EC Magazine, Summer 2018

SUMMER 2018

EC 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

2018

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From Our High School Principal

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From Our President

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In the Classroom

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Farewells

10 Alumni Feature 12 Volunteer Feature 13 Beyond Textbooks 14 We Are EC 16 Celebrations 18 Class Notes ON THE COVER Matthew Wittress (The Cat) and Ben McCall (The Boy) in EC’s Performing Arts production of Seussical.

OUR MISSION Eastside Catholic School is a Catholic faith-based educational community where students learn to integrate their thinking and believing in ways that encourage intellectual excellence, nurture relationships and inspire a life of leadership and service to others.

Over the course of four days, Wisfkd dende oredit, quam atia EC Performing Arts transformed the EC gymo utem intoconimove the fantasticalris world Seuss butuus sdfktd diofstDr.vidella through lively production of the musical, vis forita convern inatum iam suliciam

defente te niquemuliam di se

With more than 100 students involved from start to finish with roles ranging from singing and dancing, to lighting setup, to playing in the orchestra, it was an impressive and imaginative musical extravaganza showcasing the talent, tenacity and teamwork of our students.

From Our High School Principal

O

N ANY GIVEN DAY I see many positive experiences shaping our

students into caring, talented and capable individuals. From Peace and Justice Day, to Mass in the Chapel, to the strong curriculum and varied extracurricular opportunities—it is exciting to see these experiences impact our students today and shape who they will become.

My parents emigrated to America in 1958 from Langenlois, Austria. As a first-generation American who grew up in San Francisco with German as my first language, my Catholic education introduced me to the broader world. My school, Holy Name Elementary, was six blocks from the beach and began what has been an amazing journey for me. From a young age, my love and admiration for every aspect of education—faith formation, curriculum, athletics, clubs, activities and community outreach— kept me grounded, focused and shaped me into who I am today.

At my high school, we celebrated Mass in the theater (not the gym), uniforms were worn until I was 18(!), and dances were held not just with classmates, but with the neighboring boys Catholic school. I remember the excitement surrounding athletics and am pleased to witness the same high level of spirit here—Roll Cru! Some of my fondest memories of school are those intangible experiences I see our students taking part in, and will in turn be the moments that they hold dear long after they leave our campus.

As part of a holistic education, our students are members of a community working to make positive changes in the world, whether through volunteering at a local food bank, traveling on a 4

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mission trip to New Orleans or simply sitting next to a schoolmate who is alone at lunch. We emphasize that we are part of a greater good and a larger community—in the Middle School we refer to this as The EC Way. In the coming year, the concepts that constitute the EC Way and are infused throughout the Middle School curriculum will be embraced more fully in the High School. We are currently working to build and reframe our High School Mentor Program to include curriculum called Character Strong. This program, which focuses on character and personal health development—teaches students to practice and embrace traits such as kindness, respect, humility, honesty and compassion. Students who feel safe and supported perform better and enjoy school more and they will leave school with a stronger identity and purpose in the world.

A bright future awaits our students and I look forward to helping them reach their true potential.

Barbara Swann

From Our President

Dear Eastside Catholic Community, Joining the EC community as school president is a true blessing. The warmth and openness of everyone has been overwhelming. EC seems comfortable and familiar—as though I have been here for years. I hope that the EC campus is like a second home for you and your family. I am excited to witness our students’ success at every grade level and celebrate our seniors who continue to make an indelible imprint on EC as the school year comes to a close.

I spent the last 10 years at Washington State University, most recently as Interim CEO of the WSU Foundation. My career has been spent supporting educational institutions and students and I look forward to bringing my collegiate-level zest for education to EC. Many schools aspire to prepare students academically for college. EC does more. We prepare our students for life. We prepare them to lead and serve. Eastside Catholic takes the dreams, desires, goals and ideas of our students and combines them with faith, world class academics and extensive extracurricular experiences. I welcome the opportunity to be an integral part of these formative and pivotal years.

At EC, I am reminded of the impact great teachers had in my own life. I grew up in Los Angeles, California, and attended school at Palms Junior High and Alexander Hamilton High School. In junior high, Mr. Kravitz, my math teacher, constantly challenged me and instilled a strong work ethic and commitment to academic excellence. In high school, Mr. Kaplan taught valuable critical thinking skills and provided a safe environment to engage and practice in civil public discourse.

At Eastside Catholic, the opportunity to nurture and inspire students motivates our team each day. The faculty and staff is dedicated to the school mission and passionate about creating an exceptional experience for each individual student. We all have a part to play in EC’s mission and we are enthusiastic about our role in the lives of our students.

The summer season is an anticipated and celebrated time. Our students and faculty will hopefully spend more time outdoors, enjoy the longer days, rejuvenate their spirit and reaffirm their faith as they prepare for the upcoming school year. I will spend my summer immersed in all things Eastside Catholic, including implementing our long term strategic vision and plan. I look forward to meeting many of you soon, and to what we will achieve in the coming months and years together.

Sincerely,

Gil Picciotto EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

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In The Classroom Grew up i n Denver, Colorado B. A . , Gon zaga U n iversi t y, M . A . , Clevela nd State U n iversi t y Favorite book is A People ’ s H istor y of the U n i ted States , by Howa rd Z i n n Favorite food is vanilla ice cream or his mom’s spag hetti sauce Cuts his own hair and hasn’t pa id for a ha ircut si nce 2004 Favorite movie is Good Wi l l H u n ti ng or Clueless Enjoys trail running Joi ned EC i n 2011

Scott Alcorn

Historically Hip What drew you to teaching?

I honestly have never wanted to do anything else. I’m lucky that way, I guess. For me it was always, “What can I do as a job that lets me work with things I’m interested in in my daily life?” and teaching history was it. The closest I ever came to another job was the stretch in middle school where I thought I’d teach during the school year and play shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals in the summers (a plan I’m still open to, if the Cardinals are listening!), but I’ve always only ever wanted to be a teacher. I love talking about history and always have— teaching lets me do that and get paid for it, which is just about the best thing anyone can ask for.

How would you describe your teaching style?

I don’t know if I would describe it in any kind of way necessarily, but I want to be the 6

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kind of teacher that I would have enjoyed as a student. I enjoyed class the most when the teacher was energetic, used different activities in a lesson, and talked about cool things, so I try to do those things. Aside from that, I’ve always felt history should be a tool of sorts for social justice. There have been ills throughout history just as there are ills now, and studying history can help us to fix those ills. My classes probably tend to reflect that.

What is the best part of teaching?

It’s cliché I’m sure but it’s the students, no question. There are just so many cool young people here. EC is full of students who pay attention to the world, who are funny, who are kind, who are wise beyond their years, who have really cool interests, and I love that I get to teach them.

Is there a teacher that inuenced you when you were in school?

My dad was a high school baseball coach

for a long time so I think I picked up a lot from him just by osmosis. Jeff Howard was my freshman English teacher at Regis Jesuit High School and he was this hilarious guy with high standards who showed that class could be fun but also business-like at the same time. Father Bill Ryan was a philosophy professor at Gonzaga who was similarly hilarious but also took time to get to know his students on a personal level, which I thought was pretty cool coming from a college professor. Otherwise, I’m lucky to able to learn from amazing teachers on a daily basis here at EC, people like Aimee O’Donnell, Lesley Wootton and Karen Skoog and too many others to count.

When did your interest in history begin?

It’s probably been since just about forever.

I remember taking a school trip to an Aztec exhibit at the Denver Museum of Natural History and right in the middle of

“EC is full of students who pay attention to the world, who are funny, who are kind, who are wise beyond their years, who have really cool interests, and I love that I get to teach them.”

the entrance was a huge scale model of the Aztec capital city, complete with what must have been a 15-foot-tall replica of their great pyramid. There were little models of people doing day-to-day things like shopping and working and traveling and it was all so lifelike in a way that, for a 9 or 10-year-old boy, was about the coolest thing ever. That started a mini-obsession with the Aztecs that just kept going in all sorts of historical directions and hasn’t ever really stopped.

What is your favorite era of American history to teach?

The American Revolution for sure because it’s just such a microcosm of the country’s history. It’s got oppression and class conflict and slavery, but also people working together for things they believe in along with a great sense of hope, optimism, and potential. To me the whole period encapsulates what makes the U.S. so messy and complicated but also beautiful. We’ve come a long way and we still

have a long way to go and we all hopefully work towards getting it there. “In order to form a more perfect union” and all that.

for me to get ready for my own simple routine sometimes, so I’m fascinated to know what it was like for her.

Any advice for students who want to pursue history in college?

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

The world needs you! Seriously! These days, things seem more complex than ever but I’d argue that they’re just as complex as they’ve always been. The same injustices and inequalities exist today and we need people who understand the historical causes behind them so we can work to devise solutions.

Mexico City. It must be 10-year old me with the Aztec obsession coming out, but I’ve always wanted to see the city.

If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?

Lately, I’ve been really interested in the processes people take in their daily lives so I’d want to talk to someone about that.

Maybe Harriet Tubman, just to ask her what she did on a daily basis to get mentally and physically ready for all the work she did to free enslaved people. It’s challenging enough

As a non-native, what do you like most about the Pacic Northwest?

Aside from the natural beauty (which I’ll never get tired of), definitely the weather. I know that sounds weird given the rain but after spending two years in Cleveland during grad school, I’ll gladly take a rainy winter over five months of snow and cold. Plus the summers here are pretty much perfect, especially speaking as a former D.C. resident.

Give me some sunshine and 70-degree temps over heat and humidity any day.

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

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Farewells

Farewell, Father Heric

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F

We thank you for your dedication, service and many years of friendship.

Once a Crusader, always a Crusader!

or our students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff, Father Heric’s presence at Eastside Catholic has been a constant.

For 19 years we have expected to see him at the top of the stairs as we arrive at school, to be kicking off an evening event or celebration with prayer, on the sidelines at football games, dropping down to do pushups after each Crusader touchdown or just strolling through the hallways exchanging a high five with the students as they walk to class. As he embarks on his next role with the Archdiocese of Seattle, we wish our longtime friend, coworker and chaplain well.

The oldest of seven children, Father William Heric was born in the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood of Seattle. His family eventually settled in what is now known as Shoreline and this is where he began his Catholic education. For eight years he attended primary school at St. Luke Parish and then, at the young age of 14, he entered the seminary. He attended St. Edward Seminary and St. Thomas Seminary, both located in Kenmore, Washington. He went on to complete his theology studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California and was ordained to the priesthood in 1981 by Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen.

In the early days of his priesthood, he served as a parish priest in Bremerton and South Seattle and as a hospital chaplain on First Hill, covering Harborview, Swedish, Virginia Mason and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. He offered pastoral care and the sacraments to patients in those medical facilities, with an obvious priority given to seriously ill or dying patients. He later served as the pastor of St. George Parish on Beacon Hill. And in 1998, he returned to hospital ministry, primarily as a sacramental minister at Holy Innocents, and later St. Jude’s.

In 1999, Father Heric was invited to join Eastside Catholic High School as a part-time chaplain by Principal Glen Lutz. He began by celebrating Mass at the school once or twice each month. The following year his responsibilities expanded to include assisting with retreats and occasionally filling in as a substitute teacher for the Religious Studies Department.

As the EC community flourished and his role expanded, Father Heric grew to love the school. Unreservedly, in 2002, he asked Archbishop Alex J. Brunett if he might be assigned to EC on a more permanent basis. His request was approved and he became school chaplain, even while he continued to serve at the Holy Innocents Church in Duvall and St. Jude’s Parish in Redmond.

In his first years at EC, Father Heric was the primary person in Campus Ministry. He viewed his role as school chaplain “to be a Christ-like presence to all in the community, students, faculty, staff, parents, alums and friends of the school.”

Father Heric has been many things to the many members of the EC community he served. He felt one of his most important responsibilities was to always be present for students and he sought to become a stable, trusted advisor to allow students to speak freely, to seek comfort, to ask for advice or to simply be heard. “I appreciate the

great privilege I’ve had to watch and help our students grow up before my eyes over the years,” Father Heric said. “EC students are special for the ways they sincerely try to love and encourage one another.”

Not only was Father Heric present in the Chapel and Campus Ministry Department over the nearly two decades he was assigned to EC, he was active in most aspects of school life as well. His typical day began by putting on coffee and sending out a “Positive Quote and Prayer of the Day” email to faculty and staff. He usually arrived in the Chapel by 7 a.m. for his daily prayer and on Tuesdays to celebrate Mass with EC community members. On most school days, Father Heric positioned himself in the courtyard at the Newport campus or at the top of the staircase in Sammamish to welcome everyone to school. He also found time to offer pastoral counseling to parents, to be present for the students during the school day as well as at extracurricular practices and events. Father Heric said, “I have never been tired or bored of being present for our students.”

Father Heric contributed to the school in other ways—he taught religion courses, led retreats for students, faculty and staff and served in school leadership, including as director of campus ministry and as an ex officio member of the Eastside Catholic Board of Trustees.

The Chaplain Fund, which he administered over the years, benefitted innumerable students and families, from paying for school lunches and books to covering the cost of a student’s admission to attend a school dance or travel on a mission trip.

Through collaboration with many others, he has been a constant reminder of the school’s essential Catholic faith-based mission. “The first responsibility of any priest is to preach the gospel and gather the community around the sacraments, especially the Eucharist,” Father Heric said. Fundamentally, he viewed his role as important in “reminding everyone that God loves them” and encouraging the school community “to share that love everywhere, with everyone.”

When the campus moved to Sammamish, Father Heric believed the addition of the Middle School increased the positive and inclusive character of the community. “The school spirit at EC has always been upbeat and strong and I have found most of our students to be generous and willing to make sacrifices for the good of others.

The sense of a loving community at EC is something I have always appreciated. But most of all, the teachers, staff and parents truly love our students and are committed to their flourishing.”

Father Heric helped to build EC into the faithful, spirited and loving community that it is today. And although he will no longer be a daily presence at EC, he has asked the Seattle Archdiocese to consider a local reassignment. We look forward to welcoming him on campus for future celebrations and events. Go Cru! [Stay connected with Father Heric by email: wheric@outlook.com.]

To honor Father Heric and his years of service to the school and to the community, the Class of 2018, with the help of family and friends, raised funds to dedicate the multipurpose field to him. The field will forever more be named Fr. Heric Field.

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Alumni Feature

p U r e d r O d many dustry an in e g a r e v ms od and be three alu fo t h e g li th h in ig ere we h ble. e growth nt role. H re enjoya g explosiv o ta in r m y o e p jo n m im e ti is free ying an Our area make our ni are pla to m g lu in a k r r u o o of who are w

After

graduating from EC, P.J. attended college at the University of Puget Sound, graduating in 2009.

He always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the restaurant industry and attended the Seattle Art Institute after college to learn the restaurant basics.

At Assaggio Ristorante in Seattle, he worked his way up from food prep, to line cook, to chef. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there and it was then that thoughts of opening his own place began to come together.

The Waffler opened in March 2017 in the Lake Hills neighborhood of Bellevue. P.J. was confident that a menu of waffles would draw people in, and with creative

“I went to St. Louise and with the restaurant being so close to the school I have even served a few of my grade school teachers.” recipes, delicious combinations and a comfortable space, he knew his customers would return. And as he said, “it’s not everywhere that you can order a fried chicken sandwich on waffle bread.” P.J. takes pride in his team of employees who have mostly been with him from the beginning, unusual for the restaurant business. “We have six employees and they all work hard—the weekends are pretty crazy but we have a great team.”

P.J. has fond memories of his time at Eastside Catholic.

“I helped build the batting cages at the old campus.

Along with our baseball coaches, my brother and some others, we built them from scratch—not sure it was the best idea! My time spent playing sports and my time with friends at EC are great memories for me.”

He looks forward to welcoming EC alums and current families to The Waffler anytime. He has also begun to offer catering and is happy to bring waffle making to you.

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P.J. ROSS ’04 THE WAFFLER thewaffler.com

Matt

graduated from EC and continued his education at Washington State University. “Go COUGS! I pretty much knew I wanted to go into the restaurant business when I was in high school and WSU was the perfect place to go. I graduated in 2002 with a degree in hotel restaurant management,” Matt said.

Now under his management, Marco Polo originally opened in 1950. The bar has changed hands four times in the last 68 years. In 2006, Matt and his business partner (an O’Dea alum) took over the bar with the idea of reinventing and strengthening its’ place in the Seattle bar scene. Changes are commonplace in

“The Destiny retreat was probably my fondest memory of EC, truly one of the great experiences of my life.” the restaurant business and three years ago, he bought out his partners. In a recent move, his General Manager Liz Steinbach, took an ownership role. They are proud of the bar and grill’s history and its ability to adapt to the times.

The bar is a popular place to host events and get-togethers of all kinds. “We hosted the Class of 1997 reunion this past summer, which was my brother Mike’s class. It was MATT MIERA ’98 great fun because our classes were so close. I’m hosting MARCO POLO BAR AND my own class reunion this summer—I missed my 10marcopolopub.com year reunion so I’m looking forward to it,” said Matt.

Located in the eclectic Georgetown neighborhood of South Seattle, Marco Polo is a familiar place to many and a great place to hang out with friends.

GRILL

David

knew he wanted to work in the wine industry long before he left for college. And after earning his master’s degree in viticulture and enology from the University of California, he did for a time. But his passion for beer and beer making eventually led him down another path. In 2016, David, his father and another partner opened No Boat Brewing Company in a converted warehouse space in Snoqualmie, Washington.

David has worked to create a family-friendly, community DAVID SKIBA ’09 gathering place—and has succeeded on all accounts. Since opening, NO BOAT BREWING COMPANY “business has been crazy busy,” David said. The footprint has noboatbrewing.com expanded to include a lighted, outdoor patio area with picnic tables where patrons can relax and enjoy the weather (when nice) and the visiting food truck service just steps away. David likes to try new things and the brewery has hosted a local yoga studio twice in the past couple of months where upwards of 50 people participated.

Plans are in the works to expand the operation behind the scenes to allow for an increased brewing system so they are able to bottle or can

“I’ve worked to create a family-friendly community gathering place … and business has been crazy busy!” beer on site as well as create new custom craft beers including “wild ales” which use the essence of produce to enhance the beer.

David says one of his favorite things is to participate in the “awesome” local beer festivals. This year they were at Hops & Props at the Museum of Flight and will also be at the popular Washington Brewers Fest in June for all three days, along with other smaller conservation groupsponsored events over the summer months.

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Volunteer Feature

Jennifer Hood Eastside Catholic is grateful to volunteers who spend countless hours supporting activities that are at the heart of the EC experience.

What was your first introduction to EC?

What is your favorite EC event or activity?

Our first introduction to Eastside Catholic was at an open house on the old campus in Newport Hills. We began to realize that while our three boys were succeeding in school and activities, they did not seem to be thriving or achieving their full potential. We explored many options for nearly a year’s time. After finding EC was moving and opening a middle school, we decided to enroll Jason as a ninth-grader and Ryan as a sixth-grader when the Sammamish campus opened in the fall of 2008. Kevin, a graduating senior this year, joined his older brothers in the fall of 2011 in sixth grade. The faith-based education and critical thinking approach to learning, along with embracing all learning styles, supported our decision and provided resources not available to our boys at their current schools.

I really have two. I love the auction and the homecoming game. Both for the same reason, they are great opportunities to reconnect with friends and families that I do not see every day. If I must choose one, it is the STARS Gala Auction. All the work that goes into it and watching as a volunteer how it all comes together, it is simply amazing.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

As for me and Jeff, that is a story in itself. As young children we were raised just blocks away from each other in West Covina, California outside of Los Angeles—we may have even attended the same preschool. I then moved away and returned to West Covina to attend high school and Jeff and I met in my sophomore year. We will celebrate 34 years together and 27 years married this year.

How did you first get involved at EC? Moving two of our three boys into Eastside Catholic, a completely new school with a new community and friends, it was clear we wanted to be involved. I remember then President Jim Kubacki saying many times that we build Eastside Catholic “one great family at a time.” In 2008, all of us—students, parents, teachers and administrators—were building and growing a school. There was a lot of work to be done so we jumped in. My volunteer work began as a founding member of the Middle School PTF for which I led fundraising. Our first meeting was at the old campus and I can still remember Joji Siegel’s smiling face across the table from me. After a year or so it became clear to me that I would like to take a broader role in serving the entire school—not just the PTF. I began helping in many areas of the auctions—there used to be two a year!

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How has your involvement changed through the years?

As the years progressed I was involved in admissions, helped to coordinate the EC Ski and Snowboard Program through Mohan’s Ski School for EC Students for the past eight years and co-chaired concessions for Boosters the past two years. I am also a broker with John L. Scott Real Estate and have sponsored the auction the past three years.

What do you think you gained from volunteering?

Friendships. I have had a lot of fun and laughter over the years. As for what my family has gained, I wasn’t sure so I asked them and here are the responses. Jeff—I watched your spirit shine and felt good about the time invested in the EC community, Jason—I liked seeing Mom around school. Ryan—It gave me a groovy family feeling, Kevin— Made me want to volunteer as well. So, there you go. To me, EC is about faith and community as much as education. I made amazing friends, and at the end of a day of volunteering I always left campus feeling positive and appreciated.

What were the highlights of your 10 years at EC? We began a journey raising our three boys 10 years ago with EC. Many happy days and even very trying times have occurred. Fast forward—and I really do mean fast—we have three fantastic young men. Jason, now 24 and a Gonzaga graduate has begun his career as a systems design engineer at T-Mobile, Ryan has completed his junior year in mechanical engineering at the University of Portland and Kevin will graduate in June and head to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona in the fall to study cyber intelligence and security. I would like to think that the support Jeff and I have provided to them as parents and involved members of their school community has had something to do with their successes.

Beyond Textbooks

Celebrating Highly Accomplished

Educators

High School Mathematics teacher Erin Weaver knew that going for her National Board Certification would be one of the toughest challenges in her professional career. It’s not supposed to be easy— National Board Certification (NBCT) is an arduous process that takes one to three years to complete and is the highest professional certification a teacher can earn. Only about forty candidates pass the first time and you are not even eligible to try without three years of teaching experience. The $2,000 price tag is steep, so going for it is a major decision for more than a few reasons. Over the course of preparation, teachers read and write more deeply than ever before.

To say it’s time-consuming is an understatement. Typical portfolio requirements include multiple video entries of teaching practice, in-depth examination of student work samples and documented accomplishments of leadership work with students and within the community. This culminates in a three-hour written exam to assess expert knowledge in his or her field.

“Earning my National Board Certification was difficult, but rewarding,” said Erin Weaver. “This performance-based program allowed me the opportunity to assess my teaching choices and to develop curriculum and evaluation strategies designed to enhance student success. The certification makes an immediate impact in the classroom as I interact with students and their families.”

Social Studies teacher Piper Deardorff continued with this sentiment, “Going through the National Board Certification process was incredibly beneficial because it pushed me to reflect on all aspects of my teaching practice, from planning, to measuring student progress, to modifying my teaching and assessment strategies, all to maximize student success—which is what teaching should be about.”

This year, we are proud to celebrate five teachers who earned their National Board Certification in 2017, joining five other current EC teachers who previously achieved this professional milestone.

Eastside Catholic is one of only 370 schools nationwide where three or more teachers achieved NBCT status in a single year (2017) and one of 150 schools in the state (out of nearly 3,000) to have ten or more national board-certified teachers on staff. These 10 EC teachers specialize in a range of different subject matter, from math and science to English, social studies and art.

“The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is

Just under three percent of the nation’s teachers are National Board Certified. We are proud to celebrate 10 of our faculty members who have reached this milestone.

dedicated to promoting excellence in teaching in education and recognizes highly accomplished educators who meet rigorous standards,” said High School Principal Barbara Swann. “These 10 teachers are superb examples of the best teaching practices that Eastside Catholic provides for our students and we are thrilled to have them here.”

So, is the extreme commitment of certification and professional elevation worth the trouble? Eastside Catholic certainly thinks so.

We currently have 10 additional teachers working toward their certification over the next three years. If each teacher passes the boards on the first try, we could potentially have 20 National Board Certified teachers on staff by 2021—a clear indication of the high caliber of instructors who teach our students. Please join us in congratulating our teachers who go above and beyond to ensure our students are receiving the best education possible.

National Board Certified Teachers LEFT TO RIGHT

Aimee O’Donnell, Sean Henderson, Danielle Maletta, Tara Maloney, Erin Weaver, Megan McDermott, Piper Deardorff, Amanda Longo, Erin Vickers Not pictured: Karen Mathewson

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We Are EC

SMALL SWlM SQUAD. HUGE RESULTS. With only 12 members this season, the boys swim team achieved a remarkable accomplishment, finishing fourth as a team in the WIAA State Championships—the best state finish in school history. First year coach Nate O’Brien described this season as “a breakthrough year for the team with tremendous individual and relay efforts leading to very competitive dual meets.”

Senior swimmer Dane Williams said, “The team chemistry was unlike any other team in the state. Most of the teams in 3A are around 40 swimmers. Sending almost our entire team to state to compete for the team trophy made our already tight-knit group even closer.”

Senior Miguel Jacome was the individual state champion for the 14

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200m free and the 500m free. “The Eastside Catholic swim team was a great environment to train and swim in, and it felt especially great because of the successes we all had throughout the year,” Jacome said.

He is the first state champion for the boys swim team since Ethan Hallowell ’11 won the honor in 2011.

Other individual swimmers that placed at the state championships included junior Caesar Tuguinay (sixth in the 100m fly and 12th in the 100m back), sophomore Louis Gasson (eighth in the 100m fly), Dane Williams (seventh in the 100m free) and sophomore Jimmy Butler (ninth in the 500m free).

Coach O’Brien said, “We knew we had a chance to surprise some people so we all worked towards the same goal. With so many top 10 finishes at state between individual races and relay races, it was a testament to the hard work each of the boys put in throughout the season. Our team knew when to have fun and when to focus.”

The 200m free relay team which included Dane Williams, Caesar Tuguinay, Miguel Jacome and Louis Gasson, placed third overall. The same four swimmers were a part of the 400m relay team, placing fourth overall. The 200m medley relay team (junior Nick Lewis, Louis Gasson, Dane Williams and freshman Ryland Williams) placed 10th overall.

“All of our top finishes at state made it the most fun and memorable meet I have ever swam in. In prelims, the team was on the side of the pool watching every race and just going wild for the swimmers who were qualifying for finals,” said Williams. “The next day at finals was crazy too as we were one of the top contenders for team scoring for the first time in EC swimming history, so we were constantly checking the team scores and fighting for every point we could get.”

In addition to top finishes at state, the team broke all three-school relay records and Miguel Jacome broke two individual records.

REALLY FAST FACTS 200 Freestyle Relay | 1:27.05 Dane Williams, Miguel Jacome, Caesar Tuguinay and Louis Gasson; old record was 1:28.98 (2011) Ethan Hallowell, Joe Mahan, Matt Leist and Braden Wolgamott 400 Freestyle Relay | 3:12.24 Dane Williams, Miguel Jacome, Caesar Tuguinay, Louis Gasson; old record set 3:19.35 (2003) Chris Anderson, Kevin Daniels, Reed Miller and Ted Hastings 200 Medley Relay | 1:39.42 (at Metros) Caesar Tuguinay, Miguel Jacome, Nick Lewis and Dane Williams; old record was 1:40.15 (2002) Robby Miller, Reed Miller, Will Vicik and Ted Hastings 200 IM | 1:53.07 Miguel Jacome; old record 1:59.96 (2011) Ethan Hallowell 500 Freestyle | 4:33.42 Miguel Jacome; old record 4:43.45 (2011) Ethan Hallowell

Time to update the banners!

LlFTOFF! This year, Eastside Catholic “launched” its own competition model rocket club! The team of ten competes through the Team America Rocketry Competition (TARC) organization, constructing a rocket from scratch to satisfy a variety of competition requirements. Students experiment with constructing the rocket from a variety of components, customizing aspects of the rocket ranging from nose cone shape and material to size and impulse of the motor, all in an effort to reach an apogee of 800 feet while successfully protecting two raw eggs.

During this first year, we were able to successfully launch the rocket—initially to a height of 765 feet and a second time to an incredible 981 feet. Although we were unable to advance to the next level of the competition, we had a fantastic time competing and forming a tight-knit group of rocket enthusiasts. Overall, seeing a year’s worth of design come to fruition in the form of a flawless launch was incredibly special and something that the team should certainly be proud of accomplishing as a part of its inaugural season.

Next year, the club looks forward to continuing competing in the TARC competition while potentially expanding the accessibility of the program to different ages and different interest levels. It has been made clear through the dedication and enthusiasm of this year’s underclassmen that the club has a lot to look forward to in the coming years, potentially including a chance to compete at Nationals. As a team, we would like to thank all of those who have supported our effort throughout the school year, especially to the Eastside Catholic Boosters Club who provided the team with a tremendous amount of support at the beginning of the year.

—ALEX GALLARD ’18 founder of the EC Rocket Club

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

15

Celebrations

Together We Thrive! was the theme of this year’s STARS Gala Auction and the evening festivities showcased that sentiment in many ways. From current families and friends, to alumni, business partners and faculty, we witnessed our community join together in support of our students. This year’s event was especially notable for the number of current students and alumni who participated, both behind the scenes and in the limelight.

Senior Jarred Flowers kicked off the Live Auction with a heartwarming prayer, senior Blake Rogalski donated a vibrant large format painting to the Silent Auction offerings and Joe Munko

Alex Gallard ’18

’88 spoke eloquently about the importance of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) education in the Making a Difference video. Taking center stage during the Live Auction, Senior Alex Gallard also spoke of his experience in STEAM in support of the raise the paddle moment and over 70 students helped with the planning and setup on the day of the event, volunteering during the Silent Auction and the cleanup late into the night.

More than 430 guests were present in the ballroom, including a large group of 2012 alumni who purchased a table and vowed to

Please join us at next year’s auction:

MARCH 23, 2019

attend next year’s auction in greater number because “the auction was so much fun!” Thank you to this year’s Auction Co-Chairs Cindy Huse and Sandi Stuit for their leadership and dedication in making this year’s auction a wonderful event.

16

eastsidecatholic.org

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EC President Gil

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Parents Charu Bo

Bosworth

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

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Auction Co-Chair

TOM & ANNE SMARSH

THE SAMPSON FAMILY

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Class Notes

Danielle [Morgan] Sowinski ’08

Brian Comer ’12

2008

Charles Billington and Kayley [Thompson] ’04 welcomed their third

Danielle [Morgan] Sowinski, her

Justine Martin has been working at Zee Medical for the past two years. She was recently selected by her Microsoft Team to be featured in their Supported Employment Program.

Kylie Neale graduated in June 2018

Anderson David Taylor was born to Patrick Taylor and his wife, Jaime, on March 30. He joins his brother, Jack, age two.

2010

2005 Briana [Junior] Maddock and her husband welcomed their second child, Bailee Renée Arlene, on April 10, 2018.

Tori [Spero] Dullenty and her husband Patrick welcomed their first child, Finn Robert, in July 2017.

2006 Michelle [Head] Perez and David Perez were married on December 29, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Michelle and David reside in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Michelle is employed with the State Courts System as a personnel management analyst. David was recently promoted to assistant director for United Community Options.

Emily Wright and Daniel McCartt were married on March 10 at Holy Innocents Church in Duvall. Fr. William Heric presided.

eastsidecatholic.org

2009 from the University of Washington with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

child, Shepherd, on January 20, 2018.

18

husband Tom and big brother Million Tomasz, welcomed Evelyn Mae to their family on March 9, 2018, weighing in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces.

2004

Kayley [Thompson] and Charles Billington ’03 welcomed their third

Do you have a new job?

A new address?

A new child?

Want to get involved?

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

Sam Brakken ’15

2003 child, Shepherd, on January 20, 2018.

share your news

Justine Martin ’03

Julia [Kepple] Jackson and her husband Nick, welcomed their second child, Jordyn, on January 18.

Emily Reams and Connell Totten were married July 15, 2017 in Poulsbo, Washington.

2011 Brian Brezarich is working at Shoreline Community College in the Athletics Department as a department support person.

Kylie Neale ’09, Mitchell Neale ’14

studying business at Mizzou, and in 2017, decided to combine his passion for writing with his love of music. In November, he started a music blog, earlybirdnyc.com, highlighting new artists and news in the industry. Jimmy has interviewed artists with a combined one billion streams globally in the five months since starting, and continues to fill his free time writing and making connections in the music industry.

2012 Brian Comer recently placed first out of 449 athletes at the Portland Hop Hop Half Marathon, automatically qualifying him for the NAIA National Championships on May 26 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was also named the CCC Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week for March 26-April 1.

Currently a student at Multnomah University, he is the first athlete there to accomplish this fete.

Josh Harms was recently elected editor in chief of the Seattle University Law Review.

Anthony Caldarazzo received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Carroll College in 2015 and has taken a new position at MG2 as part of the Cost Management Team. Anthony recently became engaged to Lexe Tietjen and they are planning their wedding for the end of 2018.

Alex Foley graduated in December 2017 from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in managerial finance and real estate and is working as a commercial real estate broker in Dallas, Texas.

Alex Johnston graduated from Seattle

John “Jack” Werner graduated in

University Law School on May 12, 2018 and will be joining the Seattle office of Dorsey & Whitney law firm in the fall.

June 2018 from the University of Washington with a B.S. in chemistry.

Jimmy Michaels has been living in New York City since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2015. He is working in technology consulting for an international software company based in Moscow, Russia. Jimmy originally studied journalism before

2013

2014 John Charters graduated from Notre Dame in May with a B.S. in honors physics and honors mathematics. He recently accepted a Graduate Division Fellowship at UCLA and will pursue his Ph. D in theoretical particle physics in fall 2018.

Charles Billington ’03 Kayley [Thompson] ’04

Joseph Rossi ’15

Julia [Kepple] Jackson ’10

Briana [Junior] Maddock ’05

Emily Reams ’10

Jimmy Michaels ’11

Mitchell Neale graduated in May with a B.A. from Gonzaga.

Eric Schutzler graduated in June from the University of Denver with a B.S. in finance.

Bradley Strode graduated from the University of Southern California in May with a B.S. in business administration and a minor in cinematic arts. He will be moving to San Francisco to begin work as an analyst for Black Rock.

Michelle [Head] Perez ’06

Joey Kittridge was recently engaged to Austin Wise.

2015 Ashley Blanton was named to the

Patrick Taylor ’04

Division 1 Athletic 10 Conference All-Academic Team for lacrosse.

She was one of 10 players voted on by the league. This season, she started every game in defense, was third in ground balls and had 14 caused turnovers.

Sam Brakken was elected Westmont College Student Association (WCSA) President in May 2018.

Joseph Rossi started an independent film production company called Smile Films in Vancouver, Canada. He recently graduated from the Vancouver Film School in December 2017 and is currently expanding his business into the United States.

IN MEMORIAM To the following members of our EC community who have died, but whose spirits live on always in our hearts.

Suzanne Patmore Gibbs ’85 Michael Turnbull ’98

Joyful Spring

Anthony Caldarazzo ’11

Our community joined together for the Annual Alumni Easter Egg Hunt held in March.

As always, an eggs-citing event for the youngest children and grandchildren in our community!

June–Aug. June 23 July 20 July 21 Sept. 12 Sept. 15

Summer Camps Class of 1988 Reunion Alumni BBQ Class of 1998 Reunion Mass of the Holy Spirit Swirl: Fall Wine Tasting Event

Upcoming Eastside Catholic School Events

Tori [Spero] Dullenty ’05

Join Us For more details: eastsidecatholic.org/calendar

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018

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EASTSIDE CATHOLIC Eastside Catholic School 232 228th Avenue SE Sammamish, WA 98074 eastsidecatholic.org

Congratulations

CLASS OF 2018

Eastside Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, tuition assistance and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.