A Magazine of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries ... · A Magazine of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation Fall 2012 | Winter 2013. 2 Spirit Fall 2012

A Magazine of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation Fall 2012 | Winter 2013

Spirit Fall 2012 | Winter 2013 32 Spirit Fall 2012 | Winter 2013

Live Valiantly • Strive for Excellence • Honor the Unique Gifts of Each Person • Celebrate God and Life

03 Letter from the Superior General

04 Papal Medal Bestowed on Sr. Krista

06 Excellence in Teaching

08 Students & Families Give Back

09 A “wHole in One” Tradition Begins

10 Construction Zone at Convent

12 Senior Scholars Achieve Excellence

12 Maryville Memory Care, One Year

13 Dr. Panow: Between Two Worlds

14 Excellence in Early Education

16 2011-2012 Annual Report

26 Annual Report—The Numbers

27 Seema Mody ’03

28 A Summer of Reunion Celebrations

29 Soup’s On—A Smashing Success

30 Alumni Notes & News

34 2012 Alumni Weekend to Remember

36 Fly Me To The Moon—A Gala Event

On the cover: The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and the Pope) medal is given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and clergy. Sr. Krista von Borstel is now the fourth Sister of St. Mary of Oregon to have received that honor. Read more on pages 4-5.

In this ISSUE Dear Friends,

The theme for this issue of the Spirit magazine is Excellence. It is a challengeto be excellent at something! Even more challenging is the Scripture passage that states “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Where to begin? Can one even assume that it is a possibility? The passage in St. Matthew’s Gospel immediately preceding this statement describes the imperative to love, to love everyone – even your enemies and not just those who love you. Put in that context, the concluding passage could read, “Love as your heavenly Father loves.” Needless to say, that is still an enormous challenge, but what promotes excellence more than seeing or experiencing unconditional love? For me, I see or hear or experience this love every day. It comes from various corners of this campus and from within the Community of Sisters. The articles in this issue provide a glimpse of the activities and accomplishments that demonstrate various aspects of excellence. As you read the articles, ponder these questions: • How was love the catalyst for these activities or accomplishments? • How has love been shared? From my perspective, a great deal of credit for the generous love and excellence experienced on this campus goes to not only the leadership but to the dedicated staff. At Maryville, the kindness and care given to those who can no longer do things for themselves is often commented on by family members of the residents. Throughout Valley Catholic School, the day-to-day support and encouragement of young minds and hearts is a testimony to the call to excellence via love. With the HVAC project underway here in the Motherhouse, the staff in the kitchen, housekeeping and maintenance departments have had added duties and numerous inconveniences at every turn without a whimper of complaint. Lastly, the generous acts of kindness and consideration among the Sisters in Community could fill a book. When one thinks of the ripple effect of our striving for excellence through trying to love as generously as God loves us, there is hope for peace in the world. In anticipation of the Christmas season, may you and your families be blessed with love and peace by the Source of Love.

Blessings,

Sr. Charlene Herinckx ’66Superior GeneralSisters of St. Mary of Oregon

ContributorsSarah Lawrence Anderson ’95 Database Manager, SSMO Foundation

Casey BraungerWebmaster & PhotographerSSMO Ministries Corp.

Sharlayne BuuckDevelopment DirectorSSMO Foundation

Karen CrandalDirector of Marketing & Communications SSMO Ministries Corp.

Sr. Charlene Herinckx ’66Superior General, SSMO

Grace Le Chevallier Alumni Relations & Special Events Manager SSMO Foundation

Trish Roussel PrincipalValley Catholic Early Learning School

Danielle Tomich Communications Specialist SSMO Ministries Corp.

Special thanks to the SSMO Foundation staff for all their hard work on the Annual Report.

PhotographersCasey Braunger, SSMO Ministries Corp.Sharlayne Buuck, SSMO FoundationJoe Cramer, joecramerphotography.comSr. Charlene Herinckx, SSMO Linda Lawyer, SSMO Ministries Corp.

DesignerLinda Lawyer Print Graphic DesignerSSMO Ministries Corp.

Please Direct Questions or Comments to: Spirit Magazine EditorSSMO Ministries Corp.4440 SW 148th Ave., Beaverton, OR 97007(503) 906-1119 [email protected]

Spirit magazine is published for the families, friends and supporters of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and their sponsored ministries.

Featured Stories

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Sr. Krista von Borstel, SSMO, has received a tremendous honor—the Papal Medal. At a special Solemn Vespers service held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Oct. 11, Archbishop Rev. John G. Vlazny also awarded the honor to five other individuals who have made significant contributions to the church community. The date of the ceremony marked the beginning of the Year of Faith, during which Pope Benedict has called the Church to focus on catechesis, the liturgy, and charity, until Nov. 23, 2013: the Solemnity of Christ the King. Not coincidentally, the date was also the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council as well as the 20th anniversary of the declaration of the Catechism of the Catholic Church by Blessed Pope John Paul II. Archbishop John Vlazny presented the recipients with the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice medal (For Church and Pope). The medal, established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII, is given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and clergy. It is the highest medal awarded to the laity by the Papacy. The front of the gold medal depicts the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul. Inscribed on the left arms of the cross is Pro Ecclesia (for Church), and on the right, Et Pontifice (and Pope). The Papal coat of arms is on the bottom arm of the cross. The other arms feature small Greek crosses. During the service, Archbishop Vlazny said that the honorees “…have been special helpers to Jesus and His church in establishing and strengthening our God’s covenant relationship with His people…The Holy Father has conferred upon them the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal in appreciation for their living faith.” “I was moved by the service,” Sr. Krista said. “It was really amazing, and the cathedral choir was outstanding. My immediate family, close friends, and Sisters were all there. That means so much to me.” Sr. Krista is the fourth SSMO to receive the Papal Medal. Previous honorees include Sisters M. Fidelis Kreutzer, M. Theresa Margaret Yettick and Mary Imelda Vandehey (who received it twice). Sr. Krista, who has been the director of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)/Camp Howard since 1997, estimates that the combined program directly reaches about 12,000 youth every year. Archbishop Vlazny has noted that CYO/Camp Howard is “an amazing enterprise in the service of young people across the greater Portland Metropolitan area.” When Sr. Krista took the helm 15 years ago, the Camp Howard property had been neglected for many years; the cabins were even submerged into the dirt and had to be

An Award of a Lifetime for a Lifetime of Excellence

— Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Core Values

dug out. She has organized and worked, project by project, to repair and improve the cabins, buildings and grounds. In 1998 the camp was hit with a wind storm that toppled 16 trees and knocked down all the power lines. Miraculously, no buildings were damaged, but it took Sr. Krista and her crew three months to clear the damage. They cut the fallen trees for firewood, stacked all the wood, and cleared the camp floor by dragging an industrial rake behind a truck. Huge piles of the debris were later burned. Sr. Krista credits her sister, Karen von Borstel, with executing that and many other maintenance and repair projects at the camp throughout the years. On the CYO side, Sr. Krista says she strives for the program to stay relevant. “We want to make sure we’re providing programs that the kids want.” The recent addition of lacrosse to the CYO sports lineup is one example how CYO continues to evolve to meet the needs of the area’s youth. This spring will mark the third season for CYO lacrosse. When asked how she stays motivated, she immediately exclaimed, “Because there is so much to do!” Sr. Krista certainly does stay busy. She is also a member of the Leadership Team for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and a director on the SSMO Foundation Board and the SSMO Campus Schools Board. Her mission, she says, is to “work with coaches and counselors and staff to witness Christ through CYO/Camp Howard. I try to teach them to be ministers on the court and in the camp.” In addition, she is striving to put the organization in a solid financial position. As a big step toward that goal, the camp is now rented or in use for camps throughout most of the year. In the spring of 2013, Camp Howard will celebrate its 60th anniversary, and Sr. Krista and her staff are preparing some special happenings to celebrate the milestone. v

At left (top to bottom): Sr. Krista displays her medal in a beautiful crimson case. Sr. Krista stands proud with fellow recipients. Sr. Krista is surrounded in support by her SSMO Community.

The Annual Fund benefits everyoneby supporting the mission of the

Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, Valley Catholic School and Maryville Nursing Home.

Make an online gift to the Annual Fund by going to www.ssmofoundation.org.

—Danielle Tomich


Sr. Barbara Rose Sohler ’62and Nancy Fallin Third and First Grade Teachers Competing against the nation’s elementary, middle, and high school teachers, Sr. Barbara Rose Sohler ’62 and Nancy Fallin each earned one of only 27 round trip airline tickets to the National Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA) conference. To earn the scholarship, each submitted a 150-word essay describing what they were most interested in learning at the NSTA conference. Having two teachers from one school receive this scholarship is rare; NSTA must have been so impressed by Sr. Barbara Rose ’62 and Mrs. Fallin that they granted them both the award. The pair will be traveling to Phoenix this month to participate

in the conference, themed “Honor the Past, Prepare the Future.” Both are veteran teachers and have been at Valley Catholic Elementary School for many years: Sr. Barbara Rose ’62 for more than a decade, and Mrs. Fallin for over 20 years. v

Travis HattonMiddle and High School Orchestras and High School String Ensemble Teacher and ConductorTravis Hatton, who has taught at Valley Catholic since 2001, wears many hats—most recently that of Artist in Residence at George Fox University as Music Director of the Chehalem Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his teaching and conducting for Valley Catholic, Mr. Hatton is also the Music Director of the Beaverton Symphony and the Conductor of the Sunnyside Symphony. He has appeared as a guest conductor with many groups nationally and internationally, as well as with local ensembles, such as the Eugene Opera, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, the Mt. Hood Pops Orchestra, and the Rose City Chamber Orchestra. v

—Danielle Tomich

Six VCS Teachers Recognized for ExCELLENCE this Fall

Dan SchaufflerValley Catholic Middle and High School Band Teacher and Conductor The community at Valley Catholic School has known for years that their middle and high school band teacher, Dan Schauffler, is a world-class musician and artist. He and his saxophone have been inspiring his students and audiences since he began teaching at Valley Catholic in 2000. So it wasn’t too surprising to those who know the depth of his talent that Mr. Schauffler was elected as a solo artist to the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in August. (Two of his previous bands, Nu Shooz—nominated for a Grammy in 1983 as “Best New Artist” for their number-three hit, “I Can’t Wait”—and the Crazy 8s, who recorded six albums, had already been inducted.) His professional resume also includes recordings with Tom Grant and for the California Raisins’ television special, “Meet the Raisins” by Will Vinton. He has also performed with the Coasters, Jeff Lorber, Pine Top Perkins and the Chicago Blues Legend, and Gino Vannelli. In a recent interview with the Portland Tribune, when asked why he became a music teacher, he said, “I remembered how much my teachers had done for me, and when I thought about it I realized teaching was more rewarding than performing. Performing is such a rush. When I was playing it seemed all of my dreams and aspirations were coming true. But it was all pithy in the end. I love teaching.” Of his career at Valley Catholic, Mr. Schauffler says, “I‘ve enjoyed my first 13 years at Valley. Each young wave of musicians forms unique group styles and personalities that light up sports events and concerts. One of this year’s jazz band’s favorite gigs was playing at “Soup’s On.” They love to share their gifts and help others. Tomorrow we are performing at St. Anthony’s Elementary School, where some of our jazz members first started band. They want to show young music students what they can do with music if they stick with it!” Perhaps Mr. Schauffler is inspiring a few talented musicians to become teachers, too. v

Herb LommenValley Catholic Middle School Physical Education Teacher & High School Health Teacher Herb Lommen was selected by the Oregon Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD) as the 2012 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. He was honored at the OAHPERD Conference at Albany West High School on Oct. 12. Mr. Lommen has been teaching at Valley Catholic for over 20 years. One of Mr. Lommen’s major accomplishments over the past two years has been his contribution to the launch of education of hands-only CPR, on which he worked in tandem with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R). The program involved staff of TVF&R and Mr. Lommen teaching the technique to eighth-grade students at Valley Catholic, who in turn educated the community around them and encouraged those they taught to teach others. Mr. Lommen estimates that 1,122 people have already been trained on the new CPR technique through this program, and his current eighth-graders plan to teach another 2,000 people. v

excellence in teaching

Amy LacksHigh School Biology and Advanced Placement (AP) Biology TeacherAmy Lacks, biology teacher at Valley Catholic High School since 2009, was selected by the non-profit organization Ecology Project International (EPI) to participate in an eight-day Marine Education Fellowship in Baja, Mexico from March 16-23, 2013. During the Fellowship, Lacks will participate in a modified version of EPI’s Island Ecology Program. Participants will be immersed in the diverse ecology of the area, which is home to 39 percent of the world’s marine mammal species. Days spent on Espiritu Santo Island, a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve, will involve underwater data collection and lessons in incorporating field studies into the classroom. The group will also meet with Mexican peers and explore the cultural heritage of the city of La Paz. v


Pumpkin Ridge was a perfect setting for “A wHole in One” Golf Tournament. The community-building event brought parents, Sisters, business partners, and friends together for a day on the course. Under a sapphire sky and warm temperatures, more than 90 golfers enjoyed the fun-filled day. Golfers were greeted by student ambassadors when they arrived at the clubhouse and were given a new Pumpkin Ridge/SSMO golf hat. While guests enjoyed box lunches on the shady deck, they visited with SSMO Superior General Sr. Charlene Herinckx, Valley Catholic

School President Bob Weber and the SSMO Foundation team. Before heading to their starting tee, golfers used their Nike Bucks from their “tee bags” to purchase items at the Nike Mobile Shop.

Once on the course, the golfers enjoyed the challenging greens and picturesque fairways. On every golf hole, sponsor signs recognized generous donors. The flags marking the holes were tailor-made by Dennis Uniform with the familiar Valley Catholic plaid. One of the highlights

Under a Brilliant Blue Sky, Golfers Enjoyed “A wHole in One” Tournament

In keeping with the Valley Catholic School mission “to follow Jesus’ example through prayer, service, and love,” students from

PreK to high school are encouraged to serve and give all year long through organized service opportunities and various collections. Especially during the Christmas season, students of all ages and their families have special opportunities to make a difference for those who are less fortunate during the holidays.

Early Learning School Operation Christmas Child For the sixth consecutive year, families of the Early Learning School participated in Operation Christmas Child. The program’s mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world. The children and families at the Early Learning School filled shoe boxes with “something to love, something for school, something to wear, something to play with, something for personal hygiene, and something special.” The first-grade classes at the Elementary School also collected school supplies to add to the boxes. This project was completed by the middle of November to allow time for the gifts to arrive by Christmas. The filled boxes were sent to children all over the world who otherwise would not receive a gift at Christmas. This year they collected 86 boxes!

Elementary School Oregon Food Bank Beginning this school year, each grade level has partnered with a local organization that serves others. Each grade-level partnership is providing students the opportunity to learn about a specific organization, provide service to those served by them, and to make a visit to their location. These new partnerships are in addition to the Advent and Lenten service projects that have been a part of the school community for years.

Students & Families Give Back During Advent

This Advent, the elementary school is once again supporting the Oregon Food Bank. Students are collecting money and food for distribution here in Beaverton. At the end of Advent, collected food items will be delivered by our students to the food bank. The school goal is to make the service meaningful and hands-on so that students will understand the commitment that is needed to have a positive impact on our neighbors.

Middle and High School Sponsored Families For over 40 years, Valley Catholic Middle and High School students have sponsored area families in need during the holidays. Each year, the students sponsor about 30 families, ranging in size from two to eight people. Each sponsored family will receive enough food for three meals per day for two weeks, a Christmas turkey dinner, a $100 Fred Meyer Gift card and wrapped toys for the children. Each family will also receive coupons for pizzas donated by Papa Murphy’s. Students raised money for the food drive at the Food Drive Kick-Off Assembly and Live Auction, featuring items donated by students and faculty, and from the proceeds from the high school’s semi-formal dance held on Dec. 1. On Friday, Dec. 21, students will attend Mass and then help parents and faculty deliver at least 35 car loads of food and gifts. v

of the day was meeting “Tiger” on hole #15. The day ended with dinner in the Sunset Room, where the golfers dined on salmon and London broil. The room was filled with energy as raffle tickets were drawn and winning foursomes announced. The names listed below were among the top golfers for the day.FLIGHT A1st Place Gross: Doug Badger, Ted Stark, Joe Benz ’01, Nikhil Soares2nd Place Gross: Walt Gorman, Rich Purtle, Dennis Koop, Ed Braun3rd Place Gross: Lyndsey Lanphere ’97, Jerry Jones, Mike GarberFLIGHT B1st Place Net: David Austin, Chad DeBruin, Nacy DiNovo, Bret Cope2nd Place Net: Joel Sobotka, Alex Nelson, Peter Weber, Rod Poppleton3rd Place Net: David Buuck, Mark Linnemann, Joe Arenz, Greg Moyer We are grateful to American Heating, Inc. for being our title sponsor. We want to thank many other generous donors as well. The tournament surpassed our expectations and was an ideal way to support the students at Valley Catholic, the residents at Maryville, and the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. If you enjoy playing golf, make plans to join us next year on September 13, 2013! v —Sharlayne Buuck


A Hot Project. Cool Results. Since early spring of 2012, American Heating, Inc. has been performing a complete mechanical renovation to the Sisters’ Motherhouse to install a state-of-the-art HVAC system that will use water as the medium to regulate temperature. The new system will provide more efficient heat and add the new element of cooling to the building. As part of the installation, a large upgrade to the electrical service was required. The west wing of the building, which previously housed Valley Catholic Elementary School, is also being renovated for use as administrative offices. The entire project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2013.

These are the brand

new motor controls

and boilers for the new hydronic piping

system that circulates

both hot and cold

water for heating and cooling in the

building.

These large chillers will provide cold water

for cooling in the building during the summer

months. No more 90-degree rooms in July!

It’s hard to recognize that this is the Sisters’ dining room. To make way for the new hydronic piping, the ceiling needed to be torn away. These workers are getting ready to install a new ceiling and light fixtures.

This pipe cutting station is housed

behind the convent. A pipe cutter

has been here nearly every day

since March 2012 cutting countless

feet of pipe for the massive project.

Twice during the past eight months of renovation, American Heating needed to close and seal off the Sisters’ dining room. The Sisters expect to be back in their meal space in time for Christmas celebrations.

An old-style phone closet in the

Convent serves as one of nine

distribution panels throughout the

building. These panels determine

whether a zone gets heating or

cooling, allowing either hot or cold

water to flow through the piping.

Due to the HVAC renovation, an

entire electrical upgrade was

required for the whole building. The

new electrical changes benefit the

Motherhouse now and guarantee its

longevity for future use.

Electricians preparing the west wing for proper electricity to power business offices with lights and computers.

The new cubicle furniture is yet to be assembled.During the preparation for new office space for administrative staff, everything from the second floor of the old school has been displaced in order to carpet and paint.

The Sisters’ archives are in the process of being relocated from the east side of the building to the west. The archives had been stored in one large conference room and will now be moved to old classrooms on the third floor of the old elementary school. This new space allows for a display area of select archive items for visitors to enjoy.

The former lunchroom from Valley

Catholic Elementary School is being

converted into space for three English

for Speakers of Other Languages

classrooms, with room dividers. A

desktop American flag and pencil

cup remain perched atop the old

VCES lunch money collection desk

while the room is in transition.

The new thermostats on the wall of

every residence and office in the

Convent are designed for state-of-

the-art, maximum efficiency. They

include occupancy sensors that

can detect whether or not there is

someone in the room so that empty

rooms are not heated. Previously,

only three thermostats regulated

the temperature in the entire

Motherhouse!

Ventilator units like this replaced the old radiators. They provide heating and cooling for each room. While the radiators provided ample steam heat, the new units add cooling to the Motherhouse.

Using planned drawings, Bobby from American Heating is the pipe fitter who decides how and where all the new HVAC pipe is laid in the building. Even with the best laid plans, on a daily basis, workers run into surprise beams, plumbing and electrical issues that couldn’t be predicted. Bobby is the one who decides how the pipe should be re-routed.


FOUR SENIORS Commended in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program

Valley Catholic High School seniors Sophia Chau, Alexandra Wilson, Zackary White, and Yamini Naidu (l to r) have been named Commended Students in the 2013 Na-tional Merit Scholarship Program. Letters of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corp. (NMSC), which conducts the program, were presented to these scholastically talented seniors by Valley Catholic College Counselor Joe Bernard. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corp., “about 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2013 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualify-ing Test (PSAT/NMSQT).” An NMSC spokesperson said, “recognizing academically talented students plays a fundamental role in the advance-ment of educational excellence within our nation. The young people recognized as Commended Students represent some of the best and brightest minds in the country as demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program. We sincerely hope this recognition will provide them with additional educational outlets, and motivate them in their pursuit of academic achievement.” v

New Memory Care Unit at Maryville Reaches One Year Mark Maryville Memory Care celebrated its first year of operation this past October. This new facility for residents with dementia was able to fill its rooms to capacity by summer time, and has stayed full with a wait-ing list ever since. The warm, home-like setting makes it easy for families of residents to visit their loved ones, and many do on a daily basis. According to Administrator Michael Kilbury, a robust activities program helps residents enjoy their days. “Our activity coordinator and caregivers keep residents occupied with a variety of activities, often based around music,” he said. “We also have some fun events like happy hour, cooking-oriented activities and a music program.” The nearby Early Learning School students often join residents for music time. There’s even a music therapy program in place. Occasionally, caregivers are able to take residents on outings. The group has gone twice to Portland Memory Garden in southeast Portland — a garden designed specifically for those with memory loss. v

Remembering John Lauerman The SSMO campus was deeply saddened to learn of the death of John Lauerman, former Executive Director of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation. John served the campus for six years before retiring to Bend, Ore. in the spring of 2011. While at SSMO, John raised money and increased the donor base for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, Valley Catholic School and Maryville Nursing Home. John was integrally involved in procuring support to break ground for the new elementary and middle school building. John passed away surrounded by his family after dinner on Thanksgiving Day. May he rest in peace. v

Between Two Worlds Sometimes, when visiting Maryville or any nursing home, it’s easy to forget that the residents have all lived interesting—and often extraordinary—lives. This is a brief synopsis of the life (so far) of Maryville resident Dr. Naima Panow. Her faith, intelligence, and courage saw her through discrimination, threats to her life, a move to a new country, a successful medical career and a lifelong desire to help others. All the while, she carried with her a love and heartache for her homeland, the turbulent Middle East. Dr. Panow was born in 1935 in Turkey. During the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 1900s, an estimated 2.1 million

Christians were killed, including her mother’s family, who were Catholic, killed in a massive genocide. When Dr. Panow was young, her family, was relocated to Zakhow in northern Iraq (created in 1921). The public Muslim schools did not admit girls, but somehow little Naima was permitted to attend. She went to a Catholic high school (where, as top student, she had her photo

taken with the last King of Iraq, Faisal II, who was killed during the revolution in 1958).Upon graduation, she received a scholarship from the government to attend medical school at the University of Baghdad, even though only five percent of Christians were accepted to any college or university. After graduating at the top of her class, she continued her post-graduate studies at the Royal College of Surgeons in London and in Edinburgh, Scotland, and at the Royal College of OB/GYN in London. “It was not easy as a Christian to be at [a Muslim] school or university,” she stated in an article she later wrote entitled Christianity in Iraq: a Brief Historical Survey. “Many times my notes [and] books were stolen so that I would fail the exam. Finally, after the revolution, the students started hurting us. [When] I refused to become a Communist, they wanted to kill me. One time I had to flee to a place outside Baghdad because they got chains and ropes [intending] to drag me in the street until I died. I sent a Christian student who was with the Communists to bring me a Muslim professor to help me leave to a safer place. Three days later I came back and went to see the Dean of the college. He informed the power center in the government to protect me. Ironically, years later one of the doctors who tried to kill me asked me to take care of his wife who [was in] shock due to severe bleeding.” Dr. Panow did take care of his wife. “This Muslim Communist doctor sat on the floor thanking me and asked me, ‘I am surprised how you dealt with it. We wanted to kill you and you saved my wife’s life?’ I told him Jesus asked us to do that.”

After she finished her studies in England and Scotland, she returned to Baghdad to practice obstetrics and gynecology. From 1969 to 1972, she practiced medicine and taught in the medical school at the University of Baghdad. In 1975, after a return to London, she answered a plea for an obstetrician-gynecologist in West Virginia and relocated to the U.S. After struggling for two years to upgrade the level of medicine and research in a small coal-mining town, she moved to Los Angeles, where she became an American citizen. On a visit to the Northwest, she fell in love with Oregon, and in 1978, opened her obstetrician-gynecologist practice near Washington Square. She delivered hundreds of babies during her career. During the Gulf war, she had constant anxiety about her mother, sister and four nieces still in Baghdad and Bosrath, as well as a cousin and his wife in Kuwait. She worried about her uncles, who were physicians in Iraq, and whether they could provide adequate medical care for their patients. After the war, she traveled to the Middle East four times as part of humanitarian efforts, bringing medicine and other medical supplies. On at least one of these trips she was a leader with the Arab American Medical Association. After she retired from her medical practice in 1997, Dr. Panow spent three weeks volunteering in poverty-stricken Calcutta, where she had spent time and had some extraordinary conversations with Mother Teresa. Dr. Panow later wrote several articles describing many of the conversations the two had during her stay there. After suffering a stroke in 2010, Dr. Panow can no longer speak, but is still very much a participant in life. Her social worker at Maryville, Amanda Goggins, says, “Naima has always been very giving. She has done much for her family and the Catholic community. She is social by nature and still continues to care for those around her. She has a love for children, as she was previously an OB/GYN.” v

Twins Ban (left) and Anna and

their brother Faris stand behind

their Aunt Naima in July of 2012.

Dr. Panow with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, 1997.

Dr. Naima Panow: “This Muslim Communist

doctor sat on the floor thanking me and asked

me, ‘We wanted to kill you and you saved my

wife’s life?’ I told him Jesus asked us to do that.”

—Danielle Tomich


Quality Early Childhood Education: Building Blocks to Success What does excellence in early childhood care and education look like? Why is it so important? These are questions that we, the staff members at Valley Catholic Early Learning School, address regularly. The answers to those questions help remind us of the

awesome responsibility we have been entrusted to fulfill. Before we can answer the first question, we must answer the second:

“Why?” Research answers that question for us the best. According to Deborah Vandell, Ph.D., Founding Dean at the University of California – Irvine School of Education, “Children who experience high-quality early childhood education (ECE) tend to start school with stronger language, academic, and social skills.” Georgetown University Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Research on Children in the U.S. William Gormley, Jr., Ph.D., found that, “…high-quality ECE experiences produced stronger cognitive and academic skills at entry to school; in turn, these translated into better adolescent and adult outcomes.” Most importantly, research shows us the links between consistent, loving and caring interactions with babies, early brain development and school readiness. Irving Harris, founder of Erikson Institute (a graduate school in child development) states, “…first months are absolutely critical to optimal brain development…that is when,

in loving interaction with nurturing caregivers, babies learn that they can trust and feel loved and respected…The first few years of life are not a rehearsal. This is the real show. Children do not really have an opportunity to try to get it right later.” Now for the first question: research also shows us what excellence in early childhood education looks like. Early childhood schools are places where childhoods are marked by memories and interactions. The richness of experiences reveals marks of excellence in ECE. At Valley Catholic Early Learning School (VCELS), we create experiences that promote individual child development. While we provide group care, it

is important that each child receives the individual attention s/he needs and deserves. Our class size and staff is structured to allow one-to-one interactions between teachers and students throughout each day. We create environments where children feel safe and secure. Children need to take risks in order to build trust. Each time a child risks his/her emotions, it is a teachable moment. We are blessed to be able to teach the children about God’s unconditional love. It is important that we, as staff, show that same unconditional love no matter the child’s actions. Each time a child takes a risk, whether in circle time or on the playground, we strive to make it a safe risk to build the child’s

confidence—in his/her body, his actions and self-esteem.

Featuring:• Dedicatedandtrusted

educatorstohelpyoulearnanewinstrumentorenhanceexistingmusicalskills

• Privateone-on-oneinstruction• Expertiseinmusiceducation

andperformance• BeginnertoAdvancedLevels,

Pre-KtoAdult• Participationinatleasttwo

recitalperformancesperyear• Instructionin:Brass,

Woodwinds,Strings,Piano/Organ,Harp&Voice

the universal language

ValleyCatholicMusicSchool|503-718-6499|www.valleycatholic.org/music-schoolOffMurrayBlvd.betweenTVHwy.andFarmingtoninBeaverton

AtValleyCatholicMusicSchool,webelievemusicshouldnotbeconsideredaprivilegebutanopportunityforalltolearnandgrow.Musicenhancesourworld,andteachingmusicisaninvestmentinourfuture—ouryouth.

—Trish Roussel, Principal, Valley Catholic Early Learning School—Photos courtesy of Valley Catholic Early Learning School

We create environments where children learn through play, both child-directed and inquiry-based. At VCELS, children seek and find active exploration where they can be messy, move around, be noisy but still be respectful and very importantly, be outdoors. Children can control their environment and follow their natural curiosity wherever it leads them. Learning centers help children manipulate the materials as they learn sequencing, science, mathematics, music, communication and interaction with their peers. Good boundaries and clear expectations allow children to explore safely and take risks appropriately. We offer a unique environment that caters to the whole child. Using a play-based approach, when toddlers play with play dough they strengthen the muscles they will need for

proper pencil grip later. They learn conversation skills and manners during meal times. Every activity is intentionally planned to maximize learning opportunities. We prepare children to enter a highly academic elementary school. At the same time, we remember that young children learn best in language-rich, experience-rich, play-based environments. Working for the whole child, we enrich our curriculum with visits with our “Grand-friends” at Maryville. We fill our days with environmental science by exploring our beautiful campus. We gather together for spiritual experiences through group prayer and all-campus Masses. We play on the playground and provide healthy meals to help the children grow strong bodies. VCELS teachers and staff are passionate about their work of helping to promote the children’s social and emotional growth. Research shows us that when children start elementary school behind, they stay behind. Quality early education programs give them the social, language and numerical skills they need. Children who get a good start are less likely to need special education classes and more likely to graduate. When those children become adults, they are more likely to hold jobs and earn higher salaries; less likely to commit crime or be on public assistance. The importance of excellence in early childhood education is clear. The children at VCELS are lucky to have parents who understand that importance. They are blessed that the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon understand and support the educational foundation provided through excellence in early childhood education.v


Sisters of St. Mary

of Oregon Foundation

2011-2012 Annual Report

Canticle SocietyThis society recognizes the generosity of those who made gifts of $1,000 or more between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

The Canticle Society takes its name from the biblical canticles of praise that are prayed daily by the Sisters.

EXCELSIS$50,000 and aboveEstate of Dr. RoseMarie Law ’54Werner and Colleen Nistler Estate of Helen Ruettgers

JuBIL ATE$20,000 - $49,999Richard and Rachel BaekCarlin and Paul GramMaybelle Clark Macdonald FundNorthwest Mortgage GroupOlga M. Bloesch TrustEstate of Michele M. PortmannMarty and Angie QuandtEstate of Edward SchechtelThomas SutherlandMr. Joseph E. Weston, Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation

MAGNIFICAT$10,000 - $19,999A. J. Frank Family FoundationShawn and Bonnie ChorubyHau and Sasha LamMountain West Investment Corp.The Teague FamilyThe Tennant Foundation

L AudATE$5,000 - $9,999Anonymous Fund #16Sr. Geraldine Bernards, SSMO ’47Estate of Rev. Msgr. Andrew V. CoffeyDwyer Charitable TrustRichard and Julie FrankovicSusan K. FriesenMichael E. Henningsen, Jr.Howard S. Wright Construction Co.Alan and Mary ’82 JesseJuan Young TrustSr. Delores Klupenger, SSMODavid and Karen LawTodd and Jeanelle LindseyBill and Kim McAuliffeSteven and Sally MichaelisJeff Olson and Raquel ApodacaMelvin and Julia PetersenKenneth and Jeanne PrierCarl and Sheila SegarCarol Ann Spiering ’60

Jayson and Elizabeth StrayerOCF-Blue Cross Blue ShieldBruce and MaryBeth Wolfe

GAudETE$2,500 - $4,999Marty Agostinelli and Deanna Hotchkiss AgostinelliTodd and Audrie AlsdorfDavid and Bobbi BarryRob Baumgartner and Julie CampbellTracy and Emily CampJoel and Sue ClarkRev. Msgr. Arthur P. DernbachDavid and Linda EshraghiFredrick EyMathew Fagan and Jacqueline DomeniciTim and Lisa GardJeff and Jennifer ’87 GfroererEdward and Lorraine HerinckxEdwin and Janice HopperJoseph and Patricia HowellKevin W. KeithleyJane KeoghLoraine C. Fenwick Revocable Living TrustMac and Cheryl McDevittFrank McKeen and Lois O’HalloranDwayne and Kathleen MelanconSean and Kimberly MishPhilip and Bianca NerenbergSteven and Laura NicholesOCF-Robert M. and Cecilia A. Stuckart FundSoderstrom Architects, Ltd.St. Martin de Porres TrustBill and Rhonda SundermeierRich TinsenSharla Tinsen

Douglas Trobough and Susan LairAmarnath and Selvy ViswanathDerrick and Julie Whitcraft

BENEdICTuS$1,000 - $2,499Andrew and Lisa AebiJason and Janet AltmanJohn and Liz AmannKartik Ananthanarayanan and Arundhati MamapatraWilliam and Concettina AnctilSteven and Amy AragonLinda BalthazarMichael and Maggie BarkleyDaniel and Jessica BemisMike and Diane BiggiGreg and Shari BoitanoTroy and Tamara BucyNaveen Buddi and Bhargavi PasamDavid and Sharlayne BuuckPatrick and Mariliza CaraherVenkata Chava and Madhu PotlaJoshua and Julie ClarkSheldon and Maria CoberJerrie and Diane CoffmanScott and Yolanda ColemanJohn and Terri CookMary Ulmer and John Cowles, Jr.Mark and Angela CrandallRev. Vincent CunniffEric and Michelle CurryBradley and Rosemary CurtisKrishna Dandamaraju and Rajyalakshmi BommarajuJohn and Rocio DeatherageWilliam and Rebecca DicksonEmil and Chiara Dittmer


In September 2011, Valley Catholic School opened a brand new, LEED certified K-8 building.

Canticle SocietyThis society recognizes the generosity of those who made gifts of $1,000 or more between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

Daniel and Judi DouglasCharles and Laura DouvillePeter and Christine ElmgrenKathy Eskandani ’75Barry and Yvonne EvansThe Farrenkopf FamilyCarlos and Erika FerrerJan and Claudia FilipElsie FinleyRobert and Illona FosterRobert FranzGabriel and Shailah FriasDon GartlandJames and Kelly GodboutDon and Erlene GroveChristian Hanson and Erin DingilianAlbert and Patricia HavlikRajeeb and Mousumi HazraJeffrey and Laura HowertonJack and Erin IsselmannPeter and Tracey JamesNick and Abbie JordanJohn and Liesl ’86 KarasakiYumi KatoGloria KlupengerKnights of Columbus Council #8270David Koempel and Mary LaRiviereJohn and Jean KrautscheidSubramania and Nagamani KrishnakumarKeller and Laura KuhnerAndrew and Kimberly LaVeineRoger and Diane LeikasKraig and Elizabeth LemayTodd and Kim LewellenWilliam and Rosella LindbladJames and Grace ’56 LinkDavid and Katherine LomartireChristopher and Genevieve LongBill LorchXiaoji Yang and Mary MaKaren Malkewitz

Dan and Kathleen MalleaDonald and Stephanie MatthewsThomas and Sheila MickaMichael MillerSr. M. Juliana Monti, SSMOMarissa MosleyJohn and Chrissy MurphyPrantik Nag and Deepa RaoLuis and Rosalba NavarroJohn and Margaret O’LearyDon and Joanne OlsonNancy PettitTimothy and Kristen PhillipsWilliam and June PolingCharles and Hillarie PrestopineMark and Julee RichardsShailesh Rodrigues and Soniya YadavBen and Trish RousselBernice RuettgersJason and Beth SageBrett and Jolene SchafmanSujoy Sen and Sulakshana Nath Xingzian Shao and Xiaoque JiangSisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

Harry and Elizabeth SkinnerMargaret SonderenAnthony and Gale StacchiSpass and Kathleen StoiantschewskyScott and Terri StreamEkan Subramanian and Jayanthi AlphonesPerry and Michelle SunderlandTue Than and An HoJon and Colleen ThriftLarry TokarskiTony and Danielle TomichBart and Amy VanderZandenAnthony and Loraine VanDomelenShyam and Jyoti VenkiteshDon and Marian VollumWalter and Florence ’41 WeberRobert and Christina WeberMark and Lori WeberJacob ’96 and Kama WernerBrian and Mary WhitneyCameron Williams and Shannon LynchStephen Wright and Kathleen McNaltyRichard and Joann YatesStanley Yee and Mei Po Chiu

Cornerstone ClubThis society recognizes the generosity of those who made gifts of $500 to $999 between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

Steven and Mary AndersonSteven and Vera AndersonAnonymousFred and Lisa ArmstrongVenkat and Rajita ArramreddyMary AugustynJewon BaekBill and Joanna BealeJohn and Anita BenderScott and Rose BernardsUddalak and Ishita BhattacharyaJon and Anne BillowAndrew and Meg BishopBob and Sue BurnsOssah and Alice ChanHeung-For and Mei-Ting ChengMatthew Clark ’96Derek and Linda ComptonHelen ConnorMatt and Tracey CurfmanDarien CurlDaniel J. Potter Memorial FoundationAngelo and Marie DellaKhoi Dinh and Kim LeMark and Mary DonovanMike and Amy DunlapTimothy Evans and Debra DutkiewiczThompson and Madeleine FallerJohn and Nancy FallinBrad and Claudia FischerPaul Fischer and Karen KustritzStephen and Jane FraneyEstate of Dolores G. FruihtDale GoodnoKeith and Caron GormanMartin and Carolyn GranumEric and Kimberly GrasbergerLaurie Graves-ReavisRich and Sue HaenerJohn and Carol HamiltonRoger HeckerGregg and Denise HefnerThomas and Pamela HerbagePaul and Mari HotchkissJoyce Howard and Alan CarusoBrian and Erika ’91 HowertonChih-Fan Hsin and Yiru ChenEric Jaroch and Yarisa Jaroch-GonzalezJohn and Carolyn JolliffeBrad and Julie JonesJoe and Adele JonesHenri and Pat ’54 JoyauxGanapathy Kasturirangan and Vidya Ganapathy

The Kiefer FamilyJangse Kim and Mi LimKreutzer Family TrustRob and Kim KruegerJohn and Analizza LambinoLinda LiuLouise Wiltsey TrustStella LulayThomas and Michelle MatsonRobert and Linda Meagher, Sr.Charles and Kathleen MengisDaniel and Kathy MertensSeiji and Yuko MiuraT.O. and Darlene ’49 MorrowSrinivas and Anuradha NaiduRyan Nguyen and To-Ha DoanFrank and Cecelia NorrisDonald and Judy OlsonJim OsterkampTim Pacholke and Teresa RokosHarper and Geri PearseSahaayaruban Philip and Olivia PhilipsChinna Prudvi and Sreedevi PittaErmel and Mary QuevedoRonald and Minnie QuiringGreg and Cindi RappBill and Susan RehmGreg Rewers

Thomas RobinsonJohn and Janet SallakDavid and Mary SaundersRev. Karl SchrayKurt and Sheryl SchultheisJames and Jessica SenecalCatherine SengstakeDon and Sylvia ShawSisters of ProvidenceDavid and Sue SpanglerAnthony and Mary SpieringBradley and Sarah SpieringJohn Spurgeon and Zhiyue SunKermit and Linda StineJaroslav Strba and Katrina Strba-CediovaLaxman Subramanian and Sasi AdinarayananAndreas Sunardi and Younkun ParkRoss TaylorGene and Donna TinsenTuyen Tran and Lien NguyenPaul and Karen WannerBruce and Roberta ’62 WeberKevin and Kimberly WhiteVincent and Jacqueline WhiteWhite Frame Communications, LLCWaldemar and Elzbieta ZdanowiczCarl and Catherine Zimmer

The memory of SSMO’s 125th Jubilee

burns brightly with a legacy of service to the community.

Highlights of the Social Service Outreach of the

Sisters included the inau-gural “Soup’s On” event

to benefit the Oregon Food Bank and the development of an English for Speakers

of Other Languages (ESOL) program in the vacated west

wing of the Motherhouse.


Foundresses’ CircleThis society recognizes the generosity of those who made gifts of $100 to $499 between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

The Foundress Circle is named in honor of the foundresses of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (1886).

Wojciech Adamiec and Hanna JasinskaMarcela AlcantarPhillip and Kelly AlfieriRalph and Susan AlfieriIrudayaraj and Fatima AlfredLatif and Luanne AlomairLoretta AltenhofenSr. Adele Marie Altenhofen, SSMOFrank and Victoria AltenhofenRachel AlvarezFrank and Susan AmatoJulian and Jeanie AmayaEdgar and Diane AndreasAnonymous (3)Applied Business Forecasting, Inc.Gayle and Paul ArbogastRosalino Blas and Angelica Arellano-Blas ’99Roberto and Ines ArellanoAntoinette ArenzErin Arnold and Christopher OlsonAshutosh Ashutosh and Garima GautamVincent and Nancy AstKathrine Avison and Michael ColeJohn BaderBrian and Marilee BaileyLeonard and Hazel BarnhartRichard and Deborah BarsottiKen BaumgartnerKathleen and Ike BayJeffrey and Constance BearJohn and Inez BecicSatish and Sarita BedgeJoan Bellinger ’68Anthony and Barbara BenjaminJoseph and Barbara BernardJoseph and Shirley BernardKishore and Debasri BhattacharjeeHayes and Anna BickfordLaVeta BizonEdward and Marilyn ’57 BlakePeter and Patricia BloodThomas and Dorothy BochslerRebecca BoellPaul and Elizabeth BoileauMichelle Boss Barba ‘96 and Salwan Barba de Searty Leo and Leigh BottainiMarianne BousThomas and Helena BousWilliam and Helene Bradley

James and Janice BradyHenry and Nancy BrandsEdward and Kim BraunVernon and Yvonne ’55 BraunRobert Lapinski and Monica Brennan ’67 Robert and Lovene BrownRyan and Shannon BuchananRichard and Kristin BucknerMatthew BurtonWendell Bush and Lynn Nguyen-BushR. John and Lyla BuuckCable Huston Benedict Haagensen & Lloyd, LLPDylan and Claudine CampyMartin and Julie CanoyPeter and Melinda ’89 CarbonGregory Carrick and Bernadette McCullen-CarrickFrances CarusoOscar and Luz CasarezKristin CassidyVictor and Cheryl CastilloCedar Hills Dental, LLCLoauna Cerda ’61Sourav Chakravarty and Sujata ChatterjiRita CharlesLen Chau and Kieu-Suong NguyenAnurag and Renu ChawlaJefferson and Jeanne ChenJim and Holly ’83 ChiMallikarjuna Chilakala and Padma VetchaGeraldine ChisholmLarry and Janice ChorubyMichael and Sharon ClaboeRobert and Maureen ClarkThomas and Jill ClearyJudy CloseCharles and Carol ClupnyPhilip and Rita CobbAntonio and Esmeralda ConcepcionKathleen CooperMarvelle CopBret and Martha CopeJohn and Michelle CostelloKayla CrandallLarry and Mary Ellen ’52 CrawleyJohn and Virginia CrossRobert and Melanie CurryJ. Richard and Margaret DanielAgnes DanneelsBurzin and Perzin DaruwalaWalter and Patricia ’49 DaveyMichael and Lauri DavisRandy and Cynthia DeBortoliMargaret DeChant

Priscilla DeckerMarvin and Julie DeckerJan Arthur and Rosalina Dela RosaJohn and Ruth DempseyTerry Hooper and Angela Devlin-HooperRamnath and Rohini DevulapalliJoan DeYoung ’78James and Veronica DhanensFlorence Di BenedettoDavid and Alesia DickArthur and Sandra DiederichKhoa Dinh and Tam DoBarbara DobbynClayton and Dorothy DodgeClifton and Vanessa DodsonNelson and Marilyn ’76 DoelemanPhil and Catherine DolanJuan Dominguez and Jacqueline Carmona

October 2011: Maryville Nursing Home opened the new 16-bed Memory Care Center.


Henry and Elsie DrexelMary DuganJ. Dugan RuppJanet and Richard DugganMichael and Ann ’87 DuyckWilliam and Dian ’71 DuyckJoe and Dorothy DuyckRuth EiversCatherine ElderJames EltingRaymond and Patricia EmigEton Lane FoundationJoseph and Judith EtzelWilliam and Annette EvansCynthia FabrisJen Rose Fagan ’59Marie FarrellMatthew and Jennifer FarrenkopfStephen FeelyEugene and Elizabeth FeltzMelvin and Marie FineganAnna FinnCamille FischerEvelyn Fitzpatrick ’40Augustine FleischmanGbehmee Flumo and Toni PinaWalter and Delores FochtJames and Estelle ’43 FoxGeraldine FoyMark and Lauren FrancisMary FromwillerMark and Geri FucileGeorge GalatiRichard GallehrMichael and Michelle GarciaRita GaudetteJoseph and Molly GauthierWeston and Kerry GavettJoyce and Gordon GeersMehran GeranmayehFlorin and Magdalena GilcaMargaret GillemDonna GilroyHellmut and Connie GlaserSameh Gobriel and Mariam GirgisAmit and Suman GoelBradley and Deborah GolikVictor and Dalia GonzalezNick and Marlene GrasbergerLarry and Debbie GreenfieldJeffrey and Christine GriffenVictor and Kelly GuthrieMichael and Debra GuzmanCharles and Karen HalvorsonJoyce Ham

Hanna Andersson Corp.Lawrence and Mary ’63 HansenBen and Peggy HarperMel and Paula HartmeierKathi HarveyBrian and Amy HarveyStephanie Haugen ’08Gregory and Mary Lee HazardJames and Mary HealyRoger and Ida HeckerSteven and MaryPat ’77 HedbergNicholas HegwoodPatricia HeinleinMichael and Rita Sue HenningsenAnn HenryDorothy HermensMary HermensAdrian and Marie HernandezCraig and Jane HerringAlbert and Maxine HertelMark and Marci HeselwoodJoseph HeubergerSteven HewittSteven and Linda HickokW. Rodgers and Maryanne HigginsMichelle Hofmann ’69William and Myra HolmesEric and Ann Holstrom

Loren and Martha HotchkissLoren and Alicia HotchkissDouglas and Kirsten HowardHelen Huddleston and Anna Jean NagelhoutMichael and Victoria HurleyJohn InnesMary IrwinArt James and The Honorable Mary Mertens James ’74Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable FoundationBarbara Jenkins-Gibson ’65Jeffrey and Angela JensenNeil and Donna ’65 Jerome

Each summer the Sisters preserve fruit for the winter.

They can pears, peaches, plums, berries, applesauce, jam & jelly.



Lucille JohnsonMary Kathleen and Christopher JohnsonCharles and Allison JohnsonSusan JonesMark and Ann KachmarekPhyllis KainzKirsten Keller ’78Gerry and Joyce ’54 KellyBrendan and Carrie KellyMichael and Ilse KempDavid and Sonja ’62 KlapperichDavid and Connie KnightKnights of Columbus - St. Pius X Council 12656Frank KnuselJudith KnutsonCharles and Barbara KoempelPaul and Elaine KohnenLouise KoppFranc and Mary KrebsAurora KrumlandSaurabh and Pallavi KulkarniDonald and Irene KustritzLouie and Penny LaBonteKiet and Chanmany LamJuanita LambergerAngelo and Helen LampusPaul and Alison LangtonRudolph and Thurid LarsonDavid LawRobert and Sue LawrenceMichael and Linda LawyerDavid Lee and Annie ChangPhilippe and Nirusha LeMouelManuel and Emma LeonRobin LeongYau Kong Leong and Amelia ChoongKen and Shirley LesterClay and Nancy Lewis

James and Mary LiggettCorrine and Larry LindsayMary LindsleyJeff LinkHerbert and Aline LommenWalter and Patricia LongTaylen and Myhanh LuuHuy and Lynn LyDennis and Sandra LynchPatrick and Sarah LynchRobert and Carolyn MacNaughtonRonald and Lauren MaierRobert and Geraldine MalloyJohn and Kristine ManeelyRajendran Manickavachakam and Jagadeswari RaharamMarlene Mariti ’57William and Grace MarreFrances MartinEric and Jonquil MartinezMaureen MartiniDarren and Toni MasingaleHelen Mason ’38Geraldine MastersJohn and Merideth McCloskeyTom and Theresa McDougalDianne McLeanMarlene McMahonPaula and Michael McVayRev. Jeffrey Meeuwsen ’95

Patricia MeiwesRichard and Kirsten MeneghelloDavid and Michele MenkensMichael MeyerRalph and Angeline MillerFrances Moellman ’54James MoellmanJoseph MolinariEugene and Lois MonacoTom MonaghanJoe MonihanKathleen MooreThomas and Jacqueline MooreJohn and Ann MooreThomas and Mary Ellen MooreIsabella MorseConstance MuessleMark and Michelle MullettEdward and Nadine MullinsHardy and Mary Ann MyersMichelle MyersGerald NagleJohn and Kathryn ’83 NearmanDouglas and Elizabeth NeeleyRay Nelke and Sally LeakeNew Hope Guest Home, Inc.Maria NguyenPaul Nguyen and Monique Duong-TranJames Nguyen and Mai HaDuc Nguyen and Donalyn RamonesKeven Nguyen and Ty TranVincent Nguyen and Kristen Weidener-Nguyen

VCHS was the recipient of the 2012 Oregonian Cup for 3A—OSAA’s highest honor, which showcases combined excellence in academics, activities, athletics and sportsmanship.


Thuy and Khiet NguyenPhi and Debra NguyenHung and Vivian NguyenKenneth and Katherine NguyenPrashanth Nimmala and Krishnaveni MamidiJames NollTony and Maria NosackElizabeth NoyesBilli OdegaardPeter and Andrea OehlerJames and Prayoon OlsenElizabeth and Martin OlsonDonald and Elizabeth OlsonJack and Erika OrchardOSAA FoundationHerman and Florence OsterkampRonald and Dorothy PalmerJoodong Park and Haewon NamAlbert and Mary PassadoreCarol PauszAnton and Rosemary PauszFabian and Betty Ann PawelekArlene PekkolaRaymond and Becki PerrymanHari and Sushma PeruriCarol and Dean PetittTri and Voc PhamWayne and Susan PhillipsLouise PinionAndrew and Rita PinkowskiHerbert and Olive Plep

Pauline PoeBrent and Kathleen ’75 PolanchekOdilo and Corinne PolinskyDiane PontiCarole PoolGary and Linda PopeRichard and Mary PotterPowell ChiropracticJames and Marilyn PrinceJoanne ProfittBetty PryPsalm 91 Care Home, LLCBrian and Mira PughJose Puthenkulam and Liza DavisGraeme and Amy QueenUgo and Joan RaglionePartha Rajagopal and Girija ParthasarathyRobert and Jean ’57 RappFrancisco and Theresa ’87 RaveloLewis and Christine ’64 RayKathryn and Mark ReadEric and Josephine ’71 RechtPhillip and Deborah ’69 ReddyMeagan Reding ’03Carl and Donna RedingAllen and Georgann ReelJames and Remedios ReeveAdam and Edith ’96 ReineckerAndrew and Dorothy RichardWilliam RidgwayFrank and Margaret RinellaLynn Ristig

Carla Roberti-AdlerCheryl Robertson ’82James and Ligia RobisonBrent and Tonya RogersDon RomanaggiPaul and Linda RoshakRichard RossmanMargie RoweAgus Rusli and Caroline BudimanJames and Christine RussellJohn and Sophal RutledgeJerry and Marcella RyanAri Sabet and Nooshin RahimiNathan and Erica SamsonFrank Sanders and Prudence Matthews-SandersRavi Sathyanarayana and Rekha RaoSeshu Sattiraju and Padmashree TakkarsMichael and Marilyn SchaeferJoseph and Christine SchildMichael and Janet SchmidtSr. Lorraine Schneider, SFCC ’41Craig and Jennifer ’88 SchoenEdward and Mary SchramMatthew and Laura SchultzJoe and Susan SchumacherMartin and Nancy ScottTodd and April SheafferRoger ShermanFloyd and Mary Beth ShewJames and Sandra ShipleyJohn and Jane ShoemakerThomas and Kathy ShultzLeRoy and Barbara ’58 SillmannMichael and Michelle ’78 SimonsJames and Diane SissonSisters of The Holy CrossMargaret SlagleH.W. and Elizabeth SmithTom and Becky SondagCamile SopkoSoutheast Asian VicariateBrian and Monica SpanglerSpringer & Son, Inc.St. Boniface High School Class of 1951Charles StadelmanRichard and Mona ’52 StahlTimothy and Valerie StecherDavid and Sharon StecherPeggy SteinDavid and Laureen SteinWilliam and Dianne ’50 SternbergMary StevanRichard and Cynthia StewartFrederick Stickel, Jr.

In 2011-12, one of every four VCHS students received financial aid.


Please note: This is only a partial list of contributors. To view the complete Annual Report with all of our donor lists, please visit the SSMO Foundation website at www.ssmofoundation.org


The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon is the only religious Community founded in Oregon.

Raymond and Claire StickelGeorge StockingerAlan and Tillman StoneRalph and Barbara StruthersCharles Beaston and Cheryl Sullivan ’70Jeffrey and Nancy SyBarbara TablerBabak Tabrizian and Pardis Mehrassa

Mark and Martha ’82 TaitSteven and Suzanne TaylorFenardi and Susanny ThenusBruce and Suzanne ThielRoss and Claudia ThomasPeter and Elizabeth ThomsonGener and Pamela ToledoRichard and Marjorie Tollisen

LeRoy and Judy TomesChaun Tong and Yu XyMargaret TongesChakkrapong and Sompong TongsakMarv and Dina TrachtaLenny and Christina TranHoa and Lan UongNicholas UtzingerJack and Noline VallejosPaul and Sharon Van BurenDavid and Anne VanDaamStanley and Mary VandeheyAllan VanderzandenRoy and Diane ’57 VanderzandenSubbarao and Sivagami VankaChristopher and Betsy VellutoEdilberto and Ruth VeniegasSrinand Venkatesan and Vijayasree KrishnaprasadGeorge and Jo Ann VennesLuis and Betty VillarrealJason and Lihua VoglerJohn and Carole VranizanThomas and Mary WalkerRose WalloFrances WalstonWendy WattsJames and Maria WellerJames and Helen WestHarold and Geraldine WestbyCarolyn Williams ’55Winfield and Jaci WilsonNorman and Marvel WirthEugene and Janet WizerEdward and Mary WolfDixie Wolfe ’55Bing and Kit WongTroy and Catharina WoodruffGerry and Yonney YadaoKuang Yoo and Christine MoayRobert and Kristine YoungBen and Mimi YunMariel Zagunis ’03Mahvish Zaman and Asad ChoudryYinglong Zhang and Cheryl ChangDavid and Betty ’72 ZivichMarty and Sharlene ’69 ZollnerEvelyn Zurfluh

Alumni Giving

1920sBarbara Benson Sharkey ’28

1930sHelen Reverman Mason ’38

1940sSr. Geraldine Bernards, SSMO ’47Patricia O’Connor Davey ’49Evelyn Sohler Fitzpatrick ’40Estelle MacGregor Fox ’43Kathleen Benedict Holmes ’41Darlene Jardee Morrow ’49Sr. Lorraine M. Schneider, SFCC ’41Florence Giddings Weber ’41

1950sMarilyn Kleczynski Blake ’57Yvonne Simon Braun ’55Joann Barsotti Cooper ’54Mary Ellen Bailey Crawley ’52Margaret Gable Elkins ’56Jen Rose Meinz Fagan ’59Agnes Steinkamp Hall ’51Pat Roshak Joyaux ’54Joyce Hoge Kelly ’54Sr. Lawdean Lamberger, SSMO ’52RoseMarie Law ’54Grace Hertel Link ’56Margaret Steinbach Livermore ’54Constance Carr Luetkemeyer ’59Marlene Botteri Mariti ’57Janice Kosmalski Martin ’57Bruna Barsotti McBride ’53Helen Manly McDaid ’54Frances Moellman ’54Catherine Moran Munro ’54Jean Kotrik Rapp ’57Mary Vinyard Sample ’52Barbara Miller Sillmann ’58Mona Gosselin Stahl ’52Anonymous ’58Dianne Williams Sternberg ’50Barbara McEachern Stevenson ’58Diane Vanderzanden ’57Carolyn Kennish Williams ’55Dixie Wilson Wolfe ’55

1960sJoyce Reiling Aspmo ’63Joan Nylund Bellinger ’68Monica Brennan ’67Loauna Fery Cerda ’61Sharon Schulte Chasko ’62Jacqueline McEachern Coats ’60

Kathleen Dimeo Coleman ’66Thecla Albrecht Copley ’63Mary Van Goethem Hansen ’63Michelle Hofmann ’69Linda Crunican Holmbo ’65Barbara Jenkins-Gibson ’65Donna Pesenti Jerome ’65Sonja Farmen Klapperich ’62Jane Finch Lathrop ’67Bernadette Verschingel Lombard ’62Paula Vanderzanden McVay ’66Christine Briggs Ray ’64Deborah Bautch Reddy ’69Florence Schlegelmilch ’63Carol Ann Spiering ’60Roberta Barsotti Weber ’62Linda Leppla Woodson ’62Sharlene Schmidlkofer Zollner ’69Judy Zwan ’60

1970sJoan DeYoung ’78Marilyn Hertel Doeleman ’76Dian Kurilo Duyck ’71Kathy Jo Hickerson Eskandani ’75Vivian Spieker Feldman ’74MaryPat Dever Hedberg ’77The Honorable Mary Mertens James ’74Kirsten Hollister Keller ’78Kathleen Stahl Polanchek ’75Josephine Koehnke Recht ’71Colleen Goettel Reome ’75Theresa Drake Shrum ’73Michelle Murphy Simons ’78Mary Sinclair ’76Cheryl Schuman Sullivan ’70Karla VanderZanden ’72Betty Dionne Zivich ’72

1980sAgnes Romanaggi Albert ’81Sharon Moore Bailey ’82Melinda Evers Carbon ’89Holly Miller Chi ’83Toni Cooper ’87Ann Bielke Duyck ’87Jennifer Passadore Gfroerer ’87Leslie Vilhauer Huffman ’87Mary Koehnke Jesse ’82Liesl Trask Karasaki ’86Laurie Coleman Litmer ’87Kathryn Graff Nearman ’83Theresa Vu Ravelo ’87Cheryl Robertson ’82Jennifer Kalmanek Schoen ’88

Laura Spiering ’86Martha Carter Tait ’82Rita Mary Liebertz Vennes ’80

1990sSarah Lawrence Anderson ’95Angelica Arellano-Blas ’99Michelle Boss Barba ’96Matthew Clark ’96Christine Wilson Goodner ’95Erika Fulkerson Howerton ’91Kelly Hyde ’92Celita Lee ’99Kathryn Haener Ludlow ’98Rev. Jeffrey Meeuwsen ’95Eddie Passadore ’95Meghan Curl Randall ’98Edith Veniegas Reinecker ’96Tania Vanderschuere Rhein ’95Marion Vote ’98Jacob Werner ’96

2000-10Alexander Abaria ’00Michael Anderson ’04Kevin Bretthauer ’08Daniel Cobb ’09Stephanie Haugen ’08Meagan Reding ’03Katherine Ouevedo Stokke ’00Philip Thiel ’00Mariel Zagunis ’03


The NumbersFinancials for July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

2010

$10,000,000 –

$8,000,000 –

$6,000,000 –

$4,000,000 –

$2,000,000 –

$0 –2011 2012

$8,246.034

$7,821,478

$8,048,055

Total Assets

$1,909,763

$2,488,411

$2,390,286

$2,500,000 –

$2,000,000 –

$1,500,000 –

$1,000,000 –

$500,000 –

$0 –2010 2011 2012

Total Endowment

$3,000,000 –

$2,500,000 –

$2,000,000 –

$1,500,000 –

$1,000,000 –

$500,000 –

$0 –2010 2011 2012

$2,349,167

$2,450,592

$2,566,769

Total Contributions & Subsidies

CapitalProjects

$2,000,000 –

$1,500,000 –

$1,000,000 –

$500,000 –

$0 –

Distribution of Grants to Related Entities

Campus Schools

SSMO Maryville VCELS

201020112012

The Year In Review July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012

Total Assets $8,048,055Total Endowment $2,390,286Total Contributions & Subsidies $2,566,769Total Grants to Related Entities $1,714,635

2011-12 Total Revenues

31% Annual Fund-Unrestricted 10% Annual Fund-Restricted 53% Bequests & Endowments 5% Special Events 1% Transfer of Funds from Kansas. LLC

2011-12 Distribution of Grants to Related Entities

62% Capital Projects 21% Campus Schools 16% SSMO 0% Maryville 1% VCELS

This report is intended to provide general information of the SSMO Foundation activities and dollars received from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The report has not been audited and should not be considered an official financial report of the SSMO Foundation.

From VCS to CNBC

Seema Mody ’03Her Journey

Continues The life of Valley Catholic Alumna Seema Mody ’03 has changed quite a bit since she graduated after 13 years at Valley Catholic. On Nov. 26, the CNBC reporter spent the day sharing her journey with Valley Catholic students. After Seema graduated from Valley Catholic School in 2003, she attended the University of Washington, where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology. However, she discovered that being a doctor was not her calling, and after working for a time at a health care consulting company, Seema set her sights on journalism. She received her first break working at CNBC-TV18 in Mumbai, India. After two years working as an anchor and reporter there, Seema began working at CNBC in New York City, where she currently works as a reporter. Seema reports daily on topics ranging from reports on Wall Street to the daily news.

Valley Catholic students were thrilled to meet a national reporter. Their questions ranged from the current price of a share in Apple (a story she recently reported) to whether she gets worried she will say something wrong on air. Seema left Valley Catholic students with the charge to “take advantage of the resources you have here,” and to “invest in yourself.” It is a gift to have alumni like Seema on campus to share their journey. v

Alumni—If you’d like to share your journey after graduating from VCHS with our current students, please contact Grace Le Chevallier at [email protected]

—Grace Le Chevallier


1952

1962

1967

1977

1992

2002

1982

1967

(Not pictured) The class of 1967 commemorated their 45th reunion at Rood Bridge Park. Kathleen Kindel Bishop ’52 organized this celebratory event.

2002The class of 2002 had several gatherings to celebrate their 10-year reunion. On Friday, July 27, alumni gathered at Portland’s Boiler Room for an evening of karaoke. Alumni from as far away as New York City gathered at Garden Vineyard (owned by Melinda Wahlberg Wilson ’89) to enjoy wine and appetizers on a beautiful Saturday evening. On Sunday, alumni came back to campus for a family picnic lunch at the Villa.

1977 The class of 1977 celebrated their 35th reunion throughout Alumni Weekend (Sept. 14-16). They are pictured at Caldera Public House. On Sunday, they attended the Alumni Weekend Brunch after Mass with Sr. M. John Therese Miller and Sr. M. Juliana Monti. Since their reunion, they have started a monthly gathering at Old Wives’ Tales.

1982The alumnae from the class of 1982 celebrated their reunion at the Kennedy School with a weekend (July 20-22) filled with activities. On Friday they enjoyed drinks and appetizers at Tracy Wolf Paquin’s Art Studio. Saturday they celebrated with dinner and mingling at the Kennedy School. They reminisced on Sunday during a tour of the SSMO campus.

1952 Seven alumnae gathered for their 60th reunion on July 15, 2012, planned by Mary Vinyard Sample and Barbara Senko Beaulieu. Alumnae came from states as far as Montana, Arizona and California. The class joined the Sisters for Mass and then gathered for a brunch in the Villa for several hours. The class of 1952 has gathered at least every five years since graduation.

(Not pictured) The class of 1992 gathered during Alumni Weekend (Sept. 14-16) to celebrate their 20-year reunion and commemorated their class at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse.

1992

1962 The class of 1962 celebrated their 50-year reunion together. After Mass, the classmates enjoyed lunch at Maryville Nursing Home and spent hours reminiscing, laughing and sharing stories.

Class ReunionsA Time for Reconnecting

with Friends

During Catholic Schools Week in January, the Alumni Relations Department honors an alum with the Distinguished Alumni Award. This individual excels and exceeds in his or her life’s work or personal endeavor. He or she also demonstrates a high standard of personal integrity and strives for excellence to live a valiant life. To nominate an alum please submit his or her name and an explanation as to why that Valiant should be recognized to [email protected].

A CALL FOR NOMiNATiONS!

Soup’s On is a Smashing Success You could call it the ultimate “soup”er bowl. At the second annual Soup’s On, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon teamed with the City of Beaverton and 22 local restaurants to raise more than $10,000 for the Oregon Food Bank. Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle welcomed more than 450 guests who filled the Valley Catholic gym, tasting delicious soups and treats while enjoying performances by the Valley Catholic Marian Singers and VCHS Jazz Band. Sister Delores Adelman garnered support from generous sponsors so that all of the event proceeds went directly to provide food for families in need in our community.

SPONSORS: A-1 Glass & Mirror, Al’s Garden, Anonymous Donor, Beaverton Pharmacy, Beaverton Toyota, City of Beaverton, Farmington Gardens, Maryville Nursing Home, My Favorite Muffin, Portland Clinic, Safeway, Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, US Bank, Valley Catholic School

RESTAuRANTS ANd THEIR SIGNATuRE SOuPS: • First Place Gold Ladle! Reedville Catering: Roasted Butternut Squash • Second Place Silver Ladle! SSMO/Valley Catholic: Potato Soup • ThirdPlaceBronzeLadle! Noodles & Co.: Tomato Basil Bisque • Black Bear Diner: Split Pea with Ham • Buddies Sports Bar & Grill: Bacon Cheddar Chicken • DeCarli Restaurant: Ham Hock & White Bean Chowder • Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant: Cream of Asparagus Dill • Elmer’s: Ivar’s Puget Sound Style Clam Chowder • Fresh Thyme Soup Co.: Tuscan Sausage & Potato • Golden Valley Brewery: Clam Chowder • Hall Street: Cauliflower Cream with Salsa Verde & Black Trumpet Mushroom • Old Chicago: Broccoli Cheese Soup • Olive Garden: Zuppa Toscana • Monteaux’s Public House: Hot Avocado Soup • Newport Bay: New England Clam Chowder • Nonna Emilia Restorante: Ribolitta • Pasta Pronto: Spicy Sausage & Pasta Soup • Qdoba Mexican Grill: Tortilla Soup • Stanford’s: Creamy Tomato Basil • Sweet Tomatoes: Shepherd’s Pie & Smashed Potatoes • The Stockpot Broiler: Lobster Bisque • Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill: Beer Cheese Soup Other establishments serving up delectable treats: Ava Rosteria, Bales Thriftway, Beaverton Bakery, Bungalow Bread Company, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Lizzy Cakes Cupcakes, McMenamins Pubs & Breweries, Mireille’s Bistro, New Seasons, Starbucks, and The Dessert Tray. v


Rosemary Smith Kemper-Riddock ’59 is a retired educator, classroom teacher, staff development coordinator, curriculum director, and principal. She is also a widow, mother of four and grandmother of five who loves the Oregon coast, hiking, garden-ing, cooking and reading. Rosemary volunteers in her parish, at St. Vincent de Paul, the Haystack Rock Appreciation Program on the beach (a local adult literacy program) and for Food 4 Kids Seaside, which provides weekend food in backpacks for local school children in need. Since retiring in 2010 Rosemary has learned to quilt and knit. “I value my years at Valley Catholic almost as much as my family—and that’s a LOT! Company is always welcome at the beach where life is good.”

diane Helfrich Scott ’624 and her husband Allen provided a home for Brad Holbrook, a falsely convict-ed man, from 2008 to 2010. Allen was a juror on Brad Holbrook’s trial. During his stay they hosted newspaper reporters, private detectives and his family and friends from out of state. Read more about this story in The Oregonian’s article from Nov. 17, 2008 entitled “The Trials of Brad Holbrook.”

6 Carol Josten Wesner ’73 and Patty O’Brien Harty ’73 have been friends since the first grade. They continue to celebrate each others’ birth-days, and last year they did a retake of a picture from the 1973 yearbook. 6

Carol Josten Wesner ’73 and her husband Cliff live in Lake Oswego. They have two children: Makenzie is pursu-ing a health career, and Michael will be finishing college in 2013. Carol’s parents have moved back to Hillsboro and she sees them on a regular basis. She is a Master Gardner and works many hours in her garden.

Patty O’Brien Harty ’73 and her husband Ed live in Hillsboro, where Patty’s father lives with them. They have three children—Jim, Katie Harty Hennessy ’96 and Chris Harty ’97—and two grand-children. Patty works as a nurse part time at Tuality Healthcare.

Melinda Welter Shellenbarger ’75 4(now Sr. Maria Lusina of the Lamb of God) sends this update: “Well! Life is truly a journey, and mine has been quite maze-like, but God is always faithful, and on July 16, 2012—the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel—seven others and I made our first vows as religious sisters in the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, SOLT, in Corpus Christi, Texas. We have been four years in formation, first in North Dakota, then in Kansas City, Mo., Bosque, N.M., and finally in Holman, N.M., where our order was first established in 1958. It has been amazing, and now my first assignment is to the Develop-ment Team in Corpus Christi. Ours is a contemplative/active order which is international, and includes all vocations: Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Lay Families and Singles, and Consecrated Widows. I look forward to future assignments—only the Lord knows where.”

LouAnn Williams ’75 is the host of “LifeTalk Oregon,” a cable access talk show airing in the Portland Metro area and sponsored by Oregon Right to Life Education Foundation. LouAnne credits her passion for the unborn and the sanctity of life to her years as a student at St. Mary of the Valley—especially with Sisters Rose Dolores Costello and Fidelis Kreutzer. LouAnn has traveled all over the U.S. for interviews and never tires of pestering guests with endless questions! LouAnn is homeschooling her two youngest daughters and three of her children are living on the East Coast. Her first grandchild is 17 months old.

Janna Fletcher Borg ’83 is currently living in Stockholm with her husband and two teenage boys and working as a teacher. Janna received her teaching degree at Portland State and moved to Japan to teach English. After two years she returned to the States via Australia to continue studying. While in Australia, Janna met her future husband, who is from Sweden. They eventually moved to Stockholm where they have been living for 20 years.

Susan Graff Hames ’86 moved to the East Coast after several years of living in Mexico City. She and her family are discovering all that the East Coast has to offer, including trips to Washington D.C., Hilton Head and Charleston, S.C. and Savannah and Atlanta, Ga.

Thrusie Maurseth-Cahill ’92 4is living in London with her husband and two daughters. Thrusie’s latest adventure was working with the 164 national teams in the Athletes’ Vil-lage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She is pictured in her purple and red uniform, marching as the replacement flag-bearer for Saudi Arabia in the Closing Ceremony. “If it hadn’t been for Sra. Navar-ro’s Spanish class and Mme. Bessette’s French class, I would never have done this. So, thank you, Valley Catholic (a.k.a. SMV).”

Jennifer Williamson ’92 was elected as the state representative for Oregon House District 36 with 82 percent of the vote.

Farrah Petrasek Rawlins ’94 recently graduated from the PCC Radiography program, class of 2012, after spending two years doing her clinical education at St. Vincent Medical Center. Farrah has recently become employed with NW Pain Institute in Vancou-ver, Wash., and will be working on pain management cases. She and her daughter, Emmerson, live in Beaverton where Emmerson attends second grade.

Richard Church ’95 is currently living in Franklin, Mass. with his wife Julie and their children Delanie (4) and Grayson (2). Richard is working as an assistant professor of emergency medicine and staff medical toxicologist for University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Mass. and Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Mass. He recently received the distinction of Fellow status in the American College of Emergency Physicians.

3Christine Harty ’97 graduated from Oregon State University in 2002 and spent seven years doing wildlife research. Chris-tine returned to school and earned her master’s in teaching from Lewis & Clark College in July of 2009. She spent the next two years teaching seventh-grade science at a school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Chris-

tine now works as a sixth-grade science teacher in Grand Junction, Colo. She spends her summers working for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many friends and natural wonders!”

Catie Nienaber ’98 is a fashion and style correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle. She contributes stories to the paper’s style section and contributes photographs and additional stories on the accompanying blog, “Unzipped.” Catie also owns her own busi-ness, Dronning Vintage, an online vintage clothing boutique. She is a proud aunt three times over.

Amaya Basta-Sieber ’00 and Casey Sieber welcomed their second child to the world, daughter Estibalitz Virginia-Segunda on Nov. 12, 2012.

Johnny Ott ’01 4 is featured on the front cover of Kayak Sessions, an international whitewater magazine. Johnny is pictured paddling the Little White Salmon, the most-run river for Class V paddlers in the Pacific Northwest.

3Allisa Hartmeier Wacek ’01 and husband Dennis Wacek celebrated the birth of their first child, Dexter Evan Wacek, born Oct. 2, 2012 at 1:34 p.m. at St. Vincent Hospital

in Portland. Dexter weighed exactly seven pounds and was 20.5 inches long. Dexter is the first grandchild of Valley Catholic Early Learning School Principal Trish Roussel.

Bryanne Whitney Colvin ’02 began her third and final year of residency in pediatrics in July at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Bry-anne and her husband Matt welcomed their second child on Feb. 24, 2012: a son, James Thomas. Big sister Isidora is now 3 years old and just started her second year of preschool. desiree Rodriguez ’02 welcomed her first son, Benjamin, to the world on July 13, 2012.

Matea Basta Heineman ’034 married Joshua Heineman of Bemidji, Minn. in October of 2009. They reside in San Fran-cisco and had their first child, son Sebastian Emil, on Nov. 19.

Nick Gates ’03 married Angela Rummel on August 27, 2011, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Hillsboro. His brothers Trevor Gates ’07 and Spencer Gates ’10 were best men, and his sister Lindsay Gates ’04 was a bridesmaid. Melissa Gates doxtator ’02 was a reader and Jacob Sherman ’03 was a groomsman.

Susi Korinek ’03 is living in the Portland area and has been work-ing as a Mechanical Drafter for an engineering firm in downtown Portland for the last two years. Susi graduated summa cum laude from Oregon State University in 2009 after spending two years at Portland State University. Susi was one of only six graduates to earn a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA, and one of only two graduates to do so while earning two or more degrees. She also currently plays in a women’s volleyball league with a group of Valley Catholic gradu-ates (including her twin sister, Anna) and is mom to her 4-year old daughter, Maggie.

Are you an alum with news to share? If so, please contact Alumni Relations & Special Events Manager Grace Le Chevallier at [email protected] or submit your news on the alumni webpage: www.ssmofoundation.org/alumni-relations.


3Sarah Fischer ’04 and Chad Karver ’03 were married on Dec. 1, 2012 and have bought a home in Southwest Portland.

Lindsay Gates ’04 graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science and is currently a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness in Hillsboro.

Meredith donovan Aronson ’05 married Kevin Aronson on July 15, 2012. They live in Spokane where Meredith works as a community relations manager for WGU Washington (Eastern Wash. Region).

Holly Taylor Swenson ’054and her husband, Kevin, welcomed their first child, son Maddox Damian Swenson, on Aug. 11, 2012.

Allison Waibel Gates ’05 6 and Jonathon Gates were married on Sept. 8, 2012. Allison currently works for the Sports Medicine Institute of Oregon in Beaverton and coaches girls’ basketball at Valley Catholic High School. Allison is pictured with VCHS coaches Pat Thomas and John Innes, Jasmine Bush ’11, Meg Coussens ’04, Kaylynn Bush

’15, Bailey Mcdevitt ’15, VCHS coach Emily Keagbine ’07 and Ashley Waibel ’09.

Katie Bamford ’06 and Kalani Efsathiou ’06 4were married on July 8, 2012.

3Alex Kinney ’06 is currently a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Navy, working as a nuclear propulsion officer aboard the U.S.S. Jacksonville submarine based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Alex attended Gonzaga University, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2010. His Navy training then took him to Newport, R.I., for Officer Candidate School, and then to Charleston, S.C., for Nuclear

Power School. He then went to Groton, Conn., for the Submarine Officer Basic Course, and finally to Ballston Spa, N.Y., for nuclear prototype training. He was certified to be a U.S. Navy nuclear operator in August 2012.

Madeleine Brink ’064has been working as an English professor at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, since August 2011. She has taught a variety of classes at the university, spanning from Basic English to Academic Writing. In Oct. of 2012, she was invited to appear on her co-worker’s show, “Lo Bueno es Noticia.” (Good News is Also News). In the show, Madeleine spoke about what it is like to be a gringa in the Dominican Republic (see photo). Madeleine has finally achieved the goal she formed while in Señora Navarro’s class: she can speak fluently in Spanish!

6Nathan Schmitt ’06 continues his passion of teaching marginalized populations in Denver, Colo. at STRIVE Preparatory

Schools. He recently taught a six-week middle school class on hip-hop in collaboration with world-renowned hip-hop scholar Adam Bradley. Nathan is pictured with his Outdoor Education class on a weekend camping trip.

Kasey Coussens ’07 graduated magna cum laude from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s

degree in mechanical engineering. She is employed by Xerox as a mechanical engineer.

Trevor Gates ’07 graduated magna cum laude from Western Oregon University in December 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He began at University of Oregon Law School in fall 2012. While playing football at WOU in 2011, he broke the single-season receiving yards record that had been held for 16 years.

6Hayley Harned ’08 is a recent 2012 graduate from the University of Great Falls in Mont., where she earned two bachelor’s degrees—sociology and psychology—and a minor in communications. In August, Hayley moved to New York City to begin her master’s degree in media studies, focusing on social media and social change at the New School for Public Engagement. She is dedicated to advocating for eating disorder awareness,

and plans to use her degrees to promote a healthy body image for all men and women. Last October she was selected as a volunteer for the National Eating Disorder Association’s Annual Conference held in Los Angeles, and plans to attend again this year in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Samantha Peters ’08 graduated from Carroll College in Mont. with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is employed by the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge as a registered nurse.

Novia dela Rosa ’084and nine other women from Franklin College-Switzerland joined the Swiss Women’s National Team of Aussie-Rules Football, the “Swiss Swans.” The team headed to Belfast, Northern Ireland in October 2011 for the AFL Eurocup 2011-Women’s Division and won second place against the “Irish Banshees.” The championships were televised by ESPN in Europe. This is one of Novia’s best memories in college, along with various academic travels in different countries. She graduated from Franklin College-Switzerland in May of 2012 with bachelor’s degree in visual and communication arts. Currently, she is working as a photographer with Lifetouch National School Studios in Portland. Novia plans to pursue a master’s degree.

Lindsey Harmon ’11 competed in seven tournaments as a freshman on the Washington State University women’s golf team. She carded her lowest career score, 71, in the second round of the Anteater Invitational and tied for seventh place.

Austin Lundin ’116is a student at the University of Southern California, majoring in health promotion and disease prevention and minoring in natural science and neuroscience on the pre-medicine path. Austin is competing on the varsity cross-country and track and field programs there. She is pictured racing the 5,000-meter against UCLA in the annual Dual Meet where she secured her spot as one of the top 10 all-time USC freshman runners with a time of 18:01 for

the 5K. “I’m very excited to hear about the VC cross-country teams’ success this year and am proud to be a Valiant at heart.”

in Memoriam:alumni

Marcella Ann O’Meara Olson ’52 died at Providence Hospital in Everett, Wash. on July 15, 2012—the day of her 60th reunion. She was born January 16, 1934. After graduating from St. Mary of the Valley Academy, Marcella worked for the Oregon Highway Department. She married Raymond Olson on Oct. 8, 1960. Together they were wonderful foster parents to many children while they raised a family of their own. Marcella continued babysitting and caring for children for 30 years. Marcella was an active member of St. Joseph Church and had a great love for animals—mostly cats and dogs. Marcella’s last years were spent at Morgan Cottage, where she seemed happy and content, getting along with her roommates and caregivers. She leaves behind three children and five grandchildren.

Helen Mary Hertel Fessler ’41 passed away on Sept. 23, 2012 at the age of 88. She was born in Roy on April 17, 1924. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank. Helen was the fifth of nine children of Frank and Gertrude (Gellings) Hertel. She is survived by her sister, Gertrude. Helen married Frank Fessler on July 31, 1949. She was a loving wife and mother to six children: Norma (Jack) Christensen, Robert (Carolyn), Stephen, Susan (Tim) Adams, James, and Joan (Mike) Potts. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Upcoming Campus EventsJanuary Jan. 10: Bethany Speaker Series: Caring for Aging Adults Jan. 24: K-5 Grandparents & Special Friends Day Jan. 26: Family Mass and Banquet Jan. 27: VCELS, VCES, VCMS Open House Jan. 28 - Feb. 1: National Catholic Schools WeekFebruary Feb. 10: SSMO Valentine Tea Feb. 11-15: Music School Recital Performances Feb. 23: VCMS Regional Speech Tournament Feb. 24: Valley Vintage Alumni Wine Tasting March Mar. 1-3 & Mar. 8-10: Spring Musical - Bye Bye Birdie Mar. 3: Spring Musical with Alumni Reception Mar. 25-29: K-12 Spring Break Mar. 6: Raffle Sales BeginApril April 19: VCMS Regional Science Fair April 20: Bethany Speaker Series: Palliative Care April 27: VCS Gala—Fly Me to the MoonMay May 3: VCS Campus Music Jamboree May 5-10: Music School Recitals May 6-10: PreK-12 Teacher Appreciation Week May 15: VCHS Spring Concert May 18: VCS International Fair May 22: VCMS Spring Concert


VCS PreK-8 Open HouseSunday, January 27, 2013 Elementary School: 1-3 p.m.Middle School & Early Learning School: 2-4 p.m.

Oregonian Cup Winner for 3A (2011-12)Oregon’s #1 3A Athletic School by Oregon Athletic Coaches Association (2011-12)

Girls Soccer, 2nd in State | Girls Cross Country, 2nd in State

Follow our Valiants in basketball, swimming & dance this winter at valleycatholic.org/athletics

During the weekend of Sept. 14-16, the SSMO campus was alive with events at Valley Catholic High School. Mother Nature provided a beautiful, warm weekend, and Dennis Uniform donated the “Rampart Plaid” tablecloths that set the stage for many of the events. On Friday, alumni were among the 91 golfers who teed off at Ghost Creek at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course for the “wHole in One” golf tournament held by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation (see page 9). On Saturday alumni went “back to class” in the high school and enjoyed an hour and a half with three teachers who have been perennial favorites of students: Ed Braun (religion), Phil McQueen (history) and Kipp Johnson (math). Alumni enjoyed seeing themselves in the hundreds of photographs plastered on Mr. Braun’s classroom walls, and listened to the teachers talk about what’s new on campus and relate some of their best memories from years past. Next up was the tailgate party before the football game. The tailgater was held at the “Villa” on campus, where about 85 people gathered to enjoy a barbeque of sausages donated by Zenner’s and taste 16 varieties of beer donated through Lexi Harris Megenat ’93 and Widmer Brothers Brewing. The tailgater was followed by the football game, Valley Catholic vs. Sheridan, which enjoyed the highest attendance of perhaps any home game since the team premiered in 2009. Although the Valiants did not come out on top, the game was a nail-biter until the very end. That evening, two classes had reunions: the class of 1992 had their 20-year reunion at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, and the class of 1977 had their 35-year reunion at the Caldera Public House. The festivities continued through Sunday, when alumni gathered at the Convent chapel for Mass followed by a reception. Alumni participated in the Mass, attended by about 60 people, both as lectors and in the choir. Those who read were Sr. Catherine Hertel ’59, Tara Bassett ’77, and Sr. Barbara Rose Sohler ’62. In the choir loft, singers from the class of 1977 joined the Sisters. The reception that followed was in honor of Sr. M. Juliana Monti, who retired as a classroom educator earlier this year after devoting 41 years to the fine arts—and the choir program in particular—at the high school. Alumni who had traveled from as far away as the East Coast—and from classes ranging from 1976 to 1992—sang for Sr. Juliana and told stories of their days in choir. At one point, Sr. Juliana and Sr. M. John Therese Miller joined in song with them. The weekend was full of laughter, reconnection and fun! Looking forward to the next Alumni Weekend in September 2013! v

Alumni Weekend to Remember!

Save the dateSeptember

13-15, 2013—Grace Le Chevallier

NoN Profit orgUS PoStage Paid

PortlaNd, orPermit No 1006

4440 SW 148th AvenueBeaverton, OR 97007 www.ssmoministries.org

To update your mailing address, please contact (503) 718-6481 [email protected].

ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

Save the Date — April 27, 2013!We are seeking donations! Our wish list includes vacation homes, time shares, tickets to major sporting events, gift certificates and other popular items to support Valley Catholic School!

Please contact us at [email protected] or visit us online to donate your tax deductible items to support our school and ensure our students soar to new heights.

Presented by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation | 4440 SW 148th Ave., Beaverton OR 97007 | 503.718.6485 | fax 503.718.6489 | www.gala.valleycatholic.org

Printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to have been manufactured from mixed products from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fiber

2013 Gala SponsorsVTM Group | Howard S. Wright | American Heating, Inc. | Farmington Gardens

Hillsboro Orthopaedic Specialists, LLP | Crandall Group | Maryville Nursing HomeWe have a variety of sponsorship and underwriting opportunities available. Visit www.gala.valleycatholic.org

or contact Sharlayne Buuck at [email protected] to become a sponsor today!

Documents

A Magazine of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries ... · A Magazine of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation Fall 2012 | Winter 2013. 2 Spirit Fall 2012