Dear ESUSD Families, Employees and Community,
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
It is my honor to congratulate you on achieving this significant milestone in your academic journey. This accomplishment is a result of many years of hard work, dedication, and the support of those around you.
This year’s graduating class will always hold a special place in my heart, not only because of your remarkable accomplishments, but also because this is the final graduating class of my time as ESUSD superintendent. It has been an honor to journey alongside you for the many years you have been a part of this wonderful school district. As you prepare for the next phase of your life, you can feel confident that you have received the highest-quality education and are well-prepared for whatever comes next.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our outstanding teachers, staff, and members of the ESUSD Board of Education for the thoughtful work they accomplished this school year. Your unwavering support, commitment, and passion for education have been the backbone of the success of our students and school district. Thank you all!
To conclude this letter, I would like to highlight just a few of the outstanding members of the ESHS Class of 2024. These accomplished students provide a single snapshot of the numerous students who matriculate onto college and career. I am expecting great things from this group of graduates!
Mairyn Mull
“Interior design has always been my dream since I was little, so being able to accomplish this huge goal of mine will set me up for success and make it known to me and others that I can do anything as long as I work hard,” Mairyn said.
During high school, Mairyn was part of the Visual and Performing Arts and AVID pathways. She said Mrs. Summers, her AVID and choir teacher, made a significant impact on her high school career.
“She has made my high school experience so much better than it could’ve been,” Mairyn said. “All my experiences in her classes have been the best experiences I’ve ever had in any classroom. She makes the room feel like a little family. She’s super fun to talk to and have conversations with, and she makes me feel like I have a voice and that I am heard.”
Mairyn was a part of the El Segundo High School Chamber Choir, and served as both the vice president and the tour and fundraiser director for the choir. Outside of school, she worked as a babysitter and at Fit Kids Gymnastics as a coach.
Her selected senior quote provides wisdom and advice for younger students and her fellow graduates: “It's never too late to change your path in life. Work hard towards a brighter future—it will all be worth it at the end of the day.”
James Baldino
James Baldino will be attending the Samueli School of Engineering at UCLA in the Fall to study mechanical engineering. While he is still unsure about his specific future career path, he feels inspired by conversations with engineers, finding their exciting and fulfilling work on interesting projects very appealing.
James is well prepared for a career in engineering thanks to the El Segundo High School engineering pathway, which is sponsored by Chevron. He said he found tremendous value in the project-based learning style of his engineering courses, and felt equally challenged and supported. For his senior capstone project, he designed a self-spotting bench press machine for home use. The machine would allow the user to press a pedal with their foot while lifting weights to instantly lift the weight off their chest and allow them to escape freely.
“The engineering pathway was stressful at times, but stressful environments are where I perform at my best,” James said. “Learning how to manage deadlines and work under pressure was immensely valuable, and makes me confident that regardless of whatever challenges are thrown my way in college, I’ll handle them efficiently and succeed.”
Outside the classroom, James played both soccer and baseball for the school teams. He was the goalie for the varsity soccer team for three years, and he was selected to the Pioneer All-League second team during his senior year. He played varsity baseball for two years, during which time his summer team finished as runners-up in the American Legion Baseball 2023 California State Championships.
“I served two very different roles on each team I was a part of, and this showed me that regardless of where I’m positioned, there are always opportunities to be a leader,” James said.
He was also a part of clubs, including Quiz Bowl Club and Beach for Change Club. He’s looking forward to the many opportunities that await him in college and beyond.
“I want to follow where opportunity takes me, and I’m incredibly grateful to be attending one of the biggest universities in California, where I’ll be able to do just that.”
Lauryn Hachiya
Lauryn plans on attending George Washington University in the fall. She hopes to double-major in computer science and political science, with hopes of attending law school and specializing in technology. Her goal is to contribute to increased regulations on developing technology, especially the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“I believe we need a combination of politics and a strong understanding of technology to develop legislation that is able to untangle the ever-growing webs of the internet,” Lauryn said. “Technology develops so quickly, it is difficult for our society and especially our government to keep up when it comes to protecting its citizens. By pursuing this field, I am hoping to pave a stronger and safer future both on and offline for all generations”
While in high school, Lauryn participated in many different clubs and organizations. She served as the yearbook editor, overseeing all graphic design, photography, writing, editing, and advertising that goes into yearbook production. She also was the founder and co-president of Mathletes, vice president of the Asian Student Union, treasurer of the Liberty in North Korea Club, and a founding member of the first all-female Cyberpatriots team at El Segundo High School.
Lauryn credits her time at ESHS for empowering her to explore her creativity and push the boundaries of her capabilities.
“Being a student at El Segundo High School means being surrounded by a community that wants nothing more than to see you succeed,” Lauryn said. “I’m incredibly grateful to all my teachers who encouraged me to explore my creativity and push the boundaries of what I thought myself capable of.”
In addition to focusing on her studies, Lauryn hopes to study abroad in college. She would especially like to visit China to reconnect with her heritage and explore the country’s impact on technology, as well as European countries like France and Germany.
“I think college is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the world on a larger scale and acquaint yourself with new communities, cultures, and environments,” she says.
Julian Raymond 
Julian Raymond will be attending Yale University in the fall. He plans on majoring in English, and he has dedicated his first year to the university’s prestigious Directed Studies program. Julian was pre-admitted into the program based on his writing samples and initial application to Yale.
“In this program, I will be studying the Western canon, ranging from The Epic of Gilgamesh to Aeschylus’ The Oresteia,” Julian said. “I’m glad I’ll be participating in this program at Yale, as it means I’ll have full access to Yale’s collection of medieval manuscripts.”
While in high school, Julian was enrolled in the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) pathway, taking art classes all four years of high school. He created two completed portfolios for Advanced Placement (AP) 2D and AP Drawing. He also was a member of the varsity swim team his sophomore and senior years, and was awarded MVP on the junior varsity swim team his junior year.
Outside of school, Julian created and led the Westchester LGBTQ Teen Group, which he recounts as the most meaningful extracurricular experience of his high school career.
“The group began with a simple call to a local bookstore and a post I made from my mom’s Facebook account, but it quickly blossomed into a safe space and the foundation of a community for those of us who previously had none,” Julian said. “I dedicated the last years of my adolescence to the group, ensuring that the next generation of queer Westchester kids wouldn't feel the isolation and loneliness that prompted me to forge this group.”
Julian’s spare time is most often dedicated to his passion for creative writing and writing fiction. He plans to continue to pursue this passion during his time studying English at Yale.
“Writing fiction is how I unwind after a long day of school and work, an activity I gravitate towards in the wee hours after a social gathering,” Julian said. “I dedicate my lazy Sundays to revising and rewriting, poring over the economic structure of my imagined society and mapping out intercontinental trade routes on a map reminiscent of Tolkien or George R.R. Martin's cartographic illustrations. Spare moments in class are an excuse to jot down character notes, sketch concept art for the protagonist of my newest short story, or scroll through images of historical costuming on Pinterest, compiling my work into a lengthy document filled with images, illustrations, and paragraphs of description.”
Final Thoughts
I am inspired by our seniors. Thank you all for collectively celebrating our children and recognizing the milestone moments in their lives. Wishing you a productive summer, and for those returning, the first day of school for the 2024-2025 academic year is August 27, 2024.
With gratitude that we are in this together,
Melissa Moore, Ed.D.
Superintendent
El Segundo Unified School District