From the new president of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo to U.S. Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, the world is seeing more women in charge. This also holds true here at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. This school year FSHA introduced a new administration team, the first to be all-women and include no sister leaders. From girls’ leadership to prayer, the administration has aspiring goals for everyone on the Hill as they bond and inspire others.

The ‘24-’25 administration team consists of returning members Principal Mrs. Bostic and Assistant Principal of Student Life and Culture Ms. Kim, plus new members President Mrs. Conroy and the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction Ms. Zapata. Though they have spent just a few months together, they have created a close bond with each other through their traditional administration duties as well as fun events like escape rooms.

“People have been supportive, welcoming, and really reaching out to help me adjust to FSHA. One of the fun things that will be a memory is the first week here. We went to an escape room. Ms. Kim I have to say is an escape room expert. So that was fun,” said Ms. Zapata.

“It’s an amazing team. I’m really fortunate to adopt such an amazing, strong, intelligent group of women as my leadership team.” said Mrs. Conroy.

The new administration has come together to create new goals and ambitions for the school. Though this admin team has many plans, its primary focus can be summed up in a single word:

Leadership.

“I am thinking about girls’ leadership and how to be intentional about … developing those skills. The world has a narrative for women that is pretty loud and we need to turn up our own song to counter that,” said Mrs. Bostic.

“Our students are brilliant scholars and such great community members…we want to hone those skills to be stronger leaders. Leaders that the world needs in five, ten, fifteen years.” said Ms. Kim.

“It’s not about what’s going to work for us, the adults. We are trying to make it so that the young women who come through here … are learning in ways that are going to be impactful for them in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade and that they are absolutely set up and prepared for the next step whether that is college or other [ambitions].” said Ms. Zapata.

More specifically, the administration wants to help the students in leadership positions feel supported and safe.

“In this context…every leadership position is filled by a woman. In the world beyond here that is not always the case. How are we helping [the students] develop leadership skills and develop a comfort with failing? I think that it is important that we create a safe space where we can take a risk and still know we have that safety net.” said Mrs. Bostic.

Above all, the new administration is set on upholding the Dominican values of the sisters of Mission San Jose. The values held by these sisters are embedded in our school’s Four Pillars: prayer, study, community, and service. These pillars are advocated to the students through assemblies, curriculum, and more.

“We are still rooted in our legacy, our legacy is our tradition. It’s something we hold dear. It’s who we are. It’s why I came here and it’s why the whole administration team is a part of this,” said Mrs. Conroy.

“I think prayer is the crux of what we do. We want to keep that legacy going because…it’s still here and continues to be here. [The sisters legacy] will outlive all of us.” said Ms. Kim.

“I think our whole community misses a little bit having them with us everyday but their spirit is very alive in all of [the students]. I am really aware that we are making sure we are giving voice to our Dominican identity,” Mrs. Bostic explains.

Individually, each administration member is working to make sure the Dominican values are being carried out.

“I don’t get to wear the same outfit, but I get to use the same words the sisters would have. I can offer to pray for people and connect with students the way the sisters would. I will say that one of the most powerful things the Dominican sisters of Mission San Jose did was love you guys.” said Mrs. Bostic.

They not only plan to carry out in spirit but they have and will continue to have direct contact with the sisters.

“We have a board of directors, and we have members who are a part of the Mission San Jose sisters. They have a voice in everything we do, and their job is to ensure that we are pushing our mission forward and are not off track on what the Mission San Jose sisters is.” said Mrs. Conroy. Mrs. Conroy also personally makes sure to stay in communication with the sisters, whether that involves going to the Motherhouse, which is located in Fremont, California, or having weekly meetings with Sr. Colleen.

“I really want to make sure…we are on mission and staying true to them. I also still text Sr. Celeste and Sr. Caroline when I need a prayer or advice.” said Mrs. Bostic.

While the male counterparts help make Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy special, whether that is Mr. Nishiyama and Mr. McGee as softball coaches or Mr. Buxman as the new Dean of Research, being able to see an all-women administration is important, inspiring, and empowering.

“I think diversity of thought is very important and what I have appreciated from the male colleagues I have worked with is that they bring a different perspective, and not one that is stereotypical. I am always going to invite different perspectives…we want to see diversity at the table. That said, girls have to see women in power so they know they can be women who can run something.” said Mrs. Bostic.

“I think it is important to see because representation matters. We are forming [students] who will be leaders in positions of power and authority in the future and find their own voice in that way. That kind of representation matters and I think it’s a blessing to be in a space where our Dominican sisters have led the way of what leadership could look like.” said Ms. Kim.

Having an all female team, specifically at an all-girls school, is special to see. The administration has created the ability for students to approach school leaders about problems and concerns they have. The kind of leadership that the administration is keen about developing stems from students’ ability to stand up for themselves and their passions, which for women can be hard to accomplish in a male-dominated world.

The sisterhood that is so prevalent at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy continues to grow as mentors like Mrs. Bostic, Mrs. Conroy, Ms. Zapata, and Ms. Kim encourage and aid students. Even though these women have just started their journey together, they are focused on the future of the school, its improvement, as well as honoring the past before them. As they continue to uplift and support the Flintridge Sacred Heart community, the upcoming years of their administration is going to be exciting to see.