PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School
July 1999
Commencement A Time of Beginning
A Learning Community for the New Century
Benedictine Letter
I
A strategic planning committee has been at work since last September on a plan to preserve St. Benedict’s values on our campus.
On the cover: Ambassador Shirley Temple-Black addresses the last graduating class of the millennium.
am always impressed by the number of alumni who remember the campus atmosphere as the unique feature they loved best at Woodside Priory. They mention incidents of cooperative attitude, times when someone listened to them and responded thoughtfully, the feeling that people around them really knew them, liked them, and were glad to have them around. Relationships with faculty usually get high marks. To me, these reflections are evidence that the Benedictine spirit is thriving at Woodside Priory. St. Benedict’s Rule is a short and simple one. It is among the first known written guidelines for living with civility in a community. Benedict wrote his Rule for small, monastic communities of adults who would be together throughout their lives. They could not easily escape the consequences of their behavior toward each other. They had different roles to play - sometimes leader, sometimes follower, as they accomplished the different tasks of their individual and community lives. Benedict believed (probably from his own experience) that points of conflict could be anticipated. Responses could be based on mutual respect, salted with the personal humility and generosity God would expect. Schools and monasteries have much in common; perhaps that is why Benedictine schools have thrived for about 1,500 years trying to live by his Rule. At Woodside Priory’s strategic planning retreat last fall, faculty and trustees said we should have a plan to preserve Benedict’s values here. As the campus looks towards its 50th anniversary, and as the number of teaching monks dwindles, they are concerned that we not forget our origins. Part of the task is simply asking everyone to be aware that our “campus culture,” so to speak, comes from Benedict. Obviously, similar values are espoused in many places but for us Benedict is the source. We can save a lot of energy by simply staying in touch with this wellspring.
A strategic planning committee, headed by the Campus Ministry and Theology Department faculty members, has been at work since September drawing up a plan and implementing it. In at least a dozen ways, parents, students, staff and even visitors to our web site are now reminded of Woodside Priory’s campus values and their source. New class retreat and chapel activities especially involve students in the process of reflective thinking — that link between what we say and what we do. Somewhere in Benedict’s rule is the comment that God often speaks first through the young. The committee identified possible ways to attract more Benedictine monks, nuns or monastic scholars. We contacted several monasteries and offered residence on our campus to Benedictines pursuing studies at local universities. We expanded our pool of candidates to include Benedictines whenever we have a job opening of any kind. We will continue to try. However, the decline in those religious vocations is a fact. It would be unrealistic to imagine that our Benedictine future will come from young people suddenly drawn to monastic life. Thus, I envision the Priory of 2050 alive with Benedictine spirit transmitted from class to class, from faculty member to faculty member, from each group of parents to each new group. Alumni can have a crucial part in this sharing of culture. Andy Kuchins, Class of ‘77, demonstrated how it can be done. He came to lunch with several students recently and simply compared notes on the Priory experience then and now. It’s an old Benedictine tradition to listen, respect each other’s views, and share ideas. John Lanzone shared a letter in the last Priorities (it is now on our web site in the alumni section). Dora Arredondo and Joe Montero both returned to teach. (See Dora’s story on page 16; Joe is now both soccer coach and math teacher here.) As Director of Alumni Affairs, I look forward to helping this old/new kind of Benedictine education begin.
2 Maritn Mager, OSB
From the Headmaster Commencement... A time of beginning.
O
ur magazine’s theme for this issue is also a strongly felt theme on the campus this summer as we plan for the new year and the new millennium. We have a flurry of surveys, task force reports, and recommendations coming together in connection with our strategic plan and our school accreditation process. As I work on both of these projects, I find myself looking often at the original Priory site - a bare field with a farmhouse on it - and thinking of the vast difference forty-one years has wrought. Over this next year, I hope we can bring our planning to a close and present to the Priory community a vision of our school for the next decade and beyond. First, let’s look at our strategic planning work of the past year. In September 1998 we started this process with a weekend retreat of selected faculty, administrators and members of the Board of Trustees. We identified six areas for study: spirituality, academics, faculty, finance, facilities and boarding. Our brainstorm sessions led to vision statements and goals for each. About 1/3 of the goals - the ones that could be acted upon in just 12 months’ time - have already been achieved. You see the results in improved faculty compensation and housing, more time for and variety in elective and advanced academic courses, and a more focused effort to involve students in the Benedictine message, among other things. We know from the surveys of parents and students, which we did in connection with the school accreditation process, that faculty and academics are their highest priorities and their areas of greatest satisfaction. We know from our surveys of faculty that they value and appreciate the support for
professional development, a high quality academic environment, and the commitment we made two years ago to raise their compensation package to the top third of comparable private schools. As we work on the longer-term tasks in the strategic plan, we know we are on solid ground by keeping our focus where it began - on academics and faculty, the heart of the school, and Benedictine presence and values, the spirit and soul of the campus. We could not launch a serious study of facilities needs until we reached this point; now we are ready. We have, or soon will have, task force reports on the library/media collection, student life, faculty and guest housing, and the academic disciplines (Fine and Performing Arts was put at the head of that list by the retreat participants last fall). We hope to complete by spring 2000 a facilities master plan based on this past year’s work. We will evaluate several options and visitors to the campus are likely to see sketches adorning the walls of Founders Hall as we continue to solicit input from our interest groups both on and off the campus. I sent a mailing to parents a few weeks ago with more detailed information about both the strategic plan and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process. Any reader of this letter is most welcome to that report - just call me. The monastic community and I are excited about the future and the positive energy we see in Priory students daily. With your continued interest and support, the light of Benedictine education will continue to shine brightly in the Bay Area. Sincerely,
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Strategic planning: We know we are on solid ground by keeping our focus where it began - on academics and faculty, the heart of the school, and Benedictine presence and values, the spirit and soul of the campus.
SPRING ‘98 AT A GLANCE February
Elena Herzen was one of several
students who discovered this hidden
wall dedicated to Dr. Martin Luthur King while exploring Yerba Buena
Gardens in San Francisco. The Middle School French students were on a field trip to the “Impressionists in Winter” art exhibit.
6th grade class retreat • Senior class plans a service project to clean beaches and replant vegetation • Informational meeting for Priory cheerleader tryouts • Seniors Julie Kimball and Mike Mastman named National Merit Finalists (seven Priory students earned National Merit recognition but not all qualify as finalists) • Sophomore Bobby Christian named Palo Alto Weekly Athlete of the Week • Sarah Graebner is Priory’s coordinater for teen SafeRides • Saturday morning drop-in scrimmage in gym for 6th grade girls and Friday afternoon drop-in soccer for faculty, students and alums begins • Special Community Service Liturgy in chapel • Valentine-o-Grams on sale help raise money for earthquake relief in Columbia and other charities • Junior class overnight retreat to Marin Headlands • 3rd Annual Millard Fillmore Academic Trivia Competition • College Planning Night for Juniors • Middle School Open Gym/Fun Night • Students invited to link personal web page with the Priory website • St. John’s College Prep school students share Priory dorms for a week • WPS earns “Golden Harvest” top award for work to end hunger • Health and safety assembly for students in grades 8-12 in gym • Winter Formal
March
Video filming and editing workshop • FatherStudent Brunch & Basketball • Senior class retreat to Marin Headlands • Movie Madness Night to help support the Interact Mexico trip this summer • Annual Priory Chess Tournament begins • March Madness kicks off with Slam-Dunk Contest during break • Annual Senior Servant Auction • Parent Association meeting on the college counseling process • Priory’s best musicans earn honors at CMEA festival • 8th grade in-school retreat • Pajama Jammie Jam Dance for high school students (wear your jams to school all day) • Towel drive for Urban Ministries of Palo Alto • Students dominated faculty in the 2nd Annual All-Star Basketball Classic • 7th and 8th grade Parent Network meeting • Israeli high school students and Vietnam veterans visit some classes to talk about war • 7th grade overnight to Sacramento and Jelly Belly factory • Birth announcement of the Wee Lassie Canoe built by Priory students and faculty ( Auction proceeds brough $8,000 for school and charity) • Special guest speaker and discussion leader Kwame Anku (musician, filmaker, artist, and speaker) spends two days with middle and high school students • Bake sale for Make-A-Wish Foundation • All students invited to join National Honor Society in spring break community service projects • Priory string quintet appears at regional festival • Dorm students visit Tech Museum and IMAX Theater • Lenten retreat for parents.
“Free Minds,” a first-class outdoor
visual arts exhibition, was conceived and created by Priory high school
students — a first for the campus.
Fortunately, predicted rain stayed away - there was no indoor space available.
Alex Lazaravici was “commanded” to wear his funny hat for “Senior Slave Day.” The event is a tradition and the “slaves” donate all the proceeds to charity. It was one of about eight spring fund-raising projects involving the whole campus.
April
Special Easter Service in Chapel • Community Forum lecture by Dr. Jane Goodall • Priory Auction tops expectations for Annual Fund • Seniors treated to lunch by the Alumni Association • 1998-99 Literary Journal begins • Christmas in April building renovation for charity • “Clumsy Custard Horror Show” presented by Priory Players • Car wash and donations raise $1,000 for Kosovo refugees • Choir and Orchestra wins the Spirit of the Heritage Festival trophy in San Diego • Middle School dance at Castilleja • Middle School Fine Arts Night • Dorm community service day • Freshman physics students William Huang, Alex Santosa, Ray Lui, and William Lee took 3rd place in the Canada College Engineering Design egg drop contest • Sign-ups for summer service project in Mexico with Fr. Martin • Priory Summer Tennis Camp sign-ups • Ryan Maas is Headmaster for a Day • Student job opportunities in Summer Bridge Program (academic tutoring) • Work begins in Priory community garden
Refugees earns over $3,200 • Parent-Faculty-Staff Reception • “Free Minds” an exhibition of high school students’ visual arts on Church Square • Welcome reception for parents of new Middle School students • Seniors Last Chapel program • Parent Association Pass-The-Gavel Supper • Junior/Senior Brunch • Eighth Grade Breakfast with faculty and parents (featuring presentation of famous “whatcandy-are-you-like” awards) • Baccalaureate Mass and banquet with parents and faculty.
Laura Nowell and Charles Kou (standing) don’t look like kids who stayed up doing research until 3 a.m., but they did.
Enthusiasm ran high (if not always so late) among the 18 Priory Model UN members who attended the UC Berkeley conference and represented the interests of The
Philippines. Next year, the team hopes to attend Georgetown, USC and Berkeley conferences.
June
Awards assembly • Commencement, Class of 1999 • Graduation ceremonies for Middle School Eighth Grade.
May
ASB Elections • 1999 school chess champ: Andy Jolilette (2nd - Travis Maahs, 3rd - Ford Walker, 4th Peter Zaffaroni) • Sports banquet for all athletes • Claudia Meyer, Erik Bixler and Stuart Alsop won class competitions with their model bridges • Cookies ‘N Classics, afternoon performance by Priory’s serious musicians • 6th grade beach trip • Student input to the proposed new schedule • Yearbook signing party in gym • Career Fair hosted by Rotary Club for Juniors and Seniors • “Hello Summer” mixer at Notre Dame in San Jose • Middle School Open Gym • Parent Association meeting on preserving Benedictine values on the campus• An Evening of Dysfunctional Comedy, presented by the Advanced Drama class • Choir and orchestra Spring Concert • Junior class fundraisers for Kosovo
Seniors began a new
tradition with their class quilt, a project that
combined Humanities
and Fine Arts studies. It incorporates photos and
thoughts over the span of
their lifetimes, transferred to cloth through a
photographic process and blended on a cloth backing.
Lindsay
Mathew takes
the Wee Lassie on its maiden
voyage in the Delta. Lindsay, five fellow students
and two faculty members designed and built the craft and donated its
proceeds to the school and to charity. See their story on the school web site, 20th Century Limited Auction page.
Academics Advanced Placement Environmental Science
Holly Thompson, Academic Dean
With its 60 acres of rolling hills, the Priory is a natural lab for Environmental Science studies.
A
dvanced Placement Environmental Science, the College Board’s newest AP science offering and first interdisciplinary science offering, will be available to Woodside Priory students this fall. Environmental Science is the study of the Earth and how human activities affect it for good and ill. The new AP course will give students hands-on experience, as well as theoretical understanding of their larger world. Because the field is interdisciplinary, students will draw upon the knowledge they acquired in biology, chemistry and physics. At the Priory, it will take its place with the three traditional AP science classes: Father Maurus’s legendary AP Bio, Paul Trudelle’s “explosive” chemistry lab (to be taught in the coming year by David Hall), and Dave Hafleigh’s innovative AP Physics. This is the full slate of College Board AP science. With its 60 acres of rolling hills, the Priory is a natural lab for Environmental Science studies. We already have a bird sanctuary created by Nancy Newman’s 7th graders and a new greenhouse in the old calving barn. The community garden was added a few years ago and is tended by students, Theology teacher Tom Webb, and Science/Spanish teacher Hovey Clark. Hovey will be teaching the new AP Environmental Science course. We are also close to other extraordinary field opportunities. Our students can study marine biology on the San Mateo County coast, environmental justice issues in East Palo Alto, and endangered species such as the California Red-Legged Frog, which is currently holding up a road construction project less than a mile from the Priory. Faculty and student interest in environment is already evident in campus life. Nancy Newman, who first proposed the AP Environmental Science class, has woven an environmental strand into the Middle school science curriculum. Hovey Clark and Father Maurus have taken groups of Priory students to
6 The community garden on campus is both a science lab and a service activity for students at all grade levels. Kieran Howard is one of several sixth graders who helped with a late harvest last fall.
study the rain forest in Central America for the last two summers. Numerous Priory students choose environmental projects for community service. Last year’s sixth graders spearheaded an improved recycling program on campus. AP Environmental Science will prepare students for the increasingly interdisciplinary emphasis at the university. Students planning to major in science need to specialize eventually, but benefit from first understanding how the parts fit together. Most universities, including major universities such as Duke, Stanford, Michigan, the University of California, and Harvard, now offer significant environmental studies programs. For our students headed for non-scientific careers in business, law, or international relations, an understanding of environmental issues will be very beneficial. Wherever they are headed, studying Environmental Science allows students to explore science and issues immediately relevant to their own lives. Salmon once swam in creeks around the Priory. The Ravenswood Redevelopment Site, in an area where many Priory students do their community service, is a “brownfield” that can’t be developed until years and years of pollution are cleaned up. The waters of the South Bay are out of compliance with water quality standards for heavy metals because of copper and nickel pollution. Proposed new runways at SFO will dramatically alter the ecosystem of the Bay. And, of course, there is the plight of that endangered red-legged frog right here in the neighborhood. By providing our students with the opportunity to understand better their local environment, we are also preparing them to be better citizens of the global community.
Athletics PSAL All-League Athletes Spring Sports Mens Varsity Tennis Carlos Gonzalez - First Team
Varsity Track & Field Steve Trudelle - First Team
Mens Varsity Volleyball Joe Daly - First Team Bobby Christian - Second Team Steve Trudelle - Second Team Brian Quinn - Honorable Mention
Womens Varsity Soccer This is a winter sport; league results were not available for the last issue of Priorities
Michelle Floyd - Second Team Katie Sullivan - Honorable Mention
The Cross-Country and Track & Field teams have increased in size and moved up in competitive ranking this
year. Several faculty members are also serious runners, including Jim Lawhon and Kim Mason (history and PE, respectively), who finished the Boston Marathon with freshman Steve Trudelle this spring.
Season Highlights: • Sixth Grade Girls and Eighth Grade Boys Basketball teams are league champions • Mens Varsity Volleyball played an outstanding game at the CCS playoffs • Mens Varsity Soccer missed the playoffs by a single goal • Trent Larsen qualifies for the Central Coast Sectionals in 100-meter backstroke • At the athletics banquet celebrating the end of the year, Stanford Swimming Coach Skip Kenney delivered, along with several laughs, a message that when you give your all to a team, you get back more than you could achieve alone. Winning teams come from supporting the players at the bottom as much as, or even more than, the star players at the top, he believes. • Seniors Jenny Upjohn, Pierre Corval, Michelle Floyd and Chris Gonzalez all received gratifying attention from college recruiters. • Senior Peter Newman received a special Athletic Director’s Award for his dedication and expertise in coaching as well as playing sports. Laura Trudelle accepted the league championship trophy for the sixth grade girls basketball team.
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CLASS OF 1999
G r a d u a t e s Thomas Amar Alexander, U.C. San Diego Tara Alexandra Belden, Franklin College Jennifer Elizabeth Boldrey, University of Arizona Wayne Chung Choi, Boston University WooJin Chung, Regis University Pierre Vitaly Corval, University of Chicago Teresa Lyn Falaschi, Stanford University Lydia Kay Fleming, Regis University Michelle Rae Floyd, Whittier College Carlos Marcos González, U.C. Santa Cruz Lauren Danielle Hannigan, Regis University Ian Frederick Hartley, Earlham College ~ Angelita Hernandez, Canada College Kelly Marie Immel, University of Arizona Shinya Ito, U.C. Riverside Brendan Charles Kelly, University of Miami Julie Elizabeth Kimball, U.C.L.A. Kristine Ann Kopp, U.C. Davis 8
Joan Louise Lando, St.Mary’s College Jorge Dario Larreynaga, C.S.U. San Jose Danielle Norine Lawrence, St. Mary’s College Alexandru Cristian Lazarovici, Pepperdine University Andrew Michael Leahy, Ohlone College Janette Maldonado, Stanford University Michael Kyle Mastman, Oberlin College Jennifer Louise Moss, U.C. Santa Cruz Peter Joseph Newman, U.C. Santa Barbara Miles David Osborn, U.C. Davis Joshua David Pollett, U.C. Santa Barbara Jason Stokes Sewald, Southern Methodist University Jonathan Stokes Sewald, Southern Methodist University Christopher Alan Sinclair, U.C. Santa Barbara Carl Antony Spanoghe, Loyola Marymount University Jennifer Ann Upjohn, Lewis & Clark College Alexander Rhodes VanDalen, U.C. Santa Cruz Kevin Robert Sullivan Yost, U.S. Naval Academy Darren Alan Zulberti, University of Southern California
Salutatorian
Valedictorian
“I’m not supposed to be here right now. Just over four years ago, all my belongings were in a container waiting to be shipped from Japan, where I lived, to Singapore, where I was to spend the next four years of my life...Then, my dad’s company changed its mind and my family was going to a new, distant and strange land called California...I was rather annoyed. What would life have been like (if I had gone to Singapore)? I would not trade any of my friends or experiences here to go back and find out. The message of this speech, I guess, is that wherever you end up in life-whatever strange turn Fortuna’s wheel may take for you-don’t worry. You will have friends, experiences, memories that you have never even dreamed about. ..I’ve learned that I am supposed to be here.”
“It was scary how completely I could lose myself in work. Once in a while I would put my head down and plow into a pile of projects, not realizing until it let up that an entire month had passed. I promised myself to start living in the present... On our senior retreat, when every senior took turns telling what their goals were for the year, I told everyone, “I don’t want to leave the Priory with any regrets. I want to leave knowing I’ve talked to as many people, and done as many things as I can.” I don’t regret the amount of energy I put into my studies. (But) I found some balance. An old friend gave me the words I try to live by today. Carpe diem. (Take the day.) Actually, he told me when I got to high school, but I needed a few extra years before I could put the advice to use.”
Carl Spanoghe, Salutatorian, will study sound engineering at
Mike Mastman, valedictorian, would like to study everything but
Carl Antony Spanoghe
Loyola Marymount in the fall. His sister, Chrissy, is a freshman at the Priory.
“...Your spirit is among us today. We are witnesses to your handiwork and the creative energy you have bestowed upon each senior who has graced this campus. They are full of life, and overflowing with potential.
Michael Kyle Mastman
We ask for your light upon their paths as they depart in new directions today...” from the Invocation by Lydia Maier Campus Minister
probably will focus on pre-med at Oberlin College.
Read the full text of the graduation speeches on the school web site,
http://www.woodsidepriory.com 9
Commencement Speaker
The Honorable Shirley Temple Black “Ambassador Black has presented a vision for all of us to emulate. A vision of service to all of humanity - those of the first world and third world; the educated and uneducated; the manager and the laborer; the materially well off and the materially poor. Ambassador Black today has influenced everyone in the world...” Tim Molak Headmaster
As Henry the Eighth said to each of his wives.....Don’t worry, I won’t keep you long!
T
Ambassador Black’s
his is a time of miraculous progress and stunning opportunity. It also looks like a bumpy ride. Never before in history have things been changing so quickly. Some of us will respond positively in this maelstrom, never losing sight of eternal verities of life such as honor, truth, faith and work. Others of us will become a little confused. I’ve tried a few shortcuts but two maxims have always worked: Aim high. And be prepared to work hard. Try for more than you really think you can accomplish. Risk failure, sure. But reach! Better to fall on your face now and then than to fall backward. The harder you work, the luckier you will get. (A solution to current dilemmas in society) will require more than high aim and hard work. We need to cut through a welter of propaganda and fact. Learning the truth is not easy. To demonstrate, let me use an example of something I know something about. It’s NATO. ...As nominal leader of NATO, the United States is sending our men, women and arms in an undeclared
granddaughter, Teresa Falaschi, will attend her mother’s and grandfather’s alma mater,
Stanford University, in the fall. Teresa’s mother, Susan, is
assistant librarian and a member of the Priory faculty.
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war against Yugoslavia. For the first time in history, NATO does not have approval from the Security Council of the United Nations. It certainly appears that the United Nations has not debated the war, nor has the president taken to the Senate his new commitment to NATO. ...Is the current senatorial silence justified on the facts, or is it an abdication of constitutional duty in some complex, political calculation? Why is this NATO example important? Because it typifies the sort of national problem that has a direct and profound effect on our lives. Because it typifies how difficult it is to achieve satisfactory answers. ...Achievement springs from moral and spiritual roots, primary fuel for all political and social institutions... We must dig for facts, weigh the moral and practical implications and question our leadership in constructive ways. But by all means, we must learn to hold our elected leaders accountable. As you go, take along the memory of the good days here - forget the bad ones. And remember my gratitude to have had this chance to wish you well. Good luck and God bless the final graduating class of the 20th century! Editor’s note:Shirley Temple Black is a fellow of Yale University, a member of the Board of Visitors of Tufts University and has been on the Board of Directors of the Bay Are Educational Television Association. She has been a member of a wide variety of organizations dealing with international policy. She was US Ambassador to the United Nations, Ghana and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. In the entertainment industry she appeared in over 50 major television productions and on December 30 was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor for her unique contribution to American life and theater. Currently, Ambassador Black is writing a book about her diplomatic and international service. The above remarks are excerpts from her speech.
Eighth Grade Graduates Valedictorian Aimee Epstein
“...By learning something new each day we continue to become wiser. Our teachers took the time to help us whenever we asked. We were also encouraged by our teachers to help at least one other person a day. One might do this by cheering someone up, paying a compliment, or making someone laugh. When you help others, not only do you make them feel good, but you feel good as well. Then there is the Priory community...if someone on campus has a major problem, by the end of the day, fifty people will be trying to help...”
Graduation Speaker Nancy Newman Math-Science Teacher
The Eighth Grade class each year invites an individual who has been especially important to them to address the class. “...The next game for you is high school. Your teachers and parents are the coaches, you the players. We want the same things you want, happiness and success for you. Talk to us, use us as resources, together we will put the plays together to achieve your goals so that in another four years you will be sitting at your high school graduation ready to take on the world and fulfill your dreams... Try on different dreams as often as you can...your dreams are a very important part of you. They give you a purpose, a direction, a plan... I would like to remind you that you hiked miles to see elephant seals in the sixth grade, 10 miles to see the ocean in the 7th grade and have climbed cliffs taller than a T.Rex in the 8th grade. You are awesome and powerful. You have always made me proud to know you.”
The grand, but not always serious, Class of 2001, with Director of the Middle School Marianne Stoner (far left).
Mark Simmons happily accepts a plaque and a handshake from Headmaster Tim Molak.
Graduation and academic
award recipients are listed on pages 13 and 14.
Meredith March and Miranda Maas hold
the traditional bouquet, diploma folder, and framed diploma inscribed with personal messages from their teachers.
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Stewart Alsop III Raymond Austin Melissa Boldrey William Camisa Alexandra Cowell Claire Davidson Devon Davis Christian DeMartini Fredric deSibert Aimee Epstein John Maxwell Hampton Carolyn Hayes Elena Herzen Andrew Jolivette Scott Kimball Jesse King Miranda Maas Meredith March Caitlin McCarthy Justin Moroyan Andrew Murdock Nicolas Perry Whitney Peterson Lindsey Pollock Mia Romano Michael Ruiz Tara Scarioni John Schofield Scott Sheinbaum Mark Simmons Marie Sobieski Lindsey Sprehn Barton Hobie Thompson Peter Trudelle David Triest Waylonis Harry Whelan
Awards Presented at Commencement Exercises
Class of 1999
Alexander VanDalen
performed Mozart’s Moonlight Sonota for his classmates at
graduation ceremonies. Alex
also was featured at the Spring Concert, and he played a rip-
roaring Bartok at the school’s first “Cookies ‘n Classics,” performances . He plans to
study chemistry and film at UC Santa Cruz.
National Honor Society Thomas Alexander Teresa Falaschi Carlos Gonzalez Brendan Kelly Julie Kimball Kristine Kopp Alexandru Lazarovici Janette Maldonado Michael Mastman Jennifer Moss Carl Spanoghe Kevin Yost Darren Zulberti Senior Academic Awards Theology - Janette Maldonado Mathematics - Joshua Pollett English - Michael Mastman Science - Kevin Yost Fine Arts - Angelita Hernandez Performing Arts - Alexander VanDalen History - Teresa Falaschi
National Merit Finalists Julie Kimball Michael Mastman Hispanic National Merit Finalists Carlos Gonzalez Janette Maldonado National Merit Commended Scholars Teresa Falaschi Alex VanDalen Kevin Yost Dean of Students’ Community Service Award Darren Zulberti Father Benignus F. Barat Citizenship Award Kevin Yost Dean’s Award Joy of learning and academic excellence Janette Maldonado St. Benedict Award Faculty’s highest award...based on ideals in St. Benedict’s Rule. Pierre Corval
Presented at the
Spring Assembly President’s Award A-minus GPA, 85th percentile in math or reading, faculty recommendation
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Grade 11 Diego Avalos Joseph Daly Domotor Gulyas Mary Hurlbut Nona Ikeda Jeffrey Lin Mira O’Brien
Grade 10 Devin Coats Patrick Nagler Katharine Newman Helene Nguyen Laura Nowell Allyson Wengert Grade 9 Beta Barez Jessica Behrendt Brandon Carse Francesca Centofanti Taylor Eigsti Harvey Jones Anna Lind-Guzik Angela Sibal Sarah Spanoghe Grade 7 Adam Andreini Gretchen Burch Allyn Coats Emily Cohen Conor Fitzpatrick Evan Green Brian Gundell Ian Hafkenschiel Daniel Little Katie Noice Megan Noice Robert Reinhardt Matthew Seiler Alexis Smith Andrew Smith Nicole Verhalen Robert Walker Alexander Zaffaroni Grade 6 Loren Alegria Jordan Barbeau Benjamin Corman Julie Davidson Inga Diederich Elaine Haegele Maryann Hiller Timothy Kovachy Sarah Kruberg Jonathan Kwong Jesse Lampert Claire Mancini Laura Trudelle Daniel Wenger
Student Publications Jeff Lin Department Awards Theology: Hebrew Scriptures Jessica Behrendt Christian Scriptures Liesl Yost Morality/Social Justice Diego Avalos Mathematics: Algebra I - William Huang Geometry - Kendall Holland Algebra II- Kit Newman PreCalculus Marcello Centofanti A.P.Calculus - Jeffrey Lin A.P. Statistics - Laura Nowell Architecture - Ryan Maas Advanced Problem Solving Stephen Trudelle Science: Physics - Claudia Meyer Biology - Laura Nowell Chemistry - Jeffrey Lin A.P. Physics - Jeffrey Lin Astronomy - Ryan Maas English: English 9 - Jessica Behrendt English 9E - Barna Gacs English 10 - Devin Coats English 11 - Jesse Dienner Writing Workshop James Cox Social Studies World History - Angelita Sibal Global Issues - Kit Newman United States History Michelle Ogren General Psychology Jonathan Morgan A.P. European History Laura Nowell A.P. United States History Joseph Daly
Foreign Languages French I - Beta Barez French II - Katie Sullivan French III - Devin Coats French IV - Helene Nguyen Spanish I - Angela Sibal Spanish II - Lindsay Hagan Spanish III - Kendall Holland Spanish IV - Laura Nowell A.P. Spanish - Joseph Daly Japanese Japanese I - Kyung Park Japanese II - Lori Kwon Japanese III - Amanda Davison
Grade 10 Elizabeth Amento Ross Anderson Devin Coats Kendall Holland Emily Kirkland Charles Kou Richard Lin Kit Newman Helene Nguyen Laura Nowell Allyson Wengert Bay Area Humanities Festival
Fine and Performing Arts Art - Michael Alcheck Art - Elizabeth Amento
Honorable Mention, Instrumental Performance Devin Coats & Carolyn Hayes Flute & Oboe
American Junior High Mathematics Examination
Winner for Original Artwork Diego Avalos Oil Painting
Third Place: Conor Fitzpatrick Mia Romano Claire Davidson William Camisa Second Place: Mark Simmons Devon Davis First Place Ford Walker David Waylonis Model United Nations Award John Martin National Honor Society Grade 11 Emily Cohen Joseph Daly Jesse Dienner Alejandro Gomez Mary Hurlbut Sung Kim Jeffrey Lin Arianna Martin JeAnne Reyes Takashi Tsuchiya
Prize Book Awards MIT Award Jeffrey Lin Saint Anselm Prize JeAnne Reyes Wellesley College Prize Mira O’Brien Yale Book Award Jesse Dienner Harvard Book Award Joseph Daly Headmaster’s Award Emily Cohen St. Benedict Award Grade 6 - Claire Mancini Grade 7 - Allyn Coats Grade 9 - Pedro Torres Grde 10 - Kendall Holland Grade 11 - Jesse Dienner
Presented at the Eighth Grade Graduation Presidents Award B+ or better GPA Raymond Austin Melissa Boldrey William Camisa Alexandra Cowell Claire Davidson Devon Davis Frederic deSibert Aimee Epstein Carolyn Hayes Elena Herzen Andrew Jolivette Scott Kimball Jesse King Miranda Maas Meredith March Nick Perry Mia Romano Tara Scarioni Jack Schofield Scott Sheinbaum Mark Simmons Marie Sobieski Lindsey Sprehn Barton Thompson David Waylonis President’s Most Improved Student Award Caitlin McCarthy Peter Trudelle Scholar Athlete William Camisa Citizenship Award Mia Romano Academic Excellence Award David Waylonis Mark Simmons Leadership Award Scott Kimball
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Awards Saint Cecilia Music Award Carolyn Hayes St. Benedict Award Marie Sobieski
Presented at the 1998-99 Sports Banquet Mens Varsity Basketball MVP - Bobbie Christian Coaches - Peter Newman *MIP - Brendan Kelly Mens JV Basketball MVP - David Lando Coaches - Alex Moore *MIP - Richard Lin Womens JV Soccer MVP - Claire Waterman Coaches - Elizabeth Amento MIP - Sarah Trask Mens Varsity Volleyball MVP - Joe Daly MVP - Steve Trudelle MIP Ray Liu Varsity, Track & Field MVP - Kathy Alsop MVP - Steve Trudelle MIP - Liesl Yost MIP - Ken Chen Coaches - Bobby Christian Mens Varsity Tennis MVP - Carlos Gonzalez MIP - Brendan Kelly Coaches - Eric Perret Varsity Swimming MVP - Trent Larsen Womens Varsity Soccer MVP - Michelle Floyd MIP — Janette Maldonado Coaches - Anne Halsey
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Mens Varsity Cross Country MVP - Steve Trudelle MIP — David White *MIP - Ross Anderson Womens Varsity Basketball MVP - Jenny Upjohn MIP - Kit Newman Coaches - Michelle Ogren Womens Varsity Tennis MVP - Jenny Upjohn MIP - Tina Campbell *MIP - Ross Anderson (for practicing with team) Mens Varsity Soccer MVP - Pierre Corval MVP - Patrick Sullivan MIP - Chris Sinclair Womens Varsity Volleyball MVP - Michelle Floyd MVP - Francesca Centofanti Coaches - Jennifer Moss Mens JV Soccer MVP - James Cirino MIP - Jordan Braun Coaches - Matt Neter Womens JV Volleyball MVP - Helene Nguyen Coaches - Mercedes Hernandez MIP - Alexandra DeMartini Middle School Athletics Boys Flag Football “A” Team MVP - Harry Whelan Coaches - Mark Simmons *MIP - Lindsey Sprehn “B” Team Coaches - Michael Ruiz *MIP - Andrew Smith MIP - David Waylonis
Julie Kimball gets a congratulatory hug at the reception from Father Martin Mager. Julie sang her original composition for her classmates at the Baccalaureate banquet.
Cross Country Most Outstanding Runner Eighth Grade - Andy Jolivette Seventh Grade - Ford Walker Sixth Grade - Laura Trudelle Girls Basketball Sixth Grade MVP - Laura Trudelle Best Defensive - Maryann Hiller Best Rebounder - Sarah Kruberg Seventh Grade Offense MVP Lindsey Garehime Defense MVP - Ally Coats Coaches - Samantha Nuttall Eighth Grade MVP - Melissa Boldrey Best Rebound Whitney Peterson Best Shooter - Tara Scarioni Boys Basketball Sixth Grade MVP - Timothy Kovachy Coaches - Nathaniel Coombs Coaches - Peter Giovanotto
Seventh Grade “Mr. Hustle” Conor Fitzpatrick Best Defender - Dan Little MIP - Robert Klein Eighth Grade MVP - Will Camisa Coaches - Harry Whelan MIP - Jesse King Girls Volleyball Sixth Grade Coaches Awards Laura Trudelle Maryanne Hiller Alida Avery Seventh Grade MVP - Lindsey Garehime Coaches - Nicole Verhalen MIP - Alexis Smith Eighth Grade MVP - Whitney Peterson Coaches - Carolyn Hayes MIP - Caitlin McCarthy MVP is Most Valuable Player MIP is Most Improved Player *MIP is Most Inspirational Player
Alumni Hear Plans For Enhancing Priory Campus
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ome 50 alumni and family members, joined by Fathers Egon, Pius and Martin, had lunch in the Father Christopher room. Father Martin, Director of Alumni Relations, welcomed the alumni and invited them to attend various Priory events throughout the year and to keep in touch electronically. (He likes to know what alumni are doing, and e-mail is a convenient way of communicating. You can reach him at mmager@ woodsidepriory.com.) Headmaster Tim Molak brought the group up to date on activities during the past year and talked about his vision for transforming the campus before the school’s 50th anniversary in 2007. He sees a new performing arts center that would also serve as a hall in which the entire school community could meet, an expanded “Red Square” renamed St. Benedict’s Square, new classrooms built into the hill beneath the current library and dining hall, a student center where the library is now, and the library back where it once was in an expanded science and technology building. The afternoon included playtime for children, supervised by Middle School Athletic Director Doug Sargent, a campus tour led by Tim Molak, and a mass celebrated by Father Martin. The reunion concluded with a reception and dinner in the dining hall. Fathers Egon, Pius and Martin, Brother Edward and teacher Paul Trudelle were on hand to greet their former students and friends. The evening was characterized by reminiscences, renewed friendships and much laugher.
The Class of ‘89 had the biggest reunion, with eight alumni plus related spouses and one baby. Looking to the right from Father Martin (far left), they are Shariar and Shiva
Hebroni with baby Lauren, Chris and Kimberley Stephens, Greg and Roberta Roush,
Chris Thompson, Father Egon, Tori Campbell and Larry Nelson, Chris and Janina Taylor and Chris and Legia Oswald.
From the Class of ‘64: Andras and Roberta Czaplar, Jr., with Joe Cowan and Leslie Callan at the evening banquet.
Class of ‘89: Greg and Roberta Roush, with Tori Campbell and Larry Nelson. Tim Griffin and Anthony Zele, Class of ‘84, at luncheon buffet.
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WPS’s First Female Grads Don College Caps and Gowns Maura Ambron
Dora Arredondo
Katherine Calvache
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n May, 1995, a new era dawned for the Priory. Graduates in dresses accepted their diplomas and entered the world as the school’s first female alumni. This spring, several are graduating from college. These eleven courageous risk-takers enrolled after the monks, faculty, students, parents, trustees and alumni spent years preparing for the Priory’s transition to a co-ed institution. “We felt we were making the right decision as we entered the last decade of the century,” recalled Father Martin Mager, Director of Alumni Relations. “ Yet, I think we all wondered if we could make a radical change without major complications. What astounded me was that the imagined complications never materialized.” The first female students received attention and publicity. They attended a welcoming tea party and fashion show in Louise M. Davies’s garden. When classes started, the female students jumped into all facets of student life, including sports, campus activities, publications and government. Fr. Martin expressed his gratitude for the “fine senior male students who maintained a positive attitude and who helped ensure the success of the co-ed program.” He remains thankful that the male students didn’t ridicule him for modeling Gap shorts at the fashion show. This spring, many of the Priory’s first female alumni became alumni of various colleges and universities.
Sara Schmidt
Claudine Chow
Although Sara Schmidt doesn’t know where she’ll be this fall, she does know that she’ll pursue a Master’s degree in Social Welfare with a concentration on Aging. Sara graduated in May from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a major in Anthropology and a minor in History. Her volunteer work at a convalescent home during her undergraduate career influenced her choice of graduate study. Sara’s adventures at Occidental included spending her junior year in the Aboriginal
16 Caitlin Kane
Photos taken from the 1995 WPS yearbook.
program in Perth, Western Australia. “During my four years at the Priory, I gained so much respect for people of different faiths, as well as nationalities and ethnic groups,” Sara added. “The ability to have an open mind and to be willing to learn about others is an invaluable trait. I would tell anyone going to college to be open to new experiences and people. Something important can be gained from every encounter with another individual.”
Elaine Middleman
Biological research and teaching defined Elaine Middleman’s journey through the University of California, San Diego. Elaine finished in June with a degree in Molecular Biology. She completed her honors thesis research in a new lab that studies developmental pathways of Dictyostelium, a cellular slime mold. “The life cycle of Dictyostelium involves both unicellular and multicellular stages,” Elaine explained. “Most organisms are one or the other and cannot move between the two.” If scientists can understand how the mold works, perhaps they can also shed light on other organisms, including humans, Elaine said Over two summers, Elaine completed an internship at and was an employee of a laboratory that studies the Human Cytomegalovirus. This common herpes virus causes some forms of eye disease and is a problem for people who are immune suppressed. “Working on both these projects gave me a chance to experience the day-to-day life of a research scientist,” Elaine said. “I will be better informed when I decide whether or not to attend graduate school.” Elaine left the microscope long enough to intern
at the San Francisco Children’s Zoo, volunteer at the Monteverde Biological Preserve in Costa Rico and tutor children in English, math and social studies. After a trip to Europe and Costa Rico, Elaine wants to teach high school biology.
Dora Arredondo
“I experienced incredible professors, great classes and wonderful internships at Santa Clara University,” enthused Dora Arredondo. “One professor offered to read my essays for other courses. My Italian professor is taking a group of us to Italy this summer to study Romance History and Culture.” Dora graduated last year with a major in Political Science and a minor in Anthropology and Culture. During her three years at SCU, she completed three internships. She first worked in a public defender’s office. Next, Dora taught special education students in Juvenile Hall in Santa Clara County. Another internship with Peninsula Conflict Resolution in San Mateo gave Dora experience in landlord/tenant cases, negotiation and mediation. When Dora completed her degree, she taught at the Bridge Program at the Priory as well as at Juvenile Hall. When she arrives back from Italy, Dora will attend California Western Law School in San Diego.
Caitlin Kane
Caitlin Kane traveled throughout Australia and drove across the country twice during her undergraduate days at Scripps College in Claremont, CA. The East Coast lured her back in June after she graduated with a major in Government. Her senior thesis was on “The Failure of the Republican Party to Attract the Emerging Hispanic Electorate.” “My experiences at the Priory created a solid foundation for me,” Caitlin remembered. “I would tell a Priory student today to enjoy his or her time because it flies by in a blink. I feel like it was only yesterday that I was graduating from the Priory.”
University of Colorado. She earned her bachelor’s degree there in May and is now back in the Bay Area with plans to acquire some work experience in the business world. Corporate life will be quite a change. Last summer, Maura joined several classmates and a professor on a primate research project in Panama, where the spiders were hand-sized and the mud was sometimes waistdeep. “I love primate studies and seeing them in the wild was an awesome experience. On a trip like that, you also learn a lot about yourself ... how good you feel that you can get through a very challenging experience,” she said. (Some of the students left the project and returned home, according to Maura’s father). On another anthropology trip, she spent time with the Kuna Indians in the Sanblas Islands. The coming year will be a time to try out business life and see where it leads, she said.
Other new college graduates among the first women Priory alumni include Alexandra David and Lina Sonderstrup. Alexandra completed her bachelor’s degree at Claremont-McKenna in May. Lina received her undergraduate degree from Reed College in Oregon. Neither could be reached for an interview. Claudia Chow also could not be reached. Several of the first female graduates are continuing their education or are planning their next step in life while meeting family obligations. Katherine Calvache graduated from community college this spring and has been accepted for further studies at a four-year institution. Carrie Immel is working and studying for her nursing degree.
Diana Klob
Lina Sonderstrup
Sara Schmidt
Elaine Middleman
Maura Ambron
Living in California and experiencing “ the great variety of cultures and ethnicities in this big state” led Maura to major in Cultural Anthropology at
Alexandra David
17 Carrie Immel
Alumni News & Notes Jose Zertuche, Class of 1989, plans to complete his MBA studies next May. He is residing in Charlottesville, VA Tylor Grady, Class of 1984, is back in California after 17 years. He lives in Santa Monica and is with Bank of America, helping manage the Private Lending Center. Andrew Valentine, Class of 1982, and wife, Alice, are celebrating the birth of a new baby daughter on January 1. Peter Draeger, Class of 1976, celebrates his 10th wedding anniversary this year. He and wife, Anne Marie, were married in the campus Chapel. They are parents of Ryan, 8, Elizabeth, 7 and Kellan, 5. Peter is CFO of Draeger’s Supermarkets, Inc. Gregory Kershner, Class of 1971, is at work with Salomon, Smith, Barney in New York. Jim McClellan, Class of 1981, says Father Maurus’s genetics matrix has been a great help in explaining to the uninformed how he and his wife, Leslie, both of brown-hair persuasion, have managed to produce two red-haired children, Patrick, 4 and Loretta, one year. Eric Meijer, Class of 1977, reports that he’s married, with no children, one cat. He and his wife, Lillian Garner , are security systems engineers for Harris Corp. in Melbourne, Florida. Rob Walton, Class of 1990, is finishing his second year of law school at the University of Florida. Thomas Ducharme, Class of 1981, was married on June 12 to Julie Ward and they live in San Francisco. Julie is the daughter of Trustee Bob Ward, who just finished a term as Board Chair. Classmates might remember that Thomas missed graduation to take advantage of an opportunity to sail on the America’s Cup team in his senior year, says Father Martin. Jean Henri L’huillier, Class of 1988, married Beatriz Lucero on August 22, 1998, in Makati, The Philippines. Courtney Mitchell, Class of 1969, thinks it’s time to drop the panther mascot and bring back the Huns, just in time for a new-millennial rampage. His reminiscence of the history of the school mascot is on the school web site. Frank Chen, Class of 1998, Jay Lee, Class of 1997, and Jason Chang, Class of 1996, are all cracking the books at U.C. Irvine. Greg Roush, Class of 1979, was on the phone to several of his classmates, which made the June 5 reunion all the more entertaining for him and his wife, Roberta. Classmates of Larry Nelson, Class of 1979, may not see him frequently, but they can see his wife any time - she’s Tori Campbell, anchor person for Channel 2 morning news. Larry’s professional life is in educational software. Shariar Hebroni, Class of 1979, was at the June 5 reunion with his wife, Shiva and new baby daughter. He lives in Southern California, where he went to college. Eric Lin, Class of 1994, just completed his studies at UCLA and is now thinking about law school.
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Liza and Kris Kasenchak’s telephone answering machine now offers to take a message for three family members. Their daughter, Anne Josephine was born on May 27. You can see pictures on the family website, www.kandl.freeservers.com
Father Christopher Hites 1913-1999
June, 1999 Dear Friends: To those I haven’t already reached by e-mail, I am sorry to tell you of the death of Father Christopher, which occurred in Hungary on May 26 and resulted from complications following a serious fall several days earlier. He was buried at St. Martin’s Abbey in Pannonhalma, the abbey he entered as a young man in 1934. He was 85 and, as many of you know, had been in poor health for the past year. A memorial mass was held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 8, in the WPS Chapel, followed by a reception in the Father Christopher Room of Founders Hall. A scholarship fund has been established in his name - a fitting remembrance, I hope, for a man who was so vital in founding and shaping this school. Many former students remember Father Christopher as not only a headmaster and teacher but also an almost larger-than-life figure who always radiated positive energy. They remember the personal difference he made in their lives. We of the Monastic Community also ask that you remember Father Christopher in your prayers. Father Martin Mager, O.S.B. Superior of the Benedictine Community Editor’s Note: Please see the school web site for messages sent from Father Christopher’s former students.
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The Original Did-It-Ourselvers These 12 people were among about two dozen who helped send Benedictine education into the next millineum by helping to found Woodside Priory School during its fledgling years. When there was no Benedictine school in Northern California, they joined with the founding monks in creating one. At first, in the mid-1950s, there was no school at all. They brought students and helped secure loans. Then, by the mid-1960s, the problems became more specific — no gym, no library, no dining hall, inadequate science and language labs...the list was endless. They contributed time, money, creativity and love. It worked. Their school, our school, has an influential role to play in educating the children of the new millennium. Tim Molak, Headmaster Receiving St. Benedict Medals at a March 20 ceremony on the campus are (left to right) - Tom DeSzily, Ragnar Anderson (daughter of Robert Gill), Mrs. Joseph Pon, George Nicol, Mrs. Harry Kutchins, Tom Hennig, George Clyne, Mrs. Stanley Charles, Richard Conley, Gisela Brugger, Father Egon (who presented the awards) and Hubert Brugger. Not pictured are Margaret Kiely, Mitzi Briggs, Willa Budge, Sir Daniel Donohoe, and James O’Grady . Dr. Peter Kasenchak and. Suzanne Eyre received medals last fall.
Priorities Editor: Carolyn Dobervich Design: Ennis Kirkland Design Photos: Jim Kirkland, Fr. Martin Mager, Carolyn Dobervich Priorities Magazine is published in September, March and July by Woodside Priory School for its alumni, parents, students, neighbors and friends.
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