On Friday, June 5, Viewpoint’s Eighth Grade students gathered with their proud families, friends, and faculty members on Ring Family Field for a Promotion Ceremony celebrating the completion of their Middle School journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Upper School. 

Presenting the Class of 2030, Head of Middle School Stephen Chan reflected on the growth, accomplishments, and experiences that defined students' Middle School years.

“The students before you have found their joy as learners, leaders, teammates, artists, and friends,” Chan said.

The ceremony began with remarks from Head of School Mark McKee, who spoke about this year's theme of Excellence and the qualities that will guide students in the years ahead.

“Excellence, as you know, is not about perfection. It's about growth, perseverance, curiosity, and the commitment to becoming the best version of oneself,” McKee said. “We honor your excellence, and we take delight in all that you are becoming.”

The ceremony also featured several performances by Viewpoint’s talented student musicians, including a rendition of “Mr. Blue Sky” by the Eighth Grade Concert Winds, “An Irish Farewell” by the Eighth Grade Orchestra, and “Unwritten” performed by the Eighth Grade Choir. 

Additionally, Class Historians Bella Abir, Devon Chang, Ely Horenstein, Lexi Jones-Becconsall, Evelyn Katersky, Sophie Kupper, Sienna Meehan, Kyle Onasch, Morgan Taylor, and Parsan Torabi presented the Class History, sharing reflections on the experiences and memories that shaped their Middle School years.

In her Eighth Grade Address, Chloe Abir highlighted the memories, friendships, and lessons that defined the Class of 2030’s Middle School experience. Looking ahead to Upper School, she reminded her classmates that their next chapter would be built on the foundation they created together over the past three years.

“Middle School wasn’t just something we finished,” Abir said. “It was something that shaped us.”

Congratulations to the Eighth Grade Class and best of luck as they begin their Upper School journey. The recording of the ceremony is now available for viewing here.

From music and theater performances to visual art exhibitions, film screenings, and hands-on creative experiences, Viewpoint’s annual Arts Fest transformed campus into a vibrant celebration of artistic expression on Saturday, May 30.

Students, families, alumni, and community members gathered throughout the Middle and Upper School campus to experience the incredible range of artistic talent on display across all divisions. Held in conjunction with Alumni Day, this year’s Arts Fest welcomed a strong turnout of alumni, many of whom returned to reconnect with former classmates, teachers, and the arts programs that helped shape their Viewpoint experience.

One of the day’s most memorable moments took place during the Voices Now performance in the Ecolet. In a surprise tribute to the program’s legacy, current members of the ensemble invited “Voices Then” alumni in attendance to join them onstage for a heartfelt rendition of “Smile.”

Another beloved Arts Fest tradition took center stage in the Carlson Family Theater, where Viewpoint’s Primary and Lower School choirs joined Upper School choir students for a collaborative performance before a packed audience.

Throughout the day, visitors explored artwork created by students across all grade levels, attended screenings of student films and documentaries, enjoyed theater and dance performances, and participated in interactive experiences designed to inspire creativity. New additions this year included a collaborative all-school art installation at the Love of Learning Wall, custom button-making activities, and a live mural painting experience led by Middle School students.

“I am so excited about this year’s Arts Fest,” said Kristin Herkstroeter, Chair of the Music Department and organizer of the event. “The Arts continue to thrive at Viewpoint, and Arts Fest is a wonderful opportunity for our community to experience the breadth and vibrancy of our Arts Programs. It is a true celebration of our incredibly creative, talented, and hard-working students.”

By bringing together current students, alumni, families, and community members, Arts Fest 2026 showcased the lasting impact of the arts within the Viewpoint community.

Laughter, suspense, and courtroom drama filled the Carlson Family Theater on May 15 and 16 as Viewpoint’s Seventh and Eighth Grade students brought The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf to life.

The Middle School production invited audiences into a playful retelling of familiar fairy tale events, putting the Big Bad Wolf on trial as characters from classic stories took the witness stand. Featuring jurors such as Cinderella, Miss Muffet, and Humpty Dumpty, the production blended humor, mystery, and unexpected twists while encouraging audiences to consider questions of justice, perspective, and truth.

This year’s production also held added significance as students took the stage during the 20th anniversary year of the Carlson Family Theater.

“I enjoyed working on this piece of theatre with this exuberant cast. As we celebrate 20 years of performances in our Carlson Family Theater, I am filled with gratitude for all the truly exceptional theatrical productions we have put on our stage,” said Director Lisa Roskowinski. “I want to thank everyone who has graced this stage, worked behind the scenes or sat in our audience to support our programs and live theatre over the years.”

“It’s been an amazing journey to watch students grow, mature, and perform in the Carlson Family Theater over the past 20 years,” said Lara Conklin, Director of Operational Services. “Whether students are involved in music, theater, or dance, it’s been a gift to see them find their voice on our stage. Behind the scenes, we get to see students before they take the stage, perhaps a little timid or experiencing stage fright. It’s wonderful to watch them learn to believe in themselves throughout the rehearsal and performance process. It’s a blessing to see them so joyful and proud after a great performance.”

As the cast of The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf took their final bows, the performance served as both a celebration of the students’ hard work and another memorable chapter in the Carlson Family Theater’s ongoing legacy.

Congratulations to our Seventh and Eighth Grade musicians for their outstanding performances at this year’s Music in the Parks Adjudicated Festival, held on May 1 at Knott's Berry Farm. Competing across multiple divisions, Viewpoint’s Middle School ensembles earned top placements and special recognition for their performances.

• Concert Winds – Good Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Jazz Lab – Good Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Middle School Orchestra – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division and Top Scoring Middle School Orchestra
• Middle School Vocal Ensemble – Superior Rating, 1st Place in Division and Top Scoring Middle School Vocal Group

In addition to the ensemble awards, two students received special recognition for their standout solos:

• Aaron Youtan ’30 — Outstanding Trumpet Solo, Jazz Lab
• Andrew Pobanz ’30 — Outstanding Vocal Solo, Middle School Vocal Ensemble

The annual festival gives students the opportunity to perform for adjudicators alongside school music programs from across the region, while also building confidence, collaboration, and musicianship through the preparation process.

Congratulations to all of our Middle School musicians and directors on another successful year at Music in the Parks! You can see these students perform at our annual Arts Fest event on Saturday, May 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on campus.