Sacred Heart Magazine | Spring 2026 Issue

REPRESENTATION

In February, SHP’s Black Student Union (BSU) led a Community Life Gathering in honor of Black History Month. Organized and presented by SHP students, the program examined the history and impact of Black representation in the media, highlighting how dominant narratives and counter-narratives shape both public perception and personal identity.

The gathering also included a studentled dance session and a live interview with former WWE superstar and current SHP parent Rycklon Stephens, conducted by his daughter, SHP senior Samora Stephens. Their conversation centered on perseverance, identity, and family— offering personal insight into the themes explored throughout the program.

Third grader Simone and first grader Camila Puetz taught members of the P–8 community the basic steps of Ballet Folklórico, a traditional Mexican dance that blends Indigenous, African, and European influences through vibrant, region-specific costumes, rapid footwork, and choreographed storytelling. The sisters began dancing several years ago to connect more deeply with their Mexican heritage.

Wearing green practice skirts that reflect the size and bold color of traditional regional dresses, they first guided students through foundational steps before demonstrating the full effect of the zapateado, the dance’s rhythmic, percussive footwork.

Dear Sacred Heart Family,

With pride, I introduce to you this latest issue of our Sacred Heart Magazine, which chronicles just some of the outstanding and ongoing work, commitment, and well-earned achievements garnered across the fall and winter months. I hope that you will enjoy learning about these featured students, programs, and various initiatives taking place across our beloved campus.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the tremendous school spirit and generous support you all have shown and continue to demonstrate toward your alma mater As many of you know, earlier this year I announced my intention to conclude my tenure at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton at the end of the 2026–2027 school year—a decision that, while timely both personally and professionally, is made ever more bittersweet because of the strength and soul of this school family.

On my final day next June, I will have had the privilege of serving this Sacred Heart community for a total of 38 years: my first four as dean of students for Sacred Heart Prep (SHP), followed by 14 years as SHP principal, and then the next 20 as Director of Schools. In each successive position, I have been both fairly challenged and generously supported by this deeply vested community. Throughout, I was keenly aware of my fundamental responsibility here—to lead with both heart and mind, deeply rooted in the legacy, mission, and charism of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and always dedicated in the service of our students preschool to grade 12 and in the trust of our families. As such, I sought to firmly anchor my leadership in the Goals and Criteria, allowing them to guide both daily decisions and long-term vision. And, as a result, I am confident and proud I will leave this school in a position of great strength—with an extraordinary and deeply committed faculty and staff, stable and strong enrollment, unparalleled facilities and resources, and an outstanding financial forecast supported by absolutely no institutional debt and a growing, substantial endowment.

Truly, this moment presents an ideal opportunity to welcome new leadership—someone who will bring fresh perspective, new energy, and new innovation, who will build upon the solid foundation that defines our school. I remain extremely grateful for the role I have been able to play in Sacred Heart’s history, and I look forward to watching my successor usher this school into a bright, new era. Until then, I remain fully committed to this work and will serve with the same dedication and care that have guided me throughout my nearly four decades on this campus.

With deep appreciation for this community and confidence in the future of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton,

Richard A. Dioli Director of Schools

EDITOR

ELIZABETH W. NIXON

ASSOCIATE

EDITOR

DANA A.S. RAKOCZY

DESIGN

GINNY WARREN

CLASS NOTES

SHANNON MELINAUSKAS

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHS EDUCATORS

SHS ALUMNI

SHS ARCHIVES

SHS PARENTS

PRINTING

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WE ENCOURAGE ALL COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS AND QUESTIONS; EMAIL SHMAGAZINE@SHSCHOOLS. ORG. PLEASE NOTE, SUBMISSIONS MAY APPEAR IN A FUTURE ISSUE AND MAY BE SHORTENED FOR LENGTH OR CLARITY.

2025–26 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MARNIE MARCIN, CHAIR

SCOTT BAKER

RICHARD A. DIOLI

RENATA DIONELLO

SHALYN EASON

BUNNY FLICK, RSCJ

KRISTINA FRANCE

DAVID GEORGE

SHEILA HAMMOND, RSCJ

FIONA KERNS

LIJA MCBRIDE

MONICA NAYAR

ADRIAN PERICA

SALLY RUDE, RSCJ

PAUL SALLABERRY

ELAINE SHEN

SCOTT SMITHERS

NEVIN SPIEKER, SJS ’90

KIMBERLY SUMME

LISA SWEENEY

NATE TAYLOR

COASTAL CARE

In September, P-8 students and their families participated in California’s annual Coastal Cleanup Day, which is also a longstanding community service tradition at SHS that emphasizes environmental responsibility and civic engagement. Led by P-8 Service Program

Coordinator Kelly Power, students volunteered at two local sites: Seal Point Park and San Francisquito Creek, with approximately 75 volunteers between the two locations.

Over the course of the morning, students collected trash and debris, helping protect local waterways and habitats while gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of human activity on the environment. The Coastal Cleanup aligns with the P-8 Service Program’s goal of connecting classroom learning with real-world action, encouraging students to take responsibility for their communities.

Living the Legacy

Four members of the Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (SHS) community were honored in September with the school’s prestigious St. Madeleine Sophie Award, named after the foundress of Sacred Heart schools globally. They join a distinguished group of past recipients ranging from members of the RSJC to parents, educators, staff, and SHS trustees. Their commitment to the mission of a Sacred Heart education is an inspiration to us all.

The 2025 recipients included (pictured from left to right with SHS Director of Schools Richard Dioli at far right) past parent and past trustee Gary Kirkham, current SHS staff member Carlos Rodriguez, current SHP staff member and past parent Dawn Hemm, and current P-8 faculty member and past parent Chris Kanelopoulos.

Textbook Trailblazer

Sacred Heart Preparatory (SHP) AP Biology teacher Diane Sweeney has been selected as the lead author of the forthcoming Teacher’s Guide to Campbell Biology, 13th Edition, the world’s most widely used college- and AP-level biology textbook.

A veteran educator with 30 years of AP Biology teaching experience and a prior career as a molecular biologist, Sweeney will bring her signature creativity, practical classroom insight, and deep curriculum experience to a resource that will reach educators worldwide. Her contributions will be drawn directly from her own daily practice.

Quantum Kudos

“I’ll be sharing the exact useful activities, labs, and teaching tricks I use with my students,” said Sweeney.

Sweeney is part of a select cohort of AP Biology “movers and shakers,” as she describes it, invited to consult on the new edition slated for publication in summer 2026. Her path to textbook authorship began in the late 1990s, when she received a teaching award at the National Association of Biology Teachers conference. There, renowned biology textbook author Neil Campbell—who had attended many of her workshops—encouraged her to write for Pearson’s Biology: Exploring Life, which marked her first foray into curriculum development.

In the new Teacher’s Guide, Sweeney will highlight the hands-on, memorable approaches for which she is known. From play-acting cellular processes and using choreographed hand motions to teach molecular structures, to baking carbohydrate-rich bread in SHP’s teaching kitchen, her methods reinforce complex concepts through practical, sensory learning.

“I used to call them ‘visual tattoos’—a way of engaging students’ brains in a way they won’t soon forget,” said Sweeney.

For Sweeney, this project marks a meaningful capstone to a long career as an educator. She has written for numerous publications and co-created Author of Life—a series of seven short documentary films along with companion curricula for BioLogos Integrate, a faith and science education program that promotes the view that Christian faith and modern science are compatible.

“I am delighted to share this legacy of my 30 years’ teaching AP Biology with a larger audience.”

NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR INSPIRED PHYSICS TEACHING

SHP Physics teacher Riaz Abdulla has been named a recipient of the 2025 University of Chicago (UChicago) Outstanding Educator Award, which honors exceptional teachers whose influence played a significant role in the lives of students. Abdulla was nominated by Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi (SHP ’25), now a first-year student majoring in molecular engineering at UChicago.

Each year, the university invites newly admitted students to reflect on the educators who shaped them. For Gupta-Rastogi, the choice was clear. He describes the two years he spent in Abdulla’s AP Physics classrooms as transformative and joyful.

“[Abdulla] made physics an enjoyable course, from his humor to the energy and enthusiasm he brought to the classroom. And his problem-solving methods are tools I still use in college today,” Gupta-Rastogi said.

When Abdulla first learned he’d been nominated, “my immediate reaction was, ‘Who, me?’ But then I sat with it and realized—what a gift it is to teach students like Arhaan. And what a blessing to know I played even a small part in their journey.”

Now in his sixth year at SHP and 29th year as an educator, Abdulla grounds his teaching philosophy in the Sacred Heart mission of educating the whole child. He strives to pair rigorous academics with deep personal connection, meeting students where they are—whether they are future engineers or humanities-leaning learners.

“I love the challenge of showing a student— especially one who doesn’t think they’re a ‘STEM kid’—that physics is something they can do,” he said. “I believe that every human being has a natural curiosity about the world around them. My role is to give that curiosity a setting in which it can truly thrive.”

Abdulla emphasizes that the award reflects not just his work, but the collaborative spirit of our campus. “I feel like I’m receiving this on behalf of SHP,” he said. “This is such a special place to teach. Our students are a gift, and every one of my colleagues deserves recognition like this.”

Learning by Design

FROM PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TO CLASSROOM PRACTICE

What does it look like when professional learning becomes classroom practice? At Sacred Heart, a year of collective study around neurodiversity and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has led to tangible shifts in how lessons are designed and how students demonstrate understanding.

“UDL is about maximizing access to first instruction,” said Dr. Diana Neebe, SHP assistant principal of instruction and faculty development. “Rather than assuming students will get what they need later through remediation or tutoring, we asked: ‘How do we ensure more students can meaningfully engage during the class period itself?’”

On both sides of campus, this work took shape through a 2025 spring symposium featuring nationally recognized UDL experts and educator-led breakout sessions. Teachers examined learner variability—not only learning differences, but differences in readiness, background knowledge, interests, and experience—and considered how lesson design, materials, and assessment could be made more flexible without sacrificing rigor.

That philosophy is visible in classrooms across divisions. In the P–8, fifth grade teacher Jesus Lorenzo has incorporated UDL principles into a fiction unit centered on the book Home of the Brave, giving students multiple ways to demonstrate their understanding of the theme. Rather than relying on a single written response, students choose how to express their learning through creative projects.

“Some students create clay sculptures to represent relationships or growth,” Lorenzo said. “One student made a hand forming the love sign to show friendship, while another built a character climbing a ladder to show they’re ‘on top of the world.’ The sculpture becomes a way for students to communicate what they understand about the character and the theme.”

“UDL is about maximizing access to first instruction.”

DR. DIANA NEEBE , SHP ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF INSTRUCTION AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

In SHP humanities classrooms, that shift has reshaped both curriculum and assessment. In Dr. Lisa Harper’s sophomore English class, learning outcomes can take many shapes. “Students are often much sharper verbally than they are on paper,” she said. “They can make profound connections in conversation, but that doesn’t always translate into a traditional essay.”

To address that gap, Harper and her colleagues offer multiple, equally weighted assessments: podcasts, formal writing, and creative modes such as zines, visual projects, and even replicating historic broadsides, poster-like announcements popular from the 15th through 19th centuries. “If a student struggles with one kind of assessment, it doesn’t mean they can’t succeed in the class,” Harper said. “The goal is to assess the skill—close reading, critical thinking, synthesis—not a single mode of expression.”

These approaches are not about lowering expectations. In fact, Harper argues they demand deeper engagement. “You can’t do a good job on these projects without really knowing the text,” she said. “They require students to make choices, take ownership, and put their thinking into the world.”

In all, what unites these classroom strategies is a shared commitment: teaching with the learner in mind, deeper engagement, and more students able to show what they truly know. It’s safe to say that professional development at Sacred Heart isn’t just preached—it’s practiced.

Scholarly Showcase

Good Karma

Leading SHP’s annual bicycle drive, freshman Cruz del Rio partnered with SHP Creative Inquiry teacher and English Department Co-Head Jake Moffat to collect 30 bicycles for riders of all ages. The bikes were donated to Good Karma Bikes, a San Jose–based nonprofit that refurbishes used bicycles for individuals and families in need. Previously led by former development director Jenny (Circle) Cronin (SHP ’95), who passed away in October, Good Karma Bikes stands as part of her enduring legacy of service to the community. Reflecting on that alumni connection, del Rio shared, “Service is such an important part of a Sacred Heart education and tied to our five Goals. It’s important to carry that commitment with you throughout your life, beyond school.”

Each year, a select group of SHP seniors culminate their academic experience through the Senior Honors Independent Study (SHIS), an intensive, yearlong research project driven by student curiosity and sustained scholarly inquiry. Working closely with a faculty mentor and a sponsoring department, SHIS scholars pursue original research in a discipline of their choice, developing questions, methodologies, and conclusions that reflect both intellectual rigor and personal passion.

This fall, SHP reimagined how those projects were shared with the community. Rather than hosting individual presentations across multiple rooms and days, the SHIS program debuted a new fair-style format—an intentional shift prompted by both growth and a desire for greater accessibility. According to SHIS Program Coordinator Jesús Ramos, the number of students completing SHIS has nearly doubled, rising from 12 last fall to 23 this fall.

“With so many more students completing SHIS, we wanted to create an experience that was visible for everyone,” Ramos said. “The fair allowed scholars to share highlights of their individual projects in an event that was more equitable, inviting the larger SHS community, including students, educators, family, and friends.”

The result was an energetic academic environment that encouraged exploration and conversation. Attendees were able to move freely from project to project, hearing from far more students than would have been possible in the previous format. The space reflected a palpable sense of pride and accomplishment, and was a perfect reflection of Sacred Heart’s Goal II, “a deep respect for intellectual values.” Learn more in the interview with Jesús Ramos at the QR code above.

In December, fourth grade classrooms transformed into living museums, blending social studies with self-discovery. As part of the curriculum, students curated personal “artifact museums” at their desks, each carefully selecting three meaningful items: one symbolizing how they live their lives, one of deep personal significance, and one they created themselves. The project invited students to explore history through a personal lens—examining how objects can tell stories about identity, values, and experiences. After preparing written reflections and practicing public speaking, students participated in a gallery walk, reading about and discussing one another’s artifacts. The result was more than an academic exercise. It was a celebration of individuality, creativity, and connection—an opportunity for students to learn not only about history, but about each other.

Buddies Beyond Years

In the November episode of Mission & Meaning Minute, we explore the transformative power of the first and eighth grade Buddy Program— a cornerstone of the Sacred Heart experience that fosters mentorship and confidence.

Mission & Meaning Minute is a short-form video series highlighting educators from the Sacred Heart community as they share campus stories rooted in humility, simplicity, and joy. Program leaders Sarah Coogan, P-8 assistant principal of student life, and Kirt Peterson, P-8 dean of community life, offer an inside look at how this beloved tradition builds connections that last well beyond a single school year.

Coogan and Peterson discuss how students live out the Goals and Criteria daily through this program, illustrating what it truly means to be a “child of the Sacred Heart.” It is a moving look at growth, leadership, and the joy of reunion.

Watch now at the QR code above to experience the warmth and meaning of this special Sacred Heart tradition.

Tic-Tac-Toe

Talk

The Stevens Library welcomed children’s author Kimberly Tso in September for an engaging author visit—the first of the school year for first and second graders. Tso spoke enthusiastically about her picture book Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken, a vibrant story inspired by a real chicken that learned to play tic-tac-toe in a Chinatown arcade in New York City, blending imagination with an authentic tale of perseverance and ingenuity.

Meeting a real author brings books off the page and makes the writing process tangible and exciting for young students. Author visits also spark curiosity, boost vocabulary and listening skills, and encourage students to see themselves as budding authors with stories of their own to tell.

GIVING TREE

The Uganda Giving Tree at the SHS Holiday Boutique raised $16,000, benefiting at least 21 students with a secured year of study at one of the RSCJ residential schools for girls in Uganda—Sacred Heart Primary or Kalunga Senior Secondary. Sacred Heart has worked in tandem with Sr. Irene Cullen, herself a ’57 graduate of our school, since 2000. The initiative is spearheaded on campus during the holiday season by SHP students who are members of the Society of the Sacred Heart, a group led by SHP Latin teacher William Bonnell; the program helps students form meaningful relationships with the RSCJ living on campus during their senior year.

Driving Diplomacy

From the first handshake to the final vote, Sacred Heart students taking part in our middle and high school Model United Nations programs are learning how the world works. As delegates, researchers, and ultimately spokespersons for their assigned country and issue of interest, these students are ultimately gaining invaluable life skills—in public speaking, in strategy development, and in negotiation and compromise.

Nearly all brand new to the global game, participants in faculty moderator Nicole Rehberg’s eighth grade “Gov Team” elective truly start from scratch. Auditioning to secure a spot, then diving in from day one, the students learn the UN’s history, practice debate, and build confidence in an environment that intentionally emphasizes teamwork and peer support. Committee roles are matched to interests and critical analysis and research skills deepen, but overall, it’s the growth and camaraderie that’s really celebrated, said Rehberg.

Led by faculty moderator Daniel Allari, the SHP program intensifies conference preparation, guiding delegates to elevate their work into real-world diplomacy.

Delegates build skills progressively: novices focus on fundamentals, while veterans advance negotiation, strategy, and leadership skills. Roles are assigned strategically, practice is rigorous, and post-conference debriefs emphasize both successes and opportunities to grow. Not surprising, therefore, the high school program consistently returns from conferences with awards and recognition for individual delegates, and remains one of the most popular “club” options, year over year.

But accolades aside, said Allari, the end game is much, much greater than just these competitive opportunities. “What is really most gratifying, is watching these delegates grow as people.”

Rehberg, who revived the middle school program this year after a five-year hiatus, agreed, “Seeing students gain confidence, take leadership, fully immerse themselves, and then years later talk about how much the experience meant to them… there’s no better feeling in the world as a teacher—and it reminds me that the hard work we all do together is well worth it.”

Seasonal Semester

As always, the fall semester on the SHS campus was chock-full of seasonal, annual traditions: harvest-time in the olive grove (1); the annual turkey drive (2); Halloween parades (3); end-of-year performing and visual arts shows (4); tree-lighting and carol singalong (5); gingerbread-house building at Oakwood with the RSCJ (6);

Latin class caroling (7); Hanukkah cultural presentations (8); and K-8 Immaculate Conception/Advent Mass with a special Our Lady of Guadalupe procession featuring a mariachi band (9). See much more in our videos from the season at the QR codes above.

Prep AI Seminar Launches

TECHNOLOGY IN SERVICE OF AUTHENTIC LEARNING

SHP students and educators are navigating a significant educational shift brought on by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). What began last year as a focus on protecting academic integrity at the high school has expanded into a question of how SHP can approach AI in ways that strengthen its core values—authentic learning, intellectual honesty, equity, and human-centered teaching.

To create a sandbox space for this inquiry, Dr. Diana Neebe, assistant principal for instruction and faculty development, and longtime English teacher and department co-chair Jake Moffat launched the AI Seminar—an open invitation for students and faculty to study, question, and co-design the future of teaching and learning with AI. They expected a handful of curious students. Instead, 40 showed up on the first day.

What made the Seminar take off, Moffat said, was modeling transparent, judgment-free dialogue. When students hesitated to share how they were actually using AI, he emphasized that openness—not compliance—was the point. “You have to be honest, or this doesn’t work,” he told them. “And the floodgates opened.”

For junior Audrey Rockwood, the collaborative, intergenerational conversations during the weekly Y-period meetings have helped her better understand the complexities of AI use.

“Hearing teachers talk about how they navigate AI—especially when they’re dealing with determining when to use AI themselves, such as with letters of recommendation, or when they’re trying to catch students’ misuse—was eye-opening,” she said. “It made me realize that they’re figuring this out just like we are.”

SHP junior Scarlet O’Brien added that the unique student-teacher dynamic allows the group to reach thoughtful conclusions about usage, access, and inclusion, and ways AI can remove barriers for students who need support; she herself has a reading comprehension disorder and noted that AI has “become a great equalizer.”

“AI helps me find themes in texts that I wasn’t able to catch myself,

especially when a tutor isn’t available,” O’Brien said.

The Seminar has also provided space for students to reflect on broader, societal implications of AI. SHP junior Sofia Marinucci said she worries about her generation’s growing dependence on the tool.

“If teenagers use AI as a shortcut, what does that mean for our future?” she said. “We risk growing up without the motivation or skills to think for ourselves. And now some people are even replacing real-life relationships with AI—our social skills could slowly become worse. Human connection is what makes us human. If those relationships aren’t happening in real life, that really concerns me.”

The work of the AI Seminar is already shaping next steps. Based on insights from these conversations, the school is revising a proposal for Community Use Guidelines around AI, which educators and students have been reviewing this spring. The March Prep Spring Symposium, an annual professional learning day for educators, featured students from the AI Seminar as co-presenters and co-facilitators, helping guide conversations around responsible AI use.

The school is also planning its first-ever AI Hackathon on Saturday, April 18, bringing teams of students and educators together to tackle real classroom challenges. After spending the fall semester tackling what the community values, Neebe sees the Symposium and Hackathon as opportunities for deep exploration of how to use AI ethically and responsibly.

For Neebe and Moffat, the goal of the Seminar isn’t an airtight policy—it’s a renewal of the school’s founding mission in light of a changing learning landscape. As Neebe puts it, “We’re committed to a bold and hopeful education,” much like the principles under which Sacred Heart schools were originally established by St. Madeleine Sophie. “That ethos of how we approach our education doesn’t change just because there’s a new bot in town and an algorithm that can do all your homework. It just means we have more to think about, together.”

STANFORD GRANT

Selected from over 300 global applications, SHP won a Create+AI grant from the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and Google. org. Partnering with Stanford’s computer science department, whose team is coding and designing a new AI tool to augment teaching, SHP will use its shared funding to support AI-specific curriculum grants. Aligning with the AI Seminar’s core values, this empowers our educators to thoughtfully explore how technology can support student thinking, while recognizing when to abstain.

Bright Idea

Fourth graders in Lower School Science teacher Mariette Bacon’s class have been lighting things up—literally. As they explored electricity and circuits this winter, students tested series and parallel circuits to determine the best design for string lights.

“We’re working together to make a series circuit with our tablemates,” said fourthgrader Brooke Wang. “I really enjoy these projects because I like to build things.”

The hands-on learning didn’t stop in the science lab. Students carried their circuit knowledge into P–8 Creativity Hub teacher Matt Olsen’s class, where they connected LED lights with copper tape to create lightup thank-you cards.

“We have to get our circuit right or else it won’t work,” Wang said. “If there’s a problem in Hub, then I know how to fix it because I learned it in science”—a bright example of multidisciplinary learning in action.

Language Takes Flight

In Spanish II Honors with SHP World Languages teacher Jennifer Cheung, students wrapped up the fall semester with a creative and immersive final project: designing a 36-hour trip to either Cuba or Argentina. Modeled after The New York Times’ popular “36 Hours” travel series, the assignment challenged students to highlight geography, weather, significant historical events tied to the Cold War, and ways travelers can experience local culture responsibly and authentically. As part of the project, students also sampled Cuban and Argentine foods prepared by Cheung to deepen their cultural understanding.

For sophomore Carlo Chisari, the hands-on elements made the learning especially meaningful. “We read about the different foods, but you don’t really get a sense of it until you can taste it,” he said. When he tried the traditional Argentine drink, mate, the culture was brought to life.

Chisari also noted that visual and physical feedback are integral to his learning style. “Actually being able to do something physically —tasting it, so we’re not just talking about it in class—makes it stick better in my brain. It’s so beneficial for me.”

On Theme

Sixth graders brought literary analysis off the page and into three dimensions with House of Themes, a pop-up museum project that blended English and Art in a creative, student-led way. Inspired by immersive pop-up museums that have been trending in recent years, the project prompted students to explore themes through hands-on visual and experiential expression.

Each student began by identifying the central theme of a short story using textual evidence. Once their interpretation was confirmed, students shifted into “artist mode”—designing an original piece of artwork to represent that theme. The resulting pop-up museum showed each students’ imaginative and personal interpretation of

literature, from paintings and sculptures to dioramas and videos— even a choreographed horse routine was captured on film.

Students then wrote a clear, thoughtful artists’ statement that challenged them to connect their creative choices back to the text. Through reflection and revision, students strengthened both their analytical writing and ability to communicate meaning across disciplines.

The completed classroom museum was organized into four themed “rooms”: self-acceptance, perseverance, family and friend support, and reaching your dreams. Interactive elements woven throughout the space invited visitors to reflect and connect, helping strengthen community and build peer rapport.

“[This]

pop-up museum showcased each students’ imaginative and personal interpretation of literature.”

GINA METER , SIXTH GRADE ENGLISH TEACHER

Said & Read

FROM THE SUBSTANTIVE TO THE SUBLIME, WE SHARE A LITTLE INSIGHT, WISDOM, AND PERSPECTIVE FROM VARIOUS MEMBERS OF OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY, AS RECORDED DURING THIS 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR. SPECIAL THANKS TO STUDENT NEWSPAPER, THE HEARTBEAT , FOR ITS EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF ACTIVITIES AND INTERVIEWS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

She was a force of nature, a path-breaker… earned a law degree [at 49] so she could better advocate for the undocumented and educate us all around human trafficking. Her passionate voice is already sorely missed.

—SHP PRINCIPAL JENNIE WHITCOMB, HONORS THE PASSING OF BELOVED RSCJ COMMUNITY MEMBER SR. FRAN TOBIN IN JANUARY.

God helped me open my heart to hear His voice. But I needed to be open to receiving it… to be quiet, to listen… to really open my eyes to see what God wanted me to see. I think that is where healing begins. Even in the upside-down moments in our lives, we can find beauty if we take the time to notice.

DIANE SWEENEY, SHP SCIENCE TEACHER, DELIVERS A STORY OF INSPIRATION AS SHE LEADS DECEMBER’S TRADITIONAL ADVENT REFLECTION IN THE MAIN BUILDING CHAPEL.

[She] has helped me grow in literally every way possible…[and] spent a lot of time with me. Being a part of Sacred Heart water polo was a blessing, but having her come in was the cherry on top.

—EARNING THE DAILY JOURNAL’S GIRLS’ WATER POLO PLAYER OF THE YEAR, GOALIE ELLISON BRUSH (SHP ’26) GIVES CREDIT TO TEAM COACH ADRIANNA REED (SHP ’07), A FORMER GATOR AND STAR COLLEGIATE PLAYER HERSELF.

Ultimately, [this]

is a meditation on

survival… elevat[ing] quiet lives into acts of defiance.

—REVIEWING RUTH–KATE RILEY’S DEBUT NOVEL–HEARTBEAT ARTS EDITOR SOPHIA KAUSHIK (SHP ’27) BREAKS DOWN THE AUTHOR’S UNDERLYING THEME.

Using the power of our voices, and the power we have being able to stay informed is really important…and the best thing we can do as a community.

SLOANE SMITH (SHP ’27), A LEADER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL’S MENA (MIDDLE EASTERN NORTH AFRICAN) AFFINITY GROUP, OFFERS SAGE AND TIMELY ADVICE REGARDING THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN GAZA.

Being a teenager is a direct subscription for succumbing to future nostalgia.

—IN “SHATTERING THE TEENAGE FANTASY” (HEARTBEAT OP-ED, DECEMBER 9, 2025) WRITER ANNA LEE (SHP ’27) EXPLORES THE IMPACT AND INFLUENCE OF 80s TEEN FILMS THAT ROMANTICIZE/ GLAMORIZE THE CONCEPT OF “LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE” FREE FROM CONSEQUENCE—AND REALITY.

Our task is to lay deep and lasting foundations, so that each child may grow in self-knowledge and in purpose. And when they step beyond our immediate care, the framework we have built will still guide and steady them as they reach for all that lies ahead.

—P-8 PRINCIPAL FRANCESCA BRAKE ARTICULATES THE MARRIAGE OF OUR EDUCATORS’ MISSION AND THE MANDATE OF MOTHER JANET ERSKINE STUART—WHOSE WORDS GUIDE US FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR—IN HER BACK-TOSCHOOL REMARKS TO FAMILIES.

You have to cultivate the imagination if you want to see a better world.

CRISTINA

FRIES, (SHP ’07), ENGLISH TEACHER AND FACULTY MODERATOR FOR STUDENT PUBLICATION PALM, CHAMPIONS THE VALUE OF CREATIVE WRITING IN A STUDENT’S ONGOING TECHNICAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, EXPANSION OF PERSPECTIVE, AND EXPLORATION OF PERSONAL VOICE.

Cinema has always been more than entertainment. It’s really a language itself, and one that crosses borders before we ever do.

—IN HER SENIOR HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY (SHIS) PRESENTATION, “FILM AS A CATALYST FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP,” THALIA CHEUNG (SHP ’26) REFLECTS ON THE POWER OF THE MEDIUM AND ITS MANY TECHNICAL ASPECTS, ALL OF WHICH BLEND TO BUILD HUMAN EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING, AND CONNECTION ACROSS A MULTITUDE OF DIVIDES. TO READ MORE ABOUT THE SHIS PROGRAM, PLEASE SEE PAGE 9.

He gives students an idea that it’s possible to be part of today’s culture and take their spiritual life seriously.

—RSCJ AND FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SR. ANN MCGOWAN, ON THIS FALL’S CANONIZATION OF 15-YEAR-OLD CARLOS ACUTIS—THE FIRST MILLENNIAL TO BE NAMED A SAINT, DUBBED “PATRON OF THE INTERNET.”

For many members of our cast, the themes of “Anon(ymous)” are not a mere performance, but reflections of the lived burden and systematic uncertainties carried daily.

SHINAE STAMOS (SHP ’27) AND MONSE AVALOS FRANCO (SHP ’26), STUDENT DIRECTORS OF THE SHP WINTER ONE ACT, “ANON(YMOUS)” ANON(YMOUS) SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVE IN THE PRODUCTION’S “DIRECTORS’ NOTE.” TO READ MORE ABOUT ANON(YMOUS), PLEASE SEE PAGE 20.

ARTS

A “CRAZY” SUCCESS!

The fourth through eighth grade fall musical, “Crazy for You,” featured a talented and impressive ensemble of 37 cast members and 17 dedicated stage crew who brought to life a high-energy production with themes of romance, mistaken identity, and love of theater.

Filled with Gershwin classics and spectacular choreography, the young thespians proved that with teamwork and heart, the show always goes on.

A Modern Odyssey

HOMER’S EPIC REIMAGINED IN TODAY’S IMMIGRATION LANDSCAPE

SHP’s Winter One Act, “Anon(ymous),” brought myth and modern reality into sharp focus, offering audiences a powerful exploration of immigration, displacement, and resilience, shaped through student-led storytelling and artistic choices.

Directed by Monse Avalos Franco (SHP ’26) and Shinae Stamos (SHP ’27), the production reimagines Homer’s Odyssey in the perspective of a young refugee navigating America today. The production featured a cast of 20, a student crew of 15, and original music composed by Maira Srivastava (SHP ’28).

Producer and SHP Drama teacher Jeff Adams noted how the play’s relevance intensified over time because of the current cultural milieu. “With news of displacement

and a culture of fear in daily headlines across America, this project felt even more important. The purpose of student leadership in the arts is to find a voice that not only impacts our community but promotes a ‘social awareness which impels to action,’” he said, invoking Goal III of the school.

Avalos Franco echoed the intentionality that went into the production.

“For many members of our cast, the themes of ‘Anon(ymous)’ are not a mere performance, but reflections of the lived burden and systematic uncertainties carried daily,” she said. “We chose this story because it honors the ongoing struggles of students and families in our community, voicing their experiences with the dignity they deserve

and telling their stories with love.”

The production team worked to ensure authenticity and care throughout the process.

“These are real experiences, so we need to put ourselves in the shoes of our characters,” Stamos said. “We’re embodying them and giving them a voice. Even though the story has mythical elements, it’s really based in fact, and it’s heartbreaking.”

Stamos hopes audiences left with both awareness and resolve. “I hope they felt a reality check,” she said, “and felt empowered to make a change.”

Drawn to Detail

Fifth-grade artists delved into a hands-on exploration of texture, observation, and self-expression this fall, grounding their learning in studies of nature, from rough bark to smooth stone. The project progressed into sculptural paper creations, and then into designs of their own hands, drawing on inspiration from Oakland-based artist, Rupy C. Tut, a renowned painter whose work is rooted in intricate pattern and detail.

Echoing Tut’s techniques, students traced their own hands, filling each finger with a different natural texture to explore the sense of touch. The project connected to the earliest known drawings— hand outlines found in Spain’s Cantabria caves more than 40,000 years ago—which are considered some of the first self-portraits.

“Texture gives students a powerful way to connect their bodies, their senses, and their stories to the art they create,” said Lower School Art teacher Ciara Bedingfield. “It helps them understand that art has always been a way for people to express who they are and how they experience the world.”

To deepen that connection, students read Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem “10 Love Letters to the Earth” and composed their own haikus, pairing texture with personal reflections on nature and belonging.

by Mannie Yao (SHS

’33)

“Every time I step upon the Earth, I will train myself to see that I am walking on you, my Mother. Every time I place my feet on the Earth, I have a chance to be in touch with you and with all your wonders. With every step I can touch the fact that you aren’t just beneath me, dear Mother, but you are also within me.”

THICH NHAT HANH , “10 LOVE LETTERS TO THE EARTH”

Penguin Parade

Each year, kindergarteners at SHS embark on an exciting “trip” to Antarctica as part of their global studies curriculum. Building on what they first learn about the continent in preschool, students dive deeper into the icy landscape and discover the seven species of penguins that live or breed along Antarctica’s coast. A beloved tradition of the unit is creating life-size paintings of these remarkable birds. Each student carefully traces and paints an Antarctic penguin—many completing several species—bringing the classroom to life with a colony of colorful, towering creations. Through art and research, students strengthen their understanding of geography, wildlife, and global connections, all while expressing creativity. The result is both an impressive visual display and a joyful celebration of learning that has become a cherished highlight of the kindergarten year.

Self-Portrait

Marie Peng (SHP ’27) turned the camera inward for her self-portraiture collage exploring how beauty is shaped, inherited, and performed across generations of Asian womanhood. For Peng, the guiding question as part of the in-depth, sustained inquiry AP Photography project asked, “How is beauty shaped by inheritance, performance, and self-expression—especially across generations of Asian womanhood?”

Drawing from family archives, memory, and material history, Peng’s piece examines womanhood as something simultaneously nurturing and haunting. Through distortion, layering, and reimagined family imagery, her self-portraits explore what it means to inherit ideals of beauty—and what it takes to question them. “What parts of me are truly mine,” she asks, “and which were passed down, constructed, or quietly imposed?”

Over the course of her inquiry, Peng experimented with a vintage Holga camera, double exposures, slow shutter techniques, digital collage, and image transfers. She rephotographed childhood images, mined her mother’s photo archives, and incorporated scanned textures, floral drawings, lace, mirrors, vintage magazines, and found imagery to build a rich, symbolic composition. The piece was exhibited in last year’s SHP Visual Arts Show.

Breaking the Mold

SENIOR’S SUSTAINED INQUIRY MERGES ART AND SCIENCE

For SHP senior Charlotte Weber, art and science are not opposing disciplines—they can be deeply complementary. In AP 3D Art & Design, Weber has channeled her passion for biology into a striking ceramic bust that explores human mortality through the lens of nature’s cycles of life, death, and renewal.

The sculpture, part of her AP sustained investigation, “takes the form of a classical bust—an artistic tradition historically tied to permanence, honor, and preservation… it refers to humanity’s attempt to resist decay and memorialize the body,” Weber said.

However, her piece intentionally gives another layer of meaning to those notions—the figure appears submerged and eroded, as if it has rested underwater for years, while plant and marine life come alive on its surface. “The body becomes a structure for new ecosystems,” Weber explained, “transforming death into a site of creation rather than erasure.”

Made entirely by hand using a coil-building technique, the sculpture pushed Weber technically as an artist, requiring careful study of facial structure and proportions through reference books and videos. After several class periods refining the bust’s features, Weber ultimately

chose closed eyes, giving the piece a sense of stillness and surrender. “It definitely stretched my skill set,” she said. “I wanted to try something bigger and more detailed than anything I’d done before.”

Once fired, the sculpture will be finished with layered glaze washes applied like watercolor, creating murky, grimy tones that suggest algae, dirt, and time. In contrast, the organic growth covering the figure will be painted with more vibrant color, real gold, and mother-of-pearl accents, emphasizing the emerging life.

Although Weber’s primary academic interest is biology—and she hopes to one day become a plastic surgeon—ceramics has become an unexpected complement to her scientific goals. She credits the class with strengthening her precision, patience, and problemsolving skills. “I can really see how ceramics would be helpful,” she said. “It connects art, anatomy, and structure in a very real way.”

Through this ambitious work, Weber shows how creative exploration can deepen scientific curiosity—and how art can reveal the beauty embedded in the complex processes of life. Be sure to visit the upcoming May SHP Visual Arts Show to see Weber’s work on exhibit.

In the fall, SHP debuted its first public ceramics exhibit at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in San Carlos, showcasing work by talented AP students. Ceramics teacher Margaret Haden said the show gave students a rare platform beyond campus, drawing constant public praise and inspiring pride. For many, the experience was an eye-opening step toward the possibility of creative pursuits in college and beyond.

Keeping the Beat

Over the past decade, SHP’s dance troupe, PULSE, has transformed from a standard dance team into a dynamic, year-round program. Under the guidance of SHP Dance teacher Monte Montenegro, PULSE has found its groove, creating an inclusive space for beginners while rigorously challenging advanced performers who want to push beyond their comfort zone.

The team’s schedule is purposefully designed to maximize both school spirit and competitive growth. During the fall season, a group of approximately 35 dancers work together to infuse joy and energy into athletic events, prep previews, and open houses through engaging “game day” or celebratory performances. In the spring, the focus shifts to a specialized competitive season. A dedicated group of about 15 dancers tackles more complex choreography, entering competitions that value true artistry and expressive movement.

For the dancers, competing isn’t just about the trophies; it’s a profound exercise in mental resilience. “It’s not about striving for first or striving for perfection,” said Montenegro. “It’s about being better than you were the day before.” As the season unfolds, dancers’ stage presence grows as all traces of hesitation fall away, allowing artistic personas to flourish.

Student agency is also foundational for the troupe, with senior captains and junior lieutenants taking on administrative roles, from managing schedules to coordinating team communications. These added responsibilities foster a deeply connected, family-like community among the members. Ultimately, PULSE teaches students that being multifaceted is a possibility. By bringing in professional choreographers—such as a university dance coach who doubles as a Stanford science researcher—Montenegro shows students that they can pursue rigorous academic careers without ever leaving their passion for dance behind.

And that passion was on full display at the March Inferno Dance Competition in Pittsburg, California. In an unexpected surprise, one of PULSE’s routines took home a special judges’ award for “main character energy”—a fitting recognition for an undeniably charismatic team.

Sisterhood Through Sound

It started with a bold idea during the summer before freshman year. Ka’ililau “Kai” Bell, armed with just six months of guitar practice, decided she wanted to form a rock band. She connected with Sadie Harmssen, who took up the drums, and soon they found a perfect guitar player and bassist in Sloane Smith, and vocals performed by Shinae Stamos. Later, a dedicated friend Reika “Rei” Hatoyama seamlessly transitioned from “original groupie” to phenomenal bassist. Today, the high school juniors make up SHP’s premier all-girls rock band: Bell & the Peppers.

The band’s quirky name was an early brainstorm—Kai is “Bell” (often dressing in black and white), while her bandmates are the “Peppers,” each sporting a signature pepper color on stage—red, green, yellow, and orange. What began as a group of beginners teasing out simple Weezer riffs has blossomed into a tight-knit cadre of friends. Between organizing 20- to 45-minute sets for festivals like PV Palooza in Portola Valley or the perennial campus favorite, the James B. Everitt SHS Chili Cook-Off, and attending heavy metal festivals like Aftershock together, the band has become an unmatched source of belonging for its members.

For Bell & the Peppers, performing together is as much about playing good rock music as it is about claiming space. Rock has historically been a male-dominated genre, and the girls frequently notice the lack of female representation. “When we go to concerts and see a female bassist or drummer, we freak out,” they shared. Realizing that women are often pushed into niche subcategories rather than being recognized simply as rock musicians, they decided to break those barriers themselves. Being an all-girls band is “an empowering statement,” they note. Ultimately, they hope to inspire younger girls

across campus to pick up drumsticks and guitars of their own. Their journey hasn’t been a solo effort. With the unwavering mentorship of SHP Music teacher Stef Dubrowski, the band has transformed from individuals playing separate parts into one cohesive, powerful sound. Whether they are dropping hard-hitting 2000s female-angst covers or planning a massive solo concert for their senior year, their dedication is undeniable.

Heritage and Harmony

At first glance, Wilson Tan, Bellamy Ward, Preston Finato, and John Vincent might look like any other group of third graders. But in a rehearsal room, they transform into the Cheesy Checkers, a student band gracing stages across campus since last school year, all while discovering what it means to be true allies. Through music, these four friends are exploring the power of belonging and celebrating the rich heritages that make each of them unique.

“We got the idea to start the band because I like to play guitar,” said Tan, who first linked up with Ward (on vocals) to form the group. After tackling The White Stripes’ song, “Seven Nation Army,” they realized Vincent’s voice was a perfect fit, and Finato joined shortly thereafter on percussion.

They soon found a great outlet for expression as a band through cultural sharing. After debuting at the Lower School Talent Show last year, the band proudly took the stage at last May’s school-wide Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival, celebrating Tan’s Chinese and Vincent’s Indian heritages and standing together as allies.

This past month, they honored Ward’s Irish heritage at the K-8 Cultural Assembly, performing “Dreams” by The Cranberries. They have plans to mark Finato’s Italian roots at a future cultural celebration.

For the band members, music is a bridge to understanding. “We learn about each other. We learn about our heritage. We learn about our past,” Ward said. “Like how I learned Wilson was the only one in his family who was born in America.”

Vincent reflects on the personal impact of their performances. “We’re able to be with each other, and not only learn new songs and lyrics, but learn about each other, too,” he said.

The band also credits weekly classes with Lower School Music teacher Kimberly Lostetter for helping them hone their craft, from vocal warmups to understanding rhythms.

Through rehearsals, overcoming stage fright, and proudly celebrating heritage, these third graders have forged a lasting friendship.

“The band has grown and we’ve bonded,” Ward said. “There’s like this fierce thing we have together and nothing can pull us apart.”

As for what comes next, Finato has big plans. “For the future, I think we’re going to make more music and play more music at different places, not just at school,” he said.

The Many Forms of ‘Sacred Art’

by AJ O’Donnell-Fernando (SHP ’27)

Walking into a cathedral means more than just entering a building of worship—it is to revel in centuries of human devotion, sacrifice, and appreciation, an architectural testament to the monumental patience it takes to create something truly grand, in both stature and significance.

The first cathedrals date back to the fourth century, appearing across Europe, most notably throughout Italy, Spain, and North Africa. The strikingly distinct Gothic style we associate with them, however, did not emerge until the mid-12th to 16th-

the best way we can understand—through the beauty and act of creation, in this case, through artistic craftsmanship, and for attendees, their reflective qualities and broader symbolism.

While many people may not think to dedicate their summer travels to seeing cathedrals, AP Literature and Latin teacher William Bonnell did exactly that, visiting 19 Anglican cathedrals in England in the span of four weeks.

“If you go inside a Gothic church, there’s a sense of a contained infinitude that is vast,

emphasized the importance of music in creating a harmonious and reflective space.

“In the Middle Ages, the monks worshiped in choir that was facing each other, and the acoustics were such that they could hear one another. So it is the architecture [that] enhances the worship, makes it contained and gives you that fullness of sound, [and] in the aisles, created spaced for processions. It’s the church in movement—with color, banners, prayers, and singing.”

Cathedrals are built to amplify sound and voice, shaping what Bonnell described as a

centuries in France, later splitting off into a multitude of new stylistic variations before the Church chose to adapt a more simplistic design during the rise of the Renaissance.

Cathedrals remain some of the most long-standing and socially recognizable displays of religious art and expression today. They not only represent generations of Christian history and culture, reflected in their complex physical structures and addons, but also reveal humanity’s timeless desire to authentically connect with God in

but there is a kind of comforting limit to this vastness,” Bonnell explained.

Designed to emphasize open space and light, in addition to the trademark pointed arches and elaborate, tangling tracery, they are “awe-inspiring without being overwhelming. And that is the beauty of the verticality of the Gothic style. So it has that emotional, spiritual impact.”

The architecture is intentional, designed in relationship to the people within it. Often attending Mass three times a day, Bonnell

shared acknowledgment among worshippers that “in itself gives life to the worship.”

Yet cathedrals, as traditional forms of religious art, are not part of most people’s daily lives. If one is looking to find this same experience in modern religious art, how might it be located in everyday settings, or is it simply a thing of the past?

One lesser-known institution, Saint Louis University’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA), wishes to serve as an outlet for its community members and as

the answer to this very question. MOCRA, founded in 1993, describes itself on Saint Louis University’s website as “the first museum in the world dedicated to exploring the religious and spiritual dimensions of contemporary art” and holds 230 artists’ work from diverse worldscopes and backgrounds, including abstract paintings, sculptures, photography, and big-scale mixed media pieces.

As beneficial as this seems for fostering active conversation, it has never received much attention, mainly attracting already on-campus students with insider knowledge. For this reason, along with budgeting issues, MOCRA is unfortunately set to close in May 2026, one less available source for a fading art focus. Art mimics life, and this closing exemplifies just that: art’s need to keep up with American society’s shifting values in order to maintain relevancy in the public eye.

In 1999, Pope John Paul II published his series of writings “Letters to Artists,” in which he states in part four, titled “The artist and the common good,” that “society needs artists, just as it needs scientists, technicians, workers, professional people, witnesses of the faith, teachers, fathers and mothers, who ensure the growth of the person and the development of the community by means of that supreme art form which is ‘the art of education.’” John Paul II confirms the value in creation, regardless of whether one

identifies as explicitly Christian, in order to live out our intended purpose, as well as bring about positive change.

At the Prep, religious art has seamlessly been integrated into our campus buildings and school environment, so naturally that they can sometimes go unnoticed. Take for example our two murals—“La Virgen de Guadalupe” in Homer Center from 2016 in addition to the more recent painted wall in the Campbell basement—painted by Fabian Debora, a Chicano artist who found new purpose at Fr. Greg Boyle’s Homeboy Industries, most notably using his art for what he recognized as an educational and “transformative tool” of “personal growth and social change.”

Like the great cathedrals, art—whatever its form—tells a story shaped by the unique perspective of its creator and the themes they choose to explore. In this case, it reflects the diversity of religious understanding and teachings across cultures. As Pope John Paul II observed, art will always hold an essential place in the world for its power to inspire reflection, celebrate our passions and talents, and deepen our capacity to learn.

SHP’s new Studio Art teacher, Brendon Metcalf, expands on this idea from both his religious and artistic perspectives. “Before this, I taught at a private Catholic school in San Francisco,” he recalled. “I think it would

be beneficial if religion was reintroduced into [mainstream art media]. I still think there are elements of religion in art, but predominantly, I would say art nowadays is very commercial.” Which isn’t always a negative thing, he clarified.

Especially in today’s economy, as an artist based in San Francisco, one does what they need to in order to survive and make a living. But bringing Christian theology into his teaching philosophy is important, Metcalf believes, to communicate that everybody, in their work and ideas, has value and potential to harness. In a time where artists “constantly have to just put out more and more and more” for the sake of quickness and consistency over meaningful creations as well as with the advancements of AI, we can use these religious values and mindset “to go back to appreciating the beauty of human-made items, [and] help to find what methods work for others through example.”

So, while it may be hard to discover concrete pieces of religious art today, we can still bring a similar mindset to our everyday lives by encouraging artists to be faithful and confident in their own purpose— whether that be found through the gift of contemplating medieval cathedrals firsthand, or simply stopping to reflect on a painted mural on a busy city street.

Wright Lines

In Digital Art & Design, SHP students explored the timeless linework of Frank Llyod Wright’s stained glass designs, then transformed the reference piece into an original artwork. Starting in black and white on a blank canvas in Photoshop, the assignment emphasized originality, close observation, and how to draw inspiration without imitation.

Visual Arts teacher Moshe Quinn carefully scaffolded the steps to help students internalize the reference work rather than copy. “After choosing a specific black and white stained glass drawing, they grabbed some cues, noticed the details they were interested in, and then set the reference aside,” Quinn said.

By alternating between studying their source and turning to their digital canvas, students were able to translate a source of inspiration into something entirely original.

Once the stained glass line work was complete, students turned toward researching color palettes—everything from retro tones to specific artist studies—to inform the colorization of their piece.

One standout artwork was created by sophomore Mia Alvarado, in what was her first art class ever at SHP. Quinn described her piece as “just a stunner… it has that wow factor. You can get lost in it.”

For Alvarado, the project marked both a technical and personal milestone. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone, learning new design skills and being able to explore using contrasting colors that still work really well together”—a lesson she intends to apply in future artwork she creates. Alvarado calls her first foray into the fine arts at SHP “a really good choice.”

Zoomorphic Vessels

Seventh graders explored form and function by creating zoomorphic vessels—usable ceramic pieces inspired by animals. Charlotte Craig’s “Trunk Party” features an elephant-shaped tea set, complete with teapot, cups, milk pourer, and sugar dish. Claire Heston designed a turtle tape holder with a removable shell and tongue cutter, inspired

by snorkeling encounters in Hawaii. And Noelle Shim created “Grace of a Swan,” a bowl symbolizing love and elegance. Through clay hand building and glazing, students produced imaginative objects meant to be used and enjoyed every day in their homes.

SHP Drama’s fall production plunged audiences into the delightfully dark world of “Little Shop of Horrors,” a cult classic musical where B-movie meets Broadway. A dynamic, student-built set helped anchor the show, complete with a large rotating turntable that fluidly revealed

shifting scenes and perspectives.

Constructed over the summer under the direction of Fred Eiras, SHS technical director of performing arts, the design was a feat of collaborative ambition—an ideal stage for a cast and crew whose presence and creativity shone.

MADE WITH HEART

The annual Holiday Boutique celebrates the creativity of SHS students, impact of a multitude of programs campus-wide, and the strength of our school community. From the Uganda Giving Tree (read more on page 10) supporting our sister schools in Uganda to Sacred Heart’s own farm goods, and special Fine Arts performances to spirituality programming with a special Advent Mass, the event features a “taste” of everything Sacred Heart. The labels for the SHS Farm-grown olive oil and goat milk soaps were designed by Middle School Art teacher Lauren DiCioccio’s eighth grade students, while the additional dozen-plus farm product labels were created by SHP students in Studio Art teacher Brendon Metcaff’s classroom. By featuring student artwork, the Holiday Boutique is a chance for the community to recognize Sacred Heart’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and experiential learning. Label artwork at right by Benjamin Yick (SHP ’28)

SPORTS

GATOR GREATNESS

SHP Boys’ Basketball won its first state championship on March 14, beating San Juan Hills 47-45 in the Division IV final, marking a season turnaround. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” said Head Coach Jeff Willburn. “At one point, we were sitting with a 10-11. All the credit goes to these guys for staying together and just getting better.”

Glow-Up Game

FROM SHP STANDOUT TO SUPER BOWL SPOTLIGHT

SHP Girls’ Flag Football star Ryleigh Longaker (SHP ’26) was selected as one of the top 20 players in Northern California to compete in the Glow Up Classic girls’ flag football game during Super Bowl week—an elite showcase highlighting the continued growth, opportunity, and visibility of the sport at the high school level.

Held at Moscone Center, the showcase reflected the rapid expansion of girls’ flag football and provided student-athletes with a high-profile platform to compete, connect, and represent their schools. The event included support and participation from NFL figures such as Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Puka Nacua, and Eli Manning, helping amplify national attention on a sport that continues to grow through the leadership, talent, and commitment of its athletes.

For Longaker, the experience delivered unforgettable moments on and off the field.

“Whether we won or lost, I was honored just having the opportunity and sharing that experience with the other players and amazing coaches,” said Longaker. “I was excited to represent Sacred Heart and was really conscious of being on my best behavior— staying mature and not letting my emotions get the best of me during the game.”

“Whether we won or lost, I was honored just having the opportunity and sharing that experience with the other players and amazing coaches... I was excited to represent Sacred Heart and was really conscious of being on my best behavior—staying mature and not letting my emotions get the best of me during the game.”

— RYLEIGH LONGAKER , SHP SENIOR

She also delivered one of the game’s most standout plays.

“One of my favorite moments was throwing a deep ball on third down that went the length of the field for a touchdown,” she said. “Even our coaches couldn’t believe it. And just as special was having members of the USA Women’s National Team there coaching and encouraging us. Talking with them after the game made me realize that playing at the next level isn’t just a dream—it’s something I could actually pursue, potentially training for a national team.”

Longaker earned her selection following a standout season in which she was named the West Bay Athletic League’s (WBAL) girls’ flag football offensive MVP. A dynamic playmaker and tone-setter, she played a central role in establishing SHP’s Girls’ Flag Football program during its formative years. In the first year the WBAL held an organized championship for the sport, Longaker helped lead SHP to the league title, setting a strong foundation for future student-athletes.

“Ryleigh has been a leader and a role model from the very beginning,” said Jason

Armstrong, SHP assistant principal of athletics. “It takes courage to step into a new high school sport and help shape it as it grows. Ryleigh embraced that opportunity, raised the standard for those around her, and helped build a program that reflects the values of teamwork, commitment, and excellence.”

Head Coach Dennis O’Malley highlighted Longaker’s impact on the program and its culture.

“Ryleigh believed in this program from day one,” said O’Malley. “She leads with confidence, competitiveness, and a genuine commitment to her teammates. She didn’t just contribute to wins—she helped create opportunities for others and set the tone for what this program stands for.”

Her selection to the Glow Up Classic reflects both her individual accomplishments and the continued growth, visibility, and bright future of Girls’ Flag Football at SHP.

“SHP Athletics is proud to celebrate Ryleigh’s achievement and her role in helping build a program that expands opportunity and inspires the next generation of studentathletes,” said Armstrong.

Serve With Purpose

The SHP Girls’ Volleyball team continued a meaningful fall tradition with its annual “Pink Out” serve-a-thon, benefiting Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area. Now in its fourth year, the event rallies players, families, and supporters to raise funds for local cancer patients and their loved ones. What began as a team initiative has

grown into one of the program’s signature service efforts. To date, Pink Out has raised $73,203 in support of counseling, education, and community programs for those navigating cancer—demonstrating the team’s commitment to making an impact well beyond the court.

SHP

Mourns Beloved “Coach Fab”

The Sacred Heart school community is deeply saddened by the passing of longtime SHP Football Coach Mark “Coach Fab” Fabbri last July, a beloved mentor and leader in the Gator community for over a decade.

Coach Fab was a steady presence on the sidelines and a vital part of SHP Football’s most successful era, helping lead the program to league, CCS, NorCal, and the school’s first State Championship in 2021. Known for his calm strength, high standards, and unwavering care for his players, he shaped not just athletes—but young men of character and resilience.

“Coach Fab had high standards and a clear way of getting his message across,” said former lineman John Adrian Dioli (SHP ’22). “But it always came from a place of care… he showed up every day to help us grow.”

Head Coach Mark Grieb added, “He was a coach in every sense of the word. His impact is woven into the heart of our program.”

SHP extends its deepest condolences to Coach Fab’s wife, Maureen, his daughters Aimee, Amanda, and Alicia, and his granddaughter Delilah. His legacy of grit, care, and connection will live on in all who had the privilege to know him.

GATOR GLORY

For the fall 2025 SHP Gator competitive season, the following 39 student-athletes across nine different sports were recognized for their individual play and performance. For the winter 2025-26 season, 26 student-athletes received recognition.

FALL HONORS:

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Honorable Mention: Evan Matsuda (SHP ’26), Ryder Jones (SHP ’28)

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

Honorable Mention: Cynthia Thacker (SHP ’28), Leila Safa (SHP ’28)

FOOTBALL

Special Teams Player of the Year: Nathan Fox (SHP ’26)

First Team: Marquis Black (SHP ’27)

GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL

Defensive Player of the Year: Cate Hansen (SHP ’27)

Offensive Player of the Year: Ryleigh Longaker (SHP ’26)

First Team: Sanaia Shields (SHP ’26), Lauryn Masetti (SHP ’26), Ella Horn (SHP ’28), Kate Kennish (SHP ’28)

Second Team: Gianna Camus (SHP ’26), Annalia Hood (SHP ’27)

BOYS’ WATER POLO

First Team: Clay Carrington (SHP ’26), Oliver Marcin (SHP ’26), Murdoch Baker-Matsuoka (SHP ’26), Gates Gamble (SHP ’27)

Second Team: Eddie Eiref (SHP ’27), Charlie Wagner (SHP ’27)

Honorable Mention: Ryan Karr (SHP ’26)

GIRLS’ WATER POLO

First Team: Casey Coleman (SHP ’26), Ellison Brush (SHP ’26), Kiernan Hogan (SHP ’27), Lauren Rossi (SHP ’27)

Second Team: Caroline Selna (SHP ’27), Madeleine Colabianchi (SHP ’29)

Honorable Mention: Cal McElhinney (SHP ’26)

VOLLEYBALL

MVP: Leilah Abrams (SHP ’28)

First Team: Kiley McGibben (SHP ’27), Peyton Fu-Sarosa (SHP ’26)

Second Team: Hadley Mahon (SHP ’27), Poema Ueligitone (SHP ’26)

GATOR GRIT

GIRLS’ GOLF

Second Team: Emily Hallum (SHP ’26), Ariane Hartandi (SHP ’29)

GIRLS’ TENNIS

First Team: Charlotte Weber (SHP ’26)

Second Team: Jena Azmeh (SHP ’26), Jasleen Chohan (SHP ’26)

Honorable Mention: Ela Viswanathan (SHP ’27)

WINTER HONORS:

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

First Team: Alex Osterloh (SHP ’26)

Second Team: Zack Beals (SHP ’27)

Honorable Mention: Brady Grossman (SHP ’26)

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Most Valuable Player: Kate Baron (SHP ’26)

First Team: Bella Jansen-Olliges (SHP ’29), Jocelyn Jones (SHP ’28)

Second Team: Maggie Goldstein (SHP ’27)

Honorable Mention: Gianna Camus (SHP ’26)

BOYS’ SOCCER

Forward of the Year: Nathan Fox (SHP ’26)

Defender of the Year: James Pyle (SHP ’26)

First Team: Miles Brush (SHP ’26), Gio Cortez (SHP ’27), Lucas Moretti (SHP ’26), Emanuel Orocio Gonzalez (SHP ’26)

Second Team: Alex Angelidis-Smith (SHP ’29), Kieran Armstrong (SHP ’26), Luis Torija (SHP ’27)

Honorable Mention: Davis Aboudara (SHP ’26), James Rios (SHP ’28)

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Forward of the Year: Lauryn Masetti (SHP ’26)

First Team: Layla Pine (SHP ’29), Aris Yu (SHP ’28)

Second Team: Talia Samuels (SHP ’26), Averie Sui (SHP ’28)

Honorable Mention: Nava Ammari (SHP ’26), Brooke Klemens (SHP ’29)

The annual 8th Grade vs. Faculty basketball game delivered a competitive, high-energy matchup that came down to the final seconds. In a narrow 36–35 finish, educators claimed the win, but both teams drew enthusiastic support from a packed crowd of students and families across the grades. The spirited atmosphere underscored the value of shared experiences beyond the classroom, where friendly competition strengthens community and school pride. Student commentators served as emcees and game announcers, providing poised, play-by-play coverage that added to the event’s professionalism and fun. The game remains a highlight of the middle school year.

FALL SPORTS

1 In just its third season, the SHP GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL team established itself as a Northern California powerhouse, finishing 20–3 overall and 9–1 in league play. The Gators captured the program’s first WBAL championship and reclaimed the Valpo trophy with a 13–12 win over Menlo. SHP finished ranked No. 3 in CCS and No. 25 in the state.

2 The SHP GIRLS’ WATER POLO team followed up a historic 2024 with another championship-filled season. The Gators claimed WCAL regular season and tournament titles, the CCS Open Division championship, the NorCal Tournament championship and reached the CIF NorCal finals. SHP finished 29–3 overall and 8–0 in WCAL play, highlighted by an 8–7 win over then–No. 1 Carondelet in the NorCal final. The Gators ended the season ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps.

3 The SHP FOOTBALL team earned its seventh consecutive trip to the CCS playoffs, qualifying as the No. 7 seed in the Division III bracket. The Gators recorded six wins in 2025, highlighted by victories over The King’s Academy and a dramatic 49–48 quarterfinal win against Carmel.

4 The SHP GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY team qualified five runners for the WBAL Championships, led by sophomores Cynthia Thacker and Leila Safa, who both placed in the top 25 and advanced to CCS. At the CCS Championships, Safa finished 48th and Thacker 51st overall. All five qualifiers are underclasswomen and will return next season.

5 Continuing its dominance as one of the premier programs in the country, the SHP BOYS’ WATER POLO team captured its 14th consecutive WCAL and CCS championships and a fifth straight CIF NorCal Regional title. The Gators finished the 2025 season 22–5 overall and a perfect 9–0 in WCAL play, defeating Miramonte 11–10 in the NorCal championship. SHP closed the season ranked No. 3 nationally by MaxPreps.

6 The SHP GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL team finished the 2025 season 22–8 overall and a perfect 12–0 in WBAL play, earning the program’s first outright league championship since 2022. The Gators advanced to the CCS Open Division tournament and also qualified for the CIF NorCal Division I Regional tournament. SHP concluded the season as MaxPreps’ top-ranked Division IV team in the state.

7 LMS GIRLS’ LACROSSE enjoyed a strong fall season, with more than 40 seventh- and eighth-grade athletes competing in fullfield play. The team earned multiple wins against league opponents, including Crystal and Menlo, while building fundamentals and game experience. Fifteen sixth graders competed in an Olympic-style format focused on skill development and game awareness, laying a strong foundation for future seasons.

8 The LMS FLAG FOOTBALL program saw nearly 70 students participate across grades 5–8. The Varsity A team demonstrated strong leadership and consistent play throughout the season, highlighted by standout performances from eighth graders Benjamin Edelman, Mekonen Heywood, and Brandon Sweeney. The sixthgrade team made significant progress, competing in two close contests against Menlo, while the JVB fifth-grade team capped its season by winning the league championship.

9 The SHP GIRLS’ TENNIS team finished 14–9 overall and earned a berth in the CCS Team Championships. The Gators advanced past Palo Alto in the second round before falling to eventual champion Los Gatos in the quarterfinals. Seniors Charlotte Weber and Jena Azmeh captured the WBAL Doubles title, earning an automatic bid to CCS, where they went on to win the CCS Doubles championship in a three-set final.

Continuing its tradition of success, more than 60 runners competed this fall on the LMS CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY team. The season concluded with a standout performance at the league championship meet, where the sixth-grade girls’ team earned a first-place finish. Key contributions came from Mira Doshi, Emma Ramsay, Chloe Zheng, Betsy Baker, and Mila Hariri, whose combined efforts secured the team title.

LMS GIRLS’ SOCCER celebrated a division championship following a dominant season. The team was led by strong play from Zoe Roeder, Alaina Vrionis, and Bianca Sanchez. LMS Varsity B and JVA squads also remained competitive throughout the season, gaining valuable experience and momentum heading into next year.

Posting its strongest season since 2022, the SHP GIRLS’ GOLF team earned five league wins and qualified two golfers for WBAL and CCS postseason play. Freshman Ariane Hartandi finished 25th overall at the CCS Championships with a 78, while senior Emily Hallum, a four-year all-WBAL performer, capped her career with a strong showing at CCS.

The SHP BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY team qualified seven runners for the WBAL Championship meet, with senior Evan Matsuda and sophomore Ryder Jones advancing to CCS. Matsuda capped his career with a 21st-place finish among 121 runners at CCS, while Jones finished 85th.

WINTER SPORTS

10 The SHP GIRLS’ SOCCER team battled through the highly competitive WBAL Foothill Division to finish second in the league standings with a 5–2–5 mark. Despite navigating injuries throughout the year, the Gators finished 8–5–5 overall and earned a trip to the CCS Division III playoffs. SHP demonstrated its postseason resilience by advancing to the tournament quarterfinals before falling to thirdseeded Monterey.

11 The SHP BOYS’ BASKETBALL team delivered a historic 2025-26 season, finishing 20-11 overall and 6-4 in league play, good for third place in ultracompetitive WBAL. The Gators carried that momentum into the postseason, earning the No. 1 seed in the CCS Division IV tournament. SHP went 3-0 to capture the CCS Championship, highlighted by a 71-66 overtime victory over Half Moon Bay in the title game. The championship marked the program’s first CCS title since 2021. The team went on to defeat San Juan Hills 47-45 to capture the CIF Boys’ Div. IV State Basketball Championship, a first in program history.

12 The SHP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL team restored its championship tradition by finishing 13–8 overall and a perfect 9–0 in WBAL Skyline Division play to secure its first league title since 2000. The undefeated league mark earned the Gators an automatic berth in the CCS Division IV playoffs, where they advanced to the tournament semifinals. The season was punctuated by a 54–46 win over crosstown rival Menlo, marking the program’s first victory over the Knights since 2020.

13 Featuring broad participation, with 95 students competing across all divisions, the LMS BOYS’ BASKETBALL program showed steady growth throughout the season, balancing hard-fought wins with valuable lessons from close losses. The fourthgrade team finished with a 4–2 record, highlighted by a dramatic overtime victory against Nueva.

14 While it was a challenging season on the pitch, LMS BOYS’ SOCCER showed true resilience and a commitment to growth. A standout highlight was the JVA sixth-grade team which found its rhythm and secured a solid 3-2 record for the season. Beyond the final scores, the year was defined by significant skill development and tactical learning across all levels. These hard-earned lessons have laid a strong foundation, leaving players improved and well-prepared to hit the ground running next year.

15 Extending a remarkable run of dominance, the SHP BOYS’ SOCCER team finished as undefeated, outright WBAL champions with an 11–0–3 league mark. The Gators ended the season 12–2–5 overall, securing the program’s first league title since 2022 and marking the seventh time in eight seasons SHP has captured either a league or CCS crown. After a dominant regular season, the Gators earned a berth in the CCS Division II playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinal round.

16 The LMS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL program reached new heights this year, fueled by both fresh energy and veteran leadership. The JVB fifth-grade team found immediate success on the court by cruising to a spectacular undefeated season, a feat that highlights the incredible potential of the program’s younger athletes. At the varsity level, the VA team put on a masterclass in consistency and grit, finishing its campaign with just a single loss in a hardfought, down-to-the-wire contest against Menlo. Across all levels, the season was defined by immense skill development and a competitive spirit that made every game a must-watch.

“This team didn’t just win a championship—they built a legacy. Being the first in program history to bring home a WBAL title speaks to their courage, unity, and the passion they showed every time they stepped on the field.”

DENNIS O’MALLEY , HEAD COACH, SHP VARSITY GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL

“The SHS community has been incredibly welcoming this year, making my transition into the program such a joy. I’ve truly loved getting to know my fifth and seventh graders on the court—they are an impressively hardworking and talented group of athletes. It’s been a blast watching their growth, and I’m especially proud of our fifth grade team for maintaining an undefeated season!”

WHERE IDENTITY

The Power of Asian American Affinity

BY DR . ANNATERUEL MCDONALD

“Our education is not meant to turn the children out small and finished but seriously begun on a wide basis.”

—MOTHER JANET ERSKINE STUART, RSCJ

FINDS VOICE

AS THE FIFTH ANNUAL Asian American Cultural Festival approaches this May, I find myself reflecting on the work of affinity spaces at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, and all that we have accomplished in the last decade. My name is Anna Teruel McDonald, EdD, and I serve as the lead moderator of the Asian American Affinity (AAA) space at SHP. Our work builds on the vision of the Office of Mission, Culture, and Strategy (OMCS), home to core programs including Social Unity Rooted in Justice (SURJ) and affinity groups across SHS, preschool through 12th grade.

Broadly, affinity spaces bring together people who share a meaningful identity—race, gender, culture, faith, neurodiversity, or lived experience. Neatly aligned with the Sacred Heart Goals & Criteria, our affinity spaces aim to foster kinship and belonging; celebrate the gifts of each student and educator; and protect, nurture, and affirm identity.

This year, the wisdom of Mother Janet Erskine Stuart has guided our work: “We bring up the children for the future, not for the present, not that we may enjoy the fruit of our work, but for others.” For students and adults alike, leading within an affinity space is a call to servant leadership—an invitation to listen, uplift, and act for the common good.

Safe Spaces and Belonging

“Great hearts, generous hearts, are required in the family of God’s Heart, because the difficulties in the way of doing good increase day by day.”

—ST.

MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT, RSCJ

Affinity spaces play a vital role in K-12 education. They offer safety, support, and a place to build resilience and develop critical thinking skills, all while fostering cultural awareness, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging within and among marginalized communities. These spaces reflect the RSCJ charism and help ensure our school community “reflects an ethos of joy, hope, and celebration” (Goal I, Criterion 3), dynamically populated by students and families of “diverse races, ethnicities and backgrounds” (Goal IV, Criterion 6).

When I first arrived at SHP in 2013, People United for Multicultural Awareness (PUMA) was the original, singular affinity space for all students of color. Where interested educators floated in and out of the space, student leadership was at the core.

Former PUMA president, Dominique Reese (SHP ’17) reflected on its impact, “Being part of PUMA at SHP was one of the most meaningful experiences of my time. It gave me a sense of belonging, broadened my perspective, and taught me the power of celebrating differences while building unity.”

She continues this practice as executive director of the Plug and Play Foundation, where she shares sage advice: “Lean into spaces that challenge you to grow and connect with people whose stories are different from your own; you’ll carry those lessons with you for life.”

A major goal and great benefit of affinity groups is identity formation. Students explore and affirm their identities in a developmentally appropriate way, leading to increased self-awareness, confidence, and cultural pride. Students find emotional and social support sharing challenges and triumphs, building affirming relationships, and developing coping mechanisms to navigate the effects of bias or isolation.

Another former PUMA president, Brianna Roque (SHP ’16), described the group’s lasting influence.

“PUMA gave me a space to engage in honest conversations about privilege, identity, and culture. [It] shaped my commitment to elevating diversity. I hope it continues to be a place where students feel safe to share their stories and celebrate the richness of their cultures.”

Roque carried these lessons to UC Berkeley, where she joined Filipinx affinity groups and later helped coordinate the Minorities in Health Conference. These spaces again provided leadership opportunities, community, and mentorship, “while surrounding me with ambitious, like-minded peers who shared resources and pushed each other to succeed.”

When students see themselves in the educators who guide them and in the curriculum we teach, inclusivity becomes lived rather than theoretical. Participating in affinity groups can make both students and educators not only more inclusive, but curious and kind, enabling them to be better allies and upstanders for others by fostering deep understanding and appreciation of different identities and unpacking the nuance and complexity of intersectionality.

Meeting the Moment

“Times change, and we must change too.”

—ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT TO ST. ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE, 1831

AAA was founded in 2020, initially meeting in small groups over Zoom a couple of times a month. Alongside then-Director of DEIA Dr. Ben Su, I launched AAA as a place to discuss current events—including the rising Stop Asian Hate movement. Coincidentally, this is the same year that non-profit TeachAAPI was founded.

The pandemic amplified the challenges of isolation, burnout, and racial injustice. The growing need for affinity and kinship was apparent not only at SHP, but in the world writ large. We could not predict the seismic shift in the educational landscape once we all returned to in-person school.

AAA’s success grew largely from its dedicated student leaders. Makena Tom (SHP ’24) became AAA’s first ninth-grade leader, helping the group expand once we returned to campus in 2021.

“AAA gave me a place to figure out what being Asian meant at a predominantly white school,” Tom said. “It wasn’t just about sharing experiences—though that mattered—but about asking real questions in a space that felt safe to do so.”

She recalled the group’s discussion of R.F. Kuang’s book Yellowface as a powerful moment when students and teachers spoke openly on topics of appropriation, publishing, and “who gets to tell what stories.”

“That mix of community and critical dialogue is what made the space special for me,” Tom said.

That same school year, AAA celebrated Diwali, featuring middle school Bollywood dancers, a local henna artist, and instruction on modern Bollywood with Mona Khan. We united with the SHP Mandarin Club for the MidAutumn Festival, introduced Boba & the Beat with The Heartbeat student newspaper, and hosted a kung-fu master for an SHP Community Life Gathering.

We then held the first-ever Asian American Cultural Festival, interviewing KTVU reporter Claudine Wong about her experience as the child of immigrants growing up in the Bay Area. The entire SHS community came together to share Asian food, try Chinese calligraphy or origami, and practice tai-chi. Students, parents, and educators shared their time and talent for this joyous event.

As Asian American student and educator communities continue to grow across campus, students and educators have deepened their understanding of the Asian American experience in independent schools through participation in the People of Color Conference and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the Asian Educators Alliance (AsEA) Conference.

AAA took every opportunity for cross-campus collaboration, sending student leaders to support the P-8 Holi Festival and attending as many P-8 cultural celebrations and events as possible, like the Gene Chen Yang author visit at Stevens Library. These collaborations strengthened our “one school” vision.

Another foundational student leader, Lauren Matsuda (SHP ’24), described her experience as uniquely community building.

“Our events were rooted in supporting each other and amplifying our voices,” said Matsuda. “[The group] offered me a unique space to connect with peers who share my cultural background and values.”

Finding compelling guest speakers from the local AAPI community has become a key goal. In 2024, rapper and scientist, Ruby Ibarra— winner of the 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Award—kicked off the AAA festival with much enthusiasm and what can only be described as palpable electricity, bringing everyone in the Harman Auditorium to their feet. Fueled by this energy, several teachers integrated Ibarra’s story into their English and history lessons that same afternoon.

That year, I presented at the ASeA conference in Atlanta on the value of affinity groups and was consequently invited by the nonprofit TeachAAPI to develop the Affinity Group Toolkit to share my passion and experience and empower other AAPI educators nationwide. The strength of this movement has been absolutely thrilling! Sacred Heart has leaned into the momentum, growing our affinity spaces, sponsoring school-wide cultural assemblies, and integrating curriculum that reflects the diversity of the Asian American diaspora.

Building on this momentum, SHP has also launched a required Ethnic Studies course that extends the purpose of affinity spaces into the core curriculum.

As SHP Social Science Department Chair and teacher Lindsay Phillips explained, “As a school, our decision to build a required Ethnic Studies course for all students responds to the same needs that have fueled the growth of affinity spaces like the AAA. Our course is designed to mirror the shift in our student demographics, including the increase of Asian American students.”

Developed in partnership with experts in Ethnic Studies content and pedagogy from the XITO Institute, the course was also shaped by deep listening within the SHS community. In spring 2024, Phillips met with student leaders of the AAA to hear their questions, perspectives, hopes, and concerns.

“Their voices were critical in designing a course that makes more space for representing the stories and experiences of our diverse student body,” said Phillips.

Where Vision Took Root

“[Students] must leave us with some self-knowledge, some energy, some purpose.”

—JANET ERSKINE STUART, RSCJ

Affinity group membership helps students grow essential skills—communication, facilitation, organization, and leadership. They provide a “soft launch” for ideas and a supportive environment to practice leadership.

Student leaders of AAA connect not only across campus but across the broader community. They collaborate with other affinity groups, nearby schools, and national organizations such as TeachAAPI and National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Many participate in the SHP cultural exchange or conduct research through SHP’s Senior Honors Independent Study (SHIS) program.

Recent SHIS projects include Makena Tom’s study on “Christianity in China: Understanding China’s View of the West from the Taiping Rebellion to the CCP” and senior Emily Xiao’s “The Making of a Future: Stories from Inside and Outside the Gaokao.” These projects give students the chance to study AAPI culture, activism, and history firsthand.

Through cultural exchange, students connect with Sacred Heart schools in Japan and Taiwan, while educators participate in reciprocal teacher exchanges with Sacred Heart schools in Asianmajority countries India and Taiwan, as well as New Zealand. SHP’s service learning program sponsors a Hawaiian immersion exploring the tension between tourism and native Hawaiian life in the context of environmental sustainability.

As I look to the future of AAA, the words of Mother Stuart ring true today. I am excited about the opportunities to collaborate with other affinity spaces such as Middle Eastern North African (MENA), Polynesian Affinity (PI), Women’s Group, and SoulSis. These partnerships reflect our call to form global citizens rooted in faith and justice.

While I approach my sixth year leading AAA, I continue to appreciate the dedication, passion, and energy of our AAPI students, educators, and families. For the last two years, my co-moderator, Patrick Ban, SHP math teacher, and I have encouraged new student-led initiatives—from an AAA-curated playlist of Asian musicians, to sushimaking demonstrations and ramen raffles at lunch.

Meeting topics come from our student leaders and range from current events such as the Hyundai Raids to cultural phenomenons like Anime and K-pop. We believe that student voice is essential to the vitality and integrity of the space.

Always forward-thinking, Makena Tom offers her wisdom for future generations. “Know your setting. Every affinity group should build community, but at a predominantly white institution, it’s also about creating space to talk openly about what it means to be Asian there, in that specific environment. [But also] think about how your group can face outward. Hosting cultural festivals or book talks which don’t just strengthen the group, but also help educate the wider school community.”

In the same way, my role as a moderator is to find talented student leaders and encourage even more students and educators to get involved. There is so much untapped potential on our campus, and if the past is prologue, I only see AAA becoming bigger, brighter, and stronger every year.

With this amazing growth, our student leaders understand the importance of building this legacy. The seeds are firmly planted. One of my favorite end-ofyear AAA traditions is when the student leaders pass the torch to the next generation. They interview the leadership candidates and share resources and advice. But most importantly, they make authentic connections which both inspire and prepare their successors before they even graduate. There’s tremendous growth, learning, and gratitude in the process, and I feel blessed to witness it firsthand.

Apropos, Lauren Matsuda agrees, leaving this final gem for future generations of students: “Embrace authenticity and listen deeply to your community; real impact comes from understanding and representing the needs and visions of those you serve. Spaces like these foster belonging and empower students like me to lead with purpose and pride.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. •

Anna T. McDonald, EdD, BCET® is the Board Certified Educational Therapist for SHP, moderates the Asian American Affinity space, the Neurodiverse Affinity space, and is a student council moderator. She’s a founding member of the TeachAAPI Educator’s Circle and co-authored the TeachAAPI Affinity GroupToolkit. Her first role at SHP was as Director of the Center for Student Success (CSS) followed by five years as the Prep’s Academic Dean. Prior to joining Sacred Heart, Anna was a teacher and administrator at Nativity School in Menlo Park. When she’s not in school, she enjoys spending time with her daughters Isabel (SHP ’23) and Charlie (SHP ’26) and taking long walks with their rescue chows. A teacher at heart, she spends her “free time” teaching night classes at the Sequoia Adult School or graduate students on weekends in the Educational Therapy program at UCSC-X, and often nags her husband to take her to see her beloved Golden State Warriors play at Chase Center.

ALUMNI

GRADS GATHERED SHS alumni, family, and friends reunited at the annual Alumni Day Oktoberfest Celebration.

ALUMNI BOARD 25–26

Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07), president

Sarah Bohannon (SJS ’04, SHP ’08)

Hannah Cevasco (SHP ’19)

Brandon Child (SHP ’04)

Sarah (Ebner) Cohen (SHP ’10)

Miles DeLong (SHP ’09)

John Geary (SHP ’11)

Douglas Hosking (SHP ’07)

Jack Larkins (SHP ’19)

Atilla Lazar (SHP ’06)

Kevin McFarland (SHP ’07)

Greg Randall (SHP ’08)

Lilly Reid (SHP ’08)

Lynn (Rudolph) Rosendin (SHP ’05)

Kate (Ceremsak) Seabolt (SHP ’08)

Ian Simon (SHP ’04)

Madeline Smith (SHP ’20)

Dear Fellow Alumnae/i,

This 2025–2026 academic year has been an exciting and eventful year for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. As we celebrated reunions on campus during Alumni Day this past fall, we also shared enthusiasm and excitement for implementing the school’s Vision 2025 Strategic Plan goals by uniting and growing our alumni community.

With the successful establishment of the Strategic Plan last year, SHS has been focused on four key priorities: Intellectual Formation, Character Formation, Community, and Stewardship. Our Alumni Association of over 5,000 members is proud to support each of these priorities and embody the guiding principles for nurturing and building community and stewardship through our many alumni engagement events, voluntary service, and heartfelt gift contributions. The Alumni Board’s consistent collaboration with the phenomenal SHS Advancement team has allowed the Alumni Association to remain closely connected with faculty, staff, students, and current and past parents, giving us the privilege of witnessing the Alumni network’s vital influence to Sacred Heart’s success and achievements.

This year, the SHS Alumni Association is continuing to support both the school and the RSCJ mission by increasing awareness, interest, and participation of our Alumni community in these key areas:

Don’t miss news and event information! Please be sure we have your current email and mailing address by contacting alumni@ shschools.org

Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07)

• Class Participation — Share your latest news, milestones, accomplishments, and updated contact information with the Alumni Office;

• Professional Resources — Serve as a mentor to a young alumnus/a and share internship or employment opportunities;

• Alumni Events — Attend our annual Alumni Day/ Oktoberfest each fall with fellow alumnae/i, family, and friends on campus;

• Alumni Leadership — Become an Alumni Board member and deepen your partnership with SHS and the Advancement Office; and

• Alumni Giving — Increase alumni participation by making a gift to SHS in support of current and future students, faculty, staff, and campus operations.

Whatever method of participation you choose, the Alumni Association thanks you for your thoughtful and active support. If you would like to learn more about our association, please feel free to reach out to our alumni engagement manager, Shannon Melinauskas, at alumni@shschools.org, visit shschools.org/alumni, and/or connect with us on the following networks:

4 Follow Madeleine Sophie on Instagram @madeleine_sophie_

4 Connect with Madeleine Sophie Barat on LinkedIn

4 Friend Madeleine Sophie on Facebook

Sincerely,

Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07) SHS Alumni Association President

From Campus to Kitchens

After the annual campus-wide olive harvest—when students from preschool through high school, along with SHS educators, hand-pick olives from our trees—and the subsequent filtration process led by SHS Sustainability Coordinator Doyle Pitchford (SHP ’09), alumni

and parents of alumni (PALs) came together to bottle olive oil for the annual Holiday Boutique. The Thanksgiving week gathering combined service and community while supporting sales for the boutique fundraiser.

Merry Moments

PARENTS OF ALUMNI (PAL s ) PARTY

The 13th annual Parents of Alumni (PALs) social was held back in the Main Building after several years of being outdoors during the late summer months and extended daylight hours. The purpose of the annual Valparaiso Vineyards event is to continue the tradition of inviting and welcoming all PALs to reconnect with each other, the SHS campus, and Director of Schools Richard Dioli. The fall night of November 6, 2025, welcomed more than 100 PALs whose children graduated from Sacred Heart Preparatory between 1991 and 2025, and helped kick off the upcoming holiday season.

Guests enjoyed vibrant wines from the Sacred Heart community, and delicious, hearty appetizers. A special thank you goes out to Valparaiso Vineyard community members: Bricoleuer Vineyards— Mark Hanson (PAL) and Tom Pierson (SHP ’06), winemaker; Jax Vineyards—Kimberly Jackson Wickam (SHP ’89) and current SHP parent; Calligraphy Wines—Pooja and Sri Gorthy, current SHS parents.

A Foundation That Endures

by John Geary (SHP ’11)

Last spring, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH) National Conference—a humbling moment that brought my Sacred Heart journey full circle. Standing before alumni from across the country, I was reminded of how profoundly the Goals and Criteria shape us not only as students, but as adults navigating complex, changing worlds.

As an alumnus of Sacred Heart Preparatory Class of 2011, and now a member of the alumni board, I feel a deep responsibility to give back to the community that formed me. Sacred Heart’s five Goals rooted in faith, intellect, service, community, and personal growth— continue to inform how I lead, how I build relationships, and how I choose to engage in the world. Preparing for the keynote invited me to reflect on the ways these principles surfaced throughout my own life, from my earliest days on campus to my work as an entrepreneur. Specifically, Goal III, “a social awareness which impels to action,” shaped my high school experience from the moment I arrived as a new freshman who knew no one. Through daily classroom conversations and immersive experiences like service trips, we learned that awareness must translate into meaningful action. That lesson echoes

across the broader Sacred Heart community, where generations of alumni continue to turn awareness into action through service, advocacy, and leadership rooted in our shared mission.

Goal IV, “the building of community,” was equally formative. Coaches, teachers, and classmates welcomed me with a spirit of inclusion that still defines Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton today. Years later, that same commitment guides how I build teams and nurture culture within my own company.

And it is impossible to reflect on Sacred Heart without acknowledging Goal V, “personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.” My high school years were full of moments—on the sports fields, in the classroom, and within friendships—that pushed me to stretch, fail, adapt, and lead. Those experiences nurtured a resilience and self-belief that I’ve carried into every chapter of life, especially when confronted with moments of challenge or difficulty.

Speaking at the AASH Conference was an outstanding reminder that the Sacred Heart mission is not something we leave behind at graduation. It is a lifelong call: to act with faith, to learn with curiosity, to serve with purpose, and to build community wherever we go. Each of us has a role to play, and I encourage fellow alumni to step forward and take part in the programs that keep our Sacred Heart community thriving!

Isn’t it Time to Create Your Legacy?

Join the Tower Legacy Society

Consider leaving Sacred Heart in your estate plans and join our distinguished Tower Legacy Society. A legacy bequest from your estate honors your long-term support of our community, while your legacy and spirit live on through the mission of the RSCJ.

Shaping Our Campus and Our Community

Many vital parts of campus life are a direct result of bequests and gifts from our Sacred Heart community, including:

• Our historic Main Building

• Acres of land

• Our SHS Community Farm and Garden

• William V. Campbell Academic and Arts Center

Your Legacy Gift is the Foundation of Our Future

Your future gift can take many forms, including bequests, trusts, and beneficiaries, while giving you peace of mind with your estate plans. Learn more at www.shschools.org/legacy

RSCJ

Sr. Fran Tobin completed her journey to God early morning, December 27, 2025, at Oakwood. The Sisters there had taken turns praying with her. Fran had received a gardenia plant from her sister for Christmas. It had its first bloom on Friday as a special gift for her. For Fran, who rests in the embrace of You, her loving and just God, we pray: God of our longing, Fran sought to fulfill her vows to You through her ministry of legal work with refugees. We are grateful for her life with us, and we will turn to her in prayer for migrants and refugees not just at the San Diego border, but across the globe. That was how big her heart was.

For Fran’s family and friends, in turn, we pray: God who lives close to the brokenhearted, please bestow your tender love on Fran’s family and friends, and her community at Oakwood.

CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART (CSH)

1949

Noëlle Delore (December 16, 1929 –January 26, 2025) passed away peacefully at the age of 95.

Noëlle was born in Lyon, France, and lived in Morocco prior to emigrating to the U.S. with her family at the beginning of World War II. She attended grammar school and high school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart (CSH) in Menlo Park, graduating in 1948. She studied French and history at San Francisco State University. She taught French and physical education at CSH during the 1960s. She enrolled in San Jose State University in 1967 to obtain a library science degree and moved to Stockton upon graduation to become the librarian

at Daniel Webster Middle School, where she worked until her retirement in 1989. In retirement, Noëlle enjoyed reading, traveling, playing tennis and bridge, volunteering to bring books to homebound residents, and participating in various activities at the University of the Pacific, including attending lectures, assisting with the library, and helping students develop better writing skills. Noëlle moved from Stockton to a care home in Moraga at the age of 93 to be near her family in the Greater Bay Area. She will be remembered for her resourcefulness, self-reliance, and steadfast commitment to her family.

1973

Emily Zwierlein passed away on May 7, 2025, from health complications shortly after her 70th birthday. Emily was born April 5, 1955, in San Mateo, California. Minutes later, her twin sister, Catherine, was born. She had an older sister, Ann (Vorsatz), and in years to come, sisters Mary Ellen “Mitzi” and Christine (Ritzo) completed the family of five girls. She attended Convent of the Sacred Heart Menlo High School in Menlo Park, then attended Dominican College in San Rafael, where she earned her degree in exercise science with a minor in special education.

Emily made San Clemente her home, where she raised her children. She worked as an aide at her children’s school and had an 18-year career as an insurance agent at Allstate, retiring in 2025.

Emily is survived by her children, Natalie (husband, Evan) and Rob; her sisters, Ann (husband, Karl, recently deceased), Mary Ellen “Mitzi,” and Christine (husband, Dale); her beloved grandsons Wyatt and Westin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends. She was predeceased by her parents and twin sister, Cathy.

SACRED HEART PREPARATORY (SHP)

1995

Jennifer “Jenny” Dee Circle, a University of Colorado basketball standout, devoted community leader, and beloved mother and friend, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on October 14, 2025, at age 47.

Born February 10, 1978, in Palo Alto, California, Jenny grew up in Los Altos Hills, surrounded by sunshine, sports, and a large circle of loved ones. She discovered basketball early and quickly rose to prominence. After leading Sacred Heart Preparatory to back-to-back California State Championships and earning Northern California Player of the Year honors, she continued her career at USC and the University of Colorado Boulder. Known for her grit, leadership, and fierce competitiveness, she made an immediate impact on the court and in every community she joined.

When an ACL injury ended her collegiate career, Jenny redirected her passion toward education and service. She dedicated her professional life to strengthening Bay Area schools and nonprofits, including eScrip, Phillips Brooks School, Kehillah Jewish High School, and Good Karma Bikes. Creative, bold, and relentless in her commitment to helping others, she led fundraising efforts that expanded student opportunities, built new facilities, and changed lives. She also returned to the court as a coach, inspiring young athletes with her energy, insight, humor, and love for the game.

SACRED HEART PREPARATORY (SHP)

Jenny’s proudest role was mom. She is survived by her children, Thomas and Lillian Cronin; her mother, Candace Circle; her sisters, Jamie Circle and Lori Circle Solon; and her nephew, Ryan Solon. She was preceded in death by her father, Delos Circle, who never missed a chance to cheer her on.

She will be remembered by family, teammates, colleagues, and hundreds of friends as a champion—in sports, in community, and in life. Jenny’s legacy lives on in every team she lifted, every student she supported, and every person who felt her generous spirit.

To support Tommy and Lily’s education going forward in Jenny’s name, please go to www.ugift529.com and enter the following: Thomas C: M43P42, Lillian C: Z4ML93.

2002

Matthew “Matt” Gregory Tarantino passed away on August 4, 2025, at the age of 41. Born on May 3, 1984, Matt was a beloved son, brother, husband, friend, and devoted father. He passed away in San Francisco, California, where he built a joyful and meaningful life with his family.

Matt lived his dream of creating a warm and loving home with his wife, Marisa McKay Tarantino, and their two young children, Callahan and Isla. Nothing brought him more joy than being a husband and father. His family was his heart, and their lives were filled with laughter, love, and joyful moments.

Matt lived life to his fullest, every single day. Woven into his life was an extraordinary tapestry of friendships that stretched from San Carlos to Sacred Heart Preparatory, to Santa Clara, to the University of Michigan, to Chicago, to San Francisco, and everywhere in between. He cherished the time spent with his friends.

Matt was a proud graduate of Santa Clara University and shortly thereafter earned his CPA. He was determined to continue challenging himself, spending time teaching English in Cambodia before setting his sights on earning his MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He went on to build a successful and respected career in finance, most recently serving as Head of Finance at Middesk.

Until his final days, he continued to give back to every community he was a part of, volunteering his time, finances, and energy. Matt cared deeply about other people and was an advocate for helping those less fortunate.

He is survived by his wife, Marisa, two children, Callahan (three) and Isla (one), parents Nancy and Paul, siblings Steven SHP ’04 (Jordan) and Diana Deggelman SHP ’06 (Kevin, SHP ’06), in-laws Brian and Laura, Carly (Kyle), Mitchell (Becca), grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

2022

Lia Smith (LMS ’18) was born on March 7, 2004, in Berkeley, California. She was the beloved daughter of Gregory C. Smith and Keith E. Purcell. After graduating from Sacred Heart Preparatory, Lia attended Middlebury College, where she was a senior pursuing a double major in computer science and statistics, a diver on the Women’s Swimming and Diving team, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the bridge, chess, and Japanese clubs, and a strong advocate of transgender rights.

From 2012 to 2023, Lia competed in, placed, or won numerous diving competitions at the local, state, regional, and national levels. In addition, she received various other awards, including the Rotary Club of Menlo Park Academic Achievement Award (2022), a Blue Ribbon Award during graduation from SHP (2022), and the SHP Sean McLarry Fine Arts Scholarship Award (2021). With a strong commitment to service, she enjoyed serving as a teacher’s assistant at Peninsula Bridge, where she received the bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Award (2022).

Lia was fascinated by the histories of China, Japan, and Medieval Europe, and she enjoyed eating fine or ethnic foods such as lobster, sushi, and poke. She enjoyed anime, adored her cat, Edgar, loved playing bridge and complex board games, and delighted in just hanging out with her girlfriends. Lia will be remembered for her deep sense of empathy, her clever puns, her keen mind, particularly with respect to analytical matters, her robust and infectious laugh, her love of poetry and music, which she performed both as an accomplished pianist and trombonist, and perhaps most importantly, her undaunted courage. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

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ALUMNI MATCHES & HATCHES

2009

1 Miles DeLong married Brooke Hanson in San Francisco on November 1, 2025 and honeymooned in Australia.

2013

2 Bret Hinrichs married Isabele in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in August 2025. Joining the western-themed welcome party were Hinrichs’s SHP water polo friends. From left to right: Alex Swart (SJS ’09, SHP ’13), Will Runkel (SHP ’13), Bret Hinrichs, Zoltan Lazar (SHP ’13), Scott Jollymour (SJS ’09, SHP ’13), Zach Churukian (SJS ’09, SHP ’13), Chris Hinrichs (SHP ’14), and Michael Swart (LMS ’11, SHP ’15).

2007

3 Oliver Gordon (SJS ’03) married Alyse in 2018. Their children, Gabrielle (five) and Julian (three), were in full Oktoberfest gear for the annual Alumni Day celebration with Gordon Biersch Brewery last October. Gordon is the CFO of Gordon Biersch Brewing Company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of San Diego.

2008

4 Tim Norton (SJS ’04), his wife Nalini, and their baby Bodhi visited SHP to cheer on SHP Boys’ Water Polo during the North/ South tournament.

2010

5 DeAnna Kneis and her husband, David Harris, welcomed their baby boy, Miles, who is all smiles last November. Photo credit: Torrey Fox Photography

SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY

SHE 1965

1 Cara Black Mystery Tours is an organized week in Paris exploring memorable scenes associated with the cases her fictional private investigator has solved in Black’s Aimée Leduc novel series. Past tours included visits to scenes from her second World War II thriller, Night Flight to Paris Her April 2025 Mystery Book tour included two generations of Sacred Heart alumnae, as pictured on a beautiful day in Parc des Buttes Chaumont Black’s 25th novel, Huguette, was released in December 2025. The April 2026 Paris Tour will include six Sacred Heart alumnae, most of whom are repeat attendees. Left to right: Cara Black (SHE ’65), Meg Whalen (CSH ’69), Elizabeth Mason (SHP ’06), and Dede McHugh (CSH ’66).

CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART

1957

2 Classmates gather every year at the annual Très Bien Luncheon on Alumni Day. Left to right (standing): SHS priest Rev. John D. Whitney, S.J., Adrienne Kernan, Sr. Irene Cullen, and Rose (Kelly) Burgis Left to right (seated): Joelle (Walsh) Conn, Patty (Anton) Burke, Nancy (Sullivan) Stretch, Rita Flynn, and Charlyne (Hermes) Brown (SHE ’53).

1960

Rita LaForce is the U.S. winner of The World of Interiors x Montblanc Writing Competition 2025. The theme of “One Lasting Thing” inspired LaForce to write about Fiammeta, a cotton sock monkey who kept her company while she was recovering in a nursing home. She is back in her home in San Francisco and has bequeathed Fiammeta to Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. You can read her essay at www.worldofinteriors.com.

1969

3 Mary Louise (Farasyn) Peers published Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow in January of 2025. It is a family adventure that will remind you that if you believe in God and miracles, magic shows up in the most unexpected places. The book has received three honorable mentions from the Purple Dragonfly Children’s Literature Book Awards, two honorable mentions from the Royal Dragonfly Awards, and a Silver Award from Literary Titan.

About the book: Heather Webster is worried about her 11-year-old daughter, Emily, whose cell phone use is increasing and her grades decreasing. They decide to take a year off from their busy, computer-driven lives and learn to listen again. They move to a 100-year-old farmhouse in Kansas with no phone, television, dishwasher, or internet, where her daughter discovers the power of imagination, and that talent is discovered when you stop and listen.

1976

4 Stacy (Toy) Trevenon and Lindsay (Galloway) Hill shared a laugh while reminiscing over the old school uniform display in the Main Building on Alumni Day.

1980

5 Classmates celebrated their 40th reunion at the annual Très Bien Tea luncheon, accompanied by Sr. Bunny Flick, who served as the high school’s Academic Dean from 1981 to 1986. Left to right (back row): Sandy (Lorenze) Frojelin, Janet Cheung, Marixi Carlos, Julie (Glockner) Morris, Kathleen Clark, Cynthia Luce, Andreja (Sikora) Handza, and Tristi Nichols. Left to right (front row): Sr. Bunny Flick, Vanessa Lok, Yvonne (Goyhenetche) Wood, and Annette (Caycedo) Lewis.

SACRED HEART PREPARATORY

1995

6 Mike Corpos celebrated his 30th milestone class reunion year at Alumni Day along with his brother, Martin Corpos (SHP ’00), who celebrated his 25th milestone reunion. Joining the Alumni Oktoberfest were their spouses, children, and parents–retired SHP faculty member Emily and John Corpos.

1997

7 Ahin Thomas recently opened up two new chapters in his career. He is cofounder/CEO of GTM Mechanics, a go-to-market advisory. Thomas is also excited to have joined the board of directors at MENTOR, a non-profit dedicated to fueling the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships for America’s young people and closing the mentoring gap faced by the one in three young people who grow up without this critical support.

2004

Carrie (Hiller) Kiper and her siblings, Brook Hiller (SHP ’01) and Christy (Hiller) Myronowicz (SHP ’98), went above and beyond to help out a Sacred Heart Prep junior for 2025 Spirit Week. The junior class color is always blue, and their theme was NASA. As part of the annual Spirit Week tradition, each class films a video. The Hillers responded to the request of Barron Frolik (SHP ’26) and Duke Tom (SHP ’26) to film at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California.

2008

8 An annual holiday gathering was held at the Dutch Goose for “Coach K” and some of the members of the SHP Boys’ Water Polo CCS Championship team, 2008-2009. GO GATORS! Left to right: Greg Randall, “Coach K,” Alex Whittam (SHP ’09), Tim Norton (SJS ’04), Kevin Meisel (SJS ’04), and Michael Wishart

2010

9 Sarah (Ebner) Cohen and her husband, Evan Cohen, live in Woodside with their four children: Oliver (six), Grace (four), Finn (three), and Brooks (three). She works at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health on the analytics and clinical effectiveness team, acting as the target-based care program manager. Cohen earned a bachelor of science in biomechanical engineering and a master of science in biokinesiology from the University of Southern California. She attended the Alumni Day Oktoberfest and became a member of the SHS Alumni Association Board in 2025.

10 DeAnna Kneis has been with Apple since 2014 and currently leads global business planning and sales strategy across the Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods businesses. She earned her bachelor of science in finance and economics from Santa Clara University in 2014. Some of her favorite memories from Sacred Heart are from the volleyball court, and she still enjoys revisiting the gym to cheer on the Gators. Lately, she loves bringing her three-year-old daughter, Kinsley, to visit the bunnies at the campus farm with her husband, David Harris (Menlo ’10). They welcomed a baby boy named Miles last November. Photo credit: Torrey Fox Photography

2015

Ally Hinson (LMS ’11) joined the strategy and operations team at Candid Health, which is building a modern revenue cycle automation platform that enables healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible care, and spending less time with insurance companies. Hinson earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University in 2019. She lives in New York City.

2017

11 David Peterson is the founder and CEO of Snazzy Beverages, which he created while attending Lehigh University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in architecture and product design with a minor in entrepreneurship. Snazzy Beverages officially launched in February 2025 and has since gained significant traction and momentum. Peterson has bolstered the Snazzy team by recruiting several fellow SHP alumni: Alex Harper (SHP ’17), Peter Love (SHP ’17), and Mackenzie Gibson (SHP ’16). Peterson created the distinct canned cocktail by pairing lemonade and iced tea with real spirits, designing each flavor around the base spirit rather than carbonation or additives. The result was a non-carbonated, decaffeinated drink made without artificial ingredients, emphasizing strength and balance over sweetness or dilution.

Peterson is entering his fourth season as the SHP’s Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team coach, serving as the defensive coordinator. Through coaching, he met Cole Blazer, the lacrosse team’s goalie coach, who is entering his fourth season at SHP and joined the Snazzy team as a late-stage cofounder and COO. Supported by numerous SHP alumni, Snazzy is well-positioned for success.

As pictured, the Snazzy team supported the 2025 SHS Auction. Left to right: Mackenzie Gibson (SHP ’16), David Peterson (SHP ’17), Alex Harper (SHP ’17), and Isoa Moimoi (SHP ’17).

2021

12 Zoe Schneider graduated from Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences as an ethics, history and public policy (EHPP) and literature and culture major. Schneider was named the 2025 recipient of the K&L Gates Prize, which honors a student “who has best inspired their fellow students to a love of learning through a combination of intellect, high scholarly achievement, engagement with others and character.” Schneider is pursuing a PhD in philosophy at Brown University.

Alumni Day & Milestone Reunions 2026

Alumni Day

SEPTEMBER 19, 2026

www.shschools.org/alumniday

Alumni Day 2025 was so meaningful for so many. The day was filled with Sacred Heart spirit, love, and laughter, featuring alumni from classes 1957 to 2020, RSCJ, family, faculty, and friends. Several alumni celebrating milestone reunions traveled from as far away as Germany and Peru to celebrate on campus with their classmates.

From the Très Bien Luncheon and Diploma Ceremonies for the 50th, 60th, and 65th reunion classes, to the Alumni Mass and Spirit of Mater award presentation, and Oktoberfest Celebration with Gordon Biersch Brewery, our campus was buzzing with the sharing of old memories and making of new ones.

Sydney (Baker) Wachhorst (SJS ’84) received the 2025 Alumni Spirit of Mater Award, which was presented at the Alumni Mass presided by SHS’s priest, Rev. John D. Whitney, S.J., on Saturday, October 11, 2025, by Richard Dioli, SHS director of schools. Showing support for Sydney were fellow alumni, family, friends, and her Saint Joseph’s School principal, Sr. Anne McGowan.

The Spirit of Mater recognizes alumni who radiate Mater’s spark of divine spirit and who employ life in a manner representative of the Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton Goals and Criteria.

Learn more about Alumni Award recipients and nominations at www.shschools.org/alumawards

A Passport to the World

For decades, the SHP Exchange Program has served as a vital passport to the world, initially offering tailored language immersions for French and Spanish students with the aim of laying a foundation for lifelong cultural appreciation. Long before the program evolved into the expansive global network it is today, alumni like Martha (Scherzer) Stryker (SHP ’97) experienced the magic of its very beginnings. In the summer of 1995, Stryker embarked on a five-week exchange to our sister school in Guadalajara, Mexico, forging international connections that left a lasting impression on her life, and even inspired the next generation of her family to seek out the same global sisterhood.

Living with a multigenerational host family, Stryker found herself instantly embraced. While her host sister was shy, the older siblings playfully pushed her conversational skills and cultivated a bond. Stryker fondly recalls trips to vibrant local plazas, watching local families circling the plaza together, popsicles in hand. Alongside four other SHP students, she spent her days at a sacred heart school, Colegio Guadalajara del Sagrado Corazón, taking cooking and language classes. The group even learned traditional Mexican Ballet Folklórico dance, culminating in a performance for host families. Stryker, standing 5-foot-10, had to have custom dance shoes made with traditional tacks to fit her size 10 feet—a keepsake in her home to this day.

Beyond cultural connections, the trip profoundly shaped Stryker’s independence and worldview. When she became ill and grappled

with homesickness during the exchange, she learned to advocate for herself, navigating a clinic visit and finding comfort in small joys like watching local birds in her host’s lush garden. This newfound confidence and flexibility fueled a deeper commitment to global connection. She became a student leader for SHP’s Tijuana house-building trips and helped pioneer the school’s first-ever studentorganized service trip to Costa Rica. Her Guadalajara experience also heavily influenced her decision to major in global economics in college, a path specifically chosen because it required studying abroad and learning additional languages.

The experience of early participants like Stryker eventually paved the way for a dramatic programmatic shift. In fall 2013, under the visionary leadership of former SHS teacher Deborah Farrington Padilla, the exchange program expanded exponentially. Deeply moved by her own travels to Sacred Heart schools globally, Farrington Padilla grew the program from its original language hubs to encompass more than 20 schools across 10 countries. Today, under the guidance of current coordinator Krista Hinton, the exchange program continues to thrive. Its enduring legacy lives on in Stryker’s daughter, Magnolia, an SHP sophomore. Though unable to travel abroad this year, Magnolia recently served as a school host for a visiting student from Spain, continuing her family’s tradition of cross-cultural friendship and proving that our community truly knows no borders.

AVG length of exchange: 4 weeks

AVG age of participants: 16 years old

Current international students visiting SHS ’25-’26 24

Annually SHS receives about 40 APPLICATIONS

Current SHS students on exchange ’25-’26 23

25+ 30+ 2:1

Sacred Heart School Locations Available AVG SHS Participants AVG Ratio F:M Participants to take part in a network exchange

Top 5 countries most popular with SHS participants

“NEW” Location For 2025-2026: Hamburg, Germany

Dishes our visitors made in the SHP HEARTH: 30+

On repeat: Tortilla de patatas (Spain)

Most surprising success: Pavlovas (Australia)

Most difficult: Tanghulu

Can’t wait to try it again: Sopaipillas (Chile)

Places visitors most want to go while in U.S.:

Golden Gate Bridge

The Painted Ladies

Crumbl Cookie

In-N-Out Burger

I have opened my heart and mind, and it’s something I’ll never regret. “

I love the courses and lovely atmosphere at SHP. It makes me feel like we’re a big family.

Being here made me realize how special it is to be a part of the Sacred Heart, just by talking with people in school, I can tell we are all part of the same community. It has been the most rewarding experience in my whole life. I’m leaving with a heart full of new friendships and a whole new perspective on life.

150 Valparaiso Avenue

Atherton, California 94027-4402

A lumni Day

Saturday, September 19, 2026

shschools.org/alumniday

ALUMNI, FAMILY & FRIENDS ARE WELCOME!

1:00 p.m. Très Bien Luncheon, Conway (Palm) Court

2:30 p.m. 50th & 60th Class Reunion Diploma Ceremony, Conway (Palm) Court

3:00 p.m. SHP Athletics Hall of Fame Induction, Performing Arts Center off Conway (Palm) Court

4:00 p.m. Alumni Mass, Main Building Chapel

5:00 p.m. Oktoberfest Celebration Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, SHP Quad

CELEBRATING MILESTONE REUNIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 2021 (5th Reunion), 2016 (10th Reunion), 2011 (15th Reunion), 2006 (20th Reunion), 2001 (25th Reunion), 1996 (30th Reunion), 1991 (35th Reunion), 1986 (40th Reunion), 1981 (45th Reunion), 1976 (50th Reunion), 1971 (55th Reunion), 1966 (60th Reunion), 1961 (65th Reunion), 1956 (70th Reunion).