By CYRIL A. REINICKE

On Thursday, June 1, the Mission Bay Cluster Committee, chaired by parent Sarah Weber, held its fourth and final meeting of the 2022-2023 school year in the library at Mission Bay High School. This year-end meeting provided the opportunity for 12 seniors to share highlights of their four-year journey at Mission Bay High in front of an audience of 50 parents and community members, as well as school staff.

The panel discussion was moderated by Andrew Hutchinson, a 2021 alum of Mission Bay High and currently a junior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hutchinson posed questions to the 12 seniors related to their experience on campus, the academic rigor and challenge of

classes, as well as the level of support these students received at Mission Bay High.

Three themes emerged in the students’ discussions: the academic rigor of the classes, the unique support system between the students and the staff, and the many opportunities and benefits for students to become involved in school activities, clubs, and sports teams.

Senior Claire Kaltsas spoke about the challenge and rigor of the IB (International Baccalaureate) program at MBHS. Senior Emil Belhon also credited the rigor of the IB program for his achievement.

“I feel that I am the writer and the speaker I am today because of the IB program,” Belhon said. “We have written so many essays that the final IB test almost felt like a breeze.”

In addition, seniors Ha Tan Nguyen and Dorian Marquez praised the challenge they found through the IB program. Finally, senior Khouri Evans said, “The academics at Mission Bay are fantastic, both in and out of the IB program.”

A second theme that developed during the panel’s comments described a unique level of “community” among the students and their teachers. Nguyen said that “The openness of the students and staff is very encouraging because everyone wants you to succeed.”

Abigail Forde said: “The staff is very accepting and attentive to students. They truly care about each individual student. Always focus on your studies. If you ever need help it is OK to reach out and ask for it.”

Kaltsas described the caring relationship between students and staff. “Mission Bay’s emphasis on community and the extensive support system prepares students for their future and uplifts them during their high school years.”

Sophie Cacdac praised the support she received from her counselor, Caroline Karoczkai. “She has been genuinely caring throughout all four years and helped me throughout the whole college application process.”

The opportunities and benefits that sports, clubs, and student government activities provide for students were a third theme that surfaced during the panel discussion. The two words that repeatedly emerged were opportunities and leadership. Kaltsas participated in Yearbook, Mock Trial, and the IB program. Cacdac found her connection with her counselor and the soccer team. “I found my best friends through soccer and felt included at Mission Bay because of my soccer experience,” Cacdac said.

Belhon started at Mission Bay knowing only a couple of students. “I came from a super small French school. I felt included and involved through water polo and made some of my best friends right away.”

Evans told the audience, “Being in sports allowed me to find and be recruited by my dream school. Getting involved with clubs helped me stay connected with both the school and the outdoor community.”

Khouri summed up the evening, “If there are ever any doubts about joining Mission Bay as a student or enrolling your children, there is nothing to worry about. There is a place for everyone here in class, in clubs, in sports, and on campus. There are tons of leadership opportunities and ways to reach out and be seen. The campus is beautiful. There are trees everywhere. The only walls are the ones around the classrooms.”

Senior panelists included Rosemary Achauer, Cacadac, Sadie Horowitz, Lauren Pelot, Evans, Izzy Charek, Nguyen, Belhon, Dorian Marquez, Devin McCoy, Kaltsas, and Forde.

The Mission Bay Cluster Committee is comprised of interested parents, teachers, school administrators, and Pacific Beach community members at large that have a continuing interest in the activities and projects regarding PB schools. The San Diego Unified School District has identified 16 clusters or geographic regions of the district.

The Mission Bay Cluster includes Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary School, Sessions Elementary School, Crown Point Junior Music Academy, Pacific Beach Elementary School, Pacific Beach Middle School, and Mission Bay High School. The Mission Bay Cluster meets four times a year. More information can be found at discover.sandiegounified.org/communities/mission-bay-cluster and missionbay.sandiegounified.org/parents/mission_bay_high_cluster_schools.