NDB Newsletter - March 2021

Empowering Young Women March 2021 ndhsb.org | @ndbtigers

Inside this Issue

NDB THOUGHT LEADERSHIP PANEL MARCH 24 Join us for a conversation about the future of work with NDB parents who are leading in their industry.

NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS

SENIOR SPORTS SIGNING

This year, Annica Kim '21 and Sachi Bopardikar '21 have been designated National Merit Commended Scholars.

Maddie Gleason, Kelly Schackel, Channing Taner, and Abby Miller sign college athletic scholarships.

MESSAGE FROM INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL Greetings! As we ease into the first week of Spring and the last week of Lent, change and reflection are in the air. The halls are filled with NDB spirit, as we celebrate another week of hybrid instruction on campus with students of all grade levels. Our month-long program for Women’s History Month also continues this week, with speakers, resources, films and discussions - as well as daily quotes from a wide range of inspiring women.

In case you missed our programming for Black History Month in February, you can reference our community letter and calendar of events and resources. NDB’s work in these important areas also of course remains ongoing.

While serving as the Interim Head of School, I am committed to maintaining NDB’s academic, extracurricular and community strength, as the foundation for the future. If you have any questions for me, I will be delighted to speak with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at lkern@ndhsb.org.

With warm regards, Dr. Linda Kern

Notre Dame Belmont | 1540 Ralston Ave. | Belmont, CA 94002

You are invited to:

NDB THOUGHT LEADERSHIP PANEL Preparing our students to be leaders of tomorrow

WEDNESDAY MARCH 24, 2021 | ZOOM WEBINAR | 6 P.M.

Pravina Kittredge Associate Director VIR Biotech

Chris Degnan Chief Revenue Officer Snowflake

John Ailanjian CFA, General Partner Next Play Capital

Alison Nordt, Phd Senior Manager Astrophysics Lockheed Martin

Register at ndhsb.org

Scott Sellers, PhD Senior Director Pharmaceutical Development & Manufacturing Gilead Sciences

Join us for a conversation about the future of work from the vantage point of NDB parents who are leading in their industry.

A SUCCESSFUL ADMISSIONS SEASON The 2020-2021 Admissions season is coming to a close, with notification packets mailed on March 18. This year was like no other, as all of our Admission events were held virtually. Prospective students experienced Shadow Days, Open House, Notre Dame Night and family interviews via Zoom. Our Ambassador Board, which is comprised of six juniors and six seniors, was instrumental in assisting the Admissions team in our new virtual world. The Ambassador Board members joined prospective students for "chats" over Zoom on Shadow Days, participated as student speakers on Notre Dame Night, and wrote personal notes to our Shadow guests.

We have 14 daughters of alumnae who applied to Notre Dame this year. We look forward to welcoming the class of 2025 to our NDB community!

NDB ADVANCEMENT

Co-presidents of our Ambassador Board, Maggie O'Brien (left), and Paige Clarke (right).

Notre Dame Belmont appreciates the generosity of our parents, alumnae, and all constituents and friends of NDB who have made a gift in support of our NDB program. Every donation to NDB makes a difference and has a direct impact on the NDB experience for our young women. At this time, if you have not done so already, we invite you to consider making a gift to our NDB Annual Fund. If you would like any assistance in support of your donation, please contact Celine Curran at 650-595-9506 or ccurran@ndhsb.org. Thank you. All gifts to NDB are tax deductible in accordance with current tax law. Tax I.D. # 94-1424421.

"Be like the sunflower that follows every moment of the sun, and keep your eyes always turned towards God." - St. Julie Billiart

NDB ATHLETICS IS BACK IN ACTION Follow us on Twitter @NDBathletics The following teams are currently in season: Cross Country Tennis Golf Swimming Track and Field (tryouts week of 3/15) Softball (tryouts week of 3/15) Lacrosse (tryouts week of 3/15)

SENIOR SPORTS SIGNING We are so excited for our graduating seniors to continue their journey as student athletes at their respective colleges.

The following teams are scheduled for tryouts and are currently practicing: Water Polo - Week of March 23 Soccer - March 29-30-31 Basketball - April 12-13-14 (subject to change) Beach Volleyball - after indoor volleyball

Maddie Gleason, UC Davis

Kelly Schackel, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

We are excited to have athletes back on campus, on the playing fields, in the pool, and in the gym. NDB is alive and well!

VARSITY POM CELEBRATES WIN NDB Varsity Pom placed first out of five teams in the USA Virtual Spirit Regional #3. They've been working hard at practice (virtually and in person) consistently since October. This is their second win of the season!

Channing Taner, Southern Methodist University

Abby Miller, University of the Pacific

RISING STAR - CAILEY MURAD '21 The National Council of Women in Technology has awarded senior Cailey Murad with the Aspirations in Computing Rising Star Award. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education. Congratulations Cailey!

NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS About 1.5 million juniors (in 21,000 high schools) take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) every October. The top 3-4% of scorers receive the distinction of being a "Commended Scholar." This year, Annica Kim '21 (right) and Sachi Bopardikar '21 (left) have been designated National Merit Commended Scholars based on their raw scores competing with the rest of California and National test-takers. Congratulatioins, Annica and Sachi!

NDB TORCH YEARBOOK AWARDED BY ASPA Torch has received a First Place award and Most Outstanding Use of Color Award in the American Scholastic Press Association's (ASPA's) annual yearbook competition for the 2019-2020 school year. ASPA is renowned for being a tough competition, with many entries from schools across the country.

The Torch also fared well in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) yearbook competition, being awarded a Gold Medal. Congratulations to all members of the Torch publication staff!

NDB CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH Rose Jacobs Gibson, a woman who has been involved in our local community in the Bay Area for many years, serving in both state and local government, spoke to NDB on March 9. As founder of the East Palo Alto Family Partnership Foundation, Rose Jacobs Gibson's commitment to her community provided a path toward public service, encompassing San Mateo as a whole and beyond. It was an honor to host her here at NDB!

MOCK TRIAL The Mock Trial had a successful season despite Covid. The team, which consisted of 36 students from all four grade levels, had to learn and adapt to a completely online competition while our new students had to learn all of the rules, regulations, and courtroom procedures from home. The students practiced tirelessly from September through February, holding scrimmages with San Mateo High School and Santa Clara High School. In three weeks of competition, both JV and Varsity teams had some standout moments and performances. Our Varsity team finished 4th in the San Mateo County South Division and our JV team finished 6th. Everyone is looking forward to getting back in the courtroom next year.

Freshman Lucy Wood was the winner of the County award for Outstanding JV Pre-Trial Attorney. Lucy becomes NDB's 4th County-wide award winner.

"Mock trial has been one of the most meaningful experiences to me in my time at Notre Dame. My time on the team set a path for me to find confidence in myself, which has become more evident looking back. Not only did I grow individually, but I bonded with my teammates in a way which exemplifies sisterhood at NDB. We were always working to improve through collaboration and there to support one another in the courtroom, regardless of grade level or position on the team. I genuinely believe our mock trial team embodies the best of NDB's student body." - Elizabeth Weishaar '21

CHALLENGE SUCCESS This 2020-2021 school year, NDB has had the great opportunity to partner with Challenge Success out of the Stanford Graduate School of Education. We attended a conference in September that set the stage for many of us to work together.

Our NDB team is made up of 2 teachers, 3 administrators, 2 students, 2 parents, and the Challenge Success coaches. We have been meeting monthly. To date, we have administered the "I wish" campaign where students have had an opportunity to tell their teachers, parents, and peers, something they wish they knew. On Wednesday, March 16, the entire faculty participated in a professional development workshop led by Challenge Success that focused on health and wellness.

CRAB AND GO A big congratulations to Director of Athletics (and interim Academic Dean) Jason Levine, Assistant Athletic Director Patsy Iannone, Boosters Club President Bob Johnson, the Boosters Club, and NDB volunteers for an incredibly successful Crab and Go event on March 6.

We are so grateful to all of the families and sponsors who turned out to support our NDB athletes. We send a special thank you to all Boosters and volunteers. We couldn't have done it without you! NDB gratefully acknowledges Whitehall Lane as a sponsor for our NDB Boosters Crab and Go!

NDB ALUMNAE LEADERSHIP BOARD Susan Drucker Hunsaker '91 from our Alumnae Office is happy to announce the creation of our first ever NDB Alumnae Leadership Board. We hope that this foundational step will help graduates connect professionally with one another and aid in ensuring that the school continues to thrive into the next 100 years. Please be in touch with Susan at shunsaker@ndhsb.org to connect with our NDB community events.

Taj Alavi Carrie Roberts Allen Nancy Ayling Celine Cartridge Heather Ford Mary Kmak Daniella Labat Michelle McNeil Annie Niedehofer Kristen Peterson Degnan Bridget Marchetti Phillips Samantha Yee

NOTRE DAME BELMONT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021

Officers Marci Dragun Tim Fox Cathy Moley Members at Large Sr. Yvonne Bondi, SNDdeN Rod Donaville Susan Hines Jennifer Clarke Khoury '86 Kristen Leonardini '83 Suzanne Mohan Dianne Sullivan Morton '83 Andrea O'Riordan David Pelzner Mike Peterson Ray Petrin Lisa Sellers Lisa Smoot Newsletter Design by Cat Bottini