SMPREP Students Make Headlines

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 valued at $125,000, through the Western Golf Association's Evans Scholarship. Bright futures lie ahead for Johnnie Garcia, Macayla Story and Nicolas Vallejo, after all three successfully went through the Caddie Academy. 

SMPREP junior Tomas Officer finished in first place at UCLA's Open Mind Film Festival, which is centered on teen mental health and wellness. Officer's film, "Feeling Good" about drug addiction, won the competition over 500 competing entries, with a prize of $1,500. Officer shared that his film teacher Mr. Holmes was very encouraging throughout the process as he first made the film for his Independent Filmmaking Honors class. 

Senior Lucy Lopez was recognized by the L.A. Archdiocese for this year’s Archdiocesan Christian Service Award, for her commitment to faith, service and leadership. The annual Mass and ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. "Service has always been at the center of who I am, and as I pursue a career in healthcare I want to expand that aspect of my life," shared Lopez.

Senior Micaela Patajo took home Gold in the Speed category at the 2025 USA Climbing National Team Trials in Austin, Texas, where she competed for a spot on the 2025 Speed Nationals Team. Congratulations, Micaela, on your impressive first place finish with a personal best time of 8.03 seconds, after placing fourth at last year's trials. Patajo now has her sights set on competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Finally, two Mariners are among the 2025 Founding Forward National Essay Winners, chosen from over 146 essays submitted nationwide. Congratulations juniors Anjola Otitoloju and Allison Griffin, who will both receive the George Washington Honor Medal at the organization's annual June 1 Awards Luncheon. Both argued in their powerful essays that the Constitution’s missed opportunities to address women’s rights, presidential authority and more continue to impact our world today. Well done, Mariners!