July 2015 OLP Magazine

OLP M a ga zi n e

OLP GIRLS HAVE THE

Courage to Change the World Academy 2015} Academy of of Our Our Lady Lady of of Peace Peace {Summer {Spring 2015}

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In This Issue {summer 2015}

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18

STEM

Board of Directors

Learn about the new STEM Certificate being offered this fall at OLP.

Current Board Chair Mike Coughlin welcomes incoming Board Chair Coreen Petti. Learn

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Storytelling

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19

Service

Mrs. Turner of the English Department shares the

OLP student Madeline Ivanjack ’16 shares the experience she had with 6 of her classmates on a service trip to Boston over Spring Break.

adventures in storytelling her class had when they created children’s books.

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Changemakers OLP graduates have the courage to change the world.

See how grads are making a difference across the planet.

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OurMission Statement The Academy of Our Lady of Peace is a Catholic, liberal

arts oriented, college preparatory secondary school dedicated to the education of young women. As a Catholic school, it is committed to helping its students become active participants in building Christ’s kingdom of justice, love and peace. As a school rooted in the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph, it promotes the cultivation of “gentleness, peace and joy” as we respond to the needs of the “dear neighbor” both in our midst

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about her vision for OLP.

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Alumnae Alumnae from all years share their news, announcements and updates in our Pilots Take Flight section.

and in our human community. Through its college preparatory program, its mission is to empower its students to become knowledgeable in those skills needed to achieve success in post-secondary studies, and to make informed and valuesdriven decisions in the context of today’s world. As a result of these endeavors, and working with parents as our educational partners providing a family context of faith-in-action, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace strives to graduate responsible women educated to the needs of society.

OLPMagazine Letter From Head of School

Academy of Our Lady Of Peace Head of School Lauren Lek Assistant Head of School Jessica Hooper

Dear OLP Pilot Community, In just four short years, the OLP community was blessed and forever touched by the lives of the young women in the Class of 2015 who left an indelible mark upon our school.

Their collective academic accomplishments are tremendous. These 164 graduates in the Class of 2015 were extended more than 750 offers of admission to colleges and universities internationally, and garnered more than $20.7 million in merit, scholarship and grant dollars. More than 30% of the Class of 2015 chose to pursue STEM majors in college.

Assistant Principal, Director of Campus Life Jeanette Handelsman ’64 Assistant Principal of Instruction Sheelah Keeter Director of Institutional Advancement Margot Meier Howard Director of Communications Emily Pippin ’06

The leadership and service of our OLP students, inside the halls of Villa Montemar, and outside in our greater San Diego community, emulates that which we are working collectively as faculty and staff to ensure lives on in each of them – the legacy of the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Contributors Margot Howard Katie Turner Dr. Melinda Blade Madeline Ivanjack ’16 Ilene Nagem '70 Lauren Barclay ’05 Rachel McKinney ’04 Danielle Burner ’14 Michele Schiele ’85 Kirsten Rauber Hadzicki ’81 Rivka Bent

In this issue, we celebrate that ferocious tenacity, to lead where others might shy away, and to have the courage to work toward change in areas that are less pleasing. Always intent on that which impacts “le prochain,” the dear neighbor, our graduates are the women seeking to make a difference in our world. The Courage to Change the World, isn’t just the title of this OLP Magazine edition, but a reminder of the work they are doing globally to carry on this important 365-year tradition of our CSJ sisters.

We celebrate the work of alumnae Michele Schiele ’85, Rachel McKinney ’04, Lauren Barclay ’05 and Danielle Burner ’14, as each of them strive to make a difference in the communities in which they serve. Many current OLP students are already working to make small impacts through their service work. On pages 6 and 19, you can read more about their service trip to Boston as well as students in Advanced Writing & Literature connecting their talents in partnership with a local children’s book project.

In a spirit of thanksgiving, we also recognize the leadership and dedication of our Board Chair emeritus, John “Mike” Coughlin, who graciously guided the Board of Directors for the past two years (2013-2015), and welcome our incoming Board Chair, Coreen Petti. The eighteen members of our Board of Directors have been a continual team of strength for the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, ensuring that our mission, catholic identity and CSJ charism are vibrant and strong.

As we celebrate the beauty of this summer season, I wish you all wonderful times with family and friends, and look forward to seeing you at Villa Montemar next fall as we welcome in the 2015-2016 school year!

God Bless,

Lauren Lek

Board of Directors Lauren Lek, Head of School Coreen G. Petti, Board Chair Patricia Boer ’55 Mike Coughlin Dr. Nora Faine-Sykes ’78 Michael Guerrero Susan Hause Clair Cunningham Kennedy ’81 Damian McKinney Gayle McMahon Martha McRoskey Sister Jill Marie Napier, CSJ Barbara Picco Sister Virginia Rodee, RSCJ ’53 Antonina R. Sciuto-Morales ’76 Peg Stehly

Head of School

Read more about our graduates online in the Portrait of a Graduate at http://bit.ly/1H00POr

Class notes should be sent to Margot Howard at mhoward@aolp.org

To update your address, please contact Chris Abdenour at cabdenour@aolp.org

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certificate The Academy of Our Lady of Peace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) certificate program acknowledges students for their achievements and involvement in STEM related activities. Students completing the requirements to earn a STEM certificate will receive special recognition at their commencement ceremony, as well as a seal of completion on their graduation diploma.

In addition, documentation of STEM completion will be noted on their transcript. Visit aolp.org for more information.

Awards and Recognition Optimist Club: Kensington 11TH GRADE

REQUIREMENTS I. Maintain 3.0 overall GPA (unweighted cumulative) II. Adherence to all policies outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook III. Complete the minimum units in each of the following categories (must maintain a 3.0 average in the following courses): • Math 40 units • Science 40 units • STEM Electives 30 units IV. STEM Portfolio (updated at the completion of each semester): • Semester reflections and coursework examples to be included in portfolio.

• Contains evidence of related activities.

V. Outreach (complete one or more of the following per school year): • Membership and full participation in at least one OLP STEM club (Robotics, SHPE Jr., etc.).

• Successful completion of an approved nationally-recognized certification program (Adobe, Windows, Apple, Google, etc.).

• Pre-approved internship with STEM related off-campus entity (i.e., civil engineering, architecture, medical, general science).

VI. Advisory Panel • Present their portfolio to a STEM Advisory Panel at the completion of their senior year.

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FIRST PLACE Catherine Dang '16 SECOND PLACE Cathy Wynn '16 THIRD PLACE Katya Arana '16

American Legion Auxiliary 11TH GRADE FIRST PLACE

FIRST PLACE SECOND PLACE THIRD PLACE

Lorea Mendiguren '16 - $100; also went on to win Third Place at the District Level for an additional $25 Sasha Ramirez '16 - $100 Pauline Mainou '16 - $75 Makaela Nagy '16 - $50

9TH GRADE FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE THIRD PLACE

Tara McCollough '18 - $75; also went on to win First Place at the District Level for $75 more.

Her essay has been sent to the State level for judging.

Angelina (Gigi) Manasan '18 - $50 Kayla Gladnick '18 - $25

Optimist International Oratorical Contest 10TH GRADE FIRST PLACE

Karime Laborin '17

On May 16, 2015 Karime Laborin ‘17, competed at the District Level (finals) of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest and earned first place. She was awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

Karime had the opportunity to present her speech for Optimist International, three times across various levels, on the topic "How My Optimism Will Help Me Press on to Greater Achievements of the Future."

Lauren Brown Named

Athlete of the Year Each year, a committee of coaches, past and present, evaluates all senior athletes based on a variety of criteria including athletic success over the four years. This year, the committee was honored to present the Athlete of the Year award to senior Lauren Brown.

"OLP" outdoor paintings & cubistic paintings.

Mr. Stringer’s National Art Honor Society students worked to create portraits for children in Ghana as part of the memory project. The Painting II classes recently completed their “OLP” outdoor paintings & cubistic paintings.

admissions deadlines

Enrollment Applications Accepted: October 7, 2015 - January 18, 2016 Entrance Exam (HSPT): Saturday, January 23, 2016 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Financial Aid Applications Due: Friday, February 19, 2016 Prospective Student Interviews: February 8-13, 2016

8th Grade visitation days October 7 & 8, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Open House

Saturday, October 10, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Open to all prospective students & parents Formal Presentations: 9:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. $1,000 Scholarship Raffle: 10:20 a.m.

Pre-register now at aolp.org

Lauren was a four-year varsity letterwoman for the Softball team. Her accolades and honors during those four years were numerous.

For her four-year career, Lauren had 739 strikeouts and 66 wins. Her expertise on the field was recognized by her peers, coaches and CIF. Lauren signed her Letter of Intent at the San Diego Hall of Champions and she will be attending UCSD in the Fall.

No doubt, as a top athlete and top scholar, Lauren will excel with the Tritons of UCSD just as she has during her Pilot years.

Congratulations, Lauren!

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Black and white figure, “once there was a very lonely imaginary friend” - Tyra Trinidad and Vanessa Dominguez.

Adventures In Storytelling

An OLP student reads one of the Children’s Books at Literacy Night held at St. Vincent DePaul on May 18th.

Written By

Katie Turner

How OLP Students Helped Bring Imagination and Literature to Young Children

Writing in Literature Teacher, English Dept.

Whether we’re a preschooler or a young teen, a graduating college senior or a retired person, we human beings all want to know that we’re acceptable, that our being alive somehow makes a difference in the lives of others.”

— Fred Rogers, The World According to Mr. Rogers: Important Things to Remember

Last fall, Art Department teacher and 70s rock guru, Mike Stringer, and I set out to find a way to team-teach and simultaneously develop a project-based learning experience for our students. It worked. We called it the Children’s Literature Project and here’s how it happened:

AUGUST, 2014: I, lesson-planning, alone at my desk in the waning hours of summer vacation, decided that after a whole semester of introductory creative writing, students in my Advanced Writing In Literature class would need something more professional and applicable to round out their second semester. The obvious real-world application would be self-publication, so I knew that they would ultimately be writing and publishing their work in a public space. The problem was what to write? What will engage them and engage the greater community? What will allow them to collaborate? What will give them a sense of social justice and creative exploration? What experience will meet the goals of the Common Core as well as those of our mission here at OLP?

SEPTEMBER, 2014: Wandering through San Diego’s Central Branch of the Public Library with my kids one Saturday afternoon it hit me: children’s literature requires a student of creative writing to demonstrate all of the skills necessary for successfully meeting the course objectives, it gives them an opportunity to collaborate with art students, AND it gets 12th graders out into the community of our dear, young neighbors. Now all I had to do was convince Mike Stringer that this would work. He said yes. Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believin’" was playing in the background of Mike’s art room, so it really felt like the beginning of something extraordinary.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 2014: Jennifer Ryan, the Program Manager for Therapeutic Childcare Services at Saint Vincent DePaul, accepted our request to partner with the preschool at the shelter in Father Joe’s Village downtown. This meant that our writing and art students would have the opportunity to meet preschoolers, work with them on literacy and storytelling, write books for them, and help contribute to their library with the publication of those books. We had a long way to go though. The writing students had to first meet the learning objectives for introductory Writing In Literature, which included writing short fiction, poetry, and creative

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non-fiction. They also had to develop an ePortfolio to organize, showcase, and publicly share their collection of work. The first semester was centered upon independent writing assignments that fostered students’ own development of voice, pacing, structure and organization, as well as content and style. This groundwork set the standard for the Advanced Writing In Literature class in the spring semester.

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JANUARY, 2015: The semester began with a challenge: Can we continue to grow as writing students while concurrently developing a project that will meet the needs of an actual population here in San Diego? The class was expected to meet higher standards in genre-specific units while also planning for the collaborative process of writing and publishing children’s books. So we threw ourselves into it.

Project-based learning is an organic process in which students are presented with a question, problem, or challenge, and must construct solutions or attainable outcomes through collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and time-management. This “PBL” process empowers students to think outside of the box and it removes the four walls of the classroom so that learning can be applied to reallife scenarios.

Our class was presented with the problem of children in San Diego who are experiencing homelessness and a subsequent lack of exposure to emergent literacy, critical thinking, and creativity skills.

Based on this problem, we devised a learning plan:

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STEP 1: Explore the genre of children’s literature to better understand its content, structure, and purpose in the overall context of children’s literacy.

We traveled to the new public library downtown for a workshop on the genre, the world of illustration, and the field of Caldecott prize-winning authors. Kathryn Johnson, head librarian of the Sanford Children’s Library at the San Diego Central Branch, offered our students an excellent introduction to the art of literature for children.

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STEP 2: Read as many children’s books as is humanly possible.

For about a month, our classroom was awash in the fantastical, philosophical, humorous, reflective, adventurous, challenging, and magical worlds (and words) of literature for young minds. We also brought these library books to the art department so that Mr. Stringer could help his art students understand the particular skills required of children’s book illustrators.

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STEP 3: Meet our collaborators.

The Advanced Writing In Lit students began meeting with members of the National Art Honors Society in early January, developing

partnerships, learning to share interests and ideas, and ultimately creating illustratorwriter teams with one another. This step required a LOT of maturity on the part of our students; they were expected to use communication and listening skills in a very time-sensitive context. They also had to figure out how to reach deadlines together, how to offer constructive feedback, and how to encourage one another while balancing five other classes. The motivating factors were no longer determined by a grade as much as by being a responsible member of a partnership and by working toward the greater goal of directly impacting the experiences of children at St. Vincent DePaul.

STEP 4: Meet the children.

True Project-Based Learning aims to expand the walls of the classroom so that learning is impactful, legitimate, and intentional; for our project, the key to a truly successful PBL experience rested with the preschoolers.

Both the writers and the illustrators had opportunities to travel to the preschool at Father Joe’s facility in the beginning of the semester. The writing students read books with them and helped them write their own short stories; the art students completed art projects with them. The goal for our students was to develop relationships with the children, as well as to better understand their literacy skills, interests, and ideas about storytelling. Some young ladies even came away from that experience with the inspiration for what ultimately became their children’s book story lines.

STEP 5: Begin the brainstorming process, the illustration process, the collaborative process, and the fundraising process…and then figure out how to achieve an end to each of those processes!

The art students met regularly with Mr. Stringer, beginning with sketches and design ideas, while the writers produced basic story lines, developed characterization, and decided on their overall theme and authorial purpose. During collaborative meetings at each stage of the process, the illustrators and the writers shared their ideas, ensuring that the tone and meaning of the text was reflected in the style of the images. If it were not for our artists, the stories would have much less emotional impact; the artistic skills of the OLP National Art Honor Society were integral to the success of this project.

FEBRUARY – MARCH, 2015: was a whirlwind of drafting, revising, illustrator meetings, and raising enough money to print all 21 books for St. Vincent DePaul.

The Writing in Literature students with teacher Katie Turner at Literacy Night held at St. Vincent DePaul.

We held our major fundraiser through the crowdfunding website GoFundMe, and, thanks to the family and friends of our students, we raised $900 in 2 weeks! We also held a fundraiser on campus called Poetry To the People!, in which creative writing students wrote ad lib poems for faculty and peers who donated $1 to the Children’s Literature Project. Thanks to the unparalleled poetic skill of our class, we raised $100 in one lunch period. The generous giving of our OLP community allowed us to print an entire set of books for St. Vincent DePaul’s preschool, AND a second set for The Center for Restorative Justice Works nonprofit organization, Get On the Bus. Children who have the opportunity to visit their parents in jail through this CSJ organization will now have a set of books to read with their moms or dads when they arrive.

APRIL - MAY, 2015: April showered us with children’s books and in May we took them to St. Vincent DePaul for Family Literacy Night. The literacy event encourages families to read with their young children, exploring character, conflict, consequence, and resolution. Our OLP students created small stations for reading their books with families, and completing related art projects with their children. It was a wonderful event, and the OLP parents who accompanied their daughters were true examples of positive encouragement for the families in attendance – it was a wonderful and memorable evening of reading and spending time together.

As families and children left the literacy event, we asked them to write down a few words that came to mind when they thought about the phrase “I am.”

We gave them markers and a big piece of poster paper to write down each word that they believed completed that thought. We then took that poster board back to school, and, using only their words, wrote a group poem for them.

If you are interested in checking out (or purchasing!) one of the children’s books, please contact Mrs. Katie Turner at kturner@aolp.org for more information.

Keara Kirkpatrick and Mariel Martinez partnered to write and illustrate the book below.

I Am Written by the families of Father Joe’s Village; Poeticized by Advanced Writing In Literature.

I am a lion, I am a lion, I am a dandelion.

Yellow, I am strong and Full as a lion’s mane.

On days small and delicate I spread my petals to the sun To remind myself that I am a lion, I am a lion, I am a dandelion.

On days bent and ferocious I bow under the sun To remind myself I am a wish and A lion, A lion, A dandelion.

I am a singer and an artist On the busy streets of San Diego, Lost in a sea of melted ice.

I am ice-cold Like the streets, But I melt easily so Be gentle with me.

There is something in a lion’s roar – Loud, fearful, powerful.

There is something in a lion’s roar – Loud, fearful, powerful.

There is something in a lion’s roar – Bright, beautiful, powerful.

A lion melting like ice, Roaring like loud, fearful, powerful, Ice-cold and melting on streets Bright, beautiful, powerful Melting and roaring and strong.

Ice melts easily and Up spring the seeds of youth.

A new flower is added To the field.

graduation2015 It was a bittersweet day for the graduating class of 2015 as they both

celebrated and said goodbye at commencement on May 28. The seniors and their families kicked off the celebration the evening before with a beautiful Baccalaureate Mass outside under the warm sun on OLP’s North Terrace. The afternoon of the 28th, the girls processed in and took their seats on the stage on North Terrace for one final time. Head of School Lauren Lek gave a warm welcome to all our students, families and guests before Salutatorian Haley Antoine and Valedictorian Nika Haleftiras gave their remarks. Commencement speaker and President of the University of San Diego Dr. Mary Lyons left the girls with words of wisdom and reminded them to live each day to the fullest.

1. The Class of 2015 take their seats as the

Commencement Ceremony begins. Salutatorian Haley Antoine will be attending Cornell University in the Fall, and Valedictorian Nika Haleftiras will be attending California Institute of Technology.

2. Seniors pose for a picture after graduation. Look at all those honor cords!

3. Christina Villaneuva, Alejandra Ramirez and Chilan Nguyen pose bedecked in leis after graduation.

4. Head of School Lauren Lek took a moment to pose

with (from left) Assistant Head of School Jessica Hooper, Interim Head of School Sister Ann Bernard O’Shea, Board Chairman Mike Coughlin and Board Member and alumna, Nina Sciuto-Morales '76 before giving the welcome address.

5. English teacher and 12s1 section moderator Kathleen Guerin poses with the students in her section class.

12s1 was home of the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and class president!

6. Isabella Halley, Erika Pichardo-Ley, Nadia Balin and Constanza Morellon gathered in the photo booth at the reception following Baccalaureate Mass.

7. Natalie Skidmore and Mariel Marinez share a hug to start the celebration.

8. Varsity cheerleaders Shauna Vorst, Krista Sacco,

Jordan Robinette, Claire Acree and Julia Nava gather for a group hug on North Terrace.

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{ gr a duat ion }

Graduating the Next Generation of Women Leaders & Innovators THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2015 RECEIVED MORE THAN

$20.7 Million

in merit-based scholarships IN A CLASS OF 164 STUDENTS,

66% of the class

received at least one scholarship OUR STUDENTS RECEIVED

752 college acceptances at 205 unique institutions.

This includes three Ivy League schools (Cornell, Yale, Penn), Cal Tech, 2 Stanford, 9 Cal Poly SLO, 5 UC 1 Berkeley, 5 UCLA, 1 University of Southern California, 2 Colorado School of Mines, 2 University of Notre Dame, Georgetown, and the US Naval Academy.

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Graduate

Highlights

Gabriela Ashenafi ’15 will be

attending Northwestern University. She was offered $965,656 in scholarships.

She received two Academic Bars from OLP and was a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation and Rho Kappa.

Jessica Meehan ’15 will be

attending Villanova University. She was offered $494,000 in scholarship dollars and was recognized for her hard work at OLP with two Academic Bars. Jessica was a member of the National Honor

Isabella Halley ’15 will be attending

Society, National Art Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation. She

Yale University in the fall. She was

also won Academic Awards for Genetics

offered $771,406 in merit-based

& Literature and Film.

scholarships. Her hard work at OLP earned her two Academic Bars and the National Hispanic Recognition award.

She was a member of the California Scholarship Federation & National Honor Society. She received the Math & World Languages Department Academic awards and the award for AP Calculus.

Haley Antoine ’15 served as the

Salutatorian for the Class of 2015. She will be attending Cornell University in the Fall. Haley was offered $130,750 in merit-based scholarship money. She received two Academic Bars for her hard work at OLP and served as Captain of Academic League and President and Founder of the Robotics Team & Interact Club. She was also a member of the California Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society & Rho Kappa.

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Megan Baughman ’15 will be

attending Marquette University in the Fall. Megan was offered $357,520 in scholarships and was a member of the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa and was awarded an OLP Academic letter for her hard work at OLP. Megan also served as the ASB Commissioner of Social Justice.

» Photos Courtesy of: OLP Parents

Lourdes Acosta ’15 will be

Nika Haleftiras ’15 served as

received a Navy ROTC scholarship to

will be attending California Institute of

Stanford. She was offered a total of

Technology and was offered $188,910

$396,000 in scholarships and was a

in scholarships. Nika was a member of

member of the National Honor Society.

the California Scholarship Federation,

Lourdes received Academic Awards for

National Honor Society, Rho Kappa and

Statistics and AP Chemistry. During her

received two Academic Bars for her

time at OLP, Lourdes also participated in

hard work at OLP. She also received the

Academic League and Spring Sing.

English Department Award.

attending Stanford University. She

Valedictorian for the Class of 2015. She

Pitrina Gilger ’15 will be

attending University of San Diego. She was offered $658,380 in scholarships and was a National Merit Commended scholar. She was a member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Rho Kappa and received the Religion Department award and Academic Awards for Christian Life Themes, Economics & AP English Literature.

california scholarship federation Haley Antoine

Alejandra Cruz Rabago

Gabrielle Hadzicki Ane Holland

Ana-Sofia Otanez

Abbey Sarnowski

Veronica Talia

Gabriela Ashenafi

Crystal Doan

Nika Haleftiras

Hannah Keohane

Olivia Palid

Torrey Schenewerk

Tyra Trinidad

Dulce Avina Heredia

Vanessa Dominguez

Isabella Halley

Christina Ligi

Isabelle Parra

Karina Scolari

Claire Westermeyer

Nicole Black

Abigail Engle

Laura Handy

Lindsay Magee

Erika Pichardo-Ley

Madeleine Seelert

Anna Williamson

Lauren Brown

Elizabeth Farkas

Lauren Harelson

Jessica Meehan

Tiffany Nguyen

Megan Shamoun

Christina Villanueva

Clara Calleran

Caroline Flagg

Elsi Hildebrand

Daniella Moreno

Genel Querido

Mary Clare Shen

Ivanna Cano

Amanda Gateley

Talia Hill

Adrianna Oliver

Alejandra Ramirez

Abigail Suster

Catherine Chan

Pitrina Gilger

Kayla Hofstee

Alexa Ornelas

Hannah Roach

Riley Stenehjem

Photo Details:

1.

2.

3.

Seniors Krista Walsh and Erika Pichardo-Ley share a hug after the Commencement Ceremony. The graduates ready to celebrate.

Interim Head of School Sister Ann Bernard O’Shea shares a moment with Msgr. Richard Duncanson. Varsity cheerleaders Shauna Vorst, Krista Sacco and Gabrielle Hadzicki hoist Jordan Robinette.

Seniors “throw” their caps in the air in celebration of their graduation.

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OLP Director of Facilities Toni Russo with her daughter, OLP Senior Class of 2015 Raquel Russo and Toni’s mother, MaryLee Collura Lupo, OLP class of 1964.

The Value of an OLP Education

Raquel and her grandmother, MaryLee Collura Lupo ’64 at Raquel’s graduation day on May 28, 2015. MaryLee and Raquel both share an appreciation for their OLP educational experience.

Toni Russo & Raquel Russo ’15 written by

Rivka Bent

Executive Assistant to the Head of School

For Toni Russo, the newly appointed Director of Facilities, OLP is not just a job, it encompasses a rich family tradition.

Toni grew up knowing OLP through the stories shared by her mom, MaryLee (Collura) Lupo, class of 1964. Though Toni’s own secondary education did not follow in her mother’s footsteps, she had full awareness of the advantages the OLP experience had given to her mom. Even so, when it came time for her own daughter, Raquel, to begin high school it was a logistical influence that became the defining factor for enrolling Raquel in her local, public school. However, half way through Raquel’s sophomore year both she and her family knew that her educational experience was missing the mark.

As Toni tells the story, Raquel knew emphatically, “the climate my parents raised me in is no longer the climate I’m being educated in.” These were the words Raquel shared with OLP administration when petitioning to enroll half way through her sophomore year.

Words that truly echo the reason so many families believe strongly in the mission of OLP, and words that gained Raquel Russo '15 entrance to Villa Montemar two and a half years ago. From that moment on, the Russo family has been committed in their support of what they believe to be, “a partnership in the growth and formation of their daughter.”

In addition to Raquel joining the OLP Pilot family, Toni Russo also became a member of the staff in the Fall of 2014 in the finance office. Her gifts and talents have supported the school in a myriad of ways. Just this past Spring, Toni was chosen as the new Director of Facilities, a position that was created to help address the holistic needs of the campus. Her extraordinary background has given her a unique skill set perfectly matched to meeting the growing needs of a historic 1917 campus.

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When asked why Toni believes so strongly in OLP she shared, “the school partnered with us in a time of need when Raquel was lacking at her previous school. OLP welcomed her in and gave her the opportunity to thrive.” Thrive is an understatement! As a graduating senior in the Class of 2015, Raquel was just offered a total of $260,000 in merit-based scholarships across four universities, a feat Toni reflects as being a direct result of an OLP education.

When asked why Toni believes so strongly in OLP she shared, “the school partnered with us in a time of need when Raquel was lacking at her previous school.

OLP welcomed her in and gave her the opportunity to thrive.”

Prior to being an OLP employee, and following in the model set forth by her parents, Toni and her husband Rick gave back to OLP through many hours of volunteer work, in-kind gifts and monetary donations. Now as an employee, Toni continues to support the school through her financial donations, as well as her continued partnership at the various OLP fundraising events.

As all of us bid adieu to the graduates of 2015, we are filled with joy and excitement as these young women take on their future. We are especially thrilled to stand witness to Raquel Russo who will be attending the nursing program at the University of Portland this fall. As Raquel soars from OLP to her next educational pathway, we have complete confidence that the facilities at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace are being well managed in the loving hands of her mom.

For what benefited her grandmother 51 years ago must also continue to thrive for future generations to come, including that of her little sister who will apply for entry in three years. OLP is grateful to continue the educational legacy of MaryLee Collura Lupo ’64 with Raquel as an alumna, and we are especially proud to present Toni, her daughter, as Director of Facilities.

OLP STUDENTS HAVE THE

Courage to Change the World THROUGH...

Summer 2015 | 13

Changing the World Through

Cancer Research at UCSD Moores Cancer Center Danielle Burner ’14

Danielle Burner ’14 is studying Molecular Biology and Physics at UC San Diego. Since starting in the Fall, she has been involved in three research projects. Her first research project was conducted at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Christina Jamieson. The Jamieson lab focuses on ways to treat castrate resistant prostate cancer, a type of cancer that no longer responds to androgen deprivation therapy. They hypothesize that interactions between metastatic prostate cancer cells and the bone microenvironment may stimulate cell proliferation in the absence of androgen.

This hypothesis was supported by Danielle’s experimental data which showed high expression of both WNT5A and BMP6 protein in their xenograft models. She presented her findings at the UCSD Biology Research Showcase on June 3rd.

In just the past year I feel like I’ve grown stronger in mind and spirit.

I encourage all students heading on to college to work hard and hit the ground running!

Danielle’s other areas of research include a collaboration with Dr. Todd Coleman in the UCSD Bioengineering Department. The project focuses on manipulating the binding domain of a photosensitive plant protein, utilizing it as a transcription factor for pain receptors in the human body. Theoretically, impeding

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the amount of axonaxon firing in localized areas can lessen the amplitude of experienced pain. In her opinion, this project is important because cancer treatment is not only about the prolongation of life, but also the quality of life. The project has already attracted Dr. Tony Yaksh, a prominent pain researcher at UCSD, who has allowed Danielle and her team to utilize his techniques to study bone innervation as a way of gauging pain in treatment models.

Danielle has elected to volunteer her free time in the Ecology Department over summer break. Working under the direction of Dr. David Holway, Danielle will be studying the relationship between molecular biology and behavioral ecology. More specifically, she will be conducting an experiment on how environmental change can act as a selective pressure for changing the genetic basis of eusocial honey bee behavior. Though this may seem unrelated to her previous two projects, Danielle explains, “the beauty of studying Molecular Biology is that it is dynamic and flexible, drawing some surprising connections between different areas of science.”

In a personal reflection of the past year, Danielle thinks that going to college has opened a lot of doors, “in just the past year I feel like I’ve grown stronger in mind and spirit. I encourage all students heading on to college to work hard and hit the ground running!”

Changing the World Through Fundraising at Stanford University

QAwith &

Michele Schiele ’85 What is your current title and place of business?

I am Senior Associate Vice President for Development at Stanford University.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am in the second half of a billion dollar Campaign for Stanford Medicine, working with the development office in the School of Engineering to plan for new development initiatives and working to attract philanthropy for Stanford’s Neuroscience Institute and Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Health Institute.

We understand you’re working to bring in funds to support research projects. How’s that going? What research are you hoping to fund? How are you raising awareness/ funds?

Yes. Our efforts are going well because there is a sense of excitement in the philanthropic community about the current opportunity for scientific discovery in biomedicine. Many liken the current era of medicine to the middle of the last century when computers were being developed. New technologies are being created to bring to bear on some of biomedicine’s most difficult problems.

Was there any one thing you learned at OLP that you carried with you through your higher education and into your career?

Absolutely. At OLP I learned the importance of hard work and building strong relationships.

Throughout my education and in my career there were times when the best thing to do was keep my head down and work hard.

Eventually, you come out of the “tunnel” and reach your goals. I have also been blessed with strong relationships since leaving OLP. When I combine those relationships with hard work, audacious goals seem attainable.

What advice do you have for OLP grads as young women who are looking to change the world?

Be ready to work hard and don’t even try to do it alone! Surround yourself with like minded people who will encourage you and support you through the good times and bad.

Summer 2015 | 15

Changing the World Through Management of an Organic Urban Farmers Food Project in Africa Rachel McKinney ’04 I am currently living out my dream

job for Abalimi Bezekhaya (Farmers of Home) as the Marketing and Sales Director for our project called Harvest of Hope. I represent 100 farmers going to market with beautiful, organically grown vegetables they have grown in townships around Cape Town, South Africa.

I do everything from sales, logistics, deliveries, marketing, designing a new website, documenting stories of our farmers, helping harvest, and meeting with funders. I help get the word out on what our amazing farmers and team are able to accomplish in the most extreme conditions. I also work to promote food security and nutrition around organically grown food in townships and the Cape Town area. Every week we harvest and deliver vegetables to over 400 customers. We also have restaurants, cafes, hotels, juice companies, and others that choose to purchase from our farmers. We like to say that as an organization “we grow farmers” and our farmers are the ones growing the vegetables. Our project is one of a kind and it is truly an honor to be a part of it.

Two years ago I took myself on a service trip to South Africa (something I loved doing through OLP, and later LMU as well). I heard about this organization through a newsletter and decided to go on a tour. It was a particularly ordinary day, but I was awestruck by the passion and commitment of everyone to fight food insecurity in South Africa at a grassroots level. In particular I learned about Harvest of Hope, the selling of the surplus vegetables. Right then it became a goal to get to work on the marketing and sales side of this amazing project. When you hear marketing you don’t always think mission work – but this is marketing that can impact a farmer’s livelihood, thus changing their life. In fact, their dedication to their families through farming fuels my energy for the 7-day/week job.

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I moved to Cape Town, South Africa in January and started working the following day. I have found everyone welcoming and hospitable. Our go-go’s (older farmer grannies) have welcomed me in like family and I’m attending networking events and driving veggie deliveries all over town meeting wonderful people (on the other side of the road)! I’m learning so much and loving the new culture.

You’ll know when God calls you to go somewhere or do something, because your heart will grow and stretch and break and then grow all over again. You will be doing something meaningful and enjoying it as well, which in and of itself is a nod to the foundation given me through my OLP education.

First, my love of service was something OLP really developed in me. Sister Joyce always taught us to be women of peace, and she continues to be my role model.

When I am with our farmers, I try to channel the peace and joy she gave freely.

When I’m having a particularly challenging day I think about her and ask her for guidance, courage, and energy.

I don’t know if I am changing the world – I sell vegetables. However, I do have the responsibility to our farmers to do my very best, think of new ways to improve our current methods, and even ask for help. We have the opportunity to solve poverty one family at a time; for me that is a worthy cause and my impetus for getting up every day.

Every one of us has talents and spiritual gifts, OLP teaches us that these are intended to be used as a part of God’s bigger picture. When we are using our gifts we are living our purpose. I love cold calling – selling veggies – I get nervous, stutter, and often feel like a fool – but I know that I am living my mission. I have ups and downs every day, (for example being short butternut, turning into oncoming traffic, getting lost in townships), but around every turn and after every disappointment there is something amazing that happens. At work we call them, “Abalimi Miracles." My biggest lesson so far is living on the faith that something bigger and better is around the corner. I try to be thankful for the good and the bad, as everything is a chance to grow closer to God in service of others.

Changing the World Through

Development of Drugs for "Undruggable" Diseases Lauren Barclay ’05

I recently graduated from the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at Harvard Medical School, where I studied protein biochemistry. I performed my dissertation research in a laboratory at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. My research was focused on the function of proteins that regulate cell death and survival.

The lab was interested in learning how these proteins work in the context of both normal cells and cancerous cells so that we might better understand and treat cancer in the future.

I discovered a previously unknown way that two of these proteins interact, which taught us that the regulation of cell survival is a highly complex process.

While I worked full time in the lab throughout graduate school, I was interested in learning about careers beyond academic research, so I participated in a few graduate student clubs and organizations to explore my options. I joined the board of the Harvard Graduate Business club and took a summer mini-MBA course taught by a few Harvard Business School professors.

I also volunteered and raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mostly, I enjoyed spending time with my classmates and going camping and skiing all around New England.

that will lead to a life-changing drug some day. It takes an enormous amount of time and resources to make a drug, and the success rate is very low. If I can play a role in any part of a successful drug development program, I would consider my career a victory!

One of the most important things I learned at OLP is that hard work and dedication are required to get you where you want to go. Whether it was taking pages and pages of notes to get a good grade in Mr. Rauch’s AP Biology class or running extra miles on the weekends to make a sub-8 minute mile in cross country (which I can’t even come close to now!) I learned that I could achieve my goals if I spent the effort. My experiences at OLP also taught me to approach conflicts with respect and to be true to my values. Most of all, I learned to treasure my friendships and balance work with plenty of fun.

While my job is challenging for me, I feel privileged to work at a place where the general attitude is that anything is possible.

I am now working at a biotech company in Cambridge, MA that is seeking to develop new drugs for diseases that have traditionally been considered “undruggable.” My role at the company is to identify and analyze new drug targets for the company to pursue, and I am learning a ton about drug development and strategy in the process. While my job is challenging for me, I feel privileged to work at a place where the general attitude is that anything is possible.

I want to give back to society by applying my education and scientific knowledge to real medical problems. By pursuing a career in drug development, I hope to take part in a project

Summer 2015 | 17

OLP Board of Directors Chairperson Change Outgoing Board Chair Mike Coughlin looks back on his time & welcomes incoming Board Chair Coreen Petti.

Mike Coughlin

Years on OLP's Board: 11 Why did you choose to serve on the Board at OLP? During the time my daughter was attending the Academy, I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of education that she received. Not only was she challenged academically, but I saw that the Academy clearly helps formulate young women of strong moral character who are driven to help others. The Academy produces young Catholic leaders, and I wanted to be part of that mission. Also, my Aunt, Sister Magdalen Coughlin, was a Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, and she was such a crucial part of my upbringing that I thought by volunteering to serve on the Board I could help celebrate her life by working to continue to foster the Sisters’ charism at the Academy.

What was your vision for OLP? I wanted to ensure that the Academy remains a viable, vibrant part of Catholic education in the San Diego area. We were going through a major transition in the school’s history, moving from CSJ leadership to lay leadership.

I wanted to ensure the Academy stayed true to the founding Sisters’ charism, as well as set the Academy on the road to financial stability in order to continue its mission. Working with Lauren Lek, the Head of School, we developed the first ever Strategic Plan for the Academy. I think this was a watershed period for the Academy as we needed to move the Academy from an essentially family run business to a more business oriented model.

We have begun to make some changes which will enable this to come into fruition.

What would you tell the community/ prospective or current parents about why they should join with you and support OLP? To me, as a former parent and now a Board member, an OLP education is a gift

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of love and sacrifice that parents provide to their daughters. I want to ensure that the Academy is here in the future to allow parents to continue to make this gift available to the next generation of young Catholic women. I truly treasure my association with the Academy, and I will continue to support OLP at every opportunity.

Coreen Petti

Years on OLP’s Board: 4 Why did you choose to serve on the Board at OLP? Upon my daughter Olivia ’11 graduating from OLP, I was approached by Sister Dolores who asked me to meet with the current board chair, Mary Sloper. Mary shared with me why both she and Sister Dolores were interested in me serving on the Board of Directors. By virtue of the profound education my daughter received and the positive involvement my family experienced as members of the OLP community, I thought it was only appropriate to consider giving back in this way. As a parent, I witnessed first-hand the incredible value that came with an all-girls, college preparatory, Catholic education. It was with this in mind that I committed to serve OLP on the Board in order to assure that this unique educational experience would continue to be made available for future generations of young women in San Diego.

What was your interest in being the Board Chair?

My interest in serving as Board Chair, which is an elected position by the members of the full Board, is that I believe I bring a unique set of skills and experiences at a particular time when the Academy needs them most. My predecessor, Mike Coughlin, did an amazing job leading the Board and Academy through the period of leadership transition. Now with solid leadership in place with Head of School Lauren Lek, along with her administrative

team, it is time to focus on advancing the Academy through increased exposure to the outstanding work students, faculty/staff and alumnae are doing in our local community and beyond, as well as help position OLP to receive continued and increased financial support. I am quite passionate about seeing this particular leadership mission come to fruition.

What is your vision for OLP? My vision is to significantly increase the public profile as well as financial support to OLP. As the first and oldest school in San Diego, it is always surprising to me when I come across people who were born and raised in San Diego, yet express that they have never heard of OLP. If they have heard of the school, often times they have never been on its beautiful campus or are aware of its exceptional legacy. Under Mrs. Lek’s direction, great strides have been made to improve this lack of appreciation through the introduction of new communication vehicles and special events, however this is an effort that everyone needs to be a part of. When we are all working to collectively tell the OLP story, marvelous things can happen. It is when we create new and increased opportunities for people to invest in what the Academy is all about and the impressive young women it is graduating. That is my vision for the future of OLP and as Board Chair, I will be striving to see this accomplished.

What would you tell the community/ prospective or current parents about why they should join with you and support OLP? Whenever I get the opportunity, I tell members of the community, along with prospective and current parents, that there is no other school like the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. I tell them of its significant history and how it has been a pillar of academic excellence in the City of San Diego for over 133 years. I espouse its distinction as being the only Catholic all-girls school in San Diego County. I make it known that through its college-preparatory program, meaningful leadership and co-curricular activities, coupled with the philosophical emphasis on peace and justice issues, girls graduate from OLP as knowledgeable, empowered, responsible women prepared to make a difference in the world. Then, I let them know of the various ways in which they might consider supporting OLP and being a part of its trajectory.

An Alternative

Spring Break in Boston

written by

Madeline Ivanjack ’16 OLP Student

Sr. Maryann Enright, CSJ and OLP students Sophia Alexander, Alejandra Garcia, Fernanda Gonzalez, Irena Murray, Regina Perez-Varga, Zarela Velazquez and Madeline Ivanjack.

I didn’t know completely what I was expecting

from the Boston service trip I went on over spring break, but any expectations I had were definitely exceeded. This experience was an amazing mixture of history, learning, friendship, exploration, and helping others.

Our trip started off early one morning, when 19 high schoolers and three teachers boarded the plane, hardly knowing each other or what we were in for. There were seven of us from OLP: Sophia Alexander, Alejandra Garcia, Fernanda Gonzalez, Irena Murray, Regina Perez-Varga, Zarela Velazquez and myself. The other 12 students were from St. Augustine High School.

Day after day we became more immersed in the city, walking miles a day in the cold snow and rain, splashing along in puddles, and taking the T (the Boston public transit system).

We toured quite a few colleges, including Merrimack, Boston College, Harvard, and Boston University, but I think all of us agree that the most powerful experiences we had were the service projects. Our group collectively volunteered at the Greater Boston Food Bank, Lazarus House Ministries, Fr. Bill’s Place, Marian Manor and the Casserly House.

The Casserly House in particular was a favorite experience for the majority of OLP girls. It is an ESL (English as a Second Language) school founded and run by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston!

The CSJ of Boston decided to purchase a house in a neighborhood

that was struggling, a manner of offering help in whatever way was needed. The house quickly became a drop off place for children in the neighborhood. The children wait for their school bus in the morning and, in the afternoon, volunteers tutor the kids and help with their homework until their parents pick them up. During the day, volunteers at Casserly House help new immigrants learn English. Teaching English to immigrants itself was an irreplaceable experience, made even more special through the connection we had to this establishment. The Sisters who run the school were very welcoming and excited to see us. They were even more excited to have us visit one of our sister schools!

This experience was an amazing mixture of history, learning, friendship, exploration, and helping others.

Fontbonne Academy is an all-girls CSJ Catholic high school.

Although there were no palm trees in sight and piles of snow bordered the building, a familiar environment was present. Girls in classrooms took notes furiously and smiled at us as we walked past.

We returned home with the most priceless souvenirs: unexpected friendships, connections, and indelible lessons not soon forgotten.

Summer 2015 | 19

{ A l umn a e P rof il e }

Why I Continue to Give Denise Willett Friedman ’65 written by

Margot Meier Howard

Director of Institutional Advancement

Denise Willett Friedman ’65 has been actively contributing to OLP since the 1980s.

Denise Willett Friedman ’65 has lived an

interesting and vibrant life since her graduation from OLP, and yet she has remained connected to her classmates over the years.

In fact, she reflects on how much she admires them and is inspired by them. Denise shared that what Commencement speaker Gina Bouchard Goss presented about the class of 1965 to the Class of 2015 at Commencement, is reflective of the strength of the Class of 1965. They’ve lived a deep determination to address social needs and step into roles as leaders with a determination fueled by their experience at OLP. Denise has traveled the world and her volunteer work has centered on science and health including her service on the boards of the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Phoenix Houses of California and for fun, the California Science Center. She was blessed in marriage for 29 years to the late, well-known and awarded pediatric cardiologist, Dr. William Friedman.

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Denise began actively contributing to OLP in the 80’s in memory of classmate, Trissi Klingenberg '65 and said, “the loss of Trissi began my lifelong activities of paying it forward.”

The OLP community has benefitted from Denise’s continued engagement. The philanthropic hearts of Denise and others like her help ensure the many benefits of an OLP educational experience are available for generations to come.

›› Join Denise and others like her.

Make your gift to OLP today via mail or safely online: aolp.org, or contact: Margot Meier Howard at 619.725.9188

{ A l umn a e Ne w s }

Pilots Take Flight

40s Joan Walsh Crosby ’44 died

Tuesday, May 5, 2015. She enjoyed a full life of family, work (nearly 60 years as a dental hygienist), friends and travel. She was the sister of Theresa Walsh Lathrop ’42, and the proud grandmother of Sarah C. Herbert ’06.

50s

Barbara buck templeton ’50

was blessed by Pope Francis on a recent trip to Rome.

70s Mary Kopperud ’71 works at Molina Healthcare and recently took a Princess cruise to Mexico with her husband, aunt, and uncle. They enjoyed singing in the pop choir, walking the ship and meeting up with family they’d never met.

meredith brown ’81 is an tracy smith ’78 has been

uncovering a mystery in her family. She first found out about it when she was 20 years old.

Her grandfather, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, decided to tell his family the real story of his life. He had not been born and raised in Canada as he had led them to believe, but rather came from Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies – a British colony at the time.

He went on to tell the family that his surname had been “Partleton” and that he had changed it to “Smith” in an attempt to reinvent himself and leave behind a past that he wanted to forget. Now, fast forward to five years ago. Tracy was surfing the Internet and typed “Partleton” into the search engine just as she had done many times before; however, this time she got a hit …

The Partleton Family Tree! She read all about this English family with deep ties to London, England and sent an email asking if they knew of any Partletons who had made their way to Barbados. Later that afternoon, she received a reply. It began with, “You’re our missing link!”

This led Tracy to a meeting with her previously unknown third cousin on a recent trip to England where they traded stories about their family.

Her grandfather had an incredible life—see more here: www.partleton. co.uk/DouglasPartleton.htm; and Tracy now has a new name to call her own!

80s Mary Cerqueira Corrao ’80

celebrated the graduation of her son, Jack, from University of Arizona in May.

immigration attorney in private practice. She is speaking at her national organization’s annual conference in Washington, DC this summer. Her daughter will be studying Spanish in Costa Rica this summer, and Meredith hopes to relax with her 8 year old son— preferably at a pool!

Barbara Carteron Hemphill

’81 recently sold her house and

downsized as her sons are growing up and moving out on their own.

She works for Teague Insurance Agency in La Mesa.

Mary Jo Esposito ’81 went back to

school and earned an A.A.S. degree in culinary arts. She works part- time in a restaurant putting her skills to use!

Barbara Kuhnmuench Seiler

’81 is the new area director of

sales and catering for Davenport Hotels, a luxury hotel group in downtown Spokane. Barb has over 25 years of luxury hotel sales and catering experience from various hotels around the USA and Caribbean. Her career started in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, where she spent several years at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort. From there she went on to Reno, Nevada where she worked at the Peppermill Resort, John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort and most recently the Grand Sierra Resort which has 2,000 rooms and 200,000 square feet of meeting space. Barb has two sons, Alec (16) and Andy (14), who light up her life!

Summer 2015 | 21

call for updated contact info Be sure you’ve updated your address & email with us! Send info to development@aolp.org.

90s

00s christine perez ’04 received a

Master of Science in Publishing: Print and Digital Media from NYU in May 2015.

brittney coker cairns ’05

graduated from the University of San Diego in May with an M.Ed in Curriculum Design and a SingleSubject Credential in English.

She looks forward to teaching at Cathedral Catholic High School beginning this summer.

viviana ley ’05 was recently

Victoria Smith-Campbell ’95 is the new National Fire Program Liaison for the Bureau of Land Management’s National Operations Center in Denver, CO. She and her husband, Gary Campbell, welcomed their daughter Josephine this year.

Cathleen Egan Ottinger ’98

and husband Greg joyfully greeted the arrival of a baby boy, Logan Joseph, on March 2, 2015. Cathleen is on leave until September from her museum instructor job in the education department of the USS Midway Museum.

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kristin hardy ’05 graduated

from SDSU with a major in graphic design and a minor in marketing. After working with a marketing firm in downtown San Diego, and then being San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine’s graphic designer and advertising coordinator, she now works at an in-market advertising research firm, Communicus, doing graphic design and communications. Kristin also has her own freelance graphic design business, Kristin Hardy Design, and enjoys working with clients throughout San Diego. Kristin is engaged to Ivan Brafford and is planning an October 17 wedding date—the day of her grandparents’ 62nd wedding anniversary—a very special connection!

featured on the Food Network show, Cutthroat Kitchen. Viviana has worked with chef, Marcela Valladolid for five years since starting with her part-time while she was in culinary school.

About the show, Viviana said, “I never expected it to be so challenging, nerve wrecking, and yet so, so exciting! Definitely an amazing experience I will never forget it and hopefully it can happen again in the near future!”

alejandra hernandez ’09

has a new position as a staff accountant for American Specialty Health in Sorrento Valley.

OLP Class of 2013 takes on Italy this fall! Spending next semester abroad in Florence are Anne Barnes, Emily Handy, Christina Gallo and Taylor Robinette. Other classmates headed to Europe include Sarah Poiset, Kelly

alexandra espinosa ’09 was

recently engaged to Christopher Osuna, a boy she first met in kindergarten. Christopher had help from Alexandra’s best friends, Devoney Kodad ’09 and Gelena Correia ’09, to pull of the surprise ask. After lunching in Little Italy, Gelena used the pretense of wanting to take photos of high surf at Sunset Cliffs to get Alexandra to the beach where Christopher was waiting. Following the proposal, Alexandra turned around to see friends and family, including her mother, Claudine Mattos Espinsosa ’85 and her sister, Julia Espinosa ’18, gathered on top of the cliffs cheering for them.

Walsh, and McCall Wells.

InMEMORIAM We remember our beloved alumnae who have gone to their eternal rest.

michelle guerrero ’10 & Larisa medina ’10 graduated

from SDSU with the Class of 2015. Michelle graduated cum laude with a BA in Art with an emphasis in Multimedia.

Larisa graduated with a BA in Communication.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Elizabeth Fahy Dierick ’36

joan walsh crosby ’44 Joy Abuyuan Liu ’92 Kirsten johnson ’14 had a wonderful experience at Pentecost Mass in Rome recently.

Reunions ‘05

Contact alumnae@aolp.org for more info

For Year: 2005 | Date: July 25, 2015 Event: facebook.com/groups/403401229821799

‘10

For Year: 2010 | Date: August 9, 2015 Event: Contact Cassandra Gutierrez at olp.classof2010@gmail.com

Summer 2015 | 23

NONPROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID San Diego, CA Permit No. 1592

4860 Oregon Street San Diego. CA 92116

2015 ANNUAL

OLP Golf Tournament

Join us October 12 for golf at the award winning San Diego Country Club, delicious food and great fun all in support of the OLP Athletics Department.

As a result of the generous contributions of donors and sponsors combined, last year's OLP Golf Tournament raised more than $25,000, resulting in the immediate launch of a new Lacrosse team. Join us as we come together to support our OLP scholar athletes!