Notre Notes Spring 2018

NEWSLETTER - SPRING 2018

April Alger '17, Sapna Rammappa '17, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez & Principal Mary Beth Riley Story on Page 2

IN THIS ISSUE...

2

4

5

7

Empowering Women for Tomorrow

Students Present at AGU Conference in New Orleans

15th Annual Crab Fest Raises Funds for CoCurricular Programs

Celebrating Grandparents

Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders

Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez

Shruthisri Ravinsankar '21 interviewed by SF Gate

April Alger '18 interviewed by KCBS reporter

Mashia Mazumder '17, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren & Eylenne Diaz '21

Through intentional programming, Notre Dame educates today's young women for career success, global leadership and sociallyresponsible entrepreneurship. Providing access to models of women's leadership across all sectors of society is an important component of that education. The first two weeks in March provided multiple opportunities for students to learn about local and national politics as well as media relations.

Recognizing Notre Dame's legacy as the oldest all-girls high school in the western United States, and flanked by local officials and Notre Dame students, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez held a press conference at Notre Dame on International Women's Day. She announced a proposal to give women their just place in history and recognize their value for future generations through public art that symbolizes their accomplishments. "We have an opportunity to start a fire across this country to honor women in a meaningful and thoughtful way," Chavez said.

Several students were interviewed by the many local media present at the event, sharing their concerns and hopes for the future. When Shruthisri Ravinsankar '21, a member of the Santa Clara County Student Advisory Board, was asked what her generation wants, she said "I believe that my generation wishes to stand up for what they believe in - justice, inclusion, treating all people with dignity and respect, non-violence. Sometimes that will mean we have to resist the status quo. Being here with these empowered women today, I feel we are one step closer to the transformative and brilliant future our generation dreams of."

The local media were on campus again to interview students about their participation in the national walkout on March 14. Mashia Mazumder '17 cited the importance of standing in solidarity with students across the country and in memory of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida.

The importance of young people making their voices heard was reinforced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren who, in a recent visit, encouraged Notre Dame students to educate themselves, join campaigns, volunteer and vote when they become of age.

"The most important thing students can do to ensure a better future is to understand the power they have as young people and the rights they have as U.S. citizens," said Lofgren. She was the second congressperson to visit Notre Dame this year.

Mashia Mazumder '17 interviewed by NBC Bay Area

Principal’s Message

I was moved by the emboldened presence of the Notre Dame students, in their silent strength. I sensed their common purpose with other students across our nation.

I know their power. They moved me.

On March 14, I stood outside Manley Hall and watched our students walk off campus. There was something chilling about the experience. They were not going far, and some teachers were joining them, but they were leaving. And I stood motionless, watching them. It wasn’t a drill and I did not have a role to play. I was an ineffective bystander.

For a moment I thought I would weep for all of it.

Yes, this was the National School Walkout students across the nation participated in, and our Notre Dame students responded to, en masse. They left their classes, marched, encircled the school and joined arms in silence. They looked like a human shield between the world outside and the school inside.

I was moved to tears.

I felt this strong sense of potential loss as I watched them walk away. I thought – ‘is this what the school leaders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland felt?’ I fought an urge to call out: ‘Come back!’

I felt a shared ineffectiveness of my generation, who has not been able to secure the safety of the students under our watch; a sense of shame.

From the #MeToo movement to the student walkout, it has been a year of harsh reality that shakes the world of our students. They are resilient. They continue to step up to challenge and help lead us forward. Their Notre Dame education calls them to this.

A week after the walkout, we celebrated women’s leadership with our 9th grade Woman’s Place Project.

As I visited the displays for the 167 women who were celebrated, I was surprised to find myself in front of a setting for Marjory Stoneman Douglas. I had not known anything about her. I learned from freshman Mallika Hegde that Marjory was an American journalist, conservationist and women’s suffrage advocate known for her staunch defense of the Florida Everglades. I spent some time at Marjory’s place setting, reflecting on the tragedy at the school that is her namesake and the role model that she is for our students. She would not give up, I thought, and neither will these young women.

Ora et labora,

Mary Beth Riley, Principal

access

Developing Women's Leadership at Notre Dame

+ 65

opportunities

guest speakers

5

media engagements in March

100%

of freshmen studied women of impact through their Woman's Place Projects THE

WOMANÊS

of seniors became women of impact through their Senior Service Learning Projects presented at the YO U N G W O M E N Ê S

A DVO C AC Y S U M M I T

PLACE

P RO J E C T

WINTER 2017

3

Students Present at American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference Students in Notre Dame’s Independent Science Research program had the honor of presenting their research at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference for the second year. The event is the largest earth and space science meeting in the world, with more than 24,000 participants. Last year’s event, held in San Francisco, was attended by six students but a trip to this year's conference, in New Orleans, seemed impossible due to the cost.

When a generous donor stepped in with funding, eleven students were able to participate.

Through the Independent Science Research program at ND, these students conducted science research projects of their own design Students at the 2017 Conference in New Orleans and documented their work. They presented their research at a BrightStars session, which included students from all over the United States as well as some international students. "It was really incredible to talk to scientists from all over the world," shared one participant. "They were able to tell me about their research, and explain to me how I could apply my data to what is going on in the world around me."

As a result of last year's participation, Dipashreya Sur '18 landed an internship at Stanford where she has been researching the history of nematodes and butterfly sizes and how they have changed over time. For Sharon Truong and Rianna Karim '17, it lead to a first place project at the Synopsis Championship and contributed to their acceptances to Johns Hopkins and CalTech. We're sure this year's participants will gain further benefit as well!

Alumna Coach Leads Effort to Repeat History History repeated itself on the basketball courts of Julie Billiart Hall this year. Under the direction of ND alumna Coach Ali Bueno, the team went undefeated in league play, finishing the season with 20 wins and no losses! Anjali Pursai '18 was named League MVP, Abby Walsh '18 and Nadia Truong '18 were named to First and Second Team, respectively.

In 2005 Notre Dame's varsity basketball team, which included Ali Bueno '06, were also crowned division champions, ending their season with an undefeated record. Over the last two years, Ali has coached varsity basketball at ND, helping students build their skills 2017 Varsity Basketball Team as well as their persistence, resilience and team dynamics.

Anjali Pursai '17 and Coach Ali Bueno '06

2005 Varsity Basketball Team

15th Annual Crab Fest

Crab Fest Founders Hang Up Their Aprons After 15 Years Love of the Notre Dame community and a desire to stay in touch with old friends, meet new friends and support co-curricular programs contributed to a record year for the 15th annual Crab Fest, which sold out in seven hours and raised more than $60,000!

For Bob and Colleen Altendorf (Madison ’07), it also closed a 15-year chapter of their lives. The second year after founding the event in 2003, Bob became the event's master chef. This year the Altendorfs are hanging up their aprons.

As a token of Notre Dame's appreciation, Bob and Colleen were given a one-of-a-kind quilt created from the event logos of the past years (pictured in top left photo). Since its inception, Crab Fest has raised more than half a million dollars. "The highlight of the evening, though, is not the food but the Notre Dame students," said Bob. "They are a very gregarious group that does a great job putting the whole event into its proper context: It’s all about supporting their extraordinary education.”

Pat and Andrea Caldwell, who have served as event chairs for the last several years, along with the Altendorfs, are being honored this year with Junior League Recognition Awards.

Save the date and join us for the next Crab Fest on February 2, 2019! Tickets will go on sale on our website on December 1, 2018 at 12:01am.

SPRING 2018

5

N otre D ame T hanks L eadership D onors

Willie & Sheri Dizon (Kayla '08), Gary & Christine Pashby (Sarah '14, Jennifer '16, Melissa '18), Andrea Connell (Christine '16, Caroline '18), Paul & Monica Pashby (Michelle '15)

Marylou Schoone & Michaela Brody (Stephanie '02)

Deanna Blackburn (Caroline '16), Gary Gulmon (Emily '14) Conny Barton (Petra '09, Kelsey '13), D'Arcy Kirkland (Jen '10, Maddie '12), Geraldine Magarelli

Jessica Tracy (Allison '16 & Emma '18) & Andrew O'Donnell (Niamh '21)

Lisa Martin '74 Adamson, Celeste Martin '72 Melehan, Mary Danna, Joe Melehan

Sridhar Lakshmanamurthy & Kanchana Sridhar (Shruthi '20)

Robyn Klitgaard (Sophie '18), Manny Lugos (Lauren '18, Julie '20), Dolores Ayala (Sarah '20), Georgianna Coonis, SNDdeN, Pam Lugos (Lauren '18, Julie '20)

Top: Leo Pursley, April Pursley, Adrianne Pacheco, Abby Pacheco '19, Cathy Pacheco, Tim Pacheco - Bottom: Bill Mahoney, John Messier, Peggy Pursley Messier, Judith Pursley '59 Mahoney, Craig Bull, Rita Pursley '57 Pacheco t (2017 L'Esprit de Francoise Award Recipient), Leo Pacheco, Dan Pacheco, Bob Pacheco

Celebrating Grandparents

More than 200 grandparents joined us on campus in March for Grandparent's Day. They were able to view the Woman's Place Projects created by the freshman class, enjoy a preview of this year's spring musical, 42nd Street, and get a personalized campus tour led by their grandchild!

Principal Mary Beth Riley Honored With YWCA Tribute Award YWCA Silicon Valley has named Principal Mary Beth Riley a 2018 Tribute to Women Award recipient. The Tribute to Women Awards recognize the achievements of women who have excelled in their field and have made significant contributions to the Silicon Valley through their leadership. The awards, in the 34th year, are an effort to encourage women’s leadership and promote equal advancement opportunities for women of diverse backgrounds.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the YWCA in the company of so many talented and respected women,” said Riley. “I share this with the many inspirational women I am fortunate to work alongside including our faculty, staff and board members and look forward to seeing some of our Notre Dame graduates, who are impacting communities around the world, recognized in the future.”

SPRING 2018

7

C

CLASS NOTES Sylvia Flores ’81 is currently

serving as CEO of Manos Accelerator, a mentorshipdriven program that provides hands-on resources for Latinoled startups. In 2003 she worked with former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, to establish a technology incubator for Mexican entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

Miroslava Chavez ’86 Garcia (1) is currently a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, published her first novel, Migrant Longing, the story of her migrant parents told through their personal collection of more than 300 letters.

Jacquelyn Villena ’90 Whitaker is teaching music at St. Lucy's School in

Campbell, directing the theater program at both San Martin/ Gwinn Elementary and Willow Glen Elementary and also directing music and vocals at Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill.

Nayome McCaslin ’98 (2) graduated with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education.

Azenith Smith ’99 James (3)

who works as a reporter with KTVU, welcomed a baby girl, Emma Faith, on December 5.

Cara Cavigliano ’00 Borromei (4)

and her husband, AJ, welcomed their first child, Arinelle Janice.

The family recently moved back to San Jose from Rochester and Cara began working for Notre Dame!

Kristin McComas ’01 Silva (5) welcomed a baby boy, Elliott Rey, on December 16.

Nicole Lecheler ’01 was named

regional sales manager for the US and Canada for Stassacker Bronze, a company that provides bronze memorialization and statuary products.

Rina Santoro ’02 (6) welcomed a son, Taylor Joseph, on September 4.

Andrea Vidal ’02 Weaver (7) gave birth to a baby boy, Jack, in January.

Coreen Salamanca ’02 Ketterer (8) joined

the Foundation Board of Trustees for O'Conner Hospital and was recently named a council member of the year at the Silicon Valley Capital Club.

Araceli Ruiz ’04 Gonzalez will be

graduating from Cal State East Bay with a degree in criminal justice and plans to move to work for the coroner's office in Chicago.

On September 18,

Amanda Lavarias ’04 (9) welcomed a baby boy.

Danielle TrevinoArriaga ’05 (10) welcomed a baby boy, Noah, into this world in January.

In July of 2017,

Emily Brown ’05 Jones (11) welcomed a daughter, Alexis Lynne.

Jacqueline Farrales ’07 is

currently working as a clinical nurse at UCSF Medical Center and the VA Hospital in Mission Bay having earned a bachelor's degree in nursing science from UC Irvine. For the past four years, Jacqueline and her sister, Kriselle '08, have served as volunteers for Camp Corazon in Catalina Island, serving the needs of children with heart disease.

On December 16,

Kelly King ’07 Kozlowsky and her husband, Matthew, welcomed their first child, a son, named Samuel.

Kriselle Farrales ’08 (12) graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of San Francisco. She is currently serving as a registered nurse at UCSF Benioff

Children's Hospital and is engaged to Modesto Morales.

Fatima Farheen ’09 Mirza's (13) first novel,

A Place for Us, will be published this summer by Hogarth, a division of Penguin Random House.

Fatima earned a master's in fiction writing from the Iowa Writer's Workshop, where she was a teaching/writing fellow and recipient of the MichenerCorpernicus Fellowship. She also received the Chancellor's Award from UC Riverside for Excellence in Undergraduate Creative Achievement.

Geena Ng ’09 (14) will be

graduating from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in May and plans to move to San Diego to complete her internship with a focus on emergency and critical care medicine.

Noemi 'Mimi' Zuniga ’11 (15)

graduated from Navy basic training in September and is currently living in San Diego and attending school.

1

5

3

2

6

4

8

9

11 7 10

14

15

12 13

SPRING 2018

9

C

CLASS NOTES continued

16

17

Samantha Albert ’12 (16) is a youth

education series facilitator with The Walt Disney Company at the Disneyland Resort. She conducts tours for middle and high school students, showing them examples of Walt Disney's leadership style and teaching them about teamwork and collaboration, traits he valued highly.

After graduating from California State University, Chico, last spring Madeline Merlic ’13 began

working for a public relations firm in downtown San Jose as an assistant account manager, crediting Notre Dame's strong focus on public speaking with helping her land the position!

Christina Connell ’16 (17), currently

studying aviation at St. Louis University, was invited to represent her school at the OshKosh (Wisconsin) Airshow, the largest show of its kind in the world, last summer.

Jasmine Gupta ’17 currently

attending UC Berkeley, participated in a panel discussion, How to Fuel the Next Generation of Female Leaders, at the 2017 Dreamforce Conference. She discussed her experience as a woman in a STEM field as well as the Senior Service Learning Project she completed as a Notre Dame student, which involved developing a toolkit to help parents of girls interested in STEM support their daughter.

Lifelong Network A bond that lasts a lifetime. An unbreakable connection. That is the lifelong network we are building among our Notre Dame alumnae.

Ninety-seven year old Eva Prudhomme ‘39 Orton reconnected with Emily Lippolis '51 Corral recently. The two women grew up in the same neighborhood, living just five houses from each other in downtown San Jose, attending St. Patrick’s School, then Notre Dame High School.

Just 12 years apart, they both share similar stories of their time at Notre Dame. The connection the two have is special. They are both committed to Notre Dame and have been long-time supporters of the school that gave them an opportunity for success. “I remember cleaning erasers as a student and doing work at the school to help my parents with our tuition,” said Eva. Eva says Notre Dame prepared her for a future. She attended SJSU and earned a degree in nutrition. As a student during the Great Depression and while many men were out fighting in WWII, she was among a group of women getting an education. She retired as a dietician with Valley Medical Center. Now in an assisted living facility, Eva’s home is adorned with bowling team trophies and plaques commemorating her years of volunteer work with the YWCA, AARP and League of Women Voters. She says she misses being so active, but looking back on her leadership and the legacy she has left in San Jose brings her joy. She will always cherish the many friendships she has developed, starting with the ones at Notre Dame.

Alumna Art Exhibit Notre Dame alumna, Jan Duncan '67 Wittman, provided students in the Mixed Media Art class with a lesson on sculptural basket making as they toured the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles and her personal exhibit.

The museum, a regular field trip destination for Notre Dame students, is the nexus for fiber artists, art lovers, collectors, quilters, and crafters who share a passion for fiber art and a deep commitment to its preservation and evolution.

ThirtyOne Women

Thirty women committed to giving $55 each month for four years to provide a Notre Dame Catholic education for one young woman from Our Lady of Grace Nativity School. Contact Beverley Dunn bdunn@ndsj.org or 408-294-1113 extension 2123.

Sister Circles

Alumnae interested in forming a circle to support a young woman with tuition assistance are encouraged to join together. This opportunity can be customized for each group.

Contact Monica Gomez '90 at mgomez@ndsj.org or 408-294-1113 extension 2153.

SPRING 2018

11

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 596 S. 2nd Street San Jose, CA 95112 Address service requested

US POSTAGE PAID SAN JOSE, CA PERMIT NO. 499

! d e t c e n n o c y a t s Let’s Visit us at: www.ndsj.org www.facebook.com/notredamesj www.twitter.com/notredamesj www.instagram.com/notredamesj

Alumnae can connect at: Notre Dame High School, San Jose (LinkedIn) Notre Dame San Jose - Alumnae (Facebook) Learn more at: www.ndsj.org/connect

Summer S um Programs

Co-ed Academic, Art, Sport & STEAM Camps & Classes Learn more and register at www.ndsj.org/summer