SPR ING 2025
SPIRITUAL SEEKERS EXPLORE WISDOM, EMBRACE COMPASSION, ENCOURAGE COMMON GROUND
BUBBLY BRAVERY The spring semester production of “The SpongeBob Musical, Youth Edition,” featured 63 enthusiastic fourth through eighth graders— 17 stage crew members and 46 on stage. Set in the underwater world of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob and friends navigated the impending threat of a volcano. Just as all hope seemed to be lost, an unlikely hero emerged, showing that optimism can overcome even the greatest challenges.
SP R IN G 2025
FEATURE
48 Spiritual Seekers
SHS educator Kate Motroni-Fish discusses Sacred Heart’s inclusive approach, blending tradition and innovation to foster spirituality, leadership, and community. DEPARTMENTS
3
From the Director of Schools
4
Around Atherton
24 Arts-in-Action 38 Gator Sports 58 Alumni News
On the cover: SHS Director of Mission & Ministry Kate Motroni-Fish working alongside sixth grader Anshi Agarwal in Lane Family Chapel to prepare for a reading at a prayer service during Ordinary Time.
GALACTIC GROWTH SHS first graders recently participated in a weeklong exploration of outer space. They learned about astronauts, explored space-related math, and co-wrote books with spacethemed stories. Experts like Steve Howell from NASA (pictured) and aerospace engineer Amy Connors visited, while alumnus Carl Crum (SHP ’24) shared his astrophotography and discussed the majestic nature of astronomy.
2 Spring 2025
EDITOR ELIZABETH W. NIXON
ASSOCIATE EDITOR DANA A.S. RAKOCZY
DESIGN GINNY WARREN
CLASS NOTES SHANNON MELINAUSKAS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dear Sacred Heart Family, It is hard to believe but as you receive this issue of the Sacred Heart Magazine, our school community will already be well underway preparing for the impending end-of-school year events, graduation ceremonies, and upcoming summer break. Without question, this year in particular feels like it has flown by. Traditionally, the fall and winter months on campus move at a measured and reliable pace. We have the usual mile-marker activities—Valpo Bowl and school plays, parent-teacher conferences and student ERB/PSAT/SAT testings, Family Masses and the Feasts of Mater and Rose Philippine, the Chili Cook-off and Cioppino dinner—and so much more. These annual events help us both stay firmly grounded in the business and goals of our spiritual and academic life, and keep us tightly connected as an active community that honors and values our unique traditions. That said, perhaps contributing to the feeling of an especially frenzied pace this year, our community has experienced another “regular” event in school life—our SHS re-accreditation through the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC), the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). Held on a recurring cycle of five-to-seven years, this process requires us to closely examine our programs and practices to ensure that our efforts truly fulfill our mission, our stated goals, and our thresholds for continued excellence. Among the many aspects under scrutiny are our academic and co-curricular programs, breadth of learning resources, educator support and development, overall campus climate, fiscal management and school leadership, strategic planning, and of course, our Catholic identity. Based on the visiting accreditation team’s evaluative report, I share with tremendous pride that areas cited as successes were many and for improvement few, so our follow-up action plan is now in development and will underpin some of the strategic planning work we intend to tackle in the coming year. Full disclosure, any accreditation process—whether in the current WASC-WCEA review, the Network of Sacred Heart Schools’ SHCOG (most recently completed in 2023), or as an annual departmental, divisional, or community exercise—can be both lengthy and intense, but it is so pivotal in order to thrive. Therefore it is deeply gratifying to know that we continue to be a school that embraces, rather than shies away from, opportunities to grow and improve. This openness to self-reflection and commitment to action ensures we continue to push ourselves forward and not “rest on past laurels,” and above all, that we keep holding ourselves accountable and our standards high.
SHS EDUCATORS SHS ALUMNI SHS ARCHIVES SHS PARENTS
PRINTING PRECISION SERVICES GROUP
DIGITAL COPY SHSCHOOLS.ORG/PUBLICATIONS 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.
2024–25 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MARNIE MARCIN, CHAIR SCOTT BAKER RENATA DIONELLO RICHARD A. DIOLI SHALYN EASON BUNNY FLICK, RSCJ DAVID GEORGE SHEILA HAMMOND, RSCJ FATHER ERIC HOLLAS, OSB FIONA KERNS GARY KIRKHAM LIZ MUIR MONICA NAYAR ADRIAN PERICA SARA ANN RUDE, RSCJ PAUL SALLABERRY DAVID SCHNEIDER ELAINE SHEN SCOTT SMITHERS NEVIN SPIEKER KIMBERLY SUMME LISA SWEENEY NATE TAYLOR ALISON VAN DYKE ANNA VISHRIA
Sincerely,
Richard A. Dioli Director of Schools
Sacred Heart Magazine 3
NEWS 4 Spring 2025
DIWALI DAYS The K-8 Cultural Celebration last fall highlighted Diwali (pictured, Lower School performers), as well as Italian and Latino heritages, and Jewish High Holy Days, with an array of colorful dance acts and presentations by students across the Lower & Middle Schools. Read more on page 20.
Sacred Heart Magazine 5
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Math Minds K-8 AND SHP TEACHERS ATTEND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS CONFERENCE
Professional development for educators at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (SHS) is an essential part of ensuring teaching methods remain dynamic and students continually receive the very highest quality education. SHS Middle School Curriculum Director Dr. Sharon Sikora, a dedicated educator at Sacred Heart whose previous role spanned the entire campus as the science curriculum, learning, and teaching coordinator, shared insights about the role of professional growth in enhancing teaching. One of the key events for K-8 teachers is the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) conference. The group first attended the conference in 2022; this year the trip grew to include four SHP math teachers, paving the way for Sacred Heart’s entire math team to explore the latest research and instructional strategies, and discuss how to deepen students’ mathematical thinking. “We want math to be more than just computational,” says Sikora. “It’s essential that students can support their critical thinking, solve new problems, and relate mathematical concepts to real-world situations”—a major takeaway from a session on illustrating student thinking in mathematics, which resonated deeply with the educators. This approach aligns with Sacred Heart’s overarching goal of fostering transparent student thinking across all subjects. Pre-conference meetings, where the math department set its vision and aligned the day’s sessions with that vision, were pivotal in creating a cohesive approach. “Before we even attended the sessions, we made sure to stay grounded in our vision statement,” Sikora said. This kind of thoughtful planning ensures that professional development is not just a one-off experience but an integral part of the school’s long-term educational strategy. A standout moment from the conference was a session led by Robert Kaplinsky, an expert in both lower and middle school math instruction. Kaplinsky’s accessible approach and ongoing support resources, such as his website OpenMiddle.com, conveniently delineated by grade level, proved invaluable. Teachers were also particularly moved by School of the Art Institute of Chicago Scientist-In-Residence Eugenia Chen’s keynote address, which explored the integration of art with math. Pulling out her violin, Chen demonstrated how the rhythm of music can mirror mathematical concepts, offering a creative and engaging way to approach math education. “It was such a refreshing perspective. She knocked our socks off. Everyone walked away with an even more profound love for math,” says Sikora. 6 Spring 2025
Middle School Math teacher Torri Horovitz agreed, “[Chen as the] opening speaker was amazing—she showed us how students used sandwiches to explain the quadratic formula, and other truly creative and innovative ways to represent mathematical understanding; it was a great reminder to allow students the time to go deeper, instead of always trying to rush on to the next topic.” Beyond the workshops and sessions, Sacred Heart’s math team bonded over shared experiences at the conference. “There’s a unique joy in being part of a large community—over 6,000 educators—yet also having those moments when you see someone you know and can say, ‘I just went to this great session, and this is what I learned… the dynamic is quick and deep and so authentic,” says Sikora. Another key professional development opportunity was the fall P-8 Learning Progression Session, a day-long workshop held on campus in November. This session launched the creation of a communication skills framework for Sacred Heart students, focusing on how to effectively develop speaking, writing, and listening skills from preschool through eighth grade. “We wanted to get on the same page regarding grade-level expectations for communication skills,” says Sikora. “By watching a video of our students across the grades demonstrating their communication abilities, teachers could see how these skills evolve over the years.”
“Attending the math conference was an invigorating experience... Presentations from leading teachers and professionals from around the country offered fresh perspectives on familiar topics, while breakout sessions allowed for deep dives into emerging areas. One of my key takeaways was the need to enhance student voice in the classroom.” —JOSH WELLMAN, FIFTH GRADE CORE TEACHER
Through thoughtful discussions, teachers aligned their vocabulary and strategies, ensuring consistency in expectations for students. The session also incorporated research on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework designed to support neurodiversity in classrooms. “We’re using UDL principles to create lesson plans that are flexible and accessible to all students, making sure we meet each learner where they are,” says Sikora. Finally, a P-8 Professional Development Day held in March focused on neurodiversity and UDL, with educators working together to integrate these principles into lesson plans. Teachers use Sacred Heart’s Atlas curriculum software to document and share their plans, fostering collaboration across grade levels. “This helps us build a professional community where everyone is learning from each other and supporting each other’s growth,” says Sikora. These avenues for ongoing dialogue “are about creating a community of professional learners,” she emphasized. “The conference might be the seed, but the real growth happens when we nurture that learning and continue the conversation throughout the year.”
ST. MADELEINE SOPHIE AWARDS The St. Madeleine Sophie Awards honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to SHS. Their commitment to the mission of a Sacred Heart education is an inspiration to all.
The 2024 recipients are pictured here from left to right with SHS Director of Schools Richard Dioli (at far left); Past Parent & Past Trustee Maryan Ackley; Past SHP Faculty Member Sue Beltramo; and Current P-8 Staff Member Kyle Kalmbach.
Studying Connections TRACKING TRENDS IN SCHOOL CULTURE, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH Connected to SHS’s strategic goals around health and wellness, last spring both the middle and high school divisions launched a coordinated, improved effort to longitudinally track our students’ individual and collective sense of wellbeing and belonging within our school community. For middle schoolers, data was collected using an add-on questionnaire through the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) comprehensive tests, given each year predominantly to gain insight into individual and collective student academic progress and growth. Through the questionnaire, students offered perspective broadly around school culture and the student experience, providing administrators with key insight that will guide future improvements to program and practice. For SHP students, an anonymous survey was administered and analyzed by research firm Authentic Connections, with questions specifically targeting indicators related to student mental health in “high-achieving” schools/communities–for example, school climate, peer and parent relationships, substance use, social media impact,
bullying, and general feelings of anxiety and depression. Results shared from this survey indicated that while in general, SHP students track fairly close to national norms across most areas of typical concern, there are also a few key areas in which continued or more focused support may be of benefit to school culture and overall students’ sense of health, wellness, and safety at Sacred Heart. Findings from this survey have been shared with parents, faculty and staff, and SHS Board of Trustees, and will be utilized to guide any short- and long-term strategic objectives, development of support programs, and identification of new or additional resources to continue supporting our students’ health and wellness. Going forward, Sacred Heart has committed to administering both the ERB questionnaire and Authentic Connections survey on an annual cadence, so that the school can evaluate the efficacy of any new related initiatives, mark any progress, and monitor, understand, and respond to any mental health trends affecting students across grades.
Sacred Heart Magazine 7
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Accolades Abound Lower School Art teacher Ciara Bedingfield’s (1) collage artwork, “Peggy’s Visit,” was selected for inclusion in London’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024. As an artist, Bedingfield is interested in the untold stories of women’s struggles throughout history. The inspiration for “Peggy’s Visit” comes from a Polaroid photograph of her grandmother taken in the 1970s. Prior to the exhibition, an artists’ opening included a church service and procession as part of “Varnishing Day.” Bedingfield was able to attend the event in person as part of SHS’s professional development initiatives. The well-known installation artist Cornelia Parker curated the room that held Bedingfield’s art piece. Stevens Family Library (2) was featured in American Libraries Magazine’s March issue story, The Net-Zero Revolution. A decade after becoming the first library in the US to receive Net Zero Energy status, the library’s sustainability efforts continue to earn recognition and praise.
1
2
6
8 Spring 2025
SHP computer science teachers Kayla Holman and Kevin Morris will present a poster session on SHP’s Interdisciplinary Computer Science program at this summer’s Computer Science Teachers Association National Conference in Cleveland. SHP Social Science teachers Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams (3) presented on “Educational Advocacy: Calling for the Creation of an AP Women’s History Course” at the California Council of the Social Studies Conference in March. See the full story about their efforts on page 15. SHP Board Certified Educational Therapist Dr. Anna McDonald, Ed.D., (4) has been busy making an impact in education, from co-developing the TeachAAPI Affinity Toolkit with DEIA expert Rosetta Lee, which launched at the Nais People of Color Conference (PoCC) and is shared with schools nationwide, to presenting at Notre Dame de Namur’s master’s class in educational therapy. McDonald is also moderating up-
coming workshops, including a panel on neurodivergent adults in June. A dedicated advocate, McDonald actively seeks ways to empower others in the field. SHP English teacher Dr. Lisa Harper (5) published “What Nathaniel Hawthorne Has to Say to Silicon Valley About TechnoOptimism” in Literary Hub in March. Her think piece considers how 19th century Hawthorne helps her students consider the ambitions and dangers of 21st century technooptimism—and especially the risks that tech innovation poses to human dignity. SHP senior Vishnu Kagolanu submitted an abbreviated version of a prior English assignment, a “Justice” letter, to the New York Times’ Open Letters opinion-writing contest. Out of over 8,000 submissions, Kagolanu’s letter, “The C.D.C. Should Provide More Funding to Research Rare Neurological Diseases,” was recognized as an “additional finalist,” placing him in the final round of judging.
3
7
SHP senior Katherine Ware has qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME) for three consecutive years. Other past qualifiers include Eason Bao (SHP ’27) in 2024, and Selena Jiang (SHP ’25) in 2023, who also won the Young Women in Mathematics Two Sigma AMC 10B Award in 2023. SHP robotics (6), a team of over 30 students, competes on four separate smaller teams throughout the season; in January, the freshman team competed in the finals at the Point Church qualifier competition, with two other Sacred Heart teams finishing in first and third. In February, team “Measure Once Cut Twice” competed in the Northern California Regional Tournament, making it into the semifinals and placing third, tying the program’s best performance ever, which was in 2019. Co-coach and SHP creative inquiry teacher Alex Bucur (7) was surprised with the Compass Award for being the best coach in the Northern California region, a submis-
4
8
sion that the robotics team members along with co-coach and SHP Computer Science teacher Kayla Holman worked on as a surprise. This summer, the robotics team will compete in Canada after earning their spot by finishing third at regionals. This international event is one step away from the World Championships. Also early in the new year, the fifth-grade robotics team (8) stepped into the spotlight at its very first robotics tournament—a moment two years in the making. Students put their knowledge to the test in driving skills, autonomous programming, the teamwork challenge, and the team engineering interview. Together, the young engineers faced nerves, embraced excitement, and worked as a united team.
SHP’s PULSE dance team (9) made a strong showing at the Inferno and Headliners regional dance competitions, earning top awards for their performances across Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop styles. At Inferno, the team received Elite Platinum awards for their four routines, with one performance earning a High Score Award and placing second overall out of more than 70 entries. They continued their success at Headliners, earning High Gold awards, with two routines securing first place in the Senior Large Group and Senior Class categories. With their dedication and artistry, PULSE continues to elevate the dance program at SHP. To read about SHP MUN student accolades, please see page 21.
5
9
Sacred Heart Magazine 9
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
SAINTS GO MARCHING The Saints Project is a research-based unit designed to deepen fourth graders’ understanding of the lives of Catholic saints. Students select a saint to research, exploring the saint’s life, virtues, and miracles, and
creatively present the findings on a shield. The project integrates religion, writing, art, and presentation skills, fostering both academic and spiritual growth. The experience culminates in a special moment
where students proudly showcase the beautifully designed saint shields at the St. Rose Philippine Liturgy, celebrating learning and honoring the saints as part of their faith journey.
POETRY CAFÉ
Over the course of several weeks, second graders explore the genre of poetry both as readers and writers. They learn how line breaks create rhythm and music in a poem, and how comparative language builds vivid imagery for the reader. Students draw inspiration from big emotions, often tied to small moments or objects, and by using a poet’s eye to see ordinary things in new ways. They discover how poets carefully select words to craft images and evoke moods that readers can relate to from their own experiences. Each student writes a collection of poems and selects one favorite to share at the Poetry Café event, a cherished second grade tradition.
10 Spring 2025
Empowering Educators BUILDING COMMUNITY AT THE PEOPLE OF COLOR CONFERENCE A group of 20 educators from P-12 attended the People of Color Conference (POCC) held in Denver, CO—an annual transformative experience that not only enhances teaching practices but also fosters a strong sense of community among faculty. The conference offered an opportunity for growth, connection, and camaraderie that is essential for both personal and professional development. Teachers explored workshop topics such as anti-racist practices, restorative methods, and incorporating multiculturalism into the curriculum. Learning from top experts and speakers that the POCC routinely offers helped equip teachers with the latest research, skills, and strategies—sparking ideas to bring back to the classroom. One significant aspect of the POCC is its focus on affinity spaces— safe, supportive environments where educators of color and allies can come together and share experiences. Now in her second year of attending, P-8 Director of Mission & Culture Brisa Diaz, said that as a Latina, the conference offers a rare opportunity to connect with peers who share similar identities. This year, she sought out a Chicano “micro” affinity space. “I found my people. This group was a really powerful source of healing and connection, especially this year with a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment in the news.” Sending SHS educators to the conference has also supported faculty retention. The concept of affinity spaces, introduced at the
conference, was implemented at SHP in 2020, and at the P-8 about four years ago for both educators and students. These affinity spaces contribute to teacher retention by providing a supportive network that helps educators navigate various challenges. “It was powerful to listen to other schools talk about their affinity spaces, how they support students of different backgrounds, and see how a lot of the work we’ve been doing at Sacred Heart is right on track, highly impactful, and has really changed the fabric of this school—it’s hard to think about Sacred Heart without its affinity spaces, they are truly invaluable,” says Diaz. POCC also benefits building strong inter-campus relationships. Teachers from different school divisions—the P-8 and SHP—bonded over shared experiences, making the school feel more cohesive. The tradition of saving seats for each other at large general sessions allowed for moments of solidarity, and conversations sparked during debrief sessions with school leadership provided valuable insights into how the conference experience could inform the school’s ongoing equity efforts. In all, the POCC experience is a powerful reminder of the importance of both individual growth and community building, helping educators better understand their roles as allies and advocates for students, while reinforcing the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
P-8 educators, pictured here from left to right: Brisa Diaz, Erin Greig, Arturo Cuevas, Jesus Lozano, Sal Alvisar, and Monic Aguilar
Sacred Heart Magazine 11
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Senior Service In December, SHP senior Nelson Harris received a $10,000 volunteerism award sponsored by Lexus of Stevens Creek, for his work with senior citizens at the Rosener House in Menlo Park who are living with dementia. “Through navigating my grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, I have been inspired to help others in my community who suffer from similar ailments,” says Harris. “Having seen the damage and loneliness that deteriorative mental disabilities can cause firsthand, the ability I have to brighten the lives of people going through such difficulties is one that I value deeply.” Harris’s efforts inspire others to engage with and support the elderly, embodying the mission of service that SHS encourages in its students.
Harris pictured with his grandmother
Uganda Giving The Uganda Giving Tree at the Holiday Boutique raised nearly $14,000 in both online and in-person donations to support the educational mission of the Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) in Uganda. This annual fundraising initiative takes place during the holiday season by 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. Bonnell expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Society’s students: “A special thanks goes out to Sister Irene Cullen, RSCJ, for her inspiration and guidance, to the coordinators of the Holiday Boutique for their tremendous support, and to all who contributed to this cause that transforms lives.”
ALL ARE WELCOME
Students, families, and educators all participate in the spiritual life of the school—actively engaging in reflection, personal and communal prayer, and embodying the Gospel spirit. These practices help SHS students cultivate deep and flourishing spiritual lives. Throughout the year, Family Masses offer the opportunity to celebrate the central prayer of the Catholic Tradition: the Eucharist, with members from all faiths warmly encouraged to attend. Also held throughout the year are All-School Masses for students and educators, where an anthem from the Catholic faith tradition comes to life, “All Are Welcome, All Belong!”
12 Spring 2025
All-School Mass of the Holy Spirit in September
100%
Percentage of students that will participate in service during their time at SHS.
37,200+ service hours
Roughly the amount that will be given by the total SHP student body over a four-year period of high school.
WHO BENEFITS FROM OUR STUDENTS’ SERVICE?*
41%
programs focused on
Housing & Hunger
20%
programs focused on
Education & Mentorship
16% programs focused on
Healthcare & Special Needs
9% programs focused on
Ecological & Environmental
7% programs focused on
Elderly & Veterans
4.5% programs focused on
2.5%
Migration & Justice
programs focused on
Advocacy
45+
Number of local regional, and national organizations/programs that have benefited from SHS student service across the last decade.
*Numbers reflect total pf partnering organizations with SHS
Manifesting GOAL III Putting GOAL III into action, direct service opportunities, student-driven advocacy campaigns, targeted drives and events enable students to actively address and support communities in crisis, while learning more about human dignity, personal responsibility, and root causes of pervasive challenges that impede our common good.
13
The number of years SHP students have planned and led the HeArt Exchange program, providing workshops in fine arts, sports, and robotics to local underserved students.
Sacred Heart Magazine 13
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Fall Fun SHS had a spooky good time this past Halloween, from the Montessori Preschool Pumpkin Patch (1), P-5 Trunk Or Treat (2) and the K-8 Halloween Parade (3), to Lower School class parties (4,5) and fun-filled
1
Middle School activities (6). The Prep side of campus saw educators and students alike parade down the mall (7) and participate in funny skits and performances (at least two Australian breakdancers were spotted).
2
3 4
6
14 Spring 2025
5
7
WAPUSH Makes Waves SHP TEACHERS AND STUDENTS LEAD PUSH FOR FIRST-EVER AP U.S. WOMEN’S HISTORY COURSE
L-R: Brooke Soderbery (SHP ’26), Samantha Pyle (SHP ’25), Serene Williams, Kate Ragatz (SHP ’25), Shannon Bennitt (SHP ’25), Kristen Kelly, and Clara Robinson (a student advocate from Massachusetts).
“It’s crucial for empowering girls—so they feel represented and realize they have the power to influence change.” —SAMANTHA PYLE, SHP SENIOR SHP students along with teachers Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams presented last fall at the National Council of Social Studies conference about their proposal for an Advanced Placement (AP) United States Women’s History course; and they will continue to present on the topic throughout 2025 and beyond. Kelly and Williams argue that the College Board lacks a standalone women’s history course in its AP offerings, which should be addressed. After reviewing the curriculum last spring, the College Board voiced its support of the course and outlined steps for its pilot, including gathering letters of backing from high schools and universities nationwide. Since then, more than 80 letters from universities and dozens from high schools have been collected. After the conference presentation, the veteran teachers took the four SHP students to the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, where, two years ago, they began their research for the proposed AP U.S. Women’s History course as part of a 2022 Harvard teaching grant. Their goal is to uncover stories of underrepresented women leaders to enrich the course curriculum. “Women’s contributions to society are overlooked in current AP courses, and young people deserve to understand the importance of women’s impact on history and politics,” says Williams. And it is youth who are propelling the course creation forward. The teachers have mentored students to undertake important fem-
inist research, from the Wikipedia “Women in Red” project, where their students created 16 Wikipedia pages for important women in history that did not exist before, to original research of the California women’s suffrage movement. They have brought over a dozen students along to present at the nation’s most prestigious women’s studies, social studies, and history conferences. In July, two SHP seniors presented the initiative to establish an AP U.S. Women’s History course at the College Board conference in Las Vegas. Most recently, the students have founded WAPUSH.org to advocate for the creation of the course, document their work, and tell inspiring stories from little-known women in history through their “WAPUSH Wednesday” social media series, as well as recruit other students nationwide to get involved. The grassroots campaign is gaining momentum as SHP leads the way with these efforts, which include garnering national support from a diverse group of at least 250 high schools, gathering at least 100 letters of support from universities, collecting sample syllabi from universities currently offering an equivalent course, and fundraising for a pilot of the new AP course. “Over the past two years, we’ve made huge strides in making an AP U.S. Women’s History course a reality,” says SHP senior Samantha Pyle. “It’s crucial for empowering girls—so they feel represented and realize they have the power to influence change.” Sacred Heart Magazine 15
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Wait Until… The buzz for smartphone-free schools is at an all-time high, and this year the P-8 marked its 3rd annual “Wait Until” initiative, inspired by the nationwide “Wait Until 8th” movement, which encourages parents to delay giving children smartphones until the eighth grade. SHS breaks down the challenge into smaller “bites” by asking parents and students to commit for just one more year, and “Wait Until Fall 2025” to reassess as a family whether to remain smartphone free. Over 100 students proudly gathered in September with their certificates representing this commitment.
SABOR AND SOUL
The SHP LatinX student affinity group, Mi Gente, hosted its fourth annual all-school LatinX Heritage Celebration in October, filled with homemade food and student performances, as well as folklórico dancers. “The annual LatinX Heritage Celebration is a time to honor our culture, uplift our voices, and share our traditions,” said student organizer Chris Almazan Razo (SHP ’25). “It’s a meaningful reminder of the strength and pride within our Latinx community at SHS.”
16 Spring 2025
SHS’s initiative, launched in 2022, was driven by parents and the school’s counseling office. In addition to postponing smartphone usage, the program focuses on raising awareness among students and parents about both the challenges and benefits of screen time for younger children. It also provides guidance on how students can cultivate balanced and healthy relationships with technology.
Authors Booked As part of the Stevens Family Library’s ongoing “Author Visit” series, local author and venture capitalist Deena Shakir spent a morning in February with first through third graders sharing her debut book, Leena Mo, CEO, about a young girl who creates a robot to solve her most dreaded chore—shoveling snow. The book not only encourages creativity but also demonstrates how problem-solving can lead to incredible inventions. Shakir encouraged students to look for “Easter eggs” in the illustrations–special visuals that enhance the story—and sparked a lively discussion about inventions, with one student wonder-
GUACAMOLE WITH DIOLI
The inaugural “Guacamole with Dioli” event for kindergarten families took place in September. Sunshine, rainbows, lots of smiles (and tasty Mexican food) were in abundance as families settled into the preschool and kindergarten lawn and playgrounds to enjoy a meal with Director of Schools Richard Dioli and P-8 Principal Francesca Brake. The event is a spinoff of a longtime traditional dinner at the beginning of the school year for preschool families, “Ravioli with Dioli,” which also took place last fall.
ing if they could build their own version of the robot, Helmy. The visit ended with Shakir asking for sequel ideas, prompting one student to suggest the sequel could follow the girl in Iraq, who, toward the end of the story, is inspired by Leena Mo to make her own invention. Author visits for Lower School students are a beloved tradition, with visitors typically scheduled during both fall and spring semesters. Last fall, author Devin Elle Kurtz came to speak to first through third grade students about her debut book, The Bakery Dragon, as an author-illustrator.
GRAND MOMENTS
In January, students from P-8 welcomed family and friends for Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day. The event featured a day filled with activities, food, prayer, and song, giving guests a glimpse into campus life and the closeknit community students build every day.
Sacred Heart Magazine 17
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
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 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. SPECIAL THANKS TO STUDENT NEWSPAPER, THE HEARTBEAT, FOR ITS EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF ACTIVITIES AND INTERVIEWS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
While welcoming to people of good will in every spiritual tradition, our Catholic identity provides us with wonderful tools for discernment and reflection, while also calling us to take seriously the teaching— especially social teaching—offered by this tradition. —FR. JOHN WHITNEY, S.J., IN AN EMAIL TO THE SACRED HEART COMMUNITY THAT ENCOURAGES A READING OF POPE FRANCIS’ BRIEF MISSIVE TO U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS AROUND THE SANCTITY AND OBLIGATION OF PRESERVING HUMAN DIGNITY DURING CONTENTIOUS IMMIGRATION POLICY CHANGES.
18 Spring 2025
During their time [abroad], they notice that the pace of life is so different— it’s really slowed down, pared down…but there’s a beauty in that, and a lovely simplicity in doing fewer things, something that students who experience high levels of stress and anxiety here really feel free from. —SHP GLOBAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM DIRECTOR KRISTA HINTON SUMMARIZES THE PALPABLE CHANGE SHE SEES IN STUDENTS UPON THEIR RETURN FROM AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE. ABOUT 24 SHP STUDENTS TAKE PART IN THIS PROGRAM ANNUALLY.
Stewardship at Sacred Heart is a responsibility that extends beyond financial prudence. It is a sacred trust—rooted in the enduring values of the RSCJ that have guided this school since its founding. —HOST MARNIE MARCIN, CHAIR OF THE SHS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, GIVES THE INTRODUCTION FOR A COMMUNITY FIRESIDE CHAT WITH DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS RICHARD DIOLI AND CFO DEENA SOULON, EXPLORING THE QUESTIONS AROUND THE SCHOOL’S FISCAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL OPERATING PHILOSOPHY, AND FUTURE OUTLOOK.
Given the choice to embrace pure learning or curiosity over the painstaking obsession with grades and still [being able to] achieve their goals, we believe that many students would abandon grades in a heartbeat. —THE HEARTBEAT STUDENT NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL, IN RESPONSE TO ONGOING CAMPUS DISCUSSION AROUND STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND ANXIETY, PRESSURES TO EXCEL, AND THE DISCONTINUATION OF A GRADE-MONITORING APPLICATION THAT ENABLED STUDENTS TO DAILY TRACK THEIR OWN PERFORMANCE.
Because [the school] has never done a pregame show, we want to experiment with a different part of sports broadcasting…to try something new that no other high school has ever done before. —THOMAS KLEMENS (SHP ’26), ON THE CREATION AND SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF LIVE BROADCAST “SHP GAME DAY!” WHICH PAID HOMAGE TO ESPN’S “GAME DAY” FORMAT, AIRING A SPIRITED PRE SHOW DURING THE LEADUP TO VALPO BOWL XX, AND CONTINUING THROUGHOUT WITH LIVE GAME COVERAGE AND COLOR COMMENTARY, PROVIDED BY HOSTS FROM BOTH SHP AND MENLO SCHOOL.
Ultimately, whatever the results of the election may be, we must accept it. As a nation, we cannot afford to jeopardize our democracy…Learning to move forward with an opposing candidate does not mean sacrificing one’s virtues; it means staying true to the democratic principles of the nation. —THE HEARTBEAT STUDENT NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL, PUBLISHED ONLY A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE HISTORIC 2024 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Being able to suit up and hear the national anthem while being on the Senior Team roster was unforgettable. —RECENT ALUMNA NATALIA SZCZERBA (SHP ’25), ON BEING NAMED TO THE SENIOR TEAM ROSTER FOR TEAM USA’S WOMEN’S WATER POLO AND COMPETING IN THE DIVISION I WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS, HELD IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS, GREECE IN DECEMBER.
The language of James is rich, expansive, and suffused with a tension that mirrors the landscape of the time period itself, but the novel never lingers too long in despair. Instead, it oscillates between poignancy, humor, and irony. —IN AN ARTS REVIEW FOR THE HEARTBEAT STUDENT NEWSPAPER, SOPHIA KAUSHIK (SHP ’27) OFFERS AN ELOQUENT DEEP-DIVE ANALYSIS ON THE TITLE CHARACTER OF PERCIVAL EVERETT’S NOVEL JAMES—A VERY FRESH VERSION OF TWAIN’S CHARACTER MADE FAMOUS IN HUCKLEBERRY FINN.
Now, you see people talking, actually enjoying that 10 minutes during passing periods…there’s more engagement, and the community just feels stronger. —SHP DEAN OF STUDENTS LAMONT QUATTLEBAUM, ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL’S NEW “NO CELL PHONE” POLICY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
Sacred Heart Magazine 19
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Cultural Connections Throughout the year, students and educators engage with the vibrant diversity of SHS’s community. Across campus, a deep sense of belonging and connection is forged through shared heritage, traditions, identities, and culture. On the P-8 side, Cultural Celebrations take place three times per school year, allowing students to present on stage about their roots. Festivities often include dance performances, cultural crafts and activities, displays of traditional dress,
20 Spring 2025
and even fashion shows. In October, the assembly spotlighted student presentations on Italian and Latino cultures, Diwali, and the Jewish High Holy Days. February’s celebration honored Lunar New Year and Black History Month, alongside a special Mexican folk art/ piñata presentation. March brought Nowruz, Filipino heritage, and Holi into the spotlight.
BERKELEY MUN
Research
Sean Kurian (SHP ’27) Kingston Desuasido (SHP ’27) Nadia Aref (SHP ’27) Athena Ogawa (SHP ’28)
Commendations
Sean Kurian (SHP ’27) Kingston Desuasido (SHP ’27) Dora Fang (SHP ’28) Caitlin Grahmann (SHP ’28) Andrew Stamos (SHP ’25) Duke Tom (SHP ’26) Brooke Soderbery (SHP ’26)
Best Delegate
Graham Keller (SHP ’27) Saara Wallace (SHP ’27) SANTA CLARA VALLEY MUN SHP students at the Berkeley Model UN Conference in March
Verbal Commendations Jad Azmeh (SHP ’26) Zade Azmeh (SHP ’27) Julia Choy (SHP ’26) Athena Ogawa (SHP ’28) Patrick Stamos (SHP ’27)
Model Students
Honorable Mentions
SHP STUDENTS EXCEL AT THREE MODEL UNITED NATIONS EVENTS
Outstanding Delegate
The Sacred Heart Prep Model United Nations (MUN) program recently celebrated impressive achievements at three major conferences, exemplifying the growth and dedication of its delegates. In March, 18 SHP students represented the school at the highly competitive 73rd Berkeley Model UN Conference. MUN Faculty Moderator Dan Allari and social science teacher commended the delegates on their excellent decorum and strong preparation for the event. “Everyone improved in some important area—even the veterans,” says Allari. “At a conference with competition from North American and Europe, SHP did very well as we brought eight newcomers to this highly competitive competition.”
“Three SHP students at the Harvard Model Conference—Dora Fang, Graham Keller, and Eduardo Tapper—co-authored one of only two bills to pass both houses of Congress and be signed into law by the president, a truly remarkable job.” —DAN ALLARI, MUN FACULTY MODERATOR Earlier in the spring semester, 22 SHP students competed at the Santa Clara Valley MUN Conference. Seventeen of these delegates were ninth or tenth graders, underscoring the program’s strength across all grade levels. Allari praised the delegates for their tremendous growth in both preparation and performance, which contributed to a standout showing at an event that has become increasingly competitive. Twelve SHP students earned recognition for their efforts. Also taking place early in the new year, 12 SHP students participated in the prestigious Harvard Model Congress San Francisco 2025. The competition, which drew top delegates from around the world, proved to be a formidable challenge, yet SHP’s team continued to prevail with an historic performance. At Gunn High School’s MUN Conference in the fall, SHP did similarly well, earning nine acknowledgments or awards. “SHP MUN’s success is a testament to the hard work of both new and veteran leaders,” says Allari. “Graham Keller, Brooke Soderbery, Eduardo Tapper, and Duke Tom continue to build on the legacy of the club, fostering an environment of collaboration and excellence. Their leadership, along with the dedication of the entire team, ensures that the SHP MUN program will continue to thrive.”
Nadia Aref (SHP ’27) Graham Keller (SHP ’27) Andrew Stamos (SHP ’25) Kingston Desuasido (SHP ’27) Arav Ramchand (SHP ’27) Rohaan Sanyal (SHP ’27) Saara Wallace (SHP ’27) HARVARD MUN
Honorable Mentions
Kingston Desuasido (SHP ’27) Sean Kurian (SHP ’27) Duke Tom (SHP ’26) Kate Ragatz (SHP ’25)
Best Delegate
Emily Hallum (SHP ’26) Lucy Irvine (SHP ’27) Graham Keller (SHP ’27) Brooke Soderbery (SHP ’26) Andrew Stamos (SHP ’25) GUNN HIGH SCHOOL MUN
Verbal Acknowledgement Kingston Desuasido (SHP ’27)
Honorable Mentions
Nadia Aref (SHP ’27) Dora Fang (SHP ’28) Emily Hallum (SHP ’26) Duke Tom (SHP ’26) Eduardo Tapper (SHP ’26) Brooke Soderbery (SHP ’26)
Outstanding Delegate Graham Keller (SHP ’27)
Best Delegate
Saara Wallace (SHP ’27)
Sacred Heart Magazine 21
A R O U N D AT H E R TO N
Hidden Half of History
12 SHIS PROJECTS WERE PRESENTED AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY: Avery Wagner, Social Sciences
Each year, a group of SHP seniors present their final senior honors independent study (SHIS) projects. Each has a faculty mentor and sponsoring department supporting their self-guided, in-depth research into an academic topic of their choosing. SHP seniors Kate Ragatz and Samantha Pyle held a joint SHIS session about their proposal for an AP United States Women’s History course and a YouTube series @hiddenHalfOfHistory creating accessible resources to learn about women in American history. Their faculty mentor was SHP Social Science teacher Serene Williams.
Decoding Consumer Decisions: Understanding Nudging in Contemporary Marketing
Kelly Ho, Social Sciences
Evolution of the U.S. Supreme Court: The Impact on American Politics
Edison Peng, Fine Arts
How Vocal Music Combats Autism
Kate Ragatz, Social Sciences
Pioneering Perspectives: Piloting an Advanced Placement United States Women’s History Course
Samantha Pyle, Social Sciences
Unveiling the Hidden Half: Augmenting AP U.S. History with Sources about Women
Meredith Hale, Religious Studies
Legal Access: The Disparities Between Male and Female Federal Prisons
Roshan Taneja, Computer Science
Object Detection on Public Satellite Data For Scaled Placement of Water Harvesting Units in East Africa
Coco Kling, Social Sciences
Political Psychology: A Deep Dive into the Brain of a Voter
Arjun Singh, Religious Studies
Compromised Sanctity: Chinese Fentanyl Production and the U.S. Opioid Crisis— A Catholic Perspective on Human Dignity
PHOTO CREDIT: ELIZA ZUCK (SHP ’25)
Frederick Yip, Social Sciences
SISTERS’ SOLUTIONS
SHP math teacher Dana Jordan’s Applications of Advanced Algebra class visited the RSCJ at Oakwood Retirement Community last fall, where students interviewed the Sisters about real-life uses of high school math. Pictured: Sr. Suzanne Lasseigne shares with Angelo Nuñez (SHP ’25) how she applies math to gardening by calculating mulch needs based on area and depth. The class also explored linear regression, measuring height vs. foot size as part of their study.
22 Spring 2025
Government Economic Policy: A Comparison Between the 2008 Financial Crash and the 2019 Covid Pandemic
Shannon Bennitt, Social Sciences
A History of Feminism in Modern America
Megan Newby, English
Narratives and Climate Justice: The Powers and Limitations of Literature in Inspiring Change
Cooking Up Support The annual Chili Cook-Off last fall drew nearly 900 attendees for a fun-filled evening of friendly competition and school spirit. Beyond the excitement of tasting delicious chili, the event raised vital funds for the SHP Fine Arts programs, enhancing opportunities for students in theater, music, and visual arts. This year, the funds helped provide new camera equipment, new chairs for the Performing Arts Center, and music licensing for a student film. The evening also featured incredible performances by SHP’s fine arts students. The PULSE dance team wowed the crowd, while the chorus, string ensembles, and band delivered outstanding musical pieces. A special highlight was SHP Drama’s sneak peek of “Fiddler on the Roof,” showcasing excerpts of the school’s fall production. It’s the participants, volunteers, and donors who each year help this event thrive, and support a robust Fine Arts program at SHS.
WINNERS: CHILI
People’s Choice for Best Chili North of 92 Chili Crew
SHS parents Aleks Krumins, Alex Rudof, Josh Amoroso, Travis Parsons
Students’ Choice for Best Chili SHP Volleyball Disco Inferno
SHS parents Liz O’Grady, Tara Verner, Ramon Peypoch, Kathleen Castaillac
Best Vegetarian Chili KITSCHILI
Virg Boesen (parent and SHP religious studies teacher), SHS parents Dan Egan, Manjeera Patnaikuni, Natalie Hyland, Judy Cheng, Rick Boesen, Kelly Carcione
Judges’ Choice for Best Booth(s) SHP Cross Country, California vs. Texas SHS parents Rick Hernandez, Eliza Bennitt, Matt Bennitt, Hilary Stamper, Parsa Safa, Ginger Baker, Tom Fong, Joyce Fong
Judges’ Choice Honorable Mention SHP PULSE Skip a Beat Chili SHS parents Beatriz Pratt, Chris Pratt, Jeanne Moeschler, JoAnne Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Alexis Pratt
Judges’ Choice & Everitt Cup Winner Papal Infalli-Bowl-a-Chili SHS parents Shep Maher, Greg Alden
WINNERS: CUPCAKES
1st Place Craig Family Bakers
Caroline Craig (SHP ’27), Charlotte Craig (SHS ’31), Elizabeth Craig (SHS ’34)
2nd Place
Ella Budelli (SHP ’28), Cynthia Thacker (SHP ’28)
3rd Place Fantastic Fox Bakers
Laurel Fox, Nathan Fox (SHP ’26), Leo Fox (SHP ’28), Ryder Fox (SHS ’31)
50 YEARS OF UNITY
In September, all 25 North American Sacred Heart schools came together virtually to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools’ Opening Prayer Service. This event marked the beginning of a year-long celebration honoring our shared history and traditions that bind us as a Sacred Heart community. Sacred Heart Schools was proud to have two of its own videos featured during the service: Vishnu Kagolanu (SHP ’25) spoke about how he lives out Goal III, a social awareness that impels to action, and SHP Creative Inquiry Director and teacher Brian Bell shared insights on students’ intellectual curiosity and their drive to make a difference in the world. Right: Video of Vishnu Kagolanu (SHP ’25) during the P-8 Network virtual gathering; the SHP side of campus also gathered for the virtual prayer service.
Sacred Heart Magazine 23
ARTS 24 Spring 2025
THE FIDDLER SHP Drama’s fall musical “Fiddler on the Roof” starred seniors Curtis Egan and Tess Matei as Tevye and Golde, respectively, with juniors Matthew Koo as The Fiddler and Samora Stephens as Yente. Portraying the three daughters were junior Eva Eldemir as Tzeitel, sophomore Shinae Stamos as Hodel, and junior Kiana Everett as Chava. The production
was led by a studentrun crew of 11, headed up by SHS Technical Director Fred Eiras, with a student orchestra conducted by SHP Music teacher Stef Dubrowski. Vocal direction was by SHP Fine Arts teacher Rhonda Smith, and choreography was by alumna Caity (Prather) Cattermole (SHP ’12). See full story on page 32.
Sacred Heart Magazine 25
ARTS-IN-ACTION
Trapped Artist UNCOVERING HIDDEN CREATIVE POTENTIAL ACROSS GENERATIONS In her Advanced Creative Topics project, “Trapped Artists,” Heidi Benitez Nolasco (SHP ’25) delves into the untapped creative potential within multiple generations of her family—focusing on those stifled by life’s obligations. The resulting collection, showcased at the winter Visual Arts exhibit in the Campbell Center, includes photography and Aztec- and Mayan-inspired mixed-media paintings. “I started this series to learn more about the creativity that exists in my family and why it is not expressed very often,” says Benitez Nolasco. “I aimed to give my family members the opportunity to explore and share their true artistic selves.” The idea for “Trapped Artists” began after a conversation with her grandmother, who shared about always wanting to become a seamstress and fashion designer. As a child, she would sneak into her aunt’s sewing room, drawn by the soft hum of the machines. There, she secretly used the machines and taught herself how to sew. As an adult, both work and family obligations left her grandmother with scant time to pursue her dream of fashion design. Benitez Nolasco
SHP Fine Arts Photography teacher Vanessa Woods (left) discusses how to arrange artwork for an exhibit with SHP senior Heidi Benitez Nolasco.
26 Spring 2025
invited her to collaborate on designing three skirts for a portrait and documented the entire process. “The photographs of her accessing her passion became an integral part of my project, revealing her transformation from a ‘trapped artist’ into one who is freed,” says Benitez Nolasco. She then went on to create portraits of her mother and father. Her mother, who had always dreamed of becoming a singer while also being skilled at sketching flowers, “is creative in infinite ways.” A vibrant, floral mixed-media painting became a companion piece to the photographic portraits—both show her mother belting out in song, with flowers woven around her. Her father’s portraits, meanwhile, also honor a floral connection. After immigrating from Mexico, he grew plants that helped memories of his homeland continue to flourish. In all, the project allowed Benitez Nolasco to more deeply acknowledge “the opportunities I’ve had because of my family’s sacrifices,” she says. “Trapped Artists” highlights how art serves as a transformative means of personal expression and a way to honor family history.
ACT!
“Heidi’s project invites collaboration and healing through the creative process while upholding and honoring her Mesoamerican heritage. Her project is a reminder of the power of self-expression and creativity as a vital force in our lives, and how creative acts connect family and society.” —VANESSA WOODS, SHP FINE ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY TEACHER
SHP’s Advanced Creative Topics (ACT) is a new semester-long class, developed and taught by Fine Arts Photography teacher Vanessa Woods, that offers advanced students in English, Fine Arts, and Performing Arts the chance to develop independent creative projects in an interdisciplinary context. Participants from diverse artistic disciplines—including drama, music, filmmaking, creative writing, and visual art—develop a personal project following five key stages: gathering inspiration, generating ideas, experimentation, creation, and reflection. Throughout the semester, students engage in both collective and independent studio time and regular “check-point” critiques to assess and move projects forward. In ACT, students learn to develop and define their individual creative process and dialogue about diverse ideas, media, techniques, and approaches. Students also benefit from engaging with visiting artists, faculty mentor critiques, and off-site field trips. At the end of the semester, each student presents their completed project at the SHP Visual Arts show.
Sacred Heart Magazine 27
ARTS-IN-ACTION
Masterful Musicians Middle School instrumental concert rehearsal
At Sacred Heart, music is so much more than an extracurricular activity—it’s woven into the very fabric of a P-8 education and plays an integral part in shaping young minds and hearts. From the first boisterous notes of the preschool to the polished, confident concerts of middle school, students experience a comprehensive music program that progressively boosts both technical skill and creative expression as they go through the grades. For the youngest learners, from preschool through kindergarten, it all starts with weekly music and movement classes. Students learn the basic elements of music and rhythm to begin building a foundation for music literacy and appreciation. The elementary music program, for grades 1-5, follows the Orff Schulwerk approach, emphasizing creativity and active participation. First graders build musicianship through vocal exploration, movement, and rhythm. In second grade, students begin learning music theory, including reading rhythms and solfege. As they progress, skills solidify,
28 Spring 2025
while they learn more advanced concepts and explore various instruments. Performance opportunities are provided at every grade level, and students are encouraged to compose music together. In the sixth grade, students are ready to make a commitment to their favorite instrument— or choose vocals—for the next two years. “At the end of seventh grade, our students have been allowed two years to fully learn their chosen instrument—or cultivate their voice as an instrument,” said Middle School Curriculum Director Dr. Sharon Sikora. “At this point, students are really reaching the pinnacle of their P-8 music development.” One way this is nurtured is through the longstanding traditional Disneyland field trip, where seventh grade vocalists and instrumentalists participate in workshops with professional Disney musicians and explore different professional pathways in the fine arts, including theme park design. “All their years of hard work come to life on a grand stage,” Sikora added.
With eighth grade comes even greater freedom of choice—students can choose two semester-long electives from a wide array of options, including symphony, VOCE (the school’s renowned chorus and a capella group), as well as other fine arts, STEM, and student media electives. It’s a chance for students to tailor their learning experience and explore new areas of interest while continuing to cultivate their musical talents. Students’ love of music truly echoes across every corridor of the school—apparent in the energetic renditions of Coeur de Jesus at assemblies and in the soaring voices of VOCE’s “pop-up” performances at community events. Let’s not forget some of our youngest students in grades K-5 who led the community carol sing-a-long as the campus Christmas tree was lit. The tone at the P-8 has been set, and they’ll head on to develop a deep musicianship at the Prep. The experience will no doubt resonate with students for years to come, in tune with our educators’ ultimate goal of sparking a lifelong love of music.
Growing Through Dance For SHP sophomore Lucy Irvine, dance has been an integral part of her life since she was just five years old, when she first began ballet. Over the years, her repertoire expanded as she explored a wide range of dance styles, and by sixth grade, she had begun competing. Around the same time, she began studying contemporary dance, the style shown in the photo at left from this year’s Holiday Treat. When Irvine joined Sacred Heart as a freshman, she decided to leave her previous studio and focus on the PULSE Dance Team. “I wanted to challenge myself further and dive deeper into the world of competitive dance,” she says. One of Irvine’s most memorable experiences has been working with SHP dance teacher
Alexis Pineda on advanced performances. “The piece performed at the Holiday Treat was for my advanced dance class, choreographed by Ms. Pineda,” says Irvine. “She approached us suggesting we do solos during a fellow student’s song, helping us choreograph short bursts of movement. She’s helped me grow as a dancer immensely, giving me countless opportunities to explore different styles and deepen my understanding of dance.” With her passion, dedication, and the guidance of her teachers, Irvine continues to evolve as a dancer, leaving a lasting impression every time she steps onto the stage. See page 8 to read in “Accolades” about PULSE dance team’s award-winning competition season.
STAGING STYLE
Riffing on the old black-and-white films of the 1940s and familiar “gumshoe” icons, the Middle School’s fall drama production of “A Lighter Shade of Noir” showcased a talented group of 33 student actors and crew, who brought this quirky and highly stylized comedy-mystery to delightful life. “This particular script has a perfect blend of humor and mystery, with clever nods to the great literary sleuths of the past (Sherlock Holmes, Joe Friday, Sam Spade, Miss Marple, Inspector Poirot),” said director Rachel Prouty. “I knew it was the right fit for middle schoolers, who got to learn a little about the Noir style as they rose to the challenge of inhabiting these larger-than-life characters onstage.” And clearly it was the students’ preparatory work during the rehearsal process that ensured their faithful and successful portrayal of a genre made popular decades before this cast and crew were even born. To tackle this steep learning curve, Prouty spent time with the cast talking through the history of Noir in books and films, and having them study scenes from several Noir films. They also watched clips of the more famous characters, “since so much of the play’s humor is dependent on understanding the stereotypes and tropes” that are the hallmark of the genre. Sacred Heart Magazine 29
ARTS-IN-ACTION
Artful Architecture Ceramic representations of iconic, multicultural buildings came to life this winter by the hands of fifth graders, guided by Lower School Art teacher Ciara Bedingfield. Aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of architecture, the project invited students to examine how different design styles and materials shape the way we experience spaces. Students first sketched three types of structures in their notebooks, drawing inspiration from a variety of architectural styles. Thorough research, utilizing the Stevens Family Library resources, helped students understand architectural history and the evolution of building technologies. From ancient abodes to futuristic features, students’ drawings spanned cultures and time periods. A few chose to explore
personal cultural ties, or design replicas of their own homes. Bedingfield emphasized the importance of observation, saying, “It’s all about looking at how buildings function, and how their design affects that function. Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower or a historic church, architecture speaks to us in different ways. I share examples of architects from around the world, of different genders, and those from non-western cultures, so students can develop an appreciation for a variety of styles and innovations.” For some students, the project became a chance to explore creativity in minute detail. Nacho Conde’s ceramic medieval castle, complete with textured stonework, stood out for its texture and craftsmanship.
MASS ART
For the second year, seventh graders in SHS Middle School art teacher Lauren DiCioccio’s class created “Mass art” for school religious events. Last semester, they made large vertical banners for St. Rose Philippine Duchesne’s Feast Day liturgy. This project was part of a color theory unit, where students learned painting skills and brush techniques. P-8 Director of Prayer and Worship John Kellett visited to explain the significance of the Christian liturgical color wheel, helping students understand how colors represent different liturgical seasons. For the Feast of St. Rose Philippine, which falls in “Ordinary Time” (green), students used green in their oak leaf and acorn design, symbolizing both the season of fall and the French name “Duchesne,” meaning “of the oaks.” See pages 48–57 for the oak leaves complementing this year’s feature story spread.
30 Spring 2025
“Nacho has such a creative mind,” noted Bedingfield. “He really shines in the art world.” Fellow fifth grader Angie Baker incorporated perspective in her representation of a Victorian home, using the lines of its bay window to create depth and draw the eye in. “Angie took it a step further,” says Bedingfield. “Her work shows how deeply she’s considering the architectural details; the finished façade is impressively smooth, with very clean lines.” Myra Kulkarni brought an element of local history to her project, recreating the iconic orange “Flintstone House” visible off Highway 280. The unconventional design pushed Kulkarni to experiment
with creating a quirky—yet highly-detailed—final piece. And Lyon Pechet’s inspiration came from Asian architectural traditions. His bamboo tea house piece demonstrated how texture can transform a building’s appearance. “Lyon’s work is very thoughtful; he pays attention to how materials work together in the real world,” says Bedingfield. Overall, the project allowed students to refine their clay-working skills while reflecting on the broader impact of architecture on society— demonstrating they’ve gained new ceramics skills and a deeper appreciation for the buildings around them.
Fifth grader Myra Kulkarni working on her “Flintstone House”
Sacred Heart Magazine 31
ARTS-IN-ACTION
A Heartfelt Fiddler SHP Drama’s fall musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the talents of 29 actors, 11 student crew members, and eight student musicians. The iconic musical theatre numbers like “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” and “Sunrise, Sunset” filled the Performing Arts Center with unforgettable melodies, bringing a powerful story to life. Set in the small Jewish village of Anatevka, “Fiddler” tells the story of Tevye, a humble milkman, and his family as they navigate the shifting tides of tradition and change. With the looming threat of Russian interference and cultural displacement, the community faces challenges that force them to confront their beliefs, values, and sense of identity. At its core, the musical is a story of resilience and the importance of family, love, and faith. The characters wrestle with maintaining their traditions while adapting to a rapidly changing world, making it a timeless reflection on the struggles many face when their core values are put to the test.
“SHP Drama is more than just a theater program—it’s a close-knit family,” said SHP Drama teacher Jeffrey Adams. “Students with varying levels of experience and from all walks of life find a home in this supportive community, where we encourage growth, leadership, and empathy. These skills not only help in the realm of performance but also contribute to well-rounded educational development.” The success of this production was made possible through the creative collaboration of many dedicated individuals, both behind the scenes and on stage. From set design by Fred Eiras to music direction by Stef Dubrowski, costume design by Lisa Rozman, and hair and makeup by Lindsay Saier, each person brought their expertise, ensuring the show was a memorable experience for everyone involved. Rhonda Smith’s vocal direction, Forrest Jensen’s sound design, Stephen Migdal’s lighting design, and Caity Cattermole’s choreography all played vital roles in bringing the world of Anatevka to life.
“This play carries some of those themes [we confront today] certainly in a more light-hearted way…I think it ultimately captures a spirit of hope in the midst of a dark time.” —SHP DRAMA DIRECTOR JEFFREY ADAMS, ON WHY HE SELECTED THE CLASSIC AND TIMELY MUSICAL “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF,” WHICH CHRONICLES A POOR JEWISH FAMILY LIVING IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN 1905 IMPERIAL RUSSIA, AS THE HIGH SCHOOL’S FALL PRODUCTION.
32 Spring 2025
A Musical Journey SHP junior Matthew Koo’s passion for the violin is evident in every performance he gives, leaving a lasting impression on all who hear him play. This past year has been a remarkable chapter in his musical journey, marked by numerous accolades and performances that showcase both his technical skill and deep love for the art. Last spring, Koo earned second place in the prestigious American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition 2024 in the intermediate category (ages 15–18). His award-winning performance led to an unforgettable debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall over the summer, a milestone many young musicians only dream of. Closer to home, Koo’s talent continues to shine. A year ago in the fall, he earned a spot in the 2023-24 CODA All-State Orchestra, and this past October, he was selected for the 2024-25 CODA Symphony Orchestra, performing with the ensemble in Santa Monica in December. Last summer, he was invited to join a European tour with the Golden State Youth Orchestra, an organization he has been a part of since 2019. Over the years, he has served as concertmaster twice and principal second violin once. Koo’s SHS community also had the privilege of experiencing his artistry when he performed the role of the Fiddler and Violin I leader in SHP’s fall musical production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” (pictured at left). “His breathtaking performance, including the challenging Isaac Stern violin cadenza, was a highlight of the show, as he led the student orchestra pit with impressive skill and sensitivity,” said SHP Music teacher Stef Dubrowski. As Koo continues to grow his art, he stands out not only for his technical excellence but also for his deep emotional connection to the music he plays. As a musician, he describes the experience of playing large, complex pieces with talented colleagues in various orchestras as both “adrenaline-rushing and exciting.” He finds motivation in the entire journey, “from meeting each other for the first time all the way to the grandiose applause we get at the end of our concert.” Looking ahead, he envisions continuing to play in different orchestras, possibly even performing solo, though he doesn’t aspire to pursue a career as a professional violinist.
Sacred Heart Magazine 33
ARTS-IN-ACTION
Creative Caterpillars LONGSTANDING AUTHOR OF THE MONTH PROGRAM SHINES
Kindergarteners Sebastian Nixon (left) and Henry Reising
After reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, the class dove into an exciting project: creating their own caterpillars using Carle’s signature collage technique. Students were introduced to the author-illustrator’s hand-painted tissue paper method, watching videos where Carle demonstrated how he paints, cuts, and assembles paper to form vibrant characters. Inspired by this, each child painted large sheets of construction paper in their choice of colors. The next day, they added texture, learning to use various tools to manipulate the paint, such as sponges, forks, and potato mashers. By the third day, students cut the painted paper into circles—collaborating by using each other’s painted paper—to make their own individual caterpillar collages. Through this hands-on experience, students gained new skills in painting and collage but also learned about the joy of creating colorful characters like any accomplished author-illustrator might do. The final step was naming their caterpillars: “A Very Cute Caterpillar,” “A Very Fuzzy Caterpillar,” and “A Very Happy Caterpillar,” were among the mix.
The Author—or Artist—of the Month series is a key part of the kindergarten experience that students won’t soon forget. Every fall across the three kindergarten classrooms, the program launches with Author of the Month Eric Carle, the beloved author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The author study not only brings students closer to their favorite stories, it allows for an immersive creative process. Kindergarten teacher Whitney Infelise explains, “We read several of the author’s books, do activities inspired by them—like making Kevin Henkes’ mouse stick puppets—and often watch videos of the author discussing their creative process. The month ends with a project, such as Jan Brett’s mittens lost in puffy snow paint or Tomie dePaola pillowcases (an author who drew on his sheets as a child), where students draw what they want to be when they grow up on a pillowcase.” The goal is to help students connect with the author’s world by experiencing it firsthand.
34 Spring 2025
“A Very Cut[e] Caterpillar,” by Sebastian Nixon
Critical Crew FROM “PAGE TO STAGE,” SHS’S BACKSTAGE TECHNICAL THEATRE OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND SHS Technical Director of Performing Arts Fred Eiras, affectionately known as “Mr. E” across campus, has built a thriving backstage crew program centered on hands-on mentorship, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the behind-the-scenes “magic” essential for each production. The program’s growth mindset has made it a standout success over the past eight years, and is exemplified by one of Eiras’ star students, SHP sophomore AJ O’Donnell-Fernando. Starting as a sixth grader who was still finding her footing as a stage manager, she first met Eiras during a COVID-era outdoor production, “Alice in Quarantine.” Today, she’s a seasoned, confident stage manager who has run two shows—the most recent being last fall’s musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” Eiras’ own foray into theatre began at a young age–his older brother brought him to Saturday set-building workdays at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco at just nine years old. It was there that Eiras met Ken Barbieri, a mentor who would shape his path in both professional theatre and teaching. After high school, Fred continued to work alongside Barbieri at Mercy High School and in Bay Area community theatre, solidifying that technical theatre was his niche.
Fred Eiras (at left) mentors AJ O’DonnellFernando (SHP ’27) during a rehearsal for “Fiddler on the Roof.”
After the loss of his father and Barbieri, Eiras felt compelled to honor their legacy by passing on their mentorship to a new generation of students. Drawing from his career as a Macy’s visual display designer and journeyman carpenter, Eiras began to build SHS’s backstage crew program, initially working with students after school and on weekends in the theatre shop. When the pandemic hit, Fred helped create opportunities for students to stay engaged and on campus, leading projects like construction skills, building birdhouses, and brick- and-wood faux painting. In 2021, Eiras designed and established the first formal SHP class, Page to Stage: Technical Theatre, which was UC-approved that same year. The course covers everything from set design to stage management. The program also brings in industry professionals who mentor students in areas like lighting, costume design, makeup, sound, and more, ensuring that students receive comprehensive training in all aspects of theatre production. Eiras’ program has since expanded, with the introduction of Advanced Design and Construction in 2022, a class where students complete set design projects. This spring semester, Eiras has 27 SHP students enrolled, each working on a final design project.
Set from SHP’s “Radium Girls”
The technical theatre program provides students like O’Donnell-Fernando with realworld skills in design, carpentry, and stage management, while fostering a culture of inclusion. Under Eiras’ mentorship, students are given leadership roles and opportunities to take ownership of their work. This environment has allowed O’Donnell-Fernando and her peers to thrive. One prime example: the spring ’25 SHP Drama production of “Radium Girls,” featured the school’s first-ever entirely student-designed and built set. The program also fosters a pipeline of future theatre students by involving middle schoolers, with younger students helping backstage and with set design. O’Donnell-Fernando’s story highlights the program’s impact. She credits Eiras for helping her grow both personally and professionally. “Mr. E is a perfect example of compassionate leadership,” O’Donnell-Fernando says. “He sets the stage for students to find their way and shine.” Her involvement has proven to be a means for learning how to trust her instincts. “Stage managing was an effective way of controlling my stress and developing communication skills,” she explains, especially having endured the pandemic during those key formative elementary and middle school years. “COVID overall really set a lot of us back in various ways, and for me, I think I became a lot more introverted… [theatre] has helped me become more confident and trusting in myself, and I enjoy working with people more now.” Now with technical theatre instruction coming through formal classes rather than clubs, the ability to design more complex sets and provide students with more handson experience has burgeoned. With a dedicated classroom and more students involved, Eiras is creating larger-scale productions. By giving students like O’Donnell-Fernando the opportunity to lead, Eiras ensures that his program continues to grow in both size and scope, preparing students for careers in theatre and beyond. Sacred Heart Magazine 35
ARTS-IN-ACTION
The Hidden Talents of Tao SACRED HEART ALUMNUS BLENDS PHOTOGRAPHY, FASHION IN CREATIVE VISION A top-10 finalist in Smithsonian Magazine’s annual photography contest, outshining 30,000 submissions globally. A winner among 80,000 entries in The College Board’s upcoming AP Art and Design Exhibit. Now, imagine: what if the photographer behind these feats had never seriously picked up a camera until just last year? That’s the case for recent grad Taolue “Tao” Yu (SHP ’24). “Tao is so very individual,” says SHP Fine Arts teacher Moshe Quinn. “He became known and respected for gliding abstractedly across campus like he was riding a cloud.” Those frequent walks became legendary—even talked about during the Salutatorian’s speech—while his artistic talents remained hidden. In contrast with what an ever-growing number of photography awards would imply, Yu says, “Even now, I can confidently say I do not get the camera at all... I like to refer to what I do as something more akin to stage design.” “While people call my work ‘photography,’ I actually beg to differ,” he continues. “The props, the model, the makeup, and the lighting are all aspects that take weeks to think of and set up. The actual shoot? 15 minutes.” Yu is unaffected, humble, with a “downto-earth approach” and an ease about receiving criticism and feedback that Quinn found “refreshing.” “He looked at all this as ongoing opportunities to learn, to see what could happen,” says Quinn. Despite the newness of his emerging art, Yu is no dilettante. “He was always very thoughtful and put a lot of effort into his artmaking,” explains Quinn. By meticulously controlling every aspect of the shoot, particularly the lighting, Yu creates images that are deliberate, composed, and deeply personal, drawing from one central theme of inspiration: “what makes me—me,” Yu says. “Every aspect of the art has ties to my own thoughts and feelings… that’s where they all stem from,” he goes on. “My art isn’t fighting for anything grand like environmental problems or gender and race equality–some pieces have aspects of those—but there will never be one overarching theme to my work other than ‘Tao.’”
36 Spring 2025
AP Art and Design Exhibit winning photo of a model by Tao Yu (SHP ’24)
Yu’s fashion designs in the 2024 Silicon Valley Fashion Week (SVFW)
PHOTO CREDIT: SVFW
“Peony Blossoms” by Yu, a top-10 finalist in Smithsonian Magazine’s annual photo contest, with his mother as the model
Delving into fashion design is an even newer pursuit than photography for Yu, one that landed him on the stage of last summer’s Silicon Valley Fashion Week. Reflecting on his experience at the fashion show, at the outset design was number one, but “seeing the clothes come to life with the models… motivated me to make something that takes both comfort and design into equal consideration,” says Yu. He often lands on how personal experiences and unconventional moments shape his artistic path, even going back to his seven years at SHS. “For me, not even the best academic classes could impact me as much as the natural world that Sacred Heart’s campus embodies so much,” says Yu. Courses like Sustainable
Agriculture introduced him to the campus farm and gardens. Shortly after, baby chicks and a mother hen would soon follow Yu around, accustomed to his daily visits. An English course led him to discover birdwatching, and the concept of listening to the sounds of nature unplugged from technology. “At first, it was a little uncomfortable for me without [headphones and] lyrics in my ears, but as time passed, I realized how quickly my mind was able to imagine. By the end of that session, I had already thought of three new ideas for a project in Digital Art and Design, his favorite—and foundational —art class, taught by Quinn. “From then on,” he continued, “if I was alone, I would try to tune myself into the world a bit more.”
Likewise, a shift in perspective has also helped Yu’s artwork evolve. The image that will be exhibited by the College Board began as an idea of “a frog trapped in a well.” Instead of focusing on the frog and its environment, Yu chose a close-up edit. “This emphasizes the model to the environment in a 70-30 balance instead of 50-50. Talking with Mr. Quinn, we both agreed this gave the model more of a ‘spirit feel.’” The SHS community will be eager to see what’s ahead for Yu, but for now, he’s focused on finishing a gap year which has sparked his growth as an artist, a passion for fashion design, and a plan to study film art in college. But ultimately, he says, art “isn’t about a future aspiration or a distant goal—it’s a ‘now.’”
Sacred Heart Magazine 37
SPORTS 38 Spring 2025
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS The SHP Girls’ Soccer team completed arguably its finest season in program history, capturing a CCS Division V championship and securing the program’s first-ever NorCal Regional title. See page 44 to read more in the Winter Sports Highlight Reel. Sacred Heart Magazine 39
G ATO R S P O R T S
Soccer Star to Stanford Lacrosse OLIVIA ABBOTT REFLECTS ON HER ATHLETIC JOURNEY AND THE MENTORSHIP THAT MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE OLIVIA ABBOTT (SHP ’26) WAS RECENTLY FEATURED IN AN ARTICLE FROM INSIDE LACROSSE, “5-STAR STANFORD COMMIT OLIVIA ABBOTT’S QUEST TO GROW THE GOLDEN STATE,” ABOUT HER JOURNEY TOWARD BECOMING A STAR IN THE SPORT, AND DECIDING TO STAY ON THE WEST COAST FOR COLLEGE. WE SAT DOWN WITH OLIVIA TO LEARN MORE. She not only guided me through my physical recovery but also helped me mentally by showing me that there were exciting opportunities beyond soccer. Her support opened my eyes to trying something new, and she encouraged me to try lacrosse—a sport in which she received a gold medal while playing [on the U.S. Women’s National Team during the the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s World Championship]. As the pandemic hit and I was cleared to play again, I bought a lacrosse stick and started practicing at home, quickly falling in love with the sport. Coach Hogan’s influence extended far beyond the classroom. Sacred Heart Schools: Describe your earliest athletic experiences—you began with soccer… what other sports did you play, and how quickly did you rise to playing competitively? Olivia Abbott: I started playing soccer when I was three years old, and by the time I was nine, I was selected for California PDP Regional Program along with my local team that was part of the Developmental Academy (now known as ECNL). In addition to soccer, I also ran track, played club volleyball, and participated in as many sports as I could at Sacred Heart. Having attended Sacred Heart since preschool, their outstanding athletic department really helped foster my love for athletics from an early age. SHS: How was LMS Athletics Director Liz Hogan a mentor to you? Abbott: Liz Hogan was both my sixth-grade homeroom and PE teacher, and she played a pivotal role as a mentor during a challenging time in my life. In sixth grade, I had knee surgery to repair a fracture on my dominant kicking leg from soccer, which required a six-month recovery. During that time, my doctor recommended I explore sports that didn’t rely on kicking. Coach Hogan often spent time talking with me about lacrosse, explaining its similarities to soccer and how dynamic and enjoyable the game could be.
40 Spring 2025
SHS: What do you love most about the sport? Abbott: I love the fast pace, strategic play, and creativity of the game. The stick gives you so much flexibility, allowing for creativity in shot selection and playmaking. Every game feels dynamic, and the fast transitions between offense and defense keep you constantly engaged. I also really enjoy the high-scoring nature of the game, as it provides more opportunities to contribute, whether it’s by scoring or taking the draw after each goal. SHS: What made you want to stay close to home and play for Stanford? Abbott: I’m incredibly grateful for the calls I received from top lacrosse coaches on September 1, 2024—the first day I could verbally commit. My uncle, who works for a pro sports team, advised me to prioritize being a student-athlete and choose a school that truly invests in its athletic programs. I narrowed my options to Boston College, Florida, Northwestern, and Stanford. While I initially considered moving to the East Coast, my visit to Stanford changed my perspective. The Home of Champions, showcasing the school’s athletic legacy and dominance in the Directors’ Cup, showed me Stanford’s commitment to excellence. Though not a lacrosse powerhouse, the program’s potential—especially with its new ACC affiliation—was compelling.
Also, seeing Stanford players who had helped me with my stickwork early on felt like a full-circle moment. Coach Danielle Spencer’s vision for lacrosse’s future, particularly its growth on the West Coast, resonated with me. I realized Stanford was the best place to be part of something bigger, both for the program and for the sport’s future. SHS: Could you describe your overall experience at SHS? Abbott: I began my journey at Sacred Heart Schools in preschool, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have grown up within such a close-knit and supportive community. From an early age, Sacred Heart fostered a sense of belonging. The values of the school—such as service, integrity, and respect—have shaped me not only as a student but also as an individual. The relationships I’ve built with teachers, coaches, and peers will stay with me beyond these years. SHS: What parting advice would you give to younger players at SHS hoping to get into the sport and do well? Abbott: Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things! It’s never too late to pick up a new sport. In fact, one of the conversations I had with the editor-in-chief at Inside Lacrosse was about the high burnout rate among athletes who specialize in sports very early in life. Since I didn’t start playing lacrosse until middle school, the sport still feels fresh and exciting to me, and I genuinely love playing every day. Starting later gave me a different perspective, and it’s kept my passion for the game alive. Sacred Heart has a ton of opportunities, whether it’s in sports, fine arts, or academics. Make the most of them—you never know what you might be good at until you try!
Bowled Over CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SHP FOOTBALL
During Valpo Bowl halftime, the Gator Nation fieldhouse locker room was named in honor of SHP’s former assistant head football coach Matt Moran.
Last November, SHP welcomed the Menlo School Knights for Valpo Bowl, an annual game played under the lights at Gator Nation Field. This year, the event celebrated 25 years of Gator football and the deep connection between SHP, Menlo, and the local community. The game serves as a fundraiser for the Peninsula Bridge program, which creates educational opportunities for first-generation, underserved students. The evening featured performances from SHP’s own PULSE dance team, live music by the SHP band, a special edition of “GATOR GAMEDAY” by SHPTV, and a surprise appearance by alumni player R.J. Stephens (SHP ’23), all embodying school spirit and the lasting impact of the game.
The origins of Valpo Bowl trace back to the aftermath of 9/11, when football games nationwide were canceled. In 2003, SHP’s assistant head coach at the time, Matt Moran— who was honored at halftime—proposed a new tradition: a football game between SHP and Menlo, with proceeds supporting Peninsula Bridge. This collaboration was spearheaded by SHP’s former football coach Tim Deppmeier (current SHP science teacher), and Menlo’s Craig Schoof, both of whom recognized the opportunity for service, giving back, and fostering friendly competition between the neighboring rival schools. Many students from both schools have participated as teacher assistants in the Peninsula Bridge program or are alumni who had gone on to attend either SHP or Menlo. The partnership was a natural fit. Since then, the Valpo Bowl has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the cause, making a meaningful impact on the local community.
Pink Power In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the SHP Girls’ Volleyball team once again delivered an outstanding performance at its annual “Pink Out” serve-a-thon, raising funds for local nonprofit organization Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area. Now in its third year, in total the SHP Pink Out events have raised $62,484 to support cancer patients and their families.
SHP junior Anabelle Yujuico (center) presents the Pink Out fundraiser check to Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area
Sacred Heart Magazine 41
G ATO R S P O R T S
Unconventional Athletics INSIDE SHP JUNIOR ETHAN DARNELL’S JOURNEY TO THE ICE DANCING SPOTLIGHT
PHOTO CREDIT: MKT EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY / PHOTO PROVIDED BY ETHAN DARNELL (SHP ’26)
by Grace Rocha (SHP ’25)
Being part of the Sacred Heart community means constantly being surrounded by sports teams and the camaraderie that comes along with playing a sport. Events like Valpo Bowl are crucial to the Sacred Heart experience. However, many athletes at SHP are not found in SHP’s athletic department. Sports like softball and men’s volleyball are some well-known sports that do not find a place in SHP’s wide range of athletics, but other more unconventional athletics are also found in our community—namely ice dancing. You may be familiar with ice skating, the overarching term in which ice dancing falls. Ethan Darnell, a junior, has been an ice skater since he was three years old. He describes ice dancing as “ballroom dancing on ice” for those who do not know what it is. Ice dancing is the only figure skating subset not to include jumps, but the sport does include lifts and emphasizes the partnerships between skaters during a dance. Uniquely, ice dancing requires skaters to never be more than two arm lengths apart from each other.
The skate partners perform two routines at each competition. Each team does the “rhythm dance” which must include designated steps from a pattern dance—think a waltz in ballroom dancing. Darnell states this portion of the competition “directly relates footwork and skating ability because everyone has to do the same set of steps.” The second routine is “free dance’” which is what the name implies—the choreography is the choice of the coaches and skaters. Both the free and rhythm dance include specific elements such as lifts and spins that gain athletes points. Scoring involves two panels of judges: one grades artistic elements while the other consists of technical specialists who replay the routines to score performance ability and execution based on difficulty. When asked to compare both ice skating and ice dancing, Darnell replied that “ice dance is more precise. Rather than doing just cool tricks, there is a level of difficulty because of how precise the scoring is.” He even emphasized that “one mistake can cost the medal.” Darnell began ice skating after his sister found a passion for the sport at a friend’s birthday party. He originally started skating as a singles figure skater before switching to partner ice dancing at the age of 12. Darnell states that the partnership is more difficult because “you have to skate with and around another person well enough that it almost looks like you can read each other’s minds.” Darnell notes that most competitive skaters are homeschooled, so it begs the question of how he can balance a rigorous athletic schedule with academics. He says a typical day of training starts with waking up at four or five in the morning and driving to one of four rinks in either San Mateo, San Jose, Fremont, or Dublin, followed by an hour and a half of training—all before arriving at school for the day. He says in total he does “more driving than skating.” While this seems to be a difficult schedule to keep, Darnell states he is, “no different than any other athlete who plays a sport like football, except instead of practicing after school [he] practices before it,” which means he often goes to bed early to prepare for morning training sessions. Beyond just training before school, Darnell spends many breaks training rigorously. Over this past summer, he spent the break in Michigan training with Charlie White and his wife Tanith. White is a three-time Olympic medalist, two-time World Champion, a six-time US National Champion, and a five-time Grand Prix Final Champion. Darnell says that, while training in Michigan, he and his partner were skating alongside some of the best competitors in the country. Over the same summer, he competed in Austin and New York. However, Darnell and his partner are one of the only ice dancing teams in the entire Bay Area—making it difficult to find coaches and choreograph routines for new seasons. Darnell says the most difficult part of ice dancing is “having the discipline to do the same thing over and over again while only changing minor details and simultaneously remembering all of it.” Despite its difficulty, Darnell says it has been an amazing experience. One day he hopes to compete internationally to represent the United States. Sports like ice dancing may not be part of the athletic department but it is a testament to SHP’s diverse range of students with many different skills and passions. Athletes like Ethan Darnell remind us that SHP students are achieving great things off campus. REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE HEARTBEAT SHP STUDENT NEWSPAPER.
42 Spring 2025
GATOR GLORY For the fall 2024 SHP Gator competitive season, the following 41 student-athletes across nine different sports were recognized for their individual play and performance. For the winter 2024–25 season, 19 student-athletes received recognition.
FALL HONORS: BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Second Team: Arjun Singh (SHP ’25) Honorable Mention: Grant Bennitt (SHP ’27)
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
First Team: Sophie Cheung (SHP ’25) Second Team: Avery Wagner (SHP ’25) Honorable Mention: Ashley Amirkhan (SHP ’25), Leah Bei (SHP ’25)
FOOTBALL
MVP: Aseli Fangupo (SHP ’25)—PAL Bay Division Defensive Lineman of the Year First Team: Kyle Chai (SHP ’25), McKinley Palmer (SHP ’25)
GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL
MVP: Cate Hansen (SHP ’27) WBAL Defensive Player of the Year First Team: Ellie Shen (SHP ’25), Ryleigh Longaker (SHP ’26), Cate Hansen (SHP ’27) Second Team: Sanaia Sheilds (SHP ’26), Annalia Hood (SHP ’27), Bella Gonzalez (SHP ’25) Honorable Mention: Jocelyn Jones (SHP ’28), Gianna Camus (SHP ’26)
BOYS’ WATER POLO
First Team: Oliver Marcin (SHP ’26), Claiborne Carrington (SHP ’26), Nelson Harris (SHP ’25), Luke Kirincich (SHP ’25) Second Team: Murdoch Baker-Matsuoka (SHP ’26), Gates Gamble (SHP ’27) Honorable Mention: Hugo Thinard-McLane (SHP ’25)
GIRLS’ WATER POLO
First Team: Vivian Golub (SHP ’25), Natalia Szczerba (SHP ’25), Megan Newby (SHP ’25), Ellison Brush (SHP ’26) Second Team: Casey Coleman (SHP ’26), Kiernan Hogan (SHP ’27) Honorable Mention: Lauren Rossi (SHP ’27)
VOLLEYBALL
First Team: Leilah Abrams (SHP ’28), Kiley McGibben (SHP ’27), Poema Ueligitone (SHP ’26) Second Team: Peyton Fu-Sarosa (SHP ’26)
GIRLS’ GOLF
First Team: Emily Hallum (SHP ’26)
GIRLS’ TENNIS
First Team: Jena Azmeh (SHP ’26), Charlotte Weber (SHP ’26) Second Team: Jasleen Chohan (SHP ’26), Shannon Bennitt (SHP ’25) Honorable Mention: Audrey Hampton (SHP ’25)
WINTER HONORS: BOYS’ BASKETBALL
First Team: Matthew Norris (SHP ’25), Alex Osterloh (SHP ’26) Second Team: Alex Straser (SHP ’25)
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Second Team: Kate Baron (SHP ’26) Honorable Mention: Jocelyn Jones (SHP ’28)
BOYS’ SOCCER
First Team: Nathan Fox (SHP ‘26), James Pyle (SHP ’26) Second Team: Emmanuel Orocio-Gonzalez (SHP ’26), James Smith (SHP ’25), Lucas Moretti (SHP ’26) Honorable Mention: Gio Cortez (SHP ’27), Luis Torija (SHP ’27)
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Forward of the Year: Lauryn Masetti (SHP ’26) First Team: Lewa White (SHP ’26), Lauren Bassett (SHP ’25) Second Team: Leah Lynch (SHP ’25), Camy Sheldon (SHP ’25) Honorable Mention: Sabine Mendoza (SHP ’26), Aris Yu (SHP ’28)
8TH FOR THE WIN!
This year’s Faculty vs. 8th Grade basketball game was a nailbiter, but for the first time in two years the team of eighth graders defeated SHS faculty by a score of 37–34. Motivated by halftime performances from the SHS pep band and a capella group VOCE, the eighth graders surged late in the fourth quarter to secure a memorable win. This was an historic game since this year marked the eighth graders’ team going co-ed (traditionally the basketball game in winter is boys, while the SHS vs. Menlo School Campbell Cup flag football game at the end of the year is girls).
Sacred Heart Magazine 43
G ATO R S P O R T S H I G H L I G H T R E E L FA L L S P O R T S 1 LMS GIRLS’ LACROSSE continues to
thrive, with 6th graders participating in a record number of jamborees and 7th/8th graders enjoying their first full-field only season. Another change was 7th and 8th graders played opponents head-to-head using U14 rules, preparing them for the next level at the Prep. A full season is surely in the near future as the school looks forward to continued growth of the sport.
WINTER SPORTS 7
The SHP GIRLS’ GOLF team had a great 2024 season, picking up two WBAL wins. Senior Emily Hallum and sophomore Scarlet O’Brien both qualified for the WBAL Tournament, with Hallum finishing in the top 15. Hallum, a team All-Leaguer last year, earned another All-League selection this season.
8
The SHP BOYS’ WATER POLO team continued its dominance, capturing its 13th straight League Championship, 13th straight CCS Championship, seventh straight CCS Open Division Championship, and fourth straight NorCal Championship. The Gators finished the season 22-10 and concluded 2024 as MaxPreps’ fourth-ranked team in the U.S. The team GPA of 3.796 was the highest in program history and second highest of all fall sports teams at SHP.
2 In just it’s second season, the SHP GIRLS’
FLAG FOOTBALL team established itself
as one of the top teams in the Central Coast Section (CSS). The team finished with a 13-7 overall record and 7-4 in West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) play, highlighted by wins over St. Francis, Riordan, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and St. Ignatius.
3 The SHP BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
team had another strong season in 2024, highlighted by a fifth place finish in the WBAL Cross Country Championships. Senior Arjun Singh and sophomore Grant Bennitt qualified for the CCS Championships, finishing 12th and 38th overall in the Division IV race, respectively. The team also earned recognition as a CCS Scholastic Team with a cumulative GPA of 3.798, the highest of all SHP fall sports.
9
last year’s success, finishing the season 16-5 overall and 8-3 in WBAL play. They advanced to the semifinal round of the CCS Team Championships. In the Individual Tournament, junior Charlotte Weber became the first Gator since Sarah Choy in 2015 to reach the Tournament Championship.
11
5 The Varsity SHP FOOTBALL team claimed
its seventh CCS title in program history, and first since 2021, after defeating Burlingame 21-10 in the 2024 Division IV Championship. The Gators finished the season 7-7 overall in the PAL-Bay Division, highlighted by a 21-7 Senior Day win over crosstown rival Menlo-Atherton.
6 The SHP GIRLS’ WATER POLO team
completed its finest season in program history in 2024, capturing multiple championships including the CCS Open Division and, for the first time, the NorCal Division 1 Championship. The Gators finished with a 30-2 overall record and were MaxPreps’ consensus No. 1 team in the country.
44 Spring 2025
excel this year, finishing the season 23-15 and claiming the program’s first CCS title since 2012 with a 3-2 win over Harbor. The Gators advanced to the CIF NorCal Division II playoffs semifinal, falling to eventual State Champion San Ramon Valley.
10 The SHP GIRLS’ TENNIS team built on
4 The LMS CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY squad
ran into heat-related cancelations, but the WBAL Championship meet continued on. Sacred Heart ran with conviction, and secured first place team finishes in the 4th/5th/6th boys’, 4th/5th/6th girls’, and 7th/8th girls’ divisions.
SHP GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL continued to
12
In LMS SWIMMING, the girls earned the WBAL crown, with a team best of first place. The boys swam hard for a fourth-place finish. Providing support and mentorship were the Prep’s JV boys’ and girls’ water polo teams, which continue to assist during this meet. The SHP GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY team had a historic season, finishing third in the CCS Division IV Championships and earning an automatic team berth at the CIF State Championship Meet. At the State Meet, they placed 15th overall in Division IV, led by senior Sophie Cheung, who finished 31st overall. In LMS BOYS’ FLAG FOOTBALL, the Varsity A team cinched first place in the WBAL Championship, led by some stellar eighth graders: Nate Hunt, Owen Still, and Jackson Taylor, while the Varsity B, JV A, and JV B teams all secured second place finishes in the league.
1 3 Following a strong finish to the 2023-2024
season, the SHP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL team earned a promotion to the toptier WBAL Foothill Division. The Gators responded with a 10-win campaign and secured their fourth consecutive trip to the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs. Their season was highlighted by a 47-41 victory over CCS Division III runner-up Notre Dame-San Jose and a dominant 63-29 win over Design Tech in the CCS Division IV quarterfinals.
1 4 The LMS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL program
celebrated a banner year with 10 teams competing. Highlighting the successful season, both the JVA and Varsity teams captured their division titles, showcasing the program’s strength and depth.
1 5 THE SHP BOYS’ BASKETBALL team
capped off another impressive season with a 16-11 overall record and an 8-2 mark in WBAL play, earning berths in both the CCS Division IV playoffs and the CIF NorCal Division III Regional Tournament. Notable wins included two victories over CCS Division I champion Carlmont, a 58-39 triumph over Division III NorCal finalist Palo Alto, and a perfect 4-0 combined record against crosstown rivals Menlo (3-0) and Menlo-Atherton (1-0).
The LMS BOYS’ BASKETBALL program showcased its depth and talent this season with nine teams competing. The JVA and Varsity B 7th grade teams led the charge, finishing a strong second in their respective divisions—led by Coach Coffey and Coach Hayes. The future is bright for the program with so many players developing their skills. 1 6 The SHP GIRLS’ SOCCER team
completed arguably the finest season in program history, capturing a CCS Division V championship and securing the program’s first-ever NorCal Regional title. Battling injuries for much of the year, the Gators finished the regular season 14-7-3 overall and 7-3-1 in WBAL play before entering the CCS playoffs at full strength. They dominated their six postseason opponents, outscoring them 32-2. The season culminated in a dramatic comeback victory over Fresno Christian in the NorCal title game, where the Gators erased a 2-1 deficit in the final seven minutes— equalizing with seven minutes to play before netting the game-winner in stoppage time.
G ATO R S P O R T S H I G H L I G H T R E E L
The LMS GIRLS’ SOCCER program Varsity team celebrated a triumphant season, clinching the division title with impressive teamwork and skill. This victory marks a successful return for Coach Hughes, whose guidance and expertise have clearly made a significant impact. The team was led by an even mix of 7th and 8th graders, hopefully paving the way for another successful team next year.
18 The LMS BOYS’ SOCCER program
1 7 Just one year after fielding only 16 players in
the entire program, a young and determined SHP BOYS’ SOCCER team won nine of its final 10 matches to clinch a CCS Division III playoff berth. The Gators went on an impressive postseason run, winning all three matches while conceding just one goal to claim their first CCS championship since 2022. Their season ended in the Division III NorCal Regional quarterfinals, where they fell 3-1 to eventual NorCal champion Archie Williams.
1
celebrated a season of growth and development across all five of its teams. Coaches and players alike demonstrated a commitment to improvement, with each team showing progress throughout the year. The future looks bright for the program as they build on this season’s successes. The program welcomes Coach Zhu, whose experience has helped immediately.
2
3
4
5
6
Sacred Heart Magazine 45
G ATO R S P O R T S H I G H L I G H T R E E L
“I am so incredibly proud of what the Girls’ Water Polo team was able to achieve this season. Our seniors led the way, cultivating a culture in which the team played hard, played for each other, and embraced every moment together. I believe it was these characteristics that propelled us to a CCS Open division championship and our first ever NorCal Open title. It was a special group and a special season!” —JAMIE FRANK, SHP GIRLS’ WATER POLO COACH
7
8
9
11
46 Spring 2025
10
12
G ATO R S P O R T S H I G H L I G H T R E E L
“When Coach Hogan asked me to coach the Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams this year, I knew I had to say yes. Coaching soccer is my happy place, and this season, I had the privilege of working with an incredibly talented and hardworking girls’ team. Their teamwork, enthusiasm, and dedication made every practice and game a joy, especially ending the season with a victory over Menlo. The boys’ team plays with the same passion and energy, making every moment on the field exciting. I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach such fantastic student-athletes.” —PRYS HUGHES, LMS BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ SOCCER COACH
13
14
15
16
17
18
Sacred Heart Magazine 47
Spir
EXPLORE WISDOM | EMBRACE COMPASS
ritual
SION | ENCOURAGE COMMON GROUND IN THIS INSIGHTFUL Q&A, SACRED HEART SCHOOLS’ DIRECTOR OF MISSION & MINISTRY KATE MOTRONI-FISH REFLECTS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN THE 21ST CENTURY. SHE EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING SPIRITUALITY AND MEANING ACROSS DIVERSE FAITH TRADITIONS, FOSTERING A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL STUDENTS CAN ENGAGE WITH LIFE QUESTIONS AND FIND MEANING. MOTRONI-FISH EXEMPLIFIES THE VALUES OF SACRED HEART’S INCLUSIVE APPROACH, BLENDING TRADITION AND INNOVATION TO GUIDE STUDENTS IN BECOMING SPIRITUAL SEEKERS AND COMPASSIONATE LEADERS IN A DIVIDED WORLD.
What does it truly mean to be a Catholic school? Here at Sacred Heart, regardless of faith tradition, we are guided toward cultivating our spirituality and the pursuit of meaning—how does that look in practice?
T
he word Catholic in itself really has two meanings—Catholic with a capital “C” refers to the organized religion of Roman Catholicism while catholic with a lowercase “c” means universal. Catholics believe that whether you are Catholic in your religious tradition or not, there is something that can be found for everyone. I always tell people you don’t have to believe that Jesus was the Son of God to find wisdom. If you believe in forgiveness, justice, compassion, love—you can find a connection to Jesus. I went to a Catholic high school and a very good friend of mine who is Hindu told me that even though he was not of the faith tradition, he found great comfort in the rituals of the Catholic faith and that there were so many intersections with his own faith’s worldview that it, in turn, made him a better Hindu as it allowed him to think about his own faith. That is exactly what we strive to do here at Sacred Heart. We want our Catholic students to come out better Catholics, our Jewish students to come out better Jews, our Muslim students to come out better Muslims, and our Buddhist students come out better Buddhists. Whatever the faith tradition our students come from, we want them to be spiritual seekers that ask the big questions in life and are open to the many different wisdoms and perspectives of the world. We honor both “big C Catholic” and “little c catholic” in a variety of ways. Our students are formed in the rituals and traditions of the Catholic faith tradition as a model of how we might seek these higher truths. When students attend Masses and other liturgical experiences across campus, we want as many students involved as possible regardless of faith tradition. There is a place at the table for all. When we discuss moral and ethical issues in class we use a multi-faith lens as we know many of our students are wanting to apply their own traditions to what they are learning. It is important that we hear across faith lines because God expands beyond our humanly-created faith lines as well.
50 Spring 2025
Kate Motroni-Fish
Whatever the faith tradition our students come from, we want them to be spiritual seekers that ask the big questions in life and are open to the many different wisdoms and perspectives of the world.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE SEVENTH-GRADE ART STUDENTS WHO DESIGNED THE OAK LEAVES MASS BANNER ARTWORK FEATURED THROUGHOUT THIS SPREAD, REPRESENTING THE LITURGICAL COLORS OF ORDINARY TIME. LEARN MORE ABOUT IT IN “MASS ART” ON PAGE 30.
Many Catholic schools have a priest or nun at the forefront, but what does a Catholic school look like once clergy are not visibly at the helm?
F
irst off, let’s talk a little bit about charism and what that means. I love this definition by Sr. Annie Klapheke, SC: “Charism is not easy to define. I offer this as a simple definition: charism is a gift from God for the church and the world, given as different ways of living out the Gospel.” All religious orders have a particular charism, or gift, that they offer to the world through their spiritual practices. The Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ), our founding order, has a particular charism—to show the world the loving face of God. When St. Madeleine Sophie was trying to figure out how to go about this task, she felt that education was the way to do it. The RSCJ developed a spirituality and a way of educating that they have documented over time and continue to update. The Sisters who previously led schools were immersed in
this spirituality in a way that no layperson is able to. What we can and are called to do is to learn from these writings and documents, as well as to engage the Sisters in teaching us. Recently we were blessed to have two RSCJ—Sr. Barbara Dawson, former superior general, as well as Sr. Suzanne Cooke, provincial of the United States and Canada Province—come and speak with us about how we might live out this charism in a world that feels more and more divided each day. They reminded us that St. Madeleine Sophie was developing this order in a time of great divide as well. There is wisdom that we must mine from within the writings and teachings of our foundresses. We must remain in dialogue with the RSCJ in order to learn from their experiences and discernment. Here at SHS, we have a direct line to many of these Sisters who live on our campus and still work in their ministries. We are standing on the shoulders of a deep and rich history and tradition. The continuing job of our educators and administrators therefore is to keep the traditions live and present.
P-8 art classes incorporate themes of spirituality
Sacred Heart Magazine 51
What do you see as the most powerful aspects of Sacred Heart’s Catholic identity that you think make it a distinct place for faith formation?
W
hat draws me personally to Sacred Heart education, both as an educator and minister but also as a parent of Sacred Heart students, is our expansive view and understanding of God. I remember sitting in a class in graduate school and our professor T. Howland Sanks, S.J. said, “Catholics believe that all descriptions of God are metaphors— they only really capture a small piece of what God is. God is like a father, but no father we have ever known. God is like a mother, but no mother we have ever known. We are limited by our human capacities and limitations to ever fully come to comprehend God. That is the great mystery that is God. We can, however, come to know God.” What he meant by “to know” is to
be in relationship with. God can be found in so many places—God is so expansive and beyond anything we’ll ever understand. Many spiritualities give you a recipe for knowing God and if you follow that recipe, Boom!: God. What is so beautiful about this spirituality that we live out each day and the spirituality of our charism, is that it says we already have the capacity to know God and be in relationship, that if we listen closely, and take the time and silence, we don’t need a specific recipe. We certainly need guide posts such as our traditions and rituals. Those help point the way. What this also says is that we can also find God in the community of a sports team, or in the spark of inspiration that we gain when we read a poem. God is alive in the world around us, and we are constantly being invited into relationship with God. We take seriously the child’s capacity for spiritual seeking. They often see God in the places where adults struggle the most. We encourage our students to explore those avenues—to see God everywhere around them.
Sacred Heart Society students pictured here with RSCJ
52 Spring 2025
The Society of the Sacred Heart, our founding Order, has a particular charism— to show the world the loving face of God.
In an area where some might not fully understand or embrace Catholicism, how are our educators helping students grow within their own faith using Catholicism as a platform?
A
ccording to the Congregation for Catholic Education’s writing, “The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School,” Catholic school educators are invited into the vocation of teaching. What this means is that teaching isn’t just about showing up, teaching the content, and then calling it a day when the bell rings. A vocation is about using one’s work to move the world closer to the Kingdom of God.
Can you share an example of a student/group of students who really live out the school’s mission when it comes to connecting their faith with a sense of social responsibility (Goal I and Goal III), especially in the context of today’s fast-paced digital world.
T
here are so many examples it is really hard to pick just one! I think what has impressed me most this year is watching our students navigate the increasingly evident political divide in our country. This weighed heavily on many students, who decided they didn’t want it to happen at SHP. Groups like Young Americans for Freedom and SURJ (Social Unity Rooted in Justice) came together to think through, alongside educators, how to educate students on topics and concerns related to the upcoming election. They organized educational panels, media literacy education, listening circles, watch parties, and prayer groups to discern how we might walk together through a time that can be filled with tension and strife. The students had one major concern in common: dignity for all. How do we make sure that all students, no matter where they fall politically, are being respected and treated as a bearer of God? This is not to say that it was always easy “kumbaya” moments—it was work that required a huge amount of flexibility, deep listening, and understanding. Perhaps we as adults can learn from these students.
All work has the ability to be a vocation if it is combining the skills that you are blessed with, the joy that you both give and receive from this work, and if it matches the needs of the world and seeks to meet those needs. For teachers, part of this vocational work is a commitment to be models of whole humans —mentally and spiritually whole adults. One thing that Sr. Cooke invited us all to think about when she came and spoke was, “When young people look at the adults in their lives, do they look at them and say, ‘I want to be a grown up one day.’?” We hope our educators are as committed to cultivating their own interior life of prayer and silence as they are to mastering their subject matter. By doing so, they can model a way of life that inspires students to think, “I want to get there. It’s a good thing to be an adult in this world.” Without that, there can be few spaces for hope. While not all of our educators are Catholic, they are dedicated to developing a life of prayer, of balance, and of deep listening to God. Sacred Heart Magazine 53
P-8 annual Thanksgiving food drive, aided by SHP students
How does Sacred Heart encourage students to be leaders who bring faith into the workplace, community, and beyond—especially in fields that might not always align with traditional Catholic teachings?
E
ach year, more and more students feel called to careers in fields like environmental law, medical research, or running non-profit organizations. These are all excellent examples of how they are applying their study of ethics and Catholic Social Teaching to work that helps bring the world closer to God’s vision. The stories I am always most intrigued by are the ways in which many of our students are quietly finding connections. A few years ago I had a student who, through his study of his Native American heritage in conjunction with what he was studying in classes, was moved to think about land usage differently. In fact, he planned at that time to eventually go into land development or real estate. One thing that he wanted to keep in mind in his future was building relationships with the tribes of those areas before development and having representatives be a part of the planning process. This is not always done in land development but he believed this was his best place to start—by establishing relationships and bringing people to the table. Relationship is where everything starts in a Sacred Heart education.
We take seriously the child’s capacity for spiritual seeking. They often see God in the places where adults struggle the most.
Silicon Valley is known for its entrepreneurial spirit. How do you foster an entrepreneurial mindset in students when it comes to faith— encouraging them to think creatively about how to live out and share their Catholic values in today’s society?
I
taught Christian Scriptures for many years and one of my favorite lessons was looking at the Kingdom of God and how we define it. We identify that it is different from a utopian society in that it allows for our humanity and our imperfections while always leading us to forgiveness and reconciliation. There is always a road back into right relationship. I give my elevator pitch to the students and say, “Alright, who is onboard?” I regularly get reactions from rolled eyes to laughter —and not an “Oh, I am so excited for this Mrs. Mo-Fish” kind of giggle—more of a “Yeah right, that will never happen” kind of scoff. We then always go on to talk about how we as humans are incredibly creative in what we make and the ways in which we organize ourselves. Why couldn’t it be a different way? A hope-filled education is one that deeply understands the challenge from the perspective of those impacted and then moves toward action and advocacy. A Sacred Heart education invites students to develop a life of discernment, where they take the time to stop and to pray, to listen deeply to how God is calling them to be the loving face of God in the world. An example I can think of that requires this entrepreneurial mindset is our implementation of restorative justice practices. Mother Teresa said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” At the root of restorative justice is the belief that we as people are meant to be connected and in community. When we inflict harm upon one another, we take the time as a community to understand the impact of our actions, and work toward forgiveness and healing of the relationship that has been broken. This looks very different from the traditional discipline models that many of us knew from our school days. This is a process where the focus is not on who did the wrong and how do we punish them, but why did this act happen, who was impacted, and how do we forgive what happened and move forward in community? This change in perspective takes an entrepreneurial mindset— one of risk and of diving into the unknown with hope and openness to what might emerge. Sacred Heart Magazine 55
Finally, what message would you want to share with students, parents, and alumni about the importance of continuing to use the Goals and Criteria beyond our campus walls?
L
ast year for our celebration of the “Educating for a Lifetime” campaign, SHP Assistant Principal of Instruction & Faculty Development Dr. Diana Neebe spoke about the joys and the struggles of teaching today. She talked about the struggles students are facing today with mental health. She discussed the impacts of the pandemic on learning and the lift that it required to shift to online learning so quickly. She named the realities of the world that our students are exposed to through constant access to media. As she mentioned challenge after challenge, she also talked about the ways in which the Goals and Criteria are a response to each of these challenges. It is so true. I find that the more time that
we ground ourselves in God by creating an interior life, when we face the world with curiosity, we find ourselves wanting to engage in the world and in community in relationship with others, and when we are in right relationship, we continue to create a world for ourselves and others where we can continue making the choices which lead us to a good life. The Goals and Criteria are not a “how-to” list, but a lens for viewing the world. We hope that our graduates and their families have developed this way of viewing the world and therefore can’t help but use the Goals and Criteria beyond our campus walls.
Fr. Whitney presiding over First Communion
56 Spring 2025
Can you tell us what is new programmatically for the school’s Mission & Ministry efforts on campus?
W
e are excited to meet the moment with new ways of inviting people into our mission. As I mentioned earlier, we are in a new era and therefore, we are exploring new ways of connecting with our students and families that fit into the rhythm of their lives. One exciting addition to our department has been Fr. John Whitney, S.J., who has been placed here to minister to our community. He has been loving visiting classes and working with the students. He has done everything from leading Ignatian Contemplation with our sophomore English classes to table Masses on retreat with our Middle School. He even did lessons with our second graders on alliteration and poetic imagination. We are seeing students excited to listen to his homilies and inviting him to lead their teams in prayer. Building that relationship with the students is a new doorway into our faith community. Along with Fr. Whitney, our Mission & Ministry team is excited to engage our adult community in new ways as well. We aim to increase awareness within our parent community about how students are growing in their faith. We also want to support our parents in engaging their families in spirituality and prayer at home and in community. Last, we know that our community is far and wide, especially our alumni, and we want to keep everyone connected to the stories of the day-today lives of our students and faculty. We have launched a new short-form video series, “Mission & Meaning Minute,” that focuses on really specific stories of students and faculty living out the mission day to day in just over 60 seconds. As we continue to build these connections, we are excited to see how our shared faith and experiences will grow and strengthen the bonds within our entire community.
&
WATCH
MISSION MEANING Minute
FAITH FORWARD Rev. John D. Whitney, S.J., (pictured at left) is the new assistant for pastoral care at SHS. Originally from San Mateo, Fr. Whitney attended Bellarmine College Preparatory and Georgetown University, prior to entering the Jesuits. As a Jesuit, he did graduate work in philosophy at Gonzaga University, and theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. His vocation is rooted in Ignatian spirituality, especially discernment, following Ignatius’ teaching to “seek God in all things.” Working mostly in the Northwest, Fr. Whitney has taught high school and college, and was pastor at St. Joseph Church in Seattle for 11 years. Returning to the Bay Area four years ago, he served as associate pastor of St. Ignatius Parish in San Francisco, before coming to SHS. Dedicated to enhancing lay leadership in the church, his preaching and other work seeks to reach people’s hearts and minds, inviting everyone to bring their gifts to the table— especially those who have too often been excluded. Passionate about liturgy, Fr. Whitney is excited to bring his love for prayer to his role at SHS, where he hopes to help individuals of all faiths connect with God through worship that invites personal engagement. For him, the holiest of all things are the women and men, the boys and girls, who make up the community, and helping them see that is what his ministry is all about.
Sacred Heart Magazine 57
ALUMNI 58 Spring 2025
SPIRIT OF SACRED HEART Alumni Day October 5, 2024. We were blessed to be joined by these very special and beloved Sacred Heart community leaders— Sr. Ann McGowan, Sr. Marica O’Dea, Sr. Deanna Rose von Bargen, Fr. John Whitney, S.J., Sr. Nancy Morris, Sr. Jane McKinlay, and Sr. Bunny Flick.
Sacred Heart Magazine 59
ALUMNI NEWS
Dear Fellow Alumnae/i, ALUMNI BOARD 24–25 Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07), president Sarah Bohannon (SJS ’04, SHP ’08) Hannah Cevasco (SHP ’19) Brandon Child (SHP ’04) Miles DeLong (SHP ’09) Kristine Fischer (SHP ’19) John Geary (SHP ’11) Douglas Hosking (SHP ’07) Jack Larkins (SHP ’19) Atilla Lazar (SHP ’06) Kevin McFarland (SHP ’07) Tim Norton (SJS ’04, SHP ’08) 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)
STAY CONNECTED Don’t miss news and event information! Please be sure we have your current email and mailing address by contacting alumni@ shschools.org.
This 2024–2025 academic year is an exciting and pivotal milestone for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton. As we celebrated reunions on campus during Alumni Day this past fall, we also shared an appreciation for the successes of the school’s Vision 2025 Strategic Plan. Over the past decade, the SHS community has been steadfast in fulfilling the Strategic Plan’s four priorities: Intellectual Formation, Character Formation, Community, and Stewardship. As the Alumni Association President, I’m proud that our 5000+ member association has had the privilege of supporting each of these priorities through our many engagement opportunities. Our devout participation through mentorships, attendance at events, reconnecting with former classmates, donation and gift contributions, voluntary service, and collaboration with the SHS Advancement team has continued to be a key pillar of support, uplifting the SHS community to become the thriving institution it is today. As SHS continues to pursue further excellence beyond Vision 2025, I welcome all of our alumnae/i to join in supporting our community, by participating in the variety of engagement opportunities we offer, such as: • Attending our annual Alumni Day/ Oktoberfest with fellow alumnae/i, family, and friends each fall; • Becoming a mentor to collegiate and early professional alums; • Contributing your time to Alumni Association traditions including olive oil bottling each November;
Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07) with her son Parker and husband Brendan
• Volunteering at the Prep’s Career Day, or the Donating for Dignity Thanksgiving Drive; and • Becoming an Alumni Board Member for a deeper partnership with SHS and the Advancement Office.
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: Lauren (Boyle) Berman (SHP ’07) with her son Parker and
husband Brendan 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 TREES TO TABLE
Valparaiso Vineyards Olive Oil is a Sacred Heart signature. Each school year SHS preschool-12th grade students and educators harvest close to 1,000 pounds of olives and our alumni and parents of alumni come together to bottle and label the finished product. Nearly 10 pounds of olive oil was then sold at the annual Holiday Boutique fundraiser. Pictured from left to right are PALs the Stephens and Plaschkes.
60 Spring 2025
Alumna Grace Connors (SHP ’19) during her audience with Pope Francis
Holy Moments IF YOU HAD 15 SECONDS WITH THE POPE, WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU ASK HIM? After having countless enriching conversations with friends and family on this specific topic in preparation for the FADICA Rome pilgrimage, Grace Connors (SHP ’19) decided on the following question: “Holy Father, with all of the unrest in the world today, how do we put hope into action?” Pope Francis responded: “We must do three things: 1. Pray; 2. Do it (and mean it); 3. Always keep a sense of humor.”
Connors, along with her parents Wendy and Tim Connors, made a pilgrimage to the Vatican this past fall to discuss the needs of the Church through their participation in FADICA, a Catholic philanthropic network of foundations and donors supporting Catholic activities. Over the past four years, the family has founded the Connors Family Foundation for Catholic Activities, which funds and advises initiatives that focus on the planet, the family, and the parish through technology-enabled solutions, and is a FADICA member. Their group participated in a meeting with the Pope, who shared an update, followed by each attendee speaking with him for 15 seconds one-on-one.
“Meeting the Pope was surreal,” says Connors. As a Peace Studies major at the University of Notre Dame, Connors wanted to focus on responding to the various global crises currently ongoing in the world, but ultimately her question was informed by an extracurricular course she took called Life Design, which taught habits for building a meaningful life. A primary lesson from the class was that joy can be actively curated in one’s life, and so connecting joy to hope— and putting hope into action—became her question for the Pope. During Advent 2023, the Pope decided that 2025 would be a year of Jubilee with a theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” How fitting that Connors’ question was directly connected to the Pope’s planning and global initiative.
Sacred Heart Magazine 61
ALUMNI NEWS
12th Annual Parents of Alumni (PALs) Social: Spirited & Sentimental Late last September PALs gathered under the sun, moon, stars, and the Bell Tower to reunite, reconnect, and revisit campus. Our PALs Class Rep volunteers did an amazing job encouraging so many past parents (spanning four decades with alum children who graduated between 1991–2024) to join the annual social. Wines from our Sacred Heart community and heavy appetizers were tasted as we toasted with Director of Schools Richard Dioli to our past, present, and future. The event would not be complete with-
out the “Rich Dioli Raffle,” where several winners’ names were drawn by Sr. Sheila Hammond (RSCJ) for special Sacred Heart prizes. Thank you to our wonderful participating wineries: Calligraphy Wines (current parents Pooja and Shri Gorthy), Jax Vineyards (current parent and alumna Kimberly Jackson Wickam (SHP ’89), Lionshead Estate Vineyards (PALs Brenda Zawatski and Frank Calderoni), Oakville East Wines (PALs Lisa and Robert Ruggeri), and Woodside Farm Vineyards (PALs Margaret and Craig London).
Event invitations and e-newsletters are emailed from alumni@shschools.org. Please be sure we have your current email address. Visit www.shschools.org/PALs for more information.
62 Spring 2025
Social Media Meet-Up Mary Constance McGuire (CSH ’73) returned to campus from Alexandria, Ohio in 2023 for her 50th class reunion. In May 2024, while browsing the alumni Madeleine Sophie Facebook page, she came across an article about recent graduates heading to various universities for athletics and was very impressed. She was especially interested to see a young woman sporting a Denison University t-shirt, as McGuire lives just five miles from Denison’s campus in Granville. Intrigued by the connection, McGuire contacted the Alumni Office and expressed how eager she was to help her fellow Sacred Heart graduate in any way that she could with the transition to college and life in Ohio. McGuire couldn’t wait to offer Tessa Espinosa (LMS ’20, SHP ’24) a home-cooked meal and share stories from attending Sacred Heart, especially in the exact same Main Building she attended classes in 51 years earlier. McGuire served as the Dean of Students at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento for 10 years and has always had a warm place in her heart for students at all levels of education. She and Espinosa finally met for lunch at an outdoor cafe in Granville, joined by McGuire’s dog, Pudgie. They had a grand time meeting and getting to know one another while sharing stories about their time on campus, the nuns at Oakwood, the beautiful parlors in the Main Building, and even a few mischievous moments sneaking off campus. Since they met, Espinosa, joined by new friends from college, has had several visits to the home of McGuire and her husband Sam. The couple has even attended one of Espinosa’s lacrosse games and got to know her parents Angela and Miguel.
PALs from SHP Class of 2023
Left: Past parents the Blankenships, the Ortizs, the Franks, and the Jensens recently gathered together to dine.
Top: Alumnae sisters Elena Radeff (SHP ’20) and Maria “Mia” Radeff (SHP ’24) faced off at the volleyball net when Santa Clara (Elena) played Notre Dame (Mia). Gator Nation alums and PALs showed up to cheer them both on.
Sacred Heart Magazine 63
ALUMNI IN MEMORIAM
Sr. Pat Shaffer (RSCJ) was born on June 11, 1928, and passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2024, at Oakwood, with the Sisters having spent the afternoon praying with her. When Sr. Shaffer moved to Oakwood in 2013, she was very active with the SHP students from the Sacred Heart Society and athletic events. She attended nearly every athletic event that she could and was well-known by students, faculty, and families as the cheerleader with the tall walker. May she rest in peace. Sr. Shaffer attended the San Francisco College for Women and before graduation, entered the Society of the Sacred Heart at Kenwood in 1949; she pronounced her first vows in 1952 and also received her BA in natural sciences. She joined the faculty at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Menlo Park (today known as Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton). In 1957, Sr. Shaffer made her final profession in Rome and afterward taught for one year at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, El Cajon. She earned an MS in chemistry from Stanford University in 1958, and in 1975 she earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the joint doctoral program of UCSD/SDSU, in which she was also the first woman admitted. Sr. Shaffer’s career spanned nearly 60 years beginning in 1959 at the University of San Diego (USD) as associate professor and then professor of chemistry. Hailed as the “sisterscientist,” she was among the few religious who had two vocations. However, Sr. Shaffer described in her own words, that it was a “way of embracing all means in our power to express God’s love.” She went on to say that, “resources of human beings such as their minds are not separate from the work of Jesus Christ and the church.” Her scientific interest was in the area of biochemical research on aspergillus nidulans (cloning specific genes) for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma. Sr. Shaffer co-authored and authored numerous publications and articles. She served on a number of committees at USD, and served on the Institutional Biosafety Committee with Viagene Inc. San Diego, (1992–1997). Sr. Shaffer was also a trustee of Forest Ridge Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, Washington (1975–1979). The beloved chaplain of the women’s basketball team at USD for many years, Sr. Shaffer was faithfully on the bench for every home game and knew every player.
64 Spring 2025
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES PROMOTED? MOVING? MARRIED? NEW BABY? NEW JOB? PLEASE SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH US FOR A FUTURE ISSUE OF THE SACRED HEART MAGAZINE AT SHMAGAZINE@SHSCHOOLS.ORG. ALL SUBMISSIONS MAY BE EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY, AND DIGITAL PHOTOS ARE WELCOMED!
A LU M N I B A BY G ATO R S 2004
2008
Sarah Bohannon (SJS ’04, SHP ’08).
watch out Gator parents Kimberly (Blears) Bausback (SHP ’08) and Michael Bausback (SHP ’08).
1 Baby Bohannon standing tall for mom
2005
2 Rachel (Taylor) Keane and her husband,
Odhrán Keane, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Bria, in October. They reside in Menlo Park.
1
3 Gator baby JJ Bausback is on the move—
4 Baby Graham is chilling in his favorite chair
and bib for mom Lilly Reid (SHP ’08).
2
5 Gator baby Georgia Palmer smiles big for her Gator parents Katy (Ellison) Palmer (SHP ’08) and Cameron Palmer (SHP ’10).
2011
6 John Geary (SHP ’11) and his wife
Caroline welcomed Cassidy Claire Geary on March 2, 2024, and have enjoyed coming to campus for several alumni events.
3
5
4
6
If you would like to share your Gator baby or Gator marriage news, please email alumni@ shschools.org.
Sacred Heart Magazine 65
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
66 Spring 2025
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES SACRED HEART PREPARATORY (SHP) CLASS OF 2006
1 Brittany Brugos recently received her
doctorate of nursing practice in nurse anesthesia from the University of Maryland. She earned a bachelor of science in registered nursing from New York University in 2014 and a bachelor of arts in international development from UCLA in 2010. She continues to work on her goal of running in all 50 states (she hit 30 states in November) and has run three of the six World Marathon majors, with London and Tokyo on the horizon in 2025 and 2026, respectively. At Sacred Heart, she enjoyed physics with Dr. Guy Letteer and English with Jake Moffat.
2 Atilla Lazar is a director for global products at Visa in Foster City, California where he has worked for over 13 years. He has a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of San Francisco. He and his wife have two sons (Zalan, 8, and Hunor, 6). Atilla is an active member of the SHS Alumni Board. His favorite teachers at Sacred Heart were Mr. Moffat (who sent him down a path of super great sci-fi), Mrs. Solari (who had so much passion for literature and pushed students to dig deep into their understanding), and Mr. Tressler (who gave some great life advice beyond just school).
CLASS OF 2008
3 Sarah Bohannon (SJS ’04) is a managing
director at Newmark, a leading advisory and service provider to institutional investors, global corporations, and owners and occupiers of commercial real estate. Bohannon is adept at identifying and addressing the unique real estate challenges companies face at every stage of their growth. Her approach to planning, site selection, and lease negotiations allows Bohannon to deliver long-term, strategic real estate solutions for her clients. Over the course of her career, she has successfully completed more than 400 lease transactions, totaling 3.9 million square feet and $2 billion in value, on behalf of both owners and tenants. Bohannon holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from the University of Washington. She lives in Menlo Park with her husband and two children, and she is an active member of the SHS Alumni Board. Bohannon fondly recalls her favorite teachers at Sacred Heart, Rod Cardamone and Señora Felice.
4 Erin McMahon got married last summer
and eight of her 11 bridesmaids are SHS alumnae. Left to right: Laura McCarthy (SHP ’08), Ana Braskamp (SJS ’04), Laura (Child) Meisel (SHP ’08), Sarah Bohannon (SHP ’08), bride Erin McMahon (SHP ’08), maid of honor Lilly Reid (SHP ’08), Sara (Buncke) Weeks (SHP ’08), Katy (Ellison) Palmer (SHP ’08), and Kelsey (McLaughlin) Dittmar (SHP ’08).
5 Lilly Reid recently moved back to the SF
Peninsula with her husband and son Graham. Before that, she lived in Los Angeles working as a film music executive at Lionsgate and most recently Netflix. She earned a bachelor of science degree in music industry from University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music and is an active member of the SHS Alumni Board. Reid’s favorite teacher and class at Sacred Heart was Sue Beltramo’s English class, where she was introduced to authors Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston.
CLASS OF 2009
6 Peter Holoien is bringing high-quality, locally-made clothing to sustainablyminded shoppers through his new slowfashion brand, “Warren.” Now a resident of Vermont, Holoien aims to share New England’s heritage and preserve its legacy of craftsmanship by making garments in the same historic mill towns that once made New England the center of the textile world. The brand’s commitment to local manufacturing and creating long-lasting, timeless styles significantly reduces the carbon footprint generally associated with apparel production. The total travel involved in making a Warren product is about a tenth of what is typical for most clothing brands that rely on global supply chains. The clothing is available online, as well as at select boutique retailers throughout New England.
Alek Konopnicki (SJS ’05) is a resident physician at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Konopnicki became a doctor of osteopathic medicine at Rocky Vista University in 2023 and graduated from U.C. Santa barbara with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry in 2014.
CLASS OF 2019
7 Jack Larkins is an investment banking analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. in New York. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2023 with a bachelor of arts in economics.
After treasuring four years at Sacred Heart, Larkins embraced the opportunity to branch out in the vast Cal community, and he was grateful for four more years of Rainbow flip-flop-friendly climate. Outside of class, Larkins spent much of his time at his beloved residential college, Bowles Hall, where he managed the alumni newsletter, served as liaison to the board of directors, and most memorably, corralled friends for tailgates on the front lawn. He also became heavily involved in the campus startup accelerator, Berkeley SkyDeck, where he developed and led undergraduate programs, including a venture capital speaker series and a product-focused entrepreneurship course through the Haas School of Business. Having appreciated the opportunity to experience the tech ecosystem through osmosis at college, he’s excited to be continuing his learning in tech banking. Now in year two of New York life, he finds things coming full circle. After the Cal Bears’ latest Big Game win, Larkins had to tone down the excitement when coming home to his roommate in Chelsea: fellow Class of 2019 Gator and Stanford grad Nate Fleischli. “Guess who I ran into from Sacred Heart! They’re living here now!” has become a weekly refrain.
CLASS OF 2020
8 Grady Hornbeek is a public policy research
analyst at Gravity Research in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame magna cum laude in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. His favorite teacher at SHP was Mr. McDade.
9 Parinaz Khosravi (LMS ’16) graduated summa cum laude from her dream school, UCLA, with a B.S. in psychobiology in three years. After a gap year, she began to pursue a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) at the UCLA School of Dentistry last fall. She would love to serve as a mentor for any Gators potentially interested in dentistry or the health route in general. 10 Hannah Lesti was a member of the university orchestra at Clark Honors College. She started Georgetown Law School in August 2024 and continues to play harp.
CLASS OF 2023
11 Laura Barnds (LMS ’19) is a student-athlete
at Princeton on the Division 1 Women’s Rugby team. She was named the “Breakout Player of the Season” after her freshman year.
Sacred Heart Magazine 67
ALUMNI REUNION
Alumni Day & Milestone Reunions YOU ARE ALWAYS A PART OF SACRED HEART
2025 SAVE THE DATE
Alumni Day OCTOBER 11, 2025 Milestone Reunions for Classes ending in 0 and 5 Alumni Mass Oktoberfest
www.shschools.org/alumniday
Our annual Alumni Day event on October 5 was one of the hottest days of the year, with record temperatures in the 90s. The heat did not prevent more than 200 alumnae/i from 1954 to 2019 from coming home to Sacred Heart for the festivities and milestone reunions for Classes ending in “four” and “nine.” In addition to family, faculty, friends, and guests, many RSCJ from Oakwood and the surrounding area braved the heat and enjoyed the day. Alumnae from our all-girls boarding and day school (1898–1984) and their guests enjoyed the Très Bien Tea luncheon, with Golden and Diamond Diploma Ceremonies for the 50th (1974) and 60th (1964) milestone reunion high school classes on Conway (Palm) Court. The alumni Spirit of Mater Award was presented at our Alumni Mass presided by John Whitney, S.J. in the Main Building Chapel to Nancy (Silva) Walery (SJS ’56, CSH ’60). To learn more about our awards programs, visit: www.schschools.org/alumawards. The on-campus Alumni Oktoberfest with Gordon Biersch Brewery celebrated milestone reunions for the co-ed Sacred Heart Prep classes (1989–2019) with a live DJ, Oktoberfest faire, and class photos. The 70th reunion for William “Bo” Wreden from Saint Joseph’s School class of 1954 was also honored.
VIEW 2024 ALUMNI DAY PHOTOS AT WWW.SHSCHOOLS.ORG/ALUMNI
Sr. Ann McGowan at Alumni Mass
50th Reunion Golden Diploma Ceremony
68 Spring 2025
Spirit of Mater awardee Nancy (Silva) Walery SJS ’56, CSH ’60
ALUMNI REUNION
Sacred Heart Magazine 69
HEARTiFACTS
The Renaissance of St. Agnes’ Shrine Since the 1898 opening of the Academy of Sacred Heart on this campus, religious statuary and iconography—gradually added over the decades—have been an integral part of our beautiful 63 acres. From the welcoming figure of Christ that presides near our front gates, to the sacred Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, to the blessed statue of St. Joseph, our school has constructed and maintained a number of enduring visual reminders of our founders’ legacy, love for, and connections with the Catholic Church and her saints. For nearly a century, a gazebo-like shrine to St. Agnes has resided in a small corner of our grounds, located on what is now the Sacred Heart Prep side of campus. The graceful and life-like statue of Agnes, holding a small lamb, gives indication as to her patronage—primarily the protection of young girls—a most fitting saint for what was once an all-girls school. While the impetus for the shrine’s original construction at Sacred Heart is unknown, the structure’s embedded marker offers a pointed clue, honoring the life and untimely death of Elenita Brophy, a Sacred Heart student in the 1910s. Years later and following a renovation, a second dedication plaque was installed, this time invoking the intercession and blessings of Agnes in memory of alumnus Sean McLarry
(SHP ’90). And there, outside of what is now the cafeteria and student life building—and amid the hustle and bustle of normal high school activity—this special and sacred structure has serenely remained, weathering and withstanding multiple changes to the surrounding grounds without incident or impact for decades. In 2024, however, legacy family Carolyn and Preston Butcher generously stepped forward to sponsor a more comprehensive “glowup” for the Agnes shrine. The work, completed over the summer months, relocated the shrine mere yards north of its century-long home, a moderate move which enabled not only a significant expansion of the gazebo framing, but an upgrade to the lighting and protective roofing. The statue itself was lovingly cleaned and restored to a gleaming white. Flagstone benches were added to encircle the gazebo, providing flexible space for prayer and reflection as well as class use, and the original metal cross, which sat atop the former structure, was re-installed at the crown. In all, the extensive project has reinvigorated the sanctum and its use, vastly improving the aesthetics, coaxing the curious to investigate and reflect, and most of all, elevating this timeless memorial from Sacred Heart’s history to campus prominence, once again.
SACRED REVIVAL
This photo (above) from the SHS archives, taken around 1929–1930, features the St. Agnes Shrine with the statue in its original gazebo, softly visible in the background.
70 Spring 2025
Thanks to the Butcher family, the revitalized Shrine to St. Agnes was unveiled this past fall on the SHP campus. In Catholic lore, St. Agnes was cruelly martyred at age 12, revered for her purity, innocence, and unshakeable commitment to faith. The shrine has been a staple of campus since the early 1920s.
P
R
E
S
E
R
V
E
O
U
R
F
U
T
U
R
E
Join the Tower Legacy Society As a valued member of the Sacred Heart family, we invite you to help preserve the mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ) and our educational institution (established in 1898). A thoughtful future legacy bequest from your estate plan can ensure the cherished Sacred Heart experience continues on our campus for generations to come.
TOWER LEGACY SOCIETY
The extraordinary commitment through your estate celebrates your long-term support of our mission while your legacy and spirit live on in perpetuity on our beloved historic campus.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.SHSCHOOLS.ORG/LEGACYGIVING
S A V E T H E D AT E
Alumni Day Saturday, October 11, 2025
ALUMNI, FAMILY & FRIENDS ARE WELCOME! 1:00 p.m.
Très Bien Tea Luncheon, Conway (Palm) Court
3:00 p.m.
50th & 60th Class Reunion Diploma Ceremony, Conway (Palm) Court
4:00 p.m.
Alumni Mass, Main Building Chapel
5:00–8:00 p.m.
Oktoberfest Celebration with Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
MILESTONE REUNION CELEBRATIONS 2020 — 5th Reunion 2015 — 10th Reunion 2010 — 15th Reunion 2005 — 20th Reunion 2000 — 25th Reunion 1995 — 30th Reunion 1990 — 35th Reunion 1985 — 40th Reunion 1980 — 45th Reunion 1975 — 50th Reunion & Golden Diploma Ceremony 1970 — 55th Reunion 1965 — 60th Reunion & Diamond Diploma Ceremony 1960 — 65th Reunion 1955 — 70th Reunion
Convent of the Sacred Heart Alumnae
Très Bien Tea All Sacred Heart Alumni
REGISTER TODAY! www.shschools.org/alumniday or call 650.454.8394
presorted standard mail us postage PAID santa ana, ca permit 4849
150 Valparaiso Avenue Atherton, California 94027-4402
SHARED HERITAGE Our littlest learners were treated to a beautiful Irish Heritage presentation by the Altema family. The students were captivated by the rich history and culture of the Emerald Isle. The St. Patrick’s Day fun continued with a performance by the Greene Academy of Irish Dance.