2023-2024 US Wrap Up - Commencement & Spring Athletic Highlights
![commencement speaker and graduates]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1718743058/stmonicachsorg/dcdnyzdxotmi48tgfhxg/e4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1718743058/stmonicachsorg/dcdnyzdxotmi48tgfhxg/e4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1718743058/stmonicachsorg/dcdnyzdxotmi48tgfhxg/e4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1718743058/stmonicachsorg/dcdnyzdxotmi48tgfhxg/e4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1718743058/stmonicachsorg/dcdnyzdxotmi48tgfhxg/e4.jpg","width":1280}])
2023-2024 US Wrap Up - Commencement & Spring Athletic Highlights
Saint Monica Preparatory welcomed back one of our own esteemed alumni, Blake Van Putten '12 as the speaker at the 86th Annual Commencement for the Class of 2024. Van Putten is the CEO and Founder of CISE, a clothing and accessories brand based in Los Angeles with a mission to create apparel for those who are typically ignored. He was recognized by Forbes last year as a member of its 2023 30 Under 30 for Retail and Ecommerce.
Van Putten reflected on his own graduation from Saint Monica, sharing, "I had big dreams but was unsure how to achieve them. I was filled with questions about my purpose and how I could change and make a difference. I wondered how I could navigate the challenges ahead and what role I would play in the broader world." He challenged the Class of 2024 to remember the power of community: "You all have a responsibility. Embrace your responsibility to that community. Your commitment may look different than mine, right? So whether you become a teacher, an engineer, an artist, an entrepreneur, your impact matters. In a world that often seems divided, your actions can bridge gaps and bring people together." St. Monica, pray for our Class of 2024 during this exciting next chapter in their lives.
SMPREP also celebrated three more of its athletes continuing their athletic careers at the college level this fall in a special spring signing ceremony. Congratulations to Carolina Calzada headed to King University for Golf, Shadel Ffrench headed to Glendale College for Basketball and Kaya Ghobrial headed to Loyola Chicago University for Basketball. Shoutouts also go to Boys and Girls Track & Field for breaking four all-time school records this season for Boys 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay and 400M and Girls 100M. Meanwhile, Mariner Boys Golf led by Head Coach Charles Womack Jr., PGA, shot a personal best 192 this season - an impressive score unmatched by most programs in the country! Well done Mariners.
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![Saint Monica Alumna and Former U.S. Ambassador Nathalie Rayes to Deliver 2025 Commencement Address]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748624449/stmonicachsorg/t8bkpkkhziqh1gkopgee/newspost21.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748624449/stmonicachsorg/t8bkpkkhziqh1gkopgee/newspost21.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748624449/stmonicachsorg/t8bkpkkhziqh1gkopgee/newspost21.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748624449/stmonicachsorg/t8bkpkkhziqh1gkopgee/newspost21.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1748624449/stmonicachsorg/t8bkpkkhziqh1gkopgee/newspost21.jpg","width":1280}])
Saint Monica Preparatory is proud to welcome back Nathalie Rayes ‘92, the former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, to deliver the keynote address at our 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. Her career spans public service, private sector leadership, nonprofit advocacy and diplomacy—embodying the values we aim to instill in every student.
The following week, Rayes also has the honor of returning to her university alma mater, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, to deliver commencement addresses at both its undergraduate and graduate ceremonies.
![SMPREP Students Make Headlines]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748546733/stmonicachsorg/txnueonl9lnif9zgunbt/newspost16.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748546733/stmonicachsorg/txnueonl9lnif9zgunbt/newspost16.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748546733/stmonicachsorg/txnueonl9lnif9zgunbt/newspost16.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748546733/stmonicachsorg/txnueonl9lnif9zgunbt/newspost16.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1748546733/stmonicachsorg/txnueonl9lnif9zgunbt/newspost16.jpg","width":1280}])
Saint Monica Preparatory students are making waves beyond our campus. This month, both the Los Angeles Times and CBS News' "Inside SoCal" featured three of our seniors, all recipients of four-year, full college tuition and housing scholarships through the Western Golf Association's Evans Scholarship. SMPREP junior Tomas Officer finished in first place at UCLA's Open Mind Film Festival, while senior Lucy Lopez was recognized by the L.A. Archdiocese for this year’s Archdiocesan Christian Service Award. Senior Micaela Patajo took home Gold in the Speed category at the 2025 USA Climbing National Team Trials, while two Mariner juniors are among the 2025 Founding Forward National Essay Winners.
![Spring’s Record-Setting Achievements]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749750706/stmonicachsorg/l3p8zxgooiejymq88pvy/newspost1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749750706/stmonicachsorg/l3p8zxgooiejymq88pvy/newspost1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749750706/stmonicachsorg/l3p8zxgooiejymq88pvy/newspost1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1749750706/stmonicachsorg/l3p8zxgooiejymq88pvy/newspost1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749750706/stmonicachsorg/l3p8zxgooiejymq88pvy/newspost1.png","width":1280}])
Mariner Boys Golf had a record-setting season, securing the league championship title with only one loss in its overall 14-1 record. Mariners made it all the way to the CIF Team Championship, where they missed the cut by only 11 strokes. Mariner Softball secured second place in Camino Real League play, while Mariner Baseball pulled off an historic win vs. Paramount - the first win in CIF Playoffs for Mariner Baseball in 20 years!
Track & Field, Boys Volleyball, as well as Middle School Golf and Track & Field athletes all also made the highlight reel this spring. SMPREP hosted a Signing Ceremony last week for four of its senior athletes continuing their achievements at the collegiate level. Congratulations, Mariners!