PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School
January 2005
WPS Looks
FORWARD to Online Grade Reporting!
Celebrating 47 Years of Benedictine Education
Woodside Priory School Celebrating 47 Years of Benedictine Education In This Issue Headmaster Tim Molak reflects on an autumn of sad and joyful events. Student academic performance is looking better than ever, and the campus community is mourning the loss of alumna Mandy Hafleigh. A scholarship fund is being established to honor her. Headmaster’s Letter, page 3.
Winter at a Glance, Page 4-5
Second Harvest is 25,000 cans richer, students celebrate with high jinks before settling in to serious studying, The Bard plays the Priory and the first Broadway musical is in the works, grandparents enjoy a day on the campus, and the students prove again that you don’t have to be born Latino to love the culture. That and more in Winter at a Glance, pages 4-5. If you’re looking for a way to have a lasting, positive impact on people’s lives, look at the middle school years. That, at least is the philosophy behind Peninsula Bridge, which has been supporting academically talented local youths for 15 years. Woodside Priory’s Bridge program is stronger than ever. Outreach, page 6.
Peninsula Bridge, Page 6-8
Online report cards, Page 9-11
The end of report cards means more, not less, grade reporting—but students, teachers, administrators and parents now access a single data base via password-protected Internet accounts. After the first semester with the new system, users’ views range from very impressed to cautiously optimistic. Academic Dean Jennifer Martin’s background, which combines firing-line experience with a large information management system and personal, human-relations counseling, is coming in handy. Academics, page 9. Alumnus Takonkiet Viravan launched a small revolution in the Thai entertainment industry when he made the risky choice to pursue his love of performing arts in his native land. Many of his ideas began during his high school and college years in the United States. Even the hours of TV-watching in the dorm lounge paid off! Alumni profile, page 12. The latest artist in residence in the Young Concert Artists series arrives in April. If you are close to the campus, mark your calendars now for a great free concert featuring an acclaimed, up-and-coming opera singer. It’s baritone, Anton Belov, page 13.
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 Mr. Dave Arnold Dr. Kristen Brew Mr. Peter Campagna Mr. Al Ebneter Ms. Betsy Haehl Mrs. Anne Hannigan Mrs. Dotty Hayes Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB Mr. George Huertas Mr. Craig Johnson Mrs. Virginia Kavanaugh Mr. Steven Krausz Mr. Alfred Li* Fr. Maurus Nemeth, OSB Mrs. Janiece Bacon Oblak Mr. Dale Pfau* Mr. Bill Roberts Ms. Alicia Rodriguez Mr. Ray Rothrock Mr. Andy Schilling Mr. Bob Simon Dr. Stuart Young Ms. Andrea Zulberti * Special Representative
Young alumni gathered for the traditional winter vacation reunion in the Father Christopher room, and they have some advice for this year’s graduating class. Reunion, page 14. Alumni Reunion, Page 14-15
Looking back on five years of progress, with two years to go, Golden Jubilee Campaign Chair Wayne Davison reviews the goals, the successes, and the bumps in the road that a crazy half-decade can bring. And a list of donors that some folks didn’t see in the annual report is reprinted here. Campaign update, page 16. Panther girls volleyball does it again, Sean Harris qualifies for state competition in crosscountry, and several WPS athletes make All-League recognition. Athletics, page 18.
Athletics, Page 18-19
On the cover: The entire community—including parents, not pictured here—see advantages to “PowerSchool,” which gives everyone current and complete grade information from the same data base. 8”x12” color photos of school groups (Seniors, High School, Middle School and All School) are available for purchase through Jim Kirkland (flyers went out early January). To contact Jim, email him at: ennis@copperline.com. For admissions information, please contact Al Zappelli at (650) 851-6223, azappelli@woodsidepriory.com. Downloadable forms are available on the school Web site: www.woodsidepriory.com. Click on Admissions.
Priorities magazine is published in October, January, 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 Photos: Carolyn Dobervich Father Martin Mager Jim Kirkland Chapel Services Masses at 7:15 a.m. Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday Hungarian service 8 p.m. third Friday (Taize) ecumenical service All are welcome.
From the Headmaster Priory spirit was at its peak this year during the girls’ volleyball season. The at the Priory. team won our 4th CCS title since 1999, I want to wish you all a safe, and we hosted two NORCAL games healthy and happy 2005. As I begin to packed houses. Priory fans, lead by my letter to you we have just heard the Panther, cheered the team to a first round win only to see the season end the tragic news of the tsunami which the next game. For Coach Rick Riebhoff has struck many island countries and and his teammates it was a Cinderella coastal areas in the Indian Ocean. season. The magnitude of the death and The Priory continues to displayed destruction is utterly unbelievable. strong academic results – about oneThe people in the affected countries third of this years’ Senior class are National Merit are faced with tremendous obstacles in rebuilding and surviving. The Priory students, upon their return from Commended Scholars or Semifinalists. We had 35 AP Scholars (34%) based on AP testing from last year. That Christmas vacation, will mobilize in a variety of ways is our largest number ever. With early decision college to offer help and assistance to our brothers and sisters admissions happening right now, our students have of Southeast Asia, as I know many of you are doing. acceptances to Stanford, Harvard, Bernard College, WPS has alumni and alumni families in Thailand, Brooks College of Photography and many others We and I received an email message from one, who said he and his family are safe. They had planned to be on a are very proud of the class of 2005 as they continue to be vacation in an area that the tsunami hit, but thankfully great leaders for the school. were not there when it happened. In a couple of weeks, Bishop Garcia of Sacramento will We begin the new year mourning a loss closer to be here for our student New Year’s Mass. Bishop Garcia home. Mandy Hafleigh, one of our recent graduates who is a friend of Father Martin’s and visited our campus was attending UCLA, died in November. two years ago. His background and ability to connect Teachers who knew Mandy well—Scott Parker, with students and adults alike made him a very popular Theology, Tom Carter, Mandy’s former drama teacher, celebrant. and Jim Lawhon, former history and humanities We will be meeting this month with the Portola teacher—spoke at the service about the special Valley Planning Commission about our master plan and qualities of their student and friend. They described conditional use permit. The focus of this meeting will an outstanding scholar, actor, musician and athlete be on revisions made to our Initial Study concerning who played some 60 seasons of team sports since drainage and field use by community groups. We are kindergarten, who loved traveling in Europe and took hoping for approval this spring. joy in giving gifts. The Golden Jubilee Campaign now stands at over $12 Mandy was a person who, in conversation, listened million. Our focus this past year has been to raise funds carefully and responded with dignity—she had an for the performing arts center, the student center and unusual ability to look directly at anyone of any the library – the Trinity package. We are in need of $4 age and connect as a meaningful friend, Mr. Carter million to fully fund these facilities. The Campaign remarked. Leadership Team, chaired by Wayne Davison, has been At a chapel service in November we also took time to meeting with potential major donors and friends of the rededicate Kalman Field. Stephen Kalman, class of 1970, school. I will be writing to all of you in January with a died in March of his Senior year and the field was built more detailed report on our campaign. by his classmates. We had a bronze plaque created and May this New Year be filled with blessings for you presented it to his mother and family members during and our families and may the wisdom of Saint Benedict’s the chapel service. It will be installed by the field this motto of Ora et Labora, work and prayer, be a guiding spring as a lasting memorial to Stephen, who was a principle in your life. scholar, athlete and leader. Dear Priory Community,
Happy New Year from all of us
Sincerely, Tim Molak Headmaster
We had 35 AP scholars, based on Advanced Placement testing from last year—including three National AP scholars, the highest ranking.
Amanda Page Hafleigh 1985-2004
Mandy and her father, Dave Hafleigh, at her graduation in 2003. Dave was a science faculty member at the Priory for eight years. The Hafleighs are establishing a scholarship fund at WPS in Mandy’s memory.
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Winter at a High Spirits Precede Academic Crunch High jinks took over the campus as each class tried to outdo the other in bright decorations and silly break activities, such as the seniors’ pretend beach— complete with sand and volleyball—on Red Square. The relaxation seems to work—most students have a 3.0 or better grade point average. Almost one-third of the senior class earned National Merit scholarship recognition, and 38 percent of Priory students who took AP tests last year earned AP Scholar recognition. Three were National AP Scholars, the highest honor.
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Will Trade Hair For 15,000 Cans Of Food When the Priory community hit its goal of 10,000 cans for Second Harvest Food Bank, math teacher Steve Marsheck lifted the target by offering to let a student shave his head if the total hit 15,000 cans. It did, and senior Peter Giovannotto did the honors in front of the whole school. Further tantalized by offers of free dress, a day off, and a can-forcan match, the community raised almost 25,000 cans or the cash equivalent for the holidays. That is roughly 58 cans or dollars per person.
Glance
Grandparents, Grandkids Study Together More than 150 of these special guests also attended chapel and had lunch at Grandparents Day in November. Senior Julia Duncan reminisced for all of the students about the many little things grandparents do that kids love them for. The young lady pictured here, who appears to be studying the ceiling in math class, is actually helping to amuse the visiting elders by balancing a pencil under her nose. Students Shine at Latino Indigenous Festival The festivities began in midNovember with visiting Peruvian musicians, student dancing and cultural displays in Red Square. It continued with two weeks of Latino awareness in the daily bulletins. The grand finale, in the Assembly Hall, included dance, bilingual presentations, and great Latino food prepared mostly by parents. The modern foreign languages faculty and students proved again that you don’t have to be born Latino to love the cultures.
Seventy-five tastes so good! Father Pius celebrated his milestone birthday on January 3 with the school community at morning chapel, and shared coffee cake with friends in Founders Hall.
Thespians Leap From Shakespeare to Sondheim A line of ghostly kings, from the left Raffi Soafer, David Nimer and David Calbert, appear to Macbeth in a witches’ cave and bring a shiver of mortality. The Shakespeare classic played in the Priory Assembly Hall on Nov. 18-20. Student actors used language and articulation exercises to master the play’s 400-year-old language, and imaginative exercises to bring life to the supernatural aspects of the play, said John Sugden, director. The authentic-looking weaponry was hand made by WPS’s metalsmithing students. The Priory’s first Broadway musical, Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” is already in rehearsal and will open on March 3, 2005, in the Assembly Hall.
Class Hosts Special Olympics for Second Year Every year, each class takes on an all-day service project, and their experiences range from saving beach environment to sorting and packing school supplies for students that need them to hosting a Special Olympics, as pictured above.
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Outreach
Peninsula Bridge Successfully Points Talented Middle School Students Towards College
M
ore than a decade ago, a bright young girl in Redwood City agreed— somewhat reluctantly —to give up five weeks of vacation and attend an academic summer camp at an upscale private school. Today, that young lady—Janette Maldonado-- holds degrees from Woodside Priory and Stanford University, and is now working towards a PhD. WPS student teaching assistants start each morning off with a cheer during the eight-week summer camp. Middle School campers return to the campus for eight weekend academic enrichment sessions during the academic year. From the upper left WPS students are Daniel Wenger, Diego Moncada, Clint Campagna, Victor Aguirre, Eric Frasch, Kendall Bell, Chrissa Trudelle, Rachel Moody, Aracely Aceves, Cierra Tanakatsubo, Andrea Gutierrez, and Dora Marron.
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The summer program that got her started, Peninsula Bridge, this year celebrates its fifteenth year of service to more than 3,000 students. WPS celebrates 14 years of involvement. Janette’s story is dramatic, but not unique among Peninsula Bridge participants. Peninsula Bridge targets middle school teens with academic promise—specifically, students enrolled at local public schools that have relatively fewer resources to support this promise. These youngsters are invited to an all-expenses-paid five weeks of summer camp at WPS, Menlo, Sacred Heart, and Crystal Springs. (Castilleja formerly offered a program and is expected to do so again soon.) Following the summer programs, students meet again for eight weekend tutorial sessions over the next school year. At some campuses, they also receive homework help during the school year. The goal is to prepare them for college prep work by ninth grade. Entry into Algebra 1 and English 1A in freshman year is one of the best indicators of future college enrollment, Bridge directors say. Eighty percent of Bridge students have succeeded in meeting that goal, the data shows. At Woodside Priory, students work with teachers and teacher assistants in the mornings in a math program with a science and technology orientation. The program includes recreational athletics, guest speakers, field trips and potluck suppers where families gather to learn about and celebrate their students’ work. A family-based evening of awards, with kids beaming as their successes are celebrated, is a grand finale. This year, WPS’s Bridge students also can ask for support in taking the placement tests and filling out the application forms for private high school admissions.
The students must love the program—since 2001, the attendance rate over the five campuses has averaged 95%. And 96% of participants end the summer saying they feel better prepared for the coming year. The Priory has a strong commitment to Peninsula Bridge or something like it because it accomplishes important goals for both the school and the students, said Tim Molak, WPS Headmaster. “We see some form of outreach as a part of our ministry. With Peninsula Bridge, I think we have learned how to do this successfully. We’ve learned that simply bringing talented students together with good teachers doesn’t necessarily lead to success. It takes a more sustained, coordinated effort than we ever thought in the beginning,” said Mr. Molak. One key ingredient to WPS’s success is working with the same community over time. Adults on the students’ home campus and the Priory campus have learned what to expect and what works in teaching this particular group. Another key is bringing each summer a group of students who know each other. Students cement friendships and form a core group that stays committed to academic success back at their home campuses. The Priory’s program is more effective since putting it in the hands of an enthusiastic director who shares the students’ culture, Mr. Molak said. Dora Marron, WPS’s program director, brings a wealth of academic and professional strengths to her job. She speaks Spanish and grew up in a local Latino community much like the Bridge students.’ She graduated from WPS in 1995 and from University of Santa Clara in 1999. WPS’s program focuses on two things—math preparation, and developing in each student a vision of competence and success, said Ms. Marron. Math achievement is easier to measure, but self-confidence receives equal attention when the program is structured, she said.
At a recent anniversary and fundraising banquet, student comments make it appear that positive attitude is important throughout the program. • José Gonzalez, whose mom works three jobs at $10 an hour, said he and his friends never expected even to see a private high school for the academically advanced, let alone go to one. His summers at Crystal Springs gave him a different view of himself. He now is applying from public high school to top-tier colleges with every expectation of being accepted. He anticipates a life of public service in national politics.
‘We see some form of outreach as a part of our ministry. With Peninsula Bridge, I think we have learned how to do this successfully.’ –Tim Molak, Headmaster
• Demetra Jones-Schoby said Peninsula Bridge and Sacred Heart High weren’t exactly her first choices when she was young. She credits her mom’s determination and “Divine Intervention” for the fact that she enrolled anyway. Like Julie, Demetra reported finding friendship and support. She earned a college degree and today is a teacher at her high school alma mater. Every year, some of the Bridge students apply for private high school admission. At WPS, these applicants are highly regarded candidates for scholarships because the campus knows how to support them and has now built in many of the ingredients to carry them through senior year. The students, in turn, provide a perspective in culture and life experience that the Priory wants for its student body. WPS has provided an average of two scholarships per year to students from the Bridge program—more than $100,000 in total. So far, 11 of these students have graduated, and five more will graduate by 2009.
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WPS’s program focuses on two things—math preparation, and developing in each student a vision of competence and success
WPS students, faculty members and alumni are extensively involved as volunteers and paid teachers. These individuals welcome and benefit from the opportunity to be involved with a different community. The five participating private schools take financial responsibility for providing facilities. WPS also provides student supplies and food. Peninsula Bridge has traditionally paid the salary of a program coordinator on each campus. However, in recent years, Bridge has had difficulty in completing that commitment, and WPS (along with other schools) has covered the shortfall in the form of a loan. Last year, WPS raised $10,000 at the school auction to fund salaries on this campus.
“At a cost of about $1,000 per student, and about 60 students a year, it is a significant budget item. But it’s well spent in return for us and them,” Mr. Molak said. WPS’s attention to pre- and post-testing, which yields documented proof of results, makes this campus a viable candidate for grant funds, he added. Les deWitt, former WPS Trustee, was one of the founders of the program. He did it, he said, simply because of his religious philosophy. Looking for a way to make a positive difference, he and Sister Brown, a Sacred Heart nun who brought up the concept, focused on middle school as the point in a person’s life when intervention might yield lasting change for the better. In recent years, he has backed away from hands-on management, which now rests with a professional staff, and it is a satisfaction for him to see his program solidly on its feet, moving forward, he said.
WPS Bridge students, teachers and supporters past and present attended a recent campaign kickoff breakfast at the Sharon Heights Country Club for Peninsula Bridge, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. The campaign goal of $100,000 was met within a few weeks and an additional $400,000 has been pledged over 5 years.
Pictured here are, from left, Virginia Kavanaugh, Les DeWitt (former WPS Trustee and co-founder of Peninsula Bridge), Mercedes Hernandez, Tim Molak, Angelita Hernandez, Nicole Patton, Nellie Maldonado, and Gail Kimball
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Academics
On-line, Annotated Grade Reports Replace Paper at WPS The old cartoon that shows a child sitting by the mailbox, hoping to waylay a worrisome report card, is out of date—at least at Woodside Priory School.
Today, a Priory
She and a team of student with some colleagues selected explaining—or some the program after bragging! — to do will more than a year have to distract his/ of study because it her parents from the promised systemfamily computer, not wide accuracy and the telltale envelope. reliability that was Grade reports now lacking in the former The online report form includes, over the top, a photo, name and class arrive online via a grading software. (deleted here to protect the student’s privacy). On the left is the student’s password-protected It also offered quick schedule, then courses, followed by every grade, absence and tardy in every Internet account. access to frequentlyclass. At the bottom are the current GPA and an attendance summary. Grade information used information, is available to parents and students, as soon as it is rather than a maze of screens, she said. posted, all the time. But online grading is the feature that directly As teachers grade tests, quizzes and papers, impacts families, and in that way it is a sea change. they enter each grade online. Each entry instantly Parents are suddenly much closer to grade issues than updates the student’s grade record, and this record ever before—or, they have the capability to be. Does is available to the student’s academic advisor, college this new “data immersion” change the dynamics of counselor, administrators, and the student and parental involvement with student performance? parents. Administrators no longer are plagued with Should it? inconsistencies in students’ files. Asked for feedback after the first grading period, A student or parent checking online will see the sixty parents responded and all the comments were new grade, together with the already-entered grades, positive. Parents expressed appreciation for access to and a blue link to any teacher comments. more information, complete information, and current Online grade reporting is actually “the icing on information. A counter on each student account the cake” to PowerSchool, the software that makes shows that most are being accessed a reasonable it possible, says Jennifer Martin, Academic Dean. amount—not constantly, not too infrequently. All accounts have been accessed at least once.
Parents are suddenly much closer to grade issues than ever before—or, they have the capability to be.
• Grades can be calculated at the click of a button. Many teachers were using hand calculators before, which was more time-consuming and error-prone. • If a teacher or parent thinks there is an error in the record, it can be resolved right away rather than at the end of a grading period. • Academic advisors can see their advisees’ records at a glance and stay in closer touch. At gradelevel faculty meetings, when students of concern are discussed, teachers now have a complete and accurate factual picture as well as anecdotal information to guide their decisions. Academic Dean Jennifer Martin (right) and Registrar Barbara Falk (left) were two of the five-member team that selected PowerSchool software. The Dean of the Faculty, Director of Counseling Services and Director of College Counseling were the other members.
If she could have a technological wish for the future, it would be to offer teachers greater multimedia capabilities in their classrooms, she said. “I’m not talking about simply making lessons prettier or more fun, I’m talking about ways to teach more effectively”
Most students contacted said that online grading makes no difference in their families. “My parents check, but they don’t check all the time. They think it’s my responsibility,” said eighth grader Zoe Ciupitu. Another student commented that his family stopped using the online reports because they lost the password. Ms. Martin hopes that smoothing out the mechanics of grades will result in less time spent worrying about them. She sees the following advantages to online grading, and some faculty members are already reporting success in these areas. • Students may be less likely to overreact to an individual grade because they see it in the context of all of their grades. “Students don’t always have a clear concept of how a single quiz grade, for example, impacts their final grade. With this program, they can see a single grade in perspective,” Ms. Martin explained.
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The technical aspects of the change are no small task for teachers, who must learn the new system and be prompt in posting their information. Many Priory teachers contacted were quick to say that, while they like what they see, they do not yet fully understand all aspects of this powerful tool. They are interested in learning more. They hope to learn soon to easily calculate class average and stack-rank class scores. At least one faculty member, math teacher Steve Marsheck, predicts that a fresh look at communications policies might be in order after a year of experience with online reporting. So far, direct communication from parents hasn’t changed— nevertheless, some teachers wonder whether parents are reading the reports and understanding them. For now, the traditional policies are still in place—for example, a parent will still receive a phone call or email if a student’s class grade is dropping below a “C,” Ms. Martin said. Scott Parker, Theology department chair, echoes Ms. Martin’s hope that grade transparency will lead to less, not more, emphasis on numerical evaluation. He would like to downplay continuous evaluation and ranking, he said.
If there is a background conducive to best use of tools such as PowerSchool’s, Ms. Martin’s may be it. Her experience blends management and personal counseling skills. While earning a master’s degree in counseling psychology, she worked at California State University, Humboldt’s telecommunications services in a triage position. It was her job to take crisis calls, solve the problems, or quickly find someone who could. “I learned a lot about management of a large, campus-wide system,” she said. Back then, she wasn’t headed for teaching. Her master’s thesis was based on her yearlong evaluation of Bank of America’s Employee Assistance Program, and she intended to leverage that knowledge into an industry position. However, a dean of students position at Presentation High in San Jose intrigued her, and she found in education everything she had expected in industry, and more, she says. She now also holds a second masters degree in educational administration. Her eyes light up when she talks about her psychology class and her students’ growing knowledge of such issues as child development. If she could have a technological wish for the future, it would be to offer teachers greater multimedia capabilities in their classrooms, she said. “I’m not talking about simply making lessons prettier or more fun, I’m talking about ways to teach more effectively,” she said. For the moment, her focus is on successfully integrating PowerSchool, but in a few years—who knows?
Psychology class and administrative leadership tie together Academic Dean Jennifer Martin’s diverse background. Here, psych students Sara and Rebecca Rappaport take advantage of play time with Hailey Mnookin Olcott, age 2 ½, daughter of faculty member Cory Olcott, to see whether textbook theories of child development seem to apply. Photos and a story about psych class play day with faculty children are at www. woodsidepriory.com. Look under Recent Events.
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Alumni Profile
Tak Virivan Brings Western-Style Entertainment To Thailand This alumnus can trace his theater roots to Priory productions and even to relaxing with television in the dorms.
“I can say from my professional point of view that a show has the potential to work, but you never know until it gets out there whether it will succeed.”
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Takonkiet (Tak) Viravan Class of 1984 Lives in Bangkok, Thailand Education: BA, Communication & Theatre, Boston College MS, Broadcasting, Boston University Family: Married to Kanikar (Prim) Viravan; 1 daughter, Prang (5 months) Favorite activities: Watching movies, seeing plays, traveling Professional field: Director-Producer, entertainment industry
The Priory alumnus who founded what might be
called the Bill Graham Presents of Bangkok has some advice for today’s Priory students. “The most important thing in life is to find your true self. Often, when you are young, you have a dream, but your dream and your ability to realize it may not match. Whoever is up there (in heaven) doesn’t give us all the same talents.” Tak Viravan, Class of 1984, is describing himself and the life experience that took him from odd young man out at WPS to head of a company that has changed the face of the Thai entertainment industry. At a sports-minded all-boys school, Tak’s interest in theater was definitely a path less taken, he said. However although not many people shared his passion for theater, everyone encouraged him in it, he said. Although WPS’s productions were small, Tak sometimes had leading roles, and he had big dreams. He entered Boston College expecting to pursue a career in economics, mainly because, at that time, the entertainment industry in Thailand was not an
attractive field on which to build a career. But after a semester of boredom, Tak’s parents backed his desire to go for his dream. He switched his major to theater—not sure where it would take him, but knowing he wanted to give it his best effort. It was a courageous decision—and soon a discouraging one when parts in college productions didn’t come his way. “At first I thought it was the Asian look. There weren’t any parts calling for that. Then, after awhile, I began thinking maybe I just wasn’t that good an actor!” he admitted. While waiting and hoping the parts would come, Tak worked backstage, often juggling multiple roles as stage manager of a production. One of these experiences brought the epipheny that led to a career combining entertainment and management. “I was standing backstage while the cast was taking bows and thinking to myself that, even though nobody knew who I was or what I’d done, I knew I had made that play happen. I loved that feeling even more than being in front of the audience,” he said.
The company he heads today is a subsidiary of GMM Grammy, an entertainment consortium listed on the London stock exchange. American theater experience and even the hours spent watching TV in the Priory dorm gave Tak a personal sense of the entertainment he would like to present. He began his career as a producer-director of TV situation comedies. Then, several TV dramas, game shows, and variety shows followed. He even bought the rights of one of America’s favorite game shows, “Family Feud” to produce a Thai version; this is a show he remembers watching during his years at the Priory. Tak also brought stage musicals to Thailand, having produced 3 musical plays that filled the 1,800seat Thailand Cultural Center. The shows ignited excitement for the musical theatre from the Thai audience. Even Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand came to see them, Tak said. Even today, many shows later, and with a strong reputation behind him, “every show I start is a new audition. Not for the job of director or producer, but for the audience. I can say from my professional point of view that a show has the potential to work, but you never know until it gets out there whether it will succeed.” After every show, he still analyzes what went well and how it could be better, he said. Tak traces a concern for the social impact of his work back to his Priory days, and the values imparted by the monks. “Every day, I tell my staff ‘Think about what you do, what you say. Be careful. You don’t know how your words will affect someone who hears them, who may turn on the television at that specific moment. It is important to be aware of that.” Tak’s life today is very full, with a wife and baby as well as an active career in the entertainment industry. Those early efforts to reconcile his teen-age dream with his God-given talents seem to have paid off, and he doesn’t seem to miss either acting or economics. Editor’s Note: This article and photograph are from a live interview conducted in Bangkok last November by Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Artist in Residence Acclaimed Baritone’s Free Concert Is April 19 in WPS Chapel Russian-born American baritone Anton Belov will spend two days on the Priory campus, meeting with students and faculty in classes and offering three performances. The first, a public performance, is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in the chapel, followed by a meetthe-artist reception and refreshments in Founders Hall at about 7:45 p.m. He also will offer separate assemblies for middle and high school on Wednesday, April 20. Mr. Belov’s performances originally were scheduled for April 5-6, but were changed to give him the opportunity to perform with the Washington Opera. A first-place winner in the 2002 Young Concert Artists International competition, Mr. Belov has received many prizes and has appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, the Juilliard Opera Center, Merkin Concert Hall and the Gardner Museum in New York City. A native of Moscow, Anton Belov holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory and a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School. He is currently a candidate for an Artists’ Diploma at the Juilliard Opera Center, where he works with the highly regarded teacher, David Clatworthy. He is the fifth in a series of young artists-inresidence to visit the Priory campus through an ongoing relationship with Young Concert Artists, Inc., in New York City. A Priory parent who supports YCA sponsors the artists-in-residence series, and a student committee helps select the artists.
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Young Alumni Gather ‘Round The Pizza At Winter Reunion The fire was crackling and Father Martin’s delicious pizza at the young-alumni reunion held on Dec. 17, 2004 in the Father Christopher Room. After comparing notes on college life, alumni took a few minutes to share advice with this year’s seniors as they head off to college. Asked what they wish they had known about college when they were students at WPS, here is what they had to say. More great comments are on the school web site — www.woodsidepriory.com. Click on ‘Publications’.
The next Alumni News & Notes will be in the April issue. Send your information now!
I wish I’d known better than to take 20 units (right away), and I wish I’d known I could just relax a bit more. What would I advise this year’s seniors? Enjoy senior year! Take Priory Robotics! And just relax, relax, relax— you’re going to get into a good school! George Schnurle, Class of 2004, Stanford University I wish I’d realized that college would be a little bit easier than I thought. It’s different…I like the setup. The tests are harder, but there is less busy work and I’m more a test kind of guy… I’d advise people to apply to a good selection of colleges… At University of the Pacific, so far I’m just having a blast. I’m on a radio show, I’m on club soccer, I’ve met a bunch of great people, and it’s a really good time. Leon Johnson, Class of 2004, University of t he Pacific All the preparation that they give you here, although fabulous, doesn’t hold a candle to what you learn on your own the first two days that you are there. Educationally, there isn’t any more the Priory could have done to prepare us—emotionally, it isn’t possible to prepare us. Liesl Yost, Class of 2001, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame I wish I’d known that it would be hard to be away from my family for the first time. I’d advise students to take a trip without them, just to prepare. Jill Simons, Class of 2002, Regis University I went to college 20 years too soon! When I went, they didn’t offer the wonderful experiential opportunities, like travel, that students have today. My advice? Carpe diem! Live for the day! Make every day count. Martin Mager, OSB, Class of 1953, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School At first, college was pretty hard… Getting a lot of sleep was really important and it took me awhile to figure that one out… I’d advise this year’s class to go for something that they love, not for what they think is some hot new field. Harvey Jones, Class of 2002, MIT
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Harvey Jones, Jill Simons, Kevin Yost and Liesl Yost reach for Father Martin’s fresh, hot pizza. He makes it himself every year for the young alumni reunion. Aimee Epstein, Class of 2003, is in her sophomore year at Stanford where she is a member of the Equestrian team. She will be studying abroad in Paris this spring.
Kathryn Calvache, Class of 1995 and her daughter spent a morning on the campus in December—an apt reminder that this class is planning a special 10-year reunion in the spring. Contact Father Martin Mager for information (mmager@woodsidepriory.com)
Recent alumni enjoy the chance to swap college experiences. Read more of their advice to this year’s class on the WPS Web site.
Father Pius chats with his friend Megan Noice, Class of 2004, now at UC San Diego.
Above: Laura Brent, Carolyn Hayes, Aimee Epstein and Monika Varga, all from the class of 2003, chose private mid-sized universities located on the mid-Peninsula, Southern California and Massachusetts, which makes for an interesting discussion. At right: Ally Coats and Leon Johnson, both from the class of 2004.
Brother Edward catches up on the news with last year’s seniors Sammi Nutall and Kimberly Chow. Sammi is studying at Drew University and Kimberly at Loyola Marymount University.
These WPS fans had t-shirts made to cheer alumna (and Priory volleyball legend) Cassie Perret at a Santa Clara University game. Cassie, a junior communications major, plays outside hitter for the Broncos. As an all-WCC player this season, she made the cover of SCU’s match day program. Cassie was a leader on the Priory team that won the state championship in 2000; the players in the photo are on this year’s CSS championship team (except for Marie, who is in seventh grade). Pictured from left are Marie and Chrissa Trudelle, Katie and Alexa Zappas, Laura Trudelle, and Cassie.
The last home game of the soccer season was the setting for WPS Alumni Association’s first homecoming event. The association sponsored a pool party for the swim team, and members also dropped in to watch the final home game of the boys soccer season. That match, against Valley Christian, was one of the most exciting of the year, with Blaine Tehaney scoring a great goal from 20 yards out. The Panthers lost 2-1, but put up a good fight against a team that won every game but one that season. Victor Aguirre’s friends turned out with a banner to cheer him on.
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WPS’s Golden Jubilee Campaign Hits The Five-Year Mark— Facilities, Enrollment, Endowment Are The Targets This year marks the fifth anniversary of our Golden Jubilee Campaign, and it is a good time to sum up where we are and where we’ve been. Our end date, the Priory’s 50th anniversary in 2007, is in sight. If you can imagine yourselves in 1999 for a moment, you will see a surprising and speeded-up mid-Peninsula. Demand for admission at the Priory and other private college prep schools skyrocketed. The tech boom caused local incomes—and the cost of living—to fast-forward. Teachers were in high demand and competition for the best was reflected in double-digit salary increases. The WPS Board of Trustees reacted quickly to this unexpected situation with a self-study of this campus’s position in the educational world. This study led to a strategic plan, a master plan, and finally a $15 million campaign to provide a variety of facilities improvement and endowment support. The board determined that to prepare for the next fifty years, the campus needed to: Wayne Davison, Chair of the Golden Jubilee Campaign and member of the Board of Trustees Finance Committee
• Expand enrollment to 350, a size that can support the broad curriculum and co-curricular opportunities that families and universities expect of a high-quality college prep school • Secure funding to protect faculty—the heart of the academic program. • Provide facilities that support our contemporary curriculum and larger campus community. Specifically, we immediately needed a larger auditorium, facilities appropriate for performing arts (which has blossomed and thrived despite a complete lack of appropriately designed
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performance space and classrooms); a bigger, modernized library/tech center, and a student center. All of these projects are crucial because they free space throughout the campus with which we will create more offices and classrooms that are also desperately needed. Our most pressing issue then was to protect our faculty, and in that we have been quite successful. We completed faculty housing, which provides an important competitive edge. Our endowment is growing. Endowment funds provide the cushion to see us through changes in economic times. Our campus (because it is relatively young and small) has an endowment at least ten times smaller than those of the schools with which we compete locally, so it is important that this fund increases. (Although the annual fund is not related to the campaign because the entire proceeds are spent in the next fiscal year, our community’s admirably high rate of giving continues to sustain faculty salaries and small class size.) The economic slump of a few years ago put a bump in the path of our next goal, the academic facilities mentioned above. We originally thought our master plan would be complete, including the Portola Valley town review process, by 2001. In reality, we are holding our second public hearing this month. We may gain approval in early spring. Without sure approval, both funding and facilities options are curtailed. We expected to sell our land behind the school and use the proceeds to secure the monks’ retirement and bolster the endowment fund. In reality, the real estate market slowed and the last two years have not been good years for sale.
Economy and political process are realities we must respect and can’t control. However, we haven’t changed our internal commitment, which is to achieve a final plan for Phase One by 2007. Despite this look backwards, hindsight does not dictate our decision process. The past five years have taught us a lot about the facilities we need to support our students and faculty. We are in a better position now to review those needs carefully and complete our plans. I am looking forward to taking a fresh look with the Campaign Leadership Team at our “trinity package”—the performing arts, library and student center facilities. This campus is blessed with generous parents and friends. Your rate of giving is among the highest in the Bay Area. Dozens of you give generously of your time and talents. The vision that began our campaign study—to promote each student’s strengths, preserve community values and provide for a secure future—is well within our reach. If you are interested in learning more about the campaign, go to our Web site: www.woodsidepriory.com/campaign/. Or, you can reach it by clicking on the campaign logo on the campus Web site home page.
I am looking forward to taking a fresh look with the Campaign Leadership Team at our “trinity package”—the performing arts, library and student center facilities.
Thanks Again!
First, we want to add Stanley Kwong and Judy Koh to the list of Directors Club donors in the annual report printed in the Oct. 2004 Priorities magazine. An inconsistency in posting dates resulted in their names appearing in a different fiscal year for print purposes (although it was correct for accounting purposes). Stan and Judy are great friends of the Priory, and we sincerely regret this omission. A few people phoned to ask about the In-Kind Donations list, which wasn’t in its usual place in the annual report. It was there (behind Honors and Memorials), but we are including it again here for other who may have missed it. —The Develoment Office Staff In-Kind Donors James and Loren Archer William Theodore de Bary Edward Goodstein and Francesca Eastman Susan Falaschi John and Kate Greswold William and Michelle Green Henry and Dona Hoge Stanley Kwong and Judy Koh Dina Richert Linbeck Jeffrey and Jennifer Martin Lynn Noble Richard Gray and Abbe Patterson Edward Oates and Jennifer Hammer James Ransohoff Robert and Patricia Reed George Schnurle Daniel and Tamara Turner WeLoveMacs.com
—Wayne Davison, Golden Jubilee Campaign Chair
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Two Panther Teams Reach CSS Competition— Girls Volleyball Team Wins CSS; Sean Harris Runs at State X-Country WPS’s Girls Varsity Volleyball team pulled out all the stops, winning the Central Coast Division 5 championship, and the first of three matches in the Northern California championship. Seeded sixth out of six teams in Division 5, they demonstrated terrific team spirit and commitment to win the CCS title, said team coach Rick Riebhoff. “Even during vacation breaks, you couldn’t stop most of this team from practicing,” Coach Riebhoff remarked. It is the kind of drive that took this small campus’s team to a state championship in 2000 and a state runner-up victory in 2001. This team may also be unique in having three pairs of sisters, including one set of twins—Katie and Alexa Zappas.
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Exuberant players celebrate a hard-fought victory early in the CCS playoffs. They are (from top row left) Coach Kendall Holland, Coach Megan Andrews, Katie Zappas, Alexa Zappas, Tania Valetsky, Katie Lampert, Laura Trudelle, Ensci Nemeth, Chrissa Trudelle, Coach Floyd Alexander; (from bottom row left) Cassey Limgenco, Lauren Hecht, Leila Novotny; (on the floor) Kai Novotny, Head Coach Rick Riebhoff. Coach Kendall Holland, now a senior at Stanford, was a member of the 2000 state champion team.
All-League Athletes Cross-Country Sean Harris
Boys Soccer Honorable Mention Erik Park Jay Sohn Justin Crandall
Girls Volleyball
Tennis Legend Sandy Mayer Is Coaching WPS Girls Team In his tennis pro career, Sandy Mayer had wins over such luminaries as Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Jimmy Connors, and Ilie Nastasie. He is a member of the Stanford Hall of Fame, Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, and more. He is at WPS because, after several years away from the game, he felt a pull to teaching. Following a conversation with Athletic Director Mark Stogner in February 2004, Sandy was on the Priory courts coaching middle and high school players. Sandy’s philosophy of play is that tennis is difficult, and it requires time and effort to compete effectively. But, “you want to balance the work and the fun,” he said. His girls varsity team held their own this fall. Longtime coach Celso Onofre is still coaching the boys varsity team.
First Team Laura Trudelle Second Team Lauren Hecht
WPS’s spirited mascot, Sophomore Nick Coombs, cavorts, cartwheels and cheers---then takes a muchneeded breather out from under the heavy, black fur.
WPS runners relax after the CSS CrossCountry meet. Sean Harris placed tenth on this very difficult course and represented WPS at the State competition.
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Priory Community Honors Five Outstanding Supporters
Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839
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St. Benedict’s Medals, the Priory Community’s highest honor to its community of support, was awarded to Wayne and Cindy Davison, Jack and Joan McGraw, and Jane Yates this year. Wayne and Cindy received their medal at the annual Appreciation Dinner in September, and Jane at a chapel ceremony in January. The McGraws will recieve theirs this spring at a private presentation in Palm Springs. The Davisons became active supporters of WPS when their daughter, Amanda, Class of 2000, enrolled in sixth grade. (Their son, Andy, is a sophomore this year.) Wayne and Cindy have headed or chaired key committees for eleven school auctions (including this year’s). Their leadership is evident in the growth of this event as the school changed and increased in size over the past decade. Wayne served two terms as chair of the Board of Trustees and is now chair of the Golden Jubilee Campaign Steering Committee. He also is a member of the board of trustees’ finance committee. The Davison’s vision, creativity, personal support and countless hours of volunteer service have benefited hundreds of students and their families. Jack and Joan McGraw were early supporters of the Priory during its first decades, and they have remained, with their family members, constant supporters over the years. They joined with Father Egon Javor, OSB, in seeing the need for a school based on academic excellence and Benedictine values, and they willingly took on the numerous leadership tasks required in those early years. Their names are on a plaque in Founders Hall today, recognizing their leadership contribution to replacing the old farmhouse with today’s administrative building. The farmhouse was the original building in which the school began, and it burned to the ground. The McGraw’s two sons graduated from WPS—John, class of 1980 and Michael, class of 1983. Both were active leaders who excelled in academics and sports. Jane Yates has been part of the Priory chapel community for more than four decades, and Jane’s friendships with the monks cover all of those years. That makes it particularly fitting that the five monks who comprise the Woodside Priory School Board of Directors, whose tenure covers all of those decades, plan to personally present her with her medal. Jane co-chaired (with Peter Kasenchak) the current, successful $250,000 fundraising campaign to renovate and expand the chapel. Many people who were involved with the Priory community in earlier decades will remember her very popular wineryvisit auction items. Jane is a member of the Buehler Winery family in St. Helena, and the family annually hosted a lovely luncheon in their home for the successful bidders. Over all of those years, Jane’s interest in and unflagging support of this Benedictine community has touched many, many lives. —C. Dobervich NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE
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Celebrating Our 47th Year
