
The valedictorian and salutatorian of Point Loma High’s Class of 2019 agree on their view of the high school they are about to leave.
“Point Loma is a well-rounded school,” said valedictorian Clara Page. “We win CIF championships in sports but the students here are really dedicated to their academics.”
“Everyone is super-supportive of each other,” salutatorian Jack Loewer said. “It’s not what you expect, but in a good way. You can do what you’re passionate about and people will be there for you.”
Page and Loewer sat down last week to discuss their school years and future plans. Clara Page, valedictorian
Page is the daughter of Deirdre O’Shea and Eric Page. She attended Grant Elementary School, Dana and Correia Middle Schools and has never received a grade other than “A.” Her overall GPA is 4.7.
Page was captain of the varsity field hockey team this year where a highlight was scoring a shootout goal that won the match. She also has been in Academic League (president last year) and Model United Nations.
“I was actually born in New York,” Page said, “And I’ve always wanted to go to the East Coast.” She will be attending Amherst College in Massachusetts. “I will be majoring in economics with an emphasis on public policy and a minor in mathematics.”
“I want to do economic analysis of public policy, looking at things like tax bills and how they affect the general public and the economy.”
Page singled out her junior year English teacher Yolanda Beltran as a favorite and most influential teacher.
“An easy choice,” Page said. “She’s the most wonderful person. I go to her room for lunch all the time and we just talk. She’s been really helpful.
“I’m just really grateful to have had such a wonderful high school experience,” Page concluded. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.” Jack Loewer, salutatorian
Loewer is the son of Chris and Andrea Loewer.
He ended his time at PLHS with a 4.65 GPA. A class he took as a senior elective likely separated he and Page.
“I took ceramics this year,” Loewer laughed. “I made a dog and a UCLA Bruin bear, but the ‘A’ was only worth four points.”
For Loewer, he was also part of Model United Nations, a leader of California Scholastic Federation, captain of a championship water polo team and played baseball for several years.
“Winning the Div. II CIF championship in water polo was a highlight of my junior year,” Loewer recalled. “Then we moved to Div. I and made it to the finals and lost 8-6, but it felt really great because it’s the furthest we’ve ever gone.”
Loewer recalls three teachers who have made an impact on his time at PLHS.
“I love Mr. C (Brian Compagnone),” Loewer said, “From my junior year English class. I’ve always been kind of a math-science type of guy and thought, ‘Oh no, I’ve got to take another English class.’ But he actually changed my mind.
“Everybody knows Glenn Richard, a history teacher who is super fun and a super cool guy.”
Loewer also cited AP biology teacher Sylvia Maas. “She runs the hardest class on campus. But she’s an amazing teacher.”
Loewer will enroll at UCLA to major in engineering, probably taking his ceramic Bruin bear along. “I still have to figure out what type of engineering I’m going to specialize in.”