Summer Graduation Edition 2025

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Message from the President

On May 23, we closed the books on our 174th year at Bellarmine – the 99th here on this campus. It was a beautiful evening marked by a joyful celebration of the Class of 2025, excitement from their family and friends, and a fond farewell from the faculty and staff.

As we head into these summer months, we do so knowing that the upcoming school year will be a momentous one for Bellarmine. We will dedicate our new Wade Academic Center and begin teaching classes there in August. We’ll also kick off the start of our 175th year, and our 100th on this campus – not to mention our 50th Golden Bell Auction!

This year is also noteworthy for me personally, as Sonia Torna is retiring after a wonderful 46-year career as a Spanish teacher, having also done an incredible job as our Assistant Principal for Instruction when I was Principal. Sonia is the last of the teachers who were at Bellarmine when I was a student, so for my classmates and me, it feels like the end of an era.

What I find incredible about schools is the way they represent an endless cycle of renewal. Every year, we welcome new students into the Bellarmine brotherhood and begin to walk with them through four years of discovery. They discover their abilities, their limitations, and their deepest desires. Every year, our newest cohort of Bellarmine alumni cross the Liccardo stage and face the next chapter of their lives armed with the knowledge that a good life is measured not by accolades or material success, but by the inner peace that comes with using one’s gifts and talents in service of others.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 reminds us that “A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.” For Bellarmine, change is a constant; yet the core of who we are remains the same. For the past 174 years, we have been a school defined by cura personalis – caring for individual students as they navigate these adolescent years and become the men God intended them to be. We’ve built new buildings, hired new teachers, and introduced new classes, clubs, and teams, but our commitment to Catholic, Jesuit, all-boys education has not wavered. We continue to work in the service of our students, and in the service of a God who calls us toward something greater than ourselves.

I hope to see you on campus in the coming year – both to witness how it has transformed in wonderful ways, and to appreciate all of the ways in which we are holding onto and expanding upon our Mission as a Catholic, Jesuit school.

Sincerely,

Chris Meyercord ’88 President

Bellarmine College Prep Magazine

Summer 2025

Editor’s Note

As we reach the conclusion of another school year, there is much to celebrate. The graduation of 407 seniors in May is, of course, a tremendous achievement for these students who are now our newest alumni. It is also a proud moment for their families, and for the faculty and staff of Bellarmine who have been instrumental in nurturing and supporting these Bells as they prepare for the next steps on their educational journey and beyond.

Simultaneously, we welcome with great joy the Class of 2029 and we look forward to our community benefiting from the many gifts each of our new Bells will bring as they embrace their respective Bellarmine experiences.

We also celebrate the success of the recent Legacy, Inspiration, Innovation Capital Campaign and the completion of Wade Academic Center, the newest facility on what is again a transformed the campus that is ready to welcome students in August.

And while we are noting our campus, the 2025-26 academic year marks the 100th anniversary of our school being located on this site at College Park, which is the former campus of University of the Pacific prior to its move to Stockton. This anniversary coincides with the 175th anniversary of our school, established in 1851 on the campus of Santa Clara University. This milestone will be celebrated in many ways throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information on our school’s quasquicentennial (although that term will be used sparingly!)

We also celebrate the arrival of Aly Smith, Bellarmine’s recently hired Director of Marketing and Communications. In a very short time, Aly has already been instrumental in advancing the school’s marketing initiatives, and her excellent work on this publication is evident throughout. I have every confidence as I pass the Editor's baton to Aly.

Thank you for your continued support of Bellarmine College Prep and its mission. Indeed, we have much to celebrate.

Warm regards,

Brian Adams Vice President Office of Advancement

Editor’s Note

It’s an honor to introduce myself in the pages of this magazine, and to step into the role of editor as Bellarmine’s new Director of Marketing and Communications.

Though I only joined Bellarmine’s team in January, the school has felt like a familiar presence since I moved to San Jose in 2018. Each of the Bellarmine alumni and families that I met prior to this role have embodied the school’s Jesuit values with a sense of humility, quiet purpose, and integrity.

In just six months, I have been present for the Golden Bell Auction, the annual Founders' Day celebration, the 2025 Justice Summit, and multiple alumni events: all clear testaments to the way this community comes together.

I have spoken to parents of incoming freshmen about why their families chose Bellarmine to shape their son’s crucial next chapter. I have heard from current students about fundraising initiatives, community service projects, and the immeasurable impact Bellarmine has had on their growth as students and young men. And I’ve sat down with faculty, coaches, and staff whose years – or decades – of service to this school speak volumes about its heart.

Each event and interaction has deepened my understanding of what makes Bellarmine special. It’s more than a school; it’s a network of relationships built on shared purpose and lasting impact.

As we look toward the 2025-26 academic year, the excitement is tangible. This fall, we’ll celebrate not only the beginning of a new school year and the opening of the Wade Academic Center, but also the 175th anniversary of Bellarmine’s founding (as the oldest secondary school in California – one of my favorite “fun facts” to share).

I’m honored to carry forward the editorial legacy of this magazine, and even more honored to help share stories about the people who make Bellarmine what it is. Thank you for welcoming me into this extraordinary community.

Go Bells!

Aly Smith Director of Marketing and Communications

Brian Adams and Aly Smith, outgoing and Incoming Editors

As we bring this academic year to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year completed as well as the bright future ahead. Whether you are a student, current parent, an alumnus, a friend of the school, or one of the many people who carry Bellarmine in your heart, I hope you know how grateful we are for your prayers, your partnership, and your enduring faith in our mission.

Bellarmine is a community rooted in the Jesuit tradition, animated by faith, and committed to forming young men for and with others. Every day, we draw strength from our 174 years of history: one built on spirituality, academic excellence, and service to others. But tradition, as we know, is not static. It calls us to evolve and enhance with purpose and integrity.

This year, we have taken meaningful steps to honor our past while meeting the needs of a new generation of Bells. We listened carefully to our students, families, and faculty and reflected deeply on what it means to provide a Catholic, Jesuit, collegepreparatory education in today’s world. Along the way, we have acted with courage and clarity, always guided by our core values.

Our academic and co-curricular programs continue to prepare students not only for success in higher education but for lives of meaning beyond the classroom. Whether their paths lead to traditional colleges and universities, gap years, international explorations, or creative and entrepreneurial pursuits, our graduates leave Bellarmine equipped with the skills, values, and vision to thrive.

What’s more, our mission prepares young men to follow God, seek justice, and live for others. When the world feels increasingly divided and uncertain, Bellarmine remains a place where boys are invited to think critically, act compassionately, and grow spiritually. This is the transformative – not transactional – power of Jesuit education.

I want to take a moment to thank our faculty and staff, whose dedication, creativity, and care brings our mission to life every day. To our families, thank you for entrusting us with your boys. Your partnership means everything, and your faith in us fuels our work. And to our alumni and friends, thank you for continuing to support Bellarmine. You remind us that the impact of this place is felt far and wide.

Looking ahead, our purpose remains clear: we are called to be bold in our vision, faithful to our identity, and committed to excellence in all that we do. We will continue to grow, to ask difficult questions, to adapt when needed, and to deepen our commitment to cura personalis, the care of the whole person.

I wish you a wonderful summer, and as always, Go Bells!

Rod Jemison Principal

From the Principal’s Office

BACCALAUREATE & GRADUATION

Congratulations Class of 2025!

As we leave high school, we carry with us not just what we've learned, but who we've become. The future isn't a place we're heading towards. It's a place we're building together.

- Brian Zhao, Valedictorian

CLASS OF 2025 Major Award Recipients

Cardinal Bellarmine Award

Named for the patron of our school, St. Robert Bellarmine, our most prestigious award is presented to that student who has personally incorporated the school’s values of faith, service, and leadership, as well as a passion for justice, in every area of contribution to the school’s life.

Andrew Greene

Valedictory Award

The Valedictory Award is presented to that student who has achieved academic success, demonstrated leadership qualities, and has the ability to speak for both his class and school at commencement.

Brian Zhao

Salutatory Award

Presented to that student whose contribution to Bellarmine’s graduating class has been visible and manifold. He has represented the life and spirit of the class through his Christian values and personal integrity.

Joe Giacalone

Jesuit Secondary Education Award

Presented to that student who is well-rounded, intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving and committed to doing justice in generous service to the people of God.

Jule Rohana

Ignatius Loyola Award

Named for the 16th century founder of the Society of Jesus and presented to that student who has internalized his Christian faith significantly and given overwhelming evidence of his relationship with God.

Aidan Miranda

Pedro Arrupe Service Award

Presented to that student who has worked generously and effectively to translate into action our school’s commitment to the creation of a society more Godly and just, both locally and globally.

Ayaan Vaswani

Rob Suarez Memorial Award

Honoring that student who raised our spirits when we have needed it most, bringing hope in the midst of daily struggles. This student represents the often unnoticed acts of compassion in our community.

Xavier Garcia-Czarkowski

Bellarmine Spirit Award

The Bellarmine Spirit Award is presented to that student who embraces our school’s philosophy of vision, leadership and service within the broad spectrum of Bellarmine’s cocurricular activities.

Bradley Kemp

Matteo Ricci Awards

Matteo Ricci was a 16th century Jesuit missionary who epitomized the Jesuit ideal of finding God in all things. Student honorees have contributed significantly to life in and out of the classroom.

Reese Alvernaz Shrey Chettiar

Aidan Dempsey Drew Farley

Nathan Hendradi Ciaran Lee

Alex Lew Allen Lewg

Aarnav Nagabhirava Angad Singh

Distinguished Alumnus Speaks at Senior Networking Luncheon

On April 9, the Office of Alumni Relations hosted nearly 100 alumni, representing seven decades of Bellarmine history and a wide variety of business backgrounds, in Liccardo Center for the 17th annual Senior Networking Luncheon. The event provides an opportunity for BCP seniors to meet, interact, and share a meal with alumni who work in their fields of interest.

This year, we were thrilled to welcome Sean Mendy ’01 back to campus as our keynote speaker. A co-founding partner at Westbound Equity, Sean spoke passionately about entrepreneurship, social justice, the values he learned at Bellarmine, and how he tries to be a man for and with others in his career and his personal life. Thank you to all the alumni who participated in this annual tradition and helped welcome the Class of 2025 into the Bell alumni community!

CLASS ACT

Please join us in celebrating and congratulating the following faculty and staff members who have reached meaningful milestones in their service to Bellarmine. We are deeply grateful for the dedication, care, and countless contributions they have made to our community.

10 Years

Cindy Dunn

Matt Foster ’12

Esther Gonzaga

Aaron Langerman ’11

Brooke Slater

15 Years

Chris Cozort

Janet Perucca-Kleinhofer

20 Years

Cindy Bailey

Jose Luis Mendoza

Mirna Robles Benavides

Sergio Robles

Paul Spitzmueller

Joe Williams ’90

25 Years

Juan Manuel Gomez

Jose Alfredo Gomez Llanos

30 Years

Dr. Fred Dalton

We are also grateful to the members of the faculty and staff whose service to Bellarmine concluded with the 2024-25 academic year, including Jeff Amaral; Michael Bachmeier, S.J.; Miriam Fasoli; Diane Fellenz; Bryan Heng; Ann Johnson; Mike Mateo, S.J.; Fr. Mike Moodie, S.J.; Fr. Mario Prietto, S.J.; Kevin Schmidek ’19; Sonia Torna; and alumni volunteers Jaime Gomez ’20, Daniel Martinez ’20, and John Sager ’19.

49th Golden Bell Auction a Tremendous Success

On March 8th, Bellarmine’s annual Golden Bell Auction saw 450 guests come together – including alumni, parents, faculty, and friends – for an evening of delicious food, exceptional wine, fantastic company, and immeasurable generosity.

The auction raises money for the school’s Direct Tuition Assistance Fund, which supports approximately one-quarter of Bellarmine students every year, granting an average of almost $15,000 to each student in need.

The evening began with Mass in the Leontyne Chapel, followed by a reception in the Hall of Honor, before dinner and the auction commenced in the Patrick Wayne Valley Memorial Gymnasium. Live music was performed by The Speakeasies, and Mark Alman returned as the auctioneer for his sixth year.

An exciting array of 172 silent auction items and 14 live auction items, nearly all of which were graciously donated by members of the Bellarmine community, were bid on by enthusiastic supporters eager to make a difference in the lives of future students. Live auction items ranged from 49ers and Warriors tickets to vacation getaways in Napa and Japan, among others.

In a speech about the impact the Bellarmine community has made on his life, senior Andrew Greene ’25 noted, “Bellarmine is so much more than just a school. At Bellarmine, we don’t just learn math, science, or history. We learn how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. We learn how to be emotionally happy and fulfilled human beings who care for others and ourselves.”

Thanking attendees for their generosity, Andrew added that Bellarmine students “are given tools that go far beyond academics: tools to build meaningful relationships, tools to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace, and tools to find joy and purpose.”

This sentiment resonated deeply with everyone in the room, serving as a reminder of the significance of the event. Bellarmine’s Direct Tuition Assistance Fund ensures that students from all backgrounds and circumstances have access to a high school experience that extends far beyond the classroom and their four years at the school.

With 100% of proceeds dedicated to tuition assistance, the 49th Golden Bell Auction added over half a million dollars to the funding that makes a Bellarmine education possible for so many young men. The school is tremendously grateful to all the participants, underwriters, and sponsors for their support in this impactful initiative.

We look forward to seeing you at the 50th Annual Golden Bell Auction on Saturday, March 15, 2026!

BellsGive 2025 Raises 132% of its Goal for the Bellarmine Fund

and Direct Tuition Assistance

On May 8th, Bellarmine celebrated its 174th Founders’ Day with BellsGive, a 24-hour giving campaign and joyful community celebration. Every year, our giving day serves as an opportunity to honor Bellarmine’s past, celebrate its present, and shape its future; and our community continues to remind us that the spirit of Bellarmine is not just inherited, it’s something we build and nurture together.

This year, the Bellarmine community showed up in full force. Thanks to an outpouring of support from alumni, students, parents, faculty, and friends, Bellarmine far exceeded its $250,000 fundraising goal to raise nearly $332,000!

Donations benefited The Bellarmine Fund, which supports the school’s exceptional academic and co-curricular programs, and the Direct Tuition Assistance Fund, which provides over $7 million annually to ensure a Bellarmine education remains accessible to all.

On campus, students joined in the festivities with events including a dunk tank, photo booth, and donation drawings, while parents kicked off the day with complimentary coffee at drop-off. Online, the Bellarmine community rallied around programs like Athletics, Campus Ministry, Speech & Debate, Robotics, and Performing Arts, with the Class of 1988 ultimately claiming victory in the alumni giving competition. The Classes of 1974 and 1984 came in second and third place, respectively.

As Fr. Jerry Wade, S.J. ’55 and Fr. Richard Cobb, S.J. reminded us in a special BellsGive video message, our giving day is not just about fundraising – it's about preserving the legacy of Jesuit education for generations to come. With every gift, Bellarmine can continue to form intellectually curious, morally grounded young men who are ready to lead with integrity in a rapidly evolving world.

We extend our heartfelt thanks for the generosity of our community, whose contributions ensure that the mission that began in 1851 remains strong today.

As part of Bellarmine’s Immersion Program – an integral expression of our Jesuit mission to form men for and with others –students are invited to step outside their comfort zones and encounter the lived realities of communities on the margins. These transformative experiences, rooted in the Ignatian values of faith, justice, and solidarity, challenge students to see the world through a new lens and return home with meaningful new perspectives.

Over Spring Break, a group of Bellarmine students traveled to Nogales, Arizona, for the Kino Border Initiative Immersion. Alongside migrants and advocates at the U.S.-Mexico border, the students served breakfast to migrant families at Kino’s Comedor, crossed into Mexico on foot, and listened to powerful testimonies of resilience, displacement, and hope. In Tucson, they observed immigration court proceedings, met with a federal magistrate judge for a conversation on justice and policy, and visited both the Mexican Consulate and a local sanctuary church.

“This trip opened my eyes to new experiences by giving me space to sit and talk with migrants about their experience,” said Charlie Amend ’26.

“At the Kino Comedor, I got the opportunity to talk to a 10-year-old girl named Irene. What struck me the most about our interaction was how similar we were,” he shared. “And yet, we had experienced vastly different things.”

Bells Have Transformative Experiences on Spring Immersion Trips

In early June, another group traveled to El Salvador for an immersion that similarly combined social justice education, language learning, and spiritual reflection. Students engaged with the country’s history of civil war and reconciliation, studied the legacy of martyrs like St. Oscar Romero, and explored present-day challenges under contentious governmental actions.

A highlight of the El Salvador trip was time spent with Bellarmine’s sister community of 26 years, Agua Escondida, whose kindergarten is supported annually by funds raised at the Solidarity Dinner.

“Our students opened their minds and hearts to the reality of the country and its people and listened to their stories with care,” said chaperone Daniel Martinez ’20. “Their experiences are full of nuanced reflections and even more complex questions that are yet to be answered.”

Immersion trips conclude with a closing Mass, where students are invited to offer intentions shaped by the people they met, the stories they heard, and the call to continue this work back home. It prevails as a moment of grace, community, and quiet strength that brings each trip full circle.

“The trip has greatly impacted my life and how I see the immense privilege that I have grown up with,” Charlie added. “It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to the hardship people face every day.”

A heartfelt thank you to the students who

participated in the Kino and El Salvador immersions: Miles Duncan ’25, Carter Bonham ’27, Christian Boucicaut ’26, Alex Chavez ’27, Charlie Amend ’26, Joaquin Olavarria ’25, Mike Rakow ’27, Lucas Calhoun ’26, Dylan Connell ’26, Jorge Escobar ’26, Michael Ford ’26, Saeed Lopez-Dias ’26, Viraj Moharir ’26, Donovan Schmuck ’27, Karan Shah ’26, Simon Wiens ’26, and Matthew Woods ’26.

Do Good, Give Back: Class of ’83 Honors Fr. Pabst, S.J. in

New Academic Center

Final touches are being placed on Bellarmine’s new 43,000 sq. ft., 21-classroom Wade Academic Center, which will open at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. There is much excitement related to the numerous opportunities that this facility will offer our students.

The Wade Academic Center, named in honor of former Bellarmine president and chancellor emeritus, Fr. Jerry Wade, S.J. ’55, and his beloved parents, Clara and Walter Wade, is now operational thanks to the generosity of hundreds of charitable donors to the Legacy, Inspiration, Innovation Capital Campaign.

Several members of the Class of 1983 played a pivotal role in its success and collaborating to sponsor a classroom in honor of Peter Pabst, S.J., the current chancellor of Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School, former president of Sacred Heart Nativity Schools in San Jose, and a Bellarmine Trustee who taught at the school from 1975 to 1976 and again from 1981 to 1983.

“Fr. Peter Pabst, S.J., is one of those legendary figures at Bellarmine whose presence and influence extend far beyond the classroom,” noted alumnus and benefactor Roger Quinlan ’83. “He’s remembered not just for his intellect and dedication to Jesuit ideals, but for his deep humanity, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to students.”

Reflecting further, Quinlan added, “Having a classroom named in his honor in the new Wade Academic Center is incredibly fitting—it ensures that his legacy of compassion, spiritual leadership, and educational excellence will continue to shape Bellarmine students for years to come. It’s a tribute not only to his contributions to Bellarmine, but to the kind of man he is: humble, wise, and ever committed to helping others grow in faith and purpose.”

Pat Quinn ’83 explained how, working with Pat Arnold ’84, Bellarmine’s Director of Development, the goal of raising funds for a classroom dedication was established. “We had a small but earnest committee that committed to the plan and ensuing outreach to our classmates. It was gratifying to

re-engage with past classmates and satisfying to understand that they were aligned with the charge: Do Good, Give Back.”

That sentiment was echoed by another contributor, Craig LeClair ’83. “Our connection with Peter Pabst, S.J., began through my wife, Kathleen, who led the Community Involvement Club at Presentation and worked with Peter on many joint activities between Bellarmine and Presentation… She was present at his ordination and, as a bilingual teacher, feels a deep connection to the work he has done at the Nativity schools and Cristo Rey. In our view, he truly embodies what it means to be a man for and with others.”

In addition to Roger Quinlan, Craig LeClair, and Pat Quinn, members of the Class of 1983 who made significant gifts to the classroom recognition initiative include Scott Asher, Josh Bentley, David Bondi, Michael Harper, Randy Kirk, Joe Mannina, Steve McKean, Michael Mulcahy, Jeff Pine, Mike Rogers, Jay Ross, Stuart Shiff, Greg Walker, and Tony West. Members of the Class of 1983 have also established a Tuition Assistance Endowment that will help provide financial support to Bellarmine students for years to come.

Bellarmine is immensely grateful to all benefactors of the Legacy, Inspiration, Innovation Capital Campaign and the Wade Academic Center project. A complete list of donors will be included in the Annual Report of Giving edition of this publication, scheduled for release in the winter of 2025.

If you, or someone you know, would like information about contributing to the Wade Academic Center, perhaps by exploring a classroom dedication such as the one sponsored by members of the Class of 1983, please visit online: www.bcp.org/capitalcampaign or contact Pat Arnold ’84, Director of Development, at parnold@bcp.org or by phone at 408.537.9226.

Bellarmine’s NETWORK Cast Visits NBC Bay Area Studios for Behind-the-Scenes Experience

The cast of Bellarmine’s spring theater production, NETWORK, had the exciting opportunity to visit the studio of NBC Bay Area and Telemundo for an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at how professional news broadcasts come to life. Led by the network’s Community Engagement Manager, Liza Catalan, and 24-year NBC anchor, Laura Garcia, students spent the day exploring the intricate and fast-paced world of television news production before watching a newscast live on set!

A Deep Dive into the News Industry

The visit began with a few facts on the history of NBC Bay Area, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary serving the country’s 10th-largest news market this year. Students learned how the station has evolved over the decades, covering major news stories as well as community pieces in our own neighborhoods, while adapting to the ever-changing media landscape.

Mrs. Garcia, anchor of the station’s weekday morning and midday shows, guided much of the tour, explaining key industry concepts like syndication and story assignments along the way. She also discussed how news production has shifted away from traditional “appointment television” in order to reach younger audiences through digital platforms, social media, podcasts and apps, as students engaged in conversations about how they consume news today and reflected on how the media landscape has shifted since NETWORK first premiered in 1976.

Exploring the Studio and Meeting the Experts

During the visit, students got to hear from staffers across multiple departments about things like digital graphics, photography, editing, commercial production, creative services, meteorology, traffic reporting, camera coding, and more. Staff members discussed the critical role each plays in the operations of the station and the creation of multiple newscasts per day.

Along the way, staff members answered questions about their career journeys, where they went to college and what they studied, offering students a glimpse into the different pathways that can lead to a career in broadcast journalism and television production.

An Inside Look at Live News Production

One of the most exciting parts of the field trip was watching the 11 a.m. newscast from both the control room and the studio. Producer Justin Lowenhagen narrated the process, explaining how cues, improvisation, and real-time adjustments take place. Students observed how producers and directors work seamlessly to ensure smooth transitions between segments, showcasing the intense coordination required for a live broadcast.

Students even got hands-on experience as they stood in front of the green screen used for weather reporting, walked through the set, sat behind the news desk, and explored the intricate lighting, cameras, and teleprompter systems that bring the news to life.

Bridging News Production and Theater Arts

Chaperoning the trip was Bellarmine’s Theater Arts Director, Mr. Peter Canavese ’92, who helped facilitate conversations about the day-to-day interactions that take place at the news station, providing important context for the roles students would play on stage.

Students were eager to ask questions about the mechanics of news production, from the time it takes to produce a two-minute segment to the level of improvisation involved in live reporting. Laura Garcia offered valuable advice on building confidence and handling social anxiety when broadcasting to thousands of viewers.

By the end of the visit, students had gained a profound appreciation for the behind-thescenes teamwork and technical expertise required to deliver news in a dynamic media landscape. The NETWORK cast left inspired, armed with knowledge and insights they applied to their own production, bringing their storytelling to new heights.

Bellarmine Hosts Justice Summit on Environmental and Climate Justice

Bellarmine's annual Justice Summit was a resounding success, with students spending the day learning about the pressing and multifaceted issues of environmental and climate justice.

The Opening Plenary was delivered by Dr. Richard Nevle, who formerly taught at Bellarmine and Santa Clara University, and currently serves as Deputy Director of Stanford University's Earth Systems Program. A published author and researcher, Dr. Nevle shared a glimpse into the alarming state of California's native ecosystems as a call to action for students to learn about and contribute to climate conservation efforts – even just by way of starting the conversation with their peers.

Students spent the rest of the day participating in 50 breakout sessions led by student presenters and community partners, covering topics like renewable energy, deforestation, pollution, food insecurity, composting, and much more. From repairing bikes in the Quad to navigating an Ocean Conservation Escape Room, the breakout sessions were engaging and inspiring!

Spotlight on Pedal Power: Bellarmine Students Repair and Donate 30 Bikes to Sacred Heart San Jose

Led by Luis Szarindar ’27 and Nate John ’27, the “Pedal Power” breakout session brought Bells together to serve the San Jose community and discover the merits of sustainable modes of transportation.

During the session, Luis and Nate taught their peers about basic bike parts and maintenance while repairing bikes they collected from community members prior to the Justice Summit. The breakout session was the culmination of a weeks-long effort to solicit bike donations and collect the parts needed to service them.

“We have always loved riding bikes, and a skill that comes with loving to ride is loving to work on and fix your bike,” says Luis. “We always wanted to share this love with other people, and when we heard we could teach Bellarmine students how to fix bikes AND have a positive impact on the community by doing it, we got to work putting out announcements on social media asking for bikes, picking them up, doing inventories for the parts we needed, and communicating our progress to Mr. Desumala right up until the day of the Justice Summit.”

Luis and Nate arranged to donate 30 repaired bikes to Sacred Heart Community Service to be distributed, free of charge, to community members in need of alternative means of transportation.

In line with the Justice Summit’s intention to educate Bellarmine students about the climate crisis and inspire action to counteract it, the Pedal Power breakout session was a salient example of the impact Bells can make within their community.

“If we can make people see riding a bike, scooter, or public transportation as a feasible way to get around, that will reduce emissions from transportation,” Luis adds. “The first way to do this is to demonstrate that these forms of transportation aren’t as scary as they look, that they’re practical, and that they’re fun to use. I hope our breakout room communicated that message to our fellow students and staff.”

The Justice Summit concluded with a closing prayer and reflections on how Bellarmine students can carry the lessons of the day into their everyday lives and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. Pedal Power served as a powerful example: when students combine passion, knowledge, and a desire to serve, the results can be transformational.

Bellarmine’s distinguished Speech & Debate team has closed out another historic season! In May, the team claimed first place in overall sweepstakes at the 2025 California State Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Then in June, the team defended its first-place title for the fifth year in a row at the National Speech & Debate Association Tournament – with two Bells claiming individual championship titles!

At States, despite entering the tournament as underdogs to Archbishop Mitty and James Logan, the Bells demonstrated that, in the words of head coach Aaron Langerman ’11, “Depth, not breadth, is what really matters in a competition like this.” Bellarmine tallied 136 total points, outpacing Mitty’s 97 and third-place Gabrielino’s 87, to secure its largest margin of victory in years.

Among the highlights was a complete finals sweep in Policy Debate, with Bellarmine teams claiming all three top spots. Juniors Aidan Okyar and Kevin Lu, Derek Qian and Arthur Tu, and sophomores Andres Ryan and Aaron He were named co-champions. Notably, Derek and Arthur were last-minute additions to the tournament after receiving an 11th-hour call-up from the alternate list. They raced to the airport, landed in Los Angeles just in time, and ended the weekend as state champions!

Other standout performances at States included Vincent Nguyen ’25, who took first place in Congressional Debate, and Neil Alappatt ’26, who was crowned champion in International Extemp. In total, Bellarmine placed students in the top ranks across nearly every event, with additional top finishes in Lincoln Douglas, Parliamentary, and Public Forum debate, as well as in a wide range of individual speech categories.

At Nationals, the Bells scored a total of 204 points – nearly 50 points higher than the next-highest scoring school – proving to be a powerhouse of scholars, speakers, and leaders! Again, Bellarmine had podium finishes across nearly every event.

The team received the School of Outstanding Distinction Award and, for the first time in Bellarmine history, had two finalists in Original Oratory: Angad Singh ’25 (1st) and Oliver Chen ’25 (4th). The school had another national champion in Elliott Barringer ’26, who took first place in Lincoln Douglas Debate!

Congratulations to the entire Speech & Debate team on its best year yet. Go Bells!

Bellarmine Speech & Debate Wins Fourth Consecutive State Title and Fifth Consecutive National Title

Bellarmine Sophomore Turns Passion for Photography into Purpose on Campus

At Bellarmine’s sports games, dances, and campus events, sophomore Daxton Zucek ’27 is making waves – not on the field or the dance floor, but as the generous talent behind a camera. A passionate action photographer, Daxton has found a way to blend his love for photography with a deeper mission: supporting his peers through Bellarmine’s Direct Tuition Assistance Fund.

Photography runs deep in Daxton’s family. With parents and grandparents who are all hobby photographers, he was introduced to the art form at an early age. “It’s something I’ve grown up with,” he says. “I’ve known my way around a camera for years, and my parents are incredibly supportive.”

He first honed his skills on the yearbook committee at Willow Glen Middle School and has leaned heavily into photography since. Daxton has become a fixture at Bellarmine sporting events, often spending five to six hours shooting, editing, and uploading images for a single game. Some weeks, he covers up to three events!

Much of his technical growth can be traced back to Mrs. Crockett’s photography class, which Daxton credits with transforming his photo editing and post-processing skills. “Learning how to edit and enhance my photos has been just as valuable as learning how to take them,” he says. While his passion lies in sports photography, Daxton appreciates that the class pushes him creatively. A recent assignment had him capturing the reflection of the Golden Gate Bridge on the bay – an image far removed from the fast-paced action of the sidelines.

His entrepreneurial spirit emerged with the launch of Pictures for Purpose, a personal project that combines business savvy with charitable intent. Inspired by his friends and classmates who benefit from tuition assistance, alongside Bellarmine’s ethos of service, Daxton saw an opportunity to give back.

He built his own website, complete with galleries and purchasing capabilities, and began promoting his photography on social media and by word of mouth. In its first year, Pictures for Purpose raised $770 and this year, that number jumped to $2,584 thanks to social media outreach, collaborations with sports teams, and good old-fashioned grassroots hustle, including handing out business cards.

Daxton’s process is as thoughtful as his mission. After each game, he posts photos on Instagram, tags teams and players, and collaborates with other accounts, helping his work gain traction. His pricing remains intentionally affordable: “I want people to be able to access their photos and contribute to Tuition Assistance easily,” he explains. While students can often purchase digital copies for just $2 each, parents frequently spring for printed versions at $20 a pop, eager to support both Daxton and the cause.

Though most of his work features Bellarmine athletics, Daxton’s reputation has expanded. He’s now being hired for everything from prom shoots to family holiday cards and has even photographed some professional sports games!

Looking ahead, he hopes to shoot more regularly at professional and collegiate sports games – including for teams like the Giants, Sharks, and at universities such as Santa Clara and Stanford – in pursuit of continuously refining his craft.

Through Pictures for Purpose, Daxton has not only sharpened his skills as a photographer but also exemplified what it means to be a man for and with others, building a legacy of generosity from behind the lens.

Artificial Intelligence at Bellarmine

Artificial Intelligence has permeated many of the spaces we engage with every day, with education among the most prominent. As it reshapes educational spaces and processes for students and teachers alike, Bellarmine has been exploring how AI fits into our academic framework and institutional values.

The school’s goal is to find balance between progress and tradition, making space for the integration of AI tools where it serves academic objectives, while keeping effective policies in place to preserve the integrity of our academic requirements and expectations.

Through faculty-driven exploration, structured professional development, and a commitment to ethical use, Bellarmine is ensuring that AI serves as a mechanism to enhance student learning while maintaining Jesuit values of discernment and intellectual growth.

Exploring AI in the Classroom

Our journey with AI began in Fall 2023 when our Director of Library & Research Services, Mr. Paul Ballesteros, led an academic focus group of about 20 faculty members. The initiative provided a collaborative space for teachers to explore the potential role of AI in the classroom, and kicked off several months of discussion within the group about how AI could be leveraged as a learning tool (rather than a shortcut or a replacement for critical thinking).

By Spring 2024, the Academic Council had begun work on a vision statement to articulate Bellarmine’s planned approach to AI:

As a Jesuit Catholic institution, Bellarmine College

Preparatory’s goal is to ensure that our students have educational experiences that develop their God-given talents. As a faculty and staff, we aim to use generative AI in ways that will support our overall educational objectives, particularly the development of critical thinking skills and knowledge of how to connect ideas and data.

Bellarmine is committed to ensuring equitable access to AI tools in service of our goals. As a faculty and staff, we support the use of generative AI in the learning process, and we recognize that we have responsibilities in guiding our students as they explore the ethical and effective use of this tool.

Establishing a Framework for Ethical AI Use

During a Professional Development Day for faculty and staff in August 2024, Father Matt Carnes, S.J. presented on the Ignatian theme “with one foot raised” – an invitation to remain open to new opportunities and poised to move forward or respond to a call, ready to take the next intentional step.

Later that month, an AI Task Force was formed under the leadership of Mr. Ballesteros, comprising faculty members from various academic departments, charged with overseeing the integration of AI into classroom instruction by interested teachers, while ensuring its alignment with Bellarmine’s educational values.

On the next Professional Development Day in September 2024, Dr. Brian Patrick Green, Director of Technology Ethics at SCU, presented on the ethical use of generative AI in education. Multiple hands-on breakout sessions followed, allowing faculty to experiment with AI tools and engage in meaningful discussions about the opportunities and challenges they present.

Introducing AI on Campus

In November 2024, Bellarmine took a decisive step in its AI journey by deciding to pilot Flint AI, a secure and personalized learning platform built for schools. Common use cases for the platform range from generating assessments and study tools based on a student’s learning level to supplementing existing teaching materials with AI-generated feedback and research tools.

Bellarmine’s Assistant Principal of Instruction, Ms. Lynne West, says usability and security features were what drew school administrators to Flint AI:

“After speaking with a number of schools who’ve also been piloting Flint AI, we were impressed by the versatility of the platform, the guardrails that are in place for students, and the responsiveness of Flint’s support staff.”

Ms. West led two training sessions in January 2025 to facilitate a seamless introduction to Flint AI. Most academic departments also had the opportunity to meet virtually with a teacher from the corresponding department at Brophy College Preparatory, another Jesuit high school that’s further along in their implementation of the platform.

By the end of January, Brophy faculty had visited Bellarmine’s campus and met with faculty in groups to aid with adoption of

Flint AI. In February 2025, the AI Task Force began working on usage guidelines for adoption beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

AI in Practice at Bellarmine

Many of Bellarmine’s faculty have begun to utilize Flint AI as a means of enhancing classroom activities, increasing engagement, and promoting critical thinking. Across departments, students are interacting meaningfully with AI-generated materials:

• Spanish classes are using Flint AI to simulate real-world conversations like verbal price negotiations, improving students’ conversational fluency.

• English teachers encourage students to refine their writing by prompting AI for structured feedback on thesis statements and argument development.

• Math teachers are using AI to generate variations of math problems to help contextualize learned principles.

• History classes use AI to analyze primary sources, prompting discussions on historical bias and interpretation.

• Science teachers integrate AI-powered simulations to help students visualize complex biological and chemical processes.

These are just a few use cases in Bellarmine’s relatively early exploration of AI.

For Mr. Bill Colucci ’82, who teaches Economics and AP US Government and Politics, using AI in the classroom was not a welcome suggestion. But experimenting with it revealed a few new ways to supplement and enrich his lessons:

"The inclusion of AI as another arrow in my quiver of teaching tools came as something of a surprise to me. As a self-described neo-Luddite, I generally shy away from new technology. However, I have run the gamut from seeing it as the death knell of thinking, to recognizing its value as a tool for both me and my students.

AI helps me in my workflow by clarifying ideas for lessons and sharpening my thinking about a particular topic. For my students, I can use AI to get them to apply concepts and ideas to multiple ‘real-world’ scenarios that can adapt and adjust in real time. I also know that my students have found AI to be a helpful tutor when it comes to preparing for a quiz or test.”

Mrs. Kasey Monaco, who teaches College Prep Calculus and AP Statistics, encourages students to use AI to check their work and problem solve:

“AI aids me in the creation of individualized and scaffolded assessments. I encourage students to check mathematical processes with AI, and to use it for procedural fluency when they’re stuck.”

For Mr. Matt DeLateur ’12, who teaches English 2 Honors and serves as English Department Chair, AI is changing the way the department administers tests and essay assignments:

“AI has transformed the English classroom, moving us towards in-class tests and away from take-home essays. Though this has been a big change, it has also sparked innovation in our instruction and assessment structure. AI is also a wonderful help for students looking for feedback on their grammar and word choice, giving them virtually unlimited feedback on their own particular areas for growth in writing.”

Mr. Vern Cleary, who teaches 9th Grade CURA and Modern World History, has been using AI in creating more sophisticated speech assignments:

“AI has been a useful tool for guiding students to clarify, develop, elaborate on, and express their thinking. For example, we created an AI tutorial that walked students through brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising speeches. The AI speech workshop provided immediate, constructive, and highly individualized feedback for students. We then used another AI tutorial to provide students with immediate and accurate speech delivery feedback on their clarity, fluency, volume, and tone variation. We are just beginning to see the potential for highly efficient, timely, and individualized instruction.”

In Ms. Rachel Shapiro’s Spanish 1 class, AI allows students to have adaptive, one-on-one conversations with a virtual teacher:

“I used AI to create an in-class assignment where students could, individually, have a conversation with an ‘AI Señorita’ using the material we’ve learned this year, where each conversation progressed based on the answers students gave.”

Even Mr. Chris Meyercord ’88, Bellarmine’s President since 2015, who continues to teach a senior English elective called The Short Story, has put AI to use in the classroom:

“I recently had a day when I had to miss class. We were studying Flannery O’Connor’s Everything that Rises Must Converge.

To understand some of the references in the story, students need to be familiar with some of the philosophy of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Using Flint AI, I was able to create an interactive process for my students where they could dig into how the two philosophies are reflected and challenged in the text. They had 12 minutes to dialogue back and forth with the tool, and I was presented with the transcript of their conversation.

While I have always enjoyed teaching this aspect of the story, doing so via AI enabled (and required!) every one of my students to wrestle with and think about the concepts. Compared to my usual Socratic approach, this way, I knew how well every student understood the concepts, and where I needed to provide additional clarity. While it’s not how we ordinarily have done things, it certainly felt like cura personalis at work!”

Mapping Out the Future of AI at Bellarmine

As AI adoption spreads, especially within education spheres, Bellarmine will continue to refine its approach to find balance between forward progress and academic integrity. The guidelines that will go into effect in the new school year aim to optimize AI’s potential on campus, helping students focus on their learning goals rather than just task completion, and empowering them to self-assess and seek constructive feedback using AI tools. Bellarmine’s goal is for students utilizing AI to do so as a means of enhancing their autonomy and competence – rather than as a shortcut – to foster a culture of engaged, self-directed learners. Bellarmine seeks to thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies while staying true to its educational and ethical principles. By engaging faculty in continuous learning and upskilling, Bellarmine is preparing students for a future where AI literacy will be a universal strength.

Athletics Highlights by Kevin Saldivar ’04, CAA, Director of Athletics

Bellarmine Athletics is proud to continue a long tradition of high-level competition with an emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence. BCP studentathletes have the opportunity to participate in 17 team and club sports including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling at the competitive level. In 2024-25, the Bells claimed six league championships, the most of any West Catholic Athletic league school. Here are some highlights from another outstanding varsity season:

CROSS COUNTRY

The BCP Cross Country program is no stranger to championships, having won 14 of the last 16 WCAL titles heading into this year. Despite carrying such high expectations, the 2024 squad made history. The varsity runners finished off the regular season with a victory in the final WCAL meet to capture their fifth consecutive league championship. After taking second place in the Central Coast Section behind a tremendous race by third place individual Devansh Shah, the Bells went into the CIF State championship meet on Thanksgiving weekend as the #12 seed in California. The team ran a nearly perfect race at Woodward Park in Fresno to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent Division I history, taking second place in the field of 24 and securing Bellarmine’s highest finish in school history!

BASKETBALL

The Bells turned in an impressive defense to their 2023-24 CCS DI Championship with a strong regular season in 2024-25, racking up big wins over Mitty, St. Francis and St. Ignatius and taking third place in the extremely competitive WCAL. The varsity squad earned a berth in the CCS Open division championship and went on to qualify for the CIF DII championship where their postseason run ended against eventual state champion Jesuit High School.

SOCCER

The 2024-25 season was a redemption story for the Bellarmine soccer program, coming off a frustrating finish the previous year. An outstanding senior class led by WCAL Midfielder of the Year, Matthew Shimizu ’25, and WCAL Defender of the Year, Ben Sutton ’25, helped the Bells return to the mountaintop with an 11-1-2 record in league play, capturing the team's 29th WCAL championship and first since 2016. The team went on to reach the championship game of CCS playoffs and the semifinals of the NorCal tournament.

WRESTLING

The BCP Wrestling team had another outstanding season, posting a 5-1 record in dual meets to claim the WCAL regular season title for the second year in a row! The team then defended their WCAL Tournament championship as well, taking first place behind a quartet of individual champions — Jacob Pham ’26, Wesley Tran ’25, Christian Ramos ’26, and Rocco Biasotti ’26. Biasotti and Tommy Holguin ’26 both went on to qualify for CIF State Championships after tremendous performances at the CCS meet.

Athletics Highlights by Kevin Saldivar ’04, CAA, Director of Athletics

BASEBALL

One of the biggest highlights of the year for athletics was the incredible playoff run by the varsity baseball squad in the WCAL Tournament. The Bells entered the postseason as the #5 seed, but pulled off three straight upset victories to capture the tournament crown, defeating St. Francis, Serra, and Valley Christian on the road on three consecutive days. The team was fueled by outstanding pitching performances from seniors Apolo Lapiz ’25 and Christian Duarte ’25, sandwiched around a combined shutout from sophomore Preston Pera ’27 and freshman Emmett Arnott ’28. This was Bellarmine’s first WCAL baseball championship since 2013!

TENNIS

The Bells captured their fourth straight WCAL varsity tennis championship in 2025 with a perfect 14-0 record in league play. It was the 40th league title for Bellarmine since the WCAL began in 1968, by far the most of any school.

TRACK AND FIELD

Bellarmine enjoyed a historic spring season on the track this year, capturing the program’s 14th straight WCAL championship and 13th CCS championship. The Bells were led by five individual league champions − Ben Penzel ’26 in the 3200m, Ethan Radford ’26 in the Pole Vault, Shrey Chettier ’25 in the 800m, and Joshua Haven ’26 in the 300m Hurdles and the High Jump – securing the 30th overall WCAL title for Bellarmine. Haven and Chettier went on to capture individual event titles at the CCS meet, helping lead the Bells to yet another section championship.

College Signings

13 seniors made commitments to continue their athletic and academic endeavors after graduation. The participants and their selected schools are as follows:

Ethan Martinez Soccer, Santa Clara University

Christian Duarte Baseball, Santa Clara University

Andrew Hunyady Water Polo, Bucknell University

Holden Findley Volleyball, Stevens Institute of Technology

Maximo Rockwood Baseball, Cal State Monterey Bay

Matthew Shimizu Soccer, Westmont College

Haven finished out the season at the CIF State Championship with 6th place in the 300m Hurdles, while the relay team of Dane Flores ’25, Duncan Burk ’27, Stephen Sziebert ’26 and Shrey Chettiar ’25 took 6th in the state in the 4 x 800 relay.

Haven also traveled to the prestigious Arcadia Invitational earlier in the season, where he competed in the decathlon for the first time and turned in one of the most impressive performances ever by a Bellarmine student-athlete. Joshua not only won the event in dramatic fashion over a higher-ranked opponent, but his point total broke the CCS record, broke the California high school junior class record, stands as the second-highest total in state history, and is currently ranked No. 1 in the world for under-18 decathlon.

Ciaran Lee Football & Track, St. Olaf College

Nick Weber Football, Carnegie Mellon University

Nate Bateman Football, University of Puget Sound

Connor Johnstone Football, University of San Diego

Emmanuel Garcia Soccer, San Jose State University

Jimmy Campagna Track & Field, Claremont McKenna College

Shrey Chettiar Cross Country, Johns Hopkins University

CLASS NOTES

1960s

Joseph DiSalvo ’69 was recently honored as 2025 Elected Official of the Year by the California Charter Schools Association. Joe is currently an adjunct professor in the Justice Studies department at his alma mater, San Jose State University, and last year he retired after his fourth term as a board member of the Santa Clara County Office of Education. He has spent more than three decades in education, serving as a teacher and school principal, and was previously recognized as Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.

1970s

Michael Bonacorsi ’70 and his wife, Lynn, will celebrate their 50-year wedding anniversary in September. The couple met at a Bellarmine mixer during their sophomore year in 1967 when Lynn was a student at Notre Dame, and they have spent the past 58 Christmas holidays together. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Stephen Pope ’73 received Boston College’s 2025 Saint Robert Bellarmine, S.J. Award, which recognizes faculty members for meaningfully advancing the university’s mission. Steven has been a professor in BC’s Theology department for 37 years, holding several leadership positions over the course of his career. He has also authored or edited 10 books, participated actively in immersion trips at BC, and been involved with numerous community service organizations.

“I have been teaching courses on social justice, service, and compassion for many decades, but though I have learned more and more over these years it has been largely a deepening and extending of what I learned at Bellarmine,” he shared with us.

Mike Hall ’79 was recently featured in multiple local news stories for his 5,000-mile motorcycle journey in honor of his late mother, who passed away six years ago from Alzheimer’s disease. This summer, Mike will travel across the United States from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Cape Blanco, Oregon. His goal is to raise both awareness and funds, with a goal of $10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

1980s

Michael Mulcahy ’83 was elected in November 2024 to represent District 6 on the San Jose City Council and took office in January 2025. Michael has dedicated his career to strengthening the city through public service, real estate development, and deep community involvement.

Stephen Lowney ’84 was appointed in August 2023 as judge for the Superior Court of Santa Clara County. The announcement about his appointment recognized Judge Lowney for his “long-standing dedication to the field of law and his exceptional legal expertise.” Among his distinguished career positions, Judge Lowney served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office from 1994 to 2023, except for a two-year period from 2001-2002 when he joined the firm Littler Mendelson in San Jose. He also had a cross-designation in 2005 as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Sam Liccardo ’87 was elected in November 2024 to represent the 16th District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives, following his two terms as Mayor of San Jose.

Viet T. Nguyen ’88 was featured in the April edition of Vanity Fair, including promotion of his new work, To Save and To Destroy: Writing as an Other, released in April.

1990s

George H. Casey, III ’90 was elected in November 2024 to represent District 10 on the San Jose City Council, having previously served as San Jose Planning Commissioner.

Paulo Sellitti ’91 is the founder of Hypnotic Story Design, a consultancy for business narrative transformation assisting growth-challenged NGOs. Paulo reports that driving his work is the resolute belief that “transformational change starts with your story.” Using an original narrative framework he created to strategically position organizations as category-of-one leaders, Paulo helps changemakers find the right words to move mountains. He has worked with such organizations as Save the Elephants and OneReef.org.

Peter Micek '99 and Isedua Oribhabor are overjoyed to announce the birth of their first child, Cordelia Eru Ofure Micek, at Mt. Sinai West in Manhattan, New York, on March 14, 2025. Cora weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz. at birth. Peter and Isedua were married at Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan on May 11, 2024. They reside in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.

2000s

Brian McCullough ’02 recently started a new position as an associate professor and the Sport Management Program chair at the University of Michigan. “Go Bells and Go Blue!”

Josh Burroughs '04 and Bellarmine parent Erik Hayden of Urban Catalyst are excited to announce the opening of their new 176-room Marriott hotel in Downtown San Jose. They were joined at the ribbon cutting by fellow Bells Matt Mahan ’01, mayor of San Jose; and San Jose councilmembers Michael Mulcahy ’83, and George Casey ’90.

Brendan Lynch ’05 proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Yuliana, in San Francisco in February. They plan to get married early next year in Mexico.

Pierce Stanley ’06 joined the law firm Cotchett, Pitre and McCarthy, LLP, as an associate, where he litigates consumer protection class actions, defective products/mass torts cases, and elder abuse matters.

Steve Cassingham ’09 recently started a new position as brand manager at MYNT Systems, a company at the forefront of the new energy economy, where his passion for storytelling and innovation will allow him to contribute to a future powered by clean, accessible energy.

Previously, as founder of Sustainable GOAT, he led a media company dedicated to showcasing the greatest innovators in sustainability. A key highlight was developing a streaming series with ReachTV, which has amassed 300 million impressions in just over two years and continues to play on every airport screen in the U.S. He also shared the stage as a thought leader at Advertising Week New York and delivered a keynote to an audience of 1,000 at Xerocon in Nashville.

Michael Clay ’09, Philadelphia Eagles Special Teams coordinator, earned his first career Super Bowl ring in February when he helped guide the Eagles to a championship victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Clay was the youngest coordinator in the NFL when he was hired in 2021.

2010s

LTJG Andrew Song ’18 was selected as a 2025-26 recipient of the LTG James M. Dubnik Fellowship, which encourages military professional writing and scholarship. A United States Navy Submarine Officer, Andrew will contribute to the Army University Press’s Military Review along with other peer-reviewed journals.

2020s

Tyler Nguyen ’21 started his first full-time job in January after earning his B.S. in Data Science from UCLA, and now works for the National Football League in Business Intelligence & Analytics.

Dominic Rolla ’22 has had an outstanding season as a pitcher for the Claremont-Makenna baseball team. As of press time, he leads the team in victories with a 7-1 record and has helped the Stags reach the Super Regionals of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Austin Turkington ’22 enjoyed a breakout junior season for the University of California, Berkeley, baseball team, emerging as the team’s top starting pitcher. Austin led the Golden Bears in wins, earned run average, strikeouts, and games started.

Nate Escalada ’23, a current scholar-athlete on the football team at the University of California, Berkeley, was recognized as Cal’s Jonathan & Judy Hoff Scholar-Athlete of the Week. This honor recognized Nate for “… cultivating a sense of belonging within the academic and athletic community by seeking out relationships via deliberate engagement with an extended network of peers, staff, faculty, coaches, and organizations.”

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Can a Text Message Be Your Last Will?

Understanding the Legal Requirements for Making a Will

by Bill Colucci, Esq. ’82 Director of Planned Giving

Planning for what happens to your estate after you pass away is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. As technology evolves, people increasingly ask whether a video recording, a digitally created and stored document, or even a simple text message can count as a will. The answer depends heavily on how closely such documents comply with the legal standards required for a valid testamentary instrument.

This article outlines the recognized ways to create a will in California and discusses the legal status of informal or digital testamentary expressions like videos, electronic documents, or texts.

What is a Will?

A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document that states how your property should be distributed after your death. It may also name a guardian for your minor children, appoint an executor, and specify funeral or burial wishes.

Under the California Probate Code, a will must reflect the testator’s intent and be executed with certain formalities to be valid.

Three Types of Valid Wills in California

Attested (Formal) Will

This is the most common type of will, is typically drafted by estate planning attorneys, and must meet the following requirements under California Probate Code §6110:

Writing: The will must be in writing.

Signature: The will must be signed by the testator (or by someone else in the testator's presence and at their direction).

Witnesses: The will must be signed by at least two witnesses, who were present at the same time, and who understand that the document is the testator's will.

Holographic Will

California also recognizes holographic wills under Probate Code §6111. These are written entirely in the testator’s own handwriting and does not require witnesses. The requirements are:

The signature must be by the testator.

The material provisions (i.e., who gets what) and the expression of testamentary intent must be in the testator’s handwriting.

Importantly, though a holographic will may be more affordable and accessible, it is not recommendable as problems arise if the handwriting is unclear, if the intent is ambiguous, or if the document is lost or challenged after death.

Statutory Will

California offers a statutory will form under Probate Code §6200, which is a fill-in-the-blank document created by the legislature. It is simple and free to use, but inflexible and best suited for those with small, uncomplicated estates. Consultation with an estate planning attorney is key.

Can a Video Recording Be a Will?

One of the most common questions in the digital age is: Can I just record a video stating who gets my assets?

The short answer is no —not on its own.

California law does not recognize oral wills or video wills as valid testamentary documents. While a video may demonstrate the testator’s intent or mental capacity, it cannot replace a written document that satisfies Probate Code §6110 or §6111

That said, a video can serve a supporting role in estate planning. For example, it may:

Show that the testator was of sound mind at the time of making the will.

Provide clarity about the testator’s intentions.

Discourage disputes among heirs.

Can an Electronic Document or a Text Message Be a Will?

There is increasing debate over whether digital documents or messages like texts or emails can qualify under certain circumstances. Under California Probate Code §6110(c)(2), even if a will is not executed in compliance with traditional formalities (e.g., missing witness signatures), the document can still be treated as valid if the proponent establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the decedent intended the document to constitute their will.

To even have a chance of being considered a valid will, it must:

Clearly demonstrate testamentary intent (i.e., the intent to dispose of property at death),

Be attributable to the testator,

Identify the intended beneficiaries and the property to be distributed,

And ideally, include a statement that no other will exists or that it is intended to replace a prior will.

In practice, courts are extremely cautious: relying on an electronic document, an e-mail, or a text message is a risky strategy.

While some online platforms offer tools to create wills, it is important to note that in California, any will created electronically must still be printed out, signed in ink, and witnessed appropriately to be legally valid.

How to Ensure Your Will is Valid

Even though the law may allow for some flexibility, do not gamble with your legacy. The safest and most effective way to create a will is to follow these best practices:

Work with an experienced estate planning attorney.

Use clear, written language that outlines your wishes.

Sign the will in front of two competent witnesses who are not beneficiaries.

Store the original will in a secure, accessible place.

Communicate with your loved ones about the existence and location of the will.

For individuals who want to express additional wishes—such as reasons for certain bequests or guidance for the family—consider a supplemental letter of instruction or video message. Just be aware that these documents are not legally binding.

Conclusion

While modern technology offers new ways to communicate, California law remains rooted in centuries-old principles when it comes to wills: the intent of the testator must be clearly expressed in a written document, with appropriate formalities. Electronic documents, e-mails, text messages, and videos may provide context or evidence, but they cannot replace a validly executed will. If you are considering creating or updating your will, it is best to avoid shortcuts. Take the time to draft a proper estate plan that gives you peace of mind and ensures your wishes are honored. Your legacy deserves nothing less.

And, speaking of your legacy, a great way to preserve it is through a planned gift to Bellarmine. Your support of Jesuit education ensures that Bellarmine can continue to educate and form the young men we are privileged to teach using the most up-to-date teaching anchored in Ignatian pedagogy.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Estate planning laws and tax regulations are complex and subject to change. Individuals should consult with a qualified estate planning attorney and tax advisor to discuss their specific circumstances and receive personalized guidance.

To learn more about Planned Giving opportunities to support Bellarmine, please contact Bill Colucci, Esq. ’82, Director of Planned Giving, at 408.537.9279 or via email: bcolucci@bcp.org. You may also visit online: http://plannedgiving.bcp.org.

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of printing. The information in this publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. State law may further impact your individual results.

In Memoriam Tributes

Juan Navarro passed away on February 15, 2025. Bellarmine’s former director of maintenance, Juan was a dedicated employee of 24 years before his retirement in 2016. Even during many years following his retirement, Juan continued to run the clock and scoreboard for the Bells football and basketball teams. He cared deeply about the Bellarmine community, faculty, staff, and students.

Robert L. “Bob” Picetti an employee of Bellarmine from 1979 to 2001, first academically as assistant principal and then in the business office as controller, died on February 13, 2025. During his years of service to Bellarmine, Bob was greatly respected as an administrator and is remembered fondly by longtime employees and retirees.

Clifford “Barry” Swenson passed away on April 19, 2025. The respected and innovative developer, and the man behind the multi-generation family business, Swenson Development & Construction, is recognized for largely being responsible for much of the transformation of the skyline of downtown San Jose over many decades. A 1957 graduate of James Lick High School in San Jose, Barry’s relationship with Bellarmine includes his grandson, alumnus Hunter Current ’06.

The Extraordinary Gift of Paul Salmon

A Legacy of Faith and Generosity: Bellarmine Among Jesuit Schools to Benefit from $20 Million Gift

Thanks to a remarkable $20 million estate gift from Paul R. Salmon, Bellarmine College Preparatory is one of eight Jesuit high schools in California that will receive annual support to advance their shared mission of forming young men of competence, conscience, and compassion.

Mr. Salmon, a graduate of Loyola High School of Los Angeles (Class of 1953) and Santa Clara University (Class of 1957), credited his Jesuit education with shaping his values, faith, and character. A decorated Army veteran and successful businessman, he

dedicated his estate to ensure future generations would have access to the same transformative educational experience.

Bellarmine is honored to be among the recipients of this extraordinary act of generosity, which will help sustain and expand opportunities for students to grow in faith, scholarship, and service.

“We are profoundly grateful for Mr. Salmon’s generosity and his commitment to the Jesuit mission,” said Fr. Sean Carroll, S.J., provincial of the Jesuits West Province. “His legacy will continue to shape young minds and hearts for years to come.”

Scan to learn more about Mr. Salmon’s life and enduring impact.

In Memoriam

The Bellarmine Community joins in prayerful remembrance of alumni, family, and friends who have died.

ALUMNI

Alfred Ferrari ’46 (May 27, 2025). Father of Stephen ’75; grandfather of Peter ’09 and of Tony ’11.

William “Bill” Cahalan ’57 (April 15, 2025). Brother of Thomas ’49, James ’64, and of the late Patrick J. Cahalan, S.J. ’52; uncle of Patrick S. Cahalan ’89.

Daniel Murtha ’56 (April 13, 2025).

John S. Arnold ’50 (April 9, 2025).

Carmen Citrigno ’50 (April 7, 2025).

Gerald Jeffry ’55 (March 5, 2025). Brother of the late John ’48.

William T. Duffy, Jr. ’48 (March 4, 2025).

Michael Crimmins ’60 (February 28, 2025).

Anthony L. Hanley ’56 (February 14, 2025).

Brother of Leo ’59, of the late Patrick ’55, and of Michael O’Brien ’73.

Michael J. Mendizabal ’75 (February10, 2025).

Son of the late Albert Mendizabal ’51; brother of Matthew ’83 and Marcos ’89.

Louis Huntington, Jr. ’57 (February 2, 2025).

Thomas F. Hopkins ’79 (January 26, 2025).

Stephen S. Witt ’55 (January 16, 2025).

Robert “Bob” Pasquale Gianuario ’52 (December 29, 2024).

Samuel H. Winklebleck ’47 (December 29, 2024).

Jack L. Owens ’70 (December 24, 2024).

Paul K. Birmingham ’63 (December 15, 2024). Son of the late Paul V. Birmingham ’29.

Michael D. McGuire ’63 (December 7, 2024).

C. Gregory Caillat ’65 (December 6, 2024). Father of Adam ’00 and William ’05.

Fred R. Rehrman ’60 (December 2024).

Gavin Cunha Drucker ’14 (November 23, 2024).

John F. “Jack” Gallagher ’53 (November 16, 2024).

Robert Pucci ’66 (November 11, 2024).

Kenneth Silacci ’48 (November 8, 2024).

William J. Hackel, III ’58 (November 3, 2024).

Ellis W. Grant ’56 (October 20, 2024).

Robert C. Gallagher ’65 (August 14, 2024).

Vincent F. Nola ’49 (July 27, 2024). Father of Frank ’79; brother of Gerald ’59 and of the late Richard ’52.

Philip A. Torre ’61 (July 24, 2024).

Robert M. Silvera ‘50 (June 17, 2024). Father of Michael ’79.

Joseph J. Montanez ’68 (May 13, 2024). Father of Joseph ’88.

William F. Zingheim ’55 (April 29, 2024). Brother of the late Joseph ’58.

Peter M. Caserta ’62 (March 2024). Father of Dominic ’93.

Richard J. Smith ’55 (January 8, 2024).

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Dawn Quinn (May 18, 2025). Mother of Patrick ’83; wife of the late Charles ’50.

Roy Scialabba (May 13, 2025). Grandfather of Dominic ’15; father of former BCP staff member, Mike.

Irving Koppel (April 27, 2025). Father of David J. Yick-Koppel ’89.

Clifford “Barry” Swenson (April 19, 2025). Grandfather of Hunter Current ’06.

Barbara Koller (April 8, 2025). Mother of Michael ’94.

Diane Marie Piziali (February 27, 2025). Mother of Marc Piziali ’86; grandmother of Dominic Carollo ’18 and Dante Carollo ’18.

Juan Navarro, Jr. (February 15, 2025). Former, longtime Bellarmine director of maintenance who served the BCP community for 24 years before his retirement.

Robert “Bob” Picetti (February 13, 2025). Former assistant principal and former controller at Bellarmine who served the BCP community for 22 years before retiring.

Janet Mannina (February 14, 2025). Mother of Joe ’83.

Patrick Newman (February 10, 2025). Son of Michael Newman ’89; nephew of H. Robert Newman ’84.

Mary Louise Vanderbosch (January 21, 2025). Mother of Jim Vanderbosch ’86; grandmother of Sean Leary ’08, Dylan Leary ’11, and Kevin Leary ’14.

James Fitzgerald (January 2025). Father of Jim ’87 and Ryan ’90.

Joan Goeas Canepa Perry (January 5, 2025). Wife of the late Louis E. Canepa ’46; sister-in-law of the late John B. Canepa ’51.

Jose Licea (December 23, 2024). Father of Simon ’23.

Karen Mullaly (December 19, 2024). Mother of Brian ’96; grandmother of Owen ’25 and Gavin ’27.

Diann Joan Murphy (December 18, 2024). Grandmother of the late Terence P. Murphy ’08.

Ann Huffman (December 16, 2024). Wife of Chris Ahlering ’73.

Kevin M. Mobeck (November 26, 2024). Father of Ken ’88 and Craig ’91; grandfather of Andrew ’24, Ryan ’27, and Jack ’28.

Gary Vergho (October 2024). Father of Kevin ’88; grandfather of Tyler ’19.

James Frederick Willis (September 22, 2024). Father of Jim ’83.

Viola Carr (August 27, 2024). Grandmother of Graydon Carr-Ramos ’08.

Ester De Guzman (August 11, 2024). Mother of Paul ’95 and Mark ’98.

“Lord, welcome into your calm and peaceful kingdom those who have departed from this present life to be with you. Grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just, and give them the life that knows no age, the reward that passes not away.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola

NOTE: Listings are based on information known to us prior to publication deadlines.

Event Calendar

June 16 – July 25

Summer Days

Bellarmine Campus

July 18

29th Annual Fr. Joseph Costa, S.J. ’41

Bocce Tournament

Campo di Bocce, Los Gatos

August 14

First Day of Classes

Bellarmine Campus

August 21

Back to School Night Bellarmine Campus

August 23

Bellarmine Alumni Hall of Fame

Bellarmine Campus

August 29

Kickoff Football Game

Under the Lights Bellarmine Campus

September 12

42nd Annual Alumni Tailgate San Jose City College

September 13

Alumni Grand Reunion (Classes of ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, ’05, ’10, ’15)

Bellarmine Campus

September 14

Unity Picnic Bellarmine Campus

September 20

Mother-Son Event

Bellarmine Campus

October 11

Diwali Celebration Bellarmine Campus

October 13

38th Annual Bellarmine Golf Classic

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, San Jose

October 24-26, 30 –

November 1

Fall Theatre Performance

Bellarmine Campus

October 26

Admissions Open House Bellarmine Campus

October 29

President’s Award Dinner Bellarmine Campus

November 9

Grandparents' Day Mass & Brunch

Bellarmine Campus

November 20

Dads’ Club Suds for Duds Bellarmine Campus

November 22

71st Mothers’ Guild Fashion Show for Tuition Assistance

Signia by Hilton, San Jose

November 28

Five Year Reunion (Class of 2019) and Young Alumni Social Hapa’s Brewing Company, San Jose

December 3

Las Posadas Bellarmine Campus

December 7

Fiesta de Guadalupe Bellarmine Campus

December 14

Dads’ Club Father/Son Christmas Mass Bellarmine Campus

Event dates and/or venues subject to change. Please visit bcp.org or follow Bellarmine on social media @bellarminebells for updates.

Bellarmine College Prep Magazine is published by the Office of Advancement for alumni, family, and friends of Bellarmine College Preparatory.

Chris Meyercord ’88 President

Rod Jemison Principal Ron Miller Chief Financial Officer

Brian Adams Vice President

Bellarmine College Prep Magazine is also available online at: bcp.org/news. To assist in our sustainability efforts and to be more environmentally conscience, please notify us via email at broseberry@bcp.org if you no longer wish to receive a mailed, printed copy of this publication.

Questions and comments may be addressed to Aly Smith via email: asmith@bcp.org.

Design & Layout: Brenda Heslin

Contributing Writers: Brian Adams, Bill Colucci ’82, Steve Connolly ’04, Kevin Saldivar ’04, Aly Smith.

Photographic Images Courtesy: Bacosa Photography, Carillon Yearbook, Brenda Heslin, Chris Maciel ’12.

Bellarmine College Preparatory

960 West Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95126

408.294.9224 | bcp.org

Supporting Bellarmine

Giving to Bellarmine College Preparatory

Your investment in Bellarmine helps to nurture and educate current students as well as future generations of “men for and with others.” We are grateful for your social, intellectual, spiritual, and financial support of our community. Unrestricted gifts designated for The Bellarmine Fund provide essential resources to the annual operations budget beyond tuition; contributions to our Direct Tuition Assistance Fund are essential in our ability to provide tuition assistance to qualified families who have demonstrated financial need; and gifts to our Endowment help ensure the financial stability of this institution for years to come.

How may I give to Bellarmine?

Mail or drop off a check to: Bellarmine College Preparatory Development Department 960 West Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95126

We also accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Make a donation online at: bcp.org/give.

Give appreciated securities. Transmittal forms and instructions are available online at: bcp.org/support-bcp/ways-to-give.

Double your gift with a corporate Matching Gift. Check with your company’s Human Resources office to see whether your employer offers a Matching Gift program, or visit matchinggifts.com/bcp.

For additional information regarding Annual Giving, please contact Brian Christensen, Director of Annual Giving, at 408.537.9210 or via email: bchristensen@bcp.org.

Remember Bellarmine in your estate planning.

Leave a Lasting Legacy: Create a named fund in honor of yourself, a loved one, or your family, and know that your legacy will encourage additional support by others.

Tax Advantages: Gifts may qualify for an income tax deduction at the time the gift is made, a reduction of estate taxes, or avoidance of capital gains on gifts of appreciated assets.

Charitable Estate Planning: We encourage you to discuss your needs and goals with your attorney.

Membership in the Mater Dei Legacy Society: Those who designate bequest commitments or life insurance gifts to Bellarmine, or who fund a named Financial Aid or Program Endowment, are recognized as members of the Mater Dei Legacy Society and listed as such in the Annual Report of Giving. For more information, please contact Bill Colucci, Esq. ’82, Director of Planned Giving, at 408.537.9279 or via email: bcolucci@bcp.org.

960 West Hedding Street

San Jose, CA 95126

San Jose, CA Permit No. 2290

MISSION STATEMENT

Bellarmine College Preparatory is a community of men and women gathered together by God for the purpose of educating the student to seek justice and truth throughout his life. We are a Catholic school in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Founder of the Society of Jesus. As such, our entire school program is dedicated to forming “Men For and With Others” – persons whose lives will be dedicated to bringing all their God-given talents to fullness and to living according to the pattern of service inaugurated by Jesus Christ.