A Kennedy Catholic Lancer Publication
December 2018
Communi-K LEARNING, FAITH, LEADERSHIP
Cover Story JAZZ BAND
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A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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ALUMNI UPDATES page 11
IN THIS ISSUE President’s Letter Principal’s Letter French Week Focus Groups Innocence Project Social Media Committee Boots and Bids Alumni News
IN THE NEWS News and Press Releases
NW Catholic Student
Find all the latest news on our website or follow us on social media. Click below to listen to retreat playlists on our Spotify, connect with us on LinkedIn, or see our latest photos and recaps.
Annual Fund Drive
New this year, check out our podcast here!
International News
Retreat Reflection Fine and Performing Arts Athletics News Arts and Crafts Fair
ON THE COVER
Giving Tuesday
Kennedy Catholic’s jazz ensemble traveled to West Seattle to perform a private concert for the wonderful residents of Brookdale Senior Living.
Crab Feed
Read more on page 16.
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A Note from Mike Prato, President
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The data will be distilled with the hope it yields the goals that will take Kennedy Catholic to the heights.
In August of 2004, I presented our faculty and staff with a summary of our accreditation goals and, with their support, laid the foundation for a work plan that would guide Kennedy Catholic High School for the next six years. This established the common practice of generating an annual school improvement plan to anchor us to the ethic and practice of continual improvement. In 2011, the 2020 Vision was born; the strategic plan which has guided us to Verso L’Alto! Verso L’Alto! is our patron, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s favorite saying (meaning To the Heights), and will be the title of the next strategic plan through 2025. This December, we invited our community to give input to Verso L’Alto in the form of surveys and focus groups. The goal; capture high level input and ideas to direct us strategically while, at the same time, honoring the existing culture of Kennedy Catholic.
fulfilled, can be translated into a benefit for everyone. All of us must have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.” Does this resonate? Is this not the deliverable as stated in our mission and vision? Our focus groups were asked to provide feedback in seven categories: Faith, Philanthropy, Knowledge, Access, Outreach, Space and Talent. Under each element were questions to provoke visionary ideas. The gallery walk format allowed for independent thought, provocative interactions and a comprehensive outlook to our future. The data will be distilled with the hope it yields the goals that will take Kennedy Catholic to the heights. We encourage you to follow our progress here. Advent is about preparation for the coming of Jesus. May we dedicate our preparation for Verso L’Alto in the same way.
As part of the opening prayer, I cited a quote from our late president John F. Kennedy, “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us is a private hope and dream which, www.kennedyhs.org
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A Note from Nancy Bradish, Principal
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I became deliberate in etching out time to spend in quiet reflection, prayer, and preparation.
Blessings and abundance, hope and waiting. These are the words that best describe our Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons here at Kennedy Catholic. We have so many reasons to give thanks and praise. I sat in my kitchen this past weekend and began to calendar the month of December for my family. As I watched our evenings and weekends fill with all the holiday gatherings and festivities, outings and obligations, I realized I need to take time this month to anticipate the birth of our Lord, and reflect on all his wondrous works. This is what Advent is for - to help us prepare. At Kennedy Catholic we have so many ways to celebrate the season. During our annual St Vincent de Paul food drive, we collected over 500 pounds of food. We then began our SVdP Adopt a Family collection which will end with our prayer service on December 20. Our students and community always provide so well for others! Our Arts and Crafts Fair was December 1, and our Performing Arts Holiday Concert is December 12, just to mention a few. 4
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We will spend time reflecting on and growing our faith this month too - the Winter Search Retreat is December 6-8, the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be celebrated on December 12, the Advent Prayer Service on December 20. But back to that calendar - I became deliberate in etching out time to spend in quiet reflection, prayer and preparation. This time will be valuable in reminding me of what is important during this busy, glorious season. I will sit with the daily readings and reflections, whether it be with morning coffee or evening hot cocoa. And I will prepare, and in that preparation, I will remember it isn’t the schedules that are important, but the season itself. I hope that you will each give yourself the gift of precious time to reflect, pray and prepare. The Advent season will be much more glorious! Merry Christmas, and many blessings.
NATIONAL FRENCH WEEK PENNY WAR Each year as part of National French Week in November, Mrs. Lewis’ French students compete in a Penny War. Students of the different grade levels donate spare change in a competition to see which grade level is the most generous that year. Even though this year’s battle was limited to one week instead of two, the competition was no less fierce! In just one week the students raised $133.78 by donating mostly loose change including $19.20 in pennies alone! This year’s funds are being donated to UnicefUSA for ongoing disaster relief in Haiti, which was again hit by a devasting earthquake in 2017. If you are the parent or guardian of a student learning French, please give them a hearty “Bravo!” for their contribution to the Penny War and ask him or her about the activities they participated in during National French Week.
VERSO L’ALTO Thank you to our community members who participated in our strategic planning focus groups. This is a unique time in our school history, and it presents enormous opportunity. The goal of these focus groups was to gather broad constituent input for long-term planning. We will incorporate the feedback and ideas to help guide the next stage of planning. We appreciate the active involvement in the process, voicing of opinions, impressions and ideas - in order to achieve the goal of a responsive, innovation and visionary strategic plan for Kennedy Catholic. If you are an alumni, and would like to participate in this process, the alumni survey can be found on our website. We encourage participation. Thank you! Survey
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INNOCENCE PROJECT The Biotechnology classes explored how DNA evidence (fingerprinting) could be used in forensics. Using a true case study from The Innocence Project, students evaluated whether the DNA samples originally taken (but not analyzed) at the crime scene were a match with the any of the other suspects in a woman’s murder. In the actual case, the husband was convicted, and after serving over 20 years in prison, he was later exonerated when another suspect’s DNA was identified at the crime scene. The Innocence Project is an effort to use DNA to exonerate wrongly incarcerated people. Prior to this technique, evidence for convictions was often circumstantial. Now we can definitively prove that a person was present if their DNA evidence is found at the scene. Of course, in the case of the husband, his DNA was present since the crime occured in his home. But the presence of DNA from another suspect and complete stranger to the family was proof positive that the suspect had been physically present in the home without explanation. Combined with other evidence (the wife’s credit cards were used by the suspect shortly after her death), this new suspect was convicted and the husband was released. Students explored the pros and cons of DNA evidence, how it can be used/misused, and how this has changed the way our justice system works today.
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SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE Kennedy Catholic’s 2018 Social Media Committee is bringing social media channels to new heights. A group of ten students from a diverse set of friend groups, clubs, sports and interests have been capturing moments during the school day that highlight the exciting life of Kennedy Catholic Lancers. These students set goals of increasing the inclusivity of the social media accounts, so they can better represent the entire student body and the interests of all students. Social Media Committee members take pictures and videos at assemblies, of students in the hallway, of exciting class activities, and of everyday life at the school. These students have a unique and important perspective of daily life that we are honored to share. Stay connected with the Kennedy Catholic community by following us on social media!
SAVE THE DATE: KATCH AUCTION Round up the posse and join us on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Kennedy Catholic corral for a rootin’ tootin’ good time. This year the Kennedy Catholic Auction theme “Boots and Bids” celebrates everything western. Make sure to remember other important auction dates. The procurement deadline is January 24, 2019 and the online auction will take place February 22- March 3, 2019. Interested in making a donation? Contact Karen Cascio www.kennedyhs.org
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ALUMNI NEWS & a difference in her community to a bigger picture by studying environmental science, first at Boston University and then Lewis and Clark College.
ALUMNI PROFILE: LIZ FEHRENBACH ‘01 Setting off after graduation, Liz Fehrenbach ‘01 had grand plans of changing the world. With a passion for helping those around her, she dove into a career focused on improving the systems in our world, first with environmental science, and then with public health and nursing. Propelled by the Jewish concept of ‘tikkun olam,’ or ‘repairing the world’, she took steps to make a difference in each of her communities. Service became a part of Liz’s life early on, and she dedicated many Saturday mornings to forming relationships with locals and classmates as part of the KOOCS club at Kennedy Catholic. Those mornings were a great chance to learn more about her classmates and forge friendships based on deep beliefs and compassion. It emphasized the spirit and connection that Liz forever associates with Lancers. When she started college, she took the concept of making 8
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Liz was fascinated by the way we are all connected, and how trouble in one system can impact others. Even after graduating and working in nutritional education, Liz saw these questions continue to emerge, particularly while volunteering with a local community garden. The garden was right next to public housing, and as she worked alongside other volunteers and visitors, she learned more about the struggles in their lives. Liz heard how the systems in their lives were helping or harming them, and nurses were consistently the people who had the most trust, and who had made the biggest impact. She started to see how she could make a difference in so many lives through nursing, and shortly thereafter applied to the nursing program at Johns Hopkins, where she completed her second degree. This is how Liz found herself leading a clinic in Vermont focused on serving the homeless population. She helped improve tracking for health maintenance needs, added a multidisciplinary clinic for diabetic patients, and grew the medical outreach program to multiple sites. A couple of years later, a move to Washington, DC for her husband’s fellowship had Liz searching for another organization to continue her impact, and she found Joseph’s House. The organization focuses on providing hospice care to the homeless, with
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a particular emphasis on those suffering from HIV. As a nurse here, Liz focuses on case management and helping her patients find a stable place to live after they are discharged. Although the work can take an emotional toll, the spirit of hope and energy sustains the house and its community. Through the many moves, and the many changes in life, Liz has remained an avid
runner, a hobby picked up with great memories from her time on the Kennedy Catholic cross-country team. She is also a self-proclaimed lifelong book-devourer, a passion encouraged in former English teacher Mr. McBride’s class. When she’s not working in her community, you can find Liz unwinding with her husband Luke and their one-year-old daughter, or reading through her latest library book.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday to our December alumni! We wish you a wonderful year ahead! Click here for the full list. To make sure your name is included, head over to our Alumni Page and fill out the form under, “Help Us Update Our Records.”
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ALUMNI NEWS & IT’S BACK! JOIN US FOR THE ALUMNI BAND EVENT Playing in the Lancer band is an honored tradition. Whether your notes were from percussion, woodwinds, or brass, you are a part of a core group of alumni. Relive your past performances by joining our current band in a performance this January. Join us in the recently refinished Goodwin Gymnasium to see the Lancer’s girls’ basketball team take on Mt. Rainier on Friday, January 25 at 7pm. At half time, you’ll perform the fight song and other selections for a roaring crowd. Starting at 6:30pm, the band room will be open for a welcome, a meet and greet with Jim Paynton (retired band director), and to pick up instruments. If you’d like to participate, contact Rebecca Nuffer and we’ll send you a full performance packet. Please include your name, instrument of choice, and best way to reach you. If you’ll need an instrument, please be sure to let us know.
LANCER REUNIONS Lancers are ready to reunite! The classes of 1979, 1989, 1999, and 2009 have all gotten a jump start on planning. Keep checking here every month for more details or contact Rebecca Nuffer with questions. If you’d like to help with planning, more hands are always helpful! 10
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SHAPE THE NEXT 5 YEARS IN THE NEXT 5 MINUTES What does it mean to you to be a Lancer? To us, Lancers are leaders. We serve our communities, inspire those around us, and leave a legacy for those who come after us to build on. Have you given us your guidance yet? Take the next five minutes to help shape our next five years with the below survey. We can’t wait to hear from you! Special thanks to everyone who’s submitted their response already. As a special thank you, prizes will be given out to lucky winners over the next two weeks. Survey
SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY WITH THE LANCERS Are you looking for a way to stay engaged with your alma mater? Look no further than the Freshmen Retreat! For the first time, we’re extending the opportunity for alumni to join current students in giving back to our community during our annual Freshman Retreat. The Retreat is a three-day event with a day of service on February 22, 2019. It fulfills our mission to build students’ relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, community, formation, and service. The three-day retreat includes components of fun, fellowship, and faith. We truly believe this retreat can be one of the most important spiritual experiences for freshman students and impacts their remaining high school years and beyond. Over past years, we’ve worked with organizations such as Westside Baby, White Center Food Bank, Catholic Community Services of Western WA Volunteer Services, Hospitality House, Renton Veteran’s Center, St. Francis of Assisi Parish School, St. Martin de Porres Shelter, Frederic Ozanam House, Operation Sack Lunch, and the Union Gospel Mission. The hours donated during this retreat are just a portion of the 17,000-plus hours Lancers give each year. We hope you’ll consider taking a day to give back to your community alongside dedicated Lancers. Contact Rebecca Nuffer if you’re interested! www.kennedyhs.org
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INTERNATIONAL KENNEDY CATHOLIC PLANTING SEEDS WORLDWIDE Mike Prato and Rommel Buenafe joined Mariko Fujiwara in traveling throughout Asia, including Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, in order to strengthen school diversity on an international level. Goal four of the current strategic plan (2020 Vision), calls for the organization to create a robust, dynamic, and globally diverse student population. We are working hard to achieve this important goal, and this trip provided additional opportunity to do just that.
Miyu Miyashita ‘17, talks about her life as an international student at Kennedy Catholic.
The purpose of this trip was to recruit international students in diverse markets, to establish partnerships with agents and reputable universities, to build a bond with our alumni, current parents and prospective families, and finally, to share the mission and vision of Kennedy Catholic with local churches, priests, religious, and religious communities. In addition, Kennedy Catholic established a support office in Inchinomiya City in Aichi, Japan, launching a hub for future education and business partnerships. Mike Prato gathers with families for an alumni reunion in Ca Mau, Vietnam.
Office of International Education Website
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Meeting with leadership at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Bepu, Japan Asia Pacific University (APU) to establish a pathway partnership for Kennedy Catholic graduates. This is one of the top international universities in Japan.
Mike Prato and Rommel Buenafe meet with leaders in the Catholic Church in Manila, Philippines
Mr. and Mrs. Nagai, parents of international senior, Kai, are assisting in student recruiting during the Linden Academic Fair in Tokyo, Japan
Children are excited to talk to Mike Prato during his visit to their school in Ca Mau, Vietnam.
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NW CATHOLIC STUDENT OF THE MONTH William is outgoing and brings school spirit everywhere he goes,� said nominator Sofia Lopez. A committed member of the Kennedy Catholic band, he also plays water polo and serves as captain of the lacrosse team, senior class coordinator and retreat leader. He volunteers extensively at his parish, Holy Rosary in West Seattle, and at the Union Gospel Mission.
ANNUAL FUND DRIVE 2018 As we wrap up the 2018 year and look ahead to 2019, please consider including Kennedy Catholic in your year-end giving plans. Our Annual Fund campaign is a vital part of our school’s fundraising efforts and support from our entire community is essential to our success. From academic programs and student scholarships to athletics and co-curricular programs, Annual Fund gifts directly support the student experience in countless and profound ways. Each year alumni, past and current parents, businesses, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of Kennedy Catholic make a difference by supporting the Annual Fund ensuring a vibrant future for every Lancer student. All gifts are 100% tax deductible. Your gift, no matter the size, has the power to inspire others to give. Donate online or if you prefer to make a donation by phone, please call us at 206.957.9718 anytime. Best wishes for a happy and holy Advent and Christmas season!
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SOPHOMORE SOLIDARITY RETREAT REFLECTION During the month of November our Sophomore Class participated in a Solidarity Retreat. Throughout the day-long retreat they participated in a poverty simulation, heard from speakers about what it means to be a person for others, and ultimately provided 1,826 hot meals to 14 shelters, tent cities, and low-incomes housing groups. Student Leader, Kateri R., reflected on the experience: As a leader of the Sophomore Solidarity Retreat, I aimed to create an environment that encouraged our Sophomores to strive to become women for others as they cultivated their passion for serving others. During the retreat, I was inspired by the willingness of the Sophomores ladies to share and their ability to identify the people marginalized in our society. Our Sophomores did not merely acknowledge the issues we asked them to reflect upon, but also committed to working to bring about change. For many, that opportunity to create change began the night of the retreat when they had the ability to feed numerous hungry people in low-income housing, tent cities, and homeless shelters. The sense of compassion they displayed was so impressive and what I believe to be the true basis of becoming instruments of Christ’s love in the world. The Sophomore Solidarity Retreat is important because it fosters a passion for becoming people of service, whether that occurs in the simplicity of everyday life or at organized community service. Collectively, we are all called to be people for others as we help each other through the dark valleys of life and ultimately raise each other to the heights. In turn, we will receive so much joy from going forth and being the hands and feet of Christ in a world that drastically needs it.
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FINE & PERFORM
JAZZ ENSEMBLE SPREADS CHRISTMAS CHEER Kennedy Catholic’s jazz ensemble traveled to West Seattle to perform a private concert for the wonderful residents of Brookdale Senior Living. The residents arrived early and waited anxiously for the music to begin. Residents smiled, clapped, and danced along to a beautiful performance of classic Christmas songs including ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ and ‘Jingle Bells.’ Led by Kennedy Catholic’s new band director, Dan Ruiter, the jazz ensemble is comprised of fourteen students who play saxophones, brass, and rhythm instruments. The talent and dedication of these students is astounding and was well appreciated by the residents of Brookdale and their staff. The jazz ensemble will be performing again at the Christmas concert on December 12, 2018 at 7pm, at the Highline Performing Arts Center, and we hope to see you there!
ELEMENTARY BAND PROGRAM Music is a powerful force during the Advent/Christmas Season! There is no better way to share the story of Christ’s birth than thru those beloved carols. The concerts have begun with St. Philomena’s Choir and Band performance. For the next three weeks, the musical joy of this holy time will be shared in nine Catholic schools. Oh Come Let Us Adore Him!
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MING ARTS NEWS
BSHARP VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Robert is a quiet ‘behind the scenes’ guy who has done so much to keep the Fine Arts Department running efficiently. Fourteen years ago, the art room was a drafting and woods room. Robert, along with his son Zach, built all the stain glass stations. Through the years, Robert has fixed broken grinders, cut and replaced drawing and painting boards, built easels, assisted in set up/take down for the Arts and Crafts Fair and Christmas concerts. Recently, he and wife Felicia built the Infinity Room based on the artist Yayoi Kusama. Each year it will house a new theme for the painters and sculptures. Robert is always willing to help make improvements in the department and maintain equipment. We cannot thank you enough for all you do!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT Please join the Lancer community at our annual Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm at the Highline High School Performing Arts Center. All of our music ensembles will perform: Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, Excalibur Choir, Troubadors Choir, Kennedy Catholic Singers, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. The event is family friendly and admission is complimentary.
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ATHLETICS NEWS
WINTER SPORTS PROGRAM Check out our winter sports program below for schedule and team information. You can always find up-to-date information on the NPSL league website as well. Program
4 SENIORS SIGN NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT On Wednesday, November 14 in front of a Dillman Center packed with friends and family, four Lancer seniors signed their National Letters of Intent to accept the opportunity to play collegiate sports next year. They are: Nick F. - Golf, North Idaho College Garret K. - Baseball, Tacoma Community College Teryn M. - Soccer, Central Washington University Alyssa N. - Golf, Gonzaga University Congratulations Lancers!
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FALL SPORTS BANQUEST CELEBRATES SEASON’S MEMORIES On Thursday, November 15 more than 500 Lancers and family members packed the gym to celebrate at our annual fall sports banquet. Together, coaches, student-athletes and families recognized our seniors (pictured above), our strongest teams in the classroom and those achieving great feats in competition. Special congratulations go to our varsity boys and girls cross country team, who together won our seasonal academic challenge with a combined team GPA (1st quarter grades) of 3.61. For the full season review, click here.
LANCERS NAMED TO SEATTLE TIMES, THE NEWS TRIBUNE, ALL-AREA TEAMS In addition to the number of Lancers who were voted into their respective all-league teams, we had four fall student-athletes that received recognition as some of the best in the area by the leading local news publications. The Seattle Times selected sophomore Junior A. (football, pictured) and junior Natalie D. (girls soccer) to their annual “Star Times” teams, while The News Tribune named sophomore football players Sam H. and Jabez T. to their all-area first team.
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ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR Thank you to everyone who came to the Arts and Crafts Fair on December 1. Local businesses appreciated all your support and look forward to next year. Thank you Parent Club for coordinating a successful event!
#GIVINGTUESDAY THANK YOU! We are so grateful and humbled by the extraordinary generosity of our community on #GivingTuesday. Gifts will support the Kennedy Catholic student experience in countless ways. Each and every donation is a tangible endorsement of our mission and affirmation of our collective work to support Catholic education. In the spirit of the giving season - thank you!
SAVE THE DATE: CRAB FEED This annual event starts at 5:00pm and raffle tickets will be available throughout the night. At 6:30pm dinner will be served. The menu includes beer, salad, garlic bread and crab with butter kits available for purchase. After dinner, stop by the photobooth for some fun pictures and dance the night away! Tickets: $60/person or $65 after January 1, 2019. The Crab Feed will be an open seating event – doors open at 2pm for table decorating. Tickets are available here. If you have questions contact crabfeed@kennedyhs.org.
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