CALLING ALL ALUMNAE/MOCK TRIAL TEAM MEMBERS

As the Regents' 2013 Mock Trial Team prepare for the state tournament next weekend, we are creating an important list.  All alumnae who were members of an LRHS Mock Trial Team and who are now attorneys (or preparing to be attorneys) are asked to contact Sr. Lisa Megaffin by email.  This is the information we are seeking:  name, graduation year, undergraduate degree and college, law school, current employer and title.  Thanks for your help and please cheer on your fellow Regents as they go to state as the defending champions! 

CLASS OF 1981 LEADS ALUMNAE DONATIONS!

Congratulations and special thanks to the Class of 1981, currently the leader in alumnae donations for 2011-12.  This ranking is based upon participation for cash donations to any LRHS cause--the Legacy & Promise Annual Fund or any other restricted fund.  Examples of restricted contributions include Mock Trial, the Gina Torrey Scholarship Fund, or a cash sponsorship for a fundraising event.  The highest three classes, to date, are:

Class of 1981 - 17%

Class of 1973 - 12%

Class of 1987 and Class of 1991 - Tied at 6%

Follow this link to make an on-line donation and know that the current and future students will benefit from your generosity.  For further information, contact Sr. Lisa Megaffin by email or at 805-495-6494, ext. 382.  Alumnae, thank you for sharing your Regent spirit!

SPRINGTIME IN PARIS LUNCHEON & BOUTIQUE - SOLD OUT!

Thank you for the tremendous response to “Springtime in Paris” Luncheon and Boutique.   Due to everyone’s enthusiasm, we are SOLD OUT.  Reservations received by Wednesday, March 14, are confirmed and will be held at the door.

In the event we receive additional reservations, they will be added to our waiting list.  We will advise individuals on the waiting list of their status on Friday, March 16 in the late afternoon. Also, we encourage all guests to bring checks and cash since this is the most convenient form of payment for a number of our vendors.  Please feel free to call or email Barbara Lilley at 805-917-7112 or blilley@lareina.com.

Thank you again  to our wonderful alumnae and parents who are coordinating this event!

SPONSORS INVITED FOR CHAMPIONSHIP MOCK TRIAL TEAM!

Alumnae, parents and friends of LRHS are cordially invited to be sponsors for the 2012 Ventura County Mock Trial champions!  These sponsorship donations are tax-deductible and will help to defray the cost of transportation and lodging for the students, coaches and chaperones during the state competition, March 23 through 25 in Sacramento.  Gifts in any amount will be appreciated--perhaps $1,700 or $170 to celebrate 17 county championships since 1990, or $500 to sponsor a student. 

To donate online, follow this link, choose Legacy & Promise Annual Fund, Other, and indicate Mock Trial.  Or follow this link for a sponsorship form.

Thank you and know that the Regents truly appreciate the generous encouragement and support of so many.  For further information, contact Sr. Lisa Megaffin by email or at 805-495-6494, ext. 382.

KATHRYN PIETROLUNGO '97 NAMED HEAD OF YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

The La Reina community congratulates Kathryn Pietrolungo '97 who was named chairwoman of the California Young Lawyers Association Board.  As noted in The Ventura County Star, Kathryn believes that "The CYLA is really there to help new lawyers transition from being law students into being good lawyers.  We're there to provide as much help as we can through networking or education programs geared to new attorneys."  Thank you, Kathryn, for taking your Regent spirit of service and leadership into the community.   Follow this link for a feature article in The Star.

MARGARET MOHR '83 TO RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD

The Alumnae Board has selected Margaret Mohr, Class of 1983 to receive the Distinguished Alumna Award.    Margaret was a star athlete at La Reina in four sports.  She led La Reina to the CIF Southern Section Division II-A basketball title in 1983.  Margaret attended Long Beach State on a basketball scholarship and led her team to the Final Four when she was a senior.  She was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 2011.  Margaret has been a professor and women's basketball coach at Cypress College for the last 14 years, leading it to one state championship and seven post season playoffs.

The Distinguished Alumna Award will be presented on Thursday, December 8th following the 9:40 a.m. liturgy.  A reception will follow immediately in the library.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

THIRD ANNUAL MOTHER DAUGHTER PICNIC!

Mark your calendars for the 2011 Mother Daughter picnic.  All students and alumnae are invited to attend the Mother Daughter Picnic on October 22nd sponsored by the Sophomore Class of 2014.  The picnic will last from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Click here for more information and to sign up for this magical day of games, food and fun!  Please make all checks out to LRHS and return to Mrs. Chisholm by October 19, 2011. 

BRENNA SCANLON BECOMES PRINCIPAL AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

The LRHS community offers congratulations and best wishes to Brenna Scanlon '02, the new principal at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Oxnard.  Follow this link to read more.

CALL FOR ALUMNAE TESTIMONIALS

Attention, Regent alumnae!  If you were a member of the LRHS Speech, Debate or Mock Trial Teams, this message is for you.  The Advancement Department is collecting testimonials on how these forensic activities impacted the lives of alumnae.  How did the skills you learned help you in college or in your career?   How have you been able to "give a voice to women"?  Please send your testimonial to Sr. Lisa Megaffin at lmegaffin@lareina.com by August 1.  Thank you for your assistance with this important project...go, Regent Speechies!

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2011!

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2011!  Following La Reina tradition, the 88 graduates wearing white caps and gowns and carrying yellow roses, graduated on the front lawn of the school on June 11, 2011.  Co-valedictorians Katherine Wikholm and Jillian DeGennaro and Salutatorian Elizabeth Epstein addressed the crowd with heartfelt speeches.  The traditional rose ceremony was led by Senior Class President, Rashi Jindani.  For details and photos of the beautiful graduation ceremony, please click below on the following articles:

La Reina grads excited about the future 

La Reina grads take a leap of faith

Senior standouts:  La Reina High School

ROSIE SPINKS '07 WRITES FOR SIERRA MAGAZINE

Rosie Spinks '07 recently interned at Sierra Magazine and was the only intern to have an article published in the July/August 2011 edition.  Follow this link to read her article, "Refusing to Bend," the story of the children of Central California farmworkers who have launched a ground-level battle against pesticides used by agribusiness.

ALUMNA ADDRESSES THE "GIRL ISSUE" IN INDIAN SOCIETY

Esha Chhabra '04 recently wrote a column for The Ventura County Star entitled "Addressing the 'Girl Issue' in Indian Society."  As an alum, Esha demonstrates La Reina's Vision and Mission Statement in action:  "Students are given opportunities to foster their relationship with God, to grow intellectually, to develop their individual gifts, and to be catalysts for the promotion of justice locally, nationally and globally." 

To view other articles by and about Regents, follow this link to the Student Life section of the website. 

SEARCH FOR MISSING ALUMNAE

The following alumnae are asked to contact Sr. Lisa Megaffin, Director of Advancement, by email at lmegaffin@lareina.com.

Katie Akers '99 * Jessica Albarran '99 * Julianne Brauer '09 * Lindsey Budny '02 * Audra Budrys '87 * Chari Burchett '83 * Alyssa Hain '97 * April House '86 * Typhanie Kinder '89 * Kristin Koch '93 * Kim Krueger '95 * Maura Latty '08 * Tera Lutz '08 * Sonushya Mathai '95 * Lindsay Mettam '00 * Candy Peate '85 * Aneetha Ramadas '04 * Nicole Reber '07 * Dena Rinetti '98
Thank you!

MRS. CHISHOLM FEATURED ON ARCHDIOCESAN WEBSITE

Congratulations to English teacher Mrs. Kris Lev Chisholm '92 who is featured on the Teacher Spotlight on the new website:  Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Follow this link to learn more!

ALUM TO WORK WITH UGANDAN CHILD SOLDIERS THIS SUMMER

Sarah McGough '10, a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, has been accepted as a volunteer this summer with Watoto Ministries in Uganda.  Watoto Ministries is an organization that works with former child soldiers and orphans of war to heal their psychological scars and to facilitate post-conflict reconstruction.  Her tour of duty will be eight weeks in one of their children's villages, working directly with the children.  Sarah first became interested in this issue through her efforts with Invisible Children, both at La Reina and Notre Dame.  She stated, "I think it is an incredible opportunity to dive deeper into human rights issues and peace-building." 

JEN DRANSFELDT MCGEE '91 HONORED AS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Jennifer Dransfeldt McGee, Class of 1991, was presented with the Distinguished Alumna Award for 2010-2011 at a schoolwide Mass on Wednesday, December 8, 2010. She was selected for “using her God-given gifts to better her community.” In introducing Jen for this honor, Joanna Dransfeldt McDonald ’94 said this about her sister: “Jen is not the type to do something for glory. She does what needs to be done and helps others because as she says, ‘It’s just what we do.’ Jen always puts the service of others above herself…She is the person who would raise her hand to volunteer when no one else would, because she truly enjoys helping out. You could always count on Jen. And you still can.”

Currently, Jen is President of the Parent Teacher Organization at St. Paschal’s School in Thousand Oaks, has been equestrian coach at La Reina for the last 15 years, and is a member of the La Reina Alumnae Board where she has served as president and secretary. She has been a lector at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church since she was 13.

A 1995 graduate of Loyola Marymount University, with a degree in economics, Jen and her father, Vern Dransfeldt, are partners in Equity Management Group, an investment advisory firm.