Notre Notes Summer 2026 Edition

Celebrating the Class of 2026!

NOTRE DAME SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 1 • SUMMER 2026 EDITION | 175THHIGH ANNIVERSARY •

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

HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE

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

Leah Rome-Floyd DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING ext. 2191 | lrome-floyd@ndsj.org

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

Nicole Windmon ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL ext. 2123 | nwindmon@ndsj.org

Publication PUBLISHER ND Office of Advancement CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ND Marketing & Communications DESIGN & LAYOUT Christina Morello CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bacosa Photography, Jose Morales Media, History San Jose, ND Alum Relations, ND Belmont Provincal Archives, ND Co-Curricular Programs, ND Marketing & Communications, Wayne Hall

Dear Notre Dame community,

T

he 2025-26 academic year has proven to be both fruitful and inspiring. Our Notre Dame learning community has demonstrated measurable academic success, unique resilience, and a fervent commitment to mission, leadership, and justice.

From the implementation of pedagogical frameworks, to the expansion of co-curricular programming, to the wide-reaching build of the school’s next strategic plan — our distinct accomplishments are a testament of combined effort and dedication.

My gratitude is extended to the esteemed members of our 2025-26 Strategic Planning Design Committee. (Please see a full roster on p. 14).

Your tireless work, research and dedication from August 2025 through June 2026, is nothing short of a blessing. ND today and tomorrow will advance because of your efforts.

During the fall of 2026, our board of directors will share Notre Dame’s strategic priorities with assured vision and mission alignment across community stakeholders. We will forge forward with a renewed sense of purpose and intention; the best truly is yet to come.

During these summer months, join me in civic edification, spiritual engagement, and impactful service to others. When we independently show up in our respective cities, states, places, and spaces, we collectively expand St. Julie’s vision of creating a just and generous society, with women leaders at the helm.

In just a few of the languages I hear around Pardini Park on Notre Dame’s astonishing campus, I offer you a heartfelt:

Grá c i a s Arigatō

Merci

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 at communications@ndsj.org or (408) 294-1113.

596 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95112 www.ndsj.org

Dh a n y a v a a d

Th a n k y ou

Notre Notes can also be found online at: www.ndsj.org/about-us/publications

Sh k ra n l a k

S a l a m at

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

ASHLEY RAE MATHIS HEAD OF SCHOOL

2 | NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026

Cảm ơn

A

s we embark on Notre Dame’s 175th anniversary celebration, I’m proud of the progress our board has made during the 2025-26 school year.

Together with school leadership, families, friends, alums, and donors like you, we’re nearing completion of our next strategic plan to plot a course for ND over the next five years. This spring, we welcomed one of the most resilient and accomplished classes of incoming students in our school’s history. And we set a single-day fundraising record on our annual Day of Giving, when the ND community came together to raise more than $160,000 for tuition assistance. I can’t wait to see what comes next in a new era for ND!

GREG HANSON (Kate ’22, Sarah ’26) CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DAY OF GIVING RECAP

107,490 RAISED

$

2024

142,836 RAISED

$

2025

167,223 RAISED

$

2026

Board of Directors 2025 - 2026 Kathy Almazol

Mark French

Rose Que '82 Lue (Amanda '23, Diane '23)

Kim Chrissan

Kristy Gannon

Ruth Ann McNees (Natalie '20)

Katie Colin

Selina Garrison (Alana '23)

Alex Nguyen '94

Darhil Crooks (Dylan '25)

Jennifer Hall (Madison '20)

Anisha Patel '16

Sister Terry Davis

Greg Hanson (Kate '22, Sarah '26) BOARD CHAIR

Tesha McCord Poe

MARKETPLACE COMMERCE EXECUTIVE & ADVISOR

FOUNDER & CEO, JOY-RAISING, LLC

Michael Elliott (Lucy '25)

Lisa Quintero '91 Jensen

Eileen Tanghal

SENIOR DIRECTOR, CRAWFORD GROUP

FOUNDER & GENERAL PARTNER, BLACK OPAL VENTURES

Nancy Erba (Caroline '18, Angelina '25)

Sister Kathryn Keenan

Melinda K. Postle '88 Thompson

SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR

CHIEF PEOPLE & LEGAL OFFICER, MIRO

Ross Fernandes (Kate '23)

Kelly Kline (Helen Ayers '22)

www.ndsj.org/board

FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, SJ DIOCESE

INTEGRATION LEADERSHIP, NOKIA

EXEC. DIRECTOR, US EAST-WEST PROVINCE SNDDEN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, APPLE

SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR

PRESIDENT & EXEC. DIRECTOR, VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION

CFO, POWER INTEGRATIONS

ENTREPRENEUR

PARTNER, KPMG

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY LEADER

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, ATTORNEY

CEO, FLUXX LABS

ATTORNEY, BERLINER COHEN LLP

FORMER TECH EXECUTIVE

J.D. CANDIDATE, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

FORMER HR EXECUTIVE

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, STANFORD UNIVERSITY

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 3

T

he Pink and Teal Stingrays launched into the world on Saturday, May 30, as Notre Dame's graduating class in the heart of Downtown

San José. Honoring 175 graduates entering our 175th anniversary year, it was a truly memorable celebration for the Class of 2026, including Valedictory Speaker Anoushka ’26 and Salutatory Speaker Mary Rose ’26.

Mary Rose inspired us all with a heartfelt statement: "As I look out across the Class of 2026 before me, I am reminded of a mosaic. A mosaic is made of unique pieces, each different in color and shape. Alone, a single tile may seem inconspicuous, but when crafted together, it creates artwork that's meaningful. Our class is a true embodiment of a mosaic. Each of the 175 of us carries different talents, identities, and personalities. Every single piece is important. Without one piece, the mosaic would not be complete.”

Special thank you to our Keynote Speaker Gagan Sandhu ’12, who passionately imparted her wisdom to the next generation of women of impact in her address to the graduates: “When I sat in law school classrooms as a first generation student, surrounded by people who went to colleges ‘better’ than mine or who had parents and grandparents who were lawyers, I asked myself, ‘Why not me?’ When I worked in spaces where I was the only woman in a room full of men, I asked myself, ‘Why not me?’ To do this work and to trust that the compass that guides our sense of justice will always point north, we have to root ourselves in community.” •

4 | NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026

OUR CLASS IS A

tru e e m b odi m e n t OF A MOSAIC.

— MARY ROSE '26 —

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 5

CLASS OF 2026

Academic Recognition HIGHEST ACADEMIC HONORS

Aubrey Melissa Agustin Aisha Abdulmuti AlQuraini Linda Claire Amrhein Anagha Ankireddi Kaylee Suzanne Antillon Ananya Appalakutty Emma Bat Gigi Bergman Aanya Bhardwaj Gayathri Bimal Heather Alexis Buckner Sophie Hanife Cagdaser Miuli Changkomine Madeline Ai Linh Cho Durva Vishal Dhok Mimi Doyle Melina Rose Siador Ebalobo Mira Thuy Eggleston Kara Fan Sofia Fernández Quintero Syma Jaslene Figone Inari Faith Gerhart Lailie Elisha Gomez Yulong Gong Genevieve Gonnella Sarah Hanson Teagan Sage Hensley Iz Isabella Huynh Cerisa Katchmart Alina Kayali Neha Krishnan Sanvi Krishnan Myzin Kroneman Rebecca Sumiko Kunze Maya Sophie Lo Jane Calihan Lokteff Cambrie Marie Mahonchak June Evelyn McMahon Anna Mihailovici Sreeya Nair Pearl Tan Nunag Maahi A Patel Lauren Grace Polanowski Richa Prasanna Jane Susana Quiazon Akshara Manavi Ramachandran Kanika Rawat

Sana Saranjame Aditi Saxena Anya Saxena Courtney Grace Schroder Emma Catherine McEnery Seagrim Aditi Seshadri Aamiya Puri Seth Lila Morgan Seybold Cindy Shen Varsitaa Srinivasan Prisha Srivastava Olivia Kate Tumacder Eva Marie Vargas-Hurlston Anoushka Vijay Varsha Vijay Sophie Wang Elle Angelique Winfield Sophia Kun Xie Kristine Yu Sara Zazueta-Charles Maya Zechman

Modern Languages - French Dominique Rose St. Pierre Modern Languages - Spanish Eva Marie Vargas-Hurlston Religious Studies Megan To Campbell Science - Life Varsitaa Srinivasan Science - Physical Teagan Sage Hensley Social Studies Aisha Abdulmuti AlQuraini Social Studies - History Naomi Yolanda Ekaete Udofia

F I R S T G E N E R AT I O N T O N AT I O N A L M E R I T R E C O G N I T I O N

National Merit Finalists Durva Vishal Dhok Yulong Gong Neha Krishnan Sanvi Krishnan Rebecca Sumiko Kunze Kanika Rawat Cindy Shen Eva Marie Vargas-Hurlston Kristine Yu ACADEMIC MEDALS

Computer Science Anoushka Vija English Aditi Saxena Mathematics Aditi Seshardi Modern Languages - Chinese Clare Kennedy-Zabala Torres

6 | NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

Kaylee Suzanne Antillon Jennifer Barrientos Camila Cabrera Ramirez Loraine Michelle Curtis Haley Eva-Hope Day Sofía Fernández Quintero Elisa Gutiérrez An Le Luisa Nazarene Lutui Ofelia Mares Miranda Abril Miranda Kaeleen Baongoc Nguyen Milena Angeles Ornelas Guizar Isabella Reyes Nicole Tatiana Rincon Kimberly Sara Rivera-Jacobo Sarah Stacey Tejeda Naomi Yolonda Ekaete Udofia Ariadna Vargas Nhi Quỳnh Võ Loreen D. Zermeno

THE CLASS OF 2026 PINK & TEAL STINGRAYS have matriculated to 69 colleges and universities: • AMERICAN UNIVERSITY DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

• SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA

• ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

• SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY

• BARNARD COLLEGE • CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY-SAN LUIS OBISPO • CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITYPOMONA • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-CHICO • CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY • CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY • CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY • COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF THE ELMS • COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY • CORNELL UNIVERSITY • DE ANZA COLLEGE • DEPAUL UNIVERSITY • DREXEL UNIVERSITY • EMERSON COLLEGE • EMORY UNIVERSITY • FOOTHILL COLLEGE • FORDHAM UNIVERSITY • GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-MAIN CAMPUS • HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE • HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY • HOWARD UNIVERSITY • INDIANA UNIVERSITYBLOOMINGTON • IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY • LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE • LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY • LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO • MACALESTER COLLEGE • MCGILL UNIVERSITY • NEW YORK UNIVERSITY • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY • OCAD UNIVERSITY • OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS • REED COLLEGE

• SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY • SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY • SCRIPPS COLLEGE • SEATTLE UNIVERSITY • SMITH COLLEGE • ST OLAF COLLEGE • SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY • THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIABERKELEY • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIADAVIS • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAIRVINE • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIALOS ANGELES • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIASAN DIEGO • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIASANTA BARBARA • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIASANTA CRUZ • UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO • UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN • UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANANN ARBOR • UNIVERSITY OF OREGON • UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND • UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO • UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO • UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS • UNIVERSITY OF UTAH • UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONSEATTLE CAMPUS • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINMADISON • WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY • WEST VALLEY COLLEGE • WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 7

ND Year in Review 2025-26

Au g u st

• Faculty and staff kicked off the school year by gathering on campus and touring various locations in the SoFA District for Notre Dame's annual employee retreat.

The focus was on Hallmark 2: “We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.”

• 26 alums returned to their alma mater as faculty, staff, program managers, athletics coaches, and summer program instructors.

• 654 students were welcomed to campus on the first day of school.

Oc t o b e r Se pt em b e r

• 29 current students, 20 alum mothers and three alum grandmothers gathered for the annual Legacy Breakfast on campus.

• Latinas Unidas hosted a schoolwide assembly as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

• 43 student clubs and interest groups kicked off the school year with a club fair.

• Black Student Union (BSU) moderators hosted a school-wide assembly as part of Black History Month.

• Students and chaperones participated in the East Los Angeles Urban Plunge during Winter Break. They volunteered with the Dolores Mission Church community and LA Catholic Worker, visited the Sisters of Notre Dame, toured Homeboy Industries, and cooked a hearty meal for unhoused men and women of Boyle Heights.

• More than 1,000 guests were welcomed to campus at Open House.

• The Class of 2029 voted to be recognized as the Blue and Mocha Leopards at Freshman Night Out. • The Class of 2026 learned about civic engagement and community service from dynamic guest speakers during Democracy Matters, a key component of our Education for Justice and Leadership curriculum.

Ap r i l

Fe b r u a r y

• Hundreds of Notre Dame students marched through Downtown San José in solidarity with immigrant families and communities across the nation, and peers engaged in meaningful conversation on campus around unity and civic engagement.

• The ND community raised $208K for tuition assistance at the 17th annual Women of Impact luncheon, presented by Marvell.

M a r ch

• The Class of 2029 honored 154 historic women at the 31st annual Woman’s Place Project art showcase, and the Class of 2026 showcased their advocacy work at the 15th Young Women’s Advocacy Summit, celebrating their collective economic impact of 19,373 hours of leadership through advocacy.

• Julie Billiart Hall was filled to the brim with joy during ND’s annual Spirit Week.

• The Class of 2027 explored themes of culture, citizenship, and the stewardship of stories during an immersive Japantown experience in Downtown San José as part of our signature Identity Matters field trip.

8 | NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026

• The ND community raised more than MARCH $167,000 for tuition assistance during our 3 rd annual Day of Giving.

• The spring musical, The Prom, highlighted the amazing talents of our ND performing arts students! This included 5 shows, a preview night, 863 patrons, 96 students, 32 student leaders and 1 supportive community.

• The Class of 2029 visited Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for an Environment Matters service day that combined handson stewardship, environmental education, and civic engagement.

• Students and faculty members participated in the Central Coast Plunge, an immersion trip during Spring Break focused on the ecological, cultural, historical, and economic diversity of the Central Coast ecosystem in and around Monterey Bay.

Jan u a r y

No v em b e r

• For 10 consecutive years, Notre Dame was ranked the #1 Catholic High School in Santa Clara County according to Niche, honoring our outstanding academic and co-curricular programs, community engagement, faculty, staff, students and families.

• Students participated in the national event Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 14 to honor civil rights activist Ruby Bridges.

• Author and activist Tiffany Yu visited campus for the 19th annual ND Reads event to discuss her bestselling book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto.

• Students and faculty members embarked on a five-day trip to Washington, D.C. for the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice conference, advocating for environmental justice and immigration legislation.

De c em b e r

• Students from dance and music groups performed at downtown San Jose's Christmas in the Park.

• Campus Ministry, Latinas Unidas, ND's folklórico group and the ND Compadres parent resource group joined forces to create a night of culture and celebration at the 14th annual Las Posadas.

• The ND Dads parent resource group hosted their breakfast with more than 200 guests in attendance. This year’s theme was Disco Beats and Breakfast Treats!

• Choir students performed at the Santa Clara University Choral Festival and music ministry students helped lead liturgy for Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral with Bishop Oscar Cantú and representatives from all 34 Diocese schools.

• Diversity Council put on ND's annual Diversity Showcase, which included a night market, a fashion show of cultural attire, spoken word, music and dancing from various groups on campus.

• ND continued its professional learning for faculty and staff focused on Race, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI), led by Chris Harris from Santa Clara University, and Trevor Gardiner and Ariana Callan from Arise High School, Oakland.

• 1,600 pounds of crab were consumed at ND’s sold-out, 23 rd annual Crab Fest, a fundraiser for co-curricular programs.

• The class of 2028 traveled to the De Young Museum in San Francisco on an Art Matters field trip to deepen their appreciation of art, identify connections and applications with their humanities courses, practice life skills, and continue their ongoing exploration of careers and future pathways.

Ma y

• 475 students took 1,166 Advanced Placement exams.

• The “Masquerade” themed junior/senior prom was a smash hit! 91% of the senior class, 78% of the junior class, and 413 total attendees danced the night away — the largest prom in ND history! We also welcomed 15 students from Notre Dame Salinas, which closed at the end of the school year and did not offer a prom for their students.

• Faculty and staff welcomed 423 guests for Freshman Family Welcome Day as we celebrated the incoming Class of 2030.

• Senior Recognition Night honored achievements for the Class of 2026.

• We celebrated Notre Dame’s Class of 2026 at Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation!

• Chinese Cultural Club and AAPI Coalition hosted a school-wide assembly as part of AANHPI Heritage Month.

Ju n e

• 31 Notre Dame students participated in transformative Global Education experiences through a homestay exchange program with families at Notre Dame Seishin in Japan, a cultural and language immersion in China.

• ND summer programs were a success!

Be sure to check our website in February to register for Summer 2027: www.ndsj.org/summer • 14 rising seniors joined ND faculty and Sr. Rosalie Pizzo '52, SNDdeN in the planning and coordination of a historical exhibit celebrating Notre Dame’s 175th anniversary. They also joined in successful civic advocacy for preservation of the California Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.

Ju l y

• LOOKING AHEAD: A group of Notre Dame students will participate in a cultural and language homestay immersion with the Intercultura Language School in Costa Rica.

(Photo pictured from Costa Rica 2024)

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 9

Legacy & Light

T

his year marks the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur arriving in California and the founding of Notre Dame San Jose. As the oldest girls’ school in the

western United States and one of the oldest Catholic high schools in California, we strive to lift up our legacy while lighting the way to the future.

Notre Dame students, faculty, and staff were delighted to join with nearly two dozen Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as we embarked on a year-long celebration of 175 years of ministry, education, and women's leadership. The celebration began with our annual Spring Liturgy on Friday, April 17, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in Downtown San José, which was followed by a lunchtime reception on the ND campus that included delicious treats, student performances, and many

Campus ministry student representatives helped envision, plan, and lead this liturgy.

special moments to commemorate the occasion.

We were especially honored to share fellowship with Sr. Celeste Pagliarulo, SNDdeN, who passed away at the age of 93 a short while after our kickoff celebration. Notre Dame offers prayers of grief and gratitude for her life of service. •

Save the dates !

Notre Dame is thrilled to offer a few meaningful events in celebration of the impact our 175 year legacy has made locally, nationally, and globally.

Join staunch supporters of ND, community leaders, alums, current parents, faculty, and staff for a variety of special gatherings in support of Notre Dame San Jose. Additional details are located on the back cover of this publication, with a formal invitation following closer to date.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23 Notre Dame's Alum Reunion Social | 3:30 - 6 p.m. | Pardini Park

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 Notre Dame's 175th Anniversary Gala | 5 - 10 p.m. | Hayes Mansion

SPRING 2027 Community Celebration | More details coming soon!

10 | NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026

Prayers of the Faithful was read in multuple languages to the community.

Notre Dame Leadership Team with Bishop Oscar Cantú of Diocese San Jose, ND Board member Sr. Kathryn Keenan, SNDdeN, and Sr. Maria Delaney, SNDdeN of the U.S. East-West Province Leadership Team.

Share

Lily '27 & Sascha '27

YOUR ND MEMORIES!

Over the summer, 14 rising seniors are joining ND faculty and staff in the planning and coordination of a historical exhibit celebrating Notre Dame’s 175th We were honored to have with us several Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur from across the nation, with hearts as wide as the world!

anniversary. This project will result in a preview as part of a special gala event in October 2026 and culminate in a larger exhibit during spring semester 2027, which will be open to the Notre Dame family and the broader San José community.

Want to play a part in celebrating ND’s history? We are currently seeking artifacts and stories from alums, parents, students, and community members to feature in this exhibit. This could include historic uniforms, report cards, yearbooks, photos, awards, and/or other memorabilia. Please contact Emily Cardenas at ecardenas@ndsj.org for more information or to contribute to the exhibit.

Student performer from Polynesian Student Association, Kenz '26.

Many treats were provided by the Sisters, including churros!

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 11

Fearless &

Faithf ul Leaders

T

he 2025-26 academic year was a year of transition and transformation on Notre Dame’s Administrative Team, as we bid farewell to fearless and faithful leaders and welcomed new faces to new roles.

In January, Leah Rome-Floyd stepped into the position of Director of Teaching & Learning, following a 12-year educational journey that included the past four years at Notre Dame. During her time here, she has served as a social studies faculty member, education innovation lead, academic lead, and instructional coach, investing time in our literacy initiative, faculty mentorship, and academic program development.

MS. ROME-FLOYD TEACHES IN A WAY THAT CONNECTS PRESENT DAY EVENTS TO THE PAST, GIVING ME A

newf ound appreciation FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY.

— SUPRIYA '27 —

Commended for putting the needs of students first, Ms. Rome-Floyd’s background and experience have more than primed her to thrive in this leadership role.

As we move toward implementation of a new strategic plan in 2026, Ms. Rome-Floyd will be tasked with advancing our academic model with a goal of systemizing processes and strengthening student outcomes. Her work will center on four areas: the implementation of ND teaching frameworks, faculty development, the enhancement of math and science coursework, and Education for Justice and Leadership.

B

eginning June 1, we were thrilled to welcome Dr. Nicole Windmon as our Assistant Head of School, following a nationwide search that included engagement from more than 30 stakeholders, including Notre Dame’s board of directors, leadership team, faculty, staff, community partners, and students.

Dr. Windmon received her Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame and a B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Florida Atlantic University. She also served as a National Institute of Health (NIH) postdoctoral fellow at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Windmon looks forward to partnering with the Director of Teaching &Learning on the enhancement of math and science coursework, faculty development, and Education for Justice and Leadership programming.

In addition to excelling in the sciences, Dr. Windmon has garnered recognition in education circles for her instructional abilities, leadership skills, and strategic execution. Her most recent position was Director of Experiential Learning at EF Academy, an international private high school in Pasadena with a mission to foster global citizenship through a multicultural learning community. “I am deeply grateful and excited to join the Notre Dame community in a shared mission I hold close to my heart,” said Dr. Windmon.

f aith AND CALLED TO justice , MY VOCATION AS AN EDUCATOR IS GROUNDED IN A PROFOUND BELIEF IN THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF women ' s educati on.

— DR. NICOLE WINDMON —

ROOTED IN

12 | NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026

A Divine Voice Departs ND

W

ith profound gratitude, we honor Dr. Kathleen Quiazon, who has been appointed the inaugural Director of the Center for Spirituality and Faith at Santa Clara University (SCU) beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. We hope you will join us in celebrating this remarkable next step in her life and career!

“Dr. Q”, as affectionately called by students, departs Notre Dame after 24 years of service to our mission, vision, and community, most recently as Director of Mission and Ministry. Her spiritual service to our Sisters and the greater Notre Dame de Namur network, and her life’s devotion to God’s work has left an impact that will last a lifetime. Through her peaceful presence, divine voice, and just heart, ND has affirmed its place as the Center for Women’s Leadership, and our entire community has continued to flourish.

Dr. Quiazon is now charged to create and execute the strategic vision for CSF at SCU, with the primary objective to develop an innovative program which meets the evolving context of the university’s religious and spiritual life. We know and trust that just as Dr. Quiazon lovingly taught our students, faculty, and staff, she will continue to “be like the sunflower that follows every movement of the sun, keeping her eyes turned toward our good God." Furthermore, we affirm that God will direct, lead, and light her path forward.

WITH DAUGHTER JANE '26

2025 CONF

IRMATION M

2013 BISHOP PATRICK MCGRAT & MARY BETH RILEY

AS S

H

2024 NUNS ON TH

E BUS

And as the parent of a Class of 2026 alum, Dr. Q will continue to be a presence on our campus and in our community.

L, SNDDEN 2018 WITH SR. PATT Y CHAPPEL & SR. CAROL SHOUP, SNDDEN

2021 PR AYER & ME

BL DITATION SPACE

ES SING

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 13 2026 CAMPUS MINISTRY TEAM

ND Strategic Planning Design Committee Over the course of the 2025-26 academic year, ND alums collaborated with faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and peer schools to develop a new strategic vision for the school, which will be formally introduced in the fall. Our thanks to these stakeholders for their tireless efforts!

Amy Battisti | Design Team DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Anisha Patel '16 | Strategic Planning Committee Chair J.D. CANDIDATE, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

Ari Gutierrez | Design Team FORMER ND COMPADRES CHAIR

Ce l e b rati n g 50 Ye a rs of Fri e n dshi p!

Congratulations to the Class of 1976 for celebrating 50 years of a Notre Dame friendship! The “Tiggers” gathered at ND for a tour and reconnected over a memorable lunch. It felt like time hadn’t even passed as they sang their class song!

Ashley Rae Mathis | Steering Committee HEAD OF SCHOOL, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Brooke Ahrens | Design Team EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION LEAD, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Cecile Mantecon | Design Team PRESIDENT, SACRED HEART NATIVITY SCHOOLS

Crystal Land | Steering Committee PARTNER, LEADERSHIP AND DESIGN

Jennifer Johnson | Design Team DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER, BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREP

Joycelyn George ’17 | Design Team DATA RELATIONS STRATEGIST, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Dr. Kathleen Quiazon | Design Team DIRECTOR OF MISSION & MINISTRY, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Kelly Kline | Steering Committee ASSOCIATE VP, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Kristy Gannon | Steering Committee CEO, FLUXX

Laila Omid ’16 | Design Team

Al u m & Se n i or Netw ork i n g Lu n che on Thank you to alums from the 1950's to 2000's for joining us at an annual celebration to welcome the Class of 2026 into the ND alum network! Seniors connected with alums from various careers while sharing “what they need to know for life.” We were filled with excitement to welcome back alum and former faculty member, Imani Tahira Hopkins ’04, for her empowering words about finding your place and learning how to pivot. It was a special event filled with pride, emotion, and inspiration.

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Alums from Bellarmine College Preparatory and Notre Dame High School came together for fun, food, and friendship as both schools celebrate their 175th Anniversary! Alums from every decade from the 1950's - 2020’s showed up. Some attendee fun facts:

Leah Rome-Floyd | Design Team DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Lisa Kunze | Design Team NOTRE DAME PARENT ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP

Marta Carrillo | Design Team ROBOTICS PROGRAM SUPPORT, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

• 3 married couples (Bell & ND)

Melissa Johnson | Design Team

• 1 dating couple (Bell & ND)

ARISE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

• 3 multi-generation families (ND mom & Bell son, ND Dad & Bell son)

Regina Barhydt | Design Team EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Shahana Sarkar | Steering Committee DEAN OF ACADEMICS, HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL

Tony Lecheler | Design Team MATHEMATICS FACULTY, NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

ND & Be l l Al u ms

Ce l e b rate 1 7 5 t h An n i ve rsa ry!

A special thank you to alum Rina Santoro ’02 for her support and allowing us to celebrate at Jack's!

Diego State University. She also collaborated with a local elementary school district and Evergreen Valley College to start the first concurrent enrollment program on the East Side where middle school students earn college credit.

05 Asma Ghori ‘98 01 Laura Musso ‘53 Mann

Laura celebrated her 90 th birthday last October surrounded by family and longtime friends at her favorite Italian restaurant. Joining the celebration were her three children, six grandchildren, and six greatgrandchildren, all of whom lovingly call her “Mima”. A true Italian matriarch, Laura is deeply blessed with a large, devoted, and loving family.

02 Roseanna Torretto ‘61

Roseanna Torretto ‘61 was honored as the Sacramento Santa Claran of the Year by the SCU Alumni Association’s Sacramento Community. Roseanna was recognized for her contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the university, as well as involvement with the UC Davis Symphony, League of Women Voters, and other community organizations.

She credits her NDSJ math teacher, Sr. Helen Cecilia, SNDdeN, with encouraging her pursuit of higher education in mathematics. This led to a successful career for the State of California.

03 Jacqueline Villena ‘90 Whitaker

Jacqueline vocally directed, Newsies, at Playful People Productions, along with her husband, Brennan. It was codirected by Katie Galiotto ‘00 D’Arcey, who Jacqueline also directed when she played the Baker’s Wife in “Into The Woods at Notre Dame” in 1999 with Jenny Hsia ‘99 as her music director!

04 Dr. Marisa Peña ‘94

Marisa is a middle school assistant principal in East San José. Last year she accomplished two of her most recent goals: defending her dissertation titled "Dual Enrollment and Latino Success in Higher Education" and earning her Ed.D in Educational Leadership at San

Graduated with her Masters in Education while also attaining a teaching credential.

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06 Trishya Movilla ‘08

Married Geoff Miranda, a Bell grad, in October 2024.

She celebrated her wedding alongside many of her ND classmates. In the photo, they are posing as their mascot, Tigers! Her fellow '08 classmates: Caroline Reed, Katrina Sarkissian, Aubree Garlit Solchenberger, Marie Bruno Garcia, Laura Sordello, and Fatima Panes Solis.

07 Cynthia Chaidez ‘06 Bartra

Cynthia is a global e-commerce and digital marketing leader currently serving as Sr. Director of Global E-Commerce at Stüssy.

After graduating from Notre Dame High School, she competed in cross country and track at Loyola Marymount University and later earned her master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Cynthia has spent her career in fashion and retail, leading global digital growth, brand strategy, and customer experience initiatives for premium brands.

08 Kendra Glenn ‘13

In November 2025, Kendra finished her 2nd world major marathon, the New York City marathon.

09 Andrea Arredondo ‘13

Married her college best friend in October 2025! They studied Chemical Engineering together at University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduated in 2013, and started dating in 2022 when he moved to California.

10 Raelynn Caligan ‘17

Married Neil Laxamana this past spring in a beautiful winery setting. Raelynn shared the special day with many of her ND friends at her side.

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL | NOTRE NOTES SUMMER 2026 | 15

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Save the dates !

FRIDAY, OCT. 23 Notre Dame's Alum Reunion Social 3:30 - 6 p.m. | Pardini Park | 596 S. 2ND STREET, SAN JOSE, CA 95112 Save the date for an opportunity to gather on campus with Notre Dame alums from all class years to celebrate ND's 175th! We will offer a champagne reception complete with appetizers and campus tours. Join alums and former teachers for this fun social event. An RSVP link will be provided in August. Additional information is available at: alums@ndsj.org

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 Notre Dame's 175th Anniversary Gala 5 - 10 p.m. | Hayes Mansion | 200 EDENVALE AVE, SAN JOSE, CA 95136 In celebration of our 175th anniversary, we’re hosting a gala fundraiser at the historic Hayes Mansion in San José to support our students, programs, and mission. Save the date! The evening will feature dinner, drinks, and live music.

Ticket information will be available in August. Sponsorship opportunities are available now with detailed information available at: events@ndsj.org

SPRING 2027 Community Celebration - Details coming soon!

To round out our year-long celebration, we’re planning a signature ND event on campus, with fun and festivities for the whole family. Stay tuned for more details and ways to get involved!

Notre Dame San Jose is a proud high school of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur

Providing a distinctive Catholic, college-preparatory education for young women in the heart of downtown since 1851