Honoring the Shanley Sisters

For our family, Placer High School is more than a school. It is part of our story, our roots, and our legacy.

That story began generations ago with the three remarkable Shanley sisters: my aunts Dorothy Shanley Renfree and Mary Lue Shanley Hardey, and my mother, Ann Shanley Fain. Dorothy graduated from Placer High in 1941, Mary Lue in 1947, and my mom Ann in 1951. Together, they built lives centered around family, faith, education, and community service -- values that continue to shape our family today.

Dorothy spent her life in Auburn, helping run the family ranch and staying deeply connected to the community she loved. Many students from St. Joseph Catholic School still remember her fondly -- not just for her kindness, but for her legendary sloppy joes that became part of their school memories.

Mary Lue and Ann were both dedicated elementary school teachers, educating generations of children who attended Ophir and Auburn schools. Their classrooms were places of encouragement, creativity, learning, and care, and their impact continues through the many students and families whose lives they touched.

The Shanley sisters also created an incredible family legacy at Placer High. Between them, 11 children attended our historic school, followed by many grandchildren. This doesn't even count the many, many extended family members who are also proud Hillmen.  I am grateful to be part of that tradition as a member of the Class of 1978, and my daughter Kellyn proudly continued it as a graduate in 2013. Now, we are excited to watch the next generation begin their own Hillmen journey, with my grandsons expected to start at Placer High in 2031.

Since its founding in 1897, Placer High has been a cornerstone of the Auburn community. For our family, it has been the place where lifelong friendships were formed, values were strengthened, and generations were prepared for the future.

That is why supporting the Hillmen Foundation during Big Day of Giving is so meaningful to me. The Foundation helps bridge funding gaps and ensures that today’s students have access to strong academics, meaningful activities, and safe, competitive athletics. It's important that we continue the excellence that has defined Placer High for more than a century.

I invite our family and friends to join me in honoring your family and friends -- as well as the Shanley sisters -- by making a gift to support the future of Placer High School. Their legacy of service, education, and community deserves to be celebrated, and one of the best ways we can do that is by helping future generations of Hillmen thrive.

Thank you for helping us continue this tradition and invest in the future of Placer High.

With gratitude,
Shana Fain McDonald
Class of 1978

Here's my mom Ann as Placer's 1951 prom queen.