Our 2025-2026 Triton of the Year nominees

Evan Potwora | Opinion Editor

May 22, 2026

Every year, our teachers and administrators select a group of 5 students that they believe embody what it means to be a Triton. As a great honor, the 5 have willingly put in hours of their time back into their school and committee, role-modeling to peers the values that make up our school. Junior Ashlee Murray reflected that, “Our schools tradition to honor these students is truly inspiring, as they have put in so much work towards our school and seeing them being rewarded is amazing.” Below is a dive into each of the candidates work, and while it doesn’t fully show the countless hours and balance that each have held during their four years, it allows us to see what has made them into role models for us all.

Timothee Bernardin Bigle, known to many as Tim, embodies the Triton Spirit. He is a Department Chair for our Link Crew, ensuring that all incoming freshmen feel welcomed and prepared for their next 4 years in high school. He has spearheaded free after-school tutoring within this position, enabling all Tritons to receive tutoring from peers and teachers. Additionally, Bigle is the National Honor Society Secretary, managing event logistics to ensure the success of NHS fundraisers and drives. On top of that, Bigle is a California Scholarship Federation Officer and a College Technical Education ambassador. Bigle has played 2.5 years of volleyball and has been one of the founding members of the Triton Sports Network, in which he has broadcast Varsity Sports for students, parents, and Triton Fans. Outside of school, Bigle has worked on multiple environmental projects, including serving as a Sustainable Aviation Student Researcher at UCI to reduce ground pollutant emissions, participating in GetInspired Pismo Clam Research, and conducting Save Our Beaches San Particle Analysis for local replenishment. Through each of these positions, he has been an innovator in protecting our community’s environment and has inspired others to do the same. After San Clemente, Tim will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles to major in Biomedical Engineering, go Bruins!

Allie Borgerding is a very familiar face on campus, being this year’s ASB President. As President, Borgerding has organized a plethora of school and city-wide events that have truly shaped everyone’s year. Ensuring communication and a successful ASB, she manages 11 separate committees while being responsible for multiple other commitments that come with being President. Before being President, Borgerding was the Vice President, Pep Commissioner, and Freshmen Vice President. She is also an active member of Link Crew and Best Buddies! Outside of school, she has worked at the Boys and Girls Club as a summer yoga teacher, at Yoga Six as a teacher, at Trader Joe’s as a Crew Member, and for the Live Like Leo Foundation. After San Clemente, Borgerding will attend the University of California, Los Angeles for pre-disability studies, go Bruins!

McPhinneaus Holmes-Selby is a true reflection of our values as Tritons. He played water polo and was a part of our swim team, and was a team captain for both! On top of that, Holmes-Selby has served as President of our National Honor Society, Rotary International Interact, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes! Within the NHS, he organized multiple drives to help victims of the recent Los Angeles fires and collaborated with Link Crew to provide free after-school tutoring. For Rotary, he helped gather food for families in need during Thanksgiving and helped plan Love SC to beautify and improve the quality of our campus. As President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has brought in professional athletes and role models to spread his faith and the ethics of sportsmanship among San Clemente athletes. Last year, he was lucky enough to be chosen as the recipient of the Princeton Book Award, a highly selective honor that reflects Princeton University’s values! Outside of school, Holmes-Selby has participated in multiple robotics competitions, including the FIRST Robotics World Championships, where he received numerous awards, including the 3rd-place Think Award. Overall, throughout his time, he has started and sustained multiple initiatives to help the environment, dedicating time to multiple organizations to create a healthier community! After San Clemente, Holmes-Selby will be attending the United States Coast Guard Academy, majoring in Environmental Engineering. Go Coast Guard!

Myla Pert has carried out a diverse range of activities during her time at SCHS. She is an active member of our Performing Arts, serving as the International Thespian Society Activities Chair and Dance Captain for our school’s musicals. On top of that, Pert is part of the Orange County Cappies, in which she reviews and votes on other High School shows, celebrating the magic of high school theater! Outside of Drama, Pert has been an active member of Best Buddies, serving as a current Activities Planner and a Social Media Manager last year. Pert has also had the honor of serving as a Head Activities Commissioner with Reese Tremper, working tirelessly to formulate and execute our school’s Homecoming traditions! From the parade, football game, and Homecoming Court, she and Tremper collaborated with fellow students, city government members, and administrators. Also, Pert is our school’s Student Advisory Board Member for the district, and she attended multiple meetings to represent our school and raise issues that concern our everyday lives! Lastly, she is a Providence Mission Hospital Student Intern, working within the hospital to examine and work in operations, collaborating with healthcare workers to ensure satisfactory patient care. After San Clemente, Pert will be attending the University of Wisconsin to major in Nursing, go Badgers!

Reese Tremper is the epitome of a student-athlete for us Tritons. Tremper plays not only Varsity Soccer as a goalie but also Varsity Basketball! This has allowed Tremper to learn how to balance her two commitments during overlapping seasons and succeed academically. On both teams, Tremper is a team captain and role model for not only varsity players but for all levels of the sport. Within basketball, she has helped her team win multiple league titles, qualified all 4 years in CIF,  and represented our school in the Orange County All-Star basketball game! On the other hand, in soccer, she has secured 2 years of First Team All-League and Second Team All-County honors, and she has been named Defensive MVP. Not only that, but Tremper has been an ASB member since her freshman year, this year co-leading the Activities team with Pert and spearheading the traditions that make our school special! She is also an active member of our Best Buddies, attending weekly meetings and assisting peers at multiple annual events. After San Clemente, Tremper will be playing Division 1 Soccer and majoring in Political Science at Villanova University, go Wildcats!

While only one Triton of the Year will be chosen in the end, I still feel that everyone on this list has had a lasting impact on all of us. Being in organizations with each of these amazing candidates, I have firsthand seen the capabilities and skills each brings. With Tim, I had done one semester of boys volleyball, during which he made everyone feel included and valued as part of the team. As well, I have been under his leadership in the NHS, where I have seen his organization and his ability to create events that leave a lasting impact on our community. With Allie, I have been in ASB with her for 3 years, and this year I worked under her on the executive board. Allie has been able to plan large-scale events without ever seeming grumpy or unhappy to be there, truly lifting our spirits during fast-paced, stressful work. On top of that, she has gone above and beyond to celebrate the work of our Activities directors and fellow ASB members, making everyone feel seen. With McPhinneus, I have seen his leadership firsthand as NHS President. He has always made everyone feel welcome while taking initiative to improve the NHS by creating multiple fundraisers and drives, an impact felt not only by those who receive these proceeds but also in the legacy of our NHS. Going to Boys and Girls State, he has been willing to talk with this year’s delegates, making sure we understand the ropes of the event and ensuring success. With Myla, I have had the privilege to do ASB and Drama. From day one, Myla has been a friend and mentor, even though I hadn’t known her prior. Her work within Homecoming goes without distraction, as she ran the most successful Homecoming during my time in ASB. In Drama, she is always a beacon of joy, being a social butterfly around all those in the program. Lastly, Reese and I have done ASB together, in which, as said for Pert, she has run an amazing homecoming. Reese would come straight from practices and training to ASB events, never complaining or letting her attitude slip, but rather being a hype-man for others. Her ability to multitask, securing a commitment for a sport while showing a true passion for embracing our community’s traditions, is to be applauded. Senior Kai Wells explained, “I feel that there is a lot of students who do a lot of work on-and-off campus that we don’t get to see, this award allows us to commemorate this important and impactful work.” On that note, congratulations to all of the nominees, and the best of luck for your next 4 years and beyond, you deserve it.