Seven-Year-Old Darian Ghoreyshi Hands Out Juice in Palisades, Malibu
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
One 7-year-old has been looking for a way to give back and serve his community since the Palisades fire began January 7.
Darian Ghoreyshi set up by Palisades Garden Café on Wednesday, April 9, beginning at 12 p.m. to gift 40 bottles of orange juice.
Darian created a “small, organic, fresh-squeezed” citrus juice operation when he was 5 years old.
“His idea was to eliminate sugar, as we are a health-conscious family, especially after my breast cancer diagnosis in 2023,” his mother, Sahel Amani-ghoreyshi, described, saying that he started with two- and four-ounce bottles of lemon and lime juice shots. “He would setup near the Palisades Kumon or Mathnasium, where he was attending as a homeschooling student, or near the farmers market on Sundays.”
Sahel said he would typically be out of product in 30 minutes or less, as “people loved it.” He realized at the time that he needed additional options for children, so he added orange and grapefruit juice. That was also when he came up with the business name, Juicy World, and registered it with the county recorder’s office, with a goal of distributing “healing juices worldwide one day.”
“He has been asking to go back to his beloved hometown to serve, and be part of the relief and rebuild efforts,” Sahel described.
Sahel said April 9 was “successful, joy-filled and gratitude-filled.”
“The community loved that a young boy was there to serve them, and give them love, compassion and hope,” Sahel said. “He greeted everyone by saying: ‘Stay healthy and strong,’ as he handed them juice bottles.”
Residents of El Medio, Sahel has been featured previously in the Palisadian-Post for organizing and opening a temporary farmers market on Temescal Canyon Road, as well as for the launch of her children’s book, “Miracle Mello.” She donated signed copies of the book to mothers who came to the stand.
After the Palisades, Sahel and Darian drove to Malibu where they served “the lovely people” from World Central Kitchen and the Boys & Girls Club.
“The response has been so beautiful,” Sahel said of Darian’s efforts. “Many children feel anxiety and helpless in these situations, and this is a way to show them they have the power to do something—however small—to help others. Helping and serving others is one of the best ways to remedy many of our inner pains.”
Prior to April 9, the last stand Darian hosted before the Palisades fire was on Monday, January 6.
“Darian plans on continuing his business, raising more money and doing many more free juice giveaways to the community in the near future,” Sahel said.
Local Students Are Invited to Create Art to be Displayed on Light Poles
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
Locally founded nonprofit Crayon Collection recently announced the launch of the Banners of Hope for Pacific Palisades project—a community-driven initiative inviting area schools impacted by the January fire to create art to be displayed in the community.
Students at each participating school are working to create one unique artwork that is representative of their school, as well as choosing three words to describe the future of the Palisades. These works are slated to appear on banners across the 59 light poles in the Palisades this summer.
“I feel like when I drive through the Palisades right now, it’s really not our community,” Crayon Collection Founder Sheila Morovati—a resident of the Highlands—said to the Palisadian-Post. “When I come through and I [see] ads for debris removal, or remediation or lawyers … It’s just not about our community and the people. There’s this togetherness that we wanted to bring about through these images that the kids are providing us within each school.”
Participating schools currently include Palisades Charter Elementary School, Marquez Charter Elementary School, Methodist Preschool of Pacific Palisades, Kehillat Israel Early Childhood Center, Village School, Calvary Christian, Corpus Christi School, Seven Arrows Elementary School and St. Matthew’s Parish School.
Students, parents, teachers or administrators at an impacted school are invited to contact Crayon Collection to get involved. The deadline to participate is April 30.
“We are excited about this opportunity to bring joy to our community, and hope that you will join us,” Morovati and the Crayon Collection team said in a statement.
Morovati said she hopes the artwork provides a sense of community, joy and hope to those who have been affected and are navigating great loss.
“Just seeing what these kids have produced already has been so uplifting,” Morovati said. “I can’t wait to share it with the rest of the community.”
Of the artwork that Morovati has previewed, she said three words have stood out: Love, Faith and Rebuild.
The banners are expected to go up on June 2 and remain present through the end of August.
“The Banners of Hope project serves as a powerful reminder that hope and creativity can flourish even in the most challenging times,” Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said in a statement.
At the conclusion, Crayon Collection is also planning on replenishing each school’s art supply closet in August in honor of #NationalCrayonCollectionMonth—“ensuring that students are equipped for the new school year.”
Crayon Collection is also seeking corporate sponsors to help cover the costs of the project and individual sponsors, which will help restock art supplies for students.
The nonprofit was founded by Morovati in 2010, with a mission to collect little-used or new crayons to donate to children in need all over the country.
“Morovati’s daughter was a year-and-a-half old and a finicky eater when the two would dine at California Pizza Kitchen and be given a pack of crayons prior to their meal,” according to a 2014 Post article. “At such a young age, her daughter would scribble a bit and be done. Morovati noticed the staff would throw away the nearly new crayons along with the napkins and straw wrappers left on the table at the end of the meal.”
Over time, Morovati continuously noticed this trend in kid-friendly dining establishments. This led her to start collecting the discarded crayons off of tables. In September 2010, she expanded her efforts and became the founder of Crayon Collection.
Now, Crayon Collection serves 30,000 low-income youth annually and aims to provide equal access to art education in vulnerable communities where art has been defunded. The organization has saved over 22 million crayons to date.
Justin and Spencer Howard with their father and Summer of Fun camp director Steve Morris at a camp fundraiser at AMC 7 Photos courtesy of Palisades Forever
Childhood Palisades Friends Create Nonprofit Focused on Restoration Efforts
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Turning tragedy into triumph is the mission of four Palisadians who are committed to rebuilding the community they grew up in and hold dear.
In the aftermath of the Palisades fire that devastated the town they call home, brothers Spencer and Justin Howard have teamed with twins Will and Haley Holbrow to found Palisades Forever, an organization that is solely devoted to the restoration and revitalization of the public spaces, businesses, schools, landmarks and recreational areas that have made Pacific Palisades a special and singular place to live.
Upon seeing so many local restaurants, stores and homes burned down in the blaze that started January 7, these childhood friends immediately came together to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to making every donation and purchase count. Partnering with trusted community groups and other nonprofits, they have already raised well over $100,000, and 100% of the proceeds go back to the community.
Justin Howard with Will and Haley’s dad Bill at a Palisades Forever booth during the Beachside Benefit.
“Pacific Palisades needs your help,” read the Palisades Forever website. “In the wake of devastating fires, countless families have been displaced, and many of our cherished landmarks, schools and businesses have been destroyed. The task will be monumental, requiring leadership, vision and stamina. As lifelong residents of the Palisades, we want our community back.”
The Howard brothers and Holbrow siblings were born and raised in the Alphabet Streets. Spencer and Justin attended Palisades Charter Elementary, Paul Revere Charter Middle and Palisades Charter High schools (graduating in 2017 and 2019, respectively) while twins Haley and Will also attended Pali Elementary and Pali High (both graduating in 2017).
“As we watched our town and homes go up in flames on live TV, the four of us and other close friends sat in awe, unable to comprehend the reality of what was taking place,” Justin recalled. “It was a mix of shock, sadness and utter disbelief that just a few hours ago, the Palisades stood in all its beauty and it was now unrecognizable.”
Justin said that “pretty immediately” after the fire started, the four friends felt a responsibility to help the community that had given them “so much.”
Palisades Forever merchandise is available for purchase.
“I remember vividly FaceTiming my brother and Will, and strategizing about how to get the right materials, shovels and hard hats to go fix the Palisades ourselves, eager, if not desperate, to reverse the hand that had been dealt,” Justin continued. “As mid-20-year-olds who all moved away for college, we gained a heightened perspective of how special the Palisades is. When we’d come back for the holidays or college break, we soaked it all in—the utopia that is the Palisades— recognizing how lucky we were to play PPBA on the Field of Dreams or bike ride around town with our friends at the age of 10 or take our dogs on long walks to sweeping views of the ocean.
“We don’t take it for granted and recognize the role it played in our life, and I think that’s why we felt so compelled to play our part in the restoration and recovery.”
Justin, who helped Pali High capture three City Section boys volleyball championships before going on to play middle blocker at Ohio State, stressed how important it was to take swift action.
A Palisades Forever T-shirt on display during the Beachside Benefit at Perry’s Cafe.
“Too distracted to work and each feeling helpless in the days following the fire, we all channeled the mix of emotions in dealing with the loss of our childhood homes, town and community into working tirelessly to build Palisades Forever,” he said. “Recognizing that the media attention and fundraising would be at all-time highs closest to the fires, we wanted to capitalize on that attention as soon as we could. We built a website, sourced manufacturers for our apparel, registered for nonprofit status and launched all within five days of the fire. For the four of us, pouring our time and energy into a cause like this does not feel like a job but more of a responsibility that energizes and excites us.”
Haley, who went to Northeastern University and lives in New York City, reiterated the main goal of Palisades Forever.
“Simple: Support the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Pacific Palisades,” Haley described. “We feel incredibly lucky to call the Palisades home, and we’re committed to bringing it back even stronger than before so that kids and families for generations to come can experience the same joys of growing up in such a special place that we did.”
She elaborated on the strategy she and her co-founders have adopted.
“By partnering with trusted community groups and mission-aligned nonprofits, we’re focused on funding critical efforts that fall outside city and state budgets, ensuring the recovery goes further and the Palisades returns stronger than ever,” Haley said.
Will and Spencer are currently roommates in Chicago. Will, who attended the University of Michigan, stressed the importance of collaborating with other entities.
“As we continue to move from devastation to restoration, we’re committed to working hand in hand with local schools, community leaders and the institutions that make the Palisades feel like home,” he said. “Every dollar we’ve raised is directed toward projects that’ll have a lasting, meaningful impact—whether that’s rebuilding damaged infrastructure or restoring the places we love. We’re currently in early conversations with local schools, recreational centers and other Palisades-based nonprofits that share our mission. While we continue to gather input and assess where our funds can have the greatest impact, we’re focused on building partnerships that lead to meaningful, community-driven outcomes.”
Spencer Howard, wearing Palisades Forever attire, photographs what is left of the family house upon visiting the property.
Palisades Forever products range in size from small to XXL and include Hometown Hoodies (made of cotton/polyester and featuring a custom map of the Palisades, available in ivory, blue or pigment black); Hometown T-shirts (available in white, navy or black); Palisades Forever Hoodies; Cleanup Crew Long Sleeve and Tees (black); and Palisades Forever Tees (white).
Spencer, who played in AYSO Region 69 and captained the Pali High soccer team his senior year, noted the many ways people can support.
“You can donate directly or purchase custom Palisades apparel with profits going directly to recovery efforts—all through our website,” he said. “You can also support by participating in local community events, and helping share and amplify our mission. As the devastation from the wildfires fades from the news cycle, recovery efforts are just getting started.”
The zeal and creativity of this “Fab Four” assured that new apparel and community events are already in the works.
“As we look ahead to the next six to 12 months, our goal is to help catalyze restoration and recovery efforts by partnering closely with the community and its leaders,” Spencer said. “We aim to raise continued awareness of the ongoing needs here in the Palisades, both in the community and among those outside who are eager to support. We’re excited to build on the momentum we’ve created and remain a trusted resource for those looking to make a difference. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved.”
For more information, visit palisadesforever.com or instagram.com/palisades_forever.
The cast, crew and pit orchestra of the Palisades Charter High School performances of “Legally Blonde the Musical” enjoyed a two-weekend, sold-out run at the Santa Monica High School Humanities Center.
“The show was an amazing celebration of the resilience of our Pali performing arts community,” Directors Cheri and Monique Smith said. “The spring musical took place against all odds with both virtual rehearsals and meetings at numerous in-person locations on the Westside. Pali’s unbelievable talent was on full display in this collaboration between the theater, choral music, instrumental music and dance programs.”
The directors “raved” about the “dedication of their students, parents and colleagues,” including Allison Cheng, Peter Ye and Chris Barton.
“This show was one we will never forget,” the directors said. “Watching these artists come together, after all they have been through, was so inspiring. Hope and generosity were on full display.”
Photos courtesy of Cheri Smith
Former Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades Steve Guttenberg won a Christopher Award for his memoir “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.” The book was one of 12 awarded in the program’s 76th year.
“The Christopher Awards celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work ‘affirms the highest values of the human spirit’ and reflect the Christopher motto: ‘It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,’” read a statement about the program. “After his father—the hero and strength of the family—is diagnosed with kidney failure, Guttenberg dedicates himself to becoming a caregiver and reflects on their life together, from childhood through his Hollywood career.”
Guttenberg told the Palisadian-Post that he is “proud” of the Christopher Award and “delighted” by its choosing the book as one of the honorees.
“Any time one’s work gets acknowledged, it is an honor,” he said.
Photos courtesy of The Christophers
Sharif Ossayran and Khalid Al Mukhater joined mother and son Steve and Ann Kerr for dinner after Ossayran was selected as the winner of a fundraising raffle with tickets sold by Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades, which resulted in a $10,000 donation to Palisades Charter High School athletic programs and club activities. Steve, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and a Pali High graduate, partnered with the club to sponsor, with a grand prize of joining him for dinner.
Photo courtesy of Janet Davis
An opening reception with a “packed crowd of a few hundred attendees” for Rustic Canyon artist and resident Marta Chaffee took place on March 22 at Gallery 169 in Canyon Square. Her new body of work, “Grasses”— described as a collection of closely observed drawings that “reflect both the majesty, resilience and the often-overlooked complexity of … humble plants”—will be on display at the gallery through April 27.
“After several years away from painting, a life-altering event pulled her back into the studio,” according to information shared about the artist. “When a 50-year-old live oak tree fell on her Pacific Palisades home, it also cracked open her studio and stimulated her art practice, pushing her to create again.”
The 18 “deeply meditative drawings” were among the few possessions Chaffee took with her when evacuating during the Palisades fire.
Cali Gilbert overlooking the Palisades Bowl, where she knows friends who lost their homes. Photos courtesy of Cali Gilbert
Cali Gilbert Launches Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund to Support Female Entrepreneurs
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Through the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, renaissance woman Cali Gilbert has a goal of making a difference.
Gilbert is the founder and CEO of Tower 15 Productions, a nonprofit aimed at supporting women and entrepreneurship.
“Tower 15 Productions officially launched in 2019 as a film production company for my films, but became a 501(c)(3) in 2021 when I realized I wanted to focus solely on social impact documentaries, and support women via entrepreneurship mentoring and training,” Gilbert explained.
Cali Gilbert (left) with Rosalyn Phipps of Palisades Flowers, who was the first entrepreneur Gilbert reached out to.
A 10-time bestselling author and an award-winning filmmaker of social impact documentaries, she is now doing all she can to support her PacificPalisades neighbors and “entrepreneurial sisters” by creating the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund to aid women who lost their businesses in the recent fires.
“We’ve launched the 325 Campaign in hopes of reaching 325 women to donate $1,000 each to the campaign over the course of the next three years,” Gilbert said. “We’re also putting together the pieces to create a documentary entitled ‘PALIstrong: Women Rise to Rebuild Pacific Palisades,’ chronicling the stories of these amazing women.”
Gilbert currently splits time between Los Angeles and San Diego, where she looks after her elderly father. She recently spent two weeks in Santa Monica where she was able to get back to the Palisades and check in with the women she is supporting.
Gilbert settled in Santa Monica in late 2013 after experiencing a year of homelessness. By the next summer, she frequently biked down Entrada to Will Rogers State Beach and hiked Temescal Gateway Park.
“We’re in the process of reaching out in various ways,” she said. “First through my extensive professional network on LinkedIn and through my creative network. We also wanted to confirm the ladies that we’re supporting before we aggressively begin fundraising.”
Gilbert has a close connection to the Palisades.
“I was in North Santa Monica prior to moving to Oceanside last June but most of my time was spent in the Palisades,” she said. “My mom passed away at the end of 2023, and I moved my 84-year-old dad from Maryland in with me. We couldn’t find something on the Westside that suited us both, so we decided on North County San Diego.
“I’m grateful now, as we would’ve had to evacuate and I’m not sure he would’ve been up to it. The Reel Inn became the meeting spot for lunch with friends and out of town guests, and when I moved Dad to California last year, I made sure I took him there. Now, I’m so glad I did, as our haven burned to the ground in the Palisades fire.”
Although she did not lose her home, Gilbert knows many people who did. As an artist, one of her favorite Palisades spaces is the Getty Villa, and she is thankful the museum and its grounds survived the fire.
“When the fire broke out, my heart sank,” she recalled. “The Palisades has been a very special place in my heart since 2014, and I knew I needed to do what I could to be of support. So many friends and colleagues lost everything.”
Gilbert in 2015 with the six books she had on the market at that time. She now has 12.
Gilbert came up with the concept of 325, which represents the following: a three-year fundraising campaign with two missions (support entrepreneurial sisters and rebuild the Palisades) with five women/businesses that are initially supported.
The fundraising goal is to raise at least $325,000 for the selected women over the next three years, of which $250,000 will be divided equally among them. The remaining $75,000 will be applied to administrative costs over the course of 36 months, as Gilbert said she will be spending more time in affected areas and working one-on-one with each woman.
The first 10 women to donate become members of the Founder’s Circle and receive a host of benefits, including perks when the film is released (like advanced screening invites and goodie bags).
In addition to the Founder’s Circle there will be Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze level donors.
The initial PALIStrong beneficiaries are Rosalyn Phipps, lead designer and manager of Palisades Flowers; Stephanie Kanan and Dr. Antonia Balfour, founders of Oasis Palisades, a health and wellness center; Mercedes, Vanessa and Sabrina Pellegrini of the family-owned Vittorio’s Italian Restaurant; and Firdosi Wharton-Ali, The Script Righters, who runs a home-based screenwriting business.
“‘The PALIstrong’ documentary won’t be released until at least early 2028,” Gilbert predicted. “In the film, we’re chronicling the stories of the women we’re supporting between the time of the fires and throughout the rebuilding process of the next three years. I’ve been thinking of possibly doing a documentary series between now and then with some of the footage we’ve already collected.”
For more information, visit tower15productions.com.
Palisades players and coach Vijay Srinivasan celebrate their 36-33 victory in the Citywide title game. Photos by Steve Galluzzo
Palisades Recreation Center’s Minor All-Star Basketball Team Is Best in L.A.
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
It was a storybook ending for the Palisades Recreation Center’s Coed Minor Division All-Star basketball team, which capped an improbable and courageous run with a thrilling 36-33 triumph over host Pan Pacific to capture the Citywide Tournament championship on April 10.
Having secured the West Region title in late March the heroic squad of nine talented boys continued its quest for the City crown with a lopsided victory over Valley Region winner North Weddington in the semifinals, setting up a final showdown versus the Metro Region champions, who were playing in their home gym. In a contest that went down to the wire, Palisades prevailed thanks to clutch free throw shooting and lock down defense in the closing seconds.
Knox Redick, son of Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, hit a stepback jumper from 12 feet out to give Palisades the lead for goodwith two minutes left, but Pan Pacific battled to the final buzzer. Dax Skinner made a pair of foul shots to push his team’s lead to 32-28 with 1:48 left, but a three-pointer pulled the home side within one with 1:23remaining. Arjun Srinivasan’s putback made it 34-31, but Pan Pacific answered with a layup. Palisades called timeout with 39 seconds on the clock and on its ensuing possession, Srinivasan was fouled and sank the first of two free throw attempts to make it 35-33. Pan Pacific missed two chances to tie before Kingsley Citron was fouled intentionally with 12 seconds left. He stepped to the line and calmly made the first free throw and after Pan Pacific’s last gasp came up empty it was time to celebrate.
Redick scored nine of his team-high 12 points in the second half, Srinivasan finished with nine, Citron had six, Matthew Bundy and Skinner contributed four apiece and Bowman, the only third-grader on the squad, added what proved to be a crucial free throw.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” Pali Rec Center Senior Director Jasmine Dowlatshahi said, fighting back tears. “I mean, we weren’t even supposed to play and look what we’ve done. We had 700 kids enrolled and didn’t have a gym to practice in so I want to thank Oakwood Rec Center for opening their doors to us.”
Head coach Vijay Srinivasan first thanked the opponent for a spirited effort: “You’re thebest team we played.” He then acknowledgedthe contributions each player made, including Beckett Thomas (sidelinedfor the final due to a bee sting on his hand but who was on the bench to cheer for his teammates) and Hunter Ma (who played every other game but was on vacation for Spring Break). “These kids are so resilient. When the new Rec Center opens hopefully ours will be the first banner hung up!”
Wearing the biggest smile was Arjun Srinivasan, the only returner from last winter’s Pali Rec Minor team, which won the West Region but dropped a heartbreaker to Rosecrans in the Citywide semifinals.
“We lost by one point when I missed what would’ve been a game-winner and I vowed to be back this year,” he said. “I want this more than anyone. It’s cool to win it with my dadwho’s been coaching me for four or five years.”
Chemistry was key even though the team was only together for two months. Srinivasan plays for the same local club as Kingsley and Ma (Loyalty, founded by Christian Morataya).
“At practice Tuesday I injured my wrist,”Srinivasan added. “I iced it as much as I could. My mentality was that we’re 40 minutes away from the City title. I want this, my dad wants this and everyone’s watching.”
Josh Ahdoot, who pulled down several big rebounds and got a steal against Pan Pacific,earned redemption for his 12-year-old brother Ben, who played alongside Srinivasan on last year’s Minor squad that fell just short of a spot in the Citywide final.
“We play together a lot in the backyard,” he said. “I was pretty confident we’d win.”
“When Kingsley made that last foul shot I’m like ‘I’m pretty sure we’ve got this,” said Bundy, who turned 10 in January and wants to join Loyalty with his brother.
“I love the way we play together,” the 10-year-old Citron said. “This was very much a team win. I played for Mar Vista last year and we lost to Pali in the West Region so I decided to play for Pali this year. It took a lot of hard work and effort but it was worth it.”
Skinner, who will also play on the PPBA 10U All-Star Baseball Team, shared what his father (and assistant coach) John said in the team huddle before the final sequence: “Don’t foul and no threes.”
Palisades finished a perfect 8-0 in All-Star competition, winning by an average margin of nearly 30 points per game.
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Matthew Bundy drives for a layup in the first half against Pan Pacific, the Metro Region winner.
Arjun Srinivasan, the only returner from last year’s team, netted nine points in the finals April 10.
Knox Redick led all scorers with 12 points in the Citywide championship game against Pan Pacific.
Roman Hawk had four hits, two homers and six RBIs against Taft on April 15. Photo: Steve Galluzzo
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Roman Hawk was locked in at the plate last Tuesday against Taft. The Palisades High baseball senior had four hits, including two home runs and a double, drove in six runs and scored three more to lead his team to a 13-2 tournament victory in Woodland Hills.
Hudson Ramberg, Jack Kurland and Ian Sullivan added two hits apiece and sophomore pitcher Caleb Gitlin had three RBIs and pitched all five innings, allowing three hits with five strikeouts as the Dolphins posted their seventh win in a row. Three days earlier, Jett Teegardin scattered four hits and struck out 11 batters in six innings in a 6-2 tournament win against North Hollywood.
Last Thursday, Palisades’ win streak ended in a tough 1-0 loss at Verdugo Hills. David Castaneda drove in Isaiah Guevara in the bottom of the sixth for the game’s only run and senior reliever Milo Medeiros struck out two Dolphins in the top of the seventh to save it for starting pitcher D’Angelo Duran, who allowed one hit (to Kurland) in six innings. Sullivan threw five innings, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts.
On Saturday, Palisades battled Granada Hills in nonleague action and the host Highlanders prevailed 7-0. Sullivan and Andreas Konnari each had two hits for the Dolphins, who dropped their fourth straight to the Highlanders since blanking Granada Hills 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the City Open Division playoffs in 2019.
Palisades returned to its winning ways Monday at Pote Field in Griffith Park with a 15-6 win against University. Logan Bailey, Sullivan, Gitlin and Hudson Ramberg each had two hits and Hawk threw 3.2 innings, striking out four and surrendering just two hits as the Dolphins improved to 12-8 overall and 9-3 in the Western League. Only once has head coach Mike Voelkel, who picked up his 300th win with the Dolphins on March 7, failed to get his team into the Open Division—last spring when they lost at home to South East in the first round of Division I—but he knows the Dolphins likely need to win their final eight games (including road victories over Western League frontrunner Venice and reigning City Open champion Bell) to have any shot at making the top bracket, which has been reduced from 12 to eight schools.
Zach Amster breaks out of the starting block in the 4x400 Open relay at Arcadia. Photo: Steve Galluzzo
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Palisades High’s track and field teams are testing themselves against top notch competition in preparation for next Wednesday’s Western League prelims at Hamilton. On April 12 at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational, Zach Armster, Harrison Carter, Cole Hubbard and Ronin Sherertz were entered in the Boys Open Division 4×400 relay and clocked 3:36.07.
On April 18-19 the Dolphins traveled to West Torrance High for the South Bay Championships. For the boys, Carter took ninth in the 400 meters in 52.61 seconds. His running and returning helpedthe Dolphins’ football team reach the City Division I final in the fall. Fellow junior Jackson Taylor was 10th in the 800 in 1:59.34 while senior Owen Lewicky was second in the 3200 in 9:39.74. Sophomore Marley Duff was eighth in the 110 hurdles in 17.48 and ninth in the 300 hurdles in 43.85. Senior Devin Carey, whose accurate shooting helped the Pali High basketball squad make the City Open Division semifinals in the winter, finished sixth in the triple jump with a distance of 38-07.50. Palisades was 12th out of 19 schools in the varsity boys standings at South Bay, scoring 12 points.
On the girls side senior sprinter Skyla Jones was 10th in the 200 in 26.58 and seventh in the 400 in 1:00.93 and sophomore Gabriella Gilyard was ninth in the 1600 in 5:32.22. Three Dolphins were in the top 10 in the 3200: sophomore Zoey Morris was fourth in the 3200 in 12:23.01; freshman Hanna Sadzik was eighth in 12:45.34and sophomore Kendal Shaver was ninth with a time of 12:48.15.
Senior Ava Bondar was fifth in the 100 hurdles in 17.36 and fourth in the 300 hurdles in 49.43 while junior Maia Vasquez was sixth in the 300 hurdles in 50.96.
The Dolphins’ 4×100 relayers (Kalee Herd, Clara Fleckenstein, Javayah Sole and Jones) were fourth in 51.55. Palisades’ varsity girls accumulated 24 points, placing ninth out of 17 schools in the team standings.
Last weekend, the Dolphins’ 4×800 relay team ran in the rated rcae at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut and took second in 9:31.91.
Palisadian and Brentwood School sophomore Amelia Sarkisian competed in the Invitational 3200 meters Friday at Mt. SAC and clocked a personal-best 10:46.46, good enough for sixth.
Loyola High Football Rising Seniors Make College Commitments
Nathan Turk Photos courtesy of Loyola AthleticsMax Meier
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
Three years ago, Nathan Turk and Max Meier were key contributors on the Loyola High freshman football team, which finished undefeated for the first time in 44 years.
Now, they are poised to lead the varsity squad back to prominence in the CIF Southern Section and after that they plan on making noise at the NCAA level, both having recently committed to Division I programs.
As eighth-graders in 2021, Turk and Meier were teammates on the Corpus Christi team that captured the Catholic Youth Organization football championship for the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The next year they joined a slew of other boys from Palisades private schools to form a dominant ninth-grade unit that not only won the Angelus League title but outscored its nine opponents 374-66. The starting quarterback on that team was Jack Thomas, who transferred to Palisades High after his sophomore season and led the Dolphins to the City Section Division I final last fall. Meier played with Thomas in the City of Los Angeles Flag Football championship in 2018 and now the 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive end is ready to take his blitzing skills to Stanford University. The rising senior was the Cubs’ sack leader last fall and received 22 offers from, among others, USC, UCLA, Colorado, Washington, California, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Princeton, Harvard and Northwestern before picking the Cardinal.
Turk, a 6-foot-4, 279-poundAll-CIF Division 3 and All-State offensive tackle who has committed to Harvard after being heavily recruited by every school in the Ivy League, grew up in the El Medio Bluffs and graduated as Corpus Christi’s first male recipient of the CYO’s Athlete of the Year Award.
The statement described an “all-hands-on-deck” effort to support businesses and tourism in the area by “expediting fire cleanup efforts” to reopen a portion of the highway between Malibu and Pacific Palisades that has been largely closed to public travel since the Palisades fire started on January 7.
“Following the reopening, one lane in each direction would be available for public travel,” according to the statement.
The highway is currently open between Chautauqua Boulevard in the Palisades and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu only to residents in the Palisades fire burn scar area, essential businesses and repair crews.
PCH reopened one lane in each direction at reduced speeds to the public on February 3 for the first time since the Palisades fire before closing again on February 4 at 3 p.m. ahead of storms in the area that week.
“We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses,” Newsom said. “Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done.”
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans reported plans to work with United States Army Corps of Engineers—which is leading the government-run debris removal program—to prioritize the cleanup of parcels along PCH. This will be done by “surging additional crews into the area,” so that “these parcels can be cleared of debris quickly.”
“Once the highway is reopened, security checkpoints currently in place on the north and south ends of closure will be removed,” the statement continued, “but a robust law enforcement presence from state and local agencies will remain in place.”
Caltrans confirmed during a virtual town hall hosted by Mayor Karen Bass’ office on Tuesday evening, April 15, that the agency was working on creating a plan for the upcoming reopening. The plan is slated to include conditions similar to the temporary reopening in February, including traffic signals flashing red and a 25 MPH speed limit.
“Also keep in mind that work will be continuing,” Eric Menjivar said during the town hall on behalf of Caltrans. “You will still be seeing some crews out there. Our crews will be working along Pacific Coast Highway, repairing some … infrastructure that was damaged by the fire.”
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