bronze statue of Mary mounted on top of the church's bell tower, her arms outstretched toward the Port of Los Angeles. The bronze statue was a gift of the parish's fisherman. In a 1961 interview, Msgr. Scott noted that the parish's fisherman had set aside $7,000 from their "often meager tuna-catch earnings" to pay for the statue. Msgr. Scott encouraged the fishermen in his parish to build altars on fishing ships and asked fleet skippers to pass along their religious beliefs to their crews. In 1989 the new pastor, Msgr. Gallagher, noted the importance of the bronze statue: "Our parish gets its name from the fishermen - the Virgin Mary guiding and protecting them when they are at sea. The statue of Mary on top of the church on the hill overlooking the harbor is lit every night so the fishermen can see her when they enter or leave the harbor on their boats." Other elements of the church also carry out the fishing fleet theme. Prominent among those elements is the large statue of Mary standing over the altar, cradling a tuna clipper in her arms. There is also a large mosaic of Mary standing on the ocean waves above the church's front entrance. Below the mural, the word "Stella Maris" are written, words used as a sign of hope since the fifth century in liturgical literature. In the 12th century St. Bernard offered this prayer: "If the winds of temptation arise…look to the star. If you are tossed upon the waves…look to the star; call on Mary." Finally, a large stained-glass window to the right of the altar depicts Jesus in a boat speaking to the fisherman. Controversy over pregnant teen's participation in graduation ceremony In 1986, Mary Star of the Sea drew media attention when a 17-year-old, straight- honor student and student council vice president, Lisa Martinez, was barred from graduation at the parish high school because she was 6- months pregnant. After the action drew protests from students and criticism in the press, Archbishop Roger Mahony overruled the school's decision. Archbishop Mahony praised the girl for "resisting the pressure to conform to the unacceptable 'abortion option.'" He said the church should assist, not alienate, pregnant girls. "She has chosen to respect the dignity of the human life she now carries and nurtures," the Archbishop said. When the Archbishop's statement was read at a special assembly held