EC Magazine Summer 2016

SUMMER 2016

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

SPRING

2016

4 From Our Middle School Principal 5 From Our President 6 Making a Difference 8 Beyond Textbooks 10 In The Classroom 12 Volunteer Feature 13 Alumni Feature 14 We Are EC 16 In the Community 18 Class Notes

ON THE COVER

Senior Ethan Kusters starred as Jean Valjean in the EC Performing Arts spring production of Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérable.” ‑

Cover photo: Alexandra Gunnoe ’98

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�rav�!

For four days in March the EC Performing Arts Department staged an impressive production of Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérable” to a nearly sold out crowd. With more than 120 students involved in the production, it was a grand and impressive undertaking. The students were extraordinary in their singing abilities and emotional range while the orchestra tirelessly and expertly accompanied the performance.

From Our Middle School Principal

some people have the perception that a middle school is a never-ending maze of algebra, hormones and social drama where teachers, the principal and students are brought together for three years before being released into the nirvana of the high school experience.

Guess what? They’re right for the most part. While I am not sure that high school is nirvana, middle school is definitely a unique experience where a group of dedicated and brave educators agree to travel with parents and students on a journey of unparalleled growth and development in all facets of a student’s life. The changes from 6th grade to 8th grade are astounding, mindboggling really, and there is no template or special manual that explains what any one child

will need to feel safe, confident and empowered along the way. The process of middle school education is a perpetual adjustment of expectations where a student can apply the quadratic formula with ease in one moment and in another moment struggle to explain how six different completed assignments are still at the bottom of the backpack some two months after being due.

This constant inconstancy of student accomplishments, needs, desires, missteps and growth is what middle school teachers find so amazing. To be a great middle school teacher, there must be: ■ an unforced willingness to embrace the great unknown of what each student will bring into the classroom,

■ a creative ingenuity to reformulate

the learning chemistry of a class to seek those moments of academic and social epiphany where everything does make sense to everyone, and ■ a patient resilience to accept that what worked for one class, at one time, on one day, may never work again and to persist at finding another solution because nothing matters more than helping young men and women achieve their potential.

When great middle school teachers use their combined expertise, knowledge and passion and work together to share their ideas and efforts it results in an environment where each teacher takes on the collective responsibility for all of our students.

Innovative. Dedicated. Caring. This is your middle school teaching staff at Eastside Catholic.

We celebrate the opportunity to witness a student’s journey from innocent and astonished sixth-grader to conscientious and responsible eighth-grader ready for the challenges and joys of high school.

In Peace, Christopher Sharp

Chris Sharp | m i d d l e s c h o o l p r i n c i pa l |

From Our President

S trateg ic P l anning at e a s ts i d e c at h o l i c s c h o o l

Part 2

S

I NCE 2OO8

the Eastside Catholic School community has enjoyed our beautiful and well-equipped campus. Our courtyard is designed to embrace everyone who visits and proclaims that “all are welcome.” Our school is safe and well-designed but due to a “growth spurt” of students and programs, building space has become a challenge. With our growth and academic innovation, now is the right time to evaluate where we want to be positioned for the future.

You may recall from my article in the winter EC Magazine, Eastside Catholic is drafting a long-range strategic plan that will guide our board and administration over the next five to ten years. In addition to evaluating facility needs, other topics being discussed include sustaining our mission and identity as a Catholic school, expanding co-curricular programming and meeting the academic demands of a 21st century education while continuing to attract and reward a motivated faculty who encourage a classroom culture of achievement.

We conducted an online stakeholder survey in March 2016 to ensure that our future plans take into consideration the ideas and needs of the EC community. On April 26, survey results were shared at a Stakeholder Town Hall meeting and used to guide small group discussions. Discussion topics included Mission/Spiritual Formation, Finances/Affordability,

Extracurricular Programs, Advancement, Facilities, Education Program and Community/Marketing/Communication.

After analyzing the results of the survey and corresponding stakeholders meeting, our Strategic Planning Steering Committee will take a scheduled summer break and then pick up in earnest this fall to submit a final plan for Board of Trustee approval no later than February of 2017.

I want to formally thank all those who participated in the process so far—board of trustees, faculty, staff, current and past parents and alumni. I am truly grateful for this level of community involvement which reveals our shared passion for Eastside Catholic and our commitment to the school’s future. The strategic planning process is appropriately ambitious. It is rooted in our restless desire for excellence with gratitude for all that God has done for us since our founding in 1980.

May God’s grace continue to bless our Crusader community.

John T. Kennedy President The Stakeholder Survey results can be found at eastsidecatholic.org/MyEC.

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016

A Journey to the

Holy Land By

J

A N I TA F L O R E N C E Middle School Religious Studies Teacher

OURNEYING ON A PILGRIMAGE through the Holy Lands

was a lifelong dream come true and a blessing, to be sure.

I never, in my wildest dreams, thought it would happen, but here I am deep in memories of my time in the land of Jesus and feeling grateful beyond measure. I am so thankful to the Eastside Catholic community for supporting the 2015 Making a Difference effort to expand professional development Above: Sea of Galilee / Opposite Left: Dome of the Rock / Opposite Right: Golgatha, Crucifixion site

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opportunities for our faculty. For a teacher of Scripture, this was an invaluable experience—a priceless treasure.

Every day of my visit was a spiritual, and in a way, a surreal experience. I had to continually remind myself that I was actually in Jeruselum. I couldn’t believe that I was walking where Jesus walked—seeing the things he saw; hearing the sounds and smelling the scents that he would have found so familiar.

My husband, who accompanied me on this pilgrimage, is a photographer and he took over 6,000 photos—so many to choose from as I plan my lessons.

In all of my classes, I am able to share the knowledge of my experiences, bringing a newfound perspective to the students with regard to the history and significance of this region. I can bring the events of the gospels to life for my students in a way that I was never able to do before this trip. I now more fully comprehend the geography of the country and have a better understanding of the places Jesus lived and visited, including the distances he, as well as Mary and Joseph, traveled. The photos that we took of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, and Bethlehem, including the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field, bring the Nativity stories to life for my students. ­­In all of my classes I am now better able to share information about the current political situation in the region.

A few of the more remarkable places for me were the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum and, of course, the old city of Jerusalem.

When we arrived at the Sea of Galilee it was dark, so when I woke up the next morning it was awe inspiring to look out the window of our hotel and see before me the Sea of Galilee. To my great surprise and amazement, a boat was coming to shore. I excitedly called to my husband and implored him to take a picture—a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee! Later, we had the opportunity to actually go out on the lake (the Sea of Galilee is actually Lake Tiberias) in a boat. This was one of the most remarkable experiences of the whole trip. I really could not believe that I was on a boat on the Sea of Galilee. I had to sit down and reflect on the experience in my journal. When we arrived at the north end of

to have walked where jesus walked has been a transformative experience. the lake, we were able to see “the Jesus Boat.” This is a first century fishing boat which archaeologists found buried in the sand along the shores of the lake.

Capernaum was incredible. I was able to see the ruins of the first century synagogue that Jesus taught in as well as Peter’s house. It was as if I were there in the time of Jesus. All of these are invaluable experiences which do, indeed, make me a better teacher. To have walked where Jesus walked has been a transformative experience. I can now see exactly what Jesus was seeing as he told his Parable of the Sower. The ground around the Sea of Galilee is rocky and full of weeds and thorns, but there is also good soil where beautiful gardens grow. I know that Jesus was speaking of what he knew.

The old city of Jerusalem offered the most spiritual experiences of the trip. I was able to stand in the cell (it was actually just a carved out hole) where Jesus most likely was held on Holy Thursday night. But the most amazing moment came when we were able to celebrate Mass in the tomb of Jesus. I wore my EC gear so that I could take my Eastside Catholic family into the tomb of the Resurrection with me! All of these experiences allow me to bring the life, death and resurrection of Jesus more fully alive for my students. I truly hope that they can enter the story and experience our faith in a deeper way.

My trip to Israel has fueled my desire to know as much about my faith as possible. I am very excited as I share my experience and refined perspective with my students and colleagues. So, when asked the question, “Has this experience made you a better teacher?” I can honestly say “YES!”

Opposite page: Sea of Galilee / Above top: Golgatha, Crucifixion site / Above: Dome of the Rock

EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016

Beyond Textbooks

A

By Martin Chaw PA R E N T & MEMBER OF EC B OA R D O F T RU S T E E S

GIFT FROM GOD

DU RING MID-WINTER BREAK, I HAD THE privilege of accompanying 40 of our finest young men and women and fellow parent volunteers to the great city of New Orleans to help rebuild three homes with Shirts Across America (SAA) for the annual Eastside Catholic mission trip. Together I believe we logged over 1,700 hours in community service to SAA. In preparing for our trip, I met an educator with Roosevelt High School (in Seattle) who was preparing for his third mission trip with SAA and the St. Bernard Project (stbernardproject. org). I asked him what drew him back, and he said that he considered it a “gift” from God to be able to work with his students in this setting.

I did not know exactly what he meant until I returned home. I returned loving and cherishing my student team (Go Team 10!) more than they will ever know. I saw my students (I consider them “my” students now since I spent a week with them) grow from having little to no experience in basic carpentry skills to becoming experts in measuring and hanging drywall, laying ceramic tile, painting and using a wide array of power tools. It has been 10 years since Hurricane Katrina and the St. Bernard Project has rebuilt over 1,600 homes during this period. While tourists see normalcy and much of America has moved on, evidence of Hurricane Katrina remains, especially in some of the hardest hit areas such as the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Homes remain boarded and lots are abandoned and overgrown as owners are unable to afford the cost to rebuild.

I hope that our community will have an opportunity to serve again with SAA. I know I will certainly volunteer again. This was truly a gift that I will remember for a very, very long time... and Go Team 10!

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Beyond Textbooks

Lord, even as we enjoy

“ the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.” This was the prayer spoken on Super Bowl Sunday in 1990 by a seminary intern in South Carolina. This prayer sparked a youth-driven movement to ‘tackle hunger.’ Since 1990, the Souper Bowl of Caring has raised more than $100 million to serve the hungry across the country each year by collecting food and donations the week before the Super Bowl.

In February, Eastside Catholic Middle School kicked off our second annual “Souper Bowl of Caring” canned food drive. Each first period class competed daily for a week.

Donations were collected in the traffic circle and outside the office by leadership students, parent volunteers and teachers.

Numbers were then calculated based on average cans per student for each class. Daily totals were posted outside the Attendance Office and in the Middle School Den. This year our students brought a tremendous amount of energy, competiveness and comradery to the effort and blew

our expectations out of the water. Last year, we collected 2,200 cans of food. This year we collected over 5,000 cans, equaling 4,820 pounds of food and 3,700 meals! The food was donated to Northwest Harvest, an organization dedicated to hunger relief serving more than 380 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools in our state.

Along with serving the local hungry, our students also earned rewards. The entire Eastside Catholic Middle School student body earned spirit dress in March, free dress in April and Middle School Science Teacher Mr. Anselmi even dressed up as a pink bunny. My first period Humanities class placed first with 912 cans, averaging 38 cans per student. Humanities Teacher Ms. Castillo’s first period placed second with 571 cans, averaging 32 cans per student.

Thank you to all the ECMS students, parents, parent volunteers, leadership students, Mr. Anselmi, Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. Ricci, Fr. Heric and Mr. Sharp for making our second year such a success.

By Ashley Kenney M I D D L E

S C H O O L

H U M A N I T I E S

T E A C H E R

The Giving Power of Middle School

In The Classroom

B.S. from University of Wisconsin, Madison and M.A. from Seattle University Originally from Stevens Point , Wisconsin Favorite book: The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged—it makes a difference!)

Hobbies include year-long outdoor soccer, trail running and mountain biking Favorite athletic team: EC sixth grade CYO soccer girls! We had an awesome season this year.

Was a federal law enforcement officer for a few years after college

Beyond Mentor [ Jim Stern ] F ourth year as EC M iddle S chool C ounselor

What is your surprising talent?

“Talent” is a stretch, but I still remember the number e (natural logarithm) to 20 decimal places after being taught it in under 30 seconds in 11th grade AP Psychology. Also, I can use chopsticks with either hand; that’s not any better, is it? Oh, and I can lift each eyebrow independently.

Tell us about your career path.

After college I went into federal law enforcement for a few years, then left that and joined the Coast Guard as a commissioned officer. I spent five years on active duty in Washington, D.C. and

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Seattle, and then went into the Coast Guard Reserves. I have a total of 13 years in the military so far. At EC, I am on career number three—far and away the best one!

What do you see as important qualities for a school counselor?

The desire to help young people explore what they truly want, what motivates them, in an open and non-judging way that fosters their academic and personal/social curiosity.

What issues do you see students struggling with today?

While topics like motivation, study habits and peer relationships will always be growth opportunities for middle school students, a challenge that has increased in recent

years is the ability to effectively choose and balance their activities and the not yet fully understood impacts of a 24-7, instantaneous and full access media age. While we are far from having all the right answers for these issues, they create an excellent opportunity for conversations with students, parents and school personnel which I strongly believe will allow us to best support our young people.

What does the middle school counseling program address?

Very broadly, our focuses are academic, personal/social and career (in this case, preparation for high school). Our mission is to foster an environment where students are happy, safe and able to learn what they truly want to learn. Our counseling

“At EC, I am on career number three— far and away the best one!”

program primarily addresses academics (study habits, organization, planning) and relationships (with peers, self-advocating with teachers). However, I feel it’s critical to acknowledge that a wide array of life factors can affect a students’ ability to succeed in school so I also focus on issues like mental health, exercise, sleep and anything that may be impacting a student or family.

I like to be as present as possible for faculty and students to increase communication among us all, and so I am in the hallways and Commons before and after school and during breaks and lunches to make it as easy as possible to approach me. I also try to dedicate time to observing or just being present in classes so I can see what the teachers and students are seeing.

How do you work with faculty on behalf of the students?

What is the best part of being a counselor?

I aim to interact with our middle school faculty as much as possible without having them change the locks on their classroom doors or classify my email as spam! I attend meetings for sixth, seventh and eighth grades every week to maintain a high awareness of current student needs.

The best part for me is getting to see students feel proud of themselves as a result of their own efforts, seeing their selfconfidence grow, and being present as they increasingly discover who they are and who they want to become.

Who was one mentor who influenced you and your decision to become a school counselor?

When I first moved to Seattle in 2005, I joined a program called Community for Youth. It focused on three struggling high schools in the city. Among the adult mentors in the program were a few who had such genuine caring for, interest in and dedication to the students and the community as a whole, that I was inspired to go beyond a mentor level to learn the skills and knowledge to provide even greater support to our young people.

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Volunteer Feature being brand new, the information was invaluable. It also allowed me to start meeting parents, faculty and staff.

✦ Can you describe the different volunteer roles you’ve filled at EC? Outside of EC? There have been a lot! While the girls were in middle school, I was involved with PTF Board and chaired the Mentor Parent Program and became involved with the auction and remain a part of the auction team to date. Since the girls have been in high school, I have been a part of the PFSA Board and have chaired the Community Service Committee. Outside of that I have filled little roles here and there when help has been needed. Outside of EC, I am very involved with a few ministries at our church and with Hope Alliance for Kids, a ministry that takes local foster kids to camp each summer.

Andrea Ramos

✦ Why do you devote your time to volunteering at EC? The EC community has given so much to my girls and to my family that I want to give back in return a portion of what has been given to us.

✦ What relationships have you developed through volunteering?

Eastside Catholic School is grateful to the many volunteers who spend countless hours devoted to supporting the wide range of school activities that are at the heart of the EC Experience.

✦ How long has your family been a part of the EC community?

We have been a part of the EC community since 2011 when Ashlyn and Kyleigh started in the sixth grade.

✦ Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Your family?

I am not native to Washington, but moved here in 1994 to attend WSU. Shortly after graduation I met my husband, Roy, and we were married. My husband is also a transplant and also moved here in 1994 after serving six years in the Marine Corps. We moved to Sammamish when Ashlyn and Kyleigh were just a year old. I love being a part of the Sammamish community, I was raised in a small town and living here offers a small town feel. We are an active family and managing our household and all of the various commitments have proven to be a full time job for me. Running is a big part of my life, much to my husband’s delight as he had been a runner for years. I have run a lot of half marathons and three full marathons.

I think almost every relationship I have built at EC has been a result of volunteering, either directly or indirectly and I value all of these connections. Not only have I met some of my dearest friends through volunteering at EC, I have built an incredible network of parents, faculty and staff. I remind my girls often that I have eyes and ears everywhere…this is incredibly important when you are raising teenagers!

✦ Do you have a favorite memory from volunteering?

Yes, the treats given to the PFSA Board by Theresa Beauchene at the end of every meeting. I don’t know where she found the time to be so clever and creative, but she never failed to impress me.

✦ Do you have any advice for someone who is considering becoming a volunteer?

Just do it! There are so many different ways to get involved at EC and there is something for everyone. I tell people all of the time, I feel selfish volunteering because I receive so much more than I give. It’s a solid investment.

✦ What is your favorite EC event or activity?

They are all my favorite! It is impossible to choose just one, although there are a few that really stand out. I really do love the auction. It is so fun to come together as a collective community and celebrate our students, our faculty and staff and our families. I also cherish the Mother Daughter Luncheon and the Father Daughter Liturgy.

(I am certain Mother Son Liturgy would also top the list if I had boys). These are special events that set aside time to honor important family connections and relationships. And of course I love to watch my girls participate in their sports.

✦ How did you first get involved with volunteering at EC?

✦ What do you hope to teach your girls (and other students) through your service to the school?

I actually signed up to volunteer before the girls even started at EC. I approached the PTF table during the Welcome BBQ for new families and was promptly signed up for a position on the PTF Board. Looking back, I am so happy that I jumped in with both feet. Getting involved with PTF allowed me to learn so much about Eastside Catholic and,

I have never actually looked at any of the things I do from this perspective, so I don’t really have a good answer. In general, I talk with my girls often about the importance of allowing the blessing God has given us to flow through us and bless others. I think when you feel blessed, it is a natural response to want to be a blessing.

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Alumni Feature

As

the Press Director at Washington, D.C.-based Foreign Policy (FP), Maria Ory is loving her role in the fast-paced world of international policy. FP, a print and online publication giving a voice to independent viewpoints on the world’s biggest issues, is where Maria landed after earning her B.A. in international relations from the University of Denver. She plans to continue her education in international relations in the future.

Maria enjoys the constant flow of ideas, deadlines and every day being unique in her current role. Along with writing press releases, working with the media and producing podcasts, Maria facilitates the FP-sponsored PeaceGame, which brings together leaders in national security policy, international affairs, academia, business, and media to redefine how leaders think about conflict resolution and the possibility of achieving peace. The event is held twice annually—once in Washington D.C. and once in Abu Dhabi. Maria enjoys the challenges of planning these large-scale events. She knows that

Maria Ory ’09 the issues discussed at the PeaceGame are increasingly critical to our global society and she is proud to be a part of helping to develop solutions that will benefit all.

Maria finds that the lessons she learned at EC are applicable in her life today. “In leadership, from Ms. Skoog and my peers, I learned what merits a good leader, how to be patient, kind and maybe most importantly, how to successfully work with a team no matter who is in the group. I also had great English teachers from whom I learned important skills in writing and critical thinking—two tools that I use almost every day.”

Even with her demanding schedule, Maria keeps in touch with friends she made at EC whether flying to a wedding or meeting alums who live in the D.C. area. She is proud to keep this connection and looks forward to her reunion in 2019.

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We Are EC

A H C R E E CH by josh suman ’04

F

For most athletes, receiving praise and accolades is just another part of the game. But for cheerleaders, who spend their time selflessly raising the level of spirit and championing the accomplishments of their peers, there is rarely any recognition. For the Eastside Catholic cheer squad that all changed in 2016, as they brought home the program’s first ever state championship through a focus on “we.”

“I worked on building love first,” said Head Coach Rachel Blockhus, who led her team to the title in her first year. “The faith kept us strong.” That strength—forged over countless hours of extra practice, a year of leading the charge to reinvigorate students with school spirit, and plenty of special team bonding paid off with the Extra Large Group Non-Tumbling State Championship, the first for an EC cheer squad. “It still gives me chills,” senior captain Anna Jolliffe said.

The team was led by Jolliffe and a strong core of seniors, each of whom helped build a rapport with a group that was mostly comprised of freshmen and sophomores. Ellie Bernstein, Sarah Wente and Jolliffe were the captains, with fellow seniors Claire Miller and Taylor Farris also providing inspiration. Blockhus said of her seniors, “Their biggest goal was bringing their championship spirit back to Eastside Catholic.”

Jolliffe agreed with her coach, emphasizing the determination required to forge the beginnings of a legacy. “My freshman year,

we made it our goal to establish a legacy of Eastside Catholic cheer,” Jolliffe said. “I think we came a long way in doing just that. It always amazed me how much we were able to come together and support each other.”

This year’s cheer squad was determined to maintain their extraordinary level of spirit in order to create more engaging assemblies, take on creative spirit projects to excite their peers and make sure sporting events are a true celebration of Crusader culture and the ethos of Faith, Family, Forever Eastside that permeates the school.

“They did everything you could think of,” Blockhus said of her squad’s dedication to building spirit. “They are great role models and mentors and really wanted to make new legacies, honor our EC tradition and bring that spirit.”

The team will face new challenges in 2016-17 as defending state champs and will also have to find new ways to build spirit after another football state title. But with another strong incoming group and the experience of this year for a large number of returners, Blockhus is optimistic.

In addition to defending their non-tumbling title, she said the hope is to attract enough young ladies to add a full tumbling squad next season.

“Our girls still aren’t ready for this season to end,” she said.

“We want to prove to everyone, winning state this year was not an accident.”

lmupbs!

C ha

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Nine juniors and seniors competed at the International DECA competition in April.

The Mock Trial team advanced to the State competition, placing fourth out of 22 teams in Round 2.

AMPS!

pated in the district The Robotics teams partici rookie and veteran the h bot championships with mpionship rounds. teams qualifying for the cha

Twelve high school students and two middle school students were invited to the All-State Music Honors Groups in February.

ECMS was well-represented placing third at the Math is Cool (MIC) Division II Math Competition.

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31st

STARS GALA AUCTION

W REACHING

NEW HEIGHTS a Auc tion Co-Ch M

nG ay t e

& 16

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ith more than 580 people gathered together, the energy in the ballroom was electric. A record number of attendees joined in the festivities to support student programming today and for the future and were treated to a great evening of dining, laughter and community.

The 2016 Making a Difference effort supported both the expansion of cultural and leadership opportunities that EC students experience before the first bell rings at 7:50 a.m. and after classes end at 2:50 p.m.

These grant-eligible opportunities include performing arts; student leadership; retreats; academic, social and servant leadership clubs; CYO programs and other activities not available in the past. Half of the funds raised will create The Karen Fouty Skoog Endowment for Student Culture and Leadership, named after faculty member Karen Skoog who has devoted tremendous energy and love towards creating experiences that have enriched the lives of our EC students since 1981. The other half of the funds raised will be available for use starting in the 2016-17 school year to support new and existing student programs.

Once again, auction guests enjoyed music and dancing after the final live auction thanks to the generosity of EC Boosters. Our preauction alumni reception was generously sponsored for the second year in a row by Jeff Clark and Marie Boding.

Thank you for your tremendous support at this year’s gala.

[

]

P L E A S E J O I N U S AT N E X T Y E A R ’ S AU C T I O N :

MARCH 25, 2017

Thank You to our Sponsors!

SERCU FAMILY

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Class Notes

Nicole Reed ’06, Becca [Reed] Morris ’04

John Perkins ’12

Adra Tiryakioglu ’88

1999

2008

Mary [Ritchie] Edwards moved to

Christine [Factor] Rozal and her

Margo Davie and Joshua Dolan were

Arizona to enjoy her retirement after many years “in the cold and snow of Eastern Washington.” She reports, “Life is good, I love the warm weather and beautiful sunsets in Arizona and am enjoying retired life.” She is active in U.S. Masters Swimming, volunteers with disabled veteran’s and often makes care packages for U.S. soldiers overseas. She returns to Washington State often to visit her grandmother.

husband Mark welcomed two additions to their family: Sophia Annabelle (3) in 2012 and Noah Reyden (2) in 2013.

Sophia and Noah join older siblings Angelina (12) and Jalen (10).

married on May 6, 2016 at the Chapel at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington.

Adra [Boas] Tiryakioglu and her

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.

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Mary [Ritchie] Edwards ’84

1984

1988

share your news

Emma Fraley ’14

husband Daver are active in the EC community. Adra volunteers weekly in the EC Nurses Office and her husband is a volunteer coach for EC Junior Crusader football. They have three children: Ally (sophomore at EC), Emily (seventh grade) and Jake (grade four).

1990 Jennie Dubois is currently working as a caregiver for the company With A Little Help. Jennie recently visited campus to participate in a careers class for the Options Program and was pleased to see the Middle School addition during her campus tour.

1991 Nicole [Kozma] Yemothy will be moving back to Clemson, South Carolina in June 2016 to teach middle school science after living in Panama for five years where she recently completed her fifth and final year as the coordinator of educational technology at the International School of Panama. Nicole earned her Doctorate of Education in Teacher Leadership from Walden University with honors in June 2015.

2000 Patrick Walter Phelan Roberts was born on January 6, 2016 to Jarrod Roberts and his wife Andrea Roberts. Patrick weighed 9 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21.5” long.

The Roberts have two older daughters.

2002 Katherine [Herman] Udeze and Kenechi Udeze were married on February 14, 2016 in Palm Springs, California. They met five years ago in Seattle and are now living in Manhattan Beach, California. Bethany [Schoessler] Stout ’01, Crystal [Lorge] King ’02, and Lindsay Taft ’02 were her bridesmaids. Katherine works as a Lead Social Strategist for Razorfish, a global digital marketing agency. Kenechi is the Defensive Line coach for the University of Southern California, but Katherine still represents the purple and gold.

2003

Emily Lucas received her B.A. in communications from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2012 and quickly moved to Washington, D.C. where she began her career in public relations. While working on national accounts such as the Affordable Care Act and U.S. Army Reserve, Emily also received her Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communication from Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies in 2015. Emily recently relocated back to the San Francisco Bay Area where she conducts corporate communications for the San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s® Stadium.

Michelle Pietromonaco is celebrating the fourth anniversary of Sorrida Salon, her Seattle-based bridal hair and makeup company. Since 2012, Sorrida has participated in more than 150 weddings.

2009 Marion Bactol graduated from the

of honor. EC Chaplain Father Heric presided over the wedding.

University of San Diego in 2013 and is now pursuing his masters in sports administration and leadership at Seattle University. He currently works at the University of Washington as the Football Operations and Recruiting Assistant.

Marion has been influential in the junior football program at EC for the past two years. He plans to continue to give back and help shape the future of Eastside Catholic football.

Casey Talbot, a graduate of the United

2012

States Naval Academy, is now a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy.

Kameron McLain graduated with

Matt Schille is engaged to Erika Brown. He currently lives in Seattle and works for Venture Construction.

2006 Nicole Reed married Kriss Drumheller on March 19, 2016 with her sister Becca [Reed] Morris ’04 as her matron

a B.A. in communication from the Morrissey School of Arts and

Katherine [Herman] Udeze ’02

Scott Hutchins ’14

Nicole [Kozma] Yemothy ’91

Margo Davie ’08

Casey Talbot ’06

Son of Jarrod Roberts ’00

Sciences. This summer, she will begin working toward her master’s degree in Communication Leadership at the University of Washington, while at the same time using her last year of NCAA eligibility to play volleyball for the Huskies.

John Perkins recently returned to Eastside Catholic and spoke to a statistics class to demonstrate the importance of statistics in his career as a retail buyer for superherostuff.com.

Perkins graduated from Carroll College in May 2016 with a B.B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing.

Joey McKay graduated from Gonzaga University in May 2016 with a B.A. in finance and economics.

Eric Strode graduated in May 2016 with a B.S. in computer science from the University of Southern California. He will be working for Apple as a software engineer next year.

2014

Spring Tradition

Emma Fraley attends Oregon State University Honors College and was named the Conference Chair for the 2016 AIAA Region 6 Student Paper Conference (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). Emma spent the past year organizing the competition, including housing, transportation, industry tours and recruiting participants and distinguished speakers from around the country. The event was held in April 2016. Emma has also been accepted for a Summer 2016 CUBESAT Design & Build Internship at Cornell University. CUBESAT is a miniature satellite for space research.

Scott Hutchins was elected junior class president at Pepperdine in March 2016.

This is his second year as president, and third year in student government.

Alumni and faculty joined together for the Annual Alumni Easter Egg Hunt held in March.

Eggs were hidden around the courtyard while the kids raced to find them— some of the older, more egg-sperienced children set a great example as they helped the younger ones to gather as many eggs as possible.

Look for details of these events and more on eastsidecatholic.org.

Upcoming Events For EC Alumni information and events, please contact jconklin@eastsidecatholic.org.

JUNE–AUGUST Summer Camps JULY 22 Alumni BBQ JULY 23 Class of 1986 Reunion

SEPTEMBER 8 Back to School Spaghetti Dinner

OCTOBER 15 Swirl: Fall Wine Tasting Event

SEPTEMBER 10 Class of 1996 Reunion

OCTOBER 21 Homecoming Football Game

SEPTEMBER 14 Mass of the Holy Spirit EC MAGAZINE SUMMER 2016

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

CONGRATUL ATIONS! CLASS of 2016 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.