Alumnotes

We love to hear about all of the wonderful things our alumni are experiencing! Please keep us updated about your lives post PHS. Send updates and photos to Allison Hastings Knowles ‘99 at Allison.Knowles@providencehigh.org.

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1960’s

kristin newton ‘66 - “I can’t believe that it will soon be 50 years since I graduated from Providence. A lot has happened in the meantime. I loved the art classes at Providence with Gabrielle LeFevre. She inspired me to become a professional artist. Recently I was invited to give a talk in Korea about drawing and perception.

I’ve lived in Japan for 35 years and, unfortunately, probably won’t make it back for the reunion, but it’s so nice to keep in touch.”

toni dirscherl werk ‘68 - “We have been living in Las Vegas, NV for the past 39 years. Our youngest son, Charles Patrick, and his wife, Callie, had a handsome baby boy last August 27 in Pocatello, Idaho. This 9 pound baby is our first and only grandchild, and my husband Steve and I are beyond blessed!”

theresA kuBAsAk ‘69 and her husband, Gabe Huck, announce the publication of their new book, Never Can I Write of Damascus: How Syria Became Our Home. The book will be released on June 7th, and is a memoir about living in Syria for seven years.

1970’s

Josee mArquis ’70 retired on December 31, 2015 after a long career in the travel industry, both with the airlines and then in corporate travel planning.

(Photo #1) deBBi Bennett ‘71 - “I make an annual business trip each year to Las Vegas in order to take continuing education classes in opticianry, as well as to network with all of my fellow professionals in the medical optical industry. This year, I will also be teaching education courses when the convention takes place in September.

This is a picture of me and my previous student, Julian. He sought me out on the convention floor to say how happy and excited he was with his new career, and thanked me profusely for helping him to graduate from college with all the training needed to be a licensed Optician. He also affirmed what I learned from Mrs. Greenhill, ‘optics uses a lot of algebra!’” susAn hArtz Brodeur ‘72 - “Since moving to Utah in September of 2015, I’ve seen more deer and more snow than I’ve ever seen in my entire life; also, moose, porcupines, and other wild creatures along with beautiful mountains, exquisite flora and fauna, and TREES, so many trees! The first week of January, I started a new position as the graphic designer for the Woodbury Art Museum, which is part of Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah. I get to create art while being surrounded by art, which is a dream come true for me because of my lifelong love of the arts, which was nurtured and fueled by Miss Gabrielle LeFevre and her mother, Mrs. LeFevre throughout my years at PHS. They were a wonderful inspiration to me and many other young women who were lucky enough to know and love them. And now I have a job that I know would make them proud!”

elizABeth flores ’79 - “I want to thank everyone for their prayers during my second bout with breast cancer. Due to advanced surgeries, City of Hope is able to keep me well and send me back to my normal teaching and jogs in the park!

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I am working on a children’s book and finished choreographing a piece reflecting breast cancer treatment (mastectomy, chemo, radiation). Nothing like the arts to lift your spirits.

My daughter is a director in NY working on a series. I am proud of her interest in volunteer work in Africa.

I want to thank Providence and the spirit of Mrs. Greenhill for giving me a strong sense of FAITH and knowledge of God’s care.”

1980’s

melissA crAndAll ‘88 - “I went to grad school and got an MA degree in Nonprofit Management (from Antioch University LA). I also earned a credential called Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP), and I am officially transitioning into the nonprofit sector from private business where I worked before (in entertainment and organic beauty).”

1990’s

therese menez offer ’92 - “I just wanted to give an update/travel note. I am currently traveling around the world with my husband Elad and my daughter Maya for over three months. We began in December and are including sub-Saharan Africa where I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the country of Namibia.”

JAckie JAskowiAk, PhArm.d., BcPs ‘00

authored a case report that was published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (AJHP) in February 2016. She was the sole author on this manuscript entitled: “Treatment of hemorrhagic acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with cyclophosphamide.” AJHP is considered to be the most widely recognized and respected clinical pharmacy journal in the world.

(Photo #2) dAryl dimAlAntA ‘06 - “My wife, Pa Chia, and I recently celebrated our four year wedding anniversary at the end of 2015 and in the past year we traveled to Japan, Bahamas, Italy, United Kingdom, France, and China. Additionally my brother, Denny Dimalanta ‘11, and I went to Japan and Taiwan together in December. Professionally, I was recently promoted to Senior Software Engineer at AppDynamics which I’ve been part of from the time it was a small San Francisco startup with just 100 employees. AppDynamics is now considered one of San Francisco’s fastest growing pre-ipo software companies with over 900 employees worldwide and a recent valuation close to $2 billion.”

lAurA lewis ‘06 was accepted into a residency program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

2010’s

eric BecerrA ‘11 - “After high school, I worked two jobs during my two years as a full time student at Glendale Community College (GCC), trying to save enough money to transfer. I saved thousands of dollars and won multiple scholarships to attend UCLA.

While at UCLA, I joined a program called M.E.N.T.E. (Mentors Empowering & Nurturing Though Education) and eventually became its Financial Director. I majored in history and graduated last year with Latin and Departmental honors (and without debt!). My honors thesis even won UCLA’s Carey McWilliams Award. Upon graduation, I received a position in UCLA’s education outreach program as a college and career advisor for a school in East LA. However, my life is about to change again. I have recently been accepted to the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill’s PhD program for History.

My focus at UNC will be early America, specifically the Spanish influence on the early republic. I’m also interested in Hobbesian influence on the American frontier and how it shaped the settlers’ political philosophy.”

chAnel sAmson ‘12 - “I graduated from LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) in July with a 1st, which is the highest you can get in England, and now have my Bachelor of Arts in music honors. Plus, Paul McCartney gave me my diploma which is pretty cool. I’m moving to New York to pursue my band, Chanel & the Circus, and do a one woman show. For the past year I’ve also put on a worldwide cabaret event called The Secret Circus, with a sellout show every night and am taking it to Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.”

(Photo #3) leo Puentes ‘13 - “I am currently in my third year at the University of Redlands. This spring semester, I am studying at La Universidad Antonio de Nebrija in Madrid, Spain. It has definitely been a life-changing experience. I’m in love with the Spanish culture, it is so dynamic. It’s funny, everything that Señora Parodi has taught me came back to me once I came here. I’m definitely enjoying it here in Madrid. I’ve had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe. I’ve been to the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Portugal. I have plans to travel to Germany and France [soon]. However, whenever I travel, I always feel that sense of relief when I step back in Madrid. Madrid will always be a second home to me from now on.”