Landmark Stories

At Landmark, every day is filled with potential for Sam Oka ‘27, who’s all about action—snowboarding in the winter, biking and skateboarding in the warmer months, and hanging out with friends at local North Shore beaches in his free time. Whether it’s racing down mountain trails in the woods behind campus or heading off to chill at Singing or West Beach, there’s never a dull moment. “I don’t have any siblings, so my dorm feels like my family,” he says. On sunny Tuesdays, his dorm has BBQ nights, with Mrs. Winslow, co-houseparent with husband, Carlton, baking cookies that the boys in Porter House look forward to. 

But Landmark isn’t just fun—it’s also a place where he’s grown a lot. Coming from a school in Tokyo that didn’t quite fit, he started at Landmark’s Summer Program and never looked back. Now reading at a 12th-grade level, he says school here is more exciting and supportive. He loves being able to talk things through with counselors like Ms. Van Der Werf, who helps him stay grounded and confident. And when he’s not in class, he’s running a car detailing business with his friend, Jovan, saving up for a car of his own. “Living with my friends, getting help when I need it, and building my independence—it’s all here.”

PARENT PERSPECTIVE

“Despite my initial worries, Sam loves living at Landmark. In fact, he says he doesn’t want to come home! As a mother living on the other side of the world, knowing that he feels so happy, secure, and at home means everything to me. It’s been wonderful to see him thrive like this.” 

—Mio Oka P’27, Sam’s mom

Article originally published in The Lantern Spring/Summer 2025.

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