Winter 2008 - Sacred Heart Schools

Published for alumni, families and friends of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton
Winter 2008

State of the Heart
From the Director of Schools
State of the Heart
Dear Sacred Heart Alumni and Friends,
A former parent wrote me a note that
concluded by saying “do not rest on your
laurels.” This statement is an excellent
piece of advice and one I plan to follow
during my tenure as Director of Schools.
I believe St. Madeline Sophie and all the
Religious of the Sacred Heart never rested
on their laurels for a minute and I intend
to do the same.
One of my goals as Director is to work hard to ensure Sacred Heart Schools is forward thinking in its
spirituality, academics, fine arts programs, and athletics. One document that will assist all of us in this
endeavor is our most recently completed Strategic Plan, which is designed to be a living document to
guide the Schools to the year 2013. Drafted under the leadership of Mindy Rogers, Chair of the Board of
Trustees, this plan identifies seven areas as priorities for the Schools: Academics, Formation to Mission,
Education of the Whole Child, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Community, Campus Environment, and
“Sacred Heart Schools is in an exciting
time in its history and to be part of
this wonderful institution with its rich
heritage is a reminder to us not to rest
on our laurels.”
To celebrate 100% participation of the 7th grade families in the
Annual Fund, the 7th grade class was treated by Rich Dioli to a pizza
party and an afternoon of bowling.
Finance and Governance. These areas will
serve as the foundation within which we
will create new programs and improve
existing programs to further the School’s
mission.
In addition to finishing the Strategic
Plan, during the first semester of this
year many achievements were made in
numerous areas for the future success of
the Sacred Heart Schools including the following: James Everitt, who served this year as interim Principal,
was officially appointed Principal of Sacred Heart Prep in November (See page 18). The search for a new
Principal at St. Joseph’s began with an appointment to be made in the spring. As of the writing of this
letter, the seventh grade families reached 100% participation in the Annual Fund. Each year, through
the generosity of our families, our Annual Fund is becoming stronger with more classes reaching a higher
percentage of participation. This is truly a wonderful acknowledgement of all of the good work the school
is doing to deliver an excellent education.
Sacred Heart Schools is in an exciting time in its history and to be part of this wonderful institution
with its rich heritage is a reminder to us not to rest on our laurels.

Contents
Heart of the Matter Winter 2008
Richard A. Dioli
Director of Schools
M’Lis Berry (SJSH ’77, SHP ’81)
Director of Development
Dawna Houston
Director of Communications
Wendy Mangiantini (SHP ’80)
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Kelly Miller (SJSH ’92, SHP ’96)
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Trustees
Mindy Rogers, Chair
Mona Bailey, Maude Brezinski (SH Norotan
’72), Roberta Campbell, Mike Child,
John Cogan, Barbara Dawson, RSCJ,
John Etchemendy, Ann Barry Giurlani
(SHP ’62), Marritje Greene, Tim Haley,
Fredric Harman, Anne Holloway
(SH Newton ’73), Mike Homer; Ron
Johnson, Stephanie Lane,
Mark Larwood;,Manny Maceda,
Steve Meisel, William H. Muller, SJ,
Kenneth Olivier, Steve Rudolph,
Sue Sutherland, Michael Wishart,
Trustee Emeriti:
Robert Glockner, John Hunter
We welcome your comments,
questions, or suggestions.
Contact Dawna Houston, Director of
Communications at 650-473-4004 or
dhouston@shschools.org.
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton is a
Roman Catholic, independent school
founded by the Society of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus (RSCJ) in 1898. Our
mission is to educate the whole child to be
a leader who loves God and serves others.
The Heart of the Matter magazine is
published bi-annually,
in February and July.
The diverse opinions expressed in
Heart of the Matter do not necessarily
represent the official policy of
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton.
Heart Features
faculty and staff follow in the footsteps of rcsjs 4
Faculty member Connie Solari gives the history of how the
ESCJs, Educators of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, got started.
Multiculturalism & Diversity 6
Dora Arredondo-Marron shares her plans for Equity,
Justice and Multicultural Education at SHS.
In honor of St. Madeleine Sophie 7
Dan Greenleaf and Genevieve Varga are honored with
the St.Madeleine Sophie Award.
Heart Spotlights
Spirit of Mater Awards 10
Three alumni received this special award based on
their exemplary work benefitting the lives of others.
Memories of College of Sacred Heart Menlo 14
Sister Connie Welch looks back to when she was an
undergraduate at Sacred Heart.
James Everitt Named Principal of Sacred Heart Prep 18
After serving five months as Interim Principal,
James Everitt takes on his role permanently.
Noteworthy
School News 2 Alumni Class Notes 20
Athletics 8 Alumni Events 30
Visit us at www.shschools.org

Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt visits with
Kindergarten through 3rd grade students
On Thursday, November 29, Frank McCourt met with students at St. Joseph’s
School of the Sacred Heart to share his new book, Angela and the Baby Jesus,
which was just recently published for both children and adults. Set in Limerick
at the turn of the century, Angela and the Baby Jesus is the story about his mother
Angela as a six-year-old who is so concerned that the infant Jesus figurine in
the Christmas display at church is cold in his scant
loincloth, that she steals him to take home to her
warm bed.
Frank McCourt, is a retired English teacher who
was born to Irish immigrants in New York during the
Depression and raised in Ireland. He is best-known for
his book Angela’s Ashes, for which he won the Pulitzer
Prize for Biography.
His visit was made possible through our
community partnership with Kepler’s Bookstore in
Menlo Park.
Frank McCourt signed copies of his book
for the students and faculty members
after he spoke in the Foley Center on
November 29. He is pictured here with
3rd grader Julia Basnage.
Heart of the Campus
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8
SJSH participates in
FLL Robotic Tournament
On Saturday, December 15, St. Joseph’s Robotic Team participated in
the FLL Robotics Tournament held at Valley Christian School. Over 14 teams
competed in this annual competition and as a rookie team with a late start, we
did very well scoring over 135 points and completing 5 missions.
The competition requires the students to build and program a robot to
complete various missions. This year’s theme of Alternative Energy required the
students to research a building and look at ways to make it more eco-friendly.
The team which is comprised of students in grades four through eight met weekly
to prepare for this competition under the supervision of Technology Coordinator
and Media Specialist Jennifer Buonafede.
3rd grader Daniel Begovich uses the Active Board to
drag and match state capitals to the abbreviated
form.
Boards are “live” at St. Joseph’s
4th grader Graham Hendrick, 8th grader
Vincent DeZutti and 6th grader Matthew
Jacobs look on as a judge determines
their score during the FLL Robotics
Tournament.
St Joseph’s is using some of the latest technology thanks to the
generosity of participants in the Annual Fund. Students in both the
Middle and Lower school now have access to several Active Boards.
These interactive white boards allow students and teachers to interact
with Web pages, text, and graphics. Lessons in all subject areas
come to life as students can be seen dragging large coins and bills
to learn about money, using handheld “ActiveVotes” for immediate
individual assessment, moving planets around the solar system, and
interacting and manipulating angles. We currently have three Active
Boards in the Lower School and three in the Middle School. If you
would like to hear more about these boards and how they are being
utilized in the classroom, you can contact Jennifer Buonafede at
jbuonafede@shschools.org.

Seniors Inducted into the
Sacred Heart Society
by Jesus Ramos, SHP Faculty
Founded in 1998 as a testimony to the
belief of the importance of community and,
specifically, the relationship we have with
each other and with God, the Sacred Heart
Society is a senior service organization that
offers students the opportunity for spiritual
growth, quiet service to the Sacred Heart
community, and a deeper understanding
of Sacred Heart history and tradition.
Specifically, the Sacred Heart Society provides on-campus
support for the Admissions, Alumni and Development offices
and Campus Ministry. In this capacity, Sacred Heart Society
members act as student guides at a variety of school functions
throughout the year. They are frequently called to service
when immediate community needs arise. In addition, the
Sacred Heart Society maintains an ongoing commitment to,
and relationship with, the retired religious of the Oakwood
community, the retirement community on campus for the
Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On Sunday, September 9, forty-four seniors were inducted
into the Sacred Heart Society as part of the Oakwood
community’s weekly Sunday Mass celebration. Central to the
Sacred Heart Society experience is the relationship between
the Oakwood residents and the students. In this capacity,
the spirit is at work between old and young, student and
On September 9, 44 seniors were inducted into the Sacred Heart Society as part of the
Oakwood community’s weekly Sunday Mass celebration.
teacher as friendships develop and are often continued, long
after graduation has come and gone. The willingness of both
students and Oakwood residents to enter into a relationship
and spend time with each other learning, growing, and taking
one another on, one day at a time, is inspiring, affirming, and
in itself, a most visceral prayer that celebrates God’s gift of life
to us.
On this day these students pledged their time, talents
and service to the Sacred Heart Community in the great
tradition of the Sacred Heart with prayer and thanksgiving.
We celebrated their spirit and willingness to serve, which is
so representative of the best of Sacred Heart tradition.
On behalf of the Oakwood and Sacred Heart
communities here in Atherton, we thank these students and
the Oakwood residents for their commitment, trust, faith
and willingness to build community as a Christian value in
such a privileged way.
Rebuilding New Orleans
by Elizabeth Pierson SHP ’08
“I had to force myself to hold back tears as we walked around
the yard of the once beautiful red and white house. Its beauty is
slowly returning.”
Over a year ago, a group of Sacred Heart volunteers
worked through filth and rain to “gut” this very house,
only to be told that it would most likely be demolished.
We discovered on our return visit this past January that our
efforts proved to be worthwhile; the house had signs of a new
heating and electrical system, and new windows, doors, and
roof. While still empty, the house showed promise.
This quaint house epitomizes New Orleans: while still
appallingly empty, compassionate people are bringing it
hope. This is was what our inspired group of fifteen Sacred
Heart students and
three adults set off
to do during this
p a s t C h r i s t m a s
break–to restore
h o p e : n a i l b y
nail, wall by wall,
piece by piece.
Senior Sandy Navarro is using a skill saw to trim
a section of the sub floor with Molly Johnston
(SHP ’08) is observing at a safe distance.
This trip was a Sacred Heart service immersion trip
sponsored by the Service Learning Department. Although
Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast more than two years
ago, there still is a need for help as much now as there was
when the hurricane first hit.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r

Faculty and staff follow in the
footsteps of St. Madeleine Sophie
by Connie Solari, SHP Faculty
Almost three years ago, seventeen Sacred Heart educators
gathered in a classroom in the SHS Main Building for an
ad-hoc protest rally. Our concern: the proposed rewording,
at the national level, of the criteria portion of the Goals
and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education.
It was the kind of moment that spawns exhausted
clichés like “every cloud has a silver lining” or “it’s always
darkest before the dawn.” But in truth, that moment--
when many of us felt that the language guaranteeing our
ability to deliver an authentic Sacred Heart education was
in danger of slipping away--gave birth to a group that now
numbers almost 130 adults on our campus. This group
is the ESCJs, or Educators of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
a spin on the term RSCJ, Religieuse du Sacre Coeur de
Jesus. The RSCJ are the society of religious who founded
our schools over 200 years ago in France, under the
charismatic leadership of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat.
“In fact, the future of Sacred Heart
education rests with the adults
connected with its schools.”
It took only one email to attract seventeen people to
the first meeting. And at the end of that meeting, we
realized that something rather magical had happened: a
collective recognition of the depth and strength of each
person’s personal commitment to the philosophy of Sacred
Heart education. The following week, we met at Oakwood
with other faculty and staff members, the Director of
Schools, and several RSCJs who were interested in “the
movement.” By the end of the year, our concerns about
the modifications to the Goals and Criteria—echoed by
others in the Network—were heard, and the wording was
readjusted to safeguard the mission.
Since then, the ESCJ group has grown to include
teachers and staff from every school and department on
campus. Our mission statement is “to affirm our school
As part of their trip, the ESCJs visited St. Thibault Church in
Joigny, St. Madeleine Sophie’s parish church and where she was
baptized.
community in its adherence to the mission of Sacred Heart
education, and to help us to learn more about the charism
and heritage of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
From the very beginning, we have worked closely
with RSCJs locally, nationally, and internationally to
enhance our understanding of the spiritual and historical
foundations of a Sacred Heart education. Several RSCJs
have come to Atherton to speak to us on Sacred Heart
spirituality. ESCJs participated in an RSCJ-led retreat in
May of 2006. Seventeen ESCJs traveled to Joigny, France
(the birthplace of St. Madeleine Sophie) for a retreat
during Easter Week of 2007; participants also traveled to
Amiens, site of the first school, and Paris, where vestiges of
our history remain.
Members receive periodic distributions of prayers,
poems, letters, speeches, and other readings designed
to enhance their understanding and provoke reflection
and meditation. Small groups have traveled to Stanford,
Burlingame, and San Francisco for programs connected to
RSCJ spirituality. RSCJs and ESCJs have gathered during
Advent and Lent for informal soup suppers marking these
liturgical seasons. ESCJs have been key organizers of the
last three January Faculty and Staff Retreats, and they
provide monthly seminars on various topics of interest to
the nuns at Oakwood.
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Even in her lifetime, St. Madeleine
Sophie recognized the need to adjust
with the times in order to keep the
Society and its schools alive. She had
a remarkable ability to adapt and to
withstand social revolutions in France,
power struggles within the Catholic
church, and the exponential expansion
of Sacred Heart schools over the course
of her 65-year leadership.
Dwindling numbers of Religious in
the schools today means that we must
adapt once again. In fact, the future
of Sacred Heart education rests with
the adults connected with its schools.
The Network of Sacred Heart Schools
in the United States has responded to
this situation with the recent creation
of the Network Formation to Mission
Committee, a small group of adults
(lay and religious) from all over the
U.S. who are working in every Sacred
Heart school to catalogue and make
accessible resources, share best “Sacred
Heart” practice, and gather adults
together in ways that will ensure the
Schools’ future.
As a member of this Board, it has
been my great pleasure to witness
what happened (and what contines to
happen!) on our campus.
For more information about the group, visit
the ESCJ website at www.shschools.org.
One stop on the April 2007 trip was to St.
Madeleine Sophie’s house which is located
in Joigny, France.
Connecting with
Other Generations
The 3rd Annual Sacred Heart Schools
Grandparents/Special Person Day was
held on Conway Court on September
23, 2007. Over 260 family members
spanning over three generations attended,
many of whom are SHS alums. Many
family members participated in the
celebration of the Mass in the Campbell Center for the
Performing Arts including Laura Pitchford (SJSH ’73,
SHP ’77) and her son Rooney (SHP ’11), as well as the
Hinson family: Louis and Daisy Pang, Laurie Lamb
(SJSH ’75, SHP ’79), and Mary (SJSH ’72, SHP ’76)
Jim, Ally (SJSH ’11), and Nicholas Hinson (SJSH ’13),
who read the Petitions. The Offertory gifts were presented
by Anne and Bernie Cotter, Greg Cattermole (SJSH ’70)
and his son Mikey (SHP ’09). A buffet brunch was served
on Conway Court after Mass.
This event is a great opportunity for the students to
share their school and our beautiful campus with their
grandparents and special guests, many of whom are
from out of town. Next year’s Grandparents’ Day will
be during Thanksgiving week: Monday, November 24,
2008 for students at St. Joseph’s and Tuesday, November
25, 2008 for students at Sacred Heart Prep so be sure to
mark your calendar!
Claire Duesdieker (SJSH ’07, SHP ’11)
enjoying brunch with her grandmother
Barbara Braunreiter (Lone
Mountain ’49).
Hunter Horsley (SHP ’09) is pictured with his
grandparents Paul and Fornia Horsley.
Mary Pang Hinson (SJSH ’72, SHP ’76) with three generations of her
Sacred Heart family: (left to right) Louis Pang, Mary with her son Nick
(SJSH 2013) and daughter Allyson (SJSH 2011), Daisy Pang, and Laurie
Lamb (SJSH ’75) with her baby daughter Malia.
w
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r

Committed to Diversity
& Multiculturalism
Sacred Heart Schools is fortunate to have Dora
Arredondo-Marron serving as its new Director
of the Office of Equity, Justice and Multicultural
Education (EJME). The Editor sat down with Dora
to ask her about her office and her goals for Sacred
Heart Schools.
Welcome to the Sacred Heart Community, Dora.
Can you please explain what EJME does and how it
enhances our community
EJME compliments the mission of the school by
focusing on the inclusion of everybody. How we do
that is we work with faculty and students and then I
advise the administration on issues of justice, equity
and multicultural education. As a school, our mission is
to educate the whole child and we want that child to go
out and be a leader. We want these children to grow into
adults who lead with their heart and mind and we want
them to know that it is their responsibility to keep equity
and justice at the forefront of how they influence the
world.
The Board of Directors of Sacred Heart Schools have
made a commitment to help support issues of access for
all. The main issues that the EJME Office focuses on are:
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Gender balance
• Racial diversity
• Access to all to community activities
Primarily the Office of EJME facilitates this by helping
families who want a quality Catholic education for their
child and would not be able to provide it without help.
I hope that the entire community knows that the EJME
Office is here for everyone. Sometimes the perception is
that the EJME Office only helps one group of students,
but the reality is that this office is open and inclusive to
all.
Building a multicultural experience on campus
enhances our community in many ways. First and
foremost, it supports our schools mission of having an
inclusive community. And specifically we benefit through
having more diversity in how we problem-solve, and
Dora Arredondo-Marron meets with a family in her office, which
is located on the third floor of the Main Building.
through sharing different perspectives, with a common
goal of having a peaceful community.
In action in the classroom, the students are encouraged
by their teachers to explore issues of justice and equity
and find issues and student service projects that they are
passionate about. After learning about these issues of
equity and justice, the students will become leaders who
are impelled to action (SHS Goal III). This makes Sacred
Heart a better place to be and the school benefits us by
having the mission of our school come true!
What EJME programs exist currently at SJSH and at
SHP Are they the same or different on each side of
campus
The programs that support the entire Sacred Heart
community are the Task Force on EJME, the SEED
(Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) group,
ongoing professional development workshops, and the
Big Eight Book Club. There are parallel programs for
each division on campus. I provide more coaching and
support for the families in the elementary grades as the
child is transitioning to middle school and experiencing
adolescence. On the other side of campus, there are
student clubs that are very specific to high school. The
EJME Office runs the Multicultural Club and the Student
of Color and Allies Club.
Something new to this office is having a representation
from St. Joseph’s (Alison Trujillo) and SHP (Corie Tyson)
that come together weekly as we talk about students,
upcoming issues and workshops. Last October we
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

attended a diversity conference with several schools in the
Bay Area and it was very helpful.
What specific initiatives do you hope to bring to fruition at
SHS in the next few years
First, we need to create a three year action plan which will
consist of measurable outcomes of our work. Secondly, I
hope to recruit administrators, faculty, staff and students
from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Currently I travel by myself and with the Admissions Office
to different schools and I encourage students to apply and
visit our school. I spend a lot of time making sure that each
student and their family is a good match for our school. And
last but not least, this year I am implementing professional
development workshops seminars and events that will focus
on teaching various subjects and multicultural education best
I
n September, the St. Madeleine
Sophie Award for the 2007-08 school
as awarded to two dedicated employees.
This award honors individuals in the
Sacred Heart Schools community who
have made a sustained and significant
contribution to the Schools and
embody the Goals and Criteria.
Genevieve Varga started at Sacred
Heart Schools in 1975 as the Registrar
for Sacred Heart Prep when her
son Michael was just a toddler. Sr.
Nancy Morris (RSCJ) was Director of
Schools and Joan Azzopardi was the
Principal. She began her 33rd year
of service to Sacred Heart Schools
last September. In 1977 Genevieve
assumed the position of Registrar
and Administrative Assistant to the
Principal, which she still holds today.
Not only does this position require
that you be organized and efficient,
but as Connie Solari said, “Her office
is a place where people know they can
go for information, sympathy, help
of all kinds, and frequently a good
laugh.” Donna Gilboa said, “I admire
her competence and energy and her
In Honor of
St. Madeleine Sophie
genuine love for her
job. Genevieve is the
‘still center’ of Sacred
Heart; we couldn’t
function without her.
She embodies the
true spirit of Sacred
Heart.” Genevieve is the proud parent
of two sons, Michael (SJSH ’88, SHP
’92) and Jason (SJSH ’91, SHP ’95).
Both unanimously agreed that their
mom is devoted to her job and believes
in the spirit of the Sacred Heart
education.
Dan Greenleaf began working
at Sacred Heart 21 years ago as a
groundskeeper. In 1988, Dan became
Head of Maintenance and Grounds, a
position that he held until the mid-90s.
That job, which got bigger with each
passing year, was finally split into two,
with Dan assuming the role of Head of
the Grounds Department, the role he
holds today. Members of his crew say
that he is a great guy, a great boss, very
understanding, hard working, a good
friend, aand someone who is always
there when you need him. As fellow
Director of Schools Rich Dioli is pictured here with St. Madeleine
Sophie Award winners Genevieve Varga and Dan Greenleaf.
colleague and friend, Ken Thompson,
said, “The gentle and tender, but also
very present care of the gardener is
evident in Dan’s relationships with his
crew.” In addition, Dan has worked
with many student athletes on both
sides of the campus. He has coached
basketball and flag football at St.
Joseph’s, as well as girls’ basketball,
softball and football at Sacred Heart
Prep. He also has accompanied students
on trips to Taos and Yosemite and
participated in various Sacred Heart
theater productions. He teaches kids
by example and with kind words. Dan’s
wife Diane also works at Sacred Heart
and he has three children, Kelsey (SHP
’04), Melissa (SHP ’06), and Shane
(SHP ’09).
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r

St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart Prep
share one mascot
The new Strategic Plan (2008-2013) approved by
the Board of Trustees this past November highlights
as one of its goals, the building of community. As
most parents and any child of the Sacred Heart
already know, this is one of five Goals and Criteria
that bind all Sacred Heart Schools around the
world. In this Strategic Plan, one of the ways the
goal is being pursued is by “strengthening the
bonds among the School’s division and building
relationships among all members of our community
as ‘One School.’ With that goal in mind, the Senior
Administrative Council voted this past summer to
move to one shared mascot and logo across all three
of the school’s divisions. The consensus was to keep
the Prep’s mascot of a gator but to design a new
mascot that would be new to all divisions. The new
mascot is pictured above.
of play during their season. Congratulations to
the players and coaches (and of course supportive
parents and fans) in the following varsity programs:
Both our Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country
squads placed third in the prestigious year end
Central Coast Section meet and advanced for the
second year in a row to the Division V state cross
country meet over Thanksgiving weekend.
For the second year in a row, our Varsity Football
team was the co-champion of the Bay Football
League. This season we made our initial trip to the
North Coast Section playoffs and were defeated
by Ferndale High School. We are all excited about
our move to the Ocean Division of the Peninsula
Athletic League (and into the Central Coast Section
with the rest of our athletic programs) next season.
Our Boys Varsity Soccer team made it back to the
Central Coast Section finals for the second year
in a row. Although we did not repeat as Section
champions this year (losing a great match in the
finals), it was a true testament to the team and the
coaches getting back to the finals after losing many
senior starters from the previous season.
Our Girls Varsity Tennis team advanced to the
CCS quarter finals in spite of losing our number
one player to a season-ending injury toward the
latter part of the league season. This close knit team
pulled together to place farther into the post season
than anyone expected.
Our Girls Varsity Volleyball team advanced to the
CCS quarter finals before losing to eventual section
and Nor Cal Champion Mt. Madonna. This team
Fall Athletics Review for SHP
Athletics
The fall athletic season at Sacred Heart Prep was
unprecedented with regards to the level of collective
accomplishments by all of our varsity teams. It was
the first time in our school’s history that each of our
varsity squads successfully extended their respective
seasons to Section play as a result of the high level
Congratulations to the girls’ water polo
team, pictured at right who were CCS
Division II Champions this past fall.
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

g r a d u a t e s o n l y t w o
seniors and should be a
force next season as well.
Our Boys and Girls
Varsity Water Polo teams
both won WCAL league
and playoff championships on their way to winning
Central Coast Section Division II championships.
When you combine these achievements with the
unparalleled success both teams had in national level
tournaments this season, no other school in northern
California had more collective success in both girls
and boys water polo programs than Sacred Heart
Prep…quite a memorable, and fantastic season!
New Field House Dedication
Pictured left is Paul Rudolph (SHP
’09)
On Friday, September 21, the students at Sacred
Heart Prep gathered in the stands of the Field House
for a blessing. The dedication, which included a
short reading, petitions, and splashing of holy water,
was lead by Father Tom Moran. The dedication was
followed by gouté and
a win for the Varsity
Football team.
T h e s t u d e n t s
f r o m S t . J o s e p h’s
celebrated their own
special dedication on
Saturday, September
29 during their flag
football season. Mr.
Mi k e Mu r p h y, t h e
interim principal at St.
Joseph’s, presided.
The Field House is
used year round by the
Football team, and boys and girls
Soccer and Lacrosse teams. It
also is the new location for Head
Football Coach Pete Lavorato,
Director of Tennis Jeff Arons and
Varsity Tennis Coach Losaline
Mafileo. Also within the Field House are storage
facilities for the athletic department and on top of
the building are bleachers which seat approximately
1100 people.
Jersey Retired
for Christy
Galvin
On Thursday,
Sept 6, the class of
1997 gathered to
remember Christy
Galvin’s life and Erin Moix Grieb (SHP ’97)
remembered Christy at the
her dominance on ceremony.
the volleyball court.
Christy was an outstanding student and athlete
and was loved by all. She died on July 4, 2005.
The Athletic Department, along with the Alumni
Association and the class of 1997 retired her #9
jersey.
A graduate of Sacred Heart Prep, she led her team
to state volleyball titles in 1996 and 1997. Galvin
received her bachelor’s degree in International
Studies from UNC Charlotte in December of 2001.
She was a four-year starter and letter winner for the
49ers from 1997-2000. Galvin’s standout four-year
career as an outside hitter put her near the top of the
school’s all-time charts in a variety of categories. She
is the all-time leader in attack attempts, and as one of
the program’s best two-way players, still ranks third
in both kills (1,564) and digs (1,261). A remarkably
consistent player, Galvin played in 471 of a possible
479 games at UNC.
Father Tom Moran presided
over the opening and the
blessing of the new field
house.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r

Heart spotlights
Spirit of Mater Award recipients: Sr. Irene Cullen (SHP ’56), Melissa Pritchard (SHP ’66),
and Jonny Dorsey (SJSH ’99, SHP ’03) in the lobby of the Campbell Center for the
Performing Arts. The artwork on display behind them is borrowed from the Anderson
Collection.
10
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Spirit of Mater Awards
I
n October, Sacred Heart alumni were invited back to
campus to celebrate a special Feast of Mater. The theme of
the day incorporated the Sacred Heart idea that each of us
can make a difference in the lives of others, one person at a
time. The special day included a Mass, alumni lectures and
a luncheon. Three alumni were chosen by the Alumni Board
to receive special awards that were conferred based on their
exemplary work benefitting the lives of others. The three
awardees were Melissa Pritchard (SHP ’66), Jonny Dorsey
(SJSH ’99, SHP ’03), and Sr. Irene Cullen (SHP ’57).
After attending Mass together in the chapel, the awardees
each spoke to the audience of alumni, parents, RSCJ and
faculty about their charities. The keynote speaker, Melissa
Pritchard, gave a very moving speech about her work for the
Daywalka Foundation and how the experience has changed
her life in profound ways.
Jonny Dorsey gave an emotionally charged speech about
his FACE AIDS organization and his work in Africa with
refugees. He spoke about his belief
that “if every life is truly equal in
God’s eyes, then we should really
be doing more to help children in
African nations ravaged by AIDS,
wars and poverty.” Many were
touched by his sincerity and by
his very personal first-hand stories
of the people that he has met in
local hospitals and refugee camps
in Africa.
Sr. Irene Cullen explained the
150 year history of the RSCJ African mission work and her
current work at a school in the Kenya/Uganda Province.
Her position as the U.S. Director for the Society helps the
school with its mission to educate over 500 female students
who would be without an education otherwise and therefore
marginalized by society. Through Irene’s efforts, Sacred
Heart Schools in the U.S. and their alumnae/i are making a
difference at our sister school by helping build dormitories,
water systems and providing student scholarships.
All three speeches inspired everyone and had the whole
room talking about how each of us is called to reach out to
those less fortunate and to make a difference in our world.
As God worked through [Mater] Mary’s life, we are called to
follow that example and be the hands and feet of God’s love
through our lives.
Below are excerpts from the Feast of Mater keynote
speech delivered by Melissa Pritchard (SHP ’66):
“Today’s Feast of Mater is dedicated to the idea of making
a difference, one person at a time, and to the miracle of one
person’s actions inspiring and waking up the holy spirit of
selflessness in others.
One of the first lessons the world tried to teach me was
that of humility. As an adolescent, I was extremely shy, and
famous persons fascinated me, particularly great artists, saints
and those whom history called heroes. What made certain
individuals stand out, be called great, whether by talent or
by deed Ability, yes, discipline, to be sure, a bit of luck or
destiny perhaps, but there were other qualities common
to the men and women I most deeply admired. Humility,
visionary courage, and an active surrender to something
greater than themselves, be it called Yahweh, Christ, Atman,
Allah, Buddha, Gaia, Isis, Creation or Great Mystery, some
As God worked through [Mater] Mary’s
life, we are called to follow that example
and be the hands and feet of God’s love
through our lives.
fiery faith that gave these individuals the courage to act
beyond the smaller circumference of their individual lives,
the will to listen to the greater voice within them rather
than the cautionary voices of those around them. Above all,
the humility to know that whatever genius or uncommon
goodness might issue from them, arose from what Reverend
Mother deLescure called the “Invisible and Essential In All.”
Genius, saintliness, heroism – are gifts, in essence, from God.
The Sacred Heart nuns and other faculty who were here
at the same time as I, a gawky, bookish, uncourageous but
dreamy child, fostered and embodied humility. Within the
classrooms and gardens, the chapel, alcoves and library of
what was then called the Convent, I not only found my
religious faith, I was given room to secretly cherish my ideals
and dreams. My spirit, respected and nurtured, stayed alive
and questing for truth. I am honored to return today, decades
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 11

Joan Terry (SHP ’61), (center) is pictured here with Sr.
Carmen Parrilla (left) and Sr. Ida Rinne.
Ann Carey (SJSH ’71, SHP ’75) and Sheila
Giannini Ruprecht (SHP ’63) with Alex Lucas
Ertola (SJSH ’72, SHP ’76).
Lyn Jason Cobb (SHE ’65, SHP ’69),
and Lisa Geserick (SHP ’69)
“When I was a student here at
Sacred Heart, a close friend, Mariko
Takahashi, now a nun in Belgium,
gave me a holy card which I still
have today. Though our paths are
different, it says, our goal is still
the same. To surrender one’s self, to
hope for the courage to say yes, is to
glimpse the truth illumined in Saint
Teresa of Avila’s magnificent prayer:
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which He
looks with compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but
yours.”
later, to pay public tribute and to give open thanks
to a school, a faculty and a religious order whose
own brave mission was to educate and protect the
minds and spirits of young girls.
In the spring of 2005, I was sitting in a creative
writing faculty meeting at Arizona State University.
One of our faculty asked – is anyone interested
in going to India to work with sex slaves
Everyone reared back in a kind of shock, someone
murmured, ‘that sounds dangerous,’ and though I
didn’t say a word, every cell in me, every fiber, or
more accurately, my soul, said ‘Yes.’
That single decision, that ‘yes,’ to the unknown,
changed my life. Within ten hours of landing in
Calcutta, I was walking, at night, with my guide
Bishan, a twenty-four year old graduate of Calcutta
University, through one of the worst slums in
the world and into the
narrow, winding alleyways
of a working class brothel.
Kalighat was nothing like
my fears, my stereotypes or
even my limited knowledge
had imagined. Bishan
seemed to know everyone,
a n d c h i l d r e n s w i r l e d
around me, like children
everywhere, curious and
spirited. During my ten
days in Calcutta, I taught
a workshop for around
twenty young Kalam poets,
visited shelter homes and
toured Nirmal Hriday
(Pure Heart,) the first home
Mother Teresa established
for the dying and the
destitute. I met the nun in charge, a woman I am
convinced is a saint, a woman so selfless and holy,
so radiant with love, that had she looked at me,
asked me to stay on at Nirmal Hriday, I would
not be here today. I met Indian women, attorneys
and doctors who had given up affluent marriages,
traditional caste status and social approval, to help
the women of Kalighat attain legal status, receive
proper medical treatment, and provide education
and a safe place to sleep at night for their children,
so they would not be trapped in a hopeless life
ending, as the lives of more than 80% of these
trafficked women did, by dying, before the age of
thirty, of HIV/Aids or other preventable diseases.
I met unsung heroes, witnessed lives of selflessness,
saw the difference between the ego’s satisfaction,
the self ’s thirst for recognition, and the more
enduring joy of using one’s gifts and talents for the
benefit of uplifting others. Something in me woke
up in the presence of these individuals, woke up
as I walked through the narrow, foul alleyways of
Kalighat, shyly smiled at by girls stolen from their
villages, forced into a brutal life from which there
was no escape. Most of Kalighat’s prostitutes are
mothers, and like most mothers, they adore their
children.
I came home from that first trip to Calcutta
in early 2006, determined to build a link between
our creative writing program and Kalam. One year
later, in January, 2007, I returned with five MFA
students, and this summer two graduate students
worked, fully funded by ASU, with Kalam and
New Light.
In the past year, I have felt that same intuitive
pull to begin an outreach program with Phoenix
Children’s Hospital, and for two or more years, I
had dreamed of making documentary films but
12
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

had no idea how to begin. One evening in 2006, because of a
magazine article I had published two years before on the Lost
Boys of Sudan, I was invited to a reception for the new director
of the Lost Boys Center in Phoenix and met a young filmmaker
struggling to develop a story about one of these exceptional
young men. Today we have developed our script, and have the
support of an experienced producer to help us raise funding
to fly to the Dinka village of Ajak in southern Sudan, to film
William Mawin’s reunion with his family, and to help build a
school and a medical clinic for others handicapped by war like
himself.
The time and energy I have given to these projects could, and
some would say, should have gone into writing another book of
fiction. I could rest on well-earned laurels, I could lead an easier
life. But I cannot resist this “call of the soul,” and though it often
exhausts me and worries friends and family, I cannot disobey
this call to surrender the smaller self, to answer the soul’s call to
service. Too many heroes exist to show the way, and too many
surprises and miracles validate one’s path once one responds. This
adventure of the soul is a high and ultimately joyful one.
Once one steps off the illusory path of safety, the path of
contentment and ease and even fear, to follow the divine or some
might say mad call to service, one joins a holy stream of fellow
travelers, many leading the way, some walking alongside and
others eager to catch up. Blessed travelers like Sr. Irene Cullen,
Jonny Dorsey, all of you here today.”
March
20 Holy Thursday Easter Holiday begins.
School closed March 20-24.
April
5 It’s Showtime! Auction dinner
If you wish to attend, donate an item, or
volunteer for the event, contact Diane Brugos at
(650) 473-4088 or dbrugos@shschools.org.
May
Spring/Summer 2008
Calendar
For additional information,
go to www.shschools.org
2 Director’s Club Cocktail Party
This party is for donors who have joined the
Director’s Club ($2500+) during the 2007-2008
Annual Fund Campaign. To join the Director’s
Club or to learn more, contact Lauren Whittam at
(650) 473-4054 or lwhittam@shschools.org.
9 Mad Hatter Luncheon Noon, Conway Court
If you are interested in attending or would like
more information, contact Nancy Tarantino at
(650) 473-4089 or ntarantino@shschools.org.
26 Memorial Day School closed.
June
5 SHP Pinning Ceremony, 5 p.m., Chapel
If you are an alumnus/a and are interested in
attending, please contact the Alumni office at
650.454.8394.
SHP Graduation 6 p.m., Softball Field
7 SJSH Graduation 10 a.m., Robinson Court
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 13

Memories of College of the
Sacred Heart Menlo
Sister Connie Welch looks back to
her college days at Sacred Heart
Sister Connie Welch recently passed away at the age of 99, and not only was she the oldest RSCJ living
in retirement at Oakwood, she was our last graduate of the College of the Sacred Heart Menlo, a
four-year college that was offered on our campus in the early 20th century. Today, most alumni don’t
remember or may not even be aware that at one time our campus offered a four year college degree
through Stanford University. For many years, Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (then known as Convent
of the Sacred Heart Menlo) was a closed and cloistered campus. The nuns and the students rarely left
the gates unless school had ended, and then only the “day” students left. The students and the nuns led a
very structured and disciplined life, and one of the only reasons the teaching nuns were allowed to leave
campus was to improve their education. Many of the RSCJ left campus to attend Stanford. When Sister
Connie Welch attended classes at Stanford, she recalled “my habit created a lot of attention for me on
the Stanford campus.” The professors understood that it was difficult for the cloistered nuns to attend
Stanford so they began to come to campus to teach the nuns.
The relationship between the Stanford professors and the nuns was especially close in the case of Dr.
Aurelio M. Espinosa and the RSCJ. Professor Espinosa came to Stanford in 1910 as a linguistics expert,
the Chair of the Spanish Department and a Catholic. At this time it was very desirable to extend your
Sacred Heart education. For the next several years, young women took several courses on the Sacred
Heart campus taught by Stanford professors as part of a fifth year of high school dedicated to study in
Today, most alumni don’t remember or
may not even be aware that at one time
our campus offered a four year college
degree through Stanford University.
a particular field of interest. It was from this
popular and growing program known as the
“Superior Class,” that the idea of a women’s
college was pursued.
By 1920, the RSCJ along with Professor
Espinosa, began earnest discussions with
Stanford University regarding starting a four year
college for women at Sacred Heart. The nuns
and the conservative Catholic Professor believed
that there wasn’t an appropriate college in the Bay Area for a young educated Catholic woman. When
word came back with approval from the president of Stanford, an arrangement was made that women
could remain at the Convent of the Sacred Heart for their studies and receive a degree from Stanford.
In 1921 the College of the Sacred Heart obtained its official charter and classes began with nine
academic departments under the direction of Mother Guerin, offering an AA degree and a four-year
degree. Sister Connie Welch was a college student along with Dr. Espinosa’s daughter Marguerita
Espinosa, who later became the head of Castilleja School. According to her memoires reflecting on her
time in college at Sacred Heart, Margarita said, “In the fall of 1921, I first entered Menlo as a member of
the 4th academic class. I was in the first graduating class of the College of the Sacred Heart. There were
five of us in the class: Evelyn Fox, Harriet McCormick, Mary Kay Conroy, Adelia Leet and me. All three
of my years at Menlo were happy and productive ones, though very different from life today. Some of
our activities included playing cricket, cooking in a little cottage in the garden (later this became an art
14
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Sacred Heart college
girls relaxing on the
Main Building east
lawn after a long
day of studying.
“They knew we were cloistered
nuns, so they helped us add
college classes to our curriculum.”
classroom in the 70s and 80s), splendid congés, gouté in the
courtyard, primes, visits from our families on Sunday, café
au lait at breakfast, and much study. Bedtime was early, but
it was possible to communicate far into the night with next
door neighbors with Morse code.”
The college girls attended school in the Main Building
along with other girls from ages three to eighteen. They
created their own social life, but it was difficult since Menlo
Park was very isolated at the time. The college girls lived on
the third floor and because so many of the girls had friends
in sororities at other universities, they decided to form their
own which they named the “Theta Thirda Flora’s.”
Sister Welch, who attended her first two years of college
at Sacred Heart, fondly remembered that “[college] was
wonderful. The Stanford professors came over and gave their
services to us. They knew we were cloistered nuns and they
helped us add college classes to our curriculum.”
Sister Mary “Be” Mardel (SHP ’35, SFCW ’39)
remembers that the “college was very small because many
women did not go to college in those days. It was very
isolated and was not much bigger than twenty to thirty
students at a time.”
After a while it became obvious that the college needed
its own home without a primary or secondary school
attached, and needed to be in a location that would attract
more students. Since San Francisco did not have a Catholic
college for women, it was an obvious choice of location. At
the time, the beloved Reverend Mother Rosalie Hill was
Vicar of the Western Vicariate of the Sacred Heart order,
charged with building, designing and/or creating Sacred
Heart schools, including finding a new location for College
of the Sacred Heart Menlo. Sr. Welch was assigned to be
Reverend Mother’s driver for her scouting trips to San
Francisco and remembered taking her up and down all of the
hills in San Francisco which frightened the Reverend Mother.
When she saw the site of Lone Mountain, she knew she had
found the right location and she negotiated with the San
Francisco Archdiocese and Archbishop Hanna (who was very
supportive of the college) to purchase the land.
The Right Reverend Monsignor Joseph M. Gleason
moved with the college from Menlo Park to San Francisco
along with his important library of over 40,000 volumes
that formed the cornerstone of the library for the College.
From 1930 until 1932 when Lone Mountain construction
was completed, the college operated out of 2040 Broadway
in San Francisco. In 1932, the campus for the San Francisco
College for Women was opened, and in 1978, it became a
part of the University of San Francisco.
In 1937, Sister Welch returned to live on our campus
after taking her final vows. She earned a Masters and PhD
from Stanford and later became Mistress of Studies (today
known as Academic Dean) serving in this position for the
Western Province until 1963. She is also well remembered
by her students as the caretaker of the three Great Danes
that served as the school’s mascots and security force.
Sister Connie Welch passed away shortly after she was interviewed
for this article. She entered Sacred Heart as a freshman in 1921 and
graduated in 1925. She continued her studies
at the College of the Sacred Heart Menlo
and graduated in 1929. She later completed
a Master’s and PhD at Stanford. She joined
the RSCJs in 1929, took her first vows in 1932
and began teaching at Sacred Heart that
same year until 1963. She was much loved
by her students. In addition, she served as the
Vicariate Mistress of Studies for the Western Province. When she left
Sacred Heart in 1963, she went to teach at the College for Women
in San Francisco, now University of San Francisco (USF) until 1978,
at which time she moved back to Atherton to retire at Oakwood.
She continued to work after she retired, teaching underprivileged
children how to read. In 1987, she celebrated her Golden Jubilee for
her 50 years as an RSCJ. In 2007 she was moved briefly to Our Lady
of Fatima in Saratoga, CA, a full-care nursing facility, where she died
peacefully, on January 1, 2008.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 15

Long Lasting Friendships
Friends Max Etchemendy (SHP
’02), Tommy Nourse (SJSH ’98,
SHP ’02), Stephanie Lee (SHP
’02) and Amarnath Santhanam
(SHP ’02) in front of the Main
Building.
G
raduation from high school can strain
some of the best friendships, but in the case
of four members from the class of 2002
Sacred Heart Prep, theirs has survived and
is growing into something deeper as they
share a house together in East Palo Alto.
For Tommy Nourse (SJSH ’98, SHP ’02),
Amarnath Santhanam (SHP ’02), Max
Etchemendy (SHP ’02) and Stephanie Lee
(SHP ’02), maintaining their connection was
easy, natural and something that was never in
question. According to Tommy Nourse, “It
just sort of happened. We always maintained
our high school friendships.” Stephanie Lee
observed, “I never knew it was so unusual
until I talked to some of my friends in
college, who told me they had not kept in
touch with anyone from high school.”
The roommates all recall the class of 2002
as being “pretty close” but they also know
that the bonds that they shared were truly
formed through their shared classes at SHP.
When asked how they managed to keep
in touch through the years while attending
different colleges, Max explained, “There
were six or seven of us who decided to
purchase a domain name our senior year. We
created and designed our own web page and
we’ve used it ever since.” Amarnath adds that,
“Additional friends in the group include Peter
Robinett (SHP ’02) and Jeremy Wong (SJSH
’98, SHP ’02). Peter is living in Amsterdam,
working in Web consulting and Jeremy
is living in graduate housing at Stanford
where he is pursuing a master’s in electrical
engineering.”
The roommates all recall the class of
2002 as being “pretty close” but they also
know that the bonds that they shared were
truly formed through their shared classes
at SHP. Tommy recalls some of the fun
shared memories that can still bring all four
housemates to laughter. “We made up pet
names for all our teachers and one of the best
was for Ms. Ann Tornabene (SHP ’92). We
called her Comrade Tornabenski all year and
we even bought her a Ushanka hat to wear.”
The four recall sharing AP Physics,
Biology Honors, Trigonometry Honors,
and AP English together. Stephanie recalls,
16
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

“Because we had many of the same
classes, and there were fifteen in our
class, we got to know each other really
well.”
“We shared a penchant for Nerf
guns in our SHP Physics classroom,”
smiles Tommy as Max and Stephanie
interject that, “We have upgraded to
Airsoft Pellet guns now.”
The four roommates also remember
the quality of their Sacred Heart
education, “SHP had a strong science
program. My AP calculus class prepared
me well for M.I.T. The same with my
physics class,” recalls Stephanie Lee.
All remember Dr. Letteer’s and Mr.
Thompson’s math and science classes
with shared appreciation.
Amarnath has fond memories of
Mr. Thompson who helped inspire
him to become a math teacher. “Mr.
Thompson was one of my favorite
teachers and I had him for 2-1/2 years
of math at SHP. He has been my role
model and inspiration in becoming
a math teacher too. I also remember
singing in the a cappella group with
Mr. Thompson, the ‘Singing Guys’. It
was a lot of fun and I went onto join
another a cappella group at Williams
College. I sill remember all of the songs
we learned in the ‘Singing Guys’ and
I come back for all of the concerts
whenever I can.”
Today, Tommy Nourse can be found
at Google where he works as a software
engineer. In the evenings when he is
not taking classes at Google’s Carnegie-
Mellon University for his Masters in
Software Engineering, he can be found
playing his bass or hanging out with
girlfriend Sarah Bacon (SHP ’02).
Having graduated with honors
from Stanford University with a B.A.
Philosophy and a B.S. in Symbolic
Systems, Max Etchemendy can be
found working at start-up Coghead,
Inc., a web-based application delivery
service where he works in marketing
a n d a p p l i c a t i o n e n g i n e e r i n g .
He also continues to work with
professors in the Stanford philosophy
department, producing translations
of, and commentaries on, the medieval
philosopher Richard Rufus of Cornwall.
After SHP, Amarnath studied math
and economics at Williams College in
Massachusetts. Today he works as a
private tutor in math and science, and
has some SHP students as clients. He
also continues to follow technology
trends.
After graduating from M.I.T.
Stephanie was first employed by
Lockheed Martin, and then switched
gears to work for Zazzle, a customized
merchandise firm. In her spare time
she has been investigating graduate
programs.
A s t h e i n t e r v i e w e n d e d , t h e
foursome set off for the Morey building
where they hoped to bump into
someone who might remember them
and let them drop into a class or two.
The Alumni Office promises to check
back on these interesting housemates
and friends and see what the future
holds for them.
H
ead south on Skyline Boulevard
from Highway 84 and you will find a
small unassuming sign pointing you
down the hill towards Yerba Buena
Nursery. Head down the two mile
private road and you travel into the
country and into the past. At the end
of the road, you will see an old barn
with welcoming scarecrows displayed
to greet you. Park on the dirt lot and
travel down a lush path, past a 100 year
old farmhouse and you will find Kathy
Goleta Crane (SHE ’69, SHP ’73)
working in the garden or behind a desk
in the tractor shed-turned gift shop.
Kathy bought the nursery 13 years
ago from a 95 year old woman who
Exploring California Natives
was looking to retire. She was quick
to see the possibilities in the area as
well as appreciate the importance of
the nursery in the education of native
plant species and California wildlife.
In 2005, her project became known as
“the world’s most beautiful native plant
nursery.” Not only does she cultivate
all the plants and sell them, but every
plant which she sells is a product of
her property. Kathy and her small
staff gather seeds from her plants,
sew them and cultivate them in their
natural environment instead of modern
greenhouses, making them more hearty.
She works out of old buildings with
what could be considered antiquated
Kathy Goleta Crane (SHE ’69, SHP ’73)
working in her garden.
methods of hand raking and weeding
and chemical-free insect removal.
Continue further down the path and
you will encounter a beautiful, wild,
native plant demonstration garden.
Each plant she sells is permanently and
prominently displayed in this garden,
(continued on p.19)
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 17

James Everitt named Principal
of Sacred Heart Prep
“James embodies
what it means to be
an educator of the
Sacred Heart. He listens
without distraction, he
holds the needs of the
whole child at the center
of every conversation
and he clearly shows in
his words and actions
that he cares about each
and every one of us.”
–an SHS faculty member
18
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8
In November 2007, James Everitt was named Principal of Sacred
Heart Prep by Director of Schools Rich Dioli. after serving as Interim
Principal since July 2007. He replaced Mr. Dioli, who had served
as Principal of Sacred Heart Prep for fourteen years and assumed
the role of Director of Schools in July 2007. Although a nationwide
search took place to find a permanent principal for Sacred Heart
Prep, the clear consensus among all constituency groups who took
part in the search process including parents, faculty, staff, students,
and trustees, was that there was no need to search any further
than our own execeptional Interim Principal, Mr. James Everitt.
According to Mr. Dioli, “James possesses a strong vision for Sacred
Heart Prep that includes a deep understanding of curriculum design
and implementation. He has a strong commitment to progressive
education and believes that Sacred Heart Prep is at the threshold of
offering a world class, global education that speaks to the needs of
our time. His knowledge of Sacred Heart education and his ability
to work so well with students, colleagues, parents, trustees and the
administration have convinced me that he is a perfect choice for
Principal.”
In a letter to the current families at Sacred Heart, Mr. Dioli wrote
the following, “One of the key strengths that James will bring to
Sacred Heart Prep is a vision and an educational philosophy that is
rooted in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. He is
an extremely rare individual who not only is familiar with both the
breadth and depth of Sacred Heart education but understands the
charism and goals of the Sacred Heart community and its Formation
to Mission. He also understands the rigor of the academics at Sacred
Heart Prep and wants to enhance the curriculum with a strong
interdisciplinary approach.”
James first came on board at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton in
August of 2001 serving in numerous roles at SHS including Religious
Studies instructor, Department Head of Religious Studies, Personal
Counselor, Freshman Academic Advisor, Director of the Office of
Mission Formation, and Director of the Office of Equity, Justice
and Multicultural Education. Regardless of the positions he has held
here, what he has enjoyed most about his experience at SHS is his
relationship with his colleagues and the students.
According to one SHP faculty member, “James Everitt possesses
a unique combination of loving kindness along with firmness and
commitment to doing what is right. He is a deeply spiritual person to
whom others are drawn for his warmth, guidance and acceptance. As
a leader, James’ creative vision for the future holds great promise for
Sacred Heart.”
Before coming to Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, James worked
at our sister school in Houston, Texas, the Duchesne Academy of

Seniors Jade Fields, Shannon Hamilton, and
Molly Dickinson in conversation with Mr.
Everitt.
the Sacred Heart, as an instructor
and coordinator of Service Learning.
He loved his time at Duchesne and
attributes his commitment and passion
for a Sacred Heart education to his
experience there, and in particular was
influenced by an RCSJ by the name of
Sister Sharon Karam who served as a
mentor to him. Before that he worked
as a youth minister and taught religion
to middle school students at St. Cecelia’s
Church, also in Houston. He also
worked briefly in a private counseling
practice outside of the church after
he finished his Masters degree. That
experience was a strong indicator for
him that he was best suited for a faithbased
environment.
James grew up in Houston, Texas,
the youngest of three children. He
was raised Catholic and was most
strongly influenced by his mother,
whose own life was devoted to serving
others, particularly at the Catholic
Worker House in Houston, which
provided hospitality and shelter for
poor immigrants and refugees from El
Salvador & Central America. James
spent much of his childhood serving
with his mother at the Catholic Worker
House and St. Vincent de Paul which
gave him first-hand experience about
social justice related to the poor.
James always knew from a young age
that he wanted to be a teacher and for
him, in particular, Catholic education is
his passion. According to James, “I value
Catholic education because it challenges
students to think about themselves in
relationship to others and to a God
who loves each person deeply. Catholic
“As a leader, James’
creative vision for
the future holds great
promise for Sacred
Heart.”
education calls forth in students the very
best in what it means to be human.”
Virginia Boesen, religious studies
teacher and Retreat Coordinator at
SHP, knew James when he first started
working with youth in Houston over
fifteen years ago. They first met working
at a summer retreat for high school
students. They became friends and have
had the pleasure of working together
ever since, in Houston and now at
Sacred Heart. It was through Virginia
that James heard about a position at
Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton over
six years ago.She remembers that his
gifts for working with youth were as
remarkable then as they are now and
that he has always been a man of great
faith and integrity, not to mention
he has a great sense of humor. James
dressed in a variety of costumes for
school events still comes to her mind-
Henry VIII complete with tights is one
of her personal favorites.
What James hopes to accomplish
in his role as Principal is that when
students leave school they know that
God loves them. He also hopes that
they will have a new respect for what
it means to be Catholic and to think
critically about how the church can be a
part of their adult lives. Each day James
reminds himself to try and see God in
each one of his students.
James earned his BA in Theology from Saint
Mary’s University and his MEd in Educational
Psychology from the University of Houston.
He is currently pursuing his doctorate in
Educational Leadersip at the University of
San Francisco (USF). The date he is looking
forward to most is the completion of this
program in May 2009.
(Continued from pg. 17)
so that the customers can see what
the little seedling they take home will
look like as a mature plant. The path
leads you through a Redwood grove
with a natural pond, past wild rose
bushes, and native Aspen, Oak, and
Buckeye trees. Pass a field of springflowering
wildflowers where the scent
of sage fills the air, and a year-round
stream babbles in the distance and
the only other sound is from acorns
falling from trees. Kathy likes to feel
enveloped by nature and enjoy her
surroundings, and it seems she found
the perfect place for her.
She remembers her time at Sacred
Heart fondly, especially the beauty of
the campus. She found “beauty of the
campus to be inspiring and enjoyed
the oak trees and being outside with
the birds.” She describes Sacred Heart
as a “cocoon of nature in the middle
of civilization” and her life out in the
country today aptly reflects that same
idea.
Her ties to the campus are still
strong. Kathy is quick to point out
the picture of Mater behind the
desk in the gift shop, she has regular
visits from Sister Nancy Lassotovitch
(SHP ’45, Lone Mountain ’49, and
former SHP teacher), and she has
also donated plants to the nuns at
Oakwood. It is apparent that the
Sacred Heart culture and the teachings
of Mater have made an impact in her
life.
Metal work and garden art, much
of which Kathy has made herself,
appear throughout the grounds.
Big signs with quotes hint at her
personality. A large sign near the
gift shop displays a Hindu poem by
Rabindranath Tagore. It reads: “I slept
and dreamed that life was joy. I awoke
and saw that life was duty. I acted
and behold: duty was joy.”
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 19

Class Notes
Stay Connected!
Submit class notes to the Alumni
office by contacting
Alumni@shschools.org or
(650) 454-8394.
1930s
Patricia Malone Rardin (SHE ’33,
SHP ’37) loves living in retirement
in St. Helena. Patricia has many
wonderful memories of the school and
of her classmate Sister Yvonne Pometti.
She says that “in 1931 there were only
30 students in our school and everyone
knew each other very well. It was like
a family.” She occasionally sees Mary
Strub Crowe (SHP ’35) who lives in
San Marino, California.
1940s
Daphne Dibble Greene (SHE ’44,
SHP ’48) has wonderful memories
of the years living in the Main
Building. She remembers fondly
her role as “Petite Marie” during a
special Procession on the Feast of
Mater celebrations. She remembers
the nuns really “going all out” on the
celebrations. “All the students from
Sacred Heart Elementary, Middle
school and High School carried rose
petals and marched up and down the
hall.” Daphne had lunch recently
Class of 1957 gather at the Main Building
for their 50th Reunion.
with Sister Helen Costello and they
had fun sharing many memories.
1950s
Peter Kramer (SJSH ’53) spoke to
us from his home in Cupertino and
has wonderful memories of his short
time at St. Joseph’s. He still sees Mike
Demeter (SJSH ’53) and others at
reunions. He is so thankful for his
education and the chance to attend
Bellarmine with all the boys from his
St. Joseph’s class. He really enjoyed
Santa Clara University too! He is busy
enjoying his grandchildren now.
Francia Jackson Ala (SHP ’54) wrote
from Guatemala where she is the
International Coordinator and Program
Director for Los Cimientos Alliance.
The Alliance is working to improve the
lives of Mayan youth through education
and leadership-oriented programs
that focus on environmental
conservation and sustainable
development. You can email
Francia about her work at
kaslemmandala7@yahoo.com.
Members of the Class of 1966 SHP with Spirit
of Mater Award winner, Melissa Pritchard.
Los Angeles. Think “Chinatown” meets
“True Confessions.”
1960s
SAVE THE DATE!
The class of 1966 is celebrating
their 60th birthdays with a joint
party on March 20.
For more information:
Contact Dede at
demmchugh@sbcglobal.net
Sr. Nancy Morris poses with the class of 1962
to celebrate their 45th reunion
Class of 1967 gathered to celebrate in the Main
Building for their 40th reunion.
Patty Burke (SHP ’57)
wrote that her husband
Dennis’ novel Clerical Affairs
has been published. The book
is an intriguing mystery set in
Lorraine Podesta Johnson (SHP ’61) visited
with Sr. Costello at Oakwood.
20
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Class of 1977 reunion photo.
1970s
Michele Moran Hillberg (SHP ’76)
donated her old uniform to the
Archives this fall. It was her winter
uniform that she wore from 1972-1976
and is displayed in the Alumni Office.
The current students come by and are
amazed by the official looking blazer
and how short the skirts were in the
1970’s! Michele is a current parent at
the school where her daughter Melissa
(SHP ’09) is a junior.
Sharon Kugler (SHP ’77) is pictured above
with her family at her daughter Emily
Kugler’s wedding and includes Emily’s new
husband Bill, Sharon’s husband Duane and
her youngest daughter Zoe.
The Class of 1977 Reunion was a
great success! Marty Hayes traveled
the furthest for the celebration which
was chaired by Laura Daschbach
Pitchford. Donna Gilboa attended the
event but had to leave before the group
picture was taken. Fun Fact: Lauren
Grey Koenig, Valerie Dewey Soltau,
Mary Miller Bohannon and Laura
Daschbach Pitchford all have kids
attending Sacred Heart and Lauren and
Laura have kids in Connie Solari’s and
Donna Gilboa’s classes! Charlotte Lee-
Andersen has a fifteen-year-old son and
although she is not currently working,
she spends a lot of time driving the
101 and 280 freeways for school,
crew practice and boy scout meetings.
Denise Murphy is an active California
Bar member who has taken some time
off to raise her three children. She is
living in Saratoga and is involved in the
School Board, her local Parish Council
and coaches the “Odyssey of the Mind”
4th and 5th grade team. The team was
the California State Champions in
2007. Cathy Hogan Burgner is living
in Newport Beach with her husband
Dan and her four children. She works
as an educational consultant and is the
owner and founder of “Steps Ahead
College Advisment” in Newport Beach.
Debbie Turner, Sharon Kugler and
Sue Folger sent their best wishes to
everyone even though they could not
attend the reunion.
1980s
SJSH Class of 1982 gathered on
campus after Thanksgiving to celebrate
their 25th reunion. Former Principal
Ann McGowan, RSCJ greeted Dan
Beltramo, Matt Blauvelt, Tina
Rooke Jones, Rich MacDonell, Andi
Vartanian Dehne, Olivia Main Ward,
Kerry Thomas Kingham, Mike Wyatt
and Winston Wood. Dan Beltramo is
living in San Francisco with his lovely
bride Laura. His favorite memories
include “playing football at recess.”
He is busy with a new start-up, VIZU,
an online market research company.
Winston Wood was out from Chicago
where he works as a budget manager
for HSCB in the banking industry.
He is married to Dawn and they have
two children. His favorite memory
was “seeing Marco and Sean in kilts
for the 8th grade play.” The group was
entertained thoroughly watching a
video tape of their class play, Brigadoon.
Rich MacDonell who played the lead
was on hand for the party from his
home in Bend, Oregon where he lives
with his wife and two daughters. He
is a physician in private practice when
he is not skiing, biking or fly fishing.
His favorite memory was “when my
sister Suzanne came to St. Joseph’s and
became my religion teacher, and when
I threw paper in Madame Ra’s class and
finally confessed to it.” Olivia Main
Have you named
Sacred Heart
in your will or trust
You can leave a lasting legacy to
benefit future SHS students by naming
Sacred Heart Schools as a beneficiary
in any of your estate planning.
Whether it be in your will, a charitable
trust, or life insurance policy, your
legacy gift from your estate can help
make a promise that Sacred Heart
will always be here.
If you already have named
Sacred Heart as a beneficiary
in any of your estate planning,
please let us know, so that we
can recognize your giving in the
Tower Circle Society
For more information, contact M’Lis
Berry, Director of Development, at (650)
473-4002 or mberry@shschools.org.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 21

Class Notes
“Because I received a powerful
Sacred Heart education, I choose to
give to the Annual Fund each year
with the hope that an incredibly
deserving faculty member or
student will be on campus today
because of that gift. It may not be
a big gift, but every gift ensures the
healthy future of our school.”
—Peter Coleman SHP ’88
Have you sent your gift yet
Ward is now the Senior Manager of
Finance & Operations at International
Process Solutions, located in San Carlos,
CA. The company provides equipment
focused GMP support for the biotech,
pharmaceutical and medical device
industries. The services include on-site
calibration, maintenance, document
generation and validation. Her brother,
Thomas Main (who attended St.
Joseph’s ’78) is President and one of
the founders of the company. Olivia
remembers that she “loved being in first
grade and having an eighth grade buddy
that you could sit with during the
novena. Novena time was always very
Members of the class of 1982, Ellen Glockner
Eder, Becky Draeger Peters, Karen Lee
Eskelsen and Kelley Fertal Hazelman,
enjoying their 25th reunion.
Above: Kelly Stokes Allegretti
and Legia Rillos Oswald at
the SHP Class of 1982 reunion.
Right: SHP Class of 1982
special because we would have guest
speakers and we would learn lessons
about giving.” Olivia lives locally with
her five year old daughter and works for
her brother’s engineering company. Paul
Wythes could not join the reunion but
sent this note: “I left St. Josephs after the
6th grade for Menlo. I went to college
at Bucknell University and have been
living mostly in San Francisco since
then. I got married to Mai Mai Tsai in
2003. We have two kids – Alexandra
who is 3 years old and Thomas who
just turned 8 months old. We’re living
in the Marina in San Francisco and
love it. I’ve been working at Barclays
Global Investors for the past 2.5 years.
Although I didn’t stay at St. Josephs
through the 8th grade, I still have great
memories of Mrs. Ziebron introducing
us to Lord of the Rings, track meets down
in San Jose, Mrs. Evans’ science class,
detention in the library and having fun
running around with everyone from our
class.” Dominique Bissell Skandalakis
or “Nicky,” as we knew her, moved to
Greece two years ago and lives on the
island of Crete. She is in the midst of
opening her own chocolate shop, which
should be up and running by end of
September 2007. She is married and
has a son. David Dowley writes that
he is married to Molly and they have
Jennifer Barrick Clerico (SJSH ’82) with
husband Larry and youngest son Anthony.
a daughter named Ella. He says that if
anyone finds themselves visiting the
Washington, DC area, he would love to
catch up with them. Jennifer Barrick
Clerico writes that she has a husband
(Larry), a son named Anthony, and
two daughters—Olivia and Isabella.
She is still living in St. Louis, Missouri.
Matthew Fry (SJSH ’82) with wife Caitlyn
and their kids.
22
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

The Changing Face of
the Alumni Board
by Leana Giannini (SHP ’75)
Alumni Board President
The Sacred Heart Schools Alumni Board of today has a
much different face then a few years ago. We invite you to
take a another look at who we are and what we do.
The SHS Alumni Board was first established in the 70’s,
and currently has 32 board members representing the classes
of 1962 through 2003. The Board continues to plan reunions
and traditional events, but the range of events have evolved
into a richer, deeper alumni program. These events are geared
to encourage our diverse alumni to remain an integral part
of the Sacred Heart community and remain engaged in the
educational mission. When our alumni return to campus and
we have a chance to see SHS through their eyes, it is always
interesting that although much on our Sacred Heart campus
has changed, so much remains the same.
Our Alumni Board is committed to its mission to
represent over 5,000 alumni from both St. Joseph’s and
Sacred Heart Prep (formerly Convent of the Sacred
Heart Menlo). From organizing
“friend-raising events” such as
movie premiers, Spirit of Mater
celebrations, Gingerbread
House decorating, Young
Alumni sports competitions
and the Christmas Party, to
“fundraising activities” that
support our school for the next
generation, the board of today
is very vital.
This year in addition to
the Young Alumni games, the
Spirit of Mater Alumni Awards,
Leana Giannini (SHP ’75)
Alumni Board President
Reunions, and Young Alumni Christmas Party, we will launch
a new on-line community to keep our alumni in touch. Know
that your board will continue to find interesting events to
connect you back to your Sacred Heart community. If you
would like to get involved, please consider becoming a class
representative (or agent) or volunteering for a committee that
supports alumni events.
Please join us at our next alumni board meeting on
March 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Otto Library.
Mathew Fry has moved to Singapore
and wrote that “My wife Caitlin
(whom I met in college at Cornell) and
I have three children, Alison, Eliza, and
Walter. Since graduating from business
school at UC Berkeley in 1999, I have
worked for Starwood Hotels & Resorts
in acquisitions and development. We
moved to Singapore about 3 1/2 years
ago with Starwood from Stamford, CT
where we were for five years and I now
oversee development for Starwood’s
luxury brands (W and St. Regis) for
all of Asia Pacific. Life in Singapore
has been great…Well, that’s about
it. I wish I could be there. I still have
so many great memories from St.
Joseph’s. It was a pretty idyllic place to
go to school.” Mike Wyatt is living in
Atherton, one block from St. Joe’s. He
has been married to Gretchen (they
met at Stanford) for 13 years and have
three kids–two boys Andrew (8) and
Morgan (5), and daughter Amy (3). He
has been working at Morgan Stanley
for 13 years, and is now responsible for
a group advising technology companies
on Mergers & Acquisitions. Tina
Rooke Jones is living in Menlo Park
David Galaraza SJSH ‘82 with his daughter
at Oakwood.
with her husband, Warren, and their
two children, Austin and Sophia. She is
the Corporate Vice President of Global
Human Resources at Cadence Design
Systems, Inc. Christine Kendrick lives
in San Francisco and is an attorney for
Morgan Stanley.
Sandra Lorenz Frojelin (SHP ’85)
has been a registered nurse for 11
years and currently is working at
Sequoia Hosiptal in the Emergency
Department, as well as a nursing skills
and clinical instructor for the SFSU
School of Nursing. She has been married
for 12 years and has two sons, ages 6
and 3.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 23

Class Notes
Christopher MacDonald’s (SHP ’89)
children.
1990s
Mark C. Reynolds
(SJSH ’88, SHP
’92) wrote that
his son, Cameron
Daehn Reynolds,
was born on May
31 and shares the
same birthday as his mother, Nikki.
He joins his big sister, Caitlynn, in
the Reynolds household, living in San
Carlos, CA.
Pilar Bardina Frank (SHP ’92) is
living in Woodside with her husband
Frank and her four-year-old daughter
Catherine. She is in private practice as
an educational specialist and she works
with children with mild to moderate
special needs.
Chris Hatton (SHP ’93) and his
wife Tera Palmer, own and operate
the Salmon River Outpost (www.
salmonriveroutpost.com) in Somes
Bar, a small general store in Northern
California. He was recently elected
to the board of directors of the Mid-
Klamath Watershed Council (www.
mkwc.org), and envisions a dam-free
Klamath river before he is too old to go
fishing.
Christos Melas (SJSH ’89) married
Nicole Nyhan in June 2007. The
ceremony was at the Greek Orthodox
Church in Belmont with the reception
at Mountain Terrace in Woodside.
Chris is a realtor working for Coldwell
Banker in San Carlos and the couple
lives in Redwood City with their two
puppies.
Chris Melas (SJSH ’89) with his bride.
Ian Kemmer (SHP ’94) and his
wife Elisa welcomed their first baby,
Brandon, in September 2007.
Rebecca Nicosia Swain (SHP
’94) married James Edward Swain
on October 12, 2006 and is living
in Mountain View, CA. They are
expecting their first child in early 2008.
Jennifer Feyling (SJSH ’91, SHP
’95) recently opened a women’s shoe
boutique in San Carlos, called Souliers.
She is also working for North American
Title Company as an account manager.
Bobby Yen (SJSH ’92) with his niece.
Bobby Yen (SJSH ’92) is currently a
Video Game Programmer at Just Games
Interactive Entertaining, where he just
completed work on Mortal Kombat
Armageddon for the Nintendo Wii. He
wrote to tell us that he served in Iraq
from November 2003 to November
2004 as a Broadcast Journalist for the
US Army in the Mosul and Baghdad
regions. He currently works with
IAVA, a non-profit organization that is
a veterans’ health care advocate. Bobby
lives in West Hollywood and also
appeared on the “Steve-o Show” on the
USA Network in October.
Evan Aydelott (SHP ’96) is working
at Yahoo! in San Francisco. He often
gets together with SHP friends in the
Marina.
Michelle Chadoir Klosterman (SHP
’96) recently moved back to the Bay
Area with her husband. They are living
in San Francisco and she is working at
UCSF Children’s Hospital.
Phillip Maskiewicz (SHP ’96)
completed a degree in Molecular
Biology at Santa Clara in the summer
of 2006. He is currently working
for Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. as a
Development office in the Condo
Development in San Francisco.
24
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Sean Day (SHP ’97) is currently a
producer at FSN Bay Area in San
Francisco and helped organize the class
of 1997 ten year reunion.
Maria Ferrari (SJSH ’93, SHP ’97)
is currently writing for the CBS series
“How I Met Your Mother,” which
stars Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson
Hannigan.
Catherine Ham (SJSH ’93, SHP
’97) was married to Adam Houck in
2006 and they live with their puppy in
Richmond, Virginia. Catherine is now
working in real estate after several years
in the advertising agency business.
Brian and Mary Simonson Heffernan (SHP
‘96) with their daughter Francie.
Megan Heckman (SHP ’97) is
working as a nanny in Los Altos for
three lovely boys.
Kyleanne Hunter (SHP ’97) is a Captain
in the United States Marine Corps. She just
returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom
as a pilot in the AH-1W Super Cobra
gunship. In February she will leave for
Afghanistan to continue offensive combat
operations as a close air support pilot.
Kelley Laudermilch (SJSH ’95, SHP ’99) and Zach Holderman (SHP ’98) united several
Sacred Heart alumni at their wedding, including: (from left) 3rd Niko Castaillac (SHP
’98),4th Dane Holderman (SHP ’00), 5th Eric James (SHP ’98), 6th Greg Laudermilch (SJSH
’91), 7th Job Gregory (SHP ’98), 2nd from right - Suzi Le Beau (SHP ’99).
Jenny Pope (SHP ’97) is working as a
Land Use Consultant.
Jeremy Clark (SHP ’97) became
engaged in December to Stephanie
Lewerenz.
Anna-Marie Filippi (SJSH ’93, SHP
’97) was inducted into the YWCA
(Young Women’s Christian Association)
of New York City, Academy of
Women Leaders. Filippi is a sales
manager within Carrier’s National
and Strategic Accounts group and is
based in Manhattan. Filippi is active
in several philanthropic organizations
including the Junior League, where
she participated in College Track,
a program to aid disadvantaged
minority students with the college
application process, and Friends of
Coler-Goldwater, an organization that
focuses on quadriplegic and respiratordependent
patients.
Lesley Scott Pollom (SJSH ’93, SHP
’97) has been married to Mike Pollom
for three happy years. She is working
for Tim Kennedy Design as an Interior
Designer in San Francisco. They live in
Redwood City and are expecting their
first child in April.
Julia Williamson Gnegel (SHP ’97)
married Steffen Gnegel in Squaw
Valley, Tahoe on June 23, 2007. She
is teaching kindergarten in Sunnyvale,
and living in Palo Alto. She is happy
to be back on the Peninsula after many
years abroad.
Mary Morey (SJSH ’95) is working at
Stanford Hospital in the surgery department
as part of her training to become a
Physician’s Assistant. She recently joined the
Alumni Board.
Julie Williamson Gnegal (SHP ’97) with her
new husband.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 25

Class Notes
Molly Keil (SJSH ’95, SHP ’99) with her wedding
party from left to right: Erica Andrews (SHP
’98), Christina McNamee (SHP ’99), Molly,
Jerylyn Andrews (SHP ’01), Julien Guillot (SHP
’00), Liam Twomey (SHP ’00).
Matthew Keck (SJSH ’95, SHP ’99)
came back to campus and spoke at
St Joseph’s to the 7th and 8th grade
students about Body Image and the
Media on December 10, in the Foley
Center for Life Skills. Matt is a Marriage
and Family Therapist Intern, who has a
private practice in San Mateo. He has
a Master’s degree in Psychology and
specializes in eating disorders, sports
psychology and affluence psychology.
Molly Keil (SJSH ’95, SHP ’99)
married Ian Whiteman on January
27, 2007 at Ralston Hall in Belmont.
Her brother, Matt (SHP ’94) walked
her down the aisle. Molly works as a
Project Manager at VMware and lives in
Belmont.
Maria-Nicole Lujan (SJSH ’95, SHP
’99) was married in April to Jake
Lehmkuhl, her USC college sweetheart.
They are living in Corona del Mar where
Maria-Nicole is working as a public
relations specialist.
Taress Reyering (SHP ’99) has been
enrolled in a Master’s Program under
the auspices of UNC with coursework
at Sciences Po in Paris and received
a degree in Contemporary European
Studies this Spring. She currently works
at Stanford University as a Project
Coordinator in the Development of
Project Management.
ALUMNI GAMES 2007
On November 23, over 150 alumni and families gathered at SHS to
participate in the annual Alumni Games. Water Polo, as it always is
each year, was a huge success, boasting the highest attendance in both
players and spectators. Both the Girls and Boys Varsity teams were
in the water, competing against the alumni. It was quite a match to
watch the CCS Champions of 2001 take on the CCS Champions of
2007.
Soccer players from prior years
met with former coach, Len Renery
for some fun on the field. Spanning
the biggest age range were those
who participated in basketball with
alumni from 1995 to 2007.
Top right: Former soccer players at SHS take a trip down memory
lane looking at old photos with fomer Coach Len Renery. Above:
Ian Bausback (SHP ’05), who plays water polo at UCSD, takes on
a member of this year’s SHP team. Right: CCS Champions from
2001 take on the CCS champions from 2007.
26
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Karla Gurley (SHP ’00) in South Africa.
2000s
Jennifer E. Bond (SHP ’00) graduated
from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
and is working as a Registered Nurse
at the University of Virginia Children’s
Hospital
Joe Brady (SHP ’00) graduated from
Santa Clara University where he
studied Religion and Theater.
Karla Gurley (SHP ’00) spent time
this summer in South Africa on a
Worship Experience where she visited
Cape Town and Johannesburg. She
spent time in Juvenile Detention
Centers, Children’s Hospitals, schools,
youth ministry services. She spent
considerable time in a foster home,
called Villa of Hope, with orphaned
and abused children, as well as those
who have contracted the HIV/AIDS
virus. She presented on the topics of
abstinence and drug abuse, as well as
tutored and helped in every way at the
Villa of Hope.
Gavin Heslet (SHP ’00) graduated
from USC film School in 2004. He
is a production Designer for the Sci
Fi channel and is starting his own
production company with a college
roommate. He currently lives in LA.
Joshua Jackson (SHP ’00) has recently
joined the ad sales staff at MTV
Networks in Santa Monica, and loves
living by the ocean in Hermosa Beach.
Look him up next time you’re in
southern California; he’s always happy
to get together with SHP friends.
Jeremy Law (SHP ’00) is earning a
PhD in Applied Condensed Matter
Physics at UCSD.
Julia Riechert (SHP ’00) graduated
from UC Hastings law school and
passed the California Bar Exam in
November 2007. She is working at
Orrick in the Employment Group.
Liam Twomey (SHP ’00) married Julie
Dater and recently graduated from a
California Police Academy. The couple
are now living in Boise, ID. Liam is the
head of manufacturing and shipping at
Gemini Technologies (www.gemtech.
com). If any alumni are in the area,
send an e-mail tbtwomey@msn.com
and he will show you around.
Rebecca Zigterman (SJSH ’96, SHP
’00) is working for Stanford University
as a lawyer in the Student Housing
department.
Bryan Hermannsson (SHP ’01) works at
UCSF in the Radiology Department.
Nicole Kaukas (SHP ’01) is in her
last year at USD Law School and is
interning with the San Diego District
Attorney’s office.
Camille Konopnicki (SJSH ’97, SHP
’01) is a graduate student in the
Chemistry Department at UCSD. This
fall she attended her first conference in
North Carolina for the Superfund Basic
Research Program. She presented a
poster paper on using a human reporter
gene system assay to test complex
environmental toxicant mixtures along
the U.S.-Mexico border.
Christina Belen (SHP ’02) graduated
form University of the Pacific with a BS
in Biology and then from Golden Gate
University with an MBA.
Karen Casperson (SHP ’02) studied
Philosophy and Psychology at UC
Santa Cruz and graduated with a B.S.
She plans on traveling in 2008.
If you order just two fewer
Financial aid for deserving students,
lattes a month or twenty-
Retaining and recruiting top faculty,
four fewer a year, you could
Technology advancement, Books,
help fill the gap in the yearly
Subscriptions to periodicals, Fieldtrips,
operating budget of Sacred
Bulb-a-thon, Campus security, Aquatics
Heart Schools.
No big deal, right
Have you sent your gift to
the Annual Fund yet
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 27

Class Notes
Julia Hack-Davie (SHP ’02) is working
at Village Enterprise, a microfinance and
non-profit outfit in San Carlos, where
she concentrates on microfinance and
development with an East African focus.
She enjoys traveling to Tanzania in
Uganda to help the native populations.
Jeffrey Jackson (SHP ’02) graduated
from Occidental College in May 2006
with a B.A. in Diplomacy and World
Affairs. In the fall of 2007 he attended
“Oxy at the UN”, where he interned at
the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
He is now in Canberra, Australia at the
Australian National University working
towards a Master’s in International
Relations and continuing his research of
the US-Australian relationship.
Kate Lumsden (SHP ’02) is a yoga
instructor in San Francisco.
Allison Riechert (SHP ’02) is in her
second year at UC Hastings Law School
in San Francisco. She will be interning
at Orrick in Menlo Park this summer
and upon graduation, she hopes to
practice employment law.
Bjorn Vaerst (SHP ’02) is living in
Sweden and working as a day trader and
managing a night club.
All from the class of 2003, Bennett
Englehardt, Melissa Miranda, and Blair
Adornato at the Young Alum Holiday Party.
Blair Adornato (SHP ’03) will teach
English in Honduras beginning in
January 2008.
Mimi Bartel (SJSH ’99, SHP ’03)
earned a BA in Art from Reed College
in May 2007, with a thesis entitled:
“The 1960’s American Body through
Sculptural Movement and Static Dance:
The Work of George Segal, Allan
Kaprow, and Yvonne Rainer.”
Meghan Beattie (SHP ’03) writes us from
Dallas, Texas to say she graduated this year
from Southern Methodist University in
Dallas, TX with a BA for dual majors in
Corporate Communications and Public
Affairs and Sociology. After internships
ranging from Stanford’s Cantor Museum,
Samsung Wireless and Texas Instruments,
she was offered a position in July at
GolinHarris, a Public Relations agency.
Meghan remembers her experience at
SHP, “To this day I still say those were the
most memorable years of my life, and to
quote Mr. Dioli, SHP remains the ‘2nd
Happiest Place on Earth’.”
Nate Chambers (SHP ’03) is the
Community Relations Manager at
doostang.com in Palo Alto.
Jeannie Campbell-Urban (SHP ’03)
graduated Cum Laude from Princeton
in June 2007 with a degree in politics
and certificates in Spanish and Latin
American Studies. She was a 4-year
member of the swimming team and is
spending a year as a paralegal for the
DA’s office in New York City.
Michael Frederick (SHP ’03) earned
a BA in Religion from Reed College
in May 2007, with a thesis titled:
“Quotation Marks and the Study of
Hinduism.”
Bridget Geibel on her honeymoon.
Alicia Kemmer (SHP ’03) is working
in the Business Office at the Pacific
Athletic Club while working on a degree
in Art History. She is currently on the
SHS Alumni Board.
Brad Mead (SHP ’03) graduated from
the University of Washington in May
07. He is working in an advertising
firm.
Anthony Masia (SJSH ’99, SHP ’03)
graduated from Texas Christian University
and is working as a paralegal in Redwood
City.
Aziz Sayigh (SHP ’03) graduated from
Dartmouth College and is working in
Management Consulting in Boston.
Zoë Swenson-Graham (SHP ’03) graduated
from USC in May and is moving to London
in 2008 to pursue theater.
Liz Wood (SHP ’03) graduated from
UC Berkeley and is doing freelance
web design while applying to graduate
schools.
Taryn Zigterman (SJSH ’99, SHP ’03)
graduated form UCSB where she studied
Architecture and Art History and is now
working on a graduate degree at UCLA
in Interior Design.
28
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Dan Brady (SHP ’04) will graduate
from Bowden University in the spring
of 2008 as a double major in Religion
and Government. He just returned
from Burma, where he was interning in
the political office of the U.S. Embassy.
Christine Geibel (SHP ’04) graduated
from Loyola University in Chicago in
Dec 2007 with a B.S. in Anthropology
and a B.A. in History.
Mark Lee (SHP ’04) is a senior at
UC Santa Barbara studying Computer
Engineering.
Andrew Moiseff (SHP ’04) is a Senior
at Whitman College majoring in
Geology and minoring in Religion.
Emily Reagan (SHP ’04) is a senior
at Rice University in Houston and
loves every minute of it. She enjoys
club Lacrosse, volunteering, and
interviewing high school seniors as part
of the admissions process. She recently
saw SHP college counselor Julie Ball
when she visited campus. Last year
Emily studied abroad at the University
of Bristol in England in what ended
up being a fantastic year: traveling,
playing rugby for the university, and
learning about a new culture. Emily
says, “I look back with fondness at
my time at Sacred Heart. I was lucky
to go there; the education is fantastic.
I found myself more than prepared for
university.”
Narsai Tailo (SJSH ’00, SHP ’04)
is a senior at Santa Clara University
studying finance.
Katie Murphy (SHP ’05) writes to say
she is a junior at F. W. Olin College of
Engineering in Needham, MA (suburb
of Boston). It is an innovative, specialized
engineering college with only 300 students
so she studies at Wellesley, Babson,
Brandeis in humanities and business. She
is majoring in Mechanical Engineering
and also working on creative writing
projects for her humanities electives. Last
summer she worked with a toy inventor
at a toy development company in the Bay
Area, and it was great experience.
Hudson Smythe (SHP ’05) is an
Economics/Geography major and
starting tailback at Dartmouth College.
He led all running backs in rushing
yards and led the team in touchdowns
scored. He has his first start against
Harvard on October 28, 2006, in his
first year of eligibility. He credits the
outstanding coaching staff at SHP for
preparing him for the demands of a
highly competitive football program.
Edie Campbell-Urban (SHP ’06)
completed her freshman year at UC
Davis, played club water polo, and
pledged Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Kevin McFarland (SHP ’07) visited Mrs.
Intersimone’s Literature in Cinema class,
to share his passion for film with current
students. He spent an hour discussing the
cinema tics in scenes from “Paths of Glory,”
“Kill Bill Vol. I,” “American Beauty,” and
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
The students loved him and what he chose
to share with them!
Charlotte Meyer Dean (SJSH ’05) is a
student at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire,
and is currently attending the School Year
Abroad program in Viterbo, Italy. She will
become immersed in the Italian language
and culture but will
focus her studies on
Ancient History, Latin
and Greek. Charlotte
enjoys boarding school
and is thrilled to be
spending her junior
year in Europe.
5x5
Make your mark on Sacred Heart!
Your participation in the Annual Fund shows how much you
value your Sacred Heart education. By participating in the 5 x 5
program, you join other alums who have committed to donating
$5 for five consecutive years.
Your gift, no matter the size, helps ensure that other students will
receive the same opportunities and experiences that you did.
For more information contact the Alumni Office
at 650-454-8394.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 29

Alumni Events
Events
Gingerbread houses become
annual tradition at St. Joseph’s
On December 8, alumni from Sacred Heart came
together with families from St. Joseph’s to provide
some Christmas cheer as a fundraiser for the Kate
Basile de Blois Alumni Schlarship Fund. 150 freshly
baked gingerbread houses filled Speiker Pavilion and
an equal number of children and their parents busily
decorated during an amazing morning. Christmas
carols set the tone while the Alumni Board elves
delivered buckets of icing and bowl after bowl of
candy. Once the houses were decorated, they were
taken home for families to enjoy.
This festive annual event is now a firm tradition
on both the Alumni and St. Joseph’s calendars.
Watch for details in the Summer issue of Heart of
the Matter for plans for Christmas 2008.
30
H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

1 2 3
1
4
5
6
Young Alums gather over the holidays
On December 20, over 100 alumni from the SHP classes of
1995-2003 and SJSH 1991-1999 gathered at the Old Pro in
Palo Alto for the annual Young Alumni Holiday Party. A great
time was had by all, where many people connected with old
friends.
Pictured here are: 1. Julia Riechert (SHP ’00), Julia Hack-
Davie (SHP ’02), and Allison Riechert (SHP ’02); 2. Alexis
Beckman (SHP ’96) with husband Ricardo Maldonado (SHP
’96); 3. Nicole Kukas (SHP ’01), Bridget Geibel (SHP ’01) and
Christine Geibel (SHP ’04); 4. Jackie Reiter (SJSH ’95), Amanda
Carson (SJSH ’95). Jennifer Feyling (SJSH ’91, SHP ’95) and
Kelly Miller (SHP ’96); 5. Jeremy Clark (SHP ’97), his fiancée
Stephanie Lewenrz, and Jason Varga (SJSH ’91, SHP ’95):
6. Melissa Miranda (SHP ’03) Libby Hook (SHP ’03), Jenny
Miller (SJSH ’99, SHP ’03), and Bennett Engelhardt (SHP ’03);
7. Jennifer Judson (SHP ’01), Laurie Cronin (SJSH ’97, SHP
’01), Claire Pomeroy (SJSH ’97, SHP ’01), Alexandra Castaillac
(SHP ’01), and Hannah Scherzer (SHP ’01).
7
7
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 31

In Memoriam
We ask for your prayers for the families and friends of our community who have passed away.
St. Joseph’s Alumni
Jim Rapley (SJSH ’18) died on Aug 31, 2007 at the age of
105. A third generation rancher, he started his first herd of
cattle on Skyline when he was 15. In the 1930’s he purchased
the family ranch from his parents and ran cattle on Langley
Hill for 55 years. He liked to share his stories of the area, from
run-ins with grizzly bears in La Honda, the 1906 earthquake,
and unmarked graves, to driving stagecoaches and herding
cattle. In 2000 his house burned down, causing him to move
into a retirement home in Redwood City. He is survived by
his wife, Anne, and one sister, Pauline Murphy (SJSH ’27).
Sacred Heart Prep Alumni
Alice Marie “Sis” Whelan Lussier (SHP ’42) died on
December 3, 2007 at her home in Menlo Park. She was born
into a family of California pioneers and spent her summers
in Yosemite. She remembered Theodore Roosevelt, John
Muir, and Howard Taft visiting her grandparents during her
summer visits. She was also a busy volunteer in the Menlo
Park area and had strong ties to the Peninsula Volunteers,
Woodside Auxiliary, Oakwood Auxiliary, and the Children
of Mary. She was a loving mother and wife and is survived
by five of her six children, 18 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.
She will be missed by several members of our
community including her brothers Dr. Harry Whelan (SJSH
’35), Joseph Whelan (SJSH ’40), her daughter Christine Dyer
(SJSH faculty and SHE ’63, SHP ’67), her grandchildren
Alison (SHP ’01) and David Dyer (SJSH ’89).
Rebecca “Becky” D. Rimbach (SHP ’59) died on April 6,
2007. Becky earned a Masters and a PhD from Stanford and
San Jose State University. Her expertise in psychology involved
individual and group counseling as well as hypnotherapy and
crisis intervention. She is remembered for her compassion and
support of others.
Leslie Malloy Price (SHP ’66) died unexpectedly on August
24, 2007 while on vacation in Rome with her husband. After
boarding at Sacred Heart, Leslie went to CSU, Sacramento
and received a teaching credential from UC Davis. While at
Sacred Heart, she formed many close friendships and was a
gifted athlete. Known for her wisdom and sense of humor, her
friends will miss her for her deep compassion for others.
Annie Regan Townsend (SHP ’74) died suddenly in
January in Grand Junction, Colorado. The youngest of
seven children, Annie will be missed by her husband Eric,
her children Ryan and Kate, her mother Naomi Regan, her
siblings Bill (SJSH ’53) and John Regan (SJSH ’54), Muffy
Regan Bui (SJSH ’67), Janet Regan Difu (SJSH ’64), and her
two grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. She had a
passion for teaching and in addition to home schooling her
children, she taught learning disabled children for many years.
Her classmates remember that Annie was quick to praise
and encourage others. She had a great sense of humor, was
friendly, outgoing and loved to laugh.
Janie Thompson Kirimichiu (SHP ’63) passed away in July
2007 after suffering a massive heart attack. She was living in
Culver City, Florida at the time of her death. A mother of
three, she is survived by her husband George.
Sacred Heart Former Staff
Edward J. Benedict died June 27, 2007. He served as
Principal of St. Joseph’s from 1971-76. A Connecticut native,
he loved the outdoors as well as the cultural events that San
Francisco had to offer. He is survived by his wife Yvonne. (See
photo p.33)
John J. Ribera died on September 25, 2007. He served SHS
for seven years as the business manager and was instrumental
in designing and installing the original SJSH track and field
facility built in the 70s. He is remembered by coworkers as a
kind and patient man. He is survived by his wife of 54 years,
Shirley, and sons, Ernest, James, William, and John Ribera;
daughters, Theresa M. Belliardo, Carol Ann Nordine, Marilyn
Cacho and Nancy Saraiva and 21 grandchildren.
Current Sacred Heart Community
For the family of Jane Walsh, (wife of Bill Walsh), mother
of Tara Walsh Arnold (SJSH ’83, SHP ’87) and Suzi
Walsh Tinsley (SJSH ’79), grandmother of Patrick
(SJSH ’13), Riley (SJSH ’15), Kevin (SJSH ’17),
Brian (SJSH ’19), Megan (SJSH ’21), Sean, and Molly
Tinsley.
For the family of Stephen Vidovich, uncle to Gay Abuel-
Saud (SHP ’75), great uncle to Sonia, Sophia, Sonja, Sarah,
and Zach Abuel-Saud.
For the family of William Nicholson, father-in-law to
Cindra Nicholson (SHP ’72) and grandfather to Kelly
(SJSH ’02, SHP ’06) and Stephanie Nicholson (SJSH
’05, SHP ’09)
For the family of Holly McCrary, wife of Karl McCrary,
SJSH faculty member.
For the family of John Uebel, brother to Barbara
Intersimone, SHP faculty member.
Oakwood Community
Susan Campbell R.S.C.J., longtime eductor at Convent of
the Sacred Heart Broadway.
32 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8

Stella Dyer is remembered
for her long term service
Before multitasking was a word in the lexicon, Stella Dyer
defined it for St. Joseph’s. She was secretary to the principal, front
office receptionist, late slip writer, school nurse, and faculty party
organizer from 1961 until her retirement in 1991. After taking the
job of secretary for Sr. Virginia McCarthy in 1961, she became the
“face” of St. Joseph’s and set the tone for the school along with the
principals she served.
Stella made St. Joseph’s a welcoming home for the faculty, staff
,and children each day. She is remembered as being a person that
was always gracious, tactful and quick-witted. She had a lovely
English accent and welcomed everyone to the office. She was
particularly kind to the students who did not feel well. Whenever
there was a problem, Stella in her wise way, would solve whatever it
was so that the principal could continue to work undisturbed.
While Mrs. Dyer served under five Principals (Sr. Virginia
McCarthy, Sr. Mary Helen Pirsch, Sr. Kathleen Vizzard, Fr. Ed
Benedict and Sr. Ann McGowan), her great relationship and long
standing tenure under Sr. McGowan is still remembered today.
Sr. McGowan says, “She made us all better principals with her
guidance, wisdom and support. She was a treasure because she was
a person of great discretion and could be trusted in all matters. I
remember on particularly difficult days, she would open her home
after school to faculty members to come over and wind down. She
was like a mother to everyone and her home was like our second
home.”
n September 2007, the St. Joseph’s community was saddened by
the sudden death of friend and former principal John O. Miller.
SJSH Principal Mike Murphy shared his memories of working with
John:
“I had the privilege of working with John Miller for seven years
at St. Joseph’s. He was both a great friend and a wonderful mentor.
John taught me many things, but the most important thing he
showed me is that it’s the people in our lives who give real meaning
to everything we do. As a teacher and coach, he cared deeply
and passionately about each and every one of the young people
whose lives he touched. As principal, he showed all of us the true
meaning of leadership, empathy, kindness, compassion. Finally, as
a friend, he was funny, caring, loyal and someone that you could
always count on. Those of us fortunate enough to know John were
changed by him, made better by him.
John loved the Red Sox, hated the Yankees, and was never
shy in expressing his opinions about, well, anything. Yet John
Stella Dyer is pictured above with the principals she served with:
Ed Benedict, Mary Helen Pirsch, Stella, Sr. Ann McGowan, and Sr.
Virginia McCarthy.
Stella and her husband Cyril raised four children: Hilary, Janet,
Susan and Nicholas, who all attended St. Joseph’s. Her daughters
went on to attend Sacred Heart Prep. As a matter of fact, Stella
began as a volunteer at St. Joseph’s well before she started working
for the school.
Today, Janet Dyer Wildey (SJSH ’65, SHP ’69) works in the St.
Joseph’s Preschool office as an Administrative Assistant and carries
on her mother’s wonderful legacy at St. Joseph’s. The next time you
see her, you can thank her for sharing her mother with our school
for thirty wonderful years.
Stella Dyer died on July 31, 2007 surrounded by her family. She was
preceded in death by her husband Cyril Dyer. She is survived by her
four children Janet Dyer Wildey (SJSH ’65, SHP ’69), Hilary O’Brien
(SHP ’67), Susan Carey (SJSH ’65, SHP ’69), and Nicholas Dyer (SJSH
’70), and grandchildren: Nicholas Carey (SJSH ’92), Andrew Carey
(SJSH ’91), Julia Reid (SJSH ’85, SHP ’89), and Suzanne Wildey (SJSH
’89, SHP ’93).
John Owen Miller remembered as former Principal at St. Joseph’s
I
always did it with a grin and a laugh,
never taking himself or anything else too
seriously. He found an incredible joy in
life and loved a good joke, especially if
it was on him. Every year at St. Joe’s he
hiked Half Dome with his 8th graders,
but his favorite Yosemite memory was how one night he tried to
scare bears away from the campsite, only to have them charge in his
direction, forcing him to take refuge in his car. He couldn’t tell this
story without cracking up himself and everyone around him. John
was just a great guy and a wonderful man.”
John O. Miller died suddenly September 11, 2007 while
playing basketball. He was a former principal and coach
at St. Joseph’s; he served as principal from 1993-2001. Most
recently he was a coach at Woodside Priory School and taught
Business Management at USF. John is survived by his children Josh
(SJSH ’03) and Jenny Miller (SJSH ’99, SHP ’03) and his partner Pamela
Hayes (Director of Schools of the Sacred Heart San Francisco).
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r 33

Now accepting nominations for the Saint
Madeleine Sophie Award
The Saint Madeleine Sophie Award honors members of our community who
embody the Goals of a Sacred Heart education in their exceptional service to
the Schools. We are seeking nominations from the entire SHS community.
The person(s) honored are selected by a committee which includes the senior
administrative team and the Chair of the Board of Trustees. The recipients
will be honored at a reception on September 10, 2008 and at the Mass of the
Holy Spirit, our first all-school liturgy of the school year on September 11,
2008. In addition, the recipient will be a VIP guest at various SHS events
throughout the year and featured in our alumni magazine, The Heart of the
Matter (see page 7).
Please take a few minutes to suggest a candidate for this award and
include the following information:
Nominee:
Accomplishments and specific service embodying the Goals and Criteria:
Submitted by:
Deadline for nomination is June 15, 2008. All forms and questions can be
directed to Nancy Tarantino at ntarantino@shschools.org or 650-473-4089.
Going green! Heart of the Matter is now printed on recycled paper
which contains 30 percent post-consumer waste. In addition, more than 30
percent of the ink comes from agriculturally-based, renewable sources.
Previous St. Madeleine SophiE
Award Recipients:
2000
Mae-Jeanne McGanney, Trustee Emeritus
Isabel Peterson, SHP Faculty, retired
Sally Peterson, SJSH Faculty, retired
Sr. Margaret Robinson, RSCJ
2001
Donna Gilboa, SHP Faculty
Lorraine Horn, Past Board Chair
Sr. Nancy Morris, RSCJ
Joseph Zucca, SJSH Faculty
2002
Marilyn Luotto, SHS Faculty, Retired
Sr. Joan McKenna, RSCJ
Zenaida Melgoza, SHS Staff
2003
Sr. Helen Costello
Robert Glockner, Trustee Emeritus
Sr. Ann McGowan, RSCJ
Janet Whitchurch, SHP Faculty
2004
William Neidig, Board of Trustees
Shirley Connolly, Board of Trustees
Sheila Peterson, Alumna
Joan Eagleson, SJSH Faculty
2005
Lori Pickett, R.N., Oakwood Staff
Sherlene Pjesky, SHS Staff, Retired
Vinette Ramsay, SHP Parent
2006
Lauren Koenig, Alumna,
FormerTrustee, Current Parent
Connie Solari, SHP Faculty, Former Parent
2007
Genevieve Varga, SHP Staff, Former Parent
Dan Greenleaf, SHS Staff, Former Parent
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Parents of Alumni:
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