2019 April OLP Magazine

OLP MAGAZINE SPRING 2019

ST E M TA K ES F l i g h t AT O L P

IN THIS ISSUE SPRING 2019

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5TH ANNUAL OLP WOMEN’S SYMPOSIUM

BOUNDLESS CA M PA I G N SUPPORT

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ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE: MOVING HUMANITY FO RWA R D

ANNUAL GALA & AUCTION A HIT!

STEM PROGRAM T H R I V I N G AT OLP

2019 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AWA R D

FRONT COVER PHOTO

Mrs. Cullina shows her Anatomy and Physiology students how to properly conduct a dissection. Learn more on page 14.

O U R M I S S I O N STAT E M E N T Founded and rooted in the Gospel values of the Catholic church and the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace empowers young women in an innovative learning environment that honors the individual while fostering community, and develops faith-filled leaders dedicated to the “love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.”

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OLP Dear OLP Pilot Community, “Our world is good, but not good enough,” ~ District Attorney Summer Stephan

Dr. Lek (right) with OLPWS Co-Chair Danitza Villanueva ’98, DA Summer Stephan and OLPWS Co-Chair and current parent Francesca Castagnola.

On Friday, March 15th, the OLP community joined together with over 360 guests to welcome in our Fifth Annual Women’s Symposium, themed, “Piloting Your Life.” It was

a day of storytelling, encouragement, challenges, and hope. Receiving a standing ovation, our keynote speaker, District Attorney for the County of San Diego, Summer Stephan, left the entire audience emboldened. She spoke to our hearts, shared the stories of her grandmother and parents, who both left an indelible impact on her life, and challenged all of us to “not take shortcuts, as there is no replacing character.” Students were in awe of her, and left with strategies to pilot their future, such as “going for excellence each day, while continuing to plan and dream for the future.”

As with each of the four Women’s Symposiums prior, our students found opportunities to network with other professional women, and hear experiences, that regardless of the age difference, apply to their lives today. We sat as a community, with young girls who are in middle school, alongside grandmothers hungry for insights on how to invent their next chapter! Men and women joined together to ask tough questions about life’s journey. It was a day of hope. This year, we also welcomed local women entrepreneurs to join the conversation and participate in our vendor marketplace. From alumnae to parents, to current students, all of us enjoyed the chance to celebrate one another’s innovative spirit.

In thinking about our education today, our OLP students are offered opportunities and experiences so unique to our school. In February, eight students joined Stephanie Kanaski ‘99, Director of Institutional Advancement, and I as we traveled to the Watermark Conference for Women in Silicon Valley alongside 7,000+ other professional women. Just this past week, another group of students had the opportunity to spend the day at Sony for their first annual Student Educational Experience (SEE). Students, faculty, and staff also ventured up to Los Angeles to serve at the Jubilee celebration for our Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Each of these experiences powerfully shapes the lives of our students, preparing them for the world they will so quickly be entering.

On our own Villa Montemar campus, we are readying for the powerful transformation of our academic buildings, to prepare for this next generation of learners. The Boundless project is as much to serve our students today, as it is a vision for the future. In February we welcomed the eight modular buildings that will house our temporary classrooms and restrooms. On April 17th, we will begin to move 27 classrooms over Spring Break, to then return to our temporary learning facilities for the next year.

As we close up our beloved Aquinas Hall and St. Joseph Hall for renovation, I invite all of you to join us on May 1, 2019, at 9 a.m. for a Goodbye Blessing and Groundbreaking ceremony. Learn more and RSVP at aolp.org/Groundbreaking.

This spring, may the power of God’s grace shine forth in abundant blessing for you and yours. And may you continue to keep OLP in heart and prayer.

God Bless,

Lauren Lek, Ed.D. HEAD OF SCHOOL

CLASS NOTES should be sent to Jeanette Handelsman at jhandelsman@aolp.org.

MAGAZINE

Academy Of Our Lady Of Peace Head of School Lauren Lek, Ed.D. Assistant Head of School Jessica Hooper Leadership Team George Battistel, Ph.D. Melinda Blade, Ed.D. Chris Boyer Marlena Conroy Aaron Gonzalez Teri Heard Stephanie Kanaski ’99 Jessica (Goncalves) Occhialini ’88 Emily Pippin ’06 Toni Russo Contributors Rivka Bent Alexa Camarena ’10 Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64 Stephanie Kanaski ’99 Dr. Lauren Lek Kelly Marshall Alexis Rodriguez Design Hollis Maloney ’07 Copy Editor Lisa Danaher Board of Directors Lauren Lek, Ed.D., Head of School Damian McKinney, Board Chair Alison (Priske) Adema ’82 Michael Guerrero Terry Kalfayan Clair Cunningham Kennedy ’81 Diane Koester-Byron Lisa (Manzer) Leweck ’82 Deacon Lane Litke Gayle McMahon Sister Jill Marie Napier Mary O’Connor, DDS Coreen G. Petti Peg Stehly Danitza (Ramirez) Villaneuva ’98 Sister Maureen O’Connor, CSJ Provincial Sister Sandra Williams, CSJ Council

TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS, please contact Nelson Kim at nkim@aolp.org.

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While STEM is the focus of this edition of the OLP Magazine, our Visual and Performing Arts program is just as important and thriving! Spring Sing was a success and our Orchestra, Choir, Choral Ensemble and Theatre programs are all growing!

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DANCE The OLP Dance Team traveled to Long Beach for the West Coast Elite Dance Nationals in March and came away with huge wins! Small Lyrical won 6th overall out of 14 teams; Medium Jazz won 2nd overall out of 11 teams and was featured in the closing Gala; Medium Hip Hop won 4th overall out of 15 teams and was also featured in the closing Gala! Captain Emily Rivera ‘19 won 3rd overall for her Improvisation Hip Hop solo; Olivia & Samantha Kennedy ‘20 won 4th overall for their duo, and Kaitlin Ordonio ‘21, Anna Pingol ‘21, and Jessica Lewis ‘22 won 3rd overall for their trio. In addition, Melissa Hernandez ‘22 and Giovanna Territo ‘22 performed stunning solo routines. It was quite the weekend for our dancing Pilots at their first Nationals appearance, making history and memories to last a lifetime.

Go Pilots!

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5th Annual OLP Women’s Symposium On Friday, March 15, we celebrated our 5th annual Women’s Symposium, appropriately themed, Piloting Your Life. Our keynotes, District Attorney Summer Stephan, and owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes, Mara Fortin, joined our line-up of amazing panelists and Thought Leaders, to share with our students and community at large a message of purpose, passion, and grit.

The growth of the Women’s Symposium is a direct result of meeting our girls where they are. According to Megan Murphy, with the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, “We believe— and studies confirm—Girls Must See It To Be It. Seeing the women who came before them, made tough decisions, and pursued non-traditional roles, will absolutely and positively influence their own paths in life.” By bringing pathfinders, trailblazers, innovators, and changemakers to the symposium table, we hear remarkable stories of transcendence through adversity, discover anthems for success, and learn to harness the power of our voices. This past year we welcomed extraordinary panelists including Ashley Nell Tipton, fashion designer and winner of Project Runway 14, Holly Smithson, CEO of Athena, and Mary Jean Anderson, owner of Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air, just to name a few.

With each year, the Women’s Symposium has grown exponentially, attracting more attendees and corporate engagement. For the second year, we presented the Round Table discussion, a tabletop event open to student participants only. This unique networking opportunity provided students the chance to connect with past Women’s Symposium panelists.

This year we also highlighted women-owned businesses, like Kopari, Branch Out Market, Kendra Scott, and Hola Swim through our Vendor Marketplace. Our guests were able to shop and support our student entrepreneurs as well!

Our eyes are peeled for phenomenal panelists for the next Women’s Symposium. To nominate a future speaker, please visit aolp.org/Nominate. Please join us next year and save-the-date for our 6th Annual Women’s Symposium on Friday, MARCH 13, 2020!

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PA S T K E Y N O T E S Top to bottom

Supervisor Kristin Gaspar

2018, Chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors

Thank You Sponsors!

Innovator Sponsor

Marcela Valladolid ‘96 2017, Chef and Author

Anne Sweeney

2016, Board of Directors at Netflix & Mayo Clinic; former President of Disney-ABC Television Group

Tracy Chao

2015, Software Engineer at Pinterest

Trailblazer Sponsors

Changemaker Sponsors

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Architects of Change CLUB INCEPTION The inspiration for having an Architects of Change experience at OLP was sparked back in November 2015 when Dr. Lek and Ms. Bent took students to their first Architects of Change Live Conversation with Maria Shriver in Los Angeles. That day, Ms. Shriver responded to the student inquiry to come to our school by challenging us to start our own Architects of Change club. Ms. Shriver, at that time, didn’t know the power of suggestion in the hands of an OLP girl, but she soon found out! With a shared tenacity to realize Architects of Change at OLP, Ms. Bent represented the student voice by continuing outreach directly with Maria Shriver and her team at Shriver Media. Turns out they weren’t quite prepared to share the AOC platform, so the process took more than

AOC team members Katie-Marie Zickert ’20 and Kaseba Chibweth ’19 interviewed San Diego philanthropist Darlene Shiley on the eve of Darlene’s $2 million gift to the OLP Boundless Campaign.

a year before OLP had the green light. With the partnership in place, OLP has the honor of being the first school to partner with Maria Shriver to enact Architects of Change at the scholastic level.

CLUB EVOLUTION Architects of Change has evolved immensely as the years have progressed.

Our first conversation began with Head of School, Dr. Lek and Assistant Head of School, Mrs. Hooper, explaining how they move humanity forward in our OLP community. From there, we have grown into a 15-member team with monthly highlights in the OLP Newsletter, PTV segments on morning announcements, and live conversations at least twice per school year. We have also grown immensely in our media presence in local news. From promoting live conversations to being interviewed for magazines and TV spots, Architects of Change is making a positive mark on the community.

We have brought in changemakers like pro surfer and motivational speaker, Bethany Hamilton, and the founder of our movement, Former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver. We have welcomed influential community members, from philanthropist Darlene Shiley, to the President/COO of Sony Electronics,

AOC team members Maggie Brady ’19 and Marlene Vollbrechthausen Perez ’18 enjoyed learning more about Maria Shriver and how and why she started the Architects of Change program.

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Mike Fasulo. What was once a small movement has turned into a powerhouse for change.

C L U B F U T U R E A S P I R AT I O N S

Although we have taken strides of growth these past couple of years, there is still room for opportunity to expand ahead! One of our goals includes branching our communication platforms to enable a greater community reach. As a team that values “moving humanity forward,” we aspire to new horizons through additional technology, such as an AOC podcast and vlog. Not only do we want to expand our communication reach, but we are actively engaged in ways to focus on serving our “dear neighbor.” Recognizing Alzheimer’s Disease disproportionately affects women, our club platform is aligned to bringing awareness to Alzheimer’s Disease and raising funds for research, a cause also dear to Maria Shriver’s heart.

By exploring new avenues of connecting with our audience, we hope to bridge the gap between what happens during the conversation and what happens during the return to the everyday routine of life. It is easy to sit in the audience and identify the Architect of Change onstage, but it is often much more difficult to identify the Architect of Change within. Our team here at OLP firmly believes that each of us is called to be an Architect of Change. This year, we began incorporating an “AOC in Me Minute” at the beginning of each meeting. During this minute, a team member has the opportunity to share a personal experience when she was called to be an Architect of Change—rising to the challenge in a scary situation, imagining an effective solution in the face of a difficult problem, and moving toward positive change. Becoming an Architect of Change is a mindset of improvement and growth. How do my actions impact others? How am I called to step out of my comfort zone and make a change? How can I positively transform the dynamics within my social circle, classroom setting, work space, or neighborhood community? As we look ahead at the future of the Architects of Change club, we will continually reflect on these questions and bring awareness to the Architect of Change within each of us.

Learn more about Architects of Change at aolp.org/AOCatSchool.

AOC team members Katie-Marie Zickert ’20 (left) and Maggie Brady ’19 pose with Sony President and COO Mike Fasulo and Sony’s robot dog Aibo.

The AOC team participated in a volunteer day recently. The students, Mrs. Bent and Mrs. Rayner all visited CSJ Sisters at Carondelet Center in Los Angeles to celebrate the CSJ Jewel Jubilee. It was an incredible multi-generational day sharing the CSJ charism.

Left to right (top row): Katie Cota ‘20, Alyse Saucedo ‘21, Mary Caratan Sloper ‘58, Sr. Linda Snow ‘58, Sofia RojoKratochvil ‘20, Katie-Marie Zickert ‘20 Left to right (bottom row): Sr. Sara Sanders ‘58, Sr. Anne Lorraine Mahlmeister ‘48 Check out our AOC Monthly highlights online at aolp.org/AOCatSchool.

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Championing All Girls: D R . L E K TA K E S O N NEW TRUSTEE LEADERSHIP ROLE Six years ago, as I arrived at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace as a new Head of School, I found myself seeking support and advice from those colleagues in the field. Although I had been in education for over 20 years, my work had always been in a coeducational setting. As I was settling into working with an all-girls’ school, I was yearning for best practices and tools. In my previous experiences, educational priorities focused more on the issues around our young men, and I saw our girls being left behind. Now that I was devoted to 750 girls, I wanted to provide them, and our educators, with the best resources to guide our way.

The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) quickly became my lauded partner for research, collaboration, professional development, and storytelling. It is because of all that I have gained, along with my fellow OLP faculty and staff, that I was honored to be selected as one of the newest members of the NCGS Board of Trustees. In July 2019, I will officially take my seat, joining some of the most highly respected educators across our nation, working collectively to advance the education of our young women.

For the past five years, OLP has been blessed to be partners with the National Coalition of Girls Schools. An organization that is committed to serving as a leading advocate for girls’ schools, NCGS supports over 250 Pk-12 schools across a global network including more than 15,000 educators, 100,000 students, and nearly one million alumnae graduates. An organization founded over 25 years ago, they have been instrumental in bringing together all-girls’ schools around research, professional development, collaboration, and the power of collective action.

As a result of our NCGS partnership, OLP faculty and staff have benefited immensely. They have attended annual conferences, served as presenters, and have participated in a variety of ongoing professional development conversations. NCGS’ commitment to advancing knowledge through collective conversations has resulted in a community of learners benefiting from the sage wisdom of others.

Most recently, OLP has welcomed leaders in girls’ research such as Dr. Lisa Damour, author of the books Untangled and Under Pressure, and coming in September 2019, Rachel Simmons, author of books Enough as She Is and The Curse of the Good Girl.

Furthermore, over 14 members of the faculty and staff have participated in a year-long professional development called Headways Conversations with other colleagues from across the United States, Canada and England, to deep dive into particular issues around topics such as Athletics, Global Learning, Counseling, Curriculum and Instruction, just to name a few.

OLP has been blessed by the partnership with NCGS, and I am humbled to now give back as a Trustee!

OLP faculty attended the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools conference in Washington, D.C. learning from and with girls’ school educators from around the world. Here they are pictured with author, Rachel Simmons!

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Dr. Lek, Mrs. Hooper, and Mrs. Lehman ‘08 presented at the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools conference. Their presentation was titled “Creating a Culture for Innovation in a Highly Competitive Collegiate World: Giving Girls a Voice through STEAM” and it featured the creative and innovative work of OLP students.

THE A LL- GIR LS’ SCHOOL DIFFERENCE NCGS S TAT IS T ICS Girls’ school grads report higher self-confidence than their co-ed peers.

• 93% of girls’ school grads say they were offered

greater leadership opportunities than peers at co-ed schools.

• 80% have held leadership positions since graduating from high school.

• Girls’ school grads are 6 times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology compared to girls who attend co-ed schools.

• Compared to co-ed peers, girls’ school grads are three times more likely to consider engineering careers.

• All-girls’ learning environments capitalize on girls’ unique learning styles

with more positive academic and behavioral interactions between teachers and students in the single-sex schools than co-ed schools.

• Nearly 96% of girls’ school students report receiving more frequent feedback on their assignments and other course work than girls at co-ed schools.

• 99% of students at all-girls’ schools expect to earn a four-year degree.

More than 2/3 expect to earn a graduate or professional degree.

• 95% feel supported by their teachers (compared to 84% of girls at co-ed

schools), 90% report feeling supported by other students (compared to 73% of girls at co-ed schools), and 83% feel supported by their school administrators (compared 63% of girls at co-ed schools).

• Nearly 87% of girls’ school students feel their opinions are respected at their school (compared to 58% of girls at co-ed schools).

An estimated less than 1% of girls in the United States attend girls’ schools, yet an impressive 20% of the women currently serving in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives graduated from an all-girls’ school. While only 23% of the current U.S. Senators serving are female, 13% of those women graduated from girls’ schools. Even fewer women—only 19%—currently make up the U.S. House of Representatives, yet an overwhelming 22% graduated from girls’ schools.

R E S E A R C H C I TAT I O N S : — Dr. Linda Sax, UCLA, Women Graduates of Single-Sex and Coeducational High Schools:

Differences in their Characteristics and the Transition to College

— Goodman Research Group, The Girls’ School Experience: A Survey of Young Alumnae of Single-Sex Schools — U.S. Department of Education, Early Implementation of Public Single-Sex Schools: Perceptions and Characteristics OLP MAGAZINE —Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College, Steeped in Learning: The Student Experience at All-Girls Schools

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STEM IS THRIVI 12 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

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S T E M AT O L P

T H E A N AT O M Y

Students taking Anatomy and Physiology this year experienced hands on dissections.

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OF A DISSECTION This year OLP introduced a new Anatomy and Physiology course into the science curriculum. This is an elective science class, which is also part of the STEM Certificate Program, that includes interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and real-life laboratory experiences. It incorporates the study of the human body, from an anatomical and physiological perspective, with an extensive laboratory portion that includes cat dissections. We have many students who are interested in the health sciences and the medical profession, and it is nice to be able to offer a course that brings them closer to their aspirations.

“The program is challenging in that it deals with many anatomical terms to memorize and many physiological processes to understand. It has been a great experience for me to work with my amazing students who have embraced all of the challenges with so much interest and enthusiasm,” said teacher Mary Cullina.

“The anatomy of a cat resembles that of human beings, so we become aware of our own bodies in the process. It has been a wonderful experience learning and studying in this class, and we are confident that the lessons we have gained will benefit us far beyond the walls of OLP, into our college education and future professions.”

--Binx Cat Group from Block B

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S T E M AT O L P

The Engineering program at OLP has taken off.

With new classes being offered and students expressing an interest in learning more about this STEM field, the curriculum, which is modeled after the EPICS program at Purdue University, has grown over the past few years.

Most recently, Engineering students finished their project on light bulbs. Students built light bulbs from common household materials and then tested them using mechanical pencil lead as the filament. Their projects were outstanding!

Next up, building candle-powered steamboats.

Students are building their engines out of aluminum cans, the decks and hulls out of milk cartons.

BETTER ENGINEE But their learning doesn’t stop in the classroom.

Students were recently invited to attend the BIOCOM Women in S.T.E.M. Expo with Dr. Lek, where they presented their light bulb designs to an impressed crowd. They also presented exciting projects from other classes including a K’Nex roller coaster from Honors Precalculus, CO2 dragsters from Beginning Algebra, and an architecture project from Geometry.

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ERING THE FUTURE Engineering students created bridges out of Popsicle sticks, and then tested their strength and integrity by placing weights on top of them in the center and weakest part of the bridges.

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S T E M AT O L P

LIFE THROUG

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GH A GENETICS LENS Genetics Honors is a new course this year, focusing on current

developments and applications in the field of genetics from a human perspective. Topics include molecular and cellular biology, DNA, gene function, genetic engineering, inheritance patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders, and biotechnology. There is a significant laboratory component associated with the class to include inheritance patterns, electrophoresis, DNA analysis, micro-array and Polymerase Chain Reaction.

“These labs allow us to get a hands-on experience of the information we learn about, and serve as a tangible, intelligible form of the concepts the course involves,” said Elena Ruta ’20.

Throughout the year, field trips have also become an additional component to the lessons, which allow the students to see how genetics can be put into action in a variety of careers and employment opportunities. These have included trips to the San Diego Blood Bank, the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Facility at Safari Park, along with visits to biotech firms such as Illumina.

“I cannot put into words the new perspective I have gained from my experience in Genetics Honors this year. I now have the ability to look at life through a scientific lens: the patterns, the differences, the DNA that encodes our every feature,” Elena said.

Above: Students visited the San Diego Blood Bank.

Far left: Students learned from experts at the San Diego Blood Bank on a recent field trip.

Near left: Students experimented with DNA at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Facility at Safari Park.

Right: Students attended a lecture at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Facility at Safari Park.

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S T E M AT O L P

CONQUERING THE

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Left: Robot Ellen (6885) in action the San Diego Regional competition of FIRST in Del Mar. The robot is named after Ellen Ochoa, the first female Hispanic astronaut.

Right: The students putting the final coding touches on Ellen before the competition recently. Each intricate part of the robot was designed and built by OLP students!

Below: The OLP Robotics Team 6885 was all smiles as they competed recently in Del Mar.

WORLD WITH ROBOTICS March 7th through March 9th, OLP Robotics Team 6885 competed in the San Diego Regional competition of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The competition is an exciting, multinational event where teams solve an engineering problem in an intense and competitive way. Through the process, the team utilized the problem-solving skills that they learned in their classes and applied those skills in creating a 3D model, which they used to build their robot.

They also learned how to incorporate electronics, pneumatics, and programming to increase the functionality of their robot design. The competition required the team to network and collaborate with other schools on developing a successful game strategy. This experience had the invaluable benefit of providing a showcase of the STEAM skills that the girls learn at OLP.

Next up, at the end of April, the team will compete at the World Championships in Houston!

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STEM E D U C AT I O N AT O L P : T H EN & NOW

Though OLP alumnae nearly 20 years apart, Seanna Thompson ’93 and Sinead Horgan ’12 both credit their strong science education and the character development received at their alma mater with the success they have achieved in their respective professions.

Dr. Lek, Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64, and Mrs. Bent enjoyed dinner with alumnae Seanna Thompson ’93 and Erika Pichardo Ley ’15 in New York.

Not pictured, Krista Walsh ’15.

While a student at OLP, Seanna was active in OLP’s

New York City with her husband Tim and their three children.

Leadership Program, leading the school as its ASB President

And she is happy to report that she is still best friends with her

in 1993 while she prepared academically for a career in medical

OLP sister, Paula Acquaro ’93, also a physician, who lives in

science. Seanna received her B.A. in Biological Sciences from

Italy.

Cornell University, attended medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her residency at New York

Seanna feels that the science education she received at OLP,

Presbyterian-Weill Cornell, specializing in OBGYN. In 2020

with Mr. Mark Rauch in particular, has served her well in all of

she will receive her MBA/MS from the Healthcare Leadership

her medical studies. But aside from the academic training she

Program at Cornell. She is currently the Medical Director at the

received in biological sciences, what was more important was

Lehigh Valley–Pocono Medical Group in eastern Pennsylvania,

the development of her personal strengths and virtues, which

where she oversees 46 practices and 140 clinicians. Her goal is

occurred at her alma mater.

to be appointed Director/CEO of a major hospital. She lives in 22 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

“Learning from innovative, masterful and brave women with a zest for excellence grounded in spirituality, kindness, and honesty has empowered me to excel in all the disciplines I have selected and has made me an effective leader with Sinead was drawn to the field of genetic counseling because

integrity,” Seanna said.

it is a perfect combination of medical science, patient

Seanna believes that since the issues of healthcare affect all people, this field needs leaders who represent all perspectives. She feels that OLP gave her the confidence and executive presence to become one of those leaders.

“As a woman from OLP, we have the knowledge that we can do anything. We are contributors, leaders, and shapers of the world.

I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to attend OLP. It has made me the strong, independent, critical thinking woman that I am today. My life has no boundaries or ceilings.”

Sinead Horgan ’12 has also pursued a profession in healthcare, choosing to work in the cutting edge field of medical genetics. She graduated in 2015 from the University of California, San Diego with a B.S. in Biology and continued her training at Northwestern University in Chicago, earning her Masters in Genetic Counseling this past March. While a student at UCSD, Sinead was a research assistant intern for REACH, a research study investigating the genetic basis of autism by analyzing the genomes of hundreds of Autism Spectrum Disorder individuals and family members. While

interaction, and advocacy. She knew in her undergraduate years that she did not want to pursue a career in medicine or research, loved learning about genetics and biology, and wanted to combine her sociable personality with her chosen profession. In her work, Sinead works individually with her pediatric patients and helps families find a genetic diagnosis for their children, provides genetic testing, which can impact personal health care, and helps couples make informed family planning decisions.

“I encourage all women interested in science to explore professional options outside of traditional roles,” Sinead said.

“Advancements in technology and research are creating new, fascinating professions.”

Both Sinead and Seanna attribute much of their success in their STEM professions, as different as they are, to the support and encouragement they received as students at OLP. At the same time, their work in the care of others is a testament to the education of the heart that they likewise received as students in the CSJ tradition at their alma mater.

a student in Chicago, she worked in a variety of hospitals in pediatric, cancer and prenatal genetic counseling. She will begin a genetic counselor fellowship at Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago in June 2019, where she will be involved in clinical trials and the care of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent and adult patients with Lysosomal Storage Disease.

As did Seanna, Sinead credits Mr. Mark Rauch with sparking her interest in a STEM profession. Sinead enjoyed his class immensely as he daily challenged his students and made them laugh, while fostering an environment that supported curiosity and hard work. At OLP, Sinead found great happiness, her closest friends, discovered her competitive spirit and was truly able to be herself.

Dr. Lek, Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64, and Mrs. Bent were able to reconnect with Sinead Horgan ’12 (second from right) while on a recent trip to Chicago.

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Boundless S U P P O R T

TOGETHER WE CAN

WE CAN MAKE OUR GOAL WITH YOUR HELP

C O N TA C T K A I L A W E E D M A N ’ 0 8 619 -7 2 5 - 9 18 8 K W E E D M A N @ A O L P. O R G

$1 ACH I

PHA SE 1 GOAL $10 MI LLI ON ACH IE V ED

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES The Campaign for OLP offers many naming opportunities for physical spaces.

Donors at the $5,000 Giving Level and above will receive naming recognition on digital donor displays in the building of their choice. Donors at the $25,000 Giving Level and above will receive name recognition on the donor wall in Aquinas Hall. Donors at the $100,000 Giving Level and above will receive permanent name recognition in the Donor Seal located on the floor of Aquinas Hall and permanent naming opportunities for physical spaces located in the building of their choice.

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

10.5 MI LLI ON IE V E D TO DATE

PHA SE 2 GOAL $12 MILLION LIBRARY & LEARNING COMMONS O F F E R P E N DI N G

DANCE STUDIO $250,000

T H E AT E R & P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T E R $1,000,000

TV PRODUCTION ROOM $250,000

STUDENT COMMONS $500,000 FA C U LT Y C O M M O N S O F F E R P E N DI N G ORCHESTRA & BAND ROOM $250,000 LIBR ARY TERR ACE $250,000

LIBRARY STUDY ROOM $250,000

LAB CLASSROOMS $ 10 0 , 0 0 0 (6 o f 6 a v a i l a b l e) FA C U LT Y & S TA F F MOTHER’S LOUNGE $ 10 0 , 0 0 0 T H E AT E R SET SHOP $ 10 0 , 0 0 0

SPIRIT STORE $250,000

T H E AT E R DRESSING ROOM $ 10 0 , 0 0 0

E L E VAT O R $250,000

N O O K S PAC E S $50,000

B R E A KO U T S PAC E S $ 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 (6 o f 7 a v a i l a b l e)

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“Our personal interest in contributing to the Boundless campaign goes far beyond the direct benefits received by the current generation of OLP girls, including our daughters. It is

“Committing to the Boundless Campaign has made us aware of how

vested in helping build an institution that we truly know will have

much OLP means to our family. We are excited to see what OLP has

a positive impact on our community and future generations.”

in store for future generations and hope to see our daughters one day

- C A R IN A VA L L A D OL I D DE A R N A IZ ’ 94 A N D R AY MUN D O A R N A IZ

become OLP parents.” -

MONTSER R AT SA NTOS A N D J OSE LU IS PER E Z

RO CH A , PA R ENTS OF EMIL I A ’18 A N D VA L ENTIN A ’20

“We choose to support OLP because we would like to ensure that other young women will be able to have an excellent education like our daughters did. An education based on the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, women of faith, heart, courage and excellence. A Catholic high school where they are provided

“We remain committed to the outstanding legacy of OLP and

opportunities to put their faith into action and are challenged to

very much value the impact the school has had on our family,

become academic, social, and spiritual leaders.” -

from Geri South ’52, Abigail South ’19 and future generations

C ATH Y & DAV E

SMITH, A LUMN A E PA R ENTS OF K EL SIE ’14, K ATELY N ’17, A N D CONNOR SA HS ’11

“For John and I, we see our participation in the Boundless campaign as a way to pave the way for future generations of young women. Making the decision was a sacrifice with three kids in Catholic elementary school, but one we are honored to invest in each month. These girls at OLP are an extension of our own family! ” L AUR EN L EK & J OHN L EK

HE A D OF SCHO OL , DR .

to come.” -

TR AC Y A N D S TE V E SO U TH, PA R ENTS OF A BI GA IL ’19

T H E C A M PA I G N F O R O L P

SUPPORT

“We are very pleased as a current family to participate in the Boundless Campaign because it is a direct investment in our daughter and future generations of girls that will position OLP for the next century of excellence. Our daughter will graduate before this vision is in place, but we are all now benefiting from the leadership and support of earlier generations of OLP parents and supporters, and this is our chance to pay that forward.

“We choose to give to OLP because the school provides an innovative, challenging curriculum coupled with deep spiritual enrichment. An OLP education embodies the very best for the young women it educates. Two generations of McMahon girls will be forever bonded by experiences and traditions they share.” -

THE

MCM A HON FA MILY: V ER A A N D J OHN, A LUMN A E PA R ENTS OF C A R A ‘ 95, GAY L E A N D DER EK , A LUMN A E PA R ENTS OF MEGH A N ‘14, COR Y A N D K E V IN, CUR R ENT PA R ENTS OF PR E SL E Y ’22

After 137 years, the need for state-of-the art facilities with ADA accessible classrooms, science labs, media facilities, performing arts and library spaces, etc. is very real and we want to encourage all current parents to join us and participate in some meaningful way.” -

PE TER DENNEH Y & TIM JACKSON, CUR R ENT

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

PA R ENTS OF J UL I A ’21

We are excited to share that the modulars arrived on campus in February. We have two buildings on Circle Drive, which will be referred to as Village 2020, and five buildings on the former Faculty Lot, which will be referred to as Village 1882.

The modular infrastructure is complete and ready for furniture and technology installations, which began in early April.

“We have a responsibility to invest in the future of San Diego. The women of OLP will be the leaders of tomorrow and we need to be sure they have been educated to be critical thinkers who make decisions

The modulars are scheduled to be available for occupancy beginning after Easter Break in mid

based on faith and facts. We believe with the right resources and

April. Learn more about our construction progress

equipment the possibilities are Boundless.” -

at aolp.org/Boundless.

PATR I CI A A N D SE A MUS

GA R L A N D, PA R ENTS OF HOPE ’13 A N D DEL I A ’17

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T H A N K A N N NAVA R R A ’6 3

Y O ·

DA R LENE

D A V I D C A M A R A T A &

ANNE MARIE & JOEL TUBAO

PAOL A AV I L A ’ 93 & T ROY G OROS T I Z A

·

ROS E AV I L A ’62

C A R L A ( D A L U Z ) B O R E N ’ 8 7 & S E A N B O R E N · NOR A & F R A N K BR A DY D I A N E K O E S T E R - B Y R O N & R O B E R T B Y R O N · S Y LV I A C A R A T A N F R A N C E S C A C A S TAG N O L A · J U L I E & J O H N M I K E C O U G H L I N PE T E R DE N N E H Y & T I M JAC K SON · PAT R IC I A & SE A M US G A R L A N D ELIZABETH & MICHAEL GUERRERO T E R R Y & G E O RG E K A L FAYA N · L AU R E N & JO H N L E K GABRIELA ESTEVES-LITKE & LANE LITKE

·

LESA & MICHEL MALECOT

A LISON (PR ISK E) A DEM A ’ 82 & T HOM A S A DEM A · DON NA (FI TZGER A LD) A LLEN ’ 85 C A R I NA VA L L A D O L I D D E A R NA I Z ’ 9 4 A N D R AY M U N D O A R NA I Z · R I V K A B E N T · PAT R IC I A (M U LC A H Y ) B OE R ’ 5 5 · JOEL AND CONNIE CLARK ·

LISA & ROBERT BURNER

GR ACE M . CR E D O ’ 92 & R A N DA L L W. V I V I A N E M I LY ( MOL L E R I N G) DE V E R E AU X ’ 0 0

M A R LENA CONROY

·

PAU L COR L ISS

· CL A IR CU N N INGH A M K EN N EDY ’81 & M A R K K EN N EDY ·

I B A Ñ E Z FA M I LY

· L AU R A JO I M PA STATO ’66

ANA LUISA FIMBRES DE NELSON AND IGNACIO FIMBRES · JAMIE FLANNERY ·

ADOLFO GONZALEZ-RUBIO

ROSEMARY & ROBERT HANCZOR · JEANETTE (PR ANTIL) HANDELSMAN ‘64

SH AW N H A N L E Y KAREN HSU

·

·

TERI HEARD

JILL HICKE

ERICA HUEBNER

SUZANNE KNAPP ’79 SISTER LOIS ANNE LINENBERGER 28 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

·

·

·

ANGELA GASCHO

MARGARET & STEVE GOEBEL ·

AARON R . GONZALEZ

·

·

PAT R ICI A (GU T I E R R E Z) GON Z A L E Z-RU BIO ‘ 8 7 &

R IGOBERTA H IN K LEDIR E · J ESSIC A HOOPER

K AT H ER IN E K A M R AT H ’ 7 1

·

STEPHANIE KANASKI ’99

· LISA (MANZER) LEWECK ’82 & CR AIG LEWECK ·

MICH A EL LU DW IG

·

BRIGID RODRIGUEZ MALHEIROS ’04

U

D O N O R S

MARCOS SHILEY

·

BOB BAKER

M A RGU E R I T E “ T E R RY ” (SORG I) C A M A R ATA ’ 7 7 ANGIE & GERRY TUBAO L O R I & DA M I A N M C K I N N E Y · T H E M C M A H O N FA M I LY MARY & JOHN O’CONNOR ·

ZOR A I DA & G A RY PAY N E

COREEN & KEVIN PETTI MICHELE SCHIELE-IANNUCCILLI ’85 & CHR IS IA NNUCCILLI S I S T E R S OF S T. JO S E P H OF C A RON DE L E T M A R G A R E T A . S T E H LY

·

·

TR ACY & STEVE SOUTH

M A RY C A R ATA N SLOPE R ’5 8 & D ON SLOPE R

DAV E & C AT H Y S M I T H · JA N E L L E & M IC H A E L W H I T T ON

K E L LY M A R S H A L L

·

MARTHA & JOSEPH MCROSKEY

SHANNON MORRISON

· ILENE NAGEM ’ 70

·

CHRIS MOELLER

·

ALISON PURPER A

N ICOLE & T I MOT H Y R AY N ER SA N DY & SA MIR SA LEM

·

·

·

SAMANTHA QUINSEY

ALEXIS RODRIGUEZ

CYNTHIA SANBORN

·

·

GILBERTO MORENO

· SISTER JILL MARIE NAPIER, CSJ

E L I Z A B E T H (G O E B E L) N U T I ’ 8 9 · L I S A (M E U L M E S T E R) P E C K H A M ’ 7 7 BARBAR A PICCO

·

·

· MALIA (ADLER) PFISTER ’87 E L I Z A B E T H & JOE R AV E N I S

JENNIFER RODRIGUEZ

·

ANTOINETTE RUSSO

MON TSER R AT SA N TOS & JOSE LU IS PER EZ-ROCH A

S I S T E R V I RG I N I A RODE E , R S C J ’5 3 · A N TON I NA SCI U TO -MOR A L E S ’ 76 & E DWA R D MOR A L E S ROSE SHEEHAN

·

M A RY PAT T (D OUG A N ) SH I NSK Y ’ 5 7 & N E A L E SH I NSK Y

SA N DY SMELIK M A NZER & L A R RY M A NZER S A B R I NA V I E I NA DE VA S CONC E LOS

·

·

A L M A & J ESUS TA R R IBA ·

JUSTIN TR ACY

· ·

K AT IE T U R N ER

DA N I T Z A ( R A M I R E Z ) V I L L A N U E VA ’ 9 8 & E S T E B A N V I L L A N U E VA

K A IL A W EEDM A N ’08 · M A RGA R ET W IEDOW ER ’68

·

M E L I S S A (O T T E N V I L L E) W I N S O R ’ 7 5 A N D N E D W I N S O R U PDAT E D AS OF 4/8/2019

·

K AT IE W ILSON ·

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Ladies of the 80s Celebration On Saturday, February 23rd, OLP alumnae from the 1980s gathered for a special event at OLP, aptly called “Ladies of the 80s.” The event

their years at OLP, taking pictures in a festive

was hosted by Malia (Adler) Pfister ’87, Virginia

guest bartenders: St. Augustine alumni Mike

Bunnemeyer-Lopez ’87, Julie (Colonelli) Heffler

Avalos ’83, Mark Johnson ’83, Pat Adler ’85, Tom

’85, and Carla (da Luz) Boren ’87 (co-chair for the

Franklin ’85, Jim Cleary ’85, and Pat Heffler ’86.

photo booth, and snacking on French Gourmet appetizers and beverages served up by surprise

Boundless campaign) in partnership with the OLP Alumnae Association.

In addition to re-connecting with their OLP sisters, “Ladies of the 80s” attendees had the

More than 90 graduates from the decade

opportunity to attend four information stations

attended the special re-connect, but the featured

offering a variety of ways to get involved with

guest was beloved former OLP faculty member,

OLP. The stations provided detailed information

Norah Sargeant, who flew in from the East Coast

and materials on the OLP Alumnae Association,

to spend time with her former students. Guests

student and campus life, the Women’s

enjoyed watching Spring Sing videos from

Symposium, Architects of Change, and the Boundless campaign.

30 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

FUTURE ALUMNAE EVENTS Looking Forward to Alumnae Events To Come!

May 1 (FREE!)

June 22

Alumnae-Only Pre-Groundbreaking

Los Angeles Alumnae Reconnect on the

Coffee + Donuts

Doheny Campus of Mount St. Mary’s

For more information visit

University

aolp.org/alumreconnects.

For more information visit

May 24 (FREE!)

aolp.org/alumreconnects.

50th Golden Reunion for the Class of 1969

August 8-10

at OLP’s 2019 Commencement Ceremony

Alumnae Reunion Weekend: For all classes

For more information visit

and special recognition for the milestone

aolp.org/alumnae/reunions.

graduating classes ending in “4” and “9” Look for more information soon!

For more information on upcoming alumnae events or opportunities to get involved with the alumnae association, please contact Alumnae Relations Coordinator, Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64 at jhandelsman@aolp.org.

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Le Cirque Gala a Success!

Our annual Gala is more than just a party...but what a party

transforms it.” Through your participation in our Gala and

it was! Le Cirque was a time of fellowship and community and a

other fundraising events and appeals throughout the year,

chance to support the next generation of women leaders. Our

you support the Carondelet Annual Fund, making an indelible

OLP community showed their commitment and love for our

mark on our students and programs in all areas, including

students on February 9th with a record number of attendees.

academics, athletics, co-curricular activities, technology,

More than 300 parents, alumnae, and friends of OLP raised over

campus maintenance, and so much more. Paralleled support for

$200,000 towards our Carondelet Annual Fund.

Boundless: The Campaign for OLP transforms the lives of our students with direct investments in future generations of girls

“This incredible school has educated more than 9600 women to

with ADA accessible classrooms, state-of-the-art engineering

be the leaders who emulate that same spirit of our sisters: the

and science labs, and a new visual and performing arts center.

women of faith, women of heart, women of courage and women of

Our annual Gala is one way you can help preserve the past,

excellence.”- Mary Happer Roberts ’64, Gala Committee Chair

sustain the present, and invest in the future.

We believe “tuition keeps an institution running, philanthropy

32 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

“A house is made with walls and beams. But a home is made with love, laughter, people, memories, and dreams. I am proud to call OLP my home because this is where my friends became my sisters- the place where some of my favorite memories were made. Most of all, OLP has turned my ‘can’ts’ into I CAN, and I WILL.”- Kaseba Chibweth ‘19, Miss OLP

“The talent of the student body at OLP is extreme. They’ve got kids that cover the spectrum of arts, sciences, and math, and these kids are just so talented these days and to witness that firsthand with their performances

“You have to be willing as a parent to not only value what they

in the arts and the singing and the dancing is

are getting in the classroom and the facilities that are being

fantastic.”

provided with the classroom, but also all of the surrounding

- Cory and Kevin McMahon, Current Parents

activities that complement their education.”

- Christine La Marca, Current Parent

This year’s live auction rally was of epic proportions and we are already looking ahead to next year’s fabulous party. Please save the date for our Annual Gala and Auction, Saturday, February 8, 2020 Top: Dr. Lek pictured with Ann Navarra ‘63, Judy Eppler and guest · OLP Board Member Coreen Petti with husband Kevin Petti and Board Emeritus Ann Navarra ’63 · Our CSJ Sisters joined us for the evening · Auctioneer and current parent, Mick Ward, helped secure more than $200,000 at the event · Nina Mojena-Deinard making a bid for one of the incredible live auction items · The delicious dinner was provided by Michel Malecot and The French Gourmet, pictured here with OLP Board Chairman and alumnae parent Damian McKinney · Current parent Steve South laughs with Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ’64 Bottom: Miss OLP Kaseba Chibweth ’19, pictured with Dr. Lek, gave a beautiful speech · OLP’s choral ensemble performing “This is Me” · The decor for “Le Cirque” was magical! · Student performer Katie-Marie Zickert ‘20 with her parents · Emcee Mr. Gonzalez rallied the crowd for a lively evening and got Paul Estrada to make a bid! · The French Gourmet’s croquembouche was a delicious dessert · The cocktail hour featured jewelry from designer Kendra Scott · Molly Schroeder ’19 on stilts sprinkles confetti on a winning table! · Guests pose for a photo after a fun-filled evening · Carondelet Circle Student Ambassadors helped sell Golden Tickets!

Nina Sciuto-Morales ’76 HONORED AS ALUMNA OF THE YEAR

BY JEANETTE (PRANTIL) HANDELSMAN ’64

We are pleased to announce that Nina Sciuto-Morales ’76 has been chosen as the Alumna of the Year for 2019. This announcement has a particular poignancy for on March 16, a celebration of life for Nina, who passed away on March 9, was held on the OLP campus that she so dearly loved. It was a testament to the impact that Nina has made on the lives of so many that the service was attended by over 250 people!

The honor of Alumna of the Year is bestowed upon an OLP graduate whose professional and social accomplishments have brought honor and distinction

Above: Nina’s senior high school year book photo taken in 1976

to herself, to OLP and her community,

Top left: Dr. Lek presenting flowers to Nina’s family in attendance at the St. Joseph’s Day Mass where we announced Nina as the 2019 Alumna of the Year Award recipient

through her positive presence in the world. She should be all of which woman is capable, a strong leader who has conducted herself with a spirit of gentleness, peace and joy. Above all, the 34 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

honored alumna should exemplify a woman of peace who will serve as an inspiration for future generations. Nina did and was all of these and more.

Many in the OLP community were fortunate to count Nina as a friend, in particular, her alumnae sisters, who shared with her a deep love and

PAST A LUM N A E OF THE YEAR

appreciation for their alma mater.

Nina had a great spirit, a real passion for life with a clarity of purpose: to do the right and loving thing in the right and loving way. She never forgot her roots, the values imparted to her by her parents and their heritage,

2018: Mary Caratan Sloper ‘58 2017: Jeanette (Prantil) Handelsman ‘64 2016: Sr. Virginia Rodee ‘53, RSCJ

her beloved OLP where she had worked as a member of its Board of

2015: Amy (McKinney) Potter ’02,

Rachel McKinney ‘04 &

Sara McKinney ‘07

Directors since 2014 to ensure that her alma mater would continue its

2014: Margaret Wiedower ‘68

incredible work with the young women of the future.

2013: Marguerite “Terry” Sorgi

Camarata ‘77

Her passion for life extended to the deep and abiding love Nina had for

2012: Martha Spiers Lepore ‘59

her family, for her husband and three children – and she was a mother to

2011: Patricia Dougan Shinsky ‘57

many others beyond Ed, Mia and Lucas to whom she was always generous

2010: Silvia Fimbres de Ruiz ‘74

her lifelong friends from her elementary school days at St. Patrick’s, and

with her time and support. She was so proud that her daughter Mia, joined her as an alumna of OLP when Mia graduated in 2008. And she often shared with many her pride in the work that Mia does, ministering to young people in our community. We all know that Mia, so like her mother, is devoted to OLP, serving as one of the OLP volleyball coaches.

We extend special congratulations to Nina’ s family and her alumnae sisters

2009: Ruth Davis ‘69 2008: Alison Priske Adema ‘82 2006: Elizabeth Meza Huch ‘51 2007: Christine Haddad ‘69 2005: Kathleen Howard Thompson ‘75 2004: Marcella Kreizinger ‘27

from the class of 1976. Please join the OLP community is honoring Nina at

2003: Sr. Kathleen Martin ‘44

our Alumna of the Year Ceremony on Friday, August 9, 2019.

2002: Nancy Ryan ‘58 2001: Kathleen Manzer McKaveney ‘83 2000: Karene Lemke Evenson ‘56 1999: Sr. Dolores Marie Gill ‘45 1998: Eve Ryan ‘46 1997: Beverlee Cendali ‘61 1996: Cecelia Shaw Thie ‘22 1995: Lisa Guy-Schall ‘70 1994: Sandra Qualiato Brue ‘62 1993: Barbara Harrison ‘68 1992: Ann Navarra ‘63 1991: Sr. St. Bernard Johnson ‘31 1990: Judi Putnam ’66 &

Winfrey Willier Welch ‘36 1989: Gladys Wilson Impastato ‘41 1988: Elisa Luna Sanchez ‘50 1987: Rosalie Bianchi Wisniew ‘63 1986: June Wilcox Bassett ‘36

Above left: Nina was a faithful member of the OLP Board of Directors. Above right: Nina (right) pictured with her family at a wedding.

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a DAY i n the LIFE We welcomed founder of The Date Safe Project, Inc., Mike Domitrz!

Mike gave an incredibly inspiring presentation to our students and educators regarding initiatives we have to take which will result in a revolutionary change in our approach to dating, respect, & intimacy.

We attended the Mount Saint Mary’s University Status of Women and Girls at the Skirball Center in Los Angles! It was an enlightening and inspiring day, learning more about the current status of women.

Students of all grade levels recently enjoyed our annual Father-Daughter Dance! Fathers and daughters dressed up with props in the photo booth, and enjoyed a delicious dinner, music and dancing.

Congratulations to our Varsity Basketball team for their Eastern League Girls Basketball Champions title! Go OLP Pilots!

Way to go speech champs! Sofia Gaxiola ’21 won the sub-regional Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Competition. Alyse Saucedo ’21 won the Allied Gardens Optimist Club Oratorical Contest. Lillian Mollo ’20 won Zone 2 of the Lions Club speech competition.

36

Our first-ever Dance Showcase sold out! More than 350 students and supporters came out to watch the | incredible O L P M A G performances AZINE by our dancers.

Congratulations to OLP Varsity Soccer players Erin Healy ’19, Rylie Curran ’19, and Lily Morales ’19, who were named as All-CIF Team at a ceremony at Petco Park. Way to go Pilots!

We are so proud of our amazing Cheer Teams!

Both JV and Varsity Cheer placed 1st in the Jamz State Competition in Bakersfield!

The Women in Business Club was honored to host GenHERation CEO and founder Katlyn Grasso! They learned so much about business, entrepreneurship and believing in yourself!

The modulars have arrived! We can’t wait for the campus of the future as part of the Boundless project!

We’re so proud of our students who attended the Watermark Conference for Women in Silicon Valley with more than 7,000 women across California!

It was Stop Build Day for our Robotics Team! All teams stopped working on their robot and bagged and tagged their robot, Ellen, for the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition Season!

Our Renaissance Faire was incredible!

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this wonderful event!

Congratulations to our amazing Varsity Soccer Team for an incredible season!

OLP was at the Cool Women Luncheon to support OLP’s own Cool Woman, Board Chair Emerita Coreen Petti, in receiving this year’s Cool Woman 2019 award.

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PILOTS

TA K E F L I G H T Sp r i n g

Spring Sing Judges Extraordinaire

Spring Sing 2019, “A Night at the Museum,” was honored to have 10 alumnae judges with a variety of visual and performing arts experience. They were chosen from more than 40 applicants, for the five positions each night. We were so thankful for their help!

Save the Date for the 50th Anniversary Spring Sing show 2020!

One Night Only on Saturday, February 22nd at the Civic Theater

Ginny Biewer ’75

was involved in all aspects

of Spring Sing for her four years at OLP and her class won the overall award ALL FOUR YEARS! Ginny was interested in seeing how Spring Sing has evolved since she was a student at OLP, but recognizes that its purpose is still the same - to develop sisterhood amongst all the participants and even though only one winner is chosen, everyone involved has the opportunity to gain confidence in other aspects of their lives.

Malina Gomez ’93 received her B.A. in Drama from Mills College, worked as an actress in NYC and teaches theater at a community center for the blind. She is excited to complete the Spring Sing circle - a participant, an audience member and now a judge!

Amy Kunde Kovar ’93 remembers with fondness her freshman year production “TV” and they sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” featuring the CA Raisins and the theme from Gilligan’s Island - Amy was Gilligan! And her class won the award for the best overall performance. Amy has three daughters; the oldest Maddie will be attending OLP this fall. She will be followed by her two sisters. Amy encourages every OLP student, including her three daughters, when the time comes, to participate in Spring Sing. “It allows students who wouldn’t necessarily be in a production an opportunity to be on stage with their friends, the memories made are priceless, and it provides an opportunity to have fun while relieving possible stress of the high school years.”

38 | O L P M A G A Z I N E

Julia Lyons ’09 participated in Spring Sing and other Visual and Performing Arts productions while at OLP. She remembers her senior year performance where she got to play a human-sized speaker box with her best friend Lydia Gonzalez ’09. She applied to be a judge to experience the amazing production from the other side of the stage and see the “amazing tradition come alive 10 years after I graduated.”

Danni Rivera Michele ’11 participated in Spring Sing at OLP starting as a Director in her freshman year and continued in the areas of costume and dancing through her senior year. She remembers her senior year, as the class held hands, waiting for the results, and even though they didn’t win, she and her class were incredibly happy and proud of what they had created. She recognizes that Spring Sing fosters creativity in all the participants and allows them to try something new, learn a skill or even learn of a talent one of their classmates had that they never knew about.

Romina Cardenas ’13 danced ballet for 15 years and, while at OLP, loved learning and performing in other dance styles, such as contemporary and jazz styles in Spring Sing and other performing arts events. She remembers the feeling of being on stage - it was amazing and powerful. She wanted to participate as a judge this year to “share her support for her alma mater and for the young ladies who have put their heart, sweat, and tears into such amazing performances.” When she visits with her fellow alumnae and they talk about Spring Sing, it is like being the member of a secret club that connects them no matter the generation.

Alina Montes de Oca ’05 said Spring Sing was always an inspiring and memorable experience for her - especially when her class was awarded Best of Show in both their junior and senior years. It always brought her such joy to participate and she appreciated how the experience

Chrissy Poole ’95 has played the flute since elementary school and participated in Spring Sing all four

of Spring Sing brought her class together to create meaningful memories. She has always imagined returning to OLP to relive those memorable moments as a judge.

years as a student at OLP. She recalls fondly her class’s performance of “Masquerade” from Phantom of the Opera.

“It was a wonderful feeling of sisterhood, teamwork, and joy for our class when we sensed the audience enjoyed the performance as much as we did! OLP taught me the meaning of service, teamwork, and commitment. I am happy to give back to the school that has given me so much.”

Agnes West-Kohler ’61 has sung in choirs since she was six years old and performed at OLP and San Diego College for Women (now USD). She is currently a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir, the Choral Union at Point Loma Nazarene University and the Choral Consortium of San Diego. She volunteered to be a judge for Spring Sing to help support the “A” for arts in the STEAM programs at OLP.

DECEASED ALUMNAE FRANCES OWEN ‘42 JOAN ETHEL ROCHFORD ‘48 ELISE MILLER ‘66 NINA SCIUTO-MORALES ‘76

We want to hear from you! Visit the Alumnae tab at aolp.org to update your information or send in your Pilots Take Flight note.

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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POS TAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, C A PERMIT NO. 1592

4 8 6 0 O R E G O N S T, S A N DI E G O, C A 92 1 16

AE N M ALU ION REUN END WEEK

Reconnect at OLP’s 4th Annual Alumnae Reunion Weekend August 8-9, 2019

ALUMNAE REUNION WEEKEND

will provide many opportunities to reconnect with the OLP community, including a family mass and BBQ, the Alumna of the Year award honoring Nina Sciuto Morales ’76, and our exciting Endless Summer event!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!

SEE YOU THERE!