Year in Review, Celebrating the 2024–2025 School Year

As the 2024–2025 school year wraps up, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped us “boost” South Pasadena Middle School’s athletic program—whether through leadership, sponsorship, membership, or simply cheering from the sidelines.

Throughout the year, we’ve reminded families that the SPMS Athletic Booster Club is the primary source of funding for our athletic program. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide for coach and instructor stipends, athletic director support, new equipment, uniforms, referees, transportation for some teams, season-end celebrations, and so much more. We were even fortunate enough to secure one-time funding for much-needed storage space!

We’re grateful for the continued backing of our amazing community, and we hope you’ll join us again for the 2025–2026 school year. Membership opens July 1—we can’t wait to have you back!

LEADERSHIP APPRECIATION

A special thank you to our fearless leaders:
Athletic Director Kasey Wells, Principal Cheryl Busick, and Assistant Principal Stephen Lewis for their steadfast commitment to student athletics.

We’re thrilled that Kasey Wells will return as Athletic Director for a fourth year. This year alone, he oversaw coach recruitment, tryouts, game and practice scheduling, transportation coordination, hosted the Track & Field League Finals at SPHS, and ensured the smooth operation of the entire program. Thank you, Kasey!

COMPETITIVE SPORTS

This year, SPMS proudly fielded 17 competitive teams in the 210 League:

- - Early Fall: Girls Volleyball (7th & 8th grade), Co-Ed Flag Football (7th & 8th), Co-Ed Cross Country (6th–8th)
  - Late Fall: Girls & Boys Basketball (7th & 8th grade), Co-Ed Tennis (JV & Varsity)
  - Winter: Girls & Boys Soccer (JV & Varsity)
  - Spring: Co-Ed Track & Field (6th–8th), Boys Volleyball (Varsity)

A massive thank you to our coaches:

James Gill, DJ Epting, Jonathan Stride, Shari Iwatani, Annie Schaumleffel, Adam Sonneland, Kasey Wells, Jordan Halpern-Schwartz, Rodney Ortega, Nicole Hummel, Bryan Samuels, Ariel Martinez, Graham Witherall, Coreen Kemper, Oscar Madrigal, and Lydia Morris

And to our dedicated team parents:

Ingrid Sanchez, Paulette Mak, Cat Yeh, Karen Hwa, Suzy Campeau, Patti Urzua, Jackie Gupilan, Echo Jeng, Marilyn Chan, Sarali Mehta, Fayven Lee, Charles Do, Miriam Jin, Fannie Kim, Julia Boehm, Tina Yu, and Frances Rentmeester

INTRAMURALS SPORTS

SPMS continued to offer a fun and inclusive intramural program open to all 6th–8th grade students. Students enjoyed perennial favorites like Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball (indoor & outdoor), Flag Football, Dodgeball, and Volleyball, along with newer options like Girls Lacrosse, Soccer, Pickleball, Dance, and Female Self-Defense.

Thank you to our amazing intramural instructors:

Chris Dean, Katie Hanburger, Alison Smith, and Amber Jaeger

BUSINESS SPONSORS

We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of our 2024–2025 business sponsors. Your contributions make it possible for SPMS students to compete, grow, and thrive through athletics.

Thank you to:
South Pasadena Chinese American Club, AYSO Region 214, Angela Kerwin (Compass), Dunia Handy Gill (Coldwell Banker), Fair Oaks Orthodontics, Hi-Life Burgers, Michele Downing (Compass), Mission Tile West, Nichole Dunville (Coldwell Banker), Sarah Rogers, Smilehaus, South Pasadena Little League, The Meng Group, Twoheys, California Black Bears, Dodgers Nation, and O’Neill Construction

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We also want to recognize our incredible Booster Club Board of Directors, who volunteered countless hours this year:

- - Ingrid Sanchez – Treasurer
  - Jake White – Secretary
  - Janis Ortega – VP of Fundraising
  - Kasey Wells – Athletic Director
  - Cheryl Busick – Principal
  - Bryan Samuels – Membership Chair
  - Veronica Armenta & Mike Webb – Fundraising Co-Chairs
  - Jennine Robinson – Sponsorships Chair
  - Calvin Wong – Teams Chair
  - Erin Bonz – Intramurals Chair
  - Andres Phippard – Technology Chair
  - Erik Gammell – Bylaws & Legal Affairs Chair
  - Laura Kistner & Debbie Dorny – All City Track Meet Snack Bar Co-Chairs

A FOND FAREWELL

To our 8th grade families and others moving on from SPMS—thank you for being part of our community. We wish you all the best in your future adventures, both on and off the field.

This year marks Megan Gardner’s final year at SPMS, but she’s happy to answer questions about the transition to high school! We’re thrilled to announce that Erik Gammell will step in as President next year, and Stella Jang will continue as Executive Vice President. The future is in great hands!

Enjoy the sports photo highlights below—we hope they bring back some great memories.

With gratitude,
Megan Gardner, President
Stella Jang, Executive Vice President

SPHS Athletic Events at SPMS

Last week, SPMS eighth graders welcomed a team of SPHS athletes to SPMS for the 2nd annual “Ask An Athlete” panel discussion, facilitated by SPHS Athletic Director, CB Richards. The athletes, who are all headed to college to play sports, took turns answering questions on subjects like time management, academics, nutrition, and social life, providing encouragement for the middle schoolers’ years ahead. Thank you SPHS!

Return Uniforms to PE

If you are still in possession of a competitive team jersey, please return to Ms. Lai in PE ASAP to avoid being charged.

8th Grade Athletes Promoting to SPHS Athletics
If your incoming 9th grade SPHS student is interested in playing sports next school year, please note that many SPHS sports hold tryouts and practices over the summer. Please review the following:

25-26 SPHS Sports Tryouts Schedule

25-26 SPHS Sports Interest & Tryouts Sign Up Form

Info for Incoming SPHS Athletes (will be updated for 25-26 soon)