SCHOOL TIES SAN DOMENICO
Trailblazers The Coed Class of 2019 Summer 2019
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Senior Parade, 2019
SUMMER 2019
trail blazers FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
34
"We Planned on Being Heard"
06
Teaching and Learning
08
College Update
36
A New Era in the Boarding Program
12
On Campus
38
2,000 Points: Hoops and Heart
40
Alumni Perspectives: The Evolution of San Domenico
44
Trailblazing Friendships
46 Senior Reflections
Graduation Events
Theatre Trailblazers on Campus SD in Quotes We Asked
50
Arts
52
Athletics
58
Alum News
60 Reunion 62
Class Notes
68 Remembrances 71
From the Archives
Editorial Staff: Kimberly Pinkson, Courtney Phillips, Lisa Hilgers, Sonya Evans, Wynn Richards, Kirstie A. Martinelli, Anna Heidinger, Heather Wright Ojha, Deanna Bruton, and Julie Lanzarin
HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear San Domenico Community Members, By the time you receive this issue of School Ties, the members of the Class of 2019 will be alumni. Graduation is always a momentous occasion and this year was also historic: the graduation of our first fully coed class in the Upper School. There were points when I doubted it would ever happen, that this day would become a reality. We call this class our Trailblazers, carrying on a tradition of innovation begun by Mother Mary Goemaere in 1850, when she first left France to begin planting the seeds of Dominican education in California. In the ensuing years, and certainly the last four, we have all been through a lot together, and I am tremendously grateful for the leadership of the Dominican Sisters, the Board of Trustees, parents, teachers, students, coaches, alumni, and staff whose teamwork has brought us to this point. We knew this class would be a group of courageous students, willing to risk their precious high school years on an uncharted path. Indeed, it was a class of Trailblazing students supported by equally courageous parents. They believed that a coed San Domenico could build on its tradition of excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics, as well as maintaining the inclusivity, compassion, and tolerance that makes SD such an exceptional program. All the while, together, we created new traditions for our growing community. Four years later, here we are: all of us older and wiser than when we started. Together, we evolved our School to become one in which both boys and girls could bring their whole selves to the community, where they can be both athletes and artists, scholars, and leaders, develop their passions and explore new areas of interest as well, and through it all they would be supported by their peers and their teachers, and they would graduate ready to make a positive difference in our world, just as generations of female graduates have done for over 169 years. Over the past four years, this class didn’t just find their way, they created a new legacy, their actions echoing the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said:
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Today, Dominican education at San Domenico is thriving. Next year we will open school with 320 high school students from 16 different countries who will discover their own paths. Thank you to each of you who has been part of this journey! With this issue we honor just a few of the many trailblazers in our SD community, in particular, our Trailblazing Class of 2019! Please join me in congratulating these outstanding students and wishing them well in their future endeavors!
Cecily Stock ’77, M.A., J.D. Head of School
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VERITIES Nectar from Our Gardens
Sitting in our San Domenico Convent Garden, I watch a tiny hummingbird zip up and down and around our blossoming lemon tree. My eyes dart back and forth, watching the bird seek out the flowers with the most nourishment. Often the bird returns and probes more deeply for sustenance. Soon, quick-learning friends arrive, enjoy the same nectar, and then fly out into the larger world to spread pollens that enhance numerous gardens.
Over the last several months, occasions for reflection like this have provided me with rich nectar for my own sustenance. These opportunities have granted me an ever-deepening awareness of all of God’s creation—a splendid gift that we all are blessed to savor every day—on this campus or elsewhere in our world. Sharing the sweet nectar of friendship, prayer, and support for one another becomes more fully understood when experiencing it as I have. My heart overflows with gratitude. From our same garden, I also reflect upon San Domenico graduating its first fully coed high school class—a bold new phase of San Domenico life, bountiful in its blessings and promise. Not unlike the ‘hummers’, a long line of new students will follow these graduates. They will seek the same sustaining Dominican values and education, the life-long friendships, the appreciation of community, and the genuine care that fills each day across the campus. They will examine the rich spirit that thrives here, live out that spirit, and then spread it across local and global communities. What a gift it is to be part of a community that knows the source of life’s blessings, draws upon it over and over again, and shares it in countless and varied ways! Our community chalkboard, reimagined each season by the Art Department, captures well our hope for our students:
“Behind you all your MEMORIES , In front of you all your DREAMS, Around you all who LOVE you, WITHIN you all you need.”
Our graduating students are prepared and willing to spread the sustaining Dominican values wherever they go. With love, we send them out into the gardens of the world.
Sister M. Gervaise Valpey, O.P. President Emerita
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TEACHING AND LEARNING
Project Wayfinder
Project Wayfinding at San Domenico
For over 169 years, San Domenico’s educational mission has placed meaning and purpose at its core. We maintain this rich heritage today, with innovative teaching, learning, innovation, and collaboration. Starting in the winter of 2019, San Domenico partnered with Stanford d.School’s Project Wayfinder, a curriculum that utilizes a wayfinding metaphor— using traditional and indigenous navigation techniques and skills to journey through the natural world—to equip students and teachers with tools and skills to create purposeful lives. This collaboration will bring forth another layer of learning, providing students with not only an exceptional education, but also a sense of personal purpose and meaning.
In the summer of 2019, San Domenico will host the West Coast Wayfinder Institute, providing teachers from both SD and across the country, with the training needed to successfully implement Project Wayfinder curriculum in their classrooms. Upon completion of this training, educators will be equipped with strategies, tactics, and skills based in social-emotional learning, project-based learning, design thinking, and 21st century skills to integrate directly into school and community programs.
Project Wayfinder equips students and teachers with tools and skills to create purposeful lives.
Last summer, Aran Levasseur, SD’s Director of Innovation, attended the Institute at Stanford (see School Ties, Winter 2018-19 Part 2). This past academic year, he integrated some of the curriculum into a senior elective with much success.
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“We’re honored to have a network of mission-aligned partners like San Domenico School to help guide students to live meaningful lives,” said Project Wayfinder Founder and Director, Patrick Cook-Deegan. Members of Project Wayfinder and San Domenico’s leadership team are partnering for continued Project Wayfinder program integration in our School’s curriculum. Learn more at sandomenico.org/purposeandmeaning.
INNOVATIVE LEARNING i am from . . . by Sabrina Strain ’19
In the spring of 2019, senior Sabrina Strain took trailblazing and wayfinding to a whole new level when she departed for a semester abroad in South America with the Where There Be Dragons: Andes & Amazon program. It is often said that in order to venture forth, one must first know a sense of place, of where one is from. We are proud to be one of the places Sabrina is from. while in orientation, we talked a lot as a group about what it means to be from where we are from. many questions about our identities were asked, but not all of them were answered (yet). while in discussions, it became evident that a frequent question would be, “where are you from?” for most people home is a place, but as i am away from home, i have realized that it is so much more than a name on a map. the following is something i wrote that responds to the question, “where are you from?” i am from my family. i am the daughter of my parents and the sister to my brother. i am the oldest of five grandchildren, but also the only granddaughter. i am from a family of believers, a family of fighters, a family of love. i am from a family who has struggled, but also a family who has survived, and thrived. i am from my family. i am from the north, specifically california. i am from the coast. from where the green fields roll into the sand and the ocean leads into cliffs. where the redwoods grow so high and wide that you can’t even see the tops. i am from the valleys where a rainbow can be seen in the grape vines as they change color. i am from the mountains, i am from the sea, i am from all the spaces in between. i am from my communities. i am from my schools, my church, my teams, my work. i am from the people who have loved me, who have shown me compassion, who have given me hope. however, i am also from the people who have shown me unkindness, who have doubted me, who have made me cry. i am from all these people, places, and more. my home is something i carry with me everywhere i go. it is so much more than a dot on a map. it is the people that i have met that have shaped me into who i am today. it is the people who continue changing the way i see the world. i may not know exactly where i’m from, but what i do know is that i am from my family, my home, and the people who i love and the people who love me.
Sabrina will be matriculating to Santa Clara University.
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COLLEGE UPDATE Next Steps: An Update from the College Counseling Department By Melissa Martin, Director of College Counseling and Katie May, Associate Director of College Counseling Our goal of “Education with Purpose” has been realized by the class of 2019 in a wide variety of compelling ways. The future plans made by each of our seniors demonstrate the thoughtful consideration and ongoing process of inquiry and self-discovery, each essential components of our college counseling program. The members of the Class of 2019 are matriculating to a wide range of colleges and universities next year, studying subjects such as engineering, business, economics, psychology, fire science, kinesiology, theater arts, film production, screenwriting, fashion, music, and artificial intelligence, to name just a few. We are proud that our graduates are moving on to paths that authentically reflect their interests and purpose. In a year when college admission scandals flooded the media and the process itself has been brought into question, our students kept their own sense of purpose in mind as they explored and pursued their path after high school. Of the 61% of seniors who applied to one or more colleges for early admission, 75% were admitted to at least one of those early options–results that reflect the careful consideration and thoughtfulness that went into finding right-fit schools. This intentionality extends beyond just the early admissions round. With more than 3,000 four-year colleges and universities across the country, our college counseling process guides students to personalize their list with consideration of attributes such as academic programs, campus community, diversity and inclusion, campus environment, academic support, cost, student body size, and more. 85% of our students were admitted to at least one of their top five college choices overall–an outcome representative of SD’s commitment to both academic preparation and purpose-driven post-secondary planning.
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Thomas Kunze came to SD freshman year. In four years, his academic and athletic success, together with his leadership in student government and the ambassador program have made him a well-loved community member and the recipient of many awards, including the Marin Athletic Foundation Eva & Mario Ghilotti Outstanding Student Athlete Award. “At SD,” says Thomas, “I have learned that to be successful in life requires a willingness to test oneself and persevere. SD’s core tenets will continue to play a vital role in my life as a student, family member, and friend. My purpose lies at the intersection of all these principles and is guided by exemplar, Sister Gervaise, and others. I will never forget the message of compassion that this community has given me. Be kind to those around you in pursuit of your dreams, whatever they may be.” Thomas will be matriculating to UC Berkeley where he plans to study Economics.
Siena Greenberg came to SD as a freshman and went on to become the only 12-season athlete of the Class of 2019: she played three sports all four years, including Volleyball, Track and Field, and Basketball. Reflecting on her time here, Siena shares, “Because of my time at San Domenico I know that I am leaving pointed in the direction to follow my
CLASS OF 2019
College Stats at a Glance
Katie McMaye joined SD as a regional boarding student from the Sacramento area. Looking back she says, “I’ve learned a lot by living and studying here these past four years–independence, self-assurance, how to deal with problems on my own, and how to deal with them by reaching out to others. By being a prefect and joining programs like soccer and BSU, I’ve been able to get involved and make more of an impact here. All that I have learned here will help me be more successful in these upcoming years. When I first got here, I never thought that it would feel like home, but it certainly does now and I’ll miss this school and the people.” Katie will be matriculating to Amherst College.
With seniors attending colleges and universities in 14 different states and two different countries next year– the United Kingdom and Canada–we are excited to see how the Class of 2019 will carry forth the values they developed here at SD, out into the world. The University of California system remains a strong •choice for San Domenico students, with 17 of our graduates matriculating system-wide: 6 to UC Santa Cruz, 5 to UC Berkeley, 2 to UCLA, 2 to UC San Diego, and 1 each to UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara. SD students are also taking advantage of the many •exceptional private institutions in California, including a number heading south to attend the University of Southern California (4), Pitzer College, Loyola Marymount University (2), Occidental College, and Cal State Universities (6). Graduates heading out-of-state will be representing SD •across the country from NYU to the University of Washington, Amherst to Washington University in St. Louis, and Boston University to the University of Rochester. Two seniors are venturing beyond the United States, to McGill University in Canada and Durham University in the United Kingdom. of our graduating seniors are also recruited ath•letes.FourAngus Gosman and Madeline Furey Peters will be
dreams, step outside my comfort zone, and embrace the world around me.” In addition to matriculating to the University of Idaho, where she will pursue a degree in the nation’s oldest Fire Ecology and Management program, Siena secured an extremely competitive spot in the Moscow Fire Department’s Resident Firefighter Program. One of only two women accepted into the program, she will not only live at the firehouse, but also serve as a volunteer firefighter and EMT throughout her college experience.
matriculating to UC Berkeley (Division I, Rowing). Kayden “KK” Korst will be attending Cal State San Marcos (Division II, Basketball). Jeremy Cai will be attending Oxford College: Emory University (Division III, Tennis). Several students have chosen to attend junior college •concurrent to building valuable experience with jobs and internships. We could not be more proud of all of our students. It is their successes that best tell the story of our approach to education with purpose.
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COLLEGE UPDATE Kwan Limbhasut came to San Domenico as a freshman boarding student from Thailand. Reflecting on the last four years and her impact as President of the Honor Society and Middle School Volleyball Coach, Kwan says “I arrived as a shy, quiet girl and never dreamed I would become a leader. I have learned that a leader is not always the loudest or most outgoing person. A leader is someone who has the power to positively influence others and hold themselves to a higher standard, even when no one is watching. SD has given me so many opportunities to be a leader in my own way.” Kwan is also a recipient of the Marin Athletic Foundation Eva & Mario Ghilotti Outstanding Student Athlete Award. She will be matriculating to UC Berkeley and studying psychology.
Yang (Frank) Dong is from China and came to SD as a member of our boarding community. On an SD education, Frank shares, “At SD there is opportunity for people with many different interests to grow and excel.” On his plans for next year, Frank says, “I got into my dream school, UCLA’s College of Letters and Science. I am even more incentivized to work for myself, not just my education, for the sake of good grades, but to go into medicine. I want to study how outside environmental pathogens impact the development of cancer and then educate all sectors of society so more people can know about how to make healthy choices and encourage companies to use less toxic chemicals.” 10 SCHOOL TIES
Aidan Kwasneski started at San Domenico in sixth grade and continued to the Upper School, inspired by the opportunity to be in the first fully coed class and to help build the film program. “I wanted to make an impact,” says Aidan. And impact he has had. Aidan was literally the first boy to ever turn in an application for acceptance to SD's Upper School. Together with classmates August Mesarchik and Will Noyce, who will also be pursuing film careers, and under the leadership of Film teacher Jared Spires, Aidan won awards at The Lark Theatre’s Student Film Festival in 2017 and 2018, the Mill Valley Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival, among others. Aidan was Student Body President in his senior year and active in theatre and social justice. Next year he will matriculate to the University of Southern California where he will be studying screenwriting as one of just 24 students from across the country accepted into this prestigious program.
Please join us in congratulating our seniors and wishing them well on this next chapter!
San Domenico School College Acceptances 2019 American University* Amherst College** Arizona State University Babson College* Bard College Benedict College Bentley University Berklee College of Music Boston University** Brandeis University* Bryant University Butler University Cal Poly – Pomona California State University • Bakersfield • Channel Islands • Chico • East Bay • Fullerton • Long Beach • Monterey Bay • Northridge • Sacramento • San Marcos Case Western Reserve University* Central Washington University Chapman University Colgate University* College of William and Mary* Colorado State University Cornish College of the Arts DePaul University Dickinson College Dillard University Dominican University of California Drew University Drexel University Durham University Emerson College Fordham University George Fox University George Washington University* Georgia Institute of Technology** Gonzaga University Goucher College Hawaii Pacific University Holy Names University Humboldt State University Imperial College, London* Indiana University, Bloomington Kenyon College* Lehigh University*
Lewis & Clark College Linfield College Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans McGill University* Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University Montana State University, Bozeman Montana Tech New York University** Northeastern University* Northern Arizona University Occidental College* Ohio State University Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon State University Otis College of Art and Design Oxford College: Emory University Pace University Pacific Lutheran University Parsons School of Design Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University* Pitzer College** Pratt Institute Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute* Rhode Island School of Design** Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rutgers University, New Brunswick Saint Mary’s College of California San Diego State University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Santa Clara University Santa Monica College Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago Scripps College* Seattle University Sierra Nevada College Sonoma State University Southern Methodist University St. Lawrence University Suffolk University Syracuse University Temple University The New School - All Divisions The University of Edinburgh* The University of Texas, Austin*
Trinity University Tufts University** University of Buffalo University of Alaska, Fairbanks University of California • Berkeley** • Davis • Irvine • Los Angeles** • Merced • Riverside • San Diego* • Santa Barbara* • Santa Cruz University of Colorado, Boulder University of Colorado, Denver University of Colorado, Colorado Springs University of Delaware University of Denver University of Hawaii, Manoa University of Idaho University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign University of Kentucky University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Minnesota, Twin Cities University of Oregon University of Portland University of Puget Sound University of Redlands University of Richmond* University of Rochester* University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Southern California** University of St. Andrews* University of Sydney University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of the Pacific University of Toronto University of Valencia University of Vermont University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison University of York Washington State University Washington University in St. Louis** Western Washington University Westminster College Whitman College Whittier College Woodbury University Xavier University of Louisiana
Bold: Attending *Very Selective: Acceptance Rate ≤ 40% **Highly Selective: Acceptance Rate ≤ 20%, Italics: International University
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ON CAMPUS In Celebration of the Trailblazers By Amy Skewes-Cox, ’71, Chair, Board of Trustees
A thick forest. Low light. No pathway to follow. But there is a dream and a vision. This is often what confronts a trailblazer: a person with tools, a compass, energy, and an idea of reaching an as-yet unreached goal. When they first came to campus, the Class of 2019 faced many of these things, either literally or metaphorically. But trailblazers they have been, forging a new pathway for future students to follow. As an alumna from the Class of ’71, I remember getting the news that San Domenico was going coed. I was quite concerned at that time. I understood the why, but I could not help but think of how I’d grown into a strong woman during my four high school years at San Domenico when it was all girls. I attributed that largely to the support I’d gotten from my girlfriends at the time (with whom I’m still friends 48 years later!) and the fact that I didn’t have to compete with guys. This was especially important for me, as I had come to SD as a fairly shy person. Now, as Board Chair since 2016, I realize that San Domenico is a rich, fertile ground for a diversity of trailblazers–at the student level, staff level, and Board level. In the past few years, the Head of School and the Board have made many big decisions that have set SD on a new course, all while maintaining our mission and core values. We knew there were risks and yet we knew they were educated risks that were worth taking to stay true to our mission. The members of this graduating class and those that will follow are trailblazing in myriad ways. They are participating in Model UN, Mathletes, and ROSE Projects, where an understanding of those in need is accentuated by real life experiences. They are making films that show inspiring empathy. They are singing and dancing in plays that open the audience’s eyes to worlds of needs and compassion. They are creating art that sheds light on human experience and creativity. But what forms the bedrock of these students is their compassion. And that compassion is the bedrock of our School, carrying on a tradition of trailblazing begun when our School was first founded in 1850. Thanks to the trailblazing Class of 2019, there is now another new path open for others to follow. The mission continues. Our School thrives.
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Graduation 2019
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CLASS OF
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ON CAMPUS “When I think about the class of 2019 the word that comes to mind is imagination, for when they chose to come to San Domenico, a grand imagination was required. They toured an all girls school; they had the opportunity to attend the school as the first fully coed Upper School class. They would be the trailblazers. These students came in, eager to embrace challenge and with a vision of what could be--all the possibilities, and all the opportunities to be creative were theirs for the taking, and the making. And then...they were accepted. And then . . . they arrived. They showed up, and, with the immense support and guidance of everyone under this tent today, they took what they saw in their imagination, and made it happen in spades! My greatest wish is that you choose to make changes, not make excuses, that you choose to be motivated, not manipulated, and that you choose to excel, not to compete. Above all else, choose self-esteem over self-pity and listen to your inner voice. We need you to do this. The world needs you! I leave you with some words written by Hunter S. Thompson, from his Letter on Finding Your Purpose and Living a Meaningful Life: And indeed, that IS the question: whether to float with the tide, or to swim for a goal. It is a choice we must all make consciously or unconsciously at one time in our lives. So few people understand this! Think of any decision you’ve ever made which had a bearing on your future: I may be wrong, but I don’t see how it could have been anything but a choice however indirect— between the two things I’ve mentioned: the floating or the swimming. Graduates, please go out there and swim. Don’t merely float. You have proven to us over the past 4 years that you are swimmers, risk-takers, creators, and purpose-driven learners. Now, it’s time to go out there and be of service to others in your communities and in the world. I wish you all the best on your journey!”
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- Kate Reeser, Director of the Upper School and Assistant Head for Academics, K-12
Graduation 2019
“This is a class of great talents. Among us, some create enchanting melodies with their nimble fingers and magical strings; some express deep or joyful emotions through the movements of their body; others bring esoteric characters and unforgettable tales to life on stage; some work wonders with colors and lines, generating beauty and inspiring imagination; others compete in various sports, fighting for victory and honor with sweat and dedication; some excel in math and logic, able to solve the most obscure questions; others have great knowledge in science, inspiring us with bits and pieces of meaningful facts; and some are masters of words, under their hands compelling arguments, touching stories, and thoughtful contemplations come to the light of public scrutiny. And we are all pursuing excellence in our respective fields, and also, to lead a cheerful, peaceful life, living every day to its fullest . . . It is indeed my honor to have known you all. There is no one else in the world I would rather have spent my high school years with. It’s been a wild ride, guys. Thank you. ” - Ming Guo, Senior Class President
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ON CAMPUS “I wrote a poem for today that I would like to open with: For four years the silent giants that stood around our little Valley at the end of Butterfield Road, slept and watched us vigilantly.
The somber mist and fog blanketed and cooled the morning air as we walked from class to class.
And now, as the sun comes out to light the end of our path, the sleeping giants stir and wake.
With a gentle breeze ruffling through the tall grass and trees, our valley comes alive like magic. It sends us off by showing it’s beauty one last time and comforts us as we realize the final days of childhood in our lives.
The class of 2019, the trailblazers . . . the warriors! We’ve come a long way from the kids we were in freshman year . . . We have completed the first journey of our young adult lives. And our next adventure is about to begin. Franz Kafka once wrote, “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” While the path we’ve made here has had its share of twists and turns, it has also helped us to see beauty, to be young and happy together, and to have the courage to take the first steps at trying a new path, finding a new way. I hope that you will all continue to find the adventure and beauty in your own path, as you step into the adult world. Thank you.” - Aidan Kwasneski, Student Body President
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Graduation 2019
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ON CAMPUS Capstone Projects Implemented for Eighth Grade
Inspired by a weeklong professional development program on Project Based Learning, through the Buck Institute for Education, Middle School History teacher Joanna Mueller was inspired to assign a Capstone Project to all Eighth Grade students here at SD. Launched in the 2017-18 year, the program brought our core value of service to life even more significantly in the Middle School and immediately enriched our students’ experience. The project includes service hours, an art component, and a year-end presentation.
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Events Bring a Pet to School Day
If you are looking for instructions on how to write a persuasive letter, you might just want to talk to the Third Grade. As part of an Opinion Writing unit, the students wrote persuasive letters to Ms. Parlette on why they should have a ‘Bring a Pet to School Day’. Their reasons and supporting evidence were apparently impressive because on the morning of May 23, pets, parents, students, and teachers gathered together for the Third Grade Bring a Pet to School Day, complete with cuddles, questions, and lots of tail wagging.
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ON CAMPUS VIP Science Project In a pioneering K-12 collaboration, seniors in Mary Churchill’s Human Biology class conducted a cow’s eye dissection with the help of some VIPs– their second grade buddies! It was a fun and informative interaction between our oldest and younger students, with plans for more of these multi-age collaborations in the future.
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Events Debates Under the leadership of teachers Kaitlyn Gallagher and Mary Churchill, Upper School students in English and Bioethics classes debated concepts such as "Technology Degrades Humanity" and "Gene Editing."
Junior | Senior Prom
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ON CAMPUS PSA Appreciation Celebration
Upper School Crab Feed
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Events
PSA Gala 2019
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ON CAMPUS Veritas Dinner: A Former Board Chair Reflects on the Decision to Go Coed By Glenn Snyder, Parent of Reid MS’12 and Grey ’20
Upon the occasion of our first fully coed class graduating from the San Domenico Upper School, I can’t help but reflect back on my first Board of Trustees meeting in September 2007. Our main agenda item was to evaluate the research an outside firm had done on the feasibility of going coed in the high school. At the time, there didn’t seem to be enough clarity to make a decision to move forward one way or the other. In light of the study, and recent enrollment trends nationwide, our then Board Chair, Robert Dornbush, put forth the question as to whether we would even be able to attract boys to our School.
In April 2019, Glenn and Betsy Snyder were honored with the Veritas Award at the first reception held in Dominican Hall since its renovation in 2018. We are so grateful to Glenn and Betsy for their enthusiastic and tireless service in support of SD
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Robert’s musings have to be taken in the context of the times: our country was just beginning a tough economic cycle, the private school matriculation decisions were trending to be more student-led vs parent-led, and the
Events Bay Area in particular was seeing a decrease in interest in single-gender education. All things considered, the Trustees decided not to move to coed at that point. Fast forward six or so years, and the same challenges persisted. As the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and with a highly engaged new Head of School, Cecily Stock, I asked my fellow Trustees to revisit the question. We embarked on an analysis of the possibility of going coed by applying the San Domenico spirit of open inquiry and critical thinking. And I’m so glad we did when I look at the vibrancy of our high school now! We clearly tapped into the unmet needs of the marketplace by providing not just another coed high school program, but a highly differentiated one that puts character, integrity, and development of the whole person every bit as important as academic and extracurricular pursuits. Reflecting on a memorable quote from one of our Dominican Sisters, “We’re providing such a wonderful educational experience and personal growth for young women, why are we excluding young men?”
As the former Board Chair, and as a current parent of an SD highschooler, I’m so thrilled with the program that has developed and the environment for learning and personal growth that the School has created. Look at the wonderful feats our students have accomplished in film, athletics, theatre, social justice, music, and academics. And, the energy on campus . . .it’s really exciting to see! My congratulations to the young men and young women who decided to be part of something new, to the faculty who closed the chapter on a heritage of single-gender education and applied the best of its elements to a coed program, and to the administration for working with students and faculty to build new pathways. Much has been accomplished and it is still so young in its development . . . what will we be saying in five or 10 years? I can’t wait.
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ON CAMPUS Four Years of Coed Theatre: "Chicago • As You Like It • Footloose • The Two
Upper School “Rent” 2018
Upper School “Dead Man Walking” 2019
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Theatre Gentlemen of Verona • A Chorus Line • Almost, Maine • Rent • Noises Off"
Upper School “Noises Off” 2019
Middle School “Grease” 2019
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ON CAMPUS Director of Counseling Wins Children’s Champion Award For her trailblazing work in the field of youth counseling and supporting victims of sexual assault, SD’s Director of Counseling, Kathy Laughlin, BA, MS, M.F.C.C, was recently honored with the Jeannette Prandi Children’s Center Children’s Champion Award. The award stated: "Aware of the challenges adolescents face as they begin to embrace their sexuality, potential hazards and pitfalls may leave significant and lasting scars. Ms. Laughlin, acutely aware of their vulnerability, works diligently to provide information which could spare those in her charge undue suffering. She sought out resources to impress upon her students the risks, offering the means of managing sketchy situations. Her goal: to instill in students their right to decide when they consent to engage in sexual behavior, to never feel forced to participate in any unwanted sexual circumstance. In the event of victimization, she raised awareness of resources and support available to them. Conferred with gratitude by the Jeannette Prandi Children’s Center Steering Committee." - Michael C. Grogan , Ph.D., JPCC Director
First Place in Marin Theatre Company’s Young Playwrights Festival For writing the trailblazing play, “Terms and Conditions,” about a character whose consciousness has been uploaded to Amazon’s server and interacts with Alexa (Amazon’s voice assistant), SD’s Jack Yuanwei Cheng ’19 won first place in the prestigious Marin Theatre Company’s Young Playwrights Festival. On the occasion of announcing Jack’s win, Reid Davis, Marin Theatre Company’s (MTC)’s Education Director, wrote: “It gives me great joy to announce the results of the 2019 Marin Young Playwrights Festival! The adjudicators (and audience) were so impressed and moved by your work, and many commented on the breadth and reach, as well as the maturity and concerns of your writing.” Congratulations also to Jack’s classmates, the actors in his play, including Aislinn McInerney ’19, Kavi Subramanyan ’21, and Lucia (Luci) Paczkowski ’20. Additional kudos to Jack’s Creative Writing teacher, Eugenia Ives, who encouraged Jack to turn this class assignment into a contest submission.
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Trailblazers on Campus Sister Marion Irvine, O.P. Still Blazing Trails at Age 89! For her trailblazing as a 1980s competitor in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials at age 54, a cover story on The Runner magazine, and her ongoing commitment to teaching and inspiring young athletes on our Track & Field and Cross-Country teams, we honor Sister Marion Irvine, O.P.
Middle School National Geographic GeoChallenge SD’s ‘Team Marine’ won first place and traveled to Washington D.C. for the national competition in May! The GeoChallenge is designed to empower the younger generation to develop a creative solution to a real world problem.
For their trailblazing in the field of environmental sustainability, we honor teachers Annemarie Robinson and Mark Churchill and the 21 Middle School students from San Domenico who were selected from over 1,100 teams throughout California, to compete among the top 15 teams in the National Geographic GeoChallenge. SD’s ‘Team Marine’ won first place and traveled to Washington D.C. for the national competition in May! This year’s GeoChallenge topic dealt with the issue of plastic in our oceans. Teams responded to this critical issue by using research, collaboration, creativity, design thinking, and communication to develop and present real-world solutions. In DC, Team Marine presented to experts including the National Geographic Society’s VP and CFO, Michael Ulica, as well as President and CEO, Tracy Wolstencroft. Kayla was also recognized with the “Ambassador Award” which she received on stage from NPR’s Mo Rocca.
National Geographic GeoChallenge Competitors Team Marine: Alex Collier Lake, Gavin Kennedy, Kayla Saxon, Hannah Zemke No Planet B Team: Dashiell Fairborn, Ysaure Fulconis, Charlie Aspatore, Alex Spinale Yangtze Team: Mia Taube, Sean Wu, Sammy Gerner, Jake Falkow, Annabel Pauli Brisbane Plastic Solution: Eli Brigham, Nina Polyakova, Chloe Cronin, Christian Blom Team Pollution Patrol: Mina Swaim, Vivian Le, Coco Holland, Luca Hines
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ON CAMPUS
“Education changes lives.”
- KATE REESER, DIRECTOR OF THE UPPER SCHOOL AND ASSISTANT HEAD FOR ACADEMICS K-12
“As I reflect on the ways our
“Why do I love Shakespeare?
Because of the way he uses words . . . and it’s so fun to act out.” - ALANNA MEENAGHAN ’24
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School has changed, forming a new identity as a coeducational school welcoming all students, regardless of their gender, I am proud of the way we have honored our Dominican heritage while not being afraid to change and to grow.” - CLAIRE NEUNER, MIDDLE SCHOOL DEAN OF LEARNING SUPPORT AND HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION COORDINATOR
SD in Quotes
“My mom loves how much they feed me here. We get great snacks in the dorms! ” - JOYCE KIM ’22
“ Being able to make a difference in
your high school years helps you realize that you can make a difference in the rest of your life.” - EVAN BRINK ’21
“ The best thing about this year? Ms. Kindig!!!” - LUKE GOODMAN ’24
“Thinking about where I am
today, compared to when I first got to SD after public school, I know my grades are better because of the teaching and support I get from my teachers here.” - CALE KING ’20
SUMMER 2019 31
ON CAMPUS How has being a Dedicated. Compassion. Trailblazer impacted you?
Compassionate. Kind. Inv Humble. Open-minded. P “ Kindness. Listens. Empat “ Kind. Involved. Confident ” ” Passionate. Involved. Ded “ Listens. ”Empathetic.Com . Confident. Humble. Ope “ Kind. Involved. Enthusias ” Compassionate. Kind. Inv “ “ Looking back on my first year at SD compared to today, it is really inspiring to see how diverse the SD community has become. I have seen my friends grow and change and it is really unbelievable how fast it goes and how much we’ve evolved. - BRYAN MINH ’19
It's surreal. I really can't believe how fast the time goes.
I’ve learned to have a mindset of openness. I’m ready. - SOPHIE SMITH ’19
Matriculating to University of California, Santa Cruz
Matriculating to University of California, Santa Cruz
- CURRAN THOMPSON ’19 Matriculating to University of Vermont
Four years of high school has been bitter and sweet, but in the end, it’s always the sweet part that lasts forever! Thanks to everyone at SD who made these years so fulfilling! - XUAN (TOM) ZHAO ’19 Matriculating to University of Southern California
Open-minded. Passionate In morning SD hasmeeting been sowe had a good conversation about supportive of my creativity. I will forever beingrateful for voting rights different the opportunities countries around the world. It wasrealize given how here.important madeIme - AUGUST MESARCHIK it is to vote. ’19 Matriculating to Santa
Listens. Empathetic.Givin ” ”
- SARAH WILLIAMS Monica College ’24
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We Asked
Wishes for Listens. Empathetic. Kin Seniors
volved. Confident. Listen “ Kind. Involve Passionate. thetic. Compassionate ” t. Humble. Open-minded dicated. Enthusiastic. Kin mpassionate. “ ”Kind. Involv en-minded. Passionate. “ ” stic. Listens. Empathe “ volved. Confident. Humb e. Dedicated. Enthusiastic ” ng. Kind. Involved. Helpin Walking around campus each day, I feel the tremendous energy and enthusiasm of our Upper School students. The transition to coed has broadened the social, emotional, and academic experience of all of our students. - CHRISTINA KLEIN ’03, LMFT, PPS, MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Bye, seniors!
- MOLLY ELLIS ’25
Do well in college!
- GRAHAM SCHAFFER ’26
It’s been great getting to know the wonderful artists, athletes, and scholars in this class – our first fully coed senior class. I will miss them a lot next year! - JOSE YSAGUIRRE, SECURITY OFFICER
SUMMER 2019 33
“We Planned on Being Heard “
KADE O’REILLY ’19
I
am finally done with the college application process, very much looking forward to this next chapter in my life, and my San Domenico experience is nearing its end. I find it an apropos time to reflect on these past four years and how this school has shaped me into the person I am today.
My class is known as the “trailblazers,” but in a sense, we should also be known as the “experiment.” From the first time we all met—teachers, students, and administration—it was clear that this class was bound for success; each of us possessed unique qualities that would bring new life to SD. However, at the same time, everyone was wondering if, after over 160+ years of operating as an all-girls school, SD could seamlessly take on such astronomical changes to its traditions, as it incorporated the first boys in the Upper School. Well, I guess that is for me to tell you all about, but as a spoiler, the answer is yes. Starting off in my freshman year, I had absolutely no clue what to expect of this institution; I had spent my entire educational career in massive public schools, so I wasn’t quite sure how I would fit into this new community. On the very first morning of school, I entered my mentor’s classroom. This teacher, Ms. Huffman, would be someone who would assist in guiding me over the next four years. I was surrounded by seven other students I had never seen before, but my timidness subsided as I realized that they were in the exact same boat as me. I was not surrounded by strangers, but rather sitting alongside kind people with whom I would spend my next four years. Still with a bit of uncertainty stuck in my head, I must have asked Ms. Huffman at least ten questions about the schedule and where each of my classes were. She immediately laughed, not due to the frequent questions, but rather to the fact that I was
34 SCHOOL TIES
so set on not getting lost on my first day. She thoroughly answered my questions, making me feel at ease and realizing that I had nothing to worry about. From that point on, there has not been a single time I have felt uncertainty about this school, for that moment served as a representation of my entire attendance here. There was no stigma about asking questions; everyone wanted to help and ensure your success. Just based on the first day, I knew that it would be quite easy to embody a “trailblazer,” for I knew that I would have the full support of my teachers, peers, and the administration. Now, straying from the more social aspect of SD, it’s just as important to talk about the academic rigor that students encounter here. In addition to the tough workload that you will have to complete, your teachers will always push you to see the bigger picture, meaning they want your knowledge to be applicable to the real world. A teacher who immediately comes to mind is Mr. Levasseur. In freshman Global Studies and sophomore Sacred Texts, we spent the year learning about different world religions and how we are all connected. Of course it was vital that we understood the material, but more importantly, he made sure that we understood why learning about different cultures is necessary. At a school like SD, it is impossible to remain inside a bubble, due to the various cultures that are represented at the school. And of course, in the real world, not everyone is the same, yet we are all interrelated in one way or another. Growing up in Marin had left me with a rather narrow global lens, however, these classes truly opened my eyes and prepared me for life at SD and life post-high school and college. What makes San Domenico so distinctive in comparison to other schools is the fact that there is true purpose in our education. This sense of purpose allowed our class to fit the role of “trailblazers.” That name applies to not only our academic
achievements but also our voices that have been heard all across campus. From our first day at SD to the end of senior year—it is impossible to overstate how much the trailblazing class has altered the course of San Domenico history. We were not to be a class who remained on the sidelines and coasted through high school; we planned on being heard, and so we were. We flocked to join sports teams, art programs, and student-organized clubs, eager to show the community our interests and dedication. And this engagement was not short-lived: it was as if we could never have enough, and so each year we built upon our achievements from the previous year. Whether it was Patrick Liang leading the first men’s baseball team or Josie Goodman doing a performance to raise awareness for women via V-Day, this class was creating change each year. Looking back at this four-year experience, I can truly say that the “experiment” worked. We were not just the first coed class but also one of the most influential, and our impact on the school will be remembered forever in San Domenico history. When I would first tell people that I went to San Domenico, the typical response would be, “Isn’t that an all-girls school?” Now, after four years, that question has become nearly nonexistent, as SD is now fully coed, K-12. While that question may have been slightly annoying to me as a freshman, thinking back on it, I see that it demonstrates the impact that those all-girl classes had for over 160 years. In retrospect, I have to say that the process of extending coed into the Upper School would not have been possible without the hospitality that our freshman class received from the all-girls sophomore, junior, and senior classes. I have learned that history is important and so while we appreciate the present, and look to the future, it is equally important that we appreciate what every all-girls class did before us to make SD as unique and strong as it is today. Kade will be matriculating to Bentley University.
“What makes San Domenico so distinctive in comparison to other schools is the fact that there is true purpose in our education.”-Kade ’19 SUMMER SUMMER 2019 2019 35 35
T
he fall of 2015 ushered in a new era for San Domenico School. The incoming class of freshmen brought with them a new energy, as well as different talents and fresh perspectives, to complement an already thriving learning community. To be clear, every new class of freshmen up to this time had brought their own special gifts to San Domenico. So what was so different about 2015? In
School boarding community. While a relatively small group, it was very diverse, with students from all over the Bay Area, out-of-state, and other countries. Total strangers to each other on move-in day, they quickly became close friends. These new boarding students also cultivated deep and meaningful friendships with the day students and with the sophomore, junior, and senior girls already in the boarding program.
in the greater school community, both in and out of the classroom. They are involved in athletics and in the fine arts programs, especially the Virtuoso Program, San Domenico Singers, and visual arts; they’re also active in many student clubs, from the service-oriented (e.g., Children in Need) to STEM-related (e.g., Robotics) to more politically focused (e.g., Model United Nations; Junior Statesmen of America). They
A New Era in the BY JOHN PHILLIPS, DEAN OF ACADEMICS
a word—boys. After more than 150 years of being a bastion of all-girls education, San Domenico welcomed male freshmen to its high school— and into the dormitories. This
spring we graduated our first coed class–affectionately referred to as our "Trailblazers." I was lucky enough to arrive at San Domenico to direct the boarding program in 2014, so I was able to see the transformation from all-girls to coed firsthand. What can we say about the first four years of coeducation at San Domenico? What new trails have been blazed? For sure, there have been many obvious changes, such as making each floor in the dorms designated for girls or boys, but there were also some changes that had to be made soon after the boys moved in, such as stocking the dining hall with more food! In the fall of 2015, we welcomed 14 new male students to the Upper
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Our small group of trailblazers was in the unique position of being school leaders at an early age, a responsibility they have upheld through their entire time at San Domenico. They have been true leaders from the start, serving as student ambassadors in the fall during orientation and encouraging increased attendance at games and concerts on campus. They have played a prominent role in the success of the transition to coeducation at SD. While the boarding community at San Domenico is only about a third of the entire high school student body, the boarders have had a significant impact
are continually encouraged to stretch themselves, take risks, set goals, and follow their passions. In the last four years I have witnessed an uptick in school spirit around the dorms. Attendance has grown at on-campus sports events and at musical and theatre performances, reflecting a student culture of enthusiastic mutual support. We have seen more sleepovers in the dorms and more frequent visits to day students’ homes—on some weekends, up to 30 percent of the boarding students are staying off-campus with locally based classmates. To cite one example, junior
boarding student Sean Kwok ’20, from Hong Kong, has found a home away from home with Patrick Liang ’19 and Conner Liang ’21 of San Francisco, his teammates on the SD varsity baseball team; the three bonded over a shared fondness for baseball, good food, and video games. Meanwhile, on campus, the growth of the Upper School’s population and
There is perhaps no better example of the boarding program’s social upside than Josh Martinez and Ray Qin, who arrived as freshmen in the fall of 2015. Josh is from San Francisco and Ray is from Beijing. They were roommates that year and immediately became friends, often seen together on the basketball court and hanging out in the dorm lounge and the dining hall. Ray spent his first American Thanksgiv-
Over the last four years, the boarding community has changed in size and composition, but what hasn’t changed is the emphasis on community and accountability. Boarders learn to be responsible for themselves and to others, to live not only among peers but in the SD ‘neighborhood’, which includes Dominican Sisters, and resident faculty and their children and pets. Indeed, the lessons learned in the dorm help
Boarding Program
co-curricular programs has likewise created a new buzz. A few years ago, weekends here were generally quiet, and very few day students would find reason to visit. Today, more and more day students come here on weeknights and weekends, whether to take an evening ceramics or AP computer science class, finish projects, study with their boarding classmates, attend a concert, play, or athletic event, or simply hang out and socialize. Bringing more boarders and boys into the mix has brought the twin benefits of a student body that is more wideranging, on the one hand, and more unified, on the other.
ing at Josh’s house. As seniors, the two are just as close and have what looks to be a lifelong bond. Such ties are one of the major benefits of living and studying together on campus. The students are surrounded by people who understand and care about them. The boarding program at San Domenico has always fostered lasting relationships and mutual respect, and coeducation has enhanced that effect, creating a lively and dynamic environment as students with their own stories and experiences arrive from all over the globe.
lay a solid foundation for adulthood. The School’s four pillars of study, reflection, service, and community are woven into dormitory life: students study and work together; individually and together they reflect on what is most important to them and the paths they plan to take; they serve each other by doing communal chores and helping one another in times of need; and finally, we all live in community, pledging to each other that we will try to be the best version of ourselves and respect each other and the physical environment around us.
SUMMER 2019 37
B
eing a part of the first coed Upper School class has been very rewarding. Playing basketball at San Domenico has been a significant part of my journey here. I considered attending other schools where I could walk into a strong women’s basketball program. I decided instead to step up and play a leadership role in a program that was about to go through massive growth. With Stephanie Buechner as a new head coach, a small team, and nothing but an image and a dream, my teammates and I knew we would have to build from the ground up. We were on a mission.
a freshman and JV team. We had no chance. From then on out, there were ups and downs, but all of it happened for a reason. Sophomore year, then junior year, wins, losses—it was difficult, but gratifying. By the time senior year came around, we had entered a new and more competitive league, the BCL West. With new challenges and much better teams, our mindset and culture had to evolve yet again. So this past season, that is what my teammates and I did. The season started, and we were again scheduled to scrimmage Drake, in their home gym. Again, we were the underdogs: San
We set goals this season and accomplished them!” The ending of a season is always tough, having that feeling that maybe you could have done just a little bit more. But the end of your entire high school career feels a bit different. Instead of reflecting on the year, you reflect on four years. I spent time thinking about what to say to my teammates, how I could express and show my gratitude toward them and my coaches. I looked at them and said, “This game is not about the wins and the losses. Yo do not remember every game you play—maybe a couple great games,
2,000 POINTS: Hoops and Heart KAYDEN “KK” KORST ’19
Being a part of the trailblazing class, and watching the men’s team grow as well, added a whole new perspective. As with any other high school sports program, the boys attracted bigger crowds and more fans to every game. They still do, which was frustrating at times, and I saw as part of my job to remind my teammates that they are winners. The culture and mindset I instilled within my team was that of a winning program with a family-like connection that pushed us to new heights, building confidence every step of the way. It did not matter who was at our game or the men’s games; we had each other’s backs and we inspired each other.
Domenico playing against a big public school. When the game was over, we had won by 11. Nobody expected us to beat an MCAL playoff team only weeks into the season. But we did. And after that scrimmage, we did sprints. We knew we could do better, play better. It has been our mission to settle for nothing but greatness. We wanted to make school history. Competing in one of the best girls’ leagues in the Bay Area was definitely a challenge. Every game was a battle but we fought together. Nobody expected us to have any success in the league, but we clinched the playoffs and then made it to the North Coast Section Championships!
Team practices evolved as we worked together to build a successful basketball program and an environment and culture of winning and success. My freshman season, we scrimmaged Drake, a bigger public school, holding
Coach Buechner said, “Our team is a group of girls who come together for one common goal: to be the best we can be, support each other and create a family in the process. Coaching a group like this is a special experience.
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championships. But you never ever forget the people.” I will never forget my coaches, my teammates, the team managers, and the sisters I have met playing San Domenico basketball. At the end of the day, it is about the people and relationships you have in your corner, backing you up. I asked junior guard Cate Olrich to share what this program means to her, and she confidently said, “Before SD basketball I didn’t know how much the sport meant to me. The team is my family and they push me to be better every day.” It’s about the community. There is not a tighter, more loved basketball community than the one that has been created at San Domenico. There has been nothing more rewarding than the experiences and lessons I have learned, with people I love, at San Domenico. As a recruited athlete, KK will be matriculating to California State, San Marcos.
KK with Coach Steph Buechner
SUMMER 2019 39
Alumni Perspectives: The Evolution of San Domenico
In 1986 during my high school junior year at San Domenico, I had an epiphany. I was at my first Model United Nations conference and was sitting in hour two of a session when I realized that every speaker up to that point had been a boy. Not a single girl had stood up to contribute. Up until that point, I had never really considered what benefit, if any, my allgirls education since seventh grade at San Domenico had given me. In that moment, though, I realized that being in a supportive environment where I was constantly told that I could do anything a boy could do had given me a rare confidence as a young woman, and I became the first, and only, girl to contribute during a full day of discussions. If you had asked me when I graduated a year later if I thought the Upper School should become coed, I would have emphatically answered no.
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Fast-forward 25 years to 2011. I was now a History and English teacher and had been teaching at San Domenico for six years. The idea of going fully coed at San Domenico was starting to be discussed in earnest, and I found to my surprise that I was now fully in support of it. In the years since I graduated, the world around me had shifted—in fact, boys were found to face more challenges in primary and secondary education than girls did. More significantly for me personally, though, was the fact that I was now a mother of a school-age boy, and it had crossed my mind more than once that it was a shame that he would never be able to benefit from the outstanding education our Upper School offers.
Alumna, Parent ’23, and Upper School History and English teacher, Natasha McKeown ’87 reflects on the coed transition
To add to that, the year before I had also decided to shift from teaching in the Upper School to the Middle School, which had gone coed shortly after I graduated from the Upper School. It was really teaching in the Middle School that helped me to see that one of the most important aspects of what I value in the education at San Domenico had not been lost because of the change. I could observe firsthand that the students of both genders were equally immersed and thriving in the challenging academic program. It seemed clear that if the Middle School could successfully make that transition, then the Upper School could, as well.
Now in 2019, as we look forward to graduating our first class with boys from the Upper School, I feel even more strongly that going coed was the right choice. I have recently returned to the Upper School to teach, and I am especially grateful to see that the change has allowed us to grow an even larger, more dynamic high school program. Moreover, my own daughter will begin ninth grade at SD next year, and I have no doubt that when she graduates, she, like me, will still do so with the certain knowledge that she can do anything a boy can do. That message has not been lost.
Natasha McKeown ’87 “I am especially grateful to see that the change has allowed us to grow an even larger, more dynamic high school program.”
SUMMER 2019 41
Helen Holden ’71 “It seemed that the Lower School was thriving with young boys and it was a shame that they were not allowed to continue on to Upper School. I think it has proven to be a wise decision over the last four years.”
Katie Horn ’71 “I was thrilled when San Domenico announced that the high school was going coed! I felt that SD was keeping up with the times and with the desires of today’s students and their parents, US-based and international.” “As a current member of the Board of Trustees, I am on campus at least once a month for a meeting or event. I have been to plays, visited classes, attended music events, and watched the kids interact with one another. It always seems like they are having a wonderful time! There is a seriousness in the classrooms as students work together with each other and their teachers, and outside the classroom they are energetically engaging with one another with lots of conversation, laughter, and talent of all kinds.”
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Robin Mayrisch Andrae ’66 “I had a little sadness for the loss of some of the older traditions and the chance to learn from and be supported by other girls and the Sisters, but now that I see the students in action on campus, it has been very gratifying to see boys and girls working together. In particular, I remember when the students came to speak to the Alumni Council about their service projects. It was wonderful and inspiring to see how they worked together in teams!” “The Dominican/San Domenico traditions of excellence in education and Veritas in action is flourishing, as always. San Domenico forms ties that last a lifetime.”
Kathy Bryan Hampton ’71 “My opinion was ALWAYS that the school stay strong no matter what it took, so I was in favor of this idea from the very first. I welcomed the choice to go coed as there were lovely Middle School boys that could now choose to continue at SD.” “I was thrilled to see the exuberance on all their faces. It seemed as though the change went seamlessly. The boys I spoke to felt that they were welcomed easily and they in turn felt very much included and part of the Upper School in every way.”
SUMMER 2019 43
Friendships
“哇，他得了一个令人印象深刻的三分球!” (“Wow, he has an impressive backward three pointer!”) Such were the first impressions Wentao Qin and Bo Xiang had of their son’s new roommate, Josh Martinez. “Yea, that was a pretty great first impression!” laughs Jian, a.k.a. Ray, as he and Josh reminisce about their first meeting. Of his 6’4” roommate, and now close friend, Josh says, “At first I was pretty intimidated by him. I’d never been to boarding school before, or even hung out with someone from China, but within ten minutes, I realized how fun and funny he is.” Three years later, the two now finish each other’s sentences and seem more like brothers than roommates. As members of the first fully coed Upper School class, Josh and Ray came to symbolize a new era at San Domenico. They both jumped right in, joined many a team, participated in countless activities, and obligingly, smiled for many photo shoots, cognizant of their “trailblazing” role as the first group of boys in SD’s high school. “My life would be so different if it weren’t for coming to this school,” reflects Ray, now confident in his English and grateful for the many experiences he has had here at SD. “From the student ambassadors, especially Ogechi and Ugochi (Egonu ’17), to my classmates like KK (Korst) and Camilla (Taylor), everyone was so encouraging. I remember in my interview with Mr. Phillips, he asked if I played basketball,” he laughs. “I said yes, but then I could not say what position so I said something for soccer instead. Mr. Phillips . . . Josh. . .Coach Fulton. . .the community here was so patient.”
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“Having a roommate from across the world as part of your high school experience . . . it’s not something everyone gets to experience and I feel really lucky,” stated Josh one day over lunch outside Cooper Dining Hall. His family hosted Ray for their first shared Thanksgiving and Ray now counts Josh’s family members as his friends, not just his friend’s family. Talking at once, Josh and Ray note how getting firsthand information on world events makes you think more about the people behind the stories. Around campus, there is a growing awareness of the value of increasing understanding, even patience, for cultures other than one’s own. These young men get that.
“Being part of an international school makes you care more about the WHOLE world,” says Josh. Ray nods in agreement and adds, “Yes, even when our different media outlets are reporting very different sides of a news story, talking to each other, well, it’s nice to see people care about other people, no matter what country you are from . . .even with patriotism, we care about people in both countries.” “Coming from San Francisco, I have a whole new perspective on the world now,” Josh states albeit humbly. “I don’t know what I’ll do in the future but I definitely see things differently.” In terms of educating global citizens, we see that as a good thing. Ray will be attending the University of California at San Diego and Josh will be matriculating to Saint Mary’s College.
“Being part of an international school makes you care more about the WHOLE world.” -Josh ’19 SUMMER 2019 45
Senior Reflections
BY HANNAH KAYE ’20 and RYAN SAMWAY ’20
Claire Young
Upper School Digital Media, Marketing, and Communications Fellows interviewed members of the Class of 2019
Matriculating to Pitzer College
What is the most important thing you have learned at San Domenico? Definitely the most important thing I’ve learned here is to try new things. During my Upper School years, I participated in Social Justice Club, Animal Rights Club, Body Positive Club, Model UN, the Ambassador Program, and Student Council. By trying a bunch of new things that you are not sure how you are going to react to, you get to know yourself better, and you get to discover and explore what your interests are, and to then continue to develop those throughout your life.
Which teacher or what class has had the biggest impact on you and why? Ms. Huffman taught my Chemistry Honors class last year. It’s a hard class, and I used to go into her class before every test, with the study guides, and literally go through every single problem and she would sit down with us and explain how to do every individual problem. And yes, that did save my grade, but it also really showed her care and dedication to her students.
What is something you wish someone had told you before going into the college application process? So many things . . . most of all, research your schools. Everyone puts so much emphasis on getting into places and doing all the work, which, granted, is really hard, but once you get into schools, you still have to decide where you are going to spend the next four years of your life.
What is something you did during high school that you will remember for the rest of your life? My ROSE Project, for sure. I went to Tanzania and I helped construct teacher housing for different public schools. Going to a completely different part of the world, living there for two weeks, and experiencing the culture was definitely more impactful than I could have ever predicted.
46 SCHOOL TIES
Zayetzy García Bareño Matriculating to Loyola Marymount University
What is the most important thing you have learned at San Domenico? The most important thing I have learned is to value the work from all of the faculty members and teachers because they put so much effort into helping the students grow, as learners and as people. Although the emails and homework may seem overwhelming, I finally realized that all of it is to help us prepare for the future and to make us more complete and well-prepared students. Today, I really value the hard work and time the teachers put into helping us. For example, one day Ms. Churchill came in to class and made us flashcards to help us understand all the concepts for Human Bio which was extremely helpful. When I go to college, my teachers probably won’t even know my name, so I know I will miss all of the unique relationships that we have at San Domenico because, at the end, that is what counts and it’s what helps us to be well-rounded students.
What is something you wish someone had told you before going into the college application process? Because I am an international student who came here from Mexico in my junior year, I had no clue how the college process worked here in the US, so I came here last year and I heard everyone talking about SAT and ACT and I had no idea what that even was. So, I wish I was more informed about it earlier. I realize now that while they are important, your test scores don’t define you; they’re not you. It’s not life or death to not achieve a perfect 1600 on the SAT.
What is something you did during high school that you will remember for the rest of your life? The main thing I will remember is just growing. I feel like every single experience I had throughout high school shaped who I am right now: all the bad and all the good. But, I feel like the biggest step was coming to San Domenico and being a boarding student. I was able to get to know a lot of other international students and learn how to be independent. I learned how to keep my room neat, when to do my laundry, not to mix white and color clothing because it’s not a good experience, and to make my bed. I grew to have more responsibility for myself. Not having my parents tell me what to do all the time initially led to procrastination so I had to learn how to be my own parent and learn to know when I can relax and when I have to do my work. That whole experience of independence was a really big life lesson for me during high school.
SUMMER 2019 47
Kyle Nguyen Matriculating to Drexel University
What is the most important thing you have learned at San Domenico? As an international boarding student from Vietnam, one of the most important things I have learned at SD is how to be independent. My time at San Domenico has been a completely new experience for me; the environment and the entire American education system was so different from anything I had done before. I had to learn how to manage my schedule and deal with all of my classes, and really take initiative to set standards for myself.
Knowing what you know now, if you could give a letter to your freshman self, what would it say? I would tell myself to branch out more during my freshman year, to try more things, and really go beyond the activities in which I already feel comfortable. Something I struggled with was public speaking, and I would rarely participate in classes and only hang out with my close friends. A letter to my 14-year-old self would say to get out there, meet new people, and take advantage of new opportunities. Even if it was something that I only had a slight interest in, I would push myself to try it because it could be something I find I really a interested in and love.
What is something you did during high school that you will remember for the rest of your life? I will always remember my experience with theater at San Domenico. When I joined the spring play, I had never had any experience with theater, and was terrified of public speaking, but I felt reassurance in the fact that I would be performing something that someone else had already written, versus my own work. The decision to join theater was one of the best I’ve ever made, because I had an awesome time with my friends and I was able to discover and enjoy a new passion of mine. It also really boosted my confidence in public speaking and my confidence in exploring new things, and through it, I found something I really loved.
SCHOOLTIES TIES 4848 SCHOOL
“What I’ll remember most from San Domenico isn’t necessarily something I did, rather, it is the
Flannery Strain
”
people.
Matriculating to Kenyon College
What is the most important thing you have learned at San Domenico? The most important thing I’ve learned at SD is how to manage my time, prioritize certain aspects of my life, and find a balance between school and social life.
Which teacher or what class has had the biggest impact on you and why? Every teacher and class has had an impact on me, however, the three that were especially significant were my AP Composition and Language class with Ms. Hale, Honors Chemistry with Ms. Huffman, and The Human Condition with Mr. Bowermaster. Ms. Hale taught me how to write effectively. Ms. Huffman taught me how to study well for tests. Mr. Bowermaster helped me to think about the bigger issues in the world and the overarching questions of human existence.
Knowing what you know now, if you could give a letter to your freshman self, what would it say? The overall message of my letter to my freshman self would say, “Chill out.” Stressing out over weird social situations is unnecessary, and focusing on school is far more important. However, it would also say that grades are not everything, so finding a balance is important to keep in mind.
What is something you did during high school that you will remember for the rest of your life? What I’ll remember most from San Domenico isn’t necessarily something I did, rather, it is the people. The relationships and the community of friends and teachers has positively impacted me throughout the past four years. These experiences will have a lasting effect on me as a person.
SUMMER2019 2019 4949 SUMMER
ARTS In the Balance It may be said that in art, one finds balance even more critical than in any other discipline. The footing of a dancer and the partner with whom there is equilibrium. The bow of a violin, crossing the strings at just the right angle. The stroke of a brush with just the right light and dark. The harmony of masculine and feminine voices. And so it is that trailblazing in the arts at SD continues today, ever more powerful, illuminating, and inspiring with a broader representation of genders now that the School is fully coed.
“From the performing arts perspective, extending coed into the Upper School has meant we have been able to fulfill a more ambitious vision than we had in the past, from daring partnering lifts to a greater range of dynamics in dance choreography. Having coed student actors has allowed for a richer depth, energy, realism, and variation in our material. All of the performing arts programs now have a greater breadth of life experience to draw from. I personally love the ability to continue the work that I start with my Middle School students, all the way through the Upper School years. Now that many of my male theatre arts students stay through high school as well, there is a real ease, balance, and excellence that we create, across genders. This has a been a great joy for me.� - Erica Smith, Director of Dance and Theatre Arts
50 SCHOOL TIES
“There was nothing harder than spending years working with a student to develop their artistic skills, only to have to say goodbye once they’d finished Eighth Grade. Being able to ‘grow our own’, regardless of gender, all the way through high school, has had an undeniably positive impact on the level at which our students perform.” - Rob DeNunzio, Director of Music and Digital Arts “The addition of young men into the Virtuoso Program has both energized and balanced our program. Their sense of play contributes to more vibrant music-making. Their well-meaning honesty is disarming. Sometimes, their great raw talent combines with a bit of bravado to create explosive and virtuosic results. The students keenly observe one another in rehearsal and performance and the impressive qualities of one gender positively impact and influence the other. What impresses me most, however, is the way our young men and women look after one another with words of encouragement and support. Although their personalities are as different as can be, on the whole, their presence has established not only brotherhood, but ‘siblinghood’.” - Ann Krinitsky, Director, Virtuoso Program
“Since going coed I have observed a remarkably positive impact on my art students’ creative and emotional experience in the art classroom. As a now intentionally coed school, we have done a stellar job of creating a safe environment for all students to learn, but in a diverse setting similar to the world our students will encounter when they graduate, one with interaction and engagement across the gender divide. In our art studio, students are able to cultivate empathy and appreciation toward each other’s opinions and ways of navigating the world, while sharing insights that might not be available to us without the richness of a coed classroom.” - Carina Ybarra, Art Department Chair
SUMMER 2019 51
ATHLETICS Athletics Wrap Up In the fall of 2014, a group from San Domenico’s leadership team sat around the table in the Ferguson conference room, reviewing pages of data that had been compiled over the course of the year prior. The Upper School was going coed which meant more students of both genders, which meant we could expand our athletic program! What sports were growing in popularity, locally and nationwide? What sports made sense for our School’s campus and culture? Where could we attract and develop impact players? With Athletic Director Dan Gilmartin and Coaches Mike Fulton and Rob Jessen already in place, we would (of course) add Men’s
52 SCHOOL TIES
Basketball and Men’s Tennis. Coach Julie Lanzarin’s Badminton Team and Coach Mark Churchill’s Cross-Country and Track and Field teams would become coed, as would swimming. After that, it was decided, would come men’s teams for Varsity Baseball, Soccer, and Golf, as well as Women’s Lacrosse. John Phillips added ‘Coach’ to his titles here at SD, and new team members Stephanie Buechner, Olivia Urban, Fiona O’Sullivan, Greg Rose, David Briceno, Daley Cort, and Mark Anderson joined our coaching staff, all inspired by the dream of building a program . . . and build they did!
It has been four years since our first fully coed class entered the Upper School. The athletic stories that followed are like “The Little Engine That Could" or “Field of Dreams.” Day after day, week after week, month after month, the athletes and coaches who dared to dream of making a difference, stepped up and did so. They became leaders. Impact players. Their accomplishments are remarkable. Some didn’t even have a field to practice on. They did not let that stop them. Through rain, wind, smoke, and change upon change, our athletes and coaches kept going. They started new teams.
Tried new sports. Built new programs. Showed resilience. And grit. A growth mindset. Determination. Team work. Compassion. Courage. And strength. They won championships. They lost and kept showing up. They dug deep, and showed how to be a winner in any circumstance. They won again. To all the coaches, athletes, and parents who formed the support staff, we salute you! The following 2018-19 athletic recap is testament to the progress of the last four years.
SUMMER 2019 53
ATHLETICS A Year In Review 2018-19 Fall Women’s Golf-Coach Daley Cort
•BCL West League Champions
Women’s Volleyball-Coach Olivia Urban
•Upset match against defending BCL Central
Champ SF Waldorf
Women’s Tennis-Coach Robert Jessen
•
Hard-fought season in new competitive league, led by junior Norika Terasawa and Sophomore Sophie Wang
54 SCHOOL TIES
Coed Sailing-Parent Coach Jose Serras
•
Launched premiere SD sailing team, part of the Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Association (PCISA)
Men's and Women's Cross-Country Coach Mark Churchill and Coach Mary Churchill Made it to BCL Championships, competed at NCS Championships
•
Winter Men’s Basketball-Coach Mike Fulton
•Senior Cash Fulton 2
nd
team All-League in BCL West
Women’s Basketball-Coach Stephanie Buechner
•
Made BCL West playoffs, first year in new league advancing to the 2nd round in NCS Senior Kayden Korst scored over 2,000 career points and made BCL West 1st team All-League Isabella Engler made BCL West 2nd team All-League
• •
Men’s Soccer-Coach David Briceno
•It was a building year. Our players showed an amazing
resilience and commitment to each other.
Women’s Soccer-Coach Fiona O’Sullivan
•
It was a challenging year with a lot of lessons learned and we look forward to next year!
SUMMER 2019 55
ATHLETICS SPRING
Women’s Lacrosse-Coach Greg Rose
Men’s Golf-Coach Daley Cort
Coed Badminton-Coach Julie Lanzarin
Coed Mountain Biking-Coach Robin Huffman
•Made BCL West Playoffs in the team’s first year at SD •
•William Ma went to BCL West Tournament •Consistently placed in the Top 3 or 4 out of 25+
Men’s Doubles Team has held 1st Place in the BCL for the past three years. Earned 1st and 2nd Place in Men’s Doubles at the BCL Tournament. Made it into NCS.
NorCal teams Placed 3rd in Norcal Championships
Men’s Baseball-Coaches Dan Gilmartin and John Phillips
Men's and Women's Track and Field-Coach Mark
D6 at large NCS Bid, after huge wins against Stuart Hall, University, Urban, and Marin Academy in their inaugural BCL West season
Churchill and Coach Kristian Noden Men's team finished 4th at BCL Championships and 9th at NCS Championships, out of 40+ schools. BCL Champions: Kayden Korst, overall shot put and Grey Snyder, overall West Champion in discus and shot put.
•In inaugural season in the BCL West Division, secured a
Men’s Tennis-Coach Robert Jessen
•Won first playoff game ever in the School’s history,
achieving 6-4 record in BCL West Made it into NCS Playoffs in Division 2 as the 15th seed
•
56 SCHOOL TIES
• • •
Coed Swimming-Coach Mark Anderson
•Women’s team finished 2
in BCL West Division, and 3 in the BCL Championships, which includes nd
rd
both BCL West and East Divisions. Freshman Emma KeithBrown broke both BCL Championship Meet and BCL Conference records in the 500 Freestyle. Multiple swimmers earned a place at the NCS Championship Qualifiers. Director of Basketball Operations, Mike Fulton was selected as a 2019 Double-Goal CoachÂŽ in the Positive Coaching Alliance National Award Finalist
•
Kwan Limbhasut and Thomas Henry Kunze were selected as Marin Athletic Foundation Eva & Mario Ghilotti Outstanding Student Athlete Award recipients. San Domenico received the NCS League Sportsmanship Award for BCL West.
SUMMER 2019 57
ALUM NEWS Welcome from Mary Bishop ’86, Director of Alumni Relations I posted a 360 degree panoramic shot on Facebook during my first week back at SD with a caption that said “everything is still the same.” The comments and posts came fast and furious. “What is that path going down the middle of Senior Lawn? Highly divisive (pun intended)” and, “Are lower classmen allowed to use the path?” While the campus remains largely the same, things are different here at the end of Butterfield Road—there are more kids, laughter, and more busy-ness than ever; more faculty, more staff. San Domenico School remains an incredibly vibrant and dynamic place for learning, for stretching intellectual boundaries, for exploring the visual and performing
arts, and for finding purpose. I am delighted to be here to welcome our first senior class to the alumni ranks. Looking forward, what does this mean for our alumni community? I would like to propose that we are all members of the San Domenico Alumni Association. Graduates and non-graduates alike, whether you attended only the Middle School, or only the Upper School, Dominican School in San Rafael, or San Domenico in San Anselmo, whether you are female, male, or choose not to identify in the binary world. We all share a common connection. I hope you enjoy this issue of School Ties, dedicated to all the trailblazers. Please send me any updates, I would love to hear from you! Mary Bishop ’86 Director of Alumni Relations mbishop@sandomenico.org
Distinguished Alumnae 2019 The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually by San Domenico School to a graduate or graduates whose lives embody the spirit of Veritas and who, by their dedication to lifelong growth and learning, exemplify the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service. This year, we honored the following graduates from the class of 1959, who celebrated their 60th Reunion: Mary Donohue Ciocca, Joan Smiley Shattuck, and Jeanne Poett Leonard. In the spring of 1988, these three graduates helped establish the Julie Davis Butler Award, a scholarship fund to assist students with their ROSE Projects. ROSE stands for ‘Real Opportunities for Service in Education’ and these
58 SCHOOL TIES
projects are part of the curriculum for every high school student at SD. Every year, these three dedicated alums reviewed each application and interviewed students for their project. Julie Davis Butler ’59 died in a plane crash in central Burma on October 11, 1987. From her high school years, where she served as class president for three years, until the time of her death, Julie was deeply involved in whatever she undertook. Her husband, Bill, was a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam for five and a half years. Julie not only cared for their two children during his absence, but she also worked tirelessly to secure humane treatment for and eventual release of American POWs. Julie received the San Domenico Distinguished Alumna Award in 1974.
Scholarship Recipients Funding for the Award has grown from the original endowed fund created by Julie’s family and friends. Income drawn from the endowment enables current students to experience learning and service in works of social justice, peace-building, and selfless love–qualities that Julie exemplified. The dedication and support that Mary, Jeanne, and Joan have shown towards service learning education at San Domenico is admirable. Hundreds of students’ lives have
been changed by their ROSE projects, and by the funding they receive from the Julie Davis Butler Award. In turn, our students have been able to positively impact hundreds of lives around the world. Their service, made possible by the generosity and dedication of these three graduates and the scholarship they created, is an inspiration to the entire SD community. We thank them for their unwavering dedication to Julie’s legacy, and for their enthusiastic support of SD students for the past 31 years.
,
2019 Julie Davis Butler Award Recipients Meba Admassu Environmental
Sophie Keith-Brown Gap Medics
Connor Price Coach and tutor in the
sustainability education in the Cocle
midwifery and emergency programs
Amigos program in a rural community
region of Panama.
in the Dominican Republic focusing
in the Dominican Republic.
on women’s maternal health.
Lillian Cummings LGBTQ+ rights, gender
Norika Terasawa Raise public awareness
issues and sex education, volunteer work
Zhou “Eric” Liu Volunteer at Yangfan e+
of women’s inequality in Japan through the
at an LGBTQ+ senior living home in the
Summer Program which provides rural
Kakekomi Women’s Center Aichi, a shelter
Netherlands.
students with meaningful summer activi-
for domestic violence.
ties and cultural trips.
Anna Valadao Defaria Volunteer at
Melina Tseckares Teach English and
Breakthrough San Francisco—academic
Nora Okamoto Work with the
develop curriculum with Cross Cultural
support for students with limited
Secretary of Public Education’s office in
Solutions in Guatemala.
educational opportunities on the path
Mexico to lessen corruption through a
to a four-year college.
grassroots effort.
Phoebe and Callia Weisiger-Vallas Produce two multimedia art shows at the
Allegra Diaz Conservation work in Puerto
Luci Paczkowski, Milo Wetherall, Allegra Schunemann Generation: Our
Stapleton School of the Performing Arts in
Rico—hurricane relief and restoring ecosystems through National Geographic Student
Climate, a youth grassroots advocacy
young women in the arts. Proceeds will aid
Expeditions.
group that fights for climate action in the
the Center for Domestic Peace.
San Anselmo to increase representation of
government, industry, and public. Advocate
Esmeralda Fernandez Improve women’s
for the Green New Deal policies to reduce
leadership roles in Guatemala—teaching
the US carbon footprint, invest in clean
youth leadership, women’s health, legal
energy infrastructure and provide jobs for
rights and education through Partners
low income communities.
Asia.
SUMMER 2019 59
REUNION Reunion Weekend 2019 It was so great to have so many alumni at Reunion Weekend, May 3-4, 2019, revisiting classrooms, chatting with lifelong friends, and reliving memories. The festive happy hour at local favorite, Marinitas was super fun! Our annual Alumni Mass was officiated by Fr. Kenneth Weare, Ph.D., and featured the San Domenico Singers led by Michael Mello. Innovation Lead and Upper School Humanities Teacher Aran Levasseur and two current students led an engaging panel on finding purpose. The annual luncheon took place in our recently remodeled Patricia Tobin Cooper ’29 Dining Hall.
Save the Date: May 15 & 16, 2020
We are already planning for Reunion 2020! Please save the date for this weekend next May and celebrate the 0’s and 5’s! Can’t wait to see you!
60 SCHOOL TIES
Celebrating years ending in ’3, ’4, ’8, and ’9
SUMMER 2019 61
CLASS NOTES 1948
1953
Bill and I are still enjoying life in Hawaii. Interests are travel, theatre, computers, tennis.
Rich and I will be celebrating our 60th anniversary on September 12 with our children, their spouses, and 11 grandchildren!
Katharine Marshall Kibby ’48
Sister Susannah ‘Sudie’ Malarkey, O.P. ’48
In June of 2018 I am planning to fly up to my family home in Portland, Oregon to visit family and meet the newest two babies in the family! I have a total of 16 nieces and nephews, 22 grand-nieces and nephews, and 13 great grand-nieces and nephews.
1949
Genelle Dollarhide Relfe ’49
Genelle came to San Domenico on Feb. 2 to enjoy the SD vs. Convent basketball game. One of her daughter Reese’s close friends has a daughter at Convent now and brought Genelle to the game.
Ardath Graber Rouas ’49
Ardath is currently living in a retirement home in Sonoma. She is almost completely blind but in good spirits. Genelle Relfe visited her and said talking together was just like when they were in high school—recounting stories and laughing.
Anne Baumgartner Morris ’53
1956
Judith Riede Dawson ’56
2018 brought major changes to my life. After being a lifelong Ross resident, I made the tough decision to sell my home and make the move to Seattle. While downsizing has certainly been a challenge, I am enjoying the variety of activities available to me in my new community. I am also fortunate to live a few blocks away from Sarah and her family, so I get to see them quite often. Wendy and Butch moved to Portland around the same time, which is just a few hours drive away. So now most of the family is in the northwest, with Lyn still loving Montana life with her family. Nancy and her family remain in California . . . for the time being.
Nellene Urry McCracken ’56
Nellene and Isabel Fletcher occasionally have lunch together in San Francisco. Anyone of the class of ’56 who would like to join us please contact Nellene Urry McCracken at 415-566-6759 or mamabearnellene@ comcast.net.
1957
Gay Keil ’57
Gay Keil celebrated her birthday in January at a lunch with Courtney Phillips, SD Archivist and Mary Bishop, SD’s Director of Alumni Relations. She and her sister, Molly Keil Hynes ’59 (left) attended Reunion in May.
1963
Virginia Dolan Hall ’63 Ginny has a new
granddaughter, Pauline, born in 2018.
62 SCHOOL TIES
MS 1966
Carol Brandt MS’66
The San Domenico Eighth Grade class of 1966 gathered for a reunion luncheon at the home of Carol Brandt in Petaluma on May 5, 2019. We started at 11:00 am with mimosas and appetizers sitting outside (no rain!) followed by a wonderful potluck buffet lunch, then topped off with the famous Blum’s Coffee Crunch cake for dessert, baked by Carol. Before we knew it, we had talked our way to 5:00 pm! We missed some classmates this year due to other commitments but next year’s is already in the works—Sunday May 17, 2020. Contact Carol for more info at: carolbrandt@comcast.net
(L-R): Lynn Bagley, Jennifer Relfe Anderson, Sally Sullivan, Carol Brandt, Odette (Solon) Fournier, Judith (Roscoe) Workman, Ruth Clark Moale, Nancy Pellegrino Etchegoyhen, Andrea (Purdy) MacLeod, Jody (Bertolucci) Breen Vering, Linda (Zeigler) Kolsky, Caroline Ford
1966
Muffie Pennisi Fendler ’66
Muffie celebrated her 70th birthday with her student gymnast Susan Clayworth Webb in Puerto Vallarta.
Sandra Fly Wong ’66
I became a grandmother to Miss Kimberly Elle Ross! Daughter to my son, Keith Ross and daughter-in-law Michelle Brennan Ross.
1968 (L-R): Andrea (Purdy) MacLeod, Caroline Ford, Jennifer Relfe Anderson, Jody (Bertolucci) Breen Vering, Odette (Solon) Fournier
Tess Kok Densmore ’68
Tess grabbed hold of organizing 50th reunion gatherings for her class with a wonderful spirit of including everyone who wished to do their part, in whatever way it worked for them. (continued . . .)
SUMMER 2019 63
CLASS NOTES (1968 continued . . .) She and Kate Wilson planned the afternoon and dinner at the Lucas Valley Homeowners Clubhouse on Sept. 25, 2018. Marion Oleksiw Duffy decorated with 60s tie dye napkins, colorful sunglasses, beads and rocks with daisies (their class item) on rocks. Tess also reserved the Panama Hotel for luncheon the following day. The two occasions allowed for more individuals to come when they could. Jennifer Strohmaier provided input along the way, too, and had organized classmates to attend the San Domenico senior class of 2018 Luncheon, welcoming the class into the Alumni.
Marion Oleksiw Duffy ’68
Marion helped to organize her class’ 50th reunion luncheon and dinner at Kate Wilson’s neighborhood Community Center, the Lucas Valley Homeowners Club in Marin. Marion provided the most creative 60s decorations!
Felicia Maley Guest ’68
Felicia attended the Class of ’68’s gathering and asked that she be called Felicia Guest at this time. When she lived abroad, her nanny called her Felicia instead of Phyllis. It was lovely to see her and hear about her grown children.
1969
Debbie Supple Miller ’69
I’m still living in Alaska after more than 40 years, inspired by the wilderness. I have a new book: A Wild Promise: Prince William Sound, after five years of research and exploring, just released. www.debbiemilleralaska.com. Hi to Sr. Gervaise!
MS 1969
Katherine D’Arcy MS’69
I have set up a small company and am doing some communications consulting for clients in HK and New Mexico. It is interesting and fun so far, and I like being able to choose my own hours and to work from home. I named it Camino Communications after the Camino Santiago, but as you might expect, it works well as a name in Santa Fe also.
64 SCHOOL TIES
1970
Anne Bolcom ’70
I am still teaching Fourth Grade at Los Angeles Christian School (part of World Impact Inc.) and loving it!
1971
Catherine Carney Browning ’71
Cathy continues to work as a Doctor of Nursing Practice/ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Arthur Center Community Health in rural Missouri. She continues ongoing relations and travels to the Middle East to try to help build peace. Catherine published a book of poetic reflections on the Middle East titled Blazing Radiance and is soon to publish another book on the Middle East.
Class of 1971
“A bit of cheer from the girls of 1971! We’re all rooting for YOU.” Ginny Brown, Amy Skewes-Cox, Katie Abbott Horn, and Trudy Mumford Costello all gathered for dinner recently, and sent this message and photo to Sr. Gervaise.
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!
1972
Laura Grandin ’72
Laura Grandin and her goddaughter, Anne Bordeerat are choristers with Sing! Portland (Oregon). The chorus was invited to join several others from around the world to participate in a four-day residency at Carnegie Hall with Deke Sharon, ‘the father of contemporary acapella music’. Sing! Portland and choruses in Croatia, China, Wales, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Canada spent several months preparing a repertoire of Deke’s six-part arrangements, which 200 singers refined and polished together in NYC. Their months of preparation culminated in an unforgettable sold-out performance in the Isaac Stern auditorium at Carnegie Hall in March 2019!
1997
Kate Topolski Ronquillo ’97
Our family has been busy and moved a number of times since Arleta! We now live in Petaluma. My husband got his degree and is now working as a nutritionist. Our five year old son Leo is in TK and our daughter Ava was born 11/3/2018. Ava and I were very busy bonding until my return to work as an occupational therapist in March.
1975
1998
Emma Cline has a new fiction piece in the New Yorker Magazine: “What Can you do with a General?”
As many of you know, our beloved Lower School violin instructor Michi Aceret ‘98 had to depart San Domenico staff quite suddenly in December when she was given the amazing opportunity to be the violinist for the national tour of the Tony-award winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Nancy Bunting Cline ’75
1993
Lauren La Plante ’93
Lauren still works as a school Psychologist in Emeryville, CA and also works part time for two non-profits supporting youth mental health. She relaxed in the summer at a yoga retreat in Guatemala and stayed in a treehouse cabin with a view of volcanoes.
1996
Alexa La Plante ’96
Alexa had a year of magical adventures. Her highlights were experiencing the exciting international city of Tokyo, the peace of mind rooted in the people of Bhutan, and the wonders of Burning Man.
Michiko Aceret ’98
2000
Lexy Fridell ’00
Lexy and Graham have moved to Glen Ellen. Lexy has become a full time “cellar rat” at her parents’ winery, GlenLyon!
2002
Anne Rainwater ’02 Anne shared her concert calendar for early 2019. Performances were held in the East Bay at various venues through January and February. Anne also shared that her (continued . . .)
SUMMER 2019 65
CLASS NOTES (2002 continued . . .) first solo CD is out and ready for purchase. Physical CDs and digital downloads are both available through the Bandcamp link: https://annerainwater.bandcamp.com/ releases.
2003
Christina Leone Klein ’03 Charles Foxen Klein (Charlie) came into the world on November 8, 2018 at 1:28 am. He weighed in at 9 pounds and 21 inches long.
2004
Kimberly Shannon ’04
Kimberly Shannon married Brent Palmer in November 2018 in New York City. Fellow SD alums, Maryam Khorasani, Alicia Bruckman, Lauren Becker, and Nicole Podell were in attendance.
MS 2006
Peter Finn MS’06
MS 2004
Natasha Zouves MS’04
An Emmy Award winning journalist for ABC San Francisco is back on the air after experiencing a traumatic concussion. Natasha is sharing her story on abc7news/2wbEVcl with the hope that by opening up about the details of her injury and recovery, she is able to shed some light and awareness and let others know they’re not alone. The best place to follow Natasha’s journey is on Instagram at @natashazouves, she’s always looking to connect with the San Domenico community.
66 SCHOOL TIES
Peter just graduated from FIEA (https://fiea.ucf.edu) and is part of a small team developing interactive education software.
2007
Elspeth Mathau ’07
I have been living and attending university/conducting research in Canada and the UK for the past few years, but still use my California address with my family as I am often home working as well. Thanks for continuing to keep the alumni posted!
MS 2008
Andrew Finn MS’08
Andrew is a doctoral student at Princeton University in English Literature, with a specialization in the medieval period.
2010
2014
Andrea is at UC Berkeley studying for her Masters degree in Social Work.
Sydney wrote her senior thesis and graduated from Pitzer College. She has launched her career in women’s leadership and economic empowerment, starting with her position as an Editorial Board Member at The Representation Project.
Andy Frias ’10
MS 2011
Lindsay Levine MS’11
Sydney Levine ’14
Lindsay traveled to Kenya to build a better well with Engineers Without Borders, to Russia to learn about international cooperation in the space industry, and to Pasadena, CA where she is an intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab.
2012
Nicole Frias ’12
Nicole has left NYC, and is currently living with her fiancé, Devon at her mother’s home in Marin, and will be moving to Denver, CO. Nicole and Devon are planning their wedding for the end of 2019. They look forward to living in the out-of-doors and where the cost of living is more realistic.
School Ties Winter 2018-19, Correction to the Annual Report: The following alumnae names were inadvertently omitted from the Annual Report, under ‘Alumni Giving by Class Year’ on pp. 67-68: Diana Larios ’97, Christina Leone Klein ’03, Lauren Becker ’04, Kimberly Shannon ’04, Isobel Heath ’05 We apologize for this omission and are incredibly grateful to all our alumni who support San Domenico. Your support helps SD offer cutting-edge educational programming to our students today. Thank you!
2019 Bolinas Alumni Retreat Over the weekend of March 29-31, fifteen alums gathered at Longsands with Sr. Gervaise Valpey, Sr. Patricia Boss and Mary Bishop ’86, Director of Alumni Relations, to reflect on the lives of Hildegard of Bingen and Catherine of Siena. And of course, to eat, drink and socialize! The weather was amazing, and thanks to the lectures provided by Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D., and music by Robin O’Brien, the weekend was engaging, uplifting, and filled with singing, laughter, and tears. Thanks to all who participated!
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REMEMBRANCES Faith France
April 2, 1922-February 8, 2019 Faith France will be remembered as the creator of San Domenico’s Virtuoso Program, which she founded in 1977 to provide young women string players a pre-professional environment in which to flourish both academically and musically. She began her career at as a substitute piano instructor in 1965. She took over direction of the Music Conservatory in 1967. Her contributions to making high quality music instruction available to countless students are legendary. Her legacy, through San Domenico’s Virtuoso Program, which now includes young men, will continue on in perpetuity. Ms. France and her husband, Mr. Hugo Rinaldi conducted many concerts together at San Domenico through the years.. “Remembering the past, let us look to the future of the PROGRAM with high hopes and glorious expectations. I cannot go on the journey but I shall be there in SPIRIT – for my heart will always be at San Domenico.” – Faith France, at her 90th birthday celebration in 2012.
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Sister Donna McPhee, O.P. August 3, 1932-April 7, 2019
Sister Donna taught in the third grade at San Domenico for over 25 years. She was beloved by her students, and was known for the fantastic stories she shared in the classroom, in the dorm, and around campus. Many of her third grade students made scrapbooks for her and honored her in their own stories. One of these stories, entitled ‘Sister Donna Daffodil’, from 2002, celebrated the tradition she had of planting daffodil bulbs with her students in the fall. When the flowers bloomed in the spring, she and her students delivered them to the Dominican Sisters in San Rafael in order to “make the world even more beautiful.” Sister was also known for her own homemade famous fudge. It was awaited with great joy on Friday afternoons.
Sister Marie Sagués, O.P.
November 12, 1929-November 20, 2018 Sister Marie Sagués served as Principal of the Upper School and Head of San Domenico from 1982-1987, after teaching English and Music for 25 years at Dominican University in San Rafael. Sister Marie grew up in San Anselmo, only 2 1/2 miles from the San Domenico campus. Sister Marie was involved in the planning and construction of the Alice Dupas Brown Library, which opened in 1985. Ever the teacher, she used the example of the construction workers to teach students about productivity and teamwork! She described San Domenico’s engagement with service and justice with these words, “While we are at the end of a rural road in an idyllic setting, we are very much a part of the larger world.” Following her time at San Domenico, Sister Marie returned to teaching at Dominican University and Sonoma State until June 2018. She completed 60 years as a Dominican Sister and 90 years of living life fully.
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REMEMBRANCES In Memoriam Mr. Aavo Agur
Ann O’Connor Hogland ’50
Mrs. Carol B. Sharon
Carole Castro Bradshaw ’63
Madeleine Bernadicou Lynch ’44
Joan McLaughlin Shumway ’49
Mr. John P. Brigham, Jr.
Sister Donna McPhee, O.P.
Karen Muttersback Soares ’70
Sister M. Jeremy Carmody, O.P.
John Thomas Mello
Peggy Lacy Still ’46
Peggy Cashman
Ms. Julie Robinson
Mrs. Virginia Strauss
Ms. Faith Y. France
Sister Marie Sagues, O.P.
Sheila Peart Thompson ’38
Dr. & Mrs. Leon Graybill
Mr. & Mrs. John J. Savant
Cynthia Todd Wang ’49
In Sympathy Trish Scales on the death of her husband, Jeff Scales, father of Jen Scales Lane (LS alumna) and Peter Scales (LS alumnus). Janice Freitas Haley ’49 on the death of her daughter, Ann Haley. Donna Kelleher Zander ’54 on the death of Annie Williams. Beth Hartmann Bursch ’62 and Laurie Hartmann ’72 on the death of their sister, Maureen Hartmann ’59. Judy Boss Del Tredici ’60 and Monica (Nicki) Boss Sauer ’62, on the death of their mother, Marie Boss. Barbara Hansen Reding ’63 on the death of her husband, Jack Reding (Barbara and Jack were the first couple to be married in SD’s chapel.)
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Liz Bowe Anders ’64 on the death of her daughter, Stacy Anders. Meg Dufficy MS’67 and Kathleen Dufficy Conroy ’64 on the death of their brother, Dan Dufficy. Cynthia Strauss Nelidow ’70 on the death of her mother, Virginia Strauss. Jody Bertolucci Breen Vering ’70 on the death of her mother, Nella (Nell) Hoffman Bertolucci. Carolyn Sharon Heyder ’72 on the death of her mother and Nikki Heyder ’04 on the death of her grandmother, Carol B. Sharon. Wendy Cole ’74 on the death of her husband, Greg Hahn.
Bridgette Brigham ’80 and Heather Brigham Hall ’82 on the death of their father, John Brigham. Laura Revenko ’85 and Liz Revenko ’87 on the death of their mother, Maggee Revenko. Anyra Papsys ’88 on the death of her mother, Julie Robinson. Stephanie Savant Murphy ’90 on the death of her father, John Savant. Daniela Sarnacchiaro ’09 on the death of her husband, Matteo Guizzardi. Michael Mello, Upper School Faculty, on the death of his brother, Peter Mello.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
“Boys on Campus!” “BOYS ON CAMPUS!” is written and underlined on the back of this photo, taken in 1969 when the Stanford Men’s Tennis team made a visit to San Domenico. Christine Rossi (left) and Debbie Supple Miller (right), from the Class of 1969, enjoyed punch with the team after some exhibition matches were played. While it would always be big news to have a college sports team come to campus, it seems to be the presence of the ‘boys’ was the most exciting part, at least for some. We can now say that while there are exciting things happening at SD every single day, having boys around as part of the Upper School is no longer ‘big news’ and to many, feels as if it has been this way longer than just four years. The Class of 2019 Trailblazers has truly paved the way for many future generations of graduates of all genders. This class has done so with grace, humble leadership, enthusiasm, and high achievement in academics, arts, and athletics. So, although SD closed the all-girls chapter of Dominican/San Domenico’s history, we began a new and exciting one, built on the foundation of our many strong alumnae.
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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.
2019-20 School Calendar 8.20.19............................. First Day of School Upper School
1.7.20............................... Classes Resume
8.21.19............................. First Day of School Lower & Middle Schools
9.2.19............................... No School
Labor Day, Yom Kippur
10.18.19.......................... No School
Professional Development Day
11.11.19.......................... No School
Professional Development Day
11.22.19.......................... Grandparents & Special Friends Day 11.25 – 11.29.19.......... No School
Thanksgiving Break
12.20.19 – 1.6.20........ No School
Holiday Break
1.20.20............................. No School
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2.17.20............................. No School
Presidents’ Day
2.18 – 2.24.20............... No School
Winter Break
2.25.20............................. Classes Resume 3.20.20............................. No School
Professional Development Day
4.6 – 4.13.20.................. No School
Spring Break
4.14.20
Classes Resume
5.25.20 ............................ No School
Memorial Day
5.29.20 ............................ Last Day of School
Upper School
5.30.20 ............................ Upper School Graduation 6.4.20 .............................. Last Day of School Lower & Middle Schools 6.5.20 .............................. Eighth Grade Recognition Ceremony