84 class notes
year as head of Upper School. I love the students, the faculty, working with Sister Claire. It is so sweet having the daughters of Erica Olin Giannini and Susan Smith Nixon as freshmen this year. I continue to teach French a bit as well. François is, as always, my rock; I couldn’t do what I do without him! Jean-Pierre (10) is in grade 4 at Catalina. Loleï ’17 (17), is a junior, driving, thriving academically, and very busy with Catalina theater productions. Susan Eliason Scott: I would love to see you guys! I’m still living in Utah, if anyone wants to come and ski! I’m divorced (not my favorite fun fact) and have three kids. The oldest is about to graduate and is in the middle of applying to college. I work for the University of Utah. I miss my Catalina friends and love to hear about you all. Marsha Plat: I’m still living in San Francisco in North Beach. I’m the director of user xxperience at UrbanSitter. My older daughter is applying for high school this year so I’ve thought a lot about my high school experience. My younger one is in grade 4. We all recently had homemade latkes at Queena Kim’s house in Berkeley. Queena is doing amazing as the host of the California Report on NPR. Diana Papini Warren: Aloha. I am still living on Maui with husband and two kids (9 and 5). I am the director of school engagement for Hawaii and the Pacific for a national organization, Project Lead The Way. I’m also the executive director of a new nonprofit in Hawaii called Learning Endeavors. I am still surfing, doing yoga, masters swimming, playing ukulele, singing, and lately, kayaking. My kids just got really into snorkeling, and we recently went with my mom, following around huge turtles and beautiful fish. You can hear whales singing underwater and see them breaching regularly from shore. If you are in Hawaii, let me know as I’m inter-island often. Cecilia Gamboa: I have been married for 23 years now and still in Monterrey, Mexico. I have two kids (son, 22; daughter, 19). Both are in college. I have been working for five years now in a travel agency, and love it. I don’t get to see Miriam Torres-Marcos as much as I would like as she now lives in the U.S. But we are still in touch. Great to hear from you all! Sylvia Estrada Hellmund: Hello from Key Biscayne! I’ve been living here for eight years now. Going on to my 18th year of marriage. Sebastian is 13 and Natasha is 6. We traveled to Bali, Dubai, and London last summer. An amazing experience, especially for the kids. In London, we went to visit Kate Hunt Smith and her incredible family. Her
The Class of 1986 at Reunion 2016
husband Neil and her three kids, (Jake, Annie, and Emma—my god daughter). I’m looking forward to seeing all you lovely ladies at our reunion next year! If any of you are ever in Miami, please let me know. Cynara Coomer: Hi from New York! I’ve been here since 2000 when I started my surgery residency. Now I’m chief of breast surgery and director of the Florina RusiMarke Comprehensive Breast Center, which I was fortunate enough to develop. Love being a breast surgeon but love even more being a mom to my precious daughter (5). I got married seven years ago to a vascular surgeon. I love reading about everyone. Let me know if anyone comes to N.Y.C. Love to everyone. Susan Smith Nixon: I am now living in California. Audrey is at Catalina as a freshman. I am
Susan Smith Nixon ’87 and Erica Olin Giannini ’87 with daughters Audrey ’19 and Caitlyn ’19
working with Starbucks and oversee the Central California area for license stores. All is good and I am very happy! I hope to reconnect with all my classmates in the Bay Area. Cressey Belden Janko: I’m treasuring life with my rapidly growing daughter (14). Currently, we are living in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts while she attends Simon’s Rock. One of the many highlights of 2015 was driving our Roadtrek 20K miles around the U.S. and Canada—most notably surprising Sisters Claire and Christine at Catalina’s Easter Sunday Mass. The chapel remains exactly as it was when we were there and houses more memories than I can count, beginning when I was a camper in fifth grade! Better late than never, I joined FB a few months ago, and I love being in virtual touch with many of you! Claudia Goria
Suzanna Garrihy Schinsing ’88, Dria Miller ’87, and China Flanigan’87