Notre Notes Fall 2025 Edition

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Catholic High School IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY

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Catholic High School IN CALIFORNIA

STUDENTS GET READY TO BLOOM IN 2025-26 PAGE 4

ND ATHLETICS DOMINATES FALL SPORTS PAGE 7

2025-2026 Leadership Team Amy Battisti DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE ext. 2187 | abattisti@ndsj.org

John Bracco DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS OPERATIONS & CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS ext. 2104 | jbracco@ndsj.org

Jen Glasser EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT ext. 2181 | jglasser@ndsj.org

Bob Mason CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ext. 2124 | bmason@ndsj.org

Ashley Rae Mathis HEAD OF SCHOOL ext. 2105 | amathis@ndsj.org

Kathleen Quiazon DIRECTOR OF MISSION & MINISTRY ext. 2110 | kquiazon@ndsj.org

Publication PUBLISHER ND Office of Advancement CONTRIBUTING WRITER Peter Allen DESIGN & LAYOUT Christina Morello CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bacosa Photography, Jose Morales Media, ND Alum Relations, ND Faculty & Staff, ND Marketing & Communications, Wayne Hall Notre Notes can also be found online at: www.ndsj.org/about-us/publications Follow us: @notredamesj Notre Notes is created and published

by Notre Dame High School in San Jose, CA. If you have any questions about this publication, please contact us below: communications@ndsj.org (408) 294-1113, ext 2133 596 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95112 www.ndsj.org ON THE COVER: Maddie ’29 & Natalia ’29, JV Flag Football

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Ope n i n g Da y s! ND faculty and staff reunited on campus for an immersive start to the academic year, including professional workshops, shared meals, experiences at various downtown partners, and preparing for students.

Board of Directors

Welcome!

2025 - 2026 Kathy Almazol

FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, SJ DIOCESE

Kim Chrissan INTEGRATION LEADERSHIP, NOKIA

D

Katie Colin

ear Notre Dame community,

On behalf of the Notre Dame Board of Directors, welcome to the 2025-2026 academic year! We begin a new season with enormous zeal, dedicating the year to our student theme, “Bloom”. From our Mass of Commissioning at the Basilica St. Joseph, to our Notre Dame Parent Association (NDPA) kickoff at Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA), to our 17th Annual Women of Impact, our community is flourishing in brilliant ways.

We stand on the cusp of a remarkable year as we prepare to celebrate our 175th school anniversary. In addition to championing this historic moment, our board has two chief focuses: board formation and engagement and strategic planning. Bearing this in mind, we proudly welcome five tremendous leaders to the board of directors:

EXEC. DIRECTOR, US EAST-WEST PROVINCE SNDDEN

Darhil Crooks (Dylan '25) DIRECTOR, APPLE

Sister Terry Davis SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR

Michael Elliott (Lucy '25) PRESIDENT & EXEC. DIRECTOR, VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION

Nancy Erba (Caroline '18, Angelina '25) FORMER CFO

Ross Fernandes (Kate '23) ENTREPRENEUR

Mark French PARTNER, KPMG

Kristy Gannon CEO, FLUXX LABS

Selina Garrison (Alana '23) FORMER TECH EXECUTIVE

KIM CHRISSAN

MICHAEL ELLIOTT

ROSS FERNANDES

KELLY KLINE

TESHA MCCORD POE

Together, in partnership with the extended Notre Dame community, our board is embarking on year-long visioning. We will cement our position as the Center for Women’s Leadership in Silicon Valley, investigate our campus master plan and develop novel pathways and programs to support future generations. In June 2026, when we complete our dreamwork, we will do so aligned and invigorated about the school’s burgeoning and prosperous future!

As our community continues to elevate the good in the world, we recognize the challenges we face locally and globally. Because we are Notre Dame Catholic, we pray fiercely for our nation’s leaders, for the afflicted, for those in need of care and support. We press forward with “hearts as wide as the world,” seeking to heal and spread God’s goodness in all we do.

Thank you for sharing with us in this mission — and thank you for your unwavering presence, participation, and partnership.

Jennifer Hall (Madison '20) FORMER HR EXECUTIVE, INTUITIVE SURGICAL

Greg Hanson (Kate '22, Sarah '26) ND CHAIR, EXEC. & ADVISOR, MARKETPLACE COMMERCE

Lisa Quintero '91 Jensen SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, CRAWFORD GROUP

Sister Kathryn Keenan SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR

Kelly Kline (Helen Ayers '22) ASSOC. VP, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, STANFORD

Rose Que '82 Lue (Amanda '23, Diane '23) VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY LEADER

Ruth Ann McNees (Natalie '20) COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, ATTORNEY

Alex Nguyen '94 ATTORNEY, BERLINER COHEN LLP

Anisha Patel '16

Be kind. Choose joy. And remember, God is good.

MBA CANDIDATE

Tesha McCord Poe FOUNDER & CEO, JOY-RAISING, LLC

GREG HANSON

ASHLEY RAE MATHIS

CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Eileen Tanghal FOUNDER & GENERAL PARTNER, BLACK OPAL VENTURES

Melinda K. Postle '88 Thompson GENERAL COUNSEL, MIRO

www.ndsj.org/board

Born to

T

he Notre Dame community returned to campus a little earlier than usual for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, and despite a shorter summer break, the energy from our students, faculty, and staff was palpable from Pardini Park to Sunflower Plaza to our classrooms.

On the first day of classes, the Stingrays, Ravens, Sharks, and Leopards gathered with faculty and staff in Julie Billiart Hall for an annual assembly hosted by the 2025-2026 Associated Student Body leaders. Together, they unveiled their leadership theme for the year: BLOOM. The theme has its roots in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9), in which Jesus tells the story of a farmer sowing seeds. As the parable goes, seed that fell on the farmer’s path were eaten by birds, seed that fell on rocks without much soil produced plants which were quickly scorched by the sun, and seed that fell among thorns was choked by other plants. But seed that fell on good soil produced crops “a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Reflecting on the year ahead and their futures beyond ND, student leaders were prompted to ask themselves: • What are the needs of the community we serve?

• What kind of soil do you need to meet those needs?

• What seeds will you sow?

• What fruit do you hope to grow?

These questions were also at the heart of Mass of Commissioning, our first all-school liturgy of the year. Music Director Tina Paulson led Music Ministry students in a rousing rendition of “Bloom” by Moriah Peters, and peer ministers shared passages from various sacred texts that also touched upon the year’s theme.

Back on campus, upper level students helped their new peers navigate our hallways and courtyards as they began the process of blooming into women of impact. And our faculty and staff embraced a spirit of flourishing, coming together as a community for our annual retreat and reaffirming our commitment to teaching students “what they need to know for life.”

We look forward to an exciting year ahead. Welcome back, Regents! •

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BLOOM IS A REPRESENTATION OF ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE AT ND. EVERY DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO

grow, change, and learn,

AND THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING HAPPENING SOMEWHERE, SOMETIME ON CAMPUS. SO LET YOURSELF TRULY BLOOM, AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP!

— MEL '26 — ASB PRESIDENT

“ Bl oo m ”

BY MORIAH PETERS

Have you ever heard you are beautiful I know what you're worth But you don't see it at all After the rain has fallen down the sun comes out

Just keep believing You'll see a new season soon You're turning into something amazing Baby, you were born to bloom, bloom, bloom, bloom

I wish you could see you were made for more And your wildest dreams can't compare To what God's got in store Someday soon you'll kiss the sky like a butterfly

Just keep believing You'll see a new season soon You're turning into something amazing Baby, you were born to bloom, bloom, bloom, bloom

Mission & Ministry: Proclaiming the Goodness of God

N

otre Dame's commitment to spirituality, service, and justice is evident in signature programs led by our Mission and Ministry team. Inspired by St. Julie Billiart, her charism of goodness, and the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community, students join with faculty, staff, families, and community partners to explore a Catholic worldview for a community that spans 18 different faith traditions.

This collaboration begins in the classroom, where our religious studies faculty provides a curriculum supporting our students’ spiritual, emotional, and academic growth. We embrace the spirit of St. Julie by proclaiming the goodness of God and a fundamental call to action on behalf of justice. Students respond to the message with self-reflection, critical thinking, prayer, and service.

The work of preparing students to be spiritual seekers and women of impact — locally and globally — extends beyond campus through field trips, class-level retreats, schoolwide liturgies, and community service learning. We constantly strive to create mutually beneficial programs for the community and our students and to connect our curriculum with service that our students understand.

What students learn in the classroom not only highlights areas where social activism would benefit the community, but also prepares them for the task of service. This reflects Notre Dame’s mission and the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, teaching our students “what they need to know for life” and the importance of giving to the community in which they live.

Students also have opportunities to take on leadership roles within our ministry and service programs. Peer ministers play an active role in events and programs throughout the year, offering love, companionship, and hospitality to the community so that all students can explore their spirituality with openness and encouragement. Homeroom representatives are elected to lead and invite their classmates to experiences rooted in service. And student leaders in TASC (Teaching, Advising and Serving our Community) organize justice campaigns, education, philanthropy, and advocacy events which focus on serving and celebrating our local and global communities.

Anchored in the Hallmarks, students build an inclusive community and engage in interfaith dialogue throughout their time at Notre Dame. We have chosen Hallmark #2 as our theme for 2025-26, and you will see this reflected in all of our work over the course of the academic year, as we seek to “honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.”

You can learn more about our Mission and Ministry programs at ndsj.org/ministry-service •

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NOTRE DAME’S HALLMARKS CALL US TO BE WOMEN OF SERVICE AND

advocates for justice.

CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFERS MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE, LEAD, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND PROMOTE MEANINGFUL CHANGE — AND WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN, TOO! THESE EXPERIENCES ARE A FOUNDATIONAL PIECE OF MY IDENTITY.

— CAELYN ’27 — TASC SERVICE LEADER

ND ATHLETICS AT A GLANCE As part of the West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) and Central Coast Section (CCS), the Regents compete on 22 teams across 12 interscholastic sports. During the 2024-2025 school year, 80% of ND’s athletic teams qualified for CCS playoffs, and in 2023-24, our Varsity Basketball team took home a section title for the first time in school history!

FALL SPORTS • Cross Country • Flag Football • Golf • Tennis • Volleyball WINTER SPORTS • Basketball • Soccer SPRING SPORTS

Blooming Athletes through the seasons

N

otre Dame athletics programs give our students an opportunity to develop as both individuals and members of the community, and we aspire to support them now and throughout their life journeys, as they become more confident and comfortable in themselves. It is our goal to provide student-athletes with a fun and unforgettable experience while helping students learn to balance their academic, athletic, and other pursuits.

ND Athletics also fosters community and school pride, promoting a healthy lifestyle with our motto: Never give up, believe in yourself, and we will be there for you! •

2024-25 ALL-WBAL AWARDS

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15

League MVPs

First Team

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19

Second Team

Honorable Mentions

• Lacrosse • Softball • Swimming & Diving • Track & Field • Beach Volleyball

NEXT-LEVEL STUDENT-ATHLETES Ariane Haysman Boaler '24 - Soccer, UC Irvine Radhika Garapaty ‘25 - Basketball, Yale University Quinlan Jones ‘25 - Volleyball, University of Denver Mary Rangel ‘26 - Lacrosse, Lewis & Clark (committed) Caelyn Dyer ‘27 - Soccer, William & Mary (committed)

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Gol f

Fl a g Foo tb a ll

C r o ss C o u n tr y

Te n n i s Vol l e y b a ll

Cl a ss of 1969! The Class of 1969 Pink and Purple Panthers celebrated their 56th reunion on campus.

For many, it was their first time back at ND since their graduation. The alums shared tears, hugs, and memories, and even all sang the alma mater alongside our current student ambassadors.

Le g a c y Br e a k f a st! A special celebration honoring the Notre Dame legacy has

been a tradition for several years. The Legacy Breakfast celebrates current students with their alum mothers and/or alum grandmothers. We are always excited to connect with our alums as they make ND a better place, with their history, sense of community, and legacy.

Al m a m at e r! Notre Dame is home to 25 alums who have come back full circle, working as

teachers, program managers, support staff, and even as coaches within our Athletics programs. We appreciate the gifts they bring in and outside of the classroom on a daily basis!

Have an update to share in ND Class Notes? Scan the QR code to share news with us about your family, career, school and more!

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Have updated contact information? Scan the QR code to update your contact information in our system.

Planning a reunion?

Contact our Alum Relations office at alums@ndsj.org to learn how we can support you and your class.

01 Marie Nottoli ‘43 Patellaro

Marie celebrated her 101st birthday with friends and family in July. She enjoys watching Wheel of Fortune, the Warriors, and the 49ers. She loves dining out, fun road trips, and spending time with her family. Her 4 daughters, all ND grads, describe her as a Woman of Impact to all who know her!

02 Connie Minardi ‘42 Turner

In June Connie celebrated her 101st birthday in her home of 60 years with calls, emails, and visits from friends and family. She enjoys playing cards and gardening, but her greatest joy is keeping in touch with her kids, grands, greats, and spouses via texts, email, and sending cards and letters.

All together, and with one great great, the family numbers about 90!

She’s also maintained a cherished friendship with Sr. Virginia Unger, SNDdeN.

03 Class of 1961 Friends

Sue Olson, SNDdeN, Doreen James La Rosa, and Mary Clara Cassidy Santana still sharing laughs and fun since 1961.

04 Mayra Flores ‘99

Published her first book titled, Flores, a collection of poetry and stories connecting generations of family across borders and time. Mayra is the Chief of Staff for Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, managing the Supervisor’s office, team and legislative advocacy.

She works every day to serve the residents with the highest needs in Santa Clara County, ensuring access to food, healthcare and other supportive services. Mayra centers service to the community in this and all her previous work, a value instilled while attending ND.

05 Angelica Ramos-Allen ‘01

California State Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens has honored NDSJ Alum Angelica Ramos-Allen as this year’s 2025 Woman of the Year for Assembly District 26. Angelica is the President of the National Women’s

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Political Caucus of California where she oversees operations for thousands of feminist advocates across the State of California. She is also the Director of Policy and Communications for Grail Family Services and serves as Vice Chair of the San Jose Public Library Commission.

06 Tina Tran ‘06

Gave birth to baby Atlas Tadeo Gomez Tran, born February 17, 2025

07 Tracy Saunders ‘06

In April, married Diego Marquez in a beautiful redwood ceremony in Santa Cruz surrounded by family and friends. They just moved to Paraguay where Tracy serves as a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion for the next three years.

08 Neda Lahidji ‘09

Neda is the Vocal Director of the musical SIX: Teen Edition at Archbishop Mitty High School this Fall. For the past decade, she has been empowering voices through her business NL Vocal Studio using a holistic approach. She offers voice sessions, coachings, and vocal assessments to vocal athletes and non-performers who use their voice a great deal for their profession.

09 Gagan Sandhu ‘12

Gagan is a civil rights attorney working for the federal government in SF

10 Natalie Cornelison ‘17

Graduated from the College of Podiatric Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences and received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. Natalie is now a Foot and Ankle Doctor and will be moving to Gainesville, FL for three years to do her podiatric surgical residency training at the Malcolm Randall Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

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