Spotlight on French and Japanese Student Exchange Programs
![SMPREP welcomes Japanese exchange students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1710527386/stmonicachsorg/vaciy6ywvdopdx0omeva/e2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1710527386/stmonicachsorg/vaciy6ywvdopdx0omeva/e2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1710527386/stmonicachsorg/vaciy6ywvdopdx0omeva/e2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1710527386/stmonicachsorg/vaciy6ywvdopdx0omeva/e2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1710527386/stmonicachsorg/vaciy6ywvdopdx0omeva/e2.jpg","width":1280}])
Spotlight on French and Japanese Student Exchange Programs
Saint Monica Preparatory hosted two 8th grade French exchange students last month who participated in classes and student life on and off campus with the Ondrey and Gauguin/Fores families. Capucine B. and Emma M. shared their surprises about student life here in the States - we have shorter school days and our students have open book tests - as well as their common interests, including sports, Harry Potter and Fridays! Five SMPREP 8th graders, in turn, will travel to Loches, France in April for an exciting opportunity to take part in the 16th annual Festival of Arts & Sciences hosted by SMPREP's partner school, Saint-Denis International School, where Capucine and Emma both attend.
Meanwhile, the Upper School celebrated the arrival of two Japanese exchange students, Shugo T. and Noriko K., along with Koyasan High School Vice Principal Mr. Matsui, in a special welcome ceremony in Ms. Yoshida's Japanese class. This is the second year of SMPREP’s Japanese Exchange Program. Over 20 students from SMPREP will visit our partner school in Mount Koya, Japan this June, to experience the culture and high school life in Japan as well. Bon voyage and Go-buji de, 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!