Damien Memorial School Alumni Reflection: Lauryn Paloma ’26

We are immensely proud and grateful when alumni share their Damien Memorial School journeys with our community. In this feature, Lauryn Paloma ’26 reflects on her time as a Monarch and shares how the lessons, leadership experiences, and values she gained at Damien are guiding her into her next chapter.

Graduating from Damien truly felt surreal, as it felt like yesterday I was watching my own brother, a 2018 alum walk across Blaisdale’s stage, knowing that I would soon follow in his footsteps.

On our first day of 6th grade, when they told us 7 years would pass us by, I didn’t realize how quick it would be, yet all memories I made from the start until now are fresh in my mind.

Now that I have my diploma, and officially an alumni, I am glad that I chose to follow in my brother’s footsteps and attend Damien Memorial School. With every class and elective I took over the years, I believe it has shaped and prepared me for my next chapter as I head into college.

Besides teaching core curriculum and structured lessons, the staff and faculty at Damien have truly left a lasting impact on me as an individual. There are countless examples where the teachers and faculty at Damien have made me feel the most seen, supported me in my academics, and offered me meaningful life advice.

The most notable piece of advice that I will always remember is from Mrs. Pai’s English class. I had her in the seventh and eighth grade for English, and something she would always tell us was to do at least one act of kindness each day.

“It is a small world, and you’ll never know who you’re going to cross paths with again in the future.” And as our lesson at the time was centered around the philanthropist Clarence T.C. Ching, it motivated me to continue to live out the pillars of Respect, Responsibility, and Community Mindedness in my everyday life. But most importantly, the students at Damien truly made a school feel like a family.

Starting in Freshman Year, I thought I wouldn’t get to know everyone. But I’m glad to say that I was wrong, as each year I believe my class grew closer, and I grew more familiar with more people. It was a joy getting to know everyone, joke and laugh, and work with them day after day.

My involvement in Student Government since freshman year has been meaningful to me, it helped me break out of my shell and allowed me to strengthen my connections with students in my own grade, and from the upper and lower grades. And with this experience, I believe I smiled, laughed, and enjoyed my time Damien more than ever, as my work allowed me to give back to a community that I care about.

Some of my favorite memories with my class were during every field day, as we would always come together in an attempt to maintain our titles as Field Day Champions, and dominate the other grades. From participating in the games, cheering for each other, and even encouraging our peers to join in, when it came to our class, we would always support each other and come together when it mattered most. I’m so proud of everything we have accomplished both academically and athletically throughout our four years.  

However, the relentless support and love the Damien community has shown me, and the opportunities the school has provided me over the years, truly shaped me into the student, leader, and person I am today.

And after serving as the Student Body President for the 2025-2026 school year, I am beyond proud and grateful to be a part of a legacy that lives on beyond our time at Damien. From our individual achievements, to our field day trophies, to even our class project murals, I believe our impact on our school is just the beginning, and that will all continue to achieve great things beyond Damien.

I am proud to be a Monarch, and beyond blessed to be a part of a community of love and family. Virliter Age.