Stella Maria Academy celebrates 60 years

Friends of Stella Maria Academy were in the mood to party recently - and they had every reason to be proud of the special milestone they were celebrating. It was the Academy’s 60th anniversary, and the tented Senior Yard was jumpin’ all evening long for the festive affair dubbed, “Star Way to Heaven.”

The gala began in the Parish Hall with cocktails and a silent auction. The large crowd entered the tent for dinner and a live auction later, followed by music and dancing. Gala co-chairs Cathleen Haggerty and Anseth Richards and their committee made the evening a glittering success.

Included on the committee were Sheri Anastasi, Mary Bones, Cathy Coe, Janet Devaney, Debra Eckman, Katherine Gomez, Julie Hollis, Kimberly Lee, Lillian Nadhir, Annie Baldwin, Ellie Vivino, Dominique Powell, Bridget Santos, and Mark and Ellen Wayne - among many other hard-working members.

La Jolla businesses such as the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, the La Jolla Spa M.D., Cendio, the La Jolla Cove Suites, Tapenade and Nine-Ten contributed auction items that added to the Academy’s coffers.

Also in attendance were Superior Court Judge Joseph Brannigan, alumna and parent Sandy Benton, Tom and Ann Bache, Chris and Kerry Ferguson, Lawrence and Barbara Rayko, Principal Patricia Lowell, Monsignor Eamonn Lyng, Jim and Fran Vargas, Father Reynaldo and Kay and John McGarry.