PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School
April 2002
Auction 2002
Liftoff! We Have
A Learning Community for the New Century
Woodside Priory School A Learning Community for the New Century
In This Issue SAT scores and AP Scholars are admirable, a new curriculum mapping project is under way, and a fiber optic backbone has been added to the campus network. This and more in From the Headmaster, page 3.
Sharon Davis visits, Page 4
Sharon Davis (wife of Gov. Gray Davis) was the Priory’s seventh annual Community Forum speaker; students raise money for charity, and the Priory’s Chamber Music Society is lending a classic touch to campus events. This and more in Fall at a Glance, pages 4 and 5. Earthlings! Don’t’ miss the treasures and fun at "Out of This World!," the annual auction and ball scheduled for May 4 at the Hotel Sofitel. See pages 6 and 7. Al Zappelli embarks on a whirlwind tour of Asia to meet prospective students and re-connect with alumni and their families. The Priory’s involvement with a Slovak foreign student program leads to connections with the new Northern California consulate. Changes in the Residential Life program bring a contemporary feel to 36 boys’ "Priory home." See pages 8-10.
It’s Out of this World!, Page 6
Priory alumni are at work in Africa, volunteering in Central America, pursuing knowledge in biology and environmental science, producing a rip-roaringly successful musical in Thailand, and planning graduations, graduate school and marriages. This and more in Alumni News & Notes, pages 11-13 Dotty Hayes brings a wealth of financial management knowledge to her job on the Priory Board of Trustees. Her other passion, music, dominates the Hayes’s family life. Adopting a Slovak student for a year took even more time from an already busy schedule, but "You learn to let go of minutiae," she says. See Trustee Profile, page 14.
Asian tour, Page 8
Priory Girls Volleyball went to the State playoffs for the second year in a row. Boys Basketball achieved its first ever NorCal playoffs, and the Middle School teams are bringing home more trophies. This and more in Athletics, pages 15 and 16. The Golden Jubilee Campaign is moving ahead! The on-campus housing goal— 10 new or refurbished residences—will be complete when the Maas Family Commons is constructed this spring. Now, the Campaign will turn to a Performing Arts Center. As an introduction to this new phase, Priorities is featuring some pertinent student comments. See pages 17-19.
Athletics, Page 15
Board of Directors Abbott Matthew Leavy, OSB Father Mark Cooper, OSB Brother Edward Englund, OSB Father Martin Mager, OSB Father William Sullivan, OSB Board of Trustees Mrs. Linda Andreini Dave Arnold Ms. Janet Brownstone Mrs. Liz Cirino Mr. Wayne Davison Mr. Al Ebneter Mrs. Anne Hannigan Mrs. Dotty Hayes Father Pius Horvath Mr. George Huertas Mr. Craig Johnson Mr. Robert Klein Mrs. Mary Lemuth Mrs. Kathie Maxfield Mrs. Sandra McCarthy Mrs. Janiece Bacon Oblak 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. Contact the Communications Office at 650-851-6193 or the school at 650-851-8221. Editor: Carolyn Dobervich Design: Jim Kirkland, Copperline Multimedia Contributing Writers: LeeAnn McDermott, Pat Reed, Laramie Treviño, Kelly Wollenberg. Photos: Jim Kirkland, Father Martin Mager, Carolyn Dobervich, Gail Kimball, Catherine Houston, Annie Barnett. Cover: We have liftoff! Andy Davison, sixth grade, Alicia Kriewall, seventh grade, and Alexis Smith, sophomore, go sky high in support of the school auction. Story on page 6.
From the Headmaster Dear Priory Community, hree years ago, our campus received a six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (the maximum accreditation achievable). The accreditation process is detailed and thorough, involving an extensive selfstudy among the campus community as well as a visiting team study and a report from WASC. Its main value is in guiding every school to evaluate, adapt, and improve. This year we are working on a three-year "update evaluation." We are reviewing recommendations and checking our progress. This is a particularly appropriate time, then, to also complete another "State of the School" report. In the State of the School, I like to highlight the facets of Priory education not generally covered in our annual financial report. I would like to share with you a few highlights from this report. The full report will be mailed to you (or possibly posted on the school Web site) this spring. • The Boards of Trustees and Directors (our monks) approved an updated philosophy and mission statement. This is possibly the first restatement of our mission since 1992. It is printed for you on the back cover of this magazine. • Our students continue an upward trend in academic performance. In last year’s National Merit competition we had seven Commended Scholars and two Finalists (representing about 21% of the senior class). This year we have four Commended Scholars and three Finalists. • Nearly every senior student has taken at least one AP course (most take many more). Last year, eighteen students achieved various levels of AP Scholar ranking, and one student reached the highest level—AP National Scholar. SAT scores for the class of 2001 averaged 614 in verbal and 639 in math, compared with state averages of 498 verbal and 517 math. • Our faculty is building the Atlas Curriculum Mapping database. This program will help teachers coordinate course content within subjects, across subjects and across years. For example, when the data entry is complete, a teacher could query "writing
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skills" or "Benedictine values" and locate teaching support throughout the entire curriculum. Detailed descriptions of every course will also be on line for anyone who would like to read them. • Alicia Parker, Director of Residential Life, and Erik Carlson, Dean of Students, are developing a special curriculum for the boys who live in the dorms. This curriculum will map out the life experiences we want the boys to have during their four years in their "Priory home." • Mitch Neuger, sixth grade core teacher, is heading a yearlong reflective study of the Middle School curriculum. This study is an effort to be sure that Priory faculty are offering the most effective and age-appropriate experiences, and we might see modifications to the program as soon as next fall. • Our campus now has a fiber optic backbone that has doubled the bandwidth (and hence increased the speed) of the campus network. We have wireless Internet access throughout the campus. Students have "roving profiles" that allow them to access their work from any computer on the campus. Our Web-based email allows students, faculty and staff to access their accounts from any computer with an Internet connection. There is much more, and I look forward to sharing it with you soon. As we approach to the excitement of the Auction, and the beginning of the Performing Arts Center phase of our Golden Jubilee Campaign, the spring activities, the June reunion and the graduations that will soon be upon us, I am grateful again to be living and working in such a vibrant community. After the disquieting events of September 11 and its aftermath, this is a gift I would not trade. I sense the connections to the past through Priory alumni and families—and to the future through the current Priory community. These links give me a satisfying sense of the rightness of the Priory’s contribution in this time and place. Thank you for your part in it.
Tim Molak
Headmaster
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I would like to share with you a few highlights from the Priory’s State of the School report.
Fall/Winter Among the students accepting the Priory’s second annual $1 Lenten "talents" challenge are (from left) sixth graders Peter Hurtubise, Ariel Zommer, and Alec Schilling, and seventh graders Will Farino and Kyle Felix. The idea began with the Bible story in which a good master chastises his servant for hiding his "talent" –which meant money in biblical times— instead of using it to good purpose. Priory students were told the story on the first day of Lent, and then each received a $1 bill with encouragement to use their real talents—their skills and abilities—to make the dollar grow. There were bake sales, songs and crafts— and, at the end, more than $2,600 for charity.
Eighth grader Adrianna Andreini presented a gift from the Priory to California’s First Lady Sharon Davis (wife of Gov. Gray Davis). Ms. Davis was the featured speaker at the seventh annual Community Forum. She said there is no blueprint for a first lady to follow; each carves her own niche. Issues involving the health and welfare of youth, and issues impacting the plight of the homeless mentally ill are her focus, she said.
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An angry Josh Rado looms over Jordan Aboud in "Thread That Runs So True," the fall drama production. This funny and poignant story, based on the autobiography of a rural Kentucky schoolteacher, has it all—the teenager who is still in the first grade, the trustee who believes the kids shouldn’t raise their sights above the crops in the fields, the grandma who finally has time to learn. It is a fun family show, available on videotape by contacting Carolyn Dobervich at (650) 851-6193.
at a Glance Headmaster Tim Molak and Brother Edward Englund took a team of visitors from Benedictine University in Lyle, Illinios, on a tour of the Priory campus. The team has visited all 21 Benedictine high schools as a prelude to a national conference for all the schools being planned for next December. The new emphasis on communication among Benedictine schools reflects a common need to preserve Benedictine traditions in the face of a declining population of Benedictine monks and nuns.
Rochelle Nguyen ('06), violin, and Carolyn Hayes ('04), oboe - along with Director of Orchestras, Kris Yenney, cello - form the core of the Chamber Music Society of Woodside Priory School, which includes a number of instrumentalists who provide music for guests, in chapels, and at other school events when a touch of elegance is required. Their services have even been retained by a member of the Board of Trustees to serenade a garden wedding reception in Atherton. National Honor Society students broke all previous records at their fall car wash, bringing in $2,884 for charity. The previous high was $1,650. More than 600 people were at the Parent Association’s Family Barbecue, also a new record. Karioke sing-alongs, ice cream sundaes and DJ music were popular new additions. In the photo, sophomore Laura Brent is at the head of the car wash assembly line.
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C’Mon, Earthlings! So… It’s Out of This World!
Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar? And be better off than you are? Then, "Out of This World!" is the only place for you to be on the evening of May 4. It’s the most heavenly Priory auction ever—and the 6:00 p.m. launch at the elegant Hotel Sofitel is an event no Priory Earthling should miss. You will enter a world transformed as you pass through the glowing teleporters that beam you to the space party. Who would have thought that an intergalactic gala would include the delectable drinks and heavenly hors d’oeuvres being passed around to homo sapiens and galactic creatures alike? Galactic creatures? You will think you’re at the Star Wars space bar! You’ll browse the Silent Auction tables until 7:30 p.m., perusing the lavish array of anticipated treats and special finds. Restaurants, wines, jewels, professional services, vacation homes, sports mementos, great tickets to special events, things you need and things you want—they’re all there. It will feel like a cross between Christmas morning, with
The ultimate luxury—this tan and white 1987 Rolls Royce Silver Spur, appraised at $34,000—can be yours. The ride is so comfortable that going over the Priory speed bumps doesn’t even ripple the coffee. For more information or to place a bid (min. $25,000, accepted through May 3), call Pat Reed 650-851-8221.
its beautiful and unexpected treasures, and an eBay bargain-shopping spree. Following the auction, it’s into the ballroom for dinner. The wines are delightful and the cuisine is sumptuous, lovingly prepared by the Hotel Sofitel’s renowned chef. Fun little surprise gifts are by your plate and— look!—isn’t that Earth? And the moon? When dessert arrives, our Headmaster puts on his Auctioneer’s hat and another personality emerges as his hilarious patter inspires people to bidding wars for the most coveted Live Auction items. It will be Father Martin’s 18th Tall Clock, and the auctioneer will remind the bidders in ominous tones (as he has been doing for at least 10 years) that the venerable monk is looking arthritic and this could be the last chance. Special treats sure to inspire people to lift those bidding paddles include: • A six-day bike tour for two through the Grand Cru countryside in Bordeaux, France. You’ll ride among the renowned vineyards to medieval St.
If you have always wanted to live in an architectural masterpiece—just lift your bidding paddle and this one, in Cabo San Lucas, is yours for a week.
Emilion and walk cobbled streets to its unique underground church. Bike winding roads between ancient houses by the Garonne and cruise down the river by boat. Enjoy a vineotherapy spa, Michelinstarred dining, and taste wines at the region’s best estates (even Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte!). • A star-studded evening—literally—for eight at the beautiful new Portola Valley home of Peggy Schmidt and Joe Tobacco. Following a gourmet dinner, guests can check out the summer constellations using Joe’s Celestron telescope high in Alpine Hills, where the view is undiminished. This would be a great treat for special friends, or a super birthday celebration. • The Avalos family’s spectacular home on the Pacific in Cabo San Lucas can be yours for the week. It sleeps five couples and includes use of a pool, spa, car and incomparable beach. • A luxurious treat a little closer to home would be 18 holes for three at the elegant San Francisco Golf Club. Any player, from novice to expert, will enjoy this course, and it would make a wonderful centerpiece to a memorable day in the city. • You couldn’t get better seats than orchestra 10th row center at the San Francisco Opera House, and you couldn’t find a more beautiful and classic ballet than Giselle, as performed on May 11 by the worldclass San Francisco Ballet. This treat comes paired with a certificate for dinner at "Jardiniere," near the Opera House. • The coveted progressive dinner for 26 people, hosted by Priory administrators, is back this year by popular demand. The lucky winners will begin with
cocktails on Church Square, be chauffeured to the home of John and Nancy Newman for dinner, and then close the evening with an array of desserts, coffee and fun in the Father Christopher Room. "All of this wouldn’t be happening without the amazing creativity and hard work of a terriffic committee. The best way to thank them is just to come and have a great time," said Connie Klein. Connie and Michelle Green are chairing this year’s event. And one can indulge with a clear conscience. “The proceeds of this, the Priory’s only fund-raising event, are crucial to the annual budget, which supports small class size and the quality of Priory education we all expect,” said Headmaster Molak. "We are pleased at the continuing success of the auction. It provides an essential component of the revenue we need to cover the increasing cost of our educational program," said Wayne Davison, Board of Trustees Chair. Wayne and Cindy Davison chaired the auction in 1999 and 2000 and continue to be irreplaceable volunteers. "Every year, I think ‘we’ll never top this one.’ But somehow, the next year, the volunteers always do. It’s great to enjoy a festive time, and especially to see the alumni and old friends that I don’t see frequently. I always have a great time— everyone does," said Father Martin. —C. Dobervich
An official ‘49ers ball signed by the players of the 2001 season is almost impossible to find—but the Priory auction has one. It comes enclosed in a protective Lucite case.
Sneak Preview! www.woodsidepriory.com--click on "Auction". Free tuition or $10,000! Second prize is $2,500 towards tuition or take the cash. Call Virginia Taylor at 650-598-9181 to purchase your raffle ticket. Could these student helpers at last year’s auction be smiling at the sight of the adults dancing? Finesse, the band that was great for listening or dancing last year, will be back.
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A Whirlwind
Tour of Asia
To Meet Prospective and Former Students
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irector of Admissions Al Zappelli—on a mission to meet prospective students, discover the cultures of this year’s students, and build ties with alumni and their families—found it was a lot to do in a week. When The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) group embarked on its annual recruiting tour in the Far East, Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions for the Priory, was among the group. For Al, it was his first trip through Asia. He sought several opportunities: a face-to-face introduction with prospective students, an exposure to the cultures of current students, and a strengthening of friendships with the Priory community—this time on their home soil.
For Al Zappelli, the trip offered a strengthening of friendships with the Priory Asian community—this time on their home soil.
First Stop: Tokyo After an 11-hour flight and a lengthy cab ride, Al arrives at Le Meridian Hotel in Tokyo just moments before the TABS reception begins. Feeling rumpled and weary, his long day becomes much brighter when he sees the familiar faces of Rex and Keiko Valentine, parents of Eric (’02), waiting to greet him. They quickly take charge of the Priory’s table at the
Alumnus Young Bae Lee (‘95), in Seoul,
was a great asset in meeting and talking with prospective Priory students. The
support of Priory alumni and their
families were what made Al’s trip a success, he said.
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reception, giving Al a welcome chance to freshen up in his room. With the essential support of the Valentines, and Mrs. Michiko Tsuchiya, mother of former student Takahashi, the Tokyo stopover goes extremely well. "The Tokyo stop is such a great example to me of the Priory’s community all over the world—helping me with language, local customs, gaining a better understanding of our students’ cultures, and making the most of the opportunity to tell the Priory’s story to prospective students," Al says. Next Stop: Seoul and Taipei Young Bae Lee (’95) invites Al to experience a more authentic Korea. They travel to a small town outside Seoul to visit the English language school where Young teaches (until his upcoming entry into the Korean military as a translator). There, Al witnesses a life quite different from that in Portola Valley. It provides him with an insight to the disequilibrium that a boarder from the Far East may feel in his first experiences with American culture. Dr. Jung Sin Lee, father of Michael (’05), and Young Bae are essential to the success experienced in Seoul. Both worked at the TABS fair and talked with families in their native language.
Priory’s Links with Slovak Republic Now Include Ambassador Butora
The unparalleled setting of the Hong Kong Country Club was the site of a tea hosted by Ignatius and Nallie Lam.
Taiwan and the Priory seem to have an affinity for each other, in that many of the Priory’s successful students originated on this small island. Ron Mak (’84), Mrs. Lee-May Chen (mother of Ian, ’05), and Jack Yu (father of Loren, ’04), are all a welcome sight during Al’s stopover here. After the TABS reception, Al squeezes in a tour of the National Museum and some serious souvenir shopping at the Merchandise Mart. Finally, There’s Hong Kong Another support system is waiting— the Lam family. Ignatius and Nallie Lam are parents of Alvin (’02) and Jason (‘01), a current undergraduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. On his first evening, they treat Al to his first taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, plus an extensive tour of the island, a trip up to Victoria Peak and an invaluable, in-depth explanation of cultural background. At the TABS reception, Al is delighted by a chance meeting with Eugene Ho (’91). At the spectacular tea hosted by the Lams at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Al greets guests with help from Lawrence and Nancy Choi, parents of Wayne (’99), a student at Boston University, and Stan
Fifty years ago, the Priory’s founding monks fled Eastern Europe and communist repression. Ten years ago, the Russian empire collapsed, and those satellite countries were free to begin again. In the Slovak Republic, between Hungary and the Czech Republic, a relocated Stanford grad working in Bardejov wanted the best and brightest of the local students to experience the American system. It would teach them more about democracy and free market economy than any books, he thought. Three years ago, that Stanford grad, Art Breisky, reached out to a fraternity brother, Bob Simon, who approached Woodside Priory about taking a student for a year. The Priory took two, then another, and this year, two more. Bob Simon became a friend of the school, then a member of the Board of Trustees. Now it appears that the school’s small investment in Slovakian youth will touch adults as well. The Slovak Republic will open a Northern California consulate this month, and the advance planning staff invited everyone involved in the Priory’s student program (including Peter Bodik and Julia Petrosova, the current students) to help in the planning. In return, when the Ambassador and his wife arrive in the Bay Area in late April, they plan to visit at the school, meeting and talking with students and faculty. Meanwhile, one of the Priory’s first students, Maria Ferencova, is a freshman majoring in economics at a top Czech university and looking at a business career in the travel industry (a great need in the Slovak Republic). Zuzka Fedorkova, the other of the first two students, is a Stanford sophomore currently spending two quarters on the Berlin campus. She is an international relations major planning to focus on Eastern and Central European issues and work in that region. Alena, who was at the Priory in 2000-2001, is finishing her senior year at home. Peter and Julia will also take a senior year when they go back to Bardejov.
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Priory Trustee and Slovak program coordinator Bob Simon sat in as substitute grandparent with Julia Petrosova (seated, right) and Peter Bodik (not pictured) at Grandparents Day last fall. Every grandmother received a long-stemmed rose, and senior Angela Sibal (standing) helped with the deliveries.
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Ron Mok, class of 1984, joined Al in greeting students at the Taipei reception.
Was the whirlwind effort worth it? Emphatically, yes. Will the Priory continue the trips to Asia and other parts of the world? You bet.
Kwong-—father of Jon (‘05). Stan and his wife Judy are former residents of the island, now living in Belmont. Stan, whose work with IBM takes him frequently to Europe and Asia, says : "The Priory has the qualities that many Asian families seek when they decide on a school in the United States. “The proximity to Silicon Valley, and the school’s contacts with the major companies such as IBM, HP, Sun Microsystems, and Silicon Graphics, are important. The ties through Priory families to biotechnology, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are important because people want their sons to understand these new fields." Continuing, he adds, "The variety of cultural opportunities at and around the Priory for students to experience and participate in are also important, especially in classical music. Knowing that we place many students at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the East Coast schools is important." Back Home at the Priory In reflection, was the whirlwind effort worth it? Emphatically, yes. Will the Priory continue the trips to Asia and other parts of the world? You bet. The Priory intends to nurture and build on its unique international diversity—this trip was a model for future endeavors, Al said. Al adds an appeal: "Any help that Priory alumni and friends can give to the boarding recruitment effort in their area of the world is gratefully accepted." Al can be reached by email at azappelli@ woodsidepriory.com.
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Residential Life Has A New Face, New Names The dorm rooms today would look familiar to Priory alumni of earlier decades, but the dorm experience is contemporary. In place of monks or young men who live on the hall, the Residential Life staff now includes men and women, single and married—and families. Last fall, the school community turned out to see Father Martin bless and rename the improved Junior and Senior dorms. They are Benedict House and Anselm House, respectively. In earlier years, the Priory housed Residential Life staff in dorm rooms, right along with the students. That was a limiting factor on the candidates the school could attract and retain, explains Alicia Parker, Director of Residential Life. "When we interview, we often are looking for talented people qualified as teachers, administrators and coaches in the day school program as well as the Residential Life program. We always are looking for someone who is comfortable with and eager to work with adolescents. The new, three-bedroom apartments makes this career choice appealing to a wider range of candidates," said Headmaster Tim Molak. A new Resident Advisor program is designed to provide more opportunity for individual attention and better communication with boys’ families. Each Residential Life staff member is matched with five to seven boys. A student health center is now located in the residence halls. The Parent Association has a Residential Life Liaison Committee to support the professional staff. Julie Basta, a member of the Residental Life staff, has as her special assignment weekend activities planning, so that she can devote more time to working with the boys in selecting events and including their day-school friends. “We see plenty of signs that our students are going to see each other and stay in touch over the years,” added Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions. "These days, the opportunity to do that is better than ever. I hope this will be a long-term advantage for all of the kids who go through the Priory together,"
Alumni News & Notes Michael Kiely, class of 1962, is currently head of the Family Federation, Nigeria. He writes, "We have an HIV program in high schools that has achieved national recognition. By June of this year we will have made HIV presentations to over 150,000 students." Teacher training courses will be started in the near future. Martin Drummond, class of 1978, is now living in Kentucky. He works in his family’s automotive touchup business and, in addition, writes computer programs. He is a musician, as well, and has produced a CD that he is in the process of copywriting. Once that is completed he will make it available, at no cost, on the Internet. Luke Kirch, class of 1978, completed his MBA in International Business at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, in August 2001. He received the Outstanding MBA Student of the Year award. Currently he is program director with Hawaii Technology Trade Association (www.htta.org), which he describes as Hawaii’s only private-sector, statewide trade association seeking to build up high-tech industries through public-private collaboration. He said he would love to hear from Priory grads from ’78 or with Hawaii or venture capital connections. His phone number is 808-547-5898. Jim Dugoni, class of 1982, is in his sixth year as an administrator at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where he is currently Assistant Director of Athletics. He lives in Modesto with wife, Lisa, and two boys—Tyler, 9, and Jack, 6. Nathaniel Titterton, class of 1984, received his doctorate in education from Berkeley this year. Takonkiet Viravan, class of 1984, produced a successful musical in Bangkok last summer. It was scheduled for 14 performances, but they were extended to 20 and all sold out the 1,800-seat Cultural Center theater. The queen and several members of the Thailand royal family attended, Tak said. Weston Miller, class of 1990, received an MS in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University and is currently teaching high school science at Mount Madonna School in Watsonville, California. Ethan Howard, class of 1991, is engaged to marry Abbey Loberg, August 10, 2002, at St. Helena Catholic Church. Father William Sullivan, a member of the Priory’s Board of Directors and a Prior on the campus for 12 years, will conduct the service. Miki Oyler, class of 1995, is graduating in May from Springfield College (Massachusetts) with a Masters of Education in Athletic Counseling — an applied sports psychology program. He plans to return for a doctorate in counseling psychology in the near future. Lina Sonderstrup, class of 1995, is keeping busy with her work at Siemens. Grant Rosenquist, class of 1996, was spotted by Tim Molak at the San Francisco airport. Grant was picking up his parents, who were returning from a Pacific Rim cruise. They plan to attend the Priory auction on May 4 at Hotel Sofitel. Young Bae Lee, class of 1997, graduated from the UCSD in July with a BS degree in Management Science. Returning to Korea, he worked as an English instructor for BCM, a company that specializes in English and Japanese education and information services for students who are planning on studying abroad. Young reports that he spoke to the president of BCM, as well as many of the company’s foreign instructors, about the Priory. BCM has already started an exchange program between Korea and elementary schools in the United States. The company soon will start a program to bring groups of parents to visit various schools throughout the United States. Kevin Yost, class of 1999, visited the Priory on the day of the Priory’s March 11 chapel. He was home on spring break spending time with family and friends. Emily Haine, class of 1998, will be completing college at Wheaton in May with a bachelor’s degree in Art History. Continued on page 12
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Continued from page 11 Melanie Hancock, class of 1998, will graduate in June with a BA in Anthropology. After graduation, Melanie plans to travel and hopes to spend a year working in Australia. She is hoping to take a master’s in anthropology on her return. Anne Mecham, class of 1998, has received grant funding to continue an environmental study of the Island Ironwood, a tree that used to grow over the northwestern United States. It is now found only on four of the Channel Islands. She is doing DNA fingerprinting of the trees on the different islands. The grant will allow her to do more to determine the extent of diversity on each island. Anne will marry Jacob Hawkins on June 29, 2002 in a garden wedding in Santa Barbara. Terrell Virgil, class of 1998, will be graduating in May with a degree in Business Administration from the University of the Pacific. Terrell plans to pursue a management career with the Walgreen’s Pharmacy corporation and on June 9 will marry Millie Kimpton, whom he met at UOP. Suzi Kovacs, class of 1998, spent the first semester of her senior year studying in Budapest, Hungary, at the Pazmany Peter Catholic University. She traveled to several European countries, participated in Habitat for Humanity Hungary, was interviewed on Hungarian TV, and saw Former President George Bush Sr. receive an award and give a speech. She hopes the knowledge of Central European history and politics she acquired will be helpful in starting a career in that field. Doug Kirkland, class of 1998, will be graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University this month. At that time, he will also be comissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Doug will then recieve training in space and missles at Vandenburg Air Force Base. Michael Mastman, class of 1999, is traveling in Central America for the semester. He spent approximately one month in Nicaragua overseeing donations made by his student co-op to the organization of ranchers and farmers. He is now spending a month learning K’lche, a Mayan language, and working on his cooking skills in Guatemala. Next month he will participate in a Global Exchange program in Cuba. Tina Lally, class of 2000, has joined Alpha Phi sorority at Loyola Marymount and is continuing to work with charities in the Los Angeles area. Jeff Lin, class of 2000, was in the Bay Area to interview for a summer internship and stopped by the campus. Jeff is a Computer Science/Electrical Engineering major at Carnegie Mellon University. NVIDIA flew him to the Bay Area, and Microsoft flew him to Seattle the following weekend to interview there. Helene Nguyen, class of 2001, attended the Model United Nations in Montreal in late January, where she represented Harvard. While there, she met Kevin Yost, class of 1999 (a former MUN teammate at the Priory) who was representing the United States Naval Academy at the same conference. Ross Anderson, class of 2001, worked last summer for one of the Stanford Hospital pathology labs involved in cancer research. He did antibody staining on tissue samples for a study the group intended to publish. Before leaving, Ross repaired the lab’s centrifuge for concentrating RJNA, reducing processing time threefold. Roxanne Lundin-Crittenden, class of 2001, writes that Colorado College is a wonderful place and she loves it there. The people are great and she is enjoying her classes with Professor Pickle, a religion teacher, and Professor Kester, who teaches chemistry. She also signed up for sax lessons. She says that she enjoys dorm life and finds herself hanging out in the hallways at night because if she sits there long enough, somebody interesting inevitably comes along and they end up talking well into the early hours of the morning. She enjoys hearing from her friends at the Priory, so keep those emails coming, she said.
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Alumni Reunions!
Twenty-seven Priory grads dropped in to enjoy Father Martin’s pizza and each others’ company at the traditional Christmas holiday reunion for college students. The wind was cold, but the fire was warm and the music merry in the Father Christopher room. The next reunion is set for Saturday, June 8. It is a special reunion for all the "2" and "7" classes (1997, 1992, 1987, etc.), but everyone is welcome. As always, it will be an all-day event with activities for families, sports, tours, and an evening dinner. Details are available on the Web at http://community.wspriory.com (that’s right—no www). U.S. Army PFC Clare Van Dalsem, class of 1996, took leave time to visit her mother, Priory Director of Technology Rebecca Harper. Clare is stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Her field is communications.
Brother Edward Englund ran into D.C. McEachern, Class of 1994 at the Chicago airport last summer. D.C. was returning from the wedding of a Priory classmate, Tyson Trish.
Min Ho Lee, class of 1991, will be a class representative in the upcoming Alumni Fund drive.
Greg Fleishman, class of 1997, shown here with Al Zappelli, will graduate from CSU Chico with a major in Communications.
Francis Byun, class of 1998, shown here with Father Martin Mager, spent last summer on the Priory campus as a volunteer with the Bridge program for academically talented middle school students.
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Trustee Profile
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Despite Dotty’s mother’s advice to "become a secretary—college is a waste of time for women," she earned three degrees and has spent more than two decades in highly responsible positions in corporate finance.
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rustee Dotty Hayes’s life seems to have two major themes: music—and managing money. Dotty and husband Terry sing, and daughter Carolyn sings, plays three instruments and composes music. The schedule of rehearsals and performances encompasses just about all of their free time. In her professional life, despite Dotty’s mother’s advice to "become a secretary—college is a waste of time for women," she earned a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees and has spent more than two decades in highly responsible positions in corporate finance. As a WPS Trustee, Hayes works on the finance committee, where she can bring her analytical skills to bear. One responsibility she enjoys includes reviewing reports prepared by outside auditors. "It’s fun to look at other people’s budgets for awhile," she says. Carolyn, a junior, is studying oboe and cello, and she also plays English horn. She plays in the High School Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society, and she sings in the High School and the Advanced Chamber Choirs. She also plays in the El Camino Youth Symphony, a community-based orchestral group. She is a serious musician and plans a college major in performance. Hayes says that decision was entirely her daughter’s own, with no pressure from the parental front along the way to either pursue music or to practice it. "She accepts her own responsibilities and the consequences," Hayes declares. The trustee laments the paring down of musical curricula in many schools. She says she believes some musical education should be part of a basic foundation for learning Dotty and Terry sing with Crescendo, a 20-member ensemble of friends who sing a capella at gatherings, as well as with Foothills Congregational Church chancel and chamber choirs. Probably most demanding is their participation in the highly regarded Schola Cantorum, a community choral group with weekly rehearsals and concert engagements in established venues. Schola recitals range from Renaissance and classical to Broadway tunes, among others. Recently, the group has performed the music of South American churches in their colonial periods, Negro
spirituals, and the compositions of historically overlooked women. "You get a good education," says Hayes. "Every concert is a completely different experience." Schola’s demands are akin to "forced recreation," Hayes jokes. However, each member is crucial to the team effort, she notes, and her lively, pleasant speaking tone takes on a serious edge. "You’ve got to hold your own or the quality of the group deteriorates." On the professional front, Hayes deals with the daily drama of bottom lines. In her 26-year-career, Hayes has been a financial manager through periods of rapid growth, downsizing, cautious growth and merger and divestiture in large and small companies. Since 1999, she’s served as Vice President/Controller of Agilent Technologies, a Palo Alto spin-off of Hewlett-Packard Company that in the last fiscal year had revenues of $8.4 billion. Previously, she was the transition general manager for HP, a role where she was responsible for program management processes to facilitate the separation of Agilent from HP. Twelve-hour workdays are routine, as is the challenging task of "keeping up with the messaging flow." Last year, the Hayes family took on an added responsibility by hosting Alena Harajdova, from Bardejov, Slovakia, who attended WPS as a member of the senior class. Harajdova, recently was accepted to architecture school back home. The host experience "kind of forced us to more conscious family togetherness," Hayes recalls. While their role required packing one more responsibility into an already busy schedule, "you end up being a better person by stepping out of your rut," Hayes concludes. Her secret for keeping up with it all? She has started to enjoy the monthly quiet reflection of Father Martin’s Taize services at the Priory. And, over time, "You learn how to deal with stuff and not get hung up with the minutiae," Hayes says.
Athletics PSAL All League Athletes Fall Sports Cross-Country
Peter Trudelle, First Team Boys Soccer
Henry Arredondo, Second Team Pablo Avalos, Second Team Will Camisa, Second Team Gabor Meszaros, Honorable Mention Tennis
Alexis Smith, First Team Sammi Nuttall, Honorable Mention Volleyball
Cassie Perret, First Team/ League MVP/Sportsmanship Francesca Centofanti, First Team Lisa Flagg, First Team Winter Sports Boys Basketball
Chris Nemetz, Second Team
Priory’s Girls Volleyball team again won the league, Central Coast Section and Northern California championships, finishing their season second in the state.
Girls Basketball
Mandy Hafleigh, Honorable Mention Girls Soccer
Kayti Sullivan, First Team Jessica Uphoff, First Team Abby Mills, Second Team Lori Teraoka, Honorable Mention
In their CCS Div. V playoffs, the Boys Basketball team won the semifinals, then lost in the finals. They competed in the NorCal games—a first for Priory Boys Basketball.
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Athletics Highlights: • Cassie Perret received the State Championship MVP and State Championship Sportsmanship/ Citizenship Awards for the second year in a row— the first player in girls volleyball history to do so. She was named San Mateo County Player of the Year, and she was a terrific sixth grade girls volleyball coach! She will attend Santa Clara University on a volleyball scholarship next year.
The Girls Basketball Team qualified for the first time to play in the CCS Div. V semifinals. Four years ago the team reached CCS but was disqualified in an earlier round.
• The Girls Volleyball Team reached the state playoffs for the second year in a row. They finished second in the state. Team starters were Cassie Perret, Francesca Centofanti, Lisa Flagg, Laura Trudelle, Kayti Sullivan and Mandy Hafleigh. Megan Noice, Whitney Peterson, Claudia Meyer and Anjuli Curia were reserve players. Roz Pelayo is the head coach and Sacha Steenhoek is assistant coach. • The JV Flag Football Team was undefeated and league champions.
The JV Flag Football Team was league champion and undefeated throughout the season.
• Priory Boys Basketball qualified for the Northern California playoffs for the first time in the school’s history. The Boys and Girls Basketball Teams both qualified for the Central Coast Section Division V playoffs. • Chris Nemetz finished the regular season as the fourth-leading scorer in San Mateo County. He finished the season with a 19 point per game average and a total of 494 points scored. • Some 80% of High School students and 95% of Middle School students played a sport last year.
Senior Cassie Perret ended her high school career with a list of accolades for both athleticism and sportsmanship. See "Highlights."
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• Peter Trudelle competed in the state cross-country championships in Fresno. • The eigth grade boys and seventh grade girls basketball teams were scheduled to play championship games at press time.
Student Views on
Performing Arts W
hy does Woodside Priory School need great performing arts and facilities that match the quality of work the faculty expects? Many reasons but some good answers come directly from students. Last spring, as part of a study of facilities needs, several students met with an independent reporter to talk about performing arts at the Priory. Their comments were surprisingly passionate. These photos show them in Priory arts productions. More student views and more information about the Performing Arts Center project will be forthcoming as the school moves into this next phase of the Golden Jubilee Campaign. Information and more student comments are already available on the Campaign Web site. To join in the Performing Arts Center effort now, contact Trustee Ray Rothrock at campaign@woodsidepriory.com.
“I was part of a small music group that played Ms. Yenney’s original composition for one of the plays. Because of the small, confined space, we clattered around our instruments and it was just really hard [to do our job well].” Kieran Howard, Class of 2005 “A school should be a lot more than a place where they just put knowledge into your head. If the Priory wasn’t already a lot more than that, most of us wouldn’t be here." Harvey Jones, Class of 2002 National Merit Finalist
Continued on page 18
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Continued from page 17
“Our classroom is basically a multipurpose room. Everybody goes in there for everything. It’s where everything happens so, when we have a production, we hardly even have a chance to set up.” Allison Wengert, WPS 2001 Now at Duke University
“Expanding the music program is important. [But] without the right equipment, it’s like giving people a broad brush to paint a delicate picture…And I think it is important to show people that music is enriching to the mind and soul.” Charles Kou, WPS 2002 Now at Stanford University
“(When I started school at the Priory), I hadn’t made any friends. In the play, I made a lot of friends and I found something I like to do. I felt a lot more bonded with the school.” Lauren Frasch, Class of 2005 (shown here with Liesel Yost)
"It would be really cool to think you’re playing in a great facility. You’re giving back to your community, and you’re sharing your talent with other people."
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Jesse Lampert, Class of 2005
Congratulations Priory! We have almost achieved our FIRST BIG GOAL—ten new or remodeled on-site residences for faculty and staff. It is wonderful to see this tangible success so early in our campaign effort. With this housing fund, we have ALREADY COMPLETED: • RENOVATION of the home now occupied by Chris and Shawna Trujillo and their two children, Parker, six months, and Taylor, two. Chris is a member of the Residential Life staff and Shawna is Director of the Middle School. • A three-bedroom APARTMENT attached to each of the two dorms. Dean of Students Erik Carlson lives in the Benedict House (Junior Dorm) apartment with his wife, Lisa, and baby Lucy. Residential Life staff members Julie Basta, Matt Lai and Brian Miehm share the Anselm House (Senior Dorm) apartment. You can read about other changes in the Residential Life program on page 10. We will SOON BREAK GROUND on: • The MAAS FAMILY COMMONS, a seven-residence complex located at the top of the hill behind the Assembly Hall. The Commons is named to honor Al and Suzanne Maas’ tenacity and dedication to completion of this project.
Maas Family Commons Goal: $2.4 million We are just $540,000 from our goal
This site for the Maas Family Commons looks much like the site that inspired the founding monks’ vision nearly fifty years ago (inset photo). Trustees Al Ebneter and Art Schultz, who have been the leading force for on-campus housing, hope that the seven new residences will be ready by Christmas 2002.
Within the Commons, individual homes can be named by donors. Anyone wishing to discuss this form of recognition is invited to contact Doug Ayer at 650-851-6101. This achievement will BENEFIT EVERY STUDENT—in the quality of the staff we can attract and retain, and the benefits of having an on-campus community that sustains our core values. As the campaign slogan says, it’s "for now and our next 50 years."
—Wayne Davison Chair, Campaign Leadership Team And Board of Trustees
Sketch of housing.
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