News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
|
|
 |
DRAGON STRENGTH AND STRENGTH OF CHARACTER
O'Dowd senior and water polo athlete, Nikolas Obertik ’21, came to the aid of O'Dowd parent, Lacrosse coach, and alum Jim Erickson ’91. Both were fishing on a dock at Lake Temescal when they struck up conversation and learned they were both Dragons. Then, crisis struck. Jim was stung by a bee and went into anaphylactic shock. Nikolas, trained in emergency response, rushed to open Jim's airway and place him in a recovery position, checking his vitals until medics arrived. Thankfully, Jim recovered at the hospital. WOW! We're grateful for the brave, swift action Nikolas took, and very glad to have Coach Jim healthy. Go Dragons!
|
|
|
|
O'DOWD ALUMNI PRESENT VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE KAMALA HARRIS AT DNC
Maya ’84 and Meena ’02 Harris gave a moving speech at the National Democratic Party Convention, officially nominating their sister and aunt, Kamala Harris, as the party's vice presidential nominee. In her speech, Maya said of her sister, “I love you, I admire you, I am so proud of you, and even though Mommy’s not here to see her first daughter step into history, the entire nation will see the values she raised us with.”
|
|
|
|
*CELEBRATING THE FUTURE*
THE COR UNUM CAMPAIGN FOR THE O'DOWD CENTER
|
|
LAUNCHING A DREAM
On August 27, we hosted a Virtual Launch Party for the community phase of the Cor Unum Campaign. Over three years in the making, this project was the heartfelt dream of our former President Steve Phelps, who secured a landmark matching grant from The Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation to build a place where our whole community will gather. We’ve raised 90% of our $36.5M goal to date, and every pledge and gift counts! We are grateful that so many community members – parents, alumni, students, and friends – joined us to celebrate a project that will serve generations of O’Dowd students.
|
|
WHY WE GIVE, WHY NOW
COVID has interrupted life as we know it, to be sure. O'Dowd is fortunate to have a community of supporters who are faith-filled and determined to contribute to a bright future during these uncertain times, when it matters most. Meghan O’Leary Herreras and Matt Herreras (parents of Connor ’21 and Lucy ’23) are contributing to the Cor Unum Campaign for the O’Dowd Center because they know it is an investment in O’Dowd’s powerful community and future. They shared, “What our children love most about O’Dowd are the friends they have made - friends with diverse beliefs, interests, and backgrounds. We are so grateful for the community they have gained and for all of the opportunities O’Dowd has created in their lives!” Meghan and Matt are supporting the Campaign because they know the O’Dowd Center will be a place for growing these lifelong social bonds for generations to come.
|
|
|
O'DOWD ALUM REACHES FOR THE STARS
Benjamin Patterson ’92 recently wrapped filming for Greenleaf, where he plays fan favorite character Noah Kendall. Though Ben didn't act at O’Dowd, he says O’Dowd gave him courage. “I wanted to play an instrument that wasn’t offered,” he recalls. “My teacher gave me a chance to prove myself and I was able to bring drums to the band for the first time. That experience taught me to really go for it, even if I might fail in front of my peers.” Greenleaf, executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, is available to watch now on Netflix.
|
|
|
|
O'DOWD MUSICIAN SINGS FOR THE WORLD
Michele Kennedy ’97 was named a finalist in the first-annual World Bach Competition. Her vocal submission, “Weichet Nur” from Bach’s Wedding Cantata, is about clearing away negativity to bring in joy and light. The Gold Coast Chamber Players called her performance, “Magnificent! Her artistry is stunning.” Help this O'Dowd alum win Audience Participation points! Watch and thumbs up her video
|
|
|
|
|
O'DOWD STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT COURAGE
This month, Medal of Valor recipient and O'Dowd alum Eric Jones ’94 guest taught in Tony Green's African American and World History classes. In recognition of 9/11, Eric explored questions about humanity, sacrifice, and what it means to be American. His nonprofit, Sea Valor, uses sailing and ocean activities to improve the quality of life for people with physical and emotional wounds (PTSD), underprivileged youth, and our local heroes. Our students were incredibly fortunate to learn from him!
|
|
|
|
TRANSFORMING LIVES EVENT: NOT YOUR STANDARD ZOOM
Register now to join us in the virtual ballroom, where you will sit with friends at tables, move about the room catching up with pals, and chat with student and faculty hosts. Enjoy our student speakers, musical performances, and guest speaker, Kimberly Papillon ’87, a nationally recognized expert on the subject of neuroscience and decision-making in law, education, business and medicine. Save the date and don't forget to stick around for the after-party!
|
|
|
|
DRAGON BECOMES AN EAGLE
Jack Gros '23, a scout with Troop 6, Piedmont Council, became an Eagle Scout! For his Eagle Project, Jack built a 160-ft fence for the Friends of Sausal Creek, a well-used trail in Oakland that is a habitat for trout that have been living in the creek since their evolution. The fence will support the native species. Jack's service beautifully embodies our Charism's call for Kinship with Creation.
|
|
KEEPING HOPE ALIVE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Since the beginning of the pandemic, O'Dowd has grown or potted over 3,000 plants and donated them to OUSD families, City Slicker Farms, UC Gil Tract Community Garden, and Oakland and Alameda school gardens. 🌱
We are grateful to our partners at Oakland Unified, UC Master Gardeners, and UC Cal Fresh.
|
|
O'DOWD JAZZ ARTISTS
Our very own Aidan McCarthy ’21, bass, and Sofia Klein ’20, trombone, played in the 2020 Jazz Masters Tribute Concert, a collaboration of the National Endowment for the Arts and SFJAZZ. 🔥🎼🔥 Watch the full concert
|
|
MASS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
RAINBOW AFTER THE STORM
Father Jim Sullivan and our Campus Ministry Team led a beautiful Mass reminding us that we are one body, one community. Even as we struggle to breathe through racial violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent wildfires, we practice gratitude that we have each other. We will get through this storm, to the rainbow on the other side. Watch the Mass
|
|
WELCOME BACK TO O'DOWD! Congrats to Dragon alumni whose children (and grandchildren!) are in the Class of 2024! |
|
Juliet Arechiga ’93
Louise Santucci Bargagliotti ’62 (rest in peace)
Dyan Radich Beito ’66
Aniesha Sapp ’91 & Jason Beito ’92
David Bozzone ’82
Jess Brown, Jr. ’98
Horacio Bucio ’98
Lisa Umezawa Bunn ’84
Sherrell Polk Collins ’87
Terry Collins ’88
Miguel Deavila ’89
Monica Dirito ’86
Ronald Dirito ’57
Patricia Hennigan Dunne ’84
Christopher Fee, M.D. ’89
Laura Colbert Fenn ’88
|
|
Meridith Armstrong Forristal ’92 & Jerome Forristal ’90
Tarik Glenn ’93
Ronda Goldsby ’80
Damaso Gonzalez ’83
Elizabeth Kane Gonzalez ’91
Eryn Murray Harrison ’94
Nicholas Huetter ’80
Jolene Ignacio ’03
Sheila Phelan Johnson ’88
MaryAnn Richards Pearson ’90
Nicole Schuler ’89
Samuel Skiles ’92
Nicol Foster-Thome ’87 & Erick Thome ’87
Matthew White ’96
Shawna Wolverton ’91
Lisa Baskin Wright ’92
|
|
MARLA BECK ’88
Co-founder and CEO of beauty company Bluemercury, Marla was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal to discuss how COVID-19 has affected the beauty industry. Read the article
|
|
BRADY THOMAS ’00
In February of 2020, Brady Thomas ’00 married Sarah Fong with Dwight Taylor Sr. ’00 officiating the wedding.
|
|
KATIE HUNTINGTON ’10
As the principal at Success Academy Charter School in NY, Katie Huntington ’10 seeks to recreate the feeling of joy she experienced at O’Dowd. “I liked going to school every day when I was at O’Dowd and I strive to make a school that kids and teachers like to go. My experience modeled how I want my school to run.”
|
|
FEELING CRABBY...
With heavy hearts, we announce the cancellation of February’s Crab Feed. This decisions is due to uncertainty around the pandemic and in respect our retail and restaurant donors, many of whom are facing hardship. We are saddened to miss this opportunity to gather with you all for this longstanding and well-loved tradition. We hope to come together for crab and joy again in 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
