The Marymount Magazine, Fall/Winter 2016

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C OM M U N I TY THROUG H

UNITY

PARENTS OF ALUMNAE: Please forward this publication and notify the Alumnae Office of updated address at alumnae@mhs-la.org.

Marymount admits students without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights and privileges, programs and activities available to students. It does not discriminate in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, athletic programs or any other school administered program.

The Marymount Magazine | Fall/Winter 2016

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2 Snippets

20 Athletics Recap

Feature Stories

22 Student Life

6 Lean In Together

3 Head’s Reading List

32 A Focus on the Arts

Alumnae News 34 Watch Our Women Alumnae Series Featuring Catherine Sweetser '01 & Veronika Cernadas '97

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Two students reflect on the importance of embracing different cultures, perspectives, exploring the unfamiliar, and delving into the exciting unknown.

Head of School Jacqueline L. Landry explores the significance of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) core value, “to create unity through diversity,” one of six core values that all RSHM schools embrace, as well as its meaning to our Marymount community.

2015-16 Annual Report

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Spreading unity throughout the global community

45 Transitions

Matching Gifts Double or triple your gift by obtaining a

12 Student Perspectives

16 Creating Unity Through Diversity

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Inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s (Chief Operation Officer of Facebook) Lean In Campaign, Marymount High School, along with other preeminent all-girls schools in Southern California, have come together in support of all-girl education.

40 Class Notes

46 Let’s Stay Connected!

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Corrections from Summer 2016 Bulletin: • During the production of the Summer Bulletin’s feature article, A Better Self For A Better World, Valory Banashek '17 said, “From making sandwiches for the homeless to making school supply kits for underprivileged children, BSBW reinforces that part of being a confident, independent girl including showing a genuine effort to help others, while also taking joy in doing so.” The quote was originally attributed to another student. We seek to honor her with this correction.

• Our Class of 2016 graduates matriculated to 67 colleges this fall.

During the production of the Summer Bulletin, the number was unintentionally miscalculated.

24 The Transformative Power of Retreat Week Reflect, refresh, and renew

• Our graduates were accepted into all of the UC institutions and Claremont Colleges this fall, although not all chose to enroll.

We are very proud of all of the schools our alumnae matriculated to and would like to ensure its accuracy.

Take an in-depth look at how Marymount’s Retreat Week program addresses the developmental and spiritual needs of each student, and how this signature program has evolved to become the communitybuilding force that it is today.

Through Our Sailors’ Lens When putting together this magazine, we realized that the best way to truly see “community through unity” was through the eyes of our own students. We asked our girls to send over what they see when they hear the phrase “community through unity.” The series of photos depicted throughout this issue provides our readers with a glimpse into the minds (and eyes) of our extremely talented students.

The Marymount Magazine is published by the Marketing & Communications Office.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. If we have made an error or if you would like additional copies of this magazine, please contact the Marketing & Communications Office at communications@mhs-la.org.

Thank you to all the contributors to this publication, including: Photography: Noel Ermer '19 Kambria Fischer Virginia Garland '19 Stephanie Guerami Daniel In Nora Kilroy '17 Sr. Margaret McKenna, RSHM

Madeleine Phung '20 Grace Rector '17 Dawn Regan Michol Roberts '02 Genna Whittell '17 Maggie Williams

Student Contributors:

Design & Printing:

Chloe Bermejo '19 Catherine Bezerra-Fisher '18 Christina Fazio '18 Lindsey McAllister '17 Gabriella Pacini '17 Grace Rector '17 Adrianna Silerio '17 Naomi Smith '17 Reagan Whitney '20

Design by Jennifer Spencer Design Printing by Southern California Graphics

Through Our Sailors’ Lens

“ This photo captures the true serenity in nature and in the world. In the rushed, stressful environment that we live in, it is important to stop and admire the beauty of this incredible city.”

Photo by: Virginia Garland '19

– Virginia Garland '19

SNIPPETS

Snippets 1. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

August 29th marked the beginning of the 2016-17 school year at Marymount! This joyous day showed no shortage of smiles and laughter as girls arrived on campus after a well-deserved and restful summer. The day was a happy blur, with old friends re-connecting, new Sailor Sisters getting to know one another, and faculty and staff offering a warm welcome to the sea of elated faces, ready to kick off the year ahead.

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2. RETREAT WEEK

This year’s Retreat Week was a great success, and each grade’s unique retreat incorporated the RSHM theme for the 2016-17 year, “To create unity through diversity.” The freshman and sophomore classes bonded through trust and team-building activities both on and off campus, and the juniors and seniors attended overnight retreats where they engaged in reflection, prayer and group discussions about fostering community and forging positive relationships.

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3. COOKIES & CONVERSATION

With the goal of getting to know each Marymount Sailor on a more personal level, Head of School Jacqueline Landry sat down with each member of the Class of 2020 for an hour of “cookies and conversation.” This special tradition sparked meaningful and fun conversations with all 123 freshmen.

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4. INSPIRING BOLDNESS SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTATION

BY DR. JAYATHI MURTHY

Marymount was delighted to host Dr. Jayathi Murthy, Dean at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, as this year's first speaker in our signature Inspiring Boldness Speaker Series. Students listened intently as Dr. Murthy shared her career trajectory in mechanical engineering, as well as strategies for overcoming gender biases in a heavily male-dominated field.

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Head’s Reading List

5

Novelist Angela Carter once said, “Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself.” In need of some inspiration?

See what Head of School Jacqueline Landry is keeping in her book rotation this season!

5. GLOBAL COMMUNITY WEEK

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For an entire week in October, Marymount celebrated our international and diverse community through various activities and fun events. Hosted by Model United Nations (MUN), Global Community Week featured a global trivia-driven volleyball game, delicious worldly cuisines prepared by SAGE Dining, an International Peace Prayer in 28 different languages, and a celebration of the diversity within our Marymount community.

by Christine Hassler

College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be

by Andrew Delbanco

The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Girls, Firms, Schools and Societies

6. ANNUAL CLUB FAIR

Every year, Marymount students join together to celebrate their varied and vibrant interests through our student-run Annual Club Fair. From music and culture, to animal welfare, service, and global engagement, the Club Fair serves as a reminder of how wonderfully engaged and passionate Marymount girls are.

by Scott E. Page

Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through Seven Transitions Into Adulthood

7. DTASC COMPETITION

In late October, the ten talented actors in our 2016-17 Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Program competed in their first event of the year. These talented girls performed their 5-minute skits in three different groups for a panel of judges alongside 2,000 students from 81 high schools at the Varsity Festival.

Expectation Hangover: Free Yourself from Your Past, Change Your Present and Get What You Really Want

by Lisa Damour, Ph.D.

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What Works: Gender Equality

By Design

by Iris Bohnet

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SNIPPETS

Snippets 8. CELEBRATING TOM

Get To Know Theology Teacher

ZIMMERMAN’S BOOK LAUNCH

Mary Katherine Sheena

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Our beloved photography teacher of over 40 years, Tom Zimmerman, published a new book this fall: Spectacular Illumination: Neon Los Angeles 1925-1965. His collection of over 200 vintage photos showcasing the history of neon signs in Los Angeles was met with wonderful reviews, and we are in awe of the staggering research and dedication that went into this accomplishment.

M

ary Katherine Sheena, one of our newest Theology teachers, has brought her wealth of experience with interfaith dialogue to her 12th Grade World Religions classes. Originally hailing from Princeton, NJ, Mrs. Sheena has always had a passion for exploring different religious communities. This year, she is helping her students explore the RSHM theme of “creating unity through diversity” by going far beyond what is written in textbooks.

Marymount carries on the tradition the Catholic Church of valuing inter-religious dialogue and understanding with a variety of faith traditions as is set forth in "Nostra Aetate" at the Second Vatican Council. As students study four major religious traditions: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, Mrs. Sheena helps our girls explore the beliefs, practices and diversity within each tradition by providing students with the opportunity to listen to music, reflect on poetry, and read news articles that relate to what is being studied.

Naomi Smith '17 says of Mrs. Sheena's class, “By being aware of other’s religions and traditions, I can eradicate ignorant notions that usually cause people to be timid in interacting with one another.”

Mrs. Sheena's approach has been greatly influenced by her time working as an education consultant and lead teacher for Generation Global, a Tony Blair Faith Foundation program.

This program teaches students the skill of dialogue and then provides them with opportunities to connect with their global peers through video-conferencing to discuss values, identity and community in a more personal way.

We’re excited to see what Mrs. Sheena will continue to bring to her classroom and are thankful to have her on board!

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10 9. CAPPING & PINNING

This November, our joyous Marymount community gathered together for the annual Capping & Pinning ceremony, Marymount’s beloved tradition symbolizing the unity of Sailors as a sisterhood across grades.

10. MENTOR DINNER

On October 19th, student interns and their mentors gathered alongside their family members on Marymount’s Dining Room Patio for our annual Mentor Dinner, celebrating the completion of yet another successful year of our signature Internship Program. Over 175 attendees joined our community in celebrating the outstanding advancement of this program, hearing from Head of School Jacqueline Landry, Director of Girls Leadership Robin Pickett, three of our amazing mentors, and five student interns about their experiences this past summer.

SNIPPETS

11. FALL FEST 2016 11

Students across all grades made their way to Lucky Strike, Hollywood to bowl and dance the night away with their closest friends at our first-ever Fall Fest 2016 school dance! With a photo booth and unlimited food and sodas, the night was deemed a huge success!

12. HALLOWEEN PARADE

This Halloween, students, faculty and staff took over Senior Lawn during lunch for a ghoulish, spooky and cheerful Halloween Costume Parade. Accompanied by renditions of Seven Nation Army and The Monster Mash from our talented student singers and instrumentalists, our girls displayed their creativity and spirit with a wide range of incredibly imaginative costumes.

12 13

13. FALL PLAY

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14. MODEL UNITED NATIONS

Over 30 students participated in Marymount Players’ fall production of “Trunk Show, ‘Packed With One Act Plays!'’’ which delighted and amused a crowd of excited patrons in early November. Our girls packed in fourteen surreal, absurd and humorous plays, providing the audience with a glimpse into the mysterious situations and lives of extremely diverse characters – and, everything came out of a trunk!

Our Model United Nations (MUN) team has taken this fall by storm, competing in several highly selective conferences against hundreds of other high schoolers from across the country.

At a recent UC San Diego conference, Marymount took home over five awards including our first ever top delegation award, the highest team achievement awarded at a conference! We couldn’t be more proud of our MUN team, whose skills for diplomacy, research and teamwork are extraordinary.

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LEANINTOGETHER

AT MARYMOUNT, we are preparing our students for college and beyond, encouraging them to be the leaders of our future. We pride ourselves on the fact that the girls who leave our doors continue on to be confident women, ethical leaders, and global advocates. We expect Marymount Sailors to break the stereotypes

LEAN

in TOGETHER

The Palpable Sisterhood Of All-Girls Schools and the glass ceilings that have been common barriers for women in the workplace and beyond (see article on page 34, ‘Watch Our Women Series’). Within our classrooms, Marymount’s faculty pose difficult questions to students and openly discuss the issues that exist outside of our walls—all while coming up with ways to combat these injustices.

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LEANINTOGETHER

WE ARE MORE POWERFUL WHEN WE EMPOWER EACH OTHER. WE ARE MORE COURAGEOUS WHEN WE ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER. WE ARE ALLIES, NOT RIVALS. WHEN WOMEN LEAN IN TOGETHER, WE ACCOMPLISH AMAZING THINGS. –LEAN IN Here, girls take on the leadership roles: they are the class presidents, vice presidents, and leaders of their classes. They are not stifled by the fear of speaking up or acting a certain way in front of boys, and they express themselves freely and frequently. The sense of community that is felt here is truly unmistakable.

When asked about the best part of her Marymount experience overall, alumna Sophie Regan '16, now a freshman at Stanford University, said: “What really makes Marymount unique is the people.

My classmates were the nicest, most considerate, funniest, and overall best people in the world, and I miss them dearly. I have never witnessed a better community than the one I found at Marymount.”

Indeed, there is an innate sense of sisterhood at Marymount; a collaborative versus competitive thinking that our Sailors know to be true. Catherine Bezerra-Fisher '18 shares, “In our collaborative environment, each day is a mutual victory, as everyone implements their ideas, strengths and knowledge to achieve the best results. We are reminded daily that we will be using these teamwork and collaboration skills well into the future.

Whether on group projects in college or in our careers, learning how to build one another up will surely be critical to our future success.” Every day, our girls are taught to help one another rise up, because we are stronger when we unite and help each other succeed.

And yet, there are still many myths that exist about all-girls schools, and there are unfair expectations that have historically come with the territory of being a woman. Time and again, we have heard the stereotype that the young women who attend all-girls schools are more competitive, sheltered, catty, dramatic, and even vicious. Though we know these myths to be absolutely false—as seen, heard, and shown by the overwhelming amount of love our girls have for one another—the fact that these notions still exist to those outside of our environment, shows that there is still work that must be done.

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STUDENTPERSPECTIVES

L to R: Dr. Priscilla G. Sands, Head of School - Marlborough School, Jacqueline L. Landry, Head of School Marymount High School, Elizabeth J. McGregor, Head of School - Westridge School for Girls, Elizabeth English, Head of School - Archer School for Girls

In Sheryl Sandberg’s 2013 bestselling book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, Sandberg describes the damaging confidence gap that exists between men and women. Women deal with biases, a lack of flexibility, and often have fewer opportunities provided to them in the workforce. Sandberg urges women to lean in together instead of standing back and trying to succeed separately. She wants to “encourage women to believe in themselves and their dreams while encouraging men to do their part by forming a more equal world.”

Lean In’s most recent campaign #LeanInTogether seeks to combat a gender stereotype that undercuts women’s most powerful strength: our capacity for, and inclination toward, close relationships and collaboration with other women. This is something that Marymount does on a daily basis, both inside and outside of the classroom—and not just with our students. Marymount’s Head of School, Jacqueline Landry, meets regularly with Heads from other all-girls schools to communicate and collaborate on issues that affect young women, so that together, they can come up with strategies they can take back to their respective schools (see picture above).

Inspired by Lean In’s mission of empowering all women to achieve their ambitions, Marymount High School, The Archer School For Girls, Marlborough School, and Westridge School for Girls, have united to launch a collaborative campaign, L.A. Girls' Schools Lean In Together, as an effort to combat the pernicious stereotype that girls are natural enemies. Los Angeles has a significant number of private schools, from co-ed to all-girls, Catholic to Independent, but as four of the most preeminent all-girls schools in Southern California, it is critical that our communities know that we support one another.

Head of School Jacqueline Landry says of the partnership, “When asked by families that are unfamiliar with the all-girls school environment if the stereotypes are true, we always speak about the profound sisterhood that exists on our campus. The ‘viciousness’ and ‘mean girls’ syndrome simply does not exist. If we’re saying this to our girls and our families, as the Heads of four of the most distinguished all-girls schools in Southern California, we need to model that unity as well. The tone is set from the top down, and coming together with these amazing women, who all have such strong missions for each of our schools, is extremely important.”

Students, too, are thrilled to see this partnership unfold. Chloe Bermejo '19 shares: “I am excited about the Lean In Together partnership with Archer, Marlborough, and Westridge. Working together, we reiterate that all-girls schools aren’t cliquey.”

Ruby Lightbourn '17 agrees: “This is a great opportunity for all the schools to come together to show the community that girls are supportive and want to see each other rise. I’m just sad that I won’t be here next year to see all that we’ll do together.”

As women, we want to celebrate each other. We need to eliminate the myth that women are other women's worst enemies, and that we are not courageous or confident enough to raise our voices. We are excited to share updates regarding the amazing work we’re doing through this partnership throughout the year. Together, we will make a difference. 

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Through Our Sailors’ Lens

Photo by: Noel Ermer '19

“ While venturing through the beautiful island of Hawaii with my family, we were astounded by the beauty of four horses galloping past our car. Moved by their familial appearance, I felt inclined to capture this moment with a photo. Like the horses in this photo, Marymount’s tight-knit community contains a diverse group of girls driven to change the world through spreading love and kindness.”

– Noel Ermer '19

STUDENTPERSPECTIVES

SPREADING

Unity THROUGHOUT THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

THE IMPORTANCE OF BRIDGING CULTURAL DIVIDES

BY GRACE RECTOR '17

F

rom a very young age, I grew up engulfed in different cultures, languages and communities.

The first experience that I vividly remember was when my mother and I traveled to Guatemala through her job when I was 5 years old. Even at that age, I knew that there were subtle injustices that I saw while walking through different streets and villages, but nothing that my 5-year-old brain could fully comprehend. I recall seeing people living on the streets, but not understanding why; I remember other girls asking me for food, and I didn’t understand why they were hungry. I learned about geographic luck and how the location where one is born can completely alter one’s future.

Throughout elementary and middle school, I continued to travel to different countries with my mom through her work – Ecuador, Mexico, Cambodia, Rwanda, Northern Ireland. On each of these trips, I immersed myself into the cultures and languages of others by simply talking to natives. One of my main objectives has been to learn as much from each trip as I could instead of imposing my own culture. In order to deeply connect

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with community members, I have done my best to take on the native language at each visit. For example, in Ecuador and Guatemala I utilized my Spanish fluency to talk about issues the residents were facing and what they believe should be done. Because of this, I have met so many inspirational, yet ordinary women who support their entire community without appreciation, and their boldness has inspired me to be a confident leader back home at Marymount.

When I reached high school, I continued my normal studies, but also longed for something completely different than anything I have ever experienced.

During my junior year, I applied, and ultimately was accepted to the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). NSLI-Y is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, providing scholarships for students across the country to learn security languages important in international affairs during the summer and academic year by means of overseas immersion programs.

STUDENTPERSPECTIVES

This past summer, I spent six weeks in Rabat, Morocco studying Arabic and living with a host family through this program. One of the first things I noticed as I began my summer journey was how completely different my new surroundings were from home. From the architecture to the food, and the language to the public transportation, I realized that there was so much to learn.

Rather than look at this new environment through a fearful lens, I saw this as an opportunity to try and experience new things. My Arabic teachers, host family, and friends that I met through this trip helped me to explore and understand this new culture, and the enticing and unique city that I was now living in.

Being fully immersed in a new city, far from familiarity, I began thinking back to how I felt when I first began my time at Marymount. Now a senior, I can vividly remember how different high school was from middle school. I relied on my teachers and new friends to help me adjust. When you’re in a new environment and you feel as though you have no anchor, it can be incredibly intimidating.

Simple tasks like navigating to and from locations, knowing where to eat and what to wear, or even what to say, can be debilitating.

While in Morocco, I struggled with these things. My first night in particular was extremely difficult, because there was nothing I could say to my host family that they would be able to understand except “thank you” or signing the alphabet.

It seemed like I would never be able to connect! But after putting aside my fears, and truly working my hardest to understand the language, the people, and the culture, by the end of my six weeks, I learned how to make my way through the maze of Medina, I became close friends with the owner of a delicious Syrian restaurant, I understood that I always needed to cover my shoulders and knees, and I grasped enough from my Arabic classes to know exactly what to say in most conversations.

One of the most incredible moments where I felt like I was a part of the community, and that the community saw me as part of them, was when my host family took me to a nearby city, Sale, to celebrate Eid – a celebratory day where people break their month-long fast. I, too, had taken part in fasting (for only 10 days), and the sense of relief and excitement I felt was shared throughout the city. Our family of 6 all piled into one car and stopped for ice cream during our 5-hour road trip to Sale. When we finally arrived, we all sat around a table, chatting and laughing, and even though I only understood about 30% of the conversation, I felt included. I felt the sense of unity we shared and the mutual loving sentiment. This immersive experience taught me the importance of understanding other cultures. I find that for me, not only is it necessary to pick up common phrases in the native language when travelling, but it is essential to take the time to get to know a couple of community members in order to fully Morroco comprehend their culture. Going on walks around the city with my host sister enabled me to learn from her as she taught me about Moroccan traditions and other unique aspects of the country that I would not have learned otherwise.

Grace and her host family

Rabat, Morocco

I learned about appreciation from my humble host family of 5 who live in a quaint house with 2 bedrooms, 1 toilet and shower on the roof, and a sink in the living room. Though the layout of their home may seem odd, it is their home and they make the small rooms seem enormous by their resourcefulness and creativity. The devotion to religion, the constant hospitality, and the determined ability to make all work that I saw in Morocco, along with all the other cultures I have experienced, has contributed to the person I am today. Everywhere I go, my heart is open to meet new people and learn new things. This method of interacting with the world has created unbreakable friendships and global awareness necessary to being a leader, and this skill has been reinforced through my education at Marymount High School. 

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STUDENTPERSPECTIVES

EMBRACING THE DIVERSITY THAT SURROUNDS US

BY GABRIELLA PACINI '17

L

iving in Los Angeles, we have the ability to encounter and embrace so many different cultures. Even at Marymount, I encounter diverse groups of students – from ethnicities, to religions, to our varied interests and activities – every day. We are taught to accept, respect and understand one another, despite any differences. It is the beauty that makes Marymount the school that it is. Our differences unite us, and our similarities—like the constant sense of advocacy that is an innate part of all of us—allow for the collaborative community that we are lucky to surround ourselves with.

I’ve now spent four years as a Sailor, and I know one thing to be true: we Marymount girls are passionate.

We are passionate about our work, our hobbies, our friends, and especially about volunteer service. Last year, as a part of my Kingdom Fair project, I spent the majority of my time working for the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation. This organization provides kids with mental illnesses or hardships, and veterans with PTSD from all over the greater Los Angeles area, with the opportunity to learn how to swim and surf using ocean therapy as a method of healing. Since my Kingdom

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Fair Project, I have continued to dedicate my time working with this organization, not due to obligation or for a grade, but because of the constant stories I hear from those that I’ve come in contact with that continue to move me. There was one experience in particular when I was swimming with a girl in the waves — I learned that she was my age and from a school not too far from Marymount. I realized at that moment that anybody in my life can be impacted by severe hardships, and doing something so small, can have a lasting impact on them, making their life just a little bit better.

We are all very fortunate to be at Marymount, and I think that we all recognize that. As a result, we know how important it is to give back. We are able to see that our advocacy and service can help even one person.

It may sound cliché, but Marymount girls want to make the world a better place and more connected as one.

I believe that every single student here wants to see a more understanding and connected community in our world around us because we know that type of community can exist – we see it in our school every day.

Marymount is a school full of spirit and excitement, especially when it comes to celebrating the students. 

Through Our Sailors’ Lens

“This photo symbolizes community through unity because I see the bright greenery guiding the viewers to a door that opens up to the rest of the world.”

–Nora Kilroy '17

Photo by: Nora Kilroy '17

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Creating

UNITY Through

DIVERSITY

As the Head of School at Marymount, I am so inspired by the generations of young women who have walked through our doors, each one of them unique in her own path. These women are curators of change, advocates for peace, and they are the difference that the world needs to unite for the greater good (see page 34 to read what some of our alumnae have been up to in our Watch Our Women series). What people may not know, however, is that globally, there are thousands of young women, and men, in Marymount schools around the world, all of which promote each student’s growth intellectually, spiritually, and physically.

JACQUELINE L. LANDRY, Head of School

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CREATINGUNITYTHROUGHDIVERSITY

MARYMOUNT

is distinctive in that our school is part of a Global Network of Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) schools. This extraordinary network is comprised of 19 schools in 8 countries including Brazil, Columbia, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Portugal and the United States. Together, our schools have educated over 40,000 students worldwide.

While there is great diversity among the 19 schools–some are PreK-8, some are high schools, some are boarding, some are co-ed, and some are like us, all-girls—our characteristic commonality is our dedication to the RSHM mission and the six core values that we all share (see sidebar to right). Annually, each school selects one of the six core values to focus on through programming, curriculum, Liturgy, speakers and celebrations. This year, the goal for our school is: “to create unity through diversity.” As a global school community:

1. We create an atmosphere of respect, forgiveness, openness and joy.

2. We cherish each of our members and are sensitive to the diverse talents, abilities and needs of each one.

3. We nurture positive and cooperative working relationships among and between students, parents, administration, faculty and staff.

4. We celebrate and share our diverse cultures and national traditions to enhance international understanding.

5. We foster an appreciation for the culture and customs of the country in which we live.

6. We maintain positive relationships with other schools and educational organizations.

APPROXIMATELY

25%

As I reflect on what “creating unity through diversity” means for our school, I am drawn to the emphasis on “unity.” Unity is not “sameness.” Typically in an independent school, when we enter into the discussion of diversity, we talk about it in terms of the Big Eight: ethnicity, race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and ability. We have to dissect and understand what shapes both individual lives and our broader society in order to truly create a vibrant community.

At Marymount, we aim to create a diverse community that is united by inclusivity and charged by a common good, something that our RSHM Global Network honors dearly.

As a 93-year-old school with rich traditions, we have grown substantially since our original graduating class of 3 women in 1925.

Over 36 percent of our 410 girls are students of color, and there are 19 different religions represented on campus. Approximately 25% of our students receive financial assistance to attend our school, and our students, faculty and staff speak over 29 different languages.

As a former University Chaplain and Theologian, I am reminded that there are two narratives that perhaps provide a framework that we at Marymount can envision in regard to diversity: The Tower of Babel in the Hebrew Bible, and the Day of Pentecost in the New Testament.

In the first narrative, we get a glimpse into what diversity should not be, and in the second, of what we should aspire to. In the narrative of The Tower of Babel, people of a single language build a tower “tall enough to reach Heaven,” elevating themselves to a God-like status. Their sameness and insularity leads to idolatry. The story then describes that God makes the people speak in different languages that confound them. The lesson is clear: if you have diversity without unity, and lack the awareness of your surroundings, you have chaos.

Both are to be avoided. In the Pentecost narrative, the proliferation of tongues (language) is given and every language is spoken and understood. Community is formed and it is the advent of the Church.

In the Pentecost, everyone unites in his/her diversity.

OF OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL

ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND OUR SCHOOL, AND OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF SPEAK OVER 29 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

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CREATINGUNITYTHROUGHDIVERSITY

At Marymount, we seek to attain unity through diversity in all areas.

We promote intentional sensitivity for students seeking engagement, and not just tolerance, and we strive to have a community that feels safe in an environment that is respectful. We also affirm daily the global vision that God has made us all as brothers and sisters, as reflected in the RSHM mission. Marymount students are aware of people’s struggles for human dignity across the globe, and are inspired to make a difference in addressing such injustices. As our RSHM Sisters work to promote justice globally on behalf of the poor and marginalized as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) within the United Nations, so are our students challenged to think of ways in which they can work to create a more just world. Marymount provides programs such as Model United Nations (MUN) and Mock Trial that keep our students informed about social justice issues on a local, national, and global level, and every day we look for more ways to create a more united and diverse community.

When I think about embracing “unity through diversity,” I often remember the RSHM Founder of the Marymount schools, Mother Butler. She was of Irish decent, went to Beziers, France for her novitiate, then went to Portugal to open a school, learning Portuguese.

Next, she traveled across the globe on multiple occasions learning different languages and opening the schools in Paris, London and Rome, all before modern transportation! This remarkable woman was open to other cultures, languages, and socio-economic statuses without judgment. Our Global Network of RSHM Schools embraces her vision and mission and we are all committed to a multicultural education that seeks to innovate, advocate, and succeed in our global, united, and diverse world. 

Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) Six Core Values: Marymount High School is an active member of the international network of 19 RSHM schools worldwide in which the following mission and core values are shared: • To foster a personal relationship with God • To create unity through diversity • To instill a lifelong love of learning • To encourage and affirm personal growth • To awaken a consciousness of social justice • To fulfill the RSHM mission – “That all may have life and have it to the full.”

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 19

ATHLETICSRECAP

ATHLETICS

RECAP

The 2016-17 school year has proven to be a record-breaking one for our #SailorStrong Marymount Athletics.

Here are just a few highlights as we continue to break barriers and watch our athletes continuously amaze us with their talent: VOLLEYBALL: For the first time since joining the Los Angeles Athletic Association, all three Volleyball teams went undefeated in the Mission League.

TENNIS: Both our JV and Varsity Tennis teams were crowned Sunshine League Champions this season.

GOLF: While facing some of the toughest competition in California, our stellar Golf team finished in sixth place.

CROSS COUNTRY: Cross Country completed another fantastic season finishing 2nd in the Mission League, and 13th in CIF Southern Section Division IV Finals.

Co-Captain Lindsey McAllister ’17 had an incredible year, breaking the Cross Country school record with a time of 17:10, finishing first at the Mission League Finals and earning the Mission League MVP title. We wish her luck as she competes at the CIF State Finals in late November.

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ATHLETICSRECAP

ATHLETIC REFLECTION: LINDSEY MCALLISTER '17 We asked Senior Lindsey McAllister, Marymount’s Cross Country school record holder, Mission League Champion and Cross Country Co-Captain, to reflect on her athletic career as a Sailor and how she continues to push the limits of what she and her team can do. See what she had to say: It’s amazing to think about how far I have come academically, athletically, and personally since I started my time at Marymount as a freshman. When I first started cross country, running 1.5 miles left me convinced I was going to throw up! I didn’t even realize I had the potential to be good at this sport until my first meet when I made the varsity team, surprising the team, my parents, and myself.

That night, I remember telling my mom that by the time I graduate, my goal was to break the school record. I knew it was a lofty goal, but as years went on, I worked hard individually and with my team, and we improved together. Our training intensified, the team grew closer, and we learned how to encourage one another to push ourselves further. Together we have developed a desire to work hard and push one another.

Academically, I have been so thankful to have activities that I love, and teachers who always believe in me. My teachers and peers challenge me both intellectually and athletically, giving me the support of a community that cares about my future. My passion for everything I am doing inspires me to push myself to do everything I do. With everything that I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish while at Marymount, I can walk away with the knowledge that I achieved what I put my mind to: I broke the school record, and I couldn’t have done it without this collaborative environment.

STUDENTLIFE

STUDENT LIFE Introducing Our Associated Student Body (ASB) Diversity Coordinators Adrianna Silerio '17 & Naomi Smith '17

“

Hi everyone! We are so proud and excited to have served as the ASB Diversity Coordinators these past two school years. We feel that we have made a huge impact on the Marymount community in several different areas, including bringing awareness of current events and creating a safe environment for everyone. We hope to continue spreading diversity throughout this school year to everyone in our community. We love being part of this amazing school and hope to leave behind a legacy that future Diversity Coordinators can build on.

�

- Adrianna Silerio & Naomi Smith

Snapshots

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Through Our Sailors’ Lens

“ This photo shows one part of a universe that over 7 billion people see each day.

Though people may live in different countries and continents, there is one thing that unifies everyone: the sun.

It rises and sets every day and provides life for humans and animals alike.

Every culture is different and unique in its own way, but everyone unites each day under the sun and the light that it brings.”

– Madeleine Phung '20

Photo by: Madeleine Phung '20

The

TRANSFORMATIVE POWER of RETREAT WEEK Reflect, Refresh, and Renew 24 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

Each year during the first month of school, Retreat Week serves as an opportunity for students to step back from the demands of daily life to take time to pray and deepen one's faith, to rekindle friendships and build community within each grade, and to reflect on goals and intentions for the year ahead. This program, a cornerstone of our Spiritual Life curriculum, changes the course of a student’s sense of community and formulation of identity, essential developmental building blocks for all adolescents.

Take an in-depth look at how our retreat week program has evolved to best serve the developmental, spiritual and community-building needs of Marymount students.

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 25

RETREATWEEK

T

eenagers live in a world of dichotomies: needing both independence and support, reaching for adult responsibilities yet wanting childlike abandon, searching for identity and also seeking the approval and comfort of a group, riding an emotional roller coaster while craving inner peace. It is no surprise that girls within this age group at times feel as though every aspect of life is at odds with itself. To make things even more challenging, high school students confront these deep inner conflicts all while meeting the pressures and demands of daily life: homework, friendships, collaboration, stress, clubs, activities, classes, athletics, eating, sleeping, and then repeating. The result for our Marymount girls? Four years of growth, longing, joy, learning, excitement, and success. Each girl emerges as a different version of herself, different than the young woman who first stepped through our arches as a ninth grader. Understanding the dynamics of this pivotal developmental period is central to the way we have designed our curriculum and programming at Marymount. One program that anchors and exemplifies our approach

For generations, retreats have been a beloved tradition amongst Sailor Sisters. Kristin Klein Keefe '88, an accomplished alumna, parent and athlete, reflects on her favorite experiences while at Marymount saying, “One of my favorite memories during my years at Marymount was my freshman retreat to Yosemite. It was such an amazing trip and a perfect way for me to meet and bond with all the other freshmen as I began my high school years. The experience helped me develop close friendships and sisterhood from the moment we returned to campus, and I am so grateful those friendships continue to prosper today.”

The inclusive and welcoming nature of Marymount’s retreats reflect our values and commitment as a school: retreats are fully funded by Marymount, and every student is encouraged to attend.

With each grade retreat delving further into the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual evolution of our girls, both Catholic and non-Catholic students alike are supported in the development of their personal identities, as well as their own faith traditions. Rebecca

“

One of my favorite memories during my years at Marymount was my freshman retreat to Yosemite. It was such an amazing trip and a perfect way for me to meet and bond with all the other freshmen as I began my high school years.

The experience helped me develop close friendships and sisterhood from the moment we returned to campus, and I am so grateful those friendships continue to prosper today.

”

is our annual Retreat Week: Marymount’s longstanding tradition of providing students with a reprieve from the fast-paced world, and an opportunity to reflect mindfully on the coming school year. This year, students kicked off the 2016-17 school year, as generations of Sailor Sisters have before them, with dynamic adventures, connectedness, and truly transformative experiences during Retreat Week.

Retreats have long been a critical component of the Marymount experience. They have evolved over the years, but the core concepts and goals have remained consistent: to provide students with an opportunity for prayer, contemplation, rekindling of friendships, and community building; all while educating our students about Marymount’s RSHM values and goals.

Equally importantly, retreats also act as both a celebration of our students’ close bonds with one another and an opportunity to forge new relationships. Students are encouraged to open up to one another, form new and unexpected connections, and build trust and comradery amongst their classmates. Our retreat structure allows for time to gather as a community and to reflect on relationships, individual challenges, fears, and pivotal moments and experiences.

These reflections and discussions foster a new dynamic within the group – a sense of openness, trust and sisterhood.

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– Kristin Klein Keefe '88

Bostic, Theology Department Chair and Spiritual Life Coordinator, says, “all of our retreats focus on the core ideas of community and relationships. As a student progresses through the grades, she is asked to reflect on the deeper and more vulnerable aspects of these ideas.”

During freshman year, the retreat kicks off a student’s Marymount experience with a focus on building relationships within her class.

Understanding that students are still in the beginning phases of getting to know one another, and feeling comfortable transitioning to their high school experience, the girls join together on campus for a variety of confidence-building and bonding activities. Exercises include facing their fears and climbing to new heights on a rock climbing wall, supporting each other in reaching for their goals, and exploring the qualities of friendship. Reagan Whitney '20 reflects on her experience at freshman retreat saying, “Retreat Week was a defining moment as I entered my freshman year, and I’m sure it was for many others too. It was a great way to get to know my classmates, whom I’d never encountered before, and helped us build character, understand healthy relationships and leadership, all of which are important to our community.”

“ The sophomore retreat program broadens the definition of “community” from the “Marymount family” to the broader Los Angeles area. Many students develop a passion for service learning and engaging with new cultures through academic and extracurricular activities during sophomore year, and this retreat serves as an eye-opening introduction to service opportunities. Activities during the retreat are designed to help students understand poverty in our world by getting off campus and visiting community service organizations in Los Angeles. This year, students visited Homeboy Industries and heard moving presentations by speakers affected by injustices. Most importantly, students learn what they can do to help and are left inspired to take action to fight these issues. Boyoung Kim, Theology Teacher and Sophomore Retreat Coordinator, says, “I think it is really important for our students to see different areas of L.A. – it was eye-opening for them to go outside of their daily lives and meet and speak to people from different communities.”

As juniors embark on the challenging and pivotal transition from underclassmen to upperclassmen, it is essential for them to take the time to reflect on their personal goals and identity, as well as to deepen their faith and further build friendships and connections they have with one another – relationships that will last a lifetime. The junior retreat aims to provide students with the opportunity for rest, reflection, and bonding, away from the distractions of the day-to-day through a three-day, intensive off-campus

“

all of our retreats focus on the

core ideas of community

and relationships. As a student progresses through the grades, she is asked to reflect on the deeper and more vulnerable aspects of these ideas.

”

– Rebecca Bostic, Theology Department Chair and Spiritual Life Coordinator

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 27

RETREATWEEK

“

Retreat Week was a defining moment as I entered my freshman year, and I’m sure it was for many others too. It was a great way to get to know my classmates, whom I’d never encountered before, and helped us build character, understand healthy relationships and leadership, all of which are important to our community.

”

program in Ojai, CA. When asked about her junior retreat experience, Christina Fazio '18 said, “During retreat week, our class formed an unbreakable bond, connecting with one another through discussions, team-building exercises, nightly conversations in the cabins, and taking advantage of the free time for activities like human foosball, basketball, and ziplining. We are no longer just a group of girls who are friends and confidants working together for a better education; now we are family.”

As students reach their final year at Marymount, the focus of their retreat circles around the concept of “legacy.” Through a variety of exercises, meditations and discussions, the seniors take time for reflection on their three-day off-site retreat in Malibu, CA. They explore the questions of what their legacies will be as they carve their paths into the future, as well as what gifts they will contribute to the wider world as they embark on their journeys outside of Marymount.

Students collaboratively discuss how to match their gifts and talents with the needs of the world. This process of discernment requires

28 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

– Reagan Whitney '20

asking the questions: “What anchors me?”, “What do we as a class want to be remembered for at Marymount?”, and “What is my calling and path for the future?”

Each retreat offers its own set of progressively challenging and meaningful questions for these young women, building on a foundation of innate trust with one another as a class, and within themselves personally. Providing an opportunity to have provocative communication, reflection and growth, Retreat Week leaves the girls refreshed, bonded, and ready to take on the school year with intention and grace. Rebecca Bostic sums up the immeasurable value of this experience when she says, “In this crazy world that our girls live in Los Angeles, our retreats teach the students how to take a step back and create a space for reflection in their lives. Taking a break for reflection is truly a skill that, if it is learned well, will provide each student with a stronger sense of identity, greater confidence in her unique gifts and a strong sense of the community of which she is an important member.” 

STUDENTPERSPECTIVES

“

During retreat week, our class formed an unbreakable bond, connecting with one other through discussions, team-building exercises, nightly conversations in the cabins, and taking advantage of the free time for activities like human foosball, basketball, and ziplining.

”

– Christina Fazio '18

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 29

Through Our Sailors’ Lens

“ It’s incredible to think that a place as beautiful as Santorini, Greece exists.

When I traveled there a few summers ago, I was amazed by its stunning architecture and different culture. I feel grateful that we have places such as Greece because it gives us a different perspective into various parts of the world. Every place in the world is unique, but we all come together and unite as one. Europe is just one puzzle piece in the whole picture of the world. We need all of the pieces to make the full image.”

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– Danielle Nelson '17

Photo by: Danielle Nelson '17 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 31

AFOCUSONTHEARTS

1

A FOCUS ON THE

Arts The Sailors participating in Marymount’s popular

Performing Arts program, making up over one-fourth of our student body, had a successful first few months of school. Our girls have had many opportunities to showcase their talent and hard work to students, faculty and parents alike. The talented musicians involved in orchestra and choir entertained and delighted our Marymount community with performances at multiple Masses, and their highly anticipated Tunes @ Noon – Halloween edition performance. The Drama Teachers Associate of Southern California (DTASC) team excelled at the Varsity Festival competition against 2,000 other students this fall, and the Marymount Players’ Fall Production of “Trunk Show: Packed With One Act Plays” left the audience in awe of our performers’ acting talent. With all this amazing work, there was no shortage of creativity on the stage this fall.

In addition, the artistic girls involved in Marymount’s

Visual Arts program continue to amaze us. With their creative works displayed throughout Marymount’s campus in various locations, the entire community can see the raw talent, work ethic, and technicality these young imaginative women possess. Inspired by the work seen on trips to UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History and The Broad Museum, along with the Makerspace and lessons learned in and out of the classroom, our girls have drawn, sculpted, painted, etched, and photographed countless thought-provoking and impressive pieces throughout the fall.

1. Over one-fourth of our student body sang, danced, or played instruments in Marymount’s Masses this fall, leaving their audiences wowed by their raw talent.

32 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

2. Genna Whittell '17 submitted her original photo as part of the “Tunnel Series,” a concentration of images that emphasizes shadows and highlights in a dark setting. The photo illustrates letting go of inhibition and displaying individuality.

AFOCUSONTHEARTS

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3

4

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3. In early November, The Marymount Players delighted audiences with "Trunk Show, 'Packed with One-Act Plays!'" Over 30 students from all grades were actively involved in this dynamic play that left patrons in awe.

6. Sarah Fahn '18 and Emma Klein '19 showcased their technical interpretations of images, reflections and color studies through the use of acrylic monochromatic paintings for Ms. Ceres Madoo’s Advanced Visual Arts I Honors class.

4. Ms. Carson’s Advanced Dance students choreographed their own solo performances inspired by sculptures at the UCLA Sculpture Garden earlier this fall.

5. Kristiane Alphson '17, who spent the summer at the prestigious arts summer academy at Idyllwild, closed the fall Student Achievement Assembly with a performance of a wonderful original piece.

7. Marymount’s DTASC Team (Drama Teachers Association of Southern California) competed at the Varsity Festival competition this fall against 2,000 other students from more than 70 schools across Southern California.

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 33

STUDENTPERSPECTIVES

Watch

Our Women ALUMNAE SERIES

THIS SERIES

celebrates

decades of Marymount graduates who have worked tirelessly to affect change in the world around them, each in their own unique way. These women inspire us with their dedication to innovation, determination, creativity and service, and we are lucky to call them sisters in our alumnae community.

We look forward to continuing this series in each issue of ‘The Marymount Magazine’ as well as on our website over the coming years. If you are interested in participating or nominating a fellow Marymount graduate to be featured in this series, please contact alumnae@mhs-la.org.

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WATCHOURWOMEN

Alumna Profile CATHERINE SWEETSER '01 • Profession: Partner at Schonbrun Seplow Harris & Hoffman, LLP; Adjunct Clinical Professor at University of California, Irvine School of Law; Co-Director at the International Human Rights Clinic

T

he first time Catherine Sweetser '01 stepped foot in a courtroom, she was a junior at Marymount.

Shadowing a public defender during Alumnae Career Day, Catherine was unaware at that point that in a matter of 15 years, she herself would be standing in front of judges advocating for the marginalized. “That public defender was having the worst day,” Catherine recalled.

“She had a client trying to kick her off a case (through what I could tell was through no fault of her own). I’m sure she thought it was not the kind of day that would leave a good impression on the high school students shadowing her, but I was fascinated by it and her advice was so meaningful.”

Since then, Catherine has made it her mission to ensure that the voiceless have a voice so that people throughout our broader community can have a more just world.

A self-proclaimed “nerd,” Catherine first became interested in human rights while at Marymount when her freshman year history teacher (and Marymount alumna), Ms. Megen O’Keefe '90, encouraged her to join Model United Nations, exposing her to a plethora of human rights issues on a global scale. Catherine says of her experience, “I wouldn’t have taken a human rights course in college, which led to my decision to go to law school, if it wasn’t for

“

• Education: B.A. from Yale University; J.D. from New York University School of Law; LL.M., International Law from New York University School of Law • Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA

the exposure I received to these issues while at Marymount.

My professional journey began because of my experiences in high school.”

Catherine now spends her days advocating for the rights of the homeless, for individuals and families affected by police brutality, and for the families and survivors of human rights atrocities. Some of her clients include the Los Angeles Catholic Worker, the Los Angeles Community Action Network, the Office of Human Rights at the Archdiocese of Guatemala, and former child slaves who worked on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast. Additionally, Catherine teaches an International Human Rights Clinic to eager students at University of California, Irvine School of Law. 

I feel so lucky to be able to pursue a profession where I can live out my values every day. The room that Marymount gave me to explore my faith and my values in an academic setting was a crucial part of bringing me to where I am.

”

Editors note: Catherine’s mission to provide a voice for the voiceless, advocate for the marginalized, and support those who have not had the opportunity to have essential basic services drives her every day. Catherine, your Marymount family is so thankful for the work that you do and the passion you have to help reduce social injustices.

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 35

WATCHOURWOMEN

Alumna Profile VERONIKA CERNADAS '97 • Profession: Public Information Officer at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs at the United Nations

• Education: M.A. English and Art History from University of St. Andrews, Scotland; M.A. International Affairs and Diplomacy from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London • Current Residence: New York, NY

D

eeply committed to service, integrity, and justice, Veronika Cernadas’ '97 career has ranged from photojournalist to reporter, traveling throughout the world to cover humanitarian issues such as the Ebola crisis, ongoing conflicts in Mali and the Central African Republic, and human trafficking, to her current position as a Public Information Officer for the Coordination of Human Affairs at the United Nations (UN). As a Public Information Officer, Veronika helps to foster a better understanding of the work of the UN through the delivery of key messages to the world by developing multimedia and written content in English, French, and Spanish. Her work ranges from interviewing Heads of States following a Security Council briefing, to writing speeches, statements and other content on some of the most pressing crises of our day. These crises include forced displacement, the prevention of gender-based violence,

“

and the rights of girls and women in crisis situations.

In addition, Veronika uses her expertise to advise on press, media and partnership matters, as well as to develop communication strategies for events such as the General Assembly.

Veronika realized that she wanted to work in this field while she was a journalist reporting on human trafficking for the International Office on Migration in Southeast Asia. She says of her time at the International Office on Migration, “I met so many bright young women in horrible conditions, whose lives may have been very different if they had just a fraction of the opportunities that I did. It was then that I decided that I wanted to work on finding solutions to improve the lives of those in crisis.”

She enrolled at SOAS University London, a world-leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, studying International Affairs, all while working for a think tank in New York that specialized in international security and development. Once she attained her degree, Veronika moved to Senegal to work for Thomas Reuters to cover the West Africa Ebola Crisis, and then continued her career with the UK Embassy in Dakar, and eventually began working for the UN.

Marymount offers students a combination of tradition and modernity. There is something timeless about the education that I received...yet it’s far from old-fashioned. I think what sets Marymount apart from other schools is the sort of quiet confidence that comes from having such a long and global tradition of giving girls a place to really blossom.

”

36 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

WATCHOURWOMEN

“

From the moment I received a reply from the admissions officer commending my initiative after I had written as a seventh grader wondering how to be admitted, I knew Marymount was special. Even when I discovered a bottom shelf in the college counselor’s office with pamphlets for overseas universities, including the one that I ended up attending in the UK, no one discouraged me. If I wanted to spend my lunch practicing piano in the parlor, Marie, our beloved receptionist at the time, would open the door and tell me to play louder. Then there was Sister Margaret, whose brilliant history lessons and stories I continue to recount to my colleagues and friends today! I really felt that teachers and staff members cared about the students — this in turn created a sense of community, which led to a deep confidence that has stuck with me throughout my career.

Veronika's passion for justice was fueled during her years at Marymount, where her Theology classes, the service program, and the annual Kingdom Fair, helped pave the way for what later became part of her career. When thinking back to one memory that stood out to her during her time at Marymount that led her to where she is today, she shares: “ For Kingdom Fair, I chose to volunteer for a gender-based violence crisis center, called Los Angeles Commission on Assaults against Women, now called Peace Over Violence.

During that time, I answered the hotline that women would call who had been assaulted and were in need of counseling. There were times that if a woman decided to go to the hospital after being beaten or raped, she would request an advocate, whose sole purpose was to support her rights and decisions in the process of evidence collection. Several of the times I was on call, I was asked to be an advocate. This left an enormous and lasting impression on me.”

While at Marymount, Veronika did not think that she would one day work for the UN. She says, “My path was not linear, but more of a case of ‘connect the dots.’

I suppose I surprised myself, but now that I look back, it makes sense to me how I got to where I am.” 

”

When thinking about her high school experience, Veronika credits Marymount for instilling in her a profound sense of curiosity and confidence, fostering the process of self-discovery that planted so many of the seeds for who she is today. She shares, “the combination of a solid classical education, combined with the diverse offering of electives and activities, prepared me to meet all kinds of challenges. I am a life-long learner because of what I was taught at Marymount.”

Veronika interviews former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a leading voice on education for children in crisis situations.

Editors note: We would like to thank Veronika for the work that she continues to do every day on some of the most pressing crises around the world.

Her dedication to, and journey towards effecting change is awe-inspiring.

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 37

1987

Though the years have passed, the unmistakable spirit that our students have has not.

38 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

2016

From L to R: Dena Lang '88, Constance Murphy '88, Alexandria Long '20, Tenley Gorman '20

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 39

CLASS NOTES

40 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

CLASSNOTES

'77

Alumnae: Send Us Your Notes!

Our community wants to hear from you! Send us your class notes or photos electronically in a .jpg format to alumnae@mhs-la.org. If you are submitting photos, please make sure that the resolution is high enough for print publication – preferably 300 dpi.

Your classmates can’t wait to see what you have been up to!

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 41

CLASSNOTES

CLASS NOTES

1950s

1970s

Anne Orvis Welsh '52 writes, “Creativity does not end with age. I am 82, and my daughter Laurie Williams and I just released a CD. All music and lyrics were written by us! We worked on this for two and a half years, and are pleased with it. You can visit our website at www.williamsandwelsh.com. Hope you enjoy listening.”

Judy White Munro '72 writes, “I am a

Jill Buffano Petty '59 and her husband

Stephen received a warm welcome when they visited the Dunbar Historical Society in Dunbar, Pennsylvania in October. It was their first visit there since the museum added the “Pascal Wing” to house the work of artistic legend Pascal, who is Jill’s now 102-year-old mother, Suzanne Pascal. Jill was in awe to see on display the masterpiece “Seated Torso,” an 8'2", 2,800 pound piece of aquamarine glass, recognized as the world’s largest piece of hand-carved glass. She said of the piece and its beautiful placement and lighting in the museum, “It’s like an old friend has come home.”

1960s Elizabeth Yahn Williams '60 recently sent

Marymount a pre-release copy of her book, Haiku for An Artist, which will be officially published in February 2017. The creative and colorful collection, which also includes all of the poems translated to Spanish, pairs poetry with the artwork of Los Angeles resident Marion Wong and includes over sixty reproductions of her beautiful paintings.

registered radiologic technologist with an advanced certificate of Cardiovascular Interventional Technology. I have been working in Bend, Oregon for 33 years at St. Charles Medical Center in the Cardiac Cath/Angio Lab. We treat the sickest of the sick, stabilizing all that come through our facility. We are a regional center for doing endovascular AAA grafts, one of 13 sites in the US. I’m very proud of what we do and the lives we save. Bend, Oregon is an incredible area to live in. My husband and I cross-country ski, downhill ski, raft, hike and run. We walked 250 miles of the Camino de Santiago last year and plan to do it again in 2017.”

1990s Maria Zuccarello '91 writes, “My husband

Eugene and I have been married for nearly 10 years and live in Altadena, CA. I work as a Resource Specialist for LAUSD and have started to write articles for a wonderful website: The Mighty - We Face Disabilities and Diseases Together (http://www.themighty. com). We have been on a quest to start a family through domestic adoption for four years now. You can check out our profile at Gene and Maria Z Adopts (http://www. hopefullyparents.com/maria-eugene).

This past summer we traveled to Italy to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday with long-time family and friends.”

Andrea Ste. Marie Hopelain '96 shares,

Maureen Fennelly Murphy '67 and Debbie Clark Stewart '68 share, “Part-time Palm

Springs residents and class of 1967 and 1968 got together for lunch at Mission Hills Country Club in March of 2016.”

“Lots of big changes recently! My husband Peter and I moved to Rhode Island two years ago for my job, where I currently lead Global Strategy and Marketing for girls franchise brands at Hasbro. We also had our first child, Sutton Elliot Hopelain, in March, and it is definitely the best life change I could have ever imagined.”

Skylar Little Meinhardt '96 writes, “I achieved

my dream of becoming a nurse, completing my Masters of Science degree at UCLA in June. I am now working at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at

42 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

Mattel Children’s Hospital within Ronald Reagan Hospital in Westwood. My husband Ryan and I remodeled our house in Westchester and we are thoroughly enjoying it with our three kiddos, Jeremy (10), Amelia (8) and Mabel (6). Life is really good!”

Carrie McAndrews '97 recently completed

a master’s program in Design for Social Innovation at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She and her husband Mark Mainland also welcomed a son (Will) in June.

Carrie has been working in the nonprofit sector for the past 15 years – principally at Building Movement Project helping organizations incorporate social change into their work – and she continues to consult while looking for a job in her new field.

Elizabeth Valmont '98, Senior Consultant, Acoustics and Audiovisual at Arup in Los Angeles, was recently honored with awards from two prominent engineering magazines. She was selected as a 2016 recipient of top 40 Under 40 awards from both Consulting-Specifying Engineer and Building Design+Construction.

Elizabeth Grady Wasserman '99 writes, “My husband and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter Scarlett, who joins big sister Harper (6 years) and her proud parents, at home in Denver. Born in May, she’s such a light in our lives and truly completes our family!”

2000s Paige Licklider Pierce '00 writes, “I moved

back to Los Angeles from New York just over a year ago with my husband right before the birth of our baby girl, Walland “Wally” Pierce. After getting settled in Los Angeles, I opened up my own Interior Design Firm, Paige Pierce Design (www.paigepiercedesign.com).”

Jennifer Schmidt Garner '01 shares,

“I completed an MBA program at Cornell University and have joined Kraft Heinz in Chicago as part of their General Management program, focused on brand management.”

CLASSNOTES 1. Jill Buffano Petty '59 and Stephen Petty at the Dunbar Historical Society in Dunbar, PA

2. Debbie Clark Stewart '68, Colleen Newgard Herber '68, Kathie Marion Moses and Maureen Fennelly Murphy '67

3. Andrea Ste. Marie Hopelain '96 with husband Peter and son Sutton Elliot

4. Carrie McAndrews '97 son Will

2

1

3

4

'59 It was their first visit there since the museum added the “Pascal Wing” to house the work of artistic legend Pascal, who is Jill’s now 102-year-old mother, Suzanne Pascal. Jill was in awe to see on display the masterpiece “Seated Torso,” an 8'2", 2,800 pound piece of aquamarine glass, recognized as the world’s largest piece of hand-carved glass.

5

6

5. L to R: Elizabeth Grady Wasserman '99, baby

6. Scarlett, Elizabeth Grady Wasserman’s '99

girl Scarlett and big sister Harper

youngest daughter, sporting Marymount gear!

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 43

CLASSNOTES 7. Members of the class of 2003 at classmate Jessica Cluess’ book signing.

8. Rosemary Miller '08 wed Derick Stace-Naughton on July 16, 2016.

Back row L to R: Ksenia Chumakova, Lisa Schmidt, Alexandra Molina, Nicole Garton and Monique Vuong. In front: Kelly Migliazzo Terborg, with baby Emma. Seated: Jessica Cluess

9. Katie Elliot '12 graduated from Colorado University-Boulder in May

8

7

'03

Members of the class of 2003 at classmate Jessica Cluess’ book signing.

9 10. L to R: Erin Page '08, Caroline Garity '08, Molly Sullivan '08, Kimberly Garity '08, Rosemary Miller '08, Addison Magness '08, Tatiana Kassar, Caitlin Schultz '08, Taylor Knott '08, and Bianca Farmas-Griffith '08 44 THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER

10

11

12

11. L to R: Betsy Rettig, Christina Rettig '08 and Charles Rettig at Christina's graduation 12. Katelin “King” Wagner '12 and husband Alonzo Hunt

CLASS NOTES Lisa Schmidt '03 shares that she and several members of the class of 2003 attended a book launch at Barnes & Noble in September for the highly anticipated first novel of classmate Jessica Cluess '03. Jessica’s novel, A Shadow Bright and Burning, was published by Random House and released September 20 as the first in a trilogy. It has received stellar reviews, and her classmates could not be more proud.

transitions Marriages Kirsten Thordarson Agosto '02 married Stefano Agosto (6/24/16) Elizabeth Gossard Coleman '07 married Ian Coleman (6/4/16) Laura Wenglikowski Giery '02 married Ronnie Giery (10/29/16) Emily Pellin Kleiner '02 married Nicholas Kleiner (10/10/16) Nicole Viole Layne '04 married Walker Layne (10/15/16)

Bridget Bartholomew '05 recently moved back

to Los Angeles and is a Senior Director at Trunk Club, the men’s and women’s personal styling service owned by Nordstrom. Bridget has been with Trunk Club for the past five years and was one of the first twenty employees at their headquarters in Chicago. For the past three years, she has been in Dallas helping with the company’s expansion efforts across the U.S. and she is excited to be back in L.A. Rosemary Miller '08 shares, “On July 16, 2016, Derick Stace-Naughton and I were married at Saint Monica Catholic Church and celebrated our reception at the Hotel Bel Air. Tatiana Kassar '08 was a bridesmaid and we were fortunate to be surrounded by so much Marymount love! Taylor Knott '08, Bianca Farmas-Griffith '08, Addison Magness '08, Molly Sullivan '08, Erin Page '08, Caitlin Schultz '08, Caroline Garity '08, and Kimberly Garity '08 were in attendance.”

Christina Rettig '08 shares, “In May I graduated from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine with my DVM degree. My parents, Charles and Betsy Rettig, were there to participate in the Western U tradition of family hooding. My two rabbits and I recently relocated to Monterey, CA where I started a year long small animal rotating internship at Pet Specialists of Monterey.”

2010s Katie Elliott '12 graduated from Colorado

University-Boulder in May. She earned her B.A. in Studio Arts with a minor in Art History and a Certification in Technology, Arts and Media. She is a member of Delta Gamma (DG) sorority and is currently working for an advertising agency in Culver City.

Katelin “King” Wagner '12 writes, “I recently

changed my name to King and got married in October to Alonzo Hunt. We met through our activism with Black Lives Matter and are now committing our lives to community organizing and politically educating the public.”

Rosemary Miller '08 married Derick Stace-Naughton (7/16/16) Amy Schlumberger Siegel '02 married Kevin Siegel (7/9/16) Katelin “King” Wagner '12 married Alonzo Hunt (10/16)

Births William John to Carrie McAndrews '99 and her husband, Mark (6/18/16) Wynn Augustus to Lisa Purcelli Ohlmeyer '02 and her husband, Kemper (10/21/16) Maggie Marie to Christine Norato Treacy '91 and her husband, Michael (8/28/16) Scarlett to Elizabeth Grady Wasserman '99 and her husband, Justin (5/16) Charles Donald to Samantha Fowler Nuwer '03 and her husband, Charles (11/7/16)

In Memoriam Hilda Alvarez, grandmother of Emily Buchi '20 (7/22/16)

Geoff Kahn, father of Cameron Kahn '18 (10/7/16)

Harold Arutunian, father of

Kent Kirkpatrick, father of

Felicia Arutunian-Cuneo '84 (7/8/16)

Ashley Kirkpatrick '20 (8/31/16)

Patricia Campbell Beaver '47 (7/15/16)

Audrey Dempsey Mingl '38 (10/13/16)

Nancy Brandon, mother of Brandi Brandon '95 and Kimberly Brandon Hollar '97 (9/29/16)

Mary Weber Novak '50 (10/2/16)

Barbara Brockhouse Dorricott '49 (10/11/16)

Daniel Ryan, father of Carolene Ryan Bookman '77 (7/21/16)

Eleanor O’Connell Dougherty '89, sister of Heather Dragon Hollifield '87 (8/31/16)

Marguerite Savage, grandmother of Kate Kolligian '17 (10/26/16)

Walter F. Fehr, stepfather of Raven Case '65 (10/14/16)

Joan Scanlon St. Clair '49, sister of Ruth Scanlon Millsap '47 † and grandmother of Katie Chalmers '09 (7/20/16)

Conrad Hirzel, grandfather of Effie Hirzel '18 (04/22/16)

Joseph Vella, father of Caroline Vella Fausett '78 (7/11/16)

Edward Hiltz, father of Jane Hiltz '82, Jackie Hiltz '80, Angela Hiltz '78, Lisa Hiltz Bukaty '77 and Yvonne Hiltz Stuart '76 (9/21/16)

Madison Wojciechowski '07 (10/1/16)

Terry Hiltz, mother of Jane Hiltz '82, Jackie Hiltz '80, Angela Hiltz '78, Lisa Hiltz Bukaty '77 and Yvonne Hiltz Stuart '76 (8/14/16)

Sally Workman '80 and grandmother of Caroline Workman '11 (10/15/16)

Kathy Maher Infante '68, sister of Patricia Maher Schulz '77, Mary Ann Maher Armet '75, Margaret Mary Maher Bradley '70 and brother

Mason Wojciechowski, brother of

Marie Jones Workman, mother of

Margaret Worrell, grandmother of Chelsea Worrell '18 and Haley Worrell '18

(10/27/16)

Frank John ‘F.J.’ (9/15/16) THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | FALL/WINTER 45

LET’SSTAYSCONNECTED

Let’s Stay CONNECTED! DID YOU KNOW that Marymount has a Social Media presence on many of your favorite accounts? Follow us to stay up-to-date with day-to-day life on campus!

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“ The piles of stones illustrate individuals balancing the people and aspects of their lives in hope of finding peace and community in the future.”

– Genna Whittell '17

Photo by: Genna Whittell '17

twitter.com/MarymountLA

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Through Our Sailors’ Lens

WAYS TO GIVE TO MARYMOUNT Online Make a gift at www.mhs-la.org/give

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2 Snippets

20 Athletics Recap

Feature Stories

22 Student Life

6 Lean In Together

3 Head’s Reading List

32 A Focus on the Arts

Alumnae News 34 Watch Our Women Alumnae Series Featuring Catherine Sweetser '01 & Veronika Cernadas '97

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Two students reflect on the importance of embracing different cultures, perspectives, exploring the unfamiliar, and delving into the exciting unknown.

Head of School Jacqueline L. Landry explores the significance of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) core value, “to create unity through diversity,” one of six core values that all RSHM schools embrace, as well as its meaning to our Marymount community.

2015-16 Annual Report

Planned Gifts Make a gift through a bequest or trust. Email rgrella-harding@mhs-la.org to request more information.

Spreading unity throughout the global community

45 Transitions

Matching Gifts Double or triple your gift by obtaining a

12 Student Perspectives

16 Creating Unity Through Diversity

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Inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s (Chief Operation Officer of Facebook) Lean In Campaign, Marymount High School, along with other preeminent all-girls schools in Southern California, have come together in support of all-girl education.

40 Class Notes

46 Let’s Stay Connected!

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Corrections from Summer 2016 Bulletin: • During the production of the Summer Bulletin’s feature article, A Better Self For A Better World, Valory Banashek '17 said, “From making sandwiches for the homeless to making school supply kits for underprivileged children, BSBW reinforces that part of being a confident, independent girl including showing a genuine effort to help others, while also taking joy in doing so.” The quote was originally attributed to another student. We seek to honor her with this correction.

• Our Class of 2016 graduates matriculated to 67 colleges this fall.

During the production of the Summer Bulletin, the number was unintentionally miscalculated.

24 The Transformative Power of Retreat Week Reflect, refresh, and renew

• Our graduates were accepted into all of the UC institutions and Claremont Colleges this fall, although not all chose to enroll.

We are very proud of all of the schools our alumnae matriculated to and would like to ensure its accuracy.

Take an in-depth look at how Marymount’s Retreat Week program addresses the developmental and spiritual needs of each student, and how this signature program has evolved to become the communitybuilding force that it is today.

Through Our Sailors’ Lens When putting together this magazine, we realized that the best way to truly see “community through unity” was through the eyes of our own students. We asked our girls to send over what they see when they hear the phrase “community through unity.” The series of photos depicted throughout this issue provides our readers with a glimpse into the minds (and eyes) of our extremely talented students.

The Marymount Magazine is published by the Marketing & Communications Office.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. If we have made an error or if you would like additional copies of this magazine, please contact the Marketing & Communications Office at communications@mhs-la.org.

Thank you to all the contributors to this publication, including: Photography: Noel Ermer '19 Kambria Fischer Virginia Garland '19 Stephanie Guerami Daniel In Nora Kilroy '17 Sr. Margaret McKenna, RSHM

Madeleine Phung '20 Grace Rector '17 Dawn Regan Michol Roberts '02 Genna Whittell '17 Maggie Williams

Student Contributors:

Design & Printing:

Chloe Bermejo '19 Catherine Bezerra-Fisher '18 Christina Fazio '18 Lindsey McAllister '17 Gabriella Pacini '17 Grace Rector '17 Adrianna Silerio '17 Naomi Smith '17 Reagan Whitney '20

Design by Jennifer Spencer Design Printing by Southern California Graphics

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Marymount admits students without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights and privileges, programs and activities available to students. It does not discriminate in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, athletic programs or any other school administered program.

The Marymount Magazine | Fall/Winter 2016