News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
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June 2020 - CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020
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OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! CONGRATULATIONS TO O'DOWD'S CLASS OF 2020
The Class of 2020 had an impressive, unprecedented graduation weekend. In addition to a Virtual Video Graduation Ceremony and Drive-Thru Graduation Parade, celebrations included a social media blitz of the Class of 2020's plans for the future. We were pleased to have many seniors share their excitement with us.
View "What's Next for the Class of 2020" gallery
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NIC COBER '89 SENDS A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE CLASS OF 2020
At virtual graduation, Nic Cober '89 received the Cor Unum Award, the school's highest honor given to a community member whose work and life embody leadership, service, and social justice. Her video address to the Class of 2020 sent vital messages for us all about resilience, failure, and fighting the good fight together.
Watch Nic's speech to the Class of 2020
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JULY 29 - RSVP TODAY! DRAGON HOOPS BOOK EVENT WITH GENE YANG
Join us online for an afternoon as former O'Dowd teacher and author Gene Yang, O'Dowd Coach Lou Richie, and teacher O'Dowd teacher Thien Pham discuss basketball and the people and relationships that make a community, team, and victory. Book characters include members of O'Dowd's 2015-2016 Men's and Women's Basketball teams, some of whom will be making guest appearances at the event!
Register for this free event
(event link will be emailed after registration)
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SALUTATORIAN ABIGAIL PAGILA AND VALEDICTORIAN SHUMING XU INSPIRE THE CLASS OF 2020
This year's speeches to the Class of 2020 were infused with O'Dowd's charism values as well as memories and messages of inspiration for the Class of 2020. Shuming and Abigail beautifully wove O'Dowd's charism, memories, and much-needed lightness into the Class of 2020 graduation experience.
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STRENGTH OF CHARACTER: CELEBRATING CLASS OF 2020 AWARD RECIPIENTS
While we honor students in our graduation program for their many achievements, at the commencement ceremony we present a handful of student awards focused on strength of character in our community in a variety of areas. This year we were pleased to present these to eight remarkable graduates for the many ways they enriched the O'Dowd community through service, kindness, and meaningful contributions across the school.
View the Awards Presentation
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TEACHER OF THE YEAR:
BRIAN DODSON '06
Brian Dodson ‘06, a second and third grade teacher at Maya Lin School in Alameda, was selected as the 2020 Alameda Teacher of the Year. Brian has taught at Maya Lin School for eight years and was nominated for the honor by colleagues and parents. Terry Eichel, a K-1 teacher who served as Mr. Dodson’s mentor shared, “Brian is especially talented in helping children feel noticed, accepted, and able to grow from their mistakes. He is involved not only with his own students but with countless other children who need a mentor.”
Read more
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LEADING JUSTICE:
LARRY ROGERS '86
Larry Rogers '86 was named the 67th President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) in June and was sworn in via Zoom. Rogers was given the honor after two decades as a trial lawyer representing victims of corporate negligence and wrongdoing. Speaking to the times we're in, he shared, "Out of this crisis comes an opportunity to create a new normal that includes a justice system that is safer, more inclusive, and more efficient and fair in its administration of justice.”
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Thank you to the 200+ alumni, parents, grandparents, guardians, faculty, staff, and students who have given to the O’Dowd Student Emergency Fund since it launched this spring. Your support allows O’Dowd to be nimble and resilient in meeting the urgent and evolving needs of our students and families.
You can still participate
– make a gift, small or large, share a photo from your graduation, offer words of encouragement to the Class of 2020.
Learn more and give
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Derreck Johnson ’82
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owner of Home of Chicken and Waffles and long-time community leader, announced his run for a seat on the Oakland City Council this November and was honored by Mayor Libby Schaaf's endorsement. He shares, “I’m running for City Council for all those who feel left behind, those who struggle, those who are going to be impacted most by this crisis because they’re my community.
Learn more about his campaign
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BRIAN SHAW '83: NEW NBA G LEAGUE HEAD COACH
Brian Shaw '83, five-time NBA champion with nearly 30 years of experience as an NBA player and coach, has been named head coach of a new NBA G League team. While the team hasn't been named yet, it has already signed some of the G League's most promising signees. Brian says, “This is a new and different challenge in my career, and I’m ready to get to work mentoring, coaching and developing the next generation of NBA stars.”
Read more
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Stephanie Hebert '05
married Jack Mahoney May 24, 2020, in the Oakland backyard of her parents, Jim and Cynthia Hebert. A small number of close friends and family were in attendance, seated six feet apart, while over 200 witnessed the wedding via Zoom. They encouraged all guests to dress up and join in a toast as they started their life together. Though not what they had planned, they felt blessed to feel joy and community with so many through the pandemic.
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Class of 2020 Gets Linked In
Days before graduation, members of the Class of 2020 met with O’Dowd staff LizaDawn Aduviso and Meghan Wallingford ’89, and alumna Dana Young ’83, for a virtual LinkedIn Workshop. Seniors learned how to use LinkedIn to connect with their new alumni network of over 15,000 Dragons.
Read more
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YOUR GENEROSITY, O'DOWD'S FUTURE
Remembering Bishop O'Dowd High School with a bequest from your estate will help sustain and strengthen the school in years to come and offer you personal financial and tax benefits.
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