news, notes, etc.
Bruce-Mahoney at Chase
The historic Bruce-Mahoney rivalry was the talk of the City on January 14 as the Sacred Heart Cathedral Fightin’ Irish and the St. Ignatius Wildcats locked horns for an epic basketball double-header at the Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors and Golden State Valkyries. More than 8,000 attendees, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, enjoyed an evening of competition, school spirit and non-stop entertainment.
“The popularity of the Bruce-Mahoney games with the inclusion of girls volleyball and girls basketball continues to build,” President Melinda Skrade said. “The best high school sports rivalry in the Bay Area, and arguably the state, demands the best locations for the teams, fans and the community.”
Hosted and planned by SHC staff, the evening was a Fightin’ Irish takeover. In Thrive City, SHC fans enjoyed performances by SF rapper and SHC alum Stunnaman02 and legendary Bay Area DJ Chuy Gomez. At Harmonic Brewery, more than 100 alumni and parents gathered and reconnected over pre-game cocktails and delicious bites.
The Bruce-Mahoney is a long-standing athletic tradition between Sacred Heart Cathedral and Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. The annual Bruce-Mahoney games consist of a best-of-five series made up of girls volleyball, football, boys basketball, girls basketball and baseball. The first school to win three out of the five contests wins the coveted Bruce-Mahoney Trophy. Established in 1947, the Bruce-Mahoney is named in remembrance of Saint Ignatius graduate Bill Bruce ’35 and Sacred Heart graduate Jerry Mahoney ’44 The name and the trophy were created to honor these two individuals, both student-athletes for their respective schools, who gave their lives in service to their country during World War II. The rivalry between the two schools is one of the oldest and most celebrated in the country, dating back to 1893.
New York, New York: SHC at Carnegie Hall!
The Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir headed to the bright lights of New York City. On March 16, they were one of four featured choirs at the 2025 Festival at Carnegie Hall. This was the first time in the program’s illustrious history that an SHC choir was a featured choir.
To be selected as a featured choir, audition recordings were submitted in August by Director of Choral Music Ryan Lee. Two months passed and in early October, Lee received tremendous news. “When I submitted the tapes, I knew that our singers were better than good enough to be the featured choir—there’s just gonna be a lot of competition. Then, I got the email and it said, ‘Congratulations. Your group was selected to be the featured choir.’ It was a really nice surprise. I am very happy and proud for the students,” Lee said. “The kids are excited. They realize this is a huge accomplishment for the choir. There is something so special about that space and knowing the history and who has performed there.” The choir performed three songs during a 15-minute set and prepared tirelessly throughout the winter. Stay tuned for a more in-depth story in the summer edition of SHC Magazine
very determined. I’m a person with focus. I’m going to go after whatever task it is,” Howard said. “The Piro Program provided me with a support system. They taught me and prepared me for things that I don’t think I would’ve been prepared for. They instilled in me early on that I’m going to have to go hard and that I have to go after what I want.” Howard graduated from Tulane University and is now a civil litigation lawyer at Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney—and she still lives in Bayview-Hunters Point.
The program’s impact extends beyond the Scholars who are enrolled. The parents, many of whom have limited financial means, struggle with the English language or are single parents, depend on Piro Program staff members Washington and Mendoza to help guide them through their children’s high school experience. Sometimes they meet with staff to discuss any tension occurring with the student away from school. When they are in need of resources, the staff acts as the bridge to vital needs like mental health services. However, where the parents lean on Piro staff for guidance the most is during the college application and financial aid processes. “A lot of the parents have no idea of
the financial terms that are used when it comes to financial aid. They’re tricky terms and the language barriers make it more difficult,” Washington said. “I will meet with all parents individually, and I’ll go through to compare and contrast financial aid packages with them.” With the help of staff, Piro Program parents have seen their children attend leading institutions including Stanford, UC Berkeley, St. Mary’s College, UC Davis and University of San Francisco. Throughout its history, 83 percent of Piro Scholars have matriculated to a four-year college or university.
“Our Piro Program students are sought after by higher education. It is the whole child approach of our mission modeled for us by the Daughters of Charity at a level of excellence and a love of Christ that urges us on," President Melinda Skrade said. “Saint Vincent De Paul once said, ‘God allows us to give rise to the practice of two beautiful virtues: perseverance, which leads us to attain the goal, and constancy, which helps us to overcome difficulties.’ Our Piro Scholars are the embodiment of these words, and the SHC community continues to embrace these wonderful students well after they have left Sacred Heart Cathedral.”
CARLISHA WASHINGTON PIRO PROGRAM DIRECTOR “
The power to shift people's circumstances—even if it's small and day-to-day, even if it's giving hope, giving resources—I feel chosen to do that. I feel honored and humbled.”
For parents of Piro Scholars, the program is more than just an opportunity for their child to attend a leading Catholic high school institution. It signifies a turning point in not only the life of their student but also for their family and the potential generations to follow. Michael Murphy, parent of Piro Scholar Alum Jesse Murphy ’22, is a former taxicab driver and now a stagehand. “I am a full-time single parent of three. I’m literally fighting paycheck-to-paycheck. Families such as myself who are looking for a higher education for our children need a place like SHC and the Piro Program to pull us through because, without it, we are lost,” Murphy said. “I broke down in tears when I learned he would be in the Piro Program. It really broke me
Piro Program Director Carlisha Washington
down. As parents, we try to strive for our kids to have a better life than we did.” Jesse is continuing his education at the Community College of the Air Force and is a Security Forces Patrolman.
“The power to shift people’s circumstances—even if it’s small and day-to-day, even if it’s giving hope, giving resources—I feel chosen to do that. I feel honored and humbled. I cry every graduation because they hit their milestones, but the best is yet to come for the Scholars. We, the SHC community, invested in light. We invested in the next generation of changemakers,” Washington said.
Which brings us back to Samir Hooker, who was the salutatorian for the Class of 2021. He met with Washington, a Cal Berkeley alum, regularly during the college application process. She informed him about different scholarships, recruited teachers to write letters of recommendation for Hooker and looked into financial aid resources. After a long application process, Hooker, who thought Cal Berkeley was far out of reach, was accepted with a full ride.
“I told you. I told you that you would get in,” Washington said to Hooker.
Hooker is in his senior year at Cal Berkeley and is majoring in economics. He will be the first one in his family to graduate from college. After graduation, he will put all his energy into his startup, which will focus on providing life-saving treatments through an AI-driven platform.
“Ms. Washington forever changed my life. She was probably the most instrumental person in me going to college. I honestly wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Piro Program,” Hooker said.
For 20 years, this has been a familiar scene, Piro Scholars—against all odds—thriving in life.
“The Piro Program has helped me in every way—financially, academically, and personally. It provided the resources I needed, from school materials to after-school tutoring, ensuring I could focus on my education. Ms. Washington and Ms. Mendoza have always been there for me, offering constant support and guidance. I could talk to them about anything, and their encouragement helped me make the best choices for my future.”
– Leonardo ’27
“The Piro Program has been instrumental in my academic success. It helped me keep my grades up, stay consistent with my work, and access tutoring when needed. I also learned how to communicate effectively with my teachers, which made a huge difference in my education. Plus, the program always kept us informed about scholarship opportunities, ensuring we had every chance to succeed.”
– Helen ’25
“Piro is not only a resource but in a way its own little family. To this day I’m still close with my Piro brothers and sisters and it’s very important to keep these connections throughout college.”
– Jerzee Breiz ’21
“It helped me achieve my goals. The Piro Program staff always helped me even when I was too afraid to ask for help, or I didn’t necessarily know how to go through the proper channels of asking for help.”
– Jesse Murphy ’22
Jerzee Breiz ’21
NOTHING’S
Rotten!!!
NEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN VPA COLLABORATION
The Visual and Performing Arts Department regularly brings our students into the spotlight, supporting and highlighting their creative work. Behind the scenes, this requires planning and collaboration between teams, faculty and staff, who look to new challenges to keep things exciting and evolving. This year’s Spring Musical was an excellent example.
Something Rotten! was the first production to bring our student instrumentalists in to accompany the run. On opening night, they sat on the “pie slice” house left of the stage, directed by Lindsay Rader, Assistant Director of Music, while she played the first keyboard part and cued actors and singers onstage.
Technical Theater Director Tim Mahoney, who works year-round with a crew of over 40 students, took his place in the lobby before the show began and, when the house was ready, handed it over as usual to the students in black to call cues and execute them from the stage, the wings, the lighting booth, the dressing rooms and prop table, and a sound board mixing live instrumentals, microphones and monitors.
By this time, Anne Norland, Director of Dramatic Arts, had completed her job overseeing the creative direction of the play. Her 37 performers were onstage, acting, singing, dancing and managing the show on their own, with one eye on Rader, and ears tuned not only to each other but to the ensemble of musicians playing with them. The addition of live music changed quite a bit for our young actors.
For Norland, having live musicians is always “a win-win for everybody. In some ways, it’s more challenging for actors, and in some ways it’s easier. It keeps it really fresh for them.” Rader points out that the addition “allows singers to take ownership of their own creativity and their own skills, and to try new things and develop them. We (in the band) are real people, and we’ll respond. They have a safe place to land.”
In the past, the musical used pre-recorded tracks. This meant that student practice involved coordination and timing of dialogue and blocking to an inflexible accompaniment. “My experience was that kids got fairly frustrated with this,” Rader says. “For them, having live instruments creates a much more organic artistic experience. They do things at their own pace and have control. It empowers students because they know that I (as conductor) need an extremely clear cue from them. So we train the kids to take the driver’s seat in their expression. That’s been a really nice change in the process. Coaching their confidence, making sure that they know that what they do (as singers) is right.”
“With a live band, you have to have an in-the-moment conversation without words. I think tracks often minimize the musical aspect of it… It’s a duet
By Lucie Duffort
between the orchestra and the singers. We are all contributing live and in person to the story that’s being told,” Norland says. Norland also points out that Rader treats both singers and instrumentalists as professionals. “She’s giving direction and teaching notes, but she’s rehearsing them like pros. It’s hard to be the instructor and the director like me or Tiv (Cumberbatch, Director of Instrumental Music). You want to give love and positive reinforcement, but you have to give a grade. Here, Lindsay can focus on the sound. It’s a different experience for the instrumentalists, not being graded, they are really on their own in their sections. They have to be masters of their instruments. It’s cool.”
The student band was made up of Brandon Holland ’25 on violin, Sasuke Kwan ’26 on alto and tenor saxophones, Vincent Robinson ’26 on guitar, Matthieu Bazile ’25 on keyboard, Chase Dunn ’27 and Shane Ryan ’25 alternating on drums and Elliot Hom ’25, who played clarinet as well as acting onstage. The
Lindsay Rader conducting live music
Practice makes perfect!
band was bolstered by Rader on keyboard I, and by a pro guitarist and bass player for performances and select rehearsals. This enabled students to learn in a professional and organic way, working alongside more experienced musicians as collaborators rather than instructors. “The kids are learning so much just being side by side,” says Rader. “They learned to step up their skills because their fellow musicians, the cast and the crew were relying on them.”
Rader, along with Mahoney and Norland, hopes that this is just the beginning and that student instrumentalists will continue to play for the Spring Musical in the future. Ideally, they imagine that a more developed Pit Orchestra will become a goal for instrumental players, something for them to strive to be a part of. “You achieve a certain level, and you GET to play in the pit,” says Rader. “It creates a very collaborative VPA environment that supports your learning.”
She sees this as leading to greater possibilities, as well. “With the way that Tiv (Cumberbatch) is growing his program so quickly, and the way student musicians have been performing and very well embraced, I think we do have the support that we could eventually do a much larger production.” Think Sondheim. Think Bernstein.
This perspective on pit orchestra as a collaborative tool for all of VPA might seem familiar to anyone who has followed Tim Mahoney’s Tech Crew. Fifteen years ago, with the building of the Sister Caroline Collins, DC, Theater, Mahoney came on board at SHC and shifted Tech Crew from an occasional team of actors and tech workers to a self-contained, year-long club. Mahoney’s team builds skills year-round, and students sign up for productions based on interest and need. These can range from music performances and Ted Talks to dance showcases and theater productions. There is no lack of opportunity to learn, and Mahoney takes every chance to teach a capable and proud army. For Something Rotten!, Mahoney’s team continued to adapt existing skills to a new context. He tells us that, due to the live band, the sound engineers had the most to learn.
“Acoustically, we have to accommodate sound in the house plus sound in speakers to balance. It’s going to be a new thing for students
to tune their ears to hear the live music that’s coming from that side, and the music coming from the speakers. This room’s acoustics are very good, so balancing will be a challenge. It will require them to move around the space and listen to what the audience is listening to.”
“We don’t have to mic the band for sound, but we need to mic it to get it to the live stream and the monitors and actors. These are things that the sound crew has not really experienced yet in this particular situation. It’s a broader way to approach music in this space.”
Mahoney is adept at developing the capacities of our facilities and always ready to collaborate. When approached by Rader and Norland with the idea of a live band for the musical, he got to work making it happen. Mahoney has big plans. He was instrumental in getting SHCLive up and running, along with managing video production and diffusion for all performances (every VPA performance is now live-streamed and housed on SHC’s YouTube Channel). He hopes to soon take full advantage of our recording capabilities in the Chorus Room, or even move on to AI-assisted robot cameras for improved video, and to pass these new experiences on to students. In some ways, for Mahoney, putting a smaller band onstage was a piece of cake.
While his sound team prepared to tackle new challenges, all of Tech Crew built and managed an entirely mobile set for Something Rotten! During the run, Run Crew invisibly supported a choreography of actors shifting and spinning pieces in the context of the show, making sure everything was in place and safe once the nine major set units, two masking walls and assorted large set pieces stopped moving. “This entire set is on wheels,” Mahoney says. “Every time there’s a scene change, everything moves. It’s fun to watch. They are going to have a good time.”
It’s likely everyone will. Between dynamic set motion, creative integration of actors and a new connection between onstage performers, music director and band, the audience is acutely aware of the collaboration happening at all times to make this production a success. The play itself, a true ensemble show, which itself tells a story of theatrical production.. As Rader puts it, “Along with the story of Something Rotten!, there’s the other story of what’s happening between all the people who are putting this on. It’s a show within a show… within a show.”
Actors, Pit Orchestra, and Tech on incorporating live instrumentalists into Something Rotten!
ELLIOT HOM ’25
(Actor, Pit Orchestra Clarinet)
I am a part of both the pit orchestra and the ensemble for the show, and I’ve absolutely loved doing both. The live music adds a lot of character to the performance itself and is a great way to incorporate more student performers. It’s definitely been challenging to learn both the music I play for the pit orchestra as well as my choreography as an actor. I’ve enjoyed being a part of this show and using my skills as both an actor and a musician for the musical.
JULIAN COLEMAN ’26
(Actor)
I love it. The ability for the music to be “custom fit” makes it so much easier, especially when learning the music and the correct timing. I have loved the community that the show has created, which is something that I feel with every show.
OLIVIA LOMBARDINI ’26
(Actor)
This is the first time we've ever had a live band, but it hasn't been as hard of a transition as we thought it would be! The musicians are learning the music quickly and we're adapting well to each other. We all are so excited about the show–it looks like it's going to be one of the best yet!
MATTHIEU BAZILE ’25
(Pit Orchestra Keyboard II)
Instrumental music usually has multiple opportunities to collaborate with the dance and choral departments throughout the year, but collaborating with the theater department has brought me closer to many of my friends in the theater. It’s allowed me to learn new theater terms and concepts I was not familiar with before.
CHRISTINA CHEW ’27
(Sound Board Operator)
The rehearsal process is enjoyable and rewarding in and of itself, but it can also be challenging at times. As it's a new musical to work on, it’s quite fun. It is also a great opportunity to learn more and practice doing sound with the soundboard. However, it’s not easy, as with musicals, the volume of actors’ voices tends to fluctuate a lot, so I have to constantly adjust their levels on the soundboard to ensure they’re not too loud or too quiet.
we are the champions
The Fightin’ Irish tradition of athletic excellence spans well over a century. Countless student-athletes have donned the green, white and blue and delivered championship titles in their respective sports. Their accomplishments hang high up on the walls of the Brother Arnold Stewart Gymnasium, including the 10 State titles that are displayed proudly on these pages. Go Irish!
girls BASKETBALL
The SHC girls basketball team finished the regular season with a 14-10 overall record and a 5-7 mark in the WCAL. The Irish got off to a roaring start, winning 11 of their first 12 games before falling to Saint Ignatius in the annual Bruce-Mahoney game. The rivalry game is always a highlight of the season, but this year, it brought even more intrigue, with the schools facing off at the Chase Center in downtown San Francisco. SHC narrowly fell to the Wildcats, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the Irish squad to play on an NBA floor. All-WCAL 1st Team member Madison Eade ’25, whose game at Chase Center marked her second-tolast rivalry game, felt like the game was a defining moment for her and her team. The Fightin’ Irish’s trip to the CCS Championships resulted in three losses to Pinewood, Priory and Saint Francis, however, their season continued in the CIF NorCal Division II with a 44-40 win over Christian Brothers. Year-end award winners also include All-WCAL Honorable Mentions Aniyah Versosa ’25 and Hazel Nelson ’25
boys SOCCER
The SHC boys soccer finished the year with a 7-8-5 overall and a 6-6-2 WCAL record. The season was a significant step forward for a program that only won three games last year and won only two games in the WCAL. Head coach Jose Niño should be proud of his team’s growth throughout the season. After starting the year with one win in their first nine games, the Irish finished strong, winning six of their final 11 matches. Although it didn’t result in a postseason berth, the second-half run is something to build on after closing the year with a 2-1 win over Riordan. The team racked up a host of awards, including Eoin McLoughlin ’25 and Theo Rice-Evans ’25 being named to the All-WCAL 1st Team, Liam Wilson ’25 to the AllWCAL 2nd Team and Liam Gardiner ’26 receiving All-WCAL Honorable Mention.
Madison Eade ’25 blocks out
Heads up!
Irish giving their all
Sending it forward
girls SOCCER
The SHC girls’ soccer team significantly improved this season. With a 10-6-5 overall record, they achieved their best record since the 2018-19 season. The Irish opened the year with only one loss in their first 10 games, including seven wins. A few more draws than victories were sprinkled in over the second half of the season, but that did not derail the Irish’s postseason hopes. A 3-4-3 record in the WCAL was good enough to earn a spot in the CCS quarterfinals, where the No.
6 seed Irish beat No. 3 seed Aragon in a rematch from earlier in the season. Unfortunately, Sacred Heart Cathedral’s season ended in the semifinals with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to No. 2 Salinas. There is much to look forward to for head coach Jeff Wilson and the Irish as the 2024-25 season marks a complete turnaround, doubling their 2023-24 win total and winning three league matches after winning zero the prior year. Year-end award winners include All-WCAL Forward of the Year and All-WCAL 1st Team Francesca Johnson ’27, All-WCAL 1st Team Elena Shen ’25, All-WCAL 2nd Team Alana Giomi ’25 and All-WCAL Honorable Mention Lila Michaelian ’26.
WRESTLING
The Sacred Heart Cathedral wrestling team wrapped up a historic season this winter. Under head coach Jim Woods ’18, the Irish set a school record by qualifying 17 wrestlers for the CCS postseason. Naomi Van Zandt ’25 won her fourth WCAL title this season and was one of 12 boys and five girls who competed in the CCS North Regional Championship. Also qualifying for the CCS Masters Tournament were SHC wrestlers Jared Perez ’25, Paco Luzardo ’25, Laz Ruiz ’26, Romeo Curiel ’27 and Jiraiya Bellamy ’27 Van Zandt committed to Brown for rugby and was joined by fellow senior Zelia Curtiss ’25, a WCAL finalist for the second straight year. Luke Chommonard ’25 and Ronin Innes ’26 were also league finalists in their weight classes. Van Zandt finished as the No. 3 seed in the CCS, giving her a spot in the CIF State Championships, where she will compete against the top wrestlers in Bakersfield, California.
Plotting a counter-move
Alana Giomi ’25
Irish celebration
Elena Shen ’25
International TV at Paramount Pictures and President of Worldwide TV at MGM. Gary is now CEO of Marenzi & Associates, an entertainment advisory firm specializing in creative development, strategy and distribution for independent studios and producers. When not working, Gary loves to travel internationally, including taking annual trips to Lucca, Italy. Gary’s fondest memories of Sacred Heart are rallies before big games and upper division co-ed classes.
Words to live by: “Seize the day!”
Chuck Nastari and Anna Cedeno Nastari ’74 met at the end of sophomore year at Cathedral High School. Anna remembers then-Principal, Sister de Paul, saying to her, “Stay away from him, he’s trouble.” Forty-seven years later and he’s still “trouble!” Chuck and Anna are blessed in their retirement life with their sons Charlie ’97, Matthew ’05, and Mario ’99 with his wife Paula and daughters Athena, age 6 and Ilaria, age 5. Chuck and Anna enjoy traveling, taking “road trips” and spending time with their granddaughters, singing and dancing to old-school music and sampling a variety of cuisines.
Gary Purcell graduated from University of Southern California after attending Sacred Heart. Gary is now happily retired after receiving Salesperson of the Year many times throughout his life. Gary’s passion for music and life leads him to love spending time with friends and family. His favorite travel escapade was to Antarctica.
Words to live by: “Love yourself.”
Peter Sitov is happily retired and enjoys spending time with his three wonderful children and grandchildren. Peter enjoys volunteering at the Union Bank Foundation and the De La Salle Varsity Gold Program and is on the Advisory Board for the U.S. Northern Bank of California. Peter’s favorite travel escapades are visiting Cabo San Lucas and San Juan Islands. Peter’s fondest memories of Sacred Heart were the ceremonies surrounding the Centennial Anniversary.
Words to live by: “Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”
– Bob Marley
Daniel Solorzano served in the United States Marine Corps from 1974 to 1978 and later earned an Associate of Science degree in Electronics from the College of San Mateo in 1985. Daniel retired in 2023 and worked as an usher for the Oakland A’s from 2023 to 2024. Daniel has seven wonderful grandchildren and enjoys traveling. He has visited the United States, Mexico, much of South America and Europe. Daniel’s favorite vacation was running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain in 2000. Daniel’s favorite memory from Sacred Heart was attending a school dance at Cathedral High School and seeing Chepito Areas of Santana performing live.
Words to live by: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
1955
In 1985, James Walsh became the Founding President of the American Conference for Irish Studies (U.S. West). He retired in 1995 from San Jose State University, where he had served as a professor and provost. In 2024, James addressed the 40th Annual Irish Studies Conference and hosted his family’s 17th Walsh Family Reunion. This year, he will host the 100th anniversary of his father’s emigration from Galway.
1961
Linda Biagi Nunes currently resides in Nevada, where she recently hosted three classmates. Although her daughter purchased a beautiful house for her, she still misses California.
Dan Lawler and his wife, Karen, will celebrate 60 years of marriage this April.
1964
Sacred Heart’s 60th Reunion was held at Capurro’s Restaurant in fall 2024. Back row from left to right: Dan Maguire, Mike Restani, Tom Courtney, Chuck Johnson and Rich Ronaldson. Middle row left to right: Dan DelBonta, Ray McDevitt, Lou Gadda, James Fiorucci, Jim Collins and Mike Cavallero. Front row left to right: Jerry Zavagno, Pete Calabro, Jose Romero, John Kelly, Sal Alioto, Pat Kearns, Gabe Harp and Don DeRenzo.
1965
Michael Moreno and his wife currently live in Manteca and will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on September 25, 2025.
1968
Al Casciato and Maritza Zamora ’69 celebrated their 50th anniversary on October 5, 2024. They are the parents of Alexis Casciato ’98. Dave Minner is excited that his daughter, Maeve, is a freshman at SHC. She will graduate 60 years from Dave’s graduation date! He cannot wait to share her high school experiences and to be there on graduation day.
The Sacred Heart Class of 1968 gathers twice annually for a reunion, with their most recent occurring on December 2. Pictured from left to right are: Terry Casey, Ken Lee, Mike McKay, Jim Strange, Jules Friedel, Herb Neeves, Mike Beere, Al Casorla, Rick Casorla, Chris Callen, Larry Chula, Paul Bolton, George Castagnola and Steve Krauss ’69.
1970
Tony Eshabarr and his wife, Ann, retired to Hawaii in 2017. Although they’ve lived through a couple of hurricanes and volcanic eruptions over the years, they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Tony plays the drums with a local group of musicians doing corporate parties, weddings
and the occasional Kona Brewery gigs. Tony also still rides his 1991 Harley Davidson FXRS-SP and 2010 BMW RT. Aloha to all!
1972
Julio Lacayo is now enjoying retirement after serving 25 years as Regional Administrator for the Department of Motor Vehicles. He now enjoys playing music at local venues in the Bay Area.
Luis Reyes writes from Bogotá, Colombia, where he became a physician. Currently, he teaches English to executives. Luis wishes his classmates well.
Dennis Sartori has been retired for two years and continues to stay active. He plays racquetball three times a week and recently enjoyed a trip to Italy and Switzerland with his wife. He went on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, accompanied by 15 friends. Dennis had a great time seeing his classmates on Friday the 13th at Capurro’s.
Suzette Martinez Standring is the new chief correspondent for Firefighters vs Cancer, a national organization headquartered in Massachusetts. Firefighters have a
significantly higher risk of occupational cancer, and her blog encourages early detection through their personal stories. Suzette coordinated a standup comedy fundraiser to give the entire Fire Department of Milton (MA) free screening kits.
1975
Agueda Gidoy Genera invites the Cathedral Class of 1975 to join in celebration of their 50th class reunion on Saturday, May 31 from noon to 3 pm at the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco. She looks forward to reuniting with her Torrian sisters!
1977
Carolyn Recostodio retired from Starbucks Corporation in December 2024, where she managed the retirement programs for U.S. partners and senior executives. She looks forward to hiking, traveling and spending time with her family. Carol has lived in the Puget Sound area of Washington State since 2001 and looks forward to 2027 to celebrate the golden anniversary of graduation with her fellow Torrian sisters.
1978
Bill Scudder pictured with his new granddaughter, Cora. Congratulations to the new addition to the family!
1981
John Vigo pictured with fellow SHC alum, Scott Kiesel ’92 at Isabella Cerri-Quiros ’16’s wedding reception at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club.
Classmates from the Sacred Heart Class of 1981 gathered for the annual Friday the 13th luncheon at Capurro’s. From left to right: David Boyll, Eddie Almendares, John Vigo, Pat Tobin and Steven Smith
1982
Ziggy Shauinger Eschliman was the first woman in the United States to have a radio show about wine and spirits. Ziggy’s award-winning, wine, spirits and travel-focused radio shows have a long time loyal following and are broadcast on FM stations and streams worldwide.
dance, including Sophia Cannata-Bowman ’13, Emily Hipp Hoffelt ’13, Dixon Hoffelt ’13, Austin Quach ’12, Michael Redmond ’87, Colleen Redmond Dietterle ’01, Peter Aviles ’77, Jimmy Wilson ’86, Heather MacDonald Flanagan ’97, Peter Newland ’01, and Brian Cox ’75, as well as SHC controller Bob Marquez and Coach Andy Chan.
Carlos Murillo and Danielle Escalada ’14 became engaged on December 27, 2024 at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, a month after celebrating their 14th anniversary. Their photographer was Gabrielle Escalada ’15. The couple’s first (real) date was at the SHC Winter Ball on December 4, 2010.
2014
The Office of Alumni Engagement interviewed GeAnna Luaulu-Summers to feature her as the January Alumni Spotlight. GeAnna is an assistant coach for the Seattle University Women’s Basketball Team and reflected on her journey from playing basketball at SHC to coaching college basketball.
2015
Excited to celebrate the first Bruce-Mahoney basketball games at Chase Center, Erin Lithgow and her SHC Admissions teammates, Lauren Wild ’99 and Katie Hernandez ’17, set up in Thrive City to give away swag and talk to others about what SHC has been up to with fans coming to support the Irish basketball teams.
2016
Isabella Cerri-Quiros married Isiah Quiros in November 2024 at Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach. The evening was celebrated by many Fightin’ Irish alumni, including her sisters Alex Cerri ’11 and Daniela Cerri ’22, who served as Maids of Honor, and her cousins Siena Attard ’16 and Julia Attard ’18, who were Bridesmaids. SHC staff member Father John Gribowich officiated the ceremony, with Kathy Lorentz assisting with the liturgy. It was truly the best night of their lives!
2020
Kevin Sarmiento’s dream was always to work at Disneyland. His childhood dream came true. Sarmiento, who recently received his engineering degree from the University of San Francisco, will be working at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim on the facilities asset management team. He will be responsible for maintaining rides, attractions, shops and more. Good luck to Kevin!
2021
Natalie Pierotti was on the first rugby team at the Cal Maritime Academy. Congratulations Natalie!
Hall of Fame Committee
The new SHC Hall of Fame Committee gathered at the end of January to kick off the upcoming hall-of-fame cycle. Members listed from left to right are Scott Armstrong ’02, Kevin Buckley ’13, Coach Jeff Wilson, Coach Steve Franceschi, John Vigo ’81, Emily Rogers ’16, Margi Beima, Coach Andy Chan, Coach Colin Peuse, Brian Harrigan ’76, Alexandra Christ ’92, Kevin Greene ’09, Shawn McGuire ’05, Sarah Richen Jordan ’98 and Bob Fenton ’88, who joined virtually. (Not pictured: Phil Freed ’80).
Celebratory Giving Program
Listed on the following pages are the names of SHC community members’ family, friends and loved ones who are listed in SHC’s Book of Remembrance. Melinda Lawlor Skrade, PhD, the Christian Brothers and the Daughters of Charity offer prayers and Masses for the special intentions requested in honor of members of our school community each month. Please remember them in your prayers.
This list reflects contributions made from October 26, 2024 to February 28, 2025.
IN HONOR
Shabnam Banerjee-McFarland ’10
Anuradha Banerjee & William McFarland
Sister Frances Meyer, DC
Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan
WELL WISHES
SHC Faculty & Staff
Shawn Singleton ’88
IN MEMORY
John Barulich ’49
Nada Barulich
Pierre Berterretche
Mary Curutchet & Sons
Eugene Brooks ’01
Elena Jimenez Ryan ’06 & Dan Ryan ’06
Gene Brooks
Mike Murphy ’69 & Meg Murphy
Anna Cardinale
Frank Mazzucco ’76 & Jo Mazzucco
Sully Cassou ’51
John Moriarty
Ken Cooper ’73
John Gumina ’91 & Shanna Gumina
George Ducousso ’69
Kevin Black ’69 & Vicky Black
John McGreeve ’69 & Lori McGreevy
Hank Espinal ’50
John Moriarty
Marie Ferrari
Tip Mazzucco ’78 & Kathryn Mazzucco
Richard Ferrazzano ’58
Rolph Park University
Robert Ferretti ’67
George Lynch, Jr. ’67 & Sue Lynch
James Fitzgerald
Denise & John Branch
Kelly Gallagher ’95
John Gallagher ’68 & Stacy Gallagher
Dick Galliani ’50
John Moriarty
Dennis Galvin ’53
Frank Noonan ’52 & Lois Noonan
Frank Grimley ’50
John Moriarty
Thomas Heffernan ’57
Joe Kennedy, Sr. ’65 & Clo Kennedy
Beverly Reinhard Hendon ’55
Kelly Molloy
Reverend Terence Horan
Michael Edwinson ’72 & Morgan Edwinson
Kenneth Jensen ’51
John Moriaty
Aileen Moriarty Kelly ’47
John Moriarty
Thomas Lambre
Denise & John Branch
Charles Love
John Gumina ’91 & Shanna Gumina
Mark Pardini ’88 & Petra Andersson-Pardini
Audrey Martin
Kathleen & Charles White
Judith Matranga
Michael Bennett ’68
Mike Morris ’65 & Carole Morris
Daniel Moriarty
John Moriarty
Owen Murphy ’51
John Moriarty
Dom Neal ’93
Nancy & Shawn Kelly
Gene Norgard ’73
Rick Landucci ’73 & Karen Landucci
David Minoli ’73
Julian Pardini ’49
Mark Pardini ’88 & Petra Andersson-Pardini
Robert Perry ’54
Mariann Perry
Stephen Pulvirenti ’66
Frank Capurro ’69 & Jen Capurro
John McGreevy ’69 & Lori McGreevy
Dennis O’Rourke ’69
Tom Owen ’69 & Nancy Owen
Tony Ragusa, Sr.
Frank Mazzucco ’76 & Jo Mazzucco
Tip Mazzucco ’78 & Kathryn Mazzucco
Ron Ragusa ’79 & Michelle Ragusa
Tony Ragusa, Jr. ’76 & Cynthia Ragusa
Rick Restani ’72
Rolph Park University
Robert Restani ’58
Rolph Park University
Gilbert Schoenstein ’47
John Moriarty
Diane Domenichini Simpson ’49
Joy & Ed Kimball
Robert Maffei ’49 & Yolanda Maffei
Nancy Singleton
Shawn Singleton ’88
Carmen Valdes Staniotes ’54
Ginger Fontaine ’54
Doris Grimley ’54
Carol Jones Hupke ’54 & Peter Hupke
Brother Arnold Steward, FSC
Michael Nerney ’75 & Roselle Nerney
Michael Valencia
Denise & John Branch
Quinn White
Patty Shea Diner ’65 & Chris Diner, Sr. ’65
Steve Wilson
Mark Pardini ’88 & Petra Andersson-Pardini
Guz Zipse ’39
Jerry Grant
CHRISTMAS STARS
Karen Aguilar
Mary Gee ’91
Antonio Alvaro
Tony Alvaro ’71 & Charlotte Alvaro
Cosme Alvaro
Tony Alvaro ’71 & Charlotte Alvaro
Rosalinda Alvaro
Tony Alvaro ’71 & Charlotte Alvaro
Donald Andersen
Carolyn Anderson
Harvey Anderson ’74
Bob King
Jeahne Anderson
Carolyn Anderson
Philip Anderson
Carolyn Anderson
Alyssa Aninag
Nicholas Aninag
Raymond Arata, Sr.
Bob Mondin ’70 & Janis Mondin
Alma Armanino
Tad Tassone ’69 & Barbara Tassone
Louis Armanino
Tad Tassone ’69 & Barbara Tassone
Dorothy Armstrong
Scott Armstrong ’02
Angel Arriada
Rosemary & Daryl Keiper
Tim Baptista ’99
George Lynch, Jr. ’67 & Sue Lynch
Dominic Berterretche ’74
Marie & Daniel Sampior
Leon Sorhondo ’67 & Nicole Sorhondo
Richard Brady ’45
Gregory Porter ’78 & Kathy Brady-Porter
Tom Brady
Mary & John Bruno
The Christian Brothers F.S.C.
Allan Susoeff ’60 & Judy Susoeff
Joe Callaghan ’64
Dorothy Callaghan
Brother Ron Gallagher, FSC
Brother Ron Gallagher, FSC , passed away peacefully on the Feast Day of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saturday, January 4, at Mont La Salle’s Holy Family Community in Napa.
Brother Ron, a pillar of faith, strength and leadership in the community, served Sacred Heart Cathedral as President from 2014 to 2018.
“He was a good man. He certainly didn't expect to be drafted into duty after a long distinguished career at Saint Mary’s College, but he stepped in at a complex time in the history of Sacred Heart Cathedral. Our community owes him our deep appreciation and gratitude. May he rest in peace,” John Scudder, ’73 , President-Emeritus said.
Brother Ron was assigned to Sacred Heart Cathedral in 2014 and assumed the role of President through 2018. His years of experience as an educator and administrator proved invaluable to the SHC community, as he advanced the school’s mission and standing as the finest Lasallian Vincentian Catholic high school in the world. In an SHC Magazine story from 2018, he said the commitment by faculty, staff and students to the school’s mission and the strength of the community are what stood out the most during his time at SHC.
“Brother Ron answered the call to serve as President of Sacred Heart Cathedral when the SHC community needed his gifts most. He served our Lasallian Vincentian mission unselfishly and provided stability, calmly supporting Sacred Heart Cathedral as an educational leader in the Catholic community while also strategically preparing the school for hopeful future students and families,” President Melinda Skrade said.
Prior to SHC, Brother Ron held significant positions throughout his career. He taught Irish literature at St. Mary’s College and served as the college’s president from 2006 to 2013. He was also vice-chancellor designate at Bethlehem University, West Bank, Palestine in 1993. After his service to SHC, he returned to Saint Mary’s College as Professor Emeritus, followed by an executive director role at the Bethlehem University Foundation.
Brother Ron entered the Christian Brotherhood in 1964. He is remembered for his leadership, faith and commitment to the community. Brother Ron passed away at the age of 78.
Jesse Callejas ’03
Sal Callejas ’73 & Lucy Callejas
Marie & Daniel Sampior
Leon Sorhondo ’67 & Nicole Sorhondo
Sal Callejas ’73
Sal Callejas ’73 & Lucy Callejas
Dolores Marie Campbell
Carol Jones Hupke ’54 & Peter Hupke
Margaret Carberry
Tom Carberry ’73
Richard Carberry ’58
Tom Carberry ’73
Ray Carmignani ’62
Patty Shea Diner ’65 & Chris Diner, Sr. ’65
Bonnie Cassinelli
Frank Cassinelli
Stephanie Catahan ’06
Sabrina & Ricardo Catahan, Jr.
Winter Ching
Cecilia Ching ’08
Milt Collis
Michael Nerney ’75 & Roselle Nerney
Carmela Corritore
Lauren Wild ’99
Sam Corritore
Lauren Wild ’99
Bernard Cuburu
Rosemary & Daryl Keiper
Jean Curutchet
Yvonne Cuburu & Jean-Leon Cuburu
Barbara & Dennis Morris
Marie & Daniel Sampior
Leon Sorhondo ’67 & Nicole Sorhondo
Bret Delmon ’80
Dom Panina ’80 & Colleen Panina
Ben de Peralta
Tony Alvaro ’71 & Charlotte Alvaro
Eppie de Peralta
Tony Alvaro ’71 & Charlotte Alvaro
Jerry De Ryan ’50
Joan Brosnan
Mike McNaughton ’79
Haydee Diaz
Dora Diaz & Louie Vargas
Luis Diaz
Dora Diaz & Louie Vargas
Luis A. Diaz
Dora Diaz & Louie Vargas
Jim Diggins ’44
Rob Aveson ’74 & Cathy Aveson
Philip Francis Doherty
Sue Ann Walsh
Frank Doonan ’62
Rose O’Leary
Tom Doonan ’57
Rose O’Leary
Robert Drucker
Michael Nerney ’75 & Roselle Nerney
George Ducousso ’69
Kathleen & Frank Charlton, Jr.
Dave Giovannini ’69 & Nancy Giovannini
Bill Guerra ’69 & Violet Guerra
Jerry Henderson ’69 & Vanessa Baxter
Matt Mullan ’69 & Rosanne Mullan
Michael Murphy
Ed O’Donnell, Jr. ’69 & Donna O’Donnell
Tom Owen
Bill Powers ’69 & Diane Powers
Dan Ryan ’69
Rene Revel ’69 & Maureen Revel
Gary Schoofs, Jr. ’69 & Susan Schoofs
Joseph Signona, Jr.
Tony Stefani ’69 & Diane Stefani
Tad Tassone ’69 & Barbara Tassone
John Toomey ’69 & Melanie Toomey
Sandra Enright
Melinda & Phil Skrade
Clara Estrada
Carol & Peter Quigley
The Cedeno Family
Anna Cedeno Nastari ’74 & Chuck Nastari ’74
The Nastari Family
Anna Cedeno Nastari ’74 & Chuck Nastari ’74
Bill Farrell ’79
Annette Farrell
Claire Farrell
Mary & Terry McHugh
Thomas Farrell ’36
Mary & Terry McHugh
Michael Fegan ’71
Ty Fegan DeBrunner ’94 & George DeBrunner ’87
August Finnegan
Diane O’Malley & Fran Finnegan, II
Francis Finnegan, III ’09
Diane O’Malley & Fran Finnegan, II
Seamus Finnegan
Diane O’Malley & Fran Finnegan, II
Joseph Fischer
Dom Panina ’80 & Colleen Panina
Patricia Forbush
Rob Aveson ’74 & Cathy Aveson
Ron Gaggero
Ron Gaggero ’53
Brother Ron Gallagher, FSC
Janet Holland ’77
Rosie Lawlor Horan ’65 & Jim Horan
Joe Kennedy, Sr. ’65 & Clo Kennedy
David Gamba ’84
Nel Gamba
The Gardner Family
Maryann Kongovi
Buff Gargano
W.M. Roger Gargano
Nancy Garlick
Vivian & Thomas Garlick, III
Tin Chor Gee
Mary Gee ’91
Leone Fontaine Germenis ’53
Ginger Fontaine ’54
Ernie Gomes
Jan & Tom Dennison
Dena Gumina
John Gumina ’91 & Shanna Gumina
Katie Hallisy
Dom Panina ’80 & Colleen Panina
Father Tom Hamilton
John Gumina ’91 & Shanna Gumina
Danny Hicks ’67
Sue Ann Walsh
ALL IRISH
BOARD OF REGENTS
William D. Rauch, JD Board Chair
Kase Abusharkh ’00
Sr. Adella Armentrout, DC
Stella Bialous, DrPH
Elizabeth Brown
Kevin Buckley ’13
Courtney Chin ’03
Br. V. Kenneth, FSC
Richard Cutler, PhD
Carol Wicklund Enright
Stefan Gartrell ‘02
Miguel Guzman ’91
Sandra Gulli
Francois Hechinger
Daniel J. Holland ’79
Janet Holland ’77
Monica Kelly ’06
Thomas P. Mazzucco ’78
Sister Frances Meyer, DC
Joey Nevin ’01
Margaret O’Driscoll
Jeffrey Porter ’72
James Ryan, Jr.
Stacie Solt, MD ’99
Ed Wang ’90
Harold Wong ’77
Melinda Lawlor Skrade, PhD President
Gary Cannon, EdD Principal
John Gumina ’91 VP for Advancement, Communications & Enrollment
Shani Mahany VP of Finance & Business Operations
John M. Vigo ’81 Director of Stewardship & Future Giving
