School Ties - Spring 2017

SCHOOL TIES SAN DOMENICO

Ashley Sanchez, Class of 2017 Latino League Founder

The Leadership Issue Spring 2017

Inside cover: Upper School teachers Dr. Doris Brown and Jennifer Grimes

SPRING 2017

Leader ship FEATURES

22

Leaders Opine On Leadership

28

Social Impact Through Arts Leadership

32

Entrepreneurship

36

Spiritual Leadership

40

Students in Action

DEPARTMENTS

06 09 10

Faculty Profiles SD Fund

On Campus SD in Quotes We Asked Events

18 48 52 54 55

Service Class Notes Alum Gatherings Remembrances From the Archives

HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Community, When I think about leadership, the first thing that comes to mind is responsibility. A leader is beholden to the constituents he or she represents, in my case, our founders, alumni, and current community, and our future students and families. I see myself as a bridge-builder, ensuring our success as a thriving independent school, balancing market trends, demographics, and our mission and vision, always mindful that our Dominican values carry forth.

As the female leader of a formerly all-girls school who is an alumna of San Domenico Upper School, I find myself acutely aware of the role traditional feminine values play in contemporary leadership. Author John Gerzema is a pioneer in the use of data to identify social change and help companies and organizations anticipate and adapt to new interests and demands. In The Athena Doctrine he writes, “We live in a world that’s increasingly social, interdependent and transparent. And in this world, feminine values are ascendant. . .The most innovative among us are breaking away from traditional structures to be more

“ The most innovative among us are breaking away from traditional structures to be more flexible, collaborative and nurturing.” flexible, collaborative and nurturing. And both men and women from Medellín to Nairobi are adopting this style, which emphasizes cooperation, long-term thinking, and flexibility. Informally, and in countless ways, they are following the Athena Doctrine, named after the Greek Goddess, the warrior whose strength came from wisdom and fairness. All over the world, people are deploying feminine thinking and values to make their lives, and the world, better.”

With three children of my own – two sons and one daughter – and as the Head of School during the expansion of coeducation to the Upper School, I recognize the extraordinary good fortune of the boys trailblazing into SD for high school, who have the wisdom of their upper class ‘sisters’ guiding and leading them. Together, they are grappling with issues and engaging in respectful discourse that our world desperately needs in its leadership – Democrat, Republican, Independent, CEO, Executive Director, and so on. I imagine our students as adults – balanced, conscientious leaders, embodying both traditional roles while concurrently innovating to meet the demands of the times.

As leaders, we must sometimes face difficult truths, but doing so with heart and clear intent helps us measure up to the responsibility we hold. I hope you enjoy this issue.

Cecily Stock ’77, M.A., J.D. Head of School

4 SCHOOL TIES

VERITIES Leadership In Action Over the years when exchanging thoughts with students about leadership, I have likened the role of leadership to that of conducting an orchestra. The conductor and musicians create an incredible movement of back and forth, of leading and following, listening and drawing out the very best in one another, watching and waiting, and then coming together as a whole to reveal the full passion of the composer. The conductor’s responsibility is to guide the musicians to convey the composer’s vision, all the while taking care to develop within each student musician his or her skill to lead and follow.

On Sunday afternoon, March 12, while attending the Upper School’s Virtuoso Program Concert and thinking about the article on leadership that I was to create for this issue of School Ties, I actually saw the meaning of leadership coming to life before my very eyes.

From the program’s first piece, Dianne Wachsman’s “Fanfares for String Orchestra,” the student musicians approached the stage in three separate waves of Fanfares: first, the “Violins singing the blues, Violas dancing in mixed meter, the Bass/Celli creating a dramatic tango, and then All-Strings joining together for the final jovial Fanfare.” Each section conveyed its specific, very energetic part, leading us into the next segment and ending with Wachsman’s full exuberant creation. Our young musicians were indeed carefully watching one another, listening deeply, bringing one another in at just the right moments, and then entering into the whole together, as one, under the direction of conductor Ann Krinitsky. It was magical.

It was leadership in action.

Later in the day, as I read through the Concert Program, Ann Krinitsky’s remarks captured ever-so-beautifully the essence of what I had witnessed leadership to be. Ann wrote: “In the Virtuoso Program, we strive to develop each musician’s capacity to lead and to follow. Our parts are so interconnected that we must constantly listen and react to what has preceded us as well as lay the groundwork for what is to come. . . Whether the current of energy flows toward us in a swift torrent or a gentle stream, around obstacles or unimpeded, we must admit it through our minds and bodies, respond to its demands, and allow it to flow outward to its next destination, however altered by our impact.”

As leaders, at any age level or in whatever capacity we find ourselves, the “destination” of our actions is impacted by the part we play in the action. Our San Domenico education calls each of us to see and value the ways in which we are interconnected and thus carry the responsibility to assume leadership one day and to act as a supportive follower the next day. To communicate back and forth with another, to bring harmony out of dissonance, requires discipline and practice.

Sister M. Gervaise Valpey, O.P. President Emerita

SPRING 2017 5

FACULTY PROFILES What is your full name?

Mary Grant Altshuler Where were you born? Outside of Philadelphia in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

What brought you to SD and when did you start working here? I have been at San Domenico for 16 years.

We moved to San Anselmo from the East Coast in 2000 and my husband told me about this beautiful school at the end of our road. Once I stepped onto campus, I knew I was meant to work here.

everyday life. It brings me joy to encourage young children to think globally and act locally, while cultivating ways to support their “inner-activist.”

After working hard all week shaping young minds, what is your ideal weekend? My perfect weekend is to spend time outside with

What was your favorite subject in school? Since I was little, it has always been reading, which of course turned into English in high school and college.

Which of our Dominican values of Study, Reflection, Community, and Service is inspiring you the most this semester and why? The Dominican tradition of service is quite important to me. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” resonates deeply with me and I value working at a school where service is woven into the tapestry of our

6 SCHOOL TIES

General Mills once hired me to make 6000 meringue mushrooms – that was quite a feat!

What are a few of your most significant professional and/or academic accomplishments? Helping an emerging reader grow into a skillful one is always a great accomplishment and a very satisfying experience for me.

Bringing the authors Stephanie Harvey and Harvey Daniels to SD when we began changing our literacy landscape was a highlight for me professionally.

I was also proud that the Literacy Committee we created was one of the first all-school committees at San Domenico.

What do you do in your job here at San Domenico? And what is your favorite part of the job? I teach third grade. My favorite part is the connection I have with the children and families, especially over the years, when I teach siblings and cousins. The sense of community, which is such an essential part of San Domenico, nurtures and energizes me.

Lower School

What was your best professional “I wish someone had seen this” moment? Recently, a third grader

my husband, Randy. We might go for a walk, putter around town, or simply read books on our deck. It’s important to us to unwind and spend time together over the weekend. We especially enjoy going to Stinson Beach, no matter what the season.

What are a few of your most significant personal accomplishments?

I love to knit and bake. Before I had my two children, (the accomplishment of which I’m most proud!) I made desserts for many restaurants in Boston. Once John Travolta ate a slice of my blueberry sour cream pie, and told The Boston Globe that it was the best pie he had ever eaten! Also,

wrote me a card that said, “I am very grateful to have you as a teacher. You have pushed me down deeper into the water. Thank you.” At first I was stymied and worried I was “drowning” her with work! But upon reflection, I realized she had actually listened to me throughout the year. I often talk about an iceberg and that I want my students’ thinking to go deeper than the tip of the iceberg, down into the part of the berg that is hidden by the water. This sweet child had internalized my message and reiterated it in her own words.

That note meant the world to me.

Middle School

What is your full name?

Claire Louise Bukata Where were you born? New Jersey What brought you to SD and when did you start working here? My friend went here for middle school.

When I relocated to the West Coast I knew I had to come see for myself! I lived and worked in San Francisco last year, but once I came to Marin I knew that SD was the place for me.

some running, walks with my dog Cooper, eating good food, and spending time with friends – I love game nights!

What are a few of your most significant personal accomplishments? After being told in college that I would need knee surgery before being able to come back to running, I ran the New York City Marathon in 2009 and the Marine Corps Marathon in 2011 (all without ever needing knee surgery).

What do you do in your job here at San Domenico? And what is your favorite part of the job? I am a 6th and 7th grade Math teacher. I also get to coach our Middle School Mathletes.

After school, I coach Upper School Cross-Country and Track. I love that I can combine my passion for math with my love of running in my job every day.

What is your favorite subject, other than your own of course? I love History and English!

Which of our Dominican values of Study, Reflection, Community, and Service is inspiring you the most this semester and why? Reflection.

This semester I am working hard to reflect on my teaching and make improvements in both teaching practices and depth of content.

After working hard all week shaping young minds, what is your ideal weekend? I love getting out in Marin and exploring new trails while running. My perfect weekend includes

What are a few of your most significant professional and/or academic accomplishments?

Earning my Master’s Degree in Special Education at Fordham University.

I was invited to be the keynote speaker at my high school’s honor society induction. My high school, Oak Knoll School, is part of a larger network of Schools of Holy Child (there are even a few in California) that spends a lot

of time working with the Cornelia Connelly Center, a sister school that accepts girls living in poverty and/or struggling in the public school system.

Speaking to current students, it was really powerful being able to show how my high school experience led me to work at the Cornelia Connelly Center, and how it helped me develop my own philosophy of education.

What was your best professional “I wish someone had seen this” moment? I can still remember teaching a room of 20 fifth graders in New York about six years ago, many of whom struggled with single-digit addition and subtraction, and all of whom had not found success in the city’s public school system. One girl asked a question about comparing the prime factorization of two terms and the greatest common factor of two terms. I answered the question with an example, and I literally heard my students gasp, as if the question and answer they had heard allowed them to achieve enlightenment. What was for me a “no frills” lesson somehow connected to each of my students in a way that had never been so visibly obvious. The best part was that I had girls working on a subject that they had grown up thinking they were bad at or that they would “never be a math person.” I still think of that class of girls when I teach, and work hard so that no student will walk away from a class thinking that math is just “not their thing.”

SPRING 2017 7

FACULTY PROFILES

Upper School

What is your full name?

Jared Russel Spires (Only one “L” in Russel.

It’s a family name.)

Where were you born?

Mountain View, CA

What brought you to SD and when did you start working here?

I started working for SD in November 2013. It was the best birthday gift I could have ever given to myself. I was able to quit working for Apple and start working for this wonderful school.

What do you do in your job here at San Domenico? And what is your favorite part of the job? I teach the

Service is inspiring you the most this semester and why? Reflection.

Filmmaking courses in the high school, and also work in the Technology Department. My favorite part of my job is to see what my students come up with.

It’s always nice to be able to look back and reflect on what I have or have not accomplished in the year, then to continue to work on or move forward with those accomplishments.

What is your favorite subject, other than your own of course? Wood

After working hard all week shaping young minds, what is your ideal weekend? I like to go on walks

Shop. I was in Industrial Technology all four years of high school.

Which of our Dominican values of Study, Reflection, Community, and

with my family and take my daughter to the park. I also play a lot of music in two bands. I sing and play guitar, harmonica, and trombone in the indie-folk-rock band Kentucky Street Pioneers and play trombone in the hip hop band Muchow and Friends.

What are a few of your most significant personal accomplishments?

Buying a house.

Having a child.

Writing my own music.

8 SCHOOL TIES

What are a few of your most significant professional and/or academic accomplishments?

Starting the Filmmaking program at San Domenico.

What was your best professional “I wish someone had seen this” moment? I’m fairly new to teaching, so it’s hard to think of a single moment I have had like that so far.

I am really grateful to have had the chance to start a film program at San Domenico, and while the program itself is not exactly unseen, the dayto-day moments often are. Film is all about capturing the best moments to create an overall great experience. In the class I get these great moments all the time, just interacting with the students, watching them discover their talents, and develop a deeper interest in filmmaking. Overall, it’s been really rewarding and I am happy to be able to share about it.

SD FUND UPDATE The

San Domenico Fund 2016-2017

The San Domenico Fund ensures that our School has critical resources it needs to provide robust and unique programs from Kindergarten to the 12th grade, programs that have a direct and positive impact on every student, teacher, and administrator.

The 2016-17 San Domenico Fund campaign commenced on July 1, 2016, with a goal of $800,000. Due to the incredible generosity of our community and the many hard-working, volunteer Advancement Committee members and Class Captains who help educate our community about the importance of the Fund, we’re confident that we’ll meet or exceed this year’s goal, making even more possible for our students. We appreciate the parents and former parents, alumni, friends, and all of our faculty and staff, who have shown deep commitment to our students with their gifts. We hope to demonstrate the SD Fund’s value to— and inspire participation from—every family in our School community.

On December 6, 2016, we introduced the first-ever #SDGivingDay. Our own twist on Giving Tuesday, #SDGivingDay also marked the 166th anniversary of the founding of our School. This oneday, online-only San Domenico Fund drive invited alumni, in particular, to honor their heritage, reflect on their personal SD experiences, and give back in a fun and exciting way to the Alma Mater that shaped who they are today. Participants and observers were able to track progress online in just minutes.

Charming photos, clever videos, and information about #SDGivingDay were disseminated through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email notification throughout the day. We are grateful to the alumni, parents, and other friends of the School for their tremendous support, including contributions totaling $35,000 in just 24 hours!

The 2016-17 San Domenico Fund campaign continues. If you have not yet donated, please consider a gift before the Fund closes on June 30, 2017. Visit us at www.sandomenico. org and click on the “Giving” link for more information. Every contribution is truly appreciated.

2016-17 ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE: Richie Goldman, Chair Trustee, Current Parent Caroline Boitano, Former Board Member, Former Parent Mary Buie, Trustee, Former Parent Phil Clark, Trustee, Current Parent Glen Galaich, Current Parent Kevin Keenley, Current Parent Emager Pearce, Trustee, Alumna, Current Parent

Mary-Peck Peters, Trustee, Alumna Leslie Reese, Alumni Council Chair,

Alumna

June Sullivan, Former Board Member,

Former Parent

Sister M. Gervaise Valpey, O.P., President Emerita

2016-17 CLASS CAPTAINS: Kara Connors and Mike Miskovsky, San Domenico Fund Parent Campaign Chairs

Alison Buist and David Sohn, Kindergarten

Zuzy Martin and Richard Lynch, First Grade

Gillian Libbert and John Duncan, Second Grade

Diane and Kevin Keenley, Third Grade Kimberly and Jeff Qvale, Fourth Grade Sandy and Chris Gerner, Fifth Grade Valerie and Gary Testa, Sixth Grade Eric Stover, Seventh Grade Andy Getsey, Eighth Grade Jodylee Meenaghan, Eighth Grade Kimberli Brown and Bruce Keith, Ninth Grade

Bea and Eric Ivory-Chambers, Tenth Grade

Sharon and William Coffer, Eleventh Grade

Visit us at www.sandomenico.org/giving to donate. Thank you!

SPRING SPRING 2017 2017 99

ON CAMPUS “At San Domenico, our three

“GO RACHAEL!”

kids are learning to make informed decisions, pursue curiosities and communicate with confidence. But what truly exceeds our expectations is the mindfulness and altruism that San Domenico instills in every student.”

- LINLEY & PETER KAYE, parents to Beckett (1st), Riley (7th), and Hannah (9th)

- NIA COFFER ’18, on her classmate Rachael Zucker’s 1st Place win in the 2017 Marin County Poetry Out Loud Finals

“ The best thing about History is also the

worst thing. Learning about the brutalities of the past, but knowing we haven’t learned our lesson yet.”

- JASMINE HARRIS ’21

“That was the best scavenger hunt ever!”

- THE PANTHER

10 SCHOOL TIES

SD in Quotes “These young men are

incredible to work with.

I could not be more proud of their teamwork and accomplishments!”

- COACH MIKE FULTON, on his undefeated BCL Champion Men’s Junior Varsity Basketball team

“Such a great group!

Way to swim on through your winter break!”

- HEATHER FLYNN , mom to Cadan (1st), Savannah (6th), and Zachary (7th), on the SD Swim team’s success at the Lost Dutchman Invitational in Chandler, AZ

“As a teacher I often find myself thinking

about the necessity of vulnerability in learning. Teachability means being able to say, “I don’t know.” ” - KAITLYN GALLAGHER, Upper School English Teacher

SPRING 2017 11

ON CAMPUS What Makes Someone Dedicated.

Enthusiastic.

L a Good Leader?

Compassionate. Kind. Inv Humble. Open-minded. P Enthusiastic.

Listens.

Emp “ “ Kind. Involved. Confident ” ” Passionate. Involved. Ded “ Listens. Empathetic.Comp “ ” “ Humble. Ope Confident. ” Kind. Involved. Enthusias ” Compassionate. Kind. Inv I think a leader should be dedicated and enthusiastic to his cause. I also believe a good leader should be a good listener and empathetic towards all people. - WILL BOLLINI ’22

I think that to be a leader the people you work with need your trust.

- KATE FOGARTY ’25

Being nice and smart and having your own desk. - DELARA DARY ’28

I believe a leader is someone who is empathetic and compassionate and who always acts with kindness.

- MICHELA HERBERT ’17

Being a good listener is one of the most important qualities in a leader, as leading is about paying attention to others, and keeping an open mind about everyone’s thoughts and ideas.

- NASTASSIA FULCONIS ’17

Open-minded. Passionate.

Listens. Empathetic.Comp 12 SCHOOL TIES

We Asked

Listens. Empathetic. Kind “ volved. Confi dent. Listen Passionate. Kind. Involve pathetic.

Compassionate “ ” t. Humble.

Open-minded ” dicated. Enthusiastic.

Kin “ ” mpassionate.

Kind.

Involve “ ” en-minded.

Passionate. stic. Listens.

Empathet “ volved. Confi”dent. Humb . Dedicated. Enthusiastic mpassionate. Kind. Involve A good leader is someone who is passionate and willing to give it their all!

I think leaders have to be brave, so that they won’t be scared to make choices. It’s always worth a try to do anything, and without a leader’s encouragement, some may hesitate.

So, if a leader is not afraid of making choices, the team will rely on her more.

Also, a leader needs to listen to her team and take advice from the team when they are working on projects.

- GULNIYAL TUERHONG ’18

- HANNAH KAYE ’20

Being confident, while staying humble.

A good leader is someone who is involved in their community.

- GREYDON SNYDER ’20

- SABRINA STRAIN ’19

I think that a good leader does not have to have the loudest voice in the group, but should be one that is dedicated and driven to help the group thrive as a whole.

- LINDA BU ’17

SPRING 2017 13

ON CAMPUS

Lower School Colonial Day Fairy House Building

14 SCHOOL TIES

Events

Upper School Winter Formal

Middle School “Fiddler on the Roof”

SPRING 2017 15

ON CAMPUS Holi Festival

16 SCHOOL TIES

Events

An annual Hindu Festival Celebrating Spring SPRING 2017 17

SERVICE A Senior Gets Personal Ashley Sanchez '17 is a first-generation American. She is the founder of the San Domenico Latino League. The following is an excerpt from Ashley’s senior ROSE (Real Opportunities in Service Education) Project presentation.

My parents both fled to the United States from Central America to escape a deadly civil war. My values are shaped by my experiences as a girl of color. For my ROSE project, I knew I wanted to serve the Latino community.

As I tried to come up with a project, I thought of resources that would be most beneficial to Latinos. I realized

how my life at home gave me a bit of an advantage over other Latinos. I was taught English first, because my parents recognized that they would raise me in America, and they did not want me to go through the same struggle that they had. Many of my relatives and family friends saw America as a place where you could succeed if you knew English. Knowing this, I decided I wanted to help teach English to Latino immigrants.

Marin is a wealthy community, characterized by high levels of residential segregation by race and ethnicity.

Communities of color in Marin have less access to an education and a

sufficient income. Many residents of the Canal area have not completed high school, and the typical worker earns about $43,000 less than a person in Ross would make. The Canal area is around 76% Latino. On average, Latinos living in Marin will not make enough money to be self-sufficient.

I was devastated to learn about the barriers that Latino immigrants in the Canal area face. I went to a privileged, school just two miles away from a community facing many hardships.

I knew that I wanted something to change.

I became an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at the Canal

A Poem Inspired by a Personal Journey Native Tongues

My Spanish

If you ask me if I know Spanish

It acts as a border line

I’ll tell you a story about how a young man and woman fled

The line between Latino and American.

It doesn’t know what to call itself.

Two countries ravaged by war

If you ask me if I know Spanish

I’ll tell you how they were from El Salvador and Nicaragua

I’ll tell you how my grandma carried a culture on her back

I’ll tell you where those countries are.

When she fled across golden deserts to

If you ask me if I know Spanish

Ameríca.

I’ll tell you how those two torn-apart countries

She tried to tie herself down to an English-speaking post

Brought my mother and father together.

But always came running back to her native tongue.

My Spanish

If you ask me if I know Spanish

It sits and waits for you to finish speaking

I’ll tell you my people are

My Spanish

“I always wear my heels to the Quinceañera” people

Is me looking over my parents’ emails

“Pero like” people

On the lookout for grammar mistakes and misspellings

“Ay, dios” people

Because they are worried

“Ya comiste niña? Tienes hambre?” people

That they won’t be taken seriously.

“No me digas!” people.

18 SCHOOL TIES

music blasting from cars, and voices yelling in Spanish. A group of people outside were speaking k’iche’, the indigenous language of Guatemala.

I was excited to get to know all these lively people. Our classroom, dubbed the Stanford room, was a tight space with bright green walls. There were 17 students, and all of them were over 20 years old; there were only three women, and the majority of the students were Guatemalan.

Alliance, an organization dedicated to helping low-income, Spanish-speaking immigrants acquire the tools to overcome poverty and injustice. They provide university preparation programs,

immigration legal services, computer classes, and ESL classes. After some training I showed up to teach my first class at 8:00 pm. As I pulled into the parking lot I could hear reggaeton

As I walked around the classroom, I was nervous that the students would be unwilling to ask me for help, since I was so much younger than them but, in their eagerness to learn, they quickly embraced me as “la professora.”

I’ll tell you that

My Spanish wonders if it has an expiration date

There’s no telling us to be quiet

It is a flame we snuffed out once we realized

When we spent so long finding our voices.

Spanish

I’ll tell you how English sits remixed in our mouths,

Leads to

So that sleep becomes “esleep”

“Go back to your country”

And Facebook is “feisbu”

and

I’ll tell you that my Spanish

“This is America!”

Wants to know why

and

Brown skin is beautiful on a white girl

it leads to all the Latinos in my grandma’s apartment being

But on me it’s dirty

told we

On me, it’s “can you please make your face a shade paler?”

had to move out

On me, brown skin is an open invitation to ask

My Spanish

“How did your parents get here?”

It is proud

My Spanish wants you to know that my people are not exotic

It makes mistakes

We are not spicy

My Spanish knows that there will always be words that escape me.

My Spanish wants you to know that spicy is reserved for our food.

It is in my hair, my skin

My Spanish is unapologetic.

SPRING 2017 19

SERVICE Everyone was so engaged in the class, and it was amazing for me to watch.

But slowly, attendance lessened. There was increasing and widespread fear in the immigrant community.

On February 22, we started the class by handing out pamphlets with information concerning immigration.

One of the students nervously raised his hand, and asked “What do I do if the Immigration Customs Enforcement comes to my house and I’m

much. It was devastating for me to watch these lively, determined adults question the safety of their homes. I was so frustrated that the students had to live in fear. I had to reassure them that we were safe, even though I was so scared for them myself. I watched the class size grow smaller and smaller.

The Canal Alliance sent out the following email, “In this time of uncertainty, your labors with our students are all

L-R: Seniors Ashley Sanchez, Madison Dempster, Marlee Mesarchik, Michela Herbert

not there? Will it be safe for me to go back to my house?” This was something I had never considered before.

Another student asked if he needed to worry about the ICE if he had a green card. Someone asked how they would connect with their loved ones if they were detained by immigrant officials. We could not give satisfactory answers, which bothered me so

20 SCHOOL TIES

the more important. Both implicitly and explicitly, you’re providing support, and solidarity, and community integration.”

I am so grateful to have been a part of the ESL program. For one of the first times since beginning high school, I was able to enter a classroom and see people who looked like me. We had

similar backgrounds; I could see my grandmother’s experiences reflected in Graciela, with her thick accent and bright smile. If anything, I had a tremendous appreciation for everything immigrant parents did for their children. I grew up feeling as though I had to tiptoe around my ethnicity, and my culture. Being American, in my parents’ eyes, means that I will be able to have everything they did not have.

I will be the first in my family to go to college; I will carry the experiences I had at Canal Alliance, and the strong people I have met with me. I found a way to serve my community, and I cannot wait to continue to broaden my experiences.

The first step towards empowerment was to accept myself and foster a love for my ethnicity. With this newfound knowledge and courage, I developed the Latino League at SD. My new voice was capable and strong. In the classroom, I found myself speaking up more than the usual speak-once-aclass participation routine I had perfected. Teachers told me my voice was valuable. I wanted to change the way people of color were portrayed. I refused to be seen as weak and unable.

My goals spurred me on to continue growing and changing, and I remain motivated. I cannot break down every wall, but I have to start somewhere.

Dominican Leadership and Inclusivity

Dear San Domenico Community Members, In response to a recent increase in anti-Semitic threats and other hate crimes, decreasing protections for immigrants and refugees, and an increasing culture of fear and intolerance, educators nationwide are uniting to ensure that their schools remain protected and welcoming bastions of learning.

At San Domenico, we stand with humanity in a quest for social justice, global peace, and inclusivity; we don’t stand for one political party, one ethnic group, or one religion.

In keeping with our Mission and in the Dominican tradition of Veritas (truth), We inspire inquiry and provide a strong academic foundation for lifelong intellectual growth.

We explore and develop the unique gifts of each individual in mind, heart, body, and spirit.

We celebrate diversity, recognizing God’s presence in ourselves and in all of creation.

We recognize what it means to be human in a global community and respond with integrity to the needs and challenges of our time.

We will continue to work with the National Association of Independent Schools, the California Association of Independent Schools, and local educators to assure our community that our stance and program remain inclusive, diverse, and open-hearted. We will continue to ask ourselves how we can best model respectful civil discourse in a turbulent time.

Please join us in continuing to create a community of belonging, where students, staff, and families are dedicated to inclusion and respect for all.

Sincerely,

Amy Skewes-Cox ’71, Chair, Board of Trustees

Cecily Stock ’77, M.A., J.D., Head of School

SPRING 2017 21

Leaders Opine on Leadership

L

eadership is such a hot topic

these days. World leaders vie for power on the global stage.

Business and NGO executives impact every sector of for-profit and non-profit endeavors. Athletic and celebrity role models step up as activist leaders and teachers develop the next generation of global changemakers. Reflecting on the theme of leadership for this issue, we reached out to some of the leaders in the SD community to get their perspective on leadership.

SPRING 2017 23

The Interviewees

Emager: My team and I are responsible for reviewing and approving batches of drug product for global distribution to hemophiliacs.

Graham Weaver

Managing Partner of Alpine Investors, Treasurer of the SD Board of Trustees, and parent to Chase (7th grade), Blake (5th grade), and Lily (2nd grade)

Tell us a bit about your role as a leader in your company/organization.

Emager Pearce

Associate Director of Quality Release at Bayer HealthCare, alumna of the Class of ’89, member of the Board of Trustees, and parent to Makayla Pearce (10th grade)

Wanden: I have served as president of the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations, including Legal Aid of Marin, 10,000 Degrees (formerly Marin Education Fund), Planned Parenthood of Marin, Sonoma & Mendocino, as well as President of the Board of Trustees of College of Marin.

Graham: Although I run an investment firm, my role is more about talent development than anything else. I try to find amazing people, put them in the right positions and help them become successful.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Wanden Treanor

Attorney Marin Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, and alumna of the Class of ’73

Leslie Reese

Executive Director and Co-owner of HomeWell Senior Care, which she owns with her sister and fellow SD alumna Carolyn (Jeffery) Tucker ’87, member of the Class of ’87, and current Chair of the San Domenico Alumni Council

Leslie: The ability to flex your thinking between detail and the big picture to ensure consistent alignment with the vision/direction. Take action and calculated risks – you may not always win, but you keep moving forward, which is critical!

Graham: The ability to hire well. A leader is only one person. The most important decision a leader will make is who he/she will put in the top three or four positions of the organization. Those people will help shape the organization and will also be responsible for hiring their own teams. There is an expression that “A’s hire A’s and B’s hire C’s.” That is

reinforced by the fact that A’s only want to work for A’s. So making sure you have all A’s at the top of the org chart is critical.

Wanden: The ability to collaborate is a critical characteristic of effective leadership. A great leader is able to encourage others to do their best and then make sure that the credit goes to the group, not to individuals and certainly not to the “leader.”

What challenges you most about being a leader in your field? Has that changed over the years?

Wanden: As President of the Marin County Bar Association, one of my greatest challenges was to make sure that, during board meetings, all voices were heard, that the loudest and boldest wasn’t given too much airtime, and to make sure that minority opinions were adequately presented.

Emager: Reducing complexity despite different regulations across hundreds of countries.

to this process is also making sure that we follow through on the items we come up with during these sessions. Such sessions have been game-changing for us.

Leslie: Navigating the changing political and regulatory landscape of healthcare in general and homecare specifically. It has only become more challenging as our insurance, corporate and governing bodies struggle to keep pace with developing solutions to help the increasing volume of seniors afford to age in their own homes.

Leslie: I encourage staff to offer possible solutions when they bring issues needing resolution and use regular team meetings to collectively brainstorm around challenges.

Additionally, I always encourage staff to stay abreast of industry context and developments to help inform their problem-solving.

Graham: I think one of the most overlooked elements of leadership is building an organization around retaining your top performers. We often think about hiring great people and then forget about retaining them and creating an environment in which they can thrive and spend their career.

How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization/company?

Graham: One of the most under-utilized skills in general is our ability to think. We actually schedule creative thinking sessions on specific topics. We have quarterly, monthly, and weekly sessions which are part of our regular schedule. We make sure we’re asking provocative questions and have the right people in the room to answer them. Critical

Emager: By listening and encouraging an open environment for ideas and feedback.

Wanden: Allowing each board member to speak to what the mission means to him/her lets everyone understand why each person has agreed to commit their time, talent and treasure to the organization. The more you are able to create a shared vision, the more successful the team will be.

What are the risks or disadvantages in leadership that you didn’t anticipate before starting?

Emager: I love leading with a positive outlook so I consider

SPRING 2017 25

risks and perceived disadvantages as opportunities.

Leslie: The risks are that you don’t create a vision that you can unite your team around and therefore don’t execute on goals. Also, that you choose too many goals and sacrifice the quality of the outcome you are trying to achieve or decrease morale by overwhelming staff. Disadvantages are that you can sometimes feel alone in your role of holding everything and everyone together, making it critical to develop a strong team who support each other.

Wanden: There are hard issues that must be addressed and times that the leader must discipline or hold others accountable for not meeting the shared commitments...and some people may not end up liking you for what you have to do in your leadership role.

Graham: It can be lonely. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions which will have significant ramifications on the business and/or your team. It can be difficult to shoulder such decisions by yourself.

How do you find consensus when your team disagrees on an important decision?

Leslie: You take time to talk through potential solutions and the benefits and impacts to team members and ultimately remind people of the larger context within which decisions must be made.

Emager: Identify and address concerns; gather and share more data.

Wanden: You need diversity of opinion so that the end result is a decision made after thoughtful and thorough deliberation. However, there are certain decisions that warrant unanimity, such as the hiring of a college president. Once it is apparent there is a clear majority, the board should vote one last time unanimously. It sets a supportive start.

Graham: If, after good debate, our core management team is still split on a decision, then the decision is to pass on the opportunity, or the hire, or the new initiative. The other element that is critical for a healthy culture is that once you make a decision, you all align behind that decision.

Can you name a person who has had a

tremendous impact on you as a leader?

Why and how did this person impact your life?

Wanden: Sandy Donnell, who is a Dominican grad and with whom I had the pleasure of working with on the 10,000 Degrees board, has been a model community leader. She is unpretentious, dedicated and a giving member of our community on many levels.

Emager: A vice president who made fact-based decisions, led with positive examples, and created an atmosphere of engagement and acknowledgment.

Graham: Irv Grousbeck, a professor of mine from Stanford Business School, has been a fantastic mentor for me. He’s an incredible professor, business person and thinker, but I’ve actually learned the most by observing his actions – how

he carries himself, how humble he is, how he treats others, and how he spends his time.

What are the most important decisions you make as a leader of your organization?

Leslie: Those impacting the livelihood of our employees.

Emager: Quality decisions in the interests of our patients.

Graham: Getting your top managers right is the single most important decision. Following that decision are 1) how will you choose to differentiate your strategy? and 2) how will each person on your team spend his/her time?

What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others?

Graham: Trying to do too much. It’s better to focus on three things and do them really well than try to do eleven things moderately well. This goes against all of our instincts. It is natural to want to feel busy and productive. Typically, removing things from your own and your team’s list is the most productive thing you can do.

Wanden: Not shining enough light on the good work of the group, or failing to acknowledge the work of others, taking too much credit to self.

“

Leslie: Not seeking expertise in areas that are not their strength in order to come to a more informed and optimal decision. Not taking the time to listen to or even invite input from their staff/colleagues.

My first experience as a leader was the year that I was Student Body President of San Domenico. I learned a tremendous amount in that role, most importantly

Emager: Failure to develop/recognize/acknowledge talent, and failure to adequately communicate decisions and the rationale.

Where do the great ideas come from in your organization?

that the role is not about the

Leslie: Our staff!

person, but the leadership the person in that role must

Graham: They really come from asking the right questions and then scheduling time to think.

exercise.

Emager: Skilled personnel who consider the “big picture.”

- Wanden Treanor ’73

Wanden: Great ideas don’t come from ONE person, but rather the collective

“

brainstorming, problem-solving, dreaming, visioning, and trying to be open to all ideas.

SPRING 2017 27

With a resume that includes professional singer, Arts and Impact Strategist with the Sundance Institute, and

ARTS LEADERSHIP SOCIAL IMPACT THROUGH

current UC Berkeley Masters in Public Affairs candidate, Elizabeth O’Malley ’04 has turned creativity and a knack for storytelling into a purpose-driven life.

SPRING 2017 29

FACULTY PROFILES L ast month I was thrilled when my dear friend and current San Domenico parent, Zuzy Martin, called me up and asked me to moderate a Q&A following the screening of her documentary “Craving Cuba” at San Domenico. Driving back onto campus, my mind was filled with a flurry of memories of my days in the Upper School.

From 2000 to 2004, the San Domenico Upper School was special to me because it was a place that embraced my thirst for creativity and stewarded my capacity for knowledge. It was a haven for young women to explore ideas, discover their unique identities, exchange in discourse and learn to be confident and strong-minded members of a community. If you ask any of the faculty who had me in their class, they would all tell you that I wasn’t the most serious student, but get me in that theatre space behind the cafeteria and my commitment to excellence was unmatched. At San Domenico the staff fostered my talents and supported my challenges. They taught me persistence and guided me in harnessing my creative energy for other pursuits. Since San Domenico I have pursued a singing career in Los Angeles, a nonprofit arts career at the Sundance Institute, and am now attending the number-one policy school, the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy, to receive a mid-career Masters in Public Affairs.

When reflecting on my career thus far, I would have to say that my greatest joys were experienced while working as the Assistant Director of Individual Giving at the Sundance Institute. While building programs to support independent filmmakers

30 SCHOOL TIES

worldwide, I was given a unique and up-close perspective on the struggles that artists go through to bring their stories to life and consequently how those stories can ignite a deeper understanding of the world when shared with audiences. My five years at Sundance shaped how I think about arts infrastructure in this country and compelled me to want to do even more to create opportunities for artists. Currently as an arts and social impact strategist (and policy

“From 2000 to 2004, the San Domenico Upper School was special to me because it was a place that embraced my thirst for creativity and stewarded my capacity for knowledge.”

graduate student) I focus my efforts on developing public sector solutions that strengthen creative communities and encourage social impact through arts engagement.

In my years as an arts administrator, I have come to find that the best leaders are the ones that understand the power of following as well as leading. Especially in the creative

sector, there are a million phenomenal ideas out there and sometimes yours will not be the best one. To be an active listener and encourage those around you to lead by thinking outside of the box is a great gift.

The leaders in my career that have employed this skill have been the ones to activate the most exciting programs serving today’s artists.

Now as I close out my time at UC Berkeley and re-enter the working world, I am encouraged by the sector to which I return. Female leaders are taking charge in the arts world more than ever and they are compelling everyone around them to think creatively about how we can serve diverse voices in the arts. As someone who started out as an artist myself, I couldn’t be happier to be doing the work and collaborating with great minds to support the current and future artists of the world. Now more than ever it is vital to champion art that challenges our assumptions, opens our hearts and invites conversations about our world. The power of story is real and can lead to real change!

Being a part of sharing Zuzy’s film with the San Domenico community was such a wonderful experience and a great example of the power of story to which I refer. Zuzy’s personal journey of discovering her Cuban roots more deeply and what it means to be Cuban-American gave the SD audience an opportunity to reflect on their own identities and heritage. I don’t believe it is an exaggeration to say that all who attended came away from the evening not only entertained, but with fuller hearts toward all of humanity.

- ELIZABETH O’MALLEY ’04

I V A R C

A B U C NG “CRAVING CUBA,” by filmmakers and Lower School parents Zuzy Martin Lynch and Rick Lynch is an award-winning documentary that explores bicultural identity and what it means to be(come) American through the Cuban-American lens. Diving into the Cuban-American experience and the complicated relationship former refugees and immigrants have with their home country, the film is timely and heartwarming. The screening was produced

by San Domenico Community Building Co-Chairs Sonja Bailey and Sara Kurtzig and included Cuban music, food, and cocktails. The Q&A, moderated by Elizabeth O’Malley, opened up deep discussions as audience members shared their experiences as immigrants and refugees themselves. “As Americans,” closed Zuzy, “we are all immigrants and it is love that unites us.” “Craving Cuba” is now available for viewing via Netflix.

SPRING 2017 31

ON LEADERSHIP IN THE

ENTREPRENEURIAL SECTOR

BY LISA ALEXANDER ’83

B

eing an effective leader is not something that

have to have an unwavering belief in what you do and a

just happens. It comes through experience and

social consciousness in the endeavor. By doing what I felt

also from within the individual.

was needed – meeting a demand that was not being met

Leadership is simply another word for strength

– and loving the work, makes for a marvelous journey.

and that is tied in with purpose. You must be strong

That love can make even the challenges more rewarding

of faith in your beliefs and vision in order to instill

and worthwhile.

confidence in your ability to govern and lead. Add experience on top of that and your leadership skills

An entrepreneur is defined as a person who organizes

will shine through. True leadership however, also comes

and operates a business or businesses, taking on

with the responsibility of taking care of those whom

greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

you are leading.

If you look at the proper definition you can understand Growing up in an environment where Catholicism

right away that it may not be a walk in the park.

was my foundation and then going to a values-based

The idea of owning and running your own business

school like San Domenico, I learned that consideration

can seem all whimsy and fun. In this world, where

of others must always come first and foremost. That im-

having “happiness” as a priority, can make being an

bued in me a strong belief that success at all costs

entrepreneur look pretty appealing. For many, it equates

is NOT leadership but rather ignorance and self-centered-

to financial independence and the satisfaction of doing

ness. We sadly see that if one chooses a career simply to

things on your own, but this is not always the case. You

make money or gain fame, the selfishness disregards oth-

have to be 150% certain that what you are doing is your

ers. We have seen this time and time again; a me-me-me

PASSION as it is all-consuming. You must know that

psychology. Bernie Madoff comes to mind. His success,

you will risk EVERYTHING to make this dream of yours

masquerading as leadership, as we all know, imploded.

a reality and SACRIFICE all to do so. You will look at the doubters with a clear, unwavering gaze as they tell you all

Leadership anchored by a sense of purpose and

the things you are doing wrong.

individuality leads to more enduring success.

Leadership is intrinsically tied to individuality because it

True there is independence, but that independence

is within you and you only to take your dreams to fruition

comes with many situations that don’t exactly fit in with

and you will need drive because it will be challenging. You

the word “happy.” Think of managing taxes, regulations,

With three successful start-up ventures behind her, and a devoted following of LAFACE Laboratories skincare aficionados, SD Alum Lisa Alexander ’83 shares how a sense of purpose leads to good leadership.

SPRING 2017 33

you are doing, unconditionally! In other words, you must love your business like a child. No matter the mistakes, no matter how many setbacks, no matter how many times you are sad or scared or confused or feel betrayed, or people tell you to quit, your business must know you are not going anywhere. . . THIS IS IT and you know it. If you truly have unconditional love for what you do and you will do ANYTHING to make it work, and even on the ugly days it still looks like the most wonderful thing in the world, and you cannot imagine doing anything else.

Well, that is what is like to be an entrepreneur. And to me...it is all worth it.

scammers, hiring and firing, people trying to take your business away from you, a learning curve that never ends, stress, endless stress, and despite all this going on you have to stay on track and keep your eye focused clearly on

My company, LAFACE Laboratories, was not something that I knew I wanted to do just out of school. It took many life experiences and career choices to come to this decision. To run your own company you need a combination of practical knowledge, exposure, and background.

You also need to see if what you believe in can be put to practical use, asking yourself, “Is it something that can be made into a business?” Through life experiences you will come to realize if you have this ability. I come from an agricultural background so organic businesses were a part of my fabric. Having a knowhow in design and manufacturing and experience in the beauty arena made my choice

Alexander’s inquisitive soul mixes her love of beauty, earthiness, “ Lisa [and] business into a skin care line.

“

- Carolyne Zinko, San Francisco Chronicle

the goal. Every day you have to wake up with the same enthusiasm as the day you started your journey. Every day you have to juggle, multi-task, negotiate, deal with disappointments, and pop right back up and dive back in with even more determination. Every day. Every day.

EVERY DAY! Let that be a reality check, but don’t let it scare you off. We are put on this earth for a limited amount of time. How long that may be, we have no idea. So you must love what

a logical one. I have learned that as life goes along, you are simply building the foundation for your future, so each step has a purpose and each decision a reason.

Moving forward with a sense of purpose is something I encountered early on, including at San Domenico, and it has stuck with me ever since, helping me to be confident and mindful of others as I strive to be a successful leader.

Finding the Balance

Need to get some customized corporate gifts to a conference in Paris by Wednesday? Sandy Gerner is your woman.

As the founder of emoro, which she launched in 1994, Sandy leads the way in providing promotional merchandise for companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter. A long-time member of the SD community, Sandy has also been a Board Member and Advancement Committee Chair, all while raising her three kids, Ben (MS ’16), and Samantha and Charlotte (both in 5th grade), together with her husband Chris. Here she shares some of her thoughts on leadership and balancing work and motherhood.

What challenges you more about leadership than you expected?

Managing people. There is very little room for hierarchy in a small, family-owned company.

What are you most proud of as a leader?

I am proud that amazing people whom I respect and enjoy surround me. I realize that work is not always easy and fun, but I can honestly say that I still love what I do and I feel like our entire team feels the same way.

What inspired you to start your own company?

I knew I wanted to work for myself. I had worked for large companies for several years.

The experience with large companies was extremely valuable because they are now my clients. It was important that I understood how they operated. The business today is very different from what I started out doing. I didn’t have a firm plan to follow and that worked in my favor. I was flexible and made shifts as the opportunities presented themselves.

Where do you find your sense of purpose?

Most of the women who work for me are mothers with children. I know how difficult it is to maintain a work-life balance and I find that our organization offers women a unique opportunity to enjoy both. I find a sense of purpose in providing this opportunity to my employees and setting an example for them and for my children.

What do you believe are the most important qualities in a leader?

Patience and gratitude–with which I definitely didn’t start out!

SPRING 2017 35

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP In the courtyard of the Oracle of Delphi, there was a single inscription: Know Thyself. Those who would receive divine guidance must first look within and consider themselves. Where am I on my journey of life? Where have I been? Where am I going? These are questions we must consider individually but also collectively.

We have this life, which is the most precious gift in the universe. And we are living in what is perhaps the most important time in human history. Why have we come here? To be entertained? To collect money? To fight with one another? No. Each of us has an important destiny to participate consciously and purposefully in creating the future of humanity and of our planet. But we must decide to seize that destiny.

No one will do it for us. And this time, this life, this present moment is our only chance. “ We are not called by God to

do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.”

– JEAN VANIER

When we look around the world today, we see so much that is out of balance – war, injustice, inequality, and environmental devastation.

We are in debt to other nations. We are in debt to other species. We are in debt to future generations. The whole Earth cries out the alarm.

And this is the same cry that every saint and prophet and spiritual leader throughout history has heard. Spiritual leadership begins with listening, witnessing, looking, being aware.

And when we become aware we realize that we have a responsibility to serve the world.

Some spiritual leaders are well-known, working on a global scale. But most are not. They are the people who dedicate themselves to serving those around them. Jean Vanier spent his life caring for people with mental disabilities. He founded communities for people with disabilities to share their lives and their vulnerabilities.

And he found the divine in these small and daily gestures of love.

- MIRZA KHAN DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

“F

orget what we became. What matters is what we’ve become, and our potentials to overcome,”

writes author Aniekee Tochukwu Ezekiel in her book, Psychology of Friendship for Leadership. There is no gift as sweet as that of lifelong friendship and that was in obvious display on a recent winter day when five alumnae from the Class of 1961 met for lunch to catch up.

The women, all accomplished in their own right, reflected on the power of friendship that lasts through the years and the influence that spirituality has played in all of their lives. Nan Donahue Sciaroni, an aquatic therapist, remembered that the late Ann Brebner, a favorite teacher who would also become a lifelong friend, had said of their Class of ’61, “You are all so supportive of one another…so inclusive. There’s a sense of this group as being outliers, who tend to show up in packs,” she explained thoughtfully, nodding at Ann Cassidy, who has long supported social justice projects with the Maasai tribe in Africa.

“Spirituality, and the need to explore and serve, has always been a driving force in our lives,” shared Ahulani McAdam (formerly Brooke Skinner), the founder of SOLE (Shining Our Light on Earth) programs, supporting extraordinary women as they reach for the stars.

“Our group was just made of good people. Caregivers, social activists, healers,” added Kristin Delaplane, as she looked around the assembled group, all of whom concurred. Kristin is a leader in recording history for companies, families, individuals, and organizations through Our American Stories, which she founded with Duffy

Jennings. She was inspired to her work by a missed opportunity. “My father was an exceptional storyteller,” she explains of her dad, noted San Francisco columnist Stanton Delaplane. “We always talked about recording him. A thousand times I coulda, woulda, shoulda captured his voice and today I would be able to listen to his stories.

Now he is gone and it will never happen.

How exciting that I can help others save their stories.”

Heidi Hickingbotham Cary '61

Alum to

Alum

the Dominican Sisters with imbuing in her a deep sense of spirituality that has been a constant throughout her life,” shared Kristin. Here is a peek into her and Heidi’s discussion:

Recently, Kristin had the chance to sit down with a former classmate, Heidi Hickingbotham Cary, who was also part of this lunch group. When we consider the woman Heidi has become, and the role that spirituality has played in supporting her as a healer and philanthropist, it is no

Heidi: In Kindergarten Sister Patricia talked about guardian angels. “This is your very special angel and she’s with you forever!” Really? My guardian angel became my best friend.

I didn’t think I was alone anymore and that stuck with me for the rest of my life.

surprise that she played a critical role in preserving the depth of truth in one of our most treasured of SD traditions, Tableaux. “Heidi, a nonCatholic like myself, attended Dominican from kindergarten through high school, and attributes

Spirituality was key to helping me get through challenging times, as I grew up with alcoholic parents. When I was nine I made a little space at my house where I created an altar. I would go there almost daily. That was a space where I felt a comfort. With that and

SPRING 2017 37

L to R: Ahulani McAdam, a friend, Ann Cassidy, Kristen Delaplane, Heidi Hickingbotham Cary, Nan Donahue Sciaroni

my guardian angel, it just started being okay.

That same year I came down with polio – one of the first cases in Marin. They had no idea how to treat it. Our house was quarantined. They were afraid I would die if they put me in the hospital, so I had doctors around the clock. My fever was 105˚ consistently for months. I was delirious. Spirituality was the firm foundation for me—trust, you can get through it. The Dominican Sisters had everybody in class write notes to me for my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

My career path as a psychologist started when I was 13. My mom and dad used to have a lot of parties and I would sit on the stairs peeking around the corner, watching. Why would some people avoid each other?

Why would some talk to people easily but not to their spouse? I thought, I want to understand this.

After Dominican, Heidi went on to attend Briarcliff and UC Berkeley. She married Todd Cary, a dentist, settled in Ross and had four daughters and

one son. When the youngest was six, Heidi enrolled in school to get her degree in psychology, a rigorous schedule that took over six years. She started her practice in Marin under Molly Merrill Sterling, also a Dominican alumna.

Eventually she and Todd divorced.

When her mother became bedridden,

Heidi was her caretaker for 13 years.

After her mother passed in 2013, Heidi established the Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation, per her mother’s wishes.

Today, Heidi heads up this foundation.

Heidi: When my youngest daughter, Lesley, was six, I enrolled in John F. Kennedy University in Orinda. Between driving back and forth and raising children, it took me three years to earn my BA and MA, and then another four years to get my Doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology in Alameda. It was very challenging. The pressure led three other PhD candidates to suicide. Spirituality minimized the pressure for me and affirmations such as “I can do it” and “I’m supposed to be doing this” Kristin Delaplane helped me survive.

(seated) with classmates in 1958

I opened a practice in Corte

Madera, working with men and women to find meaning in their lives. For me it was personal growth and expansion and a real honor to be working with all different people and teaching what I knew to them. Again, very spiritually rooted. I did a lot of work with families. It was pretty serious work but it felt full circle, given the situation I had grown up in. Sometimes I would hear back from patients, six, seven years later, saying “I just want to tell you, I’m okay. I have a job and I have

situation and behavior. Through my practice and my spirituality, I was able to stay grounded and ask myself, “How do I want to handle this?” I had a lot of empathy for her and gave her love.

She loved it when I came. She’d say, “I want to go to New York, or Paris, or London.” She’d spend time packing her suitcase in her head. She’d say, “Maybe I’ll forget something.” I’d say, “Who cares? We’ll just go to the store.” It was nice because she would feel really calm and we’d laugh. In psychology, you are taught to not collude with the delusion. Well, I did that all the time.

After Heidi’s mother died she had the huge job of disposing of her households, which took several years. The idea of a foundation was her mother’s wish. Heidi brought the grandchildren into the fold, and together they formed the Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation.

Heidi: I gave the grandchildren, my children and my brother’s children choices. We decided as a group to give money to organizations around kids. In my practice and with the foundation, I always felt children are our future. My nephew has a disabled child. He gives his money to an organization that allows disabled children to enjoy skiing.

Heidi's mother, Diana Dollar Knowles

Last year we supported an organization that performed "The Nutcracker" with kids from poor areas.

There were 110 kids and they dressed in their costumes and were taught enough steps to do a short version of "The Nutcracker". There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after the performance. We’ve supported many scholarships for underprivileged children who want to do ballet and a preschool of 26 kids, all of them on scholarship. That preschool has gotten an award for being the finest preschool in San Francisco.

Today, Heidi and Kristin maintain a strong friendship, this, this, and this.” So that was very affirming, and gratifying because I could see from where I had come.

Spirituality and reflection were key to helping me with my mom when she was bedridden for 13 years with dementia, and I was in charge of her care. It was hard seeing her deteriorate.

She had a lot of negativity in her that was never dealt with. My challenge was what do I do regardless of her

begun in the classes at Dominican, and nurtured over the years and across the miles. “I’m having a great time,” shared Heidi. “I like having time. I haven’t had time for years. I’m into Mahjong and I’m a walker. And I’m writing my memoirs.” She has two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Evan Alt, who currently attend San Domenico.

We have no doubt that the paths forged and the stories shared by these alumnae will continue to inspire many for generations to come. Thank you Kristin and Heidi, Nan, Ahulani, and Ann, for sharing your time, your reflections, and your lives as leaders in your areas of passion.

SPRING 2017 39

From Politics to Performance Art:

CHANGEMAKERS IN ACTION M

Behind the Scenes Reflection with Madison Dempster, Student Body President, 2017

any people see me make speeches, lead assemblies, or engage in various

happenings around campus. But you might wonder what goes on behind the scenes?

What does the unseen life of a leader look like? I mean those speeches don’t magically write themselves overnight. . .

Being a leader means many different things. It means being kind, being openminded yet strong-willed and it means being an up-stander, an advocate, a listener, and a voice. But the most important part about being a leader is the after-hours, the behindthe-scenes, the extra-credit work.

To actually make change I have to take what is discussed in student council meetings and further develop and organize them into plans and proposals.

most important part about being a leader “ The is the after-hours, the behind-the-scenes, the

“

extra-credit work.

Some people lead as a method of shining more attention on themselves.

But for me it is never about that. Even before I was elected Student Body President I always put the students and the community first. What inspires

me to lead is seeing the effect I can have on others and the impact created by voicing their opinions and concerns.

One project that members of Student Council and I are working on is creating more time for “SD siblings” to connect. San Domenico has a sibling program through which older and younger students are paired together as a way to create a stronger sense of community.

Throughout my time as President, many students have voiced to me that they wish they could have the opportunity to spend more time with their siblings. So I brought it to student council and we have started brainstorming a series of spring activities such as an Easter egg hunt and a picnic.

Whether it be behind the scenes or not, my goal is to always carry the voices of my peers and work to bring the community even closer together.

40 SCHOOL TIES

SPRING 2017 41

competition, where she competes with 26 students from Northern California Schools. This year, Ogechi performed a scene from “Othello” for her monologue, and Sonnet 18, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” earning first place in the school competition for the third year in a row. Her twin sister and #1 fan Ugochi won as a freshman and earned third place at the regional competition that year, proving that talent runs in the family.

Knowing both girls in the dorms as well as in my AP Literature class, where we just happened to be studying Shakespeare, I was happy to join the expedition to San Francisco. After a quick stop for coffee and treats, we were off to Riordan. Jen told us she had seen a rainbow over the school that morning and thought it must be prophetic.

Jen later told me that she was hoping Ogechi would win this year, feeling it was her time. Jen invested a lot of time and energy into Ogechi’s preparation. “Jen helped me so much. She is amazing,” Ogechi reflected. Jen described their process by saying, “Ogechi chose her monologue and her sonnet herself. I told her that was a very popular sonnet but that if she wanted to do it, she could certainly make it her own. We worked together to explore the text, working on the use of language to help Ogechi develop her performance.

We continued to find new things as we polished it.” Jen reminded Ogechi that the first line of her sonnet, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” so often spoken as a statement, is actually asking a question, and her inflection needed to reveal the uncertainty of her query.

SENIOR SCORES SHAKESPEARE VICTORY

BY SONYA EVANS, UPPER SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER AND RESIDENT FACULTY

We have many talented students at San Domenico.

Anyone who has ever come to see a play or a concert, a dance recital, a poetry reading, or an art show will see how uniquely dedicated our students are to their chosen crafts. Every once in a while, a student’s talent and determination joins forces with a teacher’s dedicated instruction to culminate in that perfect moment that has to be recognized, and such a moment occurred for senior Ogechi Egonu when she won the English Speaking Union’s Regional Shakespeare Speech Competition at Riordan High School in San Francisco.

Each year Theatre Arts teacher and director, Jennifer Grimes organizes the Upper School Shakespeare Competition, with the winner moving on to the regional

42 SCHOOL TIES

Ogechi and Ugochi spent the ride to Riordan alternating between laughter, chatter, and slumber, feeling relaxed and confident. Ugochi later shared that “When we walked through the doors to the theatre, even before you performed, I just knew you were going to win.

As soon as the first performers began, however, it became clear that doing so would be no easy feat. All 26 students proved themselves to be talented, well-trained performers. It was clear that they not only understood what they were saying, but had a distinct interpretation of the text. When Ogechi took her turn, she performed beautifully. “That was the best she’s ever done it,” Jen whispered to me afterward, while Ugochi dispensed

with all decorum and cheered loudly and unapologetically for her sister, “Yeah OGECHI!” We were happy but not surprised as Ogechi advanced to the next round, where she and a handful of the competitors repeated their performances. Surprisingly, Ogechi performed even better in the next round. She later described the sensation she experienced after completing the second round, “You know when you feel good about

added, “We really appreciated the contrast between the seriousness of your monologue and the lighthearted approach you took to the sonnet.” After a few notes, the talk shifted to the fun she would have in New York. “Just enjoy every moment. You’re going at the perfect time.”

On the drive home Ogechi shared, “I didn't think I was going to win; I was really surprised and happy. My brain hasn't really gotten there yet - but it feels really good.”

Jen reflected on her experience in college and how it led her to teaching, “This is why I became a teacher,” she told Ogechi and Ugochi through tears, “and it’s so worth it.”

We were all moved by the experiences of the day. It was a rare and beautiful combination of efforts and talents. One of the many things I appreciate and recognize as unique to San Domenico is the connection between students and teachers. We cry when they graduate, and we share the joy and pride in their accomplishments, large and small.

were all moved by the experiences of the “ We day. It was a rare and beautiful combination

“

of efforts and talents.

your performance? That happens every once in a while, and to have it happen two times in a row, that's really nice.” Jen felt the impact in the audience, “You could feel it in the room afterward; there was a pause before the applause. She brought tears to my eyes.” There was no question that her performance was moving. Still, as I told Jen, “I’m glad I’m not one of the judges,” because they had difficult decisions to make while we had a break for lunch.

After we reconvened for a raffle and a moment to appreciate all of the teachers who had helped prepare their students, it was time for everyone to gather on stage for the announcement of the winners. After naming the third and second place winners, the announcer called Ogechi’s name for first place. We jumped to our feet, cheering and crying.

A few moments later, as the announcer gave instructions about opportunities for photos, Ugochi whispered, “Look at Ogechi trying to contain herself” and we laughed through our tears as we watched her struggle to compose herself while radiating emotion and excitement. After many photographs, Ugochi joined her sister on stage for photos, finally able to release her joy as the sisters embraced.

Good luck in New York, Ogechi and Jen! We’ll be cheering you on from afar, following Ugochi’s lead, “GO OGECHI!”

After we learned the details about the next phase of the competition, which will send Ogechi and Jen to New York City to compete among winners from the 60 ESU Regions throughout the United States on May 1 at Lincoln Center, the judges congratulated Ogechi on her win, giving her specific feedback, “You chose such a challenging and powerful monologue,” one said, “and you were a conduit for the words as they flowed through you.” Another

SPRING 2017 43

GETTING SOCIAL Recognized by the social media giant

Instagram for her poetry and activism, Ugochi Egonu '17 uses the platform to share her voice and inspire others to do the same.

“If we learn to see the beauty in things we’ve been told are flawed – in womanhood, in blackness, in queerness – it becomes so much easier to fight for our rights and fight for other people who are struggling.”

- Ugochi Egonu 44 SCHOOL TIES

INSPIRATION ON THE COURT, ON THE TRACK, AND IN THE CLASSROOM From the moment sophomore Jian (Ray) Qin joined SD as a member of the inaugural coed class of 2019, he has been a model of leadership, in its truest spirit. Embracing new friends, trying new sports, sharing personal stories with strength and vulnerability, Ray inspires many within our community and beyond. Here, Ray shares some thoughts on what inspires him as a leader.

“Being a boarding student gives me the opportunity to participate in so much and it is always more fun when you do things with friends, in my case with friends I live with and go to school with. I think responsibility makes a good leader.

People who are responsible take more care. They are more aware and they notice other people’s needs and help them out. This trait has been one of my best surprises about San Domenico, the respect given to my culture. I come from Beijing, but we have international students from many countries and the faculty and students really respect our different traditions. I really appreciate that. My teachers are supportive both in the classroom and outside of class. I can talk to many of them about my life, like friends. They are not only teachers but also real-life role models. Every day I try to learn from them about schoolwork, and also about how to become a better person. People say I am a leader, but I just try to stay open to learning and trying new things.”

“We are so lucky to have Ray at our school,” says Coach Fulton. “He’s a testament to hard work, an open mind, and a heart of gold.”

SPRING 2017 45

A PRACTICE IN GOVERNANCE Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, which introduces students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation, and decision-making.

San Domenico students regularly participate, researching problems to be addressed, and then stepping into the shoes of “delegates” to debate current issues on the organization’s vast agenda. They prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN’s rules of procedure – all in the interest of

46 SCHOOL TIES

resolving problems that affect people around the world.

Under the tutelage of Upper School teachers, Ian Sethre and Wynn Richards, this year’s delegation included 33 SD students who shaped resolutions to global problems including genocide prevention, women’s rights in Israel’s occupied Palestinian territories, access to vaccines, changes to the one-child policy in China, mercenaries in combat, bribery in transnational commerce, and recovery from climate-related disasters.

Mr. Sethre shared, “There were 17 rookies on this team, including

juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.

For senior veterans Linda B., Sunny G., Mia L., Vicky L., and Deborah Z., this was the culmination of an average of five conferences each. Junior Sonel K. is on target and determined to participate in seven by the time she graduates. Sunny G. and Melody Y. served on the bilingual Chinese committee, and Julia R. represented the Dominican Republic on the bilingual Spanish committee.

Our own almuna and current UC Berkeley senior Rita Hu '13 chaired the bilingual Chinese State Council after coordinating UC Berkeley’s extension conference in Shanghai.”

“Being exposed to different cultures in a learning environment is something that defines a San Domenico education. Our boarding program gives international students the opportunity to experience American culture,

Student Delegates

and gives American students a chance to understand cultures different from their own.

I never thought that I would be sharing a dorm room with a student from Beijing, China, but it has been one of the best things I have ever done. Model United Nations gives a similar look into different people and cultures.

At the Berkeley Model United Nations, I represented Pakistan. Throughout this three-month process, I learned about the culture, economy, and people of Pakistan. I also got to see what other nations value. The students who represented the different countries all had done excellent research, helping me to really understand the perspectives of the country being represented. As a San Domenico boarder, I was drawn to an activity like Model UN because both give you a strong opportunity for global thinking. I will definitely continue doing Model UN!” – MILO WETHERALL ’20

“This year I was on a Disarmament and International Security Committee as a delegate of Pakistan focusing on resolutions for conflicts over natural resources in Congo and privatization of modern warfare. I believe a good leader must be able to create effective channels of communication, especially in problem-solving and brainstorming ideas. In terms of leadership mentors, I was very inspired by my grandpa, who taught me many valuable leadership qualities including persistence and responsibility, and he helped me to become who I am today.” -YUQI (VICKY) WANG ’19

Milo and Sophie Salvadori-Roam ’18

SPRING 2017 47

CLASS NOTES 1940s Sudie (Sister Susannah) Malarkey, O.P. ’48, “I am well, active both

within our Dominican Sister Community and without. I volunteer two or three times a month to work in the archives out at the San Domenico campus; I help out at the Saint Vincent DePaul dining room here in San Rafael when needed, and also sub as a teacher or aide at the Canal Community Alliance in a literacy program that offers classes in ESL (English as a Second Language). After 27 years as Director of our Santa Sabina Retreat Center, I retired from full time work in 2010, so the leisure gives me opportunity to use my time in these and other areas of outreach and service to our local and school community here in San Rafael and San Anselmo.

I have a large, closely-knit family, mostly in Portland, and about twice a year I get the chance to visit them, and check up on my latest great-grand nieces and nephews. As of today, that would be 10 little ones under five years old, and counting! I hope to see you at the September 22-23 Reunion on the San Domenico campus. . . it will be our 69th this year, and will get us primed for our 70th in 2018!

1950s

Congratulations to Diana Fong Chan ’58, who was a 2017 honoree of the National League of American Pen Women’s Santa Clara branch, which honors achievers in the field of art, music, and letters. Diana was sorry to have missed the Reunion last September, but was in New York City at a book event at the Asia Society, where she presented highlights of her cookbook, Easy ’n Healthy Cooking. She was also able to visit her grandchildren in NYC, before joining a family reunion in Washington, D.C.

1960s A group of alumnae

met for lunch on March 3 in Corte Madera, to visit with out-of-town classmate, Kristin Delaplane ’61.

In addition to Kristin, Heidi Hickingbotham Cary ’61, Ahulani Skinner McAdam ’61, Nan Donahue Sciaroni ’61, and Ann Cassidy ’61 were in attendance.

Kristin and Heidi were able to reconnect in person after having collaborated on an Alumni Profile interview that you can read on page 37.

Ann Cassidy ’61 and her husband are enjoying living in Bodega, California, with their five dogs, three horses, and a few sheep. They both worked for many years in the travel industry as Grand Canyon River Guides and Tour Managers around the world.

They love to travel, particularly to East Africa where they have many friends. Ann recently reconnected with a Maasai family she met in 1977, and they are now a part of their extended family, visiting yearly and educating some of their children.

Muffie Pennisi Fendler ’66, former SD teacher and gymnastics coach, is now volunteering as an interpreter at the Kaiser Rotacare Latino Clinic in San Rafael two nights per week.

She had retired from teaching four years ago and is happy to practice her Spanish speaking by helping the underserved population in Marin, which Muffie says is a win-win situa-

We want to hear from you! Please submit your class notes and photos to alums@sandomenico.org, to be featured in an upcoming edition of School Ties!

48 SCHOOL TIES

tion! Muffie is on Facebook and would love to hear from her former students, “especialmente mis latinas!”

Head of School, Cecily Stock ’77 caught up with Edith Allison ’63 in February, during her trip to the NAIS Conference in Baltimore.

1970s Karen Hayes Karlow, SD Lower School alum,

and her sister Heidi Hayes Belden-Kelnhofer MS ’71 donated beautiful costumes, many handmade, and held in safe keeping since the passing of their mother, Grete Tozier.

Grete was a long-time dance instructor at San Domenico, and on the San Rafael campus before that.

Karen and Heidi attended San Domenico when their mother taught ballet for many years here. They generously donated these beautiful and exquisite costumes in their mother’s memory, to bring joy to students who will wear and dance in them for years to come.

Johanna (Jo) Edwards Bracken ’73 Sister Gervaise with still lives in Long Beach, California Karen Hayes Karlow where she continues her work with inmates serving life in prison, helping them get to the point they can show the world (and the parole board) why they are suitable to come home. In addition, she is working hard to build an apartment on her property. Finally, she is having a great time with her new Bulldog pal, Dooley Max. It’s the smallest pup she has ever had, but also the most adorable.

Dr. Alice Ashton Filmer ’73 was married on May 14, 2016 to Mr. Lewis Charles Alexander.

Alice and Lewis Charles met in Monterey where they both work for the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Both were previously married, but met later in life Alice and Lewis Charles and are profoundat their wedding ly happy to have found one another. Her son, Eugene Ashton-Gonzalez, is an artist, writer, experience designer, and event planner.

Alexandra (Alex) Hill Finn ’73 lives in Sonoma, California.

She has three grown children: Ryan, a fire Battalion Chief with Cal Fire, Bridget, a nutritionist, and Scott, a Hayward firefighter. Alex has been married to her husband Ken Finn for 37 years. Ken is a retired Fire Captain, and Alex is currently employed by Napa County Agricultural Commissioner office as a seasonal trapper – placing traps in vineyards to monitor insects. No grandchildren yet!

We were excited to learn that Wanden Treanor ’73 (Alumnae of the Garden School ’61, Lower School ’69, and San Domenico Upper School ’73) was inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame at the end of March, honoring her impressive work in community service around Marin County. We interviewed Wanden on her experiences and reflections on her leadership (page 22). She was also very happy to share that after a 32-year courtship, she and Judge Faye D’Opal were married on July 16, 2016 at the Presidio Yacht Club in Sausalito. Congratulations to Wanden on all counts!

SPRING 2017 49

CLASS NOTES Penny Nichols ’75 and Rebecca Wagner Oram ’82 made the connection that they were both San Domenico alumni after they had been working together beautifully for several years in a Seattle-based school. According to Penny, that is a testimony to the culture of Dominican values! Penny enjoys participating in the Midsummer Music Retreat, and completed her fifth year in this “music camp for grown-ups.” This past year fellow classmate and good friend Denise Cossette McCollum ’75 flew out from Virginia and joined in the fun, and Penny says their time “whizzed by with all the catch up talk and camp reflections.”

1990s Alison Niggeman MS ’98 and Mike Wigart married at Lake Tahoe on June 18, 2016.

Anne Kelleher Cuendet MS ’76 and her mother, Nancy Kelleher, visited the SD stables and enjoyed watching Anne’s daughter Eva during a lesson at the barn. Alums will remember Mrs. Kelleher as the keeper of the “bank,” cashing checks for boarding students who needed pocket money.

Betsy Gehring ’78 is now living in Washington, D.C., and working at the McCain Institute, which addresses trafficking and social justice issues.

Carmen Bizjack, Spanish Teacher at SD from 1976-1983 and her husband Bill came to campus to visit her grandson, Parker, a current freshman. She met with Amanda Tredinnick MS ’01 and caught up with Sister Gervaise during her visit.

1980s Rebecca Wagner

Oram ’82 visited campus from Seattle over Christmas break with her college-age son and daughter.

She had not been back to campus since her class reunion in 1997, and hopes to make it to the upcoming Reunion in September.

50 SCHOOL TIES

Karoline Lewis ’85, Reverend and Associate Professor in Biblical Teaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, has recently published a book, She: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry.

Samantha Goslin White ’99 and her husband welcomed their fifth and last baby, Gloria Estelle White on December 4, 2016. Their first girl after four boys! Gloria is welcomed by her oldest brother Ben, twin brothers Bobby and Tommy and her youngest brother Mikey. Their family relocated to middle Tennessee, outside of Nashville, approximately five years ago and have been busy raising kids on their small farm.

2000s Lexsea Mann MS ’00 and her husband welcomed a baby boy, Winslow Wolven Coppersmith, on May 2, 2016.

Christina Afanasieff ’01 is living in a peaceful cabin in the coastal forest of Mendocino, and working around the clock for the county as a Crisis Worker. In this role, she is putting her counseling degree to use, being dispatched to emergency rooms, jails, and schools to do psychological evaluations for folks in crisis around the county. It’s been a significant change of pace from the private practice therapy work Christina did for the last few years. She is enjoying the job and living on the Northern California coast immensely.

Patricia Theiss-Nyland ’73 wrote to tell us that her daughter, Katie Theiss-Nyland ’02 was married to Issam Badri in March 2016 in London, followed by a cultural marriage ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco in August. Katie recently earned a Ph.D. from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Clockwise from left: Katie and Issam at their ceremony in Morocco; Winslow Coppersmith, five months; Children of Samantha Goslin White

Elizabeth O’Malley ’04 moderated a screening of the film, “Craving Cuba,” on the San Domenico campus in January. Currently, Elizabeth is an Arts and Impact Strategist, and a former Assistant Director with Sundance Institute. For more on the screening and on Elizabeth, see the feature on page 28.

SPRING 2017 51

ALUM GATHERINGS We’ve had a great time in the past few months, visiting and catching up with alumni, both on campus and around the country.

In November we hosted a Young Alumni Bowling night at Presidio Bowling Center in San Francisco. Middle and Upper School alumni and San Domenico faculty members laced up their bowling shoes and enjoyed food, drinks, and fun over the Thanksgiving Break.

Clockwise from top left: Alums from the MS Class of ’08: Colin Wells, Calvin Schrader, and Connor Stock; Elana Smith Callies ’13 and Elise Terry ‘13; Calvin Schrader MS ’08 and History Teacher, Wynn Richards; Young alumni and SD faculty and staff, Presidio Bowling Center

If you are interested in helping to organize an alumni gathering in your area, please contact Alumni Relations Manager Emily Garlock (egarlock@sandomenico.org, 415-258-1990 ext. 1122)

52 SCHOOL TIES

In December, the 110th Tableaux represented the culminating event of the 50th Anniversary year, and included San Domenico alumni singers as part of this cherished annual performance. Eleven alums, representing all decades from the ’60s through the ’10s participated on December 2.

Front row, L-R: Mary McChesney Holt ’70, current student Melina Tseckares ’20, Tilda Muller Thompson ’64, Melinda Borello ’10, Sandra Liu ’13, Rita Hu ’13 Back row, L-R: Cecily Stock ’77, Marcie Noltner Leach ’61, Serena Campbell ’93, Rhiannon Salter ’05, Natasha Smith McKeown ’87, Christina Crittenden ’11

In January, Head of School Cecily Stock and Alumni Relations Manager Emily Garlock met with alumni in both Pasadena and Santa Monica, California. Within our Los Angeles-based San Domenico alumni community, old friendships were rekindled and new connections were made, while alums were provided the opportunity to ask about the future direction of San Domenico, and the latest developments around campus.

Above, in Santa Monica: Seated, L-R: Maureen Grace ’73, Clarice Poirier Gargour ’73, Reese Relfe ’80 Standing, L-R: Silvana Asturias de Bishop ’72, Cecily Stock ’77, Emily Garlock, Betsy Walton ’72 Left, in Pasadena, L-R: Lynn Mauz Allen ’81, Cynthia Nilssen Vargas ’83, Mary Susan Lilley ’65, Cecily Stock ’77, Mary Claire Hannan Jones ’77, and Sheila Mauz Doan ’78

On the last weekend in March, the school welcomed alumni to participate in the second annual Bolinas Alumni Reflection Retreat, hosted by Sister Gervaise Valpey, O.P. and facilitated by Kayleen Asbo, Ph.D. Seventeen alumni from across the Bay Area, throughout California, and from as far away as Washington state and Arizona joined in this reflective and restorative two-day retreat, in the serene and stunning setting that is the Dominican Sisters’ Bolinas home. Please look for more to be featured about this unique experience in our next edition of School Ties.

SPRING 2017 53

REMEMBRANCES In Memoriam Peggy Lutgens Gannon ’35

Patricia Berg Metcalf ’44

Margit Battha Ritchie ’50

Margaret Compton Carlson ’40

Diana Prolo Raggio ’45

Patty Waters Ghilarducci ’56

Dorothy Broy Brown ’41

Betty Silver MacMurtry ’48

Susan Dinkelspiel Cerny ’58

Anne Baillargeon Venables ’42

Antoinette Savoini Sankowich ’48

Ricarda McCleary Clause ’67 Isabel Semolic Hamilton ’78

In Sympathy Emily Taylor Andrews ’43 on the death of her husband, Adolphus Andrews, Jr., and Emily Andrews MS ’01, Laura Andrews MS ’03, and Maggie Andrews MS ’06, on the death of their grandfather.

Magda Battha Chambers ’49 and Marta Battha Beres ’52 on the death of their sister, Margit Battha Ritchie ’50.

Robin Dinkelspiel Miller ’59 and Anne Dinkelspiel ’74 on the death of their sister, Susan Dinkelspiel Cerny ’58.

Mary Metcalf Weber ’67 on the death of her mother, Patricia Berg Metcalf ’44.

Annette Rolin Batson ’71 on the death of her mother, Haydee Rolin.

Anna Comolli Tredinnick ’71 on the death of her mother, Delia Comolli, and Alexandra Tredinnick Mallegni MS ’95 and Amanda Tredinnick MS ’01

54 SCHOOL TIES

on the death of their grandmother.

Susan Lyon Roberts ’85 on the death of her father, Richard “Dick” Lyon.

Amy Smith Kirtland ’87 on the death of her father, Glen Smith.

Lynn Hunt ’72 on the death of her mother, Dr. Jane V. Hunt.

Joan Larkins Robertson ’74 on the death of her father, William “Bill” Larkins.

Carmen Quiros Parent ’77 and Maria Quiros ’79 on the death of their mother, Alyce Quiros.

Genevieve Rorick MS ’77 on the death of her mother, Joan Rorick.

Rosemary Wilton Yates ’77 on the death of her father, Clifford Wilton.

Joan Downs ’82 on the death of her father, Jerome Downs.

Elizabeth Menist ’84 on the death of her mother, Betty Menist.

Sarah Flanagan MS ’86 and Jane Flanagan Wood MS ’89 on the death of their father, Fergus Flanagan, and Mackenzie Flanagan ’10, and Delaney Flanagan MS ’10 and Lower School alumna Kylie Flanagan on the death of their uncle.

Margot Schwartz ’00 on the death of her father, Robert Schwartz.

Christina Pittman Chellew MS ’05 on the death of her husband, Lucas Chellew.

1966

THE FROMMEMORIAM ARCHIVES

Ringing of the Bell The San Domenico Bell Tower outside of the Chapel was installed in 1966 and the bell itself was a gift from the Class of 1960 in memory of their classmate, Debbie Chamberlain. Debbie was killed tragically in an automobile accident in Oregon, just weeks after her graduation from Dominican Convent.

Her classmates chose to honor her life by donating the bell to the new Sleepy Hollow campus building project. Today, the trees are taller than the bell itself, but it still stands as a testament to the friendships made at Dominican, and those friendships we see being made every day at San Domenico. It is a reminder of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and their leadership as community-builders and stewards of the environment.

While the bell is no longer used as a call to prayer, as it was in 1966, the ringing of a bell continues to be heard throughout campus: for mindfulness practice, to gather the Middle School for morning meeting, to alert the Lower School students that it’s time to listen, and to give the Upper School students a moment of silence and meditation before class.

SPRING 2017 55

San Domenico School 1500 Butterfield Road San Anselmo, CA 94960 Please forward this publication. If your son or daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office of his or her new mailing address by calling (415) 258-1931, or emailing alums@sandomenico.org

WATCH YOUR MAIL FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION!

R

eu

7

r e b m e Sept 23 d n a 2 2

01

Sav

e

D e at h t e

n io n

2