2020 Bishop Dunne Connections Magazine

The Magazine for the Bishop Dunne Community - July 2020

Más Allá del Aula (Dr. Diana Torres Inspires) The Guerrero Family - A Bishop Dunne Legacy Introducing “Dunne Together” W W W.BDCS.ORG

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Message from the President

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t has been an exciting and unusual year at Bishop Dunne Catholic School. I am so proud of the hard work put forth by our students and faculty, and by the resiliency they have shown.

The school year began with the usual excitement in August 2019 - students greeting faculty and new members to our Bishop Dunne community. We welcomed the sixth grade, class of 2027 Seven-year Advantage cohort, to our campus. We cheered on our students competing in football, volleyball and cross-country and watched as a member of our senior class won the cross-country state championship. Our marching band, cheerleaders and Falconettes brought enthusiasm to our fall contests. Our students were engaged in a robust academic experience at Bishop Dunne – with three of our seniors recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars.

Throughout the year, each class, starting with our middle school students, participated in a class retreat. They came together to reflect on our faith and the role of faith in their lives. Fr. Russ Mower, our chaplain, celebrated weekly Mass on campus with smaller groups of students and monthly Mass as a whole school community at St. Elizabeth’s. In September, Bishop Edward J. Burns celebrated Mass for our school community there as well. We begin each day at Bishop Dunne with prayer, thus allowing us to remember that God is central to all we do throughout our day. We celebrated together during our Thanksgiving Prayer Service and our Advent Prayer Service. We are truly a “joyful community of faith.”

The Bishop Dunne Revue and the Christmas Spectacular showcased the talents of our students. The winter sports season saw our athletes compete in soccer, wrestling,

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basketball, archery and swimming. Our cheerleaders competed at Nationals in Florida, and our Falconettes were recognized for their outstanding competition performances. Our musicians earned superior ratings at band competitions.

When we returned after Christmas, we welcomed a new member of our school community, Namath, a highly trained guide dog and companion to one of our students. Our students participated in a writing symposium, and we hosted our middle school geography bee. Our African American Awareness Club designed an engaging cultural celebration to help us celebrate Black History Month in February. During GeoTech in late February, we learned more about our need to recycle and plan for the future of our planet.

We began competing in spring sports, including softball, baseball, tennis and track, looking forward with excitement about playing in newly renovated softball and baseball facilities. As we looked towards Spring Break, the depth of COVID-19 in Europe was emerging. We canceled our pilgrimage to Paris and Rome, and our faculty began preparing for an extended Spring Break where our students would be learning online. We trained and practiced e-instruction techniques before break, giving us a head start on remote learning protocols and practices.

For years, Bishop Dunne has had the good fortune of having technology in place supported by solid faculty training.

We utilize eBooks, and our students are used to going to Plus Portals for assignments. Those practices served us well when the governor closed schools in Texas, first temporarily then extended to the end of the school year. Teachers spent Spring Break gearing up for online learning, changing lesson plans, reworking

Mary Beth Marchiony, President

projects and setting up new classrooms at home. They were prepared and made the shift quickly and efficiently.

When school started after Spring Break, it was like the first day of school all over again.

Microsoft Teams™ became the primary connection to our students. Throughout the spring, teachers shared messages of hope and resilience. Students at Bishop Dunne embraced that hope, staying connected to each other as learning continued. New projects were introduced, and concepts and discussions were held through Teams.

We held virtual parent/advisor conferences and Zoom grade-level meetings with parents. The Honors Convocation and 8th Grade Celebration were pre-recorded and shared with our students and families. We continued to be a joyful community of faith.

The spring has challenged us to think differently about education. Our school community has embraced change and continued moving forward. The class of 2020 will graduate having the unique experience of a remote end to their senior year. We celebrate them and their many accomplishments as they proudly become Bishop Dunne alumni.

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2019-2020

Bishop Dunne Catholic School Board of Directors Homero Gonzalez ’92 Finance Committee Jann Laws-Jackson Academic Affairs Chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Genaro Lopez Facilities Committee Shannon Cerise Board Chair

David Martinez Advancement Committee

Dr. Veronica Alonzo Governance Chair Executive Committee

Larry Milton ’79 Compensation Committee

Randy Bacon ’77 Facilities Chair Executive Committee

Ed Robben Vice Chair Executive Committee Risk Management Chair Strategic Planning Chair

Kris Butler ’01 Strategic Planning Committee Tom Clifford Finance Chair Executive Committee

Mark Vahala Advancement Committee Dave Woodyard Executive Committee Advancement Chair

Arturo Herrera, III ’09 Compensation Chair Executive Committee

Bishop Dunne thanks The Duda Family Foundation

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ishop Dunne recognizes The Duda Family Foundation and its astoundingly generous and expedited response to the school’s need for technology support during COVID-19.

While our teachers were well-prepared to shift to online teaching immediately following the mandated shutdown, technology needs presented some challenges. In the classroom, Bishop Dunne teachers worked using desktops, not laptops. The move to online teaching left them using personal devices to connect and teach their students.

Bishop Dunne quickly reached out to The Duda Family Foundation, explaining the quandary. The Duda Family Foundation responded almost immediately, confirming help was on its way with a donation of 50 new laptops, headsets and auxiliary support technology. The laptops are configured with high resolution cameras, distinct audio and will interface with the applications needed to teach remotely. An added plus is by standardizing the device, maintenance and application interfaces are simpler to maintain.

President Mary Beth Marchiony said, “The Duda Family Foundation is a longtime, faithful supporter of Bishop Dunne. Their willingness to help our teachers and students with this gift is astounding. We are ever-grateful for their generosity and kindness.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Honors Convocation............................................................................3

Editor Kathryn Perry

Graphic Design Phil Lor

Contributing Authors Devin Nguyen Melanie Gibson Mary Gracheck

Printing ThePrintSite

Dunne Together....................................................................................5 Evelyn Guerrero Family Foundation.................................................7 Alumni Kudos.....................................................................................11 Homecoming......................................................................................13 Inspirational Teaching – Dr. Torres.................................................15 W W W.BDCS.ORG

Photography Drew Merlino JULY 2020

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Learning in the Age of COVID-19

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n Monday, March 23, immediately following Spring Break, Bishop Dunne Catholic School transitioned to online learning in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to close all school campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Dunne was ready. Our teachers and students had planned and practiced and were prepared to tackle online learning headon without missing a single day of school to transition. Our mission stayed at the forefront of our entire community throughout the remainder of the semester as we continued to teach and remind our students to explore, discover, lead, and thrive.

Bishop Dunne was the first Catholic high school in Dallas to introduce e-instruction to its curriculum. Over the past two months, our students have demonstrated how ready they were and how well-versed they are with technology.

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Since 2010, Bishop Dunne has incorporated 1:1 BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to school, making technology an integral learning tool in our culture.

Using Microsoft Teams to provide secure access between students and teachers, our teachers were able to provide a real-time virtual classroom. Teams also allowed us to meet with families for studentadvisories, keep parents and guardians up to date on online procedures, and to lend support as needed.

The show continued on! The performing arts remained alive and well at Bishop Dunne as the music department prepared online performances. Our drama club students hosted numerous digital monologues, bringing joy to fellow Falcon fans. Our peer ministers created videos around sustaining faith while surviving the pandemic.

Student-athletes continued regular checkins with coaches, often engaging in online workout sessions. The Arts department encouraged students to express themselves using regular home items at their disposal, building altered book sculptures for 3D art, photographing color theory projects and taking self-portraits. The underlying theme for all was ‘creativity matters’.

Our students faced the challenges of sheltering-in-place and school at home with grace and continued learning. They did this while missing friends and teachers, extracurricular activities, athletics and clubs, all while understanding the importance of observing state mandates, completing assignments, taking tests and always moving forward.

Through trials and changes, Bishop Dunne will prove that together, we will emerge a stronger community.

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HonorS Convocation Recognizing Outstanding Graduates in the Class of 2020 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES African American Awareness Chelsea Guidry Cheerleading Gabrielle Day Drama Devid Boucher Falconette MaKenzee Benson Fellowship of Christian Athletes Nicholas Johnson Latinos Unidos Mia Gonzalez

Model UN Niko Gonzalez

Advanced Placement Gabrielle Day

World Language Adrian Munoz

National Art Honor Society Johanna Gorman

Art Elizabeth Enriquez-Marin

Yearbook Monica Nieto

National Honor Society Johanna Gorman

Outstanding Athlete Female Elizabeth Enriquez-Marin

Outstanding Graduate Johanna Gorman

Spanish Honor Society Katy Posada

Outstanding Athlete Male Jonathan Cantu

Sounds of Bishop Dunne Sydney Wilson

Band Dorien Casey-Franklin

Student Council Cree Agent

Campus Ministry Ethan Heatly Choir Yaiwan Booker English Caitlin Salmon

SPIRIT AWARDS Cree Agent

Monica Nieto

Luke Durmon

Anthony Saucedo

Johanna Gorman

ACADEMIC

Mathematics Jaihan Utailawon

Valedictorian Gabrielle Day

Outstanding Achievement Monica Nieto Science Gabrielle Day Social Studies Madison Pearson Technology Dorien Casey-Franklin Theology Gabrielle Day

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Salutatorian Johanna Gorman

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Collegiate Institute at Bishop Dunne

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e are excited to introduce the Collegiate Institute at Bishop Dunne Catholic School.

Orchestrated by Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, Director of Guidance and Counseling, students can eliminate thousands of dollars in college tuition costs by earning college credit hours while in high school. The program works in conjunction with the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to provide qualified applicants a unique academic experience. The Colle-

giate Institute is designed to satisfy credit requirements for high school graduation while the student concurrently earns an Associate Degree of Science from DCCCD. This is offered at no additional tuition cost to the student.

The Collegiate Institute features a college curriculum, taught on campus. Maintaining class in the high school environment means students can continue to participate in extracurricular activities while achieving dual diplomas.

Collegiate Institute students are grouped as cohorts to foster an accelerated learning environment. The cohort model also provides support to develop academic and social skills as well as behaviors necessary to complete college.

The four-year program is available to qualified Bishop Dunne students entering the ninth grade and who are accepted to the Collegiate Institute. This unique opportunity exemplifies the many ways Bishop Dunne encourages and helps its students soar towards higher academic excellence.

College Ready Academy

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he College Ready Academy for first-generation college students at Bishop Dunne Catholic School is modeled after the University Leadership Network at the University of Texas

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at Austin. The College Ready Academy is a two-year program designed to improve the college graduation rate for students who will be first-generation college students.

College Ready Academy includes monthly sessions for students, parent engagement meetings, service-learning, financial literacy and academic requirements to build college retention protective factors.

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The Bishop Dunne 100 Dinner

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fter nineteen successful fundraising years, we are retiring the Bishop Dunne 100 Dinner. Bishop Dunne is incredibly grateful to our donors who have helped us raise over $7 million for our tuition assistance program. Your efforts have helped thousands of deserving students receive a Bishop Dunne education.

The leadership and generosity of our valued long-time supporters, alumni, faculty and staff make Bishop Dunne an amazing place to work and attend school.

Introducing “Dunne Together”

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he decision in the fall of 2019 to retire the Bishop Dunne 100 Dinner was done with significant consideration by the Advancement Committee. Now, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it was well-timed. We celebrate the launching of our new campaign, Dunne Together, to help fund tuition assistance, student and faculty technology needs, professional development and student programs like College Ready Academy and the Collegiate Institute. To support these programs, the Dunne Together goal is to raise $1.2 million annually.

Bishop Dunne has a long tradition as a welcoming and inclusive educational environment. This atmosphere, combined with our donors’ generous spirits and our commitment to educational excellence, has transformational potential for our students.

The support from Dunne Together will enable Bishop Dunne students to become technological trail blazers, artistic creators, entrepreneurs, scientific innovators and leaders within their communities. What unites us is greater than what divides us. We hope you will continue to partner with us in making the Dunne Together campaign the catalyst for keeping everyone in the Falcon family Bishop Dunne strong!

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Batter Up! Bishop Dunne hosts Baseball Fundraiser

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his year’s inaugural Baseball Fundraiser, held on January 9, successfully raised over $15,000 in funding for Bishop Dunne’s baseball program. Conceived and pioneered by the Bacsik family and the baseball parent committee, the event garnered over 120 attendees, helping to secure a major matching gift from the alumni legacy Macko family.

Mike Bacsik, Jr. of 105.3 THE FAN interviewed and held a Q&A with special guest, Jose Trevino, catcher for the Texas Rangers.

Special thanks to Spring Creek BBQ for sponsoring the evening’s dinner. Bishop Dunne is grateful to the Bacsik family for securing over 15 silent auction items and for selling t-shirts and hats to raise additional funds. Many thanks to the parent committee, led

by Lori Lopez, for planning, decorating and volunteering their time and talents to make the event a major success!

GeoTech 2020:

Planet or Plastic

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stablished in 1987, the GeoTech Conference features a keynote speaker whose expertise in the field of conservation, science or literature is showcased in a public event to provide insight to students and the greater community. The 2020 conference was held over four days, from February 27 through March 1.

This year’s keynote speaker, Lillygol Sedaghat, is a National Geographic Explorer and multimedia storyteller, who explores the 6

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intersection of science, systems and people.

Additionally, Lilly was a Fulbright National Geographic Digital Storyteller documenting Taiwan’s waste management system, plastics recycling and circular economy initiatives.

The GeoTech Conference hosted a twoday visit from local schools, including St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Mary of Carmel, Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy, St. Cecilia and Holy Family Catholic Academy.

Students explored GIS with Mr. Brad Baker,

learned about waste pollution from Mrs. Christine Voigt and discovered ways to source local produce through a salsa tasting with Chef Pete Torres.

The GeoTech Conference also provided Bishop Dunne faculty and other local educators an opportunity for professional development through trainings, workshops in all disciplines and guided field trips to educational centers. The conference is open to the public and to students.

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The Guerrero Family-

A Bishop Dunne Legacy

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he Guerrero family epitomizes the meaning of a Bishop Dunne Falcon.

They count among their family members alums, parents, donors, faculty, Bishop Dunne committee member and current student. Each family member praises the Bishop Dunne community for enriching their lives in countless ways and expresses boundless gratitude for their Bishop Dunne experience.

Their love of Bishop Dunne Catholic School has led the family to establish the Evelyn Guerrero Family Foundation, supporting tuition assistance needs. A family-led foundation, the fund will provide tuition support to a Bishop Dunne eighth-grade student to continue on with his or her education in ninth grade.

Two generations of descendants of Evelyn and Bert Guerrero are thankful for the sacrifices they made to give their children and grandchildren a Catholic education.

Roxane Guerrero, daughter, feels blessed to be able to help families send their children to Bishop Dunne saying, “When you are able to attend Bishop Dunne, you can become as great as God wants you to be.”

Members of the Guerrero family have walked down the halls of Bishop Dunne in many roles. Assistant Principal Steve Guerrero has worked at Bishop Dunne for over twenty years. His numerous roles include health teacher, cross-country coach, wrestling coach, assistant track coach, transportation director and athletic director and most importantly, as parent to Stephen Jr. ’22 and graduate Georgine ’18. Steve’s wife, Melissa, currently teaches kindergarten at St. Thomas Catholic School and previously

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at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School.

Roxane has served on several Bishop Dunne committees through the years and is parent to Bishop Dunne graduates, daughters Micaela Guerrero Hamilton ’07 and Ariana Guerrero Hamilton ’09. Also heard cheering loudly from the stands at the many Bishop Dunne soccer and basketball games he attended, is Roxane’s husband, Larry Rolle.

Roxane describes the education her daughters received at Bishop Dunne, with firm belief that it provided a nurturing and challenging environment. Giving to the school, both financially and with her time, has been a way to ensure other families have an opportunity to give their children the highly regarded college preparatory education Bishop Dunne offers.

Steve’s perspective on what makes Bishop Dunne great is multi-faceted. From an academic view Steve said, “The teachers of Bishop Dunne bring their ‘A’ game every day. Their commitment and dedication to meeting individual student’s needs while maintaining flexibility is one of the main reasons our students succeed-especially during the COVID-19 pandemic shelter-in-place environment.” Stephen Jr. ’22 expressed, while he misses seeing his school friends on a daily basis, he enjoys his online classes, and his teachers make sure the students have everything they need to succeed in an online environment.

The success of Bishop Dunne does not only rest within the four walls of a classroom, but within the rich school family bonds created by the closeness of parents and students. Melissa felt an immediate connection to the parents within the diverse

and welcoming community and loved the unique and small class sizes. Georgine ’18 felt the retreats helped bond the students and loved getting to know her classmates outside of the classroom setting. Georgine said, “Dunne feels like family.”

Faculty work hard to ensure the students succeed in high school and are prepared to tackle the challenges of college. Ariana ’09 believes Bishop Dunne more than prepared her academically for the rigors of college and law school.

Allowing students to openly discuss and question beliefs and practices in a safe environment helped to develop her into a well-rounded person.

Micaela ’07 feels she was well prepared for the challenges she experienced while obtaining her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Per Micaela, Bishop Dunne offered the best combination possible, “An academically challenging environment allowing us to hone our critical thinking skills while at the same time providing numerous extracurricular activities.” Says Micaela, “I am thankful my parents and grandparents felt strongly about us receiving a Catholic education. I would not be where I am today without my Bishop Dunne education.”

We proudly spotlight the Guerrero family for their many contributions to our school community. Bishop Dunne Catholic School is extremely grateful for the support of the Evelyn Guerrero Family Foundation and thanks the Guerrero family for its continuing efforts that are making a tremendous difference in lives of our students. Together we are Falcon Strong!

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The Arts Choir The Sounds of Bishop Dunne welcomes students from all grades. It was founded by Dean Walter Johnson and five middle school students who had a passion to deliver the gospel of Christ through inspirational singing while serving the school and community. As its name suggests, all voices and sounds are represented in the choir. The choir’s repertoire includes pop, country and western, show, rhythm and blues, spirituals and gospel. Annually, the choir hosts a concert showcasing its talents.

Band The band is celebrating 50 years of music this year, engaging about 15 percent of the student body with one of six levels of ensembles.

Under the direction of Daniel Harrelson, with assistance

by Stephen Netsch, band students explore their musical talents in the Bishop Dunne Marching Band, drumline, wind ensemble or the award-winning jazz band.

Since Mr. Harrelson’s arrival in 2014, and Mr. Netsch’s in 2017, the bands have earned superior ratings at regional, state and southern states area events.

After graduating, students have continued playing with ensembles at many colleges and universities including the University of Notre Dame, University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University.

Orchestra and Strings Led by Sandra Rodriguez, the orchestra and strings mission is to provide exemplary musical and spiritual experiences that enable orchestra players and audience members to be engaged, actively and reflectively.

Through the finest examples of symphonic orchestra literature arrangements, Ms. Rodriguez brings students the experience of orchestra playing. Students perform assigned repertoire and participate with other students to demonstrate an evolving understanding and mastery of his/her string instrument. They also acquire knowledge of music history, terminology and theory.

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The Arts Drama The show goes on with the Bishop Dunne Drama Club. This year the Drama Club has established a partnership with Shakespeare Dallas to work with area teaching artists to enhance the drama club programming. This fall they had an outstanding Bishop Dunne Revue led by local actor and Shakespeare Dallas teaching artist, Gloria Benavides. Gloria is a certified theater teacher with over seven years of experience. As a professional artist she has performed at the Dallas Theater Center, Theater Three and Shakespeare Dallas to name a few. Most recently she performed in American Mariachi at the Dallas Theater Center. This year the Revue featured the usual collection of amazing musical numbers by talented students, starting with their version of Hello! and ending with a traditional rendition of So Long, Farewell. Students also performed originally written monologues and scenes in addition to some moving performances of poetry and prose.

Art, Ceramics Bishop Dunne Visual Arts offers 15 different art classes. Together, Allie Ramirez and Hannah McKee ’10 run a lean and mean art department covering a variety of media. Ceramics, a high school favorite, teaches students sustainability and working with their hands along with the basic elements and principles of 3D design. Within this messy media, students always seem to find the beauty in art!

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Student Honors National Honor Society Led by Miranda Gillam, National Honor Society members are not only scholars, they are giving as well. Collectively, the thirty-eight members are on a mission to change their school and home communities. This year, under the guidance of five student-elected officers, NHS contributed over $2,400 to local and state charities, rounding out the year by collecting hygiene items to donate to a local homeless shelter. Through these experiences, NHS members develop a key principle – changing the world is possible if one is willing to give selflessly of their time and talent, to work with a genuine heart and to be kind.

Student Council With Mark Clifford’s leadership, Bishop Dunne Student Council gives students an opportunity to create an everlasting high school experience they can reflect upon for years to come. Students learn leadership skills and may run for class officer positions, and brainstorm and implement ideas and activities for the student body. Activities sponsored by Student Council include spirit week, homecoming, Homeless for a Night, Christmas toy drive, canned food drives, Sadie Hawkins Dance, talent show and the beloved faculty versus student Family Feud.

Latinos Unidos Under the direction of Dr. Diana Torres, Latinos Unidos works to unify and strengthen the Latino culture at Bishop Dunne Catholic School. Through its teaching, members develop and foster community by offering time and skills as volunteers and by promoting and advancing understanding of Hispanic heritage and culture. Middle and high school students of all ethnicities are welcome.

Student Ambassadors Led by Patty Salazar-Martel and Devin Nguyen, Bishop Dunne Student Ambassadors represent the school through various volunteer opportunities and events, including Open House, the Bishop Dunne 100 Dinner, GeoTech, the Literary Festival, donor luncheons and school tours for prospective families.

This year’s Student Ambassadors was comprised of 36 member and included seniors, juniors and sophomores. Student Ambassadors maintain a high level of professionalism and maturity, provide guidance to their peersm and advance the mission of Bishop Dunne in many positive ways.

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Alumni Kudos Lisa Hembry ‘68 Lisa Hembry, class of 1968, retired in 2017 as President/CEO from Literacy Instruction for Texas. After graduating from Southern Methodist University, she spent her career in nonprofit management, broadcast journalism and elected county office. She currently serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Trinity River Authority, pursuing her commitment to a healthy environment. Ms. Hembry says being an African American in a high school that, at the time, was primarily white students, prepared her to work with people from diverse backgrounds. Bishop Dunne gave her tools for college, but she says the most invaluable experience was learning, “When we open ourselves to understand and collaborate with others, then it’s possible to achieve anything.”

Angela Maverick ‘87 Angela Maverick, class of 1987, earned a BA from Loyola University, and a JD from Texas Tech University. She is a partner with Andrews & Barth, P.C., a commercial real estate law firm. She is an active member of Our Friends Place, the Dallas Bar Association, the BD 100 Dinner committee and Attorneys Serving the Community, a group that raises money for nonprofits serving families in need.

For Angela, one of the most important things about Bishop Dunne was getting to know people from diverse backgrounds. Those friendships have lasted, she says, as have the lessons she learned. “As a result of [my] years at Dunne, I feel compelled to promote more equitable access to resources to reduce disparities that negatively impact the well-being of a large portion of our community.”

Lydia Torrez ‘74 Lydia Torrez, class of 1974, has had a long career in education. After graduating Bishop Dunne, Lydia attended Dallas Baptist University, earning a degree and certification to teach first through eighth grades and a graduate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Lydia worked as the director of advancement at Bishop Dunne for more than 18 years. She recently returned to St. Cecilia Catholic School to serve as principal. She also teaches yoga to children.

“Catholic education is my life. I am passionate about what I do because I believe in the value of a Catholic education.” She credits the teachers she had at Bishop Dunne with helping her find her vocation: “I have always been a teacher. Bishop Dunne helped me realize that it was my calling.”

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Generational Strength -

Mike Alfers ‘97 and The Dads Club

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ichael Alfers, better known as Mike or Coach Alfers by faculty and students alike, has a long and rich history with Bishop Dunne Catholic School. A class of 1997 alumnus, Michael is the second of his family to graduate from Bishop Dunne following his older brother, Andrew ‘91. Michael’s parents, Dr. Kenneth and Molly Alfers, have also supported and served in a plethora of roles, from working as Bishop Dunne Ambassadors to advancing the mission of the school through committee work.

In 2001, Michael returned to Bishop Dunne to begin teaching sophomores and seniors and coaching basketball. In 2016, Michael’s daughter, Isabelle, became an alum and went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas. Michael’s son, Lewis, attended Bishop Dunne as well.

Now, Michael and his wife Christina, are raising their son, Gabriel, a future Falcon.

Michael is also pursuing his Master of Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame under the Remick Leadership Program, which fosters the development of school leaders in Catholic education.

In response to COVID-19, Michael and the Dads Club connected with local Bishop

Dunne-affiliated restaurants to provide meals for Bishop Dunne families. Michael and the other dads began delivering meals in early April, providing food to more than 60 families. Businesses like Smokey John’s BBQ, owned by brothers Juan ’89 and Brent ’95 Reaves, generously offered to provide one free meal to each family for every meal the Dads Club purchased. The Dads Club has also supported restaurants with Bishop Dunne connections, such as El Taxequeno Taqueria, bbbop Seoul Kitchen, Taco y Vino and Odom’s BBQ. Bishop Dunne is proud to spotlight Michael, an alumnus, parent of alumni, teacher, coach and Falcon.

CRA Graduate has Eye on PhD

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manda Garcia, class of 2017, is currently an upcoming senior at St. Mary’s University working toward earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry.

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from high school to college.

Amanda entered college with the advantage of proper academic preparation, and it is her hope that many more students will benefit from the opportunities presented at Bishop Dunne. She has completed undergraduate biomedical research through two summer internships at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and one academic year of research at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in labs focused on neurodegenerative disease research.

Amanda is currently conducting research at St. Mary’s in an immunology lab and plans on earning her PhD in biological sciences after graduating in spring 2021.

“With my PhD I hope to contribute to the successful prevention and/or treatment of diseases and essentially decrease the amount of individuals who are misdiagnosed or unable to receive proper health care.”

Amanda is a proud Falcon for life, and Bishop Dunne is honored to have such a driven alumna.

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he 2019 Bishop Dunne homecoming game, held on Friday, October 4, featured a football matchup between the Bishop Dunne Falcons and the St. Pius X Panthers at Earl Hayes Stadium. The alumni reception took place in the Orender Family Complex, where past graduates gathered for fellowship to relive high school memories. Alumni were taken on school tours and could purchase special class t-shirts and Bishop Dunne memorabilia. Taco Y Vino and Oak Cliff Beer and Wine catered the event.

The Bishop Dunne community recognized the class of 1969 for their 50th anniversary since graduation. Additionally, two other reunions took place that weekend, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the class of 1974 and the 40th anniversary of the class of 1979.

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Mapping Student Journeys with GIS

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t Bishop Dunne Catholic School, students are encouraged to discover their passions in and out of the classroom. Through Bishop Dunne’s Geographic Information System (GIS) program, two young women have found ways to positively impact their local communities with the guidance of current teacher, Brad Baker and former teacher, Roger Palmer.

Olivia Dugger, incoming senior, and Marlowe Martensen, incoming junior, have attended Bishop Dunne since sixth grade and are taking advantage of Bishop Dunne’s 7-Year Advantage program to pursue their dreams, using what they have learned through GIS along the way.

“Teachers at Bishop Dunne offer unique ways of learning that is open and accepting

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towards everyone. This place is a diverse environment, and the teaching style revolves around the students instead of a set curriculum,” says Marlowe about what has changed her perspective on Catholic education. Marlowe began her GIS journey in Mr. Baker’s classroom during her freshman year. Innovative projects, like mapping areas devastated by natural disasters, sparked Marlowe’s interest, allowing her to gain hands-on experience in work that directly influences community responses.

Olivia first became involved with GIS through her work with Mike Kistner on the mapping of Vietnamese Firebases for the 2019 GeoTech Conference. “GIS is not just applicable towards maps – it’s helped me strengthen my presentation abilities, gotten

me involved in community outreach, and taught me life-long skills on how to visualize data,” says Olivia.

Both Marlowe and Olivia are working on the Dallas Deck Project, focusing on how to make the park equitable for all, and showing the designers and investors of the park how important it is to consider community needs of Dallas’ southern population. Both students also work with Track15, a nonprofit organization that partners with other nonprofits to build and strengthen donor relationships through engagement giving campaigns, and meaningful events.

Bishop Dunne looks forward to watching these students flourish as they continue their education journeys.

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Más Allá del Aula*

*Beyond the classroom

Dr. Diana Torres Inspires

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ishop Dunne teachers are full of heart and dedication, and Dr. Diana Torres best embodies both qualities.

Her educational journey began at a young age – Dr. Torres always knew she wanted to teach. Inspired by her teachers in middle and high school, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Hispanic studies with a focus on Spanish literature, history and linguistics.

She attended graduate school in Spain and earned her PhD under the tutelage of Dr. Maria Caballero at the University of Sevilla. Her focus was the works of Puerto Rican Writer Edgardo Rodriguez Julia, and her studies helped her view Puerto Rico with a broader, intersectional scope. She specifically enjoyed her time researching Puertorriqueños literature, opinion pieces and new journalism, which explores the Caribbean, its languages and its cultures.

Dr. Torres then taught at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico for

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the next three years, where she proudly demonstrated her expertise in the ministry of teaching. She had the opportunity to teach at the University of Puerto Rico’s Laboratory Schools, where she attended middle and high school and determined she wanted to pursue a PhD. She credits her time at UHS for deepening her critical thinking skills and providing her the chance to work with people from various backgrounds. Dr. Torres later moved to Dallas with her family and began teaching at Bishop Dunne shortly after.

As four years have passed since she dawned her Falcon wings, Dr. Torres reflects upon her growth as an educator, mother and role model. This year, the Catholic Schools Office honored Dr. Torres with two awards. The Work of Heart Award program, created in partnership with The Catholic Foundation, recognizes fulltime teachers who demonstrate diligence

in their craft. Most recently, she recieved the HALO Educator of the Year Award.

Amongst 27 nominees across the school system, Dr. Torres has been recognized as one of three distinguished educators from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Dallas who form scholars and saints on the road to college and heaven.

Dr. Torres currently resides in Sunset Hills with her husband, Omar and their three children, Elena, Felipe and Lucía. She states Bishop Dunne is unique, as it is a place where different socioeconomic backgrounds gather, yet equity is honored throughout all aspects of the school.

As this is her first four-year senior class, she wishes to share a parting message with the Class of 2020. “I hope our seniors continue to show up in life, continue to show up to every challenge and continue to show up for their families the way they have for Bishop Dunne.”

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Sports Recap

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hile our season was cut short this school year, Bishop Dunne still had much to celebrate. National Signing Day saw five students committing to universities.

• Jonathan Cantu – University of Dallas – cross-country • John Emmanuel – Texas State University – football • Joshua Emmanuel – Texas State University – football • Calli Lynch – Southwestern Assemblies of God University – softball • Brennon Scott – University of Nevada, Las Vegas – football Senior sensation Jonathan Cantu was once again Cross-Country State Champion. Jonathan was also named a Nike south regional qualifier and Academic All State.

The following high school students were recognized both on the local and state level:

Football • Jordan Crook - 2nd Team All District • John Emmanuel - All District Honorable Mention/Academic All State/All State Honorable Mention • Joshua Emmanuel - All State Honorable Mention • Brennon Scott - 1st Team All State • Nicholas Johnson - 2nd Team All District/All State Honorable Mention • Pearson Hendrix - 2nd Team All District/Academic All State • Kendall Newsome - 2nd Team All District • Simeon Evans - All District Honorable Mention • Grant Barksdale - 2nd Team All District • Houston Robinson - 2nd Team All District • Thomas Gort - All District Honorable Mention • Josh Olage-Ramos - All District Honorable Mention • Gregory Lane - All District Honorable Mention

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Cross-Country • Jonathan Cantu - State Champion • Luke Durmon - Academic All State/Nike south regional qualifier • Mary Grace Bacsik - Nike south regional qualifier • Samuel Hymes - State Qualifier • Patrick Horstman - State Qualifier • Chaelon Simpson - State Qualifier • Wyatt Geary - State Qualifier • Emily Fordan - State Qualifier • Elizabeth Enriquez-Marin - State Qualifier • Andrea Ornelas - State Qualifier

Swim • Sofia Gonzalez - Regional Qualifier • Dorian Casey-Franklin - Regional Qualifier • Madeline Palmer - Regional Qualifier • Cooper Ford - Regional Qualifier

Boys Basketball • Tahj Joseph - 2nd Team All District • Mylan Jordan - 2nd Team All District • John Emmanuel - Honorable Mention All District • Joshua Emmanuel - Honorable Mention All District

Boys Soccer • Marcos Zertuche - 2nd Team All District • Adrian Munoz - 2nd Team All District • Jesse Lara - All District Honorable Mention • Isaac Rodriguez - All District Honorable Mention • Josh Acuna - All District Honorable Mention • Mario Tijerina - All District Honorable Mention • Maximus Hinojosa - All State Honorable Mention

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Sports Recap Girls Soccer

Middle School

• Lauren Dunn - All District Honorable Mention • Emily Delgadillo - All District Honorable Mention • Elizabeth Enriquez-Marin - All District Honorable Mention • Cassidy Carlisle - All District Honorable Mention

Congratulations to our Middle School sports teams and our student-athletes for all of their success this school year!

The year kicked off in the fall with football. The junior varsity team was led by Austin Webb and Peyton Jackson, and the varsity team was led by David Hogg and Taslim Johnson.

The Middle School fielded three volleyball teams including a coed team. Eighth graders Donielle Woodard (named DPL AllStar), Sierra Pena, Zoe Culak and Shel’bie Ward helped lead our seventh grade team to exciting wins throughout the season. The coed team, which made a deep run into the playoffs, was led by Julian Fira and Patrick Adao-Perez.

Winter sports enjoyed great success with the girls basketball team dominating their regular season so completely, they were elevated a division for the playoffs. Led by Sydney Moultrie and Candace Miller, the girls were narrowly defeated in the playoff game.

Boys basketball eighth grade Division 1 team was led by David Hogg and Cameron Marks and made it to the D1 playoff semifinals. David Hogg and Taslim Johnson also made the DPL All-Star Game. The seventh grade team, led by Blake Evans, Kaden Briggs and Kameron Briggs played hard, improving greatly over the course of the season.

While most spring sports were cut short due to COVID-19, our middle schoolers were able to start tennis. Sixth grader Cruz Beltran won numerous matches and newcomers to the sport, Isabella Martinez and Carolina Hernandez won a match as well!

Soccer, baseball, softball and track were not able to have any games/meets due to the postponement of the DPL season. Bishop Dunne athletes continued to shine throughout the fall, into the spring semester. We celebrate our athletes and their performances and recognize their accomplishments.

Volleyball • Johanna Gorman - 2nd Team All District • Kelsey Mulligan - 2nd Team All District • Ella Lozano - All District Honorable Mention • Belen Vega - All District Honorable Mention

Softball • Flor Baez - Academic All State • Viviana Leos - Academic All State

Baseball • Jaylan Fain - Academic All State • Adrian Lopez - Academic All State • Joshua Olage-Ramos - Academic All State • Jack Shultz - Academic All State

Tennis • Dale McKean - Academic All State • Sophia Gonzalez - Academic All State

Track • Arlene Elizondo - Academic All State • Andrea Ornelas - Academic All State • Luke Durmon - Academic All State • John Emmanuel - Academic All State • Kevin Washington - Academic All State • Nicholas Johnson - Academic All State • Elijah Frizell - Academic All State

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President Mary Beth Marchiony mmarchiony@bdcs.org

Admissions Brian Muth bmuth@bdcs.org

Advancement Mary Gracheck mgracheck@bdcs.org

Marketing & Communications Kathryn Perry kperry@bdcs.org

facebook.com/bishop.dunne

bishopdunne

@BishopDunne

Bishop Dunne Catholic School

Bishop Dunne Catholic School 3900 Rugged Drive • Dallas, Texas 75224 • 214 339 6561

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