1

CARONDELETTER CARONDELET HIGH SCHOOL • Christmas 2014

2

CarondeletterPublished quarterly

for the alumnae, parents, and friendsof Carondelet High School.

PresidentBonnie Cotter

PrincipalNancy Kelley Libby '76

director of developmentJanet Wilks

director of alumnae relationsMary Goebel Frevele '75

director of Special events Kathleen Henggeler

Special events assistantMarybeth Anicich

administrative assistant to the PresidentTerri Meehan

HistorianSr. Eleanor Eagan, CSJ

Co-editorsKatie Clark Vecchio '76Rosanne Siino PhD '80

ViSionStatement

Carondelet High School, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, will serve those seeking to become “all of which woman is capable” through a curriculum that integrates intellectual, moral, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual development.

Carondelet High School will model collaboration among students, faculty, parents, alumnae, Board, and the greater community.

Integrating a counter-cultural stance based on gospel values, the School will nurture an environment of risk-taking that enables each person to assume roles of leadership and service to the dear neighbor.

Graduates of Carondelet High School will know their responsibility to reflect the CSJ charism of unity and reconciliation in their personal and professional lives.

miSSionStatement

Carondelet High School, founded and sponsored

by the Sisters of St. Josephof Carondelet,

provides qualityCatholic education

in a caring environment. Carondelet educates, challenges and

enables young womento integrate gospel values,

to intelligently apply these values to their lives and to reflect these values

through leadership and serviceto the greater community.

Collaboration

CarondeletterPublished quarterly

for the alumnae, parents, and friendsof Carondelet High School.

PresidentBonnie Cotter

director of developmentJanet Wilks

director of alumnae relationsMary Goebel Frevele '75

HistorianSr. Eleanor Eagan, CSJ

director of CommunicationsRosanne Siino, PhD '80

Communications manager/digital mediaChristina Ditzel '97

Communications manager/PublicationsKatie Clark Vecchio '76

database Services managerMonica Simmons

“What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But, together, we can do something beautiful for God.”

—Mother Teresa, in a message to the Fourth U.N. Women’s Conference

3

CollaborationCollaboration Leads to Physics-First Transition

Lee Trampleasure—Beyond the Classroom

Political Forum Emphasizes Understanding

Student Life: Working Together

Supporting Community Lou Ferrari Honored Cheer Team Supports Alzheimer's Walk Alums Help Classmate Replace Handicap Van Sunshine Foundation Memorializes Natalie Giorgi

Jefferson Awards

Woman of Heart

Visions of Christmas

Grad Earns Girl Scout Gold Award

Parent Association Facilitates Relationshipbetween School and Parents

Up FrontLetter from CHS President Bonnie Cotter

National St. Joseph Schools Begin to Form Association

New Faculty & Staff at Carondelet

4In This Issue...

Community NewsCougar Sports ReportIn MemoriamKeeping In Touch

24

8

4

Dear Friends,

The beauty that arises when we combine our talents and ideas in joyful collaboration is phenomenal. And we see this beauty arising

as our school community puts a special focus this year on collaboration and collaborative leadership. A focus on bringing together our

gifts and talents is a fitting preparation for the upcoming milestone year: Carondelet High School’s 50th anniversary. It was almost 50

years ago now, in 1965, when a small group of Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet collaborated with the first bishop of the Oakland

Diocese and with a variety of entities in the City of Concord to found this school, aimed at preparing young women for leadership and

service. Collaboration, you might say, is in the Carondelet DNA.

One of the current and important areas for collaboration at Carondelet today is in our strategic planning process. Carondelet’s

leadership team, Board of Directors, and faculty and staff are working closely together on several key initiatives that will form the basis

of a five-year plan for our school. The goal of this planning process is to ensure we continue to deliver an outstanding, values-based,

twenty-first century education to the young women entrusted to us. We will share more about our strategic plan as it unfolds over the

next few months, but suffice it to say that we are excited about what lies ahead—in the next five years and in the next fifty!

Yet for all that is ahead, there is also so much beauty already here. In this issue of the Carondeletter, we highlight some of the many

ways that collaboration is making beautiful things happen today at Carondelet High School, in our surrounding community, and in our

world. Thank you for your support and your partnership as we continually work to deliver the best education possible for our students!

Blessings, Bonnie Cotter, President

From the President of CarondeletHigh School...

5

Leaders from Sisters of St. Joseph High Schools Meet to Create Association

In early November, principals and

presidents of 20 high schools established

by the Sisters of St. Joseph (SSJs) and the

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs)

gathered in Chicago. The goal was to create

an association for ongoing collaboration

in educating young people based on the

Sisters’ charism. Coming from schools in

locations ranging from California to New

York, from Minnesota to Louisiana, and

from Ohio to Puerto Rico, the leaders

spent nearly three days connecting and

discussing how to engage with one another

in a fruitful, sharing network.

President Bonnie Cotter and assistant

principal Jessica Mix ‘99 represented

Carondelet High School at the meeting,

and returned excited about the gathering.

“It felt like a community, something that

people from each of the schools had

been longing for,” Jessica said. “Unlike

a diocesan gathering or a meeting with

local high schools, this was a gathering

of educators who were all coming from

the same place—from the charism of the

Sisters of St. Joseph—and we had great

conversations about how to translate

that charism into a living mission at our

schools.”

Jessica also noted the unfettered

discussion of best practices and ideas,

as well as failures. “None of the schools

is competing in any way, so the sharing

was open,” she said. “The majority of our

sister schools are dedicated to educating

young women, just like Carondelet is, so

the leaders we met really understood the

dynamics of an all-girls school. I took

advantage of my counterparts' knowledge

Keynote speaker Sr. Delores Clerico, SSJ.

and experience. It was great

to have the opportunity to

exchange ideas about admissions

and professional development,

for example. But it was also

wonderful to talk more broadly

about our mission as educators

in the tradition of the Sisters

of St. Joseph.”

The first day of the meeting

was a chance for the leaders

of the various schools to get

to know one another. On the

second day, the discussion

focused on how the unique

association of schools could best

be structured.

The keynote speaker at the

event, Sr. Delores Clerico,

SSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph of

Philadelphia, noted that what

the Sisters sought to do in founding

these schools was still highly relevant and

unfinished. “The mission of St. Joseph

is not yet done,” she said. “It is evolving.

Forming an association of educational

leaders is [about being] intentional and

attentive to the work of building union of

neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with

God.”

The gathering generated a series of

action items to be addressed in conference

calls over the course of the coming year.

“Everyone came away agreeing that we

want this association,” said Jessica. “We

plan to keep the discussion going, and to

come together again next year.”

6

Sarah Alpert '92 returned full-time in September 2014 as a personal counselor in the Student Services Department, after completing her

student-intern hours at Carondelet in 2011-12.

collaboratinGat Carondelet

Meet Our Newest Faculty & Staff...

“my joB Is to Care for the Whole

person, and I am only aBle to do thIs By WorkInG Closely WIth my

faCulty and staff ColleaGues at

Carondelet.”—Sarah Alpert '92

“Collaboration helps me to do a good job because I have the opportunity to receive feedback from other teachers, learn from their experiences, and be surrounded by a community that encourages me to succeed.”

—Ashley Mangini

Ashley Chavez '08 returned to Carondelet in fall of 2014 as the

Sports Medicine teacher in the HPERD Department and Cross

Country coach.

Kristin Leete started in fall of 2014 as the American Sign

Language teacher in the Modern Languages Department.

Mike Appel started in fall of 2014 as a part-time AP Government teacher in the Social Studies Department.

Gabriel Castro, custodian, joined the

CHS staff in thefall of 2014.

7

“decision-makingthrough collaboration allows for a variety of opinions, backgrounds, and strengths to work toward the best outcome.”

—Christi Rossi

“the teachers here have a great sense of community. they are a constant source of advice, support, and ideas.”

—Paul Novotny

“It may take a village to raise a child but it takes a team to educate a student. When we work together, we all win.”

—Kate Phelan

Kirsten Sines started in fall of 2014 as a Chemistry and AP

Physics 1 teacher in the Science Department.

Ashley Mangini started in fall of 2014 as a Physics-9 and Chemistry teacher in the Science Department.

Paul Novotny started in fall of 2014 as a Civics and AP Psych teacher in the Social

Studies Department.

Kate Phelan started in fall of 2014 as a Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, and AP Chemistry teacher in the Science Department.

Christi Rossi started in spring of 2014 as Associate Director of Development.

Michael Ranola, custodian, started part-time in the summer and full-time in the fall.

8

transition startedwith Collaboration By Nancy Meyerhofer, Director of Academic Innovation

Few Carondelet alums can imagine the challenge of taking Physics as freshman students, but that’s just what the School’s new “Physics First” curriculum prescribes for the class of 2018. Beginning this fall, freshman students at CHS have engaged in the “cornerstone to capstone” approach to science education. The new curriculum includes increased graduation requirements in science and begins with an inquiry-based Physics course—the most concrete of the sciences—in the ninth grade, followed by Chemistry or Honors

Chemistry in tenth grade and Biology in the junior year. Following this schedule sequence, Biology will be a richer course for students because they have already have taken Chemistry, the foundation of modern biology. The most able and enthusiastic science students can go directly into AP Biology as juniors. Schools that have adopted this course sequence find that most students elect to take science in their senior year as well. At CHS, seniors have a range of choices: Anatomy and Physiology, AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry,

and two different AP Physics courses—trigonometry-based or calculus-based. The department plans to add another non-AP elective by the time the current ninth graders are seniors.

The new curriculum is the result of a full year of comprehensive research, discussion, and collaboration within and beyond the CHS Science Department. The science faculty and the administration spent long hours studying best practices in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. This work included exploring the newest research on how to disrupt gender stereotypes and help female students develop their interest in the sciences so that they will overcome those cultural biases and pursue coursework and careers in these fields. The current thinking on the so-called “inverted curriculum” is based on a science course sequence that fosters a more coherent understanding in the sciences and promotes the confidence in early coursework that encourages girls to choose more challenging advanced science courses.

One study that provided a wealth of information was “Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics” by the American Association of University Women with the National Science Foundation. This publication and others offered insight about how our culture—and our female students—view scientists. As an all-girls’ school that encourages each student to “be all of which woman is capable,” Carondelet High School is particularly interested in this issue.

In exploring the new curriculum, Carondelet’s Science Department consulted with science teachers at Justin-Siena High School in Napa, Sacred Heart

physics first

9

A Physics and AP Physics teacher at Carondelet, Lee Trampleasure serves as the School’s Model U.N. coach, maintains a blog about teaching science, and works for education reform by supporting the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Modeling Teachers Association.

How does he find the time? Ten years ago, Lee took a part-time job teaching science at Carondelet so that he could

help care for his newborn granddaughter. The part-time schedule worked well for him, and Lee continues to teach just three or four classes each semester, using his "spare time" to address issues of science education across the country.

As a representative for the Northern California/Nevada section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), Lee attends national conferences, assists with local section conferences (including two at Carondelet), and acts as a conduit to get information out to science teachers. Since most presenters at professional conferences are working teachers, Lee personally contributes to local and national conferences and encourages his colleagues across the country to share the benefits of their experiences, as well.

Seven years ago, Lee took a workshop on Modeling Instruction and the experience transformed the way he teaches science—to an inquiry-based, student-centered approach. In 2011, he co-led a summer workshop at Carondelet for teachers of the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) and he expects to help lead another in California next summer. Recently elected as treasurer of the AMTA, Lee also meets regularly with the organization’s executive director and Board.

Working part-time at Carondelet, Lee also finds time to write and disseminate science-education articles via a blog and email, and he revises and maintains websites for the national associations and some of their local sections. Lee Trampleasure works more than part-time to advance science education in his Carondelet classroom and far beyond our walls.

spare timeFaculty member collaborates with science

teachers across the country

In 2013, the American Association of Physics Teachers awarded Lee Trampleasure the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service.

Cathedral in San Francisco, and Loyola High School in Los Angeles. All three Catholic high schools have already adopted the Physics First approach, and their science teachers were extremely helpful and generous in sharing their experiences and insights.

Besides changing the sequence of courses, the Carondelet Science Department has adopted an inquiry-based curriculum. Students need to get their hands on lab materials to truly understand and remember scientific concepts, and this method of teaching and learning is new for everyone. Having to figure out a concept for yourself, without the teacher giving it directly to you, is a new way of thinking for students—and can be quite challenging. Making such a significant change in both course sequence and methodology requires a lot of planning, and the entire Science Department went through training in June to prepare for the ninth grade Physics class. The faculty will undergo more training this coming year as the new sophomore inquiry-based chemistry curriculum is implemented. While there are sure to be growing pains, the science faculty is passionate about making the new curriculum work for our students.

This year as the Mathematics Department begins to examine the CHS math curriculum and teaching methodologies, we are looking for those crossover places where math and science can work together. The more that their coursework is connected across the curriculum, the more that students come to understand how all of their studies are dependent on each other. They see firsthand that knowledge of the world is not found in separate boxes.

10

WaterSister Clare Dunn Political Forum Emphasizes Civil Discourse in Exploring California's Critical Issue

in an era of aggressive politics and heated debates, an october forum at Carondelet High School emphasized civil discourse while exploring one of California's most highly charged issues: the water shortage. after three consecutive dry years, more than half of California is dealing with an exceptional drought. Presenting disparate perspectives on the complex issue with a format that emphasized the value of listening in order to increase understanding, the 2014 Sister Clare dunn Forum was on "Water in California." The forum featured three guest experts representing a range of views on how the state should manage its limited water supply:

• Representing the perspective of the general public, marguerite Patil works for the Contra Costa Water district, which takes water from the delta, purifies it, and delivers it to Carondelet and to many homes in the County. Patil explained how we get our water and expressed suppliers' concerns.

• John Viano represented the interests of farmers. Growing grapes to make wine, Viano is a third-generation Contra Costa farmer who serves as vice-president of the Contra Costa Farm Bureau. He shared the perspective of those who rely on water to make a livelihood in agriculture.

• Sonia Diermayer advocated for environmentalists' views. a representative from the Sierra Club's San Francisco Bay Chapter, she outlined concerns related to the natural environment.

Carondelet Science department chair merrilee Silveira moderated the seventy-minute forum, which opened with a student overview of California's water problems. Following speakers' presentations of their perspectives on water management, the speakers responded to each other and then students had the opportunity to pose questions. learning a range of facts about water use and management, the students witnessed how careful listening and genuine understanding of different views can help each person arrive at her own educated position. “many civic problems—such as water shortages—are tremendously complex," said Social Studies department chair Phil miller. "But by listening with an open mind to all sides of the issue, we are better able to make informed decisions. ”

as the forum concluded, aP environmental Science students allie tammen and emma Hertel posed several questions to challenge their classmates: What are the real issues? How do we decide who gets the water? How much do they need? How much do we need? How much do we waste? How should we manage this precious resource?

Sponsored by Carondelet's Social Studies and religious Studies departments, the Sister Clare dunn Forum is supported by teachers across the school, who plan and coordinate the event. Preparation includes creating lesson plans for use in classrooms prior to and following the forum.

The Sister Clare dunn Forum is held every two years. Past topics have included the iraq War and U.S. presidential candidates.

11

3% of Earth’s water is fresh, but most of this is frozen at the polar regions; only 1% is useful for sustaining life.

780million people do not have accessto clean drinking water.

every60 seconds a child dies from water-borne disease, because much of the world’s water is polluted.

<50%of California's water remains in the environment. (We leave some water in the river, so there is still a river!) The rest of California's water is used by humans, mostly for agriculture, and also for urban use.

Clare Dunn was a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, a teacher, and a student who loved to research issues. She was always a woman of deep faith, with a well-worn, marked up Bible. And she was a woman of conviction.

Clare had been a history teacher at Salpointe High School in Tucson, Arizona. One day, she was challenging her seniors to get involved in local politics when one brave student spoke up. "Sister," she asked, "why don’t you get involved?"

The rest is history!Her decision to run for political office was

not popular with her religious superior or with the local bishop, but, as I said, Clare was a woman of conviction. She continued to negotiate until her superiors reluctantly agreed, and she became the first and only Sister to serve as a member of the Arizona State House of Representatives. Her colleagues in the House nicknamed her “The Conscience.” Whenever they were ready to pass a law or decide to act, Sister Clare would step in with her challenging questions: "What about housing for the poor?" "What about just wages?" or "What about the immigrant children?" And the members of the House would reluctantly but respectfully redraft their long hours of work. ”She had many opponents," said one member, "but no enemies.”

Sister Clare Dunn died way too young, 46 years old, when she was killed instantly in a head-on collision. But, if she were here today she would be proud of all that Carondelet does to serve the dear neighbor—supporting Get on the Bus, St. Marty’s Party, the Monument Crisis Center, A Friendly Manor, and Ven a Ver—but she would be especially pleased to know that we were exploring the drastic implications of the shortage of a basic human need: Water!

Scripture asks the question, Who shall find a valiant woman? Clare Dunn was a valiant woman, a valiant Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. By honoring her in this forum, we take another step in preserving the legacy of a school proudly named "Carondelet."

Who Was Clare dunn?

By Sister Eleanor Eagan, CSJ

Photo by Dominique Nguyen '15

12

in the classroom, beyond the classroom.

the power of teamwork

Photo by Emily Groth '17

Photo by Sarah Padilla '16

Groups of students perform together in Dance class taught by Aggie Wintch Eidson ’79.

Students practice together in Ms. Leete’s American Sign Language class.

Students in Ms. Corcoran's American Music class collaborate on a research project.

13

Photo by Sarah Padilla '16

Photo by Mikaela Wentworth '17

Photo by Mikaela Wentworth '17

Above and above right, freshman students investigate physical phenomena in Physics 9 with Ms. Mangini. Seniors discuss a novel

in Ms. Lambert’s Writing Seminar.

The annual Power Puff football game is all about teamwork as seniors take on the juniors.

14

Hundreds of Carondelet students, alums, and friends gathered in October to support an alum family at the Lou Ferrari ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The Mary Garaventa family—including Linda Garaventa Colvis ’79 and a handful of volunteers—planned the event to honor Linda’s cousin, Lou Ferrari. Lou graduated from De La Salle in 1980 and he and his wife, Margarita, are parents of Carondelet alums Seena ’06 and Alyssa ’08.

Last spring, Lou was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." Lou lost his battle on December 8.

“ALS is a devastating disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,” said Linda. “We ask the Carondelet community for their love, support, and prayers for all of Louie's family—and all those who have suffered with this disease.”

About 40 people volunteered at the event, including many Carondelet students and alums, and more than 300 people participated in ice bucket challenges. The festival offered entertainment and fun for the whole family, with music, activities for children like crafts and face-painting, a bake sale, beer from Black Diamond Brewery, and fare from Scotts Seafood and other vendors.

The Lou Ferrari ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than $10,000 for the Louie Ferrari Family Foundation. The Garaventa family also made a donation to the ALS Association, and "Team Ferrari" rallied to participate in the subsequent ALS Walk in Walnut Creek, raising more than $90,000 for the ALS Association.

The Carondelet community is invited to support the Louie Ferrari Family Foundation. For information, please email Linda at linda@garaventaent.com.

Lou Ferrari and his family, including Seena '06 and Alyssa '08, with Andrew Garaventa in October.

Linda Garaventa Colvis '79 and the Mary Garaventa family planned and hosted the event, attended by hundreds of friends of Carondelet.

CHS Community Supports

Alum Family

Katie Garaventa '15, Gianna Colvis '14, Maddie Hess '15, and Sophia Seeno '16 painted children's faces at the Lou Ferrari ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Walking to Honor a FriendBob Lacher, who worked at CHS from 2003 to 2009, lost his battle with ALS in 2013. As a way to honor and remember Bob, several Carondelet faculty and staff members have walked the ALS Walk since 2013. Mitch Ward, director of technology at Carondelet, also participates in the Walk in honor of a good friend, Alex Schmid, whose wife has been active in the Monument Crisis Center and A Friendly Place/Manor.

15

Dozens of members of the Carondelet community participated in the October Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Walnut Creek. Gianna Bellato '16, Anakalia Castro '16, Alyssa Citero '15, Anjhelaine Escano '17, Hannah Flitton '16, Maddie Guasch '17, Meredith Happy '16, Mikaila Imperio '16, Ashley McNulty '15, Mychele Miller '16, Sarah Pastor '16, Allison Popovits '16, Sydney Purser '15, Alannah Ruiz '17, Tabitha Sosz '17, Mikaela Torretta '16, Kaitlyn Trilevsky '18, and Nellie Webb volunteered to help at the event. CHS varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders added to the day's festivities, including Madison Bertorello '16, Caycie Bruner '17, Mariana Douglas '15, Madeline Connell '17, Kristiana Cozort '16, Sophia Degracia '18, Isabella Depolo '17, Mackenzie Hernandez '18, Devyn Miller '17, Sofia Morales '16, Megan Nguyen '18, Taylor Pho '18, Rylie Powelson '17, Taylor Sanchez '17, Olivia Scheffler '16, Annie Schwartz '17, Claire Storti '17, Emily Vargas '16, Christina Wong '16, and Rebecca Wygat '18.

Carondelet cheerleaders celebrate the start of the Walk.

Students Support Walk to End Alzheimer's

Alums Help Classmate Replace Customized Handicap Van

A few months before her high school graduation, Aileen McCarthy '83 was driving to school when she was hit by a semi truck. She sustained a devastating spinal cord injury, but did not let that stop her. Yet some of her independence was taken away again about three years ago. Driving in her modified handicap van, she swerved to avoid an accident, veered off the road, and ended up at the bottom of a ravine. Her van caught fire and exploded.

With her Carondelet friend Gabrielle Lakatos '83, Aileen created a Go Fund Me campaign to try to raise money for a new customized van, and her Carondelet friends are planning a fundraising event for Aileen, which will take place on a classmate's farm. Several women from the class of 1983 will be donating their time and talents!

You are invited to learn more about Aileen's story in this YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS2j_DIzPbk.

Joanne McGuire Giorgi '86 and Louis Giorgi DLS '86 lost their 13-year-old daughter Natalie in 2013 when she died of anaphylaxis caused by a peanut allergy. Joanne and Louis have since started the Natalie Giorgi Sunshine Foundation to reduce food allergy deaths by spreading public awareness, providing education

Natalie Giorgi

Alum Memorializes Daughter with Sunshine Foundationabout emergency response, and increasing the availability of epinephrine injectors in public places. The Carondelet Cheer and

Dance teams wore purple bows at a DLS football game this fall to help give the Sunshine Foundation some visibility, and Natalie's family continues to work to spread awareness.

For information about the Natalie Giorgi Sunshine Foundation, please visit www.nateam.org.

16

It is no accident that Carondelet High School is known for community service. In the 2013-14 school year, hundreds of our students logged more than 48,000 total hours of volunteer service to the community, and nearly 170 students volunteered for more than 100 hours in the year.

The Jefferson Awards, Students In Action club provides some framework for Carondelet's service culture. As one aspect of the School's Community Service Office, Students In Action is a program of the national Jefferson Awards, which is America’s “longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service.”

Moderated by Cindy Lawrence and Edie Payne, the club at Carondelet aims to train student leaders to engage in service to impact the community. About two dozen students are actively involved in the club, leading and inspiring hundreds of their classmates to give their time to the community and to keep track of their service hours in order to measure the impact of volunteerism.

Carondelet's Community Service

In addition to Dr. Rosanne Siino '80, Jefferson Award recipients are

(from left to right) Alex Brody-Duran '15,Anna Buss '15, Laura Fleming '15,

Breanna Hibbard '18, and Alli Fisher '15.

Photo by Mikaela Magwili '16

CHS among America's top service schools

Office shares information with students about opportunities to volunteer in the community—from helping at events to baking cookies for senior citizens. The office coordinates the needs of community partners and enlists the help of student volunteers, who can sign up to complete a wide range of activities and track their hours for various service programs.

In November, five Carondelet students and one teacher received Jefferson Awards for their outstanding community service. Alli Fisher '15 received the Special Project award for a short documentary she made following a trip to Kenya. Her film, about the Kenya Registered Nurse Anesthetist (KRNA) Program, is used to raise awareness and funds for her mother’s foundation to continue education in Kenya. Recipients for Continuous Service were Breanna Hibbard '18, Alex Brody-Duran '15, Laura Fleming '15, Anna Buss '15, and Dr. Rosanne Siino '80. Breanna Hibbard traveled to Haiti and worked with about 80 children in an orphanage on a small island. Alex Brody-Duran devotes much of her outside time to ASB, Carondelet's school leadership program. Laura Fleming and Anna Buss volunteer at Xenophon

jefferson awards

Therapeutic Riding Center, an organization whose mission is to teach disabled children how to ride horses for their therapy. And Dr. Rosanne Siino '80 has volunteered at Lindsay Wildlife Museum since 2009, teaching Bay Area children and adults about native wildlife. As women of heart, faith, and courage, these award recipients devote their time and energy to fulfilling the Carondelet mission.

Carondelet began its association with the Jefferson Awards in 2007 under Sr. Dorothy Stack, CSJ. In 2008, Carondelet became the first San Francisco Bay Area high school to be nationally recognized in a Jefferson Awards ceremony in Washington D.C., winning the national gold medal for Outstanding Service by a High School. In 2010, Carondelet went to Washington D.C. again and won the silver medal for Outstanding Service by a High School. Carondelet continues to be honored in regional competitions every year, having received the regional gold status for public service for the past seven years.

17

Womanof Heart

By Mary Goebel Frevele ‘75

I am a Carondelet “Woman of Heart.”More than 40 years ago, when I was a

sophomore at Carondelet, I was not so different from today's students. I wore the same plaid skirt, which I rolled and unrolled with ease. I was grateful to have survived my freshman year and desperate to turn 16 so I could get my driver’s license and be allowed to date (though no one was asking!)

For the most part, I did not find classes and teachers that hard. We studied, took tests, wrote papers, and read Shakespeare. We cheered for our school and for the De La Salle Spartans. We spent most Friday nights at football games. My friends and I sat outside to eat our lunches, went to Mass as a student body, and sang the alma mater with pride at rallies.

I was involved—uber involved. A cheerleader and active member of Company, I was also sophomore class president. I encourage today’s Carondelet students to do the same, to say “yes” to what CHS has to offer, to be uber-involved.

They have so many ways to do so, and they enrich their lives each time they say “yes.”

Somewhere along the line, Carondelet became a place I could call home. Although I didn’t realize it when I was a teenager, I was becoming a Carondelet "woman of heart."

One of the best things that happened during my time at CHS was that I made great friends. To this day, my four best friends are my former Carondelet classmates. We not only survived sophomore year, but we also managed graduation, college, marriages, children, and life’s ups and downs. Over the years, we lifted each other up, dried each other’s tears, and cheered each other on, because that’s what women of heart do.

In 2005, I was looking for a job when

Above, alumnae director Mary Goebel Frevele '75 talks to students at the sophomore retreat. For the last several years, Mary has brought alums to seven retreats each year.

one of those friends called to ask if I had read the latest Carondeletter. She said the School was looking for a new alumnae director and she thought I would be perfect for the job. “Yeah, right,” I said.

But, before I knew it, “Yeah, right” became just right for me.

Stepping back onto campus, I felt as if I had never left. I walked the halls and heard snippets of conversations that were just like the ones my friends and I shared so long ago. “Did you get that homework assignment last night?” “He asked me to the dance!” “I can’t believe I got a detention!” I kept expecting to see one of my friends walk around the corner, hurrying off to class...

I love Carondelet because, to me, it’s more than a school. Yes, they teach academics, but they also provide a place where students receive a spirit that will grow in their hearts and weave its way into their lives.

My job is to connect the graduates with each other, with current students, and with the community. We provide opportunities for grads to interact and celebrate at reunions and other events. Alums share their journeys at the Career Fair, contribute to the alumnae scholarship fund to support current students, enjoy events like Visions of Christmas and the Crab Feed, and work together serving the less fortunate in our community. We also pray for each other daily, because that’s what women of heart do.

I encourage current students to drop by my office sometime to see for themselves how women remain connected after they graduate from Carondelet.

Yes, I’m older, but I am not so different from them. Today's students walk in my footsteps, and in the footsteps of more than 9000 other women. And one day, soon, these students will be Carondelet alums, too. I hope that, as they embark on their adult lives, they will recognize and appreciate all the ways that Carondelet helped them to become women of heart. And, with that, I hope they also know that they can always come "home" to Carondelet.

18

Visions ofChristmas

Community

comes together

to create

extravagant

celebration

10,080cook ies

19

685 vo lun tee rs

126

more than

4,000cups o f t ea

g i f t baskets(but only 1

Annette Marrone)

20

“My desire to support Carondelet stems from

wanting to see an educational environment where young

women can value their individuality, deepen their

spirituality, and grow academically. It’s gratifying to see happy and healthy young

women who are empowered to be the best they can be."”

—Julie WallunasGenerous Friend of Carondelet

& "Winter Wonderland" Tree Donor

25years o fmemor ies

more than

$4 million tota l ra i sed in 25 yea rs

249 217 cen te rp ieces

2,483guests

sponsors , underwr i t e rs & t ree donors

21

19,688 raff le t i cke ts

1 b ig fe l l a i n

a red su i t

MacKenzie Casagrande won

1/5 of the fabulous tree pr izesvalued from $8000 to more than $17,500!

22

Nena Manuel ’14 recently received the Girl Scouts' Gold Award, their highest honor. In challenging girls to change the world, the prestigious award recognizes leadership, effort, and impact by young women who identify and undertake projects to help the community.

Nena accomplished her final project for the Gold Award by helping her former elementary school, St. Peter Martyr School in Pittsburg. Eager to beautify and brighten the school environment for students, staff, and visitors, she created and painted three large murals that now grace the school's campus. Nena views the project as an enduring celebration of diversity, as the images share positive messages of pride, hope, happiness, and morality.

Nena is a member of Antioch’s Troop 32135 of Girl Scouts of America. A Scout for 11 years, she began as a Brownie, earning her Bronze Award as a Junior Girl Scout and the Silver Award as a Cadette Girl Scout. As a Carondelet freshman, Nena was a Senior Scout, bridging to Ambassador Girl Scout as a junior. In her senior year, Nena completed the requirements for her Bronze, Silver, and Journey as an Ambassador Girl Scout. Completing her Girl Scout Gold Project, she was awarded the Gold Award a year ago, receiving it this November.

So far, Nena has logged more than 10,000 community service hours. As a Carondelet student, she earned many awards for community service: the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Community Service, the Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for Service, the Fontbonne Award, and Homecoming Queen for Service.

Graduating in May, 2014, Nena attends St. Mary’s College in Moraga, where she is majoring in Education. She works with the Jumpstart Program at St. Mary’s, teaching pre-school children at DeColores in Oakland, and plans to work as a school teacher and attend law school.

In the ceremony celebrating her award, St. Peter Martyr School’s principal Joe Siino praised Nena for her dedication to community service. “The murals Nena completed provide students, staff, and parents with joy and a source of reflection,” he said, noting that many have expressed gratitude and excitement about the work.

Nena invited Sr. Joann Heinritz, CSJ, to be part of the celebration, citing her as one of her mentors at Carondelet. Scouts, family, and friends all witnessed the official ceremony that puts Nena in an extremely elite class of women who have received the Gold Award since its inception in 1916.

alum earns Girl scout Gold award

Carondelet congratulates nena manuel '14, who continues to embody the school's mission of leadershipand service to the community.

23

With many active and involved parents who want to be a part of their daughter’s high school years, Carondelet High School is fortunate to have a dynamic Parent Association working with the School administration. The Parent Association acts as a liaison to enhance collaboration between parents and staff, supporting administration and faculty efforts to provide an excellent educational experience for students and spiritual and social opportunities for their families. Members work on committees, run a uniform exchange program, and award college scholarships. And they coordinate with staff to provide a vast corps of volunteers who plan and host events, organize projects, and provide refreshments as part of the Parent Involvement Program (PIP).

“The Parent Association welcomes parents to become involved in whatever way the spirit moves them,” says 2014-15 Board president Jay Knudsen. “We welcome and appreciate any participation!”

The group supports semi-annual parent education evenings for the community. They collaborate with School counselors to help host the Freshman Barbeque, where they encourage families to mingle. They help with the Parent-Daughter liturgy by selling tickets, preparing announcements, providing food, decorating, and helping with set-up. They put on a major fundraiser, the annual Crab Feed, which includes six planning committees. And, in a joint effort with De La Salle, they provide a safe Grad Night event for the graduating class (and provide scholarships for Grad Night so that all students can attend), and also help to plan Every 15 Minutes.

A major undertaking, hospitality at school meetings, social gatherings, and spiritual celebrations is generally coordinated by the Parent Association, working with parent volunteers. Hospitality chairs Kit Rubens and Jill Malone coordinate hospitality for 10 to 12 events each year, serving hundreds of current parents, prospective parents, students, and faculty and staff. Events include everything from the Welcome Barbeque and Back-to-School Night to retreats and the Baccalaureate reception.

From helping parents get acquainted with one another to helping a Carondelet graduate pay for college, the Parent Association is a busy—and vital—part of the School community.

The Parent Association is also involved in student life and academics. They are represented on the Challenge Success committee, which is tasked with helping students to navigate the college admissions process in a healthy way. And the group awards eight to 10 college scholarships each year to graduating students. A selection committee invites applicants to write essays, which the committee reviews. The top candidates are presented to the School administration, which makes the final selection. At the annual Senior Assembly, before graduation, the winners receive $1000 college scholarships, funded by the Parent Association.

Information about the Parent Association, including a roster with contact information, is available under the “Parents” tab at www.carondelet.net.

family Involvement Coalesces through parent association

24

Cougar SportS

CROSS COUNTRyFinishing fifth in the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL), Carondelet's Cross Country team took fourth place at Center Meet and fifth place in the Championships. Moving on to the North Coast Section (NCS), the Cougars finished fifth out of 18 teams and Keeley Murphy '18 finished 19th at NCS.

EBAL ALL-LEAguE 2nd TEAm:Keeley Murphy '18

TENNISWith an overall record of 12-11, the

Tennis team qualified for the NCS Tournament and lost to Alameda in the

first round 5-2. Nicole Hitomi '16 was selected for NCS singles and lost to the

number-one seed in the first round.

WATER POLO The Water Polo team had an overall record of 10-15,

and lost in the first round of NCS to Sir Francis Drake High School.

EBAL ALL-LEAguE HonorABLE mEnTions:Brooke Latner '14

Erin Lantsberger '16

GOLFWith a strong season, the Golf team had an impressive overall record of 13-1, but ended league play tied for first place with Monte Vista. The team then finished second in the EBAL Tournament tie-breaker to officially finish second in the league. The team won the NCS Qualifier and finished fourth at NCS.

Angela Bagasbas '18 advanced to Nor Cal as an individual, finishing T-22.

EBAL ALL-LEAguE 1sT TEAm:Sabrina Virtusio '15 Kelly Ransom '15 Angela Bagasbas '18

EBAL ALL-LEAguE 2nd TEAm:Isabel Minton '17

VOLLEyBALLWith an overall record of 18-20, the Volleyball team won the first round of NCS, beating College Park 3-0, but they lost in the second round to Redwood, 3-1.

EBAL ALL-LEAguE 2nd TEAm:Allison Barry '14 Andie Zaharias Kern '14

Photo by Dominique Nguyen '15

25

Micaela Camozzi '16 competed in the 14th International Kuo Shu (Kung Fu) Cup in Neu-Ulm, Germany in October. Competing in seven events—sparring and a variety of traditional weapon and open hand forms—Micaela medaled in all of them. Competing against girls and boys, Micaela took first place in five events, second in one, and third in another.

Micaela has been studying the Chinese system of martial arts known as Bok-Fu-Do for more than eight years. The October event in Germany was her second

international competition, as she competed in the 4th World Kuo Shu Championship Tournament in Malaysia when she was a freshman at Carondelet.

"I actually never wanted anything to do with Kung Fu," says Micaela, who complained and cried when her father brought her to a martial arts school. She and her younger brother often engaged in play-fighting so her father decided to involve them in martial arts at Richard Lee's East-West Kung Fu school in Alamo. "Eventually, my dad convinced me to watch an instructor demonstration and then I completely changed my mind," she says. "I am forever grateful!"

In addition to the physical benefits, Kung Fu has helped Micaela mentally and emotionally, too, giving her confidence in her abilities and tools to help her be "a more centered person."

A third-degree Junior Brown Belt, Micaela plans to continue her training and

earn her Black Belt before graduating from Carondelet, and she will compete next year in Argentina for the 5th World Kuo Shu Championship Tournament. She trains three hours a day, five days a week, including teaching about eight hours a week at the school. She also started Carondelet's Martial Arts Club.

Other than Kung Fu, Micaela loves the Spanish language and regularly attends Spanish Honor Society meetings. She is also a fashion designer. For five years, she has taken classes to learn how to create and sew clothes, expressing herself through visual art while making more than 15 outfits for herself.

Alum Swimmer Makes NewsIn October's SMU Classic in Dallas, Texas, Chelsea Chenault '13 recorded the fastest time in the country in the 500 free after also winning the 200 free in the competition. Chelsea attends USC, which took fourth place as a team in the SMU Classic.

Junior Dominates at Martial Arts Competition in Germany

Save the Date!

April 27, 2015for

Swingfor ScienceCarondelet's

25thannual golf tournament

Benefitting STEM Education(Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math) at Carondelet High School

Thank you for your support!

26

In MemoriamThe following names have been entered into the Carondelet Prayer Book so that these loved ones can be remembered each month at Mass celebrated in honor of St. Joseph. We commend them to your prayerful remembrance: Mary Atchison ’90, sister of Ann ’91.

Elmer Carlson, father of Karen ’83.

Jeremiah Cronin, father of Kevin (Patt), CHS benefactors; grandfather of Briana ’05, Meagan ’07, and Alyse ’12.

William Dowling, former CHS Board member; father of Terri ’73 and Robin ’77.

Sylvester Frank Enea, father of Joan ’70, Susan ’75, and Marylynn (Mickey) ’77; grandfather of Krysten O’Regan ’10.

Primo Fachini, father of Monica ‘83 and Rosemarie ’85.

Lou Ferrari, father of Seena '06 and Alyssa '08, brother of Gloria Ferrari ’78 and Lisa M. Ferrari ’84; nephew and godson of CHS benefactor Mary Garaventa; also leaves many cousins and friends.

Gaile Ginocchio, mother of Vicki ’80, Domenica ’98, and Elizabeth ’82; grandmother of Dominique Woodbridge ’13 and Julia Woodbridge ’17.

Gwenn Guthrie, mother of Michelle (Shelly) ’79.

Theresa Jones, mother of Elise ’90.

Glenn Madison, brother of Kim ‘80 and Gwen ’86; uncle of Madison Aberer ’14 and Morgan Aberer ‘17.

Marie McGovern, mother of Imelda ’82.

Janice Mott, mother of Valerie ’75.

Bruce Nelson, father of Kirsten ’09.

Lewis Novotny, father of Paul Novotny, CHS faculty member.

Ray Petersen, father of Sandy ’86 and Sue ‘82.

Vince Poettgen, father of Patricia ’69; grandfather of Liliana Ventura ’97.

Doris Anne Rebollini, mother of Michele ’75.

Johnnie Russell, brother of Tara '02.

Sandy Sansoe, wife of Bob Sansoe, former De La Salle faculty.

Bonnie Vendl, mother of Lori ’85; grandmother of Nikole ’12.

rest in peacemary atchison ’90

December 7, 1971 - August 26, 2014robin Wilson Bagley

June 9, 1961 - December 1, 2014Jessica Bowen ’95

October 2, 1976 - August 28, 2014dana dorsey mcCutcheon ’74

June 3, 1956 - July 5, 2014Theresa Maryetta Jones

Former CHS Varsity Tennis CoachJanuary 13, 1949 - July 12, 2014

27

Do you have a degree? Where do you Live? What do you do?are you married?Do you have children?

Where is life taking you?Share your story with our community!

Please e-mail information and photos to KVecchio@carondeleths.org or mail your news with your name and class year to

Carondeletter, Carondelet High School, 1133 Winton Drive, Concord, CA 94518.

keepIng intouCh

elizabeth Campos '07

Lizz graduated from UC Berkeley

with a BA in Anthropology in 2011, and

last May she graduated from George

Washington University with an MA in

Museum Studies. She has returned to

the Bay Area and found a job at the UC

Berkeley California Archaeology Lab.

Jessica Magers-rankin '00

With more than 20 years of musical theater training and experience, Jessica received Northern California's Shellie Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She has worked and studied in New York City and in the San Francisco Bay Area, but now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she works at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, a K-8 Catholic school. She splits her time between teaching middle school drama, directing productions, and assisting the Admissions and Development Office. Jessica is also a teaching artist with the Creative Expression Ministry of Erin Presbyterian Church, where she works with middle school students.

As a communications and new media consultant, Jessica has designed and presented a variety of training programs and workshops for activists and community groups. Guided by her faith, she has focused her passions on issues of death penalty abolition and torture awareness, working closely with faith-based advocacy organizations such as The National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Amnesty International, Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and Equal Justice USA. She has also worked extensively with the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, Clergy Beyond Borders, the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, Kairos USA, and the Interfaith Alliance.

Jessica has created a teaching method designed to inspire young actors' creativity and empower their freedom of expression. In 2013, she founded the

ashleigh Montgomery '05

Working in the social services field in a variety of roles, Ashleigh is raising funds for a cause that grew out of her work at Rachel's Night Shelter, which is a part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego. Ashleigh's fundraiser aims to assist Kathryn English, one of the homeless women from the Shelter. "I am trying to raise funds so Kathryn can become a patient at a clinic where she can heal her heart, soul, and mind," says Ashleigh. "And move forward in her life."

Ashleigh had reached "one of those moments in life" when she didn't know exactly what to do and didn't know how to proceed, but knew she had to do something...

Knoxville Theatre Workshop, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering artists of all ages and using the arts as means of community engagement and service.

For many of the women at Rachel's Night Shelter, the needs are fairly straightforward and the resources concrete: They needed housing, job training, and case management. But, working with Kathryn for 13 months, Ashleigh realized how much unspeakable trauma, pain, and hurt Kathryn had endured. Not knowing what else to do, Ashleigh just listened, feeling blessed that Kathryn could share her story. But, in time, Ashleigh realized that it was as if Kathryn was continually stuck on the same page, wanting to heal but unable to do so. Realizing that Kathryn needed more help, Ashleigh researched some clinics that could help Kathryn overcome the pain of her past, and she decided to raise the funds needed for Kathryn to undergo brain scans, interviews, and patient care at a Costa Mesa clinic.

"There are always others who have more knowledge, experience, and expertise," says Ashleigh. "Partnering hand-in-hand with them can open doors of opportunities for resources and assistance. It is only in working together, in dancing together in collaboration, that we can accomplish anything."

28

NON-Profit ORG. Presort STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

CARONDELET HIGH SCHOOL

CARONDELETH I G H S C H O O L

AddrEss sErViCE rEQuEsTEd

1133 Winton Dr iveConcord, Ca l i fornia 94518

925.686.5353w w w.carondelet .net

We try to send one copy of the Carondeletter to each address. If your daughter moves out or you would like to receive additional copies, please let us know and we will add new addresses to our mailing list. Additional copies are also available in the School's Main Lobby. Please email address corrections to msimmons@carondeleths.org.

Women of HeartSunday, February 22, 2015

Mother-Daughter Retreat at Carondelet High School

For information or to register,please visit

www.carondelet.net.

annual half-day retreat celebratingwomen’s unique bonds

and relationships.