mission - ramona convent secondary school...pin, and she is the national merit semi finalist who...
TRANSCRIPT
President Sr. Kathleen Callaway, SNJM [email protected] Principal Tina Bonacci [email protected] Director of Development Kimberly Hoffman [email protected] Director of Alumnae/Editor Julie C. Huntley ‘72 [email protected] Photos: Terri Cardinali ‘70 Veronica Bacio Fernandez ‘00 Julie C. Huntley ‘72 Student Photographers: Leila Afrasiyabi '13 Elisa Arrieta '13 Bianca Cabello '14 Vanessa Campos '13 Leticia Jauregui '13 Carly Lopez '13 Amy Moreno '13 Briana Salatino '14 Katherine Saldivar '13 Elizabeth Tam '13 Laura Vargas '13 Ana Crisantema Vasquez '13 RAMONA is published twice a year by Ramona Convent Secondary School. 1701 W. Ramona Road Alhambra, California 91803 (626) 282-4151 (626) 281-0797 (fax) www.ramonaconvent.org
MISSION STATEMENT
Ramona's Mission, as a welcoming and inclusive Catholic school sponsored by
the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, is to provide an educational
program that graduates young women who are characterized by academic
excellence, spiritual depth, moral strength, and personal grace, open to the
wisdom of other cultures and traditions, and prepared to lead and serve in an
evolving interdependent global community.
A Ramona Graduate is……
1. A woman of faith who lives out her own spirituality while respecting other
beliefs, demonstrates an understanding of the Catholic faith through prayer,
service, and social action, and applies moral and ethical values to her daily life.
2. A woman who is integrating all facets of herself: spiritual, physical, emotional,
intellectual, artistic, and social.
3. A critical thinker who can organize, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize ideas
and information to develop solutions.
4. A communicator who effectively and reflectively reads, writes, listens, speaks,
and collaborates with others.
5. A transformative leader who nurtures the gifts of others, initiates new ideas,
resolves conflicts constructively, and works collaboratively to achieve goals.
SNJM CORE VALUES
FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN PERSON
Cultivating and respecting the talents, abilities, and potential of each person,
contributing to the development of all aspects of a person’s life.
EDUCATION IN THE FAITH
Creating an atmosphere that invites people to live, develop, and express their faith.
HOSPITALITY
Being a gracious, accepting, and welcoming presence for each person.
DEDICATION TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Seeing, understanding, and responding to the needs of women and children.
DEDICATION TO JUSTICE
Committing time, energy, and resources to the pursuit of right relationships of
equality, justice, and solidarity.
SERVICE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR OR MARGINALIZED
Reaching out and responding to people who are impoverished, abandoned,
or living at the fringes of society.
COMMITMENT TO LIBERATING ACTION
Seeking with others the freedom needed to live life fully without oppression.
LOVE FOR THE NAMES OF JESUS AND MARY
Embracing as guide, inspiration, and strength the persons and names of
Jesus and Mary.
In an effort to reduce printing and mailing costs, we have eliminated multiple copies of RAMONA mailed to each household. Please contact the Alumnae Office at 626-282-4151 ext. 135 if you would like to receive an extra copy or if you would prefer to receive your copy electronically. Standard of Accuracy
We are committed to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date information in all of our publications. However, unintentional errors may appear. As a result, we ask you to contact the Alumnae Office at 626-282-4151 ext. 135 in the event that there are any factual errors. We will correct these errors in the next publication. We appreciate the interests and concerns of our read-ers and welcome any assistance toward achieving our goals.
2 Letter from the President
3 Letter from the Principal
4 Feature Story
6 Faculty Profile
7 Curricular & Co-curricular
12 Enrollment
13 Sisters of the Holy Names
14 Development
16 Alumnae
20 In Memoriam
CONTENTS
We are proud to present the inaugural issue of our new
publication Ramona, which we anticipate will reach your
homes twice a year. Our current academic year is now
complete and, as I reflect on the year, I am so aware of
how the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names is
shaping not only our programs, but also the students
and faculty who make up our school community.
Participation in retreats, meetings and other formative
opportunities helps each of us to deepen our under-
standing of and commitment to the spirit of Blessed
Marie-Rose Durocher. Her vision inspires our mission
here at Ramona. While the word interdependence was
not in her 19th century French vocabulary, the ideas were,
and we have tried to live and be aware of the concept
long before it was articulated in the word “interdependence.” While the SNJM’s have
always believed that interdependence for the common good requires us to collaborate
with those who are working to eliminate all forms of oppression, act for a just world,
and foster fullness of life, we as a community did not begin using the word interde-
pendence to describe our core beliefs until about 12 to 13 years ago.
When we speak about Ramona living the value of interdependence, we are making a
choice to let it be known and to draw our consciousness to the fact that we are part of
a larger whole, that collaborative relationships are necessary, that our choices affect
others more and more. We not only find strength in these relationships but we
become conscious of our responsibilities. It is inspiring to listen to the girls speak with
a real understanding about the need to raise awareness of the human trafficking issue,
to see them make a choice to buy Fair Trade candy bars at break, to use Fair Trade
chocolate in their Valentine candy grams, and to sponsor a thrift shop to recycle
clothing among themselves.
We know that teaching the girls to think about interdependence is making a difference
when alums come back to visit and share news of the various activities and projects
they are involved in at college. One, enrolled at Harvard, attended Harvard Model
Congress as a high school student; now she volunteers her time at the other end
helping to plan and staff the event. Another serves on the San Gabriel Regional
Pastoral Council, while another is very involved at Proyecto Pastoral. We have been
blessed to have many of them volunteer their services at Open House, at our Welcome
Tea, and as participants in Ramona Goes to Work, our female career speaker series.
Through service, the girls discover the heart of the gospel message and, by performing
service, bring their faith to life. In the spirit of Blessed Marie-Rose, the Foundress of the
Sisters of the Holy Names, they are proud to say “Let us go forth, cast fire, and liberate
life!”
Sincerely,
Sister Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
President
A Message from the President
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Gordon Trask Chair
Kathleen Garvey Vice Chair
MEMBERS
Janice Burrill ‘75
Sr. Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
Susan Schiffhauer De Pietro ‘67
Scott Hamilton
Harumi Hata ‘78
Betty Lemire Houston ‘62
Sr. Daleen Larkin, SNJM
Sr. Cheryl Milner, SNJM
Carla Najarian
Kay M. Paietta
Jennifer Siu ‘77
Linda Reilly Swick ‘76
Diane Williams TRUSTEE EMERITI
Dennis M. Harley
Tom McKernan
Hon. Patricia Schnegg Oppenheim ‘70
Thomas J. Viola
Sr. Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
Having just moved from May into June and the exciting
time of the year with graduations, awards ceremonies,
and transitions into the joys of college and the fun of the
lazy days of summer…I realize just how fast the school
year passed by and how many accomplishments we
have to celebrate as a community. Each day I am
impressed by the energetic character, abundant gifts
and Gospel-based spirit of the young women who walk
this beautiful 19-acre campus, and I look forward to
welcoming our new students and the special gifts they
will bring to Ramona this fall.
These are exciting times for Ramona as we conclude an
academic year filled with many achievements and new
programs including high honors for our Robotics Team, the opening of the Student Life
Center, the “re-welcoming” of international students to the campus, the construction
on the softball and soccer fields in order to “bring sports home”, our partnership with
JPL/NASA to being female scientists to campus, our female career speaker series
Ramona Goes to Work, our adoption of Comedy Sports into our Arts Department, our
One Book One Community Program to bring justice-based authors to campus, and our
expanded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum.
The Ramona community extends far beyond our campus gates to include our parents,
past parents, friends, supporters, and, most of all, our cherished alumnae. I know that
each of you remembers your time here at Ramona with fondness and, as Principal,
I invite you to “re-visit” Ramona and see all the exciting opportunities we have to offer.
Enjoy reading this inaugural issue of the magazine.
Sincerely,
Tina Bonacci
Principal
A Message from the Principal
ADMINISTRATION
Sr. Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
President
Tina Bonacci
Principal
Halina Szymanski
Associate Principal for
Curriculum and Faculty
Development
Judy Wilber Alvarez
Associate Principal for
Student Life and
International Students
Kimberly Hoffman
Director of Development
Veronica Puente-Smith ‘79
Director of Enrollment and
Public Relations
Elena Margallo
Business Manager
Ms. Tina Bonacci
As LA’s premiere, interdependent Catholic girls’ school, Ramona Convent teaches
each student to think about ideas, people, the world, and herself as integral parts of a
much-larger whole. As we have for 123 years, Ramona kindles each girl’s intellect, college
readiness, and poise through critical reading, thinking, writing, and problem solving, and
accompanies each young woman on her self-internalized journey toward full
development.
Who is Ramona? She is at once ageless yet ever new
She is steeped in tradition yet relevant to the times
She is deeply rooted in the charism of Blessed
Marie-Rose and the Core Values of the Sisters of the
Holy Names – and she expresses them according to
the milieu in which she lives.
Ramona is the first vibrant young woman who walked
through the doors in 1890, and she is the excited eighth
grader who received her first Ramona rose at enrollment
night in March, 2013.
She is the faith-filled adolescent who joined the Sodality
of Our Blessed Mother, as well as the one who joined the
Faith Life Team this year. She has walked in Hike for
Hunger and in the L.A. Freedom Walk.
She is the athlete who sat in the pool while it was filled in
1931, the athlete whose sole sports outlet was intramural
sports, and the current athlete who faces the challenges of
CIF competition.
Ramona is the actress who starred in When Our Hearts
Were Young and Gay, who sang and danced in Brigadoon
and The Boyfriend, and who takes on all challengers in
Comedy Sportz. She is the musician who played the
concert grand piano, who played the violin, the harp, the
trumpet, or the clarinet in the orchestra, and who now
rings with Ramona’s Handbell Choir.
Ramona is the scholar who proudly displays her gold “P”
pin, and she is the National Merit Semi Finalist who shares
her perfect SAT scores.
Ramona remembered the poor by collecting clothing and
school supplies for girls in Basutoland, and now speaks of
the AIDS epidemic in Lesotho and raises money to help
those children left orphaned.
Ramona is the resident student from Mexico or Korea,
carrying a dictionary and struggling to communicate, and
she is the current International Student commuting to
campus each day and participating in regular classes.
We are proud of our 123-year history, spanning three cen-
turies; our rich traditions, and our 7200 alums (not to
mention those thousands of women who spent part of
their school years with us). We are proud that Ramona is
the oldest Catholic all-girls’ school in the Los Angeles area
still operating in its original location. While the past gives
us moments to reminisce and a strong foundation to build
upon, the present and future at once challenge us, giving
us new opportunities to grow and expand our programs
and facilities, and highlight the accomplishments of our
faculty and students.
The traditions and spirit that have been hallmarks of
Ramona still prevail on the current campus. There exists
now a whole generation of Ramona women who never
knew the “old” building, but they are still deeply imbued
with Ramona’s mission and values. Today’s students are
no less appreciative of their educational opportunities.
Just as we see the logic of iPads and laptops replacing
upright typewriters, the expression of what it means to be
a “Ramona girl” must be relevant to the times. Though
they have been articulated differently through the last 123
years the educational goals of the Sisters of the Holy
Names and our dedicated lay partners have remained
the same. Ramona’s curricular and co-curricular program
is structured to produce women
of faith who live out their own
spirituality while respecting other
beliefs, demonstrate an under-
standing of the Catholic faith
through prayer, service, and so-
cial action, and apply moral and
ethical values to their daily lives.
Students are helped to integrate
all facets of themselves: spiritual,
physical, emotional, intellectual,
artistic and social. Classes and
activities help to develop critical
thinkers who can organize, ana-
lyze, evaluate, and synthesize
ideas and information to develop solutions, and communicators who
effectively and reflectively read, write, listen, speak, and collaborate with
others. All of this helps to develop a graduate who is a transformative
leader who nurtures the gifts of others, initiates new ideas, resolves
conflicts constructively, and works collaboratively to achieve goals.
Looking through alumnae lists, we find graduates in almost every field
of human endeavor. Daily stories reach us of alums who have done
incredible things both in terms of their own professional accomplish-
ments and in their service to others. Our current students have been
inspired and encouraged by the alumnae who have come to speak to
them this year as part of the Ramona Goes
to Work program. Their real life stories
and experiences have reflected women
setting career goals and following their
dreams, but also women who had very
real challenges, disappointments, and ad-
versities to overcome to reach those
goals. They have come to realize that
there is a balance between setting goals
and planning every moment of their lives.
The testimonies of alumnae at Open
House, the Applicant’s Tea and other
recruitment events have been significant
factors in attracting students to Ramona.
Again, we continue to build on the
traditions of the past to develop young
women who are educated, empowered
and ready to transform the world.
This is Ramona!
“Since the day of her foundation, Ramona has helped to develop, to improve, and to build the society which she serves. In ever-increasing numbers, Ramona graduates, in their turn, are affecting the life and activity of their communities, both local and global.”
adapted from Ramona Convent Diamond
Jubilee 1964-1965 Commemorative History
local community college for the past nine years, teach-
ing physical science. In 2012, I received an M.A. in
Zoology. My continued studies have allowed me to
travel every summer to different parts of the world. I
have met the most amazing people! The memories
from these trips will stay with me forever.
I would like to share a little about the competitions that
I have been mentoring and what they teach our
students:
Engineering competition – 10 years TEAMS (Tests of
Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) is a com-
petition designed to help high school students discover
their potential for engineering. Using science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) and 21st century
learning skills, students work collaboratively to problem
solve real-world engineering challenges.
Bridge Building competition – 12 years Designed to
reflect the challenges faced everyday by working engineers.
Students learn how to work together to solve problems.
Teams compete in a series of events including bridge load-
ing, project presentations, a poster competition, technical
reports, and an impromptu contest. While an aptitude
for STEM is invaluable for a career in engineering, the
students learn that teamwork and leadership are also
important. And since all the bridges are loaded until they
fail, they find valuable lessons in the failures.
Science Fairs – 16 years The Los Angeles County Science
Fair provides a yearly setting for middle and high school
students to show off their investigative skills and creativity
to compete for medals, special awards and scholarships.
Students not only receive recognition for their projects
but the Science Fair nurtures student interest in various
scientific and engineering fields.
FIRST Robotics - 10 years
The mission of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of
Science and Technology) is to “inspire young people to be
science and technology leaders, by engaging them in ex-
citing mentor-based programs that build science, engineer-
ing and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and
that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-
confidence, communication, and leadership.
Contributed by Aulikki Flagan
When I was nine years old, I
told my parents that I wanted
to be a teacher, but it took 30
years until my dream became
true. I graduated from the Insti-
tute of Health Care in Helsinki,
Finland with a degree in Medi-
cal Technology. After working
as a medical technologist for
two years, I decided to take an
additional evening job as a
research technician at the
University of Helsinki. I became
so excited about the research
that I eventually left the medical technology field and started work-
ing full time at the University. Two years later, my boss accepted a
position at City of Hope Medical Center and brought his whole
laboratory to California.
I did not plan to stay in the U.S. but my boss did not want to lose
me, so he applied for a green card for me. Then I fell in love with an
American, married two years later, and 30 years later, I am still here
in this beautiful country.
While working at City of Hope, I attended Cal Poly Pomona, earning
a second degree in Chemical Engineering. During that time I also
had three children. My classmates gave me a graduation award
for being the most pregnant student on the campus. My two
daughters are Ramona alumnae.
Then, at USC Medical Center as a genetic engineer, my mind always
wandered back to the excitement of research. I had the desire to
teach young students what I had learned and to get them excited
about science. After I took an evening job at the Los Angeles Chi-
ropractic College to teach Biochemistry Laboratory, it suddenly hit
me that this might be my last chance to fulfill my childhood dream
to become a high school teacher. Ramona was God’s answer to my
prayers.
I now have an M.A. in Education, with the emphasis on Computers
in Education and twenty-three wonderful years at Ramona behind
me. I teach Biology, Science and Technology, Physics, Engineering
and Concepts, Applications and Research in Science. I am also a
moderator for several clubs and competitions.
An admitted workaholic, I have also been an adjunct instructor for a
This year, Helen Tian Zheng graduated with her fellow Tigers in
the Class of 2013. However, her journey to Rose Heath has
been a little bit longer than the average Ramona graduate's -
about 9,400 miles longer.
Helen, who is from Nanjing, China, is one of Ramona Convent's
international students. "My family made the decision to send
me to Ramona because it is a prestigious school," says
Helen. "My family felt secure about an all-girls’ Catholic school
and expected me to get a good education at Ramona."
In the last three years, international students have become an
increasingly important and vital part of Ramona Convent's
student body. Currently, seven international students are
enrolled at Ramona. The students, ranging in grade level from
eight to twelve, are from various parts of China. The students live off-campus with homestay fami-
lies or relatives and are enrolled in classes with native English speakers.
"My parents believe that an American education offers more freedom. [They believe it's] more
useful than a Chinese education," says Christina YiXuan Li, a sophomore from Huai'an who just
completed her first year at Ramona Convent. "As a student, I feel less stress than I did in China. But
my English has developed more."
The language barrier can be difficult for international students to surmount. “In my first year at
Ramona, sometimes I got discouraged by the language barrier,” says Helen. International students
may take regular English courses while they are enrolled in a sheltered language course designed to
provide support in both written and spoken English.
In addition to academic activities, international students participate in school-sponsored
picnics, dances, volunteering activities, and field trips. On Chinese Lunar New Year, the
international students gave a presentation to the entire student body. "The students and
the teachers gave us an opportunity to speak English in front of the whole school," says
Alice Yanjingxin Zhang, a sophomore from Tianjin. "That was my favorite experience this
year."
A more diverse student body has made Ramona a more exciting place to learn and
teach. “It has been a pleasure having the international students in my global studies
class,” says Laura Wendel-Dumas ‘89, a social studies teacher and alumna of Ramona
Convent. “They are intelligent, extremely hard-working, interact positively with their
peers and are always willing to lend a hand. [They] bring great joy to the Ramona
community and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know them and
teach them this year.”
To help build and strengthen the international program, Ramona Convent has partnered
with the Cambridge Institute of International Education, a Boston-based educational
consulting firm. The Cambridge Institute specializes in increasing the profile of American
schools abroad. With a rigorous academic program and supportive community, Ramona
hopes to become a top choice for applicants looking to study in the United States.
After graduation, Helen plans to study engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. But
before then, she will be traveling around Europe this summer with her family. “After being in the
United States for three years, I’ve started to become more interested in visiting more countries and
experiencing more cultures around the world,” she says. “Being exposed to a new country is the
most exciting experience ever because there are so many things to expect, to overcome, to experi-
ence, and to enjoy. All my experience teaches me to appreciate my life and to be grateful for the
things I have.”
Contributed by Rebecca Villanueva Hopkins ‘97
The vitality of student life at Ramona is evident in the creative energy our young women bring to their student activities, particularly this past spring.
During Holy Week, the Faith Life Team in collaboration with the
Art Department, led the student body in an extraordinary reen-
actment of the Stations of the Cross. The meditation began in
the Pavilion area, staged as the praetorium where Jesus was
condemned. The community then followed the Way of the
Cross, as our Jesus, played by sophomore Jessica Franco, made
her way slowly to the gym. There the stations continued as a
dynamic interplay between the experience of Jesus and the im-
aging of our actions, silhouetted by students behind a 40-foot
backlit curtain. The drama of this meditation made the Stations
of the Cross relevant to everyone’s lives.
Returning from Easter vacation, the GAA kicked off
the final weeks of the school year with a fun-filled
Spirit Week. The creativity of this week was born
from the collaboration of GAA with Student Council
and the SpiritFest Committee, who engaged the
whole community in daily activities. A community
highlight was the Pep Rally on Wednesday complete
with a great performance by the Tiger Dance Team
and a demonstration of the Robotics robot, K9. The
rally was followed by a community game of kickball
between SpiritFest Teams Gold and White. At the
game spectators enjoyed carne asada tacos barbe-
qued by Parent Boosters, and Team Gold racked up
significant points that led to their Spirit Week victory.
In the following week, a student-led Green Team offered
daily activities to educate our community to reduce, reuse,
and recycle. Students enjoyed contributing to the Ramona
Thrift Store, where donating fashions allowed them freely to
choose new ones to own. The Green Rally on Wednesday
also awarded points to the Gold and White Teams who
created the best sculpture of recyclable waste to inspire our
“green” commitment.
On April 27th, our International Thespian Society
performed in the 3rd Annual High School Theatre
Festival at the Pasadena Playhouse. The short play
they performed at this public occasion was written
by 11th grader Aimee Hernandez, who had won first
place in a Ramona contest for short plays reflecting
the core values of the Sisters of the Holy Names.
This intriguing play, called “The Artist,” traced the
human experiences that developed the creativity
and strength of the protagonist.
Other annual creative highlights this season were the Spring Concert, the Student Art Show
and Poetry Café, the Creative Writing Contest, and the contributions of our students to the
Seattle Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center’s Justvideo Contest. In the Justvideo
Contest, four of our juniors took 2nd Place for their engaging film on deforestation. You can
see this video and all our student entries online at the www.ramonaconvent.org
Contributed by Judy Wilber Alvarez
In the Fall of this school year, we began work on a new program that would
bring Ramona graduates as well as other accomplished women to our campus
to talk about their journey from being a high school student, to a college stu-
dent, to a working professional. We launched this program in November and
named it Ramona Goes to Work. This program has been a huge success. On
average about 20% of our student body participate in these presentations held
in our new Student Life Center. As with so many of our Ramona events, we also
provide our girls with lunch, as they sit and listen to our guests talk about the
choices that they made as teens and young adults which brought them to
where they are today. Their stories are funny, sometimes sad, and always inspir-
ing, as they share both the good and the bad. We have been lucky to bring to
our campus a doctor, a police sergeant, a life coach, entrepreneurs, and a finan-
cial analyst.
As we begin planning for the 2013-14 school year, we would like to invite all
alumnae that would be interested in being a part of this program to please
contact Julie Huntley ‘72, Director of Alumnae at [email protected].
We meet once per month at lunchtime, after a Wednesday assembly. Our
available dates for the next school year are:
September 11, 2013
October 9, 2013
January 8, 2014
February 5, 2014
March 12, 2014
April 9, 2014
We would like to thank the following inspiring women
for giving their time, stories, and wisdom to our girls:
Roseanna Garcia ‘83
Owner of Latina Fashionista
Dr. Dorothy Marquez ‘95
Internal Medicine
Yvonne Hayden Bustamante ‘83
Health and Wellness Coach; owner of 3 Degress of Wellness
Melissa Rencehausen ‘00
Financial Analyst, NBC Universal
Monique Reavis
Designer, owner of www.goddesshuntress.com
Karima Tahir
LAPD Sergeant
Contributed by Halina Szymanski
4 years Tri-Athlete
4 years Scholar Athlete of Distinction
Team Awards
2013 Most Valuable Player - Varsity Volleyball
2013 Most Valuable Player - Varsity Basketball
2013 Coach’s Award - Varsity Track & Field
Sunshine League Awards
2013 Varsity Volleyball - 1st Team All-League
2013 Varsity Basketball - 1st Team All-League
California Interscholastic Federation
CIF Qualifier - Sectional Finals in Track & Field 2013
CIF “Champion of Character” Recognition Certificate
CIF Scholar - Athlete of Excellence in Athletics and
Academics Certificate
Special Awards
2012 Connie Parker Award in Athletics
2013 Senior Scholar - Athlete of the Year
2013 Sunshine League/Ramona Sportsmanship Award
Spring Sports - Go Tigers!
Varsity Swimming Junior Varsity Swimming
Track & Field
Softball
Ramona’s Tiger softball team made it to the CIF
playoffs and placed 3rd in the Sunshine League.
Catherine Yip ‘13
Applicant’s Tea Ceremony
Applicants to Ramona Convent and their guests were treated to extraordinary sights, sounds, and
tastes on Sunday, February 10th at Ramona Convent’s Applicant Tea Party. Designed to introduce
potential students and their families to the school,
this new event was a wonderful opportunity for the
Ramona community members to come together
and to demonstrate their famed hospitality in an
atmosphere that some described as “a scene from
Alice in Wonderland.”
The Tea was coordinated by the Enrollment Team of
Mrs. Veronica Puente-Smith ’79 and Mrs. Veronica
Fernandez ‘00. Guests enjoyed a variety of delec-
table treats such as egg salad, Sonoma chicken sal-
ad, and cucumber with herb cream cheese canapés,
mini eclairs and cream puffs, chocolate dipped
strawberries, freshly baked scones with crème
fraiche, paired with a selection of herbal teas and
pink lemonade. “Deliciously mouthwatering” food
prepared by chef de cuisine and Faith Life Coordina-
tor Francois Laborie, sous chef Briana Salatino ‘14, and a cadre of dedicated parent and student
Ambassadors was enjoyed by all while the Handbell ensemble’s skillful ringing was declared
“whimsical.” Prospective students had the opportunity to have their photos taken in the gardens of
the English Courtyard with tiaras, boas, and rose petals in an antique frame. The overall goodwill
and excitement created was summed up by this potential parent: “What girl wouldn’t want to at-
tend Ramona? The choice is easy!” while another parent exclaimed: “I was thrilled…I want to be
on this organizing committee next year!”
Visiting Students Roar through Ramona Challenge
Ramona Challenge has been an exciting event held on
campus each year for over 20 years. This competitive and
entertaining experience gives female students in grades 5 –
8 of our local Catholic elementary schools the opportunity to
participate in artistic, athletic, musical, and academic
challenges that are designed by each department. This year,
Ramona welcomed over 700 students, teachers, parents, and
friends from 16 schools. All the participants were eager to
take-away a bronze, silver, or gold medal at the award
ceremony. This memorable event is not only a chance to
meet talented young ladies from our community but is also
a great opportunity for us to share all the wonderful gifts we
offer at Ramona. Students arrived on campus at noon and
were delighted to purchase food, snacks, and drinks from a
few of our co-curricular organizations. After receiving a new
Tiger drawstring bag, they had some time to relax and listen to some music provided by DJ Robert
before their competitions. At the stroke of 1 P.M., Ramona Ambassadors led the way to make sure
all our visitors found their contest locations. While contest results were being tallied, students
rushed over to Rose Heath to prepare for the ever-so-popular award ceremony. Not all participants
left with medals, but each one left with smiles, a participation ribbon, goodies, and a taste of Tiger
Spirit!
Contributed by Veronica Puente-Smith ‘79 and Veronica Bacio Fernandez ‘00
Sister Kathleen Callaway, President
Sr. Kathleen has served in school administration at both the high school and the
elementary school levels for forty-six years. From 1967-1973, she was principal of
the junior school at Ramona Convent and in 1973 became Dean of Students and
Director of Student Activities. In 1978, she moved to Oakland and held a similar
position at Holy Names High School.
In 1987, Sister returned to southern California and served as principal at St. Antho-
ny School in San Gabriel. During her time there, the school expanded to 630
students and a kindergarten, extended care, and preschool program were opened.
She has served on numerous educational committees for the Department of
Catholic Schools, both in Oakland and Los Angeles and has chaired over thirty
school accreditation visits in four states. In 1995, she was appointed to the Board
of Trustees at Ramona. In 2000, Sr. Kathleen became the school’s first President.
She organized and coordinated a $4.3 million capital campaign to construct the
Marie-Rose Science Center, which opened in the fall of 2008.
In addition to her work at Ramona, Sister is a member of the School Board at St. Thomas the
Apostle School in Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Regional Pastoral Council. The daughter of a
Rotarian, she has been an active member of the Alhambra Rotary Club since 2001.
Sr. Anna Keim, SNJM Coordinator of Service & Social Justice, Theology 11
Sr. Anna was born in Twin Falls, Idaho and grew up in Spokane, Washington. She entered the
Sisters of the Holy Names in Spokane in 2003 while teaching at Gonzaga University. She holds a
Master’s of Divinity from Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. She came to Ramona in 2010.
During the 2012-2013 school year, she taught 11th grade Theology and served as Coordinator of
Service and Social Justice on Ramona’s Student Life Team. She is active in a variety of social
justice issues including human trafficking, immigration, and preservation of natural resources. She
has increased our students’ interest in Lesotho by sharing her personal experiences while living
with our Sisters there. Sr. Anna will be taking her final vows on June 29th.
Sr. Margaret Spiller, Technology Chair, Web Page Programming, Computer Animation,
Computer Graphics, Intro to Game Programming
Sr. Margaret Spiller is a Ramona alumna, Class of 1961. While she was a student here, she
took all four of the science classes offered, and comments now that she probably drove
her teachers, as well as her classmates, crazy with her enthusiasm for science.
After graduation, she attended Holy Names University in Oakland, and after two years,
entered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. In 1967, she received a B.A. in
Chemistry along with minors in Physics, Math, and Theology and began her teaching
career at Holy Names High School in Oakland. Two years later, she returned to Ramona
as a science and math teacher and enjoyed seven fun, challenging, and creative years teaching
with terrific colleagues and delightful (and challenging) students. She received an M.S. in Physical
Science from Oregon State University in 1975.
She left Ramona and spent twelve years as teacher and vice-principal at two other high schools,
and returned to Ramona in 1988 as principal. Twice during her tenure as principal, Ramona was
named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Board of Education (1993 and 1998). In
2000 she left Ramona to become Province Leader for California for a term of five years.
In 2007, she again returned to Ramona full-time to teach classes in the Technology Department
and to work with the school in advancing the use of instructional technology.
Ramona Convent’s Sisters of the Holy Names
Three Sisters of the Holy Names currently work at Ramona: Sr. Kathleen Callaway, Sr. Anna Keim, and Sr. Margaret Spiller.
“I am very grateful that I sort of ‘fell into’ teaching which I enjoy and which forces me constantly to learn new things.” Sr. Margaret Spiller, SNJM ‘61
Scott A. Hamilton joins Board of Trustees
Ramona Convent’s Board of Trustees recently welcomed Scott Hamilton as a new member of
Ramona’s governing body. Scott is the Western Regional Director of the Corporate-Strategic
Federal Tax Solutions Group of Grant Thornton. In this capacity, he is responsible for the overall
project planning and implementation of specialized tax consulting projects for a wide variety of
public and private companies across numerous industries throughout Southern California.
Serving in his first three-year term on the Board, Scott will share his considerable expertise and
talents with Ramona’s Board and Administration as a member of the Finance Committee. Scott earned both
his Bachelor and Master degrees at Arizona State University in Accounting and Taxation, respectively, and
served as a telecommunications specialist in the United States Marine Corps. He lives in Orange County with
his wife, Krista, and two daughters.
Janice Burrill ‘75 honored at Remarkable Women Brunch
On Sunday, April 14, 2013, Ramona Convent honored Janice H. Burrill,
Esq. ‘75, as our 2013 Remarkable Woman at our annual Mother-
Daughter Luncheon and Fashion Show. Under the leadership of Event
Chair Margie Montes P ‘12, ‘14, and committee members Regina Bal-
lesteros P ‘14, Christine Franco P ‘15, Alexandria Montes ‘12, Debbie
Rice P ‘16, and Monica Virgen P ‘14, ‘16, over 200 students, mothers,
grandmothers, aunts, alumnae, and friends (and a few brave dads!)
gathered at Almansor Court to celebrate Janice and the five student
recipients of Ramona’s Christian Service Award.
The Remarkable Woman Award was established in 2007 to honor a member of the Ramona family who has
distinguished herself both in her chosen profession and in her service to the community. Janice currently
serves as a Philanthropic Specialist within Wells Fargo’s Philanthropic Services team. In this role, she advises
public charities, private foundations, and individuals on various aspects of philanthropy. Prior to joining
Wells Fargo, Janice was Director of Planned Giving for Loyola Marymount University. She also practiced law
for several years in Los Angeles and London with both Shearman & Sterling and Graham & James. She
holds a BS degree (summa cum laude) in Accounting from LMU and a law degree (cum laude) from Loyola
Law School. She served on the boards of many nonprofits and has spoken nationally on philanthropic topics
and participated in the first ever White House Conference on Philanthropy.
Janice gives back to Ramona by sharing her professional expertise as a member of Ramona’s Board of Trus-
tees and Planned Giving Committee. A generous and loyal donor to Ramona, Janice and her late mother,
Margaret Hansen Aglion, were both charter members of Ramona’s Mother Marie-Rose Legacy Society.
Janice joins Anne Cole ‘44, Susan Schiffhauer De Pietro ‘67, Joanne Tunney Hawkins ‘49, Maureen Bateman
‘51, Kay Paietta, and Betty Lemire Houston ‘62 as Remarkable Woman Award recipients.
Carina Barbosa ‘13, Sabrina Ruiz ‘14, Amy Melendrez ‘15, Ileana Vasquez ‘16, and Sara Garrido ‘17 received
the 2013 Christian Service Awards for their respective classes in recognition for their outstanding leadership
in volunteering in their communities and at Ramona. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers,
and guests, nearly $15,000 was raised from the event for Ramona’s Scholarship Fund.
Janice with her daughter, Lily
“Let our charity be a bright and burning light, pointing out the path of virtue to all who surround us.”
Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Foundress Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
Foundation Partnerships
Strengthening Ramona and the Community
Over the years, Ramona Convent has been fortunate to partner with numerous foundations, including the
Ahmanson Foundation, the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation, the Bill Hannon Foundation, the Green Founda-
tion, the Rose Hills Foundation, the William H. Hannon Foundation, and the Weingart Foundation. These and
other organizations have helped Ramona Convent to further a shared mission of making an academically-
rigorous and diverse Catholic education in a supportive environment available to deserving students.
Through the years, we have received generous grants from corporate, private, and family foundations that
made it possible for Ramona Convent to expand our need-based financial aid program, construct new build-
ings, and enhance our curricular and co-curricular programming. Thanks to the generosity and ongoing
support of foundations, great things have and continue to take place in the classroom, on our campus, and in
the lives of not only our students, but also the people they serve in their volunteer activities throughout the
San Gabriel Valley and greater Los Angeles area.
As a member of the Ramona community, we can use your help to develop additional relationships with corpo-
rate, private, and family foundations and ensure the continuation of high-quality programs that serve our
students and enrich the lives of many others through their grant making. If you are involved in a foundation,
or have connections with one or more, we would welcome the opportunity to explore potential funding
opportunities with you. Please let us know by contacting Sr. Kathleen Callaway, President at (626) 282-4151,
ext. 157 or [email protected]
Increase the impact of your gift through your employer’s Matching Gift Program
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match contributions made to Ramona by their
employees. Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple
the amount of your gift, or provide matching funds to support employee volunteer hours. To find out if you or
a family member’s company has a matching gift program, please check with your employer’s HR department
to find out if your employer will match your donation to Ramona.
If you or your family member’s company has a matching gift program, please request a matching gift form
from the company and send us the completed form with or following your gift. If the employer uses an online
matching gift site, please send your gift to us and visit the company’s website to request that a matching gift
be made.
If your employer needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN) (i.e. Federal Tax Identification Number),
please use 95-1756424.
Please send completed forms to: Development Office, Ramona Convent Secondary School 1701 West Ramona
Road, Alhambra, CA 91803
For more information, please contact the Development Office at (626) 282-4151, ext. 113.
A gloriously sunny day greeted Ramona alumnae as they returned to Ramona to celebrate our annual
Homecoming Day and their significant reunions. A beautiful Mass in memory of our deceased alumnae was
celebrated in the Junior Living Room, followed by a luncheon in the Holy Family Room. The special
honorees of the day were the Class of 1963, who were awarded a commemorative diploma presented to
them by Sr. Kathleen Callaway. Following the luncheon, attendees were treated to tours of the school.
Save the Date Homecoming 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Special Honorees Ramona’s “Golden Girls” The Class of 1964
If your class year ends in 4 or 9, contact Julie Huntley ‘72, Director of Alumnae,
at [email protected] to get involved with planning your reunion.
1963 1973
2003
1983 1978
2000
Eileen Lee ’08 received a B.A. in Public Health from UC
Irvine in 2012.
Victoria Lin ’08 received a B.A. in Communications from UC
San Diego in 2012. She is currently working for a Public
Relations firm in West Hollywood. She would like to pursue
an M.A. in Communications and a PhD in Gender Studies.
Cherie Lui ’08 received a B.A. in Business/Economics from
Pepperdine University in 2012.
Lucy Nguyen ’08 received a B.A. in Environmental Econom-
ics from UC Berkeley in 2012.
Jacqueline To ’08 graduated from Stanford University in
2012 with a B.A. in Human Biology with Honors, and will be
pursuing an M.D. at the University of Colorado School of
Medicine starting this fall.
Catherine Courtier ’09 just returned from an eight-week
field study in Thailand and Malaysia. She will graduate in
June with a B.S. in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz.
Bianca Falcon ’09 graduated from Tulane University in May
with B.A.’s in Political Science and Latin American Studies,
Cum Laude.
Xochil Johansen ’09 graduated in May with a B.A. in
Psychology and Chicano/a Studies from Pitzer College. She
will be joining Teach for America as a Bilingual Special
Education Teacher in LA. In the fall, she will pursue her M.A.
in Special Education at Loyola Marymount University
Andrea Najarian ’09 graduated in May with a B.A. in
Communication Studies with a Journalism minor, Summa
Cum Laude.
Alyssa Tan ’09 graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Psychol-
ogy.
Christina Tavernelli ’09 graduated from Haverford College
in May with a B.A. in English. She was elected to Phi Beta
Kappa this spring. She has been active in Quakerism on
campus and a weekly community service activity where they
bring sandwiches to the homeless and is co-head of both
groups this year. Next year she will stay in Philadelphia to
do Philly Fellows, a program through Americorps that places
just-graduated students with non-profits and offers
communal housing, and additional career and non-profit
training.
Michelle Portillo ’12 was recently nominated for member-
ship in The National Society of Collegiate Scholars due to
her “high achievement as a first year college student.”
Fewer than ten percent of the college students at UCLA
qualify for this membership.
Elizabeth Rotunni Evans ‘44 has slowed down from
dementia to being an Alzheimer’s patient at a respectable
nursing home in Alta Loma since 2007. Her devoted son,
Tim, and her sister, Patricia Rotunni McLeod ‘49 receive
facial recognition each time they visit and feed her.
Elizabeth recognizes when Grace is said before meals with a
nod of her head and blinking eyes.
Martha Jamison Howard ’57 has two new granddaughters,
Addison and Ann.
Brenda Linale Chemleski ’64 retired from nursing in 2010
after 39 years with Kaiser. She occasionally works as a per
diem staff RN in the fields of Nephrology and Dialysis.
Taru Flagan ’02 just finished the second year of her gradu-
ate studies at the University of Texas in Austin. She was
awarded a National Science Foundation graduate research
fellowship that will fully support three years of her graduate
training as she researches the neural systems that support
motivational influences on information processing. She is
pursuing her doctorate in Cognitive Neuroscience.
Yliana Johansen Mendez ’02 is an Immigration Attorney
representing unaccompanied minors in Los Angeles.
Andrea Johansen ’04 is a Registered Nurse.
Danielle Ares ’07 received her A.A. with Honors from Santa
Monica College and her B.A. in Communications from CSU
Los Angeles. While pursuing her education, she interned
with the Los Angeles Clippers. Last year she accepted a full-
time position as an Account Services Representative. Her
department handles all the customer service and event
planning for the season ticket holders.
Joanna Barnheiser ’07 received a B.A. in English with a
minor in Education from UC Davis in 2012. She will receive
an English single-subject Teaching Credential from UC Davis
in June 2013 and her M.A. in Education in June of 2014.
Carlyne Chua ’07 received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering
from UC Riverside in 2012. She is currently working as a
Process Engineer for a pharmaceutical company.
Melissa Gutierrez ’07 received B.A.’s in English and Spanish
from UC Davis in 2012. She has been accepted into the
Professional Writing program at USC and will begin classes
and an Assistant Lectureship in the fall.
Stacey Rauen ‘07 received an M.A. in Biomedical Engineer-
ing from USC in May.
Josephine Huang ‘08 received a B.S. in Biology from UC
San Diego in 2012.
Denise Kwan ‘08 received a B.A. in International Studies
and Sociology from UC Irvine in 2012. She would like to
pursue a career in nursing.
Ramona Spotlight on…
Dr. Christine Yoshinaga-Itano ‘68
Dr. Christine Yoshinaga-Itano is a Professor of Audiology in the Department of Speech, Language,
and Hearing Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Science, Center for Neurosciences, University of
Colorado at Boulder; Department of Otolaryngology and Audiology, University of Colorado at
Denver; and the Marion Downs Hearing Center. She is a world leader in research and, for 30
years, has been studying language, speech, and the socio-emotional development of deaf and
hard-of-hearing infants and children. Her ground-breaking research had produced unequivocal
evidence that early detection and intervention of hearing loss is successful in having a significant
impact on language learning of children with hearing loss.
Dr. Yoshinaga graduated from Ramona Convent in 1968, received her B.A. in Psychology from USC, followed by an M.A. in
Education of the Hearing Impaired, and her PhD in Audiology and Hearing Impairment from Northwestern University. She is a
teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and an audiologist. In 1996, she and co-investigator Kathy Arehart received a five-year
MCH grant for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening that established the Marion Downs Hearing Center. The present
co-director of the Center states that Christine’s research has had a broad impact: health and education policies have changed
globally; professional standards in audiology, medicine, early childhood and deaf education have been revised; and families
worldwide with children who are deaf and hard of hearing have new hope for their children’s future. The esteemed D. Marion
Downs has said “In my opinion, Dr. Yoshinaga-Itano is responsible for the fact that nearly every child born in the United States
is now being tested in the newborn nurseries of this country. I’ve lost count of the number of countries that have followed
suit.”
Dr. Yoshinaga-Itano was honored by the American Academy of Audiology as the recipient of the 2013 Jerger Career Award for
Research in Audiology.
Excerpted from The American Academy of Audiology
30th Reunion
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Contact:
Pattie Soltero
10th Reunion
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Contact:
Victoria Mendez
(562) 556-2764
In Memory of…
Sr. Emily Marie McKernan, SNJM 1919 - 2013
Each Sister brings to her vocation her own special and unique gifts. For Sr. Emily Marie McKernan, her
life as a Sister of the Holy Names was a ministry of discernment. She helped to identify the needs of
both her and other religious communities and worked to remedy the problems. It is impossible to list all
of her accomplishments in a ministry that lasted almost seventy-four years. Her impact on the SNJM’s
and the lay persons who knew her is legendary. The following is a story that ties her to Ramona.
“In 1945 the Provincial Superior called Sr. Emily to her office and asked two questions: How old are
you? Do you know how to type? Both answers must have been satisfactory as the 25-year old Sister
who had just made her final vows headed south the next day to Ramona Convent, where she was greeted with the news that
there was a leak on the 3rd floor of the resident’s dormitory. She remained for eleven years as Ramona’s Finance and Plant
Manager. She oversaw the construction of more classrooms and the Junior Living Room, and became part of the lives of the
resident students who fondly remember her smile and kind support. And an underground name of “Auntie Em” began to
surface.”
In 1955 she was sent to Oakland and assigned the task of Building Coordinator for the construction of the new campus of Col-
lege of the Holy Names on Mountain Blvd. Six years later, Sr. Emily Marie was appointed as Provincial Treasurer of California.
She moved the SNJM financial holdings from saving accounts and stock certificates held in a safe deposit box to an investment
portfolio for the future needs of the Sisters and their ministries. Throughout her 20 years as Treasurer, she worked with other
SNJM treasurers and leaders to plan for the financial stability of the entire congregation. The Durocher Fund and the Intershar-
ing Fund were created to ensure the common good through grants and loans to support the care of aging Sisters and existing
ministries. In 1980, one of those grants provided the payments necessary to enroll the SNJM’s in the United States Social Secu-
rity. In 1981, she moved into the ministry of Development for the Province. In 1996, after developing the Province Planned
Giving Program, Sr. Emily Marie became its first Director, a role she continued to fill until her retirement in 2009!
Our sincere thanks, Sr. Emily Marie, for all you did to ensure the future care of our beloved Sisters of the Holy Names. You had
an everlasting impact on us and all the Holy Names ministries!
Excerpted from “Reflections on Sr. Emily Marie” by Sr. Mary Pat LeRoy, SNJM
A Note from the Editor
We are very excited to present our new
magazine. It is our intent to
provide more comprehensive information
about Ramona today and our alumnae. As
with Ramblings, we will be mailing one
copy per household. If you wish to receive elec-
tronically, please contact me at [email protected].
Enjoy!
Julie C. Huntley ‘72
Director of Alumnae
P.S. Stay in touch with Ramona - make sure we have your
current e-mail and street addresses so that you can
receive both the magazine and the monthly e-newsletter.
Marriages
Diane Homan Connelly ‘64 to Jim Gilmartin
Katie Stout ‘00 to Paul Streifel
Bridget Morris ‘01 to Seth Vorland
Births
Bradley, son of Brian and Megan Morris Wolfe ‘03
Sophia Marie Cincis, granddaughter of Diane Homan
Connelly Gilmartin ‘64
Chloe Kathleen Connelly, granddaughter of Diane
Homan Connelly Gilmarin ‘64
The Sisters, faculty, staff, and Ramona Convent community extend our deepest sympathy and prayers for the recently departed members of our family and their loved ones.
Claudia Rose Mortensen ‘39
Mary Kelley McCarthy ‘42, aunt of Sr. Anne Kelley, RGS ‘65
Lenora Geier Shay ‘42
Catherine Hawkins Lindeberg ‘44
Marie Nocero Coscarelli ’45, sister-in-law of Gloria Coscarelli
Barclay ‘54
Carmen Barela Walters ‘47
Peggy Fitzgerald ’52, sister of Sheila Fitzgerald Furst ‘53
Diane Brown Bartoli ‘55
Rosemary Villalobos Gorman ’58, (former staff) sister of Ann
Marie Villalobos Villaescusa ‘61
Valerie Fryke Finn ‘60
Nancy Kuys Beaver ’64, sister of Theo Kuys Roche ‘66
Michele Johnson ‘65
Mary Martinet Bauman ‘68
Adela Rosas Johnston ’79, sister of Patricia Rosas Rivadeneira ‘74
Stephanie Mireles ‘03
Joseph Abundis, brother of Susy Coronel-Griffith ‘76
Elizabeth Alvarez, grandmother of Teresa Alvarez ’08, mother-
in-law of Judy Alvarez (faculty)
Pauline Bartolini, mother of Elizabeth Bartolini ’08 and Mary
Bartolini ‘08
John Berg, brother of Elisabeth Berg Favello ’46 and Sr. Mary
Petra Berg, SNJM (former faculty) RIP; uncle of Mary Berg
Wibberly ’65; grandfather of Brittany Berg ‘07
Martin Daniel Berg, nephew of Elisabeth Berg Favello ’46 and
Sr. Mary Petra Berg, SNJM (former faculty) RIP; cousin of Mary
Berg Wibberly’65 and Brittany Berg ‘07
Elizabeth Bonacci, grandmother of Tina Bonacci (faculty)
Enrique Cabello, father of Tatiana Cabello ’10 and Bianca
Cabello ‘14
Lutgarda Cabison, grandmother of Therese Cabison ‘00
Oscar Calderon, father of Christina Calderon ‘99
Alberto Castro, grandfather of Veronica Bacio Fernandez ‘00
(faculty)
Alice Theresa Clark (pp), mother of Dorette Clark-Gillispie ‘67
Jessie Cendejas, grandmother of Danielle Cendejas ’00, Deanna
Cendejas ’10, and Melissa Cendejas ‘12
Sylvester Denton, father of Debra Denton Stephan ’72 and
Diane Denton Malcoun ‘72
August Deppe, nephew of Rae Deppe Walker ‘90
Robyn Deppe, mother of Rae Deppe Walker ‘90
Santo DeSalvatore, father of Veda Desalvatore Tronske ’69,
Susan DeSalvatore Noyes ’70, and Sandra DeSalvatore Miller ‘73
Sr. Anne Dineen, SNJM, (former faculty)
Robert Garcia, father of Cynthia Garcia-Uyenoyama ’71 and
Nina Garcia Sanchez ’81; grandfather of Nadia Sanchez ‘10
Patricia Hale, sister of Sr. Miriam Mark Eddy, SNJM ‘52
Charles Hall, husband of Dorothy Cousins Hall ’62 (pp); brother
of Marjorie Cousins Mitre ’52, Sharon Cousins Rosemyre ’54,
and Bonnie Cousins (pp)
William Francis Hayes, husband of Trudy Diggins Hayes ‘51
Mary Robles Hernandez, mother of Cynthia Hernandez Buter
’78; grandmother of Alyssa Buter ‘13
Brian Hoover, son of Patricia Johnston Hoover ’62; nephew of
Nancy Johnston Greenberg ’66 and Janet Johnston Hurd ‘68
Gilbert J. Jimenez, father of Diane Jimenez Aleman ‘80
Randall Jonas, brother-in-law of Margot Melieste (faculty)
Donald Keenan, father of Karen Keenan Le Brun ‘78
Welby Marcum, husband of Debby Palmer Marcum ‘73
Frances Martinez, mother of Yvonne Martinez D’Amore ‘79,
Yolanda Martinez Arenas ‘82, and Lisa Martinez ‘83
Sr. Emily Marie McKernan, SNJM, sister of Sr. Rita Josephine
McKernan, SNJM ’52: aunt of Kathy McKernan Fitzgerald ’79,
Cindy McKernan Gomez ’82, and Tom McKernan (former Board
member); great aunt of Jacqueline Gomez ‘15
Alfred U. Meyers, husband of Connie Vargas Meyers ‘61
Lorraine Mrozek, mother of Lisa Mrozek ‘81
Neil Murphy, brother of Sheila Murphy Woehler ‘46
William R. Payden, brother of Joan Payden
Oscar Perez, husband of Emma Huerta Perez ’95; brother-in-
law of Marie Huerta ’99 and Alma Huerta Leon ‘01
Armando Romero, husband of Estella Encinas-Romero ‘84
Lucille Beserra Roybal, mother of Congresswoman Lucille
Roybal-Allard ’59 and Lillian Roybal Rose ‘61
Leslie Ruttner, husband of Martha Weckinger Gergely
Ruttner ‘69
Anton Rybicki, husband of Euphemia Ratkowski Rybicki ’38;
father of Janet Rybicki Hennis ’62 RIP, Joan Rybicki Steen ’64,
and Joyce Rybicki (pp) RIP
Sergio Santellan, father of Alice Santellan ‘11
James P. Savage, husband of Rosemary Ruehle Savage ’47 RIP;
father of Theresa Savage-Timmons ’78, Peggy Savage ’80, and
Linda Savage ‘82
Tim Siu, father of Susan Siu Nimmo ‘75 and Jennifer Siu ‘77
(Board member)
Joseph Slater, brother of Ed Slater (science building contractor)
Robert C. Smith, husband of Judy Green Smith ‘70
Amelia Soltero, mother-in-law of Karen Brown Soltero ’60;
grandmother of Pattie Soltero ’83; great grandmother of Grace
Soltero (pp)
Sr. Barbara Stark, SNJM, (former faculty)
Bertha Throenle, mother of Tere Throenle-Somaini ‘80
Alfonso P. Vergara, father of Jo Ann Vergara ’98 and Celeste
Vergara ‘01
Sue Louise Viola, mother of Thomas Viola (former Board
member)
Mitzi Vollov, mother of Celia Vollov ‘69
Phillip Williams, father of Diane Freeman (Board member)
Believe in Tomorrow…Today
Mother Marie-Rose Legacy Society
Blessed Marie-Rose, the Foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary,
believed in tomorrow. A woman of great faith and vision, she believed that education, and
especially the education of young women in the faith, was invaluable, and that opening the
hearts and minds of others meant opening new doors and new possibilities.
Since our founding in 1889, Ramona Convent has educated thousands of promising young
women in the Sisters of the Holy Names tradition. Generations of students have graduated
with a high quality, college preparatory, Catholic education because of the generosity and
foresight of generations of donors who, like Blessed Marie-Rose, believed in tomorrow.
The Mother Marie-Rose Legacy Society was created to honor donors during their lifetimes who
have made Ramona Convent part of their own legacies by including the School in their
charitable gift planning. Legacy Society gifts can be made by naming Ramona Convent as the
beneficiary of a defined bequest in your will or living trust, or through planned or deferred gift
vehicles such as gift annuities, charitable trusts or life insurance policies that can provide tax
relief or additional income to the donor.
Demonstrate your belief in tomorrow by joining the Mother
Marie-Rose Legacy Society and making a Legacy Society gift
that will support Ramona Convent for generations to come.
To learn more about the Mother Marie-Rose Legacy Society
and how you can contribute to the future of Ramona
Convent today, visit the Gift Planning section of our website
at www.ramonaconvent.org, or call Kimberly Hoffman at
(626) 282-4151, ext. 130.
Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher
And so…in 1889, eight courageous and determined Sisters of the Holy Names traveled three days by boat from Northern California to establish a school for young women. On the 15th of November, they entered their new home to begin
their new endeavor, Ramona Convent.
Ramona is
having a birthday!
Join us in celebrating 125 years
Ramona will be 125-years old on November 15, 2014. The birthday celebration will continue throughout the 2014-2015 school year. If you would like to help with planning, please contact the President’s Office
at 626-282-4151 ext. 157.
RAMONA CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
1701 West Ramona Road
Alhambra, CA 91802
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
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Alhambra, CA
Alumnae Parents - If this issue is addressed to your daughter who no longer
maintains a permanent residence at your home, please notify Julie Huntley of
her new address at (626) 282-4151 ext. 135 or [email protected].
Address Service Requested