Veritas spring summer 2015 by Andy Marafino

Spring/Summer 2015 www.bmhs-la.org

V ERITAS

Class of 2015 graduates Danielle Ireland ‘15, Kira Iwai ‘15, Milanne Izawa ‘15, and Jimmy Grove ‘15 celebrate after receiving their diplomas.

Features Here’s a Story... 6 Bishop Montgomery’s office staff is a bunch of wonderful, dedicated ladies.

Graduation 2015

Class of 2011 Study Group

Court Is Now In Session

The Class of 2015 joins the ranks of BMHS alumni.

The five ‘kids’ in our Class of 2011 Project are all grown up and have given us valuable insights into college life.

Alumna Kristina Bingham Jones ‘03 has launched a new business that is thriving all over the country.

Departments 4

From the Principal

Around Campus

Class Notes

In Memoriam

The Latin word Veritas is defined as “truth.” In Roman mythology, Veritas was the goddess of truth, a daughter of Saturn and the mother of Virtue. Veritas is also the name given to the Roman virtue of truthfulness, which was considered one of the many virtues any good Roman should have possessed. “Veritas” is included in many university mottos as well, including Yale University’s Lux et Veritas (Light and Truth). Veritas is also the motto of Harvard University, and the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church. The BMHS motto is “justice, truth, honor” and the case can be made that all pursuits, if they are valid, must first be rooted in truth. We, as a school community, certainly strive to achieve that goal. Principal: Rosemary Libbon Director of Development: Andy Marafino Director of Outreach & Public Relations: Dione Dierks Development Assistant: Amy Traxler Publications Director: John Hong Editors: Andy Marafino, Dione Dierks, Amy Traxler, John Hong Photographers: Jay Arevalo, Dione Dierks, John Hong, Andy Marafino, Lifetouch, BMHS Yearbook Staff. Cover Design: John Hong Printer: Shanahan Printing & Graphics, Inc. Published by Bishop Montgomery High School for alumni, students, parents, and friends of BMHS. © 2015 Bishop Montgomery High School For more information, address corrections or to send comments or suggestions, please contact: Andy Marafino, Director of Development Bishop Montgomery High School 5430 Torrance Boulevard Torrance, California 90503 310.540.2021 x 246 / amarafino@bmhs-la.org www.bmhs-la.org

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Friends of Bishop Montgomery,

he feature article in this issue is all about our wonderful “ladies.” Barbara, Jan, Maggie, Rose, Pam, Jamey, Elizabeth, Mercy and Becky are nine very special people who do the very important daily work of ensuring that Bishop Montgomery works—and works well. In the nineteen years that I have been here as Principal, I have relied on each of them to be the face and voice of the school, to see that attendance runs smoothly, to see that the financial offices are effective and efficient, to see that the school records are kept correctly, to see that our teachers and staff are paid and cared for. What each of them does is crucial to the school community. We owe each of them a great debt not only for all they do, but for the passion and dedication with which they do it. They each love Bishop Montgomery; they each care for our students. Marge Piercy wrote a poem titled, “To Be of Use” and she opens the poem with these lines: The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. …………………. I love people….. Who do what has to be done, again and again. ……………………

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I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the field to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who stand in the line and haul in their places, who are not parlor generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or the fire be put out. Barbara, Jan, Maggie, Rose, Pam, Jamey, Elizabeth, Mercy and Becky are these people—people who can be counted on—people that I count on every day. They have been and continue to be a gift to Bishop Montgomery and certainly a gift to me. I asked Andy to feature these very special people in this issue of Veritas as a way of saying thank you for the many, many years of service they have given to our school. It is certainly not enough for all they have given, but it is a beginning, and I hope will be a wonderful memory. With Gratitude,

Rosemary Libbon Principal

V ERITAS

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COVER STORY

Here’s a Story...

he Bob Hope Show, My Favorite Martian, Gilligan’s Island, and The Brady Bunch are just a few of the many television shows that Emmy Award-winning television personality Sherwood Schwartz was involved with as either a writer, creator, producer, or a combination of all three. His talents allowed him to work in many aspects of shows that were not only wildly successful when they aired, but have stood the test of time and are still enjoyed today in syndication. Schwartz once said that “If you study both ‘Gilligan’ and ‘Brady,’ you will see they are based on a similar philosophy: that it’s possible for different kinds of people to learn to live together, either in a family or stuck on an island with no escape.”

Though not quite The Brady Bunch, there are nine women who are an essential part of our Knight family and work together to keep things running

VERITAS: Do you have an interesting story about how you were hired at Bishop Montgomery? RM: I was on my way to a job interview [in 1981]. As I was driving by Bishop, I remembered I saw a job notice in St. Margaret Mary’s church bulletin. I was early for my appointment, so I pulled into Bishop to pick up an application. Sally Hale (the principal’s secretary at the time) greeted me and went to get Fr. Kidney from the lunch room to interview me on the spot. I never made it to my other job interview. I guess they liked my smile. PA: My hiring story is a rare one. My son, Kevin, was entering his senior year at Bishop and in April of that year, his dad and my husband (Rocky Altobelli ‘73) died suddenly at the age of 44 from a heart attack. We were high school sweethearts. We were all devastated. Ms. Libbon called me one day to see how we were all doing. We talked and I explained how I also lost my job due to the sudden death of the physician I worked for for 25 years. I worried about keeping Kevin at Bishop, and, of course, Ms. Libbon told me not to worry about that. We continued to talk and she asked me to bring in a resumé. We met and the rest is history! A tragic situation turned into an amazing gift and positive future! Ms. Libbon said she had a plan for me. Boy, did she!!! Thank God and Rosemary. BP: I was the Mothers’ Club treasurer, and one day I turned some money from a fashion show into the office. Virginia Blair was the bookkeeper then and she told me that she wanted me to be the first to know that she was leaving. I told her that I might be interested in the job. That is all I said. The next day, Fr. O’Brien (the principal at the time) called me and said ‘the job is yours if you want it.’ I was hired on the spot. The date was June 3, 1974. VERITAS: What do you enjoy the most about working at Bishop Montgomery High School? JM: I tell people all the time that I enjoy the teamwork amongst the office staff and everyone.

smoothly on the little island that is Bishop Montgomery. A few of these office staff members are on the front lines, and some work in back offices; but, all of them have an equal role in making Bishop Montgomery a place where great things happen. Most have been a part of our school community for many years. The newest member of the office staff started only a few years ago (but, she is also a past parent), and the longest tenured member of the group started working at Bishop 42 years ago. They have seen it all, and, together, they are BMHS’ unsung heroes. This summer, we sat down with all nine of them – Barbara Pudewa, Jan Fitzpatrick, Maggie Wilbanks, Rose Martinez, Pam Altobelli, Jamey McElroy, Elizabeth Dippel, Mercy Pazmino, and Becky Romero – to hear their stories, reminisce about their favorite memories, and let them share what it means to be such an instrumental part of the Bishop family.

PA: You look out at all the students and it gives you such energy. RM: It is gratifying to see all the students do well in school and succeed. I love when they come back to visit.

STARRING... Name: Barbara Pudewa Year Hired: 1974 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 3 (Patti ‘72, Paul ‘76, James ‘82) Current Position: Bookkeeper

BP: Rosemary [Libbon] is a boss to die for. MW: All of these ladies and I share a lot of laughs and we have become great friends outside of school! JM: I completely agree with Maggie. We laugh together all the time, mostly at ourselves. ED: I wake up every morning with joy waiting to see what each day will bring. The energy our students have here is contagious. VERITAS: What makes working together so special? JF: We are an extended family, that’s for sure. We attend weddings, grandbaby showers, birthday parties, funerals, and sometimes a happy hour get-together. We have each other’s backs. To work in one place for 30 years, the bond we all have is amazing. ED: We all work very hard and we share our life experiences with each other and strive to do our best. We are truly one big family.

STARRING... Name: Rose Martinez Year Hired: 1981 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 2 (Cari ‘86, Tammy ‘86) Current Position: Registrar

BP: There is no principal like Rosemary [Libbon]. I feel very blessed to have her as my boss. The ladies in the office have always been great to work with, especially the ones now.

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Here’s A Story... MW: We have a wonderful time together. I love them all. RM: We are like a big family. You know how you can get mad at a sibling and the next day everything is okay? It is like that. I love them. JM: I love the fact that we are not only co-workers, but great friends who are always willing to support one another. MP: Everyone at Bishop is just like family. We care for one another a great deal. PA: Working with Rosemary and all of these ladies is really a dream come true for me. They are an amazing group of ladies and we are truly like a family.

STARRING...

VERITAS: What are some of your favorite memories of BMHS, either as an employee or while you were a parent?

Name: Jan Fitzpatrick Year Hired: 1985 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 2 (Bridget ‘88, Tom ‘91) Current Position: Receptionist & Admissions Coordinator

BP: Going to Dodger Stadium in 1975 and watching the baseball team win the CIF title. It was so exciting (Barbara’s son, Paul ‘76, was a member of the team). BR: Lots of memories as a parent! Sitting in the stands watching my son, Gabe, play football and baseball and meeting great parents. My daughter, Andrea, was a cheerleader and we used to live down the street from Bishop. The cheerleaders would always come to the house and hang out before the games. MP: I have many beautiful memories. Ms. Libbon’s dedication and generosity for the school and the students is never ending. And I will never forget Marcus [BMHS Security Guard who passed away in 2011]. He was always so friendly. JF: Once, when the girls’ basketball team was in the state finals, [former teacher] Cyndi Mitchell and I drove up to Sacramento in a rental car that the school got for us. We were going up to watch the game and drive right back home all in one day. After the game, we couldn’t find the car in the parking lot of [then] Arco Arena. We had to have a policeman drive us all around the parking lot to find the car. We thought we had lost the rental car. We had a good laugh when we found it. JM: When they taught to use the new computers and computer system in the library one day.

STARRING... Name: Maggie Wilbanks Year Hired: 1985 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 3 (Daniel ‘88, Dennis ‘88, Stacy ‘90) Current Position: Attendance Office Staff PA: We didn’t have very many computer skills back then. RM: I remember when we had to change all the transcripts into our computer system and it was like learning another language. JM: We’ve come a long way, baby. RM: One year we were putting some things away and we found Bishop Montgomery’s [plaster] head in a box. His statue had been missing for years, but we found his head! PA: Some favorite memories are of all the pep rallies and decorating floats for Homecoming when I was a student. I’ve come full-circle at Bishop as a student, a parent, and now as an employee. RM: Decorating the halls during Homecoming was always fun! BR: I always enjoyed workinig with the students, teachers, and staff. I considered myself lucky to be here at Bishop for so long as a parent and as an employee. Lifetime memories for sure! MP: As a parent, I am so glad my children had the opportunity to attend Bishop. I can still remember the award ceremonies, football and basketball games, mothers’ senior Mass, getting my kids ready for prom and graduation. So many wonderful memories and so many people who have touched my life. RM: One of the funniest memories I have is when the drive-in theater was across the street and some of the boys played a little prank on Sr. Dennis Ann. JF: Oh yes! You could see the screen at the drive-in from the convent where the nuns lived. RM: So the boys took one of the microphones from the drive-in - you know - the ones you put on your car so you could hear the movie - and they brought it up to Sr. Dennis Ann and told her that she could use it to watch and hear the movie all the way from the convent. I don’t think Sr. Dennis Ann thought it was too funny! VERITAS: What was the hardest part about working here while your children were students?

STARRING... Name: Jamey McElroy Year Hired: 1998 Current Position: Tuition Manager

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MW: My daughter, Stacy, would cut the collar on her shirt and would try to cover it from the deans. It was tough because she’s my kid - if she got caught, she had to deal with the consequences.

Here’s A Story...

JF: Keeping [my daughter] Bridget away from the deans! RM: One year, when Fr. Esposito was the vice-principal, he was talking to me about his concerns with some parents who rented a boat for their kids for grad night. He said, ‘Who would let their kids on a boat?’ I’m sitting there keeping quiet knowing that my daughter was going to be on that boat.

STARRING...

PA: We have office aides in the front office and every year we kind of adopt a student. You know, that one student who we seem to connect with every year? There are so many, but students like Adam Tyler ‘14 and Michael Bruccoleri ‘05 are really special people. JM: Pam is right. There have been so many special kids in our office over the years. Michael Hagmaier ‘15 last year was a sweetheart. And Noelle Quinn ‘03 was always so gracious and kind.

STARRING...

Name: Mercy Pazmino Year Hired: 1998 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 3 (Juancarlos ‘02, Alejandra ‘07, Yvette ‘09) Current Position: Student Store Manager JF: [My son] Tom said that whenever he heard me on the PA he would get up and leave the room. VERITAS: What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen at the school since you first started working here? BP: Using computers and technology has been the biggest change for me. I was hesitant to go on the computer at first, but once I learned more, I realized how much easier everything was. When I started working here, I had to type addresses on all the envelopes individually when I would pay the school’s bills. PA: The physical grounds and all the new buildings on campus - so many new flowers and trees. And, the Student Activity Center is a great addition to campus. JF; The colors of the buildings. When Rose and I started working here, the outside of the buildings were black and gold.

STARRING... Name: Pam York-Altobelli ‘73 Year Hired: 1999 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 2 (Andy ‘96, Kevin ‘00) Current Position: Administrative Assistant JM: The demographics of the students. It is just a great mix of students here. It is really a great representation of the world. RM: When I started working in the registrar’s office, the vice-principal and I made the student’s schedules by hand and grades were hand-written as well. Now we can plug things into the computer and it is so much easier. It was very time-consuming back then. VERITAS: Are there some students who you remember the most?

Name: Becky Romero Year Hired: 2000 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 2 (Gabe ‘99, Andrea ‘02) Current Position: Student Store Manager - Retired MW: I do see the kids who are in the dean’s office because they have done something they shouldn’t do, but they are, deep down, all really good kids here. They always have been. RM: I remember Travis Johnson ‘04, who was always very quiet when he was a student. He came back to visit Rosemary [Libbon] after being in the Marines and he was just so thankful for everything we did for him. It was so nice to see him! JF: One of the things I love about the kids at Bishop is they come back and visit all the time. I love that! MW: Me too! It is also nice to see so many kids come back to Bishop to teach and coach. JF: When they come back to visit, they all talk about how much they miss Bishop. I think that says so much about the school. RM: They always ask if some of their teachers are still here. The fact is that there are so many people at Bishop who have been at the school a very long time. It is neat to be able to tell kids when they come back to visit that many of their teachers are still here and still teaching in the same classroom. MW: Yes! Bishop is home. A lot of memories and good times for the students start here.

STARRING... Name: Elizabeth Dippel Year Hired: 2006 Children Who Are BMHS Alumni: 2 (Christopher ‘07, Elizabeth ‘09) Current Position: Xerox Coordinator EDITOR’S NOTE: Not only are all these women remarkable at what they do, it is clear that their love for Bishop Montgomery High School runs deep. It is more than just a school for them; it is home. They have worked at Bishop in some capacity for a combined total of 211 years! Truly remarkable!

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FEATURE

Graduation 2015 “Willa Cather writes in My Antonia that ‘at any rate, that is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great.’ ...If it’s true, then surely ‘Bishop Montgomery’ means happiness like no other...You are something complete and great, a huge, beautiful mess of academic drive and sincere compassion and the shared, yet diverse, desire to excel that washes over, yet never drowns. If being a part of this isn’t happiness, then I don’t know what is.”

Samantha Nishimura ‘15, Valedictorian, Senior Awards Ceremony Speaker

Bishop Montgomery’s Class of 2015 graduated on Friday, May 29, officially becoming members of the school’s alumni community when they crossed the stage and received their high school diplomas. The class saw a year marked with another outstanding number of honors-at-entrance awards, and merit scholarships from colleges and universities across the country, as well as many other scholarships and recognition from local, state, and national businesses and organizations. Of the 240 seniors, 237 will attend college, two will join the military, and one will take a gap year for medical reasons. Below are some of the class’ highlights. On the facing page is the list of schools to which the graduates were accepted and where they are attending. • 237 (98.7%) • 193 (80.4%) • 44 (18.3%) • 217 (90%) • 213 (98%) • 48 (20%) • 48 (20%) • 33 (14%) • 59 (26%) • 2 (< 1%)

Seniors attending college/university Seniors attending a 4-year college/university Seniors attending a 2-year college/vocational school Seniors who applied to 4-year colleges/universities Seniors who applied & were accepted to 4-year colleges/universities Seniors attending Cal State System Seniors attending UC System Seniors attending Private, In-State Seniors attending 4-year, Out-of-State Seniors attending 4-year, Out-of-United States

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Class of 2015 Matriculation Members of the Class of 2015 were accepted to the following schools: Academy of Art University University of Alabama at Birmingham *University of Alabama AMDA - College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts American Institute of Health Sciences *American University Applied Arts of Croatia Arizona State University University of Arizona Art Institute of California, Los Angeles Art Institute of California, Hollywood Art Institute of Colorado Art Institute of Dallas Art Institute of Houston Auburn University Azusa Pacific University Barry University *Baylor University Beloit College Bentley University Berklee College of Music Biola University Boise State University *Boston College *Boston University Bowling Green State University University of British Columbia *Brown University California Lutheran University Cal Poly, Pomona Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Cal State, Bakersfield Cal State, Channel Islands Cal State, Chico Cal State, Dominguez Hills Cal State, East Bay Cal State, Fresno Cal State, Fullerton Cal State, Long Beach Cal State, Los Angeles Cal State, Monterey Bay Cal State, Northridge Cal State, Sacramento Cal State, San Marcos Cal State, Stanislaus *University of California, Berkeley *University of California, Davis *University of California, Irvine *University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside *University of California, San Diego *University of California, Santa Barbara *University of California, Santa Cruz Universidad Carlos III de Madrid *Carnegie Mellon University *Case Western Reserve University Chapman University *University of Chicago University of Cincinnati *Clemson University Colgate University *University of Colorado, Boulder University of Colorado, Denver Colorado Mesa University Colorado State University Columbia College Chicago *Columbia University Concordia University, Irvine Concordia University, Michigan Concordia University, Portland *University of Connecticut *Cornell University Creighton University Cypress College Denison University *University of Denver DeVry University

*Drexel University Duquesne University East Los Angeles College El Camino College Elon University Emerson College *Emory University Eugene Lang College Fairfield University *Fordham University Franklin Pierce University George Fox University George Mason University *George Washington University *Georgetown University *Georgia Institute of Technology *University of Georgia Gonzaga University Grand Canyon University University of Great Falls Grinnell College Hampshire College Hampton University University of Hartford *Harvard University University of Hawaii, West Oahu Hawaii Pacific University Hofstra University Hope International University Howard University Humboldt State University Huntington University University of Idaho University of Illinois, Chicago *University of Illinois, Champaign *Indiana University Iona College *University of Iowa Ithaca College James Madison University *Johns Hopkins University Kalamazoo College La Salle University University of La Verne *Lehigh University Los Angeles College of Music Los Angeles Harbor College Los Angeles Southwest College Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Macalester College *Marquette University University of Maryland, Baltimore County Marymount California University Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences *University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Massachusetts, Boston *Miami University, Oxford *University of Miami *Michigan State University University of Michigan University of Michigan, Flint *University of Minnesota, Twin Cities University of Mississippi Morehouse College Mount St. Mary’s University Musicians Institute Universidad de Navarra *University of Nebraska University of Nevada, Las Vegas *New York University Northern Arizona University University of Northern Colorado *University of Notre Dame Occidental College

Orange Coast College Oregon State University University of Oregon Pace University University of the Pacific *Penn State University, University Park *University of Pennsylvania *Pepperdine University *University of Pittsburgh Point Loma Nazarene University Portland State University University of Portland Prairie View A&M University University of Puget Sound *Purdue University University of Redlands Regis College Regis University *Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute *Rice University *University of Rochester Rocky Mountain College *Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College of California San Diego State University *University of San Diego San Francisco State University University of San Francisco San Jose State University Santa Barbara City College Santa Clara University Santa Monica College Savannah College of Art & Design Seattle Pacific University Seattle University Seton Hall University Sonoma State University University of South Carolina *University of Southern California

*Southern Methodist University Southern University & A&M College St. Edward’s University St. John’s University, Staten Island St. John’s University, Queens St. Olaf College *Stanford University *Stony Brook University *Syracuse University University of Tampa Temple University *Texas A&M University *Texas Christian University Texas Southern University Texas Tech University *University of Texas *The Ohio State University Trinity College Trinity Lutheran College Trinity University *Tulane University Tuskegee University University of Utah *Vanderbilt University *University of Vermont *University of Virginia Washington State University *Washington University, St. Louis *University of Washington West Virginia University Westmont College Whitworth University Wichita State University Willamette University College of William and Mary William Jessup University *University of Wisconsin University of Wyoming *Yale University

Bold indicates Class of 2015 graduate attending *indicates US News & World Report Top 100 National University

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FEATURE

The College Life: Senior Year

Whether it’s an extra semester or two of college, or the start of a new and exciting chapter in their lives, the five ‘kids’ in our Class of 2011 Project are grown up, and ready for whatever comes their way.

our years ago, we asked five members of the Class of 2011 if they would allow us to “follow” them throughout their time in college. Without hesitation, Laura Bell ‘11, Daisy Franco ‘11, Tyler Harvey ‘11, Cody Lee ‘11, and Kevin Paredes ‘11 said “Yes.” It was our goal to have these BMHS graduates give our current and future students a glimpse into what college is like. They were chosen, first and foremost, because they are all outstanding young men and women. It just so happened that they also provide a great representation of where many of our students go to college: UC schools (Bell), Cal State schools (Lee), private, out-of-state schools (Franco & Paredes), and public, out-of-state schools (Harvey).

They juggled classes, jobs, internships, sports, service activities, and social lives and still took great care in answering the questions we emailed them a few times each year; so, it is no surprise that they always provided responses that were thoughtful, honest, and intelligent. We thank them for what they have given to the students who have come after them. Their observations, experiences, and advice are invaluable. Whether they are continuing with school or off to another chapter in their lives, these five incredible BMHS graduates have already proven to be successful students. More importantly, they continue to be outstanding young men and women. Thank you, Laura, Daisy, Tyler, Cody, and Kevin.

Laura Bell ‘11 • University of California, Davis

In four years at UC Davis, there is no question that Laura Bell ‘11 took full advantage of the opportunities afforded her. In fact, she will continue to experience all that life at Davis has to offer as she will take a fifth year to finish her double major in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB) and Psychology. She will also continue working as a research assistant on an autism/ADHD study that she has been involved with since her junior year. Because she sees similarities between BMHS and UC Davis, it is no surprise that Laura, a class of 2011 valedictorian, has enjoyed success in college. “One thing I really enjoy at Davis that I also noticed at BMHS is a feeling of community rather than competition,” she explains. She is convinced that UC Davis was the right choice for her for many other reasons as well. “One of my favorite things about Davis,” she says, “has been the ample opportunity presented for either observation or hands-on experience in various professional settings.” Having direct experience in her fields of study has been something she has stressed to future college students in many of her responses. When asked if she felt that Bishop prepared her for college, Laura was quick to answer. “Throughout high school, [I] juggled challenging workloads for multiple classes along with extracurriculars... an experience that definitely helped prepare me for the rigor of college.” She is also thankful for all the writing she was required to complete. “BMHS provided me with a strong background in academic writing, which has been essential for many of my classes thus far,” she says. Upon completion of her degree this year, Laura, pictured above, far right, plans to continue her schooling by working towards a Ph.D in clinical psychology. With her track record, there is no doubt that she will continue to be successful in all that she sets out to accomplish.

Daisy Franco ‘11 • Georgetown University

While she was at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Daisy Franco ‘11 was invloved in clubs, worked several jobs and internships, and studied abroad for a semester. In May, she graduated with a degree in International Politics from one of the most prestigious foreign service schools in the world. No matter what she did, Daisy was always well-prepared and every decision was always well thought out. It is no surprise, then, why she is currently working as a paralegal at a law firm in New York rather than attending graduate school, which is something she sees in her future: “I [did] not want to start more school right away because,” says Daisy, “I [did] not know for certain if I want to attend law school or graduate school.” So far, her work as a paralegal has been more than rewarding. “I really enjoy the work because many of my cases are international. Since I majored in International Politics... this is the perfect place... This job is solidifying my interest in going to law school and becoming a lawyer.” For Daisy, the success she has experienced has been all about making the right, informed decisions. “[Choosing] Georgetown is the best decision I ever made,” she says. “In the end, [choosing a college] is about making your choice the right choice. Taking the leap and going to Georgetown forced me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to do so many things I would never have done otherwise.” Daisy credits the preparation she received at Bishop with helping her survive the rigors of college. “The best thing to do in high school,” she advises, “is challenge yourself academically so you are prepared for your college professors’ expectations; and, participate in as many clubs and extracurriculars as you can. I never felt like I was unequipped to take on college, and Bishop really played a role in that.”

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Tyler Harvey ‘11 • Eastern Washington University “I truly believe that if you work hard and trust in God, everything will fall into place.” This quote by Tyler Harvey ‘11 appeared in Veritas last year, and perhaps no truer words can be used to describe his journey. Tyler had what can best be described as a fairy-tale year at Eastern Washington (he was a senior academically, but a junior athletically due to a redshirt year in 2011). An excellent student and skilled basketball player when he graduated from BMHS, Tyler’s journey from walking-on the basketball team at EWU to earning a full scholarship has been well-chronicled; this past year, however, was even better than he could have imagined. In the classroom, Tyler exceled as a communications major with a 3.6 gpa, and, stresses that Bishop was instrumental in preparing him: “[Bishop] taught me valuable lessons about things like organization and taking notes properly,” he explains. For his efforts, he was named a 1st Team Academic All-American. On the court, Tyler was special. He led the Eagles to the Big Sky Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, and was named 1st Team All-Big Sky and Big Sky Tournament MVP. To top things off, he was named an Honorable Mention All-American and led the nation in scoring, averaging 23.1 points per game. On April 1, with just one class left to earn his degree, Tyler ended his college career when he declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft. (He completed his last class online.) If all his accomplishments were not enough, Tyler’s dream came true on June 25 when he was picked by the Orlando Magic in the 2nd round (51st overall) of the NBA Draft, and became the first alumnus in BMHS history to be selected in the NBA Draft. “Being drafted was just a dream come true and a true blessing from God,” says Tyler. “It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA, and now I have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do so. There is still a lot of work to do, but my mindset is always the same: trust in God and work hard and the sky is the limit.” Tyler is living proof that hard work in any endeavor pays off.

Cody Lee ‘11 • Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Since his freshman year as a mechanical engineering major at Cal Poly SLO, Cody Lee ‘11 has had a clear plan on what he is going to do after graduation. Each summer, he has interned at Northrop Grumman Space Technology in El Segundo and plans on working there full-time after he graduates in May 2016. (He is taking a fifth year to finish his degree because he was unable to take summer school courses due to his internship). He is also thinking about getting a master’s degree to make himself more marketable in the work world. Cody loves Cal Poly SLO and everything the school offers. “I love the environment and the people,” he says. “Aside from that, Cal Poly is an engineering school that people in the industry know and trust. Having a mechanical engineering degree from [here] has and will open many doors [for me] in the future.” Choosing a college that has a well-respected program that you are interested in is something Cody has stressed in many of his responses over the years. This belief is certainly paying off for him. When asked if there were some links between his high school and college experiences, Cody explains that “college and high school are linked in that high school prepares you for college both inside and outside the classroom. In high school, you slowly gain freedoms that eventually teach you to be self-sufficient in college.” Like his fellow classmates in this study, Cody has taken advantage of all the opportunities presented to him both on and off the college campus. There is no doubt that all of his experiences will allow Cody to succeed wherever he goes.

Kevin Paredes ‘11 • Southwest Baptist University In the last four years at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, Kevin Paredes ‘11 certainly had his ups and downs. He arrived on campus ready to make a name for himself in the classroom and on the football field. Unfortunately, a few serious knee injuries forced him to stop playing, but he has persevered. This year, he is on track to graduate in December with his degree in business management, and is staying busy outside of the classroom as the Bearcats’ wide receivers coach. Despite having to give up playing, Kevin knows that Southwest Baptist was the right place for him. “I often think of the possibilities I could have had had I stayed in California... but, there is very seldom regret,” he says. “I’ve met some pretty awesome people and made lifetime friends. I also am leaving college pretty prepared to take on my future.” It is a future that includes Kevin getting his MBA in entrepreneurship or economics. “I love the idea of owning my own business in my late 20’s or early 30’s,” he explains. His upbringing and schooling will certainly lead him to success. “I cherish all the things God has taught and blessed me with in my life,” he says. “I do what I do for my family, and that doesn’t just include my bloodlines. I want to make Bishop proud... I really do consider the people who taught, helped, and loved me [at BMHS] to be my family.”

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14 • VERITAS Magazine

FEATURE

Court Is Now In Session

ishop Montgomery prides itself on graduating students who are ready to take on the challenges of college and the work world. Thousands of BMHS alumni are pursuing their goals and dreams in every corner of the world, making an impact in their communities. Kristina Bingham Jones ’03 is one such graduate. Though it is no surprise that this alumna is enjoying success, her path to it and experiences along the way, have certainly made for an interesting journey. Following graduation from Bishop Montgomery, Kristina matriculated to Florida International University where she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Communications. From there, she spent the next several years traveling the globe as a member of NBA Miami Heat’s dance squad (at right). As a Heat Dancer, she performed at games and represented the organization at events all over the world. After a few years on the court with the Heat, Kristina enrolled in the Miami Ad School and, in 2011, completed a two-year portfolio program in Art Direction. Additionally in 2011, she completed her Master’s Degree in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International. With global experiences and several degrees on her resume, Kristina was ready for the next chapter in her life. After making her way back to California to work in San Diego on a variety of projects for the city’s tourism industry, Kristina soon returned to South Florida. In 2012, she and her husband, James, were married. In January of this year, they launched Court Buddy, a business that has exploded on the legal scene. Using James’ career in law and Kristina’s experience in marketing and advertising, this successful couple have made a name for themselves and their business in Florida, and around the United States. Court Buddy (www.courtbuddy.com) is an online, wholly-automated legal matchmaking system that instantly connects people and businesses with attorneys based on the client’s budget. Through the matchmaking system, people and businesses get to choose which a-la-carte legal services they need, how much they are able to afford, and with which attorneys they want to work. The idea was born out of James’ nearly decadelong experiences as an attorney. In late 2012, James, whose background is in business, maritime, and sports and entertainment law, found himself turning down potential clients because they could not afford the fees or the retainers. “I kept hearing, ‘I want to use you, but I can’t afford your fees,” explains James. And, it was not just his fees that potential clients had difficulty affording; for some people in need of legal help, it was any attorney. “The truth is,” says James, “many clients can’t afford the high fees and high retainers that attorneys are forced to charge due to their business model, and I wanted to find a way to help those people.” In its simplest form, Court Buddy gives people of all financial means instant access to legal help that they otherwise might not be able to afford.

With an idea in place, the couple researched their concept, launched a market survey, and hired engineers to create their website. James asked Kristina to help with everything from designing, marketing and advertising Court Buddy, to creating and distributing flyers. “We created a weekly newsletter and went around to courthouses handing out information containing free tips like how to hire an attorney and what to do when making a court appearance,” explains Kristina about the company’s modest beginnings. With an idea growing and word quickly spreading, James and Kristina were ready to market Court Buddy to much larger audiences with a goal of growing beyond Florida. In less than a year, James and Kristina have seen their business take off. In April, James and Kristina submitted Court Buddy for the Miami Herald’s Business Plan Challenge, a contest for emerging businesses. Kristina asked BMHS alumni, through social media, to vote for Court Buddy to win the People’s Pick award, and they came through. “Because of [alumni] votes, we were able to win the contest,” said Kristina. In May, Court Buddy participated in the prestigious eMerge Americas Conference and was named one of the top 125 start-up companies. The accolades did not end there. In June, Kristina was named by Legacy Magazine as one of South Florida’s 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow and she gives some of the credit to her days as a student at Bishop: “Bishop opened my eyes to so many different opportunities and experiences that set the tone for my life. I am now constantly wanting to try new things and am willing to accept new opportunities because of the exposure Bishop provided.” With a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to help others, there was never a doubt that James and Kristina would make Court Buddy a success. Soon after the company launched in Florida, James explained that he and Kristina “started getting inquiries from people wanting to take advantage of the matchmaking system from all over the country.” Court Buddy is now providing people and businesses with affordable ways to obtain legal services, and is also driving business to attorneys not only in Florida, but in California, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, D. C. as well. Soon, the couple plans to expand into North Carolina, South Carolina, New York and other states. “I can attribute some of the success of Court Buddy to BMHS for teaching me the values of teamwork, helping others, and using individual talents for the greater good of a team project,” Kristina says. And, it is certainly these qualities, coupled with her strong work ethic and commitment to success that has helped Kristina make such a brilliant transition from BMHS to one of America’s emerging tech entrepreneurs. For more information about James and Kristina, and the services provided by Court Buddy, visit www.courtbuddy.com.

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AROUND CAMPUS

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Two Alumni Ordained to the Priesthood

On May 29, Raymont Medina ‘03 and Jonathon Meyer ‘04 (pictured with BMHS Principal Rosemary Libbon) were ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. On June 1, they joined BMHS’ faculty for breakfast on campus. “Jonathon and Raymont are the truest examples of Bishop Montgomery’s motto to ‘Seek Justice, Speak Truth, and Serve with Honor,’” says Libbon. “We could not be more proud of these young men and their decision to dedicate themselves to Christ and His Church.” Fr. Raymont has been assigned to Sacred Heart parish in Lancaster. Fr. Jonathon serves at St. John the Baptist parish in Baldwin Park.

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3 2

Mayor of Torrance Visits Government Students

On May 7, Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey visited campus to speak to Mrs. Strauss’ AP Government students about his role in the city and the importance of local government.

Students Place at Arts Council Competition

On March 22, six seniors were recognized in the Arts Council of Torrance Arts Competition. (l to r): Emily Tapanes ‘15 placed 1st in Video Art; Matthew Cusolito ‘15 placed 2nd in Drama; Amy Van Natta ‘15 placed 2nd in Literary Arts; Trevor Toia ‘15 placed 1st in Ceramics; Jordan Tabaldo ‘15 placed 1st in Literary Arts; and Yidan Yuan ‘15 placed 1st in Visual Arts.

Freshmen Receive Warm Welcome

ith the start of a new school year, Bishop’s freshmen began their high school careers with a warm welcome from the entire school community. The Class of 2019’s first day of school on August 20 was especially unique because it was a day set aside especially for them. For the rest of the student body, school did not begin until August 21, so the freshmen had the campus all to themselves… almost. Upperclassmen from Bishop’s ASB/student government and Ambassador programs were on hand to greet the freshmen, help them set up their lockers, and escort them to their classrooms. While the students were getting situated, the freshmen parents enjoyed a morning coffee and meet-and-greet in the Schneider Retreat Center, where they visited with fellow parents and members of BMHS’ faculty and administration. Beginning on August 24, during the Class of 2019’s first full week of classes, Bishop’s ASB members hosted a four-day “Frosh Mingle” in the Senior Lunch Area, Monday through Thursday at lunch. The group activity not only gave freshmen the opportunity to meet new classmates, it also helped take the dread out of having to eat lunch among possible strangers, or worse, alone. Director of 9th Grade Admissions Casey Dunn noted, “ASB started the Frosh Mingle a few years ago and it’s been a very successful way to help the freshmen make new friends and get to know each other.” During the lunch period, ASB officers played music and facilitated games that kept the freshmen busy and interacting. More activities for the freshmen will continue throughout the fall. Events include the annual “Welcome Frosh Dance,” a legendary kick-off event at Bishop Montgomery that Dunn says is often called “the biggest dance of the year.” Another yearly event that has quickly become a great place for freshmen and their families to get to know each other is the “Freshmen Family Barbeque” on the school’s upper field. The event invites all freshmen and their families for a barbeque dinner, music, and games, while “providing more opportunity for the students and their families to get to know Bishop Montgomery,” says Assistant Director of Development Amy Traxler.

In Memoriam: Dorothy Pittelkau

n June 12, the Bishop Montgomery community lost a great friend when former teacher and administrator Dorothy Pittelkau passed away suddenly at Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital in San Pedro.

From 1980 - 1994, Dorothy served in many capacities at Bishop. She was hired in 1980 to teach algebra and serve as the Dean of Discipline; two years later, in 1982, Dorothy was named Vice Principal. She spent the next 13 years at Bishop Montgomery in this capacity and she had a tremendous impact on the faculty, staff, and students. In February of 1988, she even served as interim Principal for the remainder of the school year. In 1994, Dorothy left BMHS to become a regional supervisor in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Department of Catholic Schools, and, a few years later, was promoted to Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing all 26 high schools in the Archdiocese, including BMHS. She retired from the archdiocese after 14 years, but was not finished serving Bishop. In 2008, Dorothy found herself back on the Bishop Montgomery campus, serving in many roles for the next few years, including New Teacher Mentor, Assessment Coordinator, and Math Department Chairperson. In all, Dorothy served 16 years at BMHS and dedicated her professional life to Catholic education. She was inducted into the BMHS Hall of Fame in 2011. “It is an understatement to say that she was a gifted and talented educator and administrator who was deeply dedicated to Catholic education,” said BMHS Principal Rosemary Libbon. “Dorothy was my mentor, but, most of all, she was my friend and what she taught me is immeasurable. This was true for so many. She taught and guided so, so many teachers and administrators. She was also a great friend to so many.”

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AROUND CAMPUS

Jr. High Students Soak Up Summer Fun at Bishop

n July 17, Bishop Montgomery concluded its second annual Summer Academy, after welcoming almost 200 middle school students to campus for academic classes and athletic camps. After a few days, most students were settled in and enjoying classes that included Creative Writing; Digital Download: Introduction to Photography and Graphic Design; Harry Potter for Muggles; Mythology; Comic Book-Making; Math-Magicians; and, Mad Science. Many of the students chose a program that combined academics and athletics, spending part of their mornings on the Bishop Montgomery fields or in the gym participating in the sports camps offered.

With over 20 classes and eight camps to choose from, the sixth, seventh, and eighth graders had the opportunity to create their own curriculum. Dione Dierks, Bishop’s Director of Outreach and Public Relations, and also the Director of the Summer Academy, explained that a variety of options is what makes the summer program unique. “The Academy is designed to allow students to tailor their academy experience to their own interests. Some students, and parents, too, want a more intensive experience as a bridge for summer academic learning and athletic skill development. Others, though, see the program as an opportunity for enrichment and the chance to explore new Bishop Montgomery Athletic Trainer Jamie Kamiya-Haagsma ‘00 assists areas of interest. The benefit of the Summer Academy is that it’s her jr. high summer academy students tape a wrist during her Introduction designed to appeal to both of these options. The students have a to Athletic Training class. great experience either way.” And, the students weren’t the only ones who enjoyed this year’s Summer Academy. The Bishop faculty members enjoyed the opportunity to teach younger students. Mr. Long Nguyen and Ms. Lisa Roehl-Walle ‘00, both BMHS science department faculty, used their Mad Science classes “to do a lot of fun experiments and activities that usually can’t be incorporated into the curriculum with high schoolers,” says Walle. She, along with Nguyen, helped the students explore a variety of science genres including chemistry, physics, and biology while keeping the topics both exciting and educational. Highlights from Mad Science included making s’mores using sunlight, constructing catapults and hovercrafts, and dissecting frogs. For Mr. Andy Marafino, Bishop’s Director of Development, the Academy’s Paragraph Power class allowed him a return to the classroom to teach nine days of grammar and writing-- an opportunity he welcomed. “In my current position, I miss the day-to-day classroom interactions with students,” explains Marafino. “The Academy was a great way for the English teacher in me to connect with kids and, hopefully, help them strengthen and sharpen their skills for the upcoming school year.” Dierks notes that the Academy’s appeal was far-reaching this year-- junior high students represented over 25 schools from the South Bay and Los Angeles area, including schools as far north as St. Jerome in Westchester and St. Augustine in Culver City. Many of the students in attendance came from local middle and elementary schools including St. James, St. Catherine Laboure and First Lutheran in Torrance, American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach, and St. Lawrence Martyr and Parras Middle School, both in Redondo Beach. Bishop Montgomery’s second annual Junior High Summer Academy included math, language, sports medicine, art, mythology, music, and science classes, as well as athletic camps, for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students

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Students Excel at Summer Leadership Conference

n June, seven sophomores attended the by Alex Rodriguez ‘15 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar for the Los Angeles region (HOBY LA) at Cal Poly Pomona. Chosen for their leadership in extra-curricular clubs and organizations, as well as the classroom, these students represented the “third generation” of BMHS HOBY attendees: Carlos Bernal ‘17, Emilie Bero ‘17, Natsuki Hishinuma ‘17, Angelo Pasco ‘17, Joshua Rhilinger ‘17, Simon Tran ‘17, Stephanie Trelease ‘17, and Nora Ward ‘17. In addition, HOBY LA alumni Lourdes Lidzarbski ’16, Christine Petersen ’16, Tommy Rocca ’16, James Serrano ’16 and Alex Rodriguez ’15 participated as Junior Staff members/Day Volunteers, and Mrs. Milana McDermott, Bishop’s Dean of Student Life, served as one of the semi- Above (l to r): Angelo Pasco ‘17, Stephanie Trelease ‘17, Nora Ward ‘17, Simon Tran ‘17, Natsuki nar’s facilitators. Hishinuma ‘17, Carlos Bernal ‘17, and Joshua Rhilinger ‘17. The students who participated in the seminar are an accomplished group, with leadership positions in student government; Knightlife, Bishop’s newspaper; Key Club; National Honor Society; VCYC; JSA, and Bishop sports teams. Outside of Bishop, many are members of other youth leadership organizations including The Association of Catholic Student Councils (TACSC), the Christian Leadership Institute, Girls’ State, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Youth Leadership Institute. The sophomore attendees all agreed that HOBY was a life-changing experience. Hishinuma says she learned that “a leader should not only be an example, but also someone who cares for others and can make others into leaders.” She came away from the event with a new way to look at her role as a leader: “HOBY gave me a totally different perspective-- I want to be that person who will always be there for someone.” Rhilinger’s thoughts also reflect what most of the ambassadors gained from the seminar: “[HOBY] forced me to dig deep inside myself and discover things I never knew about myself before. HOBY unlocked more [in] me than I knew existed. I didn’t change at all; I am still me. I am just more me.” The highlight of the seminar was when Bernal was awarded a scholarship to attend HOBY’s World Leadership Congress (WLC), a seven-day event in Chicago for student leaders from around the globe. Bernal was nominated by his group’s facilitator and underwent a highly-selective interview process with members of the HOBY LA board. Bernal is the first Bishop student ever selected to attend the WLC and was extremely surprised to receive the honor. “I was just sitting down during closing ceremonies… Matt Markalis [the HOBY Leadership Seminar Chair] was describing the person about to get the scholarship, and I was so pumped because I thought, ‘Wow, that person probably really deserves it!’” shares Bernal. “I was certain that it was never going to be me… I feel blessed that I get to represent Bishop and my HOBY family from Bishop at such a huge event like WLC. I can’t wait to make Bishop proud!” Bernal is a member of Bishop’s varsity football and ComedySportz Improv teams, and has excelled in numerous honors classes. In January, he completed his final project to become an Eagle Scout. The seminar proved not only to be special for Bishop’s attendees, but for Bishop’s HOBY alumni volunteers as well. The experience provided them the opportunity to continue their leadership development and hone valuable skills for their futures, while mentoring the newest members of Bishop’s HOBY group. As a result, all of the students became much more than a committee-they became a small family. Rodriguez jokes that he’s often called “HOBY Grandpa” by the third generation and shares that he has “become like a mentor for most of the juniors and sophomores.” He says that “watching them embrace HOBY and realize their leadership potential was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.” Serrano notes, “Being a junior staff member at this year’s seminar [was] immensely more rewarding than I could ever imagine.” He adds, “It’s such a phenomenal feeling to see that ‘a-ha’ moment in [the ambassadors’ faces] when they realize that nothing is impossible for them.”

www.bmhs-la.org • 19

AROUND CAMPUS

For athletic scores and news, follow us on twitter @BMHSKnights

Winter & Spring Athletics

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Yep. Another ‘Banner’ Year in Athletics 1

Ethan Thompson ‘17

Boys’ basketball (31-2) added to its collection of banners when they won perhaps the most impressive title in program history. Described by many as the toughest playoff bracket in the country, the Knights captured the CIF-SS Open Division title by beating Etiwanda 56-50 at the Honda Center. It was the 6th CIF title in program history and the 5th under head coach Doug Mitchell. Leading the way for the Knights was senior Stephen Thompson, Jr. ‘15, who won a trophy case full of awards just this year. Among the honors he captured were Del Rey League MVP, CIF Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State, and 5th Team All-American. He graduated as the program’s career points leader with 2,246. Ethan Thompson ‘17 and fellow sophomore Jordan Schakel ‘17 joined the elder Thompson on the All-CIF list. Ethan was named 2nd team All-CIF and Jordan was named 1st team All-CIF. The duo were also named 1st Team All-State. Seniors Blake Miles ‘15 and Christian Oshita ‘15 rounded out the starting five for the Knights. Miles was named 2nd Team All-Del Rey League, and Oshita was named 1st Team All-Del Rey League.

Christine Delapina ‘15

Girls’ basketball (20-14) provided an encore to their 2013-14 CIF-SS Division IV title with another in 2014-15 under head coach Bridgette

Reyes. In capturing the program’s 7th title, the Lady Knights showed their toughness down the stretch. In the finals against JSerra, the Lady Knights were clutch at the free throw line, pulling away for a 59-49 win. Leading the way for the Lady Knights were a pair of seniors and a pair of talented underclassmen. Senior Chelsea Lidy ‘15 was named CIF Division IV Player of the Year and classmate Christine Delapina ‘15 was named 1st Team All-State. Sophomore Jessica Malazarte ‘17 joined Lidy and Delapina as All-Del Rey League 1st Team picks. Also turning in a fine season was freshman Sophia Carroll ‘18, who scored 14 points in the CIF finals.

Tim Bever ‘15

Baseball (15-14) had a new head coach in 2015, although Eric Fuller ‘94 is not at all new to the program. The alumnus and former assistant coach at BMHS sparked the Knights to a turnaround season, not only advancing to the playoffs, but succeeding in the postseason. Playing a tough early schedule paid off, as they won seven of their last eight before losing to eventual CIF champion Hemet 2-0 in the Division V playoffs. The Knights were led by Tim Bever ‘15 (7-2, 1.87) and Liam Kent ‘15 (4-7, 1.35), both of whom were named 1st Team AllCamino Real League. Kent was also a force at the plate, hitting .375. They were joined on the all-league 1st team by Austin Garbe ‘15, who hit .391 and scored 21 runs. Four Knights were named 2nd Team All-Camino Real League: Corey Caldwell ‘18 (.293), Patrick Kohly ‘15 (.303), Brendan Marafino ‘16 (.400), and

Nic Martinez ‘15 (2 HR, 20 RBI).

Scott von Kanel ‘16

Boys’ golf won their 4th league title in five years in dominant fashion. They finished 15-1 overall and 10-0 in the Camino Real League. Since 2010, the Knights, under head coach Martin von Kanel ‘80, have an impressive 52-4 record in league matches. The top golfer was junior Scott von Kanel ‘16, who won the individual league title by firing a 69 on day two of league finals. Nicholas Oh ‘15 (1st Team All-League), finished 4th at league finals. Both golfers qualified for the CIF Individual Tournament. Ian Fitzgerald ‘15 was named 1st Team All-League and Joey Johnson ‘17 earned 2nd Team honors.

Spencer Higgins ‘15

Boys’ tennis won their 6th straight league title in 2015 behind the strong play of several players. Senior Spencer Higgins ‘15 won the league’s individual title and the doubles team of Jonathan Judan ‘15 and Nnaemeka Nadozie ‘17 won the doubles title. Seniors James Han ‘15 and Mark Loera ‘15 were 2nd Team All-Del Rey League selections.

Tessa Allen ‘15

Senior Tessa Allen ‘15 capped a great career at BMHS with an impressive performance in the high jump. She won the Del Rey League title for the 3rd straight year and advanced all the way to the CIF and state finals, where she finished 6th with a personal-best jump of 5’6”.

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CLASS NOTES

1962 Bob Healy ‘62 has spent the last 30 years at Duke University as a professor of Environmental Policy. He has written ten books on land use and environmental policy.

1966 Class of 1966 (50th Reunion) When: June 11, 2016 Where: BMHS Schneider Retreat Center

1971

Submit your class notes and photos for publication in Veritas: 1. Submit news online through the alumni portal at www.bmhs-la.org 2. Email the Development/Alumni Office at alumni@bmhs-la.org 3. Message us on Facebook on the Bishop Montgomery High School page 4. Call us at 310-540-2021 ext. 246 5. Mail news to Development Office, 5430 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90503

1975

Class of 1975 40th Reunion

The Class of 1975 held their 40-year reunion on July 25, 2015 at the BMHS Schneider Retreat Center. Over 160 guests, including some former BMHS teachers, enjoyed visiting with friends and sharing stories of their days as students at BMHS. Sigi Schmid ‘71 received the highest honor in United States soccer with his election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in April. Schmid is currently the head coach of the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer and is the winningest coach in MLS history. Class of 1971 (45th Reunion) When: July 30, 2016 Where: BMHS Schneider Retreat Center

1972 Cynthia Jordan ‘72 has just released her second historical fiction, Diamond, the sequel to her first novel, Pearl. Set in the 1920’s, the story focuses on the silent film era and includes much of the history of Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes. To date, Cindy is best known for writing the #1 country song, Jose Cuervo, as well as composing several CDs of ambient piano music. Currently she is writing Ruby, a story of women’s survival in the Wild West that takes place post-Civil War. To learn more, visit www.cynthiamusic.com.

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1976

1987

Class of 1976 (40th Reunion) When: October 15, 2016 Where: BMHS Schneider Retreat Center

Christine Fischer-Russo ‘87 and Brian Russo were married in June 2015.

1981 Class of 1981 (35th Reunion) When: July 23, 2016 Where: BMHS

1983 In April, BMHS established the Destry Bell ‘83 Memorial Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance to current Bishop students who have a need. At the time of his death, on November 21, 2010, he was a Sergeant for the County of Los Angeles’ Sheriff’s Department. To contribute to the scholarship fund, visit www.bmhs-la.org.

Shop at Amazon.com and Target Amazon Smile Visit www.smile.amazon.com and login with your Amazon account information. Type in “Bishop Montgomery High School” when prompted to select a charitable organization. On the next page, click “select” and you are ready to shop and support BMHS. Target & Target.com Support BMHS by shopping at Target or Target.com and use your REDcard. Visit https://www-secure.target.com/redcard/ tcoe/view-or-change and register your card. BMHS’ code is 2783.

1990

1992

1995

Class of 1990 25th Reunion

Omarr Smith ‘95 had his #14 jersey retired on June 13 by the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League. Smith, who was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame on July 30, played nine years and won four titles. He is currently the Assistant Head Coach for the San Jose SaberCats. Ruben Arellano ‘92 and Conde-Leilani FloresArellano ‘92 welcomed granddaughter, Leona Vy Tuong Duong, on May 8, 2015. The Class of 1990 held their 25-year reunion on August 15, 2015 at the BMHS Schneider Retreat Center. Over 80 members of the class enjoyed dinner, dancing and visiting with friends on a beautiful summer night on campus.

1994 Eric Fuller ‘94 and Diana Jordan-Fuller ‘94 welcomed son Alexander James on March 31, 2015.

Follow BMHS Information on class reunions and events at www.bmhs-la.org or by following us on: Facebook at Bishop Montgomery High School Twitter @BMHSKnights & Instagram @BMHSKnights

www.bmhs-la.org • 23

CLASS NOTES

1998

2004

Adrian Nichols ‘98 and Lisa Bartik-Nichols ‘99 welcomed son Cooper James on May 10, 2015.

1999 Kelly Malone ‘04 and Daniella Franco-Malone ‘05 were married on May 22, 2015. Tanya Nguyen ‘04 received her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology in June from the UC San Diego and San Diego State Joint Doctoral Program. Upon completion of her current internship, she will begin a two year post-doctoral fellowship with the Mental Research Education and Clinical Center in San Diego. Vanessa Perez-Moody ‘99 and her husband, Vaughan, welcomed daughter Emma Teresa on April 2, 2015.

2000

2005

2009 Wilson Farquhar ‘09 is a 2nd class Petty Officer in the US Navy. He has been stationed in Sasabo, Japan since November 2013. His ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, is his home away from Sasabo. He works in elevator maintenance and repair on board the vessel.

Class of 2005 (10th Reunion) When: December 26, 2015 Where: TBD Contact: Monica Ceballos ‘05 at ceballom86@gmail.com

2007 Benton Farquhar ‘07 is currently a Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps. He serves in Signals and Intelligence and is based at Camp Pendleton. He will deploy aboard the USS Essex in 2018.

Chemise Hayes ‘00 graduated from the University of La Verne in May with a Masters in Educational Counseling. She is also completing requirements to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

Eric Debelak ‘08 and Vanessa Vasquez-Debelak ‘08 were married on August 15, 2015.

2008

Jonathan Timmons ‘09, above right, is working as a professional and commercial model, singer, television host, and actor in the Philippines. He has appeared in numerous Filipino tv dramas, movies, commercials, print-ads, magazines and concerts. You can follow his life and career in the Philippines on Instagram and YOUTUBE @jon_timmons.

Had a baby? Get a bib!

2001 Courtney Moseley-Thomsen ‘01 and her husband, Brandon, welcomed son Miles James on July 13, 2015. Lauren Almaraz-Dilay ‘08 and her husband, King Arthur, welcomed daughter Leilani Dilay on March 17, 2015.

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We’d love to include a photo of your baby in a future issue of Veritas. Please request your bib and email a photo with a few details about the baby and your family to alumni@bmhs-la.org.

Ale Sisters Win Silver Medal at XV Pacific Games In July, Bishop Montgomery alumnae and sisters, Rheina Ale ‘08, Desiree Ale ‘10, and Kristen Ale ‘11, competed for the American Samoa women’s basketball team in the XV Pacific Games in New Guinea. The trip proved to be special for many reasons. In addition to the opportunity to play together, the Ale sisters were an integral part in American Samoa’s silver medal and qualification for the 2017 World Games. The opportunity to play for American Samoa came through connections eldest sister Rheina made while she was playing in college at the University of San Francisco (Kristen played college basketball, as well, at Cal Poly SLO). Even before the plane landed back in the states, Rheina was already making plans to Above (l to r): Desiree Ale ‘10, Rheina Ale ‘08, and Kristen return. “On our visit, we saw so many kids who Ale ‘11 show off their silver medals. are playing basketball and other sports without any shoes,” said Rheina. “I want to go back and provide a basketball clinic and bring the kids some shoes and equipment. I want to help.”

2011

Deschamp taught at BMHS in 1986-87 and again from 1989 - 1993. He is a 1984 graduate of North Dakota State University and a 2013 graduate from the University of Louisiana. He holds an undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts/Philosophy and a graduate degree in English/Creative Writing. This is his second book. His first novel, An Education through Letters, was published in 2006.

2012 Lauren Rogers ‘12 graduated with honors from Wiley College (TX) with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Tyler Harvey ‘11 became the first player in BMHS history to be selected in the NBA Draft when he was taken in the 2nd round (51st overall) by the Orlando Magic. More on Harvey on page 13.

Former BMHS teacher Michael Deschamp’s newest book is now available on Amazon.com. One Egg or Two is a collection of short stories that explores family, friendship, and tragedy through a raw human lens.

2013

Homecoming 2015 Alumni: Come back to campus for all the Homecoming 2015 festivities!

October 9, 2015

Danielle Shanahan ‘13 made her 2nd straight trip to the NCAA West Preliminary for Loyola Marymount University, qualifying in the 5000m. In February at the West Coast Quadrangular, she set an LMU record in the 3000m with a time of 9:32.30.

Food Trucks 5:00-8:00pm • The Grilled Cheese Truck • Rock N Lou’s Pizza Truck • Beto’s Soft Serve City • More to come!! ** Food Trucks will be inside Knight Stadium this year!!

Football Game 6:00pm

Michael Morgan ‘11 and Keri Ann Bailey were married on June 27, 2015. Michael serves in the United States Army. Mitchell Petredis ‘11 graduated in May from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

• Knights vs. Bosco Tech Errol Smith ‘13, a freshman on the men’s tennis team at Loyola Marymount University, was named West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.

For more information, call 310-540-2021 ext. 249 or email atraxler@bmhs-la.org.

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IN MEMORIAM

Joann DeAugustine ‘61 of Enumclaw, WA, died March 25, 2015 Joann DeAugustine ‘61 of Enumclaw, WA died March 25, 2015. She was 71.

While at Bishop, she was a member of the Library Helpers and the Sodalists and she was a cheerleader for the G.A.A.

Joann made her church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Enumclaw, the focus of her dedication and she enjoyed participating in all church activities. She also enjoyed gardening, baseball, camping, and spending time with her family.

Joann is survived by her brother Dennis DeAugustine, nephews Jay, Tony, and Shawn DeAugustine, and nieces Heather, Jennifer, Julie and Joanna DeAugustine.

Elise Goodman-Johnson ‘61 of Nashville, TN, died April 19, 2015 Elise Goodman-Johnson ‘61 of Nashville, TN, died on April 19, 2015 in Nashville, TN. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who is remembered for her love, compassion, wisdom, and wit. Elise had an authentic inability to be anyone else but completely herself.

While at Bishop montgomery, Elise was a member of the Letter Girls’ Club, the G.A.A., and Student Government. She was also very active in Drama and the Glee Club and won the Archdiocesan Essay Award.

Carolyn Wood ‘62 died January 1, 2015 Carolyn Wood ‘62 died on January 1, 2015 from complications after kidney surgery. While at Bishop Montgomery, Carolyn was a member of the Forensics Club, National Latin Honor Society, Yearbook, and the Glee Club. Her brother, Paul, writes that “Carolyn enjoyed her years at [Bishop Montgomery}, and participated in a variety of

activities; her favorite was choir. Carolyn was handicapped from the early age of 6 by the polio epidemic that struck Southern California in the 50’s. That never kept her from enjoying life and school.”

Joel Rodriguez ‘68 died August 26, 2015 Joel Rodriguez ‘68 died on August 26, 2015. Prior to attending BMHS, Joel attended St. James School. While at BMHS, he played four years of football and also played on the basketball and baseball teams. He was also an excellent student, making the honor roll several times. Following graduation, he attended Seattle University and was enrolled in their ROTC program. He majored in Business administration. Joel left college after two years, and enlisted in to the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from the Marines after serving for two years. Joel married in 1972, and was blessed with a son, Michael Rodriguez in 1973. In 2004, he became a grandfather to Michael Jay Rodriguez.

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He was an avid runner, and he always felt the need to keep in shape. Joel played the accordion from the young age of 7, and continued for years. As he grew older, he learned to play the piano, organ, and the guitar. “He absolutely loved music.” He became a computer engineer, and was notably granted secret clearance to work in classified areas for the department of defense, and aerospace industries. Joel will be immensely missed by all who had the chance to cross his path, and chat with him, whether it was for a simple few minutes or hour long discussions. He especially will be remembered for that special sense of humor he carried around with him. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Rodriguez ‘71.

Jolene Kozeluh-Yowell ‘72 of Tulsa, OK, died December 26, 2014 Jolene Kozeluh-Yowell ‘72 of Tulsa, died on December 26, 2014 from complications due to cancer. She was 61. Her beloved husband of 41 years, Albert, held her hand and comforted her passing. The tenth of thirteen children, Jolene met her future husband, Al, in middle school where they both enjoyed performing in the orchestra. Jolene and Al relocated to Tulsa in December of 1978. Jolene worked her way up from the Getty Steno Pool to Texaco contract administrator and beyond. She was as an active member and president of Tulsa IAAP. She loved her work family at NGL-EP and they loved her. Jolene was a

member of St Anne’s parish in Broken Arrow. She believed other people needed her time more than she did. She spent many years as a youth soccer coach, Camp Fire leader, Sound and Pride band chaperone and soccer player with NEOASA. She is survived by her husband, Albert, daughter, Alene Yowell Barks, son-in-law, Bryan Barks, grandchildren Madelyn, Alexander, and Pippa, four brothers, six sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret, brother Tommy, and sister Jill.

Tim Swanson ‘73 of Torrance, CA, died April 6, 2015 Tim Swanson ‘73 of Torrance, died April 6, 2015 just days before his 60th birthday. He is survived by his brother, Kevin Swanson ‘72 (Linda Feltham) of San Rafael, CA; sister, Therese Swanson ‘74 (Timothy Schlender) of Olympia, WA; and brother, Owen Swanson ‘75 of Oakland, CA. He also leaves three nieces, Joanmarie and Juliana Swanson and Natalie Schlender, and many close cousins.

On June 6, a beautiful memorial Mass was held at St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach. Following the Mass, Tim’s family and friends gathered at the Schneider Retreat Center at Bishop Montgomery for a memorial and reception. Donations in Tim’s name can be made to the PV/ South Bay Audubon and www.usautism.org.

Greg Vincent ‘78 of Garden Grove, CA died February 17, 2015 Greg Vincent ‘78 of Garden Grove, died on February 17, 2015. He will always be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, son , brother and uncle. While at BMHS, Greg was a member of the football team, and he continued his playing career at El Camino College. He began his law enforcement career with the Long Beach Police Department in 1983. Two years later, he moved to Torrance Police Department, where he served the next 27 years before retiring in December 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and their three children, Kelsey, Erin, and Collin; his mother, Eileen; his father, William; and his brothers Michael ‘80, William ‘82, Steven, Scott, and Matthew. The family requests that in donations may be made to the Badge of Honor Memorial Foundation (http://www. bohmf.org). The foundation assists the survivors of officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

Angela Forst-Toyama ‘80 of Santa Barbara, CA, died June 19, 2015 Angela Forst-Toyama ‘80 of Santa Barbara died on June 19, 2015. Following her graduation from BMHS, Angie attended Long Beach State where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance in 1985. At the time of her death, she was working as a Senior Financial Analyst for Raytheon, where she had worked since 1984. While at Bishop Montgomery, Angie was involved in

student government, serving on ASB as a senior class officer. Angie will be remembered for her smile and kind heart. She had a great love for her family, parents, and brothers and sisters. Angie is survived by sisters Sonya Forst ‘82 and Stacey Forst ‘84 and brothers Doug Forst ‘81 and Jeff Forst ‘89.

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IN MEMORIAM

Vicki Dunigan ‘81 of Torrance, CA died April 16, 2015 Vicki Dunigan ‘81 of Torrance died on April 16, 2015 after a courageous 10-month fight against breast cancer. While in high school, she was a member of the Social Action Club, the Lettergirls, the Drill Team, and the softball team. Her mother, Patricia, was a longtime BMHS employee. After high school, she began a 20-year-plus career in the medical billing industry. “Aunt Vic” enjoyed spoiling her nieces and nephews and the children of her close friends, who knew her as “Tia Vicki.” She enjoyed visiting the

beach, playing softball, and hitting the dance floor at every family event. She was involved in parish life at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hermosa Beach as a mentor to countless youth, volunteering with the Confirmation team and altar serving ministry. Vicki was a Eucharistic minister, chaired community dinners, and was a long-time volunteer at the the church’s annual Spring Fiesta. Vicki is survived by sisters, Kellee Dunigan ‘79, Sharon Dunigan-Onorati ‘80, Debbie Dunigan-Fraker ‘83, Jacki Dunigan-Gafford ‘85, and Susan Dunigan-Henderson ‘88, as well as by 16 nieces and nephews.

Joe Arico ‘82 of San Pedro, CA died April 20, 2015 Joe Arico ‘82 of San Pedro died on April 20, 2015. Joe was an excellent athlete who excelled in almost every sport. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed being around those he loved. While at BMHS, Joe was a member of the football and baseball teams as well as the Ski Club, Letterman Club, and Social Action Club. Joe is survived by his parents, Joseph and Barbara Arico; wife, Michele Arico and their daughter, Gianna; son and

daughter, Joseph Arico III and Mari Arico and their mother Cristina; daughter, Hannah and her mother, Heather. He is also survived by siblings Lisa Arico-Ganoe ‘80, Lara Vitale, and Mario Arico. In lieu of flowers, the Arico family asks that donations be made to the Nyanja Learning Corp. Down Syndrome Center, 801 Park Center Drive #100, Santa Ana, CA 92705, Attn: Chrissy.

Ingrid Roberts ‘85 of Los Angeles, CA died June 8, 2015 Ingrid Roberts ‘85 of Los Angeles died on June 8, 2015 after battling cancer. Ingrid always made time to support philanthropic causes close to her heart. She served as the Vocational Chair for the Jenesse Center, a domestic violence intervention program. She was the 2012 Silver Rose Honoree at the Jenesse Center’s Annual Gala. While at BMHS, Ingrid ran track, served on the yearbook staff, and was a member of the Pep Club and the Ski club. She was also a member of CSF all four years. In July 2013, Ingrid was diagnosed with a rare cancer and nine months into her diagnosis, she was given six months

to live. The Ingrid Roberts Charitable Fund was established in 2014 by long-time friend and NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen and Ingrid’s dear friend Denise Coleman. They came up with the idea to support Ingrid’s desire to offer children and families battling rare and aggressive cancers quality-of-life experiences that would otherwise not be afforded. Ingrid is survived by her son, Anthony, parents, Linda and Herbert; siblings, Julie Roberts-Taylor ‘83, David Roberts ‘90 and Andrea Roberts-Carter ‘91, and three grandchildren. Donations in her memory can be made to www.IngridRobertsCharitableFund.com.

Kristi McDonald-Diethrich ‘86 of Mission Viejo, CA died June 25, 2015 Kristi McDonald-Dietrich ‘86 of Mission Viejo died on June 25, 2015. She was 47 years old. At the time of her death, she was working as an operations administrator at Ace Heating Solutions in Santa Ana.

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While at BMHS, Kristi was a member of the Drill Team. She is survived by her daughter, Katie, and three brothers.

Michael Warfield ‘87 of Show Low, AZ, died July 3, 2015 Michael Warfield Jr. ‘87 died July 3, 2015, at his home in Show Low, AZ with his mother by his side. He was 46 years old. Following BMHS, he attended El Camino College before moving to Ohio, where he attended Ohio State and earned his bachelor’s degree in business. He worked for Medical Mutual of Ohio as a telecommunication systems analyst.

In 2006, he moved to Arizona to help his mother with her business, which he loved. Michael was an extremely talented drummer and musician. He played several shows on The Sunset Strip and around the country as well. Michael is survived by his mother, Judy Warfield; father, Michael Warfield Sr. and sister, Tiffany Gray.

Susie Isner ‘92 of Los Angeles, died April 19, 2015 Susie Isner ‘92 died suddenly on April 19, 2015. At the time of her death, she worked at Walt Disney Travel Company, and because of that, often traveled with family and friends. She loved all things Disney, frequently visiting many of the theme parks and resorts.

Susie also enjoyed going to the movies, especially to see the Oscar contenders, and she was a lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan. She enjoyed going to concerts, especially at the Hollywood Bowl, and loved musical theater.

1st Lt. Steven Vo ‘08 of Kingsley AFB, OR, died May 29, 2015 1st Lt. Steven Vo ‘08, United States Air Force, died on May 29, 2015 while he was stationed in Oregon. At the time of his death, Steven was an active duty F-15 student pilot stationed at Kingsley AFB. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a fellow Airman,” said Col. Kirk Pierce, 173rd Fighter Wing Commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Lieutenant Vo’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

• Gailen Bartel, father of Carole Bartel-Ostensen ‘00 and Erika Bartel ‘00. • Ludovico Dungo, father of Shelley Dungo ‘94. • Bob Jabro, faculty member in 1980-81, died on August 15, 2015. He was the BMHS Spiritual Director and taught Catholic Spirituality and Marriage. • Isabelle Olson, mother of Paulette Olson ‘67, Christine Olson-Garder ‘71 and Jeanette Olson-Gill ‘73. • Laura Ramirez, mother of Fr. Allen Ramirez ‘64, Melinda Ramirez-Werner ‘68 and Leamarie Ramirez ‘69. • Edward Rumsey, father of Edward Rumsey ’73, Colleen Rumsey ’75, Mary Rumsey-Fender ’77, Patrick Rumsey ’77, Mike Rumsey ’81, Joe Rumsey ’83.

He is survived by his parents and by his sister, Carolyn Vo ‘12. He is remembered as “a great brother to family, a caring friend to all, and an admirable pilot to the USAF.” We thank Steven for his service to our country. Following his graduation from BMHS, Steven attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, where he earned a degree in Dual Aeronautical Mechanical Engineering in 2012.

• Elaine Scholz, mother of Joe Scholz ‘74, Charlie Scholz, and Mary Jane Scholz. • Tom Strickfaden, father of Shelley Strickfaden-Rowell ‘75 and Tom Strickfaden ‘76. • Arthur Tanaka, father of Pauline Tanaka-Kroeger ‘82 and Eric Tanaka ‘85. • Kelley Jo Thatcher, mother of Claire Thatcher ‘14 and Jack Thatcher ‘18. • Pete Tiangco, father of John Tiangco ‘00 and Julian Tiangco ‘06. • Carlota Villacorte, mother of Dinna Lupinek ‘87, Maricar Villacorte ‘88 and Emmy Villacorte ‘91.

www.bmhs-la.org • 29

As graduation closes, members of the Class of 2015 join together to sing the Alma Mater.

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