EC Magazine Summer 2013

SUMMER 2013

Magazine

I N S I D E E A ST S I D E C AT H O LI C

EC MAGAZINE Inside Eastside Catholic

SUMMER

2013

3

Welcome

4

Strategic Plan

5

From the President

6

On Campus

8

Our Community

10 We Are EC 12 Beyond Textbooks 14 In the Classroom 16 Events 18 Class Notes

ON THE COVER Elisha Pa’aga, junior and 2013-14 ASB president at the 2013 STARS Gala Auction.

A

S THE SCHOOL YEAR draws to a close, I look back in amazement at all our students have accomplished. I witness daily our touchstones in action and having recently completed Peace and Justice Day, servant leadership is especially on my mind.

An annual tradition, Peace and Justice Day allows students to drop the regular demands of the day and focus more fully on their community and the world around them. This year, high school students left campus to participate in community service projects across the region including sorting food at the local food bank, pulling weeds in seniors’ yards, and assisting with public trail maintenance.

Middle school students were included for the first time this year and had eye- (and heart) opening experiences at lunch when some went without to illustrate how place of birth and economic status affects how much food there is to eat. These students showed compassion and wisdom beyond their years in their reactions and the reflections that followed.

I feel our community service activities bring to life the Catholic Social Teachings, which start with recognizing the dignity of the human person and our responsibilities to lift up the most vulnerable among us.

I am deeply moved at how fully our students embrace these philosophies every day. They carry each other in times of personal sorrow and reach out to those they don’t know but whose humanity binds us.

Witnessing the challenges and suffering of others isn’t always easy. But then servant leadership is about more than witnessing the suffering. It’s both witnessing AND doing something about it.

Servant leadership teaches us that in giving, we also receive. In being there for others, we honor our community. Watching our students blossom into engaged, compassionate members of a world that desperately needs their energy and ideas makes me proud to be a part of their lives. I cannot wait to see what they do next.

Polly Skinner Principal EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013

3

Strategic Plan

The Path to

Preeminence

I

N THE LA ST FIVE YEARS , we have built an

amazing campus, created a middle school, transitioned our leadership, expanded our faculty and staff, and weathered difficult economic times. We are now at a point where we look toward our future and ask “Quo vadis?” Latin for “Where are you going?”

Establishing a vision of where Eastside Catholic is heading and where EC will be in the next 10 years is the focus of our plan, The Path to Preeminence. With the direction of our board of trustees, and the input from our EC parents, friends and faculty, we embarked on a time of self-study and analysis to establish this plan. Our mission and touchstones remain the same—we are committed to educating the whole child and preparing them to engage positively in a shifting world.

A strategic plan sets forth an objective assessment of the current environment and describes the path for future development. Strategic planning and decision processes

should end with objectives and a roadmap of ways to achieve them.

The Path to Preeminence sets forth our vision to become the school of choice for the community east of Lake Washington. The following elements are integral to ensure the ultimate success of the overall strategic plan and are in no particular order:

ENHANCE and expand our highly successful academic programs, servant leadership and cocurricular programs, while continuing the emphasis upon relationships within a community of faith, family, friends and school; BE the employer of choice for persons pursuing a career of excellence and passionate service in the education of tomorrow’s leaders; PROVIDE our families with paths to affordable excellent education; EXPAND and enhance our communications with everyone in our community—alumni, parents, students and employees. Continue to seek ongoing input and feedback on how we are doing; PROMOTE our endowments, planned giving and philanthropic programs to enhance our highly successful academic and cocurricular programs; CREATE and direct a thoughtful and fiscally responsible vision for campus expansion to meet future capital and operational needs of the school. Consider impact on future families and students.

Everyone’s participation is needed to put our plan into action. There are many ways for you to be involved—become school volunteers, join the Boosters, PFSA and PTF, contribute to The Annual Fund, start an endowment and serve on a committee. The opportunities are here and we need you.

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From the President

H I S TO RY I N T H E M A K I N G “We are prophets of a future not our own.

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water the seeds already planted knowing that they hold future promise.”

T

HESE WORDS from Archbishop Oscar Romero perfectly illustrate the responsibility

we all share in making the world a better place for those who come after us. In the case of Eastside Catholic, it means envisioning the future we want for students who will walk these halls decades from now.

When considering school planning, I like to take the long view.

I tend to think in terms of 20 or 30 years down the line. This ability came in handy during my consultant years when I helped Catholic schools around the country develop their strategic plans and it serves me well as we plan for our own Eastside Catholic future.

We are at a great place in our school’s history. We are thriving on our Sammamish campus, where we are completing our fifth year: enjoying the energy that the middle school has brought to the community; providing a rigorous faith-based academic program that amply prepares students for their futures; and expanding our cocurricular offerings. With growth and success come challenges of space, staffing and financial stewardship making it the ideal time to plan for the future. As John F. Kennedy noted, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”

The just-launched strategic plan, which will guide the school for the next decade, was developed as part of a very involved (and successful) reaccreditation process for Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and was approved by the board of trustees last fall. The plan contains thoughts and creativity of parents, community members, employees and alumni.

In the coming months we will hold several interactive sessions to talk about how to put the strategic elements of the plan into action. The participation of our entire EC community— current and alumni families, staff, faculty and leadership, and members of the greater Sammamish community—will be essential to our success.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. The future is waiting.

S ister Mary E. Tracy, sn jm President and Head of School

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013

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On Campus

NOW

WI T H

ADVAN TAG E

FROM DAY ONE of planning for the Sammamish campus, members of the EC Permanence Committee agreed that simply building a ball field was not enough—the field would need to match the beauty and high quality design of the new campus and facilities. The original site plans included such a ball field, but as construction of the new campus progressed, the committee realized that they would not be able to build the quality field they envisioned at that time. Two years ago, the EC community came together once again to finalize the original plans. Construction proceeded smoothly and thanks to the tireless effort of board members, emeriti, current and past parents, construction partners and staff, we are now blessed with our field of dreams. With a sense of great accomplishment, the Eastside Catholic ball field was dedicated on April 17, 2013. The field, a multipurpose facility, will benefit a wide range of sports and activities for years to come. EC thanks the many families who contributed their time, money and energy to this project.

Go Crusaders!

Special Moment at Safeco Field FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, the EC varsity baseball team has volunteered at the Special Olympics swimming competition in support of the EC Options Program students who compete.

Over the years, the team has developed a special bond with the Options students through their volunteer efforts and through the Peer Tutor program at ECHS. So when the varsity baseball team earned the honor of throwing out the first pitch at a Mariners game this spring by selling tickets in support of the High School Mariners Showcase, instead of selecting one of their own to take the spotlight, the team passed the honor to EC Options Program student, Jane Dickison.

The EC varsity baseball team captains and former peer tutors, Alex Foley and Blake Gillespie practiced before and after school with Jane to ensure that she was prepared for this special moment. On April 13, Jane took the mound at Safeco Field and threw the pitch of a lifetime to EC team captain Alex Foley. The event received wide coverage in the local media and exemplifies the qualities we instill in our students as we teach them to be servant leaders.

Ball field dedication April 17, 2013

Our Community

Digging In P

eace and Justice Day took Eastside

Catholic students out into the community (literally) and around the world (metaphorically) in profound and meaningful ways. The annual event, a tradition at EC, is a time for students to reflect on and help alleviate the suffering of others.

New this year, middle school students also participated in the day of service in a number of on campus activities. Middle school students created Crusader Hope Packs, backpacks of essentials that were personally distributed to Philippine street children by an EC family over Easter break.

Students were asked to help gather everything from toiletries to trinkets, and they all worked together to assemble the packs.

Students also participated in a “walking for water” exercise to highlight the difficulty of obtaining drinking water for many people around the world.

The high school students, accompanied

by EC faculty, fanned out into the community to volunteer for a number of organizations including the Des Moines Food Bank, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, Encompass, Nature Conservancy and St. Louise Elementary School to name a few.

Activities were diverse but very hands-on.

Speaking about this year’s Peace and Justice Day theme of poverty, Father Heric said, “Our hope is that these learning exercises will motivate EC students to commit to addressing poverty in an ongoing way through regular outreach to those who suffer, and also through advocacy to deal with the root causes of poverty and hunger.”

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STUDENTS SPEND MID-WINTER BREAK

[ Making a Difference ]

I

N FEBRUARY, a group of EC high school students

and their advisors traveled to Los Angeles to participate in Urban Plunge, a ministry program that gives students hands-on experience helping various faith-based inner city social service agencies.

The students returned having bonded with classmates they might not have known, having met people from all walks of life and with the experience of how community involvement is essential in an urban setting.

Beginning their first day before dawn, EC students spent time on L.A.’s high-poverty skid row serving 1,000 people breakfast in under an hour. They stayed after to help prep for upcoming meals, returning that evening to serve dinner. During the students’ weeklong stay, their service included preparing food for an agency that serves ill and homebound people, sorting donated clothing for a teen drop-in center, visiting a

group that provides outreach to gang members, and working long hours at a food bank sorting donations.

Greg Marsh, former EC high school principal, traveled from his nearby home to join the EC students. “I enjoyed being with EC students on this mission trip! I love their sense of commitment to serving others, their positive attitudes in whatever situation they find themselves, and their appreciation for the outstanding educational experience they are receiving at EC.” One student summed up the Urban Plunge experience this way, “All the work we did was very meaningful and very necessary. A lady named Detroit, who at 17, found herself on skid row, spoke to us about homelessness. She told us, ‘Never be afraid to reach out, pray or help somebody.’ I can’t think of a more accurate quote to explain what I got out of this trip.”

Formerly named the Esperanza Mission trip, this program is now in its fifteenth year at EC.

“I never knew how one could be affected to the extent that I was over the six days of Urban Plunge.

I will carry the experience in my heart and with me in life forever and I will never forget it.”

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We Are EC “I will never forget how disappointed Mr. Stein was when no one in the class knew who Neil Diamond was.”

“Three of my favorites!”

“She is an encyclopedia of EC and its Her caring presence will be greatly mi “His love of community, food and music was the center of the social unity of the school from the beginning.”

Impacting Lives

Three of EC’s most recognizable faces will be missed next year as they move on to a new chapter in their lives. Charlie Acosta, Geri Geraghty and Gary Stein, who have a combined tenure of 61 years at Eastside Catholic, will retire in June. We thank them for their dedication, their leadership and their many years of friendship.

Charlie Acosta was here at the beginning, as one of the

Charlie Acosta

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first 13 teachers hired at the opening of Eastside Catholic High School. He was the head baseball coach for eleven years and coached football as both head and assistant coach for 27 years. Charlie began his career in California, moving to Washington in 1978.

Charlie has taught PE and acted as department head for the majority of his tenure. Incredibly, almost every EC student has been taught by Charlie to-date. He encourages students to turn out for sports, “The lessons learned from participation both in PE and competitive sports will carry over into their entire life.”

In 2008 the Eastside Catholic community honored Charlie’s dedication and service by naming the new football field “Acosta Field.” He says, “I will miss all the faces and personalities, students, colleagues and the community that are Eastside Catholic. I am, and always will be, proud to be a Crusader.” Charlie is the parent of EC graduates Sean ’89 and Michelle ’91.

resources. missed.”

“HIS COMPASSION HELPED ME THROUGH “The greatest homeroom teacher! I miss your THE HARDEST TIME IN MY LIFE.” disapproving head shake and smirky smile as I tip-toed in to homeroom late.”

Gary Stein leaves EC knowing that he

“will miss the students—they have been great to me over the years.” He joined the Eastside Catholic faculty in 1992 with experience teaching composition, American literature, poetry, and English at the University of Michigan. As a member of the EC faculty for the past 21 years, Gary primarily taught American literature but also had the opportunity to teach almost every level in the English department.

Prior to his EC days, Gary served for 13 years as property manager at Pike Place Market. He holds an A.B. from Amherst College and a M.A. from the University of Michigan as well as a Candidate for the Doctorate. Gary is the parent of EC graduate Ben ’00.

Gary Stein

Geri Geraghty began as a volunteer in the EC

Geri Geraghty

library, and joined the EC staff in 2006. In 2007 she moved to her current position as assistant office manager and EC wedding coordinator.

Having held jobs with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. and at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco, Geri had never worked in a school prior to EC, but states that she has loved working at EC—her favorite job. “The energy level is amazing and there is never a dull moment.”

Geri said recently, “I will miss the morning walk from the parking lot on beautiful days but not the rainy ones. I will miss the students’ enthusiasm and spirit, and my incredible colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of working. I will forever be a Crusader.”

Geri is the parent of EC graduates Bridget ’01, Kevin ’07 and Connor, a ’97 Seattle Prep graduate.

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Beyond Textbooks

VICIOUS (POWERED BY POISE, CONFIDENCE AND DEDICATION)

Let’s face it: debate is weird. Most seventeen-year olds don’t talk so fast you can barely understand the words. Most seventeen-year olds don’t willingly give up Friday and Saturday nights to hang out at high schools around the state talking about politics, morality and constitutional law. Most don’t possess detailed knowledge of the

by Jeff Gans, Speech & Debate Coach 12

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Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or the Statist theories of Michel Foucault. And most don’t wear sweatshirts emblazoned with a unicorn and the word “vicious.” These are my people, and I am proud to lead them.

Eastside Catholic Speech & Debate is one of our school’s signature programs. We compete from September to June at tournaments as close as Redmond and as far away as Florida.

Our team has won State and placed students in the final rounds of national tournaments each of the last two years. Last year our top competitor finished as a National All-American, one of five in the country. It’s demanding and time-consuming. It’s also incredibly rewarding.

I love our Speech & Debate team for many reasons. I love their dedication. Who else would put in so many extra hours—up to 30 per week!—on something so challenging? I love their closeness. We have supported one another through depression, the death of parents, concussion-induced brain damage, job loss and more. When debaters are hurt or hurting, they look to the team first and we rally around them. I love their fearlessness. To this team, it’s cool to be smart, cool to get on stage, cool to learn more and think harder than anyone else.

There are times when I’ll wake up in some hotel in Minneapolis or Lexington at six in the morning and wonder why I coach debate. But then I’ll see Michael and Derek downstairs writing blocks to common arguments, or Nalani and Tinu with pens in their mouths working on enunciation, or Kyle and Scott reading over their briefs, all tired from only a few hours of sleep but ready to go.

We’ll pile into the van and crank up the music. By the time we arrive at the tournament we’re all awake and bouncing with energy.

We stride in, a phalanx of suits, laptops, pens and confidence. And at that moment there’s no place I’d rather be.

Spotlight on Visual & Performing Arts at EC

ART Out of more than 230,000 entries, submissions from eight EC students were honored by the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards this year. Senior Caitlin Murphy was awarded a Silver Key in the photography category.

DRAMA More than 70 students participated in the outstanding production of EC Drama’s spring musical Children of Eden, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The cast and crew worked tirelessly to stage multiple performances.

MUSIC Twelve EC students competed exceptionally well at the WMEA-WIAA State Solo and Ensemble Contest. The percussion ensemble was awarded a superior and two excellent ratings, junior Roger Glerum scored two superiors and an excellent rating on his multiple percussion solo and freshman Clayton Dungey scored three superiors and won the tuba division.

WRITING Honored at the Young Playwrights Program Celebration at Seattle’s ACT Theater were 11 EC seventh-grade playwrights. Zach Tlachac’s play was chosen as one of the eight outstanding plays and was showcased in two staged reading performances at the Young Playwrights Festival this past March.

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In the Classroom

Seattle native Grew up on Capitol Hill Gonzaga grad Avid Zag fan EC faculty member since 1981 ( with a few years off to be a full-time mom ) Mom of two Plays the violin

Born to Teach Karen

One comment that we hear repeatedly is

subject I took consistently through college.

I studied in Spain as a junior in college and came back and just stayed with it. I love languages. I also speak Swedish, some French and am currently studying Italian.

was at one end with a view of the mountains. At the Newport Hills campus, I had a room with no view. Now I can again see the mountains from my classroom. It’s an amazing view.

When did you start teaching at EC?

How has your role evolved here at the school?

Why Spanish/language teacher? Did you

I began in 1981—I am that weird teacher who is now teaching kids of kids.

spend time abroad?

What is one of your earliest memories

I knew by the time I was 9 years old that I wanted to be a teacher. I was that nerdy kid who wanted to play school in the summer. But I started out in agricultural education because I wanted to live in the country. I stuck with it for a year and a half, but Spanish was the one

of EC?

that you look the same as when you started teaching at EC. What’s your secret?

Good genes, being outside as much as possible, a job that keeps me moving and thinking, and knowing the latest songs, fashion and crazy trends.

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Skoog

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I used to ride my bike to the Bellevue campus, as it was only two miles from my house. I live in the same house but now I drive to the Sammamish campus as it’s too far to bike. I remember my classroom on the Bellevue campus: it

I spent many years teaching Spanish and coaching dance/drill. I always had a desire to be involved in student leadership and about 10 years ago, I asked Greg Marsh (the school principal at that time) for a bigger role in that program. I felt like I had a vision of what student leadership could be and I was pretty fired up to put it into action. Greg was very supportive

“The students of EC are going to be the ones out there leading companies, teaching the next generation and making critical decisions about the future.

We need to be intentional about teaching them to lead with love and generosity.”

and gave me a lot of latitude and trust.

Over time, the student leadership program began to be viewed as making a significant impact within the school, which has given it more prestige with the student body.

Also, as a veteran teacher I do feel it is my responsibility to advocate for younger teachers. I remember how difficult it can be to speak up with new ideas or to voice your opinions.

Why do you find student leadership so important?

It all began for me as an ASB officer in high school. I attended Mt. Adams Leadership Camp, the same camp our students attend today. It is a week when student leaders

spend time together shaping the vision of what they want their school to be.

The idea of leading with love just makes sense to me. Sometimes you have to make tough calls and be honest about someone’s performance, but if you are giving feedback with love and you want to help students be stronger, wiser, better, you know it’s the right thing, even though it is hard. I love helping students see the impact they can have by being willing to be present and invested in others. The students of EC are going to be the ones out there leading companies, teaching the next generation and making critical deci-

sions about the future. We need to be intentional about teaching them to lead with love and generosity. I think if you give them direction and then get out of their way, they can do amazing things.

Give them boundaries but no limits.

Are you a lucky person?

It seems like that as of late! Maybe I should buy a lotto ticket. Winning the trip to France at this year’s auction is one of those once in a lifetime moments. Of course, I am blessed to be in good health, to have two great kids, a wonderful son-in-law, to have a job I love and live in a great area. It sounds kind of corny, but it’s true.

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Events

T SERVANT LEADERSHIP AWARD John and Lilli Pietromonaco

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HE CAMPUS, the cross, the baseball field— it is hard to imagine a part of the school John and Lilli Pietromonaco have not touched.

Surrounded by family and friends at the STARS Gala Auction in March, the Pietromonacos were presented with the 2013 Servant Leadership Award which recognizes an individual or couple for significant contributions to the life of Eastside Catholic.

John and Lilli have a long history with Eastside Catholic and with each other: they met when they were teenagers and have been married for more than 30 years. Three of their daughters graduated from EC: Nicole ’01, Brianne ’02 and Michelle ’08. While Nicole and Brianne were students, John agreed to join the Permanence Committee which was charged with finding a permanent home for EC. John and Lilli then became co-chairs of The Campaign for Eastside Catholic, the capital campaign that raised funds to build the school.

As co-chairs they helped raise $40 million to build our current campus. The amount of time they devoted to the school is remarkable. For three years, John participated in weekly meetings on the campus construction progress, along with keeping his day job.

At the start of the campaign, John said, “We believe that it will take many gifts to reach the goal, but the idea behind community is that we will build Eastside Catholic together, everyone giving from what they have.” John and Lilli made a generous contribution themselves, but more importantly, they worked tirelessly to rally others’ support for the project.

Even though their children have long since graduated, they continue to give of their time, talent and resources. John and Lilli remain active members of the emeriti. John acted as the owners representative for the new ball field and both are active EC ambassadors in the community. They continue to work for the benefit of EC to make a difference in the lives of future students. From Lilli’s perspective, “If you are able to do something you should do it.” We are thankful for their continued involvement and their faith in the vision of the school.

2013 AUCTION WAS A NIGHT OF

O

UR SIGNATURE fundraising event, the STARS Gala Auction, brought together over 560 guests from the EC community to celebrate and support Eastside Catholic School. This year’s auction was a tremendous success and generated essential funds which go toward strengthening campus operations and providing generous tuition assistance.

Did you know that volunteers and staff began preparations for next year’s auction within weeks of finalizing the current year’s auction? Then, beginning in September, auction preparations are in full swing with volunteers beginning the procurement and sponsorship process, recruiting and training team

Shining STARS

members, opening up their homes for pre-auction events and planning, in addition to working behind the scenes completing administrative tasks that help the event run smoothly.

More than 200 volunteers work hundreds of hours to contribute to this community event filled with fun, fellowship and pride. To all who had a part, big or small, in the limelight or behind the scenes, through monetary gifts or gifts of sweat equity, we thank you for being a part of what makes Eastside Catholic School exceptional.

Save the Date: March 8

2014 STARS GALA AUCTION

Thank You Auction Sponsors

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Class Notes

Alex Leider ’08

Jennifer Walsh Patterson ’99

Erin McNiff Billmaier ’01

Jessica McHugh ’01, Tyler McLean ’03

Caitlin Vincent ’03

Cal Towey ’08

Justine Martin ’03

Evan Fowler ’09

1986 Erin “Brady” Kirkland is currently writing a book titled “Alaska on the Go: Exploring the 49th State with Children.” The book will be the first Alaskan-authored guide book tailored to those visiting Alaska with children. She also publishes AKontheGO. com and regularly contributes to Alaska Coast Magazine and Alaska Magazine. Erin lives in Anchorage with her husband James and two sons.

1998 A resident of Iowa for the past four years, Elizabeth (Schneider) Porter and her husband David moved to Washington in January 2013. David works at Energy Northwest as a nuclear engineer. Erin is a stay-at-home mom. They have one son and another due in July.

1999 Bergen Delisi is married and resides in Bellevue.

Jennifer (Walsh) Patterson and Todd Patterson have been married for 3 years and recently welcomed a daughter.

Tyler McLean graduated from Gonzaga in 2003 and moved to San Diego, California and worked for Booz Allen Hamilton in the Defense Industry providing IT consulting services for the U.S. Navy. In 2010, he accepted a position as a civilian IT specialist with the Department of the Navy. Tyler 18

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married Jessica McHugh ’01 in 2009 and they have one daughter.

2000 Heather Shell is currently attending

she “feels fortunate to be able to practice full spectrum medicine taking care of patients in the clinic, at the hospital and delivering babies at Swedish First Hill.”

She and Tyler have one daughter.

Paradise Valley Community College in North Central Phoenix, Arizona. She is studying towards an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science to become a registered dietician. She volunteers through her church, City of Grace in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Erin (McNiff) Billmaier married Kris Billmaier on October 13, 2012.

Conor Black and Liz Allen were married

Justine Martin graduated from Renton

in March 2013 on the shore of Peterson Pond in Redmond, Washington. Dr. Gary Culbert was the witness to the nuptials.

Conor graduated from Harvard in 2004.

2001 Brian Gablehouse married Nikki (Panasyuk) Gablehouse in 2012. The wedding party included several EC alumni including best man Jonathan

Gablehouse ’99, Joe Bossi ’01, and Elisa Gablehouse ’06.

Jessica McHugh graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 2009 and a few weeks later married Tyler McLean ’99. She spent three years training in Family Practice at the Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine Residency Program with her final year as chief resident. In October 2012, she joined the Swedish Medical Group at the Central Seattle Clinic. Jessica states that

2003 Lisa Bedient and Brett Duarte are engaged to be married in July 2013.

Technical College and received a medical receptionist certificate in 2006. Justine is a volunteer at her church and has volunteered at the Puget Sound Blood Center for the past 6 years. Justine is currently employed at Old Navy. She continues to participate in the Special Olympics, competing in track and field and softball. Justine reports that she is dating and happy.

Caitlin Vincent is currently based in Baltimore, Maryland where she is a freelance opera singer and artistic director of The Figaro Project. As artistic director, Caitlin has written and produced two original operatic adaptations and commissioned four world-premiere operas. Caitlin earned a B.A. in history and literature from Harvard and an M.M. in vocal performance from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University (caitlinvincent.com).

share your news Do you have a new job?

A new address?

A new child?

Send an email with any updates to alumni@ eastsidecatholic.org.

2004 Matthew McDonald is currently working

Erin Brady Kirkland ’86

for Microsoft in the Kinect 4 Windows group.

Matthew stated, “Since I had made so many friends and attended so many events [at Eastside Catholic] (dances, football games, plus Options class events), I wanted to stay an extra year. All the schools and work I participated in following graduation were nowhere as enjoyable as my high school days.”

2009

2005

University and was accepted into the School

Druyos. The wedding is planned for July 6, 2013.

Alyssia (Mitchell) Amosa married Jonathan Amosa on June 29, 2012.

2008

Upcoming Events JUNE 20 Retirement Party for Acosta, Geraghty and Stein JUNE–AUGUST Summer Classes & Camps SUMMER 1983, 1993, 2003 Reunions SEPTEMBER 13 Eighth Grade Football Night

Harrison Freiberg recently graduated from WSU and has been accepted into the Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC. Alex Leider graduated cum laude in spring 2011 with a degree in finance from WSU. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 2012 and successfully completed the U.S. Army Ranger School in January 2013.

He is currently stationed at Fort Stewart outside Savannah, Georgia.

He has been inducted into the National Academic Honor Society of Phi Beta Kappa, the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and was named Academic All-American having played rugby for three years. Evan is completing his first year of graduate studies at the University of Bologna, Italy. For his master’s degree, he is studying international economics, with concentrations in Middle East studies and American foreign policy. Evan recently completed the Foreign Service exams and was awarded his fluency certificate in Arabic.

2011

Tessie LaMourea is a sophomore at the University of Rochester, New York, pursuing a bachelor of arts in philosophy and economics, with a minor in political science.

John McMullan graduated from WSU in She is on the Dean’s List and active on 2012 and was honored with the President’s campus as a member of Alpha Phi Omega, Award. After interning for the indoor football the Filipino-American Student Association, team, Spokane Shock, he was hired as their the climbing club, and the business manager external vice president. John welcomed the for the equestrian team. Tessie is also a EC football team last fall when they traveled D’Lion (an upperclassman that lives with to Spokane for their semi-final game. freshmen to help them transition into college Cal Towey is currently attending Baylor life). This summer she is travelling to Malawi, University where he received a scholarship Africa to work on a research project. to play baseball. In March 2013, Cal was

Held on a Sunday in April

SEPTEMBER 28 Fall Wine Tasting Event

this year, the annual Grandpar-

Sponsored by Boosters

ents and Special Friends Day

OCTOBER 13 High School Open House

was a wonderful opportunity for students and their guests to

OCTOBER 25 Homecoming For more information visit eastsidecatholic.org/calendar or call 425-295-3037.

Evan Fowler is attending Johns Hopkins

Stephanie DeCillia is engaged to Matthew of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

2007

Tessie LaMourea ’11

named MVP of the Houston Astros College Tournament and Big 12 player of the week.

Cal’s career highlights include being named three times to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Spring 2010, Fall 2011, 2012), 2012 NCAA Waco Regional All-Tournament Team and 2012 Second-Team All-Big 12 (voted by coaches).

spend time together on campus, attend Mass, enjoy a delicious brunch and hear student musical

The Alumni Easter Egg Hunt was

performances and speakers. As one student said, “Our grandparents

a great success! Thanks to all who

are the unseen founders of our family here at Eastside Catholic.

attended. We look forward to see-

They are the very building blocks of our relationships.” Thank you

ing you on campus again soon.

for attending and continuing this honored tradition.

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232 228th Avenue SE Sammamish, WA 98074 eastsidecatholic.org

Congratulations! v C L A S S of 2 0 1 3 v