • Shuang He and Nick Wang • Luling and Yao Wang • • Amy Zhang and Ken Wang • • Lili Wang and Wei Zhang • • Rui Wang and Futao Yue • Tina Wang and Leo Yang • Xina Guo and Guang Wang • • Vivian Zang and Ligo Wang • • Chloe Wei and Lu Wang • • Liangjie Zhang and Ruiyuan Wang • Sophia Wang and Haifeng Wu • Na and Bo Wang • Ashlee and Lei Wang • • Sophie Zhang and Mosbach Wang • • Summer Wang and Leo Zhang • • • Yu Wang and Dongmin Zhang •
Xi Chen and Jerry Song • • •
Annual Giving
Kirstie and William Wagner •
Karen and Jeffrey Wang • • Vivian Wang and Zhi Han • • • Ziyan Yang and Yinqi Wang • • Christian Warner • • • Amy Warren and Patricia Merz • • • Mary and Marty Wattenberg • • Melissa Watts • Alexandra and Kent Weed • • Julie and James Weidner • • • • Joanna and Liam Weiner • • Jennifer and Karl Weingarten •
PTF Events
Tartan Open
Amy and Stephen Wolcott • • Andrew Wood '03 • Allyson and Anthony Woods • • • Jennifer and Gregory Wright • Sandra and Brandon Wright • Wendy Wu and Julien Zhang • • • Ron Wu • • Yijin Zhang and Wei Xie • Grace Yang and Clint Xu • Yanli and Jian Xu • May Xue and David Zheng • • Jennifer and Naveen Yalamanchi • • • • Brittaney and Harish Yalamanchili • • Cailian Cai and Banghua Yan • Annie and Roger Yang • • • Man Huang and Hao Yang • Tiffany Yang • • • Vicky Zhuang and Yizhou Yang • Xiurong Yang • Jack Yao and Jessie Zhu • • • • Jennifer Lee and Grant Yasui • Mona and Amir Yazdanshenas • • Shirley Xu and Jimmy Ye • • Julie and Frank Ye • • Justin Yeh '93 • Susie and Cory Yeh '94 • Yiyen and Mark Yen • Erin and Dan Yoder • • • Jen and Jamie Yoshida • Akiko Yoshizawa • The Young Family • Sam and Mia Yu • • • Angela Zhou and Zhen Yu • Chien Yu • Ryan Zacche • • Nazy and Ray Zadjmool •
Community Giving, Breakthrough & Special Camp
Parastoo and Rick Zarghami '96 • • •
Charities Aid Foundation of America • •
Luckystone Properties LLC •
Synchrony •
Tingting Zhang and Jason Zhai • • • •
Charles Schwab •
Lugano Diamonds & Jewelry, Inc. •
Tanaka Farms •
Ruijing Mao and Frank Zhan • • •
Chatow Law • •
lululemon •
Tavern at the Mission •
Christy Ye and Morgan Zhang •
Chrysalis •
Lvovich Holdings Corp •
Temple Heights Animal Hospital •
Dan Yang and Jing Zhang • •
Coastal Beauty Bar •
Marbella Golf and Country Club •
Tequila Mandala •
Zhen Xu and Qingxin Zhang •
Common Thread •
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation •
The Andi Collins Foundation •
Ning Wu and Jinlong Zhang •
Compak Asset Management • •
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina •
Xiao Ying Hu and Ke Zhang • •
Cotti Foods Corporation • •
Mission San Juan Capistrano •
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation • • •
Lily Zhang •
Custom Ink Plarform •
Moderna, Inc. • •
Xiao Xing and Zhejia Zhang •
Daffy Charitable Fund •
Mona Rose Studios •
Leah Zhang and Qi Chen • • •
David August Inc. •
Monarch Real Estate • •
The Golfer's Journal • • The Marion W. Minton & Walter J. Minton Foundation, Inc. • •
Yinghui and Yong Zhang •
David Yurman •
Montage Laguna Beach •
Tina Zhang and Todd Zhou •
Deloitte •
Sara Zhou and Tony Zhang • •
DMG Foundation •
National Charity League, Inc. Laguna Chapter •
Irene and Ricky Zhang •
Dustins Brons Trust •
Jue Zhao • •
Edge Dispute Resolution, Inc. •
Donghua Huang and Yong Zhao •
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Employee MG Program • •
Jason Zhao • • Jenny Ye and Dean Zheng • • Yolanda Gu and CJ Zhou • Lili Wu and Victor Zhou • Yvonne Zhou • • • Jiarui Yu and Xiaolin Zhu • • Denise and Mark Zonarich • •
Ely Leon Training Center • Engine-Ear Toys • Evolution Swim • Farmers & Merchants Bank • Fidelity Charitable • Fidelity Investments • •
Neiman Marcus • NGY Group, Inc. • • • NickCo Hospitality Group • Northern Trust Charitable Giving Program at the Chicago Comm •
Three Little Pigs Youth Development Inc •
OC PACE • • Ooly •
Anonymous • • • • •
GARY's •
Aluma Medical Aesthelics • American Beverages Marketers • • American Endowment Foundation • • • American Online Giving Foundation, Inc. • • • • •
Google LLC • Graves Construction • • Handel's Ice Cream • High Gate Development • Hi-Time Wine Cellars •
Ammi do Brasil Comercio da Moda LTDA •
Hobie Surf Shop •
Andaz Mayakoba Resort •
Inn at the Mission •
AR Academics • Art Glass by Marcus Thesing • Aviator Nation Laguna Beach • Ayco Charitable Foundation • • • • Bad to the Bone BBQ • BallPark Pizza • Basanti Indian Cuisine • Bedrock Machinery •
Hotel Paseo • Innovative Integrated Health • • Javier's • Jay's Catering • Jewish Community Foundation San Diego • Jim Murray Roofing Inc • Jinrong Li Trust • • JPMorgan Chase Foundation •
Traveler's Choice • •
Ortega Equestrian Center •
Truly Pizza •
Our Spare Change •
Van Cleef & Arpels •
Pacific Pearl Catering Co. • • •
VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort and Spa •
Palms Casino Resort • Parima Parineh Foundation • Park Hyatt Aviara • Pendry San Diego •
Buffalo Field investments, LLC • Burberry • Burch Family Foundation • Buy My Bikes • Capital Group Cos. Charitable Foundation • • • • • Celine •
Leon Jiu Jitsu TC LLC • LGHT Salon • Li and Sun Private Foundation • • Lido House, Autograph Collection • Lifetime Fitness • Liu and Sang Family Foundation • LN Energy 3 LLC • Love Shack Fancy •
Webb's Grainworks •
Pinnacle Tutoring •
Wells Fargo Foundation Matching Gifts Program •
Pipes & Shaw LLC • Postino Wine Cult • Punta Mita • R R Investment LLC • Renaissance Charitable Foundation • • Roger Dunn Golf Hawaii • •
Wendi's Donuts • Westcoast Sports Associates • Where's the Party • Wish Out Loud • World Projects Corp •
Samueli Foundation • • San Juan Hills Country Club • • Shanahan Family Charitable Foundation • •
Buckingham Global Advisor, LLC •
VNEG Property Management • • Weingart Foundation •
Kate's Choice Elite Private Staffing Agency • La Prairie •
Veronica Beard •
PILECO, Inc. • •
Borrow & Gather •
Broadway by Amar Santana •
Tom's Chino • • Trovata, Inc •
San Manuel Entertainment Authority •
Kid Create Studio •
Titan's Pho Asian Bistro • Tom's 27 • •
OrangeTwist San Juan Capistrano •
JW Marriott Cancun •
Broadcom Foundation •
Tiffany & Co. •
Orange County's United Way •
Blue Sky • • Bottega Angelina •
The Red Balloon • The Wilford Foundation •
Orange County Community Foundation • • •
Gold & Braid Salon •
The PIMCO Foundation • • • The Ranch at Laguna Beach •
Obagi Skin Health Institute •
Foto Vibe Party •
ALOHA Bags •
The Monogram Store • The Nicholas Endowment •
Oak Laguna Beach •
BUSINESSES & ORG ANIZ ATIONS
Gochnauer Family Foundation •
The McCord Family Foundation Inc. • •
The Robison Family Foundation • •
Fired Up •
100 Companies that Care •
The Ecology Center •
O HILL CAPITAL •
Oracle •
Fountainbleau Las Vegas •
The Brunson Foundation •
Simplifi EDU • SKY Vintage LLC • South Coast Plaza • Spirit of Hope Foundation • Stacey Gillis Chiropractic Inc. •
** Earnest effort has been made to recognize donors as they have indicated, however errors can occur. If your name has been mistakenly omitted, misspelled or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apologies and contact the Advancement Office.
Starfish Laguna • Stazi Stazi • StretchLab Laguna Niguel • Sun Family Foundation • Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. • •
HIGHLANDER
39
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering the Life of
MARKHAM B. CAMPAIGNE H E A D M A S T E R 1 9 8 6 -2 0 0 3
S
t. Margaret’s lost one of the most impactful leaders in the history of the school, with the passing of Markham B. Campaigne on May 28, 2025, at the age of 83.
Mr. Campaigne served as Headmaster at St. Margaret’s from 1986 to 2003 and remains the longest-serving head in school history. Mr. Campaigne’s legacy will live on at St. Margaret’s, and within all the students, teachers and families whose lives he impacted over the years. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes and sharing of memories from the Tartan community. On June 18, hundreds of family members, friends and loved ones gathered at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church to honor and say goodbye to Mr. Campaigne at a funeral and reception planned by his family. Each of Mr. Campaigne’s four children delivered eulogies. A Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Campaigne was laid to rest with full military honors at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.
40
S T. M A R G A R E T ’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
Originally from Montclair, N.J., and raised in Indianapolis, Mr. Campaigne graduated from the United States Naval Academy, was commissioned a second lieutenant and became an artillery officer in the Marine Corps. He served a total of 22 years in the Marines, including combat duty in Vietnam. His military career unfolded alongside a lifelong calling in education. He began as a math teacher and basketball coach before rising to leadership roles in independent schools. He joined St. Margaret’s after serving as the assistant headmaster at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla from 1977 to 1986. He succeeded St. Margaret’s founder, The Reverend Canon Ernest D. Sillers, with whom he maintained a close relationship. Mr. Campaigne’s tenure was transformational in the growth of a young school into the leading institution it is today. Under his leadership, the St. Margaret’s student body doubled in size to its current level of more than 1,200 students, and the campus footprint grew to nearly 20 acres during his tenure.
Looking Back
Mr. Campaigne was proud of that growth, remarking that “together we have built a world-class school while remaining true to our spiritual, caring and integrity-based roots.” Yet Mr. Campaigne’s legacy is just as evident in the lives he impacted over his many years in education. He was a beloved school leader who had a reputation for listening carefully to faculty, staff, students, parents and Trustees. He was a constant presence at school activities and events and showed an unwavering support for the arts and athletics at St. Margaret’s. As his daughter, Sarah, said in her eulogy, “One way he showed his love was by showing up.” His presence was indeed meaningful to so many. A total of 748 students graduated during his 17-year tenure, and Mr. Campaigne remained a beloved presence at St. Margaret’s for the rest of his life. He frequently attended alumni reunions, ceremonies and other school events as recently as last year, catching up with Tartans who were always happy to see him.
"He was a Marine, a Headmaster, a leader, a husband, a father, but most of all, a man of God. He wasn’t flashy or loud; he was steady and principled and dependable. He lived with integrity, he led with conviction and he loved with commitment.” on the St. Margaret’s community and contribute to the St. Margaret’s story in our own ways.” Upon retirement, Mr. Campaigne remained engaged in education, offering guidance and insight as a consultant to school leaders and boards across the country. He found joy on his bike, on the basketball court and within the company of his family.
He also was an impactful leader to St. Margaret’s professional community, which underwent an expansion and reorganization during his tenure to keep pace with the growth of the school and student body.
Mr. Campaigne is integral to the story of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and leaves a lasting legacy among all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Campaigne; his four children, all St. Margaret’s graduates: Mark Jr. ’87, Dann ’90, Sarah ’00 and Deborah ’02; as well as nine grandchildren.
“When I met him 32 years ago, I sensed his love for St. Margaret’s, and the fact that he took a chance on me as an inexperienced teacher meant a lot at the time, and still does,” said Middle School Principal Mike Allison, who was hired by Mr. Campaigne in 1993. “Mark was always willing to give young teachers a chance to make an impact
“My dad lived an incredible life,” Markham Campaigne Jr. said in his eulogy. “He was a Marine, a Headmaster, a leader, a husband, a father, but most of all, a man of God. He wasn’t flashy or loud; he was steady and principled and dependable. He lived with integrity, he led with conviction, and he loved with commitment.”
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St. Margaret’s Episcopal School 31641 La Novia San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2752
Tartan Traditions…
MISSION VIEJO, CA PERMIT No 15
UPCOMING EVENTS
SEP. 2: Admission Application Available OCT. 17: Homecoming OCT. 20-21: Fall Break OCT. 25: Upper School Admission Open House NOV. 6: Middle School Admission Open House NOV. 8: PTF Forever Plaid All-School Fundraiser NOV. 13: Kindergarten & Grade 1 Admission Open House
NOV. 20: St. Margaret's Day NOV. 26-28: Thanksgiving Break DEC. 22-JAN. 2: Christmas Break JAN. 6: School Resumes FEB. 1: Admission Application Deadline
A beloved corner of St. Margaret’s campus experienced new life with the transformation of the Early School Garden, reflecting the school’s commitment to hands-on, nature-based learning inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. The redesigned space features a welcoming iron trellis, accessible pathways, a new water feature, and raised flower beds that invite exploration and discovery. At its heart stands a thoughtfully built “chicken condo,” offering students the chance to observe and care for live chickens as part of their daily learning.