OLP M a ga zi n e
The View
from above
Academy of Our Lady of Peace {Fall/Winter 2013}
Look Inside
OLP Magazine
Academy of Our Lady of Peace | {Fall/Winter 2013}
5
Pilots Embark on a New Flight By Kelsie Smith ‘14 & Theresa Dang ‘14
The ASB Executive Team uses their flight plan to take students to new heights.
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OLP Student Researcher By Maddie Ota ‘14
10
Building to Success By Shawn Hanley, Economics Teacher
5
OLP student, Maddie Ota ‘14, travels to the National Oncofertility Conference at Northwestern University, Chicago to present her forward-thinking hypotheses.
Mrs. Hanley challenges her Economics class to design and create a toy for girls to feed their engineering and technological brains.
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Annual Appeal By Margot Meier Howard, Director of Institutional Advancement & Katherine Kamrath ‘71 OLP’s Development Department makes the case for contributing to the school. Katherine Kamrath ‘71, shares why she chose to include OLP in her living trust.
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Alumna of The Year By Margot Meier Howard, Director of Institutional Advancement Terri Camarata ‘77 is chosen as the 2013 OLP Alumna of the Year .
18
Good Times Remembered By Kirsten Rauber Hadzicki ‘81, Alumnae Relations Coordinator
Alumnae event photos and memories from recently held reunions.
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10
Pilots Take Flight
OLP alumnae from all years share their exciting life news.
Cover An aerial view of the OLP chapel courtyard and fountain. Photo courtesy of Angela Cascarano ‘69
Mission Statement The Academy of Our Lady of Peace is a Catholic, liberal arts oriented, college preparatory secondary school dedicated to the education of young women. As a Catholic school, it is committed to helping its students become active participants in building Christ’s kingdom of justice, love and peace. As a school rooted in the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph, it promotes the cultivation of “gentleness, peace and joy” as we respond to the needs of the “dear neighbor” both in our midst and in our human community. Through its college preparatory program, its mission is to empower its students to become knowledgeable in those skills needed to achieve success in post-secondary studies, and to make informed and values-driven decisions in the context of today’s world. As a result of these endeavors, and working with parents as our educational partners providing a family context of faith-in-action, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace strives to graduate responsible women educated to the needs of society.
OLP Magazine
Letter From Head of School The Academy of Our Lady of Peace boasts a tradition of 131 years, educating young women to
the needs of the times, and ensuring a legacy that will endure well into the future. As we embark on the 20132014 school year, that vision remains the same and is stronger than it has ever been. On behalf of the faculty, staff, students, and alumnae, I am so very proud to help launch the new OLP Magazine. The school has always consistently published a monthly newsletter to the internal community, and a separate alumnae newsletter. Those stories will continue, but the means by which we are carrying that out will look a little different! This first edition of the new OLP magazine represents a rebirth of the tradition of excellence at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. Excellence that is infused throughout all that happens in the classrooms, the hallways, and in the global world, which our alumnae are influencing everyday. OLP is continuing to find new and innovative ways to enhance the future of our world through the excellence of our graduates. The class of 2013, with 187 graduates, garnered over $19 million in merit-based scholarships for university. The graduates speak to the tradition of excellence that is continually being pushed to new bounds! This year’s launch of the OLP magazine, allows us an opportunity to tell our stories on a grander scale. We want our alumnae to be actively engaged with their treasured alma mater, and the exciting changes happening at Villa Montemar; changes that are inspiring the next generation of young women. You will also see through the regional alumna events we are hosting this Fall and the coming year, that in addition to our OLP graduates being informed, we also want to find ways to reconnect. In this first magazine edition you will be able to glimpse into the OLP classrooms of today, and learn how curriculum and the professional world in the local San Diego area are converging. You can read more about this in an article titled “Building to Success,” on page 10. In addition, we want to showcase our exemplary alumnae that are agents of transformation in our global world, daily making a difference for our communities. These women are the living testament to the presence of the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, which continues to inform their lives well after graduation. One extraordinary example of this is our alumna of the year, Terry Camarata ‘77, who is profiled on page 16. While we enjoy sharing the latest news and innovations at OLP, please know that we also want to hear from you, our friends and alums, about your achievements and life moments. Send your updates to our Alumnae Relations office at alumnae@aolp.org. I look forward to hearing from you and having the opportunity to strengthen our relationships!
Academy of Our Lady Of Peace Head of School Lauren Lek Vice Principal John Galvan Assistant Principal, Director of Admissions Jessica Hooper Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services Jeanette Handelsman Director of Institutional Advancement Margot Meier Howard Editor Emily Pippin Contributors Donna Allen ‘85 Margot Meier Howard Gilberto Moreno Shawn Hanley Maddie Ota ‘14 Suzie Knapp ‘79 Kirsten Rauber Hadzicki ‘81 Kelsie Smith ‘14 Theresa Dang ‘14 Board of Directors Lauren Lek, Head of School Mike Coughlin, Board Chair Sister Breege Boyle SSL Msgr. Richard Duncanson Dr. Nora Faine-Sykes ‘78 Mike Guerrero Susan Hause Clair Kennedy ‘81 Damian McKinney John McMahon Sister Jill Marie Napier CSJ Kathleen Olsen Coreen G. Petti Barbara Picco Sister Virginia Rodee ‘53 RSCJ Rita Scherrei
To contact the editor or
Wishing you God’s continued blessings,
submit a story idea, please email Emily Pippin at epippin@aolp.org
Lauren Lek
should be sent to Alumnae Relations at alumnae@aolp.org
Head of School
Class notes
To update your address, please contact Chris Abdenour at cabdenour@aolp.org
{ Ne w s & A nnouncemen t s }
Looking to the Future The Academy of Our Lady of Peace is excited to have been granted the entitlement for a new state-of-the-art educational building. With this excitement comes the opportunity to look at how our facilities are meeting the current and future needs of our young women in preparing them for the 21st century.
Cranbrook Kingswood Girls’ School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Together the Board of Directors and Head of School, have partnered with Lake|Flato, an
Photo Courtesy of Lake|Flato Architects
architectural design firm, specializing in serving the needs of schools in preparation for the
Lake|Flato will be quintessential in helping OLP redefine its
future. Lake|Flato has worked with Universities
existing learning spaces, and envision the new 20,000-square-
such as Princeton University, Arizona State
foot building. The collaborative master site planning process
University, University of Texas, and schools such
is anticipated to span six months, involving faculty, parents,
as Francis Parker, Carver Academy, and Cranbrook
students, alumnae, and community members. Lake|Flato
Kingswood Girls’ Middle School. The design team
believes that the planning process “should be expressive of
is focused on providing flexible learning spaces
21st Century Learning Environments; incubators of innovation,
to help meet the changing learning needs of our
creativity, and collaboration; buildings rooted to place and
students.
community; cultural authenticity; flexibility; and
This is an exciting time for OLP as we look at our needs and create a pathway to meet our vision for tomorrow. 4 | OLP Magazine
exemplary design.” This is an exciting time for OLP as we look at our needs and create a pathway to meet our vision for tomorrow. We will continue to update our OLP community via the website, Facebook, Twitter and our monthly e-newsletter, At OLP. ●
Written By
Kelsie Smith ‘14 & Theresa Dang ‘14
Pilots Embark on a New Flight Some say change is hard. We say bring it on.
Many changes have already taken place on our beautiful campus and throughout our school. Aside from the major change of a new Head of School, our darling Mrs. Lek, there have also been other changes concerning administrative roles here at the Academy. Representing campus life, which includes school clubs, student class councils, and the Executive Council, is a woman whose dedication has always been toward leadership and service. What a perfect example Mrs. Handelsman ‘64 has been in the past as our Director of Students Services.
Let’s rewind to day one. The first day of school was full of excitement and of course some nervousness. The welcome back assembly was a way for the freshmen to show their spirit with our traditional assembly cheers. The theme for this year was also introduced. This theme was established over the summer by the Executive Council team. The finalization took much thought and deliberation before it was established...
Take Flight for ourselves, for others and with others. This means believing in a better tomorrow and working towards a goal of positivity and fairness within our school, in the wider community, and eventually reaching out to worldwide organizations.
Fast-forward to Spirit week, held in mid-
{ 2 013-2 014 } Executive Council September. This week is intended to create school and class spirit, as well as some friendly competition between the classes. Surprisingly, the freshmen have been dominating the spirit points! Spirit points are awarded to the classes who exemplify creative spirit and remain respectful during fun events such as these. The class with the most spirit points by the end of each quarter receives a mini class party, supplied by the Executive Council, with treats such as pizza or donuts.
And now let us look to the near future. In highlight
of our dedication to servant leadership, the Executive Council, headed by the Commissioner of Social Justice, created a “Call to Service” Assembly. Here, the entire school comes together to discuss topics that will be addressed each quarter. Our first quarter is spreading awareness about bullying, by speaking and watching clips about how it can be prevented and how happiness can likewise be shared and cherished.
Finally, let us look to a farther future. Although
OLP is going through plenty of changes, the traditional charisms of the Sisters of Saint Joseph—gentleness, peace, and joy—are seen and experienced within the green gates of OLP. Each year a senior is awarded recognition for their exemplary leadership in one of each of these charisms. What a perfect way to exit OLP, knowing that our goals of servant leadership have been met. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. The year has just begun. The Executive Council team for this year is extremely energized in our work for the OLP community. We cannot wait to experience the upcoming changes that will be taking place this year. Peace out from Executive Council. ● Fall 2013 | 5
{ T echnol ogy } Written By
Gilberto Moreno
P T V Moder ator
And We’re On In
3,2,1...
That is the familiar ritual on Thursday mornings at 7:45 in the Pilot TV studio. That is the start to our weekly, live, morning news broadcast. That is just one of the exciting aspects of Video Production at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. The class is a project-based, hands-on, technology-centered course that teaches the basics of film editing as well as broadcasting. The young women enrolled in these courses learn by doing. Each aspect of the learning in these courses is predicated by the belief that letting the girls freely use their creativity is paramount to the learning process. Allowing the students to be creative and work in teams as the driving force results in a more well prepared, knowledgeable and capable editor. Teams plan, film and edit commercials and public service announcements, as well as short documentaries on aspects of life at OLP such as sports, theater and student life. 6 | OLP Magazine
Whether it be working with high definition video cameras, portable audio equipment or writing news pieces for the broadcast, these future producers and directors are honing skills they will be able to take with them after OLP. Being able to present information via video and function as part of a team are skills that are increasingly valuable in all aspects of professional life. Having the girls produce videos to enter into local and national contests gives them a sense of pride. Two years ago, one of our teams won the IVIE Public Service Announcement contest! In an attempt to remain cutting edge, we will be looking to update our computers, video cameras and production switcher to hardware that better reflects equipment used by professionals in the field today. We would like to be able to do live information crawls and live, real-time green screening and the new computers and switchers would make that a reality. â—?
Written By
Suzie Knapp ‘79 Director of Campus ministry
{ P L A NNING }
B reath i n g Space
Junior Retreat planning is well under way
In the midst of the hustle-bustle of a new school year, a small group of Seniors gathered in a classroom to begin planning the Junior Retreat. Shepherding the retreat team was alumna and new faculty member, Bethany (ClayKlant) Turner ’95. We are so blessed to have Bethany on staff this year. She brings a wealth of experience in pastoral ministry and youth retreats to our school community. The enthusiasm and energy the students brought to the process of organizing a retreat for their peers was inspiring. Mrs. Turner invited the girls to go around the circle introducing themselves to the group and sharing the types of experiences they brought from retreat leadership, parish ministries, or community service. Many of the students have taken the initiative to teach Faith Formation, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, or Vacation Bible School. Others have served as peer leaders on Confirmation retreats and at weekly youth group meetings.
When I stop and consider the thousands of alumnae who have graduated from OLP over the decades, I visualize a long line of faithful Christian women taking the initiative to faithfully “serve the dear neighbor.”
Many have ongoing commitments at Sunday liturgy such as altar serving, lectoring, and Eucharistic Ministry. Hearing the girls share their experiences reminded me of my own years at OLP and my own opportunities to share faith through leading retreats and teaching catechism classes. When I stop and consider the thousands of alumnae who have graduated from OLP over the decades, I visualize a long line of faithful Christian women taking the initiative to faithfully “serve the dear neighbor” through parish ministries and community service. This consistent commitment is a living witness to the concept that “We are Church” – which OLP Campus Ministry so often tries to create for our students. The Seniors on the retreat team give me hope that this example of Christian leadership will continue for many decades to come. The Junior Overnight Retreats are scheduled for November 21-22 and January 30-31. Please keep all the retreatants, team and faculty supervisors in your prayers. God bless us! ●
Fall 2013 | 7
{STUDENT LEARNING} Written By
Maddie Ota Class of 2014
OLP Student researcher OLP student Maddie Ota ‘14 travels to the National Oncofertility Conference at Northwestern University, Chicago to present her ideas According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 12.7 million people discover they have cancer each year. With current advancements in cancer-fighting drugs, the percentage of survivors has steadily increased over the past four years. Unfortunately, most cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, result in patients’ compromised fertility. In 2006, reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff pioneered Oncofertility, a field of science centered on the study of fertility preservation options for cancer patients. Dr. Woodruff intended Oncofertility to be multidisciplinary; it primarily focuses on reproductive biology, oncology, and endocrinology, but also incorporates other fields, such as the psychology of making fertility choices, the communication involved in disclosing information to patients, and the bioethics of artificial insemination. Thanks to the research of Dr. Woodruff and the Oncofertility Consortium, various options for fertility after cancer treatment exist today. Although many options are now available, there is often a lack of communication between doctors and cancer patients. In order to promote awareness, the Oncofertility Consortium created the Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA) to teach high school girls (who may compose the next generation of oncologists and/or patients) about Oncofertility.
Above: Maddie in front of her poster at the conference in Chicago
12.7 million
people discover they have cancer each year. 8 | OLP Magazine
“Although OSA girls are all high school students, we were treated as university graduates. The academy not only taught me invaluable knowledge about Oncofertility, but also prepared me for what it is like to be a college student and scientist.” Maddie Ota ‘14
I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the San Diego OSA, one of four academies nationwide. During the sixweek program, I had the incredible opportunity, along with the eleven other selected candidates (who came to be known as my OSA sisters), to learn about this rising field of science, meet and discuss research with some of the most renowned specialists, and tour the labs and research centers at UCSD Health Sciences centers. I learned research and technologies of which most people have never even heard.
physical health of her child(ren)? We presented our posters to the local scientific community. Based on the thoroughness of our research and ability to articulate our ideas, the latter chose three other OSA girls and me to present our posters at the National Oncofertility Conference at Northwestern University, Chicago this September. The conference was incredible. I listened to talks from the most prominent scientists about current research in Oncofertility that has not yet been formally published in the scientific world. It was so interesting to hear the collaborative efforts of people around the world attempting to engender hope for cancer survivors of having biological children. Finally, I shared my research side-by-side with scientists from universities around the nation and even got to talk one-on-one with Dr. Woodruff. Although OSA girls are all high school students, we were treated as university graduates. The academy not only taught me invaluable knowledge about Oncofertility, but also prepared me for what it is like to be a college student and scientist. In addition, I made friends with eleven other OSA girls who are all passionate, driven, and interested in making the world a better place. A challenging program presented me a summer of unforgettable memories and friendships.
At the end of the Academy, we were asked to research an aspect of Oncofertility in which we were interested and create a scientific poster. After much deliberation and tedious hours (more like days) of research, I created an educational poster helping to show my research. Through my presentation, I urged the scientific community to consider the ethical dilemmas of multiple embryo transfers; since women often opt for multiple embryo transfers, is it right to put a woman’s desires over the
Remember: Oncofertility has been around for less than ten years. With such a new field of science, there is still much to discover. Dr. Woodruff stated at the conference that it is her earnest hope that one day we will have the knowledge to eliminate Oncofertility, for in an ideal world we would not have cancer treatments that cause infertility. I hope that in the future, cancer patients will never have to worry about being unable to have children. But until then, we will need the passion and perseverance of the network of Oncofertility scientists (and even that of high school girls) to pave the way for a future of fertile cancer survivors. Fall 2013 | 9
Building to Success
{LEARNING IN ACTION}
GIRL TOY MAKERS PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER
By Shawn hanley, Economics Teacher
Left: Students play with a Rokenbok toy. Below: Two students examine the Goldie Blox toys. Right: Caitlin Bigeolow ‘07 talks to Mrs. Hanley’s Economics class .
Sometimes a really good idea can find its way to you in the simplest form; a conversation with a colleague. This is how the idea of doing an economics project that focuses on having students create a toy specifically for girls got started. English teacher Katie Turner told me about an awesome new toy her daughter, Jane, had received called Goldie Blox. This game was created by Debbie Sterling, a Stanford engineering graduate who envisioned a toy for girls that used girls’ love for reading and combined it with creating and building as well. Debbie was dismayed by the lack of games for girls that included inventing, creating, or engineering aspects. She set out to change that by creating Goldie Blox. Indeed, there is a growing sentiment among many people, especially women, that today’s toys need to be more gender neutral.
Most toys that one would find in the toy aisle for girls are pink and usually have something to do with a princess or beauty shop. Many see what they call the “pinkification of girls’ toys” as damaging to their development, stressing the value of beauty over brains. Indeed, in an article for the Daily Telegraph, John Bingham writes, “shops and toy makers have been accused of creating a generation of ‘pushy princesses’ by offering products for girls almost exclusively in pink.” Many educators, and parents as well, believe that this increase of pink in products for girls is widening the gender gap. Many toy companies are starting to embrace this new ‘ girl friendly’ trend, but many fail to realize that by taking Legos or Lincoln Logs and coloring them pink is not helping the cause in any way and may be even more insulting than progressive. So, my economics classes have been given the challenge of creating a toy specifically for girls that incorporates either chemistry, math, or physics in the game. Working in
groups of three, their task is three-fold: first they have to decide on what to make and then make a prototype, then they have to figure out a name that will capture the essence of the toy, and finally, they have to figure out price point and marketing strategies for their new toy.
We had the pleasure of having OLP graduate Caitlin Bigelow ‘07, who works in marketing for San Diego-based toy company, Rokenbok, as a guest speaker in our economics class. Rokenbok specializes in toys that focus on engineering, construction and design. While Caitlin admits that about 90% of their consumers are male, she says there is a definite shift in marketing going on and they are seeing more interest in their products by parents for their daughters as well as their sons. She feels in the very near future more and more toy companies are going to be making their toys more gender neutral so all children can enjoy them. This project uses several different modalities that students learn with. It uses visual modality in that the students must make their toy attractive for the consumer, it uses auditory modality in the collaborative environment of their working group and their need to listen to each others’ ideas and suggestions and the tactile modality of creating something tangible and real. It is also a cross curricular project as we are working with Margaret Wideower ‘68 in the Science department and Laura Rodriguez ‘07 in the English department. The students seem very excited about the project and the possibilities. ●
Fall 2013 | 11
G I
OLP Annual Appeal 2013-2014
I
Funding Her Dreams
magine our delight when we answered the phone on a recent Monday morning. The parent of a current sophomore called to ask about making an annual gift to OLP. As a person who gives to a variety of very worthwhile projects, Sara went straight to the point, “I want to be sure my contribution goes to where you need it most!” It’s true … tuition fees do not cover the entire cost of providing an OLP education for each student. That’s why every contribution to the OLP Carondelet Annual Fund counts.
Financial gifts also positively impact the lives of students who are suffering the loss of a parent or are unexpectedly faced with a drastic reduction in family income.
Each contribution is significant...
Each contribution is significant and ensures we maintain the integrity of a stellar education for each young OLP woman. Together our financial contributions stimulate our capacity to provide science and technological support, expand a cutting edge materials budget, enhance our visual and performing arts programs and more.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have always dedicated themselves to the heartfelt care of the “dear neighbor.” Rooted in that tradition today, we feel it is our first responsibility to ensure that a student beginning her academic career at OLP is empowered to complete the OLP education she started.
OLP must stand ready to respond spiritually and also practically. Tuition assistance can be the lifeline. We encourage and thank you for contributing today. Please return the envelope enclosed, contribute online or contact Margot Meier Howard, Director of Institutional Advancement, to discuss your interests and other giving opportunities, mhoward@aolp.org or 619-725-9188.
Plan to Attend a Memorable Evening to Support OLP Students and Programs
OLP Annual Dinner and Auction | The Prado at Balboa Park Friday, February 21, 2014
VE
Give Online!
Planning Today Ensures Tomorrow Katherine Kamrath, class of ‘71, has included OLP in her Europe and Japan for concert tours. 1995 Living Trust. She has made the gift in memory of While attending SDSU for her Bachelor’s her parents. The gift will be distributed as and Master’s Degrees in Music an endowed scholarship to be given to a Performance she did come back to deserving student maintaining a 3.5 GPA, a “Please consider the Academy to accompany musicals, joining me in continuing faculty education endowment play for fundraisers and attend various fund, an endowment fund for the Music contributing to workshops sponsored by the Alumnae our future by Department, and an endowment fund for including OLP in Association as it was called in the 70’s. the upkeep of OLP buildings. Katherine has been at OLP since 1968 when she entered as a freshman. Since her graduation in 1971 she remembered the words of Sister Sheila McCarthy, “Come back to the Academy to visit and work with us.” She was awarded the Bank of America Award for Music at Graduation. She is past winner of the American Guild of Organists Scholarship. Katherine has performed concerts at Balboa Park’s Organ Pavilion and toured
your trusts. Invest in our future so you will be part of the dream, part of our future.” Katherine Kamrath ‘71
Katherine began working more with the Music Department in 1992 and now teaches two blocks of Music Appreciation/Choral Practicum, is Moderator of the Choral Club, Director/Pianist for the liturgies, Music Director of the Fall Musicals and Spring Sing. She also is Music Director at St. Didacus Parish, House of Scotland Band in Balboa Park and The Clovers. In 1998 after studying with the CSJs she became a CSJ Associate. The ceremony was held in the OLP Chapel.
Gifts to OLP qualify for corporate matching gifts. Check with your employer or call Margot Meier Howard at OLP at 619-725-9188
Written By
Emily Pippin ‘06 Marketing & Communications
M a n a g e r
{Spotlight Of Success}
Alumna
Heights With Nora Faine-Sykes ’78, current Board member, knows who she is. And part of that confidence came from her time at OLP as a student.
Nora always knew she wanted to be a physician. As she puts it, she was playing nurse as a little girl and expressed her medical ambitions to her father. He told her that if she could be a nurse, well then, she could be a doctor. And from that point on, Nora knew what she wanted to do in her professional life and turned to focusing on schoolwork. She was able to attend OLP after graduating from St. Jude Academy because Rosary, the school she traditionally would have gone on to, had recently closed. Nora found the community at OLP very welcoming, especially for an African American girl in the early 70s when race tensions were often still high.
The Sisters made a real concerted effort to ensure everyone who came to OLP felt a part of the community. Although Nora has many powerful memories of her times here at OLP, the one that is most poignant is following the loss of her father during her freshman year.
Reaches New Events Calendar Life, Career October Saturday 12
OLP Open House
Saturday 12
SAHS Homecoming Dance Class of 1993 Reunion
Sunday 13 During such a difficult time, she felt embraced by the community and powerfully supported. A few years later on graduation day, she saw Sr. Faye, a now retired OLP teacher, in the rose garden and had an experience that would set her in motion for success.
I saw Sister Faye in the rose garden and she didn’t say anything, she just gave me a big hug. And that was my launch. Today Nora works as a physician and is the Medical Director for Molina Healthcare in San Diego. She is actively involved with the Board at OLP and in 2011 her daughter, Adia, graduated from OLP.
College Fair
Wednesday 16
Fall Leadership Conference
Tuesday 22 Wednesday 23
Disneyland, Magazine Winners Catholic Charities Food Drive
Thursday 31
November All Saints Day Mass
Friday 1 Saturday 2
Father-Daughter Dinner Dance
Friday-Saturday 1-9
Fall Musical Performances Cheer Showcase
Sunday 10
Winter Arts Festival
Wednesday 13
Winter Sports Tryouts
Saturday 16 Monday 18
Fall Sports Recognition Night
Monday 25
Winter Sports Parent Info Night
December Monday 2
Catholic Charities Toy Drive
Wednesday 11 Christmas Tea/Candlelight Procession Final Exams
Wednesday-Thursday 11-19
Christmas Break
She often encounters other OLP grads in the community and discusses the shared experience they both had by coming to OLP—even if they graduated years apart.
Monday-Wednesday 23- Jan. 8
One of the reasons OLP grads can relate to each other decades later is because, as Nora puts it, “you can’t really hide here. The environment will try to find a way to meet you wherever you are.” The spirit of camaraderie and sisterhood lasts well beyond the time students spend at the school.
You’re Invited, Alumnae ALL SAINTS’ DAY MASS |
“Once you meet other OLP grads in the community, you are instant friends,” she said. ●
CHRISTMAS TEA AND CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION | December 11
Notes
ALUMNAE
November 1, 11:00 a.m.
Alumnae are invited to Mass and to the presentation of the Alumna of the Year award to Terry Sorgi Camarata ‘77 (see page 16)
Please see website for RSVP information
Fall 2013 | 15
{PROFILE}
OLP Alumna of the Year 2013
Terry Sorgi Camarata ‘77 By Margot Meier Howard, Director of Institutional Advancement Perhaps one of the most important and memorable events in the life of an OLP student is assembling for the presentation of the Sister Claire Patrice Fitzgerald ’56 Alumna of the Year award. Students, faculty, staff, family, friends and fellow alumnae gather to honor a woman who has established a
16 | OLP Magazine
public, persistent and positive presence in the world. The recipient of this distinguished award represents our Catholic heritage, amongst us and in our broader world. By example, she demonstrates the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
T
hrough her actions and leadership she defines and cultivates the qualities of “gentleness, peace and joy” in responding to the challenging and complex needs of our “dear neighbor.” As a strong female leader, she serves as a living model to our student community and shares with them the continuous wisdom in pursuing and becoming all of which woman is capable. OLP is delighted to honor Terry Sorgi Camarata ’77 this year. After completing her college degree, Terry opened her own business as a successful event and meeting planner in San Diego. “I first met Terry through the San Diego Zoo when she worked with us to host international conferences. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm helped set the stage for a number of conferences, including the highprofile Panda 2000 Conservation Priorities for the New Century, and cutting-edge 2000 Genetic Resources for the New Century,” said Amy Pat Rigney (Barnard ‘89), Government and Community Relations Manager, San Diego Zoo Global. Her exuberance, tenacity, knowledge and organizational
skills were eventually directed to the engineering and systems integration business her husband, Saintsman David Camarata ’77, founded in their home. Together they grew MTCSC Inc. into a highly successful corporation.
“
I am proud to say I am an OLP grad . OLP truly helped me become the person that I am today. --Terry Camarata ‘77
”
W
hile expanding the company, Terry and David nurtured their children in the values of their own Catholic tradition and dedicated themselves to providing the same valuable educational opportunities for their daughters: OLP graduates Carolyn ’00, Christine ’00, and Audrey ’05 and Saintsman graduate Paul ’02. Terry says, “I am grateful to my parents, family, teachers and dear friends from my beloved Villa Montemar for my lifechanging OLP experience.” Putting her appreciation into action Terry has given herself in service as a member of the OLP Board. She was instrumental in launching the Sr. Dolores Anchondo Leadership & Legacy Endowed Scholarship Fund through generous support. The growing endowment awarded the first four annual scholarships in 2013. Currently she is engaged in Advancement Activities for OLP as a member of the Development Committee. We thank Terry for serving as an OLP champion. We celebrate with her as she joins the roster of esteemed alumnae who’ve been honored as the Sister Claire Patrice Fitzgerald ’56 Alumna of the Year.
Top Left: Alice Humphrey Beas ’77 nominated Terry for the award Left: Terry skiing with her family. Right: Terry and her husband, Dave.
Fall 2013 | 17
Good Times Remembered!
Alumnae Events
Class of 2003 Friendships were renewed on an August weekend as
Class of 2008 Though they’ve only been gone for
five years, classmates from 2008 couldn’t believe the changes to OLP since they graduated. Enjoying North Terrace on July 26 as “grown-ups,” many ladies said, “It feels so weird to be back!” The reunion committee was led by Tara Atigh and Sheena Cross, while Dayna Winter-Nolte’s mother prepared some of the food (just like old times!). They especially enjoyed touring the campus and visiting their favorite classrooms!
Samantha Jarjees, Sandy Parry Kesser and Desiree Littlejohn planned two great events for the Class of 2003 with assistance from Sarah Giacalone, Kellie Giordano, and Katie Straub. Classmates met at the Lei Lounge on Park Boulevard on August 16 for a ladies’ night out. On August 17, alumnae and their significant others dined under the stars on North Terrace. Graduates were proud to show off their high school to husbands and friends who were astounded by the serene beauty of the campus!
Class of 1998 A cake decorated with a senior
class photo welcomed members of the Class of 1998 back to campus on
August 3. Joy Albritten, Fabriana Cafalli and Michelle Gonzales Stephenson put together a delightful dinner party on the North Terrace for alumnae and their dates. Spirits were joyful as alums relived their high school memories on a tour of the campus.
18 | OLP Magazine
Class of 1973 Members of the Class of 1973 gathered on
Circle Drive on July 27 for an afternoon of food
and fun. Faculty members from that period, Sr. Fay Hagen, CSJ and Deb Lefevre, were on hand to visit with their former students. Later in the day, many classmates enjoyed a concert in the park near Morley Field. Many thanks to Gina Barrack, Shirley Fenile and Barbara Biewer Tarlau for planning the festivities!
CSJ History
Corner
CSJ Sisters, You’re Invited! ALL SAINTS’ DAY MASS |
November 1
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet are invited to join the OLP community for Mass and to the presentation of the Alumna of the Year award. Terry Sorgi Camarata ‘77 (see page 16) was chosen to receive the 2013 Sister Claire Patrice Fitzgerald ’56 Alumna of
written by
Donna Allen ‘85
{CSJ Personal Reflection} In a presentation at our introductory faculty meeting in August, Alison Adema ‘81 used a photo which has since become a pillar of the prayer area in my room. Showing several CSJs participating in the Selma civil rights march of 1965, it now sits proudly atop a beautiful lace doily from Le Puy, France, given to me by Sr. Joyce Hampel, CSJ. And in the midst of this tableaux in room 208 is the heart of the CSJ charism; a foundation of lace which has inspired countless others to act, and which reminds us all to follow their example and cleave to the prophet Micah’s call to, “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.”
the Year award. Come early for campus tours at 10 a.m. Mass at 11 a.m. Lunch to follow Mass
CHRISTMAS TEA AND CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION | December 11 Please also join us for our Christmas Tea and Candlelight Procession in December. More information will be available on our website, www.aolp.org, shortly. We’d love to see you there!
{Grandparents day Connections}
As our school community gathered to honor the grandparents of OLP students recently, we could see and feel the delicate, yet strong threads of continuity binding us to one another across generations. It is an honor to look into the eyes of a young OLP student and then immediately into the eyes of her grandparent. It is a precious moment in time that grounds us, roots us and blesses us.
Written By
Margot Meier Howard
When the very first Sisters of St. Joseph gathered in a tumultuous, war torn France in the 1600’s they dedicated themselves in service to their struggling neighbors. Caring for those in their midst they founded hospitals, schools and orphanages. To support themselves in these times of poverty, the Sisters made ribbon and lace. In turn they taught the orphans to make ribbon and lace so that they could become self-sufficient. The Sisters of St. Joseph have always held the dear neighbor in heart, as grandparents and those called to fulfill that role, hold their beloveds in heart. As the Sisters of St. Joseph have shared their knowledge and wisdom in a practical way for centuries, so do our grandparents today.
Fall 2013 | 19
{ A l umn a e Ne w s }
Pilots Take
Rita Hazard Andrews ‘73
is still horse farming. Her son is a manufacturing engineer and her daughter is a professor in Switzerland.
Shirley Fenile ‘73
has started a writing career and just received her first two paychecks for her work.
Cherise Guess ‘93
was married to Nykolaus Reed on June 7 by her father, Deacon Harry Guess, in the OLP Chapel. Her sister, Nikki ’03 served as her matron of honor.
Sandra Burkhart Grove ‘73
owns a public relations firm in San Diego. She’s been married for 33 years and has three children, one of whom just got married.
Kathryn Hazard ‘73
has worked as a paralegal for nearly 40 years and enjoys her seven-year-old granddaughter.
Susan Bonta Peters ‘73
celebrated the marriages of two children this summer.
Natalie Ray Boeh ‘90
and Greg happily announce the birth of daughter Bridgette, born December 3, 2012.
Jenna Woo ‘02
married Anthony Cafiso on April 8, 2013 in Puerto Vallarta. Marisa Moore ‘02 was the maid of honor.
Christina Laughter Sardina ‘02 and husband Eddie, and older son Benjamin (almost 5) welcomed their second son Alexander Jacob on May 23, 2013.
Kaitlin Lyons ‘03
married Michael Prine in June at a ceremony held in the Coronado Village Theatre. The bride and groom exchanged vows on the stage flanked by their wedding party which included alumnae friends and family, Margaret Sullivan
F
I
L
’05, Coreen Rodriguez ’03, Meg Sheehan ’03, as well as Kaitlin’s sisters, Kerry ’94 and Rosie ’16.
Desiree Bartolome ‘03
T
H
Melissa Lee-Palis ‘06
is working with L’Oréal in Paris while finishing her master´s degree in business management.
Monique Teixeira ‘06
graduated in May with her juris doctorate from Loyola University, New Orleans College of Law.
is a kindergarten teacher at Good Shepherd Catholic School in San Diego.
Katrina Julian ‘03
G
Andrianna Aguilar ‘08 is finishing her final
year of law school.
Melissa Medina ‘03
is a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.
Alicia Miklolaycik Kurtz ‘03
graduated from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and has recently moved back to California to complete her residency in Emergency Medicine at UCSF Fresno.
Megan Lopez Mangerino ‘03
completed an MBA. She is married with one son and another baby on the way.
Tho Nguyen ‘03
is the mother of two daughters and is an accountant at Mercedes-Benz of Anaheim.
Laura Zucconi ‘03
has taught kindergarten for six years and is finishing her master’s in educational leadership.
graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University with majors in dance and English. The musical she co-created with two Columbia University students, “Lydia and Tom: A New Musical,” was performed at the New York International Fringe Festival in August.
Megan Badham ‘08
graduated from SDSU and is an editorial assistant at AVID.
Katie Brown ‘08
earned two degrees from Dominican University, a bachelor’s in business management in 2012 and an MBA in global management in 2013.
Sofia Cain ‘08
teaches second grade at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in San Diego. She graduated from CSU San Marcos.
Rebecca Chacon ‘08
is an art student
and has an invitation business.
Fall 2013 | 21
Ana Paula Garay ‘08
Victoria Valeria ‘08
Marin Hubka ‘08
Renee Waddell ‘08
Siobhan McMorrow ‘08
Dayna Winter-Nolte ‘08
Jyoti Patel ‘08
Laura Curtis ‘09
is a graduate of UC Davis and works in the mental health field.
is a graduate of CSU San Marcos and is moving to Los Angeles for work.
has a degree in kinesiology and is currently studying nursing at Concordia University in Irvine.
graduated from UCLA and plans to attend optometry school.
Mia Morales ‘08
graduated from USD and is studying counseling in graduate school.
is studying law at Georgetown University. She completed her undergraduate degree at Westminster College in 2012.
has a degree in business management from SFSU and works in Little Italy.
is attending graduate school at the University of Utah this fall. She completed her undergraduate work at Westminster College, majoring in psychology.
graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a major in chemistry (concentration in biochemistry) and a minor in Spanish. She is starting medical school at UC Irvine.
Christine Doi ‘09
Kristie Ruppert ‘08
is a UCLA graduate who works at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research.
graduated cum laude from UC Riverside with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. She currently attends SDSU, taking classes toward her master’s degree in accounting with a specialization in taxation.
Annie Thao ‘08
Caitlyn Wit t ‘09
graduated from University of the Pacific. She works as a dialysis technician while attending nursing school.
In MEMORIAM
22 | OLP Magazine
graduated from St. Catherine University with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a minor in philosophy.
We remember our beloved alumnae who have gone to their eternal rest.
Aurea Guajardo ’38
Claudia Corr Herwick ’62
Mary Ann Nugent Hoffman’60
Rosemarie Finch Tiernan ’65
Do You Have Exciting News? Promotion, Wedding, New Baby graduation, Other Milestones
We want to know!
Keep your sisters up to date by submitting your announcement to OLP Magazine.
Send your news and a high-resolution
photo to alumnae@aolp.org and you may see it here in our magazine!
Fall 2013 | 23
4860 Oregon St. San Diego, CA 92116
REGIONAL REUNIONS You’re Invited!
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace Invites You to Attend our Regional Alumnae Events
Washington D.C. Event
N e w Yo r k E v e n t
N. California Event
F R I D A Y
S AT U R D A Y
S U N D A Y
P.j. Clarke’s Washington D.C.
Hornblower yacht dinner cruise
Peninsula Golf & Country Club
BOARDING AT 6:30 P.M.
BRUNCH AT 10:00 A.M.
November
8
November
9
November 24
2013 2013 2013 1600 K St. NW Washington, D.C. 20006
Jointly hosted by OLP & Saint Augustine
5:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. WITH WINE & APPETIZERS
Pier 40, 353 West St. New York, NY 10014
CRUISE FROM 7-10:00 P.M.
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