LA Tech Week at SMPREP
![LA Tech Week at SMPREP]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761758412/stmonicachsorg/wrgmmg3lx35rmktx6vpi/newspost6.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761758412/stmonicachsorg/wrgmmg3lx35rmktx6vpi/newspost6.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761758412/stmonicachsorg/wrgmmg3lx35rmktx6vpi/newspost6.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1761758412/stmonicachsorg/wrgmmg3lx35rmktx6vpi/newspost6.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761758412/stmonicachsorg/wrgmmg3lx35rmktx6vpi/newspost6.png","width":1280}])
LA Tech Week at SMPREP
Mr. Roland Labana, CTO of Altafid and SMPREP's STEM Academy Dean/Computer Science teacher, hosted a LA Tech Week session at SMPREP last week with the help of his Engineering students. The workshop, "AI Tools for Building Apps with Lightning Speed," took place in our new Engineering classroom and was full of a variety of ideas for new apps — from how to report potholes and other road issues, to a study guide for the HSPT with AI-generated quizzes, to researching different car models by searching reviews. Senior David Alexander shared, "The best thing I liked about the workshop is that I got to walk around and help everyone. There were people of all ages from middle schoolers to adults...Using AI along with programming is a powerful way to complete more complex programs in a short time."
After a demo where Mr. Labana created a sign-in app within minutes for participants to complete in real time about why they came to the seminar, they used AI to create their own apps. He shared, "I was blown away; the apps were amazing." Middle Schooler Makoa K. added, "It was really fun and informative about how AI is used to make apps and how it could affect apps in the future." Students helped participants work with the Lovable app, which they are currently using in their own classes on projects such as tracking school and parish maintenance requests and developing a prayer resource for teachers. Mr. Labana has more applications for the tool in mind for SMPREP.
His takeaway from the event, which he thought fit in well with other Tech Week events he attended: "Things are moving super fast and all of us, if we want to survive, have to know about these tools. What I would've given a talk on six months ago is completely different from this workshop, and in another six months will be completely different." Mr. Labana is excited about the AI opportunities for tech, though he cautions we will need to find ways to manage both the ethical and privacy concerns with AI. LA Tech Week, Tech's Largest Decentralized Conference, included thousands of free events hosted across Los Angeles by some of the top founders, funds and companies around the globe.
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![Miriah Lopez Named Head Coach of Inaugural Mariner Varsity Girls Flag Football]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788559775/stmonicachsorg/yrrnnuxdv41nrvobmdyh/newspost14.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788559775/stmonicachsorg/yrrnnuxdv41nrvobmdyh/newspost14.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788559775/stmonicachsorg/yrrnnuxdv41nrvobmdyh/newspost14.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788559775/stmonicachsorg/yrrnnuxdv41nrvobmdyh/newspost14.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788559775/stmonicachsorg/yrrnnuxdv41nrvobmdyh/newspost14.png","width":1280}])
Saint Monica Preparatory is proud to welcome Miriah Lopez as the new Head Coach of the Mariner Varsity Girls Flag Football team for the 2026-27 season. This year marks a milestone for SMPREP Athletics as the school launches its first-ever Girls Flag Football program, joining a rapidly growing sport that became CIF-sanctioned in California in 2023.
Lopez brings an impressive combination of professional playing and collegiate coaching experience, as well as a passion for empowering the next generation of female football players. A three-time All-Pro athlete, Lopez currently plays professional tackle football for the Los Angeles Legends of the Women’s National Football Conference, where she was named team MVP in both 2024 and 2026. She is also the co-founder of Football Sisterhood, an organization dedicated to creating a positive, supportive community for girls and women in football.
![Celebrating the People Who Serve Our Mariner Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788554397/stmonicachsorg/h1hzdwukflrdhttvd1p7/newspost13.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788554397/stmonicachsorg/h1hzdwukflrdhttvd1p7/newspost13.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788554397/stmonicachsorg/h1hzdwukflrdhttvd1p7/newspost13.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788554397/stmonicachsorg/h1hzdwukflrdhttvd1p7/newspost13.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788554397/stmonicachsorg/h1hzdwukflrdhttvd1p7/newspost13.png","width":1280}])
Service is at the heart of the Saint Monica Preparatory community. Throughout the year, parents, faculty, staff and students give their time, talents and energy to strengthen our school and support those around us. This spirit of generosity was celebrated during the Feast of St. Monica Weekend with the David Hines Awards, recognizing volunteers for years of dedicated service.
Jermaine Shelton, a beloved member of the SMPREP community for 25 years as the parent of Rayne ’17 and Scarlett ’26, was among the award recipients. "Jermaine’s unwavering involvement in all aspects of our school and community is an inspiration," said Suzette Sornborger, SMPREP Dean of Spirituality & Faith Formation.
SMPREP celebrates fellow honorees including Mike Dwyer, whose years of service have touched both the parish and school communities. Faculty, staff, parents and students were recognized by Msgr. Torgerson for their relief efforts following the Palisades and Eaton Fires: Patrick Friend, Katherine Leach, Monica Moore, James Spellman, Vincent Torroba, Renett Young and Julie Zaller.
![Mariners Take Center Stage at SoFi Stadium]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787954218/stmonicachsorg/m876ozarxqiar9eva4of/Copyofnewspost_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787954218/stmonicachsorg/m876ozarxqiar9eva4of/Copyofnewspost_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787954218/stmonicachsorg/m876ozarxqiar9eva4of/Copyofnewspost_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1787954218/stmonicachsorg/m876ozarxqiar9eva4of/Copyofnewspost_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787954218/stmonicachsorg/m876ozarxqiar9eva4of/Copyofnewspost_1.jpg","width":1280}])
Saint Monica Preparatory student-athletes recently had the opportunity to step inside the world of professional football as part of a Media Day experience hosted by the Los Angeles Rams and Nike LA at SoFi Stadium. Saint Monica Prep was among a select group of high school football and flag football teams invited to participate in the special event, designed to shine a spotlight on both youth football and the rising popularity of girls flag football. SMPREP will host a girls flag football team for the first time this Fall.
For our Mariners, the day was about much more than football. Student-athletes explored the many avenues of how to represent themselves, their team and their school at the highest levels. The event offered them a unique glimpse into the opportunities that exist beyond the field while equipping them with skills in leadership, communication and personal branding that will serve them well wherever their athletic journeys take them.