Santa Catalina Alumnae Newsletter

April 10, 2017 | Alumnae Newsletter

Greetings from Gretchen

Dear Alumnae,

We just celebrated Reunion 2017. Thank you to all the alumnae who traveled from near and far. We had record attendance, with 260 alumnae coming back to campus and an increasing number of family members with them. Catalina alums are proud of their alma mater!

The class of 1967 celebrated their 50th milestone, and two alumnae were honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award: Laurie Bechtel Dachs '67 for her service and dedication in community endeavors and Cynara Coomer '87 for her service and dedication in professional endeavors.

Reunion is a time not only for celebration, but for inspiration. The Class of 1961 was inspired by their reunion in 2016 to create an endowed scholarship as a lasting legacy for their class. This endowment will fund a boarding student for four years, forever.

So many of you come to reunion and are grateful to be able to spend Friday on campus with students and see Santa Catalina as it is today. Because of your enthusiasm for this opportunity, a new feature to this newsletter will include a section on Santa Catalina Today. Please read about the amazing things our current students are doing and being exposed to. You will not be alone when you think, "I wish I could go to school at Santa Catalina again."

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Kind regards,

Gretchen Mueller Burke '83

Director of Alumnae Relations

Spotlight on Alumnae

Keynote speakers on Journey Day

As part of our annual College and Career Perspectives event for juniors and seniors, we welcomed back three alumnae to be keynote speakers: Lindsay Heller '95, Marie Cantin '70, and Renata Engler '67. Here's what they had to say.

Thanks also to Angelyn Bass '81, Caitlin Bryant '07, and Priya Kumar Raju '00 for participating in the Journey Day career panel.

Reunion News

Thank you to all alumnae who attended Reunion 2017. If you have not seen the Reunion 2017 photo gallery, please take a look!

A special thank you to the following alumnae. We are grateful for your leadership as Reunion Ambassadors and making Reunion 2017 a success!

Betty Ann Bernadicou Lambert '57

Margaret Stewart '62

Ann Kuchins '67

Anne Neill '67

Laura Knoop Pfaff '72

Julie Power Pantiskas '77

Mindy Malisoff Baggett '82

Ann Frasse Stowe '82

Ingrid Mueller Angier '87

Susan Smith Nixon '87

Kate Malone Jackson '92

Kate Lynch Jerkins '97

Jasmin Reate '97

Ilse Riebe Colby '02

Gwen Baldwin '07

Miki Fukushima '07

Kaycie Gillette-Mallard '07

Mari Swim '07

Michaela Scanlon '12

Reunion Year Giving

We have some exciting news to share: This year's reunion classes doubled their giving to the Santa Catalina Fund compared to their reunion giving five years ago, raising over $97,000 for our school. Congratulations!
Read more

Reunion 2018—Save the Date

Reunion 2018 will take place on March 23 and 24 next year. Please contact the Alumnae Relations Office if you are interested in serving in a Reunion Class Leadership position. Please visit the Reunion 2018 page of our website for more information.

Class of '61 Endowed Scholarship

Following their 55th reunion last year, members of the Class of '61 were inspired to establish a lasting legacy. After polling their classmates, they decided to raise money for an endowment that would fund a boarding student for four years—forever. (As an endowment fund, the interest will cover the cost of the scholarship. So, thanks to these alumnae, there will always be a "Class of '61 Scholar" at Santa Catalina.)

Their goal is $700,000, and they have already raised close to $400,000 in gifts, pledges, and bequest intentions. Congratulations and thank you, Class of '61!

Alumnae News

Chapter Gatherings

Since the beginning of 2017, we have held chapter gatherings in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Oakland, California. We then were in Dallas and Houston, Texas, followed by Monterrey, Mexico City, and Culiacan, Mexico. Most recently, gatherings were held in San Diego and Phoenix.

Over 200 alumnae have attended these gatherings, where alumnae of all decades connect with each other

through their shared experience of having attended Santa Catalina School. Alumnae learn about what is happening on campus today as well as how they may support their alma mater.

Three more gatherings will take place before the end of the school year: We will be in Chicago on April 27, in Denver on April 28, and in Carmel Valley on May 13.

Call for Class Notes

Class Correspondents for the classes ending in even numbers will be contacting their classmates shortly. Please be aware that the deadline for class notes and photos for the Fall Bulletin is July 15, 2017. You may also submit class notes and photos here.

News from Around Campus

Santa Catalina Today

Taking note from the success of offering class visits on Friday during reunion weekend, allowing alumnae to experience Santa Catalina as it is today, we will share this new feature in each alumnae newsletter.

Robotics team makes strong impression
in rookie season

Catalina welcomes
Okey Ndibe as
Writer-in-Residence

Junior speaks about
Girls Who Code at big IBM conference

Admission

The Admission Office enjoyed an outstanding group of applicants for the 2017-18 school year and we look forward to the Class of 2021 joining us in the fall!

A special "shout out" to those alumnae who either hosted an admission reception or who currently serve on the admission committee of the Alumnae Board. Thank you for all of your efforts and support. You make a tremendous difference!

We are happy to create opportunities for alumna-referred applicants and encourage you to call the Admission Office for more information: 831.655.9356. If you have 7th or 6th grade girls in mind, please let us know. Spring is a perfect time to introduce them to Catalina!

Summer at Santa Catalina

Summer is almost upon us and we are excited to have new and returning campers join us for summer 2017! We are preparing for another season of dynamic classes, engaging activities, and excellent teachers and counselors. This year we are adding a few new classes. Read more

'The Pajama Game'

The handsome new superintendent of the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory is falling hard for the union leader. Will a labor dispute keep them apart? Come enjoy this classic musical from April 21-28.
Get your tickets today!