Random Student Spotlight

Luke Yates is a graduating senior from LBHS this year! Despite not being able to partake in typical senior activities (due to Covid-19), Luke still keeps his head high. Although it is a bummer that senior year cannot be properly enjoyed, he views high school as just a chapter of his life. Luke spends his time looking forward to the future rather than to brood about the present circums...

Alex Lemus, a graduating senior this year, is known to many as a kind, fun and special person. He will be missed not only by his fellow seniors, but by his friends in the other classes as well. With him graduating this year, Laguna Beach High School is saying goodbye to an extraordinary human being with a great personality.  At LBHS, Alex says that his greatest highlight of all four years was chee...

On Nov. 14, sophomore Gavin Pike saved a mother and son drowning in a riptide at Main Beach. Gavin’s involvement in the SALT Program helped him learn the protocol to save someone in a rip current.  “The situation felt surreal,” said Pike. “The fact that the people would have died if I wasn’t there still hasn’t settled in yet.” Thankfully, every surfer at LBHS is required to take the...

After seven years of hard work, Eagle Scout and senior at LBHS Kyle Herkins has earned every merit badge possible for Boy Scouting. Only about four percent of Boy Scouts reach the level of Eagle Scout, which requires 21 merit badges. Kyle is one of about 450 scouts who have ever reached this level of Scouting prestige and completed all 138 badges and 23 palms. To put this into perspective, there ar...

This Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13, the enchanted story of a prince and a glowing, sprightly bird fighting against the forces of evil will be brought to life at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Firebird is an old Russian folktale and myth that was first performed back in 1910 and is now being performed once again nearby. Moorea Pike, a senior at LBHS and pre-professional ballet dancer, will be starrin...

Q: What year did you graduate LBHS?  A:I graduated with the Class of 2011.   Q: What have you been up to between graduation to now?  A: After graduation, I attended Boston University, where I got a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 2015. I also got an Associate of Science in Graphic Design from Saddleback.   Q: How have you stayed in touch with LBHS before taking on your n...

Q: What year did you graduate LBHS?  A: 2012   Q: What have you been up to between graduation to now?  A: After graduation, I attended Long Beach State University and played water polo. After my college experience I was lucky enough to travel through my sport. I got to go to places like Australia, China, Montenegro.. and other parts of the world. Now that my playing career has s...

Chloe Flanagan is one of the kindest and most understanding people I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know. She goes out of her way to treat everyone with compassion and respect when she does not always receive the same treatment by others. Chloe is always extremely mindful of peoples emotions, and when they need cheering up, going out of her way to be a ray of sunshine in the lives of many here...

- Citizen of both Spain and the United States - Went to Spain for 2 weeks to finalize documentation and receive dual citizenship - Plays club level lacrosse and varsity at the high school - Goes to the Beach frequently and loves to socialize with friends - Was bat mitzvah’ed and helps kids with their Hebrew at the synagogue   “I am involved with a lot of activities inside and outside ...

Has been playing trumpet for seven years Current Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble, Principal Trumpet of the Idyllwild Arts Wind Symphony (2018), Principal Trumpet of Chapman Honor Band (2019), Studied Jazz at the Colburn School of Music, was accepted into the All-Southern California Honor Bands in 2018 and 2019 playing the 1st trumpet parts Plays marimba in Drum...

Maya Takabayashi has been doing yoga ever since the age of 5. Today, Takabayashi expresses her passion as a breathwork facilitator instructor. Takabayashi connects her other passions, surfing and singing with her breathwork.   “It’s empowering for me to see people really connect with themselves, but it also is empowering for them. They get more involved with their well-being. Th...

She is a Junior. She won a Gold Medal in China during the 2018 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships She is ranked 14th overall in Women's Paddle League “Jade Howson is an undercover superstar!  She doesn’t like attention brought to her and is very understated about her accomplishments… She is kind, bright, and beautiful on the inside and out, one of the best people I know!”...

Marie plays the three rigourous sports of tennis, water polo, and swim. Along with three sports, Marie fluently speaks French, English, and Spanish. She is in Spanish 4 honors and French 5 as a freshman.   With her free time, Marie likes to hang out with her amazing friends.   “It is hard being a freshman and taking Spanish 4 Honors and French 5 and playing water polo, tenn...

Killed e-sports superstar Ninja Has logged over 1,000 hours on Fortnite Started playing video games when he was 5 First video game was Mario Kart on Gamecube   Nicholas Hoffs - “Gaming has been really beneficial for me. Whenever I just need a break or want to chill out, my computer is there and can serve as somewhat of an escape. I have spent countless hours playing with my frien...

Began playing the guitar in fifth grade Inspirations of Noah’s include the Beatles, Mumford and Sons, and Jack Johnson Noah performs so people find joy in what he sings and writes “Music has taught me to always be myself-to always be bold and strong and who I am," said Novick. “It is both rare and beautiful to meet someone whos lives their own passions. Noah is that rare ...

Sydney has been in dance for two years and is planning to do it for her entire high school career. Her favorite styles of dance are hip hop and lyrical. She enyoys lyrical because she likes being able to express herself and tell a story. She likes hip hop because she likes that it gives her the ability to come out of her shell and be confident. Sydney plans on taking a dance class in coll...

Giovanna has been in dance for two years and has also participated in drama both in and out of school. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical because she feels that it allows her to express herself the most. She plans to pursue acting after she graduates.   “My favorite part of being in the program has got to be the other girls in the program. We all are just there to have fun a...

Chloe has been in dance since freshmen year and is now taking both Dance Two and Three this year. Chloe participated in four dances in the last winter concert, “Cosmic,” and has performed in eight dances overall in her three years of dance.   Her favorite style of dance is hip hop.“I think “Cosmic Waves” would have to be my favorite dance (from this past winter concert) that I’ve been in. Even ...

Years Playing Piano: 11   Claire Tigner Q: What got you interested in playing piano? A: I’ve always loved to listen and sing along to music, so when I was little, I asked my parents if I could learn how to play the piano. My parents agreed, and they signed me up for a group piano lesson with a whole bunch of other little kids and about 12 electric keyboards. Although I’m sure the c...

Over the past few years, Vincent Virga has been developing a storyline for what he calls, “The Knight Simulator.”   Q: How does the game work? Vincent: “So pretty much, I give you a scenario that is set in a world I created, then the player says what they do in that scenario. I then give them the outcome.”   Q: How did you get into writing? Vincent: “Well, my grandp...