JUG—It’s Really Just Us Girls

By Tracy Edwards

BACK IN 2008, as Loyola’s senior class prepared to graduate, a group of senior Cub moms realized that, like their sons, their own Loyola journeys would soon come to an end. Not ready to leave behind the friendships that had highlighted their experience as Loyola parents, these women hatched a plan to preserve the community that had provided a cherished source of support and camaraderie during their sons’ four years of high school. And just like that, Just Us Girls or J.U.G. (wink, wink) was born.

It started with a weekend trip to Temecula, CA organized by Debbie Ledesma Fernandez (Christopher Ledesma Fernandez ’08) and Annette Banks (James Banks ’04, Spencer Banks ’08). Initially, they reached out to their fellow aquatic team moms, and encouraged them to spread the word that ALL moms were welcome to join in on the weekend or “getaway” as they like to say.

Since that first year, J.U.G. has enjoyed 19 trips together— from more local weekends, bunking in a member’s home and hitting popular spots in Southern and Northern California, to out-of-state excursions in Massachusetts and Texas, and even a magical pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. Each member keeps a special charm bracelet, displaying a sentimental symbol from each trip, like a mission bell from Santa Barbara, a flip flop from Balboa Island and a champagne bottle from Temecula.

Though 20 years separate the oldest and youngest of the group, and political views run the gamut, there is a lot of common ground. J.U.G. members are mindful of keeping their getaways a safe place to share life’s joys as well as its challenges. Members have buoyed each other during extremely difficult times like divorce and cancer treatment. “It’s a deeply connected group, and a space where we can talk about anything,” says Mrs. Banks. “In the early years we were discussing our sons’ college choices and SAT tutors, but now we talk about the season of life we are in. It’s a lot of bonding, advice and support,” One of their current discussion topics: how to be a good mother-in-law.

The trips are always thoughtfully planned to be affordable and accessible to the whole group. Other J.U.G. gatherings include: an annual brunch in Santa Monica, a bi-monthly book club and the St. Ignatius Guild Preview Night is a must every year for the tight-knit group. The numbers have ebbed and flowed over the years, but usually four to 15 members will join in on each event.

While all of the members are engaged in various charities on their own, member Ilona Guillemet (Sebastien Guillemet ’09) explains that J.U.G.’s next adventure will have a focus on serving others, “We are a big group with a lot of talent and knowledge. We want to continue to grow and do something service oriented to help young people and make a difference together.”

Deep bonds, lots of fun and an ‘all are welcome’ attitude, have kept J.U.G.’s sisterhood strong and steady over the years; and it all began at Loyola. Mrs. Banks explains, “The wonderful thing about Loyola is that it brings together a vast array of communities of people who care about their sons, share similar values and want to connect with each other.”