Empowering Young Women May 2021 ndhsb.org | @ndbtigers
Inside this Issue
CAREER DAY
EARTH MONTH
AQUACADES
30 alumnae speakers across 10 states spoke to the NDB community.
The NDB community planted over 300 seedlings in honor of Earth month.
Seniors viewed the livestream premiere of Aquacades 2021.
TRI-SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS SHREK THE MUSICAL Congratulations to Megan Cabral, Isabella Hildebrand-Veccia, Caroline Turk, Alyssa Kimoto, and Annie Lester for starring in an unforgettable performance of Tri-School Productions Shrek the Musical. Well done! Watch the recording here. Notre Dame Belmont | 1540 Ralston Ave. | Belmont, CA 94002
NDB CAREER DAY On April 21, the NDB community heard from 30 Alumnae Speakers across 10 states about their career paths and lessons learned along the way. Speakers included: Emma Swayze '10, a 4th year medical student applying for her residency as an OBGYN Kate Grosshauer '11, who works for Walt Disney World in resort operations Disney is paying for her undergraduate degree in hospitality Melina Kozanitas '98, a PhD who works in natural sciences and is studying forest wildfire prevention in California Taylor McQuesten '04, a stage manager, master electrician, and martial arts stunt woman working in television production Jonelyn Langenstein '11, a professionally trained opera singer turned speech pathologist Ashley Brazil '05, a clinical genetic counselor for cancer, pediatric, and prenatal patients Mary Gainey Currey '12, a legislative aide for the Wisconsin State Assembly. Molly Finn '94, the Chief Compliance Office for Ebay
Keynote Speaker Taj Alavi NDB Class of 1994 VP of Marketing, Chime
CAREER DAY PANELIST REFLECTION "Today, I went back to high school. Okay, not quite. But I volunteered to participate in a virtual alumnae panel talking to current students at NDB. And wow, is my heart full. We got to hear from alumna Taj Alavi, who shared her career journey and this amazingly simple piece of advice - 'Be a source of joy.' I got to interact with some of my favorite teachers and former classmates, for the first time in almost 14 years. I'm reminded of how formative an experience high school was for me, and that it's okay to still not have every piece of my journey figured out. What's important is to surround yourself with people who motivate and inspire you to be your best self. So today, I'm focusing on the small ways I can spread joy. Encouraging you all to do the same. Be well, friends." - Miranda Sulley '07, People Experience Consultant at Delta Dental
Thank you to all of our incredible speakers for inspiring and informing the future careers of NDB students!
NDB CELEBRATES EARTH MONTH In celebration of Earth Month in April, NDB's Earth Day Planning Committee hosted a line-up of events and programs for the NDB community to show their tiger spirit and let Earth and creation know they care! The National Theme for Earth Day 2021 was RESTORE OUR EARTH. NDB students took photos of their favorite places in nature, watched films, shared their ideas about how we can care for the earth, restored their connection with nature through yoga and meditation, and planted over 300 seedlings. A big thanks to local non-profit, Plenty, for gifting the NDB community with over 300 seedlings.
"Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society." - Pope Francis, Laudato Si': On Care For Our Common Home
NDB CLASS OF 2025 DRIVE-THROUGH WELCOME The Admissions Office hosted a fabulous Welcome Dinner Drive-Through and Zoom celebration for the Class of ‘25. Welcome to the family, Tigers!
NDB AMBASSADOR BOARD
We are grateful for our NDB Ambassador Board! Left to right: Clair Sapilewski Debbie Anderson, Director of Admissions Olivia Semien Sachi Bopardikar Olivia Pera, ASB President Kelly McDonald, Admissions Associate Christyn Refuerzo
NDB AQUACADES The Father Downey Garden was ringing with cheers of excitement from seniors, as they viewed the livestream premiere of Aquacades 2021! Congratulations to all of the students and NDB team members, including Alisia Bergholm and George Retelas, who contributed to this great event and ensured that it came to life even in a year like no other.
SPIRIT WEEK NDB showed Tiger spirit as they dressed up for Star Wars Day, Marvel Day, Pixar Day, Disney Day, and more!
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION On April 21, 16 NDB students were inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS). More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in all aspects of their lives, making the most of both their gifts and opportunities. At Notre Dame Belmont, the values of NHS align closely with the qualities we hope all of our students embody as they prepare for college and beyond. All applicants to our school’s chapter of NHS must have a GPA of 3.50 and a minimum number of service hours (30 for Sophomores, 60 for Juniors, 90 for Seniors) for their applications to even be considered.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 NDB INDUCTEES Sophomore Inductees
Junior Inductees
Senior Inductees
Lauren Fitzgerald Keilee Hane Isabella Hildebrand-Veccia Cristine Niswander Ashna Tumuluri
Gabby Arceo Peyton Daley Renee D'Arcangelis Ashley Lau Catherine McGuire Elle Rau Katie Spencer
Andrea Aquino Maya Hart Anee Guilhot McKenzie Rees
NHS Board Members Abby Damelio, Kristen Carpio, Cailey Murad, Arya Tumuluri, Amelia Kyle, Sophia Dinelli, Megan Cabral, Ella Chatterjee, Lauren Fitzgerald, Keilee Hane, Ashna Tumuluri
ANNOUNCING NDB’S VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS FOR THE CLASS OF 2021! We are delighted and proud to announce double Valedictorians and double Salutatorians for the Class of 2021! Congratulations on all of your hard work, academic excellence, leadership and exceptional contributions to the NDB community. The Valedictorians will deliver their joint speech live on Class Day and at Graduation. Salutatorians will deliver their speech at the Academic Award Ceremony and Graduation. Go Tigers!
Genevieve Bencze Valedictorian
Sachi Bopardikar Valedictorian
Margaret O’Brien Salutatorian
Ashlin O’Riordan Salutatorian
SENIOR SPORTS SIGNING We are so excited for our graduating seniors to continue their journey as student athletes at their respective colleges.
Maya Hart Swimming at Wellesley College
Alex Salise Basketball at Dominican University
Miranda Chan Volleyball at California Lutheran University
Alaiyah San Juan Basketball at Dominican University
POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE: SPORTS CAN BATTLE RACISM Thank you to all of our NDB coaches and athletes who attended Positive Coaching Alliance's (PCA) SPORTS CAN BATTLE RACISM. Our coaches attended the workshop back in January. We had about 50 juniors and seniors attend their recent workshop and over 100 freshmen and sophomores attend their workshop last week. Remember to BE THE CHANGE! "As a force in education through sports, PCA strives to be a driving force for reconciliation by partnering with coaches and leaders across the country, providing them with tools needed to foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We know that athletes and coaches can play a substantive role in furthering racial equality and social justice. The successful development of ANY athlete includes parallel development of courage, resilience, and character not limited to a field, court, pool or rink." - PCA
Rachel Schonfeld Swimming at Knox College
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) STUDENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES "I have been involved in ASL since freshman year, and I am honestly sad that I only have a few more ASL classes here at NDB. Ms. Licht is easily one of my favorite teachers, and I have learned so much from her class these past four years - from hundreds of signs to presentation skills and Deaf culture to community involvement - we have truly done so much in ASL. I am so grateful that Ms. Licht chose to offer ASL 4 Honors this year so that I could be inducted into the honors society. I would highly recommend to any incoming freshman that they, too, challenge themselves in ASL - it will definitely be worth it!" -Margaret O'Brien, Class of 2020 I am so glad that I took ASL in high school and became a member of ASL Honors Society. At first, it was so new and difficult to the point where I wanted to switch languages, but I’m so happy I stuck with it and was able to learn more about the language and culture. I love when I get to use ASL in public to help someone communicate; it’s one of the best feelings! Thank you! -Alaiyah San Juan, Class of 2021
NATALIE BEIER SELECTED FOR AP ART STUDIO COLLEGE BOARD EXHIBIT Natalie's portfolio was 1 of 62,000 portfolios submitted to the College Board AP Art and Design for the 2020 school year. Those portfolios held over 750,000 works of art. From those, 51 pieces, including Natalie's self-portraiture, were selected to be included in a prestigious virtual exhibition. "For this self-portraiture, I balanced my Nikon on the tripod, clicked the self-timer button, jumped into fizzing water, and properly positioned myself in under four seconds. However, this chaos is not seen. The image, instead, portrays a soothing feminine aesthetic with a hint of mystery because of my concealed eyes." - Natalie Beier, Class of 2020 "I've been teaching AP Studio Art for 15 years, and every once in a while you have a year where you have that student, the student who goes beyond your expectations. This was the year for me, and Natalie was the student. I am very proud!" - Martha Anne Kuntz, AP Studio Art and AP Art History Teacher
100% ALL IN FOR THE NDB ANNUAL FUND 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 please consider making a gift to our NDB Annual Fund. Help us reach our goal of 100% NDB parent participation. 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
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NOTRE DAME BELMONT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021
Officers Marci Dragun Tim Fox Cathy Moley Members at Large Sr. Yvonne Bondi, SNDdeN David Chung Rod Donaville Sue Greenberg 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
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