Head's Weekly Message — Oct. 18, 2019

Dear Mayfield Senior School Parents,

First, I want to thank everyone who helped make last Friday’s Cornelia Connelly Day such a great success—especially our Campus Ministry team, led by Teri Gonzales and Carol Fitzsimmons. When I multiply the number of participating students, faculty, and staff by the number of hours we served to honor our beloved founder, it is truly amazing. Even more important, however, was the way in which everyone entered into their work with whole and loving hearts—the most beautiful way for us to live our motto, “Actions Not Words.” 

On Wednesday, while our 10th and 11th graders were taking the PSAT and our seniors were working on their college applications, I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with our ninth graders as they participated in a team-building morning at Tom Sawyer Camp. I was incredibly impressed by the way our girls jumped into the activities. It is clear that we have a large number of very positive and effective leaders in the Class of 2023—what a pleasure and blessing it will be to watch them grow.

I saw some great leadership yesterday too during our “Great ShakeOut” drill. Over the past several years we have worked very hard on our earthquake preparedness. This work has really paid off—we are well trained and well supplied with enough food and water to last for three full days. Our Search and Rescue team found and evacuated the “injured,” our First Aid Team effectively treated their “injuries,” and our Reunification Team kept everyone “calm” while distributing snacks. We continue to work on several communications plans, which will depend on cell phone coverage and access to the internet during a disaster. I know I sleep more soundly knowing that, should the worst happen, we are ready. 

Finally—I am thrilled to announce the very exciting news that Lela Diaz will be joining the Mayfield Senior School community as our new Director of Development. Leaving her role as Vice President for Advancement at Loyola High School, Lela comes to us with deep and impressive experience. A fourth-generation native Californian, Lela earned her B.A. in International Relations from USC, and her Certificate of Advanced Study in Philanthropy from Loyola University Chicago. Prior to her position at Loyola High School, Lela served as executive vice president and partner of Bob Carter Companies, an international consultancy for non-profit institutions. She has also worked in a variety of leadership and fundraising roles for the Nature Conservancy, Feeding America and Campbell & Company. (Fun fact—Lela is already a member of our Mayfield family by marriage—she joins her sisters-in-law Jacqueline DeHoney ’02 and Allison DeHoney Najoan’04 as a Mayfield Cub!) Associate Head of School Angela Howell ’76 and I, along with members of our Development Office staff, can’t wait to start working with Lela. I look forward to introducing her to the Mayfield community very soon.

With Love and Gratitude,