Nearly 100 Tartans participated in the 58th Swallows Day Parade enthralling thousands of parade goers with a surprising and unique float that centered around a student-created replica of the school’s iconic Gateway Arch along with artistic and elegant flying swallows. The presentation epitomized the Tartan spirit and ingenuity defying what some might have thought was possible for one of the largest non-motorized, horse-drawn parades in the nation.

“The students showed their innovation and creativity designing, engineering and producing the arch and swallows themselves under the direction of their engineering teacher, Mr. Harless, who was also incredible in putting this together. They factored significant obstacles including that the entry needed to be light and agile to navigate narrow street closures to downtown and along the mile-long parade route, as well as safely maneuver around hundreds of horses, carriages and pedestrians,” said Lora Allison, Upper School director of community life who also helped guide and organize the Upper School student group.

Upper School students in Mr. Steve Harless’ engineering class were excited to recreate the school’s famous archway, even though there were various challenges to consider. They designed a three-fourth scale replica of the arch that they proudly pushed through the streets of San Juan Capistrano. Inspired by the parade theme “Soaring with Swallows” students retrofitted basic swallows kites with custom, 3D-printed rotating holders atop long PVC poles enabling the kites to fly naturally. Senior Shelby Nicholas took the lead in researching the appearance of swallows and beautifully painting each kite to resemble the beloved local bird.

“Participating in the Swallows Day Parade each year is an important way that we demonstrate our togetherness and commitment to our community. We presented our school to the community with such authenticity to who we are, and kept with the traditions of the parade itself,” said Head of School Will Moseley. “Our participation and sponsorship of the Swallows Day Parade, one of our town’s most celebrated traditions, is always a highlight of our school year. Our students did another amazing job with the float entry, and I am so proud of them.”

Walking along with Mr. Moseley and his wife Jenny Moseley, students from all grades represented St. Margaret’s in the parade. Representatives included Lower School Core Council, PAWsitive Character members, Grade 3 San Juan History Day students, Middle School Student Council, Math and Spelling Bee finalists and club officers, Upper School Associated Student Body, engineering students and varsity athletes. The Tartan varsity cheerleaders led the school with the Tartans 2015 Southern Section U.S. Lacrosse Champions. St. Margaret’s longtime partnership with the award-winning LA Scots Bagpipers group brought them to the parade once again in celebration of the school’s Scottish heritage. Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano had a “Soaring to College” entry and Special Camp for Special Kids participated in their own horse-drawn carriage with 30 campers and counselors, including many St. Margaret’s students and alums.

St. Margaret’s left its mark on local and visiting parade goers. Forty-year San Juan resident and artist, Monique Ray, complimented the school’s beautiful effort with the decorated swallows and applauded the artistic representation of the swallows and originality of our entry. In addition to celebrating the Swallows, the parade pays tribute to the city’s Spanish, American Western and Juaneño Indian heritage. It is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country and has been part of the San Juan community for more than five decades. St. Margaret’s has participated and sponsored for more than 25 years.

Click here to view St. Margaret’s photo gallery of the parade.

If you were unable to join us and would like to see it, parade coverage will air on Cox Cable Channel 39, Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. It will also air on Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

To see photos of the parade featuring Breakthrough in The Capistrano Dispatch, click here.

To see video of our swallows on The Capistrano Dispatch’s Facebook page, click here.

To see photos on OC Register online, click here.

A special thank you to all the students, faculty and parent chaperones who supported this effort and represented St. Margaret’s in the parade, including Tupper Spring, Holly Reilly and Lora Allison; Upper School Science teacher Steve Harless; Varsity Cheer Coach Kylie Fischer and Assistant Cheer Coach Kim Small; Varsity Lacrosse Coach Glen Miles, Lower School teachers Mick Vollmer, Erika Higgins, Josephine Davis; Darla and Andy Magana, Kate Giacopelli, Melinda Keane, the maintenance team, Director of Breakthrough SJC Victor Cota and entire Breakthrough Team; Executive Director and Assistant Director of Special Camp for Special Kids Lindsay Eres and Stefani Baker and Special Camp students and counselors.

1. John Wagner

2. Brady Moseley

3. Celeste Windes

4. Michael Cuda

5. Dmitri Georgiades

6. Hudson Bryne

7. Charlotte Newman

8. Sarah Jenkins

9. Kaylin Vollmer

10. Jackson Sant

11. Soren Olsen

12. Rachel Cunningham

13. Luc Nivette

14. Thalia Hamidi

15. Amaya Christensen

16. Brennan Sullivan

17. Sydney Logemann

18. Austin Brinker

19. Amelie Dauterive

20. Roan Ghahreman

21. Kate Cunningham

22. Toni Longemann

23. Eden Harrington

24. Karyssa Valdez

25. Reagan Ricker

1. Saurabh Mallela

2. Bryce Chan

3. Molly Allison

4. Simone Yang

5. Logan Burke

6. Jadyn Fox

7. Rori Ghahreman

1. Ariana Delgado

2. Andrew Klement

3. Michael (Austin) Miller

4. Michelle Amber

5. Sahar Khashayar

6. Ashley Lee

7. Ryan Miller

8. Andrew Sweeney

9. Hana Thomas

10. Jada Thomas

11. David Larsen

12. Noah Choi

13. Rachel Roy

14. Kim Maguire

15. Lexi Vollero

16. Annalee Gunderson

17. Denise Garcia

18. Katie Clarey

19. Lily Norwood

20. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Haugen

21. Jenny Carpenter

22. Ashley Salcido

23. Amanda Fohrman

24. Rebekah Olsen

25. Hannah Olsen

26. Tate Lissaur

27. Emma Danly

28. Annie Moore

29. Allie Acacio

30. Julie Kramer

31. Kevin Caruana

32. Jason Chin

33. Kevin Cox

34. Jeremy Davis

35. Payton Fales

36. Samuel Harnisch

37. Nicholas Kuljis

38. Nicholas Shanks

39. Zachary Shor

40. Erik Suh

41. Nick Totah