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ICA Cristo Rey Academy has been sponsored by The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose since 1883. The ICA Update is published twice a year by the Mission Advancement Department of ICA Cristo Rey Academy. 3625 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 415.824.2052 www.icacristorey.org

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

SPRING/SUMMER ISSUE No. 117

WHAT’S INSIDE 4

A Message from the President

March Forth, Virtually

Every Student Gets a Scholarship

From Our New SIP Manager

Celebrating at the SXSW Festival

Blueprints for the Future: A Parent’s View

A Student View: Gaming and Online Learning

Corporate Work Study Program

CWSP 2020-2021 Industry Partners Update

A Spartan Story: Melissa Vallecillo ’12

100% of the Class of 2021 Were Accepted into College!

In Memorium

Summer/Fall 2021

A Message from the President Dear Friends of ICA Cristo Rey, We lift our voices in praise! Alleluia! Our joyous news is we have recently welcomed freshmen and sophomores back to campus for inperson classes. The class of 2021 gathered for their senior retreat. It is so evident that students drive our mission. Having them here on campus has reenergized all of us. I have been fortunate to work with a committed faculty and staff and in particular, a leadership team that has been thoughtful, flexible and passionate in support of each other and our families as we navigated this pandemic together. I would be remiss if I did not also note the significant role our Board of Directors played in garnering financial support for this year’s “March Forth” virtual event. We are deeply grateful for their leadership. As you enjoy this issue of our Update magazine, notice the voices throughout and the message each is highlighting. Here we celebrate our greater community as well, namely parents, current students, staff and alumnae. Their perspectives inform our appreciation of what it is to be ICA Cristo Rey. Resilience is a hallmark of this educational experience which students will carry with them into the future. As we plan for the summer and coming school year, we remain keenly aware of the protocols for health and safety. We are a community and desire to respect the health and safety of all who enter our doors. We are also immensely grateful to all of you, good friends, who have continued to invest in the future of our students. And so it is with joyful hearts and loud voices that we praise and celebrate our community! Blessings surround you, Sister Diane Aruda, O.P. President

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

ICA Cristo Rey Leadership Sister Diane Aruda, O.P. President Rita Cummings Vice President of Mission Advancement Dr. George V. Fornero Principal Missy Mastel Chief Finance Officer Erika Rangel Director of Corporate Work Study Angelica Granera Director of Admissions and Enrollment

Board of Directors Cathy Unruh Chair of the Board

Managing Editor Andrea Manchester Copy Editor Derek Wetzel Editorial Designer Barbara Peavy

Cover photo by Isaac Cardenas: Some of the Class of ‘21 came to campus for their Senior Retreat.

Ann G. Miller Vice Chair of the Board Nicholas Andrade Gina Antonini Mark Bley Maureen Coleman Jim Dekker Elizabeth (Liz) Dondero Michael Heffernan Anna Kearney Mary Lawson Paul Mohun Jim Moloney Ryan Musser Joshua Myerberg Meghan Railey John Ring Anita Trachte Sister Mary Susanna Vasquez ‘67

Mission Statement ICA Cristo Rey Academy is a Dominican Catholic college preparatory that empowers girls from underserved communities to become confident young women able to realize their full potential. By providing an excellent academic curriculum, a unique corporate work study experience, and the support of our spiritual community, we prepare students for a life of faith, purpose, and service.

Spring 2021

Marching Forth, Virtually! On March 4, 2021, ICA Cristo Rey Marched Forth, Virtually! Our annual Business Lunch was reimagined this year as “March Forth.” It has become ICA Cristo Rey’s signature fundraising and community event which attracted 750 guests and supporters in 2020. This year we extend our thanks to all those who supported our 2021 March 4th Virtual Fundraiser. Even in the midst of the pandemic, we felt your generosity. We are pleased to say that we exceeded our original goal and have raised $605,000—most of this was raised even before the event was held—which is amazing! The funds we raised contribute to our students and our goal of investing in the next generation of our young women leaders. The virtual event celebrated resilience and was hosted by Michelle Griego, from KPIX Channel 5 News. We honored Hannah Gordon, Chief Administration Officer and General Counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, with the Leader in the Mission Award, and Michael McCaffery, CoFounder and Managing Director of Makena Capital LLC with the CWSP Leader in CoEducation Award.

Hannah Gordon

Among those who spoke were our President, Sr. Diane Aruda, and Vice President of Mission Advancement Rita Cummings, as well as Honorary Chair Diane B. Wilsey, Board President Cathy Unruh, and board members Paul Mohun and Meghan Railey. Faculty member and alumna Jimena Kirk ‘08 shared her perspective on the realities of education at ICA Cristo Rey this year, including the resilience of our community. A number of ICA Cristo Rey students, as well as recent graduate

Michael McCaffrey

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

Karina Montiel ‘20, checked in to give updates on how they were doing, and they were able to ask Hannah Gordon questions virtually. Guests also enjoyed musical interludes performed by acclaimed musician Carlos Reyes. We give our deep gratitude to all of you who made a contribution and who are making a difference in the lives of our students! v

Liz Dondero shares a gift bag with host Michelle Griego.

Co-Chairs L-R: Liz Dondero and Mary Lawson prep gift bags for event sponsors.

Spring 2021

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

When Every ICA Cristo Rey Student Gets a Scholarship... The Scholarship Investment Program (SIP) provides much needed assistance to ICA Cristo Rey students and their families. ICA Cristo Rey allows its students to attend our school with a full scholarship -- in other words no fees. The only contribution expected from our families is to pay $2,900. However, most families are eligible for financial aid to cover part of this cost. How does ICA Cristo Rey raise the funds to provide a full scholarship for our students? Here’s how we raise the remaining $18,000 per student: •

What makes ICA Cristo Rey unique is our Corporate Work Study Program. Each of our corporate partners contributes $9,000 per student worker or $36,000 for the four students they usually have working in their offices Monday through Thursday. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop professional business skills first hand. It also helps them build confidence and leadership skills.

• Our Scholarship Investment Program and our other fundraising activities including our Business Lunch, Major Donor Gifts, Foundation Support and Individual Giving make up the remaining $9,000 per student.

Removing barriers by supporting ICA Cristo Rey students Your individual support of ICA Cristo Rey makes a huge difference to our students. Our Scholarship Investment Program is one important way you can contribute to the remaining $9,000 per student that we need to raise each year. This year, we have 354 students -- so each gift makes a big difference to our school.

Spring 2021

Our students are our future women leaders! 100% of our graduating class has been accepted into college! See more about our Class of 2021 in our College Here We Come piece. The Class of 2020 also represented our mission well! 89 Graduates 100% accepted into college 91% admitted into a four-year program 85% first generation college bound

Here’s How You Can Help:

3 3 3 3 3

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

Sponsor a Scholar for the year at $9,000 Tuition Gap Investment for a year at $2,900 Sign up for Recurring Donations to support the Scholarship Program Help spread the word about ICA Cristo Rey amongst your networks. Become a Corporate Work Study Partner— many of our partners are small businesses.

From Our New SIP Manager I am excited to start working with the Mission Advancement Team at ICA Cristo Rey Academy! I look forward to meeting you all and to building a successful Scholarship Investment Program for our students. Throughout my career, I’ve developed programs and services that provide children, families and the community at large with enrichment, health, or educational opportunities. That includes program management, business development, and relationship building. Career highlights include my work at Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM) building relationships with key stakeholders throughout the western U.S. and Mexico. At West Contra Costa Unified, I had oversight of $1.5 million in grant funding for school programs. I managed all scheduled programs to ensure that students and the community were receiving quality services at each site. At the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame, I was hired to develop campsites in Northern California. Camp Invention grew to serve over 700 kids in my local area. A job with the City of Berkeley led me from Chicago to California in 1996. In contract with UC Berkeley, I developed a comprehensive program and event schedule based on needs assessment and input from the wider community. My education includes a BA from Marquette University (Scholarship Athlete) and a MS from Aurora University. I have additional education in project management and business administration. I reside in the East Bay with my husband Tom (Marquette engineering grad) who ventured out here with me from the Midwest. We have two sons, Quinn (15) and Julian (13), along with two pups, Bear and Kona. I spend much of my free time watching the boys play baseball and taking the dogs out on hikes. I also enjoy working out, writing, and home improvement projects. v

Joan Wallner Connell

Spring 2021

Celebrating at the

Festival Women is Losers, written and directed by Lissette Feliciano ‘08, premiered at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, held from March 16-20. Lissette’s film used ICA Cristo Rey as one of its primary filming locations. “I couldn’t have done this film without the support of ICA Cristo Rey,” she remarked. “The whole crew could see my love for the school and were impressed by how the people from the school showed love for me. Sister Diane [ICA Cristo Rey’s President] was so gracious in her support.” Besides location help, ICA Cristo Rey students lended support as background, or extras, for some of the scenes. The students easily recognized one of the actresses, Chrissie Fit, from her role in two of the Pitch Perfect films. “She was so nice,” said Rita Sorrentino ‘19. “She thanked us for our participation and the energy we brought to the set,” added Felienne Dante ‘19. “She gave us a pep talk about our value as women of color and really talked to us. It was unexpected and thoughtful.” Lissette’s film, set in late-’60s and early-’70s San Francisco, depicts a story inspired in part by her mother’s life, while featuring moments The ICA Cristo Rey Update

of marginalization common among many women’s experiences. Women is Losers begins with a scene breaking the fourth wall, where characters talk to the audience directly through the camera, noting the disparity of power and voice in the shaping of the story of the United States. The film ultimately celebrates women through its characters’ relationships.

Lissette told us,

Lissette Feliciano ’08 Lissette continues work in both the TV and film industries with her film company Look at the Moon Pictures. In celebration of the film’s release, Lissette, with the help of the SXSW festival, purchased tickets for a number of students.

Excerpts from a few student reflections.

Aaliyah Alminiana ’24 My friend and I watched Women is Losers together and could not stop talking about how amazing it was. My friend and I even texted our other friends to watch it because we loved the storyline, the love story, the drama, and sad scenes. Yes! I love how people can literally relate to Selena’s family and situation, and her teenage drama.

It’s your fault I’m here. We had told her she could do anything, and she believed us.

When she became pregnant, there was such a powerful meaning when she walked down the hall, while everyone she wanted to make proud began to stare at her, giving shame. It was heartbreaking watching Selena go through that struggle, especially dealing with her best friend’s death, her abusive father, and the father of the baby not wanting anything to do with the child at first. It has been similar for my mom. The compassion and the emotions were so real. The way she began to come up and start to make a living for herself reminds me of my mom again. She was making minimum wage and now she’s a registered nurse! This film really opened my eyes on how thankful I should be for my mom. The struggle many women have to go through really inspires me. This film really shares a deep understanding that is often overlooked.

Spring 2021

Mitzy Meneses ’24 As the movie progressed, I got invested deeper and deeper into the plot. This movie really puts the viewers in the shoes of women and how we are underestimated and taken advantage of. One example of this was when Celine was in her boss’s office and was getting lessons on how to invest in the stock market which were good, but he also put his hand on her leg. I enjoyed this scene because it shows how some men can be very manipulative when they are acting “nice” towards a woman. Another topic that is shown in Women is Losers is people in poverty. Celine having two jobs really showed how hard it is and how often women have to hustle just to provide food and rent for family. This movie is amazing and I love how it combines comedy with sensitive topics like misogyny and poverty to create an entertaining movie.

Anjolina Reyna ’23 I am beyond grateful to have been able to watch Lissette’s film. Upon hearing the title it reminded me of a song also titled “Women is Losers” by Janis Joplin, a well-known singer and one of my favorite artists who lived in San Francisco in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. One quote from the song that I feel deeply resonates with the film is, “They wear a nice shiny armor until there is a dragon for to slay.”

Student extras getting notes and direction.

Throughout the film we meet different characters like Mateo and Gilbert who present themselves as the “good guys” who are kind to Celina, the main character, up until they don’t get what they want. Mateo acted as if he would be there for Celina but as soon as she had a baby he decided to move onto the next girl. Gilbert saw Celina and noted that she was struggling. He decided to help her and in return he expected a “favor.” They both wore the “nice shiny armor,” but when the “dragon” came they were nowhere to be found. Celina conquered the dragon alone, making enough money to provide for her and her son while dealing with the remarks of others.

Our student park became a welcome home party for a character in the film.

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She represents what most women deal with today. As someone who is only 16 years old some people

might be shocked that I and many others deal with some of the same things even in our current society. I am happy that this topic is being discussed more frequently, because as seen in the film, it was something simply [glazed over] in that time period. We can work as hard as we can, but as a community we need change. In addition to this film covering a topic as important as this one I deeply enjoyed the creativity that went into these scenes. One of the scenes I appreciated was with Celina after her close friend Marty died after an illegal abortion done by a dentist. While Celina is walking down a long hall she is living through her high-school years seeing her boyfriend moving on, her judgmental classmates, and even her disappointed parents. In addition to that scene, throughout the film you see Celina address the camera, which helps her reach the audience in many relatable ways. My favorite scene was when Celina overhears on the radio that abortion is legalized, which could have saved her high school friend Marty’s life, and she hears a plane. Marty had said she’d be a pilot one day. Celina goes outside to look at the plane with a big smile, remembering Marty. I felt connected to the scene and how it felt to hear that. The entire film is about the hope of women having control over their own lives. It has been a privilege to have been able to watch this film and I am happy that many people have been able to as well. v

Chrissie Fit, front and center, with ICA Cristo Rey students in costume as extras for the film.

Spring 2021

Blueprints for the Future: A Parents View by Marietta De Vera, parent of an 11th-grade ICA Cristo Rey Spartan

Meals and Dreams Over Dinner I’m at home, pensive. While peering outside from the window, I remain optimistic in these perilous times of COVID-19. Washing the dishes in the kitchen after dinner, I’m feeling relieved. The future of my 16-yearold daughter, Jasmine, did not grind to a halt in spite of the pandemic. Thank goodness, I thought, for her Corporate Work Study Job at Atreca, a biopharmaceutical company and one of ICA Cristo Rey’s corporate partners. Since Jasmine wants to pursue a nursing career, Atreca is an ideal place for her to work. Jasmine told us that she was asked to choose from three employees of Atreca to be her mentor: a senior corporate counsel, a marketing manager, and a research associate. Since she wanted to learn from different fields, she requested to have all three of them mentor her--and her request was granted! Through ICA Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), Jasmine is getting an early start in experiencing corporate work. I love this program. It helps to concretize her dreams and aspirations. Prior to COVID-19, Jasmine would go to Atreca one day each week. However, with the world functioning under the “new normal”, Jasmine has instead received weekly online mentoring from one of Atreca’s executives. This experience has helped Jasmine to develop critical thinking, effective communications skills, and basic office skills. Jasmine is now in her third year with Atreca. Her work includes digital filing, cell annotation, clinical data input, and attending meetings on immunology--great experience for her future career.

From Teenager to a Studious, Well-Rounded Young Woman Jasmine, like other students at ICA Cristo Rey, is encouraged to be wellrounded in prayer, study, and community service. Her teachers empower The ICA Cristo Rey Update

Jasmine and other students to realize their full potential intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. At 16 years old, she has already set goals. I’d like to think that she wants to get better in her studies simply because she loves learning. Learning is not just about achieving academic excellence for my daughter; it’s also learning with a more holistic sense of well-being, care, service, and joyful living. ICA Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program has been essential to Jasmine’s aspirations for her future. ICA Cristo Rey is the only school in San Francisco that offers this innovative program. It is a vital part of the school’s mission to provide college-preparatory education to young women from underserved communities.

Leading for the Future: Woman of Service As a student leader, Jasmine aims to equip students like herself with financial literacy. An important aspect often overlooked by many, she advocates to promote financial reliance and literacy among students. My daughter is making us proud because she is already “adulting” this early! As a mother, I am confident that my daughter will be prepared for bigger things in school and at the workplace with her education, training, and development at ICA Cristo Rey. With a heart of service, an industrious mind, a prayerful soul, and a strong sense of community, Jasmine, an ICA Cristo Rey Spartan by heart, is ready for the world of higher education. One more beautiful year at ICA Cristo Rey, and she is collegebound. As a mother who watches her daughter grow productively at ICA Cristo Rey, I set my sights on a hopeful tomorrow for my family. With its own vibrant brand of sisterhood, ICA Cristo Rey cares for the future of our daughters. v

The De Vera family

Summer/Fall 2021

A Student View: Gaming and Online Learning by Kimberly Magpantay ’21

Who knew that there are alternative ways of effective learning? College students and highschoolers can agree that traditional textbook learning is not IN anymore. Why not do something more fun, more engaging, and more exciting? Let’s game! From our Kahoot quizzes to our Quizlet Lives to our Jeopardy games, there are multiple ways to offer effective learning opportunities for students. Not only is it fun, but it’s a way of learning that is very accessible.

A Virtual Escape Room: Where in the World? Kimberly Magpantay ’21

Who knew what today’s lesson had in store for us 12th-grade students? Through gaming, we got the chance to explore the world, its religions, and its different communities through our own virtual escape room. We also received a little reward depending on how fast we could finish the exercise. Luckily, my group had a tenacious and optimistic drive that got us third place in the overall challenge. Using Google, we had to go through multiple puzzles that challenged our thinking skills. Plus, we got to virtually visit five places in the world--and the sole purpose was to find our missing teacher! Our first stop was Hawai’i where we learned about sacred tattooing. Our second was India, learning about a different take on the creation story. Our third stop was Nepal, where we got to know the more spiritual experiences of Buddhist monks. Our job was to hover over the “minds of the monks” to find three hidden messages. Stop four was in Israel/Palestine where we had a similar task: we had to

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

hover over the sacred city and find names of the different religions that are present there. We then made our way to Vatican City, learning about the structure of the Catholic Church. One of our last locations was Mecca, as we reviewed a YouTube video about Muslim pilgrimage. We learned an important lesson along the way: “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.”

Student Gaming Effects Once our teacher announces that a Kahoot will start, all the girls’ eyes light up. The game pin is posted. Names are made, with a mix of both hilarious and normal ones. The game finally starts and we read the question. Our hearts are racing! Answers finally appear with four buttons of four different colors that we are able to click. Is it red, blue, yellow, or green? We hear numerous beeps as the students attempt to answer the question. After the countdown goes to zero or when all students have answered, the truth is revealed. If it is green, we got it correct. If it is red, we got it wrong, but we will get it right next time. We all feel our energy increasing as we participate in a whole new way of learning!

Play a Game to Increase Knowledge Using educational games is another way to gain knowledge that is more interactive--and fun! In fact, games have taught me more than I would have learned independently. Strategy games such as chess and Sid Meier’s Civilization taught me another way to think and look at things. Some games such as Assassin’s Creed were able to give me an understanding of beliefs of those in ancient civilizations. Language learning games such as Learn Japanese to Survive! teaches us three different Japanese writing systems. Decision-making and storyenriching games can improve thinking and analytical skills. These are just a few of the ways students can learn using interactive gaming--while also having fun! Find ways to use these tools and let yourself shine, just like folding a simple piece of origami paper can be made into a beautiful, majestic crane--bringing peace and good fortune. v

Photo by Charlie Firth on Unsplash

Spring 2021

Corporate Work Study Program News The number of paid Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs for the 2021-2022 school year so far is 34.75, and Sponsors added an additional 12.75 FTEs, for a total: 47.50. This past year the Corporate Work Study Program made some significant changes to the previous year’s management and provision of corporate work experience. All work assignments this year were remote. All students worked on the same weekday, instead of the rotating day from previous years, with some assigned a job by their supervisors, and others completing work for an in-depth Microsoft Certification program.

A Message from Sister Lilly Fitzpatrick, O.P. Jobs Acquisitions Manager Partnering with ICA Cristo Rey is a great way to give back to the community. When you look at what is happening in the world today and the changes that need to be made, ICA Cristo Rey is already making those changes. Four students job-share an entry level clerical position while also completing a full college-prep curriculum. Students are trained for all entry-level clerical work and are on-site for eight hours a day. This year was tough for us financially as we lost many jobs due to the pandemic. However, we ended up with 60 jobs. Of those companies twenty had our girls work remotely. It worked well but it was not ideal. We want our students in office environments where they are

Sister Lilly Fitzpatrick

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

exposed to the workplace and a variety of different people and situations that challenge them. This also helps them decide what they want to study when they attend college. We have a 100% college acceptance rate. Our Corporate Work Study Program is not only an integral part of our funding model but also foundational in our educational model. This is the perfect opportunity to support young women from underserved communities and further the status of women. Next year we need 80-90 jobs. If you want to give back and be part of developing diversity, please call ICA Cristo Rey at (415) 824-2052. You won’t be disappointed!

How It Works Corporate Sponsors pay a set fee of $36,000 per year for a team of four students. The Corporate Sponsor fee is paid directly to the school and applied to the students’ educational costs, providing families with an opportunity to educate their daughters for a significantly lower tuition cost. *There is opportunity to hire or sponsor less than a full team as well.

We do the paperwork CWSP employs the students and handles all paperwork, permits, workers’ comp, and transportation to and from work sites.

We provide the training ICA Cristo Rey students undergo rigorous professionalskills training in the use of office equipment, Microsoft Office Suite, and business etiquette.

Maria Blanco ’22 at her pre-Covid job.

We give ongoing support ICA Cristo Rey students participate in an ongoing curriculum to further build skills and professionalism during their four years in school.

We provide the team A team of four students (representing grades 9-12) job-share one entrylevel clerical position at a professional business, allowing students to gain real-world work experience and to develop habits, mindsets, and skills which complement classroom learning. v

Spring 2021

CWSP 2020-2021 Industry Partners Advanced Clinical Andersen AppDynamics Archdiocese of San Francisco Atreca AT&T Bank of the West BDO Beacon College Funding Solutions Beronio Lumber BiRite Foodservice Distributors Bon Appetit Management Company Boston Consulting Group BRIDGE Housing Brown & Toland Physicians Buchalter Law Firm Cahill Contractors California Pacific Medical Center Cigna Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP Convent of the Sacred Heart Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP Coté & Company, APC Cupertino Electric, Inc. Darcoid Nor-Cal Seal Davis Polk & Wardell LLP De Anza Properties Dignity Health Dome Construction Environmental Sciences Associates Expeditors Fenwick & West LLP First Republic Bank Frank, Rimmerman + Co. LLP Franklin Templeton Investments Gap Inc. - Risk Management Genentech The ICA Cristo Rey Update

Global Blood Therapeutics Glynn Capital Management GOOGLE Grant Thornton Hamilton Zanze Harrell Kane Structural Engineers, Inc. Heffernan Insurance Brokers Highland Capital Partners Jones Day KGO-TV ABC7 KKR Levi Strauss & Co. Lisa C. Capaldini, M.D. Liz is All Biz Accounting Makena Capital Management Malcolm Drilling Mercy Housing MOC Insurance Morrison & Foerster LLP Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney Mynd Property Management Myovant Sciences NCIRE VA Health Care N.F. Stroth & Associates, LLC Nektar O’Brien Mechanical Inc. Ogletree Deakins On Lok Pacific Foundation Services Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Prime Group Prologis PSAI Realty Partners, LLC Ropes & Gray LLP

Salesforce.com San Francisco VA Medical Center Stanford University The Brandi Law Firm The Key TPG Capital TY Lin International Group UCSF Medical Center UpMetrics YouTube

2020-2021 Sponsors

Nick Andrade & Jim McDermott Paul & Debbie Baker Mark Bley Gene & Sue Bugatto Carolyn & CJ Daley John & Marie Duggan Phil & Stephanie Gatto Robert Half Katie Hall Lenore Heffernan

Mike Heffernan Foundation KLA Lakeview Foundation Tom Lockard & Alix Marduel McKesson Corporation Merrill Lynch Mag Management, Inc. Jim & Mimi Moloney Anna & Mason Morfit Corey Mulloy John Murphy Tim & Rachel Parker John & Nicole Piccetti Racine Dominicans Rogers Family Foundation Don Santel & Kelly McGinnis Maureen Sullivan Mark Robson Dom & Leona Tarantino Paul Thompson Liz & Greg Vaughan VISA

Spring 2021

A Spartan Story: Melissa Vallecillo ’12 After graduating from ICA Cristo Rey, Melissa Vallecillo went to University of San Francisco (USF) and, after briefly considering a major in Biology, switched to English due to her love of language. She opted to minor in legal studies as well. It was through those degree programs she found her specific love for legal, tech, and business. Through Melissa’s course work she took a number of political and sociology classes. “One of my favorite classes as an undergrad was Politics of American Justice. At the end of the course my professor had us

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

write a brief as though we were a Supreme Court Justice, and that’s what got me really thinking about continuing on to law school,” Melissa said. This was further developed when, during a guest speaker panel in one of her English internship courses, Melissa heard from a USF alumna who was a house lawyer for a healthcare company. “I thought her job sounded really interesting. That was during my junior or senior year of undergrad, and I spoke with her after class and found out she had gone to USF’s Law School.” The USF Law School has a priority acceptance program for students who attended USF as undergrads and achieved a certain score on the LSAT. “So I made sure I studied for the LSAT to get that score and went on to attend USF Law,” said Melissa. She went on to share more about her graduate school experience. “They [USF] were really great at offering a lot of handson experiences while in law school through different clinics. I got to work with entrepreneurs from low-income backgrounds, and with people of color. It was great to help them get their businesses off the ground, and that experience got me interested in tech law and business law.” Having been officially accepted into the State Bar of California earlier this year, Melissa is now looking to combine her passions in these fields: “I want to be a role model to other young Latina women who want to enter this field. In law school it wasn’t until my third year that I actually met any Latina lawyers and I thought it was a big deal to see someone who looks like me or has a similar background. I’m excited to see how I can broaden the field.”

Summer/Fall 2021

100% of the Class of 2021 Were Accepted into College! We have 521 college acceptances among our 91 seniors—that’s almost six per student! We also have five Regents Scholarship offers from UC Berkeley and one UC Chancellor’s Scholarship. Two students are attending UC Berkeley, and one will be in the Changemakers program. Our firsts! • We had our first ever University of Texas, Austin acceptance. • We had our first ever Wesleyan University acceptance. • Plus, we had our first Simmons University acceptance where one of our Spartans will be attending in the Fall! Our students received over 200 scholarship offers from the following colleges and universities this year totaling over $8 million in scholarship funds over four years. Arizona State University-Tempe Ashland University California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo California State Polytechnic University-Pomona California State UniversityBakersfield California State University-Channel Islands California State University-Chico

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

California State UniversityDominguez Hills California State University-East Bay California State University-Fullerton California State University-Long Beach California State University-Monterey Bay California State UniversitySacramento

California State University-San Bernardino California University of Pennsylvania Central Washington University Chaminade University of Honolulu Chapman University City College of San Francisco Clark University Columbia College Chicago Dominican University of California Drexel University Fordham University Fresno Pacific University Georgetown University Grand Canyon University-Traditional Campus Hawaii Pacific University Holy Names University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Manhattan College Menlo College Mercy College Mills College Mount Saint Mary’s University Northern Arizona University Oregon State University Pace University Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Point Loma Nazarene University Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Saint Mary’s College of California Saint Xavier University San Diego State University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Santa Clara University

Seattle University Simmons University Sonoma State University St John’s University-New York SUNY at Albany SUNY College at Oswego SUNY College at Plattsburgh The American University of Paris The New School The University of Arizona The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at San Antonio University of California-Berkeley University of California-Davis University of California-Irvine University of California-Los Angeles University of California-Merced University of California-Riverside University of California-San Diego University of California-Santa Barbara University of California-Santa Cruz University of Cincinnati-Main Campus University of Georgia University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Nevada-Las Vegas University of Oregon University of Portland University of Redlands University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Southern California University of the Pacific Wesleyan University Whittier College

Spring 2021

In Memoriam Irene Herlihy Casserly ‘45 Joseph E. Eberle, brother of Gertrude Eberle Bignardi ’51 (deceased) & Maryann Eberle Collier ’53 (deceased) Marianne Eberle, Mother of Christine Eberle-Diaz ’77 and Susanne Eberle ‘80 Esther Eden, Mother of Elaine Eden Pike ‘77, and Evelyn Eden Braziel ‘81 Elinor Mary Gatto , Mother of former board member Philip Gatto and Auxiliary member Linda Rizzo Lois Gilliam, Mother of Donna Gilliam-Corbett ’82 and Rhonda Gilliam Hontalas, ICA Cristo Rey Alumnae Director

The ICA Cristo Rey Update

Patricia Ann Conklin Lopez, Mother of Rachel Lopez ‘18 Michael Montague, husband of Kathy Gallagher Montague ‘66 Lucrezia Gatewood-Bell Roberts ‘91 Elinor Elena Rivas Rodezno, Mother of Nora Rodezno Jaboneta ’68 Alexandrina Krantz LangRodriguez ‘78 Patrick Rudder, husband of Maureen Shannon Rudder ‘72 Patricia Mahoney Sienes ’46 Anthony Silva, father of Vilma Silva ’77, Patricia Silva Neyshloss ’78, Martha Silva ‘83

Linda Squires Grohe, Former Chair of ICA Cristo Rey Board of Directors

Vincent Youmans, husband of Barbara Brennan Youmans ’54

Eleanore Howard ‘59

Catherine Villegas ‘84

Give a Gift to the Future Remembering ICA Cristo Rey in your will is an important and personal gift to future generations. Throughout the history of the school, thoughtful individuals have helped to provide a Catholic education to countless young women. We hope that, after you have provided for your family, you will consider making a bequest to ICA Cristo Rey Academy. The following wording is suggested as appropriate for an unrestricted gift: I give and bequeath the sum of $___________ (or, ______% of my estate) to ICA Cristo Rey Academy. When you help to provide education for the young women of tomorrow, you provide an enduring gift for the future. For more information, please contact Rita Cummings, Vice President Mission Advancement: rcummings@ icacristorey.org, or go online to www.icacristorey.org/apps/pages/give.

Memorial Cards ICA Cristo Rey Academy is a school rich in history and proud of its place in the story of San Francisco. Because of this pride, we feature on our Memorial Card the beloved statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception which stands in the foyer of the convent chapel. This statue is prominently featured in an 1880 picture of Mother Pia and her original community of Sisters. A complete history of the statue is included with each Memorial Card. Would you like to remember your loved one in a special way? In addition to Memorials, cards are also available for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, or illness. You may order by calling (415) 824-2052 ext. 40 or emailing Rhonda Hontalas at rhontalas@icacademy.org.

Spring 2021