California Association of Independent Schools

Marymount High School

Marymount High School senior Katelin Wagner named an Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day “Outstanding Youth Volunteer” Finalist

In honor of National Philanthropy Day, Marymount High School senior Katelin Wagner was recognized as one of just three finalists for "Outstanding Youth Volunteer" at a luncheon sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, honoring National Philanthropy Day. National Philanthropy Day celebrates the extraordinary contributions that individuals, organizations and businesses across the world make to countless causes and missions.

Committed to social justice issues and to serving as an advocate for those who have little or no voice, Katelin has volunteered more than 500 hours of service to TEENLINE,a non-profit teen-to-teen hotline, website and community outreach program. In this role, Katlein works with teens who are dealing with issues such as relationship issues, pregnancy, child abuse and suicide. Bringing these lessons back to Marymount, Katelin founded "Open Your Eyes," a club dedicated to helping girls in need of peer-to-peer support, and to raising awareness about mental health and social issues that are relevant to teens.

Of being chosen as a finalist, Katelin says, "I've always believed that if I could help one person in some way then my job would feel complete, but becoming a finalist certainly helps to validate my work. My volunteer work has been so important to me; it has absolutely changed my life. There is something so beautiful about someone telling me that I saved their life or I made a difference. I'm just a 17 year-old girl, but doing this work has shown me that even 17 year-old girls have the potential to make a lasting impact in their communities."

Since its founding in 1923, Marymount High School has focused on educating and empowering the minds, hearts and spirits of girls in preparing them to make abetter world. As it continues to live the mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school draws students from throughout Los Angeles and challenges them to recognize their leadership abilities, to apply their intellects, and to work now and in the future for social change.

SKYShades of Southern California Installs First Solarbrellas™ on the West Coast at Historic Marymount High School in Los Angeles

March 15, 2010 -- When eco-friendly Marymount High School, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school located in West Los Angeles, launched an ambitious One-to-One student laptop initiative earlier this year, many heralded the action as a vital way to equip students and faculty with the tools needed for a 21st century learning environment. Now Marymount’s faculty and staff have taken the spirit of the initiative to new heights by looking towards renewable energy to power the laptops outdoors.

Marymount has installed four self-sustaining, clean-energy producing SKYShades Solarbrellas™ across key areas of its expansive campus. The Solarbrellas, supplied by San Diego-based SKYShades of Southern California (SoCal), are the first of their kind in the world. This student-driven initiative is the brainchild of the Marymount High School Green Team, an active group of environmentally conscious students who regularly lead and inspire the community in its Green initiatives.

Each Solarbrella incorporates lightweight Power Plastic® thin film, otherwise known as Organic Photovoltaic Panels (OPV), onto the exterior of the SKYShades Solarbrella. On a typical day, the OPV panels on the Solarbrella will produce 640 watts (h) - enough energy to power four laptops for nine hours consecutively. The OPV panels, which are organic and 100% recyclable, are housed in membrane sleeves that allow for simple upgrades as technology demands increase.

Jacqueline Landry, Head of School at Marymount High School, comments, “By installing the state-of-the-art Solarbrellas, our students and faculty will be able to take the classroom environment outdoors. Additionally, reducing our carbon footprint is a high priority for Marymount High School, as evidenced by the ratification of a comprehensive Green Initiative Philosophy Statement by the Board of Trustees in February 2009.”

Faculty and students will also be able to incorporate the Solarbrellas into curricular studies of alternative sources of energy along with comparisons of solar panel outputs. The student Green Team will bring campus-wide focus on how these new assets reduce the school's carbon footprint. Students will be able to power up their mobile devices and enjoy the cool temperatures under the UV protected shade. Each Solarbrella is 13’ x 13’, large enough to comfortably fit four café tables underneath.

“The students are thrilled about the SKYShades Solarbrella project and many of the young ladies are anxious to test out the new technology,” stated Sandy Smith, Assistant Head of School. “This project is another example of Marymount’s push to be a leader in renewable energy initiatives and, more importantly, it sets a positive example for our students to be Green-minded.”

Marymount High School has been collaborating closely with Diego Villamizar, Principal of SKYShades of Southern California, to better understand the benefits of organic photovoltaic energy and identify the best ways to utilize the Solarbrellas in an educational environment.

"The combination of architecturally-inspired designs, solar energy production and UV protection, all under a tension membrane structure, is extremely innovative and practical," said Mr. Villamizar. "Marymount High School has a strong commitment to being at the forefront of new technology and of taking key steps toward stewarding the earth for future generations. I'm excited to be partnering with the school to drive sustainability initiatives."

Purchase of the SKYShades Solarbrellas was made possible in part due to the generosity of the Chan Soon Shiong Family Foundation.

Since its founding in 1923, Marymount High School has focused on educating and empowering the minds, hearts and spirits of girls in preparing them to make a better world. As it continues to live the mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school draws students from throughout Los Angeles and challenges them to recognize their leadership abilities, to apply their intellects, and to work now and in the futures for social change that will extend dignity to all persons. Marymount students reflect the broad socioeconomic and cultural diversity of Los Angeles.

Marymount High School Receives APPLE EXEMPLARY PROGRAM Distinction.

January 26, 2010 -- Just four months after Marymount High School launched its 1 to 1 laptop program, Apple has presented Marymount with an Apple Exemplary Program distinction.

The Apple Exemplary Program designation is reserved for educational programs that are model implementations of Apple products and solutions. Only programs that have demonstrated a strong use of Apple technology in education and illustrate “best practice” qualities of a 21st century learning environment receive this honor.

The designation has been given to only 38 schools and school districts nationwide, and Marymount High School is one of only two independent schools in the entire country to receive the Exemplary Program distinction.

When delivering news of the distinction, Apple’s Vice President of Education, John Couch, noted, “in reviewing the great work underway at Marymount High School, I was especially impressed by the school’s use of Apple hardware and software to create a rich teaching and digital learning environment. Your program serves as an example for other schools both locally and nationally.”

Marymount’s Director of Technology, Patrick Lynch, adds, “Marymount has been working judiciously on the implementation of the 1 to 1 laptop program for the past several years, fulfilling our commitment to providing access to cutting edge technology to our faculty and students, so that both may have the greatest possible academic tools at their disposal. Receiving this distinction during our first year of school-wide implementation affirms our belief that technology in the 21st century is a necessary tool of learning rather than being an end in itself.”

Patrick’s unwavering commitment to and excitement about the transition to the 1 to 1 program led the staff at Apple invite him to be interviewed about Marymount’s program and how the faculty and students have incorporated constant computer access into their academic lives. The videos can be found at iTunes U in the Apple Education section.

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CAIS is an organization of approximately 200 elementary, middle and secondary schools in California. The Association serves and strengthens its schools by:

setting standards of academic quality and ethical conduct
facilitating the professional growth of faculty, administrators, and trustees
promoting ethnic and socio-economic diversity