Tartan Scholars Class of 2008

• The first graduating Tartan Scholar served on the Honor Committee while carrying a rigorous academic load including five Honors classes and five Advanced Placement courses over the span of her junior and senior years.  She studied both Spanish and French, far surpassing the foreign language graduation requirements.  Outside the classroom, she was greatly involved in Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, an outreach program for high-potential, low-income middle school students.  This summer she will fulfill her second term as a Breakthrough classroom teacher.  She also shared her passion for teaching as a tutor to St. Margaret’s Lower School students during her four years in the Upper School.  This student, who plans to become a lawyer, was accepted to Boston College, University of Chicago, Claremont McKenna College, Georgetown University, University of San Francisco, Stanford University, University of Southern California and Trinity College.


• Teachers describe the second graduate as “a school leader who raised awareness on social justice issues in the Upper School”. She recently conducted a campaign to advocate for one of Mexico’s “dump cities” and ran a half-marathon to raise funds for a school in those impoverished conditions. She was selected as a Peer Counselor, was the first Tartan Scholar voted to the Homecoming Court, and the first student in the school’s history voted to the Court twice. This year she served as one of sixteen A Better Chance (ABC) National Leadership Council members, representing this program in the Western Region. Academically, she earned honor roll recognition every semester at St. Margaret’s. She ran Track & Field for three years and Cross Country all four years where her team qualified for the state finals three times. Her Cross Country Coach says, “She is the mortar that kept the team going. All of this in addition to her great running times.” This student was offered admission to Barnard College, University of California Davis, University of California Santa Cruz, Northern Arizona University, Southwestern University, Trinity College and Whittier College. She has decided to attend Barnard College on a full soccer scholarship and plans to pursue her passion for nonprofit work in her future career.


• • The third graduating Tartan Scholar is a 12-letter Varsity athlete at St. Margaret’s, earning a varsity letter in three sports all four years. In soccer, he was the 2008 Academy League leading scorer and was selected 1st Team All-CIF. In football, he played varsity all four years and started the past two years on the undefeated CIF Champion squad that currently holds the longest active winning streak of any high school football team in California at 28-0. He also earned 2nd team All-League recognition for his performance on the Track & Field team in the discus and relay events. Early in his school career, his family moved far away from St. Margaret’s. To maintain his school commitments on campus, he commuted by train, a three-hour round-trip. He is involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Club, served as a school year tutor for Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano, and was on the school newspaper staff. He was honored as the recipient of the Board of Trustees Award, given to the senior who “has grown the most both as a person and as a student, and has taken advantage of many opportunities for involvement”. Academically, he received Headmaster’s Honors every semester at St. Margaret’s. He was admitted to University of California Davis, University of California Irvine, University of California San Diego, University of Oregon and University of Washington. He plans to study engineering at University of California, San Diego.


• In addition to the academic demands at St. Margaret’s, personal responsibilities at home were a primary concern for the fourth graduate.  He is the oldest of four children and worked 20 to 30 hours a week at Target to help support himself and his family.  This year was particularly challenging because his parents’ immigration status came under review.  Despite this, he earned honor roll recognition every semester at St. Margaret’s.  He was admitted to California State University San Marcos, California State University Chico, Notre Dame de Namur University and University of Arizona. He plans to attend California State University Chico.


• The final 2008 graduating Tartan Scholar stands out academically.  He took four honors classes and five Advanced Placement courses while achieving Headmaster’s Honors every semester.  During his freshman and sophomore years, he participated in Cross Country before dedicating himself to St. Margaret’s newest varsity sport, wrestling.  He was the first wrestler in school history to record a pin.  Outside of St. Margaret’s, he refurbishes old computers and donates them to the Homework Club of San Juan Capistrano.  He completed his Independent Senior Project at a culinary arts institute.  This student applied early and was accepted to Swarthmore College, where he will consider studies in political science.

For further information about the Tartan Scholar Program, contact Ryan Dahlem, Director of Admissions, St. Margaret's Episcopal School at (949) 661-0108 ext. 251.

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