Priorities #15: Summer 2001

PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School

July 2001

Top This!

A good library could get better, page 8 Class of 2001, page 12 Alumni stories, page 19 A Learning Community for the New Century

Woodside Priory School A Learning Community for the New Century

In This Issue Respect for individuality, a Benedictine value, translates on the campus into a constantly changing menu of classes and activities for students. See Headmaster’s Letter, page 3.

Father Piers Lahey–former student, faculty member and trustee of the Priory—remembers with gratitude the support given many years ago to a student who wasn’t an academic superstar. He learned to study and found his calling under the guidance of Priory monks. See Benedictine Letter, page 4.

Father Piers Lahey, Page 4

A keen eye for construction and building design is an invaluable skill to a growing campus. Al Ebneter knows both the business and the technical sides. See Trustee Profile, page 5.

Gold medals in music, a visual arts and music evening with a good-bye to Dr. Martin Mayer, a snowman on Red Square, and chimps composing on typewriters—all in Spring at a Glance, pages 6-7.

Concert, Page 6-7

Priory librarians can cite many teaching successes, but the library room is a challenge for individual users and quiet readers. A move back to the former library site in the Assembly Hall and music room could solve the problem. See Conversation with Peter Reinhardt and Susan Falaschi, pages 8-11.

The Class of 2001 topped expectations for academic achievement. They will be remembered as a class with compassion and a sense of unity. Russell Shaw reminds them of what’s important as they move ahead, and Liesl Yost reminds them not to be afraid of the monster at the end of the summer. See Graduation, pages 12-13.

Class of 2001, Page 12-13

The Class of 2005–the Middle School Eighth Grade–received the traditional plaques signed with personal messages from all their teachers at their graduation ceremony in the Priory Chapel. See page 14.

Outstanding achievement in academics, service and athletics was recognized at the graduations, an awards assembly, and two sports awards events. In true Benedictine fashion, many of the awards recognize the importance of balance in student life. See Awards, pages 15-18.

Class of 2005, Page 14

Alumni sent a veritable explosion of news and notes from all over, and more than 100 people were on hand for the annual June reunion. They came from as far away as Japan, the Dominican Republic, the East Coast. See Alumni, pages 19-23.

Soccer great Ramiro Arredondo is the Alumni Profile, page 26.

High school and middle school teams took championships in swimming, softball, tennis, basketball and golf. Photos and All-League results are in Athletics, pages 24-25.

Board of Directors Abbott Matthew Leavy, OSB Rev. Mark Cooper, OSB Brother Edward Englund, OSB Father Martin Mager, OSB Father William Sullivan, OSB Board of Trustees Mrs. Linda Andreini Ms. Janet Brownstone Mrs. Liz Cirino Mr. Wayne Davison Mr. Al Ebneter Mr. Gene Flath Mrs. Anne Hannigan Mrs. Dotty Hayes Father Pius Horvath Mr. George Huertas Mr. Craig Johnson Mr. Robert Klein Mrs. Kathie Maxfield Mrs. Sandra McCarthy Mr. Ray Rothrock Mr. Andy Schilling Mr. Art Schultz Mr. Bob Simon Mr. Bob Ward Mrs. Donna Wengert-Neff Priorities magazine is published in September, April and July by Woodside Priory School for its alumni, parents, students, neighbors and friends.

Editor: Carolyn Dobervich Design: Jim Kirkland, Copperline Multimedia Contributing Writers: LeeAnn McDermott, Pat Reed Photos: Jim Kirkland, Father Martin Mager, Carolyn Dobervich, Gail Kimball, Palo Alto Weekly, Peggy Schmidt, Bob Simon Cover: Can Priory top its already-good library?

Students like Julia Lange and Anna Tong, who drop in regularly to read, would be better served in a facility designed for multiple uses, the librarians say.

From the Headmaster

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ome of our middle school teachers are reading a book that includes this comment from an eighth grader: “I feel like a cow. They herd us in the building in the morning...then they make up get into our stalls...then they make us get into line and serve us all the same food. Then they give us fifteen minutes of pasture time after lunch; then herd us back into the classroom.”

This captures everything a Benedictine education tries not to be. Education is synonymous with individuality for us. It’s all about supporting individual self-discovery, not herd mentality. It strives for growth in integrity, spirituality, and sense of community as well as academic abilities.

We can’t predict what experience will turn a student on. But we can predict the situations that allow a moment of self-discovery to occur. Usually, it happens when a teacher and student know each other well and talk a lot, or when a student has an exceptionally meaningful experience working on a project. These require faculty willing to take time and an academic administrative staff willing to constantly create new opportunities. I want to thank Priory’s faculty and administrative staff for doing those things.

They do it so naturally that I sometimes think they don’t know how good they are.

Let me cite some examples from this year’s graduating class that illustrate what I mean: • We have two students who finished BC Calculus in their sophomore year. We arranged distance learning from Stanford so that they could pursue the advanced math most interesting to them. Now, with more students also wanting a post-calculus curriculum, we will be offering linear algebra at Priory in the fall.

• Two very successful students say their best learning experiences were in drama, where they could investigate human interactions and their own motivations. This maturity will serve them well in using their academic talents.

• One of our best basketball players ever said he chose Priory for the academics, not the sport. But the opportunity to play, and play, and play, with dedicated coaching, was a gift that allowed both his sports abilities and his leadership talents to develop.

• This year, only one student was qualified for and desired to take AP French Literature.

Her teacher told her to go for it and made time to coach her one-on-one, flex-time. This student achieved her goal despite a very busy schedule.

Our video editing lab exists largely because two students (now graduates) had a towering passion to learn that medium and a teacher was willing to give it a try.

Music theory is there because another three or four students really wanted to understand structure and try composition. An administrator who had the knowledge said he would make time to provide the class. It’s the same story with computer science (we expect a full class in AP CS next year).

Are the students’ lives different as a result? I hope so.

We can’t know, when we educate a child, exactly what facts or skills will be most important in twenty years. But we know the experience of success, of pursuing a passion, of understanding that they can go for what really inspires them, is transferable to any situation.

St. Benedict is our guide in this, in his Rule on Hospitality. Accept the guest as he or she is, nonjudgmentally, and support that guest in his or her individual journey, Benedict said. In this spirit, the Priory never looks the same from year to year, but in another sense it never changes. I hope you will read Father Piers Lahey’s comments in Benedictine Letter. They speak eloquently of the Priory commitment to teaching individuals, in its early years and now.

We will be exceptionally busy this summer. We are in the final stages of implementing our strategic plan to provide faculty support and facilities for the coming years. It’s a stretch, but Priory education is worth striving for.

Have a great summer!

Sincerely, Tim Molok, Headmaster

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Accept the guest as he or she is, nonjudgmentally, and support that guest in his or her individual journey, Benedict said.

Benedictine Letter

By Father Piers Lahey have a unique perspective from which to view the Priory. I write these reflections having been a student (Class of 1967), a member of the faculty (1971-78), an inquirer living in the monastery for two years, and a member of the board of trustees for a short time.

I have stayed in touch with the monastic community, and recently I had the privilege of celebrating the Spring Liturgy with the student body and faculty in the Priory Chapel.

I was not the world’s best student, my first two years at the Priory. In those days, those of us who were dorm students were not allowed to go home on weekends if our GPAs fell below a 2.0. I won’t tell you my grades—let me just say that I spent a number of weekends on the campus!

I guess I never had learned how to study. It was a struggle, those first two years. But there were bright spots, too. As a really poor Biology student, I hadn’t a clue what was going on. Then, one day, Father Leopold invited me to just sit down in the lab, with a microscope, and “look, observe, watch...tell me all that you see.”

He had prepared some slides and samples and specimens of many exotic creatures. Father Leopold knew I was no scientist...so he wanted me to experience the wonder and variety of life, of creation.

I never forgot his kindness and creativity as well as his encouragement to a sophomore who felt he was in way over his head.

There was Mr. Knab, who taught English, and who basically taught me how to write and to love the use of words. Yes, he was strict. Yes, he could be very, very tough and extremely demanding. I well remember the weekly journal we had to keep, the variety of assignments we had to write, and the painstaking care and attention with which he corrected every paper. I never forgot his inspiration and commitment to the English language.

Father Christopher was headmaster. He also taught philosophy to the seniors. I had never run into Plato or Aristotle or Thomas Aquinas, Kant or Hegel; Father Chrisopher made them very real, explaining

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. . . Father Leopold knew I was no scientist, so he wanted me to experience the wonder and variety of life, of creation. I never forgot his kindness and creativity . . .

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their thoughts, unpacking their wisdom. I have vivid and fond memories of seeing Fr. Christopher return quiz papers in our class.

Every so often, there would be a paper that had really missed the point. Fr. Christopher would hold up the paper between two fingers as if it was a dead animal, and solemnly (but with good humor) refer to it as a “miserable failure.”

Father Egon was the Prior of the monastic community. He also taught Western Civilization to the seniors. He had such a wide knowledge of European and church history! In one year, Father Egon led us through a marvelous survey that was filled with humor, wisdom and insights into many of the difficult events in history. His Western Civilization class gave me the best foundation I ever could have had for my later college history courses.

Of course, I am only one student out of many who have been part of the Priory community over more than 40 years. We came to the Priory seeking an excellent education, one that would prepare us for college and for our future lives. We came to the Priory seeking dedicated teachers, inspiring and competent and creative teachers willing to confront us and challenge us and push us harder than we might have thought we could go. And we came to the Priory seeking a set of values upon which we might build our lives; we came looking for a religious faith that would make sense and sustain us as adults, as married persons, as professional people.

It was a privilege, then and now, to be in a Benedictine school. The monks were not only our teachers—they were our confessors, our spiritual advisors. I remember thinking that when they were not in the classroom or in the dining room, they were either in the chapel or in the monastery storming heaven with their prayers for the Priory community. I am profoundly grateful for the education I received and for the experience of maturing under their guidance.

I learned that my life itself is God’s gift. And I learned the truth of these words...”What you are is God’s gift to you...what you become is your gift to God.”

W

hen a vacancy opened on Priory’s board of trustees several years ago, Father Martin knew someone who was perfect for the job. With a comprehensive study of campus facilities needs on the agenda, he knew the board would greatly benefit from the expertise and experience of Al Ebneter...and he was right. As Al begins his third year on the Board, his work is actively contributing to the changes that will shape the face of the campus in the years to come.

A mutual friend introduced Father Martin and Al Ebneter some years ago because they shared an interest in woodworking. Until 1990, Al owned Architectural Wood Products in San Francisco. The company manufactured and installed fine woodwork in commercial buildings. Over the years the two men became good friends and it was at Al’s San Francisco woodworking plant that Father Martin machined the wood for the pews in the Priory chapel.

When the Priory board needed a member with experience in the construction field, Father Martin knew just who to call.

Al has an active, hands-on role. He works closely with other members of the board and administration, as well as architects and contractors, on the design for new facilities, project costs, and supervision of ongoing construction at the Priory.

His experience in the field—from the design phase, to the approval process, to bidding, to actual construction—have been an invaluable aid to the board and administration.

Al’s overall vision for the future of Priory’s facilities is “to enhance the Priory by providing additional space for students and faculty while preserving the ‘community’ atmosphere of the campus.”

For example, the critical need for faculty housing has led to the current extensions of the junior and senior residence halls. The new three-bedroom units will provide a separate living space for the residential life staff. They are large enough for a family, but they fit comfortably within the existing campus space.

Trustee Profile Similarly, Al is working closely with others at the Priory to design additional faculty housing located on the knoll, slated to begin construction this summer. As everyone who reads the papers knows, providing faculty housing is vital for retaining topnotch teachers.

Al is perhaps most excited, though, about the preliminary design and layout for a possible new auditorium (to replace the current Assembly Hall).

Given the cost of construction, the difficulty in the approval process, and the need for good stewardship of campus resources, cost-efficient, multi-use space has been a top priority in developing the Priory Master Plan.

The auditorium will be designed to include flexible space that can function as a performing arts hall, a general Assembly Hall, a site for school dances and local community events, or even a space for larger religious services. It will also include classrooms and office space for performing arts faculty, storage for instruments, dressing rooms, a wood shop for designing and building props, and much more. Even more important, Al explains, this crucial building will free up existing space for other vital uses. The library can expand into the Assembly Hall (see pages 8-11). The library space would then house student services.

A twenty-one year resident of Woodside, Al and his wife, Susanne, enjoy frequent visits with their five children and 13 grandchildren, and they also have a passion for travel. They’ve just returned from Holland and have journeyed to Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, the Greek Islands, Australia, New Zealand, China and many more destinations. They also enjoy fishing and hiking, and Al finds time for some occasional woodworking.

Despite his busy life, Al continues to find much time and energy for the Priory...and the community truly benefits from his invaluable service.

Al Ebneter

Lives in Woodside, CA Wife: Susanne Family: Five children, 13 grandchildren Favorite activities: Woodworking, fishing, hiking, travel WPS Assignment: Facilities

When the Priory Board of Trustees needed a member with experience in the construction field, Father Martin knew just who to call.

-L. McDermott

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Spring at Woodside Priory choirs and orchestras were the top performers at a music festival this spring, bringing home five gold medals and two trophies. Judges complimented Priory’s music faculty for music selection, as well as student training and preparation. Students shared the experience with other schools on a four-day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. See more photos, plus photos of the Cookies n’ Classics individual student recital, on the WPS website.

Aubrey Rawlins, Harvey Jones and Claudia Meyer move convincingly as monkeys composing something important, maybe Hamlet, in “Words, Words, Words.” The piece was one of five one-act plays presented by the Priory drama department and an allhigh-school cast. It was the department’s fourth public show of the year.

It was the Middle School’s best against the parents in a first annual gym event this spring. Nearly every MS student played at least one team sport this year and they’re always ready for pickup games.

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a Glance

A Parent Association reception to say good-bye to Dr. Martin Mayer was followed by the visual arts department’s third annual exhibit on Church Square and spring concert by the Priory choirs and orchestras. It was an especially fitting combination of events because Dr. Mayer launched the current music program and was instrumental in attaining the recent expansion of the visual arts facilities. The student work on display couldn’t have been done in the former art building.

Dr. Mayer is leaving to become a school psychologist in Alabama.

Snow! An unexpected and rare snowstorm on the hills above the campus made this snowman on Red Square possible. Ross Anderson, Class of ‘01, delivered the white stuff.

A skydiving jump with Headmaster Tim Molak was one of many “firsts” at this year’s auction on March 24.

“Venetian Fantasies” raised more than $200,000.

Jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, Class of 2002, was a feature subject for ABC News in June. Taylor’s second CD is now available at Tower; get updates on his music and performances at www.tayjazz.com—a great site!

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Conversation with

Peter Reinhardt

Susan & Falaschi

Priory’s librarians are hoping to expand the library’s size and make better use of space.

Librarians Peter Reinhardt and Susan Falaschi are at the Priory because of children—their own as well as the ones

at school. Peter first met Priory when his oldest son, David, was a student here in the mid-1980’s. Susan followed her daughter Teresa in 1994.

In both cases, they started their professional lives as something else entirely. Peter earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Berkeley, then a master’s in business administration. His working life encompassed “a little bit of everything,” including a stint in the local Woodside library. That experience—and the realization that he needed the degree to advance in the field—led to a second master’s degree in library science.

Susan is a product of small, private schools—Castilleja, then a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Stanford (where Teresa just completed her sophomore year). She expects to complete her master’s program in English/creative writing in spring 2002.

Her thesis project, which she said she is excited about writing, will be a fifty-page poem about the lives and roles of women in 13th -century France. Her professional experience began in the US Embassy in Ghana, where her mother was US Ambassador.

Susan was her organizer and hostess for embassy events.

Some years later, back in the United States, her acquaintance with Peter led to Priory, where she is co-teacher (with Suzanne Koppett) of the Freshman Writing Lab/Research Skills class as well as part-time librarian.

The two have shepherded a period of dramatic change and growth in the library, and they are preparing for another big change they hope to see soon—an opportunity to expand the library’s size and make better use of space.

–C. Dobercich

WPS: What are the strengths of the Priory library?

Research is a big part of what goes on here. We teach students everything from how to find a book on the shelf to how to use online resources and cite them correctly. We teach them how to make judgments about the quality and reliability of the sources they choose. Some students come in knowing quite a bit about using a library, others don’t have any idea how to begin.

At the same time, we teach library manners. We want students going on to college knowing what to do in a library.

(Peter) Laurie Eickmeier’s English class is a good example of how we coordinate library resources with curriculum. She will be using Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby extensively next year. We have already started acquiring materials about the book and the period.

I’ve added several critiques of this work.

We stock a wide range of books and the online tests for the Middle School teachers that use Accelerated Reading. This is a program designed to encourage independent reading.

We have great resources for locating and quickly delivering video materials that teachers want. We also are beginning a collection of scripts, which Susan is able to acquire for us. Jim Durgin uses them in his scriptwriting class, and some of the other teachers have begun to use them.

WPS: Susan, you teach a required class in research methods with Susan Koppett.

Yes, in ninth grade everyone learns research methods and how to write a research paper.

This should carry them through high school and into college.

WPS: Do you think that students leave here as skilled researchers who know good information sources and how to cite properly?

We’re working on that, and I think we’re getting better every year.

WPS: How do students become proficient at research?

As librarians, we work with the faculty. Teachers arrange their research projects with us in advance.

When the students come, we will have already identified a variety of resources so that we know the students can succeed. We work directly with them during that library time. We have a bank of 10 computers and 20 I-book laptops with wireless Internet connections, so it’s quite possible for everyone to do independent research.

My dream is to have a part of the library with comfortable chairs, skylights, plants, a place where people can read quietly and relax...

WPS: How about the state of our resources? Do we compare favorably with other schools of our size?

We’re better than some. We’re constantly updating.

We get requests from teachers and we are nearly always able to find materials for them. We’re constantly adapting to what’s needed.

(Peter) Someone was looking for materials on sushi last year and I couldn’t find anything then, but we have two good sushi books now!

With all the library collections available online, we don’t need to own every book a student might want. They can search the catalog here, and we can order their book from any library. Also, the excellent online data bases, such as Electric Library, are replacing the magazine and newspaper archives. We no longer need the old, green Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature because the full-text online sources are better.

WPS: Would you like a larger collection that would encourage students to browse?

(Peter) Sure, I guess larger is always better but we don’t have the physical plant. It would be hard to shelve the books and this library isn’t conducive to browsing or quiet reading. The way the room is designed, everything takes place within four walls and usually there are whole classes in here with teaching going on.

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We have been working on plans to move the library to its former home in what is now the Assembly Hall.

Quiet reading can be a challenge when a class is using the library. (Scott Sheinbaum holds the book; Mitch Neuger’s sixth grade and some independent users are at the computers.) If the library moved to the Assembly Hall (where it was formerly located), computers could go in an adjacent room separated by double doors.

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WPS: How could we make the library better?

We need to separate the computers from the other media. When we have a class in the library, it can get too noisy and chaotic for other users. We have been working on plans to move the library to its former home in what is now the Assembly Hall. If we are able to do this, we would use the entire room for collections and the adjacent music room, with possibly some additions, for the computers.

This would allow us to close the door when we are working with a class in one room, and students in the other room can be doing homework, taking a test, doing research, reading, working on a project— all the other reasons they come to the library.

(Peter) The students would benefit from access to “quiet rooms” where they could do group research and work on group presentations. These rooms would also be heavily used after school by tutors.

The only space we have available now is the Rare Books Room.

(Susan) My dream is to have a part of the library with comfortable chairs, skylights, plants, a place where people can read quietly and relax in surroundings that are inviting. Students sometimes like to lie down on a sofa or sit on the floor. We need a welcoming place where people can enjoy reading.

WPS: Why are we planning to move the library?

We looked at various ways to expand this location but none was very appealing. When the architects looked at all the school’s needs, it appeared that the most cost-effective and least disruptive solution is a three-part plan. First, the library can move into the Assembly Hall and music room. Second, a bigger assembly hall and performing arts classrooms are needed, in a different location. Third, the current library space can be used for a student center and faculty offices.

(Peter) I like keeping the library near the classroom area, where we are easily accessible. The Assembly Hall was designed as a library. It has adjacent space for expansion. It can be adapted to provide everything we need.

WPS: I’ve noticed a “Library is closed—class in session” sign up on the door many times. Does this happen often?

It happens twice a week at least. When we have a large class, or an especially big group of independent users wanting to use the same space as a scheduled class, we have to close. Many students would like to be in the library during lunch but we have classes then and it would be just too chaotic to get anything done.

WPS: What are the rewards and frustrations of being a Priory librarian?

Really, space is the only issue. Behavior problems, overdue books, damaged materials and things like that we can easily manage on our own. But we can’t solve the space problems alone.

WPS: How about the rewards of working in the library?

(Susan) We get to know just about every student over several years. Seeing their work and reading habits develop, and helping them mature, is definitely a reward . When a student comes back and asks me to read a paper or help with a college essay, that’s a great reward. We all feel we have accomplished something when we see a kid reach a goal, or develop skills he or she can use independently. That’s the big payoff, as it is for every teacher.

Members of the Priory’s award-winning Model United Nations group use the library to do research for their conferences.

Those ‘Library Teas’ Built Something Lasting How do you start a library from scratch?

The first big break for the Priory library came in its first years, when Virginia Allen (Mrs. Robert) Gill donated 4,000 rare books valued then at $11,250 from the Daniel Cowan Jackling estate. The books originally were housed in the monastery. Today the collection is in the Rare Book Room at the rear of the library, where there is a lovely old library table and chairs often used by students and their after-school tutors.

Within a few years of its founding, the school acquired an old, temporary building. It had been the construction managers’ on-site offices during the building of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto. In the beginning, it was spacious enough as a library to also house the Headmaster’s office, Father Pius recalls.

To stock the shelves, mothers held a series of "Library Teas" and bridge parties. The monks had no special training in librarianship but they were excellent academicians. Their first choices were for references to support the textbooks and curriculum, plus literature for young minds to explore. Father Achilles Horvath had a special dedication to creating an outstanding library, said Father Pius.

(Continued on page 23)

Woodside Priory School

Class of 2001 WPS’s 41st Graduating Class

Elizabeth Amento*, Boston College Ross Anderson*, Case Western Reserve University Elena Basegio, Academy of Arts Michael Bohley, Loyola Marymount University Jordan Braun, Cabrillo College Kristina Campbell, University of Redlands Robert Christian, Ithaca College Devin Coats*, Columbia University Roxanne Crittenden, Colorado College Jonathan Del Secco, Loyola Marymount University Ayary Diaz, Notre Dame de Namur University Bradley Ehikian, Regis University Rostam Fatemi, University of San Diego Sara Gundell*, Loyola Marymount University Anne Halsey, Reed College Alena Harajdova, Gymnasium L. Stochela Sarah Havern*, Occidental College Sampson Ho, California State University, Chico Kendall Holland*, Stanford University Laura Hurlbut*, Stanford University Warner Iversen*, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara Jason Kado, University of the Pacific

Emily Kirkland*, University of California, San Diego Charles Kou*, Stanford University Jason Lam*, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute David Lando*, Santa Clara University Sarah Lange*, Boston University John Lemuth, Menlo College Chao-Kuo Lin*, Carnegie Mellon University John Martin*, University of California, Los Angeles Alex Moore, University of the Pacific Patrick Nagler*, University of California, Los Angeles Matthew Neter, California State University, Chico Katharine Newman*, Stanford University Helene Nguyen*, Harvard University Ginny Nguyen*, University of the Pacific Laura Nowell*, Stanford University Bryan Quinn, University of the Pacific Kathleen Ruiz, Saint Mary’s College of California Sean Villanueva Barter, Univ. of California, Irvine Claire Waterman, Pine Manor College Allyson Wengert*, Duke University Liesl Yost, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame

*Member of King St. Stephen Chapter of the National Honor Society or graduate with honors

...It is plain to see the strong bonds of love and friendship that have been intricately woven in your class. Your class embodies much of the Benedictine spirit—you have enriched this community by your presence, involvement and genuine concern.

Tim Molak

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Headmaster

Traveling Lessons Russell Shaw, former dean of students, was invited by the class to be their speaker. Everything he wanted to tell them, he said, he’d learned from traveling around the world over the past year.

There was the time he and his wife, Shira—both vegetarians—were served grilled guinea pig. Their hosts were honoring them with a luxury. Later, they weren’t proud that they’d made excuses. ”Put yourself in other people’s shoes,” he advised.

Then, there was the time they were crowded onto a rickety rural bus for a 17-hour trip. The little girl thrust onto Shira’s lap thew up on her shoes and a rooster tumbled out of an overhead bin onto her head. When faced with crazy circumstances, he advised Shira’s reaction—she was laughing.

Other advice included: take time for blessings, appreciate the gifts you have and decide what to do with them, and don’t forget to take a little bit of the Priory with you on the next step of your life’s journey.

Russell and Shira’s next step will be to Philadelphia, where she will begin rabbinical studies and he will head a Friends middle school.

There’s A Monster Liesl Yost, student speaker, talked about a Sesame Street book she had loved as a child, “The Monster At The End Of This Book.”

Referring to the experience of going off to college far from home and being independent for the first time, she said “I think there’s a monster at the

end of my summer.”

In saying goodbye to her 42 classmates, she congratulated those who achieved, and those who didn’t know how much they truly achieved; those who triumphed and those who didn’t stop trying; the ones in the spotlight and the ones behind the scenes; those who made things happen, or watched things happen, or simply tried to figure out what happened.

By May 2001 all the individuals in the class were a team, she said.

Full text of both speeches are available on

Celebratory and contemplative

Fathers Maurus (front) and Egon (behind) leave the chapel following Baccalaureate Mass. Father Egon, founder of the school, lives in the monastery and often participates in special events.

Emily Kirkland (above left), Charles Kou (center) and Jason Lam (right) have front-row seats facing a crowd of well-wishers. At left, Kit Newman, student body president, and Suzanne Koppett, member of the English faculty, share congratulations after the ceremony. Grads, families and friends celebrated at a reception outdoors and in the gym.

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Class of 2005 Eighth Grade Graduates

Jordan Baker Aboud Loren Daniel Alegria Benjamin James Archer Randee Renee Autrand Jordan Bennett Barbeau Westley Taylor Bennicas Janelle Nicole Bixler Charles William Bussmann Nathaniel Craig Coombs Benjamin Samuel Corman Adrianna Costello-Dougherty Julie Logan Davidson Inga Kim Diederich Julia Lee Cardwell Duncan Lauren Marie Frasch Peter Stefano Giovannotto Elaine Kathryn Haegele Maryann Katherine Hiller Kieran Thane Howard Timothy Light Kovachy 14

Sarah Louise Kruberg Jonathan Edmund Kwong Jesse William Lampert Ruben Johannes Lemmens Brendam Fitzgerald Lynch Claire Jameison Mancini Theodore Andrew McIntosh Carlos Olin Montalvo III Leilani Cruz Novotny Alexander Mehta Pistritto Tyler Carter Skinner-Rosenberg Edward Schmidt Tabacco Jordan Elizabeth Robbins Tiffany Laura Marie Gabriella Trudelle Tania Valetsky Daniel Paul Wenger

. . .Send Your spirit upon these graduates and fill them with your wisdom and blessing.

In the years to come, let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries, and give them the desire to learn all things well. . .

From the Invocation Martin Mager, O.S.B. Superior of the Benedictine Community

Awards Presented at Commencement Exercises

Alumni Prize

Class of 2001

Commitment to goals of a Benedictine education

Kendall Holland

Senior Academic Awards

Father Benignus F. Barat Citizenship Award

Theology – Kendall Holland Mathematics – Charles Kou English – Helene Nguyen Science and Technology – Laura Nowell Fine Arts – Elizabeth Amento Performing Arts – Liesl Yost Social Studies – Patrick Nagler Modern Languages – Chao-Kuo Lin

Bank of America Recognition Awards

Ross Anderson

Dean’s Award

Joy of learning, academic excellence.

Charles Kou

Saint Benedict Award WPS’s highest award

Devin Coats

Science and Mathematics – Charles Kou Liberal Arts – Helene Nguyen

Presented at the

National Merit Scholarship Recognition

Valedictorian Award

Devin Coats (finalist) Helene Nguyen (finalist) Roxanne Crittenden Anne Halsey Laura Hurlbut Charles Kou Sarah Lange Laura Nowell Allyson Wengert

Valedictorian Laura Nowell

Salutatorian Helene Nguyen

Dean of Students Community Service Award Katharine Newman

Headmaster’s Award

Service to school and community.

Claire Waterman

Eighth Grade Graduation

Shawna Tuhillo, director of the Middle School, maintains a Priory tradition of pinning a posy to the lapels of graduating boys—in this case, Ted Tabacco. The girls carry bouquets.

Tim Kovachy and Jesse Lampert

Presidential Award GPA of 3.5 or higher

Loren Alegria Benjamin Archer Jordan Barbeau Nathaniel Coombs Julie Davidson Inga Diederich Lauren Frasch Peter Giovannotto Elaine Haegele Maryann Hiller Timothy Kovachy Johathan Kwong Jesse Lampert Ted McIntosh Claire Mancini Tyler Skinner-Rosenberg Laura Trudelle Daniel Wenger

Devin Coats (right), winner of the St. Benedict Award at graduation congratulates Alena Harajdova (left), from Bardejov, Slovakia, who just completed her year as a guest of the Priory and the Hayes family. The Coats and Dobervich families hosted Slovakian students last year, and two more students will be arriving in the fall.

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Awards Presented at the Spring Awards Assembly

Department Awards Theology

Hebrew Scriptures, Megan Noice Christian Scriptures, Aimee Epstein Morality and Social Justice, Jayna Sutherland

Mathematics

Algebra I, Sammi Nuttall Algebra II, Aimee Epstein Geometry, Laura Brent Pre-Calculus, Mark Simmons Calculus, Jeffrey Ka AP Statistics, Harvey Jones

Fine Arts

Ceramics, Kylie Hepper Art Foundations, Esperanza Bedolla Painting/Drawing, Ray Liu Metalsmithing, Evan McKinney

Performing Arts

Speech, Scott Kimball Drama, Tara Scarioni Advanced Drama, Maria Hernandez High School Choir, Julie Melen

World Cultures, Ashley Kustu European History, Brad Burton United States History, Anna Lind-Guzik Economics, Brandon Carse

English

Writing Lab, Laura Brent Transitional English, Denes Horvathy Literary Genres, Alexis Smith British Literature, Brad Burton American Literature, Taylor Eigsti

Science

Physics, Laura Brent Biology, Brad Burton Chemistry, Jeffrey Ka

School Awards

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Award

William Huang MIT Award

Harvey Jones

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award

Jeffrey Ka

Pine Manor College Prize

Chrissie Spanoghe

Saint Anselm Prize

Modern Languages

Alvin Lam

French I, Laura Brent French II, Ashley Kustu French III, Brad Burton French IV, Kayti Sullivan

Taylor Eigsti

French

Japanese

Japanese I, George Schnurle Japanese II, Michael Yost Japanese III, Aubrey Rawlins Japanese IV, Harvey Jones Spanish

Spanish I, Kayti Sullivan Spanish II, Alexis Smith Spanish III, Trent Larsen Spanish IV, Alicia Wittmeyer AP Spanish Language, Esperanza Bedolla AP Spanish Literature, Esmeralda Barriga

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Social Studies

Yale Book Award Wellesley College Book Award

Alicia Wittmeyer

Harvard Book Award

Anna Lind-Guzik

Headmaster’s Award Cassie Perret Pedro Torres

Saint Benedict Award Grade 6, Kim Nguyen Grade 7, Maggie Thompson Grade 9, Julianne Henderson Grade 10, Esperanza Bedolla Grade 11, Esmeralda Barriga

Awards Scholar Athlete Award

Loren Alegria and Maryann Hiller

Citizenship Award Julia Duncan

Academic Excellence Award Joy of learning and excellence

Sixth Grade Soccer

Most Improved Player – Katie Lampert Co-Most Inspirational Players – Christina Tabacco,

Bennett Holland Co-Most Valuable Players – Blaine Tehaney,

Mark Simons

Seventh/Eighth Grade Girls Soccer

Daniel Wenger

Most Improved Player – Sara Verhalen Most Inspirational Player – Stephanie Vertongen Co-Most Valuable Players - Claire Mancini,

Callie Strawn

St. Cecilia Music Award

Seventh/Eighth Grade Boys Soccer

Elaine Haegele

Leadership Award

Jesse Lampert

Saint Benedict Award

Manifests the Benedictine ideal

Laura Trudelle

Presented at the Middle School

Sports Awards Pizza Party Middle School Athletes of the Year Ben Archer, Laura Trudelle

Sixth Grade Volleyball

Most Improved Player – Kim Nguyen Coaches Award – Laura Kruberg Most Valuable Player – Kiki Hiller

Seventh Grade Volleyball

Most Inspirational Player – Adrianna Andreini Coaches Award – Kai Novotny Most Valuable Player – Michelle Bradford

SSIL Volleyball

Most Improved Player – Inga Diederich Most Inspirational Player – Anna Costello Dougherty Best Server – Kendall Bell

Eighth Grade Volleyball

Most Improved Player – Elaine Haegele Most Inspirational Player – Claire Mancini Most Valuable Player – Laura Trudelle

Most Improved Player – Ted McIntosh Co-Most Inspirational Players – Will Schofield,

Olin Montalvo Co-Most Valuable Players – Alegria, Geoffrey Taylor

Middle School Tennis

Headmaster Tim Molak gave his award for service to school and community to Claire Waterman, Class of 2001.

Most Improved Player – Tim Kovachy Co-Most Inspirational Players – Jonathan Kwong,

Tania Valetsky Most Valuable Player – Ben Archer

SSIL Boys Basketball

Most Improved Player – Will Farino Most Inspirational Player – Nicholas Coombs Most Valuable Player – Sam Chavez

Sixth Grade Boys Basketball Most Improved Player – Mark Simons Most Inspirational Player – Alex Schreiner Most Valuable Player – Bennett Holland

Seventh Grade Boys Basketball Most Improved Player – Michael Cauley Most Inspirational Player – Will Schofield Most Valuable Player – Ryan McDermott

Eighth Grade Boys Basketball

Most Improved Player – Jesse Lampert Most Inspirational Player – Nathaniel Coombs Most Valuable Player – Ben Archer

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Awards SSIL Girls Basketball

Most Improved Player – Kim Nguyen Most Inspirational Player – Kelsey Corkery Most Valuable Player – Alicia Kriewall

Sixth Grade Girls Basketball

Most Improved Player – Katie Lampert Most Inspirational Player – Christina Tabacco Co-Most Valuable Players – Kiki Hiller,

Laura Kruberg

Seventh Grade Girls Basketball Most Improved Player – Stephanie Vertongen Most Inspirational Player – Kate Molak Most Valuable Player – Callie Strawn

Presented at the High School Dessert

Sports Awards Program Athletes of the Year:

Will Camisa (Boys Varsity Soccer,

Basketball, and Baseball) Cassie Perret (GirlsVarsity Volleyball) Laura Hurlbut (Girls Varsity Cross Country,

Soccer, and Track and Field)

High School Rookies of the Year: Sean Moreau (Boys Varsity Basketball) Ashley Davidson (Girls Varsity Soccer)

Most Improved:

Most Improved Player – Claire Mancini Most Inspirational Player – Maryann Hiller Most Valuable Player – Laura Trudelle

Lisa Flagg (Girls Varsity Volleyball) Mandy Hafleigh (Girls Varsity Volleyball,

Basketball and Softball) Henry Arredondo (Boys Varsity Soccer,

Boys Baseball) Trent Larsen (Boys Varsity Swimming)

JV Flag Football

Most Inspirational:

Varsity Flag Football

Athletic Director’s Awards

Eighth Grade Girls Basketball

Most Improved Player – Mark Simons Most Inspirational Player – Nicholas Coombs Coaches Award – Bennett Holland Most Valuable Lineman – Peter Giovannotto Co-Most Valuable Player – Ben Archer Co-Most Valuable Player – Loren Alegria

Ross Anderson (Boys Varsity Cross Country

and Track and Field) Sarah Havern (Girls Varsity Soccer) Peter Trudelle (Boys Varsity Cross Country,

Basketball and Volleyball) Bobby Christian (Boys Varsity Basketball

and Swimming) Kit Newman (GirlsVarsity Volleyball and Basketball) Kendall Holland (Girls Varsity Volleyball

and Basketball)

Nick Coombs and Will Farino were among the students earning recognition at the Middle School Pizza and Sports Awards Night.

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Alumni News & Notes Pietro Parravano, Class of 1967 – was featured on the television program, Focus which is produced by the San Mateo Community College public television station, Channel 60. The episode called Voice of a Fisherman was aired on April 10, 2001.

John Lanzone, Class of 1967 – visited the campus with his wife, Annie, who was in the Bay Area on business.

Charles Gregory, Ph.D., Class of 1974 – is chair of the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences at Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland, Maine. He and his wife and four cats live in Falmouth, Maine.

Rob Dixon, Class of 1979 – has attained the rank of Major and is serving with the United States Army in Bosnia.

Matt Di Cicco, Class of 1987 – Matt and his wife visited the Priory during December. Matt is a Captain for United Airlines, flying 737’s.

Tyson Trish, Class of 1994 – proposed to his girlfriend of four years during a trip to Washington, D.C.., and she said yes. Wedding plans are indefinate.

Kurt Stache, Class of 1985 – and his wife, Birgit announce the birth of a son. Henry Oliver Stache was born on April 27, 2001. The family lives in Colleyville, Texas.

Tinyee Hoang, Class of 1995 – received his BS in Animal Science in the spring of 2000, from the University of California, Davis. He is waiting acceptance to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in food safety. He currently works for the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the Dairy Chemistry Division and is part of a project that analyzes milk products from private companies to make certain they are up to standard.

Sara Schmidt, Class of 1995 – received her master of social work degree from the University of Washington in June, with a concentration in health/mental health focusing on aging populations. She will be living in Seattle.

Peter Stuth, Class of 1995 – is now a pilot for Airnet Express, a cargo company. He describes it as similar to FedEx, but on a smaller scale. The same day he was offered the job, he found that he and his wife, Heather, are going to be parents. Two great pieces of news in one day!

Claire Van Dalsem, Class of 1996– is now Pvt. Clare Van Dalsem. She graduated with honors from Army basic combat training, 4th in a class of over 200, on March 15, 2001 at Fort Still, OK. She is currently attending advanced training in communications at Fort Gordon, GA in the Signal Brigade. Her address, for classmates who wish to contact her, is Pvt. Clare Van Dalsem, E447, 15th Signal Brigade, Fort Gordon, GA 30905.

Brooke Compton , Class of 1997 – received his degree from Ripon College this year with a major in anthropology and minor in philosophy. He has moved back to Redwood City, CA. Victoria Groom, Class of 1997 – graduated from Stanford University this spring with a BA in English with a fiction writing emphasis, as well as an MA in media studies.

Young Lee, Class of 1997 – graduated from the University of California, San Diego this June with a BS

Mike Mitchell, Class of 1996, with Tim Molak and Al Zappelli.

Annie and John Lanzone (Class of 1967).

Scott (Class of 1994) and Tina Campbell (Class of 2001) with Father Pius following the Cookies ‘n Classics student music recital.

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degree in management science. He returned to Korea on June 14 to serve the required two year military service in the Army. Because of his excellent English, he feels he will be placed in the translation division. Basic training will not begin until spring of 2002. Until then, he will be looking for an internship in the field of finance or business. He also hopes to obtain an English tutoring position. He says that this is a big business in Korea and will help him toward financial independence. Young would love to hear from his classmates and friends.

His e-mail address is youngbaelee@hotmail.com.

Brian Sullivan, Class of 1997 – graduated from Northwestern with honors. His major was American studies with a minor in religious studies.

Nathalie Alsop, Class of 1998 – is working with a friend to start a vegan cafe in San Francisco. She would like anyone who has an interest in such a project or knows of additional resources or commercial space availability to please contact her at nalsop@ups.edu., or contact the alumni office at WPS to be put in touch with her.

Suzi Kovaks, Class of 1998 – will be studying abroad in the fall semester at the Pazmany Peter Katolikus Egyetem in Budapest, Hungary and will be traveling in the summer with her brother Zoltan (Class of 2000) around Europe visiting family and friends.

Luz Lopez, Class of 1998 – was named San Mateo County Youth and Family Assistance Volunteer of the Year for her work at the county Health Center in Hoover School. The center offers a wide range of services to people from age 12 to 21. Luz began working there as a peer mentor in 1997.

Laura Timpe, Class of 1998 – just finished her first year at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and is studying art.

Teresa Falaschi, Class of 1999 - Based on her outstanding work in the humanities during her freshman year, Teresa has been accepted into the Honors in Humanities program at Stanford University.

Darren Alan Zulberti, Class of 1999– is working on KTVU-TV’s assignment desk this summer. He also has been a freelancer for CNN, most recently in the Los Angeles bureau. Darren is a full-time student at the University of Southern California. He is majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in law and public policy. He plans to produce television news after graduating.

James Cirino, Class of 2000 – was selected to serve as resident advisor for the spring semester at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He will continue in this capacity during future years.

Amanda Davison, Class of 2000 – brought the wonderful Occidental College Glee Club to the campus to sing in Chapel with Priory Ensemble Singers. The college students were overnight guests in Priory family homes.

Amanda also accompanied the Priory orchestra on their four-day festival cruise (see pages 4-5), holding down the cellist position that was hers last year.

Zuzka Fedorkova, Class of 2000 – will spend the summer at home in Bardejov, Slovakia, then return for the fall quarter at Stanford. She will spend the winter and spring quarters in Berlin, where she will be a part of the Stanford overseas program in international relations.

Maria Ferencova, Class of 2000 – was very busy with the end-of-school graduation exams at

Matt Janopaul, Class of 1987 with Father Martin

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Nicola Hancock at her senior music recital, Loyola Marymount University. Several Priory friends attended a reception in her honor.

Walter Vogel (faculty, 1978-81) and Father Martin.

Gymnasium L. Stochela in Bardejov, and entrance exams to universities in Prague, Bratislava and Banska Bystrica. She is also busy planning a trip for the Coats family, her US hosts for the 1999-2000 academic year, who will be visiting her in Slovakia.

Tina Lally, Class of 2000 – credits her community service requirement at the Priory with fostering a continuing interest in service organizations. While she is studying at Loyola Marymount she is also helping people through her involvement in the Ignatians. This group visits children in juvenile hall, feeds the homeless, tutors students and takes care of children in centers for abused mothers, as well as supporting activities on campus such as formal dances, banquets, mass, and graduation. She will be vacationing in Hawaii, Fiji and Europe this summer.

John Morgan, Class of 2000 – is attending St. John’s College in New Mexico. He writes that adjusting to crowded dorm life was a bit difficult, but he has his own room and there are 25 miles of uninhabited mountain right outside the front door. He is enjoying the school and indicates there are many interesting folks there. His advice for his friends graduating in 2001 — be sure to bring lots of quarters for the laundry machines, if you are living on campus.

Eric Perret, Class of 2000 – is majoring in computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is on the Deans List.

JeAnne Reyes, Class of 2000 – is keeping busy at Haverford College. In addition to her classes she was in the Puerto Rican Day parade in Philadelphia, representing the Alliance of Latin American Students. She also has joined the Asian Society Association and the Filipino Students Association. She wants to do tutoring and mentoring for Latino students in Philadelphia next semester. She is a camp counselor at Castilleja School in Palo Alto this summer.

Dmitriy Sevrin, Class of 2000 – is enjoying college and sight-seeing in Switzerland. Geneva is magnificent, but small compared to Los Angeles or Miami, he said. His classes are business related (plus calculus and physics) and school includes industrial visits to factories such as Nestle Corp., Phillip Morris and IKEA. Russia is only about 3 hours away by plane, so he goes home quite often. He plans to take classes in Geneva over the summer.

William A. Sparks, Class of 1964, with Headmaster, Tim Molak.

Friends of the Priory Steve Rice – former student (and jazz ensemble member) in the Class of 2001, has started playing electric guitar a little, but no jazz. He will be studying Information Technology and Business this Fall at the University of Northern Colorado. He enjoys outdoor sports and does a lot of mountain biking.

Freddie deSibert—former member of the Class of 2003, has his own radio program on 91.1KSPB, broadcasted from his new school, Robert Lewis Stevenson in Pebble Beach.

Transitions

Rear Admiral John F. Quilter, Class of 1966 - passed away September 1, 2000.

—P. Reed

Visitors

In addition to the ones pictured, these alums were on the campus for graduation or a visit over the past several weeks: Mike Hon, Mike Alcheck, Jon Morgan, David White, Mercedes Hernandez, Emily Haine, Janette Maldonado, Zuzka Fedorkova, Amanda Davison, JeAnne Reyes, Me, Mary Hurlbut, Ben Hurlbut Todd Simons, Michelle Ogren, Dan Riveong, Brian Labar, Paddy Sullivan, Molly Corman, Michelle Stroebe, Arianna Martin, Marcello Centofanti , Joe Daly, Alejandro Gomez, Bryce Larson, Ryan Maas, Todd Simmons, Steve Trudelle, Tom Alexander, Lauren Hannigan, Julie Kimball, Joan Lando, Andy Leahy, Peter Newman Carl Spanoghe, Kevin Yost, Gloria Lando, Bernie Austin, Suzy and Zoltan Kovacs. (Apologies to any visitors not noted.)

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More Than 100 Guests Enjoyed June Reunion

F

rom the Saturday morning soccer tournament to the Sunday mass and brunch with the monks, this reunion will be remembered for high spirits and high-jinks. It was the official reunion year for the ‘06 and ‘01 years. But as always alumni came from across the years.

It was a family weekend with pony rides, AstroJump, swimming and supervised open gym for the children. Priory students kept children happy with Chicken Nuggets, video movies and games during the adult events, including the evening banquet and program. Father Martin’s slides from the (ig)noble past were a highlight of the evening, as always.

About 80 adults and 37 children were on hand.

The Class of ‘81 turned out in force with 20 members; they repaired to a post-Priory reunion at a private vacation residence following the school event.

An especially poignant moment was when Father Martin held a prayer service for Greg Miodonski, Class of 1981. Greg’s sister, Rose, brought their parents from Santa Rosa for the service and to stay and chat with Greg’s friends. Greg died while a student and a plaque in his honor was placed by the magnificent old oak in the front playing fields.

Other highlights included: • Three power outages—but the only problem was a slight and temporary deflating of the Astro-Jump.

• Chris Hammond, son of alumnus Rob Hammond and an incoming sixth grader, was delighted to shoot hoops in the gym with Will Camisa, a Priory Athlete of the Year.

• Coach Joe Montero had alumni aplenty to create two good teams for his soccer match.

• An outdoors Happy Hour in Father Maurus’s rose garden was a special hit.

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• John Kirch, Class of ‘76, won the distance prize. He came from Tokyo, Japan, just for the reunion. Bela Csikez came from Westford, Massachusetts; Dan Hart from Bangor, Maine; and Hernan Valdes from the Dominican Republic.

• Erhard Wegman helped the Class of ‘76 stand out against all others by hand-screening for each member a t-shirt with his high school photo on it.

Top This!

Unforgettable Stories from Priory Past

Courtney Mitchell, Class of 1969, remembers a ride back to the dorms “enhanced” by a hitchhiker the boys picked up. The fellow seemed spacey (possibly not a natural high) and said he “didn’t live anywhere” and had no real destination.

The boys brought him back to the Priory, thinking perhaps the monks would let him stay in a spare room. The man joined the monks for dinner in the refectory and his mental state wasn’t too apparent until the monks, the man and the boys were all standing outside after dinner. The fellow looked out on the hill, saw the wind moving through the tall grass, and commented “Wow, what an awesome ocean view!”

There went the chance for the room.

Do you have a better one—funny or sentimental or heroic? Send it to Carolyn Dobervich, 650-851-6139, or cdobervich@woodsidepriory.com

(Library continued from page 11) In the early 1970s, students packed up the books in baskets and moved them across the road to a newly designed library building—now the Assembly Hall and music classroom. The new library was so spacious you could almost hold dances between the tables, said Peter Reinhardt, who has archive photos of those early days.

The Jackling collection is still helping supply the library. Peter Rinhardt has sorted out books that might now be more profitably sold than housed—a few in foreign languages now rarely uses and some of which we have duplicate copies, for example.

Parent volunteers have priced these books using Internet sources and two students, Charles Kou and Sampson Ho (Class of 2001) established a relationship with an international bookseller in London.

Today, library purchases are paid from the school operating budget. Choices include teacher requests and resources suggested through professional library associations. In the 2000-2001 school year, the library added 314 books, 4 videos, 17 DVDs and one script.

Titles of new acquisitions are published in the daily e-bulletins.

Parent volunteers today are essential in maintenance, not direct funding. They have the collections completely cataloged and referenced for the first time, and they have successfully created on-line access. They are working on archiving historical materials as well as pricing the rare books.

Thanks to parents, the multi-media materials are easily accessible for the first time.

"A great library takes time. Without all those Mothers Teas decades ago we wouldn’t have the luxury of our extensive collection today. I think those parents must have worked at least in part out of respect for the idea of the library as a cornerstone to academia. They knew their own students would only be here for a short time but what they were building would last," said Tim Molak, headmaster.

The original old building is still with us. It is the front section of the Fine Arts Building.

Who Are The Soccer Greats From the First Twenty Years?

Ramiro Arredondo is clearly a soccer great of the last decade (see the story, page 26). After his recent visit to the Priory, people in the alumni office began speculating on who the greats may have been from the school’s first two decades.

That was back when soccer was an unusual sport in this area, when we played the Stanford freshman team and schools in the Monterey area, and when monks were out there in soccer shoes.

Elizabeth Dellheim, Class of 2002, scoured yearbooks and compiled a list of candidates. Monks and faculty with long memories whittled that down. Now we would like input from grads of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Whose names would you submit for the Soccer All-Star 1960-80 team? Contact Father Martin Mager (mmager@woodsidepriory.com) or Gail Kimball (gkimball@ woodsidepriory.com).

Here are our nominees:

Pepe Itturralde Ben de los Reyes

Noel Kidd Bele Csikesz

Greg Miodonski (deceased) Attillia Csikesz

Sean Smith Carlos Araujo

Joe Mongtero Emery Csikesz

Steve Kalman (deceased) Bob Dougherty

This archival photo shows the library when it was located in a spacious Assembly Hall. Now the Assembly Hall is overcrowded for its multiple uses but could house the current library well.

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Athletics Laura Hurlbut:

Exceptional Athlete

A

CCS Division V Run Laura ran a tough race at the CCS

championship. She will run for

Stanford University next fall. Photo by

Keith Peters, Palo Alto Weekly

mong other honors, Senior Laura Hurlbut was named one of three Priory “Athletes of the Year.” A three-sport athlete, Laura competed for Priory in Varsity Cross Country, Soccer, and Track and Field.

Laura’s achievements this past year include PSAL Champion in Cross Country, PSAL First Team in Soccer, and a 7th place finish in the 3200-meter run at the Central Coast Section (CCS) Track and Field Championships.

Coach Mark Stogner feels Laura’s defining moment as an athlete, though, was during the CCS Cross Country championships. Yards away from first place and a CCS championship, Laura fell. As the other girls ran past her, she gathered herself, got up, and finished the race. Not only did she finish, but she qualified for the regionals. The third Hurlbut to graduate from Priory, Laura joins brother, Ben, and sister, Mary, at Stanford University in the fall where she’ll compete in Track and Field as a PAC-10 Athlete.

PSAL All-League Athletes Priory set a new school record with 24 all-league athletes in the 2000-01 academic year.

Winter Sports: Boys’ Varsity Basketball Bobby Christian - Second Team Chris Nemetz - Honorable Mention Girls’ Varsity Soccer Sarah Havern - First Team Laura Hurlbut - First Team Kayti Sullivan - First Team Ashley Davidson - Second Team

Spring Sports: Boy’s Varsity Volleyball Ray Liu - First Team Bryan Quinn - First Team Josh Horowitz - Second Team Boys’ Varsity Tennis James Klimowski - Second Team Andrew Souter - Second Team Boys’ Varsity Swimming Trent Larsen - First Team Mark Simmons - First Team Sean Villanueva Barter - Second Team William Huang - Second Team

Priory’s First Competitor In Diving Miranda Maas received All American consideration in diving and placed third in One-Meter Diving at the Central Coast Section (CCS) Championships.

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MS Tennis Team are Champs Tim Kovachy slams towards the net. The Middle School Tennis Team won its league “B” championship.

Academically, Tim is one of two class valedictorians.

Other Highlights See athletic awards on pages 17-18.

• Trent Larsen received All American consideration in swimming and led Priory to a third place finish in the Private Schools Athletic League (PSAL). Undefeated throughout the season, Trent set two league records in the 100 backstroke and the 200 IM, and was named team MVP. • Cassie Perret and Miranda Maas received the CIF Sportsmanship/Citizenship Award.

• The Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team received the CCS and State scholastic team award with a 3.8 average GPA. • The Eighth Grade and undefeated Sixth Grade Girls’ Basketball Teams were league champions.

First Year and First Place Priory’s first-ever Girls’ Softball Team finished their season with an 8-1 record, and secured first place in the league.

• The Middle School Golf Team won its league championship by one stroke.

• Priory’s Middle School Swim Team took the championship at the first-ever MS swim meet, hosted at WPS.

Inga Diederich, a member of the eEighth Grade Soccer Team, captures the ball.

This year the eighth grade opted for a

co-educational team—always an option.

Victory’s Sweet Priory’s 200 Freestyle Relay team,

took home gold medals from the PSAL League Championship meet. From the left they are Sean Villanueva Barter, Mark Simmons , William Huang, Trent Larsen.

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Alumni Profile

A

s a soccer player, leader and scholar, Ramiro Arredondo is a hard act to follow. Consider this: While at Priory from 1993 to 1997, Ramiro was listed as USA Today’s top 25 recruits, was a member of the US Under-18 National Team, and finished his high school career with over 90 goals.

He entered UC Berkeley on a sports scholarship. As a freshman he played in 17 out of 18 games and won the Rolling Thunder Scholarship. In his sophomore year he was the only Bear to start every game. He finished fourth on the team with eight points. He traveled through Europe with a college all-star team and participated in the US National team camp. In his Junior year he earned second team ALLMPSF recognition.

This year, he graduates from Cal with a degree in American Studies with an emphasis on architecture and three-dimensional computer modeling.

Ramiro was team captain in his senior year, ending his career with 72 games played, 57 games started, 90 shots on goal, 14 goals, 11 assists and 39 points—and for those who aren’t up on college soccer statistics, these are very good. His coach said he could not have asked for a better captain and leader for the young Cal team.

Ramiro’s dream is and was to play top-level soccer. But he’s a scholar as well. He chose Priory for its academic opportunities and he chose UC Berkeley for its outstanding academic reputation, he said.

Similarly, a senior-year draft for pro ball was not a top priority, either—although players at the US National team were often reminded that all they had to do was ask. Focusing on and finishing the

Ramiro’s dream is and was to play top-level soccer.

But he’s a scholar as well.

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education, then going on to pro ball if possible, or something else if not, was always his goal, he said.

When he entered Berkeley he promised his parents that before he signed any professional contract, he would hand them his diploma from the University.

“I told my teammates at Cal (each time) before we started a soccer match that when we step off the field, whether it be a win or a lose, there should be no regrets in the way each individual played. If we trained hard enough and were mentally prepared, then we did not have to worry about performing during a game. If we came off the field saying the could haves and should haves, then we lost part of the game ourselves.

“Now, he said, there is no regret on my part that I attended a high school with a soccer program that was not strong at that time. If we look at the program now, we see the change. There is no regret on my part for not signing a pro contract. Now, that I have achieved my goal, I am able to fulfill my dream of playing professional soccer.”

Editor’s note: Ramiro was the featured speaker at the Priory’s high school sports awards night. Coach Joe Montero announced that Ramiro’s jersey number is officially retired—only the second time in the history of the school an athlete has been honored in this way.

The first was basketball player Miki Oyler, who graduated in 1995.

Suzanne Eyre • 1902 to 2001 Benches in the Chapel were filled with friends and family that gathered on June 21 to celebrate the life of Suzanne Eyre. Mrs. Eyre was a longtime friend and benefactor of the Priory. Her good work on behalf of the school continues to benefit everyone touched by the beauty of the campus grounds, said Father Egon.

Fathers Egon, Maurus, Pius and Brother Edward offered the celebration (Father Martin was on the East Coast).

The shaded entryway to the campus, the trees and patios and walkways and plantings exist because of her hands-on work, her fundraising effort and her organizational touch, said Father Egon.

Remembering her single-minded devotion to creating a beautiful environment at the Priory, he said "If today we Benedictines would keep silent, not the stones but the flowers, the trees, the grasses would cry out to praise her."

In 1956 the school was just two buildings and bare land. Two friends of the school who were also relatives of Mrs. Eyre, took one look at the grounds and announced "We must bring Suzanne here!"

After a first look at the plain little farm, she quickly marshaled her forces—a cadre of the most prominent ladies on the Peninsula. Week after week, the monks would look up to find these ladies in their work clothes digging, planting and watering, all according to Mrs. Eyre’s plan.

The committee seemed happy enough to follow her direction, fondly referring to her as Mother Superior or The General, Father Egon said.

To fund their projects, the women began the Christmas Bazaars, which they stocked themselves. For fifteen years these bazaars brought in funds and, equally important in the life of a new school, brought hundreds of people to the campus, Father Egon said.

When a formal landscape master plan became necessary, Mrs. Eyre called her friend Thomas Church, the most prominent landscape designer in the area. Under an umbrella against the backdrop of bare, dry earth, she served him pheasant and excellent French wine—then asked him to look around him and imagine what could be planted.

He dictated on the spot all the elements of the master plan that became the priory exterior.

As she grew older and became less active, Mrs. Eyre still loved to visit the Priory to see the results of her landscaping work, to discuss plans with the gardeners, and to send blue and white bouquets to Chapel and for graduations, Father Egon said.

In 1999 the Benedictine Community presented Mrs. Eyre with the highest honor it can give, the St. Benedict award. The fountain on the third level is also dedicated to her.

Born in Nancy, France, Mrs. Eyre’s childhood spiritual advisor was a Benedictine father. Her knowledge of her faith was remarkable and she practiced it conscientiously. "We cannot speak enough of her strong faith," Father Egon said.

"We will remember her because of the beauty she created and the constant friendship she provided but especially because of the innate generosity of her good heart," he said.

Editor’s Note: An obituary with a charming story of Mrs. Eyre’s youth is posted on the WPS online community website.

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This fountain, overlooking the campus, was dedicated to Suzanne Eyre, who was the inspiration for all the Priory grounds.

All-new, completely different

Priory Family Barbecue 3-6 p.m., September 30 Burgers by In-n-Out Freshly made salads Build-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundaes Karioke and DJ music for teens Fun-tested games for kids And featuring. . . .

Casual dress passes for Priory students!

Come and enjoy a relaxing, hassle-free Sunday dinner with friends—a great event you won't want to miss.

Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839

Return Service Requested

NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID

MENLO PARK,CA PERMIT #805