Alumnae Connections Alumnae Events and Panel

from Full Circle 2021

by Castilleja School

Donor Spotlights Giving to the Capital Campaign

Alumnae Connections

ALUMNAE EVENT CALENDAR

We hope to resume in-person gatherings as soon as public health guidelines allow us to do so.

SUMMER 2021

ALUMNAE AFFINITY GROUPS LAUNCH Virtual

FALL 2021

REUNION WEEKEND Saturday, October 9 - Sunday, October 10, 2021 Alumnae with graduation years ending with “6” or “1”

WINTER 2022

YOUNG ALUMNAE BRUNCH Wednesday, January 5, 2022

SPRING 2022

CASTILLEJA ALUMNAE PARENTS ASSOCIATION (CAPA) EVENT

VIEW360 Our annual event benefitting tuition assistance castilleja.org/view360

FOUNDER'S DAY Celebrate our Founders and the Class of 2022 with lunch on the Circle. ONGOING

REGIONAL GATHERINGS

ALUMNAE PANELS It’s a gift to the entire Castilleja community when alumnae come back to the Circle to share their insights. Do you have a life or career story to share? Contact alumnae@castilleja.org about upcoming alumnae panel discussions.

(Clockwise from Top Center): Margarita Ibarra ’15, Shanti Perkins ’90, Orlena Fong Shek ’95, Kristin Bell ’95, and Anne Kelly Mellenthin ’80.

ALUMNAE PANEL

Voices of Courage

ALUMNAE SHARE HOW THEY FACED A PATH UNKNOWN

While Reunion Weekend 2020 had to be hosted virtually, it enabled over 300 alumnae from 50 different graduation classes (1950 to 2020) to connect and celebrate the "0" and "5" classes from all over the world, including New York, Scotland, and Hong Kong. Keeping with tradition, reunion festivities began with an Alumnae Panel in which five alumnae shared their inspiring life stories of courage.

Orlena Fong Shek ’95 shared her journey from survivor to storyteller. After suffering a hemorrhagic stroke due to Moyamoya disease, Orlena relearned how to walk and talk. She highlighted that Castilleja ingrains in every student the tenacity to never give up. Kristin Bell ’95 practiced courage every Sunday when her mother dropped her at Castilleja where she was a five-day boarding student. Her experience pushed her to navigate two worlds, and in doing so she developed confidence in herself as well as courage. Margarita Ibarra ’15 is the first woman in her family to graduate from college; she achieved this by paving her own path. She encouraged students to trust themselves and have the courage to follow the road most fitting for them, even if it is longer or less travelled. Shanti Perkins ’90 had the courage to overcome the isolation of being the only

“Difícil, pero no imposible.” It’s difficult, but not impossible.

— MARGARITA IBARRA ’15

Black student in her class. Now, as a Castilleja parent and Board member, she uses her voice to make change in order to promote antiracism and inclusion at Castilleja and beyond. Anne Kelly Mellenthin ’80 shared her journey of supporting her daughter Gracie, now son, Grae, in his own journey coming out as transgender. As a mother, Anne experienced grief seeing her child struggle to feel comfortable being their true self. Grae is now thriving, and his courage inspired Anne to move from a place of fear to one of celebration.

Each alumna showed vulnerability and authenticity in sharing her story, demonstrating that even in the most difficult of times, the courage to persevere exists within all of us.

Reunion Weekend

CELEBRATING THE 5s AND Os

In October 2020, we welcomed Castilleja alumnae from the Classes of 1950–2020 "virtually" back to campus for our annual Reunion Weekend. Alumnae across generations enjoyed making new memories around the Zoom Circle.

We celebrated individuals and the winner of the Castilleja Cup—as well as learned how Castilleja continues to preserve our beloved traditions during the pandemic restrictrions. Mark your calendars for this year's event October 9-10, 2021.

Julie Packard ’70 Recipient of Distinguished Alumna Award

Anne Macdonald ’80 Recipient of Outstanding Service Award