La Reina - ePageView

La Reina
Today
Fall 2015
4
4.Sr. Josanne Furey
5. Magis Center on Campus
6
6. Middle School Opening
8.New Performing Arts
Loft Opening
10.Graduation Class of 2015
8
12.New STEM/Robotics Lab
13.Anne Powers Sculpture
and Ceramics Studio
15
14.Alumnae Reunion 2015
15.The Mike Martinez Legacy
La Reina High School & Middle School
is a Catholic college preparatory school
for young women in the tradition,
vision, and educational principles
of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
La Reina provides a nurturing,
Catholic environment of educational
excellence, focused on helping young
women develop into moral and selfconfident leaders, who work for the
transformation of individuals and society.
Students are given opportunities
to foster their relationship with God,
to grow intellectually, to develop their
individual gifts, and to be catalysts
for the promotion of justice locally,
nationally and globally.
16.Annual Report on the School
20.Planned Giving
22
21. Year-End Giving
2.Outstanding Educator of the Year
2
Hannah Robinson
ON COVER Sixth grade students: Izabella
Friedel, Jasmine Winter, Jianna Collis, Sarah
Dower, Kaitlyn Ray and Kaitlyn Huemme.
2015-16 Board of Trustees
Michael Bates, Ed.D.
Armando Berriz, J.D.
Carlos Coto
Mary Kay Daniels-Yu
Nathalie Gossett, Ph.D.
Sr. Marie Paul Grech, SND,
M.A., M.Ed.
Tamara Harper ’87, J.D.
Fr. Paul Hruby
Sr. Leanne Hubbard, SND
Alison Lindquist
Tim Paulson
Dan Peate
John Philpott
Vaune Pierce
Amy Jo Reinoso
Brenna (Scanlon) Chapin ’02
Contents
23.Alumnae News, In Memoriam
Rebecca DeBruno Stanley ’87
Francine Weisbecker
Henry Workman, Chairman
Administration
Dr. Michael Bates
Head of School
2015-16 Alumnae Board
Teri Arra ’81
Jennifer Laumann Cohen ’81
Drisana Currier ’05
Darlene Boyd Goodman ’87
Susan Sunde Laschi ’84
Jennifer Dransfeldt McGee ’91,
President
Angela Peate ’08
Teresa Moran Runyon ’92
Rebecca DeBruno Stanley ’87
Roxanne Torabian ’95
Anne Rog
Assistant Head of School
Tiffani Kocsis
Dean of Student Life
Sr. Rebekah Kennedy
Dean of Mission
LA REINA TODAY – reflecting the
Catholic identity and mission of the
school. La Reina Today is published
twice a year by the Advancement,
Communications and Alumnae Offices.
Karen Starleaf
Director of Advancement and
Communications
Darlene Boyd Goodman ‘87
Associate Director of Advancement
and Communications, Alumnae
Coordinator
Design Sergio Belletini
Photographers
Sr. M. Lisa Megaffin SND
Lisa Sutton Pollon ’90
a message Dr. Michael Bates Head of School
Dear Friends and Families of La Reina,
I believe strongly that each of us possesses the ability to change the world. From this belief,
I recognize the many ways God calls us to bring greater love, patience, and goodness to one
another. Our Mission Statement at La Reina helps us focus clearly on the goal to provide an
outstanding education for young women while helping to, “develop them into moral and selfconfident leaders who work to transform individuals and society.”
Living this mission each day are the Sisters of Notre
Dame. Their four educational principles guide their
work throughout the world and direct ours as well.
Teachers and staff work hard to ensure the best in
education for the young women entrusted to our
care. Tirelessly and unselfishly, they deliver great
lessons and individual attention to the students,
prioritizing the tradition of academic excellence in
a nurturing Catholic environment.
As the leader of our school, I understand well the
wonderful legacy that La Reina is and promises
to be. This is a fantastic school for young women
seeking to become their respective best selves.
To ensure that this legacy continues in an
optimal learning environment, we have made great
improvements to our 51 year old campus. These
enhancements include the addition of more than
15,000 square feet of classroom and program
space these past six months:
• Remodel of Villa Regina into Performing Arts
Loft (8,000 square feet). The former auxiliary
housing for the Sisters of Notre Dame above the
Cafeteria has been transformed into a black box
theater, dance studio, choral and music room,
film room, dressing rooms, and restrooms.
This was funded through donations realized
from the Capital Campaign.
• Building of Middle School campus (6,000 square
feet – 6 added classrooms) in 75 days. The upper middle school softball field became our new
middle school campus, adding 6 classrooms, a
bathroom building, patio, and landscaping. This
is being funded over two years in the operational
budget.
• Renovation of SND Garages to Ceramics Studio
and STEM/Robotics Lab (1,500 square feet). This
is being funded by private donations.
• Establishment of a Magis Center for Leadership,
Service and Spiritual Transformation. This newlydedicated space offers staff and students the
opportunity to collaborate on faith and leadership
programs including retreat and liturgical planning
and service learning work.
The improvements to the campus also include
deferred maintenance funded through the
operational budget:
• Storm drain. This summer we significantly
extended the storm drain. Previously, overflows
caused damage to the cafeteria and gym at least
10 times in recent years.
• Bio-Swale. Eco-friendly water retention was
installed to accommodate the significant flows
which have historically come from the hill on the
SND property.
• Gas lines. An audit and repair of corroded gas
lines helped to abandon or re-pipe old and
rusted lines.
• Technology Infrastructure. We replaced
our server and established a secure room for it.
Updated all software and licensing.
• End User Desktop/Laptops. Hard drives and
memory upgrades were made to extend the life
of the computers used by teachers and students.
• Paint. The 100s, 200s, 300s, and Admin. wings
were all freshly painted.
• Gym. Flooring was resurfaced and painted.
Wall padding was added from donations through
the Athletic Booster Club Golf Tournament.
• Athletics Office. The flooring was replaced and
storage improved.
As you can see, there has been a tremendous
effort both in front of and behind the scenes to
enhance the functionality and effectiveness of
our campus as it serves our highest priority, our
students. A special thanks to Mr. Laird Wilson
and Mr. Kevin McNamara for all of their help.
Going forward, the Board of Trustees, the Board
of Members and I are working diligently to plan for
needed improvements in the 100s and 200s wings
and future athletic concourse.
We look forward to involving our families, faculty
and staff in the planning process for these and
other projects and appreciate all that you have
done and continue to do to help us with this work.
On behalf of all at La Reina, thank you for your
continued love and support of our great school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Bates
Head of School
• Electrical, Internet, Phone lines. Conduits were
repaired and replaced.
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
3
Sr. Josanne Furey, S.N.D., Principal from 1970-1983
Stan Hirsch and Sr. Joseanne
at her Golden Jubilee
Sr. Josanne Furey
has always looked ahead. In 1970, La Reina
was a high school with a small enrollment. Her first thought was, “What is the
next thing we should be doing?” The answer was clear: add a junior high.
It will serve the community and become the feeder school to the high school.
Three years later, La Reina
opened its doors to 7th and
8th graders. Six years later,
the first 7th grade class
finished high school, more
than doubling the size of
any previous graduation
class. Her “next thing”
turned out to be quite
a success.
As principal during those
early years, Sr. Josanne
was a one-woman wonder. She taught math and
Latin, created individual
schedules for each student
(hand-written), did all the
bookkeeping, hired the
teachers and coordinated
the fundraising. She also
observed the teachers.
“Not as often as I would
have liked,” she said. “I just
ran out of time.”
Always looking for the next
thing was not unique to
Sister’s tenure as principal. In 1968 she went to
her superior and told her
she wanted to apply for a
grant at the University of
Oklahoma to learn about
computers. When her
request was deemed “silly,”
Sr. Josanne responded,
4
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
“That may be, but I still
think computers are the
wave of the future.” She
won the grant.
That fall she began teaching computer programming—students had to go
to Moorpark College to use
the computers, but they
learned the basics from
Sr. Josanne. By 1981 Sister
had purchased Commodore PET computers and
continued to teach computer programming to the
handful of girls who were
interested. In fact, La Reina
was the first school in the
Conejo Valley to offer computer classes on site.
Her ability to look ahead,
she believes, was inherited from her father, who
was an electrician. Born
in 1897, he wired his first
home because he thought
electricity was going to be
the wave of the future. His
hunch about electricity was
correct and when he was
drafted during World War
I, one of his duties was to
wire army camps.
Sr. Josanne is credited
not only with moving the
school forward, but also
with overseeing many of its
important programs. Under
her tenure, the
school started
the speech
and Academic
Decathlon
programs, and
became an
athletic powerhouse, winning
numerous CIF
championships. She was
also responsible for hiring some of the
pillars of the school such
as Stan Hirsch, Mary Anne
Hedrick, Judy Knight, Tricia
Bartolomei, Don Hyatt,
Irene Woodall, Eileen
DeBruno and Betsy Potts.
Sr. Josanne, who turned
90 recently, is delighted
La Reina has added a 6th
grade. “It was the right
thing to do,” she says. She
was also happy to meet
Michael Bates, the Head
of School, who made that
decision. “He came over
last year and introduced
himself to me. God love
him. He was very nice,” she
says.
What she remains most
proud of during her 13
years as principal is that
she had the vision to open
the junior high. “There was
a lot of talk about it,” she
said, “I just wanted to get
it done.”
And in doing so, she
cemented her legacy and
helped pave the way for
another “next thing”: the
opening of the La Reina
Middle School in
The Magis Center:
Doing More for God
This year La Reina established a Magis Center for Leadership, Service and Spiritual
Transformation. The roots of the Magis philosophy can be traced to St. Ignatius Loyola,
Founder of the Jesuit order. He exhorted people to always do more for the “greater
glory of God.” The Center brings together three elements of students’ spiritual life:
retreats, service and liturgies. “The Magis Center brings many different girls together to
participate in the spirituality of the school,” says Brittany Blaise ’16 of campus ministry.
Director of Retreats and Religion teacher, Theresa Thibodaux
“Our retreats offer our students a moment to pause, enjoy and breathe. Depending on
the grade level, our retreat program is a one-day, over-night, or 3-night experience. It
allows students to connect more fully with themselves, their community and their God.
Each retreat is led by a team of peer leaders and provides community building, fun,
personal reflection, prayer, and creative expression. Our greatest hope is that our young
women will emerge as strong, confident, reflective and empathetic leaders who use their
own gifts to glorify God by creating a better world.”
Director of Service Learning and Leadership and English teacher, Emily Robbins Beutner ’04
“My goal is to provide students with service and leadership opportunities that will engage
and prepare them to use their talents in service to others. Whether serving meals to the
homeless or leading a Friendship Week rally, our students dedicate hours in service to
their peers and their community every year. With the creation of the Magis Center, I hope
that La Reina can continue to nurture servant leadership, preparing Regents to transform
the world into a more just, loving, and inclusive place.”
Some interesting facts
about Sr. Josanne
Majored in chemistry and
math at Notre Dame College
in South Euclid, Ohio
Director of Liturgies and Religion teacher, Allison Dynda Sain ’85
“One of the beautiful gifts we have on this campus is coming together as a community to
pray at our monthly liturgies. We gather to acknowledge and thank our good God.
This year, we have a team of dedicated, trained students who are assuming various roles
during the liturgies. Along with Mrs. Vass, our Music Director, we are working hard to
create a spiritual atmosphere as well as an upbeat tone in which to praise God! All are
welcome to attend Mass. Please check the calendar for the specific date each month.”
Came to La Reina in 1966,
and taught religion, speech,
math, and chemistry
The La Reina
community is
committed in its
efforts to always
do more for others
and for Christ.
The Magis Center
gives students
a place where
those efforts can
be developed and
realized.
Wrote the words to the
school alma mater
Won 5 National Science
Foundation Fellowships
Entered the Sisters of
Notre Dame 70 years ago
Students Sklyar Alves ’22 and Ella Mills ’22 are pictured in the Magis Center with teachers Emily
Robbins Beutner ’04, Theresa Thibodeaux, and Allison Dynda Sain ’85
A New Experience
for Middle School Girls
This past fall, La Reina extended its commitment to educating girls in a safe,
nurturing environment by adding a 6th grade and opening the only all girls’
middle school in the Conejo Valley. Here, girls can develop their God-given
talents, realize their strengths and discover their voice.
Sixth grade
students,
Cecilie
Rasmussen,
Noelle Calara
and Kalika
Biswas enjoy
their math class
Students
celebrate the
opening day
of the Middle
School!
Lilian
Thompson ’22
and Hannah
Cowdrey ’22
enjoy their
lunch break
The Middle School campus
was constructed over
the summer and opened
on August 6, 2015, with
enrollment at full capacity,
and a waiting list. “La
Reina’s faculty and staff
know how to inspire
middle school girls and
we are committed to
providing the best possible
educational experience for
every student,” said Henry
Workman, Chairman of the
Board of Trustees.
As young girls navigate
their way through an everchanging world, La Reina
offers them an education of
both academic and moral
excellence – one that will
enable them to be strong
in mind and body, resilient
in spirit, and respectful of
other perspectives.
In addition to the core
classes, the curriculum
offers students the
opportunity to explore
subjects such as Art,
Theater, Music, Robotics,
Speech and Creative
Writing. The average class
size of 22 students ensures
that each student receives
the attention she deserves.
Dedicated and skilled
teachers make certain that
every student reaches
her full potential. Extracurricular programs
offer something for
everyone. There are
seven competitive middle
school sports teams and
numerous opportunities for
our students to shine both
onstage and off.
Spiritual development is
central. Liturgies, daily
prayer and community
outreach programs help
our students grow in
their faith and become
other-centered. At this
important juncture in the
life of girls ages 10-14,
La Reina Middle School
recognizes and celebrates
our students individual gifts
and prepares them for the
next step in their academic
lives. Providing education
in grades 6 -12 enables La
Reina to create a program
that allows for a seamless
transition from middle
school to high school.
Sixth grade students
enjoy their first La Reina
Spirit Day, dressed as
Minions! Sarah Dower
and Carolina Guittierez
celebrate at the pep rally.
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
7
New
Performing arts
loft
Alanna Hurd ’17 performing in the Loft,
Monica Kane ’15, in the background
new Performing arts loft
The curtain rose on our newly-remodeled Performing Arts Loft this November.
This new state of the art facility was made possible through gifts made to the
Capital Campaign by generous members of the La Reina community.
The Loft offers a black box theater for our Regent Performers as well as a
beautiful new dance studio featuring harlequin marley flooring. Spacious new
music rooms provide flexible rehearsal configurations as well as dedicated
areas for choral practice and piano class.
This bold new space also supports
La Reina’s emphasis on the individual
player/singer with dedicated areas
that can be used for simultaneous
chamber music rehearsals and solo
practice sessions. Additionally, the
Loft includes a screening room for
world cinema as well as a green
screen for creation of student-driven,
directed and edited short films.
Students who are passionate about
the arts will find all they need in this
facility to continue their creative
pursuits. Dancers, actors, musicians
and cinematographers will each
discover the equipment and space
necessary in which to grow. Proximity
between the disciplines will also
create exciting synergy within the
department as students share in
each other’s endeavors.
Sixth grade chorus: Kaitlyn Huemme, Emelia Reinoso,
Roos Vroom, Jianna Collis and Nadia Vass
and Alexandra Sinopoli.
Sixth grade ukulele players: Jessica Michael,
Roos Vroom and Sophia Mutell.
The La Reina Dance Team
performs during Open House.
Comedy Sportz
practices in the new
blackbox theatre.
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
9
Class of 2015 Graduates
Besides being the largest graduation class in history, the 104 members of
the Class of 2015 distinguished themselves by their other-centeredness and
community service.
Francesca Cerri is excited to receive her diploma!
Valedictorian,
Jessica Zlaket,
addresses the crowd.
Alexandra Polk, Annie Ray,
Sophia Brennan and Divya
Manthena process into the
graduation ceremony.
“They are just a great
group of young women
who really care about each
other,” College Counselor,
Nancy LaBelle said.
“They talk about ’we’
instead of ’I’ which is nice
in what has become more
of a ’me’ world.”
Conscious of the state’s
drought, they turned their
traditional senior car wash
into a “dry car wash” by
cleaning the windows and
vacuuming the inside of
the cars. They also gave
customers coupons to a
local car wash that uses
recycled water.
Money left over from their
senior prom fund was
donated to charity. “We
liked to see the ideas we
stood for carried out,” said
Pearl Lee, Senior Class
Secretary. Our class really
wanted to make changes
for the greater good.”
And they did: The class
of 2015 performed 3635
hours of volunteer work in
the community.
In addition to their
community service, the
class achieved academic
success. One student was
a National Merit SemiFinalist and was nominated
as a Presidential Scholar for
the State of California. Five
students received National
Merit Commended Student
recognition from the
College Board.
Jessica Zlaket was the
valedictorian; Krista
Thomas, the salutatorian.
Following the traditional
yellow rose ceremony
and the recessional, the
graduates were greeted
with hugs and words of
praise from their families
and friends.
The graduates praised
their alma mater: “La
Reina is truly a place
of transformation, and
I will always value the
connection I have with
this group of outstanding,
beautiful individuals,” said
Katherine Plocharczyk.
Excited graduates: Margaret Conti, Jessica Zlaket,
Evelina Godecki, Ericka Fahndrick and Jennifer Bounce
LA REINA HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2015
The La Reina community is proud to announce that members of this year’s graduating class
have been accepted to the following colleges and universities:
Academy of Art University
American University
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Azusa Pacific University
Bard College
Baylor University
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont University
Biola University
Boise State University
Boston College
Boston Conservatory
Boston University
Bradley University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
California Baptist University
California Lutheran University
California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo
California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona
California State University,
Channel Islands
California State University, Chico
California State University,
Fullerton
California State University,
Long Beach
California State University,
Los Angeles
California State University,
Monterey Bay
California State University,
Northridge
California State University,
Sacramento
California State University,
San Marcos
Chapman University
Cogswell Polytechnical College
College of Charleston
Colorado State University
Columbia College Chicago
Concordia University - Irvine
Cornell College
Creighton University
Dalhousie University
DePaul University
Dominican University
of California
Earlham College
Eugene Lang College
The New School for Liberal Arts
Expression College
for Digital Arts
Franciscan University
of Steubenville
Furman University
Georgetown University
Gonzaga University
Goucher College
Grand Canyon University
Haverford College
Holy Names University
Humboldt State University
Idaho State University
Indiana University
at Bloomington
Iowa State University
Johns Hopkins University
Kenyon College
Lamar University
Lawrence University
Lewis & Clark College
Louisiana State University
Lourdes University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Marymount California University
Massachusetts College
of Art and Design
McGill University
Michigan State University
Montana State University,
Bozeman
Moorpark College
The Class of 2015 is now attending those schools highlighted in bold.
New York University
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Oberlin College
Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Ontario Universities
Oregon State University
Pace University, New York City
Pennsylvania State University,
University Park
Pepperdine University
Purdue University
Reed College
Regis University
Rhode Island School of Design
Rockhurst University
Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology
Rutgers University New Brunswick
Rutgers, The State University
of New Jersey at Newark
Saint Louis University
Saint Mary’s College
of California
Saint Xavier University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Santa Monica College
Sarah Lawrence College
Scripps College
Seattle University
Seton Hall University
Siena College
Sonoma State University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Oregon University
St. John’s University Manhattan Campus
St. Lawrence University
St. Olaf College
Stephen F. Austin
State University
Stony Brook University
Suffolk University
Syracuse University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University,
Corpus Christi
Texas Christian University
The Catholic University
of America
The George Washington
University
The University of Alabama
The University of Montana,
Missoula
The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
Trinity College
Tulane University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California,
Los Angeles
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California,
San Diego
University of California,
Santa Barbara
University of California,
Santa Cruz
University of Colorado
at Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Florida
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Idaho
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of La Verne
University of Massachusetts,
Amherst
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota,
Twin Cities
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri Columbia
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of North Carolina
at Charlotte
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Portland
University of Puget Sound
University of Redlands
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
University of Toledo
University of Utah
University of Victoria
University of Washington
University of Windsor
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Vanderbilt University
Ventura College
Virginia Tech
Washington State University
Wentworth Institute
of Technology
Western University
Westmont College
Whitman College
Whittier College
Willamette University
Woodbury University
Yale University
York University
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
11
Dancing Robots
There’s a new lab on campus. It is not to be confused with your
ordinary lab. It has no beakers, graduated cylinders or bunsen
burners. It has stools instead of desks and workbenches covered
with electronic parts, and computers. Even the dress code is
different: no lab coats; just La Reina plaid.
This past summer, the four
car garage of the Sisters
of Notre Dame was reborn
and outfitted as a STEM/
Robotics lab. Donations
from private individuals
helped to make this dream
a reality and both high
school and middle school
students are benefiting.
“Our vision of the
STEM/Robotics lab is to
purchase drill presses,
lathes, and other metal and
woodworking tools. We would
like to add a 3D scanner as
well as another 3D printer.
What we really need to
complete this vision are
engineering desktops so the
students can make computer
models of their ideas and
write computer programs,”
said Sherisse Hughes.
ABOVE:
Jianna Collis ’22 makes an adjustment to a
robot, while Sabrina Manzani ’22 looks on.
Lilah Navalie ’22 and Emma Treanor ’22
work together on their robot.
Emelia Reinoso ’22 enjoys robotics class!
Sixth graders are learning
visual computer coding,
enabling them to command
robot sensors and motors.
Recently, students programmed a robot to treat
and inspect an orchard.
The lab is also home to
Roboregents, our robotics
team, comprised of middle
school and high school
students. The team enters
competitions with the
robots they have designed,
built, and programmed.
Our team has reached the
Southern California State
competition for three consecutive years. Last year it
qualified to compete in the
Vex World Championship
in Louisville, Kentucky and
finished in the top 25%. In
a competition that is 90%
male, Roboregents really
stand out.
Mrs. Sherrise Hughes,
Robotics teacher, says,
“The girls take a different
approach to technology
than boys. For example, in
a 6th grade robotics class
recently, after the students
taught the robot to spin,
they programmed it to do
a ballet dance. Then the
girls danced with it. The
applause was amazing. In
a co-ed class, I’m not sure
the reaction would have
been as affirming.”
Thanks to our generous
donors for starting us on
our way…as we work to
“complete this vision” for
our students.
Ernie and Anne in Boston,
late 1950’s.
Ernie Powers has established the Anne Powers
Sculpture and Ceramics Center in memory of his wife.
Kiley, born almost a decade
after Anne’s death, uses a
cochlear implant to hear.
Ernie, who can still feel “the
warm spot where he cradled
Kiley as an infant,” saw in her
the same fighting spirit he had
seen in his wife.
The decision seemed fitting
to Ernie, whose great niece is
senior Kiley Gallant. Though
Anne and Kiley never knew
each other, they share a
fighting spirit and a passion
for art that connects them.
Soon after her marriage to
Ernie, Anne was diagnosed
with MS. But MS never
deterred her. Even when she
was wheelchair bound, Anne,
an accomplished artist, took a
bus to her ceramics classes.
As Kiley grew, he saw that
she shared the same love
for art his wife had had. That
shared spirit and passion for
art touched Ernie. When Kiley
attended the Rhode Island
School of Design this past
summer to further develop
her expertise in ceramics—a
medium his wife excelled
in—and when his niece, Sue
Gallant, shared with him about
La Reina’s interest in having a
dedicated space for ceramics
and sculpture, Ernie came
forward and donated the
funds for it.
The Anne A. Powers Sculpture and Ceramics Center
provides a dedicated space
for the sculpture and ceramics
program. It includes a kiln,
work tables for individual
and collaborative inspiration,
and will soon include multiple wheel throwing stations.
According to Greg Jones,
Visual Art & Ceramics Teacher,
“Students will now have a
space in which they can actively engage in the discovery
and development of their own
personal talent and vision.”
The spirit of both Anne and
Kiley will be captured in the
new center, which will feature
original works of both.
Ernie’s philanthropic spirit,
generosity, and enduring love
for his wife and niece are
also palpable in the recently
completed Center, which will
greatly enhance
the sculpture
and ceramics
experience for
generations of
students.
Ernie is pleased to see that his
wife and great niece’s passion
and talent for art have come
together in this space. His
love and admiration for Kiley
are ever-present in his conversation. “Kiley is amazing,
amazing,” he says.
Ceramics Center
Above left
A few of Kiley’s ceramics pieces.
Above right
“Jimmy”, this award winning sculpture
was created by Kiley this past summer
at the Rhode Island School of Design.
RIGHT
Kiley in the new studio!
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
13
Time flies. So much has
changed. Our looks, our
hair, our waist-lines, our
addresses. But one thing
always remains the same
– we are and always will
be La Reina girls!
Betsy Potts and
Mary Reyburn
Staley ’89
Cathy Seda, Kelly Oester,
Andrea Beaumont, and
Keri Sweeney Bennitt
Members of the Class of 1990 reunite!
ALUMNAE PICNIC
Enjoying the
reunion:
Sr. Antoinette
Marie Moon,
Sr. Linda
Hebert ’70, and
Darlene Boyd
Goodman ’87.
Awards
Members of the Class of 1985
enjoyed the Wine & Cheese event:
Daphne Laraneta, Kathleen McKinley,
Debbie Griffin, Cristina Arecco Hirsch
and Natasha Billawala.
Traveled the furthest:
Diane Henjyoji ’85 - New Zealand
(appx. 6550 miles)
Lives the closest:
Kathleen McKinley ’85 (3 miles)
Most inspirational career:
Sr. Linda Herbert ’70
Changed the least:
Roxanne Torabian ’95
La Reina Sisterhood Award:
Class of 2005
Youngest child:
Sarah Gelinas Marcuse ’05 (son, Henry)
The Alumnae Board was
happy to welcome many
alumnae back on campus
the weekend of September
11th – 12th. All alumnae
were invited to attend the
“Girls Night Out” Wine &
Cheese Party on Friday
evening. Alumnae and their
families were welcomed
back to campus for the
Alumnae Picnic on Saturday. Honored classes included the classes of: 1970,
1975, 1980, 1985, 1990,
1995, 2000 and 2005.
During the picnic, members of the Alumnae Board
honored Betsy Potts with
a retirement gift, a beautiful photo of a yellow rose,
framed and matted with
personalized
messages from
alumnae, faculty
and staff written
on the matte.
The Class of 2005 won the La Reina Sisterhood Award!
Front row: Drisana Currier Back row: Jessica Rotter,
Jennifer Littlejohn Caldwell, Natalie Olson Naberhaus,
Sarah Gelinas Marcuse and Lauren Baize
Thank You GOD for Blessing Me
An active member and strong supporter
of the La Reina community, Mike Martinez
was a member of the Board of Trustees
from 2010-2015. Mike also volunteered
countless hours to the Capital Campaign
where he was a member of the Leadership
Gifts Committee, the Campaign Cabinet,
and served as Chair of the Founders Gifts
Committee. His family’s generous gift to the
Campaign helped with the remodeling of the
Performing Arts Loft. The Dance Studio will
be named in honor of the Martinez family.
Those words are inscribed on a plaque that
Mike Martinez, former member of the Board
of Trustees, placed in the kitchen of his home
where he lived with his wife, Melita and
daughters, Alessandra ’10 and Paloma ’14.
He lived those words every day of his short
life, which ended May 23, 2015, two days
before his 53rd birthday. Born in San Pedro, Mike attended Mary Star
of the Sea High School. Most days, he went to
the Boys’ Club after school where his father
was director. There, two of the lessons his
grandparents and father had taught him were
reinforced: Everyone has a story. Be grateful
for all you have. Those two lessons served Mike well. He never
took anything for granted.
When his father was diagnosed with cancer
at a fairly young age, Mike was determined
to live in the moment. He did not want to wait
until he retired to travel. Every year, he and
Melita and Alessandra and Paloma traveled
to places like Australia, Cancun, Vancouver,
Rome, and Paris.
Mike was always conscious of making the
most of his time. His commute to Lewis,
Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith LLP, the law firm
in Los Angeles where he was a top medical
malpractice attorney, was arduous. So in
2014, Mike came up with a plan: he and Melita
would rent an apartment during the week
close to his work and to USC where Paloma
was a freshman. They could spend part of the
week in Los Angeles and come home on the
weekends.
In 2014 Melita retired from her job as a dental
hygienist, and she and Mike shuttled between
their two homes. “I have never seen Mike
so happy,” Melita says. “He loved not having
The mike Martinez Legacy 1962-2015
Much More Than I Deserve.
to commute and having Paloma close
enough to meet him for a cup of coffee.”
Last March, the family was going to San
Diego for spring break. The night before
they left, Mike’s throat was bothering
him. He went to the emergency room
at Los Robles Hospital. The diagnosis
wasn’t strep throat, as he had thought.
It was leukemia.
Two short months later, Mike, surrounded
by his family, passed into heaven’s grace.
But his legacy lives on:
It lives on in Melita, who is returning to
work. “I need to be an example to my
girls,” she says. “I want the girls to be
Mike Martinez
proud of me the way they were proud of
their dad…I feel the best way to honor
Mike is to rise above this tragedy and
continue to live.”
It lives on in Alessandra, who graduated
from Boston University in 2014 and is a
television reporter for station WWLP in
Springfield, MA. She recently bicycled 100
miles from Springfield to Boston with the
police department. The purpose: to raise
money for cancer research. Ironically, she
had signed up to participate long before
her father’s diagnosis.
And it lives on in Paloma, a sophomore
at USC and an award-winning artist. At
her father’s insistence, she took summer
school classes. “I want you to do
everything you would normally do,” her
father told her. “No matter what happens
to me, work hard; study hard.”
Finally, his legacy lives on at La Reina,
where his tireless work as a member of
the Board of Trustees and his generosity
enriched our lives.
The Martinez family thanks God every
day for the blessing of their husband
and father.
Paloma & Alessandra Martinez
Paloma, Mike and Alessandra on
a memorable trip to Australia
Mike and Alessandra enjoying a Patriots game
Mike and his wife Melita
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
15
Annual Report
OPERATING ACTIVITIES 201 4-201 5
Amounts shown in thousands
REVENUES
Tuition
$7,836 87%
Other income
757 8%
Contributions
292 3%
Investment Income
159 2%
$9,045 100%
EXPENSES
Salaries & Benefits
$5,847 63%
Administration
887 10%
Facilities
734 8%
Student Activities
699 8%
Tuition Assistance & Scholarships
613 7%
Depreciation
474 4%
$9,253 100%
The amounts represented are per the auditedfinancial statements for the related
school operating activities on an accrual basis thus include some non-cash revenue
and expenses. Excluded are capital campaign commitments associated expenses.
Financial Report
The Finance Committee is pleased to provide a balanced operating budget for the
The balancing of the budget is always a challenge for
a private school especially as it works to maintain the
high academic standards and other social and athletic
programs for which La Reina is known. Due to the
commitment and effort of the administration and the
faculty, La Reina was able to keep its core academics
intact while maintaining small class sizes.
The efforts to enhance facilities and programs do
depend on everyone’s strong support of our fundraising
programs. The committee is very grateful for the
generosity of the La Reina families and friends.
Our tuition does not cover these added costs of
education. Thus, in order to keep our tuition as affordable
as possible we do depend on fundraising.
The generous fundraising support has enabled us to
still maintain a strong level of financial assistance to
those families in need. This is a critical component to the
mission of our school and to the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Our budget does include a small cash reserve allocation
so that we can begin rebuilding our cash reserves for the
future as we continue the many upgrades and additions
Annual Report
Miranda Duffy ’20 and Nikayla Pavlas ’20 study in the library
2015-2016 school year thus we do not plan to utilize any of our cash reserves.
to the facilities at the school. We also will continue to
maintain the usage and growth of technology within the
school through our 1:1 iPad program.
As it relates to facilities, in order to provide clarity, the
cost of the remodel of the performing arts loft was
funded by the capital campaign. The new construction
of the middle school campus and various long needed
infrastructure upgrades, such as drainage and electrical,
will be funded from our budget over the next two years.
Our sincere thanks to those that spend their time on
the Finance Committee along with our committed
and dedicated administration led by Dr. Bates, Verna
Linskey and her accounting department. As mentioned
previously, the involvement by the administration and
the faculty has been critical in getting La Reina’s costs
balanced with our tuition and fundraising.
Sincerely,
The La Reina Finance Committee
John Philpott, Ruben Guillen, Tim Paulson,
Henry Workman and Alison Lindquist
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
17
Annual Report
Strong. Independent. Driven.
These are three words – among many – that could be used to describe a
“La Reina Girl.” We should know – we’ve each raised two of them.
I’m a two-year veteran of La Reina’s Board of Trustees.
My older daughter, Melina, graduated in 2014, and my
younger one, Olivia, is La Reina Junior. I’m writing this
letter with Board Chairman Henry Workman, whose
daughters Elizabeth and Katherine graduated in 2009
and 2012.
As Trustees of La Reina, the very word reminds us of the
sacred duty we have to our community – to our faculty
and administration, our teachers and our parents.
They’ve entrusted us to do one thing – Protect and
nurture a vibrant, intellectually stimulating environment
for our students. This environment – where the girls are
empowered to challenge themselves and each other – is
what makes La Reina so exceptional.
We really don’t need to sing the praises of this school’s
achievement – this entire magazine is a testament to that.
And yet, maybe La Reina “girl,” isn’t completely accurate
– our students may arrive as
young girls, but they leave
as young women. They are
the future.
As your Board of Trustees,
our job is to safeguard La
Reina’s future – on every
level. From financial to
strategic to spiritual.
Who’s on the Board? Past
and current La Reina parents
like Henry and myself,
community leaders, friends
of La Reina and alumnae.
There are also two Sisters of
Notre Dame.
TOP LEFT
The upper softball field, May 2015
BOTTOM LEFT
The new Middle School campus, August 2015
Trustees are volunteers, and we’re
invited by other Trustees to serve.
There are 19 of us right now, but
there can be up to 25. We can’t
serve more than six years (two
consecutive three-year terms), but
let’s face it – who could ever leave
La Reina?
It stays with you.
Just ask board member Becky
DeBruno Stanley, class of ’87.
She recently made a spectacle
of herself (her words) when she
reunited with a fellow La Reina alum
– a woman who had been a senior
when Becky was in 8th Grade.
FROM TOP:
Workers building the planters in the new
Middle School, July 2015
Finished planters in the new
Middle School courtyard, August 2015
Celebrating the new Middle School at the dedication
ceremony are: Anne Rog, Assistant Head of School,
Dr. Michael Bates, Head of School, Sr. La Reina Kelly,
Associate Director of Mission Advancement,
Sr. Anncarla Costello ’69, Provincial Superior,
and Sr. Mary John Shin
Enjoying their very first day of school!
Amanda Woolley, Christina Delgado and Faith Martin,
members of the very first sixth grade class!
Over 500 people attended the dedication ceremony
of the new Middle School. Many thanks to Laird
Wilson, Director of Facilities & Operations in helping
to make this dream a reality!
Back then, their lockers were next
to each other, and during their time
at La Reina, they shared everything
– good news, bad news, shocking
news – and were always there for
one another. A Senior and an 8th
grader. Sisters in green and gold,
sisters for life.
That bond is what holds the La
Reina community together – even
beyond the students –with a force
that transcends all boundaries.
Even death. Board Member Mike
Martinez – himself a father of two
La Reina grads – sat next to me at
almost every meeting I attended in
my first year. Not a meeting goes by
in which I don’t recall his steadfast
wisdom and quiet resolve.
Annual Report
Karen Starleaf, Director
of Advancement and
Communications,
and Henry Workman,
Chairman of the Board,
at the Middle School
Dedication
It stays with you.
Simply put, our job is to take care
of your daughters. It’s not a job we
take lightly – but it’s also not one
we can do alone. The La Reina
Community – the green and gold in
all of us – is what makes this place
shine.
Thanks for letting us bask in the
glow.
Sincerely,
Henry Workman, Chairman
Board of Trustees
Carlos Coto, Chair
Communications Committee
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
19
FAST FACTS
New
Robotics
LAB
1:1
iPAD
program
SAT Scores
251
points higher
than the national
Average
Championship
robotics & Mock trial teams
New
Middle
School
campus
90%
AP 5-Year Pass Rate
100
%
college &
Middle
School
University
Class Size
Acceptance Rate
New
performing
arts
loft
compared to 64% California
Average
1:22
H igh
School
1:24
Speech & debate
program ranked in the
top 10% nationwide
New
Sculpture
& Ceramics
Studio
“The Bridge” recently built to connect the convent with
the campus. Pictured: Anne Rog with Sr. Rebekah
Kennedy and Sr. Mary John Shin.
Year-End Giving Opportunities
With the joyful Christmas season
upon us, our thoughts naturally turn
to giving gifts to family and friends, as
well as organizations, like La Reina,
that make a wonderful difference in
the lives of our family.
If the charge is made by December
31, it counts for this year even if you
don’t pay for it until next year. If you
choose to mail your gift, please be
sure that the envelope is postmarked
by December 31.
4. Employer matching
donations. Many employers will
match your gift to La Reina. This is a
wonderful way to help our school by
making your contribution go twice
as far.
Charitable gifts to La Reina truly keep
on giving, as the young women of
our school go out into the world “as
moral and self-confident leaders,
who work for the transformation of
individuals and society.” 2. Gifts of appreciated securities.
You may receive credit for the full
value of the security, while avoiding
paying tax on the gain of an
appreciated security.
The school is deeply grateful for the
commitment and dedication of so
many—parents, current and alumnae,
graduates and many other friends
throughout the community—that help
to achieve our mission.
Your generous gift may also help
reduce your tax burden, especially
if you itemize deductions*, and
importantly, if the gift is accomplished
before the end of the calendar year.
Here are some ways to make your
gift today:
1. Gifts of cash. Cash is the
most common form of charitable
donations. Through the school’s
website, www.lareina.com, you can
make your gift using your credit card.
3. Gifts from retirement accounts.
If you are over 59½, you can make
a penalty-free withdrawal from your
retirement account to make your
charitable contribution. Additionally,
if you are over 70½ you can directly
transfer IRA Required Minimum
Distribution (RMD) funds to La Reina. There is a possibility that legislation
will be passed before year-end
to allow for those direct transfer
donations to reduce your taxable
income. You are welcome to contact
the Advancement Office for further
information.
For more information and/or for
assistance when making a yearend gift to La Reina, please call or
email Karen Starleaf, Director of
Advancement & Communications,
at 805.495.6494, extension 414;
[email protected].
* We are not able to offer tax advice.
Please consult your tax advisor
for specific information.
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
21
Hannah Robinson outstanding educator of the year
Students in Ms. Robinson’s 8th grade
science class examine moon rocks
under the microscope: Rachel Coleman,
Chloe Tenggren and Sumit Kaur
HANNAH ROBINSON
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR!
Hannah Robinson, La Reina High School & Middle School
Science Department Chair, has been awarded the
2015 Outstanding Educator of the year by IEEE Region
6. Ms. Robinson was selected by the IEEE (Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers) to receive this
honor for her remarkable vision to set up educational
programs that enhance STEM education for the students
of La Reina. She is thrilled with how La Reina’s students
are responding to the STEM program sharing, “I am
convinced that my students are learning better and more
deeply. This is evident to me in the classroom daily as
they are asking questions about the scientific universe
that are more in depth and original.”
Ms. Robinson wins this recognition over candidates
nominated from 17 western states, including Alaska and
Hawaii. Hannah received her undergraduate degree from
the University of Reading, England, and continued her
graduate studies at Golden Gate University, California.
She conducted field research in the rainforests of
Costa Rica and Australia.
Head of School, Dr. Michael Bates said, “What a tribute
this is for Ms. Robinson, and what a recognition this is for
the future of STEM education at La Reina. Students are
seeing every day how they can make a difference in the
world through STEM careers.”
IN MEMORIAM
Anne Bansbach, mother of
Mary Bansbach Bibb ’75,
Lenore Bansbach Virza ’80, and
Lisa Bansbach Alesna ’83, and
grandmother of Emily Bibb ’07.
Alumnae news
Rosemary Cecilia Baber,
mother of Lisa Reedy ’76.
Jennie Borak, mother of
Barbara Lilley, Director of
Parent Relations at La Reina.
Finnigan Jones & Samantha Lavi
Class of 1987
Christen Frontczak Witham and
her husband, Rick announce
the birth of their daughter, Olivia
Charleston Ann, who was born
on May 5, 2015. Olivia joins
older furry brother, Fred the
labradoodle.
Class of 1997
Megan Byrne Elliott and her
husband, are due to welcome
their third daughter any day
now! Their newest editions
joins Kalyn, 10 and Danica, 5.
Meagan teaches Pre-Algebra
at BASIS, a charter school in
Flagstaff.
Class of 1991
Tracy Hopcus Jordan and her
husband Mark announce the
birth of their first child, Sara
Raelee, born August 17, 2015.
Class of 2006
Christina Milazzo married
Shane Killion this past March 7.
Fellow alums, Michelle Davis,
Leslie Boyer and Jessica
Runzler were bridesmaids.
Class of 1994
Kelly Stallcop Bailey and her
husband Neal announce the
birth of their third son, James
Alexander, born on June 20,
2015. He joins big brothers,
Will and Ryan.
Samantha Lavi and Finnigan
Jones, childhood best friends
and former varsity tennis
captains launched their debut
clothing line, Maximalist,
a women’s ready-to-wear
collection, this year.
Class of 1996
Dr. Leena Shankar Nathan
and her husband Ramesh
announce the birth of their third
child, Naomi, who was born
on January 20. Naomi joins
her brother Narun and sister,
Natasha. Leena is an OB/GYN
with UCLA Health
in Westlake Village.
Class of 2009
Stephanie Nicolard graduated
from the University of Southern
California with a BA in English
in 2013. She earned her MA
in English Literature at Loyola
Marymount University in May
and teaches English at the
Webb Schools in Claremont.
Class of 2011
Hannah McGough graduated
from Cornell University with
a BS in Communications and
Media Studies, Film. She is
currently working for AT&T as
a Client Solutions Executive in
the New York City/Manhattan
market.
Alyssa Orr graduated
magna cum laude/with
distinction from UC San
Diego. She has a BS in
Management Science
(Economics) and is
currently working as an
analyst at a valuation
firm in Irvine.
Anna Harris graduated from
California State University,
Northridge with a BS in
Mechanical Engineering. She is
working at Skyworks Solutions,
Inc. in Newbury Park as a
mechanical designer and a test
hardware engineer.
Michelle Cunningham
graduated from the Florida
Institute of Technology with a
BA in Clinical and Behavioral
Psychology. She is currently
attending Columbia
University in New York City
working on her Ed.M. and
a masters in Mental Health
Counseling Psychology
Mónica Bermúdez graduated
from Syracuse University with
a BS in TV-Radio-Film. She is
a production assistant in Los
Angeles.
Got news? Please let us know what you have been up to! Email your news and photos to: [email protected]
If you would prefer to receive this magazine electronically, please email [email protected].
Sarah Hardy graduated from
UC Santa Cruz with a BA in
Linguistics. Currently, she is
teaching adults with moderate
to severe disabilities in Berkeley
and plans to begin a master’s
program in School Psychology.
Christina Zins graduated cum
laude from the University of
San Diego where she earned
a degree in Psychology and
Business Administration. She is
in Sydney, Australia working at
a financial investment firm.
Katlyn Fisher graduated with
a BS in Science from Saint
Anslem College in Manchester,
NH. A member of Campus
Ministry, Katlyn did volunteer
work in Arizona, Washington
D.C., and Maine. This past
February, Katlyn traveled
to Haiti to work with the Be
Like Brit Foundation. Katlyn
is currently working as a
Registered Nurse on a
Cardiac Medical Unit at
Catholic Medical Center in
Manchester, NH.
La Reina Friendship Week was celebrated around
the world! Nancy LaBelle is pictured in Florence,
Italy at the Ponte Vecchio “Old Bridge” with Daniela
Bussard ’13 ( St. Joseph’s University) and Alex
Roland ’13 (Gonzaga). Ally Curry ’13 (St. Mary’s
College-CA) and Katie Gilmour ’13 (Chapman) are
also studying in Florence. Four La Reina alums going
to college in different parts of the country, ended up
in the same place for study abroad!
LA Reina Today Fall 2015
23
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
THOUSAND OAKS, CA
PERMIT NO. 220
La Reina High School & Middle School
106 West Janss Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
United States Department of
Education names La Reina a
2013 National Blue Ribbon
School for Academic Excellence
Address Service Requested
Facts
• Highest honor a U.S.
school can receive
• SAT scores in the
top 15% of the nation
• 1 of 3 private high schools
in the U.S. to win this award
in 2013 and 1 of only 2 high
schools in California
LaReina.com
La Reina High School &
Middle School Home of
the Regents
@lareina_regents
lrhsregents
Parents of La Reina graduates:
Has your daughter moved?
Email [email protected]
with an update.
The Alumnae Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/
La-Reina-High-School-Alumnae
Engi
n
Des eering
ktop
s
ulty Facvelopt
De men
ry
tte els
o
P he
W
Tuitionce
s
A sistan
Sca3D
nne
r
What matters most isn’t what you give
it’s that you give!
to contribute:
VISIT:
LaReina.com/LRfund