Priorities #40: Spring 2008

PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School

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Issue #40

March 2008

Father Martin A Conversation with

Educator, photographer, musician, craftsman... this is one active Renaissance Monk.

Woodside Priory School Celebrating 50 Years of Benedictine Education In This Issue Interview with Father Martin—Monk, educator, craftsman Pages 4-10.

“How I Look Journal” Read about Priory Senior Molly Dellheim’s new self-esteem book for girls Page 11.

Interview with Fr. Martin

How Tripping on a Rug Saved My Life

By Gail Kimball Pages 14-16 Priory Panthers Online Watch archived games from your home Page 17.

The Priory Auction cometh!

The Priory 2008 Auction Spend a night in Monte Carlo!

Pages 18-21.

Out of Africa Priory Faculty Dan Polk helps the Daraja Academy and you can help too!

Page 22.

Out of Africa

The Golden Jubilee Campaign Help us close out the Jubilee Campaign in a big way 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 Gene Becker Kristin Brew Janet Brownstone Peter Campagna Lisa Carlos Wayne Davison Babak Dehnad Chris Galli Hilary Giles Betsy Haehl Eric Hollas, OSB David Jim Peter Kasenchak Ginny Kavanaugh Indu Khanna Steven Krausz Rick Magnuson Jami Nachtsheim Maurus Nemeth, OSB Nancy Newman Dale Pfau Hank Plain Patti Plummer Bill Roberts Ray Rothrock Kari Rust Ken Tehaney Paul Titterton Dan Turner Mark Wilson Andrea Zulberti Priorities magazine is published in October, February, 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.

Panther sports online

Editor: Sean Mclain Brown Design/Production: Jim Kirkland, Copperline Multimedia Photos: Jim Kirkland, Sean Mclain Brown, Eva Soos

On the cover: Father Martin prowls the hills for a landscape photo

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 Head of School

Dear Priory Community,

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his spring has brought us some sad news – Father Egon Javor, OSB passed away on Sunday March 2. The Priory Community mourns the loss of this great monk, visionary and man of faith who was responsible for the establishment of the monastery and school in 1956.

The Priory of today is a wonderful testament to his dedication and commitment to the Benedictine ministry of education.

Our New Year is in full swing and one can feel the energy on campus as we start the spring semester for our students and staff. The addition of the new performing arts center, library relocation and creation of the student center have created some wonderful new spaces for all the students. The Priory’s first play in our new PAC was Midsummer’s Night Dream, which was a huge success.

In February we hosted our 2nd Athletic Hall of Fame induction. The event was held in the PAC after our boys basketball win. We were proud to induct Father Christopher Hites, OSB, Noel Kidd, Pat Comiskey and the 2000 Girls State Volleyball Champions in to the Hall of Fame. The girls continue to be our only Nor Cal and State championship team - but we hope to add a team or team to that list in the coming years. The Boys Basketball and Girls Soccer and the success they have had this year - both league champs - girls CCS runner-up - first soccer team to get to CCS finals. There two teams and their coaches are commended for their amazing accomplishments this year.

Our class of 2008 has received early acceptances to a number of very fine local and national universities over the past month and there were 17 members of the class who were honored by National Merit as commended, semi-finalist or finalists.

Our admission Open houses this year were very well attended and our overall applications have increased by over 40%. Mr. Zappelli and his staff, along with a number of parents, need to be complimented for the work they have done to update our presentations and to leave no stone unturned.

We continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary year. On March 29 we will host an Anniversary Fashion Show featuring over 30 students and a number of the monks. It will be out first show in almost 20 years.

On April 13 -16 we will be hosting a team of 5 Benedictine Educators from across the country who will be on campus to assess the Benedictine culture and atmosphere at the Priory. On May 3 our 50th anniversary auction is being held at the Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto - An Evening in Monte Carlo - is a night you should not miss so when you get your invitation plan on attending a magical night that provides critical annual support for the Priory.

A big thank you Ray Rothrock, Rick Magnuson and Hank Plain for spearheading the Class of 2008 Senior Challenge. They encouraged other senior parents to give over $1M to the Performing Arts Center, and challenged the rest of the school to match the money they raised. All donations went to help fund the Performing Arts Center (PAC), the crowning achievement of the school’s Golden Jubilee Campaign. The Priory’s goal is to complete this project and leave the school debt free. The Campaign officially ends with our Golden Jubilee year, on June 30, 2008. We hope to raise the remaining $1.2M before that time. The Priory community owes a tremendous debt gratitude to these men, for their foresight, commitment and leadership in every aspect of this campaign. Thank you!

It continues to be a great honor to serve as Head of School at the Priory. This year marks my 19th year, first as Dean of Students and for the last tenyears as Head. I am constantly encouraged by the total commitment of our faculty and staff and the outstanding young men and women entrusted to us. The collective effort of all of us make our “Vision Beyond 50” a wonderful opportunity to remain a premier learning community for the 21st century.

On behalf of the Monastic Community we are grateful for the many blessings you share with us.

Sincerely,

A big thank you Ray Rothrock, Rick Magnuson and Hank Plain for spearheading the Class of 2008 Senior Challenge.

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Monk, Educator, Master Craftsman, Musician, Photographer

An Interview with

Father Martin

By Sean Mclain Brown recently had the fortunate opportunity to sit down with Father Martin and talk with him about his life. There’s much more to him than you might imagine; he’s a craftsman in wood (grandfather clocks, furniture, musical instruments, and most recently, canoes) a photographer, and an outstanding educator.

Here is what he had to say...

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SMB: So we just have a few questions for you, well, maybe a little bit more than a few. Where did you grow up?

FM: I grew up in Newark, New Jersey and I went to a Benedictine school in inner-city Newark.

When I was a young man growing up it was my first real solid connection with the Benedictine lifestyle. Then I went to New Hampshire for college at St. Anselm College and after graduating from college I decided I would try joining the monastery.

I liked what I saw and what the monks were doing with students there. I thought it might be a good lifestyle for me so I figured I would try it... and I’m still trying.

SMB: Are you still connected to the high school in Newark, New Jersey?

FM: In some ways I am. It’s gotten to be a rather famous high school now because it’s an inner-city school. It closed for a short while in the 70’s because the school could not be supported by the clientele in the city of Newark. Since that time though they reopened it after about a year under a new headmaster, Father Edmund, and he managed to get the school started on a very strong course. It’s mostly minority students now and has a wonderful athletic program as it did when I was a student.

They’re often getting state titles and sometimes national titles in sports like soccer and fencing and wrestling.

It’s just a good place. So every once in a while I go down there and meet some of the monks and some of the students. I went there a couple years ago for my 50th anniversary from graduating from school and it was really wonderful to see the great strides they had made in working with kids from the inner city.

SMB: Did you always want to be a monk?

FM: Not really. I went to college after graduating from St. Benedict’s and I began my college career as a biology major. I really liked biology and I wanted to be a medical illustratrator because I was pretty good at drawing. When I discovered that biology majors had to know an awful lotof math I decided that perhaps I would be much better served as an English major. So I majored in English throughout college graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. It was at my senior year that I was looking over possible options.

After I had graduated I decided that I would join the monastery and see if was a lifestyle that would be good for me — it turned out to be pretty good.

I decided that I would join the monastery and see if was a lifestyle that would be good for me — it turned out to be pretty good.

SMB: A little birdie told me that you once ran a bohemian style coffee house. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience?

FM: I’ve always been interested not only in music but all kinds of things that are creative. While I was teaching at St. Anselm College in the 60’s I saw it was a time when coffee houses were very popular with young people. I was very interested in the music and the poetry and the many other things that were possible. I really wanted to give the students who had talent a kind of forum in which to express that talent.

So we started this coffee house. It was more of an instant coffee house than anything else. We put up walls and sectioned off different parts of one of the large rooms to create an atmosphere that would be really conducive to students being able to get up and to present their interests and skills. I was also very interested in cultivating audiences that would allow students to get up there whether they’re really, really good or really not that good and present what

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they had; their performance, whatever it might be, and have a respectful and positive audience. So it was kind of a two-fold thing. One was partly to allow students a forum in which to present their work, and the other was to have an audience that would appreciate it.

finding myself with middle school and high school kids was quite a transition. It was very difficult but after that first year I began to get settled. Before long I really appreciated this age group. This has become is a wonderful place to live out my life and my commitment to the monastic community.

SMB: Kind of similar to what we’re doing at the Black Box Theater here at the Priory with the open mic night...

FM: Absolutely. Now we have a place where students and faculty and anyone else can get up and do something that they’re good at; a performance, a reading, music, dancing—whatever, and have a respectful and enjoyable audience. The number that I’ve been to here since it started have been

SMB: You’ve held a variety of different positions at the school. Can you tell us a little bit about some of them?

FM: I have taught religion, theology, social justice, art and presently teach photography. I have been the chaplain since I came here, and for about a little over 20 years I was the college counselor. This is a small school and you wind up wearing many different hats. I was also for 20 years, along with Father Marus, the bus driver. That was always a lot of fun. I loved those trips because we’d go to all the away games, taking the students to the symphony, opera, ballet and many other kind of social venues.

That was always a blast!

This has become a wonderful place to live out my life and my commitment to the monastic community. amazing. It’s just been a good experience. I think it’s something that’s goingto be developed and probably expanded throughout the years.

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SMB: When did you first come to the Priory?

FM: I came to the Priory in 1975. I had been teaching at our college in New Hampshire and working in the admissions department, doing a lot of traveling, representing the school. In a very short time the community decided it would be good to help out the Priory because the school needed some younger blood. They also needed to have a little bit more of an American touch. The Priory then had a rather European flavor to it— monks from Hungary and even India. For example instead of having freshman, sophomore, junior and seniors, they had forms: form 1, form 2, form 3, form 4, etc.

So it was very much in the European style. I was asked to come on a fairly short notice arrived the first of August in 1975. I have to say though the first year was quite an interesting transition. Having worked with college aged students then suddenly

SMB: You have lots of interests; photography, woodworking, music. What kind of role do they play in your life as a monk and educator?

FM: Well I think all of those things kind of go toward the creative aspect of life, which I think is incredibly important. We have a very strong academic program, as you know, but I think it’s also very important to go beyond the strictly academic.

To have a hand’s on experience where creativity can be seen, handled, looked at and admired by other people. I’ve been teaching photography for quite a long time now and I really enjoy it primarily because it helps people to see things that they ordinarily wouldn’t see.

A good photographer observes his or her surroundings differently. Often we are in the presence of beauty that goes unseen. As a photographer and teacher I show students how to find a story in an image. How to compose a picture

Some photographs of Father Martin’s favorite subject—Maine—from his recent book.

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to set a mood or present some of your own ideas is like a pictoral language.

I’ve been working with wood for quite a long time but have no real official training in woodworking. I haven’t taken any courses or anything else like that, but once I have an interest in something I can build it.

Taking wood, which is basically a dead tree, and

bringing it back to life by creating something usful or beautiful is my joy. For example right now I’m working with a number of students to build a canoe.

It’s made out of redwood strips and it’s going to be quite beautiful. It will go into the auction with half of the income going to charity. The charity will be determined by the students who work on it.

SMB: So you were saying about music?

FM: I’ve always loved music. As a kid my mother played the piano and had myself and my two sisters take piano lessons. My sisters did very well. I got very strung out at a very early age because I was too interested in too many other things at the time.

I never did anything with music at all until I was a teenager when I started getting interested in music and girls and other things like that. Then I began to

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listen to music seriously and I decided I was going to learn an instruent. During the folk music era of the 60’s guitar music was very popular. Somebody gave me a guitar when I was living in New York and became determined that I would learn how to play. I did and that led to many other challenges.

Now I’m not good at them, but I play guitar, banjo and mountain dulcimer, which is a favorite instrument of mine. I was given a Native American flute by some Navajo Indians a couple of summers ago and now I play that. Dulcimers, by the way, are instruments that I have made. I have made 20 and they are all over the country. They are a really nice three-stringed instrument, known mostly in Appalachia, but not well known in California.

SMB: It’s really interesting about the Navajo Indian connection. How did that happen?

FM: Well a couple of years ago Dean Lay, who’s a former campus minister here, is now working at Fort Windgate in New Mexico on a Native American reservation. The students there are very impoverished and have no family life. He asked me a couple of summers ago whether we would be willing to have a hospitality week at the Priory.

So, between programs he came up with 15 to 20 young high school aged Navajos. They were quite traditional and some could speak Navajo. They came here and saw some things that they’ve never seen before... like the ocean.

They had never seen mountains or trees any taller than a man, so it was a great experience. I got to know them well because I have a deep interest in Native American culture. On one occasion one of them handed me a flute to play, and for some strange reason, I could play it right away. Still don’t know why.

They knew I loved the sound of it and before they left they handed me the flute and they said, “This flute belongs to you” and I’ve played it almost every day since that time.

SMB: You have a real passion for sports. How does that relate to not only your vision as an educator but also as a craftsman—the physical aspect of engaging in the sports for the school and for yourself?

FM: Well I’ve always enjoyed sports. My dad and I were great fans of two sports really, one was football. I grew up on football and boxing. At one time in my life I aspired to be a golden gloves boxer in New Jersey. Well luckily I never quite made that so my nose is still fairly straight and my ears are not cauliflower. But I’ve always maintained a great interest i boxing and love football. I also like other sports. But I had never seen a soccer game until I came to California. At Priory I’ve come to really love that sport because kids can play almost at any size.

Basketball, baseball, whatever; I enjoy them all.

So when I was driving the school bus it was always a lot of fun because I could see not only the home games but the away games too.

SMB: So sports are important.

FM: I think they’re very good for the kids. It gives the kids a chance to be competitive but also to kind of develop a good sense of sportsmanship. To be competitive when they’re on the field but know that it’s not a matter of violence. Unfortunately I see that too many of the professional and sometimes college players exemplify a kind of lifestyle that serves a very bad example for our kids. Sadly, they don’t see themselves as role models for our kids and I think that’s a real disappointment. It would be much better if we had role models out there who could give the kids some aspirations to be good sportsmen and women and to live good and healthy lives rather than resorting to drugs, steroids, and things like that.

SMB: You’ve traveled quite a bit. I’m wondering what experiences in your own life have been important to you? You’ve taken the Andes trip and had the opportunity to work with a master guitar maker. Can you speak to some of those experiences?

FM: Some of my best memories were the two years I accompanied a group of our students to the Andes Mountains. We treked up to the place where a plane had crashed in deep the Andes back in the 1970’s. A book was written by one of the survivors called Alive. We rode up on horseback to about 12,000 feet where the remains of the plane still lay and many victims of the tragedy are

buried. It was on top of that mountain along with Roberto Canessa, the author of Alive and one of the few survivors, that I celebrated mass in a blinding snowstorm.

It was a wonderful, wonderful experience and one of the things that I will never forget. I know that the students that were on those trips will never forget it either. I also had a chance to meet the other survivors. They made it through that horrible 10week stay on the mountain experiencing little or no food, an avalanche, and eventually resorted to cannibalism. To talk to them and to hear about their experiences was amazing. Roberto Canessa was the real heroe of that crash as he was the one who finally found help. He commented to me on several occasions that he had been to a school run by the

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Christian brothers in Montevideo in Uruguay and he had been a churchgoer. But he really discovered God in the harshness of the mountains. That has always stuck with me.

I made a guitar with an internationally known luthier by the name of John Gilbert. John and I became friends back in the 1970’s. He knew of my interest in building and creating musical instruments and so he invited me to work with him to build a classical guitar. It was a great experience for me because, with John’s help and tutelage, I built my own classical guitar, which I play to this day. It was finished in 1981 and it’s just a wonderful instrument.

I really hope that the Benedictine values we stand for will rub off on them.

That our students will see a spiritual dimension to life that goes beyond the business of making money, careers and things like that.

SMB: One final question. What do you hope your students learn from your classes?

FM: I really hope that the Benedictine values we stand for will rub off on them. That our students will see a spiritual dimension to life that goes beyond the business of making money, careers and things like that. That they will see those as important but will also realize a much more important spiritual dimension to their lives. That they continue the search for God in the midst of the concerns and the distractions of a very busy life ahead. A good life and being a good person makes a huge difference in the lives of others. To be concerned about the lives of others and to take care of each other as human beings to me is a very important thing. So if they learn how to take care of one another, how to be good stewards of the land, of the environment, I think then I will be very happy to say that what I have dedicated my life to do has been worthwhile.

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In addition to this article, there is a multimedia version available online at: www.woodsidepriory.com/ prioryparent.

It Takes a Village…and a Monk

As a special treat for Auction goers, Father Martin along with John Greswold and a team of students will craft a canoe of redwood with cherry, maple and pine detail work. The 11.5 foot canoe designed for a single adult, will be coated in clear fiberglass and will weigh ~30 lbs for easy portability. The names of the student workers will appear on a brass plaque attached to the inside of the canoe. This is a unique project since half of the proceeds will go to the auction and half will go to charities selected by the entire building crew. What a perfect way to celebrate 50 years of Benedictine spirit!

As always, the auction is a time to celebrate Woodside Priory’s many talents and great community spirit. The monastery community continues it’s traditional support of the auction with a series of unique dinners. Father Martin, Brother Edward and their associates serve up this superb, long-time Priory tradition - the Down East Lobster Supper. Reed Easley and the Art department have planned projects that will highlight every aspect of the Priory’s diverse art programs and students will be creating auction items in a variety of medias. Best of all, the teachers will be helping out with a variety of special parties and events. As always, the highlight of the live auction is the one of a kind Grandfather clock, built by Father Martin, to include a commemorative 50th plaque.

(L-R) Freshman Jimmy Tran and Nathaniel Rothrock help Father Martin build a canoe for “A Night in Monte Carlo” auction.

“How I Look Journal” Priory Senior Co-Writes Book, Lands Endorsement from National Association of Eating Disorders

A recent 2007 Harvard School of Public Health study found that teenaged girls who believed they were lower on the social ladder were more likely to put on extra pounds. Priory senior Molly Dellheim and her mother Nan, are way ahead of Harvard.

During Molly’s middle school years, Molly and her mother, Nan, became interested in the impact of style on body image. While experimenting with her own personal style, Molly discovered that girls can overcome media hype and peer pressure, even during adolescence, and develop a flattering style that will improve body acceptance. Encouraged by her middle school dean, Molly and Nan then began formal development of a comprehensive body image curriculum for middle school girls, which was first piloted in 2005.

Molly and Nan, with the help of Priory girls (and many Priory parents and staff) Shelley Lowe, Jasmine Madavi, and Leah Rappaport, evaluated the program extensively and provided insight into their middle school years.

Nan and Molly’s research and extensive collaborations resulted in the development of two programs that were piloted locally in 2005 and 2006 for middle and high school girls under the name, A Better Way To Look. Molly’s personal experience developing a flattering style informed two innovative sections on visual perception and personal style. After discovering that most schools face budget and time constraints that preclude incorporation of a comprehensive program, she and Molly conceived the idea for a journal that would include key material, could be used by girls independently, and could supplement a shorter curricula.

Most recently, the National Association of Eating Disorders has approved the book and the Dellheim’s self-esteem program and a book contract is currently being negotiated.

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Dear Priory Alumni,

I am excited to announce that we have re-launched our online community website for Alumni and Alumni Parents. Please visit it at www.wspriory.com. It is a place where you can stay in touch with the Priory Community by posting class notes, viewing the photo galleries of recent gatherings of Alumni, checking the events calendar, and updating your personal information so you can make sure to receive our month by broadcast emails.

I am also happy to announce that we have set a date for our Reunion Weekend, September 12-14, 2008. It will be a fun filled weekend and we are currently looking for Class Agents to help take the lead for their reunion years: 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1983, 1978, 1973, 1968 and 1963. If you are interested in being a Class Agent or helping to plan your reunion in any way please email me at alumni@woodsidepriory.com. Remember that if you want your reunion to be a success, you need to get involved. Below you will also see a list of “Lost Alumni� from the reunion years. If you know where they are or you have any contact information for them, please email me at the address above.

Please check the online community website www.wspriory.com for more details of the Reunions as the weekend gets closer.

Along with the Class Reunions, we have also been planning mini Alumni gatherings around the world. Recently, Paul Trudelle, Scott Parker and Al Zappelli met up with some alumni in Asia, Boston and Santa Barbara. We also had our College Alumni Holiday Celebration at the Priory in December and that was a great night as well. Pictures from all these events are posted on the online community. In the next few months, Father Martin and John Baldwin are planning a trip to Asia in April, where their goal is to visit alumni on every stop.

If anyone is interested in planning a get together with other Alumni in their area or want more information about the trips I have mentioned, please contact me and I can help. We love to have our Priory Community stay connected all across the world!

Sincerely,

Casey Frudenberg Alumni Relations

LOST! We are expanding our efforts to find lost alumni. The following names are from the classes that will be celebrating their reunions this fall. If you know where these alumni are, please contact Casey in our Alumni Office at alumni@woodsidepriory.com.

2003 Brittany M. Paulus Michael W. Ruiz Won-Ki Sul

1983 Mishaal M. Fahim Jeff J. Kauffman David M. Porter

1998 Nathalie P. Alsop Kate M. Berry Mark A. Ruiz

1978 John De Leo Martin L. Drummond Michael M. Fong Peter Y. Huh Wong T. Ling Raymond Oen Kevin Smith Peter S. Tong

1993 Eric Chen Stellios Metaxas Akito Nozawa Marek Szurek Takaya Yamaguchi 1988 John D. Briggs Sean P. Buckley Paul Y. Chiang Christopher M. Darza Roberto M. Herrera Rene Kirchhoefer Terrence Lafleur Arturo Leyva Ricardo T. Papa Walter T. Renner Miguel A. Ruiz Jimmy Shia Jeffrey M. Sinclair Yoriki Tsutsumi Stephen W. Woo Royce Yaka

1973 David Brown Frederick Bustamente Federico J. Delgado James D. Griffin 1968 Armando A. Araujo-Eserski James Calhoun Michael Jordan Paul Miller 1963 Vance Carter Simon Lorne Thomas Wade

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How Tripping on a Rug Can

Save Your Life!

By Gail Kimball

Clumsy me

, I tripped on a rug in my bedroom and fell. It saved my life. I discovered a lump in my left breast in October of 2006 as I had fallen on the exact place where the lump was located. After the fall I developed a bone bruise that lifted the lump so that I could feel it.

I had yearly mammograms and thought that would be enough to identify any breast cancer. After all, I breast-fed my children, did not take hormone replacement therapy and watched what I ate. I didn’t expect to find cancer so had not performed the monthly self-check.

The day after I located the lump—I call it lucky Friday the 13th—I made an appointment with a nurse practitioner. She was a wonderful earth-mother type and took good care of me. She stuck a needle in the lump and took some cells. It didn’t hurt.

“The doctors are putting me through some tests,” I said to Tim Molak. Tim looked up, startled. “Oh no!” He and Cathy had been through this twice so he understood. Tim told me that if I received a positive diagnosis for cancer, I would become part of a sisterhood, and that he and Cathy had been surrounded by cancer survivors at the Relay for Life.

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The first time I met my surgeon she made a curious remark. She told me that her nurse told her that I am a really nice person. I said, “Thank you.”

She then told me that unfortunately they find that nice people usually have cancer. At home I thought about that strange comment. Perhaps she already knew the diagnosis and was preparing me for it. I learned later that medical practitioners recognize this phenomenon, just as there is a high estrogen marker there is also the “high nice” factor.

It was October 31st, Halloween day when I received the test results. Trick or treat—which would I receive? The results from the biopsy showed ductal cancer.

My surgeon would need to remove the lump. She gave me several dates for surgery, and I took the very first one.

It was November 9th. When you have cancer, dates become very important.

The way I found the lump was a comfort to me. I felt God had a hand in helping me fall on the place where the lump was resting. If it had not been for that fall, the cancer may have progressed to a more dangerous stage. I felt that that it was not my time to leave.

I found out that cancer affects friends and every member of your family. My family gave me strong

support and Siobhan, George, Tim, Cathy, Casey, Josie and the monks were a great comfort.

My Mother had Alzheimer’s disease and I didn’t want Dad to tell her about the cancer. I was concerned that it might make her more afraid. However, the night before the operation Dad confided in her. Dad accompanied me to the hospital, stayed with me through the pre-op and waited during the surgery. When I awoke he was there to take me home. Forty-five minutes after I arrived home my Mother and Dad knocked at the back door. Mother had wanted to check on me and make sure I was O.K. It had been months since she had been in my home. A mother’s love is deeper than Alzheimers.

Thanksgiving came and went. In December, lab results showed that the lump was larger than first thought and that I had aggressive cancer. I was a stage 2 which meant that I would be given chemo. I opted for the more aggressive chemo as I wanted to hit the cancer as hard as possible.

I was scared and devastated. My oncologist, Dr. Fischetti, took me down the hall to the social worker.

I remember his sweet nurse giving me a hug and saying that I will be just fine. The social worker was wonderful. She gave me Susan Love’s renowned “Breast Book,” sent a referral to the Cancer Society so that I could go to “Look Good Feel Better” class, and told me that the more in control you are, the better you feel. That evening I saw hair dresser and we ordered a wig.

I cried for a while and asked to have a week before the starting the chemo. Stephanie and Chris Hill sent me a “Live Strong” shirt, binder for organizing all of my medical records, and arm bands. Each member of the family has worn those arm bands and the Lance Armstrong theme is a great message for all of us. It’s a way of life.

One day when I was very weak from the chemo, Mother called, and I could feel her weakness over the telephone. It was as though we were on the same body rhythm. She told me that we just send love to one another from our hearts. That’s what

we’re here for. Then she told me she had wondered why she was still alive and now she knew. It was for me. She told me she thought I was beautiful even without hair.

My friend, Elisabeth, who performs massage and energy balancing, has worked with many cancer patients and worked in an office with oncologists for many years. Elisabeth made this journey so much better. She gave me encouragement when I waited for the diagnosis. She read my results and told me that if my worst fear came to pass, losing my hair, that it would grow back in and it would be beautiful and shiny. I saw her a few days before starting the chemo and she told me to visualize welcoming the chemo into my body. The feeling of dread was replaced by peace as visualized the chemo cleansing

The way I found the lump was a comfort to me. I felt God had a hand in helping me fall on the place where the lump was resting. my body of the cancer. I was grateful that there is this medicine that can get rid of the cancer. It was a great gift. Carolyn Dobervich pictured a pac-man that ate all of the cancer cells as it roamed through my veins and arteries every morning on her way to work.

A cancer diagnosis affects the entire family. I was concerned most for my children, Julie and Scott. Julie was living in Santa Monica and Scott was finishing his Senior year at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. They both had friends whose Mothers are breast cancer survivors and they were there for them every step of the way.

There are support groups that are listed with the American Cancer Society for family members. I enthusiastically recommend joining a group so that everyone can express their fears, ask questions and come to terms with what is happening.

Julie and Scott visited me as often as they could and Glenn, Laura and my granddaughter Rachel raised my spirits on Christmas morning. I found that your children bring much needed physical

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energy, strength, hope and courage.

Asking for help. We’ve all heard that it is as blessed to give as to receive. Usually we think of that in terms of giving. With a serious illness, the ability to receive is as important. I accepted offers made by friends to stay with me during the

I learned not to look backward or forward. I placed myself in God’s hands and the prayers of the Priory community. treatments. Another friend took me to “The Next Step” in Los Gatos to get cotton caps, pretty scarves and a wool hat for going to the store. It’s amazing how much colder you can get without hair!

The Bible says to “let the days own trouble be sufficient for the day” (Matt. 6:24). A dear friend who had gone through treatment for Hepatitis B told me that if you stay in the present moment you can get through anything. That was good advice. I learned not to look backward or forward. I placed myself in God’s hands and the prayers of the Priory community.

This experience was the most physically challenging time in my life. At the same time the Priory community lifted me up with their generosity, thoughtfulness, prayers and constancy.

Students sent cards and booklets with their

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greetings and well wishes. The class parents organized the Priory families and each grade took one week of my chemotherapy and provided for my every need. I received flowers, books, music, bath salts, a shawl, knitted hats and gloves and a beautiful home-made red felt blanket adorned with ribbons. Families sent people to clean my home, purchased gift cards for meal delivery, provided two months of Netflix and covered the costs of home care assistance. Priory faculty and staff sent food for the last four weeks of my chemo, as well as flowers, books, magazines and other gifts. It was overwhelming and the kindness of everyone involved brought tears of thankfulness every day.

This unexpected journey has taught me to enjoy each day, and that it’s our personal relationships and connections that are most important. I’ve told my children to take some time every day to do what they love to do. My mother’s message is so true: Life is about sending each other love. It’s also about being thankful, even when you trip on a rug and fall. Look for little blessings in everything.

God bless and thank you for showering me with your prayers and kindness.

Gail

Priory Panther Sports Broadcasting Via Online Streaming Video

By Pete Trudelle

“Panthers have the ball with 10 seconds left and down by two. Berka swings the ball to Dinko in the corner, Dinko fakes a drive, pulls back behind the ark, and fires a three pointer as time expires. It’s good! The Panthers win a nail biter.”

Live play-by-play coverage is a reality for Panther fans for this winter’s sports season. Whether you’re a parent on a business trip, teacher on a fieldtrip, or a student swamped with homework-never fear. Simply go to www.ezstream.com and click on the national high school broadcast network to hear live Panther Basketball or Soccer games (or watch the archived games).

During my 2002 junior year at Priory, Scott Kimball and I, started a radio broadcasting club-88.1 Panther FM. Due to FCC regulations, we had to keep the signal extremely weak, which limited our radius to the Priory Campus.

After graduating from the Priory, I spent my college years in southern California at Concordia University-Irvine. It was here I did my first online show on the campusstreaming network. I majored in Business and competed on both the cross-country and track teams and graduated May 2007.

Currently, I’m leading the Sports Broadcasting H-Block at the Priory, subbing some classes, tutoring sports & fitness, and developing a web-based fitness community with my older brother Steve. One of my goals is to get as many Priory students as possible involved in our sports broadcasting program.

Let’s enjoy Panther boy’s basketball and girl’s soccer together from on www.ezstream.com. Click on the national high school broadcast network, select California as the state and look for all the archived games we’ve recorded.

Go Panthers!

Top: The Priory Sports Net broadcasts from the CCS basketball championships. From left to right: David Bessin, Shin Inoue, Peter & Johnny Trudelle.

Bottom: A father and son halftime show ensues as Paul and Pete Trudell comment on the first half efforts of the Panthers.

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SAVE THE DATE: May 3rd 2008 Don’t Miss the 50th Celebration Grand Gala and Auction!

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oin us in exciting Monte Carlo as we bring the WPS 50th Celebration to a dramatic finale. Start the evening with an elegant Martini reception and traditional Silent Auction, at our new, spacious location, the beautiful Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto. As you sample the latest martini trends from Europe, take in the flower-perfumed mediterranean air and old world glamour and elegance of Monte Carlo. Do you remember the romantic moment when Cary Grant kisses Grace Kelly on the bridge as they look over the sparkling city of Monte Carlo? Catch up with acquaintances or mingle with new Priory parents, partake in a complementary full bar while you bid for hundreds of special gifts and items. Our “For the Ladies” Silent Auction area will have the perfect Mother’s Day gift for someone you love and the Wine Room is always the ideal place to pick up some exquisite wine at great prices. Your evening is just starting and there is so much more to come.

When the dining room doors open, you and your guest will be escorted to the palatial dining room, which will be decorated in the opulent and gorgeous style for which Monte Carlo is famous. Enjoy a French

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inspired meal while the excitement builds during the Live Auction. The Live Auction promises to be filled with even more surprises during the WPS 50th birthday! After dinner, the fun continues with dancing, complementary gaming and pastry sampling. In the Ballroom, the well-known San Francisco band “Latin Safari” takes the stage and starts to rock the gala with the music that made last year’s parents take to their feet and dance well into the night. The Casino Monte Carlo is now open and the chips are on the house. This fully equipped casino is just for fun so you can play like a high roller. Cash your chips in at the end of the evening for a chance to win prizes. Make sure to stop by the deluxe dessert bar and enjoy a scrumptious delicacy. Don’t worry about the calories; you only visit Monte Carlo once! We recommend you reserve a hotel room today, because this party is going on till midnight!

(Discount rates are available) Look for your invitation to arrive in March and start planning your table today. Don’t forget to RSVP early because last year was a sell out! Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis. Email woodsideprioryauction2008@earthlink. net with questions regarding reservations or Hotel accommodations.

Don’t miss out: RSVP Early!

This year’s auction takes us to Monte Carlo, home of elegance, excitement and glamour. Join your friends and bid, dance and enjoy the music at this year’s WPS major fund raising event. Remember to RSVP early to get the best seating!

Take the lead and arrange a table for ten with your friends or sponsor a table and invite friends to join you.

Look for your Auction invitation to arrive at the end of March. Make sure to fill out the RSVP card completely and list your seating preference.

Priory Parents Go the Distance in Donating Auction Items Each year, WPS parents offer unique gifts to the auction that make it not only a exciting and trendy event but also one that brings the community together. This year is no exception. Everything from travel to parties to classes will turn both online, silent and the Live auction into a bidding frenzy.

One of our more hotly contested Live auction items will be a very elegant dinner party for 16 being organized by Cindy and Greg Shove and hosted by three additional Priory families. The Lead Chef, Kolin Vazzoler, along with pastry chef Belina Leong, from Gary Danko Restaurant in San Francisco will prepare the five-course meal–it is an extremely rare to find these chefs working outside of the restaurant. For each course, wines will be paired by David Taylor.

For those who dream to get away to one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Nakos family generously donated a two week stay during Christmas or Thanksgiving break, in their luxurious beach-front house in Solarias-Punta del Este resort, one of the most sought after South American resorts.

Punta del Este is known worldwide as a scenic resort area with miles of pristine beaches, luxury hotels and restaurants, glittery nightlife and an upscale summer population.

For the art lover, Leslie Schilling, mother of Alexandra (12th) and Lauren (10th), will arrange a private docent-led tour for twelve at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The tour will include the special exhibit on Afghanistan with time for one or two other galleries. Lunch will be served in the private dining room.

The Draeger family, Rian (12) and Liz (10th) have offered a themed cooking class and sit down dinner for 12 at one of their renowned cooking schools. The winner of this course gets to choose the menu in cooperation with the Head of the Cooking School.

Two 9th grade parents came up with creative ways to help us Priory folks get our acts together!

Sara Somers, has offered to host a luncheon for five and is inviting stylist Julie Kaufman who coaches men and women on “What to and What Not to Wear.” You will be encouraged to bring two outfits for review. In addition, Francesca and Jeff Purvin will treat 8 students to a delicious brunch with etiquette expert Tiffany Smith of Emily Post fame.

Students will learn poise, table manners, how to set a formal and informal table, and other pertinent nuances of social etiquette. A copy of Tiffany Table Manners for Teenagers will be included.

As you can see, there is quite a variety to choose from for both the adults and children in your family.

Don’t miss these Auction Events!

April 17th 6 to 8pm WPS Barn: Spirit Preview Get a sneak peek at Father Martin’s Commemorative Clock and the amazing gifts created by the students of the art department.

May 3rd The Grand 50th Auction and Gala: An Evening in Monte Carlo!

50 Years of Spirit This year’s Live Auction combines the glamour and excitement of the French Rivera and the everenduring traditions of Benedictine hospitality. To celebrate 50 years of spirit, this year’s Live Auction promises to be more exciting than ever before. As always, the highlight of the live auction is the one of a kind Grandfather clock, built by Father Martin, this year with a commemorative 50th plaque. The monastery community continues it’s traditional support of the auction with a series of unique dinners.

Father Martin, Brother Edward and their associates serve up this superb, long-time Priory tradition - the Down East Lobster Supper. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Father Marus’s famous duck dinner for 24. Reed Easley and the Art department have planned projects that will highlight every aspect of the Priory’s diverse art programs and students will be creating auction items in a variety of medias. Best of all, the teachers will be helping out with a variety of special parties and events. As always, the auction is a time to celebrate Woodside Priory’s many talents and great community spirit.

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Our Community comes together to Celebrate!

Our Business Partners have donated over $50,000 worth of luxury items to help us celebrate this exciting anniversary. Check out these astonishing items: Rock “N’ Roll Fantasy Camp

Ever wonder what it’s like to jam with your favorite rock star? This is your chance to live the dream at ANY 2008 or 2009 Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp.

One example, you could try the six-day Camp in London, England. Experience 10+ hours of daily jamming and recording at legendary Abbey Road Studios, and play live at The Cavern in Liverpool.

No matter what camp you pick, just to make sure you have the ultimate rock experience, Ed Oates, 10th grade Priory parent, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, and Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp investor, will attend the camp with you. Donated by our good friends at Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp website: http://www.rockcamp.ws/ for more information.

Above: Ed Oates on stage with Simon Kirke (Bad Company) and Dickie Betts (Allman Brothers) Right: Ed Oates meets Roger Daltry.

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Russian River Cruise For the adventurer, sail on the “Waterways of the Czars” from Moscow’s legendary onion domes to the beautiful canals of St. Petersburg. Discover the ancient traditions and distinct cultures of the Russian people while enjoying the luxury of Viking River Cruises, the award-winning leader in river cruising. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget. Generously donated by Viking River Cruises http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/us/

Gentleman, remember Mother’s Day is coming up!

For the Princess in your life, a selection of breathtaking jewelry.

A stunning earring and pendant set by English designer Rodney Raynor has been donated by our good friends at Darren McClung Estate & Precious Jewelry. The earrings and pendant are called “Rock” and incorporate blue topaz, blue sapphires, and diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold. One must view this eye-catching piece to truly appreciate it. The earrings: blue topaz 38.38 carats, blue sapphires 2.10 carats and diamonds 1.58 carats. The pendant: blue topaz 19.22 carats, blue sapphire 1.03 carats and diamonds .95 carats. The pendant is displayed on an 18-karat white gold chain. Valued at $16,250.

A gorgeous ametrine and diamond necklace in white goldhas been donated by Erin MacGeraghty Original Design. The centerpiece of this necklace is a sparkling ametrine briolette weighing 19.24 carats.

Ametrine and diamond neklace.

The ametrine dangles on a necklace made of 18 karat white gold and accented by fine white, canary yellow, and chocolate diamonds. The diamonds are set in bezels and floral clusters, and weigh a total of 1.98 carats. Valued at $12,000.

Donated by Bliss Beauty Center, A one of a kind hand crafted and designed enhancer made of 18karat white gold, diamonds, and hand carved onyx accented with jade, and turquoise and perfected by a magnificent South Sea Pearl.

This highly contemporary piece with a hint of mysterious Orient and a touch of exotic color is a simple statement of unique elegance. Valued at $7,200.

Class Leaders in the spotlight

Did you know that every class creates a special event that they contribute to the auction? All of these signup parties will be available online! Take a look at these exciting events that your class leaders have dreamed up.

6th grade: Middle school student can sign up to join their friends at Winter Lodge in Palo Alto for ice skating and broomball games. Hot chocolate, pizza, and cookies will be served. Thank you Mary Rose Theis for organizing this “cool” event.

7th grade: A Karaoke and Pool Party for lucky 35 middle school students. The Priory’s singing teacher, Tina Paulsen, will coach the students on how to shine! Snacks will keep the kids singing a happy tune. Thank you to Laura Cornish who is heading up this musical adventure.

8th grade: Calling all Card Sharks! Put on your “poker face” as you try your luck and skill playing cards. This is a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament with prizes galore! Celebrity Poker Players will join us to coach, deal, and maybe even give some winning strategies...look for Doug “the Shark” Sargent, Todd “the Human Computer” Turner, Yvonne “the Math Whiz” Faisel (rumor has it she can count cards...) and others, too! Everyone’s favorite room mom, Mary Rose Theis has dreamed up this fun filled offering.

9th grade: Back again from the very successful “tour” in 2007, the 9th Grade Class Event is A Day at the Beach. Start at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay with coffee and pastries at 9 am. Come to Virginia Taylor’s Martin’s Beach bungalow where she will prepare lunch on her quaint patio, a stone’s throw from the ocean. End this picture perfect afternoon with a shopping trip in Half Moon Bay!!

10th grade: Family Feud! 4 to 6 lucky families will enjoy a unique family feud picnic. Look for fun competitions and delectable picnic fare.

Thank you Carrie Caballero for leading this original class event.

11th grade: Join the 11th grade class for a classic Cajun cocktail party. Plan on an event chock full of Creole faire, Zydeco music complete with dance instructor, hurricane cocktails, whiskey and even some barbecue. Put your dance shoes on and be ready to boogie at 6:30 all the way until 10:30 in the evening.

This is a sign up event for you and 74 of your favorite friends. Dale Lachtman and the Bevilacqua Family are hosting this Hot Cajun gathering.

12th grade: A party in the PAC for WPS college students coming home for the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Imagine the fun your college student will have when they embrace old friends and celebrate and share their college experiences. A fun filled evening is planned with a DJ, wonderful snacks and amazing friends. A big thanks you to party planner Tamara Turner.

Above: Karen Hill, Decorating Chair and Jennifer Hammer, Auction Chair with Fr. Martin’s 2007 Clock.

Right: Virginia Taylor, Parents Solicitation Chair.

“Rock” designed by Rodney Raynor.

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The Daraja Academy of Kenya and the Woodside Priory School

by Dan Polk, Social Studies Faculty

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Faculty Dan Polk enjoys arts and crafts with Kenyan students.

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n incredible thing is taking place on the Priory campus.

Students, faculty members and parents have been coming together to create a community of people interested in Global CrossCultural education and learning.

Every Tuesday after school the Daraja Club meets to work towards building the Daraja Academy of Kenya.

The Daraja Academy of Kenya (www.darajaacademy.org) is located four hours north of Nairobi and rests on 60 acres of land bordered by a national park. Dan Polk, a Priory History teacher is one of the Academy’s founders and has been working tirelessly to establish a lasting partnership between Priory students and students from Africa.

In January of 2009 the Daraja Academy hopes to open its doors to an in-coming class of female boarding students who will arrive from all over Kenya to receive a first class education from both Kenyan and American instructors. The school will not charge tuition, making it the very first free high school in Kenya. During the summer of 2009, Daraja intends to host its very first “Camp Daraja” with Priory students Claire Watson, Anna Lee, and others as both volunteers and Counselors. The long range vision is to create a large network of Daraja Schools throughout Africa that will work towards providing lasting sustainable development in African nations, as well as a myriad of experiential service-learning opportunities for American youth and other volunteers.

In a world that is increasingly connected by climate change, terrorism, technology and the Internet, The Daraja Academy (Daraja means bridge in Swahili) seeks to reach out and connect Africa to the U.S. and the U.S. to Africa. Priory students and future Priory students will be able to put their Benedictine values into living practice, showing Hospitality towards others from developing countries, as well as providing meaningful Service both teaching and learning from Africans. Upon return from their experiences in Africa, students become veteran “Daraja Volunteers”, as they join a Community of people that care about the values of hospitality and service abroad.

If you or your student is interested in getting involved with the Daraja Academy, please contact Dan Polk, Clair Watson, or Betty Watson.

On June 30, 2008 the curtain officially closes on the Golden Jubilee Campaign We are in the final act of an incredibly successful capital campaign. Our Priory community has generously donated almost $22 million, leaving only $1.2 million left to reach our goal. If you have not yet made a campaign gift, or if you would like to add to your previous gift, we encourage you to do so now. We hope you will be a part of the campaign that has changed the face of the Priory. We are pleased to offer many opportunities for recognition of your generosity: Patio Brick in the Father Egon Plaza........................................................... $500 Theatre Seat with your name engraved on a gold plaque....................... $1,000 The glass Donor Wall is scheduled to be installed in the Fall of 2008 in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. It will honor donors who made gifts at the following levels: Innovators....................................................................................................... $1,500-$4,999 Society of Saints.............................................................................................. $5,000-$9,999 Priory Patrons................................................................................................. $10,000-$49,999 Angel Investors.............................................................................................. $50,000-$99,999 Benefactors Circle........................................................................................... $100,000-$249,000 Directors Circle............................................................................................... $250,000-$499-999 St. Anselm Circle............................................................................................ $500,000-$999,999 St. Benedict Circle.......................................................................................... .$1,000,000 and above For more information about making a gift or a planned gift, please contact John Baldwin, Director of Development, at jbaldwin@woodsidepriory.com or 650-851-6146.

Thanks for your leadership!

St. Benedict Society

Including the Priory in your estate plan is the most personal way to express your philanthropy.

The St. Benedict Society is a special group of alumni, parents, and friends, who through an addition to a will or trust, an insurance policy, an IRA, or by the creation of a charitable trust, have made a planned gift to the Priory. The Society celebrates this special form of philanthropy and looks forward to welcoming new members. The Priory Development Office will be happy to work with you and your advisors to arrange a gift plan that best suits your charitable goals.

A big thank you Rick Magnuson, Ray Rothrock, and Hank Plain for spearheading the Class of 2008 Senior Challenge. They encouraged other senior parents to give over $1M to the Performing Arts Center, and challenged the rest of the school to match the money they raised. As a result, a total of $2 million was donated!

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Farewell Father Egon Javor O.S.B., 91, monk, educator, founder of Woodside Priory, passed away early Sunday morning, March 2nd.

Father Egon Javor lived his life dedicated to the Benedictine tradition of helping students become lifelong learners and good stewards to humanity.

In 1948, due to oppression by the Communist regime in Hungary, Fr. Egon fled his homeland and immigrated to the United States.

In 1956, together with five other Hungarian Benedictines, he founded Woodside Priory and School, where he labored indefatigably for more than 50 years.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the “Woodside Priory School Father Egon Endowed Scholarship Fund� at 302 Portola Rd. Portola Valley, CA 94028.

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

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Celebrating Our 50th Year