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Alumni Fall Newsletter 2014
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Greetings from the Alumni Office!
Fall has finally arrived and the Santa Margarita Catholic High School campus is bustling with students immersed in their studies, activities, athletics, 8th grade shadow days, and plenty of other projects that keep this excellent school so exciting and dynamic. The student accomplishments and talents truly continue to amaze us and make us proud. We are a blessed Eagle family.
In early September, our 2014-2015 Alumni Council led by President Meg Harty Tennant '01 and her dedicated team of alumni held their first meeting of the school year and are planning ways to continue growth in our alumni events and to look for new and fun ways to reconnect our Eagle family. Look for more to come from them soon! If you are interested in joining our council we are welcoming new members all the time. Please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@smhs.org for more information or click here to learn more.
Wishes for a Blessed Thanksgiving enjoying family, friends, food and fun!
Stay Connected,
Lori Gardner
Director of Alumni Programs
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Remembrance Mass and Remembrance Book
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 Join us on Tuesday, November 18 for our Remembrance Mass where we will celebrate Thanksgiving and Remember our beloved Eagle family members who have gone on to be with our Lord. The mass will begin at 8:30 am in the Moiso Family Pavilion. Everyone is welcome back at the nest.
Every November, the Santa Margarita community honors a centuries-old tradition of remembering our beloved deceased. We invite you to participate by bringing in pictures of your loved ones to be placed around the altar of the Sacred Heart Chapel where they will remain until the end of the month. Members of the Eagle family now resting in eternal life will also be remembered during morning prayer, especially our beloved alumni, faculty and staff.
We also encourage you to submit the names of your deceased family to be added to our Book of Remembrance. This memorial book will be kept in front of the altar in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Your loved ones will be prayed for at morning masses celebrated in the chapel throughout the year. You are also invited to honor your departed loved ones by signing Santa Margarita's "Online Remembrance Book." These names will also be added to the Book of Remembrance in the Sacred Heart Chapel and prayed for at masses and by the SMCHS faith community.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Click here for our memorial tribute to our beloved Eagles Click here to add names to the Book of Remembrance |
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Annual Career Day and College Fair
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Wednesday, January 28, 2015, SMCHS will host its Annual Alumni Career Day and College Fair. The Alumni Office and Class of 2016 would like to invite you back to campus to share how you chose the career you are in today.
In order for this highly anticipated event to be successful--WE NEED YOU!
For many of you, it was not long ago when you were a student at SMCHS. You probably remember the many good times, as well as the many pressures of homework, SATs, and applying to colleges.
Now that many of you are making your mark in the professional world pursuing unique, exciting, rewarding and/or stressful careers, you have the opportunity to help future SMCHS alumni get off on the right start. You can make a difference in their lives.
Career Day Overview: You will spend one session (approximately 50 minutes) in a classroom setting speaking to students who have expressed an interest in your field and one session at a "career and college fair" in the Moiso Pavilion (gym) where all students from the Class of 2016 will be given the opportunity to visit with our attending alumni and ask questions. The students will also have that opportunity to speak to the college recruiters in attendance during the second session.
All fields are welcome to join us, however our students have specifically expressed an interest in these fields: medicine (doctor, nurse, surgeon and bio-medicine), bio-engineering, teaching, small business owners, entertainment industry and marketing.
Click here to register as a guest speaker!
If you have any questions, please contact the alumni office at alumni@smhs.org
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SMCHS Alumni Teacher Spotlight
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Name: Joseph Hoff '07 - New to SMCHS this school year
Position: Studio Art and Visual Arts IB Teacher
Education: Bachelors in Fine Art, Texas Christian University
Question: What is the best part of being back at the Nest? The best part of being back at the Nest is being a part of the SMCHS community and the familiarity of all the faces and places. Although much has changed since I was here, it still feels like a home and I have plenty of people to thank for that.
Question: What is it like to now work with your sister Meredith Hoff Schumacher '01?
I don't know if I could do the job without the help of my sister. She's a great person to have on your side and an unbelievable resource.
Question: What is your favorite SM memory?
Sharing a meal with people you care about is an important tradition in all parts of life. As funny as it may sound, that may be my favorite part of my high school experience. Whether it was gorging ourselves at Paul's Pantry after a water polo tournament or testing the limits of food consumption after a wrestling weigh-in, sharing a meal with my teammates has always been a fond memory of mine.
Question: What ONE word would best describe what is means to be an Eagle?
Poise
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Help SMCHS with Your Feedback
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Santa Margarita is looking for 10 alumni volunteers (Class of 2004 and earlier) who are interested in participating in a 10-minute telephone interview to confidentially discuss their perceptions of the school. This valuable information will assist the school with our marketing efforts and ensure we maintain excellence in Catholic education. If you are open to sharing your thoughts, please email alumni@smhs.org or call 949-766-6000 ext. 1530 for more information. Please respond by Nov. 20. Thank you in advance!
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Class of 2004 Celebrates 10 Years
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The Class of 2004 reunited on Saturday, Oct 4, 2014 at the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar to celebrate their 10-year reunion. The reunion committee headed up by Katie Hankins Neubaur and Maggie DeLain did an outstanding job of gathering their classmates together. More than 120 guests enjoyed a beautiful summer night reminiscing about high school memories and their lives today.
There was an organized opportunity auction of beautiful baskets filled with goodies donated by their fellow classmates. The opportunity sales helped to raise more than $225.00 for the Eagle Fund, the school's annual giving program that benefits everyone on campus and helps with tuition assistance for Santa Margarita students.
Click here to see photos from the event. |
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| Committee Chairs-Katie Hankins Neubauer and Maggie DeLain |
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| Alex Vom Steeg and Greg Moro and his date enjoying time together | |
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Inaugural BLUE and GOLD Gala a SUCCESS
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 The Santa Margarita Catholic High School community recently came together for a celebratory evening in support of the school and students at the inaugural SMCHS Blue and Gold event. This year's Blue and Gold "An Evening Under the Stars" fundraiser was held on campus in the Strader Grotto and Moiso Family Pavilion (gymnasium). This is the first time the school's annual benefit gala has been on campus.
The celebratory evening brought in an estimated $210,000 for the school with $112,950 of that total specifically designated for tuition assistance. Through the fund-a-student portion of the auction, guests raised their bidder cards giving the gift of a Santa Margarita education through contributions to the school's tuition assistance fund. One of every five students depends on tuition assistance to attend the school. In addition to tuition assistance, proceeds from Blue and Gold benefit the school's arts, academics and athletic programs while enhancing educational opportunities for all students. The Oct. 18 event was attended by 563 Eagle parents, grandparents, graduates, faculty, staff and friends.
Read more about the event here and to see event photos click here. |
Throughout the month of October, the SMCHS Pink Ribbon Club was hard at work to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The club organized the Coins for the Cure fundraising drive in which the student body helped to collect over $3,000. The money was donated to the Rainbows of Hope program organized through St. Joseph's Regional Health System. Rainbows of Hope offers assistance to low-income women who would not normally have the resources available for early detection screenings, mammograms and care. The generosity and awareness from the student body was amazing and the donations were greatly appreciated and put to excellent use.
The club was also on hand at the Oct. 30 football game, which was a "pink out" to support breast cancer awareness. They handed out information on breast cancer and women's health and collected an additional $300 in donations.
Before the start of the game, everyone who is currently or who has been affected by breast cancer was invited to stand so the SMCHS community could honor them for their strength and courage. |
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Alumni Welcome and Wine Tasting Event a Hit!
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The Alumni Welcome and Wine Tasting Event was held on Monday, November 3 at Avila's El Ranchito, Laguna Niguel. There were more than 60 alumni, alumni parents, and friends in attendance to toast our new President J. Andrew Sulick '91. President Sulick was happy to see many familiar faces and hopes to continue to see many more at future alumni events.
Marcus Avila '00, Avila's Laguna Niguel owner, hosted a feast of delicious fresh Mexican food while Kris Riggs '98 graciously served up tastings of his American Vines Wine for everyone to enjoy. Michael Maruca '92, OCDJ Company, finished off the atmosphere with wonderful music.
"One of my main goals is to have an open door at Santa Margarita Catholic High School," said Sulick. "I want our alumni to attend football games, plays, MUN events, participate in Career Day and attend their reunions."
Click here to view photos from the event.
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Charter Class Reunites to Congratulate Andy Sulick
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Alumni Hosts Kris Riggs '98 and Marcus Avila '00
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John Minardi '98 and Matt Brooks '98
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16 Athletes Ink Their Futures
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Sixteen athletes from Santa Margarita Catholic High School made their futures evident on Wednesday, Nov. 12, as they officially signed letters of intent or celebrated their commitment to attend colleges across the country for their sport. Nov. 12 marks the first day that high school seniors could sign scholarship papers for the following sports: baseball, basketball, golf, lacrosse, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo (girls only), track & field and wrestling. The letter of intent is a binding agreement between the student-athlete and a college, by which the student-athlete agrees to attend the college for one academic year.
Read more about each athlete here. |
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Upcoming Winter Alumni Games
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Saturday, December 20
Boys Soccer Game @SMCHS field at 1:30 pm
Contact Wade Fraser to RSVP at fraserw@smhs.org
Tuesday, December 23
Legends Soccer Game @SMCHS field at 11 am
Contact Chuck Morales to RSVP at moralesc@smhs.org
Saturday, December 27
Boys and Girls Lacrosse Game @SMCHS field at
8 am Girls Lacrosse Game
10 am Boys Lacrosse Game
Contact Vince Garcia to RSVP at garciav@smhs.org
Girls Water Polo Game @SMCHS Aquatics Center at 11 am
Contact Alycia Sayles to RSVP at saylesa@smhs.org
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Baseball Game and Batting Practice @SMCHS at 11:00 am
Contact Dave Bacani to RSVP at bacanid@smhs.org
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MUN Continues to Find Success Abroad
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 Twenty-five students from Santa Margarita Catholic High School recently returned from two different Model United Nations conferences that took them across the globe. Nineteen of these students attended the 33rd annual Royal Russell Model United Nations Conference held in East Croydon, United Kingdom, while the other six attended PANAMUN XXII in Panama City. The conferences were so close together that as the London group was flying home to Los Angeles, the next group of SM students were gathering at LAX to travel to Panama.
Click here to read more on their trip and the opportunity they had to meet the President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela. |
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Theatre Arts Has Another Spectacular Production
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Congratulations to the cast and crew of 'The Little Prince' and 'Let Your Life Sing' on a successful run of sold-out shows last week! From the actors, to the set designers, to the makeup artists, and so much more, everyone played a part in making this a spectacular Talon Theatre production!
SAVE the DATE for the Annual Christmas Production
A 1940's Christmas Homecoming
Sunday, December 7 in the Moiso Family Pavilion
Performance times will be 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm
Purchase your tickets here.
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Support the Eagle Fund Today! We Need You...
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Join our Eagle alumni, along with the classes of 1994 and 2004 who have already made gifts to the Eagle Fund! The Eagle Fund is Santa Margarita's annual giving program that benefits all students on campus.
This year, gifts to the Eagle Fund will:
* Provide tuition assistance for students
* Retain excellent faculty through the Teacher Appreciation Fund
* Support areas of greatest need:
1. Increase learning resources and tools for academic success
2. Build a robust financial foundation for Santa Margarita Catholic High School
3. Give Santa Margarita the flexibility for new innovative growth opportunities |
Jonah Hoskins '99 married Margeaux Lippman Hoskins in Seattle, WA. SMCHS alumni
Eric Reising '99, Clint Worley '99, and Andrew Jones '99 were in attendance. Jonah is currently a software developer in the real estate sector.
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 Embarcadero California Bistro is George Valdovinos' and Courtney Jones Valdovinos' '00 newest restaurant located in the El Paseo Plaza in Rancho Santa Margarita. The restaurant is reflective of San Fransisco and showcases one-of-a-kind photographs taken by Darren Jones '91. Embarcadero hosts an innovative menu featuring small plates, signature salads, creative sandwiches, and entrees with a new twist while also using sustainable and organic products whenever possible. The restaurant boasts a full bar featuring specialty mojitos, martinis, and an extensive wine list. Live entertainment takes place in the bar on most Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The staff at Embarcadero looks forward to seeing all you Eagles in the very near future. Visit the website to learn more www.embarcadero-OC.com. Courtney is pictured with daughter Ella, 2. |
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Ryan Eggold '02 who stars in the very popular NBC hit "The Blacklist" as Tom Keen is BACK!
The Blacklist is a popular crime series that first appeared on NBC in September of 2013. Eggold has been a favorite character and was killed off in season 1.
 | | Ryan Eggold '02 Back on "The Blacklist" |
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Kelly Davies Michelena '03 is a two-time Emmy winner and digital television expert currently managing broadcast partnerships for Facebook and Instagram. Prior to her role at Facebook, Kelly oversaw digital/social operations, brand management and web production teams for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Her work at Telepictures also included "Extra" and "Bethenny." Kelly graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Creative Writing. She and husband Kevin Michelena (SMCHS class of '03) met at SMCHS, and were married last year at Mission San Juan Capistrano. They currently reside in San Francisco, California.
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Katie Hankins '04 married Jeffrey Neubauer on August 16, 2014. The ceremony took place at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church followed by a reception at the Dana Point Ocean Institute. Santa Margarita alumni in attendance included Melissa Hankins Dierdorf '00, Sarah Tilton '04, and Travis Wheeler '01.
Following the wedding, Katie and Jeff enjoyed two weeks traveling Australia and Kauai for their honeymoon.
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Shana Lavoie '05 and Devon Jordan '05 were married July 26, 2014 at The Crossing in Carlsbad. Shana and Devon started dating sophomore year in 2003 at Santa Margarita and have been together ever since. Eagle alumni Cara Zawacki '05 was a bridesmaid in the wedding. Both Shana and Devon graduated from California State University Fullerton and are so grateful for SMCHS for bringing them together!
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Chris Barry '06 and Bryan Davis '05, pictured on a recent trip to Catalina Island. Chris, who obtained his pilot's license in January of 2012, flew the college friends to the island. Bryan and Chris met by chance while attending Santa Clara University and have become longtime friends. Chris currently works at SMCHS as an assistant to the assistant principal of faculty and instruction. He coordinates the summer school programs and assists the educational technology department with the One-to-One Tablet PC Program. Chris is a drummer and percussionist in his free time and plays with several ensembles in the area.
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 After graduating from UC San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in management science and a business minor, Brandon Blanchard '10 joined his father's financial practice in Mission Viejo. As a client associate with Wells Fargo Advisors, Blanchard works with a team with over 40 years of industry experience to help individuals and families understand their needs and life goals and develop individual investment plans and investment portfolios. Recently Blanchard received his securities license and will soon take series 66 and an insurance exam with expectations to be a fully licensed financial advisor by the end of 2014. |
Wes Schuler '14, who is currently a student athlete at Manhattan College, is honoring our dearly departed performing arts teacher Nick Kraus by wearing his name on his lacrosse practice helmet. |
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