Santa Margarita High School Builds Pro-Level, Student-Run Arena Experience
Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Orange County, California, transformed its legacy gym into a modern, immersive venue with Daktronics digital signage. The upgrade enhances athletic and school events while empowering students to lead media production – gaining real-world experience in a professional-grade environment.
9/16/2025
Categories: High School Sports
Santa Margarita Catholic High School, located in Orange County, California, is known for excellence in academics, athletics, and student life. With 1,800 students and a gym dating back to 1987, the school saw an opportunity to modernize its space to enhance the student experience.
The result? A fully renovated gym featuring a curved Daktronics video display that brings professional-level production to a high school setting. From basketball and volleyball games to school masses, dances, rallies, and guest speakers, the display has become a centerpiece of campus life.
A Vision for Immersion and Impact
“We wanted something immersive,” said Sammer Darwazeh, Assistant Principal of Campus Life. “Whether you’re a student-athlete, a coach, or a fan, you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.”
The curved display was a bold choice, especially in a high school gym without the infrastructure of a professional arena. “We didn’t have rafters or the luxury of large venue wiring,” Darwazeh explained. “But Daktronics worked with us every step of the way, from design to installation to post-launch training.”
Student-Run, Student-Led
Santa Margarita’s digital display technology is entirely student-run. Students operate the displays, create content, and manage game-day entertainment. Brenten Kelly, Assistant Director of Activities, emphasized the educational value: “We’re trying to be as professional as possible in everything we do, and we’re teaching that to our students.”
Students are thriving in their roles. Here’s what they have to say:
“For rallies, I run the lights and screens. I love sports, and this is a cool way to get into the production side of it.”
- Connor Matthews, Sophomore
"I’m Commissioner of Game Day Entertainment. We plan the games, create graphics, and run the show. It’s super cool to see everything come together on screen.”
- Charlie Drymalski, Junior
“Athletics are huge here, but the tech side is just as exciting. I get to work on starting lineup graphics and football games. It feels like working with a professional team.”
- Talon Clark, Junior
FrameWrx Software Makes It Seamless
The school uses Daktronics FrameWrx software to streamline content creation and approval. “My students submit designs, and I can give feedback in real time,” said Kelly. “It’s seamless and keeps everything on-brand with our school colors and identity.”
Students also praised the software’s accessibility. “I came from using Premiere Pro and After Effects,” says Clark. “FrameWrx was way easier to learn. Even students with no video experience were able to jump in and start creating.”
Drymalski agrees.
It’s super easy to work with Daktronics programs, especially for beginners. It’s not confusing, but it still makes you feel like you’re doing something big.
Professional-Grade Support and Service
Darwazeh noted that Daktronics’ service was a key differentiator. “It wasn’t just another sale. They were invested in making this project successful. Even after installation, they sent trainers to make sure we were operating properly.”
The impact is already visible. Setup times for events have been cut dramatically, advertisers love seeing their content on screen, and students are gaining real-world experience that will benefit them long after graduation.
This isn’t just a transaction. It’s an experience, and our students are the ones who benefit most.
Watch this and other incredible high school videos from across the US.