The Dons Legacy Continues
This proud tradition continues as seniors, alongside their parents, who are esteemed alumni themselves, come together to celebrate their achievements at graduation. The torch of excellence is passed down from one generation to the next, showcasing the enduring legacy of the Dons family.
A Message From the Director
Dear Dons Alumni & Friends of the Dons
Thank you for reading the 4th edition of the Red & Gold Magazine. Recently, we welcomed the Class of 2024 into the Dons Alumni Family and honored over thirty legacy families after the Baccalaureate Mass.
I am excited to announce that after serving as the director of alumni for the past decade, I am transitioning to a full-time football coach position. I trust you are familiar with the Dons Football program and know that, with the support of my coaching staff, the players and the fans, we have created a remarkable program. We are expanding what we do with and for the players. There is so much involved in developing these young men on and off the field and I am excited to continue to grow this success.
I am confident that the Dons Alumni family is in excellent hands with our new Director of Alumni, Anne Pickard Majer ‘95. While a student at Uni, Anne was active in ASB, Ambassadors and the swim team. After graduating from the University of Arizona, she returned to San Diego and worked for the San Diego Padres Baseball Club, spent a decade in sports radio and created her own marketing firm specializing in spporting professional athletes in their charitable endeavors. In 2013, she was unanimously voted in as the first female Dons Alumni Association President. A year later, Anne was hired as the school’s director of marketing and communications and served in that role for eight years before becoming the assistant director of alumni for the past three years. If you have not met Anne yet, be sure to introduce yourself at the next event!
I would like to thank the alumni board for an exceptional year of work. We have a dedicated group of alumni from multiple
decades who work together to create a positive connection with our Dons community. The board continues to grow and if you are interested in joining this wonderful group please contact us.
Serving as the Director of Alumni has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my tenure at USDHS/CCHS. We have an incredible network of alumni scattered across the world. I have treasured hearing about all of the adventures and accomplishments our alumni have experienced over the years. It has been fulfilling being at reunions, as people reminisce about a sport, drama performance, club activity or just friendships and good times. We have all been so blessed to be a part of the Dons community! Help us continue these opportunities for our students and future Dons. Support the next generation by donating to the sport or extracurricular activity that enriched your time at our beloved alma mater. Every gift is important. It has been a great honor to serve you in this official role and I look forward to continuing to support the Dons Alumni community for years to come.
Once a Don, Always a Don!
Sean Doyle ‘80 Director of Alumni / Head Football Coach
Red & Gold Editor
Pamela Poe, Director of Communications
Creative Director
John Paul De Vera, Director of Marketing & Branding
Contributing Writers
Sevana Adourian
Sarah Brown ‘24
Sean Doyle ‘80
Hong-An Phan ‘24
Anne Pickard Majer ‘95
Pamela Poe, Director of Communications
Copy Editor
Pamela Poe, Director of Communications
Printing
Acacia Print Group, Inc.
Change of address
Please email your change of address to alumni@cathedralcatholic.org.
Stay Connected facebook.com/donsalumni instagram.com/donsalumni twitter.com/donsalumni donsalumni.org
Interested in Writing a Story?
Please contact Pamela Poe at ppoe@cathedralcatholic.org
DONS ALUMNI REUNIONS 2024
Sign up now for the 2024 reunions! The Dons Alumni Office is here to support class reunions by handling all event details.
The dedicated reunion committees play a crucial role in ensuring the success of each gathering.
If you’re interested in playing a part in organizing your upcoming reunion or have any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Alumni, alumni@cathedralcatholic.org . We look forward to reuniting with you and making your reunion unforgettable!
We look forward to hosting your class reunions at The ZAK SAVE THE DATE
Class of 2014 : Saturday, June 22
Class of 1994 : Saturday, July 20
Class of 1984 : Saturday, July 27
Class of 1979 : Saturday, August 10
Class of 1974 & 1964 :Homecoming Weekend; Friday, October 25; Saturday, October 26 For reunion details, please visit: www.cathedralcatholic.org/alumni/reunions
Class of 1993 | 30th reunion
Oct 25 2024
HOMECOMING
Tailgate
Enjoy a night of fun, food and Dons football with the alumni community.
Tickets will be available for purchase in September.
Interested in speaking or being a moderator?
Scan the QR code and submit your information to be a possible speaker or moderator.
Do you know a Don who deserves to be recognized? Scan the QR code to nominate a Don for this upcoming event.
2024 Dons Alumni Golf Tournament
Swinging into great memories at the Dave Thoennes Alumni Golf Tournament as we honor Mario Fierro ‘02! A huge thank you to all our golfers, sponsors, volunteers and Maderas Golf Club for making this day truly special!
A Vibrant Vocation
SANDY BLACKSTONE-GARDNER ‘89
Cathedral Catholic continues the legacy of Uni with alumni like teacher Sandy BlackstoneGardner. She shares a commitment to guiding students to embody faith and responsibility.
By Hong-An Phan ‘24
Cathedral Catholic High School was built upon the legacy of the alumni of the University of San Diego High School, often referred to as Uni. The famed academic institution had its beginnings in Linda Vista, graduating generations of Dons who used their skills to pioneer a path for future students. Among these alumni, many felt a calling to return to Cathedral Catholic High School, dedicated to giving back to their alma mater.
Sandy Blackstone-Gardner ‘89 has been an educator at Cathedral Catholic for 16 years. Following her graduation from Uni, Blackstone-Gardner attended the University of San Diego, where she pursued a degree in the Diversified Liberal Arts program with a minor in math. She later graduated from USD and received her master’s degree in theology at the University of Notre Dame.
As a first-generation college student, Blackstone-Gardner credits Uni for her pursuit of higher education. While at USDHS, she adopted a college-bound mindset, becoming goal-oriented and self-motivated to excel in
her studies. She believes the most valuable part of her Uni experience was the opportunities it provided. Specifically, she recalls participating in a new honors program. Students in this program had religion, history and English in a humanities block. This experience of having learning units combined throughout three courses was instrumental in showing her that academic learning could be relevant and interesting on a personal level.
Outside the motivated mindset that USDHS equipped her with, faith has also been a prominent force in Blackstone-Gardner’s life, as it guided her throughout her years as a student and teacher. Her teaching career began at Saint Didacus Parish School in San Diego, where she taught fourth grade for four years. She later began working with The Immaculata Catholic Church at the University of San Diego.
Blackstone-Gardner spent her evenings at The Immaculata leading Adult Faith Formation. Her schedule was blocked around evenings and weekends; however, after she and
Sandy smiles for his senior portrait.
her husband Ryan of now 27 years, began to grow their family, she aimed to be on the same schedule as their kids. Their children are now in college, John, at the University of Connecticut and Helen ‘22, at Point Loma Nazarene University. This desire would lead her to pursue teaching at Cathedral Catholic High School, which she described as:
“I see Cathedral as a continuation of Uni, a place where students are encouraged to live their individual call, to live a life of faith, while also having the responsibility to participate in the creation of a just society. This formation at Uni encouraged me to be a life-long learner, to build lasting relationships and to pursue a career in education.”
Between the legacy of Uni and Cathedral’s bright future, Blackstone-Gardner explains, “[I hope that] We continue to be known for our commitment to graduating students that are people of faith in the community, responsible citizens and that they just have this understanding of what it means to work towards the common good.”
The responsibility for shaping these future leaders rests with the teachers, or formators of Cathedral Catholic High School. As an educator with an accomplished career, Blackstone-Gardner says:
“I enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself. Being a part of the Dons community has been a part of my identity, it shapes who I am as a person in Christ. Through this community, I have been able to make a difference in the lives of my students. From helping lead All-School Masses with campus ministers, to developing the Catholic Innovations courses for students like myself who think deeply about the world around them. I try to expose students to the Catholic faith in a way that their hearts are open to prayer, service to others and a deep understanding of the Catholic faith.”
There is no doubt that CCHS teachers have
Once a Don, always a Don.
hearts of red and gold. Their vocations call them to lead students and form passionate people. Among these teachers, many can be recognized by their past ties to Uni- or even Cathedral.
“The community at Cathedral encourages alumni to come back and work here.” Blackstone-Gardner describes the alumni’s pride in their alma mater, leading to their return. A community within a community exists at Cathedral- one made of alumni. This school is more than just a place to work, it’s a place to build friendships, a place to encourage and be proud of one another.
Blackstone-Gardner’s sentiment aligns with the legacy created by alumni from both USDHS and CCHS. While some alumni may find their calling by paving paths away from home, others may realize that their vocations will bring them back to the Home of the Dons.
“I enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself. I like being part of something that is doing good for the world...”
Sandy leading her Campus Ministry 11 class in learning about the dignity of the human person, teaching that our dignity is due to our being made in the image and likeness of God.
Stats & Bats
GARY REMIKER ‘90
Between the statistics classroom and the Lynch/ Allred Tournament Field, Gary Remiker just about covers all bases at Cathedral Catholic High School.
By Sarah Brown ‘24
Between teaching statistics in the classroom and coaching on the Lynch/Allred Tournament Field, Gary Remiker covers all bases at Cathedral Catholic High School. As a student at Uni, Remiker embraced the essence of the Don. Now, as a teacher and coach, he works to share his legacy with CCHS students.
During his four years at Uni, Remiker served as the starting catcher for the Dons baseball team. By his senior year, the team ranked second in the county and won the Western League championship with what he remembers as “a thrilling walk-off win over Mission Bay.” Reflecting on his success at Uni, Remiker felt called to continue his involvement with Dons baseball, aiming to pave a path of continued victory.
He wasted no time in pursuing these
efforts. He explains, “I had a great time at Uni as a student and felt I could fit in well as a math teacher and baseball coach... I immediately started volunteering to coach in the JV team at Uni in 1995, entered a teaching credential program at SDSU and was lucky enough to get hired for the 1996-1997 academic year right when I was completing my credential.”
His involvement in Dons Athletics exceeded his expectations. He coached freshman football and girls’ golf, managed the intramural program at Uni for several years and served as the math department chair until 2022. All the while, he and his wife Marissa were raising two children, Leeann ‘23 and Eric Remiker ‘23. With his many roles at Uni and Cathedral, being a husband and father, Remiker’s has also maintained his interests in music
Gary smiles for his senior portrait.
Once a Don, always a Don.
Remiker and assistant coach, Rob Reiter celebrate their 500th career win with an impressive 11-4 victory over Patrick Henry on April 21, 2024.
Photo credit: John Fraser and golf.
Remiker and Marissa first met while chaperoning Uni’s Winter Formal in 1999. Marissa attended to help Mr. Geiger and her friend, Ms. Gordon (now Mrs. Zimmer, a Dons parent) in supervising the dance.
It is undeniable that he is a well-rounded asset to the Dons community, especially through his contributions to the math department. He mentioned, “I taught everything except for AP Calculus,” he continues, “My area of expertise is statistics, but I also love teaching Algebra 1 and Algebra 2.”
However, Remiker’s teaching extends beyond the classroom and onto the baseball field, where he serves as a coach. He said, “I have the ability to teach the nuances and mental side of [baseball] and prepare my teams for the challenges of competing against the best programs in San Diego.” His coaching skills have earned him several awards including California Coach of the Year by Cal-Hi Preps and Region 8 Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Under his leadership, the Dons have won eight CIF championship titles.
Though he has achieved incredible success in his coaching role, Remiker recognizes the
greater importance of his work on the field. He admits, “The most important part of my job is trying to prepare these young men to be husbands and fathers down the road... In the long run, it is just a game and the relationships and life skills we learn from sports are more important than any championships we win.”
Dons baseball has been truly transformative, thanks to the efforts of Gary Remiker over the past 29 years. As a student at Uni, the baseball program shaped Remiker into an accomplished teacher, coach and role model. Having recently celebrated 500 wins for Dons Baseball, he continues to work towards maintaining this legacy. He forms the athletes that pass through his program into young men driven by faith, knowledge, character and responsibility, helping them to discover what is at the core of being a Don.
“The most important part of my job is trying to prepare these young men to be husbands and fathers down the road... In the long run, it is just a game and the relationships and life skills we learn from sports are more important than any championships we win.”
Icons of the Game
DONS SPORTS HALL OF FAME 2024
The moment you enter the Dons Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony, you are rushed with feelings of awe and admiration. Glowing lights shine upon the portraits of young people, who have excelled in their sport with tenacity, passion and grit. You are surrounded by athletes who bore the distinguished red and gold, the colors of the University of San Diego High School and Cathedral Catholic High School, and you cannot help but feel the buzz of memories, laughter and celebration in the air.
The Dons Sports Hall of Fame was crafted by Mrs.Del Centanni in 2002, beginning with nineteen inductees and has grown to over one hundred individuals and eleven teams being inducted over 20 years. The purpose of the Dons Sports Hall of Fame is to pay tribute and extend recognition to those individuals who, through the years, have contributed to the honor and fame of the Dons Athletic program in the field of athletics and who have continued to demonstrate the values learned in athletics in their daily lives. We also recognize those who have contributed to the success of an individual or team through meritorious service or inspiration. Members of the Dons Hall of Fame either attended Cathedral Girls High School, University of San Diego High School, Cathedral Catholic High School, or are friends of the Dons.
Mrs. Del Centanni with Anne Pickard Majer ‘95, assistant director of alumni and Sean Doyle ‘80, director of alumni.
For over 20 years, the Dons Sports Hall of Fame has recognized hundreds of Dons who have displayed greatness on the field, on the court and most importantly in the game of life. Last March, we added more Dons to that esteemed list of members and made history on this special evening.
By Pamela Poe
Devon Brown Ellis ‘10 with her golf coach, Chris Grazier ‘88
Ryan Wilkins ‘09 with baseball coach, Gary Remiker ‘90
Bill Gharreb ‘71 with directors of alumni, Sean Doyle ‘80 and Anne Pickard Majer ‘95
Ryan Wiegand ‘05 with baseball coach, Gary Remiker ‘90
Demetrius Sumler ‘06 with football coach, Sean Doyle ‘80
Coach Ron Marquez with directors of alumni, Sean Doyle ‘80 and Anne Pickard Majer ‘95
On March 9, 2024, the Dons Alumni Association inducted the 11th class of the Dons Sports Hall of Fame: Brady Aiken ‘14 for baseball, Devon Brown Ellis ‘10 for girls golf, Tierra Falo ‘15 for softball, Megan Faraimo ‘18 for softball, Sarai Niu ‘15 for softball, Ryan Wiegand ‘05 for baseball, Ryan Wilkins ‘09 for baseball, Demetrius Sumler ‘06 for football, Coach Ron Marquez, friend of sport Bill Ghareeb ‘71, the 2008 girls soccer team and the 1998 boys football team.
The master of ceremonies, John Montali ‘88, invited each inductee to the stage to accept their award. As the honoree approached the stage, a biography of their life and achievements played along with a montage of photographs from their Uni/Cathedral Catholic days and athletic careers. Each inductee received their award from their former high school coach or from the director of alumni, Sean Doyle ‘80 and assistant director, Anne Pickard Majer ‘95. Former coaches present were softball coach Margaret Mauro, girls golf coach Chris Grazier, baseball coach Gary Remiker ‘90 and of course, football coach Sean Doyle ‘80.
Each recipient paused to sincerely thank the Uni/Cathedral Catholic community, their families, mentors, educators and friends for supporting them through their high school journey and beyond. They reflected on how their foundational experiences in high school paved the way for their professional endeavors, friendships and marriages. While accepting their awards, two of the recipients fondly mentioned that they had found love through Uni/Cathedral Catholic. Demetrius Sumler ‘06 and his wife, Marissa (Douglass) Sumler ‘06 met as students. Ryan Wiegand ‘05 and his wife, Shea (Greene) Wiegand ‘07 met through a chance encounter introduced by Coach Margaret Mauro.
“They are each incredible women in their own right and a force together.”
Megan Faraimo ‘18 with softball coach, Margaret Mauro
Sarai Niu ‘15 with softball coach, Margaret Mauro
Tierra Falo ‘15 with softball coach, Margaret Mauro
Coincidentally, the Dons Sports Hall of Fame occurred in March, during International Women’s Month. This celebration of women soon became a theme of the night. The ceremony honored the first girls golf inductee, Devon Brown Ellis ‘10. The selection committee also chose to honor the first individuals of Polynesian descent, who all happened to be women: Tierra Falo ‘15, Sarai Niu ‘15 and Megan Faraimo ‘18. Anne Pickard Majer shared, “They are each incredible women in their own right and a force together.”
Scan QR code to view current list of members or nominate a Don for the 2026 class!
As the evening concluded, it left behind a legacy of excellence, camaraderie and the enduring power of sport to unite and inspire. With each induction, the Dons Sports Hall of Fame reaffirms its commitment to honoring the past, celebrating the present and inspiring future generations of Dons. In 2025, the Office of Alumni will host the Academy of Distinguished Dons. 2008
varsity soccer team (above) and 1998 varsity football team (below).
dons road on the | Spring 2024
The Office of Alumni hits the road to reconnect with Dons.
New York
Washington, D.C.
Dons Alumni BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
1stClassWriting.com, LLC and DennyWrites.com
Denny Bulcao, Jr. ‘94
1stClassWriting.com, LLC operates 100% remotely and employs 85 writers, copy editors, designers and content managers from around the USA.
As the Founder & CEO of 1stclasswriting.com, Bulcao leads a dynamic team that specializes in crafting search engine optimized (SEO) content for a diverse clientele, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses and startups. Our journey began in 2003 with the inception of DennyWrites.com, a platform initially designed to showcase Denny’s writing portfolio and secure traditional writing jobs. However, it quickly evolved to meet the growing demand for SEO-focused content, including website copywriting, blogs, articles, product descriptions, and more.
Denny Bulcao, Jr. has 22+ years of writing and editing experience garnered from prestigious institutions such as The Associated Press, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and major corporations including GE, Google, and Apple.
Please visit: www.dennywrites.com
As a Uni student, Denny was Sports Editor of El Cid, junior and senior years (‘93-’94), played varsity tennis for three years, competed in varsity cross-country for two years and played JV volleyball for one year. Mr. Fares, Denny’s Journalism (El Cid moderator) and English teacher at Uni, was very supportive and encouraged him to continue writing. He also taught his El Cid staff about the legendary Cameron Crowe, who instantly became an idol and proof of how far writing could take him.
Silk & Spero is a luxury interior design firm located in San Diego, servicing the San Diego area. Their company values are deeply rooted in collaboration and organization. With notable experience working for large design/build and restaurant groups, our knowledge bank is specialized for ingenuity and promotes successful project management. They help with a broad range of projects, large or small and offer services ranging from high-end full-service design to color/material consultations for new builds.
Silk & Spero believes every home is a narrative waiting to be told, a canvas to be painted with the hues of your life. Their design philosophy is rooted not in a signature style, but in your unique story. Your dreams, your memories, your vision — these are the threads they weave into the fabric of your space.
Partnering with you, Silk & Spero tailors each element to reflect the distinctiveness of your personality. It’s not just about rooms that look stunning; it’s about spaces that feel deeply personal, resonating with the essence of who you are.
As a student, Remy Jones was very proud to be involved in campus ministry, girls water polo and swim & dive. Roll Dons!
Silk & Spero Remy Jones ‘15
Melisa Sanchez has always been deeply immersed in the arts, from painting and drawing to sculpting. In the 2000s, she even ventured into running a paper-crafting line, where her creative designs included hand-painted papers. Throughout the challenges of the Covid era, Melisa found solace in crafting intricate Catholic-themed pocket and travel shrines, offering her a much-needed reprieve from her demanding role as a Script Supervisor in TV Production.
When the writers’ strike hit in 2023, Melisa saw an opportunity to channel her passion for Catholic art into something tangible. She embarked on creating a Catholicthemed clothing and accessory line, featuring designs such as the Sacred Heart, Immaculate Heart and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Reflecting on her own journey as a divorced mother striving to provide her children with a Catholic education, Melisa understood the financial sacrifices involved firsthand. Having benefited from a Catholic education herself, she deeply appreciates the sacrifices her parents made to send her to university. Her sons attended Bishop Montgomery in Torrance and she became acutely aware of the challenges faced by those with modest incomes or single-parent households when it comes to affording Catholic schooling. Determined to make a difference, Melisa decided to use the proceeds from her clothing and accessory line to support individuals facing similar financial hurdles.
At a recent alumni event, Melisa spoke candidly about her upbringing, describing herself as always being “a nerd” who thrived in rigorous academic environments. Despite her demanding course load of AP and honors classes, she remained actively involved in the theater department, where she honed her artistic skills by painting sets and working behind the scenes. Her academic journey led her to study Visual Arts, Film & Media at UC San Diego.
Driven by her passion for both art and education, Melisa is committed to using her creative talents to not only inspire faith but also to provide vital financial support for future students. With the Cathedral Catholic staff’s suggestion, Melisa has chosen to direct her donations towards Nativity Prep, with the sincere hope that her art will serve as a reminder of faith while also making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Sacred Heart Apparel Melisa Sanchez ‘84
Scan to visit Melisa’s store
Features
Dons in Love
FROM CLASSMATES TO SOULMATES
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
(Colossians 3:14)
By Sevana Adourian
Cathedral Catholic High School, formerly known as University of San Diego High School, or “Uni”, is a place where students build lifelong friendships, grow in their faith and make priceless memories. And for some, it is even the place where they find love.
Kelly (Clark) ‘98 & Dave O’Connor ‘99
This is exactly what happened for our Dons alumni, Kelly and Dave, who have been married for over 17 years. While the two did not date in high school, Dave remembers exactly what Kelly was wearing the first time he saw her. “She was in a plaid skirt rocking her Duff skate shoes,” O’Connor said.
He also recalls carpooling together to
school while they were students. He said, “She’d be stuck driving me home after practice and would have to listen to me sing along to whatever tunes were on the radio. She claims I sang a lot of Jewel but I can neither confirm nor deny.” After getting married at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Poway, the pair later grew their beautiful family and now have three girls and three boys.
When reminiscing on his experience at Uni, Dave shared, “I truly enjoyed the Uni experience, mainly because it afforded me the opportunity to meet my beautiful wife Kelly.” Not only was the University of San Diego High School a place where he found his lifelong partner, but Dave added, “I also met my best
Kelly and Dave smile for a photo on their wedding day.
Dave remembers exactly what Kelly was wearing the first time he saw her. “She was in a plaid skirt rocking her Duff skate shoes.”
friends while I was there, friends I still see regularly to this day.”
He also recalls fond memories of Dr. Kelly, former principal, who became Uni’s first president. “I do wish I’d had the chance to thank Dr. Kelly (he did attend our wedding). Dr. Kelly is the reason I was able to attend that school and for that I’m extremely grateful. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have the life and family I’m blessed with today,” Dave said.
Lee Ann (Najjar) ‘87 & Jim Iagmin ‘87 Dave and Kelly are not the only ones who met their significant others thanks to being students at Uni. Lee Ann (Najjar) ‘87 and Jim Iagmin ‘87, who have been married for 22 years, share a similar story.
The two were in the same first-year religion class as freshmen and remembered
Features
liking each other, but did not date until meeting again at their ten-year reunion. Lee Ann recalls the hilarious way the pair was finally reacquainted with one another. “We were leaving the reunion at the Barefoot Bar on a boat in Mission Bay with several classmates late that night, and I had slid and fallen off the boat, barely hanging on to a lifeline while Jim ‘saved’ me,” Lee Ann said.
Jim even recalls his first impressions of Lee Ann. He said, “During our freshman year, Lee Ann was among the first people I met in Fr. Tassi’s class. She was so nice and mature and put together. I remember passing notes between classes during freshman year. Lee Ann also had a great sense of style, so I started borrowing her clothes. She lent me a long-sleeved purple polo shirt that I had worn all the time. She also lent me a plaid scarf that I took with me to college. Lee Ann still has the purple shirt, but I lost the scarf. Lee Ann is still so nice and smart and still has a great sense of style. I’m so glad Steve Petix made me go to the reunion. Reconnecting with and being married to Lee Ann is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
When thinking back on her first moments meeting Jim, Lee Ann said, “I also remember meeting Jim during my first year in that class. Jimmy sat next to me. I remember asking what he wanted to do when he grew up and he said he wanted to be a doctor. That was the first thing I asked when we met again at the 10-year reunion! The answer was no. However, he was about to take the bar exam after graduating from law school. I thought, Doctor? Lawyer? The same difference!”
The two were married at St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach and have two sons who are also part of the Cathedral Catholic High School community. Their eldest, Joaquin, is part of the graduating class of 2022, and their youngest, Vincent, graduated this year.
Michelle Mierzwa ‘87 and Lawrence Gallego ‘87
Michelle and Lawrence also met after graduating, where they saw each other for the first time again at a mutual friend’s beach party. After reconnecting, they were wed at Harvest Inn in St. Helena, Napa Valley and have been married for over 19 years.
They have two children, Anthony “A.J.” age eighteen, who graduated from San Dieguito Academy Class of 2023 in Encinitas and is attending UC San Diego as a sophomore in September. Their daughter Maya is seventeen and will be a junior at San Dieguito Academy. Michelle is a partner in the regional real estate finance law firm of Wright Finlay & Zak, headquartered in Newport Beach and is licensed to practice in California and Washington. Lawrence Gallego is a multi-state real estate developer and investor.
Alison (Cote) ‘95 and Kevin Mock ‘87 Another example of an alumni couple who found love after graduation is Alison (Cote) ‘95 and Kevin Mock ‘87, who found each other again on Match.com. The two were wed at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, have been married for 12 years and have two children attending
Jim and Lee Ann on their wedding day.
Lawrence and Michelle smile for a photo on their wedding day.
St. Columba Catholic School in San Diego.
While reminiscing on their high school years, Alison said, “We [were] very fortunate to find each other long after our high school careers. Our Uni roots run strong, as our children are currently at a parochial school and my husband carries on about his grade school sport glory days at St. Therese.”
Kevin also gave a special shout-out to one of their mutual teachers who taught them a skill that would later come in handy. “We both had Mr. Atilano for Spanish at Uni and it served us well on our honeymoon in Spain,” Kevin said.
According to Alison, “While we lived two different high school experiences, our foundation built by Uni led us to a perfect partnership. DONS for life!”
Theresa (Inoue) ‘14 & Kenneth Magro ‘11
Theresa and Kenneth both graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School but had not met until the two did ministry work together at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. The pair welcomed their first son in 2023 and have been married for almost two and a half years. To add to the Dons legacy, Theresa’s parents, Mark ‘90 and Katie (Tontz) Inoue ‘90, also met at Uni and then dated as undergraduates at the University of San Diego. In 2022, Theresa returned to Cathedral Catholic to teach in the religion department.
Cathedral Catholic High School is a very special place with a rich history. University of San Diego High School being established in 1957 is a testament to how strong and lasting this school community is. Whether they met in the classroom, through a dating app, or long after graduation day, these alumni and their heartwarming stories showcase just how connected the Dons community truly is.
Alison and Kevin make their way down the aisle of the chapel at Mission San Diego de Alcalá.
Theresa and Kenneth find each other in Cathedral Catholic’s yearbook.
Top (left to right): Dave and Kelly with their six children in Hawaii. Jim and Lee Ann with their two sons on vacation. Lawrence and Michelle with their two children.
Bottom (left to right): Kevin and Alison with their two daughters at Disneyland. Theresa and Kenneth with their son on vacation.
On February 23, our CCHS Girls Basketball team clinched the CIF DI Championship with their stellar victory over Grossmont High School!
On March 7, our Visual and Performing Arts Department hosted the Parochial Arts Festival, welcoming numerous students from local Catholic schools to showcase their skills in arts and music as well as attend art workshops.
On March 16, we celebrated the St. Patrick’s Day-themed 33rd Annual Wine & Microbrew Tasting and Auction. From the mesmerizing Irish dancers to the tunes of Celtic bagpipers, it was a night to remember. Special thanks to our participants, families, volunteers and sponsors for making it truly magical.
On March 19, the second day of Yellow Ribbon Week, we rejoiced in the presence of Bishop Pulido, one of San Diego’s newest auxiliary bishops, as our special guest celebrant for the Feast of St. Joseph, our beloved patron saint.
In March, we kicked off the Fuel the Run Campaign! The campaign honors the legacies of the late Amanda Post ‘10 and Coach Dan Geiger. Our goal is to rename Cathedral Catholic’s track to the ‘Amanda Post Track,’ establish a scholarship in Coach Geiger’s name and secure the future of our Cross Country and Track & Field programs.
The CCHS Dons Crew teams made history March 16, 2024 at the Pacific Invite Regatta when they rowed in the most races CCHS has ever rowed in one day in the program’s 13-year history.
On March 21, CCHS hosted the 2nd Annual TEDxCCHS Youth Event, themed “One School, Many Voices.” We heard from 12 distinguished students who presented on various topics from gut health, to entrepreneurship to Black health solutions. We are so grateful to Ms. Natalya Fiore and Mr. Charles Threatt for spearheading this incredible event!
Our Dons National Art Honor Society created another round of Memory Project portraits! This time we had 16 students participate in making portraits for children and teens living in India. These children tragically lost connection to their birth parents and now live with dedicated foster mothers who provide love and stability.
Nylah King-Boyd ‘24 was invited to the CSF Awards Ceremony. Nylah was selected as one of the South region finalists and received an award for her hard work and dedication to the California Scholarship Federation
At New Dons Night, we welcomed over 1,000 guests with a family bbq, orientation and opportunities to meet with different organizations and academic departments across campus. We cannot wait to welcome our rising freshmen in the fall!
On April 19, our Dons baseball community gathered to celebrate an extraordinary milestone in the remarkable journey of Coach Gary
and Coach Rob Reiter, who began coaching together in 2001 and now, in 2024, have achieved the incredible feat of 500 career
Our Dons Music students embarked on a musical journey across Ireland this Easter Break! From the historic sites of Cashel to the majestic Cliffs of Moher and the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, immersing themselves in the beauty and spirituality of the Emerald Isle.
Another milestone for our Athletics Department as we celebrated our fourth NLI Signing of the year, bringing our total to 50 Dons destined to shine in college sports!
Remiker
wins.
In April, Mission & Ministry hosted the last Senior Kairos (#36) Retreat of the year at Palomar Christian Conference Center.
CCHS Drama put on incredible performances for our 2024 spring musical, Anything Goes!
In April, our Dons celebrated “Top Gun” themed prom on the USS Midway.
In MEMORIAM
Eternal rest grant upon them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. St. Joseph Our Patron, Pray for Us.
Monica (Lucido) Baker Daughter of Wiliam Lucido
John Henry Lawson Grandfather of Matt ‘09, Lucas
Do you know a Don who has passed?
If one of our beloved Dons has passed away in the last year, we would love to honor them in the next edition of Red & Gold Magazine. Please let us know by scanning the QR code and completing the form.
Gary Kline ‘62
Colleen Rickling ‘76
Patrick McManus ‘64
Christine Harvel ‘84
Mary Ellen Easterling Pitard ‘65
Ann Marion Marie Bechtold ‘87
Kathy Nickason Wife of Jim Nickason ‘68
‘61
‘13, John ‘16, Grace ‘19
Bill Walton Father of Nate ‘96, Luke ‘98 and Chris ‘00; uncle of Kam ‘00 and Harmony ‘97
Beverly Longoria Jones ‘65
Melissa Ann Freitas ‘87
Craig Swanson ‘67
Tony Moeder ‘89
