SHC Magazine Summer 2022

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SUMMER 2022 magazine
CLASS OF 2022 | JAN CASTAGNOLA SHAPIRO | CLASS OF 2026 BREAKDOWN | SPRING SPORTS RECAP
upcoming events JUNE-JULY SHC Summer Institute AUGUST 15 First Day of Classes SEPTEMBER 10 Sacred Heart Cathedral’s 170th Anniversary Celebration Oracle Park 16 33rd Annual Walkathon OCTOBER 29 Open House sacred heart cathedral preparatory Enter to Learn; Leave to Serve Inspired by the Daughters of Charity and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, in partnership with families, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory’s mission is to provide the finest education in an inclusive Catholic community of faith. We prepare our students to become service-oriented leaders with a commitment to living the Gospel. in this issue CLASS OF 2022 2 Distinguished Awards 4 College Acceptances 7 Graduate Profiles ON CAMPUS 8 Irish Factoids 9 News & Notes Maddan’s Corner 16 Lasallian Educator & Vincentian Service Awardees 18 Farewells FEATURES 12 Janet Castagnola Shapiro Retires IN DEPTH 10 Class of 2026 Breakdown SPORTING GREEN 20 Spring Sports Recap 23 Q&A: Symone Mackiewicz INNOVATIONS 24 i2 Showcase ALUMNI NEWS 26 Class Notes 34 Celebratory Giving

A Message from Dr. Skrade

Dear SHC community,

It has been a year of settling into our traditions and new ways of being together. Together we are emerging from the challenging experience of the pandemic into this new chapter of life. Throughout, the Sacred Heart Cathedral community has boldly faced each challenge, shifted and adapted proactively. Above all, our community has held steadfast in our faith, finding inspiration in the persistence, determination and resolve of our Holy Founders who have guided us through 170 years of service to students through Lasallian-Vincentian Catholic education.

This year, the Class of 2022 gave their all — Kairos retreats and prayer services, fantastic rallies and assemblies, innovative competitions and national travel. Our students dazzled onstage in joyful performances in music and dance, and they excelled on the field, with a baseball victory in the final Bruce-Mahoney match up of the year. And we even got to Prom! And that’s not all — our seniors received acceptances to more than 250 colleges and universities across the globe.

Consider this issue of SHC Magazine an invitation to pause, reflect and pray, to celebrate the achievements and the many blessings bestowed upon our community, and to reflect on the role of the Daughters of Charity and the Brothers of the Christian Schools — an ever-present force for good in our 170 th year in San Francisco. Within these pages, we honor the Class of 2022, and wish them well as they embark on the next chapter of their lives, supported by all they have gained during their four years at SHC. We also pay tribute to five faithful SHC faculty and staff members who together represent two centuries of service to the school. We also celebrate the Class of 1972 Gold Diploma anniversary, and we learn about the newest members of our community, the Class of 2026.

It is with grateful hearts that we present this issue of SHC Magazine. Go Irish!

Sincerely,

CORRECTIONS:

In the last installment of SHC Magazine's In-Depth feature, we looked at the amazing basketball coaching legacy of Jerry Phillips and the “tree” of coaches who either played or coached under him and then continued coaching. Our apologies for omitting Richard Malfatti ’61, a proud alum who taught and coached at Sacred Heart from 1965-70, leading both the 130s and JV teams during those years. In addition, while noting Matt Gallegos ’78 later became the head SHC baseball coach, we omitted his CCS title in 1998, the program’s first.

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

Mark Pardini ’88

Director of Communications & Marketing

Clarissa Mendiola

Communications & Marketing Content Manager

Giselle Palacios-Delmundo ’94

Communications & Marketing Graphic Designer

Lucie Duffort

Communications & Marketing Associate Thai Chu Photography Manager

CONTRIBUTORS

Kevin Buckley ’13; Andy Chan; Thai Chu; Lucie Duffort; Mona Fowler; Dinno Kovic; Josie LesCallett ’22; Heather Maddan-Dowdell ’95; Clarissa Mendiola; Brian Ong; Giselle Palacios-Delmundo ’94; Mark Pardini ’88; Prestige Photography; Melinda Skrade; Christophe Testi; Lauren Wild ’99

FRONT COVER: Thai Chu

BACK COVER: Thai Chu

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL MAGAZINE is a publication of the SHC Office of Communications & Marketing and is published for alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students, investors, parents of alumni and friends.

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY 1055 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 415.775.6626 • ocm@shcp.edu

Do you receive more than one copy of the magazine? Do you need another copy? Please contact the SHC Office of Advancement at advancement@shcp.edu or 415.775.6626 ext. 564.

magazine

ON CAMPUS

class of 2022

LOUIS A. MEYER ’55 GENERAL SCHOLASTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

Kaitlyn Callo

Anabelle Carter

Colin Gursky

Margot Hart

Kaya Richards

Sydney Scott

Grace Tsiamis

Elisabeth Walters

Emma Whitehurst

Emily Yu

This award, the most distinguished academic award that Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory bestows upon a graduating senior, is presented to students who maintain the highest cumulative grade point average throughout their high school careers. The award’s namesake selflessly served the school for five decades as a student, teacher and assistant principal for academics.

2 SUMMER 2022

distinguished awards

LABOURÉ AWARD

Kate Conti

This award is presented annually to the female graduate who has manifested caritas, exemplary Christian love, by giving generously of herself to others.

CARITAS AWARD

Isaiah Catubig

This award is presented annually to the male graduate who has manifested caritas, exemplary Christian love, by giving generously of himself to others.

BROTHER CONRAD AWARD FOR SCHOOL SPIRIT

Claire Alonso

This award—named in honor of a faculty member who devoted more than 50 years of service to this school—is presented annually to a graduating senior who has exemplified Brother Conrad’s spirit, devotion and commitment.

MATTHEW ENGLANDER AWARD

Ignacio Montorio

This award, memorializing a Class of 1964 member is given to a graduating senior who has overcome extraordinary obstacles in the pursuit of the vocation of a student.

ROBERT WEST ’39 LOYALTY AND SERVICE AWARD

Kaila Nobriga-Allen

Established by the West family, this award honors Robert D. West ’39, longtime Alumni Association volunteer. By vote of the graduating class, it is presented annually to the graduate who best exemplifies the spirit of loyalty and service to SHC.

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Paloma Polacci

This award recognizes a student who makes lasting contributions to student life and inspires the school community through leadership, integrity and commitment.

class of 2022: college acceptances

257 colleges and universities across 39 states, 8 countries.

Agnes Scott College • American University • Arizona State University

Auburn University • Azusa Pacific University • Bard College • Baylor University

Belmont University • Bentley University • Boise State University • Boston College

Boston University • Brandeis University • Brown University • Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University • Butler University • California Lutheran University

California Polytechnic State University • California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

California State University Maritime Academy • California State University, Bakersfield

California State University, Channel Islands • California State University, Chico

California State University, Dominguez Hills • California State University, East Bay

California State University, Fresno • California State University, Fullerton

California State University, Long Beach • California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Monterey Bay • California State University, Northridge

California State University, Sacramento • California State University, San Bernardino

California State University, San Marcos • California State University, Stanislaus

Case Western Reserve University • Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chapman University • Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

The Citadel Military College of South Carolina • Claremont McKenna College

Clark Atlanta University • Clark University • Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University • Colgate University • College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross • Colorado State University • Columbia College Chicago

Connecticut College • Cornell University • Cornish College of the Arts

Delaware State University • Denison University • DePaul University

Dominican University of California • Drexel University • Duke University

Eckerd College • Elon University • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott

Emerson College • Endicott College • Fisher College • Fordham University

George Washington University • Gettysburg College • Gonzaga University

Grand Canyon University • Hawai'i Pacific University • Hofstra University

Holy Names University • Humboldt State University

Indiana University Bloomington • Iowa State University • Ithaca College

James Madison University • Johns Hopkins University • Kenyon College

Lake Forest College • Lawrence University • Lehigh University

Lewis & Clark College • Louisiana State University • Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University Chicago • Loyola University New Orleans

Manhattan College • Marist College • Marquette University

Marymount California University • Marymount Manhattan College

McGill University • Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University • Milwaukee School of Engineering

Montana State University • Montclair State University • Morehouse College

Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles • Muhlenberg College

National University of Ireland • New York University

New York University Shanghai • North Carolina State University Northeastern University • Northern Arizona University

Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences • Occidental College • Ohio University

Oregon State University • Otis College of Art and Design • Pace University

Pacific Union College • Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Pepperdine University • Pitzer College • Point Park University

Portland State University • Providence College • Purdue University

Queen Mary University of London • Queen's University Belfast Quinnipiac University • Reed College • Regis University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rochester Institute of Technology

Rollins College • Rutgers University, New Brunswick • Saint Louis University

Saint Mary's College of California • Salve Regina University

San Diego State University • San Francisco State University

San José State University • Santa Clara University • Sarah Lawrence College

School of the Art Institute of Chicago • Scripps College • Seattle Pacific University

Seattle University • Seton Hall University • Skidmore College

Sonoma State University • Southern Methodist University

St. John's College, Maryland • St. John's University • Stevens Institute of Technology

Stonehill College • Stony Brook University, SUNY • Suffolk University

SUNY Binghamton University • SUNY College at Old Westbury

Syracuse University • Temple University • Texas A&M University

The American University of Paris • The Catholic University of America

The City University of New York Hunter College

The City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice

The New School • The Ohio State University • The University of Memphis

The University of Montana • Toronto Metropolitan University

Trinity College Dublin - Columbia University Dual BA Program

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin • Tufts University

4 SUMMER 2022
ON CAMPUS

Tulane University • Ulster University • United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy • United States Naval Academy University College Dublin • University of Alabama • University of Arizona University of British Columbia • University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis • University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles • University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside • University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara • University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Cincinnati • University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado, Denver • University of Connecticut • University of Delaware University of Denver • University of Guelph • University of Hawaii, Manoa University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign • University of Maine University of Maryland, College Park • University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Massachusetts, Amherst • University of Michigan University of Minnesota, Twin Cities • University of Mississippi University of Nevada, Las Vegas • University of Nevada, Reno University of New Hampshire • University of New Orleans University of North Carolina, Charlotte • University of North Carolina School of the Arts University of Oregon • University of Pittsburgh • University of Portland University of Puget Sound • University of Redlands • University of Rhode Island University of Rochester • University of San Diego • University of San Francisco

• University of Southern California • University of St. Andrews University of Tennessee, Knoxville • University of the Pacific • University of Toronto University of Utah • University of Vermont • University of Victoria University of Virginia • University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Utah State University • Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Military Institute • Virginia Polytechnic Institute • Wagner College Washington State University • Washington University in St. Louis Wentworth Institute of Technology • West Virginia University Western Washington University • Wheaton College, Massachusetts

Whitman College • Whittier College • Willamette University • Woodbury University Worcester Polytechnic Institute • Xavier University

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY MAGAZINE 5
GET IRISH SHOP NEW SHC APPAREL & MERCHANDISE AT shcp.edu/shop-irish
 denotes matriculation

class of 2022 ON CAMPUS

graduate profiles

CAPEN ADES

Capen Ades looks forward to joining the student body at the University of Denver this coming fall. “DU has a little bit of everything I want in a school — a beautiful campus inside of a major city, a separate campus in the mountains, great academics, a strong music program, fun clubs, and being able to experience all four seasons is definitely a plus.” At SHC, Capen, an Inquiry & Innovation Scholar, played on the Varsity Lacrosse team, served on student council, as an Irish for a Day Ambassador, as a TEDxYouth@SHC co-host, as a co-leader for the Student Launch Initiative, and she also participated in Chamber Choir Honors. Looking ahead, Capen is excited for the fresh start in college, making new friends, and meeting new people.

ISAIAH CATUBIG

Isaiah Catubig received acceptances to three dozen colleges and universities, and ultimately he chose the University of California at Berkeley. He will begin this fall as a proud political science major. Isaiah shares, “I wanted to be taught by professors who are active in local and national government. I also wanted to stay close to home so that I can serve my community during and after my time at Berkeley.” At SHC, Isaiah was an active member of the Visual & Performing Arts Program, he sang in choir, served on student council, was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, and he served as an Irish for a Day Ambassador. Isaiah was also appointed by Mayor London Breed as a San Francisco Youth Commissioner, a role that allowed him to work on projects like ensuring MUNI remains free for youth 18 and under. He shares, “The SHC community does not fail to come through for you in times of need. When my mother passed away, I received support from my teachers, friends, classmates, Dr. Skrade, and so many more.”

OLIVIA FLORES

Class of 2022 Valedictorian and De Paul Scholar Olivia Flores served as president of the Book Society, as an Irish for a Day Ambassador, and as a member of the ambassador leadership team. Olivia participated in the Catholic Community Cohort (CCC) Leadership Council, and she was a member of the Latinx and Women’s Empowerment CCCs, the Shakespeare Club, Jubilee and Concert Choir. She looks forward to joining the incoming class at Bryn Mawr College in the fall. Choosing Bryn Mawr was easy for Olivia, “I selected Bryn Mawr because as a young woman of color, I wanted to be surrounded by a close-knit group of women wanting to become leaders in male-dominated fields.” She will take with her one of the most important lessons she learned at SHC, “I learned that all things I do should be rooted in what I am passionate about. In order to prioritize my well-being, I have to make choices that will bring me joy and create meaningful experiences.”

EMMA WHITEHURST

In the fall, Emma Whitehurst will journey overseas to join the student body at University of St. Andrews in Scotland — one of the oldest universities in the English speaking world. She plans to study sustainable development, a field of study that focuses on climate change and human progress with an interdisciplinary approach. During her time at SHC, Emma was a member of the Book Society and Kode With Klossy, and she also served as a Bay Area Discovery Museum camp counselor. Looking back on her four years at SHC, Emma reflects on the most important lesson she learned, “Taking time to prioritize social and emotional wellbeing is just as important as succeeding academically. Academic achievements are great goals to strive for, but it's also vital to make sure you have enough time away from school work.”

EMILY YU

Emily Yu is thrilled to start the next chapter of her educational journey at Reed College, where she is contemplating studying psychology. For Emily, it was her shadow experience with a teacher’s aide that solidified her decision. At SHC, Emily participated in Concert, Chamber, Vocal Jazz, and Jubilee Choir. She also studied Mandarin, piano, and served as a Kairos leader. As she looks ahead, she is excited to navigate her independence by moving to a new city and state. She will be well prepared as she approaches new experiences supported by everything she learned at SHC, “I learned how to speak up for myself. In order to get the most out of the classroom experience, I learned that participation and question-asking is essential. And I've extended that far beyond my academic life. Finding my voice has helped me with everything from advocating for what I believe to setting boundaries in my relationships.”

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY MAGAZINE 7

irish factoids ON CAMPUS

In May, the SHC Dance Department took to the stage for spring showcase, POP! Routines found inspiration from pop culture, art, and music.

SHC’s Chamber Choir competed at the Worldstrides Music Festival in San Jose this past spring, and they were awarded a GOLD rating! They also received the Spirit of San Francisco Award for their sense of professionalism and overall positive spirit. Congratulations, Chamber Choir!

In April, SHC’s Sports Medicine Club hosted the Spring Blood Drive where student volunteers worked alongside the Red Cross to welcome 60 donors. Great work, Sports Medicine Club!

Throughout the year, our students have enjoyed a full range of in-person activities, a first for students who joined our community during the earliest days of the pandemic. The Spring Rally brought together our entire student body for an afternoon of games, community building, spirit and laughter.

SHC Parents have also enjoyed our collective emergence from the most difficult days of the pandemic with gatherings like the Great Highway stroll on Mother’s Day weekend. Thank you to the Wachowicz family for organizing our first casual parent meet-up!

8 SUMMER 2022

SHC Student Athletes & Coaches

Earn Praise

SHC Athletics was well represented this spring for their excellence as the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club (SFIAC) presented its citywide annual award winners. Two key members of SHC’s state 4-A title team, Ray-John Spears ’22 and Jerry Mixon, Jr. ’23 (not pictured), were singled out, Spears as the best all-around male athlete and Mixon winning the club’s Vince Tringali Trophy as the City’s top football player. In addition, Lucas Kelly ’22 won the Joe DiMaggio Trophy as the city’s top baseball player and Silas Bahlibi ’22 (SHC football) won a Hank Luisetti scholar-athlete award. In addition, legendary girls basketball coach Brian Harragan ’76 was to be honored in 2020 for a lifetime coaching award, but the pandemic canceled the banquet. GO IRISH!

SHC Faculty Members Embrace New Roles

Dr. Angelica Bailon was recently appointed as Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). Dr. Bailon joined SHC in 2018 as a college counselor, later taking on the role of DEIB coordinator. “Since the start of my career as an educator, I have been committed to fostering school communities centered on providing every student and family with opportunities and a sense of belonging,” Dr. Bailon shares. During SHC’s distance learning era, she facilitated SHC’s DEIB strategic plan process, bringing in voices from students, alumni, Board members, faculty, staff, and school leadership. Dr. Bailon has extensive experience in high school admissions, college admissions, communications and marketing, data analysis and research, educational leadership and social justice.

Since she joined SHC in 2011, Anita Diaz has served the school community as an instructor of English, an instructor of Religious Studies, and as the Associate Director of Community Life for Student Leadership. This fall, Anita will continue her invaluable contributions to the Community Life Department when she steps into her new role as Director of Student Activities. Anita’s dedication to our students inspired her in the creation of the SHC Lip Dubs, the annual faculty versus student basketball game, and special touches for pandemic graduates in 2020 and 2021, leading senior evening and the production of a keepsake photo project. For more than a decade, students have relied on Ms. Diaz as a teacher, as a mentor, and as a leader. Anita shares, “I’m excited to continue doing great work with and for the students of Sacred Heart Cathedral.”

MADDAN’S CORNER

How do we become more compassionate, informed citizens of the world and gain access to lenses outside of our own? SHC’s Race & Culture class offers “an in-depth look at societal issues as they affect racial and ethnic groups in the United States, a nation of many peoples.”

The one-semester course taught by Dr. Justin Woodard and Mr. Matthew Wilson, covers topics including “education, gender, media and employment as they relate to multiculturalism.” The goal of the class is to increase awareness of and appreciation for diversity.

"We learned about the differences between race, culture, and ethnicity and how the terms are often used interchangeably and inaccurately,” said Sicily Dowdell ’22. “Different factors like this create the social-ideological identities of our community. The more we learn about society, the more we discover what’s absent from our history books. It’s important to be educated from different perspectives. If we learn narrowly, we can’t progress.”

Students explore broad issues as well as those affecting their own neighborhoods. The class took a field trip to Japantown, one of only three in the United States. San Francisco’s Japantown is the largest and oldest. In spring, its longest-running business, Benkyodo mochi shop, closed its doors after 115 years.

The class learns both through application — they were given an assignment to write a haiku, a short form Japanese poem, focused on their identity — and through the experiences of their peers. The classroom is a platform for classmates to share their own stories.

In an effort to progress diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across all facets of SHC, Dr. Angelica Bailon was recently appointed as Director of DEIB, and two part time roles will be filled by Fall 2022.

“Having cultural humility — understanding that we, as individuals, come to the table with personal experiences that inform us — and that it’s our job to remain curious, and talk with other people to learn, is grounded in our mission,” explained Dr. Bailon, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator. “Enter to learn, leave to serve.”

Heather Maddan-Dowdell ’95 is a fifth generation San Franciscan. She met her husband, Dan, at a high school party. They have three children — Sicily ’22, Asher ’25, and Jackson (12).

news,
notes, etc.
class of 2026 breakdown LEGEND Parochial grammar schools sending students to SHC in 2022 Private and public schools sending students to SHC in 2022 Partner schools featured at right SHC bus route # OF STUDENTS ATTENDING SHC PER SCHOOL * IN-DEPTH 18-16 15-10 5-9 1-4

PARTNER SCHOOL PROFILES:

MISSION DOLORES ACADEMY

Mission Dolores Academy’s mission is to graduate students who are confident, lifelong learners academically prepared to succeed in the global community. MDS was founded in 1852, one of the oldest Catholic schools in San Francisco. Notable alumni include Gustavo Torres ’06 who currently serves in the Department of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

ST. BRENDAN SCHOOL

Established in 1947, St. Brendan School now serves 300 K-8 students from their Laguna Honda campus. St. Brendan’s learning expectations articulate goals that aim to prepare students to rise to the challenges of the future grounded in their faith and commitment to their communities. Notable alumni include SHC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Brendan Uniake ’99

MILLENNIUM SCHOOL

Millennium School, located in the Mission District of San Francisco, offers a middle school education characterized by a focus on socialemotional welfare, an inquiry-based experiential, interdisciplinary and project-based approach to learning, and a commitment to creating a community where students and adults feel a strong sense of belonging and a commitment to social justice.

APTOS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Located in the Balboa Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco, Aptos Middle School values teamwork, integrity, grit, empathy and responsibility. Its efforts to further diversity include offering a Mandarin language immersion program. Notable alumni include Rosina Ghebreyesus ’17 , the 2017 Boys & Girls Club Citywide Youth of the Year.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Number of Students Enrolled: 379

Number of Different Partner Schools: 88

Students Living/Attending Elementary School in San Francisco: 95%

Average GPA: 3.71

GPA 3.5 and Above: 83%

CLASS OF 2024 PARENT FEEDBACK:

“SHC is uniquely situated in SF, a school big enough for teenagers to find their place in it, with excellent sports AND excellent arts, and a great array of classes at various levels to meet kids where they are. Also, the fact that values are discussed explicitly as part of the curriculum is great, and I very much appreciate the strong focus on community. Finally, I’ve been very happy with the SHC pandemic response, which reflects very well on school leadership! It’s a great school!”

“ From the very beginning of the process, we felt that SHC represented our family and our community’s values in a stronger way than any other school we researched. Combined with its academic standing and interviews conducted with SHC students, faculty and staff, we quickly agreed that SHC would be the top choice for both our child and for us. ”

“This is our third and last child to be moving into high school. When our first child was accepted, we were thrilled at the prospect becoming part of this community. We saw such a breath of opportunities for him to grow and learn more about himself. It’s been five years since we started our journey with SHC and we couldn’t be happier. We have a graduate, a junior and an incoming freshman. We continue to be delighted with the education, resources available, faculty and teachers who make SHC such a wonderful place. I am continually amazed with the time, energy and commitment of the faculty and teachers at SHC; they make this a warm and special place for these bright, young people to learn and thrive along their families.”

SHC offers the best education in San Francisco. Our family has been very happy with every aspect of the school. We have found it to be an environment where the student can feel comfortable attempting new classes or sports which end up opening new doors for them. I look forward to entrusting our second child into the SHC community to grow and find her own way out into the world. Thank you. ”

FEATURES

Janet Castagnola Shapiro

THE LAST LINK TO OUR CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL PAST STEPS AWAY FROM SHC & LEAVES US WITH A LIFETIME OF WISDOM.

Give a brief summary of your own education and upbringing.

I was born and raised in San Francisco, and I went to Corpus Christi and St. Rose Academy, which closed following the ’89 earthquake. Then I went to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for undergrad, and California State University, East Bay for graduate school.

After undergrad and receiving my credential, I moved back to San Francisco and taught at Our Lady of Mercy for three years — sixth grade and then fourth grade. As a matter of fact, a couple of my fourth grade students, when they were seniors in high school, intro -

duced me to my husband. He was managing a restaurant at Serramonte and my former students were Mercy girls and worked at the restaurant. He said to them, “Don’t you know any nice 30-year-old women?” They said, “Yes, our fourth grade teacher!” So they set us up.

What led you to Cathedral?

Nothing! At the time, I had no interest in high school. I left Our Lady of Mercy because I couldn’t live on what I was making, even though my rent was $350 at the time. I taught full time and I always had a part time job. I had 40 fourth graders, eight subjects a day, yard duty, and a part time job. I didn’t have anything lined up after OLM, I figured I could last several months before I found a job. Then, over the summer at an anniversary party in the Daughters’ provincial house in Los Altos, I was talking to Sister Mary Genevieve about education. About three weeks later, I got a call from the principal at Cathedral High School saying, “We’re looking for a math teacher, we hear you’re looking for a job, would you like to interview?” They eventually offered me the job, and I thought, "I can do anything for a year." That was 1978. Clearly it’s been a good fit for me. I ended up here totally by chance, I remember thinking that people getting a secondary credential were crazy — why would anybody choose high school? Then I realized I love the busyness of high school. I love all the activities, all the growth and development that happens for students.

You really enjoyed teaching fourth graders, in what ways are fourth graders different from high school students?

That’s funny, because I have said this numerous times, many people have heard me say this. When I started teaching high school I thought there would be a big difference — they were just taller. In many respects, my fourth graders were more responsible — they all did their homework, they were on time for school, they took good care of each other.

Take us back to your early years at Cathedral, what sticks out in your mind? What was the most advanced technology in use at the time?

I taught full time my first two years in math, all grade levels — five classes, five preps, which is common in small schools. In fact, we were only 300 students at the time. I taught pre-algebra, algebra, advanced algebra, trigonometry, basic skills. I did that for two years, then I became dean of students for the next seven years while teaching a couple of math classes and serving as student activity director.

In the late ’80s we tried rotating the schedule. Before that, every day it was the same thing: 1-6, same order, no variation. Then we tried every other week in reverse order. Students that I had at the end of the day, I then had at the beginning of the day, which was a whole different ball game.

In terms of technology, we had the IBM selectric typewriter and a ditto machine. That was it! The ditto machine was this huge contraption that you had to crank. The big improvement in technology is when it became electric — you could push a button and you didn’t have to crank.

Cathedral was very calm and very peaceful, with a really strong community. We had such strong programs that alumni still remember fondly today. Women who were matched in our big/little sister program are lifelong friends. In a smaller school it was easy to effect change. Everyone did many things. We felt like we’re all in this together, it was a very collaborative environment, and people readily stepped up to do what needed to be done.

I remember sewing class. We’d have a fashion show at the end of the year with all of the beautiful designs the girls created. This was at a time when you could do some things simply because they were fun. We had a movie day toward the end of the year — I remember one of the movie was Wait Until Dark, a really intense movie. The girls brought pillows and wore pajamas, we ate popcorn and watched the film in the “cafetorium.” I ran into some women recently who remembered that. We’d do a play day, a class level competition that included things like jump rope, cheerleading, carnival and festival games. We’d spend a day before Christmas making ornaments and decorations for a Christmas boutique.

School spirit was high, the sense of community was incredible. We didn’t have a gym, we played on the blacktop where the theater is now. We had cheerleaders and pompom girls at every game.

I am the last one from Cathedral. For me, that’s why it’s so important that people say “Sacred Heart Cathedral.”

What was it like to transition from Cathedral to Sacred Heart Cathedral?

I was on the planning committee, and it was an amazing and fascinating experience. Other schools were not successful in merging, and we are a major success. We looked at everything — what we teach, how we teach, what we wear, what athletics look like, what are our

cocuriculars. The process challenged us to look at everything we were doing to make sure we kept the best of it all and added what we needed to fill the gaps. We did a good job of keeping the very best of both schools, the heart and soul of both. The spirit of community, our focus on the individual student and setting each student up for success. It was a tedious and painful process for a lot of people. I was the only lay person from Cathedral involved in leadership when we merged. Some community members were not happy, and I get it — we changed the plan on them. Girls committed to Cathedral, boys committed to Sacred Heart. Many classes were already co-ed for years, which was practical from a financial standpoint. I really appreciated the co-ed experience. As much as I loved my St. Rose experience, I went from an all girls Catholic high school to Cal Poly where there were 8,000 men, 3,000 women, I was a math major and the only female in my calculus class. It was a little overwhelming. Life is co-ed. I do like that there are still options. Kids have choices to find the right fit for them. Maybe a big, bustling co-ed school is not necessarily the right choice for every kid. My two kids came here, they are very different people, both wired very differently, and they both had a great experience.

How did you feel when St. Rose closed?

I thought we did a great job welcoming St. Rose students when it closed. We just went through a big change when we merged, so I think we understood the emotion of it. I was student activities director at the time, and girls came in and were engaged in every aspect of the community — they were involved in student council, they tried out for the cheerleading team.

I understand the experience. My elementary school closed, my high school closed — it’s really an emotional thing. St. Rose parents were unhappy that it was closing, but whatever the process was going to be, the numbers were declining. The earthquake sped up the process. It’s really not a whole lot different from how we changed the game on the kids who went here.

What roles have you fulfilled throughout your years as an educator?

I have served as an instructor of mathematics, instructor of health, the dean of students at Cathedral, the student council moderator at Cathedral. When we merged, my first title was vice principal during that transition year. When we officially merged, I became the director of professional development, which was new and very abstract. I also picked up director of student activities. Eventually, I focused on professional development. Based on my experience with

13

student activities, my professional development role grew into new teacher support. I took what we did at frosh orientation and thought, why don’t the teachers know this much? At the time there wasn’t a new teacher orientation. In recent years, I’ve also worked with the Wellness Department. I just like staying involved.

My role as the director of professional development is the best job in the whole school. It was nice to be able to grow and develop it the way it needed to go. I’ve had a lot of autonomy. Professional development originally just meant teacher observations, but it grew into a huge new teacher support program.

I read a lot. Before there were blogs, there were professional journals and conferences. We used to have a professional development curriculum archdiocese committee, so there was this collective wisdom there. We did a lot together. In De Marillac Academy’s early years, I did a fair amount of professional development work with them. I learn and incorporate what I learn from others into my work, and I’m always willing to share. I help and support whenever I can.

I think SHC’s new teacher program is a really good model — ours has evolved because feedback is a vital part of the process which allows me to constantly fine tune. I don’t take credit for creating it — I just try to be a really good listener. When I receive feedback, I build on it. I would love to get people in the Lasallian network together, because I don’t believe anyone does an integrated program like we do. Our new teachers develop a portfolio, they participate in instructional rounds, they observe their colleagues, reflect on their goals, we hold seminars focused on founders and philosophy and formation, and I don’t know of any school that does all of that.

Many ideas for new teacher support efforts came from my own experience when I started teaching elementary school and when I started at Cathedral. Back then, it was like, “Here are the books, here is the class list. Go.” My first year teaching sixth grade, I struggled. I had a clue because I completed a credential program, but the reality

of being in a classroom with 40 12-year olds and the reality of prepping eight subjects a day, three reading groups, two math groups — it was overwhelming. I was struggling, I thought it was pretty obvious to anyone who passed my classroom, and nobody offered any help. Thank God most of us are smart enough to figure it out eventually, but I felt like those first years shouldn’t have to be that painful. At Cathedral, I interviewed on a Thursday and started on a Monday. This really became my whole focus with new teacher orientation and support. The frosh are hearing about founders and the handbook and school policies, and the new teachers are showing up, getting their books. So, I took everything we were doing with frosh orientation and made the teacher version of it. We start the week before school starts, not the day before. We give people time to process. At the beginning of the year, I do Monday meetings where we get together to talk about what’s coming up, what’s your role and responsibility, etc. You can’t get everything at orientation. We’re lucky that our new teachers feel supported with formal structures and informal support in their departments. Anyone who is new here would agree that their colleagues are generous with time, resources and expertise. We try to make sure new people have access to documented curriculum.

With the professional development piece, when we incorporated observations, people were terribly threatened by it because they had not been formally observed before. It took a lot of hard work to get to a place where people understood that it was a part of their support network. We’re trying to build the routine of ongoing reflection — how can I do this better? I think we’re at a point where people see the observations as that — a way to document the good things that are happening. We all have room to grow, I’ve been at this a long time, and I would always receive recommendations — there’s always something I can do differently.

When I started, I had no clue, I really needed to find my way. For a formal evaluation, someone will observe for two days and facilitate a post conference

self-evaluation. What went well? What didn’t? Did you make any changes from when you did it in block 3 to block 4? If you weren’t happy with how it went, what would you do next time? The evaluations really model that reflective process because we know really skillful teachers do that well. That ongoing reflection — whether it’s a formal process or just what you do every day, or every block, or in the middle of the block when what seemed like such a great idea actually wasn’t.

I had an education professor at Cal Poly that said, “Every good teacher is at least 40 percent ham.” You are on stage, and it’s so relational. It’s not just about the content. A lot of times in math, the hardest part is convincing students that they’re capable. That they can do it. Half of it is psychology, then the other part is math curriculum.

Have you ever taken a break from the classroom?

I have always had my foot in the classroom. I’ve really been lucky, my first five years in education, I taught full-time. Three in elementary school, and two at Cathedral, but since then, I’ve taught and done something else. I love the intellectual challenge of the ‘and something else’ part. I like creating programs, I like process — process is my thing. I like developing process and using that process to continue program improvement. I don’t think I’ve done much of anything the same way twice — whether it’s in the classroom or new teacher orientation or professional development.

For me with professional development, I’m always looking for ways to provide teachers with leadership opportunities. Whether it’s facilitating a one-hour professional development session that they have expertise in or passion around, or even leading instructional rounds. When we started those, I used to lead all of them, and I thought, there are people here who would like to do this, so I like to find ways to invite people in and empower and encourage them. The part I like about professional development and new teacher support, is that sometimes, I need to call you to task on something and sometimes, I want to sing your praises. I’ve found over the years that hard

14 SUMMER 2022 FEATURES

conversations are easier when you focus on the students and what’s in the students’ best interest. I remind myself that everyone is here because they care — and so if something is not working well, let’s figure it out. Everyone here has got the students’ best interest at heart.

What do you hope for SHC and its students moving forward?

I hope that wellness is an area we continue to grow. We’re always focused on setting our students up for success — it’s an area that for all schools has become a more obvious need, and the pandemic made it even more obvious. I hope that we continue to keep the loving caring heart and soul of the community — we have to always make sure we’re nurturing that. We’re not just a prep school, and we’re not just a catholic college prep school. It is the Lasallian Vincentian charisms that are so important to embrace and to make sure our faculty understands that,

and that we’re all good role models of those charisms.

What’s next?

Whatever I want! I have two young grandchildren and they live locally so I will be spending time with them. I like to garden — my front and back yard are full of drought tolerant plants, and not a weed anywhere! I enjoy starting a novel in the morning and finishing it before I go to bed. It has been nice this year not being full time and easing my way to meeting friends more regularly, to be able to do things like that. Family is huge for me. The relationships piece — I look forward to having more time for that. Though, I can’t begin to imagine what it will be like not having any school work to do, because I always have school work. I get up early on the weekend and

that’s my planning time. My students said today, “So, like, are you gonna be around next year? Will you come to graduation?” My kids grew up here. Literally. My husband had a job where he worked on Saturdays and I would come in here on the weekend doing student activities and getting ready for the week and my kids would be playing nerf soccer in the hallway.

This has never been just a job, I’ve never said I’m going to work, I always said, “I’m going to school.” l love that my kids, when they were younger, were able to do community service activities through school. When I was at Cathedral, my husband used to cook the end of the year faculty and staff breakfast for us. My whole family has been involved for 40 years. It’s going to be really different. I’m excited about that, I’m ready for it, but it’s a

huge unknown. A lot of people have a job from 9 am-5 pm, and this has been way beyond that for me. Pete (Gresh ’72) ran summer camp, I did that with him. I’ve taught summer school, I’ve taken student groups to Europe — way more than just Monday through Friday, nine to five job. That’s what’s been so beautiful, because philosophically, it’s been such a great fit for me. I’ve been really lucky to have the opportunities I’ve had in the community, to serve this community in so many different ways. To still like what I do when I’m ready to retire is incredible.

I have never been tired of school, I’ve never had a dull day — I would have actually appreciated a dull day! Every day is new, and that has kept me as a lifelong learner. Even the challenges, I have appreciated it all.

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY MAGAZINE 15
Faculty, staff, and students bid Jan a fond adieu

ON CAMPUS

Year-End Faculty Awards

LASALLIAN EDUCATOR AWARD: JIM JORDAN

At the close of each academic year, the Lasallian Educator Award is presented to an exemplary educator whose work is a sign of faith to all who model the Lasallian charism by touching the hearts and inspiring the minds of students entrusted to his or her care.

Instructor of English Jim Jordan joined the SHC community in 2000 and quickly became a beloved educator and mentor to both students and fellow teachers. In addition to his time in the classroom, Jim also serves as an Advanced Placement Reader, as the school planning and evaluation coordinator, and as the voice of SHCLive and the daily announcements. Over the years, Jim has expressed his commitment to SHC’s mission by participating in the Brother John Johnston Institute, and in Discerning Leaders with the San Francisco New Orleans District. As described by a colleague, “Jim is creative, innovative, and always willing to share ideas and resources with his colleagues. He’s a great connector of people and ideas. He loves being a teacher, and it shows in his love for students, teachers, and ideas alike.” As a lifelong learner and passionate educator, Jim works tirelessly to stay on the cutting edge of educational advances, crafting his lessons to challenge students to achieve excellence while touching their hearts and inspiring their minds. As a fellow teacher shares, “Jim is the consummate educator. He leads on teaching other teachers both here at SHC, at other schools, and around the country. He is an exemplar of the teacher leader.”

VINCENTIAN SERVICE

AWARD: OSCAR MELERO

The Vincentian Service Award is given yearly to a faculty member whose work is inspired by the charity of Christ and who models the Vincentian charism by ministering with compassion, mildness, cordiality, respect and devotion.

Director of Sports Medicine Oscar Melero joined SHC in 1999, and also currently serves as Head Athletic Trainer, AED Emergency Response Director, and as the Sports Medicine Club Moderator. Oscar’s faithful presence has touched the hearts of many students, as a colleague describes, “Oscar loves SHC and has devoted much of his life to being a strong community member — one who never seeks praise. His work requires him to partner with many souls, often in moments of crisis. He always brings an ease, calm and a sense of clarity to each situation, using his expertise and training to support our community.” Oscar’s training is, in fact, extensive. He holds both a BS in Kinesiology, Athletic Training and Clinical Exercise, and an MS in Kinesiology, Sports Psychology/Sensorimotor Skill Acquisition. He also stays on the forefront of his field with active memberships in many organizations including the National Athletic Trainers Association and National Strength & Conditioning Association. Throughout the pandemic, Oscar’s leadership strengthened SHC’s ability to keep our community safe through his facilitation of regular COVID testing. A grateful colleague shares, “Oscar is a great community member — helping set up CPR classes, helping us all be more thoughtful about desk ergonomics when we were teaching from our homes, teaching Academic Exploration classes, being a master of Magnus, supporting the blood drives, running the sports medicine club, using his time to deeply support the SHC community and always dedicating himself to making sure we are safe and healthy.”

16 SUMMER 2022
Jim Jordan Oscar Melero

ON CAMPUS

farewells

After 46 years of coaching, teaching, and mentoring countless young men and women at both Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart Cathedral, Steve Franceschi has announced that 2022 will be his last at the school.

Known lovingly and simply as “Coach Fran” to generations of students, Steve initially came to SH in 1977 as a baseball coach and PE teacher, this after a storied prep career at Balboa High School, the University of Pacific, and then as a farmhand in the San Francisco Giants organization for four years. After leaving the Giants, he came to Sacred Heart and coached under Jim Koeppen for one year before taking the over the helm of the program in 1978. He served as the head coach of the Fightin’ Irish from 1978 to 1992, and won the WCAL championship in 1978, a team headlined by future Yankee minor leaguer and SHC head coach Matt Gallegos ’78 and Bill Scudder ’78. Steve also coached football for years, primarily the frosh team and then handling the quarterback position on the varsity. He later entered the college baseball ranks, coaching at USF for one year, Sonoma State for four years, and at San Francisco State for five years. He returned to the Irish in 2002 to serve as the pitching coach. For his coaching career, Fran was inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in 2008.

Equally important, Fran has touched the lives of thousands teaching physical education at the school. Oftentimes, a freshman’s first experience at SHC has been in PE class with Steve, an introduction to the history and culture of the school via its adopted ambassador. Franceschi also taught a Theory, Analysis and Coaching class, examining the mechanics of coaching through motivational techniques, film, and hands-on experience helping teach PE at De Marillac Academy. “The kids are really learning life lessons,” he said, adding “and it’s been a great joy for me to teach this class.”

Steve was also instrumental in the establishment of the SHC Hall of Fame Baseball Academy, a precursor to the school’s current comprehensive Summer Institute. The Academy started at its inception with two sessions of 40 players each. Today, SHC’s Summer Institute offers enrichment courses and sports academies ranging from tennis to volleyball to nearly 1,000 students ages 8-14 each summer.

Nell Jeffrey served the Sacred Heart Cathedral community for two decades. She touched the lives of thousands of students over the course of her tenure as an Instructor of English and an Instructor of Religious Studies. With a total of 43 years in Catholic education, Nell has fulfilled her role as a faithful mentor and guide to all of her students. Nell shares, “To each and every student I have taught; to each and every parent I've interacted with; and to each and every teacher, staff member, administrator, and maintenance person I have worked, plotted, laughed, cried and learned from over the years — thank you!”

Director of Community Life Greg Schmitz has selflessly served the SHC community for eleven years, known for his radiant positivity and genuine love for his students. During his time at SHC, Greg organized countless student experiences that provided opportunities to connect to SHC’s Lasallian Vincentian traditions. His retreat work inspired incredible student transformations over the years. Each year, Greg can be found walking around campus to administer ashes to community members unable to attend Ash Wednesday services. Greg is widely admired within the SHC school community for his understanding of the Lasallian Vincentian charisms and his ability to inspire kindness and positivity in those around him. In 2020, Greg received the Vincentian Service Award which honors faculty members whose work is inspired by the charity of Christ and who models the Vincentian charism by ministering with compassion, mildness, cordiality, respect and devotion.

18 SUMMER 2022
Steve Franceschi Nell Jeffrey Greg Schmitz

At the close of this academic year, SHC bids farewell to a host of its most beloved faculty and staff members. We acknowledge the following staff members for their many combined years serving Sacred Heart Cathedral and impacting generations of future Fightin’ Irish:

1WeekIrish, Sacred Heart Cathedral’s annual week of community building and giving, was a huge success! Our community came together to raise $200,000, crucial funds that will benefit the students of SHC. Thanks to a generous donation by an investor, all gifts were matched, dollar for dollar.

Take a moment to re-live these highlights from the week:

MONDAY, MAY 9

Serving Our Community

SHC Alumni, parents, and faculty and staff served 1,100 meals to community members in partnership with St. Anthony’s Dining Room in San Francisco.

TUESDAY,

MAY 10

Transforming Lives

We highlighted our incredible academic programs and transformational curriculum.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

Welcome Home — Paella on the Plaza

SHC welcomed more than 150 alumni and parents on campus to share a communal meal, including a special performance by the SHC Chamber Choir and String Ensemble.

THURSDAY, MAY 12

Thank You Educators!

We honored the outstanding achievements and long lasting contributions to SHC from two community icons — Tim Burke ’70 and Janet Castagnola Shapiro.

FRIDAY, MAY, 13

Heart of the City — 170 Years of Educating Bay Area Youth

With the close of 1WeekIrish, we look ahead to Sacred Heart Cathedral’s 170th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 10 at Oracle Park. We are thrilled to come together to celebrate our rich history, our amazing, on-campus community, our future and our legacy.

Tim Burke ’70 Brooke Borwell Kristy Chun Hermes Ruiz Ish Ruiz Ramiro Flores Geoff Hunt Jack Schindler ’09 Janice Kristanti Br. John Hoover Erin Quint-Cramer Andrew Shahamiri Nicholas Purves Leiana Payawal Sherie Lo Giudice ’06 Andreana Villa ’03 Veronica Zermani Mike Knapp

SPORTING GREEN

SPRING SPORTS RECAP

BASEBALL

Coach Brian Morgan’s squad continued the proud tradition of Irish baseball, finishing 4th in the powerhouse WCAL and ending their season in the first round of the CCS DI playoffs. With an overall record of 17-12 (8-6 in league), the Irish were led offensively all season by Texas A&M signee Lucas Kelly ’22, a first team all-league selection. In addition to Kelly, standouts included second team all league selections Nick Katz ’22 (Lawrence University), Justin Tapia ’22, Colin Spear ’22 (University of Nevada, Reno), Jeffrey Agard ’22, and Ronin Mukai ’22. Rounding out the many Irish honorees, Ivan Herrera ’22 and Hawaii commit Aidan Taclas ’22 were named Honorable Mention all league.

Highlights of the season including defeating St. Ignatius twice in come-from-behind fashion and beating Archbishop Mitty in the first round of the WCAL playoffs. In addition to the success of the varsity team, the JV squad finished second in the league with a 10-3-1 record, 18-4-1 overall, a harbinger of continued success for the SHC baseball program.

boys GOLF

The Varsity golf team finished 5-11 overall, 3-11 in the WCAL with a victory over Riordan and two wins over St. Francis. Fifth year Varsity Coach KC Murphy's team also won non-league matches against Marin Catholic and University, two teams that won their leagues. SHC finished 6th in the WCAL league Championship at Presidio. First Team all WCAL honors went to Enrico Diaz ’23 and George York ’22. Diaz shot 75 in the League Championship for 3rd place individual, and George York carded a 77 for 6th place individual. The pair represented the Irish in the CCS at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch. York had 79, just missing qualifying for the CCS Championship in a scorecard playoff, and Diaz shot 83. The Irish also competed in the Wildcat Tournament at Meadow Club, and The Champ Classic at Silverado during the season. Shout out to graduating seniors and 4-year members of the program, York and Garrison Williams ’22

20 SUMMER 2022
Keelin Walsh '23 on the fairway Dylan Adelman '24 goes sidearm Lucas Kelly ’22 barrels one up...again

BOYS LACROSSE

The boys lacrosse team earned wins against Terra Linda, Bay School, and Archbishop Riordan while competing in close contests with Mitty, Serra, University and Lick Wilmerding. Second team all leaguer Luke Wachowicz ’23 led an up-and-coming team retooling after the departure of numerous upper classmen. Captain Holden Maier ’22 led the team through the season with Jackson Edwards ’23, Frankie Spagnoli ’23, Gabe Kutner ’23 and Jackson Irons ’24 being key contributors to the team’s success. With a 3-10 overall record (0-7 in league), coach Jerry Nevin and his program continue to build for future success. Go Irish!

SOFTBALL

The Fightin’ Irish softball program (1-9 WCAL, 7-12 overall) continued its evolution, beating St. Ignatius for the first time in recent memory and displaying fire and tenacity on the diamond. Boding well for the future, the team was fueled by underclasswomen, with pitcher/catcher Danielle Cote ’23 earning first team all league honors, pitcher/infielder Ade Giomi ’25 and infielder Arden Walsh ’25 making 2nd team all WCAL, and infielder Katie Reugg ’24 garnering Honorable Mention. With the restoration of Lang Field as a home field mere blocks away, the Irish are poised to take the next step as a competitive factor in Bay Area softball.

boys & girls SWIMMING

Irish swimming had another historic year under coach Jonathan Riley in his 8th season. Jonah Lee ’23 repeated as Central Coast Section 100 yard Breaststroke Champion. Boys swimmers Coby Chan ’22, Lee, Eli McCarty ’22, and Victor Volskiy ’22 qualified for the CCS meet in both the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay, posting season best times at the St. Ignatius dual meet. The SHC team's four divisions had an SHC record, 24 qualifying swims at the WCAL finals and five boys SHC records were broken. Lee set new varsity boys records in the 500 free, 200 IM and 100 breast, Chan set a boys record in the 200 free and the relay team of Chan, Volskiy, McCarty and Pascal Reich ’22 set a program record in the 400 Free Relay.

Coach Riley also welcomed two new coaches to his staff, SHC English teacher Maria Apablasa and former swimmer Christine Pubill ’17.

boys TENNIS

First year Head Coach Andy Liang set the foundation for future teams as the boys tennis program welcomed several new underclassmen to the program. With one senior and one junior on the roster, the young team went 1-13 on the season and improved steadily throughout the season. The sole graduating senior Ben Ceragioli ’22 earned WCAL Honorable mention along with Jonah Goorin ’24.

Fightin’ Irish celebration Kyan Ichinose ’23 Danielle Cote ’23 Jackson Irons ’24 Jonah Lee ’24

SPORTING GREEN

boys & girls

TRACK & FIELD

Coach Andy Chan’s track & field team was an interesting mix of veteran and young talent, with a wide array of standout performances throughout the program. Over the course of the season, 114 medals were earned at weekend invitationals, the frosh/soph girls placing 2nd at the Castro Valley Relays. The year-end WCAL meet produced 5 champions, Alex Martinez ’25 in the JV 3200, Annie Gaffney ’25 in the JV 400, Chloe Thorpe ’24 in the JV 300 Hurdles, Jasaun Mabrey ’25 in the frosh/soph boys triple jump, and the JV girls 4x400 relay team of Kanoe Palmer ’25, Thorpe, Gaffney, and Isabella Guzman ’25. In addition, Kendric Sanders ’23 (100 meters) and Liele Savage-Huerta ’23 (discus) both qualified for the CCS meet based on their fine performances. Team athletes of the year awards went to Sanders and Nico Dreier ’22 for the boys and Savage-Huerta and Elizabeth Nip ’22 on the girls side. Great job, Irish!

boys VOLLEYBALL

The Irish boys volleyball program continued its ascent, mixing veteran talent with up-and-coming youth. The varsity finished 4-8 in the brutally-tough WCAL (21-18 overall) with middle Jonah Nelson ’22 earning 2nd team all league and setter Brandt Dobson ’23 and outside hitter Callum McArthur ’24 getting honorable mention nods. Often starting four frosh or sophmores, the Irish held their own against nationally-ranked powerhouses St. Francis, Bellarmine, Mountain View, and Monta Vista, amongst others, and demolished cross-town nemesis Saint Ignatius twice. The team’s season came to an end in the CCS DII semifinals, losing in three sets to a veteran Leland squad, the eventual division champion.

With new talent joining the program, a strong JV squad and the first-ever frosh team going undefeated in league play, the Fightin’ Irish looked poised for a sustained run of significant success under longtime coach Nga Tran. Congratulations to the team!

Juliana Santana ’23 in the shotput ring Nico Dreier ’22 Callum McArthur ’24 Brandt Dobson ’25 leads the celebration The long walk

Q&A: Symone Mackiewicz

Talk about some of your favorite memories of playing for Coach Beima and attending SHC.

One of my favorite memories playing for Coach Margi is probably the talent show she made us put on as team bonding for one of our travel tournaments. It was a great way for us to let loose going into our tournament the next day.

Who were some of your teammates at SHC?

Some of my teammates were Meghan McGuire ’08, Jill Aguinaldo ’08, Stephanie Zahn ’07, Michelle Koike ’06, Samantha O’Brien ’06, Joanna Gresh Barrett ’06, and Monica Kelly ’06 just to name a few.

Did you play volleyball after your SHC career?

I played for the club team at St. Mary’s. Where did you begin your coaching career and where were you coaching prior to accepting the position at SHC?

I started coaching club at Frisco Bay for a few years before starting at my current club SF Elite. I previously coached three years at International High School as well.

What is your preferred offense, a 5-1 or 6-2?

This really depends on who we have as setters and hitters. Most teams focus on their outside hitters, so I usually want the strongest block up on the right side. If we have a setter who can run a 5-1 and put up a great block then I’m all for it, but if we have two talented setters and some strong opposites then I might go with running a 6-2.

Where will the focus of your attack be, the pins or the middle?

I love training middles. I played both pins and middles, and middles are just an unstoppable force. When you have solid middles that just brings the entire offense up, especially because they can draw the block and open up the court for the pins.

What will be the most important position on the court for your team?

I would have to say defense overall. If you have a a strong defense, you can run anything as your offense. Also, a strong defense can tire out even the biggest offensive teams.

college -bound ATHLETES

Throughout their time at SHC, the student-athletes of the Class of 2022 have seen one Northern California title, seven CCS titles and three WCAL titles, and set several school and league records during their four years in green, white and blue. Many will go on to compete in new colors in college, but they’ll always be Fightin’ Irish.

LUCAS KELLY

Texas A&M University (Baseball)

COLIN SPEAR

University of Nevada, Reno (Baseball)

ANGEL INIGUEZ

San Jose State University (Soccer)

NICK KATZ

Lawrence University (Baseball)

LORANCE WONG

Claremont McKenna College (Football)

DAVEL RIOS

California Lutheran University (Football)

AIDAN TACLAS

University of Hawaii (Baseball)

New SHC girls volleyball coach, Symone Mackiewicz, was kind enough to answer some questions from SHC Magazine:

i2 Showcase

Returns to Glory

In the hours leading up to the first i2 showcase in three years, director Dabney Standley was understandably nervous. This year had been partly an exercise in learning to be together again, as much about re-understanding teamwork and the progression of large projects as it was about content. Only the seniors in the program were able to remember a culminating showcase, and even Standley could barely recall how to make it happen.

As it turned out, he didn’t have much to worry about at all.

Previous classes needed adult leadership to help reconfigure things moments before the event, a culmination of a full year of i2 project work. Three or four students per classroom took up the entire top floor of the La Salle campus academic building

for their presentations. Program interns ran troubleshooting for presenters, and the floor was transformed from classroom to poster session center in five minutes flat. Sixty-five projects from 90 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students were represented. (Seniors take the showcase off, focusing on AP courses and finals at this point in their last SHC year.)

i2Nothing is perfect, of course. Some teams worked hard to make final adjustments, but, with the invaluable help of co-director Geoff Hunt, a vast majority was on site with something to show. Simply being together and presenting ideas, successes, and setbacks to each other was profound.

Judges from both in and outside of the school community presented awards to the “Most Creative” team, the “Best by Grade” teams,

the “Best Presentation” team, and the team “Most Likely to Change the World.” The awards provided a sense of friendly competition that enabled students to come together to support each other while allowing parents to witness the energy of these creative and innovative young minds.

Katherine Tynan, a strategic advisor, venture capitalist and biotech investor, gave an inspiring talk reflecting on the changes in her industry within her lifetime, and her hope for a future in which these students will lead. Capen Ades ’22 and Cameron Chao ’22 served as hosts, and continued to prove themselves to be “natural leaders, full of charisma and comfort,” according to Standley. They, along with judges from the SHC faculty, student body, and beyond, presented awards to groups, including Best

24 SUMMER 2022
INNOVATIONS
i2 Students preparing the day before

Presentation to Mateo Alves ’23, Aaron Duffin ’23, and Ronan Gee ’23, for developing an insole with piso electric crystals. This insole would generate small charges of electricity attached to a battery that could then be used to recharge your phone while walking around. Best By Grade for juniors went to Alivia Zhao ’23 and Marina Lui ’23 for building a machine-learning device that could read and transcribe handwritten Mandarin characters. The 10th grade award went to Floyd Nostratis ’24, who built a self-playing guitar with robot hand controlled picks. Most Creative went to a new i2 student, Lilah Stern ’25, for a fan-favorite and fully functional puzzle computer game. Standley beams when he describes the work and enthusiasm of these students. “For me, a lot of it is just the experience that these kids get. Everybody will remember how it went. Everybody will say: ‘Next year I will do it better.’” For students who had been waiting three years, “the experience is the most important thing. Even for those who didn’t succeed, per say, reaching and failing is better than not stretching and just doing something that’s comfortable.”

You can learn more about the excellent projects in i2 on their website, which started during distance learning, and has grown to be set up in portfolio style, including statements and personal video from students. The website also serves as a resource for students who are still working on projects, or still looking for inspiration, one that students can refer back to after their years at SHC, a piece in the puzzle that Standley hopes will be “the kind of experience that is going to launch them into everything they want to do.”

BOARD OF REGENTS

Carol Wicklund Enright Board Chair

William D. Rauch, JD Board Vice Chair

Elizabeth Brown Parents Association President

Kase Abusharkh ’00

Sr. Adella Armentrout, DC

Stella Bialous, DrPH Kevin Buckley ’13

Courtney Chin ’03 Richard Cutler, PhD

Br. Victor Kenneth Curley, FSC Ed Delfs

Stefan Gartrell ’02 Sandra Gulli Miguel Guzman ’91 Francois Hechinger Daniel Holland ’79 Janet Holland ’77 Jim Jones Monica Kelly ’06

Eileen Malley, JD ’77

Sister Frances Meyer, DC Joey Nevin ’01 Margaret O’Driscoll Jeffrey Porter ’72 James Ryan, Jr. Sue Sami

Stacie Solt, MD ’99 Ed Wang ’90 Harold Wong ’77

EX-OFFICIO

Melinda Lawlor Skrade, PhD President Gary Cannon, EdD Principal John Gumina ’91 VP for Advancement and Enrollment Shani Mahany Director of Finance

Mark Pardini ’88 Director of Communications & Marketing John M. Vigo ’81 Director of Stewardship and Future Giving

Award winners Aaron Duffin ’23, Ronan Gee ’23, and Mateo Alves ’23

CLASS OF 1972 CATHEDRAL

Following graduation, Starleen Barrett Martin built a career in fine jewelry, having obtained certifications as a gemologist and appraiser. A lapidary and rockhound, Starleen also enjoys birdwatching, stargazing, and volunteer service at the senior center of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Her travels have brought her hiking in Machu Picchu and night sailing in the Caribbean. She looks forward to sailing the European coast soon, and visiting pearl farms in the South Seas. At Cathedral, Starleen loved the retreats, singing at mass, prom, and being a Homecoming Dance princess runner up. Her favorite teachers were Sister Mary Benedicta and Father Horan.

Words to live by: Ancora imparo — I am still learning. — Michelangelo

Theresa Bennick Tocci went on to receive her undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco after graduating from Cathedral. Today, she is enjoying retirement after a career as a CPA. Theresa is a proud member of Soroptimist International of San Ramon Valley, providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to

achieve economic empowerment. Her favorite travel destinations include Italy and Hawai’i, but more than any other place, she loves Yellowstone National Park. Theresa and her late husband, Chuck, have two children. She remembers making wine in Sister Bernadette’s after school science club, and she recalls all of her teachers as being incredibly dedicated.

Words to live by: Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from poor judgment.

Following her time at Cathedral, Irene Carroll Gillogley went on to receive a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) from San Francisco State University, and then a master’s from Wake Forest University. She has enjoyed a long career as a licensed clinical mental health counselor, and looks forward to retiring this year. Irene and her husband, Marley, have two children — a son who is a musician, and another son who is a pilot for NOAA. Remembering her high school years, Irene remembers her favorite teacher, Mrs. Ross, and all of the theater productions. In her free time, she enjoys choir, fitness, kayaking and travel. She counts Portugal as her favorite travel destination.

Words to live by: It’ll be alright in the end. And if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.

Maria Fassio Pignati attended Lone Mountain College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music after graduating from Cathedral. Today, she and her husband, Ugo, have one child and two grandchildren. Over the years, Maria has served as the president of the San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade Celebration, president of the Sounds and Daughters of Italy Grand Lodge of California, and she was awarded the title of Knight Commander by the President of Italy. As a classically trained singer, Maria also had the honor of singing the National Anthem for the San Francisco Giants. Now, Maria is enjoying retirement after a career as an administrative assistant. Her travels have brought her many places, including two of her favorite destinations — Italy and Hawai’i. Looking back on her time at Cathedral, Maria remembers playing the nurse in Dracula Baby Her favorite teachers were Mrs. Reed and Mr. Moy.

Words to live by: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

— Aesop

After graduating from Cathedral, Jacqueline Frazier received two bachelor’s degrees from the University of California at Irvine, and then she went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles. She received an Emmy Award for Sound Engineering in

2014. Jacqueline enjoyed a career in acting and modeling, and today, she enjoys belly dancing, traveling, speaking Spanish, and volunteer service with Meals on Wheels. Africa and Spain are among her favorite travel destinations, and she lives part-time in Spain with hopes to retire there. Of her time at Cathedral, Jacqueline remembers working in theater arts with wonderful artists and teachers, and she counts Mrs. Reed among her most influential teachers.

Words of wisdom: Be kind. It makes you, and everyone around you, happy.

Patricia Weible Joost and her husband, Edward, have two children and four grandchildren. Patricia enjoyed a career at San Francisco State University as executive assistant to the dean of the Graduate College of Education. Of her many travels, she enjoyed a 59-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale through South America and Antarctica the most. When Patricia looks back on her time at Cathedral, she distinctly remembers the Dracula Baby drama class presentation, and her favorite teachers, Mr. Callaghan and Father Jerry Horan.

Words to live by: It is what it is.

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Maria Jarquin Lee attended San Francisco State University after graduating from Cathedral. Today, she and her husband, Martin, have two children, who Maria considers to be her greatest achievement and greatest source of inspiration. In her retirement, she enjoys gardening, DIY projects, and volunteer service with Meals on Wheels. She also serves as a nanny to a lovely family. Dublin, Italy, the United Kingdom and Barcelona are among Maria’s favorite travel destinations. She remembers Spring Day as a day when she and her fellow students channeled the energy and spirit of Cathedral High School. Ms. Williams and Ms. Lippert were her favorite teachers.

Words to live by: You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

—Eleanor Roosevelt

Over the years following her time at Cathedral, Suzette Martinez Standring has enjoyed a long career as a journalist, columnist and author. She has been the recipient of many awards including The Legacy Award from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists (2020) and First Place in the Education Category for the New England Book Festival, The Art of Opinion Writing (2014). Suzette also enjoys volunteering at The Milton’s Woman’s Club, teaching writing in prison and

through other organizations, Rotary work, and serving as a local library volunteer and teacher. She and her husband, David, have one child and two grandchildren. Looking back on her time at Cathedral, Suzette remembers Sister Antoinette, Mrs. Reed, Mr. Farley and Mr. Wojak with great fondness. She also has wonderful memories of traveling to games to play with the school band, performing with the Cathedral cheerleaders in 1971 for Unity Night, and hanging out with friends from SH and Cathedral. Suzette is currently writing a novel about her grandmother.

Words to live by: The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

After her time at Cathedral, Maureen McDonough Thompson went on to attend Dominican College, and later, the University of Phoenix. As a retired accountant, she enjoys hiking, walking, biking, painting, quilting, crocheting, knitting and traveling. Among her favorite vacation destinations include national parks across the country, and Ireland. Today, Maureen and her husband, Bruce, have one child and two grandchildren.

Words to live by: Anyone who takes the time to be kind is beautiful.

After graduation, Selena Williams Green attended San Francisco State University and later, the National College of Midwifery. Selena and her spouse, Valerie Brown, have two sons and five grandchildren. Selena has enjoyed a long career in the field of midwifery, currently serving as a Certified Professional Midwife in Hawai’i where she offers free midwifery services to women in need. She also a Level III Reiki Practitioner, a preceptor for two national midwifery colleges, and a peristeam facilitator. Selena loves to travel, and once traveled to Italy to deliver a baby. Looking back on her time at Cathedral, Selena fondly recalls sitting with friends eating pork and beans from the vending machine, cheerleading, and being with her sister, Victoria Gatchalian Bautista ’72. She also remembers with great affection Sister Bernadette, Sue Elvander ’62, and Mr. Blazio.

Words to live by: My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

—Maya Angelou

SACRED HEART

Charles Attard went on to attend the University of San Francisco after graduating from Sacred Heart. After a 37-year career in construction as a contractor, and

a decade of service with Farmers Insurance Agency, Charles is enjoying retirement in the company of his wife, Carolyn. They have two daughters, ages 17 and 20. Charles enjoys gardening, taking care of his two dogs, and traveling to his favorite destinations including Canada, Australia and Malta. Over the years he has also served as the PTA president at his daughters’ elementary school, as a soccer, softball and basketball coach, and as a Eucharistic minister. Looking back on his time at SH, Charles remembers fondly the prom, winning the AAA championship, playing JV football with his close friends, and his favorite faculty members NT Johnson, Brother Arnold and Brother Ellis.

Words to live by: Treat others like you want to be treated. Respect is earned. Friendship is everlasting.

David Bolton and his wife, Kjela, have been happily married for 48 years, and have two grown children. He has been enjoying retirement for the past 12 years. He remembers graduation very fondly.

Words to live by: Just because you make it, does not mean you need to spend it.

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After graduation, Charles Brumm went on to receive a BS in Business and Marketing at the University of San Francisco. He later enjoyed a career as a substance use disorder counselor and is now enjoying retirement. Charles is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and is a certified medical assistant and phlebotomist. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, skiing, walking, reading, and watching movies. Over the years, he has served as a volunteer at the Special Olympics and with the Red Cross. Of all of his travels, he thoroughly enjoys the northern California coastal region, St. Thomas, and the Virgin Islands. Charles remembers Brother Brian, Father Horan and Mr. Moy fondly, along with senior prom and playing for the JV football team.

Words of advice: No one gets more than one day at a time, so, make the best of it!

Jeffrey Byrne retired as a San Francisco Fire Department Captain, and received the distinction of Firefighter of the Year in 2001. He also enjoyed a career in real estate. Jeffrey and his wife, Genine Fong, have three children and one grandchild. Of all their travels, they count Graeagle and Spanish Creek as their favorite places to frequent. In his spare time, Jeffrey enjoys flyfishing, kayaking, building and welding.

He counts Thomas Wojak and Brother Allan among his favorite teachers, and has distinct memories of (getting jumped) at Kezar Stadium in 1969.

Words to live by: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Terrence Carey went on to attend San Francisco State University after graduating from Sacred Heart. He later graduated from the TSA Explosive Detection School and served in the San Francisco Police Department until retirement. Today, he enjoys playing golf and counts Ireland, Mexico, Hawaii, Rome and Alaska among his favorite travel destinations. Looking back on his years at Sacred Heart, Terrence remembers the basketball championship and his favorite teacher, Mr. Earl Hargrove ’52.

Stephen Daugherty attended Excelsior University and served in the United States Army after graduating from Sacred Heart. He received the Presidential Unit Citation during his service. Today, he has two children and is in the accounting industry. Stephen enjoys volunteer service in the coast guard auxiliary. One of his favorite places to visit is the United Kingdom. Stephen remembers Mr. Mike Cardella ’63 from his time at Sacred Heart fondly.

Michael Fernandez remembers his favorite teachers from Sacred Heart — Mr. Moy, Mr. Hargrove, Brother Maris, Mrs. Burke, and Mrs. Phillips. After graduation, Michael went on to attend college before starting a career with the San Francisco Police Department. Now retired, he enjoys traveling, especially to his favorite destinations: the Bahamas, Hawai’i, Tahiti and Europe. Michael and his wife, Dana, live in the wine country and have two children and one grandchild.

Words to live by: Today is done, tomorrow is a new day.

Pete Gresh went on to attend St. Mary’s College of California and San Francisco State University after graduating from Sacred Heart. Today, Pete and his wife, Nancy, have five children and eight grandchildren. Pete has served as an Instructor of Mathematics at SHC for 47 years, and once received the Lasallian Educator Award. He served as a Good Shepherd Parish Council Member for 25 years, and in his spare time, Pete enjoys genealogy, travel, and spending time with his family. His most memorable travel experience was a summer in Ireland and driving across the country with his youngest daughter (who also teaches in the Mathematics Department at SHC). Pete remembers winning the Bruce-Mahoney

Trophy, cheering at athletic events, dances, retreats and graduation night. Among his favorite teachers are Brother Maris, Brother Brian, Brother James Riordan ’62, Brother Allen, Joe Callahan and Emil Moy.

Words to live by: Your actions are stronger than words.

Matthew Hada received his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, and a master’s from George Washington University. His military service included two campaigns in the US Army. He was a USA Olympics Team Member for the USA Modern Pentathlon. He has enjoyed a career serving as a deputy director for the City & County of San Francisco. Matthew and his wife, Nell Shimasaki, have two children. He enjoys sports, fly fishing, golf, and serving as a volunteer for Samaritan’s Purse and the Japanese Cultural Community Center of Northern California. Of his travels, he counts a Mediterranean cruise, a trip to Egypt, and annual trips to Japan among his favorite. Mr. Emil Moy was Matthew’s favorite teacher at Sacred Heart.

Words to live by: All that you loved, is all that you owned.

—Tom Waits

“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

—Dalai Lama

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Michael Hughes went to San Francisco State University after graduation, and eventually began a three-decade career with the San Francisco Police Department. He also served on the San Francisco 49ers security team for five years. Michael and his wife, Noreen have one child and one grandchild. He had traveled extensively and counts Italy, Australia, Paris, Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Morocco, Ireland, Finland, London, China and Cuba among his favorite destinations. He remembers beating SI in football, and has many great memories of the 1972 basketball team.

Words to live by: There are far better things ahead than we leave behind.

After graduating from Sacred Heart, Glen Hubbard went to Santa Clara University. As an accomplished basketball player, Michael was All-American in high school, then received a Division 1 Basketball Scholarship and played professionally in Europe. He coached for a total of 15 years at the Branson School, Marin Catholic, and St. Anselm’s, where he also served as athletic director. Today, he is a business owner — 5 Star Bail Bonds, and The Happy Co Wellness Company. Michael and his wife, Reagan, have three children and four grandchildren, with another on the way. He thoroughly enjoys European

travel with family. Of his time at SH, Michael remembers the CCS championship game at Stanford, and being coached by Jerry Phillips.

Words to live by: Get the body what it needs and the body will heal thyself.

Antonio Reyes Jayme attended the University of San Francisco after graduating from Sacred Heart. Today, he and his wife, Karen, have two children and five grandchildren. He serves as a SAP FICO Technical Engineer, and enjoys photography and IPMS. He enjoys trips across the country, visiting Italy and embarking on ocean cruises. Recalling his time at Sacred Heart, receiving his varsity letter in 1972 for cross country and track and field come to mind.

Words to live by: Never stop learning.

Kim Johansen attended the University of California at Berkeley after graduating from Sacred Heart. He’s currently retired after having served as a chief for San Francisco Ambulance. Kim enjoys volunteering for Scouting International and travel — with international cruises and a Kenyan safari as his favorite vacation destinations. He remembers Brother Arnold and graduation fondly. Kim has lived in Thailand for the past 23 years.

Words to live by: Happy every day!

Edward Joost attended San Francisco State University after graduating from Sacred Heart, and enjoyed a long career with UPS before retiring. He and his wife, Patricia, have two children, and four grandchildren.

After his time at SH, Ed Laherty enjoyed a 27-year career as a union tile setter in Sacramento. After retirement, Ed went to culinary school and served as an executive sous chef in three different restaurants in Oroville. Today, Ed and his wife, Karen, have four children, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. In his spare time, he works with disaster relief organizations. Ed and Karen have enjoyed trips throughout the Caribbean, the Western Pacific and South America. His favorite SH memories include winning the CCS championship in 1972, and his favorite teacher, Brother Maris.

Words to live by: That which does not kill me only makes me stronger. You can never try too hard to accomplish your goals.

After graduation, Charlie Passalacqua went on to receive a BA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Today, he is enjoying retirement after a 40+ year career in high tech. One of his greatest achievements was his participation in a team that introduced barcode

laser scanner technology across the US and Europe in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, Charlie and his wife, Joan, have two children and one grandchild. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, playing piano, woodworking and gardening. His favorite trips include hiking in the Rocky Mountains, camping and vacationing in Hawai’i. Of his time at Sacred Heart, Charlie distinctly remembers being the test class for transitioning to a co-ed environment, and the Mr. Moy thermite experiment that did not end well. Br. Antonio, Br. Ellis, Fr. Horan, Br. Brian, Mr. Moy, Br. Waller were all among his favorite teachers.

Words to live by: Life is good! Live every day to the fullest.

Jeff Porter received a bachelor’s in accounting from San Francisco State University after his time at Sacred Heart. He’s enjoying retirement after a career as a CPA. Jeff, and his wife, Sharon, have three children and two grandchildren. He enjoys skiing, photography, and travel, and he currently serves on the Board of Regents at SHC. Jeff also serves the St. Brendan Parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Maui, the Greek Islands, Tuscany and Oktoberfest are among his favorite travel experiences. Jeff remembers blocking Bernal Heights and setting the record for most days spent in de-

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tention. Among his list of favorite teachers are Br. Arnold, Br. Joseph, Br. Antonio, Br. Riordan ’62, Br. Ellis, Br. Thomas, and Br. Marris.

Words to live by: I can tell when people are being judgmental just by looking at them.

Mitchell Pulizzano attended City College of San Francisco and went on to receive a bachelor’s in hotel, restaurant, and hospitality. Mitchell served as a deli manager at Safeway. Today, he and his wife, Dora, have two children and two grandchildren. He is a member of Elks Lodge #3, and enjoys traveling to Mexico, Hawaii and Lake Tahoe. In his spare time he enjoys softball, eating, and gambling. Mitchell remembers the basketball championship and journalism class at SH, and he considers Brother Antonio to be his favorite teacher.

Words to live by: No one is a failure as long as they have friends.

Joseph Reagan attended San Jose State University after graduating, and today, he and his wife, Gail, have four children and one grandchild. He works at the Costco Warehouse in Vallejo, and in his spare time he enjoys collecting toy trains, Legos, and Pez dispensers. His volunteer work over the years includes citizen patrol and numerous blood drives. He was also recognized for making

400 platelet donations over the years. Joseph remembers the rallies before athletic events, and looks upon his favorite teachers with great fondness — Brother Maris, Brother Antonio, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Moy.

Words to live by: Life is too short, enjoy all that is given to you.

After graduating from SH, Luis Reyes attended the Universidad de Cartagena (Colombia). Today, he and his wife, Lina Giannini, have one child. Luis enjoyed a career as a physician, and has since retired. He currently serves as an English teacher at the corporate level in Bogotá. Remembering his time at SH, he fondly recalls the senior retreat and making good friends. Brother Maris and Mr. Lynch are among Luis’ favorite teachers.

Words to live by: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Dennis Sartori went on to attend San Francisco State University after graduation. Now retired, he enjoys racquetball, and water and snow skiing. He and his wife, Joanne, have two children and one grandchild. Among their favorite travel destinations are Switzerland and Italy. Dennis

remembers the Irish spirit and the friendships he made that still exist today. Brother Ellis, Brother Arnold, Brother Antonio, Mr. Moy, Mr. Donahue, Coach Ellison and Coach Oaks all stand out in his memory as influential on his development.

Words to live by: Great minds think alike.

John Silverfoote attended the University of California at Davis following his time at SH. He and his wife have three children and four grandchildren. In his retirement, John enjoys golf, travel to Hawai’i, and serving as a volunteer driver. He has fond memories of beating SI, and his favorite teacher, Mr. Hargrove ’52

Words to live by: Buy low, sell high.

Dennis Timoney attended the University of Redlands after graduating from SH, and after a career in risk management services, he is currently enjoying retirement. Dennis and his wife of 43 years, Candace, have four children and three grandchildren. In his retirement, he enjoys playing golf, hiking, and visiting national parks in an RV. Dennis counts Brother Thomas, Brother Riordan ’62, Brother Maris and Mr. Phillips as his favorite teachers.

Words to live by: Still kicking!

Rafael Trujillo completed his undergraduate work at San Francisco State University and went on to attend the New College of California Law School. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1982 and has enjoyed a long career as an attorney — first as a public defender in San Francisco from 1983-2009, and now in a private practice. Of his greatest career accomplishments, he counts the acquittal of an innocent Mexican national from first degree murder in 2002. Today, Rafael serves on the board of the Member Bar Association of San Francisco, and as a volunteer criminal attorney consultant for the Mexican Consulate of Northern California. He and his wife, Marianne Bachers, have one child and one grandchild. In his spare time he enjoys SF Giants games, the opera, backpacking and hiking, and cooking. Rafael’s favorite travel experiences include trips to Europe, Mexico, China and various locations throughout the US. He remembers experiences at the Polo Fields during his time at SH.

Words to live by: Take risks, push, and explore.

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1967

George Lynch is proud to welcome two more Fightin’ Irish to the family — Ryan and Sean Butler will be joining the Class of 2026, and they can be seen above alongside their sister, Emma Butler ’23

1971

Albert Bahn recently hosted a bike ride in Napa for fellow members of the Class of 1971. You can contact Al at ba2506@gmail.com if you would like to join their monthly ride.

1980

Danielle Porter Cooke is excited to welcome her third grandchild this coming July!

1992

The Dos are excited to finally be a family full of Fightin’ Irish! Quoc ’93, Thomas ’26, Tobey ’24, Tyler ’21 (currently at University of California at Davis), and Czareanah can be seen together at home celebrating Quoc’s recent birthday.

1994

SHC Frosh Baseball Coach

Gregg Franceschi can be seen above with friends Roberto Balistreri ’93, Quoc Do ’93 and Sean Cawley ’94

1998

Natasha France Gonzales is a working mom of four, and can be seen above with one of her children.

2003

Irene Gardner received the Cal Women’s Rugby Kathy Flores Award recognizing her dedication to women’s empowerment and service in the rugby community. She can be seen above with her husband, Nick Cerone, and their son, Myo.

2012

Members of the Class of 2012 recently gathered for a reunion at Spark SF.

2017

Kayla Choy claimed a share of 13th place at 235 at the Cal State Monterey Bay women's golf team to a fourth place finish at the CCAA Championship Tournament Wednesday at the Yocha Dehe Golf Club.

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N E T W ORK the future of SHC broadcast communications Visit BIT.LY/SHCNETWORK on YouTube for all your irish video content!!! one YouTube network... SHC VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS SHCtv SPORTS SHCtv LIVE SHC PRODUCTIONS SHC EMERALD ALL IRISH

CELEBRATORY GIVING

Celebratory Giving Program

Listed on the following pages are the names of SHC community members’ family, friends and loved ones who are listed in SHC’s Book of Remembrance. Melinda Lawlor Skrade, PhD, the Christian Brothers and the Daughters of Charity offer prayers and Masses for the special intentions requested in honor of members of our school community each month. Please remember them in your prayers.

This list reflects contributions made from February 15, 2022 through March 31, 2022.

WELL WISHES

Joseph Hamilton

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

SHC Faculty and Staff Shawn Singleton ’88

IN HONOR

Jane Armstrong

Scott Armstrong ’02

Jim Armstrong Scott Armstrong ’02

Brother Joseph Fabiano, FSC 50th Anniversary as a Christian Brother Kathleen & Frank Charlton, Jr.

Diane Marino

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

John Marino Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

Ramsey Musallam, Ed.D. Mary & Alex Petrilli, Jr. James Ryan ’10 Jean Ryan

IN MEMORY

Rosario Aramburu Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Rose Azzolino

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

Bill Bandettini ’57 John Porras ’57

Tim Baptista ’99 Cora Johnson

Jonathan Barkocy ’82

Julie & Gregg Garcia James O’Sullivan ’58 & Sandy O’Sullivan

Cora Beloy

Patty Shea Diner ’65 & Chris Diner, Sr. ’65

Zenta Bruton Rob Aveson ’74 & Cathy Aveson

Sully Cassou ’51 Ray Nann ’51 & Barbara Nann

Robert Centeno ’57 John Porras ’57

Jean Cordova Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Andy Cresci ’58 The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation Joe Kennedy, Sr. ’65 & Clo Kennedy

Bill Curren ’57 John Porras ’57

Joseph John Davancaze Rob Aveson ’74 & Cathy Aveson

Richard De Palma ’57 John Porras ’57

Tom Doonan ’57 John Porras ’57

Jean Etcheber Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Claire Fitzpatrick

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

Lita Flinders

Jo Ann Momono

Lisa Gomez Flowers ’91 Denise & John Branch

Bob Ford ’52

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

Marie Franza

James Mullane ’70

Don Frolli ’49 Michael Bennett ’68

Ron Gaggero ’53 Jim Koeppen

James Gander ’49

Robert Maffei ’49 & Yolanda Maffei

James Garvey ’88 Mark Pardini ’88 & Petra Andersson-Pardini

Joan Gleeson

Carol Jones Hupke ’54 & Peter Hupke

Thomas Griffin Denise & John Branch Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

Martin Harriet Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Joan Healy

Dennis O’Connor

Dennis Hecht ’57 John Porras ’57

William Jovick

Joe Kennedy, Sr. ’65 & Clo Kennedy

Jim Juarez ’64

Pete Calabro ’64 & Victoria Calabro

Kevin Callaghan ’68 & Kathy Callaghan

Frank Capurro ’69 & Jen Capurro Maureen Gonzalez

John Kelly

Deborah Carlin Murphy ’71 & Eugene Murphy

Sean O’Leary ’79 & Elizabeth Robertson

Glenna Kelly

Joe Kennedy, Sr. ’65 & Clo Kennedy

Sarah Ann Kelly

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

“Do not have any anxiety about the future. Leave everything in God’s hands for he will take care of you.”

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Louis Marticorena

Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Patty Shea Diner ’65 & Chris Diner, Sr. ’65

Sam Mosunic ’48 Nada Barulich

John Ivancich, Jr. ’72 Ron Mirkovich ’73 & Christine Mirkovich

Edward Munoz

Denise & John Branch

Frank Nann ’50 Ray Nann ’51 & Barbara Nann

George Nann ’57 Ray Nann ’51 & Barbara Nann

Kathleen Neary

Diane Zagorites

Jack Nerney

Kevin Nerney ’00

Bob Oosterman ’50 Joan Mahood Robideaux ’50

Julian Pardini ’49 Mark Pardini ’88 & Petra Andersson-Pardini

Linda Pebet Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Bruce Perry Denise & John Branch

Jack Porter

Stephen Goulding ’75 & Nancy Callaghan

Reverend Fr. Vincent Ring Rob Aveson ’74 & Cathy Aveson

Bill Ryan ’42 Jean Ryan

Ronald Gaggero ’53

Lovingly known as the Mayor of 33rd Avenue, Ron Gaggero ’53 was a city boy through and through. As a third generation San Franciscan, Ron graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1953 where he distinguished himself as a stellar athlete, participating on four championship baseball teams. He went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley where he co-captained their 1957 College World Series Baseball Championship team. Love of the game runs deep in the Gaggero family — Ron was raised down the street from a baseball field named after his own father. Ron went on to enjoy a nearly four-decade teaching and coaching career at Marina Middle School. He had a tremendous impact on his students over the years, and the school honored Ron by naming their gymnasium after him. Ron was inducted into the SHC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983, and then into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame in 2001. He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline, their three children and four grandchildren, and many close friends and family members.

long has Jesus been knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to enter?”

ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE

Gigi Tapia ’84 Michelle Tapia ’76

Ann Tittiger

Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan

Bertrand Urruty Mary & Jean Curutchet & Sons

Steve Wilson

Mark Pardini ‘88 & Petra Andersson-Pardini

CHRISTMAS STARS

Andrew David Babcock Elizabeth Babcock & Dave Hinds

Amadeo Baldanzi Kathleen Baldanzi

Joanna Ballou Ruthie Conway

Rudy Bertolozzi

Joey Valencia

Charles Cherry, Jr. Jamie Cherry & David Valentine

Edith Cherry

Jamie Cherry & David Valentine

Nathan Clark ’24 Treva Buhlig

Haydee Diaz

Dora Diaz & Louie Vargas

Xavier Echon ’13 Rosalie & Ronaldo Echon

Charles Michael Fontana, Sr. Rose Marie Fontana

Ignatius Gervasi I David Gervasi

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY MAGAZINE 35
“How

CELEBRATORY GIVING

Lisa Gervasi

Jennifer & Robert Nelson

William Gong Victoria Gong

Sum Ho

Margaret Ho & Patrick Lin

Ginny Kooper

Joey Valencia

George Lewy

Nicole Pieretti-Rael & Todd Rael

T.C. Lin

Margaret Ho & Patrick Lin

Julie Magagnini

Carolyn Anderson

James Mattias Cathy Mattias

Victoria Miseli

Angela & Paul Giomi

Dinnah Montero

Bobby & Christina Ignatius

Mary O’Donnell

Patricia Gillespie & Dave O’Donnell

Rupert Palacios

Giselle Palacios-Delmundo ’94

Seamus Rogan

John & Shauna O’Donoghue

Jerry Schram

Amy & Alexander Clark

Andrew Cresci ’58

Andy Cresci ’58 was born and raised in San Francisco, and he attended St. Anne’s School, Sacred Heart High School, and Heald College. Andy also served in the United States Air Force Reserve. Andy enjoyed a long career as a draftsman and architect for Sunstream Homes/Standard Building Company, finally retiring as president in 1992. Andy dedicated many years of service to various boards including the Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation, the Sequoia Hospital Foundation, Notre Dame de Namur University, and St. Patrick’s Seminary & University. Those who knew Andy describe him as a self-made man with a deep sense of pride in his Italian heritage. Andy was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Kathleen Cresci. He is survived by his loving wife of six years, Maureen Freschet, and his children, step-children, grandchildren and step-grandchildren.

Francesco Spagnoli

Jamie Cherry & David Valentine

Robert Tang

Linda & Robert Tang

Nicole Tjia Margaret Ho & Patrick Lin Jim Tracey Ken Gandolfo ’70

Peter Valentine, Sr. Jamie Cherry & David Valentine

Toni Arditi Vincenzi ’69 Geninne & Rich Ruegg

Marguerite Walsh Kelly Canady Cassidy

We remember in our prayers the alumni who have recently passed away.

Ralph Burns ’52

Vincent Cantillon ’72

Denise Gum Chan ’72

Andy Cresci ’58

James Deignan ’86 Bob Ford ’52

Edward Harney ’59

Jim Juarez ’64

Walter Kelly ’55

Aileen Moriarty Kelly ’47

Vicki Shannon Kennedy ’62

Natalie Ustimovich Loginoff ’72

Sam Mosunic ’48

Mervyn Nichols ’52

Bruce Noeth ’72

Barbara Brown Rode ’54

Albert Ujcic ’43

*The alumni acknowledged here are only those for whom we received notification.

Help assure the future of our mission by including SHC in your will or trust. Your gift will help educate and inspire the next generation of leaders who Enter To Learn, and Leave To Serve .

We express our sincere gratitude for the generous gift received from the estate of Mr. Angelo Corvino ‘48. We are blessed by his support of those students entrusted to our care.

For a wealth of estate planning information, please visit SHCP.PLANMYLEGACY.ORG

For more information, contact John Vigo ’81, Director of Stewardship & Future Gifts at jvigo@shcp.edu or (415) 775-6626 ext. 763. Moving or changing contact info? Please email advancement@shcp.edu with up-to-date information.

CREATE A BETTER FUTURE TRANSFORM YOUNG LIVES WITH YOUR GIFT.
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with up-to-date information. non-profit org. u.s. postage paid oakland, ca permit no. 810 Electronic Service Requested
Moving or changing
info? Please email advancement@shcp.edu

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