OUR LANCER DNA
WHO WE ARE HAS MUCH TO DO WITH HOW WE FILL OUR DAYS, HEARTS, MINDS AND SOULS.
Fall 2023 Contents
Yes, we have a new look!
Check out the details on page 11.
Publisher
Jason D. Curtis
Executive Editor
Jamie Ceccato Perkins ’97
Editorial Staff
Michele Tjin
Kalix Marketing/Sarah Achenbach
Design
Kalix Marketing/Jason Quick
Support Staff
Bernard Nemis
Diane Wilson
Contributing Photographers
Marina Kan ’25
Larry Kauk
Abhijit Nambiar ’24
Now and Forever Photography
Michele Tjin
Progress is published twice a year by the Institutional Advancement Department for the alumni, parents and friends of Saint Francis High School.
Email us: progress@sfhs.com
Saint Francis Lancers
Saint Francis High School
Our freshmen show they’re full of Lancer spirit at a rally during their orientation.
#Lancerlife
President Jason Curtis talks about how our Holy Cross signs and symbols on campus reflect our Lancer DNA, illustrate our rich history and point to an exciting future. Check it out!
11 OUR LANCER DNA
Our community describes what it means to be a Lancer.
20 WELCOME LANCERS!
See how our Welcome Center is taking shape.
24 ALUMNI
Read class news and updates.
30
HOLY CROSS EDUCATOR
English teacher and co-director of activities Grace Savinovich
Audrey Hsu ’26, First Place for National Biomimicry Design Challenge
For her yearlong biomimicry research in microplastics (small pieces of plastic debris that cause harm to aquatic life), Audrey Hsu ’26 looked no further than Saint Francis. Working with her biology teacher, Dan Meyer, and other school educators, she studied how the Christmas tree worm and blue tilapia filter water in their environments to survive and used the school’s 3D printers to build a small conceptual model.
She won first place at the national level for the 2023 Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge. Audrey’s innovative design, called the Protego, is a selfcharging apparatus that boaters can attach to the front of any vessel to filter microplastics from the water. Her innovative design also was inspired by the physical features of the remora fish and swordfish. Boaters would then deposit the collected microplastics in drop-off boxes for small refunds.
“Youth can apply what they learn in school to create solutions to the issues they care about,” she says. “We don’t have to wait until we’re older to become scientists.”
Kate Munnerlyn ’24 Named Softball Player of the Year
Pitcher Kate Munnerlyn ’24 dominated the mound this past season. She finished 16-3 with an 0.55 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 114 innings. The girls softball team finished the regular season as CIF runner-up with Kate named Player of the Year by the Bay Area News Group.
Coach Mike Oakland credits her love of a challenge. “She thrives in big-game environments,” he says. Case in point: Kate allowed just three runs in West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) play against Archbishop Mitty. In a rematch against Mitty, she had her best game of the season, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 10 batters. Against Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kate threw five hitless innings. Named to the All-WCAL first team, Kate has committed to Texas A&M.
Lancernews
Spring 2023 Lancer Athletic Accomplishments
u Charlotte Kohler ’24, Girls Soccer CCS Player of the Year
u Kate Munnerlyn ’24, Softball CCS Pitcher of the Year
u Jaime Oakland ’26, Softball CCS Player of the Year
u Taylor Williams ’24, Girls Volleyball CCS Player of the Year
u The athletes also were honored as Cal-Hi Sports Athletes of the Year at Levi’s Stadium last spring.
Additional Awards
u Jamie Wade ’24, CIF state qualifier in the high jump
u Sabrina Zanetto ’25, CIF state qualifier in the 800 meters
u Lancer 4x800 team (Katie Mullane ’26, Hinako Yamamoto ’23, Anna Fawcett ’23 and Sabrina Zanetto ’25) set a CCS record and qualified for the state competition
u Boys volleyball team, CCS runner-up in the Open division
CCS Athletes of the Year
Band and Choir Perform in Scotland
Once every four years, the Symphonic Band and Chamber Choir’s annual travel goes international. This past summer, led by band director Sadie Queally-Sammut, more than 50 Lancer musicians and choristers traveled to Scotland for eight days of performances, sightseeing and cultural encounters.
Students performed at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, where Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was held in 2022, the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle dating back to 1561, St. Andrew’s Cathedral of Inverness and St. Bride’s Church in Glasgow.
“It is extraordinary to perform standing where thousands of people over hundreds of years have stood,” Ms. Queally-Sammut says. “These churches and cathedrals have stood through wars, the Industrial Revolution and restoration efforts, and most, if not all, still host Mass. It was an honor to walk into each church and be welcomed as performers and share our music with large audiences.”
Each performance ended with a sing-along to “Old Hundredth” (“All People That On Earth Do Dwell”) and “Salvation is Created.” The latter draws from the Russian Orthodox tradition and is set to modern harmony, arranged for Saint Francis by jazz band director Davis Zamboanga. The translated lyrics that include “Salvation is created in the midst of the Earth, o our God. Alleluia,” was a highlight of the tour. “There was not a dry eye in any audience by the end of ‘Salvation is Created.’ It was a breathtaking moment,” adds Ms. Queally-Sammut.
Summer Immersions
This past summer, 70 students and educators participated in immersion trips to South Dakota, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Brazil and Uganda. These trips, designed to build relationships, learn about local cultures and work on service projects, give Lancers invaluable opportunities to work with other Holy Cross schools. Together, students collaborate to learn about factors that contribute to injustice and consider how they can take action to bring out social change.
Uganda
Puerto Rico
El Salvador
LANCER profile
April Beyersdorf ’24
Founder and President
Sustainable Commuting Club
Recipient
2023 Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s Santa Clara County Bike Champion of the Year
Organizer
Saint Francis Bike to School Day, April 20, 2023
Volunteer
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition East Side Connect Delivery
Participant
Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose State University, 2023
Member
Shakespeare’s Dropouts, SFHS improv comedy club, since fall 2020
“I want to see the landscape of my home state change for the better. ”
Have you always loved to bike?
I biked my first trip when I was 4 or 5 to Safeway and Pizza My Heart on the sidewalk, about a mile and very slowly. I’m usually biking in conjunction with public transportation. [For school] I bike to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station, ride the train to the Mountain View station and bike the rest of the way. I really like trains so it works out very well. I’m not allowed to bike in the rain, so on rainy days, I will walk and take the bus to get to the train.
When did sustainable commuting become your passion?
Trains have been my lifelong obsession. When I chose Saint Francis, I knew that I would be able to take the train there because I live in San Jose. When my first year was online [due to the pandemic], I was very disappointed. I began biking to the train sophomore year, which got me thinking about why all these people are still commuting to school by car if I’m able to do it from so far away by bike. My mom suggested that it could be the founding principle of a club. Most people who bike to school live in the general vicinity of school. It’s often because of safety and parental concerns that I can’t persuade others to bike farther. I feel frustrated that they can’t feel safer while biking.
[Right now] the Sustainable Commuting Club is about education, but I’m very interested in policy. Better transportation systems protect the environment and increase happiness. People take car transportation for granted, but I think it has detrimental effects on society. I really want other methods of transportation to be harnessed and improved. I am doing an independent inquiry on
ways to encourage more sustainable transportation like better campus design and [advocating] with the Mountain View City Council to improve pedestrian safety at certain places.
How many people biked to school on the Bike to School Day, April 20, 2023?
We had about 80 people. It was mostly a celebration of sustainable commuting with events at lunch, free bike lights and ice cream. This spring, we hope to do something even larger.
What’s next for you?
I want to study environmental science with urban planning at University of California Davis, then get my master’s in transportation planning, specifically for trains. I love trains. Since the Bike Champion of the Year award, everyone knows me as the bike person, but I used to be known as the train person. Trains are a big, big part of the transportation future. They’re very environmentally friendly.
I took a summer class at the Mineta Transportation Institute that was all about job opportunities related to transportation. I’ve been very closely following California high-speed rail and the electrification of Caltrain, yet some of the students there hadn’t even heard of either project! I am tired of traffic and people complaining about traffic. I’m tired of emissions and noise from traffic and highways slicing through communities with traffic. I want to see the landscape of my home state change for the better.
TEDx @ Saint Francis
TEDxSaintFrancisHS continues to provide students with a powerful platform to share their voices. Last spring, speaker topics included overcoming shame and anxiety, the relationship between technology and nature and one’s journey with alopecia and destigmatizing hair loss. A completely student-run activity since its founding, TEDxSaintFrancisHS was led by directors Arhana Aatresh ’23, Andrew Adkison ’23 and Claire Luo ’23.
The next TEDxSaintFrancisHS event will be held March 1, 2024.
Watch the TEDxSaintFrancisHS talks:
2023 Speakers:
Julie Bortolato ’24
Hannah Cushing ’23
Ajay Griffin ’23
Kasper Halevy ’24
Hailey Harris ’24
Durga Moorthy ’24
Kyle Nguyen ’23
Anoushka Roshan ’24
Krish Sangani ’24
Keira Schultz ’26
Niva Shirsekar ’24
Aarav Sontakke ’25
Eva Vagnati ’24
Innovation@SF
with Shraddha Chaplot, Head of Innovation
Class Beyond the Classroom
I often think about education’s infinite loop. Much of the magic of what happens in the classroom — the content, the creation, the realizations and revelations — ends up living in that space and time between those who experienced it, only momentarily passed along to other students, parents or educators.
Yet the joy in sharing that knowledge and excitement beyond the classroom is priceless. The best way to grasp and care for what you are learning is to teach and engage others. Teaching forward, I call it.
I teach a Design Think class at Saint Francis. As an educator, I strive to ensure that students explore who they are, feel that they have autonomy in choosing their teammates and topics, and encourage them to go all in with their creativity, curiosity and execution of their ideas. Taking this beyond our classroom allows our community to see the magic of our students. Here are two great examples:
YOU as the Teacher:
3Doodler Project, Fall 2022
On a day off from school, 31 students created a 3D pen experience to teach our 200-plus educators how to use new technology. Students chose any class, club or activity on campus, created an engaging 20-minute lesson, demo and interactive session, and then taught the educators. Students expanded their understanding of technology and saw how much effort goes into teaching.
Have an idea for hosting a pop-up?
POP-UP Playground:
WE Create the Future, Spring 2023
Students created an interactive pop-up exhibit that could be placed anywhere on our campus. Centering on the societal challenges they see by combining an industry and technology (intelligent recycling machines, renewable energy and more), students created a physical prototype to their solution and invited guests to engage with their idea with a 3D pen, so every participant could leave with a piece of the pop-up.
Pop-ups and playgrounds intersect beautifully. One lasts for a limited time; the other is a space to reach as far as your imagination can go. Bring your product in beta, provide a demo and have our students interact with it, lead a class in our newly renovated Quad or Eggers Innovation Center or nearly anywhere on campus.
Email me at shraddhachaplot@sfhs.com to share your pop-up or playground idea, and we will bring it to life.
Scan to go directly to our Innovation@Saint Francis page
www.sfhs.com/innovation
MY
Backpack? WHAT’S IN
Long-distance runner Carlos Jison ’24 covers a lot of ground. He transferred to Saint Francis as a sophomore, immersing himself immediately in academics and a slew of activities. But it’s the school community that drew him in and inspires him — mind, body and spirit. “I’ve been in eight different schools, but I finally found a home at Saint Francis,” he says.
Philippines Cap
“I’m full Filipino and lived in the Philippines for 2 ½ years. I was so excited that Saint Francis has a Filipino American Student Union [FASU]. There were several cross country seniors last year who were in FASU and were super welcoming to me. My first meeting was a Pinoy [Filipino] potluck with tons of food, games and karaoke. Now I am part of the FASU executive leadership. I really enjoy being able to share Filipino culture because it’s a huge part of who I am. I wear my cap to every meeting. Last May, we hosted a large Bayanihan event, which is a community celebration festival. It was the biggest event in FASU history. This year, we are hoping to build on that.”
A Cappella Group Sticker
Rosary
“I’ve been with Ignite since attending my first event [when I transferred]. It’s really nice to have people who have the same faith and celebrate that faith. There’s definitely a joy and openness. I am lucky enough to be part of Ignite’s core team. I’ve been an altar boy since fifth grade and am an altar server for school Masses. I really enjoy getting to have an active part in the Mass.”
“Performing in the a cappella group is something completely out of my comfort zone. At the beginning of COVID, I started getting into a cappella music. I am not a talented singer at all but was inspired by Pentatonix and was amazed at what they could do with only voices. I took up beatboxing, which is a kind of vocal percussion. Before I transferred, I was on the school website and found a feature on Acaparty, a virtual a cappella celebration that Clarissa Chen ’22 started. I asked her if they would be willing to have a beatboxer in the group. She said yes and the rest is history. We used to be called Guacapella but merged with the Glee Club. This year, I’m president. I sing occasionally but still beatbox and do whatever I can to help the group. Natalia Federighi ’25 designed our cool stickers, which I pass out all the time.”
Pasta Bridge
“I loved my Physics class last year with Mr. Ikezi. He makes class so much fun. We built a pasta bridge for the lesson on forces and tension at angles. We learned that circular arches were very good at holding up the most weight. I plan on majoring in biochemistry, biophysics or molecular biology.”
Running Shoes
“I run cross country and long-distance events in track. As much as I enjoy running, the part I really love is running with people. The big value of being part of the team is the family. We have a tradition called Family Friday where a team member speaks. It’s a great way to end the week.”
Bike Light
“I bike to school, even in the rain, six miles a day. Since my sister is now at Saint Francis, and I have my license, I am probably going to drive us. But biking gets the blood flowing, and it’s a good way to start the morning and keeps me in shape in the offseason.”
The Real World On Campus: our Experiential Learning Innovation Program
Getting real-world career experience during high school goes far beyond learning about possible careers or college majors. It’s an invaluable opportunity to learn about yourself and the impact you can have.
Last year, Saint Francis began its Experiential Learning Innovation Program, offering students internship positions to work on campus. What’s it like to be a student intern in this program? We asked four of them about their experiences.
Adarsh Gupta ’23, intern in the President’s Office, worked with multiple offices including Institutional Advancement, Marketing Communications Department, Business and Human Resources, met with donors, Board members and local dignitaries to speak about Saint Francis and its future from a student’s perspective.
Kaashvi Mittal ’26, intern with the Marketing and Communications Department, created social media content targeted to the Class of 2027.
Progress: What have you learned about yourself?
Adarsh: I learned that I prefer certain topics, like finance, and others like graphic arts was more difficult for me. I was able to differentiate my likes and dislikes.
Nicole: The interactions I’ve had with many different people are what makes it so special. I’ve discovered that I’m more of a people person than I thought. It’s a great way to experience the entirety of the Saint Francis community.
Kaashvi: It’s been a good experience for me to be more comfortable with putting myself out there and talking to new people. I’ve met people who’ve seen my social media posts [as an intern]. It’s great to be able to communicate with so many people.
Nicole Shellito ’24, hospitality intern, is involved in all aspects of hospitality management, including food prep, service, cash reconciliation and menu planning at school and community events.
Olivia: I never realized that adults care about what kids say. When I had an opportunity to speak at the Glitter & Gold fundraiser in front of 500 people, which is the largest audience I’ve ever had, so many people told me after that they love to hear from students. I do have a voice.
Progress: How has this experience given you insight into what Saint Francis values for students?
Nicole: Saint Francis is focused on giving students opportunities to learn about what goes on behind the scenes and be like the faculty and staff. We get to see how things work and what people do.
Olivia Vinckier ’24, intern with the Institutional Advancement Department, invited a select group of alumni and parents to consider building connections with students and appealed to alumni to attend their reunion.
Olivia: Something that’s different about Saint Francis and Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Teekell is that they’ll do everything to say yes. Any student can go to them and say they want to add something on campus. They’re always trying to find ways to make students step into their leadership role. That’s really special. Every student, if they like, can seek out an opportunity to do something special on campus.
Our Hospitality Interns’ Impact
Nicole: What’s your favorite part of your internship?
Adarsh: It would be the speech I gave to 100 people in the Innovation Theater when our Eggers Innovation Center opened. The whole idea was to tell the community members to get more involved in our school, to donate their time instead of only giving financially, without saying that directly. It was a memorable speech for me.
Olivia: Giving my speech at the Glitter & Gold fundraiser was really cool. Going to Sand Hill Road [to meet with parents and alumni to serve as potential mentors] as a 17-year-old girl was also pretty cool.
Kaashvi: My favorite aspect is being able to communicate with others. Being able to learn about other people and sharing stories on the Saint Francis Instagram account. It’s amazing to connect [with] the Saint Francis community and be part of the mission to create a stronger Lancer family.
Adarsh: How has your internship experience influenced what you want to study?
Olivia: Unlike you, Adarsh, I realized that I don’t want to go into finance. I’m more interested in the connection side of business and the international aspect of business or politics. I’ve seen the way that everyone is connected here; there’s the alumni network and the parent network. What do networks look like overseas or among diplomats? This has given me a sense of what I want to do in college.
Adarsh: How do you plan to inspire other students to take up your roles after you graduate?
Nicole:These internships aren’t talked about as much as I would like. I would help Winston [Wint] and Tim [Yan], who are both hospitality managers. I know others would like to have that same opportunity. I want to get the word out that there are ways for kids to be active members of the community and get involved with school.
Kaashvi: These internships are an amazing way to explore different interests. It’s a great way to learn more about yourself and to help your school.
Students participated in a branding workshop to rebrand an on-campus food kiosk to the BRIC, developing a mission statement and a strategy to introduce the new name of the BRIC to the school community.
Rugby and Innovations@SF were two programs showcased at the President’s Celebration, an annual thank-you for donors. Hospitality interns worked with students from those groups, including Jack Blatnik ’25 and Hoshita Undella ’24 (above), to create the menu for the evening. Read more about this story.
Kaashvi Mittal’s social media posts gave pointers to freshmen on how to prepare for high school.
Adarsh Gupta leads Congresswoman Anna Eshoo on a tour of the Eggers Innovation Center.
OUR LANCER DNA
WHO WE ARE HAS MUCH TO DO WITH HOW WE FILL OUR DAYS, HEARTS, MINDS AND SOULS.
Our individual DNA contains the markers that differentiate us from one another, but our collective DNA shapes our every day, often defining the best of who we are.
Today, the word branding gets tossed around a lot. But in 1955, our founding Brothers immediately began sharing their brand of Holy Cross-infused service and care when they arrived in the Mountain View community. They would ask constantly, “What do you need now?”
That same spirit today spirals through our Lancer DNA, a double helix of innate qualities, enduring traditions and shared vision that connects our community. It’s the mindset and mission of how generations of Saint Francis students, families and educators approach the world. We are formed in countless ways, quantifiable and unknown, by the Saint Francis experience, by our Holy Cross values and the way we support each other.
In this issue, we explore that DNA through alumni writers who reflect on what it means to be a Lancer.
We unveil the exciting new look for Saint Francis created through our recent rebranding process. And we showcase new programs that answer the founding Brothers’ call of “What do you need now?” — possibilities that connect the past, present and future of every Lancer.
The Look of a Lancer
During the past year, Saint Francis embarked on a rebranding process, a marketing term for creating a new visual identity. The goal was simple: match our visual representation with the palpable spirit of how we lead, inspire, ignite and take care of each other through our BRIC (Bring hope, Respect others, Inspire integrity, Celebrate family) values.
Primary School Logo
The shield protects and honors our tradition and history.
School Seal
The three icons represent the three pillars of our mission (spiritual, intellectual and social development) and the Holy Trinity.
The horizon represents our future as we continue to build the Saint Francis legacy.
The Lamp is a symbol of education and is a replica of the mosaic lamp that stood at the altar in the original Brothers’ chapel on campus.
The Bay tree signifies campus life and our deep roots.
The Cross and Anchor represent our Holy Cross foundation.
Where
We’ve Been
Our past logos and important school symbols informed and inspired our new look.
We’ve Got Spirit, Yes, We Do!
Our Lancer community is a spirited one. We wanted our new spirit logos to reflect the joy and passion Lancers bring to every club and sporting event.
Spirit Logo
The spirit logo is used to identify our clubs, activities and affinity groups, as well as our athletics program. The “SF” keeps our tradition of interlocking S and F letters, while the modern and sleek design, with its slight lean, represents our forward-looking vision to the future.
Our Lancer Mascot, Lancelot
Lancelot faces forward because we meet all our challenges head-on.
The plume on the helmet is a characteristic marking of a lancer cap that distinguishes it from the headdress of a spartan or knight.
There is a hidden S and F in the cape.
What’s in a Name?
The rebranding process also was an opportunity to underscore our values. We chose the colors and their names to reflect our Saint Francis mission and what’s important to us as a community.
Leather Leather represents safety and protection, both in Scripture and as a literal protective Bible cover.
Cedar Cedar is noted in the Bible for its strength and durability, as well as its firmness of roots.
Sunlight
God has risen, and God is light. The sun illuminates our path while representing hope.
Fire Fire represents God’s presence through the Holy Spirit. It purifies and provides transformational energy.
Dove
The dove represents many things in the Bible, including truth, grace, peace, salvation, love and the Holy Spirit.
Ash Rising through the ashes highlights hope and a new beginning.
COMMUNITY. COMPASSION. CONNECTION.
What It Means to Be a Lancer
Katherine Brown ’96
President and CEO, Global Ties U.S.
“Being a Lancer means investing in your community and being people-first. While a student at Saint Francis, I had extraordinary friends, teachers and mentors who have been consistently supportive of me, personally and professionally. When I was a sophomore, I became interested in international affairs and I decided to study abroad for a semester during my junior year. It felt like an enormous risk to be taking at the time. I was going to Denmark, but didn’t speak the language nor had any experience traveling internationally alone.
“The Saint Francis leadership and faculty provided incredible, thoughtful support to ensure that I was as ready as possible for the experience, while also helping me ensure I didn’t fall behind academically. And my friends were extraordinary, making sure I had weekly letters and faxes [this was preemail] to encourage me.
Inspirational Care
Helen Benedetti
“When I returned home six months later, they were there to welcome me back and make sure I continued to unpack the lessons I learned from the experience, about Denmark, international affairs and myself. My counselor and teachers encouraged me to think about my next international experience and how I could incorporate more humanitarian and social justice work into my travels abroad, which led to a summer working in Oaxaca, Mexico, before my senior year.
“Today, I run an international affairs nonprofit in Washington, D.C., called Global Ties U.S., which is focused on providing greater opportunity for U.S. citizens to become more engaged in international affairs, to build a more inclusive and just world. I would not be here if I hadn’t had these extraordinary, foundational
Longtime Lancer volunteer, past Board member
Parent, Brian ’06, Kimberly ’08, Kristin ’10, Eric ’14 and Giuseppe ’16
experiences at Saint Francis with my community there.
“My time as a Lancer has taught me the importance of investing in the people who surround you and the value in being a force multiplier for others. It also taught me that there is an opportunity to give back in all that we do, big and small, every day.”
For information on how parents can collaborate on making the Saint Francis experience welcoming and meaningful for fellow parents through the Lancer Family Connection, contact Aurea DeFranco ’84 at aureadefranco@sfhs.com
Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cancer Cellular Therapy nurse, Stanford Hospital
Helen Benedetti’s volunteer roles at Saint Francis have been leadership roles, behindthe-scenes jobs and everything in between. Lancer Auction co-chair? Two years. Team mom and health nurse? Check and check. Welcoming freshman families, serving on accreditation panels, organizing hospitality
rooms for coaches and referees at basketball and water polo tournaments? Yes, yes and yes. While she was most active during the years her children were at Saint Francis (2002-2016), she continues to give her time; in fact, she finished a six-year term as a Saint Francis Board member last year.
Why is volunteering at Saint Francis such a meaningful part of your life?
My husband Steve and I always say that we don’t know whether we sent our kids to Saint Francis for them or for us. Because of volunteering, we’ve made wonderful friendships. We didn’t come from a feeder school, so it was a great way to meet other parents. Our closest friends are people from Saint Francis we’ve met over the years.
What does volunteering mean to you? It was a great way to be on campus. You’re seeing your children’s friends and how the school works. You’re part of a bigger family. Teens at that age want you to be involved
in their lives, and you’re setting an example for them. Our children had a sense of pride when they said, “My mom’s working at Lancer Locker,” or “My dad’s working in the snack shack.”
You get so much back when you’re volunteering than what you give. There’s such joy in giving to others. Seeing where there was a need and filling it was how I viewed volunteering at Saint Francis.
What have you learned from serving on the Board?
It gave me insight into the workings of Holy Cross across the country and how the school operates on a daily basis. When I was asked to be on the Board, I was going to say no, but two of my children were very adamant about me joining. They wanted to make sure that after they graduated that the mission of the Brothers of Holy Cross would still remain.
What It Means to Be a Lancer
Alisha Gupta ‘20
Student, University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
Major: Marketing and business, certificate in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
“In my Contemporary World Problems class with Mr. Cannon, it was the first time I felt I could have an open discussion on topics that we weren’t sure what the boundaries were or how to think about. A lot of what
Mr. Cannon taught me, I carried on. That class is the reason I decided to start my podcast for youth, ‘What Cause Inspires You,’ to talk about causes they are passionate about and have open discussions with each other.
“Mr. Cannon was one of the teachers I stayed in touch with. He saw that I was doing work with entrepreneurship, and he brought me back into the Lancer community to help him create one of the entrepreneurship classes at Saint Francis. Being a Lancer means you have a community that you can fall back on. Sometimes we don’t realize the resources and the support system we have, but when you take a step back, that becomes more apparent afterward.
“Being a Lancer also means continuously improving and striving to enact the most change. My brother graduated from Saint
EXPLORE. INNOVATE. INSPIRE.
What It Means to Be a Lancer
Amanda Tyler ’91
Shannon
C.
Turner Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law
“To me, being a Lancer means serving others. When I look back, what stands out to me from Saint Francis was the emphasis on going into the community and making a valuable contribution to lift others up. I remember visiting Villa Siena Senior Community next door and Agnews Developmental Center. Service was something that pervaded every aspect of my experience. It wasn’t just about going to class or being on a team or something we did to check a box.
“Service underscores the importance of having an outward-looking perspective in your life and remembering you are part of something bigger. I’ve coached youth soccer, mentored my law students and undergraduate students and performed pro bono legal work and consulting for people who can’t afford legal services. Many of the things I’ve done highlight for me how
fulfillment and happiness come from outside, in terms of connecting with others and using your talents to benefit others.
“Being a Lancer also means being intellectually curious. I had a number of teachers whose passion for teaching and education was infectious, and for someone who became a teacher herself, they showed me how rewarding being a teacher could be. I’ve been fortunate in my life to have had at every level of education really exceptional teachers on whose teaching I model my own. I remember as particularly excellent Mr. Christensen, my AP English teacher, and Mr. Yamamoto, my chemistry teacher. I also had Brother Alfred, who I had as a freshman for World Civilizations. He was intense and demanding and wanted students to show up every day with their very best. By the time I went to law school, where most of my
Francis [Adarsh Gupta ’23] and everything he experienced was a better improved version of what I experienced, which is amazing to see. The school has taken into account what students want to do with innovation and creativity and design, added more courses and become more inclusive and diverse. Being a Lancer means we’re striving for the next change and working together to improve.
“The throughline between what I did in high school and what I’m doing in college has a lot to do with the principles I learned: being grateful; giving back; and respecting your teachers. Those core principles are what grounded me going into college because college can be a lot all at once. Going to a school like Saint Francis and being in religion classes that take 10 minutes in the morning to practice gratitude helped me stay grounded when I moved to college.”
For more information on partnering with Saint Francis on innovation projects and opportunities for students, contact Shraddha Chaplot at shraddhachaplot@sfhs.com
professors employed the Socratic method, I felt ready because I survived Brother Alfred’s class.
“In high school, you’re finding out who you are and beginning to define who you will be. Being in an environment that promotes looking beyond yourself and thinking about your place in your community is hugely important and significant for that journey.”
What It Means
to Be a Lancer
Matt Goodenough ’09
Firefighter paramedic, El Segundo, Calif.
“What being a Lancer means to me is that you’re part of a strong community that will move you forward into a successful direction, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.
“When someone asks me what I take away from Saint Francis, BRIC is always my answer. Bringing hope, respecting others, inspiring integrity and celebrating family. Brother Sam was the one who instilled that in me, and it’s been something that’s always been on the forefront. I even brought it up at my interview for a job in public safety.
“I have two kids now, and I want to be a good role model by showing them integrity and ethics. That’s huge because in the first responder family, we treat strangers as if they’re our own. They are calling for our help and inviting us into their home when they need help, and there’s the expectation
that we work with integrity. By bringing hope, you’re inspiring others to keep them motivated and engaged.
“My wife and I come from big families, and we’re just starting our family, and in the fire service, we spend a third of the year together. So we have our fire service family and celebrating that camaraderie reflects the family that Saint Francis talks about, of having a connected community.
“I remember my freshman year I was new and didn’t know too many people, except for a couple of water polo athletes from middle school. I had English with Ms. Ashley Hill and I remember being taken care of by her. Teachers like Ms. Hill would bring you under their wing to show what the community at Saint Francis is about. That was a formidable experience.
What It Means to Be a Lancer
Ana Homayoun ’97
Author, speaker, school advisor
“In 1995, during my sophomore year at Saint Francis, Mrs. Marquess, then a school counselor, asked if I could help a few classmates who were struggling in chemistry. I soon realized that for some of them the underlying issue wasn’t conceptual. Some kept all their work in accordion folders stuffed with missing assignments, triplicate copies of lab work and review sheets for tests, still blank and unanswered.
“As a student, I was conscientious about finding ways to get work done efficiently and knew this way of managing workflow was ineffective. Within weeks of developing a clear system to track and manage assignments, my classmates dramatically improved their class performance. Much of our time was focused on what I later learned were known as the executive function skills that have since become my area of professional expertise, including organizing, planning, prioritizing, starting and completing tasks, and adaptable thinking. Until then, I had never thought about the impact that organizational skills have on academic performance.
“I had a good foundation, and it comes back to the teachers and counselors. They are people who give tools to kids to learn how to mature. It boils down to those core values of BRIC. Embracing BRIC values has led me to a successful career where I have received honors such as a Medal of Valor and Firefighter of the Year with the agency that I work with. I have a beautiful family, and I’m successful at work because of those things that Saint Francis taught.”
If you’d like to help expand the Saint Francis alumni experience to include opportunities for alumni formation, networking and engagement, contact Greg Calcagno ’83 at gregcalcagno@sfhs.com to find out more about volunteering on the new Alumni Council.
“A decade later, that work with my fellow Lancers was one inspiration for my first book, That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week: Helping Disorganized and Distracted Boys Succeed in School and Life [TarcherPerigee, January 2010]. During the past two decades, this concept has taken
me around the world, working with individual students and in schools. My approach has evolved as resulting technology and social media dramatically changed our lives in and outside of the classroom.
“And I still have a Lancer connection. There are Lancer classmates whose children have come to our office in downtown Los Altos over the years. For my latest book, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admission [Hachette, August 2023], I interviewed former students from 10-15+ years ago, including a few terrific Lancer alums.
“For me, being a Lancer has always been about being of service to others and benefiting from a shared community of servant leadership. It is not hyperbole to say that my time as a Lancer planted the seeds for my life’s work and greater sense of purpose. For that, I will forever owe a debt of gratitude to the Saint Francis community and will always be proud to be a Lancer.”
Ave Crux
A dozen educators, dressed in black graduation gowns, and 40 or so sixth and seventh graders rose to applaud a cohort of eighth graders as they entered the Innovation Theater last July. The assembled group was celebrating the beaming eighth graders’ graduation from Ave Crux, a four-week summer program where they received academic enrichment, field trips and sports camps.
For middle school students and families interested in attending Saint Francis or other college prep schools but think such private schools are out of reach, Ave Crux is an outreach program that aims to bridge the gap. Ave Crux serves students from under-represented groups who have financial needs and are first-generation college students. The goal is to prepare students to be successful academically and socially in a college prep environment.
The work extends past the summer program. During the school year, program director Keala Keanaaina and other Saint Francis educators hold several sessions on campus that focus on navigating the application process to Saint Francis, from preparing for the entrance exam, the High School Placement Test, creating a profile on the application portal to understanding how to dress for the school interview and answer interview questions. There’s also time for fun, too, like invitations to Lancer football games. “Where once they thought Saint Francis was just a camp, now it becomes a destination,” says Mr. Keanaaina, also the Saint Francis dean of students.
Ave Crux represents the essence of what it means to be a Lancer: to give others the tools to be upstanding citizens. “During the four weeks we’re intentional in sharing the BRIC principles [bringing hope, respecting others, inspiring integrity, celebrating family]. For me, keeping it Holy Cross is to do the right thing for the right reasons. We’re all different in some way, but what unites us is Holy Cross. When you come on to this campus, that’s the culture,” Mr. Keanaaina says.
Fast Facts
Ave Crux = Latin for Hail the Cross
Taken from the Holy Cross motto, Ave Crux Spes Unica – Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope 82 students in summer 2023, most to date 25+ families at sessions during the school year 9 Ave Cruz educators
Sarah Garcia ’25
Ave Crux graduate, spent the summer serving as a student mentor, helping in the classrooms and leading Spanish workshops for 80 students.
What is one way Ave Crux helped your transition to Saint Francis?
“The program introduces a lot of the staff to the students. I met Mrs. Miranda-McIntosh, Mr. Cannon and Mr. Curtis during Ave Crux so when I saw them again, I had a sense of familiarity. In middle school, I had the same teachers all three years. Going to a new environment with new students and teachers was overwhelming, so having teachers I already was familiar with took away that initial panic.”
Why did you want to return as a mentor?
“I was a mentor in summer 2021 and enjoyed it, so I wanted to keep doing it and giving back. Even though I attended only one year in person [due to the pandemic], Ave Crux gave me so much. It made me want to come to Saint Francis, so I wanted to give the new students that same feeling. It’s the community that attracted me to Saint Francis. At Ave Crux, they give presentations of what life at Saint Francis is like, and it made me realize that it’s the people who make this place feel safe.”
What stands out to you about your experience?
“My biggest takeaway was meeting the eighth graders. They see things differently from the sixth and seventh graders. They’re at that point where they’re maturing and seeing their perspective showed me how much I’ve grown from that stage.”
Ave Crux students meet each other on the first day of the summer program.
FAMILY. VALUES. POSSIBILITIES.
Literal Lancer DNA
The Quinn Family
Sometimes the Lancer DNA is just that. There are numerous multi-generational Lancer families like Dan Quinn ’87, English teacher and associate campus minister of mission formation, and his 17 — yes, 17 — family members who have attended Saint Francis, pictured here at a family wedding.
Tom Quinn ’80
John Quinn ’81
Megan Quinn Riccitiello ’82
Brian Quinn ’83
Michele Rossi Quinn ’83
Eileen Quinn Tarantino ’85
Frank Tarantino ’85
Daniel Quinn ’87
Ann Quinn Halkett ’90
Catherine Quinn Perry ’93
Alexa Quinn ’12
Lauren Tarantino ’12
Samantha Quinn ’14
Julia Tarantino ’15
Brendan Quinn ’18
Liam Quinn ’20
Johnny Tarantino ’21
Declan Quinn ’23
Supporting One Another
The Campagna Family
For the past couple of years in the spring, Saint Francis educators have hosted a campus triathlon, or rather a try-athlon, designed for participants to try something new. At the inaugural event, Marco Campagna, a Religious Studies teacher and the department chair, blew the competition away. A seasoned triathlete, he was clearly the overall winner even though there were no awards given or time kept.
Last spring, Mr. Campagna served as the grand marshal and the guest of honor of the try-athlon. He was battling cancer and unable to compete. The 2023 event was also an important event for his family. His wife Julie had recently received her own cancer diagnosis. Their children Olivia ’25, Gianluca, and dozens of Saint Francis educators and community members came out for the friendly competition, named “Try for Marco,” and camaraderie and to recognize what one of their colleagues has been through and to support his family.
“While It’s not always easy to know what to do for someone dealing with the issues the Campagnas endured, Holy Cross stands for hospitality, family, empathy and hope,” says Kathy Lincoln, a longtime educator and one of the “Try for Marco” organizers. “I’ve known Marco a long time, and I know how healing it is to be with people. This is one small thing in a list of hundreds of gestures members of our community do for each other every day. I learned this years ago by watching my colleagues support each other in times of need, which is a cornerstone of Holy Cross.”
Welcome,Lancers!
There are exciting changes coming to our campus. The new Welcome Center will serve as a hospitality, support, collaboration and fellowship space where we extend our Holy Cross welcome to families, alumni and all guests at Saint Francis. In the spirit of Saint André Bessette, it will be the front door to our school.
The Welcome Center will be home to our Educators Center and administrative offices and will include collaboration rooms and spaces. The Dining Commons, also housed within the Welcome Center, will be the place where we celebrate and share meals and where we provide space for student, educator, parent and alumni communities to gather.
You’re invited to experience the Welcome Center and all the new features of our campus. The Quad has a new look, too, and the football field is sporting new turf.
Get a virtual 360 tour here:
Welcome Center and Dining Commons
Features
Welcome Lobby
Educators Center
Conference Rooms
Business and Tuition Assistance Offices
Student Dining Hall
Walk-up Food Service
Mezzanine Space for Meetings and Performances
Commercial Kitchen
Brothers of Holy Cross Educators’ Dining Area
Administrative Offices
Steel beams form the skeleton of the Welcome Center.
The Holy Family remains at the center of the new Quad.
When concrete was poured, educators gathered for a blessing and dropped medals of Saint Joseph in the foundation.
Our Welcome Center Welcomes Lancer Engineer Lauren Becker ‘15
Lauren Becker ’15 is a project engineer at ENGEO, a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm, which was contracted to perform field testing when the 100 Building was demolished in March 2023 for the Welcome Center. Lauren initially didn’t know that the project site was Saint Francis, so it was a pleasant surprise. For the 100 Building, she was responsible for collecting soil samples for environmental testing.
“It had been a while since I had been on campus, and the facilities have changed a lot, but the campus still had a familiar and welcoming feeling,” she says. “It felt like a full-circle moment knowing that the experiences I had at Saint Francis put me on the path to pursue a career in engineering, and now my career brought me back. I definitely have memories of science classes in the 100 Building, especially Physics classes taught by Mr. Ikezi and Mr. Fischer. I had the chance to visit with Mr. Ikezi and was reminded that he studied geotechnical engineering in college, just like I did.”
Renderings of the Welcome Lobby, above, and the Dining Commons.
The new turf will be home to football and girls flag football, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls rugby, shot put and discus.
$66.4
It has been an incredible year for the Light the Way campaign, and we are moving toward our vision for the future of Saint Francis High School.
Some highlights:
• Fully open, our Eggers Innovation Center has hosted innumerable events for students, parents, alumni and the community, ranging from hackathons Innovation@Saint Francis projects and our Glitter & Gold fundraiser.
• We have broken ground on the Welcome Center project and anticipate completion next spring.
Thanks to the leadership gift of Anthony Schiller and Moira Lion ’07 to benefit student support, Ave Crux, a program to support middle school students from underrepresented backgrounds, served the most students to date. (See page 18 for more on Ave Crux.)
Every aspect of our Light the Way campaign has been in partnership with supporters like you, and we’re grateful for the ways you help us meet our mission of forming young leaders in the Holy Cross tradition. There are multiple ways you can get involved with our campaign by supporting our capital projects, students and educators. For the latest information on the progress and priorities for the Light the Way campaign, please visit sfhs.com/givinglight
To shepherd the continued success of the Light the Way campaign, we have exciting additions to the Institutional Advancement Office! Amy Peabody joins us as our chief advancement officer. A nonprofit leader with 20 years of experience in fundraising and development, her past experiences include raising funds for the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, the Los Altos Educational Foundation and TheatreWorks. Ms. Peabody will guide the Institutional Advancement department and build on the culture of philanthropy at our school.
Additionally, Carolina Scipioni joins us as our stewardship director, making sure that our donors are recognized and that they know the impact their gifts have on our students and programs. Prior to Saint Francis, she owned her own communications agency for almost 20 years and worked in important fundraising and communication strategic initiatives for the Diocese of San Jose, Holy Spirit School, the Catholic Community Foundation and other nonprofit organizations.
ALUMNI IMPACT: Alex Dzigurski II ’87
Painter Alex Dzigurski’s Lancer roots run deep. Growing up two blocks from Saint Francis, he watched football games, played beneath the Bay tree and never missed the annual Saint Francis Western Round-up spring carnival. There was never a question that he’d go to the school. He found a mentor (and later, close friend) in educator Sylvan Adams, who continues to teach art at Saint Francis.
Alex also knew that he would join the family business. His late father, Alex Dzigurski, dubbed “the Poet of the Sea” by The Chicago Tribune, was an internationally known seascape painter. “Art was definitely my top priority as a student,” he explains. “Sylvan really challenged us to think differently from different perspectives.” His education in the Saint Francis studios was transformational. “Sylvan influenced me to work with more abstract, more Impressionistic styles, which was very eye-opening for me at age 15.”
After attending Chicago’s American Academy of Art College, Alex studied in his father’s studio for five years. “He taught me his technique, brushwork and palette,” he explains. “It was a golden opportunity for any young artist to really learn from a master painter.”
His landscapes/seascapes have been shown in numerous exhibitions and galleries and received the peer-selected Artist Signature Status from the Oil Painters of America organization in 1999. Alex’s three-decade career has taken him across the globe,
but he always returns to Mountain View and his family home, which he purchased several years ago, to paint his favorite subject: California’s natural beauty. “Painting nature is a very spiritual endeavor because nature is God,” explains Alex. “I try to emulate the amazing beauty that’s out there.”
His Lancer connections remain strong with his children, Nick ’11 and Hali ’13, donated paintings that hang in the Sobrato Family Learning Commons and sold at Lancer Auctions for years, and frequent conversations with Ms. Adams about art, life and innovation. Recent talks, he says, have centered on artificial intelligence and art. “Really great art cannot be synthetic,” Alex says. “It must have the DNA of the individual infused in the work. No machine can do that.”
Alex remains ever impressed with Saint Francis’ ability to innovate and adapt to the times. “The school has reinvented itself but maintains the same core, Holy Cross values,” he says. “The ethos of Saint Francis is to mold a well-rounded human being, spiritually, intellectually, physically and culturally. It’s wonderful for teenagers to have that kind of exposure to so many different things, taught in a quality way by outstanding people who really care about their students.”
To see more of his work, visit dzigurskigallery.com.
Dear ALUMNI
Instagram: @sfhs_lancers_alumni
Facebook: Saint Francis High School (Mountain View) Alumni
Twitter: @SFHSalumni
LinkedIn: Saint Francis High School Alumni
SFHS.com/alumni
Hall of Fame Inductees
Congratulations to the 17 new inductees to the Saint Francis Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, 2023. The Hall of Fame honors graduates who, during their high school career, exhibited outstanding achievement, character and leadership in athletics or, who after their high school athletic careers, attained success at the collegiate, amateur or professional level in their sport.
Joseph Bramlett ’06, Golf
Senque Carey ’98, Basketball
Daniel Descalso ’04, All-Around
Laura Fay ’86, Softball
Steve Filios, Special Category
Anna Kraus ’98, Soccer
Kathy Lincoln, Special Category
Steven Lipinski ’01, Swimming/ Water Polo
Adrienne Mattos ’97, Swimming
Nicole Ng ’04, Field Hockey
Jason Olmos ’97, Wrestling
Alton Page ’74, Track
Rozalyn Pelayo ’96, Volleyball
Adam Peterson ’01, Diving Michelle Steingart ’97, All-Around
Charles Tharp ’97, Football
Vicki Viso ’96, Volleyball
So much has happened since the last edition of Progress, and we are pleased to share many exciting updates with you in this new school year.
We’ve continued celebrating the opening of our Eggers Innovation Center, providing tours to alumni, parents and prospective students and sharing the new and exciting opportunities available to our students and our community in this state-of-the-art building. We are delighted that so many of you have joined us on campus for a tour and would like to invite those alumni who have yet to see it to come and experience the facility with us.
This year also brings continued construction on our new Welcome Center. We are excited to see how the Welcome Center will improve the Saint Francis experience for all our students and educators. Construction is scheduled to be complete May 2024, and we can’t wait to show you all the great changes it brings to campus.
We couldn’t make such important changes like adding our Welcome Center without your continued support. This year, we hired one of your fellow alumni to help you keep making a difference in our students’ lives. In April, Kate Lincoln ’16 returned to Saint Francis as alumni giving manager. She looks forward to getting Saint Francis grads involved in supporting charitable giving and the Saint Francis Fund. Should you have any questions about charitable giving or want to make a gift, please feel free to contact her directly at katelincoln@sfhs.com.
In August, we hosted our 2023 Grand Reunion, welcoming back all classes ending in “3” and “8.” It was incredible seeing all the alumni who came to campus to visit with their peers and past educators. It is always a pleasure hearing how alumni are still in touch all these years later and learning about the school’s impact on so many lives. We’ve continued hosting the Golden Grads Reunion to celebrate all graduates from their 50th graduation anniversary and onward. We hope to see our “4” and “9” classes join us in fall 2024.
Another way for alumni to get involved outside of attending their reunions is by becoming part of our Alumni Council. Recently, we’ve expanded into four subcommittees: social relations, networking, student partnerships, and advancement. If you are interested in joining our already fantastic group of alumni in developing our council, email alumni director Greg Calcagno ’83 at gregcalcagno@sfhs.com
We have many ways for alumni to participate in the life of our community. Coming up at Saint Francis, we have our Giving Tuesday fundraiser in November, Christmas at Our House in December and the Glitter & Gold fundraiser event in March. We hope to see you get involved with all of these events!
As always, we are eternally grateful for the community that our Lancer alumni have built. Thank you for being part of our Holy Cross family, and we wish you all the best during the end of the year.
Our tradition continues … Go Lancers!
Greg Calcagno ’83 Alumni Director gregcalcagno@sfhs.com
Kate Lincoln ’16
Alumni Giving Manager katelincoln@sfhs.com
Class
Notes
Stay Connected, Lancers! Visit sfhs.com/alumniconnect to:
• Update your contact info to learn about SFHS alumni activities and opportunities
• Submit Class Notes and share your latest news
Barbara Re Ondriezek HC ’62 is on the parish council at St. Anthony’s in Upton, Wyo.
Joan Denz-Hamilton HC ’72 has been a radio personality for 50 years.
Michelle Yaley Myers ’73 moved back to Menlo Park after living in San Diego for 12 years.
Marge Fitzpatrick Baldenweck ’74 has five children and two grandchildren. She received her bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University in marketing in 1978, then spent four years in the Army and nine years with Visa USA. Marge was widowed in 1998 and in 2017 she earned her master’s degree in education. She was in her second year of teaching in China when COVID-19 broke out. She has since retired but hopes to teach overseas again soon.
The first Saint Francis CCS championship football team from 1977 gathered on July 15 to celebrate their team and coaches.
Faith and Greg Kenzler ’98 were married on April 16, 2022, in Reno, Nev. They honeymooned in Cancun and just celebrated their first anniversary. Greg enjoys his career of 19+ years at Lockheed Martin and Faith operates her own event planning company, Whimsy Events. They are looking forward to starting a family soon and find themselves agreeing that patience is a virtue because they found each other after many years of waiting and praying.
Carla Swiryn ’98 is founder and CEO of DateSpot, which offers free and pay-as-you-go matchmaking.
Founded in 2019, DateSpot has
successfully matched multiple couples, including a Saint Francis graduate.
David Velazquez ’02 was the top assistant coach for the San Diego State men’s basketball team that made it to the championship game in the NCAA Tournament.
Matt Blair ’03 has been living in Texas the past 10 years. Happily married, he is still pursuing motorcycle racing and would love to connect with old friends.
Nora Sullivan ’03 received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (San Francisco) in May 2022. She received the Outstanding Achievement in Pro Bono for completing more than 185 hours serving indigent criminal defendants. Nora was admitted to the California State Bar in November 2022 and is practicing law at Thomas Quinn LLP in San Francisco.
Andrew Montgomery ’08 married Xiomara Chicas on April 23, 2022, at Mission San Antonio de Padua in Jolon, Calif., followed by a reception in Paso Robles. Lancers in attendance included David McGrouther ‘08 and Chris Gilwee Montgomery ‘75. Andrew works for Amgen, Inc. and completed a master’s degree in business administration through Pepperdine University.
Paisley James Finkelstein, daughter of Ashley Brunello ‘09, was born on June 26, 2023, at 5:38 a.m., weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces. Ashley and her husband Matt reside in San Jose with their dog Brody.
Tyler ’11 and Danielle Baker Goeddell ’11 tied the knot in Maui on Nov. 5, 2022.
Christian Baylocq ’13 recently finished a 3 ½-year contract with the U.S. Army as a 35F allsource intelligence analyst and transitioned as a civilian working for the Defense Intelligence Agency as a counter intelligence analyst. He and his wife are expecting a daughter in December.
Chad Lee ’14 was promoted to U.S. Air Force captain after receiving certifications in critical care nursing and flight transport from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, the largest and only Level 1 trauma joint military facility in the U.S. Chad is working toward a doctorate of nursing practice in anesthesiology. He has a passion for CrossFit personal training and Air Force Special Forces Operations assignments.
Danielle Baker ’11 and Tyler Goeddell ’11
Chad Lee ’14
Paisley Finkelstein
Andrew Montgomery ’08
1977 Football Team
Class Notes In Memory
Brother Donald Blauvelt, C.S.C., a significant leader in the education ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross who served at every level of administration for his order, passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2023.
For more than 20 years, Brother Donald served in high schools of the South-West Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. At Saint Francis, he taught English and math from 1982 to 1987. He also served as principal, vice principal and as director he evaluated and designed curriculum, implemented long-range planning, oversaw student recruiting, registration, scheduling and testing.
Brother Donald worked tirelessly to ensure that the schools would succeed into the future. He helped create networks of support among the schools and worked to strengthen school boards. He was effective because he was a credible, trusted ally, a reliable companion in this great shared mission.
In his last few months, he suffered a hematoma in a minor accident while parking a car. Complications from that injury led to his unexpected death. The sudden loss of Brother Donald is a heavy blow to absorb for his family, his Brothers, his Holy Cross family, and the many people in our school communities whose lives he touched.
Joan Carroll Irvin Connell ’73, sister of Jim Carroll ’71, Anne Carroll Ivie ’76 and Joe Carroll ’78 (RIP)
Katherine Anne du Bois, wife of Dale “Frenchy” du Bois ’70
Marilyn Egan, mother of Karen Barton ’73, Daniel ’74, Thomas ’76, Annette Gaskill ’78, Jeanne Martin ’81, Amy Matteis (Mike ’80) ’84 and Jeff ‘90, grandmother of Laura ’23, Claire ’25 and Mary ’26
Mary Flanagan-Hanson, former librarian at Saint Francis from 1981 to 1997
Noah Flora ’26, son of Matt and Mia
Parvin Toghrol Ghashghai, mother of John (Kelly Walsh ’84), grandmother of Bailey ’19 and Brody ’23
Michael Keegan ’61, brother of Stephen ’64
Pat Keller, longtime coach at Saint Francis and mother of Mary Keller Williams ’76
Edward Landefeld ‘76, brother of Mark ’75 and Steve ’78. Ed played baritone horn in the Lancer Marching Band under the direction of Brother Eugenio Casino, served six tours
Stephanie Descalso ’08 and Chris Chang ’11 were married Aug. 4 at Escondido, Calif. Additional Lancers in attendance at the ceremony and rehearsal dinner (pictured) were Joan Escover ’82, Chris Olson ’82, Daniel Descalso ’04, Julia Gamlen Descalso ’04, Angela Descalso ’06, Morgan Zan ’08, Katie Ring ’08, Nathan Chang ’09, William Descalso ’10, Nick Gebhart ’11, Greg Guslani ’11, Anthony Monroe ’11, Jordan Olson ’11, James Descalso ’13, Kevin Chang ’13, Dominic Chang ’17, Natalie Descalso ’21 and Kian Olson ’24
College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Bailey received her B.S. in strategic communication with an emphasis in public relations. For her senior capstone project, she was a member of the team that took second place in the annual Bateman Case Study competition. Bailey hopes to work for a PR agency on the West Coast.
of duty in the U.S. Navy all over the world and served with the Naval Reserves in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East before retiring.
Ari Lappalainen-Zhao ’21, son of Tiina Lappalainen and Hong Zhao, brother of Leo ’20
Carlo Marenco, father of Marina ’79 and Marco ’81 (Cathi Neylan-Marenco ’81)
Dick McCaffrey, former Men’s Club president and father of Richard ‘09 and Matthew ’12
Warren Petree, father of Janis ’75, Joseph ’76, Richard ’81 and Anne Petree Marcus ’83. Warren was an active band chaperone from 19721983 with Brother Eugenio Casino, Brother Joe Tomei (now Fr. Joe), Frank Orbit and Charles Iwanaga
Mary Rainey, mother of John Rainey ’68 and grandmother of Jason Jackson ’98, Jacob Jackson ’00 and Jameson Jackson ’09
Marc Toney ‘13, son of Steve and Maider, brother of Andrew ’08, Shawn ’10 and Scott ’20
Lizanne “Liz” Verzic ‘77, sister of Deidre “Dede” Fager ‘79 and Peter ’81 (RIP)
Valerie Wang ’16 received a Fulbright grant to go to the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Poland to investigate predictive precursors to multiple sclerosis using magnetic resonance brain imaging and AI approaches. She received her master’s degree in applied physics in 2022.
Lauren Lee ’18 is a lead qualified flight attendant based in Boston for Delta Airlines. She flies regularly to more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia and domestically to more than 40 states. Some of her favorite destinations include Paris, London, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Rome, Athens and Tel Aviv.
Out of 900 students, Bailey Ghashghai ’19 was one of six seniors selected for the William W. White Award for Outstanding Senior in the
Alisha Chulani ’20 plays tennis for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps team in Claremont, and the team, ranked No. 1 in the nation, is now the backto-back NCAA Division III tennis champion. For this achievement, Alisha and her team were invited to the White House for the inaugural College Athlete Day, where she and her team shared the stage with Vice President Kamala Harris and other White House members. Alisha played No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles for her championship team and earned dual All-American honors in singles and doubles. She received Athlete of the Year award for Harvey Mudd College, where she is majoring in engineering. Lastly, Alisha and her team were featured in the NCAA documentary, “The Rivalries.” Alisha’s brother Neil ’22 and her dog Digby also appear in the documentary.
Rehearsal dinner for Stephanie Descalso ’08 and Chris Chang ’11
Lauren Lee ’18
Alisha Chulani ’20
Amaya, daughter of Jacob and Victoria Chavez Hayashi ’05
Austin, son of Adrien and Katy Skeeters Smet ’07
Ian and Isla, children of Steve ’04 and Kayla Schields
Hartwell Clare, daughter of Wesley and Hathaway Moore Kading ’10
Little Lancers
Alumni, if you are the proud parent of a Little Lancer, please email LittleLancer@sfhs.com to receive a Lancer gift for your baby. Please include your address and the names of all family members.
Miles, son of Rex ’04 and Andrea Sherrill
Kally Ann, daughter of Kevin ’04 and Ashley Lozares
THE QUAD
The heart of the Saint Francis campus, the Quad is where we come together as a family. It’s where we converge to have lunch, catch a Frisbee, cheer on classmates performing in karaoke competitions, start a campus tour, or simply relax and chat between classes or meetings. While the look of campus has changed a lot over the years, there has always been a place in the center of it all that encapsulates Lancer school life.
HOLY CROSS EDUCATOR
Grace Savinovich, English teacher and co-director of activities, explains how she relates to teens.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CO-DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP?
We tend to gussy up leadership, but at the end of the day, it’s about convincing people to care enough about where they are and who they’re with to make their space a space that is worth investing in. I’m always mindful of creating spaces where everybody feels like they belong and are included. That’s always been central to my ethos.
Teachers here have always been good about developing relationships with students. We’re trying to come up with a format that is more woven into our culture. I stand on a lot of shoulders here and in my personal life. Many people have been great role models, and this has very much been a group project.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT WORKING WITH STUDENTS?
One of my favorite things is being surprised. I find nothing more surprising than what a student can think of. I didn’t know many of this year’s ASB members before we went to Austin, Texas, for our Holy Cross leadership conference. It was so easy to bond, and I’m jazzed to work with them and see what they want to do.
WHY IS STUDENT LEADERSHIP SO VITAL?
During the teenage years, so much of life can feel like the world is happening to you. When you realize that you have the power to do something about it, that is one of the most critical things that a young person can learn. The fundamental thing about us is that we all want to be seen, heard and valued.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING WITH TEENAGERS?
I’ve always treated their ideas and suggestions as seriously as I can because I know the teachers that did that in my life and what an impact it made. It helped me take myself seriously and get rid of some layers of imposter syndrome. It’s important to me to validate their brilliance and the experiences they’re going through. You forget how serious everything feels when you’re a teenager.
PROGRESS
Saint Francis High School
Saint Francis High School
Institutional Advancement
Institutional Advancement
1885 Miramonte Ave
1885 Miramonte Ave.
Mountain View CA 94040-4098
Mountain View, CA 94040-4098
#LANCERLIFE
Photos by our Poverello yearbook photographers
1. Cheering on the Lancers at the Barbie-themed Rage Cage by Marina Kan ’25
2. Nicky McGuigan ’24 steps in to attack the cage on a 6-on-5 advantage by Abhijit Nambiar ’24
3. Sophia Tran ’24 leads the Prayer of the Faithful at liturgy by Abhijit Nambiar ’24
4. Anya Lachwani ’25 seeks new, interested club members by Abhijit Nambiar ’24