Congratulations to Sam Marella ’25 and Izzy Parsky ’25 who participated in a special collegiate sport signing ceremony on November 14, held in the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC) at Viewpoint.

Sam Marella will be playing soccer at University of Miami, and Izzy Parsky has committed to the admission process at Dartmouth College to play baseball. Surrounded by their families, friends, coaches, teachers, and counselors, Sam and Izzy were honored to be recognized for their peak performance, and to officially ink their commitments to their respective schools. 

Viewpoint’s Head of School kicked off the ceremony with a warm welcome:

“There are so many life lessons in sport,” said Mark McKee, Head of School. “Aspiring to be a college athlete requires immense dedication and hard work. This event is the culmination of all that effort and sacrifice, resulting in these remarkable achievements. And even as they are STILL working towards their high school diplomas, these athletes we celebrate today have likely amassed a doctorate worth of life lessons in their journeys to this day.”

Rhody Davis, Director of College Counseling, and Athletic Director Josh Frechette spoke of the persistence required to become an elite athlete, and praised both student-athletes and their families for their dedication to making their dreams become a reality.  

Before their signing moment, Head Soccer Coach Zaira Fonseca, and Head Baseball Coach Rick Weber reflected on their athletic journeys, and praised their hard work and commitment along the way.  Sam and Izzy both had an opportunity to express their gratitude and thank their families, coaches, counselors, Upper School leaders, and Mr. McKee.

We could not be more proud of both of them and wish them every success on the soccer and baseball fields. 

On Friday, November 1, Viewpoint School hosted its annual Homecoming football game at Calabasas High School, facing off against Brentwood School. The event embodied Viewpoint's Athletic program vision, where teamwork connects and competition fuels us, uniting students, families, alumni, and faculty for an unforgettable night.

The gates opened at 6:00 p.m., welcoming attendees to a vibrant atmosphere complete with food carts and student-run booths. From Ameci’s pizza and salads to freshly made churros and glow sticks sold by Primary School students, the event provided a variety of food and entertainment for all ages. The VSSA organized engaging activities, including face painting and a coloring station, while alumni reconnected at the dedicated alumni booth.

At 6:30 p.m., the pre-game show kicked off with a performance by the Primary and Lower School Chorus, setting the stage for the Varsity football team’s entrance onto the field. Coaches then honored the Senior athletes, and the Upper School Concert Choir delivered a powerful rendition of the National Anthem.

The game officially began at 7:00 p.m. and was followed by an exciting halftime show, which included performances by the cheerleaders and the Upper School Dance Company, as well as the presentation of the Homecoming Court. 

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Homecoming a memorable event!

Viewpoint School recognizes the Community Impact Circle and Viewpoint School Employees for their support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event.

For Wesley Waddles ’25, basketball has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. Now, his dedication has earned him a prestigious honor, as he recently ranked #31 in the Class of 2025 for all of Southern California by Prep Hoops.

"I started playing when I was around three and joined my first team when I was about seven or eight years old," said Waddles. “Hearing this news made me feel like all my hard work was paying off and reassured me that I deserve to be where I am.”

Since transferring to Viewpoint in his Junior year, Waddles has seen immense growth in his game, crediting the guidance from his coaches and encouragement from his teammates as major contributors to his success on the court.

“Coach JJ and the other assistant coaches have been instrumental in building my confidence and helping me understand the player I can be,” he shared.

Acknowledging that his success is built on a foundation of hard work and discipline, both on and off the court, Waddles added: 

“You have to work on your body, get stronger, and practice basic skills at least four times a week if you want to excel.”

For him, that means touching a basketball every day, maintaining his physical fitness, and putting in the hours to sharpen his skills. 

“It’s the daily work and repetition that really make a difference,” Waddles explained.

Looking ahead, Waddles dreams of playing Division I college basketball. For young athletes aspiring to reach similar heights, Waddles believes in a mantra many of us have heard at some point: “Fake it till you make it.”

“Confidence is everything. Don’t let others’ perceptions influence how you see yourself,” he shared. “If you believe you’re a good player, you’ll play like one. Confidence is just as important as physical skills.”

Congratulations to Wesley Waddles ’25 on this athletic achievement!

For Nathan Danese ’25, this past summer marked a major milestone in his musical journey. Through Viewpoint’s Summer Experience Program, now known as CareerPoint, Danese interned at Los Olivos Recording Studios, where he had the opportunity to record one of his original songs, “Fallout,” and release it on several streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

“My interest in actually partaking in music started during my sophomore year when I was cast in ‘Grease,’” Danese shared. “It was sort of a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn’t know I could do it, and I didn’t know that I would have so much fun doing it.”

Encouraged by friends and experiences at Viewpoint, Danese began performing his original songs at events like Coffee House and the Board of Trustees’ annual dinner. CareerPoint, Viewpoint’s summer program that helps rising Seniors discover professional passions and career pathways, allowed him to take his music to a new level.

“When I got into the studio, I knew we had to experiment,” Danese said. “We added drums, guitar, and backup vocals, and suddenly it was a completely new song. It went from a ballad to a pop song.”

"We went through the full process, from developing his song to a professional release,” said Beto Hale, owner of Los Olivos Recording Studios. “He was incredibly motivated, always asking questions and bringing in ideas. It was inspiring to see his enthusiasm and commitment.”

Over a series of three recording sessions, Danese worked with Hale and his team to transform “Fallout,” experimenting with new layers and refining the sound until it was ready for release.  

“I brought in Julian Dans ’25 to play piano, bass, and record backup vocals. He also helped with arranging parts of the song,” Danese said. “Alexa Jeong ’25 even created the cover art. It was amazing to see all these different pieces come together, and it felt like something we could all be proud of.”

With 88 monthly listeners on Spotify, “Fallout" is a testament to Danese's dedication and collaborative spirit. Looking ahead, he hopes to stay involved in the music industry behind the scenes, exploring roles in songwriting and marketing, while continuing to pursue his passion for film.

“It’s rewarding to see the final product out there, but I’m most excited by the creative and collaborative process,” Danese shared.

“This program gives students a taste of what the real world is like,” Hale shared. “They learn that you have to work really hard to reach even the most basic level of competency. There are no shortcuts, but if you love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Congratulations to Nathan Danese ’25 for reaching this significant milestone in his musical journey! We look forward to seeing where his creativity and dedication take him next. 

If you are able to host a Viewpoint senior this summer, please contact CareerPoint Program Manager Anneke Emerson at Anneke.emerson@viewpoint.org.