Upper School Student Ambassadors

Get to know the Upper School Student Ambassadors as they reflect on their time at LJCDS. These leaders are representatives of the school who assist the admission office by touring, connecting with families and leading cross-divisional activities. 

If you would like to connect with one of our ambassadors, please email ambassador@ljcds.org.

Brayden Aires

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What new activities have you tried at LJCDS?

    I started playing volleyball in my sophomore year because a friend encouraged me to try. It was hard to learn something new at first, but the seniors were very helpful. They taught me rules and techniques that allowed me to improve quickly. I still play volleyball with them over breaks and vacations.

  • What advice would you give to new high school students?

    Stay focused on what’s important, and don’t get caught up in the little things. You’ll most likely forget what was stressing you a few years from now.

Aiden Bleakley

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • How have you grown at LJCDS?

    I have grown both socially and academically. The smaller class sizes and the variety of athletic teams and flex/club options have allowed me to get out of my comfort zone socially. Academically, I've become a well-rounded student by gaining experience in different types of classes and subjects.

  • What are your favorite memories at LJCDS?

    Our soccer team had an amazing run in 2023, winning CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) sectionals and moving on to regionals. The highs and lows of the season made it memorable and each moment with that team was valuable.

Carter Feinman

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What new activities and classes have you tried at LJCDS?

    I tried courses in the innovation lab and enjoyed the tools and machines we have access to. I also joined the student-led economics and investment club where we were given a budget to invest in actual stocks as a class rather than studying the market from an outsider’s perspective.

  • What advice would you give to new high school students?

    Advice that I would give new high school students is to try as many flex/clubs and participate in as many extracurriculars as possible. They are a great way to gain new interests and create new friendships throughout the LJCDS community. 

Emily French

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What is the benefit of being a Lifer at LJCDS?

    LJCDS has made me the person I am today. From a young age, I’ve been taught to be a strong student, a hardworking athlete and, most of all, a well-rounded person. I’ve tried new things and explored my interests because of everything Country Day offers. Being a Lifer has allowed me to create life-long relationships and grow within an incredibly supportive community.

  • What are your favorite memories at LJCDS?

    I remember my first grade Poetry Cafe. We wrote poems and read them aloud to our parents while serving them food. In Ms. Brown’s class, we teamed up to see who could become the richest in California in the Gold Rush game.

Mak Horton

Grade 10

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

Charlotte Izadi

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

Maya Krishnan

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

Lauren Latimer

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What advice would you give to new high school students?

    Be you! It won’t get you anywhere in life if you hide the person you truly are. You will be able to find your people no matter what, so just be yourself.

  • Why did you choose LJCDS?

    I chose Country Day because the minute I stepped on campus I knew it was where I should be. Every person I talked to seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. I knew I could be myself without any judgment whatsoever. It has been the best six years of my life.

Jack Levin

Grade 11

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • How have teachers inspired greatness in you?

    I was fortunate to have Mrs. Pegels for math for two years because she helped me grow as a student and as a person. She encouraged me to keep an open mind on new learning strategies and to fall in love with the process of mastering new skills.

  • What new activities have you tried at LJCDS?

    The Lucky Ducklings flex activity allows me to give back to the San Diego unhoused community, and I now serve in a leadership role. I also joined the LJCDS chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It’s been a great outlet for me to grow in my faith during the busy school year.

Ariana Ludwig

Grade 10

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • Why did you choose LJCDS?

    I chose LJCDS when I came to Middle School because of the opportunities that it offers and the larger range of classes and sports I got to choose from. The community is just so special and it makes school a lot more enjoyable.

  • Why is the LJCDS community special?

    There is such a strong sense of welcoming and inclusivity. There is always an activity or class that is right for you, and you get a chance to meet new people.

Mason Mackin

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What new classes have you tried at LJCDS?

    Thanks to the amazing opportunities in visual arts, I have been able to take independent filmmaking for three years. It surprised me how passionate and kind my teachers have been, and how I was able to meet other obsessive cinephiles like myself.

  • How have you grown at LJCDS?

    LJCDS has allowed me to expand my leadership skills through my involvement in the student council and my various presidential roles across a variety of flex/clubs.

Jameel McDaniel

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What new classes have you tried at LJCDS?

    I joined the band class in freshman year to fulfill my art credit, but I didn’t know that I’d be participating in all four years of high school. The class has provided good times, fun people and a place to hone my musical skills.

  • What advice would you give to new high school students?

    Teamwork makes the dream work. It is very hard to make it through high school by yourself. Having sound relationships with your teachers and peers can make high school much easier. Feeling comfortable to ask those around you for help and advice is very important.

Shayla Nazeri

Grade 10

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • How have you grown at LJCDS?

    I’ve learned many new study habits and techniques, and I’ve learned how to manage my time well. This sets me up for success in college and beyond.

  • Tell us an interesting fact about you.

    I’ve played the flute since second grade, and it’s definitely one of my biggest passions. The music program is one of the reasons I chose LJCDS.

Ally Needle

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What are some of your best memories from Lower School?

    My best memories are the special activities like Rancho Fiesta Day and the Pilgrim Project that made learning fun and engaging and made us feel like we were a part of history. Olympic Day was another favorite with each class representing a different country and competing against our grade in different events.

  • What new activities have you tried at LJCDS?

    I tried field hockey, theater tech, and many different flex/clubs like Green Team, Female Empowerment Club and the Community Service Board. I have gained something from everything I have done.

Chloe Richardson

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What will you miss the most when you leave?

    I will miss the faculty and the community the most because they make the high school experience so much more enjoyable. Everyone genuinely cares about you and the teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach. 

  • What advice would you give to new high school students?

    I would tell new high school students to spend time developing connections with their teachers and administrators. They’ll challenge you to be better and help you when it gets hard. Everyone acts with the student's interests at heart.

Gabe Rosen-Ahmed

Grade 11

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • How have you grown at LJCDS?

    I have grown academically and socially. My teachers foster an environment to understand and apply everything we discuss in class. Outside of class, I made my closest friends in all the flex/clubs. I’ve learned how to lead and organize activities ranging from new student gatherings to lunch meetings for the Model United Nations Team.

  • How would you describe the LJCDS community?

    Unique, welcoming and tightly-knit. I feel comfortable being whoever I want to be here. My voice is heard and my opinions are valued. I’ve never been a part of anything as special as the Torrey community, and I’m so grateful for it.

Kaia Roy

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • What do you want to do to make the world a better place

    I want to be able to help others through challenging stages in their lives. This is one of the reasons why I would like to do something in the medical field; to be able to help better the lives of others.

  • What new classes and clubs have you tried at LJCDS?

    I participated in and helped lead various STEM-related clubs including a mindfulness club, Future Doctors and Scientists, and USA Bio. I also love cinema and took the independent filmmaking elective course for two years. It taught me new methods of approaching short films and aspects of character development.

Delilah Shulman

Grade 10

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

Andrew Zakko

Grade 12

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • How have teachers and coaches inspired greatness in you?

    The teachers and coaches at LJCDS have been more than educators; they have been mentors and role models who’ve taught me that success is not solely defined by grades or accolades, but by the journey of self-improvement and continuous learning. By providing a nurturing and safe environment, they have empowered me to take risks and embrace challenges, knowing that failure is a part of the learning process.

  • How have you grown at LJCDS?

    The supportive community has played a pivotal role in fostering my self-confidence and allowing me to embrace my uniqueness. LJCDS has emphasized the importance of character development, teaching me valuable life skills like empathy, responsibility and resilience. As a result, I’ve become more socially aware and committed to giving back to the community through service initiatives.

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