Preparing our students to be ready for their futures is at the core of what we do at Viewpoint School. With an unparalleled college counseling and academic advising program, delivering world-ready graduates at the finish line of an exceptional educational journey is our promise.

Viewpoint School is proud to spotlight Tanaz Nourian and Shelley Kierman, two Associate Directors of College Counseling. Tanaz, who joined Viewpoint in 2023, brings a background in college admissions, while Shelley, who started at the beginning of this school year, adds more than two decades of experience as an educator and college counselor. 

We recently sat down with Tanaz and Shelley to hear more about their professional journeys, college counseling philosophies, and how they feel about being part of the Viewpoint community.

Katerina: Can you each share your professional journey and what led you to Viewpoint?

Tanaz: My journey into college counseling began unexpectedly. After graduating from Chapman University, I initially worked in marketing but soon realized I missed being part of a campus community. A friend encouraged me to apply for a position in Chapman’s admissions office, which turned out to be a transformative experience. I spent five years in admissions, developing relationships with schools like Viewpoint, before transitioning to college counseling. I craved deeper one-on-one interactions with students and the opportunity to guide them through such an important milestone.

Shelley: Before joining Viewpoint, I spent 22 years at Milken Community School, where I served as Dean of Students, a history teacher, and for 15 years, an Associate Director of College Counseling. I helped build Milken’s college counseling program and was ready for a new challenge. Viewpoint’s reputation for fostering a supportive and dynamic community drew me in, and I’m thrilled to bring my experiences to this incredible team.

Katerina: What drew you to the college counseling team at Viewpoint, and how does the school’s approach align with your philosophy?

Tanaz: Having worked closely with Viewpoint during my admissions career, I was already familiar with the school’s rigorous academics and the maturity of its students. Viewpoint’s approach to college counseling resonates with my belief in empowering students to be self-advocates. College applications require hustle, organization, and resilience, and I’m here to support students as their coach and cheerleader every step of the way.

Shelley: What stands out to me about Viewpoint is its student-centered philosophy. Every student’s path is unique, and our role as counselors is to help them discover the best fit for their goals and aspirations. I’m also impressed by the collaboration within the school—working closely with deans, faculty, and administration ensures that students receive holistic support.

Katerina: What are some of the key ways you support students and families during the college application process?

Tanaz: I see myself as a counselor not just for students but for their entire families. The college application process can be overwhelming, especially for families navigating it for the first time. My role is to provide guidance, answer every question—no matter how small—and celebrate milestones, whether it’s submitting an application or receiving an acceptance letter.

Shelley: I take a comprehensive approach, guiding students from creating a college list to hitting “submit” on their applications. This includes helping them identify their priorities, brainstorm essay topics, and review every detail of their applications. For parents, I aim to be a reliable partner and source of accurate information, helping them tune out the noise and focus on their child’s journey.

Katerina: What do you find most rewarding about working with students during this pivotal time in their lives?

Tanaz: Watching students hit their milestones is incredibly rewarding. From meeting deadlines to receiving acceptances, every step is a victory. The best part is seeing them find their “home” for the next four years and knowing they’ve grown through the process.

Shelley: I love helping students reflect on their accomplishments and realize their potential. It’s rewarding to see their confidence grow as they navigate the process and make important decisions. College admissions is just one step in their journey, and I’m grateful to be part of it.

Katerina: Looking ahead, what initiatives are you excited to bring to Viewpoint’s college counseling program?

Tanaz: I’m passionate about leveraging social media to amplify student voices and share resources more effectively. I’d also like to collaborate with the school’s wellness team to address the mental health challenges that often accompany the college application process.

Shelley: I’m eager to explore how we can enhance academic advising and ensure colleges fully appreciate the rigor of a Viewpoint education, and the unique breadth and depth of offerings. I look forward to bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the team.

Katerina: What’s one of the top pieces of advice you give students as they prepare for the college admissions process?

Tanaz: Enjoy your high school years and focus on what fulfills you rather than checking boxes for college. You’ll never get this time back, so make the most of it by pursuing activities that genuinely inspire you.

Shelley: For underclassmen, explore and commit to activities that bring you joy. Juniors should focus on deepening their involvement and taking on leadership roles. Seniors, remember to be authentic throughout the process. Colleges value genuine voices, so stay true to yourself.

Tanaz and Shelley bring expertise, care, and a student-centered approach to Viewpoint’s college counseling team. Their dedication to thoughtful guidance and meaningful connections ensures every student is prepared to lead with purpose, character, and resilience in an ever-changing world.

The day before Thanksgiving, more than half of our Upper School students participated in meaningful service projects, demonstrating inspired leadership and global citizenship. Every year during this season of giving, Upper School students in CORE (Community OutReach for Everyone) organize this impactful day of volunteering to support local nonprofit organizations, and those in need.

On November 27, CORE student leaders organized six different projects to support non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles area. The activities ranged from an annual beach cleanup in support of the Surfrider Foundation, crafting letters of gratitude for first responders with Operation Gratitude, to packaging canned goods and non-perishable food items for the West Valley Food Pantry. A total of 228 Upper School students, accompanied by 19 faculty chaperones, generously volunteered their time to contribute to these meaningful causes.

“For nearly 25 years, Community Service Day has been an integral part of my Thanksgiving tradition,” said Pam Oseransky, Viewpoint’s Coordinator of Service Learning. “After spending about 18 years volunteering as a chaperone, I transitioned to coordinating the event with the support of hundreds of CORE students over the years. It’s incredibly inspiring to see dedicated faculty members arrive early on a non-official school day, and knowing that hundreds of Upper School students are spreading across LA County to make a positive impact fills me with so much hope.”

This year, students participated in a new pilot initiative, Wood Turning Pens for the Troops, led by Lance Argano-Rush, Physical Science Teacher. In this project, students handcrafted beautiful pens to honor retired military personnel. The initiative was met with enthusiasm, and plans are already in place to expand it next year.

The Sack Lunch Challenge also achieved a record-breaking milestone this year, with students preparing nearly 900 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—surpassing the previous record of 700. These lunches were donated to Hope the Mission, providing nourishment to unhoused community members.

Community Service Day embodies the spirit of giving and unity, inspiring Viewpoint’s CORE students and faculty to come together and make a lasting difference for those in need.

On November 22, 23, and 24, Viewpoint’s Upper School Theatre students presented their highly anticipated performance of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition in the Carlson Family Theater (CFT).

Written by acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen, this comedic and poignant play follows high schooler Agnes Evans as she copes with the untimely death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes discovers Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she is transported into a fantastical world of ogres, fairies, succubus cheerleaders, and ‘90s pop culture references. Through her adventures, Agnes gains new insights into her sister’s life and finds her own inner strength. The play offers a heartfelt exploration of family, imagination, and connection, delivering moments of both laughter and reflection.

“This creative and production team brought incredible talent and dedication to this project,” said Scott Feldsher, Theatre and Dance Department Chair and the director. “Our acting ensemble not only navigated the complex emotional journeys of their characters but also embraced the physicality and fantasy elements that brought this world to life. From the dazzling fight choreography to the quiet moments of introspection, their work was extraordinary. We are so proud of the creativity and teamwork they demonstrated throughout this process.”

Congratulations to our Upper School theatre students for their outstanding performance of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition!

Viewpoint School recognizes Mei Zhong and Heng Xiao for their generous leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as members of the Head of School Circle.

Congratulations to the Viewpoint Boys Varsity Cross Country Team for winning the Southern Section Division 5 CIF Champions title for the third straight year, and qualifying for the State Finals for the sixth consecutive time. The race was held at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, November 23. The Girls Varsity Cross Country team won third place, and qualified for the fourth year in a row.  Both teams are gearing up to compete in the CIF State Finals on November 30, with the support of their Head Coach Justin Hackitt, and Assistant Coaches Alison Corneau and Patrick Neville. 

The boys team won their third CIF southern section title with an impressive 60 points, winning by over 40 points. Results included:

• Olly O'Connor ’26: 15:02
• Mitchell Majors ’28: 16:23
• Andrew Neville ’26: 16:26
• Jack Richter ’27: 16:30 (16th)
• Noah Bamsey ’28: 17:08 (32nd)
• Derek Kessler ’28: 17:30 (50th)
• Grant Kaltman ’28: 18:04 (73rd)

“After losing some top Senior runners from last year, our boys team knew they had to work hard to continue their CIF championship streak,” said Justin Hackitt, Head Coach. “Every single one of them, including three new Freshmen and a Sophomore transfer, rose to the occasion. This has been one of the most dedicated group of athletes I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. From early morning summer runs, to high altitude training at Mammoth, and grueling after school workouts in the heat, they never wavered. Every single one of them showed up day after day to give their best, not only for their own personal goals but for their team. That is what has made this team and this season so special. They have truly become a team that enjoys each other and makes sacrifices for each other. When they lined up on the starting line there wasn’t a doubt in my mind regarding the outcome of the race. They will push through any amount of pain for the sake of the team.”

For the fourth consecutive year, our Girls team secured a spot in the State competition. Zooey Jeong ’25 placed 8th to earn All-CIFSS honors, winning her fastest time in the Mt. Sac course (19:47). Coming in 17th place, Ella Katz ’25 ran her fastest time this season on the Mt. SAC course, crossing the finish line in 20:30. Strong performances from seniors Micah Gutman ’25, and Alexa Jeong ’25, Annie Yang ’26 and Lola Bamsey ’28 helped bring the girls team success. A standout performance from Jade Brun ’28 helped secure the girls spot at the state meet. Improving her time by over two minutes from the week before. Jade crossed the finish line in 22:31 as our #5 runner.

“The girls’ team, made up of four Seniors, one Junior, and two Freshmen really came together this season,” said Hackitt. “Our four Seniors have been racing together for four years and have been through a lot. Their culminating season was about leaving behind their legacy, especially to our younger runners. It has been so special seeing the seven of them laughing at practice, encouraging one another, and pushing each other in challenging workouts. Prior to 202, the girls had only competed at the state championship in 2011 and 2017. Since their Freshmen year, these four seniors helped bring the team to state four years in a row. They’ve truly left a legacy.”

The CIF State Cross Country Championships will take place this Saturday, November 30 at Woodward Park in Fresno. Girls race at 11:30 a.m. and boys race at 1:00 p.m. On this day, Viewpoint's Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams will compete against 24 other top schools from across the state. Congratulations once again to both teams, and best of luck in the upcoming championships!