Students Collect Pencils for Schools in Need

In September, Lower School students gathered pencils for The Pencil Project, an organization that collects and distributes them nationally and internationally to children and schools in desperate need of supplies. Kudos to Lower School students Amanda Sanabia, Grade 5, and John Sanabia, Grade 7, who collected 12,000 pencils! In total, Santa Catalina amassed over 20,000 pencils, and schools across the country have collected more than 150,000 pencils.

Annual Benefit Celebration a Success

The 27th Annual Benefit Celebration took place on October 11, 2008. With a theme of "Joining Hands Around the World," the event included a wine tasting and silent auction followed by dinner, dancing, and a live auction hosted by local newscaster Dan Green.

Auction items were donated by parents, alumnae, friends of the school, and local businesses. They ranged from an autographed photo of gold medalist Michael Phelps to a week in Cape Cod. Guests also bid on art objects created by Lower School students including a handmade quilt, photo shoji screen, and a Christmas tree skirt. Upper School art students donated three serigraphs inspired by Santa Catalina's gardens.

Organized by the Parent Association, all proceeds went to supplement the school's financial aid program. A special thanks to Bon Appetit for providing the delicious hors d'oeuvres and dinner, sponsors including Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Fresh Express, Hartmann Studios, and Eunjoo and Ki Hong Kim, and to co-chairs Diane Simmons and Lisa Knight for making the event such a success.

Lens of Compassion

Taking place each April during Father-Daughter Weekend, Santa Catalina's annual silent auction has raised over $3,600 for Kids with Cameras, a non-profit organization that teaches photography to marginalized children around the world. The money has helped purchase four beautiful acres of land in India for Hope House, a home and school that will be a haven for girls who choose to leave the brothels of Calcutta. Namaste to Claire Lerner and all the students who have truly made a difference in these girls' lives.