The
for the Moreau Catholic Community Summer 2015
INSIDE: 2015 Scholarship Hall of Fame The Inaugural Mariner Gala Class of 2015, Congratulations! Diplomat, Dina Abaa-Ogley ’92 IndoRelief, Sant Kumar ’08
Robert M. Collins Memorial Scholarship 2015 Recipient Paul John Evangelista ’16 with Richard Collins.
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Nathalie Sandoval ’19, Hailey Casarotti ’19, Caitlyn Vergara ’19, Jacob George ’19
2015 Sobrato Scholars
T
he Mariner community gathered on a pleasant evening, April 28th, when donors, students, and families attended the first annual Scholarship Hall of Fame, a perfect opening for Moreau Catholic’s Evening of Excellence. This celebration of outstanding scholastic achievement offered an engaging opportunity for several long-standing scholarship donors to personally meet current scholarship award recipients. “With the successful completion of our recent Campaign for Champions, during which many critical improvements were made to our Athletics and Student Activities Complex, we are now pivoting our philanthropic attention toward an expansion of endowed scholarships, both in quantity and capacity,” remarked President Terry Lee. —cont’d on page 16
2015 Peter Matousek ’93 Scholar
Connor Lathrop ’16 with Athletic Director Christine Krisman Summer ’15 | The Vector
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Letter from the President
Dear Mariners, On Sunday, May 24th, I once again had the distinct privilege of witnessing our graduation ceremonies from the stage of the beautiful Paramount Theater. It’s a grand and fitting celebration, the culmination of our students’ hard work, as well as the dedication and support invested in these fine young men and women by their parents, family and friends. There is an energy in the venerable Paramount that is exhilarating! I may not be able to see all of the thousands gathered in the audience, but their love and pride is palpable on stage. As Principal Tortorich and I congratulate our students with a handshake or hug, and confer upon them the diploma which signals the end of their high school career, their smiles tell us everything we need to know about the journey ahead: they are more than ready for the next step. Their intellectual and spiritual growth has prepared them for college and the path which lies beyond. So, this isn’t a goodbye to the Class of 2015. It’s a best wishes and good luck—you will always be Mariners, and Moreau Catholic will always be as much your home as it is mine. In that spirit, I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with many familiar faces at our inaugural spring events, the Scholarship Hall of Fame and the Mariner Gala. The former, held before our annual Evening of Excellence, allowed current and former students to meet the benefactors and families who created scholarships and endowments that enabled these students to attend Moreau Catholic. It was a wonderful opportunity for our gracious donors to hear from our students and to really see how their giving changes lives.
Laura Pessagno, accompanied by Joan Lopez, represented the Avila-Pessagno family at the Scholarship Hall of Fame reception for scholarship donors and recipients.
Finally, I look forward to catching up with all of you on Monday, June 29th at the Moreau Golf Classic which benefits the Brother Gary Stone, CSC, Memorial Scholarship fund. It’s always a great day to relax and reminisce with friends young and old. May all of you enjoy a blessed and restful summer! Peace and best wishes,
Terry Lee President
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President Mr. Terry Lee Principal Ms. Lisa Tortorich Director of Advancement Mr. Christopher Ruetz Editor-in-chief Mr. Dave Baptist ’85
YEARS
Contributors Dave Baptist ’85 Adam Copeland ’07 Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76 Christine Kosmicki Monica Lander Terry Lee Christopher Ruetz Art Direction and Design Ms. Christine Kosmicki
Class of 2015 graduates (LR) James Sequeira ’15, Rachel Galigan ’15, Jean Hritz ’15 and Dylan Mackin ’15 will continue their education in the Holy Cross tradition at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
F EA T U R E S
2 2015 Scholarship Hall of Fame 6 The Inaugural Mariner Gala 10 Class of 2015, Congratulations! 14 Peabody graduates! 13 Scholarships, The Gifts That Keep on Giving 18 Erin Hogan ’16, Varsity Softball Pitcher 20 Zertuche ’14, Makes Gap Year Pay Off 22 Diplomat, Dina Abaa-Ogley ’92 24 IndoRelief, Sant Kumar ’08 26 Mariners Make Waves 27 In Memoriam 29 Upcoming Events 30 50th Anniversary Celebration, Opening of School Mass 31 Jennifer Rillamas ’11
Board of Trustees Mr. Dennis Mastrantonio ’71, Chair Mrs. Barbara Hemenez, Vice-Chair Mr. Eugene Ashley Sr. Ramona Bascom, OP Ms. Cynthia Bath Hon. Paul Delucchi ’87 Mrs. Maritza Ilario Mr. Rick L’ Heureux Mr. Terry Lee Ms. Marta Leon Sr. Christopher Miller, OP Fr. Paul Minnihan ’84 Br. William Nick, CSC Ms. Lois Quilalang Mr. Ed Raney Mr. Kevin Sweeney ’72 Ms. Lisa Tortorich Mr. Quang Trinh ’88 The Vector is published three times a year by Moreau Catholic High School 27170 Mission Boulevard Hayward, CA 94544 Phone: 510.881.4300 www.moreaucatholic.org
Cover: Eric Anthony Webb ’15, Savannah Rosales Brand ’15, Lana Guevarra Suarez ’15, Kirat Shahi ’15 Summer ’15 | The Vector
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It was a warm and festive evening high atop the Hayward hills at Stonebrae Country Club as 100 Mariners celebrated the 50th anniversary of Moreau Catholic High School during the inaugural Mariner Gala.
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Top left: Associate Director of Advancement, Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76, with 2015 Raimondi Award recipient, Steve Miller Bottom left: Athletic Director, Christine Krisman; recently retired faculty member, Peter Peabody; and Booster Club President, Kari Cardana
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he gala, which now incorporates an event that had been fondly known as the Raimondi Brunch, has evolved into an elegant evening of fine dining, awards, and dancing. “John would be so proud of how his legacy has allowed Moreau Catholic to raise the bar on our important social and fundraising efforts,” remarked gala chair, Char Raimondi, in reference to her husband, the late John A. Raimondi, former chair of the Board of Trustees.
Member of the Board of Trustees and Gala Chair, Char Raimondi, with grandaughters Bailey Ferreira ’18 and Brianna Thompson ’17 Summer ’15 | The Vector
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“The Mariner Gala begins a new annual tradition at Moreau Catholic.
It raises the bar of what we can achieve both in terms of philanthropic support as well as an opportunity to more richly engage with our alumni, parents, and friends.” —President Terry Lee
Brianna Thompson ’17, 2015 Valedictorian Chrisly Macaraeg, Juliette Thompson, Sophia Thompson, Madison Weiland and Alexis Thompson ’19 with President Terry Lee.
Laura Pessagno received the Alumni Achievement Award on behalf of the Avila-Pessagno family
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The Mariner Gala not only celebrated 50 years of Holy Cross education at Moreau Catholic, but also provided a forum for presenting the two premier awards that are conferred by the school: the Alumni Achievement Award and the John A. Raimondi Volunteer Service Award. This year, the alumni award was presented to the AvilaPessagno family for their exceptional contributions to the school. Gala emcee, Brian Copeland ’82, remarked that “Tony Avila ‘83, alone, has raised well over $75,000 in support of the Janet Pessagno Memorial Scholarship at Moreau Catholic; an endowed fund that the entire family established in honor and memory of the Avila’s late mother.” The John A. Raimondi Volunteer Service Award was presented to Moreau Catholic alumni parent, Steve Miller, for his outstanding volunteer service to the school and to the broader Moreau Catholic community. Miller’s involvement with the school began in 2001 when his daughter,
Member of the Board of Trustees, Barbara Hemenez and husband Bill; Chair of the Facilities Committee, Dick Smith and wife Janet; and member of the Board of Trustees, Kevin Sweeney ’72, and wife Christine enjoyed the evening’s festivities
Marcia, was a student. “It only took a few athletic events before Steve as well as his wife, Jan, stepped up and immersed themselves in the Booster Club and other athletic support activities,” remarked award presenter, Dennis Mastrantonio ’71, chair of the Board of Trustees. The evening concluded with some visionary comments about the next 50 years by principal, Lisa Tortorich, followed by a closing prayer offered by Br. William Zaydak, CSC. Provincial of the Moreau Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. President Terry Lee commented that “The Mariner Gala begins a new annual tradition at Moreau Catholic. It raises the bar of what we can achieve both in terms of philanthropic support as well as an opportunity to more richly engage with our alumni, parents, and friends.”
Save the date for the 2nd Annual Mariner Gala Saturday, April 30, 2016
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Class of 2015, congratulations!
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Roshni J. Sopariwalla ’15, Salutatorian and Captain of the Mock Trial Team (3-time Alameda County Champions) is headed to University of California, Santa Barbara; Andrew Lou ’15, Mariner with the highest GPA, looks forward to attending the University of California, Berkeley; Chrisly Macaraeg ’15, Valedictorian and Associated Student Body President, will double major in international development studies and communications at the University of California Los Angeles.
“W
hether it was that first language class freshman year or the economics class you completed just last semester, we learned about subjects that we had little to no knowledge about before. The knowledge that we gathered helped to make us the intelligent people we are today; it fueled us with passion and inspired us to be curious about how the world around us works. This is the same world that we’ll be entering today, and our past four years have prepared us well for it. In a few moments, each of you will come up here, walk across this
stage, and receive your diploma. That moment will mark the end of your high school career, and so before that happens I invite you to take a moment and reflect on the past four years and how exactly they have changed you. After all, sitting in these seats, this is probably the last time Moreau Catholic’s Class of 2015 will all be together as one group; this really is the end of our high school journey.” —Excerpted from the speech of Salutatorian, Roshni J. Sopariwalla ’15
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Bound for University of California, Berkeley: Andrew Lou ’15, Priya Agarwal ’15, Meghan Momand ’15, Ariel Chen ’15 and Shyamkarthik Rameshbabu ’15. Not pictured, Yichen (Isabel) Zhou ’15
“F
or all the parents out there today, there’s no doubt that as we’ve grown up we have not shown you enough appreciation. As teens, we challenged you because we think we know everything already. Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made to give us the gift of a quality education. Sometimes we get caught up thinking about the next job, or the next highest position we can take. Most people don’t see that the effect we have on others is truly the most valuable currency we will ever make. But now that I’ve taken the time to reflect, I’ve realized that more important than our students debts is identifying our debt to society. Scarier than leaving home is figuring out how we will come back to make home a better place. More difficult than finding a job will be finding a way to be the reason behind our parents’ smiles. And riskier than changing our majors will be taking the risk to understand ourselves, change ourselves, and reinvent ourselves in our future college careers. When you walk out of these doors today, you will be faced with two options: faith and fear. Choose faith, and don’t allow fear to stop you from making your world the way you want it. Thank you and congratulations, Class of 2015—we finally made it.” —Excerpted from the speech of Valedictorian, Chrisly Macaraeg ’15 12 12 TheThe Vector Vector | Summer | Summer ’15 ’15
Talented Moreau Catholic thespian, Christopher Castro ’14, congratulates Angela Busgano ’15, who thrilled the graduation ceremony attendees with her bluesy interpretation of “Feeling Good.” Angela is a member of the California All-State Honors Choir
Graduate Prabhmeet Singh Gill ’15 with brother Kirt Gill ’07 (in gray sweater), cousin Nonie Grewal ’11 (in blue jacket) and extended family. Prabh will attend University of California, Santa Cruz and major in computer science.
Christina Martin ’15 and Rayce Lopez ’15 will pursue their respective creative passions post graduation. In addition to excelling academically, Rayce assumed many challenging roles on the Teves Theatre stage. He will attend the prestigious USC School of Dramatic Arts—one of only 26 accepted applicants. As deft with a spatula as she is with a soccer ball, Christina generously shared her love of cooking by co-moderating the Culinary Club. A summa cum laude graduate, she will combine her interests in business and culinary arts at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. Summer ’15 | The Vector
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peabody graduates! Honors dancers Sofia Segura ’15 and Ashlyn Sweeney ’15 celebrate outside of the Paramount Theatre with Moreau Catholic icon, Peter Peabody
P
eter Peabody has retired from Moreau Catholic High School after 39 years of devoted service. In addition to his tenure as a math teacher, Peter held a breadth of administrative and support positions—from bus driver to The Voice of Moreau, announcing home games for our football, basketball, baseball and volleyball teams. Peter was instrumental in developing vibrant programs that have enhanced Moreau Catholic’s relationships and stature as a Holy Cross School, including the Funabashi Sister City/Ichifuna High School Exchange and Campus
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Ministry’s Freshman and Sophomore Retreats. The Mariner community has always counted on Peter’s presence and generosity at fundraising events such as the annual Booster Club Crab Feed and the Funding Hopes and Dreams Luncheon. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of Moreau Catholic’s yearly calendar of dance, music and theatre performances. Hayward Hero, Holy Cross Associate, teacher, mentor and friend to many—we will miss your presence in the classroom, and we’re thrilled to have you remain a part of our community in your well-deserved retirement!
James Hannon ’02 and Antonio Rodriguez (T-Rod), Class of 2015 moderators, pictured with Jaime Fernandez — during the unforgettable 2011 faculty/staff skit authored by editor-in-chief, Dave Baptist ’85
Phil Wilder, who has had a profound influence on so many Mariners’ lives, stood shoulder to shoulder with John (Jack) Alcott ’15 and proud dad, Tom Alcott, Director of Site Services. A Top-Ten Senior, Jack played Varsity Football and was an Altar Server during liturgical Masses. Jack will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in the fall.
I will leave you St. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I hope these words resonate with you and your time here. Remember though, this is but one step in millions of steps in your lives. —Bowing, James Hannon ’02, aka Jes
So, dear Class of 2015, know that you are a
We finally made it!
tremendous class—an impressive collection of disciplined athletes and inquisitive scholars and vibrant artists and endearing souls. Not only have you displayed evidence of what it entails to be Mariners—but you have also proven to be a sparkling example of what Being Family means. You will indefinitely remain in my heart and in my mind, specifically in that special place where I hold my dearest family and friends. —Your man, T-Rod
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Scholarships are
Gifts
that keep on
Giving
Felicity Usac ’18 and Nyah Scott ’18, 2015 Pessagno Scholars
In 2004, the Avila Family established the Janet Pessagno Memorial Scholarship to honor their mother, Janet, for her legacy of public service, philanthropy, and volunteerism. Every year the Pessagno Scholarship is awarded in her memory to a Moreau Catholic freshman who has demonstrated academic achievement and exhibits the highest standards of caring and citizenship through his or her volunteer efforts.
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“Scholarships allow us to attract and retain bright young minds.” —Principal Lisa Trotorich (with Laura Pessagno)
Richard Collins with Yasmin Esparza ’15 2014 Robert M. Collins Scholar
“S
cholarships allow us to attract and retain bright young minds with so much potential,” stated Principal Lisa Tortorich. “Without these important investments, many students could not afford to attend Moreau Catholic or receive a Holy Cross education.” Board of Trustees President Dennis Mastrantonio ’71 agreed. “Scholarships are an easy and enormously effective way to make a gift that keeps on giving. You set it up with a minimal investment, your name is permanently associated with the scholarship, if you choose, and from there on, you can contribute to it annually for as long as you like.” Attendees remarked throughout the reception about how grateful they were for having the opportunity to meet with their patrons, scholars, as well as other families. “This is exactly why my wife and I did this, to make a difference,” remarked Richard Collins, referring to the establishment of the Robert M. Collins Memorial Scholarship. “It is such a delight to see how our gift is transforming the lives of so many deserving students.”
Cultivate a Gift That Keeps on Giving. Contribute to an existing scholarship or establish a named, endowed scholarship. For more information, contact Christopher Ruetz, Director of Advancement Email: cruetz@moreaucatholic.org
Susan and John Mignano with Mignano Scholarship recipient Maryann Evangelista ’19 Summer ’15 | The Vector
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I love everything about being on the field from the
dirt
in my cleats to the
freshly cut
grass”
—Varsity Softball Pitcher, Erin Hogan ’16
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`
S
oftball has been a part of the life of Erin Hogan ’16 for as long as she can remember. “Everything just clicked. I loved everything about being on the field from the dirt in my cleats to the freshly cut grass,” the junior pitcher says. A three-year Varsity player, Hogan has honed her game as Moreau Catholic’s primary pitcher since her freshman year. The team went 13-10-1, and 7-7 in the challenging Mission Valley League; Hogan was 11-10 with 39 strikeouts and 33 walks that first year and carried a .180 batting average with 11 runs and three RBI. Working diligently during the off-season, she improved in all aspects of the game sophomore year. The team went 14-8, and Hogan pitched 13 complete games with 59 strikeouts and 14 walks. She raised her batting average to .448 with 14 runs, 10 RBI and two doubles. “I don’t really get an off-season,” says Hogan. “Between high school and [club] play, I am constantly playing softball.” And she continues to improve. Hogan finished the year 9-9, with a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio: 51 strikeouts on only five walks. She batted .434 with 22 RBI, five
doubles and one triple. “My favorite part of this sport is creating a strong bond with my teammates. They are my sisters, and we have to count on each other to be there when someone needs to be picked up. Win or lose,” Hogan adds, “you’re in the game together.” Erin says she is most proud of going to the USA Preps 2015 National Tournament with her travel ball team. “We worked extremely hard that previous summer to earn our spot,” she says. Looking forward to her senior year at Moreau Catholic, Hogan hopes the Varsity team will win the North Coast Section Division IV title. “We have made it so close every year,” she says. “I want to make my last one worth it.” A scholar athlete, Hogan has a cumulative 3.65 GPA. Combine that with her consistently improving softball skills, says Krisman, and “she will be highly sought after to continue her athletic career in college.” “I’m taking one step at a time,” says Hogan contemplating her softball career after graduation. “If I get the opportunity to play in college, I will definitely do so.” —Monica Lander
Class of 2015 Mariners earn athletic scholarships
Anthony Bailey ’15 is headed up north to Lewis and Clark College where he’ll continue his football career. Dylan Mackin ’15 will be playing baseball at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. Sydney Hollingsworth ’15 will join the Notre Dame de Namur soccer team. Kim Rivera ’15 will be studying at Pacific University and has earned a spot on the pole vault squad. Kristie Alejo ’15 will attend University of California- Riverside where she’ll join the volleyball team. Summer ’15 | The Vector
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Zertuche makes gap year pay off —St. Edward’s University Baseball Team, Jacob Zertuche ’14
“E
verything works itself out. You get to where you need to go,” Jacob Zertuche ’14 says. A year ago, he decided to forgo the traditional college route after graduating from Moreau Catholic. Instead, Zertuche was accepted into the International Management Group (IMG) Baseball Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he joined 32 athletes from all over the world to train, compete and prepare for life in college athletics. “I wanted to play baseball in college, advance my skills and learn the game more,” he said in a phone interview from Florida last month. His senior year as a Mariner, he received acceptances to St. Mary’s College, St. Edward’s University, and USF, but none of these schools guaranteed him a spot on their baseball rosters. “I’m one-hundred-percent happy with my decision. It’s a decision not a lot of other kids have had,” he adds, “and an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” During his year at IMG, Zertuche did take a few academic classes, but he spent most of the day at workouts and practice, learning game skills and developing his “hitting mindset to play to my strength.” His patience and hard work paid off. St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, offered him a coveted spot on
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its baseball team in the fall of 2015. “Baseball is an interesting game,” Zertuche says. “You don’t have to be 6-foot-8 to play it. It doesn’t matter what you look like. It’s a mental game that requires strategy and that’s why I like it. Since picking up a bat and glove at the age of four, Zertuche has grown up on the baseball diamond playing catch with his grandpa and getting woken up by his dad on Sunday mornings to practice. “My family has supported me and helped me get to where I want to go,” he says. “Jacob has an amazing passion for baseball,” says Varsity
Jacob Zertuche ’14, son of Gino Zertuche ’83 (above) and Frances (Erwin) Zertuche ’81, will play baseball at St. Edwards University
Baseball Coach Jon Norfolk. “He was a good candidate for the post-graduate program because he was just starting to develop physically and mentally. The post-grad program was designed to provide players the opportunity to do just that. [It’s] a platform in which he could succeed.” Zertuche recognizes the impact a year under Coach Jon Norfolk made. Without him, Jacob says, “I don’t think I would be playing baseball now. I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s a great guy and a great coach who really cares about the players.” Norfolk played baseball at USF, and left the university in 2007 with a graduate degree in education. He coached at USF and Cal State East Bay before joining Moreau Catholic, where he is the director of the Student Learning Center. Himself an IMG California rep, Norfolk works to identify players who would benefit from the program. He has sent three baseball players to the program including Jacob, the first to attend from Moreau Catholic. He says he’s “always looking for a team of competitors (who) work hard and work smart. At the end of the day, we are a family.” Zertuche welcomed his little brother, Noah, to the IMG youth camp in Florida for two weeks in May. The visit coincided with his commitment to St. Edward’s, which ultimately proved to be a big weight off his shoulders.
“After a year of rigorous training, Zertuche says, “it’s a little easier to laugh.”
Hayley Joly ’14 recently completed her freshman year at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, where she was a member of the women’s basketball team. “My experience at St. Edward’s University has been amazing.
In a lot of ways, St. Ed’s reminds me of Moreau. It really feels like a big family and the professors actually care about you. They know you by your first and last name. The school has such a welcoming environment in such a beautiful area that it is hard to imagine myself at any other school. The transition from high school basketball to college basketball was tough, but my wonderful coaches made it easier. I was always told that college coaches just want to win games, and they don’t really care a lot about the athletes as people. Not at St. Edward’s! My coach, JJ Rhiel, cares so much for each individual player on our team. She checks in on our lives and how we are doing. The support she gave me my freshman year helped me both on and off the court. The faculty and staff at St. Edward’s University truly care and want everyone to succeed. I couldn’t have asked for a better freshman year experience!”
—Monica Lander
The 2015 Hall of Fame Saturday, October 10, 2015 6:30 p.m. Ivaldi Student Center
Join us for this special evening and celebrate the contributions of seven extraordinary individuals who have enriched the exceptional athletics program at Moreau Catholic High School. Contact Christine Krisman, Moreau Catholic Athletic Director, to purchase your tickets. ckrisman@moreaucatholic.org Summer ’15 | The Vector
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Diplomat Dina Abaa-Ogley ’92
L
ife after Moreau Catholic has been a trans-continental journey for Dina Abaa-Ogley, ’92. A Security Policy and Assistance Coordinator with the U.S. Department of State, she’s currently on her fifth diplomatic assignment at a U.S. Embassy overseas. A former ASB Vice President at Moreau Catholic, AbaaOgley worked closely with student government moderator Peter Peabody. Dina credits Peabody with imparting a guiding principle regarding leadership and citizenship:
“We were preparing for our Funabashi exchange, and I remember Mr. Peabody telling us, ‘Look, wherever we go, remember that you are representing Moreau, and you’re representing the U.S.A.,’” Abaa-Ogley recalled. The advice made her think about more than just how she’s perceived in a foreign land; it made her consider carefully her objectives and expectations in dealing with new people and new cultures. “I still carry that with me today, especially as a diplomat overseas,” Abaa-Ogley said. Her husband, Kevin, is originally from England, and they met as university students in the U.K. Kevin coached Moreau Catholic’s Boys Soccer Team from 2001–03 while they lived in California and just before Dina joined the 22
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Foreign Service. Kevin now works for the Foreign Service, as well. He’s still playing sports and was recently named national rugby player of the year. They have three wonderful children, two boys ages 10 and 8, and a one-year old baby girl. A political officer by trade, Dina’s work in various embassies has included the implementation, development and oversight of policy, security and economic programs. Her assignments have brought her to South Africa, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Philippines. In recounting her life’s path, Abaa-Ogley noted the many mentors she met during her academic career, among them, long-time English teacher, the late Barbara Glass. “I thought about going to law school, and I even considered pursuing English as my major after having Ms. Glass as a teacher,” Abaa-Ogley said. “The one thing that really struck me was how much she really cared about her students. I remember working on one particular assignment, and I wasn’t feeling quite myself that day, in terms of writing, and she could tell. “She wrote on my paper, ‘Is everything okay? Are you all right?’ The fact that she could tell something was wrong in my life, just based on my writing in her class really made a difference in the sense that I felt valued as a student. She made me feel special, like I stood out in a class of thirtysomething other students.”
Without a doubt, the legendary Ms. Glass made an impression on every student she taught. “She scared me at first, and she scared a lot of people. But when she wrote that note to me …” Abaa-Ogley paused. “She reminds me of one of our Ambassadors. She can be intimidating, but when you get to know her, you find that she has a really big heart.” As Dina prepared to leave Moreau Catholic, a number of colleges offered her acceptances, but she was faced with one stark reality. “I had to pick the one that was going to work, financially, based on scholarships and tuition assistance,” she said. “I got a scholarship to go to Moreau from elementary school. College was going to be really tough.” Abaa-Ogley attended Chabot College for two years in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Letters and Sciences program that taught the original works of Plato, Machiavelli and Darwin. She then transferred to Mills College, a great school offering a substantial scholarship and a challenging Political, Legal and Economic Analysis program. Ending her senior year of college, she still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, though a number of compelling opportunities lay in front of her. She considered a career in law and was preparing for the LSATs when a Mills professor made her aware of a scholarship program at Oxford. At about the same time, she was offered an internship at the White House. And then, something both amazing and annoying happened. “My car broke down on the way to the LSATs,” she recalled. “Something kind of dawned on me. I thought, you know, I don’t really want to be a lawyer.” She considered the experience and networking opportunities to be had as a member of President Clinton’s staff. But the internship would be unpaid, and living in Washington D.C. would be expensive. So ... “I studied abroad at Oxford and loved it,” Abaa-Ogley said. “My professor happened to have been in the same Masters class as Bill Clinton. The more I thought about it, the more I began to think that I would go into international relations. The program I was in opened my eyes to the European Union and what was going on overseas.” After Oxford, Dina returned home to work and help out her family before returning to England to complete her Masters in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the University of Bradford on a full scholarship. “I was invited to the House of Lords and met with the former British Foreign Secretary who encouraged me to work with the Department of State,” she said.
A life as a political diplomat began. Or resumed, should her career at Moreau be considered her apprenticeship.
“I still keep in touch with Mr. Peabody. He was like a second dad to me and to everybody on student government,” Abaa-Ogley said. “He was always giving us advice about life. “In our student government class, we used to discuss issues and how to solve problems diplomatically. Mr. Peabody talked about what it means to be a leader and how to be effective—how to look at different sides of every issue. And, as a leader, how important it is to help people.” As the ASB representative tasked with managing the needs of Moreau’s many co-curricular clubs, Dina found herself in the middle of many negotiations focused on serving both the clubs and the campus community. “You are their coordinator, and you’re going to have to figure out what their issues are and how to resolve them,” Peabody told her. And Abaa-Ogley’s ability to put his advice into practice has served her well. “It’s affected me in the sense that I have to understand the perspective of all parties to come to a compromise or resolution.”
“I always felt lucky to have had the opportunity to attend Moreau Catholic,” Dina said. “The school gave me an excellent foundation and I am grateful for that, and for the life I’ve had because of it.”
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Never doubt your ability to make a difference —IndoRelief, Sant Kumar ’08
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I
ndoRelief is about providing free healthcare to people living in the slums of northern India. People living in these slums lack access to basic healthcare resources, like vaccinations, prenatal vitamins, or dental care. IndoRelief was inspired from a volunteering trip I took to India in December and January of 2013. While working alongside physicians in a few different slums, I was astonished by the lack of resources. I knew that even a little bit of help could go a long way. The process of starting IndoRelief took some time—it involved filing paperwork with the state of California and the federal government, creating an online social media presence and website, and developing trust with our donors to let them know that we are using all of their money to provide medicines and surgeries. We started by sponsoring health camps that target specific issues. For example, we held a prenatal camp to provide vitamins and sterilized rooms for pregnant women to give birth. We’ve held health camps at schools to help children know early on that their health is important. Recently, we’ve turned our attention to building out our infrastructure: we leased a floor of a convalescent home and turned that into a mental health clinic. We converted a small warehouse into a homeless shelter. And we also want to start targeting children forced into child labor. Many of these children are homeless and believe that no one cares about them. We want to change that. I always knew I wanted to help others, but I was never sure I had the ability to do so. I’ve been very fortunate to work with some truly dedicated doctors in India, as well as startup leaders here in San Francisco. You’re only as good as your team, and I’ve been lucky to work some amazing individuals. Of course, none of this would be possible without
our donors. None of this exists without the generosity of so many people from all around the world.
From the get-go Freshman year, Moreau really instilled the importance of using my resources and abilities to help others. Additionally, Moreau taught me that it is not enough to just have the desire to help others. You have to work hard and think critically in order to identify and assess a problem before seeing how you can use your resources to offer a solution. The main thing Moreau taught me is to engage with the world and not take a backseat. I’ve learned the incredible power of technology through IndoRelief. Via my computer, I can connect with someone in India or video chat with a potential donor in Australia. And, it may be cliché, but working with IndoRelief has also showed me how strong people are. People living in the slums of India are some of the most resourceful and hardworking people I’ve ever met. They have inspired me more than I’ve helped them. Never doubt your ability to make a difference.
It’s incredibly easy to take a backseat and let the world guide you. I know my Mariner family knows this, but it’s worth repeating: you have the power to guide others and change lives. www.indorelief.org —Sant Kumar ‘08
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Mariners make Waves
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Lauren (Clark) Lek ’97 Alumna and former principal of Moreau Catholic, Lauren (Clark) Lek ’97, welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Emma, into her family on March 31st. “All is well with our family. I return to work in the middle of July to start my third year as the Head of School at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace in San Diego. My husband’s business venture continues to flourish. John is the Vice President of the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum in Carlsbad.”
(Left to right) John Lek, Willem, Luke, Lauren (Clark) Lek ‘97 and newest addition to the family, Emma.
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Trish Bell ’73 A renowned local and national radio personality for over 25 years, Trish started her radio career in Monterey in the mid-80’s. She continues to work from her home studio, voicing national TV & radio spots, as well as voicing tracks for a weekly show airing on kabl960.com. Trish has taught at the Academy of Broadcasting in Fremont, and she currently teaches Voice Over classes at Las Positas College while serving on the Radio Advisory Board. She now lives in Dublin with her husband, Jeff.
26 26 TheThe Vector Vector | Summer | Summer ’15 ’15
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Olivia attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where she earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree and had the opportunity to study architecture abroad in Switzerland and Italy.
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David James Sullivan ’86 Honored as Detective of the Year in 2014 for the Seattle Police Department, Sullivan is a member of the SPD Crisis Response Team. Last year alone, he cleared more than 120 cases, including serious felony investigations. Earning the SPD Chief’s Award, Sullivan was commended for using “a diverse skill set to develop comprehensive, well-documented, and purpose-driven cases that secure convictions and commitments in even the most complex of cases.”
Now living in San Francisco, Olivia works at a research-based architecture firm with offices in Chicago, San Francisco and Palo Alto. The company focuses on open and engaging office environments, higher education, and hospitality. She is currently working towards becoming a licensed architect for the state of California.
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Amanda Aguilar ’09 Set to attend American University in Washington, D.C. this fall, Amanda will pursue her master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs. She is currently working as a reporter at the Pleasanton Weekly. Prior to that, she was the local editor for the Castro Valley and San Leandro communities for Patch.com. In May 2013, Amanda received her Bachelor’s in Communication and Media Studies from Dominican University of California.
IN MEMORIAM Please pray for the souls of— Peter Chacon Daniel Corrigan ’97 Rick Garcia Peter Grgurevic Thomas Hebert Kathy McCrossen Reader ’73 Erma Truax
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from the editor’s desk
Selfishly, I went again this year to some familiar voices for a similar type of affirmation. We know our matriculates are ready for their college classes, but are they ready for college? Without further adieu, Akhila and Vishal—now at UC Berkeley and the University of Arizona, respectively—in their own words:
Our Val & Sal, one year later,
reflect on college life
The end of every school year gets pretty nuts—pardon my use of technical academic jargon. As graduation loomed last year, I spent a lot of time with Akhila Nanduri and Vishal Bhas, our 2014 Valedictorian and Salutatorian. We hung out in room A06, ate chips and formed our own little Speechwriters Guild. We laughed. A lot. Akhila and Vishal wrote, and edited, and revised, and rehearsed, commented, shared, questioned, anguished, languished…and rehearsed some more. Their words, their work and their collaboration made my end of academic year 2014 not nuts. And that’s more than a bit ironic given the amount of time we spent on those speeches relative to the stack of Jr. Lit essays that sat, ungraded, on my desk. But their voices, their reflections on what they had experienced here at Moreau Catholic and what they dreamed for themselves and their futures … I was watching and listening to everything a Holy Cross education encompasses. Needless to say, Vishal and Akhila were amazing at the Paramount (as Roshni and Chrisly were this year! *heart icon*). So when the ceremonies came to an end, the three of us met up in the alley on 21st St. We hugged, said our goodbyes and vowed to reconnect over lunch every summer. And then it got weird. They thanked me for all of my time and feedback. And that’s weird because I was, and am, the one who should be thankful. If you really consider yourself an educator, you need to remember why it is you do what you do. Such was the product of those afternoon sessions in A06. 28
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Akhila Nanduri: UC Berkeley Experience, Yr. 1 To be at a school like Berkeley is surreal, surrounded by some of the smartest and most driven people in the world. There’s a reputation and prestige that follows the name itself. There’s a pressure to live up to that standard, and I doubted myself at first—what was so special about me, what could I contribute? Moreau was such a gift in that I was not just another student on a roster. I was a person, and I was able to build meaningful relationships with others who genuinely cared for me. Although this may not be something conventional you’d find in a textbook, these values instilled by the Moreau community continue to be integral to my learning experience. To be nurtured and supported in a community of people that care about you and your success is so reassuring, and probably the best thing you can do for students. The thing with college is that that type of safety, comfort and reassurance isn’t so accessible. And it took me a while to find it. I went to meetings and classes, trying to adjust myself to fit each new environment because it’s tempting to try to match your behaviors with what you think others want. But here’s a wonderful thing about college: you will find someone like you. It may take a few semesters. It may be 40 people; it might be just 1. The thing that gets you through failures—in college and in life—is surrounding yourself with people who go through these experiences with you. Forming meaningful relationships with others that cry with you when you’re down and celebrate with you when you’re on top. Someone to encourage you to go to class at 8 a.m., someone to stay up with you during finals week and study, someone to push you out of your comfort zone and go on a spontaneous adventure. I found my community in my floormates who have welcomed me like family. I found it, too, in my club, CalTV, where my talents and interests complement those around me. I found it in the places where I can be myself and no one else. Finding that community and that support group—that’s the most valuable asset a college student can have.
Vishal Bhas: Wildcat … wild cat. It’s 3 a.m. in the Main Library. I’m weary from a heavy paper-writing session. I am coming down from a caffeine high because I drank two Energizer Batteries—that’s what I call Starbucks Espresso shot cans because they make me work—at 7 p.m. for dinner to fuel said writing session. Seventeen magnificent pages later, I make the ice-cold late night walk back to my dorm. As I enter the building, I see my neighbors collaborating on the piano, holding a meticulous band practice in the late hours of the night. That’s the beautiful thing about college: everyone is trying to conquer the world as they see it, self-actualize their dreams. This is the part of the story where I gain the tools I need to succeed at what I want to do when I grow up. This is also the time in life where I get to be young and reckless. I don’t consider myself an adult yet, but because I’m not at home, I feel like I’m out in the real world, and that’s the most humbling part about being in college … I have a sense of urgency to do the things I want to do. It’s great to have gotten to know a spectrum of people on very different paths in life. My involvement in philanthropy clubs has been integral to my assimilation to the Tucson way of life. I’m currently involved in a sophomore honorary called S’MORES, which has helped me grow and make valuable friends. The rest of my college experience up to this point has been navigating the ups and downs of assignment due dates, balanced with pickup basketball by the ROTC building, spontaneous Chipotlé and coffee runs, and finding time to pursue my rap career.** I’ve spoken with my fellow Moreau graduates, and we all agree that English courses in college are much easier because of the analytical techniques we developed as a product of the Honors/AP English program. I feel like I am a more capable writer, and that has helped me write essays in other courses like Astronomy, Geology, Psychology, and Art History. I didn’t anticipate on going to the UofA until April of my senior year, yet this has been the best year of my life. Number nineteen has been one for the books, and the Dirty-T is definitely the place for me. **editor’s note: no. just no.
Connect
BEcause You’ll always be a Mariner!
UPcoming EVENTS We want to see you on campus!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 Saturday, October 10, 2015 Friday, November 6, 2015 Saturday, November 14, 2015 Friday, November 20, 2015 Saturday, January 23, 2016
50th Anniversary Opening of School Mass Athletic Hall of Fame Homecoming Football Game Open House Funding Hopes and Dreams Luncheon 47th Annual Booster Crab Feed
Celebrate Our 50th Anniversary of Award-Winning Visual and Performing Arts Programs Pre-performance occasions—come mingle and gnosh
Saturday, October 17, 2015 Friday, November 13, 2015 Friday, November 20, 2015 Friday, December 4, 2015 Friday, December 11, 2015
Choral Reception Theatre Reception Art Reception Dance Reception Band Reception
Contact: Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76, Associate Director of Advancement ddefrance@moreaucatholic.org for more information ALUMNI REUNION CALENDAR Reconnect during a conversation, or participate in a spirited game with your Mariner teammates Share your professional know-how with students during Alumni Carreer Day
Saturday, August 22, 2015 Saturday, August 29, 2015 Saturday, August 29, 2015 Saturday, September 12, 2015 Saturday, September 19, 2015 Saturday, September 26, 2015 Saturday, October 24, 2015 Thursday, October 29, 2015 Friday, November 6, 2015 Saturday, November 21, 2015 Saturday, November 21, 2015 Friday, December 18, 2015
Alumnae Volleyball Reunion Alumni Cross Country Invitational Alumni Current Parent BBQ Class of 1975 40-Year Class Reunion Class of 1980 35-Year Reunion Class of 1995 20-Year Reunion Class of 1990 25-year Reunion Alumni Career Day Alumni Homecoming Alumni (Boys) Basketball Reunion Alumni Soccer (Co-ed) Reunion Young Alumni Breakfast
Contact: Adam Copeland ’07, Alumni and Special Events Associate acopeland@moreaucatholic.org for more information
For up-to-date details, visit moreaucatholic.org
—Dave Baptist ‘85 Summer ’15 | The Vector
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Join us at Christ’s table
a special 50th anniversary Celebration OPENING OF SCHOOL MASS Wednesday, August 26, 2015 9:00 a.m. Moreau Catholic High School, Main Gym As we continue our 50th year of education in the Holy Cross tradition, Moreau Catholic invites you to this special liturgical celebration. We are honored to welcome The Most Reverend Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, Diocese of Oakland, as the main presider. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Email: Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76, Associate Director of Advancement ddefrance@moreaucatholic.org by July 31, 2015
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Save The date: 7th Annual
Funding Hopes and Dreams Luncheon
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Jennifer Rillamas ’11
2010 Funding Hopes and Dreams keynote speaker, Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios ’83 with Jennifer Rillamas ’11. Jennifer was a tuition assistance recipient and the 2012 Funding Hopes and Dreams student speaker.
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very year, the grace and generosity shown by our family of donors create educational opportunities for hundreds of talented and deserving Mariners. Our need-based tuition assistance program provides scholars the life-long benefits of a Catholic, college-preparatory education.
Join us on Friday, November 20, 2015 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Details about this exciting event will be included in a forthcoming invitation. Support the The Funding Hopes and Dreams luncheon by becoming a table captain. For more information, email: Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76, Associate Director of Advancement ddefrance@moreaucatholic.org
Errata: In the February edition of The Vector, the Marcille children were incorrectly identified in a picture taken with Principal Lisa Tortorich. We regret the error. Shown here, and adorable as ever, are, Top: Keira, and Bottom, L to R: Arianna, Isabella, and Sabrina.na
Jennifer graduated from University of Portland with degrees in Psychology and Spanish and a minor in Sociology. In the fall, Jennifer will continue her education at The Wright Institute in Berkeley to obtain her doctorate in clinical psychology. Jennifer reflected on her Holy Cross education at Moreau and Portland,
“My decision to continue my college education at another Holy Cross institution was one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. Both schools really focus on educating the person as a whole and showing them what it means to use their head as well as their hearts and minds. I am very thankful for all of the opportunities both schools provided for me. Holy Cross education made it easy for me to thrive as an individual and follow my passion as a psychologist. I was drawn to the program [at Wright] because the school’s motto is ‘Training Clinicians to Society’. So while the Wright Institute is not a Holy Cross institution, I was very intent on choosing a graduate program where I felt I would be taught holistically and provided with the best supervision and support I could find, just like I had at Moreau Catholic and at the University of Portland.”
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Stay in touch!
Send Us Your Waves! Email: Adam Copeland ’07 Alumni and Special Events Associate acopeland@moreaucatholic.org