Sacred Heart Magazine | Spring '24

The eighth grade started a Lenten tradition of almsgiving by hosting a P–8 Family Walkathon in February. This year the focus was on food insecurity. The students chose to support World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides meals to people in crisis.

P-8 FAMILY LENTEN WALKATHON

The Middle School Stations of the Cross prayer service held in late February was led by the seventh grade class under the guidance of religion teacher Tim Hopkins (SHP ’12).

Pictured, Ella Eisenberg (SHS ’29) leads the student body in prayer and reflection.

Dear Sacred Heart Alumni, Family, and Friends,

With great pride, I share with you this issue of the Sacred Heart Magazine, and invite you to explore some of the rich programming, dynamic community partnerships, and impressive accolades earned by our talented students and educators.

In addition, I want to call your attention to the two celebratory updates noted below.

First, 2023 marked our completion of a yearlong self-study for the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals (SHCOG), the Sacred Heart Network “accrediting” body charged with ensuring each school’s fidelity to, and practice of, the Goals and Criteria in daily campus life and curricula. I am happy to say that our SHCOG visiting team completed its assessment in November, and their report on SHS was outstanding once again. Now in our final phase of this SHCOG process, an Action Plan is in development that outlines our intention for even further excellence in our practices. And, as we close out our SHCOG work, we have simultaneously started on our academic accreditation renewal for the California Association of Independent Schools/Western Association of Schools and Colleges—organizations which last time, similarly praised our institutional programs, practices, and stewardship. Please know we will have more to share around this equally important process as we head into the 2024–25 school year.

Second, as you are already aware, this year our beloved Sacred Heart campus celebrates a very special milestone anniversary: 125 years of educating thousands of students, advancing a vital and historic mission, and building a wonderful, engaged, and loyal school community along the San Francisco Peninsula. As we honor and mark this momentous year, we also reflect on the century of changes we’ve experienced as a school, scores of challenges met and overcome with flexibility and fortitude that ultimately enabled us to adapt, grow—and thrive—across each decade.

Please know that each of you has played, and continues to play, an important role in our story, shaping the school into what it is today by virtue of your participation, pride, and support. Student or educator, parent or guardian, alumna or trustee or administrator, Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton would not be in the enviable position it is today without your active part.

Therefore, it is my hope that all of you will consider joining us on campus on Sunday, May 19, as we close out this anniversary year together. Truly we have much to celebrate, and we intend to do so this time with two very important and appropriate traditions—a Family Mass, followed by an all-community Congé.

After all, what could be more fittingly “Sacred Heart” than that?

Sincerely,

Richard A. Dioli Director of Schools

2023–24 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MARNIE MARCIN, CHAIR

JEFF BIRDWELL

DEVON BRIGER

SHALYN EASON

RICHARD A. DIOLI

BUNNY FLICK, RSCJ

KRISTEN GARLINGHOUSE

SHEILA HAMMOND, RSCJ

NANCY HEAFEY

ERIC HOLLAS, OSB

FIONA KERNS

GARY KIRKHAM

MELISSA MCJANNET

ELIZABETH MUIR

ANTHONY NOTO

ADRIAN PERICA SALLY RUDE, RSCJ

PAUL SALLABERRY

DAVID SCHNEIDER

ELAINE SHEN

SCOTT SMITHERS

NEVIN SPIEKER (SJS ’90)

KIMBERLY SUMME

THEANNE THOMSON

ALISON VAN DYKE

ANNA VISHRIA

JASON WHEELER

EDUCATING FOR A LIFETIME

The view looking across the SHP Mall toward the Main Building. The school is decorated in celebration of its 125th anniversary of “Educating for a Lifetime.”

High Honors

SHS EDUCATORS RECEIVE RECOGNITION IN SCIENCE, TEACHING, AND LEADERSHIP

The SHS Associate Teacher program launched in 2017 to create an apprenticeship opportunity for new educators, preparing them to effectively lead their own classroom, and to provide a mutually beneficial relationship between associate and lead teachers. Since then, the program has grown significantly and currently partners with four graduate and/or credential programs. TOP

Current Lower School lead teachers Monic

Aguilar Gonzales and Jesus Lozano were recognized last spring by Notre Dame de Namur University’s (NDNU) School of Education, each receiving a student-teaching award for their past work with Sacred Heart as associate teachers.

“We were so proud to see Monic and Jesus recognized for their devotion to their students and craft,” said Mackenzie Campbell, LMS associate director of new faculty programs. “From their first days on campus two years ago, both Monic and Jesus fully immersed themselves into the Lower School, bringing exceptional dedication, energy, and perspective to their classrooms.”

Aguilar Gonzales first began exploring the field of education as an elementary school volunteer while also substitute teaching. She was hired as a distance-learning teacher and taught over Zoom during the pandemic, after which she applied to Sacred Heart. She has taught in both fourth and second grade classrooms at SHS, and is currently a lead teacher for fourth grade.

Lozano knew from an early age he wanted to work with youth. At Sacred Heart, he has taught in both fifth and third grades, and currently serves as a lead teacher for fifth grade.

Cariño-Petersen’s academic accomplishments include writing and preaching. Her work can be found on Ignatian Solidarity Network’s Rise Up series, National Catholic Reporter, and Catholic Women Preach.

SHP educator Teresa Cariño-Petersen (religious studies and campus ministry) was named a 2023 recipient of Ignatian Solidarity Network’s “Emerging Leader for Justice” award, a prestigious honor recognizing young adults who have demonstrated significant social justice leadership in their communities consistent with Catholic Social Teaching and the values of Ignatian Spirituality.

Cariño-Petersen’s academic accomplishments include writing and preaching. Her work can be found on Ignatian Solidarity Network’s Rise Up series, National Catholic Reporter, and Catholic Women Preach, and one of her homilies will be featured in the upcoming publication of Catholic Women Preach: Raising Voices, Renewing the Church: Cycle B from Orbis Books. She serves on the board of directors for the National Catholic Reporter, and has been a pastoral associate with the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City. She holds a bachelor’s in theology and religious studies with a double minor in Catholic thought and social teaching and Philippine studies from the University of San Francisco, and a master’s in theological studies from the Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University.

Jesus Lozano and Monic Aguilar Gonzales

Teresa Cariño-Petersen

Last year SHS educator and current SHS Middle School Curriculum Director Sharon Sikora, Ph.D., was appointed to the steering panel for the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) to update the science framework for the “Nation’s Report Card” in 2028.

The report card includes the results of a nationwide exam for science that is given every four years to a random sampling of students in the fourth, eighth, and 12th grades.

Dr. Sikora was one of 30 individuals on the steering panel made up of teachers, curriculum experts, school administrators, policymakers, and scientists making recommendations for the framework of the nationwide assessment. The group met several times to review the working drafts.

The last update to the framework was made in 2005, for the 2009 assessment. “This work that we’re doing on the panel has the potential to impact the next 18 years of science education because the next review might not be until 2040. To me, that’s when it hit home how important this is,” said Sikora.

The framework determines the science areas and content that will be included in the nationwide assessment and also provides guidelines on the exam format, “i.e., is it going to be students graphing, is it going to be students writing a response, is it going to be multiple choice, or is it going to be a hands-on task they then have to translate?” explained Sikora.

The framework undergoes a comprehensive bias study, Sikora added. “So, if you ask a question about the marshland, and a student has never been to the marshland, can you ask that question?”

In addition to a bias study, the framework working draft is open to public review including national science and education organizations, the National Science Teachers Association, the National Science Education Leadership Association, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; the public review is open to industry science leaders also.

“We want it to be able to capture potential future trends in science, which is why an industry input is key,” said Sikora. “We need to make sure it’s grounded in strong science concepts and at the same time be looking forward.”

The Nation’s Report Card is used in policymaking to determine education funding and legislation. Sikora, along with being a science educator for 35 years, brings experience in public policy to the steering panel. She was a Congressional Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow from 2016-2017, which provided “the opportunity to look at the effectiveness of assessments on education.”

Leadership in science education as an Einstein Fellow and as a member of the NAEP steering panel has made Sikora a stronger educator, and only increased her desire to be in the classroom.

“There are not many people like me who go to work for a senator, then double back to work in the classroom and see what it’s actually like—can I really implement these standards in the classroom? I feel really blessed to be at Sacred Heart because the school supports me in developing into the best educator I can be.”

Not only is she shaping the minds of young students in the Bay Area as SHS Middle School curriculum director, a position she took on last year after five years as P-12 coordinator of science curriculum, learning and teaching, but she’s also supporting science education on a national level.

“This is an opportunity to share my expertise in science education for our country, and to make sure that the voice of the teacher in the classroom is heard,” said Sikora.

This work that we’re doing on the panel has the potential to impact the next 18 years of science education because the next review might not be until 2040. To me, that’s when it hit home how important this is.

Sharon Sikora

Fresh Perspective

SHP STUDENT TAPPED FOR BOARD

Along with 19 other selected young Bay Area leaders, 2023 SHP grad Dena Aalaei spent her senior year of high school as a member of public broadcast channel KQED’s Youth Advisory Board, tasked with providing ongoing perspective and producing original content for some of the outlet’s most popular platforms.

A third-generation journalist—whose own mother was an investigative reporter in Iran during and after the Iranian Revolution—Aalaei went into this opportunity with significant experience gained during her time at SHP, leading radio station KSHS and serving as an editor for student newspaper The Heartbeat. Through KQED, she was able to further her writing and editing skills, network and collaborate with other young journalists, and be mentored by a professional journalist with the station’s news division.

Inspired by her Iranian roots, Aalaei chose to report on the role of art within the Iranian women’s rights movement, which featured an interview with Iranian-American

Firuzeh Mahmoudi, co-founder and executive director of United for Iran, an NGO aiming to improve the country’s civil liberties. The resulting article was published on KQED channels during its Youth Takeover Week.

More than the publishing credit, however, Aalaei feels most proud that she could take action—through writing and reporting—against the atrocities occurring in Iran.

“Public media has so much power in the world today, within politics and our daily lives. Media dictates what we see on our phones or on the news, meaning that the people that control our media have immensely important jobs,” she said, adding they also have great responsibility to speak for those who cannot.

“The conversation with Firuzeh was enlightening, and it felt like I was finally doing something. Even though I can never share the pain or fear women in Iran feel every day, I could finally advocate for them in a way they aren’t able to.”

Read Aalaei’s full article, To Firuzeh Mahmoudi, Art Is an Act of Resilience and Defiance at the KQED link:

In State

STUDENT CHOSEN FOR STATE CONFERENCE

Last spring, American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit 105 selected Charlotte Smith (SHP ’24) as the Sacred Heart Prep delegate to the 80th California Girls’ State conference. Smith earned the prestigious honor following a competitive process seeking strong academic record, leadership skills, and high moral character, among other demonstrated qualities and aptitude.

The nationally recognized Girls’ State program is designed to provide a signature experience in the ideals and principles of American government. During the weeklong conference, delegates take part in simulations, discussions, and other activities to advance their understanding of government

structures, practices, and operations across all levels: city, county, and state. With an emphasis on core values aligned with the broader ALA organization, such as justice, democracy, patriotism, citizenship, and service, the Girls’ State program provides participants interactive and immersive opportunities to expand their knowledge and leadership skills in civic engagement, self-advocacy, public speaking, and generating and maintaining social capital as a means to build consensus and critical networks.

Closing out her Girls’ State experience, Smith was formally recognized along with other area high school delegates and alternates this past November at a Veteran’s Day

New this school year, the Preschool – Grade 8 student government team has had the chance to “level up” morning announcements and prayer, with the implementation of a live, daily video broadcast shown in each classroom in “real time.” Pictured here, 7th/8th Grade Dean of Students and Community Life Kirt Peterson serves as tech producer as eighth graders and Student Body President Brie Eisenberg (R) and Vice President Vivi Zuck (L) deliver the inaugural broadcast.

event held at Redwood City’s Courthouse Square. Attending the ceremony—at which Smith received an honorary Girls’ State stole to be worn at her upcoming SHP graduation —were several ALA Unit 105 members including a 99-year old World War II veteran, as well as U.S. Congressman Kevin Mullin, State Senator Josh Becker, Redwood City Mayor Eric Gee, and a number of local dignitaries. As a Girls’ State alumna, Smith will continue to have access to numerous resources and opportunities, including the potential for college scholarships, paid internships, and professional networking and mentoring through the ALA Girls’ State Alumnae Foundation.

Moot Court

What may initially seem like a theatrical performance, on closer inspection, moot court reveals an 18-year legacy at Sacred Heart. Founded by Serene Williams, a social science teacher at SHP, it showcases the institution’s commitment to providing unique and experiential learning experiences. “We definitely got a sense of how the court works and how it actually is in real life,” says Chris Almazan Razo, a junior in the AP Government class who played a court justice.

“It was fascinating to learn how the court works and then having to make a ruling, having to work with the other students on making this huge decision,” said Razo. Although all hypothetical, Razo and his fellow students took the exercise very seriously.

To immerse themselves in their roles, students undergo a rigorous process that includes a 45-page research paper, extensive court case reviews, and a historical and political biography of the Supreme

Court justice they may or may not portray.

Beyond the meticulous preparation, moot court serves a more profound purpose—it fosters an understanding of how our government functions and cultivates the ability to engage in “intellectual and political discussion based on facts, not misinformation,” as SHP Social Science teacher Kristen Kelly states. What sets this exercise apart is its encouragement for students to research and argue the side opposing their personal political beliefs. “We encourage [students] to choose the justice [they] have an opposite opinion with. You don’t have to, but we encourage you to roleplay as somebody you completely don’t agree with.”

Kelly hopes that students gain a deep understanding of the legal system and an appreciation for diverse perspectives through the moot court experience. “It’s amazing to see the [students] on stage. Usually [the students are] very humble... but when they shine, they shine.”

The Uganda Giving Tree at the SHS Christmas Boutique raised $17,145 in support of our sister school in Uganda. According to Sr. Irene Cullen, this amount will fund at least 25 full scholarships or many more partial scholarships. Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this cause, which is so dear to the RSCJ in their educational mission.

Over 125 students from Preschool – Grade 8 earned a “Wait Until 8th” certificate, representing a commitment to stay smartphone-free until at least the eighth grade.

It’s all part of an initiative spearheaded by parents and the school’s counseling office that’s gaining momentum among the student body. The program aims to educate students and parents about the pitfalls (and pluses) of screen time for elementary and middle school-age children, and how students can develop healthy relationships with technology.

ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE AWARDS

Four members of the SHS community were honored in September with the school’s prestigious St. Madeleine Sophie Award, named after the founder of Sacred Heart schools globally. They join a distinguished group of past recipients ranging from members of the RSCJ to parents, educators, staff,

and SHS trustees. The 2023 recipients included (pictured from L-R) SHP English Co-Department Head & Creative Inquiry teacher Jake Moffat, past parent Sandy Levison, SHS Middle School Drama Director Rachel Prouty Simpson, and SHS Farm & Garden teacher Dr. Stewart Slafter.

CONSTITUTIONAL

Eighth grade U.S. History students began their civics unit on a high note with a three-day Constitutional Convention simulation, each taking on the role of a delegate to debate issues of federalism, the composition of Congress, electing an executive, and lastly, the ratification of the document and the new plan of government. Students spent over a week researching delegates before immersing themselves in the simulation; the project helped build research skills, taught students how to source evidence from primary and secondary sources, analyze the evidence, and hone public speaking—all in an engaging and fun way. The classroom itself was transformed into Independence Hall and teacher Nicole Rehberg led the convention as General Washington.

Changing Lives

SHP STUDENTS JOIN MAASAI TRIBE PROJECT TO IMPROVE WATER ACCESS

Three years ago, brothers Roshan Taneja (SHP ’25) and Yuvraj Taneja (SHP ’26) were inspired to join the passion project of Maasai tribe member Mbayani Tayai to provide water for over 30,000 Maasai in the Monduli district of Tanzania, effectively changing the lives of an entire population. Connecting with Tayai through a mutual family friend, the pair were introduced to the nonprofit organization Tayai founded, Maji Wells (maji means “water” in Swahili), which aims to improve access for locals to water, healthcare, and education. Working closely with Tayai to really understand the district’s most pressing need—clean water supply and access—the brothers launched a successful fundraising effort leading to the construction of the first 100,000-liter rainwater harvesting tank as well as the first community center for the entire Maasai tribe. The water unit made an immediate impact, helping about 4,000

people in a two-mile radius by reducing the average 10- to 13-hour roundtrip trek on foot to collect water—a chore that typically befalls women and children—to a new average of just two hours.

Building on their continued partnership with Tayai, the Taneja brothers, joined by fellow SHP students Adam Barycza (SHP ’26) and Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi (SHP ’25), raised an additional round of funding, to construct three more water tanks and install rainwater and weather meters to collect critical data. While visiting the site, the group conducted more than 40 interviews of Maasai tribe members to assess the economic impact of reduced walking time to access water.

“People were using those extra 10 hours of their life to produce crops and food,” said Roshan. They also saw higher rates of enrollment in neighborhood schools, improved hygiene, and health benefits.

On the horizon, they plan to scale the project and subsidize 50- to 60-percent of the cost of smaller water harvesting units for individual “bomas,” or households, consisting of approximately 20 individuals. To determine where to install future rainwater harvesting units, satellite images and computer vision/ machine learning is being used to detect and map bomas. “This work will help us create a planned approach to supporting the Maasai in the future,” said Yuvraj. Learning about other needs within the community as well, the Taneja brothers have generated a number of possible future solutions that might help—anything from sourcing drones to deliver medicine, to subsidizing domestic water collection units in remote areas where people cannot access the larger units.

To Roshan, the most important lessons he has taken from his three-year journey with Tayai center around the inextricable connection

L-R: Roshan Taneja (SHP ’25), Mbayani Tayai, and Yuvraj Taneja (SHP ’26)

between service and a strong community. “I learned from people who are so in touch with nature and the community that to provide for others is to provide for themselves. Their government oppresses the Maasai of Moduli, and they are subject to many injustices, but they still give everything they can to their community. To the Maasai, service embodies the essence of community—offering everything to others, regardless of personal sacrifice,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Yuvraj emphasized the openness and acceptance he experienced when working with Maasai tribe members, and the true relationships made throughout the duration of the project. “Visiting the harvesting units, [building something lasting and important], and connecting with the community, I have [forged relationships] with some incredible people who have changed my life. I still talk to them and hold them as close friends.”

Top: Last year, the brothers were invited by the Lions Club of Arusha, Tanzania to attend the group’s African Conference to share the results of the water project. The following summer, Roshan received recognition by the 2023 Next Generation Foresight Practitioners— Young Voices Awards for his work bringing clean water to Monduli.

Lower: The group conducted interviews with Maasai tribe members to learn about the economic impacts of reduced walking time to access water.

The brothers intend to continue their partnership with Tayai and Maji Wells— Tayai is currently in the U.S. pursuing a master’s degree in public and nonprofit administration—as well as hopefully address some of the area’s other needs. In addition, both brothers are deeply committed to providing mentorship to other students who want to get involved, especially those at the SHS Lower & Middle Schools. Two siblings, sixth grader Devarshi Patel (SHS ’30) and fifth grader Priansh Patel (SHS ’31), have raised funds to subsidize 5,000-liter water harvesting units for five families, which will help approximately 100 Maasai. This sibling pair were greatly inspired by the SHP duo and met with them on multiple occasions.

TAKING ACTION

Siblings sixth grader Devarshi Patel (SHS ’30) and fifth grader Priansh Patel (SHS ’31) had an Acton Academy Children’s Business Fair stall where they made “insta” photo frames and sold them to fundraise for their water project. The boys also contribute yearly to an orphanage in Zambia, Africa where their mother was born and raised. These efforts went toward building a hospice facility for younger children. “We hope the boys [further] their efforts and continue to be inspired by leaders like Yuvraj and Roshan to make a difference—even if it’s small,” said Diixa Patel, their mother.

Culturally Conversant

From preschool through 12th grade, cultural celebrations large and small abound on campus. Highlights this school year include a Latino/ Hispanic Heritage Month community ofrenda (1) for students from K-8, filled with artwork created in the art classrooms, along with carefullycrafted memorials to students’ and educators’ loved ones. The Lower & Middle Schools host three major cultural celebrations per school year that have included Jewish High Holy Days, Diwali (2, 3), Lunar New Year (4), Black heritage, Italian heritage, Irish heritage, Nowruz, and more. Any child and community member from K-8 is invited to present at these celebrations, while children and guardians at the Montessori Preschool are also invited to share in the classroom about their cultures or faith traditions.

SHP students reveled in a Latin X Celebration (5) last fall featuring foods from many of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries, as well as a Día de los Muertos altar, a Diwali presentation, Lunar New Year and Black History Month goûters, and an Asian Amercian food festival and Pacific Islander Cultural Celebration in spring.

New this year was a special presentation by SHP student members of the Black Student Union, who came to the Lower & Middle Schools’ assembly to give a presentation about their own backgrounds, heritage, favorite foods, and more.

Brisa Diaz, director of mission and culture for Preschool – Grade 8, noted how cultural celebration is integrated across the curriculum in many different ways.

“Lunar New Year, for example, is a whole-community activity—we had dragon dancing and Kung Fu performances [by students], with parent committees and educators guiding cultural crafts during the entire week of the celebrations, giving students a chance to really engage. My hope is that children aren’t just spectators and it’s not a spectacle, but that you actually get to learn about people’s stories and backgrounds in a meaningful way,” said Diaz.

Also of cultural and religious significance are family masses celebrating the school’s Catholic tradition. The All-Schools Mass of the Holy Spirit (6) and Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Service (7) are two examples of beloved services on campus.

New AP Course in Development

THE COLLEGE BOARD IS NOW DIRECTLY ADVISING THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BEHIND THE PROPOSED AP U.S. WOMEN’S HISTORY COURSE

Less than two years into their campaign to establish an Advanced Placement (AP) course focused solely on women’s history, Sacred Heart Preparatory (SHP) teachers Serene Williams and Kristen Kelly have received word that the College Board is interested in developing the course.

No standalone women’s history course currently exists among the College Board’s slate of AP offerings, and that needs to be rectified, say Kelly and Williams.

In the summer of 2022, Kelly and Williams received a prestigious teaching grant from Harvard to conduct research at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America—their original intent was to update current AP government courses to be more inclusive of women. Once there, that goal soon stretched to include a proposal for new AP U.S. Women’s History course. The pair then went about the herculean task of designing the curriculum and gathering signatures of support via an online petition.

“Teaching the history of women in the United States and their contribution to both society and the political spheres allows students to see their value and their place in history,” says Williams. “The youth of America deserve to hear these stories traditionally left untold in current AP courses.”

Key to Kelly and Williams’ success is a student-run advocacy group headed up by about 20 SHP students called U.S. Women’s AP History League (USWAPHL), pronounced “waffle” for short. Not only did they give momentum to the online petition, but the group began meeting monthly a little over a year ago to develop a rigorous marketing and publicity plan to advocate for the course creation.

Together the students have created a website, logo, developed a social media presence, and put a public relations plan in action, successfully pitching top media outlets, including co-authoring an article in Ms. Magazine

They have also presented at leading academic conferences about the new course, and organized other students from schools as far-reaching as Georgia to join in their efforts. Two of the Ms. Magazine article co-authors, Samantha Pyle (SHP ’25), and Kate Ragatz (SHP ’25), talked excitedly about the news from the College Board.

“It’s surprising and really exciting to hear back from them this soon,” said Ragatz. “People come up to us after we give presentations and ask, ‘OK, is this course coming out next year?’ They don’t realize it’s a five-year plan [to get a new AP course approved].”

Among the steps the College Board outlined for the group include gathering at least 100 letters of support from universities, demonstrating national support from a diverse group of at least 250 high schools, collecting sample syllabi from universities currently offering the equivalent course, and fundraising for a pilot of the new AP course.

“This feels like a huge jump,” said Pyle. “We’re that much closer to an AP U.S. Women’s History course being a reality. This is so important in empowering girls— to know that they had a vital role in shaping history and society as it is today, and that they have the power to change it.”

To read more about this project, check out last year’s SHS Magazine Spring 2023 feature story, Marching Forward: shschools.org/publications.

SHP students with teachers Serene Williams (second from left) and Kristen Kelly (second from right) who presented about their proposed AP U.S. Women’s History course at the American Historical Association annual meeting in San Francisco in January.

Vital Narratives

PULITZER AUTHOR VISITS CAMPUS

Last fall, SHS was honored to host Pulitzer Prize- and National Humanities Medalwinning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste. Wilkerson visited with students during the day, and presented at an evening reception that included a keynote and book signing.

During the daytime portion, Wilkerson joined SHP’s journalism class, where she was interviewed by a panel of young writers. This class visit was also attended by other SHP and SHS P-8 students and educators. As Wilkerson described her journey toward becoming a writer, she noted the importance of curiosity, sharing that “you’re always observing the people around you” and that respect is key. Wilkerson also stressed that this commitment to others doesn’t only apply to those who possess similar backgrounds or perspectives to hers: “I try my very best [with those whom] I see things differently…To anticipate—not to knock them down—but to understand them.” Finally, when asked how she crafts an argument, especially for those who might not yet share her perspectives, Wilkerson spoke of her belief in the power of thorough and accurate research and in offering humanizing narratives—always with the hope “that the readers would come through.”

The evening event was open not only to the school community but to the public. At the reception, she spent time with students and adults who shared the impact of Wilkerson’s work, as well as many of their own families’ connections to the topics of her books. For the keynote and Q&A, Wilkerson offered important vignettes from The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste. She described the Great Migration

HOT SHOTS

The eighth annual James B. Everitt Chili Cook-off brought out a record number of competitors for this year’s trophy honors. With more than 700 attendees sampling the buffet of culinary delights, the evening’s debate circled around the defining “beans or no beans’’ and the preference for “spicy or sweet.” While champions reigned in both the chili contest and the companion Cupcake Bake-off Challenge, the real winner of the night was the SHP Fine Arts program, which gained vital financial support from the total funds raised.

during which Black Americans left the Jim Crow South in search of safety and opportunity in the Northern, Midwestern, and Western states. Wilkerson also described the differences in experiences and opportunities afforded to individuals based on assigned racial identities. Just as importantly, she described how race is a manifestation of a deeper inherited caste system within the United States that has also existed in other areas of the world and other time periods.

Just as she did earlier in the day during her class visit, Wilkerson appealed to people’s commitment to one another—to practice a “radical empathy” that builds understanding and compassion beyond the artificial

barriers that restrain and separate individuals, and to actively work toward a more just society. In closing, she noted that so many family histories share a similar experience of migration—of a departure from familiar lands, cultures, and loved ones. This was so often an experience characterized by loss, mourning, and anxiety, but also of great hope of what might still be. She hoped that this shared experience of migration might serve as a powerful metaphor for the current historical moment—of the challenges and need to depart from a familiar shore in the steadfast hope of a land and society not yet fully realized.

Migration Roots and the Christian Lens

STUDENT’S RESEARCH EARNS AWARDS, PUBLICATION

Recent SHP grad and 2023 valedictorian Paul Fong amassed a number of impressive credits before his exit from Sacred Heart last May. Diving deep into the topic of migration from a religious—as well as scientific—perspective, his research sourced both the Bible and NASA data resulting in a preponderance of evidence for his theses.

Examining migration through a theological framework, Fong sought to understand the role of Christians in response to the issue of migration, and whether they are “called to have a certain mindset or take certain actions.” He says he was inspired to trace the theme of shamar—a Hebrew word that means “to keep,” and which is the root of “Samaritan”—from the Book of Genesis through the New Testament.

“I was curious to see how the parable of the Good Samaritan could have further implications,” he explained. Connecting the idea of shamar with the three major appearances of Samaritans in the Bible— the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan leper, and the Samaritan woman —Fong found that “the mission of shamar calls one to see with an open heart and welcome strangers unconditionally.”

Last spring, Fong’s research was published in the academic journal Religions, and was additionally included in the journal’s fall issue on “Immigration and Religion in Polarized Times.”

For his Senior Honors Independent Study project, “Driven by Climate Change: U.S. Immigration from Honduras,” Fong used machine learning to analyze data from NASA satellite images that measure the health of vegetation—the first study of its kind to mathematically tie the effects of climate change to the health of vegetation, and then how that affects human migration. The model he used also factored in other data sets like poverty, violence, and population.

“I found that the effects of climate change have a statistically significant correlation with human migration from Honduras,” he said. “As rainfall decreases, the vegetation health also decreases, which leads to increased migration. The importance of this research is that it can help guide climate research, quantitative and objective policy discussions, effective resource allocation, and holistic solutions that address the root causes.”

Fong’s research received top honors at the California Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF), earning the National Geographic “That’s Geography – Cultivating Empathy for the Earth” award, and took second place in Environmental Sciences at the Golden Gate STEM Fair (GGSF).

AROUND ATHERTON

SACRED HEART PREPARATORY GRADUATES ITS 125TH CLASS

SHP graduated 171 students at its 125th commencement ceremony on May 26, its largest graduating class to date. Graduates from the Class of 2023 will attend at least 84 different institutions: at least 72 students will study in California, at least 98

will study out of state, one will attend a U.S. Service Academy, and one of those students will study internationally.

Twenty-three students earned recognition by the National Merit Scholarship program (seven were finalists and 16 were

commended). Thirty-one students were committed to play intercollegiate athletics. Thirty-one members of the graduating class were on the preschool – grade 12 SHS campus for 12 or more years.

With college choices ranging from public and private institutions large and small, and sectarian and non-sectarian among the mix, the Class of 2023 demonstrated a breadth of interests in its future academic goals.

The graduates’ plans included pursing educational programs as wide ranging as STEM, visual and performing arts, humanities, social sciences, and more.

As Valedictorian Paul Fong said in his address, the Class of 2023, despite navigating the COVID-19 pandemic since freshman year, has been “guided by what we have learned these four years: let us see opportunities, not obstacles, to fulfilling our mission of love and service.”

Global Sampling

Throughout this school year, SHP will have played exchange site host to 35 students from Sacred Heart schools in 10 countries across four continents. The visiting junior and sophomore students spend a few weeks on campus and, in summer, return the favor as hosts for SHP exchange participants.

“Our Network gives us this great gift,” says Krista Hinton, SHP director of global exchange, “which allows kids to travel across the world, experience another culture, and grow in cultural competence, with a shared vision and understanding.”

Once here, international students are immersed in U.S. culture, experiencing teenage life in the San Francisco Bay Area and exploring activities in nature, arts, professional sports, and more. “They love

experiencing [an American high school],” says Hinton.

In addition to exploring the Bay Area and SHP’s campus surroundings, Hinton has inlaid an appetizing way for the visitors to share a taste of their own cultures’ foods with the larger school community.

“I wanted to have an open invite [to the community to] get to know the exchange students… Food is just such an easy way to connect,” says Hinton.

In the Campbell Building’s “Hearth” kitchen, students learn from visiting peers the language of food as it relates to a specific culture, as well as how to prepare—and share—a special dish.

“They have a great sense of pride in their cuisine,” says Hinton. But the process starts even before a student enters the kitchen. Hinton asks exchange students to engage with a family member or close friend back home to obtain a recipe and reflect on how the food influences their daily lives. Questions like, “What do you feel when you eat this food?” and “Who is the person who makes it best in your family?” help “prompt them to think in a new way about their food,” says Hinton.

To date, the SHP community has had a chance to learn how to prepare and serve a traditional Japanese tea; Spanish salmorejo, tortilla de Patatas, and torrijas; Austrian wienerschnitzel; French ratatouille; Australian anzac biscuits; and Mexican chilaquiles. “[The exchange students] have an almost inherited knowledge about ingredients and food,” says Hinton. “I’m always surprised by the specificity of the ingredients that they want. And how much our visiting students know about food.”

Building upon the experience, Hinton and students are collecting exchange students’ recipes for an online publication—a “live” cookbook to be shared with the greater Sacred Heart community, including exchange students and their communities. “[What] brings me incredible joy is when [students] continue these friendships,” says Hinton, “and the shared cookbook is a perfect vehicle for doing so.”

SHP students with visiting exchange students

Season 2 of Our Podcast

EXPLORE EXCERPTS FROM OUR HOST AND GUESTS ON HOW WE DEFINE AND LIVE “BELONGING.”

Welcome Back to Mission & Meaning!

Kate Motroni-Fish, co-host of Mission & Meaning, is the director of mission and ministry at SHS, having previously taught at SHP in religious studies and coordinated campus ministry retreats. Catholic school-educated and hailing from a family of ministers and teachers, Motroni-Fish grew up deeply immersed in her faith. She has a master’s in ethics and social theory from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley.

“When I look at affinity spaces, people ask the question, ‘Is it a club, [or] is it something more? How does this fall into the mission work?’ My response is that these are spaces where we can really understand the fullness of who we are, be our authentic selves, and contribute in ways that are unique to the common good.”

– KATE MOTRONI-FISH, MA

Spenser Leverett is the Office of Mission, Culture & Strategy student services coordinator and has worked with children, adolescents, and families for over a decade. She has a master’s in social work from the University of San Diego. She served as a Jesuit volunteer at the Alternatives for Girls program in Detroit, MI, before joining SHS as a personal counselor. She also serves as co-moderator for two SHP affinity groups.

“The hope is that students can be in these spaces so that they can feel really confident in who they are. That foundation of just

who they are, confident in their identity, not only in their leadership skills, but in their understanding and self-awareness.”

– SPENSER LEVERETT, LCSW

Affinity Spaces at SHS (Part 1 & 2)

With Special Guests, Spenser Leverett, SHP Student Leaders, & Brisa Diaz

For more than a decade, Brisa Diaz has been an equitycentered teacher, leader, and restorative justice practitioner. The proud daughter of Mexican parents, and a first-generation college graduate who discovered her passion for education while attending UC Berkeley; she received her master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University. She is the director of mission and culture for the Preschool –Grade 8 division at SHS.

“You just feel a certain way when you come to school and you know you’re going to have friends [who] see you authentically–that makes you show up in a different way [and know],‘I’m not alone.’”

– BRISA DIAZ, MA

“[Being a leader] really broadened my vision of what community can be and what affinity spaces do for community... you get to bridge the gaps between people and form new friendships and connections between other people in the community.”

– GINGER O’GRADY, SHP ’25

Last fall, Bay Area-based author Gene Luen Yang (pictured), most famous for his young adult graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, gave a talk to fifth through eighth grade students about his new series The Books of Clash, set in the gaming world of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, which Yang played with his son. An engaging speaker, Yang talked about his gaming favorites, from

Pong and Super Mario to the present, and asked students about their preferences.

Gennifer Choldenko, author of the Al Capone series Tales From Alcatraz, visited Lower School students to share about her book, Dogtown, which she co-wrote with Katherine Applegate, of The One and Only Ivan fame,

similar to that latter title, the story is narrated by an animal, in this case “Chance,” a real threelegged dog and longtime resident of Dogtown. Dogtown, written in short, two-page chapters, is about a dog sanctuary that has real and electronic dogs all competing to be adopted. The last section of the book lists seven things children can do to help shelter dogs.

SWEET SMARTS

Teams of student scientists took a sugary stab at demonstrating their knowledge of cellular construction with the popular “Edible Science” project in Jiwon Kim’s seventh grade science class. Starting with a cake “environment,” students used colored frosting for a cytoplasm base, then added and labeled a variety of different-shaped candies to represent the various organelles that live and function in animal cells. To complete this sweet assignment, each team presented their creation, explaining how the parts interact. And, while knowledge is certainly its own reward, this time it also came with an opportunity to consume the tasty experiment.

Preserving History

SACRED HEART SCHOOLS’ ARCHIVES CHRONICLE 125 YEARS

In a large classroom closet on the third floor of the Main Building, the school’s “archive room” has for many years housed thousands of photographs and artifacts dating back to its founding 125 years ago.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, Sheila Chatterjee, director of SHP’s Lucas Library, along with over a dozen SHP students, began to build upon the work of Sr. Patty Desmond focused on cataloging over 500 photos and news clippings. Using a museum-caliber large-format scanner and archival software, the group began to create a captivating story of SHS, scanning and researching each image, writing captions, and uploading them to an online database.

Chatterjee’s dedication and passion for discovering the hidden tales of the SHS campus are a driving force, and student involvement brings additional joy throughout the process. “Seeing what interests [the students and] what they find compelling” is where the true feeling of accomplishment lies, she says.

In 2021, due to pandemic-related restrictions, many students “couldn’t engage in the same service projects that they normally engaged in,” says Chatterjee. “But they still needed to get service hours.” In collaboration with a group of teachers, students were granted service hours, turning the archives into a hands-on history lesson. “I’m very happy and proud of how much we were able to accomplish,” says

Chatterjee. However, “it’s probably less than three percent of the total images and artifacts in [the archive room].”

Today, SHP teachers across disciplines are discovering creative ways to use the archives in classrooms.

Beginner Spanish classes have crafted projects exploring different decades of the campus, art classes have colorized historical images, and, most recently, AP Art History students have delved into the archives, reimagining images in the style of renowned photographers (see “Hybrid Histories” story on page 30-31).

But the excitement extends beyond SHS’s school walls. Due to the school’s unique exchange program, visiting students from Sacred Heart sister schools worldwide can discover the archives and glimpses of their own schools, thanks to a series of postcards from a Sacred Heart Network project depicting historic images.

From SHS’ beginnings in 1898 to its current campus, the archives reveal a timeless story guided by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ), “who kept having to adapt,” says Chatterjee.

“We’re lucky to be here, and it was because these women worked so hard to keep our school going that we have a preserved history that every Sacred Heart family—past, present, and future—can cherish.”

ARTS

TWELFTH NIGHT

The SHP Drama production of Twelfth Night follows Viola (Sloane Smith, SHP ’27) and Sebastian (Taylor Keller, ’25), twins who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (disguised as a man) falls in love with the Duke Orsino (Angelo Nuñez, ’25), who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia (Leah McDade, ’24). Upon meeting Viola, Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man, and comedy ensues. SHP’s production featured an incredible cast of student artists and original music composed by SHP Instrumental Music teacher, Stef Dubrowski.

Artful Advocates

QUILT PROJECT WINS AWARD

The collaborative work of 20 members of the Class of 2027 during last year’s 8th Grade Studio Art elective, a large-scale, handcrafted quilt has earned the Gold Award from the 12th Annual Ocean Awareness Contest, an international arts competition for students ages 11-18 hosted by environmental advocacy organization Bow Seat.

The purpose of the contest—billed as the “world’s largest youth environmental program for the creative arts”—is to engage youth in raising awareness of environmental issues impacting the planet. The program’s 2023 theme, Climate Heroes in Action, specifically challenged competitors to “research those who are working to solve climate change issues, and to create a piece of art, writing, or media that highlights their efforts, organizations, and/or positive impacts.”

The Sacred Heart entry earned the top spot in the Visual Arts Junior Category (ages 11-14), selected from works submitted by more than 4,000 student participants across 80 countries in a variety of media and presentation forms—podcasts, paintings, poems, films, songs, and more. The SHS students’ award-winning quilt featured more than 20 individually designed textile squares, each reflecting through artistic presentation a different person “devoting their lives to seeking solutions to the climate crisis.”

Leading the students in their efforts, SHS Middle School art teacher Lauren DiCioccio says she always strives to construct meaningful projects that integrate the school’s Goals and Criteria, so students gain deeper and more tangible meaning. In this particular class, her students learned textile art skills such as embroidery, using a sewing machine, transferring hand-drawn designs to fabric using a light tracing box, hand-stitching appliqué, and bonding fabric using heat transfer. Utilizing knowledge gleaned in social studies courses by selecting and researching a climate activist, each young artist then carefully composed a design for their quilt blocks incorporating colors, symbols, textures, or wording that represented and honored their chosen individual’s activism.

Winners for the 2023 Ocean Awareness Contest were announced in late November by Bow Seat. The SHS award-winning quilt is now featured on Bow Seat’s online gallery, and will also be showcased via the organization’s exhibitions, publications, and social media platforms during the year.

Choral Christmas

The Middle School Choral Christmas Concert featured sixth through eighth grade choristers performing a mostly winter- and Christmas-themed repertoire in their grade level ensembles; the Middle School a cappella group Gator Tones took the stage as well, with all choristers joining together to wrap up the concert with a combined piece.

TRADIZIONALE TESSELLATIONS

SHP junior Isabella Dova’s Advanced Studio Art tessellation project speaks to her Italian heritage, with red and green signifying the Italian flag, and gold accents to accentuate the importance of her culture to her personal identity. Dova sketched the pattern of repeating flowers intersected by parallel lines, followed by multiple layers of acrylic paints, and finally used pen to create thin intersecting lines, and marker to border sections.

Pulse on Point

The PULSE Dance Team competed at the West Coast Elite (WCE) Dance Competition hosted at Valley Christian High School in January, in preparation to compete at Nationals in Long Beach in March. WCE features the opportunity to compete against the top schools in California, as well as a university recruitment experience with some of the nation’s top dance programs and professional sports dance teams represented.

All Abuzz

Lower School art teacher Ciara Bedingfield introduced the study of bees with students in a way that some might say “cross-pollinates” with studies in other subjects.

“Students study the Ohlone and native plants in the third grade— this year they drew native California plants that bees pollinate; we have a beehive on campus and Dr. Slafter teaches about producing honey; in science they learn about bees and pollination—our art projects connect to a lot of our other studies here on campus,” said Bedingfield.

Among the projects are 3D bee models crafted by second graders that the fourth graders will then program with motors in the Creativity Hub so each bee does a “waggle dance”; and fourth graders sketched anatomically-correct designs of bees brought to life in oversized, paper mache models made out of recycled materials. Fifth graders will explore a bee-focused printing project later in the spring semester.

Bee-longing

Following a school-wide theme of “belonging” for the 2023–24 academic year, students from Preschool through Grade 8—along with faculty and staff—are engaging in a group art project, a mural titled “Beelonging.” Each individual will create a small piece of artwork on a wooden hexagon-shaped tile; once put together, the tiles will build a colorful honeycomb exploring what it means to belong, and welcome others into a sense of belonging. Among the projects are bee thumbprints with first graders and their eighth grade buddies working together (“buddies” refers to a longstanding program in which each first grader is paired with an eighth grade buddy for fun activities throughout the school year); third graders have made designs depicting native California pollinator plants rendered in tooling foil; and seventh graders researched the history of beekeeping in Middle School Social Studies teacher Jen Vaida’s class, creating miniature collages on the wooden hexagons. The theme of belonging is connected to several school programs, including restorative practices, affinity groups, advisories, and other intentional spaces where the SHS community can learn from one another. The mural is slated to be installed as a permanent display on campus before the end of the spring semester.

Fourth grader Michelle Li with her bee sketch

Coming into Focus

SHP sophomore Thalia Cheung has been making videos since she was a young child, influenced by her older brother, senior Walton Cheung. “We have polar artistic styles, so it’s a really interesting clash of ideas,” says Cheung. While her brother documents “outdoorsy” endeavors such as skiing and cycling, Cheung says she embraces “an aura of dark suspense, and an abstract, non-linear filming technique,” often in the psychological thriller genre.

In Filmmaking class, Cheung took on her first project that followed a definitive plot and storyline. The piece, titled “Suspense,” brought in “elements of the bizarre,” with a plot that followed two twins who encounter the supernatural. Included in the filmmaking project was an exchange student from an SHS sister school in Spain. While Cheung’s family played host this spring semester, Cheung will in turn travel to Spain in the summer as part of the SHP Exchange Program.

Speaking about her growth as a filmmaker, she explained, “I’ve learned to move beyond just taking inspiration from—or replicating— other films’ themes and instead originate my own concepts.”

Cheung encourages other SHP students to try film or other Fine Arts courses. “As a student it’s very easy to believe that you’re supposed to know where you’re going—what your path should be. Film and the creative arts allow you to make mistakes, explore, and experience trial and error”—with such sage advice, the budding filmmaker exemplifies “personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom,” one of the Sacred Heart Goals.

ART FOR THE MASSES

In a collaboration to produce artwork for display during school Masses, seventh graders in teacher Lauren DiCioccio’s class painted roses to celebrate the story of Juan Diego for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass. The project is a part of a unit on color theory; students also learned introductory painting skills along with brush techniques. “We thought about using complementary colors to create contrast and make a painting ‘pop’—the students were not allowed to add black until the very end,” said DiCioccio. “Roses are a part of Juan Diego’s story [the rich-hued buds appeared during his apparitions of Our Lady], and background elements in the compositions included the night sky, or flames in an Aztec pattern.” A goal for DiCioccio this school year includes bringing “art to the Masses”—pun intended.

ROSE BY SEVENTH GRADER GRIFFIN GOLDFARB

Visiting Artist Series Launches at SHP

ARTISTS-IN-ACTION

Supported by the school’s Fine Arts Boosters, the SHP Visiting Artist Lecture Series is intended to take place once per semester, and seeks to feature an array of working professionals across all creative arts disciplines.

This year, the SHP Fine Arts program kicked off the Visiting Artist Lecture Series, an exciting new opportunity that brings professional artists to campus to share their work, process, and experiences with our art students and wider school community.

“Our aim is to dive into and leverage the breadth of talent in our immediate region and further afield, to expose students to a variety of creative fields and inspire their own individual creative processes and forms of expression,” says Vanessa Woods, SHP Fine Arts Chair and photography teacher.

Inaugural speakers were artists and vernacular photography collectors Barbara Levine and Paige Rameys. The pair created the Museum of Unknown Photography, a traveling museum that houses a collection of artifacts that reveals a different view of photography and its history: a focus on objects and images that break out of the familiar photographic frame, revealing relationships of image and text, materials and stories.

A selection from this portable cabinet of curiosities—which includes everything from memory sculptures and prison rings, to identification badges and “how-to” books, to comic books and practical household objects and more—was shared during their visit with students and community members. And as Levine and Rameys described the origins and possibilities found in their items, students intensely studied the collection of handmade and embellished photos and objects, “accidental art” created by camera and film errors, and surprising everyday items made special with photography.

CERAMIC STYLE

For an eighth grade project in ceramics titled “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes,” each student picked a changemaker from their life, pop culture, or history, and designed a shoe representing the impact that person had on them personally or within society as a whole. Students chose individuals ranging from their parents to Taylor Swift, to sports heroes. After researching their stories, they then crafted the shoe form in clay and glazed the works to look like realistic shoes.

I found it very inspiring and I had the opportunity to have a conversation with them afterwards—they made me think about identity in a different way. I went back home and looked in-depth at old family photographs from the 1970s-90s in Poland—looking at historic images helps me reflect on myself, which in turn enriches my art by allowing me to see things in a different way.

ALEXANDRA BARYCZA (SHP ’24), A STUDENT IN AP STUDIO ART, WHO PLANS TO ATTEND AN ART SCHOOL FOR FASHION DESIGN

Gilded Tones

KAUSHIK SINGS FOR GOLD AT CARNEGIE HALL

Sophia Kaushik (SHP ’27) has grown into a confident performer over the years participating in many of SHS’ fine arts programs, from the Middle School’s Voce choir and a capella group Gator Tones, to serving as a cantor during prayer services. The soprano saw her vocal training pay off last spring, when she received a gold medal at the Forte International Music Competition at Carnegie Hall in New York City, competing alongside a breadth of instrumental musicians and vocalists from both classical and musical theater backgrounds.

Kaushik first learned about the competition from her vocal teacher at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she has been studying music theory and vocal performance for several years. To prepare, she

underwent two preliminary selection rounds, submitting videos of her performances: an art song called The Statue at Tsarskoye Selo by Cesar Cui, and an aria called L’ho Perduta from Mozart’s opera Le Nozze di Figaro. Ultimately for the live competition, the judges asked her to perform the Mozart piece, accompanied by a New York City-based pianist.

“[It’s] the dream of any young musician,” Kaushik said, recalling the moment she stepped onto the legendary stage. “I loved feeling the energy of everyone’s collective love for music, and it was amazing to be preparing for my performance alongside musicians and singers from far and wide, including the U.K., the Czech Republic, and throughout the U.S.”

Hybrid Histories

With SHS’ 125th anniversary in mind, SHP Fine Arts co-chair and photography teacher Vanessa Woods developed a project for AP Photography students in which students took photographs of the campus to superimpose with historic photographs and postcards of the school. Woods’ project asked students to consider photography’s relationship with time and history to generate a series of compelling hybrid images that juxtaposed SHP’s past with its present.

The hybrid histories project began with a presentation by SHP librarian Sheila Chatterjee, who provided a lesson on accessing and using the new digital archive that houses the school’s historic photos and artifacts. (See “Preserving History” on page 21 for more about the archives.) Students learned how to search for digitized photos by topic or theme and then each did a deep dive to find historic images of SHS that resonated with them. Chatterjee also shared physical historic postcards from the archive that students were

encouraged to rephotograph in their present-day environments. In selecting and downloading archive images, students were delighted to see that parts of the campus have remained virtually unchanged while other components have changed dramatically. The Otto Library, the Main Building Chapel, and the steps of the Main Building remain nearly identical to how they were 90 years ago, while the palm trees and pool are now larger.

After choosing images from the archive, students were tasked with photographing the same SHP scenes today. In doing so, they were asked to carefully consider the original visual composition, framing, and point of view of the historic photos to mimic in their compositions. After photographing across the 63-acre campus, students worked in post-production to combine their images with archival images, creating dynamic hybrid compositions that illuminate the campus’s history and legacy.

PROPAGATED PRINTS

In fifth grade art, students propagated syngonium by taking cuttings and placing them in water to root; they sketched the plants, then made colorful collages by enlarging the artwork using a grid system to create larger art works. They then made coil pots in clay, scratching each coil as they layered to build a strong flowerpot that was later fired in the kiln. Finally, they planted their syngonium in the pots to take home.

Main Building Chapel by Lan Lan Wang (SHP ’25)

Pool by Charlotte Smith (SHP ’24)

NATIVITY NATURALS

New this year for the traditional fifth grade Nativity Play was an opening selection of the Appalachian Christian folk hymn, “I Wonder as I Wander,” which helped set the tone for the students’ telling of the Nativity story. A small group of soloist singers opened and closed the song, while several accompanied the choralists on the xylophones.

Main Building porte-cochère by Mia Rosales (SHP ’25)

CURTAINS UP

Sacred Heart thespians return to the stage throughout the spring semester, for the high school play, “Twelfth Night” (January 2024), the middle school play, “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone” (March 2024), and the high school musical, “Something Rotten” (April 2024).

Jolly & Joyful

“ELF THE MUSICAL” TAKES CENTER STAGE

With bells on and sparkle aplenty—literally—the Sacred Heart campus leapt into the holiday season with the musical production of “ELF.”

The show marked the highly anticipated return of the all-school musical—a treasured tradition in which students from elementary through high school grades get the chance to collaborate and perform together in a full-scale production. Ably directed by LMS Drama teacher Rachel Prouty, the Christmas-themed show featured 85 actors, ages six to 18, as well as a 21-student running stage crew, operating under the direction of technical director and set designer Fred Eiras.

Based on the beloved film starring Will Ferrell, “ELF The Musical” follows the story of Buddy, who, as an orphaned baby, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and subsequently is taken in and raised by elves at the North Pole. At age 30, suddenly discovering he is human—not elf—Buddy embarks on a journey to discover his true identity, searching out his birth father Walter Hobbs. While highly comedic and punctuated with several light-hearted songs, the story does touch on several more poignant themes of love, of belonging, and of the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.

For the Sacred Heart production, the title character of Buddy-the-Elf was energetically and joyfully brought to life by junior Cade Carcione, with Carcione’s real-life sibling, freshman Christian Carcione, taking on the role of Michael Hobbs, Buddy’s half-brother. Rounding out the stellar cast of featured performers were senior Will Avina as Buddy’s father Walter Hobbs; sophomore Samora Stephens (Emily Hobbs); freshman Shinae Stamos (Jovie); junior Curtis Egan (Santa Claus); junior Angelo Nunez (Macy’s Manager); junior Ebise Biratu (Chadwick); sophomore Kiana Everett (Matthews); junior Charles Van Dyke (Mr. Greenway); and eighth-grader Vivi Zuck (Deb).

Past all-school shows have run the Broadway gamut—from “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Big Fish” to “Shrek,” “Seussical,” “Children of Eden,” and more. Due to the pandemic, the last planned all-school musical, “Newsies,” was unfortunately canceled just prior to the show’s performance week—though the school did later film a fullcast performance, carefully staged and taped while the theater was empty of guests. The next all-school musical production will not be mounted until 2026, following the established three-year cycle for this special program.

Most Admirable

The story of Mater Admirabilis is one that preschoolers enjoy hearing. As the story goes, a fresco of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was created in 1844 by Pauline Perdrau when she was an RSCJ postulant. She was inexperienced and her peers did not regard it as appealing: the pinks were too pink and the blues were too blue. The Mother Superior covered the painting so that it wouldn’t be such an eyesore. Two years later, the Pope came to visit and requested to see the fresco. When it was revealed everyone was in awe—the fresco had miraculously softened into one of the most beautiful depictions of Mary that the Pope had ever seen; it was known from then on as “Mater Admirabilis” or “Mother Most Admirable.”

Preschool teachers use this miracle as a lesson to the youngest students that God’s beauty is in all things, even if not apparent at first.

“We also use it as an opportunity to be proud of things that might not come out perfectly,” said SHS Montessori Program Specialist Anna Reitman. “The effort and intention is what counts, rather than the product. In this picture (at right), a preschool student is using those vibrant bright pinks to honor Mater and recreate how the fresco may have looked before the miracle, and to see the beauty in Mater just as she is.”

Each year, Sacred Heart students worldwide hear this story, as every Sacred Heart school has artwork or statues of Mater Admirabilis.

Point of View

Taking inspiration from Sr. Corita Kent, a teacher and artist who was a proponent of using a viewfinder as a means for creating compositions, sixth graders in teacher Lauren DiCioccio’s art class created one-inch square viewfinders to take on a walkabout across campus in search of capturing a view to replicate in pastels. Tying math into the equation, they increased the scale to a 12-inch composition, in pursuit of “drawing observationally but abstracting the frame through their choice of composition,” said DiCioccio. “For example, one student abstracted a soccer cleat with just one toe depicted.” The project is a “building block” project for the sixth grade, with learning outcomes including the basics of how to design a composition to achieve a successful artwork.

THADEUS AND THEODORE

Taylor Keller (SHP ’25) painted an acrylic portrait in Advanced Studio Art entitled “Thadeus and Theodore,’’ of his great-greatgreat grandfather, Hampden Sidney Beck. In 1852, at the age of 21, Beck traveled across the isthmus of Panama, and along the way, his two teenage brothers Thadeus and Theodore died within three days of each other. “In this portrait, the solemnness of his expression, the darkness cut by a sole candle, and the tugging of the ghosts of his brothers depict a painful moment of reflection later in his life,” explained Keller.

BLAZING TRAILS

The 23-24 school year saw the launch of a new competitive sports program at SHP—girls’ flag football. The program is part of a small pilot league.

Flagged

SHP GIRLS MAKE HISTORY WITH FLAG FOOTBALL LAUNCH

Making history in 2023, a total of 26 SHP women student-athletes hit the gridiron this fall as the first-ever Girls Flag Football team for Sacred Heart Prep. Led by first-year Head Coach Dennis O’Malley— and ably aided by assistant coaches Jeff Reynolds, Wendy Kridel, Christian Melberg, and Mo Merritt—the team’s inaugural season was marked with a lot of heart, grit, and determination to bring—and leave—it all on the field.

Across the seven weeks of play, the Gators battled against a total of six school teams participating in this year’s launch league. Coming out of the gate, the SHP squad—composed of nine seniors, six juniors, 10 sophomores, and one freshman player—entered the fray very strong, winning their first four consecutive games, as well as their very first test as a team: a scrimmage against Sequoia High School. In all, season highs included wins over The King’s Academy

and crosstown rival Menlo School, whose own coaching staff includes legendary 49ers Steve Young and John Paye. Marking more history-making moments, Tessa Espinosa (SHP ’24) tallied the squad’s first points with a game-winning safety against Menlo, while Ryleigh Longaker (SHP ’26) threw the first touchdown in program history— a 46-yard pass to Ellie Shen (SHP ’25).

“I am incredibly proud of these 26 young women for the courage, resilience, and determination they displayed throughout our inaugural Girls Flag Football season,” said Jason Armstrong, SHP assistant principal for athletics. “Each one of them embraced the daily challenge of being the ‘first,’ and not only did they make history on the field, but more importantly, their legacy will serve as inspiration for present and future SHP Gators to become impactful members of our community.”

Ellie Shen (SHP ’25) at left

GATOR GLORY

For the fall 2023 SHP Gator competitive athletics season, the following student-athletes were recognized for their individual play and performance.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Aseli Fangupo (SHP ’25) Football, PAL—Bay Division Defensive

Lineman of the Year

Elliot Spieker (SHP ’25) Football, PAL—Bay Division Defensive Back of the Year

Nathan Fox (SHP ’26) Football, PAL—Bay Division Special Teams

Player of the Year

Charlotte Weber (SHP ’26)

Girls’ Tennis, WBAL—Foothill

Division Most Valuable Player

Tyler Hogan (SHP ’24) Boys’ Water Polo, Central Coast Section

Most Valuable Player

Vivian Golub (SHP ’25) Girls’ Water Polo, Central Coast Section

Most Valuable Player

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS

Andrew Spencer (SHP ’24) Cal-Hi Sports Boys’ Scholar Athlete of the Year

Megan Newby (SHP ’25), Cal-Hi Sports Girls’ Scholar Athlete of the Year

Tyler Hogan (SHP ’24) Cal-Hi Sports Boys’ Scholar Athlete of the Year

REACHING HIGH

The pressure was on and the stakes were high with the arrival of the Seniors v. Faculty volleyball game last fall. With determination, sweat, and good nature throughout, the faculty gave it their all, but in the end, the students prevailed for the win. Kudos to all for a great game!

ALL-LEAGUE RECOGNITION

First Team

Andrew Spencer (SHP ’24) Boys’ Water Polo

Aseli Fangupo (SHP ’25) Football

Charlie Stuart (SHP ’24) Football

Claiborne Carrington (SHP ’26) Boys’ Water Polo

Elliot Spieker (SHP ’25) Football

Isabelle Marco (SHP ’24) Volleyball

Jena Azmeh (SHP ’26) Girls’ Tennis

Marat Misra (SHP ’24) Football

Margaret Brandin (SHP ’24) Girls’ Water Polo

Megan Newby (SHP ’25) Girls’ Water Polo

Mia Radeff (SHP ’24) Volleyball

Natalia Szczerba (SHP ’25) Girls’ Water Polo

Nathan Fox (SHP ’26) Football

Oliver Marcin (SHP ’26) Boys’ Water Polo

Sophie Cheung (SHP ’25) Girls’ Cross Country

Thalia Stavropoulos (SHP ’24) Girls’ Tennis

Tyler Hogan (SHP ’24) Boys’ Water Polo

Vivian Golub (SHP ’25) Girls’ Water Polo

Second Team

Berkeley Bernstein (SHP ’25) Girls’ Tennis

Casey Coleman (SHP ’26) Girls’ Water Polo

Eduarda Sjobom (SHP ’24) Volleyball

Ellie Wheeler (SHP ’24) Volleyball

Ellison Brush (SHP ’26) Girls’ Water Polo

Murdoch Baker-Matsuoka (SHP ’26)

Boys’ Water Polo

Nelson Harris (SHP ’25) Boys’ Water Polo

Shannon Bennitt (SHP ’25) Girls’ Tennis

Honorable Mention

Charlotte Summe (SHP ’24) Girls’ Water Polo

Emily Hallum (SHP ’26) Girls’ Golf

Jasleen Chohan (SHP ’26) Girls’ Tennis

Kate Gray (SHP ’26) Girls’ Cross Country

Luke Kirincich (SHP ’25) Boys’ Water Polo

Nick Karros (SHP ’24) Boys’ Cross Country

Spiked

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the SHP girls’ volleyball program served up another tremendous showing with its annual “Pink-Out” serve-a-thon fundraising event at McGanney Sports Center on October third. In all, the three SHP squads hit more than 4,200 serves in a total of 15 minutes, raising over $22,000 for the Bay Area Cancer Support Community (CSC), a local organization dedicated to aiding cancer patients and their families in both the mental and physical.

The SHP Pink-Out Night is now in its second year of operations, founded and organized by senior volleyball players Jillian Amaro (SHP ’24) and Naomi Watson (SHP ’24).

“Naomi and I were so excited to continue the Pink-Out tradition; we have both seen firsthand the painful impact of cancer on our families,” Amaro said. “In November 2022, I lost my second grandmother to cancer, so I wanted to make it even more impactful this year. We got the students and faculty involved early in the process and that resulted in us exceeding last year’s goal not only in total money raised but also in the number of serves. For the second year, we continued to partner with the Bay Area Cancer Support Community, a local organization that provides ‘100 percent free care—including counseling, nutrition, and education for cancer patients and their caregivers.’ It was important to the program that the dollars raised stayed in our local community. One in eight women in the United States will get breast cancer, and local services are critically important.”

“The entire volleyball program really embraced the fundraising for the serve-a-thon, and we were so proud that we had 100 percent participation across the entire program,” said Watson. “It was so great to see all the energy in the room for the serve-a-thon; we were covered in pink with great music playing! The event started with program-wide bonding

across Freshman, JV, and Varsity, and then moved into the 15-minute serve-a-thon where the teams completed more than 4,200 serves. It was especially great to see the energy from the freshmen who are new to the program tradition. They really embraced the event and I’m excited to pass this program along to future Gators.”

SHP Girls’ Athletic Director Dawn Hemm also shared her enthusiasm, acknowledging the immense effort demonstrated by the studentathletes: “For the second year in a row, Jillian and Naomi have taken the lead in the annual ‘Pink Out’ for @CancersupportSF. We are thankful for the support from the entire volleyball program, but especially grateful to these two young women who have made a powerful impact in this community.”

Patricia Falconer, vice president of CSC, attended the event and gratefully accepted the ceremonial check on behalf of the organization.

“According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed in the U.S. with breast cancer this year,” she shared. “Cancer patients, family members, and caregivers need holistic support. Special shout out thank you to Jillian and Naomi for being such inspirational leaders. Thank you, SHP administrators, coaches, volleyball players, parents, alumni, family, and friends for helping kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month— and showing us the Power of Pink!”

Though Amaro and Watson are outgoing seniors this year, they are thrilled that fellow teammate and sophomore Anabelle Yujuico (SHP ’26) has stepped up to continue the tradition. Said Yujuico, “I’m so honored to be able to continue this program begun by Jillian and Naomi. I hope it expands into an SHP Volleyball alumni event where prior players return and re-unite annually with the program for such an amazing cause.”

Making Waves

CONGRATULATIONS GO OUT TO OUR FORMER GATOR ATHLETES ON A SENSATIONAL FALL SPORTS SEASON!

1 ….to Claremont McKenna College’s Luke “Bear” Weigle (SHP ’22), Kyle Ballack (SHP ’19), Hassen Hove (SHP ’23), and the rest of the CMS Stags Athletics Water Polo team, who won both the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SCIAC) Championship and the NCAA DIII National Water Polo Championship in early December. The Stags defeated Redlands 6-5 en route to their first-ever national title.

2 …to University of California, Davis center Megan Norris (SHP ’21), for achieving a careerhigh 21 point basketball game during the UCD matchup against Sacramento State, helping the Aggies cruise to a 79-57 win.

3 …to Santa Clara University’s Elena Radeff (SHP ’22), named to the All-West Coast Conference women’s volleyball team. Radeff finished third on the Broncos team with 204 kills, and also added 105 digs, 26 blocks and 14 service aces.

4 …to Princeton University’s Luke Johnston (SHP ’22), Will Garlinghouse (SHP ’21), Isaac Rotenberg (SHP ’21), Luke Hammarskjold (SHP ’21), and William Swart (SHP ’23), who helped the Tigers win the 2023 Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship, and clinch a bid to the NCAA water polo tournament, making it to the quarterfinals.

5 …to University of Washington’s QB Teddy Purcell (SHP ’22), WR Jackson Girouard (SHP ’22), and the rest of the UW Husky football team on their undefeated season, Pac12 Championship, and automatic berth into the National College Football Playoffs (ranked #2)!

…to Stanford University’s Bella Bachler (SHP ’21), Eleanor Facey (SHP ’21), and Ella Woodhead (SHP ’22), who helped the Cardinal take the 2023 NCAA Women’s Water Polo championship title this past October.

…to Brown University’s Julia Soderbery (SHP ’23), who won the Women’s 3000m at this fall’s Track & Field Alden Invitational. Soderbery, who was competing in the first indoor track meet of her career, won the event with a time of 10:51.2.

1 Fall saw over 80 participants in the 6-8th grade girls’ LMS LACROSSE program. For the first time ever, 7th and 8th graders were given the opportunity to play full games against league opponents. Sixth graders continued to grow in skill acquisition through playing in small-sided games.

The LMS FLAG FOOTBALL season saw 90 boys participate in grades 5-8. The Varsity B1 team finished first in the North Division while the Varsity B2 team finished first in the South Division. These two teams played each other for the WBAL League Championship with the B2 team prevailing 19-14. The 5th Grade JVB team finished undefeated and won the league championship.

2 With the continued tradition of a strong LMS CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY program, over 75 students participated in the 4th-8th grade cross country team. It was a special season where 7th/8th grade girls and 4th/5th/6th grade girls both took home 1st place finishes in the WBAL League Championship. Fourth/5th/6th grade boys also took home a 1st place victory, with the 7th/8th grade boys’ team putting up great times against tough opponents.

3 The LMS CO-ED SWIM team finished a successful season. In addition to swim meets at Menlo and Castilleja, the season closed with the WBAL League Championships at Dunlevie Aquatic Center. The girls finished first and the boys finished second.

4 The SHP BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY team capped off another strong season with a 5th place finish in the West Bay Athletic League. Arjun Singh (SHP ’24) and Grant Bennitt (SHP ’27) both qualified for the CCS Track and Field Championships after Top 20 finishes in the WBAL Championships. Nick Karros (SHP ’24) was named to the WBAL All League team.

5 The SHP GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY team finished 3rd overall in the West Bay Athletic League and qualified for the CCS Team Track and Field Championships, where the Gators took home a 5th place finish in Division IV. Six Gators finished in the Top 60, led by Sophie Cheung (SHP ’25), who took 5th overall. Cheung also qualified for the CIF State Meet, where she finished 47th of 197 runners.

6 The SHP FOOTBALL team put together another impressive campaign in 2023, finishing 6-5 overall and 3-2 in the vaunted PAL Bay Division. The 3rd place league finish clinched an automatic berth into the redesigned CCS Football Playoffs and an appearance in the Division II Quarterfinals. The Gator regular-season was highlighted by wins over Burlingame (41-7) in the annual “Under the Lights” game, a 27-21 overtime win over Menlo-Atherton, and a 31-19 win over crosstown rival Menlo in Valpo XXI.

7 The SHP GIRLS’ TENNIS team picked up right where they left off in 2022, winning a total of 16 matches, the most wins in a single-season for the Gators in well over a decade. Their 9-2 finish in WBAL play earned the Girls an automatic berth into the CCS Tennis Team Tournament, and an appearance into the Tournament Quarterfinals. Charlotte Weber (SHP ’26), the WBAL Singles Tournament Champion, also earned an automatic berth in the CCS Individual Tournament.

8 The SHP GIRLS’ GOLF team picked up two wins during their 2023 campaign, highlighted by a 276-293 win over Notre Dame Belmont. Emily Hallum (SHP ’26) and Lauren Matsuda (SHP ’24) each qualified for the WBAL Girls Golf Championships, where Matsuda finished 30th overall, shooting a 99, and Hallum finishing 15th with an 85. Hallum was selected to the WBAL All-League Team.

9 The SHP VOLLEYBALL team earned berths into the CCS Open Division Tournament and NorCal Open Division Tournament for the second consecutive year. The Gators finished the regular season 20-10 overall, with 5 of those 10 losses coming to teams ranked in the nation’s Top 25. The Gators also finished in the Top 8 at the prestigious Tournament of Champions in Phoenix, knocking off the then-6th ranked team in the country, Sierra Canyon, in straight sets.

10 The SHP GIRLS’ WATER POLO team had one of its finest seasons in program history which was highlighted by the Gators’ first CCS Open Division Championship since 2019. The girls ended the season with a record of 27-3, and clinched WCAL Regular Season and Tournament Championships for the 12th consecutive season. The Gators also won their first NorCal Invitational Tournament Championship since 2007, and ended the 2023 campaign as MaxPreps’ 2nd ranked team in the nation.

11 The SHP BOYS’ WATER POLO team won their 3rd straight NorCal Open Division Championship, defeating Miramonte 13-10 in the finals. The Gators finished the season 25-7 overall, and in addition to their NorCal title, the Boys also claimed their 6th straight CCS Open Division Championship, 12th straight CCS Championship, and 12th straight WCAL League title. The Gators ended their historic campaign as MaxPreps’ 3rd ranked team in the country.

SHP GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL see page 38 for the story, “Flagged.”

“This lacrosse season felt like our first ever, with our league moving to full field games for older players. I look forward to the continued growth of our LMS Girls’ Lacrosse program!”

— LMS GIRLS’ LACROSSE HEAD COACH LIZ HOGAN

“The amount the Water Polo team improved over the course of the year was unmatched in my time here at Sacred Heart. What they lacked in experience, they made up for with energy, enthusiasm, and resilience. Despite playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, this battle-tested group stayed together and remained committed to improve everyday. By the end of the year, we were playing at our peak, and ended the season with a 12th straight CCS Championship and 3rd straight NorCal title.”

—SHP HEAD BOYS’ WATER POLO COACH BRIAN KREUTZKAMP

Cultivating KINSHIP

by Matt Carroll

As Sacred Heart looks back at 125 years of educating students in the charism of the RSCJ and the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, the story cannot be told without the inclusion of one of our closest partners. What follows is a snapshot of more than a decade of reciprocal partnership between individuals and institutions that have helped to bridge gaps, forge connections, and—in an increasingly divided world—shown there’s much more to connect us than divide us.

Cultivating

Deeply meaningful service partnership transforms lives

Living, learning, and working in Silicon Valley means constant change. There’s always a new app, a new startup, new solutions to new problems. Sacred Heart has been no stranger to changes over the past 125 years: new buildings, new populations of students, families, and educators, new bell schedules and school calendars. New community partners and volunteer organizations, too. No doubt throughout the school’s history there have been innumerous meaningful connections with local nonprofits and after-school programs. While the true impact of a relationship is impossible to fully measure, one would be hard-pressed to find a partnership more meaningful, mutual, and important to Sacred Heart Prep (SHP) students than the one developed with the St. Francis Center, and specifically its affiliate ministry, the Siena Youth Center (SYC). Since opening in 2012, Siena Youth Center has transformed from an upstart after-school program to a pillar of both the North Fair Oaks and SHP communities. Supporting over 150 youth from grades 3-12 with after-school, summer, and weekend programming, SYC has become the cornerstone of SHP student volunteerism.

“Exquisite mutuality.” That’s how SHP Director of Service Learning Reid Particelli describes the relationship between SHP and the North Fair Oaks community in which the Siena program is located. Just three miles north of campus, the short geographical distance between SHP and Siena can mask the chasm that exists between the two communities when it comes to wealth, facilities, and access. Despite these differences, opportunities for connection abound and authentic kinship develops. “It’s about shrinking the distance between ‘service-provider’ and ‘service-recipient,’” Particelli says, “until, when one is lucky and persistent enough, the distance disappears altogether.”

“Exquisite mutuality.” That’s how SHP Director of Service Learning Reid Particelli describes the relationship between SHP and the North Fair Oaks community in which the Siena Youth Center is located. Just three miles north of campus, the short geographical distance between SHP and Siena can mask the chasm that exists between the two communities when it comes to wealth, facilities, and access.

THE FOUNDATION

When former SHP principal James Everitt first visited the St. Francis Center, it was to recruit students for SHP’s inaugural class of Sophie’s Scholars. The mission of the Sophie’s Scholars Program (SSP) is to ensure that talented young people have access to a world-class education and that they are prepared for college and beyond, and in so doing that SHP continues to reflect the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of the Bay Area. He was blown away by what he saw. Sr. Cristina Heltsley, or “Sr. C” as she is affectionately known by community members, is a Dominican nun who directed the center for over 20 years, transforming what had previously been a two-room bungalow serving as food pantry into a sprawling network of social services, housing, and educational support. Perhaps the most compelling ministry offered was Holy Family School, a Little House on The Prairiestyled school in which a small cohort of about a dozen students was guided by a master teacher in the same classroom from grades 1-8. As the students progressed through each grade together, the small second-floor classroom offered a safe, nurturing learning environment where character and faith were developed alongside STEM and humanities skills. “I saw in that school a reflection of the education we hope to offer at Sacred Heart, one that nurtures the whole child,” Everitt recalls. A commitment was made to that first cohort of Sophie’s Scholars from Holy Family School but that small serving turned into a much larger helping.

Supporting that cohort of students meant supporting their families and their wider community. Everitt got to work mobilizing parents and friends of Sacred Heart—individuals with deep commitments to “building community as a Christian value” (Goal IV) and a “social awareness that impels to action” (Goal III)—who could throw their support behind the initiative. The spark was ignited.

“Intoxicating,” was how Ron Espeseth, an early supporter of the partnership, described his experience at the St. Francis Center. Originally recruited by Everitt to help tutor a student, he soon found himself working with the student’s mother. “At some point, Sr. Christina explained that my student’s mother had not passed the GED math section repeatedly and only had one more chance before she would have to repeat the whole exam,” he recalled. With his help, she passed. “It was much less of a math issue than a test anxiety issue, which to my surprise we were able to address.” From there, Espeseth and his wife became consistent supporters and financial donors, drawn to the center’s focus on education for the whole family and dedication to the poorest and most vulnerable commitments that have shaped their philanthropy and volunteering to this day. “Holy Family School chose their student cohort based solely on the fact that they came from the poorest of the applying families. Years later I’m still unpacking the layers of what that admission’s criteria means.”

It would be easy to think that such criteria would mean that Sacred Heart has a lot to give and the St. Francis Center has a lot to receive. But that narrative undermines the complex and often overlooked reality of meaningful volunteer work: it’s only authentic when it’s reciprocal.

“Part of it was justice—that these kids have access to education,” Everitt said. “And the other part of it was a deep belief that these kids need one another. We desired students to be in deep relationship with one another, not just doing drop-in service.”

“Part of it was justice—that these kids have access to education,” Everitt said. “And the other part of it was an authentic belief that these kids need one another. We desired students to be in deep relationship with one another, not just doing drop-in service.”

Now a software engineer working between Silicon Valley and New York City, Grau credits his years at Siena Youth Center for helping to shape him into the man he is today. “I credit Rafa with teaching me so much, and I look to him as a mentor,” he said. “At SYC, I learned that to give back to a community, it’s best to do it in ways that give you joy. So now I volunteer in my free time in New York with Publicolor (a stay-in-school nonprofit), because working with kids gives me that.”

Perhaps no SHP student has cultivated a deeper relationship with the North Fair Oaks community than Ricky Grua (SHP ’14). “[He] found his community at Siena. He found something he’d longed for, even if he didn’t know he was looking for it at the time” said Rafael Avendaño, the founding director of SYC who served in that role for more than a decade. Avendaño recently left to become the executive director of Redwood City Together, but he has no difficulty remembering volunteers like Grau, in part because, despite graduating in 2014, Grau has never really left. “I still hear from him and we stay connected. Authentic relationships withstand,” he said.

That relationship began on rather fortuitous footing. Grau recalls needing to finish his sophomore community service hours and being directed to make his way up the road to Siena. Grau recalls needing to finish his sophomore community service hours—he finished them, eventually, and stayed on as a volunteer in their 2012 summer program where he served as a tutor, coach, and mentor. Faced with a decision on what to do the following summer, it was never a question. “I didn’t think about it, really. I just went back the next summer, and the summer after that. I just assumed, ‘Okay. This is what I do now’,” he said. Grau continued volunteering through his years at Stanford University, and often found himself opting to socialize at SYC playing basketball on Friday nights instead of indulging in the unofficial extracurriculars of college weekends.

Grau’s efforts were essential to getting the partnership off on the right foot. In the effort to make service a part of the curriculum, schools often earn a reputation as being too inwardlooking, even when purporting to look outward. If not cautious, questions of “how can we be of help?” or “how can we be in relationship?” can be usurped by “how can our students get their hours done?” Avendaño recalls being skeptical at first. “I had been [disappointed] by university projects before. But I wasn’t skeptical when I met [the service-learning staff] and I saw that they were open to learning from our vision and the vision of our youth. They brought me to campus, showed me all the facilities, and asked ‘what can we do to enhance the mission of the Siena Youth Center?’ That’s when I knew we could work together.”

That visit to the SHP campus marked an evolution in the partnership and the birth of the HeArt Exchange program. Still recovering from the Great Recession, many public school districts made cuts to arts programs and cocurricular programs to make up for budget shortfalls. Particelli, Avendaño, and then-SHP art teacher Peggy O’Leary saw an opportunity in the crisis: why not make use of the abundant facilities available at SHP to help fill the gap? A tutoring van already carried a group of SHP student tutors to Siena each week, so couldn’t the same van bring a group of Siena youth back to SHP, where students could lead them in art (hence the “HeArt Exchange”), robotics, athletics, dance, swimming, and a host of other activities SHP students engage in each day?

“All we needed were student leaders to step forward,” recalls Particelli. Step up they did.

THE FELLOWSHIP

“I remember the hugs the most,” Asha Agarwal (SHP ’19) reflected. “That and the sprint from the van, this group of kids running with excitement to start our activity. A young girl named Diana always led the way with the biggest smile and biggest hug.” Agarwal, who now works in addiction recovery with plans for a master’s degree in psychology to work with youth in schools, isn’t alone in her recollection. The hurried excitement of nine Siena youth between third and sixth grades scrambling out of the van to the field, studio, or pool was a pronounced memory for everyone involved in the HeArt Exchange.

“I didn’t think they’d be so excited, but every week the energy only seemed to increase,” said Gretchen Connors (SHP ’19), now a pediatric nurse in Nashville. She credits her time with HeArt Exchange with helping to teach her the value of showing up ready to foster enthusiasm and provide encouragement to her young patients.

Carter Sun (SHP ’21), a computer science major at Stanford who brought his robotics HeArt Exchange program to SYC, remembers a similar excitement. “Each week I returned I was getting swarmed by what felt like 50 kids,” he said. “If I taught them even once, they were so excited for me to come back.”

Sun, Agarwal, and Connors form just a part of what has become an extensive fellowship of HeArt Exchange leaders composed of students who have shared their passions and developed skills while welcoming cohorts of Siena youth to campus. “My mom was a teacher, and I’m sure she gave me some tips,” said Connors. “The first class I taught I didn’t really know what I was doing and I didn’t really feel prepared—afterwards I knew I had three more weeks I needed to plan. They were counting on me, so I worked hard to get ready.”

Connors’ initial run teaching kids about nutrition and how to prep kid-friendly, healthy after school snacks led her to continue past her initial four-week commitment to stay on and help for the remainder of the year, assistance Agarwal was glad to have.

“I grew up knowing I wanted to teach,” she said. “I used to sit my baby brother down in front of a chalkboard and teach him pretend lessons before eventually helping him with real homework. When I began tutoring for my community service project and saw the difference in math and reading assignments between the kids I was tutoring and what my brother was working on, I began asking questions about why kids of the same age and skill were being given different opportunities.” Agarwal recognized that the enrichment programs she offered, like teaching creativity through crafting snowglobes and Christmas ornaments, or confidence and collaboration through dance, would serve students not only by building social-emotional skills but academic skills as well.

I began asking questions about why kids of the same age and skill were being given different opportunities.

...Bamdad designed the program and organized fundraising support in order to help level the playing field and inspire confidence in young students to become scientists–children who may have otherwise never envisioned that path. There’s a palpable excitement and pride that takes hold when kids begin to imagine these new possibilities.

Natasha Bamdad (SHP ’24) at right

Sun’s robotics program was born out of similar questions. Having already begun his tutoring at SYC, Sun saw the difference in math problems given to his younger sister and kids he was tutoring in her same grade. “It made no sense to me,” he said. “These two places were geographically so close… It made me want to learn why the same math wasn’t being taught and what I could do to help, because the kids were capable.” As an active member of the SHP robotics club, Sun jumped on a burgeoning program being offered by some older students. He quickly realized the draw robotics had as an opportunity to introduce more advanced math and even computer science concepts. There were setbacks and challenges, but the relationships Sun and his fellow volunteers were deepening provided motivation to find creative solutions. “Sourcing materials was difficult as more and more kids began coming to the new club, but [the SHP robotics team] helped fill that gap. And we had all these old computers in stacks up to my shoulders we’d use for the coding lessons, so another volunteer and I built a charging cart out of some spare materials we had at school. The hours we spent designing lessons, gathering materials, and setting the space added up, but doing it all against the backdrop of the community we were becoming a part of was awesome.”

Sun’s efforts led him to a senior honors independent study (SHIS) on the possibilities of constructivist learning modules might hold in closing the opportunity gap for students from under-resourced communities, an academic area he still pursues today. Using pre- and post- testing, students who completed Sun’s summer robotics intensive demonstrated greater gains and fewer losses in math during the summer. Suffice to say that a “lifelong commitment to service” (Goal III, Criterion 7)  had taken root.

The brother- and sisterhood of volunteers committed to supporting this partnership now spans several “generations” of Gators, with current students carving new roads from paths laid by alumni like Sun, Connors, and Agarwal, people they’ve never met but whose legacy has inspired greater commitment. “When I learned about HeArt Exchange, I jumped at the opportunity. It was exciting because as they learned, I learned,” said Natasha Bamdad (SHP ’24), who turned her initial weekly HeArt Exchange volunteering program into a nine-week summer program teaching STEM concepts to kids ages five to 12. “I was learning through and with them—not just how to teach and explain concepts to kids, but also about the concepts themselves.”

There are no shortcuts to building the Kingdom, but for more than a decade, the partnership between Sacred Heart, Siena Youth Center, and the St. Francis Center has resembled what it might look like.

With the help of nine fellow Gators she recruited, Bamdad designed the program and organized fundraising support in order to help level the playing field and inspire confidence in young students to become scientists—children who may have otherwise never envisioned that path. There’s a palpable excitement and pride that takes hold when kids begin to imagine these new possibilities. Bamdad recalls, “The students were so intrigued about this fossil-digging lab we did. Once they were able to find and grab them they were so eager to learn about dinosaurs, take them home, and share with their parents.”

Bamdad cites Goal III as a motivating factor for her service. “If you see something and you know you can make a change, you should be the person to step up and make it happen… you never know what’s going to happen—the ripple effect that an action can cause—until you take the initiative.”

Any ripples from this experience? Bamdad pauses, “There was one girl who asked all the right questions about the labs. She was so bright and grasped things right away. When the program ended she asked ‘when are you coming back?’” Ripples, indeed.

THE FUTURE

If past is prologue, the future of the partnership between SYC and SHP is indeed bright and the ripples will only grow, not least of all because SYC alumni now populate and enrich SHP ranks in ever greater numbers, including in their service to the HeArt Exchange. Take Diana Caamal (SHP ’26), she of the big smile and bigger hugs. Now a sophomore, most weeks she can be found welcoming the next generation of HeArt Exchange participants. The reasons are simple: “It’s an amazing partnership. Before I was even a student I got a feel for the campus and began to feel comfortable here. And now that I’m starting to help teach classes, it gives me a deeper appreciation for what the volunteers were doing for me.”

Ryan Carlos-Barajas (SHP ’26), a fellow HeArt Exchange alumnus, agrees. “It made the transition a lot easier. Coming to SHP from Holy Family, we already knew people from the community who made us feel welcome.”

As Caamal thinks about her role going forward, she says, “I’m excited to “teach, plan, and share with the next group this campus that I’ve been able to call home.”

“Home.” In a location where extreme poverty and extreme wealth abut, we are reminded of the chasm between people and communities that are called by God to be in solidarity. Avendaño, the former director, shuns the “at-risk” moniker typically assigned to children from places like North Fair Oaks, instead insisting on “opportunity youth” to remind people that there is a choice in how young people are viewed. The opportunities are myriad, if we choose to see them: kinship, achievement, learning, loving support, and community, to name a few. In short, the opportunity to help build the Kingdom of God.

There are no shortcuts to building the Kingdom, but for more than a decade, the partnership between Sacred Heart, Siena Youth Center, and the St. Francis Center has resembled what it might look like.

“Exquisite mutuality.”

Matt Carroll is the director of campus ministry at SHP and a member of the religious studies faculty. He also directs SHP’s immersion programs and the annual Social Justice Teach-In. His first role at SHP was as a service-learning coordinator, where his primary responsibility was coordinating efforts to support Siena Youth Center and St. Francis Center. Prior to joining Sacred Heart, he was in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, where he served as a case manager at the LA-based Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation program in the world. When he’s not at school, he enjoys hiking with his son and dog, trying to get his wife to snowboard, or lamenting the state of the Boston Red Sox.

TIES THAT BIND

Enjoying Alumni Day

2023 are, L to R: Michele Lastreto O’Neal (CSH Broadway ’64 and SHP PAL) and former SHS Atherton employee, Jan Morey (SJS ’62, CSH ’66), Maria

Lastreto Larrenaga (CSH Broadway ’68 and SJS PAL), Allegra O’Neal El-Mashni, and Arlene Morey Mariani (SHE ’64, CSH ’68).

ALUMNI BOARD 23–24

Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07), president

Ruthie Bacon (SHP ’06)

Hannah Cevasco (SHP ’19)

Brandon Child (SHP ’04)

Wayne Costigan (SHP ’16)

Miles DeLong (SHP ’09)

John Geary (SHP ’11)

AJ Hamer (SHP ’16)

Douglas Hosking (SHP ’07)

Jack Larkins (SHP ’19)

Jackie Leschin (SHP ’20)

Kevin McFarland (SHP ’07)

Tim Norton (SJS ’04, SHP ’08)

Lynn (Rudolph) Rosendin (SHP ’05)

Kate (Ceremsak) Seabolt (SHP ’08)

Abby (Mates) Smith (SHP ’88)

Madeline Smith (SHP ’20)

Dear Fellow Alumnae/i,

STAY CONNECTED

Don’t miss news and event information! Please be sure we have your current email and mailing address by contacting alumni@ shschools.org.

I can’t believe how much we have engaged and accomplished as a community since I began my first two-year term of serving as your Alumni Association President. I am honored to work with such a well-versed Alumni Board team and proud to see our association’s influence on the flourishing Sacred Heart community. The partnership we continue to build on with the School, Board of Trustees, Alumni, and Advancement office has been fulfilling, rewarding, and exciting. This 2023/2024 academic year is very special as it marks the 125th anniversary of education on our 63-acre campus.

Our Sacred Heart alumni community has come together in so many ways to honor our past and plan for our future, including:

• Showcasing our rich and storied 125-year history through online digital timelines, archive photo galleries, and our school’s loyal leaders—RSCJ, Principals, and our Heads of Schools. Learn more at shschools.org/125th.

• Celebrating milestone class reunions from five to 60 year high school reunions on our annual Alumni Day and welcoming over 200 alumni from 1954–2018, family, and friends back to “The Second Happiest Place on Earth.”

• Actively participating with the school in the fiveyear Sacred Heart Committee on Goals (SHCOG) Review by the Sacred Heart Network.

• Raising awareness through our annual appeal mailing and national Giving Tuesday email for tuition assistance and endowed scholarship needs for students.

• Sharing news and event invitations through our email communications and Sacred Heart’s social media network—increasing friends and followers of Madeleine Sophie accounts.

• Alumni Board member participation on SHS Admissions Team prospective student virtual panels.

What you can do to stay informed, involved, and invested in your SHS Alumni Association

4 Email your current contact information to alumni@shschools.org

4 Follow Madeleine Sophie on instagram.com@madeleine_sophie_

4 Connect with Madeleine Sophie Barat on linkedin.com/in/sacredheartschools

4 Friend Madeleine Sophie on facebook.com/SHSAthertonAlumni

Please feel free to reach out to our Alumni Engagement Manager at alumni@shschools.org or connect with an Alumni Board member if you’d like to learn more about our Alumni Association.

Thank you all for your support and dedication to your alumnae/i community!

Sincerely,

Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07) SHS Alumni Association President

Farm to Bottle

Valparaiso Vineyards Olive Oil is a Sacred Heart all-school, allcommunity affair. Our preschool-12th grade students and educators harvested 938 pounds of olives from the trees on our 63-acres, and our alumni and past parents bottle the finished product—olive oil!

Many alumni and parents of alumni (PALs) joined our SHS Farm

and Garden team Dr. Stewart Slafter and Doyle Pitchford (SHP ’09) in November for the annual Olive Oil bottling community service gathering. Almost nine gallons of olive oil were bottled and labeled to be sold at our annual holiday boutique fundraiser, which sold out along with many other SHS Farm and Garden products, too.

2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Held every two years since 2022, the 12 newly named SHP Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees represent SHP alumni from graduating classes 2004 to 2012. The Alumni nomination criterion requires all inductees to be SHP graduates of a minimum of ten years. Thank you to all our community members who submitted online nominations.

Brandon Child (SHP ’04) Swimming, Water Polo

Kim Culpan (SHP ’07) Basketball, Swimming,Water Polo

Sarah Daschbach (SHP ’12) Volleyball

Jesse Ebner (SHP ’12) Volleyball

Rachael Henry (SJS ’08, SHP ’12) Golf

Tom Kremer (SHP ’12) Swimming

Cole McConnell (SHP ’12) Basketball

Reed McConnell (SHP ’11) Basketball

Will McConnell (SHP ’11) Basketball

Alex Navarro (SHP ’08) Cross Country, Swimming

Erin Sheridan (SHP ’12)

Basketball, Swimming, Water Polo

Pippa Temple (SHP ’12) Swimming, Water Polo

PALs (Parents of Alumni)

Whether your child(ren) attended SHS recently or several years ago, you will always be considered part of our community. PALs play an important role in connecting our past, present, and future. The PALs engagement programming offers many ways to stay connected or reconnect with our vibrant community and campus. From spiritual, enrichment, and service activities, to athletic, arts, and social events—you are always welcome. PALs e-newsletters enable you to stay up-to-date on the latest news and special invitations. Be sure we have your current email address so you don’t miss out.

Close to 200 PALs of grads from 1991–2023 connected and conversed over wine (shared and poured by our PALs), bites and warm

weather at the annual Valparaiso Vineyards fall social. There were lucky winners of “Rich’s Raffle” for tickets to future Sacred Heart community events including Gators at the Guild concert and the annual SHP Athletics Cioppino & Pasta dinner.

There was no shortage of Sacred Heart spirit in Dublin, Ireland this past August when 40,000 Americans visited to attend the University of Notre Dame vs. United States Naval Academy college football game. Many gator alumni (who also attend Notre Dame and the Naval academy) and parents of alumni were there to cheer on number 89 Charlie Selna’s (SHP ’20) Fighting Irish and organized a time and place to capture this special Gator Nation photo (at right)!

L to R:

Sonia Nadir Sayigh, Basim Sayigh, Chip Ramsey, Nettie Ramsey, Aziz Sayigh (SHP ’03), and his wife Amanda.

GATOR NATION GOES ABROAD

Back Row: Kenna & Mark French, Paige Melinauskas (SHP ’21), Rob Melinauskas, Kathleen Texido, Keara Meyercord, Brian Selna, Laura Selna (SHP ’22), Becky Selna, Cloey Selna (SHP ’18), Noha Carrington, John Carrington, Ken Tinsley, Amy Underwood, Patrick Tinsley (SJS ’09, SHP ’13), Gary Hornbeek, Gary Kirkham, Thomas Wine (SHP ’17)

Not photographed: Eric Lim (SHP ’20), Katie Lim, and John Underwood

SHP ’23 PALS FALL HIKE

Left: Organized by one of the SHP ’23 PALS Class Rep volunteers, Susie Hornbeek (Grady SHP ’20 and Casey SHP ’23), this group of PALs had fun catching up in the great outdoors after all the college drop offs.

Above front row L to R: Shannon Melinauskas, Sarah Kirkham, Suzi Tinsely (SJS ’78), Annie Texido (LMS ’16, SHP ’20), Susie Hornbeek

A celebration of life was held in honor of Donna Gilboa, longtime Sacred Heart faculty member (1975-2012), in the Main Building Chapel on Sunday, October 15, 2023. More than 75 community members paid tribute to “Mama G” as she was fondly known. The family has requested gifts be made in memory of “Mama G” to the Donna Gilboa History Chair Endowed Fund at www. shschools.org/give.

The family of Donna Gilboa would like to thank the Sacred Heart community and all those who attended. See a video of the celebration of life.

Sr. Martha Roughan, a cherished member of the SHS community from 2008-2016, passed away peacefully the afternoon of March 1, back home in her beloved Boston. Sr. Roughan served as SHS’ first formation to mission director, and subsequently stepped in as twoyear interim Lower & Middle Schools’ principal when the school was in need. As Director of Schools Rich Dioli stated, “She was truly a force to be reckoned with—a strong, wise, and thoughtful leader, graced with humor and patience, and above all, a wonderful colleague and mentor. She will be sorely missed.”

On April 20, 2024, SHS will host its final Family Mass of the school year, which will include a celebration of Sr. Roughan’s life and legacy. We hope you can join us.

Sr. Nancy Lassotovitch (CSH ’49, SH–Lone Mountain ’53) passed away peacefully in her sleep

September 12, 2023 at the age of 92. She was a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart for 73 years. Nancy was born on June 15, 1931, in Fresno County, California. She grew up on a cattle ranch with her brother and two sisters. She entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1950 at Kenwood and made her first vows there in 1953. Nancy made her final profession in Rome on July 30, 1958.

Sr. Lassotovitch attended the former Lone Mountain College for Women (now USF), earning a BA degree in history in 1959. She went on to graduate studies at Lone Mountain earning an MAT in history education in 1965. Sr. Lassotovitch undertook post-graduate work during the summers (1967-1973), first at the University of San Francisco and then at Harvard University. She also attended The Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley (1974-1975), followed by a 12-month program of clinical pastoral education at Methodist Medical Clinic in Des Moines, Iowa (1975-1976).

She began teaching at Convent of the Sacred Heart Menlo in 1953 then at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Broadway, in San Francisco in 1958. From 1964-1968, Sr. Lassotovitch taught and served in administrative roles at Convent of the Sacred Heart in El Cajon, CA. She returned to Menlo Park in 1968 and was director of several programs. She was also dean of students of the high school, director of the residence school, and taught geometry, history, and religion.

In 1973, Sr. Lassotovitch moved across the country to Stone Ridge Country Day School in Bethesda, MD, where she was the assistant director of student activities. She returned to Convent of the Sacred Heart Menlo in 1974. During the summer, she supervised renovations and repairs for the school, which included designing a dormitory and an arts and crafts center. After a year at Menlo, Sr. Lassotovitch moved to Chicago, where she was a full-time volunteer in the Office of Senior Community Programs at Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She served as organizer and program developer, acting as a consultant to parish staff in the formation of senior citizen clubs in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

From 1976-1979, Sr. Lassotovitch served in the Diocese of Des Moines as a chaplain with the Iowa Catholic Hospital team involving six hospitals and one nursing home. She returned to California in 1979 and joined the pastoral care team at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. She also served in evangelization at Mary, Star of the Sea Parish in La Jolla. Sr. Lassotovitch remained in California for the rest of her ministerial career. Beginning in 1980, and for the next nine years, she acted as a legal assistant, caseworker, and mental health advocate in San Jose (1981-1982); volunteer coordinator and teacher at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, San Jose (19821983). She taught at St. Joseph’s School in Menlo Park for one year, then she taught ESL classes at two senior centers in San Jose and also substituted at a diagnostic center in San Francisco. Sr. Lassotovitch continued to serve in Menlo Park and Atherton until she retired in 2013 to the Oakwood Retirement Community in Atherton. She was an active member of the Oakwood community until her health declined.

Dorothy “Dot” (Morse) Owens (CSH ’72) of Napa, California passed away from ovarian cancer on May 24, 2023. Dot was a dedicated RN, graduating from USF and working at Children’s Hospital in Fresno as a NICU nurse. She enjoyed athletic activities like triathlons and skiing. She was never without a beloved Golden Retriever in her life.

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

PROMOTED? MOVING? MARRIED? NEW BABY? NEW JOB? PLEASE SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH US FOR A FUTURE ISSUE OF THE SACRED HEART MAGAZINE AT SHMAGAZINE@SHSCHOOLS.ORG ALL SUBMISSIONS MAY BE EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY, AND DIGITAL PHOTOS ARE WELCOMED!

ALUMNI BABY GATORS

2004

1 Chris Whittam and his wife Stephanie welcomed their first child, James Thomas Whittam on October 12, 2023, in Seattle, WA. He’s excited to be a future Gator!

2005

2 Lynn (Rudolph) Rosendin and her husband Blake (who attended preschool at Saint Joseph’s) have grown their “Gator Nation” over the past few years—Blake (4 ½), Miles (2 ½), and Tate (four months).

2006 & 2008

3 Alden and Kate (Ceremsak) Seabolt welcomed their first child, Ethan, in 2022.

2007

4 Lauren (Boyle) Berman, SHS Alumni Association President, and her husband Brendan welcomed Parker Neil Berman into the world on August 13, 2023. He was 7lbs 8oz and 20” long. He loved sporting his Gator swag for his first Christmas.

If you would like to share your Gator baby or Gator Union news, please email alumni@ shschools.org.

CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART MENLO (CSH)

CLASS OF 1949

Sr. Nancy Lassotovitch passed away September 12, 2023. Please see In Memoriam on page 62.

CLASS OF 1969

1 Meg Whalen visited Sacre Coeur in Paris last April with a few CSH classmates. Organized by Cara Black (SHE ’65), this group of mystery aficionados (who read her books) took a tour of places from scenes in Cara’s books. A fabulous time was had by all. Pictured L to R: Meg Whalen (CSH ’69), Elaine Saussotte (CSH ’69), Cara Black (SHE ’65), Colleen Casey (CSH ’74).

CLASS OF 1972

Dorothy “Dot” (Morse) Owens passed away May 24, 2023. Please see In Memoriam on page 62.

CLASS OF 1974

2 Sheila McLaughlin Burke and her family are continuing the tradition and legacy of a Sacred Heart education in the Bay Area. Her granddaughter Landon will be joining her older brother Hayes Houlihan at Convent & Stuart Hall in San Francisco. She travels often to visit grandchildren Cameron and Palmer Dobbs, who attend The American School in London. Pictured L to R: James Houlihan, Sarah (Burke)

Houlihan (SHP ’04), James Burke, Payton Dobbs, Catherine (Burke) Dobbs (SHP ’02) Bottom L-R Hayes Houlihan, Palmer Dobbs, Sheila McLaughlin Burke (CSH ’74), Landon Houlihan, Cameron Dobbs.

SACRED HEART PREPARATORY (SHP)

CLASS OF 1988

3 Mark Moretti has spent a majority of his career in high-tech marketing. From executive and industry marketing programs to cloud computing initiatives, he builds global marketing strategies that drive customer engagement and build brand trust. Mark earned a bachelor of arts in Business from The University of California at Davis and a master’s degree from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Sacred Heart is a bit of a family tradition—all three of Mark’s children are Gators, too. Alex Moretti (SHP ’21) is attending Colby College and playing soccer for the Mules, Sofia Moretti (SHP ’22) is at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and Lucas Moretti (SHP ’26) is a sophomore at SHP. Pictured L to R: Mark (SHP ’88), Lucas (SHP ’26), Carolina Moretti, Alex (SHP ’21), and Sophia (SHP ’22).

CLASS OF 1989

4 Terrence Mcgee is a lead desktop support tech at Kaiser Permanente and lives with his family in San Jose.

CLASS OF 2003

5 Jason Rhine was selected as the GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year, leading Seattle Pacific University into the NCAA West Region Championships with a regular-season record of 22-4 including 16-2 in conference play. Rhine is the second Falcon to garner the top coach award and the first since 2011.

CLASS OF 2005

Kirsten Harmon is counsel in the Capital Markets group at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, one of the world’s leading international law firms, and is serving her first term on the New York City Bar Association’s Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Committee. Kirsten represents companies, investment banks, and investors in a broad range of public and private securities offerings. Prior to practicing law, Kirsten was a Princeton in Latin America Fellow with the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress in Costa Rica, where she focused on arms control and human security issues, including advising the Costa Rican Mission to the United Nations in the negotiation of the Arms Trade Treaty. Kirsten earned a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a Global Law Scholar, and a B.A., summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Georgetown University. Kirsten lives in Chappaqua, NY with her husband Ron Krock and their son Henry.

CLASS OF 2006

6 Alden Seabolt and his SHP ’06 classmates find an excuse to tee off at their Gator Classic golf outing at least once a year on various Bay Area golf courses. They play for petty money and pride, interspersing memories and jokes from their class. Of course, all of this is done in an atmosphere of wise freedom! They would love to have fellow Gators from all classes join them—reach out! Pictured L to R: Sean Jordan, Campbell Browne, Alden Seabolt, and Randy Ang.

CLASS OF 2009

7 Paul Rudolph found time over Thanksgiving break to organize a gathering to catch up with fellow alums and former Gator Water Polo teammates at the popular Dutch Goose. Pictured L to R: Tim Norton (SJS ’04, SHP ’08), Greg Randall (SHP ’08), Michael Bausback (SHP ’08), Alex Whittam (SHP ’09), Connor Still (SJS ’06, SHP ’10), John Deggelman (SJS ’05, SHP ’09), and Paul Rudolph (SHP ’09).

Hunter Horsley is the cofounder and CEO for Bitwise, one of the largest and fastest-growing crypto asset managers, offering both index and active strategies across a wide array of investment vehicles. The firm is known for creating the world’s largest crypto index fund, a suite of crypto-focused equity and futures ETFs, and investment products that span Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, NFTs, and the Metaverse. Bitwise focuses on partnering with financial advisors and investment professionals to provide quality education and research. Hunter earned a bachelor of science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2018 Hunter was named one of Forbes “30 Under 30” in Finance.

CLASS OF 2010

8 Christie Byrne (SJS ’06) is the head of product at Synapticure, a neurology telemedicine clinic founded by an ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) patient and caregiver, which is dedicated to improving patient outcomes and creating the future of neurodegenerative disease care. At this time, the company serves patients battling ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and other dementias. She previously worked at Cricket Health, a start-up focused on early-intervention for chronic kidney disease patients, where she oversaw development of clinical products. Prior to transitioning into the digital health sector, Christie worked in clinical research at the Parkinson’s Institute, as well as at UCSF

(University California San Francisco) in the Memory and Aging Center, where she helped lead Care Ecosystem, a study designed to expand access to dementia patients via a telephonic care model. Having studied behavioral neuroscience in college, and after watching multiple family members battle neurodegenerative diseases, she feels a sense of urgency to help patients gain access to personalized, life-saving treatments, and is passionate about making that world a reality at Synapticure. Christie married Brad Lightcap on December 9, 2023, in Healdsburg, California. Their ceremony was officiated by Robert Vaughan (SJS ’06). They reside in San Francisco.

Madison Taylor is head of preclinical research at Neuralink, which is developing ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers. Madison earned a bachelor of arts degree in neurobiology and neurosciences from Wellesley College and was a research associate in Germany at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, was part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and a research associate at Stanford University School of Medicine.

CLASS OF 2011

9 Matthew Hardy (SJS ’07) married Morgan Henderson October 5, 2023 at St. Ignatius in San Francisco. The union also included an outdoor marriage blessing ceremony, dinner, and dancing at The Pearl in San Francisco on October 7—a full weekend of wedding bliss with their Sacred Heart family! Matt is Director of strategy and operations at Fanatics Betting and Gaming in San Francisco. Pictured L to R: Pedro Robinson, Ian Lynch, Colin Terndrup, Bo Sakowsky, Matthew Hardy, Pat McNamara, Rooney Pitchford, and Spencer Lamb—all from the SHP class of 2011.

CLASS OF 2012

10 Pippa Temple has served as deputy district attorney for San Mateo County since February 2021. Pippa earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Princeton University (where she was captain of the varsity Water Polo team) in 2016 and a J.D. degree from Boston College in 2020. Pippa played water polo on the Great Britain Senior National Team in 2014 representing Great Britain in the European Championships in Hungary.

Emma Catlin is head of engineering at Formally, which is on a mission to make legal processes accessible for everyone using cutting edge AI (artificial intelligence), behavioral psychology and secure portable data. Formally is building the future of legal collaboration, where everyone can access the legal help they need and lawyers can focus on problems that matter. She was previously a Software Engineer at Pinterest. Emma earned a Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science and Literary Arts in 2018 at Brown University.

CLASS OF 2015

Victoria (Garrick) Browne (LMS ’11) was named to Forbes "30 Under 30" 2024 list for Social Media. She is a TED Talk speaker, mental health advocate, podcast host, and former Division I Athlete who is known on social media for her unfiltered campaign, #RealPost.

Victoria first began sharing her story of how she battled and overcame depression & anxiety as a student-athlete in her 2017 TED Talk, “The Hidden Opponent,” which has been viewed over 500,000 times. She delivered the talk to SHP students in 2018 and as a sophomore member of the University of Southern California women’s volleyball team, where she was a four-year starter, PAC-12 champion, and finished her career with the top five most digs in program history.

She is the founder of the mental health non-profit, The Hidden Opponent, which was recognized as a standout resource for athletes by Kobe Bryant in his novel, Geese Are Never Swans

She also brings her message of authenticity to life daily on her social media platforms as well as her podcast, "Real Pod," which has surpassed 5M downloads and featured guests like Katie Couric, Josh Peck, and Kerri Walsh-Jennings.

Victoria now tours the country speaking at universities throughout the country in hopes of destigmatizing the conversation around mental health and encouraging all people to be their unfiltered selves.

CLASS OF 2019

11 Hannah Cevasco graduated from Yale University in 2023 and became the first Yale graduate to earn a bachelor of science degree in computational biology (a major that she created) and a certificate in Global Health. Hannah is interning with a biotech venture capital firm until she begins her PhD in Biology

at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall of 2024. Hannah is a member of the SHS Atherton Alumni Board and was the student body president, valedictorian, and founder of the SHP Career Fair. Pictured L to R: Siblings Thomas, Hannah, and Olivia Cevasco.

12 Grace Connors is a 2023 graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in computer science and peace studies. In addition to graduating with the first cohort of students in the bachelor of arts in computer science program, while at Notre Dame, Grace was a part of the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars program, the iTREDS scholars program, and the McNeill fellowship through the Center for Social Concerns—all programs with a unique focus on having a positive impact in the world. Grace further remains active in research with the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, having completed a data analysis report on government legitimization in Afghanistan this past fall, and continues her work on hate speech detection with AI models in the PeaceTech and Polarization Lab.

Throughout her time at Notre Dame, Grace also held four internships on three continents in the fields of philanthropy, social impact technology, and peacebuilding, learning how to leverage technology to promote social impact. Through this combination of coursework, extracurriculars, and professional experience, Grace found a passion for the intersection of peace and technology and aims to work within these fields to promote strategic peace within her spheres of influence.

On the first step of her career discernment journey, Grace was inspired to explore the field of smallholder farming and agriculture after her time living in Rwanda in the spring of 2022, which led her to a Monitoring and Evaluation internship with Warc Africa in Accra, Ghana this past fall. Warc is a social enterprise which operates in West Africa, serving over 14,000 smallholder farmers through its community-based Trading Hubs, which are focused on improving incomes, transforming rural livelihoods, and turning farmers into climate heroes. Grace enjoyed her time living in Ghana, and particularly loved analyzing impact data and running surveys on Warc’s regenerative agriculture pilot from their field office in Tumu.

Grace rounded out 2023 by traveling from Ghana to Kenya to attend the Build Peace Conference in Nairobi to help present her research with Dr. Lisa Schirch, and looks forward to further opportunities in 2024 to continue to utilize technology in her role as a peacebuilder.

CLASS OF 2021

13 Jonathan Martinez is a political science and sociology student at the University of San Diego (USD) and interned with the Office of Congress Member Kevin Mullin, U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 15th Congressional District last summer. Jonathan and fellow interns worked alongside the Congress member’s staff, focusing on constituent casework and reply letters, proudly serving the districts. During his internship, he was assigned a project in which he worked on a bill proposal on an issue of his choice and gave a presentation on adding multiple languages to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application, to increase accessibility to students and families from different and diverse backgrounds to Congressman Mullin and his team. Jonathan appreciates the opportunity and the many lessons learned and is especially thankful to The Peninsula College Fund for presenting him with this amazing opportunity and support. Jonathan is involved in Associated Student Government, M.E.C.h.A, Phi Alpha Delta Pre Law Fraternity, and works on campus in facilities management for USD Athletics.

SAINT JOSEPH’S SCHOOL (SJS)/ SACRED HEART LOWER MIDDLE SCHOOLS (LMS)

CLASS OF 1982

14 Dan Beltramo is president & chief innovation officer at Onclusive, a global public relations technology company. Dan also serves as Board of Director for IRIS.TV, the only data platform built for digital video, and Truthset.io, a data scoring company. Dan lives a few blocks from Sacred Heart and has a 14 year-old daughter and an 11 year-old son. Dan earned his bachelor’s degree in decision analytics and masters degree in business from Stanford University.

Tina (Rooke) Jones practiced law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and then pivoted to become the head of Global Human Resources for Cadence, a leader in electronic systems design, with over 11,000 employees in more than 25 countries. She is also the compensation committee chair and member of the board for Visier, a data analytics company. Tina earned a B.A. in political science at Stanford University and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and then clerked on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Tina lives in Menlo Park with her husband, Warren, and is the proud parent of 22-year-old twins, Austin (who is in the Navy) and Sophie (who is a professional soccer player).

CLASS OF 1984

15 Tracee Nichols is a jewelry designer based in Dallas, TX whose designs inhabit strength with elegance and grace. She has a notable following and has been worn by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Rosie HuntingtonWhitely, Ashley Graham, Tracy Anderson, John Travolta, Juliette Lewis, Lilly Singh, and Kristin Chenoweth. Tracee uses all ethically and sustainably sourced stones and her pieces are made in America. Raised by a sculptor father, she has always had a passion for jewelry. She double majored in Architectural and Interior Design, with a background in Art History from Arizona State University.

Alumni Day & 125th Anniversary Celebration

2024

Alumni Day

OCTOBER 5, 2024

Milestone Reunions for classes ending in 4 and 9 Alumni

www.shschools.org/ alumniday

Last fall’s Alumni Day was celebrated in conjunction with the school’s 125th anniversary with over 200 alumni in attendance from graduating classes from 1954 to 2018, family, and friends. Our Sacred Heart community returned home to campus to reunite with classmates, teachers and a few principals, too. Milestone class reunions were celebrated for class years ending in 3 and 8. The weekend kicked off with a Friday evening Gator Nation Tailgate to cheer on the football team for their “Under the Lights” game, and Saturday’s festivities were full of Sacred Heart spirit from noon until after dark.

• Retired Art Department Chair and teacher Janet (Johnson) Whitchurch held an art exhibit attended by many of her former students featuring her work that centered around the Main Building, which was on display outside the Otto Library.

• The Très Bien Tea luncheon on Conway (Palm) Court was filled with laughter, reminiscing, and an informative and relevant presentation by Sacred Heart Prep students and faculty on Lobbying for a nationwide AP (advanced placement) Women’s History Course.

• The 50th and 60th reunion classes were presented with a Golden and Diamond diploma (respectively) and red rose by their principal Sr. Sally Rude and Sr. Nancy Morris (respectively) in the very same place they received their high school diplomas.

• Mass in the Main Building Chapel was presided by Fr. John Whitney and the Spirit of Mater Alumni Award was presented to Christine O’Neal (SJS ’94, SHP ’98).

• Alumni Oktoberfest with Gordon Biersch Brewing Company was held in the center of the Prep campus surrounded by our oldest (1898) and newest (2019) buildings, the stars and our amazing alumni, family, friends, RSCJ, and Sacred Heart educators—past and present.

Diamond and Golden Diploma Ceremony

50th Class Tea

"Spirit of Mater" Presentation SAVE

Mass Oktoberfest

Preserving the Past, Perfecting the Present

This past fall, the two historic parlors and the Heritage Room on the first floor of the Main Building underwent a revival, led by alumna and PAL Sydney Wachhorst (SJS ’84) of W Design Interiors, whose generous contributions transformed each space. The remodel both preserved and enhanced historic features, and added elements that tapped into cultural and symbolic meaning—when guests arrive to campus and walk through these rooms, they are greeted by a warm ambience— each tapestry, window treatment, lighting fixture, and piece of furniture has a place in telling the school’s unique Sacred Heart story. The renaissance of these spaces has involved significant upgrades and restorative work, and each is now something of a visual feast. For example, the “Heritage Room” has come alive with its new custom mural wallpaper of large-scale, black-and-white photographs sourced from the SHS archives. The “Quilt Parlor” now features an imposing wall-sized unit that frames the stunning Centennial Quilt on exhibit, while numerous photographs and school artifacts related to the pioneering RSCJ who established and operated the school for decades pepper the adjacent bookshelves. Previously housed at the former Sunset Magazine headquarters in Menlo Park, a historic table has

been repurposed for conference and meeting use, and matched with a generous donation of restored Michael Taylor chairs. The original pattern designs for the parlor’s iconic centerpiece quilt—hand-crafted for the school’s 100th anniversary—were matted and have become a permanent installation along the room’s eastern wall. In the “Piano Parlor,” a similar display of original blueprint illustrations showcase the school’s early building plans and aspirations. And, framing the bank of windows in both parlors, new custom cornice boxes were designed with embroidered crests that “pay tribute to the history of the school, and help usher in the future,” explained Wachhorst.

Sr. Nancy Morris recalled the historic uses of all three spaces: “The [Quilt] Parlor was the ‘Reverend Mother’s Parlor,’ to be used primarily by the Superior to visit with her guests—everybody else used the Piano Parlor, [where] special piano recitals were held. The Heritage Room was a passageway to the upstairs or out to Palm Court [now Conway Court].”

Do you have memories of how these spaces were historically used? Please share your recollections by contacting alumni@shschools.org, or message us on social media: facebook.com/SHSAthertonAlumni and instagram.com/madeleine_sophie_

Left top: The refreshed Quilt Parlor

Left lower: The refreshed Piano Parlor

Right: The Green Parlor was renamed Piano Parlor

Sacred Heart Celebrates 125 Years of Educating for a Lifetime

Consider building the next 125 years through a bequest in your will. Your future legacy gift will ensure long-term support for our mission and preserve our cherished Sacred Heart experience for generations to come.

Boarder Shares Her Story

The following is an excerpt from an article published in the Associated Alumnae & Alumni of the Sacred Heart’s Esprit de Coeur by Lindsay (Galloway) Hill, CSH ‘76, sharing how she became a full-time boarding school student at SHS, then called Convent of the Sacred Heart (CSH)...

“In the blink of an eye, I was uniformed and packed up, accompanied by a new footlocker purchased from an ancient army surplus store downtown on Market Street. Both the brand new footlocker and a new small grey suitcase were placed in the trunk of my Grandmother’s car. We sailed south down the San Francisco Peninsula, on to Menlo’s campus, passing through the stately Valparaiso Avenue gates.

The lush grounds of oak and palm trees greeted us as we wound our way slowly up to the Main Building. Parking under the shelter of the porte cochere, there appeared a magnificent valley oak tree. Dominating the front entrance on the east side, it towered over the grass running the length of the building out to the flagpole. I was awestruck!”

ABOUNDING LOVE

A happy day on campus when the school celebrated both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, and the start of the Lenten season, on February 14th. Sr. Kathy Dolan visited the Montessori Preschool to offer ashes and blessings to our youngest students.