Dear Parents/Guardians and Friends

Fall
Volume 45, Number 7
News
In This Issue
2
Beginnings
3
Honors
6-7
Transition Back
to School
8
Jester Shine
8
Jester Athletes
Shine
9
Junior Rings
10-11 Alumnae
12
In Closing…
Celebrating
46 Years
of Catholic
Education
Dear Parents/Guardians and Friends,
What I remember most about my childhood is
the feeling of hope for the adventure that each day
would bring. My childhood home was attached to
my mom and dad’s grocery store—Henry’s Market
at 12213 Willowbrook Avenue. We had an enormous yard with big trees, three rental apartments
on one side, and one on the opposite side. Behind
our house were several garages for storage, washing
clothes, and a pen for rabbits and chickens that my
brother and I mistakenly befriended...if you know
what I mean...dinner! Above the garages was an
apartment where my Nonna lived. Adjacent to her
apartment was a well-maintained outdoor patio.
My uncle had put these multi-colored, thick, hard
plastic sheets around the patio, probably to keep
us kids from falling down two stories! All I knew
was that I loved the patio because the color on the
plastic made each day seem like a carnival.
Each morning, I would jump out of bed and
run up to my Nonna’s apartment. I just loved
being up there, probably because my brothers
were not there with me! In retrospect, each day
with my Nonna was a new adventure. Each day I
would either play on the colorful, outdoor patio in
my very colorful, make-believe world; or help my
Nonna cook pasta or bake biscotti; or sit in rapt
attention as she told me stories of her home, family,
the war, and people she met while working as the
Published six times a year
for the students, parents,
alumnae, and friends of
Saint Joseph High School.
Photography:
Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ
Writing/Editor:
Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ
Design: OPM Design
Group, Burbank
postmaster of her little beach town in Italy. I woke
up each morning with great anticipation because
I knew each day would be a brand new adventure
with my Nonna.
Today, I feel the same way about SJHS. There
is always something new I learn from the girls,
the staff, the families. I believe, too, that your
daughters embark on a new adventure when they
enter the blue gates of the school. It might be the
same classroom and teacher, but each lesson is a
new adventure in literature, science, the arts, world
languages, history...
Each day for each of us is a new beginning
filled with hope and anticipation of “the more.”
Is it not what Jesus promised us, just like he
promised the apostles at Pentecost, “I will remain
with you until the end of time.” This promise
should drive us to wake-up each day with great
anticipation and hope for adventure!
God bless each of you and your families
as we enter this holiday season of Thanks and
Thanksgiving!
May Mother St. John Fontbonne and St.
Joseph keep you in their loving care.
Sincerely,
Minerva Awardees Sr. Terry Dodge, SSL, with Justice
Sandra Day O’Connor, and Oprah Winfrey with
Maria Shriver at the Minerva Awards presentation
on October 27. (See page 11.)
Dr. Mendoza, ’73
Principal
5825 North Woodruff Avenue • Lakewood, CA 90713 • Tel (562) 925-5073 • Fax (562) 925-3315 • www.sj-jester.org
Welcome: A Year of New Beginnings
All of which woman is capable, the theme for this
academic school year at Saint Joseph High School, reflects
the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the
founding religious community who were the first teachers
and administrators at SJHS. The theme set the tone for the
new year. Being all each person can be, living up to all of
one’s God-given talents, this is truly a challenge and a
reward for all members of the SJHS family—students,
faculty, staff and parents. Let us all begin.
At the close of the Opening Liturgy, the
previous year’s Carondelet and Fontbonne
Scholars were recognized and incoming
Fontbonne Scholars in the freshman class were
called forward to receive plaques. Freshman
Fontbonne Scholars and their parents enjoyed
lunch on the green outside the Flynn Center
following the Liturgy.
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Fontbonne and Carondelet Scholars
Freshmen
Pictured above, from left to right:
Amanda Seckington
Kala Kopecek
Angel Pina
Bianca Alliyah
Melanie Rader
Rose Filart
Alexandra Black
Michele Pennala
Anna Scolamieri
Elizabeth Chung
Tinamarie Medina
Not Pictured:
Sophomores
Emily Kent
Laura Machado
Marisella Garcia
Jessica Velez
Justine Gonzales
Christina
Mecklenburg
Kaitlynne Bohm
Chandler Rominger
Angeline Ferrer
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Juniors
Melissa Owens
Seniors
Elizabeth Kent
Carolyn Niemeyer
Angolan Olympic
Basketball Team Visits
This past summer, after many flight delays and the experience
of being stranded in a hotel for several days, the Olympic basketball
team from the African nation of Angola arrived in California and
made its way to Lakewood. The Angolan team managers made an
arrangement to use the Flynn Center for daily practices, workouts
and preparation for competition.
Faculty member Nicole Vasquez acted as school liaison and
assisted the team as they became familiar with the Flynn Center.
She also helped them schedule practices. Serious about their sport,
the Angolan team was used to working out every day to refine their
game, and they paracticed hard to make
up for the days they had lost while
stranded outside the United States.
Finding themselves thousands
of miles from home, Ms.
Vasquez’ friendly smile and
helpfulness made them feel
welcome. As a sign of the
team’s gratitude to SJHS for
the use of the facility the
Angolan team donated their
new training and weight-lifting
equipment to the school. The
equipment was much needed and
joyfully received. Ready for use
by the students, SJHS now has
—three Weider weight-training
machines, a treadmill, stationery
bike, elliptical machine.
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ACADEMIC HONORS & AWARDS
Saint Joseph High School recently
received word from the College
Board testing services that
several Jesters earned honors and
commendation for their performance
in the following tests.
National Merit Scholarship
Program - Letter of
Commendation
The top 50,000 of over 1.5 million
students who took the 2009
PSAT/NMSQT received Letters of
Commendation. The following
SJHS students received such letters:
Nicole S. Casillan
Marcella A. Kelley
Kelly C. Schrock
National Achievement
Scholarship Program—
Outstanding Participant
The following student scored in the
top 3 percent of more than 160,000
Black Americans who took the 2009
PSAT/NMSQT. She is:
Breanna C. Hampton
The National Hispanic
Recognition Program
The NHRP identifies academically
outstanding Hispanic/Latino high
school students based on their
PSAT/NMSQT and cumulative GPA.
The following SJHS students are
recognized:
Ilse M. Gomez - Scholar
Kelly C. Schrock - Scholar
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
SCHOLAR AWARDS
Based on outstanding performance
on Advanced Placement Exams, the
following students received scores
of 3 or higher on three or more AP
exams. (** indicates class of 2010)
SCHOLARS:
Nicole Casillan
Marissa Delgado**
Michelle Deville**
Mary Dupont
Ilse Gomez
Shannon Keith
Elizabeth Kent
Victoria Mariscal**
Judith Martinez**
Kelly Schrock
Hillary Stabelfeldt**
SCHOLARS WITH HONOR
Students who received an average
score of at least 3.25 on all AP
exams taken, and scores of 3 or
higher on four or more of these
exams.
Elizabeth Lopez**
Lianne Nelson**
Gemalene Sunga**
SCHOLARS WITH
DISTINCTION
Students who received an average
score of at least 3.5 on all AP
exams taken, and scores of 3 or
higher on five or more of these
exams.
Jessica Flores**
Natalie Gonzalez**
Jennifer Searight**
C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
Jesters Going Beyond the Ordinary
Saint Joseph Jesters were certainly busy this past summer: traveling in Europe, visiting Japan as
ambassadors, studying in Washington or at the Sorbonne in Paris, painting rooms in an orphanage in the
Dominican Republic, participating in a peace march in El Salvador, and spending countless hours as a lab
intern right here in the U.S. By reaching out, they broadened their worlds in meaningful ways—they were
simply being “all of which women is capable.”
Way to go, Jesters!
Christine Zimmerman
4
Monday through Friday this
summer, for about six hours each day,
Christine Zimmerman, ’11, worked
as a “high school researcher” at
USC’s engineering department in
the Armani Lab. After graduation
from SJHS in May, Christine
wants to begin studies for a degree
in engineering. Though many days
still lie ahead before that degree can
become a reality, Christine feels she is
ready to begin the work.
During the last school year, Christine
searched for a summer internship. She had heard
of Dr. Andrea Armani and decided to visit her website. In
Dr. Armani’s lab at USC, PhD candidates and masters level
students do research and serve as interns as they work with
Dr. Armani. On Dr. Armani’s website, an opening for a
“high school researcher” had been indicated. The professor
was looking for a volunteer intern who would work during
Elizabeth Kent
During the summer, SJHS’ Girls’ State
representative Elizabeth (Beth) Kent, ’11, participated
in Girls’ State, a week-long experience of government
in action. “Intensive” was the best single word Beth
could think of to describe her experience.
For Beth the best part of Girls’ State was meeting girls
from all over California and getting to know more about the
political system. An eye opener for her was the fact that “even
though we all come from different backgrounds, we all want to
make the world better and effect positive change.” Beth feels that
working together can be easier when everyone realizes that “we
are all the same.”
Of all the experiences she enjoyed during Girls’ State,
her favorite was Mock Supreme Court and learning how cases
are handled. Beth is seriously thinking about getting into
the summer. There was no test for the position, but rather an
application process.
Christine was chosen for the position and was assigned
a project—altering the fabrication parameters of sol-gel silica
in order to make sol-gel more efficient. As it turned out, the
USC work overlapped the SJHS back-to-school schedule, but
Christine was able to return to SJHS and continue at USC
simultaneously. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and
one of the most amazing experiences in my life,” says Christine.
Working with Dr. Armani and the interns, Christine said: “Dr.
Armani taught me so much and she is probably the reason I
want to go into engineering. She is one of the most inspiring
women engineers in the field and has accomplished so much.”
Christine shared that Dr. Armani is writing a recommendation
for her that will accompany her application to USC.
Christine learned a great deal this summer—about
engineering and also about dedication. “I chose to stay there
every day. She would have let me have breaks, but I chose to
stay,” says Christine. On the Armani Research Group website,
each intern is listed with a photograph. At the end of the intern
listings are two photos—one of a young man who was a high
school researcher for 2009, and next is Christine as the high
school researcher for 2010.
law when she graduates and she
joined Mock Trial at SJHS again
this year. (On a side note: her
father is a construction defect
litigator.)
“Most of the girls I spoke
with want to major in political
science or government,” she
said recently about Girls’ State.
In addition to pre-law, Beth, too, is
considering a major in political science.
Regarding what college she will attend, Beth
is keeping her options open for now and not committing to any
one school.
Though Girls’ State was a great exposure to what other teens
are saying about their future plans, for Beth, the best part was
getting away and experiencing what it is like to be involved in
adult, real world politics.
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Olivia Seitz
For five weeks, Olivia Seitz, ’13
participated in “Summer Studies in Paris”
with her older brother Daniel, who attends
Loyola High School. Olivia took a course
in French for college credit at the Sorbonne
University in Paris. Her study/tour group
stayed in a hotel just outside Paris.
Students had a weekly itinerary to visit
various sites and student advisors gave them tours
during the day. Each evening from 2:30 to 6:00
pm the group attended classes. The students studied in
Sorbonne satellites around Paris. At 6:00 or 7:00 each evening
they returned to their hotel for dinner. On weekends they went
on all day excursions—to Chamborg with its gothic architecture
and hunting lodge, to the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Olivia says that each day she walked past the Cathedral and its
beautiful rosetta stained glass window. They also visited Versailles,
Chenonceau and the river that went around the gardens and castle,
and they couldn’t pass up visiting Disneyland Paris. The group
Brittany Roehm
It wasn’t just luck that Brittany Roehm, ’11, was given a
chance of a lifetime to visit Japan. Brittany says it all started when
Lomita’s City Councilwoman, Margaret Estrada, encouraged her
mom to get involved in the sister city program in her hometown.
“My hometown has a sister city program with Takaishi,
Japan in Osaka,” says Brittany. “Two years ago my
mother visited Japan as a chaperone, and last
summer our family hosted Eri Ueda to come
to the U.S. to live with us.” (Brittany even
gave Eri her bedroom.)
By opening this door, Brittany was
chosen this past summer to spend two
weeks in Japan with Eri’s family. Brittany
got to know Eri’s parents and her two
older siblings very well. “It started to feel
like home and I became attached,” says
Brittany. “Eri and I are into the same type of
music and we got along like sisters. In Japan,
anime (animation) is very popular and we both
got into it.” Eri, 19, is currently a student at Osaka
University.
“Eri and her family were so kind to me and made me
instantly feel comfortable. I wasn’t homesick at all,” says Brittany.
“I felt like I had a family there.” Before going to Japan she had
prepared by studying Japanese and had earned an equivalent of
two years at El Camino College. While in Japan, she spoke as
much as she could in Japanese.
Brittany attended host program events with the Sister City
certainly saw a lot of amazing sights on the
excursions.
For Olivia, it was a true French
immersion experience—she used her
French whenever possible, even when
ordering meals. The group was in Paris for
Bastille Day and went to the Eiffel Tower
for fireworks synchronized to music. Her
roommates Meena and Alisha were from
New York and she misses them a lot.
“I just loved experiencing another
culture and being able to walk through the city.
We were able to choose what we would do every
day as we became immersed in Paris. The chaperones did
not just let us loose, but you could make choices,” said Olivia
afterwards. “The group visited the Jewish quarter and the
Muslim area of Paris.” She found that nearly everyone speaks
some English in Paris. “They enjoy that you are trying to speak
French. It is very metropolitan. The streets were very narrow.
I just loved walking through Paris. No air conditioning.
Everything was at least three stories high. The architecture was
fascinating.”
Program and spent weekends with the Ueda family. The group
met with the mayor and city council, the fire department, and
the police department. “It was an enlightening experience,”
says Brittany. “We have many similarities and differences in
our daily lives. They incorporate ancient traditions as part of
everyday life.”
Brittany wore a special summer kimono during the visit.
She participated in the Oban (or harvest) Festival there.
“The family went to Eri’s grandparents home for the
festival. It was a very moving experience. I was an
outsider, but they took me in and treated me
with great love and respect. It was touching
and very life-changing for me. Now I am a
little homesick for the Ueda family.” Luckily
Brittany is able to talk on Facebook with Eri.
“It was amazing and I am so grateful to
the Sister City Program and my host family
and, most especially, my host mother who
was amazing. I tried to help out. She worked
so hard to keep everyone on schedule. She
and her husband even cooked dinner together
at home. Mr. Ueda spoke English really well, too. I
learned a lot about their culture. It has changed me a lot.
I want to go back again someday. I can’t imagine living my
whole life without going back there. We were all crying at the
airport. No one wanted to go home.”
Next year Brittany wants to focus on liberal studies and
music in college. She is applying to Loyola Marymount, Santa
Clara University and St. Mary’s College in Indiana. In all
likelihood, she will keep a return visit to Japan somewhere in
her future.
C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
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5
Kicking off the school year with:
New Faces, Functions
6
See page 9
for related
story
Orientation Days, Welcome Week activities and the
first days of school brought endless opportunities for
Jesters, faculty and parents—a prelude to a school year
well begun.
With homeroom to start their “day,” Jester
parents had a full night of six “blocks” or class
periods during Back to School Night, meeting each of
their daughter’s teachers in 8-minute classes. Many
a parent developed a healthy respect for trekking
across campus in search of their assigned classroom
and all it takes to avoid a late slip.
Luckily, between Blocks C and D, an opportune “snack
break” was provided in Chapel Court to the accompaniment
of music provided by the “Princesas de San Jose.”
From day one, SJHS teachers found themselves inundated
with questions: “Do we really have homework every night?”
and, “You said the first test will be what day next week?”
Taking it all in stride were Jillian Felger, Josh Ornelas and
Natalie Risley—faculty new to SJHS. Joining them in
becoming part of the SJHS school community was a special
group of young ladies, not only new to SJHS, but new to
the United States. After wading through all the red tape
facing a foreign exchange student, SJHS administrative
assistant Nancy Swartout says the work has been “so
worth it.” Three years ago, SJHS had but one foreign
exchange student, today there are seven.
Each girl brings to the campus a fresh
smile, a wealth of unique experiences,
and a promise of lifelong friendships.
Faculty New to SJHS
The SJHS family warmly welcomes
faculty new to the school:
Natalie Risley, Jillian Felger and
Josh Ornelas!
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Being all of which they are capable:
s & Fun!
Summer programs
& Experiences
Natalie Kester
During the summer, Natalie Kester, ’12 went on a weeklong mission trip to El Salvador with Resurrection Lutheran
Church, Redondo Beach. The goal of Natalie’s group was to
help Resurrection School in El Salvador. Some lent a hand at a
center run by the church that distributes food to the homeless.
Another group of students went out to villages providing aid as
needed. Natalie’s group visited San Miguel Province, and Santa
Tecla Municipio, an area on the outskirts of the capital, San Salvador. Natalie’s group
also visited Soyapango, a village on the verge of destruction.
For most of her stay Natalie, with others, helped out at Resurrection School.
She and other students from the U.S. also participated in a August 6th peace march.
Natalie reflected on the experience and said afterwards that she was “humbled
by everything I saw,” noting that the lady they stayed with had been tortured during
the civil war. “It made me want to take what I learned to my Peace and Justice class
this year and start a project.” Most of all, she remembers feeling like she “wanted to
do something.”
Vivian Ramirez
A member of Lifeteen Youth Ministry at her parish, St.
Linus Church, Vivian Ramirez, ’12 went on a seven day trip to
the Dominican Republic through Mustard Seed Communities
(an organization her mom runs). Four teens from different high
schools and six adults in the group painted rooms and spent
time with kids at an orphanage for children with disabilities
in Puerta Plata. One day, they visited a village with a large
population of Haitian refugees. “The kids ran up to us speaking
in French.” (Vivian is learning Spanish, not French—but through gestures understood
a great deal.) She met a 10-year-old girl named “America” who only wanted to hold
her hand. As they walked along the rocky, uneven terrain Vivian looked down and “I
saw she had no shoes on…you don’t need words for that,” she said.
In one village that Mustard Seed supports, there was a boy named Johnny, 12, who
had several mental and physical disabilities. We walked into an outside area and kept
looking around. “So I went and held his hand—words cannot explain the emotions.
Just by a simple touch of a hand, you can change someone’s life,” says Vivian.
“I think about it every day and I realize how grateful I am for all I have and for
the people in my life, the abilities I have,” she said. “It is a very humbling experience.”
Vivian keeps a photo of Johnny in her book bag and looks at it every day as a reminder.
Sandra Toledo
Congratulations to Jester Sandra Toledo, ’11, who received
a scholarship to attend a special program at the Interamerican
College of Physicians and Surgeons in Washington, DC. The
program is part of the National Hispanic Youth Initiative
designed for high school students interested in pursuing a
career in science or in a medical field after college.
During a week of study in July, Sandra focused on health,
biomedical research and policy development. Sandra’s scholarship covered all expenses
except airfare. Costs of housing (students lived in dorm rooms at George Washington
University), transportation, educational opportunities and visits to various medical
sites were included.
More than 600 students applied for the program, but only 60 were chosen.
Academic standing, community service hours, and other activities related to science,
involvement at school and volunteerism were determining factors in the selection process.
C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
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7
Fall Carnival
No Fall Carnival would be complete
without folklorico dancing, delicious homemade
tacos, funnel cakes, our very own Princesas de
San Jose Mariachis, those ubiquitous goldfish
in glass bowls, time spent with old friends,
prizes—lots of them—and maybe a bit of
cotton candy. One of the most fortunate people
was Jenny Roberts of Long Beach, whose ticket
#188618, was the winning ticket in the annual
give-away. Congratulations to Jenny and all
those who came to enjoy the Carnival. Many thanks to those who
gave so much time to help make it a success.
Jester Athletes
Golf News
Jester Alexandra de la Torre was named to All
League at the end of the season. The golf team was
in 1st place all league as of newsletter publication.
Congratulations to the top seven golfers, First Team
Golf, in the Camino Real League: 1. Alexandra de
la Torre; 2. Zoe Mascola; 3. Barbara Moore; 4.
Catherine McLoughlin; 5 (tied). Samantha Palmer and
Pessica Wiese; 7. Taryn Zatarain.
Cross Country
8
Jester Travellers in Europe
Faculty members Mayra Aguilar, Mary-Elizabeth Benson, Celine
Figueroa, the parents of faculty member Mayra Aguilar, and twelve
alumnae travelled to Rome, Florence, Madrid and Barcelona for ten
days this past summer. The group marveled at Rome’s
Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Vatican and
St. Peter’s Basilica, the beauty of David and the
pure joy of gelato in Florence (especially in the
high heat). In Spain they visited the Prado
and Reyna Sofia in Madrid, and experienced a
flamenco show. The girls learned how to make
a Spanish seafood specialty, paella, in Barcelona.
Jester European Travelers were:
Alma Ruby Beltran, ’11 | Andrea Beltran, ’11
Ashley Malpica, ’13 | Carolina Nunez, ’11
Aimeee Sarabia, ’12 | Elvira Sarabia, ’13
Varsity Jester runner, Gabi Gonzalez, ’13, set a school
record of 18:18 at the Santa Fe Dam meet and the
Jester team was 2nd in All League. In the same meet,
senior Julia Plecnik placed 6th, frosh Kala Kopecek
placed 7th and junior Adrianna Vasquez placed 10th.
In individual races junior varsity members placed:
Sarah Mendoza, 1st; Tyler Levengood, 3rd; Samie
Barajas, 11th; Samantha Markham, 11th; Valerie
Gonzalez, 9th; Marysol Uribe, 19th; Breanna
Hampton, 20th; Cielo Zavala-Esquivel, 26th; Janelle
Somono, 28th; Desiree Lee, 29th; Mercedes Ubario,
31st; Sam Soltero, 12th; Lindsey Vasquez, 35th;
Thalia Capilla, 11th; Lauren Mercado, 38th; Liliana
Rodriguez, 39th; Hayley Pascual, 41st; Elise Cota,
49th; Jacquelyn Campana, 50th; Jessica Acuna, 65th.
Volleyball
Under the leadership of Coach Michael Hinton and
assisted by faculty member Jillian Felger, the Jester
varsity volleyball team placed 3rd, All League.
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Ohana: Junior Rings
Global Jesters
In many Pacific Island languages, including Hawaiian,
the term “Ohana” means “family”—not in the sense of a
birth mother, father, brother or sister, but rather in terms of
the larger community. Ohana is revered and given respect.
Everyone becomes responsible for everyone else. If one is
happy—all are happy. If one grieves—the whole community
grieves or supports or is there for the others in the ohana. It is
this theme that pervaded the 2010 Junior Ring Ceremony on
October 22nd. As the juniors, the 187 member Class of 2011,
expressed it so well in their program, when they quoted Lilo
and Stitch: “Ohana means family. Family means no one gets
left behind or forgotten.”
The Jester world greatly expanded in September. Thanks to the
hard work of administrative assistant Nancy Swartout, seven young
women from Korea, China and Vietnam joined the Jester family.
Often referred to as I-20 students or foreign students, they add their
own particular gifts and talents to the campus. As Nancy Swartout
said earlier in the year, “Three years ago only one I-20 student
attended SJHS.” These students—two of whom had been Jesters
last year—joined clubs, signed up for activities, and brought their
own sense of humor and willingness to learn to the Jester campus—
making it a richer place. Our foreign students are:
From Vietnam: Ahn Tran, sophomore
9
3
From China: Yuxin (Emma) Zhang, sophomore and
Ying (Christina) Li, junior
From Korea: Yeseung (Susana) Choi, sophomore and her sister
Yejeong (Clare) Choi, junior, plus Esther Kim, sophomore and
Yesom (Liz) Kim, junior
The Phantom Tollbooth
During November, the Visual and Performing Arts
Departments of Saint Joseph and Saint John Bosco High Schools
presented the second show of the 2010-2011 season, The
Phantom Tollbooth. The play, adapted by Susan Nanus from the
book by Norton Juster, ran at Saint Joseph High School through
November 21.
The show follows Milo, a bored kid, on his adventures
through a mysterious tollbooth into The Lands Beyond. There,
joined by his trusty companions—Tock, the watchdog, and The
Humbug—he looks for answers to difficult questions: Which are
more important, words or numbers? What do synonym buns taste
like? Is it faster to travel by miles or half inches? And what does
a square wheeled steamroller running over a street full of hardboiled eggs sound like? Milo must rush to rescue two princesses
before Rhyme and Reason are lost forever.
The combined Jester and Bosco production involved a cast
of twenty, most playing multiple roles. Director Brian Bozanich
worked with elements of commedia dell arte, Warner Brother’s
cartoons, and improvisational comedy to create a silly world
reminiscent of Oz or Wonderland. The show was underscored
by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which provides outstanding
accompaniment in a bold and playful world. Working on a
set pieced together from oversized Lego, the performers had
something for everybody.
In addition to the public performances, the cast performed
four daytime shows for fifteen schools and more than 1,700 fourth
through eighth graders. These free performances were made
possible through a grant from Supervisor Don Knabe and the
Fourth Supervisorial District Arts Education Partnership Program.
C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
Class Acts: Alumnae Updates
We Remember Polly Pope
10
The name Polly Pope has a special
place in the history of Saint Joseph High
School. Though not a SJHS alumna, she
was everything else—proud parent of
a Jester, member of the founding first
faculty at SJHS, a teacher, coach, athletic
director, mentor. Her blood simply ran
Jester Orange. Often the first person
on campus and the last to leave,
Polly attended senior retreats, class meetings, rallies,
summer cheer camps and league meetings. She
cheered her girls on to victory and gave them
support when they were lost. Polly Pope was
synonymous with SJHS for fourteen years from
1964 until 1978.
Polly passed away on August 3, 2010, in
her home, surrounded by Bill, her husband of 50
years, and their three children and their families.
Since Polly’s death many have shared their
memories. Daughter Carla, who knew her mother as a
teacher, coach, athletic director, mentor and friend, also shared
coaching with her mother at St. Anthony High School in the
1980s and 90s.
With Polly, there was always the advantage of those she
“brought along.” If Polly was there for an event, it generally
meant someone else came along. Her husband Bill was her
Polly Pope Scholarship
Foundation
Polly laid the foundation for much the
traditions and programs we cherish today
including our assigned class colors and our
excellent sports and pep squad programs. She
was everywhere on or campus and always took
care of the needs of the Jesters.
A scholarship has been established in
her memory that extends beyond athletes to
all those who participate in the Girls Athletic
Association (GAA). This scholarship will be
awarded annually to one sophomore, junior or
senior.
For more information, or to make a
donation to the Polly Pope Scholarship
Foundation, please contact Mrs. Karen Castillo,
ext. 125.
biggest fan, her greatest cheerleader through
everything. Whenever Polly was at Jester
games, Bill would be there, too, ever supportive
and loving. When her children Carla, Craig (St.
Anthony ’82) and Christyn (St. Anthony ’84) were
old enough, they, too, attended every event.
At this year’s All Souls Memorial Liturgy at SJHS, Polly
was specially remembered. Polly’s husband Bill and daughter
Carla attended the liturgy. Polly was a true “people person.”
Family, friends, meeting new people, being with others, were
Polly’s great joys. “And her great love,” says her daughter, SJHS
alumna Carla Pope, ’80. When asked what was her mother’s
favorite year, Carla responded, “There wasn’t any one year.
They were all good.” Every year was special to Polly “because of
the people,” she said. “Every class had that special group. It was
very interesting to me that if I would see people that I hadn’t
seen since I was six years old, they were important to her. She
always had Jesters around her. It could have been anyone—a
drill team member or a coach, and they weren’t always athletes.
Sometimes she took people in who just needed to get away.”
When asked about stand-out moments for her mom,
Carla said, “The people who came back to coach or simply
help out, like Lisa Torres. These were the stand-out moments.”
Carla added, “And I was lucky enough to be able to coach with
her.” She said, “I try to tell my kids how amazing she was.
Words just don’t do her justice. They’re young now and they
just didn’t have the opportunity to really know her.”
Polly taught, coached and directed the athletic program at
St. Anthony High School from 1978 until 1994. Technically
she turned over the leadership of the coaching to her daughter
Carla in 1990 and both Polly and Carla retired from St.
Anthony High School in 1994. At the end of the 1994 school
year Polly moved to Millikan High School and served as
guidance counselor on that campus until she fully retired in
2002.
May Polly now know the comfort and peace that only
God can give. May she rest in peace she so richly deserves.
Amen.
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Sister Terry Dodge, SSL, ’69, Honored With Minerva Award
In 2004, California’s First Lady Maria Shriver created
the Minerva Award to honor remarkable women dedicated to
improving California’s communities, the state and the world. The
award recognizes the work of women today who act as architects
of change to empower others, who make a profound and positive
difference in the world.
The 2010 recipients of the Minerva Award were recognized
at a special program on October 27 in Long Beach. This year’s
recipients were: Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
(retired), the first woman on the nation’s highest court; Oprah
Winfrey, television and publishing personality; Oral Lee Brown,
a community activist in Oakland; Carolyn Blashek, who has
delivered over 500,000 care packages to service members overseas;
and Sister Terry Dodge, SSL, SJHS ’69, whose Crossroads ministry
serves women recently released from prison and assists them as they
transition to life “outside.” Sister Terry is the executive director of
Crossroads.
Several days after receiving the Minerva Award, Sr. Terry
said, “Words cannot describe the feeling of standing shoulder to
shoulder with such remarkable women. I remember so well when
Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court. Just
to be standing next to her, to someone who received the same
award, is extremely overwhelming. It is humbling to know that
what I do, which I see as so everyday, can have such a tremendous
impact on others.”
Sister Terry worked with Crossroads, in Claremont, since
1989—21 years. “We provide an environment where women who
started off on the wrong path can change their life and grow.” From
the Crossroads mission statement: “The mission of Crossroads,
Inc. is to provide housing, education, support and counseling in
a homelike environment for women who have been incarcerated.
Our goal is to empower women to take control of their lives and to
help them step out of the revolving door of prison and jail.”
Sr. Terry attended St. Cyprian School before coming to SJHS.
When asked about the place SJHS holds in her life, Sr. Terry said,
“Going to an all girls’ high school, really gave me the breadth
and scope to do what I’m doing. I am an advocate for this type
of environment. It is probably one of the reasons why I enjoy so
much working with, and for, women today. It all started when I
was surrounded by capable women at SJHS.”
Bringing Hope to
South Africa’s Children
For the last six months, alumna Claire Tindula, ’05, has
served with the Peace Corps in South Africa in its HIV/AIDS
Outreach Program working among young children impacted
by the disease. Claire has found that even the slightest gift can
make a huge difference in a child’s life… whether it be crayons
or a used book, for these are things that few children there
can call their own—things we take for granted.
In a desire to help Claire, a number of members
of the SJHS school community would like to support
her efforts in South Africa by sending gently used (or
even new) children’s books. Also needed—the postage for
sending these books. Please contact the alumnae office for
more information. The following is an edited letter from Claire:
Sanibonani! (Sah-nee-boh-nah-nee)
Greetings from South Africa! I graduated from Saint Joseph
High School in 2005 and am currently serving as a Peace
Corps Volunteer with the Community HIV/AIDS Outreach
Program in South Africa. I live in a community near the town of
Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal. There I work with a communitybased organization, called Ithembalesizwe (‘Hope for the Nation’)
Community Care Center. The Center supports people living with
HIV/AIDS and chronic diseases, as well as children and youth who
have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
South Africa has the most people living with HIV/AIDS of
any country (5.7 million), and within South Africa, KwaZuluNatal is the province with the highest rate of prevalence (15.8%
and 32-50% amoung women aged 25-29). As you can imagine,
the compounding factors of hunger, poverty, lack of education,
unemployment, and gender inequality are devastating.
Around 100 children come to the Center after school for
11
a meal every day because they do not have
enough food at home. The Center occasionally
gets donations of clothing and shoes to give
to the children. In my time here, I am hoping to
create more after-school programs for the kids. Exposure to reading
more books would give these children the opportunity to practice
reading, as well as help them develop their English skills so they
can further thier education and get jobs to support themselves and
their families. I am trying to get more books and games in the
hands of these children by setting up a small library/game room/
craft area at the Center.
Your donations from this book drive would mean SO much
to them, and would provide them with an opportunity to open
their eyes and minds to another world. Who knows how they will
be inspired by what they read and by the people halfway around
the world that cared enough to send them a book.
Thank you in advance for thinking of us and for anything you
can send to help.
Siyabonga kakhulu, nisale kahle (Thank you very much and stay well),
Claire Tindula, ’05, aka Siphiwe Buthelezi
PO Box 838 • Mtubatuba
3935 • South Africa
ctindula@gmail.com • claireinsafrica.blogspot.com
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 60039
Long Beach, CA
Alumnae,
Mark Your Calendars!
Next Alumnae Association Meetings
January 20 and March 17, 2011
6:30 pm in the Media Center.
For more information, contact
Zarina Ayala, ’93, Lisa Lindgren, ’82
or Christina Turrietta, ’82 at:
(562) 925-5073, extension 100, 131,
or 101 respectively.
5825 North Woodruff Avenue
Lakewood, CA 90713
Tel (562) 925-5073
Fax (562) 925-3315
www.sj-jester.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Important Dates
to Remember
1-11 Red Bucket/Holy Spirit School Drive
DECEMBER
3-4 Holiday Dance Performances, 7 pm
7 Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Dinner, 5 pm
8 Immaculate Conception and
Advent Liturgy, 11:15 am
9-10 Holiday Choir Performance, 7 pm
12-14 Pre-Exam Period
15-17 Semester Exams
20 Semester Exam grades due
Alumna Faculty Member Receives Scholarship
Alumna and Science Department faculty member, Sarah
Santos, ‘02, currently enrolled in a masters degree program in
20-Jan 4 Christmas Break
Note: Front Office closed from
Dec 18 – Jan 2
education at Loyola Marymount University, has been notified
that she is the recipient of a scholarship to assist her in her
studies at LMU. A special component of the scholarship is the
gift of an additional $3,000 for the SJHS Science Department
to be used for department teaching materials and supplies.
Funded by the AFCEA (Armed Forces Communication and
Electronics Association) Sarah’s scholarship is intended for use
by teachers of women who encourage their students to go into
careers in engineering, technology, electronics, and forensics.
Congratulations, Sarah!
4 Last day to register for ACT
5 Special Schedule for Faculty Inservice
D EJCAENMUBAERRY
6 First day of second semester—
classes resume
10 Career Fair, 7-8:30 pm
11 Faculty Meeting
12 High School Information Night,
7-8 pm
13 1st Semester Awards Ceremony, 11:15 am
14 Incoming Freshman deadline for
application
17 Martin Luther King Holiday—
no classes
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
Please keep these members of the SJHS family and their loved ones in your prayers. A Mass of
Remembrance will be celebrated in the school chapel for each of the following members of the
SJHS school family. We remember:
Laura Carlos, mother of
Marie T. Hauck, grandmother of
Vanessa Yanez, ’08
Frances Casillas, grandmother of
Susan J. Paul (Czerwinski), ’80
Judith Commodore, mother of
Polly Pope, mother of Carla Pope
20 Alumnae Association Meeting,
6:30 pm
Carla Carlos, ‘12
22 High School Placement Exam,
8 am-12 noon
24 Freshman Parent Night, 7-8:30 pm
25 Freshman Retreat, 9-2:30 pm
Patricia, ’84, Anna, ’86, and grandmother
of Jessica, ’08
28 Sophomore Lock-In, 6 pm
Frank E. Figueroa, father of
29 Academic Decathlon 1
30-Feb 5 Catholic Schools Week
31-Feb 2 Freshman Interviews, 3:30-6:30 pm
faculty member Celine Figueroa, ’90
Johnnie S. Garcia, spouse of Jacob
and father-in-law of Jackie Cordova, ’03,
SJHS staff member
Jessa T. Hauck, ’01
Coburn, ’80, member of founding SJHS
faculty, longtime faculty member, coach
and Director of Athletics
Kristine Sander, ’84
Raymundo Urdiales, grandfather of
Ana Lucia Urdiales, ’13