St. Bernard HS office manager honored for 50 years of service
Carolyn Quijano, office manager of St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey, is the first face most school “Vikings” and visitors see when they step foot on campus. She has, in fact, dedicated 27 years to St. Bernard’s --- and 50 years of working in Catholic education at all levels of service.
On Jan. 28, Auxiliary Bishop Edward Clark presided at a morning Mass in honor of Quijano’s five decades of dedication.
“Carolyn is the glue that holds together the office at St. Bernard,” says Principal Cynthia Hoepner. “She knows everyone and everything there is to know about the school.”
Quijano began her career at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, where over 20 years she worked as volleyball coach, U.S. history teacher, dean of discipline and finally vice principal. In 1984, she moved on to Mary Star of the Sea High School in San Pedro, where she was principal for three years.
In 1987 she came to St. Bernard’s where she has also worn many hats, including dean, vice principal, director of development, U.S. history teacher and office manager. It has become her home away from home.
“It wasn’t anything I had planned,” Quijano says. “I was only supposed to be in education for a few years. I really just enjoyed the roles of history teacher, dean and vice principal, and so I stayed. Catholic education affords you the opportunity to teach and at the same time instill values, core beliefs and discipline.
Colleagues and parents have also made it all worthwhile, she adds. “The students haven’t changed, although the times have changed. They are still enjoyable and keep you on your toes all the time. Time certainly flies when you are having fun.”
Charlie's ‘Bubble of Love’ to Visit Pauline Books and Media
Pauline Books and Media will host a book signing with author and actor Paul Carafotes along with his son Charlie, the book’s inspiration, on Feb. 1, 2-4 p.m.
Copies of Carafotes’ two books — “The Adventures of Charlie Bubbles” and “Charlie Bubbles 2 Smartsville!” as well as the new Spanish translation “Las Aventuras de Carlitos Burbujas” — will be available to purchase. The event is free and open to the public.
Carafotes’ critically acclaimed “Charlie Bubbles” series encourages love, loyalty and friendship as well as helping children to deal with bullies. Many readers are attracted to the theme of the series, understanding that giving of yourself is one of the greatest things you can to do for others.
The late James Gandolfini, whom Carafotes directed, praised the “Charlie Bubbles” series, saying it was “soon to be a classic,” that he read and re-read it several times.
And Joe Mantegna, father and award-winning actor, noted, “Like all beloved children’s books, Charlie Bubbles teaches an important lesson in a way a child will understand, and it is beautifully illustrated to boot!"
Carafotes has been an actor, writer and director for more than 30 years, appearing in numerous movies and television shows. He has won various entertainment awards, including best writer for his play “Beyond the Ring.”
Pauline Books and Media is located at 3908 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. Information: (310) 397-8676.
St. Aanastasia to perform Disney’s ‘Aladdin Jr.’
Students of St. Anastasia School will perform the Walt Disney musical “Aladdin Jr.” on Feb. 8 and 9 (7 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively) at the El Segundo High School Performing Arts Center. The show will feature characters from the hit film, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and flying carpet rides.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or from the St. Anastasia school office: children under 15, $5; general admission, $10.
The El Segundo High School Performing Arts Center is located at 640 Main St., El Segundo. Information: (310) 645-8816 or [email protected].
Blessed Sacrament Concert Series continues Feb. 16
Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood is hosting live performances by the Horizon Chamber Choir and Orchestra in February, April and May.
On Feb. 16, Horizon --- whose members perform with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pacific Symphony, among other noted ensembles --- will present “My Heart’s Pasture,” a program featuring music by J.S. Bach, Claudio Monteverdi and Henry Purcell, including Bach’s five-voice funeral motet “Jesu, meine Freude.” The 3 p.m. concert will be conducted by Christian Campos.
This spring, Hyunju Hwang will give an organ concert (April 3, 8 p.m.), and a Memorial Day concert of Verdi’s “Requiem,” with Joseph Modica conducting, will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (May 26, 8 p.m.).
Blessed Sacrament Church is located at 6657 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Information: (323) 462-6311 ext. 312 or http://blessedsacramentconcerts.com.
Human trafficking arts symposium set at MSMC
“From Pain to Inspiration: Stories of Hope — Human Trafficking and Healing Through the Arts” will be presented Feb. 8 at Mount St. Mary’s College, Doheny Campus auditorium.
Coordinated by the Southern California Partners for Global Justice, the morning-long symposium will feature presentations by trafficking scholars, personal testimonies from victims plus the drama “Letters from My Mother” an autobiographical play by a young Sri Lankan woman trafficked in the U.S. as a domestic worker. Art and poetry contest students, who created an awareness of human trafficking, will also receive awards.
Mount St. Mary’s College Doheny Campus is located at 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles. Registration is $20 at the door or by mail: RSHM Provincial Center, attn.: Justice Symposium, 441 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, CA 90640. Information: Sister Kathy Bryant at [email protected].
