Santa Catalina School Bulletin Spring 2016 by Santa Catalina School

1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, CA 93940

SANTA CATALINA SCHOOL

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Monterey, CA 93940 Permit No. 93

Santa Catalina BULLETIN

•

VOLUME 56

•

NUMBER 2

•

2016

• BULLETIN • SPRING 2016

Board of Trustees Nonie B. Ramsay ’71 Chair Kirsten Nelson Bedford ’56 Vice-Chair Jennifer W. Budge ’71 Vice-Chair

School Administration Sister Claire Barone Head of School John Aimé Assistant Head of School

Peter M. Folger Vice-Chair

John Murphy, Ph.D. Assistant Head of School for Mission and Identity

Kit Y. Wai Treasurer

Richard Patterson Assistant Head of School for Advancement

Reuben Richards Secretary

Rita Alves Business Manager

Sister Claire Barone Head of School Frederick M. Bates Michelle Blake Robert C. Bolt Curt Breitfuss Michael D. Bruno ’82 LS Herm Edwards Katherine Ernst James Farley, Jr. Paul J. Felton W. Taylor Fithian III Frank Garcia Matthew T. Gibbs II Tracy Miller Haas ’75 Elizabeth R. Hulme Edward King L. Douglas McKenzie Judith McDonald Moses ’86 Mary Looram Moslander ’84 Carolyn O’Brien ’74 Kenneth Peyton Victor Ramirez Michael Roffler Wes von Schack

Honorary Trustee Brooks Walker, Jr.

2016 Events Summer Camp LMS First Day of School US First Day of School Open Weekend US Parents Weekend Father-Daughter Weekend Thanksgiving Vacation Christmas Vacation

June 27-July 30 August 24 August 24 September 22-25 October 28-30 April 22-24 November 18-28 December 16-January 2

Laurie Severs Director of Development Lower & Middle School Christy Pollacci Head of Lower & Middle School Janet Luksik Director of Tuition Assistance/Director of Admission Anthony Schipper Middle School Dean Amy McAfee Director of Curriculum & Learning Learning Specialist, PreK–Grade 4 Chris Haupt Director of Student Life Upper School John Aimé Assistant Head of School Kassandra Thompson Brenot ’87, Ph.D. Head of Upper School Gerard Kapolka, Ph.D. Dean of Academics Julia Kim Dean of Studies Kristi McLaughlin Dean of Students/Director of Boarding Life

Dinosaur Art, Will Leatherberry, grade 2

Colleen Murray Director of College Counseling

Santa Catalina School, located on the Monterey Peninsula, is an independent, Catholic school. The Upper School is a college-preparatory high school for young women, with boarding and day students in grades 9–12. The Lower and Middle School are coeducational, with day students in PreK–grade 8. A summer camp for girls 8–14 years serves resident and day campers. n Santa Catalina School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Santa Catalina is a member of The National Association of Independent Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools, National Catholic Educational Association, National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, California Association of Independent Schools, Secondary School Admission Test Board, and Online School for Girls. n Santa Catalina School admits students of any race, creed, color, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, and national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, athletic, or other school-administered programs. 6/2016-8,425

Spring Bulletin 2016 Bulletin Production Crystal Boyd ’89 Director of Communications Jamie LeMaire Graphic Designer/Production Coordinator Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83 Director of Alumnae Relations Robin Kelly Copy Editor Crystal Boyd ’89, Molly Calvert, Paul Elliott, Stefanie Gallegly ’01, Jeff Hrepich, Nancy Hunt, Christy Pollacci, Sister Christine Price, Laurie Severs, Colleen Zellitti Contributing Writers John Aimé, Anderson-Brulé Architects, Molly Calvert, Marc Howard ’93 LS, Alexandra Kautz ’06, Jamie LeMaire, Kim Lemaire, Santa Catalina Archives, Santa Catalina parents, faculty, and students, Bree Walker Contributing Photographers

ARTWORK Brooklyn by Taylor Moises ’17 digital print

features 4

Honoring Their Lives of Service This year, receptions were held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Monterey to celebrate Sister Claire and Sister Christine and their 44 years at Santa Catalina School.

A Special Day, A Special Building An historic day on campus as the new mathematics and science center is officially opened and dedicated.

Learning Together: Lessons in Warmth and Wisdom Christy Pollacci, Head of Lower and Middle School, reflects on her years with Sister Claire at Santa Catalina.

Superheroes 24/7: Life as Resident Faculty Dr. Nancy Hunt shares her thoughts about the role of resident faculty in the boarding program at Santa Catalina.

departments 3

Message from Sister Claire and Sister Christine

Lower and Middle School Community Life

Middle School Sports

Upper School Community Life

Upper School Arts

Upper School Sports

Alumnae News

Class Notes

100 Transitions Santa Catalina’s Bulletin is published twice a year. We welcome suggestions for topics and news, as well as comments about our publication.

102

Connect with Catalina

community 2

Message from Sister Claire and Sister Christine at school or, occasionally, nearer your homes, and we look forward to those times. Surprises came from the Upper School at Assembly with their song and flowers, from the Lower and Middle School at their concert with touching words and music, and from our theater department at Evening of the Arts with their gift of our two “traditional” seats. Finally, that our names reside on our school’s Mathematics and Science Center is an honor beyond all measure and the greatest surprise of all. From our hearts, we thank the Bechtel and the Johnson families for this most gracious naming of our school’s most magnificent gift. Dear Friends, As is always the case in this Bulletin, you will find a collage of the year just past. It has been a year of challenge and great accomplishment in all areas of life. Whether academic, athletic, theatrical, or personal, students and faculty have worked long and hard to meet their goals. They have reached the heights with flying colors, and you will, indeed, enjoy it all. On the personal side of life, this particular year has been both celebratory and surprising for us both. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, in Monterey and on our very own campus, you have touched us with your friendship, your loyalty, and your love. Our regret is that, at each of our receptions, we could not sit with all of you for just a minute and have a visit. Those visits will be more possible now either here

“Students have been our life’s work. Challenge and fun, quiet thought and laughter, respect, kindness, and purpose—all have made this work the happiest it could have been.” One joins the profession of education because of an innate care for youth, for their lives and their education, for their hearts and for their souls. Students have been our life’s work. Challenge and fun, quiet thought and laughter, respect, kindness, and purpose—all have made this work the happiest it could have been. One of those

abiding realities at Santa Catalina is that it is a vast community who give it life, provide its energy and its spirit, uphold its values, and render it a place of which all are proud. It is each individual’s contribution to the classroom, the dorm, the chapel, the playing field, the theater, and the grounds that makes such a community possible. It is the maintenance of the buildings, the beauty of the campus, and the efforts of those who oversee Santa Catalina every hour of every day that enable students to study, to learn and to grow in an environment that both cherishes and exemplifies the beauty of our planet. It does, indeed, “take a village.” For these past forty-four years, students, colleagues, parents, and friends have traveled our journey and supported with us the progress of this community. We wish to thank you all for these decades together and for your innumerable personal moments of recognition over this past year. While we can never adequately thank each of you, a French proverb tells us, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” By any measure, our hearts are full.

Warm regards,

Honoring

Their Lives of

Service

The Santa Catalina family gathered throughout the year to honor Sister Claire and Sister Christine for their 44 years of loyalty, leadership, and devotion. Here we share the words of tribute so lovingly offered.

honoring their lives of service 5

Nonie B. Ramsay ’71 Generally, at this time of year, as many of you may know, the program would be focused on school, the state of school, with Sister Claire taking the lead. This year, I am giving that report. The school is thriving on all fronts. End of report. Rather this evening, we’re here for a very different purpose, to honor Sister Claire and Sister Christine as they approach their retirement at the end of the school year. Our program, tonight is short. Some slides, a few speakers, and then simple fun and all being together. I know that you have all heard about the incredible celebration we shared last Friday for the dedication of the math and science center... Within that afternoon program, there was a particularly poignant moment when the naming of the building was announced, the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center. As you can imagine, the naming decision was quite an adventure. Last May, in working with the donors of the math and science building, the request came forward to name the building in honor of these two women, who for 44 years served a pivotal role in the history of our school. That’s really 88 years combined. The donors’ request was put before the board and was immediately and unanimously approved. After a fair amount of what I’ll call “arm-wrestling” among the funding source, those to be honored, and the board chair, the donors’ request prevailed!

In recognition of their dedicated leadership in creating the Santa Catalina School of the 21st Century that we now know it to be today, this new center will carry Sister Claire’s and Sister Christine’s names forward into the future of this school. It is a great honor for me to serve as chair of the Santa Catalina Board during this pivotal time.

Their voices of wisdom and graciousness are imbedded in the culture of our Santa Catalina of today. As a trustee over many years, I have had the good fortune to work closely with both sisters, Sister Claire and Sister Christine, as well as Sister Carlotta and Sister Jean previously, to support our school. Their voices of wisdom and graciousness are imbedded in the culture of our Santa Catalina of today. Not only has the school benefited from their dedication and wisdom, I personally have, as well. And what fun I have also had with them throughout our work together! I will say personally that, no matter their retirement, that fun and that wisdom will always be available as I will hold them deeply in my heart. On behalf of the board of trustees, I extend our deep — our very deep appreciation for the source wisdom, dedication, and service that Sister Claire and Sister Christine have given to our Santa Catalina School.

6 honoring their lives of service

Peter M. Folger Good evening. My name is Peter Folger. Barbara and I are the proud parents of three Santa Catalina graduates, Katharine ’86, Sarah ’93, and Abiah ’94, and my assignment tonight is to speak on behalf of the parents. The simple truth is, and we all know this, we are here tonight to honor two of the best people any of us will ever have the privilege or pleasure to know. Their gifts to school for 44 years of wisdom, courage, intelligence, fairness, love, and so very much more, is at the heart of what Santa Catalina is and always will be because of the foundation that they and Sister Carlotta, Sister Jean, Sister Kieran, and the other Sisters in the old days established.

The simple truth is, and we all know this, we are here tonight to honor two of the best people any of us will ever have the privilege or pleasure to know. Over the past 44 years, Sister Claire and Sister Christine have been teachers. They’ve been administrators. They’ve been advisors. They’ve lived in the dorms the great majority of their 44 years at school. Throughout it all, they have been our friends. They epitomize what that father back in the 1980’s said

to Sister Carlotta after his daughter had been at school for a couple of years and he had been to some events and sort of had the lay of the land. He said, “You know, I’ve looked around and I understand how this place operates, the day shift is also the night shift.” We all know there is a special aura that surrounds Sister Christine, full of mystery and myths. The big question is how does she do it, how is she always one step ahead of the students? The rumor is that she never sleeps. The fact is that somehow, just as the students are about to embark on some sort of mischief, Sister Christine amazingly appears and the mischief never happens. The students always thought that she showed up at the wrong time. As parents, we always thought she showed up at just the right time. Sister Christine’s influence on the students manifested itself in so many different ways. A highlight, as we saw in the slide show, was whenever Sister Christine spoke to the student body at Assembly. To hear her speak to the girls was spellbinding, pure magic. And then even more moving were her words to the seniors just before the start of commencement. In the slide show there is that great picture of the seniors walking out of Study Hall in their white gowns, holding their roses, and Sister Christine is off to the side. She has just finished talking to the girls for the last time as a class. She would have thanked them for their time at Santa Catalina, for their contributions to school, and congratulated them on reaching this special day. And then, in words far more eloquent than I can summon this evening, she would ask them

honoring their lives of service 7

to remember, not only for that day but for every day thereafter, who they represent. You represent yourselves. You represent your families. And you represent Santa Catalina. After hearing that talk, if you didn’t have a lump in your throat or a quivering lip, you didn’t have a heartbeat, much less a heart.

Their gifts to school for 44 years of wisdom, courage, intelligence, fairness, love, and so very much more, is at the heart of what Santa Catalina is and always will be because of the foundation that they and Sister Carlotta, Sister Jean, Sister Kieran, and the other Sisters in the old days established. Sister Claire. It’s somewhat hard now to roll back the tape to when Sister was not the Head of School. Many people either have forgotten or do not know that for the 30 years before she became the Head of School she did everything at school, the dorm duty, the administrating, the teaching, the advising. On top of all of that, and critical to the success of school, is the fact that she oversaw the budget. One of the prime reasons we are in the black is because Sister Claire knows not only the big budget picture, but the minutiae as well. She did all of that every day with great joy that was transferred to everyone around her, to the student body, to the faculty, to the other administrators. Joy in everyone’s life. We should not forget those fabulous first 30 years!

Then we get to 2000 when Sister Carlotta was approaching her retirement. The Board went to Sister Claire and said, “Would you please take this on?” Sister Claire, as we all know, is not one to put herself forward or to look for any kind of recognition. At the same time, she never would leave Santa Catalina in a pinch, so her only question was, “How long?” The answer was, “Well, at least three years would be terrific. But, if you can’t stand it, if you hate it, we’ll stop after one year and we’ll figure it out because we love you too much, you’re too important to school. We never would want you to be unhappy. But three years. And then anything after three years is pure gravy.” Well, 14 years later, our gravy boat is overflowing. Sister Claire has had a transformational headship at school. She has taken us from the traditional headship idea to the modern era where she has developed wonderful leadership and administrative teams to take on the responsibility for managing the various aspects of school. Running an independent school today is so difficult, especially a school such as Santa Catalina with its complicated configuration, that leaders need to be developed all across our campus. Sister Claire has led, indeed insisted on, this extremely important leadership shift. It is because of her vision and hard work that we are well prepared for the arrival of our new Head of School, Meg Bradley, this summer. So all of us have been more than touched, we have been profoundly impacted by these two ladies. Our children were the registered students, but we as parents also learned by watching Sister Christine and Sister Claire act with compassion, grace, humor, integrity, and all the other attributes that they brought to everything that they have done to change all of our lives for the better. They have inspired all of us by living such meaningful lives.

8 honoring their lives of service

John J. Murphy, Ph.D. In paying tribute to Sister Claire and Sister Christine, we pay honor to the deepest and most endearing sources of our school’s identity and what we consider most important. Sister Claire came to school in 1972 and she’s worn many hats in that time. Since 2002, she’s of course served as our head of school. But from the very beginning, she’s never failed to engage with students whenever an opportunity presented itself. I think she’d tell you that her students were the greatest source of joy for her and so she always put them first. Sister Claire lived in a dorm with students for much of her time at school and, as a result, her days began with students and they ended with students. Imagine living with teenagers most of your adult life. Her hair was not always this color. Sister Claire was certainly a maternal figure to many of our students, but she was also like an older sister, counseling them with words such as “Think before you act.” More than anything else, I think she wanted girls to see that their lives were a gift from God and that because of that great gift, they had a responsibility to give something back in return, to do something meaningful with their lives. I have personally on many occasions heard from graduates of how Sister Claire was most responsible for shaping and making them into the persons they are today. Sister Christine’s great gift to school was borne out of the grace and elegance with which she’s lived her life. As dean of students, Sister Christine taught the

girls how to live in community and the importance of patience, understanding and forgiveness. More than anything, she taught them about the necessity of being kind. The American writer Henry James once wrote that there are three times in human life that are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind. Sister Christine always taught us what was most important. She herself is someone who looks to treat others fairly, considerately, and without judgment, and because of that, she’s left a lasting impression, especially for resident students. Whenever they think of Santa Catalina, they can’t help but think of Sister Christine. Most of us don’t remember much of what was taught to us in high school, but we do remember the people who taught us and especially those who cared about us. Perhaps you know this already, but during the Middle Ages, monasteries were referred to as schools of love. I make mention of this because I like to think of Santa Catalina as a school of love. It’s the only way for us to understand the history of our school and fully appreciate the significance of the lives of Sister Claire and Sister Christine for, in looking back, it’s impossible to imagine how the sisters could have navigated these many years without a belief in one another, a love for their students, and a deep trust in God’s providential care. Today is not a day for mixed emotions. Instead, we celebrate and are happy for Sister Claire and Sister

honoring their lives of service 9

Christine as they move on to this next phase of their lives. The sisters will continue to be involved in the life of school and live on campus in their apartments up on the hill. Rumor has it, by the way, that the next building project is to build a state-of-theart spa and Jacuzzi. In fact, it’s part of the master plan. And know that you are welcome to visit the Sisters at any time. Sister Claire and Sister Christine, on behalf of the faculty and staff at Santa Catalina School, thank you for all you’ve done for us these many years. We wish you nothing but happiness.

Laura Lyon Gaon ’81 Santa Catalina is an exceptionally solid and respected institution, largely due to the two women we honor tonight. They will modestly say that they are merely part of a remarkable team of many, but to those of us who share the experience of their love and dedication, we know the sisters’ lifelong commitment to school trumps all. What we have here is a true example of legacy. Sisters Claire and Christine and all of the sisters who preceded them began with a sacred calling from God. They chose to channel their calling toward education. One wonders if the sisters could ever have imagined what that calling would mean to so many or that their individual journeys would intersect to create the school that we have today. It has been a selfless, courageous, at times daunting, and heartfelt endeavor.

We all have our own personal experiences and stories of our life and time spent at Catalina. For me, I remember fondly, and not in any particular order, Sister Carlotta serving ice cream pies while wearing a baseball uniform. Sister Christine mysteriously appearing out of the darkness when you least expected her. Sister Claire holding your hand, laughing and calling you lovie. We remember their quiet confidence and loving leadership. For our class, that took the form of the sisters treating us with respect and working with us to plan our senior class events. I personally remember clearly a few occasions when a tough love conversation helped to shape my character for the better. For me, the cherry on the top is the joy of knowing the sisters now and calling them my friends. They are funny, spirited, fascinating women to whom I owe a debt of gratitude. I believe as alumnae, we have a call to action, not only to honor these women tonight, but we have a responsibility to continue the legacy of these sisters. We can do this by sharing our stories, identifying candidates for a Catalina education, and staying closely connected to this community. As alums, we can assure Sister Christine and Sister Claire they can pass the torch because they have taught us well. We will steward their life’s work and we will not waiver, as they have prepared us beautifully for the future. We love you and we thank you.

Fun Facts Locations Lived by Sister Christine Long Dorm Hacienda Lower Hacienda Upper Convent Santa Inez Trailers Thompson Health Center Greer Hills The Hill

Positions for Sister Christine Class Teacher to Freshmen, or to Sophomores, or to Juniors* Director of Alumnae Director of Admission Director of Summer Programs Dean of Students Assistant Head of Upper School Assistant Head of School for Administration

Sister Christine’s Dogs Zoe (Shepherd mix, rescued by students) Sophie (Norwich Terrier)

Classes taught by Sister Christine English Latin

Sister Christine Good evening, everyone. Seeing you all here and hearing everything that has been said about us and all that so many of you have said to us personally, I find this occasion is a bit overwhelming. While looking to retirement as a happy event for us, there are things we will miss. You have all, each in your own way, made our lives very, very happy. For me personally, I think often how very fortunate and blessed I have been to have spent a lifetime in a work that I believed in and loved and to have done this with friends with whom I shared a common vision, common goals, and common beliefs—friends who cared so much for one another that we could survive 44 years together. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. I began my education with the Dominicans in the 5th grade. These early educators and dedicated women played a pivotal role in my future. I would never have been at Santa Catalina had it not been for the Dominican Sisters, and I will always value and be grateful to those individuals who taught me and who became life-long friends in adulthood. Finally, I mentioned at the dedication last week that I uncovered a quote recently. It read, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” With those words in mind, I thank you all for such a warm and wonderful evening tonight, for the decades of loyalty you have shown, and for what will always remain for me a 44-year “memory of the heart.”

Fun Facts Locations Lived by Sister Claire Hacienda Upper Thompson Upper Thompson Lower Hills, Upper Corner & Upper Apartment Trailers Hills, Upper Apartment The Hill

Sister Claire There are no words that could possibly express the gratitude and appreciation that I feel at this moment. My only regret tonight is that I cannot sit and visit with each one of you, but I will look forward to enjoying visits in the calm that I am assured is to come! It is without question that my life during these 44 years has been touched in a very significant way by Sister Carlotta, Sister Jean, and Sister Christine and by virtually everyone in this room. Our students, families, and trustees, past and present, all have made Santa Catalina the very special place it is and my years there such happy ones.

Positions for Sister Claire Class Teacher to Juniors or to Seniors* Registrar Director of Financial Aid Assistant Head of Upper School Head of Upper School/ Assistant Head of School Head of School

As you all know, one of the many special things about our school is that it is a place full of joy and laughter. Sister Christine and I laugh almost every day, and I thank her for that and so much more. She has been a friend beyond measure for which I am deeply appreciative. All the things for which I am grateful are too many to list, but, on a personal note, I thank Santa Catalina for enabling me to live out my commitment to religious life with such rewarding work and in a very beautiful place. Peter, Nonie, I especially thank you both for your extraordinary energies, your continual support, and your love. And, finally, I am grateful beyond measure to each of you and to my family who always gave full support to my Santa Catalina commitment. Thank you, all, so much for joining us on this very special evening. God bless you and your families and keep you safe.

Sister Claire’s Dogs Woolsey (Old English Sheepdog) Winston (Old English Sheepdog) Clementine (Old English Sheepdog) Perkin (Border Terrier)

Classes taught by Sister Claire Math Religion

*The “Class Teacher” was responsible for personal and academic guidance for the entire class, day and resident and for the dorms in which they lived.

Los Angeles Tribute Reception

San Francisco Tribute Reception

Monterey Tribute Reception

A SPECIAL DAY A SPECIAL BUILDING

Peter Folger, vice-chair of Santa Catalina’s Board of Trustees, began the dedication of the new Mathematics and Science Center on January 15, 2016: “Every day at Santa Catalina is a special day. Today is a spectacularly special day.” The rain paused and the sunshine was bright as the Catalina community opened the new building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Study Hall was full, with more than 300 attending the dedication ceremony, which included comments from architect Pam Anderson-Brulé ’76; Mike Avila of Avila Construction; and Nonie B. Ramsay ’71, chair of the Board of Trustees. Most important, the ceremony provided an opportunity to thank Lauren B. Dachs ’67 of the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, and Jenny Johnson of the Johnson family, for their long-standing loyalty and generosity, which made the Mathematics and Science Center possible.

The highlight of the dedication was the unveiling of the center’s official name: The Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center. Honoring their 44 years of service to Santa Catalina School, the surprise dedication was a delight to both Sister Claire and Sister Christine, as well as those in attendance. The center will stand as a reminder—for many years to come—to their belief in and support of education for young women.

The story of this momentous day is best told by the presenters at the dedication. Their comments follow.

18 a special day, a special building glue that coordinated this team with the city, with the campus, with the board. As trustees, we know who has been one of our guardian angels, and that would be you. Thank you, Rich. What a combination of extraordinarily talented, dedicated, and caring professionals. The board extends its hearty congratulations and deep appreciation to this project team. Also here today are representatives from the two primary funding sources, Lauren B. Dachs with the Bechtel Family and Jenny Johnson for the Johnson Family. Nonie B. Ramsay ’71, chair, Board of Trustees Representing the board of trustees, how does one express true deep gratitude to all of you, you the team, the power engines that created this stunning, magnificent, and engaging center of learning that is just before us. It all began with our faculty and administrators who met, met, and met again to determine the working needs of a structure that would best support the art of teaching and learning. The architectural firm of Anderson Brule then translated the school’s work into different structural models for review by the team at school and within the board. Pam, you are masterful at working the process to yield the optimal functional layout, and all with pleasing aesthetics. We will forever be indebted to you and your firm. Your patience, ability, and professionalism set a very high bar.

and Sister Christine. I know that no one on the team— students, faculty, administrators, contractors, architects, board, or chair—would have done the work they did, dreamed as hard, or fought as hard had it not been for these two women. They are an inspiration that keeps some of us going on. So it is with my great joy that the Board of Trustees has presented to you the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center.

This brave, bold statement as to the importance of STEM education in the world of learning, is only here because of your support. It stands in the middle of our academic corridor as a symbol of dynamic and collaborative learning in the 21st Century. Without your trust and support, plain and simple, there would be no building, no brave, bold symbol to magnetize our young women, and magnetized they are now. You and your families are the model of meaningful philanthropy, an inspiration to others in so many ways. Your financial contributions validate that the school’s accomplishments deserve market-appropriate support. Very simply, this is an historic moment in the history of our school and your generous support has made this possible. No matter how many different ways one says thank you, the feeling of deep gratitude is not captured. Thank you, very much.

Mike Avila of Avila Construction, a pro of pros, that teamed so very effectively with Pam and her team built us a structure that maximized value to our students and teachers, the highest quality at the fairest cost. Please accept our very deep gratitude for your many gifts of talent and experience that enhanced the value proposition.

The naming of this building was something of an adventure. Last May, in working with the donors, the request came forward to name the building in honor of two individuals serving a pivotal role in the history of this school. The donors’ request was put before the board and was unanimously and immediately approved.

Richard Patterson, who, in addition to his other responsibilities— advancement, communications, plant needs, to name a few—acted as our very own project manager. You were the

So in recognition of their dedicated leadership in creating the Santa Catalina School of the 21st Century that we know today, this building shall be named in honor of Sister Claire

Pam Anderson-Brulé ’76, president/cofounder, Anderson Brulé Architects Good afternoon. The design and development of this building is obviously a highlight of my career. It is also an incredible achievement of our firm and all of our staff in the 30-year-plus practice that we’ve had together. I want to thank deeply Sister Claire. I also want to thank Rich Patterson, our everyday person who walked this entire journey with us. I thank all the faculty and staff with whom we worked cooperatively and consistently. And, today, we appreciate being invited as a firm, Anderson Brulé Architects, to this dedication and celebration.

a special day, a special building 19 The buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biofilter system collects rainwater from the roof, which then flows down into the cistern. From the cistern, the water enters the filtration system, sustaining the plant life of the rock garden. Additionally, students are able to monitor and track the quality of the water.

The aquaria provides students an area to house live organisms for research and experiments. It provides the capability to control testing variables and allows for careful tracking of results. In addition, students are able to study interactions among marine organisms.

20 a special day, a special building

As a principal architect, it’s amazing to me that this is my 40th year as an alumna and that I will come back in March to join my class. I am proud of the new math and science center, the enriched environment it offers to the girls, and to the faculty, so that they can learn together at a completely different level. This is significant for you, for the students. What math and science can do in this world and what you can do for it is very important.

I’d like my team to stand today and be thanked, for all that they have done during this journey. When or firm does something, we do it together. So I thank my husband and partner, Pierre Brulé, Jason Hull, Krista Nelson, Andrew Wang, Susan Porter, Amy Crawford, Kaitlin Bailey. Thank you, all.

I’m actually here as an alum because of my parents, and because of the strong love and support of my mother, who is here today. Likewise, Sister Carlotta, accepted me as a student, and I know she would be very proud of us today. I have to say, though, I almost didn’t make it through algebra. Sister Claire taught me and worked with me until I really, really got it. Then, she entrusted me with this project. For that, we can all be thankful.

We worked as well with Whitson Civil Engineers, Axiom Engineers, Aram Consulting Engineers, Vantage Technologies, and Jacobs Consulting. And all of them came together under Mike Avila and Avila Construction. Everyone involved in these teams can tell you his or her own recollections, and, behind all these, there is a larger, incredible story.

Sister Claire and Sister Christine’s first year at Santa Catalina was my first year at Santa Catalina, as well. Their confidence in me, their belief in me, those quiet little lectures we had on the side, all helped me believe I could achieve my dreams. My firm became responsible for this project because I chanced to come by to see Sister Claire. I had my portfolio with me and I showed it to her because she was interested in what I was doing. As fate would have it, she looked at my portfolio and then said, “You know, there’s something here you might want to look at.” And there it began. I personally understand what the impact of Santa Catalina education can have on you young women, how education manifests itself in a leadership capacity among graduates. It allowed our team to bring to this campus not only all of my Santa Catalina education but all of our firm’s 30 years of work in private education, our passion to create environments of learning. And in the last two and a half years, we’ve watched this become a reality.

Architectural firms cannot work alone either. On this project, we worked with the team Bellinger, Foster & Steinmetz, landscape architects.

making to have that science embedded in their building. In the interior, you will see brown, and blue, and sea foam green whenever you open the door. You will see right away that the earth, the sea, and the sky were our inspiration. I hope you enjoy this special afternoon, this special day. I thank Sister Claire once again for inviting me into her office on that very busy day six or so years ago and for letting me tell her a little bit about our firm. Without that, this just wouldn’t have happened. Thank you so, so much.

The story began with understanding the faculty’s needs. We spent many days on campus meeting with those folks getting to the essence of this project. But one of the most special things we did was spend a day of dialogue with the girls, with the students. They told us they really like this place, they like the traditional architecture, they like the space. At the same time, we heard over and over again, they wanted to be wowed, they wanted to walk into the place and just be wowed. We hope we have given you that. We kept the traditional through the materials. We looked for the stone of the chapel and for the brown shades that are reminiscent of the columns that you see around campus. The terra cotta trellising that is at the entry of the building, is actually reflective of the terra cotta roofs. Finally though, this is a center for learning. Every aspect of it, from its landscape to its inside, is wrapped in sustainability. It’s wrapped in engineering ideas. You can touch it, you can feel it, you can experience it. The cistern that you see outside actually captures all of the rain water from the roof and filters it. There’s a biofilter system that brings the water down through the stepping walls and the girls can really know what a difference it’s

Mike Avila, Avila Construction I, too, want to thank the school for this opportunity to participate in this milestone event and represent Avila Construction and the Avila family. This type of acknowledgement is unusual, in my opinion. I’ve been in this business for 30 years and I’ve never had this experience before. I want to thank the donor families. Your families have invested in the future of the school. I’m certain this project will be a part of the legacy built by generations of hard work and thoughtful planning and giving. What a great day this must be for your families.

a special day, a special building 21

My first contact with Santa Catalina as an adult was when our daughter, Kathryn, chose to attend high school here. My wife and I felt it was important that our children choose their own path. Kathryn visited Santa Catalina and came home and said, “Can I really go there?” And Patty said, “Yes, you can go anywhere you want. Where do you want to go?” She said, “Oh, that’s an easy choice.” That was in 2007. Four years later, in Kathryn’s senior year, we participated in a rigorous selection process for the lower school construction. I have to tell you that Kathryn used her education and her experience on the

yearbook staff in her senior year to compile our presentation materials, the complete package. It’s a great thing that a well-educated 17-year-old can have such a critical impact on her family’s work. The lower school job was ours. Then, after heavy vetting among a number of contractors, Avila Construction was given the privilege of building this mathematics and science center. We were selected as part of a terrific team. Ted Wasson, our project executive, spearheaded our team and provided them with information to assure cost control.

Teacher offices are equipped with white boards and ample space for one-on-one instruction during office hour visits.

Each classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that enhances project-based learning. Through increased lab and prep space, students and teachers are given ample space for research and discovery.

Steve Stornetta, the grandson of a local Monterey legend, Mr. Les Golding, was selected for his strength in structural steel; Mark Jones was the onsite manager who did a spectacular job interfacing with the school and the subcontractors and working daily with the architectural staff. I thank you all. My brother, Steve, my partner in the firm. My older brother Mark and my sister Cynthia, are here today. Very special to me is that our parents could be here and I am very proud that you are with us to witness this great event. We’re a family whose name has been passed down to us unblemished, and it is our job to continue to hold that name high in the community and pass it on in the same tradition it was given. Our entire team will forever be able to hold this project up as an example, both an example of a client entrusting us with their most prized project and a shining example of our work. I look forward to watching a generation of young women learn and grow and use their wonderful education to benefit society. Sister Claire, Nonie Ramsay, Fred Bates, Rich Patterson, thank you again for including us in this journey.

22 a special day, a special building The center provides an environment in which our math and science teachers can more easily collaborate and consider interdisciplinary curricula. Its teaching spaces provide much more flexibility for our teachers with state-of-the-art technology. Its thoughtful, purposeful, and artistic design converges into an inviting, warm, open, and light-filled environment.

Kassandra Thompson Brenot ’87, Ph.D., Head of Upper School Good afternoon. I am Kassandra Brenot, head of the upper school. I am proud to say that I am also an alumna of Santa Catalina, a parent of two current students, and a teacher. On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Upper School, I want to say thank you to the many people who have helped make this momentous day possible. Our math and science center represents not simply a new building, but a new space in which inspired teaching and learning will take place for years to come. What a gift the center is to our school. Thank you for giving us not only a stunningly beautiful and incredibly functional building, but for your vision, which will allow us to carry forth Santa Catalina’s educational mission into and beyond this 21st Century.

We are all drawn to the center. And wherever you look, you are bound to see happy, comfortable, and productive teachers and students alike. It is very clear that the center’s physical layout supports perfectly our school culture and our welcoming, committed, and supportive faculty. Without a doubt, architecture and environment influence teaching and learning. We could not have imagined a better environment in which to do just that. I can foresee that perhaps thirty years from now current freshmen or sophomores returning to school for an alumnae reunion or for commencement will speak of this day as marking a whole new era in our school’s history. Surely, this building will be at the center of many future memories that will be made under its roof, memories centered on exploration, discovery, collaboration and creation. Once again, on behalf of faculty, and if I may, on behalf of alumnae and parents, I want to say thank you to our Board of Trustees, to Sister Claire, to Sister Christine, and of course to the Bechtel and Johnson families. Thank you so much.

Lauren B. Dachs ’67, president, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation First, I would like to say thank you for the invitation to join in this celebration of the dedication, and now use, of this absolutely beautiful building. This is the first time that I’ve had a chance to see it. The school did an excellent job of sending us a fabulous proposal and then keeping us updated along the way. But to actually see it in real life, in the sunshine, and to share this day with all of you means a great deal. It has really been an honor to be a part of the funds raised for this center’s construction, and truly wonderful to think about the opportunities ahead for the young women here at Santa Catalina and their faculty. My particular happiness is for those students who might decide to take what they learn in this building and pursue a career in science, engineering, math, or technology, STEM. I’ve had the good fortune over the years to serve on several advisory boards and councils to look at young women and STEM education opportunities. Women make up over half of the population but account for less than their fair share in the STEM workforce. There has, though, been some significant momentum. In 2004, Sally Ride, the first female astronaut, had this to say: “So suppose you come across a woman lying on the

a special day, a special building 23

The marine biology lab has a number of areas for handson learning: wet lab areas, traditional lab tables, and areas for demonstrations and guest speakers. This is the central activity area for marine science classes. The exposed ceiling of the lab allows students to see the inner workings of the building.

The project-based learning room serves as a working research lab, and features large sliding white boards that double as closet doors. Students are able to collaborate; conduct research and experiments; and collect and review dataâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; without running out of space.Â

24 a special day, a special building street with an elephant sitting on her chest. You notice she’s short of breath. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of a heart problem. In her case, the much more likely cause is the elephant on her chest. For a long time, society has put obstacles in the way of women who wanted to enter science. That was the elephant. Until the playing field has been leveled and lingering stereotypes are gone, you can’t even ask the question.” That was in 2004. In 2014, a report noted that women make up 40 percent of the total U.S. workforce, but are still much less represented in science and engineering. Bear with me while I give you a couple of quick statistics. • 39 percent of the chemists and material scientists are women. • 27.9 percent—This is 2014—27.9 of environmental scientists and geoscientists are women. • Only 15 percent of chemical engineers are women.

your eventual focus in college or career, the discipline and the rigor of STEM will serve you well and hopefully, in turn, you will serve your country well. Lise Meitner, the only woman who has had an element in the periodic table named after her, said the following: “Science makes people reach selflessly for truth and objectivity. It teaches people to accept reality with wonder and admiration, not to mention the deep awe and joy that the natural order of things brings to a true scientist.” And so, in addition to saying thank you for the opportunity to be with you today and congratulations on this fine building, I challenge you, the young women sitting in the audience. The opportunities are in front of you because you are bright, committed, and energetic. My message is this: Go for it.

• 12 percent of civil engineers are women. A few more:

Fast forward 20 years as I sat in the dining room at parent orientation for my own daughter, Mary. I watched Sister Christine, who, absolutely deadpan, had us all in stitches with her words of advice. I looked at her and listened and then began to realize, “Oh…I think I remember this woman.” At that pivotal moment, I began to appreciate the sisters. I think that it is difficult right now for you as students to fully appreciate the life’s work of the Sisters, but I can give you a couple of little hints.

• 8.3 of electrical and electronics engineers are women. • 17.2 of industrial engineers are women. • And, finally, 7.2 of mechanical engineers are women. The good news is that there’s been a 20-percent increase in STEM interest between 2004 when Sally made her comments and 2014 when those were the labor statistics in high school girls—an increase of 20 percent interest with a similar increase in the number of STEM jobs. This is the momentum that I mentioned. So what does all this mean? To the young women who are studying here at Santa Catalina, you have an opportunity to further improve those statistics. You are acquiring a firstrate education here and I strongly encourage you to study hard and aim high. Your time has come. Whatever

sisters and to thank them for the impact they’ve had on my family. I have to tell you briefly, about the first time I met the sisters. I did not attend Santa Catalina, but while I was off at college, I decided to drive down to Monterey, study for my finals, and visit my younger sister who was a senior here. As I studied, she headed off to the prom where, unfortunately, she committed a small indiscretion. The next thing I knew, I found myself collecting my sister, who was being suspended! My father was away and I headed home with my sister to call him and explain why this had occurred while I was visiting. As you can imagine, my goal was to never see the sisters again!

Jenny Johnson, co-president/chief operating officer, Franklin Templeton Investments I am incredibly honored to be here to represent my family at this dedication ceremony because it’s an opportunity to express how grateful we are to the

First, they’ve seen it all before. Second, they really do know what’s best. And, third, they know a lot more than you will ever give them credit for. Someday, you may figure that out and agree with me, but more importantly I believe that you will realize what an incredible gift and privilege you’ve been given by being educated at Santa Catalina. Although the academics are important and your teachers will have prepared you well for any rigorous college program, the true gift and legacy from the sisters is much more profound. I didn’t completely understand this until I visited college campuses with two of my daughters, a junior and senior at the time. Both, independently, found it very odd that, in the classes they visited, not a single woman spoke up or asked a question.

a special day, a special building 25

On the exterior, exposed wood slats, stone walls, and terracotta louvers incorporate the architectural style that is already seen on campus. The stone front exterior brings to mind the Rosary Chapel, while the terracotta trellising reflects the terracotta tile roofs of other buildings.

The interior design of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three levels pulls from the concepts of earth, sea, and sky. The color palette of green, blue, and rust evokes the natural outside environment, as the building boasts views of Jacks Peak and Monterey Bay.Â

26 a special day, a special building The world is asking, “Why don’t we have more women leaders?” I would answer that it is not for a lack of competence but for a lack of confidence. You all are being educated in an environment created by the sisters where there is support to be self-confident and the expectation to be exceptional. You are cared for and, as my sister found, when you need it, you receive a little tough love. Then you begin to appreciate the gift and legacy of Sister Claire and Sister Christine. And now, when you come back to visit, you will fortunately be reminded of that legacy as you look up at this building. I cannot think of two people more deserving of this honor than Sister Claire and Sister Christine. They have devoted their lives to this institution and have given us generations of competent, confident women. If you just look up here today, you see the architect, the head of the upper school, the director of admission, and the chair of the board—all graduates of your school. It’s amazing to me, in this project alone, to see the impact of our graduates and to realize that Sister Claire’s and Sister Christine’s contributions through our graduates will influence society for generations to come. So students, honor these two women by being bold. Be the next CEO of an Internet startup, cure cancer, travel in space. Above all, use your math and science foundation to do well and to do good. Sister Claire and Sister Christine, on behalf of my family and the Santa Catalina graduates, thank you for your guidance, your compassion, your wisdom and patience, and for me personally, thank you for your friendship.

The building itself acts as a learning tool, encouraging students to take their learning beyond the classroom. Glass walls, exposed wood slats, and lounge seating give students both the space and opportunity to think creatively without limits.

a special day, a special building 27 Sister Claire: Sister Christine and I live next door to one another on the Hill, and after 44 years, you can imagine that we spend a lot of time together. When it came to what we were going to say today, I said, “Don’t tell me, we have to come at this individually.” The interesting thing is, we have a source in common and that is where I gathered some of my thoughts.

Sister Christine and Sister Claire Sister Christine: It is always difficult, on occasions like this, to express gratitude adequately. And so, I would like to simply say thank you. I thank the Bechtel family, the Johnson family, for this wonderful gift that you’ve given to us. I thank you for the personal honor of the name and for your most gracious naming of the building. Although words to express this gratitude will fall far short, I did come across a little piece a week or so ago that might at least come close. It said, “Gratitude as the memory of the heart.” And the sense was that the heart holds the memory tightly. It doesn’t let it go. I think the heart holds this memory, this gratitude, in waiting. I think it waits for the appropriate time to give it back. Today, I can’t think of a more perfect example of this thought, because you have given a gift to us -- a marvelous gift for our school, for our students now and in the future. Certainly, we receive it with gratitude, but you gave it with gratitude. You gave it from the heart, because somewhere in your hearts you have a memory for which you are grateful. And Jenny, I’m so happy that it was more than just meeting me when you picked up your sister! And you have given and shown your gratitude in perhaps the greatest way possible, and we appreciate that so very much. So, I thank you today for this wonderful center of learning for our school, for the naming of this Center, and for what will always be for me a memory of the heart.

In 1993, I made a retreat which was directed by a Benedictine monk, David Steindl-Rast, who was in residence at that time at the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur. Brother David is represented by an organization called gratefulness.org from which I receive a daily quote in my e-mail. The daily quote reminds me to focus on the many things in my life for which I am grateful. These are particularly to have been a member of this wonderful community for now 44 years, to be surrounded by beauty, caring people, and, most significantly, the students who have been in my life. I’m also the most fortunate school head in the country. I have worked with Peter Folger and Nonie Ramsay, and it simply does not get much better than that. Peter has been like a brother to me and Nonie is like a sister. I am very, very grateful to both of you. Throughout our lives, we are the recipients of gifts of different types. Some large. Some small. There are

gifts of relationships. There are gifts of mentors and special people in our lives. There are gifts of opportunity. We sometimes receive gifts we have come to expect. And, on occasion, we are privileged to receive a gift which is a total surprise. Sometimes we receive gifts which require a simple thank you. At other times, we express gratitude or thanks when we take stock of what we have, when we count our blessings, and when we thank God for the abundance that we find in our life. Words today are insufficient. Our most recent report card assembly coincided with the first day of classes that were held in the mathematics and science center. That coincidence presented a teaching moment. It was a wonderful opportunity to share with the students what, in addition to the most beautiful building on the Monterey Peninsula, we have received in this new center. The gift is clearly a statement of belief in the good that can be accomplished at our school. Further, the gift invites us to express our gratitude, not only in words, but also in how we choose to improve our lives for the good of others. So Laurie and Jenny, we thank you for your roles in providing this magnificent opportunity for our students and for your belief in the future of Santa Catalina. Do know that we will be forever grateful to the Bechtel and the Johnson families.

28 donor profile

The James F.X. Looram Fund for Tuition Assistance

Creating a Path

for Others to Follow

ary Looram Moslander’s path to making dreams come true began in a large family in which her father, James Looram, was a career military officer. In many ways, Mary’s childhood was not unlike that of other military families who moved often; Mary and her four siblings were born on army posts in different states. Their young lives were characterized by being the new kid in school or the one who was about to move away. Mary elaborates: “Moving around made it challenging to forge deep friendships and to have continuity in our learning. However, we were a tight-knit family that always had each other, and my father was determined that his children would have an outstanding education. He wanted us to find our voices, discover our passions, and use what we learned to make the world a better place. Thanks to him, I got all of that and more at Santa Catalina. I am very pleased to make a gift to the Legacy Campaign to establish an endowed fund in my father’s honor.” James Looram was always an inspiring role model for his children. A West Point graduate with a doctorate from New York University in Organizational Behavior, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, was a professor of leadership at West Point, held other faculty positions in leading graduate universities, and ran a highly successful leadership and personal development consultancy for more than thirty years. “I have vivid childhood memories of my father as an army officer, very involved in raising his children, and working at night to earn his Ph.D. at NYU while teaching at West Point,” says Mary. “My father put a high value on education, and he practiced what he preached. His focus on education, together with his work ethic, made a big impression on my siblings and me.” Mary notes that her mother, Mary Bellacosa Looram, a first-generation college graduate, also deeply believed in education and hard work and was her

husband’s partner in all things. Mary comments: “When you move around a lot, it is difficult to choose a career and stick with it. My mother worked as a first-grade teacher, a preschool teacher, and a travel agent, all the while managing a household with five children, including when my father was overseas for months at a time. Like my father, she did whatever was required to help make our education possible.” It is clear that Mary’s family lived what they believed. Mary explains: “My parents sacrificed everything so we could attend the best schools, but they also taught us that it is not enough to get the education. We were imbued with a strong work ethic that was constantly modeled for us by both of them.”

The family’s last stop on Colonel Looram’s tour of duty in his army career was Fort Ord in Monterey. It was here that the family would settle, and where Mary’s parents would research the best schools. “Santa Catalina was everything my parents had hoped for in a school,” says Mary. “I grew up in

donor profile 29

a family where the boys and girls were treated equally. My parents instilled in all of us that the world was ours to do what we wanted to do. Santa Catalina embodied the values my parents held dear and offered the type of inspiring education that would reinforce all that they envisioned for me and my younger sister, Meaghan.” However, with five children and an army officer’s salary, it did not seem likely. Mary admits: “It took a lot of courage for my father to look to the future and find a way to make possible the education he dreamed of for his children. And he did find a way.” The Loorams applied to the Tuition Assistance Program at Santa Catalina School. “We were fortunate that Catalina had such a program. Without this assistance, it simply would not have happened.” Mary enrolled at Santa Catalina in the fifth grade and went on to the Upper School. “My family sat down together for dinner every school night and talked about what we had learned that day; education was a part of our daily lives.” For Mary, however, learning was not a walk in the park. She explains: “I was a bit of a late bloomer. I had to work really hard for my grades. My teachers recognized that I was putting in my best efforts to earn the B’s I received, and they supported me as an individual. The school believed in me before I believed in me.” Mary continues: “As a teenage girl, you begin to develop a perception of yourself based on the feedback you get. No one ever thought less of me even with modest grades, and this really propped me up. By the time I graduated, I believed I could do everything and anything in the world. This is the greatest gift Catalina gave me.” This strong sense of self has served Mary well. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she spent her early professional years in Silicon Valley before moving to Washington, DC, where she worked

as an executive with The Washington Post Company for a decade creating several multimillion-dollar e-commerce businesses. She then discovered her passion and entrepreneurial spirit when she founded LiveHealthier Inc., a global provider of innovative health programs. Having recently sold the company, Mary reflects on that experience: “My time at Santa Catalina continues to inform my life. The school helped me develop into a woman with the confidence and grit to found my own company and, after the company experienced ten years of steady growth, to negotiate the sale of that company to a multibillion dollar corporation.” Mary’s decision to establish an endowed fund to honor her father is her way of bringing gratitude full circle. Mary says: “I am delighted to be able to establish this endowment. I see this fund as an extension of my father’s legacy and the importance he put on education. I am so grateful to him and to the school for all that I received there.” For Mary, it is personal: “Perhaps generations from now there will be a girl just like me whom the school believes in when she doesn’t believe in herself, and this endowment will give her the same opportunity that I received. In my life, that made all the difference. My father had a vision and, together with my mother, made that vision a reality for all five of their children. My hope is that this endowment named in his honor will perpetuate for others all that he valued and worked for.”

If you would like to learn more about establishing a named endowment fund to support the people and programs that you are most passionate about, please contact Laurie Severs, Director of Development, at 831.655.9380, laurie.severs@santacatalina.org

Learning Together

Lessons in Warmth and Wisdom By Christy Pollacci, Head of Lower and Middle School

This is a tribute to Sister Claire—my mentor, my boss, my friend, my family. Our story begins in 1979 when, as a new bride, a recent convert to Catholicism, and a product of public school, I began teaching third grade at Santa Catalina. I vividly remember one autumn day, when I was asked to meet with Sister Claire, then Head of Upper School, in her office. I was terrified and could not imagine what I had done. As it turned out, she was just investigating someone she thought I might know. Sister Claire seemed bigger than life, but I immediately saw the warmth and wisdom in her eyes and her devotion to Santa Catalina.

ur paths did not cross again for many years. I had two children and became a stay-at-home mom, and we chose to educate our children at Santa Catalina. In 1998, after teaching kindergarten for three years, I was appointed Director of Admission for grades PreK–grade 8. Sister Claire was Assistant Head of School, and we began our weekly meetings. Eventually, she became Head of School and appointed me Head of Lower and Middle School, and our relationship grew. I knew early on that she trusted my instincts, my passion for children, and my ideas, but I also knew that she expected me to prove myself. During those years, I grew as a person and as an administrator, but I also earned her respect, which was of utmost importance to me. Sister Claire is a wise woman, a deep thinker with compassion, and

a visionary in her own right, who loves people, celebrates children, and adores animals. A dear friend recently told her that she would have been a wonderful wife and mother. Yet she chose to devote her life through her vocation to our faculty, our students and their families, and our school. When Sister Claire became Head of School in 2002, she gave the Lower and Middle School an audience that it had never had before. She listened, watched, and asked questions. She was our champion. She led tours of trustees and administrators to showcase programs that we offered and to show what was needed. We were given a clear voice among the Board of Trustees, the Lower School Education Committee, and the Leadership Team. We had our own administrative team for the first time. Sister Claire was personally responsible for making us a vital part

of the education process and the foundation for those students who remained to attend Upper School. We were given a new presence and a renewed purpose under her leadership. It was because of Sister Claire’s vision that the Legacy Campaign began in the Lower and Middle School. She attended every gathering and spoke on our behalf. Today, as I look out onto the beautiful E.L. Wiegand Amphitheatre, the assembly room, the Lower School Library, classrooms for grades 4 and 5, the art studio, the music room, and our learning center, I am eternally grateful for her vision and her legacy. During Lower School concerts, both children and parents know they will find Sister Claire in her seat in the back row, encouraging, reassuring with her smile, and listening with her heart. In her annual kindergarten graduation speech,

32 learning together

learning together 33

”

Yet, when we miss her most, we know that we will still be able to find her on campus—our forever friend and family member, who will retire her position but never her service, her support, or her devotion.

she speaks directly to the children, explaining that this is their first of many graduations. She takes pride in knowing the likes and dislikes of each graduating kindergarten class. She is an administrator who steps out of her office and into the daily lives of faculty and students. She often sits on the Carmel stone wall and talks with students. As you walk by, she reaches out with a hand or a hug. She has the innate ability to listen with both her heart and her mind. She sees us for who we are and who we can be, and she is there to escort us along the way. Sister Claire has always understood that a well-rounded education is more than academics. Who these students become is of utmost importance. Some of the greatest lessons in spirituality and moral character come from how she carries herself, and the kindness and compassion she has extended to us all—certainly to me. She is our very own example of Do Well. Do Good.

”

In 2014, Sister Claire invited me to her apartment and shared with me her decision to retire. This was difficult, because I am someone who doesn’t like change. I remember sitting at her table, tears softly running down my cheeks as she carefully conveyed her plan—a wellthought-out plan, one that only a true leader could prepare. As only a mother can do, she began weaning those closest to her. I grew up at Santa Catalina. My children grew up here, too. This is where they celebrated their First Communions, Confirmations, and graduations, and where our family attended Sunday Mass. Sister Claire shared a special relationship with my husband, Mark. I often teased them that she liked him better than me. He was her wine consultant and driver to softball games. They shared their Sicilian heritage. She named our puppy, Gracie. She often referred to Mark as her little brother. Their relationship delighted me.

What started out as a year of transition became a year of personal loss for me. Last September, when my husband suffered a brain aneurysm, Sister Claire was among the first people I called. She came to the hospital immediately. Bearing her own anguish, she brought prayer to a waiting room filled with people whose hope eventually turned to heartbreak. In the days and weeks that followed, she raised my spirit and carried me when I could no longer walk, commanding what needed to happen. I will be forever grateful. Sister Claire is a perfectionist with high standards and impeccable moral leadership. She understands, though, that perfection comes in many shapes and circumstances, and she balances her expectations with wisdom and compassion. Although we will dearly miss her strong leadership, her love and support, and the afternoon check-in calls (“Hi, Dolly, how was your day?”), we will carry the lessons that she taught us—lessons that will enable us to perpetuate her dreams and hopes for the school. As with any parent who raises their child to fly the nest, Sister Claire has been a parent to us all. Yet, when we miss her most, we know that we will still be able to find her on campus— our forever friend and family member, who will retire her position but never her service, her support, or her devotion.

Lower & Middle School Community

Life

Rats, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits, Oh My! Every year, the Pre-kindergarten “Project of Passion” benefits the SPCA for Monterey County. The class collects aluminum cans, plastic bottles, old towels, and blankets throughout the school year to donate to the SPCA, which recycles the cans and bottles and uses the money to help offset the veterinary costs for sick and injured animals. The SPCA uses the blankets and towels to help keep furry friends cozy until they are adopted. On September 18, the children went on their first field trip of the school year to deliver the items collected to date and to tour the SPCA facilities. With Ms. Dawn as the tour guide, the class met rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and a mare with her brand-new, still-nursing foal! The children also played with cuddly kittens in the cat enclosure and greeted the friendly dogs ready for adoption. The favorite furry friend was a sweet kitten named Dawn (like their tour guide!). The children learned how best to approach an unfamiliar cat with care and respect before petting it gently. It was a wonderful experience, and, because the children had a chance to meet the animals they are helping, they look forward to continuing to collect the above-listed items throughout the school year.

Citizen Scientists Count Crabs On September 23, seventh-graders piled into a big yellow bus and headed to Monterey State Beach for the morning and Carmel Beach for the afternoon. The weather was pleasant, skies were blue, and the students were eager. The goal? To count mole crabs for the LiMPETS program. LiMPETS stands for Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students. It’s an environmental monitoring and education program for students, educators, and volunteer groups. The students spent the day taking part in the Sandy Beach Monitoring Program, surveying the distribution and abundance of the Pacific mole crab (Emerita analoga). Back in the classroom, they input their data and analyzed how the distribution of mole crabs differed from beach to beach and how the distribution changes with the seasons. Students will use the knowledge gained through this experience to develop their own experiment later in the school year. Working with the LiMPETS program gives students an opportunity to use the tools and methods employed by field scientists, to develop their problem-solving skills, and to gain a better understanding of what it means to be a citizen scientist.

lower & middle school community life 35

Field Trips with Farm Focus A Day at the Farm for the Kindergarten On October 19, the Kindergarten class experienced life on a farm—together with a hayride to a pumpkin patch and a lesson from a farmhand. At The Farm in Salinas, the children traipsed through the pumpkin patch and selected pumpkins to take home. They also met live chickens, ducks, goats, and bunnies. Before leaving, they walked through the produce market. The farm visit gave the children a chance to learn about how fruits and vegetables grow and why they are an important part of a healthy diet.

Grade 2’s Rocket Farm Visit On November 9, second-graders visited the Rocket Farms greenhouse facilities in Salinas. Company president and Catalina parent Lawrence Henrard led students through the grounds, where they explored a section of poinsettias grown from cuttings in Guatemala, and learned about how cross-pollination is used to create new plant colors. Rocket Farms produces about 1.5 million poinsettias each year. The class then toured the orchid area, where Rocket Farms grows approximately 4.2 million orchids every year. Each orchid begins in a petri dish in Taiwan and then is shipped to Rocket’s facility. The orchid is able to grow in our climate with the help of computer-controlled humidity and temperature settings. At the end of the tour, Mr. Henrard gave each child an orchid to take home. The trip was a great conclusion to the students’ FOSS science unit on plants and insects.

Grade 3 Farm Day On October 22, third-graders walked to the Monterey County Fairgrounds and joined students from across the Peninsula to participate in Farm Day. This annual event celebrates Monterey County’s largest and most valuable industry, agriculture. The children enjoyed exhibits on nutrition, “plant doctoring,” and various farming methods. They saw horses, cattle, and sheep; observed exhibits on organic farming; and learned how dogs are trained to partner with humans to herd sheep and goats.

Grade 8’s Field Fresh Farms Visitor Patrick DeYoung, the client relations manager for Field Fresh Farms of Watsonville and current Santa Catalina parent, visited Mrs. Margaret Lotz’s grade 8 history class. The eighth-graders were learning how farming during colonial times set the stage for the United States to become a major force in world agriculture. Mr. DeYoung spoke to the class about how growing food for his own needs led him to develop “laser eyes” for conveyor belts and the “water razor,” a harvesting tool that decreases the amount of manual labor needed. The students discussed the wide scope of modern agriculture, an industry that now demands knowledge of transportation, global geographic regions, technology, biology, and much more. The development and production of new technologies such as DeYoung’s laser eyes and water razors results in maximum crop use and a cost efficiency that translates to more affordable fresh vegetables for everyone.

36 lower & middle school community life

Shared Spaces for Art Grade 2’s fall art pieces, collectively titled “Village of Round and Square Houses,” were inspired by the award-winning book by the same name. It’s an example of connecting art with literature. On display in the Lower School Library, the village consisted of each child’s hand-printed hut and a small scene with clay sculptures of a person and an animal in its environment—complete with palm trees, watering holes, snakes, and butterflies. The art pieces are charming in the way that only second-grade artwork can be. Also on display in the hallway outside of the library were the playful papier mâché penguins by Grade 3, and clay birds and their nests by Grade 1.

The Boiler Lab: A Haven for Creativity Grade 5 was busy in the Lower and Middle School Boiler Lab, not just researching and collaborating, but also sharing glue guns, saws, and drills! While creating a mechanical sculpture, fifth-graders explored simple machine elements such as cams, levers, and linkages. They used basic materials to build cardboard automata in this integrated science and art activity. As students inspired each other to imagine more complex mechanical sculptures, they also appreciated the narrative or decorative aspects of the automata. These fun activities foster inquiry and the development of independent thinking and problem-solving skills. The creative tinkering had the students smiling and chattering through their collaborations. The Boiler Lab is “where STEAM happens”: science, technology, engineering, art, and math. It is a collaborative, open environment for active hands-on pursuits. In the Boiler Lab, students apply ideas to physical constructs in woodworking, robotics, electronics, and other activities.

Sparks Fly in Middle School Circuitry Elective On January 29, science sparks flew in one of the Middle School electives—Light ’em Up, Sparky— as students assembled “earth batteries” and a bike-powered generator. While visiting the class, Mr. Darron Huber, guest speaker and parent of Brett, provided students with instructions to build a pedal-powered generator and to produce electricity from dirt. To build the batteries, the students used copper wire that they had stripped from old extension cords, several small metal bolts, ice cube trays, and moist soil. Mr. Huber also demonstrated how to properly and safely use tools and equipment such as drills, inverters, and motors.

voltage. They found that their student-assembled earth batteries and bike-powered generator produce enough power to run many items, such as LCD clocks, watches, pedometers, calculators, and LED lights.

Students measured the fluctuations of electricity produced from their projects using a multimeter, an instrument that measures electric current and

Special thanks to Mr. Huber for his time and knowledge, which sparked the creativity and interest of our budding scientists!

lower & middle school community life 37

Roll Out the Pumpkins The annual tradition of Pumpkin Olympics did not disappoint, as Lower and Middle School students gathered on the athletic field to compete as representatives of the Compass Houses: Excellence, Responsibility, Service, and Spirituality. Each house includes boys and girls from different grades and is supported by teachers and staff. The stakes were high as the participants paraded onto the field from the track, with Coach Jeff Hrepich serving as announcer and with parents and teachers cheering for the students. Sister Claire found a nice spot in the shade on this sunny day, and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” in celebration of her Halloween birthday. Students from the house of Spirituality quickly showed their competitive edge by taking the win in the first game: pumpkin rolling. Other games included the water bottle relay race, the threelegged race, and the Middle School tug-of-war. The house of Spirituality took the overall win for the day, led by Middle School Dean Anthony Schipper. The official flag bearer for the house of Spirituality, Schipper commented, “I’m extremely proud of the students and how hard they worked supporting one another as team mates.” He added that his team developed some winning tactics for the competitions but were careful to follow the rules.

kids at one end. During the final match, eighth-graders took the win and proudly displayed their trophy. Special thanks to parents Joan and Warren Yu for their support of the day with supplies and equipment. What a great way to foster team building among students of all ages while promoting an atmosphere of friendly and fun competition!

The tug-of-war was the culminating event, representing a rivalry among the Middle School students. The show of strength was impressive, with some matches lasting almost a minute; other matches lasted only seconds, resulting in a pile of

Sharing Talents in Honor Choir and Orchestra The new year brought exciting musical opportunities for Middle School students. Several students participated in the Central Coast Section Honor Orchestra and Choir, sponsored by the California Music Educators Association. Admission to either group is by audition only, so we are especially proud of all those who participated. Joseph Do (violin), Fionnuala Ghinn (violin), and Emily Oh (cello) performed with the Honor Orchestra on January 23. The next weekend, the following 14 vocalists represented Santa Catalina at the Honor Choir event: Baritones: Jasper Dale, Xander Edwards, Colin Hunt, Andrew Mansour, and Dominic Nale Altos: Nicholas Udwadia, Gabby Campisi, Samantha Scattini, Brooke Damnavits, and Lauren Mansour Sopranos: Alix Detrait, Danielle Sherman, Hannah Levi, and Bailey Brewer Congratulations for a job well done to all of our talented musicians!

Middle School

Sports Flag Football The girls’ flag football team played six games this season, finished with a record of 1-5, and had a lot of fun playing for Coaches Jamie Roth and Jim Morton. The girls learned to call their own plays and improved in all aspects of the game. The team was led by Bailey Brewer and Juliana Cardinale. “These team leaders kept a positive outlook throughout the year,” said Coach Roth.

Soccer With an abundance of talent, the boys’ team ended the season with a record of 7-1-1. Eighthgraders Dominic and Gabriel Nale and seventhgrader Joseph Do led the team, but all 20 players contributed. “The team really came together this season and the boys played well together,” said Coach Jeff Hrepich. “We have a good foundation on this team for the next few years.” The girls’ soccer team had a successful season in spite of injuries. The team played well together and worked hard to improve throughout the season. “There wasn’t any ‘quit’ in these girls, despite their not having a full squad most of the season. They loved being out on the field competing and getting better,” said Coach Hrepich.

The boys’ flag football team had a good year, finishing 4-2. Eighth-graders Hayden Roth, Dominic Nale, Gabe Nale, Josh Dornath, Sam Fontaine, Will Pryor, and Shaan Patel led the team. The players improved throughout the year, and, after losing two of the first three games, the boys rallied to win their last three. “The boys loved having Father Ron around to teach them the intricacies of the game,” said Coach Hrepich.

middle school sports 39

Volleyball Four teams competed this fall in Middle School volleyball: a grade 6 girls’ team, a grade 7 girls’ team, a grade 8 girls’ team, and a combined grades 6–8 boys’ team. The grade 6 girls’ team had the opportunity to compete in the inaugural Independent and Parochial Athletic League (IPAL). It was a short season, with only six matches, but the team ended 5-1. Coach Hrepich commented: “I like what I see from this team. The girls played well together and showed improvement throughout the season.” The grade 7 girls’ team made the playoffs in the Mission Trail Junior Athletic League (MTJAL) with a record of 6-5. The team played some close matches throughout the season and improved because of it. “The girls really gelled during the year and began to play with more confidence,” said Coach Katie Cook. The grade 8 girls’ team was led by Rachel Allen, Audrey Goldsmith, and Taylure Craven. The team had a good year, finishing with a .500 record of 6-6 and just missing the playoffs. The league had considerable parity, and most matches were close. Coach Mike Cook reflected: “I was happy with the way these girls competed and represented the school during each match. You couldn’t ask for a better group of girls.” The boys’ volleyball team made the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year. The team finished the regular season with a 6-4 record. Hayden Roth and Josh Dornath, eighth-graders playing for their third season, led the team. “These students took pride in their team and were leaders from the beginning to the end of the season,” said Coach Margaret Scattini.

Basketball There were five basketball teams this winter, with 50 players competing in two different leagues. This fantastic turnout wouldn’t have been possible without the help of volunteer coaches Curt Breifuss and Chris Pryor (grades 7–8 boys), Ryan Edwards (grade 6 boys), Jim Scattini, Paul Cahalan, and Kenny Peyton (grades 6–7 boys). Thank you for your support and dedication! This year, the grades 6–7 boys’ team competed in the MTJAL and finished the season 6-10. The team experienced many close games, which made for some fun and exciting contests. The boys improved during the season despite limited practice time. “This group of boys has the potential to be a really good team,” said Coach Scattini. Four teams participated in the IPAL league this year. The grade 8 girls’ team was led by Gabriella Nagy, the main scorer. The players worked hard to improve during the season and began to play better toward the end of the year. This team represented the school well both on and off the court. The grades 6–7 girls’ team had a good year, playing to a .500 record. As the season progressed, the players’ confidence and skill level rose, which was evident on the last game of the year when they beat the Pirates of Stevenson after losing to that team earlier in the season. The grade 6 boys’ team had a great year, with many exciting close games. Coach Edwards commented: “This team played with a lot of heart this season, often playing against seventh-graders. They held their own each game.” One of the highlights of the year was beating the International School of Monterey by one point on the road—a game that both schools played hard.

Upper School Commencement Hayden Roth and Sam Fontaine led the grades 7–8 IPAL team and were the “go-to scorers” when the team was in need of a clutch basket. “Our team really worked hard to learn the offense and defense, and each player was very coachable,” said Coach Breitfuss.

What time is your doctor’s appointment?

Tonight’s Dessert Night!

Starbucks run? Where did you hide the alarm clock? No “Barnyard Animals!”

Lights out! Study Hall in 10.

How are you feeling? Who burned the popcorn?

Don’t forget to make your bed.

Yes, you can use my oven. That’s three work hours.

What time will you be back?

Cell phones in the hallway.

Are you taking the shuttle?

SUPERHEROES 24/7:

Life as Resident Faculty

Resident life at Santa Catalina has been central to the heart of the school from the beginning. Graduates speak fondly, enthusiastically, and with great humor about their years in the dorms. They recall fun with classmates, life-lessons learned, and the hours spent with our resident faculty. To boarding at Santa Catalina, they credit their early independence and self-confidence, their appreciation of cultures from around the world, their ability to live patiently and kindly with varying personalities and concerns, and their life-long friendships established here. While boarders clearly enjoy time with day student families, day students cite the many benefits of sharing activities and dorm life with their residential friends. Our home-away-from-home forms a close-knit community for day and boarder alike. In the article that follows, Nancy Hunt, a Santa Catalina dormitory â&#x20AC;&#x153;veteranâ&#x20AC;? in the best sense of that word, offers a personal reflection on her experience, understanding, and appreciation of resident life and of those who make it work. Her focus is on those faculty who offer time, energy, and insight while sharing their families and talents with the young women whose lives, personal growth, and happiness are in their hands. No matter the hour! We are grateful to Nancy for her own years of service, to those resident faculty who, like her, have been our colleagues over these many decades, and to those who continue to educate and care for our students in this unique community we call home. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sister Christine Price

42 superheroes 24/7: life as resident faculty

“I discovered a special breed of teacher: the dorm parent.”

John Murphy, Ph.D., George Murphy, Ibi Janko Murphy ’83, Katherine Burkhuch, Katie Adams ’09, Anne O’Dowd, Kelsey Player ’11

Nancy Hunt, Ph.D., Colin Hunt, Simon Hunt, Cecelia Stewart ’08, Meg Macdonald, Judith Riley, Connie Riley, Blake Riley, Miriam Riley

Almost 20 years ago, I moved into the cottage at the center of the Hacienda courtyard and started working in the dorms at Santa Catalina. I monitored study hours in the library, I taught English during the day, and I gradually acclimated to this new boarding school culture. Then, sometime in my first month, practical jokers hid an alarm clock inside a freshman mattress and set it for 4:30 a.m. It took days for us to find it, as many in that class can attest. While combing through that room in Long Dorm, the alarm clock sounding with piercing clarity, I wondered if my education had prepared me in any way at all to work with adolescent girls. Luckily, over time, I worked with many patient women who did train me to balance the teaching workdays with the dorm-duty work nights. (One of them, I believe, found the alarm clock.) I discovered a special breed of teacher: the dorm parent. For their patience, unflagging generosity, and youthful spirit, they remain some of the people I most admire. When I consider what makes our boarding program unique, I think it may be the commitment of these women.

Audrey Avery, Michelle Avery, Brad Avery, Henry Avery, Jamie Buffington Browne ’85, Reid Murray, Colleen Murray, Fred White, Erin White, Henry White, Peter White

After a long day teaching, working off campus, or taking care of their own children, they open their homes and tuck students in at night, care for them when they are sick, keep the hall quiet so they can study, ask them to make their beds, and keep track of where they are going, who they are with, and when they’ll be back. If they are lucky, they get to bed at 12:00 a.m. I suspect, however, that the resident faculty job description does not do justice to the experience of either the faculty or the students living on campus. It is difficult to articulate how the work of a dozen or so women helps to create this unique Catalina community. A dorm parent knows that the most serious problems emerge

only after 11:05 p.m. on the day she got up early to meet a student at breakfast. She has a freezer full of ice to treat sports injuries and a selection of Band-Aids for both physical and emotional wounds. She can sew a girl into a gown with a broken zipper minutes before the date arrives to take her to the winter formal. She drives students to the doctor, and she will scold a girl she loves for being late and forgetting to call. Like Monika Howell, she knows the power of baked goods to boost morale. Like Sister Christine, she can sense a shift in the mood of the dorm and predict joy or tears. And like Kathy Tuttle, she drives girls to yoga…or CVS…or Starbucks… or the gym…or….

Katie Adams ’09 Assistant Director of Summer Camp Katherine Burkhuch Freshman Class Dean Health Jacqueline Gibbs Religious Studies Rae Gregory ’11 Admission Associate

Jacqueline Gibbs, Kristi McLaughlin, Bobby McLaughlin, Julia Kim, E. J. Kim, Rae Gregory ’11

Nancy Hunt, Ph.D. Junior Class Dean English Julia Kim Dean of Studies Registrar Meg Macdonald Sophomore Class Dean

Kathy Tuttle, Jim Tuttle, Ryan Tuttle ’09, Lisa Marrack, Ph.D., Dean Partlow, Ian Partlow, Emalia Partlow ’19

I realize that I am making Catalina dorm faculty sound like superheroes in sweatpants, brandishing a first aid kit in one hand and the Student Handbook in the other, at the same time baking cookies, driving a school van, and returning calls to a parent. Of course, that is not the case (except for Sister Christine—she actually is a superhero). What makes the Catalina community special is that the women who run it allow themselves not to be superwomen, and they do it in front of an audience. They model the struggle to get it all done, to be good enough, while not being perfect. So while they share their varied and profound gifts, they also share their vulnerability. With this generosity, they make Catalina warm, like home, and they make it a place that cares enough to suggest that the students also do not need to be perfect to be loved. It is not a coincidence that dorm parents all have a good sense of

humor. When your house always smells like burnt popcorn (ahh, the aroma of study hours) and you frequently evacuate in the dead of night for fire drills, it is a good thing to laugh. The shared experience of monitoring study hours during a flu epidemic will bring people closer, after all. The dorm parents in my community are educated, polished, interesting people who share their busy, imperfect lives and homes and families with girls. Many will tell you that it is fun, but all of them will tell you that teaching does not happen in classrooms alone. Some lessons are best learned at kitchen tables, in dorm lounges, or in dim hallways just before lights out. I think Catalina recognized a long time ago that the most important lessons are about kindness, generosity, and tolerance— in short, the lessons we teach about how to be human. And I am grateful that Catalina selected my remarkable neighbors to help teach them.

Kristi McLaughlin Dean of Students Director of Resident Life Senior Class Dean Anne O’Dowd Foreign Language Department Chair French Kelsey Player ’11 Admission Associate Connie Riley Chaplain, Hospice of the Central Coast, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Cecelia Stewart ’08 Assistant Director of Admission Kathy Tuttle Clinical Chemistry Lead, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula

Upper School Community

Life

Prestigious Internships Awarded to Four Students A hearty congratulations to Amara Borchers ’16, Loleï Brenot ’17, Lauren Morgenthaler ’17, and Jenny Lafayette ’17, who have been offered prestigious STEM summer internships at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) under the Office of Naval Research and the American Society for Engineering Education Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP). Only 10 of the 40 interns participating in the SEAP program at NPS are young women, and of those 10, four are from Santa Catalina. Our school’s substantial presence in the program is a testament to the strength of its mathematics and science departments and its commitment to providing students with a rigorous STEM education. The internship program offers 16 projects. Borchers will be working on the Epidemic and Disaster Relief Modeling project. Brenot will work on the Strategic Game Design & QA Tester project. Morgenthaler will work on Front-End Design Using JavaScript and Backend Graph Databases. Currently, Lafayette’s project is to be determined.

Borchers already spent last summer at NPS conducting research with SEAP. The work focused on a simulation of the spread of malaria, predicting how quickly the disease would spread based on a specific percentage of mosquitoes that carry the parasite. This program offers opportunities for 265 high school students nationwide to work for eight weeks with scientists in 25 U.S. Department of the Navy laboratories around the country. Each new student receives a stipend of $3,300.

Celebrating Chinese New Year the Catalina Way By Coco Wang ’18 February 8 was the first day of the lunar calendar, signifying a new year. On the same day, members of the Chinese Club, together with Chinese 1 and 2 students, entertained diners at the weekly Community Dinner. Dinner began with a performance of “The Little Apple” by Chinese 1 students, whose energetic and enthusiastic dance brought excitement and joy to everyone present. Next, there was a performance of the sword dance “Taiji Sword” by Lulu Fang ’18 and Hee Jung Kang ’17, both members of Accents. The dancers’ motions were smooth and unruffled. Then the Chinese 2 students danced while singing the humorous song “Sorry, My Chinese Is Not Good.” Coco Chai ’18 performed the dance solo “The Story of Lanting.” Later, she joined Jessica Cheng ’18, Dana Zeng ’19, Yuki Yang ’19, Sofie Wang ’19, and Coco Wang in a Chinese rap, which sent blessings to everyone for a happy and prosperous upcoming year. Emcees Vicky Fu ’17 and Chloe Zhao ’17 hosted, ensuring that the details of the dinner were in place. Ms. Covington made this amazing dinner possible, and we are all looking forward to an even better Chinese New Year dinner next year!

upper school community life 45

Fasting for Change Santa Catalina’s 18th Annual Food Fast offered students an opportunity to begin this year’s Lenten season with the ancient spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Beginning February 12, the following students, along with faculty members Debra Baker and Blake Riley, joined in a focused effort to address the growing reality of world hunger: freshman Angela Hu; sophomores Charlotte Gerzanics, Coco Chai, Coco Wang, Emma Kroger-Franklyn, Jessica Cheng, Marika Blacklock, Michelle Lau, Talia Varjian, and Vivien Yip; juniors Anna Hunt, Keona Shimizu, McCall Brinskele, Taylor Moises, Kira Cruz, and Trisha Zarinana; and seniors Sarah Levi and Victoria Kvitek. These students pledged to abstain from eating for 24 hours to raise money for Catholic Relief Services, the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. They also “fasted” from their usual busy schedules to participate in an overnight retreat focused on global poverty and justice. The Food Fast gave participants an experience of solidarity with others around the world living in hunger and poverty.

In the 17 years that Santa Catalina School has held the Food Fast, students have raised more than $86,000 to help end world hunger. They have joined with more than 600,000 young people across the United States who have participated in similar events each year. Most of this money was contributed to Catholic Relief Services, which provides assistance based on need—not creed, race, or ethnicity. Ninety-four percent of all donations go directly to overseas programs, making it one of the most efficient humanitarian agencies in the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, six million children under the age of five die every year as a result of hunger. Our students want to help change this distressing reality. This event was led by long-time organizer and Director of Campus Ministry, Debra Baker, who was aided by religious studies teacher Blake Riley.

The event lent participants an experience of community as they serve local residents who experience poverty and hunger. While they fasted, these dedicated young women made 105 tuna sandwiches to donate to Dorothy’s Place in Salinas, participated in the 25th anniversary celebration of the Peace Coalition of Monterey County, and volunteered to help local immigrant farm workers when they visited the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA). The students learned how ALBA trains local farm workers to become independent organic farmers and works with them to gain access to land.

Caring for Our Coastline On September 19, a group of Santa Catalina students participated in the California Coastal Cleanup Day, California’s largest volunteer event. Nearly 40 members of the school community, led by R4 (Santa Catalina’s environmental club), gathered on Del Monte Beach to pick up loose trash and recyclables, doing their part to ensure litterfree local waterways. According to the California Coastal Commission, nearly 68,000 volunteers removed more than 1,143,000 pounds of trash from California’s beaches, lakes, and waterways in 2015. The California Coastal Cleanup Day, part of the International Coastal Cleanup (organized by the Ocean Conservancy), is the largest volunteer event on the planet! (Photos by Octavia Dickinson ’17)

46 upper school community life

Supporting the UNA International Documentary Film Festival For the twelfth year in a row, Santa Catalina was a community sponsor for the United Nations Association (UNA) International Documentary Film Festival. The Festival was held at the Golden Gate Theater in Monterey on November 13 and 14. Santa Catalina hosted a preview screening of some of these documentary films during a special assembly in the Performing Arts Center on November 11. Seniors Grace Russell, Victoria Kitek, and Sarah Levi served on the selection committee. They screened nearly 25 documentaries over the summer and helped select the films for this year’s festival. Among the documentaries shown was the winning film from a countywide student film competition submitted by seniors Grace Russell and Katie Ridgway. Ridgway and Russell feel fortunate to be able to explore ocean conservation in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, located less than two miles from Santa Catalina campus.

As students in the Marine Ecology Research Program, a pioneering course in experiential learning that provides an intense focus on marine science, they are completing their third year of research-based study with Dr. Christian Reilly and Dr. Lisa Marrack. Through their shared experiences in their studies and in scuba diving, and in their desire to share their passion with the community at large, Ridgway and Russell created a four-minute film on ocean conservation and submitted it to the Monterey Bay Chapter UNA. The film’s message relates to the UN mandate to protect ocean environments. Debra Baker educates Catalina students on the initiatives of the UN and encourages them to submit video projects to this important film festival each year. Golden State Theater in downtown Monterey showed Ridgway and Russell’s film, “The Ocean Needs You,” along with other short films in the festival. Ridgway and Russell were each presented with a prize of $100 and a year’s membership to the UNA.

Busting the Myths of the College Admission Process ’Twas the season of college application deadlines, early acceptance letters, and tough decision making. That’s when the Journey program helps seniors navigate the college admission process, with the assistance of Colleen Murray, Director of College Counseling. In one of the fall senior Journey classes, Elena Wong from Drew University, spoke about common myths and misconceptions regarding the college application and admission process. Wong quizzed the girls with such questions as “How long do you think an admission advisor spends reading an application?” and “Is it true that college admission advisors do not look at grades from freshman or senior year?” Wong emphasized that applying to college is not just about choosing a school; it’s about making decisions for your life. She asked: • Do you want to live in a suburb or a city? • Do you want to study at a large university or a small college? • Does the college where you see yourself have your desired major? • How do you find the college that is the best fit for you?

Colleen Murray, Director of College Counseling, noted these valuable nuggets from the presentation: “The seniors learned how to truly own their individual college admission process and the importance of being introspective in the process. They received a reminder to find their own ‘right fit’ school—a valuable message.” The class ended with these final words of advice: Adjusting to college is unique to every student. Push yourself outside your comfort zone, and try new things!

upper school community life 47

Journey Day: Learning Beyond the Classroom On March 10, students took a break from their regularly scheduled classes for our third Journey Day of the school year. Each class experienced a worthwhile day of films, discussions, and mentoring activities. The morning program for freshmen included a screening of Girl Rising, a documentary that focuses on the plight of girls’ education around the world. The film features the stories of girls from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Egypt, Haiti, India, Peru, and Sierra Leone, and the barriers they face with regard to education. After watching the film, students participated in a group discussion with their classmates, and all of the freshmen took part in a related art project. In the afternoon, the class performed community service at various locations in Monterey County: Dorothy’s Kitchen, Everyone’s Harvest, Family Resource Center, Food Bank for Monterey County, Gateway Center, and Monterey Parks. The sophomores, along with Colleen Murray, Director of College Counseling, and Meg Macdonald, sophomore class dean, spent the day visiting Santa Clara University and University of California, Berkeley. At Santa Clara, students attended a presentation, toured the campus, visited the bookstore, and met with alumna Michaela Scanlon ’12. At UC Berkeley, the sophomores explored the campus on self-guided tours and visited the bookstore. The juniors and seniors began their morning with the film The Drop Box, a documentary highlighting orphan care in South Korea. The film tells the story of South Korean pastor Lee Jongrak and his heroic efforts to embrace and protect the most vulnerable members of society—newborns and infants who would otherwise be abandoned on the street. Although the documentary deals with a difficult topic, it expresses hope and reminds us that every life is sacred and worthy of love. Later, juniors and seniors observed a panel discussion, moderated by student body president Catherine Lyche ’16. The panel featured speakers from various career fields who shared their educational and professional wisdom. Many of the panelists spoke about how their education and career paths were not straightforward, but rather filled with twists and turns. In the afternoon, the guests led small-group mentoring sessions, during which the students were able to ask more detailed questions and get to know the panelists better. We’re thankful for the professional insight that the following individuals brought to the program: • Kathy Tuttle, a clinical laboratory scientist at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) and a member of the resident faculty

• Seaneed Scott Sullinger ’82, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, registered nurse at CHOMP’s Labor and Delivery unit, and adjunct professor of nursing at Hartnell College • Dr. Lindsay Rockwood ’00, veterinarian and owner of Toro Park Animal Hospital • Dr. Kismet Thompson Roberts ’90, family physician with Sutter Medical Group • Dr. Hadi Tabbara, agricultural water usage expert and consultant • Dr. Basia Belza ’73, Aljoya Endowed Professor in Aging at the University of Washington School of Nursing • Greer Murphy ’02, writing instructor and director of the Transition English Language Program at Woodbury University • Anne O’Leary ’71, former senior recruiter for the U.S. Department of State; foreign service information officer; and diplomat in Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Morocco, Libya, and Afghanistan • Candace Brekka ’06, production manager at Forward Publishing, and former network coordinator at MTV • Broghan Helgeson ’06, Ph.D. candidate working in energy economics and alternative energy Journey Days provide learning opportunities beyond traditional classes for our students.

Upper School

Arts

No Toil and Trouble for Cast of Macbeth by Annarose Hunt ’17 The theatre program at Santa Catalina is great. The productions seem to get better every year, and this year was no exception. The production of Macbeth was bloody, violent, and challenging for an all-female cast. I may be biased (being a member of the cast), but I can’t think of a more difficult yet rewarding experience than this production. Stage manager Emma Patterson ’17 led an amazing crew, who worked hard to make the show a reality. Emma’s favorite part of the production was “watching the rehearsals and seeing everyone improve throughout the process, and getting to see the final product!” Cast members had to learn what felt like another language. Speaking Shakespeare’s dialogue and carrying real swords while pretending to be men were daunting tasks, but the cast pulled it off with grace and poise. The play’s director, Mrs. Lara Wheeler Devlin ’02, said that she found inspiration in the “witches, blood, and crazy dreams,” and that she had wanted “something that [her] students could really sink their teeth into (not literally)—a piece that would challenge them and allow them to grow not only as actors but as students.” When asked what most stood out to her, she responded: “When it really started to click for everyone. It clicked at a different time for each actor. You can see it in the students’ eyes. The actors understand what they are saying and how they fit into the puzzle of the show.”

The Artful Voyage of Armin Hansen Monterey has long been home to writers, painters, and photographers, so our students have had a unique opportunity to study art and literature where it was created. They can walk the hills of Steinbeck’s The Red Pony and East of Eden, photograph the same vistas that captivated Edward Weston, and, as Claire Lerner’s Art 1 and 2 classes did recently, study paintings depicting the familiar Monterey coastline. The students visited the Monterey Museum of Art to view its permanent collection of Armin Hansen’s works. Hansen, an early twentieth-century painter, had a strong connection with the sea and with fishermen and others who made a living from the sea. The field trip deepened students’ understanding of what it means to capture the essence of a community in which you live. The excursion included a visit to the Monterey Municipal Wharf, a site where Hansen spent much time painting, and a place of personal importance to him. Students were able to view the ocean as Hansen did and to discuss how Hansen used his expressive brushwork, simplified shapes, and bold colors to capture life on the Monterey Bay. Students in Art 1 and 2 returned to the studio to reproduce the view from the wharf on canvas in the style of Hansen, incorporating his same brushwork and use of color. These works will be on display in the library foyer gallery until the end of the school year.

upper school arts 49

Students’ Avian Artwork on Display The paintings of Claire Lerner’s Art 1 class were officially unveiled at an opening reception at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History on January 20. The reception provided an opportunity for the public to meet the student artists and to discuss the plight of endangered birds and how art can serve concerns for the environment. Jeanette Kihs, executive director of the museum and parent of Katherine Kihs ’09, saw the exhibit as a way to use student art as a teaching tool. She commented: “We may be showcasing the student artwork, but we’re also showcasing an important environmental issue. It gave us a different way to educate our visitors about the endangered birds. It’s great to see things come together in this way.” Last year, the students explored painting techniques and studied the work of famed naturalist and painter James Audubon. The students’ paintings resulted in colorful and realistic renditions of endangered birds. The 35 acrylic paintings were on display at the museum and open to the public in January and February.

Venturing Into the Woods Seldom does a high school theatre program attempt a performance as sophisticated and musically complex as Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods, a play that uses fantasy and the world of fairy tale to teach lessons of love, loss, and living with the consequences of one’s actions. Performing Arts Department Chair Lara Wheeler Devlin ’02 said of the show: “In terms of musicality, it was the hardest that we’ve ever done. It’s very complicated, like learning a new language—a new musical language.” Nonetheless, the performers in Santa Catalina’s 2016 fall musical displayed remarkable theatrical maturity as they challenged audiences to reexamine the characters of their childhood imaginations and the lessons they offer. Adding balance to a production with a relatively small 23-actor cast was a 32-member, student-run theatre tech crew. The crew detailed each impressive set, down to the smallest stones, each of which was cut, sanded, and attached to the bridge and tower by a member of the crew. Supporting the performers backstage was an unsung hero of many Santa Catalina productions, Joanna Winningham. As the sole seamstress and costume designer, Winningham not only creates, fits, and alters each costume, but also helps the girls learn about backstage preparation and caring for their costumes. Devlin summed up Winningham’s invaluable contributions: “She spends countless hours making sure our girls look great. If an actor doesn’t look like a character, it’s hard to buy in. She makes the world on stage come to life.” Indeed, the fairy tales did come to life, as student performers and theatre technicians rose to the challenges presented by such an intricate production. “We have some remarkable talent right now, in all aspects of theatre,” says Devlin. “The students have really been stretched in ways they haven’t been before.”

Upper School

Sports Cross-Country The cross-country team was back to its winning ways, dominating the first two league races and showing well in two invitationals, including the Stanford Invitational. The team concluded the season with a 5-2 overall dual-meet record, finishing third in the Mission Trail Athletic League (MTAL). At the Central Coast Section (CCS) championships, the team placed third in Division V. For the first time in school history, three runners qualified for the state championships: Audrey Bennett ’17, Jessica Gutshall ’16, and Kimmy Villegas ’16. These same student athletes were also named to the allleague cross-country team.

Soccer The season started slowly, with the team going 1-3-1 in league play after the first five games. With a younger team on the pitch and injuries plaguing the starters, the team rebuilt by drafting junior varsity players and relying on a few veterans to take the lead. Indeed, they led! The Cougars tied Stevenson and Carmel and then beat undefeated Pacific Grove 3-2, knocking the team out of first place. The Cougars finished in fifth place in the MTAL with a 4-8-3 overall record, 4-7-2 in league. All-league first-team honors went to senior Kimmy Villegas and junior Allie Aiello.

upper school sports 51

Volleyball With the entire starting line-up returning, the volleyball team hoped to reclaim the league championship after a second-place finish last year. With a 13-1 league record and 20-3 overall, the Cougars not only were MTAL champions but also ranked sixth in the state for Division V. Advancing to CCS, the number-two-seeded Cougars won the quarter- and semi-final games and advanced to the championship match against Notre Dame Salinas. Despite a second-place finish at CCS, the team moved on to the Division V Northern California Regional Tournament and concluded the season with a semi-final loss to defending Division V champion, Branson. The third-place Nor Cal Tournament team included all-league first-team honorees Tatumn Satow ’16, McKinley Fox ’18, and Olivia Satow ’18. Both the Monterey County Herald and The Salinas Californian named Tatumn Satow and McKinley Fox to the allcounty team.

Water Polo The water polo team finished its season with a 9-8 overall record and 6-6 in MBL play. The young team continued to improve and were seeded in the top three at the league tournament and fourth in league standings. A tough loss to Aptos in the first round of the league tournament ended the season for the team. End-of-year honors included the Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship Team Award for the Cougars and all-league first team for senior Ana Spanos.

52 upper school sports

Tennis In a rebuilding year, the tennis team started the season 2-3 but quickly vaulted to 12-5 overall and 9-3 in league play. A perennial topthree finisher in the MTAL, Santa Catalinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis team finished the season in second place and qualified for CCS championships. A tough loss to Sacred Heart Cathedral in the first round ended the season for the Cougars. Congratulations to juniors Isabelle Redfield and Kaylaa Kawasaki and to freshman Anabelle Stork for their all-league first team honors!

Field Hockey The field hockey team (junior varsity) started out with nine players for a game requiring eleven players, including the goalie. The team easily overcame this challenge, going 5-0-1 after the first weeks of the season. Finishing with a 7-0-1 record overall, the girls look forward to next year, with all team members returning to play at the varsity level.

upper school sports 53

Basketball A young squad with five freshmen, the Cougars finished the season 8-11 overall and 6-8 in MTAL play. Steady improvement throughout the season saw the team win three of the last five games, resulting in a fourthplace finish in the league. The team plans to rebuild next year and return to CCS playoffs, which they had qualified for in 13 consecutive years. Junior Audrey Bennett was named to the allleague first team for her efforts on the court.

Golf Catalina golf was once again a dominant force in the Monterey Bay League (MBL). The team started the season with a 4-0 record, defeated Carmel 249-287 to move forward to CCS playoffs, and finished second in the MBL with an 11-2 overall record. Competing at CCS for the fourteenth consecutive year, the team concluded its post-season run with a twelfth-place finish. All-league first team honors went to Coco Chai â&#x20AC;&#x2122;18 and Valeria Gonzalez â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17. Catalina golf has lost only seven matches in the past six seasons, winning the league title four of those six years.

54 Alumnae Association Board Shannon McClennahan Mozes ’87 President Laurie Washburn Hogen ’58 Vice President Liz Holt Protell ’64 Vice President Lore Childs MacDonald ’76 Vice President Yvette Merchant Nichols ’96 Vice President Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83 Director of Alumnae Relations

Members Jalynne Tobias Redman ’72 Jeanne Vibert Sloane ’74 Kathy Trafton ’74 Jennifer Post ’82 Ann Frasse Stowe ’82 Christina Nalchajian Whitley ’85 Stephanie Post Pollard ’85 Kim Meek Shickel ’89 Brett Davis Collins ’93 Kate Lynch Jerkens ’97 Julie Rathman Fenton ’99 Brogiin Keeton ’01 Kai Romero ’01 Katie Carnazzo ’02 Monica Johnson Steiner ’03 Marina Barcelo ’04

Chapter Chairs Boston Kate Myers Brizius ’88 Chicago Lisa Cavanaugh Wiese ’74

’66

Renewing 2016 Alumnae Reunion

Connections

Dallas Hope Morgan ’90 Denver Laura Stenovec ’99 Houston Nancy Kennedy Major ’96 Monterey Liz Holt Protell ’64* New York Priya Kumar Raju ’00 Northern California Yvette Merchant Nichols ’96* Seattle Peggy Frasse ’84 Southern California Jennifer Post ’82* Stefanie Post Pollard ’85* Washington, D.C. Kerri Robinson Johnson ’92 Liz Belanger McGarvey ’00

International Chapters Asia Rene Leung ’99 Angelina Yao ’99 Europe Lara Brehmer ’98 Latin America Leslie Hulse ’88 Tere Gonzalez ’94

*Designates Alumnae Association Board member

There was an abundance On March 11 and 12, the Classes of 1956,

1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 braved the rain to return to campus to renew their Catalina welcoming smiles. connections during Reunion 2016. The Everywhere you gazed, school gave special recognition to the Classes you saw hugs and heard of 1956 and 1966 in celebration of their 60th and 50th reunions, respectively. animated conversation The weekend included Assembly and and laughter. classes on Friday; a collaborative talk about Journey and current academic offerings, presented by Dr. Kassandra Thompson Brenot ’87 and students; a campus tour, which included the new Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center; and the traditional alumnae mass and dinner. We loved having everyone “back home” for the festivities!

of excitement and

Reunion Weekend is part of a lasting legacy that celebrates the lifelong relationships that began right here at Santa Catalina. It’s a great time to catch up with classmates and to discover what’s currently happening on campus. As the weekend comes to a close, we are always proud to send off our alumnae with a renewed appreciation of what it means to be a “Catalina girl”—at any age!

’96

’86

’91

’71

’11

’86

’81

’66

’61

’96

’11

’01

’76

’71

’86

’11

’71

’81

’06

’96

’01

Alumnae and their families gathered for a fun weekend full of laughter and nostalgia. Lasting friendships were renewed, and new connections were made among alumnae from different classes. ’66

’06

’96

’76

’91

’61

Alumna

Awards

he 2016 recipients of the Distinguished Alumna Awards, Jenny Budge ’71 and Pamela Anderson-Brulé ’76, are recognized for their extraordinary achievements as role models to alumnae and students, for their dedication and service to professional and volunteer endeavors, and for their extraordinary service to the school.

Jenny Budge, M.B.A., was honored for her service to the school and for her dedication to numerous worthy volunteer efforts. Throughout her professional life, Jenny has lent her expertise to many nonprofit organizations. She has held the positions of board chair of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, trustee of the Nature Conservancy’s Maryland chapter, trustee of Maryland Public Gardens Consortium, trustee of Bryn Mawr School, trustee of Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education, and board member of Tylerton Community Council. These service experiences and Jenny’s love of horticulture led to her position as executive director of the Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, MD. Currently, Jenny is president of Solid Rock Foundation, a trustee at Ladew Topiary Gardens, a judge for the Garden Club of American Horticulture, and a trustee of Santa Catalina School. She first served on the Santa Catalina School Board of Trustees from 1988 to 2003. She returned to the Board in 2007, served on the Trustee and Executive Committees, chaired the Finance Committee and Search Committee, and currently chairs the Investment Committee. In addition, Jenny has served generously on our Alumnae Board. Her leadership, professionalism, and untiring attention to detail were instrumental in Santa Catalina’s eminently successful choice of Meg Bradley as the next Head of School. Pamela Anderson-Brulé, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), was commended for her contributions to her professional field, her service to the school, and her dedication to numerous volunteer efforts. Pamela cofounded Anderson-Brulé Architects (ABA), a full-service design firm specializing in architecture, interiors, and strategic planning. For more than three decades, ABA has designed award-winning projects that are nationally recognized as groundbreaking. Clients of note include Stanford University, San Jose State University, and Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. One of ABA’s most recent projects is the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center on Santa Catalina’s campus. During the project, Pamela and her team demonstrated a deep and abiding respect for the mission of the school, for the work of the faculty, and for the aspirations of the young women who would eventually use those classrooms. In 2015, Pamela became the first woman in Santa Clara County to be elevated to the College of Fellows in the American Institute of Architects, the highest rank in the institute’s membership.

distinguished alumnae awards 59

Pamela Anderson-Brulé ’76 Q: What inspired you to start your own architecture firm?

Q: What is your favorite or most memorable Catalina tradition and why?

A: I had never intended, at such an early stage in my career, to form my own firm. As I began working and enjoying my clients, it became clear that I had their best interests in mind. And when I left my former position, many clients came with me. This allowed me the opportunity to make the new firm successful; once I started the practice, I never looked back.

A: I most remember planning for masses and retreats with the musical group that I belonged to. I joined my freshman year playing guitar and singing and stayed involved throughout my Catalina years. I was probably the least musical person in the group, but I truly loved singing and planning how to make the experience special.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

Q: What are your favorite memories—as a student and as an alumna— of your Catalina experience?

A: Architecture is an enduring practice, and what we create has such a lasting impact on the environment and on users. I am passionate about making our clients’ dreams come true, and I enjoy watching them embrace their new facilities. It is pure joy. Q: How do you perceive the new Math and Science Center will change the trajectory of girls at Catalina?

A: The school leadership wanted to create a building that would become a center to the academic core of the campus, where learning would happen formally but also informally in interior and exterior gathering spaces. The building draws you in and makes it exciting to explore the math and science curricula. The extensive light and open volume make it easy to feel comfortable and focused in the labs. The spaces will have a lasting effect on the girls’ educational skills and on their enjoyment of math and science, which can manifest in greater personal confidence and achievement. Q: What has been the biggest surprise lesson you’ve learned in your career?

A: As a woman, I had to work hard to hold on to the feeling that I was good enough and that I could achieve my career goals in what was at the time a male profession. I had to learn to take risks and believe in myself to do what I have achieved. ABA is growing and will soon be 35 years old; I am proud of that. Q: What skills/values/lessons did you learn at Catalina that have helped you in your career?

A: I came to Santa Catalina already dreaming of being an architect, but we all dream when we are young. The school instilled in me the skills, confidence, and faith to push myself toward that dream. Design requires research, reflection, trial and error, and a willingness to fail. Santa Catalina taught me to believe in myself, to take risks, and to have the courage to create. Q: What does receiving the Distinguished Alumna Award mean to you?

A: I came to Santa Catalina as a scholarship student, and in my youth I felt that somehow I did not really belong or deserve the education and experience that I was given. To have had the chance to design the Sr. Claire and Sr. Christine Mathematics and Science Center, to have it open just before my 40th reunion and before their retirements, to share it with my class and others, and then, on top of all that, to receive this award means the world to me. I am so very honored.

A: My memories are rooted in the Catalina friendships I have made and kept. The close bonds that you make with the other girls can truly last a lifetime. Q: Tell us one thing that is on your bucket list.

A: I began teaching design to juniors and seniors at an all-girls Catholic school near my office. I was sure that I would enjoy the experience and I do. I hope to teach more when I retire from my firm and perhaps earn another degree, if time and life allow for it between my future travels and adventures with my husband.

60 distinguished alumnae awards

Jenny Budge ’71 Q: You have spent many years as a board member or trustee for many organizations. What do you look for in an organization that inspires you to support them?

A: We tend to get involved in organizations that resonate with us. I have to truly care about the organization and think it makes an important difference. My time should make a meaningful contribution, and it has to be fun in some way. I’ve learned to only make the leap to get involved if the organization is run responsibly. Q: What has been one of your favorite organizations to support and why?

A: This is a tough one because the efforts I have been involved with are compelling for such different reasons: disadvantaged youth, environmental and horticultural efforts, and education. Some of the organizations have almost become a second family. Santa Catalina certainly falls in that category. Ladew Gardens is a favorite because of the character of the place and the pleasure it brings people in our increasingly complicated world. Q: As an alumna, how did you feel participating in the search for the next head of school?

A: It was a clear honor to be involved in the search, and it came with a real sense of responsibility. For all of us who want to see the Santa Catalina experience carry forward, it was essential to find a strong candidate who understands and respects the important qualities of a Santa Catalina education. So many members of the school community helped with the process. It was a treat to be more involved, to see how many others care about Santa Catalina, and to once again spend time on campus. Q. What inspired you to serve on Catalina’s board of trustees—not once, but twice?

A: My high school years at Catalina were both happy and formative. There were some exceptionally talented students in various disciplines. Over time, Catalina stands out as offering a fuller experience than one finds at other schools. The life lessons have served so many alums well. I want to see Catalina continue to thrive, offering to future students what we value. Q: What skills/values/lessons did you learn at Catalina that have helped you in your life? A: I have appreciated the can-do spirit that Catalina encourages as well as the solid moral grounding we received. When difficult situations arise, I’ve often thought, How would the Sisters or others at Catalina handle this?

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for current students or young alumnae? A: You will find some of your best lifelong friends at Santa Catalina. And this is an especially appropriate time for alums to wrap your arms around the school and help shepherd it forward.

Q: What is your favorite or most memorable Catalina tradition and why?

A: Father-Daughter Weekend was always a special time. Our typical weekend included tennis; dominoes; a picnic on the beach; the students’ play; and, of course, the highlight, the fathers’ play. I’m so glad this tradition is still going strong.

Q: What are your favorite memories—as a student and as an alumna— of your Catalina experience? A: There are far too many of these, especially with two sisters attending the school! As an alumna, I’ve always remembered a remark from a young family that moved to the San Francisco Bay Area a number of years ago. They commented that among their new friends, the ones that stood out from the crowd all went to Santa Catalina. There must be something to it. Q: Tell us one thing that is on your bucket list. A: Heading north to catch the aurora borealis.

Class notes CLASS NOTES

INFO Class Notes Photo Submissions

We welcome your photos for inclusion in Class Notes. Due to space restrictions, we are unable to publish all of the photos we receive. Photos meeting the requirements listed below will take priority. Please note the technical requirements for photos: • Images need to be 3” x 5” or larger • Images need to be a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (or at least 800KB) Priority is given to the following types of photos: • Photos with groups of alumnae • Photos with one alumna • Photos without an alumna will only be included if space allows. Please provide the names of all alumnae in the photo, including class year, and the location of the occasion. To submit photos electronically, please send them as attachments to: gretchen.muellerburke@santacatalina.org. Please do not include photos in the body of the email or in Word files. If you email a photo from your phone, please choose the largest file size possible. To submit a hard copy photo, please mail to: Santa Catalina School Office of Alumnae Relations 1500 Mark Thomas Drive Monterey, CA 93940

Class Notes Space Limitations

We do our best to include all of the updates that are sent in. Due to space limitations, the Communications and Alumnae Relations offices of Santa Catalina School may edit content in order to fit the space allotted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Class Notes Schedule

Class Notes has a new schedule. We will publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall.

1953 Fleana Giglio Snapp brorat1955@comcast.net

Beezie Leyden Moore: The holidays were a bit traumatic, but 2016 is here. I still do new construction and remodel design work, but I want to find time to paint and read or just spend time with my friends. I love my life in Cambria and I never tire of our amazing weather and views through the forest to the ocean and beyond. I visit Laurie Angel McGuiness and my two sons and their families. Granddaughter Ellie is having her bat mitzvah this summer. My preparations are well underway. I visit with daughter Deborah in Paso Robles (or she comes here) very often. I am proud to say that some friends and I were successful in establishing an emergency water system for the community. Regretfully, I will soon be cat free. Here’s hoping our tiny group can be together at our next reunion (March 2018). Love to all. Debbie Kneedler Berggren: After three years of failing eyesight, I now have two corneal transplants. I am able to drive again and do all of the other things that I wasn’t able to do. It’s a blessing! My children and grandchildren were here to celebrate my 80th birthday and our glorious Christmas. A very special time! I send greetings to my classmates and best wishes for good health and happiness in 2016. Laurie Angel McGuinness: I’m 81 now and frankly, am busier than ever. My goal for 2016 is to organize every piece of paper in my house. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! This year my northern California family had two weddings. In March, Amanda married her bright and charming partner of 10 years, exactly to the day. Amanda chose to turn my home into a spa on the morning of her wedding. It was gorgeous around here and all the young women were, too. We then were driven to the old and grayed out winery for the weddings. Life is good. I’m so lucky! Gloria Donnelly Anderson sends “Hello!” to her classmates. She is well and ready to enjoy the new year. Peggy Carpenter Gelke: Jack is still doing his real estate and I’m still doing a lot of bridge. Our daughter and granddaughter

came for a week at Thanksgiving. It was wonderful having them here. Otherwise, it’s a lot of doctor appointments and memorial services. Par for the course at our age. Gray Burnham Hynes wishes all of her classmates health and happiness in the new year. She is well and looks forward to what life brings. Fleana Giglio Snapp: I wish a happy and healthy 2016 for each of you and your families. Ellen is cancer free, but the effects of the radiation are still a major issue. She is living with her sister, Susan, in Sacramento and getting exceptional medical help at UC Davis. We think she is now on the road to a full recovery. We all know that some roads are longer and bumpier than other roads. Daughters Catherine, Susan, and Rachel are busy and getting on with their lives. John and I celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary last September. From time to time, it is hard to believe. We are in good health and think that we can still do just about anything—sometimes, we can and sometimes we figure out an easier way. I miss each of you very much. Until we see each other again.

1954 Gloria Felice gloriafelice@cox.net

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1955 Mary Nevin Henderson 707.252.8707 Pat Kelly Phillips plwa2@sbcglobal.net Carol Speegle Lannon was the only one to attend the 60th reunion. Cheers

62 class notes

to Carol! Maybe we will all be able to attend our 65th! Julie Work Beck is still running the family real estate business, Saucito (which means “little willow”). The company is currently building two large buildings in Monterey. Julie said the construction manager is Damon Felice, the nephew of our classmate, Clarice Borelli Felice. Small world! I had a wonderful phone call with Saudie Sowell Clark. She is still very involved with the community chorus, the church choir, and Red Hats. Her brother, the priest, is still in Camerino. He’s not as active now as he has some health problems. Saudie had some health problems herself but is still her old optimistic self. She has six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Yvonne Wallace Lyon has 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She shares, “I am truly blessed. I’m still in Napa for about 10 months a year. During November and March, I’m at my home in Mesa. My youngest granddaughter started at University of Colorado at Boulder. She loves the skiing and snowboarding. I would love to hear from some more of our classmates. Happy 2016!” Sue Barsi Scurich is keeping busy with learning about growing raspberries hydroponically, with no pesticides in boxed containers and coconut mulch. She spends lots of time in San Jose with her daughter Mimi, where “her roots were!” And she enjoys her eight grandchildren. Pat Kelly Phillips is as busy as ever. She recently started a program with the Italian Catholic Federation where members write down things they remember about deceased members. It’s really wonderful to hear all the stories about these great folks who did so much for their community and their families. Pat’s son, Mark, is now performing in an off-Broadway show, Ideation in New York. They are very proud of him. All of her grandkids are all working and two of the five have graduated from college.

1956 Sheila Godwin Peavey sheilapeavey@gmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

Members of the class of 1956 at Reunion 2016

1957 Carole Lusignan Buttner wmbclb@aol.com

Nancy Gregg Hatch: Life in our mid70s includes a congenial mix of travels to visit our daughters: Nannie in Portland, OR, and Kate and family in San Rafael, CA. Both provide ample explorations of beautiful, hikeable open spaces. Kate’s house is an easy walk from Dominican University, where our grandsons love to explore, and I find opportunities to renew Santa Catalina memories and friendships. At home, we’re involved in courses and discussions at nearby UC San Diego’s Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning. Despite increasing losses which age brings, a mellow season. Mary Hunt Cano: My aunt, Charlotte Cano, died in December 2014 at well over 98. I had been her caregiver for over four years and thus, did not have much free time. So in 2015, I moved from Marina to La Jolla. Of course, I miss my friends on the Monterey Peninsula and Christmas at Santa Catalina, but the weather is so much better here. I had a lovely picnic lunch with Nancy Gregg Hatch at the San Diego Botanical Garden. It was fantastic seeing her. Then I went to New England for three weeks at the end of the summer and stayed with my oldest friend in Maine and New Hampshire. Then back to La Jolla for 10 days before flying to London for the whole month of November. Hadn’t been there since March 2006

when I returned to California. Spent a hectic time catching up with old friends, cousins, my goddaughter, and my boss of over 18 years. Have promised to go back at least twice a year from now on. I am looking forward to our 60th next year! Barbara Erro Marsella: Mary Hunt Cano, thank you for your wonderful news! I have been pretty much confined to home, here in Fresno, because of Gary’s Parkinson’s Disease. He can no longer travel; he is confined to a bed, wheelchair, or recliner. He still reads four newspapers a day (one in Italian!). He enjoys visits by family and friends, and has riotous relationships with his caregivers, who mostly leave their shifts in laughter. Visits from our children and grandchildren are the most treasured of all. Blaise (12) lives in Paris and spends a month with us in the summer. Aidan (10) and Nadia (6) live here in Fresno and visit us bringing jokes, laughter, and magnificent piano performances. I do not get to my studio any more, but I continue to rent the space. Maybe it’s telling me that one day I’ll be working again on my art. I keep up with Betty Ann Bernadicou Lambert and Sally Smith Rhodes on the phone. My love to all you dear classmates. Camille Annotti Stevens: My life state is fairly balanced. Things are basically very quiet for me and that is when I seem to be most content. I have enough clients here in my little business at home so that I feel my brain stays active and won’t atrophy for a while yet. I challenge myself with crossword puzzles and other brain twister games when I am not reading a good book, working in my garden, spending time with a lovely group of friends who have been meeting on a regular basis for close to 50 years, trying to stay active and healthy, and thanking God every morning and evening for another good day. My children are all secure and have busy productive lives. My grandson is interested in working in the hospitality industry and my granddaughter is trying to make decisions about where to attend university. Life is good! Denise LeBlanc Hellier: While in Darien with my daughter and family for Christmas, I had lunch with Carole Lusignan Buttner. It was wonderful to compare notes on life and family with a friend of so many years. We agreed we are both still in pretty good shape! I send greetings to all. Denise LeBlanc Hellier is now traveling in India and has a trip planned this spring, taking her children and grandchildren to France. Maribeth Conway Steiner:

class notes 63

Fun year for us. Two weddings and a new grandbaby on the way! Finally, the last two bachelors are committed! All is well in our neck of the woods. I pray the rest of the world finds peace somehow. Diane Dickerson: This year passed so quickly. I’m playing music once again with two different groups and having such a wonderful time. This summer I drove to Eugene, OR to visit my son, his wife, and my two grandchildren, Evelyn (3) and Owen (1). They are precious. Everything is pretty much the same as it has been for many years. I’m still renting out rooms and exercising. I feel very blessed and am looking forward to hopefully seeing many of you at our reunion next year. Carole Lusignan Buttner: After a long, complicated medical year, my dear Murray has bounced back and life continues its amusing and familiar pace. We are back in N.Y.C. (about eight days a month), where he uses his walker to board buses, etc., to take him to the work he loves at age 83. The quiet of Pomfret is the perfect balance. We see a great deal of our children and seven grandchildren who are growing up too quickly. We still have geese, ducks, chickens, and dogs. I look forward to my garden in the spring, but am really enjoying slipping in some writing this winter. I so enjoy these days thinking about all the dear friends and classmates who have touched our lives over the years and find delight in new faces when our paths cross wherever we are. Love to you all and thank you for writing! Betty Ann Bernadicou Lambert: Well, I missed the deadline but here goes. Bobbie Erro Marsella and Sally Smith Rhodes continue to be in good spirits and we visit by phone mostly. Mimi Desmond Mathews and I continue to see other for the annual musical community play series here in Sacramento. Mimi is amazing—she had left knee replacement last year and was driving in less than two weeks! We have both gone through other health challenges recently and managed to keep a sense of humor. In 2015, Mike and I took my two great nephews, 7th and 8th graders, and their mother to Lourdes with our Order of Malta pilgrimage. The very first day the boys were able to assist on the altar in their volunteer Order of Malta work uniforms at the Mass for the American, Federal and Western Associations, with Cardinal Dolan, principal celebrant, and several bishops and clergy co-celebrants. These Fresno boys were definitely wowed and “Dolanized” after the Cardinal gave them 50 Euros in the Rosary Basilica

sacristy to take themselves and the four Malta servers out for ice cream. Mike and I enjoyed this pilgrimage immensely sharing our love of Lourdes and the joy of serving our “maladies.” The 7th grader (now 8th grader) is returning with the youngest brother, now in 6th grade, and their mom for the 2016 pilgrimage. We are so blessed and delighted. I also look forward to visiting my 101-yearold aunt and her children in Pau, 45 minutes from Lourdes. Mom’s youngest sister has outlasted her two older sisters, who left the Pyrénées and emigrated to California. Must be “le bon vin français!” In volunteer work, I serve on the small, hands-on board of the Sacramento Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home. But most of the time, Mike and I do our volunteer work in the Oakland Diocese, where our Point Richmond condo is located. We often attend daily Mass at a Dominican parish in Berkeley; Sunday Mass with the Dominican pastor here in Point Richmond; and host Dominican Sisters of Mother Mary of the Eucharist. So the love, friendship, and prayers of the Dominicans continue to be a gift in my life as it was for all us early classes at Santa Catalina. Looking forward to our next reunion.

1958

Kathy Howard Loparco kathyloparco@comcast.net We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1959

Bobbie O’Connell Munson bobbiemunson@sbcglobal.net Debby McCann and others are happy to know we found Suzie Hammond Morey after all of these years. Rene May Lawler: I joined Suzie Hammond Morey in November at The Alisal for the Ladies Pro/Am Golf tournament. Suzie was one of the finalists and she asked me

to send her greetings to all of her old classmates. Hansi De Petra Rigney: I am recovering from breast cancer, which was diagnosed last July. Husband Bob and all the kids were a great support group. Son Peter and family came all the way from Berlin to be with me and did all the cooking, cleaning, and counseling. I have made a very good recovery; no chemo or radiation, just estrogen blocker meds. Despite side effects from meds, I’ve managed to run the Berlin Marathon in September, the Monterey Half Marathon in November, and the CIM Marathon in Sacramento in December. I was first in F70-74 in Sacramento, beating second place by 40 minutes. I am very happy with my strong recovery. My running life is a happy one with lots of wonderful training hours running along the ocean on our beautiful Central Coast. My children and grandchildren are all very supportive of my running hobby. Oldest grandson (9) is a very good soccer player in Berlin. Other three grandkids are younger but seem to have their nonna’s good athletic gene. My latest marathon was my 94th since I started running at age 60. My life is still between Carmel and Berlin where two of my four children live. We have another grandchild, our fifth, due this coming April. Kristan Jacobson O’Neill: Finally sold my business and am free. I have been blessed with the sale of my business to a wonderful young lady who seems more than capable of the creativity and attention to detail that I tried to make the hallmarks of my work. I am doing one more project in April, and then retiring to clean and reorganize every inch of my home, which has been abandoned for all these many work years. France de Sugny Bark: Dennis and I have moved to a lovely retirement community in Portola Valley. Since we spend four months of each year in France, it became too much to keep up a second large home at Stanford. We love our new surroundings and simplified lifestyle at The Sequoias. I keep in touch with Chrissie McCormick Merrill, who is still dividing her time between San Francisco and a farmhouse in St. Helena. Marilyn Brown Wykoff: Vic and I have just celebrated our 50th anniversary. We still travel between our ranch in Clements and our home in Carmel. In winter 2015, we were in Hawaii and returned this January for another two weeks on the Islands. For five weeks last summer, we went with our oldest grandson Zak to visit Norway. We circumnavigated Spitsbergen Island, part of the Svalbard Archipelago,

64 class notes

where we saw 15 bird species we had never before seen, and viewed many species of arctic ocean mammals, including blue whales and polar bears. We ended our trip in Iceland. Barclay Braden: Recently I have posted two online links that describe and explain an unexpected exploration tool I discovered while practicing as a psychologist: writing with the non-dominant hand. It has given me a life changing method of psychological and spiritual selfinquiry. I invite anyone interested in more information to visit my online site at www.barclaybraden.com. Betty Blak Okie: My seven grandchildren are growing up and remind me of my advancing years! (Note: We were sorry to hear her mother passed away in 2014.) Penny Fletcher had a wonderful Christmas with her family in Oahu. She loves living there and being close to her family. For Marie Therese Poniatowski de Maigret, life in Belgium has been very difficult with all of the political and terrorist issues that are an everyday threat in that country. She has certainly been in all of our thoughts and prayers. Margaret Rosenberg Duflock writes that she is still on the ranch and in the same home in which she was raised. She is healthy, happy, and “all is well.” The same message from Kathy Mailliard Rende; she and Gian are happy and well. Wendy Burnham Kuhn writes from France, “My life is filled with music and our son, Toby, has branched into folk/ meditative music and has a group, Wild Strings Trio, in Ljubljana. I am involved with the Williamson Foundation for Music, which offers grants to young and mostly classical musicians. I was so happy to see Pammy Fairbanks de Villaine ’60 the other night at a concert of an extraordinary 11-year-old pianist, Noa Zanon.” Weezie Grant Garland is well and in southern California. I had emails and phone calls from practically every member of our class about the loss of Didi Dwyer Schreiber’s wonderful husband Paul this past December. She received so many calls and emails, as well, and was so happy to hear from all of you. It was typical of our class to be there when a classmate is experiencing a difficult time. Didi’s strength these past two and a half years, caring for Paul, has been an inspiration to all of us and has been a sign of her incredible inner-strength. Bobbie O’Connell Munson: All of my grandchildren have abandoned me and gone off to college! The last two went this

The Class of 1961 at Reunion 2016

year; one to University of California, Santa Barbara, and one to University of California, Berkeley. It took me three months of planning to get all five of them together, with other family members, for a Christmas holiday in Maui. We had a wonderful time and it was a joy to have them all under one roof again. It was wonderful hearing from all of you this year, and a reminder that we really do have the “best class” that ever passed through the halls of Santa Catalina. Rene May Lawler and Byron became great-grandparents in August with the birth of Aiden Gregory, their oldest granddaughter’s baby. This make them the first in our class to become greatgrandparents!

1960

Marilyn Ramos Ospina maospina305@hotmail.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1961

Penelope Corey Arango pcarango@bellsouth.net Kathie Ryan Foy: Happy new year to you

and your families. May it be a healthy and peaceful one. The death of Pam Parker Krasney was very sad for me. I desperately wanted to connect with those who knew her and felt so very far away. The positive part was that I spoke with Sara Fargo, Caroline Harris Henderson, Leigh Curry Curran, and Anne Irving. I had not spoken with these ladies in at least 40 years! The beautiful part was that our conversations were very genuine and all shared the sadness of losing Pam. She was such an outstanding all encompassing human being. I got brief synopses of these ladies’ lives and am so impressed by their achievements. Pat Flynn and I are in contact and have seen each other in New York. She has taken advantage of much of what this fabulous city offers. She is amazing in all her achievements for humanity. Her documentaries on human rights are most impressive. Pat and I had the thrill of seeing Curry perform in New York in her one-woman show! We thoroughly enjoyed her play about her life throughout the decades! If anyone else is New York bound please contact me. I would love to see you. I find that as I age, old friends and memories keep me smiling! Laughter is what keeps us young! Nini Richardson Hart: Miss so many of our classmates; Kathie Ryan and Carolyn Munk to name a few. Great talking with Penny Wilson Fiske with so much to talk about since our 50th. Will be at the 55th and my husband will be at the dinner. Talked to Judi Musto Hachman and she and her husband are off to Cuba. We have been there twice, both times legally. Caroline Harris Henderson: Life in southern Oregon is still wonderful, and there is plenty to keep me occupied in the semi-retirement! It seems harder to schedule a lunch or theatre date than

class notes 65

when I was working because everyone else is just as busy. I still work part-time for Edward Jones Investments, and have a weekly date with the clients at Saint Vincent de Paul who need help with power bills, rent, food, clothing, and winter supplies. It is a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful organization and to work with such amazing people. I go to Seattle every so often to visit friends there, and a few of those have regular visits to Jacksonville to enjoy things like Victorian Christmas, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and, of course, wine tasting. Twice a year my brothers and sister and spouses and I gather somewhere in the Bay Area (two of them live there) for a visit to catch up and spend time together. Other travels included a trip to Pasadena with my Stanford in France group (from 1963 in Tours, France) which has traveled together about five times in the last 10 years to France, Montreal, Quebec, and Washington D.C. The recent trip wasn’t very French, but we had members of the group who lived and worked in Pasadena and opened lots of doors of other sorts. Bess Van Buskirk Brassel is unable to write because of recent rotator cuff surgery due to too much gardening, dog grooming, stain glass designing, and a host of other things on her list of past endeavors. The worst is over but the recovery is long. She thinks she might delay having the next one done! She and Phil are planning a trip to northern New York for the summer months to escape our three or four weeks of 100+ temperatures. Hope everyone is enjoying this time of our lives. Sara Fargo: After working in the President’s Office at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) for ten years, I retired in 2012. Then I was invited to work with the SBCC Foundation on a part-time basis. So, I am currently semi-retired and am fortunate to be working with a wonderful group of people raising money to help students attend and stay in college. In my free time, I have been too excited about too many things but I only have so much energy and time to do it all. While de-cluttering, I have ended up dabbling in family history, practicing yoga, becoming part of a writers’ group with an aim to writing my memoirs. Seems it is that time of life when we look back and write about our lives for ourselves, family, friends or even a one-woman show! Segue to the fact that I attended Curry’s one-woman show, which was deeply reflective, well written and acted, poignant, funny, and thought

provoking! I stayed with Curry last January after the Santa Catalina alumnae get-together in downtown L.A. Had never been to one and was wondering if I would know anyone there. Was happy to be welcomed by Jinx Hack Ring ’60, after years and years of seeing her name in print. Was also happy to hear Sister Claire speak about her retirement, where the school is going, and the search for the new head of school. Then was really surprised to see Tappy Gahagan Hunt ’60 with her family! Then a few months later, my step-sister and step-brother died within days of each other, as well as three other friends. Pam’s death in June was a shock since I had just spoken with her the week before and was planning a trip to see her in July. Stayed at the home of Lissa Gahagan Nicolaus during the weekend of Pam’s funeral and we had a lovely time reconnecting as well as many laughs. I am so impressed by her paintings; she has become such an accomplished plein-air painter. Seemed as if no time had passed and the same feeling was there when reconnecting with Pat Flynn and Kathie Ryan Foy. Definitely a time of learning and growing and I am grateful to say I have never been in such a wonderful place inside myself! Penelope Corey Arango: Visited my sister Susan Corey ’65 in Redondo Beach for Christmas and New Year’s. We were joined in Pasadena by my brother George, his wife Eugenie Schlueter ’68, and my cousins Gillian Eversole Servais ’69, Helena Eversole ’70, Harry and Melina Eversole Montoya ’79. I am semi-retired in Miami, teaching art and Spanish as a second language. Very involved in the ministries at St. Augustine Catholic Church and Student Center at the University of Miami, where I also am taking courses. So, life is good. Just turned 72, but feel 40! Judi Musto Hachman: Loved reading Class Notes and tidbits. I noticed that Kit Prindiville Islip is still on email list. Unfortunately Kit died about a year ago. She had been in pretty crummy health for quite a while, and her cousin who is a friend of ours, said she probably died of a heart problem. We’re planning a trip to Cuba in March so we won’t be around for the reunion. I certainly don’t know anyone who has been out of high school for over half of a century! Have a fun time bonding! Lissa Gahagan Nicolaus: I had a wonderful visit with Sara Fargo recently. She came up and stayed with me and we went together to Pam’s service. It was a beautiful remembrance of her life and filled with

ceremony. Her family and friends celebrated her and reminisced about how she gave so unselfishly of herself in all aspects of life. She will be missed deeply. I am still in Ross (Marin County) and have lived in our same house for 35 years. It is such a special area with close proximity to beaches, mountains, and wonderful friends. I have really enjoyed oil painting for about 45 years. For the last 20 years, I have been part of Bay Wood Artists. Two other women and I are founders of the group. It is a group of landscape artists devoted to the preservation of land and we give a show of art each year with a chosen environmental group and give that organization 50 percent of our proceeds. These proceeds go to a myriad of projects such as trail restoration, education, special projects, and preservation. It is really rewarding and brings awareness to the group we have partnered with. Over the last three years we did shows with the Point Reyes National Seashore Association, and this year we will partner with an organization called Tam One to paint Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County. I also am involved with Marin Open Studios and other shows. My husband, Windy, and I have been fortunate to do some traveling together and we both do quite a bit of fly fishing. Windy continues to grow almonds, pistachios and grapes. Our son is in Missoula, MT and is a fishing guide. Our daughter works for Metrodigi, and she and her husband live near us. It is great having her in such close proximity. I hike quite a bit and play a little tennis. I joined a book club a couple of years ago and it consists of anyone interested from my neighborhood. Since we live on or near Shady Lane, we call ourselves “The Shady Ladies.” It’s a terrific group of women. Please give me a call if you are in this area— I would love to see you! Judy Nagel Cox: I’m sitting at LAX waiting to go visit my mom (102) in Hawaii. My sister, Madeline, and I take turns going there about every other month now. Mom has help during day but still on her own at night, and while she is slowing down and deaf, there is really nothing wrong with her. I just got back from a five day visit in Santa Rosa with my daughter, Sandi, and her family. Sandi got her master’s in remedial reading and is working at a school in Healdsburg. My granddaughter, Melanie, graduated from University of Puget Sound in May, and was home from a teaching program called Hearts for Change, where she was teaching English to high school students in Colombia. She is

66 class notes

returning for another six months. I’m very proud of them. Hubby and I are fine, although Ralph had a few health issues that slowed our travel plans. He’s fine now so still looking to make a 20th anniversary trip and it’s been 23 years! Lastly, I was so sad to learn of Pam’s passing. My sympathies to all and her family. Leigh Curry Curran: It’s been a big year on many levels. Lost three very close and influential people, including my wonderful ex and Pamela who had become a really close friend—miss them mightily! I am in touch with Marty who is holding his own. On the flip side, I wrote myself a solo show called Why Water Falls, which I performed here in L.A. —Sara Fargo came—and then hit off-off Broadway in the fall. Kathie Ryan and Pat Flynn came and it was great to see all of them. At its core, Why Water Falls is about my ambivalence about having children and the wild ride that ensued when life made the decision for me—as life will! I’m really interested in taking it to colleges for their Women’s Studies or Gender and Performance programs. If any of you have any connections along those lines, let me know. In other news, after 24 years of making magic with kids and adults, the Virginia Avenue Project closed its doors in December. I’m sorry for the kids who won’t benefit from our programs but, personally, I’m relieved. The struggle to stay afloat is over; we did some great work despite the odds and were highly thought of. I feel so fortunate to have had the Project in my life for so long—it was a gift—start to finish! Susie Munhall Frey: Playing golf with my wonderful husband, Walter, on a regular basis. We incorporate golf into all vacations. Mostly going to Palm Desert or Scottdale in the winter and several road trips to Redding to visit with son, Garrett, and family in Redding, CA. Love my beautiful grandchildren: twins Celeste and Jocelyn, and darling boy Otto. Enjoy seeing Caroline Harris Henderson and Bess Van Buskirk Brassel in Jacksonville, OR for lunch about once a month. Another gift from Santa Catalina: dear friends. I have been putting up with fibromyalgia for the past 15 years and recently found a medication that keeps me pretty comfortable without awful side effects. They say the more you move the better you will feel with this miserable malady, so I stay on the go as much as possible. Playing bridge once a week and I have taken up porcelain painting. Neither of those are physical as such, but give me the incentive to jump out of bed early and

get moving. Golf and gardening and playing with my dog take care of the physical activity. Bess Van Buskirk Brassel: I have been laid up for about two months with shoulder surgery, so have spend lots of time in the my recliner. The kitchen/family room has become my bedroom lately. My husband, Phil, has been great and is helping me a lot, and my little shih tzu, Poppy, has been giving me more attention than usual. It has been wonderful for me reading all these emails about Pam. To tell the truth, except for a strong connection when we were children growing up, I never knew her well; but it sounds like she was well loved. Caroline and I live only two blocks apart, so I hear about what everybody is doing, but for some unknown reason haven’t reconnected with many. I see Susie Frey, and we are good friends. Once again Phil and I are going to spend the summer in northern New York, where his family owns property and a cabin on Lake Balfour. Caroline is going to come and stay with us for several weeks this summer, and we are hoping to not only visit New England, but maybe some classmates who live nearby.

1962

Barbara Grant Armor barbara.armor@gmail.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1963 DiDi Ditz Stauffer dditzs45@gmail.com Sally Rorick-Orlando rorlando@cox.net Didi Ditz Stauffer: I celebrated my big 70th birthday last fall by going to Santa Fe, NM with my daughter. Having never been there, we tried to see and do everything. Great scenery, food, shopping, and wonderful walking in the outer areas. We even saw the Balloon Fest

The family of Kathleen Brown ’63

which was quite a thrill and well worth the hour drive at the crack of dawn. My health is good and my children are well so I feel blessed. Jansie Stephens Farris: Family expanded again with my ninth grandchild in July. August had some surprising news: I needed lung surgery to remove a small cancerous growth. Got it all so no chemo or radiation! Turned 70 in November and had a great family gathering at Harbor Beach! Judy Haig Hansen: Last summer, I was recruited out of retirement by a previous boss to take an interim role and make an assessment for how to proceed with one of her departments at Presbyterian Health System. Neal and I fell in love with the high desert of Albuquerque even though we’ve lived in the green and wet part of NW for over 45 years. Long story short, I have signed a two-year contract to be the executive director of organization development and learning. We are just going through the process of closing on a home here and look forward to investigating the fascinating history of Judy Haig Hansen ’63 and her family celebrating her 70th birthday in Maui

class notes 67

Jansie Stephens Farris ’63 and her family celebrating her 70th birthday

New Mexico. Our family has all moved to the East Coast so we didn’t feel compelled to stay in Seattle. We will always have our family cabin and cottage on Hood Canal as a home base. For my 70th, we had the whole family join us on Maui for a week. My disappointment of the last few years was not being able to join everyone for our 50th reunion. I hope we can all make it again for the 55th. I’ll be there for sure. Robin Hatcher: I’m doing okay and still seeing patients, though fewer than in the past. I’m happy I landed in a career that I enjoy well enough to keep doing it in my old age. My Santa Catalina memories are happy ones. I still like to keep up with all matters French so I mourn the terrorist attacks in that long civilized nation. Melody Rodriguez Stewart: Well, most of us survived joining the 70s. Jim and I are still hanging out in Playa Vista. We both help out with Shoes for the Homeless and are taking advantage of all this area offers. I still tutor occasionally. Our kids are approaching middle age and have good lives. The grandkids are a total delight. I keep in touch with Diane Stephens, Chris Chambers, Maria Remenyi Cantrell and Ashley (Tinker) Taylor Gallo. Fun to read the Facebook posts of some of our classmates. Would be fun if more of us joined our fun dialogues. Wishing all of our classmates a safe, happy, and healthy New Year. Kathleen Brown: Highs: Life is full of continuing joys delivered daily by our five children, their spouses, and their 12 offspring. Work is satisfying as a partner at Manatt Law, where I am in the government group and counsel clients navigating labyrinth-like government processes—an opportunity rich environment. And pleasure is derived by service on two public company boards and two nonprofit boards, The National

Park Foundation and Stanford’s Center on Study of Longevity. The past years of rich experiences included trips to Ethiopia with the Global Heritage Trust on an antiquities mission; Paris for screening of the documentary, California State of Mind, a film done by my daughters, Sascha and Hilary, on their grandfather (it’s now on Netflix!); Jerusalem for an international water conference; three visits to Sydney where my son, Zeb, and family live; and Tasmania. My grandson (13) performed with the Sydney Opera at the New Year’s performances of La Boheme in 2014 and The Magic Flute in 2015. A big deal with worldclass fireworks to mark the occasion. Finally, my husband, Van Sauter, and I celebrated 35 years of marriage at a marvelous event in September with family and friends. Low was the unexpected loss of my sister Cynthia in April of last year. A great big hole in our family. J’Amy Brown: No high points, no low points. Just marching along. I am serving my second term on Santa Barbara County Montecito Planning Commission. Kathleen Hynes: I feel grateful for improved health. During 2014, I had successful surgeries for glaucoma and ptosis, as well as recovered from fractures of the pisiform bone and the ulna. Follow-up on meningioma surgery of 2012 is all positive and my memory and speech are greatly improved. Finally, I got a brace for my torn ACL, so with consistent exercise and a walker, I am considerably stronger, though I still have a long way to go. In October, I was able to remodel my shower so I can live more independently. News of the death of Cathy Jacob was very sad. God bless Ellie Hutcheson for letting us know. Over the last year I have enjoyed meeting with Jansie and Mary Ellen and reestablishing contact with Christine Chambers. Thanks to the Facebook group, I have news and ideas of other classmates. Watercolor classes began again after a two-year hiatus, and it all is coming back to me. Wishing the best for all of you.

1964

Antoinette Ziegler Hubbard kiwiazh@earthlink.net We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and evennumbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1965

Pat Allen Sparacino pat.sparacino@gmail.com Deborah Tanous Scofield dmscofield@cox.net Bonnie Bray: After the reunion, I returned to Portland for the summer and spent time gardening, swimming, quilting, and with grandchildren Sasha (10), Nicholas (15), and Emilia (15). In the fall we took a 50-day cruise across the Atlantic, into the Mediterranean, and then, back across the Atlantic to Florida. Dick and I had a great time visiting 25 ports on islands in the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean, and in Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Gibraltar. We usually had just a day in each port, but managed to pack in quite a bit. It really was a survey course, but we now have a good idea of where we’d like to spend more time. We’re so glad to be home, back in our routines, and we’ll be staying on land for a while, but I really do recommend ocean travel. Our goal now is to spend some good time with our grandchildren before they grow up. Bettie Hutchinson Carrell: I had a great repeat annual visit with MF (Mary Frances Flynn) at my ranch outside Houston over Thanksgiving. It is always a pleasure to see MF, who has become fast friends with all of my friends. I know Kathy McEnerney Harper will be gratified to hear that we have both taken up bridge, a therapeutic tool that requires absolute concentration and yields all the benefits of an intense mind game! Had a nice visit and lunch

Evie Lindemann ’65 and M.F. Flynn ’65 departing for India

68 class notes

with Julia Anderson Frankel this past fall. She is building a new house that promises to be a real stunner. Michele Clark: I am now working part time at UNLV School of Nursing. I am still the coordinator of the Ph.D. program but I plan to retire in August. I am a little nervous about it, but I am ready to leave academia behind and start some new adventures. I plan to travel and spend time with family. Will probably end up living in Tucson, AZ as I have a number of friends and some family there. Barbara Hately DuPont: It was just so great to see all our classmates who came back for our 50th reunion. I had fun when Tammy Dougherty came out to Middleburg from Washington, D.C. for an overnight visit last July. Mary Frances (MF) Flynn and Evie Lindemann: After Christmas, we traveled to the Meher Baba Center in Meherabad, India through Istanbul and Mumbai, and stayed until January 17. From Evie: Quite an amazing place, with spiritual pilgrims from around the world. The beauty of music sung in foreign tongues still conveys a heartfelt message. Jasmine and roses abound, and this is a place I’ve returned to again and again over the years. From MF: Evie invited me to join her, and it has been amazing. Having time together has been wonderful. People here are amazed that we have been friends for 55 years. How lucky we all are to have our Catalina friendships. Lola Hogan: Still working in insurance claims, with no thought of retirement. Will be going to Scotland in the spring to visit our elder son and his family. He works for an American company in their Edinburgh location. The two grandkids will be fun to see! Letitia (Tita) Gascoin-Ruffie: In November, I travelled to France to see my children. As I was waiting to board the flight to Paris, a friend texted me, “Another attack in Paris.” We boarded the plane and arrived in a country totally locked down. It was comforting to feel that measures were being taken. Despite this, my stay was enjoyable in every way. Kids and grandkids were delightful. Great fun! I lead a very uneventful life working as a caregiver. I enjoyed seeing everyone in March, and am looking forward to next time! Kathy Toy Grandemange: I am still doing part-time library cataloging, and my husband subs at the high school where he taught for 20 years. We had a beautiful trip to New England in October. I was sorry to miss the reunion, but was happy to have lunch with Bonnie Bray and Molly Helm Lynch in Petaluma. Sheila Broderick Johnson: My children, Carter Johnson Martin ’87 and Elizabeth Johnson Horney ’90, and my grandchildren Josie (a Catalina camper

for two years) and Edward (17) keep my life busy, challenging, and interesting. Hopefully this year will be kinder to all of us. We have had our struggles the past couple of years, including the sudden death in 2015 of my brother from undiagnosed cancer. I hated missing our reunion. I hope to do some visiting during the coming year to the West Coast and East Coast and in between. In mid-February, I will have a procedure to finally remove some parts from the toes I fractured in a fall five years ago. I wish all my classmates many blessings for 2016. Caroline Lord Mackenzie: All is good in Hawaii! I now understand why retired people are so busy—we volunteer everywhere! I am busy with the Hawaiian Humane Society, Master Gardener group, orchid group, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group, and monthly Kawainui Marsh group. When not volunteering, I have a weekly hiking group and a weekly running/walking group. And there is always the beach and, of course, there is always a garden! Never a dull moment! Susan Durney Mickelson: We have purchased a second home at the Indian Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert and are splitting our time between there and Lake Oswego. We have been playing lots of golf and enjoying the sunshine. It may be a different story when El Niño hits. Kathleen Ramos Sharp: I can’t believe how fast the time seems to pass. Retirement has given me the opportunity to spend time with my six children and their families. Unfortunately, they are spread across multiple states in the west, from Montana to Colorado, and in northern and southern California. This makes it difficult for group family visits and for the cousins to spend much time together. But I was able to take a couple of grandsons from California to Montana last summer for a vacation with their cousins, which they thoroughly enjoyed. I also was able to spend a vacation with The Class of 1966 at Reunion 2016

family touring the Utah state parks where highlights included trekking through Zion, taking a hot air balloon ride, and touring the Mesa Verde cave dwellings in Colorado. Music has always been a special part of my life and I am now singing with the San Jose Symphonic Choir as a first alto, a truly wonderful experience. Wishing all my classmates blessings. Ann Hodges Strickland: Jim and I celebrated 50 years of married happiness this year! Cruising the San Juan Islands as a reward. Pat Allen Sparacino: Bob and I love being besotted grandparents. We look forward to when Fia is old enough to participate in FaceTime sessions. We visit her (and her parents, too!) in N.Y.C. several times a year and when we do, having flown halfway to Europe, we usually try to continue eastward. This year it was Portugal and England. I continue to volunteer at our local county hospital, collaborating with a colleague to provide professional development for the registered nurses. I also coach prospective students, particularly those from Stanford, with their applications to nursing programs.

1966 Traci Bliss blistrac@isu.edu

Lorri Ditz McCarthy lorditz@yahoo.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

class notes 69

1967 Ann Kuchins kuchinsa@yahoo.com

Anne Neill anneneill@yahoo.com Renata Engler: Thank you so much for nudging me to contribute and for your generosity in sharing a view into your lives. The sense of fellowship and mutual encouragement/celebration of the gift of life in all its forms is wonderful and I am so thankful to be a part of this unique community. I miss you all so very much. It was a pleasure to connect in 2015 for the alumnae gathering in Chevy Chase, MD. Here are some updates from the EnglerNichols home: It has been both a short and a long year for JD and me, with many new challenges along with old ones evolving (mostly health related). I am so grateful for my new job and the fellowship of those I continue to work with. It has been an opportunity to evolve my love of medicine and the science of immunology into a more holistic context. What a joy and a humbling challenge! Our connection to our second home at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) nurtures JD in ways that give me such joy to watch and we are thankful that this allows us to get JD away from most of the winter days. I find it a constant miracle that the science of health, preventive medicine, and healing is validating the spiritual truths taught since the beginning of time. Many thanks to all of you for your kindness and friendship. It was so special this past year to actually

Wynn Woodward ’67, Joan Seamster ’67, and Anne Neill ’67 on a road trip to the Avocado Festival in Santa Barbara

Renata Engler ’67 with her husband JD Nichols in Puerto Vallarta

spend time and share fellowship, a walk in our beloved park, with Mary Whitney Kenney while she was here to visit her son and grandchildren. I pray there may be other opportunities for visits here in the D.C. area. We have been blessed with many such kindness moments and are so appreciative. Brenda Beckett: I’m getting married in a couple of weeks. Seeing as how this will be number five, it probably doesn’t qualify as “news.” Happy 2016 to all! Melissa King: I am on a quick trip to Denver to visit my younger son, Evan, who just moved here with his girlfriend. My other son, Andrew, came as well to ski, celebrate the end of Stanford’s football season (he now works for the team), and for family time. Amazingly we had dinner last night with Carolyn Layton GarnerReagan and her grandson, Logan (19 months). Carolyn is helping as a doting nanny/grandmother while her daughter is on a business trip here. Great fun, especially since our paths crossed while I was at the Stanford alumni Rose Bowl tailgate and she was at the parade. I remember with a smile and a tear doing these notes with Lucy Bush for many a year. Nan Peletz Grady: My daughter, Addie, gave birth to a baby girl in November. She and her husband named the baby Phoebe. I founded a program within the psychology department at Stanford, which does outreach to community college students who exhibit early signs of mental illness but who do not have the resources to get proper diagnosis and treatment. The program is called Fairstart. It will fund Stanford clinicians to diagnose and treat people who need help. As of January 2016, my paintings will be sold to benefit this program. Payments will be made to Fairstart and therefore will be tax deductible to the buyer. (I’ll send invitations to the exhibit next fall.) I’m looking forward to so many things this year but next year will is the big one, as we’ll celebrate our 50th

reunion! As they say, “Bring it on!”—and good for us! Sue Lloyd writes from long time home base in St. Augustine, FL that she counted the days looking for the end to 2015 since it was her absolute saddest of all time owing to the death in April of her sweet mother, Monterey (aka Monty). Sue writes, “She loved much and laughed often.” Do any of you remember the pool party Monty and Capt. Lloyd arranged for our entire class at the Navy Postgrad School when we were sophomores/ juniors? Do any of you remember Stephanie Monk, in our class, whose father also was posted at the Postgrad School? Like Sue, Stephanie was a day student but moved away before our graduation in 1967. Whatever happened to Stephanie? How about Pat Tracey Cravens? Or Pam Leggett? How can it be that hard today to locate people in the U.S.? (Editor’s note: Pam Leggett is in Dallas, TX. She is on Facebook.) If any of you are in Florida in 2016, as always, Sue and husband Glenn extend an invitation to you. Vicki MacLean Gourlay: Lots of changes for me in 2015. I moved to the country (an hour from Vancouver, B.C.) with my horses and dogs. Spent the year building my dream farmhouse. My eldest daughter, Jenny, lives on the farm next door with her horses and dog. We are having the time of our lives showing the nags and enjoying the great outdoors. I continue to teach children with disabilities to ride horses. Rosalind Boswell Seysses: I like to write about classmates I have seen, so here goes. Joanne Bosche Ehrlich is indomitable, despite numerous physical setbacks. She had hip replacement surgery and came through it like a champion. She is a fountain of culture—sees every good play in New York—and is my favorite person to go to museums with. Catherine Caufield continues to live in west Marin County. She has let go of her stressful job. She and her husband, Terry, camp in the desert a lot. I spend my time going to Katy Bates Kreitler ’67 and husband Peter in Tanzania with Masai warriors

70 class notes

Sisters Lucy Kuchins Pantoskey ’78, Jane Kuchins ’70, and Ann Kuchins ’67

exercise class, walking the dog, looking after one or two of our four grandchildren. I haven’t gotten as far as California for quite a few years, but I do get to New York two or three times a year. Mo Ragan Rafael: I am off to the Big Island to spend Christmas and the New Year with my niece’s family. She and her husband, Joe, are working hard to turn their 7-acre farm into a real entity— while parenting a 10-year-old, 3-year-old and 1-year-old. I’ll get to trot out my hula on the occasion of the littlest one’s first birthday. In Hawaiian style, they’re holding a first birthday luau and Great Aunt Mo will be “showing off her stuff.” Life in Encinitas is good. My meditation group is “cookin’” and my women’s club has had a banner year in fundraising for our local charities. I had a warm visit with Lyn Wyman in August. Our goal”was to attend The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, which we did. But we also took in Balboa Park, good food, and even more conversation-from-the-heart. Lyn had never heard of The Pageant of the Masters when I spoke to her about it at our

Cece Morken Gada ’67 with son Matt and grandson Leif

mini-reunion in San Francisco. Mary Whitney Kenney: I retired last April, and have been revising my life ever since. I spent several weeks last summer in Washington, D.C., helping with my granddaughter, Bridget. I now have five grandchildren! I managed a wonderful visit with Renata Engler and her husband. She lives at the border of a spectacular park in Maryland! I am managing to volunteer with the L.A. County Bar Association Veterans Project, helping homeless veterans clean up their traffic tickets and misdemeanor violations so they can get jobs! Apparently, Los Angeles has more homeless veterans than any other city in the country. I am also occupied with remodeling the house we purchased in Palos Verdes Estates. When that is finished, I can figure out what to do with the rest of my life! Ann Kuchins: My mother made her final exit from the grand stage of life this past year. The past seven years have been challenging as she drifted away from us bit by bit but I feel that I was fortunate to be in a position to oversee her care and business affairs. In May, I semi-retired from work, which means that I am collecting social security and still working about three days a week at Nexant. Full retirement is in the very near future so that I can get on with the next act of my life. I was in San Diego for the League of Women Voters of California Convention and connected with Mo Ragan Rafael, who was an awesome host. In October, I went to China and it reminded me how valuable travel is in expanding your perspective of the world. I continue to audition for acting and experience rejection but theatre is like life: you never know what is around the corner. Cece Morken Gadda: Greetings from Boise and McCall, ID. I so enjoyed getting to spend time with many of you last spring in San Francisco! Since then we have been blessed with a fourth grandchild in Chicago, and had four occasions to spend time with him since. My mom passed away in October, but departed this world absolutely radiant with the promise of joys to come. Christmas saw our whole family (12 of us now) in McCall for bottomless powder and happy chaos. A couple of lengthy blackouts due to falling snowladen trees made for some innovative meal preparation and much merriment. Katy Bates Kreitler: In celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary, Peter and I went on a three-week African safari in September. Our journey took us to Cape Town; a 4-night stay on the Zambezi queen on the

Chobe River; Victoria Falls; the Ngorongoro Crater; and the Serengeti with our Maasai protectors. May 2016 be the best ever for all! Wynn Woodward: I seem to be forever on the road traveling back and forth from Carmel, Vancouver, Cabo, our summer place, as well as a few other places. Joan Seamster came to visit in September and joined Anne Neill and myself for a road trip to the Avocado Festival in Carpinteria. Gay Callan: I sold the winery but still own the vineyard. We have a new grandson from Chatom, so now he has two girls and one little boy. Georgina is studying to get into marine biology grad school. Sam is graduating from law school this May and Mike graduated from an MBA program last year. I am good and looking forward to slowing down. Hope to see more of everyone in 2016 after shoulder surgery. Joan Dubrasich Anspach: My granddaughter, Riley, the eldest of my four grandchildren is expecting a baby brother any day. I may have retired but my babysitting services are in great demand. One happy grandma. Rose Teichert Grimm: I have three new granddaughters: Marie, Chiara, and Clare; all born since October. Danny and I are celebrating our 40th this year with a trip to Israel. Best wishes to you and all our class. Sandy MacGregor Mack: I am alive and well in Portland, OR. After spending a considerable amount of time with a national non-profit conservation organization, I have settled into being “Nana” to wonderful grandchildren. We are skiing, golfing, playing tennis, waterskiing, and generally loving the growing-up process. Wake and I celebrated our 44th anniversary on New Year’s and are so blessed to have our children close. Laurie Bechtel Dachs: Busy child-rearing year for our four kids and their spouses. Great fun for sure as grandparents! Yolanda Scaccia Manuel: I had a wonderful time at our luncheons this year and loved seeing all of you who could be there. I’ve been working at California Casualty since leaving AAA; just can’t get away from insurance it seems. This past December, management decided to downsize and eliminated my position. What a shock! I understand the need for their decision, but it was still hard and the timing wasn’t the best. For the second time in my life, I’m now unemployed. Now, in “retirement,” I get up and do volunteer work at St. Catherine’s School, where my granddaughter and grandsons go. I also hope to find part-time work doing

class notes 71

something “fun.” My son, Nicholas, works for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, managing the St. Catherine Parish Center. He and his wife and three children still provide lots of activity in our home, and it keeps me young. And speaking of grandchildren, my stepson also has three girls, ages 14, 11, and 8. We see them often and love it when all six cousins are together. My daughter, Noel, is not yet married and spends a lot of her free time with the family. She works in the political accounting field and the upcoming election season is shaping up to be an exciting and challenging time. This past summer my husband and I went on a cruise to Europe and had a grand time visiting many wonderful cities in Spain, France, Italy, Sicily, Greece, and Turkey. Margie Helm: Chip and I are both pretty completely retired. We just returned from three months in San Cristóbal de las Casas and Oaxaca studying Spanish. We enjoyed our adventure and are happy to be back home. I have completely retired from my work in social work education and private practice. I am still working with Hospice of Petaluma and Memorial Hospice to support parents whose children have died. It is a privilege and blessing that my role lets me weave that work around other community involvement and time away! Have been in touch with Susan Lloyd since her mom’s death last year. Chip and I are planning to head to Florida for a visit as she and Glenn have been so generous with their trips to California! Warm wishes for a bright new year. Mary Sweetland Laver: My 2015 headline news is that Lance and I are now grandparents! Nell Rosina was born to our daughter, Claire, and her husband, Alex, in October. Fortunately for us, they live nearby, in the Philadelphia area. Son Nathan and his singer-songwriter wife, Michelle Lewis, moved from Boston to L.A. last year, and most of the Sweetlands are still in the west, so we are frequent CA visitors. I’m enjoying my consultant work—internationally with Catholic Relief Services and their collaboration with Catholic higher education and locally with the PICO National Network’s outreach to parishes, inspired by Pope Francis. One Catalina-related highlight of 2015 for me was having a long, wonderful lunch visit with Rose Teichert Grimm in March. Cathy Quarre Alexander: Been a busy time for Scott and myself—new drugs but trying to keep him on track so he can do what he loves! His business is in Mexico, and with our son John’s help the company

is doing well. We deal with essential oils from citrus, which is used for drink bases and cosmetics. We celebrated in Hawaii at the Disney resort, The Aulani. Pretty much a hoot but definitely all for the kids and not so much for the parents. Also a new member of the family coming in June. My mom is having a bit of a challenge, but we are hoping she will come out fighting. Still making the effort to drive from S.F. to Lodi to drive horses. I just hope I have her spirit at 89! Joan Seamster: Just back from an exercise class that played a David Bowie retrospective during the work out. And everyone in the class knew who he was. A good day! Best to all and a shout out to Brenda on her pending nuptials! Melinda Bowman Manlin: My news is that I’m retiring in February! It’s a leap of faith in a leap year! Melinda tells us that David (29) is going to Africa end of January; Kathryn (32) loves working at the Monterey Credit Union and sends her love and good wishes to all. She writes, “Kudos to Laurie Bechtel Dachs for her heartfelt words at the dedication of the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science building.” She watched the streaming video from her desk, with such joy for being part of this Santa Catalina community and is really enjoying catching up with all of us. Terry Cashill Juhola: Bruce and I downsized into a townhouse last spring, but we still have plenty of room for our children. My stepchildren, Keith and Ilona, and their spouses live in Holland, MI and Portland, OR respectively. Neither have children, but have wonderful marriages and careers. Our daughter, Alex, and husband, Matt, have Cashill (5) and Beau (2) and live in Boulder. Alex left Google after nine years to join Bitsbox, a start-up which teaches children how to code. Our youngest, Tyler, also just joined an internet marketing startup, SteadyBudget, here in Bend. Bruce is an executive business coach and runs several executive peer mentorship groups here. I have a part-time business working with elderly individuals. I handle finances, insurance, act as medical liaison, etc.; it’s a good use of my HR, finance, and coaching experience. Cooking and skiing are my passions, although back issues kept me off the mountain last year. Hope to get up there soon! Carolyn Layton GarnerReagan: I continue to enjoy retirement. My husband, Michael, and I take care of our grandson, Logan (19 months), two days a week. We had a Baltic cruise

planned for June, which included three days in St. Petersburg, but we have postponed it for a year because Logan is going to become a big brother in July! (I never lost my love of Russian history thanks to Miss Hoetmer and our Junior year Russian history class.) I like to work in our yard and the front is now totally drought tolerant. I also continue to volunteer at All Saints Episcopal Church here in Pasadena and serve as secretary for our neighborhood association. It was a joy to meet up with Melissa Bowman in Denver recently. Logan and I had dinner with Melissa, her son, Evan, and his girlfriend, Jill, while my daughter had a business meeting. Michelle La Mothe: This was a fairly challenging year for us, beginning with my near Argentineandeath-by-motorcycle, followed by equestrian Anne-France’s broken pelvis, continued with other downs throughout the year. Now all are recovered and at year’s beginning. Eve and Guillaume are safe in Paris. Anne-France is thriving in grad school in London. Claire is deep in Nairobi. Jean is immersed in his new philanthropy. Trina Smith Overlock: (We are lucky to hear from Trina, who’s been incommunicado for some time, but now she is found and we are thrilled!) It is wonderful to hear so many of your voices and to learn a little about your full and fulfilling lives! I don’t get to California often but hope to make it to our 50th reunion in 2017. With luck, many of you will be there and it will be fun to finally re-connect. Warmest regards to you all. Katy Lewis: I must admit, it looks like I’ve missed the memo—I am still working full time and enjoying it. I have no grandchildren. Nothing new to report here. I still enjoy helping and getting to know fascinating clients all over the world get into top business schools. Although I work for a N.Y. firm, my job is virtual so I can pretty much work anywhere. My daughters are flourishing: Claire still does lighting design for big events and corporations in the Bay Area; Rosemary runs operations at an ed tech company in Palo Alto; Katharine is getting her master’s degree in foreign policy at Georgetown and is interning for Facebook. Only Rosemary is married and no grandchildren yet! We have all put our names into the Yosemite High Sierra Camps lottery and hope to do the 5-camp trek this summer, but it depends on my having my second hip replaced this month! Speaking of which, if any of you need hip replacements, get in touch with

72 class notes

me! There are great new methods that entail only a one-night stay in the hospital and no lifelong limitations on movement. It was great to see everyone at our S.F. last lunch reunion and I recently enjoyed seeing Lisa Dollar Buehler and Laurie Bechtel Dachs, who have both (and unbeknownst to each other) purchased condominiums across from me. Congratulations to Brenda Beckett! Lyn Wyman: I’ve been retired officially for a year and a half from the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford, but I continue on as a senior advisor, helping with various projects from archiving to editing stewardship letters. We managed two family vacations this year—one to New York in July to celebrate Dennis turning 65 and one to Maui in December to warm up and chill together. My kids are busy being millennials: Molly (26) lives in San Francisco in the Mission and has just stepped down from being program director at PeaceTones in order to discern and pursue her next step. Meanwhile, she supports herself by ushering at the Orpheum and tutoring. Annie (25) lives in Brooklyn and is pursuing her dream of being an actor. Hence, she is a server and bartender, which leaves her time to audition for whatever comes up. She loves N.Y.C., and so I think we will remain a bicoastal family for the foreseeable future. What’s next for the retired couple? Traveling, we hope, while we can still carry our own suitcases and keep our footing on cobbled streets and hills and dales. I run into Ann Kuchins frequently at plays— always a pleasure—and I had a wonderful time visiting Mo Ragan Rafael for a few days in August. She introduced me to the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. Can’t wait for our next gathering. Louise Vessey Edwards: My news is that my daughter Barbara gave birth a few days after Christmas. Baby Odette is here and the whole family is smitten. Little Odie makes three granddaughters. Olivia (13) is totally into water polo, like her aunts were. Natalie (10) plays water polo, too, but she loves animals and plays with her kitties and walks Gigi, my dog, for me since having my back surgery in November.

1968 Eugenie Schlueter emschl@sbcglobal.net

Daphne Macneil daphnemacneil@yahoo.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1969 Virginia Sewell vsewell@mac.com

Sandy Donnell: Generally slowing down bit, a little stiffer, at moments forgetful, though trying to keep alert and flexible. I am in the last year of my second term on the Belvedere City Council, not to run again. I am thankful that my children and their spouses live nearby. Marna Sweeney Haley says it best, “In the morning I get up and I have nothing to do. By bedtime, I’ve done about half of it. My husband and I are official snowbirds now, spending the winter in Sun City, AZ and summers in Durango. We love the warm and not having to shovel snow. Here in Sun City, I get to walk everyday, learn desert landscaping, and read a lot. In the summer I do the same, with mountain gardening plus time for the grandkids.” Vickie Eidell Johnston has the same idea: wintering in Palm Beach and summering in South Hampton. She still volunteers in the nonprofit sector, and she is flexing her competitive muscles in a whole new way. “I took up competitive croquet two years ago and have done really well in tournaments all over the east. It’s complicated, highly strategic, and definitely a blood sport, probably because I mostly play against men.” Kerry O’Brien Kloetzel: Our favorite vacations involve cruising; last year visiting Hawaii and Mexico, and later this year Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti. Love that warm weather! Sold our home and are now enjoying the freedom of condo living. So easy to just get up and go. It is located in a country club setting, so I am attempting to learn golf but have a long

Patty Look Lewis ’69 and her truck

way to go! My two grandchildren are also a priority. Paul and I joined Wendy Waldo Harmstead and husband, Rocky, in Maui for a week to celebrate Wendy and Rocky’s 40th wedding anniversary. Wendy may need a warm respite from the many trips to visit her four grandchildren in North Dakota and Utah. Cathie Shipper Leslie: Starting in August, Ian, the three dogs, and I started on our 8000 roundabout mile journey from NM through CO, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, SD, WY, ND, MN, VT, NH and to ME with a side trip through Ontario and Quebec. We camped everywhere—RV parks, national forests, middle of nowhere (boondocking), staying with friends (Cay Craig!) and relatives when possible. Hoping to check out sites on the east coast before we head back in late spring. And then, who knows?” Patty Look Lewis is camping in her own inimitable way. After seeing her husband through open heart surgery, with the help of Annie Gregory Knight, she writes, “Last week I had the great idea of disconnecting from the world of medicine altogether, grabbing Walt and driving an airstream down to Baja where we can sit on a beach until we don’t. I gave that one up for now. My favorite possession is my camp stove where I cook with a wok on our porch. I teach meditation, painting, and facilitate inquiry on a weekly basis. Cay Craig: I am now living in Walla Walla, WA and I am still working with SEPALI Madagascar and hoping to exit soon. We are selling textiles that make a beautiful silk canvas if any of the talented painters in our class would like to try. Julie Donohue Schwartz: We’ve moved to Oregon full time. We have a 37-acre

class notes 73

property, which includes a 20-acre hay field. We moved in and had a difficult time with the hay as we didn’t get any rain last winter and then we did not know anything about flood irrigation. Needless to say, we had a steep learning curve this season. Our horses are happy since they have been out on the hay field since our last cutting. We had a very exciting horse show season this past year. I am still riding and I am bringing back one of my older show horses who had been injured. I hope he and I can manage to get it done this show season! Sandy reports that Teddy Dodge Moore has relocated to Montana, where she and her family have been creating an artist colony. They have converted a barn on their property into a workshop for the entire family’s artistic endeavors. Winter may be challenging, but Teddy and David plan getaways to a family home on Oahu. Pia McDonnell Pearce is working on a variety of fronts. “Simon and I are still involved together in the glass business and now in son Andrew’s new business too, which is hand-turned wooden bowls. Another big part of my life involves managing ‘adult services’ for David (30), who has Down Syndrome. He’s in his own home and he has a busy social life as well. Special Olympics are fantastic! In spite of some challenges, especially Kevin’s severe traumatic brain injury six year ago, we feel incredibly blessed to be able to live life the way we do. In hopes of paying a bit of that good fortune forwards, we have, together with Adam and Kevin, started The Love Your Brain Foundation. Happy to say we’re making yoga, mindfulness, and meditation accessible for people with brain injuries. If you know any survivors of TBI who might benefit from this, please feel free to share these websites: loveyourbrain. com and kevinpearce.com Lindsay Pettit: I am still working full time as a nurse practitioner in OB/GYN. There are days I think I want to retire, but mostly I love what I do, so will keep going. I gave up doing deliveries after my grandkids were born, because of the hours and always being on call really cut into my time with them. I miss the deliveries, but not the time away from family. All my grandkids live within three blocks of me, so I am with them all the time. Sara Callander Stephens also continues to enjoy nursing at her medical advocacy practice, Sara C. Stephens Medical Advocacy and Planning (sarasmap.com). “Work is great. However, I am continually surprised at how difficult it can be to navigate our medical system

despite all the good intentioned medical providers. There is much to accomplish.” Sara is also busy with her four grandchildren. She finally has girls in the family! Mary Barger-Kelleher is still teaching and doing research, again in the nursing field. “Moved back to San Diego and am teaching doctoral nursing students at University of San Diego. Had a terrific trip to Italy with my two daughters, Megan and Bridget, to celebrate Bridget’s success from her family nurse practitioner program. I am not catching babies any more except for an occasional trip to Malawi but still love teaching.” Terry Whitney Baganz: All is still well in Houston. It is hard to believe that I am still here after all of these years! And believe it or not, I am still employed in the oil industry, working on the geology of the Gulf of Mexico. No more exotic travels, at least not until the price of oil is higher. Terry Covington: I am still working for Shell and very glad to have a job in the current environment. Plus, I am in the most interesting part of the business working on new business development and project development throughout the Americas. I am five years out from my last cancer surgery and can’t believe it has been that long. Tests are good so I am only left with the world’s largest abdominal hernias but I will hopefully get those fixed. Some days, it makes me feel pregnant! Grace McLaughlin: I learned this year that breast implants don’t last forever! Just after hitting the five-year post-cancer milestone, I had to have the implants replaced. Hopefully, this set will last a bit longer. But I did hit the five-year mark and that was an incredible feeling. I started growing my hair long again. I am continuing with both my teaching at UC Irvine and my jewelry making. I spent a week last summer at the Idyllwild Arts Institute taking an intensive soldering course, and learned additional skills in bead knotting (for pearls and such) and making Viking Knit chains— so lovely. I had a wonderful (four hour!) lunch with Lisa Bloomingdale Bell, who is still doing her beautiful artwork and has a wonderful outlook on life. Gail Frick Barmby: My sister, Linda Frick ’66, died of lung cancer in July 2014. Losing a sister has been such a difficult experience as I miss the connection with her every day. Kate Strub Reed ’66 and her husband, visited her often.They were wonderful and supportive of her during the entire time she lived in La Jolla and that friendship was very meaningful to Linda. I remain

close to Linda’s daughter, Kristin Frick ’03, who lives in San Diego and is a creative, resourceful, and delightful young woman. I continue to teach and practice dentistry. Karen Johnson Hixon: I lost my brother to cancer last April. It was a little more than a month from diagnosis to death. Still a shock. A few conservation projects and museums keep me off the street. The grands, who live nearby, can ride their bikes over which will be lovely. Bryan is still racing cars and finished a successful season driving Lamborghinis just before Christmas. Tim and I are going to New Zealand in two weeks. Have never been, and it is at the top of my list. Franich Filice has one of the newest grandchildren with her third born in December. Sugar writes, “There’s talk of Gus retiring in a year or at least cutting way back. I still split my time between our Orinda home and apartment in San Francisco where Gus lives on weekdays. After 37 years of practicing law in Oakland, Gus moved five years ago to the San Francisco office of a larger firm and the commute almost drove him crazy. Our family members are all healthy, thriving and fortunate. I can’t wait until our next reunion which unfortunately is years away. Victoria Ames Bernstorff-Gyldensteen will be a grandmother by the time you read this. “Frants and I are looking forward to becoming grandparents for the first time! Peter, our eldest son, is expecting a baby at the end of January. Eric, our youngest, has moved to Colorado. I visited him in September, returning to Boulder, home of the university and my alma mater, for the first time in 42 years! Eric is happy to be there and happy with the medical treatment he is receiving for his Lyme’s Disease. As for me, Virginia Sewell, I am a happy grandmother of two. I have just finished my first year as a real estate agent and love it. More people move to Oregon than to any other state, so it’s a hot market. The big news in the Sewell family is that my niece, Virginia Fuchs, won the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials and is probably headed to the Olympics. So I’m hoping to be going to Rio in August. It’s been so great hearing from everyone. Now that we have e-mail and Facebook, it doesn’t need to happen just once a year. Let’s continue to connect with each other by mail or in person, and let’s all try to make it to our 50th reunion!

74 class notes

1970 Marie Cantin rapideye1@aol.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1971

DeDe Rogers dede.rogers@comcast.net Patty Lee Schminke schminke@comcast.net Janet Miller Abbott: We have finally joined the ranks of grandparents! Three grandchildren were born within 10 months and Frank and I have great fun being spoilers. Four of our eight children are married and three of them live in Virginia with their families. I try to get back to see them about every six weeks. Our youngest is a sophomore at Regis University in Denver, so we will be empty nesters” at some point in the next few years. I have been working with Frank and his LED lighting company, which has been great fun and a bit challenging to learn a new field. But learning new fields has been a constant activity for me so that I can keep up with our children who are a computer and lighting specialist; a corporate pilot; a third grade teacher; an interior architect and designer; an accountant and Yoga instructor; a screenwriter and film editor; an accountant; and a college student majoring in business and education. I am also now president of the Drum Foundation and vice-president of the Daughters of Charity Foundation. I love participating in the work of both of these foundations, helping the poor with education, health, housing, etc. Looking forward to seeing you in March! Angela Nomellini: Ken retired from Dodge & Cox at the end of 2014 and we’ve been on the move every since, or at least so it seems. Since we were no longer tied to the Bay Area, we decided to look around for

The Class of 1971 at Reunion 2016

some place complimentary to Montana and remembered a trip we took to Desert Mountain in Scottsdale. After settling on a house, we purchased and started remodeling—a two-month project that ran almost a year. In March of 2015 we drove from Hillsborough to Scottsdale with most of our worldly possessions, or at least the ones we were taking with us. We sold the Hillsborough house in June, loaded up the car with the last of our possessions and drove off into the sunrise, so we’ve been Arizona residents ever since. One of the advantages of retirement is the ability to travel and we’ve been doing a lot of that. We did a study travel trip (Venice to Paris on the Orient Express via Budapest) and then we took Ken’s retirement gift trip to Mongolia to fish for taimen, the world’s largest species of trout. We didn’t catch any record breakers but we had a lot of fun in some beautiful country. Retirement also means we’ve been able to spend weeks at a time in Montana, and we’ve been enjoying that too, especially with the great snow this year. Our next big adventure is another study travel, Cape Town to Cairo, late this summer and of course, more fishing. Looking forward to seeing everyone at reunion! Jane Dyer Cook: Seven years after retirement as a public librarian manager, I’m three years into haunting libraries, but this time as a library consultant for Infopeople. The last 10 plus years of work, I tried to master the art of grant writing and administering within the public sector and now I’m helping libraries manage their own grants and loving it. It’s wonderful to see new librarians with new and fresh ideas. When I’m not working part-time, I divide my time between family and community, helping Katherine with her three boys, enjoying David’s return to work after years

spent out of state, volunteering at church behind the scenes, and singing in a choir. After 11 years of dancing, I’m not performing with the Polynesian dance troupe but I still like to go to practice—it’s a great workout. I love having a Little Free Library in our front garden and working with Sue Grupe DePolo ’66 on the steering committee for Reach Out and Read San Joaquin, a pediatric literacy program I helped bring to San Joaquin County in 1998. Alan and I will celebrate our 39th anniversary in June but are planning to put off the big celebration until our 40th. Day trips to Carmel for lunch at the Patisserie and a walk on the beach along with long weekends at our home in Graeagle with family and friends are the icing on the cake. In the meantime, Cri Cri Solak-Eastin and I are hoping to not get into too much mischief in Quebec and Montreal on our girls getaway this spring. I can’t wait to see

Jane Dyer Cook ’71 and Piper McNulty ’70

class notes 75

everyone in March. Nina Gates: The main news from 2015 is that I’ve retired so am now able to work part-time as faculty emerita at UCSF. Still seeing patients in the office and continuing to work with the medical center on issues related to our move to the new hospital at Mission Bay last year. Geoff is retired as well, so we are finding more time for fly fishing and for new activities. Looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the group in March. Sara Lawrence Thom: 2015 was a busy year. Mostly working hard but also some wonderful travels. My highlights were three trips to Paris to visit my son, Robert. The first also included a train trip south to spend a week in the Pyrenees and the second and third were enjoying good times with Parisian friends and hanging out with Robert in every single obscure museum he could drag me to. Mostly we discussed philosophy, and laughed and laughed. Another visit to Istanbul was also a bonus. 2016 is looking as if it is going to be a winner. My other son Max is doing some study in Monterrey, Mexico for about six months. He is finding it to be much better than he had anticipated. I have tentative plans to spend a week in Budapest in February. As for the rest of this year, I foresee many changes ahead. Best to all. Kate McInerny: Our reunions become more special each time. Sending love from the Pacific Northwest where I relocated five years ago from Marin County. Shed a long time real estate career for the fun and reward of becoming a Trader Joe’s crew member at the first store in southern Oregon. My coworkers are like family and I live in the quaint historic hamlet of Jacksonville, where gold was first discovered in Oregon. I walk a dog for a wonderful elderly lady here and we have a great friendship. I love the sense of community here because it’s so accessible. It was a huge leap after being in the Bay Area for 32 years, but sometimes it’s good to leap. My daughter, Clare, has completed her requisites and has applied to nursing school for this coming fall in the Bay Area. I’m so proud of her! Ann Carter: I had a wonderful encounter with Nonie who was in Portland to see her son, Andrew, at an elite level riding tutorial with a renowned coach. Andrew was masterful and it was such fun to enjoy my passion for horses beside my dear friend. We will celebrate my baby brother’s milestone birthday at a small dinner with Erica Sullivan Fuller and husband Walter in attendance. I love that we share our friendship with them. Lucy Harding

Schumer: I have been in Vermont since 1984 and enjoy the scenery and living in a small community. I am still teaching part-time at the Community College of Vermont and my husband is still teaching at Middlebury College. Our daughter, Amy, is finishing her third year of medical school at The University of Vermont and our son, Andrew, graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute last spring. He is now teaching math and physics at the Killington Mountain School. My latest endeavors include hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with my daughter and the Tour de Mont Blanc with a friend. I trained hard for both trips and it was challenging but I feel fortunate that I made it. Sightseeing at a walking pace has rich rewards. My daughter’s Spanish helped in Peru and Mme. Berthoin’s French lessons all these years ago amazingly came back to me. I wish you all a healthy and happy year! Jodi Ehrlich Kroening: We rescued Kaya, our Alaskan Husky, in February. My husband, Keith, spent three months working in Florida consulting as a chief spacecraft architect, but is now back in CA in search of a long term job. While Keith was in Florida, I spent 10 wonderful days in Alaska, on a cruise and also on land to Denali Park. I spent my birthday in Hawaii. I had a wonderful vacation in Woodside, our family home. I was busy this year with budgets and schedules for many films, worked on some commercial spots, and am expecting one of the many projects I am attached to work on to get financed and go into production. I am thrilled to have seen Kat Sullivan, Anne O’Leary, Jenny Budge, and Nonie Bechtel Ramsay. Sheila Cooley: As comes with our age, there were some family deaths, including my younger brother, Sean. On the brighter side, we celebrated my son’s wedding to a wonderful woman with two events. The first wedding was with her huge extended family in Taiyuan, China and the second was in Landgrove, VT. They were as different as night and day, but both a lot of fun. Ariane Berthoin Antal: We celebrated the birth of our third grandson, Noah, in April in Seattle, then his baptism in Berlin in August. Our first granddaughter, Zoe, was born in Darmstadt in December. In between these special events, our son, Ian, married Sarah in N.Y.C. in September. In addition to these significant family celebrations, David and I have become very engaged in welcoming refugees to Berlin. It has been so meaningful to spend

our weekends taking them on excursions to the many museums and concerts the city offers, giving them some special hours in their otherwise very difficult lives. Very best wishes. Kathleen Charles: Fortunately, over Christmas, my sister and her husband were able to visit me here in Paris (a first!) even in spite of the terrible terrorist attacks. Our visit was superb! I continue to work in Africa (in the field 30-40% of the time) to help small and medium scale companies develop their management skills so they can qualify for credit from financial institutions, impact investors or financiers. This work is being done with a consortium of partners who share the same vision and values. It is a dynamic, yet difficult process with many challenges and some wonderful success stories. After being based in Tanzania for nine years, I moved to Paris in 2011 to have mobility for working in other countries for which my services are required, including Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Ghana, Mozambique, and Côte d’Ivoire. I hope to eventually write a book about these adventures and outcomes since there is a lot to say relating to stories that are precious and do not attract media attention. Due to the fact I won a contract award in November 2015 to work as senior advisor to the African Development Bank in Abidjan, I will be unable to attend our 45th reunion. My spirit, enthusiasm, and thoughts are with you and all of our classmates so hopefully in the coming years I will participate. Lisa Coniglio Kaufmann: My husband, Mark, sold his board game company, Days of Wonder, and retired. I am thrilled to have him around all the time. My oldest son, Michael, got engaged to Crysta after 5 years, and we couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law. The event is planned for Fall 2017. My younger son, Patrick, and his political punk band, the Roughfies, are performing all around the Bay Area and the south bay. Their CDs are getting international airplay as well. In October, I had the pleasure of attending an art workshop in Rome and Tuscany with Erin Gafill. It was spectacular in every way! I can almost consider myself an artist now! Cri Cri Solak-Eastin: I moved my mother, who had severe dementia, into fabulous memory care facility near me, and Rich retired after 44 years as professor at the Marshall School of Business at USC. We celebrated his milestone with a party here then followed up with road trip to Jackson, WY. We flew in Ashley, Chelsea, and Jacob for a

76 class notes

wonderful time that included a day of fly fishing on the river, multiple hikes taking in the glorious scenery, and lots of good eats. On our return trip, we saw Jane Dyer Cook and Alan in their new place in Graeagle. I’m on the board of Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, and fall was taken up with a fundraiser and preparations for the 4-day festival held first weekend in November. Thanksgiving was spent in Charlotte, NC, enjoying Chelsea and Jacob’s new home and our new grand pup. Ashley flew in from Houston, where she’s a CPA working in PwC audit practice, so our small family was complete. This year is bringing much to look forward to: a trip to Houston at the end of February to explore the real estate market; a kitchen remodel unveil at end of March; a potential trip to Montreal/Quebec with Jane Dyer Cook at the end of April; and a wedding in Lille, France to attend in July. I’m also a deacon in our church, play hand bells, and in two book groups. Life is good! DeDe Rogers: Our children, Sammie and Derek, are doing great. Sammie is in San Diego, working for Share Care, a health and wellness company. Derek is working at OpSwat, a cyber security company, in S.F. They’re both doing well and working hard. We could not be prouder of them. Steve is still a saint to put up with me for these 32 years! His hobby, besides wine collecting, is brewing beer with Derek and their beer club, the Sudzers. But the brews are a wonderful, wonderful hobby for “Dad & Son Brewers.” It is, however, time consuming and stinky! My little company, Stay Home Connected, is still rolling along. There are so many older, disabled, impaired, and shut-in people, so learning to use technology is a blessing for them. The need is so great that I’m struggling with the decision of whether to expand or not. I’m hiking, and working out at a high intensity interval training place. Learning how to scuba dive was my big accomplishment this year! Steve has been diving for decades, and I wish I’d done it earlier. I passed all the skills and am a certified open water diver and now off to Maui. We’ll do some dives in warmer weather this year, but at our ages, time is of the essence for physically taxing things. Hence, next stop: the Great Barrier Reef in 2017! Julie Ann Garcia: Looking forward to summer when I head back to Boston and New York to watch the Giants play the Red Sox and Yankees. Broke my arm in 2015 (I did not fall off my walker - it was a mountain bike). Almost all

healed so back to play! Leslie Fancher Rodman: I volunteer with an all-women group raising funds for children in need in San Luis Obispo County. Also, I continue to play golf as much as I can. Last summer we did a great road trip through the mid-west. We usually travel outside of the U.S., but have found out our country is so pretty. Carol Hammerly Moses: I am on the board for the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association; I was just appointed as a 9th Circuit Lawyer Representative (for the second time). I am on the Board for the San Joaquin River Parkway and the Madera County Arts Council. My shoulder is well and my knee is almost well. I still lift weights and walk/ jog/run depending on the day. I won a jury trial last week. My mom (94) is still independently living although quite deaf and forgetful. Rand and I have been together 20 years and my Irish Setter, Lucy (10), is as crazy and joyful as she was at two. I am looking forward to several backpacking trips this summer and hopefully a successful ascent of Mt. Whitney. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone this March. Ann O’Leary: It’s been more than seven years since I retired from the Foreign Service—though you wouldn’t know it from the number of young people who still keep seeking me out for career advice. My husband, Russell, and I still talk about moving back to California, but that’s not going to happen any time soon. The State Department now wants me back to help out with the crush of extra work caused by Hillary Clinton’s e-mails and the ongoing interest in Benghazi. I’ll start as soon as they finish updating my security clearance. I’ve also been drafted for the board of one of my favorite film festivals, D.C. Shorts. Russ and I each spend time helping our parents in California and Quebec, sometimes solo and sometimes together. We love having friends and family visit, and I hope more Catalina friends will come stay with us. It’s always wonderful to see Janet Miller Abbott visiting her three Virginia-based daughters and their families, now my close friends in their own right. I loved seeing Bridget Sanders Barlow on my last cross-country drive, had a great getaway with Jodi Ehrlich Kroening last summer, and look forward to seeing more classmates on future road trips! Kit Fisher: I’m a visual artist and teacher/ instructor. I’m currently at work on two films, after having finished my first documentary in 2006. I also teach film/film criticism at

various venues, specializing in early Hollywood/silent film. My life took an unexpected turn in September 2013, when my sister passed away suddenly. I now find myself living in southern California, in my sister’s home, after having made my home and life in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 35 years. Very different life down here, although I have come to love this lifestyle, the weather, and especially the magnificent beaches of Orange County. I also have two adorable godchildren (whom many of you may have seen on my FB pages). They are very much like my own kids and are an integral part of my life! Best wishes to all my Catalina Sisters!

1972

Suzanne Scoville suzanne.scoville@gmail.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1973

Barbara Smith O’Brien barbara.obrien@candyusa.com Thanks to Susan Weyerhaeuser Messina, many of us enjoyed a memorable weekend in Palm Springs last April. Sue, you are amazing; thanks again! Suki Bryan writes, “Sue Weyerhaeuser Messina out did herself once again at Smoke Tree with a fabulous reunion to celebrate our 60th birthdays. Yummy lunches and dinners on their sun-kissed terrace and a cookout breakfast ride to a lovely spot filled with banjo music, pancakes, and unforgettable views. Massages were abundant and hair wraps, too. Shelby Dulin Perley and her dog, Clementine, gave jewelry making classes. We all left dazzled with wonderful mementos. Sue had “sexy 60” wraps made for all who came. Such a wonderful time to catch up. Those who made it were, Barbara “Bobbie” Bon Lundstrom, Basia Belza, Joan Desmond, Suki Bryan, Robin Kohler Stieber, Ann Finnegan,

class notes 77

The Class of 1973 celebrating their 60th birthdays in Palm Springs

Anne Cochran Frischkorn, Shelby Dulin Perley, Lucy Butler, Leigh Mahone Hoburg, Donna Moniz Davis , Laura Cornett, Sue Weyerhaeuser Messina, Jane Schwarzer Fields, Jane King, and Byrne O’Brien. Thank you, Thank you Sue! I was able to travel in May and June to Europe with my daughter, Megan. We had a lovely time visiting London, Zurich, Lake Lucerne, and then on to Grindelwald, Zermatt, Lugano, Como (where my sister’s Amanda and Anne met us to celebrate my 60th birthday) and then to San Remo before heading home. In July, Barbara, Byrne and their son Ed came for a wonderful visit up at Lake Tahoe/ Glenbrook. In September, I was joined by many friends to celebrate Sue Ward’s 60th in Pebble Beach. She had us to a newly decorated home that she did herself. Megan continues to ride and show her horse in the hunter circuit. She will graduate from USC in May. Looking forward to an art class that Anne Frischkorn has now signed up for with me in Carmel in April. Should be great fun! Cyndy Nadai “regretted not being able to Jessica Andrus Lindstrom ’73

join us in CA for our birthday celebrations as she was in Italy celebrating her own the same weekend with a group of friends from Australia. She is still living happily in Sydney and continues to work with four different nonprofits.” Tracy MacDonald: I’m working full time for a Powersports store in Boise. I love my job. Didn’t think I’d be working this hard at 60, though. My lovely children: one is a partner in a women-owned archeological company; one is in college; and my other is still involved in roller derby and charity work. They are so damn incredible! Life has taken on new meaning in the last three years or so. I am truly blessed. Love you all. Jessica Andrus Lindstrom: I am in my fourth year as head of Wakefield Country Day School (WCDS) in Little Washington, VA, and enjoying the challenges and the stimulation. I have a great faculty, parents, and student body and a very supportive board of directors. Son, Elliott, will be graduating from Amherst College in May; daughter, Harmony, a sophomore at WCDS, is about to get her driver’s permit. I send along a picture taken after my debut in a recent school talent show as an opera singer, meowing my part in Rossini’s Duetto buffo di due gatti! This 60-year-old ain’t slowing down yet! Juanita deSanz: For the last few years, I have been trying to do less, and slow down but it seems like I am always adding too many things into my life! I’m only working 3 days a week as a psychotherapist and now teaching mindfulness once a week, but my life sure feels full. Both of my kids (Suzanna and Tom) are now living in the Bay Area, which is wonderful as I thought I might lose them to other locations. I spend most of my time with my kids, a few friends, boyfriend, Dragan, and my mom who is still living. Wishing you all a healthy, happy year! Teresa Barger: Travis took me sailing in a warm climate for my 60th birthday in February. Since our daughter, Medora, is working for a social enterprise in Kenya, it made sense for me to organize a safari to Tanzania for our family for Travis’s 60th birthday in June/ July. It is a glorious experience and if anyone wants to do it, I will give them the name of my outfitter who is 60% cheaper than any outfitter with a U.S. office. Then we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in October and were touched that Catalina girl Joan Frawley Desmond flew all the way out to D.C. for it. Our other daughter, Amelia, launched her first full fashion collection after having done some

capsule collections while working for other designers. Finally she is on her way. Her collection is at ameliabrown.com. Lisa Morel Suibielski: My husband, Jim, and I continue our RV travels throughout our beautiful country. We have spent the last three years visiting approximately 15 states each year and love every minute of it. We spend our winters back “home” in Monterey, where we can spend time with dear friends and family. Tina Del Piero and I get together as often as we can and, as always, have a blast. Tina has been hugely successful as director of fund development for VNA and Hospice. Our husbands get along very well, so we always have a good time. This year we are very excited to be planning a fall wedding for our daughter, Jennifer, in Monterey. Our son, James, continues to enjoy life in San Diego which makes a perfect place to visit when we are on the west coast! Anne Cochran Frischkorn: David and I became new grandparents. Our daughter, Eloise, gave birth to Keasbey in January! Mary Weisz Burgess: Tom and I are excited about our daughter Sarah’s play, Dry Powder, opening at the Public Theater of New York in March. Dry Powder is the viciously, deliciously funny new drama about the people shaping, and skewing, the American economy. Meanwhile, we are enjoying our retirement job running our restored 100-year-old general store in Peru, WV. I am traveling a lot with my cousin, Charlotte, who worked as a Spanish teacher at Catalina. She likes to visit remote national parks and I go along for the ride. Our sons, Paul and Nathan, are doing new things. Paul is starting up a Lucy Butler ’73 and Bobbi Bon Lundstrom ’73

78 class notes

Members of the Class of 1973: Shelby Dulin Perley, Barbara O’Brien, Basia Belza, Leigh Mahone Hoburg, and Robin Kohler Stieber

food truck business in Washington, D.C. Nathan moved to Phoenix last summer and we like visiting him there, especially this February 2016. I am getting gradually creaky and slow, but grateful to be here enjoying the days as much as possible. Love to all of you! Debbie Humm-Bremser: Four years ago, I began a six-month interferon treatment to cure my Hep C. During that hellish time, I got a sacral pressure sore that I am still trying to heal! Later this month, I will have surgery to repair and hopefully get my life back. Our eldest, Patrick, married Jana in July 2013 and they are our modern day hippies, living in Soquel, CA. He’s a personal chef and she is as good as he is. Patrick has also become an accomplished surf photographer. Daughter Colleen has been back home for three years, studying pharmacy technology. On my 60th birthday, we were at Disneyland when her boyfriend proposed in front of the castle! Michael (30) is back home, completing pre-reqs in forestry at MPC to be able to transfer and complete his degree. Joe, who is my fellow LMU alum, followed me to Loyola Rome, where he met his dream girl from Helsinki. He moved to Finland in December of 2014 and he is learning to speak Suomi! Tom and I hope to retire to Grass Valley in 2018 and finally get to enjoy that long elusive empty nest. He will have been at CHOMP for 24 years! He wants to live closer to skiing, on the road between Sacramento and Reno. It will be an adventure! Leigh Mahone Hoburg: My husband and I went to Asia in 2015 (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Hong Kong)

for three weeks. It was a great trip – with a big emphasis on seeing where the war was fought and where my dad was stationed in 1968. In Cambodia, we saw the Temples of Angkor. Words don’t describe it but I do recommend it! (My husband took 14,000 pictures in 3 weeks). I ran a half marathon in November in Savannah, GA and will do my second one in March in D.C. I probably could have walked faster than I ran it. I will see Laura Cornett and Donna Moniz Davis (and their husbands) in just a couple weeks in N.Y.C.—can’t wait. Tina Greene: I celebrated my 60th birthday by launching my new website, which I invite everyone to visit: tinagreenewisdom.com. It’s actually a lovely place to visit on the web— calm, easy on the eye, and informative without being overwhelmed. Since practicing law is no longer an option due to Post Concussive Syndrome resulting from the car accident I was in almost five years ago, I am now speaking, doing life and spiritual coaching, and teaching Intentional Creativity® classes and workshops. I have been speaking regularly at Sunday services at Centers for Spiritual Living in the greater Sacramento area and looking to expand my reach in 2016. I entered my first art show in San Francisco in November and sold the two paintings (giclee reproductions of originals) that I entered before the opening weekend was over! While I am not yet generating the income I hope to, I am loving my job! And finally, I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas visit with my old son, Palmer, and his girlfriend, Marina. Diane Hull Gansauer: My biggest news of the year is that Bob and I celebrated the marriage of our daughter, Grete, to Zach Miller in July in Crested Butte, CO. They are now living in Tina Greene ’73 with son Palmer and his girlfriend Marina

The great-great aunt of Tracy McDonald ’73

Montana. I completed hiking the 486-mile Colorado Trail—not all at once, but persistence over the past four summers paid off. Lucy Butler: Working on my Shakespeare project for women only; sick of men doing all of the Shakespeare. Saw Teresa Barger in L.A. for dinner. It was so great to see her and her daughter Emilia is engaged! Talked to Basia Belza—she is so incredibly helpful with aging issues and the family—and she took an amazing rafting trip with Shelby Dulin Perley and Sue Weyerhaeuser Messina! I picked up Bobbie at LAX and drove to Palm Springs with her, with some

Sue Weyerhauser Messina ’73, Shelby Dulin Perley ’73, and Basia Belza ’73

class notes 79

shopping along the way, then roomed with Bobbie and Joan Kohler Stieber and drove Jane King back to L.A.! And loving the new grandson, Levi, who lives 15 minutes away. My husband, Greg, is crazy about him as well. The O’Briens are all well. Byrne is retired and wouldn’t miss a Catalina reunion. Caitlyn and JB are working (JB for Robert Sinskey wines in Napa). Nora has moved home as she is getting her master’s in special ed, and our youngest, Ed, is finishing up college in Ohio. I’m still working but hope to begin a retirement countdown before too long.

1974 Sally Fay calgal75@aol.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1975

Deanna Duoos Davis deanna.davis@yahoo.com Diana Oliver Bartley: Well one can hardly highlight key moments of 2015 without waxing lyrically about our 40th

Sister Claire and members of the Class of 1975 at their 40th Reunion

reunion! It was wonderful, though we missed those who couldn’t make it! (Lucy Lewis-Dreyer, yes, I do mean you!) I’ve always come away from the gatherings thinking what a fabulous group of ladies. I’m still living very happily in London. We’re not far from the river, which is great for dog walking and rowing. Our daughter is working in banking in the city; our son is drawing and painting; and Stephen is the honorary archivist for two very eccentric clubs, one of which is based in St. Moritz—fun trips away! I still work as a literacy support tutor, which keeps me out of trouble for part of each week. It was a real treat in July to meet with Karrie Schreiner Barnett and her delightful husband and sons when they had a flying visit through London. Please get in touch if you are in England as I love catching up with you. Molly Mahaney Wardell, unable to make reunion caught up with us recently, writing: “Sorry to have missed the reunion, though I enjoyed it vicariously through the photos and commentary that others posted. 2015 was an amazing year of being present each and every day—deliberately making time to appreciate the moment in front of me and not getting caught up in worrying about tomorrow! Happy 2016 to you!” Mollie Drake: I loved seeing you all in March 2015. I am going to Cuba at the end of the month. Wanted to check it out before it changes too much. If you are ever in the Los Gatos area please contact me! Lisa Barry: It’s been a good year. Our reunion reminded me that I’m rich in friendships. My husband, Pete, and I are headed to Thailand in a few weeks for a much needed beach-y vacation. Elizabeth Patton Boyens spent time in southeastern France, writing: “I went to see my sister who owns a B&B and art studio in Montmiral. Also, I spent a few days in London, where I met up with my niece and her family from Paris. Her husband is the comic director for the new show, The Girls, which opened in Leeds, and is coming to London soon. Had a great time! I am very much enjoying living near my two sons in Sacramento, and am on a waiting list for an artist’s loft community in downtown Sacramento. Still dating my cute little Tony. Anxiously awaiting grandchildren! Annette Leach Alcocer says, “We went to Kauai in February—nice and relaxing! Then it was great to see everyone at the reunion in March. I am a grandmother to Andrew (3), and have another grandson arriving the beginning of March named Matthew. Come see me at the bookstore if you are ever in town! Tracy Hobbs Jones: My daughter, Sarah

Florine Clark ’75 with her husband and new horse in Colorado

Jones Rediske ’04, welcomed a baby boy in January. Cecily Marble Hintzen: Experiencing the circle of life: said goodbye to my mother and my husband’s father and are expecting our first grandchild this summer. Loved reconnecting with classmates at the reunion!” (Note from Dede: I just want to say that I had a ball rooming with Cecily at Reunion, and having not seen her in more than 40 years, it was great to hear her uniquely Cecily-chortle again! For anyone not aware, it should be noted that Cecily deserves a big congrats for her tireless efforts in bolstering the Death with Dignity movement in California where the End of Life Option Act was passed in October last year. Good job, Cecily!) Sarah Colmery Preston: Well, our reunion was pretty darn special! I loved seeing everyone there. We were all so proud of Kim Wright-Violich for hitting it out of the park as one of the distinguished alumnae. My first grandchild, Henry, was born in July. I am so fortunate to be able to see him all the time as his mom, Hallie, works at Cate as well. Also my amazing boss Meg Bradley is going to be the new head of Santa Catalina! We are so sorry to have her leave but I am thrilled that Catalina has hired this incredible woman. She has the soul of a Catalina girl. I hope you all get to meet her soon. Kim Wright-Violich: I am still living in the relative wilderness of Stinson Beach, where skunks and birds find their way into the house, coyotes chase my car, and I dodge small landslides with El Niño. My three children are all working hard. My older daughter is getting a graduate degree in marine biology; her younger sister just was recognized of her work in advertising; and my son is working long days for a lacrosse company and squeezing in as much surfing as possible. Only one

80 class notes

Chris Blom Gomez ’75 and Katy Moore-Kozachik ’75 in Cambria

of my children seems close to marriage, which is just fine with me. I started a new company but no one should found a company at 57! It is so much work for this phase of life, but I am having a great time. Though it is too early to tell how economically successful we will be, we have expanded to a team of 15, and secured some marquee clients: Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, KKR and others. The firm is Tideline (tideline.com), a strategy consulting firm focused on impact investing. Impact investing is investing your money in a manner that strives to achieve positive social and environmental change in addition to achieving a positive financial returns. Philanthropy and government cannot (maybe should not in the case of government) solve all our social and environmental ills. So the aspiration is to see if markets can contribute in purposeful and positive ways. It is interesting, challenging, and meaningful work. Best to everyone! Meggan Laxalt Mackey writes: “My 2015 was capped off in December with cap/hood/gown at my graduation from Boise State University with a master’s in public history. I wrote and designed a book on Basques for my thesis project! Here is the link if you want to see it: http://scholarworks.boisestate. edu/history gradproj/5/. If you know if anyone needs book design, writing, or research, contact me!” Elizabeth Walker Rudinica: In February, I had back surgery from a bulging disk, followed by another surgery in April to close the incision. In June, my oldest son, Michael, married his girlfriend, Annette. Spent the summer and early fall at our home in Hawaii. In October, our youngest son, Christian, got a job at Technicolor at Paramount Studios—his very first job so we were thrilled! Spent holidays in Hawaii. And in December, I was notified that a mermaid

that I had entered in a contest was selected for publication in a North Light Books hard bound, Incite:The Best of Mixed Media. That was a great accomplishment for me! Yolanda Mitchell West: I am currently part of a new ensemble of three women called SpiriTrio. We were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in May of this year. This concert will honor Kathleen Battle (my idol), Wynton Marsalis, and Alice Walker. We are excited and this will be our debut at Carnegie Hall. My two sons, James and Mitchell, are in college (UNLV and Glendale CC), and Jordan is still in high school, graduating in 2017. My husband is currently working on Don “The Dragon” Wilson’s next movie, Blood Raid, as the writer and working on other film and web projects. Elizabeth Leach: Bert proposed to me in May 2015— that was wonderful and we will be married in July of this year! My daughter, Gwendolyn, is expecting a daughter in mid-April! And I am involved in spearheading a city-wide art event this coming July. Lots of reasons to visit us in Portland! Stella Sinner Lauerman: My happy moment of 2015 was my oldest daughter Mary Claire’s engagement in December at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! Her fiancé and her two best friends spent months concocting an elaborate ruse involving whisking them directly from the airport to the Aquarium, and the proposal on the deck on bended knee left her in delighted shock! Afterwards, our family and friends were hidden down the street at a Cannery Row restaurant for a surprise reception, so it took her about a week to recover from all the excitement. We are all thrilled and have already started on the wedding plans! Florine Clark writes: “We got a new horse! Come ride with us in Colorado!” And Chris Blom Gomez: 2015—a wonderfully uneventful year except for our fabulous reunion. That was such a blast! Fun things that happened: we rented a cool house in the midst of a vineyard on a hillside between Paso Robles and Cambria with Joan Barnes and Katy Moore-Kozachik. Painted, went boogie boarding, watched chick flicks, went antiquing. Really fun to hang out with those two. Spent a long weekend in Carmel with my mom and sister and got the weekend through the Santa Catalina on-line auction. Had a wonderful stay at the Lincoln Green Inn. Got another new hip so now I can doubly set off the alarms at the airport! Had a fun visit with Sister Claire and Jeannie Jagels Vaughn, Karrie Schreiner Barnett and Sarah Colmery Preston down in L.A. Spent a fun weekend in S.F. with my husband. We

bicycled across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and met some college friends for lunch. That’s about it! Katy Moore Kozachik writes: “This is a photo of Christine Blom Gomez and I taken by Joan Artz. We three met up in Cambria and went body surfing! It was a gas! Fun times!” As for yours truly, other than our fantastic reunion, the highlight of the year was when I got a phone call from my son that he had - on a lark - just tried out for an audition and made the first cut for a popular reality music show (the name of which I can’t mention because he is under a non-disclosure agreement). He made it through successive auditions where he ultimately made the final cut of 100 out of 40,000 artists. It was a thrilling and nailbiting, months-long ordeal, requiring spur of the moment trips to L.A. for family interviews and filming. On a more personal front, I decided to sell my flock of sheep in favor of satisfying my creative drive. So, I will be trading in my work boots and gloves for a sketch pad and sewing machine. The notion struck me one day when I took on the project of sewing a silk tulle reception gown for my niece’s wedding in Mykonos, Greece. Without a second thought, I created a new company where I will be designing high-end bridal garters. The garters will be made using all natural fibers, freshwater pearls, crystals, dainty silk ribbon embroidery, delicate French laces made from the antique Levers looms, using old-world French hand sewing techniques. As soon as the contractors finish my studio, I’m off to the races! Best to you all in 2016!

Elizabeth Walker Rudinica ’75 in Hawaii celebrating the marriage of her son Christian

class notes 81

The Class of 1976 at Reunion 2016

1976 1979 Margaret Ganz itstartsat50@hotmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

The Class of 1979 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83, Director of Alumnae Relations, to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way.

1977 1980 Julie Power Pantiskas aspenjp@aol.com

1978 Joan David lunanegra6@att.net

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

Dana DePuy Morgan danamorgan@mac.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1981

Marisa D’Amico marisad111@hotmail.com Marisa D’Amico: By the time you are reading this, we, the spectacular Class of 1981, will have had our 35-year class

reunion! Sisters Claire and Christine will be retiring and will have been honored, as is fitting for these truly superlative, irreplaceable, loving and beloved women. January was also the dedication of the new Mathematics and Science Center; and though I wasn’t able to watch it live (sad, as my niece Sofia ’18 sang!) I understand it was an amazing ceremony. My sister Patrice D’Amico ’80 got super choked up, as did my sister Terri D’Amico, and I am sure quite a few more of you. What really strikes me, as I write my little part of this, is just how Santa Catalina is a guiding force. With the passage of time comes changes—some good and bad—but thank goodness Santa Catalina, and all it gave us, remains a constant. Angela Evans Vaughn: It’s been a while since I have submitted anything. In brief, I had been living in Amman, Jordan for almost four years with my husband and four children. His work with the UNHCR kept him busy in Iraq. In 2012, he was diagnosed with cancer and we were forced to return to the U.S. We settled in Cary, NC. It was a tough fight and he passed away in February 2014. I have remained in Cary. My eldest is a sophomore at Georgetown University; my second will be heading off to college in the fall. My third child is nearly 16, and the “baby” is 12. It is possible that I might return to work in nursing. I am dabbling with that option as I write this. But, all in all, we are ok and finding our footing again. Kim Gurries Gerami: I’m sorry to have to miss the reunion. My daughter is having a baby shower on that date. I’m excited to be a grandmother! This past year was a busy one with three graduations and a wedding. We also had to furnish a three-bedroom condo in Maui that we recently purchased and which is now a vacation rental. Hope you are all doing well! Deborah Lee: I moved my store, Classic Creations by Debbie Lee, to a new, bigger space. We won best small business in Rancho Mirage in 2015 and this year we are nominated for Rising Star Business and I am nominated for Business Person of the Year! We have also expanded and have a small fulfillment center in Chicago for the website betterthanfruit.com. I am planning to attend the reception for Sisters Claire and Christine in L.A. in January, but, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the reunion this year. I will be in S.F. in January for the Fancy Food Show! Paula Tunstall Barker: Just finished reading the fall Bulletin and so enjoyed reconnecting with our alma mater that way. I also follow on Instagram, which

82 class notes

is pretty much my only foray into social media (by choice). But considering I have three teenagers, I can’t seem to be completely out of the loop in that regard. I am happy to report that I have traded my daily work commute of 2+ hours to Children’s Hospital in Denver (12 years) for a 12-minute commute right in my own wonderful city of Fort Collins. After 30 years in Pediatrics, I switched gears and am now working in geriatrics as the restorative nurse manager in a skilled nursing facility. I love it and am so happy in this new role! I felt pulled to this population over the past few years while helping care for my parents—my dad is 99 and mom just turned 90! They live in San Diego with full time caregivers and are doing great. My oldest child, Meghan, is crushing the college years. She is a junior at Luther College in Decorah, IA and travels like a crazy girl whenever she can— Australia last winter, Alaska this past summer, and now heading off to a semester in Washington, D.C. to pursue environmental policy and political science. My son is a senior in high school and very involved in choir and musical theater. And my youngest is a freshman in high school, also quite gifted in music, with her sights on music production and dabbling in singing-songwriting. Brad and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this April. We plan to visit the college girl during the cherry blossom season in D.C. Hope this finds everyone from the Class of 1981 doing well and loving life. I won’t make our reunion this year but will be thinking fondly of you all who do. Celebrate for me! Sara Bingaman Leake was short but sweet: Mark and I are still in Menlo Park having a great time raising our girls, Anna and Isabella, now in grades 9 and 7. We enjoy watching the girls’ sports and traveling with family and friends. Karen Gladstone Dawson: I am still in New Hampshire after 25 years and loving life with my husband, Pete, and our daughter, Emma. My main focus these days has been spending time volunteering in and for my community as well as at my daughter’s middle school. We did some traveling in 2015, primarily to warmer weather spots, and especially enjoyed our time in Punta Cana and Hawaii. One of the highlights of my year was seeing Stephanie Bell after far too long and meeting her husband and two sons. They stopped by Portsmouth this past summer en route to Cape Cod and we spent several hours catching up. My big goal for 2016 is to reacquaint myself with distance swimming, biking, and running to get in shape for my third triathlon in September. I’m really looking forward to Reunion and hope to see

The Class of 1981 with Sister Claire at Reunion 2016

everyone there. Wendy Harrison McKinney: I’m so sorry I can’t make the reunion. That weekend is smack in the middle of my son’s two-week spring break so we’ll be hosting guests that weekend— family coming to see him while he’s home. Tell everyone I will miss seeing them! I’ve been in the mortgage business in Nashville for over 14 years now and still love it. My husband of 18 years, David, is a contractor and together we have fun flipping old houses in the hip east Nashville area where the market is hot. Our son, Keaton (9), was adopted as a baby from Guatemala. My mother passed away Thanksgiving 2012 and I received some very nice condolences from my fellow Catalina alumnae at the time and it meant a lot when they shared some fond memories they had of her. I stay in touch with Teri Booth, Sabina D’AglianoLuna, Sintu Ng Greene, Jennifer Burns, and several others. Have fun in March and hugs to everyone. Teresa Stevens: I am a 6th grade teacher and have been for 22 years now. I teach math, science, and drama. Most of my experience with drama has been with directing, but this month I decided to take a stab at acting. (It has been on my bucket list. So, I decided to go for it!) I will be playing a character by the name of Sugar Lee in a play entitled, The Hallelujah Girls. It’s a cross between Steel Magnolias and Golden Girls. I am really excited about it and so far it’s been a lot of fun. I hope all of you are doing well. I live in Hollister so I plan on coming to the reunion, and hope to see many of you then. As I have told many of you way back when, I would never get married and I haven’t. I do have a boyfriend who I have been with for five years. No kids, but I

consider my students my kids. Amy Carson: I’m not sure I will be able to attend our reunion—could be a last minute decision. I would love to make it happen, though. My sister, Katie, and I run our business, Bitters Co., an international home furnishing company, in a barn on our farm in the Skagit Valley, WA. We work with artisans with our designs in various countries. Our line proudly represents handcrafted and heritage pieces. We opened Bitters Co. in 1993. We closed our retail presence in Seattle, just over a year ago, after having been there for 20 years. Our business continues to grow, from our wholesale line to our on-line sales. What we have found and built is that our presence in the barn and our location is a destination and that our activities in the barn and on the farm support our objective—art and culture! For the last nine years, we have hosted an annual harvest dinner, music performance, art exhibits and workshops based on design and integrity. It’s all still so exciting and expanding! I had a great visit with Jennifer Hately Ash and Martin, not so long ago. Mimi Willoughby Santry: This summer, we took a trip that we had been planning for two years. My mother passed away in 2013 and upon her death we thought it would be fitting to channel my parents’ love of travel and take a family trip in their honor. My sister Suzanne and I booked a two-week safari to Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa with our combined families. The trip was better than we could imagine. Our camps, which were located on private concessions in the middle of the Okavango Delta, allowed us to view

class notes 83

animals from our bedroom windows. I awoke from a nap one day to a «munch, munch, munch» and there was an enormous elephant eight feet away eating berries out of a tree on my patio. Another day, we spotted four lions coming in from a hunt, slightly injured from trying to take down a buffalo. Days were filled with tracking and viewing animals including leopard, lion, wild painted dogs, giraffe, hyena, kudu, impala, buffalo, warthogs and elephants. In the evenings, we would stop for a “sundowner,” often by a river and watch the animals emerge to drink. Hippos had to be avoided since dusk is when they feel safe enough to come out of the water to graze. It was a magical two weeks and was truly the highlight of my year. I will, sadly, miss Reunion this year because of conflicts with my kids’ spring breaks. I send my love to everyone in the great Class of 1981.

1983 1986 Deborah Frank Drake deborahdrake1965@gmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1984 1987 Victoria Manassero Maat junebugjump@icloud.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1982 1985 Mindy Malisoff Baggett mbaggett@cox.net

Katharine Folger Yeager yeagerkbf@gmail.com

Krysia Belza Logsdon catalina@krysiabelza.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

The families of Suzanne Willoughby Killea ’79 and Mimi Willoughby Santry ’81 in Botswana

China Flanigan china.flanigan@me.com

China Flanigan: I was able to hang with Dria Miller over Thanksgiving. She and her son, Kai, are living in Palm City, FL. She gets to see Deirdre Rankin Halsey, all the time, as they live near to one another. They talk about how warm and lovely it is in Florida. Meanwhile, I continue to live in Omaha, NE. I married my wife, Elizabeth, a few years ago in beautiful (insert sarcastic tone) Council Bluffs, IA. Just over the river from Omaha and, until recently, the closest place for a legal gay marriage. Together we have four teenagers, two dogs, and a cat. We spend most of our time in the car or watching one of the seven sports they all play. Eventually, when they all move out, we might get around to having a reception or a honeymoon. I’m really looking forward to Reunion and I hope to see as many people there as possible. Jen Lazar: I recently had the pleasure of having dinner with Keri Kerbajian Portwood. She and Harvey were in Austin for work and we had a lovely evening. It was as if no time had passed since we last saw each other. It was fantastic seeing Keri and, of course, neither of us has aged a day. Barbara Domingo: I saw Illa Amerson, once for dinner and once during the alumnae reception, where we also saw Shannon McClennahan Mozes. Getting ready to head off on vacation back to Stockholm and frantically packing. Ala Milani: Our kids are all at Catalina— except for mine is in grade 5! Nothing too exciting in my life. I love my job at Catalina as associate director of admission and my daughter (10), who is a ray of sunshine. Kassandra Thompson Brenot: This is a big year for me as it is my first

84 class notes

year as head of Upper School. I love the students, the faculty, working with Sister Claire. It is so sweet having the daughters of Erica Olin Giannini and Susan Smith Nixon as freshmen this year. I continue to teach French a bit as well. François is, as always, my rock; I couldn’t do what I do without him! Jean-Pierre (10) is in grade 4 at Catalina. Loleï ’17 (17), is a junior, driving, thriving academically, and very busy with Catalina theater productions. Susan Eliason Scott: I would love to see you guys! I’m still living in Utah, if anyone wants to come and ski! I’m divorced (not my favorite fun fact) and have three kids. The oldest is about to graduate and is in the middle of applying to college. I work for the University of Utah. I miss my Catalina friends and love to hear about you all. Marsha Plat: I’m still living in San Francisco in North Beach. I’m the director of user xxperience at UrbanSitter. My older daughter is applying for high school this year so I’ve thought a lot about my high school experience. My younger one is in grade 4. We all recently had homemade latkes at Queena Kim’s house in Berkeley. Queena is doing amazing as the host of the California Report on NPR. Diana Papini Warren: Aloha. I am still living on Maui with husband and two kids (9 and 5). I am the director of school engagement for Hawaii and the Pacific for a national organization, Project Lead The Way. I’m also the executive director of a new nonprofit in Hawaii called Learning Endeavors. I am still surfing, doing yoga, masters swimming, playing ukulele, singing, and lately, kayaking. My kids just got really into snorkeling, and we recently went with my mom, following around huge turtles and beautiful fish. You can hear whales singing underwater and see them breaching regularly from shore. If you are in Hawaii, let me know as I’m inter-island often. Cecilia Gamboa: I have been married for 23 years now and still in Monterrey, Mexico. I have two kids (son, 22; daughter, 19). Both are in college. I have been working for five years now in a travel agency, and love it. I don’t get to see Miriam Torres-Marcos as much as I would like as she now lives in the U.S. But we are still in touch. Great to hear from you all! Sylvia Estrada Hellmund: Hello from Key Biscayne! I’ve been living here for eight years now. Going on to my 18th year of marriage. Sebastian is 13 and Natasha is 6. We traveled to Bali, Dubai, and London last summer. An amazing experience, especially for the kids. In London, we went to visit Kate Hunt Smith and her incredible family. Her

The Class of 1986 at Reunion 2016

husband Neil and her three kids, (Jake, Annie, and Emma—my god daughter). I’m looking forward to seeing all you lovely ladies at our reunion next year! If any of you are ever in Miami, please let me know. Cynara Coomer: Hi from New York! I’ve been here since 2000 when I started my surgery residency. Now I’m chief of breast surgery and director of the Florina RusiMarke Comprehensive Breast Center, which I was fortunate enough to develop. Love being a breast surgeon but love even more being a mom to my precious daughter (5). I got married seven years ago to a vascular surgeon. I love reading about everyone. Let me know if anyone comes to N.Y.C. Love to everyone. Susan Smith Nixon: I am now living in California. Audrey is at Catalina as a freshman. I am

Susan Smith Nixon ’87 and Erica Olin Giannini ’87 with daughters Audrey ’19 and Caitlyn ’19

working with Starbucks and oversee the Central California area for license stores. All is good and I am very happy! I hope to reconnect with all my classmates in the Bay Area. Cressey Belden Janko: I’m treasuring life with my rapidly growing daughter (14). Currently, we are living in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts while she attends Simon’s Rock. One of the many highlights of 2015 was driving our Roadtrek 20K miles around the U.S. and Canada—most notably surprising Sisters Claire and Christine at Catalina’s Easter Sunday Mass. The chapel remains exactly as it was when we were there and houses more memories than I can count, beginning when I was a camper in fifth grade! Better late than never, I joined FB a few months ago, and I love being in virtual touch with many of you! Claudia Goria

Suzanna Garrihy Schinsing ’88, Dria Miller ’87, and China Flanigan’87

class notes 85

Bressie: I am married to Paul and live in Belvedere, CA. I have three children: James (12), Pierce (11), and Julia (8). Her over-40 4.5+ team won their NorCal league, districts and sectionals sending them to Nationals this past October.

1988

Julie Lenherr Edson edsonfamily@sbcglobal.net Jennifer Pratt curgie615@earthlink.net We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1989

Elizabeth Maher Purdum elizabethpurdum@hotmail.com Elizabeth Maher Prudum: Greetings Class of 1989! It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly 27 years since we have graduated from Catalina! A most sincere “thank you” to everyone who answered my call and shared an update Emily Palmer Brown ’89 with son Weston and daughter Eleanore ’15 and Mary Fleisher Baum ’89 and her daughters Lily, Marly, and Stella, and son Davis

and photographs. I was impressed with how many of you responded. Thank you! I’m happy to report that Meredith Burke Lawler is as hilarious as ever; “still chasing turkeys” and “trying to reason with emotionally fragile goats.” It sounds like she and her husband disagree as to whether or not the blind horse likes the shelter painted red. According to Meredith, the blind horse likes red. But most importantly, Meredith is “striving to be a great mom who my kids love and adore—but not too much.” If you are not on Facebook, hearing updates from Meredith regarding the shenanigans on her farm is reason enough to sign on. Beth Russo Tarallo connected with Julia Sweeny Hiebert, Theresa Rounseville and Beth Tyler Foley over the Christmas break. According to Beth, they “had a nice meeting with Sister Claire and Sister Christine then had a lovely dinner at Tarpy’s.” Beth’s son is now a sophomore at San Diego State University and both daughters are at Catalina and love every minute of it. “Catalina will always be my second home”, says Beth. Beth Tyler Foley is “still counseling soldiers” and got a promotion this fall. She reports “feeling ready to settle down, so she’s renting a house to decide what to buy. Enjoying every day and love watching my daughter grow.” Lisa Javallena Hill lives in Santa Barbara, where she and her husband work in marketing consulting. Her youngest daughter is a senior at Cate and is heading off to Johns Hopkins in the fall. Her older daughter, Alexis, is a junior at Dartmouth, majoring in Middle Eastern studies and “already counting the days until graduation.” She shared that she is “fortunate enough to be able to spend time with the lovely Paulina Ospina occasionally.” Heidi Cohen Cook writes, “Well, I am back in the gaming industry. I work as a senior business development executive for Aristocrat Technologies. I am based in Las Vegas, but have territory throughout the Southwest. I am currently serving as the president of the Las Vegas chapter of National Charity League. As crazy as that sounds, it really takes a lot of time and sometimes too much energy! My daughter is a junior. We are starting the college search—mixed emotions for me. I don’t know where the time has gone. Jack is in 5th grade and tearing up the football field. Jim is well and we are just in constant amazement of these kids! Looking forward to our next reunion.” Rebecca Khamnipur Morrison shared that she went to “Bainbridge this past

Members of the Class of 1989: Haley King Lhamon, Bridget Callaghan Zaro, Rebecca Khamneipur Morrison, and Kim Rudas Goerlitz

summer and spent time with Kim Rudas Goerlitz, Bridget Callaghan Zaro and Haley King Lhamon, and their families. It was wonderful spending time together and having our kids get to know each other better.” She also enjoyed seeing Ninive Clements Calegari and Kim Meek earlier in the summer. “I still work part-time from home doing legal consulting,” said Rebecca. She and her husband Rich took their kids to Europe for a winter vacation, which was wonderful. Kim Rudas Goerlitz is busy keeping up with her daughters and managing her dad’s remaining business. Barbara DiDonato Volkman has her hands full “working for a small, womanowned management consulting firm, and supporting the various extracurricular activities of her children (translation: taxi driver and checkbook.)” Barbara shares that her “daughter Anna (14) is active in Irish dance. Pretty ironic since I’m Italian and her dad is German. She is ready to start high school in the fall, although I am not. My son Charlie (11) and loves ice hockey.” She has bumped into Julia Abajian Kirvan at the ice rink where Julia’s son, Will, also plays ice hockey. Georgia Canalos Kajalil is back on U.S. soil after living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for over four years. She has been living in Miami since August 2015. She loves the Miami weather and the friendly Latino community. She recently “met with Daniela Garza-Zorrilla Guajardo, who lives close by and had so much fun seeing her again after so many years.” She started her master’s in education last year at Xavier University and plans to continue her studies in Miami. Her “dream is to teach Spanish literature and Latin American studies.” She loves

86 class notes

keeping in touch via Facebook and would love to reconnect with classmates if they are in the Miami area. Emily Palmer Browne visited with Georgia Canelos Bajalil while visiting Cincinnati this summer and also caught up with Mary Fleischer Baum and her family in San Diego. Emily’s “daughter, Ellie, graduated from Catalina in May! She is attending University of Kentucky for equine science and management.” She and her family are all doing well and she is enjoying her second career as a nurse. Crystal Boyd is doing well; she keeps busy with work, horseback riding, volunteering with UCLA, and travel. Last summer, she and Mark (Mr. October) visited friends in Sydney and Melbourne. This summer they will be going to Cabo and then Boise, ID to catch up with Hillary Dater Betz. As for me, Elizabeth Maher Prudum, time seems to be flying by! My oldest daughter is in first grade and my baby will be starting kindergarten in August. I keep way too busy volunteering and fundraising for both of their schools. I never feel like I am caught up. We love living in Morgan Hill and have made the most wonderful friends. Having taken a hiatus from consulting, I’m beginning to contemplate going back to work, but it will be something different and outside my comfort zone.

1990 Augustina Stevens augustinastevens@icloud.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1991

Marita Quint Bruni marita.quint@gmail.com Marita Quint Bruni: I am so thrilled to hear that many from the class of 1991 are making the trip to Monterey to celebrate

The Class of 1991 at Reunion 2016

our 25th reunion! I really look forward to seeing everyone in March. I received a wonderful email from Christina Hu, who says it is the first time she’s written to provide an update for the Bulletin. Christina and her husband, William, live in Hong Kong with their children, James (6) and Jaclyn (4). She says that a few of our classmates living in Hong Kong stay in close contact with gatherings almost monthly ever since graduation. It was heartwarming to hear that their friendships are extending into the next generation with birthday parties and play dates with their children. Vanessa Lam’s daughter Avril even attends kindergarten with Christina’s son James! Christina says she “looks forward to the next time Catalinans visit Hong Kong and I will for sure look for an opportunity to come back and visit.” Over the summer, Lynn Chan Cheong made a trip to Monterey with her family and visited campus. She says the weather was perfect! Although she’s been back to visit previously, it was the first time for her husband and kids to see the campus. “So many new buildings since I last went! I had a school tour so I was able to get into the dorms. Brought back lots of good old memories!” Amy Bacon Clausing continues to live in San Mateo, CA with her husband Paul, son PJ (7), a golden retriever Toby, and has added a new member to the family: a rescue Beagle named Winston! PJ is now in first grade and attends the same elementary school Amy attended! Amy jokes, “Too bad, Catalina is still all-girls,

otherwise he could follow in my footsteps all the way!” She reports that PJ is a very “sporty” boy—playing almost every sport though, he particularly loves basketball and ice hockey. It looks like the love of sports has rubbed off on Amy who says she’s become a huge Warriors fan. For the past year, Amy has been working parttime in marketing for an email marketing company, Campaign Monitor, with several friends/colleagues from previous jobs over the past 15+ years and is really enjoying it. Amy says, “I don’t get to see my Catalina friends as often as I like, but this past year, a group of us got together in Palm Springs for a pre-summer, girls-only gettogether. It was truly one of the highlights of my year. I hadn’t laughed so hard for so long in a while. Over New Year’s, my family and I visited Cammie Calcagno Newell and her family in Santa Barbara. We had a ton of fun. Even though, Monica Duflock Kwait and Alison Morey Garrett and I live relatively close by, we don’t see each other nearly enough. So, we need to fix that in 2016. And, now that Marita Quint Bruni is back in town, I’d love to more of her!” Yolanda Orrantia writes that she has been living in Mexico City for 14 years, and is divorced with two kids, Victor (10) and Raquel (8). In addition to being a mom, she is a singer and actress performing musical theater for more than 20 years. Yolanda has been in some 12 productions including My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Scarlet Pimpernel. This past year she was in The

class notes 87

Scarlet Pimpernel performing the female leading role, Marguerite. This month, she will return to the stage in Mexico for an off-Broadway musical called Spelling Bee. Speaking of musical theatre, I see on Facebook that Dania Ketchum performed in the musical CATS in Monterey. She shared some great photos of herself in full CATS costume, and some photos of her beautiful daughter enjoying the shows. Jeanne Brown Broiller says, “I love to read the Class Notes and see what our fellow classmates are up to these days!” Jeanne and her family had a great summer traveling to Asheville, NC and Lego World in FL. She laughs that she has a “house full of boys!” Her sons are now 11, 6, and 5 and she says, “It’s a fun age to take the kids on trips like these and for us to enjoy family time! I’m still living in Charleston, SC and loving it. You West Coast fellows need to come for a visit. I hope to see you all at the reunion!” Katherine Hambleton Movalson continues to love Oregon and writes that she has happy healthy kids, a wonderful husband of 12 years, and is thrilled to be working in communications as of last April. Marita Quint Bruni am always so happy to connect with my classmates either in person or communicating by email or Facebook! I see Jeannie Clancy often, and she is quite possibly the best auntie ever to my two kids Addison (6) and Mason (3). Their faces light up whenever they hear that we are going to see her! My husband, David, the kids and I spent a week visiting Jeannie in Breckenridge, CO last year. Addison took to skiing like a natural while Mason was not into the snow. As Amy mentioned we’ve recently relocated back to Los Gatos to be closer to family and just like Amy’s son PJ, Addison attends Jeanne Brown Brollier ’91 with sons Winston, Jack, and Porter in Asheville, NC

Children of Marita Quint Bruni ’91: Mason and Addison

Amy Bacon Clausing ’91 and Cammie Calcagno Newell ’91

1992 Amy Paulsen apindc@yahoo.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

Children of Lynn Chan Cheong ’91: Danielle, Dana, and Dylan at Catalina

the same school I went to as a child. It’s really interesting to see how things come full circle. We are still tying up loose ends in Orange County, and on my last trip down I had a girl’s night with Melanie Vincent Nichols. Now that I’ve moved I’m sure I’ll see her more often (just kidding Mel!). It’s great how you can pick up where you left off with good friends! Tiffany Breckenridge ’92 and I had a great lunch together over Thanksgiving in the Palisades and both of us wished we could have spent more time laughing over the ups and downs of being moms. Each time I write the Class Notes or speak to a classmate, I realize the importance of the friendships we formed while we were at Catalina and how important those friendships remain as we go forward. Can’t wait to see you at the reunion!

1993

Galen Johnson galen.a.johns@gmail.com Congratulations go out to Kelly Neary, who writes: “I’m excited to share that I got engaged in May 2015 and we are so excited for our June 4th wedding date! Milos and I will be married here in Colorado. Stacy Henderson Farber Mellon will be my maid of honor.” Also writing from Colorado, Cedra Ginsburg Goldman: 2015 was a year of milestones for me. I celebrated 10 years of marriage and 5 years of having my own business. Both are doing very well! I love seeing how everyone is doing on Facebook and encourage the Class of ‘93 to continue to post their life events as it makes it possible to still feel close to all the wonderful women I had the privilege of attending Catalina with. Sarah Brown Goforth: We moved from Oman to Texas a little over a year ago. I’m working as an online instructor teaching eighth grade science and the kids are now in fifth, third, and preschool.

88 class notes

1994

The Class of 1994 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83, Director of Alumnae Relations, to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way. We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

Kelly Neary ’93 and her fiance Milo

Sarah Brown Goforth ’93 and children

We had a recent addition to the family in the fall when we adopted a boxer dog. Needless to say, life is never dull! We are looking forward to one more year in Texas while my husband is working abroad, this time in Juba, South Sudan. After that, we should be posted all together at another overseas embassy. There’s plenty of room here in Texas and the doors are always open! If you’re near Dallas, we’d love to see you! Catherine MacDonald Christian: Business is good (still doing commercial maintenance for restaurant and retail customers throughout northern CA). Corinne is applying to Santa Catalina, which is exciting! Both girls

are ballet-obsessed still, so we are at the ballet studio six days per week. Because of this, my only hobby is making tutus (and I don’t even like to sew)! If anyone finds themselves in Sacramento, they should come visit me.” And I (Galen Johnson) can vouch that she will even come rescue you from a boring business meeting and take you out to an excellent restaurant. We had a great visit, which of course included a stop to pick up Catherine’s youngest daughter from ballet. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy 2016!

Sisters Andy Riegel Smith ’93 and Ry Riegel Boeding ’92 after finishing their first half marathon

1995

Megan Heister megan.c.heister@gmail.com

1996 Jenny Noble jnoble78@hotmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue! The Class of 1996 at Reunion 2016

class notes 89

1997 Jasmin Reate jlreate@gmail.com

Aimee Cervelli Bunting will be celebrating 10 years of marriage with her husband, Antonio, this summer. They have been living in Cotati, CA for the last six years. She is busy at home with her four children: Joey (7), Sammy (5), Sara (4), and Zach (2) and also very active in their schools. Joey and Sammy are in first grade at a Spanish-English dual immersion school. Aimee’s passion is teaching reading, which she did for seven years before having children, both privately in Cupertino and as a first grade teacher in San Jose. This year is all about recovery for Amanda Smith Burke and her family. After a crazy 2015, including twins, moving from England to California, and her husband Damian’s double lung transplant, the Burkes are ready for some normality in Newport Beach. Elizabeth is 3-years-old and twins Sam and Scarlett are 1-year-old. Damian and Amanda are excited to see what the future has in store for them. Angel Cabral Osborn also had a great year. She is currently in CBS hit comedy, Life In Pieces, and loves working with Dianne Wiest and Jim Brolin. Angel and her husband, Jason Osborn, are living in L.A. with their precious pup Oscar. He loves having a big yard! In July 2015, Kate Lynch Jerkens took a hiatus from the hospitality industry and is now VP sales and marketing for YAS fitness in L.A. She Amanda Smith Burke ’97 and family

Angel Cabral ’97 and husband Jason

and Allen are expecting their third child! Jennifer McClendon and her husband, Adam, are enjoying remodeling their home: planting fruit trees, expanding the chicken flock, and watching their daughters Alexa (11) and Sophia (10) thrive in sixth and fifth grades. Along with their dog Minx and many unnamed chickens, life in Sebastopol is wonderful! Sarah McClendon and her wife, Melanie, are overjoyed to announce the birth of their first child. Baby girl Hazel was born in September 2015. Sarah is also running and operating ProAction Athletics, which was voted Oakland’s best boot camp for four years in a row! Morgan Rogers McMillan and family welcomed little Herbert into the world in September 2015. He’s a chunk of love and big sister Else is really embracing her new role. Morgans’s looking forward to getting together with some Catalina girls soon!

Audrey and Oliver, children of Andrea Hanel Cahill ’97 and Monika Pataye Watkins ’97

Minta Ershaghi Spencer ’97 with husband Erick and sons Dean, Darius, and Derrick at Big Bear

Minta Ershaghi Spencer is living in Rancho Palos Verdes with her husband, Erick, and three boys: Dean (8), Darius (5), and Derrick (2). They love living in southern California and being close to the ocean and their families. Her boys are keeping her busy and she has never been happier. Minta hopes you are all well and loves reading Catalina updates. After ten years in living in L.A., Monika Pataye Watkins, her husband Adam, and son Oliver (5), recently moved back to the Bay Area. She misses the Catalina community in L.A., but looks forward to reconnecting with Catalina friends in the Bay Area. Monika is happy to report that she has

Herbie Mac, son of Morgan Rogers McMillan ’97

90 class notes

Reporter. It is incredible to be in touch with so many Catalina alumnae in the L.A. area, including Justine Carroll Campbell ’99, Helena Brown ’00, Lisa Walgenbach Cornehl ’97, Kate Lynch Jerkens ’97, and Carolyn Mulloy Schwartz ’98. It was wonderful to see so many southern California alumnae at the tribute reception for Sister Claire and Sister Christine in January!

Hazel James, daughter of Sarah McClendon ’97

already had a few out-of-town Catalina friends visit her new home in Mill Valley, including Andrea Hanel Cahill and myself (Jasmin Reate). Monika has had a fabulous time reconnecting with Sally Botts Drescher and her family at their yearly Disneyland trips, a 5-year tradition—and counting! Monika loves and cherishes that her son has made such strong connections with her classmates and their kids. She feels blessed to have such wonderful and supportive Catalina women in her family’s life. Jessica Wong and her high school sweetheart-husband, Dietrich, are doing great in the Redwood City area. Jessica quips, “Unlike our calm and laid-back son, Bryce (3), Elina (2) has grown to be a strong willed and feisty girl, so look out Santa Catalina!” Jennifer Patton Wundrow was asked to participate in the prestigious San Francisco Decorator’s Showcase House, and her design firm has been highlighted in many publications since, including California Home & Design magazine. She is currently working on some very exciting projects, maintaining life as a mom of two: daughter Maddie (6) and son Will (3) and is still living in Marin County. Camellia Rodriguez-SackByrne has been busy with Notre Dame des Victoires Church in San Francisco where she is a member of their music program. She was also a principal organizer for the Movements for Migrants concert that benefited Syrian refugees. Camellia is also a professional flutist. I (Jasmin Reate) hope everyone is doing well! It has been a great three years back in L.A., where I launched Jasmin Reate Consulting, a bespoke professional organizing business that harnesses my love for order and right angles. I continue to be a senior consultant for The Hollywood

1998

Natalia Woodhall Chappelow nataliawoodhall@yahoo.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

1999 Laura Stenovec laurastenovec@gmail.com

Gina Anderson: I’m about to celebrate my 10th anniversary in N.Y.C. and continue to live happily in the Upper East Side with my boyfriend, Ken. I recently took on

Angie Yao ’99 with bridesmaids Carmen Choi ’97, Robin Hwang ’00, Rene Leung ’99, and Rochelle DeCastro Jones ’99

Katie Maloof Alden ’99 and family

a new position at PepsiCo as the senior director of brand communications for the company’s North America beverages division where I oversee public relations in the U.S. for all Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Aquafina and Lipton iced tea products, among others. Ariana Ebrahimian and I remain in close contact and see each other as often as we can despite the 3,000 miles between us! On a recent visit to Carmel, I was able to spend time with both Ariana and Frances Verga-Lagier Cook. I was so glad to finally meet Frances’ adorable daughter, Cora, who is just as sweet as her mom. I’d love to see any Catalina girls when they are in N.Y.C.! Ariana Ebrahimian: I continue to enjoy practicing dentistry full time with my dad in Scotts Valley, CA, and parttime in San Francisco. I was honored to be elected president of the Monterey Bay Dental Society this year (youngest ever!), which has allowed me to give back to the profession in a meaningful way. I’ve also channeled my love of the stage into lecturing both locally and abroad about the relationship between sleep apnea, TMJ problems, and jaw position, as well as how to prevent those problems in children. Our whole family enjoyed accompanying my sister, Elena Ebrahimian ‘04, on a dental school mission trip to Fiji— a trip that I started when I was a student there. It was so fun to return to the village, see so many familiar faces, and witness what an impact the mission has had after eight years. Last, but not least, I’m looking forward to hooding Elena at her dental school graduation and standing next to her as her maid of honor this year! Claudia de la Fuente: The family moved from Guatemala to Cambodia midSeptember for work. It was a huge change

class notes 91

Members of the Class of 1999 and friends enjoy a weekend in Montana: Victoria Richardson, Whitney MacDonald Gough, Julie Rathman Fenton, Justine Carroll Campbell, Amy McCormick Vokey, Sarah Gallagher Parker, Emma Hinsdale Pickering, Laura Stenovec

for all of us, but so far we’re enjoying the food, the people, and the tourism. We’re also excited to shared the news that we’re expecting another boy in early May! We look forward to receiving Catalina visitors, as Angkor Wat alone is worth the trip! Marissa Anshutz Hermer: All well here! Max is 4-years-old, Jake is almost 2, and I’m opening a second Top Dog hot dog restaurant in London in April. Baby number three is due in May, and I’ll be finishing my cookbook in June. Bring on the madness! While we were in California this summer, we loved having visits from Julie Rathman Fenton, her husband, and daughter Lucy; Whitney MacDonald Gough and her son William; and Laura

James, son of Amy McCormick Vokey ’99

Ariana Ebrahimian ’99 and her sister Elena Ebrahimian ’04 doing dental aid work

Stenovec. Rochelle DeCastro Jones: A lot has happened this year. I was the maid of honor for the wedding of Angelina Yao Chu to Howard Chu, which took place in September 2015 in Jeju, South Korea, along with her other bridesmaids from Catalina: Carmen Choi ’97, Robin Hwang ’00, and Rene Leung. I also got married in May 2015 to Ian Jones. We had a very small wedding in Longboat Key on the west coast of Florida. My sister Crystal DeCastro ’04 was my maid of honor, and Angelina was my bridesmaid. Ashley Ensign Merlo and her husband, Mark, welcomed their first child, Ellis, in July. Ashley and Mark are loving their new roles as parents. Ali Schneider: 2015 was a big year for me as I left my job at Catholic Charities Oregon to start my own immigration law practice, Meadowlark Immigration PC, with my business partner, Michael Cowgill. As before, my practice will focus on serving survivors

Marissa Anschutz Hermer ’99 and family

Alaina McDonald Sylvester ’99, Katie Maloof Alden ’99, Adrienne Partridge ’99 in Reno, Nevada

of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as family-based immigration, and my partner will be focusing on asylum and people in court proceedings. Looks like Portland is my home for the long run! I have a lovely little house with a cute dog named Gizmo, and trying to get as much hiking in as possible. Alaina McDonald Sylvestor: We are doing well in Reno, NV. We welcomed Rustin in December 2015. He got to meet two of his favorite Catalina aunties, Adrienne Partridge and Katie Maloof Alden, while still in the womb at the baby shower in November and can’t wait to meet even more Catalina aunties in the near future. Amy McCormick Vokey: Nick, James, Basil, and I are still in New England. I have started to get back into fashion design and work freelance for BHLND while home with James who is now almost two. Lara Von Berg: I graduated from my residency in family medicine June 2015 from Overlook Medical Center. I am now working for Alatae Medical in Hillsborough, NJ in private practice. As for me, Laura Stenovec, I am a managing director and founding member with Beautycounter, a direct retail brand out of Santa Monica. Our mission is to get safe products into the hands of everyone. I coach and mentor a national sales team and absolutely love it. I just returned from a trip to the Yellowstone Club in

92 class notes

2000

Susie Bokermann susiebokermann@gmail.com Brigitte Kouba brigittekouba@yahoo.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

Rochelle DeCastro Jones ’99 with bridesmaid Angie Yao ’99, and Rochelle’s sister and maid of honor, Crystal DeCastro ’04

Big Sky, MT. Sarah Gallagher Parker generously hosted a group from the Class of 1999: Victoria Richardson, Whitney MacDonald Gough, Julie Rathman Fenton, Justine Carroll Campbell, Amy McCormick Vokey, Emma Hinsdale Pickering, and me (Laura Stenovec). It was so nice to reconnect with everyone. I’m still living in Denver and have two yorkies, Maddie and Teddie.

The Class of 2001 at Reunion 2016

cel

ebrati

years

2001

Sheila Callahan sheilacallahan@gmail.com Amy Franson franson.amy@gmail.com Natalie Hall: In 2014, I moved to London to do my master’s in arts administration and cultural policy, and still live here—far away from the California sun! After finishing my degree, I got a job running events and managing international projects for a national arts consultancy, and I also produce

Natalie Hall ’01 and Broggin Keaton ’01

and promote music and events around London on my own time. I get to see Catalina girls all the time, usually Annie Hilby, but was lucky enough to see Erin O’Brien, Sarah Talbott Hawthorne, Stefanie Salyer Gallegly, Ariana Tyksinski, and Brogiin Keeton over the holidays, too! Please drop me a line if anyone is ever in London, or if you’re an arts professional who would like to talk shop! Rachel Velcoff Hults: My husband, David, and I welcomed a baby boy, Mark, in July. I love being a mom and every day’s an adventure with this sweet little guy. We live in Sacramento and I’m an attorney with the National Center for Youth Law, where I work on educational issues impacting children in foster care. Maggie

class notes 93

Elsbeth Sigourney ’01 and new husband Rob Schroeder

O’Donnell MacMinn: I live in Marin and have three kids: Virginia (4), Willem (2), and baby Hans (7 months). Amy Walgenbach Udelson: My husband, Steve, and I relocated to Luxembourg when his company got acquired, and subsequently, I gave birth to our first child, Wyatt, in November. We are so in love with our son and excited to continue our travels around Europe as a family of three. Lindsey Lim Pak: I live in San Diego and have two sons: Lucas (8) and Ryan (7). I am a high school math teacher at a charter school here in Oceanside. I can’t believe it’s already our 15th but I am really excited to connect with everyone again! Adrienne Chow: I’m living in San Rafael, where I’ve been for a number of years. I completed a master’s program in East-West psychology several years back, during which I began making herbal medicine for the body. Currently I’m tending a growing business crafting a pain relief salve. It’s growing sweetly and swiftly! The very exciting news is that the salve was awarded third place in December in a contest for topical medicine! I am filled with gratitude to be where I am. I did some traveling with my mother last spring—we went to Brazil together for a month-long adventure in a town called Abadiania. Must travel more! I was blessed by a visit from Mzilikazi Kone in the autumn—what a gift and a wonderful reminder of the depth of our roots with one another. I would love to connect with any and all of you who may

be nearby. I look forward to reunion and send each woman my love! Erin O’Brien: I got married in June and Jessie Furst was able to come. I’m also expecting my first child this summer! Gina Moro Nebesar: My husband, Adam, and I welcomed our first child, Hazel, a happy, healthy, and enormous baby girl. After almost two weeks past her due date, Hazel tipped the scales at 9 lbs. 10 oz. I’m still with my startup, Ovuline (Ovia fertility and pregnancy apps), and feel very lucky to help others experience the same joy of motherhood and bring beautiful babies into the world! Elsbeth Sigourney: I recently got married to Rob Schroeder in September 2015 at the Old Whaling Station in Monterey. We are currently living in Monterey and enjoying married life! I am also working at Catalina on a daily basis tutoring students. Sheila Callahan White: My husband, Brad, and I welcomed our son, James, in October 2015. We are living in Santa Barbara and I am back working part-time doing interior design for Rooms & Gardens.

2002 Sasha Irving sasha.irving@gmail.com

Olivia Nilsson olivianilsson@gmail.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

2003 Monica Johnson Steiner monicafax@gmail.com Gaby Asmus gmasmus@gmail.com Megan Mulloy megan.mulloy@gmail.com Gwendolyn Roberts: It’s sweet to take a moment an encapsulate things into a class note update. After attending over

Beth Hylle Schaal ’03 and family

60 births as a doula over the past few years, I get to give childbirth a try myself this spring. I’m working full-time as an associate business analyst for digital health company, Maternity Neighborhood, helmed by a former midwife, and I plan to return to midwifery studies myself down the road, but the work/life situation is pretty ideal right now. My doula agency, Bright Birthing, is still a joy and I have a few more birth clients before I go offcall for a while. The monthly events we host for expectant and new moms have Ashley Hightower Tower ’03 and family

94 class notes

The wedding of Thu-Anh Le ’03 and Bryan Nguyen

proven to be the basis of a community I wouldn’t trade for the world. Mollie Shea Stephens: I’ve started my own massage therapy business in the St. Louis, MO area. It’s just getting started but I’m really excited about it. I’ve been working for a chiropractor for the past nine years so this is a big step for me. It’s called Clover Therapeutic Massage. Other than that, I bought a house over the summer. The adult stuff is fun but stressful. Sabine Korting Carl: My husband, our three year-old, and I recently moved to Freiburg, Germany, where I started my new job as a senior research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law. There I am coordinating an EU-wide criminological research project on economic and industrial espionage. Earlier this year, I rejoiced in the chance to catch up with Bryna Lieberman in Bangkok, Thailand, and I hope Delia Lai will not be the last classmate to visit our Black Forest-based family abode. We are also looking forward to another addition to the family in June. Ashley Hightower Tower: We moved to Clovis in July for Sean’s job and we love it! I’ve enjoyed getting to see Rosie Brabeck Commons and Amy Swanson Spano and having our kids play together. We really like it here and being closer to family, but we miss San Diego and weekly lunch dates with Kristin Frick! Beth Hylle Schaal now lives in Sacramento, CA with her husband of five years, Tom, their daughter

Henrietta (2), and their beloved pup, Potato. They are expecting their second child in May. Beth keeps busy caring for Henrie, tackling home improvement projects, and training to be a docent at the Crocker Museum of Art. Beth feels blessed to still have Jasmine Wibbens Green close by; their families shared the Thanksgiving holiday this year! Thu-Anh Le Nguyen: I got married in October 2015 in Orange County, CA to Bryan Nguyen. We got married at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Huntington Beach and we celebrated with a reception of 380 family and friends at Grand Garden Restaurant. My sister, Lani Le ’06, was one of my bridesmaids. Priscilla McCarthy Barolo is living in San Mateo, CA and working in enterprise marketing at a tech company, Zoom Video Communications, in San Jose. She and her husband, Joe, are expecting their first child in June. All of her pants officially stopped fitting this week. Soli Romero: I made the career switch to television accounting in late 2014, while I was still working at Glee. Since then, I’ve worked on a Judd Apatow series for Netflix called LOVE, as well as Big Little Lies for HBO, Lucifer on Fox, and Murder in the First on TNT. I regularly see Catherine Nicora, and have hung out with Simone Villalobos a few times since she moved here in the fall. Justine Sterling moved in with her boyfriend and relocated from Williamsburg to Astoria. She still works for Food & Wine magazine

and is hoping to come up with a recipe for homemade midori in 2016. Gaby Asmus is engaged to be married in Sonoma in August 2016, with Alex Sutty and Megan Mulloy as bridesmaids, and younger sister Veronica Asmus ’05 as maid of honor. Alex Sutty recently started a new job at Zuora, a San Francisco start-up, and enjoys the perks of working remotely from home in Huntington Beach. This year, she also ran a successful crowdfunding campaign for her lingerie company, Buff You Intimates (buffyouintimates. com), which will help launch the brand in Spring 2016. Alex frequently sees other Catalina alumnae and had a ton of fun celebrating everyone’s 30th birthday in San Diego with Gaby Asmus, Megan Mulloy, Stephanie Wai, Soli Romero, Priscilla McCarthy Barolo, and Liz Wilkie.

2004 Katie Fruzynski katie.fruzynski@gmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

2005

Madeline Callander madeline.callander@gmail.com Lyndsay Peden McAmis mcamislc@gmail.com Miyabi Yu Yeu: After living in Singapore for the past five years, we moved to San Francisco at the end of last year. Our son, Christopher (1), made his first trip to Monterey during New Year’s. I would love to catch up with familiar faces in the Bay Area! Cece Fourchy Quinn: I am currently living in my hometown of Fresno, working as head writer for online stores Layla Grayce and Zinc Door. I had baby girl Mary Louise back in June and loved getting visits from all kinds of

class notes 95

Catalina girls. I have also been able to see fellow Fresnans Amy Swanson ’03 and Ryann Woolf ’07 a few times, too! This year Shannon McKenna completed her master’s degree in electrical engineering after working on it part-time for three years. To celebrate, she traveled to Singapore to visit with Miyabi (and her new baby, Christopher), Christine Chiu, and Michelle Balch. Highlights of the year also included getting to be part of the wedding of Lauren Vice ‘05 and going to the 10-year reunion weekend at Catalina! Olivia Hussman Ramsey continues to live in Little Rock, AR with her husband, Joe, and their two dogs, Junebug and Mac. They recently bought and remodeled a new house. After five years of teaching kindergarten, she’s taking some time off from education and loves working at a stationery store. Maddie Callander: I am loving life in San Francisco, and work as director of accelerator operations for Boost VC, a venture capital startup accelerator that invests in virtual reality and blockchain/Bitcoin startups. I would love to reconnect with alums in the Bay Area! Loren Vittetoe: I am currently living in New York City, working in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, focused mostly on the technology and Internet sectors. Kimberly Skillicorn: I am currently living in Baltimore and will be finishing my doctoral degree in clinical psychology this summer. I will be starting my residency in pediatric neuropsychology and can’t wait for what the next adventure brings! Eliza Hussman Gaines: I am the vice president of audience development for WEHCO Media in Little Rock, AR. In my spare time I enjoy running after my 1-year-old, playing tennis, traveling, and cooking. Maria Costa: I’m currently working as a licensed, board certified speech and language pathologist in California. I work in a private practice on the Central Coast, treating patients of various ages who have been diagnosed with speech, language, or swallowing disorders. I also became an aunt for the first time to a precious baby girl. Since moving to Singapore in 2014, Tara Smith Harris has been working at advertising agency, BBDO, looking after their digital and social growth initiatives for key clients across Asia, as well as the agency’s philanthropic work. She was married in May 2015 to Peter Harris at the Lyford Cay Club, Nassau, The Bahamas. Kristen Clark: I graduated in May 2015 with my Master of Social Work (MSW) with an emphasis in aging from Cal State

The Class of 2006 at Reunion 2016

University, Fullerton. I work for a medical group, DaVita HealthCare Partners, as a medical social worker and absolutely love my work! In terms of volunteerism, I am involved in The Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin project, a therapeutic grief and loss camp for youth. Other than all of this, I love living in sunny southern California, where I paddle board and hit the beach as often as possible! Life is good. Kimberly Friedrich Feeley and her husband, Eddie, who are both in education, rode 1435 miles on their bicycles this summer from Minnesota to Boston via Canada. It took one month to make the journey! At the end, they attended a family wedding.

Miki Fukushima ’07 trekking in Iceland

2006 Lauren Kristich lekristich@gmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

2007 Natalie Kocekian nkocek@gmail.com

I (Natalie Kocekian) have spent the last year working intensely on the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and am excited to announce my recent promotion at Lucasfilm. I am still living in San Francisco, and look forward to Kelley Trapp moving here this summer! Kelley is currently finishing up her didactic work at UW, and will begin an internship in audiology at UCSF in June. Kate Carrubba is also living in San Francisco with her fiancé and two cats and will be getting married in May at Villanova. She has also been busy working at Benefit Cosmetics headquarters for the last three years. Also living in Northern California, Miki Fukushima has started her year with an unforgettable private 25-day rafting

96 class notes

Ryann Woolf ’07 and Elena Arrangoiz ’07 hiking in Colorado

trip down the Grand Canyon. During the summer, Miki, lead adventure trekking tours in Iceland—enjoying the views, hot springs, and cuisine. She plans to continue to take people into the outdoors as a means to detach them from stress and their iPhones. After living in Dallas for two years teaching first grade with Teach for America, Kaycie Gillette-Mallard moved back to D.C. and is teaching at a charter school in Anacostia. She loves being back on the East Coast, and despite the challenges of teaching in a high poverty school, she finds it humbling and rewarding every day. She is living closer to Eleana Collins and they are able to see each other frequently! Eleana is in her

Raquel Zaragoza ’07 in Asia

fifth year of living in Baltimore, and is a senior associate at a PR agency. She got back into competitive golf and played in the U.S. Mid-Amateur in Louisiana last year, “which was a lot of fun!” she says. Cat Haueter graduated this fall with a master’s degree in counseling pyschology from the Wright Institute in Berkley and is currently working as a psychotherapy intern at Pyramid Alternatives, a community mental health organization based out of Pacifica. “I’m using my free time to learn new songs to sing on the ukulele, and organize costumed capture the flag games in the park with friends,” she says. Sam Wai has been continuing her stint at Innovation Endeavors, an early-stage VC fund, where she focuses on agriculture technology and engineering biology investing and will be attending business school in the fall. Lauren Byrne in her third year of medical school at Tufts, and is thinking about going into pediatrics. She is enjoying married life, and everything Boston has to offer. She hopes all is well with everyone else! Teaching fifth grade at Spreckels Elementary, Bri Slama also finds time to still perform regularly. Most recently as Jemima in CATS at Pacific Repertory Theatre. This summer she will be in Evita at MPC, sharing the stage once again with Lara Wheeler Devlin ’02. Raquel Zaragoza is still living in Guaymas, working for her dad. She is in charge of developing a residence of about 80 houses, which she is very excited about! She has also been spending time water skiing, swimming, playing tennis, and traveling a lot. She took a trip to Asia with friends during the summer, and can’t wait to keep exploring! Emily Helbig is now living in San Diego finishing out the rest of her Navy contract and returned in June from a 10-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. She has about two years left and then hopes to continue to work in her field abroad in energy production. This last year, Jennifer Williams was an artist in residence at Have Company in Grand Rapids, MI and created a booklet about the creative, which has sold a few hundred copies. She also leads workshops and plans to become a writing teacher and to facilitate a dream workshop. Congratulations to Kathyrn Balestreri on her recent engagement! Looking forward to seeing everyone next year at our 10-year reunion.

2008 Shannon L. Gaughf slgaughf@gmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

2009

The Class of 2009 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83, Director of Alumnae Relations, to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way.

2010 Colleen Zellitti czellitti@gmail.com

We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

2011 Kelsey Player kelsey.player93@gmail.com Kelsey Riordan kelseyriordanII@aol.com Taylor Griffon: Hello from sunny San Diego! I graduated from Penn State in the spring with a Bachelor of Science in community, environment, and development with a specialization in environmental economics and policy. I was offered a position after graduation to work for a military planning firm contracted through the Department of Defense that

class notes 97

The Class of 2011 at Reunion 2016

specializes in Navy and Marine Corp facility planning. Most of my work involves traveling, which has given me the chance to see a lot of awesome places and visit friends and family. I love living in San Diego and have had the special opportunity to reconnect with classmates Kelsey Player and Cynthia Baricevic! San Diego is so active and outdoorsy, I love being able to take advantage of it every day I can! Kelsey

Alex Opechowski ’11 at her graduation from the University of Chicago

Player: After four wonderful years at Texas Christian University, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in communication studies. Shortly after graduating, I started working at a place very near and dear to all of our hearts: Catalina! I am currently working alongside my fellow classmate, Rae Gregory, as an admission associate and living in Thompson Dorm as a resident faculty member. I am so excited to be working in the admission office helping

Cynthia Baricevic ’11 in the Sierras

prospective students and their families see why Catalina is so special. Rae Gregory: What a year it has been! I graduated from Syracuse University in May and then vacationed in Hawaii with my family over the summer. In August, I started my first “real world” job as an admission associate at Catalina with classmate, Kelsey Player. We share an office, so stop by and say hi! Cynthia Baricevic: Following graduation, I accepted a position as an Americorps member to coordinate a volunteer tree planting program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service in areas affected by the 2013 Rim Fire. In addition to volunteer management, this position has given me the unique opportunity to build an education program for local elementary and high school students that teaches environmental monitoring techniques utilizing GPS and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. While the transition to rural living has been interesting coming from the Bay Area for the past four years, I have been enjoying the adventure and have found so much support from my family and friends through the process. All in all, I love my new home in Groveland, CA and have been taking advantage of all the

98 class notes

Kelsey Player ’11 and Rae Gregory ’11 on Halloween at Catalina

outdoor activities the Central Sierras have to offer. Jasmyn Domingues: I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in integrated educational studies with a double minor in history and psychology from Chapman University in May 2015. I am currently in graduate school to obtain my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Arts in teaching at Chapman. I am also currently student teaching in a third grade classroom in Irvine, CA and I am planning on graduating with my teaching credential and master’s this May. I plan on teaching elementary school in Orange County right after graduation! Kristina Flathers: After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, I moved to New York City to take a job in investment banking, which has been both fun and challenging, or rather, fun because it’s challenging. Besides working, I’ve kept in mind Santa Catalina’s mission of service, passion, and civic engagement while helping start a pro-life group geared towards young adults. This has been a great way to build community and meet friends in the big city. Nevertheless, I constantly miss my Catalina sisters and can’t wait to see many of them in March during Reunion. I can’t believe it’s already been 5 years! Amanda Shephard: In May of 2015, I graduated from the University of Hawai’i Manoa with a double degree in elementary and special education, cum laude. In August, I started my first year as a resource specialist for Salinas City Elementary School District. I help English language students in K-grade six with reading,

writing, and math. I love the work I do and plan on putting in many more years of helping kids in Title 1 schools. Outside of work, my family recently welcomed my niece, Rosalie, into the world. I love being a new auntie and spending time with my family after four years of living out of state. Emily Grunwald: I graduated from NYU in May with a B.S. in nursing. We graduated at Yankee Stadium, which was incredible, and a very proud moment for me. I then moved to Sacramento on my own to work at an in-patient psychiatric hospital in Sacramento. Working in psych has been an experience that has changed my perspective on life. There is a huge knowledge deficit of mental health in this country and it feels good to be making a difference in the lives of those struggling with wounds that nobody can see. Within the year, I hope to get a more acute care job in Sacramento—hopefully in the labor and delivery department or pediatric emergency. Alex Opechowski: I graduated! That’s a thing I did. I’ve now got a degree in international studies from the University of Chicago, which is useful in that it allows me to make passing remarks about things of international Importance at dinner parties and such. For my thesis, I received a grant to write about contemporary cuisine in Poland and how it fits into the broader context of the EU—but, in short, I spent a long time eating and writing about eating pierogi. Sadly, that’s not a full-time gig, so, two days after graduation, I started working in tech, a field I never thought I’d wind up

Kristina Flathers ’11 with her parents at her graduation from Notre Dame

Taylor Griffon ’11 at her graduation from Pennsylvania State University

in. I’m with a company in Chicago called Jellyvision, known for making interactive games and web products. I’m thinking of going back to school in 2017, but, for now, I’m pretty happy where I am.

2012

Katharine Garcia katharine.garcia8@yahoo.com Chloe Dlott aquabubble87@gmail.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

class notes 99

2013 Caitlin Dullanty cailtlindullanty@gmail.com Annie Haueter anniehaueter@gmail.com Paisley Piasecki has been studying advertising with minors in French and arts administration at Boston University. She spent the summer after her sophomore year as an intern in New York with Roundabout Theatre Company and then spent a semester in Paris to finish her French education. She is looking forward to living in Boston or New York this summer and starting the law school application process shortly after. Kendra Hoffman is currently studying abroad in Spain this year and has been traveling during her winter break. She was in Germany after Christmas, Prague for New Year’s, and then Budapest after that. She returns to Spain to take her finals in February, and then joins us

back in California at the end of July. She says the traveling has been amazing, and her Spanish fluency is coming along nicely! Along with a few friends, Marcela Montellano-Ortiz started a nonprofit to help orphan kids find stable jobs once they turn 18 and have to leave the orphanage. They started it last semester, and already have a lot of support from local companies and the local government. It’s called Nosotros por Tu Futuro A.C., and they plan to begin working with 10 girls this coming semester. She has also taken up running, and has completed several 5Ks. Congratulations, Marcela! Caitlin Dullanty is studying abroad in Hong Kong this semester, and plans to travel throughout China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. She is most excited to be able to visit the American Embassy in Beijing to hear a talk on China’s economy from economists and political advisors. After the spring semester, she will then return to New York to complete her second internship in equity research with Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Class of 2015 Alumnae Leadership making a fashion statement before graduation practice! Congratulations to Class Agents: Laura Colosky and Jennifer Hernandez; Class Correspondents: Julia Clark and Mackenzie Fisher; Class Social Media Editors: Madison Fox and Maya Pollack; and Reunion Co-chairs: Maddy Fisher and Mackenzie Fisher.

2014 Kylie Moses kyliemoses14@gmail.com Emma Russell emmarussellpg@yahoo.com We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the spring and even-numbered in the fall. Look for your class notes in the spring issue!

2015 Julia Clark julicclark09@gmail.com Mackenzie Fisher kenzieayn7@gmail.com Rio Turrini-Smith is at Cal Poly SLO majoring in environmental earth and soil sciences.

100 transitions

Transitions Alumnae

In Memory

Marriages

Our love and prayers to:

Brenda Beckett ’67 to Dennis Swilley

The family of Victoria Miller Cole ’55

Meghan Wood ’98 to Shane Kriegal Angie Yao ’99 to Howard Chu Rochelle DeCastro ’99 to Ian Jones Elisabeth Brinks ’99 to Aaron Day Erin O’Brien ’01 to Daniel Moyer

Didi Dwyer Schreiber ’59 on the death of her husband Domie Garat Werdel ’60 on the death of her husband

Elsbeth Sigourney ’01 to Rob Schroeder

The family of Kit Prindiville Islip ’61

Thu-Anh Le ’03 to Bryan Nguyen

The family of Pamela Parker Krasney ’61

Alisha Forsyth ’04 to Paul Schneider Robin Stallard ’04 to Brian Bacon Hillary Darnell ’05 to Neil Parikh Tara Smith ’05 to Peter Harris

The family of Gildi Schnitzenberger Whiteside ’61 The family of Deb deBack Eberhardt ’62

Births AND ADOPTIONS

Pam Du Pratt Gallaway ’63 on the death of her mother

Kate Brinks ’96 and Jeremy Lathen, Luke

Cece Morken Gadda ’67 on the death of her mother

Sarah McClendon ’97 and Melanie Koch, Hazel

Sue Lloyd ’67 on the death of her mother

Morgan Rogers ’97 and Gavin McMillan, Herbert

Yolanda Scaccia Manuel ’67 on the death of her mother

Alaina McDonald ’99 and James Sylvester, Rustin

Catherine Greene Ono ’74 on the death of her daughter

Ashley Ensign ’99 and Mark Merlo, Ellis

Jeannie Jagels Vaughn ’75 on the death of her mother

Gina Moro ’01 and Adam Nebesar, Hazel

Cecily Marble Hintzen ’75 on the death of her mother

Amy Walgenbach ’01 and Steve Udelson, Wyatt Rachel Velcoff ’01 and David Hults, Mark Sheila Callahan ’01 and Brad White, James Sarah Jones ’04 and Carl Rediske, Jacob Cece Fourchy ’05 and Paul Quinn, Mary Louise

Margaret Glaser ’77 and Kathryn Glaser ’78, on the death of their mother Angela Evans Vaughan ’81 on the death of her husband Tamara Monosoff ’83 on the death of her mother Cristina Manuguerra Gage ’87 and Annamaria Manuguerra ’93 on the death of their father

Faculty & Staff Births and adoptions Molly and Kelley Calvert, Jonah

In Memory Our love and prayers to: Amy Aldrich McAfee on the death of her mother-in-law The family of Mary Antoinette “Toni” Glaser Jim Morton on the death of his sister Mike Raggett on the death of his brother Erin White on the death of her grandfather

Items in Transitions reflect communications received between September 5, 2015, and April 15, 2016.

serious fun It’s a girl thing.

Summer 2016 Classes Include:

Summer 2016 Program Dates

• Marine Biology, Outdoor Exploration, Robotics, Coding

• 5-Weeks: June 26 - July 30 • 2-Weeks: June 26 - July 9 • 3-Weeks: July 10 - July 30

• Art, Ceramics, Photography, Cooking, Creative Writing, Digital Movie Making • Swimming, Diving, Golf, Tennis, Volleyball, Yoga, Fitness Training, Riding/Horsemanship • Dance, Voice, Ukulele, Drama, Theatre Tech • Musical Theatre Workshop Sing, dance, and act in this year’s camp performance and full-scale musical production of Dear Edwina, Jr.

Find out more about our summer of fun!

Check out our official Facebook page.

63 years of camp traditions & fun! Girls • Ages 8-14 • Grades 3-9 Day Camp • Resident Camp

Summer at Santa Catalina Monterey, CA • 831.655.9386 summercamp@santacatalina.org To learn more visit: santacatalina.org

connect with

Our website continues to be our central online resource, but we invite you to join us for tweets, videos, news, photos, and more!

Catalina

LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL facebook.com/santacatalinaschool

facebook.com/catalinaprek8

268

posts

Facebook “Likes”