Ramona Convent Secondary School
"SINCE WE TREAD ALONG THE SAME PATH, LET US LEND A HAND TO ONE ANOTHER."
BLESSED MARIE-ROSE DUROCHER
Foundress
of the
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
DEAR FRIENDS,
Dear Alums and Friends of Ramona,
For all that has been…thanks For all that is to come…yes!
As I write this message, I look back on the past school year with gratitude…from your support which enables us to continue the ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Names here at Ramona to the new curriculum offerings developed during the academic year to the accomplishments of our students who continue to make us proud.
As we look to the upcoming school year, we will celebrate 135 years of educating young women. From Edith Shorb and Margaret McDevitt who graduated in 1891 to the eighty-four young women of the Class of 2024, thousands of women have graduated from Ramona and countless others have received all or part of their education here. When Bishop Brian Nunes comes to celebrate Mass with us in January during Catholic Schools Week, it will be the actual 135th anniversary of the first day of school.
Ramona would not be celebrating 135 years were it not for all of our benefactors going back to James de Barth Shorb who gave the initial fifteen and a half acres of land to the Sisters.
Though your gifts may not be land, please know that each and every gift you make to Ramona makes a difference. You are the reason young women receive tuition assistance; you are the reason we are able to have such outstanding curricular and co-curricular programs; you are the reason we are able to maintain and improve our beautiful campus. We are grateful to each and everyone one of you…you are part of our Ramona family and you are always welcome to our campus…for an event or a visit.
Thank you!
Sister Kathleen Callaway, SNJM, President
THE SNJM DIFFERENCE
For 135 years, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary have played an integral role in the success of Ramona. They continue their longstanding commitment to our students with an annual gift of $60,000 for tuition assistance, $5,000 to The Ramona Fund, Platinum sponsorship of La Fête, a $5,000 Charism grant to support our social justice projects, and a visible presence on our Board of Trustees.
Gifts to Ramona allow us to provide:
J-Term
Classes and Experiences
The teamRampageRamonaRobotics won the 2024 Imagery Award at the LA Competition!Regional Fun enrichment offerings like: CPR, Architecture, Culinary Arts, Flag Football & More!
Refreshed landscaping along Alumnae Drive
A robust STEAM offering includingRobotics, MakerSpace lab, and Digital Multimedia & Design
A competitive sports program
Our basketballTigersteam came in 1st place in the Santa Fe League, with a perfect record!
A variety of educational field trips including Harvard Model Congress & tours of college campuses around the country
Schoolwide service day partnering with other local non-profits
Individual Class Spiritual Retreats
The Class of 2024 completed over hours18,080 of service!
“Lost in Yonkers” & “The Chaperone”Drowsywere big hits this year! assemblies,Enriching a huge variety of clubs, & tons of extracurriculars
Opportunities for students to show and grow their talents in theatre, dance, choir, and studio arts & So Much More!
East Coast College Tour
Ramona Rampage Robotics Team
Harvard Model Congress in San Francisco
Varsity Soccer
Ceramics Class
"The Drowsy Chaperone" Spring 2024 Drama Cast
Chamber Singers at Arts Night
Ramona Goes to Work Alumna Speaker Series
Geometry Class
Tina Margaret
Tina Raulli Fogliani ‘61
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be in a place of learning where young women were challenged to make the most of their potential, their education and every opportunity that a Ramona education offered.
I entered Ramona as a first grader in 1949 which marked the beginning of an amazing twelve year journey where I grew not only in academics but also in independence and perseverance. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be in a place of learning where young women were challenged to make the most of their potential, their education and every opportunity that a Ramona education offered. Recently, I had the opportunity to reconnect with my first grade teacher, Sister Miriam Daniel Fahey and Sister Aileen Carissimi, who was Dean at Ramona during my senior year. We shared many memories about our time together at Ramona and I shared with them the ways a Ramona education and disciplines shaped my character and my life.
After graduation, I attended lmmaculate Heart College and graduated with a degree in Spanish Literature. I married shortly after graduation and spent the next 25 years raising 5 children while volunteering in Religious Education on the Archdiocesan and parish levels. ln 1990, I became a Paralegal and joined my husband, Ted, at his law firm where we worked together until retirement. I am still in contact today with many of the good friends I made during my years at Ramona.
During my high school years, I met a very smart girl by the name of Margaret Spiller, who became my very dear and close friend. lt was a friendship that continued until her passing. Margaret’s passion for learning and for encouraging young women to make the most of each learning opportunity and each day left its mark on Ramona and is such an important part of a Ramona education. lt is because of Margaret, the Holy Names Sisters and my very special experience at Ramona that I am happy that I can give back to support the education of young women attending Ramona today.
Alumna
Legacy Gifts
What you do is your history. What you set in motion is your legacy.
From a member of the Mother Marie Rose Legacy Society- “When my husband and I were doing our estate planning, we looked at the experiences and organizations that have had the most impact on our lives. I shared many stories of how Ramona and the Sisters of the Holy Names have played a significant role in shaping my life and personal development. Attending a Jesuit University gave my faith depth, and more importantly, Ramona and the Sisters of the Holy Names gave my faith heart.
We wanted to honor this by including Ramona in our estate planning and paying it forward by helping shape the lives of the young women who are and will be attending Ramona.”
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, allows you to support the work of Ramona while protecting your personal interests. There are a variety of planned giving options that can be tailored to your individual financial and charitable objectives.
The simplest and most effective way is to make a bequest in your will or living trust. This can be done by specifying a pre-determined dollar amount, property, a percentage of your estate or residue of your estate for the benefit of Ramona. Another way to make a significant gift to Ramona is with life insurance or stock. You may transfer an existing life insurance policy that is no longer needed.
If you are considering a gift that will create a lasting legacy for future generations of Ramona students, please contact Ramona’s Advancement Office.
2023-2024 OVERVIEW
THE RAMONA FUND
The Ramona Fund helps us meet emerging needs and opportunities and fulfill our mission to educate empowered, resilient, socially conscious leaders in the SNJM tradition. It underwrites academic enrichment programs, student activities, spiritual engagement, updates to technology, and maintenance of our 19-acre campus.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
RAMONA FUND
$600,880
Von Der Ahe Foundation
SCHOLARSHIP GIVING
When Ramona graduates enter college they are prepared, confident and empowered with the strength of conviction that results from a SNJM education. During their four years here, Ramona has guided and supported them in becoming the remarkable women they were meant to be.
In the 2023– 2024 school year, Ramona awarded tuition assistance to over 60% of our students. Recognizing that we as a community want to help young women benefit from a Ramona education, we acknowledge and are grateful for the combined generosity of our alumnae, friends, and foundation partners.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
$745,341
Christmas Calendar Drawing
Total Raised: $17,450
Winner's Choice Drawing
Total Raised: $19,580
Rose Week of Giving 2024
Total Raised: $52,380 From: 147 Donors
Designated to specific projects, clubs, and programs like the Hillside Rejuvenation, Ramona’s Arts Program, Ramona Radio, Athletics, and others $71, 275
La Fête 2024
Total Raised: $125,254
Including: $14,260 for Support Our Scholars
La Fête 2025 - April 5th
La Fête, Ramona's largest fundraiser of the year, will be even more spectacular as we celebrate Ramona’s 135th anniversary! Mark you calendars now for an evening of fun and philanthropy featuring an online silent auction, opportunity drawing component, and the opportunity to raise scholarship funds through Support Our Scholars.
We are always looking for great partners to contribute to the success of La Fête! From individual or corporate sponsors to local businesses that would like to donate an item to the auction or place an ad in the program. There are so many ways to participate all while supporting the students of Ramona!
If you'd like to get involved please contact: Kelsey Davidson '02, Alumnae & Special Events Manager kdavidson@ramonconvent.org
Reunion Giving
Reunions affirm that the Ramona experience endures for a lifetime, and while buildings and teachers may change, the values of Ramona remain constant. Reunions are also an opportunity to commemorate your Ramona experience with a reunion class gift through the Alumnae Scholarship Fund. Each reunion class sets ambitious dollar and participation goals to send a powerful message that your class is committed to the ongoing vibrancy of Ramona.
Reunion Giving Campaigns provide the opportunity for an entire class to honor their milestone year with a collective contribution to a single purpose. A scholarship fund can be established in honor of your class, then classes are encouraged to share their Reunion Giving Campaign and inspire their classmates to join!
Reunion Giving Campaigns are led by volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to inspiring their classmates. In this role, the Class Gift Leader will share why philanthropy to Ramona is an important part of their alumnae experience and will solicit gifts from classmates. If you would like to volunteer to be a Gift Leader for your class, please contact the Advancement Department.
September 14 - Class of 1974 Reunion
October 5 - Class of 2003 Reunion
October 6-11 - Rose Week of Giving ~Sun- Harvest Festival ~Mon - Restaurant Night Fundraiser ~ Tues & Wed- Tours of Ramona’s Museums ~Wed-Blessed Marie Rose Liturgy
October 17 - Donor Thank You Party
October 21- November 1 - Community Food Drive
December 1-31 - Christmas Calendar Daily Drawing
January 8 - Young Alumnae Reunion
January 29 - Celebration of Ramona’s Founding & Liturgy with Bishop Brian Nunes
February 28 - Alumnae Weekend Happy Hour
March 1 - Alumnae Weekend Luncheon
April 5 - La Fête - A Celebration of Ramona’s 135th Anniversary!
May 10 - Strawberry Day
Be on the lookout for information about these activities (and more) throughout the year!
