ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS

Relevant Coursework

ENGLISH: AP English Language & Composition; AP English Literature & Composition; H World Literature & Composition (DC); H Ancient World Literature and Composition

HISTORY: US History (DC); H Faith & Culture (DC); European History (DC); H Medieval World History II (DC); H Ancient World History

WORLD LANGUAGE: AP Latin; Koine Greek (DC); Latin IV (DC); Latin III (DC); Latin II

SCIENCE: AP Physics I; AP Chemistry; AP Computer Science; H Chemistry; H Biology

MATH: AP Calculus AB; H Precalculus; H Algebra II; H Geometry

ART: AP 2D Art & Design; AP Drawing; Drawing & Painting I & II

Pacifica Christian High School Orange County
Newport Beach, CA | 2023-2027

The Great Conversations Honors Program Scholar
The Great Conversations Honors Senior Thesis
Prefect Board for Service Learning
Deans' List & Head of School List (All Semesters)

4.64

GPA

35

ACT

LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Leadership Roles

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND PREFECT BOARD, INAUGURAL SERVICE LEARNING PREFECT (2026-Present) AND ST. JOHNS HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE (2024-Present)

Interviewed and Selected for Prefect of Service Learning (2026-Present)

• Establish relationships with local charities and match students with volunteer opportunities. Produce weekly bulletin to increase awareness of offsite and onsite community service projects available to students. Work with administration to plan first service learning trip and to facilitate philanthropy fair on campus.

Selected by Faculty for St. John’s House Representative Role (2024-Present)

• Plan and lead all-school house events and competitions throughout the year; encourage school spirit and community building.

CALIFORNIA JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE EXCUTIVE BOARD, 1st VP (Highest Position) (2026-Present); 2nd VP (2025-2026)

Campaigned and Elected by Peers to both 1st VP and 2nd VP Board Leadership Roles

• Lead team of 16 board members to collaborate and execute on goals. Organize service and lead spirit competitions for 300+ students at state and national conventions. Facilitate recruitment and support statewide high school chapters. Run social media. Organize, plan and coordinate the California State Convention and Southern California Regional Amici Madness (SCRAM) for Junior Classical League teams across California.

THE GREAT CONVERSATIONS HONORS (TGC) PROGRAM and TGC HONORS THESIS SCHOLAR

Humanities TGC Honors Program Participant and Selected for TGC Honors Thesis Scholar

• One of eight students in senior class selected for mentored senior thesis scholars project. Researching, translating and performing a competitive analysis of Roman plays and modern media. Completing a 30 page essay, and all-school presentation of research.

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE (2023-Present)

Elected Pacifica Christian High School Consul (President) (2024-Present); Member Pacifica Christian High School Junior Classical League (2023-2024)

• Built organization from the ground as the Consul (President), after majority of the team graduated. Served on hiring committee for new faculty advisor. Strengthened competition prep for National Latin Exams and state contests, resulting in placing top 3 at state convention three years in a row. Led weekly meetings and coordinated educational events, speakers (for example, a co-collaboration with the Cycladic Museum of Art in Athens, Greece), and field trips (such as the Getty Villa). As a member, compete in National Latin Exams and state competitions, won multiple gold medals and first place awards.

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHING ASSISTANT LATIN (All Levels) (2025- 2026)

Selected and worked as Teaching Assistant for six sections of Latin courses (all levels) at Pacifica Christian High School OC (2025-2026)

• Selected from top Latin Language students to mentor and tutor beginner students; graded quizzes and exams.

MOMENTUM CDM GYM, RECEPTIONIST / FRONT DESK ATTENDANT (JAN 2026-Present)

• Manage member databases and schedules. Maintain gym environment and facilities. Recognized by manager for exemplary work ethic and positivity.

NOTRE DAME PRE-COLLEGE STUDY ABROAD: IRELAND, PROGRAM PARTICIPANT (JULY-AUGUST 2026)

• Applied and selected as participant for an intensive Irish history and culture study including site visits, archaeology, literature lectures, and immersive experiences like Threshold Arts Festival.

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TEAM, OPPOSITE HITTER VARSITY (2025-2026); JV (2023-2025)

• Played Opposite Hitter position on Varsity Volleyball and JV school team. Trained daily to develop skills. Mentored less-experienced players. Facilitated team bonding and Senior Night. Maintained engagement while injured.

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AMBASSADOR (2023-Present)

• Selected as Student Ambassador by Admissions Director. Volunteer and serve at open houses for high school. Lead student and parent tours. Support prospective students on campus during shadow days.

JCL Meeting: Skylar Taketa facilitating a game from the Cycladic Museum of Athens kit.

CAJCL State Convention 2025: Consul (Pres.) Skylar Taketa with friends and teammates.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Latin Exam Awards

• Achieved Gold Medals for National Latin Exams: National Latin Exam (HS 2) (2024); Hellenic Civilization; Intermediate Latin Vocabulary (2025). Awarded Silver Medal: Hellenic Civilization Exam (2026). Awarded Bronze: Classical Etymology Exam (2026) and Roman Civilization Exam (2026).

• Awarded High Honors for National Greek Exam (2026).

• Awarded First Place at CA JCL Convention: Latin II Latin Reading Comprehension; Vocabulary; Roman Daily Life (2024); Watercolor (HS); Roman Daily Life (2025).

Pacifica Christian High School Declamations Contest Finalist. (2024)

Skylar Taketa - Pope Benedict XVI at Auschwitz Speech

Pacifica Christian High School Awards & Honors

• Awarded Pacifica Person Award (faculty selected) for exemplifying one of the school's cherished six characteristics -- recognized and chosen for: Thinker (2025-2026) and Creator (2024-2025).

• Awarded Pacifica World Language Department Award (faculty selected) (2024-2025)

• Awarded Pacifica Art Department Award

  (faculty selected) (2025-2026)

• Top 3 Finalist in school-wide Declamations Contest (faculty selected) for Non-fiction/ Historical Category (2024).

Pacifica Christian High School Pacifica Person Award - Thinker. (2026)

Pacifica Christian High School Department Award - Visual Arts. (2026)

Pacifica Christian High School Department Award - World Language. (2025)

Pacifica Christian High School Pacifica Person Award - Creator. (2025)

Recognized for over 100+ hrs/yr of Community Service (2023-Present).
Multiple-year recipient of:

• The Presidential Volunteer Service Award (2023-2025)

• The Congressional Service Award (2025)

• The Newport Beach Youth Volunteer Award (2026)

Highlights include: Tutoring low income students from non-English speaking homes, Serving kids and families displaced by domestic violence at Second Step. Committed volunteer with the Newport Beach Public Library summer reading program.

* Note: The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is no longer awarded, but I have continued to serve at the same level of commitment.

Volunteering at Second Step.

Special memories with my dad setting up holiday decorations for women and families at Second Step, a transitional housing program for women and kids to escape the cycle of domestic abuse.

I've volunteered consistently with this organization since 7th grade, and have appreciated being able to spend quality time helping out, playing games, and doing crafts with the kids in this program consistently throughout the year over multiple years.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

© 2026 Skylar Taketa. All rights reserved.