saint joseph high school celebrates 50 years · to the mission of saint joseph high school, a...

Lakewood, CA: Saint Joseph High School (SJHS) is celebrating 50 years of successfully educating 8,000 young women since its opening on September 14, 1964. On that day, the school welcomed 110 freshmen from the cities of Bellflower, Downey, Lakewood, Long Beach, Paramount, and Santa Fe Springs.

Greeting the students the first day was Sister M. Ursula, the school’s principal, a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, the religious order that organized and then operated the school. For the students, the sisters created a college preparatory school that continues to send 98 percent of its graduates to higher education, including

to institutions such as Columbia University, UCLA, USC, and Brown University. SJHS graduates include Leslie Sykes ’83, morning and mid-day co-anchor of Eyewitness News at KABC-TV; Ava DuVernay ’90, the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at the Sundance Film Festival; and Lisa Fernandez Lujan ’89, who established an Olympic record in softball with 25 strikeouts in a game, and three gold medals, as a member of the United States Women’s team.

In 1960, when the Archdiocese of Los Angeles asked the sisters to form the school, the City of Lakewood had been incorporated for only six years. The community began as a post-war developer’s dream of how to transform a swath of unincorporated desert land into a suburban village. By the time

the school opened, Lakewood had a population of over 67,000 people. SJHS filled the bustling region’s need for Catholic secondary education.

Lakewood, CA: The Jester Arts theatre program at Saint Joseph High School was one of 40 chosen worldwide to participate in the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) in Edinburgh, Scotland. The group, one of nine selected from the Greater Los Angeles Area, will perform during the first week of August 2015.

The AHSTF is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s

largest and most prestigious annual arts festival. Every August, all of Edinburgh becomes a stage where 2,000,000 visitors view performances everywhere from playgrounds to conference rooms, from city parks to churches. The festival presents over 2,000 different works of music, theater, dance, and comedy, and has helped launch the careers of Emma

Fall 2014Volume 50, Number 2

NeWsSaint Joseph High School Celebrates 50 Years

Saint Joseph Students Perform in Global Arts Festival

Continued on page 4

Continued on page 9

Constructing the campus

Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh, where students will perform

OPENED ITS DOORS SEPTEMBER 14, 1964

C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D, C U LT I VA T I N G T H E S P I R I T

s

When I was a little girl, birthdays were very big celebrations. Because I am very, very shy, I was not a fan of any event that brought any kind of attention to me. So, when my birthday celebration came around, you could most definitely find me under the table while everyone else was singing Happy Birthday. Usually, at the end of the celebration, I could always count on my mom or my nonna to slide me a piece of cake under the table. Prior to the big celebration, my mom and my nonna would plan, always in their heads, what they would make. Invariably, it was some kind of pasta, or if my dad got involved in the planning conversation, it would be carne con chile or chile rellenos. The day of the celebration the house would smell so good while the pros were at their craft in the kitchen chopping, stirring, tasting, while my special birthday cake was baking in the oven. I could feel the excitement in the air!

That same feeling is in the air at SJHS today! It’s our anniversary year!!! Trust me. At this celebration you won’t find me under the table!

Fifty years ago Cardinal McIntyre asked the Sisters of St. Joseph to establish

a school in Lakewood and 50 years later we are here standing on the shoulders of giants—the first sisters who founded our school and the first class who worked with the sisters to establish our school colors, our alma mater, our traditions. They set the foundation upon which we

continue to build today.

This is our year to Remember, Renew, and Rededicate ourselves to the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and to the mission of Saint Joseph High School, a mission that calls us to help nurture each young woman “to become all of which woman is capable,” a woman of heart, faith, and courage. We celebrate 50 years of Jesters who have gone out in the world and continued to make a difference whether it is as mothers or career women. Jesters everywhere unite! Just like Sally O’Malley from Saturday Night Live, we’re 50 and we can still stretch and kick! We are the same place you remember, with the

The Advancement Office, a new division of the school, directs and coordinates individual giving, institutional support, strategic planning, and alumnae relations. I began as Director on August 1, and have been grateful for the kindness and support shown by alumnae, parents, fellow employees, and the board. We have much good work ahead of us.

There are two new things accompanying this magazine: a giving letter, inviting you to contribute cash to the school for scholarships and financial aid, and a remittance envelope inside to help speed your gift. I invite you to make a generous contribution so that current and future students can get the quality education we provide.

The gift remittance envelope suggests that you earmark your gift in one of three ways:

• “General Purposes” allows the school to decide how to apply the gift.

• “Scholarships” provides financial support for a high achieving student.

• “Work Study” is a new program that provides students an opportunity to earn financial aid by assisting teachers and office staff.

• “Emergency Tuition Assistance” is a fund from which we can draw to help cover tuition costs for families with acute emergencies, such as a death in the family, job loss, or illness.

S A I N T J O S E P H H I G H S C H O O L

Saint Joseph High School5825 N. Woodruff AvenueLakewood, CA 90713-1198Phone: (562) 925-5073Fax: (562) 925-3315www.sj-jester.org

Dr. Terri Mendoza, Principal

Photography: Lindsey IngramMaureen Sullivan

Writing/Editing: Sr. Janet DuffyRobert BurkeWendy MeehanDr. Terri MendozaMike Radice

Design: OPM Design Group, Burbank

The Saint Joseph High School News is published quarterly for the students, parents, alumnae, and friends of Saint Joseph High School.

In This IssueFEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

NEWS

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11

588

43

12

1

9

1

Principal’s Message

Giving to Saint Joseph High School

New Teachers ...................

Welcome Week .................

$178,000 Needed for Edinburgh Trip ..................

Calendar ...........................

50th Anniversary Events ...

Sports ..............................

Fleur de Lis ......................

Reunion News ..................

Alumnae and Faculty Notes .............................

In Memory of ..................

Students Perform at Global Festival ..............

Saint Joseph High School Celebrates 50 Years .........

FROM MIKE RADICE, DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

We celebrate 50 years of Jesters who have gone out in the world and continue to make a difference whether it is as mothers or career women.

Continued on page 10


CELEBRATING

50 YEARS OF

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

50 YEARS OF

CELEBRATING

CATHOLIC EDUCATION

OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

OF CATHOLIC EDUCATIO

N

50YEARS

20 School Closed: Faculty In-service

24 SJB Homecoming Rally

25 Cheers for the Years Wine Tasting—Proceeds benefit the Edinburgh trip, 5:00 p.m., Flynn Center

26 Homecoming Dance, 8 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

27 School Closed: Faculty In-service

28 Sophomore Retreat, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

O c t O b e r

N O v e m b e r

D e c e m b e r

J a N u a r y

Dates to Remember

6 Mother-Daughter Brunch Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Media Center

7 Fleur de Lis Guild Meeting, 8:15 a.m., Jester Cafe

9 Open House, 12:00-3:00 p.m.

11 School Closed: Veterans Day

12-14 KAIROS Retreat

13 Mother-Daughter Brunch Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Rm 207

14 Jester Arts Theatre, “Spitfire Grill,” 7:30 p.m., MPB

14 KAIROS

15 Jester Arts Theatre, “Spitfire Grill,” 3:30/7:30 p.m., MPB

17 Winter Sports Parent Information Night, 7:00 p.m., Flynn Center


21 Day in the Life of a Jester, 8:00 a.m. to noon

21 Jester Arts Theatre, “Spitfire Grill,” 3:30/7:30 p.m., MPB

22 Jester Arts Theatre, “Spitfire Grill,” 7:30 p.m., MPB

24 Honor Society Induction Ceremonies, 6:00 p.m., MPB & Media Center

24 Thanksgiving Memorial Mass, 11:00 a.m., Flynn Center

26-28 School Closed: Thanksgiving Holiday

2 Fall Sports Banquet, 6:30 p.m., Flynn


5 Christmas Choral Concert & Tree Lighting, 7:00 p.m., MP

6 NEHS Induction, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Media Center

7 Mother-Daughter Brunch—9:00 a.m., Disney Grand Hotel

12 Drama Coffee House, 7:00 p.m., SJB

13 50th Anniversary Mass and Dinner with Archbishop Gomez, 4:00 p.m., Flynn Center

16-18 Semester Exams

19-31 School Closed: Christmas Vacation

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Students Attend Camp Bravo

New Teachers and Director of Advancement Started August 1


This summer, 10 Jester Arts Theatre students—eight SJHS, two Bosco—attended a three-week theater camp at Camp Bravo. The camp is located in the San Bernardino National Forest, about two hours outside of Los Angeles at the de Benneville Pines Camp Facility in Angelus Oaks. Amidst a grove of tall pine trees and fresh air, they received training in acting, musical theater, improv, commedia dell’arte, directing, performance art. In addition, they swam, went

on picnics, hiked, told stories around the campfire, and worked on team building.

Saint Joseph High School hired five new professionals to fill teaching and other positions. The individuals were Celeste Amos, English Teacher; Mary Ellen O’Donnell, Science and Math Teacher; Mike Radice, Director of Advancement; Yolanda Rosales, Spanish Teacher; Alvin Sanga, Math Teacher; and Shelley Whitaker, Health Teacher and Co-Athletics Director.

The new hires were trained and have worked coast-to-coast, from Massachusetts to Ohio; from Oregon to Hawaii. Some have worked in other countries, such as Guam, Nicaragua and Japan. They have a rainbow of interests and skills that include ballet, engineering, strategic planning, foreign languages, mathematics, and athletics. Their biographies are below.

Celeste Amos teaches English 2 Honors, English 3, and World History. She’s been an adjunct English professor at Loyola Marymount University and Mount Saint Mary’s College, and has taught English as a Second Language in schools in Peru and Nicaragua. Her research

on composition and rhetoric was instrumental in the publication of several McGraw Hill English texts, and she is a former professional ballet dancer. A recipient of the Scott Odeom Teacher of the Year Award from Loyola Marymount University, Celeste has an MA.

Mary Ellen O’Donnell is a scientist and engineer by trade and training. At SJHS, she teaches Physical Science, AP Statistics, Physics, and Algebra 2. She comes to us from the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, where she worked as a STAR (Specialty Training and Advanced Research) teacher and researcher. One of her accomplishments was to develop software for the Patriot missile system; she spent seven months in Japan training customers. She has also taught high school at the Community Academy of Science and Health in Boston. Mary Ellen has an MS and an MBA.

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8 Classes Resume9 Scotland Fundraiser 7:00 p.m., MPB9 In-coming Freshman Applications Due9 Fontbonne/Carondelet Applications Due12 General Parent Ed. Night, 7-8:30 p.m., MPB12 KAIROS Parent Mtg, 6:15 p.m., Media Center16 Winter Issue of the Newsletter Reaches Mailboxes


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To celebrate 50 years, SJHS planned the following events and invite everyone to attend. To RSVP, please go to our website, www.sj-jester.org, click on the 50th Anniversary button, and RSVP.

October 25 ~ 5:00 pm, Flynn CenterCheers for the Years wine and beer tasting – sample wines, beers, and enjoy live music.$60/couple, $40/individual, $20/designated driver. RSVP on the website.

November 24 ~ 11:00 am, Flynn CenterThanksgiving/Memorial Mass

December 7 ~ 9:00 am, Disneyland Grand HotelMother-Daughter Brunch$50

December 13 ~ 4:00 pm, Flynn Center Mass and Dinner Reception with Archbishop Gomez march 19 ~ 12:10 pm, Flynn Center Feast Day Mass and Luncheon march 28 ~ 6:00 pm, SJHS Chapel Court Jester Jubilee Celebrates 50 Details in next issue

may 20 ~ 11:15 am, Flynn Center Closing Student Body Liturgy

50th Anniversary Events

Celebrate with Archbishop José H. Gomez December 13

Saint Joseph High School Celebrates 50 Yearscontinued from page 1

“The basic mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet is to reflect a ‘profound love of God and neighbor without distinction,’” said Dr. Terri Mendoza, ’73, Saint Joseph High School principal. “Since 1650, their mission has been to live and work so that all may become one, and to build relational communities wherever they live and serve. Saint Joseph wanted to build a school that nurtured young women, helping them to become all of which women are capable—young women of heart, faith, and courage. Without a doubt, they have succeeded.”

Barbara Lopes Mahakian, ’68, was a member of the first freshman class. Today, she works in the school’s Counseling and Guidance office and was once Chair

of the Religion Department. “I am very privileged to have been a part of the first graduating class of 1968,” Mrs. Mahakian said. “I feel like I’m a part of a sorority of distinguished women founded on the charism of the founding mothers, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. For the last 50 years, I’ve felt welcome and at home here.”

The school is celebrating its anniversary with a series of celebratory events, including an evening of wine tasting on October 25, a special Mass led by Archbishop José H. Gomez on December 13, and a Jester Jubilee Celebration on March 28, 2015. For event details, go to the school’s website, www.sj-jester.org.

Fifty Years Ago Today —Images from the first year of classes at Saint Joseph High School.Clockwise starting at the top to the right: (1) Sister Ursula, Principal and Religion; Sister Judith Mary, Religion, History, and Latin; Sister Joan Louise, Religion, Algebra, Science. (2) Newspaper clipping of the school when it opened on September 14, 1964. (3) St. Joseph’s Feast Day. Class of ’68 putting on a skit they wrote. (4) Saint Joseph High School freshmen section representatives, 1964: Randi Montgomery, Sharon Sullivan, and Barbara Ekstrom.


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alumNa SpOrt cOllege

Julie Lopez ’11 Softball Hope International U

Elizabeth Lyon ’11 Basketball Kansas Wesleyan U

Gabi Mirand ’11 Volleyball High Point U

Melanie Vaughn ’11 Soccer San Diego State

Chelsea Villaescusa ’11 Soccer Southeastern Louisiana U

Megan Kilroy ’12 Soccer Southwest Minnesota State U

Kimberly Calinawan ’13 Volleyball Cypress College

Julissa Gutierrez ’13 Soccer Long Beach City College

Lauren Hong ’13 Basketball Cypress College

Jenna Pillon ’13 Soccer U of Louisiana, Monroe

Rebecca Ramirez ’13 Volleyball Campbell U

Maxine Rodriguez ’13 Soccer Cerritos College

Alexandria Trujillo ’13 Softball DePaul U

Sarah Haley ’14 Soccer Cal State Dominguez Hills

Molly Holloway ’14 Volleyball California Lutheran U

Brianna Houghton ’14 Volleyball U of Arizona

Kala Kopecek ’14 Cross Country, Track Oregon State

Liz Mirand ’14 Volleyball UC San Diego

Allyson Painter ’14 Softball Southern Oregon UThe Saint Joseph High School app, available for iPhones, puts school information in the palm of your hand. Our free app offers quick, convenient and easy access for students, parents, and alumnae to connect with our school.

Special features include the following:

» Admissions Information» Faculty and Staff directory with

emails and office extensions» Athletic Information» Updated Academic Schedule and

Special Events» Campus Map» Social Media Network» Monday Minders & School

Newsletter» Course Catalog» Access Links (Co-Curricular,

Naviance, Math XL, etc.)» Parent/Student Handbook» Christian Service Information

Congratulations to Saint Joseph Junior Savannah DeMelo who has been invited by the United States Soccer Federation to participate with the Under-18 Women’s National Team in a special training camp from September 13-20, 2014.

If you’re a current parent, you’ve seen the back cover of the 2014-2015 Agenda Planner. Across the page is an advertisement for Farmers and Merchants Bank. The company paid for half of the printing costs.

This isn’t their last gift, however. For every parent, alumna, or employee who opens a checking account

with the bank, Farmers will donate $300 to $500 to the school. If you open an individual account, the gift will be $300. If you open a Joint Family, Business, or a loan account, it will be $500. All you have to do is mention Saint Joseph High School when you open the account, and the wheels on the gift will turn.

Additional criteria for the bank’s gift are that some accounts must be open for at least 180 days, and that the deal does not include business accounts offering real estate settlement services. Loans, of course, must be approved.

You can open an account at one of the Southern California branch locations. To find the branch nearest you, got to www.fmb.com.

The following alumnae are on college sports rosters for the 2014-2015 school year. It says good things about our athletics department.

Alumnae Athletes Continue Jester Tradition

Farmers and Merchants Bank Supports SJHS

SJHS Launches Phone App

Student to Play on USSF National Team

2014


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Welcome WeekEach year, we have a variety of activities during the first week of school to welcome each other back and to make the freshmen feel a part of our sisterhood. These photos provide a glimpse into the fun and frolic that’s part of making that week special, including photos of “Toon Town Tuesday,” an event during which seniors dress up freshmen as a right of passage, and of the Welcome Week assembly in the Flynn Center. The photos were taken by Maureen Sullivan, science teacher and photographic artist.

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Welcome Week

Class of 1974Saint Joseph and Saint John Bosco members of the Class of 1974 will celebrate their reunion at the October 25th Cheers to 50 Years wine and beer tasting event at SJHS:

Time: 5:00 p.m.Place: SJHS Flynn CenterPrice: $60 per couple, $40 for

an individual, $20 for the designated driver.

In addition to wine tastings, there will be beers from around the

world, food, and live music. For information on how to register, go to www.sj-jester.org, click “50th Anniversary,” and then “Cheers to 50 Years.”

Class of 1984Saint Joseph and Saint John Bosco members of the Class of ’84 will have a reunion tailgate party on Friday, November 7, 2014.

Time: 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.Place: Meet in the school court-

yard at St. John Bosco High School.Price: $35.00/person, which

includes appetizers, dinner and two

drinks. Tickets to the football game will be available for purchase. Parking will be $5.00.

For more information, contact Barbra Medina Davis at [email protected].

Classes of 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010Your reunion will take place on during the morning of Saturday, October 10, 2015, at SJHS, a time for all Jester sisters to gather. The morning will include social time followed by a luncheon. Afterwards, each class will have its own offsite activities with their Bosco brothers. A planning committee of class chairs will be formed to organize the morning events and luncheon. For more information, contact Dana Severson Windes, ’87, Alumnae Relations Coordinator, [email protected].

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On August 28, the Fleur de Lis Guild opened its second year with a welcome wine and cheese reception for moms of incoming freshman and transfer students. The event was held at the home of parents Palma and John Gallegos. About 60 moms, dads, and SJHS staff attended.

At the reception, Dr. Terri Mendoza, Principal, addressed the group, sharing her feelings about the warm hospitality the school encourages among its students, the kind of hospitality that mirrors the values held by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

The Fleur de Lis Guild is a social group that fosters friendship among the mothers of Saint Joseph High School students and offers

assistance to the school’s faculty and administration for events and activities.

The Guild meets monthly to discuss and plan activities for the year. All moms of SJHS students

are welcome to attend. Please watch the Monday Minder for meeting days and times, or contact Jamie at [email protected] or Linda at [email protected] for more information.

Fleur de Lis Guild Opens the Year

Class Reunion Announcements

60 PEOPLE ATTEND FIRST EVENT

The 1974 senior prom.

Three school administrators, 1984.

Budget for Edinburgh Trip

InCoMESource AmountCrowdfunding 5,000Events 21,500Foundation Grants 0Individual Donations 2,000Spring 2014 Show, Profit 3,000Student/Family Contribution 34,000

Total Income $65,500

ExPEnSESSource AmountAdult Chaperones Travel, etc. 13,400Costumes 2,000Miscellaneous 1,000Royalties 600Student Travel, etc. 161,000

Total Expenses $178,000

Net Loss ($112,500)

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To send 15 students and three chaperones to Edinburgh, the Jester Arts Theatre Program needs $178,000. Expenses will include travel and lodging, costumes, royalties, and money for incidentals and the unexpected. In-hand and expected is $65,500 coming from events, crowdfunding, shows, and family contributions.

We are also writing grants to foundations, submitting applications on behalf of a group of 10 from Greater Los Angeles. Each amount received will be divided among the 10 of us with SJHS getting a bigger piece because we are doing all of the work. With

foundations, however, there are no guarantees.

The trip’s budget is to the right. We need $112,500 in additional income to take everyone to Scotland. If you would like to support the project, please send a gift to Saint Joseph High School and mark it “Jester Arts Edinburgh.” In return, we will send you a thank you letter and a summary of the students’ experiences.

Make a difference in a student’s life by contributing to this trip.

In the next issue, we will announce the name of the play that the students will be performing in Edinburgh.

$178,000 Needed for Edinburgh Trip

Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Steve Coogan, and others.

The AHSTF’s selection committee chose Saint Joseph’s, an all girls school, through a nomination and application process. The school’s program, a winner of the Artistic Merit Award from the California Educational Theater Association, was selected because of its entertaining and innovative productions, its body of work, its community involvement, and its philosophy. For the audition, Mr. Bozanich sent a DVD of its recent performance of The Giver by Erik Coble, a play based on a novel by Lois Lowry. The story was about a young person chosen to receive the memories of her community.

“We incorporated American Sign Language as a way to physically demonstrate memory,” said Brian Bozanich, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator at Saint Joseph’s. “Every cast member learned portions of

their lines in sign language, and then signed and spoke simultaneously. Sign language became the language of memory.”

The Festival accepted eight other schools from the Los Angeles region—the largest number from a single geographical area. Some of the other schools included Victor Valley High School (Apple Valley), James Monroe High School (San Fernando Valley), and Chadwick Academy (Palos Verdes). Schools chosen from outside the United States were from the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and elsewhere.

“These nine Los Angeles schools were independently nominated, independently chosen, and are

now working together to change the lives of 200 young artists from throughout Southern California,” Mr. Bozanich said.

Flying to Scotland for the festival will be 11 Saint Joseph students and four from its brother school, St. John Bosco High School. The trip will begin with three days in London to participate in a work-shop at Shakespeare’s reconstructed Globe Theatre. They will also attend a West End Production. Next, they’ll travel to Edinburgh, give four performances at the famous Church Hill Theatre, and visit historic sites, including Edinburgh Castle and Trossachs National Park in the Highlands.

“Nine Los Angeles schools were independently nominated, independently chosen, and are now working together to change the lives of 200 young artists from throughout Southern California.”

Mr. Brian Bozanich Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator

Global Arts Festival continued from page 1

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Mike Radice serves as Director of Advancement, a position that includes fund-raising, strategic planning, alumnae relations, and board development. He comes to us from the Archdiocese of New York, where he served in a similar position at two Manhattan high schools. He’s published a book titled Professional Money Raising for Schools (2014), and commented in his interview that he once secured a $1,000,000 gift from a group of nuns. He has a PhD, a PGS, and an MA.

Yolanda Rosales teaches Spanish 1, Spanish 2 and Honors, and Spanish 3. She came to us from St. John of God School, where she taught several years, and she also taught at St. Linus School. She has a BA and teaching credentials.

Alvin Sanga teaches Pre Calculus, AP Calculus, and Geometry, and comes to us from George Washington High School in

Mangilao, Guam, where he taught for four years. He has also taught math at the University of Maryland University College in Guam. Alvin has a Master’s in Teaching Secondary Education and is a Doctor of Education degree candidate at Loyola Marymount University.

Shelley Whitaker teaches Aerobics and Health, and serves as Co-Athletics Director. She comes to us from Whittier College, where she was Head Softball Coach and Senior Woman Administrator. She also taught health at Cass High School in Cartersville, GA. Other accomplishments have included serving as the Great South Athletic Conference Softball Chair, receiv-ing the honor of being an NAIA Academic All-American, and having spoken at the 2006 NCAA Regional Convention in San Diego. She has an MEd.

There are also three ways to multiply your gifts.

• Target Red Card: If you have a Target credit card, you can request that a percentage of your purchase go to Saint Joseph High School. To do this, go to Target.com, click on “Red Card” in the bottom right hand corner of the homepage, and then click on “Take Charge of Education” and fill out the form.

• United Way: When you give to United Way, the agency will let you designate Saint Joseph High School to receive the funds.

• Employer matching gift: Many

companies match employee gifts to nonprofits, doubling your contribution. If you’re not sure if your employer has a matching gift program, contact your human resources department or go to our website for a list: www.sj-jester.org, Giving, Matching Gifts.

I wish you all the best, and I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Mike RadiceDirector of [email protected](562) 925-5073 x176

same values, but we have changed, too. Our campus has grown, the curriculum has expanded, and the co-curricular program continues to meet students’ needs. We have all the bells and whistles that everyone else in education claims they have. The difference is, our teachers know how to use them and make them relevant for our students. Come! Come and visit. Come and sit in chapel court and have a coffee. Come to all or one of the events we have planned to celebrate just how wonderful we are because of each and every one of you! Each grad has left her indelible mark on this holy ground, and when I’m out at break or lunch and I see our girls in action they remind me of so many of you. When I walk the hallways when it’s quiet, I see all of you, living and deceased. I hear you complaining about something in Room 302, or laughing as you drive your Volkswagen in to chapel court and stuff as many people as you can in it. I see you walk a live duck around campus, or linger at the lunch tables after the bell has rung, or line up at the lunch truck, or put a caterpillar and jelly beans on a particular teacher’s desk, or play a volleyball or basketball game on the asphalt courts. I see you dance at lunchtime, bond on retreat, or comfort a friend. I see you and I pray for you. So, come. Come and reminisce with us, as we Remember the past, Renew our commitment to the now, and Rededicate ourselves to a bright future possible because of each and every one of you!

May our Lady, St. Joseph our patron, and Mother St. John Fontbonne keep each of you and your families in their loving care.

Happy Anniversary! God bless you!

Dr. Terri Mendoza, Class of 1973Principal

Principal Mendoza continued from page 2

Giving to Saint Joseph High School continued from page 2

New Teachers continued from page 3

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Terri Mendoza, Principal, ’73, quotes the first line of the song Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald: “Summer time, and the livin’ is easy.” Hmm…Well, maybe for some summer livin’ is easy, but for a high school principal, summer meant catching up on emails, writing thank you cards, working on handbooks, hiring staff, cleaning her desk and office, meetings with the plant manager to establish summer maintenance and capital improvement jobs, finally joining Facebook to catch up with many grads (the only break I really did have!), and finishing up last minute details for the start of the new school year. So, my two-day vacation was great! Can’t wait for next summer’s two-day get away!

Margaret Hernandez, English Teacher, ’81, traveled to New York City where she reunited with old friends from college and went on a Broadway binge, seeing five shows in seven days, including Of Mice and Men starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd, as well as The Cripple of Inishmaan starring Daniel Radcliffe. She also visited the 911 Memorial Museum and found it to be an overwhelming and moving experience.

natalie Gutenkau, ’89, the owner of The Factory Gastropub, 4020 Atlantic Ave., in Long Beach, was featured on the very popular TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

The show is an American food reality television series that premiered April 23, 2007, on the Food Network; Guy Fieri hosts it. The Factory is known for its craft beer and wine selection and its fresh food, with a menu completely dictated by what local ingredients are available.

Celine Figueroa, English Teacher, ’90, was in England for two weeks this past summer. She stayed in Kensington and took day trips every other day. She also spent one day in Edinburgh, Dover, Canterbury, Rodmell, Stratford and Orpington. Some of the highlights of the trip were watching The Tragedy of Julius Caesar at the Globe Theater, visiting Shakespeare’s home in Stratford, hiking up the White Cliffs of Dover, visiting Virginia Woolf’s country home where she wrote her famous novels, seeing the last home of Sigmund Freud, and visiting the home of Charles Darwin. Joining her on the trip was Jennifer Felger ’11. It was quite an adventure.

Jackie Cordova-Garcia, ’03, SJHS school secretary, gave birth to Sebastian Jax Garcia May 25, 2014 at 4:30 a.m. Sebastian weighed 7 lbs, 2 ounces at birth, was 21 inches long, and is healthy and happy.

Jessica Muno, Science Teacher, spent the summer with her family and had a wonderful

“stay-cation.” They spent most of their time at the beach, but also went hiking, tide pool exploring, and visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Santa Ana Zoo. Both Jacob (8) and Jewel (3) took swimming lessons and Jacob learned to ride a bike! They rode to the yogurt shop every day for a week after that! It was great to relax and hang out with family.

Maureen Sullivan, Chemistry Teacher, had a photo exhibit in the museum at the El Dorado Park Nature Center, from July 2 to July 31, mounted at the center’s request. There was also an afternoon reception on Sunday, July 6.

Alumnae, Faculty and Staff NotesPrincipal Mendoza continued from page 2

Keep everyone up-to-date on what you’re doing. Submit a “Note” for the winter issue of the magazine that is 75 words or less, and feel free to include

a photo in .jpg or .tiff format.

Submit these by December 1, 2014, to Mike Radice, Director of Advancement, [email protected].

To All AluMnAE, FACulTY AnD STAFF:

Tuition at Saint Joseph High School is $8,517. Use the enclosed remittance envelope to sponsor a student. A gift of any size is appreciated.

DID You knoW?

5825 North Woodruff AvenueLakewood, CA 90713Tel (562) 925-5073Fax (562) 925-3315www.sj-jester.org

Please keep these members of our SJHS family and their loved ones in your prayers. A Mass of Remembrance has been offered for them in our school chapel. May they rest in our God’s love and peace. Amen.

We remember:

Miranda Bradshaw, ’88, daughter of Michelle Zigan Bradshaw ’68, and sister of Aime Bradshaw Hall ’91 and William Bradshaw, Jr. SJB

Dick Pillon, father of Patricia Pillon Marshall ’68, Joyce Pillon ’69 (RIP), Margaret Pillon Williams ’71, Ruthann Pillon Burnell ’73, Richard Pillon SJB ’76, Charles Pillon SJB ’78, Thomas Pillon SJB ’81; father-in-law of Kathleen Hastert Pillon ’81; and grandfather of Jason Pillon SJB ’10, Jenna Pillon ’13, and Joey Pillon SJB ’13

Fryda Sanchez, grandmother of teacher Gisela Risco ’00, and Carlos Risco SJB ’94

Dolores Serrano, mother of Kristine Serrano Cather ’89 and Noel Serrano SJB ’85

Beverly Simons, mother of former teacher Sue Simons Blandford

Edward Smith, father of Serene Smith ’04, former teacher

Ralph Whitaker, father of teacher Ms. Shelley Whitaker

May They Rest In Peace

saint joseph high school celebrates 50 years · to the mission of saint joseph high school, a...

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