2018 Spring OLP Magazine

OLP MAGAZINE SPRING 2018

ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE

IN THIS ISSUE SPRING 2018

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Women’s Symposium Wrap up

Dedicated to Giving Back

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Our Faculty Gives Back

Serving the Dear Neighbor...

On Another Continent!

Alumna of the Year

Pilots Take Flight Spring

O U R M I S S I O N STAT E M E N T Founded and rooted in the Gospel values of the Catholic church and the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace empowers young women in an innovative learning environment that honors the individual while fostering community, and develops faith-filled leaders dedicated to the “love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.”

FRONT COVER PHOTO

Linda Alvarez ’19 is seen making the lid of a septic tank out of concrete during a recent service immersion trip to Nicaragua. Photo courtesy of Katie Wilson.

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Dear OLP Community, Our Sisters of St. Joseph are dedicated to the “practice of all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy of which woman is capable and which will most benefit the dear neighbor.”

In 1650, six courageous women came together to do what may have seemed impossible in seemingly hopeless conditions. Their brave and audacious actions gave way to a congregation that by the 1950’s was considered one of the largest groups of women religious in the United States.

Dr. Lek with OLPWS Co-Chairs Francesca Castagnola and Danitza (Ramirez) Villanueva ’98

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) in the Los Angeles province have left a legacy of unifying love through the education of its young women at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. Their spirit of serving “the dear neighbor without distinction” has

called not only students, but alumnae, board members, faculty, staff, and community friends, to live out Jesus’ call “that all may be one” (John 17:21).

This Spring OLP Magazine is dedicated to stories of OLP community members serving our “dear neighbor” in San Diego and beyond. Throughout this magazine, you will read about that care for others from stories on our OLP Alumna of the Year, Mary Caratan Sloper ’58 to stories of our students in Nicaragua, the dedication of our faculty and staff, even the victories garnered by our athletes and robotics students. There is a commitment to serving.

Upon entering the green gates of Oregon Street, many constantly remark on the feeling that envelops them. It is that spirit of our CSJ Sisters that lives on across our OLP campus. Whether it is the welcoming kindness from a Carondelet Circle ambassador, the help offered from one of our OLP students, or just the peace that surrounds you from being on the grounds, the campus transforms all who enter. Even NY Times best selling author and former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, upon leaving the campus after a full day of events that welcomed over 600 visitors along with our 850 OLP community students, faculty and staff, commented on the tangible feeling she experienced while on our campus for the day. Like so many visitors, she was awestruck by our students, humbled by our hospitality, and invigorated by the spirit alive on the campus.

The spring, around OLP, has certainly been time in which things are energized: where everything has a spark to it, a passion, a flame, zeal or a zest. That energy is how I would describe that last few months here on the OLP campus. In one of the following articles, you can read about how the launch of our new Retreat Week brought the campus together and strengthened our leaders. Our fourth annual Women’s Symposium was alive with the passion of women sharing their journey with our students, and our WCEA accreditation saw unprecedented success for all programs across our OLP campus. Even our Gala, Soir en Noir et Blanc, celebrating our 135th anniversary was aflame with excitement!

All of this and much more is included in this edition to help give you a glimpse into what all of us at OLP experience on a daily basis! We also hope you can join us at one of our exciting upcoming events.

GOD BLESS,

Lauren Lek, Ed.D. HEAD OF SCHOOL

CLASS NOTES should be sent to Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64 at jhandelsman@aolp.org TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS, please email advancement@aolp.org

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MAGAZINE

Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Head of School Lauren Lek, Ed.D. Assistant Head of School Jessica Hooper Leadership Team George Battistel, Ph.D. Melinda Blade, Ed.D. Chris Boyer Marlena Conroy Aaron Gonzalez Teri Heard Jessica (Goncalves) Occhialini ’88 Emily Pippin ’06 Toni Russo Contributors Sarah Blackbourn Alexa Camarena-Gamboa ’10 Valeria Chavez ’19 Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64 Jessica Hooper Lauren Lek, Ed.D. Rachel McKinney ’04 Emilia Perez-Rocha ’18 Valentina Perez-Rocha ’20 Emily Pippin ’06 Molly (Hillson) Nocon ’77 Katie Wilson Board of Directors Lauren Lek, Ed.D., Head of School Damian McKinney, Board Chair Alison (Priske) Adema ’82 Mike Coughlin Michael Guerrero Terry Kalfayan Clair (Cunningham) Kennedy ’81 Diane Koester-Byron Lisa (Manzer) Leweck ’82 Deacon Lane Litke Gayle McMahon Martha McRoskey Sister Jill Marie Napier, CSJ Dr. Mary O’Connor, DDS Coreen G. Petti Barbara Picco Nina R. Sciuto-Morales ’76 Peg Stehly Danitza (Ramirez) Villanueva ’98 Sister Sandra Williams, CSJ Provincial OLP MAGAZINE

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After a long, hard-fought round of playoffs, the OLP Varsity Soccer team is CIF State Champions! Congratulations to Coaches Kevin Soares and Tim Paluso and to the entire Varsity Soccer team on becoming OLP’s first-ever State Champions!

Photo courtesy of MaxPreps

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The team was the first and ONLY all-girls team at the competition. “During the multi-day competition, younger

CONG R ATU L AT I O N S t o ou r a m a z ing R oboti cs Te am on w inning t h e R ook ie Al l-Star award at the FIRST R o b ot ic s Sa n D i e go R e gi on al Com p e t ition.

girls and their parents came up to team members and said they were inspired by our presence in the competition,” said Camila Tirado ’18. After this incredible win, the team will compete at the 2018 FIRST World Championship in Houston.

The team also won the Matt Grob Innovation Award presented by Qualcomm! This award recognizes one qualifying team from the San Diego region that exemplifies a high level of innovation throughout the competition. Not only did our Pilots receive this distinguished honor, but they

After a long, hard-fought round of playoffs, the OLP Varsity Soccer team is CIF State Champions! In their final game, they faced first-seeded Flintridge Prep at St. Francis High School in Pasadena, CA, where the Pilots left it all on the field. The game ended regulation tied

also received a $10,000 award to help them travel to and compete at the 2018 FIRST World Championship in Houston!

Thank you to Qualcomm, NASA, Toshiba and San Diego FIRST Robotics for your support of our girls!

at 2-2, taking the teams into a 15-minute golden goal (sudden death overtime, where the first goal wins). At almost six minutes in, the Pilots took control and after several beautiful passes between teammates, Erin Healy ’19 scored the final goal. Congratulations to Coaches Kevin Soares and Tim Paluso and to the entire Varsity Soccer team on becoming OLP’s first-ever State Champions!

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HI STORY MA DE

OLP Varsit y Socc er Wins CIF State Championship for t he First Ti m e Eve r !

MARIA SHRIVER JOINS OLP FOR

Exclusive Speaking Engagement

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace welcomed the New York Times bestselling author and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver for an exclusive Architects of Change LIVE speaking engagement in March!

Architects of Change is a program designed to “inspire you to challenge what is, imagine what can be and move humanity forward.” The premise of the Live Conversation series is to engage with others in an intimate setting because when people come together to listen and share, “minds open, hearts move and change happens.” Taking part in these conversations inspires us to become Architects of Change ourselves and to make a difference in the world.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the award-winning journalist and producer while she shared her thoughts on everything from her new book, I’ve Been Thinking…Reflections, Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life; conquering fears and self-doubt; and the role of faith in her life. This intimate conversation was a surreal experience that deeply inspired the OLP community.

OLP has worked in partnership with Shriver Media since November 2016 as the first school to implement the Architects of Change program. Since that time, the school has hosted bi-annual Live Conversations on campus, as well as monthly digital features that focus on Architects of Change stories providing compelling inspiration to our community.

This event also highlighted the remarkable talents of our students. Students from the Architects of Change club on campus managed all aspects of the event, including research, planning, communication, strategy, and the interview itself.

Students also facilitated audience questions, greeted visitors, and welcomed Ms. Shriver and her guests to campus. No event highlights the leadership, poise, and professionalism of the AOC students like the live conversation events. At the heart of this club are student leaders working not only with their peers but also with the community as a whole.

The OLP community would like to thank Maria Shriver for a powerful and inspiring conversation. You are truly a role model for our Pilots!

W C E A A C C R E D I TAT I O N T E A M COMES TO OLP Academy of Our Lady of Peace recently enjoyed a successful visit from the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) accreditation team. The visit was part of a regular six-year accreditation cycle. The visiting team was made up of high school administrators from San Diego neighbors Mater Dei Catholic High School and Cathedral Catholic High School; CSJ school Carondelet High School; and the Associate Director of Schools for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. The WCEA team gave OLP amazing feedback and noted that,

Spring 2018

in addition to educational excellence, the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph is alive and well at OLP.

APRI L 26-28: 7 :00 PM | AP RI L 29 : 2: 0 0 P M | M AY 5 : 7: 0 0 P M The Western Catholic Educational Association is a private educational accrediting agency established under the auspices of the Bishops of the

GET TICK E TS AT(Arch) AOLP. ORG Catholic Dioceses of California. The wordle here is an example of the words the accreditation team used to describe OLP. OLP MAGAZINE

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T H E 4 T H A N N UA L

Women’s Symposium The Academy of Our Lady of Peace held the 4th Annual Women’s Symposium on campus March 9, 2018. Underwritten entirely by generous sponsors, the event brought together some of the nation’s most successful and innovative women leaders to share their insights and pathways to success with students.

The day started with a welcome video from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and First Lady of San Diego Katherine Stuart Faulconer who shared the importance of diversity and equality in the workforce. New this year, panels focused on a specific theme rather than an industry, giving our students and community members more freedom to learn valuable tools without having to select any one particular sector.

Panel topics included You Can Have it All... But What Does That mean?, Taking a Seat at the Table, Finding Passion and Purpose in Your Work, and This Wasn’t My Plan.

“I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my community passions with all of the OLP students. I was personally inspired by the speakers and the enthusiasm of all the young ladies. My 9-year-old granddaughter also experienced a unique and very special day with the speakers. Wow!” -Kathryn Vaughn, Partner at Vaughn & Vaughn & OLPWS Panelist

SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT YEAR: MARCH 15, 2019!

“The symposium was beyond my expectations. It is my true honor to be able to give back in any form.”

-Kamisha Mason, Senior Engineer at Solar Turbines Incorporated

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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Carondelet Circle Student Ambassadors Kaseba Chibweth ’19

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We were so excited to have author of STEM Gems, Founder of

and Maggie Brady ’19 pose with keynote speaker and San Diego

MathSP and MIT-educated chemical engineer Stephanie Espy as the

County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar.

closing speaker for the day. Stephanie empowered our girls to pursue

7 Kaila Weedman ’08 represents our esteemed alumnae as a facilitator for the “This Wasn’t My Plan” panel.

careers in STEM fields and shared insights and tips on how to excel in

8 Panelist Josette Persson ’90, Emmy award winning Executive

2 Dr. Lek welcomes OLP alumna and mistress of ceremonies for the

these sectors where there are very few women.

Producer, inspires current OLP students to find their passions.

event, Lisa Lane ’07 to the stage.

5 Panelists Jen Carroll (Illumina), Carrie Sawyer (Qualcomm), Ariana Longley (The Patient Safety Movement Foundation), and

9 Board Member Mary O’Connor, with guests Carol Hunold, Jill

3 Dr. Liz Bui hosts a roundtable for OLP students. New this year,

Janice Brown (Brown Law Group), discuss their career trajectories in

Lozier, and Teresa Saucedo joining our Women’s Symposium Student

the roundtable opportunities were available only to students who

the “This Wasn’t My Plan” panel session.

Leadership members, Jenna Beck ’20 and Brigid Hanczor ’20.

expressed interest in one-on-one time with the panelists.

6 Keynote speaker and County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar shared an important story about resilience and tenacity in her speech. Her words and delivery had our guests hanging on every word!

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DEDICATED to GIVING BACK Our mission statement articulates OLP’s commitment to developing faithfilled leaders dedicated to the “love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.” This commitment is woven through the fabric of everything we do, both inside and outside the classroom. The “dear neighbor” means our classmates, our communities, and those at the margins.

Our founding Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet instilled in our community the charism of unifying love and created a climate that is dedicated to caring for all of those around us. This legacy has lived on for more than 135 years!

Our faculty, staff, students, alumnae and greater community carry this love of the dear neighbor into the world and continue to serve those around them.

In the following pages, you can read more about the myriad of ways the OLP community as a whole lives out our commitment to service and dedication to caring for the dear neighbors among us.

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Students play a game during their lunch break on a service immersion trip to Nicaragua.

The goal was to pass a water cup over their heads without spilling and fill up the water cooler at the back.

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Service Outside the CLASSROOM

Jamie Flannery S PR I N G S I N G, B E YO U T I F U L , W O M EN ’ S S Y M P O S I U M

B E YO U T I F U L

I give back by serving as the Sophomore Class moderator, BeYOUtiful Club moderator, and Women’s Symposium Student Leadership team moderator.

Although I wear many hats, I love all of the activities in which I am involved.

Each club or duty calls for organization, creativity, time, and commitment. I love working with my passionate team members and guiding them as they learn to navigate their worlds. Some of the things my student leaders have been tasked with include planning dances, building centerpieces, planning Wacky Wednesdays, and promoting major schools events. These tasks are daunting at first, but through hard work and a few tears, our girls always manage to pull it off.

“I always feel like a proud ‘mama’ when our girls reach their end goals and are successful.”

“It has been argued that extracurricular activities are not very important in a teen’s life. I, however, disagree with that philosophy. A student’s social life is as important as their academic life for their development.”

F O L K LO R I C O

Extracurricular activities teach students how to balance their time, learn a sense of commitment, work with new people, make new friends, stretch out of their comfort zones, and learn how to be responsible. I am very much involved with our young women because the women at OLP bring so much joy to my life.

“The young women here are not afraid to take on challenges, have tremendous faith in God, love to get their hands dirty, are willing to serve others, and always strive for excellence.”

I love all of my the clubs and committees that I am a part of equally. Each young woman brings so many God-given talents when she commits to being a student leader on ASB, BeYOUtiful, and the Women’s Symposium team. What I love about working in the various clubs and committees is the opportunity for young women to develop their leadership skills and to develop their own voices.

T R I P I LOT S

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We are blessed to have incredible faculty and staff at OLP. Their commitment and support is proven in the success of our students. Being a teacher or a staff member involves long work hours and dedication. Many of our faculty and staff go beyond their regular jobs to give back to our student community.

We thank our faculty and staff for the multitude of ways they give back, such as conducting admissions interviews, chaperoning dances, coaching sports teams, overseeing clubs and extracurriculars, and more. We’d like to share how just a few of our incredible faculty members go beyond their regular teaching jobs to further support our students.

Alma Kim

Sally Boettger

B A L L E T F O L K LO R I CO, S PR I N G S I N G, I N T ER AC T C LU B,

T R I PI LOT S

A N D L AT I N A S O F T H E F U T U R E I give back to the student community by caring and valuing each student as an individual and being involved in their activities as much as possible.

I like students to see me as accessible. I enjoy being a positive impact in their lives and I like that they feel understood and valued. I am involved in moderating the Ballet Folklórico group, Spring Sing for the Freshmen class, Interact Club, and Latinas of the Future.

Being involved in extracurricular activities gives so many benefits. First, it provides the opportunity to have a better understanding of my students’ strengths and needs. It’s an incredible opportunity to create bonds with my students. It allows me to get to know them better in ways that I don’t see in the classroom.

“We create bonds of respect, which allows me to have better communication and trust with my students.”

Whether it is supervising for lunch, Spring Sing, or moderating clubs, I love being around students. It is great to receive their warm smiles, hellos, goodbyes, and positive energy. My involvement in Spring Sing has the most impact on my relationship with students, and it is my favorite extracurricular activity. I was a dancer for 18 years, and with this activity, I can connect back to those magical moments through the eyes of the girls.

I feel as if I am the one performing.

“I feel their enjoyment, frustrations, tiredness, excitement, stress, and passions, and on those performance nights, I also feel their tremendous happiness when it comes all together.”

We started the Tri Pilots group in 2016. We participate in two triathlons each year with a group from OLP. Our group is unique because it’s not just students; it includes the entire OLP community: students, teachers, parents, alums, board members, administrators, staff, and family members. Some of us compete in the sprint triathlon (1/4 mile swim, nine-mile bike, three-mile run) as an individual racer, while many others make relay teams to complete where one person swims, another bikes, and another runs. It’s a unique way to get to know other people in our community, since we try to mix up the teams to include students, parents, and teachers. So far, we have participated in the San Diego Triathlon Classic Triathlon in September 2016, the Spring Sprint Triathlon in May 2017, and the Mission Bay Triathlon in October 2017.

Over my years at OLP I’ve participated in activities outside the classroom and have always enjoyed the experience. The same is true for our Tri Pilots group. Through these activities, I get to know students outside of the classroom, in a different setting.

“I think it’s a bonus for both students and teachers, as they get to know us outside of our teacher role, and I get to know them outside of their student role.”

The Tri Pilots have the added bonus of introducing me to many people in our OLP community that I would never have the opportunity to work with.

There are so many moving parts of a school community and we rarely get to interact with each other. The triathlon brings us together as a true community, all while doing something healthy!

We have just started forming our teams for the May 6, 2018 Spring Sprint Triathlon. Everyone is welcome to join our team!

I see how all of their hard work and dedication is worth it and enjoyed, and impacts both their lives and mine.

We want to thank every member of the OLP faculty and staff for going above and beyond to serve as role models for our students. Our mission is to provide opportunities to put each student’s faith into action and become a transformative agent of change in our world.

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OLP Alums Strengthen Connections THROUGH COMMUNITY WORK

BY M O L LY ( H I L L S O N ) N O CO N ’ 7 7 & RACHEL MCKINNEY ’04

Molly (Hillson) Nocon ’77 has been a part of Noah Homes for 22 years, first as a family member, then as a board member, and now as CEO for the past nine years. “It has been a tremendous journey of faith, hard work and a love for people who are full of joy, energy, and in need of a little help. I love coming to work every day!”

Noah Homes is a Catholic faith-based community serving 90 residents with developmental disabilities, 115 staff, several hundred family members, and hundreds of thousands of advocates. Our mission is to provide exceptional care, loving homes, and the support needed for residents to be independent and follow their dreams.

Noah Homes is proud to keep the connection with OLP through student volunteers, with more than 200 hours served in the last six months; a shared board member, Dr. Mary O’Connor; and first millennial board member, OLP alumna Rachel McKinney ’04. Molly and Rachel connected on their first meeting when they found they both have brothers with disabilities.

When Rachel learned of what Molly was doing, she knew she wanted to be involved. Rachel said, “OLP taught me that volunteering is not just about showing up, rather getting actively engaged.”

Join your fellow alums and families at Noah Homes annual Summerfest Concert & BBQ on June 23.

“Noah Homes does groundbreaking work in advocacy and new

Find out more about this event, as well as volunteer

treatments in the world of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Mary O’Connor.

opportunities, at NoahHomes.org

“As a board member, I am fortunate to be able to give back to those who need us most.”

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Serving the Dear Neighbor...

ON ANOTHER CONTINENT!

BY E M I LY P I P P I N ’ 0 6

Service isn’t just an abstract idea at OLP; rather, it is ingrained and deeply rooted in everything we do as a school. Students don’t just learn about service, they have opportunities to put their faith into action! In fact, 1 in 10 OLP students will choose to have an extended immersion experience such as the recent trip to Chinandega, Nicaragua. Under the leadership of faculty member and Immersion Coordinator, Katie Wilson, the OLP team joined Amigos for Christ for a week-long service immersion experience that was truly transformative.

Our students and faculty had a wonderful time getting to know each other as well as the Nicaraguan people, all while working hard on a series of community improvement projects. They built bathrooms with the local families, played soccer games with teenagers from the neighborhood, built septic tanks, and dug trenches to lay piping from the bathroom to the septic tank. Needless to say this was an amazing faith-filled and powerful experience for our students and faculty members.

“We will live in gratitude that we were able to go through such a life-changing experience and will continue to be inspired by the love, strength, and hope of the Nicaraguan people.”

-Valeria Chavez ’19

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FOR MORE ABOUT THE GOOD WORK O F C A S A A L B E R G U E T E M P O R A L PA R A N I N O S ,

Los Perez Rocha AYU DA N CO N PAS I Ó N

E N S E N A DA M E X I CO V I S I T C A S AT E M P O R A L .O R G

T H E P E R E Z R O C H A FA M I LY S E R V E W I T H PA S S I O N

BY E M I L I A ’ 1 8 A N D VA L E N T I N A ’ 2 0 P E R E Z R O C H A

The Casa Albergue Temporal Para Niños in Ensenada, Mexico has been lifechanging for our family. What started as a weekly drive to the temporary shelter house (Albergue) to play with the children became a long-lasting relationship with not only the kids but also the workers. In a sense, we are like an extended family: they have seen us grow up and have been a consistent presence in our lives.

Once the children arrive, they don’t really have a life outside of the green gates surrounding the Albergue. During their six-month stay in the house, their everyday life can be monotonous and sometimes even frustrating. If they are not outside in the playground, they spend the rest of their days inside the small house. Seeing these disadvantages for the children we brainstormed as a family a way to offer an alternative, if even for half a day. That is when it hit us. Why not bring them to our house?

We do not really remember the specifics of when we were first taken to the Albergue and introduced to the children, nor did we know why they were living there. As the years passed by, and with help from our parents, we gained a clearer understanding of the real purpose of the Albergue and the refuge it provides for those children touched by violence and neglect.

As we neared our teenage years, our experiences and involvement at Albergue transformed. We became the ones pushing the kids on the swings, helping them carry heavy toys, breaking up the childish skirmishes, carrying and consoling them, feeding them and brushing their teeth. No longer were we in tow as result of something our parents loved, but took ownership of our own personal commitment.

Our family welcomes about 10 to 15 children for these special day camp-like experiences. Upon the arrival of our guests, expressions change from shy to happy. We let them play in the backyard, enjoy the trampoline, walk on the beach, and even just sit and revel in the new scenery and peaceful environment. We have come to understand that because of the hardships they have endured, the little ones are more mature and attuned to their circumstances, so even our dog, Pilot puppy, plays a role in lifting the spirits of these precious lives. After they leave, we realize that the past four hours were not enough. Our connection with the children is so strong when they come here that we always end up going to visit them in the Albergue a few days later, eager to share in a few more joyful moments together.

We don’t see our involvement at Albergue as “service hours,” though as an OLP student our time there qualifies for credit. For us, for our family, we would be at the Albergue anyway! It is not about the hours that we

“Mi inspiración es sembrar la semilla aunque sea en uno solo” - M O N TS E S A N TOS , M OT H E R O F E M I L I A & VA L E N T I N A

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put into these kids, but rather what we do with them and how much it is going to change their days for the better. We see it as something we grew up with and are deeply passionate about. Our parents incorporated service into our lives when we were young, and for that we are very grateful. Waiting at the front gates and seeing the kids yelling our names and peeking out the windows reminds us how the children happily welcome us into their new home, the Albergue, in the same way that we want to welcome them into a better future.

Student Experience OF S E R V I C E On January 1, 1972, in his Message for the Celebration of the Day of Peace, Pope Paul VI declared to the world, “If you want peace, work for justice!” This past January a group of OLP students had the opportunity to bear witness to the inner workings of an institution that promotes peace and advocates for the marginalized.

Our students joined students from Francis Parker for a tour of Dolores

“Visiting Homeboy Industries was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. By the end of the day it felt as though a brick wall of inspiration had hit me, because every member of Homeboys that I had met exuded a warmth and kindness that I did not think was possible to achieve.”

A LYS E S AU C E D O ’ 2 1

“My experience at Homeboy’s was eyeopening and significant in the sense that it inspired us to focus more on the needs of those around us and to work towards what we can to help those in need.”

H A N N A H W I L FA H R T ’ 2 0

Mission and Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, CA. While touring Homeboy Industries, the group learned about the various programs the organization supports including job placement & training, tattoo removal, legal counseling, education degree programs, parenting classes and mental health services. After enjoying lunch at the Homegirl Cafe, the group traveled across town to visit Homeboy Silkscreen & Embroidery where they saw first hand the production of Homeboy Industry apparel. Within this experience students had the opportunity to engage with former gang members and Homeboy Industry employees and learn the significance of the institution’s work and mission in their lives.

The day ended with a tour of Skid Row and a visit to Los Angeles Firehouse 9, which serves as the first responders for the homeless population in the surrounding area. At the station, student’s benefited from a presentation from LAFD Captain Conroy (who happens to be married to our very own Mrs. Conroy) on various issues that plague the homeless population of Los Angeles.

Within the same week we were fortunate enough to welcome Fr. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J. and his associates, Marcos and Jason to campus for an all- school mass and assembly presentation. Between the mass and assembly Fr. Greg, Jason and Marcos visited two religion classes where they engaged in dialogue around social justice issues and Fr. Greg’s work with restorative justice. To say that we will forever look at the world differently after hearing the testimonies of Fr. Greg, Jason & Marcos is an understatement. We are so grateful for their wisdom and example of kinship.

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives

“What if we ceased

and become contributing members of our community. Each year over 10,000 former

to pledge our allegiance to the

gang members from across Los Angeles come through Homeboy Industries’ doors in

bottom line and stood, instead, with

an effort to make a positive change. They are welcomed into a community of mutual

those who line the bottom?”

kinship and love. Visit www.homeboyindustries.org to learn more.

– Gregory Boyle, Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship

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Retreat W E E K

BY JESSICA HOOPER “LEADERS AREN’T BORN, THEY ARE MADE!” ~ AN OLP SOPHOMORE

R ET R E AT W E E K P R O G R A M C H A RT

( D a ys 1- 4) F R O S H: Unifying Love & Sisterhood

1 : A Day in the Life of a CSJ Sister: The entire Class of 2021 traveled to visit the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

2 : Unifying Love, A Day Retreat @ OLP The OLP Retreat Week supports the faith development of each student by offering

3 : Center for Women’s Leadership @ USD Workshop

the opportunity for all students to participate in grade level retreats simultaneously

4 : Individual Service

and without the scheduling conflict of classes. By taking place the week between the first and second semesters, students, faculty and staff were able to enjoy

S O PH O M O R E : Serving the Dear Neighbor: Faith in Action:

a state of presence with a heartfelt focus on faith. In its inaugural year, faculty

Solidarity and Compassion

enjoyed interacting with students outside of the classroom, engaging in their faith

1 : Amazing Race for a Cause: A Day Retreat @ OLP

development and service to the community. The week provided a rich opportunity

2 : Serving the Dear Neighbor: Student Day of Service

for the OLP community to connect with the CSJ charism of unifying love.

Retreat week allows students to pause their day-to-day life at OLP to focus on a faithbased experience with their classmates, the byproduct being a strengthening of class identity. Students are no longer pressed to choose between missing class time and participating in their class level retreat.

Additionally, this year’s retreat week program benefited from a partnership with the University of San Diego’s Center for Women’s Leadership. With a focus on social and emotional learning, the USD facilitators created grade-level appropriate workshops to help students find their voice, increase their self efficacy, foster a growth mindset, establish a strong sense of grit and articulate what it means to be a leader.

at various locations @ OLP

3 : Center for Women’s Leadership @ USD Workshop 4 : Individual Service J U N I O R : Women of Heart, Women of Faith, Women of Courage

1 : Individual Service 2 & 3 : Overnight Retreat USD with mass @ Founder’s Chapel 4 : Center for Women’s Leadership @ USD Workshop S EN I O R : Spirited Joy and Community: The OLP Sisterhood

1 - 3 : Senior Retreat @ Whispering Winds, Julian, CA 4 : Center for Women’s Leadership @ USD Workshop

BREAKING IT DOWN 3 Class Liturgies 3 8 0 0 Meals Served 5 0 0 Doughnuts 9 NONPROFITS SERVED 4 D A Y S of OLP Serving Lunch to the Homeless at St. Vincent DePaul Top Left: Sophomores celebrate finding a location on their “Amazing Race.” Top Right: Juniors and Seniors participate in a group activity with USD’s Center for Women’s Leadership. Bottom Left: Students serve lunch to those experiencing homelessness at St. Vincent De Paul. Bottom Right: A small group of Juniors participates in a group icebreaker at their Junior Retreat 18 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

1250 SERVICE HOURS COMPLETED 4 FA I T H - F I L L E D D AY S 1 0 0 % P A R T I C I P A T I O N from Faculty & Staff

Creating Balance Through Pursuit of Passion

OLP is committed to providing opportunities for students to explore their passions, engage in new opportunities and ultimately create balance through courses that fuel their joy. In the following interviews you can read about how creative scheduling through our new G block opened up these possibilities for some of our students.

MCKEN N A ROG ERS ’2 1 I took Drama 1 as my G Block class in first semester, and I am continuing on with Drama 2 in my second semester.

I like that I got this opportunity, and that I am going to be offered more G- Block opportunities as I continue at OLP. Also, I think the arts are very important for students to learn about. It inspires them to consider going into creative fields later in life.

SOF IA ROJ O-KRATOCHVI L ’ 20 I take Robotics as a G block class and it has really helped me understand the club. I was able to learn how to code and do Computer Aided-Design (CAD) in the first semester as we were preparing to start building our robot for the FIRST Robotics Competition. As the second semester came, it benefited the whole team to have Robotics as a G Block class as it gave it us more time to assemble our robot and our “Pit.” It also allowed us to take field trips to St. Didacus and Nativity Prep to teach children from grades 3-8 how to use CAD. Overall, G Block has made a huge impact on our Robotics team. It has helped us grow together as a whole and has benefited the process of becoming a strong and organized team.

R ACH EL AMAR AL ’ 18 Taking a G Block class has been amazing! It has allowed me to take Instrumental Ensemble and be a part of one of OLP’s first bands! Another elective class that I am taking is American Sign Language II, which is a language that I have always wanted to learn.

Without G block I would not have been able to take either of these two classes that I really love!

I like G Block because it allows me to take an extra class that I otherwise might not have been able to take. Having a G Block class woven into my regular block schedule helps with really focusing and learning the subject.

Last semester I took U.S. Government with Mrs. Hanley and this semester I am in Economics with Mr. Cooney. Both of these classes are required for senior year so I am glad I was able to take them as a G Block.

GABRIELLE PASCUA ’19 I want to become a psychiatrist when I grow older, and G Block has opened up my schedule for me to take AP Psychology - a stepping stone toward that career.

I have also always wanted to join the Speech & Debate team, but because of time restrictions, I was not able to. By

taking Speech & Debate II Honors during G Block, however, it helped make joining the team easy and possible.

G Block helps reflect what I’m truly interested in learning about as a student in ways I wouldn’t be able to show otherwise.

When colleges see my transcript, they’re not going to think that much about what I was required to take, but rather they will take note of the kinds of classes I chose to take. For example: sure, they can see under my extracurriculars that I am part of the Speech & Debate team, but it’s not the same as them seeing that I took Speech & Debate II Honors as a class.

It makes us, as students, come across as more competitive and more passionate about learning and what we do.

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a DAY i n the LIFE

Our amazing PTV students filmed Mayor Faulconer and Mrs. Katherine Stuart Faulconer in preparation for the OLP Women’s Symposium @olppilotproductions @kevinfaulconer #olpws #womenssymposium2018

A heartfelt thank you to our Liturgical Planning students for leading a beautiful prayer service for peace in the wake of continued mass shootings. “We turn to the God of mercy and peace, the God who wipes away every tear, to give us the strength to be instruments of peace and forces of change, to be messengers of unity and reconciliation.”

The Robotics team had the incredible opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Susan Davis! The students shared what they’ve learned from participating in Robotics, how important STEM subjects and pathways are for girls and the secret to their incredible success at the San Diego FIRST Robotics Competition. #likeanOLPgirl #firstSD #futurepoliticians

Liliana Morales ’19 set a new OLP record in long jump at 17’5”! She also brought home the gold medal at the Mt. Carmel ASICS Invitational long jump. Earlier this week, she set another school record in triple jump at 35”3’! Way to go, Lili! #gopilots

“Never let fear hold you back.” That’s just one piece of amazing advice alum and co-publisher of @givingbackmagazine Danitza Villanueva ’98 shared with the OLP Women in Business Club recently! #likeanolpgirl #girlboss #cantstopwontstop 20 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

OLP students Kiana Yazdani Bosdet ’18, Vivian Mateos Zuniga ’18 and Diana Arce ’18 traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Fair Trade National Conference. They met and had dinner with the CEO and President of Fair Trade USA, Paul Rice, who was very impressed with them!

Thank you so much to everyone who bought @konaice in support of ending the global water crisis! Did you know that when a community has access to clean water, disease rates drop 88% and child mortality rates drop 90% overnight? Thanks to all of you, we are steps closer to achieving this goal. #swazi2022 #olpworldwaterweek

Members of @pilots_4_prayer and @pilots4life went to hear Sr. Helen Prejean speak at Cathedral Catholic High School. We were inspired by her stories of justice, compassion and seeing the dignity in each life. Thanks for inviting us, CCHS!

We are incredibly proud to announce that our amazing Robotics team are the winners of the Matt Grob Innovation Award from the @sdfirstrobotics competition, San Diego Regional presented by @qualcomm!

We are proud to announce that our students and school leaders attended the @wtrmrk Conference for Women at Silicon Valley, CA! “The mission of the Conference for Women is to promote, communicate and amplify the influence of women in the workplace and beyond.”

Keynote speakers at the conference included prizewinning New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, co-host of All Things Considered Kelly McEvers, actress, comedian, and writer Maysoon Zayid, award-winning journalist Elaine Welteroth, and actress Reese Witherspoon! We are so excited to have participated at this powerful and inspiring conference for women!

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sr. Anne Lorraine Mahlmeister ’48, Sr. Helen Louise Lacey ’48, Sr. Margaret Murray, Sr. Charlene del Bianco, and Mary Kennedy, CSJ Associate joined us for St. Joseph’s Day Mass, where they renewed their vows, and stayed for lunch.

Four OLP seniors were chosen to receive St. Joseph Awards. Vivian Mateos Zuniga ’18 was awarded the Woman of Faith Award; Lauren Amaral ’18 and Rachel Amaral ’18 were awarded the Woman of Heart Award; Penny Cruz Rabago ’18 was awarded the Woman of Courage Award. #likeanOLPgirl #livingcharism #onceapilotalwaysapilot OLP MAGAZINE

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1 Jose Luis Perez-Rocha & Montserrat Santos, parents of current students Emilia ’18 and Valentina ’20 enjoyed the evening.

2 The decor by PEP Creative was stunning!

3 Angela (Moceri) Amigable ’87 & Henry Amigable pose with Dr. Lek. They were the lucky winners of the golden ticket!

4 OLP Board Member Coreen Petti (right) poses with alumnae parent and grandparent Judy Eppler.

1

Soir en

Noir et blanc

2

More than 300 guests attended OLP’s 33rd Annual Gala and Auction, Soir en Noir et Blanc, held on campus March 3, 2018. This year’s black and white-themed event celebrated our 135th Anniversary and featured beautifully remastered historical photos and banners at the cocktail reception and in the Holy Family Event Center.

Our community of alumnae, parents, board of directors, donors, students, and volunteers celebrated together, raising more than $200,000 in support of the Carondelet Annual Fund!

3

33RD ANNUAL GALA AND AUCTION INSPIRES INCREDIBLE FUNDRAISING

Student performers impressed and inspired our guests throughout the evening.

Performances included OLP’s honor choir, orchestra, Ballet Folklorico, Irish dancers, ballet dancers, and soloists. Sophia Bacino ’19 sang and played the piano as guests enjoyed a gourmet meal catered by our partners at The French Gourmet.

On behalf of each OLP student, thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Soir en Noir et Blanc Gala a big success!

Save the Date for next year: February 9, 2019!

22 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

4

thank you

Sponsors!

Faith Sponsor

Heart sponsors 5 6 Courage Sponsors

Amigable Building Group, Inc. John and MaryAnn Barbot Carla (da Luz) Boren ‘87 and Sean Boren Terry (Sorgi) Camarata ‘77 and David Camarata Law Offices of Borg and Duisters Marathon Construction Corporation McMahon Steel Company, Inc. Gary and Zoraida Payne

Excellence Sponsors

7

Peter Dennehy and Timothy Jackson Johnson & Jennings General Contracting Kevin and Sherry Kennedy Lauren and John Lek Junie and Mark Nechita Saint Augustine High School

Event Underwriting Faculty Table Amy and Chris Findley Rosie and Paul Estrada CSJ Table and Valet Parking Peg Stehly Photography A&S Flooring Programs and Invitations Mary M. O’Connor, DDS, Inc.

8

Signature Cocktail Kennedy & Souza Law Firm Wine KnB Bistro PARO Wines Mary Caratan Sloper ‘58 and Don Sloper Champagne KnB Bistro Beer Novo Brazil Brewing Event Decor PEP Creative

5 Four Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet pose with OLP Board member Peg Stehly, Director of Facilities Toni Russo and OLP Board Emeritus Rita Scherrei.

6 Sandy Smelik Manzer, Ann Navarra ’63, Larry Manzer and Judy Eppler pose for a photo.

7 Stephany Webb ’18 performed a beautiful operatic solo.

8 OLP Board Chair Damian McKinney attended the gala with his wife Lori, son Austin, daughter and OLP alum Rachel ’04 and Chris Kennann.

Thank you to the donors of our live auction & Raffle.

Check out our website at www.aolp.org/gala for a complete list of donors.

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Mary Caratan Sloper ’58 HONORED AS ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

Past Alumna of the Year Award Recipients

This year we are proud to recognize a woman whose tireless work is responsible for shaping the very trajectory of this institution as our Alumna of the Year: Mary Caratan Sloper ’58. She has lived a life dedicated to “all of which woman is capable” and has been a consummate example of living out the charism of our Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

A graduate of OLP from 1958, Mary also graduated from our sister college, Mount Saint Mary’s University, in 1962 with a nursing degree. At MSMU, she served on the nursing faculty, as acting chair of the nursing department, as Assistant to the Provost, and on the Regents’ council.

Mary earned her Masters of Nursing in community mental health nursing at UCLA and was the Director of Nursing education at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York.

Here at OLP, she tirelessly devoted her attention as an alumnae board member and a visionary Board Chair for nine years. During her tenure, she was instrumental in securing the Conditional Use Permit allowing OLP to move forward with construction of both the parking structure and the new 20,000-square-foot academic building, and setting us on a path toward our first school-wide Board-sponsored Strategic Plan and Master Site Plan.

Her life’s work in service to others has been an exemplary model of a woman of faith, a woman of heart, a woman of courage and a woman of excellence. She has made this journey with her blessed husband Don, and three children.

There is no finer example of an alumna who lives daily the charism of our Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and continues to be the lacemaker in our community and in our world than this year’s Alumna of the Year, Mary Caratan Sloper ‘58.

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2017: Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ‘64 2016: Sr. Virginia Rodee ‘53, RSCJ 2015: Amy (McKinney) Potter ’02,

Rachel McKinney ’04 and

Sara McKinney ‘07 2014: Margaret Wiedower ‘64 2013: Marguerite “Terry”

Sorgi Camarata ‘77 2012: Martha Spiers Lepore ‘59 2011: Patricia Dougan Shinsky ‘57 2010: Silvia Fimbres de Ruiz ‘74 2009: Ruth Davis ‘69 2008: Alison Priske Adema ‘82 2006: Elizabeth Meza Huch ‘51 2007: Christine Haddad ‘69 2005: Kathleen Howard Thompson ‘75 2004: 2003: 2002: 2001: 2000: 1999: 1998: 1997: 1996: 1995: 1994: 1993: 1992: 1991: 1990:

1989: 1988: 1987: 1986:

Marcella Kreizinger ‘27 Sr. Kathleen Martin ‘44 Nancy Ryan ‘58 Kathleen Manzer McKaveney ‘83 Karene Lemke Evenson ‘56 Sr. Dolores Marie Gill ‘45 Eve Ryan ‘46 Beverlee Cendali ‘61 Cecelia Shaw Thie ‘22 Lisa Guy-Schall ‘70 Sandra Qualiato Brue ‘62 Barbara Harrison ‘68 Ann Navarra ‘63 Sr. St. Bernard Johnson ‘31 Judi Putnam ’66 and Winfrey Willier Welch ’36 Gladys Wilson Impastato ‘41 Elisa Luna Sanchez ‘50 Rosalie Bianchi Wisniew ‘63 June Wilcox Bassett ‘36

ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT

Janet Wilsie Hubka ’76 Growing up in the San Diego suburb of

IlusArt has collected over 4,000

Kensington in the 1960s and 70s, there was

micrographic cellular images from over

never a question in the Wilsie family that

155 scientists in the scientific community

their four children - Carol ’72, Catherine

including The Salk Institute, The Scripps

’74, Janet ’76, and Richard (Saints ’80)

Research Institute, and prominent

- would continue on to the Academy of

academic and research facilities in the

Our Lady of Peace and Saint Augustine

United States and across the globe. When

High School after attending Catholic

producing the artwork, neither the image

elementary school. Janet Wilsie Hubka ‘76

nor the coloration is modified. The final

is so grateful for those four years she spent

product is an authentic representation of

at OLP. She recalls that it was a time when

the scientists’ work. In addition, a portion

the role of women in the world was still

of the proceeds from the sales of the

marginalized, yet in the classrooms and on

cellular images produced by IlusArt is

the campus at OLP she felt empowered,

donated back to the scientists and their

able to pursue and accomplish whatever

labs to support their ongoing research

goals she set for herself, and, in her

efforts. In Janet’s words, “the scientists are

own words, “that she could conquer

then commissioned artists.” These works

the world!” Janet’s accomplishments,

have been featured in a Life Science art

including starting her company,

installation at the San Diego International

IlusArt, truly speak to the personal and

Airport and at the World Stem Cell Summit

educational foundation that she received

in San Francisco.

at her beloved alma mater.

The company also developed a K-12 Janet’s company started from a chance

STEAM Lecture Series that inspires

opportunity in 2012 when she was asked

students to consider future studies in

to help decorate the offices of Histogen,

the STEAM fields, particularly in the

a San Diego-based biotech company

areas of art and life science. Initiated in

where her husband was Director of Clinical Trials. On that occasion six years ago, Janet was struck by the screensaver on her husband Mark’s computer. The vibrant colors of what she thought was a close up image of a peacock feather were perfect for her decorating needs.

She was astounded to find out that the image was not of a peacock feather but was a “photomicrograph” of skin cells grown in the labs at Histogen. Transferring this image and others from the Histogen labs to canvas as artwork to decorate Histogen’s new offices was a perfect

The gift of a Catholic education continues into the next generation of Wilsie children. Janet and her husband Mark (Saints ’76) have four children who have continued the OLP/Saints tradition: Josh (Saints ’01), Thomas (Saints ’04), Kelsea ’05, and Marin ’08. Janet’s niece, Emily Wood, is a

2015, the lecture series has reached over 17,000 students in San Diego County and was presented as a pilot program to at-risk students in south Florida to get them excited about science through the production of incredible works of art.

Janet shares: “I am excited to carry the torch for the scientists in the fields of regenerative medicine and biotechnology

member of the OLP class of 2001

– telling their stories, raising awareness

and the daughter of Carol Wilsie

for their research, while also using the

Wood ’72. (Please see Pilots Take

art produced to raise money for their

Flight on page 27 for updates)

respective challenges.”

convergence of science and art.

IN Memoriam

We remember our beloved alumnae who have gone to their eternal rest.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

R U T H ( B R E N N A N ) D U FA U LT ’ 4 6 R E I TA ( M O R E Y ) W I L L M E R I N G ’ 5 5 LY N N K E R S T A N H O R O B E T Z ’ 6 0 OLP MAGAZINE

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PILOTS

TA K E F L I G H T Sp r i n g

SAMANTHA (SAMMY) SILVA ’09

completed her studies at Harvard University in 2013, where she was a scoring member of the first cross country team to qualify for a national championship in 30 years. She was also a two-time member of the All-American Cross Country Team. These accomplishments followed her cross country achievements at OLP: CIF San Diego Section Runner of the Year in 2008, State Champion in Cross Country in 2008, and State Champion in 1600m in 2009. She lives in Portland, Oregon, and trains for world and Olympic track championships at the Nike World Headquarters while pursuing her interest in law. When asked how her OLP education has influenced her, Sammy shares: “The motto, ‘all of which woman is capable,’ was etched into a plaque given to me at OLP graduation. It certainly rings true and has become one of my personal mantras. I left OLP with a conviction that I could do anything I wanted to in life.”

EMILY WOOD ROEVER ’01

is joyously employed as a wife and mother to her two little boys, Dylan (4) and Aidan (5 mos). Emily lives with her husband JR and their sons in Ridgecrest. She is also a licensed aestheticism and makeup artist (Make-Up Designery, MUD), offering her services for the weddings of many of her OLP sisters. Emily attended Mesa College and San Diego State University, where she was a two-year member of their softball team. The legacy of attending an all-girls Catholic high school has deep meaning for Emily, and she feels fortunate to share a special bond with her family members who also attended OLP. She also shares: “OLP gave me more than just a foundation upon which my college education was built. OLP built the structure and my college and vocational school put on the roof.”

KELSEA HUBKA ’05

graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Applied Mathematics. After earning a Masters in Bioengineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas, Kelsea is continuing her work there toward a Ph.D. in that same academic area. Her research involves the generation of a salivary gland tissue replacement for cancer patients following chemotherapy treatment. On July 22, 2017, Kelsea married her best friend, Andre Schultz, in the Saint Augustine High School Chapel. They reside in Houston where both are continuing their studies. Kelsea loved attending the same high school as her mom, aunts, sisters, and cousins. In her words: “Each day that we walked onto OLP’s campus we felt like we were living a part of our family’s history while creating our own.”

MARIN HUBKA ’08

CHANTEL VIRISSIMO ’06 recently moved back to her hometown of San Diego and lives in Little Italy. She is a team leader at Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. As an account executive, Chantel sells digital marketing to home professionals looking to grow their businesses. After living in Manhattan (with her fellow Pilot/best friend Allison Schumaker ‘06) for four years, moving to San Diego has allowed her to stay involved with her family, especially her sisters, the youngest of whom, Taylor ‘18, will be graduating this May. Chantel graduated in 2010 from UCSB, cum laude, with a degree in Communications. Chantel shares that her OLP education is one of the best gifts that her parents have given her. In her words: “It has laid the foundation for giving me strong values and a work ethic that has allowed me to be very successful in my personal and professional career. Beyond my skill set, OLP fostered values like hard work, integrity, and faith that have allowed me to continuously push myself and those I surround myself with to innovate and grow.”

26 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

CARA PERSICHETTI BEAUVAIS ’06 lives in Kansas City, Missouri while her husband Josef completes his residency in Emergency Room Medicine. They have a daughter Joslyn Grace (2 1/2) and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of another daughter in June 2018. Cara attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Management Information Systems and Entrepreneurship followed by an MBA in 2013. She presently works for Raytheon as a Senior Technical Planner. She began her work at Raytheon as an intern in her senior year of college. Cara maintains close friendships with her OLP sisters Denise Taylor Bier ‘06 and OLP faculty member Susan (Abawi) Antolin ‘06. The confidence and the power of asking questions, which Cara credits to her time at OLP, have served her well as she pursued a male-dominated career path at Raytheon. She stands alongside brilliant engineers on a daily basis and continues to be a strong voice at the table.

is currently a Writers’ Assistant on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after graduating Summa Cum Laude from California State University at San Marcos with a degree in Political Science with an emphasis on American Campaigns and Elections. She is also a Writer’s Assistant for Ellen’s new show, “Ellen’s Game of Games,” which was recently picked up for a second season by a major network.

Marin received the St. Joan of Arc Award in her senior year at OLP for establishing blood drive events on campus, which continue to this day.

Her classes at OLP helped to instill in Marin the ideals of feminism and equality. She believes that these ideals helped her take an interest in advocating for those in society with a smaller voice.

KELLY (CANNAN) KENNERLY ’98

VANIA MONTES DE OCA ’01 graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business. After traveling to and falling in love with Madrid, Spain, Vania returned there to earn her MBA. Living out her dream to work in the financial hub of America, Vania took a position in 2015 as a licensed financial advisor at E*Trade Financial in New York City. She has such fond memories of Dr. Sheehan’s Speech classes and she shares that in the many presentations that she makes in her professional life she finds herself “counting the number of Ums and Likes”! Vania is also happy to share that she is recently engaged!

has such great memories of her time at OLP, but in her words, “Spring Sing is at the top of the list!” As a Co-Director of Spring Sing, Kelly led her class to win the Spring Sing Overall Award for three of their four years at OLP. Kelly graduated from San Diego State University in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Urban Studies and is presently the Associate Director, Human Capital at Regulus Therapeutics, where she handles all human resource related projects. She married Andrew Kennerly in 2007 and they have two children: Katelyn (8) and Cooper (6). She is a Girl Scout Troop leader for her daughter and is excited to bring a STEM focus to the scouts in her troop. Their family’s life in San Marcos is full of baseball, swimming and scouting -- and she and Andrew wouldn’t have it any other way.

ELLA GONZALEZ DE BARRETO ’94 AND CARINA VALLADOLID ARNAIZ ’94

SARA MONTES DE OCA ’04 followed her sister, Vania, to the University of San Diego, graduating with a degree in Communication Studies followed by an MA in Journalism and Media Studies at UNLV. And again, following the example of her older sister, Sara followed her dream: to work in television.

She moved to Washington, D.C., to produce political news segments at Watch the Hawks and shares: “I hold my time there (at OLP) close to my heart, because it was such a unique experience. I look back on my time there, having gone to school with all women and I am so grateful to have been a part of a high school that empowers women to stick together and to build each other up.”

ALINA MONTES DE OCA ’05 , the youngest of the three Montes de Oca sisters, also attended the University of San Diego, from which she graduated with a degree in Psychology.

Working with children diagnosed with autism inspired Alina to complete her Masters in Teaching in Applied Behavioral Analysis. She lives in San Diego and currently works as an International Admissions Counselor at National University. Alina states: “The greatest gift that OLP gave me was the life-long friendships that I established over my four years there.”

CAROL WILSIE WOOD ’72 spent 30 years working for the City of San Diego after graduating from San Diego State University. She retired in 2010 as the Park and Recreation Grant Manager and was recognized by the City for her many contributions by declaring September 30 that year as “Carol Wood Day.” She places great value on the ability to write and convey information to others that has been a key to her professional life, a skill that she learned at OLP. In addition, in her own words, “I learned the power of networking through my OLP education -- especially the value of personal relationships developed through shared experience.”

Carol and her husband chose to send their daughter, Emily Wood Roever ‘01, to OLP because they valued the independence and strength that they believed OLP would help her find.

CATHERINE (CASSIE) WILSIE ’74 earned her Nursing degree at San Diego State University and worked for many years at Mesa Vista Hospital and the Psychiatric Center of San Diego.

She is currently a Complex Case Manager at Molina Healthcare. Most simply and in her own words, Cassie shares: “OLP has given me my foundation for life.

OLP is what my parents wanted for me and my sisters and I now know why!”

recently attended Spring Sing 2018 to enjoy watching their daughters, Ella Sofia Barreto ‘21 and Isabela Arnaiz Valladolid ‘21 perform as members of the Freshman class production.

It brought back fond memories when they performed with their graduating class, the Class of 1994. Both Ella and Carina attended CETYS Unversidad in Tijuana after graduating from OLP. Ella graduated with a degree in Business Administration, received an Academic Merit Award, and was Valedictorian of her class. She has worked for the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce as their MEXPORT coordinator. She has been married to Javier Barreto since 2001 and has two other future OLP Pilots in addition to Ella -- Marie Jose and Viviana. She is grateful to OLP for the gift of self- respect as a person but most importantly as a woman. Carina pursued a degree at CETYS in Business, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. Carina is the Director of Fundacion Luz which supports many other foundations in Tijuana, Mexico. She is married to Raymundo Arnaiz, who she first met when she was just 10 years old. They also have two future pilots, Daniella and Gabriella. From her time at OLP, Carina gained the freedom to embrace being a woman. She shared: “God bless OLP and everything it does to empower women! Thank God that I had the amazing privilege to be a student and graduate!”

JAIME MATTOS ’12

graduated from California Maritime Academy in 2016. While a student at the Academy, Jaime participated in their Women in Maritime Leadership Conference. This annual conference features women intimately familiar with trailblazing, competition, and succeeding at the highest level.

Their featured presenters focus on the conference goals of supporting the success of women in maritime transportation and related industries. Three years ago, Jaime volunteered to be the conference intern and did such a remarkable job that she was offered an internship in the summer of 2015. Her participation in these conferences led to her landing her dream job upon graduation. She is employed by the American Steamboat Company and travels from San Diego to three different vessels: the American Queen and the American Duchess, both on the Mississippi River, and the American Empress on the Columbia/Snake Rivers. Jaime’s proud mother, Marsha, is an alumna of OLP’s class of 1973.

WE WANT TO KNOW...

Who were the standout students in your class? The most likely to succeed? Where are they now?

Email Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64 at jhandelsman@aolp.org with your submissions.

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POS TAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, C A PERMIT NO. 1592

4 8 6 0 O R E G O N S T, S A N DI E G O, C A 92 1 16

Reconnect at OLP’s 3rd Annual ALUMNAE REUNION WEEKEND

ALUMNAE REUNION WEEKEND

including special Chapel Restoration Dedication Mass, Alumna of the Year Award Ceremony and all community Endless Summer Event

AUGUST 9-10, 2018

THURSDAY , AUGUST 9 Professional Networking Happy Hour FREE! RSVP Requested | 5:30 pm-7:00 pm | Carondelet Library

WEEKEND DETAILS All classes and alumnae are welcome to attend the festivities.

Special classes celebrating reunions are: 1943–75th 1948–70th 1953–65th 1958–60th 1963–55th 1968–50th 1973–45th 1978–40th 1983–35th 1988–30th 1993–25th 1998–20th 2003–15th 2008–10th 2013–5th

Purchase tickets and find information at aolp.org/alumnae-reunion-weekend

» Join us for an alumnae only Professional Networking event! You’ll have the chance to connect with other alums in a vast array of industries and make great connections. » Enjoy hosted wine and cocktails

FRIDAY , AUGUST 10 Dedication of Restored Chapel FREE! RSVP Requested | 11:00 am | OLP Chapel » Special honoring for donors who supported chapel restoration fund

Hosted Reception FREE! RSVP Requested | 12:00 pm | Chapel Garden » Open to all Chapel donors, alumnae and their families

Alumna of the Year Award Honoring Mary Caratan Sloper ’58 FREE! RSVP Requested | 1:00 pm | Carondelet Library & North Terrace » Alumna of the Year Award Recognition & Class Pictures » Open to alumnae, current students and their families

Campus Tours by Carondelet Circle Students FREE! RSVP Requested | 2:00 pm | Campus Join with the OLP community at the 4th Annual Endless Summer Event $35/$50/$750 Tickets | 6:00 pm | North Terrace » Live Band, Craft Beer and Wine Bar, and Delicious Food! » 21+ Only

Individual class-specific celebrations taking place off campus on Saturday, August 11

SEE YOU THERE!