The sapling on the cover is a direct descendant of our California Bay Laurel tree. Last winter, after a big rain, social studies teacher Zack Herhold collected several of its tiny fruits on the ground and gave them to his fiancee Hannah Wetmore, who is passionate about California native plants. She removed the skin of the fruit, a green berry spotted with yellow and purple, and planted the seed, which is similar to an avocado pit. Of the 18 seeds planted, 16 have sprouted, many of which were distributed to Saint Francis educators. “Like many members of this community, I have a fond love for our Bay tree,” said Mr. Herhold. “I have spent many mornings watching the sun rise around the tree and as a cross country coach, I have spent a lot of time with the team beneath it. It is a profound symbol of our school. And it has been cool to raise a few of its saplings.”
Cover illustration by web producer Chris Johnson.
Saint Francis is committed to creating avenues for students to have experiences in which they use the skills they have learned and apply them in meaningful projects. Scan this code to hear from students and alumni about recent experiences.
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
Contributing Student Writers and Photographers
Pia Agrawal ’26
Rishabh Anand ’26
Jude Boitano ’26
Deana Caldwell ’28
MollyAnn Caulfield ’27
Sunny Chakraborty ’28
Jordana Ciciretto ’28
Warren Davis ’27
Francesca Dominguez ’28
Martha Sofia Gallaga ’27
Rohan Gohel ’26
4
Inviting Students Into Our Work
Find out what Lancers do when given the opportunity to take on meaningful roles.
10
Snapshots of a Lancer Day
Glimpse into a typical student day with Alyssa Garrett ’28.
12
Rooted in Care, Growing With Purpose
Read how our community nurtures things that matter, from stewarding resources to fostering growth and shaping vision.
24
Growing the Saint Francis Mission
Meet our expanded Institutional Advancement team.
31
Community Connection
A Holy Cross Achievers mentor and her mentee share insights on their time together.
Gauri Govil ’26
Cate Grunewald ’27
Karina Jison ’28
Bethany Ma ’27
Caitlin Maramba ’28
Ryan Matsumoto ’26
Stefanie Monzon ’28
Olivia Pagonis ’28
Lia Payne ’26
Haley Phillips ’26
Tanushri Rajesh ’26
Noemie Roman ’27
Sharanya Shivashankar ’27
Vince Dominic So ’27
Bode Stent ’28
Tommy Sullivan ’27
Sloane Swenson ’27
Colin Yang ’28
Progress is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Department for the alumni, parents and friends of Saint Francis High School. Email us: progress@sfhs.com
Inviting Students Into Our Work
At Saint Francis, we believe education doesn’t end when the bell rings or the textbook closes. Holy Cross schools have long offered co-curricular activities, retreats and service opportunities. Blessed Basil Moreau said it best when he wrote that “education is the art of helping young people to completeness.”
True learning, at its heart, takes place when students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. That’s why we partner with our students, not just to support their learning, but to invite them into the work we do every day and allow them to implement their skills and interests in authentic ways.
This issue of Progress reflects this approach. Several of the articles were written and photographs were taken by our
journalism students. However, our work of partnering with students has taken shape in other projects. Last year, our Marketing and Communications Department worked closely with students interested in philanthropy and filmmaking to produce a video about giving back in our community. We also have teamed up with students interested in storytelling, social media and web user experience. In our hospitality program, students gain hands-on experience as interns, working alongside professionals and learning how to prepare and serve food at lunch lines, concessions and catered events. Even our Lancer Locker student store offers an opportunity to learn, where our student interns manage daily operations and develop business and customer service skills.
These partnerships aren’t just about job training. They’re about helping students see how their education connects to the real world. And yet, this is merely the beginning. Our opportunities with students are ever evolving, and we as a school are committed to continuing to find ways to work with students. By taking on meaningful roles in our school community, our students learn to lead, collaborate with peers and adults, and grow in confidence. These experiences shape how students see their education and how they see themselves in the world.
Hospitality intern Lauren Williams ’27 shows catering manager Tim Yan a plate of hors d’oeuvres she arranged for a tasting event.
Claire Marcellini ’26 and Kara Baluyut ’26 brainstorm on a logo design at a student-led branding workshop. Read more about this workshop on page 23.
A few of our journalism students reflect on their experiences contributing to Progress, sharing about the skills they learned and the personal growth they saw in themselves through the process.
“I learned how to interview better and ask specific questions to elicit good answers that add an impact to the story.”
— Deana Caldwell ’28
“I am most proud about the timeliness of my work. I enjoyed the interviewing the most because I learned a lot more about our school and heard stories from many different perspectives. I also really like the first draft day where Mrs. Tjin [marketing and communications editor] gave us feedback. It was inspiring and I feel like we made a really good product overall.”
— MollyAnn Caulfield ’27
“Journalism writing is different from essay writing, so I am proud that I have gotten used to this style of writing. This experience changed the way I think of writing. It forced me to move away from a rigid structure to a freer and more smooth style of writing, which I really like. Also, I realized that interviewing and talking to people is not scary at all.”
— Sharanya Shivashankar ’27
“This changed how I saw myself as a journalist as I learned a lot more about the behind-the-scenes process, specifically how important good interviews are.”
— Ryan Matsumoto ’26
“I’m proud of mentoring the other students throughout the process and loved finding good quotes. I liked writing the most. I normally don’t like writing, but I felt like the article came together nicely so the hard work paid off. People were grateful that we were writing our article, so it made me feel good and that my journalistic skills mattered.”
— Lia Payne ’26
“I enjoyed editing my drafts. It’s satisfying to go over everything and fix the AP style mistakes to make it perfect.”
— Gauri Govil ’26
Lancer News
New Chief Financial Officer
Kim Hawk, our new chief financial officer (CFO), believes every financial decision should reflect Holy Cross mission and values. As a key leader in shaping the school’s future, Mrs. Hawk plays a pivotal role in driving initiatives such as campus sustainability, educator support programs and real-world student experiences. From evaluating green transportation, monitoring student-run partnerships and rethinking tuition and fees for accessibility and equity, her work touches the experience of every student and family at Saint Francis.
Mrs. Hawk previously served as CFO of San José Mineta International Airport and vice president of finance at Oracle. At Saint Francis, she has found deeper meaning in her work. “I get to marry my finance and accounting background with my faith in God,” she said. “Hearing the prayer during the morning announcements is so special to me because of my deep faith, but I’ve never been able to experience that at work until now.”
Immersion Program Grows
The new immersion trip to the Philippines this past summer was an opportunity for students to serve the local community, connect with the greater Holy Cross family and expand cultural horizons. Lancers helped build a learning center for kindergartners at Saint Anne’s Catholic School, distributed food and connected with the locals by playing games with children and sharing stories. Students and educators from Moreau High School, our sister Holy Cross school from Hayward, joined us in the service project. The trip was a literal family experience with the grandparents of Lisa Butler ’93, associate campus minister, living minutes from the construction site and welcoming Lancers and Mariners for a special meal.
Honoring Our Past
To honor and strengthen the connection to our history, we installed bricks engraved with the names of all 209 Brothers of Holy Cross and Sisters of the Holy Cross who worked at Saint Francis High School and Holy Cross High School. The installation, located in the Quad in front of the Holy Family statue, includes the school seal cast in bronze surrounded by a terrazzo border salvaged from the Malcolm Center cafeteria. Malcolm Center is now replaced by the Eggers Innovation Center.
Photo by Rohan Gohel ’26
Lancers visit Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Parish in Tondo, Manila, to distribute meals and connect with children who are food insecure and lack proper housing.
sfhs.com Has a New Look!
Guided by feedback from families, students, educators and alumni, we created a more meaningful and integrated experience at sfhs.com. Mobile-friendly and user-centered, the website offers flexible navigation, seamless integration with systems and platforms and stronger analytics to help us understand how our digital spaces are used by our audiences.
Summer Campus Improvements
As part of our ongoing sustainability efforts, all the metal halide light fixtures in the Ron Calcagno Stadium have been upgraded to energy-efficient LED lighting, cutting energy use by 50 percent. (Read more about our sustainability efforts and our California Green Ribbon distinction starting on page 12.) The Tom Tuite Track, formerly sporting a red finish, now features a gray and more modern surfacing, refreshed branding and expanded 30-meter exchange zones for relay baton-passes. Lastly, the floor of Alumni Gym has been refinished and repainted with the Bay tree logo to foster a stronger sense of community.
Matt Maguire ’98, New Director of Lancer Athletics
Interview and photo by Warren Davis ’27
Matt Maguire, a longtime educator and coach, shares his insights about his new role as athletic director.
What part of your job do you find the most rewarding?
Winning is part of our tradition, but the real joy is watching student-athletes reach their goals and doing what they love, and creating programs with supportive coaches who make it a great experience.
What’s your best advice to student-athletes?
Enjoy it. High school is something you’ll look back on. I like the motto, “Be where your feet are.” Focus on the present, not just what’s ahead, whether you’re playing one, two or four seasons.
What is one difference between athletic director and teacher?
As a teacher, you build instant relationships with students. While I miss being in the classroom, in this role, I [make it a priority] to step away from my desk and connect with kids. It’s easy to get stuck behind emails and daily tasks.
#lancerlife
Poverello yearbook photographers give us their best take on student life.
By Jude Boitano
By Cate Grunewald
Lancers come together as a community in faith at a schoolwide liturgy.
By
From left: Matthew Pigg ’26, Willehm Duncan-Horning ’26, Mariajose Betancourt ’26, Bettanie Faria ’29, Alex Pena ’28 and Joseph Christopher Santos ’26 (back) nail their moves at a dress rehearsal of “Godspell.“
’26
From left: Seniors Anna Gordon, Daniela Buckallew, Cristian Pires, Aidan Zavalla, Gabriella Celaya, Jordan Fardig and Nickolas Stauffer (back), among those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, receive a special blessing at the Mass of the Holy Spirit.
’27
Kimberly Lai ’27 sets MollyAnn Caulfield ’27 during a game against St. Ignatius.
By Bode Stent ’28
Students in Yajaira Morales’ Spanish 3 class make guacamole to mark the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and get a taste of authentic culture.
By Jordana Ciciretto ’28
Sloane Swenson ’27
Peach Ball
“I got this peach at Second Harvest where I volunteer outside of school. Distributing and serving food are fun ways to connect with other people. You get to meet new people, and it’s great to bond over an activity like volunteering.”
WHAT’S IN MY
Backpack?
By Rohan Gohel ’26
Photos by Jude Boitano ’26
Lenny Keychain
“I got Lenny when I was in Maui. I love scuba diving. It’s a very peaceful experience that clears my mind. I’m a big fan of sharks. I also bring a GoPro underwater to create cool underwater videos. We often scuba dive with our family friends in Hawaii. Their house burned down during the Oahu fire, and it was very sad for them. Our family made a donation, and this keychain is a way I honor them.”
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
“One day, my dad let me use his camera on the sideline for a football game, and my passion blossomed from there. I love taking photos because I get to see how happy it makes people when I give them a great photo. I received my camera last Christmas. It is one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received because it showed that my parents support my passion for photography.”
Brady Lange ’26 has always known he wanted to be a Lancer. With three older Lancer siblings, he visited campus frequently as a young boy. Now, Brady is involved in photography, Lancer Live and SF Thrive. He takes photos of football and basketball and plans to manage the boys varsity soccer team’s social media. His siblings gave him advice and support throughout high school. “They told me to get out of my comfort zone,” said Brady. “Following their advice has helped me really put myself out there and focus on keeping good grades.”
Lake Tahoe Photo
“I grabbed a rock and chucked it up. As it hit the water, I took a picture. I like this photo because it expresses my creative mind and is a great example of how I think outside the box. I could’ve easily taken a photo of just the landscape and the mountains, but I wanted to make the photo memorable.”
SD Card
”I’ve taken art classes all four years. We’re making a silent film for video production class. I like having my photos, my bag and this SD card with me at all times. I only have one SD card, because it’s a very large one. There are definitely certain photos that I don’t delete, like the ones from my Maui trip with my family. I think keeping these photos for the rest of my life is very important.”
Sticky Note From His Brother
Jeffrey ’23
“Whenever Jeffrey leaves for college or goes to work, he leaves little notes that just say ‘I love you’ or other supportive messages that are hidden. Every now and then, I’ll find notes in a pocket or in the car. He enhances my mentality a lot, because I want to make him proud, and he wants me to be proud of him as a big brother.”
Fun Pocket
“My fun pocket has stuff for entertainment like caps to flick, pingpong balls and other little fun things. If I’m getting bored or stressed, these items help clear my mind. The fun pocket rotates a lot with new stuff.”
Snapshots of a
Lancer Day
Follow Alyssa Garrett ’28 through highlights of her classes and activities to see what life looks like as a Lancer.
Geometry
Reviewing a workshop on proofs with a classmate.
“Mr. Motil is funny and cares about the students. Freshman year, he was my P.E. teacher, and he’s one of my favorite teachers.”
Religion
Looking for notes before taking a test on the Old Testament.
“Starting with the lights off and prayer allows me to focus and begin my day productively. Saint Francis and religion class help me to further understand my faith journey.”
Lunch
Catching up with friends.
“Lunch means a lot to me because I can connect and talk to all of the peers I don’t normally see in class. People have their own busy schedules, and my friend group understands that, but we still always find a way to connect.”
Spanish 2
Quizzing herself on South American capitals during an activity.
“This is my favorite class. It’s really interactive, and Mrs. Morales makes you want to participate in class. The tables are set up so that you can talk to a lot of people during activities.”
Cheer
Practicing with teammates on a stunt after school.
“Being a captain has taught me to put myself out there. Before, I was pretty intimidated about what others [might] say about my ideas and thoughts, but now I share what I think with others, not worrying as much about possible judgment.”
Rooted in Care, Growing with Purpose
At Saint Francis High School, caring for what matters most is not just a responsibility. It’s a reflection of who we are.
Just as we nurture the Bay tree and use sustainable practices to protect our planet, we extend that care to safeguarding the values, relationships, knowledge and history that nourish our community.
Our dedication to stewardship is deeply rooted in the values of the Holy Cross
tradition and inspired in part by our namesake Saint Francis, who deeply loved animals and the environment. This commitment guides how we care for our beautiful campus, support one another and build a legacy that extends far beyond Mountain View. Whether it’s through environmental sustainability, meaningful service or intentional communitybuilding, we are shaping a place where care is cultivated, traditions are treasured and the future is grown with purpose.
Students
are the future. The more they are involved and the more creative freedom
[we
give them], the better we’re going to be going forward.
Green Achievements
By Cate Grunewald ’27
Saint Francis was one of five institutions, and the only private school in the state, that received the California Green Achievers honor last spring, the highest four tiers in the Green Ribbon Schools Award Program that recognizes schools’ efforts toward sustainability.
Chemistry teacher and science department chair Dr. Jennifer Thomas, who led the lengthy application process, has long been interested in environmental stewardship in her time as a Catholic educator. “Laudato Si was a very inspiring document from Pope Francis,” said Dr. Thomas. “He wrote it on the care of our common home and our call as Catholics to care for one another.”
The Green Ribbon Schools Award Program judges schools in three areas. The first looks at how much a school has lowered environmental impact and costs. During the past decade, Saint Francis has reduced energy use by 11.3 percent with LED lighting and solar
panels meeting 51 percent of energy needs. The school decreased water usage by 10 percent by installing dripirrigation systems and drought-resistant landscaping, and diverted 45 percent of solid wastes from the landfill by composting and recycling. The other two areas focus on health and wellness programs at Saint Francis and environmental literacy in the curriculum.
While the Green Achievers Award was a great milestone, it is not the end. Administrators want to continue the work by integrating student contributions into the work of sustainability to provide more learning experiences. Facilities director Robert Copple ’02 said, “Students are the future. The more they are involved and the more creative freedom [we give them], the better we’re going to be going forward. The more people [practice] sustainability, the more it’s only going to help future generations.”
State superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond (center) hands the Green Ribbon Schools Award to (from left) vice principal for campus life Michael Pilawski, president Jason Curtis, principal Katie Teekell ’00 and facilities director Robert Copple ’02.
Caring for our Green Giant
Our Bay tree, estimated to be between 200-300 years old, is in good health, but we want it to continue thriving for another 100 years. Too much foot traffic on the roots can harm the tree so we have taken proactive measures. To protect the tree while still allowing the community to enjoy it up close, crews have put a 55-foot deck made of eco-friendly and recycled material around the tree, which provides space for quiet reading, collaboration or informal gatherings and ensures that future generations also can be inspired by this green giant.
Some interesting facts about this tree:
• It is a California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica), native to the coast of California and Oregon.
• The tree is 85 feet tall, and the trunk circumference is 421 inches. And arborists can attest that it is still growing!
• A powerful symbol of our community, the tree was likely standing when Blessed Basil Moreau founded the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1837.
Looking up into the Bay tree’s branches. By Colin Yang ’28
A gathering spot for generations of Lancers.
Beaming through at midday. By Caitlin Maramba ’28
Seeing the first light just beyond the football field.
Always a good place for reflection.
Enjoying the shade on the new deck. By Sharanya Shivashankar ’27
Environmental Literacy in Practice
Story and art by Stefanie Monzon ’28
Our school is lowering our carbon footprint with eco-friendly features of the Eggers Innovation Center and Welcome Center and sustainability initiatives led by science department chair Dr. Jennifer Thomas and principal Katie Teekell ’00. Themes of environmental awareness and green values carry through environmental science courses such as AP Environmental Science, where students design experiments to learn about which environmental factors impact forests during a wildfire. Sustainability also is taught in unusual places, including Spiritual Ecology, Economics and AP Precalculus.
Discipleship
By Gauri Govil ’26
Spiritual Ecology, a semester-long course taught by religion teacher Mary Reilly, offers seniors the opportunity to learn environmental literacy through spiritual practices. Combining spiritual behaviors and Catholic Scripture with the study of environmental stewardship, students learn ways to show gratitude for nature and themselves through guided meditations and individual reflection on Earth’s importance. “One thing that’s really important is to start with gratitude,” Ms. Reilly said. “Social change really begins with us if we are connected to ourselves.”
Students examine issues like pollution and different solutions. They are exposed to various ways to care for the environment from community members sharing how they practice stewardship, including president Jason Curtis and controller Ann Marie Cady ’90. Ms. Cady presented on worm composting and brought in her worms for students to observe. “A few students were super interested in how composting works, and everybody wanted to touch them,” said Ms. Cady.
“I get to lean on people here who already do things in the environment about how we can live out what we feel called to,” Ms. Reilly said. She also introduces parables from the Gospels as examples of discipleship for students to emulate in their spiritual and ecological work. She uses the term “ecological discipleship” to describe the values of environmental stewardship and gratitude for the Earth, which her students are taught to adopt into their lives. “We’ve done different things like gardening,” she added. “There’s a lot of joy in the class.”
She talks with visiting alumni about the practices and values they have continued to implement after taking her class. “Different people tell me about how they are continuing to practice meditation in their own lives,” Ms. Reilly said. “It’s a really good thing for all of us to look at the ways we can go forward with little things to steward the Earth.”
The Power of Green Policies
By Deana Caldwell ’28
For their monthlong policy research paper in Economics, seniors choose topics based on environmental policy and impacts. Topics include cap-and-trade policies, solar subsidies, wind energy, electric vehicle policies, public transit and carbon emission standards — unusual topics for an Economics course. “There’s a lot of overlap between the research paper and AP Environmental Science,” social studies teacher Zack Herhold said. “Right now, in 2025, there are a lot of environmental issues, and you can solve environmental issues with good policy.”
Seniors hone research skills and how to organize ideas for long papers, knowledge that is applicable for college. “I did [my paper] on cap-and-trade policy,” said Linden Hamilton ’25, who is a freshman at Texas Christian University. “The project taught me how to research primary research papers well. I’ve used a lot of econ knowledge that I learned last year already in college, but specifically from the paper, I definitely learned how to split up my ideas.”
Mr. Herhold’s goal is for students to gain new viewpoints and leave high school as better-equipped citizens. “My hope is [that] students would be able to take that perspective [of] what solves problems and apply that to every decision they will make as an independent voter,” Mr. Herhold said. “In that way, I think they have a lot of power.”
Sustainable Calculations
By Rishabh Anand ’26
Math teacher Carly Deale ’16 uses real-world environmental data to introduce AP Precalculus students to international policy and improve environmental literacy.
To analyze how functions change over time and to foster a deeper understanding of the real world, students identify trends in yearly global carbon emissions across multiple decades, using sources like the 2023 “Global Stocktake,” a benchmark component of the Paris Agreement aimed at reducing emissions. “With the Paris Agreement, I want the students to predict what is going on,”
She pushes students to go beyond the standard math skills. “I want them to get exposure to what other countries are doing that the United States could do, let alone us as a school,” Ms. Deale said. “They could do some research on what changed within that 10-year span and see, are they still following up with those protocols? We want to cultivate this capstone idea of [analyzing] this graph, and then say ‘OK, the math tells us one thing, but what does that
Whether exploring global pollution or greater depths of how carbon emissions work, students learn to apply their knowledge of rates and graphs to the real world. “I learned how so many factors can emissions of a country,” said Andreas Royset ’29.
Even students with prior environmental knowledge explored the topic in greater depth. “I’m a pretty big advocate for nuclear energy, and looking at specific data, we can see how specific communities can benefit from a cleaner energy grid,” Nathan Pancholi ’28 said. “Through this project specifically, I can see how there’s a lot of different factors that play into emissions: the socio-economic climate of a country or how industrial they are.”
Digging In
By Bethany Ma ’27, Tanushri Rajesh ’26, Noemie Roman ’27 and Sloane Swenson ’27
Once overgrown with weeds, the area by the pool has been transformed into a vibrant community garden. With the help of president Jason Curtis, controller Ann Marie Cady ’90 and facilities coordinator Hieu Lee, the garden has flourished, offering a sustainable source of vegetables and a way for students and educators to work together on environmentalism.
Mr. Curtis, an avid gardener and home beekeeper, started the idea for the garden after he wanted to grow plants in the white bins near the parking lot off South Drive, and Mrs. Lee wanted to help. “We like to get our hands in there and decided that since he’s got all these little seedling plants, why don’t we try to till this area, and then see what we could do?” Mrs. Lee said.
However, the lack of sunshine and the excessive number of bugs forced them to move the garden to its current place behind the pool, a plot originally overridden with wild flowers. With the help of others like chef Christopher Shimabuku, the garden grows a variety of plants including peppers, blackberries, herbs and tomatoes. “If students are having a hard day, they can come by the garden and grab something to eat,” Mrs. Lee said.
This inclusivity reflects the garden’s larger goal: to grow food and foster comfort and community among the students and staff. Mrs. Lee added, “We’re about producing the bounty and sharing it, and hopefully through the sharing process you learn that this is doable for you.”
Carpool Chronicles
Story and photo by Olivia Pagonis ’28
The project also provides insight into how its harvest can be used day to day. Even on a small scale, the community garden has a positive impact.
“We have a small area, and while this doesn’t produce enough to support our entire community, I personally think it’s an accomplishment to cut up the tomatoes and serve them in the sandwiches for our kids,” chef Shimabuku said.
English teacher Joy Anderson and Spanish teacher Kim Arzate have been carpooling together for nine years from Aptos to Mountain View and back. Their carpooling started out of convenience but turned into a meaningful and sustainable way of getting to work.
Mrs. Anderson previously drove with her then-preschool aged son to take advantage of the carpool lane. Once he changed schools, that was no longer an option. Later, when Mrs. Anderson realized that Mrs. Arzate also lived in Aptos and didn’t have a carpool buddy, she thought this would be a perfect solution to save some gas money, cut down on carbon emissions and still use the carpool lane.
“Carpooling cuts down on your consumption of fuel and the money you are spending, and cuts down the number of people on the road, which is a huge deal,” Mrs. Arzate said.
They also enjoy having a companion during their long drives to work. Mrs. Anderson said, “In some cases, it takes two hours to get to school.” Added Mrs. Arzate, “To have someone else in the car with you is certainly helpful. It’s therapy in a way. You get to blow off steam and get someone’s opinion on things that are going on in your life or discuss teaching stuff. It cuts down on our personal stress. And the friendship that I’ve developed, that’s been really tight.”
Chef Christopher Shimabuku checks on the progress of plants in the community garden.
Mrs. Arzate (left) and Mrs. Anderson prepare to carpool home to Aptos.
Environmental Sustainability by the Numbers
By MollyAnn Caulfield ’27, Sunny Chakraborty ’28, Lia Payne ’26 and Tanushri Rajesh ’26
Cafeteria Sustainability
solar panels on school roofs that produce and save energy
$150,000 a year saved by switching to reusable plates and cutlery
120,000 bottles of water saved per year by no longer selling water bottles
20 to 50 food items given away daily for free to students after school to reduce organic waste in landfills (California Senate Bill 1383)
Reusable Water Bottles
Do you bring a reusable water bottle to school?
(Poll of 150+ students)
15 to 20 recycling bins collected a week
1,000 aluminum chip bags washed by students over the summer to be recycled as stuffing for 40 pillows
How do you come to school?
(Poll of 55 students)
Carpool with another student
Innovating with Lancers LEAP
By MollyAnn Caulfield ’27
Lancers LEAP, formerly Innovation@Saint Francis, allows students to pursue fields outside core school subjects like this past summer’s projects inequitable health care innovation and video production. Led by Bill Beasley ’82, Lancers LEAP stands for the program’s guiding principles: Learning By Doing, Empowering Students, Anchoring Mentorships and Partnering for Impact.
School-year projects consist of weekly mentorships led by professionals who volunteer. Last year, Zeeshan Khan ’17 and his company Zoetic Motion partnered with Lancers LEAP on an applied technology and entrepreneurship program. Saanvi Juneja ’27 participated, and Mr. Khan offered her an internship at Zoetic. “I have a forever mentor in Zeeshan,” Saanvi said.
Saanvi is also on the Lancers LEAP council, which Mr. Beasley formed in August to market Lancers LEAP to more students. “The main goal is to give all students opportunities to work with outside companies and hopefully do more internships,” Saanvi said.
Engineering Future Medical Solutions
By Sharanya Shivashankar ’27
Teams of high school students from the Bay Area designed equitable solutions to medical conditions in the Lancers LEAP Health Innovation program last summer. Partnering with Diversity by Doing HealthTech, an organization dedicated to expanding accessibility in health technology, the program created medical devices for communities for whom medical treatment is not currently tailored. The students used 3D modeling to prototype their designs.
At the end of the three-week program, each team presented their device to parents, siblings and professional guest speakers who acted as judges. Jack Merkert ‘27, Anoushka Pandya ’26, Stefanie Monzon ’28 and Aman Bouknight from Los Altos High School won for designing Rate Mate, an electrocardiogram patch for treating insomnia.
“It was rewarding because we had never done [a project like this] before,” said Anoushka, who joined the program because of her passion for biology and developed an interest in engineering. “I learned a lot and gained new perspectives on what I wanted to do like biomedical engineering, which is something I want to pursue.”
“I learned that I’m really good at presenting in front of the crowd,”Jack said. “I love to design stuff, which reinforces that maybe engineering is fun.”
The program also invited engineering, marketing, medicine and other professionals to advise students on their
projects. “All of society and technology exists around you and you live within it, but as you start to grow up, you have to be an active participant,” said volunteer Gabriel Sanchez, father of participant Levi Sanchez ’28 and CEO of Enspectra Health. “There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.”
From left: Aman Bouknight (from Los Altos High School), Anoushka Pandya ’26, Stefanie Monzon ’28 and Jack Merkert ’27 give a presentation on their prototype Rate Mate.
The Past, Present and Future of Lancers LEAP:
Q&A With Bill Beasley ’82, Lancers LEAP Director
By MollyAnn Caulfield ’27
and
Tommy Sullivan ’27
MollyAnn: What inspired Lancers LEAP?
Mr. Beasley: About 10 years ago the school made an investment in having classes that were a little less structured and more hands-on, so students got to exercise their passions and try things they might want to do later in life.
Tommy: What are your goals for Lancers LEAP?
Mr. Beasley: The biggest goal would be to have as many students as possible be exposed to the program. It would be great to have them lead programs and be part of recruiting, promoting and helping define the programs.
Partner with Lancers LEAP!
Parents and community members, if you have an idea for a student project, contact our Innovation director Bill Beasley ’82 at billbeasley@sfhs.com
Lights, Camera, Action and Hands-on Learning
By Francesca Dominguez ’28, Karina Jison ’28 and Vince Dominic So ’27
Forty budding filmmakers participated in the summer 2025 Lancers LEAP program in filming and video production. Capstone Visuals, a company co-founded by Nick Eagleston ’13, Ben Hacker ’13 and Matt Samogyi, led this hands-on experience to film promotional videos for the school and educate students about videography. The program allowed students to witness professional filmmaking and discover new film techniques.
“It was helpful to be able to ask questions because I want to be a film major,” said Vivian Rogers ‘27, an experienced filmmaker with “Lancer Live,” the student-run news broadcasting show, who serves as the video production and rally tech coordinator for Junior Council. She still had major takeaways, specifically about camera angles. Due to expensive camera equipment and time constraints, the crew was prudent and purposeful with each camera angle shot. “There was a main camera and a side camera that was on a dolly that would slide back and forth,” Vivian said. “The reason behind that is if the person on camera stuttered, they could cut to another angle.”
Dane Smoot ’27 learned about working with clients and the financial side of the industry. “We learned about the stages of editing and how they send it out to their client for approval and changes,” Dane said.
By working with video production professionals, students explored nuances in filmmaking and the purpose of certain techniques. The experience motivated aspiring filmmakers to strive further in future projects. ”I have a lot of interviews left to do,” Vivian said. “I’ve learned a lot, and now I’m excited to work on them.”
Vivian Rogers ’27 gets a feel for what it’s like to be on camera during a summer Lancers LEAP workshop.
Finding Growth and Vision at Leadership Retreat
By Pia Agrawal
Student leaders gathered for the annual Student Leadership Retreat in August, an overnight retreat for representatives from all grades, councils and clubs. Through workshops, discussions and activities, they found their roots as a Holy Cross community for collaboration during the 2025-26 year.
“We learned a lot about what [the year’s BRIC theme of inspiring integrity] actually means, because I feel like integrity is such a broad blanket statement,” Miguel Malicse ’26 said. “The main thing I got was that faith is the antidote to our fear.”
To build connections, student leaders took part in team-bonding activities like a talent show. “Everybody participated and cheered each other on,” Diana Maldonado ’26 said. “I loved how nobody was shy to go out there and put themselves on the spot.”
Dean of students Kathryn Miller, president Jason Curtis and Jodi Min, director of Holy Cross mission and ministry, led workshops and connected with the attendees.
“We had this reflection walk after Ms. Miller’s talk and had a really deep conversation among the council of social media members,” Miguel said. He hopes for more bonding opportunities outside of
school, adding, “I made a lot of memories and friends [on the retreat] and wish I had more time to connect with everyone.”
For sophomores specifically, the retreat served as a way to connect with upperclassmen. Alexis Chun ’28 said, “On the leadership retreat, it was fun to see everyone’s quirks that let you know that they’re not just this older person but a real human. I can relate to them, and we can be vulnerable with each other.”
Students also had the chance to enjoy the outdoors at the retreat, held at Saint
Clare’s Retreat Center. “We were isolated in the middle of the forest and didn’t have any cellular devices, so it made it easier to connect with others,” Emmy Abar ’28 said. Everyone spent time learning new things about their peers and getting to know each other on a deeper level. “Going out into a literal forest where it’s very calm and you’re secluded, it definitely feels more personal where it’s easier to bond with other people, and you’re all connected together in one place,” Alexis added.
Members of the Spirit Commission are excited to work together to build community and foster student engagement.
Sophia Malloy ’28, Jeronimo Uribe ’28, Alyssa Lee ’28.
’26, Ryan Matsumoto ’26 and Colin Yang ’28
Photos by Francesca Dominguez ’28 and Haley Phillips ’26
Defining Our Values Through Branding
By Caitlin Maramba ’28 and Martha Sofia Gallaga ’27
After noticing some discrepancies between the school’s new visual identity and branding guidelines and the student groups producing marketing materials, Isabella Assirati ’26 hosted a branding workshop last May. “The purpose was for students to be able to be the intermediary between their club’s culture and the Saint Francis brand, and meeting in the middle through social media, merch and their logos,” Isabella said.
School officials and students both had input at the workshop. Jamie Perkins ’97, director of strategic marketing and communications, Chris Johnson, web producer, and president Jason Curtis discussed the process that was used to create the new logo and color palette for the school, and students designed logos for clubs in alignment with the Saint Francis brand.
Priscilla Gonzalez ’27 discovered how “a lot of the [school] logos were inspired by previous logos that they had in the past,” and students learned about the symbolism of the new school seal.
“The tree is social, the cross is spiritual, and the little lamp is academic,” said Isabella, who is leading a branding committee that merges the school’s style with the unique passions and culture of each student group, providing a centralized place where all the clubs and sports teams can go for all their branding needs.
“Branding represents so much more than just the new colors or the new shades that we’re using or the new logo,” she added. “It’s more of what our school stands for. I thought it was important [at her workshop] to teach the students the meaning behind the branding and the intentionality that went behind it.”
Our student branding committee offers an exciting opportunity for students to learn about the creative and strategic process behind branding while taking an active role in shaping how Saint Francis presents itself.
What began as a workshop last spring has grown into a handson leadership experience where students explore how our visual identity and storytelling reflect our Holy Cross mission. With guidance from our Marketing and Communications team, student committee members are learning about our Saint Francis brand guidelines, the intention behind our visual elements and how to apply that knowledge to real projects.
Currently, the committee is focused on refreshing the Progress magazine logo, studying how leading brands have evolved their design to stay relevant and aligned with their mission and business objectives. This issue of Progress not only highlights content by our journalism students but also reflects a refreshed visual direction. Going forward, our community will see our student branding committee’s influence reflected in future editions as the refreshed Progress logo comes to life. Stay tuned!
— Jamie Perkins ’97 Director of strategic marketing and communications
Noah McIntosh ’26 and Saketh Srikantha ’26 work together on their club logo.
Growing the Saint Francis Mission
Our robust Institutional Advancement Department is growing with new hires and seasoned Lancers in new roles. Meet the individuals supporting our mission and future through fundraising, strategic partnerships and relationship building.
Saskia Hanselaar Choudry Saint Francis Fund giving manager
What did you do before this role?
Why is it important for you to create opportunities for students and their families to belong, engage and explore?
What excites you about Saint Francis?
A combination of accounting, business systems and operations. My transition from the corporate arena was prompted by the need to do more for my heart in supporting the things I am passionate about.
I was born overseas and moved a lot as a child, I love meeting new people and thrive on the challenge of learning new things. With four very curious boys of my own, exploration and questioning remains a constant in our house.
The students’ energy is absolutely contagious! I love being part of their excitement in exploring new ideas and challenging themselves.
What can Saint Francis do to make it easier to jump in and get involved?
Favorite way to spend time with your family?
One thing you’re really good at?
Foster a spirit of community by welcoming families, sharing their strengths and providing opportunities for growth. Cooking. My boys have all become skilled in cooking to accommodate my inabilities in the kitchen. My contribution is doing the dishes!
Spreadsheets and timelines. They are a must professionally and personally with four active boys.
Elsa Guerrero ’09 executive liaison
I served as the COO of a pediatric health care practice providing speech, occupational and behavior therapy, where I managed operations and marketing/ recruitment.
We’re shaping the future leaders, and it starts with creating a community where everyone feels like they truly belong! I’ve seen how powerful it is when families come together to learn, grow and cheer each other on.
I’m really excited to connect with students and their families! It’s been so fun to see all the amazing talents and skills everyone is showing through activities and events on campus.
Encourage people to participate in ways that feel comfortable, but also invite them to explore new areas they’re curious about.
I love going to sports games together, whether it’s cheering on my little ones or our favorite teams.
Kevin Holman family engagement director
Executive director at Canyon Heights Academy (independent Catholic PK–8) in Campbell; prior, 10+ years in college athletics at Cal and Stanford leading sales and service teams.
When students and families feel they belong and share their gifts, they experience our Holy Cross mission in action. That sense of connection makes their four years transformative and prepares them to carry those values into the world ahead.
The strong sense of community and spirit, which is felt in the warm welcome from educators and the meaningful conversations with parents I’ve already experienced.
We can build connections by learning what people are passionate or curious about. Extend a personal invitation, and always close with sincere gratitude so people feel appreciated.
Watching my kids play sports or exploring new bike paths and trails together.
Caitlin Curran Kavanagh chief advancement officer
I was a cheerleader for education access: 10 years leading Bay Scholars (nonprofit that provides support for Catholic school students); prior to that, a decade in high school admissions.
When students and families feel they belong, everything comes alive: confidence, joy and possibility.
The energy of this community, the heart of the mission and the chance to dream big with a stellar team.
We can offer purposeful invitations, joyful experiences and gratitude that always points back to our mission.
Laughing together.
Taste testing new recipes. Sports trivia. Bringing people together. Whether it’s a formal function, a family dinner or a dance party in the kitchen, life is better in community.
Powering Possibility
At Saint Francis, mission is our foundation, but inspiration is our invitation to go further. Each day, our educators and students turn ideas into innovation, imagination into leadership, and learning into transformation. This is what a Holy Cross education makes possible: the meeting of intellect and heart, faith and reason, purpose and possibility.
The work of the Institutional Advancement team is to connect that spirit of possibility with the generosity that makes it real. We may not stand at the front of the classroom, but we stand firmly behind every student, teacher and program, ensuring that dreams have the resources to become reality. Through community engagement and philanthropy, we help Saint Francis grow in the ministry of the Holy Cross Brothers: educating hearts and minds to serve and shape a better world.
At the center of that work is the Saint Francis Fund, our school’s primary annual appeal and the cornerstone of transformative support. The Fund fuels the extraordinary — empowering teachers to spark curiosity, giving students room to stretch and soar and sustaining the programs that make our community vibrant and whole.
The Saint Francis Fund turns inspiration into action by fueling innovative teaching, student discovery and a community where excellence meets imagination. Every gift advances the Holy Cross mission of educating hearts and minds to serve the world.
We believe our parent community should be just as transformed by their experiences at Saint Francis as we expect their children to be. When parents and families invest in the Saint Francis Fund, they are not simply giving to a school; they are joining a mission. Together, we nurture a faith that acts, a learning that lasts, and a community that thrives.
The story of Saint Francis is being written every day, in classrooms and club meetings, in stadiums and in service, in every student who dares to dream. We invite your partnership to bring this year’s chapter to life, one illuminated by courage, compassion and the endless horizon of hope.
Join us! We invite you to connect with our Institutional Advancement team at advancement@sfhs.com to learn more.
Meet the Institutional Advancement team:
Top row: Bernard Nemis, institutional advancement assistant; Saskia Hanselaar Choudry, Saint Francis Fund giving manager; Mike Speckman, relationship manager; Greg Calcagno ’83, alumni director; Elsa Guerrero ’09, executive liaison
Bottom row: Kevin Holman, family engagement director; Caitlin Curran Kavanagh, chief advancement officer; Helen Solinski, major gifts officer; Carolina Scipioni, stewardship director; Koa Johnson, advancement events manager; Kate Lincoln ’16, alumni giving manager
Alumni Updates
We’ve redesigned our Alumni Letter to give you the information that matters most. Check it out and stay in the loop.
Help us grow our Lancer presence around the country!
We’re launching regional programs that support our alumni when they move on to college or start a new job. We need your help:
• Be an ambassador in your area and serve as a resource for fellow Lancers who recently moved.
• If you’d like to make connections with Lancers because you’re new in your field or would like to pursue options, we want to hear from you.
• If interested, reach out to gregcalcagno@sfhs.com
We want you to join the Alumni Council!
We expanded our Alumni Council to provide more opportunities to stay involved at Saint Francis. Whether you are interested in working with students and educators or organizing events and programs that reflect the spiritual, intellectual and social aspects of our mission (just like when you were a student!), there’s a place for you on our Alumni Council.
• Connect with our students and educators and see the exciting things that are happening on and off campus.
• Volunteer at alumni social events.
• Share your expertise through mentorships or special innovation projects.
• Network with fellow alumni.
It’s a great time to give back by supporting our students, educators and fellow alumni. Join at sfhs.com/alumni-council.
Our network is only as strong as the information we have about our alumni. Our goal is to foster community among our alumni so share with us any significant life milestones or update your contact information here. We want to hear from you! sfhs.com/connect-with-us
Join the Saint Francis High School Alumni group on LinkedIn. We have more than 3,000 members, and it’s a great place to ask for advice, network or seek mentors.
Kate Lincoln ’16
Greg Calcagno ’83
Saint Francis High School (Mountain View) Alumni
Saint Francis High School Alumni
Alumni in Austin connect.
Alumni catch up and hear from students at a TEDx reception.
From Saint Francis to the Frontlines of Fire Prevention
Before Ali Hager Hammond ’10 was the director of community wildfire resilience in Aspen, Colo., she was a child fascinated by nature. Her favorite place to be was the kelp forest exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. From an early age, she learned to appreciate the balance and interconnectedness in nature. “I learned that humans, like otters, are a keystone species: our actions are exceptionally impactful in our ecosystem,” she said.
Her passion for the natural world led to an academic interest. She studied Narrative Studies and minored in Consumer Behavior and Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California. Coursework took her to Belize to study the collapse of civilization based on changing environmental conditions and their impact on food security. Two years after she graduated, she worked as a naturalist tour guide in the Rocky Mountains, a pivotal role in her career that melded her interests and skills. “This is where I learned how to speak in a way people could relate to and to focus more on how we can come together to solve a problem rather than letting it overwhelm us into action,” she said.
Today, her job encompasses everything humans can do before a wildfire breaks out. She aims to inspire change in human
behaviors, focusing on projects ranging from individual homeowner initiatives to large-scale landscape efforts. Ali engages her community about wildfire preparedness and raises funds so that goals can be accomplished faster than they would be otherwise.
Ali credits Saint Francis for shaping who she is now. Her science teachers laid a foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and marine biology, and English teachers taught her how to communicate in a compelling way. Activities like BRIC Chicks (now called BRIC Sisters) made her feel like she could make an impact, the spring musical “Sound of Music” helped her feel comfortable speaking to a crowd, and yell leading at football games taught her about energy, enthusiasm and community. Volunteering at an aquarium at the University of California, Santa Cruz and at a science camp taught her about communicating about her love of nature to the public.
Sustaining the environment can feel all too overwhelming, but Ali has reasons to stay motivated. There are new technologies being developed, she says, and lessons to be learned from observing how nature works. What keeps her going is that she sees her work as a form of service.
“Environmental stewardship means protecting the people and ecosystems I care about,” Ali said. “It doesn’t mean solving all the problems immediately or by yourself; it does mean making small steps every day that can achieve the greatest good for all things living and non-living.”
Class
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
The Saint Francis 1995 state championship basketball team reunited to remember their incredible season 30 years ago. Nine members of the team, along with their coach Steve Filios, gathered to celebrate.
This past June, seven Lancer friends hiked from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Frances route of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. They sought spiritual and personal growth, camaraderie with fellow pilgrims from around the world, athletic challenge, cultural immersion and renewed friendship. The group hiked more than 75 miles over six days. At the cathedral they visited the shrine of Saint James and received their official Compostela, a historical document awarded to pilgrims who complete the necessary distance and receive the required number of Camino passport stamps from churches and other establishments.
Arthur Boice ’75 enjoys retirement in Escondido, Calif., and takes many local road trips.
Jason Jackson ‘98 was promoted to major in the Nebraska Army National Guard. He had the honor of being given his oath by Gov. Jim Pillen and supported by his family Gina Schuessler Jackson ‘98 and their four children Andrew, Truman, Reagan and Madison. He resides with his family in Lincoln, Neb.
After almost a year as a Holy Cross intern in the Saint Francis Marketing and Communications Department, Ella Lerissa ’20 recently accepted a full-time position as visual coordinator at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and is working on the Pottery Barn Kids brand.
Vineet Ranade ’21, who graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, was named Academic All-
America Team Member of the Year for NCAA Division III in men’s swimming and diving. He previously received the NCAA Elite 90 Award at the 2025 NCAA Division III Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships. Vineet also was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Swimming & Diving Athlete of the Year for the second time after previously receiving the award in 2023. He finished his senior year breaking five individual records and contributing to two relay school records.
We honored these new members of the Saint Francis Hall of Fame who were inducted this fall.
Eric Chaves ’01, All-Around
Matt Maguire ’98, All-Around
Mike Zirelli ’95, Baseball
Kristi Candau ’00, Soccer
Kelly Corbett ‘01, Volleyball
Niki Hartley ‘98, Volleyball
Mike Mitchell, Special Category
Patty Tennant, Special Category
From left: Michele Rossi Quinn ‘83, Anne Lawlor Goyette ‘81, Susan Brodie ‘83, Siobhan Lawlor ‘83, Sheila Lawlor MacLean ‘82, Kay Lawlor Enriquez ‘85, Suzanne “Sue” Thompson Roy ‘83
Top row, from left: Saskia Lagergren ’97, Barbara Lewis ’68, Terri Nickerson Lewis ’65 HC, Robert Lewis ‘66 Bottom row, from left: Melissa Lagergren Lipp ’96, Emma Lagergren ’29, Linda Lewis Lagergren ’70, Eric Lagergren ’00 (Missing: Nick Dickinson ’98)
From left: Robbie Coley ’95, Danny O’Neal ’96, Mark Azad ’95, Jim Wynbeek ’96, Coach Steve Filios, Matt Scharrenberg ’95, Jed Brush ’96, Brad Brennan ’95, Joe Kavanaugh ’95 and Cory Blick ’97
Three generations of a Saint Francis-Holy Cross alumni family enjoy the Saint Francis vs. De La Salle football game.
Maximus, son of Cornelius ’08 and Brittany Carey
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.
Callie Rose, daughter of Caitlin Douglas Strong ’09 and Johnny Strong
Luca, son of Sabrina Stephens-Ruggio ’14 and Dominic Ruggio
In Memory
Tony Banegas ’89, brother of Mercedes “DeeDee” Banegas ’92 and Phil
Stephen Britschgi, husband of Kathleen Kerwin Britschgi ’81 and father of Spencer ‘10 and Jake ’13
Celia Caampued, mother of educator Alvin Caampued, grandmother of Alyssa Caampued ’09 and Kenneth Caampued ’14
Diane Calcagno, wife of longtime educator and coach Ron Calcagno, mother of Greg (Ann Scharrenberg ’84) Calcagno ’83, Kevin (Kristi) Calcagno ’87, grandmother of Michael ’07, David ’08, Robert ’10, Katherine ’13, Patrick ’17, Kieleigh ’21 and Kristian ’25
Clorinda Campagna, mother of educator Marco (Julie) Campagna and grandmother of Olivia ‘25 and Gianluca ‘28 Campagna
Ken Davis, father of Julie Campagna and fatherin-law of educator Marco Campagna, grandfather of Olivia ’25 and Gianluca Campagna ’28
Donald Dougherty Sr., father of Donald Dougherty Jr. ‘73, Karen Dougherty ’77, Sandra Dougherty Antony ’76, Kathleen Dougherty Reickerd ’78, Mary Dougherty Apecechea ’79, Julie Dougherty LoGrasso ’83, Michael Dougherty ’87, Laura
Emmett, left, and Adeline, twins of Scott Zipse ’07 and Kelsie Bishop Zipse
Dougherty Elliot ’90, father-in-law of Rob LoGrasso ’82, grandfather of Brianna Dougherty ’05, Brittany Dougherty ’09, Ryan Dougherty ’13, Alissa Apecechea ’12, Nick LoGrasso ’13, Adam Antony ’14, Matt LoGrasso ’15
Father Mario Farana ’62, brother of Richard Farana ‘63 (RIP), Nicholas Farana ’72, and Nina Farana ’72
Dan Flahavan, father of Haley ’22 and Tenley ’25
Michael Foley ‘59
Janice Henderson Gallagher ‘62 HC, mother of Thomas ‘87 and Ryan ‘90 Gallagher, sister of Pixie Henderson ’64 HC Newell
Mary “Mollie” Skinner Garnes ’07
Charles Hardy, husband of Patricia Murphy Hardy ’68 HC
Matthew Haruff, son of Marybeth Hanel ’81 Smith, stepson of educator Stephen Smith, and brother of Michael Haruff ‘07, Anthony Smith ‘19 and Francesca Smith ‘21
Thomas Heiser ‘80
Christopher “Kip,” son of Meaghan Crowley Sullivan ’07 and David Sullivan
Paul Isaacson ’80, brother of Marty Isaacson ’81
Donnell Jackson, father of Jason ’98, Jacob ’00 and Jameson ’09 Jackson, father-in-law of Gina Schuessler Jackson ‘98 and Jennifer Henderson Jackson ’00, grandfather of Brooklyn Jackson ’28
Alice Castro Silvas Johnson, mother of Thomas Silvas ’83, grandmother of Jake ’11 and Brooke ’12
Mike Kasser ’74, husband of Linda Kasser and brother of Kelly Kasser ‘77, is member of Saint Francis Hall of Fame
Mark Locatelli ’82, brother of Tom ’84
Beyla McIntosh, mother of William McIntosh ‘89, Kathryn McIntosh ‘91, Timothy McIntosh ‘95, mother-in-law of educator Cinthya MirandaMcIntosh, grandmother of Noah McIntosh ‘26
Josh Pickles ’05
George Ramos, father of David ’83 and Leo ’86
Carl Rosker ’59
Judy Van Dyck, mother of Dan ’81 and Brian ’83
From the Archives
Brown, White and Green
It’s no surprise that Lancers would be interested in protecting the environment. Our school, after all, is named for the patron saint of animals and ecology. Through the decades, students have shown their commitment to sustainability through their passion for environmental causes.
1990
Erin Lilly ’90 prepares signs for Earth Day, organized by the Environmental Club during the club’s inaugural year.
Ankur Chandra ’95, Sharon Lin ’96 and Meg Tennant ’96 sort through the recyclables to redeem at 5 cents each.
2009
The Environmental Club participates in Coastal Cleanup Day, joining volunteers from throughout the state to pick up trash from shorelines and waterways.
2010
Local community groups attend the Environmental Fair held in Raskob (now Alumni) Gym to share ideas and programs with students.
2018
AP Biology students visit Año Nuevo State Park to learn more about elephant seals.
2022
The Environmental Club celebrates spring by giving away seedlings to students.
Community Connection
Courtney Hubbard ’16, an educator and Holy Cross Achievers (HCA) mentor, and her mentee Fono Vaitafa ’27 share insights on their time together.
Interview and photo by Jordana Ciciretto ’28, Lia Payne ’26 and Bode Stent ’28
How did you become Fono’s mentor?
Mrs. Hubbard: Two years ago, I went to the end-of-year HCA dinner and celebration, and Fono was there. [He wasn’t part of HCA then.] We listened to HCA mentors talk about their senior mentees in a beautiful way. I started crying and thinking that I could do that for Fono one day because we had already built such a relationship that year [in English class]. I can’t wait until he’s a senior, and we’re sitting at the HCA dinner; I’ll have so many things I can say about him.
How have you helped Fono as his mentor?
Mrs. Hubbard: I’m giving him a greater pathway to success, like different perspectives or being another person in his corner. He’s already a great person. How can we share that with Saint Francis? And when he graduates, how can we share that with the world?
What are your memorable moments with him?
Mrs. Hubbard: He has been talking about getting into engineering, and I’ve been learning from my brother, who is an engineer, to help Fono better understand the steps and processes, such as taking more math and getting involved in an Intro to Coding course. Whether it’s computer engineering or something else, I want to help him understand what he wants and form a plan.
What traditions do you and Mrs. Hubbard have for your meetings?
Fono: One fun thing when we check in and talk about my goals is that she buys me breakfast. One time, I wanted Jamba Juice. She said that she would buy it the night before and put it in her freezer and bring it to me because [Jamba Juice isn’t open early enough]. She did just that.
How do you feel when she goes out of her way for you?
Fono: I can trust her, and our bond gets stronger. She takes time out of her day and spends money that she works hard for on me. I’m very grateful she does that.
