Torreys Recognized
We’re bursting with pride.
Torreys continue to make us proud in multiple ways every day. Below are a few accomplishments in academics, arts, athletics and service.
Academics
Joshua Hangartner ’24 was busy this summer earning two awards:
- The 2023 World Historian Essay Award: Joshua’s 1,000-word essay entitled “World History: A Vehicle for Understanding Ourselves” came out on top in this international competition. Read more in the La Jolla Light article.
- The New York Times Student Podcast Contest: From nearly 1,100 submissions, Joshua was one of 11 winners for his piece, “Out of Place: Anti-Asian Racism in Europe.”
National Merit Scholarship
Congratulations to Mason Makin ’24 for being named a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. He is among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants out of more than 1.3 million PSAT/NMSQT scorers in the country. These seniors were named National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars: Karch Borsa, Lucas Burgett, Caden Chiang, Ben Conroy, Maya Couey, Daniel Du, Maya Krishnan, Jiuxi Wang, Hongying Wu, Tristian Wu, Rachel Yang and Eric Zhu. Read about the program in the La Jolla Light news nuggets.
Arts
Qinzhe “Lawrence” Cai ’24 is getting noticed for his art and photography:
- Congressional Art Competition: “The End of Childhood” was selected as the fan favorite on Rep. Scott Peters’ Facebook page. Entries were displayed in Balboa Park this summer. View Lawrence’s winning drawing in La Jolla Light.
- SDSU Exhibit: Lawrence’s exhibit, “Walking on the Highland: Tibet,” at San Diego State University’s Chinese Cultural Center in September showcased his photography skills and immersed viewers in Tibetan landscape and culture. Read more in The Daily Aztec.
Athletics
Baseball
The Torreys baseball team received the 2022-23 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award, announced this summer. The American Baseball Coaches Association recognizes college and high school programs from across the country. The LJCDS student-athletes were the 2023 Coastal League Champions, competed in the CIF Open Division and had a team GPA of 4.09.
Basketball
Coach Terri Bamford was inducted into the Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame during a ceremony in September. As head women’s varsity basketball coach at LJCDS since 1997, Terri has built a powerhouse basketball program. She was honored as the WBCA High School National Coach of the Year in 2020 and the CalHi Sports Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2012.
Terri’s teams have posted an impressive 524-162 record, winning 14 League titles and 13 San Diego Section CIF titles. They have made 12 Southern Regional Championship appearances, winning eight and have appeared in eight state championship games, winning state titles in 2001, 2002, 2012 and 2015. Over 40 players have earned All-League/All-CIF honors, including five San Diego Section Players of the Year, two Wade Trophy winners in 2004 and 2013, and two USA Olympians.
Football
Jonathan Freedman ’24 was the KUSI Prep Pigskin Report Student Athlete Spotlight in September. Watch the highlights of his involvement in baseball and football and his interest in neuroscience due to his grandma’s dementia diagnosis.
Service
International Butterfly Project: Isaac Herman ’25 introduced The Butterfly Project and Holocaust education to the Dominican Republic this summer. Read the La Jolla Light article on his unprecedented project.
Balboa Park Volunteers: Scroll down to “NextGen Volunteers” to see the class of 2025 recognized in the Forever Balboa Park September newsletter. About 30 students helped city staff beautify Zoro Canyon and added plants to the Fire Alarm Building in August.
