The Spark Within
Alumni awards honor SHS spirit reflected In a brief ceremony at the 2015 Alumni Oktoberfest, two alumni were honored for their individual accomplishments and embodiment of the Sacred Heart spirit: Sr. Mary “Be” Mardel, RSCJ (CSH ’35) received the Spirit of Mater Award, and Aziz Sayigh (SJS ’99, SHP ’03) was inducted into the SHP Athletic Hall of Fame. Celebrating the 80th anniversary of her Sacred Heart graduation and the 75th Jubilee of her entry into the Religious of the Sacred Heart, Sr. Mardel was joined at the event by a number of fellow RSCJ to witness the special acknowledgement from Sr. Nancy Morris, Director of Schools Richard Dioli, and Alumni Association President Christine O’Neal (SJS ’94, SHP ’98). Among the most meaningful honors given to alumni of the school, the Spirit of Mater Award acknowledges select graduates who in their personal and professional lives embody Pausing before the formal awards presentation are Sr. Nancy Morris, Spirit of Mater winner Sr. Be Mardel, Director of Schools Richard Dioli, the Goals and Criteria and “radiate the divine spark of and Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Aziz Sayigh. Mater.” From her many years serving at Convent of Sacred Heart, San Francisco (Broadway) as teacher, surveillante, As a member of the football, basketball, and track teams at and mistress general, to her establishment of the St. Madeleine Sacred Heart Prep, Sayigh was honored as an MVP three times and Sophie Center for children with mental challenges in Southern twice recognized for superior academic performance with an SHP California and work with an AIDS support group, to her eventual Scholar-Athlete Award. Continuing on to Dartmouth College for a return to and longstanding tenure with Broadway/Stuart Hall as degree in engineering and economics, he played on the Big Green’s director of schools, Sr. Mardel has given her life to the support of varsity football team and captained Dartmouth’s competitive St. Madeleine Sophie’s vision. rugby team, earning All-Ivy League standing and was honored with the prestigious Corey Ford Award, given to a “non-senior Only the 16th graduate to earn entry into the SHP Athletic Hall whose dedication and enthusiasm on the field best exemplifies of Fame, student-athlete Aziz Sayigh was lauded as both an the spirit of Dartmouth Rugby.” And, at Stanford Graduate School outstanding leader and team player across all competitive fields, of Business for an MBA, he continued his successful leadership traits that have successfully translated to his professional career streak, captaining and coaching the Stanford rugby team between and still serve and define his character today. 2011-2013.
All in the Family
Alumni promote “Gators first” in career programs With approximately 5,000 members worldwide, the SHS alumni network is a vast and varied resource—which is precisely why the current Alumni Board is spearheading a number of initiatives to connect recent graduates with a range of alumni professionals and alumni-led companies for internships, mentorship, and other career opportunities. Entering its fourth year, the SHS Alumni Internship Program continues on an upward trajectory, attracting 38 applications this past summer for open positions in investment banking, online gaming, technology, law, tourism/travel, and marketing, among others. A total of 12 applicants were selected for paid or creditbearing internships, critically building their resumes and gaining valuable insight and skills—all thanks to fellow alumni.
This fall, the launch of a dynamic new professional resource benefiting and driven by members of the SHS alumni community was announced: the Alumni Mentor Program (AMP). Designed to match college-enrolled students and/or recent college graduates with more seasoned alumni professionals, this new program is structured to create an ongoing, one-to-one relationship enabling shared expertise and mutual learning, exclusive networking, and potential career opportunities. The AMP pilot year is underway, but additional alumni are sought as both mentor and mentee candidates. More information about the matching process, program goals, and projected volunteer commitment can be found online at www.shschools.org/AMP 61