SpringNL - Saint Joseph High School

Spring 2013
Volume 48, Number 2
News
Dear Parents/Guardians and Friends of SJHS:
In This Issue
2-3
Retreat Programs
Grandparents Day
Performing Arts
4-5 Reflections
Student Awards
6
7
8
Jester Jubilee
Alumnae Updates
Mother Daughter
Brunch
In Closing
Celebrating
48 Years
of Catholic
Education
There is a scene in the movie The Help where
Aibileen, the maid, comforts the little girl she is essentially raising after her mother has spanked her for an
inconsequential thing. Aibileen assures (instead of tells)
her: “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” I
remember my parents telling me similar things, not
always with words. My mom always said, “I know who
I am and where I come from,” in her accented English,
while my dad would say, “Let no one tell you, you
can’t!” And, my wonderful Nonna would remind me,
“Even the Queen of England goes to the bathroom.”
(It sounds so much better in Italian!!!) I got their
message—I was not a lesser person because we didn’t
have money and lived humbly.
When we moved to Lakewood, to spare us embarrassment my mom succumbed to my and my brother’s
request to please put our Zody’s bargain store bags
inside the one large Buffum’s bag we had before taking
it out of the car—in case the neighbors were watching!!! That was the only time she gave in to our sense
of “less than.” At any rate, the message was clear, our
parents loved us and they thought we were important.
I am fortunate to receive Italian TV on my cable
service. Its coverage of everything Papa Francesco is
thorough and impressive. The other night I watched
his entire Mass celebrated at Sant’Anna, the Vatican
parish church. His homily was simple. All he said
was, “God never tires of forgiving us.” The moment
we come to Him with our faults and weaknesses, He
forgets them and enfolds us in His loving embrace.
“God,” said Pope Francis, “never tires of forgiving us”
Randy and Cathleen Elsken Sparrow, ’75, and Alumna
of the Year are greeted by Dr. Mendoza at Jester
Jubilee.
because like the maid in The Help, God believes that
we are kind, smart, and important. We are his children.
As we reflected on our lives and on our relationship
with God during Lent, let us continue to reflect on
our spiritual Easter and on the Easter of humanity’s
salvation as Jesus, our brother, rose to sit at His Father’s
right hand for eternity, waiting for each of us to say,
“Loving God, even when I am at my worst, I know you
still think I am kind, smart, and important.”
May our Lady, St. Joseph our patron, and Mother
St. John Fontbonne, keep us in their loving care.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mendoza, ’73
President and Principal
JESTER
JUBILEE
Published six times a year
for the students, parents,
alumnae, and friends of
Saint Joseph High School.
Photography:
Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ
Writing/Editor:
Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ
Design: OPM Design
Group, Burbank
Marie Olson was introduced as Alumnae
Parent of the Year by her daughter
Margaret Olson Hall, ’83.
Everyone got into the
spirit of this years’ Jester
Jubilee which honored
Cathleen Elsken Sparrow,
’75, Alumna of the Year
and Marie Olson, Alumnae
Parent of the Year.
See Page 6 »
5825 North Woodruff Avenue • Lakewood, CA 90713 • Tel (562) 925-5073 • Fax (562) 925-3315 • www.sj-jester.org
The Heart of the School
Kairos, Liturgy, Outreach
and Retreat Programs
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Campus Minister Jessica Reynaga, ’04, along with student retreat facilitators and
faculty team members, worked hard this year to provide a quality retreat, liturgy and
outreach program for SJHS faculty and students. Those efforts reflect the heart of the
campus; special liturgies for Thanksgiving, All Souls/All Saints, Christmas and various
retreats are designed to incorporate the spirit of the season and reflect the needs of students
and faculty alike.
As part of the SJHS tradition of Kairos retreats, students, faculty and recent alumnae
are all involved in the planning and organization. During the three-day gathering, usually
held at the UCLA Conference Center at Lake Arrowhead, students have the opportunity to
receive the sacrament of penance. At a senior Kairos retreat this year, faculty member Kristen
Arguedas, ’07, spoke about her experiences of God’s friendship in her life and how God gave her those experiences
“freely and unconditionally.” In music that Kristen shared with students, she emphasized the importance of getting to
know one’s self, and the assurance that, with God in one’s life, the obstacles that one faces will never be faced alone.
Special thanks are due to faculty members for their assistance during liturgies and class retreats especially Allison
Ek Solis, ’05 and Lisa Norcia Lindgren, ’82. Not to be forgotten are faculty members such as Linda Petrich, among so
many and their students, who remind us of the needs of others around the world. It takes a whole school community
to make liturgies, outreach and retreat programs successful. When a homeroom teacher
collects canned goods for those in need, students become
aware of needs outside themselves. When students become
involved in global issues such as child soldiers, sex trafficking
or global poverty, we learn that these topics
were first discussed in a religion class, on a
retreat or during a student presentation. In
today’s world it takes a whole school to make
a difference.
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
Time to Honor the
Special Cheerleaders
in Our Lives
Everyone needs a cheerleader or two in the family—to
love unconditionally, applaud all achievements, whose pride
shines in aging eyes without needing to be spoken. They
are like angels—seemingly always present and watching over
loved ones with special care. Each year, SJHS honors these
earthly angels at Grandparents Day with a morning liturgy,
delicious breakfast, and plenty of time to visit. Jesters take
the opportunity to say “Thank you, Grandparents!”
You mean so much to us all.
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C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE”:
Reflections On The
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts at Saint Joseph High School include drama, music (vocal and instrumental), dance, photography,
drawing, sculpture, and painting. Ask any SJHS graduate about her involvement in the Performing Arts during her
high school years and a litany of experiences will pour forth. There are the expected misspoken lines of dialogue, semibloopers of random music notes, periods of stage fright, and forgotten lyrics or dance moves. But an accompanying
development of skills and increased confidence mark the difference between a frightened teen and a self-assured young
adult. Showcasing one’s talent up on a stage with all eyes on you may be daunting, but often results in a life-changing,
positive experience.
The Arts Educate for Life
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At SJHS, faculty member Brian Bozanich coordinates the Department of Performing Arts. Like all
good faculty members, Brian eats, drinks, and thinks his passion—drama. Working with students on stage
informs all he does.
“An arts education provides for life,” Brian says. “In production, or in any of the arts, we teach
students how to solve problems. Another great skill they
learn is collaboration, working with other people. The
arts don’t just happen in a vacuum. The idea of working
together—for one, unified purpose—this is important.”
Brian also feels strongly that SJHS’s relationship with
St. John Bosco is fortified and made more cohesive with
the drama program. “Because there is a common purpose for which
everyone is responsible. The ultimate goal of opening night teaches
students that they are accountable. If an audience of 200 people is
coming in two weeks to attend a show, you have to be ready. The
excuse, ‘Oh, I can just turn in everything a day late’, does not work
in the arts.”
Performing arts faculty:
A “Who’s Who in the SJHS Performing Arts Department”
Brian Bozanich
Director of the Performing
Arts Program, Theatre
Victor Wheeler
Percussion & Instruments
Jane Mah (left)
Chair of the VPA Department
Drawing/Painting, Photography
Mary Elizabeth Benson (right)
Dance
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Steve Ordonez
Chorus and Show Choir
“Problem solving, working on a
deadline, collaboration, are all tools
that the arts require,” explains Brian,
“tools that not only improve a student’s
educational experience but strengthen
job skills and ultimately help them
become better human beings. Being
able to look at things from someone
else’s point of view, so that you
know how that person experiences
the world—this perspective is so
important for students, for everyone.”
In summation, Brian says: “Be it in drama, art, music, dance—
the skill building is crucial. Whether in front of the curtain or
behind it, students want to be involved, because they see the value of
every role in making a production successful.”
Improved Facilities
Thanks to the combined fund raising efforts of faculty members,
administration, students and parents, SJHS has been able to make
many improvements to its Performing Arts Program. Faculty member
and alumna Karla Pallwitz, with a team of talented teachers, each year
organizes, writes and directs Faculty Follies and the proceeds
have gone toward development of a first class SJHS Theatre. Stellar
faculty performances included: Intergalactic Follies, Call Me Maybe,
Alternative Universe, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Cup Stacking, and Star
Trekking Across the Universe. Senior Gile Canoy captured some of these
outer-worldly acts digitally.
The newly upgraded SJHS Theatre complemented the talents of
Jesters and Braves in this year’s timeless production of the hit musical,
Godspell. Director of the Performing Arts Program, Brian
Bozanich, said that his goal was not to create a Godspell with
a clown as its central figure, or a hippie as in stage productions
of the 1960s and ‘70s, but a Godspell that would resonate for
a 21st century audience.
Godspell was staged utilizing some of the recent
additions to the SJHS theatre: an orchestra pit, an improved
sound and lighting booth, and nine new stage makeup tables
with side lights made by SJHS parent Rogelio Magana.
Other improvements are still needed, such as off-stage storage
areas, but the theatre upgrades to date have already made a
tremendous
difference in productions at SJHS.
Seniors Kristen Lago, Samantha Sanchez and Emily
Kent (L–R), named NMSQT “Commended Students.”
National Merit
Scholarship Program
Each year, 11th grade students take part in the
PSAT/NMSQT program. From among the more
than 1.5 million juniors who participated in 2011
testing, 34,000 were designated “Commended
Students.” In the fall of this school year, three Saint
Joseph High School students were notified that they
had merited this impressive honor. Each received a
certificate in recognition of exceptional academic
promise.
SJHS Academic Awards
For First Semester
At the end of fall 2012,
SJHS administration, faculty
and student body gathered
for the annual First Semester
Academic Awards Ceremony.
Students came forward to
receive their commendations
as their names were called.
Only one student in the
school received a certificate
for each of her six classes.
Very special congratulations
go to sophomore Monique
Ortiz.
C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
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5
Jester
Jubilee
Auction & Casino Night
6
Saint Joseph High School annually honors an outstanding
alumna and alumnae parent who have demonstrated leadership in
the community and lived the values of caring for and providing
assistance to others, to the dear neighbor.
Alumna of the Year Cathleen Elsken Sparrow, ’75, is a wife
and community leader. Cathy has held various executive leadership positions in
Utah, where she now lives. Currently, she serves as CEO for the Girl Scouts of
America in Utah, providing leadership to more than 8,500 Girl Scouts and 3,500
adult volunteers all over the state.
Cathleen has worked tirelessly to promote positive and collaborative
relationships with a variety of community and service organizations. She serves as
a Board Member for the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers
with the YWCA and other service organizations.
Prior to her move to Utah, Cathleen attended San Jose State University
where she earned her degree in Recreation Administration. She and husband
Randy enjoy travel, being outdoors, time spent with family and friends—and
riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Alumnae Parent of the Year, Marie Olson, and her husband Dave,
are the proud parents of five SJHS graduates and three boys who
graduated from St. John Bosco High School. For a period of 15
years, Olson daughters attended SJHS, a feat in itself.
Marie Olson spent countless hours during that decade and
a half counting raffle tickets, serving breakfast, helping with
book sales, cooking for bake sales, and chaperoning school
events. She was literally a fixture on campus. Marie put her
children and their education first. Since the last of her own
daughters attended Saint Joseph, Marie has seen five more
Olsons attend SJHS—her beloved granddaughters.
It is to parents like Marie Olson—who make possible the
very foundation of a Catholic education—that SJHS is especially
grateful. Selfless dedication, the willingness to be a “mom” to other
Jester girls besides her daughters, caring only that all children have
opportunities—these are the qualities seen in special
Jester Parents. We are eager to recognize and thank you,
Marie Olson.
In 1969, Marie and Dave Olson began a virtual
dynasty of Olson children and grandchildren who
attended, and still attend, Saint Joseph and St. John
Bosco High Schools. They supported both schools by
their presence and willingness to give to the schools and
students who became an extended part of their family
circle. Saint Joseph High School is proud to recognize and
say a huge “thank you” to the Olsons.
Jester daughters: Louise Olson, ‘73, Celeste Olson Schaadt, ‘75, Mary Olson Gilbert, ‘80, Margaret Olson
Hall, ‘83, Angela Olson, ‘86. St. John Bosco sons: David Olson, ‘72, Josef Olson, ‘76, and Thomas Olson,
‘79; Jester granddaughters: Caroline Gilbert, ‘01, Rebecca Gilbert, ‘03, Erin Schaadt, ‘05, April Gilbert, ‘06,
Angela Gilbert, ‘11, and Lucy Gilbert, ‘25; St. John Bosco grandsons: Christopher Schaadt, ‘97, Nicholas
Schaadt, ‘99, Matthew Schaadt, ‘01, Robert Hall, ‘11, David Hall, ‘14, Steven Hall, ‘15, and Daniel Hall, ‘17
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
Class Acts: Alumnae Updates
Alexandria Shearer, ‘09
Amber Sotomayor-Shearer, ’04, recently wrote SJHS about
the many accomplishments of her sister Alexandria, a member of
the Class of 2009. “It’s been a while since you’ve heard from our
family, we’ve been so busy! We’re writing to let you know about
your Fontbonne Award winner for the years 2006-2009, Alexandria
Shearer. She excelled in academics and service throughout her years
at SJHS, and continues to do ‘all of which woman is capable’ in her
current home at Santa Clara University.”
Alexandria has indeed been very busy at Santa Clara. Along with
enrollment in the Honors Programs and receiving numerous awards
and scholarships over the past four years, she continues to shine in her
department—majoring in Bachelor of Science Computer Science and
Engineering while minoring in Mathematics! Graduating from Santa
Clara this June, Alexandria is excited about the many opportunities
awaiting as she goes on to pursue a PhD in Computer Science. The
program will require six years to complete, but this is where Alex’s
passion lies—the arena in which she knows she can have the greatest
impact and affect the most people.
She is currently president of the Association of Computing
Machinery for Women (ACM-W), as well as president of Upsilon
Pi Epsilon, the International Honor Society for the Computing
and Information Disciplines.
These organizations encourage
and mentor other students, and
Alexandria personally organizes
events in which mentoring takes
place. (All while maintaining a
3.892 GPA!)
The mega-corporation
Google Inc. offers extremely
competitive scholarships and awards, many of which receive
thousands of applications. Successful in all three of her submissions
to qualify, Alexandria attended the Google-sponsored Grace Hopper
Conference for Women in Computing through various sponsorships.
This school year, she was named a Google Anita Borg Memorial
Scholar of 2012, along with receiving a scholarship from HACEMOS
(Hispanic College Fund) of Orange County.
SJHS and Alex’s family are so very proud of her! Writes sister
Amber, “Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to share
what has been going on with Alex! All that Alex is doing now is truly
blessed by God, for it relates to the SJHS mission of doing service to
the ‘dear neighbor without distinction.’”
SIGNING OF LETTER OF INTENT
Senior Maxine Rodriguez, receiving a full scholarship for her
performance in softball, signed her national letter of intent for DePaul
University. We wish Maxine all the best and look forward to hearing about
her future successes.
Mother Daughter Brunch
Once more, the Disneyland Hotel, a tradition for SJHS fun, provided
the background for the school’s annual Mother/Daughter Brunch. The
holiday liturgy, brunch and social, attended by more than
600 current and past grandmothers, moms, daughters,
alumnae, faculty and friends, was a complete
success. Fr. James Henry, SVD, chaplain and
long-time beloved friend of SJHS, celebrated
this year’s liturgy as the school family marked
the wonder and beauty of the Christmas
season.
Parent Co-Chairs of this year’s event, Jenny
Baldoni and Linda Burch, were assisted by Toni
Gonzalez, Kathy Guglielmo and countless others,
including alumnae parents Patty Kirby and Rosalie
Chacon. Faculty moderator and alumna Lisa Norcia
Lindgren expressed her appreciation, “Countless moms and
the gift of their countless hours helped in so many ways to make the brunch
memorable and enjoyable for everyone.”
C H A L L E N G I N G T H E M I N D , C U L T I VAT I N G T H E S P I R I T
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7
SUMMER AT SAINT JOSEPH
HIGH SCHOOL
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 60039
Long Beach, CA
Three special programs — something for
all ages, needs and interests — are offered this
summer at Saint Joseph High School.
Camp Little Jesters*
For boys and girls in grades K-8
Academic opportunities, arts & crafts, sports,
pool, field trips, snacks
Four sessions:
June 24 - 28, July 1 - 3, July 8 - 12, July 15 - 19
7:30 am - 3:00 pmFee: $160 per session
5825 North Woodruff Avenue
Lakewood, CA 90713
Tel (562) 925-5073
Fax (562) 925-3315
www.sj-jester.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Summer Academy/Middle School Program
For students entering 7th-8th grades
Two sessions:
Math: 8:00 – 9:00 am; Monday-Thursday
Language Arts: 9:15-10:15 am; Monday-Thursday
June 24 - July 19
Fee: $100 per session
For more information on Camp Little Jesters and
Summer Academy (562) 925-5073, ext. 882
High School Program
Academic Course Dates: June 19 – July 18
Session I:8:00 – 11:00 am
Session II: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Courses Offered:
Enrichment/Athletic/Review/Elective
Fee: $275 per course
For more information: (562) 925-5073, ext. 881
*Camp Little Jesters is accredited by the American
Camp Association.
We Want to Hear From You
Please let us know what’s going on in your life—a birth, an award, a degree or
studies completed. You are important to us and we want to know what is important to
you. Contact Sr. Nancy Munro, CSJ, directly at [email protected]. You may send high
resolution images to the email listed.
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
Please keep these members of the SJHS family and their loved ones in your prayers. A Mass of Remembrance is celebrated in the school chapel
for each of the following members of the SJHS school family. We remember:
Luis Pallares, uncle of Christina
Chavez
Turrietta, ‘82
Regina Abeyta, grandmother of
Kathleen Varner Donnelly, ‘69,
sister of Jane Varner Bossart, ‘71 and
Bailey Abeyta, ‘12 and Brenna Abeyta, ‘15
Aida Pereira, great grandmother of
Judy Varner, ‘78
Xochitl Pereira, ‘15
Toofic Abouakl, grandfather of Zeina
Teodocia Estrada, grandmother of
Abouakl, ‘14, Mary Abouakl, ‘16, Diane
Maria Luisa Pinon, aunt of Christina
Analie Leon, ‘15
Chavez Turrietta, ‘82
Estephan, ‘15, and Sarah Estephan, ‘13
Emma Ahamad, grandmother of Sofia
Ahamad, ‘14 and Cristina Ahamad, ‘16
Leonard Campion, grandfather of
Olivia Campion, ‘16
Emma Chavez, great aunt of
Xochitl Pereira, ‘15
Rose Colozzo, grandmother of
Elizabeth Doherty Salazar, ‘96 and
Laura Doherty Garcia, ‘03
Roger Da Silva, uncle of Sabrina
Linhares, ‘16
Barbara DiTolla, mother of
Julie DiTolla Flatt, ‘87, Jennifer DiTolla
Gause, ‘90, Michael DiTolla, SJB ‘82,
Jeffrey DiTolla, SJB ‘83.
Ariel Domingo, father of Kristen
Domingo, ‘95.
Martha K. Farina, mother of
Teresa Farina-Loge’, ‘ 76 (after Loge is
an accent mark)
Cheryl Freitas, aunt of Lisa Norcia
Lindgren, ’82, Jennifer Norcia Kellam, ’83,
Roxanne Norcia, ‘85, Thomas Norcia SJB,
‘86 and John Norcia SJB, ‘90; great aunt of
Danele Norcia, ‘14 and Veronyca Norcia, ‘16
Glenda Islas, mother of Camille Islas, ‘14
Carla Valentini Madden, ‘72
George Malone, grandfather of
Jillian Malone, ‘15
Yolanda Munoz, mother of Regina
Munoz, ‘82 and Andree Munoz Martin, ‘84
Robert Oetken, father of Lorraine Oetken
Tardiff, ’69, Elizabeth Oetken Hendershot, ’71,
Cassie Oetken Horowitz, ’72, Elaine Oetken
Wilcox, ’73, Robert Oetken Jr. SJB, ’75
Angelina Publico, grandmother of
Victoria Moore, ‘13
Joan Quaglio, mother of Denise Quaglio
Santos, ‘75, and grandmother of Sarah Santos
Hurwitz, ‘02
Edwin Reyes, father of Allyson Reyes, ‘16
William Robison, father of Candice
Robison, ‘87
Olga Senna, mother of Susan Senna Hong,
‘80, Julie Senna Bohner, ‘84, and Michael
SJB, ‘82, grandmother of Katherine Hong,
‘04, Lauren Hong, ‘13, and Daniel SJB, ‘08
Mary Alyce Soares, mother of Debi
Soares Botsford, ‘84, Lorraine Soares Ladd,
‘87, Alicia Soares Kruizenga, ‘91
Josefina Soltero, mother of
Lily Soltero, ‘01
Jerry Van Deudekom, grandfather of
Vanessa Van Deudekom, ‘16