Press Releases

Monterey, Calif. - June 9, 2005 - Karen Yedlicka, a first grade teacher at Santa Catalina Lower School since 1983, has been awarded the Sister Carlotta Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to a faculty or staff member whose teaching epitomizes the school's mission and enriches the minds of students and includes a $10,000 stipend.

Mrs. Yedlicka has played an important role in the beginning stages of a student's development, along with instilling compassion and commitment. She possesses an innate enthusiasm for her students that transcends those around her. Her teaching style is creative and infectious and provides an ideal environment for a young mind to blossom.

"I am honored by this recognition and am proud to be a part of Santa Catalina School, said Yedlicka. "It is a joy to see the change in my students from the time they begin in the fall to when they move on to second grade. My students are an absolute delight to be around."

The Sister Carlotta Endowment Award was established to honor Sister Carlotta's many achievements and commitment to teaching at Santa Catalina for 51 years. The endowment underwrites two significant awards: the Sister Carlotta Distinguished Service Award and the Sister Carlotta Legacy Fund.

The nominating committee is comprised of Sister Carlotta, Head of School Sister Claire, the Board of Trustees Chair, and the Heads of Upper and Lower School. The committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, who ultimately selects the recipient at the annual spring meeting.

For more information about Santa Catalina School, please call 655.9366 or visit www.santacatalina.org.

Santa Catalina School is dedicated to the education of young people between the ages of 5-18 by giving careful consideration to the individual abilities and potential of each child. The school's mission is to balance intellectual growth with spiritual awareness, creativity with order, and individuality with compassion. Santa Catalina School is enriched by the diversity of socioeconomic, religious, geographic and cultural backgrounds represented by students and faculty. The all-girls Upper School includes boarding students from 16 states and 8 countries. Local students in the co-ed Lower School and the Upper School come from the Central Coast, Gilroy, King City, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Santa Clara.