SENIOR GIFT
2022 Alumnae Induction Lunch
Meaningful Giving It is customary for the graduating class to form a senior gift committee to lead the process of determining the class’ legacy at Castilleja. This year, the Alumnae office updated the Class Representative role so that the Representatives now begin their tenure as chairs of the Senior Class Gift campaign. Selected by their classmates, Talia Bodner ’22 and Zoya Chughtai ’22 (pictured right) led the Class of 2022 as they thought about their lasting impact around the Circle and selected a class gift. The senior class gift is more than just a fundraiser. It’s also an opportunity to learn about the importance of philanthropy in independent schools and why alumnae support is critical to furthering every aspect of the school. Alumnae from previous classes often play an inspirational and motivational role in the senior gift process. Whether they are offering a matching gift or sharing their reasons for why they choose to give back to Castilleja, the camaraderie is palpable. “Giving is very personal,” shared Andie Navarro Sobrato ’08 during a meeting with the senior class last fall. “Every time I have given a gift, it has been meaningful to me. Just as my Castilleja experience was so formative, it is important that my gift is too.” Andie realized that she would not have attended Castilleja had it not been for the generosity of prior donors who contributed to the Annual Fund or Endowments. Now, she wants to make a difference for future students and encourage others to do the same.
44 | Castilleja School
To better understand how their gift contributes to Castilleja’s finances, the seniors heard from Kathy Layendecker, Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations. Ms. Layendecker described that tuition does not cover the total cost of providing a Castilleja education, and that independent schools rely on fundraising to close the gap. With these facts in mind, the class unanimously voted to dedicate their gift towards tuition assistance. A recipient of tuition assistance herself, alumna Natalie Morin ’10 sent a video message to the class thanking them for their decision to support the student experience. She shared, “Your gift to tuition assistance means more students can come to Castilleja and have that feeling of excitement; you’re paying it forward to the next generation of students.”
