Congratulations, Class of 2020! Letters from Castilleja Alumnae
Dear Class of 2020, You will be heading off to college soon to start another important part of your life. I remember what a happy day graduation day was. When I graduated there were many parties and of course the Senior Ball, which was at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Good luck to all of you and good luck in the future! Joanne Anderson ’49 You guys have taken the last four (maybe 3.5, SSS life) SO SERIOUSLY. Not only do we graduate Castilleja with a highly accredited diploma, we also graduate with premature wrinkles from all that late night concentration and grueling over school work. When I graduated, part of me was so relieved to finally feel free of the stress and pressure of the Castilleja environment. But, I also found myself missing sun-tanning on the Circle (Maine is freezing), eating way too many grilled cheeses, and goofing off in calc class (shout out J.Cortella). The little things are what make our high school experiences amazing, so remember to appreciate them. Anyway who knew I’d be soppy on a Castilleja form but here we go. Sending love to you all, big things are coming your way! Ava Axelrod ’19 Congratulations for the Class of 2020. What an amazing story you have to tell. I am so proud to be part of the wonderful family of Castilleja alumnae and welcome you. My time at Castilleja was such an incredible time in my life, and I learned so much from the wonderful teachers, but mostly I remember the incredible women that to this day I call my best friends. So many years later and they are still some of the most important people in my life. So as you enter this new world, go out and do great things, live life to the fullest but always keep a special place in your heart for Castilleja! Jennifer Ritter Brill ’83
Dear Class of 2020, I know this wasn’t the senior year you imagined. To be deprived of every tradition, rite of passage, and fun memory that comes along with senior spring must feel incredibly unfair. But I also know that this has already made each and every one of you stronger in many ways. Getting through something like this takes resilience, patience, and sheer grit—traits that will forever be associated with the Class of 2020 in Castilleja’s history books. I remember many of you when you were wide-eyed sixth graders. I was a Junior at the time, working on my “Profile of a 6th Grader” report for English class. Throughout the week that I spent observing your class dynamic, I came to realize that there was something extremely special about your class: your cohesiveness and unity as a cohort. This same level of cohesiveness exists among you today, and it is exactly what is going to get you through these incredibly trying times. It is also what you are going to come to appreciate the most about Castilleja once you are no longer here. The community that you belong to, this community of passionate and headstrong leaders, will forever be apart of your story, as will this unique ending. You will find that this feeling of cohesiveness and community doesn’t end after graduating. The Casti alumnae network has become a huge resource for me, both professionally and personally, and is eager to bring you all into the fold. Though your last chapter may have been different from previous classes, it is also what sets you apart. You have already earned so much respect from your fellow alums—not every class would have gotten through this as gracefully as you did. You have many more exciting years ahead of you, and I wish I could tell you that this was the biggest curve ball that life will throw at you. There are going to be many more twists and turns, but what I think you’re going to find is that you are already prepared for surprises. In fact, you’ll be expecting them, as backwards as that sounds. I can’t promise you it will be easy, but I can promise you that this cohort, the Class of 2020 and the whole Castilleja family, is going to be with you every step of the way. All my love, Megan Colford ’15
Dear Class of 2020, The best thing about senior year and what continues to brighten my life is that I have friends from Casti who are there to console me in times that are tough but also share in the fun, small memories of our time. Just the other day I texted a friend and said a photo of us at sophomore year Opening Day Tie Ceremony came up and we were standing next to each other gabbing, as we still do to this day. Even though this is not a typical graduation season, you are still very loved and appreciated by your classmates. That’s the best part. :) Daphne Crane ’06 Congratulations, Class of 2020! I am so excited to see my brilliant little sis Emily graduate this year and head off to Barnard. I am so, so proud of you, Em, and how much courage you’ve shown throughout this pandemic. It’s definitely not the senior year you expected, but you’ve taken it in stride, showing your strength of character and ability to adapt. Caroline Debs ’14 Congratulations y’all! You made it! Most certainly one of the weirdest springs you will ever experience and for that to fall in an immense time of change and development in your lives speaks to the strength within you all. I understand how disheartening it feels to have a time that is supposed to be representative of your release into a freer stage of life dampened like this but I urge you to look inside yourself and recognize that while your post-grad summer may be different from what you expected, it has the potential for so much. I fully believe I will watch and hear about you all growing and changing over this summer in ways you never realized were possible. It may be less outwardly focused but your inner reflections you embark on during this time will allow you and your incoming first year class to have a shared
consciousness and shared growth that many will not be able to relate to. Take time to read, to think critically, to draw, and to journal. And most importantly, relax. This is a time where you are forced to be without scholarly stress, and I hope you bask in it and soak it up. Life right now is not easy, and I say this with full awareness of how annoying it makes me sound, it is unprecedented. But if you find the ability in yourself, take it as a gift. A time to help others, love others, and to love yourself. And the next time we all return to the Circle, I cannot wait to hear about all that you have discovered about yourself and your world during this era and future ones. Frannie DiBona ’19 Dear Class of 2020, As an Alumna, Alum Parent, Past Staff Member, and Honorary Alumna, I have experienced the many unique and remarkable sides of our Castilleja! As you graduate and go your separate ways, the Circle will always be there and will beckon you back to lifelong friendships, outstanding teachers, and a myriad of memories that make up your Castilleja tapestry. When I retired as the Director of Alumnae Relations in 2015 you were rising 8th graders– still sitting upstairs in the Chapel! This year you were seated at the front of the Chapel and were the leaders of the school. All those sitting behind you will remember you in that leadership position and you are their mentors, just as all those who sat in those front seats before you are ready and willing to help you in many ways throughout your life. The Castilleja community is broad and strong and you are a most important part of it. I wish you well as you begin your next adventures and look forward to meeting you again around the Circle! Maggie Pringle Grauer ’71HA
Dear Class of 2020, As the mother of a son who is also graduating high school this year, as well as a daughter who is graduating from Middle School, I can imagine the emotions that may be running through your minds and hearts over these last months. I know I feel them as a parent, but I know it’s nothing compared to what you are feeling right now. I think the entire world knows the sacrifices that the Class of 2020 is making, and the lost experiences along the way, but I couldn’t be more proud of all of you for coming together to do the right thing, and saving lives as a result. It may be hard to imagine it now, but I hope that someday you will look back on this time and be able to reflect back. When else has the entire world been united for one common cause?! As hard as it may be, it’s an incredible time to live through. And as you move on to college and have amazing experiences there, hopefully the pain you may be feeling now, will quickly fade as new memories are created. As Casti girls, I know you have great things ahead of you. And as President Barak Obama said in his recent Commencement Speech, “Don’t be afraid, do what you think is right, and build a community along the way. Be alive to one another’s struggles. Stand up for one another’s rights. Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us: sexism, racial prejudice, status, greed. Set the world on a different path.” I know you will. Congratulations!! Lots of love, Roxy Gribben ’89 P.S. Don’t forget to vote! Congratulations Seniors! Even though you are all moving on to different experiences, your Casti days will stay with you as a foundation of curiosity, courage, and conviction. My biggest take away is the courage to ‘have it all!’ You CAN reach for every goal, but remember that you cannot have it all at once. There are times in your life when you will have to make choices. Be confidant knowing that those things you must leave behind will come back during another phase of your life. Good luck and Onward! Alison Johnston ’84
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! I wish you all the very best in your adventures and can’t wait to follow your progress. Castilleja will stay with you always. I still remember all the great traditions from when I started in 7th grade, can’t forget “pop sov/lim gov” from my favorite history teacher, Mrs. McKee, and have fond memories of my trip to the former Soviet Republic among many other great experiences. And I am still in touch with my Casti classmates who are some of my very best friends. Good luck!! Michele Wray Khateri ’87 Congratulations on graduating from Castilleja and welcome to the alum community! You did it. I am so grateful to Castilleja for countless reasons. This might sound strange, but one reason I love Casti is because that’s where I learned to fail at things, to not be the best, and to try again. Surprise, even with this remarkable education and community, we fail at things. From my faceplants, I learned empathy, grit, and patience. I’ve become more creative. My Casti peers also struggle with the belief that we should be “the best” at things. Whether they work as yoga instructors or lawyers, everyone has felt it. That belief gets in our way sometimes, but we still figure out how to create a meaningful life, to be connected and thrive. We learn how to get back up and do it better the next time. And accepting failure seems to have taken a lot of us on weirder, wilder and more incredible journeys. I don’t think I’d be nearing the end of a PhD in Clinical Psychology if I hadn’t learned how to fail sometimes! You all have so much talent. I’m beyond excited for each of you to create your own path. Castilleja does a remarkable job guiding us to be both passionate and thoughtful about our impact. We are taught to ask, “How can we better partner with others? How can we serve the community?” The Castilleja grads I know are deeply kind, and you’ll be so welcomed into the alum community. I am constantly inspired by other Casti folks and leave every alum meetup feeling energized and grateful. I can’t wait to meet you all in the future! Congratulations again on graduation! Shelley Kind ’09
Dear Class of 2020, Congratulations, you made it to graduation day, though a little different than how you envisioned! You are now well-prepared to take on the world, armed with a Castilleja degree. Wherever life takes you, no matter how far away you stray from Palo Alto, you will always be part of an amazing community. Stay in touch with one another, and with your teachers. You will make new friends, have other mentors¬–but I have found in the 40 years since I left Castilleja for the East Coast and then the Midwest, that the friends I made at Casti, the teachers who mentored me–truly shaped the person I have become. Looking back on my life, one of the best decisions I ever made was to leave my parents’ home in San Benito County for an independent boarding school in Palo Alto. It changed my life, as I am sure it has changed your life. The impact of the world-class education you received, the incredible people you have met there, the experiences you had, including this strange graduation, will reverberate throughout your lives. Good luck! Claire Kirch ’80 Congratulations, Class of 2020! And welcome to the Castilleja alumnae community. While I’m sure you are experiencing a mix of emotions about leaving the circle, my wish for you is that stepping away from 1310 Bryant Street will allow you to realize how special the Castilleja alumnae community is and how precious the relationships are that you’ve formed during your time around the Circle. Best wishes to each of you in the coming months and years! Sydney Larson ’03 Congratulations on your graduation. I attended Castilleja for thirteen years and loved every minute there. I still know and love friends from kindergarten, first and second grade and later years. I hope that you will continue your Castilleja friendships for the rest of your lives because they are special. You will have fun remembering your shared experiences going forward. Barbara Leep ’61
Congratulations Casti Class of 2020! Though you might not realize it now, you will remember your senior year and lack of a formal graduation for many more years than other classes have remembered their “normal” graduations. You will always be able to brag, “I was there for the Pandemic of 2020”. You have missed many activities and celebrations during this time. At a young age you have learned to successfully deal with disappointment and have learned patience. You are light-years ahead in maturity than many of your older Casti sisters were when they were 18. Best wishes to each of you as you embark on an uncertain, but sure to be, exciting future. Perhaps next year you can all reassemble in person on the Circle, dressed in white, and celebrate your Graduation. It will mean even more at that time. Casti Always! Kelsey Mathias ’74 Can you believe that this part of your Castilleja experience is over? You will miss your friends! Your friends and Casti will always be there. Honest. Guess who is the first one you call to help prep you for your interview? Or come over and help you pack for your job in Ghana? Or tell you’ve met your life partner? You’ve made a life changing discovery in vaccines...chances are you will call a Casti friend. The friendships you’ve made and the network available to you though the alumni network will serve you for your entire life. Congratulations on a job well done. Christina Hansen McClure ’71 Class of 2020! Wow, this has been a tough year. But you went through it together and will go down in Casti history. Way to thrive. For me, the best part of being a Castilleja alum is all my fellow alum friends, only some of whom I actually knew at school. Even though some good times didn’t happen, more fun lies ahead. Stay connected and stay gold. Best wishes for all of your future adventures! Kristin Meier ’87
Congratulations Class of 2020! Always remember the 5Cs. These values have provided you with a strong foundation and can continue to inform and shape your individual paths. Each C is so important, but I believe “courage” is the most critical. It takes courage to maintain conscience, act with courtesy, uphold charity, and develop good character. Find your passion and fight for it. Work hard, but try to enjoy life’s journey. It will not always be easy, but you mustn’t lose faith in yourself or lose sight of your goals. The best thing is to be prepared (which Casti certainly taught us), remain open to new possibilities, and accept challenges as opportunities for growth. Be grateful. Be gracious. Always embrace learning. Raise your voices and do not be afraid to create change; the world needs thoughtful leaders. Becoming the best version of yourself is a great accomplishment. Along with the 5Cs, develop tenacity, resilience, and perspective. Above all, find courage to follow your heart and reach for your dreams! Sherene Melania ’00 It was 55 years ago when we received our diplomas from Castilleja. I have been guided by charity with my personal and professional life¬–giving back is the best feeling (sort of like those days when you knew we did not have chipped beef for lunch). I have been blessed to work in the philanthropy field for small and large Foundations and have asked and received donations from my Casti classmates to causes local and worldwide. You see, we get it. We have been given so much with our Casti education and with the forever kinship of our classmates. So go on, hug your friends but do not forget to thank the educators and supporting staff that made Casti wonderful (mostly) for you. Cindy Swanson Miller ’64
Dear Class of 2020, None of us experienced anything close to what you are experiencing now. But we know that you will persevere because Casti students are good at that–we rise to the challenge and always exceed expectations. My years at Castilleja taught me to work and study hard, which paid off immensely as most college curriculums are about as tough as our high school, and in many cases easier! You learned, befriended, loved, danced, worked, and played hard. All of these actions helped to grant you the resilience to face what comes next. Best of luck to you all. You will cherish these memories fondly–I know I sure do. Natalie Skelton ’85 Congratulations!! Have a blast on this next adventure–you’ve worked hard and earned it! You are so lucky to be part of the alumnae community now–I’ve loved staying in touch with my teachers through college and grad school and my best friend from Castilleja is even going to be the maid of honor at my wedding next year. Wherever you go, you’ll always have Castilleja as a home to come back to. Rachel Skokowski ’11 Well done on finishing your studies! You are now ready to go out into the world (even more than you already have done) and USE what you know, and to continue learning by observing, using all you know to evaluate what you are observing, to put it into perspective. I’d say an important fact to keep in mind–and it is a fact–is that you are who you are, you know what you want to create, and you can find a way to do that. Don’t let anyone tell you differently, or discourage you from trying something they are “sure” can’t be done. Just go for it! And enjoy it! Life is a game, to be played hard and excitedly toward a great future. Virginia Smedberg ’63
Congratulations, you did it! This is a huge accomplishment and one worth celebrating, even though this year is different than normal. I hope you’re all able to appreciate the hard work you’ve accomplished to get to this place. You all deserve to feel confident in your ability to make your mark as you step into the transition to college. In the ten years since graduating, seeing and hearing what other Castilleja women are up to has been a source of encouragement and inspiration for me. This becomes especially important in the face of challenges, fear or doubt. The Castilleja alumnae community is full of women who model to me through their own lives that it’s possible to make a difference and pursue whatever I set my mind to. Anna Swenson ’10 Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Thought: Just follow Casti’s 5 C’s…they are priceless and will help you toward success and happiness. (My favorite “C” is for Courage.) Be strong, be well. Lynn Armstrong Winkel ’52 I think the “C” I identify with most would be courtesy. It translates into listening, caring, allowing people their dignity, not ever humiliating¬–accepting people for who they are and what they believe. This is an everyday thing, an awareness of people around you. Good luck to you! Gail Wilson Zetter ’64
Castilleja Song Growing wild upon the hillside, Modest flower of woodland ways; Castilleja, Castilleja, Gladly now we sing thy praise. Castilleja, Castilleja, We sing thy praise. Dear to us thy crimson blossom, Emblem bright of hope and cheer, Round thy name shall ever linger, Memories of school days dear. Castilleja, Castilleja, Of school days dear. Earnest workers, happy hearted, Loyal to the name we bear, Glad are we to sing thy praises, Proud thy crimson hue to wear, Castilleja, Castilleja, Thy hue to wear. Music by Josephine Large Words by Helen Hatch