Priorities #35: Winter 2006

PRI RITIES A Magazine of Woodside Priory School

October 2006

Father Egon Javor started it all in 1956. We celebrate this November his ninetieth birthday and the first Mass said at the Priory. Read about the seven founding monks on pages 12-15.

A tradition of

FUN! Celebrating 49 Years of Benedictine Education

Woodside Priory School Celebrating 49 Years of Benedictine Education In This Issue The new “24/7 Café” now serves the whole campus community; students named it not to indicate its hours but instead the hours when Benedictine values apply. An old-fashioned all-American theme set the tone for the Family Barbecue. And fine craftsmanship underlies our new auditorium, thank goodness. That and more in Fall at a Glance, pages 4–5.

Summer at a Glance, Page 4-5

New Trustees, Pages 6-9

New trustees come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of skills and perspectives to their work on the board. Meet them on pages 6–9.

Christine Muir and José Arnoldo Mejia-Torres take different approaches to global education for the Priory community. Christine invites everyone to join her, in person or virtually, on off-campus learning adventures. José brings everyone into on-campus celebrations that grow bigger every year.

Pages 10–11.

This November marks the Golden Anniversary of the first Mass to be celebrated on the newly-purchased Priory school site. Father Egon, who found the land and started it all, will be honored for that and for his ninetieth birthday, which is on Oct. 18. It is not too late to make reservations. Read about the seven founding monks and the Priory’s first years on pages 12–15.

Founding Fathers Story, Pages 12-15

Alumni News & Notes, Page 16-17

Alumni from the 1960’s to the new century check in with Alumni News & Notes. Jim’s family includes a new baby (Diana’s now includes twins), Guillermo (who offered irreplaceable hospitality for the Priory’s first admissions tour of Mexico), has a new position directing air cargo, and Laura founded an English language practice class for the food services staff at her college. The Benedictine beat goes on. See pages 16–17.

With construction on the Trinity Project well under way, it is a good time to thank the many donors who are making this dream come true. To paraphrase the slogan, every student will benefit—now, and for the next 50 years. Pages 18-19.

On the cover: Alex Schreiner has lifted the spirits of his class for years, and that spirit seems to leap from this cover photo taken by Jim Kirkland at the Family Barbecue. The inset photo of Father Egon reminds us that this beloved founding monk is just beginning his ninth decade.

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 Mr. Gene Becker* Dr. Kristin Brew Mrs. Janet Brownstone Mr. Peter Camapgna, Board Chair Mr Wayne Davison Ms. Betsy Haehl Mrs. Susan Hafleigh* Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB Mr. David Jim* Mrs. Ginny Kavanaugh Mrs. Indu Khanna Mr. Steven Krausz Mr. Rick Magnuson Mrs. Jami Doyle Nachtsheim Fr. Maurus Nemeth, OSB Mrs. Nancy Newman Ms. Janiece Bacon Oblak Mr. Dale Pfau Mr. Hank Plain Mrs. Patti Plummer Mr. Bill Roberts Ms. Alicia Rodriguez Mr. Ray Rothrock* Mrs. Kari Rust Mr. Ken Tehaney Mr. Paul Titterton Mr. Dan Turner Mr. Mark Wilson Ms. Andrea Zulberti * Special Representative. The Priory’s new trustees and board chair will be introduced in the October issue.

Priorities magazine is published in October, 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, 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 Head of School Fun, it turns out, has a serious role to play in a Priory education The church bells still chime, but passing bells have been replaced with wrist watches and large wall clocks all over the campus. Research shows that the 5 to 10 minutes of passing time actually results in many more minutes of inattention—and, for students, that time is essentially wasted. This year, students move quickly from class to class, and teachers do not wait for stragglers—they begin class on time. With these saved minutes, students have “purchased” a late start time one day a week. The new schedule, which was begun after a year of intense discussion by administrators, faculty and students, also offers some longer class periods.

These periods accommodate science labs, orchestral instruction, and many other courses that require setup and clean-up time.

Students who have graduated from the Priory in the last five or six years may remember their advisory periods as a nice, relaxing, sometimes playful time.

There was a reason for that. A top responsibility of each advisor is to create the kind of close relationship that a student will call on if a difficulty arises.

Relationships develop naturally when people are chatting and enjoying themselves. The role of the advisor has always gone deeper and this year is even more tightly coordinated than ever. Whenever a faculty member notices a change in a student’s performance, that information is communicated quickly, in writing, to the counseling team, who check out each report to see if a pattern is developing.

This proactive approach can avoid days or weeks of delay in starting a support process—or can help a worried parent relax if in fact a child was just having a bumpy few days. I enjoy watching these Benedictine values of community and individuality come together in the advisory program. I enjoy seeing that something serious—raising children to become successful young adults—requires regular doses of friendship and fun.

Construction seems to bring new surprises every day, and it is exciting to see our Trinity Project plans come to fruition after seven years of preparation. While the noise and rerouted traffic and limited parking are a temporary distraction, they are also uplifting to all who have worked for this year to come. Science teacher Paul Trudelle, who lives on the campus, summed it up nicely during the teachers’ first week of school. “Wow! I’ve never seen this place so alive!” he exclaimed.

Seven years ago, while the board of trustees was developing the concept of the Golden Jubilee Campaign and new master plan, I spent a lot of time walking the campus and thinking about its future. Often, the founding monks came to mind, and their courage in founding this school was a strong factor in my desire to see the school well prepared for the next fifty years.

Nothing could bring more pleasure now than the opportunity to celebrate their amazing tenacity and accomplishments at our Founders Day celebration anniversary on Nov. 11. While our official 50th anniversary of the opening of the school is in fall 2007, this year we commemorate the first Mass celebrated by Father Egon on the newly purchased Priory land and to honor Father on his 90th birthday.

“Being Benedictine” is the theme that our trustees, faculty and staff are observing throughout this school year. It is so appropriate for us to spend this year reflecting on the meaning and significance of what it means to be a Benedictine school in the 21st century.

At the first Parent Association meeting, I gave a short presentation on this theme and the story leading up to the purchase of the ranch house and the arrival of our first students. We are very proud of our past, enlivened by our present and intrigued by our future – great to have you along for the ride.

A top responsibility of each advisor is to create the kind of close relationship that a student will call on if a difficulty arises.

Peace,

Tim Molak Head of School

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An All-American theme coupled with perfect weather brought the entire community together on the front playing field for the annual Parent Barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 17. Falther Martin led a short-and-sweet celebration of the Performing Arts auditorium and classrooms groundbreaking featured poppers instead of fireworks. The little girl (lower right) clearly loved it all.

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Fall at

Construction is fraught with the unexpected, and the foreman and workers on the Priory’s construction site demonstrate their craftsmanship every day on the job. They confer throughout the day to make the right decisions to solve problems that routinely come up but can’t be predicted—like a pipe connection that doesn’t quite meet, a slope that isn’t quite as expected, or cement that might or might not be the correct reinforcement under a drainage line. Their expertise underground is something to be grateful for as the building goes up.

a Glance

Cesar Perez, Nate Ward, Cameron Montalvo and Ryan Alejandro (l to r), sharing a $1 root beer float, were among the first customers at the Grand Opening of Woodside Priory School’s new “24/7 Café.” Located in Anselm House Lounge, it is a great hangout until the new student center has its Grand Opening, planned for early fall next year. In the inset photo, resident students Melissa Fan and Ethan Breder prepare menu items to order. There are more new snack stops on the campus where students can buy fresh fruit, yogurt, energy bars and other “healthy choice” snacks.

Outstanding in their field (so to speak) would be these webmasters, who encompass ten years of Priory webmaster history. Rebecca Harper, who started the Priory’s web presence, holds the keyboard for Kelly Sargent, current webmaster. Marcia Gold (center left) was a superb volunteer webmaster, and Gail Kimball launched and manages the online community. Carolyn Dobervich could not be in the picture; she is taking it.

The traditional tug of war was a riotously fun event, with all of the high school classes (shown above) illegally grabbing the rope to help defeat the powerhouse Middle School. The sixth through eighth graders won last year and were handily toppling over high school classes this year. For the first time in a long time, the temperature was balmy and the ASB felt no need for the usual run through the sprinklers ate the end of the day.

Essential Volunteers

New Members of Board of Trustees Reflect the Diversity and Focus of the Campus

By Lindsay Farino

Rick Magnuson was impressed with the “richness of community” he discovered when his children enrolled.

INDU KHANNA When Indu Khanna’s daughter, Sonal (class of 2007) started the Priory as a freshman, Indu thought she would have to wait until after her graduation to hear praise for the experience.

In actuality, it only took Sonal three weeks to come home and proclaim how much she loved her new school, Indu said. This year, among other activities, Sonal is vice-president of the ASB. Indu and her husband, Ramen’s, second child, Sahil, just began his first year at the Priory as a freshman.

Indu, an artist and textile designer, came to the United States from India in 1985 to work at the Metropolitan Museum in New York as a part of the Festival of India team. Her paintings of Indian mythological scenes have been exhibited locally in venues such as the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the YMCA and the Jewish Community Center.

While raising her children, Indu became excited about “cooking from scratch,” and offered Indian cooking lessons to her friends.

She was very active in Portola Valley schools while her children attended them. She began painting again about seven months ago, and will use her artistic talents on the decorations committee of the WPS auction this year.

RICK MAGNUSON For Rick Magnuson’s three children, Charles (Class of 2004), Amy (Class of 2006), and Max (Class of 2008), the Priory has felt like home. Rick emphasizes that, before his children enrolled, he had no idea of the “richness of community that they would find.” Charles, currently a junior at Pitzer College, founded the Priory student film festival during his time here; his brother Max, currently a junior,

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enjoyed helping in that endeavor. Molly was a student speaker at her graduation last spring and also was student body president during her senior year. Rick and his wife, Amy, also have a younger daughter, Natalie.

A 1978 graduate of Stanford with a BA in Economics, Rick also holds JD and MBA degrees from the university. He is a private venture investor in Bay Area technology start-up companies.

Rick serves on the Board of Directors of the California Water Service Company, a publiclytraded water utility, and on the Athletic Board and Board of Visitors for Stanford’s law school. At the Priory, he is on the finance and development committees and the campaign leadership team for the Golden Jubilee Campaign.

DALE PFAU Dale Pfau continues on the Board of Trustees after finishing two years as an associate member representing the Priory Parent Association, which he co-chaired with his wife, Cathy Gawne. All three of Dale and Cathy’s children attend the Priory. Greg is a junior this year; Katie is a freshman and Krysten is now in seventh grade. In addition to his substantial involvement in Priory life, Dale finds time to be an assistant scoutmaster for Greg’s Boy Scout troupe.

Dale holds BS and MS degrees in physics from Stanford and Cornell, respectively. He is a founding General Partner with enVia Technologies, a seed/early stage venture firm. His professional experiences blends technical and financial knowledge. He has twenty years of experience in the wireless technology industry, including in technical management, entrepreneurial and investment management roles. Dale also has experience in equity research and other business leadership.

As a WPS trustee, Dale is the Chairman of the Finance committee and a member of the Audit Committee. Dale and his family live in Portola Valley.

JAMI DOVER NACHTSHEIM Jami Dover Nachtsheim, became interested in Woodside Priory School as she researched ways in which the mid-Peninsula fosters a lasting community service philosophy in children. Her good friend and neighbor Betsy Haehl, currently a WPS trustee, began to tell Jami about the Priory’s Benedictine philosophy and how it is integrated into students’ education. She also found the philosophy exemplified in the poise and self-confidence of the many young people in her neighborhood who attend the Priory, she said As a result, Jami was intrigued enough to accept the Priory’s invitation to become a trustee.

Jami recently retired after 20 years with Intel Corporation, most recently as VP of the Sales and Marketing Group and Director of Worldwide Marketing. She also serves on the boards of Southwall Technologies, Cinequest, and the Tech Museum. Jami and her husband, Stephen, have a nine-year-old daughter, Katie.

At Woodside Priory, Jami is on the board’s Mission Committee and the Community Relations Committee.

NANCY NEWMAN A beloved science teacher and former Dean of the Faculty, Nancy Newman retired from the Priory in June, 2005. Before she came to the Priory, Nancy taught and/or held administrative positions at the Hong Kong International School; Menlo School (Director of Admissions) and Keys School (Interim Head).

For Nancy, teaching is her passion and teaching at the Priory provided the perfect compromise for her desire to stay directly involved in the lives of her children, Peter (Class of 1999) and Kit (Class

of 2001), during their high school years, she said.

While at WPS, she taught seventh-grade life science, high school biology, and mathematics. She became a Priory teacher again this fall, taking Christine Muir’s classes for a few weeks while Ms. Muir took advantage of a marine biology research opportunity (see page 10 ).

Nancy is now enjoying more time with her husband, John. They are both volunteering in community organizations; Nancy has just begun mentoring new science teachers for San Francisco’s Exploratorium.

Nancy has been a member of Woodside Priory’s Campaign Leadership Team for the past three years.

KEN TEHANEY Ken Tehaney’s children are following in his footsteps in attaining a Priory education. Bryan (Class of 2004) attends USC; Blaine (Class of 2006) is an outstanding athlete on the soccer and golf teams (see the back cover); and Jenna attended middle school at the Priory. Ken has served as co-head of the Priory’s Annual Fund for six years. When he opened the annual report last year and discovered that son Bryan was among the donors, he felt it was just one example of how the Priory “does things right,” he said He has watched his children grow up at the Priory, developing character, confidence, knowledge and important relationships through the influence of the Benedictine way, he added.

Ken was involved operating the Villa Hotel in San Mateo for many years. Also, during that time and increasingly over the last five years, he has been involved with the real estate investment firm Belle Haven Realty Company.

Ken will use his Annual Fund experience as a member of the board’s Development Committee.

He is also on the Real Estate and Building and Grounds Committees.

Jamie Dover Nachtsheim noticed the poise and selfconfidence of Priory students in her neighborhood.

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David Jim will represent the perspectives of international families and families of boarding students.

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JANET BROWNSTONE Janet Brownstone’s family loves the supportive, welcoming environment at the Priory and the Benedictine philosophy of education, she said. In fact, Andrew Verhalen, Janet’s husband, knows the ethos from personal experience as a student at Delbarton Academy in Morristown, New Jersey.

(Father Egon found a home at Delbarton after escaping from communist Central Europe shortly after World War II.) Janet’s daughters, Nicole (Class of 2004) and Sara (Class of 2006), both graduated from the Priory.

At the Priory, Nicole’s passions were volleyball and the arts, and Sara’s passion was the theater.

While they were here, Janet served two years as CoPresident of the Priory Parent Association. During those years, she also enjoyed a variety of other volunteer jobs, including working on the auction, the initial stages of the capital funds drive, and revitalizing the annual Family Barbecue.

Janet received a BA in Economics from UC Irvine, and an MBA from Cornell University. She worked for Intel for fifteen years in marketing and finance. On the Priory Board of Trustees, Janet will be a member of the Committee on Trustees, and will co-chair the Schools Affairs Subcommittee. Her other community activities include being a member of the board of Eastside College Preparatory School in East Palo Alto.

DAN TURNER Dan Turner joins the Priory Board of Trustees as a parent of two students at WPS. Maddie (Class of 2008) began at the Priory as a freshman and is an integral part of the girls tennis team; her brother, Scott (Class of 2010), joined her this year and is currently on the JV soccer team. Dan and his wife, Tamara, have become active in many aspects of school life. The family lives in Portola Valley.

Dan has seventeen years of experience as an entrepreneur, operating manager and venture capitalist. He is a general partner/managing member of Montreux and chairman of TransOral Pharmaceuticals. In addition, he is a member of the board of directors or has board responsibilities for several companies in the health care and pharmaceuticals industries.

He earned a BS from Sacramento State University and attended the MBA program at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, where he has established the Turner Fellowship. In addition, Dan is a certified public accountant.

DAVID FUN TIN JIM David Fun Tin Jim’s daughter, Ching Wei (Katherine), is an eleventh grader at Priory and resident of Anselm House.

The family, including wife and mother, Karen Sog Yee Jim, are natives and residents of Hong Kong. As a trustee, David will offer the perspective of international and boarding families.

David received a BS in Computer Science at California State University in Sacramento in 1980.

He began his career in regional marketing with

AST Research (Far East) Ltd. in Hong Kong. He moved to sales with Compaq Computer Hong Kong Limited and is currently General Manager of ePAS Software Solutions Ltd. David is also a registered financial planner in the United States.

He is an active volunteer with the Hong Kong Red Swastika Society – Hong Kong’s equivalent of a Western charitable institution such as the Red Cross. (The swastika is a Buddhist/Hindu religious symbol). David has served as a school manager and vice president of the society. Founded in China in 1922, the society’s mission is a broad-based effort of philanthropy and moral education grounded in religions such as Buddhism and Daoism PAUL TITTERTON Paul Titterton graduated from Woodside Priory in 1982, and he has great memories of classmates, athletics, teachers and classes. Throughout the years, he said he has seen that things are only getting better at the Priory, and he looks forward to renewing his connection to the school.

After WPS, Paul went on to receive his PhD in electrical engineering. He has worked as a researcher and program manager at SRI International since 1986; SRI supported his doctoral work. His vocation is science and mathematics, and his avocation is athletics. His assignment on the Priory board is to the Mission committee. He would enjoy the opportunity to focus on supporting the Benedictine approach and values, he said. Paul said he is “looking forward to serving with such an accomplished board in such a good cause.”

He has been married to his wife, Heather, for fifteen years. They have a daughter, Sophia, who is thirteen, and a son, PJ, who is eleven.

EUGENE BECKER For the Becker family, Woodside Priory stands out for three reasons: the academic richness, depth of tradition and the strength of the community. Gene Becker is currently serving his first year as co-chairman of the Woodside Priory Parent Association with his wife, Vick Vasilakos Becker. Their son, Dominic, is a freshman and has been at the Priory since sixth grade. Dominic enjoys the challenge and flexibility of Priory academics; as a freshman, he is taking pre-calculus, which the Beckers feel would not be possible at most schools.

Gene was born in Upstate New York and has lived in the Bay Area for the last twenty-five years.

He graduated from MIT with a BS in Electrical Engineering and followed that with graduate study in Computer Science at Stanford. Gene currently is a Research Program Director at HP Laboratories.

As a WPS trustee, Gene serves on the Mission and Community Relations committees, as well as the School Affairs subcommittee.

For the Becker family, Woodside Priory stands out for three reasons: the academic richness, depth of tradition and the strength of the community.

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Global Education: Two Extraordinary Teachers Take Opposite Approaches to Getting Students Creatively Involved.

Science teacher Christine Muir

and Spanish teacher José Meija-Torres demonstrate opposite approaches to teaching globally. Ms. Muir virtually took students from numerous classrooms along with her on a 24-day marine research project.

She posted scientific journal logs with pictures and answered email questions daily from teachers and students.

José Arnoldo Mejia-Torres proves that you don’t have to be Hispanic to celebrate this wonderful culture by creating all-inclusive festivals on the campus. What began three years ago as a marvelous performance showing the diversity of cultures in Mexico, Central and South America offered by the Spanish classes for the entire community has now grown to include Day of the Dead celebrations.

For these events, the school community is not the audience—they are participants.

“Celebration” might seem a strange word to apply to a day for remembering the departed. But the observances draw on pre-Hispanic beliefs and practices as well as Spanish Catholic ritual, and they do not focus on sadness. It is a time of family reunion for the living and, for a few brief hours, also for departed loved ones who are believed to return to share in this time, said Mr. Mejia-Torres.

Participants should expect music, dancing, holiday foods, laughing and fun as well as occasional solemn moments around the altars, he said.

Mr. Mejia-Torres visits family in Honduras every summer, and every fall he returns with

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more costumes and flags and hats and symbols of native and Hispanic culture for his classes. This year, he has brought with him enough towelsized textile pieces to form a cross that covers the newly-retiled Benedictine Square (formerly Red Square). Each textile features a design with symbolic meaning. Spanish students will create the cross.

Then, to begin Day of the Dead festivities, the school community will walk in procession around the cross before going to the altars they have created with flowers, candles, photos, colorful fabrics, special foods, and other memorabilia honoring loved ones.

Christine Muir’s adventure began when she applied to participate as a Teacher at Sea for ECOHAB-PNW— a 5-year, multidisciplinary oceanographic research project. The requirements for Teacher at Sea are rigorous, and she is one of only two teachers accepted for this portion of the project. University researchers and graduate students onboard the vessel are seeking to determine the environmental factors responsible for initiating and sustaining blooms of toxic phytoplankton off the Pacific Northwest coast. Christine will be conducting research in the lab as well as posting real-time daily journals discussing cutting-edge research.

Toxigenic algal blooms can have deadly effects on hundreds of marine mammals and birds off the California coast, including the sea lions beloved by tourists as well as natives of the coastal cities. Off the Washington coast, crab and clam fisheries must close when there are high concentrations of toxins from the bloom. The hardest hit fishery has been the multi-million dollar razor clam fishery, said Dr. Bill Cochlan in a statement released to explain the research. Scientists heading the project have worked around the world on a wide range of projects with similarly complex biological and chemical foundations.

Over the summer, Ms. Muir took a group of students on an environmental science and adventure program that studied watershed ecology throughout mainland and coastal Belize, hiking though rainforests and snorkeling off the island of Tobacco Cay. Students studied watershed ecology with Belizean guides in relation to the culture, politics, and socioeconomics of the area. The highlight of the journey was a home-stay program where Priory students stayed with native families in the village of Armenia. Their photos and journals are online— contact Ms. Muir at cmuir@woodsidepriory.com for information.

To view information about Teacher at Sea goes to www.ecohabpnw.org/outreach. Click on “Teachers at Sea” in the left navigation bar. From that page you can access Ms. Muir’s information and more. At the bottom of the page, click on NWFSC HAB Program for a complete description of the research project. You can access the links also from the Woodside Priory School website, www.woodsidepriory.com , “Recent News” on the home page.

José’s knowledge and warmth brings everyone in; Christine takes everyone along and is using her expertise to build a marine biology curriculum at the Priory.

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Our founding fathers:

The seven monks who founded Woodside Priory School

By Lindsay Farino

Ora et Labora. Prayer and Work. The

Father Egon circa 1960

Father Christopher’s colleagues playfully advised him that applicants for US citizenship had to sing the national anthem. Then, they gleefully listened to him diligently practice for weeks, Father Pius recalls.

seven founding monks of Woodside Priory School lived by the Benedictine motto.

“The most important thing to remember,” said Father Maurus of the founding monks of Woodside Priory, “is that the first couple of decades (of the life of our school) were extremely hard in every sense of the word.” The Priory was founded with the “blood and sweat” of seven Benedictine monks who believed in God’s providence to lead them to a new, monastic home in the United States. Father Maurus remembers pictures of the monks physically leveling the first soccer field. The monks brought high school soccer to the area.

After years in exile -- first, from their mother abbey in Hungary, and second, from each other for years in the United States -- they would succeed in coming together in community to found and build Woodside Priory School. As prescribed in the Benedictine order of individual responsibility for each abbey, they were on their own. Though poor, they would cultivate the support of a community and start the first Benedictine School in California.

Until the Russian occupation of Hungary in 1945,

Father Egon Javor, Father Emod Brunner, Father Leopold Hoffer, Father Benignus Barat, Father Christopher Hites, Father Stanley Jaki, and Father Achilles Horvath were members of St. Martin’s Archabbey of Pannonhalma, Hungary. St. Martins’ had been in existence for over 900 years. Founded

by Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary, the monastery was a stronghold of St. Benedict’s Holy Rules. These monks were the missionaries of Hungary, with, at one time, 80 abbeys in existence in Hungary. As educators, their schools had a strong influence on the religious and the intellectual life of their country. But in 1948, the Benedictine properties and schools were nationalized and then closed by the communist government, and the seven founding Benedictine monks were forced into exile.

They left with only bare necessities and their strong faith in God. Dispersed first in Europe and eventually in the United States, they worked and waited for a chance to meet and plan their future together. During their first reunion in the United States in 1951, the monks decided they each needed time to get to know the United States, the language and the American way of life. While they waited, the monks dispersed again each to earn a living by teaching or by pastoral work, and to study for additional advanced degrees in American Universities. Even before they began these endeavors, as part of a scholarly unit of the Benedictine Order,

Father Christopher (left) shares a victory cup and big smile with Priory athletes.

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Father Egon (at right) supervised study in the library.

The card files by the book stacks were the height of organizational technology at the time.

the members of their Hungarian Benedictine Order held among them the most doctoral degrees of all of the Benedictines of that time.

Of the seven monks, Father Egon was the only one who missed further studies in the United States; he was always on the road, charged with searching for their new home and its financial as well as community support. Already a highly-educated man, Father Egon came to the United States with a doctorate in theology from Hungary. In addition, he had edited seven medieval manuscript missals in Hungary.

But, as he often remarks about this change in his life, “God had another plan for me.”

By 1955, the Fathers were ready for a change; Benebictines live in community, and they were ready to reunite to form their own Benedictine home in the U.S. They were each busy individually and had become U.S. citizens, but each felt lonely and knew they were bound together by their common heritage and goals. They wanted to honor and continue the work of St. Martin’s Archabbey. In that year, Father Egon and Father Christopher began inspecting properties in states including Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. Finding no appropriate area in those states, Father Egon then struck out alone on October 18, 1955, his thirty-ninth birthday, to explore the vast state of California. He had the courage to do so because the spirit and support of the other six monks were with him.

Father Egon looks the part of the debonair driver in this photo taken from archives of the early years. He actually drove cross-country and up and down California to find the Priory’s home.

Father Egon felt strongly that California could be the perfect foundation for their new home. With a growing population of Catholics, the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas needed more priests, more schools and more teachers. For more than a year, Father Egon explored the dioceses of the area.

Father Egon likes to call Woodside Priory School an “American Miracle.” He said that, “nowhere else in the world could this miracle have happened at that time.” The Catholic community in the San Francisco Bay Area “had the heart” to open their homes and minds to plight of the seven Benedictine monks. Members of that society appreciated the importance of a Benedictine education and welcomed a Benedictine school in their area. These distinguished families gave their time and their financial support. It was these families that helped Father Egon to find the Portola valley location, the eighteen acres of the Gillson ranch.

Woodside Priory School would become the first institution in the still unincorporated area of Portola Valley. Father Egon chose the name “Woodside” for the school because the name gave a location of the school that people around the country would recognize. He then chose “Priory” because the best

Father Emod said that since Father Leopold had a doctorate in biology, he would know what was poisonous and what was edible. He was appointed the cook.

Gathered to welcome Father Gerard Békés (second from left) superior of all of the Hungarian monks in exile (outside Hungary) are (from left) Fathers Stanley, Achilles, Brunner, Leopold, Christopher, and Father Benignus (Ben).

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The Priory was founded with the “blood and sweat” of seven Benedictine monks who believed in God’s providence to lead them to a new, monastic home in the United States.

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Benedictine high schools in the U.S. were called priories. The monks borrowed the money to buy the land and they would continue to have to borrow for many years to come.

As worked out with Archbishop Mitty of San Francisco, the monks would found a Benedictine secondary school with the highest quality education, small size and small classes, and charge tuition to help fund it. The Woodside Priory School would open in September, 1957.

Arriving in California during the summer of 1957, the other monks joined Father Egon, living in the small ranch house, and then, the modest new monastery that is still in use today. Three had doctorates in Sacred Theology; one had a doctorate in philosophy; one a doctorate in physics; one a doctorate in biology and one held an American teacher’s credential. In addition, five of the monks had achieved experience in teaching at American universities and two in high schools. They worked together to decide how each would participate in the founding and running of the school. They did this under what St. Benedict had written in his rule, “Whatever good work you begin to do, beg of Him (God) with most earnest prayers to perfect it.”

The monks worked together on the overall character of the school. Prior to the school’s

opening, Father Emod, as superior, decided to be the headmaster. Father Egon became the Prior.

Father Stanley became the treasurer. Father Leopold took over the supervision of the first buildings’ construction. He also worked with Fathers Christopher and Stanley on the curriculum, books, and school calendar.

According to an old Latin proverb, “monachus ad omnia aptus,” the monk is up to any task. This was true especially for Father Leopold. Needing a cook, Father Emod decided Father Leopold was up to the job. Good humouredly, Father Emod said, since Father Leopold had a doctorate in biology, he would know what was poisonous and what was edible. The father took up this new duty with fervor and learned to love cooking.

Over the years, each of the seven founding monks made his own unique contribution to Woodside Priory School. In addition to serving as the first headmaster, Father Emod was a French professor and a great scholar of French literature, who also spoke other languages. He was quite a few years older than the other founding monks, he was a great lover of dogs and cats, and he was full of stories.

Besides being head of the food service, Father Leopold ran the science department. He taught the

This photo, probably taken in 1958 or 59, shows the enthusiasm for athletics that is a Priory tradition. Note in the background the bare hillside that was transformed by Louis Kovacs and the Priory community over the years into a landscape of native trees and plants.

sciences, including chemistry until his retirement in 1975. He also worked on the business aspect of the school. Father Benignus taught Latin at the Priory. While at the school, he also did a great deal of volunteer work at juvenile hall. He felt a great need to help troubled youth, and he had a wonderful gift with them; many trusted him and opened up with him.

Father Christopher became the headmaster in the 1960s, and he remained the headmaster for more than fifteen years. A lover of sports, he and the other monks helped introduce soccer to the Priory – and to the whole bay area. He had played soccer in his youth. Father Achilles, was the librarian, and he did much to organize the library. The current furniture in the library is a result of the work of Father Achilles.

Father Stanley lost his voice shortly after arriving at the Priory, and he could not remain at the school. He became an eminent scholar and remains today a distinguished university professor at Seton Hall University in astrophysics. He has published many authoritative books on the relationship between science and theology. In 1987, he won the prestigious Templeton Prize, which honors scholars and entrepreneurs seeking new discoveries and breakthroughs to expand human perceptions and understanding of the divinity.

Other recipients of the prize include Billy Graham and Mother Teresa.

Ore et Labora. Prayer and work. The seven founding monks lived by the motto still taught to the students today. The continued success of Woodside Priory is a testament to their perseverance and faith in God. Father Egon celebrates his ninetieth birthday with his school community in October. This founding monk continues to be an important part of the Priory.

The school will come together again on Saturday, November 11 to celebrate Founders’ Day. Father Stanley will visit and give a lecture on the campus in the second semester. As we begin our Golden Jubilee Celebration, it is with admiration and thanks that we remember and honor these seven founding fathers.

Celebrate Father Egon’s Ninetieth Birthday and First Mass at the Priory!

In autumn 1956, Father Egon Javor celebrated the first Mass at the Priory’s newly purchased school site—a small farmhouse that stood where Founders Hall stands today. A bigger, stronger, and very grateful Priory community will commemorate that anniversary at a special Founders Day Mass and reception on Nov. 11.

Abbott Matthew from the Priory’s parent Abbey, St. Anselm, in New Hampshire, and Abbot Giles from Delbarton School, where Father Egon found a home upon their arrival in the United States, will officiate at the mass.

Afterwards, reminiscences will take a variety of shapes—and maybe sounds—at a reception that also honors Father Egon’s ninetieth birthday which is on Oct. 18. Students, religious affiliates, and friends from throughout the Priory’s five decades—but especially from the first decade—will share their stories, photos, and – what else would one expect from a Benedictine school—delicious food and drink.

Everyone is invited to share in this joyous occasion.

Contact Pat Reed, 650-851-8221 or preed@woodsidepriory.com

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Alumni News & Notes Suzi has found her dream job. Lots of alumni families have new babies. Jim Irving admits to 11 years at a fun job. The Benedictine beat goes on.

Peter Bodik (center), who spent his senior year abroad with the Priory class of 2002, visited the campus this fall and here is with Al Zappelli, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, and Head of School Tim Molak. He was hosted by the Alexander Schilling family and has stayed in regular contact with them.

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Jim Irving, class of 1965 is currently Chairman of the Land Use and Environmental Committee of the California Association of Realtors, and also serving the association as an alternate trustee on the Issues Mobilization Political Action Committee. He has been a realtor in Paso Robles, California for the last 19 years.

He tells us he worked as a boatman in the Grand Canyon for 11 years before becoming an “adult.” His note to new graduates—it’s ok to not settle down too quickly.

His daughter Alexandra (a Santa Catalina graduate), is entering her senior year at Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service. His son Ian (Dunn School), will begin his first year at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. His wife’s art can be seen at www.anneladdon.com.

Jim Dugoni – class of 1982, has accepted the position of Director of Annual Giving with the University of Pacific’s Division of Institutional Advancement. He will begin his new position on June 12.

Chris Galli – class of 1984 and his wife volunteered along with the Priory faculty and students at Rebuilding Together. Chris is in construction and both he and his wife spent the entire day along with the crew from the Priory. He said it was a good way to keep involved with the school.

Guillermo Maafs – class of 1985 is now working with TMM (Mexican Maritime Transportation) which is a large logistics company. He will be directing the new Air Cargo / Freight Forwarding business.

Jim Ringham – class of 1985, is proud to announce the addition of Ryan James Ringham to his household.

Ryan was born on February 19, 2006 and joined his older sister Madison, who is now 2 years old. Jim and his wife Ursula and their two children live in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose and Jim is in his sixteenth year of employment at Adobe Systems as Senior Field Marketing Manager for graphic design products Salvador Garcia-Atance, class of 1991 and his wife welcomed their second child, Salvador IV, in April. His older sister, Olivia, turned two June 18.

Andras Gereben – class of 1994, is living in Budapest. He is a partner in an investment company that he helped to start in 1995. Today it is the third largest independent investment company in Hungary, providing brokerage and corporate finance services for private and institutional clients. He and his wife, a cardiologist, are expecting their first child in August 2006.

Diana Kincaid – class of 1995, writes that she and her husband, Chris are the proud parents of twins born April 17, 2006. Donovan was 4 pounds 11 ounces, Delaney was 5 pound 4 ounces. They were 6 weeks premature, but are healthy and doing great.

Suzi Kovacs – class of 1998, is living and working in Hungary. At this time she is the Administrative Assistant/Office Manager for USAID (US Agency for International Development). This is an independent federal government agency under the US State Department that works with the US Embassy in Budapest.

The local office has 28 employees, both European and American. She says it is her “dream job.”

Anne (Mecham) Hawkins – class of 1998, and her husband, Jacob, are proud to announce the arrival of their daughter, Rilyn Mona Hawkins. Rilyn was born weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. on May 8, 2006, in Tucson Arizona.

Rilyn is named after her grandmother and former Priory French teacher, Merrilyn Mecham (a plaque dedicates the foreign language classroom in her honor). Carolyn Dobervich, Director of Communications at the Priory, is Rilyn’s honorary grandmother.

William Reinhardt, Middle School graduate in 1998, is using a fellowship from the Princeton in Africa program to work with the Green Belt Movement. The organization is involved with growing trees and managing safaris.

Michael Mastman – class of 1999, will be joining his sister, Katy, in New York next fall as they both enter the NYU School of Law. Helene Nguyen – class of 2001, writes that she graduated from Harvard this June with a degree in Government, with language citations in French and Vietnamese. She will be moving to Paris this fall to begin graduate studies and possibly an internship.

Francesca Centofanti – class of 2002, graduated from UC San Diego last June with a degree in Economics and a minor in International Studies. She is planning to pursue a career in economics and business analysis.

Taylor Eigsti, class of 2002, continues to build a blossoming career. Check his website, tayjazz.com and be, well, jazzed. Taylor’s latest CD, Lucky to Be Me, topped the charts and was #7 for a few weeks. He chose the CD title to reflect his appreciation for the good things in his life.

Lindsay Hagan – class of 2002 is currently backpacking through South America. She will travel through Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. She graduated from Occidental College with a BA in Sociology. This fall she will be attending USC School of Public Policy and development to obtain a masters degree in city planning.

Backlight, the band of former Priory students Ryan McDermott (8th grade 2002) and Ned Cameron (2006) has released their first CD. Backlight appears frequently in a variety of Bay Area venues and performed at the Priory just last spring. To purchase the CD (Green and Blue) you can contact LeeAnne McDermott at mcrmkl@aol.com. To learn more about backlight visit www.backlighttheband.com.

Laura Trudelle – class of 2004, worked with a group of Notre Dame de Numur students to help the Spanish speaking cafeteria workers learn English. Many of these employees have difficulty finding the time to study.

Laura came up with the idea and named the group “Puente”, which means “bridge” in English. The Puente group met every Wednesday for an hour or two in the cafeteria on campus, to make maximum use of the employees’ time. Laura and the other students created study lists of phrases, questions, and words, and they focused on two to three workers at a time to tailor English studies to students’ interests and needs. Laura transfered and is now a student at Westmont College in San Mateo, CA. Tristan Sansbury, Middle School Graduate 2004, has received department awards in both science and mathematics from his current high school. Tristan’s mom, Maureen, still joins Priory volunteers for special events.

William Reinhardt relaxes with an elderly tribesman in Kenya.

Raymond Fong visited with his wife, Amy Moy and son Christopher over the summer. The family resides in Hong Kong.

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The Golden Jubilee Campaign Goal Is Just Ahead, Thanks to Community Support We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the following donors to Endowment, the Trinity Project and the On-Campus Housing Project. If we have inadvertently made any errors, we would appreciate it being brought to our attention so that we can correct our records.

Thanks you,

The Priory Development Office And Campaign Leadership Team Anonymous (?)

Patricia Adams Daniel Alegria and Mary Hufty John and Linda Andreini Paul and Nancy Appelblom Archbold Charitable Trust James and Loren Archer Dave and Donna Arnold Douglas and Barbara Ayer John Oblak and Janiece Bacon Oblak John and Linda Bader Stephen and Linda Balogh Matthew and Margaret Bannick James and Anne Barnett David and Margaret Bell William and Ruth Benz James R. Berthelsen Thomas Bevilacqua and Therese Mrozek Michel and Paula Marina Boudart Douglas and Marjorie Brent Michael and Barbara Calbert Peter and Pamela Campagna Renato and Josefina Castaneda Sandro and Joan Centofanti Michael and Michelle Chan Carmen Christensen Trust Alan and Elizabeth Cirino David and Toni Clapper Community Foundation of Silicon Valley Wayne and Cynthia Davison Gerald and Nancy Dellheim Stephen and LuAnn DeMartini

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Dempsey Living Trust Tom and Fran Dempsey Edward and Joan Desmond James and Sarah DiBoise Mark and Carolyn Dobervich Andrew and Carol Duncan Albert and Susanne Ebneter Allan and Suzanne Epstein John Erkman Lindsay Farino Mark Farino Roy and Eleanor Ferrari Fidelity Investments Gift Fund Connie Fitzgerald Eugene and Judith Flath Mark Frappier and Suzanne Juptner-Frappier Jay Gerstenschlager and Donna Petkanics Michael and Emily Goldberg Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Kerry Gormley George and Kathryn Gould William and Michelle Green Andrew and Patricia Haines Edwin and Marsha Hannay John and Anne Hannigan Harold Harvey Estate Robert and Carloan Hass The Hass Family Fund Terry and Dorothy Hayes David and Julie Helfrich Elena Herzen Michael and Margaret Herzen

Hewlett Packard Company George and Michele Huertas Elizabeth Huntley I.B.M. Corporation Judd and Mimi Iversen Jewish Community Federation Endowment Fund Craig and Nichola Johnson Craig and Pamela Jones Harvey and Barbara Jones Jack and Ginny Kavanaugh Steven and Joselyn Kelley Gail Kimball Kenneth and Natalie Klein Robert Klein Steven and Alison Krausz John Kriewall and Elizabeth Haehl Stanley Kwong and Judy Koh Bryan Lamkin and Arianna Carughi Richard and Mary Lemuth Alfred Li and Jenny Lam Matthew Lincoln and Leanne George Lorry Lokey Lorry I. Lokey Supporting Foundation Charles and Jane Lombard Thomas Lyon and Jo Ann Kahn E. Alvin and Suzanne Maas The Maas Family Fund Steven MacKay and Anna Muelling Syrus and Farnaz Madavi Genevieve Mager The Mager Family Rick and Amy Magnuson David and Lori Marquardt Mary A. Crocker Trust May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust Bruce McAuley and Susan Kritzik Kyle L. K. McAuley Thomas and Sandra McCarthy Tim and Catherine Molak Timothy and Marjorie Montgomery Howard Neckowitz and

Cheryl Kempton-Neckowitz Thomas Neff and Donna Wengert-Neff John and Nancy Newman Edward Oates and Jennifer Hammer Marc Oswald and Lisa Parral Sang Joon Park and Wonkyong O Keith and Debbi Patten Paving Construction Service, Inc. Peninsula Community Foundation Curtis Peterson and Lea Stublarec Priory Headmaster’s Council Dale Pfau and Cathryn Gawne Stanley and Megan Pierson Hank and Lisa Plain James and Patricia Plummer Jeffrey Poetsch and Alison Long-Poetsch Portola Valley Hardware Roxy and Michelle Rapp Andrew and Deborah Rappaport Mark and Margot Rawlins William and Gail Roberts Alicia Rodriguez Douglas Ross and Elizabeth Bellock Ray and Meredith Rothrock James and Maureen Sansbury Alexander and Leslie Schilling Brian Schlaak and Thea Schlaak Ronald and Lila Schmidt Art and Cynthia Schultz John and Madelene Schwabacher Shell Oil Company Foundation Mary Shouse William Shu and Ingrid Lai Robert and Annie Simon Debra Simons Stephen Simons William and Dana Starling Joseph Tabacco and Peggy Schmidt Robert and Nancy Talbott David and Virginia Taylor Stephanie Tearse The Ayco Charitable Foundation

Robert and Mary Rose Theis Charles Thieriot and Elizabeth Huntley Tad and Eleanor Thomas Donald and Sharon Traeger Gary Tseng and Tina Cheng Daniel Turner Jr. Daniel and Tamara Turner Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Takonkiet and Kanikar Viravan Gregory Ward and Jo Anne Larson Robert and Charlene Ward Robert and Ramsay Waterman Marvin Wenger and Beth-Ann Schwabacher-Wenger James and Patricia White Harry Whitehouse and Wendy Rabinov Allan and Heidi Will Mark Wilson and Debbie Dalzell Ellen Wilton Woodside Priory Monastic Community Nancy Woodward Eric and Jean Young Gwynne Beth Young Stuart and Susan Young Bruce Yoxsimer and Jill Caskey The Zaffaroni Family Dr. and Mrs. Alejandro C. Zaffaroni Al and Peggy Zappelli Alan and Andrea Zulberti

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Priory fans poured onto the field after the varsity soccer team’s victory over a traditional rival, Sacred Heart Prep. The penultimate fan, Headmaster Tim Molak (in the striped shirt), was right in the middle of the joyful moment. Sportswriters in the local papers have been saying the Priory team is one to be reckoned with this year. The Palo Alto Weekly gave the game a three-page spread; Blaine Tehaney was their Athlete of the Week and Jay Park an honorable mention athlete in that issue. This photo was taken by the Weekly’s sports photographer Keith Peters.

Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 fax (650) 851-2839

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Celebrating Our 49th Year