News & Notes

Tim Burke ’70 Announces Retirement

After over 30 years serving SHC in a number of capacities, Director of Admissions Tim Burke ’70 recently announced the 2021-22 school year would be his last at the school. Tim began the incredibly popular Irish for a Day Program, served for six years at the Council of Catholic Schools as liaison between admissions directors, presidents, principals, and grammar schools, and he has been instrumental in growing attendance at SHC’s annual Open House. Early in his tenure at SHC, Tim was also one of the most successful coaches in the history of our Boys and Girls Basketball Programs, winning numerous league, section, and state titles. Keep an eye out in the coming months for further stories, interviews and features celebrating this community icon.

SHC Student Athletes & Coaches Win Praise

SHC Athletics was well represented this spring for their excellence as the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club (SFIAC) presented its citywide annual award winners. Irish honorees were Angel Iniguez ’22 and Maggie Altman ’21 (Negoesco Soccer Trophies), Lucas Kelly ’22 (Joe DiMaggio Baseball Trophy), recently-retired Athletic Director Jo Ann Momono (Dante Benedetti Coaching Trophy), and boys soccer coach Mike McNeill (Steve Mariucci High School Coach of the Year Trophy). GO IRISH!

Sister Joyce Moving On

Sister Joyce Weller, DC, an important community partner who approved millions of dollars for capital improvements at SHC, left her ministry as the executive director of the Daughters of Charity Foundation at the end of February. During her tenure as ED, Sister Joyce not only was involved in helping build facilities such as the Student Life Center and Sister Caroline Collins, DC, Theater, but was also pivotal in providing financial aid to untold numbers of SHC students. Sister Joyce will move on to help in developing a planned giving program for the Daughters of Charity Foundation. Thank you for everything, Sister Joyce!

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SHC ROUNDTABLE

Rising from Ruins

WHEN OUR CAMPUS FIRST CLOSED LAST MARCH, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE INITIAL FEELINGS OR CONCERNS YOU HAD AS A STUDENT?

Bridget: I was quite sad. It was my eighth grade year when lock down began, right when the end of the year festivities were supposed to occur. My mother is a physician, so she told me pretty soon after the initial shut down that we would not be going back to school. I was very disappointed. Gavin: Having loved ones that were considered high risk in my household, my immediate concern was for the safety of my family. Seeing such an incredibly rapid escalation in the number of COVID-19 cases was quite alarming. I hadn’t really considered the implications for academic and community life, as everything happened so quickly. However, despite the uncertainty, I felt that SHC was able to transition to distance learning quite smoothly. Kaila: I was a bit confused. Some people said that the school would be closed for two weeks while others believed it would be longer than that. I was concerned that after two weeks students and teachers would be back at school and I would forget to show up, or I would be the only one to show up, and no one would be there. Overall, I wasn't too worried because I hadn't spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what COVID-19 really was and what could happen. Matthew: I initially thought it was cool because students would be learning virtually, and I had more time to study and relax at home. At the same time, I was sad that all cocurricular activities were canceled. As the school closure extended, I began to miss spending time with my friends, classmates, and teachers. SHC is not only about academics, but it is also about community and social interactions. I was concerned about the well-being of my family and others as the pandemic evolved. My mom,

The Roundtable brings together a cross-section of SHC community members to offer their perspectives on compelling issues. In this edition of The Roundtable, we ask SHC students to reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic.

a healthcare worker, had a lot of anxiety. When the government ordered people to shelter in place, I realized that our country would endure a new harsh reality.

OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES AND CHALLENGES YOU EXPERIENCED AS A STUDENT AT SHC?

Bridget: One of the biggest changes that I went through was attending a new school virtually. I had gone from a K-8 school with 300 students to a school with 365 students just in my freshman class. The enormity of the student body, even in its online form, was pretty intimidating. My freshman year being online was also a hard pill to swallow. For many years, I had dreamed of what high school would be like, so I am super thankful for all the hard work SHC did to get the students back in person. Gavin: One of my greatest challenges has been trying to make new social connections. As a member of the Gold Cohort (full-time distance learner), I never had the opportunity to experience any of my regular sophomore classes in-person, and although I became familiar with new faces on Zoom, it can be difficult to overcome the inherent awkwardness that the platform presents. Despite the difficulties, I feel that the SHC community as a whole has supported me through such a confusing, and sometimes painful year. Kaila: Being at home for the entirety of my junior year was challenging. I faced issues with self-motivation, organization, and just making time for fun. I know where all the distractions are inside my house, so it was challenging at times to sit down and pay attention to something I might not think is as enjoyable as cooking or a creative project. It was unfortunate that I had to spend my whole year as a 16-year-old student in my house and not with my friends, but it's an experience that showed me how much we took everyday life for granted. Matthew: Adapting to distance learning was challenging. For instance, in the choir, we had to record our voices using a platform called Soundtrap to create a virtual ensemble. There were times that it was not easy to collaborate with teachers and classmates with assignments and projects remotely. However, our parents, teachers, and the SHC community were very supportive through it all.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU REMAINED CONNECTED TO FRIENDS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC?

Bridget: I used my phone to communicate with my friends during the pandemic. I called them frequently and used text messages. Our teachers also encouraged us to meet new people and organize Zooms with our new classmates. Gavin: Cocurricular activities have been a major part in staying connected with my friends throughout this year. Sharing my passion for music with the various ensembles of the SHC Chorus and being able to bond over our shared love for performing was certainly a highlight of my year — music and creative collaboration at SHC has been a gift. The Track & Field team has been another area of support that made me feel a strong community connection. It was great to compete in this season and really get to know my teammates better, especially this year’s freshman. Kaila: My friends and I had a lot of Zoom calls. Some were study sessions, while others were to talk and laugh together. I don't live near any of my friends, so using Zoom, FaceTime, regular phone calls, and iMessage helped me stay in touch with them. When regulations started changing and outdoor restaurants started opening up, we would go out to eat while still being six feet apart. Matthew: My friends and I would always check in with each other through social media platforms. In our free time, we would play video games on PS4.

NOW THAT SO MANY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE BACK ON CAMPUS, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THE HYBRID SCHEDULE AT SHC? LEAST FAVORITE?

Bridget: I love seeing my friends in the hallways. One of my favorite parts of the week is talking to my friends after my last block of the day. It's usually really sunny at this time and it is just a perfect finish to a wonderful day. My least favorite part of hybrid learning is probably getting up early in the morning. After a year of distance learning, I am not quite used to that yet. Gavin: After being on Zoom for so long, I found it really uplifting just to be able to physically be on campus, see teachers in the buildings, and see students crossing the street between the De Paul and La Salle campuses. Even the drive through the city to get to school helped me feel a greater sense of normalcy. Kaila: I am still at home distance learning and will most likely go back to school at the start of my senior year. It's nice to FaceTime my friends during lunch while they are out on the field. Matthew: I believe that the hybrid schedule promotes flexibility and a sense of normalcy for both teachers and students. I like how we attend in-person classes and we can be on campus twice a week, which allows us to connect with our teachers and classmates. At the same time, I think it is convenient to have more time studying at home and not waking up early to go to school while distance learning.

WHAT ARE SOME CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT WERE ACTUALLY POSITIVE?

Bridget: I realized how lucky I am to be able to attend school. Before the pandemic, I took going to school for granted. I took seeing my friends every day for granted. I took sports for granted. Now, I realize how truly lucky I am to attend a place in which I can see the people I truly care about every day. Gavin: The pandemic has taught us to look beyond ourselves and towards others — I realize that my individual actions and choices truly echo throughout our communities. Even though I am one person, I am part of a bigger picture. This year has emphasized the value of taking care of one another through our individual sacrifices. For example, wearing a mask is not just something that I do for myself, but is also an act of protecting and caring for those around me — my loved ones and strangers alike. Kaila: I got to use my creativity a lot more over the past year. There are so many stories of people discovering talents they never knew they had, and it shows that we are all just trying to get through this together. No matter our beliefs or how much you might disagree with someone, COVID-19 doesn't just spread to a particular group; we are all affected because we are all human. Hopefully, we can grow from this and learn to take better care of ourselves and each other. Matthew: I learned to adapt to the Zoom platform during distance learning, and teachers were more flexible and more supportive as the students adjusted. During the quarantine, I became more focused on my academics to prepare for college admission. The pandemic also allowed me to spend more time with my family. I became more appreciative and grateful for all the things that I have and realized that we should not take life and our loved ones for granted.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT AS WE APPROACH SUMMER AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR?

MATTHEW DANIEL ISIDRO

Class of ’21

KAILA NOBRIGA-ALLEN

Class of ’22

Bridget: I am excited that there is a possibility that GAVIN BERMUDEZ we will be able Class of ’23 to go to school full time next year. Being able to see the other half of my class would be awesome. I am also BRIDGET PANINA excited about Class of ’24 the possibility of a full sports season. Gavin: I am so incredibly excited for all of the opportunities that the coming year holds, including opportunities to reconnect, learn, and achieve a greater sense of normalcy. I definitely have a greater appreciation for time with friends, loved ones, academics, and cocurricular activities. I have a greater appreciation now for the little things that I would normally experience every day as an SHC student, and I cannot wait for next year to begin! Kaila: I'm looking forward to spending time with my friends and family. I miss them and can't wait to go shopping or watch movies. Next year, I look forward to going back to school and making the most out of it before I graduate. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends, other students, teachers, and just the people who make the SHC environment great. Matthew: I am looking forward to relaxing, more quality time with my family, and having fun this summer. I am glad that life is slowly coming back to normal as the restrictions are easing and people are vaccinated for COVID-19. I am excited about traveling to Los Angeles and Las Vegas with my family. I am also planning to learn how to drive since I just got my driving permit. Next year, I look forward to new opportunities at the University of San Francisco, and I will bring with me memories during my time at Sacred Heart Cathedral.