SCHOOL TIES SAN DOMENICO
A Global Outlook Part 1, Summer 2018
Chugui (Tiger) Liao ’21 and Leona Bermak ’29, Upper School-Lower School Co-Curricular Class Buddies
Jackson Fairborn ’21 and Dashiell Fairborn ’24
g
SUMMER 2018
global outlook FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
26
An Ancient City, Old Friends, and New Connections
06
28
Making an Impact in Rural Australia
30
Q&A Global Perspective: Alumni Profiles
34 From SD to Guatemalan Congresswoman
On Campus
SD in Quotes We Asked Graduation Events PSA Gala 2018 Athletic Wrap-up
24 Reunion + SD Connect 36 Class Notes 44 Remembrances 46 From the Archives
Editorial Staff: Kimberly Pinkson, Courtney Phillips, Lisa Hilgers, Sonya Evans, Wynn Richards, Kirstie A. Martinelli, Anna Heidinger, Heather Wright-Ojha, Liz Held, Emily Garlock, Deanna Bruton, and Julie Lanzarin
HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear San Domenico Community Members, Graduation 2018 was a momentous event at our School, marking the end of a seminal chapter in the history of San Domenico. Since 1850, when Mother Mary Goemaere and a group of fiercely independent Dominican Sisters saw the need for a place where young women could develop their talents and become leaders in a world not ready to accept them as equals, our School has graduated strong, independent women. Among these graduates is our Board Chair, Amy Skewes-Cox ’76, who rode her bike here from Kentfield on April 22, 1970, the very first Earth Day, and so discovered a passion for ecology that led to a career as a successful environmental planner. Over the course of our School’s 168-year history, we have seen it grow and change in countless ways. Together we have learned why they say change is hard; because even positive change contains the loss of what once was. What has not changed, however, is the core of Dominican education and the mission of San Domenico to graduate individuals equipped to create a better world, and to respond with integrity to the needs and challenges of our time. In fact, our mission has strengthened, and as this most recent graduating class has shown, change can further empower agency. The Lean In and Me Too movements further illustrate that women need to continue to stand up and be heard. Today, San Domenico students learn to speak up as girls and boys, across all ages and genders. As I shared in my graduation speech for the last class that entered SD as all-girls, “You have expressed yourselves with passion, power, and eloquence. You came to realize that sometimes people, places, and institutions need to change to continue to grow, and even while standing strong in your conviction, you embraced change with grace. This is a skill that will serve you well as you venture forth in a quickly changing world.” These students were pioneers of transformation, and they rose to the occasion. Like many SD students and alumni, they challenged personal choices, political issues, gender stereotypes, social and environmental discord, and religious beliefs. Rather than falling prey to media noise and petty bickering, which leads to division and hostility, they used their voices to create dialogue, and opened their minds and hearts to understand, and found common ground through compassion and understanding. Perhaps it is the influence of the amazing music one often hears floating through campus, but one way or another, our community finds a way to harmonize. And that has set us on a course for the next century of Dominican education! Please join me in wishing the Class of 2018 well.
Cecily Stock ’77, M.A., J.D. Head of School
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VERITIES “Has the sun risen today?” “Yes.” “Then all will be well.” “Will the sun rise again tomorrow?” “Yes.” “Then all will be well.” Recently, I attended a luncheon with a group of multi- generational, ethnically-diverse women—one of them, a woman from Kenya, shared with us the above words. She told us that Kenyan families greet each other with this ritual each morning. I was profoundly touched. This beautiful tradition reminded me of the wonderful spirit of gratitude and confidence with which I, too, might approach my morning prayer. The sun that rises in Kenya is the very same sun that rises outside my window, and in the skies over villages, towns, cities, and metropolitan areas around the globe. It’s the source of energy, light, life, and inspiration for us and our neighbors—in Kenya, Hong Kong, Mexico, England, Uruguay, Yemen, or China, home to many of our alumni and school families. We, and all of creation, draw upon this common source of light and life, and it can awaken us to our interconnectedness. Centuries of wonder and wisdom teach us that culture, tradition, and ritual hold communities together, and are beginning to teach us the expanded recognition that we are members of one ‘family’ as global inhabitants. Additionally, upon deeper reflection, we see there is a Source of all creation that holds the entirety in balance, luring us to embrace our responsibility for one another—knowing we are one people. We are drawn to work together under the same daily rising sun, to pray with assurance of God’s blessings upon us, and then accomplish justice and peace the world so desires. Together, we luncheon companions then discussed dangerous international situations and how each affects the other. In African villages, destructive actions impact adjacent villages because neighbors neglect concern for the common good. We talked about similar situations in Central America, the U.S., and so many other world-wide locations—both well-known and obscure—that struggle with conflict, violence, and devastation. While lamenting the disarray and disunity in our world, we spoke about our current youth whose voices are loud and clear, articulate and unafraid, speaking their truth and leading with confidence. They give us great hope—a hope that is spreading and deepening around our globe. We agreed that all of us must follow their lead and engage and network with other groups to strengthen and advance positive responses that will address and resolve today’s most serious issues. Our graduates, along with our current students, are beacons of light for our world as well. This past Spring, we joyfully welcomed back to campus graduates from Dominican Convent Upper School and San Domenico who visited from their far distant homes—three from Hong Kong, one from Mexico, one from Uruguay, and one from mainland China. They all are working to advance positive values in their chosen fields. They are committed to keeping alive that focus—those learned values that were a large part of their Dominican education. On the following pages of this issue of School Ties, you will meet several of our graduates rooted in spiritual values that connect and unify them. These values provide direction for both their lives and their challenging work. They know there is a God, a power greater than our own, who assures them and us that we are all one, and that “Yes, the sun did rise today and will rise tomorrow. All will be well.”
Sister M. Gervaise Valpey, O.P. President Emerita
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ON CAMPUS “ It was really powerful to be able to express my feelings like that and I felt so supported by the School.” - MIKAYLA PEARCE ’20, on being selected to present her English assignment on KQED and at a TedX Youth Conference
“Being an international student gives me a chance
to broaden my learning, understanding and integrating my home country’s culture and American culture.”
- JACK CHENG ’19
“I really hope there is another
opportunity for me to bake cakes for our School.” - KYLE GINWALA ’23
“ Being in
‘The Sound of Music’ was the best!” - NATHAN FARRINGTON ’23
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SD in Quotes “In science class we were recently
talking about how, no matter where we are on earth, everything we do that contributes to a warming climate impacts our whole world.” - TRISTAN BUSHKOV ’22
“ In history class we did debates
and I chose the subject of cloning and whether or not it is ethical to clone animals and people. It was really interesting!” - MAE HUTCHINSON ’22
“ Charlie was my favorite dog. I liked to walk him and he liked watching us play on the playground. Charlie gave us love.”
- MADDIE CHURCHILL, ’29
In April, SD lost a cherished member of our community. Charlie was the beloved pet Corgi who resided in the Convent with Sister Marion Irvine. He was much loved by the Sisters, the boarding students, resident faculty and their families, and all those who crossed paths with the pair as they did their daily walk of five miles or more through Sleepy Hollow over the past seven years.
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ON CAMPUS
What is the Compassion. most interesting L Dedicated. international topicKind. you’ve Inv Compassionate. discussedOpen-minded. in class? Humble. P Kindness. Listens. Empath “ Kind. Involved. Confident Passionate. Involved. Ded ” Listens. Empathetic.Comp “ “ ” Confident. Humble. Ope Kind. Involved. Enthusias ” Compassionate. Kind. Inv When the King of Thailand died, we discussed the challenges that a country faces when there is a transfer of power. It inspired my research project and challenged me to think critically about my home country and see the situation from a wider perspective on our world. - KWAN LIMBHASUT ’19
Learning about the situation in Syria made me realize how lucky I am to live here, to be so safe right now. - SOPHIE LIU ’23
I am grateful that SD has an in-depth course [Global Studies] where we really get to look at religions, such as Hinduism, from around the world and can form our own opinions. - SOPHIA TIMPSON ’22
Open-minded. Passionate.
Listens. Empathetic.Givin 8 SCHOOL TIES
We Asked
Listens. Empathetic. Kind volved. Confident. Listen “ Passionate. Kind. Involve hetic. Compassionate. “ ” t. Humble. Open-minded ” Enthusiastic. Kin dicated. mpassionate. Kind. Involve “ en-minded. Passionate. ” stic. Listens. Empathet “ volved. Confident. Humb . Dedicated.Enthusiastic. ” ng. Kind. Involved. Helpin We were challenging stereotypes and assumptions and Ms. McKeown showed me a picture of Africa that I thought was San Francisco . . . it was so surprising.
Our community is the essence of global learning. Having classmates and friends from Colombia, Hong Kong, and different parts of the Bay Area, so many conversations and topics become more interesting and relevant because it always extends from San Domenico to the bigger world. - JULIA BENTUM ’18
- GINA POPP ’23
In 7th grade History we learned about Marco Polo and his journey across Europe and Asia. We ‘go’ to a new place every day! - LUCY PHILLIPS ’24
“Studying abroad at a young age is not easy, but it has enriched my life experience and helped me to understand different perspectives. And being part of an international community helped to me to learn and grow holistically. Thank you! - TERESA HE ’18
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ON CAMPUS Graduation
“ You leave our campus today at an incredible time in our
history. Youth activism is at the forefront of our political and social agendas as a nation and in the world at large. Our nation’s leaders are listening to teenagers like never before. And . . . they had better listen to YOU! ” - KATE REESER, Upper School Director and K-12 Director of Teaching and Learning
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CLASS OF
“ ...We never learned how to balance a checkbook, and I
have strong doubts that I will ever need to use trigonometric functions in my life, but SD did teach us about social justice and why history and politics matter. In many ways, the understanding we have gained while at this school has helped shape us in this era of resurgent youth activism. Protesting and political activism is the new hanging out at the mall for many American teenagers, and although the national political climate has caused this new-found social awareness, without the conversations about equity and justice that we have had in classrooms throughout our time in high school, we would not have the same depth of knowledge about these issues . . .
rant session, if more people were given the opportunities to learn about fundamental societal issues in the way we have been given the privilege of doing in our time here, I have no doubt that this country would be a very different place…Thank you to our teachers, for your undying support, unending belief in our excuses as to why we didn’t finish all of our assignments, and Dr. Brown’s great life talks . . .” - AURORA KATHERYN GRACE SCHUNEMANN ’18, Senior Class President
SD has given us a platform to begin learning how to have conversations with those you disagree with. Not only have we protested in the city and in Washington, but also right here at San Domenico. Aside from partisan rants, and those who know me know I love a good
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ON CAMPUS “ . . . Teachers, you brought information into the present so we can apply it in our futures. You helped us understand the values of learning about world religions and ethics, connecting literature to actual events, realizing the importance of science and math, and how history impacts today. But more than that, I am profoundly grateful for the other lessons I have learned from my teachers: For conversations in mentoring with Dr. Brown about politics, romance, and travel. For the confidence Mr. High has given me by teaching me that in order to succeed, it is important to ask questions and make mistakes and to not take life too seriously which he reminded me of constantly by teasing me for my love of hot Cheetos. Thank you Mr. B for your undying support of our work on the honor code, for never giving up on our cringe-worthy essays, and for teaching me that life is not about being perfect, rather it’s about learning from our pasts to create a better future. Thank you Ms. Huffman for your corny chemistry jokes that somehow made science make sense, for your unconditional love, and for when you and Mrs. Levine towed Soria and I back in our kayak junior year. Thank you to Ms. T for seeing the leader in me and never giving up on when I felt like I couldn’t push any further . . . Each of you have not only added knowledge to our brains but helped us grow as people in this world. From the bottom of my heart I can not thank you enough for caring as much as you do and for being the wind under our wings as educators, as mentors, and as people who have forever changed our lives . . . ” - SONEL KEDIA ’18, Student Body President 12 SCHOOL TIES
SUMMER 2018 13
ON CAMPUS Earth Day Lower School Spanish Dance
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
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Events
Multi-Cultural Day By Julia Bentum ’18
Multicultural Day was one of the largest events put on by the Multicultural Club. The club met every Tuesday for months in advance, planning the location, the activities, and making presentations and posters to make this a great event. We hoped to give the student body a deeper understanding of cultures outside of our immediate surroundings. Countries and nationalities represented included Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico, Oceania, Native America, Germany, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. Students got to try new foods from each culture, participate in activities, watch short videos and presentations, and listen to different types of music from all around the world!
I wanted to continue the tradition of having a Multicultural Day because San Domenico is home to many cultures and backgrounds. The day was fun and interactive, and a great way to get a taste of the cultures represented at our School and from all around the world! During her time at SD, Julia was President of the Multicultural Club, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, President of Black Student Union, Co-Captain of the Track and Field team, and Co-Captain of JV Volleyball. This fall she’ll be studying at NYU, and says, “I’ll miss the supportive and tight-knit community of San Domenico.”
SUMMER 2018 15
ON CAMPUS “The Sound of Music” MIddle School Spring Theatre
5th Grade Colonial Day
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Events “Almost Maine”
Upper School Spring Theatre
Upper School Virtuoso Program Chamber Music Concert
7th Grade Renaissance Day
SUMMER 2018 17
ON CAMPUS
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PSA Gala 2018
SUMMER 2018 19
ON CAMPUS What a year! For Panther Athletics, 2017-18 was definitely one for the record books! More than 70% of Upper School students were involved in our JV and Varsity Athletic Program, including 42 students who played at least two sports, and one who played three varsity sports this year! Below are some highlight accomplishments of our outstanding teams, but what is even more impressive is the way these scholar athletes have come together. Their hard work and sportsmanship is stellar and sets us up well for 2018-19, when we move up to the Bay County League (BCL) - West Division beginning in the 2018-19 academic year. The School will now play against the other BCL-West schools, including:
• Marin Academy • San Francisco University High School • The Urban School of San Francisco • Convent / Stuart Hall High School and • Lick-Wilmerding High School. We are excited to match our strong college preparatory academic program with an increasingly competitive athletics program. I could not be more proud of the enthusiasm, spirit, positivity, and a deep commitment of our scholar athletes. Congratulations to all of our coaches and players! Dan Gilmartin, Director of Athletics
Go Panthers!
Additional Highlights from this Year in SD Athletics San Domenico had:
• over 20 All-League Players
• 3 Marin IJ Preps of the Week • 6 BCL Playoff teams • 6 NCS (North Coast Section) CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) playoff teams
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Baseball BCL 2018 Varsity Men’s Baseball Champions
Basketball BCL 2018 Varsity Men’s Basketball Champions
Athletics PI CHAM ONS Varsity Baseball, in only their second season, captured the BCL Central CHAMPIONSHIP!
With grit and hard-work this young team led by Conner Liang, Max Ray, Parker Bizjack, Sean Kwok, Patrick Liang, and Henry Ludlow, is already making their mark.
SUMMER 2018 21
ON CAMPUS Fall 2017 Varsity Cross Country Men’s and Women’s programs continue to build with countless personal bests. Top performers this season were Thomas Kunze, Kyu Hwang, Sabrina Strain, and Josh Espulgar-Rowe. Varsity Women’s Golf team competed for a top spot in the league this season. After many excellent rounds of golf throughout the season this team came up just short of the league title quest, but sent two golfers, Junior Helena Bland and Senior Guliniali Tuerhong, to the BAC League Finals Tournament.
Valadao-Defaria, Sienna Greenberg, and Jamie Wise. For the 2018-19 year, we proudly welcome a new Volleyball Coach, Olivia Urban, current Assistant Coach for College of Marin’s volleyball team and a staff coach for the local Absolute Volleyball Club.
Winter 2017-18 Varsity Men’s Basketball went all the way to the top as BCL Central Champions! This years’ team, led by League MVP Cash Fulton and a cast of players including Josh Martinez, Max Ray, Nik Axelsen, Parker Bizjack, Ray Qin, Kade O’Reilly, and Sebastian Le. Congratulations to
all of the players and our tremendous coaching staff. JV Men’s Soccer was led by MVP Connor Price, with additional strong performances by Mason Berry, Isa Twist, and Alex Dalsager. Varsity Women’s Tennis made the league tournament and had outstanding play all year from Yuki Wang, Jessica Zhou, Sophie Wang, and Norika Terasawa. Varsity Women’s Volleyball is on the move with standout players Julia Berman, Emily Owens, Kwan Limbhasut, Anna
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Varsity Women’s Basketball was one game away from winning the BCL Central title. Led by junior Cate Olrich, this year’s MVP, and sophomores, Isabella Engler and Alexa Dal Porto, this team showed tremendous heart and determination that made SD proud! We look forward to next year and the return of our 2017-18 MVP and leading scorer in Marin County, Kayden Korst, who was out for much of this season with an injury. Congratulations to all of the players and Coach Steph!
Athletics Spring 2018 Varsity Badminton Men’s and Women’s saw incredible play! On the Women’s team Leslie Wang, Vicky Ge, and Charlene Zhang were unstoppable. The Men’s team saw outstanding play from David Wan and Tony Wang, who made it to Third Place (out of 19 teams) as a doubles team in the NCSCIF Playoffs! Varsity Men’s Golf is building with William Ma, Gareth McGuinness, and Kevin Yan leading the way. Varsity Men’s Tennis teamwas led by Jeremy Cai, Tony Wang, Jonah Richards, and Bryan Min. The team qualified for
Brown, who qualified for NCSCIF in two events, and Sabrina Strain, who also contributed to the team’s strong showing this season! Varsity Men’s Tennis team was led by Jeremy Cai, Tony Wang, Jonah Richards, and Bryan Min. This team managed to compete in the league playoffs and qualified for NCSCIF Playoffs. These are both firsts for this only three-year old varsity team. Varsity Men’s and Women’s Track sent three members to the NCSCIF Finals: Julia Bentum, Alejandra Changeux, and Ray Qin.
NCSCIF Playoffs, a major first in this three year old varsity program. Varsity Women’s Soccer team was exciting to watch, all the way to the BCL Central League Playoffs for the first time in seven years! Standout players included Abby Morgan, the team MVP, along with Corinne Webster, Hannah Kaye, Katrina Aronovsky, and Anna Valadao-Defaria. Varsity Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams competed impressively this past season. Congratulations to Coach Gadi and standout swimmers including Jackson Fairborn, Ivan Huo, Natasha Cameron, Sarah Phillips, Sophie Keith-
The JV and Varsity Men’s and Women’s Mountain Bike Team is building with world-class rider Zayetzy Garcia-Bareno and MVP August Mesarchik leading the way. Congratulations to Coach Huffman and riders! JV and Varsity Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse club teams are building and we look forward to growing these programs at SD.
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ALUMNI REUN
San Domenico Sch
Together with the San Domenico Alumni Council, Head of School, Cecily an exciting and updated Alumni Reunion Weekend! Note that Reunion
We can’t wait to celebrate the classes
Introducing
SD Connect San Domenico’s NEW Web + Mobile Alumni Community! 24 SCHOOL TIES
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with EverTrue, a premier advancement and alumni platform, to bring you SD Connect, an online San Domenico alumni network at your fingertips. Discover what your classmates are up to, find jobs, locate old friends, become a mentor, and reconnect! SD Connect will integrate contact and employment information from our School’s database. If you’re a LinkedIn user you can link your profile, and you will
ION WEEKEND
ool, May 3-4, 2019
Stock ’77, and Sister Gervaise Valpey, O.P., we invite you to join us for will be shifting from the fall (September) to the spring (May).
ending in ’3, ’4, ’8, and ’9 in May 2019! instantly be connected to other San Domenico alumni profiles, enjoying all the benefits and functionality that LinkedIn offers. SD Connect officially launched on May 10, 2018. All Upper School Dominican/San Domenico Alumni are automatically included, unless you take action to opt out.
If the School does not have your email address, you will miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with alumni across generations and around the world. Contact us today at alums@sandomenico.org with your updated information. With SD Connect, the possibilities for connection, networking, reminiscing, and reconnecting with your fellow alums are endless! SUMMER 2018 25
L
ast summer I traveled to the UK to spend two weeks of my summer break with fellow alumna Charlotte (Chuck) Kostelic ’09. Chuck, a graduate from Barnard College, was working at the Royal Archives in Windsor, England for several months. We took a long weekend holiday to Edinburgh and loved tasting whiskey, drinking tea, and, of course, learning the history of the old city. After hiking Arthur’s Seat, Chuck and I stopped to look out over the city of Edinburgh. We saw the ancient Edinburgh Castle and did our best at picking out other landmarks that we explored the day before. What we didn’t know during that visit was that another SD alumna was living and working in Edinburgh. Hannah Fitzpatrick ’06, also a graduate from Barnard College, had moved moved to London to complete
fourth year students on the geography of borders, and is working with third years who are beginning to design their senior theses. While doing so much teaching, Hannah finds herself drawing on knowledge that first began developing in classes at San Domenico. “Because I am an academic, my exposure to a wide variety of literature, drama, and philosophy early on in my education was invaluable. Alongside that exposure was a meticulous training in how to critically consider ideas, language, framing and context, and the encouragement to think in terms of complexity and nuance, rather than in simple cause-and-effect modes of problem-solving.” Looking back to her time at SD, Hannah would tell her high school self that, “Everything is temporary. The place you’re in now is only your place for a finite period of time, so if it’s
Old Friends, and New Co Upper School Math teacher, Melinda Borello ’10 correspo a masters in Social Anthropology of Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Until recently, she was teaching in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and recently started a position at the University of Edinburgh. This spring I was able to ask Hannah some questions about her experience living and working abroad. As a full-time postdoctoral teacher in the School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh, Hannah teaches college students and works on her own research, as well as being an academic advisor and working on a book. Right now she is developing a new course for third and
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Chuck Kostelic ’09 and Melinda Borello ’10 in Edinburgh
great, make the most of it, and if it’s not, hold on to the knowledge that it won’t last forever.”
This piece of advice helped Hannah to take risks that ultimately led her to live and work Abroad. Being open to opportunities that are not expected or even considered, while being flexible and willing to change, led Hannah to exciting outcomes in her career. With risks comes the possibility of failure, which Hannah finds important. “I can’t always succeed, and I am not always affirmed in my attempts. In fact, most of the time in academia, it’s one failure (a failed grant application) after another (a rejected book proposal). Along with failure comes a willingness to take risks, and that has been the most important factor in my ability to live and work
Hannah at the University of St. Andrews
out of place. At times she feels like she represents all Americans (something that many immigrants feel) which can be a difficult burden to carry since many people outside of the US are very critical of American government and society. Although they all speak English in the UK, Hannah finds that “British society is fueled by understatement. There are still days where I have no idea what is going on around me in a meeting, because the British use of language is subtle, and relies on euphemism, tone, and body language rather than the literal meaning of words! If you ever watch The Great British Baking Show, you start to get a feel for it. When Paul or Mary says, ‘This wasn’t great’, they really mean, ‘This is the worst thing I have ever tasted’!”
nnections in Edinburgh nded with Hannah Fitzpatrick ’06 about her career so far internationally. Taking risks, not avoiding possible failure, going with the flow, and recognizing that being an immigrant comes with unexpected challenges and responsibilities are all good ways of navigating life abroad!” One of the challenges of a life abroad is the literal distance from where Hannah is working and to where she considers home. “One of the things a lot of people told me when I was considering moving to London for my masters degree was that I would always be able to return home when I wanted. I would say to a current student that that’s not exactly true, and I think that once you have expanded your life to include foreign bank accounts, foreign credit scores, foreign networks, and sometimes foreign partners, the idea of home becomes more complicated. While this has made me a supremely independent individual with an enormously gratifying set of life experiences, it can leave me feeling isolated and distant from friends and family. The people who know me best, who knew me first, aren’t a part of my life in the way that I sometimes wish they were.” With so many Americans in Scotland, Hannah doesn’t usually feel
Hannah has been fortunate enough to able to live in Scotland. With a supportive family, some good luck, and the means to go abroad, she has been able to make a life for herself in a foreign country doing work that she loves. Not everyone will be able to have this opportunity to live abroad and Hannah recognizes this. “I think there are many ways to be a global citizen, and living abroad isn’t a requirement. Learning to travel ethically and with humility, reading about places you have never been in books written by people who are from those places, considering the provenance of the items, culture, and media we consume, making space for people from other countries in our own hometowns are all vital ways to engage meaningfully and productively with the rest of the world. Having said all that, one of my closest friends from SD recently came to visit me in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival and we had a blast. It was very special to be able to share my city with her.” I also had the pleasure of experiencing Edinburgh with my friend. And I couldn’t agree more: it was very special to connect with an old friend in a new place.
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Making an Impact in Rural Australia by Nadia Chaves ’92 WITH LIZ HELD, ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATE
As an American with Aussie roots, I had the pleasure of corresponding with Nadia Chaves ’92 from her home in Australia. We wanted to hear more about her career as an infectious disease physician working abroad and how San Domenico played a role in broadening her horizons and influencing a true love of learning. She is an inspiring example of how an SD education can be the foundation for a life of caring for the whole person and for creating a worldwide perspective on life, learning, and pursuing one’s passions! After medical school and spending two years working in Aboriginal public health in a remote part of Western Australia and in the Northern Territory, Nadia began working in a Melbourne Hospital, where she met her husband, Rohit. Instead of becoming a traveling global public health physician, she ended up staying in Melbourne and working in refugee health. Despite the change in plans, she says, “I meet people from all over the world and know how to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in multiple languages, from Arabic and Oromo, to Russian and Greek! I definitely consider myself to be a global citizen.” The following is a summary of Nadia’s reflections during our across-the-seas correspondence.
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W
orking as an infectious diseases and refugee health specialist in a multidisciplinary community health clinic in Australia means the care we are able to provide is very holistic. I chose a career in infectious diseases because they are often related to social determinants of health and access to healthcare. I ask my patients what really matters to them. It might not be the hepatitis or tuberculosis for which they have been referred to me, but rather, their worries about school or housing. We try to enable them to manage their health issues in the context of their life issues. I am also an internal medicine specialist in a large public hospital in Melbourne. When I am on ward service, I work six days a week caring for up to 25 patients with a team of other doctors, nurses, and allied health staff. Our patients are the most underserved in the community and have complex medical and social problems. Many are socially isolated, living in nursing homes, are homeless, or have substance use issues. Former teacher Gloria Neumeier, Nadia, and her classmates Again, it is our job not at SD in the early 1990s. to just ‘fix’ the medical conditions, but to try to look after the person as a whole, and to ask what they would like us to do to enable them to feel better. It is a challenging and rewarding job, but because it is time-consuming I only do a few months of ward service a year. I mix it up with quality improvement person-centred care work–looking at interventions to improve patient care, such as facilitating the use of interpreters or giving talks to staff about well-being and how to find joy at work. It is my clinical work which has led me to now pursue a PhD in Behaviour Change; specifically, how to improve patient experience and engagement. This is quite challenging in the public hospital system, and patients are often
disempowered. As doctors, we can provide health care, but we also have the opportunity to connect with people as people, not just patients. Reflecting on my childhood, I can clearly see how my time at San Domenico impacted who I am today. Because of my dad’s work, we moved quite often. I attended ten schools in five countries. More than any other, San Domenico nurtured my love of learning and provided me with an incredible global education. We were taught about social justice and community service and that we were part of a bigger world and had the capability to make a difference. At SD, the variety of classes we were able to take was incredible! I learned Biology from Mrs. Pogrel–she organized a science workshop where we did our own western blot tests with herring sperm DNA–unheard of back then! Mr. Starn taught Modern American literature, Mrs. Thayer taught Classic Russian Literature, Sister Annette taught World Religions, and I don’t want to forget Mrs. Glazer in Pottery, Mrs. Smiley in Japanese and Piano, and Mrs. Epke in Geometry! And then there was our beloved Principal, Sr. Gervaise. She was the one who held it all together, guiding us and encouraging us to be unique and strive to do our best. Her contributions to San Domenico were (and continue to be) enormous. However, the most impactful thing for me has to be my ongoing friendship with Gloria Neumeier, my teacher for Modern Chinese and African History, AP US History, and Model United Nations. Gloria gave me the opportunity to stretch my brain and to think outside the box, whether we were discussing the impact of colonialism in Africa or the impending Gulf War (which started in 1990 when I was at SD). Whenever we catch up to this day, I learn so much. She is always doing something new and finding a new way of contributing. She is an inspiration and I absolutely treasure her. At San Domenico, I had friends from America, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, many of whom I am still in touch with today. It contributed to an inspired sense of global citizenship that I believe is critical in education. We need students who love learning, who graduate aware of the world around them, and who want make a difference and strive for a sustainable and fairer planet. If we enable our children to become global citizens, they will have a voice and the ability to join other communities to have an impact. I would encourage all current high schoolers who are thinking about an international career to GO FOR IT! The world is a smaller place now, and you are only a flight away from where you came from.
Nadia and her sisters, Tanya (LS) and Karina MS'91
“
I believe that teachers learn more from their students than the other way around. One of the joys of my San Domenico experience has been knowing Nadia and Rohit, and witnessing their contributions to the betterment
” of the world.
- Gloria Neumeier, former SD teacher, GP’04
Nadia, Gloria Neumeier, and Sister Gervaise on campus in 2017
I would love for my children, who are six and nine, to attend a school like SD. In fact, my sisters, Tanya Chaves and Karina Chaves, also attended SD and we’ve spoken about how we’d all love to send our kids to a school like SD! I am so grateful for this opportunity to say “Thank you” for the experience I had at my favourite school, San Domenico. We are so inspired by Nadia, for the work she does, and for carrying on the values she learned at SD.
SUMMER 2018 29
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: ALUMNI PROFILES
Middle School Alumnus Ben Bradford MS’97 BY NICOLE STOCK, MS’12
San Domenico alumnus Ben Bradford is a state government reporter for Capital Public Radio, a Sacramento-based, NPR affiliate station. He received his undergraduate degree at University of California at Los Angeles, master’s degree at Columbia University, and was the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow award for reporting in 2014. Today, Bradford’s work takes him as close to home as our state capitol, and as far away as China, where he accompanied Governor Jerry Brown last year.
Q: What did you learn at San Domenico that helped you in the career you have now?
really generic and really basic, but that is because they are really generic, really basic skills. And, if you can do them well–there are very few people that can do them well– then doors will open for you.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories from SD? A: I remember going to Yosemite, which was absolutely beautiful. We were staying in cabins, but I don’t believe they had any electricity, and that was my first time doing anything close to camping.
Q: Given your familiarity with our
A: I had an English teacher in
eighth grade and he was really foundational to my writing. He was the first teacher who didn’t just pat me on the back and [say] ‘Oh yeah, you’re a good writer’. You turn something into him, and he [would say], ‘I want more detail in this. I want more description. Write better sentences’. I started when I was in eighth grade, and you get better as you do it. You have good editors who are going to tell you what you’re doing wrong and how to be better about it, and be encouraging and at the same time, kind of holding your feet to the fire. If I’m looking back, I think that is the first person I can see who did that.
Q: What would you say to a current SD student who is interested in pursuing a career in journalism?
A: I think learning how to write and how to speak publicly are two incredibly important skills. That probably sounds
30 SCHOOL TIES
Ben with the governor in China
state government, and the recent walkouts and protests, what would you say to all the kids at SD who are feeling frustrated by our state and national legislatures? How can SD students make an impact?
A: The way to do it is to put on the
pressure. You can put pressure on through the media, by being active, and by writing and calling and advocating. If you find yourself in Washington, D.C., try to go visit your members of Congress. That all matters. They tally that and they see who it is. One of the things that has been really amazing about the the protests after the Parkland shooting is that they have come from the students. They’ve come from voices we don’t usually hear from, and that lawmakers don’t usually hear from.
Q: Last year you traveled
to China with Jerry Brown. What did that experience entail?
A: Since President Trump
took office and has looked to pull back on U.S. action on climate change, Governor Brown has taken a much more prominent international role. So, before going to China, I’d covered this alliance he’s put together between other state and regional governments around the world– and his trip to China was in many ways an extension of that. The station sent me to follow the governor on this week-long tour through three different Chinese provinces, where Brown met with regional officials and, ultimately, Chinese President Xi Jinping. Covering him typically meant waking up around 5:00 a.m. to jump into a van in his motorcade, following him to a litany of meetings and events (he’s pretty tireless, especially for someone who–at the time–was 79), and filing my last stories and interviews at around midnight or 1:00 a.m., which is morning Pacific Time.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from the trip? A: It was an exhausting, but fascinating experience.
difference between how our government and the Chinese government control media and access to information. It really reinforces how important our freedom of the press is for holding government accountable. We have to value that and protect it, as we’re seeing both government and businesses in the U.S. more tightly control their flows of information.
Q: If you could tell your
middle school self one thing, what would it be?
A: It is a really hard time to be confident in yourself, and I think that is something that I struggled with, that a lot of people struggle with. If I could go back, the main thing I would tell myself is, ‘It is going to be fine, this is all fine, and you’re good’. Trust yourself, and you’ll be just fine.
Nicole Stock, a 2012 graduate of San Domenico Middle School, is a rising junior at the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.
I think the biggest takeaway came from seeing the
SUMMER 2018 31
Upper School Alumna Catherine Carney Browning ’71 BY MIRZA KHAN, DIRECTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, ETHICS, AND WORLD RELIGIONS
Using her San Domenico education, Catherine Carney Browning has become a nurse, a teacher, a writer, and a contemplative. She holds degrees in Anthropology, Spirituality, and Psychiatric Mental Health. She believes that personal spirituality is essential to good mental health.
and that really opened my eyes to people’s suffering, which reinforced my decision to become a nurse and go overseas to help people.
For ten years, Catherine traveled, counseled people, and taught nursing throughout the Middle East. She continues her involvement there. Through this work Catherine at a Coptic church she helps bring peace and understanding between the East and the West. She believes that respecting diverse cultures and religions brings us closer to the Divine.
other side of the world, and so I became a Psychiatric Nurse. But it was difficult to find a job abroad. And then finally, one night in 1999, I prayed for guidance. And that night I found the perfect position teaching Psychiatric Nursing and counseling war victims in Kuwait. And I knew that this was what I was meant to do.
Q: What made you decide to go to the Middle East? A: Since I was child, I always had a dream to travel to the
Catherine with a Muslim Bedouin in Petra, Jordan
I spoke with Catherine from her home in Missouri. She currently works as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Arthur Center Community Health in rural Missouri.
Q: Is it more challenging to work as a nurse in a
Q: Thank you so much
A: Yes. When I first arrived in the Middle East, the
for taking the time to speak with us. Tell us about your experience at San Domenico.
different culture?
A: At San Domenico I really learned to love studying. I went on to get two bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate degree. We also did a lot of volunteer work
32 SCHOOL TIES
culture was so different. Everyone spoke Arabic. I asked myself: What am I doing here? But after working there for a while, I realized that the work is the same. People’s symptoms are the same. Inside we are all the same. Empathy, deep listening, and caring are universal languages.
Caption here
Catherine at the Valley of the Kings, Egypt
Q: How did you experience Middle Eastern culture? A: I learned so much! Through my job I was completely im-
out into the world and find work that is meaningful?
A: I would say, ‘Be gentle with yourself, no matter what
mersed in the culture. I learned the Arabic language. I could keep confidentiality and build trust. So people would tell me very intimate stories from their lives. And I would do what I could to heal the wounds left by many wars.
happens in your life. Keep on a path with God. And don’t give up on your dreams. The timing may not be your timing, but what is meant to be will be’.
Q: That is amazing. What advice would you give a
with us. You have made San Domenico so proud!
current San Domenico student who would also like to go
Q: Thank you so much for sharing a little of your story A: And I am so proud to be a San Domenico graduate!
SUMMER 2018 33
I
n 1974, Maria Eugenia Tabush was a 13-year old At SD, Maria says she learned three different ways of Guatemalan student who arrived at San Domenico knowing. First, her exceptional education broadened her high school to find that no uniforms were small enough world-view. She also gained an emotional grounding, for her, and she missed her family so much that she cried learning from the school’s diverse population how to for a year. Four years later, she left San Domenico with the recognize other people’s needs and how to react in certain firm belief that she could do anything she wanted to with situations. And lastly, Maria feels that her acquired culturher life, encouraged by al intelligence gave her Sister Gerald and her empathy and an underother teachers. Everystanding of other world one was so kind to her, cultures, all of which she says, and Maria made her stronger and believes that San more able to share, broadDomenico made her ened her vision, and gave who she is today, a her a sense of unlimited happily married mother, possibilities. She sees that grandmother, and cultural intelligence as a Guatemalan congressmajor difference between woman. her and her Guatemalan Maria Eugenia Tabush friends. She truly believes San Domenico Class of 1977 I spoke with Maria on in her ability to do whatevBY WYNN RICHARDS, UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER her day off from her er she wants with her life, AND TECH FACILITATOR congressional duties. and for that she is grateful Guatemala is a repreto San Domenico. sentative democracy, and Maria belongs to a Maria fondly recalls the respected, influential, myriad of opportunities Christian, value-based she had at SD, things opposition party. She she never would have had already served two been exposed to otheryears of her four-year wise. For example, she term when she recently learned to ride a bike at attempted to step San Domenico and now down, but her fellow thinks nothing of going congress members for 50K bike rides on refused to let her go, the weekend. She resaying that they really members the field trips, needed her. Maria visits to the symphony, brings to her work swimming, and all the her past experience fun she had with her managing a technology classmates. Back when Maria in Guatemala integration company Maria graduated in that was in 14 coun1977, classes were only tries, which she says increased her social intelligence and 14-16 girls in size. She was the president of the Student appreciation for all cultures–something she learned firstCouncil, took French and piano and gymnastics, and was an hand at San Domenico. A student. She still remembers the pride and confidence she felt when she was the only student who earned As from a
From SD to Guatemalan Congresswoman
34 SCHOOL TIES
Maria and her daughters
demanding English teacher, even though English was not her first language. Her favorite history teacher taught her about anthropology and other cultures. And above all, Maria remembers forging a true relationship with God at San Domenico, one that has given her life great meaning. To all San Domenico students today, Maria has one message: You’re in the right place! Take every opportunity that you can at school–it will enrich your life and become
the basis of who you are. Maria had no idea that she would end up in politics, but it makes perfect sense to her, coming from the multicultural high school boarding program at San Domenico. Her education and experiences here were a crucial part of her growing up and informs who she is today, an important member of her country’s government and a contented woman with wonderful memories of her high school years.
SUMMER 2018 35
CLASS NOTES
We want to hear from you! Please submit your class notes and photos to alums@sandomenico.org to be featured in an upcoming edition of School Ties!
1940s Sister Susannah Malarkey ’48 and her grand-nieces, Susannah Maria Malarkey ’98 and Margaret Malarkey (daughters of Sarah Cecilia Malarkey ’67) visited campus in November and attended the Upper School production of “A Chorus Line” together.
1960s Muffie Pennisi Fendler ’66 broke her leg after a fall in her yard, and in the true spirit of Dominican/San Domenico’s service to the community, her former student, Sue Clayworth Webb ’75 cared for her on the weekends. They joked about how important exercise was to them when they were at SD, and how it was still serving them well during Muffie’s recovery! She was looking forward to being able to walk, hike, and DANCE again!
Carolyn Wadleigh Ashby ’62 celebrated the wedding of her daughter, Mary Ashby ’01, during the summer of 2017. She and her husband, Peter, went on a wonderful trip in Central and Eastern Europe, including a cruise on the Danube River where they traveled from Linz, Austria, to Budapest, Hungary.
1950s Marge Huneke Blaine ’51 and her husband, Terry, continue in good health and vigor, still working every day with their kids, Greg and Connie, who run their company. They went on a safari in Africa last December with their son, Tim and his family.
36 SCHOOL TIES
1970s Debra Kahn-Wand ’77 lives in Healdsburg, CA, with her two furry, four-legged sons, Mr. Tibbles, a Havanese and Zin, an Abby Tabby.
their families, and our veterans. The sophomores read All Quiet on the Western Front and worked with them to make care packages for active military. For more about their work, visit bluestarmomsofmarin.org.
Amy Skewes-Cox ’71, Kathy Bryan Hampton ’71, and Katie Abbott Horn ’71 attended the Donor Scholarship Luncheon at San Domenico on February 7, 2018 to celebrate the generosity of those who give to SD’s scholarship funds. Alums, donors, students, and faculty had a chance to connect over a delicious luncheon. Olga Wiese Pereira ’72 celebrated the wedding of her daughter in Guatemala in February 2018. There were a number of SD graduates in attendance, including Olga’s sister, Karen Wiese Bonifaci ’75, Wanden Treanor ’73, Maria Cecilia Vilaseca ’72, Silvana Asturias ’72, and Cristina Quiñonez ’72. They hope to get together again at SD for an upcoming Alumni Reunion Weekend!
Catherine Carney Browning ’71 lives in the St. Louis area and continues to work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Arthur Center Community Health in Mexico, Missouri. She is publishing a book on the Middle East in 2018. For more about Cathy, see the feature story on p. 32.
Barbara Jones Travis ’72 and former parent Barbara Bochner, mother of Lindsay Bochner ’05 visited campus on March 6, 2018 to visit with Upper School teacher, Amy Hale and her English class to help out with a class project. They are the President and Founder of Blue Star Moms of Marin which supports our troops,
Trudi Mumford Costello ’71 came to SD in January 2018 for a visit with Sister Gervaise and was overwhelmed by the School’s curriculum, inclusivity, and vision. “SD has forever held a special place in my heart and played an important role in my character building. It truly is an extraordinary environment which holds great promise for all those young people.”
SUMMER 2018 37
CLASS NOTES 1970s (cont’d) Marti Elvebak Porter ’71 is happily retired and celebrating her ‘victory lap’ in Asheville, NC with her husband Steve Porter.
Sarah Ann Maleady Smith ’75 had lots to celebrate in the last year and a half, including momentous birthdays for her and her husband, their 35th wedding anniversary, a cruise to Alaska, and more quilting accolades.
Alexis McKenzie DeLoach ’75 welcomed a grandson, Mason Gunner Grey on December 25, 2017. He is her sixth grandchild, and second child to her youngest son, Joe and his wife, Kate. His 2-year-old sister, Jackie thinks he’s precious.
1980s Eliane Lust ’74 played some ‘gems’ by Franz Schubert in San Francisco at a NoonTime Performance in November 2017, before moving to live in Paris.
The Class of 1977 organized a dinner on November 11, 2017 to give items to Rosemary Wilton Yates ’77, who lost her home in the October North Bay fires. The gathering was hosted by Carmen Quiros Parent ’77, and also in attendance were Laurie Sweeney Doolittle ’77, Megan Oliver Hall ’77, Yvonne LovellLawrence ’77, Karen Dockstader ’77, and Rita Nederman Gilbert ’77. They presented Rosemary with many memories of her days at San Domenico–a photo pillow, an SD blanket, a personalized photo book, reproductions of her four high school yearbooks, eighth grade photos, and a rose gold ‘soul sisters’ bracelet.
38 SCHOOL TIES
Huda Moylan Al-Jamal ’88 was featured on the cover of the Arts and Entertainment section of the Marin Independent Journal on April 1, 2018 for her work creating costumes and sets for local high school productions. "I love [high school] drama because they always find a place for everyone's talent. It has so much heart, and it just creates a space for the kids to be creative.” She says, “I was really lucky when I was [at San Domenico] to have adults who supported my work.” She has owned the popular store, Revolution 9, in Fairfax for 11 years.
Anna Tyberg ’81 and Melissa Reiner ’92 visited with Head of School, Cecily Stock ’77 in London on January 30, 2018. Also present was former SD English teacher, Megan Riley McGilchrist.
We want to hear from you!
Lourdes Castillo ’81 visited campus in January from Guatemala with her children and family, on their last day of a week-long visit to the San Francisco area.
Head of School, Cecily Stock ’77 and Elizabeth Sanchez Cuny ’82 had a mini-reunion over coffee in Paris on January 26, 2018.
1990s Carrie Stefansky Huisman MS’98 (daughter of Nancy Donnell Lilly ’66) and her husband Gijs Huisman, welcomed a baby son, Wesley Oliver Huisman, on February 13, 2018, in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Lauren La Plante ’93 lives in Berkeley and is in her 11th year as a School Psychologist with the Emery Unified School District. She also works as the Community Education Coordinator at Ann Marin Center, a non-profit in Emeryville that provides local mental health services for youth and families.
Greg Chiarella MS’94, his wife, Kate, and big sister, Luci welcomed
Please submit your class notes and photos to alums@sandomenico.org to be featured in an upcoming edition of School Ties!
Former grandparent, Victoria McKenna let us know that Sarah Bratz Palmer ’83 is practicing dental hygiene in Kenai, Alaska. Her daughter, former SD Middle School student, McKenna Palmer is a sophomore at Kenai Central High School, where she is a member of the ski team.
continues to spend time in the outdoors and log miles on her bike. Her big 2017 trip was an incredible week-long backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon.
Nicholas Robert Chiarella on April 25, 2018. Grandmother and former SD teacher (1986-2005), Dorrie Chiarella was excited to share the news with us!
Alexa La Plante ’96 worked her second year at PG&E as a Senior Environmental Scientist in the Water Quality Program. She also completed her second year volunteering as the Chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water for People Committee. She taught her sixth annual Water Quality Permitting and Regulations course for UC Davis Extension. She
SUMMER 2018 39
CLASS NOTES 2000s Carol Yu ’01 visited campus in March with her husband, Charson and son, Christian, to show them around campus and visit with Sister Gervaise. She currently lives in Hong Kong where she produces and hosts an interview show with global and business leaders. She was nominated to the World Economic Forum for Young Global Leaders this year.
Pianist Anne Rainwater ’02 was excited to share the stage with the fabulous visiting trombonist Will Lang at Maybeck Studio in Berkeley in January.
Melanie Puckett Saunders ’08 works as the Hunger Services Program Coordinator at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport, Rhode Island and manages an educational program that teaches elementary-aged children about the importance of local foods and growing food themselves. An avid environmentalist, she serves on the City of Newport’s Energy and Environment Commission, and is on the Board of foodSCAPE, helping public schools improve their waste practices. She and her husband, along with their two young children, are working toward a zero-waste household.
Emilia Burlingham ’06 married Benoit Gausse in November 2017 in France. After a civil ceremony in Limoges, there was a formal reception at a château in the country near Maissonais-sur-Tardoire.
Rachel Salmanowitz Kronenberger MS’04 is enjoying working in healthcare and higher education as the Assistant Director of Gift Planning at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Shirley Liang ’08 is in the banking business in Hong Kong. She graduated from Duke University after attending SD and came back for a visit in February.
40 SCHOOL TIES
Elizabeth Preuss Golliher ’08 was married to Chris Golliher on July 22, 2017 in Knoxville, TN.
We want to hear from you!
2010s Caroline Liviakis ’10 is the Artistic Director of her own dance company in San Francisco which strives to unite commercial and concert dance, conveying deep thought through enjoyable performance. In May, she presented the evening-length choreographic debut of “There’s a New Kid in Town.” She has fond memories of her time dancing at San Domenico where she began to develop her choreographic aesthetic and process in the pieces she choreographed for SD dance concerts.
Please submit your class notes and photos to alums@sandomenico.org to be featured in an upcoming edition of School Ties!
David “Scooty” Nickerson MS’11 studied History at Pembroke College, Oxford University in England this year as part of an exchange program, and will return to Tufts University in Boston in the fall.
Maria Pougalais-Posey ’10’s band, Happnstance, played at Hotel Utah in San Francisco in March. They were followed on the same night by the SD Faculty band, The Soulbillies, which includes her classmate and current Upper School Math teacher, Melinda Borello ’10.
Nicole Stock MS’12 had an article published by The New York Times Magazine as part of their annual “The Lives They Lived” issue. She is currently attending the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. For more of her work, check out her profile of Ben Bradford MS’97 on p. 30.
SUMMER 2018 41
CLASS NOTES Bolinas Alumni Reflection Retreat 2018
In March 2018, Sister Gervaise Valpey and Alumni Relations Manager, Emily Garlock welcomed 13 alumni to the Dominican Sisters' home on its perch overlooking Bolinas and Stinson Beach for a fulfilling retreat weekend. This weekend marked the third annual alumni retreat gathering of San Domenico/Dominican alums, and there were both repeat attendees and first-time participants in this year's group. The retreat kicked off on Friday night with a welcome, drinks, and appetizers as guests arrived from all over the Bay Area, followed by dinner. On Saturday, retreat-goers explored the topic of
“I’m still feeling the glow of the gathering at Bolinas! How wonderful of you to bring us alums together in such a special place to reconnect. It’s a reminder of how much our lives are grounded in the Dominican spirit! - Carolyn Wadleigh Ashby ’62
Dante's Divine Comedy during a daylong workshop, led by skilled facilitator, Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D., back for her second alumni retreat with San Domenico. The day of reflection was followed by another fresh and organic community dinner, prepared by a local Bolinas chef. The weekend wrapped up with conversations and memories shared on Sunday morning in the home's cozy living room overlooking Stinson Beach. Alumni in attendance represented class years from the 60s through the 90s, and the bonds rooted in Dominican values and shared experiences of all who attended were evident.
Save the date for next year's Bolinas Alumni Reflection Retreat, March 29-31, 2019 It is a unique San Domenico alumni experience not to be missed, and cherished by all who partake in this incredible opportunity.
42 SCHOOL TIES
Alumni Gatherings San Francisco
Oakland
Bay Area alumni enjoyed gathering together to catch up with old friends, network, and learn more about SD Connect. If you are interested in hosting an alumni gathering in your area, please contact alums@sandomenico.org.
SUMMER 2018 43
REMEMBRANCES Sister Maria Foraboschi January 18, 1931-March 24, 2018 Sister Maria (formerly Sister M. Aquin) was a school teacher for 45 years in Napa, Antioch, San Francisco, at Dominican Convent in San Rafael, and at San Domenico, where she lived on campus and taught in the Lower and Upper Schools from 19812002. A true outdoorswoman, from her early years exploring the redwood groves of the California coast, to trips to the chestnut forests of her family’s homeland in Italy, to the creek and hillsides of San Domenico, she shared her love of earth science with all of her students. She took full advantage of the SD campus, using it as her outdoor classroom, where students learned through hands-on research and observation of the natural world. She put great emphasis on environmental preservation and spent time working in the (“new” in those years) SD Garden of Hope. In 1988, she was named Outstanding Earth Science Teacher by the Far West section of the National Association of Geology Teachers. Even in retirement she continued to share her knowledge, volunteering weekly at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where she curated the mineral collection and served as a docent. In addition, she helped designate part of the grounds of Dominican Convent in San Rafael as a wildlife preserve. On the occasion of her 50th Jubilee in 2002 she said, “I have been a sister and a teacher my entire life, and I could never imagine being anything else.”
44 SCHOOL TIES
REMEMBRANCES In Memoriam Sister Maria Foraboschi, former Dominican Convent and San Domenico teacher from 1981-2002 Paula Schraps Schaeffer ’36 Gertrude ‘Siddie’ Shepard Bloomer ’42
Mary ‘Barbara’ Gillilan Ramer ’44
Claire Jones Martin ’51
Carol Goodrich Torre ’44
Elizabeth Frisch ’52
Barbara Kirby Sutthoff ’45
Martha Davies Boyle Mangels ’52
Nancy Lagomarsino Farrar ’46
Lynn Carrere ’54
Patricia Finnell Kulha ’46
Sharon Jones Asbell ’59
Pamela French ’51
Maureen Riley Reardon ’61
Mary Scherrer Joyce ’42 Margot Kellett McCormick ’43
In Sympathy Nyla Brichetto Fornaciari ’48 on the death of her husband, Angelo Fornaciari. Jan Hickman West ’53 on the death of her husband, Herbert West. Margaret Scott Kincannon ’58 on the death of her husband, Wm. Oliver ‘Ozzie’ Kincannon. Judith Boss Del Tredici ’60 and Nicki Boss Sauer ’62 on the death of their brother, Louis Joseph Boss III (Joe). Elizabeth Brown Heyne ’67, Margaret Brown Stucka ’68, Christine Brown Marshall ’69, and Su Brown Pechtl ’77 on the death of their mother, Dr. Claire Brown-St. Clair. Trudi Mumford Costello ’71 on the death of her sister, Gretchen Mumford Pattengill. Amy Skewes-Cox ’71 on the death of her mother, Mary Skewes-Cox.
Arlene Liu Dolci ’70 on the death of her husband, Chuck Dolci. Vivian Courtney ’74 on the death of her mother, Lilly Courtney Huber. Liz Wilhelm Schott ’75 on the death of her father, Robert Wilhelm. Amy Phillips ’85 on the death of her husband, and Paige MS’16, Jane (LS), and Brooke ’25, on the death of their father, Tom Phillips. Margie Ascierto-LeBlanc ’87 on the death of her father, Joseph Ascierto. Buff Simpson ’06, Christina Simpson ’07, Maggie Simpson ’09, Allie Simpson ’11, Brett Simpson ’12, and Romy Simpson ’16 on the death of their father, Andrew Simpson.
Michael Mello, San Domenico Faculty, on the death of his mother, Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Ellen Nader Mello.
SUMMER 2018 SUMMER 20184545 45
FROM THE ARCHIVES
1968
By December of 1965, all
Hollow campus to fruition. It instantly became
of the original campus
a hub of activity and remains so today. In 2000,
buildings at the ‘new’
at the School’s sesquicentennial, the alumnae
campus of San Domeni-
wished to honor and express gratitude back
co had been completed,
to the Dominican
and the landscaping along pathways and around the buildings
Future site of Dominican Hall, 1967
‘Alumnae Hall’ under construction, 1968
Sisters who inspired them throughout their lives, and so
was finished in the
it was rededicated
fall of 1966. In the middle of campus there was an
as Dominican Hall.
open grassy area next to the Cooper Dining Hall where
After 50 years of
students would gather in nice weather between classes,
almost-constant use
during recess, and after school. However, it was soon
by every school level,
evident that the School needed a general assembly hall
Dominican Hall was
where students and fac-
chosen as the Fund
ulty could gather together
A Need project at
for programs, concerts,
the 2018 PSA Gala and Community Fundraiser.
and other activities. In
The interior will receive a complete refresh over
October of 1967, gold
the summer of 2018, thanks to the generosity
and white streamers set a
of our entire SD community.
festive mood and students cheered as the class presidents broke ground on the future “center for
Dominican Sisters at the rededication of Dominican Hall by Alumnae in 2000
school unity,” according to the 1968 yearbook. The construction began right away and the building was completed in the spring of 1968. It was named Alumnae Hall by the Sisters of San Domenico in grateful recognition of the tireless efforts and support of the loyal Dominican alumnae, who helped bring the new Sleepy Marie Cooney, ‘00 unveiled the new sign at the rededication
46 SCHOOL TIES
L-R: Zayetzy Garcia Bareno ’19, Nora Okamoto ’20
Back to School Dates 8.21.18 First Day of School Upper School
8.22.18 First Day of School Lower and Middle School
9.3.18 No School Labor Day
10.19.18 No School
Professional Development Day
11.12.18 No School
Professional Development Day
11.19.1811.23.18 No School
Thanksgiving Break
12.21.181.7.19 No School
Winter Break
SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL
1500 Butterfield Road San Anselmo, CA 94960 Please forward this publication. If your son or daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of his or her new mailing address by calling 415.258.1931, or emailing alums@sandomenico.org.
48 SCHOOL TIES
Earth Day activity behind the Dino Ghilotti Motta Visual Arts Center