As the doors of Chaminade open for another school year, excitement fills the air, marking the beginning of a new chapter for our students and their families. The first day of school is more than just a return to a routine; it’s a celebration of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and the promise of academic and personal growth.
We are thrilled to welcome back our returning students and look forward to the energy and spirit they bring to our community. A special shout-out goes to the Class of 2025, who are embarking on their final year at Chaminade. For our seniors, this year is not just about closing a chapter but also about preparing for the exciting journey ahead—college. We are positive that the foundation built here will serve them well as they step into the next phase of their lives.
We know that the transition into a new school year, especially for those joining us for the first time, can be both thrilling and a bit overwhelming. That’s why we make sure every new student and their family feels welcomed, supported, and ready to embark on this journey confidently.
High School: Link Leaders Guide the Way
The Link Crew is a beacon of support for our high school freshmen and transfer students. These student leaders are committed to helping incoming students navigate their first year at Chaminade. From the moment they step on campus, Link leaders greet them with warm smiles, answer questions, and share valuable insights about high school life.
Middle School: WEB Leaders – The Heart of New Beginnings
The transition into middle school is a pivotal moment for our younger students, and our 8th-grade WEB leaders are here to make it as smooth as possible. These exceptional students take the lead during orientation in welcoming new students and their families. Incoming students connect with their peers, meet their teachers, and get a head start understanding the technology and tools they’ll use throughout the year. Our WEB leaders are more than just guides—they are mentors who share their experiences, offer advice, and provide a reassuring presence as new students adjust to middle school life.
Embracing Adaptation and Change
This year, Chaminade embraces the theme of Adaptation and Change, one of the five Characteristics of Marianist Education. In his welcome letter, President Robert Webb emphasized the importance of this theme, stating, “As we celebrate the CME of adaptation and change, our Marianist Educators are diligently applying lessons from our study tour of Finland to elevate our strategies and practices. Our goal is to ensure that our students not only grow and thrive academically but also in their intellectual, spiritual, social, psychological, and physical development.”
As we begin this new school year, we are excited to see our students grow, learn, and lead with the support of their peers and mentors. Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. We are thrilled to have you with us and look forward to a year filled with discovery, achievement, and new friendships!
On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, students, faculty, and staff from both campuses, along with distinguished guests, gathered on the West Hills campus to celebrate the 34th Annual Founders Day Mass. The celebrant was School Chaplain Fr. Mike Chiuri, S.M.
Founders Day remembers Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and his charism to be formed by Mary for the mission of Christ. It also honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Chaminade.
During Mass, President Robert S. Webb named five Founders of Chaminade College Preparatory, who collectively represent over 150 years of service to the School. Gary C. Simons ’77 was honored for his decades of generous support and service to Chaminade. Longtime employees Wendy Cowgill, Jim Crossley, Cheryl Sue Lande, and Michael Joseph Suppan were honored for their 25 years of service to Chaminade. Below are their biographies.
Gary C. Simons ’77
Gary Simons attended Chaminade for middle and high school and graduated in 1977. He then attended UC San Diego as a bio/chem pre-med major. After realizing he had no desire to be a doctor, Mr. Simons transferred to California State University Northridge. He graduated summa cum laude in 1982 with a degree in business administration with specialties in real estate and finance.
Mr. Simons began his career in the construction industry as a laborer in high school, becoming a skilled carpenter while working through college, then moving to a manager position for a Los Angeles Westside estate builder after graduation. Planning a career in income property development, Mr. Simons joined the Hanes Company in 1985, a commercial real estate brokerage and investment firm. He listed and sold multiple properties, becoming the top-earning rookie agent. His success enabled him to found his own company, Projects West Corporation (PWC) in 1986, partnering with established income property investor and manager Mr. Larry Latt. Mr. Simons quickly located a development site and PWC was on its way. This first venture was the successful development of a 44-unit apartment complex in what is now Koreatown. Mr. Simons went on to acquire and develop numerous projects throughout Los Angeles within PWC, totaling approximately 750 apartment units by 1991. During this time, Mr. Sean Baker came to work with “Larry and Gary” as PWC’s acquisition lead.
Mr. Simons founded Projects West Construction, LP, in 1992, to offer general contracting services to third parties. He oversaw construction of approximately 2,000 new apartment units and reconstructed more than 1,000 more following the Northridge earthquake. With PWC he completed numerous commercial projects and tenant improvements, totaling more than 3 million square feet of apartment and commercial construction.
In 1996, Mr. Simons teamed up again with Mr. Baker, starting Upside Investments, Inc. (UII). UII was originally intended to hold properties they acquired with their own money, but eventually they brought in outside investor capital. They also formed Upside Investments, LP, to hold their long-term real estate investments. Upside was fortunate to begin investing when apartments were far less expensive than today, and when interest rates were much higher. Rising rents, falling interest rates, and rising property values have increased the value of their investments, thus developing a strong cash flow over the longer term.
Mr. Simons resides in Hidden Hills, CA with his wife Heidi and their three children. Graydon (23) and Elodie (21) graduated from Chaminade and are currently in college at UC Santa Cruz and Otis College of Art and Design, respectively. Keller (17) is a senior at Chaminade.
Mr. Simons is proud to support Chaminade’s mission of educating young people with a foundation of faith and ethics. He has served on the Chaminade Board of Directors and Finance Committee and chaired its Physical Facilities Committee. Mr. Simons continues to work with the Physical Facilities Committee, which oversees master planning, new facilities design and construction, and ongoing facilities maintenance, and serves as a consultant to the President and Board.
Mr. and Mrs. Simons are also proud to give to Chaminade. Additionally, they are active supporters of the Reagan Presidential Library, specifically its recent educational initiatives, and Delight Ministries, a Christian charity for women in college.
Wendy Cowgill
Wendy Cowgill was born in Glendale, CA and moved to Porter Ranch when she was 10 years old. As a student at Chatsworth High School she participated in gymnastics, volleyball, and choir. Mrs. Cowgill attended college after the 10th grade and earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from California State University.
At the time Mrs. Cowgill applied to work at Chaminade in 1999, she was teaching psychology at CSUN, running two research labs, and working as the clinical director for a foster care agency. Although she found this work rewarding, the hours were challenging for Mrs. Cowgill who was a single mother with two young sons. After she remarried and gained four stepsons, Mrs. Cowgill came to Chaminade in search of a schedule more amenable to raising six boys!
Mrs. Cowgill currently serves as the Director of the Center for Excellence. She is also the AP coordinator and teaches AP research. Mrs. Cowgill previously worked in the counseling department for 20 years and has taught psychology, AP psychology, probability and statistics, and AP statistics.
Mrs. Cowgill is delighted by the alumni who return to Chaminade during the summer to share their talents with the Center for Excellence. She credits the curiosity and enthusiasm of its students for making Chaminade a great place to work, and is proud to work alongside many alumni whom she once taught, including her daughter-in-law Mrs. Wilkerson!
Mrs. Cowgill and her husband Dan share sons Casey, Carvey, Corey, Zach, and two Kyles, one of whom works at Chaminade, and daughters-in-law Kara, Amanda, and Jessica. They have two grandsons, Calvin and Kaisen, and three granddaughters, Adaline, Henley, and Emery. Outside of Chaminade, Mrs. Cowgill loves to travel, garden, read, and spend time with her family.
Jim Crossley
Jim Crossley was born and raised in West Los Angeles where he graduated from University High School. He started at CSUN then took six years to travel and surf up and down the West Coast before returning to school. Mr. Crossley earned an undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in English from Loyola Marymount University.
While interviewing at Chaminade, Mr. Crossley was drawn to the sense of family spirit that was absent from his interviews with LAUSD. As a result, in 1999 he accepted a teaching position at Chaminade in the English department by way of the “LMU Pipeline” that included his future colleagues Ms. Jenn Poole, Mr. Mike Gamble, and Mrs. Amy Velasco.
Mr. Crossley continues to appreciate the family spirit at Chaminade and is proud that the Marianist school, like his Jesuit alma mater LMU, encourages students and teachers to embrace intellectual and spiritual challenges. From Shakespeare to Morrisson, and from Zadie Smith to Chaucer, Chaminade students have always tried to meet these challenges, and administration supports the rigorous messages of these texts.
Mr. Crossley married his wife Denise the same year he started at Chaminade, and in October they will celebrate 25 years of marriage. Together they have French bulldogs Jackson and Mikey. Mr. Crossley is grateful for his wife’s support of his desire to teach at Chaminade, even though it involves commuting from their home in Hawthorne.
Mr. Crossley tries to surf every day and, if the waves are good (or just so-so), he will not be deterred by cold weather, the threat of thunderstorms, dirty water, or the occasional juvenile Great White shark. Mr. Crossley appreciates William Wordsworth (not a surfer), who wrote that time spent with nature contributes to a person’s character, inspiring those “little, nameless, unremembered, acts / Of kindness and of love” of daily life. With very little that keeps him out of the ocean, Mr. Crossley thinks his time there makes him a better person.
Cheryl Sue Lande
Cheryl Lande was born and raised in Burbank, CA. She graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley and then attended LA Valley College in Van Nuys. After graduating high school, Mrs. Lande worked at LAUSD as a teacher’s aide and later went to work at the LA County Marshal’s Office in Van Nuys as a deputy clerk.
Mrs. Lande applied to work at Chaminade because her nephew was a graduate and she heard it was a special place. She started on September 21, 1999 and has since managed the middle school health and attendance office. Mrs. Lande also coordinates the annual spring trip for 8th graders and looks forward to taking this year’s group to Boston. She previously worked as the liaison between parents and Varsity Books when Chaminade adopted its online textbook purchasing program.
Mrs. Lande looks forward to coming to work each day at a beautiful campus with exceptional colleagues. She appreciates that she works part-time, which has allowed her to help with her parents’ care and be an available grandma. Mrs. Lande enjoys basketball, old black and white movies, and going to book signings. She and her husband Jerry most especially love spending time with their sons, daughters-in-law, and precious grandsons.
Michael Joseph Suppan
Mike Suppan was born in Arlington, VA and moved to California when he was eight years old. He graduated from El Camino Real High School, where he excelled in photography. Mr. Suppan earned a degree in economics from California State University Northridge before starting his own business, the Virginia Landscaping Company. After eight years, Mr. Suppan enrolled in the theology program at Mount St. Mary’s College to pursue a career in teaching.
Mr. Suppan first came to Chaminade in 1994. He has served as a religion teacher, school counselor, assistant athletic director, and wrestling coach. Currently Mr. Suppan teaches theology and previously taught accounting and economics. He credits his ability to make a difference in the lives of his students for his long tenure at Chaminade.
Mr. Suppan’s faith in Jesus Christ is very important to him. Each morning he wakes up early to read the Bible and pray. Thirty years ago, he memorized Romans 15:13, the Bible verse he meditates on every day: “Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing as you abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Mr. Suppan has been married to his wife Virgina for 36 years and together they have two sons who attended Chaminade, Dylan (27) and Bryan (24). Outside of Chaminade, Mr. Suppan sells the Kobra Strike baseball training tool, which he invented, and enjoys working around his home.
On Thursday, May 19, Chaminade’s middle school athletic director and coach, Walt Stewart, was recognized with the Athletic Director/Sports Coach of the Year award by The Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce at the 18th Annual Unforgettable Educator Awards Gala. Each year, The Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce honors and acknowledges those educators who make a lasting impact on students’ lives and schools in our community.
He is recognized for his dedication to the students and the Chaminade community. He is always the first one on the field and the last to leave. He is known for his motivational speeches that resonate with students and teaches them life lessons by making them responsible, holding them accountable, and teaching them to work toward a goal as a team.
“That is the best thing to see as a parent,” says a current middle school parent, “someone who is dedicated and wants my child to succeed not only in sports but as a person.”
Walt has been teaching for 28 years. He joined the Chaminade family in 2007, and serves as the athletic director, teaches physical education, and coaches track and field and football. Walt is also president of the Junior High Delphic League, a middle school athletic league featuring twenty-five private middle schools in the Los Angeles area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, a Professional Clear Single Subject Credential in Physical Education, and a Supplementary Credential in Geo-Science.
” I love coaching,” says Walt, which, as he notes, has been especially important following a school year at home due to the pandemic. “I find it rewarding to teach our student-athletes sports skills, strategies, teamwork, and sportsmanship and see them improve on these skills during practices and competitions.”
Walt is married to Jill Stewart, who teaches at Chaminade’s high school in West Hills. Together, they have three Chaminade alumni, Nicholas ’17, Mathew ’19, and Jessica ’21.
Chaminade as a community has emerged from the pandemic stronger and closer. This year, we were thrilled to gather in person to celebrate volunteerism, connectedness to our mission, and the love for our students.
Volunteers are an essential part of Chaminade’s operations and are instrumental to the success of many of our programs and events. Our volunteers do it all, from large and exciting events like EagleFest to the smaller, less glamorous envelope-stuffing parties. They truly demonstrate the Marianist tradition of family spirit through their selfless giving of time and talent.
On May 11, Chaminade recognized nine extraordinary volunteers who have their last child graduating from high school. Their commitment to Chaminade over the previous four to seven years has had an astounding effect on our school. Congratulations to our 2022 Spotlight on Service honorees:
• Fernando and Nicole Cabaccang P’22 • Dave Dumas P’19, ’22 • Charisse Enrique P’20, ’22 • Adam and Karen Friedman P ’20, ’22 • Guillermo Herrera P’20 , ’22 • Traci Zvonicek P’18,’20, ’22 • Heidi Oney P’20, ’22
In addition to honoring our fantastic parent volunteers, Chaminade also paid tribute to two Board members who are terming off the board at the end of the month. Chaminade expressed its sincere gratitude to Mary Campbell P’13,15,18, and Jeannette Crawshaw P’15, ’22, ’22. For the last six years, they have volunteered their time and invaluable expertise to help ensure that our school upholds our Catholic, Marianist mission.
Consider joining the ranks of our volunteers; you will find that it is one of the best experiences. And along the way, you will forge new and long-lasting friendships. Join us on August 23 and 25 for our volunteer mixers to find your perfect volunteer opportunity and join the ranks of this fantastic group.
Pictured left to right: Robert Webb, Ron Prechtl, Kathy Prechtl, Bo Anderson, Dorothy Kane, Agapito Valderrama, Yvette Williamson, and Bryan Cantwell
After a two-year hiatus, students, faculty, and staff from both Chaminade campuses gathered at the high school to celebrate the 32nd Annual Founders Day Mass on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Rev. Mike Chiuri, S.M., school chaplain, concelebrated Mass with Rev. Ted Ley, S.M. ’58, chaplain emeritus, and Rev. Tim Kenney, S.M., assistant Marianist provincial for religious life.
Founders Day remembers Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and his charism to be formed by Mary for the mission of Christ, and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to our school.
During Mass, President Robert S. Webb honored seven new Founders of Chaminade College Preparatory, who collectively represent over 170 years of service to the school. Ron ’79 and Kathy Prechtl were recognized for their years of generously supporting and serving Chaminade. Longtime employees Bo Anderson, Bryan Cantwell, Dorothy Kane, Agapito Valderrama, and Yvette Williamson were recognized for their 25+ years of service to Chaminade in various capacity.
Ron ’79 and Kathy Prechtl
Ron Prechtl graduated from Chaminade in 1979. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Northridge before enjoying a career in the real estate industry. He has served in various volunteer capacities at Chaminade, including as Chair of the Board of Directors, and Chair of the Advancement, Physical Facilities, and Property Management Committees. Ron was involved with the development and construction of the Tutor Family Center for the Performing Arts, and the recent acquisition of the shopping center on Saticoy. In 2012, he was named Chaminade Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Kathy Prechtl graduated from Louisville and the University of San Francisco before becoming a registered nurse. She now helps oversee the day-to-day operations of the Prechtl family’s property management company.
In addition to Chaminade, Ron and Kathy support Catholic Charities of Ventura County and Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County. They have been married for nearly 32 years and are the parents of two Chaminade alumni (and USC alumni). Their son Andrew ’11 is a financial analyst for Simpatica, and daughter Kaitlin ’13 is attending USC Keck School of Medicine to become a physician assistant.
In 2019, Ron and Kathy purchased an avocado farm in Carpinteria. They also enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Bo Anderson
Bo Anderson was born in Philadelphia. She moved with her family to California, where she graduated from El Camino and Cal State Northridge.
She started at Chaminade in 1996 after her friend Betty Paravato, who worked in the Business Office, encouraged her to apply for an open position. Interested in working at a Catholic organization, Bo accepted the offer and has been serving Chaminade ever since. She says the school’s sense of community and her supportive colleagues make it a wonderful place to work!
As it grew over the years, Bo came to solely manage the financial aid program. The Director of Financial Aid, Bo loves being able to assist families in their desire to provide a Catholic education for their children.
Bo and her close-knit family are active members of St. Bernardine’s Parish. Her husband Kevin is an LAUSD teacher, and her daughter Kylie is a freshman at Chaminade. She also has two stepdaughters, Rachel and Leah. Bo enjoys spending time with her family and likes sports, especially baseball and softball. She and her husband have been to 28 of the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
Bryan Cantwell
Bryan Cantwell grew up in San Diego and came to Chaminade after graduating from Cal Lutheran in 1994. He started his career as a middle school PE teacher and high school boys’ basketball coach before creating the summer basketball camp program.
In 2000, Bryan moved to the high school campus, eventually becoming Dean of Students in 2007. Bryan also served as the middle school site director of the Center for Excellence. Since 2017, he has served as the high school Associate Athletic Director.
Bryan has coached various middle school sports, including volleyball, golf, football, and basketball. At the high school, he coached boys’ golf for many years, and currently is the varsity boys’ basketball coach. During his tenure at Chaminade, Bryan has coached 4 CIF championship teams – boys’ basketball in 1998, 1999, and 2021, and boys’ golf in 2010.
Bryan received his master’s degree in Catholic School Administration from Loyola Marymount in 2009. He is married to Beth Cantwell, who also teaches at Chaminade, and they have three sons: Kieran ’19, Caden ’22, and Kahlil ’26.
Dorothy Kane
Dorothy Kane was born and raised in New York. She moved to California with her family when she was a senior in high school, but still considers herself an East Coaster.
Dorothy has been teaching for 38 years, from 4th graders to juniors in high school. She has served on the middle school faculty at Chaminade since her arrival in 1995, and is currently the Vice Principal for Academics and Parent and Faculty Concerns. For most of her career, Dorothy has taught middle school history. In 2006, her peers honored her with the Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Award.
In her free time, Dorothy likes to cook (not bake!), watch Masterpiece Theatre, and read mystery books. She also enjoys visiting lighthouses and antique stores with her husband of 32 years, Kevin, who is a teacher in the Las Virgenes Unified School District. Dorothy and Kevin have one son, Richard, who works in Chaminade’s middle school library.
Agapito Valderrama
Agapito Valderrama was born in Mexico and moved to California in 1985. He held various agricultural and horticultural positions, even working with Cesar Chavez, before coming to Chaminade in 1995. Agapito was encouraged to apply for a position in the Grounds Department by a family friend, Antonio Jauregui, who was honored at Chaminade’s Founders Day in 2016.
Agapito originally worked on the high school campus before moving to the middle school in 1998, where he was promoted to Grounds Supervisor. He says working at Chaminade is like being part of a family, and he enjoys the variety of each day.
Agapito and his wife Rosario have a son named David. In addition to keeping Chaminade’s middle school campus beautiful, Agapito is the owner of Rancho Nuevo Nursery in Moorpark, California.
Yvette Williamson
Yvette Williamson grew up in Oakhurst, California and earned degrees from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Grand Canyon University. She came to Chaminade in 1997 to teach World History and Economics at the high school. Yvette and her husband Andy, also a teacher at Chaminade, have three children: Kylee ’26, Cooper ’28, and future Eagle, Quinn.
To celebrate her 25 years at Chaminade, Yvette wanted her biography to focus on the impact Chaminade and its Family Spirit has had on her life. When Yvette came to Chaminade, she was excited to work alongside her sister, Denise Gunter. Seven years later, she met the love of her life in the Bob Hope Center, and was married to Andy Williamson by Chaminade chaplain, Fr. Edward Johnson, in a ceremony attended by over 30 colleagues.
Yvette is thankful for her colleagues, who act as family. Yvette had her three children while working at Chaminade, and two of her colleagues are their godparents. She has vacationed with her colleagues and been roommates with some of them. Several have become neighbors. She considers herself fortunate to have colleagues as part of the village helping her and Andy raise their children.
Yvette’s students also contribute to her sense of Family Spirit at Chaminade. She has taught more than 4,000 students, many of whom have become cherished colleagues, with some even coaching and teaching her own children. Hundreds have returned to share with her their accomplishments or introduce their families. Her students have taught her patience and empathy, and about integrity and strength. Yvette says her students have influenced the person she has become, and have made her a better teacher and parent. Blessed to have spent half her life at Chaminade, Yvette thanks our community for showing her the meaning of Family Spirit.
