by Mark McDermott
A Navy helicopter pilot, a local political legend, an interfaith boundary-breaking rabbi, an under-40 influencer and pandemic hero, and a physicist known for his investigations into the dawn of the Big Bang are the five the Mira Costa High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame later this month.
The five new inductees will be on the MCHS campus most of the day on September 26, a day that begins with a morning reception followed by back-to-back school assemblies, a lunch reception, and a smaller Q&A with students, and ends with another reception at a home near Mira Costa.
“We’re going to test our honorees’ stamina for sure,” said Chuck Currier, the former MCHS teacher who helped found and organize the school’s Hall of Fame.
The process begins with nominations from the community, which are assessed by a seven-person committee, and crowned with the daylong ceremonies that are meant to inspire current MCHS students while honoring the inductees. Nomination consideration begins each year in January.
“What [the committee] is looking for is alumni who have achieved at a high level in their chosen field and are an important part of it, and it’s important that what they’re doing, or what they’re involved in, has a giving-back quality, to society, to their community,” Currier said.
Inductee Eileen Shea Davis (Class of 2010) is a Naval Aviator who has flown missions in the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, including deployment in the Mediterranean Sea, where her carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, played a crucial role during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. She was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for a medical evacuation mission, is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Space Systems, and hopes to become an astronaut for NASA.
“Shea’s commitment to excellence, mentorship, and service reflects a remarkable career trajectory and a dedication to making a difference both in the military and beyond,” her induction announcement said.
Inductee Steve Napolitano (Class of ’84) has been one of the most storied public servants to come from Mira Costa. He began his political career as the youngest council member ever elected in Manhattan Beach and has since gone on to serve as mayor a record six times. He also served as a deputy LA County Supervisor for over a decade. He earned his juris doctorate from Loyola Law School, currently serves as a state appointed attorney, and is a candidate to become a Superior Court judge.
“As a Manhattan Beach City Councilmember, Napolitano approaches governance with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and a profound attachment to his hometown,” his induction announcement said. “His leadership transcends council chambers, driving pivotal initiatives that benefit schools and civic resources.”
Joe Marcy ( Class of 2003) is an executive for See Monterey who leads initiatives in diversity, sustainability, and tourism. He has chaired the US Council of Meeting Professionals International’s Global Board of Trustees, overseeing the distribution of 2,234 grants and scholarships since 2020 and has been recognized in Collaborate Magazine’s “40 under 40” and named “Visionary Supplier of the Year” by Smart Meetings Magazine. Locally, Marcy mentors hospitality students at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and drives DEI initiatives in Manhattan Beach, such as championing the installation of rainbow crosswalks. During the pandemic, under his leadership, the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair marked its 50th Anniversary in 2022, attracting 80,000 attendees and raising substantial funds for local philanthropies. His induction announcement said Marcy embodies “a blend of professional excellence and community leadership.”
Naomi Kalish (Class of ’88) is renowned for her commitment to interfaith dialogue and leadership. As a rabbi, educator, and advocate, she has dedicated over three decades to fostering peace among diverse communities. Kalish currently serves as Director of the Center for Pastoral Education and assistant professor of Pastoral Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. She also engages with organizations like the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom and coordinates interreligious dialogues in her community of Hudson County, New Jersey. “Naomi Kalish exemplifies the transformative power of compassionate leadership through her unwavering commitment to healing and reconciliation,” her induction announcement said.
Dr. David Morrison (Class of ’84) is a distinguished physicist at the forefront of groundbreaking research at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) in Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY. His primary focus lies in the sPHENIX detector, a crucial instrument in exploring the conditions of the universe mere microseconds after the Big Bang. His expertise in determining collision geometry’s impact on Quark Gluon Plasma observables and his leadership on the sPHENIX experiment underscore his significant role within RHIC’s multi-million-dollar program.
Physicist David Morrison.
“Dr. Morrison exemplifies unparalleled technical prowess and exceptional communication skills,” his induction announcement said. “A former member of the Mira Costa cross country team, he attributes his unyielding determination to his formative experiences, a trait that continues to drive his relentless pursuit of scientific discovery.”
Currier said every class of honorees leaves him amazed at how Mira Costa alumni have gone out to every corner of society and made a positive difference.
“These are incredible people who lived right down the street from you,” he said. “They ate at the Kettle. They went to Mickey’s Delicatessen in Hermosa. They were surfing next to you. They were skateboarding with you growing up. You know, it’s not some distant star. They lived next door. We sat in the same rooms, shared many of the same teachers. There is that connection you don’t get very often, just a very warm feeling. ‘We know these people. These are our people.’” ER
