Priorities #31: Summer 2005

PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School

Beginnings!

Graduations, collaborative environmental science, a Bible for the 21st century.

Celebrating 47 Years of Benedictine Education

July 2005

Woodside Priory School Celebrating 47 Years of Benedictine Education In This Issue Well-known individuals are retiring, an aggressive timeline has the performing arts facilities groundbreaking set for Spring 2006, and the “fast facts” about the campus show a thriving school with successful students. Headmaster’s Letter, page 3.

Summer at a Glance, Page 4-5

Middle-school-aged pirates captured their audience in “Treasure Island,” Earth Day volunteers captured non-native plants and debris, the annual auction brought in more funds than ever, and a South Korean governmental official spends the afternoon on the campus. That and more in Summer at a Glance, pages 4-5.

Father Eric Hollas, WPS Trustee, was instrumental in launching the St. John’s Bible Project, a contemporary bible created with ancient techniques including hand-drawn calligraphy and illuminated illustrations. Benedictine Letter, pages 6-7.

St. John’s Bible, Page 6-7

Retiring Dean of the Faculty Nancy Newman was invited by the Class of 2009 to be their speaker at ceremonies held June 5. Pages 8-9.

Football great Steve Young had some inspirational words of advice for the Class of 2005, which celebrated its graduation on May 23. His little son, who sat with him on the podium, also benefited from dad’s wisdom. Pages 10-12.

Awards, awards, awards—student achievements in athletics and academics are celebrated. Pages 13-14.

Graduation, Pages 10-12

Priory environmental science students work with East Palo Alto cohorts on a water quality testing project under the auspices of a Stanford research preserve and the San Francisquito Creek Watershed Council. Pages 15-16.

It was a sunny day, and picnicking was in order for the annual alumni reunion, held by the pool. A birthday surprise punctuated the afternoon festivities. Alumni Reunion, pages 17-18.

Environmental science, Pages 15-16

Page 19—Architects have designed the Priory’s new performing arts facilities in a cluster that will promote the interactive environment of a small village. Drama, music, technology and visual arts all have a space. Golden Jubilee Campaign Update, page 19.

On the cover: Graduates in the class of 2005 are headed towards

exciting futures. Guest speaker Steve Young (of 49ers football fame) had some words of wisdom concerning what to do when you mess up, and staying humble in success (essentially, you’ll never outrank Mickey Mouse).

For admissions information, please contact Al Zappelli at (650) 851-8223, azappelli@woodsidepriory.com. Downloadable forms are available on the school Web site: www.woodsidepriory.com. Click on Admissions.

Board of Directors Abbott Matthew Leavy, OSB Father Mark Cooper, OSB Brother Edward Englund, OSB Father Martin Mager, OSB Father William Sullivan, OSB Board of Trustees Mr. Dave Arnold Dr. Kristen Brew Mr. Peter Campagna Mr. Al Ebneter Ms. Betsy Haehl Mrs. Anne Hannigan Mrs. Dotty Hayes Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB Mr. George Huertas Mr. Craig Johnson Mrs. Virginia Kavanaugh Mr. Steven Krausz Fr. Maurus Nemeth, OSB Mrs. Janiece Bacon Oblak Mr. Dale Pfau* Mr. Bill Roberts Ms. Alicia Rodriguez Mr. Ray Rothrock Mr. Andy Schilling Mr. Bob Simon Dr. Stuart Young Ms. Andrea Zulberti * Special Representative

Priorities magazine is published in October, January, April and July by Woodside Priory School for its alumni, parents, students, neighbors and friends. Contact the Communications Office at 650-851-6193 or the school at 650-851-8221.

Editor: Carolyn Dobervich Design/Production: Jim Kirkland, Copperline Multimedia Photos: Carolyn Dobervich, Zuzka Fedorkova, Jennifer Hammer, Charles Kou, Father Martin Mager, Jim Kirkland Chapel Services Masses at 7:15 a.m. Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday Hungarian service 8 p.m. third Friday (Taize) ecumenical service All are welcome.

From the Headmaster

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ummer is upon us, and the campus is lively as dozens of children enjoy our “Camp Unique” day and sleepover camp.

Already we are preparing for the fall.

Classroom renovations are under way, and improvements to the storm water drainage system will begin soon, as will some minor renovations in the boys locker room.

Everyone will be receiving in the mail over the next several months a brightly colored brochure about our “Trinity Project.” This is our final push to create three much-needed facilities for our students and faculty by the school’s 50th anniversary in 2007-2008.

This three-part project begins with new performing arts facilities, then an expanded library and media center, and finally the campus’s first student center. It will be a challenge to complete it all by 2007, but we have strong support (and good architects with plans ready to submit). Please take a look at the brochure and the footprints of each space. We have submitted to the Portola Valley town planner a fairly aggressive timeline for approval of the required preliminary work and the beginning of our Performing Arts Center in spring 2006.

I mentioned in the last issue of Priorities that Nancy Newman, our indefatigable Dean of the Faculty, was retiring. I also want to tell you about some other transitions. Our Development program is laughingly called Doug Ayer’s “Million Dollar Baby” because it brings in that much and more in funds for expenses that tuition can’t cover. Doug founded the department about nine years ago, and he retired at the end of June with his wife, Barbara, who worked part time in the department.

Lesley Roberts-Mason, who has been with the Priory for 10 years and head of the English Department for most of that time, also retired in June.

Lesley’s colleagues selected her to receive the Board of Trustees’ Teacher of the Year award, which comes with a $1,000 check. Lesley is retiring to Canada with her husband, Tony. Probably, everyone receiving this magazine will remember Louis Kovacs—read about his retirement on pages 4-5.

Father Egon Javor, who founded the campus and still lives in the monastery, calls the Priory

his “American miracle” and as I look through the “Fast Facts” that we prepare in our marketing materials, it certainly seems true. One-third of our senior class achieved National Merit recognition and about 10% were National Merit finalists. The seniors scored an average 632 in English and 658 in mathematics on their SATs. Our student-teacher ratio is still amazingly low—about 6 to 1. Our goal is for students to be accepted at and do well in a college they are excited about, and I have no doubt that every student in the class of 2005 is well prepared to succeed next year.

Our class size averages 14 to 18 students, and is much lower in advanced and special-interest subjects.

We have a financial aid pool of almost $1 million, and we hope to grow that amount. It was interesting to me that seniors mentioned in their exit interviews that greater diversity would improve their education, and adequate financial aid is an important part of achieving that goal. As I look back on the year, students’ enthusiasm was high, discipline issues were negligible, and their contributions to the community were admirable. It is pleasure to be here and, Father Egon, I thank you.

The first year of our girls’ boarding program was a huge success. Nine girls lived in the dorms and created a strong community and bond that will be a foundation for year two. Next year the Anselm House (upper dorm) will be all girls and Benedict House (lower dorm) will be all boys. Eric Carlson, Dean of the Boarding Program, is very excited about this “new configuration” and believes it will provide an even better learning and living environment. Check out his latest Boarding Newsletter at www.woodsidepriory.com.

Finally, I want to let you know that you will not be receiving a September Priorities Magazine. Carolyn Dobervich, our Director of Communications and Priorities editor, will be using the early fall months to create more user-friendly online communications.

Best wishes for relaxing and rejuvenating summer.

Peace, Tim Molak Headmaster

Everyone will be receiving in the mail over the next several months a brightly colored brochure about our “Trinity Project.”

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Summer at

Barn-2 Robotics Improves Its Workshop The WPS robotics team doubled its workshop space in the barn and substantially increased the available equipment with the help of special gifts. A Bridgeport milling machine, Clausing lathe and oscilloscope are big additions, supported by a variety of smaller tools, small parts storage and a better-organized work environment. Above, Freshman Rafael (Raffi) Sofaer operates the “chop saw.”

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Scotched Broom — Social Studies Teacher Shachar Link and Ting-Jui Lin were among the crew ridding the Portola Valley roadside of non-native Scotch Broom while other faculty and students donned plastic gloves and cleared debris from the campus during Earth Day last spring. Faculty, students and staff all pitched in.

A Dream Come True — Students always play a strong supporting role in the annual auction, and this year’s “Once Upon an Auction is no exception. They organized the take-home bags, delivered bills to tables, and came in fairytale costume to add ambiance while they worked. Gross proceeds of more than $380,000 was the biggest ever and will benefit next year’s budget. Co-Chairs Wayne and Cindy Davison, with their team of volunteers, are the magicians who made it happen.

a Glance Playing Field Bears Kovacs Name — Louis Kovacs, Priory groundskeeper, retired this year after 41 years and at least 2,000 trees given to the school. The Priory landscape was initially a bare hillside and Louis shepherded its transformation. Louis and his wife, Klara, raised their two children—both Priory alumni—on the campus grounds, and Klara in recent years has been a familiar face in the student store and business office. Here, they sit on Louis’s tractor in front of a large sign naming the front playing field “Louis Kovacs Field.”

Korean High Official Visits Students Hyoung-O Kim, the senior congressman in the South Korean National Assembly, is greeted by Headmaster Tim Molak in the St. Anselm dorm lounge. Mr. Kim spent an afternoon sharing lunch and conversation with Korean students and encouraging them in their studies.

Mr. Kim was at Stanford University pursuing studies in political change.

Cutthroat Middle Schoolers — Seventh grader Ellie Oates was the wily Long John Silver in the Middle School’s production of the Robert Lewis Stevenson classic adventure tale, “Treasure Island.” Nearly one-third of the Middle School students had parts, proving true Director John Sugden’s proposition that “everybody loves to play pirates!” They were even willing to master the history and accents, which was required to play the parts. As always, parents, students and faculty volunteered their time to set up and take down the temporary seating and stage for the four-show production, held in the Assembly Hall. To see more photos, go to the school’s Web site www. woodsidepriory. com and click on “activities”.

Benedictine Letter illuminated, original manuscript combines ancient technique with contemporary scholarship and imagery.

This

Woodside Priory School’s faculty enjoyed a slide presentation and lecture with Father Eric as part of their annual Benedictine retreat last spring.

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uring the Middle Ages, books were rare and hard to come by. Producing a new copy of the Bible by hand meant a laborious process of several years. For centuries, Benedictine monks kept the manuscript tradition alive. Writing in special rooms known as scriptoria, they produced beautiful, elaborate handwritten texts. There were writings of church fathers and copies of the Rule, and among the most meaningful and lasting were the beautiful illuminated Bibles.

With the invention of the printing press, the monastic manuscript tradition all but died.

Yet today, over five hundred years later, the Benedictine community of Saint John’s Abbey and University in Minnesota is reviving that ancient tradition. With the help of Donald Jackson, one of the world’s most highly acclaimed calligraphers, Saint John’s is bringing to life a handwritten, handilluminated Bible for the new millennium.

Acclaimed Calligrapher’s Dream Jackson, whose previous calligraphic work has included royal documents for Queen Elizabeth II, calls The Saint John’s Bible “the thing I have been preparing for all my life.” It was he who first suggested The Saint John’s Bible project in 1996 to Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, who at the time was the director of the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at Saint John’s. (Fr. Hollas is also a member of the Woodside Priory Board of Trustees, and he lived on the campus a few years ago while on sabbatical).

After much discussion, the community of Saint John’s agreed to sponsor the production of the new Bible. After four years of planning, Jackson and a

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Calligrapher Donald Jackson shows the book’s size, two feet by three feet when open.

handpicked team of assistants began work in 2000 at a newly renovated scriptorium in Monmouth, Wales.

By the time it is finished, the Saint John’s Bible will be a seven-volume work encompassing more than a 1,100 pages. It will have taken seven years to produce and will have cost upwards of four million dollars. It will be big—measuring two feet tall by three feet wide when opened. Above all, it will be beautiful, with 160 separate illuminations, each one the product of both theological discussion and artistic inspiration.

Ancient Craftsmanship As the first major manuscript Bible to be commissioned in nearly five centuries, the Saint John’s Bible intentionally hearkens back to ancient techniques. Sheets of calfskin are carefully treated and scraped to make the purest white vellum.

The purest ink pigments—some produced over a century ago—are mixed with egg yolk, then applied using goose quills. Gold leaf is hammered thin and affixed to a base of gesso made from sugar, fish glue, white lead powder, and slate plaster. Any writing mistakes must be fixed by gently scraping off the top layer of vellum with a penknife and retreating the surface.

Yet this Bible is no relic of the past. Jackson and his team are using sophisticated layout software to map out each page, combining ancient techniques with cutting-edge technology. The illuminations are carried out in a modern artistic idiom which uses vibrant colors and unusual perspectives to explore Scripture from new angles. The text uses fonts specially designed by Jackson to be reverent yet distinctive and, above all, readable. Moreover, their interpretative approach is decidedly contemporary. A group of scholars from Saint John’s, the Committee on Illumination and Text (CIT), provides Jackson with a background of exegesis and commentary for each illustration, taking account of historical-critical scholarship and ecumenical thought. The CIT places special emphasis on the Benedictine values of hospitality, personal transformation, and justice for all of God’s people.

Christian, Hebrew, Islamic Links The focus of the project is ecumenical as well.

The CIT chose to use the New Revised Standard Version, the translation most widely used across the denominational spectrum of Christianity, for the text of the Bible. The NRSV, which employs gender-inclusive language as much as possible, has been approved for use by the Roman Catholic

church and over thirty Protestant churches, as well as some Eastern Orthodox leaders. Also, many of Jackson’s illuminations explicitly invoke different religious traditions: Buddhist mandalas and Jewish menorahs combine with Christian symbols like fishes, bread, and wine. The first illumination to be completed, the frontispiece to the Gospel of Matthew, names Jesus’ ancestors in English, Hebrew, and Arabic to illustrate the many historical links between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Completion Date in 2007 At present, the Saint John’s Bible is just over half complete. The fourth volume, containing the prophetic writings of the Hebrew Bible, was finished in April. The last volume is scheduled for completion in 2007, after which the entire Bible will be bound in a specially constructed wood and leather cover. The original Bible will be kept at Saint John’s, where it will be displayed and used liturgically. Prints of individual pages and facsimiles of the entire Bible will also be available for sale to the public.

Woodside Priory School’s faculty enjoyed a slide presentation and lecture with Father Eric as part of their annual Benedictine retreat last spring.

Father Eric said a public showing of the complete facsimile (exact copy) of the Bible could probably be arranged when the project is complete in about four years.

Five hundred years after the production of the last handwritten Bibles, Saint John’s is hoping this Bible will provide a lasting legacy well into the new millennium. According to Fr. Hollas, “It’s the one thing we’ll probably be remembered for five hundred years from now. The buildings will go. Most of the buildings that all of us see today are going to be gone five hundred years from now.

And oddly enough, this one piece of human artistic achievement will probably still be here.” If it is, the world will have Donald Jackson, his team, and the community of Saint John’s to thank.

Five hundred years from now. this one piece of human artistic achievement will probably still be here. Everything else we see around us will probably be gone.

Father Eric Hollas, WPS Trustee Senior Associate for Arts and Cultural Affairs, St John’s University (MN)

Photographs showing the dazzling color of the illuminations are available on the Web site—www. saintjohnsbible.org 7

Thirty-Four Eighth Graders Head for High School

It’s a bittersweet moment for Dean of the Middle School Shawna Trujillo, leading the procession into the Chapel. Her family is relocating to Wyoming, and she will be leaving the Priory in mid-summer.

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Eighth grade graduates received diplomas and personalized plaques on which teachers had written their congratulations, as well as long-stemmed flowers or boutonnieres for their ceremony, held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 2. Following the ceremony, families shared food (including a celebratory giant chocolate cake) and drink on the plaza.

The class invited Nancy Newman, retiring Dean of the Faculty and a popular seventh grade science teacher, to be their guest speaker. The Valedictory address was delivered by classmate Matthew Kramer.

In her remarks, Mrs. Newman told the class, “I know you will take the next four years by storm.” She advised the students to take advantage of all the opportunities freshman year will have to offer; they are well prepared academically to succeed. As the inevitable bumps with parents occur along the high school road, “Don’t forget how much love there is in your family, and don’t hesitate to say it out loud,” she told them.

Servando Barriga Kyle O’Neal Berka Daniel Morris Berman Laura Ann Bevilacqua Margaret Drummond Bussman David Madison Calbert Eduardo Maximiliano Chavez Zoe Alexandra Ciupitu Kayley Anne Colville Teagan Cosmo Corkery Nathan Tully Feldman Jordan Alessandra Foland Jodey Michael Glaser Emily Grace Goldberg Ryan William Haines Christopher Patrick Harlem Ryan James Harryman

Michelle Marie Hess James Winston Hickman Constance VanWinkle Hiller Adrian Fae Holland Matthew McNichols Kramer Darcey Selma Lachtman Noel Alexander Laport Christian Conrad Montalvo Christian James Alexander Opperman Kayla Jean Patterson Alyse Lynn Romano Caelum Pye Shove Tyler Reed Starling Lara Allene Donahoe Tenenbaum Alyssa Ching-Young Thunen Kelsey Ariana Whitehouse Claire Olivia Zbinovich

Brother Edward Englund helps the students line up in procession for their ceremony.

Eighth graders were addressed by Tim Molak, Headmaster, at left, and Nancy Newman, Dean of the Faculty; and they were blessed by Father Martin Mager, OSB, fine arts faculty member and Superior of the Benedictine Community.

Marching in procession are, from left, Zoe Ciupito, Consi Hiller (in the distance), Kayle Colville, and Chris Opperman.

Kayla Patterson and her mom, Abbe, at the Eighth Grade breakfast.

Nancy Newman, retiring Dean of the Faculty and seventh grade science teacher, goes over last-minute details of the ceremony with the faculty as families and guests arrive and take their seats.

Assistant Head of School John Erkman adjusted ties and pinned on boutonnieres.

Former Middle School teacher Mitch Neuger, who returned to college to study art last year, “gowned up� to attend the graduation with the rest of the faculty.

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Class of 2005

W

oodside Priory School began its graduation of the class of 2005 on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. with the traditional procession led by bagpipers, and concluded with the faculty “congratulations circle” on the basketball court and reception in the Gambetta Gymnasium.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Steve Young, was the guest speaker speaker. He brought his four-year-old son and they sat together on the podium until time for Steve’s remarks to the graduating class. Young sponsors and supports a wide variety of charitable causes, most dealing with children. He told graduates about two great lessons he learned from football. First, he said, when you mess up, people don’t care about your reasons. Just say you did it, you are sorry, and here’s what you will do next to make it right. Second, he said, have faith that you can do what you can’t yet see. His football metaphor was learning to “throw blind” to a receiver he knew was there but who was blocked from his vision by some very large player on the other team.

Finally, he reminded the graduates to keep things in perspective. He relayed the story of being at the head of a parade in Disneyland’s Main Street, sharing a float with Jerry Rice and Mickey Mouse.

The parade was to celebrate the pinnacle of Rice’s and Young’s professional success. But to two little boys watching from the sidelines, the exciting figure was the one with the big ears. “Let’s go see him!” one shouted. The other one held him by the shirt.

“Don’t bother—those big guys won’t let you near him,” he said.

Student speakers were Inga Diederich, of Woodside (University of Chicago), and Jesse Lampert of Portola Valley (Stanford University).

“The best thing I can say about a Priory education is that it has made me question the extent of my own knowledge. Being here has broadened my horizons and shown me how much I still have to learn,” Inga said to the audience.

“Priory is much more than a school, she added.

“One of its five values is community, and the Priory is built on the principle that everybody here is part of a community that extends beyond the classroom,” she said. The teachers, monks and Middle School have an equal part in that community and are a part of “what I do and what I am concerned with—in short, who I am,” she explained.

Famed SF 49ers quarterback Steve Young addressed the class of 2005, faculty and guests. For a video copy of this inspirational talk, contact the Priory.

Celebrates Its Success Jesse compared his Priory experience to a journey on a grand sailing ship, and he got an extra round of applause when he thanked “the underwriters, our parents.” He confessed to some nervousness when he “boarded this ship seven years ago with about 30 other passengers,” and again at freshman year contemplating a new infusion of unknown faces.

He thanked teachers who “taught us to ask questions. They didn’t care of they were dumb questions, they answered them anyway. They said ‘you can never be too safe on the ocean…you need answers to so many things.’” Teachers also taught the class of 2005 to listen and to treat each other well, Jesse said.

Speeches are available in full on the school Web site. Click on Activities, then on Graduation. Student honors and awards are listed on pages 12-16.

Students in high spirits on their way to graduation are (from left), Humphrey Yang, Ruben Lemmens, Bret Yerkovich and Fu-Yen Yang.

Brother Edward Englund and the traditional bagpipers led the faculty and class of 2005 to the outdoor graduation ceremony.

Yearbook co-editors Daniel Wenger and Lauren Frasch produced a great memento for their class, and they carried the project largely independently after their faculty advisor was forced to take an early medical leave.

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Graduates:

Helene Elizabeth Jernick Georgetown University

Elisabeth Maslin Powell University of Portland

Benjamin James Archer * United States Naval Academy, Annapolis

Byung Hwa Kim * Boston University

Allyssa Reneé Rapp Sacred Heart University

Westley Taylor Bennicas Willamette University

Timothy Light Kovachy *** Harvard University

Rebecca Diane Rappaport University of Pittsburgh

Tessa Elizabeth Berman * University of California, Berkeley

Yong Uk Kwon Case Western Reserve University

Sara Emily Rappaport University of Denver

Elizabeth Diane Bohley Loyola Marymount University

Jonathan Edmund Kwong Purdue University

Stephanie Kathleen Schultz University of California, Davis

Jason Daniel Buenrostro Santa Clara University

Jesse William Lampert *** Stanford University

Francys Meredith Scott * Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

Nathaniel Craig Coombs Gonzaga University

Michael Hyun Jean Lee * New York University

Tyler Carter Skinner-Rosenberg * University of California, Santa Cruz

Benjamin Samuel Corman Franklin College, Switzerland

Ruben Johannes Marie Lemmens University of Colorado, Boulder

Cynthia Elisabeth Sleight * Barnard College

Adriana Costello-Dougherty * University of California, Berkeley

Katie Michelle Lewine Colorado State University

Charles Frederick Soong University of California, Davis

Jennifer Adele Dhaliwal * University of California, Davis

Brianna Virginia Lewke Santa Clara University

Edward Schmidt Tabacco Loyola Marymount University

Inga Kim Diederich ** University of Chicago

Michael Pei-Ming Lo University of the Pacific

Jordan Elizabeth Robbins Tiffany Salve Regina University

Julia Lee Cardwell Duncan University of Virginia

Susan Elizabeth Lyon *** Princeton University

Laura Gabriella Trudelle ** Notre Dame de Namur University

Thomas Andrew Flint ** University of Pennsylvania

Brian Morgan Mansoor Loyola Marymount University

Tania Valetsky Wheaton College

Lauren Marie Frasch * University of California, Berkeley

Kyle Lawrence Kritzik McAuley ** Harvard University

Mark Triest Waylonis University of California, Davis

Jocelyn Gamburd * Tufts University

Theodore Andrew McIntosh Santa Clara University

Daniel Paul Wenger *** Harvard University

Peter Stefano Giovannotto University of California, Los Angeles

Jessamine Mairi McLellan University of Colorado, Boulder

Fu-Yen Yang University of California, Davis

Elaine Kathryn Haegele ** University of Washington

Guillermo Francisco Reyes Mendoza * Humphrey Wil-An Yang Cornell University University of Washington

Sean David Harris Fairfield University

Carlos Olin Montalvo III Bret William Yerkovich University of California, Santa Cruz Loyola Marymount University

Lauren Rachelle Hecht * University of San Diego

Leilani Cruz Novotny University of Washington

Woodson Morris Hobbs V Santa Clara University

Alexander Wendel Piper Northeastern University

Kieran Thane Howard * University of California, Berkeley

Alexander Mehta Pistritto University of San Francisco

Wik Aric Yip University of San Francisco *Dean’s honors **Headmaster’s honors ***Benedictine honors

Presented at the High School Graduation Exercises Valedictorians Timothy Kovachy Jesse Lampert Susan Lyon Daniel Wenger Salutatorian Cynthia Sleight Dean of Students’ Community Service Award Jocelyn Gamburd Carlos Olin Montalvo III Father Benignus F. Barat Citizenship Award Julia Duncan Headmaster’s Award Michael Hyun Jean Lee Adriana Costello-Dougherty Kieran Howard Dean’s Award Kyle McAuley Saint Benedict Award (WPS’s highest award) Laura Trudelle

Presented at the Vale et Valde Dinner King St. Stephen Chapter of National Honor Society Ben Archer Inga Diederich Lauren Frasch Jocelyn Gamburd Elaine Haegele Lauren Hecht Tim Kovachy Jesse Lampert Michael Lee Susan Lyon Kyle McAuley Francys Scott Cynthia Sleight Laura Trudelle Daniel Wenge

National Merit Commended Scholars Tessa Berman Jennifer Dhaliwal Inga Diederich Lauren Frasch Peter Giovannotto Elaine Haegele Susan Lyon Stephanie Schultz Tyler Skinner-Rosenberg Charles Soong Humphrey Yang

Music Daniel Wenger Jesse Lampert

National Merit Finalists Benjamin Archer Thomas Flint Timothy Kovachy Jesse Lampert Kyle McAuley Francys Scott Daniel Wenger

English Inga Diederich

Cashin Company Award for Community Service Julia Duncan

Music Ted McIntosh

Department Awards

Science Francys Scott

Theology Cynthia Sleight Kyle McAuley

Computer Science Tessa Berman

Bank of America Awards Computer Science Tessa Berman Creative Arts Julia Duncan

Mathematics Thomas Flint

Twenty-one members of the class of 2005 were members of the Seven-Year Club—students who attended sixth through twelfth grades at WPS. Among them were Wes Bennicas (left) and Ben Archer (right), pictured here at graduation.

Foreign Languages Susan Lyon

Social Studies Jesse Lampert

English Department’s A. Vernon Theology Sohlberg Award Francys Scott Daniel Wenger

Science

Excellence in Liberal Arts Daniel Wenger

Social Studies/Humanities Elaine Haegele

Excellence in Mathematics and Science Timothy Kovachy

Timothy Kovachy

Foreign Languages Susan Lyon Visual Arts Inga Diederich Mathematics Timothy Kovachy Performing Arts Cynthia Sleight

Presented at the Academic Honors Assembly Department Awards

Theology World Religions: Anandini Wadera Christian Scriptures: Stephanie Sebree Morality and Social Justice: Diego Moncada

Among students receiving awards from Headmaster Tim Molak are Laura Trudelle (top), Hyun Jean (Michael) Lee (center), and Julia Duncan.

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Mathematics

AP Spanish Language: Aracely Aceves AP Spanish Literature: Diego Moncada

Grade 11 Clint Campagna Jocelyn Chambers Christa Daley Kristof Horompoly Japanese Joonsik Kim Japanese I: Kathy Lim Myles Lam Japanese II: Anandini Wadera Michael Mellenthin Japanese III: Jay Sohn Diego Moncada Japanese IV: Myles Lam Rachel Moody Kai Novotny Science and Technology Performing Arts Ben Pekarek Physics: Alyssa Cheung Drama: Laura Hohnsbeen Elyse Romano Biology: Emma Henkins Advanced Drama: Honors Chemistry: Kendall Bell Sara Verhalen and School Awards AP Biology: Laura Hohnsbeen Emily Elliott Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute AP Chemistry: Myles Lam Writing for Theater: Award: Joonsik Kim AP Environmental Science: Jocelyn Chambers and Worcester Polytechnic Institute Alex Swan Nick Chapman Award: Michael Mellenthin AP Physics: Kristof Horompoly Drama Through the Ages: Massachusetts Institute of AP Computer Science A Level: Diego Moncada Technology Award: Nolan Green Concert Choir: Theresa Dai Kristof Horompoly AP Computer Science AB Level: Chamber Choir: Saint Anselm Book Prize: Myles Lam Laura Hohnsbeen Molly Magnuson and Benjamin Pekarek English Department Visual Arts Williams College Book Award: Introduction to Literature: Glass: Aracely Aceves Diego Moncada Robert Croll Ceramics: Stephanie Stoll Yale Book Award: Transitional English and Writing Drawing and Painting: Elyse Romano and Structure: Eniko Nemeth Natasha Hobbs Wellesley College Book Award: Writing Lab: Tynan McAuley Metalsmithing: Rachel Moody British Literature: Ellie Gold Harvard Book Award: American Literature: Myles Lam Tyler Scull and Nicholas Coombs Myles Lam Visual Media: Social Studies Saint Benedict Award World Cultures I: Liam Thompson Andrew Ackerman Photography: Sara Verhalen Grade 6: Hadley Greswold World Cultures II: Eighth Grade Visual Arts: Grade 7: Lauren Schilling Nicholas Coombs Darcey Lachtman Grade 9: Angelo Ladeza United States History: Calum Shove Grade 10: Nicholas Coombs Nick Chapman Grade 11: Myles Lam Model United Nations: Alex Swan Algebra I: Nathaniel Rothrock Geometry: David Mandle Algebra II: Brian Hong Pre-Calculus: Stephanie Sebree AP Calculus BC: Myles Lam AP Statistics: Kendall Bell Linear Algebra: Kristof Horompoly

National Honor Society

Modern Languages

Grade 10 Dion Diederich Sonia Djordjevic Ellie Gold Laura Hohnsbeen Alicia Kriewall George Schreiner Lesley Scott Mark Simons Alexa Zappas Katie Zappas

French French I: Kaori Ogawa French III: Dion Diederich French IV: Kristof Horompoly

Spanish

Spanish I: Angelo Ladeza Spanish II: Mariana Shtukina Spanish III: Ben Pekarek and Laura Hohnsbeen Spanish IV: Anna Taylor and Kai Novotny

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Academic Excellence Award James Hickman Leadership Award Michelle Hess Valedictorian Award Matthew Kramer The Saint Cecilia’s Performing Arts Award Matthew Kramer Dean’s Award Laura Bevilacqua Christopher Harlem St. Benedict Award (the school’s highest award) Alyssa Thunen

Athletes of the Year

WPS High School Laura Trudelle Sam Chavez

Private School Athletic League

Golf, Most Valued Player: Sam Chavez Tennis, Most Valued Player: Naveen Dixit

Presented at the Eighth Grade Graduation Scholar Athlete Award Nathan Feldman Adrian Holland Athlete of the Year Servando Barriga Consi Hiller In High School spring sports, WPS’s tennis team had its best finish ever, tying with Harker Academy for the league’s top ranking. Priory golfers won their league and enjoyed a championship round in Hawaii!

Academics

A River Runs Through It

Students from WPS and Eastside College Prep test creek water by their campuses in a program under the auspices of a Stanford University biologist and San Francisquito Watershed Council.

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ommunity, social responsibility, experiential learning – these are just a few of the elements of Woodside Priory teaching philosophy.

In AP Environmental Science, teacher Hovey Clark puts them into action in creative ways.

Working together with a Stanford University environmental scientist, a regional water quality specialist and a group of students in East Palo Alto, his students used creek water testing to broaden their understanding of the wider Bay Area ecosystem. At the same time, they solidified their academic learning and their perspective of social responsibility.

Throughout the spring semester, the 18 juniors and seniors in Mr. Clark’s A.P. Environmental Science class tested water weekly in three locations along San Franciscquito Creek— at the base of the Windy Hill development, by the bridge behind the Priory campus, and at Dennis Martin Creek.

San Francisquito originates in the hills and runs through horse ranches and past residences on its

way to these test sites. Substances that might be expected in these environments, such as manure, soaps, and septic tank and swimming pool leakage can affect the water quality in the creek, Mr. Clark said. (The students did not test for these substances specifically but rather for levels of oxygen and other indicators of the water’s “health.”) Students looked for substances that might be expected in these environments, such as soaps, and septic tank and swimming pool leakage, Mr. Clark said. Some students were so devoted to the project that they even came before school to test the water, he added.

Simultaneously, a biology class from Eastside College Prep was doing the same testing downstream, next to their school in East Palo Alto.

Both of these groups were assisted and trained

by Cindy Wilber, the education coordinator in the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (affiliated with Stanford), and Pam Sturner, from the San Francisquito Watershed Council. The San Francisquito creek flows through or near all three

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Today, everyone is downstream or downwind from someone else.

Water quality is, in Mr. Clark’s words, “a barometer of community stewardship.”

campuses to the San Francisco Bay and is a natural, physical link connecting the schools as well as Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

Test results aren’t in, but the process of creating such projects raises students’ awareness that environmental problems can begin even in such a green and idyllic environment as Portola Valley. It is a part of Mr. Clark’s ongoing effort to make the Priory a more “green” community. Water quality is, in Mr. Clark’s words, “a barometer of community stewardship.”

The San Franciscquito Creek watershed is a large and complex ecosystem, and activity in one part of the watershed can affect the entire ecosystem. William Ruckelshaus, the first head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, once said that today everyone is downstream or downwind from someone else. This is one of the credos of Mr. Clark’s environmental education.

Water quality in Portola Valley affects other communities in the San Francisquito watershed.

At the end of the school year, the two classes met for the first time at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. After a semester of testing downstream

and upstream, these two groups symbolically met midstream and tested water together in small mixed groups. Group leaders talked about the social and environmental interconnectedness of various communities in the Bay Area. Mr. Clark and Ms. Wilber hope to increase the collaboration next year, creating a stronger connection between students at the Priory and at Eastside College Prep.

This is not the first time that Mr. Clark and Ms. Wilber have worked together. Last year, they created a similarly hands-on project in which AP Environmental Science students studied fire ecology. The class spent a semester researching the effects of deer on risks of wildfire and on regeneration of plant life. The initial connection between Woodside Priory and the Jasper Ridge Preserve was brought about by John Kriewall, whose daughter is a member of the Priory class of 2007. John is a friend of both WPS and Jasper Ridge and loves to see the positive effects that networks can generate.

To find out more about the project, go to http:// jasper1.stanford.edu

Story and photos by Zuzka Fedorkova Class of 2000 Stanford University Class of 2004

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Alumni

Summertime! And the reunion is by the pool.

More than 100 alumni, spouses, children, significant others, friends and pets enjoyed perfect weather and the companionship of monks and several faculty members on Saturday, June 4. It began with a lively pickup soccer match. After cooling off, Rob Hammond 1988, Mario Liszka 1976 and Dave Arnold 1984 grilled hot dogs for one and all. The group applauded Juliana Szekely, whose birthday and silver anniversary of joining the Priory community both coincided with the reunion.

Classes from the 1970s through 2002 came from New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Mexico and Taiwan to see Priory friends and the campus. The class of 1995 had a dozen people celebrating their 10th reunion around the pool with many alumni from the class of 2000 joining in the festivities as well. Dan Begin, class of 1985, organized a special 20th reunion dinner for about 20 classmates and their families on Saturday night at the home of Chris Pieper’s parents, Oscar and Jan Pieper. The Piepers hosted the class of 1985 graduation party 20 years ago and generously offered their hospitality for this event again this year, which featured a special PowerPoint slide presentation by Father Martin.

More photos and information are available on the Online Community. Go to www.woodsidepriory.com and click on Alumni, then on Online Community.

—Judy Noice

Rob Hammond, 1988, flips a burger for Michael Fariss, 1995. The cook behind Rob is Mario Liszka, 1976.

Mike McCrady, 1985, and son, Chris, enjoy the Priory pool.

Father Pius checks out the day’s events with a former student. Most of the monks attended, as did many members of the faculty.

Members of the class of 1985 held a post-reunion gathering at the site of their grad party—the Pieper family home in Portola Valley.

Students Chrissa Trudelle, Marie Trudelle and David Begin (photo at left) help alumni children enjoy the Bounce House, which was set up in the parking lot. Chrissa, Marie and David are the children of Science Dept. faculty members Paul Trudelle and Robert Begin, who also attended the reunion.

Gail Kimball, Associate Director of Development (right) surprised Julianna Szekely with a brightly colored bouquet while the group gave her a round of applause.

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Elizabeth Mason (left) and Vivian Johnson (right) found playmates for their pets.

New Arts Facilities Will Focus On ‘Small Village’ Environment

Update

In its latest iteration, the performing arts auditorium and classrooms are arranged around a courtyard located between Founders Hall and the Gambetta Gymnasium. This configuration creates opportunity for an interactive small village environment focused on the arts. A lobby with space for student visual arts display, and top-notch appointments that enhance teaching, learning and audience enjoyment are still top priorities.

“Our Golden Jubilee campaign slogan is ‘Now, and for our next 50 years.’ I hope everyone will help us emphasize the NOW and look for a way to complete this much-needed facility within the next two years,” said Tim Molak, Headmaster.

Please contact the Development Office or the Golden Jubilee Campaign Office for more information on the Trinity Project and for naming opportunities. (Main office: 650-851-8221; Campaign office: 650: 851-6116)

Trinity Project Performing Arts Center, Library and Student Center $6.1 million pledged towards $11 million goal.

Endowment Nearly $2.2 million is pledged towards $5 million gaol.

Current effort is the drive to fund scholarships named for Priory Benedictine fathers (the “Father Funds”).

Chapel Renovation Completed by Friends of the Chapel and dedicated in 2004.

Additional seating, new Blessed Sacrament Chapel, entryway and bell tower Maas Family Commons Completed and occupied in 2003 Two Apartments Constructed, One

The latest building design proposal make full use of a backdrop of trees and preserve the big heritage oak, as these architectural illustrations of west and north elevations (top and bottom respectively) illustrate.

Home Renovated Projects completed

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in 2001.

A Bible For the New Millennium St. John’s Bible Project combines Benedictine art and spirituality. See the story, pages 6-7.

Portions of the original, illuminated manuscript are already on tour—and this “ancient” art is drawing unexpected crowds. Some 55,000 ticketed visitors—about 25,000 more than projected— flocked to the Minneapolis Institute of Art showing, which ran for three months and closed on Father Eric Hollas, WPS July 3.

Trustee, was an early pro- Shows are currently scheduled at the Library of Conmoter of The Saint John’ gress in Washington, D.C., the Phoenix Art Museum, and Bible project. He is now the Naples, Florida Art Museum. Other venues are under involved with arranging discussion. Smaller shows are set for the Victoria and Albert national and international Museum in London and the Austrian National Library in exhibitions.

Vienna.

A schedule of exhibitions and photos of the beautiful calligraphy and illuminations are at www.saintjohnsbible.com.

Title 1: The Sower and the Seed Title 2: To the Ends of the Earth Artist: Donald Jackson Date: 2002 Medium: Natural, hand-ground ink on calfskin vellum Dimensions: 15-7/8” x 24 1/2” Collection: Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, Copyright 2002 The Saint John’s Bible and Saint John’s University, United States of America.

Title 1

Title 2

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Celebrating Our 47th Year