School Spotlights

These Seniors are still in the game, and ready to continue their athletic journeys at the collegiate level. As a beloved and annual tradition at Viewpoint, seven scholar-athletes were recognized for their peak performance and path to college sports on Monday, May 19.

• Barbara Bezuglaya (Fencing, Columbia)
• Solomon Grammer (Football, College of the Canyons)
• Aeneas Grullon (Basketball, Moorpark) 
• Eric He (Boys Track, Williams College)
• Samantha Marella (Girls Soccer, University of Miami)
• Carly Nelson (Girls Softball, NYU)
• Izzy Parsky (Boys Baseball, Dartmouth)

Our college-bound athletes were joined by students, teammates, faculty, coaches, counselors, and their families in the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC) as they ceremoniously “signed” to their respective schools. Mark McKee, Head of School and Josh Frechette, Director of Athletics delivered congratulatory remarks and words of wisdom for these Seniors. Coach Travis Kikugawa, who has built and grown our soccer and tennis programs while guiding students through their recruiting journeys, helped mark the moment by presenting each athlete with a graduation cord.

“This is a moment filled with pride, gratitude, and, most of all, optimism,” said McKee. “Optimism may not always be the first word that comes to mind when we talk about athletics. We talk about endurance, hard work, and competition. But optimism is the quiet force behind every practice, every setback, and every comeback. It’s what fuels the early mornings, the late nights, and the long bus rides. It’s what allows an athlete to believe—not just in a win, but in improvement, in progress, in the power of showing up again and again.”

“Each of you has earned the opportunity to compete at the next level—across NCAA Division I, and III, and that is no small achievement,” said Frechette. “Only 6 percent of high school athletes go on to play in college and you're among that group because of your drive, your discipline, and your love for the game.”

Tanaz Nourian, Associate Director of College Counseling, announced each Senior and facilitated their signing to commemorate the moment. In a new and heartwarming tradition, Nourian read a personal note from each athlete’s parents as they signed and posed for photos. 

Frechette added,” As you move on to the next chapter, remember this: The uniform may change, the campus may be new, but the qualities that got you here—work ethic, passion, grit—will carry you through whatever challenges come next.”

We applaud these students for their passion and perseverance, and wish them luck in their college journey.

On May 16 and 17, Viewpoint’s young performers brought ancient mythology to life with a witty and heartwarming staging of Game of Myths in the Carlson Family Theater (CFT).

Written by Jennifer Simmons, the play followed a lighthearted competition among the Greek gods as Zeus announced that the coveted Cloud Throne would be awarded to the most helpful, compassionate, and caring deity. What followed was a series of reimagined myths, each spotlighting good deeds and acts of kindness.

Audiences were treated to familiar tales told with a cheerful twist: Aphrodite played matchmaker for Pygmalion, Ariadne helped Theseus defeat the Minotaur, and Hades made surprising compromises with Persephone. Athena and Hermes empowered Perseus in his battle with Medusa, while the Muses brought clarity and compassion to the story of Paris and Helen. Even the Fates showed a rare moment of grace toward the loyal Moira. In the end, the gods learned that old habits die hard—but goodness leaves a lasting impact.

“This talented ensemble embraced the timeless lessons of Greek mythology—empathy, courage, and self-confidence—and brought them to life with humor and heart,” said Director and Middle and Upper School Theatre Teacher Lisa Roskowinski. “I’m incredibly proud of their growth, dedication, and creativity throughout the process.”

We invite you to see more of our talented student artists in action at Arts Fest next Saturday, May 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on campus. 

Viewpoint School recognizes Bill and Araceli Papariella for their leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as donors in our Head of School Circle.

For most athletes, success begins with a spark of passion. For Senior and Dartmouth baseball commit Izzy Parsky, that spark was—perhaps unexpectedly—post-game snacks.

“I started playing T-ball when I was five or six,” said Parsky. “Honestly, I only kept playing because I liked the snacks after the games. But as I moved up, especially into Pony League, I realized how much I loved the sport.”

Now, years later, that once-casual interest has evolved into a full-blown commitment to Division I baseball and academics at an Ivy League university. The path hasn’t been easy, but Izzy has embraced the challenge.

“During the offseason, I lift five days a week. In season, it’s three lifts, five practices. I also try to get extra work in on my own,” Parsky said. “Managing school and baseball is tough, but if you stay on top of your time, it’s doable.”

His commitment to excellence hasn't gone unnoticed. The standout Viewpoint player was recently recognized as the Los Angeles Daily News Athlete of the Week following a team trip to San Diego that highlighted their unity and team chemistry.

“That week meant a lot,” he says. “We were away from our parents for the first time, really bonding as a team. To be able to lead in that setting and be recognized was special.”

It’s not just his athletic performance that stands out. Maintaining a high GPA in a rigorous academic environment like Viewpoint has been just as important—especially in preparing for Dartmouth, where he’ll join their Division I baseball program.

When it came time to choose a college, Dartmouth stood out both on and off the field.

“I always knew I wanted a smaller school environment. Visiting Dartmouth, it was immediately clear it was the right place. The coaches really emphasize developing you as a person, not just a player,” Parsky said. “Other schools were more baseball-first. At Dartmouth, it’s more balanced.”

While he’s not yet set on a major, he’s leaning toward finance. “I think I’ll figure it out through classes and internships,” he said, adding that Dartmouth’s strong academic reputation gives him confidence in that journey.

At Viewpoint, the team culture also has played a vital role in shaping his experience. Unlike many programs with rigid training requirements, our coaches allow driven players like him to customize their regimen.

“The coaches here understand that if you're motivated, you might need something different,” Parsky added. “That freedom to train individually really helped my development.”

For younger student-athletes hoping to follow in his footsteps, his advice is simple: “Work hard. It sounds cliché, but that’s what gets you through. There will be doubts—there always are—but you just have to trust that the work will pay off.”

As he prepares to head to the East Coast, this dedicated student-athlete carries with him the lessons, friendships, and memories of Viewpoint—and a future as bright as his determination.

Growls, hisses, and howls echoed through the Carlson Family Theater on the morning of Monday, May 12, but this wasn’t the set of a wildlife documentary. It was the kickoff to an interactive assembly led by National Geographic Explorer and conservation photographer Ronan Donovan, presented as part of the Vital Impacts Student Program.

Donovan, who spoke to both Lower and Middle School students in separate assemblies, invited the audience to tap into their wild side by mimicking animal sounds based on different emotions. The activity broke the ice and introduced a deeper message about our connection to the natural world and what we can learn from other social mammals.

A wildlife biologist turned filmmaker and photographer, Donovan shared his personal journey–from studying chimpanzees in Uganda to capturing breathtaking stories for National Geographic Magazine, Disney+, and the BBC’s Planet Earth 3. Through vivid imagery and powerful storytelling, he transported students to remote corners of the world where he has spent months at a time living alongside wolves, mountain gorillas, and chimpanzees.

“Territorial social apes are extremely similar to us. They have culture, they have language, hierarchy, politics, and they use tools. All of these things that we thought uniquely were us, but these exist in the natural world as well,” Donovan explained.

Donovan’s photos and film clips were not only captivating but also offered insight into social behavior, communication, and the strong bonds animals form in their communities. He reminded students that we, too, are social mammals, and by learning from the lives of other species, we can better understand our own.

If you're curious to see more of his work, Donovan’s photo exhibition Wolves is currently on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County–a powerful continuation of the stories and lessons he brought to campus.

Congratulations to our Seventh and Eighth Grade students for their exceptional performances at this year’s Music in the Parks Adjudicated Festival, held on May 2 at Knott’s Berry Farm. With 88 students performing across four ensembles, Viewpoint’s Middle School musicians earned top honors in every division they entered.

• Jazz Lab – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Concert Winds – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Vocal Ensemble – Excellent Rating, 1st Place in Division
• Middle School Orchestra – Superior Rating, 1st Place in Division, Top Scoring Orchestra and Instrumental Ensemble at the Festival

This marks the third consecutive year the Middle School Orchestra has received these top honors, solidifying their place as a standout ensemble in the festival.

“This is the fourth year we've participated in Music in the Parks, and it’s inspiring to see the students rise to the occasion year after year,” said Kristin Herkstroeter, Music Department Chair. “They always work harder knowing they’ll be judged by other music educators. They take it seriously and want to represent Viewpoint well.”

Each ensemble prepared for months in advance, using the opportunity not only to rehearse but to refine their technique and collaborate more closely.

“The music program at Viewpoint is thriving,” Herkstroeter added. “Not only do a significant portion of our students participate, they also work hard so that their ensembles perform at a high level.”

Congratulations to all of our young musicians and their directors for another year of excellence and growth. You can see these students perform at our annual Arts Fest event on Saturday, May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on campus.