 |
Note From the Head of School By Lauren Lek, Head of School
Dear Alumnae,
The Case for All Girls' Education is as needed today as it was in 1882…
For 133 years OLP has been invested in educating the young women of the San Diego area and beyond, to prepare them to go out from these halls as tremendous scholars and women of faith. Over the years, women's opportunities have increased globally. Many of these changes on behalf of women are a direct result of the alumnae who have gone forth from OLP. As OLP alum, you have been part of that change, becoming a leader in your family, your profession, and also in your community.
Despite incredible opportunities that are available for women today, roadblocks still exist. Even in Hollywood, the discussion around gender wage gap has made its way to the headlines of social media. From writings such as "Lean In" and "Leaning Out," the discussion of women in 2015 shows we still struggle with equal pay, equal access to job advancement, and equal representation on boards and in politics. What's more, the national pay gap for women has stalled in the last decade despite more women receiving undergraduate degrees than men.
The case for all girls' education is as relevant today as it was in 1882, when the Sisters of St. Joseph courageously came out West, and in 1650 when they began to educate the abandoned women in Le Puy, France. In furthering the Sisters' efforts, as alumnae of OLP, I believe you recognize the importance of paving the way for the next generation of young women. Our girls need your support, your leadership, and your camaraderie to continue to make a difference in our world.
Last spring at the inaugural Women's Symposium, OLP welcomed more than 25 female leaders to share their professional journeys. Our 750 students were provided the opportunity to hear from women who have traversed the path so often less traveled. They learned the stories of women who have had the courage to explore new fields, to start businesses, to adapt to adversity, to advance to top positions, and ultimately, to follow their passion!
In the tradition of foundress Mother St. John Fontbonne and the Sisters of St. Joseph women of heart, women of faith, and women of courage all alumnae are called to excellence!
Please join alongside your sisters to help continue the important work of shaping our world though the education of our young girls. The time is now to ensure that our young students are prepared to enter a complex, interconnected society so desperately in need of the heart-centered women leaders and global scholars OLP is known for.
Gratefully Yours,
Lauren Lek
Head of School
Invest in the Historic Preservation Fund
The Winston Churchill quote "we shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us" is a reminder that though they are structures, the historic buildings on the OLP campus are a testament to the thousands of young women who have walked their halls, sat in their classrooms and made lifetime memories within their rooms and corridors.
With historic buildings, though they may look gorgeous on the outside, they often have hidden challenges in the electrical and plumbing systems, and within the structures themselves.
At a recent meeting of the Facilities Committee, alumnae parent Diane Koester-Byron was struck by the amount of money it takes each year just to maintain the gorgeous buildings we have on our campus. She graciously provided a donation to start a Historic Preservation Fund that will help OLP maintain the buildings and keep alive the memories of thousands of our alumnae.
Think back to your time in the classrooms and in different areas of the campus. Do you have a special memory? We would love to hear about your favorite part of campus!
We would also like to invite you to join us in securing the memories of the past and the memories that will be made in the future by making a donation to the Historic Preservation Fund. You may make an online donation by clicking here, or may contact Director of Advancement Ingrid de Llamas at [email protected] for additional information.
Thank you for honoring your fondest memories of OLP by making an investment in the Historic Preservation Fund.
Class of 2015, We Have A Gift For You! Update Your Information
Dear Class of 2015 Alumnae,
As the first half of your freshman year of college comes to a close, we want to ensure you're still connected to your alma mater. We want to stay in touch and we have a little surprise for you! Please click the link below and update your contact information to ensure you don't miss any alumnae communications from OLP.
http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/607388
We look forward to reconnecting!
Welcome Ingrid de Llamas, Director of Institutional Advancement
This month we have the pleasure of welcoming Ingrid de Llamas as Director of Institutional Advancement. Ms. de Llamas is a fundraising professional who specializes in building advancement programs for Catholic and independent schools. She has worked as the Director of Development at schools like Notre Dame High School in Salinas, St. Frances Cabrini School in San Jose and High Point Academy in her hometown of Pasadena. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Specialized Communications (public relations emphasis) and completed the culinary program at the Epicurean School. Ms. de Llamas is recognized and certified by the Association of Fundraising Executives as a CFRE and by Independent School Management as an IAP (International Advancement Professional).
She serves the community as a board trustee for the San Diego Public Library Foundation, sits on the board of a private foundation, and is a member of the San Diego Women's Foundation, Women Give San Diego and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also member of LEAD San Diego's class of 2016. Ms. de Llamas is thrilled to be joining the OLP Team and looks forward to meeting all of our families.
Annual Alumnae Appeal: All In For OLP
OLP is a gift given to each & every young woman. For 133 years, the girls who have attended OLP, have left prepared to compete on a global scale as exemplary academic scholars and women of faith. There is nothing that an OLP graduate cannot undertake--her education and relationships with her sisters have helped her achieve that. Now is the time to give that same gift to the next generation of girls by giving back to OLP. We need the support of all our alumnae and each alumnae family to ensure our programs are able to continue. No amount is too small to help touch the lives of our students today and strengthen OLP for years to come. Don't hesitate--give now and become All In For OLP.
100% of faculty, staff and Board Members gave to be All in For OLP. 99.9% of all current OLP families gave to be All in For OLP. Join with them so you can be All in For OLP!
We need you, our alums, alum parents & community & friends of OLP to join us!
Tuition today does not cover all it costs to educate our students. The gifts collected through the annual campaign directly support our students and our programs. An investment in the annual campaign can be designated in one of three ways:
- To support student scholarships;
- Classroom furniture that will be immediately purchased after reaching each increment of $10,000;
- In the Carondelet fund that supports athletics, clubs, innovative programs, technology, educational enhancement, campus maintenance, and much more!
Where Do Your Funds Go?
The cost of education continues to increase, as do the needs around this historic campus. This year, our focus is on replacing the antiquated student desks with new furniture. Each chair costs approximately $100, and a desk is $200, with an entire classroom costing $10,000. Thus far, we have raised enough for 4 classrooms, but we have 20 left to go! Giving is easy! Go online to the aolp.org website and help us secure a desk or a chair or two. Funds can also be allocated to student scholarships or the Carondelet Annual Fund. Every gift makes a difference to our students.
My commitment to being all in for OLP starts today. Click here to make your one-time or recurring gift today!
For questions, or other giving opportunities, contact Ingrid de Llamas at [email protected] or 619-725-9188
Taylor Robinette '13 Takes on College in the South & A Semester Abroad
I am currently a junior at Clemson University, majoring in marketing with a minor in communication studies. During my first semester, I rushed and joined Chi Omega (Greek life is huge in the south!). This year, I began working at the golf course on Clemson's campus. I also enjoy volunteering once a week at a local tutoring center, helping middle school students with their homework. I'm pictured above with Daniela Robles 13, Christina Gallo 3, Anne Barnes '13, Molly McNamara 13, Emily Handy 13, and Bridget Brady 13. We are all studying abroad in Florence together this semester. I am glad to be reunited in Florence with my friends from OLP. No matter how far away we go for college, we always find our way back to each other.
One of the greatest perks of going to college is embracing change. For me, that came in several forms. Change is going from a small private school to a 15,000 student public university all the way across the country in South Carolina. Change is going from cheering every day for four years to struggling to make it to the gym. Change is going from knowing everyone in your class to not knowing a single soul. Change is living in the comfort of your own home to learning to live with a complete stranger. And most importantly, change is accepting that you will change your mind about almost anything and everything when you get to college!
For me, a huge change was switching my major freshman year (after only a single semester) from biochemistry to business marketing. A message to all OLP students: it is okay to change your mind; in fact, it is perfectly normal to change it many times. I thought I wanted to work in a science lab for the rest of my life, but that quickly changed as I took my first chemistry and biology classes. I took an academic interest and personality test at the career center and discovered what my parents had been telling me all along—business was the right path for me. While it may be stressful and confusing, just know that it always works out in the end, even if it isn't what you were planning for. Don't fret, because God has a plan for all of us and it may not be exactly what you had in mind.
I think the greatest skills I gained from OLP were my study skills and my ability to continuously choose to put school above everything else. I've also learned that your teachers want to see you succeed and that they are there for you. Though the professors at a large university may not know your name, they all have office hours to answer your questions or even suggest ways to study for their tests. Establishing a personal relationship is important for letters of recommendation or connections for future jobs, not to mention that professors appreciate students who show they care about the class. I would also like to give a shout-out to Mrs. Devereaux (AKA Ms. Mollering) for preparing me for speech communications—trust me when I say you will be the only students to construct and present your speeches confidently after taking a speech class at OLP.
People say to me all the time, "Oh my gosh, an all-girls school! That must have been terrible. I would never survive!" I always reply with, "Honestly, I had the best high school experience and I would not trade it for the world." I have made friends to last a lifetime and miss them all so dearly being on the other side of the country. I am so proud to be an OLP alum and represent the Academy for the rest of my life.
Give in Memory of Your Grandparents
Grandparents Day is right around the corner!
New This Year: Grandparents will have the opportunity to enjoy a continental breakfast with their granddaughter and her friends. Then, accompanied by their granddaughter, they will get a glimpse into learning at OLP. Classrooms will be open for demonstrations and curricular showcases. This is a day not to be missed!
We invite you to make a gift in memory of your grandparent(s) online by clicking here.
|
|
|
 |
|
