PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School
July 1998
An Arts and Technology
TEAM Brings Gershwin Alive
The Priory’s musical and web site both feature the composer George Gershwin and his “ghost,” Alex Van Dalen. Story on Page 10.
Values Centered Education for the Leaders of the New Century
Benedictine Letter Father Pius began unfolding a scenario of Benedictine life in California. “Interesting,” I thought, “but not for me!”
Editor’s Note: Father Martin recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of his ordination; 23 years of his ministry have been at Woodside Priory School. He probably knew every student that passed through the campus during those years and he still remembers them all - their strengths and pranks, their home towns and the colleges they attended. He is the last to say good-bye when they graduate and often the first person they look up when they return to the campus. He has performed marriage ceremonies for numerous grads and watched the pictures of growing families arrive with the annual Christmas cards. Father Martin is looking forward to continuing that close contact by becoming more active in alumni relations this fall.
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his past year has been a very special one, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Priory and at the same time reflecting on all that has taken place over four decades of growth. It is important to stop every so often, if only for a moment, to remember where we have been. Only if we take the time to remember can we see where we are at present and chart a course for the future. I recall so well my first contact with the Priory when Father Pius visited Saint Anselm Abbey in Manchester, New Hampshire. I was then involved with the college as admissions counselor, teacher and resident counselor in one of the dorms, and I had never heard of Woodside Priory. Then Father Pius began to unfold an interesting scenario that might involve members of St. Anselm in the Benedictine life in California as members of the Priory community. “Interesting,” I thought...but not for me! After some serious deliberations by the St. Anselm community, it was determined that the two communities would join for a year with an experiment in which St. Anselm would become a sort of “parent” of the California Benedictines. It was to my great surprise, then, that Abbot Joseph asked me to come, with three other monks, to be a part of the experiment. It was my assumption that
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this would be a temporary assignment and that I would return to my duties at the college after two or three years. That was nearly 23 years ago! Perhaps someone forgot! It has been a wonderful 23 years for me. I have had the opportunity to be involved with the journeys of so many students as teacher, counselor, chaplain and friend over this expanse of time which, in reality, seems to have been all too short. As Director of College Counseling since my first year at the Priory, I have been able to get to know all the graduates very well. And each year, as the seniors have moved on to college, I have felt a sense of loss, knowing that, although a new senior class with their own unique gifts and talents will occupy their places, that they will never really be replaced. There is a sense of pride in having seen them take their places in the colleges and universities where they would continue to grow, but their memories have remained in this space...the classrooms, chapel, playing fields, gym, Red Square, stage...making it all sacred. And who could forget the strength of Father Christopher, the gentility of Father Benignus, the energy of Father Simon, the scholarship and humor of Father William...and the many other gifts of my Benedictine brothers and lay teachers throughout the years? So stop and take a moment to remember. The Priory has grown immensely since the early days until it is now one of the most respected educational institutions in Northern California. And each one who has been here - the monks and lay teachers, students and administrators, parents and friends all have contributed in some significant way to all that we are. And this is very good. May God continue to bless this place and all who are and have been a part of it for these forty years.
Father Martin Mager, O.S.B. Superior of the Benedictine Community
From the Headmaster
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ur 40th Anniversary year, now coming to an end, has been both exciting and rejuvenating. The Priory community had many opportunities to reflect on the 1,450 years of Benedictine history in education and the 40 years of Woodside Priory history. Our monastery and school was the first offshoot of that large, sturdy Benedictine family tree to take root in Northern California. We are still going strong! Looking to fall 1998, I will surely miss the professional dedication and expertise - not to mention the dazzling smile - that has been resident in the upstairs corner office of Founders Hall for the past three years. Deborah Whalen, Academic Dean, is leaving the Priory to join her husband in Texas. They have sustained a long-distance relationship since last summer and while one never wants to lose a colleague as respected and beloved as Deborah, we share their happiness in being reunited at last. Deborah brought to the Priory invaluable knowledge of contemporary curriculum and current research in learning theory. She led our faculty in reorienting teaching to cross subject boundaries, accomplish multiple goals and stress thinking skills. At the same time, she has worked with the faculty in developing new teaching methods that better support students’ individual learning preferences. Her attitude of collegiality almost defines the term “learning community.” We are indeed fortunate to find a new Academic Dean with equally intriguing credentials. Holly Thompson is currently Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Stanford and is also the mother of 8th grader Hobie Thompson. Holly is a graduate of Radcliffe/Harvard University and has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Stanford. She taught at Harvard, Phillips Academy (a highly regarded boarding school in Andover, Mass.) and at Harvard-Westlake in Southern California. She has been a frequent presenter at our annual college planning nights and is well acquainted with our campus.
One of our goals for the immediate future is to develop more individual support and challenging projects for our most advanced students. Holly’s experience is tailor-made for this task. The Residence Hall faculty has also changed. John McGarry will be leaving after five years at the Priory to return to family and friends on the East Coast. He leaves behind a tradition of vigorous, outdoor recreation blended with academic support for the boys in the dorms. I think it speaks well for John’s work that our Valedictorian this year, a dorm student, said that some of his happiest times and best friendships grew from dorm life. Our new Director of Residential Life, Kathy Immel, has been a member of the Social Studies faculty for many years. She moved onto the campus with her family last year to take the post of Director in the Junior Dorm. As a mother of three, she is enjoying the challenge of also being mother to 40! Other changes coming in fall 1998: The Middle School sports program is booming and needs its own Athletic Director. Doug Sargent, an active coach as well as math and computer science teacher, will fill this new post. In Fine Arts, we expect to have the beginnings of an information technology center (see pages 9-13). In Spanish, first year students will master video-editing equipment while learning vocabulary and grammar. Our use of technology continues to expand into new areas, thanks in part to some very talented students who delight in seeing how these tools can enrich Priory life. Keep checking the school web site -http://www.woodsidepriory.com. Many new additions are planned. We are looking ahead with renewed optimism; a strategic plan and a master plan are being developed and you can expect we will not stand still. By our 45th anniversary, we hope to have some new buildings on the campus, a larger endowment to augment our educational needs and a student community that continues to “demonstrate a love of learning, a vision of life and a love of God.” Continue with us on this journey that our local newspaper recently termed “an American miracle.” May God bless you and your loved ones.
Tim Molak Headmaster
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Holly Thompson, new Academic Dean, was most recently with Stanford University’s Office of Admissions.
SPRING ‘98 AT A GLANCE January
Brooke Barry, student body president and graduate in the Class of 1997, won the title of Miss San Mateo County in April. The state competition is in late June.
National Honor Society welcomes new members Emily Cohen, Jeff Lin, Jennifer Moss, and Kashi Tsuchiya • High School dance at Castilleja • “Predators and Prey” asssembly presented by Wildlife Associates • Sports Awards Night • Freshman class retreat • Students begin displaying model homes created using computer-aided design software • Sophomore Class Retreat • Middle School dance and fundraiser for needy newborn babies at Stanford Hospital • John Martin represents Priory at American Choral Directors Western Division Honor Choir • Meredith March wins Middle School Spelling Bee (and later wins a savings bond and medal by placing fourth in Bay Area Finals) Monica Olsson is first runner-up • Priory Appreciation Week (Faculty wait on student tables, students pass out gifts to teachers and staff, free doughnuts and homework pass at break)• Assistant Librarian Susan Falaschi wins the stock market contest • Mother-Student Brunch • Winter Formal at Portola Valley Town Center (Thanks, parents for creating a beautiful setting.)
February
Junior Class Retreat at Marin Headlands • Valentineo-Grams raise funds for charity • Everyone tunes in to KGO for news of schools closed because of bad weather (some floods, no closing at Priory) • Priory collects funds for flood victims • Father-Student Brunch and Basketball • Middle School Dance at Castilleja • Friday the 13th Come As Twins/Sadie Hawkins Dance for High School • Priory community wins a Gold Award for contribution to the Second Harvest Holiday Food Drive •
Drawing on the Parable of the Talents in the Gospel of Matthew, Headmaster Tim Molak gave every Priory student and staff member a $1 bill at the beginning of the Lenten season and challenged everyone to make his/her talent grow. The return — $1,711 - was donated to seven charities.
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Former senator Bill Bradley brushes back a stray hair before starting his address, “America: The Path Ahead” at the Fifth Annual Community Forum. Sen. Bradley is a visiting lecturer in International Relations at Stanford and is often mentioned as a possible contender in the next Presidential race.
March
Sophomore Michelle Ogren and Junior David Zau attended the national Close-up conference on Technology and Democracy in Washington D.C. Queentet choral group wins Music Laureate award at Festival of Music • I’ve Got Gershwin! Spring musical plays to overflow audiences • Priory’s top chess players face off against Allen Stein, USA Senior Chess Master and 1994 California Champion • Gym is opened to Middle School for lunch-break basketball • Yale’s a cappella singing group, “Mixed Company” entertains at lunch • Senior Servants auction raises $1,100 for charity • March Madness Week: Slam/ Dunk Contest winners are Michelle Ogren and Taylor Eigsti/Bobby Christian (a tie); winning team in the Prom Makeover Contest is Scott Kimball and Miranda Maas, Twister Contest (everybody collapsed) • High School dance • Ruby Ball and Auction • Speed bumps are removed from the driveway, thanks to generous bidders at the auction • Volunteers begin tilling the soil for the Community Garden on the hill behind the campus • Model United Nations Club attends conference at UC Berkeley • Seniors take the day off for Senior Lunch • 30-hour Famine project focuses on experiences and needs of the world’s disadvantaged • Middle School Fun Night in the Gym • Faculty-Student Basketball Classic • Priory students earning honors at California Music Educators Association conference are Alexandra Cowell, Francis Byun, Amanda Davison, Carolyn Hayes, Tina Campbell, Claire Davidson, Elena Herzen, Holly Kabak, Sarah Trask, Charles Kou, Richard Lin and Devon Coats •
April
Will’s Week - Visiting theater group presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet • The 2nd Annual All You Can Eat, Up All Night, Better Than A Date Shakespeare Film Festival with T-shirt, sleeping bag space on the gym floor, and breakfast included • Brooke Barry visits the National Honor Society to discuss obsessive-compulsive disorder, the topic she selected for her community outreach project in the Miss California competition • More than 60 Christmas in April volunteers help renovate Roosevelt School and two private homes • Students studying Japanese take a field trip to Japantown • Priory winners in the Canada College popsicle-stickbridge-building contest are Ross Anderson (747 pounds), Jerry Chu (303.2 pounds), and Roxanne Crittenden (236.5 pounds); Ross also won fourth place overall • Chess tournament winners are Raymond Austin, Daniel Riveong, Joe Daly and Brian Quinn • Sen. Bill Bradley is keynote speaker at Fifth Annual Community Forum • Middle School BridgeBuilding Contest winners are Ryan Horton (142.5 pounds), Claudia Meyer (132.5 pounds), and Josh Rado (85 pounds and still unbroken) •
Ross Anderson had to dash – literally – from the PSAL Track Meet to pick up his entry from the Canada College Model Bridge Competition. He took 4th place in both competitions (the popsicle stick bridge held 747 pounds).
A visiting athletic team demonstrated Takrow, a sport that combines skills from soccer, tai kwan do and volleyball. Proponents hope it will become an Olympic sport. Middle Schooler Leon Johnson, gives it a try.
May
College Planning Case Studies Program • JuniorSenior Prom Cruise • Faculty-Staff Appreciation Party hosted by Parent Association • Speech class wins the weeklong Environmental Trivia Contest • National Honor Society Pizza Lunch • Middle School Dance at Castilleja • Biology field trip to the beach • Harvey Jones, Anna Lind-Guzik and Alex Van Dalen compete in Bay Area Japanese speech contest • Faculty vs Boys Varsity Volleyball Classic • Freshman class mousetrap car winners are Laura Nowell,17.3 meters, Julia Dobervich, 17.2 meters, and tied for 3rd, Jerry Chu and Ann Halsey, 14.2 meters • Statistics class uncovers and publishes amazing Priory trivia • Bosnian soccer team visits Priory; game is rained out • Sixteen girls attend the National Women in Business Day Conference in San Francisco • Yearbook-signing-party • Play production class performances • Junior-Senior Breakfast • Spring Concert • Sports Awards Ceremony • Baccalaureate Mass and Dinner • Graduation Ceremonies
Members of the Middle School Choir literally shined with new vests, hats and choreography. “Quintet”, a newly created men’s ensemble, brought the house down with Richard Lin’s falsetto in “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and Jeff Lin’s version of the lead singer in Boyz II Men’s “In The Still Of The Night.” The Sophomore Bell Ensemble also made its first public appearance.
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1998 C L A S S
Brother Edward, Director of Academic Services, led the procession of bagpipers, faculty and graduates past the rose garden and up to Church Square.
“The formation of the future is very much your own responsibility. Don’t be afraid to make choices for what is right...” Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, President, St. Anselm College Commencement Speaker
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Nathalie Alsop, University of Puget Sound Paul Appelblom, University of Arizona Bernadette Austin, U.C. San Diego Olivia Basegio, St. Mary’s College Kate Berry, Foothill College Michael Bower, St. Mary’s College Min Francis Byun, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Frank Chen, U. C. Irvine Samuel “Bo” Felix, California Polytechnic Institute, San Luis Obispo Emily Haine, Wheaton College Melanie Hancock, UCLA Laura Handy, Wellesley College Douglas Kirkland, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Alexander Kogan, George Mason University Suzanne Kovacs, University of San Francisco Gloria Lando, College of Notre Dame Lizza Li, Santa Clara University Luz Lopez, Canada College Anne Mecham, United World College of the Atlantic (International High School Baccalaureate) Christian Miller, undecided Annamarie Pacheco, College of Notre Dame Rutt Pongsurapipat, Mahid International University Christopher Romero, Loyola University, Chicago Mark Ruiz, Santa Clara University Audreyanna Seki, University of Redlands Derek Thomas University of Southern California Laura Timpe, Foothill College Terrell Virgil, University of the Pacific H. Tait Waterman, Foothill College
Valedictorian
Michael Bower The Valedictorian is the senior who attains the highest academic standing in the class. Academic Dean Deborah Whalen said in introducing Mike that in his application to attend Woodside Priory in ninth grade, Michael wrote that his three wishes were to be of service to others, to lead a good life filled with love and to be concerned for others. The qualities he hoped to attain were “positive attitude, energetic, honest about everything, and to become as good a person as possible.” Four years later, he is well on his way to being that person, she said. Following are excerpts from his speech. More than anything, I am thankful for the friends that have come into my life here and at home, for they have helped change me in momentous ways...I have never had so much fun in my life. One cannot create enough wild, youthful memories, for they are part of what fosters character development; therefore, the wider and broader the experience, the more it will add to our depth as people. I would like to leave the Priory students who have not yet finished high school with a little bit of advice. Over the last four years I have learned the value of life and that it should never be wasted. Although a wasted life may seem subjective, there is one quality that, no matter what lifestyle one chooses to live, defines a wasted life and that quality is not taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you. At the Priory there are hundreds of opportunities. Go all out. Challenge yourself. Take risks. Watch your own personal growth and thrive in life.
Salutatorian
Bernadette Austin The Salutatorian is selected by the Headmaster in consultation with the faculty, on the basis of significant academic, social and personal contributions to school life. In her introduction, Academic Dean Deborah Whalen said: Bernie earned the reputation of being a hard worker. No matter how difficult a class, Bernie was always well prepared...Her enthusiasm for school life is contagious (in athletics and student government.) Bernie channeled her energies and when called upon, she assumed many roles of leadership within the school community. Following are excerpts from her speech. Have you ever toured your house one last time before moving from it? You pace around and with each step you take you recall another memory. Although the rooms are empty, your heart and mind are filled with memories of the past. In this same way, I recall my experiences at the Priory... When I recall the events of this last year, I see a contagious outbreak of ‘Senioritis.’ My classmates and I began focusing on our interests, our friends and our futures...I think of us as adults-in-the-making. We spent this year discovering who we were and where we wanted to be. We considered our strong and weak subjects to determine our college majors. We spent the year reevaluating our friendships, deciding what kind of people we really identified with. We received college acceptances and rejections and thus, planned our futures...Throughout these last four years, we have made the transition into adulthood, Our parents have supported us, our teachers have guided us and our peers have uplifted us. Here we stand before you, young men and women ready to move out from the Priory, our familiar old home, to our new home, the vast world that lies before us.
Suzanne Kovacs, recipient of the Father Benignus F. Barat Citizenship Award, received a congratulatory handshake from Michael Gullard, President of the Board of Trustees. Suzi’s father, Louis, has been landscaper and gardener for the Priory since its earliest days. Her mother, Klara, manages the bookstore. Suzi has literally grown up on the campus.
Anne Mecham (above) flew home from Wales to graduate with her class. She will complete a second year at the United World College to earn her high school International Baccalaureate Degree, then come home to California for college. Classmate Derek Thomas (not pictured) spent his junior year sailing around the world with an international educational program. He returned to the Senior Dorm and completed his last year with his class. Luz Lopez and Terrell Virgil (left) both entered the Priory through Peninsula Bridge, a program of support for academically talented middle school students. Luz plans to attend Menlo College locally after completing community college. Terrell will attend University of the Pacific, where he plans to play basketball.
Athletics Carlos Gonzalez is League’s Most Valuable Player
During the wait between events, fellow track runners decorated Bernadette Austin’s legs with school spirit. The circles on her knees are Panther paws.
The MVP honor is just one more to add to this Priory junior’s tennis credits. Carlos is a serious tennis player who hopes to make the top 15 in the U.S. Tennis Association Northern California Section this season, which concludes at the end of June. At mid-May he ranked 19th. He is already an alternate player for the Northern California Junior Excellence tournament, an event usually restricted to the top 15 players. This summer, Carlos will be honing his tennis skills at an invitational camp restricted mainly to the top 10 players in the various nations, states or sections. Is there a pro career in his future? “That’s a long ways off. Right now, I’m just thinking about college - I know I want to finish college first,” Carlos said. Several colleges, including Northwestern University and Penn State, have already expressed interest. College recruiting rules prevent any direct offers until next fall, Carlos’ senior year. Carlos likes California and is hoping some in-state schools are also watching him play.
Track and Field Is Taking Off Twelve members of the Priory’s new High School Track and Field Team qualified for the PSAL finals and they finished the competition with seven silver medals. In the 100-meter relay, Mike Bower, Rutt Pongsurapipat, Carl Spanoghe and Pierre Corval finished a fraction of a second behind Sacred Heart. Kathy Alsop had a personal record in shot put. Rutt received a second silver in high jump, beating his former personal best by 5 inches with his 5-foot 3-inch jump. Athletes won firsts and broke personal best records throughout the season. In the Middle School, nineteen students logged 11 firsts, 13 seconds and 10 third place finishes in various events at their only competition. Enthusiasm is high for this sport and both teams are looking forward to a successful season in ‘99.
Olympic Notes Seventh Grader Miranda Maas qualified for the Junior Olympics in diving this spring.
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Caution: Test Scores Ahead!
he standardized testing numbers — SATs, achievement tests and others — seem to dominate the education world. Often, we can mislead ourselves with test results. Let me share some examples. School achievement scores are often reported in the media in tables listing district and state average scores. Many similar tests, such as the SAT, are reported with nationwide scores as well. Consider this:
* At Woodside Priory, four or five high-scoring students can lift our school’s average. At a typically large high school, the impact of four or five students wouldn’t show. If we looked at a chart showing two or three years’ average test results, how many of us would assume that Priory must be improving and the big school not changing? (Or, if the situation was reversed, that Priory programs were failing?) * In California, about 45 percent of high school grads take the SAT. In Kansas, the figure is nine percent - mostly the top students bound for elite colleges. How many of us would look at Kansas’ higher average score published in a table and assume that Kansas’s students are better educated? Or at least perform better on the SATs? * If someone mentioned that he scored in the top quartile in California, and another student said she scored in the bottom quartile in Kansas, many of us would assume that the California student has the higher score. (Not necessarily so!) * A student scoring in the mid-range for the Stanford Achievement Test might take the test again, get a few more right, and move ahead in the district, county or state ranking. Would you assume that a student whose first score was at the top of the rankings would move ahead the same amount if he/she got the same number of additional questions correct on the second try? (It won’t happen.) These kinds of misjudgments can be avoided by applying simple, common-sense filters we all know. • When two groups of test scores are being compared, the results are meaningless if the groups are dissimilar. In my example, Kansas and California are dissimilar; another example of dissimilarity is populations with exceptionally high
Academics or low numbers of limited-Englishspeaking students. * Averages are strongly affected by the size of the group. In a big group, a change is hard to see; in a small group, a change may look bigger than it is.
Testing companies
* Percentile rankings are affected differently in the middle, where most scores fall, than at the tail ends of a bell curve.
are not trying to mislead us. It’s our
It’s important to realize that national achievement tests are based on what is generally taught at a given grade. If a school teaches the same material at a different time, or teaches something else, students’ test scores will probably be low. That doesn’t mean students aren’t learning anything only that the test didn’t cover what they learned. The testing companies are not trying to mislead. They provide both schools and parents with a sound explanation of their testing procedures. They understand that their tests are an imperfect measure. It’s our responsibility to decide how much validity to give a set of scores. Last spring, I met with a group of Priory administrators and Edward Haertel, a consultant from Stanford University, to discuss these high-stakes tests. We looked at what we as educators can learn from these test results, what may be misleading about them, and what other options we have. We discussed our role in helping students achieve the best scores of which they are capable. It is an important topic that we will continue to pursue. Grades and standardized tests serve different purposes and give us two very different views. We need both. Together, they provide a balanced understanding. But let me end on another note. This month, I am leaving the Woodside Priory School to join my husband in Texas. Although I am heartbroken to be leaving my Priory family, I am looking forward to living in the same state as my husband! The past three years have been a wonderful adventure, and I will cherish the memories I take with me. I plan to continue my ministry in Catholic education as the Academic Dean of St. Agnes Academy, an all-girls Dominican high school in Houston. Thanks to all of you who have made my time at the Priory so unforgettable. God bless.
responsibility to decide how much validity to give a set of scores.
Deborah Whalen, Academic Dean
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A Skill Set for the New Century
I’VE GOT
GERSHWIN! Creative and Technical Abilities Blend In This Dazzling Musical
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Director Sue Barry has produced student musicals here and abroad (two years ago in China). Her fulllength musical, “Under Construction,” was produced with excellent reviews on the East Coast. She is currently writing and composing another musical, this time about Edward S. Curtis, the famous photographer of the American Indian.
inutes before the house lights dim and the doors open to the audience, the electricity among the cast members is palpable. On stage, musicians tune up instruments and voices. A group revs up team spirit with a hand-clapping song. Off the stage, crew members, stage hands, siblings with nowhere to go and other assorted hangers-on are milling about, setting up equipment and bumping into each other. Director Sue Barry, the brains behind the chaos, is asking (in an unnaturally strained voice) for everyone to stay quiet and keep calm. Suddenly, everybody vanishes, the house is open and the audience starts filling the seats. Two hours and lots of audience hand-clapping later, the last measures of I’ve Got Rhythm fade, John and Julia take the final bow, and it’s over - a triumph bigger than anybody expected for the Priory’s first musical in a long, long time. Ms. Barry tells the second-night crowd she hopes it will be the beginning of many musicals to come. Musicals create a special sense of community, she said. Indeed, the way Sue designed it, the show combined students, parents, sibs and faculty, musicians, actors, artists and technicians. It came together in a way that let the best talents and the beginners all share skills and grow.
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ome weeks later, Cayewah Easley, head of the Division of Fine Arts, reflected on the way a musical production also draws together artistic and technical skills. The production itself was built on the traditional arts - music, acting, writing, choreography, costuming and set design. The production is now accessible via the Priory web site thanks to high-tech tools. The months of work, excitement and growth that went into the musical can be shared. This blending of art and tech skills will be fruitful for students in the job market 10 and 20 years from now, Cayewah believes. She is developing this theme now in the Priory’s Division of Fine Arts. In Gershwin, students used the campus’s new digital camera to record rehearsals and the on-stage production. Literally every day during the final week, new images were ready to post to the school web site. Cast members Charles Kou and Richard Lin, members of the campus ClubWeb, designed an “Events” section with a description of the show plus thumbnail-sized photos to enlarge on-screen. The page includes a complete biography of Gershwin, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, and links to other web sites that
Cayewah Easley, head of the Division of Fine Arts, uses advanced technology as a natural extension of the artist’s tools. Background: art students’ New York skyline theme was repeated in the stage set, posters and programs.
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contain Gershwin information. All the song lyrics are there, too. A site like this is important on many levels, and to many people. First, students use it. Many cast members were unfamiliar with Gershwin music before the show. When they visit the site to see themselves or their friends, they probably also click on the sketch of the fellow with the jutting chin, just to see who he was. The daily build-up on-line is good publicity. It could have had something to do with the size of the audience, the largest anybody can remember. Friends and parents who missed the show can catch the flavor of it on the web. People with multimedia computers can click a button and hear the choir’s I’ve Got Rhythm, or Julia and Taylor’s Summertime. People interested in Gershwin, web-surfers interested in the details of high school musical productions, and families looking at private schools will be directed to the site through the Internet’s searching and linking capabilities. Perhaps not this year, but in future years, a web site like this one might be helpful to directors who want to share ideas. Sue Barry faced the problem of creating a musical without an orchestra. Her
Aspiring musicians Ryan Moin and Taylor Eigsti debate whether music should “let loose” or follow tradition. Forget all that - it just comes from the heart, says Gershwin’s Ghost.
performance hall has no orchestra space, almost no backstage, and no way for actors to enter and exit the stage out of view of the audience. Her cast included a wide range of talents coupled with incompatible schedules, making a traditional rehearsal schedule impossible. These are challenges worth discussing! Today, a fellow director could visit the site and leave an e-mail message. But better ways of conferring on-line are just around the corner. For example: Technology is available now (although the Priory isn’t currently using it) to post video segments or broadcast shows live on the web. Another device, a small camera and screen that attach to a computer, makes it possible for people to talk to each other while looking at their monitors. Among other advantages, they can talk from anywhere in the world for the cost of a local phone call. For people who like instant response from their computer systems, a product is available that will make even the entire Gershwin score available at a
Alex Van Dalen, who played the Ghost of Gershwin, worked with the director in developing the script outline.
“I Got Rhythm,” the show’s signature piece, showcased students, faculty and family members.
In Arts Classes
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Julie Kimball (left end) brought her expertise as a dancer to directing the choreography for the show.
A series of 10-foot-tall fabric panels made a great stage setting in a hall with no traditional scenery space.
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he Priory’s Fine Arts Building is a small, overstuffed cottage - actually, a construction site relic donated many years ago by the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital. A new and thriving ceramics program dominates the space, which is also used for drawing, printmaking, sculpture, design and computer-related projects. In this cramped area, Cayewah’s sophomore art class created 20 fabric panels depicting an imaginary New York skyline for the musical. The room had to be transformed each day to paint the 10-foot-long panels. Students disassembled all the tables and chairs and sprawled out on the floor to paint the building. Charles and Richard became skilled at maneuvering through the chaos to reach the computer in the corner and transfer their camera images to the Gershwin web page. It’s a beginning point for Cayewah’s vision of arts and technology blending in her classes. A series of special gifts for technology from William and Rosemary Hewlett made it possible for the art department to purchase a computer and digital projector last year. In ceramics classes, students made presentations based on advanced methods of storing and organizing information. They took photographs with the digital camera, captured information and images from the Internet, and scanned images into the computer. Using Powerpoint application software, they put the information in order, and some students added text and animation over their pictures. The final product was presented with the digital projector to their classmates as a way of inspiring each other’s ceramic work. These are sophisticated presentation skills that can be used in other classes as well as in the business world, Cayewah points out. (The ceramics projects have also been on rotating display in Founder’s Hall on the campus.) Next year, the art department will have its own digital camera, scanner and hardware to create CDs. With these new tools, students will be able to record their work in process and their progress throughout the year. They can create a small, handy digital portfolio to send to colleges, contests or even grandparents! They can save images of their classmates’ work as well as work by artists who have influenced them.
On the Internet Cast members Charles Kou (right) and Richard Lin (center) used a Hitachi MPEGcam digital camera donated by parent Andrew Moroyan to post pictures of the show to the school web site. Here, they relax at the cast party with John Martin. Visitors to the Priory web site can click on thumbnail images like these below to see full-screen views.
Julia Dobervich and Taylor Eigsti sing “Summertime” in the nightclub scene (left). Julia recoils in horror when John Martin proposes (below right). In the center scene, Amanda Davison is “Just a Little Girl” looking for someone to love; her father, Wayne, accompanies (below left). In the bottom scene, the Jeff Gundell family spoofs “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off!” Liesl Yost (right), dreaming about love, wonders “How Long Has This Been Going On?”
In fall 1999, a required freshman class in computer technology will be replaced with a class in basic art and design. (Nearly all Priory students are already computer-literate. An after-school workshop will be available for students who need more training.) “I don’t think people realize the impact art and design have on our lives. We make choices every day about food, cars, furniture, clothing, what we watch on television or at the movies, what web site we will visit, and how long we will stay there, based most often on visual impact - what something looks like. We forget that a real person designed each product we use. Students grow up using computers and have very strong technical skills. The students who learn the creative skills are the ones who will land the interesting, rewarding jobs. Art, whether it is music or drama or drawing, is about creative, critical thinking and problem solving. These are essential skills. Arts give the technically capable students that extra edge,” Cayewah said Students see no division between arts and technology — they only chafe against a dearth of tools and space. A twenty-first century curriculum ideally would be set in a flexible, interactive theatermusic-arts complex that could accommodate all the multi-faceted projects students now pursue, Cayewah said. It would include enough theater space for a stage, orchestra and audience, music practice rooms, photography and video labs, and a center for computer and multi-media arts. “Kids inspire each other. They need to see each other working, singing, acting, dancing and playing instruments. They need the tools, the space and the motivation. They create on their own - and they always impress, amaze and inspire the rest of us,” she said. —CD
I’ve Got Gershwin! Cast & Ensemble Members (In order of first appearance) Ryan Moin Taylor Eigsti Alex Van Dalen Charles Kou Richard Lin Julie Kimball John Martin Liesl Yost Devin Coats Julia Dobervich Gundell Family: Jeff, Laurie, Sarah, Bryan Alexandra Cowell Helene Nguyen Amanda Davison Tim Molak and daughter, Kate Musicians Ryan Moin Taylor Eigsti Sue Barry Richard Lin Charles Kou Amanda Davison Wayne Davison Priory Choir Elizabaeth Amento Tina Campbell
Devin Coats Julia Dobervich Sara Gundell Angelita Hernandez Kendall Holland Sung Kim Gloria Lando Lizza Li John Martin Kyung Park Ally Wengert Helene Nguyen Charles Kou Jeffrey Lin James Cirino Richard Lin Jerry Chu Script Alex Van Dalen, members of the cast Props and Costumes Laurie & Jeff Gundell Choreography Julie Kimball Set Design Sophomore Art Class Publicity Materials Clifford Hayashi Tech Support Tom Carter Wayne Davison Lights Hobie Thompson
Cliff Hayashi used clip art and Publisher software to create this graphic design for postcards, flyers and publicity posters. Scripting and staging was a collaborative process. Even after the story was set, the actors were largely responsible for creating the mood, dialogue and action in their scenes.
Awards Presented at Commencement Exercises, Class of 1998
Joy of learning and academic excellence. Francis Byun
Rotary Club Academic Achievement Awards Calculus - Bernadette Austin English - Olivia Basegio French - Melanie Hancock Economics - Michael Bower Government - Michael Bower Leadership - Bernadette Austin
Presented at the Spring Assembly: President’s Educational Award for Excellence A-minus GPA, 85th percentile in math or reading, faculty recommendation. Grade 11 Teresa Falaschi Julia Kimball Kristine Kopp Janette Maldonado Michael Mastman Kevin Yost Grade 10 Joseph Daly Jesse Dienner Alejandro Gomez Nona Ikeda Arianna Martin Mira O’Brien JeAnne Reyes Daniel Riveong Grade 9 Elizabeth Amento Sean Barter Devin Coats Julia Dobervich Kendall Holland Brian Kelly Charles Kou David Lando Katharine Newman Helene Nguyen Laura Nowell Grade 7 Raymond Austin William Camisa Alexandra Cowell Claire Davidson Devon Davis Aimee Epstein Carolyn Hayes Meredith March Nicolas Perry Tara Scarioni Scott Sheinbaum Mark Simmons Lindsey Sprehn Barton (Hobie) Thompson David Waylonis Grade 6 Adam Andreini Allyn Coats Emily Cohen Conor Fitzpatrick Evan Green Ian Hafkenschiel Amanda Lea Katie Noice Megan Noice Alexis Smith Andrew Smith Robert Walker Academic Awards Grades 9,10 and 11
Bank of America Recognition Awards
Drama - H. Tait Waterman Religious Studies - Rutt Pongsurapipat English - Nathalie Alsop Social Science - Emily Haine Mathematics - Melanie Hancock Science - Bernadette Austin Foreign Languages - Lizza Li Science and Mathematics - Michael John Bower Liberal Arts - Olivia Basegio
Six Year Club
Students who have attended Woodside Priory School from grades 7 through 12: Douglas Kirkland Gloria Lando Audreyanna Seki Laura Timpe H. Tait Waterman National Merit Commended Scholar Laura Handy National Honor Society Nathalie Alsop, President Bernadette Austin Olivia Basegio Michael Bower, Vice President Min Byun Suzanne Kovacs Lizza Li Mark Ruiz Academic Awards Theology Prize Book Award - Michael Bower Mathematics - Bernadette Austin A. Vernon Sohlberg Prize in English Francis Byun Science - Michael Bower Fine Arts - Christian Miller Ceramics - Luz Lopez Humanities - Lizza Li Economics - Melanie Hancock American Government - Mark Ruiz Dean of Students’ Community Service Award Nathalie Alsop Father Benignus F. Barat Citizenship Award Suzanne Kovacs Dean’s Award
Theology Laura Nowell Jesse Dienner Daniel Riveong Teresa Falaschi Mathematics Kendall Holland Charles Kou JeAnne Reyes Jeff Lin (awards in two areas of study) Fine and Performing Arts Julia Dobervich Sung Kim Diego Avalos Angelita Hernandez French Devin Coats Arianna Martin Helene Nguyen Japanese Wayne Choi Amanda Davison Alex Van Dalen Spanish Robert Christian Kendall Holland Jesse Dienner Laura Nowell Joseph Daly Alejandro Gomez Social Studies Brian Kelly Jesse Dienner Pierre Corval Peter Newman Teresa Falaschi English Laura Nowell Julia Dobervich (Hon. Mention) John Martin (Hon. Mention) Brian Kelly Mira O’Brien Darren Zulberti Science Charles Kou Ross Anderson Ryan Maas Kevin Yost Darren Zulberti Model United Nations Laura Nowell Student Publications Lauren Gaddy Thomas Alexander National Honor Society B-plus GPA, leadership,
community service: Grade 11 Thomas Alexander Teresa Falaschi Carlos Gonzalez Brendan Kelly Julie Kimball Kristine Kopp Alexander Lazarovici Michael Mastman Janette Maldonado Jennifer Moss Carl Spanoshe Kevin Yost Darren Zulberti Grade 10 Emily Cohen Joseph Daly Jesse Dienner Mary Hurlbut Sung Kim Jeffrey Lin Arianna Martin Mira O’Brien JeAnne Reyes Mary Schwabel Takashi Tsuchiya
Patrick Sullivan, an awardwinning soccer player, is also developing a talent for the Austrialian didgeriodoo. He uses the banjo tucked under his arm for informal jams on Red Square with Father Martin and student guitarists.
Improved Student Award Ryan Moin Scholar Athlete Award James Davidson Citizenship Award Alison Schmidt Academic Excellence Award Harvey Jones
Sophomore Amanda Davison is studying at a highly regarded school for girls in Japan this summer. Priory Japanese teacher, Hiroko Takano, will join her for part of the visit.
MIT Award Kevin Yost Saint Anselm Prize Darren Zulberti Yale Book Award Julie Kimball Harvard Book Award Teresa Falaschi Headmaster’s Award Academic excellence, student leadership, school community service, athletic involvement Carl Spanoghe Saint Benedict Award Respect for others, concern for community, quest for truth through academic studies Grade 6 Emily Cohen Grade 7 David Waylonis Grade 9 Katharine Newman Grade 10 Jesse Dienner Grade 11 Janette Maldonado Presented at Middle School Graduation, Class of 2002 President’s Educational Award for Excellence Dylan Alegria Brandon Carse James Davidson Taylor Eigsti Kylie Hepper Harvey Jones Anna Lind-Guzik Claudia Meyer Monica Olsson Josh Rado William Reinhardt Alison Schmidt Sarah Spanoghe Sarah Trask President’s Most
Saint Benedict Award Kylie Hepper Presented at the Fall and Spring Sports Awards Nights Most Valuable Player - MVP Coach’s Award - CA Most Improved Player - MIP MS Volleyball Sixth Grade Alexis Smith, MIP Megan Noice, CA Samantha Nuttall, MVP
Michelle Ogren, CA Michelle Floyd, MVP High School Boys JV Soccer Ed Wilson, MIP Blake Bechtel, CA Paul Lewis, MVP High School Boys Varsity Soccer Patrick Sullivan, MIP Mike Bower, CA Pierre Corval, MVP
Seventh Grade Boys Basketball Harry Whelan and Will Camisa, MVP Scott Kimball and Peter Trudelle, CA Scott Sheinbaum, Hobie Thompson, MIP
High School Cross Country Terrell Virgil, MIP Carl Spanoghe, CA Steve Trudelle, MVP
Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Brandon Amdahl and Will Reinhardt, MVP Nate Carmen, CA
Varsity Boys Volleyball Mike Bower, MVP Steve Trudelle, MIP Joe Daly, CA
Sixth Grade Girls Basketball Lindsey Garehime, MVP Ashley Will, MIP Samantha Nuttall, CA
Seventh Grade Tara Scarioni, MIP Meredith March, CA Melissa Boldrey, MVP
High School Track Boys: Pierre Corval, MVP Rutt Pongsurapipat, MIP Carl Spanoghe, CA Girls: Kathy Alsop, MVP Janette Maldonado, MIP Bernadette Austin, CA
Eighth Grade Anna Lind-Guzik, MIP Monica Olsson, CA Cassie Perret, MVP
High School Tennis Carlos Gonzalez, MVP Brandon Kelly, MIP Eric Perret, CA
Middle School Football Sixth Grade Brian Tehaney, MIP Dan Little, CA Gar Waterman, MVP
Middle School Tennis Alexis Smith, MVP Matt Seiler, MIP Samantha Nuttall, CA
Seventh Grade Lindsey Sprehn, MIP Peter Trudelle, CA Harry Whelan, MVP Eighth Grade Taylor Eigsti, MIP Harvey Jones, CA Brandon Amdahl, MVP High School Girls JV Volleyball Mercedes Hernandez, MIP Jennifer Moss, CA Emily Cohen, MVP High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Kit Newman, MIP
Basketball Ford Walker and Leon Johnson, MVP Matt Seiler and Dan Little, MIP Conor Fitzpatrick, CA Brian Tehaney, CA
High School Baseball Peter Newman, MVP Todd Simmons, MIP Steve Trudelle, CA Varsity Girls Basketball Jenny Upjohn, MVP Kathy Alsop, MIP Michelle Ogren, CA Varsity Boys Basketball Sam Stephens and Terrell Virgil, MVP Brendan Kelly, CA JV Girls Basketball Kendall Holland, MVP Devin Coats, MIP Jennifer Moss, CA JV Boys Basketball Bob Christian, MVP Bryce Larsen, MIP George Liu, CA Sixth Grade Boys
Seventh/Eighth Grade Girls Basketball Melissa Boldrey, MVP Monica Olsen, MIP Cassie Perret, CA Middle School Tennis Alexis Smith, MVP Matt Seiler, MIP Samantha Nuttall, CA Varsity Girls Soccer Lindsay Matheu, MVP Michelle Floyd, MIP Amanda Davison, CA Sixth Grade Girls’ Soccer Tierney Powers, MVP Ashley Davidson, MIP Ally Coats, CA Seventh-Eighth Grade Girls Soccer Claire Davidson, CA Carolyn Hayes, MIP
Eighth Grade Class Become Freshmen
Girls wore the traditional pastel dresses and carried bouquets, boys their blue blazers with boutonnieres. They gathered in the Chapel with family and friends to receive their diplomas and an individual plaque with personal inscriptions from their teachers. They left with the Gaelic blessing, below, invoked by Brother Edward, Director of Academic Services.
“I am not made or unmade by the things that happen to me but by my reactions to them” (Advice that most helped him survive his own eighth grade year.) Russell Shaw Dean of Students Graduation Speaker
...Above all, these youngsters care about others and I predict that they will be leaders in their high school service projects. They have so much to offer each other and the world...” Marianne Stoner Director of the Middle School
“Remember the big sign, ‘YET’ in Mr. Trudelle’s room...it gives you two ways to end a sentence. ‘I just can’t do this YET, or, I just can’t do this, YET I really want to.” Taylor Eigsti Valedictorian
“You will probably receive many tangible gifts...but cherish most those intangible gifts that you have learned about here at the Priory - integrity, community, individuality, spirituality. TimMolak Headmaster
“May the road rise to meet them, May the wind be always at their backs, May the sun shine warm upon their faces, May the rains fall
Graduates: Dylan Alegria Brandon Amdahl Lauren Barthman Eric Bixler Nathan Carman Brandon Carse Renee Cheng Kimberly Ciardella Anguli Curia James Davidson Lauren Dey Taylor Eigsti Benjamin Elliott Kylie Hepper Ryan Horton Harvey Jones Trent Larsen Anna Lind-Guzik Claudia Meyer Ryan Moin Robert Moore Monica Olsson Cassandra Perret Josh Rado William Reinhardt Virginia Alison Schmidt Jill Simons Sarah Spanoghe Neil Tong Sarah Trask
softly upon their fields, And may these graduates always be held in the hollow of God’s hands all the days of their lives.”
Brother Edward Englund Director of Academic Services
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Alumni Chilly Weather, Cozy Atmosphere
at June 5 Reunion
Recent alumni stopping by the fireside for a Christmas holiday reunion included Jeanine Yost, Wellesley and Gladys Martin, Stanford (right); Vicki Groom, Stanford, and Brianne Baker, ClaremontMckenna (below); and Grant Rosenquist, Tulane; Ben Hurlbut, Stanford (center, opposite page).
18
Young Lee (center, right) stopped over in his former home base, the Senior Dorm, for a few days and took the opportunity to help National Honor Society at the Faculty-Student Basketball Challenge. Max Lui, now a student at Johns Hopkins, has also been a dorm guest this year.
A
drizzly day forced the pool party inside but nobody cared. Alumni collected to greet old friends and faculty around the fireplace in the Father Christopher Room. The twinkling lights and crackling fire cast a warm glow on the June 5 reunion events. The Classes of 1963, ‘68, ‘73, ‘78, 83, ‘88 and ‘93 were especially invited for their five-year reunions. But people came from the earliest graduating years — Steve Welch, Class of ‘66, attended with wife, Becky — to the last. Several Class of 1997 grads were home from college in time to attend. Everybody enjoyed the opportunity to see the new buildings and equipment and the growth of the landscaping during a tour led by Headmaster Tim Molak. At least one grad remarked that, while progress was good, it was also reassuring to see that in the Chapel, nothing had changed. Only the Class Candles have been added. The candles are symbolic they accompany every class during student years and remain in the chapel after each class graduates. Following a Mass celebrated in the Chapel by Father Martin, guests collected in Founders Hall for a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, then repaired to the Monks’ Refectory in the Dining Hall. Many alumni remembered Father Maurus’s rose garden - it is as beautiful in the spring as ever and was the source of the floral centerpieces on every table. The Class of ‘88 had a particularly lively group and Eric Hansen led them in offering a toast. He wished for today’s grads “an education at least as great as the one we got,” and expressed the hope that graduates might help bring that about by maintaining their ties with the school as it grows to its full potential in the new century. —CD
A glorious view of the trees was the backdrop for tables in the Monks’ Refectory. Seated here are (right to left, facing camera) Mark and Tiffany Feduska, Eric and Bonnie Hansen, Robbie Hammond, Tracy Tribble and Chris Pepper. Father Egon and Gerard Orban are pictured at right.
Newlyweds Eric and Bonnie Hansen, and Ramon and Pebbles Nolasco (above) chatted by the fireplace in the Father Christopher Room. Mark Wegman’s children (inset photo above) were among several youngsters who attended.
Recent grads sharing college experiences are (right to left) George Sarkisov, University of San Francisco; Geoff Welliver, Diablo Valley College; Kala Shaltz, UC Santa Cruz; Jeff Miller, Canada College; and Brooke Appelblom, Loras College. At left, Andy Shilling brought his children for lunch.
Celebrating
40 years of
Benedictine College Preparatory Education
Woodside Priory School Monks and Headmaster Wish to thank everyone who made this anniversary year special. Especially: • The 100 former trustees and other volunteer leaders who returned to the Priory for our Rededication and Vespers Service. • The Class of 1998. Each of the 29 students makes us proud. We see in their daily choices the Priory creed of individuality, community, spirituality and integrity. • Priory alumni. They are models for current students in they way they have discovered and developed their individual academic gifts. Many are now attending the most challenging schools, such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Cornell, Northwestern, Duke, MIT, Harvard, Williams and Wellesley. • Priory parents - past and present - who entrusted their children to our care. Special gifts commemorating our anniversary are available by request.
They include a videotape, Celebrating 40 years: The Priory Story in Word and Song; An American Miracle, the local newspaper cover story of Priory history; an audiocassette of Priory students’ music; and a videotape showing the Priory’s innovative use of technology in classrooms. To request copies, call Carolyn, (650) 851-6139.
Priorities Editor: Carolyn Dobervich Design: Ennis Kirkland Design Photos: Jim Kirkland, Fr. Martin Mager, Carolyn Dobervich Priorities Magazine is published three times yearly by Woodside Priory School for its alumni, parents, students, neighbors and friends.
Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839
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