Class of 2012 1

Class of 2012 (from top-right): Andrew McCaffery, Alex Greer, Luke Judson, Justin Shand, Alex Louden, Logan Elder, Austin Abrams, Tucker Atterbury, Troy Ritter, Milo Filip, Jamie Rosenberg, (from bottom-right) Fiona Jessup, Mackenzie Campbell, McKenzie Scarborough, Rebecca Braly, Ari Rodriguez, Lauren Alef, Cameron Platt, Jess Davis, Lauren Conk, Elise Scheuermann, Vera Lopez, Allie Lafitte, Savanna Brown, Brandon Bickett, Amanda Harvey, Kimi Mashhoon, Kai Gamble, Tanner Dalton, Marisa Hutton, Estelle Lewis, and Morgan Raith.

“Jack is an unpredictable, funny, crazy hipster. He will always make you laugh.” –Austin

“Lab buddy, battle buddy, lunch buddy. Austin is the best buddy one could have.” – Kai

“Estelle is awe-some; I’m going to miss her so much next year.” – Kimiya

“Fiona is one of those friends that you’ve known for way too long but still every minute is as priceless and exciting as the next. I’ll miss ya, girl!” –McKenzie

“Alex is a great guy. He was an awesome captain for cross country, and he will succeed wherever he goes. Yeah, buddy.” -Luke

“Allie is really amazing and is a great friend. She’s always there for you!” –Estelle

“Becca is one of the most amazing, thought-ful, and caring people I know. She is such a great friend, and it’s crazy how much I’m going to miss her next year.” –Fiona

“Cameron wants everyone to think he’s a tough guy, but underneath all that brawn, he’s re-ally a sweetheart.” – Troy

“I like Andrew because his name rhymes with my favorite Pokemon Sandshrew.”– Alex

“Ari is my fa-vorite of all Aztec royalty and baby phoenixes. I’m awed by how much we’ve grown and expe-rienced together. I love you, Ari!” – Cameron

“He likes cameras.” – Jack

“Vera is hilarious, and I love her laugh! It’s going to be so much fun at Santa Cruz next year”– Elise

Best of the Class of 2012From best eyes to best leader. Page 2.

Most Likely To...Predictions for the Class of 2012. Page 3.

Remember WhenThe senior class memories from four years of high school. Page 4.

The Laguna Lifer ExperienceA Laguna Lifer reflects on his experiences at Laguna Blanca. Page 5.

Senior Projects Students experience life in the workplace. Page 6.

The Next Step Find out where each of our seniors will be going to school next year. Page 8.

ART: ZOE SERBIN

Class of 20122

Class of

2012Winners Best of...

huggerpersonality

eyesbook worms

laugh

smile:) leader

hair

speaker

schoolspirit

environmentalist

driver

hipsters

artist

dressed

humanitarian

PhOTOS ANd LAyOuT: ANASTASIA ANTONOvA

Savanna

Kai

Marisa

Becca

Justin

Morgan

Jack & Eva

Jess

Andrew

AustinAlex & Cameron

Vera

Alex

MiloAllie

Lauren & Troy

Class of 2012 3

“Kai is a great friend to have! He always makes Spanish class very interesting. I’m going to miss him next year.” – Allie

“I like Luke because his favorite Pokemon is Squirtle and so is mine.” –Justin

“Mackenzie is really outgoing and brings everyone together.” –Becca

“Patrick may sleep like a Snorlax and eat like a Garydos, but at heart he’s just a little Jigglypuff.”—Andrew

“Lauren has been a great friend since seventh grade. She is amazing, and I’m going to miss her so much next year!” –Elise

“Ken is probably the most fun person I know. Whenever I’m with her we al-ways have a great time. I’m really go-ing to miss her.”

–Mackenzie C.

“I’m going to miss my little gingersnap next year. I love her so much!”—Allie

“Money Audi A3…pound it!”—Louden

“There is no boring moment with Milo. Meow.” –Tanner

Most Likely To...

“Justin’s kind personality and joyful disposition in class makes learning fun.”– Brandon

“Can’t wait to rock the East Coast with you next year, girl! We’re gonna freeze our butts off, but at least we know we’ll be doing it together.” —Morgan

...Be a Professional Soccer PlayerMcKenzie Scarborough

...Be Her ManagerFiona Jessup

...Be ID’d When They Are 30Becca Braly

...Be a College Volleyball CoachAmanda Harvey

...Win a Nobel Prize in BiochemistryAndrew McCaffery

...Be on the Cover of Time MagazineBrandon Bickett

...Take the Cover PhotographJamie Rosenberg

...Run Her Own Private Medical Practice

Estelle Lewis

...Be a Human Rights ActivistEva Davis

...Be Her AttorneyCameron Matthews

...Create a Fashion LineLauren Alef

...Design for that Fashion LineMackenzie Campbell

...Be on the Cover of GQAlex Louden

...Be in the Ironman TriathlonPatrick Gainey

...Be PresidentAlex Greer

...Be Appointed as Chief Justice Jess Davis

...Be an Acclaimed Literary Critic & Writer

Cameron Platt

...Be on the Cover of The EconomistJustin Shand

...Become a Famous Cinematographer

Jack Davies

...Be on American IdolAllie Lafitte

...Sail Around the WorldTucker Atterbury

...Win America’s CupSavanna Brown

...Be an Olympic Medal Winning Equestrian

Marisa Hutton

...Design a Green CommunityMorgan Raith

...Work for ESPNLuke Judson

...Become a World Renowned Surgeon

Tanner Dalton

...Make a DifferenceVera Lopez

...Coach Someone in the U.S. OpenLauren Conk

...Become an Aquaculture EngineerElise Scheuermann

...Compete on Iron ChefJames Cornell

...Win an Olympic Medal for SwimmingMilo Filip

...Teach Marine ScienceAri Rodriguez

...Coach an NCAA College Basketball Team

Logan Elder

...Be an Award Winning Microbiologist Austin Abrams

...Own a Martial Arts StudioKimi Mashhoon

...Be on the Board of Trustees for Laguna

Troy Ritter

...Become an AdmiralKai Gamble

“Brandon is the most mysterious man ever.” –Logan

ART: MORGAN RAITh

Class of 20124

Remember When

Grade 9The White Out

Armand! Mysterious cruise in February...Luke GonzalesAnatina Roach

Allie and Cameron MatthewsTroy and Amanda Girls Soccer CIF

Chicks with SticksObama ‘08

WOLF Camp Ropes CourseBoys Lacrosse beats Cate

Pippin

Grade 10dillan’s First year

Ms. Louie makes Swoop fierceAndy and Brianna

Swine Fluhodges returnsSlocombe Starts

Jesusita FireAndrew’s Garden

Christian Klein CIF Girls Soccer/ volleyball

Sophomore Service DayMr. Torme “the Torminator”

Mr. Luna’s last yearCinderella

Grade 11CIF Football Mud Game

No more Ms. ParadisMs. Richard goes to D.C., Ms. Jenkins fills in

Magistra Haycock leavesMs. Steeber arrives

dr. Barndollar’s last yearTabitha leaves

Jess and Marisa arrive!Christian Klein

Debate Team wins Hollywood InvitationalGreen and TastyFirst Field day

Japanese tsunamiMyrick Room tsunami

Mr. Tur arrivesChicago

Grade 12Mr. Berry leaves

Mr. Buchanan (Mr. Love) leavesMs. Geier arrives

Ms. Richard returnsWiFi!

Ms. Burke’s last yearMr. U gets a new dog, welcome Palmer!

“detention is for Fascists” USS Billy Budd is sunk/ brutally murdered

Christian Klein comes for spring breakKony 2012

Once Upon A Mattress Brianna leaves

AP Literature Last Supper Ms. McCord: A substitute for whom there is no substitute

Class of 2012 5By ANdREW McCAFFERy

A Lifer Reflects on the Laguna Experience

People say that great things come in small packages. They also say one is supposed to avoid using clichés in writing, but since these are my final published remarks as an active Owl, certain rules can be forgotten. Forgive me, Ms. Nordgaarden.

Laguna Blanca is a small school, and its students never let themselves forget this fact.

unfortunately, this remembrance is usually of the wrong kind—one is bound to encounter a lunchtime ca-cophony of complaints and despairing sighs over our claustrophobic environ-ment.

These jabs, although they may seem commonplace, are possibly the most ill-conceived notions a Laguna student can assume.

Sure, our football field may be min-iature and our prom not MTV-worthy, but these are not the factors on which one should base his or her high school experience.

Laguna’s cozy size should instead be remembered as a gift, or a leg-up.

In my case, it was the reason I stayed for high school.

I have been a Laguna student since 2000 when I was in kindergarten with Ms. Diebold, for the second time—my first kindergarten was at the Howard School, which was housed on the cur-rent Laguna Blanca Lower School cam-pus until the new millennium.

I was forced to repeat due to my mere five-and-a-half years of age, and the supposed intelligence and maturity levels associated with that age were

deemed insufficient for a first-grade student. It took two years to prove this decision wrong; I subsequently skipped the second grade and joined the third in the fall of 2002.

I had two great years of wearing uni-forms, play-ing capture-the-flag with Mr. Robi-taille and performing real musi-cals with Ms. Laza—back then, the Lower School put on shows such as Trea-sure Island and Oliver Twist, rather than the current curriculum-tailored shows—then, we moved to the Hope Ranch campus.

For my classmates, this was an excit-ing return journey, for they were the last kindergarten class in Hope Ranch. For me, it was fresh.

My fantastic Middle School experi-ence was largely the result of one man, Mr. Eli Buchanan—yes, to me, he is still Mr. B.

From the play-offs and orchestra-hi-erarchy in fifth and sixth grade, to the movie-making and original song writ-ing in seventh-and-eighth grade band, I was consumed by Mr. B’s program—and, as a somewhat uncoordinated, not-yet-comfortable-in-my-body mid-dle school boy whose athletic capabili-ties had yet to develop, the stage gave me a place to shine.

When it came time to consider high school, my itching to play football was tied with my love of performing as my greatest anticipation.

At dos Pueblos, my alternate to La-guna Blanca, it would not be possible

to split my time on the g r i d i r o n with my time on-stage.

T h i s brings us back to the size of

our school; while some may scoff at the thought of a 200-student high school, I am so very thankful for it.

The relatively small population al-lows for unmatched personalization and attention.

here, teachers and administrators are more than willing to accommodate a student’s activities, aspirations and greatest dreams.

All of this catering was accompanied by the heavier course-load, elevated atmosphere and increased academic pressure of high school in general.

I continued my music, as singer and guitarist for the Stage Band and played football, at least until my knee explod-ed senior year, but high school was so much more than songs and sports.

The four years were a grueling but enjoyable formative process in creat-ing who I am—or at least in casting the mold of who I will become.

In doing so, Laguna’s teachers and administration have been ever-careful to prevent any major burns.

However, we are not babied; our mother owl simply waits longer to kick us out of the nest and teach us to fly.

Our wings are exercised but not fully tested for flight. This delayed introduc-tion into the “real world” allows stu-dents to develop a broader portfolio of abilities and interests, which, in theo-ry, should lead to greater possibilities later in life.

This grand potential can be seen in the vast array of senior projects taken on by the class of 2012.

We have students working in real estate, health care, business and many other areas of life in which a Laguna education proves most applicable.

In my case, working in Paris for Total Petrochemicals France—a subsidiary of oil-giant Total S.A., I will be flexing my French language skills learned from Mme. Maud Maillard, my public speak-ing and communication skills from Ms. Trish McHale, and even my computer skills from Ms. Barbara Remick.

As I flesh out these final thoughts and travel through the stratosphere to-wards the land of croissants and cham-pagne, I can once more confirm that small beginnings lead to large futures.

Laguna Blanca will not immediately unveil its spoils to anyone; however, it will guide us in the right directions, teaching us to find clues and a sense of direction in all endeavors. Slowly, but surely, it teaches one how to navigate life. I am proud to be an Owl.

Here, teachers and administrators are more

than willing to accommodate a student’s activities,

aspirations and greatest dreams.

Class of 2012 Lifers

Allie Lafitte will be working at Storyteller

— a day care for homeless children in the

Santa Barbara community to

stay while their

parents work. Allie will be helping out with

day to day activi

ties which, depending on

the

age group, include accompanying children

on

walks to the park,

playing with them

on the

playground, helpin

g with art activities

and so

on. In addition to

her avid love of working w

ith

children, Allie chose

working at storytell

er as

her senior project

to evaluate Early Childhood

Education as a possible

major. “I’m looking

forward to just being a

round little kids. T

hey’re

so fun and energ

etic; it will be a

chaotic but

very fun to weeks!”

Class of 20126

After drinking countless cups of coffee, tackling the monstrous AP exams, and attending the prom, seniors leave campus to enter the real world and begin their Senior Projects.

Each senior will commence a two-week internship of his or her choice, whether

it be a in the workplace, a classroom or a laboratory. Senior Projects are a capstone to the curriculum

and have been a tradition for over 30 years. The process starts when seniors secure a faculty

member who will assume the role of an on-campus advisor and who will guide them throughout their project.

Seniors also must find an off-campus advisor who specializes in a profession and who will be their mentor during their internship.

The Senior Project schedule follows the AP Test calendar. Since this year’s AP testing started later, seniors only had two weeks to complete a minimum of 60 hours instead of the usual three-week 75 hour project.

Each project culminates with a final assessment paper and a presentation of the experience in front of fellow seniors, their parents and teachers.

SinceSeptember,AndrewMcCafferyhas been working on developing hisconnection with Total Petrochemicals,France.ThisisabranchofthelargeoilcompanyTotalS.A.whichspecializesinusing petroleum to make plastics andotherproductsthataren’tdirectlyrelatedto oil . Andrewwill beworking in thebusinessdivisiontolearnaboutfinance,accountingandITmanagement.Andrewchose this project because hewanted tofind a project in the field of chemicalengineering, his intended major, andworkingatTotalPetrochemicals,Franceistheperfectfit.“I’mreallylookingforwardto learning about corporate finance ina foreign environmentwhere I will gettopracticemyFrench .Myprimary goalis to learnasmuchas I can . Itwill beawesome to make contacts and possiblylandafuturejob!”

Greetings from.... Senior Projects!

ART & LAyOuT: MORGAN RAITh

By CLARA MAdSEN

Class of 2012 7

PhOTOS: MR. dAN ARy, MR. PAuL ChIMENT, MR. ChRIS JOhNSON, MS. MchALE, ANd JAMIE ROSENBERG

Class of 20128

“When I first met her I thought she was really quiet, but after a year, I know she is definitely not! She’s extremely funny and very sweet like a bunny.”-Marisa

“Amanda’s re-ally good at volleyball, a great friend, and always makes people laugh.” –Becca

“Tanner’s laugh is contagious.” –Amanda

“Even though Marisa has been here for only two years, she’s become one of my best friends and I’m really going to miss her next year.” –Lauren C.

“Logan is a great friend and is always mellow, go with the flow, and easy to hang out with.” – Joey

Class of 2012College Acceptances

“James is really shy, but he’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet.” –Jamie

“Literally unreal.” -Tucker

Union CollegeEva Davis

Lake Forest CollegeFiona JessupEstelle Lewis

California Polytechnic State University,San Luis Obispo McKenzie Scarborough

Chapman UniversityMackenzie Campbell

Claremont McKenna CollegeJess Davis

Loyola Marymount UniversityLauren ConkKimiya Mashhoon

Pomona CollegeAustin Abrams

Santa Barbara City College Rebecca Braly

Santa Clara UniversityLuke Judson

University of California at MercedJames Rosenberg

University of California at Santa BarbaraMarisa Hutton

University of California at Santa CruzVera Lopez

Elise Scheuermann

University of Southern CaliforniaBrandon Bickett

Colorado CollegeMilo FilipUniversity of Arizona

Logan Elder

American UniversityAlex Shirokow-Louden

Johns Hopkins UniversityTanner Dalton

United States Naval AcademyKai Gamble

Colby CollegeJames Cornell

Boston CollegeSavanna Brown

Gordon CollegeJack Davies

Wellesley CollegeAri Rodriguez

Williams CollegePatrick GaineyTroy Ritter

Dartmouth CollegeAlex Greer

Duke UniversityLauren Alef

Gap YearCameron Matthews

Texas Christian UniversityAllie Lafitte

Middlebury CollegeMorgan Raith University of Puget

SoundAmanda Harvey

University of PennsylvaniaJustin Shand

Roger Williams UniversityTucker Atterbury

Washington and Lee UniversityAndrew MCCaffery

Princeton UniversityCameron Platt

“My intellectual soulmate forever and always.” -Jess

“Kimi is the sassi-est diva I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. How is your shoulder?” -Zoe

“Sperry-sporting Tucker has always been a master of class, even before the new glasses.” - Morgan

“She is a great person to be around and al-ways makes class more fun.” –Milo

“Jess approaches every-thing with immeasurable passion and grace. Her energy instills in everyone around her a sense of self-value and purpose, and I feel so lucky to have her as one of my best friends. I love you so much Jess!”-Olivia