OLP MAGAZINE
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF PEACE (SPRING 2020)
OLP
MAGAZINE
IN THIS ISSUE SPRING 2020
Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace
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Head of School Lauren Lek, Ed.D.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Assistant Head of School Jessica Hooper Leadership Team George Battistel, Ph. D. Rivka Bent Chris Boyer Marlena Conroy Angela Gascho, Ed.D. Aaron Gonzalez Stephanie Kanaski ’99 Jessica (Goncalves) Occhialini ’88 Emily Pippin ’06 Toni Russo Contributors Susan Antolin ’06 Rivka Bent Paloma Fallica ’22 Becca Fink Angela Gascho, Ed.D. Dr. Steven Jones Stephanie Kanaski ’99 Siobhan MacManus ’00 Ryan Martin-Spencer Cassidy Matwiyoff ’22 Coral Miner ’21 Emily Pippin ’06 Sofia Rojo-Kratochvil ’20 Sister Sandra Williams, CSJ Design Hollis Maloney ’07 Copy Editor Lisa Danaher Board of Directors Lauren Lek, Ed.D., Head of School Damian McKinney, Board Chair Coreen G. Petti, Board Chair Francesca Castagnola Monsignor Richard Duncanson Clair (Cunningham) Kennedy ’81 Diane Koester-Byron Deacon Lane Litke Gayle McMahon Sister Ann Bernard O’Shea Carrie Sawyer Timothy Truxaw Danitza (Ramirez) Villanueva ’98 Sister CSJ Provincial 2 | O Maureen L P M A G AO’Connor, ZINE
10 The Martha McRoskey Place of Peace
18 Student Leadership Retreat
20 Responding to the Needs Of Our Time
24 Above & Beyond: A Boundless Experience
28 My Business Story
FRONT COVER PHOTO
OLP students have been learning remotely since the middle of March. They have transitioned to this new learning platform with heart, courage and excellence!
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.”
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
Dear OLP Community, Every morning I drive to the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and traverse the decline on the 805 South, waiting in anticipation to see the school that sits upon the hill, as though a beacon. Even on the cloudiest of days, the white buildings reflect brightly, shimmering forth into the overcast gloom. I always get a sense of joy as I turn that corner on the freeway, approaching I-8, knowing that any moment it will come into view - Villa Montemar. Those buildings in all their beauty hold such precious memories, weddings, baptisms, gatherings with family, liturgies and prayer services, graduations, lunches on North Terrace, rocket launches, chalk drawings of colleges, movies, talent shows, and friendships. For 137 years, OLP has withstood the test of time. OLP has endured through World War I, the Great Depression, the Spanish Flu that swept the United States, World War II, and so much more. Through it all, OLP has continued to iterate, change its approach, and at its core, maintain the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and a devotion to serving the “dear neighbor without distinction.” With the United States collectively being brought to the brink of a new financial and health emergency with COVID-19, OLP has once again had to respond by ensuring our girls are cared for academically, socially, and spiritually though not on our physical campus. As we all left on March 13, faculty and staff knew that it could be weeks or months before we would return to Villa Montemar, and yet the charism of “unifying love” and our mission “that they all may be one” would endure. Now as we embark on this newest iteration, serving our OLP community while in a virtual environment during a statewide “stay-at-home” Executive Order, that spirit of unifying love and academic distinction of excellence prevails. Our morning mega Zoom sessions with over 800 attendees are moments of vitality for all of us, as we celebrate what makes this community so very special and unwavering. Each morning, as an OLP community, we hold up in prayer members of our health professions, first responders, our alumnae, those who are sick or struggling during quarantine, and those who have passed away. We shall not be brought down by this. Our spirits will not be darkened, nor shall we lose faith or be discouraged! Furthermore, we cherish those celebrations and memories that we were able to have, such as our last community gathering for the installation of the Pietà and The Butterfly Project within the Martha McRoskey Place of Peace. We were joined by Bishop John Dolan, Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel, the founder of The Butterfly Project, Cheryl Rattner Price, and Holocaust speaker, Susie Katz. In this edition of our magazine, we focus specifically on our commitment to this intentional work around diversity, equity, and inclusion that expands beyond The Butterfly Project and our Holocaust Literature class to all areas of the academic curriculum, student clubs, hosting a specific student leadership retreat, and investment in professional development. For OLP, inclusivity is deeply rooted in our CSJ mission and their calls to action. In the article written by Sister Sandra Williams, CSJ, that opens this special section of our magazine, she shares more on how diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of our call to live out “unifying love.” Our CSJ tradition has always been our guiding light. It is what has allowed our remarkable faculty and staff to so quickly launch a virtual learning program that is being heralded by those across San Diego and beyond. This uncharted time in our world will force us to create community and learning in new ways. We do not know what this future will bring, but with faith, we can rest in God’s plan for our lives, for OLP, and for our community. In a sense, we are being called back to the dramatic roots of our founding, which in turn, puts us right back in the hands of our savior Jesus, his brave mother Mary, and our patron Saint Joseph who trusted God above all else during an uncertain time. May God bless and keep you all,
Lauren Lek, Ed.D. HEAD OF SCHOOL
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Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel of Congregation Beth Israel joined with Bishop John Dolan to bless the Martha McRoskey Place of Peace, a new interfaith sacred space on our campus that brings together both a replica of Michelangelo's PietĂ and The Butterfly Project. Read more on page 10.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the CSJ Charism of Unifying Love BY SISTER SANDRA WILLIAMS, CSJ
HE DREW A CIRCLE THAT SHUT ME OUT— HERETIC, REBEL, A THING TO FLOUT.
BUT LOVE AND I HAD THE WIT TO WIN:
WE DREW A CIRCLE THAT TOOK HIM IN! Outwitted by Edwin Markham
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n the course of completing some college assignment, I came across the poem “Outwitted” by Edwin Markham. For some reason, his words lodged themselves in my memory, perhaps because of their brevity or rhyme scheme, or—from the perspective of decades later—perhaps because they spoke to my CSJ heart in the language of inclusive unifying love. Currently, many organizations and institutions are choosing to examine and reflect on their efforts to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. For those of us rooted in the CSJ charism, these efforts challenge us to be deeply authentic in our commitment to inclusive unifying love. Our local and global societies face challenges and obstacles (both individually and structurally) related to the failure to honor and support diversity, the failure to recognize the disparity in access to resources and opportunity experienced by many, the failure to see the ways many people are forced to live on the margins. As individuals and as a society, we have drawn lines that shut people out. Some of those lines are blatantly obvious; some are nearly invisible without thoughtful reflection. Our charism of unifying love calls us to engage the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion with compassionate creativity—to redraw the circles so that no one is left outside.
As you continue to read this month’s issue of OLP Magazine, which focuses on efforts to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, please join me in celebrating the many ways the OLP community has chosen to live inclusive unifying love.
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How Does OLP's Mission Align with
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? BY RIVKA BENT WITH DR . STEVEN JONES
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his very question was one our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert, Dr. Steven Jones, asked himself while preparing to teach various workshops for our school stakeholders: students, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and board of directors. Though Dr. Jones had a sense of the interest of the school,
after all he was sought out by the administration, he wasn’t quite prepared to discover the rich history already present at the core of OLP—and even more so in its founders, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. As he took a deep dive into our founders’ history, the metaphorical thread led him all the way back to France, to the original lace-makers of the 1600’s, the Sisters of St. Joseph. Dr. Jones illuminated the Sisters' powerful story through a new perspective. Time and time again, the Sisters of St. Joseph took a stand for "the other," for the disenfranchised of society. We have heard their story: the story of "six women who came together to live outside the confines of a convent to work amongst the people." Their charism is focused on creating a unifying love with God and the "dear neighbor."
Dr. Jones exclaims, “the idea of ‘dear neighbor’ includes looking in and across the injustices that exist and saying we need to challenge those, which is exactly what the Sisters have been doing from the get-go.” “Not only that, but they were called to move to Missouri during a time when being in their habit was not a welcomed sight, it was downright dangerous,” Dr. Jones said. The Sisters said “yes” to traveling from France to an unknown territory to teach the outcasts of the time, the deaf. They even took it a step further and included African American slave girls as well as Native American children. Dr. Jones is enthusiastic in reminding us that at the core of our mission is our commitment to recognize injustice, challenge it, and create new systems. The Sisters' practice of unifying love is the very heart of today's diversity, equity, and inclusion movement. Embracing who we are, understanding the various cultural groups of which we are a part, and deepening
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our sense of belonging—this is the work we continue at OLP. Dr. Jones teaches us to be “investigators of culture—our own and that of others” by practicing cultural curiosity, just as the Sisters have been doing for hundreds of years!
Dr. Jones uses varying methods of teaching cultural curiosity through skills that include providing OLP stakeholders a common language. For example, we have been learning to “see in 3-D,” terminology used to explain the effort of “seeking to understand areas where inclusion and exclusion exist and allowing that knowledge to inform the work.” Dr. Jones speaks of an "intent versus impact" approach to inclusion, reminding us that we must increase our awareness of the impact (not just the intent) our statements or actions have on people to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. We are lovingly reminded that this work will require us to step into some uncomfortable places and conversations. We are urged to ask questions of our systems and processes such as, “Where do we see differences making an impact? Are there intentional actions and unintentional actions that are causing divide? Is there belonging for everyone within the community, or just some?” In this work we see that our CSJs were not afraid. They were very bold in the face of conflict, resolved to see community come together. In developing our skill sets, we build our cultural intelligence by facing our own unconscious and conscious biases. Dr. Jones carefully encourages us to follow the example of the CSJs by being willing to look at institutionalized “isms”: racism, able-ism, sexism, classism, etc. Facing these challenges and putting on the 3-D lens increases the ability to recognize when they are present in the community. Finally, Dr. Jones makes it quite clear in illuminating the call to action that has guided the hand of our school’s founding all along, “as a community called to love the ‘dear neighbor without distinction,’ we have to understand those differences in order to be inclusive of the distinctions.” So is there value in OLP's deep dive into diversity, equity, and inclusion? Our history resounds loudly in the affirmative, and our community echoes it with enthusiasm.
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The Martha McRoskey Place of Peace In early March, OLP unveiled the Martha McRoskey Place of Peace, which houses a Vatican-approved exact casting of Michelangelo’s Pietà. This world-renowned masterpiece depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ after he has been removed from the cross. In the late 1930s, in fear of the Nazis destroying priceless works of art, the Vatican commissioned molds of sacred statues. OLP alumna, Ninoska Navarro Rocha ’13 connected the school with Arte Divine, which works to support the Vatican in placing these marble castings of the Pietà.
Here at OLP, it serves as a testament to the enduring acts of courage and bravery of Catholic upstanders during the Holocaust, and in particular our Sisters of St. Joseph during World War II. In the face of injustice, our Sisters of St. Joseph took an active role in courageously standing up to protect others, hiding children and adults in their convents, moving them to freedom, often at their own peril. Through the generosity of OLP benefactors, including the Mogollon Coppel Family and the Boulanger Family, OLP has been gifted a limited commissioned replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà, an exact 1:1 cast from the original sculpture, and restored a historic place on campus in honor of Parents in Prayer founder, board member and alumna parent, Martha McRoskey, so naming it, the Martha McRoskey Place of Peace.
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The space also includes an official installation of The Butterfly Project, which was founded by educator Jan Landau and artist Cheryl Rattner Price in 2006 at the San Diego Jewish Academy. This artistic and educational project memorializes the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust and honors the survivors. The Butterfly Project has become a global and unifying memorial that uses the lessons of the Holocaust to teach tolerance, remember the past, act responsibly in the present, and create a more peaceful future. OLP is the only Catholic school to have a permanent installation of The Butterfly Project. Featured in the dome above the Pietà are 18 butterflies completed by OLP students. The number 18 is significant in the Jewish faith, representing the letter chai, which stands for life.
Every painted butterfly memorializes a child who was lost and serves as a symbol of hope that through remembrance we may be courageous upstanders against hate, violence, and oppression. The Pietà and The Butterfly Project are joined together in this sacred space, the Martha McRoskey Place of Peace, as a reminder of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s mission “that they all may be one” (John 17:21), and as a call to peace and unity in the world. In 2014, OLP began an English course titled Examining the Holocaust Through Literature under the direction of faculty member Dr. Angela Gascho. The course explores the themes, voices, origins, development, and experience of the Holocaust through a variety of genres and texts in order to gain a better understanding of the Holocaust and its significant impact on humanity. In this
ALEXA APODACA ‘19
“Creating a butterfly for Dr. Gascho’s Holocaust Literature class was a meaningful experience where I could solemnly and creatively remember a victim of the Holocaust. Working on this project allowed me to interpret the desire for unity and freedom at the time and bring it to life by designing my butterfly."
class, as an active way to leave a lasting tribute to those whose lives were lost during the Holocaust, students began participating in The Butterfly Project.
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“The Butterfly Project is a great example of how the Understanding the Holocaust Through Literature class perpetuated that change in my life. It allowed me to give a voice to those whose thoughts and beliefs were suppressed, and whose lives were cut short. Overall, it is an amazing project that helps unify humanity as we learn more about one another, while also giving life to the stories of many men, women, and children who were not able to tell them on their own.”
---Above: OLP is the only Catholic school in the world to have a permanent installation of The Butterfly Project. Left: The Martha McRoskey Place of Peace features a beautifully hand-painted mural above the Pietà.
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---Alumna parent and current Board Member Deacon Lane Litke processes in with Bishop Robert McElroy to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at OLP.
Diversity of Faith B Y RYA N M A R T I N -S PE N CE R , T H E OL O GY DE PA R T M E N T CH A I R
Throughout the OLP school community of students, faculty, staff, and administrators, we strive to embrace and authentically live out the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, to love our dear neighbor without distinction. Across the academic curriculum and across many extra-curricular activities, from athletics to visual and performing arts to robotics, just to name a few, we reflect upon and seek to implement what it means to promote Christ-like unifying love “so that they may all be one� (John 17:21) and what it means to love and serve the dear neighbor without distinction in varied ways. In the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, we seek to learn more about and celebrate the beautiful diversity of the students and adult members of our community, of our city, and of our world. 12 | O L P M A G A Z I N E
Learning more about and celebrating all of our sisters and brothers is like embarking upon a wonderful journey that does not have an ending point or a final destination. There is no real point where someone can say, “I have arrived! I now fully understand all of my sisters and brothers and I no longer need to learn or be open to new experiences. I am done!” While members of our OLP community predominantly identify as Roman Catholic, we seek to continue to grow in learning about and celebrating our sisters and brothers from different faith traditions. Learning about, honoring, and celebrating different faith traditions is nothing new to the OLP community. For years the Theology department has offered a very popular Comparative Cultures class that respectfully explores various faith traditions from around the world, and over the years guest speakers and representatives from multiple faith traditions have visited our campus and spoken with students.
Current students have been moved by, inspired by, and honored to participate in the beautiful new installation of the San Diego Jewish Academy’s global The Butterfly Project, which remembers and honors the 1.5 million Jewish and non-Jewish children who died in the Holocaust. Ultimately, students, faculty, and staff from various faith traditions have been, are, and will continue to be vital and integral members of our one OLP community. Truly, we all are equal sisters and brothers, unified in love and the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
Students in the Liturgical Planning class created beautiful artwork to decorate the Event Center.
Our Roman Catholic Church promotes and encourages celebrating, dialoguing with, and praying alongside our sisters and brothers from various faith traditions. During the Second Vatican Council, the bishops gathered from around the world issued the document Nostra aetate in 1965 and called for honest and respectful dialogue with members of different faith traditions, clearly rejecting any type of discrimination based on religion or other factors. Specifically addressing Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and other religions, the document states, “The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions” (Paragraph 2). Drawing from Nostra aetate, St. John Paul II set an inspiring example of promoting interfaith dialogue and prayer with our sisters and brothers from around the world. Most notably, St. John Paul II initiated the first World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy, on October 27, 1986, and gathered with representatives from 32 Christian denominations and 11 non-Christian faith traditions. Pope Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis have continued the interfaith World Day of Prayer for Peace that St. John Paul II initiated. In an extended effort to promote peace, Pope Francis has met with leaders from the global Jewish and Muslim communities
Bishop Robert McElroy gives ashes at Mass.
A S H W E D N E S D AY
in particular over the past few years.
MASS
In the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, our OLP community
Our Ash Wednesday Mass, presided over
draws nourishment and inspiration from our Roman Catholic tradition of interfaith dialogue, and prayer as we seek to build upon the foundation of celebrating the diverse faith traditions on our campus. On Thursday, April 23, we will celebrate an interfaith prayer service virtually. We welcome everyone to join our OLP community as we continue to grow in our journey of embracing and honoring the beauty of the different faith traditions within our one and united OLP sisterhood.
by Bishop Robert McElroy, featured the prayers of the faithful in a variety of different languages. Students read the prayers in English, Mandarin, German, American Sign Language, and Spanish. An effort was made to intentionally include those languages that aren’t represented as often in our liturgies.
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Collaborating with the
Anti-Defamation League at OLP BY DR. ANGELA GASCHO & MRS. SIOBHAN MACMANUS '01
For several years, OLP has joined with the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) mission to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure fair and just treatment for all.”
Morelia Fernandez ’17 said "The creation of Humans 4 Humanity was significant in that it encompassed the goals that we all sought to achieve within our own lives, propelling them into a group setting. It kick started my knowledge of activism and instilled a passion for it, which I was
As leaders in educational programming designed to combat bias
later able to develop in future settings such as internships. It was also
and hate, the ADL was a natural partner in fulfilling the CSJ mission
something that I knew was necessary, and would make an impression, but
to “serve the dear neighbor without distinction” so “that they all
I am overjoyed to hear the level of impact it has had." Co-founder Hailey
may be one.” At OLP, these collaborative efforts have included
Martin ‘17 shares “Starting Humans 4 Humanity was important for me
training teachers through the Bearing Witness® program;
as I wanted to be a part of making a difference on campus. In a world full
providing resources such as Echoes and Reflections® for the
of hate, making a group on OLP’s campus to advocate for peace and a
Holocaust Literature course; coordinating Holocaust survivor talks
safe place for all was something I could not help but want to be a part of.”
at the school, educational assemblies, and a Peer Training program;
Humans 4 Humanity took immediate action in earning the school’s No
facilitating a cultural competency workshop and retreat; and
Place for Hate® designation in its inaugural year and OLP has been
helping to facilitate the No Place for Hate® program school-wide.
recognized as a No Place for Hate® school every year since.
In 2016, students in Dr. Gascho’s American Literature Honors class
The No Place for Hate® program provides a framework for schools
founded the club Humans 4 Humanity in order to take action to
to strategically create a school culture that is inclusive and actively
stop hate in our world. The ADL provided training and helped
combats bias and bullying. To be designated as a No Place for
to establish the No Place for Hate® initiative at OLP. Alumna
Hate® school, each year OLP must meet certain criteria, including
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Learning How Small Actions Have Great Impacts B Y PA L O M A FA L L I C A ’ 2 2 On January 8, the sophomore class attended the second day of their retreat at the Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. We began the day with an introduction to the Anti-Defamation League, a national organization focused on fighting antisemitism and securing justice for all. Then, we were divided into small groups and participated in discussions led by members of the ADL about hateful actions and ways we can prevent them in our community. Our class was engaged and received the message against hate well. I have even perceived a positive change in our school community since we attended the retreat. One thing we learned that stood out to me most was the “Pyramid of Hate,” which demonstrated how all hateful actions begin somewhere and though we may think to ourselves that something is simply a mean comment and it’s not bullying, small words build the foundation for further hateful action.
Siobhan MacManus '01, Jessica Hooper, Susan Antolin '06 and Dr. Angie Gascho with OLP students at an ADL event.
having the entire student body sign a pledge of respect, conducting a needs assessment, and facilitating three school-wide activities. Although the ADL provides the basic structure, it is still very much a self-directed program led by a committee of students who are responsible for the planning, execution, and reporting of the school-wide activities. Mrs. MacManus now moderates Humans 4 Humanity as they continue to lead the No Place for Hate® initiative at OLP. As a part of these efforts, students attend ADL’s annual student leadership conference. One participant, Coral Miner ‘21, said “The most important thing that I learned is that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect the identity of others through respect and appreciation of the diversity of others.” Last semester, Humans 4 Humanity also ran a “Know My Story” campaign designed to engage students in critical thinking around the false assumptions we make based on physical appearance. Wessley Edmonds ‘20, a member of the Humans 4 Humanity leadership team says, “Humans 4 Humanity has exposed me to a world where students work together against prejudice and hate toward the fulfillment of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
OLP was slated to be publicly recognized as a No Place for Hate® school at the ADL’s Walk Against Hate in April. The walk was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. We hope you will join us when the walk is rescheduled! OLP MAGAZINE
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---Students honor changemakers by displaying their photos and biographies near our Boundless construction site in honor of Black History Month.
ASB and the African American Alliance Club TEAMED UP IN FEBRUARY TO HONOR I N S P I R AT I O N A L F I G U R E S D U R I N G B L A C K H I S T O R Y M O N T H .
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The Student Leadership Team (ASB and Link Crew Captains) has
worked on researching individuals who have been pivotal changemakers
and who have left a remarkable, lasting impact on our world. Student
Leadership wanted to honor these figures by displaying their photos and quotes near our Boundless construction site. Not only is the construction site a primary location for students to pass by and read about these individuals, Student Leadership felt the site is symbolic of what it means to be "boundless," and also symbolic in that by acknowledging and honoring these individuals, we are working to build a society where equality prevails and diversity is of utmost value.
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OLP at NAIS People of Color Conference BY SUSAN ANTOLIN '06
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n December 2019, a team of six OLP faculty and staff members joined more than 7,000
attendees at the 2019 NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) in Seattle, Washington to
learn more about effective strategies for practicing equity and justice in teaching, learning,
and organizational development. In an effort to "amplify intelligence to liberate, co-create, and
thrive," PoCC equips educators at every level, from teachers to trustees, with knowledge, skills, and experiences to improve and enhance the interracial, inter-ethnic, and inter-cultural climate of their
institutions, as well as the academic, social-emotional, and performance outcomes of students, faculty,
and staff. We attended general sessions with keynotes from author Dr. Joy DeGruy, futurist Mike Walsh, award-winning filmmaker Valarie Kaur, The New York Times best-selling author and TIME editor Anand Giridharadas, and distinguished professor of education at UCLA Dr. Pedro Noguera. We gathered
resources at a variety of practitioner-led workshops focusing on topics such as activism and ally-ship,
cultural competence, racial and ethnic identities, leadership and management of equity and inclusion, self-efficacy and empowerment, and research and evaluation of DEI work within an organization. In the midst of these sessions, we found ourselves constantly connecting our CSJ mission and OLP philosophy to every lecture, presentation, and dialogue we engaged in. We reflected on the significance of our partnership with DEI expert Dr. Jones. Above all, we acknowledged OLP's dedication to practicing the charism of "unifying love" in all that we do. Our team returned home feeling energized and excited to share our experience with the OLP community and to continue inspiring a new generation of young women to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive changemakers in our world.
---OLP faculty and staff Stefini Ma’ake ’98, Jessica Hooper, Susan Antolin '06, Gilberto Moreno, and Marlena Conroy with Dr. Steven Jones (center). OLP MAGAZINE
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Leadership Retreat BY CORAL MINER '21
On November 12, 2019, I had the honor of participating in the OLP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Leadership Retreat. This retreat was an amazing experience that allowed me to gather with my peers and participate as a community in learning about ways to promote respect and dignity on the OLP campus.
Through this opportunity, I learned how OLP has made diversity, equity, and inclusion central to our school’s mission and that because of this mission, we, as students, can have a greater impact on our community. I discovered that by implementing the OLP charism of caring for our dear neighbors, in which equity is deeply rooted, we can infuse values of justice and inclusion throughout our culture, systems, and practices. While doing so is a responsibility that all community members share, through this training we were given ways to focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our campus. The most profound tactic I learned was that something as simple as learning how to pronounce someone’s name correctly can contribute to them feeling valued and appreciated. This retreat was a reminder of what OLP stands for and the tenets that our school was founded on, particularly the charism of unifying love, which is at the heart of the CSJ and the OLP mission. I feel a sense of pride that I am able to work with people who are committed to creating a campus where all students can thrive without prejudice, as they uplift one another in our ---Participants put up sticky notes with assumptions they make about people based only on outward appearance. 18 | O L P M A G A Z I N E
community.
“At the conclusion of the Student Leadership Diversity retreat, each person completed an OLP Student Pledge of Courageous Inclusion, which states what we will speak out about and what we will do to help our community. I found this a powerful piece which helped me reflect and share my feelings with ---Top Left: This student leadership retreat brought together a diverse group of students across all grade levels to learn about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Top Right: Students learned about Cultural Identity Groups and realized how quickly we often put people into these groups before we know anything about them. Bottom Left: Students were encouraged to explore the levels of understanding as they pertain to DEI.
my peers; I pinned the pledge up in my room and am inspired every day to be a courageous and inclusive member of the OLP sisterhood.� - Johana Robbins, Class of 2023
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RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF OUR TIME
LEARNING CONTINUES DESPITE SCHOOL CLOSURE BY EMILY PIPPIN ‘06, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS In response to the current situation the world is in regarding
“Recognizing that this is a stressful and worrisome time
COVID-19, and following the direction of our local health
for all of us, we wanted to ensure that our students had
professionals and county leaders, OLP closed our campus
access to the emotional and academic support resources
in mid-March, however this didn’t mean that learning and
that are regularly available to them on campus,” said Jessica
operations halted. Because of early planning and preparation,
Hooper, Assistant Head of School at OLP. “Our counselors host
the school was able to seamlessly transition all 750 students
virtual meetings with students and parents, and teachers
and 80-plus faculty and staff members to virtual learning and
have virtual ‘office hours.’ Even on a virtual platform, all of
work.
our regular services are continuing. Just wait until you see ceramics and laboratory classes led virtually!”
“Providing stability and continuity of learning for our students are our main priorities during this difficult time,”
We also created a COVID-19 webpage on our aolp.org
said Dr. Lauren Lek, Head of School at the Academy of
website with the latest information, answers to frequently
Our Lady of Peace. “Once we made the decision to close
asked questions and links to outside resources. Visit
campus for the safety of our community, we immediately
aolp.org/coronavirus to learn more.
were ready to launch our online learning platform, which has been a tremendous success. Beyond just the delivery
A hallmark of OLP is the visionary, bold leadership of the
of instruction, we have intentionally woven into each day
administrative team under the direction of Dr. Lauren Lek, who
opportunities for community building with all 850 of us! I
is regularly featured as a thought leader in local and national
never thought it would be possible virtually until we were
publications and organizations. Dr. Lek has her Ed.D. in
forced to do it. We are one giant virtual Brady Bunch.”
Educational Technology from Pepperdine University.
Using our learning management system, Blackbaud, and video conferencing tools like Google Meet and Zoom Pro, classes have continued and learning has been uninterrupted. We have even been able to host virtual all-school assemblies with more than 800 participants at once. We were able to make this transition easily because of early planning by the Technology Department, which moved our school to fully cloud- and webbased tools years ago. “We’ve received incredible feedback from parents, students and even the greater community who have heard how successful this has been,” said Dr. Lek. In addition to maintaining online learning, parent-teacher conferences were hosted virtually and we have also continued to offer counseling services on a regular basis through our Zoom and Google Meet platforms.
---Left: OLP alumna Emilia Perez- Rocha '18 took this photo of her sister OLP senior Valentina Perez Rocha '20 as she attends a virtual class. Above: Freshman Maddie Strazzeri '23 enjoys working on her coursework outdoors!
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OUR GIRLS NEED YOU NOW! W
hile the impacts of COVID-19 are being felt throughout the world, OLP is committed to stand in support and solidarity with our
larger community. Business closures and other major economic setbacks have posed significant challenges for our OLP families—many of whom are small business owners—and, as a result, we are seeing an increase in families needing tuition assistance and students seeking scholarship opportunities. For some, the availability of these funds will be the deciding factor in whether or not they are able to keep their daughters enrolled at OLP. Now, more than ever before, we need you to join us as we come together to support these students and their families. While we hoped to be back on campus within this school year, we are ensuring that students still have access to the incomparable education, support resources, and community of loving sisterhood in our new virtual environment. Our student leadership even instituted a “spirit week” with fun challenges to bring some extra joy to our online learning experience!
In response to this crisis, the global generosity movement, #GivingTuesdayNOW has been set for May 5. We humbly ask you to consider a gift to support our OLP students during this time through our tuition assistance program and scholarships. Donate any amount today through May 5 at aolp.org/GivingTuesday.
22 | O L P M A G A Z I N E
THANK YOU!
STAY IN TOUCH WITH OLP We welcome you to stay in touch with the OLP community during this time, in partnership and prayer. Here are a few areas in which you can be connected: PA R E N T S I N P R AY E R Join Parents in Prayer in their virtual meeting. All are welcome to join us in prayer by logging in to our Zoom Conference line at zoom.us. Contact Kirstin Kuhn with any questions at parentsinprayer@aolp.org. Tuesdays at 7:45 am PIP Webpage: aolp.org/faith-service/parents-in-prayer
GIVE NOW
S U P P O R T # G I V I N G T U E S D AY N O W Please support OLP students who are in need. No gift is too
AMAZONSMILE You can support OLP easily while shopping online. When you make OLP your designated charitable organization with AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to OLP. Visit smile.amazon.com to get started!
large or too small.
GIVING IS EASY!
S U B M I T Y O U R P R AY E R INTENTIONS
W O R D S O F E N C O U R A G E M E N T- - F R E E !
A wonderful way to give is through words of encouragement to faculty,
students gather virtually for morning announcements
staff and students. Submit your note of love and support via the
and prayer. Please use this quick and anonymous form
Google form at aolp.org/wordsoflove
to share your intentions, so we may pray alongside you:
TEXT TO GIVE
Text "OLPGiving2020TA" to 76278 to support Financial Aid Text "OLPGivingAngel" to 76278 to support the Angel Fund
GIVE ONLINE
Give online at aolp.org/GivingTuesday
MAIL A CHECK
Every morning, all of our faculty, staff, and 750
bit.ly/OLPprayers
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS We’d love to see photos of your family learning virtually, participating in safe social distancing practices, or having fun while we’re all staying home. Email to epippin@aolp.org or tag @academyofourladyofpeace on Instagram and Facebook.
Mail a Check to Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Attn: Advancement 4860 Oregon St., San Diego, CA 92116
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Above & Beyond: A Boundless Experience More than 300 members of the OLP community joined together for the 35th annual Gala & Auction on Saturday, February 8. In addition to the traditional silent auction, live auction, and “Fund-a-Pilot� paddle raise, guests finished off the night dancing to live music by local band, Kicks. The annual Gala and Auction remains the biggest fundraiser annually to support extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities on campus for students. Gala attendees once again showed their wonderful generosity and commitment to being the key-holders to the future of OLP. In the past 3 years, OLP has raised over half a million dollars towards the Carondelet Annual Fund.
24 | O L P M A G A Z I N E
Director of Institutional Advancement, Stephanie Kanaski ’99, shared her experiences as an OLP alumna before the Fund-a-Pilot paddle raise, which brought in much-needed funds to support our students in all areas.
Guests each received a key to OLP’s historic campus but only 5 lucky winners could unlock the Mystery Doors and take home the prizes behind them.
For the third year in a row OLP's Director of Athletics, Aaron Gonzalez served as the Master of Ceremonies during the dinner and auction.
Many esteemed OLP alumnae joined us for this celebratory event including Board Member Emeritus and honorary Boundless Co-Chair, Ann Navarra ’63 (left) and Elsa Saxod ‘63.
Board Chair Emeritus, Mike Coughlin and his wife, Julie, pose with Head of School, Dr. Lauren Lek. Their daughter, Megan Coughlin graduated OLP with the class of 2008.
Current parents enjoyed seeing their daughters’ campus transformed into a beautiful event space including the Point, which was brought to life by twinkling lights and student musicians.
Carondelet Circle Student Ambassadors helped the night run smoothly by welcoming guests and assisting with the auction.
Kayla Turner ’20 was among a group of students who took center stage with breathtaking performances throughout the evening.
The gala welcomed many first-time attendees, including new Board member, Carrie Sawyer, and her guest Roman.
Among the various fun opportunities for guests to support OLP was a jewelry pull featuring Kendra Scott jewelry! here O LPictured P MAG A ZLesa I N EMalecot | 2 5 (far right) of The French Gourmet looks on as daughter-in-law, Abigail Malecot, enjoys opening her jewelry surprise.
I Went to an International Student Leadership Conference in Australia and Here is What I Learned… B Y S O F I A R O J O - K R AT O C H V I L ' 2 0
A
s I sit in the airport, my brain is running in circles as I truly analyze everything that I experienced this past week. I used to believe that time was taunting me, not allowing me the chance to experience everything that I have ever imagined, but I now realize just how
wrong that mindset is. It is incredible how many things you can learn and the number of people you can meet in such a short time, in this case, only four days. I recently had the honor and privilege of being one of only two girls in the United States selected to represent the National Coalition of Girls' Schools and the Academy of Our Lady of Peace at the Australasia Student Leadership Conference in Sydney, Australia. With the theme of "Take Flight," the January 2020 conference, held at the Women's College at the University of Sydney, focused on providing a range of experiences, skills, tools, and knowledge to help all girls attending learn how to "take flight" in their leadership positions. The conference hosted multiple guest speakers, including adventurer and poet, Hayley Talbot; Founder and CEO of Kokoda Track Foundation, Dr. Guinevere Nelson; current Harvard University student Xialene Chang; and many more. All of these fantastic changemakers gave us insight into how we as leaders should step away from traditional stereotypes to create a more inclusive society. This vibrant and inspirational conference has provided me the tools to confidently navigate my future and to champion women empowerment. With the beautiful parting gift of a network of friends, I have never felt so close to a group of like-minded women, all leaders, from Australia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe, who are also embarking on similar leadership journeys.
If I had any superpower in the world, I wish I could hand you my experience. Put all of my memories, thoughts, and adventures in a jar and give you the beauty of this trip. But, sadly, I don’t have this in my possession, so I have decided to provide you with a fantastic list of the most important things I learned as a leader, sister, daughter, and, most importantly, as a human being. Throughout this conference, I was the human version of a sponge, absorbing every piece of information that was presented to me. In this world, we need more leaders who...
•
Use their voice to help the voiceless
•
Are eager to step out of their comfort zone and help others step out of theirs
•
Are ready to take on challenges with an inclusive and genuine approach
I recognize the privilege of having experienced this revitalizing event. Now that I am home, I want to wring out my educational sponge and pass along the information I learned. I hope it will inspire you to dance with your potential and start new habits that will lead you to become the bold leader you were meant to be.
26 | O L P M A G A Z I N E
• YOU NEED MORE THAN ONE GOAL!
When setting goals, it is easy to get caught up on one thing, often making us forget about what we will do once we reach that goal. Hayley Talbot, the first person to solo kayak and navigate the 400 km Clarence River in Australia, said, “The nectar of living in your dreams is that you can always start a new one.” Beautifully said! Make a series of goals so that when you achieve one, the others are like a magnet that pulls you forward and allows you to feel success in your heart and lets you continue to grow as a person.
• TAKE OFF YOUR "GLASSES"
Everyone wears "glasses." We all have a perception and implicit bias that affect the way we see the world around us. Our race, economic status, family, friends, childhood, and values all create an unconscious bias. We, as people, need to learn how to take off these "glasses" and empathize with others. This is one of those things that is easier said than done. It is manageable to be empathetic towards people who are similar to us because their lives are similar to ours. Learning to take off our "glasses" is a work in progress for many. When we choose to understand one another, it makes us more sensitive as people and more respectful of the boundaries and limits of others.
• FEAR BUILDS CHARACTER
One of the most challenging things that we encounter in life is fear. It is inevitable and something that everyone has to overcome. When you face fear, don’t let it stop you from chasing the life you desire. Even if you really want to give up, strategize a new way to reach your goal and accept that fear got in your way. Move forward and know that people support you even with your slight detours.
• TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR DREAMS!
It is difficult to tell others what your biggest aspirations are in life when you fear rejection and failure. I can certainly empathize with others on this as I typically hold in my dreams. It is hard to tell everyone, but once we know that fear builds character, there is nothing that can stop us. If any quote caught my attention at this conference, it would be this one, “You can’t do anything by yourself.” Inform the world about your hopes and let others help you, so your dreams can flourish and eventually come true.
---Left and Middle: Sofia took photos to chronicle her time in Australia at the leadership conference. Right: The program from the leadership conference. The theme was "Take Flight."
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OLP Sophomore Pitches Her First Business Plan B Y C A S S I D Y M AT W I Y O F F ' 2 2
S E V E R A L Y E A R S AG O, I WAS SITTING IN MY LIVING ROOM, WAT C H I N G S H A R K TA N K W I T H M Y FA M I LY. T H E C O N F I D E N C E A N D PAS S I O N O F T H E E N T R E P R E N E U R S FA S C I N AT E D M E ; I T A LWAYS S E E M E D L I K E T H E I R FA C E S L I T U P A S T H E Y TA L K E D A B O UT T H E I R I D EAS.
Part of the reason I was so fascinated was because my mom is an entrepreneur, so I was able to learn how a company is run behind the scenes. Captivated by the show, I asked my mom, "How can I go on Shark Tank?" and she quoted the famous movie Robots, “See a need, fill a need.” So while I was petting my dog on the couch, I wondered if anyone had invented a pet comfort product—something that could pet and comfort your dog for you while you were away. My mom explained, “If you have an idea, write a business plan.” So I did, but I sat on it for over a year, and my mom reminded me that my time was running out to make this product. She then discovered that San Diego has one of the 28 | O L P M A G A Z I N E
three patent libraries in the U.S. The next day
intellectual property advice. We went up to the
she dashed into my room, showed me the
desk and sat in front of an attorney. Right away, he
patent library flyer, and said, “You’re going!”
pointed to my OLP jacket and said, “I’m a big fan!”
Trusting my mom's advice, I jumped at
From there he continued to offer crucial patent
the opportunity to have her join me at the
advice, suggesting we further our knowledge on
patent library. Coincidentally, we were there
what other pet products were out there, through a
the day a big law firm was offering free
patent search.
After doing the search, we found there was nothing else in the world like my idea. This gave us the green light to go ahead and take this ---Left: Cassidy presenting her business plan and product idea at CSU Chico. Right: Cassidy pictured with David G. Alexander, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Department Vice Chair for the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Sustainable Manufacturing
business idea to the next level. The attorney referred us to one of his engineering clients, and we were on our way to building this product. The engineer eventually had to step back in his role as a project advisor, but recommended his engineering friend, who is a Chico State student. Together, they helped educate us on the complex field of Mechatronic engineering. Neither my mom nor I are engineers, but over the course of six months, we became well-versed in the components that go into building a prototype. This would be our next step, and both engineers recommended we apply to have our product accepted into the Senior Capstone Design program at Chico State. After a long conference call with the lead Mechatronic professor at Chico State, he graciously accepted me into the program. It was October and I knew I needed to knock this presentation out of the park. I worked for the next four months on creating a presentation that would act as a “bug-light” for the brighteyed senior engineers at Chico. My presentation time came around, and I finally felt ready. As I strolled through the doors of the Langdon engineering department, I felt a rush of confidence and happiness come over me. I felt like one of those entrepreneurs I saw on Shark Tank several years ago as I walked up to present on-stage. I looked out at the crowd, and I counted three female engineers in the room. I was certainly the youngest person in the room, but possibly the most enthusiastic presenter that night. My heart was in my idea. The other presentations included medical devices, heating/ cooling systems, noise monitors, and 3-D printed houses. This made my presentation stand out, since it revolves around helping your dog. When I finished speaking, a wave of hands shot up in the room. The audience was intrigued, and I knew I had hit it out of the park. The project will take about a year to complete, as the engineers don’t start building until May. From there, my prototype should be finished by December 2020. After that, I can move on to market testing and production.
“
Through this experience, I
found that as a student, people always wanted to help me.
When I mentioned that I attend OLP, people were eager to stand behind me. It helped me realize that to turn your dreams into reality, you need
"
the help of others.
Through this experience, I found that as a student, people always wanted to help me. When I mentioned that I attend OLP, people were eager to stand behind me. It helped me realize that to turn your dreams into reality, you need the help of others. Along the way, I met incredible people who wanted to help, others who have been fascinated by my interest in entrepreneurship, but also a few dead ends. My mom and I were invited to attend a UCSD engineering network event where we met astounding thought leaders. While some leaders thought the product "wouldn't fly" or "would be too unrealistic," my mom taught me that negative feedback should not be looked at as a failure, but rather, as a learning opportunity. It’s all about the right fit, and I have no regrets. I’m looking forward to what the seniors will come up with and where this journey will take me. I want all current and future OLP students to know that if you have a dream, you should pursue it. Don’t let your goals and opportunities pass you by. Go out into the world, chase your dreams, and don’t let anything else stand in the way.
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a DAY i n the LIFE
OLP named this year's Valedictorian for the Class of 2020 as Emma Rens (left) and Salutatorian as Kaitlyn Coons (right). Congratulations, ladies!
OLP’s Academic League before their first competition
We celebrated the Class of 2021 at our Junior Unity Mass. Father Emmanuel delivered a beautiful homily matching the theme of the Mass: "Grow Where You're Planted."
A series of exciting balloon pops revealed our class honorees at our Miss OLP Assembly, including our 2020 Miss OLP, Jenna Beck '20!
Our girls had a blast at the Miss OLP Ball: The Roaring 20s!
Maddie Shallan '20 won the regional Poetry Out Loud competition at the Downtown 30 | OPoetry L P M AOut G A ZLoud I N E is a Library! national poetry recitation contest.
Kelli Flodman Corder '09 is a steward of Little Free Libraries. She collected books for and installed a Little Free Library in the classroom of her former English teacher, Mrs. Favela.
OLP's Mock Trial team after their third round in the County Competition. Our team placed 6th out of 32 schools! Â Our robotics team participated in the Del Mar Regional competition.
Our Frosh Retreat took us up to Orange, CA to meet with CSJ Sisters and learn about the history of the CSJ and where OLP fits into the story.
OLP’s Feeding America club prepared 3,900 pounds of oranges for distribution to food insecure San Diegans in March.
In February, a group of students went to the La Jolla Institute for Immunology to learn from female scientists and executives about their journey in science.
In January, OLP students, faculty, and staff joined more than 1,700 fellow San Diegans to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. O L P Annual M A G A ZDr. I N MLK E | 3Jr. 1 at the 35th Human Dignity Award Breakfast.
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POS TAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, C A PERMIT N O. 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
O L P # G i v i n g Tu e s d a y N O W S u p p o r t i n g T u i t i o n A s s i s t a n c e & t h e A n g e l F u n d
#StandWithOLP and support our Pilots this #GivingTuesdayNow Now, more than ever before, OLP students need your generous donations to help fund our Tuition Assistance Program and our emergency Angel Fund. Every dollar makes a difference in the continuing education of our students. The global generosity movement, #GivingTuesdayNow is May 5th. But don't wait, GIVE TODAY!
Give today and #StandWithOLP. Learn more at aolp.org/GivingTuesday
Giving is Easy!
Words of Encouragement--FREE! Send our faculty, staff and students words of encouragement—a wonderful and no-cost way to give! Submit your notes of love at aolp.org/notesoflove >>
>>
Text to Give: Text OLPGiving2020TA to 76278 to support Tuition Assistance or text OLPGivingAngel to 76278 to support the Angel Fund >>
>> Mail
Give Online: aolp.org/GivingTuesday
a check: Academy of Our Lady of Peace | Attn: Advancement | 4860 Oregon St., San Diego, CA 92116