Love is still in the air during these final days of February. Let’s toast one more MATS Sweetheart couple whose story proves that true love may actually be your first love! Read on to learn how the Conners met, some of their favorite Miramonte memories, and where they are now.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your history with Miramonte High School.

KPC: Jack and I both graduated Miramonte in 2015, and both our dads went to Miramonte too! (Ken Peterson, Class of 1984 and Jon Conner, Class of 1985). Actually, going back even further, my grandma, Sandra Thurston, was in one of the first graduating classes at Miramonte in the early 60’s. She transferred to Miramonte as a sophomore or junior when her family moved to Orinda. 

Both of Jack’s younger siblings went to Miramonte too, but my brother broke the three-generation long Mats family tradition and went to Campo!

How did you and Jack meet? 

KPC: We did go to the same preschool for a little bit (different classes though) and the same elementary school for a few months, but we didn’t really know each other until maybe 8th grade at OIS, and then we started to become close friends during freshman year at Miramonte. 

We both played water polo so we had a lot of crossover in the pool with practice and friend groups. Sophomore year we were in the same English class with Mrs. Gousios. Jack somehow was put in charge of making the seating chart, and seated us next to each other! That is when we really got to know each other. It was a long time until New Year’s of our senior year when we became an “official” couple. I think it’s so beautiful that we started off as friends first. 

Can you tell us what you’ve been up to since high school for those who might not know? 

KPC: Jack went to Pomona College in Southern California, and I went to University of Oregon. We did long distance all through college - no idea how we managed that! We moved to LA together after college in August of 2019. Our first apartment was located in Los Feliz, but we’ve since moved to Santa Monica and now Venice! Jack works in finance at Capital Group, and I am a realtor with Compass. We got married in May 2023, and have a dog named Zeke who is the light of our lives!

What can you say about your time at Miramonte? How did it help prepare you for success later in life?

JC: Several teachers at Miramonte helped me to realize my love for learning and education. I loved to be challenged and engaged, and it was influential in my decision to choose to go to a small school where I could continue to engage with my teachers. 

KPC: Miramonte prepared me so much for college. I remember the general saying was college was so much harder than high school, but that definitely wasn't the case for me. If anything it was just more enjoyable because I had more control over what I studied, but Miramonte really prepared me for the college workload. 

Did you have any favorite Miramonte courses? Did you have any classes together? What about school sports or clubs?

KPC: We didn’t really have much overlap with classes aside from English sophomore year, Jack took a lot more AP classes than I did. His favorite classes were AP European History, Honors Algebra II/Trig, AP Calculus BC, and Video Production. 

The Lady Mats and Men’s Mats Polo practices were back to back in the afternoons. I remember it would just make my entire day if I caught Jack looking at me during practice. 

How have you stayed connected or involved with Miramonte and the alumni community? 

KPC: We both played water polo at Miramonte, and we still keep in touch with many Mats Polo alumni. Jack played in the alumni game this past September and also many Mats Polo Alumni were at our wedding in 2023! 

Can you share any favorite Valentine’s Day traditions?

KPC: A tradition we started our first Valentine’s Day in LA is getting fresh croissants on Valentine's Day morning! We go as soon as the bakery opens so they are still warm. We love to cook, so Valentine’s dinner is usually a more elaborate dinner at home rather than going out. One year, we made lobster pasta (even making the pasta from scratch!), but it’s usually New York steaks and salads.