Class Notes

1952

Diane Carlotti DiConti

I had the good fortune to be able to attend my 70th class reunion at Flintridge Sacred Heart this past April. Since I was the only one from the class of 1952 to attend and the oldest person there, I received the traditional long stemmed red roses and a standing ovation. My daughter Laura, who drove me to the event, and I were honored to have Sister Carolyn sit with us at our table. She was such a gracious host.

Sydne Gilbert

It’s been an interesting few years since the start of COVID, but my biggest news is I married the love of my life–Damien! We got married on March 5 in what was lovingly described as a beautiful, dark, Victorian fairytale wedding. Not only did I become a wife, but I became a Mom to his handsome 13-year-old son, Xander. We bought our home in Santa Clarita and are living our happily ever after.

In other news, after 23 years of working in radio, I crossed over to working as an Account Manager and Media Buyer at an ad agency. It’s been a nice change of pace and has given me back my nights and weekends so I can spend more time with my family.

We retained about 70 avocado trees and also some citrus. A veggie and herb garden is a must that we look forward to each year! In addition to farming, my husband and I run Strata Aviation Arts, a small art company honoring the heroes and legends of aviation history. One of our art pieces is hanging somewhere at Flintridge Sacred Heart honoring fellow alum, Beverly Beesemyer. I can’t believe 2021 marks our 50th anniversary of graduation from Flintridge Sacred Heart! I guess I won’t have to worry if my Golden Diploma is signed!

1971

It’s true that time flies when you’re having fun! Cheers TOLOGS! I think of you often with fond memories.

1983

Jennifer McDonald

I am the mother of two incredible sons, 18 and 20. I am currently the Executive Director of the Patient Experience for the Loma Linda University Health system. My role is to champion a cultural transformation resulting in creating the optimal patient/family/staff/ provider/student experience.

1988

Monica Maya Simpson Article Published in San AntonioWoman by Dawn Robinette

Monica Simpson, Senior Pricing Analyst, Booz Allen Hamilton Monica Simpson’s father, an industrial engineer who raised his daughters to value math and science, made sure she dove into STEM head-on. “He had been a math teacher, and he expected us to do well. He would always tell us if you can do math, you can do anything.”

Simpson’s career certainly reflects that. Spanning from industrial to cost engineering, she understands not only how things are produced but how to price that production. “‘ Pricing Analysts’ are the people who work with the proverbial ‘spreadsheets from Hell'” is how she jokingly explains her role at Booz Allen Hamilton.

“It keeps my brain active. I am always learning new things. And knowing how hard it is to develop, produce, market, sell and sustain new technology gives me an appreciation for other tech I was never a part of developing.”

She believes there are many opportunities for women in the tech industry. “Women are incredibly flexible, have a great ability to multitask, and are emotionally intelligent. In today’s world of work, where there are virtual teams, teams of teams, lots of different specialties from various parts of an organization or business collaborating to innovate something new, those skills are important.”

She sees mentoring as key to growing the number of women in technology. “With women still seriously underrepresented in many STEM fields, it can be hard for a young woman to visualize and pursue success. Studies indicate that when women in STEM have female peers to support them, they’re less likely to drop out of doctoral programs,” she explains.

With that in mind, Simpson, who attributes her love of engineering to her passion for problem-solving, started a STEM club at St. Anthony Catholic School for her daughter and her classmates. “It’s very important if we want to encourage women in STEM and technology early on. It’s important to give back.”

She also speaks at schools to encourage students to pursue science. “It really makes a difference when you encourage people around you, and you treat people with respect, and you encourage them. When you look at someone, look at what’s the best they have in there. Bring the best out of them. Instead of looking at what’s wrong with them, look at what’s right with them.

“I was blessed to have a mom and dad who encouraged me in math and science, and I have had mentors encourage me when things got difficult or when I felt like giving up. That’s why I decided to give back to the community, encourage children and give them hope and open their eyes to STEM. We need to open their eyes to what they can see or what they can be.”

Fay Tian

We welcomed a future TOLOG Sicily, on June 3, 2022. (1)

2008

Molly Underwood Kazimiroff

My husband Bobby and I, welcomed our daughter, Eleanor Louise, on April 16, 2022. We are settling in now as a family of three.

For contact information of any of your classmates, please reach out to the alumnae office at alumnae@fsha.org.

Blast from the Past–1969 1