Message from the Head of School

“Above and beyond” is the perfect phrase to describe the “Actions Not Words” of our entire Mayfield Senior School community this year—one that saw us summon our deepest reserves of grit and stamina to not just make it through, but also to emerge stronger, more resilient and even more connected. As Cornelia Connelly said, “What one is called to do, she is called to do with all her might,” and I can think of countless times Mayfield has shown that kind of might!

The mighty Mayfield faculty and staff went above and beyond, contributing all their energy, dedication and creativity to keep our students engaged and moving forward—no small task across a computer screen. Even though we could not be together in person for most of the year, everyone worked so hard to keep our connections strong outside the classroom with virtual Spirit Week, Zoom talent shows and regular Friday bingo nights. Our mighty Admissions Office went totally above and beyond, too, rethinking every part of the process so successfully that we will begin the 2021-22 school year fully enrolled, with an amazingly talented and diverse freshman class. And, our mighty Mayfield facilities crew toiled tirelessly to keep us all safe and healthy, especially after we were finally able to return to campus for hybrid classes in April.

Our mighty Mayfield students adopted an attitude of gratitude, generosity and joy despite so many challenges. They went above and beyond to serve others, delivering more than 12,000 lunches for those in need over the course of the year, even during the height of the pandemic. Our student leaders went the extra mile to support their classmates and boost our collective mood with their daily video announcements. Our Cubs athletes jumped at the chance to return to campus for outdoor conditioning sessions in the fall, ready to step up to the plate for a historic six-sport spring season, and our artists kept us uplifted and entertained with remote concerts, plays and art exhibitions. The high turnout for our outside prayer services, Masses and class retreats renewed our faith and kept our hope and spirits up.

What one is called to do, she is called to do with all her might.

— CORNELIA CONNELLY

Our mighty Mayfield alums answered the call to help with the reopening of campus in the spring, going above and beyond to get our teachers and students “Back to Bellefontaine.” Our incredibly talented—and vastly overqualified!—alums were integral in overseeing effective social distancing and mask-wearing, as well as proctoring classes and assisting with hybrid classroom technology, among many other challenges. A special shout-out goes to Dr. Leah Carter ’08 for her work with School Nurse Cathy Cota in our Health Office. Largely thanks to Dr. Carter and Nurse Cota, our Mayfield community stayed healthy and safe, receiving high marks from the Pasadena Public Health Department for our COVID-19 protocols and procedures—a mighty accomplishment!

Our mighty Board of Trustees members stayed the course with bravery and conviction, despite so many variables and unknowns. Because of their dedication and faith, at the start of May, we broke ground on the most extensive building project in the history of the school. We started renovating our beloved Strub Hall from top to bottom while maintaining and protecting the beautiful historic nature of our home. Our Board went above and beyond, voting to increase aid for families experiencing hardship because of the pandemic and continuing to move forward on our justice, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. I want to express my deepest gratitude to outgoing Board Chair Kelly Nelson Nakasone ’93 for the countless times she served as my thought partner, mentor and friend. I humbly confess that I could not have made it through this year without her abiding love and encouragement.

Finally, to our mighty Mayfield parents, past and present, who believe so deeply in our Holy Child mission that they continue to support our school with generosity and prayers— thank you for always going above and beyond.

As we look back with gratitude at the 2020-21 school year, for all we learned and all the ways we have grown, we also look forward with hope, optimism and joy to the start of the 2021-22 school year, when we can all be together again in our beautiful, newly renovated Strub Hall home.

With Love and Gratitude,

Kate Morin

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ADMINISTRATION 2020-21

Head of School: Kate Morin

Assistant Head of School for Academics: Toi Webster Treister ’82

Associate Head of School for Strategic Initiatives: Angela Howell ’76

Director of Admissions: Merilisa Ramirez

Director of Athletics: Steven Bergen

Director of Communications: Lauren Marks ’98

Director of Development: Lela Diaz

Director of Facilities: Connie Peters

Director of Finance: Cynthia Riegsecker