EC Magazine, Summer 2023

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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. OUR MISSION 4 From Our Vice President of Advancement 5 From Our President 6 In the Classroom 8 Farewells 10 Alumni Feature 11 Beyond Textbooks 12 Celebrations 14 We Are EC 16 Alumni Feature 18 Class Notes ON THE COVER Alex W. and Diego G. helped package lunches for the food insecure for Peace and Justice Day. EC MAGAZINE Inside Eastside Catholic SUMMER 2023

An Unforgettable Experience

Our sixth-grade students traveled to the heart of Olympic National Park for NatureBridge’s three-day outdoor science program in April. Surrounded by old-growth forests, students had the opportunity to engage in environmental science and connect with classmates while developing a lasting relationship with nature.

NatureBridge’s approach to learning is based on the principle of “learning by doing,” which makes for a unique and immersive experience. Students put hands-on science skills to the test through activities such as water quality testing, forest ecology studies and wildlife observation. It was a chance to experience nature up close and personal, something that cannot be replicated in a classroom. The program not only provides educational benefits but also helps develop valuable skills like teamwork, leadership and problem-solving in a natural environment. By the end of the three days, students had a newfound appreciation for the environment and a sense of personal responsibility.

From Our Vice President of Advancement

Dear EC Community,

In my nine years as the vice president of advancement at Eastside Catholic School, I have witnessed the incredible impact of philanthropy by current families, alumni and their families, our board of trustees, friends and emeriti. Seeing the amazing opportunities that have been made possible because of your philanthropic support fills me with immense pride.

What is “advancement” at EC? For us, advancement includes advancing our Mission and supporting our Touchstones to offer a life-changing educational opportunity. Through our community’s generosity, we continue to keep EC on strong financial footing. No one who passes through our halls remains unchanged.

During my tenure, we have established endowments for professional development for our teachers and staff, an endowment to support STEM programming, an endowment to provide funds

for extracurricular clubs and activities, endowments to provide tuition assistance to those in need and so much more. We are also fortunate for the funding of multiple endowments offering academic scholarships for a diverse range of our student population. At this time of year, we accept applications for eight different scholarships, which are distinct from our financial aid and merit award offerings. I have the honor of being one of the people reviewing the essays accompanying these applications and am always touched by our students’ thoughtful reflections regarding the impact of an EC education on their lives.

The question for those new to the school as well as long-time community members is: What would you like to achieve with philanthropy that would be meaningful to you? From making an investment in our teachers, to support for specialists, to support for changes to facilities or in support of a specific club or activity, it’s a big and important question that can affect your student’s EC experience.

The enduring impacts of charitable giving at Eastside Catholic will be experienced for generations to come, as our community and students reap the benefits of the remarkable support we’ve already received. I implore everyone to contribute in personally meaningful ways towards the lives of our upcoming leaders. Our team is ready to assist you in realizing your vision!

Dear Eastside Catholic Community Members,

I’ve never run a marathon (I am allergic to exercise), but I have always been fascinated by those who do, especially worldclass runners whose times can be under three hours! Research shows the hardest part of a marathon is between the 18th and 23rd mile—when runners are physically and mentally exhausted.

In this stage, a runner will struggle the most to keep going forward—resulting in a mental struggle equal to or more intense than the physical. In a marathon, runners are encouraged to shift their focus from external to internal to overcome this challenging point. Doing this helps to combat the mental effects of hitting the proverbial wall.

In the final quarter of the school year, like marathoners, a shift in focus can help us get through these overwhelming or challenging moments. We are in the academic equivalent of that hardest mile; we live in the duality of the present and preparing for the next academic year. The span between Easter Break and the end of the school year can seem overwhelming for students, faculty and families. We are gearing up for finals, preparing for the spring musical, participating in spring sports, contemplating our schedules and classes for next year (the ones we will take and the ones we will teach) or even deciding where to attend college or university. And more daylight often means we try to cram in more and more each day.

I have found reflection and expressing gratitude as ways to shift focus and manage the day to day challenges. Gratitude is a way

of looking at the world and the good things God has blessed us with—a feeling of appreciation, regardless of whether our current circumstances are ideal. A daily prayer of thanksgiving, a focus on mindfulness or a moment of reflection can all help shift our focus.

Crossing the finish line is its own reward, and as the school year concludes, I hope we can all take some time to reflect and express gratitude for the gifts and blessings we have been given, big and small.

From Our President
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Grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa

Education degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University)

EC teacher for 6 years

Loves to read during breaks and vacations

Hobbies: Travel, cooking and writing

Grace, Love and Kindness

Tell us about your work background and how you came to teach?

After college, I went straight into the corporate world and began a career in corporate communications. I was lucky to be amid South Africa’s transition from the divisive and racist apartheid regime to its new democracy under Nelson Mandela. One of the companies I worked for was deeply involved in that transition. As director of special projects, I facilitated joint ventures between established white and emerging black businesses. Being in the corporate world during such a seminal moment in South Africa’s history was exciting and challenging. It gave me a breadth and depth of experience that I still draw on today when my classes cover content like The Great Depression, the

Constitution and the civil rights movement.

I became interested in teaching when my husband and I were looking for a school that would be a good fit for our son. I started to substitute teach at EC to get better insight into the culture and ethos of the school. I completed some long-term substitute assignments which allowed me to immerse myself in everything EC. I was impressed by the students, administration, faculty and families and knew this was a good place for my own family. It was a smooth and easy transition to becoming a full-time teacher.

What other roles do you fill at school?

Teaching is the most important and rewarding aspect of my job at EC, but I also enjoy my other roles. As Eighth Grade Lead, I facilitate weekly meetings where all grade-

level teachers and the support team meet to review our students’ academic progress. We determine the necessary interventions and create action plans to ensure that every student reaches their potential. We also review what is happening in our grades socially, as that’s an integral part of educating the whole student.

As grade level lead, I also play a small part in helping plan our retreats. Additionally, I plan our annual Silver Kite Intergenerational Project and the Eighth Grade Promotion ceremony, which I couldn’t do without an incredibly committed and involved admin and teacher team. My other role is Teacher Induction Program (TIP) Facilitator. This is my first year in this role, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of working with our new hires for 2022-23. My duties include running new teacher orientation and planning a series of workshops throughout the year

In The Classroom 6 eastsidecatholic.org
Gi na Marrow Middle School Humanities Teacher

to help our new teachers adapt to the EC culture and environment.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Students are the best part of my job. I arrive at work early and enjoy spending a quiet hour or so getting ready for my day. As soon as I hear the students in the hallways, my day takes on a whole new sparkle. I open my door and students start trickling in to say hi and tackle the classroom jobs I post on the board. Sometimes they come in merely to hang out with friends as they try to ignore the “Marrow’s 80’s playlist” I torment them with. My past students come in regularly to chat and share how well they’re doing in high school English. Occasionally, they are looking for friendship, relationships or academic advice, and I’m always happy to listen and share whatever wisdom I can muster. They

often just need a piece of candy and then they’re ready to face their next class. What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is also one of my biggest goals—ensuring that I have prepared each student for high school’s social challenges and academic pressures. My students’ mental health is something I take seriously, as I try to help them find balance in their academic requirements, social lives, extracurricular responsibilities and family commitments. Another goal I work towards every year is encouraging students to display kindness and compassion in their classroom interactions and beyond.

My students are at a stage where they are testing boundaries in every aspect of their young lives. Developmentally, this is entirely appropriate, but they need plenty of guidance and redirection. Ultimately, I want them to leave my class knowing that kindness is one of the most important characteristics they can embody. It’s important for them to learn that while we tend to align ourselves with those who share the same values and interests, we should still show acceptance and tolerance towards everyone. My students are a work in progress, and, like all of us, they need grace, love, and guidance to become the best version of themselves.

What do you learn from your students?

The most important things I learn from my students are patience and grace. Being around them reminds me that they are learning so much every day—not only academically but also socially and emotionally. They teach me that it’s occasionally okay to push aside the day’s lesson plan and have a class discussion on kindness and acceptance. Sometimes it’s okay to finish the lesson on metaphors tomorrow because we watched multiple “Making a Difference” videos today.

My students love the Making a Difference (MAD) videos that I save from social media

and news outlets. We favor the ones that show young people doing good things for others—asking the kid who sits alone at lunch to prom, contributing to a new pair of sneakers for the kid who wore his out, giving up your Homecoming Queen crown to your friend who lost her mother that morning. My students love these examples of young people doing the right thing, and their reaction teaches me that they want to do better in their own lives too. I tell them that if they end up doing something that goes viral, it had better be a MAD video!

On a lighter note, my students keep me young at heart and ensure I know all the latest buzzwords and trends. If they walk into my classroom “flexing their drip” (showing off a cool new outfit), I can confidently comment on their fabulous sense of fashion.

What are your two EC alums up to now?

Ryan ’19 is completing his final semester in the OLS degree at Bellevue College. He is also taking flying lessons—which both terrifies me and makes me incredibly proud. The Eastside Catholic Options Program gave him an incredible springboard to a bright future, and he loves nothing more than coming back to visit his past teachers and staff members who meant so much to him during high school.

Kiki ’21 is a sophomore at Chapman University in California, studying strategic and corporate communications. She plans to complete an MBA after that and immerse herself in the corporate world. She’s very involved in her sorority, Delta Gamma, and is looking forward to her first communications-related internship this summer.

Tell us something surprising that we might not know!

I’m dabbling in writing a young adult novel, but it’s a long, laborious process.

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“My students are a work in progress, and, like all of us, they need grace, love, and guidance to become the best version of themselves.”

JEFF RODENBURG

Jeff has been involved in education since 1980, as a teacher, an administrator and a dean of students. Here he shares a few memories from his time at Eastside Catholic School.

Favorite Aspect of Your Dean Role: Making a positive difference in a student’s life. Being a Dean is such a unique way to do that. Using a discipline event to show caring, correction and compassion has been the fire that has burned and motivated me to call Eastside Catholic home. For me, the students are the heart of Eastside Catholic.

According to my calculations, over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work with more than 4,300 students, give or take! Every year, the class makeups change, but still the goodness, grace and humor continue.

Let me tell a story: Many years ago, we had a boy who would not attend school with any regularity and when he did, he was generally very late. It got to be a problem, but he did graduate by the grace of God and with the help and support of our teachers and administrators.

Many years later, I was sitting in my office at our Sammamish campus and a man came to my door. He was in full dress uniform, and I believe that his rank was a captain in the Air Force. What was more impressive was this man, who as a student struggled with attendance, was flying jet airplanes in service to our country. You never know how the story is going to end.

Most Unique Experience: Things were different in the old days. At the Newport campus 20 plus years ago, a bomb threat was left on a message machine before the school day started. A large contingent of police arrived, and after some discussion, it was decided the best person to go into all the schoolhouse rooms to see if something was odd or out of place or booby-trapped was a school employee … ME! Fortunately, false alarm.

Funniest Memory: In 1999-2000, I was the new guy and I wanted to make a strong impression on a class of seniors. I was sitting on a table at the front of the class, talking about my new role at EC. The students were a little squirrelly and I told them that I expected them to pay attention when I was talking to them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a young man mumbling to a few of his friends. I stopped talking and said to him, “If you have something important to say, then say it.” He mumbled a little bit more and kind of chuckled. I repeated, “Say it.” He then said in a very clear voice, “Your pants are unzipped.”

Strangest Event: The 2001 Nisqually Earthquake during a liturgy service in the gym was the strangest event I experienced. During the service, I was walking around campus making sure students were where they should be and ensuring the campus was secure. Suddenly, everything around me started moving and my first thought was, “I’m having some sort of medical issue and I’m going down.” I quickly realized that it wasn’t me that was having the problem, it was the rest of the world. I, and the other faculty and staff quickly began to move students out of the gym and onto the adjacent football field for safety and the Mass was continued to completion. After that, I’m pretty sure we canceled the rest of the school day and began the process of safely dismissing the students.

Most Impactful Event during my 24 years at EC: As I head into retirement, I reflect on the many life changes that occurred during my time at EC. One that stands out (and is not school-related) was asking my beautiful then-girlfriend, Jana, on the last day of 1999 on a golf course in Gold Canyon, Arizona to marry me. She said yes, and that has made all the difference.

Plans for Retirement: Initially I plan to rest and recoup. I have a deep faith in God’s guidance and involvement in my future so the trust factor for me is pretty high. I’ve thought about some level of part time volunteer work to continue to make a difference in others’ lives and I plan to travel with my wife as time and money allows.

These two long time members of the EC family have been instrumental in developing key programs
8 eastsidecatholic.org Farewells

ANNE MICHAELS

Our family joined the EC community with my son Christopher’s admission as a freshman to the old campus in Newcastle. At the time, Eastside was building the new campus here in Sammamish, close to my home. I asked Barb Schille, who worked in the Attendance Office, if the school was considering a nursing role at the new campus, especially with the addition of a middle school. The school wasn’t in a position to hire anyone at that time, but Barb said they could use the expertise.

So, I offered to start a health room and volunteer in it, which I did for the first two years here at the new Sammamish campus. In August 2010, I became a staff member and have enjoyed working with the staff and the wonderful students here ever since. My three sons, Christopher ’11, Jimmy ’11 and Nicki ’14 attended and benefited from EC’s well-rounded culture.

My favorite part of my job is educating students and their families about their health and how to manage areas where it might not be optimal. As is often the case, healthcare providers can tell a patient to “do this” or “take this medication” but don’t fully explain the why. I believe if a person understands the “why” of the instructions, they are more apt to engage fully in addressing their health needs and pursuing a healthy lifestyle and I’ve tried to do that.

During my tenure, we experienced a national measles outbreak (where we had to revisit how we track staff immunizations), SARS and MERS outbreaks, and for the last three years, COVID and all its impacts. I will never forget March 13, 2020, when the faculty and staff gathered in the Chapel and were told the school would be shutting down. It was unprecedented and we knew it was time to get to work and help manage how we as a community would address this far-reaching pandemic from a physical, educational and mental well-being perspective.

The pandemic has been a long and challenging road that we are still navigating. I am struck by the many people who came together to address the repercussions that still impact our students and staff today. As we are coming out on the other side, with light twinkling at the end of the tunnel, I believe we are better prepared to address future issues with robust policy and procedures and a seasoned and collaborative approach from all areas of the school.

As I retire and look forward to spending lots of time with my grandson and traveling, I know I will miss those I have worked so closely with over the years. These individuals include the attendance gals, our trainer Kristin Kracht, nurse Adra Tiryakioglu and the volunteer nurses, the counselors and the administrative staff who have made this job fluid and fulfilling. I will miss the students and all their stories and hopes for the future. We have had some great conversations!

I hope many of the students share the same feelings my son Jimmy had after he graduated from college. He shared with me in a phone conversation that of all the schools he attended, Eastside Catholic had the greatest and most positive impact on his foundational beliefs and grounding, and he is grateful for his EC experience. I asked him to let our Marketing Team know this but as I don’t think he has made the time to do so, I offer his words here as my retirement nears.

Eastside Catholic School is both a great place to learn and work. We take care of one another and that makes a difference!

programs and processes at EC. We thank you for your dedication, service and many years of friendship.
EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 9

Writer & Entrepreneur Matthew Callans ’12

Upon graduating from college in 2016, Matthew, who lives in Encinitas, California, spent a year in Guatemala volunteering as an English teacher at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH). Since then, he has cofounded three brands in the health and wellness industry and spends his time writing about topics he’s passionate about. He recently published his first novel, “Wilmer: The True Story of a Young Man’s Journey from Tragedy to Triumph through the Power of the Mind.”

Can you tell us what you’ve been up to since graduating from EC?

After graduating, I attended Chapman University in Southern California where I spent four awesome years studying marketing and leadership. After Chapman, I declined a job in medical sales to volunteer for a year in Guatemala at NPH, or “Our Little Brothers and Sisters.”

During the week, I worked as an English teacher for kindergarten through fifth grade students. On the weekends, and when I had time off work, I traveled a fair amount within Guatemala and around Central and South America. I spent a little over 13 months living abroad. It was transformational in many ways, and it opened my eyes to many different and beautiful cultures, people, perspectives and ways of life.

When I returned to the States, I started working on a startup with my childhood best friend and current business partner. We made a CBD protein bar called Shredibles. After building that company for a year and a half, we sold majority ownership and used the proceeds to start our next project in the health and wellness space, Areté Adaptogens

How did you come to write this story?

I met Wilmer Arias when I was 10 years old when my family and a few others went to NPH Guatemala for a few weeks over the summer. Wilmer had been shot by a hunter’s stray bullet when he was nine years old. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, and ultimately led his family to bring Wilmer and his two siblings to NPH.

We were immediately captivated by Wilmer and his brother Jacinto. They were engaging, playful, enthusiastic about life and extremely loving. We kept in touch with them in the years following,

and on multiple occasions they stayed with my family in Issaquah for weeks and months at a time. As he got older, Wilmer became an inspirational figure for many. He was a voracious reader and was studying to earn his bachelor’s and master’s at the same time. He was also starting to travel the world and make appearances on shows as a motivational figure and speaker.

When Wilmer asked me to help him document his life story in a way that would benefit others, my answer was an obvious yes. I spent a month in Guatemala with Wilmer, gathering his story, and interviewing the people in his life. A few weeks after I left Guatemala, COVID hit, and lockdowns began everywhere. A lingering complication arose from the many surgeries Wilmer had received throughout his life, and he passed away during COVID. The story was unfinished, and obviously required a different direction. I was devastated, and it took me a very long time to revisit the project. After about a year, I finished the writing, and completed the story. In January of 2023, the book “Wilmer,” was published.

What was the process like to get your book published?

The book took about three years from start to finish. Lots of editing and revisions! I owe a huge thank you to my editor and publisher for fine tuning the writing and guiding my way through the publication process. Everything seemed to conspire to bring this book to life. We connected with an editor and publisher through mutual friend webs, and they made the process easy and enjoyable.

Do you have advice for aspiring writers?

Write what you know about! Follow your unique curiosities and see where that takes you. Reading helps a lot, too.

Who are your favorite authors?

Kurt Vonnegut, John Steinbeck, Leo Tolstoy, Steven Kotler, Aldous Huxley, Ernest Hemingway and Eiji Yoshikawa.

Do you have any additional books in the works?

Definitely some ideas, but nothing in the works quite yet.

Next steps for you?

Right now, my focus is on growing my business. Ideally, I would like to build our company for another three to five years, make an exit, and then find another project to work on!

Anyone at EC inspire you to become a writer?

Jenn Dotsey was my English teacher freshman year, and she sparked my interest in good literature and impactful writing.

‹ “Wilmer” is available on Amazon.com or rollcru.info/wilmer ›

10 eastsidecatholic.org Alumni Feature

pilgrimage

noun | pil-gruh-mij |

For 41 years, a constant at Eastside Catholic has been the annual Senior Pilgrimage Retreat. This beloved retreat usually occurs in September and focuses on self-reflection and preparation for the students’ final year on campus.

Students embark on a day-long, 12-mile hike from Snoqualmie Falls to Carnation. The hike is led by students and is interspersed with prayer, discussion, activities and games. On the hike, students carry the Senior Pilgrimage Cross which resides in the Chapel during the school year. The cross displays a pendant from every senior class that has completed the pilgrimage since 1982, the first year the pilgrimage took place. More than 4,500 students have shared memories of this community-building experience.

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 11
any long journey, especially one undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose, as to pay homage

A NIGHT of STARS

The 2023 STARS Gala Auction

was a remarkable evening honoring our community and raising vital funds to support the EC experience. With the theme of “See the Good, Be the Light, Make a Difference,” the 38th annual event took place on April 1 at the Bellevue Hyatt, with over 400 guests, including sponsors, donors, faculty, staff, volunteers, and alumni in attendance. Thanks to everyone’s big-hearted participation, we exceeded our goals!

We are grateful for the giving spirit of our community as they embraced some new additions to this year’s Gala. The golden ticket raffle was a hit with the attendees, as was the online silent auction, which remained open through the day following the Gala. The

extended online auction was a fun way to engage our community who could not attend the event.

Together, we raised over $350,000 for the Making a Difference campaign, aimed at attracting, training and retaining the most talented faculty and mentors. Through this effort we can continue to deliver on the value proposition of an EC education that nurtures the whole student. Half of the funds raised will be immediately used to impact our faculty and mentors through enhanced compensation and professional development opportunities, while the other half will be set aside in an endowment to ensure an enduring commitment to our dedicated educators.

12 eastsidecatholic.org Celebrations

The evening was marked with numerous highlights, including our dedicated volunteers who helped with set-up, registration, banking and raffle ticket sales. The student volunteers were especially noticeable with their brightly colored boas and baskets! Several of the hot items at the Gala included the upper parking spaces, a beautiful Maui beachfront home vacation, a VIP experience to an upcoming Taylor Swift concert and the Board of Trustees curated wine cellar.

We are grateful to everyone who supported this event by donating auction items, bidding, sponsoring, advertising and the volunteers who made it happen. Thank you for being a part of making a difference at Eastside Catholic School!

Thank you to our sponsors!

We look forward to hosting the next STARS Gala Auction on MARCH 9, 2024

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GIRLS LACROSSE Best record since the 2018 season—finished 2nd in their division and qualified for the State playoffs.

FASTPITCH

Our young team qualified for the Metro League Tournament after graduating 12 seniors last year.

HOW WE ROLL

14 eastsidecatholic.org We Are EC
CYO Cross Country had twelve runners qualify for the Championship meet. / Three Basketball teams competed this year—one girls team, two boys teams. / Girls Soccer won the Championship. / Boys Soccer had 23 players with lots of talent. / The first year with five Volleyball teams and 7th AAA and 8th AAA made the playoffs. / Track & Field kicked off with 25+ student-athletes signed up. BASEBALL A great season with wins over Lakeside, O’Dea and Seattle Prep. BOYS BASKETBALL Won both the Metro League and District Championships and placed 6th at State.
THIS IS
CHEER Placed 2nd in the Traditional category at the WIAA State Cheer Championships and 4th at Nationals in Orlando, FL. GIRLS BASKETBALL Qualified for State for the third straight year. BOYS LACROSSE Junior Cameron McColly led the team with 14 goals during the regular season. XC Three runners, Carmen Denny, Gabby Braza and Jack Huarte, qualified for the District 2 Cross Country Championships with Carmen Denny qualifying for State.
EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 15
OPTIONS PROGRAM BASKETBALL Finished 2nd at the Special Olympics of Washington Sub-Regional Basketball Tournament. FOOTBALL Won a second straight Metro League title and finished as State runners-up. GOLF Finished 3rd at the Metro Tournament to qualify for Districts. Ian Hufford and the entire girls team qualified for State—the first time since 2016. TRACK & FIELD One of the best seasons in school history with 37 athletes qualifying for the Metro Meet. VOLLEYBALL Finished 4th at the Sea-King District Tournament. GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL Finished 2nd in the league in their inaugural season. GIRLS SWIMMING Hannah Huarte broke 100M and 200M free school records at the State meet. BOYS SWIMMING The team qualified for State and finished 7th overall setting multiple school records. WRESTLING Two wrestlers, Ben Boss and Connor Boehl, finished 2nd at the Metro Tournament with both advancing to Districts and State. GIRLS SOCCER The Senior Night game was played against the Faculty/Staff team after their regular season Senior Night was canceled due to air quality. BOYS SOCCER Finished above .500 in wins/losses. TENNIS The team enjoyed a second year on the new courts and senior Alyssa Bulai finished the regular season undefeated in singles.

EC SUPERFAN!

One of our most ardent fans, Peter Hidano ’10, regularly emails the school with encouragement, thoughtful notes, drawings and suggestions for his alma mater. Here, we share a few drawings and insights from Peter and his mom, Denise Hidano.

What do you do for fun?

PeTer: I play my Nintendo Switch (Zelda). I am 70.5% complete. Visit Gil and EC when I can and give them money so that we can make EC really big. I mean really big.

MoM: Peter is online a lot—playing video games and watching EC sports (via NFHS). He also enjoys checking on, chatting with and assisting elder neighbors, making meals for and walking his dog, joining weekly family dinners, and talking sports with his

roommate Eric L. ’95. Most of all he enjoys raising awareness to everyone he knows about everything EC—sports, teachers, staff and alumni activities.

Peter finally completed 25 community service hours after persevering for nine years after graduation. He continues to volunteer regularly and is signed up again for this year’s Memorial Day celebration.

What are your favorite things about Eastside Catholic?

PeTer: The community, the family, the sports and the alumni involvement and four state football titles—2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019. Are we due for another one?

MoM: Peter loves the feeling of belonging to the EC community. His life began to change when he was embraced by his first teacher and Options Program Director Mrs. Taylor, who spent an inordinate amount of one-on-one time with him. Fr. Heric patiently answered the umpteen number of questions related to God that he was so curious about and parents were too stumped to answer. Teacher Sally Fogarty kept Peter straight and made sure he had his jacket; Megan McDermott reveled in Peter’s artistic skills; riding the bus with coach Matt O’Rourke to Special Olympics tournaments and field trips were unforgettable; Julie Jessum loved the fact that Peter did all his homework by himself; Bev Cacabelos taught Peter how to bowl; Karen Skoog allowed Peter to join the EC spirit bus to the State football championship as an alumni volunteer, something he missed out on as a student; special project administrators like Barbara Schille took him under their wings to problem solve and help ease his anxieties, like helping him find his cell phone. Charlie Acosta showed Peter how to be strong and agile and Lance Gatter considered all of Peter’s strategies to reach the football State finals. Peer tutors like Harley K. and Maddie O. kept in touch with Peter long after he graduated and are inspirational role models. Peter saved and donated his pennies when he met with Presidents Bill Marsh, Jim Kubaki and John Kennedy who gave their time to him generously. Peter feels good helping to fund building projects and likes what he sees. The old adage, “It takes a village...” thrives here at EC. Now as an alumnus, EC employees like Liz Anderson, Toni Poppe, Stacey Stoutt, Dan Cejudo, Clarence the security guard, Todd Thrasher, Karen Hatch and Gil Picciotto stay in touch and keep EC traditions alive that are familiar to Peter.

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Alumni Feature

What is your favorite memory when you were a student in the Options Program?

The Junior-Senior Retreat with my friends from the Options Program at Camp Houston Visitor and Retreat Center at Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar, WA, Highway 2. Peter relives and can’t help laughing as he tells his stories. Vividly he remembers playing basketball in the dark in 2009 with Sam B. ’10, Greg B. ’11, Michael S. ’11, Janie D. ’12, Alina H. ’12, Colleen M. ’11, Andrew W. ’14, Brian B. ’10, Ali H. ’13, Kate G. ’09, Molly F. ’09, Kevin G. ’09, Alex H. ’09 and Chris Y. ’07. And when Mr. O’Rourke checked on them, mayhem began, and the basketball rolled down the hill.

Peter’s second favorite memory was being voted 2010 Homecoming Prince. He remembers the student assembly gave a thunderous ovation for Prince Peter and Princess Christina as they jiggled and wiggled to the chicken dance song before getting in a convertible and waving to the crowd on Acosta Field.

Are you still involved with any classmates from EC?

PeTer: Yes, last year I saw Aubrey at the Eastside Catholic Alumni Potluck in Issaquah. I saw Jane and Allena and I forgot who else was there.

MoM: Eric Lamm ’95 is Peter’s roommate. They watch TV together, laugh out loud and eat unhealthy snacks. Recently they watched Nanny and Ghostbusters 3. Occasionally, Peter emails Tommy C. ’08 and Aubrey B. ’08. Before COVID, Peter hung out with the Special Olympic teams a lot. Now, many teams are different and he’s deciding when to get back into the action.

What do you and your family like to do?

PeTer: Fishing, crabbing, razor clamming and shrimping. We also like to cook the things we catch. Very delicious.

MoM: Peter loves to cook. He is a natural like his dad at mixing ingredients that are unique combinations but tasty. For example, for his 31st birthday they cooked ham, lamb, clam and spam, and for dessert he asked for a bowl of all 31 flavors of Baskin and Robins ice cream. Peter also caught a big ling cod, 34 sand daubs, 15 razor clams and with his family caught 314 shrimp over a few days.

Tell us about your new job.

PeTer: My job is going great. I work Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11-3 at Trader Joe’s in Redmond and I got a raise recently.

MoM: The day COVID shut stores down, Peter’s interview with Trader Joes (TJ) was canceled in 2020. After a slow opening, Peter persisted and finally got the job last year with the help of his job coach Jacksen Bates. He is thrilled to be part of the TJ crew that includes Sara ’12, another EC alum. He respects his boss “Captain Mert” and his boss appreciates Peter’s work. Peter started to work two days a week and recently after a good job review, he got a raise and increased hours!

JOHN PAULDING THERRIEN 1927-2023

Oneof Eastside Catholic School’s founding board members and a co-founder of the Options Program, John Therrien, passed away in February 2023. John spent years dedicating his time to help raise money to launch ECHS and later build a strong foundation for the school’s success. Our community is forever grateful for his dedication to helping create the Options Program. As John said in 1984, “EC is a community of believers: believers in the value of young people and believers in the goodness, dignity and growth potential of all people.”

John Paulding Therrien was born February 19, 1927, and passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023—a fitting day for his big heart. Beloved husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa, he is survived by his six children: Marc (Rene), Betsy Squires (Chad), Laurie McCloskey (Mike), Mary Kay Thompson (Peter), Michel (Lynn) and Jennifer, 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

John attended Seattle Prep, graduating in 1944. He joined the Army, served for two years and returned to attend the University of Washington, graduating in 1952. In 1957, John met the love of his life, Ann Davis, and the two married the same year. John worked in the insurance business and started his own company. Later, he earned his MA in family counseling, sold life insurance, and worked as an estate planner. John was an Eastside Catholic High School founding board member and helped create the Options Program for high-school-aged children with developmental disabilities. These ventures culminated in 1996 when he and his wife Ann founded Community Homes Inc., a non-profit dedicated to providing residential housing and oversight for adults with developmental disabilities. Today, Community Homes owns eight homes and two shared-living homes.

John deeply loved God, his family and his friends and will be remembered for his joyous spirit and wonderful sense of humor. Donations can be made in memory of John to Community Homes, Inc., PO Box 1240, Bothell, Washington 98041-1240.

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 17

2000

Mary Whisseil Pashek shared that she is celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary in August.

2003

Lindsay Huse Kestin welcomed her first child in January 2023. Justine Martin finished her third and final year of art lessons and graduated from art school. She recently submitted artwork to support thyroid cancer awareness month with her support group.

2005

David Roberts lives in Orange, California and has two children.

2009

Garret Schmidt shared that he took a chance and jumped into the career of his dreams three years ago. He is currently a realtor in the greater Seattle area with Coldwell Banker Bain Bellevue and loves his work. He is also a competitive NPC men’s physique competitor. Prior to his current role, he rode as an equestrian athlete for years and worked as a stylist for both Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

Elizabeth Adan recently had three pieces of artwork accepted into a gallery showing for “Sum of Our Parts” at the Third Street Gallery in Moscow, Idaho, and was invited to give a poetry reading from recent and upcoming published books.

2011

Cami [Silverman] Croy and Ryan Croy welcomed a baby daughter, Annalise Croy, born November 2022.

2012

Madeline Kossik has returned to Seattle and started her general surgery residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center after completing medical school and receiving her MD from New York Medical College.

2013

Chad Brown and Katie Brown welcomed a baby boy, Jackson Cameron Brown, on January 17.

2014

Aly Sonnen received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the Medical College of Wisconsin in May and will begin her residency in pediatrics at the University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital in July. Aly is a 2018 graduate of the University of Notre Dame where she earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience.

Julia DeVitis is currently wrapping up her second year of law school at Gonzaga University School of Law with a focus in criminal law. Last summer, she had the incredible experience of working with the King County Prosecutor’s Office in the MDOP Unit (Most Dangerous Offender Project), which is within the Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit. This summer, she is excited to be returning to KCPAO as a Rule 9 intern in the District Court Unit. Julia graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in Italian studies in 2018. She worked at Carney Badley Spellman, P.S. (a corporate law firm with a focus on construction and business litigation) for three years.

2016

Emma Abraham welcomed a baby girl named Paisley in March 2022. Emma moved back to Washington from Michigan last summer, and has recently started a new position with the U.S. House of Representatives as the Communications Assistant & Grants Coordinator for Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06) at his District Offices in Tacoma, WA.

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. share your news Class Notes 18 eastsidecatholic.org
Chad Brown ’13 Emma Abraham ’16 Cami [Silverman] Croy ’11 Lindsay Huse Kestin ’03

2017

Caroline Sonnen received her Master of Art’s in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University in May.

Caroline is a 2021 graduate of Gonzaga University with a degree in computer science and earned a minor in leadership through the Comprehensive Leadership Program. Caroline is a software developer consultant at Slalom Consulting in Seattle.

2018

Matthew House is an aerospace engineering student and current AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) Student Chapter President at Florida Tech. He received the AIAA Outstanding Officer Award as well as the Outstanding Branch Award for his and fellow chapter officer’s community outreach presentation at the AIAA Regional II conference. Their community outreach provides fun, inclusive and engaging STEM activities to local area elementary, middle school and high school students.

2020

Options Program alumna Caitlin Burrows begins her college-bound journey in Fall 2023. Caitlin was accepted into the ROAR Program at Washington State University.

2021

Grace Burroughs is a sophomore at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Next year she is taking a year off to participate in NET (Nation Evangelization Teams) Ministries in Scotland. NET is a Catholic mission organization that trains and sends out groups of young adults to middle schools and parishes. After her year abroad, she plans to complete her bachelor’s in elementary education and Spanish. She is currently fundraising to support her efforts. If you would like to learn more or support Grace, contact her at graceburroughs18@yahoo.com

Reunion

CLASS of 1993

It’s time for our 30th Year Class Reunion! July 22, 2023

Tavern Hall, Bellevue, WA

Full reunion details and tickets are posted at tavern-hall.com/eastside-catholic-1993.

Online advance tickets are $58 or $75 at the door the day of the event.

IN MEMORIAM

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

Michael Abraham ’13

Bradley Barnhart Alumni parent

Riley McMann ’20

John Therrien Founding board member

Questions? Contact Melissa Chenin at 702-524-6042 / melissachenin@yahoo.com or Kristi Donley at 206-290-6889 / kristidonley@gmail.com

Madeline Kossik ’12
EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 19
Justine Martin ’03 Aly Sonnen ’14 Caitlin Burrows ’20 Matthew House ’18 Elizabeth Adan ’09
Contact alumni@eastsidecatholic.org to share reunion event plans. We’d love to help!
➺ �
Caroline Sonnen ’17

CONGRATULATIONS! Class of 2023

228th Avenue
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.
EA ST SI D E CA T HO L I C Eastside Catholic School 232
SE Sammamish, WA 98074 eastsidecatholic.org

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