ALUMNA(E) OF THE YEAR

2011 Distinguished Alumnae of the Year
Patricia (Pat) Avila Pacheco – Class of 1975

Patricia (Pat) Avila Pacheco – Class of 1975

Pat's family had already established a long legacy at St. John Bosco with the attendance of her three brothers (Dan '69, David '72, and Ernie '73). It was time to conquer the halls of Saint Joseph High School. Pat began her own legacy when she entered Saint Joseph’s in the fall of 1972. A freshman year filled with excitement and new experiences included the memorable freshman initiation led by Terri Mendoza.

Who can forget the 'army boot camp' created by Terri and her classmates to test the endurance of the freshman girls? “Air raid” was yelled out and the freshmen were instructed to don their buckets over their heads, and sing songs created by the senior class.

With the implementation of a program where SJHS students could graduate in three years, many of Pat's closest friends decided to go that route. Pat wasn't far behind. She decided that uniforms and Vans dairy had lost their luster. She checked her credits, made her decision and went out into the big world. She graduated in 1975 as part of the eighth graduating class at Saint Joseph's. Although some of the graduates were headed on an early career path, Pat chose to continue her education at Cerritos College. Pat's college years were very enjoyable. She pledged Phi Kappa Zeta sorority and even became President. But that wasn't all that Cerritos College had in store for Pat. She met and fell in love with Joe Pacheco, president of a brother fraternity. Pat married the love of her life Joe Pacheco. Even married life couldn’t slow her down and she continued to nurture her interest in the film industry and worked at Kodak for 8 years.

Pat returned to Saint Joseph’s with her girls and jumped right in to the volunteer spirit. She was on the golf committee, the luau fundraiser, helped the drama dept with costumes, and assisted the cheer fundraisers. She could be found at Day in the life of a jester, grandparent’s day, Saint Joseph’s day and all other fundraising events. She even took charge of the entertainment at the carnival for a few years. You can mostly find Pat at the Flynn Center to catch a game or 2 or 3.

With a heart too full of love and gratitude for words, Pat thanks her Alma Mater Saint Josephs, her SJ sisters; her classmates and those of her daughters, and to the girls that have become extended family through Joe's coaching. Thanks for some great memories!

Previous Distinguished Alumnae Honorees
        
2010 Honoree
Susan Powers Scurti, Class of 1980

2009 Honoree
Jessica Sziebl Christensen, Class of 1989

2008 Honoree
Jackie Carey Wilson Class of 1982

2007 Honoree
Barbara Lopes Mahakian, Class of 1968

2006 Honorees
Lisa Norcia Lindgren, Class of 1982
Doctors Elisa and Manuel Breton, Parents of the Year

2005 Honorees
Karen Schiada Barnes, Class of 1969
Mary Jensen Koppes, Class of 1977
Alison Cook, Class of 1984
Marisa Prado, Class of 1996

2004 Honorees
Paula Eggert Faust, Class of 1980
Susan J. Paul, Class of 1980

2003 Honoree
Lisa Fernandez, Class of 1989

2002 Honoree
Teresa Montoya Aimerito, Class of 1969

2001 Honoree
Patrice Kolano Kirby, Class of 1972

2000 Honoree
Patricia Fuller, Class of 1973
Lesley Risko Trejo, Class of 1980

1999 Honoree
Dr. Terri Mendoza, Class of 1973

1998 Honoree
Helen Spagnoletti Thies, Class of 1974

1997 Honoree
Dr. Tara Zandvliet, Class of 1986

1996 Honoree
Leslie Sykes, Class of 1983


2011 Distinguished Jester Parents of the Year

Hal & Joan Stuben

It is great to have Joan and Hal come back to SJHS and enjoy a lunch honoring their granddaughter Kaitlynne, a Fontbonne Recipient and to see them participating in grandparent’s day where they can run into old friends and share their granddaughters together.

The success of all five Stuben children is all based on the fact that Harold and Joan were always very involved in the lives and education of their children. Harold and Joan were the ones who headed up the first committee for the first Saint Joseph Carnival. While Elaina was in school at Saint Joseph they worked the bingo program and shortly after, they started managing it completely. They managed the bingo program at Saint Joseph for over 20 years dedicating countless Wednesday nights for the benefit of students at SJHS.

Harold and Joan would always take part in their children's lives, whether it was going to the football games of their sons, or cheer competitions of their daughter or driving their children to all of the events and dances. They proved everyday that they were there for the children and all of their children's friends. Now that they are retired from the work force (Harold retired from the MTA and Joan from St. Irenaeus as the Bookkeeper) Harold and Joan still show their love for their family daily by watching their grandchildren and helping anyone of their children who are in need.

Previous Distinguished Jester Parents of the Year (archive)

2010Honorees
Kathy & Chuck Wachter
and
Josephine "Pina" Roghi Menodza

2009 Honorees
Patricia and John Hunter

2008 Honorees
Bernadette and John Ourique

2007 Honorees
Patricia and James Powers

2006 Honorees
Drs. Elisa and Manuel Breton