The Marymount Magazine, Winter 2017

The Marymount Magazine

AS WE LIKE IT THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

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IN THIS ISSUE WINTER 2017

oN CAMPuS 4 Snippets 5 Head’s Reading List 12 Athletics Recap 16 Forever and a Day

FEATURE STORIEs

34 A Focus on the Arts 38 As You Like It

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ALUmNAE nEWS 42 Watch Our Women Alumnae Series: Featuring Annabelle Stewart '04

Biology faculty member, Ms. Lynne St. Hilaire, gears up to take her students back to the basics through the development of sustainable gardens and outdoor biolabs.

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54 New Board of Trustee Profiles

Paths Are Made By Walking Head of School Jacqueline L. Landry touches on her path to headship and her hopes for our students.

46 Class Notes 52 Transitions

Under The Greenwood Tree

All the World’s Our Stage Take a deep dive into the Modern Language Department and get to know the faculty who make this program a favorite among students and alumnae alike.

The 2016-2017 Annual Report is now available online at: bit.ly/MHSAnnualReport

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Student Reflections: Anchored in Faith Three students write personal essays about how their faith has made them who they are today.

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DEAR MARYMOUNT COMMUNITY, DeAR MARYMOUnT COMMUNITY, When I heard that our Marymount Players were performing As You Like It for our Fall Performance, IWhen was struck by the parallelsPlayers that Shakespeare's classic ourFall school, young I learned thatwonderful our Marymount were performing Ascomedy You Likedraws It fortoour women and serene campus.

Performance, I was struck by the wonderful parallels that Shakespeare's classic comedy draws to our school, to our young women, and to our serene campus.

The play opens in Duke Frederick's court, built on man-made rules and law, from which our heroine Rosalind is banished when she scoffscourt, at confining herself the court's constructs of man-made The play opens in Duke Frederick's from which thetoheroine Rosalind is banished when she rules. She flees to the Forest of Arden, she finds refuge from the courts' scoffs at confining herself to the court's where constructs of man-made rules and laws. highly-stylized She flees to theform in nature, uncultivated Marymount, straddle the best of both ouruncultivated campus Forest of Arden, whereand she free. findsAt refuge from thewe court's highly-stylized form worlds: in nature, has been placid beautyweofstraddle a serenethe reverie coupled with the rigorous that prepares and free. the At Marymount, best of both worlds: our campuseducation has the placid beauty ofour a girls forreverie college,coupled university world.education that prepares our students for college, university, serene withand thethe rigorous and the world.

This dichotomy of teaching young women to navigate through society's and culture's structured norms and protocols in a languid of 5.5 of green grass and trees, serves as a constant This dichotomy of teaching youngoasis women to acres navigate society's and culture's structured norms and reminder in of an ouroasis modern challenge pause andand ponder interplay betweenreminder (wo)manof and protocols of 5.5 acres of to green grass trees,the serves as a constant ournature — a theme repletetoinpause literature and life.the interplay between (wo)man and nature — a theme modern challenge and ponder replete in literature and life.

In our hurried stress-filled era, it is vital to nurture our natural need for both the forest and the court. feel we stress-filled are all suffering Nature Deficitour Disorder.

When tooand longthe in court. "the court," In our Ihurried, era, from it is vital to nurture need for bothwe thestay forest I feel forget Mother Nature and our spirituality primal curiosity, and we wonder we are all how suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. answers When weour stay too long in "theawe court," forgetof earthly bounties we too breeze by when tethered to technology. how Mother Nature andoften our spirituality answers our primal curiosity, awe and wonder of earthly bounties that we too often breeze by when tethered to technology.

Our faculty are ever-committed to this synthesis and balance. While Marymount is completing construction of our Digital Resource Center,and Biology faculty, St. Hilaireofgears up to take her Our faculty are committed to this synthesis balance.

WithLynne the completion our Digital students back to the basicsteacher throughMs. theLynne development of sustainable and outdoor Resource Center, Biology St. Hilaire is taking hergardens students back to thebiolabs (see page xx).

Meanwhile, the ModernofLanguage Department explores interplay basics through the development sustainable gardens and outdoorthe biolabs (seebetween page 10).our world's diverse of cultures (see page xx). After all, it was explores in As Youthe Like It that Shakespeare "all the Meanwhile, the Modern Language Department interplay between our declared, world's diverse worlds our stage..."

AndAnd for me, As You LikeLike It reminds me me of Marymount's roots: to another French cultures (see page 24). for me, As You It reminds of Marymount's roots: to another forest, where ago, awoman fearlessshed woman shed the court's expectations and a time, when 95nearly years 95 ago,years a fearless expectations and pioneered a path of pioneered erudition clear path of erudition clear across the world, landing right here on Sunset Boulevard. across the world, landing right here in Los Angeles. our foundress, Butler,would and Rosalind wouldas bethey fast planned friends. Ia can Surely, Mother Butler Mother and Rosalind be fast friends waypicture to forgethem, a new and surrounded byinSailor Sisters, lounging on thewith lawn, sharing and whispers dreams needed world which construct converges nature, andshade where thewooded forces and form of have always beyond the boundaries made by man. I can hear them plotting and planning a way to forge a new been female. and needed world in which construct converges with nature and where the forces and form have always been female.

Warmly, Warmly, Jacqueline L. Landry Head of School

Jacqueline L. Landry Head of School

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Snippets 1. BIG SISTER/LITTLE SISTER Marymount's treasured tradition is back on campus. Sailor Sisters embraced during the Big Sister/Little Sister reveal in Cantwell and Pavilion at the beginning of the school year.

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2. RETREAT WEEK This year's Retreat Week, a cornerstone of our Spiritual Life curriculum, was a great success! Each grade incorporated our 2017-2018 RSHM theme for the year, to foster a personal relationship with God, into their activities. The freshmen and sophomore classes bonded through team-building exercises, and the juniors and seniors attended overnight retreats where they engaged in reflection, prayer, and group discussions about community and forging positive relationships. A student favorite, this year's Retreat Week continued Marymount's tradition of creating three-days of togetherness, fostering developmental, spiritual, and community-building opportunities for all of our students.

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3. 2017-2018 HONOR COUNCIL INDUCTIONS

This past September, eight Marymount students from all grades were inducted in the 2017-2018 Honor Council.

Elected to their position by their peers, these young women are tasked with a critical job of maintaining Marymount's mission and values, and are relied upon daily by our students to be the gatekeepers of campus ethics and morals.

4. COOKIES & CONVERSATION With the goal of getting to know Marymount Sailors on a more personal level, Head of School Jacqueline Landry met with each member of the Class of 2021 for an hour of cookies and conversation. This special tradition was filled with laughter, fun, and meaningful conversation.

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5. BACK-TO-SCHOOL DANCE Students flocked to campus for Marymount's Back-to-School Decades Dance celebrating the 1950s.

With desserts, soft drinks, a DJ, and dancing, our girls were on Cloud Nine!

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Head’s Reading List

6. ANNUAL CLUB FAIR 6

This year's Club Fair was met with passionate excitement. Student leaders showcased over 30 clubs dedicated to vibrant and varied areas of interest.

From sustainability, feminism, coding, service, global engagement, and diversity, our young women cover all the bases.

William Shakespeare once said, "Suit the action to the word, the word to the action." In need of some inspiration? See what Head of School Jacqueline Landry has in her book rotation this season!

7. MENTOR DINNER

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On Oct. 11, student interns and their family members gathered with their mentors for the annual Mentor Dinner, a night celebrating another successful year of our signature Internship Program, Students Advancing in Internship Learning and Leadership (SAILL). 125 attendees joined our community to celebrate the outstanding advancement of SAILL.

Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice

by Clayton M. Christensen, Taddy Hall, Karen Dillon, David S. Duncan

Independent School Magazine, Winter 2018, Into The Deep

by NAIS

8. DTASC COMPETITION

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In late October, over 15 actresses in our 2017-2018 Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Program competed in their first event of the year. These talented girls performed three scenes in front of a panel of judges and 51 other schools. Two scenes made it to the semi-finals, and one scene made the finals in the Large Group Drama category, earning a 4th Place trophy.

9. CAPPING & PINNING On Oct. 30, the Marymount community gathered on Senior Lawn for our annual Capping & Pinning Ceremony, one of our most beloved traditions that celebrates the enduring power of Sailor Sisterhood across all grades.

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2017-2018 Trendbook

by NAIS

Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less From Each Other

by Sherry Turkle

The Secret History of Wonder Woman

by Jill Lepore

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Snippets 10. NATIONAL COALITION OF GIRLS SCHOOLS (NCGS) EDUCATING GIRLS SYMPOSIUM

On Oct. 23, members of Marymount's faculty and staff joined girls-schools from across the nation at this year's NCGS Educating Girls Symposium. Head of School Jacqueline Landry and Religious Studies Department Chair and Spiritual Life Director Rebecca Bostic led a breakout session, "Going Beyond Tolerance: Forming Voices of Religious Identity on Campus." They shared with educators how to create a trust-based environment where students can feel free to express their most cherished beliefs. Marymount was also represented in another panel session with members from The Archer School for Girls, Marlborough School, and Westridge School for Girls discussing our important collaboration, #LeanInTogether.

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11. HOLY MASS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS AND DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

On Nov. 1, in collaboration with our Campus Ministry Team, Marymount's Diversity Board and our Latina Student Alliance, our community hosted a Día de Los Muertos celebration following the Holy Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints, honoring the memory of loved ones who have passed.

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12. DR. SARAH BILLINGTON PRESENTS ON STEAM-RESEARCH

On Nov. 3, Marymount was honored to host Dr. Sarah Billington, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. She discussed what it is like to be a female in the engineering field as well as her research in durable, sustainable construction materials.

Her talk was an awe-inspiring reminder of women's important, innovative contributions to STEAM fields.

13. HALLOWEEN PARADE It was a rainy day this past Halloween, but that did not stop our girls and faculty from celebrating in style! Taking the festivities to Pavilion, our community showed off their creative costumes, participated in an impromptu flash mob dance, and laughed all lunch long.

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14. GRANDPARENTS DAY On Nov. 21, our campus radiated with joy as our girls welcomed their grandparents for one of Marymount's most cherished traditions of the school year. Together, we celebrated Mass, prayed for all grandparents, and gave thanks for their love and legacy.

15. FALL PLAY - AS YOU LIKE IT Over 35 students participated in Marymount Players' Fall Production of As You Like It, which delighted sold-out crowds in November. To read more about the play, see page 38.

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16. THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE In the true spirit of our RSHM heritage, our girls and their families contributed more than 11,000 food items to our Thanksgiving Food Drive, all of which fed over 300 families at A Place Called Home (APCH).

17. WINTER CONCERT Our amazing visual and performing artists left our entire community speechless as they showcased their remarkable talents during our annual Winter Arts Showcase and Concert.

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UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE At Marymount, we are committed to fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship. As an educational institution rooted in the tradition of our Founding Order, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM), we actively address our responsibility, increase our understanding of our impact on the environment, and contribute to a more sustainable campus. Freshman Biology teacher Ms. Lynne St. Hilaire is showing her class the impact that they can have on our very own campus.

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Front of School Restoration Project Drivers on Sunset Boulevard may have noticed that the Front of the School is being re-landscaped.

This restorative project addresses aspects of Marymount’s recently completed safety and security audit, and restores the school’s historic buildings to their original beauty.

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hen Freshman Biology teacher Ms. Lynne

“My long-term goal is that this area becomes a natural

St. Hilaire heard that a new garden would

classroom, where we can experiment with composts,

be created around Marymount’s Statue of

plants, biofilters, and so many other scientific

the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she jumped at the chance to

experiments,” she said.

teach from the root source of science: nature.

As Marymount’s landscape evolves into an increasingly green space, Ms. St. Hilaire’s students have embarked on a semester-long project to create a garden that is not just a peaceful reverie, but also a hands-on, living lab.

Students are designing renderings of their vision and using the basics of biology to test the sustainability of their ideas. The class is analyzing the soil for acidity,

Ms. St. Hilaire hopes her students will also take advantage of the revolutionized Digital Resource Center to make plaques that identify the common and scientific names of the plants.

Most of all, Ms. St. Hilaire hopes her girls will dig in and get their hands dirty by planting and maintaining the garden.

nutrient levels, and water drainage rates to find plants

Juliet McMillian '21 is excited about her Biology class'

best suited for the habitat.

role in the living lab. “This project is going to be so

“My dream is that my students research native California plants that will thrive in the environment and then create renderings for an easy-to-maintain, reflective, and prayerful place,” said Ms. St. Hilaire, who is thrilled

plants, we're actually affecting change right here on our campus.”

“I’m so excited my students can be a part of something that can last years after they graduate,” Ms. St. Hilaire

of native California flora and fauna that will thrive on

The restoration and landscaping project will continue throughout this school year. Look for updates in the alumnae bi-monthly newsletter, and in future issues of M - The Marymount Magazine.

a textbook learning about biofilters, soil density, and

build a lasting contribution to Marymount’s footprint.

compile their results to create a tailor-made garden full

Another key feature of this project will be the relocation of the beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to a newly designed prayer garden overlooking Sunset Boulevard on the west end of campus (as described in the article to the left).

hands-on,” Juliet said. "It's not like we're looking at

that her students have this hands-on opportunity to

Once their experiments are completed, her class will

With many of the diseased trees now removed, Marymount’s beautiful Administration Building and Chapel enrich the landscape along the Sunset Corridor and increase the school’s visibility within the broader community.

said. “There are endless possibilities to what we can make happen – and our girls are more than capable of bringing their imagination to life.” n

Marymount’s landscape.

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ATHLETICS RECAP THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR PROVED TO BE RECORD BREAKING FOR OUR #SAILORSTRONG ATHLETES. HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FALL SEASON.

VOLLEYBALL: The Sailors enjoyed another successful season and defeated several nationally-ranked teams, all while en route to achieving top rankings in Southern California and across the nation. As the 5th ranked team in the state, the Varsity Sailors finished the season as Division I CIF-SS Finalists and State Regional Semi-Finalists. Excitingly, Senior Emma Moffett and Junior Devon Newberry were both voted on the Division I All-CIF Southern Section Team for their outstanding performances throughout the season.

All three teams clinched another Mission League Championship Title, with Varsity earning their 18th consecutive league championship banner.

TENNIS: The Junior Varsity team was undefeated in the Sunshine League and captured the League title for the 2nd year in a row! Varsity Tennis also finished 2nd in the Sunshine League, which earned them a

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place in the Southern Section Division III Playoffs.

GOLF: While facing some of the toughest competition in California, our accomplished Golf Team placed 4th in the midseason tournament but fell short of advancing to CIF after League Finals. Though ending the season early, their hard work and determination never wavered.

CROSS COUNTRY: Cross Country remained strong this season with powerful 1st and 2nd place finishes at the League Meets.

There were dominating individual performances at Bell-Jeff with Varsity runner Lucia Perez-Saignac '20 leading the pack with a 4th place overall finish and Freshman Caitlin Donovan clinching 3rd place in the Freshman Race. At Mt. SAC, JV Runner Bella Wright '19 walked away with a 1st place finish. And Varsity finished 1st at the Rosemead Invitational.

TENNIS

Team Captain Andrea Crummy '19 sets up a forehand during a singles match. Andrea is just one of many all-stars who helped our team move on to the Southern Section Division III Playoffs.

_Athlete Spotlight _

THE DYNAMIC RIELLY DUO Until this past summer, Senior Josephine (Jo) Rielly and Sophomore Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rielly, the two youngest of four siblings, shared a bedroom. Now, these sisters are sharing accolades as a dynamic duo that conquered Swimming and Cross Country competitions across the greater Los Angeles region.

With a two-year age difference, this past season marked the first time that the two had ever been on the same teams.

And Jo and Lizzie both agreed that instead of inciting family rivalry, their deep connection, through both blood and friendship, was a source of constant motivation. Together, they developed an impressive tag-team style.

“I realized that I start off strong, and she finishes strong,” Lizzie said. “At our Cross Country races, she would first follow me and then I’d follow her.”

GOLF

Senior Sadie McMillian tees off during a Marymount Golf match this past season.

During the Sunshine League Cluster Meet last season, the sisters finished in succession: Lizzie finished in 8th place, and Jo finished in 9th (though Jo was quick to note that the time difference was a mere three seconds).

“Lizzie is faster than me in running,” said Jo, laughing. “I passed four girls and ended up right next to her, and it really is so cool to finish a race right next to your sister.”

Jo said that instead of thinking of Lizzie as competition, she uses the camaraderie and collaborative nature of a team sport to support Lizzie as both a sister and a teammate.

CROSS COUNTRY Lucia Perez Saignac '20 demonstrates focus and drive in all of her Cross Country races. She is one of Marymount's few triple-sport athletes proving her skill and tenacity in Cross Country, Soccer, and Track.

“I want to uplift her,” Jo said. “There was one time last season that Lizzie didn’t have a great race. At the end, she was sick at the finish line. But I was there to help her. There isn’t a time when I’m out there with her, or any of my other Sailor Sisters, that I take that pride and walk away with it; I want to make sure she is okay, and she does the same for me.”

With only a short time left before Jo heads off to college, these sisters are treasuring the time they have left as Sailor Strong teammates. This dynamic duo takes the term "Sailor Sisters" to a whole new level.

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FOREVER AND A DAY

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Forever A Day When we hear from our alumnae, they often recount their Marymount years with heartwarming fondness as one of the most powerful experiences of their lives. While in school though, it is easy to have our minds wander to the future and before we know it, high school has come to an end.

We constantly hear that alumnae wished that their days at Marymount could last forever.

After Sophomores Porter Stracke, Elissa Kim, and Samantha Bell co-founded the Humans of Marymount LA club last fall, we asked the girls to put their interview skills to use. They sat down with Sailor Sisters across all grades to find out what part of the Marymount experience they wish would last forever – and a day.

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FOREVER AND A DAY

Sydney freeman '18 The aspect of my Marymount experience that I want to last forever is the emphasis on empowering women. At Marymount, I have grown accustomed to seeing women in positions of authority, from teachers to coaches to our Head of School. This has taught me how much potential women have for leadership, strength, and power. It has allowed me to see these qualities in myself and actively work to exercise them in multiple facets of my life. I am thankful to Marymount for instilling this in me and helping me grow into the person I am today.

Jenna Rotheram '19 The Marymount experience I hope could last an entire day would be interesting class discussions. During history class, we might talk about the women’s movement and how it relates to today. Everyone in class has so much to say, so many different stories to elaborate on! You feel so connected with your class because you get to learn more about each other.

Something at Marymount I also wish lasts forever are the friendships. I hope that years in the future, I can tell funny jokes to my friends’ kids about how they were in high school and have those lifelong friendships that I gained from Marymount - because they’re pretty cool.

Caitlin Cowan '20 If I could have one Marymount experience last “Forever and a Day," it would be Spirit Week. Last year, I loved Spirit Week! I had so much fun decorating the Freshman courtyard, playing music at lunch, and, of course, I can't forget our class group dance. I felt everyone, not just my class, get closer, and it was an amazing event to be a part of and to witness.

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FOREVER AND A DAY

Devin Waddell '20 If I could have one thing about Marymount for “Forever and a Day,� I would choose the learning environment. I love the aspect of an all-girls campus and how everyone shares the same passion for learning as I do. In an all-girls community, I can really sense the love of learning as a whole.

Alexandria Acholonu '21 One thing about my Marymount experience that I wish could last forever would have to be Retreat Week.

Retreat Week allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and create inseparable bonds with my Sailor Sisters.

It was such a nice way to collaborate with my peers in an environment outside of the classroom, and I am so grateful to have had this experience!

Kelly Kim '19 Something at Marymount I want to last forever is my friends. I have made so many good friends at Marymount, and I love them so much. Just hanging out with them every day, especially with the stress from school, makes me want this experience at Marymount to last forever.

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PATHS JACQUELINE L. LANDRY Head of School

are made by

WALKING

(And Blazing Trails Along The Way) Head of School Jacqueline L. Landry looks back on her journey from a Harvard Theologian and Chaplain to Marymount’s Head of School – and how her path inspired her to help young women blaze their own trails.

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y mission has always been to help young people form core questions that will fuel their life-long narrative with essential themes that ignite their personal passions.

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If the task of adolescence is to find oneself, then by virtue of my position, and Marymount’s, is to encourage our girls to find themes that will animate their life and develop their sense of self in relation to God and the greater good. My quest to help young women starts with my own story and the lessons I have learned.

During that time, I found that my calling was to help young people ask the burning questions that I, too, was asking and to explore and navigate their own narratives. My centralizing question became (and continues to be): how do these students, whom I have the privilege of serving, internalize their faith and become leaders?

MY CHAPLAIN CHALLENGE

The more I explored, I realized that by the time students reach college, their sense of self and their moral compass is almost fully-formed, and that I could have the greatest impact through education at the high-school level – a time when ideals, faith, and moral vision are formative and influential.

Prior to becoming a Head of School, I spent 25 years exploring leadership and faith-based education at Georgetown, the University of Minnesota, and Harvard University. At Harvard, I spent 11 years as the Catholic Chaplain to undergraduate students.

During my time at Harvard, our world underwent major changes as we transitioned into the 21st century. The traditional institutions that historically served as examples of ethical leadership suddenly shifted to scandal and disarray, and I found myself searching for sources of inspiration for both myself and my students. I truly believe that everyone is born with an internal dialogue that informs the direction of one’s life in relation to spirituality, purpose, and drive.

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I SOUGHT OUT MENTORS AND LISTENED I always was interested in the philosophy and scholarly debates of faith-based education, but I didn’t know how this path would manifest itself. I had never considered that my vocation, my calling, and my purpose would be as the Head of a Catholic independent school.

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I want every Marymount girl to find her fire. To know that paths are made by walking, and to blaze her own trails along the way.

Thankfully, my early career was replete with powerful women who challenged me to look outside the narrow path I had paved. Sister Barbara Rogers, the longtime Headmistress of Newton Country Day School in Massachusetts, encouraged me to follow my inner voice.

When I spoke to her of my concerns about no longer being a chaplain, she said, “My dear, you will be the pastor of that school; you will use your training as a chaplain in ways you never imagined.”

All the while, I could hear the voice of another longtime mentor, Madonna Kolbenschlag, an incredible visionary and scholar, repeating words of wisdom that still motivate me today: “Paths are made by walking.”

I LEAPED IN FAITH So, I walked away from Harvard, jumped into the world of independent school education, and held on tight. This leap of faith was possible because of those mentors who encouraged me to explore every opportunity. It is so important to have an open mind and heart because you never know when the promptings of the Spirit will pull you to grow in ways you never imagined.

My greatest hope is that today, at Marymount, students will learn to ask questions and to take chances. Everything we do at Marymount is designed to help young women find opportunities above and beyond a narrow, defined career path and to, instead, seek a true vocation that fulfills their passions and interests.

I FOUND MY FIRE THROUGH HARD WORK My own passions and interests matched so beautifully with the mission and purpose of a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) education. I want our young women to think critically and to question the world and walls around them: Who am I? Who am I in relation to world? And, to seek out, always: How do I live life to the full? And even more imperatively: How do I help others to live life to the full?

At the end of the day, nothing is possible without hard work and determination. I want every Marymount girl to find her fire, to know that paths are made by walking, and to blaze her own trails along the way. n

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ALL THE W RLD'S OUR STAGE Marymount’s Modern Language Department is a staple in our school’s curriculum and provides students with important multilinguistic skills that incorporate the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) mission, history and culture. The Department’s immersion model creates a comprehensive experience that takes our students around the world and leaves them with a lasting, global perspective. Take a deep dive into the minds of the faculty that make this department a favorite with students and alumnae alike.

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nternationality is a core pillar of our school’s foundation: Marymount is one of 19 schools across the Global Network of RSHM Schools that spans nine countries and three continents.

As language is an increasingly vital skill in our multi-cultural world, our Modern Language Department is driven by more than just semantics. The department is a home-away-from-home for six veteran faculty members who are deeply dedicated to teaching not just the mastery of language, but true cultural competency.

“By the nature of our discipline, it's more than just teaching language - it's culture, customs, art, history, dance, and food. It makes it easy to live our RSHM mission because the study of language encompasses so much,” said Modern Language Department Chair Señora Vikki Valenzuela, who began her career at Marymount nearly three decades ago.

Sra. Valenzuela’s deep connection to the school is shared among the entire department, which includes longtime faculty with tenures ranging from 10 to 30 years. Over time, this close-knit community has developed a rhythm and reason for faith-based language learning, which figures prominently in students’ comprehension of different cultures.

“You can’t separate language from culture – or faith,” said Sra. Valenzuela, who pointed to the department’s celebration and exploration of Catholic faith-based traditions such as Día de los Muertos and the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe. “We all embrace the Catholicity of Marymount, whether we ourselves are Catholic or of a different faith – being in an environment of young women with colleagues completely dedicated to Marymount’s mission makes all the difference in the world.”

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IT GIVES ME SO MUCH PLEASURE TO KNOW THAT MY STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAITH, RELATE THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIPS BACK TO GOD. - SRA. SPITZ, MODERN LANGUAGE DEPT. FACULTY

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WE TEACH OUR GIRLS TO SEE THE WORLD IN A NEW WAY. NOT ONLY IS THE WORLD FULL OF WONDERS THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED WITH THE TOOLS OF LANGUAGE-LEARNING, BUT ALSO, THAT THE WORLD IS A COMPLEX WEB OF PEOPLE AND CULTURES THAT DESERVE OUR COMPASSION, APPRECIATION, AND RESPECT.

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- SRA. KOSBERG, MODERN LANGUAGE DEPT. FACULTY

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Sra. Nancy Spitz, a Spanish III and AP Spanish Literature & Culture teacher, has been with the Modern Language Department for 11 years. She lives and breathes this year’s RSHM goal, to foster a personal relationship with God, which she incorporates in her classes. She said, “Because I live this goal, it becomes so much easier for me to talk about it and pass it on to my students. It gives me so much pleasure to know that my students, regardless of their faith, relate their own relationships back to God.” Spanish teacher Señora Janeatrie Gibson, an 11-year Marymount veteran, said it is imperative that every girl understand the need for basic human rights. This moral imperative is bedrocked in Marymount’s foundation: that all should have life and have it to the full. Sra. Gibson is especially proud that the Modern Language Department prepares students to be truly bilingual and to use their Spanish or French skills outside the classroom for the greater good.

Madame Stephanie Tibi, a 10-year veteran of the Modern Language Department and French I-IV teacher, never imagined herself at an all-girls school. Now, after years of seeing strong-natured women enter the world after Marymount, she cannot imagine teaching anywhere else. Mme Tibi described that, “The girls in which I have taught are open and free to express themselves. They ask probing questions regarding the world around them, and they understand the importance of their views and actions to make the world a more just place.”

Students also have the opportunity to put their practice to use through first-hand immersion experiences in different cultures and countries through Marymount’s annual spring break trip abroad, initiated in 1998 by French and Spanish teacher Sra./Mme Dominique Abensour.

“

WE ALL EMBRACE THE CATHOLICITY OF MARYMOUNT, WHETHER WE OURSELVES ARE CATHOLIC OR OF A DIFFERENT FAITH — BEING IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF YOUNG WOMEN WITH COLLEAGUES COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO MARYMOUNT’S MISSION MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

”

- SRA. VALENZUELA, MODERN LANGUAGE DEPT. HEAD & FACULTY

“We pride ourselves on teaching the whole picture of cultures, not just the academic side,” said Sra./Mme Abensour, who has taught at Marymount for 21 years. “We teach love, empathy, courage, critical thinking; and I hope to be a role model for all my students as I, too, am a life-long learner.”

Spanish teacher Sra. Amie Kosberg, a 29-year veteran of Marymount, furthers Sra./Mme Abensour's reflection. “We teach our girls to see the world in a new way,” she said. “Not only is the world full of wonders that can be described with the tools of language-learning, but also, that the world is a complex web of people and cultures that deserve our compassion, appreciation, and respect.”

Sra. Kosberg is continuously astonished by Marymount’s girls’ verve, energy, and willingness to work. She hopes to impart on our young women that achievement is more than a letter grade; it is the art of using their voice on behalf of those less fortunate.

“Marymount’s entire culture is about championing girls to honestly and authentically be their best, do their best, speak their mind, and help others,” said Sra. Kosberg.

The Modern Language Department’s ultimate goal is for Marymount’s girls to be able to interpret, integrate, and utilize information in more than one language, which is an increasingly essential skill in our modern world. Through project-based learning, thoughtful class discussions, and continuous curiosity, our girls express themselves in a variety of ways, encouraging self-discovery, collaboration, and demonstration. n

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Anchored in

Faith1

Three students reflect on how their faith contributes to making them the young, confident women they are today.

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Religious Growth and Understanding

By Katherine Scibelli '19

M

y faith provides a blueprint for my life, guiding me and helping me live as an honorable Catholic young woman.

Attending a Catholic elementary school, but moving on to a secular middle school, I realized that something was missing; something that, in my opinion, can only be taught through a faith-focused education – one that promotes community, inclusiveness, and humanity. Since coming to Marymount, I have been wholly-shaped. Marymount encourages me to follow my hobbies, expand my talents, and promote ethics, just as much as focusing on a rigorous academic curriculum. The mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM), “That all may have life and have it to the full,” has stuck with me, and I have made it my own personal goal.

Since attending Marymount, my faith has been challenged, fostered, and redefined. The Religious Studies program instills in me a sense of independence in my faith that I have never before experienced.

Not only does Marymount allow for the inclusivity of many faiths, but it encourages discussion about religion and morality. This discourse inspires me to think critically and to speak honestly about my views while being further educated on Catholic and other religious teachings.

Being immersed in a Catholic school, you learn a lot about community. There is something about a school-wide Mass that bonds the entire school population in a way that is unique from other school assemblies. Sitting with your classmates on a Monday morning instills comradery and sisterhood. Continuous discourse and difficult conversations allow for openness and confidence. The Marymount mission has taught me the importance of a support system and has inspired me to try, in my own small way, to make the world a better place.

One key factor of my faith is my service. This year, I am the Junior Class Service Board Representative and Co-President of the Ability Awareness Alliance (AAA). I founded AAA at Marymount to raise awareness for adults and children with mental and physical disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism.

The Marymount and RSHM social teaching has truly inspired me to advocate for these incredible people.

Throughout my three years here thus far, Marymount has helped me anchor my faith by allowing me to understand how my faith directly impacts my day-to-day life. I understand the role of God in my life and how He speaks to me through others. My faith drives me to be the best I can be and inspires me to make a difference in our society.

I am excited to further my religious growth during my last year-and-ahalf here at Marymount. n

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STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

The Beauty of Coexistence

By Mariam Kamel '19

I

Despite my fears coming to Marymount, I was pleasantly magine it – the year 2015, when a 14-year-old Egyptian girl surprised during the first week of school to see that many with all her family and belongings in store, lands at LAX, people in the community had very similar ideologies, despite the and prepares herself for an entirely new life. A life in the difference in culture and religion. I noticed this mainly in the great United States of America! As someone who had only RSHM mission statement: “That all may have life and have it to seen the United States on TV, and had only visited Los Angeles the full.” This single and simple sentence reassured me that I for a mere 3 days prior to the move, I was absolutely petrified. would fit right into this community.

Thoughts like, What are the other teens going to think of me?

Am I going to have any friends? Are people going to judge me for my religion and culture? were constantly racing through my The RSHM represents one of the most important and mind on the 16-hour plane flight from home to here. As strange fundamental morals that is represented in my faith: to do as as it sounds, it was through many superb coincidences that I much as you can for those who are less fortunate, who do not somehow ended up at Marymount High School. As a Muslim have the gifts that you may possess. A great example in my faith teenage girl, it may seem strange that I is one of the main five pillars (which are am attending a Catholic school, but, in basic “rules” that a Muslim must follow) The RSHM represents one of the called Zakat. In order to be considered many ways, I’ve never been happier. a Muslim, you must donate at least 2.5 most important fundamentals of percent of your yearly income to charity in Coming to the United States, I was very my faith: to do as much as you order to help people who may be in dire aware of the stigma against Islam, so I’ve need. Additionally, during the month of tried my very best to educate people can for those who are less Ramadan (the month in which we fast from more about the beauty of my faith and that our morals are anything but violent. fortunate, who do not have the sunrise to sunset – yes, no water or food), it is a tradition to also donate old clothing To give a very brief idea about Islam: gifts that you may possess. that is no longer being used, and to cook a Islam derives from two words, the first very large meal before fasting time ends to being “ ” (pronounced Islam), give to those who are less fortunate so they which means “surrender.” With this can eat. One very important quote from the Quran shows how word, we mean surrendering yourself completely to God, as He important this mission is: “Achieved through good works, thus created us, and to Him we shall return. personal righteousness must outweigh personal sin (Quran 23:101-103).”

The second of the two words would be “ ” (pronounced salaam), which means “peace.” In my faith, we believe in peace regarding all living beings and organisms. My faith is something that drives my life, and I honestly can say I am very thankful to be a Muslim. Being a Muslim has made me a better person, and it has made me appreciate much more than just the busy world we live in.

My faith has helped me meet wonderful people and has given me so many opportunities, which has only multiplied since I’ve joined the Marymount community. My faith has urged me to become a better person to the people around me, and it’s such a wonderful experience to have the amazing opportunity to be able to educate others around the beauty of my faith.

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Whilst I hold my faith very close, I also strive to always be open-minded and to learn about other cultures and religions.

I definitely think being at Marymount has cultivated my exploration of different faiths and cultures. At Marymount, we all begin our first journey into adulthood with the RSHM mission.

Through this mission statement, we are inspired to be the strong, empowered, and wonderful women that we are, despite any differences we may have. Personally, the most important thing that I have learned is the beauty of coexistence. It is our differences that cause our world to be a wonderful place, and it is through our differences that we are able to give everyone an amazing opportunity to a wonderful life. n

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

The Value of Compassion

By Eugenia Baek '19

C

Every day at Marymount, I expand and deepen my faith significantly. oming to Marymount has been a significantly Here, I am able to freely question all aspects of theological and transformative and special experience that has allowed me ethical studies through classroom discussion, and to have in-depth to expand my faith. Growing up in a practicing Catholic conversations with my Religious Studies teachers. This has given family, I was taught to value compassion and community me the opportunity to gain mentors for whom I am so grateful. By from a young age. As a teenager, my grandfather was separated from further understanding my own faith, I am able to understand the his family during the Korean War and had received considerable aid worth and value of compassion while understanding the views and from the Church which provided him with shelter and education. beliefs of others. This contributes to an inclusive community, better Because of the kindhearted and supportive community that the relationships, and a learning environment where Church provided, it shaped my grandfather everyone can feel free to contribute in their own to live his life full of empathy in a way that By further understanding unique way.

I, too, hope to achieve. Because of my my own faith, I am able to family’s history, they are constantly thankful for all that they have, and they have a Because of Marymount and my family, I know understand the worth and profound love for contributing to those in that I want to work hard to ensure, “that all value of compassion while need. Their small ordinary actions, coupled may have life and have it to the full.” Because with my grandfather’s compassion, have understanding the views and of all I have learned, I know that I am a better created a framework for my own hopes and Confirmation leader to the confirmees in my aspirations as a young Catholic woman. church community. I understand the value of beliefs of others.

As a member of Marymount’s Campus Ministry Team since my freshman year, I have helped plan Masses and religious events that are inclusive of our entire community. I love seeing the diversity of those who come together as a whole in the name of faith, and the talents displayed at Masses by my fellow Sailors Sisters. It is a truly unique and inviting experience that allows me to gain a greater appreciation for Catholicism as well as other faith communities.

compassion and service, and I volunteer regularly at St. James Episcopal Church’s soup kitchen, where I prepare and serve warm meals every Friday to the local homeless community. In the future, I hope to develop new technology as an engineer with the aim of making people’s lives more efficient. To me, this means that people are well-rounded and balanced, not solely focusing on work, but also on family, friends, and serving those in their community who may be in need because there truly is value in compassion. n

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A FOCUS ON THE

Arts

Marymount's Conservatory Arts Program (CAP) is a comprehensive, enrichment program that is tailored to meet every Sailor's skill level - from introductory classes for beginners, to advanced courses for accomplished performers and artists who are fine-tuning their craft.

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Performing Arts Over one-fourth of our students participate in Marymount's Performing Arts program, which includes Acting, Choir, Orchestra, and Dance. Our performers have ample opportunities to showcase their talent to our community at Masses, the always highly-anticipated Tunes@Noon, and more! Last fall, Marymount's Drama Teachers Associate of Southern California (DTASC) team competed against 2,000 other students at Calabasas High School at the Varsity Festival competition and earned a 4th Place trophy in the Large Group Drama category. Meanwhile, our Marymount Players’ production of As You Like It opened to rave reviews and sold-out shows. There's no shortage of creative outlets at Marymount!

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

2. Juniors Eiara Fajardo, Sarah Fry, and Sophia Rogers sang their hearts out in front of our community at our highlyanticipated, Halloween-themed Toons@Noon. Supported by our talented faculty band and student orchestra, everyone had a blast!

3. Freshman violinist Elise Kim tuned her strings before taking the stage alongside her classmates at this year's Winter Arts Concert.

4. Dancers in Julie Carson's Dance I class took a soaring leap impressing our community with their talent.

5. Student actors Taylor Thompson '20, Yasmine Yemofio '18, Chelsea Worrell '18, Elle Lavin '18, and Zoe Swisher '19 walked away with a 4th Place trophy after competing against 51 other schools in the Large Group Drama category at last fall's DTASC Competition.

6. Our girls left a sold-out audience feeling a range of emotions during DTASC's Winter Concert performances.

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A FOCUS ON THE ARTS

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you

“AS LIKE IT" T

o Claire Hackett, Director of Marymount Players, Shakespeare’s dreamy comedy-quest for love, As You Like It, felt like a natural choice for Marymount’s Fall Play. With the play’s theme of female empowerment and other-worldly settings, she immediately saw the parallels that mirror our students’ very own Marymount experience.

In the play, Shakespeare’s spirited heroine Rosalind escapes the confines of the Duke's court to find love and friendship in the French forest, a magical retreat where rules and social constructs suspend.

“The character of Rosalind is the strongest character, which is unusual in Shakespeare,” said Ms. Hackett, a 20-year veteran of Marymount, where she has directed the Players for 14 years.

Moreover, Ms. Hackett loved that As You Like It’s forest honors Marymount’s francophile roots while also feeling reminiscent of the current campus’ green grounds of reverie and revelation.

“In the forest, there are no boundaries; there is an opportunity to explore things you don’t normally explore,” Hackett said. “In the same way, Marymount encourages students to explore and open doorways that have not been open before.”

With a cast of 12 and a crew of over 25, the Players took on all aspects of the play’s production, from acting and costume design, to set building and lighting.

“Our major task was not necessarily to put on a play, but to create a community and provide an environment of ensemble,” Ms. Hackett said. “What we did in the rehearsal process was allow the girls to get to know each other while creating an equal environment – the Seniors have as much to learn from the Freshmen and vice versa.”

During production, alumnae Phoebe Balson '14, a current UCLA student completing her bachelors with a concentration in playwriting, and Lea Madda '08, who just completed her MFA in Acting at UCLA, returned to Marymount to conduct workshops for their Sailor Sisters.

“I love to bring back alumnae because the girls who are in the production make a connection with the people from the past,” Ms. Hackett said.

Beyond community connections, Ms. Hackett said the Players allow young women to embrace and expand their spirituality, as acting and producing are expressions of faith that require the participation of the whole girl: mind, body, and spirit.

“I am grateful to able to be in an environment in which we can talk about spirituality within the context of what we are doing,” Ms. Hackett said. “At Marymount, because we are able to explore so many different expressions of faith within the Religious Studies Department, we can also do it within the plays.” n

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VISUAL Arts

Grace Allegrette '18

Annabelle Daly '19

Marymount’s Visual Arts program, which includes Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, and Photography, continues with its strong instruction for every level. Inspired by teachers, field trips to the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, and more, our young women have their creative works displayed throughout Marymount’s campus so the entire community can see the raw talent, work ethic, and technicality these young, imaginative women possess.

Reagan Whitney '20

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Sadie Chandler '19

Siobhan Burke '19

A FOCUS ON THE ARTS

Isabella Giaquinta '19

Jillian Neuner '19

Emma Schwettmann '21

Emily Buchi '20

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Watch

Our Women ALUMNAE SERIES

celebrates

THIS SERIES

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 M - 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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annabelle stewart Class of 2004 Profession: Chief to Staff to the CEO of Europe and Middle East, Private Bank at Barclays Education: B.A. in International Banking & Finance and B.A. in International Relations from Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano, Switzerland; Masters in Science in Finance from EDHEC Business School in Nice, France.

Current Residence: Monaco

F

rom California and Lugano to Geneva, London and Monaco, Annabelle Stewart '04 finds satisfaction in taking life-altering risks – something her time at Marymount taught her to do.

In her new role as the Chief of Staff to the CEO of Europe and the Middle East with the Private Bank at Barclays based in Monaco, Ms. Stewart is reaping the rewards of the work-ethic she learned at Marymount. She credits her tenacity as a defining characteristic that helped her climb Barclays’ ranks to become one of their youngest directors.

“There is something to be said for hard work,” she said. “Ambition and persistence are the best combination!

“I always pride myself on being quite unique – I do not fit into a mold. I hope those around me find inspiration to take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path,” Ms. Stewart continued. “It is usually filled with great adventures.”

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With twenty-years’ experience and a global resident’s perspective, she knows now that her trepidation wasn’t about “liking” math, but rather an expression of fear that she wouldn’t be the best in the subject. She is grateful for Marymount’s role in shaping her drive and determination and credits our school and Ms. Bennett for preparing her for future challenges.

“Ms. Bennett helped me push past that fear and apprehension and encouraged me to take a chance and believe in myself,” said Ms. Stewart, who continued to take advanced mathematics at the university level. “I have benefited greatly in my career in finance having that strong background that really started with her believing in me.”

She recalled that during her days as a Sailor, she struggled to find her resolve to pursue challenges in which she wasn’t sure she would succeed. But now, she cherishes her Marymount memories that drove her to persist.

In addition to her impressive math skills, Ms. Stewart said Marymount inspired her willingness to take chances on the unknown.

After graduating from Marymount, she moved to Switzerland to pursue dual undergraduate degrees in International Banking and Finance, and International Relations at Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano, Switzerland. She followed up with a MSc in Finance from the prestigious EDHEC Business School (Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord) in Nice, France.

“I was quite intimidated by the honors-level math courses at Marymount, and I remember telling my math teacher, Ms. Marilyn Bennett, that ‘I don’t like math,’” said Ms. Stewart. “Ms. Bennett said something along the lines of, ‘Well, that’s too bad, because you are good at it.’ And she didn’t let me give up that easily.”

Ms. Stewart noted that her career’s ascent has not always been a straight line – as she took risks moving to various cities with foreign languages and cultures. But taking chances for Ms. Stewart has paid off, and she is trailblazing through the male-dominated world of global finance.

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WATCH OUR WOMEN

“

I always pride myself on being quite unique – I do not fit into a mold. I hope those around me find inspiration to take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. It is usually filled with great adventures.

”

“I’m happy to represent the strong, fearless female that Marymount helps make with an international twist!” she said.

Early in her career, Ms. Stewart landed a job at L’Oréal International Luxury Products in Paris as a Quantitative and Strategic Analyst, in which she covered the Lancôme brand for Eastern Europe. Ms. Stewart said about her career path: “This was an interesting experience tracking performance on product distribution, media, and budgetary evolution of luxury beauty products while performing in-depth competitor analysis. It was a good way to use my mathematics and statistics educational background in a nonfinancial services industry.”

Ms. Stewart credits Marymount’s dedication to the education of the whole girl as the foundation for her career – and life.

“At Marymount, there was strong promotion of balancing education, extracurricular activities, service, and faith. The best Marymount student was not just great in one of these points as we were taught how important it was to have a bit across all,” Ms. Stewart said. “This idea has stayed with me because it is important to have a healthy balance in and out of work.” This balance remains with her to this day. After four years on Marymount’s Varsity Water Polo and Swim teams, Ms. Stewart has stayed in the water and, most recently, completed her hardest challenge ever: swimming a 10km (6.2mi) open-water swim in the Thames River in London. “This distance is considered a ‘marathon’ for swimming,” she shared. “It's something I never thought I would be able to do, and even during the race I had my doubts. But I powered through and finished the race in 4 hours and 44 minutes!”

When asked if she could give one piece of advice to our current students, Ms. Stewart stressed the importance of perseverance.

“Do not be afraid to ask for something that is important to you – the worst that can happen is that someone can say no,” she said.

No matter where life takes Ms. Stewart, she remains motivated, open-minded, and relentless to find opportunities in any obstacle life presents. As Henry David Thoreau said (words that Ms. Stewart lives by), “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” n THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

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CLASS NOTES

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CLASS NOTES

'68

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!

L to R: Barbara (Wadden) Corker '68, Bettina Ling '68, Jo Anne Joyce '68, Gretchen Schnieders Gibson '68, Mary (MacDermott) MacKinnon '68, Sr. Andrew, and Debbie (Lavigne) Foster '68

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CLASS NOTES

1940s Elizabeth Lucia (Tao) Sykes Real '48 shares, “My husband, The Honorable Manuel Real, celebrated 50 years on the bench. He is the longest, active-serving federal judge in the United States. We are all very proud of him.”

Elizabeth also writes that she would love to hear from any of her classmates.

1950s Michelle Heiner Nady '56 writes, “My years

at Marymount are some of the dearest in my memory. The lifelong friends, the activities, and the beautiful campus are part of it all.

At my 60th reunion, my daughters bought me the crocheted pillow of the front of the school. I smile each time I see it on my sofa.

My daughter, Jenny, ended up teaching P.E. for four years at Marymount. Now, she has Marymount memories, too.”

1960s Christine (Walevska) Hilding-Ohlsson '61

shares, “Since 18 years of age, I have been concertizing worldwide as a concert cellist.

I have recorded 17 cello concertos on the Philips label, now on a boxed set of five CDs titled Walevska Legendary Recordings. My most recent CD, Goddess of the Cello, was sponsored by the Chimei Museum in Taiwan.

In 2016, I was the honoree of the National Women’s History Museum in Washington, D.C. My last concert tour was in November and December.”

Michelle Kiernan Smith '68 writes, “My husband Michael and I celebrated 45 years of marriage on Sept. 16, 2017. We met at Georgetown and were married soon after I graduated. Mike earned his Master's and Doctorate at Middlebury College in Vermont, and retired in 2015 after teaching French and Spanish for more than 40 years. I was a stay-at-home mom and did daycare out of our home until our three children were in school. I was a freelance translator for over 30 years and also spent a great deal of time as a substitute teacher, mostly in our children's schools. Not always a popular choice as far as

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our kids were concerned!” Michelle remains good friends with Maureen Kanne Reed '68, with whom she plans to attend the Class of 1968’s 50th Reunion. Michelle also writes, “While going through old pictures recently, I found photos of Tori Lamb '68 and Tia Holmwood Galipeau '68. I would love to know where they are and how they are doing.

My years at Marymount were truly a blessing to me, and they continue to be a blessing!”

Michelle and her husband have lived in Paris, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Hampshire, and plan to move to Cuenca, Ecuador. They have three children: Eric, 38, Krista, 31, and Brendan, 29.

1970s Margaret McNulty McEniry '70 shares, "I

became a grandma on August 24, 2017, to a beautiful granddaughter named Savannah Riley Marie."

1990s Shannon O'Keefe Anderson '94 shares, “It’s

been ages since I wrote Marymount. In September 2016, I got married in Santa Rosa, CA to Cam Anderson. Brigid Joyce Wild '94, Courtney Brown Bitto '94, and Melinda Malouf Turner '94 were there. The next year, we welcomed our son, Connor John Anderson, on April 4, 2017! Finally, my husband and I bought a house in San Rafael and moved over the summer.”

Gina Mooring Arrasmith '95 writes, "I married Scott Arrasmith on May 29! Sandra Ko '95, Lisa Geller Hunzeker '95, Cristina Quesada Richards '95, Tina Minassian Maghakian '95, and Joy Moini '95 were all in attendance."

Colleen Kinnon Huck '95 shares, “Some

Marymount girls from the Class of 1995 had a wonderful time celebrating the wedding of Brandi Brandon Bondurant '95 last fall. We also paid tribute to her mom, Nancy, who passed away the week prior. I felt so much Marymount friendship and love on that day, and I am thrilled for Brandi and her husband, Aaron.”

2000s Laura Tokuza Arenstein '01 writes, “I'm

happy to share that Hannah Aya Arenstein was born on June 16, 2017, at UCLA. A very special thank you to my classmate, Julia Smith '01, for driving me to the hospital and waiting with me until my husband arrived.

Hannah is healthy, happy, and growing, and has brought us tremendous joy and love.”

Alicia Marie Beatty '12 writes, "I recently made my Off-Broadway debut in Moliere’s Tartuffe. I played the ingénue, Marianne.

Additionally, I got engaged this fall to Noah Stern, a fellow native Angeleno. We, and our dog Orwell, are excited for what our future may hold."

Brigid Breen '12 shares, "I have some amazing news to share, at least I think it’s amazing! I was recently hired at the Disneyland Resort, and it’s been a dream of mine since I was little. I get to work with guests from around the world and create magic for so many people."

Whitney Cale Brejcha '00 shares that on Nov.

16, she and USC Athletic Director Lynn Swann presented Roosevelt Ivory, former Marymount Track and Field coach, with his namesake, the Roosevelt Ivory Endowed USC Women’s Track and Field Scholarship.

Jessica Cluess '03 launched a book tour

for her second novel, A Poison Dark and Drowning. Last year, Jessie received praise for her first book, A Shadow Bright and Burning. Both books are part of her threepart Kingdom of Fire series, which is set in Victorian England and tells the tales of an orphan girl, who’s rage erupts in fire. Jessie told the Palisidian Post that Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby inspired the series. While finishing the third and final novel, Jessie is teaching a children’s writing workshop at West L.A.’s Writopia Lab. Megan Correnti Niemann '08 shares, "I

married Nicholas Niemann at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Santa Barbara, CA, on Feb. 25, 2017, surrounded by our family and closest friends. We met at the University of Southern California (USC) and currently live in Manhattan Beach."

CLASS NOTES

1940s-50s 2

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1990s 1. In loving memory of Jo Humes Bourgeois '48 2. Patricia Egan Daehnke '77 and members of the Class of 1957 gather together for their 60th reunion. Top L to R: Melinda Sheetz Jones '57, Cathy Wolfe Tennican '57, Carolyn Breslin Brown '57, Patricia Schott Milosevich '57, and Susan Jahn Noonan '57. Seated L to R: Lucy Conners Donahue '57, Betsy Koehler 5 Korte '57, Joan Eichelsbach Keyzers '57, Gretchen Rondorf Jennings '57, Judith Du Par Haven '57, and Marjorie O'Connor '57 3. Patricia Schott Milosevich '57 and Marjorie O'Connor '57 enjoy dinner together abroad the Holland American Cruise Ship to Alaska.

4. In loving memory of Francis Elaine Wright, mother of Elaine Wright Waters '57 and Carolyn Wright Humiston '62 5. Shannon O'Keefe Anderson '94 and husband Cam Anderson 7 6. Shannon O'Keefe Anderson '94 and husband, Cam, welcomed their son Connor John 7. Tina Minassian Maghakian '95, Gina Mooring Arrasmith '95, and Joy Moini '95 celebrate Gina's marriage to Scott Arrasmith.

8. Cristina Quesada Richards '95, Gina Mooring Arrasmith '95, Lisa Geller Hunzeker '95, and Sandra Ko '95 celebrate Gina's and Scott's wedding.

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1990s 10

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2000s 12

13

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CLASS NOTES

14

15

16

17

18

9. Kelly Leahy Rubio '95, Colleen Kinnon Huck '95, Catherine Geary Glavan '95, and Becky Kuhl Placzek '95 celebrate with Brandi Brandon Bondurant '95 on her wedding day.

10. Brandi Brandon Bondurant '95 is escorted down the aisle by her father, Tim Brandon, on her wedding day.

11. Whitney Cale Brejcha '00, along with USC Athletic Director Lynn Swann, present former Marymount Track and Field coach, Roosevelt Ivory, with the Roosevelt Ivory Endowed USC Women's Track and Field Scholarship.

12. Laura Tokuza Arenstein '01 and her husband, Scott, celebrate the baptism of their daughter, Hannah, at St. Paul the Apostle Church on Dec. 3, 2017.

13. Brooke Schepman Thomason '02 and her husband, Dan, welcome Harper Ann and Luke Allen to their family. Big brothers Jack and Charlie are excited for their baby sister and brother.

14. Ellie Moon Klebanow Boyd '02 and her husband, Tim, welcome Adelaide Alicia to their family.

15. Christina Woodward Graziano '05 and her husband, Andrew, welcome Lucy Catherine to their family in July 2017.

16. Megan Correnti Niemann '08 marries Nicholas Niemann at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church last February 2017.

17. The USC Band joins Megan Correnti Niemann '08 and her husband, Nicholas, at their wedding last February 2017.

18. Alicia Marie Beatty '12 and fiancĂŠ Noah Stern.

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CLASS NOTES

Marriages Aline Khatchadourian Antreasyan '01 to Dan Antreasyan (01/14/18)

Megan Correnti Niemann '08 to Nicholas Niemann (02/25/17)

Gina Mooring Arrasmith '95 to Scott Arrasmith (05/29/17)

Kelly Irvin Swezey '07 to Duncan Swezey (07/08/17)

Greer Tallant Anderson '02 to Forrest Anderson (06/30/17)

Jennifer Hutchinson Symonds '96 to Steve Symonds (01/13/18)

Brandi Brandon Bondurant '95 to Aaron Bondurant (Fall 2016)

Births Connor John to Shannon O'Keefe Anderson '94 and her husband, Cam (04/02/17)

Hawken Jenkins to Kristen Crothers Holmes '02 and her husband, Christopher (07/31/17)

Hannah Aya to Laura Tokuza Arenstein '01 and her husband, Scott (06/16/2017)

Cecilia Scout to Christine Alcantar Moore '02 and her husband, Jerry (05/07/17)

Kevin Owen to Becky Kinnon Beiter '98 and her husband, Jeff (09/29/17)

Darra John to Molly Heintz Moriarty '02 and her husband, John (06/15/17)

Henry Charles to Whitney Cale Brejcha '00 and her husband, Pete (01/10/18)

Anne "Annie" Jayne, to Terren O'Reilly O'Connor '02 and her husband Billy (12/05/17)

Emma Perry to Emily Hull Davi '00 and her husband, Brian (09/19/2017)

Theodore Francis to Cara Thomason Slapnicka '02 and her husband, Chad (08/05/17)

Adelaide Alicia to Ellie Moon Klebanow Boyd '02 and her husband, Tim (04/07/17) Niall Redmond to Laura Burgee-Soran '04 and her husband, Cameron (08/28/17) Charles John to Julie Rosso Eckert '99 and her husband, Tom (09/28/17) Lucy Catherine to Christina Woodward Graziano '05 and her husband, Andrew (07/24/17)

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Luke Allen and Harper Ann to Brooke Schepman Thomason '02 and her husband, Dan (04/27/17) Evangeline Colter, to Evan Shoop Taranta '02 and her husband, Austin (12/27/17)

TRANSITIONS

In Memoriam Mary Ryan Ackerman '38 (06/01/17) Tracey Toriello Ash '68, mother of Victoria Ash '99 and sister-in-law of Marilyn Ash Hanna '68 (07/25/17)

Margaret "Peg" McCann, mother of Mary Ellen McCann Outwater '70 and Maureen McCann Bailey '74, and sister-in-law of Margaret McCann Bowen '41 (07/22/16) Sandy Midgley, mother of Jennifer Midgley MacLaughlin '83 (05/15/17)

Patricia Beemer, grandmother of Amy Beemer '10 (06/10/17) Kerry O'Mahony '87 (10/09/17) Maria Bibawi, mother of Darlene Bibawi Beccaria '89 and mother-in-law of April Levy Bibawi '90 (09/29/17)

Joan Susan Malloy, mother of Kelly Rose Malloy-McDaniel '88 (01/31/18)

Jo Humes Bourgeois '48 (08/24/15)

Edward Martin, husband of Mary Ann Redfield Martin '63 (01/19/18)

Denise Jarret Diamond, mother of Jacqueline L. Landry, Head of School (05/20/17)

Sheila Smith Reich '53 (05/19/17) Sister Laura Siebert, RSHM (01/01/18)

James Dutcher, grandfather of Jenna Turner Fite '03 and Michelle Turner '07 (06/08/17)

Harry Lee Stallings, Jr., father of Kimberly Stallings Grafton '84 (06/07/17)

Bart Everett, husband of Camille O'Keefe Everett '70 and father of Colleen Everett Herzog '05 and Erin Everett '09 (01/09/18)

Harry Lee Stallings, III, brother of Kimberly Stallings Grafton '84 (04/19/14)

Rita Mellus Fenaughty, mother of Catherine Fenaughty Wilmoth '86 (08/18/17)

Mary Alice Carter Tibbles '59, sister of Ann Carter Cane '62 and Katherine Carter '68 (04/27/17)

Mary Ellen Hall, mother of Megan Hall Walker '98 (04/19/17)

Derek Maxim Schaefer, son of Julie Carson, Performing Arts CoDepartment Chair (01/01/18)

Lee C. Harnett, mother of Lisa Harnett '78 and Nicole Harnett '88 (06/09/16) Marilyn Pettric Hart '46 (04/02/17) Eglantine Khatchadourian, grandmother of Aline Khatchadourian Antreasyan '01 (10/26/17) Victoria Lamb '68, sister of Stephanie Lamb Denninghoff '67 and Kristina Lamb Martinez '69 (07/19/17)

Vi-Ella Schumacher Wilson '36 (01/2018) Wilbourn Wiser, father of Jennifer Wiser Minchin '85 and Elizabeth Wiser Terrell '85 (04/13/17) Frances Elaine Wright, mother of Elaine Wright Waters '57 and Carolyn Wright Humiston '62 (05/30/17) Arthur Yago, father of Malina Yago '18 (06/12/17)

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NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES PROFILES John is a Senior Partner at Leonard Green and Partners, a leading private equity investment firm. John has been with the firm since 1999. Previously, he was a Vice President at DLJ in Los Angeles. Prior to DLJ, John worked at Fidelity Investments and Arthur Andersen.

John earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A., with distinction, from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

JOHN BAUMER

John and his wife, Mollie, demonstrate philanthropic interest in education as well as to the Catholic Education Foundation. John and his family live in Manhattan Beach. Their daughter Delaney is in the Class of 2020.

Kevin is the Chief Investment Officer at Douglas Emmett Inc., a Santa Monica-based Real Estate Investment Trust. Douglas Emmett is one of the largest owners and operators of Class A office buildings and multifamily properties in Los Angeles County and Hawaii.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-School of Business.

Kevin and his wife, Lily, live in Westwood with their three children. Their daughter Andrea is in the Class of 2019.

KEVIN CRUMMY Leslie served as the President of Disney Consumer Products, Inc. from May 2015 to February 2016, and as its Co-Chair of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media from July 2015 to February 2016. A 16-year Disney veteran, Leslie held a variety of marketing leadership positions including Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy and New Business Initiatives, and Vice President of Marketing for Disney Regional Entertainment. She has also served on the Hong Kong Disneyland Board of Directors. Prior to joining Disney, she held various senior-level marketing positions at McCann-Erickson, Johnson & Johnson, and SmithKline Beecham.

LESLIE FERRARO

Leslie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Marketing from George Washington University, a Master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, and an MBA in Finance from New York University.

Leslie and her husband, Phil Dutton, have two daughters at Marymount. Shannon is in the Class of 2020, and Sydney is in the Class of 2018.

David is a Partner and Head of Ares Insurance Partners Group within Strategy and Relationship Management. Prior to his current role, David served as Head of the Ares Business Development Group and Co-Head of Ares European Credit Group. Prior to joining Ares in 2011, he was CoManaging Partner and Co-Founder of Indicus Advisors, a leading alternative asset management firm focused on European-leveraged finance and global-structured credit, which was acquired

by Ares Management in 2011. In addition, David worked at Goldman Sachs, where he focused on marketing and originating structured credit products and other alternative investments.

DAVID REILLY

David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the Northwestern University J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).

David and his wife, Alison, live with their family in Brentwood. Their daughter Dalton is in the Class of 2020.

MARYMOUNT'S 2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT IS NOW ONLINE! VISIT BIT.LY/MHSANNUALREPORT 54

THE MARYMOUNT MAGAZINE | WINTER 2017

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Stock Call 310.472.1205 ext. 207 for gift instructions

Matching Gifts Double or triple your gift by obtaining a Matching Gift form from your employer Tax ID Number 95-4273507.

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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: Erica Berardi Stephanie David Kambria Fischer Sr. Margaret McKenna, RSHM

Design & Printing:

Student Contributors: Mary Cooper '20 Samara Johnson '20 Alexandria Longo '20 Sydney Freeman '18 Jenna Rotheram '19

Caitlin Cowan '20 Devin Waddell '20 Alexandria Acholonu '21 Kelly Kim '19 Porter Stracke '20

Samantha Bell '20 Elissa Kim '20 Katherine Schibelli '19 Mariam Kamel '19 Eugenia Beck '19

Designed by Marymount High School Printing by Southern California Graphics

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