School Ties Summer 2024

Study Reflection Community Service

San Domenico

HEAD of S chool

As I unpack boxes in my office and home, I am filled with gratitude and excitement. I am honored to serve as San Domenico’s head of school and look forward to the year ahead, an opportunity to engage with the full community with a spirit of humility, curiosity, and dedication.

SD’s capacity to create inspiring and meaningful experiences for students energizes me as an educator. Since my first conversations with members of the search committee and through each of my visits in the last several months, I have been so impressed by the dedication and thoughtfulness I have encountered in the people at SD. I believe the core values of study, reflection, community, and service form a powerful and unique combination that can provide students with the foundation for successful, meaningful lives. Living these values and experiencing exceptional learning opportunities would be powerful anywhere, but that we get to do this in such a beautiful setting is truly extraordinary.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the board of trustees and the search committee for their trust and confidence in me. I am also immensely grateful to the Dominican Sisters—both those I have already had the pleasure of meeting, who have shared their warm welcome and sound advice, and those whose generations of contributions have shaped the school into what it is today. I also join so many in appreciating Mike McGill for the stellar work he has done in the last year as interim head of school and in recognizing Cecily Stock’s deeply impactful service to San Domenico, including a decade as head of school.

San Domenico’s rich history should be a source of pride for all of us. When we examine our present and plan for our future, we will be wise to reflect frequently on this history, perhaps starting with the fact that our founders did not set out to create a school that was like others; indeed, providing girls with an education in the Dominican tradition in 1850s California was a pretty radical idea. I believe we can honor this history and our traditions when we innovate to serve students and communities.

One of the aspects that immediately drew me to San Domenico is the commitment to pursuing excellence with purpose. To me, this means working to be both great and good, excellent and ethical. It means striving to make sure our students possess the skills they need to succeed in the world and an interest in using those skills to benefit others. Because of our values, our history and traditions, our alumni, and our extraordinary students and faculty, San Domenico should aspire to be among the very best schools anywhere. We will achieve this when we ensure all students are inspired and prepared not only to achieve success but also to lead meaningful lives, contributing their diverse skills to make the world better.

Summer is a wonderful time, and I hope SD students, families, faculty, and staff are enjoying a restorative and enjoyable break. But I confess that I am eagerly looking forward to the new school year. I am excited to greet students on the first day of school and beyond, to stop by classes, to hear from alumni about what their SD experience meant to them, and to think together with them about how to help current students thrive. I look forward to welcoming new students, rooting for our student athletes, engaging with service projects, and partnering with parents and guardians. I cannot wait to experience our traditions; engage with student leaders; and admire and learn from student artists, performers, and musicians.

See you on campus soon.

Sincerely,

Paul Sanders Head of School

The Sanders family: Paul, Andrea, Ella, and Sloane

As the board chair and a member of the class of 1987, I am thrilled to usher in the upcoming 2024-25 school year with this latest edition of School Ties. As you’ll find in the pages that follow, San Domenico remains as vibrant as ever, continuously leaning into the future while keeping to our core values, supporting our students by providing exceptional education rooted in inquiry, reflection, and purpose.

Please join me in welcoming Head of School Paul Sanders to San Domenico. The selection of the head of school is one of the greatest responsibilities of trusteeship, and I speak for the entire board when we thank the SD community—students, alums, parents and guardians, faculty, staff, and Dominican Sisters—in helping us find the right fit for our mission-driven school. I say we are absolutely delighted to have Paul on campus. He has already shown a deep appreciation for and understanding of our values and the excellence of an SD education, and I’m sure he and his family will be warmly embraced by our community.

BOARD Chair

will benefit from these state-of-the-art facilities. The board of trustees continues to lead us forward as we plan for an updated solar array—nearly doubling our existing solar capacity in order to achieve net neutral capability—as well as a backup power solution to keep our students safe and in school during prolonged outages.

And, of course, this year we will lay the groundwork for celebrating our School’s upcoming 175th anniversary. Planning committees have already begun exploring ideas and you will all be invited to celebrate and share what San Domenico means to you. I can’t wait!

We also welcome additional new and impressive leadership this year, including Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Brian Davis and Virtuoso Program Music Director Sunny Yang. I am also heartened to see some longtime SD community members transitioning into larger roles, including Director of Middle School Kali Baird and K-12 Service Learning Coordinator Kathy Hagee. With our wonderful faculty and staff, the future of San Domenico is in excellent hands.

There is much to be excited about with our campus, as well, from the Sister Gervaise Valpey, OP Community Center to our new beach volleyball courts and the upcoming multi-sport Fulton Field. All of our students

As California’s oldest independent school, San Domenico has demonstrated a commitment to change and innovation that has solidified its leadership role in education. And through it all, as exemplified throughout this magazine, it is the unflinching dedication to our values—study, reflection, community, and service—that remain at the core of a San Domenico education.

Sincerely,

Liz Revenko ’87 Chair, San Domenico School Board of Trustees

GETTING TO KNOW

Head of School Paul Sanders

We are thrilled to welcome Paul Sanders to San Domenico. Paul joins us from Oslo International School in Norway, a leading international independent school with over 600 students from more than 50 countries in grades pre-K–12, where he served as head of school. There, his leadership focused on fostering a culture of success and support within a diverse community, emphasizing operational excellence, student well-being, and faculty and staff support. Paul began his career in education as an upper school English teacher and coach in Pennsylvania. He then spent eight years at Dwight School in New York City, where he taught English and philosophy before becoming the principal of the middle and upper schools. He later led the middle and upper schools at the International School of Amsterdam. In 2017, Paul became assistant head of school at the Episcopal Academy, a nationally recognized pre-K–12 institution with 1,250 students outside Philadelphia, where he served for four years before taking on his responsibilities in Norway. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in English language and literature at the University of Virginia and his Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Head of School Paul Sanders with Sisters Mary Kieffer, Gervaise Valpey, and Carla Kovack during a spring visit to Dominican University.

Q & A

IN ANTICIPATION OF PAUL’S ARRIVAL AT SD, WE ASKED OUR STUDENTS WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL.

Where are you from?

And what do you like to eat?

Kai R. ’35

I grew up in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. I love to eat well and try new things, and I particularly enjoy pizza, Mexican food, and sushi. I look forward to trying some new places around Marin and the Bay Area, so any recommendations are welcome!

What inspired you to become an educator?

Panther Press Editorial Board

2023-24 Panther

Press Editorial Board:

Caroline P. ’24

Hannah S. ’24

Aarya C. ’24

Kylie H. ’25

Sarah W. ’24

Charles Y. ’24

Delaney W. ’26

Larkin B. ’26

Merritt S. ’26

When I was younger I considered a number of careers, but the best way to explain how I landed in education is that it was in working with young people that I felt the strongest sense of purpose and meaning. I could not find another way to make a living that was so rooted in the magic of community and the awareness that with the right combination of support and diligence, we all are capable of extraordinary growth and accomplishment. I feel so fortunate to work with students and other educators. Teaching and education are undeniably challenging, but to me this truly is the best way to spend a day and a professional life.

What are the biggest differences between Norway and the United States and what will you miss the most about Norway?

Mira W. ’30

Coda S. ’26

Sharifa H. ’24

Alice W. ’24

values of study, reflection, community, and service make a uniquely powerful recipe for a successful, happy life in today’s dynamic world. When you take these people and values and put them in such an extraordinarily beautiful natural setting, I think you have a winning combination.

My wife and I have two daughters—Ella is nine and Sloane is four—so a big part of our decision had to do with being in a school that would be great for our own children.

How do you think you will benefit our School?

Gemma L. ’31

I hope I can expand on the feelings of joy and celebration in the community. I love the wide variety of activities in a K-12 school, so you’ll see me at lots of different events for students of all ages. Ultimately, I just hope to play a part in fostering more and more opportunities for students and to build on the mindset of working every day and every year to get better and better in service of the school and its students.

What is your vision for SD in the future?

Panther Press Editorial Board

Norwegians have a connection with nature that is hard to beat, and even in the cities, you will find breathtaking parks and wilderness. Public transportation is so reliable, easy, and clean that it is almost difficult to explain from an American perspective. And, of course, I will miss the friends I have made in Norway—but it’s always nice to know I have a reason to go back and visit!

Why did you become the head of San Domenico?

Keona J. ’34

Schools are about people and values. I have been so impressed by the passion, intelligence, and care I have experienced in the people I have met as part of the interview process and in the months since. I feel strongly that the core

SD’s core values are time-tested, so my vision is of a school that holds tightly to them while we continue to evolve to meet the needs of the students and the times. We want SD to be a place that helps students develop their unique gifts while promoting respect for others. We want students to have opportunities to develop an intercultural mindset— learning from and across cultures—because this is essential for success in the modern world, and it also makes life a lot more fun. We have to envision expanding and continually evolving academic programs, providing more extraordinary experiences and opportunities for students.

To do any of this, we have to think about students’ social and emotional health and ensure they can be at their best. We also need to ensure they have opportunities to work with amazing educators; this requires us to continually invest in allowing faculty and staff to grow so they can continue to find new ways to serve the students well.

What do you see as some challenges you are going to face at SD and how will you meet those challenges?

Panther Press Editorial Board

That’s a big question! San Domenico has a rich, multifaceted history and a true pride in its values. This is one of the reasons so many people have so much affection for and a sense of connection with the School. But we all have very different opinions and perspectives. In this context, one of the biggest challenges might be ensuring that our shared love for the school translates into a unified vision for its future. It’s crucial that we all share some common understandings of our goals and how we plan to achieve them.

We also want to continue growing more inclusive of students, families, and staff with a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. After all, learning for all students benefits immeasurably when we create opportunities for them to see the world from multiple perspectives and to find unity and connection across differences.

As we navigate the divided nature of public life, we see similar challenges. Whether it is in experiencing the upcoming presidential election or wading into the world of social media and online life, the task of uniting different perspectives around shared values seems to be growing harder and harder. But this is exactly what makes it so important to prioritize.

To meet these challenges, I believe in the importance of conversation, listening, and working together in collaboration. This might seem like an obvious answer, but it really takes effort. The truth is that only through open dialogue and a cooperative spirit can we align visions and move forward together as a cohesive community.

SD is a unique school because it is part boarding and part day school. How will you bridge the gap between boarding students and day students?

Panther Press Editorial Board

I think this uniqueness is one of the School’s great strengths—it offers such powerful and fun opportunities. Ultimately, it is about creating opportunities to share experiences and make memories. I know the leaders in the boarding program and across the school will continue to discuss this over the summer. While a big part of the effort sits in the Upper School, we know that sometimes the gap is best bridged when boarding students connect in the classroom, the arts, athletics, or through special programs with Lower and Middle School students. Expanding on some of the programs where those connections are forged will be key.

Join us in welcoming… Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Brian Davis

In this newly created position at SD, Brian Davis will work closely with administration, faculty, and the board, helping to steer our community toward a deepened commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He will partner with our Head of School Paul Sanders and senior leadership to provide direction and support in building systems across all sectors of the school to support equity and inclusion; to cultivate meaningful interactions with students and student groups in order to foster a sense of belonging and engagement; and to collaborate with trustees and other community members on the board’s newly formed DEI task force, ensuring that issues of equity and inclusion are profoundly understood and appreciated by our entire community.

“As soon as I arrived on campus,” Brian tells us, “I knew SD was the school and community I wanted to belong to and grow alongside continuously. It was clear how much all school community members love San Domenico and the School’s mission and values; the deep commitment to providing an exceptional, purpose-driven education for all students was obvious in every conversation.”

Brian Davis joins us from the Harker School in San Jose, where he served as director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He holds a BA in African American studies from Penn State University and an MA in human rights education from the University of San Francisco. Brian is currently a doctoral candidate in the International and Multicultural Education EdD program at the University of San Francisco and will defend his doctoral dissertation during the 2024-25 school year.

Brian has traveled the world extensively, completing study abroad programs in Haiti, Cuba, Amsterdam, Australia, Curaçao, and Trinidad and Tobago. He is also a certified yoga instructor with more than 2,000 classes under his belt!

Interim Director of Upper School Gabriel Lemmon

Gabriel Lemmon’s extensive experience as a high school administrator, including six years at American Schools in Mexico, positions him well to partner with incoming Head of School Paul Sanders in steering our Upper School in the 2024-25 academic year. Gabriel joins us from Pinewood School in Los Altos Hills, where he served as head of Upper Campus for seven years.

“I am truly grateful,” Gabriel tells us, “for the opportunity to be part of a community that values and supports the full life of its students, remains centered on growth and purpose, and retains its rich history while boldly moving forward.”

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Gabriel began his education career in Los Angeles as a philosophy teacher at Cleveland Humanities Magnet high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District before transitioning into administration in 2004. Gabriel earned two Master of Education degrees (for teaching and administration) at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Yearning for an international experience, Gabriel and his family moved to Mexico in 2011 to join the American School Foundation, serving as assistant principal in Mexico City for two years followed by four years as high school principal in Guadalajara.

As Gabriel’s children (Maxam and Magnolia) approached high school age, the family decided to return to the United States. The Lemmons landed in the Bay Area, where Gabriel has served since 2017 as head of Upper Campus for Pinewood School in Los Altos Hills. Gabriel and his partner, Tanya, have since seen their children off to college and now embark on the next chapters in their careers.

In his personal life, Gabriel enjoys basketball, woodworking, playing music (ask him about his previous career as a gigging Hollywood rocker!), and spending time with his family and friends.

Virtuoso Program Music Director Sunny Yang

Sunny Yang brings to San Domenico an impressive pedigree of professional performance and teaching residencies. A versatile cellist and committed educator, she has collaborated with many of the world’s most accomplished composers and performers.

As a member of the Kronos Quartet from 2013 to 2023, she continually reimagined the string quartet experience. She has performed around the world, commissioned more than 500 new works, and released over 15 recordings. She received the Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music for her collaboration album with Laurie Anderson, Landfall. She has led workshops and master classes with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute and the Embassy Adoption Program with Washington Performing Arts, among other institutions in the United States and overseas.

As Virtuoso Program music director, Sunny will steer pedagogical approaches to meet the needs of young modern musicians considering matriculation into top music schools and conservatories worldwide.

“I was immediately taken by the beautiful campus and the warmth and vibrancy of the faculty, staff, and students,” Sunny says. “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining this wonderful community and I look forward to meeting everyone soon!”

Transitions

Director of Middle School Kali Baird

San Domenico has been very fortunate to have had Kali Baird serving as a teacher and administrator for the past 14 years, most recently as associate director of Middle School and director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The increased responsibility that comes with her new title represents a collective sense of confidence in her ability to lead the division and recognizes the character and dedication she’s brought to each of the myriad roles she’s played at San Domenico during her tenure. We do not anticipate a significant change in the day-to-day operations of the Middle School given the scope of Kali’s current job: fundamentally, she will continue working hard to support students, families, and faculty during these important transitional years in children’s lives. Kali will also be very well placed to help Brian Davis, our new assistant head of school for DEI, acclimate to SD, supporting him as a strong, empathetic ally and interpreter of the culture.

Director of Lower School LeaAnne Parlette

We are thrilled that LeaAnne Parlette will once again be able to focus exclusively on running the K-5 Lower School. While she has enjoyed the challenge of juggling two divisions (K-8) for the past four years, we strongly believe that this return to our prior model and distribution of responsibilities will benefit everyone—students, faculty, families, and administrators alike—and help foster an even healthier, happier pair of complementary, yet independent, Lower and Middle School divisions.

We are fortunate to have benefited from the positive energy and wisdom that LeaAnne and Kali have brought to their combined 23 years of service at San Domenico. They are excited about the possibilities this new structure and partnership open up for their respective divisions and we look forward to the wonderful things they’ll accomplish in the coming years.

K-12 Coordinator of Service Learning Kathy Hagee

Service learning is an essential component of a San Domenico education. Understanding the needs of the broader community in which we live, work, and play is key to our students’ growth as citizens of the world.

We need no reminder of the dampening effect that COVID-19 had on our regular day-to-day lives. The practical application of service learning in our school programming was not spared this impact, as opportunities for direct engagement with the world around us were eliminated. It is time now to rededicate our focus and resources necessary to ensure that service learning consistently informs a San Domenico student’s education and personal formation.

We have created for the upcoming school year the position of K-12 Coordinator of Service Learning. We are thrilled that Social Justice teacher and ROSE Program coordinator Kathy Hagee will take on this role, as she has been a linchpin in our social justice and service learning programming at SD.

In her expanded role as K-12 coordinator of service learning, Kathy will collaborate with and support the Lower and Middle School service learning coordinators to establish developmentally appropriate programs in their respective divisions; restore, build, and nurture relationships with community organizations; act as a resource for all faculty to integrate service learning into existing curricula; and partner with faculty in key program areas (sustainability, for example) to leverage their work and expertise, as well as to emphasize the interconnectedness of service and social justice.

Upper School English teacher and Journalism adviser Rebecca Elegant recently published a book of poetry titled Places of Origin. The book offers a unique mix of poetry and photography that captures the beauty of the natural world and explores the workings of the human heart. Learn more about the book and where to buy it at rebeccaelegant.com.

Faculty News

K-12 Innovation Lead Aran Levasseur published two articles recently in UC Berkeley’s Greater Good magazine. The first article centers on the student experience in SD’s Awe Walk, created by Levasseur. The other focuses on courage, often considered a keystone virtue because it enables us to act on the basis of other character strengths or values. In addition to his articles, Levasseur contributed to two Greater Good classes at UC Berkeley: Awe in Education and Courage in Education.

Science teacher and Cross Country coach Mary Churchill and Athletic Director Mark Churchill returned to form in the 129th Boston Marathon. The Churchills were thrilled to share the experience with their family, celebrating the famous race with athletes from around the world. Mark and Mary’s times—3:05.12 and 3:37:21, respectively— qualify both of them for next year’s race, as well!

Social Justice teacher and K-12 Service Learning Coordinator Kathy Hagee had the esteemed honor of being named the 2024 James Madison Congressional Fellow. Granted to just one teacher nationwide, this highly prestigious fellowship includes a four-week summer internship in the United States House of Representatives. We look forward to sharing news of Ms. Hagee’s experience when we return to school!

Serving O ur Community

As SD continues to carry out its vision of service and leadership, we are dedicated to putting that commitment into action through meaningful service-learning projects at all grade levels. It is through action that we truly understand how empowering it is to lead through service.

Check out these recent examples from the 2023-24 school year!

For her ROSE Project, Aarya C. ’24 conducted gender equality workshops in India, focusing on understanding the roots, causes, and effects of gender discrimination, as well as providing tools for girls to combat the issue at home and in their societies.

Boarding student and Panther basketball player Carmellina C. ’24 raised funds to pay for uniforms and registration fees for young female basketball players in Malawi, as part of her ROSE project focused on removing barriers to full participation in sports.

Sixth graders supported a local food bank by lending their hands at Bounty Farm in Petaluma. Students removed ground apples, moved compost piles, turned under spent veggie beds, and gleaned the last of the tomato crop. All this plus learning about food insecurity in the Bay Area and beyond.

Students in first and fourth grades partnered with Adopt A Family of Marin to make and sell holiday crafts in support of our neighbors in need.

Our Lower School community worked together to raise awareness and donations to provide access to clean water in Kenya. Students and parents carried water across Kesterson Field in symbolic solidarity with communities all over the world who must travel for access to water.

Arda K. ’24 spent the summer in Turkey gathering critical field data about the Mediterranean monk seal for his ROSE Project. He collaborated with local fishermen to promote species preservation and awareness of the importance of marine conservation.

Seventh graders provided holiday care packages for the unhoused in Marin County. Students assembled and wrapped gifts containing essential personal care items distributed by the Ritter Center in San Rafael.

Fourth graders enjoyed a beach cleanup day at Shoreline Park in Berkeley. Students collected pounds of harmful plastic refuse that otherwise would have threatened ocean life.

NEW AND IMPROVED

Sister Gervaise Valpey, OP Community Center and Aquatic Complex

Now in its final phase of construction, the long-awaited multipurpose facility will be a major addition to our campus this school year. The Community Center includes classroom and event space, a fitness center, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the pool. We look forward to celebrating the grand opening with the entire SD community. Invitations will be forthcoming in the fall!

Garden of Hope Greenhouse

This spring saw the addition of a new and vastly improved Garden of Hope greenhouse. The new and larger greenhouse—with concrete flooring, heat, proper ventilation, and increased capacity for classes to enjoy year round—serves as a living laboratory for K-12 students studying biology, environmental science, sustainability, and more.

Beach Volleyball

The first beach volleyball courts on any high school campus in Marin County are now open for business! Beach volleyball is quickly gaining prominence as a premier high school and collegiate sport. Our two regulation-size courts, as well as a smaller “baby court” for player development, are a major differentiator for SD Athletics, summer camps, and physical education programming.

Fulton Field

We look forward to breaking ground on the highly anticipated Fulton Field, San Domenico's first multiuse regulation field, which will make it possible for SD to host games for our baseball, softball, soccer, and lacrosse teams. Named in honor of legendary coach and faculty member Mike Fulton (who retired from SD in 2024), Fulton Field will at long last bring home field advantage to our campus for fans to cheer on our Panthers on a beautiful new field. San Domenico is grateful to our community members who generously supported this linchpin project. To learn more, or if you would like to make a gift in honor of Mike Fulton, please contact Director of Advancement Anna Heidinger, at aheidinger@sandomenico.org.

Study with Purpose

First graders explore the interconnection of art and nature while on a field trip to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Spring Discovery trips went international in 2024 with trips to Peru and Taiwan.

Students in the Upper School Game Academy teamed up with Art students to complete a Five-Day Challenge: design and build a video game in less than one week!

Sixth-grade math students learn the concept of Fibonacci sequencing and its connection to the natural world.

SD’s Film Program continues to impress, with six SD student films accepted into the prestigious 2023 All American High School Film Festival in New York City, including three festival award nominations.

Upper School Ecology students re-create an Amazon rainforest in the classroom, then teach Lower School students about biodiversity and forest ecology.

Engineering students ended the school year with a bang by designing and building mini motorcycles, as well as repairing a pitching machine and building an aquaponics pond system.

AP Art student May Wu ’24’s self-portrait in oil won a coveted spot in a juried competition at the renowned de Young Open 2023 art show. Exhibiting at San Francisco’s de Young Museum is an unheard-of opportunity for an 18-year-old artist, and May's work held its own among works by other artists with decades of experience.

Eighth graders study sound waves and the human heart with thehelp of Stanford-trained cardiologist and SD parent Dr. Sujoya Dey.

CHERISHING COMMUNITY

The San Domenico community of students, teachers, and families is our greatest treasure, and this past year was filled with opportunities to gather on our beautiful campus, celebrate our performing arts, cheer on our athletes, and revel in connection and the shared vision for our school.

The 2024 Spring Gala, held at the Marin Art and Garden Center, was a fun, memorable, and beautiful evening in celebration of our community, while providing an opportunity to honor longtime SD coach Mike Fulton and provide support for San Domenico students.

Virtuoso Program musicians offered guests many special evenings of chamber music, Vivaldi, and outstanding solo performances.

Upper School Theatre students presented a thrilling tale of gender and identity in the complex and clever play Bernhardt/Hamlet.

Alumni,

and

SD Theatre Arts cast and crew delivered a stellar performance of the classic Broadway musical Chicago!

family,

friends joined us for the 117th Tableaux, San Domenico’s oldest tradition.

Our inaugural Homecoming 2023 was a huge success, with students, families, and alumni celebrating our school spirit during seven high school athletic competitions on campus, followed by a homecoming dance.

Students headed to high school were celebrated by family, friends, and faculty at our annual Eighth Grade Recognition Ceremony.

Live music, garden treats, performances, and joy filled the air at SD’s 17th annual Garden Fair.

Our annual Fifth Grade Stepping Up Ceremony was full of joy as our students now make their way to Middle School!

Students and staff welcomed grandparents and special friends to campus for the 15th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, when we loaded 47,035 food items into a truck bound for the San Francisco–Marin Food Bank.

Middle and Upper School actors teamed up to bring the wildly popular Percy Jackson musical The Lightning Thief to life onstage.

Our Global Community

San Domenico’s thriving boarding program brings geographical and cultural diversity to our campus, creating a K-12 community experience like no other. For the 2024-25 academic year, we welcome students from 21 countries and administrative regions around the globe.

Meet Our Prefects

San Domenico’s boarding program thrives in large part as a result of our leadership program, which allows students to directly shape the community in which they live. Boarding student leaders, called prefects, are the lifeblood of our boarding community. Rising juniors or seniors, prefects are chosen each spring for their dependability, maturity, community respect, personal integrity, and ability to lead their peers as strong role models.

What does it mean to you to be a prefect?

Natalie K. ’25

Písek, Czech Republic

“Being a prefect means helping others in need and creating a community where everyone is going to feel at home!”

Derek K. ’26

Beijing, China

“Being a prefect is an opportunity that comes with significant responsibilities. To me, it means setting a positive example for others, guiding and supporting my peers, and helping to foster a respectful, inclusive, and cohesive environment in the boarding community. It means being someone others can depend on, whether for academic support, personal advice, or just a friendly ear.”

Harley V. ’25

Hanoi, Vietnam

“For me, being a prefect means providing support and care for other residents of the dorm and maintaining a friendly and welcoming environment throughout the school year.“

Martin P. ’25

Chengdu, China

“Being a prefect means to be an observer on campus, to encourage things we do well, and to look for things we could improve on. It means being an active listener who would listen to other students’ voices and communicate with them. It also means being a role model who would respect the rules and set a good example for others.”

What do you hope to share as a leader in the boarding community?

Ana W. ’25

São Paulo, Brazil

“In the year to come, I hope to enhance the aspects already shared in the San Domenico boarding community, such as spreading kindness, helping others navigate the difficulties of becoming independent at a young age, and creating an environment where all individuals feel like they are part of the SD family. I also hope to accentuate the diversity shared within the boarding program, prioritizing the inclusion, respect, and learning of our different cultures.”

Rosie S. ’25

Prague, Czech Republic

“No matter their grade, gender, or age, everyone deserves to feel heard and welcomed in their second home! I’m really excited about organizing many fun dorm activities and helping people come together, while making the dorms feel a little more like a home and making sure everyone feels welcomed and heard.”

Saliah J. ’25

Harare, Zimbabwe

“One of my goals as a leader in the boarding community is to allow everyone to understand the bravery and maturity you learn and grasp as you gain the advantage of being independent at such a young age.”

Sierra N. ’25

Los Altos, California

“I hope to share advice with students who need it, but I also hope to share memories with my peers. Two different kinds of sharing, but both equally important.”

How

Mark P. ’25

Bangkok, Thailand

“I hope to coordinate more events that could bring the dorms and day students together.”

Dylan S. ’25

Beijing, China

“I aim to be the ‘kind older brother’ figure with whom people feel comfortable, someone they can trust, just like my prefects did for me when I first came alone to a new country and a new school. My role as prefect allows me to bridge the whole community throughout the school day and in all activities.”

Chidera O. ’25

Antioch, California

“I am all about community bonding and event planning, and I am extremely excited to work with all of the SD students, boarding and day, to make this year fun and enjoyable.”

Olive S. ’25

San Francisco, California

“As a regional boarder, I have a foot in both boarding and day student life, and I’m excited to take on a leadership role with my unique position.”

does your prefect role allow you to build a bridge to connect the boarding community with the school at large?

go

forth! congratulations to the class of 2024!

The class of 2024 stands on the threshold of a newly emerging world, where the future is both daunting and exhilarating. Through giving of themselves, supporting one another, and leaning into new challenges together, this extraordinary group of individuals is prepared to lead in this emerging world. Not because they have all the answers, but because they understand that human connection is the bedrock of success.

“ May you become your true self, and realize the light that shines through you.”

Director of Philosophy, Ethics, and World Religions Mirza Khan

“ Continue to connect across cultures and languages.

Continue to confront and solve problems from the local to the international.

Continue to thrive with passion, humor, and style. The world awaits your contributions, and I have no doubt that you will rise to the challenge.”

Director of Upper School / Assistant Head of School for Academics Kate Reeser

“We will not only each find our path, but we will blaze new trails for others to follow. Wherever you are going, I know that you will do more.”

Class President Mina S.

“Being in service to each other is what makes us not only powerful students, but remarkable human beings. San Domenico has taught us that selflessness and kindness are not just the icing on the cake, they are the cake.”

Student Body President Daphne S.

San Domenico proudly acknowledges the recipients of the 2023-24 Julie Davis Butler Awards. Granted to San Domenico juniors, the awards provide financial assistance for the students’ service-learning project endeavors in the ROSE (Real Opportunities for Service in Education) Program during their senior year.

Rooted in the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service, the ROSE Program invites students to marry the processes of inquiry and purpose-driven action to give back to their communities in a meaningful way. This multiyear process is a graduation requirement and an essential component of each student’s commitment to finding purpose in their education and beyond.

These selected projects—including works of social justice, peace building, and selfless love— are chosen in honor of Julie Davis Butler ’59, a tireless advocate for human justice throughout her lifetime.

JULIE DAVIS BUTLER AWARDS

SD GREENHOUSE FOUNDATION: STUDENTS BREAK GROUND

Lauren K. ’25, Angel O. ’25, Tina T. ’25, Tuan Le M. ’25, Aivn D. ’25, Max L. ’25.

The goal of this group's project is to provide funding and other support toward the site preparation and pouring of the foundation for the SD Greenhouse Project, along with volunteering hours throughout the year to help with implementing sustainability goals at SD.

Led by Director of Sustainability Shelley Flint, the San Domenico Greenhouse Project aims to establish an innovative learning lab, providing students with a unique opportunity to study and engage with the interconnected pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, and sociocultural. A school greenhouse represents a transformative space where learning transcends traditional classroom boundaries and students can explore the wonders of botany, ecology, and sustainability in a practical and engaging manner.

DONATING AND DISTRIBUTING

EXCESS FOOD AT SD

Will R. ’25

Will is utilizing his past volunteer experience with ExtraFood, whose mission is to coordinate with providers such as markets, restaurants, and schools to pick up their excess food for donation to institutions such as homeless shelters, recovery centers, and assisted living facilities.

Through strategic partnerships and networking, Will proposed a solution—funded by his JDB Award—for the one remaining roadblock preventing San Domenico from providing literally tons of food to needy members of our community throughout the school year: a lack of aluminum trays as required by ExtraFood for receiving food donations.

As ExtraFood points out, the benefits of donating food go beyond helping feed less fortunate members of our community. This partnership will enable San Domenico to further reduce its carbon footprint by preventing the amount of methane entering our atmosphere.

A LABYRINTH TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH, ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION, AND PRESERVATION

Kaia B.S. ’25

Kaia’s project is aimed at repurposing fragments of the labyrinth currently located by the “ruins” near the front of the San Domenico campus and on helping to preserve this symbolic space that is connected to San Domenico’s history as a Dominican school and to our integral value of reflection. Labyrinths date back 3,000 years and have remained a means to help people “quiet the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life, enhance creativity, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection and stress reduction.” The labyrinth at San Domenico is at the end of the newly constructed Equinox Trail, where an Awe Walk was created, encouraging students to reflect on their lives and relieving stress.

BAN THIS FILM

Kate E. ’25

Kate will script and create a documentary about the banning of LGBTQ+ media within the United States and how that is negatively affecting today’s queer youth. Kate will be communicating with LGBTQ+ students around the country, asking them the same four questions about the negative effect banning books has had on them and their community. Funds were requested solely for the submission fees to film festivals that would help spread awareness of the issue of banned media and restrictions on school curricula regarding the LGBTQ+ community. “I want to spread awareness of what we as the community need in the education system,” explains Kate, “and at the moment, the negative effect banning of LGBTQ+- related media has on students is getting overlooked.”

From left: Director of Alumni Engagment Charis Adams, Kaia B. ’25, Lauren K. ’25, Tina T. ’25, Angel O. ’25, Kate E. ’25, Max L. ’25, Will R. ’25, Tuan Le M. ’25, and K-12 Coordinator of Service Learning Kathy Hagee

2024 JDB ALUMNI LUNCHEON

Prior to the ROSE Senior Showcase, where all seniors deliver a final presentation of their service-learning projects to the entire SD community, the 2024 Julie Davis Butler (JDB) Award winners joined a very special group for lunch in the Hall of the Arts.

Founding members of the JDB Award, including Julie’s sister Cathy and current alumni panelists (who donate their time to review, interview, and select the winners), shared their thoughts on the importance of the award and how it remains at the heart of San Domenico’s dedication to service.

Jeanne Leonard '59, Julie Davis Butler's classmate/ co-founder of JDB Award; Cathy Davis Marsten '63, Julie's sister/co-founder of JDB Award; Sister Gervaise Valpey, OP, President Emerita; Natalie Ashby '08, current JDB panelist; Christina Klein '03, current JDB panelist.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Are you a JDB Award alum with a story to share? Or know someone who is? Scan the QR code to let us know, and we’ll spread the news.

STILL MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We got in touch with previous Julie Davis Butler Award winners to see what our impressive alumni are up to now. Here’s what they told us!

Anika Selhorst ’95

For my ROSE Project funded by the JDB Award, I traveled to Belize with a group of high school students. While there, I lived with a host family in a coastal village and assisted in the construction of a community center. After graduating from San Domenico I joined community projects as a student volunteer in college. A very short stint at an ad agency after college revealed my preference for mission-driven work, so I've worked for youth education and cultural organizations ever since. These days, I love to help out around Red Hook Farms, a stellar youth-centered urban agriculture and food justice program operating one of Brooklyn’s largest farms. This year I started coaching other nonprofit leaders who are doing incredible work on critical issues, such as gun violence, climate change, and Black perinatal health. It feels great to now be supporting other service leaders in their work.

Hannah Fitzpatrick ’06

The Julie Davis Butler Award actually had a profound impact on my life, and I would say it inspired my career. My project took me to Northern Ireland, where I participated in peace and conflict workshops led by community organizers and volunteered with youth organizations in the Falls and Shankill neighborhoods, which were heavily impacted by the Troubles. I became interested in the history and legacies of territorial partitions and earned a PhD studying the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. My book Mapping Partition: Politics, Territory and the End of Empire in India and Pakistan has just come out. I now live and work in the UK. I teach at the University of Edinburgh, including an advanced elective called Geographies of the Border, and I have been part of a team of academics in my department who have created a field class based in Belfast, so I have come full circle, in a way.

Hannah’s book cover and her in Belfast in 2005

Shanna Kohn and Sesame Street’s Bert

Shanna Kohn ’09

For my Julie Davis Butler Award, I created a scholarship program between my ballet school at the time, Stapleton School of the Performing Arts, and an NGO, Performing Stars of Marin, to provide a group of students who might not have otherwise had access with scholarships to Stapleton’s Performing Arts Summer Camp. I definitely carried my JDB experience into the work I do today, which is focused on providing joyful learning to children affected by conflict and crisis through educational media (Sesame Street). I worked on Ahlan Simsim, an Arabic-language version of Sesame Street, created for children and families impacted by the Syrian crisis in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. The JDB Award helped me absorb what a privilege it was to have access to the arts as a mode of creative expression growing up. The arts offer something that speaks to what makes us human and gives us meaning, and that all people—especially those in the most dire circumstances—deserve access to: creativity, joy, art, and humor.

Melika Mai ’14 and Grace He ’14

Our Julie Davis Butler Award project involved a visit to a rural village in Sichuan province, China. We took more than 80 primary school children from the village on an educational trip to broaden their horizons. They visited a nearby city, experiencing the wider world beyond their village confines for the first time.

This experience profoundly impacted us, making us acutely aware that many of our peers are also committed to serving society and helping those in need. This spirit has stayed with us over the years. Inspired by the JDB Award, we initiated the Free Nutritious Breakfast and Lunch program. We conducted fundraising through various online and offline channels, provided meals for two partner schools, constructed kitchens, hired cooks, and purchased tableware. As a result of our efforts, significant improvements in student health have been observed. For instance, at Siga Primary School (Sichuan, China), the percentage of students reaching the standard height has soared from 12.87 percent in the 2012 school year to 68.57 percent in the 2022-23 school year.

London Meckfessel ’22

London and two of his classmates designed and constructed two teacher-ready fire-prevention learning labs for SD’s Lower School as their JDB Award–winning ROSE Project. The learning labs included curriculum, activities, and fire prevention information for teachers to use to support fire-prevention education. London is currently working for Marin County Fire Department on the Tamalpais hand crew. This is his third and final year on the crew, as he just finished his EMT coursework through College of Marin. For next year, London’s goal is to secure a full-time position in the fire service, where he can continue serving his community and advance in his career as a firefighter. When London is not fighting a fire, you can find him fishing, surfing, or spending time with his siblings (of whom one is a graduate of San Domenico and the other is currently a freshman!).

Sophie Keith-Brown ’20

I won the Julie Davis Butler award for my work connected with the women’s health crisis in the Dominican Republic. I spent two weeks working in local hospitals in the ER, delivery rooms, ORs, and exam rooms to better understand how women’s health, safety, and lives were impacted by restrictive health laws, lack of funding, poor supplies, systemic sexism/racism, etc. It was a deeply impactful experience and I learned an incredible amount. I also won the St. Rose of Lima Award in my graduating class at SD, which I credit to the incredible lessons I learned while in the Dominican Republic. I don’t think the impact of the JDB Award can be overstated. Without the funding provided by the JDB committee, this ROSE project never would have been possible. My work in the DR was life changing in so many ways—from the patients and doctors whose life stories changed my perspective forever to the incredible experiences being on the ground with these women to the lasting impact of such an intense but incredible two weeks. I witnessed tragedy and joy in equal measure and learned many life lessons in a very short time span. My work there inspired me every day of my undergraduate journey and continues to inspire me as I apply to medical school to try and extend my service learning to my professional life.

Championing FINANCIAL EQUITY for All

Yohan H. ’24 seeks to level the playing field by sharing his own patented investment curriculum.

During a spring semester study hall, 16 Upper School students headed into Room 107 to learn about financial investment strategies.

The guest speaker? None other than their classmate Yohan H. ’24. In a mere 30 minutes, Yohan inspired, engaged, and shared investment knowledge via his own original curriculum, entitled “Learn to Invest.” Yohan’s curriculum walks the audience through the basics of investing— including stocks and bonds, investing vs. saving, and insurance—and culminates with “Yohan’s Favorite Investment Tips.”

Strikingly, Yohan did not develop his investment curriculum with a profit motive in mind. Rather, his aim is to lift others up by leveling the playing field.

“One of my life goals is to share knowledge about financial literacy,” he explains, “in order to promote financial equity for

all. I’ve read so many books about economics and inflation because it’s my personal passion. Through that, I realized that a lack of understanding of basic investment principles has created massive wealth inequality between Wall Street and ‘Main Street.’ Young people, in particular, can become successful investors when they understand the basic principles of making small gains consistently over time.”

Developing a financial investment curriculum for young investors is just one of Yohan’s many accomplishments in his time at San Domenico. As a boarding student from Korea, he was involved in many aspects of campus life. While taking a full course load and maintaining the academic excellence required to matriculate at UCLA, he published a 64-page guide to personal finance called Fly Above Inflation: The Secrets to Protecting Our Assets from Inflation . For his ROSE Project, a service-learning requirement for all San Domenico graduates, Yohan developed his investment curriculum showcased on his website, Epsilon Crémant, for which he has obtained a provisional patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Yohan accomplished all of this while co-captaining the San Domenico Badminton team, helping it win back-to-back Bay Area Conference championships! We recently caught up with Yohan to hear more about his time at San Domenico, before he heads to UCLA in the fall:

How did you decide what to do for your ROSE Project?

I’ve always been interested in inflation and investment, ever since I read The History of Money, by Jack Weatherford. This book, which traces the cultural history of money from the primitive exchange of cowrie shells to the New York Stock Exchange, inspired my academic passion for learning about how money works on the global scale. And in all my personal research, I couldn’t help but notice the massive global disparity between the rich and the poor. I felt both a duty and an inspiration to do something about it.

What classes did you take at San Domenico that shaped your experiences?

When I took Kathy Hagee’s Social Justice class, it really opened my eyes not only to the global disparity of access to wealth through investments, but also to disparities in terms of access to water, criminal justice system inequities, and the disparity of access to information between Wall Street and Main Street. This class inspired me to share the principles of successful investing, and so I created the course curriculum and developed my website, Epsilon Crémant. Despite the current state of world affairs and global inequities in many areas, if you have the will and the passion to do it, you can create change in the world. Or, at least, I’m going to try.

How did you come up with the name for the website?

Some people told me that name was too hard to memorize, but it’s the message behind it that has meaning. Epsilon means a “very small number” in Greek. And you don’t always need a lot of money to invest. And crémant is a type of French wine that has very small bubbles that consistency rise to the surface. The idea is that when managing our assets, we don’t have to obsessively pursue high returns. Through pursuing small but consistent returns in the long run, over time, like those small bubbles, your investments will rise.

What lies ahead for you? How did SD prepare you for your future? I’m looking forward to studying business economics more in depth at UCLA and solidifying my foundation in macroeconomic analysis. Ultimately, my dream is to serve in the equity capital market. The student support system at SD was phenomenal and was perhaps even more beneficial for my future than the rigorous AP courses I took. All my teachers and counselors prepared me so well for college.

Do you have any advice for SD students coming up behind you? Make the most of your teachers and counselors. They are always eager to set you up for success—not only at SD, but in your whole future.

We wish Yohan well as he heads to UCLA this fall. Perhaps he might return to teach investment strategies at San Domenico in the future!

Alumni Spotlight

Music AS AN ACT OF SERVICE

Virtuoso Program alumna and touring musician Alexandra Simpson ’11 uplifts audiences around the world.

Alexandra Simpson is a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player and serves as the assistant principal violist of the California Symphony. She is an alumna and faculty member in San Domenico’s Virtuoso Program. Alexandra holds degrees from New England Conservatory, Yale School of Music, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has studied with world-renowned teachers Kim Kashkashian, Ettore Causa, and Dimitri Murrath. She performs all over the world in the genres of classical, pop, and jazz, including playing with Kygo at Outside Lands and BottleRock, recording with Zhu, performing with Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Halsey, and joining Sigur Rós on tour. While at Yale, she began teaching students in underserved communities through the Music in Schools Initiative, and she has since continued this mission in other countries and cities. Alexandra is the recipient of SAN DOMENICO’S 2024 OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD.

How did you first learn about San Domenico? I come from a big musical family, and four of my sisters [Buff Simpson '06, Christina Simpson '07, Maggie Simpson '09, Brett Simpson '12] are also alumni of SD's Virtuoso Program. I started playing violin at age three, on a teeny tiny instrument, and switched to viola at age nine. I haven’t looked back since, although funnily enough, when I was about 12 years old I wanted to quit viola. My mom said, “If you quit now, then how are you going to get into San Domenico?” So, in a way, I credit San Domenico for helping launch my career as a musician.

What are your favorite memories from your years at San Domenico? Apart from my wonderful lifelong friends, I would have to say the hills around campus! I still love taking hikes every time I come back to teach. Having such a beautiful location to live and work in was a gift. The campus is so accessible to just head out on a trail—and is still so inspiring and good for the soul.

Tell us about your ROSE service project that you completed at SD. My love for music and for performing truly blossomed while I was at San Domenico. I used to be worried about making mistakes, but then I realized that playing music is really for other people to hear it. And that’s when I fell in love with performing as an act of service, of bringing people together, of uplifting and inspiring them. I first began playing for the Sisters on campus, which was the first time I had an audience

that made me feel that what I was doing was valuable. My ROSE project became an extension of my performances for the Sisters, and for my service hours I played in retirement homes for senior citizens. This kind of service was both giving and receiving, a special opportunity to develop my ability as a performer and share the powerful gift of music.

You’ve traveled the world playing with renowned artists and playing demanding pieces with internationally respected artists. What lessons from those experiences do you impart to your students at SD? A career in music takes much more than just musical skill! Remember to get out of the practice room and hone other skills, like networking, marketing, and negotiation. Be kind to everyone you work with—you never know when the person who looks like a stagehand is actually the tour manager!

Beyond your career as a musician, how has San Domenico informed who you are as a person? San Domenico taught me how to make friends with people from all over the world, thanks to our wonderful international students. I also learned the importance of discipline and the wonderful fulfillment of giving back to the next generation of musicians.

IN A

Better Tomorrow FAITH

Climate scientist Dr. Jessica Tierney ’00 is making the world a better place for future generations.

Dr. Jessica Tierney is a professor and the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair in Integrative Science in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arizona. She is a climate scientist specializing in paleoclimatology, the study of past ancient climates. She uses geochemistry, statistical methods, and climate models to help experts understand the patterns of climate change in the past and how these might inform the future. She was a Lead Author for Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report, focusing on the assessment of drought. She has won awards for her research, including the James B. Macelwane Medal from the American Geophysical Union (2014), a Packard Foundation Fellowship in Science and Engineering (2015), and the Alan T. Waterman Award from the National Science Foundation (2022). Jessica is the recipient of SAN DOMENICO’S 2024 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD.

How did your experience at San Domenico shape who you are today? When I started high school, I didn't think that science was something I was interested in, but I changed my mind during my time at SD, in part because I had a really great science teacher, Mr. Theis. He got me interested in chemistry and physics, which I didn't think I would like. I don't know why I didn't think I was a science person, but I was wrong. And so once I was shown all the amazing things that you can do with science, I was really taken with it.

What are your favorite memories from your years at San Domenico? I often tell people that if you want to be a great scientist, you also need to know things that aren't science, because a lot of science is about creation, collaboration, and thinking outside of the box. That is what a liberal arts education teaches you, and I feel like I started my liberal arts education at SD. I remember going to a concert every Thursday afternoon to see my classmates playing beautiful pieces in the conservatory. There are very few other places in the world where you get an education like that.

How did you get into paleoclimatology? Actually, I was very interested in history in college and I took a lot of history courses. I discovered that there was something called earth history, and that we could actually study the history of the planet, in particular the history of climate change. I didn't know that was possible until I was exposed to that in college. Once I learned more about this concept of trying to reconstruct climate change, to give us context about today and the future, I was really taken with that idea. And ever since, I have dedicated my career to reconstructing those things that have shaped our current reality.

You recently received the prestigious Alan T. Waterman Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Can you tell us about that?

That is very meaningful to me because I was the first scientist in my field to receive that award and also the first recipient from the University of Arizona. It was kind of a breakthrough for our discipline because in the past, that award has typically gone to folks working in physics, biology, math, maybe some of the more traditional science fields. It had never gone to someone in earth science. So that was a huge honor for me.

What is one thing you would like people to know about climate change? A lot of my students are very stressed out by climate change. They feel like it's out of their control. I can relate to that feeling; it's such a big problem that it's very hard sometimes to remain positive about the situation. But I have a longer perspective on it, and I know that in the last ten years, the planet has been taking the right trajectory. When I give talks about climate change, I am able to share that we're actually no longer in the worst-case scenario. We're doing better, and we're doing better and better all the time. It might be really slow and incremental, but I think that society is making the right decisions on a lot of fronts. It's a really hard problem, but I want people to know not to despair. Instead, think about what you can do to contribute to a solution, or carve out a little piece of it and make it your own.

Do you have advice for today’s students at SD?

Take advantage of all the stuff that you can get exposed to. So if you think you're not a science person, try it out, give it a shot. Maybe you are! I think it's a great time to figure out what kind of things really get you excited and what kind of things you like to do, whether that be music or filmmaking or athletics or anything else. And then when you go to college, I think you'll have a really good picture of what you want to get out of college, just having already been exposed to so many different things!

FROM THE DESK OF

THE

Athletic Director

Panther Athletics in 202324 were nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing the true spirit of competition and the power of teamwork as we celebrated yet another record-breaking year of individual and team accomplishments. We continue our rise in the Bay Area Conference (BAC), particularly in the Bay Counties League West (BCL West). SD has made itself known throughout the North Coast Section (NCS), and now in some sports large teams from Divisions II and III get nervous when they see Division V San Domenico on their schedules. This past year was filled with team and individual achievements. We had 13 SD teams compete at the NCS level, more than ever before. Our Women’s Basketball team, after back-toback appearances in the state finals (including a 2022 state championship), set more records in 2023-24 by going undefeated in league play and winning the regular season, league tournament championship, and Division 5 NCS sectionals for the first time ever. Our Men’s Basketball team earned a trip to the Division 5 NorCal Championship game. Badminton won our third consecutive league title. Mountain Biking secured a fourth-place finish out of 35 teams in the NorCal Division 2 Championships. The Men’s and Women’s Swim teams each had a number of individuals with league titles in their events. Our Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams grew from winless seasons a few years ago to playing in the

second round of NCS playoffs. Our Cross Country team secured its first invitation to the state meet in school history. Track and Field not only delivered multiple individual league champions, but also sent six athletes to the prestigious NCS Meet of Champions. And the SD Sailing team consistently finishes among the top 10 in the region and at the large regattas.

But aside from this laundry list of impressive accomplishments in athletic performance, I am most proud of the kind of people our Panther athletes are and the deserved recognition they routinely receive. This past year’s 73 All League honorees nearly doubled our number from the previous year. And the California Interscholastic Federation President’s List, honoring varsity student-athletes who have earned an unweighted GPA of 3.8 to 4.0, included 94 Panthers in 202324. That’s a staggering 25 percent of our entire Upper School student body!

As you can see, our students continue to set a new standard of excellence for San Domenico Athletics, and I look forward to what they will achieve in the coming year.

Onward,

Mark Churchill Athletic Director

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Wins First-Ever North Coast Section Title

In a thrilling matchup against Cornerstone Christian, the #2 seed Panthers won the NCS title in front of a raucous home crowd. Coach Fulton was visibly emotional after the elusive title win. “It’s emotional. I’ve known some of these girls since they were in third grade,” he told the Marin Independent Journal.

BADMINTON

Wins League and BAC Conference Titles

The Badminton team was crowned BCL West League Co-Champion, sharing the title with Lick-Wilmerding of San Francisco, and maintained a remarkable 11-1 overall season record. They continued their winning streak and wrapped up an outstanding season with back-to-back BAC championships. The team’s performance was undeniably spectacular, with first-place finishes in three out of five categories.

SWIM TEAM Finishes Strong in BAC League Championships

Men’s and Women’s Swim capped off a fantastic season— one that included a host of new school records in individual and team relay events—with a tremendous showing at the BAC League Championships meet. Both teams took second place with many strong performances among a crowded field of swimmers.

The men’s side saw first-place finishes in the 100 backstroke (Nolan A. ’27) and the 200 medley relay (Nolan A. ’27, Demyd K. ’27, Zane S. ’27, Avery P. ’25). Nolan A. also placed sixth in the 100 freestyle. Zane S. placed second in the 500 free and third in the 200 freestyle. Avery P. took third place in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 breaststroke. Demyd K. placed seventh in the 100 breaststroke and Blake H. ’27 placed sixth in the 500 freestyle. Zane S., Blake H., Demyd K., and Nolan A. also placed fourth in the 400 freestyle relay.

On the women’s side, Sanne K. ’26 placed third (out of 83 swimmers!) in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 butterfly, while Mia K. ’25 placed second in the 500 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle. The 400 free relay team of Veronika E. ’26, Mia K., Sanne K. and Kylie H. ‘25 took second place overall and Sanne K., Mia K., Veronika E., and Ema P. ’25 took third place in the 200 freestyle relay. Veronika E. placed seventh in the 200 IM and 100 freestyle. Kylie H. placed eighth in the 100 freestyle and fifth in the 100 backstroke, and Lauren K. ’25 also placed seventh in the 100 backstroke.

SOCCER Gets Historic NCS Wins

The Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams showcased their growth this year by each advancing to the NCS quarterfinals after clinching historic first-round wins on the same day and field. Several players from both teams received well-deserved all-league honors for their outstanding performance throughout the season.

CROSS COUNTRY Makes First Trip to State Championships

This year saw the Men’s Cross Country team head to the state championships for the first time in school history. The team’s collective efforts brought them tantalizingly close to a top-10 finish, ultimately securing the 12th position out of 24 competing teams. “The men’s team was unwavering in their focus on reaching the state level,” says Head Coach Mark Churchill. “The team held nothing back and concluded the season on a high note.”

The California Interscholastic Federation President’s List honors varsity student athletes who have earned an unweighted GPA of 3.8 - 4.0.

President’s List

Amarah A. ’24 | Soccer

Emi A. ’25 | Soccer

Carly A. ’25 | Softball

Sami A. ’27 | Soccer

Nolan A. ’27 | Swim

Oliver B. ’25 | Water Polo, Baseball

Petra B. ’27 | Soccer

Ingrid B. ’26 | Tennis

Kiyomi B. ’25 | Track & Field

Colleen B. ’25 | Softball

Xiaozhi (Tina) C. ’27 | Track & Field

Alexis C.M. ’25 | Water Polo

Ana Julia C.W. ’25 | Soccer

Indigo C. ’27 | Track & Field

lo (Kiyomi) D. ’27 | Water Polo

Sienna D. ’27 | Soccer, Track & Field

Veronika E. ’26 |Cross Country

David F. ’25 | Soccer

Joaquin F. ’24 | Cross Country, Track & Field

Lucy F. ’25 I Water Polo

Olivia G. ’24 | Tennis

Mazalit G. ’27 | Track & Field

Rafael G. ’25 | Soccer

Emma G. ’25 | Water Polo

Madeline G. ’24 | Basketball

Alex H. ’27 I Golf

PANTHER PRIDE AWARD

Lily R. ’24

Drew M. ’24

Sarah H. ’26 | Cross Country

Yujue (Helen) H. ’24 | Tennis

Alex H. ’26 | Golf

Kylie H. ’25 | Water Polo, Swim

Audrey H. ’25 | Soccer, Track & Field

Yohan H. ’24 | Badminton

Kristijonas J. ’25 | Basketball

Quinn J. ’24 | Cross Country, Track & Field

Vesta J. ’25 | Badminton

PANTHER OF THE YEAR

Mattie G. ’24

Robert S.T. ’24

Miles K. ’24 I Tennis

Demyd K. S. ’27 | Swimming

Arda K. ’24 I Tennis

George K. ’24 | Cross Country, Track & Field

Lauren K. ’25 | Water Polo

Sophia K. ’26 | Cross Country

Max L. ’25 | Cross Country

Vivian L. ’24 I Tennis

Bryan L. ’27 | Water Polo

SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD

Quinn J. ’24

George K. ’24

Tuong-Anh (Ellie) L. ’24 | Basketball

Bryan L. ’27 I Soccer

Amy L. ’27 | Track & Field

Tuan L. M. ’25 I Tennis

Mira L. ’27 | Volleyball

Sookyung L. ’24 | Golf

Hanyu (Kayla) L. ’26 | Water Polo, Swimming

Zexiang (Thomas) L. ’27 | Soccer, Badminton

Qinyuan (Steven) L. ’26 | Golf

Team Champions

Womens’ Basketball - BCL West and NCS Div 5 Champions

Badminton - BAC League Champions and BAC Tournament Champions

Individual Champions

Badminton BAC Champions

Martin P. ’25 - Men’s Singles BAC

Vesta J. ’25 - Women’s Singles BAC

Frank S. ’27 and Kevin Y. ’25 - Men’s Doubles BAC

Swimming BCL-West

Nolan A. ’27 - 100 Backstroke

Avery P. ’25 - 200 IM

Nolan A. ’27, Avery P. ’25, Zane S. ’27, Demyd K. ’27200 Medley Relay

Mia K. ’25 - 500 Freestyle

Sanne K. ’26, Mia K. ’25, Veronika E. ’26, Kylie H. ’25500 Free Relay

Women’s Tennis

Carly A. ’25 - Women’s Singles BCL West

Track and Field

Omar W. ’26 - 300 Hurdles BAC, 110 Hurdles BCL West

Chidera O. ’25 - High Jump BAC

Quinn J. ’24, Tosia K. ’25, Katherine R. ’26, Paloma S. ’27 - 4x800 Relay BAC

All League Player of the Year

Carly A. ’25 | Basketball

All League First Team

Carly A. ’25 | Tennis Singles

Mila D. ’27 | Golf

Gavin E. ’25 | Basketball

Mattie G. ’24 | Basketball

Summer J. ’24 | Basketball

Rafael G. ’25 | Soccer

Keira P. ’26 | Soccer

Bobby S. T. ’24 | Soccer

Omar W. ’26 | Track & Field - 110 Hurdles

Omar W. ’26 | Track & Field - 300 Hurdles

Vesta J. ’25 | Badminton

Martin P. ’25 | Badminton

Frank S. ’27 | Badminton

Gary W. ’27 | Badminton

Kevin Y. ’25 | Badminton

Toby S. ’27 | Tennis

Nolan A. ’27 | Swim - 100 Back

Nolan A. ’27 | Swim - 200 Medley Relay

Veronika E. ’26 | Swim - 400 Free Relay

Kylie H. ’25 I Swim - 400 Free Relay

Mia K. ’25 | Swim - 400 Free Relay

Mia K. ’25 | Swim - 500 Free

Demyd K. ’27 | Swim - 200 Medley Relay

Sanne K. ’26 | Swim - 400 Free Relay

Avery P. ’25 | Swim - 200 Individual Medley

Avery P. ’25 I Swim - 200 Medley Relay

Zane S. ’27 | Swim - 200 Medley Relay

Alex T. ’24 | Baseball

All League Second Team

Mауа B. C. ’25 | Golf

Nina B. C. ’27 | Golf

Alicia W. ’26 | Golf

Joaquin F. ’24 | Cross Country

Quinn J. ’24 | Cross Country

George K. ’24 | Cross Country

Averey C. ’24 | Basketball

Drew M. ’24 | Basketball

Carmellina C. ’24 | Soccer

Davi F. ’25 | Soccer

Guilherme G. ’27 | Soccer

Saliah J. ’25 | Soccer

Joaquin F. ’24 | Track & Field - 800

Joaquin F. ’24 | Track & Field- 1600

Thomas L. ’27 | Badminton

Yohan H. ’24 | Badminton

Tina T. ’25 l Badminton

Peter Z. ’25 | Badminton

Veronika E. ’26 | Swim - 200 Free Relay

Mia K. ’25 | Swim- 200 Free

Mia K. ’25 | Swim - 200 Free Relay

Sanne K. ’26| Swim - 100 Fly

Sanne K. ’26 | Swim - 200 Free Relay

Sanne K. ’26 | Swim - 50 Free

Avery P. ’25 | Swim - 100 Breast

Ema P. ’25 | Swim - 200 Free Relay

Zane S. ’27 | Swim - 200 Free

Zane S. ’27 | Swim - 500 Free

CLASS OF 1953

Julia Howard Macy

Recently moved from Ojai, California, to the Samarkand retirement community in Santa Barbara. She has found it to be a fairly easy adjustment. She enjoys pickleball, yoga, art classes, and walks and partakes of them all! The property has beautiful courtyards and gardens and was originally a boys’ school, then a hotel, and is now a retirement community.

CLASS OF 1964

Caria Tomczykowska

Recently received the Polish American Historical Association (PAHA) Skalny Civic Achievement Award, which honors individuals or groups who advance PAHA's goals of promoting research and awareness about the Polish American experience with community initiatives related to Polonia. The association was very impressed with the history of Polonia initiatives, begun

by Caria’s mother (who won the same award 40 years ago) and continued so wonderfully by Caria, which promotes Polish culture in the Bay Area. Caria was recognized at the PAHA awards dinner in January.

CLASS OF 1966

Sandra Fly Wong

For the past three years since the pandemic, Sandra and her husband, Warner, have been working with their Ananda India meditation team teaching meditation on their India home study platform to students around the world, thanks to technology that has helped create a global classroom. Currently they are teaching meditation to students from 11 different countries: Tanzania, United Kingdom, UAE, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Malaysia, South Africa, Singapore, Mauritius, Australia, and Nepal. Many of their students who had previously felt geographically isolated now have the blessing of connecting. Sandra and Warner say of conducting webinars, “It feels as if we are next-door neighbors. It reminds us that no matter where we reside, we're all connected in miraculous ways!”

CLASS OF 1974

Vivienne Todd Kjono

Is a writer, producer, and jewelry designer. In 2024 she is releasing two new books: one in the young adult fantasy

Caria Tomczykowska '64 receiving The Polish American Heritage Association

Sandy Wong '66 with Sister Gervaise

genre, A Divine Darkness; and the second a memoir of Vivienne’s mother, Royal Crown Betrayal . Vivienne showcases her designed handmade jewelry pieces, including many unique medallion centerpieces with vibrantly hued semiprecious stones and open-end bracelets in sterling silver overlaid with 18K gold on her website Kapridesigns.co. She received the honorary designation of Ambassador of Goodwill to the State of Washington for her past international support of trade between the Scandinavian countries and US.

CLASS OF 1979

Amy Lohman Hallowes

Is currently residing in Port Angeles, Washington. For the past five years and currently, she has been a fulltime caregiver to her mother. Previously she was a full-time caregiver for two years to her late husband; she received her certificate in caregiving from Torrance Hospital in Southern California. She also worked for 10 years as a photojournalist for author and doctor of natural medicine Masaru Emoto and had a decadeslong career as a legal secretary and paralegal. She is very interested in reconnecting with classmates and cherishes her memories of them and of San Domenico.

CLASS OF 1985

Dawn Sillapere

Is in her 13th year in China teaching science. She is looking forward to retiring in a couple of years and making her base in Eugene, Oregon, where she recently bought a house. Her daughter is also living in Eugene while attending the University of Oregon. Dawn notes that relocating will mean she can more easily attend her upcoming reunion—go, Class of 1985!

CLASS OF 1986

Sarah Marcus Hoffman

Sarah and her husband, Jim Hoffman, enjoy the slow pace of life on a 12-acre farm in the Dundee Hills, on the western edge of Oregon's Willamette Valley. This year marks Sarah’s 14+ year tenure as founder, owner, and cheesemaker of Briar Rose Creamery in Dundee and almost 20 years in the specialty cheese world. Her artisan creamery has earned numerous awards since opening in 2010. Briar Rose received three Gold Medals from the American Cheese Society as well as a Good Food Award for its cheeses in the past year. The media has also taken note: Food & Wine magazine named Briar Rose one of the top 50 cheesemakers in the United States; Wine Spectator mentioned the creamery in both 2023 and 2022; and Portland's KPTV featured Sarah

Sarah Marcus Hoffman

Amy Lohman Hallowes

Vivienne Todd Kjono

and the creamery on its morning show in March. If you stop by Briar Rose Creamery's farm store on the weekends, you'll probably catch Sarah and Jim selling cheese and hosting cheese tastings.

CLASS OF 2009

David Melone

Married Lykke Bonde in 2018. They now have two daughters: Sona, age 5, and Solvei, 6 months.

CLASS OF 2014

Camellia Schinner

Moved away from Marin in January after four years of running the nonprofit Rancho Compasión Animal Sanctuary and Humane Education Center in Nicasio. She is now in New York finishing studies for her bachelor’s degree and will next be pursuing a master’s at the New School.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ALUMNI

Brian Chase MS '97

Brian Chase was greeted by His Holiness Pope Francis while attending the 40th anniversary of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.

Peter Finn MS '06

Has been working as a professional video game programmer for almost six years. His current project is Judas, the next game from BioShock creator Ken Levine. And after a long time living in Florida, he moved back to the West Coast in April 2024, to Seattle. He is excited about starting a new chapter in his life.

After the passing of Toni Farrell ’69, Toni's brother and sister-in-law, Shaun and Michelyn Farrell, visited campus to deliver Toni's bequest gift and for a tour and lunch with Sister Gervaise, president emerita; student Sharifa H. ’24; and D irector of Alumni Engagement Charis Adams. Toni's generous gift is being directed toward San Domenico's campus grounds and maintenance of the grounds, per her wishes.

© VATICAN MEDIA

Brian Chase (MS ’97) is greeted by His Holiness Pope Francis

Camellia Schinner ’14

Toni Farrell ’69 Bequest and Gift

2024 Reunion

By all accounts, this year’s 2024 San Domenico Reunion Weekend was an undeniable success.

Friday night's reception was a perfect Marin evening at the Backstage Winery in Larkspur. The beautiful tasting room is owned by longtime SD alumni family Angelo and Laura Pera (parents of Matt MS ’08, Olivia MS ’11, and Christina MS ’11). They were warm and caring hosts, and alumni of all generations enjoyed each other's company.

Saturday brought May rain, but it did not dampen the spirits of this year’s reunion luncheon attendees! Alumni and their guests came back to campus in impressive numbers to visit their favorite places, catch up with friends, and make new friends along the way. Reunion guests enjoyed a variety of engaging tours and panels that explored the diverse array of current SD programs that inspire our students of today. Whether people were watching a dynamic student presentation of our service learning (ROSE Program) projects, enjoying a tour of the Sister Gervaise Valpey, OP Aquatic Complex and “in process” Community Center, touring the Boarding Program dorms and Mercedes Lounge, or enjoying a roundtable discussion of the Awe Walk in Dominican Hall, laughter and camaraderie abounded on the SD campus!

A warm fire welcomed guests into the dining hall for lunch and the presentation of alumni awards—an impressive showing of what makes San Domenico alumni so special. Jessica Tierney ’00 was named the 2024 Distinguished Alumni and sadly could not attend, but the SDTV student film crew came to the rescue with a beautiful acceptance video featuring an interview with her. Alexandra Simpson ’11 was named the 2024 Outstanding Young Alumni and she brought down the house by not only accepting the award with a touching speech, but treating attendees to a beautiful viola performance. Her generosity and talent were inspiring to all.

After the short ceremony and luncheon, the party continued as alumni were welcomed into Dominican Hall for a dessert and champagne reception. Yearbooks and memorabilia were shared and again it was exciting to see the many generations of San Domenico and Dominican Convent alumni come together, united by their shared values. The cloudy skies cleared and the day came to a close with heartfelt goodbyes.

Please mark May 2-3, 2025, on your calendar for next year's reunion, celebrating alumni milestones from graduation years ending with a five or a zero.

I felt utter joy seeing each and every one of the people who came to our 50th reunion. We had a wonderful time laughing, telling stories about our lives, remembering our days at San Domenico, and planning to get together again before the next reunion in five years. At our age, we come to appreciate how precious life is, how precious we each are.”

—ANNE DINKELSPIEL ’74

Domenico Reunion!

Susan Lundin ’84 and Bronwyn Alexander ’84 making the best of the rain

The Jennifer Fornos ’90 Memorial Rose Garden is still a place that unites all; alumni from the class of ’89 took a moment together to remember and connect.

Sister Diane Smith OP ’58, Liz Revenko ’87 (chair, Board of Trustees), Sister Cyndie Cammack (Board of Trustees)

Our oldest and youngest alumni in attendance together! Ray Qin ’19 and Sister Susannah Malarkey ’48 with Marilynn Breckenridge Yarborough ‘64 (in red).

BEFORE AFTER

Class of ’89 before and after! Which is the real class energy? I think we know!

The class of ’59; Mary Donohue Ciocca, Sheila Grady Rumsey, Sue Smith Chardome, Molly Keil Hynes, Joan Smiley Shattuck, Jeanne Poett Leonard, and Kathy Kindt Juarez

Ray Qin ’19 included newfound friends in his class picture, including our very own Sister Gervaise Valpey and Michael Mello!

Class of ’04 alumni sharing the scoop on the yearbooks on display in Dominican Hall—what things do they know?

Sunny Lai, Alicia Bruckman, Maryam Khorasani, Megan Richcreek Fityan, and Elizabeth O’Malley

Class of ’64 with Sister Susannah Malarkey ’48 and Christine Arrighi Valente ’69 joining them as sign holders and supporters!

Class of ’84 having a good time and showing their love for each other

Sister Patricia Boss OP, Michele McCarthy Brown ’74, and Robin O'Neill ’73

Outstanding Young Alumni Alexandra Simpson ’11 sharing an impromptu viola performance at the reunion luncheon

FRIDAY NIGHT RECEPTION

Middle School alumni coming together at the Friday night reception!

Kathleen Hannan Jamison ’74, Anne Dinkelspiel ’74, Katie McMaye ’19, and Makayla Pearce ’19

Jennifer Bauman ’89, Mary Bishop ’86, Brian Chase MS ’97

Class of ‘69 kickin’ it up! Judith O’Connor Harris, Jean Mariani, Christine Brown Palmquist Marshall, Christine Arrighi Valente, Mary Duffy, and Dottie Souza

Class of ’99 coming together!

ALUMNI REUNION

In Loving Memory of

Carrie Robley

Assistant Head of School for Student Life Carrie Robley passed away on the morning of August 8, 2023, due to complications from cancer.

Carrie was an important and vibrant member of the SD community since 2002, serving as a gifted teacher, administrator, colleague, and friend. She will be dearly missed by all of us who were blessed to be a part of her life.

Carrie began her tenure at San Domenico as a Seventh Grade English teacher and she quickly became a cherished educator. Middle School alumni will fondly remember Carrie’s famed wins in the plank competition during morning assemblies, and her colleagues all admired her elegant fashion sense. Carrie’s students were always welcomed by her big smile and warmth, and inspired by her passion for teaching. Her wit and sense of humor— paired with her loving and straightforward communication style—brought out the best in her students and delivered levity during challenging times. Over the years, her former Middle School students frequently returned to SD to visit her.

Carrie went on to become the Middle School dean of students, where she earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and students alike for her confident leadership, poise, and dedication. During her tenure as Middle School director, she

solidified her reputation as a strong and caring administrator, one who was both esteemed and accessible.

Over the years, Carrie demonstrated her unique versatility and commitment as a leader. She invested herself fully into every role she assumed and never shied away from challenges. After her roles in Middle School, Carrie served as assistant head of school, becoming an indispensable member of senior leadership while simultaneously widening her positive impact on members of the school community. In recent years, due to staffing needs, Carrie at times took on additional roles, including athletic director and director of residential life. During the pandemic, Carrie served as our school’s COVID-19 response lead, working closely with the Marin County Department of Public Health and our school community to keep our boarding program open throughout the pandemic. While many schools remained closed, Carrie’s efforts ensured a safe return to campus for all students in the fall of 2020. Throughout the trials of the pandemic, Carrie was an incredibly steady presence for students and staff at each school level.

From the outset of her time at San Domenico, Carrie was strong, wise, and tough when needed. She was admired as a person of integrity, grace, and fierce determination who inspired those around her. Carrie was also a trusted confidant to so many students and colleagues over the years; they felt comfortable opening up to her and seeking her counsel. It is her love of learning, and the deep care she held for the young people whom she had the privilege of educating, that we remember and honor most of all; those are the seeds Carrie planted in our hearts and minds and that will forever be part of her legacy.

In honor of Carrie, a magnolia tree was planted on campus in front of the theatre classroom, close to the health center and dormitories where Carrie spent much of her time. The magnolia symbolizes Carrie’s elegance, beauty, and devotion, and is a tree often given to honor a strong woman. The young magnolia is healthy, growing well, and flowers in the early spring. It will be a beautiful and lasting presence on the San Domenico campus.

Virginia Cain Wagers ’41

Claire Bronson Henshaw ’42

Dorothy Fletcher Mullen ’47

Zanita Miller McGuinness ’48

Margaret Doherty Abele ’49

Tookie Ryan Appelbe ’50

Paulina Mallarino

De Cordoba ’50

Phoebe Dohrmann Farnam ’50

Joan Van Housen (Sister Roseanne, O.P.) ’50

Patricia Haley Davis ’51

Annie Laurie Lund Sweeney ’53

Judith Riede Dawson ’56

Lorna Zander Lyon ’57

Elizabeth McCabe

Van Horn ’66

Toni Farrell ’69

Nancy Lull ’69

Paula Paganini ’70

Jan Gauder Volkert ’70*

Carol Reade ’79

Barbara Buscher (former staff and Tennis coach)

Sister Karen Marie Franks, OP (former faculty, Dominican Convent)

Nancy Kelleher (former staff and alumni parent)

*Apologies to the Volkert Family and the Class of 1970 as Jan was not included in the previous School Ties. We appreciate the opportunity to honor Jan appropriately.

IN SYMPATHY

Virginia Giannini Hammerness ’50 on the passing of her sister, Anne Giannini McWilliams

Isabel Fletcher ’56 on the passing of her brother, Ben Fletcher

Vailita Cliff Kramer ’65 and Christina Cliff ’72 on the passing of their mother, Wilma Cliff

Margery A. Hayes ’67 and her family on the passing of her mother, Claire Bronson Henshaw ’42

Anne Dolan ’70 on the passing of her brother, Paul Dolan

Kathryn Bryan Hampton ’71 on the passing of her son, Atherton Hampton, and her sister, Amanda A. Bryan

Barbara Theiss Juniper ’71 and Patty Theiss-Nyland ’73 on the passing of their sister, Liza Theiss

Barbara Jones Proft ’71 on the passing of her brother, Charles O. Jones Jr.

Laurie Sweeney Doolittle ’77, Trish Sweeney Markey ’79, and Shawn Sweeney Copenhagen ’84 on the passing of their mother, Annie Laurie Lund Sweeney ’53

Melissa Brosnan-Torrise ’78 on the passing of her father, Donald F. Brosnan Sr.

Daria Balano Carrillo ’80 and Lorna Balano ’82 on the passing of their brother, Matt Balano

Wendy Dawson Cliff ’81, Sarah Dawson Holt MS ’82, Nancy Dawson

Murray MS ’81, and Lyn Dawson

Petersen on the passing of their mother, Judith Riede Dawson ’56

Meg Haeuser Bayuk ’83 and Marie Haeuser Kennedy ’88 on the passing of their mother, Mary Ann Haeuser

Tammy Swanson ’88 on the passing of her husband, Michael Longerbeam

Stephanie Denk Rehak ’89 on the passing of her father, Karl Denk

Lucinda Scales Chapman MS ’68 on the passing of her brother, Kit Scales

Alyce Cutter Piper MS ’70 on the passing of her mother, Cecile Cutter

Teresa Kelleher Dildine MS ’75, Anne Kelleher Cuendet MS ’76, and Karen Kelleher Lambert MS ’83 on the passing of their mother, Nancy Kelleher

Eliza Gaenger Bennitt MS ’90 and her sister Sheridan Gaenger MS ’96 on the passing of their mother, Cassie Gaenger

Jacqueline Lyon MS ’91 on the passing of her mother and Donna Zander Kelleher ’54 on the passing of her sister, Lorna Zander Lyon ’57

KESTERSON FIELD

has long been a place where the San Domenico community gathers and plays. Fifty years ago, the students triumphed in the end-of-year Faculty vs. Student field hockey game. Judging by the smiles, it looks like fun was had by all. And we loved welcoming the Class of ’74 back to campus this past spring for their 50th class reunion!

SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL

1500 Butterfield Road

San Anselmo, CA 94960

Please forward this publication. If your child no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of the new mailing address by calling 415.258.1931 or emailing alums@sandomenico.org.

Non-Discrimination Policy In keeping with our mission and core values of study, reflection, community, and service, San Domenico is a community of belonging where students, staff, and families are dedicated to inclusion and respect for all. The school affirms the dignity of every student. It is the policy of the school to provide an educational environment in which all students are treated with respect and which is free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. The school prohibits harassment and discrimination based on a student’s actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability, or because they are associating with others with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Harassment, including sexual harassment, of any student by any other student or adult is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Furthermore, the school prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports, or cooperates in the investigation of, an incident of harassment or discrimination.

the Dates Dates subject to change, but mark your calendars! Please visit sandomenico.org/calendar for the most current information.

Some alumni

We will let you know as soon as they are scheduled. Please email alums@sandomenico.org with any questions.