Palos Verdes PeninsulaHigh School

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Principal's Update

December 3, 2023

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THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

Monday & Tuesday - Regular Schedule

Wednesday - Late Start Schedule

Thursday - Mini Assembly Schedule for Willenberg Performance at lunch

Friday - Regular Schedule

HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Follow Dr. Kuykendall on Instagram @pvphsprincipal for his weekly messages about what's happening on campus

CAREER EXPLORATION SEMINAR SPEAKERS 

Parents - would you consider talking to our students about your career OR do you know someone else who would like to share? If you are thinking about it, fill out the following and we will get in touch with you in early December https://bit.ly/CESReco We only need a few hours of your time on January 10th (8A-10:15A) and we will provide a template of what to cover. No fancy presentation, no projectors, just talking to some kids who are interested in learning more about careers. We would love to hear from you! 

 

  

CAREER EXPLORATION – WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024 8:30A 

PVPHS Panthers you are invited on Wednesday, January 10th at 8:30A to attend Career Exploration Seminars. Attend 2 seminars to hear about careers that you are interested in potentially pursuing or just curious about, choices are based on your replies from SchooLinks. Adults from a variety of professions will be on campus to talk about their job, education, training and career path. In order to attend you must register by December 15th at NOON using this link https://forms.gle/C4KgjYrPyN4rV3mQ8 

 

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING INFORMATION NIGHT – DECEMBER 6 at 6:30P 

Torsten Sanar of Compass Education Group will discuss test optional policies, how to approach SAT vs ACT, understanding changes of SAT to digital testing format and the timeline for testing and prep. Join us WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 at 6:30 in the College Career Center - THIS IS A DATE CHANGE FROM ORIGINAL CCC CALENDAR 

 

JUNIORS 

If you are you interested in the workings of our government or want more leadership experience, you might be interested in being a delegate to Boys State or Girls State. 

Boys State and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by the American Legion.  Interested juniors are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, January 11th at lunch in the CCC. Current PVPHS students that have participated in the program will discuss their experience and answer questions.  The cost of the program is approximately $550.00 per student, should they be selected, and will be payable in February.  Applications are on the CCC page of the school website and will also be available at the meeting.  Completed applications are due on January 18th. 

 

To find out more about Boys State and the American Legion (the organization that sponsors Boys State), refer to the following link:  http://www.boysstatecalifornia.org/

 

To find out more about Girls State and the American Legion Auxiliary (the organization that sponsors Girls State), please refer to:  https://www.alaforveterans.org/

 

Speech Contest

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Lions Club is once again sponsoring their annual Speech Contest.  Students must sign up by January 9th, tryouts will be January 23th-27th, and the club contest will be held on February 7th.  The contest topic will be “For a Better World – What Would You Change”.  The speech must be between 5 mins to 10 mins and notes may be used at the local club level.  The contest is open to all Peninsula students.  Informational flyers, including how much money winners will receive, are available in the CCC, the counseling office and on the College Career Center page of the school website.  Contact Lions Club representative, John Letcher ([email protected]), for information and to sign up. 

What's Happening at So Cal ROC?

 

Did you know that Peninsula students can take classes at So Cal ROC to earn credits toward graduation AND earn certificates that can help you get a job? And it's all FREE!

Check out what's happening at SoCal ROC below and sign up to talk to the SoCal ROC counselor in the Counseling Office!

 

 

Attention Students: 

 

Would you like to learn hands-on skills, such as rebuilding a car engine? Have you ever wondered how to weld metals together for construction of buildings, cars, and/or aircraft? Want to learn how to install electrical systems in new/old buildings, or installation of residential or commercial heating systems & ventilation? Enroll in one of the many exciting and hands-on Engineering & Design courses at SoCal ROC this Spring semester! These courses are high in demand and fill up quickly, so don't wait too long to enroll! Choose from: 

  • Automotive 
  • Engine Performance 
  • HVAC  
  • Residential Electrical Wiring 
  • Welding 

Earn high school A-G approved credits, while learning valuable skills that prepare you for college and/or an entry-level career! Courses are after school and FREE for high school students! We also offer free transportation to and from SoCal ROC. Add your name to the sign up sheet in the College & Career Center to meet with your SoCal ROC career guidance specialist or contact her at [email protected] or 310-224-4240 for more information ASAP! 

Interested in taking a College level course in Psychology? If you have taken AP Psychology, or are currently taking the class and are interested in learning more, come to the counseling office to get an application for the LA Harbor course Abnormal Psychology. This class will be offered after-school in the Spring and is a great opportunity to earn college credit for free. More information about the course and times available in the counseling office. 

Come see the Winter Play!

A Certain School of Magic is pleased to welcome the Panthers to the wonderful world of Puffs! Once upon a time there was a special wizard boy who went to school with other young witches and wizards…but this story is not about him. This story is about the Puffs—who just happened to be there. Peninsula Drama invites you embark on a magical journey at their Winter play, PUFFS, running December 8 to 17. Buy tickets at www.peninsuladrama.com

Congratulations to Mr. Bird on winning first place in the annual food drive. Mr. Chou a close second, Ms. Blazevic, a close third, and finally an honorable mention to Ms. Chen. Thank you to all students who donated to the food drive and all staff that helped us to exceed our goal of 10,000 food items. 

Golf

The Peninsula Girls Varsity Golf Team had their most successful season in over 10 years! The Panthers won all their 9-hole matches and finished 14-0, beating their opponents by an average of 32 strokes. In tournament play, the girls had a 3rd place finish at the South Bay Invitational (led by Bella Wu’s 1-under 73), a 2nd place finish at San Clemente (led by Sophia Lu’s 74), and a 1st place finish at the Murphy 5 (led by Tara Timm’s 75).

 

In league play, the Panthers finished 8-0 to win the Ocean league and advance to the Division 1 CIF Team Championship. Five of our players earned first team all-league honors with outstanding 9-hole play: Sophia Lu(36.389), Rena Fung(37.208), Chloe Park(38.056), Tara Timm(38.292), and Emily Park(39.292). Two others, Alysa Davis(41.5) and Hannah Morgan(42.5) earned 2nd team all-league honors. Freshman Sophia Zhang put up some consistent scores this year as well, finishing with an overall 9-hole average of 41.588

 

Senior Rena Fung won the Ocean league championship with a score of 1-under 71, and then advanced through the CIF Individual Regional by winning an 8 for 3 playoff. Freshman Bella Wu also advanced to the Final with a score of 1-over 71.

 

At the Division 1 Team Championship the Panthers finished in 4th place with a score of 394, resulting in an invite to the section final. There, the girls put up a gutsy performance, finishing in 2nd place among the top teams in the Southern Section.    

 

The girls finished up their season at the SoCal Regional Tournament, testing their skills against the best teams and individuals from the Central, City, San Diego, and Southern Sections. The Panthers put up their best showing of the playoffs with Bella Wu shooting even par. Rena Fung(+3), Chloe Park(+4), Tara Timm(+5), Sophia Lu(+7), and Hannah Morgan(+11) rounded out the scoring. Their 4th place finish (389) was 9 shots short of making a trip to the State Championship.  

 

Head Varsity Coach Todd DeAngelis could not be more proud of this team. Their success is a direct result of the competitive spirit, work ethic, and team camaraderie that this group has exhibited all year long. We thank seniors Rena Fung, Tara Timm, Aubrianne Tonomura, Rebecca PaGan-Goldblum, and Amalie Gavino for 4 years of dedication and leadership.

Football

The 2023 Peninsula Football team completed the year with a 3-7 overall record. The Panthers recorded wins versus Katella, South Torrance and West Torrance this year and played in many close games that were decided by 7 points or less. This year the Panthers were led on both sides of the ball by their outstanding 2 way player on the line Andrew Russell. Will Molony, Harper Holden, Evan Altman and Isiah Wiggins anchored a strong and tough defensive line that held opponents in check most of the year. Senior Linebacker Duby Oranu led the defense this year in tackles and alongside Sophomore, Joel Friebe Makinto and Junior, Hudson Meyer, they were a fun group to watch make plays all year long. Defensive Backs led by Trysten Tays, Nathan Madani and Beau Elliot played hard and recorded a record number of interceptions for the Defensive Backs this season.

 

Offensively the Panthers were led by Mario Ruggiero at QB but were given their offensive firepower from a solid running game that was highlighted by Ryan Mona-Hunter, Kamran Dowlatshahi and Roberto Villanueva. Sean Dunn, Kai Nagashima, Max Martinov, Hiro Huang and Caden Correll provided solid targets as stellar wide receivers this year, keeping the Panther Offense moving when they needed a first down or big play. The Panther Football team fought hard and left it all out on the field, always playing with pride for their school and community.

 

Flag Football

Peninsula High School's inaugural girls flag football season was a remarkable journey filled with triumph and growth. With an impressive overall record of 8-2-1 (5-2-1) and a second-place finish in the Bay League, the team's achievements were nothing short of commendable. One of the season's highlights was their victory over the previously undefeated Redondo team, which showcased their determination and skill.

 

The girls on the team formed strong bonds and had a blast throughout the season, proving themselves to be true trailblazers in this newly introduced sport. The leadership of the five seniors, Sierra Palese, Natalie Ponce, Emily Grace Lew, Rylee Izumo, and Katara Chang, played a vital role in the team's success. They guided their teammates with a perfect balance of fun and seriousness, helping them learn and excel in a sport that most of the girls had never played before.

 

Junior MVP Nicolette Daniel emerged as a key player, demonstrating her prowess on the field. With nine touchdown catches and an impressive thirteen interceptions, she showcased her exceptional skills and contributed significantly to the team's achievements.

 

The success of the inaugural season would not have been possible without the dedication and support of Coach Daley, Coach Helmrich, the girls themselves, their families, and the community. Their combined efforts created an unforgettable season and laid a strong foundation for the future of girls flag football at Peninsula High School.

 

As the season comes to a close, the team eagerly anticipates what the next season will bring. With the lessons learned, the camaraderie forged, and their undeniable talent, there's no doubt that the girls of Peninsula High School will continue to shine on the field, leaving their mark as true pioneers in the sport.

Water polo

Peninsula Boys' Water Polo had a great season coming after returning to the pool that was down for 5 months. As a team we discussed the importance of accepting things that we cannot control and focusing on what we can control. It was about how we responded to adversities. Our five seniors, Arian Arya, Brandon Hsu, Brian Wang, Justin Tam, and Matty Gualeni were all great role models for our underclassmen, teaching them the values of hard work and grit during the season.

 

The varsity team finished the season with 11-17 and played a very competitive non-league schedule that included wins over St. John Bosco, South Torrance, Chadwick, and Cypress. The Panthers were led on offense by the duo of Senior Matty Gualeni and Junior Eric Nishimura who combined for nearly 250 goals for this season. Defensively, Senior Brian Wang and juniors Kaleb Seidman (set guard), and Jack Tymczyszyn (goalie) locked down our defense against opposing teams. Seniors Brandon Hsu, Justin Tam, and Arian Arya also came off from the rotation and played their hearts out. Throughout the season, the Peninsula Boys' Water Polo Team has shown a tremendous amount of growth and this all goes back to our seniors who played their hearts out as this was their last dance.

 

Seniors, thank you again for your support of our program. We are truly indebted to your loyalty to our program. Go Panthers!

 

Tennis

Led by senior captains Kayden Roxas and Isa Bringas (pictured), the girls' tennis team is ranked 5th in CIF heading into Friday's showdown with #4 Mira Costa. The winner will advance to the semifinals and make them eligible for the State Regionals. 

 

The girls' team is 16-5 with a 2nd place finish in the Bay League and a 2nd place result at The Bay Area Tennis Classic in Palo Alto, where they defeated the NorCal powerhouse Menlo in the semis. Other big wins this year included a 14-4 win over defending champion San Marino and a 14-4 win over always-tough CDM. 

 

In Individuals, Isa Bringas won her 3rd straight Bay League Singles title. Isa, committed to UC-Davis next year, will attempt to win CIF later in the month. Last year, she made it to the quarterfinals. 

 

In doubles, senior Kayden Roxas teamed up with sophomore Ava Sharng to reach the Bay League Doubles semifinal. They have a 30-5 record for the year. 

 

Here's to another great effort from the girls' tennis players. 

 

Volleyball

 The Girls Volleyball Program had a great season. We had a slow start but continued to get stronger and play harder as the season progressed. We are a young program with only 1 graduating Senior which lays a great foundation for next season. The sky is the limit for the 2024 - 2025 Girls Volleyball Program.

Over the Thanksgiving Saturday, our Water Polo Program hosted its inaugural alumni match where the BWP Varsity Team played the Alumni Men's Team and GWP Varsity Team played the Women's Team after. This was a great bonding time for our current players and former players where they reconnect from where they left off. Some of our alumni players were "rusty" but they started to get more comfortable in the water and had a great game against our current players. It was nice to see that all of our alumni still had that water bug in them. Thank you to our alumni for showing up and supporting our players with words of encouragement! Shout out to: Michael Jolly (‘12), Koa Nakkim & Reid Bongard ('13), Brandon Soto (‘18), Cole Allyn (‘19), Devi Bose, Matheus Trefilio & Serena Chen (‘20), Emily Nguyen & Kody Lee (‘21), Jaiden Thakor, Kyle Masuguchi, Logan Lakis & Lucy Tymczyszyn (‘22), and lastly Cedar Rose Leach, Heitor Trefilio & Ty Concepcion (‘23). Go Panthers!

Show your support for Boys Basketball and order some delicious food from Joey's Smokin' Bar-b-que on Monday December 4th.  Go to Joey's Smokin' BBQ at 25308 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance between 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, and mention Boys Basketball when you order.  20% of the profits will be donated back to the Boys Basketball program.  Thank you for your support! 

Screenagers: Under the Influence

Students and families are invited to attend an informative and entertaining film experience that focuses on practical solutions for keeping teens safe in a changing world. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments. The film also includes many ways young people are using their wisdom and strength to help each other and themselves through this complicated terrain around substance use. Space is limited, so please register today to secure your spot.

Our community partner, South Bay Families Connected, offers our families a variety of youth wellness resources. For Mental Health Awareness Month, we feature their resource pages covering trending youth wellness topics on the minds of parents and caregivers: 

 

Visit our own PVPUSD Families Connected webpage for more youth wellness resources from PVPUSD and SBFC. 

 

 

 

The new allcove Beach Cities mental health and wellness center is now open and welcomes everyone 12-25 years old in your district! The center is designed FOR and BY youth to reduce stigma, embrace mental wellness, and provide access to a variety of services. You can go check out allcove on the 4th floor at 514 N. Prospect Ave. in Redondo Beach. allcove is open Tues.-Fri. 1 - 7 pm and Sat. 10 am - 2 pm. Check us out on Instagram @allcovebeachcities or the website for more info. on services offered. 

Sincerely, 

 

Brent Kuykendall 

GO PANTHERS!

 

**If you would like to submit an item for the Principal's Update, it must be emailed to [email protected] by Thursday at 3:15 pm to be in that Sunday's update**

 

All District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.  

  

Title IX Contact: Richard Licciardello, 310-378-9966 x 417  

Section 504 Contact: Michael Bosler, 310-378-9966 x 444  

375 Via Almar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274  

https://bit.ly/2PXa68Q 

Visit our website for additional information

www.pvphs.pvpusd.net