For Daphne Huffman ’26, creativity isn’t confined to one stage, one medium, or one art form. Whether she’s writing, performing, or composing, she approaches every project with a curiosity that makes her work uniquely her own.

“I describe myself as an interdisciplinary artist and storyteller,” Huffman shared. “My core is my love for writing. I love making worlds, making stories in any way possible — but I also find so much joy in theater, music, and film. It’s never felt like work to me because these are the things that make life colorful.”

Since joining Viewpoint in Sixth Grade, Huffman has fully embraced the wealth of opportunities available to her.

“When we toured the school, it was actually a gray, rainy day,” she recalled. “But I walked through campus and I just knew: I love this school. I want to go here.”

That early spark has since blossomed into a rich and diverse resume of experiences across multiple disciplines. Huffman plays bass guitar in the Jazz Band, sings with Voices Now and the Upper School Concert Choir, and has performed in every theater production since Middle School. She’s also a vocal alto section leader, a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, has written and directed multiple short plays, and serves as an editor for the literary magazine Aspects.

Most recently, Huffman was accepted into the prestigious Iowa Young Writers Studio for playwriting, one of the top writing programs in the country. She continues to expand her storytelling beyond campus as well, through a journalism internship this summer with Topanga New Times and past writing programs at Lewis & Clark College and Oxford University.

“That’s the beautiful thing about storytelling — it transcends boundaries,” Huffman said. “The more I’ve stepped into these different opportunities, the more I’ve discovered about who I am as a person.”

Her dedication to her craft has also earned her numerous accolades, including a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for a memoir, honorable mentions for short stories and poetry, and a First Class designation from the National Council of Teachers of English for her personal essay Martial Artist, which chronicles her journey in Taekwondo, where she holds a black belt.

As she heads into her senior year, Huffman is eager to continue creating, mentoring younger artists, and embracing every opportunity to grow.

“My advice? Do what makes you happy, challenge yourself, and immerse yourself in everything Viewpoint has to offer,” she said.

On Saturday, June 7, under a soft morning mist, the Viewpoint Class of 2025 gathered on Ring Family Field for their Commencement Ceremony, surrounded by proud families, lifelong friends, and dedicated faculty. With cheers, applause, and a few tears, they celebrated the culmination of their Upper School journey — honoring the achievements, friendships, and personal growth that have prepared them for all that lies ahead.

Head of School Mark McKee opened the ceremony with inspiring remarks that reflected on the significance of the day.

“Thank you for joining us as we pause to consider the beauty of the occasion—a moment in time dedicated to them, suspended between the history of their days here in our canyon and the extraordinary futures that await,” shared McKee. “All of us, near, far, and beyond, are united in attention and in celebration of our graduates, our living embodiment of Viewpoint’s world-ready mission.”

Following McKee’s remarks, Salutatorian Samuel Green ’25 reflected on the shared experiences, growth, and opportunities that defined the Class of 2025’s time at Viewpoint.

“One thing I feel is so special about our school is its culture of doing everything,” Green shared. “This is a place where you can play varsity soccer, sing in the choir, and be on the robotics team–all at once.”

Continuing its cherished tradition of inviting distinguished community members to deliver the keynote address, Viewpoint School welcomed tennis legend, Olympic gold medalist, International Tennis Hall of Famer, trustee, and proud parent of a Viewpoint alumnus, Pam Shriver, as the commencement speaker for the Class of 2025.

Adding a personal touch to the ceremony, three-sport athlete Ella Katz ’25 introduced Shriver, sharing highlights of her career and setting the stage for her remarks.

Shriver’s heartfelt address celebrated the strength, humor, and self-awareness of the graduating class, drawing inspiration from her own service as a trustee and the timeless wisdom passed down by her mother. Emphasizing themes of discipline, balance, self-care, and laughter, she encouraged students to embrace independence, stay grounded in gratitude, and carry forward the spirit of service—on and off the court.

“The greatest gift you can give yourself as you leave Viewpoint is the gift of self-care,” Shriver reminded the graduates. “Find balance instead of burnout. Focus on what you can control—and don’t forget to laugh along the way.”

The ceremony also featured several performances, including a rendition of "How to Train Your Dragon" by the Upper School Wind Ensemble, a heartfelt performance of "Forever Young" by the talented Upper School Concert Choir, featuring solos by each graduate, and "I Dreamed a Dream" by the Twelfth Grade Strings.

Following the musical performances, Valedictorian Josh Wang ’25 took the stage to speak about the relationships and defining moments that shaped the Class of 2025.

“To the exceptional faculty of Viewpoint School, thank you for your unwavering commitment to academic excellence and for cultivating an environment where curiosity thrives,” Wang shared. “Your mentorship through hands-on projects in fields from special relativity to politics has challenged us to think critically and embrace diverse viewpoints.”

Later in the ceremony, Head of Upper School Alan Howie presented Samuel Green ’25 with the Arthur B. O’Leary Award. Established in 1986 by Viewpoint’s Board of Trustees, this award honors the school's most outstanding senior. The faculty selected recipient exemplifies the qualities that Viewpoint strives to develop in its students service to others, academic accomplishment, positive spirit, and good character.

Congratulations to our 2025 graduates! May you continue to embark on your unique journeys with courage and determination, making a positive impact wherever you go. The recording of the ceremony is now available for viewing here.

Two Viewpoint students will take center stage on Monday, June 9 at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City after receiving National Gold Medals in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards—the highest honor in the nation’s most prestigious recognition program for teen artists and writers.

Cedar Cummins ’25 was recognized in the ceramics category for their piece Trans Armour, while Declan O’Bryan ’25 earned the award for one of his photographs. Their artwork was selected from hundreds of thousands of student submissions nationwide, placing them among the top creative talents in grades 7–12.

“I didn’t expect this at all. It’s an incredible way to end my senior year, and it means a great deal to conclude my high school photography experience with such a prestigious honor,” shared O’Bryan.

"Ceramics has been a part of my life for five years now, and 15-year-old me—selling mugs and ceramic pendants at backyard concerts—never would’ve imagined receiving national recognition for my work," added Cummins. "This honor motivates me to keep creating and to push myself artistically in new ways. I’m incredibly grateful to my amazing mentor, Nell Yates; my parents; Scholastics; and my sister Kira, who has always been the spark behind my creativity."

Past ceremonies have featured appearances by luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey, Amy Schumer, Tim Gunn, Tina Fey, and Zac Posen, underscoring the significance of this moment for young creatives across the country.

Viewpoint is proud to celebrate Cedar and Declan’s national recognition and looks forward to seeing their artistic talents continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Viewpoint School’s Carlson Family Theater was buzzing with excitement on Friday, May 30, as the annual Film IV Symposium welcomed a full house of film fans—families, friends, faculty, and staff—for the highly anticipated premieres of How It Should Be and The Backseat. The evening featured red carpet arrivals, enthusiastic applause, and a thought-provoking panel discussion with the student filmmakers, moderated by Film IV teacher Monica Hoenig.

The Film IV Honors class operates as a full-fledged production company, where students collaborate throughout the year to create one original film. With Hoenig serving as executive producer, students take on every aspect of the filmmaking process—from scriptwriting and editing to casting and set design—while working within a $1,500 budget.

“Film IV is a testament to the senior students’ hard work, where they hone not only their technical and creative skills, but also soft skills such as communication and leadership,” said Hoenig. “It is a very important aspect of preparing the students for the real world, no matter what field they end up working in.”

Written and directed by future USC film student Natalie Yerelekian ’25, How It Should Be tells the story of Wendy, a determined 17-year-old who dreams of breaking free from a traditional “American housewife” life imposed by an omnipotent narrator. Set in a sci-fi 1950s world, Wendy challenges both her father and the narrator as she refuses to conform to social expectations—no matter the consequences.

Yerelekian, who began writing the script while applying to film school, shared, “The idea of entering an industry that is so hard for women to break into made me think of all the women in the past who paved the way for us."

Crew:

• Writer & Director: Natalie Yerelekian ’25
• 1st Assistant Director: Zooey Jeong ’25
• Producers: Zooey Jeong ’25 and Nathan Danese ’25
• Executive Producer: Monica Hoenig
• Director of Photography: Samuel Green ’25
• Production Design & Costume: Alexa Jeong ’25
• Main Editors: Alexa Jeong ’25 and Samuel Green ’25
• Editing Assistants: Zooey Jeong ’25, Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Nathan Danese ’25
• Lighting and Sound Design: Clayton Collins ’25
• Script Supervisors: Nathan Danese ’25 & Daphne Huffman ’26

 Watch the trailer for How It Should Be here.

Written and directed by Ben Shore, a future film student at LMU, The Backseat follows Barry, an anxious high school senior who faces a battle for control within his own subconscious. As he grapples with a more confident and assertive alter ego, Barry must confront the tension between who he is and who he wants to be.

“The idea for this film came from my own experiences and memories that I often replay like watching through a TV,” said Shore. “It’s been so exciting to see my vision come to life with the help of my classmates.”

Crew:

• Writer & Director: Ben Shore ’25
• 1st Assistant Director: Jackson Barth ’25
• Producer: Jackson Barth ’25
• Executive Producer: Monica Hoenig
• Director of Photography: Connor Wycoff ’25
• Production Design & Costume: KJ Paschall ’25
• Editor: Noah Fox ’25
• Lighting and Sound Design: Clayton Collins ’25
• Script Supervisors: Noah De Fanti ’26 and Mac Ladin ’26

Watch the trailer for The Backseat here.

Congratulations to the Film IV students for a remarkable evening of storytelling, creativity, and collaboration!