A mountain of nearly 800 books recently awaited the students at Our Lady of Talpa School. But before the Los Angeles school could call that tower of literature their own, the kids in K-third grade needed to prove that they were up to the reading challenge --- as in, read at least two books a day for four days.

This unique reading program was part of alumna Melanie Parga's research for her Master's Degree; she came back to her old school to see how the flames of literacy could be fanned with young children. Collecting the books from various organizations and donations from alumni, Parga instructed the young students to take two books each day and either read them alone or with their parents. If everyone completed the task, the books would be theirs.

Teachers kept track of the students' progress and monitored what they read. At the end of the week, Parga informed the students that they indeed had met the challenge.

"The teachers loved the program and the kids were so excited to be a part of it," says principal Annie Delgado who added that the school doesn't really have an official library. "We've been using our Media Center to store the books. We might have to think about a permanent space for them!"

Being led by a former student was a plus for the students, says Delgado. The children witnessed Parga pursuing her education and "she is a good role model for them," explains Delgado.

Along with a pizza lunch, participating students received a certificate and got a little extra special story time on Friday.

"I'm sure we encouraged some of our slower readers to pick up books as well as support those students who love to read," summed up Delgado. "We look forward to doing this next year."

Pregnancy Help Center thanks supporters
The Auxiliary of the Pregnancy Help Center (PHC) of the San Gabriel Valley recently assembled and packaged Mother's Day "surprise" gifts --- distributed the week prior to Mother's Day --- for supporters of the PHC at a luncheon and workshop at the St. Joseph Center campus in Alhambra.

The auxiliary supports the PHC with proceeds from this Mother's Day Benefit, gifts of Monthly Giving, and diaper/crib drives sponsored by local parishes.

Offering services for women who suspect or know they are pregnant and have financial or emotional obstacles to a happy pregnancy, the PHC provides free pregnancy tests, counseling, medical referrals, housing referrals and free ultrasounds for all qualified clients.

The center also offers supplies, such as diapers, wipes and toddler clothing, on a monthly basis. The PHC's crisis intervention HelpLine can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 626-444-HELP.

Susan De Pietro honored as a Ramona Convent 'remarkable woman'
Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra honored alumna Susan Schiffhauer De Pietro as its Remarkable Woman for 2008 at a recent brunch.

Combining three professions, teaching, nursing and law in addition to her role as wife and mother of two, De Pietro is the newest member of Ramona Convent's Board of Trustees.

Currently, De Pietro teaches both graduate and undergraduate nursing students at CSULA and has served as a risk management consultant to hospitals and other healthcare agencies.

A parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Los Angeles, De Pietro and husband Dennis were accepted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, where members assist religious, charitable, cultural, and social projects in their own diocese and country and to preserve the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.

De Pietro is the second honoree in Ramona Convent's new Remarkable Women series, the purpose of which is to honor graduates who have made notable contributions to their communities. The brunch celebrates their achievements and increases our students' awareness of the "Remarkable Women" who have gone before them.

Rosary Garden breaks ground at St. Joseph Campus
A place of peace and renewal, an oasis that offers comfort and healing, a location that offers spiritual refreshment --- all these describe the new Rosary Garden, which celebrated its ground breaking May 3 at the St. Joseph Campus in Alhambra.

The garden will include a permanent stone altar for outdoor Masses, as well as a detailed Rosary Walk, with original mosaics in vibrant color to symbolize each of the 20 mysteries. Nearby will be a shrine to Our Lady of Fatima with the three children.

Dedicated to all "victims of violence and oppression in modern times," the Pieta shrine will include a piece of the World Trade Towers and possible relics from the Berlin Wall and a Nazi concentration camp. Directly behind the Pieta Shrine will be a Mosaic of the Resurrection.

"The Rosary Garden, it seems, is not only a fundraiser for the future John Paul II Media Center, as it was always intended to be, but a very valuable addition to the spiritual meaning and fruitfulness of the campus itself," said Carmelite Sister Benedicta Marie.

Donations are being accepted for the garden, with families, prayer groups and other organizations making financial contributions. For information on how to donate, call (626) 289-0223.

Alverno students donate blood to save lives
Alverno High School's annual Red Cross blood drive attracted not only current students at the Sierra Madre high school, but alumnae and parents as well. The Red Cross transformed a room in the school's historic Villa del Sol d'Oro into a temporary clinic, which allowed quiet cubicles for donors to rest in as they gave this precious gift.

"I was pretty nervous," says Alverno senior Laura Thompson, a first-time blood donor. "Afterward, when I realized that I might actually save someone's life by doing this, I felt really good about being a blood donor."

By the end of the day Alverno volunteers had donated 37 pints of blood. "According to the Red Cross rubric, this is enough to save 114 lives," says Joelle Lilavois, Alverno director of activities who helped students organize the event.