School Spotlights

Recent Spotlights

Viewpoint’s Student-Athlete Wesley Waddles '25 Ranked Among Southern California's Top High School Basketball Players

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!

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Viewpoint’s Upper School Instrumental and Vocal Students Open the School’s Fall and Winter Concert Season with a Harmonious Showcase of Music

In a music season opener, Viewpoint’s Upper School Wind and Jazz ensemble took center stage at the Carlson Family Theater (CFT) for their first Concert of the school year on Tuesday, October 15. 

The show commenced with a dynamic performance by the Wind Ensemble/Pep Band, featuring “Elements (Air)” by Brian Balmages. Next, the Senior Conductors for Pep Band showcased their versatility with a series of popular pieces, ranging from “Funkytown” by Steve Greenberg, and “Hawaii Five-o” by Mark Stevens, to “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder, and “September” by “M. White, A. McKay, and A. Willis. They smoothly transitioned between genres with “Land of 1,000 Dances” by C. Kenner and A. Domino, “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane, and a standout rendition of “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow, B. Sussman, and J. Feldman.

The student-run jazz combo “The Four and a Half”, consisting of Charlie Luborsky ’26 on bass, Thomas Hemmens ’26 on guitar, Max Zou ’26 on piano, Jasper Hughes ’27 on drumset and Jishnu Mukherjee ’26 on sax performed between the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble performances. They did a fantastic job.

Closing the night, the Jazz Ensemble performed “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock, “Back Porch Swing” by Drew Zaremba, and “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” by Victor Daniel. It was great to hear some student soloists during the three jazz numbers.  

Just one week later on Tuesday, October 22, the Upper School Concert Choir, Voices Now, and Orchestra students offered a diverse musical journey that transcended generations and cultures.

Voices Now opened the show, delivering captivating performances of 1940s classic “Java Jive” by Ben Oakland and Milton Drake, a new arrangement of the Brazilian classic “Água De Beber” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the iconic “Somebody to Love” by Freddie Mercury. Following this electrifying set, the Concert Choir took the stage, singing “Loch Lomond” by Jonathan Quick, “Dream Ship” by Susan La Bar, and “Ripple” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

After a brief intermission, Upper School Orchestra members played three selections, including “Prelude from the Brook Green Suite” by Gustav Holst, “Lullaby” by William Hofeldt, and “Graveyard Shift” by Chris Thomas. For the finale, the Concert Choir and Orchestra united in harmony for “Gloria In Excelsis” by Antonio Vivaldi.

“Although these concerts were both early in the year, I am very proud of the hard work the Upper Schoolers did to pull these concerts together so quickly,” said Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair. “I look forward to a great musical year with the Upper School musicians.”

Immediately following both concerts, our performers and families gathered outside the theater for a reception with sweet treats and hot beverages, generously provided and served by our VSSA volunteers. 

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From the Stage to the Studio: Nathan Danese ’25 Records and Releases Original Song Through Viewpoint’s CareerPoint Program

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.

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Celebrating World Languages and Cultures, Food and Community at Viewpoint’s Annual Fall Multicultural Day

On Thursday, October 17, Viewpoint held its annual Fall Multicultural Day, hosted by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Life, along with our Parent Partnership for Diversity and Inclusion (PPDI). Families celebrated our many cultures through the enjoyment of food and live music, while learning about Affinity Groups and World Language offerings. 

“Our Viewpoint community gathered with heartwarming enthusiasm for this year’s Fall Multicultural Day,” said Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. “Our collective commitment to celebrating diversity, fostering connection, and supporting one another was on full display!”

Viewpoint families arrived with a wide variety of home-cooked meals, from savory dishes to sweet treats, offering all who attended enticing options. As a community where families value unity in diversity, this annual and beloved event provides a beautiful setting for our families and employees to connect in joy.

In addition to the potluck, the event featured cultural displays offered by our World Languages Department, giving attendees a chance to explore the various languages spoken and studied at Viewpoint. Voices Now, our Upper School singing ensemble, entertained guests with a new arrangement of the Brazilian classic Água De Beber. Hearing our students sing in Portuguese was a special treat.    

We are grateful for the many folks who helped to make Viewpoint’s Fall Multicultural Day a wonderful success, especially PPDI! We look forward to next year’s celebration and the continued growth of this cherished tradition.

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Isabella Fillipakis ’26 and Colin Brun ’26 Highlight Study Abroad Experiences as Viewpoint School Celebrates World Languages Week with Education, Entertainment, and Cultural Events

Last week, Viewpoint celebrated World Languages Week, an opportunity to spotlight students Isabella Fillipakis ’26 and Colin Brun ’26, whose summer study abroad programs in Spain helped them embrace global citizenship by immersing themselves in new languages and cultures.

“It was eye-opening to realize that even though we speak different languages, we’re all so similar in many ways,” said Fillipakis.

Fillipakis, a Junior currently enrolled in AP Spanish, spent three weeks in the coastal city of Almería, Spain, living with a host family and immersing herself in the local culture. 

“I was alone for the first time with a host family I didn’t know,” Fillipakis recalled. “It forced me to go outside my comfort zone, and that’s where real growth happens.”

Meanwhile, Brun also spent the summer in Sevilla, Spain, where he stayed with a local family and practiced his Spanish daily.

“I had been studying Spanish since Sixth Grade, but living with a host family took the immersion to a whole new level. Speaking Spanish every day, every moment, really pushed me to improve,” Brun shared. “It was an incredible experience to be part of the culture and use the language in real-life situations.”

For many students, the opportunity to travel abroad isn’t always possible. That’s why Corey Henderson, Department Co-Chair of World Languages, believes events like World Languages Week are so important.

“World Languages Week allows students to experience different cultures without leaving campus. It gives them a glimpse into what life is like in other parts of the world,” Henderson explained.

Through events like a Chinese tea ceremony, a French pétanque game, and an Upper School assembly featuring Korean music and dance, World Languages Week brings the diverse cultures and languages of the world to Viewpoint’s campus. 

“I think it’s important to participate in World Languages Week because it can give you a sense of these little pieces of culture that come to campus without having to actually go there,” Fillipakis said. “It’s a way to experience the culture, talk to people in different languages, and take that first step toward immersing yourself.”

Brun added, “Even if you can’t travel abroad, learning about different cultures through events like this opens your eyes to the world around you. It’s so important to see beyond your own surroundings.”

By immersing themselves in diverse cultures, both on campus and abroad, students like Fillipakis and Brun broaden their global perspectives, embrace diversity, and deepen their cultural understanding—ensuring they are "World Ready" at Viewpoint and beyond.

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