The Decade That Built a Dynasty: Mater Dei Spirit in the 1980s Boston Crenshaw and Angelina Arciaga June 4, 2026
75 Years of Faith, Tradition, and Community at Mater Dei Stella Pham and Thomas Deng September 18, 2025
![FRIENDSHIP IN PRINT Members of the Hi-Lighter student newspaper gather for a press conference in 1954. Among them is senior Lenore Rigney (O’Hara), who had worked on the publication for two years after transferring to Mater Dei as a junior. “I found the students were all so friendly and accepting,” O’Hara said. “It was [important] to be friendly to someone new and to help them get used to the school and make friends.”](https://thescarletscroll.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_3582-1200x794.jpeg)
![FAITH THROUGH GENERATIONS Lenore O’Hara ‘54 (right) and Director of Discipline and Attendance Timothy O’Hara ‘78 (left) open the 75th Anniversary Mass in the Grotto. The attendance of alumni, faculty, students, and parents highlighted the connection within the school community. Vice President of School Relations Scott Melvin reflected that this was one of his most memorable moments he has had so far. “At the beginning in our opening Mass, watching Lenore O'Hara go up on stage, speak, and open our Mass, that was really beautiful,” Melvin said. “Although [Mater Dei has] changed tremendously over the years, elements that happened back in 1950 are still present today. And we are still fulfilling the mission of Catholic education and building servant leaders with our students.” Photo courtesy of Mater Dei High School.](https://thescarletscroll.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3323-1200x808.jpeg)