Annual Benefit

It was an unforgettable evening at Calamigos Ranch on May 2, when supporters from across the Viewpoint community gathered for the School’s 43rd Annual Benefit in support of financial aid. Through their generosity, the event raised more than $1.2 million. Set against the venue’s stunning natural beauty, the evening celebrated connection, philanthropy, and shared purpose.

For more than four decades, the Annual Benefit has played an important role in supporting the School’s mission. This year’s event continued that tradition, with net proceeds directly benefiting financial aid and helping ensure deserving students can thrive at Viewpoint.

Guests were welcomed onto the iconic Ferris Wheel Lawn for a vibrant cocktail reception featuring live music by student group The Four and a Half, photo opportunities, and conversation beneath the spring evening sky. 

The Heshmatpour Family served as the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Benefit. Reflecting on the importance of supporting financial aid, Kathy Heshmatpour shared:

“Education is the most powerful tool we have for transformation. When we support financial aid, we do more than pay for a student’s tuition—we say to a child that you matter, that we believe in you.”

As dinner was served, Head of School Mark McKee welcomed guests before sharing remarks about the evening’s purpose.

“At Viewpoint, we believe access to an exceptional education should not be defined by circumstance, but by potential. That belief comes to life through our commitment to expanding opportunity,” shared McKee. “Tonight, your presence and support help open doors. It allows curious and driven students to learn, grow, and prepare for a changing world through an education that extends far beyond academics. When we invest in students, we are investing in world-ready individuals. That is the power of collective philanthropy.”

The evening’s program, titled “The Power of Opportunity,” featured moving remarks from alumnus Justin Pichetrungsi ’04, chef and owner of Anajak Thai and recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: California in 2023. Justin reflected on the life-changing impact financial aid had on his educational journey and the opportunities it created for his future.

Guests also heard a heartfelt parent perspective from Taneka Johnson P’26 ’28, who shared how financial aid transformed her family’s educational journey. Johnson also spoke about how the Independent School Alliance helped connect her family to Viewpoint and opened new opportunities for her children.

“I dreamed of something better for my boys,” shared Johnson. “I desperately wanted to give them a better education, a different experience, and a safer environment. Through the gift of admission and a generous financial aid package, we joined Viewpoint with excitement for the future.”

As the evening continued, guests participated in an exceptionally successful live auction. Highlights included a VIP Los Angeles Rams luxury suite experience, a private Costa Rica villa getaway, a 2026 US Open experience in Billie Jean King’s luxury suite, and a luxurious cruise aboard a 100-foot super-yacht. By the end of the evening, the event had raised more than $1.2 million for financial aid.

Following the auction, alumna Annie Bosko ’04 delivered a special musical performance inside the Pavilion. The country music artist brought energy to the evening with a lively set that had guests on their feet.

The celebration continued late into the night with desserts, dancing, late-night bites, and a lively after-party complete with a Cuban cigar rolling experience, giving guests an opportunity to unwind and celebrate the success of the evening together. Support from Benefit underwriters, online auction participants, donors, and attendees helped extend the impact beyond the event itself.

The 43rd Annual Benefit once again demonstrated the remarkable spirit and philanthropic commitment of the Viewpoint community. Through an evening filled with storytelling, celebration, and shared purpose, the event reinforced Viewpoint’s commitment to expanding opportunity for current and future students.

What an exhilarating ride at the Petersen Automotive Museum on May 3, when our community came together for a party with a purpose. At the 42nd Annual Benefit, we raised money for financial aid to support scholar-athletes and inducted six sports legends into the newly established Viewpoint Athletic Hall of Fame. Check out the Los Angeles Daily News coverage here.

“Every Benefit supports a specific need that fuels growth and improvement, and this year we shone a bright light on our Athletics program,” said Mark McKee, Head of School. “Not only did we honor individuals who have helped shape Viewpoint’s sports legacy, we raised funds to provide financial aid for future scholar-athletes.”

Guests were immersed in a one-of-a-kind environment where the spirit of Peak Performance roared to life. The evening began with a vibrant cocktail reception and photo opportunities in The Cars of Film and Television gallery, setting the stage with cinematic flair. Dinner seating unfolded in a dramatically transformed gallery, where The People’s Champ: The Impact of Ken Block exhibit served as both backdrop and inspiration. Amidst a display of awe-inspiring collector cars, guests enjoyed an elegant dining experience in a space that balanced sophistication with exhilarating energy. Head of School Mark McKee welcomed the crowd as the celebration officially began.

Next on the roadmap was an extraordinary moment in our School’s history—the inaugural induction of six outstanding individuals into the Viewpoint Athletic Hall of Fame. The inductees, whose contributions to Viewpoint School’s athletic programs span multiple decades and sports, were recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments and lasting impact. 

• Alyssa Hinojosa ’16, Soccer, University of Oregon
• Christian Juzang ’16, Basketball, Harvard University 
• Patrick Moyal, Viewpoint’s Athletic Director for 35 years
• Miye Oni ’15, Basketball, Yale University 
• Darby Sedighan ’00 P'37 ’33 ’31, Volleyball, Chapman University
• Chaney Sheffield ’98, P’35 ’33 ’31, Baseball, Harvard University 

A high-energy, ESPN-style highlights reel—produced by the Viewpoint Marketing Team—introduced each inductee, featuring dynamic narration by American Tennis Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and International Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver—who is also a proud Viewpoint Trustee and Alumni Parent. The energetic video celebrated the achievements of our honorees, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.

“Each of these inductees stands out as a champion—not only through their remarkable achievements but also by serving as role models for current and future generations of students,” said Josh Frechette, Director of Athletics.

Following the ceremony, it was time for guests to raise their paddles before they raised the roof at a Premier Live Auction, which included priceless athletic experiences, yielding significantly more support for the Benefit. 

“Our school is a giving community, and the success of this year’s Benefit is a testament to the power of philanthropy,” said Olivia Powell, Assistant Head of School for External Affairs. Inspired by school history and the success of our alumni, our families banded together to raise more than $1 million for our students. 

The ride got even better when eight upperclassmen singers from Viewpoint’s Voices Now and Concert Choir opened for our headliner. Led by Viewpoint Music Teacher Bill Brendle, an award-winning composer, orchestrator, arranger, and producer, the group performed “Smile” by Ben Bram, and then introduced three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix! As one of the most innovative, inventive, and inimitable vocal groups of all time, Pentatonix had our community on its feet, dancing and singing along to their ‘90s medley performance.

The last stretch of the ride? The revved-up after-party where everyone enjoyed dessert, dancing to LA’s premier dance band VIVA, and a simulated racing experience. What a ride. What a night!

Our scholar-athletes of today will be the Hall of Fame inductees of tomorrow. If you would like to make a donation toward financial aid for our scholar-athletes, please make a gift here. 

Photo Credit: Tiffany Rose and Matt Lara

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the Viewpoint community came together for our 40th Annual Benefit at the Skirball Cultural Center with hundreds of guests  gathering to celebrate the creation of the Cathy Adelman Endowment Fund for Financial Aid, the first-ever endowment to provide tuition assistance specifically to students in our Primary and Lower Schools. Guests were treated to a live acoustic performance by Gavin DeGraw, as well as hours of incredible music from The De-Bois All-Stars, a 12-piece band provided by de Bois Entertainment. 

The event netted a record-breaking $1.2 million, surpassing last year’s record breaking Diamond Jubilee by $200,000. This stunning success is a testament to the philanthropic heart of our community and to our shared commitment to Viewpoint’s World Ready Promise. We are so grateful to our Benefit leadership, donors, and volunteers for making the creation of this new endowment possible. 

In Cathy’s words, “…I really believe we’re going to change lives with the generosity of our community. That just means everything to me. What more could you want in your life but to feel like you’ve made a difference. And we will, and we are making a difference in every child that’s here. I really truly believe that with all my heart, but now children that would not have been able to come are going to be here.”

On May 7, the Viewpoint community gathered together at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the School’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of achievement by our students, alumni, teachers, administrators, parents, and volunteers. Guests also were treated to a live acoustic performance by GRAMMY-award-winning band Train.

Our 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee netted $1 million, the most in the School’s history, for athletic and wellness initiatives including the Peak Performance Center.The community’s extraordinary philanthropy is a signal to the bright future and infinite possibilities of Viewpoint School.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee leadership, all of our supporters and volunteers, and our entire community for helping us make history.