The ND Spirit

This Friday, we're kicking off our Lenten Community meals. We're building on the old "Fish Fry" concept by providing different meatless options every Friday during Lent. It's a chance for a great meal with old (and new) friends. Takeout orders are accepted, too.

Here's the SignupGenius to facilitate sign ups for volunteers. We'll need help setting up, serving, and cleaning up.

These are not fundraisers, these are community builders. I hope you can come out and meet your fellow parents, alumnae, and friends. All are invited to the Commons! The schedule:

• Feb 20th: Minestrone, salad, focaccia
• Feb 27th: Polenta, salad, stew
• March 6th: Pasta, salad, garlic bread
• March 13th: clam chowder, salad, rolls
• March 20th: Cheese enchiladas, beans, rice
• March 27th: Lumpia & pancit

I hope to see you! Information & order form below.

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• Fashion Show is taking place on Saturday, February 28. Tickets are available for purchase here until Monday, February 23

• If your family is currently receiving need-based aid, then you must fill out an annual Clarity application based on your 2024 or 2025 tax return. This will give us a clear idea for budgeting tuition assistance for next year.

• Lenten Community Meals begin the first Friday of Lent, February 20th.

• This week's students announcements can be found here.

• Join us on April 25, 2026 for the Notre Dame Pickleball Social at Chamisal Tennis & Fitness Club in support of Notre Dame High School Athletics. This fun-filled afternoon will bring together community members, students, alumnae, parents, and friends for pickleball, connection, and a lively silent auction — all for a great cause. Doors open at 1:00 PM | Games begin at 2:00 PM. All skill levels welcome

• Here is a look at the swim schedule.

Here is the link to the Student Handbook. We're continuing to adjust as issues arise.

Thanks to the amazing leadership of Marisol Menchaca and Connie Rossi Rains, the Crab Feed raised over $44k this year, doubling last year's total!

• Feb 18: Ash Wednesday All-School Mass 10:50 am
• Feb 20: Lenten Community Meals begin
• Feb 28: Mother-Daughter Fashion Show
• April 3-12: No School (Easter Break)
• May 1 & 2: Spring Musical: "Little Shop of Horrors"
• May 29: Baccalaureate Mass (5:00 pm) followed by Community Dinner
• May 30: Graduation (noon)

Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation Leaders (TCL)

Are you interested in volunteering with the Aquarium? Applications are open until February 25. Find out more about the three TCL tracks and the application process at Monterey Bay Aquarium TCL

Local Scholarships

Check out the scholarships available to students that live in California and the Central Coast area!

New ones recently added:

1. Burke-Weber Memorial Scholarship

• 4/30/2026 deadline
• Up to $2,000 year
• Available to Salinas Valley high school students that plan to attend a 4-year college or university and are pursuing a degree in pharmacy or agriculture. Scholarships are awarded to students who are high academic achievers and whose financial circumstance merits scholarship assistance.

1. IBEW Local 234 Christopher Burditt Memorial Scholarship

• 5/22/2026 deadline
• $1,500
• To apply, a student must have at least one present or past Union member of any affiliation in his or her immediate family and submit an essay of approximately 500 words on one of the following topics:
• What is the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and what has it done to enhance organized labor?
• Why is the organized labor movement important in the United States today?
• How has the union movement played a key role in the life and well-being of my family member who is or was in a union?
• IBEW 234

National Scholarships - a sampling of ones in the February & March tabs of the scholarship sheet

1. DCU Memorial Scholarship Program

1. 2/28/2026 deadline

2. $2,500

3. Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who will be attending college in the Fall. Applicants must submit two references and an essay on why they should receive the scholarship.

4. DCU Memorial Scholarship Program

2. Optimist International Essay Contest

1. 2/28/2026 deadline

2. $2,500

3. Applicants must be under the age of 19 and have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent. Applicants must contact their local Optimist Club and submit an essay on the following theme: "How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success."

4. Optimist International Essay Contest

3. American Chemical Society

1. 3/1/2026 deadline

2. Up to $5,000

3. Scholarship is open to African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students who are graduating high school seniors or college freshmen, sophomores or juniors intending to or already majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or a chemically related science.

4. Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship

1. 3/1/2026 deadline

2. $5,000

3. Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who are daughters, sons, grandsons, granddaughters, great-granddaughters, great-grandsons or veterans who served in the Armed Forces during WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon and Grenada, Panama, or Desert Shield/Storm Gulf/War on Terrorism.

5. The Hagan Scholarship

1. 3/15/2026 deadline

2. Varies

3. The Hagan Scholarship is a need-based merit scholarship for goal-driven students in the high school graduating class. Ther parents' 2024 Adjusted Gross Household Income must not have exceeded $125,000.

4. Selected Scholarship Criteria:

• Must attend a high school located in the U.S.
• Eligible students can apply regardless of nationality or citizenship.
• Must have achieved an unweighted 3.5 CGPA based on a 4.0 Grading Scale.
• Must enroll in a four-year college or university, in the 2026 fall semester.
• Must work 240 hours from January 1, 2026, to September 1, 2026.
• Recipients will receive $2,000 to purchase essential items for college.
• Recipients can receive up to $7,000 each semester for up to eight consecutive semesters.
• The Application Deadline is March 15, 2026.
• Scholarships will be awarded by May 1, 2026.
• For additional information, please visit the HSF website.

Art Competition

1. 2026 Congressional Art Competition

1. 4/17/26 deadline.

2. All high school students (grades 9-12) must reside in California’s 18th Congressional District to be eligible to submit one work of visual art.

3. Art must be submitted in person to any of U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren’s offices in Salinas or San Jose, Santa Cruz, Monterey or Paso Robles.

4. Digital submissions not accepted.

5. Recognition will be for the top three pieces of art from the District, with the first place winner to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol during the remainder of the 119th Congress.

6. Click here for all Congressional Art Competition Rules

7. Fill out the Art Competition Student Release Form

2. 2026 Congressional Art Competition

1. 3/31/26 deadline.

2. All high school students (grades 9-12) must reside in California’s 19th Congressional District to be eligible to submit one work of visual art.

3. Art must be submitted in person to any of U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta’s district offices in South San Jose, Santa Cruz, Monterey or Paso Robles.

4. Digital submissions not accepted.

5. Recognition will be for the top three pieces of art from the District, with the first place winner to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol during the remainder of the 119th Congress.

6. Click here for all Congressional Art Competition Rules

Fill out the Art Competition Student Release Form

Scholarship list

We warmly invite you to consider joining our alumnae committee! The committee meets monthly and offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, collaborate, and continue building the strong bonds that make our Notre Dame community so special.

Your involvement helps keep the Notre Dame spirit vibrant and thriving—ensuring that our traditions, values, and sisterhood remain alive for generations to come. If you are interested in serving, please email crains@notredamesalinas.org for more information.

We also love celebrating the accomplishments and milestones of our alumni. Please feel free to share your updates, achievements, and community happenings with Alondra Ruiz at aruiz@notredamesalinas.org.

We look forward to staying connected and continuing this journey together!

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

Website: www.notredamesalinas.org
Location: Salinas, CA
Phone: 831-751-1850
Twitter: @drtimuhl