School Spotlights

Congratulations to our Varsity Cross Country teams for their incredible performances at the CIF State Finals, held at Woodward Park in Fresno this past weekend! The Boys Varsity team made history with a record-breaking second-place finish in Division 5, while the Girls Varsity team proudly competed in their fourth consecutive State Finals, finishing 16th.

Olly O’Connor ’26 led the boys with a fifth-place individual finish, earning All-State honors. Noah Bamsey ’28 delivered a breakthrough performance, setting a personal record and surpassing key competitors to help secure the team’s podium spot. Alongside Andrew Neville ’26, Mitchell Majors ’28, Jack Richter ’27, Derek Kessler ’26, and Grant Kaltman ’28, the team achieved the fastest total time in Viewpoint history and the fourth-fastest in Division 5.

“The boys showed incredible grit and teamwork,” said Head Coach Justin Hackitt. “Their work ethic and bond carried them to a performance that will be remembered for years.”

The Girls Varsity team’s 16th-place finish showcased both experience and promise for the future. Zooey Jeong ’25, Ella Katz ’25, Micah Gutman ’25, and Alexa Jeong ’25 led the way, guiding Jade Brun ’28, Lola Bamsey ’28, and Annie Yang ’26 through the challenges of state-level competition. 

“The girls demonstrated remarkable resilience and leadership,” Hackitt added. “Our Seniors set a strong example, and the younger runners gained invaluable experience that will help propel the program forward in the coming years.”

Congratulations to all of our runners for their outstanding achievements this season!

The day before Thanksgiving, more than half of our Upper School students participated in meaningful service projects, demonstrating inspired leadership and global citizenship. Every year during this season of giving, Upper School students in CORE (Community OutReach for Everyone) organize this impactful day of volunteering to support local nonprofit organizations, and those in need.

On November 27, CORE student leaders organized six different projects to support non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles area. The activities ranged from an annual beach cleanup in support of the Surfrider Foundation, crafting letters of gratitude for first responders with Operation Gratitude, to packaging canned goods and non-perishable food items for the West Valley Food Pantry. A total of 228 Upper School students, accompanied by 19 faculty chaperones, generously volunteered their time to contribute to these meaningful causes.

“For nearly 25 years, Community Service Day has been an integral part of my Thanksgiving tradition,” said Pam Oseransky, Viewpoint’s Coordinator of Service Learning. “After spending about 18 years volunteering as a chaperone, I transitioned to coordinating the event with the support of hundreds of CORE students over the years. It’s incredibly inspiring to see dedicated faculty members arrive early on a non-official school day, and knowing that hundreds of Upper School students are spreading across LA County to make a positive impact fills me with so much hope.”

This year, students participated in a new pilot initiative, Wood Turning Pens for the Troops, led by Lance Argano-Rush, Physical Science Teacher. In this project, students handcrafted beautiful pens to honor retired military personnel. The initiative was met with enthusiasm, and plans are already in place to expand it next year.

The Sack Lunch Challenge also achieved a record-breaking milestone this year, with students preparing nearly 900 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—surpassing the previous record of 700. These lunches were donated to Hope the Mission, providing nourishment to unhoused community members.

Community Service Day embodies the spirit of giving and unity, inspiring Viewpoint’s CORE students and faculty to come together and make a lasting difference for those in need.

On November 22, 23, and 24, Viewpoint’s Upper School Theatre students presented their highly anticipated performance of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition in the Carlson Family Theater (CFT).

Written by acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen, this comedic and poignant play follows high schooler Agnes Evans as she copes with the untimely death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes discovers Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she is transported into a fantastical world of ogres, fairies, succubus cheerleaders, and ‘90s pop culture references. Through her adventures, Agnes gains new insights into her sister’s life and finds her own inner strength. The play offers a heartfelt exploration of family, imagination, and connection, delivering moments of both laughter and reflection.

“This creative and production team brought incredible talent and dedication to this project,” said Scott Feldsher, Theatre and Dance Department Chair and the director. “Our acting ensemble not only navigated the complex emotional journeys of their characters but also embraced the physicality and fantasy elements that brought this world to life. From the dazzling fight choreography to the quiet moments of introspection, their work was extraordinary. We are so proud of the creativity and teamwork they demonstrated throughout this process.”

Congratulations to our Upper School theatre students for their outstanding performance of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition!

Viewpoint School recognizes Mei Zhong and Heng Xiao for their generous leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as members of the Head of School Circle.

Congratulations to the Viewpoint Boys Varsity Cross Country Team for winning the Southern Section Division 5 CIF Champions title for the third straight year, and qualifying for the State Finals for the sixth consecutive time. The race was held at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, November 23. The Girls Varsity Cross Country team won third place, and qualified for the fourth year in a row.  Both teams are gearing up to compete in the CIF State Finals on November 30, with the support of their Head Coach Justin Hackitt, and Assistant Coaches Alison Corneau and Patrick Neville. 

The boys team won their third CIF southern section title with an impressive 60 points, winning by over 40 points. Results included:

• Olly O'Connor ’26: 15:02
• Mitchell Majors ’28: 16:23
• Andrew Neville ’26: 16:26
• Jack Richter ’27: 16:30 (16th)
• Noah Bamsey ’28: 17:08 (32nd)
• Derek Kessler ’28: 17:30 (50th)
• Grant Kaltman ’28: 18:04 (73rd)

“After losing some top Senior runners from last year, our boys team knew they had to work hard to continue their CIF championship streak,” said Justin Hackitt, Head Coach. “Every single one of them, including three new Freshmen and a Sophomore transfer, rose to the occasion. This has been one of the most dedicated group of athletes I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. From early morning summer runs, to high altitude training at Mammoth, and grueling after school workouts in the heat, they never wavered. Every single one of them showed up day after day to give their best, not only for their own personal goals but for their team. That is what has made this team and this season so special. They have truly become a team that enjoys each other and makes sacrifices for each other. When they lined up on the starting line there wasn’t a doubt in my mind regarding the outcome of the race. They will push through any amount of pain for the sake of the team.”

For the fourth consecutive year, our Girls team secured a spot in the State competition. Zooey Jeong ’25 placed 8th to earn All-CIFSS honors, winning her fastest time in the Mt. Sac course (19:47). Coming in 17th place, Ella Katz ’25 ran her fastest time this season on the Mt. SAC course, crossing the finish line in 20:30. Strong performances from seniors Micah Gutman ’25, and Alexa Jeong ’25, Annie Yang ’26 and Lola Bamsey ’28 helped bring the girls team success. A standout performance from Jade Brun ’28 helped secure the girls spot at the state meet. Improving her time by over two minutes from the week before. Jade crossed the finish line in 22:31 as our #5 runner.

“The girls’ team, made up of four Seniors, one Junior, and two Freshmen really came together this season,” said Hackitt. “Our four Seniors have been racing together for four years and have been through a lot. Their culminating season was about leaving behind their legacy, especially to our younger runners. It has been so special seeing the seven of them laughing at practice, encouraging one another, and pushing each other in challenging workouts. Prior to 202, the girls had only competed at the state championship in 2011 and 2017. Since their Freshmen year, these four seniors helped bring the team to state four years in a row. They’ve truly left a legacy.”

The CIF State Cross Country Championships will take place this Saturday, November 30 at Woodward Park in Fresno. Girls race at 11:30 a.m. and boys race at 1:00 p.m. On this day, Viewpoint's Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams will compete against 24 other top schools from across the state. Congratulations once again to both teams, and best of luck in the upcoming championships!

Inspired by Viewpoint’s culture of innovation in its curriculum, and on its campus, the Kelly Day Foundation, together with the Carlisi Family P’29 ’31, showed its remarkable support with a major gift to name the school’s Innovation Space. 

For the past decade, the Innovation Space has provided all Primary and Lower School students with countless opportunities for collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. In this playful and empowering environment, students explore their ideas, interests, and passions through the use of various materials, tools, and the latest technology. Our teachers promote design thinking, learning by doing, and both do-it-yourself and do-it-together projects.  

“The Innovation Space was our Board’s first and highly successful investment in innovation, when the Primary School was designed and built a decade ago. Ten years later, nearly a thousand students have experienced a hands-on curriculum, learning to code, to build, to design—essentially, to dream, and then to bring those dreams into reality. This investment drove further investments in robotics, engineering, computer science, and design, placing Viewpoint at the forefront of educational innovation,” shared Mark McKee, Head of School. 

This major gift from the Kelly Day Foundation nurtures future innovators at Viewpoint, celebrates the incredible contributions our faculty leaders in this space, Lisa Kessler and Travis Shojinaga, and honors Mark’s McKee’s vision for a school defined by tradition and innovation as he celebrates his 10th year as Head of School. 

“We have always believed that a child’s school should complement and build on the values that are instilled in the home. Viewpoint strives to provide that type of environment. Viewpoint’s innovation curriculum combines creativity, critical thinking and collaboration that nurtures the skills needed in today’s modern world,” shared Kelly Kikugawa Carlisi and Don Carlisi, Viewpoint parents and trustees of the Foundation. “We are especially excited about the Innovation Space because it focuses on areas such as entrepreneurialism, character growth, wellness, arts and real-life experiences that are critical to the challenges that children today face.”   

 “Children are not only learning through textbooks but by hands-on and do-it-yourself projects. They are developing their individualism but also learning to work as a team,” added Kelly Day, Viewpoint grandparent and President of The Kelly Day Foundation. “The Kelly Day Foundation has always been forward thinking and focused on a legacy for future generations. By funding innovative educational programs like Viewpoint, we are investing in the success of our future leaders and decision makers.”

We often refer to our Viewpoint Community as “family” and receiving a gift with a multigenerational connection is so heartwarming. 

Designed by lead Innovation Teacher Lisa Kessler, the Innovation Space opened in 2015 and its impact sparked further investments in innovation across Viewpoint, including the creation of a Robotics Lab in Upper School and a dedicated robotics space in Middle School. Today, the Innovation Space serves as a nexus for art, science, technology, and imagination and has created a vibrant pipeline of students who are excited about expanding their horizons in STEAM education during Middle and Upper School. 

“The school has been incredibly supportive from the start, providing tools and equipment that many don’t encounter until the professional world or grad school,” shared Kessler. “It’s now so rewarding to see families recognize the value of the Innovation Space and witness the positive impact it’s had on their children’s creativity and passions. This gift truly validates the students’ hard work and underscores the importance of innovation in education.”

“We started with a desire to bring the ‘maker movement’ to Viewpoint, to ensure that all students learn to code, and to de-mystify the rapidly accelerating technological change impacting students’ lives. In short, we wanted to position all students to be leaders in this changing world, no matter their academic interests or strengths,” added McKee. “Ten years later, we have seen a true explosion of interest in engineering, robotics, and design; we have seen a growing confidence in students’ abilities in computer science and innovation, and we have experienced the growth of a culture of innovation that suffuses the Viewpoint experience of not only every student, but every teacher as well.”

The Kelly Day Innovation Space will be formally unveiled during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony in February 2025, aligning perfectly with Makerfest, Viewpoint’s premier event that highlights innovation and creativity in this beloved space. 

We are incredibly grateful to the Kelly Day Foundation and the Carlisi family for their remarkable support, which only reinforces our vision of a school where tradition connects us and innovation propels us.

The Kelly Day Foundation is a private foundation in Los Angeles that focuses on grants in the fields of medicine, education, and human services. Founded in 2004 by late businessman and philanthropist Robert Addison Day, it is currently spearheaded by president and Viewpoint grandparent Kelly Day. Viewpoint parent Don Carlisi serves as its Vice President, playing a key leadership role in maintaining the foundation’s impact and ensuring continuity in its philanthropic efforts.