Traditions Fall 2023

TRADITIONS

the stinson center for learning and innovation

THE ZOPH LIBRARY HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO AN INNOVATIVE AND BEAUTIFUL FACILITY TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SERRA PADRES

A publication for the alumni, parents and friends of Serra High School, Traditions is published by: The Office of Advancement & Alumni Relations

Junípero Serra High School 451 West 20th Avenue San Mateo, CA 94403 650.573.9935

Barry Thornton, Ed.D. President bthornton@serrahs.com

Charlie McGrath Principal cmcgrath@serrahs.com

Mike Fadelli '88 Chief Advancement Officer mfadelli@serrahs.com

Aimee Strain Director of Marketing and Communications Feature Writer and Editor astrain@serrahs.com

Logan Wolf '14 Director of Alumni Relations lwolf@serrahs.com

Michelle Wilkinson Creative Director Traditions Layout/Design mwilkinson@serrahs.com

Contributors

Jonathan Allen

Antonia Ehlers

Photo Credits

Joel Caceres '87

Rosie Kirk

Pat Zurcher

Advisory Board of Regents

Eric Eger – Chairman

Aric Agresti '98 – Vice Chairman

Megan Armando

Jason Coloma

Eric Dooley '02

Brian Dowd

Ronnie Fields '86

Ralph Ho '89

Roxanne Ivory

Tammy Kiely

Manufou Liaiga-Anoa'i

Hanna Malak '08

Andrea O'Riordan

Nick Severino

Aida Soto

Msgr. John Talesfore

Dr. Maky Zanganeh

For questions or comments, please contact:

Aimee Strain or Michelle Wilkinson astrain@serrahs.com mwilkinson@serrahs.com

Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends of Serra,

What a difference a year makes! We entered the building in August 2022 to the sounds of drilling rigs digging foundation piers and construction crews pouring concrete. Every square foot of the Serra campus housed personnel and students, as the construction moved rapidly through the year.

Now, 15 months later, the sounds of student conversations, inspirational teachers in the classroom and athletic whistles have replaced the noise of heavy machinery. We began the year as a construction-free zone, following three successive years of building and $25 million of upgrades that have profoundly impacted the student environment. These upgrades include new air conditioning, renovated classrooms, the Pereira Center for Robotics and Engineering, and the incredible Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation. The work is beautiful, energizing and transformative to the entire community.

It's not just about the building. What sets Serra apart is the community inside the building—the students, the teachers, the coaches and the administrators. Serra welcomed a new chaplain this year, Father Cameron Faller, who remarked after only a week on campus, “You have an incredible culture here. I am really taken aback by the respect, welcoming environment and kindness I see here among the students and faculty.” His words were deeply gratifying. The culture of the community should be seen, felt and experienced.

We have continued to support this culture by expanding our professional staff to support our students and faculty members. We hired an additional counselor this past year to support student wellness and expand support for our Mission and Brotherhood effort—a program specifically targeted to teaching the meaning of brotherhood, encompassing the values of respect, integrity, inclusion and compassion.

The stories within these pages tell of this culture of excellence that extends beyond Serra’s walls through the lives of our alumni. You will read about our valedictorians and graduates heading off to incredible colleges throughout the country and members of our entrepreneurial alumni community who continue to apply the values they honed at Serra to their daily lives. Inspiring stories like Christian Sullivan ‘82, a campus minister at a Catholic high school who is teaching students to connect with students around the world; Tom Sullivan, a 38-year Serra teaching veteran who is bringing his many skills with him in his new role as Dean of Students; Padre vintners in Napa, and Wag! CEO Garrett Smallwood, who was inspired by his Padre brothers.

Serra has an extraordinary culture. Our parents, teachers and newcomers will attest to that, but more important, our students and alumni live it.

Sincerely,

Barry Thornton, Ed.D. President

THELATEST

to serra’s

CLASS OF 2023

congratulations

" Through Serra, I found that school is much more important than receiving good grades —it's finding your interests, meeting new people, and learning about yourself as a person."

–NATHAN REYNOLDS '23

Oh, the Places They'll Go!

Graduation caps flew over St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco on June 3, as the Class of 2023 said the Padre Whisper one last time. It was the first traditional morning graduation in several years.

Father Nicholas Case celebrated Mass, and diplomas were distributed by Serra Principal Charlie McGrath. The past four years—although challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic—bonded the Serra community and taught the Padres about resilience.

“This is a story of resilience, grit and students overcoming adversity,” said Serra President Barry Thornton, Ed.D. “We are bonded by an incredible shared story. You started here four years ago when you were freshmen. These four years have defined us, and our story is incredible. It’s a story of a powerful partnership with parents and families who persevered together. It’s also a story of administrators, coaching staff, faculty members and counselors who understand true professionalism grounded in love.”

During the 77th annual Baccalaureate Mass and commencement ceremony, 180 Padres received their high school diplomas. They are heading to some of the finest colleges and universities in the country.

“Today, we celebrate the result of the tenacious love of your sons,” Thornton continued. “This is a story that you should be proud to tell. Embrace it and celebrate it. The Class of 2023 endured four years of some of the most challenging years in history . . . but that formed you into the men you have become today.”

Congratulations, graduates!

CLASS OF ’23 GRADUATION AWARDS

University of California,

University

College of San Mateo

San Francisco State University

Santa

Southern Utah University

University of California, Berkeley

California

The George Washington University

Harvard University

University of San Francisco

San Francisco State University

theodore kaiser general scholastic excellence medal mathematics medal science medal

of Pennsylvania

tyrell morales music medal

Santa Barbara

trentin sanders campus ministry medal

iain semler english medal

peter olson service medal

Polytechnic State University

marco chang visual arts medal

seamus gilmartin shea sportsmanship award

justin estevez theology medal

dominic sanguinetti dramatic arts medal

Clara University

haohuan qin activity medal world language medal

daniel heuer social studies medal

cheuk wang su innovation, information and technology medal

2023 Shea Sportsmanship Award Recipient Seamus Gilmartin

On the basketball court, Gilmartin was a force on the boards and was named Honorable Mention All WCAL. He also competed on the track and field team in the spring.

The 2022-2023 Shea Outstanding Sportsmanship Award was awarded to Seamus Gilmartin, a leader on the football field and basketball court, as well as in the classroom.

A four-year football and basketball player, Gilmartin was the WCAL Tight End of the Year, 1st Team All WCAL and 1st Team All Bay Area News Group. He helped lead the Padres to a No. 1 ranking in Northern California and a spot in the Open Division State Championship football game.

Gilmartin has committed to play football for Harvard University.

The Shea Sportsmanship Award has been given annually since 1947 to an outstanding senior athlete at Serra High School. In 1966, the award was named for Serra alumnus James P. Shea '58, who is still classified as missing in action in the Vietnam War. This is the highest honor that Serra bestows on a graduating student-athlete. Athletes are nominated by the head coach of each sport, and then voted upon by those coaches.

2022-2023 Blanket Award Winners

Aaron Lee

2022 Cross Country

Maealiuaki Smith

Jabari Mann

2022 Football

Alessandro Salerno

2022 Water Polo

Ryan Pettis

Aiden Carleson

2023 Basketball

Whitaker Tollmann

2023 Soccer

Francois Ricard

2023 Wrestling

Ben Cleary

2023 Baseball

Jaiden Wright

2023 Crew

Trevor Moquin

William Walsh

2023 Golf

Callen Reed 2023 Lacrosse

Kevin Raghunathan

2023 Swimming

Ben Lipeles

2023 Tennis

Parker Harrison

Peter Olson

2023 Track & Field

Mateo Soto

2023 Volleyball

2023

VALEDICTORIANS

Peter Olson

Nathan Reynolds

Andrea Son

Introducing Peter Olson, Nathan Reynolds and Andrea Son

Congratulations to our outstanding 2023 valedictorians, Peter Olson, Nathan Reynolds and Andrea Son. They received this notable title for being the highest-performing students in Serra’s graduating class of 2023. Each of these young men showed immense dedication and focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Olson delivered his address at the Senior Awards Night, Son addressed his peers at the Mother-Son Mass in May, and Reynolds took to the podium during the graduation commencement ceremony on June 3. We wish them the best of luck in college!

Peter Olson

College: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

Favorite Serra Memory: "My favorite Serra memory was getting my head shaved at the beginning of senior year as the Serra Padre mascot."

Quote: "A year from now you will wish you had started today."

Nathan Reynolds

College: Queen’s College, Ontario

Biggest takeaway from Serra: "I learned how to work hard and manage a heavy workload in school; but, more important, I came to enjoy learning. I had many fantastic teachers who were really invested in the subjects they taught. Through Serra, I found that school is much more important than receiving good grades—it’s finding your interests, meeting new people, and learning about yourself as a person.”

Andrea Son

College: Northeastern University, Boston, MA

How has your time at Serra helped you prepare for college?

"It allowed me to take multiple rigorous courses that challenged me and also take advancement classes in math and science.

Quote: “There are so many paths to take in life and solely focusing on being book smart isn’t the only way to be successful.”

Extracurriculars:

Serra Track & Field

Serra Cross Country

Executive Spirit Commissioner

Piano

Serra Friar

Clubs: President of Stocks and Econ Club

Debate/Democracy Club

Honors Societies: NHS

CSF

Service: Volunteer tutor at Homework

Central Serra Student Ambassador

Quote: “There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents.”

-Bob Ross

Extracurriculars:

Tennis (Captain junior and senior year)

Tri-School Choir

Tri-M

Encounter Leader

Honors Societies: NHS

CSF

Extracurriculars: Varsity swim team

Club swimming (Burlingame Aquatics Club)

Praise Band

Kairos Host

Junior Retreat Leader

Honors Societies:

NHS

NSHSS

CSF

Clubs: Serranaders

President of Stocks and Econ Club

Debate/Democracy Club

Service: No Strings Attached

Boys and Girls Club

St. Vincent De Paul Food Drive

Surfrider San Mateo County (beach cleanup)

San Carlos Elms

Clubs: Tri-School Choir

Serranaders

Tri-M Club

Service:

Senior Coastsiders

SF/Marin Food Bank

See What's Happening Inside the Stinson Center

The opening of the Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation is a nod to the years of planning, collaboration and execution by hundreds of members of the Serra community. Donations large and small made to the Always Forward Capital Campaign made the completion of this ambitious $17.5 million project possible. The building was completed while students attended classes on campus full time, which took a lot of thoughtful planning to maintain a safe and inspiring learning environment for students.

The 13,000-square-foot learning space, formerly the Zoph Library, was transformed into a state-of-theart center to support student collaboration, Serra’s Design-led Innovation Program, international student connection and the Serra Global Speaker Series. The new facilities include a design thinking lab, a learning commons, student collaboration rooms, presentation facilities, offices and renovated adult and faculty bathrooms. Critical infrastructure upgrades—including a comprehensive seismic upgrade and HVAC system—were completed.

The center was named after Ann and Ken Stinson ‘60, who generously donated $7.5 million for the architectural dream to become a reality on the Serra campus. The center features modern amenities, a sleek, open feel, and an ellipse-shaped ceiling.

Innovative classes inside the new center are inspiring today’s Padres.

Serra’s first Design-Led Innovation Director Rushton Hurley (featured on page 22) will spearhead professional development to integrate design thinking, technology and innovation into the curriculum. He will also oversee and manage the Serra Global Speaker Series, Design-Led Innovation, and the Global Leadership Concentration. Hurley co-teaches Creative and Advanced Solutions for the Global Good classes and the upcoming Global Leadership Seminar Assistant Principal Rita Lee.

Hurley and his team are already seeing students use the space to collaborate in ways that were not possible in the past.

“Students now have the power to make a difference in the lives of others—locally and globally,” Hurley noted. “They are using breakout rooms and presenting their selfdirected projects.”

Class offerings in the Innovation, Information and Technology Department include Business Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Virtual Enterprise, Computer Programming, AP Computer Science and Introduction to App Development. Students also are enjoying Design-Led Innovation classes—the Principles of

Design Thinking, Creative Solutions for the Global Good and Advanced Solutions for the Global Good.

Lee has developed some of Serra’s most innovative advancements, and she will continue to develop innovation and global leadership classes.

“Design thinking gives students opportunities to become innovators who find solutions to real world problems by drawing on logic, imagination, intuition and systematic reasoning to create intelligent solutions,” Lee explained.

The Global Leadership Program was designed by the Academic Council. It will expand on Serra’s Design-Led Innovation Program and provide students with opportunities to explore their passions related to developing young men of faith, wisdom, service, community and leadership. Students will identify specific areas of interest related to their regular academic and co-curricular work. In the last year of the program, students will enroll in Global Solutions for the Common Good. They will explore global issues and learn how to creatively solve problems. Serra teachers and local business professionals will serve as career mentors. When they complete the Global Leadership Program, students will have a meaningful framework and skills required to lead in the diversity of today’s interconnected and dynamic world.

The Stinson Center has hosted numerous oncampus events—faculty professional development, the St. Junípero Serra Scholarship ceremony, the NFL draft of Nio Mafi ‘18 to the New England

Patriots, the 50-Year Alumni Luncheon, Back-toSchool Night, and the Madres Football Clinic, to name a few.

“The Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation has energized the community,” said Serra President Barry Thornton, Ed.D. “The innovative and beautiful facility provides inspiring spaces for students to learn. It’s wonderful to see so many students, teachers and parents using this space for their specific needs.”

“the innovative and beautiful faciility provides inspiring spaces for students to learn.”

–serra president barry thornton, ed.d.

ALWAYS FORWARD

Only $5 Million to Goal!

Since we officially launched the public phase of the Always Forward Capital Campaign in October 2022, the outpouring of support has been outstanding. We have celebrated countless monetary milestones along the way, and the response to this campaign has been incredible. Thank you to the Serra community for coming together in Padre spirit to support this campaign. Your partnership with Serra has resulted in transformative improvements on our campus. The Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation opened in April, and it was completed on budget. We have hired additional counseling resources, a director for our Design-led Innovation Program, and we have doubled our endowment.

We have come a long way! After crossing the $33 million mark, we are proud to announce that we are only $5 million away from achieving our goal of $38 million. We can close this effort quickly with your help.

This last stretch will be pivotal in the modernization of our campus. We will allocate these dollars for classroom renovations and improvements to our athletics facilities, particularly turfing the baseball field. Classroom upgrades, including new lighting and shades, will dramatically improve the learning environment during the new school year.

“It’s exciting that we’re nearing the finish line," said Chief Advancement Officer Mike Fadelli '88. "Although we still have $5 million to go, the continued support of our generous Padre community gives me confidence that together, we will achieve this goal."

Athletics, health and wellness play a vital role in the lives of our students and school community. All Serra students are part of storied Padre athletics that span generations. We are proud that this campaign will support the renovation of our athletics facilities. In August, we purchased and installed new digital scoreboards in the gymnasium, which enables us to share player stats, team logos, videos, sponsorships and game highlights.

The baseball field renovation is slated for summer 2024. Money raised from the Always Forward Capital Campaign will modernize the facility and replace the field with synthetic turf, transforming it into a state-of-theart, all-weather space. The campaign also will provide maintenance and upgrading of all current facilities and equipment, including the pool, track, Morton Family Gymnasium, locker room and the Mark Vorsatz ‘72 Athletics Performance Center.

“This next stage of updating our athletics facilities is critical to Serra’s ongoing support of our students' programming,” said President Barry Thornton, Ed.D. “Every student will benefit from the project. Studentathletes in all sports, clubs, activities and summer camp programs will find a home in this space.”

THE CAMPAIGN FOR JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL

Named after Serra's patron, Father Serra Heritage Society's generous donors have designated gifts through their estate plans to Serra High School. Below is a list of our current Father Serra Heritage Society members. Thank you for your valued contribution.

Janet and Frank Abbott, Jr.

Jack Allain '53 

Daphne and James B. Araujo '61

Mrs. James N. Ayoob

Kerry Bach 

Claudia Bach

Barbara and Walter Joseph Bankovitch

Laverne Barrett

Anne H. Barrows

Nada Barulich

Linda and Russell Bertetta '67

Marilyn and Col. Lawrence E. Bielstein, USAF '54

Midge and Joseph W. Bracco '58

Dennis M. Byrne '55 

Rev. Leonard J. Calegari '52 

Ling Ling Gu Chang and Walter Chang

Capt. Michael R. Condon '65

Matilde and Richard DeLuna

Nancy C. DeSmedt

Ted DeSmedt 

Steve A. Difu '60

Gerald J. Driscoll '49 

Thomas O. Duffy 

Ellen Einarsson

Jennifer  and Michael P. Fadelli '88

Sally and Richard J. Fambrini '59

Eleanor Figoni 

Pam Frisella

Nancy and James R. Gogan

Robert J. Grassilli '66

Fred L. Guibara '58 

Guidici Family Trust

Rev. Stephen H. Howell '63

Joseph D. Hurley, Jr. '79 

Gary Isoardi '70

June and James Jordan

Most Rev. William J. Justice '60

Rev. John P. Kavanaugh 

Addie Keller 

George Keller 

Edward E. Keller, Jr. '47 

William B. Killilea '56 

Kathy O. Lavezzo

Libby and Ronald S. Longinotti '72

Pamela and Dennis M. Lucey '58

Mary and Lars J. Lund

Rev. J. Thomas Madden 

Lynne and Tevis P. Martin III '74

Barbara and Michael McGinley

Steven McLaughlin, Sr. 

Robert E. McLaughlin '55 

Lizah McLaughlin, Psy.D., LMFT

Sally Mellinger

Thomas J. Mellott III '60 

Maryann and Joseph F. Millett '59

Carl J. Moroney '60

Thomas P. Murray '53

Leo Nicolini 

A. James Oakes, Jr. '58

Edward G. Ottoboni '59 

Joey and Michael Peterson

Kevin Ragan 

Richard L. Reich, DDS '61

Bernard L. Reichmuth '53 

Theresa and Stephen Rutledge

James J. Sherry 

Madeline Sherry 

Ferencz Sipos 

Juliane and Robert J. Sullivan

Ed Taylor

Simona and Michael G. Verdone '72

Randy Vogel

Rosalie and John W. Walsh, MD '56

Lori and David R. Whitney

Clare C. Willard 

For more information about how you can make a gift to Serra through your estate, please visit our planned giving website pages or contact Major Gifts Officer John Langridge '97 at jlangridge@serrahs.com. or by phone at 650.573.9935.

A Familiar Face is Serra's New Dean of Studies

As Serra’s new academic dean of studies, life has come full circle for Tom Sullivan ‘81. He is an alumnus and part of a three-generation Serra family. Sullivan's father, Richard, graduated in 1952 and his son, Corey, in 2010. Sullivan has held many teaching and leadership roles at Serra for the past 38 years, and his passion for education is evident in everything he does on campus.

“Tom has connections to all facets of the community,” said Rita Lee, assistant principal of academics. “His leadership in moving the English Department curriculum forward to a new, standards-based model has been instrumental for the entire school. Tom is respected by our students, parents and faculty members.”

Sullivan's role as a teacher development coordinator, as well as his work as a liaison between Serra and the San Mateo County Office of Education, have added a mentoring component to his résumé. His participation in school life beyond the classroom makes Sullivan uniquely qualified for his new role.

An avid supporter of the arts, Sullivan served for more than 25 years as general director, technical director and production manager for Tri-School Productions. Sullivan also served as the school’s summer school director for 10 years. In athletics, members of the Serra community know Sullivan as the football scoreboard operator for the football program.

Sullivan said that his institutional knowledge of Serra will guide him in his new role.

“I didn’t think I would seek an administrative position at the tail end of a long and successful teaching career,”

Sullivan shared. “However, the reason I pursued this position is because I see a pressing need to support our current administration as we navigate the tricky waters of our changing, postCOVID academic environment. I will embrace the role of school leader by modeling best practices in the classroom for students and teachers alike.”

For 30 years, Sullivan has worked with the College Board as faculty consultant leader and as an AP Literature and AP Language teacher.

“My time as a faculty consultant with the College Board has been invaluable,” Sullivan said. “It has put me in contact with some of the best teachers in the country. In fact, my closest non-Serra colleagues are teachers with whom I’ve worked at the annual AP Literature readings. Collaborating with them and sharing our findings with my colleagues at Serra has helped me to remain focused on the next steps of teacher development.”

According to Serra Principal Charlie McGrath, Sullivan will be an excellent addition to the leadership team.

“Tom is an outstanding mentor for today’s young men at Serra,” McGrath said. “After the pandemic, he leaned into the challenges of delivering the highest standards of excellence as the English Department chair and an AP teacher. He worked with our teachers to ensure that those standards were maintained and our students were supported.”

Dean of Studies Tom Sullivan '81

Sullivan graduated from Serra in 1981. After high school, he attended the University of Nebraska. He received a master’s degree in secondary education from San Francisco State University in 1988, and a master of arts degree in English from Notre Dame de Namur University in 1998. In addition to the numerous leadership roles he has held at Serra, Sullivan has served on several Archdiocese of San Francisco committees.

When he’s not teaching, he enjoys playing music, traveling, hiking, swimming and spending time with his wife, Yvonne, and two children—Corey ‘10, a writer and web developer who lives in Atlanta, and Fiona, a junior at the University of Hawaii.

Pictured above (top right): Tom Sullivan with Willie McCovey in 1978 (one of Tom's favorites); (middle left): Corey '10 and Tom Sullivan '81 hiking in the Sierra Nevada; (middle right): Ringo, Yvonne Sullivan, Fiona Sullivan; (bottom left): Tom Sullivan strumming a mandolin; (bottom right): Yvonne Sullivan and Tom Sullivan exploring the Moroccan Sahara.

CAMPUSLIFE

Fund a Dream 2023

CELEBRATING OUR PROUD HISTORY AND EXCITING FUTURE

More than $1 Million Raised for Tuition Assistance

It was a night of connection, community and philanthropy at Serra’s Fund a Dream Scholarship Benefit on March 18. The Serra community raised more than $1 million for Serra’s robust Tuition Assistance Program. This year’s theme, “Leading the Way,” featured Padres who work in service careers—men whose lives were shaped by the generosity of Serra donors. Featured alumni included Dr. Steven Petelo ‘97 (who has dedicated his life to helping at-risk youth), U.S. Army veteran Creighton Felice ‘15, San Mateo Police Sgt. Phoenix O’Rourke ‘07, and Sacramento Firefighter Marquis Jones ‘08. These Padres, who received tuition assistance when they were students at Serra, have gone on to “lead the way” in their communities.

This year’s keynote speaker was San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Kevin Dunleavy '80, who spoke to a crowd of nearly 350 attendees. Dunleavy shared memories of his days on the Serra basketball court and in the

classroom. He said his high school days at Serra prepared him for a career in public service. He learned valuable public speaking skills as a high school student and became a leader in his English, history and government classes.

Dunleavy fondly remembered one particular Career Day at Serra when he heard former San Mateo County District Attorney Jim Fox ‘62 mesmerize the room with stories about his early days as a prosecutor. Little did Dunleavy know at the time that his career would mirror Fox’s impressive legacy as a San Mateo County prosecutor.

"I AM INSPIRED AND HUMBLED BY THE GENEROSITY OF THE SERRA COMMUNITY. IT REFLECTS A DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE VALUES OF A SERRA EDUCATION FOR THESE INCREDIBLE YOUNG MEN."

–SERRA PRESIDENT BARRY THORNTON, ED.D.

“Serra taught me so much,” Dunleavy said.

“The ages from 14 to 18 are critical. Young boys need role models. They need to compete, and they need to fail and succeed to keep things balanced.

Every year since 2005, the Fund a Dream Scholarship Benefit has helped to raise the additional funds necessary to ensure that all qualified applicants who dream of a Serra education can become Padres. Since its inception, Fund a Dream has raised more than $6 million.

According to Chief Advancement Officer Mike Fadelli ‘88, Serra is committed to offering a college preparatory education to Padres from all backgrounds.

“With a rising need for tuition assistance, we are laser focused on raising the funds necessary to educate these talented future

leaders,” Fadelli said. “Fund a Dream is a dynamic event that unites Serra’s alumni, current and past parents, and friends of Serra

to celebrate our proud history and exciting future.”

Fund a Dream 2024 will be held on campus on March 9, 2024.

All of this develops confidence. When kids are enthusiastic about going to school, they are happy, confident and more inclined to try new things. That’s what happened for me at Serra.”

“with a rising need for tuition assistance, we are laser focused on raising the funds necessary to educate these talented future leaders.”

–mike fadelli '88 chief advancement officer

Pictured (l-r): Timothy Dunleavy '08, Brooke Dunleavy, Kevin Dunleavy '80, Cindy Dunleavy (Mercy '81), Daniel Dunleavy '18 and Ryan Dunleavy '12.

Serra and Tri-School Music Groups Win Big at Music Festival in Orlando

Members of the Serra and Tri-School music groups flew to Orlando during spring break to participate in the WorldStrides OnStage Heritage Festival, and they came back big winners! The talented musical groups returned home with several medals, a trophy for the Instrumental Sweepstakes Award (which is earned by the highest two combined scores for instrumental groups), and the highest honor of all—the Grand Sweepstakes Award.

“This is huge,” said Serra Music Director Joe Murphy. “This means that we had the highest scores when combining our instrumental and choral scores. The Grand Sweepstakes Award goes to programs that bring very musical groups, but also showcases the well-roundedness of a program. It's the final award that they present and it's an honor to win this.”

The Serra Men's Choir performed on at the Pine Castle United Methodist Church.

“The boys sang beautifully and had a wonderful clinic with an amazing adjudicator," said Murphy. "Then, it was the Tri-School Choir's time to shine. They also sang beautifully and enjoyed time with an adjudicator after their performance.”

The Symphonic Band and Jazz Band performed at Studio 18, the stage where they used to have the Blue Man Group show. This allowed students to perform on a professional stage with professional crewmembers and sound engineers.

At the awards ceremony, Serra and the tri-schools received notable honors.

“There are ratings and rankings," Murphy explained. "A rating of gold means scoring an average of 90-100. A

rating of silver is an average of 80-89. Rankings are determined by who receives the highest average score in that division. We were in the 2A division, which is for schools our size.”

Men's Choir received first place silver; Tri-School Choir earned first place silver; Symphonic Band took third place silver; Jazz Ensemble received second place gold, and three soloists earned honors for their outstanding solos.

Congratulations to Ty Morales for his awesome guitar solo, Tristan Lamina-Lee for her amazing vocals with the Jazz Band and Adam Guezmir for his great trumpet solo.

Serra Junior Carter May, who performed on the trip, said that these trips offer much more than just a competition between ambitious musicians.

“The relationships and memories you create are long-lasting," May said. "It is vital for our music program to take trips like these because of the togetherness and the demonstration of beauty within the performing arts.”

According to Murphy, although the team did exceptionally well, the trip is about creating an experience that the musicians will walk away from, changed for life.

“They learned a lot about responsibility, patience, travel, trustworthiness, itineraries and compromise," Murphy said. "They made new friends, solidified current relationships and grew as individuals. The trophies and awards are a way to seal the success of the trip and to create a memory that they all shared that will be remembered forever.”

Serra Seniors and Moms Celebrate a Special Mass Together

More than 130 Serra Padres spent a beautiful Sunday morning with their mothers at the Senior Mother-Son Mass in May. It is an annual Serra tradition that honors the special bond between Padre mothers and sons.

Father Nicholas Case celebrated Mass and, in his homily, gave tribute to his own mother, whom he said has always been his constant comfort. He told students about his first time returning home after leaving for college. The smell of his favorite dinner— Swedish meatballs—was what greeted him, followed by the warm presence of his mom.

Students heard from one of three valedictorians of the Class of 2023, Andrea Son, who shared a bittersweet moment with his classmates.

“Getting ready for college is certainly an exciting time, but it’s bittersweet," Son said. "We’re leaving behind our families—our mothers. Personally, I know my mom will always be proud of me and show me unconditional love, no matter where I find myself. That’s that motherly instinct at play, but I also know it’s going to be hard for her to see me go off to college. It’s tough to have to leave home, and it’s especially tough as a mother to see her son leave and embark into a world of uncertainty.”

In his address, Son encouraged his fellow Padres to acknowledge the impact and sacrifices their mothers have had on them.

“I want you to acknowledge how much your mother has had an impact on your growth as a man," Son added. "They’ve shown us unconditional love. They’ve blessed us with excellent opportunities, all for the sake of our success. So please, tell your mom you love her, or give her a hug if you’re not good with words like me. And take pictures. They love that!”

Following Mass, students and their moms enjoyed a lovely catered brunch in the school gymnasium. It was a day for moms and sons to celebrate the special bond that they share. The day also served as a wonderful opportunity to kick off the graduation season, according to Cheryl diTargiani, mother of senior Ryder.

“It’s hard to believe these four years have gone by so fast," diTargiani said. "Today was a great day to celebrate our relationship and prepare for all the milestones that are coming our way on our road to graduation. It was a lovely event.”

TRI-SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS SHINE IN

Matilda the Musical

Tri-School Productions students brought Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical to life in March. Audiences of all ages were captivated by the inspiring story of a little girl who dreams of a better life.

The lead role of Matilda was played by Gabbie Jison ‘24. The exceptionally talented Mercy student won a Rita Moreno Award/ Best Actress for her performance (see sidebar, right).

“I loved playing Matilda because of her magical and incredible mind,” Jison said. “Playing a witty character who uses her powers to fight for what is right was truly exciting. Tri-School Productions is an amazing group. The connection and chemistry we had as a cast made the show very special. We had a special bond outside of the show, which really translated on stage.”

The plot revolves around young Matilda, who has psychokinetic powers and is unloved

by her parents. She endures all sorts of challenges, particularly the harsh treatment from Miss Trunchbull. The cruel headmistress detests children and enjoys punishing those who don't abide by her rules. Yet, Matilda’s courage shines through.

Serra student Thomas Lussier ‘25 played Miss Trunchbull.

“My character, Agatha Trunchbull, is a sadistic principal who is focused on maintaining power over the weak,” he explained. “Performing in Matilda opened my eyes to theater. We had a hard-working

TRI-SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS STUDENTS FROM SERRA, MERCY AND NOTRE DAME PRESENTED ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA THE MUSICAL, AN INSPIRING STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL WHO DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE.

cast that pushed me to analyze every word in my script. Every day, I looked forward to acting with wonderful people from Serra Mercy and Notre Dame. Tri-School Productions has ignited a fire within me that has inspired me to continue acting.”

Notre Dame student Isabella Hildebrand ‘23 played the lovely Miss Honey, who encourages Matilda to reach her full potential on her quest for happiness.

“Miss Honey is optimistic, caring and an important role model to her students,” Hildebrand said. “Similarly, I did my best to be a positive leader within the Tri-School Productions community. My favorite part of playing Miss Honey was the opportunity to reflect on my own future when singing the song, 'When I Grow Up.’ This show exemplified Tri-School Productions’ family spirit. It enabled us to work as a team and put on the best show possible, which resulted in a Rita Moreno Awards nomination for Best Production!”

The show was packed with unforgettable songs and high-energy dance numbers choreographed by Director/Choreographer Gennine Harrington. Artistic Director Lawrence Long noted that the show was the first fulllength musical since 2019.

“We chose Matilda the Musical because we wanted a show that felt modern and would also allow us to showcase the talent we have,” Long said. “What made this show so incredibly special was the working relationship between the cast, crew, staff and everyone involved. This group of students was one of the hardest working, fun-loving groups we've ever had. Everyone supported each other, cheered on their peers, and rallied to create something magical in the end.”

Talent Mercy Student Wins Lead Actress as Matilda at the 2023

Rita Moreno Awards

A panel of nationally recognized judges— including Danny Gorman, Anthony Jackson and Tory Ross—announced the 2023 winners of the Rita Moreno Awards held at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts on May 8.

Mercy student Gabbie Jison '24 (photo below) won a Lead Actress Award for her performance as Matilda in the Tri-School Productions spring play.

According to Broadway World, San Francisco, this was the largest attended Rita Moreno Awards in the history of the ceremony. This regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre.

Gabbie joined regional winners from 48 regional programs across the nation at The 14th annual Jimmy Awards ceremony on June 26, when 96 students made their debuts on a Broadway stage at the Minskoff Theatre.

In addition to performing in the awards ceremony, students participated in master classes and coaching sessions with Broadway coaches and accomplished professionals. Congratulations, Gabbie, and Tri-School Productions!

I am excited to help connect our students with more schools and speakers globally, help launch more self-directed student projects focused on innovative service, and work with faculty to explore how technologies like generative AI can be used productively and honorably for learning.

Introducing Serra's New director of Design-Led Innovation Rushton

Hurley R

ushton Hurley has been walking the halls of Junípero Serra High School for more than a decade wearing many hats, including technology advisor, design-thinking instructor and global education liaison. But beginning on May 16, Hurley chose to fasten just one steady hat as Serra’s first director of design-led innovation. This new position was created to support educational student programming and professional development that will take advantage of Serra’s new Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation.

In his new role, Hurley spearheads professional development to integrate design thinking, technology

and innovation into Serra’s robust academic program. He manages Serra’s new Design Thinking Lab and collaborates with the Director of Information Services, Patrick Vallez-Kelly, to develop opportunities in the Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation. Hurley works closely with students inside and outside of the classroom to support their learning.

Hurley has been a consultant at Serra for 13 years and has been instrumental in the development of Serra’s Creative Solutions for the Global Good class. During his time at Serra, he has drawn on his experience launching and running an online high school two decades ago, advising school leaders around the world, as well as his

–Rushton Hurley

many professional connections from his national and international network. Hurley played an important role in helping Serra transition to a 1:1 device school that utilizes Google Workspace. It also has connected Serra with Parklands College in Cape Town, South Africa, and Nagoya International School in Nagoya, Japan, to create international student connections and learn about different possibilities and cultures. This summer, Hurley took two students to Kyoto to present their projects as part of the Sagano High School Global Forum.

work with faculty to explore how technologies like generative AI can be used productively and honorably for learning.”

As director of innovation, Hurley engages with students, teachers, parents, alumni, administrators and community members to drive change and new growth, cultivate innovative capabilities and promote the value of design thinking and creative problem solving. He oversees and manages the Serra Global Speaker Series, Design-Led Innovation, and the Global Leadership Program. Additionally, Hurley is the lead instructor for the Creative and Advanced Solutions for the Global Good classes and the Global Leadership Seminar.

In its search for a leader for the innovation program, Serra sought a big-picture thinker and a hands-on implementer—attributes Hurley possesses, according to Assistant Principal of Academics Rita Lee.

Hurley’s extensive experience in technology and education have made him a highly respected presenter in conferences around the globe. He has worked extensively with educators, including his role as the MERIT Program Director for the Krause Center for Innovation. The program helped educators bolster their curriculum with new teaching methodologies and technology-enhanced learning activities to motivate, challenge and inspire the diverse learners and leaders of the future. Hurley received master’s degrees in education and East Asian studies from Stanford University.

“In his role as the Director of Design-Led Innovation, Rushton Hurley continues to champion Serra High School as the best place to teach young men what it means to be a Padre," Principal Charlie McGrath said. "The development of new and ongoing programs focused on real life issues rooted with local and global application is exciting.”

Hurley expressed his excitement about joining the school in this capacity.

“The leadership is supportive of extending existing strengths and developing opportunities for Serra's community well beyond the boundaries of the campus," Hurley said. "Over the next few years, I am excited to help connect our students with more schools and speakers globally, help launch more self-directed student projects focused on innovative service, and

“With his extensive experience as a teacher and his expertise in innovation and technology, Rushton has a proven track record of inspiring students to think creatively and with a global perspective," Lee said. "He has the ability to take our Design-Led Innovation Program to new heights and develop our Global Leadership Program.”

Lee said she is looking forward to the new partnerships and connections that Hurley will forge.

“I am confident that our students will continue and expand their work to make a positive impact on the world under his guidance,” Lee added.

Hurley began his time at Serra as a technology consultant in 2010. He remembers his first days at Serra and how they made a memorable impact on him.

“I remember my first class visit years ago when I began working with Serra's teachers on the potential of technology," Hurley said. "It was Barb Luis' World History class, and she began the period asking students if there were any intentions. After two students mentioned people in other parts of the world who had been affected by disasters, a third student raised his hand and said simply, ‘I'm worried about my parents.’ I knew at that moment that I was in a special place, a place where boys could be comfortable figuring out who they are and what is important to them. I think for any of us, having the chance to contribute to what happens at Serra is a blessing. It's a blessing that carries a responsibility to figure out what's possible for inspiring students, and I am grateful to be part of this ongoing effort in this new position.”

IT’S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Single-gender education has notable benefits when it comes to developing leadership skills, academic focus and confidence. However, teenagers also need to foster meaningful relationships with boys and girls. That’s where the Tri-School Program plays a significant role.

For more than four decades, Serra, Notre Dame and Mercy have offered an extensive range of coed opportunities for students. The three schools share academic and social experiences, which include engaging coed classes on all three campuses, music and drama productions, clubs, retreats and social events.

“Tri-School enables our students to socialize, to be challenged in various ways, and to see different perspectives,” said Serra Assistant Principal of Student Life Marybeth Ortiz. “When our students are together, it’s one community rather than three different schools. The Tri-School Program gives students opportunities to learn in a single-sex environment, which is catered to their learning styles. But when they’re together in the classroom, in the theater, at dances or at Campus Ministry events, there’s an energy and spirit of collaboration that’s very special.”

Tri-School classes are innovative and exciting. TriSchool students might take forensic biology and 3-D art at Mercy, Mandarin and drama at Serra, or sports medicine and video production at NDB.

“Tri-School is such a gift to our Notre Dame community,” said NDB Head of School Meredith Essalat. “For students to have the opportunity to thrive within their respective academic homes, while

collaborating with peers in our partner schools, is something that makes our high school experience unique. We are so grateful that we can maintain our NDB identity in tandem with the strength of community between three dynamic schools.”

Serra Music Director Joe Murphy’s music classes are extremely popular with Tri-School students. In addition to teaching Digital Music Production and Men’s Choir at Serra, Murphy teaches three Tri-School classes: Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band. He also leads the Tri-School Choir once a week after school. Last year, Tri-School music students traveled to a music festival in Orlando, where they took home the Sweepstakes Trophy—the most coveted award.

“Music unites people, and it’s a group activity every day,” Murphy said. “It’s a very supportive environment in our music classes, and we’re always working together toward the same common goal. Teenagers need coed opportunities in addition to organized social activities like dances. Music class is fun, and I tell a lot of stories. Students from all three schools enjoy being together in a creative environment.”

Serra Visual and Performing Arts Chair Lawrence Long teaches Tri-School drama classes.

“The benefits of drama classes are exponential in a co-ed environment,” he said. “Drama is a social art

FOR TRI-SCHOOL STUDENTS

form. The practice of acting is one of active listening, observation and self-awareness. Performers need to evaluate the motivations of their characters and also of the person across from them. The exercises and games used to teach improvisation require students to collaborate to be truly successful. The foundations of my classes are respect and trust. I strive to provide an ideal environment for students to evolve their preconceived ideas about who they are in our community and the larger world.”

Mercy student Matea Houle '24 has taken drama at Serra since her freshman year.

“Being able to take advantage of the resources they have at Serra enables students from Mercy and Notre Dame to expand their experiences in the world of arts in a way that they wouldn't be able to do at their own schools,” Houle said. “Having students from all three schools allows us to be exposed to different grades and experience levels. Whether you take the class for fun or because it's your passion, you'll be able to gain unique perspectives from other students as you build friendships and skills.”

“Enrolling students from our sister schools gives our Padres a chance to gain vital social skills in a safe environment,” Long added. “It’s also tremendously fun when everyone works together. Many of our students take drama classes for three to four years. There’s

a thriving cohort of students who grow and learn together during their time here, inside and outside of the classroom.”

Other Tri-School classes include philosophy, Creative Solutions for the Global Good, art history, anatomy and physiology, photography and Virtual Enterprise.

Mercy Head of School Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan took AP calculus at Serra when she was a student at Mercy. She enjoyed taking a class with her twin brother and his friends.

"Tri-School not only supports students in building new relationships, but it also strengthens existing and familial relationships," she said. "The Tri-School Program holds a rich tradition between Mercy, Notre Dame and Serra. We know boys and girls bring unique differences, by bringing them together in various programs, we see a different type of beauty come alive in our programs that complements the heartbeat of our single-sex schools."

“Our students have many courses to choose from,” said Serra Assistant Principal of Academics Rita Lee. “The Tri-School Program dramatically expands the academic offerings that the students can pursue and provides a wonderful environment for developing healthy relationships in a coed environment. At the same time, the single-gender classroom allows young men to step out of their comfort zones, assume leadership roles, and develop confidence with teachers who really get how boys learn and mature. The result is transformative. It really is the best of both worlds."

The Tri-School Consortium

Serra’s formal partnership with sister schools Mercy Burlingame and Notre Dame Belmont share academic, cultural and social experiences in the form of classes, clubs, music and drama productions, retreats and social events.

Academic Classes

On Serra’s campus:

AP Chinese Language and Culture

Concert Band

Creative Solutions for the Global Good

Drama 1: Introduction to Performance

Drama 2: Acting for the Stage

Drama 3: Advanced Acting and Performance

Drama 4: Advanced Acting and Production

Jazz Ensemble

Mandarin I

Mandarin II, Mandarin III, Mandarin IV

Philosophy

Symphonic Band

Virtual Enterprise

On Mercy’s campus :

Anatomy and Physiology

Honors Anatomy and Physiology

AP Psychology

Forensic Biology

Non-Darkroom Photography

3D Art

On Notre Dame’s campus:

Sports Medicine

Video Production Clubs

French Club

Mock Trial

Multicultural Club

Sports Medicine Club

Campus Ministry: Service,

Justice and Leadership

Walk for Catholic Worker

Encounter Nights

Performing Arts

Tri-School Productions

• Fall Play

• Spring Musical

International Thespian Society

Tri-School Chorus

Symphonic Band

Jazz Ensemble

Concert Band

Social Activities

Tri-School Frosh Splash

Student Government Meets

Mixers and dances throughout the year

International Student Program

Hot Pot Dinner

Thanksgiving Celebration

Movie Night

Dinner at the Serra Musical

Bowling

Athletics

• Notre Dame and Mercy spirit squads cheer at Serra football and basketball games.

• Notre Dame and Mercy use Serra’s pool for swimming and diving practice.

• Serra’s pool is Notre Dame and Mercy’s home pool for PAL water polo games and practice.

• Mercy uses Serra’s gym for volleyball practices and games.

• Mercy and Notre Dame track teams use the Serra track for practices.

MEN OFCOMPASSION

“I have heard so many wonderful things about the students at Serra—academically and athletically,” said the avid sports fan. “I’m excited to get to know them. We have similar backgrounds. I grew up going to Catholic schools, so I’m familiar with faith-based education.”

Father Cameron has lived in Northern California his entire life. He graduated in 2006 from Marin Catholic High School, a coed Catholic college preparatory school located in Marin County.

A two-sport athlete in high school, Father Cameron left high school with a burning desire to play sports in college. But God had another plan for him. After a brief stint as an engineering student at Cal Poly, Father Cameron realized that his true love was sports.

Serra Welcomes Father Cameron Faller as New Chaplain

The Serra community is delighted to welcome Father Cameron Faller as the new chaplain. Father Cameron will replace Father Nicholas Case, who left Serra in June to pursue doctoral studies in Rome.

Father Cameron is excited to join the Serra community, and he can’t wait to become immersed in a school that is known for its talented young men.

“Cal Poly wasn’t the right fit,” he remembered. “A feeling grew inside me that I was meant for something service-oriented. I kept thinking about the military and how I could play sports and fulfill my desire to serve . . . but everything went wrong.”

After a childhood diagnosis of asthma prevented him from joining the military, Father Cameron accepted the fact that he was moving in the wrong direction. He contacted his former Marin Catholic theology teacher, Bishop Tom Daly (now a bishop in Spokane, WA), who suggested that Father Cameron should be a leader on a high school immersion trip.

When he was a high school senior, Father Cameron enjoyed an immersion trip to Lourdes, France. He and his friends were inspired by the healing stories of the blessed St. Bernadette.

"I HOPE I CAN PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SEARCH FOR GOD AND UNDERSTAND THEIR PURPOSE IN LIFE."

–SERRA CHAPLAIN FATHER CAMERON FALLER

During that time, Father Cameron was focused on college—not the religious miracles surrounding him.

However, when Father Cameron led the trip in 2007, it was a transformational experience that revealed his life’s true calling. For years, he had ignored several “Holy Spirit” moments. Then, one afternoon on the Lourdes trip, he had an epiphany that he wanted to be a priest.

ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING

While it took some time to wrestle with fear and perception, Father Cameron finally trusted his intuition. He enrolled in the seminary at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and graduated in 2010. After that, he attended St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park and was ordained in 2015.

When he is not at Serra, Father Cameron can be found at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Belmont, where he is an in-resident priest who celebrates Sunday Mass and works as a vocation director.

Father Cameron, one of four boys, is not the only priest in his household. His brother, Father Kyle Faller, is a priest at the Church of the Nativity. The brothers have had very independent spiritual journeys, but they are happy to be priests in the same region.

Father Cameron’s ultimate goal is for the Padres to deepen their knowledge of Jesus Christ. “My mission is for them to know the beauty of the gospel,” he said, “and to share the good news.”

Serra President Barry Thornton, Ed.D. is thrilled that Serra will welcome an outstanding man and a wonderful priest.

“Father Cameron’s experience in Catholic schools and his rich background dealing with high school-aged youth make him a wonderful fit for the community," Thornton said. "Serra is truly blessed to have him and we look forward to his support of our students, faculty and parents.”

ThanksGIVEday is an opportunity for the entire Serra community to unite and show its support.

“Once I was in Lourdes, I kept reminding myself that I had never taken the time to listen to what God wanted me to do,” he recounted. “It’s something outside of you that speaks to you in a way that no one has ever spoken before.”

ThanksGIVEday a proud past . . . powering our future

sixth annual

At Serra, we build men of faith, virtue, leadership and philanthropy.

Teaching our students the rewarding privilege of giving back is fundamental to their overall high school experience.

On our sixth annual ThanksGIVEday, we hope to have the support of our alumni to celebrate Serra and offer contributions to better our programs now and in the future.

A Proud Past, Powering Our Future.

Christian Sullivan '88 Devotes his life to Catholic Education

Sullivan believes education is a way out of poverty. He visits Kenya often to strengthen ties, share culture and celebrate their common Catholic Franciscan faith.

Christian Sullivan ’88 lives 3,000 miles from his high school alma mater, but he uses the lessons he learned there daily.

After “falling in love with a girl from Long Island,” Sullivan moved to New York and started work at St. Francis Prep. Twenty-one years later, as St. Francis’ director of campus ministry, he is implementing new programs, immersions, and retreats—including trips to St. Francis’ twin school in Kenya.

Serra set the foundation for his work in high school ministry.

“Serra allowed me time to grow, to gain confidence, and to establish a sense of belonging,” Sullivan said. “I was active in the drama program and student government, especially. Although I participated in sports, success for me in high school came in many areas other than athletics.”

After graduation, Sullivan earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Santa Clara University and a Ph.D. from Fordham University. He served on the Serra faculty and Campus Ministry team from 1999-2001. Sullivan maintains close relationships with his Serra classmates,

especially David Philpott '87, an administrator at the University of San Francisco, and Congressman Kevin Mullin '88.

“Looking back, Serra’s teachers gave so much to the school,” Sullivan said. “They mentored us, pushed us to become more, and cared for us like we were their family.”

Sullivan describes his diocese in New York as 100 percent urban, and St. Francis Prep as a “safe, faith-filled environment” that houses 2,400 students inside a four-story building in Queens.

“It’s like working at a small college,” Sullivan noted. Since beginning his work there, Sullivan has implemented a comprehensive retreat program, pastoral care ministry, social outreach charity drives, and service learning programs—including week-long immersion trips.

In 2009, the Franciscan Brothers of Mountbellew, Ireland, who founded St. Francis Prep, challenged Sullivan and his colleagues to connect with their twin school in Kenya, also named St. Francis Secondary. They formed a partnership that is growing and thriving—with St. Francis fundraising for projects that have resulted in new water tanks, an expanded kitchen, concrete pathways, tiled classroom floors, a computer lab, loaner bicycle program, and a basketball court. The St. Francis community also provided solar panels for their twin school’s water pumping system, which has dramatically reduced electricity costs.

Sullivan has visited Kenya several times, most recently this past July. He brings faculty members with him, and together they find a vibrant Catholic community where religious life vocations are on the rise. They visit to strengthen ties, share culture and celebrate their common Catholic Franciscan faith. Most students at the twin school walk two to three hours each way to school. Education is a way out of poverty, Sullivan explained. He hopes to create a student exchange by 2025.

Sullivan has observed that faculty teach differently when they return, having gained a different perspective on social justice and on the world.

“We bring U.S. dollars, but they infuse us with the Franciscan spirit,” said Sullivan.

That spirit was present while Sullivan was at Serra, when his family fell behind on tuition payments. At a critical juncture, an anonymous donor worked with Serra’s business office to pay the rest of his tuition. The gift allowed Sullivan to continue at Serra, and it set the stage for the rest of his life and career.

“I share that story with the students here at St. Francis Prep and St. Francis Secondary, especially those in need of financial assistance.” Sullivan said. “It’s a beautiful example of generosity and selfless faith. I’m forever grateful, and it’s much of the reason why I have devoted my life to Catholic education—I’m trying to pay it forward. This work sustains me. It gives me purpose and meaning. Father Serra, a Franciscan, embraced the motto ‘Always Forward.’ That sentiment has become a personal motivation for me.”

“Looking back, Serra’s teachers gave so much to the school. They mentored us, pushed us to become more, and cared for us like we were their family”

"WHO MADE SERRA SPECIAL?"

We asked our alumni, “Who made Serra special?” We were overwhelmed by the many heartfelt responses from our alumni, who shared their memories about Serra faculty and staff members who sparked a passion for learning, provided encouragement and made a positive impact on their lives. Our legacy wouldn’t be the same without these remarkable members of our Serra community. In fact, we are inspired to create a vault full of memories to be shared in the near future.

For now, here is a small sample of the many submissions that we received.

Ralph Stark

“He inspired me to always do the extra credit work so it became part of the “normal” work and didn’t seem extra.”

TIM MCKERCHER ’84

Jay Jordan

“I’ll keep this short. Mr. Jordan is the GOAT”

JEFF GREGG ’93

“He guided, supported and encouraged all. His patience, care and enthusiasm inspired generations of Padres.”

KEN MEADE ’86

“HE DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE US YOUNG KIDS FEEL COMFORTABLE, EVEN IF WE WEREN’T THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE BUNCH.”

CHRIS PEDERSEN ’89

“He was respectful, yet treated and spoke to us as adult men and had expectations of us. In vulnerable times, he showed us the balance of being sentimental and sharing feelings.”

STEVE BLANDINO ’90

“He inspired all. We were fortunate to have his instruction and enthusiasm for what he taught.”

KEN MEADE ‘86

Nick Carboni

“I can still hear Mr. Carboni’s words at the end of every class... ’Read it, study it, and have it prepared for tomorrow.’ It was one of the greatest pieces of life advice that I have ever received. It simply encapsulates the key to success. Do the work; be prepared.”

STEVE WILKINSON ’75

Father John Ryan

“He had a major influence on my life. His history course prepared me for a career teaching and writing history. He was also influential in directing me to attend the University of San Francisco.”

Father John Kelly

“HE WAS A CLOSET COMEDIAN, A STRAIGHT SHOOTER AND A VERY GIVING PERSON. MY WIFE AND I ASKED HIM TO MARRY US AND WE WILL CELEBRATE OUR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR.”

ERNEST BELLONE ’73

“He was a dedicated priest who provided honest, excellent service at Serra. He inspired others to imitate Jesus Christ. “

DAVID STRONCK ’49

Jesse Freitas

“Jesse was Tom Brady before Tom Brady.”

ROBERT GENEVRO I ‘69

“Serra named a stadium after him because he was so special.”

JOSEPH PETER ROMERO ’64

Philip Garay

“Entering Serra as a budding guitarist, Phil invited me into the percussion department in my sophomore year, and it has changed my life. I remain active as the drummer for two Bay Area bands.”

PATRICK WARD ‘76

Jim Monahan

“As a fellow faculty member, Jim was always trying to do what was best for the school, the students and his fellow teachers. He was instrumental in forming the Serra family and the close Serra community that still exists today. He was well respected by everyone and was and still is a great example of a Christian gentleman and a proud member of the Serra family.”

NICK CARBONI ‘59

Rev. Robert Stadler

“He was a wonderful counselor who always made time for me. He helped me get through tough times as a teen and into my adult years.”

CLIFFORD BELLONE ’59

RUSSELL M. MAGNAGHI ’61

Father John Zoph

“His class was a unique experience. He was hands down the absolute best teacher I had for any course, at any level from grammar school through to my doctorate. Well done, oh good and faithful servant!”

JOHN EGENOLF ’89

“HE WAS A GREAT TEACHER OF ENGLISH, INSISTING ON EXCELLENCE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIBRARY.”

JOHN J. MURRAY ’60

“He taught me the value of good literature, serious work, love of learning and good teaching.”

CHARLES LEYES ’57

“HE WAS A MAJOR FORCE IN MY LIFE AND I AM THANKFUL HE WAS PART OF SERRA FOR SO MANY YEARS. HE CHALLENGED US AND FORCED US TO CONSTANTLY IMPROVE.”

RUSSELL M. MAGNAGHI ’61

“Junior year English studying Word Power each day and senior year Latin reading The Aeneid.”

JAMES E. LYNCH ’63

“HE PROVIDED A PLACE TO GO TO AND SOMEONE WHO LISTENED AND OFFERED ADVICE WITHOUT ‘OFFERING ADVICE’.“

JOE FLICKINGER ’72

“He loved his students and combined toughness, superior teaching qualities and a sense of humor that marked him as a legend in his many years at Serra.“

MICHAEL G. MCDONELL ’61

Gerald Gerth

“HE TAUGHT ME THAT BIOLOGY WAS ALL AROUND US. HE COUNSELED STUDENTS TO OBSERVE AND ANALYZE— SKILLS THAT HE TOLD STUDENTS WERE USED IN ALL FIELDS OF STUDY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, LIFE ITSELF.“

Kevin Donahue

“He taught me skills I use every day. He also taught me about mental toughness and what it meant to give 100% at practice to prepare properly for games.”

Michael Shrieve

Joe Schaeffer

“Mr. Schaeffer taught me to be concise, and to make each paragraph, each sentence, and each word count. He would tell me that my work was good, but could be better. I paid attention to him, I rewrote, and I learned. As an attorney, I learned skills from Mr. Schaeffer that have been invaluable to me.”

Keith Stapleton

Rob Solari

“Although I was not one of the fastest runners on the track team, Mr. Solari took the effort to time each runner personally. When I completed the last race of my senior year, Rob announced that I had my best time of the year. It made me feel that I had achieved an accomplishment of significance and made me feel good personally.”

STEPHAN Z PATASSY ’83

Pete Jensen

“He challenged me to be as good in the classroom as I was on the sports fields.”

TIM MCKERCHER ’84

Larry Hennes

“Gave one of the best lectures on going on to college ever! He was one of the most influential people I’ve ever met.”

TOM LINARI ’78

“Mr. Hennes had a way of teaching conversationally and with humor. He took interest in his students and in me. He urged me to always try my best and think the best of the people I met until they proved me wrong. He had a tremendous impact on a then fourteen year old kid.”

LUKE KEVIN O’BRIEN ’69

“He was an excellent teacher who taught the class and added humor to the study. He made the learning experience quite entertaining as we learned so much from his class.”

“As a lawyer, I’ve had my fair share of teachers— academically and professionally. There are only a handful that I would consider truly great and Mr. Stapleton is one of them. It wasn’t just his mastery of the subject or the ease with which he conveyed it. It was the excitement you felt. The engagement. The feeling that what we talked about in that classroom meant something, not as a means to an end, but as the end itself. The joy of learning for the sake of learning. I felt that joy for the first time sitting in a quiet classroom at Serra High School, all thanks to Mr. Stapleton.”

SEAN WILKINSON ‘05

“Mr. Stapleton always made me feel like I was getting the most scholarly education with a heavy dose of quick wit and humor. He was so adept at explaining the brilliance of a certain passage or author. I am a better thinker, student and adult because of Mr. Stapleton.”

TJ SERAFINI ’03

ROBERTO L. GONZALEZ ’71

TIM MCKERCHER ’84

“DIDN’T YOU SEE THE MOVIE, WOODSTOCK ?”

ROBERT GENEVRO I ‘69

DAN PYNE ’80

MIKE MCADOO ’68

PADRESATHLETICS

"THE WRESTLING TEAM WAS LED BY AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF SENIORS THIS YEAR. THEY DROVE EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND AT MATCHES."

–VARSITY WRESTING COACH MIKE KLOBUCHAR '90

Varsity water p lo

Longtime Bay Area water polo and swim coach Tim Kates has been named Serra's new aquatics director and head varsity water polo coach. Kates started his new position at Serra on April 3.

A lifetime local, Kates attended St. Raymond’s Catholic School as an elementary school student, then attended St. Francis High School and the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2004.

Kates has spent much of his life in the pool, as a high school and collegiate water polo athlete. He has also been a coach at Menlo-Atherton, Gunn and St. Francis high schools, as well as the Stanford and South Peninsula water polo clubs.

Serra Athletics Director Justin Ferdinand is excited to welcome Kates to the coaching staff.

“Tim Kates brings a ton of playing and coaching experience and a wealth of knowledge," Ferdinand said. "His passion and enthusiasm for the sport of water polo is unmatched. He will be a welcomed addition to the Padre coaching staff.”

What attracted Kates to Serra was its placement in the challenging Western Catholic Athletic League, which boasts a very competitive level of water polo.

“I look at the opportunity to challenge myself, and to help the program move up the ranks of the league,” Kates said. “I know Serra has a large pool of talented boys and I firmly believe that I will be able to help them rise to new levels within the WCAL division,” he added.

Kates’ coaching philosophy includes balance, education, atmosphere and respect. He hopes to encourage the boys to be the best versions of themselves.

“The true definition of success comes at the end of the season, when we see how much learning we have done, how much we have grown as individuals, did we treat each other and the team with success and did we have fun,” Kates said.

As for playing style, Kates said, “Water polo is a simple game. We will play as hard and as aggressively as possible while in control and within the rules of the game. The playing style has much to do with the attitude of the team—and the attitude of the team is extremely important.”

When he is not in the water coaching, Kates is in the yoga studio, enjoying a good streaming show or tending to his two tanks of Bumblebee Platies, small fish that are stunningly distinguishable by their bright yellow bodies with black markings.

2023 TRACK AND FIELD

WRAP

HEAD COACH

JIM MARHEINEKE

VARSITY

WCAL: 4-3

3RD PLACE WCAL DUALS

2ND PLACE WCAL CHAMPS

MOST VALUABLE TRACK

ATHLETE: JADEN GREEN

MOST VALUABLE FIELD

ATHLETE: LUKE LEWIS

KEVIN RAGAN MEMORIAL COACHES' AWARD: NICHOLAS MEADE

FROSH/SOPH

WCAL: 5-2

3RD PLACE WCAL DUALS

2ND PLACE WCAL CHAMPS

MOST VALUABLE TRACK ATHLETE: CHRISTOPHER YOON

MOST VALUABLE FIELD

ATHLETE: JAY LEDER

COACHES' AWARD: OWEN STRONG MATTHEW MELO

1ST PLACE WCAL CCS

PARKER HARRISON: 200M (21.94)

PARKER HARRISON: 400M (48.88)

PETER OLSON: 300MIH (39.27)

LUKE LEWIS: SHOT PUT (55-3.25)

400M RELAY (42.64):

JAXON IGTANLOC

PARKER HARRISON

PETER OLSON

JADEN GREEN

1600M RELAY (3:24.42):

JAXON IGTANLOC

DYLAN JOUDIEH

JADEN GREEN

PARKER HARRISON

WCAL FS CHAMPIONS

CHRIS YOON - 65MHH (9.45)

CHRIS YOON - LONG JUMP (19-2)

400M RELAY - (44.37):

CHRIS YOON

JERMAINE BARRETT

NATHAN MOECKEL

JUSIAH VINSON

TEAM: 2ND PLACE

1ST PLACE

LUKE LEWIS - SHOT PUT (54-.5) STATE MEET QUALIFIER

2ND PLACE

PETER OLSON - 300MIH (38.30) STATE MEET QUALIFIER

CIF STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALISTS

PETER OLSON: 300MIH (39.12) - 7TH PLACE

LUKE LEWIS: SHOT PUT (51-10.75) - 10TH PLACE

SCHOOL RECORDS

LUKE LEWIS: FROSH SOPH SHOT PUT (59-3.5)

PETER OLSON: 110HH (14.68) [TIE WITH JEFF MOLUMBY '00]

WRAP 2023 BASEBALL

HEAD COACH

CHRIS HOULE '92

VARSITY

WCAL: 6-8

OVERALL: 16-12

BLANKET AWARD:

BEN CLEARY

FRISELLA AWARD:

NOAH POTENCION

LEVENTHAL AWARD:

KAI LAXA

JR. VARSITY

WCAL: 10-3-1

OVERALL: 15-3-1

FRESHMAN

WCAL: 4-9

OVERALL: 4-14

MVP: ABE COAKLEY

JOSIAH RODRIGUEZ (INF)

1ST TEAM WCAL SAMMY RIVAS (OF)

2ND TEAM WCAL

HONORABLE MENTION WCAL

BEN CLEARY (INF), JAKE DOWNING (INF), WILL BORDIN (P), IAN JOSEPHSON (P), DAVIS MINTON (P/INF)

JV AWARDS:

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: KENNY SURBAUGH

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER:JADEN LIM

OUTSTANDING PITCHER: RILEY LIM

SERRA BASEBALL AWARD: JACK ARMSTRONG

FROSH AWARDS:

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: ANTONIO SEKELJ

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: NATHAN FAHEY

SERRA BASEBALL AWARD: JACK WESSELL

2022-23 WRESTLING

WRAP

HEAD COACH

MIKE KLOBUCHAR '90

VARSITY

WCAL: 3-3

2ND WCAL

MVP: FRANCOIS RICARD

JR. VARSITY

WCAL: 6-0

WCAL CHAMPIONS

MVP: THOMAS LUSSIER

FRESHMAN

WCAL: 6-0

WCAL CHAMPIONS

MVP: ABE COAKLEY

ALL 14 WEIGHTS QUALIFIED FOR CCS CHAMPIONSHIPS

2ND TEAM WCAL

ROCCO FORTE, AUDIE LENNEMANN, ANDREW JARRETT

1ST TEAM WCAL

RILEY REGA, FRANCOIS RICARD, PRESTON DIXON

WRAP 2023 LACROSSE

HEAD COACH

RYAN BOLANOS

VARSITY

WCAL 1-6

OVERALL: 8-9

MVP: CALLAN REED

JR. VARSITY

WCAL 2-5

OVERALL: 5-8

2ND TEAM WCAL PHOENIX

KELLY-ZUCKERMANN

HONORABLE MENTION

WCAL

JUSTIN HOLLISTER

RHYS MOREHEAD

PHINN KELLY-ZUCKERMAN

TEDDY CHUNG

2023 GOLF

HEAD COACH

MIKE LANGRIDGE '91

VARSITY

WCAL 11-3

OVERALL: 11-3

CO MVPS:

WILLIAM WALSH

TREVOR MOQUIN

JR. VARSITY

WCAL 13-1

OVERALL: 14-1

WON JV TITLE FOR TWO STRAIGHT SEASONS

MVP: JOEY KIMBALL

FRESHMAN

WCAL 3-8

OVERALL: 3-8

WRAP

1ST TEAM WCAL

WILLIAM WALSH

TREVOR MOQUIN

2ND TEAM WCAL

ROARK HOLSTEIN

HONORABLE MENTION WCAL

CHASE HAMEL

CHRIS ZEIDAN

WILLIAM WALSH AND TREVOR MOQUIN

ADVANCED TO CCS FINALS

TREVOR MOQUIN

ADVANCED TO NORCALS AND FINISHED 10TH AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

2023 TENNIS

WRAP

HEAD COACH

BEEYONG AISON

VARSITY

WCAL: 4-10

OVERALL: 6-10

MVP: BEN LIPELES

2ND TEAM WCAL

NATHAN REYNOLDS BEN LIPELES

JR. VARSITY

WCAL: 0-6

OVERALL: 0-6

CO MVPS: JACK NGUYEN BRODY REGAN

2023 CREW

WRAP

Serra's young squad of 32 athletes wrapped up their season at the Southwest Youth Championship in Sacramento,where they raced seven events: Y8 +, Y4 +, U17 4+, U17 2x, U17 8+, U17 8+ B, and U16 8+. The threeday regatta was a qualifier for the USRowing Nationals. The majority of the Serra boats qualified and progressed to the semifinals. Racing was fierce, as only the top three finishers progressed to the finals from each event. The U17 8+ and 4+ came close to qualifying, fighting it out with the larger club teams and untimely placing fourth. The U16 8+ pressed hard and took a third-place finish, making them the only boat to qualify for finals.

As the U16 8+ final kicked off, one club boat took an early lead with the remaining boats holding a tight pack through the first 1000M. All boats were fighting for their spot at nationals. Serra just fell short, placing sixth in the region—a big accomplishment for a scholastic team.

serra boster club Join the

The Serra Booster Club is looking for new members to support Padres athletics.

The Serra Booster Club—made up of of parents, faculty, staff members, alumni and friends—takes great pride in the fact that it supports all 14 of Serra sports teams.

The funds raised from membership dues are used to purchase supplies, equipment, uniforms and also to support capital projects above and beyond what the school budget provides.

For more information on how to become a booster, including member levels and benefits, visit serrahs.com/booster.

padres Athletics sponsorships

Did you know that you can advertise your business and support Serra at the same time?

With a Padres athletics sponsorship, you can display your company logo, tagline, or more, on a custom fitted security barricade cover. These barricades are placed around the Brady Family Stadium and Freitas Field during the current athletics season. Learn more about our premium, deluxe and standard partner benefits at serrahs.com/advertise.

San Mateo Speakeasy Serves a Unique Experience

If you’re craving a crisp, splendidly dry martini or a classic, vintage Old Fashioned, there is no place better to order one but at Wunderbar, a classy speakeasy located inside Wursthall biergarten in downtown San Mateo.

Just follow the white rabbit silhouettes scattered throughout a staircase leading to a what appears to be a crowded bookshelf—the front door of the intimate hidden bar.

Behind the bar, Kearnin Moran ‘08 creates craft cocktails in the bougie space decorated with whimsical drawings, classic figurines and Tarot Card renderings. The Brothers Grimm fairytalestyle ambiance is mesmerizing.

Moran, the bar manager at Wunderbar, has worked at the establishment since 2020, just two weeks before the pandemic hit.

“The pandemic halted us for a little while,” Moran noted, “but we were able to open and recover because of our creative cocktail menu and organic, original bar ingredients.”

Creating tantalizing cocktails is Moran’s passion. Customers line up to enjoy a Sidewinder’s Fang (aged and dark rum, passion fruit, fresh lime and orange and soda) or a French 75 (Vermont gin, fresh lemon, cane and sparkling wine). No food is served, but customers can help themselves to popcorn in a vintage popcorn machine.

The drink menu features 13 cocktails— six classics, six originals and a dessert Irish coffee. The Irish coffee is a nod to Moran’s grandmother, Kate, who has fond memories of sipping her favorite drink at the Buena Vista.

About 100 people come in each night, with three full rotations of tables. Guests can reserve their spots online and request to be seated in a front area called the nook, the lounge or the traditional wooden bar.

Moran has been in the beverage industry since he graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2013. The psychology major said he never intended to wind up in the mixology business.

However, his psychology degree comes in handy when conversing with the eclectic bar patrons.

“You have to wear many hats when you’re working behind a bar,” he explained. “To some, you’re a therapist. To others, you must give them space, so you really have to read the room.”

The values Moran learned at Serra affect his work today—particularly the work ethic and discipline that he learned from Coach Patrick Walsh on the football field.

Moran is married to his wife, Kimberly. They live in San Mateo with their three children, Neila, 6, Cullen, 4, and Declan, 2.

Moran is continuing his family’s Serra legacy. His grandfather, father and

For more information about Wunderbar, visit wunderbarsm.com.

you

Moran believes these values, combined with a strong work ethic, will help him to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a part owner of an establlishment like Wunderbar.

must

“Serra taught me so many things that I use every day in my adult life—my ability to be vulnerable, my manners, my accountability. All of these values have made me the man I am today.”

“to some, you're a therapist. to others, you

give them space, so

really have to read the room.”

–kearnin moran '08

uncle are Serra Padres—John Moran ‘65, Patrick Moran ‘80 and Michael Moran ‘84.

Another Padre Alumnus Joins the New England Patriots

Just a few years after Tom Brady ‘95 left the Patriots after 20 successful seasons, another Padre powerhouse was added to the team roster. On April 27, the New England Patriots selected 2018 Serra alumnus and UCLA football offensive guard Atonio Mafi as the No. 144 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Serra High School held a private draft party for Mafi, his family and friends in Serra’s new Stinson Center. Anxiety levels were high the day before Mafi received the call that would forever change his life. Mafi, his brother, his mom and Serra Head Football Coach Patrick Walsh had reserved seats in front of the new 16-panel, high-definition screen broadcasting the NFL Draft live from Kansas City. Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes turned into hours as the fourth round of the NFL draft moved into the fifth round. At approximately 11:30 a.m. early into the fifth round, Mafi received a call on his cell phone. As the entire crowd screamed and yelled, the tension in the room began to build. Mafi, his older brother Soane, Coach Walsh, and members of Serra’s Communications Team exited into the back stairwell of the Stinson Center. New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft were on the line with Mafi.

celebrations began, as everyone wanted a photo with the newest Padre to join the Patriots.

Mafi expressed his appreciation for his years as a Padre, and for the support he has received from Serra while moving into the professional sports arena. He attributed much of his work ethic to his learning on and off the field in high school, as well as the faith and support that he has received from his loving family.

“I would like to thank my family, my brother, my mom— this means so much to me,” Mafi said. “I want to thank my parents for all the sacrifices they made—I know it wasn’t easy all the time, and I can’t wait to pay you back.”

The 6-foot-3, 329-pound Mafi had notable success in the Serra football program. At UCLA, he started on the Bruins' defensive line in 2018 and later moved to the offensive line in 2020. Mafi was a reserve that season, and then a part-time starter in 2021. Mafi made the AllPac-12 Second Team as a left guard, and he played in all 56 of UCLA's games during the past five seasons.

“Serra High School opened the doors to me my freshman year,” Mafi noted. “That’s why I thought it would only be right to have my draft party here at Serra. A shout-out to Serra—I love this place!”

Mafi and Walsh came back from the hallway. Walsh made the announcement and the room erupted with joy. The

“I like where you went to high school,” Kraft said to Mafi. “You know, we had another fellow from that high school! Yeah, he turned out pretty good.”

Annual 50-Year-Club Luncheon Welcomes the Class of '73

Acrowd of 60 alumni from the classes of 1944-1973 caught up with each other and reminisced about their Serra days in the school’s brand new Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation on April 20. This annual tradition celebrates the group of Padres who graduated 50 years ago or more.

Members of the exclusive 50-Year Club spent a lovely afternoon reconnecting and reminiscing about their grand high school days at Serra, while enjoying a delicious catered lunch, refreshing beverages and good old-fashioned conversation.

More than 20 members of the newest inducted Class of '73 attended their first luncheon. Many said it felt great to be back on campus.

Football Chaplain Father Joe Bradley ‘73, along with classmate Father Craig Looney ‘73, said a prayer before the meal. Alumni Director Logan Wolf '14 welcomed the lively group to the new Stinson Center.

Serra President Barry Thornton, Ed.D., gave a brief address, explaining the different features of the Stinson Center that will promote Serra’s growth in academic target areas that include Design-Led Thinking and global programming.

Chief Advancement Officer Mike Fadelli '88 concluded by thanking everyone for their dedication and continued support of Serra.

Classmates from '73 Skip Gould and Joseph Heinen rallied their class to attend the luncheon. During the luncheon, they welcomed the group with funny stories of campus life in the early '70s.

“I had no idea when I stepped foot on the Serra campus as a freshman

Serra is proud to host this annual lunch that reconnects Padres of many decades.

Congratulations to the Class of '73—we look forward to welcoming the class of '74 in 2024!

that I would immediately have 75 new brothers,” Gould said with emotion. “I am proud to say that many of us keep in touch today—they have become lifelong friends.”

Pictured (l-r): Class of '59 Padres Carmen Gagliardi and John Chichizola.

Pictured (l-r): Class of '73 Padres Ron Deuball, Tim Johnson, Marc Sanchez, Skip Gould, Ken Siragusa, Fr. Craig Looney, Will Glesner, Tom Raffetto and Glenn Segal.

Padre Vintners

Bart Arajuo '61 Accendo Cellars

For 24 years, Bart and Daphne Araujo owned Eisele Vineyard, one of the most praised vineyards in Napa Valley. Located on a 162-acre property in Calistoga, the 38-acre vineyard had originally been planted with zinfandel and riesling vines during the 1880s. Cabernet sauvignon vines were planted in 1964. Bart, who had a home building and mortgage banking background, and Daphne, who had a landscape architecture background, decided to build a winery on the property.

"Our intent was to have a vineyard,” Daphne recounted, “but before we even closed escrow, Bart realized that it was important to also make the wine in order to control the whole process from beginning to end.”

Shortly after purchasing the property, the Araujos built a barn-like winery from redwood and dug caves into a hillside on the property.

In 2013, Bart and Daphne sold their esteemed Araujo Estate and the iconic Eisele Vineyard to one of France's richest men, Francois Pinault, who also owns Château Latour in Bordeaux. However, Bart and Daphne weren't ready to retire. Within months, they became the owners of Napa Valley’s Accendo Cellars. The Araujos’ new wine brand is part of a modern winemaking hospitality center they built in Napa Valley—Wheeler Farms.

The wines of Accendo Cellars, primarily cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc, are inspired by Napa Valley’s early modern era—the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. These wines are derived from grapevines rooted in some of the finest vineyard sites, and they are nurtured by growers devoted to the land.

John Latorra '68 Five Guys Winery

John Latorra '68 has been making wine for 11 years with his four other partners at Five Guys Winery. They make two barrels per year (about 25 cases from each barrel). John and his team purchase approximately 1,200 pounds of grapes for each barrel, usually two varietals from Martin Ranch Winery in the foothills West of Gilroy. They have made zinfandel, syrah, petite sirah, merlot, cabernet, sangiovese and malbec.

Tony Biagi '90 Lead Winemaker Amici Cellars

A sixth-generation Californian, Tony Biagi '90 is a veteran winemaker in the Napa Valley. His career spans more than two decades, and he has helped to shape a number of notable Napa Valley wineries including CADE, Clos Du Val, Hourglass, Paraduxx, Plumpjack and Sinegal Estate.

In 2015, Tony became the winemaker for Amici Cellars and Olema. He and his team follow the philosophy that great wines are made in the vineyard. His method of small batch winemaking remains the same—separately ferment and age individual vineyard blocks to create the best possible expression of each vineyard, every year.

Tony strongly believes that his role as a winemaker includes a responsibility to educate the next generation of rising stars—a mentor-apprentice relationship that's essential to the future success of a healthy industry.

The Amici brand consists of: Sauvignon Blanc Napa County, Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley and several Single Vineyard Chardonnays, Pinots and Cabernet Sauvignons.

Bill Esselstein '56

Joseph Family Vineyard s

Bill Esselstein retired after practicing law for more than 30 years in San Mateo County. When he retired, Bill and his wife moved to the Alexander Valley just outside of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. They lived on a vineyard property, where they grew cabernet sauvignon grapes. The Esselsteins sold their grapes to nearby wineries.

In 2002, they started making wine commercially under the Joseph Family Vineyards label for vintages 2003 to 2008. Their wines have received awards in wine competitions and scores of 90 points from wine critics. In 2008, they reverted to being growers. Bill's daughter and her husband oversee the grape growing operation, and they continue to make excellent wine for personal consumption.

Cyde Beffa, Jr. '63

Clyde (Trey) Beffa III '92

K&L Wine Merchants

Clyde Beffa '63 founded K&L Wine Merchants in 1976 with his partner, Todd Zucker. Clyde is a former dairy rancher and Todd got his start in the insurance business. They still own K&L, which is operated by two generations of Beffas and Zuckers. With three retail wine stores in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and two more slated to open early next year (plus a large online sales operation), K&L Wine Merchants is one of the best-known names in retail wine in California—and also one of the most dynamic.

Clyde has turned much of the wine buying duties over to his son, Clyde “Trey” Beffa III, who joined the company in 1997.

“Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.

—Lord Bryon

railroad painting inspires a diorama masterpiece

JIM ROHRBACH '66 SPENT FOUR YEARS CREATING AN HO SCALE DIORAMA OF THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY'S CASCADE TUNNEL

Jim Rohrbach ’66 shared his first model train set with his brother. It was a present from his father when he was 6 years old. Today, he is a collector and model train builder.

Rohrbach recently gifted a model of the Great Northern Railway's Cascade Tunnel to Just Trains in Concord, CA, where it is currently on display. He spent four years constructing the diorama, which took up a good part of his garage. Rohrbach was inspired by his grandfather, who was a conductor on the Great Northern Railway during the early 1900s.

When he was a child, Rohrbach visited his family in Washington during summer trips. He particularly enjoyed spotting trains. His interest grew, and he joined the National Model Railroad Association after graduating from Serra.

Decades later, Rohrbach created a masterpiece in the Cascade Tunnel diorama. The model is based on “Western Electrics,” a painting by Jim Jordan that showcases a train gliding through the snowy, northwest Cascade Mountains. Rohrbach replicated and expanded the scene in his three-

dimensional model using plywood, scale lumber, cardstock, brass, and plaster cloth, among many other materials.

The diorama was featured this year in Model Railroader magazine, and he has fielded multiple inquiries about a sale price. For now, Rohrbach is content to keep it displayed in Concord for the enjoyment of Bay Area train enthusiasts.

His Great Northern Railway diorama is the culmination of decades of work. It connects modern times with his grandfather’s service to the railway during the early 20th century.

“I’ve always liked trains,” said Rohrbach. “I can recall riding the steam-powered commuter trains to San Francisco back in the ‘50s. We’d get home from St. Gregory’s, change and rush down to the Hillsdale train station with our mom for a trip to the city to have dinner with our dad. In the ‘80s, I operated scale live steam engines as a member of the Golden Gate Live Steamers in Tilden Park. The biggest thrill I experienced was a cab ride in a steam-logging locomotive at the Northwest Railway Museum in 1970.”

Rohrbach lives in San Mateo. He recently welcomed Amelia Jane Blackwell, his seventh grandchild, into the world.

“I've always liked trains. I can recall riding the steam-powered commuter trains to San Francisco back in the '50s. We'd get home from St. Gregory's, change and rush down to the Hillsdale train station with our mom to have dinner with our dad.”

–Jim Rohrbach '66

Pictured above: Jim Rohrbach '66 with his granddaughter, Olivia.

ceo of wag! garrett smallwood ’08

it from its original focus on dogwalking to one of the top premium pet care marketplaces in the United States. Wag! operates in 5,300 cities in all 50 states.

the dog and take the dog on a walk. It’s important that the caregivers are safe and that they know how to handle different types of dogs of different sizes and ages.”

IIf you’re searching for a dog walker, dog training, pet boarding or even some kibble, one convenient app on your phone could be a game changer for pet owners like you. With just one click, your furry friend can get just about anything, any time.

Just ask Wag! CEO Garrett Smallwood ‘08, a San Mateo resident who has been with the company for more than six years. Smallwood grew

“Simply put, we can help you find someone for your pet's needs,” Smallwood explained. “If you’re stuck at the office and your dog needs a walk, we can help you safely find someone to go to your home right now.”

Wag! offers access to multiple services, including dog walking, dog sitting, drop-ins, boarding and training. There are more than 450,000 caregivers—each of whom undergoes vetting and an extensive background check.

“Safety is paramount,” Smallwood said. “Essentially, this is someone going into an unfamiliar home to unlock the door, find the leash, greet

The company also has a number of safety features for the pet parent. They can track their walks with GPS. Pet owners can attach customized lockboxes to their homes to allow caregivers secure access. Pet parents also can easily communicate with pet caregivers using an in-app messaging feature.

“Gone are the days when owning a dog meant you had a dog chained or locked in the backyard,” Smallwood said. “These days, pets have as many needs as we do—they have groomers, vets, stylish accessories and dog beds. Wag! is here to help you take care of your furry family members. We are the button on your phone for your pet.”

Wag! also operates Petted.com (the nation’s largest pet insurance comparison marketplace), DogFoodAdvisor.com (one of the most visited and trusted pet food marketplaces), Furmacy. com (a software to simplify pet prescriptions), and maxbone (a digital platform for modern pet essentials).

Smallwood has been an entrepreneur his entire career. He was inspired by both of his grandfathers, who ran their own companies. Smallwood said that Serra gave him “a big opportunity.”

After graduating from high school and attending college in Arizona, Smallwood worked for various companies, including RedBeacon (which was acquired by Home Depot), Pillow (which was acquired by Expedia via Home Away Group); and Finrise (which was acquired by Wag!)—and that was the start of his successful career with Wag!. Smallwood was promoted to CEO in two years, and the company went public on

the Nasdaq in August 2022. Smallwood rang the bell on Wall Street! (Nasdaq: PET)

Although he travels often, Smallwood’s home base is in San Mateo with his wife and two young daughters, Olivia and Ella. When he’s not on the road or working, Smallwood enjoys cycling, running, swimming and training for an Ironman run or swim from Alcatraz.

“I was inspired by the kids at Serra when I was there,” he remembered. “They knew what they wanted to do—the athletes knew what they wanted to play, and the scholars knew what schools they wanted to attend. There is an incredible network. I learned there that the world is great and there’s a lot of opportunity.”

1956

BILL ESSELSTEIN retired after practicing law for more than 30 years in San Mateo County. Bill moved to Sonoma County. He lives in the Alexander Valley outside of Healdsburg on a vineyard that grows cabernet sauvignon wine grapes that are sold to nearby wineries. In 2002, his family began making wine commercially under the Joseph Family Vineyards label for vintages 2003 to 2008. The Joseph Family Wines have received awards in wine completions and scores of 90 points from wine critics. After the 2008 vintage, they reverted to being growers. Bill’s daughter and son-in-law continue to operate the grape growing operation.

1957

BOB LEACH and his wife, Selia, are enjoying retirement living in The Club at Westpark, Roseville. They recently enjoyed a trip to Versailles, France, with their neighbors.

1958

DENNIS LUCEY served as the co-chair of the Ireland Funds’ 31st National Gala in Washington, D.C., in March. More than 1,000 people attended the event, which honored U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Kevin McCarthy, current speaker of the United States House of Representatives. More than $1 million was raised to support nonprofit organizations in Ireland and the United States.

1962

RAY VIGIL is happily retired, enjoying travel and time with family and friends.

1963

JOHN MCCARTY retired from teaching and has written six novels. "Hunting Ground: The Forgotten Story of Cazadero," won a national competition in 2022 for best historical fiction.

1966

JAMES ROHRBACH constructed an HO scale model railroad diorama, based on the former Great Northern Railway's Cascade Tunnel in Washington. After submitting photos to Model Railroader magazine, an article about him was published in the January 2023 issue. James has donated the diorama to Just Trains in Concord, CA, where it is on display. (See full article on page 46.)

1968

JOHN LATORRA (pictured right in bright red shirt) is a partner at Five Guys Winery. He and his partners have been making wine for 11 years. Five Guys Winery makes two barrels a year—about 25 cases from each barrel. They purchase 1,200 pounds for each barrel, usually two varietals from Martin Ranch Winery, located in the foothills West of Gilroy. They have made zinfandel, syrah, petite sirah, merlot, cabernet, sangiovese, and malbec.

1969

JOHN BARRETT founded a first- through ninth-grade school in Cambodia in 2004. Today, the school has 320 students. John visits the school and the surrounding area in Northwest Cambodia every October.

BOB GENEVRO and his wife, Paula, moved to San Luis Obispo last year. Two of their three adult children and three of four grandchildren also live there.

1970

GREG ELY (photo below right) is one of the owners of a World War II airplane—a Vultee BT-13 located at Livermore Airport. The plane is in the process of receiving a new engine. Greg said they plan to fly the airplane to honor those who served in World War II, and they are proud to be the caretakers of history. He invites any interested Padres to reach out if they’re interested in a tour of the hangar.

1972

RICHARD MARRS retired in 2019 after 34 years at the Hertz Corporation. He moved to Gardnerville, NV in 2020 and is enjoying retirement with his wife, Karen. They enjoy raising chickens and caring for their three dogs. Richard also volunteers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

1973

TIM KELLY will be married to his high school sweetheart, Corinne, for 47 years this year. They have three adult children, Keith, Megan and Glenn, as well as seven grandchildren— Makena, Ava, Guenivere, Ellington, Jack, Cora and Quinn. Tim added that he and his brothers Brian '71, Neil '75, Matt '81 and nephews, Mike Langridge '91, John Langridge '97 and Jake Kelly '05, all love, appreciate, respect and value our experiences at Serra! Go Padres!

1974

PETER BARSOCCHINI, a Hollywood writer and producer known for his work on High School Musical, has co-written a feature film musical, Journey to Bethlehem, with Director/ Composer Adam Anders from Glee The film offers a fresh look at the relationship between Mary and Joseph before the birth of Jesus. It stars Milo Manheim, Fiona Palomo and Antonio Banderas as King Herod. The film will be released in theaters during the Christmas season on November 10, and it also will be available for streaming in 2024 on Netflix.

JOHN MURPHY is a sports editor of the Century Newspapers of Southern California. He was named by the Los Angeles Press Club as the Sports Journalist of the Year at a banquet attended by Sharon Stone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel. John earned 12 writing awards in two years, including two first places from the California Newspaper Publishers Association and two from the LA Press Club.

1976

TIMOTHY FLANAGAN has been named president of Solid Waste Association of North America, an 11,000-member organization that spans the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Western Pacific territories. Timothy is the project director at SCS Engineers.

1977

BRIAN MCVEIGH works for Golden Gate Transit. He tries to spend as much time as he can on the lake.

1979

KEN MIFSUD has accepted a position with the San Mateo County District Attorney as Deputy District Attorney in Charge of Consumer and Environmental Protection. Ken spent 33 years as an assistant district attorney for Alameda County. He has served as branch head of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Division for the past seven years.

1983

CRAIG COOPER has been part of Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response and relief humanitarian nonprofit, for seven years. Craig and Team Rubicon are being featured on Roku’s newest show, “Team Rubicon” (Episode 5, Chainsaw Master).

1985

GARY BARTH has been in the video games industry for 35 years. He has worked for Atari, Activision and Sega. For the last 28 years, Gary has been with PlayStation, managing a few different departments. He currently is a creative director who specializes in fabrication projects including displays and collectibles. Gary and his wife, Denise, have been together for 30 years. They will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in July. The Barths have lived in San Carlos for 22 years.

1986

CHUCK RAPP earned his 400th win as the Padres’ head varsity basketball coach on February 11 in a win against Valley Christian. The final score was 61-57. Chuck has had an outstanding tenure as the Padres' hoops leader.

1989

JEFF COOK sang the National Anthem in Sacramento for the Kings versus Warriors game on April 15 in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs. Jeff got the opportunity after his friend sang the anthem during a game in 1994. Jeff hand-delivered his audition tape to the Arco Arena—the Kings’ home at the time—and they called him before he returned home. Jeff has been singing anthems for them ever since. He also sang at the 2002 Western Conference Finals Game 7, when the Kings lost to Shaq and Kobe on the Los Angeles Lakers. While at Game 1, Jeff also caught up with another Serra alumnus— home run slugger Barry Bonds '82—who went to the basketball game in Sacramento straight from an alumni baseball event at Serra.

2000

MIKE OLCESE is the director of publicity and promotions at Allied Global Marketing. He attended the Red Carpet Premiere for “80 for Brady” in Los Angeles on February 1. Mike caught the attention of the star of the film, Tom Brady '95, because he was wearing an original Padres baseball shirt. Tom jokingly asked if Mike actually went to Serra or if he had just picked up a shirt for a photo. Mike was the last Serra alumnus to speak to Brady as an NFL quarterback before he retired.

2006

ANTHONY

ROBERTS married Christina Panelli on February 22, 2020. The couple welcomed two children—a daughter, Diane, on December 28, 2020, and son, James, on May 26, 2022. They also are excited to share that they are expecting their second daughter. Anthony, a project manager at Boyett Construction, lives in Half Moon Bay with his family.

2007

STEVEN ERICKSON graduated with his MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business in May 2023. After graduation, he and his wife, Hayley, moved to Denver, Colorado where Steven will begin work at Bain & Company as a Consultant.

2008

SCOTT MORTON was recently elected president of the Serra High School Alumni Board. Scott is enthusiastic about his new position, and he noted that he will be available to all Serra alumni. "Whether it comes by way of a quick hello before a Giants game at my restaurant, or showing up to as many alumni-sponsored events as I can, I want to be an alumni board president who is a representation of all Serra alumni," he added. Scott owns MoMo's restaurant and bar with his wife, Caitlyn. He encourages all Padres to visit him across the street from the Giants' home field at Oracle Park.

GARRETT SMALLWOOD spoke to the Creative Solutions for the Global Good class in April. He was impressed by the Padres’ innovative ideas about entrepreneurship. The Creative Solutions class is part of the Designled Innovation Program at Serra. Garrett is the CEO at Wag! Group Co. He had great advice for the students who hope to become successful in Silicon Valley. (See full article on page 48.)

ALEX MORAROS, a recruiter at Zoox, arranged for Serra's Creative Solutions for the Global Good class to go on a field trip to Zoox's headquarters in Foster City. Alex showed the boys the Zoox facility and explained how the Amazon subsidiary is building mobility as a service.

2016

CHRIS APECHECHEA started his first full season as a pitching performance analyst for the San Diego Padres. Chris serves as an analyst and a coach for the organization. "Playing baseball and attending Serra High School played an essential role in molding me for my current position,” he said. “Brotherhood was a major point of emphasis while I was at Serra. Providing value is vital to player development. As a coach, creating trust between you, the player and other coaches helps immensely when creating buy-in."

2018

CHRISTIAN AQUINO is heading to the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, in San Francisco. Classes began in July.

2019

KEELAN O’RIORDAN and JOSE

MONTANO faced off on the rugby pitch in March. Keelan and Jose played each other in a game between UCLA and the University of Utah. Luke Bottari '19 also came out to support his two best friends as they faced off against one another. The Bruins came out on top with a final score of 56-19. Despite different paths, Padre brothers always reunite—Go Padres!

2013

MICAH SANCHEZ became a first officer at Southwest Airlines.

2020

THOMAS DUNN covered Santa Clara University's basketball team in the West Coast Conference Tournament in March. Dunn said that Serra played a key role in developing his love of sports—as a fan and a journalist. "I simply want to bring that same energy to the airwaves,” he said. “Serra helped me to build the passion I needed to keep going. I look forward to more opportunities.”

ARTHUR HODGETT was deployed to Eastern Europe last December as a team leader. His unit has led numerous training events with other countries to help them become stronger fighting forces.

2021

MAXWELL HO showcased some amazing musical talent when he performed the National Anthem on the electric guitar in January before the University of Arizona vs. UCLA Men’s NCAA basketball game. The University of Arizona went on to win 58-52, knocking off No. 5-ranked UCLA. We can’t help but think that Max’s performance set a tone for the Wildcats to take down the Bruins!

Julian Merryweather '10 Catches up with former Serra Baseball Coaches

Former Serra Padre, and current Chicago Cubs reliever Julian Merryweather '10 made his first trip to Oracle Park as a visiting player, catching up pre-game with four of his former Serra Baseball coaches. Merryweather ended up finishing the game by pitching the ninth inning of a 4-0 Cubs win.

Pictured (l-r:) Merryweather's JV coach

Chris Houle, freshman coach Tom Monaghan, and varsity coaches Pete Jensen and Joe Kmak.

Reconnect with Serra through our alumni network. We’ve built this platform with features including a complete alumni directory, job boards, invitation-only events, career mentoring, photo galleries and exclusive content from Serra. Alumni connections could change your career! Take a look at our alumni map to see if any Padres live in your city or a city you plan to visit. Are you a Padre? Sign up for an account today!

John Horgan '60 Releases new book, Cradle of Champions

Padre alumnus

John Horgan

'60 released his new book in July taking readers on a deep dive into the history of San Mateo County athletics.

Cradle of Champions: A Selected History of San Mateo County Sports focuses on significant events, important figures and achievements in the history of the region’s athletics.

Horgan is a career journalist, who has spent more than 60 years covering sports and athletics in San Mateo county. He was the Sports Editor for the San Mateo Times between 1989 and 1996.

Within its 161 pages, Horgan captures 75 local stories and shares 130 photos. The book has been published in partnership with the San Mateo County Historical Association and complements the Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame.

The book is now available at the San Mateo County Museum or can be purchased online. Proceeds from the book sales will benefit the museum.as the sound engineer.

ALWAYS PADRES. ALWAYS BROTHERS.

In Memoriam

KENNETH ABLER '51 2023

CHRIS CASTRO '58 February 23, 2023

DANIEL FLANAGAN '68 May 13, 2023

JOHN ARNOLD '55 December 24, 2022

SEAN MCGOWAN '70 January 2, 2023

COL. GEORGE "AL" JANSEN '50 March 2, 2023

MICHAEL GATT '11 July 1, 2023

MICHAEL COUGHLIN '88 August 5, 2023

DONALD GAZZANO '80 January 26, 2023

THOMAS GILSDORF '64 September 13, 2022

JEROME DIEPENBROCK '71 September 18, 2019

JAMES HEWLETT '67 January 15, 2023

KEVIN HOLDEN '77 June 28, 2023

LEEROY KLOEZEMAN '74 February 17, 2022

JOHN FREIRE '84 November 22, 2022

JEFF GALLEGOS '89 July 11, 2023

JOSEPH HAYES '86 March 9, 2023

FRED BERTETTA III '67 August 1, 2023

KEVIN COYNE '68 May 23, 2023

TYLER BREITE '22 August 8, 2023

In Memoriam

ALWAYS PADRES. ALWAYS BROTHERS.

FRIENDS OF SERRA

KENNETH BROUSSARD

JUNE 16, 2023

RUTH DOLIM 2023

JENNIFER FADELLI

AUGUST 29, 2023

RAYMOND GALLAGHER 2023

BARBARA LANZONE MAY 3, 2023

JOHN LELAND MAY 24, 2023

ALFRED MALLEY

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

JUDITH MILLS

JUNE 30, 2023

ALBERT MORANDO, SR.

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

JEANETTE MURPHY

APRIL 25, 2023

DR. BERNARD NICHOL

APRIL 29, 2023

JOAN LUCILLE "RAE" NORCROSS MARCH 25, 2023

JOHN ROSSI

JANUARY 3, 2023

MARK STOYE MARCH 21, 2023

Please accept our apologies for any errors and omissions. If you believe there is an error in this issue, or would like to notify us of an alumnus who you wish to be memorialized in our next issue of Traditions, please email Alumni Director Logan Wolf '14 at: lwolf@serrahs.com.

DANIEL WALSH '67 January 19, 2023

ROBERT STARKOVICH '65 March 10, 2022

SCOTT PARDI '66 March 16, 2023

SERGIO QUILICI '06 April 2, 2023

EDWARD PLUME '62 September 16, 2022

BRIAN REARDON '98 May 16, 2023

ROBERT PLIMLEY '60 October 15, 2022

MICHAEL WALSH '73 May 6, 2023

JAMES WHITE '60 2023

MAJOR GENERAL JOHN PHILLIP MONAHAN '50 July 20, 2023

STEVEN MURPHY '74 January 3, 2023

Power Serge

Serra's Crew Team Honors Sergio Quilici '06

Sergio attended grammar school at St. Robert Catholic School in San Bruno and received his undergraduate degree from UCLA. He loved God and his country. His family and friends are a reflection of who he was. He was amazing. He was love. And he was life.

"Vito," as his friends and family knew him, and his brother Dante ‘10 were best friends connected at the soul. They communicated every day, joking and discussing podcasts, movies and their obsession of the day.

Serra’s traditional End-of-the-Year Spring Rally included student challenges, chants and a special blessing for the loss of a beloved Padre, Sergio Quilici ‘06.

Sergio kissed his wife of 29 days, Kayla Dawn Hayden, goodbye early morning April 2, 2023 and headed to work; he was detoured to Jesus instead.

Sergio’s parents, Noelle and Michael, describe Sergio as a good, sweet boy who grew into an even greater man. He was kind, generous and always ready to lend a hand. He was hysterically funny, even at the most inappropriate times. He was their beautiful boy.

The Serra Crew Team dedicated its new boat in honor of Sergio. Serra crew coach Mike Verdone revealed its name, “Power Serge” at the rally. Sergio's wife, Kayla, helped to christen the boat and Serra Chaplain Father Nicholas Case followed up with a blessing. After blessing the shell, the family received a personal blessing.

"Let Sergio’s spirit be the guiding beacon of success to cross the finish line," Verdone said. “Sergio's memory will live on with every stroke taken in the new race shell."

“our family prays that the power serge vessel will act as a literal and figurative foundation for the lives of young men striving for overall excellence in their lives."

Noelle Ottoboni and Michael quilici

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2023

FRI. 22 ALUMNI FATHER-SON MASS

FRI. 29 REUNION GALA ('53, '63, '73, '83, '93, '03, '13 & '98)

SAT. 30 HOMECOMING & TRI-SCHOOL BBQ

OCTOBER 2023

FRI. 20 FALL PLAY OPENING NIGHT

FRI. 27 TRI-SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS ALUMNI FALL PLAY NIGHT

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3

sixth annual ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING

ThanksGIVEday

a proud past . . . powering our future

NOVEMBER 16

NOVEMBER 2023

FRI. 3 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

SERRA VS. SI ALUMNI SOCIAL

SUN. 5 OPEN HOUSE

THU. 16 THANKSGIVEDAY (ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING)

WED. 22 SERRA WRESTLING POKER NIGHT

THU. 23 SERRA WATER POLO ALUMNI GAME

FRI. 25 SERRA ALUMNI SOCCER GAME

DECEMBER 2023

DEC. 23 SERRA TRACK AND FIELD

ALUMNI DINNER