News from the Mesa
May 16, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Next Monday will be the last day of classes for our seniors. Somehow, this school year seems to move faster as May arrives. But, when I pause and look back, I’m struck by how much we’ve seen together – new beginnings, joyful milestones, and real, meaningful growth. Here are a few of my most cherished …
May 2, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – On Alignment
I’m always so grateful to see parents when they return to the Mesa during Family Weekend. The small interactions, the warm hugs, and casual conversations are a delightful reminder of our important, interconnected work of raising young people together. During my talk over the weekend, I shared insights and observations about this very connection …
May 1, 2025
2025 Spring Family Weekend Celebration of Writing Winner
Winners of the Golden Box Contest “Occupying The Now: A Response to ‘The Contrafactual Traveler’” By Flora Adair, Class of 2026 “All Angels are Transexual” by Mags Albrecht, Class of 2025 “Coyote” by Coco Kliman, Class of 2026 “It’s Beneath the Fig Tree” by Elise Tsai, Class of 2026 “Southern Gentleman” by Elliott Paige, Class of 2026 “Prince of Fish” by Alison Wang, Class …
April 11, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Pacing and Pause
Last week, the pace on campus shifted. We moved into April, and everything started to move faster. End-of-year projects, exams, planning for Commencement – all of it now feels just around the corner. My inbox is full of questions about the years ahead: 2026, 2027, 2028. This time of year always comes with urgency. But …
March 28, 2025
This Week in Athletics
Cate Athletics is off to a thrilling start this season, with teams across multiple sports making their mark through impressive performances, record-breaking achievements, and hard-fought battles. From the volleyball court to the lacrosse field, the Rams have showcased skill, resilience, and determination, setting the tone for an exciting season ahead. With key players stepping up …
March 28, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook
Today, we welcomed a record number of newly admitted students and their parents for Revisit Day. The influx of nearly 250 visitors is a rare and wonderful event here on the Mesa, made even more special by the purpose of their visit. Like so many of the milestones we experience and expect each school year …
March 28, 2025
Spring Break Bahamas Trip
By Lucy ’25 Earlier this month, during the first week of spring break, a group of Cate students embarked on a week-long trip to Eleuthera, Bahamas. After a 3-hour bus ride to LAX, 2 flights with a 5-hour layover, and another 4-hour layover in Nassau before our short flight to Eleuthera and 30-minute shuttle to …
March 28, 2025
Meet Round Square Exchange Student Jenna ’27
By Tatiana ’28 Jenna van Niekerk, from Dainfern College in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently joined Cate as an exchange student for the entire Spring trimester. I sat down with Jenna a week into her exchange to learn about her experience at Cate so far. Jenna had many options to choose from, and with the help …
March 28, 2025
Cate Performing Arts Highlights
Vocalists This past weekend, the Cate vocal music program was active both regionally and nationally. Four of our junior singers, Mo Kanda-Gleeson, Coco Kliman, Elise Tsai, and Claire Ziebart, were invited to the second round of the Southern California Vocal Association Solo Competition after scoring high enough in the first round. Mo, Coco, and Elise …
March 28, 2025
Winter All-Tri-Valley League Honors
Congratulations to the Tri-Valley All-League selections from a sensational winter season on the Mesa! Boys Soccer Coach of the Year: Jorge Reynoso Offensive Player of the Year: George ’26 Defensive Player of the Year: Kamil ’26 First Team: Quincy ’26, Dimash ’26, Charlie ’26 Second Team: Nic ’25, Lucas ’25, Sam ’25, Uriel ’25, Alex …
February 21, 2025
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
For more than 100 years, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have identified students with exceptional creative ability. Approximately half a million pieces are submitted each year to be evaluated on their originality, technical skill, and personal voice or vision. There are three honors awarded on the regional level: Gold Key — The very best …
February 21, 2025
This Week in Athletics: Winter CIF Playoff Update
Cate Soccer and Basketball Teams Shine in Playoff Runs: A Season to Remember This year’s athletic seasons for Cate’s Boys Soccer and Basketball teams will be remembered for their thrilling playoff performances, strong teamwork, and inspiring resilience. Both teams made impressive strides, proving they are forces to be reckoned with, despite their playoff runs ending …
February 21, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – This Must Be The Place
During the Sunset Ceremony this fall, senior Henry Koepp delivered a beautiful and clever speech referencing the Talking Heads lyrics “Home is where I want to be” as he welcomed us all back to the Mesa. Not only is that song one of my personal favorites, but its title This Must Be The Place so …
February 21, 2025
Cate Competes at Ethics Bowl
By Andrew Peng ’26 A team of six students from Ewe Speaks, the Cate speech and debate club, represented Cate at the Regional National High School Ethics Bowl competition in Los Angeles at Chapman University on Saturday, Feb 8. We had a great time competing and collaborating with teams from other schools on addressing various ethical dilemmas. …
February 13, 2025
Cate Rams Triumph in Rain-Soaked Playoff Opener, Defeat El Toro 2-1
The Cate Rams kicked off their CIF Division 1 Southern Section Playoff journey with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the El Toro Chargers, proving they belong among the best. In front of a packed home crowd at Meldman Field, the Rams battled through relentless rain to secure their spot in the second round. A Fast …
February 7, 2025
This Week in Athletics
Cate Athletics wrapped up an exciting winter regular season filled with hard-fought battles, statement victories, and memorable senior moments. From girls soccer securing a final win to boys basketball clinching second place in league, every team displayed resilience, teamwork, and growth. The Rams also celebrated a perfect season in boys soccer, a dominant league performance …
February 7, 2025
2025 Dance Convocation
By Colette Chang ’25 and Tori Kim ’27 Journey Through Time was certainly timeless. Featuring pieces that explored decades of dance, this year’s convocation interwove dance history and universal human experiences through flashbacks, time travel, moments in life, and emotions—grief, nostalgia, romance, and sorrow. The journey began with “Solitude” by Michael Szanyi—an introspective piece dealing …
February 7, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – It’s About Time
Our dancers put on the most remarkable Dance Convocation this week centered on the theme of time and all its dimensions. Like the seasons, the various qualities of time have their own rhythm inviting us into a fuller experience into the cyclical nature of our inner lives. Many cultural and religious traditions speak to the …
January 24, 2025
This Week in Athletics: Stories of Strength to Start the New Year
As students returned from their long and restful holiday break, the Cate athletics teams hit the ground running, ready to face the challenges of a new year of competition. With a mix of hard-fought battles, standout performances, and key moments of growth, the week showcased the resilience and determination of our student-athletes. From dominant wins …
January 24, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook
I welcome the opportunity to pause and reflect at the end of the week as it is my strong belief that the story we tell and the meaning we make from our life experiences is what shapes how we see ourselves and the world. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Multicultural Programming Coordinator Kadeine Peterson, …