Advancement & Alumni » Events

Events in Review

Grandparent's Luncheon

Bishop High Grandparents were the main feature during the 3rd annual Grandparents’ Luncheon held on campus, Wednesday, October 1, 2008.  Grandparents were greeted by the school’s ambassadors and escorted to the main gym where they saved seats for their grandchildren at the dining tables. Encouraging grandparents to meet each other and stay in contact, a Grandparents’ Directory was provided for all attendees. Then with smiles and hugs, students filed in to find and greet their grandparents. Each year this event grows and this year a grand total of 243 attended this fall event.

The gym was transformed with tables decorated in the school’s red and white colors.  Tabletops were adorned with displays of harvest colored flowers from B & H Flowers, thanks to Esther Brand ’84, and complimented by an assortment of colorful painted gourds from Frannies Gourds.  Guests received a special treat from Robitaille’s Fine Candies, compliments of Tami Robitaille ’81 and John Robitaille ’78. 

Fr. Tom Elewaut, the school’s principal, welcomed everyone to this yearly luncheon. He shared an interesting collection of facts about the grandparents present. Twelve grandparents traveled from outside the Santa Barbara area to attend the luncheon, Nevada being the longest distance away.  In attendance were alumni grandparents from both Santa Barbara Catholic High School (Bishop’s predecessor school) and Bishop Garcia Diego High School.  One student (Jazzmyn Siever) was lucky enough to share the luncheon not only with her grandmother but also with her great-grandmother (Endy Zavala).  We celebrated a birthday, as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Ria VanSon, student Michael Winnewisser’s grandmother.  Richard and Monica Bilski were the big winners of “the most grandchildren enrolled at Bishop” with a total of four!  Senior Kyle Nicolaides was then introduced and he shared with everyone why his grandmother, Angie Dyer, meant so much to him and how she has made a difference in his life. 

The luncheon was catered by Ralph Karleskint ’62 owner of Farmer Boy.  While the tune “Lazy Days” was playing, grandparents were treated to a slide presentation which detailed just how active and challenging Bishop High “school days” really were for their grandchildren. With the holidays approaching, grandparents also had an opportunity at the event to purchase Bishop spirit apparel and the gourds that were part of the table displays.  In addition, specialty items by Sacred Cut were available through Bishop alumnus, Jeffrey Boehm ’03.  Following the luncheon grandparents were offered a campus tour by Fr. Tom Elewaut.  

Continuing the Grandparents’ event tradition, a special thank you goes to the Bishop High family that posed for the photo featured on this year’s invitation and the directory cover. The Rivera, Torres and Rogers family represented Cardinal graduation years spanning 1956 to 2011. 

Thank you to all parents and alumni who worked together to make the luncheon a success: Josie Limon, Michele Herrera ’84, Nancy Garcia, Patty Charest ’77, Andrea Prado and Maria Elena Sanchez.

This well loved event is held each fall, so watch for next year’s invitation, remember to send in your RSVP and mark your calendar.  For more information on those who provided complimentary services for the luncheon, please visit the following websites.

Farmer Boy Restaurant
Robitailles Fine Candies
Frannies Gourds
B & H Flowers
Sacred Cut