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Moreau Catholic's quarterly publication for the Spring 2014
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F o r T h e M o r e a u C a t h o l i c H i g h S c h o o l C o m m u n i t y
2014Spring
The new field will be
a big boon to the life
of the school.
It is time.— Mrs. PaTricia GeisTer
PrinciPal Moreau caTholic1986-2002
Moreau Catholic
breaks ground on
the new Athletics
and Student
Activities Complex
page 2Join the Alumni All-Star Relay! page 14
LAte BreAking newS—
Mariner Boys win
D4 north Coast
Section Basketball
Championship! page 7
Phot
o: P
aul M
cKen
na ’8
3
CAMpAign For ChAMpionS2 celebrating a landmark event—Goundbreaking ceremony
for the new Athletics and Student Acitivities Complex
FiFth AnnuAL FunDing hopeS AnD DreAMS LunCheon6 2014 Keynote speaker, sam Mccracken
ChAMpionS Are...7 Mariner Basketball: coach Frank Knight iii and Moreau’s
north coast section champions
10 The Growing Dance Program at Moreau catholic sPrinG arTs calenDar
13 lauren McGary ’14, scholar and leader
14 campaign for champions—Be an alumni all-star
16 robotics and engineering Teacher Gary Gongwer
20 The 45th annual crab Feed and auction—Thank You
24 Volunteers: Diana (straggas) DeFrance ’76
kivA, An onLine reSourCe For MiCroFinAnCe22 Petar Zegura, social studies Teacher utilizes Kiva
alexandra harbert ’08 Volunteers as a Translator for Kiva
25 Mariner Waves
28 reunions
28 Fundraiser to Benefit the Philipines
29 in Memoriam Published by: Moreau Catholic High School
27170 Mission Boulevard Hayward, CA 94544Phone: 510.881.4300www.moreaucatholic.org
Features
volume 30 no. 1— Spring 2014
PresidentMr. Terry Lee
PrincipalMs. Lisa Tortorich
Design, Production, PhotographyChristine KosmickiCommunications Coordinator
ContributorsDiana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76Doug Ko, HKOphotoChristine KosmickiTerry LeeDani Lorta ’89
Board of TrusteesMr. Dennis Mastrantonio ’71, ChairMrs. Barbara Hemenez, Vice-ChairMr. Eugene AshleySr. Ramona Bascom, OPMs. Cynthia Bath Hon. Paul Delucchi ’87Mrs. Maritza IlarioMr. Rick L’ HeureuxMr. Terry Lee Ms. Marta LeonSr. Christopher Miller, OPFr. Paul Minnihan ’84Br. William Nick, CSCMrs. Charlene Raimondi Mr. Ed Raney Mr. Kevin Sweeney ’72Ms. Lisa Tortorich
Sophomore Brandon Lawrence ’16, along with Armond Simmons ’16, and Oscar Frayer ’16 made the Norcalpreps.com Class of 2016 watch list.
cover, inset Photo, Turning the ceremonial ground (left to right): Moreau catholic Theology chair Peter Francis shelley, Director of site services Tom alcott, Moreau catholic’s chaplain Fr. Bruce cecil, csc
Photo: Doug Ko, hKophoto
Spring ’14 | The Vector 1
Dear Mariners,
As I write this letter the sounds of construction are wafting through the air into
my open office window, which faces the back of the school. We are in week
three of construction of our new Athletics and Student Activities Complex, the
$5M project that will give us a new soccer/football field, new 8-lane track, new home bleachers with a roomy press box,
visitors bleachers, and an elegant entrance plaza, main gate and storage building/ticket office. By the end of this summer,
the project will be completed and we will be cutting the ribbon and dedicating this wonderful new addition to our Mission
Boulevard campus.
We could not have gotten to this point without the generosity and hard work of so many Mariners and friends. Last month we
held the official groundbreaking ceremony and celebrated this milestone with so many members of our Mariner family. The
excitement and pride felt that day was remarkable. I am grateful to all who have supported the Campaign for Champions
in so many meaningful ways.
This season we also are celebrating impressive wins by our Mock Trial team—once again the Alameda County champions—
as well as the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team’s North Coast Section championship. Spring sports are underway, with
baseball; softball; boys’ volleyball, tennis and golf; track and field; swimming; and badminton! Come out and cheer on our
Mariners this spring, or attend Shrek, The Musical, Mixed Tape Spring Dance Concert, and a choir or instrumental music
concert. Check our website for dates and times.
Our Holy Cross education at Moreau Catholic is rooted in the education of the whole child, mind and heart, body and soul.
That balance of academic, social, and spiritual experiences is what makes our students and our alumni so special.
Thank you for all you do to help us make that happen at Moreau Catholic High School!
With warm regards,
Letter from the President
Terry Lee
President
“Moreau is stitched very deeply into Hayward’s history, and who Hayward is. This is manifested not only in the care it shows its students, but toward the City as a whole. The school sets the gold standard in terms of community involvement.”
—Congressman Eric Swalwell U.S. Representative for California’s 15th District
2 The Vector | Spring ’14
The much-needed rain did
not dampen the spirits of
the more than 200 members
of Moreau Catholic High
School’s community who
gathered on Saturday, February 8, 2014
to celebrate a landmark event in the
history of the school—breaking ground
and beginning construction of a new,
$5M Athletics and Student Activities
Complex. Guests included alumni, alumni
parents, civic leaders, members of the
Diocese of Oakland, students, former and
current faculty and staff, and prominent
Campaign for Champions donors,
including the Fremont Bank Foundation
and the Moreau Catholic Booster Club.
The day was marked by a strong
sense of collective dedication to the
cause of beginning construction on
Moreau Catholic’s much-anticipated new
field. The campaign to raise funds for
this project, called the Campaign for
Champions, celebrated an operational
milestone by reaching 63% of the $5M
required to complete this project. As
Moreau Catholic President Terry Lee
explained to the guests, “This couldn’t
have happened without the support of
our Moreau family.” He also explained
that, while the school breaks ground on
construction today, there are still more
funds to raise before this Campaign for
Champions project can be realized and
construction can be completed by the
end of the summer. “The game isn’t over
yet. With your help, I know we will be very
successful,” concluded Lee.
Many of the guests reflected on the
strong athletic history of Moreau Catholic,
personified in remarks by guest-speaker
and former head football coach Al
Vermeil, for whom the new athletic field
will be named. Despite his many awards
and lifetime achievements, the legendary
Moreau football coach reflected true
humility and a sense of team spirit. He
said, “This is the greatest honor a man
could have. But this is not about me.”
He continued, “The name of this stadium
happens to be mine, but it represents all
the work of all these players,” gesturing
to those present in the room, and those
who were there “in spirit.” He explained
that the successes Moreau has achieved,
including this new field, are reflective of
both “the will to excel” and to “putting
your team and teammates first.” He said
that these are “qualities that endure.”
He was touched to be a part of such a
meaningful project and to have worked
at Moreau, in what he will always
consider an important part of life. “I had
the chance to coach in Camelot for six
years,” Vermeil concluded. The audience
rose to honor a coach that continues to
inspire and motivate others to make big
dreams come true.
Other guests underscored Vermeil’s
extraordinary impact on the history of
athletics at Moreau with words and
phrases like intensity, perseverance,
doing one’s best, challenging oneself,
and pride. It was clear that those who had
worked with Vermeil directly or indirectly,
past or present, had been influenced by
his infectious will to move individuals and
teams forward.
on February 8, 2014,
Moreau Catholic
celebrated a landmark
event—breaking
ground on a new
Athletics and Student
Activities Complex.
left to right: Sister Barbara Bray, snJM, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of oakland joined President terry Lee and Principal Lisa tortorich in turning over the ceremonial dirt during the official Groundbreaking ceremony.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 3
“i had the chance to coach in camelot for six years.”
— Al Vermeil
left to right: craig Foxworthy ’79, William Foxworthy ’75and serena Foxworthy with coach al Vermeil and wife, Diane Vermeil.
The new athletics and student activities complex will honor two significant contributions to Moreau athletics—the field will be known as al Vermeil Field and the entrance gate will carry the name of the Foxworthy family: William ’75, Gordon ’76, Doug ’78 and craig ’79 played football under coach Vermeil.
Two stalwart supporters of Mariner athletics: retired football coach, hayward hero, and social studies teacher Jerry Sheets joined friend and Mariner track coach Diane Blackwell during this landmark event.
Ms. Marie-pascale peterson, Director of community outreach for Fremont Bank, has been a valued supporter of Moreau catholic. Fremont Bank made a gift of $300,000 to Campaign for Champions.
Former Board of Trustees member phyllis Moroney and Brian Schott ’77 have actively supported Moreau’s Campaign for Champions. Brian, along with fellow alumnus steve Klein ’78, initiated the naming effort for al Vermeil Field.
The conversations went
far beyond athletics and
touched on the community
of Hayward and the greater
East Bay. Congressman Eric
Swalwell spoke of his own experience
in high school and college athletics, and
the role that Moreau plays in reaching
out to the broader community. “Moreau
is stitched very deeply into Hayward’s
history, and who Hayward is.” This is
manifested, he continued, “not only in
the care it shows its students, but toward
the City as a whole. The school sets the
gold standard in terms of community
involvement,” said Swalwell.
President Terry Lee put the day in the
context of other structural changes that
have impacted the life of the students
at Moreau Catholic and the broader
community. He explained that it was the
Transforming Tomorrow project that set
the stage for the school’s strong emphasis
on 21st century learning, the one-to-one
laptop program, the creation of new STEM
programs, technological advancements
in the modernized Library and Learning
Commons, and the new multimedia and
video production studio.
Going forward, the Campaign for
Champions and the new track and field
represent a long-awaited structural effort
to improve the quality of the athletics
program. Conversations with many
members of the audience confirmed this
sentiment, ranging from former Principal
Patricia Geister, who set the stage for
Mariner athletic success, to Board
members, football players, teachers and
students.
“It’s time!” was the phrase that came
up again and again.
The Moreau Catholic community can
look forward to a ribbon-cutting and
dedication event in late summer, as well
as other opportunities to contribute,
individually or with others, as the project
moves closer to completion.
visit campaignforchampions.com to
learn how you can engage with this
exciting project.
“we wanted a field that would assist in the transformation of our
students, creating what we now call our ’largest classroom,’ where we
could address the hearts and minds of our students in new ways.”
— Brother William Nick, CSC
Former Mariner football coach Al vermeil and wife Diane with the 1982 Vince lombardi super Bowl trophy.
Board of Trustees member Sister Christopher Miller, oP had her hard hat adjusted by President Terry lee.
an iconic presence since the school first opened, Bernie puccini has attended all three groundbreakings. she caught up with former principal Fr. Lawrence Young before the ceremony.
4 The Vector | Spring ’14
Spring ’14 | The Vector 5
Mr. ed raney, cPa, member of Moreau’s Board of Trustees and Finance committee, contributes sound business advice which is vital to steering the $5M Campaign for Champions to completion.
the grounDBreAking Ceremony was a
milestone in the ongoing process of fundraising.
the Campaign for Champions has met 63% of
the required $5M to complete the new Athletics
and Student Activities Complex. president
terry Lee and the Department of institutional
Advancement will continue their outreach to
individual donors and foundations to bridge the
gap. innovative approaches, such as pledging by
cell phone during the 2013 homecoming game,
raised over $30,000.
MOREAU MARINERSMOREAU MARINERS
M O R E AU C AT H O L I C H I G H S C H O O L H AY WA R D , C A L I F O R N I A JANUARY 2014
MOREAU MARINERS PLAZA
Campaign For Champions: on the horizon
Champions Are… behind the scenes
the MAriner pLAzA will serve as a warm welcome to Mariner fans as they enter our new facilities. naming opportunities are available for the donor wall and plaza tiles. contact Diana (straggas) DeFrance ’76, interim institutional advancement Director at 510.881.4330 for more information.
Many Moreau catholic supporters and over 400 donors have contributed to the current success of the Campaign for Champions. We are grateful for the generosity, expertise and energy of people whose vital contributions are made behind the scenes—on the Finance, institutional advancement and Facilities committees.
Ms. elvia o. Quiroga (with President Terry lee), 2012 raimondi Volunteer award recipient, Moreau catholic Parent ambassador and member of the Finance committee, has dedicated many hours to securing Moreau catholic’s future.
Mr. rick L’ heureux (right, with Peter Peabody), member of Moreau catholic’s Board of Trustees and chair of the institutional advancement committee, is a respected leader in the business community and has raised the visibility of Moreau catholic in the Bay area.
Dick Smith (right), chair of the Facilities committee, has been instrumental in dealing with issues, permits and planning for the construction process. Mr. Kevin sweeney ’72 is a member of Moreau catholic’s Board of Trustees.
6 The Vector | Spring ’14
benefiting theMoreau Catholic tuition assistance program
5 annualth
Friday, April 4, 2014
11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Ivaldi Student Center, Moreau Catholic
2014 keynote speaker: Sam mccracken Moreau Catholic Basketball Coach (1988-1991), General Manager of Nike’s Native American Business and current member of the Department of Education’s National Advisory Council on Indian Education. McCracken had the idea to sell Nike products directly to Native American tribes to support health promotion and disease prevention programs. Seven years after Nike’s Native American division began, the Nike design team collaborated with various community experts and tribal leaders to create footwear specifically for the Native American community, called Nike Air Native N7.
Moreau Catholic High School is committed to ensuring that all qualified students are afforded the opportunity to become a Mariner and achieve their dreams. Our need-based tuition assistance program provides scholars the life-long benefits of a Catholic, college-preparatory education.
the luncheon is generously underwritten so that every
dollar raised will go directly towards tuition assistance.
Contact Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76, Interim
Director of Institutional Advancement at 510.881.4330
or ddefrance@moreaucatholic.org for information
on becoming a host Committee member.
Moreau catholic graduate
James Mendoza ’12 will share
how tuition assistance enabled
him to pursue his dreams of
owning his own contracting
company.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 7
In December, Moreau Catholic High
School presented the 2nd Annual
Catholic School Winter Classic, in
partnership with the High Hopes
Foundation and 4Ballers Only.
Under the visionary leadership
of Moreau Catholic Varsity Boys’
Basketball Coach and Moreau History
Teacher Frank Knight III, twelve Catholic
high schools from across the Bay Area
came together in competition at Cal State
East Bay. The proceeds of the event’s
ad sales helped support Moreau’s tuition
assistance program.
Coach Knight started the Winter
Classic in 2012. Each year, hundreds of
fans had the chance to experience some
of the Bay Area’s top-ranked basketball
teams and players.
The Moreau Catholic basketball teams
were among the top-performers this year.
“They are a team that our community will
enjoy watching over the coming years
because, though young, they are already
champions and promise to mature into
world-class players, as they move from
high school and into college leagues in the
coming years,” says Knight.
Champions Are…though young, they are are North Coast Section winners!”
—Coach Frank Knight III
Standout Sophomore, Oscar Frayer, is ranked Top-25 nationally by Scout.com.
Frank Knight III (with Principal Lisa Tortorich (l) and Athletic Director Christine Krisman) coached the Moreau Catholic basketball team to its first North Coast Section Championship against Salesian—a three-time defending champ with 15 straight NCS playoff wins. Moreau Catholic was in an NCS title game for the first time in its school’s history.
Thank you to photographer Doug ko
of hkophoto who generously allowed
Moreau catholic to use his up-close-
and-personal shots of Mariners in their
epic battle against newark Memorial
that ended in a heartbreaking loss,
65-64.
Photo: Doug Ko, hKophoto
CoaCH KNIgHT discussed the team and the reasons for their success:
HarD WorK
“While other schools have their
varsity teams stacked with juniors and
seniors, ours consists of one junior, ten
sophomores and four freshmen,” Frank
proudly explains.
Though young, they push themselves
very hard. “They started training in the
summer and when school began they train
every day except Sunday,” says Knight.
“Many of them are motivated because
they have big dreams, hoping to go on
to play in college.” According to Knight,
at least half will succeed in getting full
scholarships to play in college. To achieve
that level of success, he continues, “You
have to be 100% dedicated to improving
your skillset, and this team is committed
in this way!”
BuILDINg TruST
On his coaching methods, Knight
used the term “mental toughness.” He
defines this as the point at which players
hit a “wall,” believing they can’t work any
harder. Skillfully, the coaches push them
just a bit farther, getting them to a safe
zone in which they are going beyond
what they thought they could do, but
remaining within the limits of their real
physical capacity. “Once that happens
and they achieve higher goals, they start
to trust their coaches deeply,” explained
Knight. The reason it works so well is
because the staff members at Moreau are
all very positive. “We correct them during
practice, and then allow them to shine
during games,” he explains. “For us, the
game becomes a celebration of all their
hard work.”
Knight talked more about why his
team responds to him so well. Among
the coaches he has seen, establishing
credibility with the kids is essential. “You
get buy-in when they realize you have
been through just what they have.”
He said that the life-lessons that
the basketball players experience are
numerous. Beyond learning about
developing trust in their coaches and
teammates and identifying how to set
goals and achieve them, players learn
how to fail. He specifies, “One can’t
teach heartbreak; it is something that has
to be experienced. Through our games
and tournaments, our teammates get the
opportunity to experience failure, learn
from it, and move on.” Knight believes
this is an essential skill today, more than
ever, where the job market is tough, and
where “mental toughness” and a positive
mind-set will be essential.
WHaT’S NexT?
“I am dedicated to continuing to
develop this young, winning team at
Moreau Catholic,” he says with the clarity
and focus that reflects his own dedication.
Knight looks beyond Moreau Catholic
to the community that surrounds the
school and adds that he is determined
to contribute to developing the next
generation of basketball players in the
East Bay through his basketball summer
camps. These operate in Hayward,
Newark, Union City, Fremont, and Castro
Valley. He is on his way to achieving his
goal, as he has hired five coaches to help
him with this successful program.
“While other schools have their varsity teams stacked with juniors and seniors, ours consists of one junior, ten sophomores and four freshmen.”
—Coach Frank Knight III
ride the Wave! recent Moreau catholic basketball games have been sold-out.our team of young players has been generating excitement througout the east Bay and beyond.
8 The Vector | Spring ’14
Photo: Doug Ko, hKophoto
sophomore ryan regner is a scrappy defensive player who excels academically.
Freshman Damari Milstead led Moreau catholic to their first ncs championship, scoring 20 points over the Fortuna huskies in the semifinals, above.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 9
sophomore armond simmons ’16 is already receiving scholarship offers from san Jose state, cal Poly, northern arizona university, american univeristy, univeristy of the Paciific, and university of california riverside.
Photo: Doug Ko, hKophoto
Photo: Doug Ko, hKophoto
Photo: Doug Ko, hKophoto
Angela Demmel, dancer,
choreographer, teacher,
and chair of the Visual and
Performing Arts (VAPA)
Department, shares her
views on the remarkable growth of the
Moreau Catholic dance program over the
past decade. She also answers questions
about the success of dance at Moreau.
WHy Do MeN DaNCe?
“Recently, I received a letter from
a journalism student who asked me
’Why don’t men dance?’ I was happy to
contemplate this question from a different
angle, in order to help shift stereotypes that
are, luckily, being broken here at Moreau
and elsewhere. I am more interested in
discussing the question, ’Why do men
dance’.”
We see an increasing number of male
dancers on the Moreau stage. In fact,
this winter, among our 85 dancers, we
had 13 male performers. “They bring
a shift in energy to the studio space,
approaching the movement with a sense
of fearlessness. This particular group of
men crave success—a level of perfection
—that resonates through the rehearsal
space. The mix of male and female energy
works well together. They push each other
in positive ways.
“The male dancers all came to Moreau
Catholic with a background in athletics,
be it traditional sports, martial arts, or
some form of dance. Most certainly, each
finds commonalities between dance
and their other physical endeavors.
These include strength, endurance,
coordination, flexibility, and the personal
pleasure of arriving at a final product—the
performance. Just as in a competition, the
performance is the ultimate assessment
of excellence. These young men, no
different than the young women in the
program, have found in dance a means
to challenge themselves—physically,
mentally, and emotionally.”
Spring ArtS CAlendArShrek the Musicalapril 4 and 5, 7:00 pm
april 6, 2:00 pm
april 11 and 12, 7:00 pm
Teves Theatre, Moreau catholic
Spring Art Show, Fresh Airapril 4, 5:00-7:00 pm
Brother stephen Walsh, csc,
Memorial art Gallery
Spring DAnCe ConCertMixed tape— A tribute to the 80sMay 2 and 3, 7:00 pm
May 3 and 4, 2:00 pm
Teves Theatre, Moreau catholic
Spring orCheStrA & BAnD ConCertTuesday, May 6, 7 pm
Teves Theatre, Moreau catholic
popS Choir ConCertMusical theatre Favorites & popular hitsThursday, May 15, 7 pm
Teves Theatre, Moreau catholic
“christmas Waltz”Deion Marquez ’14 alexandra rebosura ’14 Justin owens ’14
10 The Vector | Spring ’14
Jenna Gomez ’14rehearsing for “christmas Waltz.”
Champions Are…Since 2000, the number of dancers has more than doubled, growing to 85 performers this year.”
—Angela Demmel, chair of the Visual and Performing Arts DEpartment
Spring ’14 | The Vector 11
“Veni, veni, emmanuel”Vanessa Vonnegut ’16Madison irons ’14Brianna Thompson ’17ashlye Pena Velez ’16
“
WHy IS THe DaNCe PrograM aT
Moreau groWINg?
Our dance program has experienced
remarkable growth over the years. Since
2000, the number of dancers has more
than doubled, growing to 85 performers
this year. We attribute this increase to our
continued commitment to high quality
dance education, while generating larger
scale productions, which include music
and choreography that appeals to a
wider audience base. The results have
been fabulous, allowing audiences to
grow in their level of understanding of this
art form. Additionally, the Dance Program
works with the Admissions Department
to schedule performances around the
Open House season and invites local
elementary and middle school students
who might be interested in dance. More
and more, students are drawn to Moreau
Catholic because of our unique dance
program.
WHaT MoTIVaTeS you aS a DaNCe
TeaCHer?
I have a deep passion for the art
form that I wish to share with the next
generation of young dancers. It seems
that, all too often, dance educators
underestimate what high school
dancers can do. They are asked to do
tricks, to kick, to turn, but not given the
opportunity to explore deeper themes
choreographically. Our students are
articulate, intelligent, feeling beings, fully
capable of addressing mature themes in
an abstract way. People often say: “We
can only expect this much from them
because they are just high schoolers.” I
have never adopted that philosophy. In
founding a program to meet the rigorous
standards of this college preparatory
institution, I modeled the curriculum
after college dance majors. I have
never lowered my standards; the result
being that all of our dance classes are
UC eligible and we boast the only UC
accepted Honors dance class in the
state.
Developing and maintaining this model
is a continual practice of trial and error. If
a concept is too much for my students, I
need to go back and modify it. I have to
ask myself, “How do I challenge, but not
overwhelm?” In the end, this is the same
mindset used by every teacher who
strives to bring out the best in students.
Part of this process is having upper level
students choreograph their own pieces.
I invite them to work within a theme, or
concept, that will get them excited in a
way that is different from dancing to
music they listen to in their living rooms.
The male dancers all came with a background in athletics, be it traditional sports, martial arts, or some form of dance.
Most certainly, each finds commonalities between dance and their other physical endeavors.
These include strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility.”
12 The Vector | Spring ’14
“Mary, Did You Know?”erin De leon ’14 nathan Balingit ’14
Lauren McGary ’14, of Hayward,
is a National Achievement
Scholarship Program* recipient
and a senior at Moreau Catholic.
She is also on the Principal’s
Honor Roll, a member of the National
Honors Society, and has a 4.22 cumulative
GPA. When she was in 8th grade and a
student at Redwood Christian Schools,
she decided to attend Moreau Catholic
because she was looking for a school
that was academically challenging and
that offered a wide variety of programs
so that she could explore new interests.
She had also heard that Moreau Catholic
had a strong journalism program, which
was already something that she knew
was interesting to her.
Now, four years later, McGary recently
finished applying to college. During her
time at Moreau, in addition to journalism
courses, she also learned French and
enrolled in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Through this course, she developed an
interest in International Relations, and
selected colleges based on this. She
is leaning toward schools on the East
Coast, in locations such as Washington
DC and New York, where she believes
career opportunities in International
Relations will be strong.
McGary was also a Student
Ambassador, a member of Link Crew,
a volleyball player and member of the
track team. She also founded a chapter
of Model United Nations (UN), a club in
which students assume (or “model”) the
roles of ambassadors or representatives
in the United Nations and debate key
issues. Regarding the genesis of the
club, she explained, “I got the idea for the
club from a college visit. An administrator
at the Department for International Affairs
at one school informed me that students
typically take Model UN as a course in
which they prepare for competitions. She
then informed me that some high schools
have the same program. I brought this
back to Moreau, where the idea was
greeted with enthusiasm.” The club, in
its first year, already has 20 members.
Its mandate is to raise global awareness
about human rights and social justice.
Currently, they are preparing to attend
their first conference at UC Berkeley.
*The National Achievement Scholarship Program honors African-American students who get the highest scores among African-American students taking the PSAT.
Champions Are…Lauren McGary ’14, Scholar and Leader
lauren McGary ’14 (front row, center) with members of the Moreau catholic chapter of Model united nations.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 13
14 The Vector | Spring ’14
Campaign for ChampionsBe an Alumni All-Star! Joint the Alumni All-Star Relay for the Campaign for Champions!
What is the Alumni All-Star relay?Just like Spirit Week, the Alumni All-Star relay is a chance for proud Mariners to show their
class pride! With eight lanes on the new all-weather track, eight lucky classes will have a
lane named for them to carry on their legacy of Mariner pride.
Current scoreboard based on funds raised from alumni and alumni parents to date:
What do I get as an Alumni All-Star?First and foremost, winning all-star classes (the top eight classes that raise more than
$30,000) will have a new track lane named after them in descending order of funds raised.
And there’s more! We are also offering several other bonuses based on your pledge level,
ranging from patches and window decals to limited edition MVP Stadium seats, named
seats or rows in the bleachers, and limited edition Campaign for Champions Nike jackets!
How will my gift be counted if there are several Mariners in my family?If you have several alumni in your family, your gift will be evenly distributed across each
class year for you and your alumni children/students. Should you wish to reallocate your gift
across class years, please contact Dani Lorta ’89 at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org
*$30,000 minimum met
Lane 1 ’77*
Lane 2 ’75*
Lane 3 ’85*
Lane 4 ’86*
Lane 5 ’07
Lane 6 ’74
Lane 7 ’72
Lane 8 ’83
runner up ’10
runner up ’13
To learn more about how to
organize your class effort,
contact the Alumni Office at
dlorta@moreaucatholic.org
Spring ’14 | The Vector 15
How can I be an Alumni All-Star?Being an Alumni All-Star is easy! Make your gift in any of the following ways:
WayS To gIVe
online
Visit moreaucatholic.org/giving to give safely and securely online.
Mobile
Text “Moreau $Amount Your Name” to 56512 to pledge your support.
Cash/Checks
Mail to:
MarINer MVP—aLuMNI aLL STar reLay
Moreau Catholic High School
27170 Mission Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94544-4194
Match
Visit www.moreaucatholic.org/matchinggifts to leverage
the impact of your gift with an employer matching gift.
other
Contact Dani Lorta ’89 at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org for
more information on giving gifts of stock, real estate, matured
life insurance policy, wills, trusts, and planned giving.
Now that we are in the Campaign’s Fourth Quarter, we need
everyone on the team! Please make your Mariner MVP Gift now to ensure
your class gets on the board and is recognized for your Mariner Spirit.
To learn more about how to organize your class effort, contact the
Alumni Office at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org
Go Mariners! Ride the Wave!
ALuMni AthLetiC eventS
Alumni volleyball game
saturday, March 22, 2014
location: Main Gym, Mchs
Time: 5:00 pm
contact Dani lorta ’89 at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org
register online at www.moreaucatholic.org/alumnivb14
Alumni track & Field Family BBQ
saturday, May 10, 2014
location: Moreau catholic President’s Patio, 3rd floor
Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
contact Dani lorta ’89 at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org
16 The Vector | Spring ’14
No one questions the
fact that computer
programming has a huge
impact on our society
today. For those who live
in Silicon Valley, many have experienced
the significant increase in demand for
programmers. Indeed, according to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The
profession’s superb job prospects, low
unemployment rate and excellent median
salary helped it grab the No. 1 spot in our
ranking of the Best Jobs of 2014.”
Someone interested in the future
of education might ask the obvious
question: “How are high schools
responding to the growing demand for
programming as a 21st century skill set?”
The answer is surprising.
According to Moreau Catholic High
School math and computer science
teacher Gary Gongwer, only 5% of
American high schools offer computer
programming as an Advanced Placement
(AP) course. As many in the Moreau
Catholic community recognize, this is
not the case here. Moreau not only offers
applied computer training skills, like
Robotics Engineering, but is the only high
school in the East Bay to offer a Gaming
Design Class.
Gongwer, who studied Computational
Linguistics at Stanford University and
who has a Masters in Statistics from
Cal State East Bay, reflected recently
about the evolution of computer science
programs at Moreau today.
He says that Robotics teaching tools
came onto the market about ten years
ago and were offered by the world-
famous Lego company. He described
the skills that the students develop in
these classes. They range from ones
we might expect, such as geometry and
design, to those that are more surprising,
which include literary analysis and
character-development. He believes that
programming is like a language, easiest
to learn when young. “Providing computer
programming at the high school level
is what I define as a 21st century vision
made real,” says Gongwer.
In the Robotics Engineering course
at Moreau Catholic, students learn
academic skills, but they also refine their
ability to communicate and collaborate
effectively. “Good designs are the result
of extensive interactive work, ranging
from identifying designs provided by
other individuals online, to debating the
merits of various designs in work groups.”
Interestingly, they also develop the skill
of failure. “In the technology arena, we
call it ’troubleshooting,’” says Gongwer.
“An important part of the engineering
process is to build and test prototypes
and then improve the design based on
what went wrong,” he continued.
Gongwer describes how he teaches
Champions Are…Robotics and
Gaming Teacher
Gary Gongwer
“Good designs are the result
of extensive interactive work,
ranging from identifying designs
provided by other individuals
online, to debating the merits of
various designs in work groups.”
Spring ’14 | The Vector 17
the important connection between
mathematics and the arts and even
ethics to his students. A valuable lesson,
along these lines, is provided in a piece
they read by science fiction author Karel
Capek. In Capek’s “Rossum’s Universal
Robots” (1920), the author reveals
issues related to the implications of
having one group control the actions of
another. Students are prompted to ask
themselves, “What are the parameters
we should consider as programmers?”
It is chilling to consider that the issues
explored by Capek in the 1920s are
just as relevant to programmers today.
Gongwer explains, “Students learn to
combine their ability to look at situations
from both an ethical and a practical
standpoint and make sound decisions.”
He continues, “As a Catholic school, this
lesson is particularly relevant to the way
we teach technology.”
Moreau Catholic currently has
students from Gary Gongwer’s Robotics
Engineering and Gaming Analysis and
Design classes who are studying at major
universities and who are focusing their
future careers on these issues. Among
them is Kendrick Kho ’10, a senior at
Stanford University. Kendrick will soon
graduate with a double major in Earth
Systems and in Science, Technology,
and Society. With this multidisciplinary
background, Kendrick hopes to
transform the organizational structure
and culture of corporations to foster
social and environmental responsibility.
Of Gongwer’s class, Kho says, “I was
trained in a methodical, step-by-step
thought process, while learning to create
solutions by testing, refining, and iterating
through possibilities. This practical
approach is what enabled me to succeed
in the coursework I had at Stanford. Mr.
Gongwer is engaging and very hands
on. These traits are key for a teacher,
especially for this sort of course where you
have small teams and complex problems.
It is also important for the teacher to be
accessible, as he is!” He added, “The
subject matter inspires itself, but it is
key for a teacher to help spark solutions
because this is what enables students to
push through the places where they get
stuck.” Today, Kho is very interested in
business solutions. For example, one of
his favorite companies to follow is Tesla.
Why? Kho’s answer reflects his broad
interests and perspective. He says,
“Their approach to entering the electric
vehicle market is very different from
standard approaches like that of Nissan.”
He continues, “They implement world-
class engineering solutions, but provide
essential reassurance to consumers via
a sophisticated branding strategy.” Next,
Kho is applying to graduate school in
Management Science and Engineering,
which he describes as an MBA for
Engineers”.
Kendrick Kho ’10 (left, in a 2009 photo taken in Mr. Gongwer’s class) will graduate from stanford university with a double major in earth systems and in science Technology.
“Students learn to combine
their ability to look at situations
from both an ethical and
a practical standpoint and
make sound decisions.”
18 The Vector | Spring ’14
How many of you are from
Uganda? was the first
question President Terry
Lee asked a group of
students who came to the
Library and Learning Commons to attend
his lunchtime travel series talk about his
recent trip to East Africa.
“How many of you have been to
Uganda or Africa?” he asked next. Like
the first question, no hands went up.
“Neither had I,” he went on.
Lee’s visit to Uganda is helping bridge
the gap for us here at Moreau, and for
the Congregation of Holy Cross, who
called upon Lee to provide workshops to
teachers from Holy Cross in the District
of East Africa, which also includes Kenya
and Tanzania.
Lee’s visit is another step in the long
history of collaboration between The
Congregation of Holy Cross and the
people of East Africa. In 1958, after some
consideration of where Holy Cross might
extend its missionary service in the world,
it was decided to open a new mission in
Uganda. Father Vincent McCauley, CSC,
led the first Holy Cross religious to Fort
Portal in 1959. For context, Lee reminded
his audience in the Library and Learning
Commons of the fact that Moreau
Catholic High School was founded in
1965, not long after this first Holy Cross
expansion in Uganda. The educational
workshops Lee helped facilitate included
teachers and administrators from all over
East Africa, with some people traveling
16 hours by car from Nairobi, Kenya and
Tanzania. The focus of the workshops
was to help teachers develop specific
tools to strengthen their Holy Cross
identity, and helped reinforce the global
nature of the Holy Cross themes of Being
Family, Building Respect, Bringing Hope,
and Educating Hearts & Forming Minds.
Lee recounted some of the logistical
details surrounding the trip, which included
a 26-hour plane ride with two stops, and
the number of shots and medications
that were required to prevent yellow fever,
typhoid and malaria. He also showed
the group a photo of his bed, which was
covered in mosquito netting. He went on
to share stories about the local foods,
which includes matoke (a mashed
President lee (front row) is pictured with holy cross educators from east africa who gathered in Jinja, uganda for educational workshops on mission and holy cross heritage.
PreSIDeNT Terry Lee TrAveLS TO UGANDA
The educational workshops
Terry Lee helped facilitate
included teachers and
administrators from all over
east Africa, with some people
traveling 16 hours by car
from Kenya and Tanzania.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 19
plantain dish) and ugali (a cornmeal staple)
of East and southeastern Africa.
Lee also discussed his visit to Holy
Cross School Lakeview in Jinja, a co-ed
boarding high school founded in 1994.
“This school is very highly regarded in
Uganda for its academics,” Lee explained.
“There is heavy demand for top quality
education in Uganda, where illiteracy
rates are still very high and only 50% of
the population is employed.” The school’s
principal, Brother Cleo, reiterated that the
school is growing and that infrastructure
improvements are needed. “A new boys’
dormitory is almost completed, and a
new girls’ dorm will be constructed next,”
Brother Cleo told Mr. Lee. Lee compared
this construction at Holy Cross Lakeview to
our own construction of our new Athletics
and Student Activities Complex. “While
there is an obvious difference in the order
of magnitude of where they are in Africa
compared to us, we are both focused
on improving our school facilities so our
students can thrive and learn,” stated Lee.
“They have come so far since opening
in 1994,” Lee continued about Holy Cross
Lakeview. “The school is imparting Gospel
values, and graduates of the school are
going on to university and making a
difference in the ongoing development of
their country.”
He explained to the Moreau Catholic
audience that the students at Holy Cross
Lakeview are getting an opportunity that
most of the young people in Uganda
won’t have. “Their parents are paying
tuition that is difficult to afford, and
sending their children far away to a
boarding school, all in the hopes that
they will have a pathway to university and
a better life,” Lee continued. “It not only
reminds us of the great blessings we have
in the United States, but of the universal
appeal of education as empowerment,
and the strong Holy Cross values that are
alive and evident in all Holy Cross schools
around the world.”
For a glimpse of the sights and sounds of
holy cross school lakeview, please visit
youtube.com/watch?v=2zxNHkDfses
saint andré Dining hall at holy cross lakeview in Jinja, uganda.
at an ordination to the transitional diaconate, youmg men lay prostrate before the local Bishop and pledge their loyalty to holy cross and the church.
The students at Holy Cross
Lakeview are getting an
opportunity that most of
the young people in Uganda
won’t have. Their parents
are paying tuition that
is difficult to afford, and
sending their children far
away to a boarding school,
all in the hopes that they
will have a pathway to
university and a better life.
20 The Vector | Spring ’14
Thanks to the efforts of many members of this the
Moreau Catholic community, we had the opportunity
to gather and enjoy another sold out Crab Feed.
Congratulations to the Booster Club on an amazing
night of food, fun and festivities as over 620 patrons
enjoyed an all-you-can-eat crab and pasta feed, a wonderful raffle
and auction, and dancing, all while raising over $60,000.00 for the
Mariner athletics Program.
The night would not have been possible without the leadership
of Heidi Muhr, Assistant to the Athletic Director, and Kari
Cardana, Booster Club President. Over the past five years these
two hardworking individuals have raised over $250,000 from crab
feed events and hope to grow that amount over the next 5 years.
We also send our sincere thanks to Ted griggs ’78, President of
Comcast Sports, who was the Auctioneer for the night. Students,
parents, alumni, faculty and staff all worked together to make this
event an outstanding success.
—Christine Krisman,
Athletic Director
The Muhr family: heidi Muhr (2nd from right) with her sister, Judy halper ’86; cousin, e. J. Walsh, and daughter; Marilyn Muhr ’10
Tony Mirenda of BLACh Construction, who attended crab Feed with his sister Donna Mirenda-D’arcy, is the principal design-build contractor for the new Athletics and Student Activities Complex at Moreau catholic and always an enthusiastic supporter of Moreau catholic events.
The 45th Annual Crab Feed and Auction
Champions Are…The Moreau Catholic Booster Club, Hundreds of supporters,
volunteers and contributors. Thank You!
Spring ’14 | The Vector 21
texAS hoLD’eM poker tournAMentSaturday, March 29thDoors open at 5:30 pmTournament starts at 6:30 pm sharpgArin gYM
grAnD prize: $500 Gift Card and a special gift
2nd place: $250 Gift Card and a special gift
3rd place: $100 Gift Card and a special giftPrizes for 4th-9th place also!
$100 Buy In Includes:Chips, Dinner Buffet and Cocktail Coupon
additional Buy Up rounds available$25 for buffet only (non-players)
reserve your seat: moreaucatholic.org/athletics
lovely Queen of spades, Moreau’s own Kerrie Gibson, left her customary post as athletic trainer and science teacher to help out at the 45th annual crab Feed and auction by promoting the The 2nd annual chips-ahoy hold’em showdown.
super-volunteers, Kurt and Mary Jo schaarschmidt, were welcomed to the cocktail and silent auction festivities by Bernie Puccini. Daughter Krista schaarschmidt ’14 has graced many musicals, Masses and choir concerts with her lovely voice. she is surely is destined for stardom after graduation in May.
22 The Vector | Spring ’14
Economics is often a very
theoretical topic. The well-
known economic thinkers of
the world, ranging from Karl
Marx (1818-1883) and John
Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) to Milton
Friedman (1912-2006) and even Ben
Bernanke (1953-present), offer a variety
of points of view regarding economic
theory. But what do these mean to our
lives today?
With regard to the practical side of
economics, Moreau Catholic Social
Studies teacher Petar Zegura utilizes an
original approach to teaching high school
students (or anyone for that matter)
economic principles related to micro
lending by using Kiva. For the past four
years, Zegura has been offering Moreau
students a popular way to try a real-world
means of making a difference in a global
sense: providing small (“micro”) loans to
individuals throughout the developing
world in a hands-on approach to
alleviating poverty by helping people
to help themselves. Students taking
economics (every senior) each donate
$5 to this project. Thus far 853 students
have contributed $3890 to the Moreau
Lending team. After the recipients have
repaid the short-term loans, the money
is then rolled over or re-loaned- in other
words, reinvested into assisting someone
else. Currently the economics
classes have provided 441 loans to
individuals in 52 countries, totaling
$12,225, more than a threefold return
on the original donations.
Kiva is known throughout the world as
an innovative successful Internet start-up,
originated by Stanford students, and now
based in San Francisco. It was the first
internet-based micro-lending company in
the world. According to their website, Kiva
is a non-profit organization with a mission
to connect people through lending to
alleviate poverty. Leveraging the Internet
and a worldwide network of microfinance
institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as
little as $25 to help create opportunity
around the world. They have given out
over $527 million in loans, working with
over 1,000,000 lenders in 73 countries
around the world. Today, those lenders
include the students of Mr. Zegura’s
Social Studies class.
Moreau is one of 444 high schools
worldwide, to have used Kiva to provide
small loans to better lives. For example,
Moreau Students have helped to
purchase livestock, seeds for crops,
portable chlorination systems for safe
drinking water, farm equipment, business
inventory, and sewing machines
Moreau’s loans have helped to fund a
wedding in Mongolia and even brought
cold beer to a small store in a remote
village in the Peruvian Andes by assisting
in the purchase of a refrigeration unit. You
can see a precise history of Moreau’s
teams and their investments by visiting
the handy www.kiva.org web site. Search
for Moreau under Teams.
Petar Zegura, Moreau
Catholic social Studies
Teacher, utilizes an online
resource, Kiva, to teach
principles related to loaning
money. www.kiva.org
the class has
funded a wedding
in Mongolia,
and brought
refrigeration
to a store in the
Andes.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 23
Alexandra currently works as the Community
Technology Coordinator at the Women’s
Building in San Francisco. She plans to begin
an assignment with the Peace Corps in South
America beginning May 2014.
I have always had an interest in social justice and development
issues. Much of my early inspiration came from the things
I learned with Ms. Amy Armstrong in her Peace and Conflict
Studies class and my experiences as an exchange student in
Argentina during my sophomore year.
I began to speak Spanish confidently during my 11 months
in Argentina and I developed my reading and writing skills in
my classes with Ms. Yolanda Moran. She encouraged me
to continue studying Spanish in college and with the strong
foundation I gained at Moreau, it became feasible to finish a
Spanish major in addition to my Women’s Studies major and
Portuguese minor. I went on to learn more about women in
development and specifically about microfinance as I delved
deeper into my studies.
As a senior, I completed a semester-long internship at the
Foundation for Women, a microfinance organization based in
San Diego. There, I attended meetings with local borrowers who
were starting small businesses, vetted potential sales locations
and created bilingual learning materials for the women.
When I graduated from San Diego State University I wanted
to continue my involvement with microfinance organizations.
After reading extensively about organizations that are involved
in the microfinance sector, I chose to reach out to Kiva based on
the high quality experience they offer their volunteers and staff,
and the respect that they have earned from others in the field.
While browsing the Kiva website, I saw they were requesting
applications for volunteer translators and I applied. The multi-
step application process entailed essays about my background
and motivation and also exams to test for high-level language
proficiency.
Now I translate loans from Spanish to English about 2 hours
a week. As someone who was been studying Spanish for a
while it is fascinating to learn new words and regionalisms. I am
also learning a lot about translation and inferring from context.
Many times the terminology can be very obscure because of the
remote location of the borrowers. As volunteers, we collaborate
on a group message board to figure out together the best
wording or translation.
I recently attended the Review and Translation Program
holiday party at the Kiva headquarters in San Francisco, where I
got to meet other volunteers who live in the area and mingle with
Kiva staff and interns. There, Matt Flannery, the CEO, spoke
to us about Kiva’s need for volunteers. When he first started
Kiva it seemed daunting from a financial standpoint to edit and
translate the loans and post them online for lenders to choose
from. The work of the editors and translators make it possible
for folks to browse the website and understand the backgrounds
of the borrowers and how their loan can make a difference in the
borrower’s lives.
If folks are interested in getting involved it only takes $25
to start lending. You can browse the profiles of the borrowers,
which are translated by volunteers like myself, and soon the $25
will be repaid to the lender so they can allocate the funds to a
new project.
Experiences like my time in the Philippines with Father Tito
Bonoan have motivated me to find ways to use my talents to get
involved with the global community. I am grateful to have had
such an enriching experience at Moreau, which continues to
inspire me to connect with others.
Moreau Alumna
Alexandra Harbert ’08
Volunteers as a Translator
for Kivai am grateful to have had such an
enriching experience at Moreau,
which continues to inspire
me to connect with others. alexandra ’08 with sister nicole ’11
Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76 was honored last
November during the Saint Clement Second
Annual Auction for her years of service to Saint
Clement School and Parish.
Diana began her volunteerism at Saint Clement
when her daughter, Jennifer (DeFrance) Burgin ’02 entered
Kindergarten in 1991. Diana would spend time in different
classrooms helping teachers, donating school supplies,
working with struggling readers, being a room mom, supervising
students at recess and lunch, and regularly driving on field trips
(with Chrissy DeFrance ’05 tagging along)! Diana loved working
with students and watching her two daughters grow up while
they attended Saint Clement School.
As years passed, Diana would follow her servant’s heart and
became the Saint Clement School Parent Club President, Saint
Clement Parish CYO Athletic Director, and a member of the
Saint Clement Parish Council. However, Diana was most often
known and loved for being an aide to many teachers, and her
incredible support to Gladys Radecke and Mary Pult—former
Saint Clement School principals.
“Diana’s energy and enthusiasm were contagious; her
dedication and love for the students were obvious. Many a day,
I observed her working with students at Saint Clement School
and later in life doing the same with Moreau Catholic students;
it was always a scene of joy and care. Diana was always
instrumental in fulfilling the mission of Catholic school education
at Saint Clement School and unmistakably at Moreau Catholic
High School. Blessings to Diana,” recalled Gladys Radecke.
“No matter what the event, you could always count on Diana
either to spearhead or be a supporter. Any idea that benefitted
Saint Clement School or Parish, she was willing to make it
happen. Her spirit of helpfulness inspired many parents to also
give freely of their time,” said Mary Pult.
During her years at Saint Clement, Diana would organize
major fundraising events, including the annual auction, school
and parish festivals, and school fundraisers. She often assisted
classes in creating their auction items, even if it meant her
spending hundreds of hours at her sewing machine.
In 2000, Diana accepted a position at Moreau Catholic
High School and is currently the Interim Director of Institutional
Advancement. Even though Diana works full time, she still
has a hand in Saint Clement—volunteering to help organize
their annual auction and the school’s recent 50th anniversary
celebration.
“Diana is a guardian angel to our Saint Clement School
community. Her vision and passion for our school is admirable
and beyond measure. Diana embodies all four of our Schoolwide
Learning Expectations and is a role model for our students to
follow. She has a tremendous heart and is always willing to
help where needed. As one of her former colleagues at Moreau
Catholic, I can say that she is an amazing woman, a true leader,
a visionary and goes above and beyond to get things done. As
the Principal of Saint Clement School, I can simply say that we
are fortunate to have her as part of our community. May God
continue to bless her and her family,” states Ana Hernandez.
In honor of their mother’s accomplishments, Jennifer ’02
and Chrissy ’05 have started a scholarship for Saint Clement
students who wish to continue their Catholic education. For
more information about supporting the scholarship, please
contact Principal Ana Hernandez at ahernandez@csdo.org
Champions Are…volunteers: diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76
24 The Vector | Spring ’14
80s
Spring ’14 | The Vector 25
FLeetwood Mask the Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Paul Jones ’82, steve Roberts ’82, and
Claudette Rodrigues ’81
are bringing their popular band, Fleetwood Mask, close to
home. They have a special performance scheduled at the
historic Bal Theatre in San Leandro on Saturday, April 19th at
7:30 pm. Tickets are available at www.BalTheatre.com. Steve
and Paul played together at Moreau’s famous talent shows as
students and returned last year with Claudette and the band to
play the Class of 2013’s Rock the Wave event.
MoReau’s Math dePaRtMent Some members of Moreau’s Math department from the 1980s
got together to celebrate Christmas, including Linda Wolf,
Susanna Pancella, Mary Ann Udoutch, and Diane Mathios.
Diane is still teaching at De Anza Community College and
the others are retired and having fun traveling, golfing, and
gardening.
Mariner WaVes
submit your Mariner Wave to: Dani lorta ’89 annual Giving and alumni relations coordinatordlorta@moreaucatholic.org
left to right:linda Wolf, susanna Pancella, Mary ann udoutch, and Diane Mathios
left to right: Barbara Martin, steve roberts ’82, Paul Jones ’82, claudette rodrigues ’81 and Don oberempt
90s
70s 00s
00s
80sBrianna swartz ’00 and ashwin Prasad ’00
welcomed their son, Devon Quincy Swartz-Prasad, on November
9, 2013. He was 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 21 inches. All are healthy
and happy.
Matt warren ’03
married his best friend and soulmate, Corine Perez on September
21, 2013. The wedding was held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course
in Gilroy. They are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives.
sonia Maldonado ’10
is a proud employee of Kaiser Permanente. Her daughter, Miabella
Katalina Castaneda-Maldonado, was born on March 6, 2013.
Mariner WaVes
congratulations to Matt and corine!
rick ’88, wife heather, and son roman antonini
Gina antonini ’83
26 The Vector | Spring ’14
tim o’Bayley ’79
is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of his Public
Relations & Advertising agency, O’Bayley Communications.
Tim relocated to Palm Springs in 1998.
Gina antonini ’83
decided to take her part-time passion of skincare specialist and
makeup artist and make it a full-time business as a Mary Kay
consultant. Check out her business at www.marykay.com/gma.
Beth Johnson weger ’87 and danielle werner ’02
were classmates and graduates of the San Jose Police Department
Communications Academy. Both Danielle and Beth are 911 call
takers for the San Jose Police Department. They discovered their
Moreau connection during an ice-breaker at the Academy.
Rick antonini ’88 and heather dion antonini
welcomed their son, Roman Steven Antonini, on August 15, 2013.
kecia Mcdonald ’89 and amy Bailey Proto ’89
crossed off one of the items on their bucket list by visiting Machu
Picchu in Peru last June. Amy’s son, Josh Proto, is in his second
year at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon studying
Molecular Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies.
Brian appiano ’95
and his wife own two restaurants and a catering business on the
Central Coast of CA. After being featured on Adam Richman and
Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food Nation,” they were one of five
private invitees by Adam to the 2012 World Food Championship
in Las Vegas where he took 4th place overall and earned an
automatic invitation for 2013. At the 2013 competition, Brian and
his team won 1st place for People’s Choice Chili. (The People’s
Choice Award is voted on and determined by the audience).
danni Fry ’97
and her family recently moved back to California after ten years.
They welcomed a baby girl, Makena, in April.
Spring ’14 | The Vector 27
left to right: Makena Fry, Miabella Katalina castaneda-Maldonado and Devon Quincy swartz-Prasad
roB Butner ’98 AnD niCoLe CurrY ’98
reconnected in 2006 on MySpace.com.
They were engaged in Maui last year and
will be married on July 12, 2014. They will
be honeymooning in Italy where Rob will be
racing in XTERRA Italy, an off-road triathlon,
in the town of Scanno. They spend most of
their time running half marathons (Nicole)
and racing in triathlons (Rob). In their spare
time, Nicole works for Kimpton Hotels and
Rob works for Apple. They currently reside
in Union City with their dog, Bella.
welcome Future Mariners!
Beth Johnson Weger ’87 and Danielle Werner ’02
Kecia McDonald ’89 and amy Bailey Proto ’89
Brian appiano ’95 (r) with chef robert irvine of Restaurant Impossible
Tim o’Bayley ’79
Moreau’s Voyage to 50 our year-long commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Moreau Catholic high School starts in August, 2014.
please share memories of your alma mater. Send them to Dani Lorta ’89 at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org or Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76 at ddefrance@moreaucatholic.org.
Celebration preparations are ongoing and look for upcoming events in our next few editions of The Vector.
Mariners Forever
reunionsIt’s Class reunion planning season!Contact your class reunion volunteer for more information and to help plan a memorable event:
1969 Dave Donnan dave@davedonnan.com
1974 Teri Menchini laboccafina@aol.com 510.825.0212
1979 Tim O’Bayley tim@obayley.net
1984 Patricia Gudino sportsmom510@gmail.com 510.600.7855
1989 Dani Lorta dlorta@moreaucatholic.org 510.881.4360
1994 Kitty Aquino esparrago mattandkitty@gmail.com
1999 volunteers needed
2004 John Flaaten roze Alvidera 510.861.8659 ralvidera@gmail.com
2009 Alicia Martinez alicia2013@att.net 925.918.3419
Check out your class Facebook page (Moreau Catholic — Class of ____) to help get the planning process underway with your classmates and ensure you have a memorable reunion unique to your class.
Contact Dani Lorta ’89 at dlorta@moreaucatholic.org for more information about working with Moreau Catholic’s Alumni Office and volunteering for your class reunion committee.
28 The Vector | Spring ’14
Saturday, April 5, 4:30 p.m.ivaldi Student Center, Moreau CatholicStudents from Moreau Catholic High School are traveling to the Philippines
this summer to build a home for the poor. This is their seventh service
immersion trip to the region.
For this purpose, The Moreau Filipino Club has offered to host a unique
fundraiser, which will include homemade Filipino food and beverages, in
addition to entertainment. All proceeds will go directly toward the home
they are constructing.
This event is scheduled directly before Moreau Catholic’s production of
“Shrek: The Musical,” so we hope it provides a convenient, entertaining,
and productive way to spend a Saturday night. Your support will be
deeply appreciated by all.
For information, to donate or buy tickets to the dinner, please contact
Fr. Bruce Cecil, CSC or bcecil@moreaucatholic.org or Mr. Peter Shelley at
pshelley@moreaucatholic.org.
FunDrAiSing Dinner to benefit the philippines
wAnteD Alumni Speakers to join our Alumni Speakers Bureau
alumni are invited to join the alumni speakers Bureau to partner with Moreau faculty members for class presentations linking curriculum to practical career applications.
share your passion for your career and your journey to your current position with fellow Mariners. contact Dani lorta ‘89 dlorta@moreaucatholic.org for more information and to volunteer.
IN MEMORIAM
Please pray for the souls of:
robert Joseph ahern
leon cisek
Bonnie clevenger
Duane Felton
Dana (oliveira) Garaventa ’93
ruben Gonzalez ’10
robert Mark Green ’72
John P. “Jack” Karleskind
Diane (Beaudry) Manning ’74
Joseph Marino, sr.
elaine Jennie Menchini
stephen Paul Petros
Patricia Phillips
edward Puniak
Mary anne Puniak
elizabeth (Betty) Quinn
Mauro salinas
robert souza ’77
Justus spillner
sgt. Thomas smith, Jr. ’89
Spring ’14 | The Vector 29
An honor guard was led by the campus ministry
students, among others in the Moreau Catholic family to bid
farewell to an alumnus who deeply impacted the community.
Moreau Catholic High School students, faculty and staff
lined Mission Boulevard in front of the school and solemnly
held signs to honor BarT Police Sergeant Tommy
Smith ’89 in support of his family as the funeral procession
passed by the school on January 29th. Members of the
Campus Ministry Team, among other students, spent
time in reflection while creating the signs. Both those who
knew Tommy personally and those who only knew him by
reputation, shared heartfelt words of sorrow for his passing
and pride in the life he led. The word family resounded as
the Mariner community joined to support the Smith family
during a difficult time.
Dani Lorta ’89, Alumni Relations Coordinator at Moreau
Catholic High School, was Tommy’s classmate. She says,
“Tommy was a leader in our community. He was someone
who was as committed to his career as he was to his friends
and family. We are reeling from the loss and are staying in
close contact to support the many people whose lives he
touched so deeply.”
Please keep the Smith family in your thoughts and
prayers.
BArT police officer Tommy Smith ’89; Kellie Smith, wife and BArT police K-9 Officer, and their 6-year-old daughter, Summer.
ruben Gonzalez ’10 and Armando Ayala
Thomas (Tommy) Smith ’89Ruben Gonzalez ’10
Please pray for the family of ruben gonzalez, class of
2010, who tragically passed away recently. When Ruben was
a student at Moreau Catholic, he asked Moreau’s Armando
Ayala to wear his football jersey at the opening home football
game.
We call on Blessed Basil Moreau and St. andré Bessette:
Lord God, source and destiny of our lives, in Your loving
providence You gave us Ruben to grow in wisdom, age, and
grace. Now You have called him to Yourself. We grieve over the
loss of one so young and struggle to understand Your purpose.
Draw him to Yourself and give him full stature in Christ. May he
stand with all the angels and saints, who know Your love and
praise Your saving will. Amen.
FunDrAiSing Dinner to benefit the philippines
NON-PROFIT ORGUS Postage
PAIDHAYWARD, CA
PERMIT NO. 85127170 Mission BoulevardHayward, CA 94544-4194
Change Service Requested
GOLF CLASSIC
32nd
Annual!
Monday, June 23, 2014Crow Canyon Country Club
Promote Your Business Sponsorships Available
Call Diana (Straggas) DeFrance ’76 Interim Director of Institutional Advancement
510.881.4330 for more information
26 The Vector | Spring ’14
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