School Spotlights

Viewpoint’s annual World Ready Week, held February 23-27, brought our Middle School and Upper School together for three assemblies and two days of student centered and student-led workshops focused on belonging, leadership, and real-world topics. 

The week began in the Carlson Family Theater with powerful words, messages, and acronyms to remember and inspire, as offered by Los Angeles Rams Head Coach and Superbowl LVI Champion, Sean McVay. He shared insights from his journey through athletics and coaching, and from lessons that he has learned along the way. Head of School Mark McKee moderated a Q&A with McVay that also included student-athlete panelists. 

Upper School panelists included Tanner Tyminski ’26, Romy Harari ’26, and Aiden McVay ’26. The Middle School panel featured Lexi Jones-Becconsall ’30, Shiva Patel ’30, Jackson Phillips ’30, and Josh Brown ’30. During the discussions, McVay encouraged students to think about the people and experiences that shape their growth.

“One of the biggest things to remember is that you become the company you keep,” McVay said. “Surround yourself with people who inspire you and push you to keep moving in the direction you want to go. As you’re figuring out your next steps, start by asking yourself, ‘When am I at my best? What are the things that light me up the most?’ That’s often where you start to find clarity.”

Throughout the week, Upper School students designed and facilitated workshops on a wide range of topics, including cultural foods, arts and traditions, mental health and identity to athletics, and strategies for productively navigating difficult conversations. Workshops included “Creating Balance,” “The Pandora’s Box of Artificial Intelligence,” and “Challah Braiding and Shabbat.” 

Middle School students led sessions focused on communication, mindset and global perspectives, including “Academic Validation and Perfectionism,” “Empathy and Constructive Criticism,” and culture-based workshops that invited students to learn through food, games and discussion.

The week included two additional assemblies, one that highlighted “Storytelling through Written Word and Song.” As a requirement for graduation in the Upper School, each senior writes a speech using the prompt, “This I believe,” reflecting on the values and beliefs that shape their lives. Four seniors shared their heartfelt speeches: Max Brown ’26, Noah DiFanti ’26, Chloe Brendle ’26, and Prianna Pierce ’26. 

In keeping with the themes of the speeches, musical performances were woven throughout the assembly. Members of our Upper School vocal ensemble, Voices Now, sang duets by Jamey Tsugawa ’27 and Racheal Chun ’27, as well as Chloe Brendle ’26 and Jake Roth ’26. Phoebe Donlon ’28, David Wang ’27, and Sadie Kieffer ’26 also performed solos throughout the program. 

The week was brought to a close with Upper School and Middle School assemblies that offered reflection time for all. 

“During World Ready Week 2026 we connected through the joyful pursuit of excellence, our word for the year,’ said Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. “Students did an excellent job of preparing and presenting their stories and songs, and sharing from their experiences and strength in nearly 50 breakout sessions. Together, we continue to work toward world readiness while centering the mission, vision, and values of our School during WRW and always." 

If you missed Sean McVay’s keynote address, you can watch the recordings below:

• Upper School Keynote
• Middle School Keynote

McVay’s visit to campus was also featured on NBC Los Angeles.

On March 3-4, the Primary School sandbox became an excavation site during Viewpoint’s annual Paleontologist Day, as First Grade students carefully dug in search of fossils and prehistoric discoveries.

The hands-on event serves as the culmination of the First Grade dinosaur unit, where students spend months learning about fossils, prehistoric life and the work of paleontologists before stepping into the role themselves.

“Since January, my students have fully immersed themselves in the world of paleontology, and Paleontologist Day is the moment where all of that learning comes to life,” said Jackie Sanchez, Primary School science teacher. “What begins as vocabulary, including trace fossils, body fossils, mold and cast fossils, and true form fossils, transforms into real understanding through hands-on experiences.”

Throughout the unit, students created their own mold and cast fossils, preserved organisms in “amber,” and even dissected coprolites to study dinosaur diets. In the days leading up to the dig, they also explored the tools paleontologists use in the field so they could apply those techniques during their own excavation.

“When students enter the sandbox with spoons, sifters and brushes, along with their vests and credentials, they aren’t just playing. They are scientists applying months of learning,” Sanchez said. “Watching six- and seven-year-olds carefully brush away sand, collaborate with peers and confidently classify their discoveries using scientific vocabulary is incredibly powerful.”

Several large fossils also were displayed throughout the event for students to observe, generously donated by the Oschin family (Zachary Oschin ’16).

For Sanchez, the experience represents more than a themed activity.

“Paleontologist Day allows students to step into the role of investigators and truly see themselves as capable, curious scientists,” she said.

From attending the Women’s March as a child to speaking up about equality from a young age, Riley Brown ’26 has long been passionate about social justice.

“I’ve always considered myself a feminist. It’s just an intrinsic part of me,” Brown said.

When she arrived at Viewpoint, joining the Feminism Club felt like a natural fit. Four years later, she now leads the club as president, an experience that recently led her to organize a schoolwide donation drive supporting the West Valley Food Pantry.

“It felt like a really tangible way to make a difference,” she said. “If someone has to choose between feeding their family or buying period products, they’re going to choose food, and that’s a need that often gets overlooked.”

That idea quickly turned into a schoolwide effort. Over the course of six weeks, Brown led a campus-wide donation drive that collected more than 320 boxes of feminine hygiene products for the West Valley Food Pantry. The drive, which runs through February 27, was inspired by her volunteer work with the organization.

After connecting with the pantry in December, she began organizing the initiative at the start of the spring semester, reaching out to more than 30 teachers. Many offered extra credit to encourage participation, helping drive student involvement across campus.

“It really became a community effort,” she said. “Seeing how many people showed up in just a few weeks was incredibly rewarding.”

In addition to her work in social justice, Brown is also active in theater and will star in Viewpoint’s production of Lost Girl, opening this weekend in the Ahmanson Foundation Black Box Theater.

As she looks ahead, Brown plans to continue efforts like her recent drive in college while pursuing interests in acting and psychology.

“It is so much easier to make a difference than people realize,” she said. “If you’re interested in it, just jump in."

Throughout February, Viewpoint’s librarians, faculty, and administrators partnered in a joyful celebration of reading and writing across our campus.

On February 4, Middle and Upper School students in Viewpoint’s Literary Honors and Literary Scholars programs participated in an inspiring writing workshop with author Henry Lien. Lien, who teaches writing at the University of California, Los Angeles, is the author of the Peasprout Chen series and the nonfiction work Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling. 

Founded by English teachers Cherie Boss and Tom Moore, the Literary Honors Society fosters a vibrant culture of reading and writing in Viewpoint’s Middle School. Students demonstrate their commitment by engaging deeply in independent reading, participating in community literary events, and submitting original work to writing contests throughout the year. Members are recognized at the end-of-year assembly for their dedication to literary excellence.

Literary Scholars, founded by Viewpoint Upper School English teacher Megan Hill, is a collaborative writing program designed to help students develop their voices and grow as confident writers. Through workshops, authentic writing opportunities, and guided revision, students refine their craft while building a supportive community grounded in creativity, communication, and a lifelong love of reading and writing.  Students receive community credit for volunteering at events, including the VSSA Book Fair, and for attending the Viewpoint library’s Page Turners book club.  

Following the successful visit with Henry Lien, on February 10, Viewpoint's Primary School students enjoyed an engaging and interactive assembly with Disney animator and picture book author Benson Shum. Mr. Shum shared his passion for storytelling through illustration, offering students a glimpse into the creative process behind his colorful books for young children.  

That same day, Viewpoint’s Middle School assembly featured bestselling author Morgan Matson. Ms. Matson spoke about her writing and publishing journey and led a lunchtime workshop with our Literary Honors and Literary Scholars students, engaging them in meaningful conversation about crafting stories from personal experience. 

Through thoughtfully curated author visits and programming, Viewpoint’s librarians and faculty offer students the unique opportunity to connect with the creators of the stories they love. These collaborative partnerships enrich our students’ academic experience and support Viewpoint’s World Ready Promise by encouraging our children and teens to develop a lifelong commitment to learning through literature.