FAITH. SCHOLARSHIP.
TRADITION. EMPOWERMENTS
WE RECOGNIZE SOME ALUMNI WHO EXEMPLIFY THE FOUR PILLARS OF OUR SCHOOL IN THE INAUGURAL POMONA CATHOLIC SCHOOL: THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI.
The awardees were chosen from the over 7,000 men and women who have graduated from Pomona Catholic School since its inception in 1948. The committee’s choices were based on how they have embodied the values of Pomona Catholic School in their lives and in their careers.
FAITH IN ACTION
Maryknoll Sister Miedel (Mary) Stone, MM, Class of 1953, served as a missionary in Hong Kong for 42 years doing eldercare, home visits, and meal deliveries. When she returned to the United States, Sister Meidell was called to serve as Coordinator (superior) at the Maryknoll Motherhouse in Ossining, New York. Currently, Sister Meidell lives in Monrovia, California where she prays for the needs of Pomona Catholic.
SCHOLAR TO SCHOLAR
Marie Porter Royce, Class of 1979, serves as the current Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs. She was unanimously approved by the US Senate on March 13, 2018. Marie received her early education at St. Joseph Elementary School, Pomona, and Pomona Catholic Girls High School. She attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she later returned as a professor. Marie visited with the US History and Government classes at Pomona Catholic in November 2019 via Zoom. Secretary Royce urged the girls to have a clear goal and to,
“Go for it! Find what makes you happy when you first open your eyes in the morning and go for it. Never give up.”
TRADITION KEEPER
Mary Ann Recupero Sharp, Class of 1974, was the local coordinator of her class’ 40th reunion. Soon after this event she returned to Pomona Catholic to volunteer in the Alumni Department. Mary Ann has organized the information and artifacts (i.e. yearbooks) and is a great help to class representatives when they are planning their reunions. Mary Ann can be seen at various events and willingly serves wherever she is needed.
EMPOWERING THE FUTURE
The Elias Family has sent 39 family members to Pomona Catholic over a span of four generations.
Since 2016, the Elias family has given two scholarships for Juniors to help them complete their Senior year. Their efforts have empowered 10 students to achieve their dream of a Pomona Catholic diploma. Their charitable efforts extend beyond financial donations to donations of durable goods. In 2019, Charles Elias, through his company GREENWAY S.W.R.Inc., procured enough gently used desks, chairs tables and other furniture to refurnish all of the classrooms. Currently, we have the 40th Elias family member in our senior class. Jocelyn Garcia’s grandmother, Mary Louise Elias graduated in 1976.
“FOR YOU WERE CALLED TO FREEDOM, BRETHREN; ONLY DO NOT TURN YOUR FREEDOM INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLeSH, BUT THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.”
GALATIANS 5:13