Inspirational Teaching – Dr. Torres

*Beyond the classroom

Más Allá del Aula * Dr. Diana Torres Inspires

Bishop 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 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 be a teacher and obtain 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 full-time 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, continue to show up for their families the way they’ve continued to show up for Bishop Dunne.”

orts Recap

While sports 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 and cross-country phenom 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 Cross-Country • 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

Girls Soccer • 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

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

Sp orts Recap

Middle School 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 semi-finals. 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. Although the spring season was cut short, we celebrate our athletes and their performances and recognize their accomplishments.

President Mary Beth Marchiony mmarchiony@bdcs.org

Admissions Brian Muth bmuth@bdcs.org

facebook.com/bishop.dunne @BishopDunne

Advancement Mary Gracheck mgracheck@bdcs.org

Marketing & Communications Kathryn Perry kperry@bdcs.org

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