Calling all Victorians! - Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of Loretto High ...

Le t te r from the PrinciPaL
Dear Friends,
Our 2011–2012 School year has just
begun, and with the beginning of any
new year, change is in the air. This is
as true at Bishop Conaty–Our Lady of
Loretto as anywhere else. Due to our
expanded marketing efforts under the
direction of Dennis Polito, our enrollment
has increased 15% from the past
two years to 360 students. Our Freshman Class is over 30%
larger than last year’s Freshman Class. Sixteen freshmen
entered with Honors at Admission. Two new teachers have
joined our staff: Crystal Cabrera (English and PE/Health)
and Elizabeth Meerson (French and ASB). A new caterer,
Zlicious Catering (also the caterer for nearby Loyola Boys’
High School), is providing food service for our students and
Payne Janitorial Services is providing our facilities maintenance.
Over the summer we sadly bid farewell to Irma
Gonzalez (OLLBC ’93), Alumnae Relations Associate, but
with equal joy we welcome Cheli De Las Cuevas as the new
Associate. The classrooms also bid farewell to Sister Kathleen
Kinney, RSM (CGHS ’55) who has been teaching
here since 1984. Sister Kathleen will remain in the school
community our as our newest School Board member.
Each fall brings new faces to Bishop Conaty–Our Lady of
Loretto High School, and, as I welcome our new students
and staff, I am reminded of how little things change over
time. Certainly the challenges of this decade have a new
look, but they are often very much like past challenges. The
students are different, yet they remind me of past classes
with their compassionate and welcoming spirit, their enthusiasm
and energy and their eagerness to learn. Others
have noticed these similarities as well. At last February’s
Tea honoring Sr. Mary Jean Meier, several alumnae from
the 1950s remarked how much our current students were
just like their classmates.
If you compare the Bishop Conaty–Loretto Class of 2015
to the Bishop Conaty or Our Lady of Loretto Classes of
1955, so much has remained the same and yet so much has
changed in the sixty years that separate the two. The Class
of 2015 still comes from all over Los Angeles and many
take the bus to school just as students did in the 1950s. To-
faLL 2011
Echoes of Memories
newsLetter for aLumnae and friends of BishoP conaty–our Lady of Loretto high schooL
day’s students make life-long friendships, have fun together
and love the school just like students in the 1950s. And just
as parents in the 1950s made sacrifices to send their daughters
to Bishop Conaty and Our Lady of Loretto, today’s
parents make the same sacrifices.
With all the change 50 years brings, the present school’s
needs have not changed. In order to fulfill our mission of
providing affordable Catholic Education to young women
in Los Angeles, we continue to seek funding to sustain our
tuition assistance and academic programs. Even though our
tuition is among the lowest of Catholic High Schools in
Los Angeles, this year 90% of our students need financial
aid. The median annual income of our families is $24,000
and annual tuitions range from $5,995 to $7,800 depending
on the amount of fund-raising and volunteer service parents
provide. In this newsletter we are providing you with information
on how you can help us continue the legacy of Catholic
Education for young women at Bishop Conaty–Loretto
though our upcoming Annual Fund Appeal. If every alum
at least makes the “12 by 12” pledge we will surpass our
goal for the first time.
Bishop Conaty–Our Lady of Loretto High School, under
various incarnations, has educated the young women of Los
Angeles to be Christian leaders for almost 90 years. Although
the faces have changed over the years, the tradition
of quality, affordable, college-preparatory, Catholic Education
endures. It is and will remain the generosity of our
benefactors—you, our faithful alumnae, our friends in the
community and at supporting foundations—that enable us
to continue this tradition.
Please continue to remember that it’s not about the name
and it’s not about the building—it’s about supporting these
young ladies who, without your support, might have to continue
their educations elsewhere. Think back to your high
school days. Did someone help you financially? Is it time
for you to make your mark on the coming generation with
a gift to the school?
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you for your support. May God continue to bless all
of us as we further the realization of a Catholic life for all
who choose to belong to the One Body and Blood of Christ.

annuaL
fund
The recently concluded Annual Fund Drive raised close
to $50,000 and we offer our heartfelt thanks to those
of you who contributed amounts ranging from $5 up
to $3000 to get us to that level. Times being what they
are, however, we need to increase the amount we raise
this year because of the increased need for financial
assistance by our students and their families.
For those who are able, please consider matching or
exceeding your gift from last year. For those of you
on a fixed income, or those who have not participated
in the past, we are asking you to support a simple and
easy plan for this Drive—Give us “12 by 12”! What
does this mean you ask? Give us $12 (a mere $1 per
month) before the start of 2012. In doing so, you
receive the end of the year tax break. If you need more
time, please don’t feel pressured, as long as we can
receive your gift before June 30, 2012, which is the end
of our financial year.
In an effort to save money, this year’s appeal is
being incorporated into the newsletter along with a
remittance envelope. We are really serious about the
need and we are doing everything we can to cut costs
to retain more money for the students who need it so
much. These girls need to stay at Bishop Conaty–Loretto
now more than ever. As graduates of Catholic Girl’s
High School, Bishop Conaty, Our Lady of Loretto, Our
Lady of Loretto–Bishop Conaty or Bishop Conaty–Our
Lady of Loretto, we need you alumnae to step forward
and make a difference in the life of someone today—
someone that might have been you in years past.
As Principal Spicer says in his cover letter, it’s not about
which school you came from or what the name of it was,
it’s about helping a deserving young lady continue her
education here now. Let’s really unite behind this
effort and show Los Angeles how much heart
and soul our graduates truly possess.
schooL news
welcome to the
new ar associate
A true “Ange-
lino,” Marcela
(Cheli) De Las
Cuevas was
born and raised
in Los Angeles
California.
She joined the
Screen Actors
Guild in 2002 and left her hometown
shortly after to attend the London Academy
of Music & Dramatic Arts where she
would study Classical Theatre and absorb
the English culture for the next two years.
Though Marcela’s time spent in the UK
was nothing short of remarkable, she decided
it best to leave the cold and return
to the sun soaked streets of LA! Since her
return she’s worked in Municipal as well
as Entertainment Administration and
continues to act in television commercials.
Marcela is proud to be a part of the team
at Bishop Conaty–Our Lady of Loretto
High School and is looking forward to
her contribution into the continued excellence
of the school. Please make it a point
to become acquainted with Cheli and
make her feel a welcome part of our great
school community!
read more about this new and
simple fund drive above.
www.bishopconatyloretto.org
Bishop conaty–
Loretto students
sweep top Prizes
This past spring, three Bishop Conaty–
Our Lady of Loretto students took the
top three prizes in the Educational Consortium
of Los Angeles’ Spring Essay
Contest: “If I Could Spend a Day with a
Person from the Past.”
Senior Mayra Islas won First Place for
her poignant description of her great
grandmother and the reasons she would
like to spend a day with her. Senior Yun
Hye Joo won Second Place for her heartfelt
description of her former choir director,
and Junior Sara Arenas took Third
Place with her essay about ragtime great
Scott Joplin. Congratulations Wildcats!
consultative school
Board news
As we begin the second year with our
Consultative School Board, we are looking
for some really good movers and shakers
to become members. If you are someone
who has contacts, or know someone
who has contacts that can help spread the
word about Bishop Conaty–Loretto and
support its mission, please call Mr. Spicer
at 323-737-0012, extension 105.
One of the major projects the Board will
be involved with is the planning for the
90th Anniversary Celebration of the
opening of Catholic Girl’s High School
to take place in the fall of 2013. If you
would like to help on this committee, but
not commit to a position on the Board,
please call Cheli De Las Cuevas, Alumnae
Relations Associate, at extension 109.

323-737-0012
opening day
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 marked the
“Opening Day” for new students’ orienta-
tion and returning students’ class sched-
ule and picture day. The campus was alive
again with the sights and sounds of new
friendships being made and old ones being
renewed. New students gathered in the
gym for information on school life. Af-
terwards they engaged in a match of “rock,
paper, scissors” and were treated to lunch
on the patio. It is such a blessing to be able
to continue this fine tradition year after
year. As Mr. Spicer says in his cover com-
ments, we may be in different times, but
things really don’t change all that much.
How many of you can picture yourselves in
these photos? We hope the memories are
there for you and that you can be there for
the school, which, as the Skippers Class of
’61 reminds us, “Is an advantage for life”.
the incoming freshman class (120 students) assembled
in the gym at the end of new student
orientation for a photo.
when you lose your match of “rock, paper, scissors”
you must crawl through the line that has
formed of match winners.
returning students gathered outside on the patio
to turn in their forms, get their schedules and
get reacquainted after the summer break.
monica murillo, campus minister (left), is joined by her campus ministry team and monsignor sal
outside on the patio after mass.
fall 2011
welcome Liturgy
On Friday, August 19, 2011, faculty,
students and guests assembled in the
gymnasium to celebrate the start of the
new school year with the Annual Mass
of the Holy Spirit. Monsignor Sabato
(Sal) Pilato, Superintendent of Secondary
Schools, was the presider. This was
the first time Msgr. Sal had celebrated
a school-wide mass here as a priest. He
took extra care during the ceremony to
explain what all the ceremonial parts of
the mass were with all their symbolisms.
He spoke personally to each class, as assembled
in the gym by year, reminding
each of their responsibilities to the class
and to each other. He then asked the faculty
to stand and told the students how
proud they should be to have teachers so
dedicated to remain in a Catholic Schools
when public schools offer so much more
in salary. The service was enhanced by
the music team from Holy Family High
School who joined our choir for song and
praise. It was truly a great way to begin
what is going to be a fantastic school year
at Bishop Conaty–Loretto. School masses
are listed in the newsletter and on our
website and alumnae are always welcome
to join in our celebrations.
members of the holy family music ministry join
the Bishop conaty–Loretto choir.

on & off camPus
reQuiem in Pac em c L ass ac ts
Please remember these special people and
their families in your prayers.
Ruth M. Holbrook (CGHS 1935)
Sister Mary Jean Meier, RSM (CGHS 1942 and former
teacher at CGHS)—August 8, 2010 (In Memoriam)
Gladys E. Kenkel Talley (CGHS 1948)—February 9, 2011
Gloria Rodriguez Manzanares (CGHS 1955)
Lucy Knox Fortune (BC 1958)—May 15, 2011
Margaret Johnstone Topete (OLL 1959)—May 2, 2011.
Margaret worked for the Highway Patrol as a dispatcher
and was living in Las Vegas at the time of her passing.
She is survived by her husband, Salvador, five children,
19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Suzanne Fernandez Hennessey (BC 1961)—June
24, 2008
Sister Mary Richard (Sister Rosemary Lynch, OSF)—
January 9, 2011. Sister taught Spanish at Bishop
Conaty from 1947–1951.
staying connecte d
Mary Feeney Watters (CGHS 1936) is looking for any
classmates left from her graduating class.
Mary Smith Parties (CGHS 1939) would love to hear
from any members of her graduating class.
Beatrice Jordan McMillan (CGHS 1940) is looking for
her classmate Ethel Smith.
Nettie Ann Frias (CGHS 1944) is looking to reconnect
with her classmates, especially Margie Furlong Rice.
Dolores Ruth Ferguson (CGHS 1947) would like to hear
from any of her classmates.
Mary Bierer Nix (BC 1950) is looking to reconnect with
fellow classmate Patricia Dolan, formerly of Glendale,
California.
Jacqueline Theresa Meyers Like (BC 1961) is looking to
contact anyone from her graduating class.
1920s
Bertha Schouten Carter (CGHS 1929) will be 100 years
old on December 1, 2011. She is recovering from a fall
last Thanksgiving resulting in four broken ribs. Bertha
has been unable to attend mass due to back problems
but has communion brought to her by a “nice lady”
named Hope. It turns out Hope is a graduate too (CGHS
’57). Bertha’s older sister, Dorothy Schouten (CGHS
1927), passed away in 1957. Best wishes on your continued
recovery and pending 100th birthday celebration!
1930s
Mary Emerson Limebrook (CGHS 1939), BA in English
in 1943 and MA in English in 1945, is the mother of
six grown children and living the good life in Orange,
California.
1940s
Aline Kerbrat Seydoux (CGHS 1940) enjoys good
health these days (despite a rather challenging life)
and celebrated her 89th birthday this year. A belated
Happy Birthday Aline!
Sister Marie Bernadette (Mary Walsh—CGHS 1942)
recently celebrated her 60th Jubilee as a Sister of St.
Joseph. Congratulations Sister Marie!
Barbara Coultas Fuchs (CGHS 1942) is the Formation
Director for the San Buenaventura Secular Franciscans.
Cecile Bonnet Kreins (CGHS 1947) retired from the U.S.
Department of Education in 2001 and is now a consultant
on design and remodeling work for local churches
in Maryland. She has two children and four grandchildren
and is involved in a number of charitable causes
and projects.
Bernice Meehan Stanhope (CGHS 1948) is now retired
from her position as a real estate and marketing broker.
She celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary on June
3, 2011 and has four children and four grandchildren.
1950s
Diane Jay Bouchard (CGHS 1952) is a retired writer
having obtained her BS from USC and has enjoyed touring
the Caribbean, New Orleans and Maui this past year.
Christina Longworth Peterson (CGHS 1952) received
her BA from UCLA in 1957 and had a teaching career
both in Torrance and Santa Monica, California. Now
www.bishopconatyloretto.org
retired, she is the mother of four children and four
grandchildren and spends a lot of time traveling.
Evangela Villalobos de la Cuesta (CGHS 1956) is now retired
after receiving her BA in Business Management in
1978. Her husband, Skip, passed away in 2007 but she
remains busy with a very extended family and work in
the Bereavement Ministry at St. Nicholas Parish.
Lucy Vela Cheney (CGHS 1958) is retired from the
Rowland Unified School District with a son, Chris, a
daughter, Carmel, and five grandchildren.
1960s
Rita Gallego Rios (OLL 1960) will celebrate her 50th
wedding anniversary on December 9, 2011. Congratulations
Rita and Richard!
Rosalind Knolls Monahan, Ph.D., LCSW (OLL 1966)
is retired from the Riverside County Department of
Mental Health. She currently owns a private practice,
Life Span Psychotherapy, and teaches at Brandman
University in Palm Desert, California.
1980s
Michele Cervantes Puentes (OLL 1984) works at AltaMed
Health Services as an Administrative Assistant
III. She is married with two children: Alyssa (16) and
Andrew (10).
1990s
Emelyn A. de la Pena, Ed.D. (OLLBC 1990) completed
her Doctorate in Education in June 2009 and for the
past 11 years has been a Campus Diversity Officer and
Director of the Women’s Center at UC San Diego. She
recently accepted a new job and will be the new Assistant
Dean of Student Life at Harvard beginning September
6th. In her new capacity she will be responsible for
all campus initiatives regarding gender and sexuality.
This includes staff supervision of the Directors of the
Women’s Center and BGLTQ Student Life. In addition
she will be managing the Sustained Dialogue Program
in conjunction with the Harvard Foundation for Inter-
Cultural and Race Relations; advising the Undergraduate
Council (student government); serving as a liaison
to unrecognized student organizations (including Greek
organizations and Final Clubs) and coordinating residential
staff training and orientation, including coordinating
the Specialty Tutors program (BGLTQ, Wellness,
Public Service, Sexual Assault, and Race Relations).

323-737-0012
reunions!
Conaty Skippers Celebrate 50 Years
The Most Reverend Joseph M. Sartoris, D.D., V.G.,
Auxiliary Bishop of the San Pedro Pastoral Region,
celebrated the Mass of the Feast of the Transfiguration
in the beautiful school chapel Saturday, August
6 2011, to begin the Golden Reunion of the Conaty
Skippers Class of 1961. The alumnae came from as far
away as Denver, Colorado to meet and pray for ill and
deceased classmates, revered teachers, the needs of
their own families as well as those of the world and the
victims of the Hiroshima bombing of August 6, 1945.
They gave thanks to God for their faith, their friends
and family and all the opportunities made possible by
their education at Bishop Conaty.
The 22 returning alumnae and their friends joyfully recalled
their learning days at Conaty, when a very young
Father Joseph Sartoris was Vice-Principal (1957–1961):
days of plays, proms, newspaper reporting and writing,
sports, games, cheers, three-day all-school silent
retreats, terrific teachers, fun with friends and graduation.
Mostly retired now, they explored memorabilia
and listened with great interest to the happenings of
their friends’ lives during the intervening 50 years—
careers in nursing, law enforcement, education, business,
religious life and raising families. They shared
a delicious taco lunch on the sunny, breezy patio and
toasted all with sparkling cider by the tinkling of champagne
flutes imprinted with the Holy Spirit’s Dove.
Some ladies had not been back to the campus at all
during the past 50 years, and in touring the newly
reconstructed school were thrilled to know that the
tradition of Catholic education—”an advantage for
life”—is alive and well at Bishop Conaty–Loretto.
As a final tribute, the Skippers presented the school with
a gift of $1280 to be used towards much needed tuition
support for the current students. On behalf of its deserving
young ladies, Bishop Conaty–Loretto extends
its most sincere thanks for your love and your support.
Know that you are now the ones helping provide that
“advantage for life” to another generation of graduates.
Editor’s Note: The donation went to one deserving
student whose family recently encountered a serious
financial setback. We were hoping to spread that help
to two or three people. Any Skippers who were unable
to attend the reunion but would like to help out are
encouraged to use the enclosed pledge envelope.
the skippers, left to right:
row 1 (seated): Lupe cisneros norton, Lynda Jensen ramsey, Luz-maria Bañuelos shearer, yolanda
gonzalez, carolina cisneros, mary-alice sanchez steinman, and class friend Janice thompson.
row 2 (standing): irene takenaka furukawa, althea saulet delahoussaye, sister mary mortz, dmJ,
Jeanmarie smith Phillips, elizabeth teichmann goldbach, Barbara dahl tiernan, and sharon ann
Krakowiak.
row 3 (standing): wilhelmina Quarles Jones, Linda Baptiste murray, carol morris, rose elizabeth
aleman, Bishop Joseph sartoris, cynthia Baham walker, stella torres Vargas, ernestine o’ward
nunes, and angelica fischinger.
a fun-in-the-sun reunion
L–r (seated): stella torres Vargas, Bishop Joseph sartoris, sister mary mortz, dmJ, and (standing)
elizabeth teichmann goldbach. Bishop sartoris was presented his “official sailboat” by the skippers
in honor of his four years as their chaplain at Bishop conaty high school.
Calling all Victorians!
the class of 1957 will be celebrating its 55th reunion on
saturday, april 21, 2012 with a “Ladies only Luncheon”
in the orange county area. Please mark your calendars
now. for more information call Patsy Blea rosero at
310-379-6085 or email her at Ppimatwo@aol.com.
fall 2011

schooL news
graduation 2011
The Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation for the senior class took
place in school the gymnasium on Friday, May 27. Most Rever-
end Joseph M. Sartoris, D.D., V.G., Auxiliary Bishop of the San
Pedro Pastoral Region, was the presider. The event marked the
first time Bishop Sartoris had returned to celebrate a school mass
since he was Father Sartoris, Vice Principal at Bishop Conaty
(1957–1961).
salutatorian, alejandra garcia with Valedictorian, mayra islas.
LaPd officer h. K. stoecklein dropped by to wish the girls well as they gathered
in the library prior to the commencement ceremony. officer stoecklein
is a member of the olympic community station which is invited annually to
attend the ceremony.
Bishop sartoris with acolyte raquel Vargas.
www.bishopconatyloretto.org

323-737-0012
sPotLight on our aLums
irma mejia (BcL ’02)
Irma accepted the position as Mem-
ber Services Coordinator of the San
Fernando Valley Bar Association. Ini-
tially she administered the SFVBA’s
fee arbitration program, managed the
member database and was otherwise
the first point of contact for many of
the Association’s members. Her role
has since expanded to include managing
the Bar’s social media efforts. Irma
will be publishing an article about basic social media for attorneys
in the September issue of Valley Lawyer and will be conducting
a Bar seminar on the basics of social media this fall.
After high school she went on to study at Yale University (JE ’08).
At Yale she pursued a double major in Latin American Studies
and Archaeology. Her senior research focused on the intersec-
Volunteers needed!
to volunteer please call the school at
323-737-0012 extension 109.
we need volunteers to monitor the high
school Placement test test Prep classes being
held on campus on the following four saturdays:
september 17, october 15, november
19 and december 3 (concluding with a
mass). classes are being held from 8:30 am
until 12:30 Pm.
we need people who can come to the school
the week of october 24–28 to help us with
a Phone-a-thon as a follow-up to the annual
appeal which kicks off with this newsletter.
days and evenings are available and personal
cell phones are required. if you would
rather make calls from home that can be arranged
too. several volunteers have already
signed up. can we count on you to help make
a difference in this year’s efforts?
fall 2011
tion between state building, nationalism and archaeology. As
an undergrad, Irma studied abroad in Honduras, El Salvador
and Brazil. She was also involved in several campus grassroots
organizations including MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano/a de Aztlan), the undergraduate Chicano organization.
In addition to the skills necessary to carry out the responsibilities
of the position, Irma brings to the SFVBA experience working
for nonprofit and membership organizations and a stated passion
for bridging the gap between the community and the Bar. Before
joining the Association Irma interned in the Membership Department
of the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
Irma’s long-term career interests include non-profit development
and management. “When I’m not working at the Association,
I’m watching classic movies and playing with my energetic cat,
Yeya”, Irma brags. Not a bad life at all for a woman who is also
fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese.
if you grocery shop or shop online, this message is for
you and helps us with no effort on your part.
here’s how it works:
1. go to: www.escrip.com to sign up and review the
complete list of participants in the program.
2. register any or all of your existing grocery loyalty,
debit and credit cards for use in the program.
3. Participating merchants will make contributions to
Bishop conaty–Loretto based on your purchases.
it’s that simple. sign up today and Bishop conaty–
Loretto will benefit for years to come.
Join the Bishop conaty–our Lady of Loretto
alumni group on facebook. go to www.facebook.com
and search for Bishop conaty–Loretto
high school alums.

imPortant dates
September 20
Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast at OLA Cathedral
September 21
Prayer Service for International Day
October 7
Red Cross Blood Drive
October 11
Donor Recognition Mass and Breakfast
October 23
Fall Raffle Drawing at St. Agnes Church
October 28
Spirit Day
November 1
All Saints Day Liturgy
November 6
Open House: Noon–3:00 PM
Bishop conaty–our Lady of Loretto high school
2900 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90006-3802
www.bishopconatyloretto.org
323-737-0012
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fall 2011
you can help us fill the alumnae news section by completing the form below. nothing new?
then just tell us where you are and what you are doing. Photographs are more than welcome
and will be returned after publication if requested. PLease Print. mail your news and
photos to alumnae office, 2900 west Pico Blvd., Los angeles, ca 90006, or email copy and
photos to mdelascuevas@bishopconatyloretto.org or dpolito@bishopconatyloretto.org.
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