Beyond the Academy Summer 2023

Expanding the Notre Dame Academy Experience

portrait OF A graduate

Notre Dame Academy is devoted to “educating young women to make a difference.”

An NDA graduate is a woman of faith, who lives Catholic values and witnesses God’s goodness and provident care;

academic

Summer 2023

Correction: The Winter 2023 issue incorrectly listed Melanie (Machado) Kesler’s ’68 last name.

service&

educating difference YOUNG WOMEN to make a

Editor: Nancy López

Contributors: Kristin Callaghan, Samantha Costanzo Carleton ’11, Ava Hanna ’24, Karen Lewis ’83, Kailani Melvin ’23, Liz Roland

Photography: Raynelle Duronslet ’98, Melissa Martinez, Shane O’Donnell

Graphic Designer: Stacie Martinez

Beyond the Academy is published by Notre Dame Academy for alumnae, parents and friends. Class Notes and In Memoriam can be submitted at academy.ndasla.org/alumnae/classnotes or academy.ndasla.org/alumnae/ prayer-requestin-memoriam or emailed at advancement@ndala.com.

excellence, who thinks critically and communicates effectively; vision& leadership, who collaborates, problem solves, and uses technology ethically;

compassion, who makes a positive difference in the world.

Finding Joy and Community in Our Next Chapter

Dear Friends,

Over the past decade, we’ve accomplished significant advances toward creating a more innovative, individualized high school experience that prepares young women to change the world. Our Notre Dame Academy High School graduates are confident, transformative leaders. Within these pages, you’ll see all the ways in which Regals are pursuing their passions and goals as scholar-athletes, rocketry champs, thespians, and more. Check out the inspiring stories about Luna’s and Noelle’s community involvement and learn more about our “Sisterhood that Serves.”

Now we’re using what we’ve learned about girls’ education to create an all-girls middle school for students in grades six, seven, and eight. This extension of the high school will be dedicated to transforming a new group of young women into happy, healthy, and confident leaders by focusing on how girls learn best. It’s not enough to create a curriculum based on how girls learn, though. Connectedness and belonging are key indicators of girls’ success, and mentorship will play a significant role in students’ day to day studies. Learn more about this exciting new opportunity on pages 10-11.

The Sisters of Notre Dame have always been the first to respond to the needs of our time. We are thrilled to continue that mission by creating a nurturing, enriching, and confidence-building community for middle school girls when we welcome our first class in August 2024.

In Notre Dame,

academic excellence

NDA Celebrates Academic Excellence Among Graduates

Seventy young women celebrated the final milestone of their NDA careers with graduation on Saturday, June 3. Families and friends filled the campus for the traditional outdoor ceremony familiar to alumnae since the class of 1973.

At the senior awards assembly before graduation, senior class vice president Allison Grace Chin reflected, “While at this moment, our journey has felt so fast and short, there were times where it was painfully slow and we felt like we’d never reach the end. This moment and the gowns that adorn you are a tribute to your perseverance and your ability to overcome unprecedented obstacles…no award could ever acknowledge how much every single one of us has contributed to the NDA community.”

While each student makes an invaluable contribution to the institution whether through academics, athletics, the arts, or leadership, a few seniors uniquely exemplify the “portrait of an NDA graduate.”

Like Nicolette, Graciella Reina was recognized with the Assistant Heads of School award. Graciella was on the leadership team for both Queen’s Council and the Latin American Hispanic Student Organization (LAHSO). For Queen’s Council, she helped plan creative Shadow Day experiences for prospective NDA students and in LAHSO, she aided in developing opportunities for the NDA community to learn more about Latin culture and experiences. Graciella was also a co-founder of the club Regal Readiness, a club that teaches students life skills like doing laundry, cooking, and budgeting in preparation for life after high school. “Gracie finds genuine joy in learning,” said Christine Lagrimas, assistant head of school for student life. “She enriches others’ lives with her infectious, inquisitive spirit and with her enthusiasm for exploring the world. She inspires all of us to pursue a life of learning.” She plans to attend University of California, Santa Barbara and study Political Science in the fall.

Lilliam Paetzold ’84 President/Head of School

President’s Award recipient Nicolette Lamanna comes from a long Notre Dame Academy tradition. Not only did she attend NDAE, but her mother is also an alumna from the Class of 1987. Nicolette distinguished herself by completing all three levels of course offerings in Disruptive Innovation, part of the Duddy Innovation Center for Excellence. She earned the Regents’ Scholarship at the University of California at Berkeley, the most prestigious scholarship offered for incoming freshmen. Nicolette is among a select cohort of Berkeley undergraduates who stand out for their creativity, leadership, service, strong convictions, and commitment to excellence.

“Nicolette was selected by the administrative team [for the President’s Award] because she lives her faith through word and deed,” said Brad Fuller, assistant head of school. “She embraces her spirituality and leads by example both in and out of the classroom. She represents NDA’s mission to form women of faith who value service and learning.”

faith, service and compassion

Servant Leaders in Action

Luna McNeff Yee

- Ava Hanna ’24

Luna McNeff Yee ’23 was the distinguished recipient of the Archdiocese Service Award, an honor bestowed on a Catholic high school senior in recognition of her exceptional service to the community. Luna has been volunteering since her sophomore year at Teen Line, a peer-to-peer youth crisis national suicide hotline for teenagers dealing with child abuse, suicide, sexual abuse, etc. Coming from a public school, Luna says that her transition to NDA provided her with a supportive environment that she translates into her volunteer work at Teen Line. She was able to have oneon-one conversations with struggling teenagers, encouraging that “there is no shame in getting help.” Luna was motivated to volunteer at Teen Line during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she watched her peers go through a mental health decline due to social isolation and lack of a support system. Aside from her dedication to service, Luna participated in Queen’s Council and the Asian Pacific Islander Desi-American (APIDA) affinity group and was also the president of both the National Honors Society and the Community Service Club. Most notable was Luna’s humility, making her a true servant leader who does not serve for the recognition, but rather because she is passionate about the cause. Luna was recognized by the Posse Foundation, which identifies students with exceptional leadership potential. She earned a full four-year scholarship to Middlebury College in Vermont.

Noelle Nelson

- Kailani Melvin ’24

Whether solving a tough STEM problem, helping a friend, or expertly leading a BSU meeting, Noelle Nelson ’24 has been an integral part of the NDA community. However, people may not know that Noelle has many food allergies, which has motivated her to become a fierce advocate for food allergy awareness. She serves in teen leadership positions on FARE Food Allergy Research Education, Just Allergy Things Magazine, and Red Sneakers for Oakley. Most importantly, she is the founder and creator of the nonprofit Teach Teal. In her words, the program “teaches kids about food allergies, empathy, and compassion” in a classroom setting. The three-day curriculum features instructional guides, videos, textbooks, and anecdotes from students with food allergies. Her latest project with Teach Teal was a summer camp for kids with food allergies - an experience she never had. Despite the challenges she faced, Noelle’s outlook is continually positive, and she hopes to share her experiences with others. “Be kind to everyone,” she says, “you never know what someone is going through.”

Serving as a Sisterhood

Notre Dame Academy has always sought to develop leaders capable of making a difference in their communities and beyond. A new coalition called “The Sisterhood that Serves” gives student leaders opportunities to focus on executing a greater vision together.

Leaders of all organizations at NDA, from Queen’s Council ambassadors, student government, and affinity groups to sports and mock trial teams, are part of the Sisterhood. They meet regularly to discuss ways for their individual organizations to collaborate on community outreach, receive practical training on helpful tools like task management software and marketing strategies, and ultimately encourage greater leadership throughout the school.

“The Sisterhood is an opportunity for student leaders to not only learn what it means to be a servant-leader at NDA and beyond, but also to go back to their organizations here and be influencers who create opportunities to be more engaged as a community,” said Antoinette Lloyd-Evans, a moderator of the new program.

Recently, the Sisterhood organized an Earth Day beach cleanup and a series of Women’s History Month activities, including an interactive word wall highlighting women who have influenced NDA students. Leaders within the Sisterhood that Serves have attended retreats, workshops, and other skillbuilding events to learn more about how to work across their organizations to achieve common goals. And organizations are already finding new opportunities to expand leadership roles for their fellow students. For example, the Black Student Union created a community liaison position to help facilitate the growing number of community-focused service activities.

In this way, the Sisterhood’s intentional, outwardfacing collaboration can have lasting impacts not only on individual students, but also on the structure and mission of their organizations.

“It helps them to dig a little deeper, to be more intentional in forming those stronger bonds of sisterhood,” Lloyd-Evans said. “And this sisterhood extends beyond self and organizations at NDA to look at wholehearted and joyful service to others.”

Photo by Shane O’Donnell

campus life

Spring 2023 Athletics Recap

- Ava Hanna ’24

Here at Notre Dame Academy, we bring our regal spirit with us wherever we go - including the court, field, sand, and swim lanes. This year, NDA went above and beyond in athletic performances, bringing home multiple wins across different sports. Some of our stellar senior athletes are going on to play in college. Francesca Khachatourians will play collegiate soccer at Loyola University Maryland, and Maura McAusland and Elliana Moreno will both play college volleyball at Vassar College and Wesleyan University, respectively.

Starting the year off strong with soccer, the Regals managed to pull out an overall winning record of 8-6 in a league where the competition was fierce. Despite not being selected for the wildcard in the CIF Southern Section Playoffs, their season was filled with brilliant playing and teamwork.

NDA’s swim team made a huge splash this year as well. With varsity advancing all the way to the 2023 CIF Southern Section Division 4 Swimming and Diving Competition, the swim teams had a terrific year with numerous wins across all grade levels. It sure was a season to beat!

Beach volleyball finished sixth in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 polls, once again showing that even though NDA is a small school, we are mighty in Regal strength. Some season highlights include winning the Mission League, two pairs qualifying for the CIF SS Division 1 pairs championships, and the whole team being selected to compete in the Division 1 bracket. This year, player Ava McBride ’26 was named number four overall and number two starter in the 2026 California High School Top Volleyball Player Ranking.

However, the most memorable event of our sports season belongs to basketball. This year, varsity made NDA history by winning the CIF Southern Section D4A Championship. Though the season was intense, the players made sure to maintain their academics, as many took AP and honors classes. For example, I studied on weekends, and Ella Tran ’24 used those long bus rides from games to catch up on sleep. The fact that our team is filled with scholar athletes makes NDA’s win that much more impressive.

The championship game arena was electric with excitement. Baskets were made - many by Shelby McAlpin ’25 and Annalisa Junn ’24. Though NDA was up by the second half, their competition would not be defeated that easily. With only four minutes left on the clock, the two teams were tied. NDA called a time-out to deliberate.

“We realized that winning this game wasn’t about getting the number one title, but more about who we were as a team,” Annalisa reflects. “The countless hours in the gym, tough weight sessions, and long drives to games, all while keeping up with our classes, would be demonstrated by this game.” Their hard work wasn’t for nothing. In the final seconds, Sophia Petro ’25 made a buzzer-beater shot and NDA took home the title of champions. The next day at school, Mr. Ho gave a very memorable musical showcase of Queen’s “We are the Champions” as the whole school celebrated the win.

“Even though the final shot technically won us the game, it was the support, love, and strength of our team that led us to be champions,” Annalisa says.

We are beyond proud of our 2022-2023 student athletes and excited to see them keep shining, on and off the court. GO REGALS!

campus life

MENA Induction

On January 26, the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) affinity group held their student induction ceremony. NDA alumna and MENA co-founder, Hana Doss-Wassily ’22, was present for this special occasion. “While at NDA, I had the opportunity to plant a seed, to take an idea and hope that it came to fruition, it brings me great joy and pride to see that idea, that seed grow strong.” MENA, the newest affinity group, strives to be a group that focuses on supporting, learning and educating one another and coming together through experiences and cultures.

Academic Decathlon

Little Shop of Horrors

Kairos

Due to an historic blizzard that snowed in our typical retreat center, our students enjoyed a modified on-campus retreat that made the convent their temporary home. Together in reflection, prayer and growth, the Class of 2023 had an amazing time at their Kairos retreat.

Winter Formal

On February 4, the Regals made memories at the Regency Masquerade Ball! Congratulations to the Royal Court: Sophie Ward ’23, Juliette Campbell ’24, Esmeralda Leyva ’25, and Dyl’N Brown ’26.

Spring Dance Concert

A huge congratulations to the Academic Decathlon team on their impressive accomplishments. The team earned 12 gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals. In addition, NDA Team 1 earned second place overall in Division 1.

The Regals brought the plant to life and the audience to their feet! The lights, the music, the talent… they had it all on stage. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Little Shop of Horrors!

Heritage Week

In March, we celebrated Heritage Week, when our community honors and appreciates the rich tapestry of NDA’s individual members’ backgrounds. The week-long activities included a prayer service, heritage Jeopardy, a talent show, food tasting and a cultural attire fashion show!

Symposium

The Spring Dance Concert: City of Angels was a performance centered around the city of Los Angeles. City of Angels used contemporary, jazz, cultural, and improvisational dance to celebrate, question, and express the dynamics of our city. There were guest appearances by the affinity groups: Black Student Union (BSU), Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA), and the Latin American Hispanic Student Organization (LAHSO).

On March 22, the Symposium and Experiential Learning aspects of the Emphasis program came together to provide outings led by faculty and administrators. Students visited 14 locations from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Skirball Cultural Center to Persian Square, West Adams, and City Hall, to name a few.

Rocketry - nationals once more!

NDA’s rocketry team soared to success in the American Rocketry Challenge! With nearly 800 schools competing nationwide, NDA made it to the prestigious fly-off, making the top 10. Led by team captain Hana Choi ’24 alongside Megan David ’24 and Natalie Cruz ’24, they proudly secured the 9th spot while also earning the Raytheon Technologies award for outstanding craftsmanship. Way to go, Regals!

vision and leadership

NDA to Introduce an All-Girls Middle School Fall 2024

New School Addresses Dearth of Options for Local 6th through 8th Grade Girls

In its spirit of growth and innovation, Notre Dame Academy will launch a middle school designed exclusively for sixth- through eighth-grade girls in fall 2024. By offering a space in which middle school girls can explore, wonder, and grow in their God-given potential, the school will balance a rigorous, integrated curriculum with robust opportunities to build connection and sisterhood.

“In this environment of increasing isolation, especially among adolescent girls, we identified a need here in West Los Angeles for a unique learning environment in which girls are challenged to take responsible risks while developing deep community bonds,” said Lilliam Paetzold, president and head of school. “The school will combine small, personalized, and inquiry-based classes with social-emotional learning support and a Catholic faith foundation that grounds students in a sense of community and purpose larger than themselves.”

Developed intentionally not just with girls but rather for girls, the differentiated curriculum features robust STEM offerings, including applied math and math lab, project-based science, innovation, and coding, along with integrated humanities, such as English language arts courses combined with social science. NDA’s strong Catholic identity and service learning

program provide the foundation for age-appropriate leadership, social-emotional development, and self-discovery. As with our elementary and high schools, the curriculum will be infused with language and experiences that promote growth mindset and design thinking. Lastly, a wealth of athletics, visual and performing arts, and other elective offerings will complement classroom instruction. The inaugural cohort of sixth- and seventhgraders will enjoy a new learning commons and innovation and digital media labs allocated within the high school building.

“Housing the new middle school within the high school facility will create opportunities for friendship and mentorship between upperclasswomen and middle schoolers,” said Ms. Paetzold. “We anticipate reviving the beloved Big Sister-Little Sister program, this time among alumnae, high school, and middle school Regals.”

Tapped to lead this bold endeavor is veteran educator Oscar Navarro, who brings 15 years of broad experience to the challenge. He joined NDA Elementary 12 years ago as a technology and middle school language arts teacher and grew to direct educational technology for both the elementary and high schools. Most recently in his role as director of innovation, Mr. Navarro offered curriculum and professional development resources to faculty and taught courses in both disruptive innovation and AP computer science principles. He is currently completing his

Megan Hall Reprises Role as Athletic Director

Ed.D. at Pepperdine University. His dissertation focuses on preparing high school girls for careers in computer science by evaluating the unique challenges faced by young women majoring in computer science in college. He is a frequent technology and innovation coach at district and archdiocesan professional development seminars as well as an AP Computer Science Principles exam reader.

“I’m excited by the opportunity to develop a middle school methodology and curriculum – a whole experience – based on the research on how girls think and learn,” said Mr. Navarro. “We’re intent on providing girls an opportunity not only to thrive in traditionally underrepresented areas like computer science, but also to find their voices in the humanities and the arts. We envision a community in which girls support each other to develop confidence and realize it’s ok to try and maybe fail. By integrating growth mindset and habits of mind throughout the academic and cocurricular offerings, the total experience will prepare these students for a seamless transition into high school.”

Over the coming year, Mr. Navarro and the leadership team will continue to develop dedicated space within the high school facility, build out the curriculum, finalize the block schedule, and recruit expert faculty in preparation for welcoming the first classes of sixth- and seventh-graders next fall.

Be among the first to learn more about this exciting opportunity! Schedule a tour by emailing admissions@ ndala.com. Applications are now open on our website.

Following a five year hiatus, Megan Hall returns to her role as ahletic director for the 2023-2024 school year. She will continue to coach the volleyball programs even as she manages the coaches, transportation, and logistics for multiple teams in nine additional sports. She brings her characteristic competitive spirit, developmental focus, and can-do attitude to the task.

“My primary goal is to bring our athletic program to new heights of success, both on and off the field,” said Coach Hall. “This means not only focusing on winning championships but also on developing athletes who embody the values of discipline, respect, and sportsmanship. I am committed to providing them with the resources and support they need to achieve their goals, while also ensuring a healthy balance among athletics, academics, and their personal lives.”

Coach Hall’s approach reflects the school-wide focus on cultivating a deeply connected community of young women challenged to strive for excellence not just in athletics, but in academics and the arts as well.

“As a PE teacher and coach, Megan has long been a dynamic force on our campus and we’re excited to expand her role to again encompass all of athletics oversight,” said Lilliam Paetzold, president and head of school. “There’s no doubt her leadership will reinvigorate our sports teams and – by extension – our entire community.”

By fostering excellence, integrity, and teamwork, Coach Hall ensures that each student’s commitment to one (or more) of NDA’s 10 sports does more than simply complements her classroom learning – it enriches her entire high school experience.

“I aim to create a culture of continuous improvement, where our team is always looking for ways to enhance their performance and make progress towards our shared goals,” said Coach Hall. “This requires a deep understanding of and appreciation for the unique needs and challenges faced by student-athletes as well as a willingness to go above and beyond to support them in their pursuit of greatness.”

vision and leadership

Graduation 2023

Saturday, June 3 marked the 69th commencement ceremony at Notre Dame Academy. The ceremony opened with an invocation from Class of 2000 alumna and board member Cristina Cuellar and featured an Honor Guard comprised of members of the Class of 1973. Class Salutatorian Francesca Parodi addressed the standing-room-only crowd by revisiting some of the highlights of the Regals’ four years together.

She closed by reminding her fellow graduates, “Class of 2023, our profound ability to make a difference in our society isn’t the product of luck – it is the result of four years of persistence, determination, self-advocacy, compassion, and the occasional 11:59 submission. We are the future leaders, doctors, politicians, economists, diplomats, businesswomen, screenwriters of this world, and even more jobs will be created at our innovative hands. In a world plagued by injustices and inequalities, we have a responsibility to challenge the status quo and seek change – and thanks to NDA, we also have the tools to achieve it.”

Class Valedictorian Sayuri Nagai acknowledged the transformational power of an NDA education and looked to the future for her words of inspiration. “Most importantly, NDA has shifted my definition of success,” she said. “Success is no longer about obtaining the best grades or winning some trophy, success is

the laughter I share with my friends...success is being able to go to sleep at night knowing I was able to provide some light for my community in my everyday actions. We find success not in the accomplishment of only ourselves but in lifting those around us up.”

“We are NDA women,” Sayuri continued, “where making a difference in the world is not some distant hope or ideal but is rather a promise. It is not a question of if but of when and how. Each one of us has the capacity to make an impact on this world. Thus, I encourage you to think critically, never fear failure, and continue challenging the status quo.”

In her remarks, Lilliam Paetzold, president and head of school, also encouraged graduates to continue challenging the status quo. “Because at NDA,” she said, “we don’t teach young women to adapt to the current real world. We empower them to change it for the better. We don’t show them how to survive in a system that often puts them at a disadvantage. We show them how to question the status quo, refuse to accept it, and instead create new solutions and opportunities.”

“At NDA, you became informed, globally minded changemakers with strong voices because you were able to speak freely, without interruption or concern about whether you’d be judged for your opinions. You became bold leaders because you took center stage… without fear of failure, because there were no stereotypes about what girls like or where they excel. You made a bold decision…

when you chose to join the NDA community five years ago. That choice will have a direct impact on your life when you embark on your careers five years from now.”

In her tribute to Mary, Archdiocesan Service Award winner Luna McNeff Yee urged her fellow graduates to, “like Mary, say ‘yes’ to the unknown, even when it does change your life. Say ‘yes’ to those challenges, because putting yourself out there is the greatest way of discovering who you are meant to become.”

She continued, “And yet, Mary’s example should not stop simply at her ‘yes.’ Mary encourages all of us to be true to ourselves. NDA girls already carry so much of Mary’s spirit within them – her devotion, compassion, and resilience has emerged in each and every one of you. As you put yourself out in the world, trying and discovering new things, and meeting all kinds of people, it’ll quickly become evident that the world needs us to be loving and kind... I have confidence that every single one of us will lead others to act with that compassion and make a difference in the world by leading through the example Mary set for us.”

The 70 members of the Class of 2023 are prepared to thrive at some of the country’s most selective colleges and universities in the fall.

Additional Senior Awards

The Alma Mater Award recognizes a student who has given generous service to NDA, shown outstanding school spirit and cooperation, and maintained a strong academic effort throughout her years at Notre Dame. Congratulations to 2023 winner Sophie Ward!

The Pillar Awards combine the generous legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame who founded our school in 1949 with our own aspirations for our graduates called the Integral Student Outcomes (ISOs). These ISOs express our hopes for the future as we help girls become Women of Faith, Women of Academic Excellence, Women of Vision, Women of Leadership, Women of Service and Women of Compassion. The Pillar Award recipients were selected based on input from teachers, administrators, moderators and peers. These young women are in fact pillars of the Class of 2023 and exemplify all the members of the Class of 2023 who carry with them the values and principles of Notre Dame Academy.

Women of Faith Giselle Lucas Women of Academic Excellence Ciara Treanor Women of Vision Constance Chun Women of Leadership Karina Galdamez Women of Service Luna McNeff Yee Women of Compassion Allison Grace Chin

honor roll of generous donors

Class of 2023 College Acceptances

American University

Appalachian State University

Arizona State University

Augsburg University

Barnard College

Baylor University

Belmont University*

Bentley University

Boston College*

Boston University

Brown University*

Bryant University

California Baptist University

California College of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts

California Lutheran University

California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo*

California State University, Channel Islands

California State University, Chico

California State University, Dominguez Hills

California State University, Fresno

California State University, Fullerton

California State University, Long Beach*

California State University, Los Angeles*

California State University, Monterey Bay

California State University, Northridge

California State University, Sacramento

California State University, San Bernardino

California State University, San Jose

California State University, San Marcos

Case Western Reserve University

Chapman University*

Clark Atlanta University

Clemson University College of the Canyons*

Colorado School of Mines*

Colorado State University

Columbia University*

Connecticut College

Cornell University

Coventry University (UK)

Creighton University

DePaul University

Delaware State University

Drexel University

Duke University

Eckerd College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Fordham University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Gettysburg College

Gonzaga University

Grand Canyon University

Hamilton College

Hampton University

Hawai’i Pacific University

Howard University

Indiana University, Bloomington

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

Lafayette College

Lewis & Clark College

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University*

Loyola University Chicago*

Loyola University Maryland*

Marquette University Maryland

Miami University, Ohio

Michigan State University

Middlebury College*

Mount Saint Mary’s University*

New York University

Northeastern University*

Northwestern University

Oregon State University

Otis College of Art and Design

Pace University

Pacific University

Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University

Pomona College*

Prairie View A&M University

Princeton University

Purdue University

Reed College*

Richmond University

Ringling College of Art and Design

Roger Williams University

Saint John’s University, New York*

Saint Mary’s College, Indiana

Saint Mary’s College of California

San Diego State University*

San Francisco State University*

San Jose State University

Santa Clara University*

Santa Monica College*

Sarah Lawrence University*

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of Visual Arts

Seattle University*

Seton Hall University

Southern Methodist University*

Southern University

Spelman College

Stony Brook University

SUNY College of Envir. Science and Forestry

Syracuse University

Tennessee State University

Texas Christian University*

The American University in Paris

The Ohio State University

Trinity College, Dublin*

Trinity University

Tulane University*

University of Alabama*

University of Arizona*

University of California, Berkeley*

University of California, Davis

University of California, Irvine*

University of California, Los Angeles*

University of California, Merced

University of California, Riverside*

University of California, San Diego*

University of California, Santa Barbara*

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Chicago

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Hawai’i, Mānoa*

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

University of Iowa

University of Kansas

University of Maine

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Maryland, College Park

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Michigan

University of Mississippi

University of Montana

University of New England

University of New Hampshire

University of New Mexico

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Pittsburgh

University of Portland

University of Redlands

University of Rhode Island

University of San Francisco*

University of San Diego

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California*

University of Tampa

University of Utah, Asia Campus*

University of Virginia*

University of Washington

University of Westminster, London

University of Wisconsin, Madison*

Vassar College*

Villanova University

Washington State University

Washington University in St. Louis*

Wesleyan University*

Whittier College

Willamette University

Xavier University of Louisiana

*Class of 2023 Matriculation

CHARISM LEVEL

Gifts of $100,000 and above

The Ahmanson Foundation

Catherine Duddy Wood ’74 Innovation Foundation

CIRCLE OF SISTERS

Gifts of $20,000 and above

Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

George H. Mayr Foundation

CRIMSON & GOLD

Gifts of $10,000 and above

Anonymous

Alex and Nora Chaves P ’26

Jim and Mary Jo Evans P ’10, ’15

Francis H Clougherty Charitable Trust

Sylvana Guidotti, MD ’75 and Kevin Wells

Edward and Barbara Hickl

Henry and Susie Jordan P ’05

Christine (Bertero) Landis ’65

Karen Lewis ’83

Robert and Margaret McAusland P ’23, ’26

Chris and Aarti McDonald P ’20, ’24

William H. Hannon Foundation

CROWN CIRCLE

Gifts of $5,000 and above

Anonymous

Bonnie Abaunza ’82, P ’14

Maria Bains P ’98

Colin and Allison Barber

P ’23

Pat and Kate Barrera

P ’18, ’22, ’23

Alice Barriciello ’89

Kayla Berlin ’07

Capital Group Companies, Charitable Foundation

Nancy J. Coonis

Dan Duffy and Sonja Sevcik P ’21

James and Anne Marie Gunderman P ’11, ’14

Cathy Heutmaker P ’09

Harriet Hofmann ’59, Suzanne Hofmann ’94, and Julie Hofmann ’98

The Calderón Kellett Family

Ricard and Frances Moreno P ’25

E. Jane Nayagam Thomas ’94

Operation Progress Student Assistance Foundation Cal

Romeo Santos and Mary Blomer-Santos ’82, P ’23

Andrew and Danielle Schlei P ’25

Dan and Sonja Sevcik P ’21

OUR LADY OF GRACE

Gifts of $2,500 - $4,999

Michael and Michelle Berlin P ’05, ’07

Rob Callahan and Dionne McNeff P ’23

Brian and Teresa Carlson P ’26

Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program

Concezio and Roseanne Di Gregorio ’64, P ’91

Leonardo and Melissa Fernandez P ’26

Richard and Arlene Havel P ’88

Randolph and Kristen Herber P ’24

Sandra Korn

Daniel and Deborah Koskovich P ’04, ’09

Gustavo Lamanna and Valerie Lapeña ’87, P ’23

Maureen ’67 and David Morehouse

Northrop Grumman Foundation

Ben Nyblade and Angela O’Mahony ’93, P ’26

Tom and Erin Pieronek P ’24

Raytheon Matching Gifts for Education

Denise Shepherd ’93

Yudesh and Clara Sohan P ’24

Erin Ward ’82, P ’23

REGAL PRIDE

Gifts of $1,500 - $2,499

Robert and Janice Arsenault P ’09, ’13, ’15

Andrea Bains ’98

Francis Costanzo and Lilliam Paetzold ’84, P ’11, ’15

Waylon Coyne and Azy Nasiry P ’26

Tom and Luanne Donahue P ’24

Stephan and Devony Ferraro P ’26

John and Laura Haydel P ’96

Bill and Cathy Kaiser P ’05, ’10

Arthur Khachatourians and Francesca

Piumetti P ’23

Robert and Erica Lockhart P ’22

Matthew and Kathryn McBride P ’26

Rita McBride GP ’26

Frances McNamee ’64

James Q. and Kristin Meehan

Tommy and Michelle Moreno P ’23

Allen and Sara Niimi P ’26

Mark and Lucyna Nixon P ’16, ’18

Chris and Bonnie O’Donnell P ’25

Enrico Parodi and Beth Bjorn P ’23, ’26

Mike and Laura Pitari

Boligala and Padma Raju P ’11

Bernard Reina and Julie Camarillo P ’23

Edwin Rivera and Carey Smith P ’25

Arturo Rodriguez Jr. and Alma

Santos-Rodriguez P ’23, ’26

Matt and Bridget Rohmer P ’24

Elizabeth Roland

Mauricio and Myriam Silva P ’25

Sony Pictures Entertainment

John Tangney and Mary Bertone P ’23

Dick and Patti Williams P ’03

Ani Yahaya and Maureen Ranney P ’24

QUEEN’S COURT

Gifts of $500 - $1,499

Alaska Airlines

American Martyrs Catholic Church

Howard and Kathleen Anderson

Sharon Arnett ’70

Cecelia Assaf ’78

Mukesh and Henry Balar P ’26

Lori Balsamo

Barclays Educational Gift Program

Margot Barron ’59

Brianna Berlin ’05

Dave and Christina Bomberger ’83

Lane Bove

Rosa Bravo ’82

Pat Brill ’67

Brian Buenviaje

Jr. and Wilawom

Singkum P ’26

Tyson Caffo and Carrie Eidsmoe P ’24

Jeff Campbell P ’22, ’24

Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles

Pat and Betsy Collins GP ’16, ’23, ’26

Patricia Cook ’62

Lee Cotugno and Holly Fujie P ’08

Teresita D’Elia ’70

Sandra Daley ’65

John David and Mei Lyn C. Dionisio P ’25

Christian Davis

Marshall and Zita Davis Jr. ’84, P ’11, ’13

Roxana De La Rosa ’95

Elizabeth Byrne Debreu ’79

Denise DeSantis

Mary Kay Doubek ’72

Walt and Maria Ellersick P ’23

Carla Ellis ’76

Patricia Erb ’80

Paul and Donna Falzon P ’26

The Farland Family (Kelly, Lisa, Sophia ’17)

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

Mark Franco and April Muggelberg P ’23

Patrick Frontiera and Maire Ford P ’21, ’25

Brad Fuller

Ricardo Garcia and Norma Lopez P ’25

Frank and Carolyn Gayer ’90

Arvin Ghazarian

Christopher Giammalvo and Kimberly Nowak P ’24

Joseph and Judith Girard P ’87, ’91, ’02

David and Alicia Gonzalez P ’23

Ronald Gordon Jeff and Peggy Grant P ’20

Lucie Gregorie ’65

Paul Griego ’73

Robert and Michele

Guilford P ’22, ’26

Michael and Christine Hanna ’94, P ’24

Ashley Harding ’00

Geoffrey and Jackie Harding P ’00, ’04

Aaron and Nadine Harrison P ’23

Kevin and Patricia Hearst P ’08

Amy Hickl

Jeff and Cari Hilger P ’18, ’23

Kim Hindrew Granger ’72

Jeff Hronek and Diana Ferman-Hronek P ’25

In-N-Out Foundation

Cathy Irwin ’86 and Thomas Poon

honor roll of generous donors

Michelle Irwin ’88

Regina Janosky ’63

Terrence and Sue Junn P ’19, ’24

John and Laura Kiralla P ’24, ’25

Jeanne Kirchhoff Boyd ’58

Kevin and BB Kwok P ’26

Nancy Lan James ’02

Trevor Lavin and Margaret Shanley

Mike and Kate Lee P ’25

Eugene and Harriet Li P ’25

Jennifer Liakos P ’21, ’24

Adam and Amy Lowrey P ’25

Pamela Madden ’62

James and Jana Martin P ’26

Richard and Maribeth Mason P ’26

Marcelin Mathew Bhasker ’02

Mattel Children’s Foundation

Timothy and Hilda McGonigle P ’15

Duane McWaine

Melvin Mendoza and Edith

Cuevas P ’20

Monica Moreno P ’24

Steve Moreno P ’24

Chris and Denise Morris ’75, P ’04, ’06, ’08

J.B. Murphy

Netflix

Alan and Carlett Noel P ’25

Tom and Elisabeth Normand P ’25

Maureen O’Connell ’76

Michael and Elena O’Shea ’83, P ’08, ’13

William and Kristan Orr P ’23

Mary Rose Pasic ’55

Thomas Pasic and Sharon Fry

John and Trish Peterson P ’00

Joseph and Natalie Petro P ’22, ’25

Robert and Linda Posek P ’05, ’08

Gina Prato P ’26

Dale Preator and Carolyn Hemann P ’25

Ralphs/Kroger Grocery Company

Peter and Helen Reale P ’12

Perry and Jill Reel P ’25

Janice Reicher ’05

Dean and Teresita Reutter P ’26

Cheryl Robinson ’70

Salvador Rodriguez and Nancy Huerta Rodriguez P ’21, ’24

David and Robin Rossi P ’25

Steven and Sheryl Rothans P ’08, ’14, ’18

Ray and Stacey Santamaria P ’25

Sonal and Menik Seneviratne

Michael and Kim Shore

Tonny and Fay Soesanto P ’05

Amanda Spagnoli P ’25

William Spagnoli P ’25

State Farm Companies Foundation

Roy Swan P ’81

Dorothy Sweeney P ’91, ’94, ’95

Anthony and Takako Taketa P ’11, ’15

Norb and Karen Taylor P ’22

Aprille Tobin ’85

James and Rosa Tomchak ’82, P ’13

Tom and Christine Torii P ’18, ’23

Paul and Lisa Tyler P ’19, ’24

United Way California Capital Region

Mary Anne Van der Linden GP ’11, ’14

Hans and Nancy van Doornewaard P ’24

L. Carlos Villegas

Brigid Williams ’03

Brad and Marcey Winters P ’26

The Wonderful Company Foundation

Emma Woo ’09

Victor and Julie Wright P ’23

Ray and Stephanie Yinger P ’09, ’11

FRIENDS OF NOTRE DAME

Gifts up to $499

Anonymous Abbott Laboratories

Alysson Acosta ’15

Kimberly Acosta ’08

Ronald and Ellen Adams P ’96

Genevieve Alcantara Tolentino ’92

Jose and Flor Amaya P ’25

Amazon Smile Foundation

Kristin Andreassen ’03

Terje and Barbara Andreassen P ’03

Cindy Ayala P ’24

Steve and Teffiny Bagnara P ’26

Akilah Bakeer Pullum P ’21

Thomas Barry and Kristina Bendett-Barry P ’26

Cynthia Barton ’03

Giuliana Battaglini ’13

Sophia Beauvy

Jose and Tiffany Benitez

Deborah Berry ’75

Janet Berryhill ’59

Betty Mae Bienlein, SND ’60

Kathy Birmingham P ’04

Gina Marie Blunck, SND ’64

Susanne Boone ’75

Daniella Bove-LaMonica

Rosenberg Brandt Jordao and Vanessa

Brandt P ’26

Ronald Bravo and Lennor Vida Bravo P ’25

Bill and Celeste Bub

Brandon Bub

Janice Burrill P ’20

Mark and Shelley Calde ’65, P ’96

Barbara Callaghan ’63

Eileen Cameron

Michelle Caputo ’74

Linda Caravana ’66

Samantha Carleton ’11

Mary Beth Carosello

Francisco Carrillo

De’Jah Carver

Sarah Case

Leo and Sabrina Castagnino

Nicholas and Nicole Cecola P ’25

Grace Chacon

Karen Chambers ’98

Jennifer Chandler ’07

Maria Chavez P ’26

Chloe Choi ’26

David Christman

Nicholas and Lisa Cipiti ’78, P ’12

Class of 1975

Virginia Clifford-Weiss ’05

Coleen Corley

Julie Crosby

Jose and Monica Cruz P ’24

Cristina Cuellar ’00

Edie Cuevas

Eli and Jo Daniel P ’25

Jacqueline Davis

Andrew and Miriam Dawson P ’26

John Day and Katrina Martinez P ’26

Vanessa De La Rosa ’01

Eric Donaldson P ’24

Brenda Drew ’93

Terry and Dinora

Duarte P ’26

Dave Dub

Steve and Katie Duchesne P ’16

Kristin Duerr

William and Fiona Dunne P ’22, ’24

Samer Ebaid and Silvana Soliman P ’26

Karen Edlefsen ’99

Sharon Ehasz ’97

Carlos and Peggy Enriquez ’80, P ’16

Rosemary Erlinger ’59

Daniel J. Estes

Ali and Halleh Fattahy P ’23

Nelson Fernandez de Cordoba Romero

Bobby Ferris and Lisbeth Mendoza P ’21, ’24

Paul Findley and Carole Khoury P ’25

Shannon Flaherty

Maureen Flannery ’75

Ryan Folsey and Erica Mireles Folsey P ’20

James and Irene Fujioka P ’24

Christy Garcia ’03, P ’26

Liliana Garcia Malonado P ’24

Amanda Garland ’95

Theresa Gayer ’90

Steve and Linda Genewick P ’18

Patricia Genovese P ’07

Dora Gerardo

GHJ Foundation

Wendy Gill ’05

Judith Gold ’64

Steven Graciano and Malia Herndon P ’26

Michael and Lenore Graham P ’26

Byron and Madalynne

Grundy P ’13

Manny Guardado

Veronica Guardado ’79

Diego and Kellie Guiga P ’26

Ted and Megan Hall

Katherine Harding ’00

Lisa Harpenau ’82

Lorraine Hartman P ’99, ’01, ’04

Christian Heath and Christina Running P ’19, ’23

Mark and Diana Hechinger P ’07, ’09, ’11, ’18

Anthony Heim

Gerardo and Ana Henriquez P ’23

Edmond Hewlett and Angela Hewlett Bloch

Bridget Higgins

Jody Hill

Rosemary Hillyard ’64

Barbara Hines ’71

Gary Ho

Vivienne Houghton ’88

Marie Iding ’75

Glen Janken

Timothy and Monique Jarnot P ’26

Melvin and Christina Johnson P ’93

Kathy Kassar ’71

Kathleen Kearin ’77

Candice Kelly ’65

Sara Kelly ’87

Barbara King ’13

Margaret Kish

Robert Klier

Laura Koehl

Nancy Kofranek ’62

Barbara Kurtz ’63

Bradley and Elizabeth La Cour P ’12

Jim and Natalie McCafferty ’96, P ’25

Piper McCormick ’05

Emily McFerson ’20

Jennifer McGaughey P ’23

Linda McMurdock

Microsoft

Antoinette Marie Moon, SND

Kathy Morgan

Owen Murray and Charmaine Cosky

P ’16, ’23

Shoichi and Masami Nagai P ’23

Nabil and Evelyn Nahman ’75, P ’97

Aileen Nasypany

Oscar Navarro

Paul Nelson and Jereme Butler P ’24

Tom and Lisa Nichols P ’20

Richard and Angela Nishimuro P ’26

Daniel and Susan O’Connell

Theodore O’Connell

Erin O’Donnell ’97

Kalu and Nena Onwuka P ’97

Isabella Orr ’23

Jennifer Ortiz ’95

Max and Elisa Paetzold P ’18, ’21

Kevin and Elaine Patel

Tanya Peebles-Hill ’86

James and Lisa Pena P ’23

Laura Perez ’78

James and Bettijane Pike

Krystyna Pilecki ’75

Therese Portman

Donna Prysi ’55

Janet Quilici ’62

Sean and Anne Rasmussen P ’26

Maria Rawald

Alex Reale ’12

Jane Reitz ’62

Julio and Maral Reyes P ’26

Laura Ricchiazzi

Daniel and Suzy Roberts P ’24

Michael and Maritza Roberts P ’21

Virginia Stevens ’59

Autri Streeck P ’23

John and Mary Ellen Sullivan P ’91, ’94, ’95, ’99, ’02, ’03, ’06, ’07, GP ’21

Antoinette Tabora ’94

Francesca Taylor P ’18, ’20

Scott and Mia Tepper P ’13, ’16, ’18

Bruce and Jill Teraoka P ’21

Ann Terrazas ’62

Hung Tran and Sherry Wickware P ’24

Gery and Melanie Trup

David and Charlotte Tureaud

Anna Maria Vasquez, SND ’66

Jerome Velarde and Mariel DumagiunVelarde P ’23

Jaime Vogel ’99

Paul and Susan Volkman P ’21

Alexa Wage ’05

Mary Frances Wahl, SND

Keith and Suzy Walker P ’25

Patricia Wallace ’58

Sally Wallace ’62

Tracy Wallace P ’24

Elizabeth Ward

John Watkins P ’00, ’02

Kimberly LaCaille ’68

Christine Lagrimas

Cathy Lass ’84

Ron Lebron

Mark Lewis and Rachel Kronowitz

Anthony Liakos P ’21, ’24

Renate Lichter ’75

Kristin Linden

Mary Dorothy and Bill Line

Antoinette Lloyd-Evans

Dr. Joseph and Mary LoPresti

Anthony and Amy Lombardo P ’24

Nancy Lopez-Pedroza

Arthur Lovel and Betsy Rott P ’25

Maryanne Lovell ’63

Mary Lund

Tefi Ma’ake

The Macerich Management Company

Capri Maddox

Nancy Mahoney ’64

Michella Manning ’60

Gabriela Marin

Juan Marin and Roselia Cardiel P ’26

Fernando and Maria Martin P ’19, ’20

Ericel Martinez and Yolanda Lopez P ’26

Gilbert and Mina Martinez ’76, P ’02

Val and Jo Rojo P ’23

David Romero

George and Jeanne Ronay

Gabriel Rossman P ’25

Michael and Brenda Routa P ’25

Monica Rudolph ’78

Nestor and Lina Ruplenas P ’15, ’21

Reynaldo and Anne Vanessa Salonga

P ’15, ’25

Armando and Paula Sandoval P ’25

Terry Sauer ’76

Mary Joann Schlarbaum, SND

Mary Joan Schlotfeldt, SND

Pete and Erin Schneck P ’26

Valerie Schulte ’64

Kat Schwarz

Sherine Shenouda ’97

Daniel and Geraldine Shimabukuro P ’26

John Silverman and Yumiko Kawanishi P ’19, ’23

Jason Smith and Cheryl Brancaccio P ’23

Kelly Smith

Brittany Sorrentino ’03

Scott Spencer and Cynthia Vazquez ’91, P ’25

St. Anastasia School

Christopher and Michelle Webb P ’24

James Weitzel

Joyce Weldon ’75

Mary Sue Weldon ’73

Mary Karlynn Werth, SND ’60

Nadia Wiggins ’15

Virginia Williams ’70

James and Kimberly Wise ’78 P ’23

Mary Joanne Wittenburg, SND ’58

Joseph B. Womac

Marilyn (Kit) Wynn ’57

Jorge Yanez and Edina Cuevas P ’25

Jessica Yang ’19

Kristin Yinger ’09

Brandon Zagross and Rusela DeSilva Zagross P ’22, ’25

James and Michelle Zoolalian P ’26

class notes

We want to hear from you! Advanced degree? Career change? New baby? Send us your class notes! Submit your updates and photos online at academy.ndasla.org/ alumnae. If you prefer to email us, you can send your news to advancement@ndala.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

1970-1979

Lily Olmos ’73 works full-time as a Senior Administrative Assistant for the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (the third largest school district in the U.S). There are 331,500 students, 50,000 adult learners, and 35,000 employees.

“I took a three-week vacation in February of this year. I went to the Holy Land and to Petra (Israel & Jordan) on a pilgrimage, and it was the trip of a lifetime.”

2000 - 2009

2010 - 2019

Samantha Costanzo Carleton ’11 and Drew Carleton welcomed their firstborn, Diana Esperanza Carleton, in March.

Please remember the following alumnae and family in your prayers. As of this publication, we have noted the “In Memoriam” notifications received between December 16, 2022 and July 15, 2023. Those received after these dates will appear in our next issue of Beyond the Academy.

Eileen Boadt ’61

Jo Ellen (Cunningham) Powers ’59

Colleen (Kearin) Reynolds ’81

Lucy Shiffrin ’62

Class of 1975

Members of the class of 1975 came together at Notre Dame Academy’s Making a Difference Scholarship Benefit in Los Angeles, California to support their classmate Sylvana Guidotti as she received the St. Julie Billiart Making a Difference Award.

Virginia Clifford-Weiss ’05 is a high school English teacher. She started at St. John Bosco in Bellflower before moving to the DC area. She now teaches at the Academy of the Holy Cross, an all girls school, in Kensington, Maryland. The school reminds her a lot of her time at NDA.

Virginia earned a Bachelor’s in English Education in 2010 and a Master’s in English in 2015 from California State University, Long Beach.

Erin O’Shea-Andujar ’08 and Nicholas Andujar welcomed their second daughter, Eleanor Rose Andujar, in February. She joins her big sister Winnie.

Amy Chase ’13 just had her debut publication with Archie Comics as a writer in their horror story anthology Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors. She has since done several book signings and promoted her work on a panel at Wondercon, a Southern California pop culture convention. Amy continues to pursue her passion for writing and will have several other notable licensed comic book publications by the end of the year.

Nadia Wiggins’15 is engaged to James Weitzel who proposed on NDA’s campus. “We met on NDA’s campus when we were 14 years old, and it was the site of our hangouts and high school dances, so for the proposal, he wanted to go back to where it all started. Sophia Costanzo ’15 organized a secret party in Rosa Mystica Hall, and all our close family and friends were hiding on campus to surprise us. It was really nice! I want to say a big thanks to the security team who stayed late and everyone who helped James and Sophia use the event space.”

making a difference

“If someone told me freshman year that four years later, as a senior, I’d be giving a speech at the Skirball Center, I would have laughed in your face and said, ‘No way.’ But do you all know why I can do it now?

Well, the short answer is – four years at Notre Dame Academy.”

- Student Keynote Speaker, Marley S-M. ’23

On Saturday, April 29, Notre Dame Academy welcomed 250 guests to the Skirball Cultural Center for the fourth annual Making a Difference Scholarship Benefit. It was a lively evening featuring performances by our Notre Dame Academy Liturgical Choir, keynote addresses by Gloria Calderón Kellett and Marley S-M. ’23, and award presentations to Dr. Sylvana Guidotti ’75 and Henry Jordan P’05. Together, the community raised more than $300,000 to support the nearly 30% of students who receive tuition assistance at Notre Dame Academy.

You are invited to join us for next year’s Making a Difference Scholarship Benefit which will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Skirball Cultural Center. To learn more, please visit: ndasla.org/benefit

Joelle Glass ’08 and Matthew Glass welcomed their firstborn, Ayla Rose Glass, in April.

From left to right: Krystyna Pilecki, Marie Iding, Sister Mary Luellen, Joyce Weldon, Susanne Myer Boone, Denise Camilleri Morris, Sylvana Guidotti, Evelyn Mockary Nahman, Renate Lichter, Deborah Berry-Craig, Maureen Magers Flannery.

At the table from the class of ’75, standing from left to right: Mary Sue Weldon (class of ’73), Joyce Weldon, Evelyn Mockary Nahman, Sylvana Guidotti, Kevin Wells (Sylvana’s husband), and Krystyna Pilecki; siting from left to right: Deborah Berry-Craig, Sister Mary Luellen, Renate Lichter, Denise Camilleri Morris, Susanne Myler Boone, Marie Iding and Maureen Magers Flannery.

alum highlight

At our Making a Difference Scholarship Benefit in May, Sylvana Guidotti, MD, from the Class of 1975 was honored with the St. Julie Billiart award for her sustained support of NDA and its mission. After the event, Liz Roland, director of advancement and alumnae engagement, sat down with Sylvana to discuss her NDA experience.

Q. What are some of the highlights of your time at NDA?

SG: I had a great time in high school! It was fun and it gave me the opportunity, being in an all-girls high school, to be who I am, who I wanted to be. It allowed a lot of different freedoms [that were] better than being in a co-ed environment.

The best thing that came out of Notre Dame Academy were the friendships – the really long-term friendships with people I can even still call upon if I haven’t seen them in a while…I maintained a lot of the friendships with the girls who were at the elementary school, and those of us who continued on at the high school. A lot of those girls are still my friends now. I appreciate those friendships that I’ve had, some of them for 60 years!

Q. At least two thirds of our seniors choose STEM fields. What advice would you have for young women interested in healthcare and any other profession that might be male dominated?

SG: When I was in medical school, I think our class was 120 people and there were anywhere from 30 to 40 women. And I never really thought of it as male dominated, to be honest. [Of course,] there’s a hierarchy in academia and medicine – there are the attending physicians, there are fellows, residents, interns, and medical students.

I was never treated any differently by my older male attendings. They never treated the women differently than the men. They were tough on us when you would do rounds on patients. You were expected to know your patients. And they asked hard questions.

You gotta show people that you’re really willing to work hard and medicine is hard. I’ve never felt like I’ve been in an environment where I’ve felt harassed. I’ve been very blessed to be in excellent environments like the medical community in Ventura. The doctors are

there because they want to be there. They want to take care of the people in that community.

Q. How do you continue to carry the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame and how has your understanding or appreciation of the charism grown?

SG: I’ve wanted to be the best person I can. This is not a practice life and there are no do-overs. This is it. This is what you get. And I do my best to be kind, understanding, and tolerant to people.

Much like the Sisters of Notre Dame, I’m very blunt when I need to be blunt. I think one of the things I learned was if you feel something needs to be said, I’m that person who’s gonna say that. And I’ve taken that with me.

I also take responsibility for things every day of my life. I think that’s what we learn here at Notre Dame Academy. You learn how to be accountable.

Q: How did your faith formation during high school inform your life and your work?

SG: My job is challenging at times, and I see people who come from all different walks of life who are having all different kinds of problems. I feel that it’s my job to make their day a little better. I often see people and it’s the worst day of their life. Maybe [it’s] the last day of their life. I’ve spent a lot of time holding people’s hands when I know they’re going, when they’re dying. So for me, I think some of what I’ve learned in my Catholic education [can be seen in] the way I treat people and the way I see people.

Q. Can you share what it meant to you to be recognized as the St. Julie Billiart Making a Difference honoree?

SG: That’s one of the best honors that’s ever been bestowed on me.

The first thing I thought was, ‘are you sure that you’ve got the right person?’ I am very honored to be recognized by a place where I spent so much of my life. I spent more time here as a kid than I did at home, really. I’ve tried to give back and support the school in the best ways I know how. It really meant a lot to me. It’s an incredible honor and I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life.

alumnae engagement

Introducing the Regal Alumnae Association

Empowering Sisterhood, Inspiring Service, Uplifting Support

In an effort to build upon NDA’s strong history, the alumnae department takes immense pride in introducing the Regal Alumnae Association.

The effort will be led by Karen Lewis from the Class of 1983. “As a graduate of Notre Dame Academy, I feel blessed to serve my alma mater as the president of the Regal Alumnae Association. In this role, I am committed to celebrating the strength of the Regal spirit and giving a voice to our alumnae community.”

The association will focus on three main pillars: sisterhood, service and support.

Sisterhood

The Regal Alumnae Association is committed to promoting the bonds of sisterhood among all NDA graduates. From on-campus reunions and events to NDA’s new mentorship program, we look forward to making meaningful connections among our alumnae.

• Reunion Save the Date: 2023 Alumnae Reunion (honoring all alumnae with graduation years ending in a 3 or 8) October 7, 2023 – ndasla.org/reunion

Service

The students of Notre Dame Academy are eager to hear from their alumnae sisters. The Regal Alumnae Association invites alumnae to share their wisdom with current NDA students:

• Regals Return: College Stories: Graduates from the Classes of 2018 to 2023 are invited to share their experiences at college with our seniors. Alumnae will discuss topics including dorm life, selecting a major, making friends, self-care, school-life balance, and much more!

• Panels and Class Discussions: In partnership with the Student Life Department, we invite alumnae to speak to the student body. From panel discussions to individual class speakers, this is a great opportunity to inspire and impact current students.

To stay in the loop about opportunities, please make sure your contact information is updated by visiting: ndasla.org/contact.

Support

Nearly one-third of students attending Notre Dame Academy rely on tuition assistance to access their education. Now, more than ever, our alumnae community has an opportunity to support the next generation of students. To learn more, visit: ndasla.org/gift.

The collective generosity of NDA alumnae enables more young women to graduate from NDA prepared to make a difference in their communities.

The Regal Alumnae Association’s mission is to keep the Regal spirit vibrant and strong!

To learn more about getting involved with the Regal Alumnae Association, please visit ndasla.org/alumnae or contact Liz Roland, director of advancement and alumnae engagement, at lroland@ndala.com or (310) 839-5289 x212.

Meet Our New Director of Advancement and Alumnae Engagement

Catholic education has always been a part of Liz Roland’s life. As the daughter of an administrator at St. Paschal in Thousand Oaks, she attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college. There she developed some of her strongest friendships. She joins Notre Dame Academy from La Reina High School, her alma mater and NDA’s sister school.

“NDA’s commitment to tuition assistance is what I’m really drawn to,” Ms. Roland said. “We are providing a transformative education that I think is unique here in L.A., and making sure that any young woman who dreams of being an NDA student has the ability and support to do so is my calling here.”

To accomplish that goal, Ms. Roland plans to create a more personalized giving experience by encouraging donors to fund specific areas of interest, including tuition assistance, athletics, and specific courses within the curriculum. She’ll also launch the Regal Alumnae Association, a program designed to connect NDA graduates and students through mentorship, internships, on-campus events, and more.

Welcome, Ms. Roland!

2851 Overland Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90064

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upcoming events

Boys and Girls Learn Differently Symposium

September 14, 2023: 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Author Event with Children’s Book World

September 23, 2023: 9:30 a.m.

Family Mass and BBQ

September 30, 2023

Notre Dame Day

October 5, 2023

Alumnae Reunion

October 7, 2023

Dig Pink Volleyball Event

October 9, 2023: 4 - 6 p.m.

Open House

October 21, 2023 (TK- 5)

October 28, 2023 (6-12)

Junior Ring Ceremony

November 14, 2023

Fine Arts Night

December 2, 2023

Parents of Alumnae

If your daughter no longer resides at your home, please notify us of her new mailing address at advancement@ndala.com