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Events in Review

Grandparents Luncheon - Celebrating Generations

On Thursday, October 1, 2009 the school’s beautiful newly remodeled courtyard became flooded with Grandparents who were greeted by student ambassadors.  All guests were escorted to the main gym to celebrate The 3rd Annual BGDHS Grandparents Luncheon.  This year’s attendance for the luncheon brought 111 grandparents!   Some grandparents new to the school, some returning and of course many who are Cardinal Alums! Who live locally; however we would like to thank those who traveled from Harbor City, Los Angeles, Ojai, Newport Beach, San Rafael, Ontario, Camarillo, Newbury Park, Anderson, Staten Island NY, Caledonia NY and Williamsburg, VA to attend this annual celebration. 

The school’s theme for the luncheon is “Celebrating Generations”.  This year the school recognized The Lash and Price Family; Claudia (Dorsey) Lash ’62, her son Alan Lash ’87; Sheila (Norris) Price ’65, her daughter Michelle (Gomez) Lash ’87 and Emily Lash ’13, Alan and Michelle’s daughter. 

The school welcomed past Bishop Families who have been honored as well, the Rivera Family, the Rogers Family, the Torres Family and the Herrera Family all from 2008.  From the 2007 luncheon, we honored the Padilla Family, the Chierici Family and the Gonzalez Family. 

With all the above families combined we celebrate generations from 1949 – 2013, a remarkable Cardinal stat!  These families, including the Lash and Price family joined together at a very special “Celebrating Generations” table.  Each family took home a red framed family photo, a gift from the school. 

Dr. Paul Harrington, the school’s Vice Principal, welcomed everyone to this yearly luncheon by sharing a story of his grandfather when he was a little boy.  We also celebrated Ria VanSon’s birthday, along with her grandson, Michael Winnewisser’s ’13 with a quick birthday song and a homemade cinnamon roll from Farmer Boy.

Senior Clara Lee ‘10 entertained and amazed the Grandparents with her exquisite piano playing. Lean Sodusta, the school’s art teacher, was present with many of the art students who displayed an array of art from ceramics, watercolors and hand drawings that were for sale; proceeds went toward the school’s art program. 

Senior Melissa Georgi ’10 was introduced and shared with everyone memories of her grandparents who were both present at the luncheon. Below is Melissa’s speech.
        “According to Webster’s Dictionary, a grandparent is a parent of one’s father or mother.  This is a simple definition which fails to mention the facts that grandparents are also role models, support systems, and companions.  Most grandparents continuously show unconditional love and support even when we as grandchildren, fail to make the wisest decisions.  Take for example, when we were kids and decided that cutting our own hair was the best idea possible.  But what we didn’t take into consideration was the five different lengths of hair including bald spots was probably not the most becoming look.  Yet our grandparents never failed to tell us how creative our new haircut was and how many this could be our new profession.  When we are small, our Grandparents play silly games with us and take us to the park to feed the ducks.  They feed us ice cream when our parents aren’t looking and read us bedtime stories till we fall asleep.  My own two grandparents; Marge Covell and Charlie Georgi, emulate these very characteristics.  I cannot begin to say enough about both of them, except that they epitomize the very definition of genuine and generous people.
          My grandfather on my father’s side of the family has ten children each of whom attended Bishop.  This legacy at Bishop spans over twenty three consecutive years.  With thirty three family members, the Georgi family is strewn across the country.  Yet my grandfather generously funds our annual family reunions ranging from Mexican cruises to Alaskan excursions.  The highlight of my grandfather’s year is his Thanksgiving meal which he never fails to supply my special of shrimp.  I deeply respect my grandpa for his love for his family and generosity.
          Similarly, my maternal grandmother has had a very significant impact on my life.  Her influence has helped shape my morals, ethics and philosophies.  Not only does she make the best mashed potatoes and Waldorf salad known to man, but she continuously supports me.  With seven children of her own, fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren my Grandma treats each of us as if we are the favorite.  She never fails to surprise me by showing up to each of my sporting events and coming to hear me sing in the choir at 5:30pm Mass on Sundays.  I remember when I was small, my brother Bryan and I loved to play circus.  He, of course, was the lion tamer, I the lion, as I sat on the laundry basket that conveniently served as a performance platform.  The meant my Grandma played the active role of Audience.  She would endure hours of this activity, oohing and aahing at all the right moments while continuously clapping as I perfected my rawring skills.  Even after all these years, this memory had stayed with me because it symbolized the love I received from my grandmother.  She represents wisdom, grace, and unconditional love and continues to serve as my role model.
          I am blessed to have caring grandparents, as are all of us.  Each of us present today has a grandparent that loves us more than we will ever know.  Fact is, they are probably under appreciated and don’t receive all the thanks and praise they deserve.  Thankfully, we have the opportunity today to tell them how much we value their presence in our lives and the love and support they so often give”.

Grandparents enjoyed a picnic-style lunch with red and white checkered table cloths. Everyone enjoyed the menu, spaghetti and meat sauce with Caesar salad, toasted garlic bread, homemade chocolate chip cookies and lemonade which was catered by Ralph Karleskint ’62, owner of Farmer Boy.

 An assortment of wildflowers displayed in mason jars from B & H Flowers, compliments of Esther (Van Wingerden) Brand ’84 provided the right atmosphere for any family to enjoy a picnic.  Each table had a hodgepodge of wrapped old fashion cookies for everyone to indulge.  Finally our guests received a special treat from Robitaille’s Fine Candies, compliments of Tami Robitaille ’81 and John Robitaille ’78. 
 
Thank you to the parents and alumni who worked together to make the luncheon a success: Josie Limon, Michele Herrera ’84, Nancy Garcia, Arlene Figone ’60 and Maria Elena Sanchez.  Thank you to Devon Carr ’11 and Anthony Tornello ‘10 for their video production and photos of the event. 

This annual event is held each fall, so watch for next year’s invitation.  For more information on those who provided complimentary services for the luncheon, please visit the following websites.

Farmer Boy Restaurant
Robitailles Fine Candies
B & H Flowers