3rd graders taste the fruits of science in a strawberry field
75th anniversary reflections and celebrations
Alumni find joy and purpose in health and wellness careers
Jeannie Evers
Director of Communications
Alexa Ortiz Graphic Designer
Adrienne Harris ’98
Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations
Clarisa Avila
Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship
Contributors
Dr. Barbara Ostos, Suzanne Saunders Shaw ’70, Theresa Clarkson
Contributing Photographers
Sarah Gaudoin; Marc Howard ’93 LMS; Santa Catalina School archives; Santa Catalina School parents, faculty, and students; profile photos courtesy of the subject.
On the cover: The Hacienda stands as a proud reflection of Santa Catalina's past, present, and future.
Above: Robotics team member Selin Sakiz ’25 hard at work in the lab.
Inside back cover: Middle School students get ready to hit the waves during a weekend outing.
Santa Catalina’s Bulletin is published twice a year. We welcome suggestions for topics and news, as well as comments about our publication. Email us at communications@santacatalina.org.
Santa Catalina School, located on the Monterey Peninsula, is an independent, Catholic school. The Upper School is a college-preparatory high school for young women, with boarding and day students in grades 9–12. The Lower and Middle School is coeducational, with day students in PreK–grade 8. A summer camp for girls 8–14 years serves resident and day campers. Santa Catalina School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Santa Catalina School admits students of any race, creed, color, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, and national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, athletic, or other school-administered programs.
08 Discovering the STEM in Strawberries
Th ird graders get a taste of agricultural technology during a field trip—to the fields—organized by Board Member Tina Hansen McEnroe ’70, ’66 LMS.
20 Honor the Past, Build the Future
A s Santa Catalina celebrates its 75th Anniversary, three recent board chairs reflect on the school’s enduring principles.
30 Reengineered
Jack Corrigan ’02 LMS, a civil engineer turned physical t herapist, finds joy in helping others reach their everyday goals.
32 Building Health Inside and Out
Jessica Wasserman Turney ’03, a certified integrative nutrition health coach, offers women a practical, personal path to wellness.
34 Skills that Stick
Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School lays the foundations of a formal, meaningful, and integrated Health and Wellness Program.
A Celebratory Year
Dear Santa Catalina School Community,
Welcome to the first in a series of three Bulletins that, in addition to sharing current campus news, will be dedicated to celebrating Santa Catalina’s 75th Anniversary: Honor the Past, Build the Future. We stand on the shoulders of so many inspired community members who have given of themselves to create an intentional community in which values lead and the mission guides.
From the original inception of the Convent and School of Santa Catalina in 1850 to the founding of Santa Catalina School in 1950, our school has been blessed with incredible visionaries who sought to create an educational experience that would prepare students to lead lives of meaning and purpose.
The mission of Santa Catalina School in those early days remains. The values of relationships, openness, service, and a commitment to the truth continue to inform our dedication to educating the whole person. Veritas, our school’s motto, was put in place by the Dominican Sisters in 1950 and is still at the heart of our school’s identity.
This celebratory year, we honor the past by reaffirming these values and commitments, and we build the future by integrating research-based and future-ready skills and competencies into the already exceptional academic, artistic, athletic, and
“ The mission of Santa Catalina School in those early days remains. The values of relationships, openness, service, and a commitment to the truth continue to inform our dedication to educating the whole person.”
social-emotional preparation students receive. Our Strategic Directions of Health and Wellness and Real-World Problem Solving pave the way for this work in the months and years ahead. The story of Santa Catalina’s first 75 years is one of dedication, excellence,
courage, grace, and faith. The legacy of those who came before us today serves to inspire the next generation of faculty and staff fully committed to the next 75 years of extraordinary education for our students and of authentic partnership with our families.
I invite you to join us to celebrate Santa Catalina at one of our three not-to-bemissed celebrations this school year. Join us at school on September 27, in Hong Kong on November 15, or in Mexico City on February 7. These gatherings are designed to bring together the far-flung Catalina community to reconnect, foster new relationships, celebrate Catalina’s 75th Anniversary, and envision the next 75 years together. Dr. John Murphy will join me at these events to reflect on our robust past while ideating on our future journey.
As always, in the following pages, you will find highlights of campus life that serve to reflect the areas above as well as show the day-to-day student experience. While the Bulletin provides a thorough snapshot of Santa Catalina, there is nothing better than being on campus and experiencing its vibrancy in person. Please visit anytime; I look forward to seeing you here.
Be well and blessings,
Dr. Barbara Ostos
Head of School
Students raise funds for school damaged by L.A. fire
When the Palisades Fire tore through Los Angeles in January, one of the buildings in its path was St. Matthew’s Parish School. The school’s kindergarten through fourth grade classrooms and library were destroyed. In the aftermath, Santa Catalina students from the Lower and Middle and Upper Schools worked together to raise over $1,000 to help St. Matthew’s rebuild its library.
The service project was largely student-driven. Upper School students Quinn ’26 and Taylor ’28 Connolly held a bake sale, the Middle School Senate donated proceeds from their winter dance, and both divisions contributed funds from snack sales. In addition to money raised, Lower School students created cards of support that were sent with guardian angel medals.
Students had already been looking for ways to support fire relief efforts when they heard about St. Matthew’s, which has many Catalina connections for current families and alumnae. Focusing on a specific cause helped students realize the impact of their service while also demonstrating the compassion of the Catalina network.
Catalina hosts parenting workshops
In support of Santa Catalina’s Strategic Direction of Health and Wellness, the school partnered with Montage Health, a local collection of medical organizations, to present a series of free workshops on raising resilient families.
The three luncheon workshops offered practical tools and expert insights to help parents foster connection with their children. The first workshop focused on how to cultivate peace in the home. Topics included managing conflict, self-regulation, effective communication, and role modeling. The next two workshops covered strategies for helping children and teenagers overcome setbacks and face challenges. For parents of younger children, topics included embracing failure as a learning opportunity, offering feedback as encouragement, building mental fitness, and practicing self-compassion. Parents of teenagers gained insights into the ways their children are changing—including understanding the teenage brain—and learned strategies for approaching difficult or complex topics, setting boundaries, and safety planning.
The workshops, which were open to Catalina families as well as the public, were led by Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health and coordinated by the Santa Catalina Parents Association.
Connolly sisters Taylor ’28, center, and Quinn ’26, right, baked and sold treats to raise funds for fire relief. Helping at the table is Sarah Schuerer ’28.
Fourth graders hold up angel cards that were sent to St. Matthew’s with the funds.
An Ohana expert leads the first of three workshops in the Raising Resilient Families series.
Lower and Middle School
Campus News
Maria Canteli named Head of Lower and Middle School
Longtime teacher and administrator Maria Canteli has been named as the new Head of Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School. Her appointment follows the death of Christy Pollacci, the previous head who had served Catalina in various roles for more than 33 years.
Originally from Madrid and a classically trained violinist, Maria began teaching Spanish at Santa Catalina in 2006. In 2019, she took on a larger role as Director of Middle School. Her appointment as Head of Lower and Middle School was made official in December 2024.
“I am honored and thrilled for this opportunity,” Maria said. “I’ve loved Santa Catalina since the moment I arrived, and it’s been a privilege to see so many students become the people they are meant to be through their journey with us. Our community, our values, and our traditions are part of who I am as well, and I look forward to helping shape the future of the school.”
Head of School Dr. Barbara Ostos expressed confidence in Maria, citing overwhelming support from teachers and parents. “Santa Catalina could not have a more ideal person to lead the Lower and Middle School,” she said. “Maria’s care for Catalina, her understanding of children, and her proven leadership experience are evident to all members of our community.”
Maria holds a B.A. and M.A. in music from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Foreign Language Teaching Certificate from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, and an M.A. in independent school leadership from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Her husband, Anthony, teaches mechanical engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, and her daughter, Aurora, is a seventh grader at Catalina.
Kindergartners go birding
There is always value in field trips, but kindergartners discovered there is also plenty to explore on their 36-acre campus. While learning about birds, the young ornithologists took up their toilet paper roll binoculars and ventured into the Catalina wilds in search of blue jays, woodpeckers, sparrows, hawks, and other winged campus denizens. The students’ observations highlighted lessons they learned in class about different types of birds and their anatomy.
Teddy Doherty looks for birds.
Maria Canteli speaks at the Compass sorting ceremony in October.
There’s no wrestling at Splash Park.
Grade 1 student shares Lunar New Year traditions
Lunar New Year is a big deal in Vietnam, marking the start of spring and a time for family and personal renewal. First graders learned all about this important holiday, also known as Têt, from one of their own classmates.
Kaia Rosa and her mom, Thai Lan Tran, gave a presentation about the holiday’s traditions, with Kaia sharing that they wear red, go to the temple, and visit family and friends. She also talked about the zodiac calendar and taught her classmates how to say a common holiday greeting. To cap off the presentation, students received traditional lucky red envelopes and Vietnamese candies to try.
“It was an absolute pleasure to be able to share our culture with the first grade class,” Thai Lan said. “During the process, Kaia got to learn about her Vietnamese traditions and truly embrace her roots. So much so that she told me she wants to do this every year!”
Second graders map their dream playground
If you could design your dream playground, what would be in it? That’s the exciting question second graders explored during a social studies lesson about maps. Working in pairs, the students created colorful maps laying out their ideal play setting, complete with symbols, a compass rose, map key, and plenty of imaginative detail.
Their results, which they presented to the class, turned out more like amusement parks. The maps listed rules, hours, and ticket prices. Pools were a popular feature, as were elaborate slides. One park had a robot, another a ball pit, and yet another a “house of fun.” Funny Bunny Park had bunnies (rule: no stealing bunnies). Taxes Park put your money to good use with a stadium and shark tank.
While teaching the basics of map design and literacy, the activity let students’ creativity shine through—and raised the standards for the playground down the street.
Victoria Cervantes and Alexander Hildebrandt present their map.
Kaia Rosa and her mom, Thai Lan Tran, talk about Têt.
Middle School students head off campus for Activity Day
Not all learning happens in the classroom. In the fall, Middle School students enjoyed a day off campus engaging in a number of service and class bonding activities.
Sixth graders began the morning with team-building challenges, then headed to Marina State Beach to pick up trash. Seventh graders spent the morning volunteering at the Food Bank for Monterey County, where they filled 1,125 bags of plums. In the afternoon they watched a documentary about modern food production and discussed topics of food costs and meal planning.
Eighth graders went the farthest afield to the Santa Cruz Mountains. They took part in team-building and leadership activities at an environmental educational institution called Hidden Villa. In addition to navigating a ropes course, a highlight for students was interacting with Hidden Villa’s farm animals—cows, sheep, baby goats, and piglets.
For students, it was a rewarding day spent out of the classroom, building friendships, and learning more about themselves and their community.
Classroom chickCelebrating Black scientists
A baby chick joined the fourth grade classroom after it hatched from an egg set up in an incubator. Almost as exciting as seeing the little bird: naming it! Contenders included Lord of All Chickens and Cheeto Puff.
In honor of Black History Month, sixth grade math students brought a scientist or mathematician to life through a poster presentation and engaging discussion, exploring how their work continues to shape our world today.
In their art classes, eighth graders experimented with a variety of media and techniques. They used stencils and rollers to create bookmarks, made portraits using carbon paper, and even tried their hand at embroidery.
1. Sixth graders play with driftwood at the beach. 2. Eighth grader Elan Roy navigates a ropes course. 3. Eighth graders pet goats at Hidden Villa. 4. Seventh graders pack plums at the Food Bank.
Discovering the STEM in Strawberries
Catalina alumna organizes a tech-centric field trip for third graders
By Suzanne Saunders Shaw ’70, ’66 LMS
It was a shivery spring morning at the sprawling HansenDayton Ranch in Salinas when a class of third graders bolted out of their yellow Santa Catalina School bus onto fields of green, white, and red strawberries. To give these youngsters a whole new tech-centric view of agriculture, landowner Tina Hansen McEnroe ’70, ’66 LMS, herself a seasoned educator, teamed up with her tenant farmer, Naturipe Berry Growers Inc., to give students an up-close look at how farmers grow their crops with maximum production and efficiency.
Meet the smart tractors
Farmers guided the 8- and 9-year-olds as they climbed up and around massive tractors equipped to handle specialized jobs from prepping the fields to planting the seedlings. These are not like the tractors the students know from storybooks; these are chip-driven monster machines.
The students grasped that it took experts in STEM to make the tractors “smart.” And they began to understand how highly skilled the drivers are as well, using software programs along with GPS-guided tracking systems to plow the furrows, sow plants with millimeter precision, and deliver “medicine” over the berries when a scientist decides it’s needed.
Bad germs and the ‘Safety Police’ “How do we keep our germs off the berries?” asked a woman nick-named the “Safety Police.” “Wear gloves!” said one alert girl. “Wash our hands!” proposed others. Since strawberries are fragile and easily bruised, they are typically harvested by hand and placed directly into clamshell containers while in the field. The students learned that farmers need microbiologists to keep bacteria from harming their berries.
To demonstrate how easily bacteria spread undetected, the safety inspector had the students rub their hands with Glo Germ, a special gel that simulates hidden bacteria. With multiple pairs of seemingly clean hands outstretched, the students eagerly waited to see their own germs glow as soon as the flashlight-sized UV light passed over their skin. It was a fun, interactive way to introduce them to microbiology and food safety.
Good bugs, bad bugs, and the entomologist
On to the next activity, the third graders met Naturipe’s research and technical director, a strawberry and insect scientist with a doctorate in entomology. Her specialty, she explained, is to biologically control the insects that want to eat the berries. The agriculture industry calls this area of science integrated pest management.
Passing out pint-sized containers of lady beetles, the entomologist taught the kids how Naturipe uses many millions of “good” bugs, like ladybugs or predatory mites, to wipe out the “bad” bugs. This method protects their crops and ecosystems in a sustainable way by reducing the use of pesticides. With giggles and glee, the children gathered the little lady beetles in their fingers and gingerly released them over the strawberries. It was a clever way to show students how farmers integrate a non-toxic solution to solve an environmental problem.
Enter the drones!
Demonstrating another fast-advancing area of ag technology, the farmers showed how remotely controlled drones deliver large payloads of predatory mites over their million-dollar crops. They showcased several models of these aerial acrobats, each with different jobs. And the students were thrilled by what they saw!
Students release lady bugs by hand over the strawberries.
They learned that the “good bugs” they had just released by hand onto a few plants at a time can be carried by drones and dropped on a massive scale over field crops. It’s not unusual for farmers to pay upwards of $30,000 for a drone that releases beneficial insects to save their harvests. And the students quickly computed that using drone technology to destroy harmful insects is better than spraying pesticides. It took engineers to build the drones, they learned, programmers to operate them, and environmental scientists to manage a balanced ecosystem. Plus, the drone controller’s job looked super cool.
To put a sweet ending to this Ag in the Classroom session, the students enjoyed a strawberry picking contest. With rules! Immediate disqualification included harvesting berries that were not red. It didn’t take long for the children to realize that even picking the strawberries took skill. The well-planned farm trip ended with lunch in the field, generously donated by Sturdy Oil Company. The third graders then scrambled back on the bus, having had so much fun and so much STEM, they just might be spurred into an ag career!
Tina Hansen McEnroe is a member of the Santa Catalina Board of Trustees. She has received state and national awards for developing Ag in the Classroom curricula. Suzanne Saunders Shaw began her TV news career in the Salinas Valley covering the UFW strikes. Both are Distinguished Alumnae of Santa Catalina School.
Farmers show off a smart tractor, which can sell for up to $500,000.
The day ended with a berry-picking contest.
Classmates Tina Hansen McEnroe and Suzanne Saunders Shaw.
A drone demonstration shows how good bugs can be dropped on a massive scale over field crops.
Students examine the cleanliness of strawberries under a UV light.
Fall sports wrap-up
Volleyball continues to be a popular sport at Catalina, with a total of 55 girls and 14 boys participating. The girls played on four teams: varsity and JV in the Mission Trail Athletic League (MTAL) and varsity and JV in the Independent Parochial Athletic League (IPAL). Both MTAL teams had strong seasons, missing the playoffs by just one game. Varsity players consistently demonstrated excellent ball control in all areas of the game—serving, passing, setting, and hitting. The IPAL teams, made up primarily of first-time players, focused on building skills and providing court time. The developing players showed great enthusiasm and a dedication to growth.
The boys volleyball team, made up of sixth through eighth graders, also competed in both MTAL and IPAL. The team showed steady improvement with every game and gained valuable experience. Though they narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, their growth and teamwork made for a successful and memorable season.
In soccer, Catalina fielded one girls and one boys team, both made up of sixth to eighth graders. The girls had a winning season, with players wellplaced to maximize their strengths. The boys team faced tough competition and played every match without substitutes, requiring exceptional stamina and teamwork. Despite the challenge, they kept up with their opponents through consistent hustle and determination.
Varsity volleyball — Eighth grade hitters Hana Wong (top) and Avani Singh helped lead the team.
Boys volleyball — Eighth grader Tony Cutino (19) stood out as one of the league’s top setters.
Boys soccer — Seventh grader Austin Conner provided a strong presence in goal.
Girls soccer — Eighth grader Lily Sims helped lead scoring efforts for the Cougars.
Winter sports wrap-up
Girls flag football had a successful season, finishing with a winning record despite being a team of mostly first-time players. The team fielded 26 athletes, each of them contributing in every game. The Cougars remained highly motivated and showed improvement throughout the season. The boys team also had a season full of growth and teamwork. From the first practice to the final game, the players showed incredible improvement in their skills, communication, and understanding of the game. For both teams, players’ positive attitude, resilience, and support for one another created a strong bond that was evident on and off the field.
Basketball was extremely popular this year, with a total of 42 players participating. This led to the formation of three girls teams: one varsity and two JV. The varsity team, made up entirely of eighth graders, played close, competitive games, earning several convincing wins and losing by only the narrowest of margins. The JV teams provided valuable playing time and development opportunities for sixth and seventh graders, most of whom were new to the game. All players did a great job of not only learning their positions, but owning them.
With a smaller group of participants, the boys practiced together throughout the season and were divided into varsity and JV teams on game days based on matchups and availability. The JV boys basketball team had an unforgettable season, finishing undefeated. Every player brought energy and focus to the court, showing impressive teamwork, strong defense, and sharpshooting. Their commitment to practice and their drive to support one another made all the difference.
JV girls basketball — Sixth grader Piper Adamski was the lead scorer for the girls JV basketball team.
Boys basketball — Sixth grader Cesare Paci looks to pass the ball.
Boys flag football — Eighth grader Sebastian Hurtado rushes the passer.
Girls flag football — Seventh grader Lilah Bradley runs down the field.
Upper School
Campus News
Students advance to international science fair
For two years in a row, Santa Catalina students have advanced to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, an event that bills itself as “the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition.”
Juli Herrera ’26 took part in the 2025 event with her virtual reality training application for surgical assistants. She followed Angelina Tseng ’25, who qualified for the previous year’s event with a magnetic robot that uses assistive AI technology to improve the inspection process for bridges. Last fall, Angelina was recognized as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar, which placed her among the top 300 STEM students in the United States.
Both Juli and Angelina qualified for the event after impressing judges at the Monterey County Science and Engineering Fair. Juli took first place in the biomedical engineering category, and Angelina won for mechanical and electrical engineering.
Juli, a passionate game designer, was inspired to create her app after learning about training challenges at her mom’s oral surgery practice. She developed the app from scratch, learning a wide range of skills and software to bring her vision to life. She took coding classes outside of school, but also greatly benefited from her AT Computer Science and Technology class at Catalina. Teacher Amy Azevedo Mulgrew ’02 “taught us to troubleshoot problems by encouraging us to find our errors independently; even if it’s a different [coding] language, the logic and problem-solving principles are the same,” Juli said. Juli designed most of the 3D models and surgical instruments, as well as the operating room, and coded all of the interactions. “I had to watch real surgical procedures and learn the instrument names and functions to make the lessons and simulation realistic and accurate.”
To test the app, Juli enlisted Salinas High School students enrolled in a career technical education course in dentistry. They reported being able to identify instruments faster and feeling more comfortable in simulated surgeries after using the app. The results were encouraging. “I still have more work to do—like adding haptic feedback and customizing training modules based on different specialties—but the core idea works,” Juli said. “Now I want to keep developing it, maybe even partner with schools or programs that train assistants.”
Though much of Juli’s work is in the details, she has a bigger picture in mind: removing barriers for anyone interested in a career as a surgical assistant. “It’s not just about tech,” she said. “It’s about creating opportunities for people who might not have access to traditional education or can’t afford the tuition or time commitment.”
Angelina Tseng ’25 demonstrates her magnetic robot at the Catalina science fair in spring 2024. Last fall, she was named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar.
Juli Herrera ’26 presents her project, “A Realistic Gamified VR App for Surgical Assistants,” at the Monterey County Science and Engineering Fair in March.
Student brings Red Cross blood drive to campus
Junior Yunah Baek organized a Red Cross blood drive on campus in October that drew mostly first-time donors. The event resulted in the donation of 23 units of blood for patients in need, with 90 percent of donors giving blood for the first time.
Yunah started planning for the blood drive nearly a year in advance, and recruited an army of student volunteers to help out with the event. “I'm really happy and grateful for how many community members participated and the drive’s success,” she said. “A special thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteers, whose hard work and enthusiasm ensured the event ran smoothly.”
Leadership training preps club heads
Every year, Santa Catalina students have their pick of dozens of clubs spanning arts, culture, STEM, service, and more. Clubs offer students the opportunity to discover new interests, broaden their knowledge and awareness of issues, work with others on a team, and make new friends.
An important component of clubs is leadership. Usually in their junior year, students step up to become club heads. To prepare them for these new roles, Catalina provides dedicated leadership training in the fall. The training includes a review of the responsibilities of club heads, procedures for conducting club meetings and activities, creating community through club membership, and instruction on effective oral and written communication.
The training supports Catalina’s commitment to developing students’ leadership capabilities and provides an important foundation to ensure each club offers its members a meaningful experience to learn and grow together.
Yunah Baek ’26, center, with student volunteers for the blood drive.
Borgert, and Debra Wachira promote Books for Africa and the Black Student Union during Club Fair.
Left: Pilar Manson ’27 talks about Bible Study Club.
Students see innovation in action at Girls in Aviation Day
A group of students learned about engineering, technological innovations, and STEM careers at Girls in Aviation Day, a worldwide event designed to encourage girls to explore careers in aviation and aerospace. The event, organized by Women in Aviation International, was held at Marina Municipal Airport and hosted by Joby Aviation, a local company developing an electric aircraft to be used as an air taxi service.
Students talked to engineers and representatives from organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center, piloted a Joby aircraft through a flight simulator, and explored the company’s electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Teach-in examines impacts of genocide
In observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the history and religious studies departments, in collaboration with the global education program and administration, hosted a “teach-in” designed to educate students about genocide and its impacts. A variety of sessions offered students an opportunity to explore different historical and contemporary perspectives, reflect on the power of resilience, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Topics included how hate escalates into genocide; the historical and ongoing impacts of cultural erasure experienced by indigenous American communities; the causes, events, and aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide; and the Ukrainian famine-genocide of 1932–1933, known as the Holodomor. Students could also participate in a guided meditation for nonviolence and healing, engaging with sacred poetry, recorded music, and scripture readings from various wisdom traditions that emphasized love, justice, and service as pathways to peace.
The day provided an invaluable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of history, recognize the ongoing need for peace and justice, and reflect on how they can contribute to a more compassionate world.
Santa Catalina’s robotics team, the C-Otters, also set up a booth at the event to promote robotics and STEM for young girls. Team members assisted visitors with driving and operating the team’s robot, which was a hit with girls lining up throughout the day.
Above: Robotics team members show off their robot to young girls at Girls in Aviation Day.
History teacher Wyatt Fabian leads a teach-in session for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Right: Students use a Joby flight simulator.
A perfect match: Catalina theatre and Hello, Dolly!
Audiences were swept off their feet with the heartwarming and high-spirited fall musical, Hello, Dolly! At the center of this charming classic is Dolly Gallagher Levi (Anna Halim ’25), a spirited and charismatic widow who is a matchmaker, socialite, and all-around go-getter. Dolly’s schemes to unite half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder (Zay Mohan-Black ’26) with a suitable partner—namely, herself—take unexpected turns as she intertwines herself in the lives of those around her.
Among those receiving Dolly’s interventions are young artist Ambrose (Bryana Harty ’27) and Horace’s weepy niece, Ermengarde (Emmy McHugh ’26), as well as Horace’s eager clerks Cornelius (Judith Riley ’28) and Barnaby (Vivi Taylor ’28). Dolly guides the clerks to a hat shop in New York, where they meet owner Irene (Charlotte Nick ’26) and her assistant, Minnie (Kaia Castro-Dara ’25), and soon find themselves in over their heads. When everyone’s lives collide at the posh Harmonia Gardens restaurant, the story turns to misunderstandings, polka dancing, a visit to night court, declarations of love—and eventual happy endings.
The stellar cast and crew delivered another memorable show, from the lush sets and much-talked-about costumes to the incredible renditions of some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. Hello, Dolly! also proved to be an impressive showcase for Catalina dancers, led by dance captain Sophie Gong ’25.
1. Ambrose (Bryana Harty '27) tries to console a weepy Ermengarde (Emmy McHugh '26).
2. Dance captain Sophie Gong ’25.
3. Dolly (Anna Halim ’25) makes an entrance.
4. Horace (Zay Mohan-Black ’26) with his clerks Cornelius (Judith Riley ’28) and Barnaby (Vivi Taylor ’28).
5. Hello, Dolly! was a colorful showcase for Catalina dancers.
5.
The Play That Goes Wrong goes very, very right
Everything went wrong with Santa Catalina’s winter play—which means everything went exactly right.
In The Play That Goes Wrong, the members of the Cornley Drama Society attempt to stage their newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor. But things quickly go from bad to disastrous. The murder victim, Charles Haversham (Bryana Harty ’27), can’t play dead. The maid, Perkins (Kaia Castro-Dara ’25), can’t remember her lines. Leading lady Florence (Anna Halim ’25) falls unconscious and later gets into a power struggle with her understudy, the stage manager (Emmy McHugh ’26). Sorin Alling ’26 as Charles’ best friend, Mary, and Hope Sallee ’26 as his brother, Cecil, round out the ill-fated cast, battling prop disasters, spit takes, and their own theatrical shortcomings. Meanwhile, the stage itself collapses—literally—around them. It’s hardly the dream debut for the show’s frazzled director, who also stars as the straight-laced detective (Zay Mohan-Black ’26).
Physical comedy reigns supreme in The Play That Goes Wrong, and the carefully choreographed set destruction was a spectacle in itself. The Haversham Manor crew made valiant attempts to fix the ever-growing disasters, but their efforts were just as doomed as the actors’ performances. Adding to the immersive chaos, the play’s “crew members” mingled with the audience before the show and during intermission, searching for a missing dog and a Duran Duran box set.
The result? A brilliantly executed disaster that kept the audience laughing from start to finish.
2.
crew” members had their equipment set up in the middle of the audience.
3. The crew improvises a mantel and candlesticks after the real things fell off the wall.
4. The stage manager/ understudy (Emmy McHugh ’26) scans the script as the maid (Kaia Castro-Dara ’25) and director/inspector (Zay Mohan-Black ’26) look on.
1. Anna Halim ’25, Hope Sallee ’26, and Emmy McHugh ’26 in a grandfather clock mishap.
“Tech
5. Liquids go flying when Sorin Alling ’26 is around.
Catalina creatives
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is a long-running competition supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts. Students submit work at the regional level with hopes of advancing to the national stage. Seventeen Catalina students earned regional awards this year, 15 for art (painting, photography, drawing, and digital art) and two for writing (poetry and personal essay and memoir). Eva Xu ’28 and Isabell Fujita ’26 received Gold Key awards, the top prize, qualifying them for national judging. The selection of award-winning art featured on this page merely scratches the surface of talent regularly on display at Catalina.
Helping
Dawna Levenson, assistant dean of admission at MIT Sloan School of Management, spoke to students about the college admissions process and lesser-known STEM careers. She encouraged students to be flexible, ask for help, and build a strong network as they consider future careers.
Classes took part in a variety of service projects throughout the year. These included freshmen making sandwiches for a homeless kitchen, sophomores preparing land for a future park, and juniors making blankets for a women’s shelter.
Freshmen sent Barbies bungee-jumping for physics. Before hurling the dolls off an elevated walkway, they used data extrapolation to determine how many rubber bands would be needed to keep the American icon from hitting the ground.
MIT visitor
hands
Bungee barbie
"Windows" by Isabell Fujita '26, Gold Key.
"Fragments of Identity" by Gloria Arastapour '26, Silver Key.
"The South China Water Village" by Eva Xu '28, Gold Key.
Fall and winter sports wrap-up
Anchored by experienced seniors and bolstered by promising underclassmen, field hockey (7-3-1) secured a third-place finish in league play and qualified for the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs for the second year in a row. Sofia McHugh ’25, the league’s Goalie of the Year, was a defensive anchor with multiple shutouts. Sophie Thompson ’27 led the team in goals, and First Team All-Leaguer Piper Butler ’25 led in assists.
Cross country finished third in the Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL) Cypress Division championships. Fiona Payne ’28 and Maggie Zeng ’26 were the team’s fastest runners.
The golf team finished the season with a 7-5 record, bolstered by strong individual performances. Freshman Candy Liu consistently led the team in scoring, helping to secure the Cougars a fourth place finish in the PCAL Tournament and earning herself a spot in the CCS Championship. Anika Minami ’28 and Sofia Quinonez ’26 provided reliable support throughout the season, often finishing just behind Candy.
The varsity tennis team (11-4) posted multiple dominant wins, including four sweeps, and advanced to the CCS playoffs. Gloria Arastoupour ’26, Aspasia Elorduy Kyriakis ’26, Jessica Urtusuastegui ’27, and
Fiona Fang ’28 led the singles lineup with consistent wins. In doubles, Chloe Thompson ’27 and Magdalena Pablos ’27 were a reliable pair in the back half of the season. In individual postseason play, Aspasia and Jessica won the PCAL doubles tournament and qualified for CCS, while Fiona placed third in the singles division.
Varsity volleyball benefitted from a full season that included a couple of tournaments, giving the team more time on the court. Their overall 15-14 record earned them a berth in the CCS playoffs, where they faced the newly minted girls team from Palma School. Setter Ansley Brosseau ’27 ran the offense with consistent assists and strong defense. Aleasha Kalinski ’25 was a force at the net, while Evelyn Kim ’27 anchored the back row. JV volleyball also posted several wins, with standout performances from Bella Cowart-Kadleck ’28, Chloe Wigdahl ’28, and Sarah Schuerer ’28.
The varsity water polo team (15-7) earned a CCS playoff spot following a packed season marked by several dominant wins. Quinn Connolly ’26 was the team’s top scorer, and goalkeeper Emme Adamski ’27 anchored the defense with double-digit saves. Allie Fieber ’25, Georgia Morrison ’26, and Taylor Connolly ’28 were key contributors.
Pictured: Piper Butler '25 led the field hockey team in assists.
As Catalina continues to build its basketball and soccer programs, the Cougars’ poise and grit did not go unnoticed—both teams earned the league sportsmanship award.
Basketball showcased exceptional dedication and improvement. Their never-give-up attitude was on full display in some of the most unforgettable games of the season, including a dominant 41-21 win on Senior Night. Several players reached personal milestones, and each player scored at least once. Dina Ding ’26 had five doubles. Lydia Ostos ’28 was the second highest scoring player on the team and was selected to the Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team. Lydia Derbin ’27 had the most steals, Luisa Perez Ruiz ’25 had the most assists, and Aimée Hoensbroech ’27 had the most defensive rebounds.
Soccer wrapped up a competitive season with a 6-8-3 record, showcasing resilience and growth throughout the campaign. Leading the offensive charge was Delilah Fujita ’26, who finished as the team’s top scorer with 13 goals and earned All-League honors for the third year in a row. Olivia DaSilva ’25 proved to be a playmaking force, leading the league with eight assists and earning First Team All-League for the fourth consecutive year. While the team will return with a solid foundation next year, they will deeply miss the contributions of their seven graduating seniors: Olivia, Piper Butler, Allie Fieber, Aleasha Kalinski, Sofia McHugh, Luisa Tamayo de Saracho, and Sawyer Vogel.
1. Fiona Payne ’28 runs for cross country.
2. Jessica Urtusuastegui ’27 was a lead singles player and qualified for CCS at doubles.
3. Allie Fieber ’25 was a key contributor in the pool.
4. Candy Liu ’28 led the golf team in scoring.
5. Ansley Brosseau ’27 was a strong asset on the court.
6. Paloma Reyes ’27 controls the ball.
7. Luisa Perez Ruiz ’25 led the basketball team in assists.
Honor the past Build the Future Anniversary
As Santa Catalina celebrates its 75th Anniversary, three Board Chairs reflect on the school’s enduring principles
The most enduring institutions are those that evolve without losing sight of who they are. As Santa Catalina celebrates its 75th Anniversary in the 2025–26 school year, we asked three recent chairs of the Board of Trustees to share their reflections on the people and moments that shaped Catalina and their own lives. Peter Folger, Nonie Bechtel Ramsay ’71, and Laura Lyon ’81 each served during distinct moments in the school’s growth, from campus expansion to leadership transitions. Their insights reveal a common theme: a school that holds firm to its founding principles while boldly stepping into the future.
Peter Folger
Board Chair 1992–2007
Peter Folger joined the Board of Trustees in 1985 and served until 2017. During his tenure, the board supported the introduction of computer technology for teaching and learning, encouraged the growth of the Alumnae Association, launched successful multimillion dollar endowment campaigns, and greenlit such construction projects as Bedford Gymnasium, Greer Family Dormitory (with renovations of Thompson and Hills dorms), and the Mary L. Johnson Music Center, among others. His sister, Gibbie Folger ’61, and three of his daughters—Katharine Yeager ’86, Sarah Kilmain ’93, and Abiah Karthauser ’94—graduated from the Upper School.
After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in history, Peter served in the United States Marine Corp, then returned to
school to earn his law degree from the University of San Francisco. In 1978 he co-founded the law firm Folger Levin, where he continues to practice employment and labor law with a special focus on independent schools.
Peter is in the rare position of having known every head of Santa Catalina School, from Sister Mary Kieran—whom he describes as a “force” and was revered by her students—to Dr. Barbara Ostos today. When he reflects on the school’s history, he calls to mind not what has changed, but what has stayed the same—what he describes as “the Santa Catalina Way.” He recalls a conversation he had with Sister Carlotta O’Donnell in the 1980s, when he commended the second head of school
for instituting a curricular change that kept Santa Catalina current with the times. “I told her how impressed I was, and she said, ‘Peter, from time to time we change how we do things, but we never change our standards.’”
The principles on which the school was founded—truth, character, relationships—have remained constant through every period of growth and transition for the school, Peter believes. These principles helped carry Catalina through the shift toward becoming an independent school; they guided Sister Claire as she followed in the footsteps of Sister Carlotta, who had led the school for nearly 40 years; and they ensured
the school’s Dominican spirit and ethos remained intact as Catalina welcomed its first lay head of school, Meg Bradley.
Peter sees the founding principles reflected in his own daughters’ lives and in the experience of alumnae today. “It’s a special connection they all have, and they know it,” he says. “Whether they were in the same class or different classes, or even different decades, there’s a Catalina mark that is unique. It has to do with the founding principles of the school—integrity, self-growth, honesty about oneself, community. The principles stayed with them, and you see it when you see them with each other, no matter how long it’s been since they were on campus.”
Peter Folger has known every head of Santa Catalina School, including Sister Carlotta.
Anniversary
Nonie Bechtel Ramsay ’71
Board Chair 2007–2019
Nonie Ramsay joined the Board of Trustees in 1987 and served until 2019. Nonie leveraged her knowledge of finance and investments on the board, and took on leadership roles in the development of endowed scholarship programs as well the school’s master plan building needs. During her watch, construction was completed on the renovated Lower School buildings, the Carol Ann Read Head of School House, the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center, emergency upgrades to the Performing Arts Center, and the expansion of the apartments on the hill. The search for and management of the school’s transition to its first lay Head of School took place during her term as Board Chair. Before retiring, she helped to jumpstart the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Health and Wellness Endowment.
As Nonie puts it, “My interactions with the school have been at three different stages of my life and in three different roles.” She started at Summer at Santa Catalina as a camper, then enrolled as a high school boarding student, and finally served on the Board of Trustees. “What I felt when I first started, I still feel now—the importance of community,” she says.
Like Peter Folger, Nonie commends Santa Catalina for holding strong to its founding values even as it continues to adapt to a changing world. In addition to a growing campus, she observes a number of changes at Catalina that have had a positive impact. “The relationships the kids have with their teachers is much more natural,” she says. “The Lower and Middle School
Laura Lyon, Meg Bradley, and Nonie Ramsay.
HOnor the past, build the future
is much more visible than it was when I was there as a high school student. The pedagogical style has changed in keeping with what we now know about how young people learn the best.”
Nonie is especially proud of Catalina’s commitment to providing a strong STEM program, putting science, technology, engineering, and math on par with the school’s historically top-notch liberal arts curriculum. The planning and construction of the Mathematics and Science Center was a goal she had long held for the school. “Being able to provide such an outstanding program in the STEM fields is really important and valuable,” she says. “I think the school is more open to the outside world now.”
As an alumna, Nonie shares a story from her time as a student that had a powerful impact on her view of success. When she was a senior close to graduation, she could not get herself over the hump to write a summary paper for an independent study project, despite having done all of the outline prep work. One of the nuns, seeing her distress, worked with her to overcome this hurdle. In Nonie’s words, “It was a moment when I realized that if your work ethic has been part of your reputation, then when you have a goof, be honest. Come out with it. Inevitably, there is someone who understands, and you move forward. That’s just something that I’ll always remember about my time at Catalina—I learned that honesty, relationships, and tolerance will serve you well.”
In addition to enjoying a successful career in real estate, Laura has served on a number of boards in the Sacramento area for organizations dedicated to the arts, medicine, education, and child welfare.
Santa Catalina’s all-girls environment was transformational for Laura. The moment she set foot on campus for the first time as a summer camper, she knew she would have the opportunity to thrive. “The all-girls component of Santa Catalina is the essence of how the school began,” she notes, and it’s just as vital today as the school positions itself as a world-class destination for high school.
For Laura, Catalina’s emphasis on spirituality has been an important constant over the decades—a “grounding component” of the school, regardless of one’s fath practices. “One of the things that’s wonderful about Santa Catalina is finding the peace in the chaos while staying current and aware of what’s going on in the bigger world,” she says. The school’s location on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula is another lasting gift, providing safe surroundings for students to be themselves. “There’s plenty of time to be out in that big world once these children grow and graduate,” Laura says. “So while they’re here, that sense of security and comfort is a time to be free.”
Laura Lyon ’81 Board Chair 2019–Present
Laura Lyon joined the Board of Trustees in 2005. She previously was a member of the Alumnae Association board, where she served for 16 years, the last three as president. In her time as board chair, Laura helped navigate Catalina through the pandemic and guide the search for the fifth head of school. Her daughter, Gracie Gaon ’21, is a graduate of the Upper School.
Looking toward the future, Laura says the Board of Trustees and school leadership recognize how important it is for Catalina to stay relevant while holding true to its mission and identity. “We have to be really clear about who we are, and we have to be very clear about where we’re going,” she says. Growing the endowment to support financial aid will be essential to ensuring that a Catalina education is possible for any outstanding student, regardless of their circumstances. “To me, that’s what’s going to ensure our future,” she says.
As the school continues to evolve, its leaders are committed to honoring an enduring vision. “The fundamental purpose of Santa Catalina is to help students become adults whose lives have meaning and purpose—who know how to have the courage to go out and find joy and fulfillment,” Laura says. “If we can foster that in every student at Santa Catalina, then we have done our job.”
Diamond Jubilee on Campus
Saturday, September 27, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
The Board of Trustees cordially invites the entire Santa Catalina School community to join us for a year of memorable events celebrating Santa Catalina School’s 75th Anniversary!
We look forward to a not-to-be-missed special presentation in the PAC, followed by hours of delicious food, spirits, live music, dancing, and catching up with friends. $75.00
Lower and Middle School Homecoming
Sunday, September 28 2025, 11:00 a.m.
Return to campus for a day of family-friendly fun! See your teachers, play field games, swim in the pool, and take a campus tour. Lunch will be provided. $35.00 single, $50.00 family.
Diamond Jubilee in Hong Kong
Friday, November 14 & Saturday, November 15, 2025
Start the celebrations on Friday by taking a magical trip to Disney Hong Kong with Santa Catalina alumnae, current and past families, Head of School Dr. Barbara Ostos and Board Chair Laura Lyon ’81. On Saturday, join us at the Hong Kong Country Club starting at 5:00 p.m. for the Diamond Jubilee. $75.00 for the Jubilee only.
Christmas in the Hacienda
Sunday, December 7, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the season with a festive gathering in honor of our anniversary! Enjoy an unforgettable evening of small bites, cider, and caroling in the Hacienda, beautifully decorated for the holidays. Arrive early and join us for Mass at 5:30 p.m. Free.
Diamond Jubilee in Mexico City
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m.; event at 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a day in Coyoacán and San Ángel, the colonial parts of Mexico City, where culture, shopping, and gastronomy will be the order of the day. $175.00.
A Legacy of Gratitude and Generosity: The Class of 1960 Scholarship
In the late 1950s, a group of young women walked the halls of Santa Catalina School, forming friendships that would last a lifetime. More than 60 years later, the Class of 1960 has turned those bonds into a powerful legacy—one that will transform lives for generations to come.
The Class of 1960 holds a special place in Santa Catalina history. As trailblazers who lived through formative years on campus, they represent a bridge between the school’s early traditions and its evolution into the vibrant, mission-driven institution it is today. More than six decades later, their connections remain strong—united by shared memories, deep friendships, and gratitude for the education that shaped their lives. Pam De Villaine remembers their last weeks of school fondly: “We all felt that there was a definite spirit of Santa Catalina that we shared and enjoyed. At graduation, Sister Carlotta told us she was sad to see us go because we represented the last of the pioneers. We were so flattered that she considered us pioneers.” But this class is not just looking back with fondness—they are leaning forward with meaning and purpose.
In 2017, six members of the Class of 1960—Judy Botelho Cain, Betsy Helm Hansen, Joan Stafford Haynes, Julie Thomas Obering, Jinx Hack Ring, and Mary Pat Reardon Sweetman—joined forces with then-Director of Major Gifts Erin White to create the Class of 1960 Scholarship, an endowed fund designed to open doors for future Catalina students. Their goal was simple yet profound: to give back to the school that shaped their lives and to ensure that other young women would have the same opportunity. “We want to give another little girl the gift of what we truly treasured during our time at Santa Catalina,” comments Joan Haynes. “We loved one another, and how wonderful would it be to give a young woman that same experience.”
For these women, Santa Catalina was far more than a school. It was a place of discovery, encouragement, and belonging. Jinx Ring shares, “We were an
eclectic class. We didn’t really have cliques.” Daphne Bertero, who began at Santa Catalina in 1952 in the Lower and Middle School, remembers the profound impact the school had on her: “I can’t say enough about how I was nurtured at Santa Catalina. I owe the school so much; it was a wonderful experience. There were so many opportunities for creativity and so many ways we supported one another. We were happy together. And we continue to be happy when we gather today. Beyond reunion, we have celebrated many of our significant birthdays as a class: 50, 55, 60 …”
These memories, combined with a shared belief in Santa Catalina’s mission, led their class to do something remarkable. The initial endowment was established in 2017, and soon after, the very first scholarship was awarded—helping to fund a student’s education for all four years at Catalina. “The idea for the Class of 1960 Scholarship grew out of conversations about Santa Catalina’s legacy, its relevance in today’s world, and the importance of women in leadership,” shares Erin White. “This class came together, raised the funds, and truly knocked it out of the park. Working with them was one of the highlights of my time at Catalina.”
The class came together quickly, with 70% of members participating in the endowment, with four members of the class adding $100,000 or more each. Most recently, one class member made a transformative gift of over $1 million. Today, the Class of 1960 endowment stands at over $2.1 million. Their scholarship focuses on supporting incoming Upper School students who are passionate about STEM, especially engineering.
Each year, scholars receive awards ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, with the scholarship renewing annually for students in good standing. Scholars are selected by a panel of alumnae from the Class of 1960; all who have donated to the fund are eligible to participate. Students are chosen not only for their academic merit and financial need but also for their leadership qualities and problemsolving skills, demonstrated through a special scholarship application. Once selected, students must become active members of the school’s many engineering opportunities. The grant renews annually if recipients remain in strong academic and community standing. “The kids who apply for this scholarship—I couldn’t keep up with them if I tried,” laughs Joan Haynes. “They have such confidence. Meeting them has been one of the greatest joys for all of us.” This fall, there will be two Class of 1960 Scholars in the Upper School.
Top: The Class of 1960 at graduation.
Members of the Class of 1960 with Head of School Dr. Barbara Ostos.
For the Class of 1960, increasing access to a Santa Catalina education for exemplary young women who otherwise may not be able to afford this life-changing experience fuels their generosity and passion. Class members know their scholars, celebrate their achievements, and witness firsthand the impact of their gift.
Julie Obering ’60 echoes this sentiment, “Financial aid is such an important part of the decision to go to a private school. I wanted to be supportive of that. Santa Catalina’s mission— striving for excellence while nurturing spirituality, responsible purpose, and service—is a mission I appreciate supporting. In addition, that Santa Catalina is emphasizing science and engineering is impressive and important. The values from 1960 endure in today’s Santa Catalina.” Judy Cain reflects, “Thanks to Santa Catalina, I’ve had a much broader outlook on the world—a much more compassionate outlook. I am thankful that our class has come up with a way to offer the same experience to other girls for years to come.”
As the cost of education rises, the Class of 1960 Scholarship serves as a powerful affirmation of Santa Catalina’s founding belief: We believe in children before they believe in themselves. This fund is not just a financial resource. It is a message to every recipient: You belong here. You are seen. You are part of something greater than yourself. Jinx Ring recalls that Sister Kieran allowed her family to pay day-tuition rates so she could stay at Santa Catalina for her senior when her parents moved due to her father’s deployment from Monterey to San Diego. “I considered myself maybe one of the first financial aid students at school. Sister Kieran made it possible through that financial aid, so when I was able to give back, my focus was on financial aid.”
As we honor the Class of 1960, we celebrate more than their generosity. We celebrate a sisterhood that has endured for more than six decades. We celebrate their belief in the mission of Santa Catalina. And above all, we celebrate their vision—a vision that will lift future students for decades to come.
The Class of 1960 is proof that the bonds forged at Santa Catalina can change the world.
The Christy & Mark Pollacci Financial Aid Endowment for Lower and Middle School
The Christy and Mark Pollacci Financial Aid Endowment for Lower and Middle School underscores Santa Catalina’s commitment to providing a full Catalina experience to every student while preparing them to lead lives of meaning and purpose. The endowment was established to support students and their families in PreK to Grade 8. This endowed fund is a lasting tribute to the Pollacci family’s commitment to ensuring access to the vibrant learning environment that is Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School.
During her 33 years at Santa Catalina, Christy Pollacci served as a teacher, parent, admission director, and the Head of Lower and Middle School. She believed deeply in the transformative power of education and understood that accessibility is key to unlocking each child’s potential. Mark Pollacci’s generous and spirited participation in school life was a cherished gift to the community. As a dedicated volunteer, event consultant, athletic booster, and all-around cheerleader for students and their families, Mark loved Catalina and believed deeply in the core values of the school. Their shared legacy of nurturing young learners endures through this endowment.
Santa Catalina’s comprehensive financial aid model extends beyond tuition, offering support for essential school-related expenses such as computers, books, and required class trips. This holistic approach aligns with Santa Catalina School’s mission and core values, ensuring that Catalina remains accessible and relevant to families’ needs while expanding access to enriching opportunities for students.
Make your gift to the endowment at santacatalina.org/pollacci.
Annual Giving vs. Endowment Giving What’s the Difference?
Our annual giving program, The Santa Catalina Fund, provides funding every year to be spent in that school year. This fund is the first priority at school, and we ask our school community to make it theirs as well.
If you wish to help the school over and above your annual giving, we encourage you to consider a gift to endowment. The endowment comprises gifts and bequests that have been designated to provide a permanent funding source for Santa Catalina. The original gift or bequest is invested by the school and remains intact. The investment returns are applied according to the donor’s wishes or to the school’s greatest need.
Establish an endowment fund today. Contact the Development Office at 831.655.9392.
Whole Health
Jack Corrigan ’02 LMS is a physical therapist. Jessica Wasserman Turney ’03 is a certified health coach. Neither of them started in these careers, but both have found their calling—helping people improve their everyday lives. As Santa Catalina identifies Health and Wellness as an essential Strategic Direction—including developing a formal program in the Lower and Middle School—Jack and Jessica stand as worthy examples of what the school hopes to foster in students: joy, a recognition of the power of relationships, and a nurturing of the myriad elements that make up a healthy and fulfilling life.
Reengineered
How Jack Corrigan ’02 LMS rebuilt his career to help others move forward
Some people call physical therapists the “engineers of the body”—a description Jack Corrigan ’02 LMS appreciates more than most.
At the start of his career, Jack was a civil engineer. Though he enjoyed the work and the people, “I was just sitting behind a computer all day working on drawings, and I didn’t feel like I was put on this Earth to do that for my whole life,” he says. So he made a change and became a physical therapist. The career shift allowed him to combine his love of wellness and fitness with a desire to help people.
That sense of purpose, he’s realized, can be traced back to Santa Catalina.
Jack attended the Lower and Middle School from fifth through eighth grade. Even now, more than two decades later, he sees those years as deeply formative. He describes it as a well-rounded experience, providing a strong academic foundation alongside sports, music, and service. “The teachers gave their heart and soul to their students,” he recalls. “They taught us to think outside the box and outside the classroom.”
seemed like one more thing I needed to do. But I think it made me realize the importance of helping others, which has brought me to where I am now as a physical therapist.”
“The teachers gave their heart and soul to their students. They taught us to think outside the box and outside the classroom.”
campus, including working as the stormwater inspector for the Sister Claire and Sister Christine Mathematics and Science Center.
Jack says Catalina instilled in him not only a strong work ethic, but also a sense of responsibility to others. “I remember doing service learning projects and giving presentations on them. At the time, it just
After graduating from Catalina, Jack attended York School, where he was strong in math and science. At the suggestion of his father, he decided to study civil engineering in college, earning a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University. He landed a job at Witson Engineers in Monterey—where, as luck would have it, he assisted with a couple of projects on the Santa Catalina
Though he didn’t stay in the career, he’s grateful to have the engineering background. He relies on the skills of critical thinking and problem solving as he evaluates patients to see where their pain might be coming from and how he can best help them. “Looking at the facts and hearing what the patient is saying and trying to put the puzzle pieces together, it’s just like an engineering project,” he says. “I think my experience has helped me see things a little more quickly.”
When he was ready to shift gears, Jack shadowed some physical therapists then decided to take the plunge and complete his doctor of physical therapy degree at Regis University in Denver.
Jack Corrigan ’02 LMS is a physical therapist with Montage Health in Monterey.
Now working with Montage Health in Monterey, he is also board certified in orthopedics, focusing on everything from post-surgical rehab to chronic joint pain. He especially enjoys helping patients with practical movement— getting them back to carrying groceries, lifting grandchildren, or simply walking up stairs without pain. “These are things we take for granted,” he says. “Those little milestones, and seeing their reactions to reaching those milestones, is very rewarding.”
Jack also greatly enjoys the interpersonal aspect of his job—getting to work with patients one-on-one and hearing their stories. “I like learning where people are coming from and why they do what they do. It’s really fascinating. From each patient I learn a little bit of wisdom for my own life.”
Though his is a treatment-focused profession, Jack says he could “go on forever” about preventative measures to avoid joint pain. You don’t need to overhaul your life to improve your health, he says. Just standing up and moving every hour if you work a desk job can make a big difference. “Our bodies are meant to move … so even just five minutes here and there can be effective,” he says.
Jack doesn’t just preach the benefits of movement—he lives them. A lifelong athlete, he played golf at Catalina and York School before taking up long-distance running in college. He has completed several marathons and triathlons. For Jack, running has become a mental and emotional reset, helping to clear his head, feel accomplished, and connect with his
environment. (And he does it without music—“I just let my mind entertain me.”) He has also recently picked up jiu-jitsu. “It’s a fun way to see what my body is capable of doing and to get comfortable with being in uncomfortable situations,” he says.
When thinking about the impact of his work, Jack recalls a phrase used often by his religion teacher at Catalina: Think globally, act locally. “As a health professional, [it’s easy to feel] pessimistic about our overall health. But for my job, that’s one area where I really feel like I’m making a difference, even if it’s just one patient at a time. I’m helping them achieve their social and everyday goals by improving their physical health.”
Jack Corrigan celebrates the end of the Marin Ultra Challenge with his sister, Eileen Corrigan ’98, and mom, Marian Corrigan ’72.
Building Health Inside & Out
Jessica Wasserman Turney ’03 offers women a practical, personal path to wellness
Jessica Wasserman Turney ’03 didn’t always know she would become a health coach. She began her career in marketing and tech, including a fulfilling but demanding job at LinkedIn. But over time, her focus shifted. A talk at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco introduced her to the story of a woman who reversed a serious health condition by transforming her lifestyle, revealing that true wellness is far more than just diet and exercise. That evening sparked a shift that would change Jessica’s trajectory.
Today, she is a certified integrative nutrition health coach who supports women through key hormonal life stages—from preconception and early motherhood to perimenopause. Drawing on her own journey and formal training, Jessica helps her clients make
sustainable changes to boost their mood and energy, balance hormones, address digestive issues, and more. It’s not about restrictive programs or short-term results, she says—it’s about creating lasting habits that nurture the whole person.
Jessica’s work focuses on three life stages. The first group includes women in their late 20s and early 30s who want to feel better and often have future family planning in mind. The second—and largest—group is made up of women in the early motherhood phase, often navigating the physical and emotional demands of raising young children. “I'm in that phase of life, so it’s very relatable to me,” says Jessica, a mother of two. The third group includes women entering perimenopause, many of whom are experiencing overlapping challenges.
She approaches each stage holistically, considering not just food and movement, but also sleep, stress, environmental toxins, relationships, and joy. In her words, “Everything is important. It all works together.” Sometimes that means coaching a client to drink more water or incorporate more vegetables. Other times, it means encouraging her to plan a night out with friends. Jessica believes strongly in the power of community—something that became even clearer to her during the isolation of the pandemic. “That was an eye-opening experience about how vital and important community and relationships are,” she says.
Jessica sees a ripple effect in the lives of the women with whom she works. When a mom begins prioritizing her health, her entire household benefits— kids start eating and sleeping better, extended family members get inspired, and relationships improve. “It’s so highleverage,” she says. “You’re not changing one person. A whole household ends up having a major shift.”
For years, Jessica thought she had a healthy lifestyle, but realized that much of her thinking had been shaped by diet culture. “I had only thought about diet and movement through the lens of body image,” she says. “It was never in pursuit of health.” The Commonwealth Club talk helped her shift that mindset. She started evaluating everything in her life—from what she ate to the products she used to how she managed stress and rest. Her interest snowballed. She began talking to friends and coworkers about what she
Jessica Turney leads a workshop for the Women’s Group at Jump Trading.
was learning and eventually decided to pursue coaching more formally, earning her certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She launched a blog and newsletter, started sharing insights on Instagram (@kaleifornian_), and opened her own practice, offering one-on-one coaching, corporate programs, and a membership-based community called The Kalective featuring live calls, guest expert sessions, and additional resources.
Jessica doesn’t claim to have all the answers; in fact, she’s not afraid to point people in the right direction if she’s not the one to help them reach their goals. “I know what’s out of my lane, so I love connecting people to different practitioners and different types of information,” she says. Many women who reach out simply want help cutting through the noise. “They feel overwhelmed by all of the messaging in the health and wellness space and just need some help and guidance. I really try to make it very approachable and actionable. I also help my clients break out of black and white thinking … not to let perfect be the enemy of good enough. It’s all about progress, small incremental changes and consistency with healthy habits.”
Jessica credits her Catalina peers with helping her through the early uncertainty of such a big transition. “There is a lot of imposter syndrome and nerves when you step into a new career,” she says. “But so many of my Catalina friends have been incredibly supportive in this chapter.”
The Catalina connection grew outside of her friend group when she discovered that a dentist she’d long admired, Ariana Ebrahimian ’99, was also an alumna.
“I help my clients break out of black and white thinking … not to let perfect be the enemy of good enough.”
Like Jessica, Ariana takes an integrative approach to her work; the approach is called functional dentistry and considers whole-body factors in oral health. The two have collaborated a couple of times, with Jessica speaking about children’s nutrition for an Instagram Live session for Ariana’s followers, and Ariana leading a session on sleep and airway health for The Kalective.
Looking back, Jessica sees many threads from her Santa Catalina experience woven into her current work. Though she initially resisted attending, she changed her mind by the end of her first day. “I came home and said [to my parents], ‘You made the right decision,’” she recalls. She played tennis all four years and recently picked it up again, calling it “the best thing that I’ve done for myself as an adult.” Religious studies also left a lasting impression— she seriously considered majoring in the subject and appreciated the thoughtful, honest approach Catalina brought to spirituality. “Spirituality is part of wellbeing,” she says. “That connection to something greater, that sense of gratitude and wonder—it’s essential.”
For Jessica, one of the most satisfying aspects of her work is to help women tune into what they're capable of. “I’m not a healer; I’m not healing them,” she says. “The body has an incredible capacity to heal itself—I’m just helping them clear away [the fluff] and focus on the right things so that the body can do its job.” If there’s one message that Jessica wants her clients to take away, it’s that self-care is not selfish. “You need to be your own priority, and recognize that you’re not able to fulfill your gifts and your purpose unless you’re coming from a place of being fully nourished—mind, body and spirit.”
Jessica Wasserman Turney ’03 is a certified integrative nutrition health coach.
One of Jessica Turney’s passion projects is “Eat the Rainbow,” a classroom lesson that teaches kids about the benefits of colorful fruits and vegetables.
Skills That Stick
Building a Health and Wellness Program in the Lower and Middle School
By Theresa Clarkson Lower and Middle School Health and Wellness Program Coordinator
Childhood is the foundation for lifelong well-being. When students build emotional literacy, practice self-awareness, and learn how to care for their minds and bodies early on, those skills shape their confidence, relationships, and decision-making into adolescence and beyond.
In support of Santa Catalina’s Strategic Direction of Health and Wellness, the Lower and Middle School took this past school year to lay the foundation of a formal, meaningful, and integrated program for PreKindergarten through Grade 8. The program is being designed to support the whole child—academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually—and will not happen on the sidelines of the curriculum, but live within it.
Research shows that students who are emotionally and physically healthy perform better academically and feel more content in their lives. The overarching goal of the program is to help students increase self awareness, social awareness, and skills to support their overall well-being. This includes promoting balance, improving selfregulation and executive functioning skills, increasing school engagement, building stronger family-school partnerships, and practicing healthy lifestyle habits in areas such as nutrition, sleep, and movement.
This was a year of asking questions: What do our students need? What are we already doing well, and how can we build from there? What could a truly integrated health and wellness program look like?
A core group of educators came together as a health and wellness team to tackle these questions and more: Ibi Janko Murphy ’83, ’79 LMS, religion teacher and Compass coordinator; Chris Haupt, director of student life; and Maria Canteli, head of Lower and Middle School. In a highly collaborative process, we worked closely with teachers to reflect and refine what lessons students need the most. Areas of focus include:
• Emotional literacy: recognizing and naming feelings
• Social awareness: building relationships and community
• Physical well-being: learning how body and brain health are connected
• Digital citizenship: navigating screen time with intention and balance
• Spiritual grounding: developing values and a sense of purpose
The goal is to enhance these areas while building off of existing programs. For example, the Toolbox program in the Lower School helps the youngest students talk about emotions and practice emotional regulation. Through shared vocabulary, hand gestures, and direct instruction, students develop skills such as empathy, patience, and the ability to let little things go. In Middle School, advisory lessons discuss
stress, relationships, goal setting, and decision-making. The social-emotional learning strategies that are already in place have supported students in developing their personal relationship with health and wellness. As the health and wellness team expands its services and areas of focus to meet student needs, students will have opportunities to deepen their understanding of the program’s components—further advancing the goal of supporting the whole child.
A Foundation of Awareness
Ten years ago, the Lower and Middle School introduced a tradition of having a theme word to guide the community throughout a school year. From “gratitude” to “kindness,” these words have shaped assemblies, Compass circles, and daily conversations. Last year’s word, “awareness,” did more than inspire—it helped the health and wellness team build a structure. Intentionally, awareness became the foundation of the planning, organized around three intentional phases:
awareness of self, awareness of others, and awareness of community.
We began the year by asking students a powerful question: “What makes me … me?” Through lessons, books, reflections, and shared language, students explored emotions, identity, and decision-making. We asked students to think about: What am I feeling right now? What are my values? What choices do I have? What does it mean to be proactive instead of reactive? These were important first steps to help students identify and manage big feelings, express needs, and develop self-understanding.
Awareness of self never ends, but we added the next layer and turned outward. Using the African philosophy of ubuntu—“I am because we are”— we helped students see the power of empathy, interdependence, and community care. In lessons, assemblies, and Compass circles, we focused on and practiced active listening, perspective-taking, healthy
communication, and navigating conflict with compassion. One of my favorite moments this year was watching the fourth graders bravely present at the Lower School assembly and perform their ubuntu lesson. It was moving and tangible proof of what’s possible when we give students the tools and the opportunity to lead.
At Santa Catalina, service is a core part of our identity. This year, with our Strategic Direction of providing more hands-on service opportunities, we ensured students connected their emotional learning to realworld action. Whether collecting books for Africa, participating in food drives, caroling at Christmas, or supporting local shelters, our students experienced what it means to use their empathy to make change. This phase reminded them—and us—that awareness isn’t just internal, it’s communal. When students know they matter, they understand how much their actions matter, too.
Supporting Parents in a Complex World
Students aren’t the only ones we aim to support with the health and wellness program. Families are important partners in educating the whole child. But parenting doesn’t come with a road map for today’s challenges. Supporting children with screen time, mental health, friendship dynamics, and sleep can all feel overwhelming. That’s why, in collaboration with the Lower and Middle School counselor, we plan on curating resources for families that address such topics as:
• Sleep hygiene: tools to support healthy routines
• Screen time: how to set boundaries, introduce phones, and co-create tech agreements
• Relationships: helping kids build connections, navigate disappointment, and advocate for themselves
• Resilience: practicing emotional strength through challenge
This is long-term work. A single program doesn’t create culture—it’s built by intention, consistency, and community care. We are committed to refining a comprehensive health and wellness framework that provides teachers with effective grade-level resources, embeds wellness into all aspects of the school day, offers meaningful support for parents— and most importantly, equips students with skills they can carry with them throughout their lives.
Eighth grader Chloe Bressler welcomes kindergartner Mimosa Deakyne into her Compass circle. Compass is an important program for building relationships and community among students and teachers.
Seventh graders Stacey Kim, Sonja Wood, and Kate Sherer make sandwiches on a Salvation Army service trip. Hands-on service opportunities help students turn empathy into action.
2025 Alumnae Reunion
Reunion by the numbers
celebrated their 50th reunion 1975
6,990
Longest distance in miles traveled (from Hong Kong) to Catlina for reunion
191 alumnae in attendance
had the highest turnout with 28 attendees
142
alumnae attended the Saturday night party on campus 1975
1955
celebrated their 70th reunion
2025 REUNION GIVING
$134,848
total Reunion giving dollars raised
171 1965
total Reunion giving donors
won the Top Class Award and the Sister Kieran Participation Award for the highest number of donors and the highest participation
total Reunion giving participation won the Catalina Award for raising the most money 23% 1975
Distinguished Alumna Awards
The 2025 recipients of the Distinguished Alumna Awards, Marie Cantin ’70 and Laure L. Woods ’80, are recognized for their extraordinary achievements as role models to alumnae and students, and for their dedication and service to their professional endeavors.
Marie Cantin ’70
Marie Cantin is an award-winning producer and educator, with experience in both independent and studio film and television development and production. Notable projects include Collateral, Save the Last Dance, Dante’s Peak, Masked and Anonymous, Big Fat Liar, A Night at the Roxbury, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, and Torch Song Trilogy With Gale Anne Hurd, Marie produced The Waterdance, winner of a Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and a Film Independent Spirit Award for best first feature. She also produced The Book of Stars, which won numerous festival awards, including best feature at the Stony Brook Film Festival.
Marie served on the producing faculty and was an associate dean at the AFI Conservatory in Los Angeles, where she mentored 185 award-winning M.F.A. thesis films that garnered one Oscar nomination and 17 student Academy Awards. She received a B.A. in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and did graduate studies in film and television production at the University of California, os Angeles. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America, Women in Film, and Film Independent. Marie is also a long-time member of the Directors Guild of America and is the recipient of the 2017 Frank Capra Achievement Award in honor of her career and service to the industry and the guild. Marie currently serves on the board of trustees of the Directors Guild of America-Producer Pension & Health Plans.
A native of Québec, Marie speaks French, as well as Spanish and Italian. She and her husband, Michael Miner, a screenwriter who co-wrote the original Robocop, are avid photographers who enjoy swimming and scuba diving.
Marie has served as the 1970 Class Correspondent since 2005—her class credits her with keeping them connected and close—and was a member of the Alumnae Council from 2018–2020. She was a guest speaker at Journey Day as a member of the career perspectives panel, and offered her expertise in the entertainment industry on a career panel discussion for the Los Angeles Chapter in 2014.
Laure L. Woods ’80
Laure L. Woods ’80 is a former clinical researcher whose experience included trials for treatment of cystic fibrosis, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and infant nutrition. She has held clinical research positions at several San Francisco Bay Area companies, including former Matrix Pharmaceutical and Genelabs Technologies. Early in her career, Laure founded Woods Consulting Inc. to advise companies that test the safety and efficacy of medical devices, diagnostics, and treatment regimens intended for human use.
Philanthropy has always been a part of Laure’s family culture. Her mother has her own private foundation and directed Laure’s grandfather’s LK Whittier Foundation, with Laure on the board. In 1995, Laure established the LaureL Foundation in order to formalize her charitable giving, mostly in the Bay Area, in the areas of education, health, and welfare of children and animals. In 2015, she established The LaureL STEM Fund, with a focus on STEM education (emphasizing girls in STEM) and medical research.
As someone struggling with late-stage Lyme disease, Laure cofounded the Bay Area Lyme Foundation to advance research aimed at making this tick-borne disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure. She currently serves as board chair of that organization. She also co-founded the Center for Lyme Action, a 501c4 dedicated to growing federal funding for Lyme disease, and continues to be on their advisory board. She holds a B.S. in animal science from the University of California, Davis.
In 2021, Laure and her daughter, Lexi, followed their dream and created Red Arrow Ranch, a quarter horse breeding farm in Hollister, CA. They breed their own horses, along with clients’ reining cow horses.
Laure served as an envision class agent for Santa Catalina’s 50-year anniversary. She also served as an alumnae mentor from 1990-1996. Through her foundation, Laure has given generous support to the Marine Ecology Research Program, the robotics program, and the Sister Carlotta Endowment for Educational Excellence.
Marie Cantin ’70
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA
WHAT DOES RECEIVING THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD MEAN TO YOU?
All the credit for this goes to my classmates! It’s because of them that I received this wonderful award, so it’s as much about them as it is about me. I’m a messenger—here to tell you that after nearly six decades, our friendship gets better with each passing year. Long live the Class of 1970!
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR ROLE AS A FILM AND TV PRODUCER?
The producer is responsible for the overall management and creative direction of a project, from initial development to final delivery, and ensures it is completed on time and within budget. The job is both creative and technical, requiring a breadth of knowledge and expertise that spans many disciplines. There are as many versions of a producer as there are people who do the job, plus every project is different, so this is a complex question.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THIS FIELD?
I grew up in East Africa and moved to California when I was seven. We did not have a television until I was 10, and even then, I was not allowed to watch it very much. But I read a lot, so my interest in storytelling dates back to my childhood. When we did go to the movies, it was a Big Event, and I have vivid memories of the movies I saw growing up. Each time I sat in a dark theater with one or both of my parents and sometimes by myself, I was transported to a different world. I loved that feeling.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?
Solving creative problems with practical solutions. I love the challenge of breaking down a project piece by piece and then working with others to put all the parts back together into one cohesive and unique creation. Most importantly, I am grateful for how much I learn every day by collaborating with so many smart and talented people.
WHAT CHALLENGES, IF ANY, HAVE YOU FACED AS A WOMAN IN THE INDUSTRY?
The industry is a challenge for everyone because it is highly competitive and there is a lot of uncertainty. I went about my career without thinking too much about the obstacles. Yes, they were there. But I couldn’t change the fact that I’m a woman or that I’m almost 6 feet tall or that I’m white or that I have (had!) brown hair. I had agency about the quality of my work, so I focused on that and did it to the best of my ability. I had little control over the rest of the playing field.
WHAT SKILLS, VALUES, OR LESSONS DID YOU LEARN AT SANTA CATALINA THAT HAVE HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER OR IN LIFE?
Loyalty. Honesty. A good work ethic. Seeking truth through education. Making no apologies for being ambitious, but always upholding moral values in a competitive world. Cultivating and maintaining the friendships and relationships that matter because they survive when everything else goes off the rails.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST CHERISHED CATALINA MEMORY?
My classmates. They remain an important part of my life. Also Red Vines.
WHAT HAS INSPIRED YOU TO STAY CONNECTED WITH SANTA CATALINA OVER THE YEARS?
Being a senior at Santa Catalina in 1970 had many challenges. Both the world and the school were experiencing growing pains that paralleled a changing social, cultural, and political environment. What we lived through during those times still resonates today, 60 years later. As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. My parents made sacrifices to provide me with the education I received, and I will always be grateful to them for picking an environment like Santa Catalina where I could strive to achieve the best version of myself.
Left photo by Michael Miner.
Laure L. Woods ’80
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GIVE BACK TO SANTA CATALINA IN SO MANY WAYS OVER THE YEARS?
I’m pleased that someone in my class nominated me! It means so much to be recognized by such smart, passionate women who I spent my teen years with. They have had full lives, and the paths they chose to follow made a difference to them and the people they touch. This award tells me that what I chose for my path has mattered.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN STEM?
A few people inspired me. My mom and her aunt Helen, who had a fierce love of animals and devotion to their care and welfare. My dad with his physics brain and the projects we would do together at home. The James Harriet All Creatures Great and Small book series. Harriet’s experiences with clients and their animals were so interesting and heartfelt. I wanted to do that. I wanted to learn what makes animals tick, inside and out, and how I could keep them happy and healthy. And Dr. Ruth at Catalina, who taught marine
biology. He encouraged us to explore, experiment, and collaborate together. He provided all sorts of creatures and field trips that just lit me up. I loved it.
WHAT CHALLENGES, IF ANY, DID YOU FACE AS A WOMAN IN THIS C AREER FIELD?
During college and my career, there was a low-grade, constant reminder that I was a woman in more of a man’s field. Sometimes I felt discounted, or my ideas were passed over in favor of a male peer, or there were unsolicited remarks on my appearance. It was difficult for some of the women I worked with, too. The good thing was we stuck together and helped each other navigate through all sorts of issues. We were passionate about our jobs, so we made it work.
WHY
IS PHILANTHROPY
IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I think giving back to your community is very important. Uplifting charities and those they serve is critical for a community to function at its best. To me, it’s all about children and their education and finding
collaborative organizations and services that can get them what they need to succeed. Our children are our future, and if I can help with that and I believe I can make a difference, I’ll give it my best efforts.
WHAT SKILLS, VALUES, OR LESSONS DID YOU LEARN AT SANTA CATALINA THAT HAVE HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER OR IN LIFE?
Creating and keeping relationships with other women. Catalina cultivated a sisterhood of diverse young women in every way. We were sort of like a sorority. I got a pre-college experience of living and working with girls from different countries, cultures, religions, and social skills. This head start made a huge difference for me in college and throughout my career.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST CHERISHED CATALINA MEMORY?
When we were in junior dorm and we were all in our PJs watching SNL, braiding Eleanor Z.’s hair and eating Swensen’s Sticky Chewy Chocolate ice cream. It can’t get better than that!
WHAT HAS INSPIRED YOU TO GIVE BACK TO SANTA CATALINA?
Aside from giving to The Santa Catalina Fund, of course I went straight to Catalina on my quest to support more STEM programs for girls. I saw the huge impact the FIRST Robotics program had on my daughter—something really clicked for her, and the mentors and kids who were in it, all working together, changed her trajectory. The energy and spirit was amazing. I couldn’t imagine any other girl being deprived of such an opportunity to change their entire world, as well.
Alumnae Class Notes
53
Beezie
Leyden
Moore beeziem3@aol.com
Sadly, with Gray Burnham Hynes and Fleana Giglio Snapp both passing last year, our Class of ’53 is now down to one! There were only nine in our graduating class, and we were the first. Those early years were filled with amazing memories and firsts that only the Classes of ’53 and ’54 have experienced.
With the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Santa Catalina, it’s important to remember and give thanks to all of those who dedicated their lives to Catalina. In the Santa Catalina Legacy book, Sister Carlotta pointed out that “Sister Kieran had a vision and plan for implementing the growth of the school.” Sister Kieran established the values orientation of Santa Catalina. Although she was of frail health, she was on top and aware of all and didn’t miss a thing!
As our 30th anniversary of graduation approached, Laurie Angel McGuinness was concerned that Sister Kieran’s legacy was being forgotten. As a result, we decided to create a scholarship in her memory. One of the methods we used to raise funds to finance the Sister Kieran Scholarship was to create a memory quilt to be auctioned off at our 30th reunion. The quilt contained squares decorated by the Classes of ’53, ’54, and faculty. Gray was the winning bidder, and after her passing last year, her sister donated it to the school in Sister Kieran’s memory. It currently hangs in the Sister Mary Kieran Memorial Library.
Laurie and I came to Catalina every year and interviewed candidates. Our first question was, “Who was Sister Kieran and what do you know about her?” The first year that we met the candidates, they just looked at us. Laurie then gave them a detailed description of who Sister Kieran was and what she had done for Santa Catalina.
It is rewarding that this scholarship is still awarded to two girls in their junior year based on “personal excellence” in academics, leadership, and all around achievement.
I continue to live in Cambria, CA. I am fortunate to see my three children and granddaughter. Although I am 90, I continue to do architectural designing and love it. Maybe that’s why I’m still here. I also have two kitties and two rescue ring neck doves.
54
Gloria Felice gloriafelice@cox.net
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
55
Mary Nevin Henderson
Pat Kelly Phillips plwa2@sbcglobal.net
56
The Class of 1956 is without a class correspondent. To volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way, please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations.
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
57
Bobbie Erro Marsella barbjerro@gmail.com
The Class of 1955 at Reunion 2025
58
Anne McCullough Griffin frankanneg@aol.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
France Bark: Dennis and I are doing well for our ages. As we all know only too well, it is not easy to get old. An uncle of Dennis’ used to say that “growing old is not for sissies.” I did not realize at the time how true that is. We continue to live in Portola Valley at the Sequoias, a marvelous retirement community surrounded by a rural landscape and great people. Dennis is still trying to regain his strength after his triple bypass surgery last year. I had to sell my family property and forest in France because no one would take on the responsibility for it. Fortunately we found excellent buyers, but we miss our life there terribly. To keep in shape I walk, swim, and work in the garden. Lila Desmond French: I am still in Palm Desert, CA, and love the climate. When visiting my daughter Kimberley in San Mateo at Christmas, I fell and broke the ball in my hip socket. I had to stay longer than planned, have surgery, and then spend some weeks in a nursing facility that had a physical therapy program. I recovered very quickly—I believe because I regularly work out at a gym—and am now back where it is warmer. Chrissie McCormick Merrill: Chrissie continues to live at the Brocklebank on Nob Hill in San Francisco. She loves living in the city and shares her days with Cookie, her long-haired dachshund. She and France get together often. Hansi de Petra Rigney: I lost my very dear husband, Robert (age 90), on April 4, 2024. We had 54 very happy and adventurous years together and four wonderful children, two born in Berlin, one in Hong Kong, and finally my Catalina girl born in Carmel. Life is very different without Bob, but my continued running and participation in many races helps me to cope with my loneliness. I’m very lucky to have wonderfully supportive children who help me with whatever I need. I also have wonderful memories of my Catalina years, as does my daughter, Katie Rigney Dietrich ’97. I was recovering from an injured hamstring and wasn’t able to run Boston and Big Sur as I have done in the last 14 years. So far I’ve run 132 marathons, and perhaps it’s time to slow down! I’ll try to stay more in touch with my very dear classmates. This is certainly the time in life when you need and treasure old, dear friends! Sending lots of love to my Santa Catalina family. Marilyn Brown Wykoff: It is with sadness that I share the news of my husband’s passing on September 16, 2024. I miss his kind heart, great smile, and warm hugs. We had an exciting
59 years together. I am thankful for my six active grandchildren who are terrific at keeping in touch with me. I am also thankful to be living at Carmel Valley Manor. We have been rated as the No. 1 best senior retirement facility in the U.S.—and you all know how special it is to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea! I just came home from another Disney Cruise from Florida to the Bahamas with my son and his family. Minnie and Mickey Mouse certainly make you smile.
60
Marilyn Ramos Ospina
maospina305@hotmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
61
Judy Nagel Cox jcox12rcox@aol.com
Penelope Corey Arango: My awesome life of living in paradise on a lake for 31 years: Daily Mass at 8:00 a.m., working out at LA Fitness daily at 9:00 a.m., mindful meditation four days a week at 10:30 a.m., and classes on Zoom at the University of Miami. Unfortunately, my annual mammogram indicated breast cancer, so I just had a mastectomy in March, but all is good. My family came from California and Spain to stay with me until April, and all is back to normal. So that’s why I always say, “Let Go and Let God!“ It always works! Hugs to all our SC sisters! Judy Nagel Cox: In April 2024, I helped move my sister, Madeline Nagel ’57, from Boca Raton, FL, to an assisted living place in Santa Rosa, CA, where I will eventually move to be near my daughter. But my sister preferred New York and relocated there. I went to New York to visit her in September and March and caught up with Curry Griggs, who took a two-hour train from Connecticut. Great to see her again and catch up! Spent Thanksgiving in Seattle where my granddaughter lives and where my daughter has a second home she rents as an Airbnb or uses herself sometimes. I drove to Oregon in October with my stepdaughter, who bought a home in a charming coastal town called Newport. I stayed a week to help her settle in, but next time I go, I hope to get together with some of my Oregonian classmates! Went to Santa Rosa for Christmas at my daughter’s, and she visited me in April for a few days, then I was off to Seattle for my granddaughter’s June graduation with a master’s in public administration. I have made a life-changing decision: Instead of moving to Santa Rosa next, I am going to sell my
home in Placentia while the market is good and move to a rental property I own in Seal Beach, a half hour away. (If I live there two years, there is a big tax exemption I can take, and I wasn’t ready to move up north.) Seal Beach is like a one-street Carmel with a pier. It’s a smaller home but still three bedrooms, so come visit! I’m a block from the beach, shops, and restaurants. It will be a fun lifestyle! Leigh Curran (Curry Griggs): I saw Judy Nagel Cox when she came to visit her sister in NYC. I don’t think we’d seen each other in person since our graduation in ’61, but it was as if no time had passed! Hope we can do it again, and in the meantime, there are our class get-togethers on Zoom every three months! Professionally, I’m the co-moderator of a playwriting workshop called Berkshire Voices, and I’ve also started teaching a memoir writing workshop—so many good writers and theatre artists where I live! In 2024, my latest play, Cucumber Sandwiches, was in the Great Barrington Public Theater’s New Play Reading Series before enjoying a reading in NYC at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Not sure what’s next; lots of nibbles but nothing concrete, so fingers well crossed! I’m really enjoying living in Connecticut again. Grateful for family, good old and new friends, peace and quiet, and nature, nature, nature! Love all around. Sara Fargo: I have never been in a better place spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The body is another story, with minor aches and pains, but am grateful for what I am able to do. Living in a cozy cottage in downtown Santa Barbara, CA. Patricia Flynn: One highlight of last fall was a trip with my son, who lives in Washington state, to the beautiful San Juan islands. We stayed on a lovely working farm on my favorite island, Orcas, and explored the area hiking by land and kicking by sea and enjoying the delicious bounty of both. Then in November, just after celebrating my 81st birthday with a big party at my home in San Anselmo, CA, I was attending a concert at Zellerbach hall at UC Berkeley when the unexpected happened. I was tripped by the legs of a man sitting at the aisle who decided not to stand up to let me by. The result was a broken shoulder, the first time I’d broken a bone in my decades of hiking on so many mountains and continents! After four months of dedicated PT, I was almost back to normal and itching for an adventure, so I headed for Mexico and two of my favorite destinations: the sprawling capital city and then the once quiet, still fascinating town of Oaxaca. Life is still full of surprises and delights! Kathy Ryan Foy: Aloha my friends. 2024 ended with a very dangerous fall backwards, somersaulting down cement steps on a hill in the dark and rain. It was very traumatic for me, as one of my best friends died from falling down stairs! It was not time for me to join her in the Great Beyond. I was so lucky to not be paralyzed. Casting the arm shifted the bone and broke it more. Surgery with a plate and screws has aligned my bone, and in a few more months my arm will be back to normal. I have rejoined civilization after being limited (no driving). I am doing three chair yoga classes, as I still can’t get up from floor yoga. I am enjoying beautiful Hawaii and continue to learn more about her culture. I miss my friends on the Mainland and hope to see them in the future. It has been seven years. Nothing like dear
old friends of 60 years! Our Zooms mean so much to me. You got me through Covid and continue to inspire me by hearing about your lives, especially Penelope Corey Arango’s very positive attitude following her recent surgery. I think aging is definitely challenging! We all need to laugh a lot—it is good for the soul. Love and hugs. Hope life is being kind to you. Susie Munhall Frey: As many of you know, Walter passed away on January 23. We had a miserable 2024. It was time, and we were as prepared as you can possibly be. This year I look forward to catching up on all the work in the garden, playing bridge twice a week, long walks with my dog Sam, and a peaceful year getting used to my new life. Sharon Gless: Work-wise, I finally finished recording the audio version of a film I helped produce called Show Her the Money. While in the process of recording this latest venture, I realized how much I enjoy this kind of work. A couple of years ago, I was nominated by the Audi Awards for Best Recording by an Author for my own autobiography. My favorite part of audio work is that I don’t have to look my best! The last two weeks of May, Barney and I went to New York to see a lot of theater, see some friends, and eats lots of food. I am so grateful to be a part of y’all! Nini Richardson Hart: My family and l have had a super life. Yes, some ups and downs, but l believe in forging ahead, and my faith is always there. I was so sorry to miss our luncheon in California. It is only a five-hour drive from here. We are in South Dakota for six months, then back in November. I was recently in Palm Desert with Jim’s sister for her 80th birthday. She is my sister-in-law, as well as Fyfe Irvine Lavin’s. Small world. Caroline Harris Henderson: Things are the same in my life, always a good thing! At present I am in Florence on the Oregon coast with my four siblings and spouses of three of them. We’ll spend a few days catching up and visiting. We try to do this twice a year, but it’s like herding cats to get a date! We’re blessed to all still be here on this earth. Anne Irving: I’m enjoying life on the Oregon coast near Newport. I’m becoming active again in the county’s Master Gardener program (OSU Extension Service). Any classmates travelling this way: please get in touch! Maria Hart McNichol: This last year was “the great migration” from a big old (1897) house to an apartment. I’m in the same neighborhood and stay connected to neighbors, a great blessing. I miss my garden, but this new life makes travel less complicated. With a sister in Hawaii, grandkids in Georgia, a brother in Florida, sister-in-law in Virginia, and good friends in Vermont, D.C., and North Carolina, I had great times with all of them this past year. Thanks to Maln Macneil, Judy Nagel Cox, and Zoom, I can add lovely visits with the Class of ’61 several times a year. I hope my next venture will be to volunteer with a voters’ rights organization. I’m trying to find solace in the words of Teilhard de Chardin, “Above all, trust in the slow work of God.” We have to do the work, which might be why it’s slow.
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Mary Foley Bitterman mbitterman@osherfoundation.org
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Didi Ditz Stauffer dditzs45@gmail.com
Sally Rorick-Orlando rolando@cox.net
Danielle Varlay Bonnet: As I write this note to you, my beloved classmates, it is snowing in Michigan in April! Spring will soon appear, however, and with it the flowerpots I plan to nurture on our deck overlooking our back three acres. The classic car club that Dave and I belong to will be springing into action with cruises throughout the Michigan back roads, around lakes, and through pristine farmlands and forests, heading on down to Indiana Amish country with myriad amazing car museums and family-run pie shops and restaurants along the way. In Amish country, such towns with names like Shipshewana and Kinderhook, local families invite us into their dining rooms and, upon huge round tables, serve us courses of homemade noodles, roast chicken and gravy, homegrown vegetables, cold slaws, and pies! Fruit pies, peanut butter pies, chocolate pies…we dine until we drop and waddle out of the dining rooms to enjoy the farm horses, goats, and chickens who come to greet us through their fences. Heaven. I am so enjoying life, filled with gratitude for my family, and continue to fill my days with writing projects, good books (mostly history and political thought these days), taking care of my basically immobile husband and our two crazy dachshunds, and overseeing the care of our four acres along with the household chores. Still love to cook! I plan to attend our next reunion, come hell or high water, and in the meantime wish you all grand tidings of God’s blessings. Mary-Ellen Bowlin Briel: I’m writing from my tiny studio in Athens, Greece, where I’ve come two to three times a year for a decade. I teach ELL to migrant women at Melissa Network, an NGO here. Sometimes I see Ghislaine de Give on my way to or from Athens. Also, thanks to Sally Rorick-Orlando’s organization and Donna Hollenbeck Ramos’ technological skills, I sometimes see members of the Class of ’63 on Zoom! Back in St. Paul, I’ll soon welcome my son and his family (wife and three children) to the Twin Cities, where he will start a new job. Life-changing for them and for me, too. Again, feeling very blessed! Kathleen Brown: Filled with gratitude as I enter my eighth decade of life. Good heath and family are blessings that give thanks for each and every day. My husband at nearly 90 continues to amaze me and fill me with wonder at how fortunate I was to meet him on a blind date 45
years ago this July. Our five children and 12 grandchildren are doing well and have managed to produce two beautiful great granddaughters,with one more scheduled to arrive in August! I’m still practicing law at the Manatt firm, serving on one public company board and several nonprofit boards, including CARE USA and as a Catalina trustee. I’m treating this 80th year as a rolling jubilee celebration with trips each month as a way to celebrate that I can still see new places and do new things. So far, Australia (visiting family), Alabama (memorable civil rights tour), and Machu Picchu in the fall, with D.C., New York, Idaho, and maybe Paris in between. Those are my headlines. Hope you are well. Chris Chambers: Mostly I’m taking care of a much loved partner of 40-plus years who is experiencing symptoms of dementia. It’s challenging and often exhausting. We live in a beautiful rural area (North Coast of California) with inadequate medical resources. On the rosier side, I have two kind stepdaughters, both with caretaking experience, who visit frequently. And I have a women’s group, which has been meeting for over five years and can talk about almost anything. And lots of books. Which reminds me: a book came out in fall about my grandmother, Kate Carew, who was an artist, caricaturist, writer, and cartoonist. This project took 20 years, but I am thrilled with the result. She was a celebrity interviewer (think Picasso, the Wright brothers, suffragettes, the world’s strongest woman, T. Roosevelt, Ethel Barrymore). All interviews were illustrated by her caricatures. Kate Carew: America’s First Great Woman Cartoonist can be found at fantagraphics.com. Jansie Stephens Farris: Basically enjoying life at Atria in Foster City, CA. I’m very active with welcoming new residents and participating in activities offered daily. I enjoy working with my grandkids when they need help with their math; I see them weekly. I visited my son and his family in Seattle in April. Hopefully I will be able to stay at Atria; my long-term care insurance is debating whether or not I still need the insurance. Keep fingers crossed that they will agree with my doctor that I do! Judy Haig Hansen: How fun to have a young granddaughter! As we all face 80, I am very grateful to be playing golf, skiing, and hiking and to still be happily married to Neal for 51 years. We love living in Santa Fe where outdoor activities are so close. Last year was a grandson’s college graduation; this year is a grandson’s high school graduation and on and on for two more years. However, this summer our son and his partner are expecting a baby. Wahoo! They live not too far from us, so this will be a fun new chapter. We attended the newborn class to see if anything had changed in the 20 years since our first grandchild was born (not too much). We still stay at our cabin in the Northwest every summer and enjoy keeping up with longtime Seattle friends. Kathleen Hynes: Transitioning to assisted living in Arizona has been quite a process. First is the weather and change in atmosphere and vegetation. Early on I learned that not drinking enough water on a daily basis could make you pretty sick, so drink your water when it’s warm out there. I had to downsize so much, and managed to do so only with the help of professional
organizers on both ends. You have an instant possibility of lots of social contacts, and the people here are generally very nice people. Food goes from palatable to not palatable. I am on the food committee, but I am not sure that makes much difference. I have lots of cousins here, many of whom I have never met. When my grandfather and his two brothers came from Ireland, they worked for the Copper Queen mine in Bisbee. My mother and her three sisters were born here before Arizona was a state, and spoke Spanish before they spoke English. There are some cultural differences here. Coming from San Francisco where there is so much crime, I was very surprised to see women wearing so much jewelry. Many Republicans are here, so I have to mind my p’s and q’s and overall avoid the subject of politics. There are other differences. Many of the younger generation have lots of tattoos. We have very few Asians here, which seems a little strange, but lots of people of Hispanic and Native American descent. Most people here are from Arizona or have lived here for many years. I acted on one cousin’s advice and gave up my car. People here drive very fast, so it’s probably for the best, but it’s hard to give up the independence of having a car. I am meeting people who grew up in different parts of the country, so that’s very interesting. San Francisco is very small by comparison, and some place that is “nearby” could be a ten-minute drive at 40 mph. Probably I miss my church the most, St. Dominic’s in San Francisco, but I can still get Sunday Mass online. I am frequently messaging with Jansie Stephens Farris, and she has been very supportive. Contact with other class members varies. I hope everyone is doing very well. I send my best. Deborah Hooper Marchand: I moved to Pittsburgh in June 2014. I miss the ocean, oak trees, quail, and our California poppies, not to mention my dear friends. I do get back to visit each year, so that’s good. It’s very lush here. Spring is coming finally after a hard winter. I live close to Pittsburgh, but have trees and critters in my backyard. I share a house with my daughter, her husband, my two grandkids, two labs, a cat, and fish. Pittsburgh has a lot to offer. The symphony orchestra is wonderful and inexpensive, as is the opera. Every Wednesday I go to the Carnegie Museum of Art for a program for the 55+. They provide docent tours and art activities. I’ve made good friends there and in my garden club. All in all the move has been very rewarding. Roxanne Spieker Morse: School is so glad to have had a robust giving response from the Class of ’63. My thanks for your generosity—we beat our giving total from last year! For news of Roxanne, I continue to live in and love Redondo Beach—two blocks from the beach, and easy living in a condo that I can run away from in an instant. Travel has been bountiful so far this year: New York, England and Wales, Tennessee, and back to see the paradores and pousadas of Spain and Portugal in May. I am trying to make sure I keep my show on the road until I can no longer go forth! Hope you are all in a place that makes you happy! Sally Rorick-Orlando: Well, the Class of 1963 is about to hit the Big 8-0! My mantra has become,
“Growing old ain’t for sissies.” Especially in the crazy world we are living in. But gratefully, my Spiritual Direction ministry keeps me busy and fulfilled. Plus a few small groups remind me that I am not alone in this “interesting” time. It is a blessing to have Julia and other family members in the area. My son Matthew, the winemaker in Murphys, CA, married his co-vintner, a bright note in the midst of the challenging times California winemakers are experiencing. We are looking forward to our annual trip to our favorite Dude Ranch at the Flathead Lake Lodge this summer, then Catalina Island in the fall. And I’m grateful to hear all about my classmates. Love to all! Pat Daugherty Shallenberger: I greeted 80 with a wonderful gathering of friends and family. It was a bright spot in what is a difficult year in so many ways. Besides almost full-time protesting, calling Congress and attending political meetings, I balance life with pickleball, volunteering at an animal shelter, some traveling, and time with friends. My daughter lives in Sacramento; we just protested together at the Capitol on April 5.My son lives in Portland with my granddog, and I visit them often. My granddaughter Ruby is now 22, graduated from the University of Washington, and has moved to Boston. My kids flew her out for my 80th birthday party—best surprise ever! I foresee very tough years ahead but the fight will continue! Didi Ditz Stauffer: My Big Year to turn 8-0 in October is full of exciting times. My granddaughter Sloane will turn 1 on September 19 and she and her parents, John and Scarlet, live in Walnut Creek, very close to Stockton, so we visit often. In June I headed to Calgary to attend the International Rotary Convention. Then in August I will go to Aptos for a week to rent a cousin’s house one block from the beach. My luck held out with the Junior League raffle—I won a week at a condo in Las Vegas in October! I’ll be celebrating my 80th with my family and lots of cousins at Micke Grove Park in Lodi, CA. We spent many wonderful times there with our
grandparents when it was the Micke’s ranch. In winter and spring, I’m still enjoying owning a home in Palm Desert at Marrakesh Country Club, playing golf, putting, playing croquet, and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather with friends and family. I’m looking forward to seeing Pamela Du Pratt Gallaway at Santa Catalina’s 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee on September 28 in Monterey and hope there will be more of our class in attendance. Victoria McCallum Waddell: My life is not much different from previous years: busy, busy, busy and trying to remember to stay centered, smile, and get on as I strive to accomplish all that needs to be done every day. I don’t recall my earlier life being quite so challenging! Nevertheless, there remain surprises that bring joy to our lives. Ed and I were treated to an extraordinary vacation at the El Dorado in Playa de Carma in the Yucatan last November. Warm breezes, great food, wonderful people, and extraordinary entertainment were the highlights of our visit. Overall, we were very grateful for this amazing experience, which was made even more enjoyable because we could share it with family. I continue my job as treasurer of our HOA, and write in our local newsletter about all sorts of things I’ve learned and wish to share with my neighbors. Finally, we recently acquired a new little kitty, Taj. He fills the emotional void we feel from having lost our 20-year-old Butterscotch. I just learned that the roof over our storage area has to be replaced and everything in that area has to be culled, packed, and put into storage before the work starts. I’m practicing breathing, humming—whatever it takes to move through this challenge. In the meantime, thank goodness for Aleve and Salonpas! Finally, to those classmates who were born in 1945, I wish you a very happy 80th birthday. Trish Scott Williams: Life is treating me pretty well these days. The absolute best news is that our daughter, Katie, and two grandkids moved back to St. Louis from Ohio last September. They live only 10 minutes from me, which is great. We are having such fun exploring St. Louis together through the kids’ eyes. It is a joy to have them here and so close. As long as my health is good, I’m still doing a lot of adventure travel and exploring around the globe. It is my form of ongoing education and intellectual as well as physical challenge. At this age, I figure I have a finite amount of time to see and do all that I can and learn about other cultures and countries. When at home, I keep busy with volunteer service, book groups, and theater. Life is good for me, and I’m very thankful I am healthy and well to enjoy it.
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
DiDi Ditz Stauffer ’63 with her granddaughter Sloane.
The Class of 1965 at Reunion 2025.
Patricia Allen Sparacino pat.sparacino@gmail.com
Carolyn Cain, Michele Clark, Barbara Hately du Pont, MF Flynn, Sally Leonard Harris, Lola Hogan, Peggy Hudson, Evie Lindemann, Maisie de Sugny MacDonald, Caroline Lord Mackenzie, Kathy McCann, Susan Durney Mickelson, Leslie Baldwin Power, and Pat Allen Sparacino were able to attend our 60th reunion celebration and shared wonderful stories about Santa Catalina, their lives, and their families. Carolyn beautifully captured the spirit of our reunion weekend: “Reunion weekend was wonderful; I wasn’t ready for it to end— remembering the classmates we’ve lost, missing those who couldn’t be at reunion, and enjoying very much the company of those who were able to attend.”
Bonnie Bray: Not much has changed with my cancer treatment—I’m still on chemo, and we’re staying hopeful that this will be an effective part of my care. I’m incredibly grateful for the support from family and friends every step of the way—it’s made all the difference. I’d love to hear from any classmates who have a moment to share a funny memory or a story about friends or family. Keeping up with all of you truly brightens my day. I celebrate every day and look forward to what’s ahead. Sending a big hello to everyone—and I’m really hoping to make it to the 65th reunion! Carolyn Cain: Retirement (and good health) has given me lots of chances to volunteer locally. I’ve been quilting—perfect for rainy days! Our quilt guild donates quilts to dialysis patients, NICU families, foster kids, and more. During early Covid, I made hundreds of face masks and helped at vaccination clinics. I’ve also been active with CERT, supporting first responders with things like search and rescue, traffic control, and missing-person
searches. I’ve volunteered with Pacific Grove’s gardeners for a while, but this past year I’ve focused on my own yard. A storm brought down a huge pine tree—took out a fence, a retaining wall, my neighbor’s car, and even power lines for a week! The shady part of my yard is now full sun, so I’ve been adjusting to some new (and interesting) gardening challenges. My son, Aaron, his wonderful wife, and three teens are a day away in Grass Valley, CA, so I visit when I can or look forward to their visits here. I’m grateful to still live on this beautiful Monterey Peninsula. Best wishes to all. Michele Clark: The reunion was such a blast! Evie Lindemann and I ended up being partners in crime—wandering around campus, laughing about old mischief, and swapping stories about how we tried to bend (or creatively break!) the sisters’ strict rules. I have to admit, Evie was the more inventive rule-breaker, but it was so much fun reliving those high school memories. These days, I’m retired and living in Tucson, AZ. I volunteer by giving senior health talks on all kinds of topics, which keeps me connected and learning. I broke my shoulder in 2023, so I’ve lost a bit of mobility, but thankfully there’s no pain. Overall, I’m feeling healthy and very grateful for that. With everything going on in the world, I’m focusing on building community right here in my neighborhood and supporting causes that promote kindness and positive change. And when things in Washington get especially frustrating, I pick up the phone and call my representatives! Wishing everyone the best! Kathy Toy Grandemange: I started in OB-GYN in San Francisco and worked in several hospitals over 10 years. I worked as a Kaiser telephone advice nurse the last 28 years of my nursing career. It served me very well. Santa Catalina prepped us well for our professional careers. I look forward to reading more alumnae news. Tammy Dougherty: In March/April I spent six weeks in Seville, Spain, where I had a great time in a program to study Spanish and travel around Andalucia. One of the participants was Pamela Zucker ’70, so we enjoyed our
own reunion moment. Barbara Hately DuPont: I left for Virginia for the summer months to be near my daughter and to see my granddaughter graduate from Foxcroft School before she heads to Middlebury in Vermont this fall. My eldest granddaughter has been pretty amazing in Division 3 running. She is All American at Washington and Lee University and No. 3 in the country in the 5K. We are extremely proud of this gutsy girl. Our 60th reunion was the best, and I’m so glad I made it out for the event. MF Flynn: I continue to volunteer with a hospice organization, and find it very rewarding. Every patient is unique and has something new to teach me. And I work with an L.A.-based group, Write Girl, mentoring young writers. My current writer is a 24-year-old medical student who was born in Nepal and moved to Venice, Italy, as a young child. You would never know that English is her third language. In May I traveled to Prague, Vienna, and Warsaw. Reunion was wonderful—hard to believe it was our 60th! Lola Hogan: The reunion was lovely, and it was great to have time to really chat at our Sunday brunch! I am still working as an expert witness for property casualty insurers and looking forward to an expedition to Antarctica in January. Still hanging in Pacific Grove. Hi to all! Peggy Hudson: I’m in the final (I hope!) year of my tenure as president of my HOA. It is the 10th year I’ve been on the board, and I’m ready to do something else. I want to work to help shelter animals get adopted, so I fostered kittens for the last two years. This year I want to work onsite at the shelter. The horse I bred has just turned 10 and has grown into a talented dressage horse; my trainer has been riding him for over a year now. I can’t ride because I have developed serious neuropathy affecting my left leg and low back. I can still do the grooming and other horse chores, though, which helps keep me balanced and hopeful to ride again. I really enjoyed seeing our classmates at our reunion, which was my first in 25 years. Judging by the many accomplishments of the women in our group, our class is a very impressive one! Liz Hudson Kenyon: I currently teach soft pastels to adult artists at Scottsdale Art School in Arizona. I’m also a counselor for the Inner Peace Movement. I have one boy and three grandchildren. I spend summers in Sedona. Feeling good! Evie Lindemann: How lovely to see some of you in person at the reunion, and to those of you who were not able to attend, please know that you were missed! During the weekend, I rekindled friendships and caught up on conversations that had only happened by email at an earlier time. Having known each other at such a vulnerable point in our personal development was a priceless gift, those four years of change, turmoil, and accomplishment. On Friday night Michele Clark and I became stealth explorers of the old parts of campus. We began in the chapel and ended up in the Hacienda, up and down stairs, and opening doors that did not say “stay out.” I was again struck so much by the beauty and history built into those thick adobe walls. I remember when five of us shared the large room upstairs that included juniors and seniors; Kathy McCann, Linda Baldwin Page ’66,
and Nancy Farr ’66 were among them. Thanks to our agents who helped call us and encourage us to attend: Lola Hogan, Michele Clark, Maisie de Sugny MacDonald, Mallory Vail Weymann, and MF Flynn. And one noteworthy conclusion: the new head of school is lovely, forward thinking, vibrant, and creative. She joined us Friday evening for dinner, and then Saturday night she participated with us for one of those crazy photo booth photo opportunities. It was grand! Maisie de Sugny MacDonald: I loved every minute of our 60th reunion weekend! A group of us were able to reach out to most of our class encouraging everyone to come. It was good to reconnect with so many of you even if you couldn’t join us at school. Heartfelt thanks to Lola Hogan, who also hosted a lively and fun brunch on Sunday, Michele Clark, MF Flynn, Mallory Vail Weymann, and Pat Allen Sparacino, who devotes her time and talent in so many ways to school. Santa Catalina looks beautiful and is thriving! I enjoy trying to stay active and somewhat fit, volunteering, gardening and keeping up with wonderful friends and family. I’m looking forward to seeing my granddaughter, Claire, graduate from San Diego State in May. My grandson, Chris, is 19 years old and always on the go. Let’s stay healthy and stay in touch. All the best to everyone. Caroline Lord Mackenzie: It was great to see familiar faces at the 60th reunion; so glad I planned the trip. No complaints about life in Hawai’i. Highlight of 2024 was my son’s wedding; he married his longtime girlfriend (nine years) in November. Classic Maui beach wedding. I am still involved with the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai’i and Rotary. Come visit. Kathy McCann: It was great to see everyone at our reunion. My news is that I moved into my new home which replaces my old one that burned down in the Kincaid fire. I’m so grateful for this new beginning in beautiful Sonoma County. Leslie Baldwin Power: I have two grandsons who were born on January 23, two years and 23 minutes apart! Dolores Berta Ransom: It is hard to imagine we are close to 80! Though I am retired from my Feldenkrais practice (neuromuscular re-education), I still volunteer 35 hours per week at hospice, Master Gardeners, and the animal shelter. Grateful to still be healthy and active. Ed, my husband, is too. One grandchild lives within a two-hour drive, so we also have that blessing. The garden is my happy place. Kathy Ramos Sharp: It has been a busy time with two recent overseas trips. Last summer, I traveled with the San Jose Symphonic Choir, singing in various churches in Austria and Slovenia. This was a very memorable trip where we also took in some sightseeing. Then my youngest daughter invited me to join her family in December for a cruise in Asia. This was my first time visiting Asia—we flew to Singapore and then after some time in that city, we cruised to Thailand, Vietnam, and ended the trip in Hong Kong, touring historic sites and places of interest along the way. When I’m home, music keeps me busy—I’ve been planning and directing our local church choir, which is something I truly love. Up next for me—some fun travel! I’ll be joining family in Southern California, Michigan,
and Central California to celebrate two grandkids graduating from college and my youngest granddaughter’s high school graduation. Wishing all my high school classmates the very best! Wendy Wilson Snell: 2024 turned out to be a momentous year, not exactly as I had expected. Last year I had “custom” knee replacement surgery for my left knee. The operation and recovery went beautifully. Recovery took six months of physical therapy, thanks to contracting Covid for the first time one month after surgery. Christmas Eve, while staying with our son and family in Wilmington, our daughter-in-law told us baby No. 4 was due in June. Now my back and right knee are acting up. I had a custom right knee replacement in July. In the meantime, our son and daughter-in-law wanted us close when the new baby arrived in June, joining three other grandkids. My daughter’s son is starting his junior year in mechanical engineering this fall. Sounds typical—except he got married at 19 and is expecting his first child this September at 21, which means Steve and I are going to be greatgrandparents! Both babies will be true blessings. I had a severe traumatic brain injury and craniotomy in 2012. It is a miracle I survived and am in such good mental and physical health. Every day is a blessing. Life is good. Pat Allen Sparacino: It is an honor to be so involved with Santa Catalina. I passionately support Dr. Barbara Ostos, the strength and mission of the school, and its extraordinary curriculum and academic rigor. Our reunion was so special—as we navigate the journey of life, keeping up with each other becomes increasingly important. Bob and I visited the Azores to explore his maternal roots. We especially treasure opportunities to visit with family near (California, of course) and far (New York, England, and France).
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The Class of 1966 is without a class correspondent. To volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way, please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations.
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Ann Kuchins kuchinsa@yahoo.com Anne Neill anneneill@yahoo.com
Joan Dubrasich Anspach: Bill and I are having a wonderful trip to New Zealand, Australia, and
eventually to Bali. We plan to come home with renewed energy to face the next few undoubtedly challenging years. Stay well and keep the faith. Melinda Bowman Manlin: As always, I’m so grateful to be a part of this class. Being on the Alumnae Council, just finishing my second year, has also been a joy that keeps me connected to our beautiful school. I’d love to have one of you join me in this important and gratifying work. Call me! I’m completely retired and involved in my grandchildren’s lives five days a week. My own children are doing well, and they know how proud I am of the people they have become. John Ferreira and I celebrated our third anniversary in June! My sister, Barbara Bowman ’66, is doing well as a city mouse in the Bay Area, though I’d like her to downsize and join me as a country mouse in Monterey. I love reading about how you all show the strength and depth of being Santa Catalina graduates. You are an inspiration! Kif Brown: A short note from Utah: My life remains wonderfully simple: morning tea, read, walk my new hound at a nearby park, garden, enjoy a glass of red. Repeat. Gratefully, still healthy. Always enjoy family nearby. Gay Callan: We have relisted the ranch/vineyard and are hoping to find someone who is as passionate as we have been over the past 45-plus years. Time for us to get off the tractors and enjoy family. We sold our condo in Bear Valley, CA, just recently, but still plan on going skiing this coming winter. We live close enough to be able to drive to and return home. We have nine grandkids now, and they are all over the U.S.—California, Colorado, and Boston—and we do not get to see them as often as we would like. A few surgeries for us in the past few years; these old bones are wearing out, so we are trying to take care of them to keep up with the kids. All good here. Grapes are growing as we speak, the spring is really beautiful this time of year, and we are grateful to be able to enjoy it. Living in the Sierra Foothills is perfect for us. Slowing down a little would be nice. Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2025 and looking forward to our next reunion. Carolyn Layton Garner-Reagan: I am well and have gone from living alone to having my daughter, her husband, two sons, and two wonderful large golden doodles living with me. Sadly, they lost their home in the Eaton Fire on January 8, 2025. Thanks to help from a dear Occidental College friend, my house was reorganized to accommodate everyone. As my sweet grandson Henry said, “We’re not living at Grandma’s, we’re living with Grandma”—a blessing for each of us. And I love having dogs again! I am singing in my church choir after auditioning. I am thrilled to be singing again and think frequently of Mrs. Farlinger, our wonderful and kind choral director. She also directed the Carmel Presbyterian Church choir and invited me to join the adult choir. In June, I went on a Scandinavian cruise with my older sister. Then I headed to Paris for five nights! This represents something of a pilgrimage for me because I longed to see the restored Notre Dame Cathedral. My late husband and I saw it burning the day we arrived in Paris on April 15, 2019, a sad and memorable occasion. Wishing each and every
one of you joy, laughter, good health, and wonderful surprises. Marjorie Helm: The last couple of years have been bracketed by the lives and deaths that we have been privileged to be a part of and with which we’ve been actively engaged. We got to be part of a wonderful wedding of a young friend of our son in Mexico City and, while there, got word of Chip’s brother’s death after a long illness. We headed home and off to Connecticut to support our sister-in-law and nephews with the business of death. Later in the year we began to make more frequent trips to Santa Monica to visit my sister, Molly Helm Lynch ’65, in memory care close to her loving daughter, Kate Lynch ’97. We were so glad to be part of the care team while Molly lived up the street from us in Petaluma, CA, (as she had for 30-plus years) and then to be with her as she died with songs and blessings and family surrounding her. We collaborated with Molly’s immediate family to develop a memorial service in Petaluma where she raised her family and had a brilliant career as a community college health administrator, educator, and counselor. We were grateful to have members of the Class of 1965 with us as well, including Pat Allen Sparacino, Maisie de Sugny MacDonald, Kathy McCann, and Cathy Clancy Wells (who was a beloved friend, care team member, and angel to Molly during her life and decline.) Our sister, Betsy Helm Hansen ’60, did a wonderful job welcoming attendees and eulogizing Molly. It was a joy to tell the story of her life and her commitment to family and to community health and well-being. It was stunning to hear how much of a difference she made in the lives of so many! As we were integrating these losses, we were struck by how many of our friends and age-mates are in the early stages of debilitating neuro-cognitive decline. We realized that we had learned so much about approaches to care and resources while being a part of Molly’s care team. We did not want that to go to waste! We also did not want our friends to face this process alone. We have been working with couples where there is one member with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other cause of cognitive impairment, all brilliant and creative souls. As a group, we share time, resources, tears, and laughter. We also stand together against the stigma that’s attached to these diseases. All of this is to say we love our life, including the parts that now call us to stand with Sonoma County’s immigrant communities who contribute so much to all of us. We were part of the safety team at the May Day March for Immigration and Worker’s Rights. While so much of what is happening in our communities is chaotic and divisive, we never forget that our shared humanity shows up in these moments, too, as it does in birth and death. Thinking about all of you in this moment! Ann Kuchins: I experienced my first hurricane in Jasper, FL. I was managing a Red Cross evacuation shelter when the hurricane hit around 11:00 p.m. Because it was night, I could hear it but couldn’t see it, as it wasn’t wise to be around windows or doors. We had about 80 people in the shelter. They knew exactly what to do, and by 10:00 a.m. the next day, most had left the shelter to check out their homes. Because the hurricane veered off to the Carolinas, I
spent a lot of time in a couple of different shelters in South Carolina. I was in Houston a few days after Hurricane Beryl. Fortunately, it was rainy, so I didn’t have to deal much with the summer humidity. And yes, I was in L.A. as the site manager at the Westwood Recreation Center for the L.A. fires. Sheltering is a unique experience. We have many people grateful for a temporary home, food, and wraparound services, and a handful of people who are understandably angry and frustrated. Overall, it was a challenging but rewarding experience. I’m ready to go out again. I continue to do a lot of Red Cross work, at home mostly, working with people displaced by a home fire or apartment fire. I attended the memorial service for Susie Charles Collins ’68 in San Francisco and connected with her siblings, including Kit Charles ’71. Our families were close, and I have fun memories of many chair lift rides with Susie. She was a bright light who loved to laugh and made you feel special. All is well with the Kuchins clan. Katy Lewis: Not much new to report on my end! Still working full-time, admitting amazing people to top business and policy graduate schools—a lot in AI and biotech/health care, so I’m fully immersed in the amazing transformations about to happen in both fields. Very exciting, and working with 26-35-year-olds keeps me young and engaged. My three daughters and their husbands are doing well—I feel very fortunate! Claire does lighting for huge concert and convention installations in the Bay Area, Rosemary just stepped down from her successful post-IPO fintech startup to deal with her three children for a few years, and Katharine is director of global policy for Airbnb in D.C., where she handles human rights, refugee resettlement, and other difficult issues (she used to work for the State Department). I now have five grandchildren, three boys and two girls age 7 and below—chaotic but so much fun! On Easter Sunday, I ran into Yolanda Scaccia Manuel at Mass in Burlingame. We are hoping to plan a Bay Area get-together. Sue Lloyd: Writing in from little ol’ St. Augustine, FL (small Southern beach town—lazy living!). I have no news, truly, except a recent jaunt to Monterey. I sought out longtime buddy Kay Sparolini, who after a bad fall in Autumn 2023 has moved to Monterey. If any of you would wish to visit Kay, please do! Reach out to me for directions/ information. Yolanda Scaccia Manuel: I’m still working for the Archdiocese of San Francisco at St.
Catherine of Siena School in Burlingame where the kids keep me young. They have tremendous energy and it’s a privilege to experience their growth from year to year. Growing older, other than wrinkles, meant cataract surgery on both eyes. So now I use reading glasses over my contacts, and was happy for the ability to pass the DMV vision test without squinting! It’s not easy to grow older gracefully: I feel younger than 75, keep active with work and volunteer activities, walk a couple of miles each day, maintain my weight, eat healthy meals, and play with the “kids.” It’s heartwarming, and I have to admit, an ego boost, when school parents think I’m a parent, and not a grandparent! The grandkids have grown into nice young adults. The twin grandsons are preparing to apply to college, and my granddaughter is now a freshman at the University of Nevada, Reno. My children are always available to help me with their dad, who is tethered to an oxygen machine 24/7. Chris has COPD, and it’s not fun to experience his decline. He can’t do the things he did when younger, but he finally stopped smoking and his oxygen levels are stable! I’m truly thankful for my family’s support. No other words of wisdom or reflections of life. Just miss you all, remembering the innocent, or not so innocent, times we had in high school. Regrets: not having attended the Lower School. When I was little, my dad had asked me if I wanted to go to Santa Catalina, and not knowing any better, thought he meant Santa Catalina Island, so I declined the offer. Stupid decision that I wish he had overridden! Hopefully my friendships with all of you now make up for that indiscretion. Jeanette Caniglia Mazzarino: I have nothing major to report. I keep very busy with several social and nonprofit groups. Having fun, lovin’ life! Cheers to all. Anne Neill: Other than some creaky bones and a rotator cuff
and biceps repair surgery, life has been smooth! I’ve been fortunate to spend time with my two daughters when they come to San Francisco, where I still live, and we’ve been meeting in Chamonix, France, for the past several summers for hiking and mountaineering. I’m grateful to still be able to travel, and recently have taken some mini trips: camping with my sister, MaryBeth Neill ’69, in her Airstream trailer up the Sonoma Coast, and visits to Cabo and the coasts of Carmel, British Columbia, and Laguna Beach. My goddaughter, daughter of Liz Moffitt ’68, moved down the street from me. The three of us have gotten together when Liz comes to the city, although Lucy and I made use of
Yolanda Scaccia Manuel ’67 with her husband, Chris.
Liz Moffitt ’68 and Anne Neill ’67 in San Francisco in April.
the indoor climbing gym without her mom. It’s so gratifying to see that our class stays in touch as well as it has for all these years, and I’ve been blessed with multiple opportunities to gather with classmates from across North America as well as those living more locally. Stay strong dear classmates, you are all amazing people. Katherine “Trina” Smith Overlock: My husband, Mike, and I are well, although he is recovering from hip surgery for tendon repair so he’s dependent on me in ways not typical of him. I continue my conservation-focused board involvements but am starting to rotate off as I reach term (and age) limits. Needless to say, this is a challenging time for conservation. Our three children—and now eight grandchildren—have moved out of NYC and are all living in Fairfield County, CT, close to us. This is a source of great gratification and joy. We spend part of the year at our home in Jackson, WY, and I remain committed to and ever more concerned about what is happening to our national parks. Their historic and cultural significance is at least as great as the value of the natural resources they represent. To neglect and allow them to further decline is a real disservice to future Americans. I would welcome a call/visit from any of you who might be in the area of NY or northwest Wyoming. I, like many of you, am now over 75, but I still get around a lot so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Joan Seamster: Busy with family, life, and activism. Picked up where I left off in the 60s. Working on local housing issues and opportunities here in Boston.
Laurie Hammonds Hall has been helpful in providing information on housing initiatives in Sun Valley and has shared resources. I am also volunteering at the national level, helping with candidate messaging and political campaign support, using my work experience to support message testing and local communication strategies. It’s gratifying to apply my heard-earned knowledge to this work.
“May you live in interesting times” is coming true.
Monica Stockton: I live on top of a hill on 480 acres of forest. My goal is to clear the dead or dying trees and brush, graze cattle on grass for people in need, and split wood for people. Two things contributing to my happiness are freedom to walk with God every minute of every day, and having enough equipment to help others in different ways. I also enjoy knitting and so many other endeavors. Lyn Wyman: Another year of ups and downs since the Class of ’67 last
checked in. I’ll focus on the ups, though, having figured out that most of the downs reflect the good fortune of having made it to my mid-70s. Always love a change of scene with family and/or friends: Carmel, Cabo—thank you, Wynn Woodward, for including me—Ashland for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and San Diego. I even got to NYC with a dear friend who treated me to my first opera at the Metropolitan Opera House for my 75th birthday. Spectacular! I’m still enjoying local theater and the San Francisco Symphony regularly and volunteering with the Stanford Historical Society. On a serious note, I’ve become very focused since January 20 on playing my part in staving off the takedown of our Republic, and I don’t think that’s hyperbole. It’s even more critical to me now because—and this is the best news of my year—my daughter is having a baby in September. It’s my first time being a
grandmother, and I’m already completely smitten with this child. A powerful motivator for fighting the good fight! I sincerely hope by the time we meet in 2027 (at our 60th reunion—oh my!) we will have a more courageous, effective Congress. I’ll be doing my best to help make it so. Until then, dear classmates, take good care.
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Eugenie Schlueter emschl@sbcglobal.net
Daphne Macneil
daphnemacneil@yahoo.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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The Class of 1969 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way.
Terry Whitney Baganz: I am retired as a geologist. I now spend my time volunteering for the Catholic Charity Guild of Houston, chairing the Good Citizens Committee for my local Daughters of the American Revolution, and working on the board of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology. I try to do some kind of exotic traveling, the last being Mongolia and the Gobi Desert to look for dinosaur fossils. I stay in contact with Mary Barger and Joanie Farr Minks. Patty Look Lewis: Hi dear class. Because of my work schedule, it doesn’t look like I’m going to make it to any reunions in the near future. Glad that we can keep in touch through these Class Notes. My husband, Walter, and I are still living in Santa Barbara in an enclave dating from the 1920s. We live on the edge of my favorite garden in all of Santa Barbara, and our daughter is our neighbor. I work full-time for two elderly neighbors as a caregiver. I’ve just been asked to teach pastel painting to a neighbor as well as Japanese language to a random 8-year-old that I met in the bakery. I’m thinking about doing these things. I think about you all much more than I thought I would at this age. Those were wonderful days. Walt Whitman says, “There never was any more youth or any more age than there is now.” What do you think about that?
1967 classmates Wynn Woodward, Lyn Wyman, Anne Neill, and Louise Vessey Edwards in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Anne Neill ’67 with her daughter, Lauren, as well as Joanne Bosche Ehrlich ’67 and Wynn Woodward ’67.
Monica Stockton ’67 tends to her forest.
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Marie Cantin rapideye101@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Sheila Cooley smcooley@gmail.com
Janet Miller Abbott: Frank and I will be celebrating our 49th anniversary in August. Seven of our eight children are married, and we have 10 grandchildren.
They live in Virginia, Nevada, and the Bay Area. Our family is never dull! Frank and I are still working in real estate development, an LED lighting business, and on a new medical device invention. I am in my 34th year as president of the Drum Foundation, which supports Catholic schools and other Catholic ministries. I am also the vice-executive director of the Daughters of Charity Foundation, which supports their ministries for their Western province and certain international ministries. We love to travel when we can, mostly to visit our children and grandchildren. This summer we went on a pilgrimage to Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal to visit Marian apparition sites. Therefore, I had a total knee replacement surgery in February so that I could do the walking involved in our trip. Besides seeing Anne O’Leary fairly often, I see and keep in regular touch with Erica Sullivan Fuller, Nonie Bechtel Ramsay, Jenny Budge, Nina Gates Motlow, Ellie Dodge Seddon, Ann Carter, Mary Franich Bignell, Camy Lagomarsino Renton, Mary Lewis, and Hilary Wickersham Clark. Ariane Berthoin Antal: The big and good news on
my end is that my husband and I survived a horrific car accident last August. The driver, who was taking us back to the Bordeaux airport after the funeral of my 99-year-old father, fell asleep at the wheel and slipped into the lane of oncoming traffic on a country road. After three weeks in the ICU in France, a medically accompanied flight back to Germany, three more weeks in a German hospital, where they inserted titanium clamps to hold my shattered ribs, and four weeks in an intense rehabilitation program, we came home at last. It has been wonderful regaining mobility and independence. While I could not go out and about, I had a great time experimenting with recipes from the New York Times and inviting friends over to dinner. My mother’s cooking genes really kicked in. We discovered that there is also beauty to be found in surviving such a terrible accident: All three of our children flew to France to help us and were an amazing team; I woke up from the first major operation with the grace of gratitude—a deep, deep gratitude—and that feeling conquered most of the fear and pain that such a dramatic experience entails. When we returned to our congregation in Berlin and thanked people for having prayed for us, we were surprised and moved by their response:
“Thank you! You bring the proof that God exists and prayer works.” Best wishes to all of you.
Norah Barger: I am still working at the Federal Reserve Board, hitting the 39th year mark at the end of this June. My work has always centered on banking supervisory policy. In more recent years, I have focused on developing policies at the international level. This work was intense and frenzied in the post-great financial crisis period but now has entered a period of refinement with an emphasis on national implementation. Domestically, our implementation efforts have been received poorly and, more often than I might have wished, I have been called upon to explain why the U.S. has been such a laggard. I have been told, no doubt by those damning with faint praise, that I do this well. During this time, I have traveled so much abroad for three- or four-day stays to attend meetings that I haven’t much penchant left for
Ariane Berthoin Antal ’71 with her family.
Janet Miller Abbott ’71 with her immediate family at her youngest daughter’s wedding.
The Class of 1970 at Reunion 2025.
international leisure travel. Memorable non-business highlights of these trips include almost drowning in a riptide at Bondi Beach in Sydney and nearly falling into the Bosphorus in Istanbul as a gangplank gave way. The policy discussions are always lively and thought-provoking for my foreign counterparts and me. I am sure medieval monks arguing about angels dancing on the head of a pin felt the same. Sometimes, I can’t believe I get paid to do this. I am living in a quiet part of Washington, D.C. with my husband, Sultan, and two workfrom-home children. From time to time, I have a burst of great energy for tidying up our urban garden. Unfortunately, I have not yet got around to doing a spring cleanup and replacing plants that sadly died in our colder than usual winter. I nonetheless enjoyed spending time in our screened-in porch over the sweltering summer days, gazing into our unruly garden and watching fireflies in the gloaming. Ann Carter: Palmer and I are on a mission to complete some bucket list trips while we’re able, so off we went to the Galapagos and Peru. We saw a lot of unique fauna and flora, but the highlight was attending the baptism of our sole grandchild in Lima. Lola Jane is a joy for us all. It was great to have the family reunited for the first time since Charlie and Diana’s Dubrovnik wedding in 2022 with just immediate family. Allegra is thriving in Oakland doing lots of sailing and skiing. We are still loving life in Portland, OR, and despite the negative news coverage things are fine. We’ve moved downtown so we can enjoy concerts, theater, and Portland’s great dining scene just a short walk from our 21st-floor aerie. I was in touch with Candyce Keller Dormer, who lost her 90-something-year-old mother recently. We chuckled that the bridge club which was the social nucleus in Colusa is now back together and having fun playing cards. Joyce Keller was the last survivor. Kit Charles: I decided to move permanently to France after many years working in the field in Africa, notably Tanzania, Ethiopia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. I still remain engaged in working with SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), especially women and youth starting new businesses to help them obtain access to finance and coaching. I have worked closely with banks and development partners to create innovative, inclusive finance packages. This career has allowed me to facilitate qualitative change in people’s lives working with diverse stakeholders. I remain passionate about the future of the emerging middle class in Africa and am attempting to raise finance to support these worthy initiatives. On a personal front, it was sad to lose my sister, Susan Collins ’68, over the holidays. Her celebration of life took place in San Francisco at the Log Cabin and was a superb memorial. Life in Europe suits me well, and I still play tennis and intend to write a book about these superb escapades on the dark continent. Please come visit anytime. I have extremely fond memories of our days at Catalina! Hilary Wickersham Clark: I have three kids who are doing great and seven
grandchildren—shockingly six girls out of the seven. My grandson has a photographic memory, and after being in a history bee and spelling bee, he made it to the nationals in Orlando. I play bridge constantly and still like cooking. Sheila Cooley: I have been the class correspondent for all of 1.5 days, but am amazed at the response to the last-minute plea I sent out. A surprising number responded from out of the country, so thank you for taking some time on your vacation to inform us. What I have learned in reading the responses is that some women have very interesting volunteer work adding to their lives; those who have grandchildren are enjoying them immensely; and we are entering the joint replacement time of our lives. Ann Carter may have been the trailblazer in this area, but several of us also have had two joints replaced, and I suspect that the individual replacement number is quite high. Reminds me of the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” There is a concept in Chinese culture called Golden Birthdays, when the age you are turning matches the year you were born, such as when a person turns 25 in 2025. Ann pointed out that many of us, from the Class of 1971, are 71 at some point this year. I wonder if there is a name for this occurrence? Life is good in Rhode Island. Surprisingly, after having raised all my kids on the East Coast and two of them having gone to grad school in California, all three are or shortly will be Midwesterners. With all the colleges in the U.S., both my son (anthropology) and son-in-law (film production) ended up teaching at the University of Chicago. When I am not recovering from joint replacements, Mark and I have done lots of cross-country skiing in Scandinavia and biking in lots of places, such as Cambodia and Tanzania. The highlight of June was taking our grandson camping for two weeks in the Southwest, including the Grand Canyon and river rafting on the San Juan River. Erica Sullivan Fuller: Walter and I are still in Foster City, CA, and see local classmates as often as we can. Our older son Marc is married and they moved to Sun Valley during Covid; we have a wonderful grandson, Charlie, and we try to get together every two months. Our younger son, Ian, has been living in London for the past five years, which is a wonderful excuse to go there. Walter turned 80 in February; we’re blessed to be healthy. Life is good. Julie Garcia: I was really disappointed that we weren’t able to meet up in 2021, but I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in 2026. Though retired, I’m staying busy buying and selling rental units in Redding, CA. Most of the time it’s fun and not too much work. Plus, it’s gratifying to have people move into nice housing. Trying to do a bit of traveling, mostly within the States, but last fall we went to the Czech Republic and Austria. Snow and pouring rain in September, but other than that, we had a great time. Still following my SF Giants. It’s about a four-hour drive but worth it when they win! Last August, Stephanie and I moved into our new home after 38 years living the country life. I kind of like this city lifestyle: walk to tennis, bike ride to the store, restaurants, etc. Plus, I can mow the lawn in 10 minutes! It’s great hearing what our classmates are up
to. Lisa Coniglio Kaufmann: I am having a wonderful life here in Carmel. I live next door to my dear sister Cara Coniglio Mia ’70 and up the street from my brother Phil in the dream house that my husband, Mark, built for me. We have two wonderful boys who live in Saratoga, CA, and Las Vegas. We are both retired and loving a great life traveling and just enjoying being in our wonderful home in this wonderful place. I hope to be at our 55th reunion and to see you there. Kate McInerny: I just became a grandmother for the first time! My daughter, Clare Johnson, and her partner, Joe Orlich, have brought forth a baby boy, Boe Anthony Johnson-Orlich. Over the moon! Clare is a cardiac care nurse at Sutter Alta Bates and Joe is in software administration. He was coxswain of the Cal rowing team! I’m still in Jacksonville, OR, helping my partner, Cary Stansbury, with his tennis ranch, Wood Racquet Ranch. I also volunteer to get out the vote, collect donations for our local food bank, and herd around four pets. Fun fact: Our sophomore year history teacher, Caroline Harris Henderson ’61, lives just a few blocks from me and we see each other often. Love to all. Carol Hamerly Moses: It is so nice to hear what everyone is doing! I am happy, healthy, and really enjoying life. Hopefully I will be completely retired by the end of this year. Retirement is a process that I did not fully understand until recently. Sigh. When not working, I serve on three nonprofit boards that involve protecting the environment (specifically the San Joaquin River) and the arts in Madera County. I continue to love to ski, hike, and backpack. This August I will do a thru-hike from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney, which is a dream come true! I am also in the throes of a complete remodel of my Yosemite home (wish I had a contractor’s license…no, not really). Rand and I have been on a few cruises to Europe (we find the crossings to be super relaxing and enjoyable). We will be spending Thanksgiving on a cruise originating in Portugal. Next year we are sailing to Alaska and then on to Japan. I am dogless at the moment (not for much longer) but find myself owned by three feral cats. Next year is our reunion year; hopefully there will be no pandemic and nothing in our way of getting together! Angela Nomellini: Since Ken retired at the end of 2014 we’ve been doing a lot of traveling. When we were no longer tied to the Bay Area, we decided to try something different and moved to Scottsdale, AZ.
Angela Nomellini ’71 and her fish.
Very hot during the summer! However, we do have a lovely home abutting the Tonto National Forest in the golfing community of Desert Mountain. The thought was that since we golfed a lot on vacation in Hawai’i, we’d of course do a lot in retirement. It turns out that we travel so much that when we are home we are doing homeowner things and have only golfed four times, and then only because we had company. A lot of travel revolves around our home in Maui, acquired during the pandemic as a refuge where outdoor living was safe and comfortable, and to a lesser extent, our home in Montana. Ken takes me catching once a year in Alaska for rainbow trout. He says it doesn’t really qualify as fishing because there are so many, but that’s what I like about it! We are doing part of the Camino de Santiago in Portugal this October. Somewhat recently we had a river cruise in Champagne and a trip to the Antarctic: all penguins all the time. The scenery, especially the icebergs, was fantastical. We also went to the Galapagos in July. The other thing that occupies my time is my volunteer work. I am a member of the The Nature Conservancy North America cabinet. We’ve had many interesting trips, such as to the Bahamas to look at coral restoration work; to Oklahoma to look at our buffalo restoration; and to Durango, CO, to discuss the many issues around the Colorado River. We met with the local Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nation leaders and saw some river restoration work in the canyon on the Mancos River. Another highlight was seeing Chimney Rock and Ship Rock in person having read many Tony Hillerman mysteries (Dark Winds on TV). My other volunteer passion is education, and I continue to be involved with the Stanford Graduate School of Education as a member of the advisory council. I’m also on the board of the East Palo Alto Academy Foundation, which provides extra support for the East Palo Alto Academy. Linda Perelli-Minetti Weber: After 30 years in Pasadena, Michael and I moved to Monterey and it felt like coming home. In between volunteering at the aquarium, Peace of Mind Dog Rescue and Christ Child Society of Monterey Bay, I work at Pottery Barn to keep myself out of trouble. We have traveled a bit; England and Ireland, Italy for our daughter’s wedding, and recently Sayulita. More travel is on the horizon. We recently visited our daughter, Tricia Weber Ortega ’01, and her lovely family in Pasadena. We joined our grandson at Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School for Grandparents Day. Our sons, James and Ryan, moved north with us and we see them often. We are very dull and boring. I love it! Kitty Blair Rible: Greetings from Japan. Since moving to the Carson Valley in Nevada in 2016 and our retirements, we have been traveling as much as we can, checking off bucket list items: Amazon, Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu, Galapagos, Easter Island, Robinson Crusoe Island, Pitcairn Island, Samoas, Fiji, Angkor Wat, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Africa, Antarctica, Norwegian fjords, Eastern Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Panama Canal, and a
little bit of Spain and Portugal. We have been doing most of it cruising. Moving to Nevada has been the best thing. My older sisters live in Reno, and I have nephews and nieces there. We live in a wonderful neighborhood. I am in touch with Marty-Jo Demetras and she thinks we are nuts to be living in snow country. I am learning how to garden in our high desert environment. Have not been able to golf for a while, but I do go hiking in our beautiful mountains. DeDe Rogers: Steve and I are months away from our 42nd anniversary and still enjoying our lives together. He recently retired from his job in tech, and it’s a relief that the pressure is now off of him. My tech consulting business, Stay Home Connected, is still alive and well, although I am thinking of ramping it down. On the family side of
things, we have a 4-year-old granddaughter, Gracie, who is just a delight. Hearing her call me “Grandma” is even better than hearing our kids call me “Mom.” Sammie, Nate, and Grace are in the San Diego area. Our son Derek, living in NYC, got married in June. Our travels have taken us to some interesting places, including the Champagne region of France. Our New Year’s Eve group had a canal barge all to ourselves, and they even let Angela Nomellini and me steer it through a part of the canal. What a great experience, I highly recommend it. In addition to that, I seem to have been going on a speakeasy quest in New York, Las Vegas, here in the Bay Area, and the San Diego area. It’s a funny thing to do, and highly entertaining. I hope we have a 55th reunion. Those are so much fun, and as Sheila Cooley said, many of us have dropped Facebook and other social media. I wish everyone well, and hope to see you all in 2026. Lucy Harding Schumer: I’m still living in Middlebury, VT, with my husband, Pete. We have a son and fiancée nearby in South Burlington, and a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren in Albuquerque. Life is good. Family and friends are our first priorities, with fitness and travel close behind. Our current project is painting and furnishing a little house we bought in Albuquerque, just three doors away from our daughter. We look forward to splitting our time between Vermont and New Mexico and getting reacquainted with the Southwest. It’s wonderful hearing from folks after so long! Cri Cri Solak-Eastin: After 20 years in Pasadena, followed by almost 27 years on a beautiful vineyard ranch in Templeton (CA Central Coast), Rich and I are moving to Charlotte, NC. We’ve been spending part time there for the last seven years, and have decided to become full-time Charlotteans in time to welcome our second grandson, who is due in October. Our younger daughter, husband, and son live only a couple of miles away, which is a real treat; two boys under the age of 3 should be a fun circus! Our other daughter is sold on Houston, but that, too, is a quick trip to Charlotte. After rural life, we enjoy all that a city of Charlotte’s size can offer: excellent medical support, friendly neighbors, and an engaging church family, not to mention a vibrant culinary and cultural environment. Life is good!
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Suzanne S. Sederholt suzanne.scoville@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
1971 classmates DeDe Rogers and Angela Nomellini steer a boat through a French canal.
Kitty Rible ’71 with her husband, Justin.
Lucia Blair Webster lbwebster@comcast.net
It’s with deep sadness we report that on May 30, 2024, our dear classmate and friend Anne Sewell Thomson suffered a stroke, brain bleed, and subsequent heart attack. Then on September 16, we got this message: “Our beloved Anne, Mom, Super Señora, Mabs, and Auntie passed away early this morning. We love her forever and are forever grateful for the support of her wonderful, wonderful friends.” Sarah Haskell Greene sent this tribute: “What an ordeal she has been through since May. It sounds as though she has shown great courage and grace through it all. When I think of Anne I see her bright eyes and sweet smile, and I hear her laugh and wonderful Texas accent. She always seemed happy and positive at school, ready to find the humour in any situation. Anne’s family is beautiful. It is a comfort knowing that she is surrounded by so much love and affection which no doubt she has given to them over so many years.”
Ann Finnegan shared a photo from Anne’s 2023
Christmas card with her husband, Joe, and their five grandchildren. “I think it captures the essence of Anne’s beauty, spirit, and personality. Anne was my first roommate at Catalina, along with Barbara Smith O’Brien and Polly O’Melveny-Nelson in Rat Hole. I echo what everyone else has said about Sewell— smart, funny, athletic, focused, that smile, that Texas accent. And that she was not able to win this fight is heartbreaking.” Diane Hull Gansauer: I published a book, The Waypoints: From 400 Farewells and 3,000 Miles. It is about a spiritual adventure as well as a physical one that I completed, honoring 400 lives through life celebrations at the time I completed a hike from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. The insights overlapped and transformed me. One of our class, Jane King, has already submitted a review: “Diane’s book is excellent. It manages to be gentle and deeply soulful (not surprising) while also being an interesting page turner (also not surprising.)” It is odd that we have known each other since almost the beginning of our lives and now here we are. I come to the reunions partially because I feel deep pleasure in the ability of our class to retain its kindness. Lucia Blair Webster: I am studying to be a health coach, with 90-minute Zoom calls three days a week, so I’m pretty busy. Susan Work Ward: Our hilarious and irreplaceable Marian Miller Stilz asked me to share with all of you an update on her life. After experiencing abnormalities with walking, talking, and a general malaise over the last nine months, she sought medical help. It was determined that she has ALS. She is in good medical hands at UCSF. She also has the support of her huge family and a large network of friends. It is indeed a bum break, but in her spirit of finding the humor in things, she told me it’s fitting that she should get Lou Gehrig’s disease, given her lifelong love of baseball. She’s a one-off, irreplaceable, laugh-a-minute member
of the Class of ’73. Colette Hirata: Here in Hawaii, the lava we are seeing on the big island is amazing! Come visit! Our Airbnbs are a safe 80 miles away. World peace one mind at a time.
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Sally Fay calgal75@aol.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Meggan Laxalt Mackey mackey.dm@gmail.com
Our Class of 1975 notes for this edition of the Bulletin fall on the heels of our recent 50th reunion. Our deepest appreciation goes to Santa Catalina School for building a foundation from which we have all grown. Though our experiences were diverse during our formative years at the school, our collective strength rests in the relationships that remain strong—50 years later! The class expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have a private dinner at the Hacienda just for us. Special thanks to Adrienne Harris ’98, Santa Catalina’s Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations, for her significant Reunion planning efforts, including this very special class dinner. Thanks are also hugely due to Tracy Miller Hass, Cecily Marble Hintzen,
Anne Sewell Thomson ’73 with her husband and grandchildren in her last christmas card.
Anne Sewell Thomson ’73 and Ann Finnegan ’73 with other Catalina girls.
Members of the class of ’73 celebrating their 70th birthdays together in Palm Springs.
Adrienne Morphy Ladd, and many ’75 classmates who provided ideas and help along the way to make our gathering meaningful and memorable. Our post-reunion Zoom was another effort to continue reconnecting with one another. How fortunate and thankful we all are! Tracy took us down memory lane with these few comments about the Class of 1975: Out of 85 classmates, nine are gone. “Rules were not meant for us.” When we were at Santa Catalina, there were no cellphones or Amazon. Our collective memories included: day students and boarders, Senior Ditch Day, gallons of ice cream, laughing (so much), Carmel Beach, Med Market, See’s Candies and Swenson’s, Mass in the Chapel, raiding the kitchen (and leaving a few things behind—ahem, Cecily), Father-Daughter Weekends, RLS, Thacher boys, Godspell. To give us a class lyric forever to remember: Captain & Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together.” So true. Lisa McLaughlin Barry: After 24 years at the same surgery center, I finally had my last day in January. Retirement feels good, although I do miss my coworkers. Our 50th Reunion was fabulous! As usual, we all seemed to pick up right where we left off. I met the head of the school, Barbara Ostos, and she is a delight. One person who was dearly missed was Meg Laxalt Mackey! After so much work organizing and emailing everyone, it was a shame she couldn’t make it. Diana Oliver Bartley: Reunion was a great weekend. I’m so glad I flew out for it—always nice to have a break from London, which really is the best city in the world in which to live! Dryden Branson Bordin: Over the last five reunions, I have connected with various groups of classmates who have been able to attend. Each weekend has been time for walks down memory lane. Our 50th Reunion was a beautiful discovery for me: that true friends may grow separately without growing apart. I found myself making new memories, while reliving the past ones with classmates who attended the Lower School with
me: Annette Leach Alcocer, Irene Blackwood Moulton, Alia Agha, Eve Anderson Bergez, and Mary McGuire Alessini (who was in town for her mother’s memorial service). For those of us who attended Santa Catalina for 12 years, we realized it was a magical time to be treasured. The school was a home, a sanctuary, and a second family. Reigniting memories does the same to friendships. Thank you to our alma mater for making our reconnections possible. Adrienne Morphy Ladd: Thank you to so many of you who expressed their condolences on the passing of my husband in early January. Those connections really help during this time. It was definitely a rough start to the year, and it felt good and familiar seeing classmates at the 50th Reunion. Loved sitting with Lisa McLaughlin Barry, Elizabeth Leach, Nancy Williams Shea, Tracy Miller Hass, Sarah Colmery Preston, Jeannie Jagels Vaughn, Frances Hartwell, and Diana Oliver Bartley at the Friday night dinner. I’m looking forward to a few trips later this year with friends and family. My son Joseph lives in Brooklyn, so a trip to NYC will be on the calendar. In between, I have a vegetable garden to tend: potatoes, Swiss chard, lettuce, strawberries, beets, herbs, broccoli, and more! Thanks again for a memorable reunion. Meg Laxalt Mackey: My husband, Dennis, and I are on to another adventure. When you read this, we will have moved to Vancouver, WA. After 38 years in Boise and 30 years in Nevada, this will be a big change. Most importantly, it will be a chance to live very close to my daughter, Erin, who lives in Vancouver. I will continue to design books and do other graphic design/writing work under my Studio M business. Of course, I will always remain committed to many Basque history and cultural projects in the U.S. and abroad. To paraphrase Tim McGraw, here’s to taking a little of each other everywhere with us—for many years into
the future. Jeannie Jagels Vaughn: I am so lucky to have two grandsons in New York City. We bought a small place there so that we can see them as they grow. California is still our home, however, and the drive that Sarah Colmery Preston and I took to Reunion only made me love California even more. Jeanne Vibert Sloane suggested we stop and see the mission in San Miguel. By her expert opinion, it is the best-preserved mission. She was right! The reunion was lovely! The school is in excellent hands with Dr. Barbara Ostos, the new head of school. The performance of Hadestown was so good! I was astounded. Seeing everyone was very moving, though many of our class was not there. Adrienne Morphy Ladd, Tracy Miller Hass, Meg Laxalt Mackey, and Cecily Marble Hintzen all worked hard to make it a memorable reunion. Cecily’s video was excellent and very emotional. My favorite fact about Santa Catalina—an all-girls Catholic school—is that the mascot is a cougar. I got one for my 3-year-old grandson just so I could say, “Peter, your grandmother is a Cougar!”
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Margaret Ganz itstartsat50@hotmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Julie Power Pantiskas
juliepantiskas@gmail.com
Stephanie Leach Decker: I moved to Castle Pines, CO, recently to be near my growing family: a granddaughter and grandson! I look forward to our 50th reunion (not too far off) and would love to gather with anyone in or coming through Denver.
The Class of 1975 at Reunion 2025.
Stephanie Leach Decker ’77 and her grandson.
I’ve been in touch with Dagmar Sullivan and Annette Fulstone. Camilla Umi La Mer (Victoria Woodward): I share sad news that my daughter, Caroline Letitia DeLoreto, died of lung cancer in June 2024. She was a mighty force, and no, she never smoked. I was so fortunate to spend her
Umi La Mer (Victoria Woodward) ’77 with her late daughter, Caroline.
last months with her in Vermont with her loving husband. Paula Opperman Mackintosh: I am living just north of San Diego. I am retired and have two grandchildren. They live in Scottsdale, AZ, so not too far. They’re growing up way too fast! Lisa Bozzo Orlandini: I became a grandmother last year in February. Julie Power Pantiskas: This was the year that several of us became grandparents. I too became a grandmother last fall. My daughter Lauren and her husband, Aaron, welcomed a baby boy. I am treasuring every moment possible being a grandmother. Best job ever! We went to the Netherlands for two weeks to celebrate my daughter Megan’s 30th birthday. I hope to see everyone at our 50th reunion! It’s only two years away, so mark those calendars now. Sandi Fleishhacker Randall: I have welcomed a wonderful granddaughter! Gabriella “Gabby” Randall arrived five weeks early on the 4th of July, 2024. She’s doing well, and Nana gets to babysit as much as she can! They are moving to Illinois in May, so I’ll have to get many frequent flier miles to visit. I keep myself busy by volunteering with Jewish Family Services, both in the food pantry and as a receptionist. It’s my 10th year and I really enjoy the clients and other volunteers. In June 2024, Mark and I celebrated 40 years of marriage. My mother is now 92 years old, and I try to visit her as much as possible.
78 Elizabeth Stelow DiNunzio liz@dinunzio.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Deirdre Smith dsmith7123@ sbcglobal.net
Deirdre Smith: It has been a quiet news season, classmates, so I am going to provide a couple of personal items: I communicated with Yuwadee Chawawatnapong back in March of this year when Thailand/Myanmar experienced the massive and destructive earthquake. She told me that her home was unaffected and that she was fine. I was glad to hear this, as I’m certain you are. When passing through San Luis Obispo in October of last year I texted Grace Tietje and told her I was thinking of her; I had to travel quickly up to Carmel for a memorial service. She so kindly invited me to her lovely home on my return and was such a warm and welcoming host. It was a pleasure to see her after all these years, and I know she welcomes to hear from any of you who may be similarly passing through. It was a disappointment not to be able to visit the Catalina campus during my brief visit on the Peninsula; however, seeing Grace on the way home was a gift and made my trip memorable. Please let me know if you would be interested in joining classmates at some point in the future for a mini weekend reunion in the San Luis Obispo or San Diego area, and we just may be able to plan it. Email me and enter “reunion” in your subject line. If you did not receive an email from me requesting your Class Notes submission, please contact me to either have me add you to the school database or edit your email on file. If you are in touch with a classmate that would like to be added, please do encourage them to reach out to me. Until we meet again, take good care.
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Dana DePuy Morgan danamorgan@mac.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Lil McDonald Manthoulis maria.manthoulis@gmail.com
Monica Stewart Montoya moniker1963@aol.com
Monica Stewart Baker: This past year has brought changes to my family. We lost my dad but gained our first grandson, Baker Jack Kane. I am looking forward to seeing as many of us as possible at our upcoming reunion in March 2026. Janet Fergusson Leighton: I am happy to share that my family welcomed our first granddaughter, Amelia. She is a blessing. Lil McDonald Manthoulis: I am keeping myself busy with my youngest, who graduated from Stevenson in May. My middle child is at UC Davis and my oldest is working and living the dream in Santa Monica.
The Class of 1980 at Reunion 2025
Camilla
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Mindy Malisoff Baggett mbaggett@cox.net
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Patty Cerisola-Mansi pcerisolamansi@gmail.com
Patty Cerisola-Mansi: My husband, Flavio, and I moved back to Mexico City from New Jersey. I was sad to leave NJ after almost 10 years, but I have to say that life in Mexico has its benefits—namely,
Patty Cerisola-Mansi ’83 with her husband and son.
friends and family, but also so much to do, see, and discover in this chaotic but thriving metropolis! We are splitting our time between Mexico and San Antonio, where my parents spend most of their time. My sister Andrea Cerisola ’85, a talented painter, and her husband live in Mexico City, and we enjoy getting together often. My sister Francesca Cerisola ’89 still lives just outside of Basel, Switzerland, with her family. We three sisters were fortunate to get together this past spring in Mexico City and in San Antonio, which was very special, as it doesn’t happen often. My son Flavio graduated from Santa Clara University in June and will be moving to Dallas for work. I have been lucky this spring to travel a couple of times to California, where I got to see Gretchen Mueller Burke in Carmel, and where I had a very nice visit on campus with Sister Claire and Sister Christine. My two Flavios and I had a fun and lovely dinner
with Mimi Gorin Domke and her husband in Los Gatos. Flavio and I will spend the next year in Washington, D.C., where he’ll be teaching a class at George Washington University. This is a new and exciting chapter for us! This is a big year for our class, as most are turning 60! Hoping everyone is doing well—looking forward to opportunities to see each other and celebrate! Tara Davey-Rosa: We moved from Westfield to Spring Lake, NJ, this year. I am still managing nonprofits and working from home, but Joe still works in Morristown, NJ, and NYC so we kept an apartment in Westfield to help his commute. My daughter is getting married this September in Lake Placid, NY. Our first family wedding, so it has been very fun to plan. She lives in Seattle now but plans to move back to the NY area within the year. My older son works here in NJ and my youngest is living and working in Manhattan. Joe and I went to Ireland to celebrate his 60th. We went to the Adare Manor so he could play golf. My 60th is this summer so I’m thinking of where I want to go. I am very happy to take a trip and avoid a party. Let me know if you have any suggestions! My mother is still in Carmel Valley, so I was out in Monterey visiting. I love it there and am so happy to have an excuse to get there often.
Kellen Flanigan: I turned 60 in March. Crazy stuff. My kids flew in and the grandkids were all there. Randy and I gutted a home in Reno and settled in last year. My mom turned 85, so there were several occasions to celebrate. Kristen Fletter Franz: I celebrated my 60th hiking the north island in New Zealand. My sister Debra Fletter ’85 and I continue to manage our family real estate company. For “fun” I am a Bible Study Fellowship leader, and I lead retreats for Kairos Prison Ministry International. I have recently moved to Shingle Springs, CA, and I live around the corner from Chrissey Mathews Redline. All the glory to God for His continued protection and provision. Jessica Girard: I am finishing my fourth year teaching and will be teaching first grade again next year at the same sweet little public school very close to home. Our kids are doing well: Ingrid is still living in Seattle and teaching little ones, too. Truitt just started a
job in Brian’s company, and we love having him here with us. Brian and I celebrated 36 years of marriage by taking a Viking cruise to Hungary, Austria, and Germany in June. Then in August we’ll celebrate my 60th spending a week with our family in Carmel. Anastasia Cronin McNabb: My husband, Greg, retired at the end of 2024 and we’ve enjoyed a grand year of travel—three weeks in Thailand in January to visit our son Greg and his beautiful girlfriend, a West Indies cruise with friends in February, and Tucson in early March. Then I spent two months with my mama and we finally came up with a wonderful caregiving situation. Had three weeks at home in Fort Wayne, IN, and then back in California with my husband for a month! People ask how he is liking retirement, and I tell them about his perpetual grin. It was also a year of weddings, with two in Fort Wayne in May, one in Santa Barbara in June (we were joined by our son Tommy and his darling girlfriend, who live in Honolulu, where he is a high school math teacher) and one in Colorado in August. I imagine 2026 will not be as busy, but we are up for the adventures! Chrissey Mathews Redline: I have just finished my 27th year teaching in Elk Grove, CA. I am officially retired after 30 years of teaching. I look forward to spending my days gardening with my husband, Bill. Lucky to have Kristen Fletter Franz living close by. My three children are grown and living their best lives in Reno. Michelle Rutherford: Well, a lot has happened in my life over the last five years. I got divorced in 2021, retired on April 25, 2025, and moved to Houston with my mom. It is great. It will take me some time to get used to the weather, but that will come. I’m so excited for what this new chapter of my life has in store for me. We headed to Italy for the first two weeks of June with family. If you or anyone is in the Houston area, please let me know—would love to catch up with you all.
Kellen Flanigan ’83 with her husband and grandkids.
Kristen Fletter Franz ’83 with her son Daniel and daughter Rachel.
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Julie Moore Delany julie@bushwire.net
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Krysia Belza 1985@krysiabelza.com
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Meg Gibbons Bertero megbertero@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Susan Smith Nixon snixon@starbucks.com
China Flanigan: Hi, Catalina seesters. I got married to a wonderful woman named Laurie. We had a small wedding in Omaha with the nearest and dearest who wanted to spend an October in Nebraska. Mia Wigmore was there, and the
officiant was my lovely niece and goddaughter, Kenly Flanigan ’09. My children, Lily and Pierce, walked me down the aisle. It was a perfect day. I’ve been teaching and working on my therapeutic riding instructor credentials here in Colorado at a wonderful nonprofit organization. While I’d never have anticipated teaching anything to anyone, I’ve found a lot of gratification in helping people with disabilities. I love being around horses again, and I get to do it in a beautiful setting with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. It’s hard to complain about that. Joanna Fung: 2024 was my year of “yes” to all things celebratory—a birthday bash in Sweden, our 30th wedding anniversary in Copenhagen, a friend’s wedding in Scotland, and a 10-day hike doing the ancient Nakasendo Way in Japan; we stayed in 300-year-old ryokans frequented by Shoguns where management passed down the female line! I highly recommend anyone interested to check out Walk Japan trips. Then the kids came back home to Hong Kong for Christmas break. I think they really came home to see the dog and to have Chinese food. Our eldest is an aspiring playwright/theatre maker in London (read: struggling artist), our second graduated from Columbia’s Climate School in New York, and our third will be a junior at Dartmouth. My husband retired this year, so we will undoubtedly spend some time in Boston/Cambridge visiting his side of the family. If anyone is coming through Hong Kong, please let me know! Sylvia Estrada Hellmund: We
are going on our 17th year in Key Biscayne, FL. My son, Sebastian, is 22, and completed his fourth year at Northeastern University. He studied architecture and is very happy in Boston. We are ecstatic that he’s coming home this summer and staying with us through December. He got offered an internship in an architectural firm in Miami Beach. My daughter, Natasha, will be a sophomore in high school and is looking forward to her next year at Palmer Trinity School. We spent last summer traveling and were lucky enough to go to Tanzania on safari. What an amazing family trip! I highly recommend it. My husband, Carlos, was able to hike and summit Kilimanjaro. It was one of the most difficult challenges he has ever encountered, both physically and mentally. We are all so proud of him! In 2023 I got together with a few girls from our class. It was great to see everyone. I also had dinner with Meg Campbell Kingsland, Monique Chamlian Wright, and Katie Graham Devine in Woodside, CA, when I took my daughter to summer camp at Catalina. She enjoyed her two weeks there and made many new friends, but she still doesn’t seem to understand how I lived there for four years. I also visited with Katie Hunt Smith and her family in London. I wasn’t able to go to our last reunion, but I look forward to going to our 40th! Christian Hines Lilly: Our family took a trip to London at Christmas and we had a beautiful dinner with Carter Hachman Jackson and her family! It was so wonderful to catch up over the holidays and see the beautiful lights. Carter planned a beautiful evening for us! Shannon McClennahan: My husband and I moved to downtown Chicago from the D.C. area in August 2020 with our two kids. Our son, Mitch, will be a junior at Latin School of Chicago, and our daughter, Maddie, has autism
The Class of 1985 at Reunion 2025.
China Flanigan ’87 at her wedding.
Christian Hines Lilly ’87 enjoyed a Christmas dinner in London with Carter Hachman Jackson ’87 and their families.
Susan Smith Nixon ’87 and daughter Audrey Nixon ’19.
and is living at home and attending community college in Chicago. Susan Smith Nixon: I am loving life in Austin, TX! While Audrey Nixon ’19 is close by in San Antonio, I continue to support Starbucks in downtown Austin and support many projects with the community and nonprofits. Audrey graduated last year from Ringling College of Art and Design specializing in motion design. She was recruited and hired before graduating. Proud mom! I continue my love for long-distance triathlons. I have competed in the World Championship 70.3 and World Championship Hawaii. I enjoy the physical and mental strength of triathlons and the camaraderie of our team. I look forward to seeing everyone at our next reunion! Monique Chamlian Wright: I wanted to pass along a note about my dad’s passing this past year. He (and my mom) were such proponents of education, and my sister, Yvette Chamlian Richmond ’84, and I were the fortunate beneficiaries of being Catalina students. He so loved those years and sharing that special time with all of our friends and their families. Love to all of you.
Chamlian Wright ’87 shares this photo from Father-Daughter Weekend in honor of her late father.
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Jennifer Pratt
curgie615@earthlink.net
We publish notes for each class once a year—oddnumbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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The class of 1989 is without a class correspondent. To volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way, please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations.
Rebecca Khamneipur Morrison: My big news is I wrote a novel, The Blue Dress, based on my childhood as an Iranian immigrant struggling with body issues and trying to fit into my new homeland, and sold it to Macmillan’s imprint FSG. It’s coming out March 2026. My oldest son, Max,
is at Northeastern, and my youngest, Leo, is off to NYU in September. Empty nesting, here we come! Last year, Bridget Callaghan Zaro and Kim Rudas Goerlitz came to visit me on the East Coast, and we had a blast. We spent lots of time telling stories of Catalina—funny, joyful, hard, sad, and everything in between. I visited Ninive Clements Calegari and Kim Meek in San Francisco this past February. We had such a great time catching up. Then, a few weeks later, Bridget and her daughter, Aubine, came and spent time with me, which was so much fun.
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Amy Bacon Clausing amyclausing@me.com
Marita Quint Bruni: This past year had its highs and lows, but overall, feeling really thankful. I turned 50 (now 51!)—I’m not sure where the time went. Our daughter, Addi, started her freshman year at Menlo School and hit the ground running. She played both varsity flag football and soccer (as a freshman!) and is still going strong with her club soccer team. Mason will be in seventh grade at Hillbrook and also spends most of his time playing soccer—so Dave and I have basically become full-time chauffeurs. We were lucky to do a bit of traveling, and the standout for me was a last-minute trip to Paris with girlfriends. It was spontaneous, joy-filled, and just what I needed— croissants, conversations, and champagne. On a more serious note, I had surgery in November to remove my thyroid due to Graves’ disease, and they found cancerous nodules. Thankfully, they were caught early and taken out. I’m so grateful for the amazing care I received and especially for my dear friend Jeannie Clancy, who stayed with me in the hospital and made sure I had everything I needed (and then some). Total rockstar and a huge comfort during a tough time. I am currently the South Bay alumnae chair—keep an eye out for upcoming
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Sarah Lewis Boyle boyledesign831@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
1991 classmates Amy Bacon Clausing, Ali Morey Garrett, and Monica Duflock meet up frequently in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Cammie Calcagno Newell ’91 and Amy Bacon Clausing ’91 in New York City in May.
Monique
Bridget Callaghan Zaro ’89 and Kim Rudas Goerlitz ’89 visit Rebecca Khamneipur Morrison ’89 on the East Coast.
The Class of 1990 at Reunion 2025.
events in the area! Amy Bacon Clausing: I’ve been living in San Mateo, CA, with my husband, Paul, and son, PJ (16), and our two dogs. I just celebrated my four-year anniversary at Qualified, where I run Events. PJ will be a junior at Saint Ignatius in San Francisco and is an avid golfer. I have had the chance to catch up more frequently with Ali Morey Garrett and Monica Duflock. We try to meet up at least every couple of months for a hike (cough: long walk!) or dinner. And I recently met up with Cammie Calcagno Newell and her son Colin in New York, where Colin attends college. Yolanda Orrantia Coppel: I know I have not been very informative about my life for quite some time, so here is a brief summary: I have been living in San Diego (La Jolla) since 2016 with my two children
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from my first marriage (Victor, 20, and Raquel, 18) and my husband, Silverio Tessada, and his two children (Paulina, 22, and Emilio, 15). My son will be a junior at Loyola Marymount University in L.A. and my daughter will go there in the fall also. I am a docent at the San Diego Museum of Art, where I am also on the board of trustees. Monica Duflock: Two of my boys are in college in Texas and the majority of my equine competitions are there, so it makes visiting them very easy and fun! One is at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and the second is at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, and they probably see more of me than they had planned on when they left for college! My youngest son will be a senior in high school, so it’s just a minute before he, too, is off. We still live in Marin, CA, and I am down at our family ranch quite a bit to help where I can and of course visit my mom. We took a family trip to Italy this summer. Scattered throughout my schedule are my horse shows, and I am still loving every minute of riding and competing. With our kids getting older, it’s been wonderful to see more of my Bay Area girlfriends, Ali Morey Garrett and Amy Bacon Clausing, for dinners in the city and walks through the Presidio. Looking forward to more visits with my Catalina girls. Christina Hu Ho: I took my daughter Jaclyn to a Catalina reception in Hong Kong last November. Really enjoyed meeting with Dr. Barbara Ostos and Board Chair Laura Lyon ’88, hearing the updates on campus, and catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Hillary Meek: My dog Ace and I are still up in Bellevue, WA, while Holden wrapped up their third year at University of Washington. This summer Holden headed to Japan for a study abroad program, so we’re all very
excited and proud they were accepted! Jeanne Brown Brollier: I’m still living in Charleston, SC (15 years now), and enjoying the slower-paced life—although we are having a huge growth spurt and seeing a lot of Californians moving here! My oldest son is at the University of Kentucky studying business. He is enjoying growing up and learning to be on his own. I have a 15-year-old son who is thriving and investing in the stock market. He is learning the long game. My youngest son will be a freshman and is a talented artist and very much into vinyl records. My husband and I enjoy playing a lot of tennis, and are settling into an early retirement. I hope everyone is doing well!
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Susan Lee
leesusan2001@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Sarah Brown goforth345@gmail.com
Galen Johnson galen.a.johnson@gmail.com
Sarah Goforth Brown: I’m teaching middle school science in Templeton, CA, and enjoyed having my son in class this year for a period! When I’m not busy with school, I have been taking dance lessons and enjoying ballroom and salsa. Come join me if you’re in the area! My middle daughter is heading to Reed College in Portland next year and I’m looking forward to exploring that area during visits. It has been a good year. Wishing a happy 50th to everyone, if you haven’t celebrated already!
Catherine MacDonald Christian: I’m the chief brand officer at Solidaritus Health, a concierge-style primary care chain mostly serving labor union members. I oversee real estate, health center design and construction, and marketing. My kids are both in college and doing well—Corinne Christian ’20 switched majors her senior year (better than halfway through med school, I guess?) and transferred from Willamette University to Oregon State. Izzy will be a sophomore planning to major in graphic design and is getting her requirements out of the way at junior college before transferring. I celebrated Cedra Ginsberg Goldman’s successful dissertation defense with her this past December by going on a girls’ trip to Cabo San Lucas. We had a blast! Maddy Daniels-Rienecker: I had a great 50th celebration in Nicaragua, and so far my 50th year has been wonderful. I feel healthier than I have ever felt. I still teach indoor cycle/spin classes in the Monterey
Christina Hu Ho ’91 and her daughter Jaclyn (a Summer at Santa Catalina camper) with Jamie Buffington Browne ’85 at a Catalina reception in Hong Kong in 2024.
Yolanda Orrantia Coppel
with her family.
Catherine MacDonald Christian ’93 and Cedra Ginsberg Goldman ’93 celebrating Cedra’s successful dissertation defense in Cabo San Lucas.
Sarah Goforth Brown ’93 with her son.
area, including at a brand new gym that my friend opened in Seaside called Crush Cycling. I am one of the pioneer instructors at this new and exciting indoor cycle gym. If you are local, please come take your first class for free. We have a few Catalina alumnae who are members already! Furthermore, I continue to work as a property manager for my family properties. My son David is already 24 and is pursuing engineering and building his own professional experience with drone technologies. Della, my daughter, is 16 and driving herself everywhere while she excels in volleyball at a very competitive level and is going into her junior year at Monterey High School. My husband, Erich, is still at MBARI and has recently become one of the ROV pilots there. He’s very happy with his new responsibilities. Kelly Neary Djokovic: Enjoying Colorado life! My husband has settled into “retirement” and honing his skills in his music studio. We’ve had fun entertaining musicians at the house for writers workshops and recording albums. It keeps us very busy! We’ve been traveling to Nashville more and more. Who knows, we might just take residence there! Sadly we didn’t ski this winter, but we were so excited to enjoy our pool, hiking, and golf this summer. Spent my Big 50 with friends and family in June. Speaking of 50, it was so much fun to help Stacy Henderson Faber Mellon celebrate her birthday in December. We also had a lovely time when she visited CO in November.
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Audra Henry audrahenry7@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Leah Kinsella leahmsk@gmail.com
Caitie Ryan Balagtas: This year has been a gradual wrap-up of my work as a sustainability and biophilic design consultant at the Merdeka 118 tower in Malaysia and the PDX Airport in Portland, OR—I encourage everyone to travel through the PDX airport!—marking the beginning of a new and unknown phase in my career. I continue to split my time between New York/New Jersey and the Philippines, and have been fortunate to enjoy regular chats with Chelsea Shofner Dow and periodic meet-ups with Leah Kinsella and Danielle Huthart in NYC. These days I’ve also been watching too many K-dramas and don’t do enough art or exercise, but I intend to find balance once again. Wishing you all balance in your own quest for health, joy, and happiness. Gretchen Carter Christensen: Our family is busy with our children and our church. I homeschool our four children. Our church just acquired property, and we are looking forward to building in the coming years. We enjoy life in the Pacific Northwest with so many activities and nature
close by. I was able to visit with Chrissy Barnett Miller last year and was so happy to see her thriving in the D.C. area. I was sad to miss the reunion but am looking forward to connecting with classmates next time! Olivia Wright DarzellKarp: I’m still in Sacramento with my husband, Rich, and our daughter, Lorelei. I opened my own private practice in 2024, so I’ve been busy with the ins and outs of seeing clients and the day-to-day operations. I’m creating an innovative therapy protocol, Menopause-Informed Therapy, designed for women and couples navigating the menopausal transition and the physiological, psychological, and relational impacts. It’s been fulfilling and exciting, particularly as it aligns with my work as a couples therapist. I’m proud of our generation for breaking down the barriers in this conversation
Kelly Neary Djokovic ’93 and Stacy Henderson Faber Mellon ’93 celebrate Stacy’s 50th birthday.
Maddy Daniels-Rienecker ’93 at Tree Casa Resort in Nicaragua celebrating her 50th birthday with friends from San Francisco.
The Class of 1995 at Reunion 2025.
Gretchen Carter Christensen ’95 and her family.
and feel privileged to be able to contribute to the continued health, wellness, and empowerment of women in midlife and beyond! Our family has recently taken to centering vacations around college visits as our daughter enters her senior year. It’s as thrilling as it is nerve-wracking, and I’m still in denial that she’ll be leaving the nest soon. I had a fantastic time at the first Catalina Remix last year, and I encourage everyone who can to sign up for the next one; it was nostalgic and healing in a lot of ways. Chelsea Shofner Dow: I am still living in Northern Colorado after 16 years and loving it. This year, after my three high schoolers begged, I decided to become a substitute teacher, landing me in all grades K-12, and I absolutely adore it. I love being back in the classroom and around kids. It’s been very fulfilling. My twins have graduated high school and are headed to England and Connecticut in the fall, which brings big changes to our family.
Writing this with well wishes for all! Leah Kinsella: I currently live in New Jersey with my husband and 4-year-old son. We went camping this summer in Vermont, which my son was very excited about! Then we took our son to Ireland to meet his extended family. Professionally, I’ve been leading wellness seminars for Fortune 500 companies like Morgan Stanley and UBS in Manhattan. It has been a treat to reconnect with Danielle Huthart in NYC, and we get to see Catie Ryan Balagtas when she is not globe-trotting. Recently, Nicole Neary Hasheminejad was in the city, where we met in person. I got to see old classmates that I remembered as dear friends at the Remix event last year and it was such a wonderful experience. Elizabeth Lloyd: I am still enjoying living in Mexico City and running my company, OJO7, one of the leading consumer marketing companies in Latin America. It has been such an amazing journey building something from scratch in a different country and watching it grow and develop seven years later. I still take frequent trips to San Francisco, as it is nice being “home,” too. I am so grateful to have spent time with so many Catalina girls here in Mexico, like Annie Carrillo, Christina Jackson Peveto, Cecilia Coppel Calvo, Lourdes Cadena, Monica Machado, and Alejandra Jimenez Gutierrez ’94. I have had some guests come for multiple visits: Michelle Bachand-Gill and Teal Bates Taylor mostly; Molly Ney spent some time with me on the Oaxacan coast—so gorgeous. This summer, Francesco and I went to a wedding in Lithuania, then embarked on a cycling tour through the fjords of Norway. Would love to see any Catalinans in Mexico City or San Francisco. ¡Mi casa es tu casa!
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Andrea Pekin Lord alord316@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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The class of 1997 is without a class correspondent. To volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way, please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations.
Stephanie Melo DaSilva: It’s been such a joy reliving beloved Santa Catalina traditions these past four years with my daughter, Olivia DaSilva ’25. From Candlelight Mass to Ring Dinner, each moment has brought back such vivid memories and deepened my love for our Catalina community. Watching Olivia make her own mark here has been an incredible gift, one that filled me with pride, nostalgia, and so much gratitude.
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Laura Stenovec laurastenovec@gmail.com
Gina Anderson: Ariana Ebrahimian and I took a girls’ trip to Sedona, AZ, last September to celebrate 30 years of best friendship. We hiked, laughed, meditated, spa’d, explored, and laughed some more. It was a truly magical few days together! I’m also very happy to share that my husband, Ken, and I moved back to New York City this summer after six great years in Boston. I would absolutely love to reconnect with any Catalina girls in the area, or let me know if you’re passing through! Much love to my fellow ’99ers—it was amazing seeing so many of you at our 25th reunion! Lauren Larken Spees Scuderi: I live in Burlington, VT, with my husband, Stephen, and our 7-yearold daughter, Bella. I help create socially engaged theatre arts with an emphasis on the environment and safety in public spaces for everyone. This year I
Stephanie Melo DaSilva ’97 with sisters Valerie Melo Fantl ’99 and Natalie Melo Sclafani ’01 at her daughter Olivia DaSilva’s 2025 Catalina graduation.
Leah Kinsella ’95 and her family.
Olivia Wright Darzell-Karp ’95 and her daughter, Lorelei, at a tea party for the National Charity League.
produced, wrote the music, and starred in Broadway Bike Down, a Broadway show on bicycles in NYC promoting Broadway Linear Park, which will be an annual ongoing opportunity to make an impact on the livability of cities. Check out details at ArtEvolve.org. Laura Stenovec: I met up with Adrienne Partridge and Claudia De la Fuente in Paris in January 2025. Claudia is living in Geneva, Adrienne is living in Paris, and I’m still in Denver. It was a wonderful few days!
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Helena "Herbie" Brown helenarbrown@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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The Class of 2001 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations, to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way.
Astri Rahardja Angkasa: I just visited Santa Catalina School back in March. Went to see Sister Christine and Sister Claire, but foolishly forgot to take pictures with them. I do have a picture of me with Mrs. Monika Howell, Dr. Gerry Kapolka, Amy Azevedo Mulgrew ’02, and Barbara Ostos. I am looking forward to going to Hong Kong for Catalina’s 75th Jubilee Celebration. Updates about my personal life: I am busy with my two toddlers, as they can be a handful, but otherwise enjoying these precious moments because I know they don’t last. Looking forward to next year’s reunion. Kai Romero: I left my job as the chief medical officer of By the Bay Health in December 2024 to pivot into—you guessed it—tech. I think this is how my mid-life crisis is manifesting. I am still working clinically in hospice and palliative medicine, mostly on nights and weekends, but am now leading clinical success for a tech company that uses AI to read and summarize electronic medical records, among other things. You’d think it would make more money than my prior gig, but you’d be wrong. My kids are growing up, (2, 6, and 8) and I am grateful that I get the time to be near them. I feel worried about what it will be like raising a pre-teen in this wild world we live in, so if you have any pro tips, hook me up! Otherwise I’ll keep with my current strategy, which is to screech at them each time they search for sports highlight reels on YouTube, “Be careful because bad people are on YouTube!” And then to secretly watch drag queen makeup tutorials after they go to bed. Miss you all!
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Sasha Irving sasha.irving@gmail.com
Olivia Nilsson
olivianilsson@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Kelsey Hodgins hodginskelsey301@gmail.com
Alexandria Sutty alex.sutty@gmail.com
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Katherine Fruzynski katie.fruzynski@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
Gina Anderson ’99 and Ariana Ebrahimian ’99 celebrate 30 years of friendship on a trip to Sedona, AZ.
Lauren Larken Spees Scuderi ’99 leads the Broadway Bike Down in New York City.
The Class of 2000 at Reunion 2025.
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Madeline Callander madeline.callander@gmail.com
Holly Adams Easley: I just finished 18 months of ceramics classes and have about 15 pieces I’m proud of and three dozen lumpy (but functional) items that I’m foisting on friends and loved ones. My veggie garden is thriving, I’ve been sworn in as a CASA volunteer in my county, I’m transcribing an ancestor’s 150-year-old journal, and I want to start learning to paint now that I’ve run out of community college ceramics classes to take. Recently, I also led several workshops at professional conferences on the topic of building lasting happiness into the careers of people who work in helping roles. I just celebrated 11 years of being an academic advisor (and 12 years of marriage). Casey Sedlack: I have been living in Wyoming since graduating from Wellesley College in 2011. I married a cowboy and am living out my wild dreams in rural America—and somehow it’s working. We have three kids (Levi, 8, Charlie, 6, and Tillie, 4) and live on a ranch in Crowheart. My husband, Tyler, and I run a good-sized cattle operation, and I’m working as a coach for teams and organizations across the Intermountain West. Most recently, I worked with Leadership Wyoming as a workshop facilitator and Hogan Assessment coach (a personality assessment for adult professionals), and with StartUp Wyoming, an organization that is working to systematically bolster support for entrepreneurs throughout the state in partnership with the Wyoming Business Council and Silicon Couloir (a startup incubator based in Jackson).
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Lola Torney lstorney@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Natalie Kocekian nkocek@gmail.com
Alex Taddeucci Baynes: Colin became a big brother in August 2024 when Reilly Ann joined our family. Over the busy holidays, we carved out time to meet up with our favorite Catalina alums! Lauren Rice Byrne: I live in Redwood City, CA, with my husband, Peter, and two kids, Jack (5) and Kaya (2). I work as a pediatric hospitalist at Kaiser. Kate Carrubba: I moved to Marina and am now in the Monterey area permanently. My daughter, Charlotte, is so excited to be starting at Catalina for PreK in the fall! Kaycie Gillette-Mallard: We welcomed our second baby girl, Cleo, in June 2024, joining big sister Avery. In September, I traveled to Charleston to celebrate the wedding of Catalina alumna and best friend Eleana Collins. The wedding was full of love, joy, and the kind of moments that remind you how special lifelong friendship really is. It was a beautiful weekend, and I left feeling especially grateful to Santa Catalina for bringing us together all those years ago. Gwen Baldwin Maher: We welcomed Finnegan Francis Patrick on November 10, 2024. Big sister Fiadh is so excited to have a baby brother to boss around. Natalie Kocekian: It’s hard to believe we are already 18 years post-graduation, Class of ’07! I recently moved back to Carmel Valley, and it has been such an incredible experience being home and surrounded by so many other alumnae!
The Class of 2005 at Reunion 2025.
Casey Sedlack ’05 with her family on their ranch in Crowheart, WY.
Alex Taddeucci Baynes ’07 with her children, Colin and Reilly Ann.
Jessica Hightower Joshi ’05 and her family.
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Shannon Gaughf Dillon slgaughf@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Clare Riley Al-Witri c.alwitri@gmail.com
Shelby Carroll: I am still living in South Bend, IN, and working at the University of Notre Dame. I took a new role in July 2024 as the senior associate athletic director for brand, media, and communications. In this role, I oversee the Fighting Irish Media team that manages all the
team content, social media, creative strategy, and partnerships for Notre Dame Athletics. I also serve as a secondary sports administrator for the ND women’s basketball team, which means I was traveling with them this season. Unfortunately, our dance ended in the Sweet 16. My husband, Mike, and I just bought a new house and are busy with lots of projects. Our two dogs are most happy with the new fenced-in backyard. As for time with classmates, Brittany Ulshafer Little, Mary Bolt, and I recently went to Aruba for our birthdays. I also got to meet Michelle Briggs Peana’s baby, Nolan, in Napa in January. Auntie Shelby mode, commence. Camille Massaro-Menz: My family and I are living in Long Island, NY. My husband, Tim, and I have two daughters, Cecilia (5) and Clara (3). Our girls keep us on our toes and keep us laughing. We do lots of baking, swimming, and traveling. I am still working at Christie’s, going on 11 years! I’m the head of service operations and oversee the client-facing transactional teams. I’ve gotten to see some fantastic art and auctions over the years, so it’s worth the daily commute to the city! Sarah Rudolph: I have been living in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with my husband, Scott, and our retired racing greyhound, Dean. After spending about 10 years in the finance and startup world, I went back to school and completed an M.A. in food studies at NYU in May 2023. I recently started a new job at Gaia Software, a company focused on modernizing school nutrition, which feels like an homage to my favorite place at Catalina—the dining hall! If any of your
Natalie Kocekian ’07, Kathryn Balestreri Dolmans ’07, Alex Taddeucci Baynes ’07, Kelley Trapp ’07, Madeline Aiello ’07, Antonette Balestreri Cohen ’02, Angela Balestreri ’09, Shayna Blatt ’24, and Claire Blatt ’24 at SeaStar Horse Sanctuary with their families in December 2024.
Emily Bacon ’07 holding the son of Gwen Baldwin Maher ’07.
Kaycie Gillette-Mallard ’07 at the wedding of Eleana Collins ’07.
Lauren Rice Byrne ’07 with her husband, Peter, and children, Jack and Kaya.
Shelby Carroll ’09 and her husband, Mike.
Camille Massaro-Menz ’09 with her daughters, Cecilia and Clara.
travels ever bring you to NYC, I’d absolutely love to connect and catch up! Maddie Vitanza: My family and I—my husband, David, son, Leo, and our two dogs, Bowen and Marley—are enjoying life together in Palo Alto, CA. We enjoy slow weekends together, watching Leo learn and grow. We especially love cooking and going to San Francisco to some of our favorite food spots. I am a nurse leader at Stanford Health Care, where I’ve worked for the last eight years. My role focuses on the health and wellness of the Stanford Medicine workforce.
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Maeko Bradshaw maeko.bradshaw@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Kelsey Player kelsey.player93@gmail.com
Kelsey Riordan kelseyriordan11@aol.com
Cynthia Baricevic Carroll: After five years in New Hampshire, I moved back to California in May 2024 with my now-husband, Spencer. We got married in October in Sacramento. It was so special to have Megan Knetemann and my sister Anna Baricevic ’18 in my bridal party. Looking forward to seeing you all at Reunion next year! Kristina Flathers Ferraro: We welcomed our sweet little son, Luke, in January! Big sister Audrey enjoys offering him her toys and food. We’re excited for them to grow up together and become best friends! Rae Gregory: I’ve been teaching at The Hamlin School in San
Francisco for the past three years and am excited to share that I was recently promoted to first grade head teacher starting this fall! My partner, his dog, and I moved to a new place in San Mateo, and I am loving the ’burb life. I also continue to teach swim lessons during the summers throughout the Bay Area. I still get to regularly see Kelsey Player and Kelsey Green ’13, along with her new baby boy! Taylor Griffon: Lots has happened since our last Class Note! I married Gary Bair in March 2024 in beautiful Bluffton, SC. Kyra Morrissey, Kelsey Player, and Rae Gregory attended our wedding and made our weekend so incredibly special! Gary and I are welcoming a baby boy in September 2025 and couldn’t be more thrilled. We are hoping to introduce the little guy to everyone at our 15-year reunion in March! Megan Knetemann: I am a clinical social worker living in Boston with
my rescue dog, Bess. Natalia Fernandez Madero: I live in Mexico City with my husband, Emilio. We got married in 2023 in Mazatlan, and I was so happy that Kelsey Player and Rae Gregory were able to come to the wedding! These days, I’m working as the COO of a private online practice focused on functional medicine, longevity, and high-performance training. We support clients dealing with health conditions like Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, and digestive issues. The remote setup gives me the freedom to keep exploring and traveling, which I love! It’s been a really rewarding and exciting ride so far. If you ever find yourself visiting Mexico City, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to catch up! Sending warm hugs to all of you! Christina Quisno: I am continuing to further my career at Nestle and have relocated to Alexandria, VA. I enjoy seeing friends, being outside, and traveling. Kelsey Riordan: I’m excited to be back in California this year after living the last two years primarily in Australia and traveling to other parts of the South Pacific. Currently, I’m looking for my next professional role. I’m really enjoying my time back seeing family and friends—plus our family dog!
Maddie Vitanza ’09 with her husband, David, and son, Leo.
Megan Knetemann ’11 was in the bridal party for Cynthia Baricevic Carroll ’11.
2011 classmates Rae Gregory, Kyra Morrissey, and Kelsey Player at the wedding of Taylor Griffon.
Kelsey Player ’11 and Rae Gregory ’11 with bride Natalia Fernandez Madero ’11.
Clementine Yost: I got a civil partnership with my lovely partner, Sven. He’s an excellent dad to my two cats and Chihuahua. We’ve just started the tedious yet exciting journey of buying our first house together in London. I’m still working in social media as a video editor. Life is good!
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Chloe Dlott
ccdlott@gmail.com
Katharine Flowers
katharine.garcia8@yahoo.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Caitlin Dullanty caitlindullanty@gmail.com
Annie Haueter anniehaueter@gmail.com
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Kylie Moses kyliemoses14@gmail.com
Emma Russell emmarussellpg@yahoo.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Julia Clark
juliacclark09@gmail.com
Mackenzie A. Fisher
kenzieayn7@gmail.com
Julia Clark: This year I was a bridesmaid in Tierney Hightower Huff’s ’13 wedding along with bridesmaids Madeline Clark ’13 and Betsy Hulme ’14. Maddy Fisher: I adopted a dog named Lucy Loo. Shaden Beltran Ibarra: This has been an extraordinary year of growth, challenge, and celebration. In November, I completed the Monterey Bay Half Marathon—a deeply meaningful postpartum milestone I trained for with my daughter, Shaden Jr., by my side. As a single mom, every mile was a reminder of the strength I carry and the example I hope to set for her. Most recently, I was appointed chief marketing officer of PharmRobotics,
the creators of Sureshot—a cutting-edge device that automates the inoculation process on dairy farms globally. It’s a privilege to be part of a team transforming agricultural efficiency and innovation. In addition to these milestones, I’m in the final stages of completing my yoga teacher training and continuing to expand my spiritual practice. I’ve begun offering Reiki healings and energetic alignments, deepening my commitment to holistic healing and well-being. Katherine Kamel: I moved to Cairo in 2024 to work at a venture capital firm that invests in startups in Egypt and Africa more broadly. In January, I was visited by my good friend and Catalina classmate, Ellie Stork!
Clementine Yost ’11 with her civil partner, Sven.
The Hightower sisters and their mom at the bridal shower for Tierney Hightower ’13: Ashley Tower ’03, Jessica Joshi ’05, and Kelsey Hightower ’08.
Kelsey Riordan ’11.
Julia Clark ’15, Madeline Clark ’13, and Betsy Hulme ’14 stand as bridesmaids for Tierney Hightower ’13.
Katherine Kamel ’15 and Ellie Stork ’15 in Cairo, Egypt.
Maddy Fisher ’15 with her dog Lucy Loo.
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The Class of 2016 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations, to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way.
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
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Annarose L. Hunt annarosyrosy@gmail.com
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Sylvan M. Free sylvanfree@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
19
Kacey Konya kaceykonya@gmail.com
Amira Chou: I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2023 with a major in microbiology and a concentration in host pathogen interactions. During my time at Berkeley, I worked at the Isacoff Neurobiology Lab, where I performed frog surgeries and conducted research into zebrafish genotyping, including CRISPR Knockout and standard genotyping. I have been working at Kaiser Permanente as an environmental health and safety specialist. I also studied abroad in Osaka, Japan, for six months in 2024, continuing my passion for Kendo, which I pursued as the president of the Kendo Club at Berkeley. Jessie Crump-Veit: My husband and I had our first child, Theodore, in June. Olivia Gebreamlak: After graduating from the College of William & Mary with a B.A. in English, I write online content for SHRM Business News and Insights, highlighting the most pressing challenges organizations face and providing companywide solutions that drive long-term success. I also contribute to the Tomorrowist newsletter, sharing news that I predict will influence the future of work. Emily Hayes: I just wrapped up my MBA this spring and have been working full-time at a creative agency, which has been a great way to bring business strategy and creative work together. Juggling school and work
definitely kept me on my toes, but it really sharpened my entrepreneurial mindset and taught me how to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Kacey Konya: Since graduating from USC in 2023 with a B.S. in business administration and a minor in applied analytics, I embarked on an exciting journey in cybersecurity risk at Deloitte. Starting as a cyber intern during my time at USC, I have now grown into my role as a cyber and strategic risk consultant, where I tackle the ever-evolving challenges of data privacy and digital trust. I have had the incredible opportunity to stay connected with my friends from Santa Catalina and am extremely grateful for the foundation I built there. Emma Leamey: After graduating from Loyola Marymount University in December 2022, I stayed in L.A. and began my marketing career at Goop and Lemme before joining Staud, where I support brand marketing and PR. I did not expect to work in fashion, but I love it! I still golf and paint when I find time, and often see Kacey Konya and Maya Pruthi.
20
Ava Owens ava.eowens@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
21
Dylan Barry-Schoen dbschoen25@gmail.com
MK Barlow: In January 2024 I started my company, FlauntaBra. The whole focus of the company is to create bras catered to women with asymmetrical boobs, as 60% of women struggle with boob asymmetry. Over the past year and a half, I’ve gotten into BASE Camp (the summer business accelerator here at the University of Denver), participated in networking events at Denver start-up week, hosted pop-up shops, went to South by Southwest, competed in pitch competitions, and have articles written about myself as a student startup founder and FlauntaBra. FlauntaBra has gone on a massive journey with currently four different rounds of prototypes and social media growth. I anticipate FlauntaBra’s official launch toward the end of this calendar year/early 2026. I’m always looking for people to prototype, especially if they’re in the Denver area. I also am always encouraging people to join my launch waitlist/email newsletter and to follow FlauntaBra on Instagram and TikTok to keep in the loop! Overall, my goal with FlauntaBra is to empower women to be unapologetically confident living their “breast” life! Ingrid Yu: A highlight of the past year is that I won the Homecoming Court at San Diego State University.
22
Georgia Meyer georgiameyer325@gmail.com
Sutton Pinkus
SuttonPinkus@gmail.com
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
Jessie Crump-Veit ’19 welcomed baby Theodore
Amira Chou ’19 on a trip to Nikko, Japan.
23
Charlotte Juge cpjuge@gmail.com
Liliana Pedroni: I had a blast celebrating Norah Elena Ruiz’s ’24 birthday with Greer Biddlecome ’24 and Layla Borman ’24 in Fort Worth, TX!
24
The Class of 2024 is without a class correspondent. Please contact Adrienne Harris ’98, Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations, to volunteer to serve your class in this meaningful way. We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter. Look for your class notes in the winter issue.
The Class of 2020 at Reunion 2025.
Ingrid Yu ’21 wins Homecoming Court at San Diego State University.
MK Barlow ’21 promotes her new company, FlauntaBra.
Liliana Pedroni ’23, Greer Biddlecome ’24, and Layla Borman ’24 celebrate the birthday of Norah Elena Ruiz ’24 in Texas.
COMMUNITY TRANSITIONS
Items in Transitions reflect communications received between October 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
Alumnae
Marriages
Cynthia Baricevic ’11 to Spencer Carroll
Taylor Griffon ’11 to Gary Bair
Tierney Hightower ’13 to Robert Huff
Births and Adoptions
Alex Taddeucci Baynes ’07, daughter Reilly Ann
Gwen Baldwin Maher ’07, son Finnegan
Kaycie Gillette-Mallard ’07, daughter Cleo
Michelle Briggs Peana ’09, son Nolan
Kristina Flathers Ferraro ’11, son Luke
Jessie Crump-Veit ’19, son Theodore
In Memory
The family of Fleana Giglio Snapp ’53
Pat Bondensen-Smith ’54 on the death of her husband
Liz Holt Protell ’64 on the death of her husband
The family of Ginny Boyd von Hasseln ’64
The family of Margaret Leidig Browne ’68
The family of Susan Charles Collins ’68
The family of Rosemary Elton ’68
Candyce Keller Dormer ’71 on the death of her mother
The family of Patricia Griffin ’72
Adrienne Morphy Ladd ’75 on the death of her husband
Amy Kajikuri Martinetto ’80, ’76 LMS, M iya Kajikuri ’88, ’84 LMS, and Ella Martinetto ’17 on the death of their mother/grandmother
Monica Stewart Montoya ’81 on the death of her father
Leslie Walker ’81 on the death of her father
Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83, ’79 LMS and Ingrid Mueller Angier ’87, ’83 LMS on t he death of their mother
Kimi Avary Fallon ’85 on the death of her father
Jenny Evenson McClure ’85, ’81 LMS and Sally Evenson Lopez ’89 on the death of t heir father
Megan Heister ’95 on the death of her father
Lindsay Heller ’95 and Laurel Donnelly ’28 on t he death of their father and grandfather
Stacey Robbins Jordan ’97 and Kelly Robbins Huddleston ’99 on the death of their father
Claudia De La Fuente ’99 on the death of her father
Claire Cardona ’16 on the death of her father
Ellesia Corona ’24 on the death of her mother
CLASS NOTES INFORMATION
PHOTO SUBMISSIONS
We welcome your photos for inclusion in Class Notes. Due to space restrictions, we are unable to publish all of the photos we receive. Photos meeting the requirements listed below will take priority.
Please note the technical requirements for photos:
• Images need to be 3” x 5” or larger
• Images need to be a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (or at least 800KB)
Priority is given to the following types of photos:
• Photos with groups of alumnae
• Photos with one alumna
• Photos without an alumna will only be included if space allows.
Please provide the names of all alumnae in the photo, including class year, and the location of the occasion.
SPACE LIMITATIONS
We do our best to include all of the updates that are sent in. Due to space limitations, the Communications and Alumnae Relations offices of Santa Catalina School may edit content in order to fit the space allotted. Thank you for your submissions.
To submit photos electronically, please send them as attachments to: adrienne.harris@santacatalina.org.
Please do not include photos in the body of the email or in Word files. If you email a photo from your phone, please choose the largest file size possible. To submit a hard copy photo, please mail to:
Santa Catalina School Office of Alumnae Relations 1500 Mark Thomas Drive Monterey, CA 93940
Faculty and Staff
Births and Adoptions
Katherine Busch, daughter Sodelbia
Maria Chavez, son Santiago
Nicole Cofresi, son Tristan
Former Trustees
In Memory
The family of Brooks Walker Jr.
SCHEDULE
We publish notes for each class once a year—odd-numbered class years in the summer and even-numbered in the winter.
2025-26 ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
Executive Committee
Pat Allen Sparacino '65 President
Franca Gargiulo ’80, ’76 LMS
Lindsay Heller ’95
Anna Lopez Mourlam ’06, ’02 LMS
Paisley Piasecki ’13
Vice Presidents
Adrienne Harris '98 Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations
Portland, OR Virginia Sewell ’69, Ann Carter ’71, B rigid Flanigan ’73, Elizabeth Leach ’75
Sacramento Position Available
San Diego Position Available
Show your Cougar Pride!
Want to show your school pride? Catalina & Co., Catalina's online bookstore, has you covered with a selection of T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, stickers, and more!
To place an order, please visit santacatalina.org/ onlinebookstore or contact Annette Leach Alcocer ’75, bookstore manager, at 831.655.9376.
San Francisco Maddie Callander ’05
Seattle Emily Buswold ’12
South Bay Marita Quint Bruni ’91
Washington, D.C. D evon Walter ’11
International Chapters
Asia
Europe
Angelina Yao ’99, Diana Mak ’01
Lara Brehmer ’98
Latin America Tere Gonzalez ’94
"The Unknown" by Tori Pureco '26, Silver Key
Ways to Give to Santa Catalina School
Your generosity means so much to the future of Santa Catalina. Every gift, regardless of size, matters. Here are several ways that you can make a gift.
santacatalina.org/giveonline
Paypal and Venmo: @SantaCatalinaSchool
Many employers have matching gift programs and will match contributions or volunteer hours. You can double or triple the impact of your gift. Corporate Matching Gifts
To ensure proper credit and handling, please call 831.655.9392.
Gifts of marketable securities are a simple way to contribute.
Santa Catalina Account #71934687
Santa Catalina Tax ID #94-1156652 c/o Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Attn. Nick Albert 30 Ryan Court, Suite 250 Monterey, CA 93940
831.333.0963
Santa Catalina Fund
• The Santa Catalina Fund runs from July 1 to June 30.
• The Santa Catalina Fund brings our shared vision to life.
• Tuition doesn’t cover the full cost—your generosity makes up the difference and supports our students, faculty, and programs.
to Santa Catalina School Mail to: Santa Catalina School Development Office 1500 Mark Thomas Drive Monterey, CA 93940 Give by Check
Planned Giving
Planned gifts—such as bequests, trusts, gift annuities, or naming Santa Catalina as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy— can offer meaningful tax benefits while supporting the school’s future. Donors may also gift real estate while retaining lifetime use, receiving an immediate tax deduction. Those who include Santa Catalina in their estate plans are welcomed into the Sisters’ Legacy Circle.
If you are interested in making a gift, volunteering, or learning more about how you can connect with Santa Catalina, our staff is available to you.
Gretchen Mueller Burke ’83, ’79 LMS Director of Leadership and Legacy Giving | Campaign Director 831.655.9392 • gretchen.muellerburke@santacatalina.org
Clarisa Avila Director of Annual Fund and Parent Engagement 831.655.9348 • clarisa.avila@santacatalina.org Santa Catalina School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2025-2026 Board of Trustees
Laura Lyon Gaon ’81
Chair
Kathleen Brown ’63
Vice-Chair
Brett Davis Collins ’93 Vice-Chair
Matthew T. Gibbs II Vice-Chair
Dr. Kenneth Peyton
Vice-Chair and Secretary
Michael Roffler
Treasurer
Dr. Barbara Ostos
Head of School
Louise Diepenbrock Baker ’81
Sister Claire Barone
Gerardo (Dito) Borromeo
Lia Edwards
Tena Dunaway Farr ’72
Jon Giffen
Dr. Adriana Hayward
Tracy A. Huebner
Brogiin Keeton ’01
Kate Brinks Lathen ’96
Tina Hansen McEnroe ’70, ’66 LMS
Mary Khasigian Nikssarian
Margaret Scattini
Stephen Schwerdfeger
Pete Upham
Lisa Cavanaugh Wiese ’74
Dr. Patricia Sparacino ’65 President, Alumnae Association
