A group of Carondelet's outstanding scholars were recognized recently by a variety of organizations for their achievements in research, service, and academic excellence. Check out our Facebook page for more information about each winner.
Sasha Williams '19 Presented Video Game to Members of Congress at the White House
Congratulations to Sasha Williams '19, who was selected for the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Leaders On the Fast Track (LOFT) 2016 Video Game Innovation Fellowship, sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. The fellowship serves as a platform to help game developers identify and promote the top 20 innovators who can create video games or mobile apps that address local and global social issues.
Sasha is a member of Gameheads, which is an organization that teaches young people how to develop video games. She represented her team's video game at the White House. Their game is for teens, and takes place in alternate realities, and as the main character matures, he advances to new levels. The game features challenges as well as an educational component.
During her time at the White House, Sasha met with the Board of Science and Technology, and learned about the impact of young people on the gaming industry.
AP Physics 1 Field Trip: Women in Technology
The AP Physics 1 class went to the Facebook campus in Menlo Park on Nov. 7. They started the day listening to a panel of women discuss their role in the workplace and what led them to a career in technology, and at the end the panel the students had a chance to ask questions. They finished the day with a tour of the campus led by these amazing women.
When reflecting on the experience, Anneliese Peterson '17 explained, "It has inspired me to teach myself how to code. I was nervous about majoring in engineering in college because it is a male-dominated field. These women boosted my confidence to pursue this career."
Another student, Noelle Mazolewski '17 spoke about the positive impact of the experience saying, "It was comforting to know that I don't need to know what my future career will be at this point in my life. These women found a career that they are passionate about and it wasn't what they had originally pursued."
Carondelet's 2015 Christmas Wish Comes True
Last year, Carondelet's Christmas wish was for transportation. Thanks to the generous support of our Visions of Christmas guests, our Christmas wish came true and we now have two beautiful Ford Transit 7-passenger vans. These vans will be used to transport students and supplies to a multitude of activities and events including: field trips, club activities, community service events, student government, retreats and Ven a Ver experiences.
These vans do not require special licensing for drivers, so faculty members will be able to drive students easily. During this time of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the generous investment that has made this dream a reality.
After further research, we now have our sights set on our next transportation need. The 2016 Visions of Christmas Fund-a-Need will raise funds to purchase a mini-bus or shuttle bus to be used for larger groups of students, transporting our athletic teams and more. This vehicle will hold 30+ students and make a significant impact on the logistics of getting our busy girls where they need to go!
We hope you will join us for one (or more!) Visions of Christmas events next week, and raise your paddle generously to help our Christmas wish come true once again!
Sophomores Complete Corazon Retreats
Every Tuesday during September, October and November each of our eight sophomore religious studies classes participated in their Corazon retreat at the Lafayette Retreat Center.
We would like to extend our special thanks to our dedicated teachers, Sister Mary, Ms. Carey and Mrs. Sullivan, for their diligent preparation. Deep appreciation goes out to our inspirational and motivational peer counselors who were team leaders. And a special thank you to Epicurean food service who provided the delicious treats for hungry students!
Are You Ready for Visions?
The anticipation is almost over - Visions of Christmas is just days away!
During "Visions Week" you'll have an exciting array of events to look forward to. In addition to the five Holiday Teas and the Family Breakfast with Santa:
Join us for the Community Open House, Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., admission is free. You can enjoy refreshments, shop the boutique, and buy your tickets for the beautiful raffle trees. Thanks to the Alumnae Association for sponsoring this event.
Our Online Auction includes 8 front row seats for the class of 2017 graduation, guaranteed parking for 2017-2018, an autographed Stephen Curry jersey, a Big Island getaway and much more.
This year's Raffle Christmas Trees include:
Christmas in the Kitchen
Howell Mountain Holiday
Nothing but the Holidays
#TinselAndTech
White Elephant Christmas Party
More details about donors, prizes and how to buy raffle tickets can be found on the Visions website.
Parents: Join the Crab Feed Committee!
The Parent Association will be having a Crab Feed organizational meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. and we hope you'll join in the fun!
Please contact Crab Feed Chair Jerry Carpanello if you would like to help organize this fabulous event, scheduled for early March.
Athletics Complex Heads to Walnut Creek City Council on Nov. 29
Please note: The meeting will be held on Nov. 29, not on Nov. 15 as was listed in previous newsletters.
Carondelet is scheduled to go before the Walnut Creek City Council next Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. to present plans for the construction of our state-of-the-art athletics complex.
Please join us in sending a strong message to the city that this project is a win for the greater community and, especially, for our young women who deserve equity and a safe, welcoming "home field" to practice, play, and build the lasting bonds of sisterhood.
2. Share the petition with your friends by email or through social media.
3. Attend the Nov. 29 Walnut Creek City Council meeting in your Cougars gear to show your support. Click here to RSVP.
4. Walnut Creek residents: Send a letter to the Mayor and City Council stating your support for our project. Letters must be received by Nov. 28 at noon.
On behalf of current and future Carondelet students, thank you! If you have any questions, please contact Director of Communications, Jennifer Ortega at 925.686.5353 x 190.
We Want to Hear from You!
Every six years, Carondelet goes through an accreditation process that documents our progress and includes a three-day school visit from external educators who want to make sure that we are working in alignment with our mission and in a way that best supports student learning.
Part of the process involves gathering community input through surveys of parents, students and staff.
Please take 10 minutes to share your impressions of Carondelet and how you feel we live out our mission.
Community Service Opportunities
Everyone Loves Christmas Cookies: Catholic Charities of the East Bay needs your help baking holiday cookies for a Christmas party we're holding on Dec. 17! Over 300 Christmas gifts will be distributed to families and individuals in need. All families participating receive services from our housing, refugee resettlement, legal immigration, and mental health departments.
Join Catholic Charities in providing help, heart, and hope to those in need this Christmas. Please email Ivan Villaseñor Madriz, Volunteer Program Coordinator, at ivillasenormadriz@cceb.orgif you can bake 25 cookies for our Christmas party. Cookies must be delivered to Mrs. Lawrence in the Community Service Office by 8:15 a.m. (before school starts) on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Christmas Party Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are needed to help at our Christmas Party on Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and/or 1 - 3 p.m. at our Catholic Charities site located at 433 Jefferson Street in Oakland. Please email Ivan Villaseñor Madriz, Volunteer Program Coordinator, at ivillasenormadriz@cceb.orgif you can volunteer. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated!
Christmas Decorations Needed: If you would like to make or donate Christmas decorations for our Christmas Party, please bring your decorations to Mrs. Lawrence in the Community Service Office by 8:15 a.m. (before school starts) on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Pictured above is Carondelet's 4th place CIF State Championship team. Pictured L-R: Annika Borrelli '18, Alexis Browne '17, Angela Bagasbas '18, Courtney Gaoiran '19, Yealimi Noh '19, and Carissa Wu '20.
Carondelet Golf Finishes Fourth
in 2016 CIF State Championships
Competing in the 2016 CIF State Girls Golf Championships, our golf team posted a fourth place finish. The Cougars' score of 405 (+35), at the challenging 6,012-yard, par-74 Red Hill Country Club, was 11 shots behind state champions Walnut High School (394, +24).
Carondelet finished eight shots behind state runner up Troy High School and one shot behind St. Francis of Mountain View. La Serna High School finished fifth (407, +37) and Dougherty Valley finished sixth (411, +41).
Angela Bagasbas '18 posted the best individual score for the Cougars, a 3-over par 77, to finish 12th overall. Yealimi Noh '19 tied for 14th with a score of 78 (+4) and Carissa Wu '20 posted an 18-hole score of 79 (+5) for a 20th-place finish.
This was the second straight season that Carondelet advanced to the CIF State Golf Championships. Last year, the Cougars finished fifth with a score of 414.
Congratulations on a tremendous season, ladies!
More News
Winter Sports Getting Started
This week, the Carondelet winter sports season will get under way. The soccer program will see the freshman team get the season started, when it competes in the California High School Tournament on Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26.
Athlete of The Week
CROSS COUNTRY - Varsity
Laura McFarland '17
Laura helped the Cougars to a sixth place finish at the NCS Division III Girls' Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 19. Laura was Carondelet's top finisher, completing the 3-mile race at Hayward High School in a time of 18:54.2. The time earned her a 13th place finish in the individual competition. With her finish at the NCS Cross Country Championships, Laura qualified for the CIF State Championships, which will be held at Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 26.
Looking for a way to get involved and earn your 20 PIP hours? Visit the Volunteer Opportunities page of the website for a list of available opportunities.
If you have any questions regarding your volunteer requirements
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