The Women behind the <strong>Crespi</strong> ManPart II in the seriesBy Bridgett GreenSanta Clause pictured with <strong>Crespi</strong> andLouisville students at the Mothers’Christmas Luncheon Fashion Show <strong>2010</strong>.<strong>Annual</strong> Mothers’ ChristmasLuncheon, Fashion Show, andBoutiquePlease join the <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong>Community as we celebrate“Christmas, Pure and Simple”onSaturday, December 10, 2011at the beautifulFour Seasons Hotelin Westlake Village.We will honor all Grandmothersin attendance and present eachwith a white rose representing thepurity of the <strong>Crespi</strong> family.This year’s chairwoman isKaren Tandy (Connor ’14) withFashion Show coordinatorDebra Klumph (Bruce ’11 andDylan ’14.)Boutique shopping begins at10:00 am for your Christmasshopping convenience, followedby a luncheon and fashion show.The official opening of the new school year for <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong>took place on August 15, 2011 with Mass in celebration of theFeast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother. One of theunique aspects of <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong> is that it is a family and allbut one of our support staff are <strong>Crespi</strong> Moms. After mass, wegathered to discuss what motivates us to continue to play an importantpart of <strong>Crespi</strong> long after our sons have graduated.From welcoming the “goofy” freshman to the transformation ofour seniors after the Kairos Retreats, we have the feeling of beinga part of something positive. The boys, like all teenagers, havetheir good days and their bad days. We are there to catch themand pull them up on those rough days, like we did for our sons,and they appreciate that.Margie Moreno, has worked at the school as the CFO since 2000when her son JR ’09, was still in grammar school at Our Lady ofGrace next door; even still, it was his decision to choose <strong>Crespi</strong>when it was time for high school. She believes the reason so manyof us remain after our sons have graduated is the concept of family.“As mothers, we see them come in as freshman, we watchthem grow from children to young men, and we make many goodfriends along the way that are a part of <strong>Crespi</strong>. It is good to seethem when they come back and tell us what they are doing,” shestates.Dee Herrera’s son, Jeff, graduated in ’94 and also went to OurLady of Grace. She says, “There were twelve boys in his eighthgrade class and ten of them came to <strong>Crespi</strong>. They are still friends.”Another <strong>Crespi</strong> Mom is Dona Long, Director of Student Activities.Her three sons, Matt ’95, Kevin ’01, and Braden ’07, enjoyedtheir time at <strong>Crespi</strong>. She feels that she has made adifference in so many lives with her work here. She states,“Wesee them grow and develop here; we hope they stay connected tothe school and continue to grow. We take pride in their accomplishments,and they want to share their successes with us. It isvery rewarding.”The <strong>Crespi</strong> brotherhood lasts beyond even college days. EventsManager, Pam Trovatten’s son Kris graduated in 1993, and his<strong>Crespi</strong> buddies were a part of his wedding party. The same happenedat the weddings of Chris Musich ’95, son of <strong>Crespi</strong> ReceptionistVirginia, and Scott Green ’90.Debbie Watson, Athletic Administrative Assistant, had two sonsgraduate from <strong>Crespi</strong>, Chris ’99 and Robbie ’02. Both come backto work the gates for home games. She says: “We watch them developas brothers. It is wonderful to see that. Both my sons comeback for the Over-the-Line Tournament and Turkey Bowl in November.My boys went to St. Catherine of Siena and that was asmall environment, but there were several <strong>Crespi</strong> Families thereand I went to my first C.A.P.E.R. before my sons were highschool age. I had so much fun I wanted to be a part of that community.When my boys were here, I started working as a volunteerwith the Booster Club working in the snack shack. I made somany friends I didn’t want to give it up, so I kept volunteering fortwo more years after Robbie graduated before I was asked to becomea paid employee in 2004.”Like many of our mothers, we have met some of our best friendsduring the times our sons were here.Three of our <strong>Crespi</strong> Moms are also <strong>Crespi</strong> wives. The ExecutiveAssistant for Fr. Tom, Fr. Paul, and Institutional Advancement,Bridgett Green is married to Mike who graduated in 1966, andtheir son, Scott, is from the class of 1990. Anita Rezzo and herhusband, Tom ’72, have seen their two sons graduate from <strong>Crespi</strong>,Thomas in 2005 and David in 2007. Anita is the Assistant Directorof Admissions and one of the first people incoming familiesmeet at <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong>. She says, “Most people choose <strong>Crespi</strong>because the men they have known who come from <strong>Crespi</strong> aresuch nice guys they want their sons to grow up like them. Parentsare so excited that their sons are here, and most parents agree thatthey have had positive experiences with the staff they come intocontact with.”Lynn Gaytan’s husband, Dan, graduated in 1980 and son Blake in’09. She started at <strong>Crespi</strong>, like most of us, as a volunteer. She nowis a part-time consultant for Pam Trovatten working with EventFundraising. “I work here because it was so good for my husbandand son. I want to make sure it remains that good for those comingup,” she says.6
By Brett NordykeThe Women behind the <strong>Crespi</strong> Man (cont.)Pam chimes in about friendship,“<strong>Crespi</strong> guys are great. My husbandwent to a public school, butthe good friends he hangs out withall went to <strong>Crespi</strong>. Our boys arejust nice people.”Most of us who work at the school,beginning with Joan Weaver in1991 to Lynn who started in 2009,came back for the same reasons.<strong>Crespi</strong> is home. The boys are likeour sons. They make us smile.They can make us see red, but atthe end of the day we all agree whatkeeps us here is the fact that everyday is going to be full of surprisesand rewards as we do our part toform the <strong>Crespi</strong> Men that walk thehalls of <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong> from yearto year.To change your address or toupdate your information, pleasecontact the Office of Advancementat (818)654-1365, oradvancement@crespi.org<strong>Crespi</strong> Moms employed by <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong> pose in front of Painting of our Lady of Mount Carmel in theDoheny Chapel on <strong>Crespi</strong> <strong>Carmelite</strong>’s Campus.1st row l-r: Joan Weaver (Jerry Schenkelberg ’85), Pam Trovatten (Kris Vangelisti ’93), Lynn Gaytan (Blake’09), Dona Long (Matt ’95, Kevin ’01, Braden ’07),Back row l-r: Bridgett Green (Scott ’90), Dee Dee Herrera (Jeff ’94), Virginia Musich (Chris ’95), MargieMoreno (J.R. ’09), Anita Rezzo (Thomas ’05, David ’07), Debbie Watson (Chris ’99, Robbie ’02)Not Pictured: Catherine Uribe (Evan ’07)In MemoriamNovember <strong>2010</strong>-August 18, 2011Tim Ottman ’76, brother of Tom ’72 andMike ’74George Kahaumia, father of Eileen CairesMrs. Nordyke, grandmother of Ryan ’90and Brett ’94John Knoernschild, O. Carm.Bridget Fitzsimmons, aunt of Bill KearnsDon Arbogast, father of Guy ’74 &Peter ’78Gene Polito, father of Greg Polito ’63Kent Norman ’64Patrick Tripe, father of Paul ’74, Gary ’76,Stephen ’84Melanie Baker, sister of Marie BarbarinoMary Louise Atcher, mother of Fr. JoeAthcer, O.Carm.7
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