Tartan Student Achievements: Chemistry, Photography, Service and More!

Upper School students have been recognized for their achievements in the academics, arts and athletics recently. Here are a few students being honored:

 

Eight Upper School students from Chemistry Honors participated in American Chemical Society Orange County Section’s First Year Chemistry Competition at Cal State-Fullerton. The Tartans compete against approximately 200 students across the county.

 

Representing Tartans are Jay Greaser, Ocean Heim, Martin Kovachev, Von Lundin, Sophia Sun, Jimmy Ye, Gloria Zhou and Kevin Zhou.

 

The top five scorers from each school are added together and compete for the team prize. The top five from St. Margaret’s are Martin, Jay, Jimmy, Gloria, and Sophia. Their total score puts St. Margaret’s in third place.

 

In addition, Martin Kovachev earned the highest score on the exam along with two students from Troy High School and University High School.

 

These five students, along with Robin Wang (USNCO national round qualifier), Amy Yao (top score from St. Margaret’s for USNCO 1^st round) and Kevin Zhou were honored at the High School Chemistry Award Banquet, hosted by OCACS last week.  

 

St. Margaret’s Upper School student Rohen Vargo was honored with the Youth Hero Award by the American Red Cross, in recognition of his “Health in Your Hands” public-health initiative to help Orange County residents with access to basic preventative healthcare.

 

Rohen’s project was inspired by his studies in the Upper School Wealth, Poverty and Ethics class, and he received a Moseley Venture to Serve grant to support the initiative.

 

His initiative and award was recently featured in the San Clemente Times.

 

Upper School student-athletes Scarlett Welsome and Caden Isola received the Pacific Coast League Sportsmanship Award recently. The award celebrates two seniors who serve as role models and outstanding citizens both on and off the field of play.

 

Upper School sophomore and photography student Timothy Lindenfelser’s photograph “Melting” was chosen by the Photographic Society of America to be part of its youth showcase event this fall.

 

The Photographic Society of America sponsors youth-oriented photography exhibitions and scholarships for photography studies. The Youth Showcase print and projected award images will be displayed on the PSA website after the annual PSA Photo Festival.

 

Three Upper School students were recognized by the SouthCoast Symphony recently. St. Margaret’s senior Alaire Dandel was recently awarded the SouthCoast Symphony’s Legacy Award, recognizing her lasting impact on the Symphony’s Junior Alliance.

 

Junior Adelina Bolger received a Certificate of Distinction for her outstanding service and will assume the role of Junior Alliance President for the 2025–26 season. Junior James Gianulias was honored with a Certificate of Merit in recognition of his continued contributions.