PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School
A Sense of
July 2002
Accomplishment A Learning Community for the New Century
Woodside Priory School A Learning Community for the New Century
In This Issue Rites of passage such as graduation have a new meaning for the headmaster this year as he watches his daughter walk with the Class of 2006. The headmaster also shares a few more notes from the State of the School report. Letter from the Headmaster, page 3.
Class of 2002 graduates, Page 12
The Middle School drama cast played to sold-out houses, a house in East Palo Alto got a face-lift, there’s a new face in the Priory Disneyland weekend photo, Choral Director Dan Hughes collects a bouquet of good-bye posies, Father Pius has an otherworldly companion at the Auction, and Priory students’ work at the Relay for Life weekend included making pretty faces. Spring at a Glance, page 4. The Priory’s most active volunteer committee just might be its Board of Trustees. This leadership group’s role covers everything from community relations to fiscal stability and long-range planning. Their role meshes nicely with the Priory’s other leadership board, the Board of Directors, which consists of monks in the Benedictine community. Trustee Profile, page 6.
Human rights in China seemed a far less distant issue to the Priory students who met with businessman John Kamm, who has achieved extraordinary success with his Middle School Graduation, Page 14 personal approach to freeing political prisoners, or improving the conditions of their imprisonment. Academics, page 7. For most students, high school is a time of discovering their abilities and strengths. For a few, a clear talent or passion is the guiding force. For them, the importance of high school is whether it helps or hinders their ability to develop that passion. Three students who fit that category, or nearly so, are Liz Dellheim, Miranda Maas, and Taylor Eigsti. Conversation with Liz, Miranda, and Taylor, page 8.
Awards, Page 15
It might be their last group appearance as a class. But graduation speaker William Hurlbut, looking back on a career of many years, advised them to stay in touch—not to miss their reunions. Student speakers Esmeralda Barriga and Kayti Sullivan reminded classmates of things both funny and serious that they might recall in years to come. Class of 2002, page 12. Dressed in their best, carrying a bouquet or bedecked with a boutonniere, the Priory Class of 2006 marched in procession into the Chapel for their graduation exercises. Speaker Nancy Newman, Dean of Students (and seventh grade science teacher) talked about the high school journey ahead, when they will be seeking, experimenting, comparing and reflecting as they define for themselves who they want to be. Class of 2006, page 14.
Alumni News & Notes, Page 19
Accomplishments in academics, sports and service were all recognized at the annual awards ceremony. Others were honored at the graduation ceremonies. Awards, page 15. Alumni checked in from all over—a shrimp farm in Mexico, an art gallery in Santa Fe, an Oracle desk in Silicon Valley, a surgery theater in Baja, and more. And, they reported on graduations, marriages, babies, new jobs and future plans. Alumni News and Notes, page 19. Three senior athletes left an indelible mark on their sports. Two will be honored by framing their volleyball jerseys. The third is more of a challenge—how to frame speedo swim trunks? See Cassie, Francesca and Trent, plus All-League news and spring sports highlights. Athletics, page 21. With the Maas Family Commons seven-unit housing project nearly complete, the Golden Jubilee Campaign focus is turning to the new Performing Arts Center. Nearly $3 million of the needed $7.5 million is already pledged and the formal fund-raising hasn’t even begun yet. Golden Jubilee Campaign Update, page 23.
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: Julia Dobervich, Pat Reed. Photos: Jim Kirkland, Father Martin Mager, Carolyn Dobervich, Kelly Wollenberg. Cover: In this issue, we celebrate accomplishments large and small—the ones that make us who we are as individuals and as a school. Websters Dictionary uses the words "completion" and "fulfillment" to define the term “accomplishment.” They seem particularly appropriate to the milestones that are part of graduations and reunions.
From the Headmaster Dear Priory Community,
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he theme of this issue of the Priorities magazine is "A Sense of Accomplishment." That sense is reflected in an article beginning on page 8, A Conversation With Liz, Miranda and Taylor, three students who have pursued their passions to very high levels. The hard work and dedication gives them a great sense of fulfillment, they say. I find myself reflecting on the sense of accomplishment I hope is felt by all of our graduates—the High School class of 2002, and Middle School class of 2006. In a small school, it is still possible to know personally each student to whom I hand a diploma, and as I did so it was gratifying to remember briefly the maturation and accomplishments of each. In the Middle School graduating class, I see a familiar name—Kate Molak. I can say, based on the experience of watching Kate grow, that I now have a greater respect for all parents of eighth graders. I have watched with a "sense of awe and amazement" as Kate has matured over the past three years to an independent, confident, mind-of-her-own adolescent. It is with a "sense of pride and humility" that I have watched her navigate the pitfalls and opportunities of Priory academics, teenage social life and the ever-increasing demands of what is needed to achieve success. I have also found that Benedictine education and the values for daily living that we impart to our students have helped Kate to grow up with balance in her life. So it is with a great "sense of satisfaction" that I watch as Kate and all of our graduates end this phase of their lives. I wish for them a successful, productive and balanced life in the phase ahead. In the last issue of Priorities, I shared a few positive notes from our State of the School report. They pointed to progress in SAT and Advanced Placement performance, new technology across the campus, work on curriculum development, and more. Here are a few more notes: • New faculty positions this year include an athletic trainer, student activities coordinator and student
health coordinator. A faculty mentoring program now helps new teachers quickly assimilate the culture and values of Benedictine education. It includes a handbook, regular meetings with department heads, and supervision by the Dean of the Faculty. • Last year, our perstudent gift support for current operations was first among Bay Area independent schools. Giving has increased 268% over the past five years. This giving helps to maintain our low student-teacher ratio and helps make possible our competitive position in faculty compensation. • Summer grants last year enabled teachers to improve their courses in sports medicine, linear algebra, European history, AP economics, metals, AP art, world cultures and religions, freshman English, and chemistry. Faculty also used grant funds to improve their technical and/or teaching skills. Several grant-funded projects are under way this summer. Among end-of-year activities was a reception to say good-bye to Holly Thompson, who has resigned as Academic Dean but will be involved with the Priory next year in her other role as a parent. I want to say how grateful I am to Holly for the excellence she has brought to her work. Her vision and academic focus shepherded us well through a time when our student population was both growing and changing very quickly. You will find other transitions mentioned throughout this issue. I hope you all will enjoy the summer and begin the fall with a sense of renewal and satisfaction. Sincerely,
Tim Molak Headmaster
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I have watched with a sense of awe and amazement as Kate has matured over the past three years to an independent, confident, mind-of-herown adolescent.
Spring at Father Martin Mager is a talented photographer, musician—and painter. For the annual “Rebuilding Together” home fix-up day, he joined nearly two dozen Priory students plus other faculty and staff in refurbishing a home in East Palo Alto.
Kimberly Chow touched up the cheek of a young participant in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life weekend. Priory’s Middle School, Sophomore and Freshman classes all sent teams, and they earned a whopping $20,923 for research to end this disease. The weather was great, the walking music was lively, and the crowd at the event site in Redwood City enjoyed it all. Priory parent Linda Frasch was a key organizer of the local event and many other parents joined in.
The company was great and so was the weather for the music students’ 3-day Disneyland trip in April. Goofy ushered the group into a morning music seminar that combined a whirlwind tour of music history and technique with a hands-on project—creating a “fun music” sound track for a short animated film segment.
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a Glance Cast members from the Middle School play, That’s All Folks!, cluster around Director Tom Carter to help make last-minute decisions before the May 16 opening. The production was funny, lively, and a great success, playing to sold-out houses at every performance. Pre-performance receptions on Friday and Saturday nights highlighted the many benefits students gain from being a part of drama and music—and the need for facilities that will help these programs thrive.
Father Pius found a friendly alien to share a glass of wine with at “Out Of This World!,” the Priory’s annual auction. This exciting, entertaining evening was bigger and better in every way, said Headmaster Tim Molak, with more guests and revenue than ever before.
Students lined up to give a hug and one flower each to Dan Hughes, whose last performance as Priory Choral Director was the Spring Concert in May. Mr. Hughes and Ms. Yenney, orchestral director, dedicated the concert to Priory’s founding monk, Fr. Egon Javor, who stood in the audience for a round of applause from a grateful student community. During his tenure, Mr. Hughes introduced a vocal instruction class and an audition-only advanced choral group, and vastly expanded the Middle and High School choruses’ musical repertoire.
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Trustee Profile This Volunteer Committee Oversees Priory Growth and Security
I Wayne Davison Board of Trustees Chair Golden Jubilee Campaign Leadership Team Chair The following is a summary of the Board of Trustees’ work in progress. Commitment to keeping faculty salaries competitive. Development of investment policies. Monitoring of Maas Family Commons (on-campus housing) construction project. Review of on-campus housing policies. Revision, update and implementation of strategic plan. Review of process for Board self-evaluations. Prepared by the Board’s Community Relations Committee —Sandy McCarthy, chair
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n industry, a Board of Trustees’ role sometimes stops with verifying the auditor’s report. In nonprofit organizations such as an arts museum or symphony, the board may also play an active role in generating funds and public support. A public school district’s Board of Trustees is the community’s link to the school system. At times, the Priory Board of Trustees has all of these roles and more. Originally, in 1987, the board was created as an advisory group appointed by the monks. The school was adapting to a new Middle School, the first female students, and a drop in student enrollment caused by demographics. The monks felt a community advisory board would lend sound judgment and strength. In 1998, with the student enrollment growing, the demands in curriculum and student activities changing, and the number of monks able to be active in school life declining, the role of the Board was increased. These are current duties: • Develop and evaluate policies, long-range plans and strategic plans. • Evaluate the school’s mission and any plans. • Develop resources the school needs to achieve its goals • Assist in developing and monitoring school budgets. Trustees are specifically excluded from being involved with hiring faculty and staff or student applications for admission—and wisely so! The ultimate governing board is the Board of Directors. This board consists of our Benedictine monks and is a non-profit corporation that holds all of the Priory assets. It also sets the Catholic, Benedictine nature of the school. The directors are Abbott Matthew, Father Mark, Father William, Father Martin, and Brother Edward. This board makes the final decisions on all corporate matters but is not involved in direct campus management.
The monks designed this two-board structure in 1998 and it has worked very well in providing leadership for the school. The trustees’ job is a big one for just 15 to 21 people. So, it is augmented with non-trustees who volunteer as committee members. This is where volunteer expertise is irreplaceable—whether it is something fast and fun, like picking a slogan, or longterm and serious, like developing long-range plans for the physical plant. It’s also where faculty, students and administrative staff tie in. For example, many students, faculty and parents probably remember serving on committees related to the last strategic plan—the Board initiated the effort but the input came largely from the school community. Current standing committees include community relations; Golden Jubilee Campaign Leadership; executive committee; finance, buildings and grounds, investment; and policy, planning and student life. Who serves on the board? Up to one-third are current parents. The Parent Association president(s) are ex-officio members. Other constituencies include alumni and alumni parents, monks, grandparents, and friends of the school who have no direct ties— often, these are people who have important skills to share. The Committee on Trustees has guidelines to consider when selecting candidates. Their nominees are approved by both Boards. Service is a maximum of two terms of three years each. And what does the trustee gain? Well, a bit of training in good boardsmanship, a free copy of Always We Begin Again, an annual retreat to reflect on the work ahead for the year, a full board meeting every other month, and usually many, many subcommittee meetings in between. As I look to the theme of this month’s magazine, "A Sense of Accomplishment," I hope all trustees take away a good measure of that as well. Meet the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and Campaign Leadership Team are on the Golden Jubilee Campaign Web site—www.woodsidepriory.com/campaign.
Academics
John Kamm: This Businessman Makes A Big Difference In Human Rights
John Kamm (right) with Scott Parker, theology department chair
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ivil liberties in China came to the Priory this spring in the person of John Kamm, a successful businessman and human rights activist—a combination many would say is very unlikely to succeed. Mr. Kamm was the subject of a cover story in the New York Times Magazine on May 3 for his extraordinary success in gaining release of political prisoners. Far from being a high-profile advocate, however, Mr. Kamm built his human rights success by the unorthodox approach of quietly tying his personal business meetings to requests for information about individual Chinese prisoners. Mr. Kamm has longstanding business relationships with China. He is also founder and head of a small, nonprofit human rights foundation. In the latter role, he helped secure release or better treatment for some 250 Chinese imprisoned for nonviolently advocating religious or political views. Equally important, he says, no one with whom he has worked is the worse off for helping him. Previous to his distinguished humanitarian work, this New Jersey native earned academic degrees at Princeton and Harvard and achieved an illustrious business career taking US interests to China. He has recently added such titles as Director of the National Committee on US-China Relations, trustee of the World Affairs Council in Northern California, Director of Stanford University’s Program in Human Rights Diplomacy, and honorary professor at Chinese universities in Guangzhou and Qingdao. Pragmatism appears to be one key to his extraordinary influence with Chinese officials. Instead of loudly preaching human rights and American moral views, Mr. Kamm offers a fair trade: the Chinese officials provide information about political prisoners of personal interest to Mr. Kamm and in turn win points with the American government for their cooperation. In the eyes of China, cooperating with Kamm improves United States-China understanding, and doesn’t involve yielding to invasive foreign interventionist demands, the Times article explains. A Chinese spokesperson commented to Times reporter that, "John Kamm is very critical of our policies, but his approach is acceptable to us. He loves China. He shows respect. He is constructive and realistic." Mr. Kamm said he doesn’t directly use materials from well-known human rights groups such as Amnesty International, because the Chinese view these organizations as anti-Chinese.
Asked by the Priory students how he finds out what prisoners need help, Mr. Kamm said he often begins by simply reading the local papers. For example, he might find a mention that peaceful demonstrators were detained. He files that information in a binder—one name per page— and when he is meeting with Chinese officials, he refers them to this public document and asks about the detainees. Once a case is raised, the government frequently will follow up at the local level. Often, prisoners are released or conditions improved soon after Kamm simply seeks information from the correct people, he said. Simply keeping memory alive by finding and recording the names is one of the most rewarding parts of his humanitarian work, Mr. Kamm says. "You can’t talk about human rights without talking about indivdiual human beings. You can’t get a man out of prison if you don’t know who he is," he commented. As a tribute to his one-on-one approach, many former prisoners or their families contact him individually, months later, with heartfelt gratitude. Shortly after Mr. Kamm’s visit to the campus, Mr. Carter brought another speaker to his theology classes. Shaista Azad, a young woman from the Islamic Speakers Group, was born in Afghanistan and is now a law student at Santa Clara University. She talked with students about the basic concepts of the Muslim faith.
Often, prisoners are released or conditions improved soon after Kamm seeks information from the correct people.
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Conversation With
Liz Miranda and
Taylor Eigsti For some students, a clear talent or consuming passion becomes a pathway through the teen years.
For most students, high school is a series of experiences that help clarify who they are, and who they aren’t. For a small number, that question of identity is at a very young age. A clear talent or consuming becomes a pathway through the teen years. Priory has three students who fit, or nearly fit, this
Taylor Eigsti, Class of 2002, can’t remember a time wasn’t his life. His standout talent for music was clear before elementary school, before he could read either words or pianist, he began performing publicly with highly regarded musicians such as David Benoit and Dave Brubeck when middle school, and he now heads a professional jazz trio, three CDs, and has a performing schedule more many adult professionals.’
very answered passion Woodside definition.
when music he started notes. A jazz adult jazz he was in has published demanding than
Elizabeth (Liz) Dellheim, also a graduating senior, began dancing in preschool because she was good at it and because she loved to perform. After sorting her way early through jazz, tap and theater dance, she fell in love with ballet, for which her petite size and classic style of movement is perfectly suited. By high school, she was training with the best Bay Area ballet schools and performing with the San Jose/ Cleveland, San Francisco and New York’s American Ballet Theater—the latter arguably the most highly regarded company of its type in the country. Miranda Maas, who will be a senior in the fall, is a nationally ranked diver who as a child loved to swim but wasn’t especially fond of the board. Then she discovered the joy of winning competitions. She has participated in numerous competitions and is considered a serious contender for the US Olympic team. A back injury has added extra physical therapy and pain management to an already full training schedule. The injury has led her to consider for the first time the cost as well as the benefit of pursuing her passion. For all three, a major part of a Priory education means being free to pursue their
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other life. The time commitment is humongous—for the girls, around 20 hours of training, class and commute on routine weeks and much more before a performance or competition. Rehearsals, performances and competitions eat up far more than the allowable 10 absences a semester. Taylor adds frequent trips all over the country, plus local performances, workshops and a generous allotment of time for benefit concerts. The girls laughingly say that once the Priory has dealt with Taylor, they’re easy! The three agree—a bit sadly, sometimes—that it’s impossible to really explain their "other life" to their friends. At the same time, there are no regrets and they wouldn’t change the choices they have made, they say. Miranda says it’s enough to know inside herself that she has been tested in ways most high school athletes don’t understand. Liz says the inaccessibility of a serious dancer’s life is what makes it a big part of her self-definition. And Taylor only pauses very briefly to muse on how he wishes he could make jazz more accessible to his generation before plunging forward into his own musical growth.
Liz: I’d like people to know that it’s not just dance. It’s experience. You take away far more than ballet technique.
A sense of accomplishment . . . a pride in doing what it takes to be very, very good . . .and a satisfaction in exploring a genre they love. This is what stands out in all three as they describe their outof-school lives. —C. Dobervich
Liz, Taylor, Miranda—was there a point when your special interest turned into a passion? Miranda: I made the decision I wanted to do this seriously when I was 13 and I went to Nationals. My coach was telling me, "You don’t have a chance of making it into the finals," and that year I almost won. When I knew that I could possibly be the best in the country—that was worth something. Liz: When I was young I didn’t like going to practice, but I was good at dance and I really liked being good. Over time, I learned to really enjoy class because it’s all about perfecting your technique. When you’re young, you think you can do it all on natural talent; you have to grow into an appreciation for training. Continued on page 10
Taylor: For every one thing I learn in a class, I learn about 250 things from playing with someone else that I haven’t played with before. 9
Continued from page 9
Miranda: After my injury, I was having anxiety attacks, thinking ‘I might not be diving and I’ll never get into a college!’
Taylor: I’ve always taken my music really seriously, even many years ago. While I appreciate school, what I’m doing with my career isn’t something that involves primarily left-brain things. It’s art and it’s music, which are primarily right-brain things, and so that’s where my heart is. But keeping up with school is something I’ve always tried to do, too…so, as the years progressed, life in and out of school has just gotten more jam-packed. How do you all work out the balance between your in-school and out-of-school lives? Miranda: How do I squeeze it all in? I didn’t! In my freshman and sophomore years my grades were not very good, in comparison with now. Then I broke my back and I couldn’t practice. I had more time for school work and my GPA increased by a whole point. I wasn’t aware that I was "holding back" academically but once I realized my situation—not great grades and a serious injury—I was having anxiety attacks because I was thinking "I might not be diving and I’ll never get into a college!" Liz: I’m very pleased with how everything transpired throughout high school. I got into my first choice college, Barnard. I worked at school but I also sacrificed school for ballet—I could have done better. I didn’t realize that until I got deferred by Barnard (last fall). I spent a significant amount of time freaking out because I’d decided to stop ballet for awhile and I thought ‘what if I’m not in ANY college?’ It brought a lot of introspection. Luckily, everything turned out excellently.
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Taylor: The way I perceive school is that it’s meant to help people become who they are meant to and want to become. I learn a lot from being in classes. But for every one thing I learn in a class, I learn about 250 things from playing with someone else that I haven’t played with before…or writing a song, or arranging something for an orchestra. If I weren’t able to do those things, school would be a step backwards.
This past year, I took three APs, which is horrible, but I figured I needed them, and I wanted to challenge myself, too. Basically, I’m really squeezed. I’m doing a thing with the Tassajara symphony, then I’m going to Arizona, then to Chicago, then to Michigan, then to Indiana—all these things are coming up within the next couple of months. It’s going to be stressful—but that’s just what I have to do. Miranda: The teachers are really good about helping me work it all out. I’m exempt from the 10-day (absence) rule, too. That’s very, very important because…well, for example, last year I had to take a week off right before finals. Nobody complained to me about it, and I made up my work. The faculty gives me some leeway because they know I’m not just wasting my time. Well, I don’t know what they think of my choice to pursue diving, but they know I’m working—I’m not just out with friends. Liz: The school has been very, very supportive. The faculty did not give me grief, they were just helpful. I was still able to take APs and I managed to pull off a B+ even with missing 15 lectures! And,like, this year, I had Nutcracker for well over a month right around finals. The faculty was great—I took my finals at the end of Christmas vacation, so I had the vacation to study. At most schools, that never would have happened. Taylor, why did you choose USC? Liz, why Barnard? Taylor: USC is the center of everything in terms of the music industry. Film scoring and everything else that I want to do, good jazz scene—not New York but good enough. USC is an excellent school…I’m so looking forward to it! Liz: I didn’t choose Barnard for the dance program; I’m not going to major in it because I think a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts is basically useless. But I’ll be in New York…the sky’s the limit! I can utilize anything there.
What are you planning to do professionally now? Miranda: I can dive as long as my back injury doesn’t hurt, but it’s just begun to bother me again, a lot. So I’m not sure…I’m sure I will keep diving until I get to college. I’m going to apply as an athlete and hopefully dive for the first year. After that, I’m not sure. With diving, is the Olympics the peak of one’s career? There isn’t really a diving career outside that arena, is there? Miranda: No. And I’ve been invited to train with the Chinese, who won the Olympics last time. But they train year round and I’m not willing to sacrifice my whole life, spend that much time working on diving technique, getting my body into that kind of shape, and have to live in China, also…College is the only thing that is motivating me right now. Liz and Taylor? Do you have professional aspirations now? Liz: I really can’t tell you at all right now. I’m just in this weird period where I’m sort of mulling over my options. It’s very nice. I miss it (ballet); it’s definitely my passion…I really have no way of forecasting my future. Taylor: If something happened to me, and I couldn’t do music, I would compose music. Music is my life. There’s an orchestra in every musician’s head that they can, at will, just tap into…. I’ve learned a lot from the musicians I know as role models. I’m not going to just stay in jazz my whole life. I’m going to do that, expand as a jazz musician, and hopefully get some recognition for that, but then branch into other genres, combine things, and hopefully maybe some day make a new genre that is based on jazz but that people in the younger generation might check out.
You’ve all said in various ways that a lot of your friends, and people in general, don’t understand your field. What would you like them to know? Taylor: I’d like people to know a little bit about jazz music beforehand. I’d like them to understand that jazz is basic music, basic chords, with a musician doing whatever he wants on top of that. Making it sound cool. Playing off of other people’s ideas. Mind reading. More than just that—it’s a story being created on the spot. That’s the coolest part of jazz, I think. Classical musicians are measured by how well they can interpret something someone else has written. In jazz, we’re measured by how good a spontaneous storyteller we are. Liz: I’ve learned a work ethic, how to work hard, how to face disappointment. I may never take another ballet class in my whole life, but I’ve taken so much away as a human being! I’ve gained in ways that people who don’t do these sorts of things never could know. Like, I got to live in New York City by myself for a summer and dance with the best American ballet company there is. To me, that’s a lifetime accomplishment! Miranda: Exactly! There’s so much more behind the sport. Not only the work—you can’t just walk out onto a diving board and be good. You have to do weight training and diving training and stretching and all that work that never shows. But what you take away is more than that.
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Woodside Priory School
Class of 2002 WPS’s 42nd Grduating Class
Brandon Amdahl Henry Arredondo Pablo Avalos Beta Barez Esmeralda Barriga Jessica Behrendt* Eric Bixler Peter Bodik Brandon Carse Francesca Centofanti* Anjuli Curia Elizabeth Dellheim Taylor Eigsti** Lindsay Hagan Kylie Hepper Maria Hernandez Joshua Horowitz Ryan Horton William Huang Harvey Jones** Sze-Kit Ka* James Klimowski Alvin Lam* Trent Larsen Nai-Kuan Lee Anna Lind-Guzik** Chao-Jui Liu Evan McKinney Gabor Meszáros
Claudia Meyer Alexander Mills Robert Moore, Jr. Cassandra Perret Julia Petrasova Joshua Rado Patrick Romero Anthony Schoch Angela Sibál Jill Simons Sarah (Chrissy) Spanoghe* Katherine Sullivan Jayna Sutherland Neil Tong Pedro Torres Sarah Trask Thomas Tsai* Erik Valentine Alicia Wittmeyer* *Dean’s Honors **Headmaster’s Honors ***Benedictine Honors (none this year)
The Class of 2002 will attend the following colleges: Barnard College Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Case Western Reserve University Duke University Marymount College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Mills College New York University Notre Dame de Namur Occidental College Regis University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute St. Mary’s College, Calif. Santa Clara University Stevens Institute of Technology Universidad Anahuac University of California at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz University of the Pacific University of Redlands University of Southern California Whittier College
Not Your Typical High School
A Priory Odyssey
Esmeralda came to the Priory as an eighth-grade member of the Summer Bridge program for academically talented middle school students—but Esmeralda Barriga food is what made her stay. After two years at a public school in Redwood City, Esmeralda was struck immediately with some of the key differences that Priory students enjoy. After being served at her RWC school a diet typified by "carrots that were both chewy and hairy," the Priory’s freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and creamy, cold milk seemed like gifts from heaven. She decided to stay. As an older and wiser Priory veteran, she noticed a few other important differences that distinguished the Priory from a "typical high school." Esmeralda, in fact, remembers her first experiences with polite and kind Priory students as being more similar to "the set of a Barney video." She enjoyed knowing every member of her class, and in her speech she referred to many classmates with a special nickname or inside joke. She sees the Priory education and experience as a good foundation for the Class of 2002, and now "the world waits to see what we have in store for it—let’s show them," she said.
Odysseus’ journey had nothing on Kayti Sullivan’s personal Priory Odyssey, she told her class. Kayti took her classmates and the audience through her four years at the Priory Kayti Sullivan like a grand adventure, beginning each epoch year with a quote that she felt described the quintessential experience. She arrived at the Priory under the protection of an older brother and a group of his friends, but learned to navigate life on her own and become recognized as the true individual she is. She spoke fondly of the unique Priory faculty who "look out for you, and won’t let you fall in the cracks," and said it is this attitude that sets Priory apart from other schools. After finishing a stressful junior year with a little help from family, friends, and teachers, Kayti says that during senior year, "I made my niche at the Priory, and I have my friends who I hope to keep forever." She embarks on a new Odyssey at the end of high school with the hope of someday being one of the graduates written up in Priorities Magazine for success and accomplishments.
Director of Admissions Al Zappelli and Pablo Avalos, student body president.
Father Martin Mager congratulates his photography student, Maria Hernandez.
" I urge you, don’t approach college years as career training. Make it an opportunity to extend and expand your understanding. I hope you will gain wisdom—how crucial wisdom is!" Dr. William Hurlbut Stanford University Specialist in Bioethics
Alvin Lam and Angela Sibal were co-editors of the yearbook.
Valedictorian Myles Lam
I look forward to watching you grow and realize your gifts. I will always be close by— a phone call away from some of you, the same old office for others. May God bless your journey. Shawna Trujillo Dean of the Middle School
Class of 2006 Adrianna Andreini Scott Bader Kendall Bell Michelle Bradford Clint Campagna Michael Cauley Christa Daley John Desmond Lauren Evans Chase Haegele Haley Hafkenschiel Alexander Haines Hilary Helfrich Laura Koenig
Myles Lam Kaler Strawn Julia Lange Geoffrey Taylor Margaret Thompson Benjamin Lincoln Ryan McDermott Anna Tong Michael Mellenthin III Sara Verhalen Stephanie Vertongen Kate Molak Brendan Wakefield Rochelle Nguyen Dylan Wengert Kailani Novotny Victoria Patton Charles Zaffaroni Henry Plain III William Robert Schofield Edmund Shepherd
Awaiting their diplomas in the Chapel are (from left) Geoffrey Taylor, Maggie Thompson, Anna Tong, Sarah Verhalen and Stephanie Vertongen.
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Kate Molak and Michael Mellenthin share congratulations. Callie Strawn (far right) shows her graduation mementos to her mother, Rosemary Raferty, and her grandmother.
Awards Presented at Commencement Exercises, Class of 2002 Senior Academic Awards Theology – Angela Sibal English – Harvey Jones Mathematics – Jeffrey Sze-Kit Ka Fine Arts – Alvin Lam Science and Technology – Harvey Jones Performing Arts – Josh Rado Social Studies – Elizabeth Dellheim Modern Languages – Anna Lind-Guzik Bank of America Recognition Plaques Science and Mathematics – Harvey Jones Liberal Arts – Taylor Eigsti Certificates Fine Arts – Jessica Behrendt Performing Arts – Chrissy Spanoghe English – Alicia Wittmeyer Science – Pablo Avalos Modern Languages – Anna Lind-Guzik Math – Jeffrey Sze-Kit Ka History – Claudia Meyer Social Studies – Chrissy Spanoghe National Honor Society Esmeralda Barriga Jessica Behrendt Francesca Centofanti Lindsay Hagan William Huang Harvey Jones Nai-kuan Lee Anna Lind-Guzik Claudia Meyer Chrissy Spanoghe Thomas Tsai Alicia Wittmeyer National Merit Scholarship Recognition Harvey Jones (scholar) Anna Lind-Guzik (scholar) Alicia Wittmeyer (scholar) Brandon Carse Francesca Centofanti Claudia Meyer Jayna Sutherland Valedictorian Harvey Jones
Salutatorian Taylor Eigsti Dean of Students Community Service Award Pablo Avalos Headmaster’s Award Service to school and community Jill Simons Gabor Meszaros Father Benignus F. Barat Citizenship Award Angela Sibal Dean’s Award Jeffrey Sze-Kit Ka Saint Benedict Award Esmeralda Barriga
Awards Presented at Eighth Grade Graduation Scholar Athlete Award Maggie Thompson Academic Excellence Award Rochelle Nguyen Leadership Award Stephanie Vertongen St. Cecilia Music Award Ryan McDermott St. Benedict Award Geoffrey Taylor
Awards Presented at the Spring Awards Assembly Department Awards
Parents, faculty, trustees and friends clustered in the Founders Hall reception area to view the work of Advanced Placement Art students. Students also made individual oral presentations of their work. Faculty member Cayewah Easley, who began the AP Arts classes (and did a phenomenal job of bringing the visual arts program from practically nothing to 13 course offerings plus independent activities), is leaving the Priory to accept a college-level teaching position.
Theology World Religions – Francys Scott Christian Scriptures – Laura Brent Social Justice – Mandy Hafleigh
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Mathematics Algebra I – Cynthia Sleight Geometry – Eugene Koenig Algebra II – Laura Trudelle Pre-calculus – Jerry Shih Linear Algebra – Francis Tsao Problem Solving – Whitney Peterson Statistics and Probability – Whitney Peterson A.P. Statistics – Francis Tsao A.P. Calculus – David Waylonis
Michael Yost wears his team’s Model United Nations shirt from the UC Berkeley conference. This is one of the fastest-growing clubs on the campus. They have progressed from representing obscure, small countries three years ago to representing the United Kingdom (among others) last year. Interesting note: Former Priory MUNers Kevin Yost (U.S. Naval Academy) and Helene Nguyen (Harvard) met each other at a collegelevel MUN conference in Montreal last fall.
Science and Technology Physics – Tim Kovachy Biology – Jerry Shih Chemistry – Tara Scarioni Computer Science - Nick Balogh A.P. Biology – Laura Brent A.P. Chemistry – Tad Finlay A.P. Physics – David Waylonis English Introduction to Literature – Kyle McAuley Transitional English and Writing and Structure – Jerry Shih Writing Lab and Research Skills – Daniel Wenger British Literature – Ashley Kustu American Literature – Brad Burton Social Studies World Cultures – Jesse Lampert European History – Susan Lyon United States History – Michael Yost Modern Languages and Literature French French I – Thomas Flint French II – Elaine Haegele and Susan Lyon French II – Jennifer Dhaliwal French IV – Brad Burton Spanish Spanish I – Guillermo Mendoza Spanish II – Jesse Lampert Spanish III – Alejandra Cruz Spanish IV – Whitney Peterson A.P. Spanish Language – David Waylonis Japanese Japanese I – Michael Lee Japanese II – Loren Yu Japanese III – Lori Teraoka Japanese IV – Aubrey Rawlins
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Performing Arts Speech – Conor Fitzpatrick Drama – Michael Jernick Advanced Drama – Mia Romano Students in the orchestras and choirs were recognized as a group for their musical excellence. Model United Nations Michael Yost School Awards Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award – William Camisa University of Rochester Humanities and Social Studies Award – Michael Yost Massachusetts Institute of Technology Award – David Waylonis Saint Anselm Prize – Esperanza Bedolla Yale Book Award – Brad Burton Wellesley College Book Award – Marie Sobieski Harvard Book Award – Aimee Epstein Headmaster’s Award Amanda Hafleigh Carolyn Hayes Mark Simmons Saint Benedict Award Grade 6 – Ariel Zommer Grade 7 – Lauren Duncan Grade 9 – Julia Duncan Grade 10 – Gretchen Burch Grade 11 – Mia Romano
Rotary Club Awards Scholarship Recipients Esmeralda Barriga Pedro Torres Math Algebra II – Ashley Kustu Pre-Calculus – Jeremy Lee Calculus – David Waylonis A.P. Statistics – Francis Tsao Linear Algebra – Jeffrey Ka
Science Biology – Laura Brent Chemistry – Aimee Epstein Physics – Timothy Kovachy A.P. Environmental Science – Sarah Trask Computer Science – Nick Balogh Foreign Language French – Brad Burton Japanese – Michael Yost Spanish – Jessica Behrendt Language Arts English – Chrissy Spanoghe
Seventh Grade White Volleyball Most Improved – Kelsey Corkery Coaches Award – Katie Lampert Most Valuable – Kiki Hiller Eighth Grade Girls Volleyball For the Love of the Game – Rochelle Nguyen Grovelicious – Adrianna Andreini Bubbalicious – Kate Molak JV Flag Football Most Inspirational – Tristan Sansbury Coaches Award – Mark Simons Most Valuable – Bennet Holland
Fine Arts A.P. Art – Kylie Hepper Art Foundation – Alexis Smith Metals – Zayra Diaz Visual Media – Julie Melen Drama – Aubrey Rawlins Instrumental – Carolyn Hayes Choir – Kayti Sullivan Chamber Singers – Allie Coats Photography – Gretchen Burch Ceramics – Esmeralda Barriga
Varsity Flag Football Most Inspirational – Will Schofield Coaches Award – Ben Lincoln Coaches Award – Geoffrey Taylor Most Valuable – Andrew Chow Most Valuable – Hap Plain
Social Studies U.S. History – Jesse King European History – Megan Noice Theology – Taylor Eigsti A.P. Economics – Brad Burton
Sixth Grade Boys Basketball Most Improved – Philip DiBoise Coaches Award – Max Magnuson Most Valuable – Tristan Sansbury
Service Community – Julia Duncan School – Cassie Perret Leadership – Pablo Avalos
Sixth Grade Girls Basketball Most Improved – Whitney Greswold Coaches Award – Lauren Jones Most Valuable – Alyssa Cheung
Seventh Grade Girls Basketball Best Defender – Laura Hohnsbeen Best Shooter – Laura Kruberg Most Valuable – Kiki Hiller
Presented at the Middle School Sports Awards Programs
Seventh Grade Boys Basketball Most Improved – Will Farino Most Inspirational – Alex Schreiner Most Valuable – Bennet Holland
Sixth Grade Girls Volleyball Most Improved – Whitney Greswold Most Inspiratioal – Linsday Barnett Most Valuable – Katherine Gorman
Eighth Grade Girls Basketball Most Improved – Hilary Helfrich Most Inspirational – Kate Molak Most Valuable – Callie Strawn
Seventh Grade Blue Volleyball Most Improved – Sarah Will Best Passer – Kim Nguyen Most Valuable – Laura Duncan
Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Most Improved – Will Schofield Most Inspirational – Ben Lincoln Most Valuable – Hap Plain Boys Baseball Most Improved – Russell McIntosh Most Improved – Ian Brent Defensive MVP – Kyle Felix Offensive MVP – Andrew Chow
For the second year in a row, Stanford women interested in math and science met in the Father Christopher room with Middle School girls to encourage them to keep taking classes and enjoying projects in these fields. Also a repeat performance: several high school girls accompanied Dean of the Faculty Nancy Newman to a businesswomen’s conference in San Francisco, at which girls are given a fresh look at that world.
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Presented at the High School Sports Awards Program Rookie of the Year Ben Archer (Soccer, Varsity Tennis) Laura Trudelle (Volleyball, Basketball)
School’s out! Seventh graders met on the grass following their last exam to play games and run around in the sprinklers. Eighth graders had a treasure hunt.
Track and Field Most Dedicated Award – Amy Furstman Most Enthusiastic Award – Ariel Zommer Leadership Award – Edmund Shepherd Leadership Award – Myles Lam Tennis Sixth Grade Coaches Award – Peter Hurtubise Seventh Grade Coaches Award – Elle de Guigne Eighth Grade Coaches Award – Tori Patton Eighth Grade Coaches Award – Kendall Bell Swim Team Most Improved – Lauren Duncan Coaches Award – Katherine Gorman Most Valuable – Kiki Hiller Girls Soccer Best Attitude Award – Rochelle Nguyen Most Improved – Alyssa Cheung Most Inspirational – Stephanie Vertongen Most Valuable – Callie Strawn Boys Soccer Best Newcomer – Justin Vertongen Most Improved – Hap Plain Most Inspirational – Mark Simons Most Valuable – Will Schofield Most Valuable – Geoffrey Taylor Rookie of the Year Lauren Jones Alyssa Cheung Tristan Sansbury Most Inspirational Players of the Year Will Schofield Kiki Hiller Players of the Year Callie Strawn Hap Plain
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Most Inspirational Gabor Meszaros (Soccer, Volleyball) Ray Austin ( Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer) Angela Sibal (Basketball, Softball) Jessica Uphoff (Soccer) Most Improved Jesse King ( Basketball) Michael Jernick (Soccer, Basketball, Baseball) Lisa Flagg ( Volleyball) Alexis Smith ( Tennis) Athletic Director Award Henry Arredondo (Soccer, Baseball) Pablo Avalos (Soccer) Ray Liu (Volleyball) Francesca Centofanti (Volleyball) Peter Trudelle (Cross Country, Volleyball, Track) Athlete of the Year William Camisa Mandy Hafleigh Class of 2002 Athlete of the Year Cassie Perret Trent Larson
Alumni News & Notes John Lanzone, class of 1962, and his wife, Anne, traveled from their home in Amelia, Ohio to attend their first WPS Auction and visit family in San Francisco. John hopes to make this a yearly event. On the trip to California and back, they visited numerous museums and had the pleasure of visiting with other alumni along the way. Chuck Arnold, class of 1964, is finishing his eighth year as a senior manufacturing applications systems consultant with Oracle Corporation. Chuck and his wife of 13 years, Kathleen, reside in Bellevue, Washington. He has two children: Erin, who will be 30 this summer and is a graphic designer/muralist in Los Angeles, and Brian, who is a lawyer, also living in Los Angeles. Brian and his wife Chrissie have four children, making Chuck an active grandfather. Father Tom Lemos, C.S.C., class of 1965, is pastor of the Tri-Community Parish in the Colorado Springs, Colorado, diocease. The parish includes Sacred Heart Catholic church in Colorado Springs, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Manitou Springs, and Holy Rosary Chapel in Cascade—the latter two situated at the foot of Pike’s Peak. George Ronay, class of 1967, and his wife Jeanne were on vacation in Orlando with their two sons, Patrick and Matthew, when they purchased a new house back in Los Angeles -–on the Internet! Actually, it was through e-mails that they found that a neighbor wanted to sell his house, so they "nibbled", and when they returned to LA, they spruced up their house and sold it the first week it was listed. Vincent Siciliano, class of 1968, is the president of a startup bank in San Diego. His older son has finished his freshman year at USC and his younger son is in 6th grade. He would love to hear from any alumnus. Daniel Murphy, M.D., class of 1970, has moved back to the Bay Area from Shaker Heights, Ohio. He is now Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford, and Associate Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. He will be involved in clinical research, medical student and postgraduate education, and clinical care of infants and children with heart disease. Daniel is also director of the Adult Congenital Cardiac Program at Stanford Hospital. His wife, Candy, will be teaching sixth grade math at Menlo School. Their oldest son is a junior at Stanford, studying Political Science. Their two younger boys will be at Palo Alto High School next year. Jonathan Batkin, class of 1971, is director of the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This museum is highly acclaimed for its store, which sells some of the best in Indian art and artifacts. Duncan Clarke, class of 1976, received a BA in Government from Pomona College, 1981 and a second degree in German at Middlebury College in 1982. He also received an AM degre (sic.) from Stanford in Education. While at Stanford he met his future wife, Robin. They were married by Fr. Maurus in 1985 and have two daughters, Dierdre born in 1990, and Rhiannon, born in 1992. They teach in Olympia, Washington, where they built their dream home on five acres of land. They like to travel, read, write, and backpack. Peter Draeger, class of 1976, lives just over the hill from the Priory, on Applewood Lane. He and his wife have three children— Rian, ten, Elizabeth, eight, and Kellan, also eight. Anne Marie is from Killiney County in Dublin, Ireland. The family spent three weeks last summer in the "Emerald Isle" with Irish family and friends. Peter has been CFO of Draeger’s Supermarkets for 17 years. What started as a single store operation has expanded to three stores. The latest addition is a 65,000 square foot facility in San Mateo that includes a nationally acclaimed restaurant, Viognier. In addition to his work with the Draeger’s stores, Peter is actively involved with many volunteer organizations in the area. John Kirch, class of 1976, announces that he is planning to represent Woodside Priory at the semifinals of the World Cup Soccer tournament in Tokyo, Japan on June 26th. Bob Pottoroff, class of 1977, was on the 43rd floor of the WTC (second tower) on September 11. He was taking part in a training session related to his job as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. He visited the Priory campus in April with his son Nikoli, age 7. He is developing a new clientele with Morgan Stanley and would welcome a call from anybody interested in this field.
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Andy Schilling, class of 1978, is happy to share the news that his oldest daughter, Alec, is now attending Woodside Priory School and loving every minute of it. Dr. Jose Monarrez-Cardenas, class of 1980, attended Saint Mary’s College in Moraga for his pre-med training and later graduated from medical school at ITESM in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. He continued his training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He is now an orthopedic surgeon and lives with his wife in Ensendad, Baja California, Mexico. Shinji Nagamine, class of 1981, is living in Japan. His company, a manufacturer of computerized spring-making machines in Japan, just opened two offices in Europe, so he is keeping very busy. Jim Dugoni, class of 1982, has spent the past six years working for the Athletic Department at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Jim serves as Assistant Director of Athletics for External Affairs, overseeing annual giving, special events, and marketing and promotions. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Modesto with their two sons, Tyler, ten, and Jack, six. Paul Gogan, class of 1983, and Ann Swarney are delighted to announce the birth of Thomas Hyland Gogan, who finally arrived on March 27, 2002, weighing 9 pounds—a brother for Patrick and Katie. Babak Dehnad, class of 1984, lives in San Francisco with his wife of three years, Kristal. They plan to move back to Menlo Park as soon as they can find reasonably priced housing. Babak has started his own consulting firm called People Business (www.peoplebusiness.com). The company specializes in human resources consulting. He is launching a new part of the business soon, a facet which will provide free services to non-profit organizations. Alfredo Ochoa, class of 1984, is living in Mexico, where he studied business administration. He is married and has three children, a boy, age nine, and two girls, ages six and five. He has started a shrimp farming business with his brothers and says everything is looking great so far. Chris Pieper, class of 1985, surprised his niece, Lauren Evans, by coming from Taos, New Mexico, for her graduation. He also stopped in at the Priory for a visit. Derek Gibbs, class of 1986, and his wife of almost ten years, Suzanne, are living in Napa California, where he works at the Queen of the Valley Hospital as a decision support manager. His job is so close to his home that he rides his cruiser bike to work in just eight minutes. Derek’s spare time is spent riding or fixing his other bike, working around the house, and playing with his two boys – Colby, five, and Jeffrey, three. Mike Hines, class of 1986, and his wife, Colleen, are the proud parents of Ethan Michael Hines, born January 23, 2001. Mike is a test manager for Microsoft Corporation. In his free time he is president of the Microsoft Gun Club. He is a certified firearms safety instructor and instructor trainer and a "wanna-be" race car driver, he says. Before Ethan was born, he also played French horn in the Microsoft Symphony and tackle for the Microsoft Flag Football team. Chris de Sibert, class of 1989, lives in London and works for the Royal Bank of Scotland in foreign exchange markets. Mauricio Beugelmans, class of 1991, is now living in San Francisco and working as an in-house corporate Attorney for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Salvador Garcia, class of 1991, is living in London and working for an investment bank dealing with equity derivatives. He will be married in September in Barcelona, Spain. Simon Wong, class of 1994, is currently attending San Francisco State University to attain his MBA. He plans to finish in a year and a half. Sara Schmidt, class of 1995, received a Master of Social Work last year from the University of Washington. She is now employed as a social worker in a continuing care retirement community. Her work is mainly in the skilled nursing section, caring for our most frail and elderly adults. Sara has lived in Seattle for the past three years and says she loves it. Raymond Lau, class of 1996, graduated from Boston University with a (double major) degree in Economics and Business Management and Administration. He is currently working on mutual funds at State Street in Boston. Bernadette Austin, class of 1998, was a speaker for the graduation ceremony in Nursing and also was recipient of the Scholastic Award at St. Mary’s College in Lafayette. Michael Bower, class of 1998, graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Environmental Science from St. Mary’s College. He also received the college’s John Muir Award. Annamarie Pacheco, class of 1998, is a June graduate of Notre Dame DeMure (formerly de Namur, Belmont, CA) with a BA Degree in Liberal Studies and a minor in Art.
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Michael Mastman, class of 1999, was home for a few weeks to relax after spending six months in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Cuba. He liked Cuba the best. Now he is in Oberlin working for a non-profit company that specializes in helping Latin American agricultural workers with problems associated with changing cultures and learning English. Last fall he taught classes in English for this group. James Cirino, class of 2000, has earned his FAA Private Pilot’s license from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is on the honor roll in the Aeronautical Science degree program. He will be traveling with his family this summer to Hong Kong, England and Italy and will be continuing in his position as resident advisor in his junior year starting in August. Alexandra Rochele DeMartini, class of 2000, will transfer from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, to Santa Clara University in the fall of 2002. She plans to pursue a liberal studies degree so she can become an elementary school teacher in California. Tina Lally, class of 2000, is attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She will be a junior and is majoring in communications. She is a member of Alpha Phi sorority and also does charity work with Ignatians. Lisel Yost, class of 2001, just completed her first year at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She is still an intended theater major, was in five plays her first year, and is looking forward to next year. Early in March she was elected as SMC’s first co-president of FlipSide, one of the largest student-run clubs, which serves Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross. She is working as a lifeguard/swimming instructor this summer.
Priory Friends
Rob Dixon, a former student, is serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and says that the work in Kabul is neverending. However, despite the poverty, lack of food, and political unrest, the Afghan people are cordial and polite and are a proud and dignified race. He asks your prayers for his safe return to his family.
—P. Reed
Reunion ’02!
More than 60 alumni and guests plus some two dozen kids enjoyed the sun and games at the Priory Reunion on June 8. The usual events— soccer, lunch, ponies and special activities for the kids, banquet and Sunday morning Mass and brunch with the monks—were offset with plenty of time to relax, converse, and stroll the grounds. The next reunion will be for alums in college, held in the Father Christopher Room over winter break. Next spring, alumni with graduation years ending in 3 and 8 will be specially featured. For more reunion news and pictures, check the Online Community Web site. You can reach it from the home page of the school site--www. woodsidepriory.com
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Athletes Three Stars from the Class of 2002 Move On Cassie Perret Volleyball • Team MVP, 2000 and one of High School Athletes of the Year, 2001 and 2002 • PSAL First Team, Volleyball, 2000 and 2001 • PSAL MVP, 2000 and 2001 • San Mateo County First Team All County 2000 and 2001 • San Mateo County MVP 2001 • San Jose Mercury First Team, 2001 • State Championship Division V MVP, 2000 and 2001 •Tied Division V record for number of kills (22) and set all divisions record for number of blocks(10) during the 2000 State Championship match. • State Championship Div.V Sportsmanship/ Citizenship Award, 2000 and 2001 (The first player ever to achieve this State Championship record.)
Trent Larsen Swimming
• Team MVP, 2000, 2001 and 2002 • PSAL First Team, 2001 and 2002 Currently holds four league championships, is record holder, and is undefeated in the league. (No league swimmer has ever beaten Trent in any stroke.) • A member of the relay team that set a PSAL record in 2001 and a CIF record in 2002. • CCS qualifier '99-'02, finalist '00-'02, winner '02 • All-American consideration in 2001 and 2002 (2002 results not available at press time.)
Francesca Centofanti Volleyball
• Team MVP, 2000, Athletic Director’s Award 2002 • PSAL MVP 1999 • First Team All San Mateo County 2000 and 2001 • PSAL First Team 1999, 2000, 2001 • All Team State Championship Game, 2000 • WPS Female Athlete of the Year 1999
Spring Sports Highlights Priory retired the volleyball jerseys of seniors Francesca Centofanti and Cassie Perret. Only two other Priory athletes have been so honored—Ramero Arredondo in soccer and Micki Oyler in basketball. Francesca’s and Cassie’s jerseys will be framed and displayed in the gym with the other two. The coaching staff will look for a similar way to visually recognize swimmer Trent Larsen. The Boys Swimming Team finished second in the league, losing to Half Moon Bay High by just 20 points (in swimming, a very close margin). All ten swimmers qualified for the league championship finals. A swimming "first" for the Priory: Trent Larsen was Central Coast Section (CCS) champion in the 100 Backstroke and 200 Individual Medley. His time may qualify him for All-American (see the note under his photo.) The Priory swimming relay team—Trent, Mark, William Huang and Mike Ruiz— placed first and broke the league record in the 400 freestyle relay event. The golf team participated in the PSAL league championships and player John Schultz qualified for CCS competition. Girls Water Polo will be added to the Priory’s athletics schedule next year. Softball and baseball next year will advance from junior varsity to varsity team status. Priory Middle School teams brought in these championships: Seventh Grade Girls Basketball—Small Schools Intermediate League (SSIL) Champions and MPRD (Mid-Peninsula Recreation District) Champions Seventh Grade Boys Basketball—SSIL Champions Golf Team—SSIL Champions Boys Soccer—SSIL Champions Eighth Grade Boys Basketball — MPRD Championship Girls Soccer—Second place in SSIL
All League Athletes Boys Varsity Swimming Trent Larsen—First Team Mark Simmons—First Team William Huang—First Team Mike Ruiz—Second Team Wes Bennicas—Second Team Boys Varsity Volleyball Pablo Avalos—Second Team Peter Trudelle—Hon. Mention Ray Austin—Hon. Mention Boys Tennis Ben Archer—Hon. Mention
Housing Is Poised For Take-Off— Attention Turns to Performing Arts Construction is ready to begin on the seven-unit Maas Family Commons on-campus housing. Although some final work remains to be done on the business side, the Campaign Leadership Team subcommittee on housing can now begin the pleasurable task of arranging recognition for the generous donors who made these housing units possible. Recognition of all the key participants, especially donors and volunteers, will be part of the annual Appreciation Dinner set for September 2002. Now, attention can turn to the next major project—the Performing Arts Center. If all goes according to schedule, the first performance could be held on the Priory’s new stage in 2005. The big pieces of this project are already in place. Trustee Al Ebneter has already spent some two years in discussions and design revisions. He has completed a preliminary, detailed construction plan (modifications are still expected). It shows all of the major pieces of the new facility. Here are a few highlights:
...for NOW and our NEXT
50 years!
Maas Family Commons: • Ready for Construction! Performing Arts Center: • Almost $3 million already pledged • $3 million needed in 2002-3 • $1.6 million needed in 2003-4
• A lobby suitable for small receptions and with a permanent gallery for displaying student visual arts • A theater with a stage, professional lighting and acoustics, and comfortable, tiered seating for 450. When the tiers are retracted, the theater seats 530 for graduations, Community Forum and other, similar events. Without seating, the floor is appropriate for teaching dance as well as holding school dances. • Separate classrooms for drama, choral music and instrumental music, with appropriate practice rooms, storage and tech shop. The drama classroom will be outfitted for little theater presentations. This building is also the crucial first part of a three-stage plan that will permit a larger library/tech center, a student activities center, and additional classrooms throughout the campus. Students Jill Simon and Angela Sibal, Class of 2002, took Al’s drawings and created a scale model with the help of a computer-aided design program that they learned to use in their architecture class. Parent Jacinto Avalos asked his architecture firm to create a poster-sized, visually attractive, color rendering of the floor plan. The scale model, floor plan, detailed construction drawings, architect’s sketch and several posters highlighting student creativity were featured at pre-performance receptions on the campus on May 17 and 18, and a third reception held in conjunction with the Spring Concert and Spring Art Exhibit on May 22. More informational events are planned throughout the coming academic year— stay tuned and perhaps you will be inspired to join the campaign to support Priory students’ creativity in the performing arts.
Students Jill Simon and Angela Sibal worked fast to create a scale model of the Performing Arts Center before the end of the school year.
—C. Dobervich
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Angel Simon Retires After 35 Years
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n June, Priory colleagues said goodbye to a man who has been helping to build and support the Priory for 35 years. Mr. Angel Simon retired from the Business Office to enjoy what all who know him realize is his true love—fishing. Angel arrived at the Priory in 1967 and began his career as a teacher. Over the years, he has held many different positions, all in service to the Benedictine community. Present colleagues of Angel know him for his sense of humor, loyalty to the Priory, and his kind and caring manner. It isn't often that a school has the privilege of 35 years of service from someone of Angel’s caliber—we all feel blessed and fortunate to have spent time with Angel. With his departure goes another segment of a very rich Priory history—the dedicated friends of the monks who assisted them in bringing to reality their dream of creating this school. To help preserve this history, we have named the small patio off the Father Christopher room in Angel’s honor and have placed there a plaque in recognition of his service. In the Priory tradition, he was presented with a rocking chair, which we hope he can somehow anchor to a boat! We celebrate Angel's presence on this campus for over three decades and we wish him the very best. May God always hold him in the palm of His hand. Tim Molak Headmaster
Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839
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