The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans
We asked members of our Class of ’25 to sum up how their senior year is going so far. They created collages. We’ll start with seniors Zachary Kazmouz, Mirabelle Lee, and Lily Jones.
Stay tuned for more updates from our PVS Senior Class of ’25.
Palm Valley senior Luke Sonderman is the California Scholarship Federation South Region Seymour Memorial Award winner. This is one of the state’s most prestigious scholarships. After an all-day interview on Saturday, April 27, in Irvine with the other nine finalists, CSF judges selected Luke for his leadership skills and acumen. Said Ms. Cherise Sonderman (Luke’s mother), “The finalists all had crazy amazing qualifications. But when they said it was all based on today’s interview and discussion, I had a feeling.” Luke said he could tell it was time to step up and be a voice in the group discussions. His mother added, “One of [the judges] mentioned that Luke really led most of the discussions of this group of leaders.” These honor-society finalists will be attending some of the finest universities in the country. Each goes home with $2,000. Luke earns an additional $3,000. While our Palm Valley Chapter of CSF has sent half a dozen finalists on to the final interview in previous years, Luke is the first in our school and chapter history to be the regional winner. Of the day, Luke said, “It was fun.”
On Thursday, February 8th, junior Mirabelle Lee, her parents, the family dog, Ms. Zachik, and Mr. Koehler traveled to downtown Riverside where the Riverside Arts Council hosted the Riverside County Poetry Out Loud Competition. On stage, Mirabelle recited, in Round I, “My Dad and Sardines” by Toi Derricotte. She followed up with “To The Ladies” by Lady Mary Chudleigh in Round II. Before a panel of four judges, Mirabelle won! She advances to State Poetry Out Loud on March 17 and 18 in Sacramento. If Mirabelle wins there, she heads to Washington, D.C., for national Poetry Out Loud competition.
Palm Valley has been fortunate. We’ve sent half a dozen recitators to Poetry Out Loud State Competition. Jackson Dean (Class of ’19) went so far as to place 3rd in the state. Mirabelle continues this fine tradition.
In the weeks before the Winter Holiday Break, the Palm Valley School English Department hosted the annual Upper and Middle-School Poetry Recitation Finals. The Poetry Recitation is a long-standing Palm-Valley tradition. All Upper and Middle-School students participate at the classroom level. Judges are invited in to select two or three students per classroom to advance to the division-wide finals.
The Upper-School Finals took place December 1 before an audience of Upper-School students, teachers, and parents. Junior Mirabelle Lee, after reciting Toi Derricotte’s “my dad & sardines,” was chosen as Upper-School winner by Judges Maguire, Sarkis, and Wallach. Mirabelle will advance to Riverside County Poetry Out Loud competition. Our POL alternate and second-place winner is junior Kristina Panagiotaros. The audience also selected Kristina as Audience Favorite with her recitation of “Self-Help” by Michael Ryan. Third-place winner is freshman Louisa Richardson with her recounting of “What to Say Upon Being Asked to Be Friends” by poet Julian Talamantez Brolaski.
The Middle-School Poetry Recitation followed a week later. Judges Griffin, Nayfack, and Wallach selected three winners: Sophia Bottine, grade 6, with her recitation of James Dickey’s “Heaven of the Animals”; Jackie Padgett, grade 8, with her recitation of Sara Teasdale’s “There Will Come Soft Rains”; and Benjamin Rouche, grade 6, with his recitation of Mary Karr’s “All This and More.” We had a tie for Audience Favorite: 8th-grader Kimberly Sayers with her recitation of “The Raven” and 6th grader Jaxon Pacilio with his recitation of “Football.”
Poetry Recitation winners are selected based on the Poetry Out Loud criteria of physical presence, voice and articulation, interpretation, and evidence of understanding. We wish to applaud all finalists who continue–with poise and thoughtfulness–our poetic tradition: in the Upper School – Indiana Behr, Lily Jones, Kyle Knight, Riley Jorgensen, Pip Watson, Simee Patel, Gabe Rodriguez-Portugues, Landon Elder, Rylie Conway, and Luke Sonderman; in the Middle School – Lorelei Behr, Alexander Kirov, Moses Gizaw, Addison Uhlhorn, and Maxwell Pretorius.
By Freshman Louisa Richardson
Our History teachers here at Palm Valley are very popular with the students. Whether it is the many students they teach, or the many students they don’t, the PVS History staff is well known. Our Blog theme this week is History, so my big smart brain thought, Why shouldn’t I interview the History teachers? I asked both Ms. Schapiro and Mr. Satterfield a series of questions about their careers and their lives. I learned a lot about Mr. Satterfield (for example, he has a dog named Felix). I also learned that Ms. Schapiro has been teaching for 40 years! History is a funny thing, mostly because it can be so wild. Both of these teachers seem to know a lot and seem to enjoy it!
My favorite time period to teach in History is the period in US History after the Civil War and before the turn of the century because I find that this time period is often overlooked as we just jump from the Civil War to World War I and the Great Depression. But, really, Reconstruction contains a lot of information about who we are today. This is the time of great tragedy for Native Americans and a good change for technology and politics, and our relationship with the rest of the world.
Sitting Bull–because when we study Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse (Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse were two leaders of the Lakota Sioux) we are forced to examine our own ideas of what it means to be American, a hero, and changing history, what it means to win and what it means to lose. I also like Seraph Young; she was the first woman to cast a vote. She cast a vote in Utah 50 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, so when we study her we are forced to think about how our government actually works, and sometimes it is different then the way we think it does. And, we learn about what it means to make progress, and it forces us to examine some of our preconceived notions about certain states or regions.
I enjoy teaching a variety of grade levels so I don’t have to stick with a certain level of maturity every day.
I liked the development of public lands such as national parks and national forests, and reservations as well. Early on I became interested in who controls what land, and what they decide to do with it. Glacier National Park is my favorite.
My least favorite time period to learn about that I enjoy teaching is the Civil War. When I was young it seemed very straightforward and boring. As I grew older and read more, I realized how very un-straightforward it was.
To understand where we came from and who we are today and because every time I introduce myself to someone and they ask me what I do I always get the same response…
“I hated History in school, and now I am fascinated by it. I wish I would have paid attention in school.”
World Geography–I taught that a couple years ago in Utah and really enjoyed it.
I’ve been lucky enough to teach in a lot of different places, and I can’t pick a favorite, though I will say that Thailand, China, Colorado, California, and Utah all present their own opportunities.
I get to keep being a learner; I don’t have a single week go by without learning something new from my students, or the material. I love to spend time with kids, and they keep me young.
Ancient Egypt, or Medieval West Africa. This is because there are areas of this study that are crucial in the general history of the world. I also never learned these as a kid; their societies are so complex and interesting.
My favorite person to teach about is Alexander the Great because he taught us that no matter how much power you have you can still be a good leader. My other favorite is Eleanor of Aquitaine because she was the first person to be queen of both France and England, and she was very admirable and fierce.
It greatly depends on the subject, History in general I prefer middle school, and English in general I prefer high school, with philosophy being a tie, and cooking would be DEFINITELY high school.
The musical Hamilton got me far more interested in that era in history, and even got me to read the book.
I taught at a school in LA for students who are very bright but had learning or emotional challenges. I had no idea that I could even teach people who had those problems, but I was desperate. I was there for four years, and it was super rewarding. I feel like it made me a better teacher.
Marry rich (she said with a chuckle). In all seriousness, think carefully about your quality of life. I don’t make a lot, but I am very happy with this job. I still get up in the morning excited to go to work. In my 40 years of teaching, I have only ever not wanted to be a teacher during 9/11. I will always choose teaching.
There has been some pushback with critical thinking, I feel a deep responsibility to teach them HOW to think critically and judge info for themselves.
Those who don’t learn History are doomed to repeat it. I tend to emphasize people in History because it sets a great example for the kids. I feel that teaching young girls about powerful women can set a good example.
History can be tricky, and a little bit confusing at times. Both of these teachers are excellent at what they do, and are very passionate about teaching in general. I loved sitting down just to talk to both Mr. Satterfield and Ms. Schapiro.
PVS Junior Lily Jones was selected–second year in a row–as a Finalist for Riverside County Teen Poet Laureate. As well, Lily was the recipient of the Jane Block Prize for Environmentalist Teen Poetry. Jane Block is a celebrated environmentalist, feminist, and children’s services activist in the Inland Empire. Below is a picture of Lily with Ms. Block at the November 14th ceremony. The recognition of teen poets is hosted by the Riverside County Office of Education and the Inlandia Institute. Together, the two publish a chapbook of the winning poems. Lily’s poem “The Miner’s Song” is included in that chapbook. You can find the chapbook with Lily’s poem in county libraries, or read it here at thebirdonfire.org.
Christa Jones, mother of Lily, said of the celebration of young county poets, “As a parent, the event filled me with hope for the future.”
The Miner’s Song
by Lily Jones
If pressure creates diamonds
then I hope my mind is a coal mine,
filled with twisting dark tunnels.
A place where soot coats my fingers as I
sift through the rocks,
the thoughts that are crowded together,
clumped by feeling,
left to wilt quietly within deep tunnels.
I’m left alone to find the gem,
to dig deep and mine
the thought in the rough.
The words covered in soot
that will bleed silver when extracted.
Let this thought spill out,
overflowing with my forgotten spoken voice,
a diamond from a void of coal,
the shards cutting my heart deeply.
The greatest exchange of all is words,
so please give me your heart
and I will lay mine bare,
stripped from barriers and lies,
splayed out only through paper and ink as
my words build friends out of paragraphs,
and I build safe houses out of poems.
Luke continues our senior profile spotlights with a look at Jocelynn (Joss) Montoya–master kayaker, big fan of extra-credit Jeopardy, and AP Calculus lyricist.
By Junior Luke Sonderman
Joss, Class of 2023, has recently committed to the University of California Irvine (UCI). There’s a lot you may not know about Joss, so let’s take a brief moment to talk a little bit about her.
Joss Montoya was born in Glendale, California, in 2005. Joss spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles, moving to the desert and enrolling in Palm Valley during 10th grade. Joss’s favorite part about moving to the desert has been “the better school and better friends.”
Throughout her time at Palm Valley, Joss has been a member of the Varsity Girls Volleyball Team and the Varsity Baseball Team. She achieved an athletic award for her dedication to the sports program at Palm Valley. “I’ve made lots of friends through the sports teams I’ve been a part of . . . . The athletics I’ve participated in have helped keep me active throughout the school year,” said Joss.
Aside from her sports career at Palm Valley, in her senior year, Joss held the position of Vice President in Student Government. Her leadership helped coordinate successful events over the course of this year such as the 2022 Upper School Homecoming, the Middle and Upper School Winter Dream Dance, the 2023 Upper School Prom at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Resort, and many others. She even, on occasion, dressed up as the school mascot Phineas the Firebird during school activities! Joss joined student government because “she wanted to make student life more fun, bringing more events for students in the Middle and Upper Schools.”
In the fall of 2023, Joss will be attending UC Irvine, planning to major in medicine. Joss intends on pursuing a career in dermatology. “I want to attend UCI because it is a great school and has a great campus,” said Joss. Some of Joss’s other college acceptances included Hawaii Pacific University with a full tuition scholarship, University of Arizona with a $30,000 per year scholarship, Oregon University with a $10,000 per year scholarship, and Azusa Pacific University with a $20,000 per year scholarship. Must be some genius, huh.
Joss’s parting words for Palm Valley staff and students are, “I know school won’t be the same without me, but try to have some fun.”
By Alyna Rei
This week, the seniors are being showcased for their success in getting through high school. I interviewed longtime Firebird Harliana Otto and asked questions about her high school career.
How would you describe yourself?: “I am ambitious. I like to think of myself as someone who takes on more than I can handle.”
What was your favorite memory in school?: “My favorite memory in school is Scarefest in 9th grade. We spent the night watching movies, playing board games, a 12 am game of glow-in-the-dark basketball, a 2 am game of tag, a 4 am game of twister, and falling asleep around 5 am.”
What was your least favorite memory in school? “My least favorite memory happened in 7th grade watching someone, who shall not be named, drink from the water fountain as the water turned from clear to brown.”
Are you excited to graduate? Nervous? Scared?: “I am excited to graduate. I feel like I am ready for this next chapter of my life. I am however nervous as well ’cause I am saying goodbye to my childhood and friends and the safety/comfort of my home.”
What are your plans for the future?: “My plans for the future… well, I don’t really got it figured out at the moment. All I know is that I am going to UCI in the fall and gonna continue the hobbies that I have.”
Where/what is your dream school?: “My favorite hobby is competing on my horse and I enjoy completing puzzles. It’s cringe but my dream school is somewhere in California where I can drive home, a place that will set me up well for future jobs, and where I can explore many interests with many opportunities. So according to that UCI fits into my dream school.”
How was your high school experience?: “My high school experience was good but stressful.”
Do you have a favorite subject? Why or why not?: “My favorite subject is science. I enjoy Chemistry and physics. I like being able to constantly be discovering more and more.”
What are you planning on majoring in?: “I will be majoring in Engineering. I am going into the School of Engineering undecided, with hopes of going into Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.”
Any advice for students right now?: “My advice to students is to never lose your sense of humor. It can get you through the toughest of times.”
Good luck, Harliana!
Profile by Ani Madanyan
In our continued look at the graduating Class of ‘22, we turn our gaze toward Lindsay Anderson. We all know her as a soft-voiced, thoughtful person who likes to observe more than speak. But, do we know the REAL her? I interviewed Lindsay and she has some sass… let’s dig in.
First question,
Do you choose to stay silent?
“In my opinion, I’m pretty talkative with my friends.”
Oh, would you consider yourself sassy?
“Sure.”
What is your dream university?
“USC.”
Who is your favorite friend?
“I can’t choose. I love all my friends.”
Just choose.
“No.”
I see the sass coming out.
What is your favorite food?
“Pizza.”
What type of pizza?
“Veggie pizza.”
Skinny queen.
Who is your celebrity inspo for your aesthetic?
“Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber.”
What do you do in your free time?
“Online shop.”
What is your favorite beverage?
“Sparkling water.”
Boujee!
What’s your favorite subject?
“English.”
Do you like to read? And if so, what’s your favorite book?
“Yes, the Great Gatsby.”
Who’s your favorite artist?
“Phoebe Bridgers or Harry Styles.”
What’s your favorite show and movie?
“My favorite movie is ‘Scream. My favorite show is The Vampire Diaries.
Period!”
Let’s wrap it up, what are you going to miss the most about Palm Valley?
“The close-knit community.”
Awww. Lindsay Anderson might be reserved, but when you get to know her, she is very sweet, and a little sassy. I don’t think there’s a single person who dislikes Lindsay. She is a queen, and we will miss you, Lindsay!
By Luke Sonderman
After Mr. and Mrs. Coffey announced their departure from Palm Valley after the 2021-22 school year, a search looking for who would fill Mr. Coffey’s shoes began. After a thorough search, the school landed on Mr. Winter, a current history teacher at Palm Valley.
Mr. Winter came to Palm Valley this school year (2021-22) teaching 8th grade US History, 9th grade Human Geography, and AP US History. He has a background in teaching history and in administration. In an email interview between Mr. Winter and myself, Mr. Winter said, “I believe that it is important [to continue to teach], so I can continue to connect with students in the classroom. In my previous administrative experience in public schools, continuing to teach was never an option, so I am grateful that I can do this. What it is I will be teaching hasn’t been solidified yet, so stay tuned!”
When asked about current policy change, Mr. Winter said, “One of the first things I will be doing before school is out for this year is to speak with as many staff and students about those things that really work well, those things that may need to be looked at closer, and any new ideas to enhance the experience here at PVS. From there, I will start to work closely with Dr. Sherman to then take what I have learned from staff and students to inform any new policies or procedures that will benefit everyone here.” He also commented on students’ voices saying, “Student voice is very important, and I want to be able to help bring those voices forward. This does not mean everything that students would love to see in place or to change will happen, but it does mean that I will not make all decisions on my own.”
After the administrative merger of the Middle and Upper School in the 2021-22 school year, I asked Mr. Winter what his plans were for either keeping them together or creating privileges and policies to separate the Middle and Upper School. He responded saying, “I believe there are certain things that should be reserved for Upper School, so that Middle Schoolers have something different to look forward to as they move into the upper school.” Mr. Winter also commented on the AP and Elective selection choice saying, “This is the time of year when those decisions are being made, but the bigger contributing factor in class and AP choices comes down to how we are staffed, and what each staff is able to teach. Our first priority is to ensure that required classes are for sure being taught. Then, based on the number of staff we have and the number of periods there are available, we can get an idea of what can truly be offered in the form of AP or elective offerings. Currently, we offer 6 AP classes, and a handful of various elective offerings. If we are able to expand these, again based on staff availability as well as budget, I agree that this would be one of those things that could expand the high school experience.”
In conclusion, it looks like Mr. Winter has a very open mind about new policies and ideas for the 2022-23 school year. It will be interesting to see what changes come next year, and if you have any suggestions or ideas for next year, Mr. Winter encourages you to reach out to him.