A Magazine of the Priory · Issue #53
· June/July 2012
TOC TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Woodside Priory School Celebrating 54 Years of Benedictine Education In This Issue Spring at a Glance. Pages 4-7 Middle School Graduation. Pages 8-9 High School Graduation. Page 10-13 High School Awards. Page 14-15 The Motivation for Morality. Pages 16-19 Senior Projects. Page 20 Class Notes. Pages 22-25 An Interview with Paul Trudelle. Page 26
Board of Directors Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB Brother Edward Englund, OSB Abbot Matthew Leavy, OSB Father Martin Mager, OSB Father William Sullivan, OSB
Board of Trustees Brian Axe Father Timothy Backous, OSB John Brew Lisa Carlos Jennie Chiu Sherri Coats Monica Corman Laura Cornish Eileen DiGiorgio Kathy Feldman Mark Gainey Chris Galli ‘84 Hilary Giles Dr. Sally Harris George Hohnsbeen Peter Kasenchak Andy Koontz Steve Krausz Bob Latta Rick Magnuson Bruce McAuley Bud McElroy ‘83 Tim Molak Cecilia Montalvo Jami Nachtsheim Father Maurus Nemeth, OSB Guy Nohra Peg Phelps Ray Rothrock Maureen Sansbury Bill Souders Keith Van Sickle Lisa Wan
Monastery News. Page 27 Alum Julia Duncan in the White House. Pages 28-29 The Green Page. Pages 30-31
Priorities magazine is published in March/April, June/July, and December/January by Woodside Priory School for its alumni, parents, students, neighbors and friends. Contact the Communications Office at 650-851-6193 or the school at 650-851-8221. Editor: Sean Mclain Brown Contributing Writers: Sean Mclain Brown, Karen Macklin, Matthew Nelson, Dr. Ben Owens, and Shivani Dayal Design/Production: Jim Kirkland, Copperline Multimedia Photos: Sean Mclain Brown, Jim Kirkland Printing: Communications on the Mark, Mark W. Allen
Chapel Services
Masses at 7:15 a.m. Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday Hungarian service All are welcome.
––––
T
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Priory Community, The school year is over – both our Middle and Upper School graduates have received their diplomas, the faculty are travelling, enjoying time with family and involved in over 30 different Summer Grant professional development projects (all to benefit our students in the classroom next year), and we received a full six-year term accreditation from WASC. The accreditation is a huge accomplishment for our school community and validates all the efforts made over the previous six years to make the Priory a more robust educational environment. The Priory is a leader in responding to new trends in education both in and out of the classroom and provides a student experience which is balanced in expectations and demands. The results of a recent Alumni Survey conducted by the School Affairs Committee of the Trustees showed that our alums valued their experience at the Priory and felt empowered and engaged in college and work. The Priory values of community and hospitality were mentioned often in the survey results as lasting positive influences in their lives. All five of our Benedictine values provide for everyone in our community a set of expectations that assist in living a life that is other-centered and helps “students in becoming lifelong stewards and learners” and our alums agree wholeheartedly. We have a new Abbot of the Priory and Saint Anselm communities (pg. 27). Abbot Mark Cooper was elected in the first week of June by all the Monks of the two communities. Abbot Mark is a member of our Board of Directors and was the treasurer of the college for over 25 years. In 1975 he was part of the first group of Monks sent to the Priory by then Abbot Joseph and has an intimate understanding of the financial and overall picture of Woodside Priory. We express our gratitude to Abbot Matthew for his leadership and wisdom for the past 27 years. He was an inspiration to all of us during his annual visits in January, and like Abbot Mark, has roots at the Priory. We wish him the best in whatever Divine Providence has in store for him next year. Next year, the Priory celebrates 55 years of education in the Bay Area. I am not sure exactly what our founding monks had in mind when they bought the ranch house in 1956, but I do know they would be very proud of what the Priory has meant to countless students and parents. We will soon embark on Phase Two of our capital campaign to build facilities that provide a better learning and living environment for our students and faculty. As the early Monks did so often, we will rely on the generosity of all our Priory community to make this next dream a reality. In the view book we create for prospective families, we say that what sets us apart is the “Priory Way,” which is rooted in the 1500 year-old Benedictine education. We do more than just educate kids. We challenge them “to take risks, discover their passions, and to grow in heart, mind and soul so they can face the changing demands of the 21st century with confidence.” As we reflect on who we are, we believe our values are timeless, our community is real, and our vision is far-reaching. It is a school where special things happen every day. Please know that you and your family are always in the thoughts and prayers of the Monks and all that we do is a reflection of your generosity to us these past 54 years and yet – Always We Begin Again! From all of us at the Priory – enjoy your summer days! Sincerely,
Tim Molak Head of School
The Priory is a leader in responding to new trends in education both in and out of the classroom and provides a student experience which is balanced in expectations and demands.
4
AT A
SPRING
Left L-R: Gala/Fashionistas Sharon Fotre, Wai Mo, Chris Willhite, and Auction Chairs Annalisa King and Regina Saliba. The 2012 Gala was a smashing success! A heartfelt big Priory thank you for all that attended and volunteered to help make this year’s event fin for all. Middle right: Molly Simpson and Reed Cornish. Middle center: Khan Lam. Middle left L-R: Alyssa Guttman-Green, Cassandra Rojas, and Katrina Wang
Left: Shoshana Levitt performs on the runway during the fashion show.
GLANCE Students and faculty perform dance, music, skits, and monologues during the annual talent show in the Rothrock Performance Hall.
Above left: Vivian Chen. Above center L-R: Vivian Chen, Yvonne Faisal, and Tina Wang. Above right L-R: Conor Bonfiglio, Jefferey Perez, and Anthony Shu. Bottom: Head of Upper School, Brian Schlaak. Students and faculty helped clean-up and beautify a home in East Palo Alto for the annual volunteer event partnering with Rebuilding Together and Ikea.
5
6
AT A GLANCE
SPRING
Above left: Father Martin performs his Mountain Mandolin for a crowd of parents.
Seniors enjoy the Baccalaurette Dinner the evening before commencement.
Above left L-R: Ava Collat and Eva El Fishawy sign each other yearbooks. Above right: Kalen Chung reads notes from friends in her yearbook
Rick “The Boff� Riebhoff signs a yearbook for a fan. Above L-R: Alyssa Guttman-Green, Malachi Thurston and Katrina Wang before commencement Left: Jacob Kim (center) with his parents Ms. Jin Ok Cho (left) and Dr. Joon Yub Kim (right)
7
Above L-R: Tibor Horvath and Father Maurus. The painting is Tibor’s uncle and also one of the Priory’s founders Achilles Horvath. The painting was done by George Horvath, Father Achilles brother, and also a well known painter living in Calgary.
Right: Ansel Morris and Alexandra Smith with their grandfather.
Above left: Tom and Will Latta with their grandparents on grandparents day at the Priory. Right: Pat Allen with her grandson Brett Bader.
Dianne Tittle de Laet is a poet and teller of myth. She performed for the Priory Middle School. She is an author, harpist, and sculptor, who is dedicated to the celebration of heroes and the re-creation of the oral tradition in lyric and epic poetry.
Above right L-R: Vivian Chen and science faculty Yvonne Faisal work on an engineering project.
8
Movin’ on Up! W Woodside Priory Middle School’s 32 graduates exchanged high-fives, laughter, hugs, and even a few tears before the procession to the Rothrock Performance Hall where they received their diplomas. Head of Upper School, Brian Schlaak, welcomed parents, relatives, and friends and encouraged students to continue their lives with the lessons learned at the Priory by working for “the welfare of others…that you will, as our Mission states, productively serve a world in need of your gifts.” Dean of the Middle School, Caitha Ambler, presented the Valedictorian award to Rebecca Whitman. In addition to earning the highest G.P.A., teachers describe Rebecca as “a ray of sunshine always ready to offer a thoughtful comment.” Ms. Ambler presented the Salutatorian award to Carolyn Akers saying, “Carolyn is a thoughtful and insightful young woman and is also one of the most well-read youngsters in the middle school.” Carl Sibley, the first graduate speaker, said that “I think the labyrinth is like our Middle School experience... life is all about moving on to the next phase, and that’s why even a little middle school graduation is such an important celebration. We’re ready to move on to the next maze.” John Gregory, the second student speaker, said he has always been amazed and inspired by the Priory’s five Benedictine values. John said, “Our teachers have worked with us to help us better understand ourselves and our peers. Mr. Cohen, for example, worked with me after school for my personal narrative, turning it from a brief anecdote to a meaningful memory, challenging me as a writer and also helping me to grow as a person.” The 8th grade graduating class chose Mr. Damian Cohen to give their commencement address. Mr. Cohen expressed his appreciation for how fearless their graduating class has been. He said, “For all of you, fear not starting over in 9th grade. Fear not any subject matter or teacher. Fear no bully, nor heartbreak. Fear not idealism nor having more questions than answers…we may go to different schools next year, but we will always live in one house.” In conclusion, Ms. Ambler expressed how fortunate she feels at having had the pleasure of knowing each of the graduates. She said, “There will be more challenging work ahead, new teachers, new friends, sports games, performances, fun times, and some challenging ones, too. We have watched you grow and change over the last three years, and I can say that it has been a true joy to watch you grow up. “
9 The Class of 2016* Carolyn Sarah Akers Radu Alexandru Andrei Andrew John Barnes Ryan Biland Ghislaine de Fort-Menares Michael Paul Fitzgerald Jaulie Goe Kelsey Ann Gosling John William Gregory Scott Quarmby Harris Graham William Hughes Justin Reiji Koerner Alexander McCracken Kost Hana Grace Marsheck Madeleine Mae McAdams Conor Joseph McCarthy Michelle Amanda Pritts Michael Eli Rapoport Anisha Nerabetla Reddy Austin John Foster Risley Charles Brookshire Royals Connor Scranton Ryland Samuelle Maria Saliba Lindsey Alexandra Schoenthaler Michael Tully Scott Robert Murray Screven Carl Somersille Sibley Matthew Alexander Wan Sean Thomas Weller Jessica Lynn Westmont Rebecca Cooley Whitman Connor Erickson Young *The Priory identifies the class year of its students as the year they would normally graduate from high school. This is done in order to place emphasis on the school’s seven year college preparatory program, grades six through twelve.
Awards Recognized at the Academic Awards Assembly May 22, 2012 Saint Ambrose: Patron of Learning Award for Humanities Jaulie Goe Saint Albert: Patron of Science Award for Sciences and Mathematics Ryan Biland Saint Catherine of Bologna Award for Fine and Performing Arts Carl Sibley Scholar Athlete Award Matthew Wan and Hana Marsheck Athlete of the Year Scott Harris
Top: Middle School commencement student speakerJohn Gregory. Middle: Damian Cohen, faculty commencement speaker. Middle right: Samuelle Saliba, commencement singer. Bottom: Carl Sibley, Middle School commencement speaker.
10
LOOK OUT
WORLD! 11
The Class of 2012 aims to make the world a better place It finally came. The day that has been 12 years in the making for 63 seniors at
Commencement speaker Stanford University’s Dean of Freshman, Julie Lythcott-Haims
Woodside Priory School. Proud parents, family and friends packed the tent on the Father Christopher field to witness the graduation of the class of 2012. Head of School, Tim Molak, said, “…count your blessings, the Priory and monks are one of them, parents, relatives, and friends, who have supported you, all are blessings that come in small doses and size, but nonetheless allow you to be happy and stronger.” The first student speaker, Maddie Pierson, a devoted volunteer to numerous nonprofit and social causes, as well as award-winning cross country and track athlete, said, “..what’s most impressive is the strength and character of our class.” She went on to say, “our classmates have faced personal tragedy, illnesses and other challenging circumstances, yet you showed up, contributed, and did so while bearing the difficulties you faced. You have been my heros.” Head of Upper School, Brian Schlaak, awarded this year’s Valedictorian to Kathleen Gregory. Kathleen excelled not only in academics, earning a 4.0 average, but also demonstrated exceptional athletic prowess; earning Athlete of the Year three times and is also a three-time Central Coast Section (CCS) champion in cross country. Alwyn Lansing, the second student speaker said, “I arrived at the Priory and was astounded by the beautiful redwoods, the golden ridge behind the campus, and the chapel on the hill.” She added, “The Priory community not only welcomed me, but also kids from all over the world.” Mr. Schlaak awarded this year’s Salutatorian to Anthony Shu. Anthony, a member of the 7-year Club, considered by faculty a true renaissance man, managed to couple a formidable capacity in math and the sciences with a love for English and the visual and performing arts. In addition, he is a talented tennis player, and an integral part of both the Chamber and Concert Choirs. Commencement speaker, Stanford University’s Dean of Freshman, Julie LythcottHaims, said, “I have never before been so taken by the resonance between the values of the place and my own… so I thank you for having me.” Julie gave parents two pieces of wisdom as they prepare to visit their children at college. She said, “…one, urbandictionary.com, it’s your key to linguistic hipness; and two, no matter how groovy the dorm music is when you visit your kid next year, they do not want to see you dance.” Julie said that what the world needs from everyone, especially the graduates, is to “be not the best version of someone else, but the best version of ourselves,” and to be the best “you” they can be.
“I have never before been so taken by the resonance between the values of the place and my own… so I thank you for having me.” —Julie Lythcott-Haims
12
The Class of 2012 Ryan Gabriel Dee Alejandro Brett Williams Bader Robert Maxwell Barnes Emma Alexandra Beriker Kaitlin Murray Bonfiglio * Alyssa Marie Bonora ** Cassandra Bustos-Rojas Wes Gregory Campagna * Jennie Elizabeth Christensen ** Alana Burke Colville Lauren Jayne Corey Aaron William Cornelius Reed Funsten Cornish Anqi Blake Dou Abigail Grace Safia Faisal ** Emily Anne Babcock Fockler ** Douglas Roberto Galdamez-Guevera Giorgos Estratios Goumas Kathleen Elizabeth Gregory *** Alyssa Ashley Guttman-Green * Magdalena De Los Angeles Hernandez * Brooke Elise Hobbs ** Daniel Joseph Hoffman * Daniel Hsu Lauren Susan Hyver * Eugenia Clair Jernick Jacob Jae-Kyu Kim * Jongyoon Kim * Kyle Bryant Kosling Alwyn Thorne Lansing ** Drew Taylor Lavine
Katrina Wang and Allegra Thomas are all smiles!
Eric Turnquist adorned with a lei and his classic Rayban Wayfarers.
Reed Cornish and Emily Focker with Head of Upper School Brian Schlaak.
Jun Hyuk Lee Lauren Elizabeth Lee Marlyn Elizabeth Lombera Alessandra Sarah Maahs George Douglas MacEwen * Cameron Remy Montalvo Brian Anh-Thuy Nguyen Michael Vaslow Nimer Kayla Ann Noguchi ** Camilla Ann Elizabeth Opperman ** Alyson Michelle Perna * Krysten Helena Pfau * Madeleine Waters Pierson Alexander Caskey Reid Burton Konrad Draxler Sadler Tucker Daniel Schoenthaler Jake William Charles Seawick * Darrah John Shields Anthony Franklin Shu ** Molly Kathryn Simpson * Alexandra Morris Smith ** Gabor Kristof Somogyi Eric Robert Theis ** Allegra Maggie Ann Thomas Eric Matthew Turnquist Ryan Paul Valentine Ming-Liang Millen Wan * Katrina Mengyan Wang * Audrey Jeannette Weber ** John Wallington Wookey, Jr. * Ryan Anderson Young Jane Caskey Yoxsimer
Academic Honors at Commencement
Academic honors at Commencement are awarded to graduates who have earned a cumulative grade point average by the end of the first semester of the Senior year: *** Benedictine Honors - GPA of 4.0 plus ** Head of School’s Honors - GPA of 3.81 to 3.99 * Dean’s Honors - GPA 3.5 to 3.80
13
College and University Acceptances (*) Indicates multiple acceptances by the college. Schools noted in bold are those where Priory graduates will be attending in the fall. American University Arizona State University * Belmont University Boston College Boston University * Bucknell University Butler University California Baptist University California Lutheran University * California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo * California State University, Chico * Channel Island * Dominguez Hills East Bay Long Beach Monterey Bay * Northridge Stanislaus Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University * Chapman University * Columbia College Connecticut College Cornell University * DePauw University Dominican University * Drexel University Eastern Oregon University Elon University * Emory University Fordham University Furman University Georgia Institute of Technology Georgetown University Gonzaga University * Harvey Mudd College Hofstra University Humboldt State University Indiana University * Johns Hopkins University * Lake Forest College Lehigh University Lewis and Clark College * Loyola Marymount University * Miami University, Oxford Middle Tennessee State University Montana State University Mount Holyoke College Northeastern University * Northern Arizona University Northwestern University * Notre Dame de Namur University * New York University Occidental College * Oregon State University * Oxford College of Emory University Pennsylvania State University, University Park Pepperdine University Pitzer College Pomona College *
Princeton University * Purdue University * Reed College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rochester Institute of Technology Saint Andrew’s University, Scotland Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College of California * San Francisco State University * San Jose State University Santa Clara University * Scripps College Seattle University * Simmons College Southern Methodist University * Sonoma State University * Southern Oregon University Stanford University * Syracuse University Texas Christian University Trinity College Trinity University * Tufts University Tulane University * University of Arizona * University of California, Berkeley * Davis * Irvine * Los Angeles * Merced * Riverside * San Diego * Santa Barbara * Santa Cruz * University of Colorado, Boulder University of Denver * University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign * University of Michigan * University of New Hampshire University of Oregon * University of Portland * University of Puget Sound * University of Redlands * University of Southern California * University of San Diego * University of San Francisco * University of the Pacific * University Of Washington University of Virginia Villanova University Washington State University, Vancouver Washington University * Weslyan University Western Washington University Westmont College Whitman College * Whittier College * Willamette University * Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yale University
L-R: Ryan Young, Eric Theis, and Doug MacEwen
Kayla Noguchi thumbs-up for Class of 2012!
Alicia Parker and Matthew Nelson excited for the Class of 2012 commencement.
14 Academic Honors and Awards For Class of 2012 Valedictorian Kathleen Gregory Salutatorian Anthony Shu
Alwyn Lansing, commencement student speaker.
Rev. Benignus Barat, O.S.B. Citizenship Award Madeleine Pierson The Dean’s Award Emily Fockler Dean of Student’s Award Kaitlin Bonfiglio The Head of School Award Krysten Pfau Allegra Thomas Saint Benedict Award Abigail Faisal
Maddie Pierson, commencement speaker.
Department Awards Theology Kathleen Gregory A. Vernon Sohlberg Award for English Anthony Shu Mathematics Aaron Cornelius Computer Science Emily Fockler Science Alyssa Bonora Performing Arts Krysten Pfau Visual Arts Allegra Thomas World Languages Alwyn Lansing Social Studies Madeleine Pierson Residential Life Jongyoon John Kim
Brooke Hobbs, ecstatic after receiving her diploma
The Seven Year Club Ryan Alejandro Brett Bader Casandra Bustos-Rojas Wes Campagna Kaitlin Bonfiglio Alana Colville Abigail Faisal Kathleen Gregory Alyssa Guttman-Green Lauren Lee Marlyn Lombera Cameron Montalvo Michael Nimer Camilla Opperman Krysten Pfau Madeleine Pierson Jake Seawick Darrah Shields Anthony Shu Alexandra Smith Eric Theis Eric Turnquist Ryan Valentine John Wookey, Jr. Ryan Young Jane Yoxsimer Residential Life Four Year Club Jongyoon John Kim Jeekyu Jacob Kim Jun Hyuk Lee Brian Nguyen Allegra Thomas Millen Wan
Richard Chrisinger, WWII, Korean and Vietnam veteran, grandfather to Abbey Faisal.
15 National Merit Society King Saint Stephen Chapter National Merit Scholars Aaron Cornelius Abigail Faisal Emily Fockler Kathleen Gregory Brooke Hobbs Kayla Noguchi Camilla Opperman Anthony Shu Alexandra Smith Eric Theis Millen Wan Audrey Weber John Wookey, Jr.
National Honor Society St. Stephen Chapter Kaitlin Bonfiglio Jennie Christensen Abigail Faisal Emily Fockler Kathleen Gregory Alyssa Guttman-Green Brooke Hobbs Lauren Hyver Alwyn Lansing Doug Mac Ewan Kayla Noguchi Camilla Opperman Krysten Pfau Anthony Shu Alexandra Smith Eric Theis Millen Wan Katrina Wang Audrey Weber
Collegiate Scholarship Awards As reported by our families, the following colleges, universities and foundations have awarded more than $1.5 million in merit scholarship offers to members of the Class of 2012.
American University Chapman University Clark University Clarkson University DePauw University Eastern Oregon University Gonzaga University Hosftra University Lewis and Clark College Montana State University Rensselaer Polytechnic University Rochester Institute of Technology Santa Clara University Seattle University The Sequoia Awards Scholarship Fund of Redwood City Southern Methodist University Trinity University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Cruz University of California, Santa Barbara University of Denver University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Portland University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Southern California Willamette University Worchester Polytechnic Institute
Right L-R: Jacob Kim and Audrey Weber
Priory Class of 2012 graduates excited for what’s next!
Above L-R: Alyson Perna, Camilla Opperman, Kayla Noguchi, and Michael Niman
Above Left: Father Maurus and Gabor Somogyi. Above Right: Emily Focker
16
The Motivation for Morality. Shivani Dayal, Class of 2014, investigates the eternal question of morality: Why are we good?
17
Preface by Matthew Nelson
In the sophomore Theology class, Morality & Social Justice, students are required to write Markings Papers, so-named after the magnum opus – Markings – of the Nobel Prize winner, diplomat, and author Dag Hammarskjöld. In the first unit of the course, students had to consider the necessity of God or not in morality. We weren’t bandying about the question whether one could be an atheist and still be moral; that is obviously a given. Rather, we were considering the deeper philosophical issue of whether one needed God – a transcendent, omni-creative, ultimate mind, “ground of all being,” force, or personality – that establishes morality as something beyond socio-psychological whimsy or human consensus. Students read articles by Cardinal Martini and Professor Umberto Eco; engaged in a debate between Evangelical philosopher William Lane Craig and Professor Louise Antony; and interfaced with other materials. In this Markings Paper assignment, students were given the following writing prompt and had to address it using the above sources: “If you believe in God, how does this belief motivate you to be good. If you do not, on what basis should you act morally?” Pluralism & Priory “You wouldn’t believe the controversy that your grandmother and I created in our families when we decided to marry,” my late grandfather, Arthur Nelson, told me a few years back. He went on to explain how their respective families would never unite because of the row created over their differing faiths. My grandmother, Jean, was Roman Catholic, and her side of the family could never embrace my grandfather who was Protestant. Truly indicative of my grandfather’s character – in an attempt to create peace – he pledged to my grandmother that he would attend her
her book A New Religious Lithuanian Catholic parish America). Given this reality, all the days of their lives. how then shall we live? Not that he ever gave up With the memory of my the spirit of what made him grandparents in mind, I a son of the Reformation, am motivated to share my but he just couldn’t believe Catholic Christian faith that people of faith should My grandmother, Jean, was be at such odds so as to sow Roman Catholic, and her side with the world in a way that respects other religious dissention and division, of the family could never traditions and philosophical especially among followers embrace my grandfather who perspectives. of Christ. Unfortunately he In all of my Theology didn’t succeed in convincing was Protestant. classes I urge that we repent my grandmother’s relatives of our imperialist religious that he was Catholic enough with his decades-long devotion; nevertheless, exclusivism, and like many good Catholics he kept his promise throughout their 60+ (among them Professor Paul Knitter) work years of marriage. Arthur Nelson remained toward engagement and cooperation with, a devout Christian – Protestant and Catholic and a veritable celebration of religious – embodying in himself the request Jesus diversity. Religious pluralism, as it is called, is not mere acknowledgement of diversity, or makes to the Father for unity in John 17:21. This vignette from my faith journey tolerance, or relativism; but it is a dynamic, has influenced my perspective concerning authentic quest to engage with “the other”, religious diversity. From my vantage point, primarily through dialog and community as a member of the so-called “Millennial” service work. As one of my faith heroes, a generation, I cannot fathom being hostile Muslim who founded the Interfaith Youth to the holy matrimony of two people – Core (IFYC), Eboo Patel, says: “Pluralism is regardless of the theological, racial, socio- building a society where people from different economic, and other differences between backgrounds can live in equal dignity and them. How difficult it must have been mutual loyalty.” This I believe is the way for my grandparents not to have the full forward in order to realize more robust faith support of their families for their everlasting commitments within our own traditions and commitment to one another. Of course such for the furthering of “common action for endogamy is now seen as a scourge upon the common good” (to borrow from IFYC). people of intolerant times past for most Through the cultivation of religious literacy, contemporaries, and we see even many Jews and countenancing religious diversity and Zoroastrians rejecting this approach to amongst the student body and encounters the preservation of their faiths as they once with religious difference in chapel, guest did. Increasingly, because globalization has speakers, and media, Priory students are forced the issue upon the world, we must becoming young men and women who are now live in communities where we can ready to grow in their spirituality through no longer avoid Earth’s vibrant religious (not in spite of) the religious pluralism that (and other) diversity (My former professor, swirls all about them. Diana Eck, establishes this convincingly in Continued on page 19
18
W
Why are we good?
The debate over the motivation for Humanity’s morality has been going on for millenia. Generally, whether people do or don’t believe in God greatly affects their moral decisions. However, my personal experience is that while I strongly believe in God, He is not the reason for my moral choices. However, just as Carlo Martini says, it is God that “gives me the light and strength necessary to be good in difficult situations.” My morality is quite simple, and is based on seven key aspects: 1) the experience that being good feels good, 2) my desire to rejoin with God, 3) my desire to be an example, 4) the principle of Karma, 5) the idea that virtue is our inherent nature, 6) selfrespect, and 7) the knowledge that it feels good to have a clear conscience. Being good feels good. There is something so pure about the cleanliness that honesty and integrity bring. These qualities seem to attract me, they call to my soul. Just as I could not physically harm someone, I can not lie or be deceitful. Some people think that lying does not hurt anyone, but I would say it hurts the liar, it breaks their integrity. And by breaking that integrity, we weaken our link to God. It’s not a matter of morals to be good, it’s that being good makes us whole, connected to our Self and to God. I, like many others, would like to one day be reabsorbed into an infinite energy when I die. Most religions agree on some sort of a Supreme force. They may disagree on name, but all understand its existence and purity. This “vision of a great Substance into which we will one day be reabsorbed can generate a vision of tolerance and of benevolence, precisely because we are all invested in maintaining ...equilibrium and harmony.” Achieving this requires effort on my part. I need to be clean enough in my thoughts and actions in order to be able to rejoin this pure energy.
It is my own desire to be a part of something larger than myself that motivates me to be good. I quite enjoy Umberto Eco’s idea that we are good in order to be examples, to leave the world a message, “because in some way what one believes or what one finds beautiful can be believed or seen as beautiful by those who come after.” The idea that part of what motivates us to be good is our desire to leave behind a legacy is one that I find quite intriguing. When I’m gone, I want to be remembered as someone who lived her life with integrity and who inspired others to do the same. This aspiration, therefore, creates a motivation to be honorable to do the right thing. I’m imprinting my moral life on the world. I’m leaving “a message in a bottle.” When in the process of making a moral decision, I’m often inclined to lean on the principle of Karma. Karma recognizes the difference between instant gratification and delayed gratification. Dr Craig once asked his audience what would make them act altruistically in those situations where “morality runs smack in the face of selfinterest.” My immediate response is that one will be able to act morally when they understand that the right choice doesn’t necessarily bring immediate benefit to the self. Karma doesn’t always act instantly. The principle of Karma is important when considering whether to be good or bad because it makes you remember that everything you do has a reaction. I pay attention to the long term result of my actions. For example, if I’m in a situation where I could help someone who is being bullied and I chose to do nothing (also
known as an Act of Omission), the karmic reaction will be that when I am bullied, no one will come help me. Karma does not motivate out of fear of a punishment, it is simply the awareness of the larger picture of action and reaction. Morality is our inherent nature. I believe that we are actually souls, not the bodies we inhabit. Souls were originally clean and pure and full of virtues. However, over time, as our souls experienced the cruelty and temptation of the world, they began to change. They became darker, until their light could hardly shine through anymore. When most people experience a deep sense of emptiness, as if nothing can fill them, they are feeling their soul’s desire to become good again. When we act morally, and according to whatever we perceive to be the right course, we scrape off some of the mud that’s covering our true self. Goodness causes us to become clean once again. It’s the soul’s innate desire to return to its original self that motivates human morality. Some might say that it takes effort to be virtuous, but I believe that being good comes naturally when you are seated on the seat of self-respect. When you experience yourself as an elevated being, one that isn’t degraded enough to speak with anger, or to become jealous, it becomes easy to make the right decisions. I act morally because I like sleeping at night. Someone once said, “A clear conscience is a good pillow” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. I appreciate reviewing my actions throughout the day and seeing that I’ve acted with kindness, warmth and compassion. The few experiences I have had of acting badly, I have regretted immediately
Morality is our inherent nature. I believe that we are actually souls, not the bodies we identify with.
19 Preface - Continued from page 17
and those experiences taught me to fix my mistakes quickly. It is in the nature of guilt to eat away at your self-respect. There is nothing more demoralizing than shame. If you are ashamed of who you are, or what you’ve done, it can destroy all confidence in the Self. On several occasions, I have tried to override my conscience by trying to be “bad.” I tried to force myself not to tell the teacher he or she forgot to mark me off for a mistake I made. Just a few weeks ago, I realized that Mrs. Paulson didn’t notice a mistake I made on my AP Music Theory Final exam. Since I knew the point difference couldn’t change my overall grade, I figured it didn’t matter and told myself it was okay if I didn’t tell her. But that night it was all I could think about. Those five points which I didn’t deserve haunted me the next day at school. Eventually, I just couldn’t
stand it anymore and went and told Mrs. Paulson that she’d given me too many points. She laughed and told me that when she was my age, she would’ve kept quiet and taken the extra points. She appreciated my honesty and let me keep the points. And I got to keep my integrity. I could feel how honesty created internal power, and that nothing makes my heart as light as being free from guilt. Overall, the attributes of honesty, integrity and compassion uphold the quality of life. I’m not motivated to be good by guilt, fear, reward or punishment. I’m motivated by the intrinsic nature of the virtues. Virtues make my life more enjoyable, more fulfilling, and more rewarding. I believe in God, but He is not the reason behind my morality. My philosophy is simply to live my life as a contribution to world benefit.
Mahatma Gandhi advocated for religious pluralism with a very astute analogy that has abided with me, and in and through my ministry at the Woodside Priory School. He maintains that our spiritual houses must be built upon the solid foundation of our religious or philosophical traditions. We must attend to the anchoring of our spiritual lives in the discipline, education, and practice of our own faith. However, this house has very large doors and windows that must be wide open to the great winds of other faiths to bring fresh air and insight into our lives. Even though my grandfather was navigating the intra-religious difference of the twentieth century, just as these winds did for my grandfather’s faith, so may it be for all of us who face interreligious diversity in the twenty-first century.
Priory’s World of Theology – Diversity on the Menu/Diversity the Vision by Dr. Ben Owens I’ve had the honor and privilege of seven years at Priory, six of them as Chair of the Department of Theology. This coming school year Mr. Matthew Nelson will be taking on the Chair’s role. The changing of roles gives me a chance to look back and to look ahead. It gives me an opportunity to take stock and to evaluate the role Theology plays in the Priory’s life. My reflection here focuses most particularly on the Priory’s religious and spiritual diversity and pluralism. The Priory community’s religious and spiritual diversity, its spectrum of faith practices and traditions, its welcoming and respecting the positions of seekers and questioners and doubters – all these together make the Priory a real-world experience. The believer of whatever spiritual tradition, the atheist, the agnostic – all together make the Priory’s theological environment a true-to-life experience. And our search for trutb makes us free! I believe that the Priory’s Benedictine character and charisms facilitate the openness of our theological education. We affirm time and time again in Theology the spirit and wisdom of Benedict’s Rule – “to listen with the ear of the heart.” We prize and treasure the individuality and integrity of each family’s and each student’s spiritual path. We take pride in the fact that our Priory community and its spirit of hospitality are warmly inclusive, as exemplified in the traditional hymn we sing at the beginning of every school year – “All are welcome, all are welcome in this place.” The Priory’s living tradition in the spirit of Saint Benedict places our school and our teaching of Theology securely in the best of the living tradition of Catholicism, in the tradition of “Fides quaerens intellectum,” that is, faith seeking understanding. Theology and Campus Ministry together remain firmly and gladly committed to the ideals and values of spirituality Priory-style. Seeking and finding, honoring the questions as well as the answers, praying and meditating, and sharing the truths of our personal stories – all of this represents the legacy of the diversity and pluralism we are so fortunate to experience here at Priory.
20
SENIOR PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
“Senior Project at Priory gives students the opportunity to challenge and stretch themselves as individuals and intellectuals. Individually, in that every student is asked to identify talents, skills, or interests that are unique to him/her. Intellectually, in that students are allowed to design a project that draws upon many years of school and different courses of study.” - Scott Parker, Dean of Students Mental Disorder Education: A Part of the Priory Curriculum Krysten Pfau and Aaron Cornelius Due to the lack of education about common mental illness in adolescence at Priory, Aaron and I have decided to make a unit on mental health. A mandatory health class will be implemented in 2013. With this class we will prepare a unit that covers various topics such as the disorders themselves (like depression and AD/HD), the effect disorders have on students, and the signs of a possible mental disorder. We hope that this will raise the awareness of mental disorders in teens, which is becoming a more prevalent problem throughout the U.S. Building a Bridge (Breakfast Program) Anthony Shu, Ali Maahs, and Douglas Galdamez Bridge kids who do not eat breakfast struggle with their academic performance, and families facing socio-economic difficulties turn to fast, cheap, and unhealthy food options. Our project will provide a healthy breakfast program for the Bridge kids, nutrition classes to impart healthy eating habits, and simple and cheap recipes that will transform family eating habits. Specifically, kids will learn to eat nutritious fruits and vegetables and become educated about the fast food industry’s unhealthy practices. Preparing nutritious and tasty breakfasts for the Bridge kids will create healthy eating habits and fight obesity. Teenage Wasteland (of Unrepaired Cars): Helping Teens Gain the Knowledge and Confidence to Maintain Their Cars Doug MacEwan, Alex Reid, Eric Theis Cars are an important part of many people’s everyday lives. Despite this, most people don’t know how to maintain or fix their car if something goes wrong. To solve this problem, we have decided to teach teenagers basic car maintenance and repair. We will use a car donated to us as a teaching aid in both the videos we are filming and the seminars we are holding. We hope that this instruction will give them more confidence in their car skills and help them in the future. Rediscovering Cacao, the Ambrosia of the Aztecs: Epicatechin and it’s Applications in Endurance and Health Kat Gregory Imagine if, with a few caveats, you could eat delicious dark chocolate... and not only increase your endurance but combat your chances of contracting the most common lethal diseases. You’d think a nation that consumes 3 billion pounds of chocolate a year would seize upon such an opportunity, but there’s something special about cacao that modern society, with its emphasis on sugar and processing, has forgotten. It’s called epicatechin. I am trying to bridge the communication disconnect between the scientific community and the general public to facilitate the integration of this knowledge into individual lifestyles.
21
C Dear Alumni,
Congratulations to the Class of 2012 and welcome to the Priory Alumni Association. Remember that you are always part of this Priory Community no matter how far away you live and how long it has been since you have been on campus. I encourage this 52nd graduating class to stay connected and never lose that bond you have with the Priory. I wish you all the best and hope to see you again soon. There are many ways to stay in touch with the Priory. The easiest is by attending our regional alumni events. We hosted our 2nd Annual Social in Palo Alto in June and many alums came out and had a great time at the Old Pro. This past year I was able to return to some of my favorite places to see alumni and also venture to some new fun places. Among the places I visited were: Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Stockton, Napa and San Francisco. Every year Father Martin and I try to think of new places to travel, so next Fall we hope to make it to Orange County and visit many of our alumni in So. Cal. 2012 Reunion Weekend is September 7-9th for the classes ending in 2’s and 7’s. Hopefully by now you have heard from someone in your class about the reunion. The weekend kicks off with a Friday night reception in Father Egon Plaza. Saturday there is a coffee social in the morning for all alumni and alumni parents, followed by campus tours led by Tim Molak, Head of School. That evening we have a formal dinner in the Performing Arts Center, traditionally the highlight of the weekend with more than 100 alumni returning for their reunion celebration. The weekend concludes with an Alumni Mass on Sunday celebrated by Father Martin, followed by brunch in Father Egon Plaza. If you want to get the most up-to-date news and invites to our alumni socials please be sure to join the Woodside Priory Alumni Association group on Facebook. We have nearly 700 alumni, and it is a private group for our alumni community only. There is also an alumni blog that you can link to from the school website under “alumni” at the top of the page. Or, if you’d rather, then please feel free to shoot me an email or call me. I really enjoy alumni contacting me and wanting to get re-engaged with the school, or just providing me with new contact information. I wish you a relaxing, warm summer and hope to see more of you in the coming year! Sincerely,
CaseyWynn Alumni Relations
2012 Reunion Weekend is September 7-9th for the classes ending in 2’s and 7’s.
22
CLASS
ALUMNI Note: Class Agents’ names appear at the beginning of each Reunion class year. If your year is not represented, or if you would like to become a Class Agent, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@prioryca. org or (650) 851-6137. And don’t forget to check out Woodside Priory Alumni Association on Facebook for additional photos and updates!
REUNION YEARS: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007
1962
50th Reunion Year
1967
45th Reunion Year
1972
40th Reunion Year Class Agent: Philip Gregory Matt O’Sullivan was inducted into the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame in May.
1977
35th Reunion Year
1982
30th Reunion Year
Class Agent: Noel Kidd
1985
George Willman founded the Berkeley Angel Network, a group comprised of fellow UC Berkeley alumni and faculty angel investors. The group’s first meeting was November 2011, and, as of Spring 2012, nine companies have presented to the group, at meetings in January and April.
1987
25th Reunion Year Class Agent: Marty Sullivan
1990
Juan Maya was recently promoted to Fundraising Director position at Amnesty International in Mexico, raising funds for human rights campaigns in Mexico.
1992
20th Reunion Year Class Agent: Michael Raney
NOTES
23
1995
Kathryn (Calvache) Chacon lives in the Colorado Springs area with her husband and two daughters, Elizabeth and Adrian. Kathryn is a supervisor with the Colorado Department of Human Services. She is completing her Colorado State License in Clinical Social Work.
1997
15th Reunion Year Class Agent: Brooke (Barry) Revels
1998
Alex Kogan appears in the movie “SAFE” – as a singer in a Russian restaurant. In addition, Alex is in the studio again to record 16 tracks for ‘Forever’, a Tribute to the Great Russian Songbook with a selection of songs dating from 1920’s to the 1990’s. Suzi Kovacs accepted a job offer and will be moving back to the States this summer.
1999
Joan Lando graduated in May with her masters in Counseling-Psychology.
2002
10th Reunion Year
Class Agents: Lindsay Hagan and Josh Horowitz Taylor Eigsti composed the music for the movie “Detachment” with Adrien Brody. Pictured L-R: Ashley Duval (Taylor’s wife), actor Adrien Brody, and Taylor at the “Detachment” movie premiere.
2005
Ben Archer ENS, USNR, was selected by his classmates at the Tulane University School of Medicine to receive their 2012 Humanism in Medicine Award. He also had his first professional research publication presented in Copenhagen, at the 18th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques. Nate Coombs graduated with his Master of Arts in Sport Management from USF in May. Peter Giovannotto was on House Hunters in April as a realtor for a couple buying a house in Bay Area.
24
2007
5th Reunion Year Class Agent: Blaine Tehaney
2008
Alyssa Cheung graduated from Yale University with a major in Environmental Studies. Laura Christian graduated from University of California, San Diego with a major in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Andrew Davison graduated from Drew University majoring in Political Science & Philosophy. Karina Gerstenschlager graduated from Northwestern University in June and will begin her career in merchandizing at Abercrombie & Fitch headquarters in Columbus, Ohio next February after spending eight months volunteering. Luke Jeffrey graduated from Brown University majoring in A.B. Computer Science-Economics. Angelo Ladeza will graduate in December 2012 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Environmental Engineering. Erik Lyon graduated from Whitman College this year with a Major in Economics and a minor in Biology, and was a recipient of the department’s award for excellence in Economics. He will be returning to Lee Vining, California for the summer to work for the Mono Lake Committee before returning to Walla Walla to facilitate Whitman’s Semester in the West program, a 100-day long field studies program in Environmental Politics, Ecology, and Writing of the American West. Elizabeth “Hope” Marquardt graduated in May from Scripps College with a major in Media Studies. Hope started working immediately at Radical Media in Santa Monica as a Production Assistant and recently worked on Rihanna’s new music video, “Where Have You Been?” Tynan McAuley graduated from Harvey Mudd, where he majored in Engineering. In August, he’s starting a full-time position at Intel in Santa Clara as a Component Design Engineer. He will be doing circuit design there, which is what he focused on at Harvey Mudd. Gregory Pfau graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Molecular Environmental Biology. Alexandra Schilling graduated from Tufts University with a major in English and a minor in Communications and Media Studies. She has been offered a job in Millbrae and will return to the Bay Area this summer. Liam Thompson graduated from the College of The Holy Cross with a major in History and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 25 May.
25
2009 Zuhayr Mallam is in his senior year at UC Davis. In addition to his pre-med academic load, he is also an undergraduate volunteer at the Willow clinic (www.willowclinic. org), which is a student-run clinic in Sacramento that offers free health (specializing in primary care and psychiatric services), legal, dental, and social services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Pictured L-R: Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions and Zuhayr Mallam.
2010 Lauren Allen came to visit Priory during her Spring Break. Here she is pictured with Father Martin. Lauren just completed her sophomore year at Claremont McKenna College. This summer Lauren will be working for Ernst & Young accounting firm in Los Angeles. She will be doing a rotation of Audit, Tax, and Financial Advisory. Additionally, this past year at CMC, she was accepted into the Student Investment Fund as the only sophomore female,which manages about $350,000 of the CMC endowment.
Left L-R: George Somogyi ‘07, Greg Somogyi ‘08, Father Maurus, and Gabor Somogyi ‘12
Above right L-R: Father Martin, alum Andrew Valentine ‘82 ad his son, Ryan, Class of 2012.
4th Annual San Francisco Alumni Social, May 16 at 15 Romolo.
26
TRUDELLE
Paul
Scientist, marathon endurance runner, and all-around great guy An interview by Sean Mclain Brown
After 29-years teaching at the Priory, Paul Trudelle is as vigorous as ever, sharing his enthusiasm and child-like wonder for science, and encouraging students to “serve those in need.” SMB: When did you first know you wanted to be a teacher and what do you love most about teaching? PT: I had hints that I would be a teacher as a young boy probably because both of my parents taught (dad-science, mom-primary). During my first years of teaching I thought I would move on to another type of work but I grew to love teaching more & more. I love seeing students get excited about science especially on days when discussion or lab “comes alive” with questions and insights. On days like this, I honestly feel I have the coolest job in the world. SMB: Why science? What is it about science that gets you really excited? PT: Science is soooooo fascinating, a never ending story of questions, hypotheses, experiments, data analysis, revising ... it just goes on and on. I am particularly enthralled by astrophysics, cosmology, astronomy & astrobiology. Of course, I love talking with others who feel the same way. Often the best part of my teaching day is discussing “science stuff” with students after class. SMB: Who inspired you most in your life and why? PT: My father by his gentle love & the joy he shared with our family. He used to take me grunion hunting, volcano hiking, and star watching. I had many inspiring teachers as well. SMB: What do you believe is most challenging issue we face as a species? PT: To learn to accept and even celebrate our differences locally & globally seems to be a challenge worth taking. We must continue to strive to live up to the call of Jesus to not only respect but love all people, starting with ourselves, our family, friends & those we interact with each day - even those we don’t like or understand. God seems to believe so much in the potential of humans, we should too. SMB: What is your hope for your past and present students? PT: Our mission says that Priory is here to “assist students (and alums) to become lifelong learners & stewards who will productively serve a world in need of their gifts.” After 29 years at Priory, this has become my personal hope as well.
27
Abbot Mark, O.S.B Elected New
ABBOT
o f S ai n t An s e l m
The Priory monks gather with the Abbot Mark (bottom center), the new Abbot of Saint Anselm.
The bells atop Alumni Hall pealed for 28 minutes straight today before it was announced to the community that the monks at Saint Anselm Abbey elected Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B., as their new abbot and the chancellor of Saint Anselm College. As the fifth abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey, Abbot Mark, serves as the monastic community’s religious superior and spiritual leader. He is also the highest-ranking administrator as chancellor of the college. Part of the historic event includes the retirement of Abbot Matthew Leavy, O.S.B. today after almost 27 years of service, making him one of the longest serving abbots in the Benedictine Order worldwide. Following a sabbatical for rest and renewal, Abbot Matthew will continue to serve the abbey and college in new ways yet to be determined. Abbot Mark begins his new role immediately. Previous to the election he managed the college’s finances for 33 years and was set to retire as the treasurer and vice president of financial affairs at the end of this month. Abbot Mark professed vows as a member of the Benedictine community at Saint Anselm in 1972 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1976. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1971 from Saint Anselm College. He earned an M.S.A. in business administration from the University of Notre Dame. He studied at Saint John’s Seminary in Boston and St. Albert’s Seminary in Oakland California. He taught at Woodside Priory and received an Alumni Award of Merit in 2003 for his contributions to the growth of the college. He was elected following a two-day election process that involved 25 monks voting on up to six ballots. Of the 28-member community, 25 were eligible to vote on 21 possible candidates. Following a clear majority, Abbot Mark accepted the honor and was immediately confirmed by the Abbot President. The group then proceeded to the Abbey Church for a service of thanksgiving. The monastery followed election procedures in the Guide to Abbatial Elections that conform with the Roman Catholic Church’s Canon Law and the Rule of Saint Benedict.
28
Priory Alum, Julia Duncan, lands in the by Karen Macklin
J
Julia Duncan ‘05 remembers the first day of Dora Marron’s civics class in the 8th grade. Ms. Marron gave the class the United States Citizenship Test, and then led a discussion about what it means to be a citizen of the US. “This class was my introduction to government and the importance of civic participation,” says Duncan. It was a powerful introduction. Today, Duncan is a Staff Assistant to the Director in the Presidential Personnel Office at the White House. Her job is to do research, event planning, and scheduling for the office, as well as to help coordinate the interview process for political appointees, White House liaisons, and department staff. But Duncan didn’t go straight from that Priory civics class to working for the President. While at Priory, she put her toe in the political water while serving on Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s Student Advisory Board. After graduation, she took various internships in politics that helped pave that road, the first of which was in 2006. While on summer break from the University of Virginia, she flew home to the West coast to take an internship in Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office in San Francisco.
Though her duties at the Senator’s office were simple—she answered phones, sorted mail, and perfected her front office greeting skills—they prepped her for what was to come. “These skills would prove helpful when I moved to Washington in search of a job on Capitol Hill,” she says. The following year, she boarded a plane to Chicago to be a summer intern on then Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. This was a tremendously influential experience for Duncan. The summer started with a training session called “Camp Obama”, she says, which taught participants about the presidential hopeful, as well as educated them on election strategies and grassroots organizing. The following year, she returned to Obama’s campaign as an intern during the general election. After the president’s victory, she was offered a job working on the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) in Washington, DC, where she helped to organize the National Day of Service—an event that took place the day before the President’s Inauguration. Duncan graduated from UVA in 2009, and soon began working for Congressman Phil Hare in Washington, DC, first as an intern and later as a Staff Assistant. While
29
Whitehouse
Julia Duncan (bottom row, far left) poses with the Priory Middle School in front of the White House during their visit to Washington D.C.
at Hare’s office, she talked to constituents about the Congressman’s positions and gave tours of the Capitol. “[My time] in Congressman Hare’s office allowed me to work on many policy issues that I was interested in,” she says, adding that she worked on labor rights issues, health care issues, environmental issues, and veterans issues. “I also learned a lot about the legislative process—how to gain support for an issue or legislative priority and how to clearly and concisely make an argument about something that mattered to me,” she says. “I used the skills Priory had taught me: to be a good listener and to take others’ opinions into consideration.” In the summer of 2010, all of Duncan’s hard work came to fruition when she was given an opportunity to interview for a position in the Presidential Personnel Office. “The rest is history and a dream come true!” she says. Duncan says that working at the White House is a rewarding and challenging experience and that her office is full of passionate people who are experts in their field and committed to moving the country forward. “I am constantly inspired by those with whom I work,” she says, “and I am honored to serve a President who I believe in, and who has inspired so many people.”
Did her seven years at Priory help pave the way for Duncan’s career in politics? Without a doubt. Priory taught her the values of tolerance, diversity, and service, she says. During her time at Priory, she volunteered at soup kitchens and learned about social issues affecting the San Francisco Bay Area through the service learning program, and learned the value of local, sustainable and healthy eating by watching Mr. Clark’s vegetable garden begin to sprout. “I appreciate that Priory teaches students to be well rounded,” she says. “The innovation among students and faculty makes it a wonderful learning environment, and teaches students that it’s ok to ask questions, take risks and have new ideas. The curriculum, especially in the theology department, allowed me to learn about different faiths and cultures. Priory taught me to be respectful of those around me and of other opinions.” Duncan continues to learn and grow at her current position, but she also has her eyes on the future. She’s always wanted to work on domestic homelessness and hunger issues, and says that she could see herself one day running a nonprofit. “I don’t know exactly what my next steps will look like,” she says, “but I do know that they will continue to help further my understanding of these issues and allow me to help find a solution to some of the complex social problems of my generation.”
30
The Green Page A letter from the Priory Sustainability Coordinator
Dear Priory Community, The end of the school year offers us an opportunity to reflect on this year’s work and progress in the area of sustainability, and to look to the future for further opportunities. It should be clear that one of the principle aspects of my role as the school’s sustainability coordinator is the monitoring of the school’s energy and material efficiency. 2011-2012 saw continued progress in both areas, as students reduced plate waste, and the kitchen and maintenance staff collaborated to streamline the school’s compost system. One reason for reduced plate waste, it needs to be mentioned, was the awesome set of menu changes brought about by the school’s chef, Peter Agoston. After discussions with parents and the school’s faculty Sustainability Committee, Peter doubled down on his efforts to purchase local and sustainably cultivated foods. With the promise of adventurous choices and tasty foods, students ate more of what they were served, leaving fewer scraps to be added to the school’s compost pile. In an effort to step outside of the recycling-and-energy-conservation box that has characterized most of my work as sustainability coordinator, this year I introduced a new activity to engage students in their efforts and motivation toward sustainable thinking. In mid-May, just as the Senior class began work on their senior projects, the entire Priory Middle School took to the trails to climb nearby Windy Hill. The purpose of this activity was to engender an authentic sense of place. As Bryan Scott-Lorentz, Campus Minister, remarked about the hike, “It’s like how the whole environmental movement and Earth Day tradition was sparked by the early pictures of planet Earth from space. We had to see what we had and where we lived in order to understand what it meant to take care of it.” Student responses to the activity were similarly positive. And whatever the specific understandings that were gained by the students, it was evident that everyone had a great time bonding as a group, and that the activity will certainly be part of Priory student life in the years to come.
31
Another positive trend this year was the increase in the number of Senior Projects dealing with sustainable themes. Wes Campagna and Molly Simpson, for example, hosted a small musical performance to benefit the school’s garden expansion. Thanks to Molly and Wes, next year’s expanded and relocated garden will feature fifteen or so blueberry bushes. Another pair of students, Eugenia Jernick and Emma Berriker were interested in the school’s landscaping choices, and the opportunity for more sustainable plantings around campus. They researched native and drought-tolerant plants that could be utilized in some of the school’s most prominent landscaping plots. The resulting set of well-considered planting suggestions could be easily implemented as attractive, low maintenance, and cost reducing landscaping options. While this is only a partial list of this year’s sustainably oriented Senior Projects, here’s hoping that next year’s projects include even more thoughtful suggestions for ways in which the campus could improve operations. Two of this year’s juniors have already approached me with ideas for livestock on campus. One student will be investigating the possibility of farming bees; another will look into an expanded chicken operation to generate enough eggs for each morning’s breakfasts. Finally, here are a couple more thing to look out for next year: Toilets! Over this summer, the school should be receiving new water saving toilets, for free, as part of a statewide water conservation bond. And, if you have not seen it yet, stop by to see the school’s current vegetable garden. This year, for the first time, it will be cared for by students participating in the school’s summer Bridge Program. We hope that the garden will help to deepen Bridge students’ connections to the school. And stay tuned for more garden news, as the expanded Priory Garden breaks ground later this summer. Thanks for your attention and support. Best Wishes to all for a healthy and sustainable summer! Sincerely,
Hovey Clark
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839
PAID
MENLO PARK,CA PERMIT #805
Address Service Requested
Celebrating Our 54th Year
Mark Your Calendar! Woodside Priory School Alumni Reunion Weekend September 7-9th, 2012 Join your classmates and former teachers for a weekend of activities: Class receptions, Alumni Parent coffee, campus tours, dinner, Sunday mass, brunch and more! Alumni Reunion Classes 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007