About Us

The San Juan Hills Academic Foundation is the only organized academic non-profit group to support academic excellence and an enhanced educational experience for the students of San Juan Hills High School.

Our goals for the Foundation include providing technology for the classrooms, college planning and admissions assistance as well as after school expert tutoring. We are very grateful that in our founding year, through membership and fundraising we were able to purchase a Chrome book cart for the school.

We care deeply about the quality of education provided and work to make a difference in the lives and futures of the students.

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Board Members

Palin Harrington

President

Welcome to The San Juan Hills Academic Foundation. My name is Palin Harrington and I am the proud parent of two Stallions. My oldest son graduated in 2022 and attends UC Irvine and my youngest is a Senior. The boys have been very involved at SJHHS and between the 2 of them have competed in the Academic Decathlon Team, been a delegate to the Model United Nations Team, Vice President of the National Honor Society, Link crew member, photographer of the yearbook and on the Water Polo team. Both were also involved with the Theater Arts in technical stage,set design/drama and I had the privilege of serving as the Treasurer of the Performing Arts Booster for 3 years. I hold a BA in Psychology from UC San Diego and an MBA in Finance from San Diego State University. I have been involved in over a dozen non-profit organizations in the last 35 years, starting many many years ago as a co-founder of the Armenian foundation at UCSD to today being one of the co-founders of our amazing SJHHS Academic Foundation. Being married to my Marine Veteran Tim for 29 years, I have had the honor of volunteering/working with the USMC and an organization very dear to my heart, the Wounded Warrior project. SJHHS has a very special place in my heart as well and I have loved carrying out our vision and promoting Academics as a part of my children and all of San Juan Hills Stallions high school experience. RFTB!

Palin Harrington

Kevin Varner

Vice President

Thank you for visiting the San Juan Hills Academic Foundation site and learning more about us. I have extensive volunteer experience with many organizations as a volunteer, serving on Boards and committees including the American Red Cross, United State Peace Corps, US Green Building Council, Homeaid, Saddleback College Foundation to name a few. I am married with two children, a daughter and son. My son currently attends SJHHS and is in the language immersion program and plays baseball. I am excited about the Academic Foundation and look forward to doing whatever I can to support and enrich our student’s educational experience. Please consider becoming a member to help provide and support vital programs and services that will enhance the education of SJHHS students, especially during the current times with its immense challenges.

Kevin Varner

Paolo Benzan

Treasurer

Hello all and thank you for becoming a member of the San Juan Hills Academic Foundation.  My name is Paolo Benzan and I am a parent of three children who are/have attended SJHHS.  My oldest graduated in 2019 and is now attending Berkeley.  I have a senior (Class of 2021) and a Sophomore (Class of 2023).  Between them they have been involved in theater, football, soccer, lacrosse and a myriad of clubs and activities.  San Juan Hills High School is a wonderful community and I am very proud to have the opportunity to help all of our students reach their maximum academic potential.

Paolo Benzan

Dr. Manoj Mahindrakar

Principal

Tupper Spring

Secretary

Welcome to the SJHAF, a space created to encourage, support and inspire students to reach their greatest potential.  I am a parent, educator and great fan of all the San Juan Hills High School has to offer.  I am proud of my three children who have benefitted from the depth and breadth of the amazing offerings here at school, everything from Queer Alliance, Dresscember, soccer, Aca Deca, drama productions, choir, Bridges, Two Way immersion, and most recently Football along with great academics.  There are so many wonderful ways to RFTB!

Tupper and kids

Scott Anderson

Auditor

Thank you for your interest in the San Juan Hills Academic Foundation. We are committed to helping make the educational experience at San Juan Hills the best it can be for our students. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Corporate Finance from Fordham University and have extensive experience running finance and operations in large fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and my own business. I have been married for over 35 years to my amazing wife, Denise. We have two adult children, who are married and hold degrees from LMU and the University of Michigan. We also have a Sophomore Stallion at San Juan Hills who is currently a member of the Golf team. Please consider becoming a member to help us provide and support vital programs and services that will enhance the education of SJHHS students.

Scott Anderson Headshot