Bigger and Better: MiralesteFest is This Summer! By Writer and Contributor Amy Bergant
Although silenced back in 1991 with the closing of the campus, the voice and spirit of the Miraleste High School Marauders are back! MiralesteFest will take place over 2 days in July. The 2023 All-Class Reunion was such a success that Jack Alexander, organizer and alumni, decided to do it again, this time, describing it as “The evolution of taking the best from the 2023 event and adding in even more special events. This is more a celebration and recognition of those days and seminal events. We plan to recognize and honor special alumni, events, faculty and staff, and teams for their achievements from both their time at Miraleste but also in the many years since”.
This very special event will be July 25th and 26th, from 4pm to 11pm. Alexander made the decision to have a later start date, and span across 2 days, which allows each guest to decide what time on what days they will be there. “For the All Class Reunion, the concept was going back to school for a full day but that was just too many hours and too many people to see and catch up with on one day. It was also so damn hot; many were just too tired to stay the full time. Like the last event, once you show up, time flies and you won’t leave as every time you turn around will see someone you haven’t seen in decades, and you just lose track of time because you are having fun”
An Opening Ceremony will serve as the kickoff to the two day event, after which alumni will have the opportunity to attend not only their class reunion, but all classes from 1968-1991. Food trucks and local vendors will also be on campus, beginning at 6pm. A very special part of the evening will be the The Marauder Spirit Awards, which honor and recognize people, teams and events. Jack has opened up suggestions on the Miraleste Facebook page, where people can name those who had a major impact on them. Soon after The K-Tel All Stars will play on the main stage, and dessert will be served.
The second day will begin at 3pm with “The Slaughter in the Water”, an alumni water polo game, which was a much talked-about event of the 2023 reunion. All classes will then meet at Marauders Stadium, for the traditional Class Photos, which graced the middle of most yearbooks back in the day. Around 7:30pm, MHS faculty and classes will be recognized on the main stage, and then the well-known band, Max 80’s will play until the closing of the event, around 10:45pm
Alexander talked about how this event will differ from a traditional reunion, or even the 2023 All-Class Reunion. “This is a celebration of all things Miraleste. One of the issues we were aware of, but did not have an answer that addressed this concern, was for those who didn’t graduate from Miraleste. We had many who went to multiple schools so if they did not “graduate” they were not alumni so they did not feel like they should attend. Also, we had so many others who were never students, but our neighbors or who moved away and never attended at all, but were part of that community who should feel very welcome coming back and reconnecting.” He hopes this event will have more guests, more inclusion of the community, and more of those who missed the 2023 reunion. “There was a lot of uncertainty with the first one and I think trepidation from many who were like – “that Jack guy is doing what?” but now with more experience, with taking the best aspects and adding a lot more time, celebrations of people, and keying in on the aspect of making it the best possible event, will make it more successful.”
Alexander also has a few surprises planned. “I will say, I had a few things I wanted to surprise the attendees with that I have now had two more years to work on and they will not believe what we are going to pull off. I have told anyone who has asked, this is not a sequel but will really be the best Miraleste party ever and I mean it.” He will share more when he can, but said, “I have surprises that cannot be missed. Some things have happened where I am not even sure how it will become a reality and I promise this will be one of those events where if you don’t go – you will lie years later and say you were there.”
“After seeing the photos and videos and reading the comment on social media, it was clear those who could not go were very stuck with FOMO but what I didn’t expect was how the community and administration from the school to district wanted me to do it again since it they got a lot of very positive feedback.”
He’d also like to see more faculty and staff attend MiralesteFest. “I am not sure why so many who we left tickets for did not attend, but any teacher, coach, staff member or volunteer who wishes to come is our guest and there is no cost and all they have to do is show up and I am sure they will have a lot of fun. I also hope those who did attend reach out to other teachers and staff and convince them to come as well.”
Jack said that he doesn’t like sequels and is aware that he may be setting himself for a letdown but based on the positive feedback from the 2023 event, “I just think I can pull this event off much bigger and better this time around”. However, with all the work that goes into these events, Alexander has decided MiralesteFest will be his last hurrah, but has very high hopes.
“I hope people get a good perspective on life and the journey we are all on. Our time at Miraleste was for some over 50 years ago, but it is nice to go home, and it helps bring your mind back to a different time and thoughts.”
“I hope they go back and honor those who aren’t with us and spend some time in the Memorial room honor those who are not here and reflect on how lucky we all are to still be here.”
“I hope to see less anger and vitriol over the stuff that really divides us like politics and money and much more love and compassion for each other. I think we need more physical connections and in person conversations to draw closer to each other as opposed to what I see daily in the news or social media. As good as social media is at keeping us connected, there is no replacing a hug from an old friend, a laugh at an old story with those you lived it with, or just enjoying being back where you were so many years ago looking at the campus and the views and all those familiar faces.”
“I hope we get a huge crowd and everyone has another great time and take away the feeling that we are the lucky ones – our parents worked hard and trusted Miraleste to help make us into better people and lead meaningful lives in our impact to others. I hope we remember the sacrifices our parents, teacher, staff, coaches, etc. made to make Miraleste the special place that we all believe it to be.”
“I hope people connect and stay connected to each other as brothers and sisters as we really are one extended family and community. Really, I hope this heals the wounds caused back in those days for so many, and for the loss of our school, and the years of nothingness for alumni and staff.”
“I hope it makes my parents, sisters, friends and classmates proud and inspires them to do acts of kindness for others as well.”
“If you want to be larger than life, learn to give…..learn to make someone happy by acts of giving”
MiralesteFest, a celebration of all things Miraleste, will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 25th and 26th 2025 from 4pm to 11pm on the Miraleste Campus 29323 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Each ticket covers both days.
Amy Barber Bergant grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes. She attended Miraleste High School and then graduated from The University of Southern California, getting a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism. She currently lives in South Redondo Beach with her husband of over 25 years, twin 16-year-old daughters and their 2 cats, George and Henry. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, eating good food, listening to great music, traveling and watching ridiculous tv shows.
