DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING ext. 2191 | lrome-floyd@ndsj.org
Kathleen Quiazon
DIRECTOR OF MISSION & MINISTRY ext. 2110 | kquiazon@ndsj.org
Nicole Windmon
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL ext. 2123 | nwindmon@ndsj.org
Publication
PUBLISHER
ND Office of Advancement
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ND Marketing & Communications
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Christina Morello
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Bacosa Photography, Jose Morales Media, History San Jose, ND Alum Relations, ND Belmont Provincal Archives, ND Co-Curricular Programs, ND Marketing & Communications, Wayne Hall
Notre Notes can also be found online at: www.ndsj.org/about-us/publications
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Notre Notes is created and published by Notre Dame High School in San Jose, CA. If you have any questions about this publication, please contact us at communications@ndsj.org or (408) 294-1113.
596 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95112 www.ndsj.org
HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE
Dear Notre Dame community,
The 2025-26 academic year has proven to be both fruitful and inspiring. Our Notre Dame learning community has demonstrated measurable academic success, unique resilience, and a fervent commitment to mission, leadership, and justice.
From the implementation of pedagogical frameworks, to the expansion of co-curricular programming, to the wide-reaching build of the school’s next strategic plan — our distinct accomplishments are a testament of combined effort and dedication.
My gratitude is extended to the esteemed members of our 2025-26 Strategic Planning Design Committee. (Please see a full roster on p. 14).
Your tireless work, research and dedication from August 2025 through June 2026, is nothing short of a blessing. ND today and tomorrow will advance because of your efforts.
During the fall of 2026, our board of directors will share Notre Dame’s strategic priorities with assured vision and mission alignment across community stakeholders. We will forge forward with a renewed sense of purpose and intention; the best truly is yet to come.
During these summer months, join me in civic edification, spiritual engagement, and impactful service to others. When we independently show up in our respective cities, states, places, and spaces, we collectively expand St. Julie’s vision of creating a just and generous society, with women leaders at the helm.
In just a few of the languages I hear around Pardini Park on Notre Dame’s astonishing campus, I offer you a heartfelt:
Be kind. Choose Joy. And, remember, God is good.
ASHLEY RAE MATHIS HEAD OF SCHOOL
As we embark on Notre Dame’s 175th anniversary celebration, I’m proud of the progress our board has made during the 2025-26 school year. Together with school leadership, families, friends, alums, and donors like you, we’re nearing completion of our next strategic plan to plot a course for ND over the next five years. This spring, we welcomed one of the most resilient and accomplished classes of incoming students in our school’s history. And we set a single-day fundraising record on our annual Day of Giving, when the ND community came together to raise more than $160,000 for tuition assistance. I can’t wait to see what comes next in a new era for ND!
GREG HANSON (Kate ’22, Sarah ’26) CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
$107,490 RAISED
$142,836 RAISED
$167,223 RAISED 2024 2025 2026 DAY OF GIVING RECAP
Board of Directors 2025 - 2026
Kathy Almazol
FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, SJ DIOCESE
Kim Chrissan INTEGRATION LEADERSHIP, NOKIA
Katie Colin EXEC. DIRECTOR, US EAST-WEST PROVINCE SNDDEN
Darhil Crooks (Dylan '25) CREATIVE DIRECTOR, APPLE
Sister Terry Davis
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
Michael Elliott (Lucy '25) PRESIDENT & EXEC. DIRECTOR, VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION
Nancy Erba (Caroline '18, Angelina '25) CFO, POWER INTEGRATIONS
Lisa Quintero '91 Jensen SENIOR DIRECTOR, CRAWFORD GROUP
Sister Kathryn Keenan
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
Kelly Kline (Helen Ayers '22) ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Rose Que '82 Lue (Amanda '23, Diane '23) VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY LEADER
Ruth Ann McNees (Natalie '20) COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, ATTORNEY
Alex Nguyen '94 ATTORNEY, BERLINER COHEN LLP
Anisha Patel '16
J.D. CANDIDATE, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Tesha McCord Poe FOUNDER & CEO, JOY-RAISING, LLC
Eileen Tanghal FOUNDER & GENERAL PARTNER, BLACK OPAL VENTURES
Melinda K. Postle '88 Thompson
CHIEF PEOPLE & LEGAL OFFICER, MIRO
The Pink and Teal Stingrays launched into the world on Saturday, May 30, as Notre Dame's graduating class in the heart of Downtown San José. Honoring 175 graduates entering our 175th anniversary year, it was a truly memorable celebration for the Class of 2026, including Valedictory Speaker Anoushka ’26 and Salutatory Speaker Mary Rose ’26.
Mary Rose inspired us all with a heartfelt statement: "As I look out across the Class of 2026 before me, I am reminded of a mosaic. A mosaic is made of unique pieces, each different in color and shape. Alone, a single tile may seem inconspicuous, but when crafted together, it creates artwork that's meaningful. Our class is a true embodiment of a mosaic. Each of the 175 of us carries different talents, identities, and personalities. Every single piece is important. Without one piece, the mosaic would not be complete.”
Special thank you to our Keynote Speaker Gagan Sandhu ’12, who passionately imparted her wisdom to the next generation of women of impact in her address to the graduates: “When I sat in law school classrooms as a first generation student, surrounded by people who went to colleges ‘better’ than mine or who had parents and grandparents who were lawyers, I asked myself, ‘Why not me?’ When I worked in spaces where I was the only woman in a room full of men, I asked myself, ‘Why not me?’ To do this work and to trust that the compass that guides our sense of justice will always point north, we have to root ourselves in community.” •
embodiment OF A MOSAIC.
—
MARY ROSE '26 —
CLASS OF 2026
Academic Recognition
HIGHEST ACADEMIC HONORS
Aubrey Melissa Agustin
Aisha Abdulmuti AlQuraini
Linda Claire Amrhein
Anagha Ankireddi
Kaylee Suzanne Antillon
Ananya Appalakutty
Emma Bat
Gigi Bergman
Aanya Bhardwaj
Gayathri Bimal
Heather Alexis Buckner
Sophie Hanife Cagdaser
Miuli Changkomine
Madeline Ai Linh Cho
Durva Vishal Dhok
Mimi Doyle
Melina Rose Siador Ebalobo
Mira Thuy Eggleston
Kara Fan
Sofia Fernández Quintero
Syma Jaslene Figone
Inari Faith Gerhart
Lailie Elisha Gomez
Yulong Gong
Genevieve Gonnella
Sarah Hanson
Teagan Sage Hensley
Iz Isabella Huynh
Cerisa Katchmart
Alina Kayali
Neha Krishnan
Sanvi Krishnan
Myzin Kroneman
Rebecca Sumiko Kunze
Maya Sophie Lo
Jane Calihan Lokteff
Cambrie Marie Mahonchak
June Evelyn McMahon
Anna Mihailovici
Sreeya Nair
Pearl Tan Nunag
Maahi A Patel
Lauren Grace Polanowski
Richa Prasanna
Jane Susana Quiazon
Akshara Manavi Ramachandran
Kanika Rawat
Sana Saranjame
Aditi Saxena
Anya Saxena
Courtney Grace Schroder
Emma Catherine McEnery Seagrim
Aditi Seshadri
Aamiya Puri Seth
Lila Morgan Seybold
Cindy Shen
Varsitaa Srinivasan
Prisha Srivastava
Olivia Kate Tumacder
Eva Marie Vargas-Hurlston
Anoushka Vijay
Varsha Vijay
Sophie Wang
Elle Angelique Winfield
Sophia Kun Xie
Kristine Yu
Sara Zazueta-Charles
Maya Zechman
NATIONAL MERIT RECOGNITION
National Merit Finalists
Durva Vishal Dhok
Yulong Gong
Neha Krishnan
Sanvi Krishnan
Rebecca Sumiko Kunze
Kanika Rawat
Cindy Shen
Eva Marie Vargas-Hurlston
Kristine Yu
ACADEMIC MEDALS
Computer Science
Anoushka Vija
English
Aditi Saxena
Mathematics
Aditi Seshardi
Modern Languages - Chinese
Clare Kennedy-Zabala Torres
Modern Languages - French
Dominique Rose St. Pierre
Modern Languages - Spanish
Eva Marie Vargas-Hurlston
Religious Studies
Megan To Campbell
Science - Life
Varsitaa Srinivasan
Science - Physical
Teagan Sage Hensley
Social Studies
Aisha Abdulmuti AlQuraini
Social Studies - History
Naomi Yolanda Ekaete Udofia
FIRST GENERATION TO COLLEGE SCHOLARS
Kaylee Suzanne Antillon
Jennifer Barrientos
Camila Cabrera Ramirez
Loraine Michelle Curtis
Haley Eva-Hope Day
Sofía Fernández Quintero
Elisa Gutiérrez
An Le
Luisa Nazarene Lutui
Ofelia Mares
Miranda Abril Miranda
Kaeleen Baongoc Nguyen
Milena Angeles Ornelas Guizar
Isabella Reyes
Nicole Tatiana Rincon
Kimberly Sara Rivera-Jacobo
Sarah Stacey Tejeda
Naomi Yolonda Ekaete Udofia
Ariadna Vargas
Nhi Quỳnh Võ
Loreen D. Zermeno
THE CLASS OF 2026 PINK & TEAL STINGRAYS have
matriculated to 69 colleges and universities:
• AMERICAN UNIVERSITYDISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
• ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
• BARNARD COLLEGE
• CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY-SAN LUIS OBISPO
• CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITYPOMONA
• CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-CHICO
• CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
• CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
• CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
• COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF THE ELMS
• COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
• CORNELL UNIVERSITY
• DE ANZA COLLEGE
• DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
• DREXEL UNIVERSITY
• EMERSON COLLEGE
• EMORY UNIVERSITY
• FOOTHILL COLLEGE
• FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
• GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-MAIN CAMPUS
• HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE
• HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY
• HOWARD UNIVERSITY
• INDIANA UNIVERSITYBLOOMINGTON
• IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
• LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE
• LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
• LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
• MACALESTER COLLEGE
• MCGILL UNIVERSITY
• NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
• NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
• OCAD UNIVERSITY
• OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
• PURDUE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS
• REED COLLEGE
• SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA
• SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
• SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
• SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
• SCRIPPS COLLEGE
• SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
• SMITH COLLEGE
• ST OLAF COLLEGE
• SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
• THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIABERKELEY
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIADAVIS
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAIRVINE
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIALOS ANGELES
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIASAN DIEGO
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIASANTA BARBARA
• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIASANTA CRUZ
• UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO
• UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
• UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
• UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANANN ARBOR
• UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
• UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
• UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
• UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
• UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
• UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
• UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONSEATTLE CAMPUS
• UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINMADISON
• WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
• WEST VALLEY COLLEGE
• WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
ND Year in Review 2025-26
August
• Faculty and staff kicked off the school year by gathering on campus and touring various locations in the SoFA District for Notre Dame's annual employee retreat. The focus was on Hallmark 2: “We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.”
• 26 alums returned to their alma mater as faculty, staff, program managers, athletics coaches, and summer program instructors.
• 654 students were welcomed to campus on the first day of school.
• 43 student clubs and interest groups kicked off the school year with a club fair.
February
• Hundreds of Notre Dame students marched through Downtown San José in solidarity with immigrant families and communities across the nation, and peers engaged in meaningful conversation on campus around unity and civic engagement.
• Black Student Union (BSU) moderators hosted a school-wide assembly as part of Black History Month.
• Students and chaperones participated in the East Los Angeles Urban Plunge during Winter Break. They volunteered with the Dolores Mission Church community and LA Catholic Worker, visited the Sisters of Notre Dame, toured Homeboy Industries, and cooked a hearty meal for unhoused men and women of Boyle Heights.
September
• 29 current students, 20 alum mothers and three alum grandmothers gathered for the annual Legacy Breakfast on campus.
• Latinas Unidas hosted a schoolwide assembly as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
October
• The ND community raised $208K for tuition assistance at the 17th annual Women of Impact luncheon, presented by Marvell.
• More than 1,000 guests were welcomed to campus at Open House.
• The Class of 2029 voted to be recognized as the Blue and Mocha Leopards at Freshman Night Out.
• The Class of 2026 learned about civic engagement and community service from dynamic guest speakers during Democracy Matters, a key component of our Education for Justice and Leadership curriculum.
March
• The Class of 2029 honored 154 historic women at the 31st annual Woman’s Place Project art showcase, and the Class of 2026 showcased their advocacy work at the 15th Young Women’s Advocacy Summit, celebrating their collective economic impact of 19,373 hours of leadership through advocacy.
• Julie Billiart Hall was filled to the brim with joy during ND’s annual Spirit Week.
• The Class of 2027 explored themes of culture, citizenship, and the stewardship of stories during an immersive Japantown experience in Downtown San José as part of our signature Identity Matters field trip.
April
MARCH
• The ND community raised more than $167,000 for tuition assistance during our 3 rd annual Day of Giving.
• The spring musical, The Prom, highlighted the amazing talents of our ND performing arts students! This included 5 shows, a preview night, 863 patrons, 96 students, 32 student leaders and 1 supportive community.
• The Class of 2029 visited Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for an Environment Matters service day that combined handson stewardship, environmental education, and civic engagement.
• Students and faculty members participated in the Central Coast Plunge, an immersion trip during Spring Break focused on the ecological, cultural, historical, and economic diversity of the Central Coast ecosystem in and around Monterey Bay.
November
• For 10 consecutive years, Notre Dame was ranked the #1 Catholic High School in Santa Clara County according to Niche, honoring our outstanding academic and co-curricular programs, community engagement, faculty, staff, students and families.
• Students participated in the national event Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 14 to honor civil rights activist Ruby Bridges.
• Author and activist Tiffany Yu visited campus for the 19th annual ND Reads event to discuss her bestselling book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto
• Students and faculty members embarked on a five-day trip to Washington, D.C. for the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice conference, advocating for environmental justice and immigration legislation.
May
• 475 students took 1,166 Advanced Placement exams.
• The “Masquerade” themed junior/senior prom was a smash hit! 91% of the senior class, 78% of the junior class, and 413 total attendees danced the night away — the largest prom in ND history! We also welcomed 15 students from Notre Dame Salinas, which closed at the end of the school year and did not offer a prom for their students.
• Faculty and staff welcomed 423 guests for Freshman Family Welcome Day as we celebrated the incoming Class of 2030.
• Senior Recognition Night honored achievements for the Class of 2026.
• We celebrated Notre Dame’s Class of 2026 at Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation!
• Chinese Cultural Club and AAPI Coalition hosted a school-wide assembly as part of AANHPI Heritage Month.
December
• Students from dance and music groups performed at downtown San Jose's Christmas in the Park.
• Campus Ministry, Latinas Unidas, ND's folklórico group and the ND Compadres parent resource group joined forces to create a night of culture and celebration at the 14th annual Las Posadas.
• The ND Dads parent resource group hosted their breakfast with more than 200 guests in attendance. This year’s theme was Disco Beats and Breakfast Treats!
June
• 31 Notre Dame students participated in transformative Global Education experiences through a homestay exchange program with families at Notre Dame Seishin in Japan, a cultural and language immersion in China.
• ND summer programs were a success! Be sure to check our website in February to register for Summer 2027: www.ndsj.org/summer
• 14 rising seniors joined ND faculty and Sr. Rosalie Pizzo '52, SNDdeN in the planning and coordination of a historical exhibit celebrating Notre Dame’s 175th anniversary. They also joined in successful civic advocacy for preservation of the California Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
January
• Choir students performed at the Santa Clara University Choral Festival and music ministry students helped lead liturgy for Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral with Bishop Oscar Cantú and representatives from all 34 Diocese schools.
• Diversity Council put on ND's annual Diversity Showcase, which included a night market, a fashion show of cultural attire, spoken word, music and dancing from various groups on campus.
• ND continued its professional learning for faculty and staff focused on Race, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI), led by Chris Harris from Santa Clara University, and Trevor Gardiner and Ariana Callan from Arise High School, Oakland.
• 1,600 pounds of crab were consumed at ND’s sold-out, 23 rd annual Crab Fest, a fundraiser for co-curricular programs.
• The class of 2028 traveled to the De Young Museum in San Francisco on an Art Matters field trip to deepen their appreciation of art, identify connections and applications with their humanities courses, practice life skills, and continue their ongoing exploration of careers and future pathways.
July
• LOOKING AHEAD: A group of Notre Dame students will participate in a cultural and language homestay immersion with the Intercultura Language School in Costa Rica. (Photo pictured from Costa Rica 2024)
Legacy & Light
This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur arriving in California and the founding of Notre Dame San Jose. As the oldest girls’ school in the western United States and one of the oldest Catholic high schools in California, we strive to lift up our legacy while lighting the way to the future.
Notre Dame students, faculty, and staff were delighted to join with nearly two dozen Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as we embarked on a year-long celebration of 175 years of ministry, education, and women's leadership. The celebration began with our annual Spring Liturgy on Friday, April 17, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in Downtown San José, which was followed by a lunchtime reception on the ND campus that included delicious treats, student performances, and many special moments to commemorate the occasion.
We were especially honored to share fellowship with Sr. Celeste Pagliarulo, SNDdeN, who passed away at the age of 93 a short while after our kickoff celebration. Notre Dame offers prayers of grief and gratitude for her life of service. •
Save the dates!
Notre Dame is thrilled to offer a few meaningful events in celebration of the impact our 175 year legacy has made locally, nationally, and globally.
Join staunch supporters of ND, community leaders, alums, current parents, faculty, and staff for a variety of special gatherings in support of Notre Dame San Jose. Additional details are located on the back cover of this publication, with a formal invitation following closer to date.
FRIDAY, OCT. 23
Notre Dame's Alum Reunion Social | 3:30 - 6 p.m. | Pardini Park
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
Notre Dame's 175th Anniversary Gala | 5 - 10 p.m. | Hayes Mansion
SPRING 2027
Community Celebration | More details coming soon!
Prayers of the Faithful was read in multuple languages to the community.
Campus ministry student representatives helped envision, plan, and lead this liturgy.
Share YOUR ND MEMORIES!
Over the summer, 14 rising seniors are joining ND faculty and staff in the planning and coordination of a historical exhibit celebrating Notre Dame’s 175th anniversary. This project will result in a preview as part of a special gala event in October 2026 and culminate in a larger exhibit during spring semester 2027, which will be open to the Notre Dame family and the broader San José community.
Want to play a part in celebrating ND’s history? We are currently seeking artifacts and stories from alums, parents, students, and community members to feature in this exhibit. This could include historic uniforms, report cards, yearbooks, photos, awards, and/or other memorabilia. Please contact Emily Cardenas at ecardenas@ndsj.org for more information or to contribute to the exhibit.
Lily '27 & Sascha '27
Notre Dame Leadership Team with Bishop Oscar Cantú of Diocese San Jose, ND Board member Sr. Kathryn Keenan, SNDdeN, and Sr. Maria Delaney, SNDdeN of the U.S. East-West Province Leadership Team.
We were honored to have with us several Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur from across the nation, with hearts as wide as the world!
Student performer from Polynesian Student Association, Kenz '26.
Many treats were provided by the Sisters, including churros!
Fearless & Faithful Leaders
The 2025-26 academic year was a year of transition and transformation on Notre Dame’s Administrative Team, as we bid farewell to fearless and faithful leaders and welcomed new faces to new roles.
In January, Leah Rome-Floyd stepped into the position of Director of Teaching & Learning, following a 12-year educational journey that included the past four years at Notre Dame. During her time here, she has served as a social studies faculty member, education innovation lead, academic lead, and instructional coach, investing time in our literacy initiative, faculty mentorship, and academic program development.
MS. ROME-FLOYD TEACHES IN
— SUPRIYA '27
OF HISTORY.
Commended for putting the needs of students first, Ms. Rome-Floyd’s background and experience have more than primed her to thrive in this leadership role.
As we move toward implementation of a new strategic plan in 2026, Ms. Rome-Floyd will be tasked with advancing our academic model with a goal of systemizing processes and strengthening student outcomes. Her work will center on four areas: the implementation of ND teaching frameworks, faculty development, the enhancement of math and science coursework, and Education for Justice and Leadership.
Beginning June 1, we were thrilled to welcome Dr. Nicole Windmon as our Assistant Head of School, following a nationwide search that included engagement from more than 30 stakeholders, including Notre Dame’s board of directors, leadership team, faculty, staff, community partners, and students.
Dr. Windmon received her Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Florida Atlantic University. She also served as a National Institute of Health (NIH) postdoctoral fellow at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Windmon looks forward to partnering with the Director of Teaching &Learning on the enhancement of math and science coursework, faculty development, and Education for Justice and Leadership programming.
In addition to excelling in the sciences, Dr. Windmon has garnered recognition in education circles for her instructional abilities, leadership skills, and strategic execution. Her most recent position was Director of Experiential Learning at EF Academy, an international private high school in Pasadena with a mission to foster global citizenship through a multicultural learning community. “I am deeply grateful and excited to join the Notre Dame community in a shared mission I hold close to my heart,” said Dr. Windmon.
ROOTED IN AND CALLED TO , MY VOCATION AS AN EDUCATOR IS GROUNDED
IN A PROFOUND BELIEF IN THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF
A Divine Voice Departs ND
With profound gratitude, we honor Dr. Kathleen Quiazon, who has been appointed the inaugural Director of the Center for Spirituality and Faith at Santa Clara University (SCU) beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. We hope you will join us in celebrating this remarkable next step in her life and career!
“Dr. Q”, as affectionately called by students, departs Notre Dame after 24 years of educational leadership, most recently as Director of Mission and Ministry. In that capacity, Dr. Quiazon ensured the vibrant integration of Notre Dame Catholic identity and spirituality across campus. This included signature programs such as the Woman’s Place Project and Young Women’s Advocacy Summit, expansions of campus ministry and student leadership, and the inclusion of Catholic, interfaith, and REDI priorities in recent strategic initiatives — employee formation and the Center for Women’s Leadership, among others. Furthermore, her collaboration with students and colleagues, our Sisters, and the greater Notre Dame de Namur network, as well as diocesan, interfaith, and social justice partners, has built impactful relationships well beyond our community.
In her spiritual leadership, Dr. Quiazon lovingly taught our students, faculty, and staff of St. Julie’s invitation to “be like the sunflower that follows every movement of the sun, keeping your eyes turned toward our good God.” We know and trust that Dr. Q’s pastoral presence, divine voice, and heart for justice will no doubt enable the Santa Clara University community to grow and flourish just as Notre Dame has.
And as the parent of a Class of 2026 alum, Dr. Q will continue to be a presence on our campus and in our community.
2013 BISHOP PATRICK MCGRATH & MARY BETH RILEY
2025 CONFIRMATION MASS
WITH DAUGHTER JANE '26
2024 NUNS ON THE BUS
2018 WITH SR. PATTY CHAPPELL, SR. MARTIN DE PORRES COLEMAN, & SR. CAROL SHOUP
WITH BISHOP OSCAR CANTÚ
ND Strategic Planning Design Committee
Over the course of the 2025-26 academic year, ND alums collaborated with faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and peer schools to develop a new strategic vision for the school, which will be formally introduced in the fall. Our thanks to these stakeholders for their tireless efforts!
Amy Battisti | Design Team DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Anisha Patel '16 | Strategic Planning Committee Chair J.D. CANDIDATE, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Ari Gutierrez | Design Team FORMER ND COMPADRES CHAIR
Ashley Rae Mathis | Steering Committee HEAD OF SCHOOL, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Brooke Ahrens | Design Team EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION LEAD, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Cecile Mantecon | Design Team PRESIDENT, SACRED HEART NATIVITY SCHOOLS
Crystal Land | Steering Committee PARTNER, LEADERSHIP AND DESIGN
Jennifer Johnson | Design Team DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER, BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREP
Joycelyn George ’17 | Design Team DATA RELATIONS STRATEGIST, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Dr. Kathleen Quiazon | Design Team DIRECTOR OF MISSION & MINISTRY, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Kelly Kline | Steering Committee ASSOCIATE VP, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Kristy Gannon | Steering Committee CEO, FLUXX
Laila Omid ’16 | Design Team DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Leah Rome-Floyd | Design Team DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Lisa Kunze | Design Team NOTRE DAME PARENT ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP
Marta Carrillo | Design Team ROBOTICS PROGRAM SUPPORT, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Melissa Johnson | Design Team
ARISE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Regina Barhydt | Design Team
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Shahana Sarkar | Steering Committee DEAN OF ACADEMICS, HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
Tony Lecheler | Design Team
MATHEMATICS FACULTY, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship!
Congratulations to the Class of 1976 for celebrating 50 years of a Notre Dame friendship! The “Tiggers” gathered at ND for a tour and reconnected over a memorable lunch. It felt like time hadn’t even passed as they sang their class song!
Alum & Senior Networking Luncheon
Thank you to alums from the 1950's to 2000's for joining us at an annual celebration to welcome the Class of 2026 into the ND alum network! Seniors connected with alums from various careers while sharing “what they need to know for life.” We were filled with excitement to welcome back alum and former faculty member, Imani Tahira Hopkins ’04, for her empowering words about finding your place and learning how to pivot. It was a special event filled with pride, emotion, and inspiration.
ND & Bell Alums
Celebrate 175 th Anniversary!
Alums from Bellarmine College
Preparatory and Notre Dame High School came together for fun, food, and friendship as both schools celebrate their 175th Anniversary! Alums from every decade from the 1950's - 2020’s showed up. Some attendee fun facts:
• 3 married couples (Bell & ND)
• 1 dating couple (Bell & ND)
• 3 multi-generation families (ND mom & Bell son, ND Dad & Bell son)
A special thank you to alum Rina Santoro ’02 for her support and allowing us to celebrate at Jack's!
01 Laura Musso ‘53 Mann
Laura celebrated her 90 th birthday last October surrounded by family and longtime friends at her favorite Italian restaurant. Joining the celebration were her three children, six grandchildren, and six greatgrandchildren, all of whom lovingly call her “Mima”. A true Italian matriarch, Laura is deeply blessed with a large, devoted, and loving family.
02 Roseanna Torretto ‘61
Roseanna Torretto ‘61 was honored as the Sacramento Santa Claran of the Year by the SCU Alumni Association’s Sacramento Community. Roseanna was recognized for her contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the university, as well as involvement with the UC Davis Symphony, League of Women Voters, and other community organizations. She credits her NDSJ math teacher, Sr. Helen Cecilia, SNDdeN, with encouraging her pursuit of higher education in mathematics. This led to a successful career for the State of California.
03 Jacqueline Villena ‘90 Whitaker
Jacqueline vocally directed, Newsies, at Playful People Productions, along with her husband, Brennan. It was codirected by Katie Galiotto ‘00 D’Arcey, who Jacqueline also directed when she played the Baker’s Wife in “Into The Woods at Notre Dame” in 1999 with Jenny Hsia ‘99 as her music director!
04 Dr. Marisa Peña ‘94
Marisa is a middle school assistant principal in East San José. Last year she accomplished two of her most recent goals: defending her dissertation titled "Dual Enrollment and Latino Success in Higher Education" and earning her Ed.D in Educational Leadership at San
Diego State University. She also collaborated with a local elementary school district and Evergreen Valley College to start the first concurrent enrollment program on the East Side where middle school students earn college credit.
05 Asma Ghori ‘98
Graduated with her Masters in Education while also attaining a teaching credential.
06 Trishya Movilla ‘08
Married Geoff Miranda, a Bell grad, in October 2024. She celebrated her wedding alongside many of her ND classmates. In the photo, they are posing as their mascot, Tigers! Her fellow '08 classmates: Caroline Reed, Katrina Sarkissian, Aubree Garlit Solchenberger, Marie Bruno Garcia, Laura Sordello, and Fatima Panes Solis.
07 Cynthia Chaidez ‘06
Bartra
Cynthia is a global e-commerce and digital marketing leader currently serving as Sr. Director of Global E-Commerce at Stüssy. After graduating from Notre Dame High School, she competed in cross country and track at Loyola Marymount University and later earned her master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Cynthia has spent her career in fashion and retail, leading global digital growth, brand strategy, and customer experience initiatives for premium brands.
08 Kendra Glenn ‘13
In November 2025, Kendra finished her 2 nd world major marathon, the New York City marathon.
09 Andrea Arredondo ‘13
Married her college best friend in October 2025! They studied Chemical Engineering together at University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduated in 2013, and started dating in 2022 when he moved to California.
10 Raelynn Caligan ‘17
01
Married Neil Laxamana this past spring in a beautiful winery setting. Raelynn shared the special day with many of her ND friends at her side. 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
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Save the da tes!
FRIDAY, OCT. 23 Notre Dame's Alum Reunion Social
3:30 - 6 p.m. | Pardini Park | 596 S. 2ND STREET, SAN JOSE, CA 95112
Save the date for an opportunity to gather on campus with Notre Dame alums from all class years to celebrate ND's 175th! We will offer a champagne reception complete with appetizers and campus tours. Join alums and former teachers for this fun social event. An RSVP link will be provided in August. Additional information is available at: alums@ndsj.org
SATURDAY, OCT. 24 Notre Dame's 175th Anniversary Gala
5 - 10 p.m. | Hayes Mansion | 200 EDENVALE AVE, SAN JOSE, CA 95136
In celebration of our 175th anniversary, we’re hosting a gala fundraiser at the historic Hayes Mansion in San José to support our students, programs, and mission. Save the date! The evening will feature dinner, drinks, and live music. Ticket information will be available in August. Sponsorship opportunities are available now with detailed information available at: events@ndsj.org
SPRING 2027 Community Celebration - Details coming soon!
To round out our year-long celebration, we’re planning a signature ND event on campus, with fun and festivities for the whole family. Stay tuned for more details and ways to get involved!
