ON AUG. 17, SANTA ANA’S Mater Dei High School opened its 75th school year with a special Mass that welcomed alumni and honored the school’s history.
Building upon the school motto of Forward in Vision, Rooted in Tradition, the Mass celebrated families who have long been involved at Mater Dei.
Approximately 1,300 alumni, family and friends gathered in sunny summer weather for an outdoor service in the central pavilion of Mary’s Grotto.
SCOTT MELVIN, VICE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL RELATIONS AT MATER DEI, GREETS ATTENDEES ON AUG. 17. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“You’re going to see a lot of notable alumni here that we’ve had over the years,” said Scott Melvin, vice president of School Relations at Mater Dei. “A number of families are serving here today that are multigenerational, some of them three, four generations.”
One of the most noteworthy Monarchs to return was Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, Class of 1961.
“It’s very special,” he said. “It brings up wonderful memories of the people we had, the coaches, teachers and classmates. I remember when it first started, I was at St. Boniface grade school. My older brother… was here at Mater Dei, and I thought, wow, I’ll get to go to Mater Dei too! And as we get older, I appreciate more having gone here.”
The featured speaker was Lenore O’Hara (’54), a member of Mater Dei’s first freshman class and the matriarch of one of its most dedicated families.
“Over the years, the traditions of Mater Dei have grown and expanded,” she said. “I was fortunate that all my children attended Mater Dei — eight children— and I’ve had grandchildren come here too. It’s been a wonderful experience for all of them.”
FR. STEVE SALLOT, MATER DEI ’72, GREETS LENORE O’HARA, MATER DEI ’54, A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL’S FIRST FRESHMAN CLASS.
Joe O’Hara (’86), Lenore’s youngest son, added: “Mater Dei has been in our life from the beginning. Just being a part of the community. They’ve always looked out for the O’Haras, and we appreciate it. It’s just always going to be a part of our life and our family.”
Lucy O’Hara (’18), Lenore’s granddaughter, expressed her feelings as well.
“I’m just so grateful to Mater Dei for what they’ve done for my family over
the years. It started with my grandma and grandpa, and it’s just been continuing the generosity through the generations.”
Lenore’s son Tim O’Hara (’78), who serves as the school’s director of Discipline & Attendance, had this to say: “As we move and go into our 75th year…we’re all linked together by one common bond, and that’s Mary Mater Dei. The example Lenore has shown us, of sacrifice and service; we need that for our future. And it’s something we’re trying to instill in our kids.”
In his homily, Fr. Steve Sallot (’72 ), reflected on the lasting impact of an education at Mater Dei, sharing anecdotes from school years and recent reunions. “We are thankful that our grounding
came in a place like this, a place of faith, a place of honor, glory and love. That’s the gift that we celebrate from the past, and that’s where we stand now and that’s where we look to the future.”
Scott Melvin explained that 75 years ago, 111 students founded a legacy that has since flourished.
“It was a small school,” he shared, “and I don’t think anyone envisioned it growing to the size it is today, with the national and international renown that it has.”
Melvin extended an open invitation to come to school performances, Masses and games — “all the things that made their Monarch experience a special one.”
Lenore O’Hara shared, “Everyone associated with Mater Dei gave much to the students and helped them grow into what Mary and Jesus would have wanted the students of Mater Dei to become as adults. God bless us all.”