Fall 2014 - Ramona Convent Secondary School

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.
President
Sr. Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
Callaway@ramonaconvent.org
Principal
Mary E. Mansell
mmansell@ramonaconvent.org
Director of Development
Kimberly Hoffman
khoffman@ramonaconvent.org
Director of Alumnae/Editor
Julie C. Huntley ‘72
jhuntley@ramonaconvent.org
Photos:
Judy Wilber Alvarez
Ruth Ballenger
Terri Cardinali ‘70
Veronica Bacio Fernandez ‘00
Julie C. Huntley ‘72
Student Photographers:
Emily Huerta ‘15
Liana Limeta ‘17
A Ramona Graduate is……
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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.
A woman who is integrating all facets of herself: spiritual, physical, emotional,
intellectual, artistic, and social.
A critical thinker who can organize, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize ideas
and information to develop solutions.
A communicator who effectively and reflectively reads, writes, listens, speaks,
and collaborates with others.
A transformative leader who nurtures the gifts of others, initiates new ideas,
resolves conflicts constructively, and works collaboratively to achieve goals.
Cover Photo: Students in their spirit shirts at Tiger
Play Day.
Top left: Kathleen Ngo ‘18
Top right: KaitLynn Markley '18 (tiger mascot) and
Priscilla Fierro ‘18
Bottom: Sophia Avina ‘16 and Lourdes AcostaMartinez ‘15
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
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 readers and welcome any assistance toward achieving
our 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.
CONTENTS
2
Letter from the President
3
Letter from the Principal
4
Feature Story
6
Faculty Profile
7
Curricular & Co-curricular
13
Sisters of the Holy Names
14
Development
16
Alumnae
20
In Memoriam
A Message from the President
Dear Members of the Ramona Family,
This is truly a wonderful and exciting time to be at Ramona!
The vibrancy and excitement that permeate the campus are
contagious. All around is a feeling of vision, energy, and
creative forward movement. While there are visual reminders, such as the new entrance and guard station on Ramona
Road and the newly designed and equipped fitness center,
even more important is the spirit among the students and
faculty. From each one radiates the sense that Ramona is a
great school, and I am happy to be part of it!
Today’s students are wonderful young women who have
thrown themselves wholeheartedly into their school work
and co-curricular activities, while at the same time embracing our twenty-six International
students and helping them to become acclimated to American education and teenage life.
Our dedicated teachers, the long-timers, as well as those newly hired, have been diligently
exploring common core standards, new technology and its integration into classroom instruction, and the possibilities of on-line or blended classes – all with the goal of enhancing
student learning.
Our graduates continue to make us proud and to affirm that a Ramona education prepares
young women for postsecondary education and the world of work. During the 125 years
since its establishment, over 7,300 young women have graduated from Ramona. Many
others have received part of their education here. At our celebrations, even though the
attendees have represented different years – and even decades – listening to conversations
would lead one to believe that they had all been at Ramona at the same time. Traditions
and experiences are so similar! Poignant, too, have been the personal stories of women
who value the strong foundation and values received at Ramona which have enabled each
of them to face the good times as well as the challenges in their life journeys.
Exploring Ramona’s rich history and traditions has given all of us a dynamic new energy to
challenge ourselves to provide today’s young women with a 21st century education.
Reminding ourselves that we are standing on the shoulders of visionary and courageous
educators who have gone before us impels us to bring to life the charism of Blessed MarieRose in a way that is meaningful and relevant today. The San Gabriel Valley has changed
since 1889, but Ramona’s mission has not!
While our 125th anniversary celebrations have been superb opportunities to reminisce and
reconnect; they are intentionally designed to launch us into the next 125 years. Even the
pictorial timeline which we have been distributing extends beyond this year. Whether you
are near or far, we thank you for your on-going interest in and support of Ramona. Please
keep in touch with us and know that your visits are always welcome.
Sincerely,
Sister Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
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
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 (RIP)
A Message from the Principal
In an iconic 19th Century photograph,
young Ramona students gather in their
science classroom. Nearby is a telescope - a shining example of 20th Century technology. To me, this photograph vividly illustrates a fundamental
truth about a Ramona education. From
its earliest days, the school has been
ahead of the times, on the forefront
of preparing young women for their
futures.
This year, as we celebrate our storied
past, it’s appropriate to take a closer look at how we provide a meaningful 21st Century education for the young women entrusted to our care. We are still firmly guided by the high
standards and principles of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in preparing
women to lead lives of academic excellence, spiritual depth and empowered leadership;
however, if one of those original Ramona girls in the photograph were to magically travel to
our campus today, she would find herself in a very different school environment.
Today, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and spiritual depth are
fostered in our science labs, art studios, fitness center, humanities classrooms, Library,
Student Life Center, engineering workshop, Chapel, and brand-new MakerSpace as well as in
our students’ experiences learning and serving in their communities beyond the gates of the
campus. Instead of telescopes, our students use tablets, laptops, cell phones, probes, and 3D
printers.
Even more transformed than the places where they learn and the tools they use is the way
our contemporary Ramona students engage in learning-- by active questioning; by collaborating with their peers to create content; by reading, analyzing and evaluating primary
sources; by solving real-world problems; by developing a global perspective; and by serving
their communities.
As a result of their Ramona education, our students become transformative leaders, active
thinkers with a deep spiritual foundation, well prepared for the challenges of life in our busy,
mobile, inter-connected, information-rich world.
In this issue of the Ramona Magazine, I hope you enjoy reading about some of the ways our
teachers engage students in profound 21st Century learning in the classroom and beyond.
It has been a blessing and a privilege to “come home” to Ramona this year. This fall, we have
gathered in sorrow, to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of our beloved Carole Platz, and
in joy, to rejoice in 125 years of empowering education. At both events, we deeply felt the
enduring values of the school and the strength, confidence, and promise of our students
and alumnae as they look to the future. We ask for your blessing and support as we
continue to transform the lives of young women in this century.
Sincerely,
Mary E. Mansell
Principal
ADMINISTRATION
Sr. Kathleen Callaway, SNJM
President
Mary E. Mansell
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
grounds – about where the east wing of the administration
building including the chapel, now stands.
While we welcomed almost 500 guests to the gym, the day
could not pass without special recognition of one person:
Carmen Martinez Sandoval ’39. Something no one else in
What a glorious day October 4, 2014 was for our Ramona
family: from the beautiful ambiance in the gym, to the music
provided by our Holy Names Sisters and our own Ramona
Chamber Singers, to our many friends and families who
joined us to welcome Archbishop Gomez and one another to
our 125th anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving. The warm
weather only served to enhance the warm and cordial atmosphere of the day!
As the Anniversary Committee, consisting of faculty, staff,
current parents and alumnae, met to begin preparations, our
question was always how to capture the significance of the
day in a meaningful way – and how to capture 125 years of
remarkable history with limited time and space. This was a
monumental task, but one that was accomplished with
inclusivity, dignity, and “class” and was respectful of all that
Ramona stands for.
For all of us it is hard to think of a time when there was no
busy San Bernardino Freeway with cars whizzing by – not
even a dirt path; no metro link trains – or even the red cars
that characterized this area at one time; no Marguerita
School – only an orange grove; and no city of Alhambra, only
a sheep pasture. This is the “Ramona” that welcomed eight
courageous Sisters of the Holy Names who made the three
day sea voyage from Northern California in 1889.
To place their journey in an historical context, in 1889, her
majesty, Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch of
England; California was celebrating its thirty-ninth year of
statehood; it was twenty-one years after the arrival of the
first Sisters of the Holy Names in California; and it was only
forty-six years after the founding of the Congregation in
Canada by Marie-Rose Durocher, whose feast day we celebrate on October 6th. Out of gratitude to their benefactors,
the Sisters called the convent “Ramona” in memory of
Ramona Wilson, the maternal grandmother of Ramona
Shorb. The first building to be erected was a four-story red
brick building on the knoll that dominated the Convent
the room could claim – Carmen was a senior at Ramona
when the school celebrated its 50th anniversary!!! Noteworthy, too, is the fact that her class was the first class to wear
white formals and carry yellow roses for graduation. It wasn’t
till the Class of 1951 that graduations at Rose Heath began.
Following the Mass, Archbishop Gomez, accompanied by
Rev. Austin Doran, Pastor of St. Anthony Church, and Rev.
Nick Reina, SDB, from Salesian High School, Sister Kathleen
and many of the faculty, staff, parents, alumnae and students
present walked up the drive to the pavilion for the official
dedication and blessing of the statue of Blessed Marie-Rose
recently installed in the center of the campus as a gift for the
125th anniversary. Archbishop Gomez clearly enjoyed the day
and was very accommodating as numerous photos were
taken – including a “selfie” requested by one of the student
photographers.
Most of the guests went straight to the Holy Family Room and
the Junior Living Room to partake of refreshments and enjoy
the thoughtfully arranged displays. From amazement at the
large and decorative diploma from 1894 to delight at the
PowerPoint presentation of Ramona’s third century created by
Andrea Gochi ’10, very little was left out! Those who attended
Ramona before 1987 enjoyed Terri Cardinali’s ’70 collection of
photos of the “old” building as they described various places
to those who had no pre-earthquake memories of Ramona.
The array of graduation dresses left little doubt as to which decade
they belonged to; no one minded that they weren’t here in 1941 to
wear the less than attractive green gym suit. Quite a sampling of
uniforms of bygone days evoked lots of memories – the 80’s were
best brought to life by Emily Huerta ’15 wearing her mom’s uniform
from 1983 (Terri Burrola Huerta).
Ramona’s ever helpful student ambassadors were on hand to
explain various displays, answer questions about Ramona today,
direct visitors about the campus, and make sure everyone received a
Ramona timeline and commemorative bookmark. In short, the celebration was 125 years in the making and one year of very intensive
and intentional preparation. There is more to come! Ramona is
going on the road and taking the celebration to various
distant geographic areas where we have a concentration
of alums. Parties have already happened in Seattle,
Portland, and Las Vegas – with more to take place after
the holidays. In addition, we are delighted to be hosting
“The Nun on the Bus,” Sister Simone Campbell, SSS on
January 29, 2015 for our first annual Women’s Symposium. Our year of celebration will conclude with the
auction gala on April 25, 2015 at the Castaway in
Burbank. Mark your calendars and plan to join the celebration wherever and whenever you are able!!!
Two months have gone by since
we lost Carole Platz to an undetectable, inevitably fatal hemorrhagic stroke. We can finally begin
to consider the woman who is no
longer with us, who impacted so
many of our lives.
We all knew her as a respected
colleague, an admired administrator, a beloved teacher.
But many of us knew her also as an
accomplished musician (a pianist
and vocalist), a fitness guru, an
enthusiastic participant, an amateur bird watcher and watercolorist, an avid gardener, a book
lover (especially mysteries), a faithful collector of Christmas tree
ornaments, a gourmet cook who specialized in chocolate and Italian
dishes.
modeling it to the entire student body. She also was
responsible for the codification of the BYOD technological code. Many years ago she started another longstanding Ramona tradition, participation in the Harvard
Model Congress, which many juniors and seniors look
forward to every year.
A graduate from 2001, Taryn Benarroch, wrote her
thoughts about her beloved Ms. Platz:
“Ms. Carole Platz introduced me to the Federalist
Papers, Howard Zinn, the magic of the American dream – and the injustices inherent in it. I
can’t believe the impact this woman had on my
life. I would tell Ms. Platz, ‘ I read the Federalist
Papers every year because of you, and I have
devoted the last decade to working for the
country whose history you taught me to love.
Know that I always tuck in my shirt, try to get
Still others of us, those who knew her for decades, discovered her to
be an accomplished and intrepid adventurer, an appreciator of all
things humorous, a really good sport, and, above all, a cherished
friend.
During her more than 38 years at Ramona, Carole Platz taught
history, AP US History, math, and humanities. For most of those years
she served as the Vice-Principal of Student Affairs, in charge of
discipline, dispensing justice with fairness and kindness. For many
years she moderated the National Honor Society, working with the
students on service projects, and subsequently earning the Archdiocesan Christian Award for faculty, exhibiting "excellence in directing
students in Christian Service or in any service witnessing Gospel
values.” She initiated the Honor Code, again working with a student
committee on promulgating the Code and disseminating as well as
places on time, check the length of my skirt,
and make sure always to take pleasure in the
magic of America’s stories. Thank you for what
you gave to us.’”
Michael Bradley, a retired Ramona faculty member, put
it succinctly:
“Carole Platz and I arrived at Ramona in the
same year, 1976, and for a while team taught a
Humanities program. As trite and improbable
as it sounds, we were instant friends. Never had
I worked with someone as calm and sensible, as
generous and supportive, intelligent, richly cultured, and sweet of disposition as she. Through
thirty-eight years my opinion of her never
changed. I liked Carole very, very much, and I
miss her terribly.”
And so do we all.
Carole giving the invocation at our 2014 Commencement exercises
Contributed by Mary Anne Barnheiser ‘65
and Margot Melieste
Rigor and Innovation:
21st Century learning at Ramona
In a school with a 125 year tradition of academic excellence, there will always be tension between tradition and innovation.
Our teachers thoughtfully revise programs to reflect the needs of the times, always keeping student learning at the forefront
of discussion and planning. Determining how students learn best, deciding which concepts and skills are worth learning, and
ensuring that their learning prepares students for college and life are topics of on-going study and reflection.
At Ramona today, project-centered collaborative learning and revised curricula provide the perfect balance of rigor and innovation. In a project-based learning model, students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to
solve to a complex question, problem, or challenge. Students learn meaningful content while developing 21st Century skills
of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. They collaborate with their peers, dig into a meaningful
problem, access and interpret resources, and, ultimately, present their solution, product, or performance to a public audience
beyond their classmates and teacher. Studies show that this type of learning fosters engagement and flow.
Our AP artists’ digital design projects stimulate creative problem solving; musicians collaborate at a high level with community members; The Harvard Model Congress fosters leadership and understanding of the process of government; a new state-of
-the art fitness center rounds out a modern physical education curriculum; computer programming classes and our MakerSpace nurture inventiveness; and a team of dedicated playwrights and thespians has collaborated across disciplines to
research and script the fall play, a mosaic of Ramona history. Enjoy a journey through these programs.
Visual and Performing Arts - Public exhibition and performances are traditions deeply embedded in arts
education. Today, technology and connections to the world outside the Ramona campus provide even more
occasions for students to share their work with the greater community. Familiar to anyone who visits a classroom
at Ramona is a set of inspiring posters designed by artists in the AP Studio Art 2D
Design/ Visual Arts III classes. Challenged by their teacher Ms. Maggie Averill, students helped solve a problem posed by the Department Chair Committee: How to
remind all students of specific “Habits of Mind” that foster academic success. A
school-wide curriculum focus, the habits -- Uses Technology Capably, Values Others’
Perspectives, Raise a Hand to Understand, Comprehend and Critique, and Observe
the Evidence -- are vividly illustrated in artwork that combines traditional drawing
with digital alteration using the GIMP program. Not just part of a brief art exhibit,
but on daily display throughout the campus and even visible in some of the STEM
public service announcements filmed on campus recently by Disney and Shell Oil,
the message of these posters has become engrained in the daily life of the school.
Another problem posed to our students: How can artists help raise awareness of
solutions for world hunger? Ms. Averill’s ceramicists collaborate with artists around
the world by creating and donating bowls to the Empty Bowls project, an international effort to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a
community level. Our students’ creativity supports Family Promise of San Gabriel, a local organization that helps
homeless families with children stay intact and regain stable housing and employment. Thus, the purpose of the
work of art expands beyond the classroom into social action.
Every year, Mrs. Ruth Ballenger challenges her Ramona Chamber Singers to audition for the
annual California State University, Los Angeles, Honor Choir weekend and concert sponsored by
the CSULA Department of Choral Activities. During the weekend, students work with singers
from high schools all over Southern California, preparing music of a very high caliber. Mrs.
Ballenger helps students who are accepted into the program prepare their music in advance so
that the weekend’s intensive rehearsals are about collaboration and artistry. She notes, “Each
year, the Ramona students who attend are energized by the experience, as they get to work
closely with students from other high schools, engaging in the deeply satisfying work of musicmaking. They love having the chance to sing in a mixed ensemble; as a girls’ school, that
opportunity doesn’t always easily present itself. The repertoire also differs from what we can
perform here at Ramona, so students are exposed to music they might not otherwise be able to
learn.”
Sr. Margaret Spiller’s Physical Computing Class - “It taught me to never give up because for many
of the circuits we built, I messed up on them like 3 billion times before I got it right. When I make a circuit
with 10 billion steps and get it right, it makes me feel like I can do everything and anything.”
New to the curriculum this year, the Physical Computing class gives our young women experience in developing their inventive, creative, problem-solving, collaborative skills while learning and integrating skills in
electronics, coding, and “making things.”
We spend a lot of our class time communicating, collaborating, tinkering, fixing, breaking,
rebuilding, and constructing projects that will interact with the world around us.
We were fortunate to receive two grants from the Alhambra Day Nursery Foundation to
purchase a 3D printer and small computer processors called Arduinos that enable users to
develop code that will take a physical input, such as light or temperature, and produce a
physical output, such as blinking lights, sound, or an LCD display. Our students use their
Arduinos, as well as other materials, to invent, create, and express their ideas; they learn to
work together to design, make, and program working electronic “devices.” In class, we
learn how to connect the Arduino “pins” to the various input and output devices, change
and develop the code to program them, solder, use meters, choose and wire components,
and work with software to design and print on the 3D printer.
The students’ comments best show how this course is engaging them and inspiring interest in STEM careers, particularly in computing fields. Surprisingly, they like the circuitbuilding and coding parts of the course the best.
One girl even bought her own Arduino so she could go on to more challenging projects on her own! Many
shared that they enjoyed the Khan Academy coding course they participated in; “It has made me want to
learn more and more about code.”
Students look forward to creating their own projects that incorporate LEGOs, cardboard, their own designed and 3D printed objects, along with Arduinos, electrical circuits, electronic components, creating and
adapting code. They need a LOT of imagination, trying and error-finding and re-trying at every phase, and,
of course, they need to work effectively with a group to accomplish their goal – none of this is easy.
Following are quotes from a few students:
“It’s a chance for my classmates and me to take the lead and experiment. With the confidence we gain
from this class, we can do anything we set our minds to anywhere else.”
“I feel empowered when I use tools like the soldering iron and the 3D printer. This class
helped me realize that I could have fun while also learning about a field that could be used in my
future. “
“You don’t even have to start out being good at it, but the beauty of it is that science is just one
big experiment. You just have to be willing to learn and apply yourself. If you succeed at that, you
will take away with you a lot more than the teachings of science. (-:”
“When I first saw "Physical Computing" on my schedule for my senior year I can't say that I was
completely happy, but as the weeks progressed I could say that I was 100% happy. I was always so
excited when I saw G block as my next block because I knew that I would be doing something educational but at the same time something that I really enjoyed. Each day I look forward to creating
new lights and creating unique codes to change the way the lights blink. This class has been such
an amazing experience and I am so proud to say that I was part of Sister Margaret’s experiment
Physical Computing class."
A footnote from Sr. Margaret: “We are gradually creating our very own Ramona “MakerSpace” with
tools that will enable even more students (and other members of our school community) to participate
in this kind of learning. Volunteers and donations of unused tools and materials are always welcome.“
Harvard Model Congress - An archetypal project-based collaborative learning experience, Harvard Model Congress, an American government simulation organized and run by Harvard University
students, has been a vibrant force at Ramona for almost 20 years. This February, twelve enthusiastic
Ramona students, along with Mr. David Gray and Ms. Maggie Averill, will gather in Boston with students from around the country to take on roles of senators, representatives, White House staff, and other members of government. During the
months of preparation, students research their roles and prepare bills.
At HMC, they write, re-write, debate and vote on the bills they have
formulated.
Seniors Anna Keledei and Renata Becerra enjoyed their HMC experience so much last year that they are going again. According to Anna,
HMC is “a great opportunity to meet students who shared some of the
same interests,” while Renata adds, “HMC shows other perspectives on
the issues in a different place.” Both agree that HMC gave them the
chance to see first-hand how the government actually works and how
complicated the bill passage process is. They also agree that HMC
pushed them to go outside their comfort zones and be confident enough
to stand up and speak in front of a group of peers while debating legislation.
A team of dedicated playwrights and thespians have collaborated
to research and script the fall play, a mosaic of Ramona history.
Below, excerpts from Director Tracy Clavin’s blow-by-blow account
show the complexity and expansiveness of the process.
March 2014:
Sr. Kathleen shares plans for the 125th celebration at a faculty
meeting. Her intensity is palpable. I think the only thing to do
for the fall play is the history of Ramona as seen through the
eyes of students now, and written by them.
April 2014:
The play is a go. Adventurers Samantha Bordador, Caitlyn
Crepault, Jessica Franco, Cecilia Nunez, Katie Selko, Priscella Widjaja, and Aimee Hernandez ’14, a newly minted
alumna, will become investigators and playwrights. They will
earn independent study credit for the playwriting course
during the summer.
We are introduced by Sr. Kathleen to the equivalent of our
Holy Grail, The Chronicles, painstakingly handwritten leatherbound ledgers that start in the 1890s. Jackpot! We are
touching a book (with cotton glove covered hands) that real
people touched. Reverence and awe vie with a nearly complete inability to decipher the graceful looped handwriting.
The Chronicles, we discover, are daily log entries of memorable moments, organized by day, month, and year by SNJM
archivists. The students will delve into them like archaeologists into the earth and bring back unrelated factoids that will
frame the skeleton of the scenes they will write.
We take two off-campus field trips. First, to the Huntington
Library to develop a sense of the grandeur of the house and
of what money meant then for wealthy landowners; the second, to the Alhambra Historical Society Museum. We see
photos and artifacts of early Alhambra, and cool farm implements, furniture, appliances and clothes.
June 2014:
After finals, I lay out the plan, which is to develop a sense of
the history, then to write scenes. We spend the first week of
our summer course in the Ramona museums, oohing and
aahing over the artifacts of the earliest times. We see a
genealogy chart about the land grants from two kings of
Spain and the oldest framed graduation diplomas with gilded
embroidery and handwritten ink so faded we can’t read it.
We look online for Benito Wilson and James de Barth Shorb.
We visit the convent to see the rooms that housed the Sisters
from 1949 until 2013. We exclaim over lovely single cells. The
students think it would be nice to have a room like this in
college.
The students review big, historical world events and create a
125 year parallel timeline: World events such as wars, elections, and natural disasters; and Ramona events such as the
construction of buildings, dedications, and ceremonies. This
first step provides a visual layout of the societal context in
which Ramona existed.
July 2014:
Strawberry Day in 1868, the Radio in 1923, Davy Jones and
the swimming pool dedications in 1931, the Great Depression, the two great wars, the first graduation in gowns in
1939, prejudice in 1971, and the visit of Van Halen appear in
scene form. The draft script is a string of many, many
vignettes, all trying to reveal the comradery and spirituality
that make Ramona unique. How will we ever cut it to manageable length?
September 6, 2014
We hold auditions – lots of returnees and newbies arrive to
take the challenge. They throw pantomime snow; they are
priests and sisters and students and parents; they die
tragically and discuss the meaning of the word, Renaissance.
No one needs to be cut because there are almost an infinite
number of roles.
September 20, 2014
Under the guidance of the three playwrights, the actors work
as a single unit to edit the script. They are to discuss the importance of each scene. Why is this in the script? What is its function? Are the
characters better? Is the plot important? What lines can we get rid of?
September 27- October 23, 2014
We get to the serious business of casting roles, staging the action, discussing costumes, reviewing documentary footage about the Spanish Influenza, and tackling
the 1987 earthquake that altered the physical landscape of the school forever. We
claim our actual play title – Ramona: A Place to Come Home – during the reception
after the anniversary celebration Mass on October 4.
The biggest thing we have learned is, although the mission to educate and empower young women has remained a glowing consistent goal, the type of education has
changed with the times: from a school for elite young women with marriage in
mind to a college prep school with activism in social justice expected.
As of this submission, we are 2 weeks out from performance. The students are becoming their roles. Next up: lose the scripts, get the sets and costumes.
As we excitedly look forward to the performances, we acknowledge with pride our
unique role (pardon the pun) in Ramona’s 125th Anniversary celebration.
The writers, director, cast, and crew of Ramona: A Place to Come Home
Fitness for Life: a P.E. Program for Our Time
“FIT Formula,” “PACER,” “SHAPE,” and “SMART” are probably not the
terms alumnae remember from their Ramona physical education classes.
However, today these acronyms are in regular use in our new “Fitness for
Life” curriculum. Several years ago, Ms. Deb Drury, Athletic Director,
started reshaping the physical education program to be more personal,
more focused on helping students manage their own activity levels, and
more encouraging of everyone to be active throughout their lifetimes.
She developed this course change in concert with the 2007 and 2014
California Physical Education Framework and the national health goals
established in Healthy People 2010. Both standards emphasize increasing
physical activity levels, improving wellness and nutrition and managing
stress. Throughout the program, students are guided in self-assessment,
encouraged to plan exercise programs for improvement and reach goals they have established. Combining the “Fitness for Life”
program with existing sports activities and health information has completed the comprehensive program Ms. Drury envisioned.
Along with a contemporary curriculum, Ramona students and student-athletes now enjoy a state
-of-the art fitness center with equipment intended to develop and maintain strength and fitness.
Newly renovated space in the lower library, complete with freshly painted walls, interlocking
rubber flooring, and a wall of mirrors, houses equipment used by athletes, P.E. classes and the
broader school community. Daniela Salatino, a freshman at Ramona, commented “The fitness
center is awesome. It’s a great chance to improve our fitness levels and get stronger.”
Thanks to the parents, alumnae, and friends who donated the money needed for the new fitness
center through the 2014 Fund-An-Item campaign at Ramona's Annual Auction, and other
booster activities, the athletic department has purchased mats, a dumbbell set, balance balls,
smash balls, medicine bells, exercise bands, jump ropes, and a chinning bar. Machines were selected with student needs in mind,
purchasing or receiving gifts of a power sled, an abs/back machine, an exercise bike, treadmill, and benches. A short throw projector
allows game playbacks, training DVD’s or inspirational films, making the space more versatile.
The freshman and JV volleyball teams supplement their team practices with intense workouts in the fitness center. Sophomore Tori
Concepcion remarked, “What a super addition to the athletic program. It will help our athletes become better prepared for their
sport.”


125 Years in Southern California
This year we also celebrate the legacy of the Sisters of the Holy Names at Ramona Convent.
One hundred and twenty-five years ago, eight courageous women embarked on a
three day ocean voyage from Oakland to Southern California. At the request of several San Gabriel Valley families interested in the education of their daughters, the
Sisters’ goal was to establish a school for young women on land that had been given
for that purpose by James De Barth Shorb. Since 1889, a total of 414 Sisters of the
Holy Names have carried on the mission of our foundress Blessed Marie-Rose
Durocher across three centuries. Their names are all listed on the banners which are
hanging in the pavilion area of the administration building – a reminder to all of us of
the rich heritage that is ours. While most of these Sisters have been administrators or
teachers, among their number have also been cours mistresses, nurses, librarians, and
support staff. Each in her turn, in accord with the norms of the time, has contributed her
talent to maintain the high academic and religious standards which have made Ramona a
leader in the education of young women. At present, three Sisters of the Holy Names serve
on the school’s faculty; two more are members of the Board of Trustees; others volunteer
their services or are present for special events during the school day and beyond. Annually,
several young women are able to continue their education at Ramona because of scholarships awarded by the Sisters. While the percentage of Sisters on the faculty/staff has changed
radically, the Sister’s commitment to empowering young women through education has
not. We joyfully celebrate 125 years of academic excellence, spiritual depth, and dynamic
leadership.
Blessed Marie-Rose Statue
A highlight of Ramona’s 125th anniversary celebration on October 4, 2014 was the blessing of the
statue of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names, by Archbishop
Jose H. Gomez. Recently installed in the center of the campus, the almost life sized-statue was crafted from copper tubing by our own Sister Paula Mary Turnbull SNJM of Spokane, Washington, especially for Ramona. Commissioned in the summer of 2013, the statue was completed last spring and
arrived at Ramona the last week of the school year. The base and pedestal were designed by James
Becerra, father of Renata Becerra ’15 and work was completed during the summer. From its location
in the center of the campus the statue reminds students and faculty alike, not only of Marie-Rose’s
continued patronage, but, above all, of our mission to carry out her charism of helping those we
serve to develop their full potential.
Sister Paula Mary is well-known throughout the Pacific Northwest for her artistic creations, particularly for her works of metal sculpture which adorn many public and private settings in the Spokane
area. Each of our Holy Names schools, as well as our province offices in Marylhurst, Oregon, has a
statue – they are similar but unique. From the detailed rendering of the delicate glasses to the
gentle facial expression, and the book she holds, the statue has a life-like quality. Marie-Rose’s
openness to life and to others is, perhaps, symbolized by the outstretched hand while the book may
be indicative of the importance of education. We are grateful to our Ramona benefactors and
friends, Franklin and Phyllis Halladay; the statue is their gift to the Ramona community.
Ramona on the Road
Out-of-state alumnae have joined us at receptions in Washington, Oregon, and Nevada
It’s all about inclusion and re-connection. . . with Ramona and with your
classmates. Whether or not you have come to a reunion in the past,
whether or not you have made a gift to Ramona, whether or not you have
kept in touch with your classmates, it not important. What is important is
that you take advantage of the anniversary celebrations in your area and
come join us. What the participants have appreciated most is getting to
know other Ramona women who live in their area. New bonds have been
forged in the ever popular “Ramona sisterhood.”
On September 20, 2014, about eighteen of us (including a couple of husbands and children) gathered at the home of Dr. Harry Purpur (our interim
Principal last year) and his wife Karen in Edmonds, Washington. It was an
absolutely gorgeous, sunny afternoon to be able to sit outside on the
deck and enjoy a view of the Puget Sound. Guests ranged from the Class
of 1971 to the Class of 1998 – some who experienced the “old” building and some never saw
it – but all had wonderful memories of Ramona, their teachers and their friends. A common
refrain was appreciation for the wonderful education and preparation for life received at
Ramona.
WASHINGTON
OREGON
Traveling to the Northwest again, Sister Kathleen and Kimberly Hoffman,
Director of Development, spent a delightful afternoon with a group of 24
(again including a few relatives and friends of alums) at the SNJM
Heritage Center in Lake Oswego, Oregon. By that time, in addition to the
historical PowerPoint presentation used at receptions and reunions, they
were able to present glimpses of the 125 th anniversary celebration at
Ramona. Again, alums were able to receive souvenir timelines and bookmarks – and pictures galore were taken. A special feature of this afternoon was also being able to view the display cases with photos of our
other Holy Names Schools – at 125 years; Ramona is still the “youngest”
of the seven schools in the SNJM Network of Schools.
The Halloween weekend found Julie Huntley ’72, Director of Alumnae Relations and Sister
Kathleen at the home of Marie Feeney ’53 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marie and Mary Cassidy
Keith ’75 had handled all of the advance preparation for the celebration. The yellow paper
lanterns at the front door clearly indicated that “the Ramona party is
here.” The gift wrapped souvenir items, the special yellow goodie bags,
and the cookies with lemon filling brought to mind the words of the
Alma Mater. Though they did not know one another before they walked
through the door, all felt at home immediately and began sharing stories
and memories. More in-depth sharing took place over lunch with the
themes of sisterhood, support and feeling well-prepared for college and
beyond prevailing.
Our thanks to Harry and Karen Purpur in Washington and to Marie Feeney
’53 in Nevada for opening their homes for these Ramona gatherings and
to the SNJM Heritage Center near Portland for the warm welcome for that
celebration. More celebrations are in the planning stages and will be held
after the holidays. If you would be interested in hosting or helping to
plan a reunion in your area, please contact Sister Kathleen Callaway
at (626) 282-4151 ext. 157 or Callaway@ramonaconvent.org as soon
as possible, so that dates and places can be established.
NEVADA
Thank You for Making Ramona History!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our donors who generously contributed to Ramona Convent
between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. The unprecedented generosity of our alumnae resulted in
new alumnae fund-raising records during our 2013-14 fiscal year. Over $103,000 was raised from
alumnae for the Yellow Rose Fund, and almost $45,000 was raised in alumnae support for the
Ramona Convent Scholarship Fund, shattering our former record for alumnae annual giving in
a fiscal year. The support Ramona has received from alumnae over the last year has made a tremendous difference, and we hope you will continue your support of Ramona during our 125 th Anniversary
celebration.
In addition to the wonderful support received from our alumnae, Ramona also experienced a significant increase in support from past parents, Board Members and other friends of Ramona during our
2013-14 fiscal year. These members of the Ramona community demonstrated their continuing
commitment to the school with annual gifts of nearly $65,000, also setting a new annual giving
record.
While only cash gifts are reflected in this condensed overview, many generous individuals and
businesses made a difference by making “in-kind” gifts of goods and services to Ramona throughout
the 2013-14 school year. Our most sincere thanks go out to those individuals and businesses, and to
the many volunteers that gave their valuable time to Ramona during this past school year.
To everyone who answered our call to support Ramona as it prepared to commemorate its 125 th
Anniversary, thank you for making more Ramona history to celebrate. We hope you will continue
your support as we honor the past and embrace the future during this special 125 th Anniversary year.
2013-2014 Annual Report
INCOME
Tuition and Fees
Contributions
Investment Income
Other Income
$3,053,114
828,821
167,873
173,471
Total Income
$4,223,279
2013-2014 EXPENSES
72%
20%
4%
4%
EXPENSES
Salaries and Benefits
Facilities
Instructional/Student Services
Insurance/Taxes/Other
Administrative
Development/Fundraising
Total Expenses
$3,357,564
348,524
238,451
168,599
143,492
95,940
$4,352,570
77%
8%
6%
4%
3%
2%
ACADEMIC HONORS
Highest Honors:
California Scholarship Federation (CSF):
100% Life Membership: 29%
Life Membership: 8%
National Honor Society Membership: 42%
Life Membership
Philomatheon Scholastic Honor Society: 13%
Post-Secondary Education:
Matriculated to college
Matriculated to a four year college
Matriculated to a two year college
Attending:
100%
91%
9%
UC System
Private California Colleges
Cal State System
Out of State
11%
49%
22%
18%
Merit Scholarships earned for college: $6,407,682
Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
Los Angeles
Merced
Riverside
San Diego
Santa Barbara
Santa Cruz
Azusa Pacific University
Berklee College of Music
Biola University
Boston University
Brown University
Bryn Mawr College
California Lutheran University
Case Western Reserve University
Catholic University of America
Chapman University
Coe College
Dominican University of California
Drexel University
Emerson College
Fordham University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Harvard University
Hawai’i Pacific University
Hollins University
Hope International University
Johns Hopkins University
Los Angeles Film School
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University - Chicago
Marquette University
Channel Islands
Dominguez Hills
East Bay
Fullerton
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Marymount College
Mills College
Moore College of Art and Design
Mount Holyoke College
Mount St. Mary’s College
New York University
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern University
Norwich University
Notre Dame de Namur University
Oregon State University
Otis College of Art and Design
Pace University
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University
Regis University
Rensselaer Polytechnic University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rhodes College
Saint Mary’s College of California
Santa Clara University
Seattle University
Smith College
St. Catherine University
St. John’s University
Monterey Bay
Northridge
Polytechnic, Pomona
Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo
San Diego
San Francisco
St. Mary’s University
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
Syracuse University
University of La Verne
University of Massachusetts,
Amherst Honors College
University of New Haven
University of Northern Arizona
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of the Pacific
University of Puget Sound
University of Rochester
University of Saint Thomas,
Houston
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
Washington State University
Wellesley College
Whittier College
Willamette University
Williams College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Sr. Mary Gabriel (Jessie) Kennedy, SNJM ‘32 celebrated
her 100 birthday on November 10. We believe her to be
Ramona’s oldest living alumna.
Sr. Miriam Mark Eddy, SNJM ‘52 celebrated her 60th
Jubilee in June 2014.
Sr. Rita Josephine (Mary Agnes) McKernan, SNJM ‘52
celebrated her 60th Jubilee in June 2014.
Sr. Dorothy Nolan, SNJM ‘52 celebrated her 60th Jubilee
in June 2014.
Sr. Margaret Spiller, SNJM ‘61 was awarded the Durocher
Award by Holy Names High School in October.
Sr. Kathy Bryant, RSC ‘67 had her book on discernment,
Vocations Anonymous, published by Roganationist Publications. She also received a grant from the Louisville Institute
to study resilience in survivors of human trafficking.
Jennifer Castaneda ‘00 earned a B.A. in Communications
and Public Relations from Cal Poly Pomona and a M. A. in
Communication Management from USC. She is a Publicist
and founder of REFINE, a full-service public relations and
digital production firm specializing in entertainment, fashion, and beauty.
Tessa Stecker ‘04 attended USC for both her undergraduate and medical school education. Following graduation
from the Keck School of Medicine, she completed her
residency at Kaiser Woodland Hills in family medicine where
she served as a chief resident in her last year and earned the
2011 research award. This year, she completed a fellowship
in Community Medicine at Kaiser Woodland Hills and had
the opportunity to volunteer her time in a hospital in Haiti in
May.
Jenice Pua ‘04 manages the Tortilla Chip Business unit for
the PepsiCo-Frito Lay manufacturing plant in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA. She began her career with Frito Lay six
years ago after graduating from UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology.
Angelica Bordador ‘06 was promoted to Store Manager
and Coffee Master at Starbucks in Irvine.
Rebecca Lamas ‘06 received a M.A. in Sport Management
from Cal State Long Beach in June.
Kristine Bordador ‘08 received her B.S. in Natural Science
in May 2013 from Loyola Marymount University. She will
begin her Doctorate of Physiotherapy at the University of
Melbourne, Australia in February 2015.
Austyn Gabig ‘08 received a B.A. in Media with an
emphasis in Computing from UC San Diego in 2012. She
currently works as a producer at Bay City Television in the
San Diego area.
Nicole Nalbandian ‘08 earned a M.S. in Biology focused on
cancer and stem cell research. She will be starting dental
school in the Fall of 2015.
Stephanie Pham ‘09 graduated from Cal State Los Angeles
in June with a B.S. in Physics. She is currently pursuing her
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UC Riverside.
Genesis Contreras ‘10 graduated from Loyola Marymount
University with a B.A. in Communications Studies with an
emphasis in Public Relations. She earned her M.A. in Communication Management with an emphasis in Marketing
from USC. She is currently an Advertising Account Executive
at the Los Angeles Times.
Andrea Gochi ‘10 graduated from Pitzer College with a B.A.
in Biochemistry and a minor in Studio-Art. She is currently
working at the Ferre/Marquet Vaccine Research Center at
Pitzer College developing cost–effective vaccines for Third
World countries while she applies to medical school.
Esther Leung ‘10 graduated from UCSD with a B.A. in
History. She is currently teaching English in Hong Kong.
Patricia Lin ‘10 graduated in June from UC San Diego with
a B.A. in Communications. She is currently working as a
Marketing Director.
Andrea Salazar ‘10 will be graduating from Cal State Los
Angeles in Spring 2015. She will pursue a M.A. in Rehabilitation Services. She has been working with the Los Angeles
County Probation Department as a youth correctional
officer.
Hillary Villarreal ‘10 graduated with a B.A. in Psychology
and Sociology from UC Merced. She hopes to become a
licensed child psychologist. She is currently working as a
social worker for Los Angeles County.
Milani Seri Liverani,
daughter of Daniel and Lisa Liverani ‘90
Catherine Frances,
daughter of Edward and Nora Gutierrez Merriam ‘91
Arturo Isaac,
son of Rodrigo and Diana Ibarra Gonzalez ‘98
Luke Joseph,
son of Seth and Bridget Morris Vorland ’01
Friday evening - Alumnae Mixer
Saturday morning - Saturday Seminar
Saturday - Family Barbeque in Rose Heath
Sunday - Homecoming 2015 - Mass and Luncheon
All are invited! Details to follow
For more information please contact:
Julie Huntley ‘72, Director of Alumnae
jhuntley@ramonaconvent.org or (626) 282-4151 ext. 135
Ramona Spotlight on…
Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD ‘89
Dr. Eloisa Klementich has been the Managing Director of Business Development for
Invest Atlanta since November, 2011. Her areas of focus are to oversee Invest Atlanta’s
business retention, business expansion, small business efforts and entrepreneurship
growth for the city of Atlanta. These efforts have resulted in the creation of 7,230 jobs
and over $1 billion dollars of direct and leveraged investment.
Dr. Klementich joined Invest Atlanta from the US Economic Development Administration where she was a Special Assistant for Economic Development working within the
Office of the Secretary. At the EDA, she was detailed to the National Incident Command
to work on the Federal response to the Gulf Oil Spill. In June 2008, she was appointed as California’s Assistant Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Commerce by Governor Schwarzenegger. She was instrumental in forming the new
Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the state’s innovation program (iHub program).
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Klementich worked as a Marketing Manager for the Economic Development Agency at the
County of San Bernardino; Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities; and the
founding Director for the Mayor’s Office of International Trade under Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn.
Dr. Klementich also served as a consultant for Mexico’s President Vicente Fox, working closely with the President’s Special
Advisor on Constituent Services, Dr. Juan Hernandez, on best practices for addressing constituent issues and requests.
A Ramona Convent graduate of the Class of 1989, Dr. Klementich received her B.A. from Pitzer College in Claremont. She
holds a M.A. in Business Administration from el Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey and two Master’s Degrees, in Urban Planning and Latin American Affairs, from UCLA. In 2010, she received her Doctorate in Public Administration from the University
of La Verne. Lastly, she is a Certified Economic Developer which is a national recognition denoting a mastery of principal skills
in economic development.
A Note from the Editor
A former teacher has asked us to share his fond memories with you.
A “Thank You” for having been part of the Ramona Family
I was so fortunate to be a teacher at Ramona Convent Secondary School. It is a
beautiful campus with beautiful students. I want to thank all of you parents for
raising such wonderful daughters.
Julie Huntley ‘72
It was a pleasure to be an art teacher. The subjects that I taught were some of the
most favorite with the students: ceramics, calligraphy, and visual arts which included a lot of drawing.
The memories over twenty years will last me forever. My students were creative,
intelligent, industrious, and focused. This, I am sure, reflects their parents. Some of
them were even polite enough to laugh at my nerdy sense of humor.
Thank you Sister Margaret and Patricia Dooley for hiring me in 1992. I am retired
now, but I miss the faculty and staff. The “Blue Ribbon School of
Excellence” pertains to the entire Ramona family!
Sincerely,
Robert Maxwell
Ramona Faculty 1992 - 2012
Robert Maxwell’s recently published
collection of his work.
Ramona Convent’s Historic Building
A Collection of Interior and Exterior Photographs
During the summer prior to the Whittier Narrows Earthquake of October 1, 1987,
Ramona alumna Terri Cardinali ‘70, took photos of the interior and exterior of the
building, including many of the attic where so many seniors had “snuck up” to write
their names for future generations of Ramona alumnae to see.
In honor of Ramona’s 125th Anniversary, these photos have been converted to a
17 minute–long DVD with a musical background which is available
for purchase for $30.00.
If you would like to purchase a DVD, please contact Julie Huntley ‘72,
at jhuntley@ramonaconvent.org or (626) 282-4151 ext. 135
Enjoy reminiscing, or perhaps seeing for the first time, the building that embodied the artistry,
craftsmanship, and elegance of the era in which it was built. This building was home
and alma mater to generations of Ramona Convent alumnae.
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.
Barbara Trame Moening ’42, mother of Jeanne Moening
Foran ‘61 and Mary Moening Wallace ‘69
Mary DiCarlo Thomas ‘35, sister of Filomena DiCarlo Esposito ‘35 and Lucy DiCarlo Di Rocco’38
Mary Alice Haime Regan ‘37
Nancy Carter ‘46
Marie Kreuper Crowley ‘46
Sr. Felice Marie Kolda, SNJM ’47; sister of Mary Ann Kolda
Irwin ’44, Priscilla Kolda ’48 (RIP), Suzanne Kolda Van Dyke
’54; aunt of Mary Suzanne Irwin Davis ‘73
Jean McDonough ‘47
Ann Cason ‘51
Gloria Ondreyka Murphy ‘54, sister of Loretta Ondreyka
Miller ‘58
Mary Sweeney Pini ‘54
Carole Jarlin ‘56
Susan Arant Schuman ’57, sister of Nelsie Arant Shannahan ‘51
Camille Bonas Chandler ‘61, sister of Margaret Bonas
Veglia ‘62 (RIP)
Cathleen Elaine Pesika ’65, sister of Ellyn Pesika Snowden ‘68
Theresa Bingham Grossklaus ‘70
Elisa Maria Martinez ‘81
Salazar ’80; grandfather of Sonia Salazar ‘09
Mario Martinez, father of Cynthia Martinez Mclaughlin ‘78
and Christine Martinez Marks (pp)
Kevin Murphy, husband of Patricia Walton Murphy ‘53
Sr. Marilyn Murphy, SNJM (Sr. Andrew Marie) (former faculty)
Carole Platz (faculty)
William J. Robinson, father of Deborah Robinson ‘71
Marjorie Sperling (benefactor)
Josephine C. Stark, mother of Jeri Lynn Stark Duerr ‘66
Gertrude Tobin, mother of Margaret Tobin Fullwider ’67
and Mary Tobin ‘72
Robert L. Waldeck, husband of Esther Andary Waldeck ‘43;
father of Patricia Waldeck ’62, Nancy Waldeck ’65, Michele
Waldeck McGowan ’68, and Pamela Waldeck Fox ‘72
A gift in the name of a loved one is a meaningful way to pay
tribute to a deceased family member or cherished friend. The
Alumnae Office will send a card to the person you have honored or to the family in the case of an In Memoriam gift. All
donations support the Ramona Convent Scholarship Fund.
This gift is:
Gloria Armentaros, mother of Rosie Armenteros ‘79
Eugene Bateman, brother of Maureen Bateman ’51, Ann
Bateman MacFarlane ’55, and Helen Bateman Sherman ‘56
Eulalia Betancourt, mother of Maria Betancourt Thompson ‘87
 In Honor of
 In Memory of
 Other (please specify)
Emma Botana, mother of Patricia Botana Escalera ‘72
Floyd Lee Brooks, husband of Dr. Beverly Serra-Brooks ‘75
Nati Cano, stepfather of Helmi Hisserich ’80; uncle of Sylvia
Cano Valpuesta ‘81
Anthony Jordan Carras, brother of Diane Carras Price ’64,
Linda Carras Pitman ’68, Judith Carras Hansen ’71, and
Catherine Carras Cwiok ‘74
Steven Carlburg, father of Alana Carlburg ‘13
Enclosed is my contribution of $
Sr. Barbara Carroll, SNJM, sister of Sr. Collette Carroll, SNJM
This contribution is made by:
Jeanette Chavez, mother of Catherine Chavez Weinstein '76
and Karen Chavez (pp)
William Cooper, son of Marilyn Mace Cooper ’68; nephew
of Maureen Mace St. Clair ’67 and Phyllis Mace ‘75
Shaun Diamond, brother of Melody Diamond Marrero ‘93
Joseph F. Falabrino, father-in-law of Gina Wendel Falabrino
’86; uncle of Christine Falabrino Sofranko ‘66
Phyllis Halladay (benefactor)
Stella Linale, mother of Vicki Still Dominguez ’77; grandmother of Marina Dominguez ‘08
Jose L. Maldonado, father of Monica Maldonado Chin ’78,
Olga Maldonado Alonso ’79, and Henrietta Maldonado
Please Send a Card to:
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Email
Please mail this form with your contribution to:
Ramona Convent Secondary School Attn: Alumnae Office
1701 W. Ramona Road, Alhambra, CA 91803
BE A PART OF THE CELEBRATION
Women’s Symposium
125th Anniversary Gala
Thursday, January 29, 2015
featuring
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
“The Nun on the Bus”
Saturday, April 25, 2015
The Castaway
in Burbank
Music by “ACE”
Sponsorship Opportunities are still available.
Be a sponsor for both events!
Anniversary Sponsor $12,500
VIP seating for 10 guests at both events
½ page ad in the anniversary gala program,
Recognition in all event materials
Gold and White Sponsor $5,000
VIP seating for 5 guests at both events
Quarter page ad in the anniversary gala program
Recognition in event materials
Rose Sponsor $2,500
VIP seating for 2 guests at both events
Business card ad in the anniversary gala program
Recognition in event materials
I/We are proud to sponsor Ramona’s 125th anniversary events
Anniversary Sponsor
Gold & White Sponsor
Rose Sponsor
Enclosed, please find a check for $
Please charge my credit card:
VISA
Master Card
AMEX
Number:
Exp. Date:
Name on Card:
Address:
Signature:
Security Code:
RAMONA CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
1701 West Ramona Road
Alhambra, CA 91803
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 79
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 jhuntley@ramonaconvent.org.
We will be celebrating our 125th Anniversary during the 2014 - 2015 academic year.
January 10, 2015
RC Athletes & Coaches Reunion at Ramona
January 29, 2015
Women’s Symposium - Breakfast and Speaker Event
Guest speaker: Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
March 6, 7 & 8, 2015
Alumnae Weekend - Alumnae Social, Homecoming
Luncheon, Alumnae Mass, & Saturday Seminar
April 25, 2015
125th Anniversary Auction Dinner-Dance
The Castaway in Burbank
We will continue to host separate anniversary events in Northern &
Southern California and out-of-state. If you are interested in helping to
plan one of these events, please contact Sr. Kathleen Callaway at (626)
282-4151 ext. 157 or callaway@ramonaconvent.org