March 2019
Alumni Share Perspectives and Career Advice

Remember when you were a high school student overwhelmed about what college major to choose and what profession you wanted to pursue? Last week, a host of accomplished alumni returned to campus to participate in the annual Career Day event, bringing enthusiasm and passion to inspire our students. 
Debaters Qualify to State Tournament

The O’Dowd Parliamentary Debate duo of Sofia Odeste ’19 and Adam Stone ’20 concluded 14 hours of debate on March 2 at James Logan High School by qualifying for the California High School Championship Tournament to be held in May at CSU Long Beach.
Alden O'Rafferty '19 and Connor Whitehill '20 will be alternates to the state tournament.
Gary Mason: The Man, The Myth, The Legend Attending Grand Reunion

Come to the Alumni Grand Reunion and reconnect with Dean Gary Mason. He was Dean when faculty/staff members including Juliet Arechiga '93, Jay Beito '92, Gerald Bennett '93, Turshika Bennett '96, Laurie Thirion Billups '93, Shannon Donahue '95, Starr Saunders Gray '98, Lou Richie '89 and Patrice Wakeley '01 , were students (you’ll have to ask Gary if any of them misbehaved!). Gary remembers what all of you did in high school - dress code violations, food fights, senior pranks, and lame excuses for being tardy.
Alice Beittel '15 Conducts Hands-On Research in Mongolia

Alice recently shared her experience as an undergraduate researcher for the Mongolian American Aquatic Ecology Research Initiative, and said her O’Dowd education trained her to think critically about how all of life is connected. “Taking AP Environmental Science with Ms. Prutzman and going on the Ecology Project International O’Dowd research trips played an immense role in solidifying my interest in ecology and setting me on the path to where I am today,” she said. 

Women's Basketball NorCal DI Champions; Program Makes 5th State Final Appearance

The women’s basketball team secured its third CIF Northern California Regional Championship earlier this month. What made this particular championship even more exciting was this was the first time in school history that O’Dowd hosted a NorCal basketball championship. The Dragons advanced to the CIF State DI Championship game but fell to Rosary Academy, 75-58.  
Varsity Cheer Team Overcomes Obstacles to Win National Title

The varsity cheer team won the national championship in Sideline Cheer, and 3rd place in the nation in Show Cheer, at the Jamz School Cheer Nationals, held in Las Vegas February 22-23. The Dragons faced obstacles before even stepping foot on the competition stage. Their flight to Las Vegas was cancelled due to snow, and they were redirected to Ontario. Then they had to drive five hours through snow, rain and fog, arriving in Las Vegas at 12:30 a.m. competition day.



Campus News

  • Ash Wednesday Liturgy: The Journey Towards New Beginnings - Read more
  • Religion teacher Molleen Dupree-Dominguez writes Lenten reflection for Ignatian Solidarity Network blog - Read more
  • The 33rd annual Black History Month Assembly inspires - Read more
  • The men’s soccer team captured its second consecutive NCS DIII title, defeating Ygnacio Valley, 2-1, on February 23. 
  • O’Dowd students selected to take over KQED airwaves - Read more
  • Social Studies teacher Jon Thorpe establishes non-profit to bring free debate education to Oakland public schools - Read more
  • Students participate in Arrupe Leaders Summit - Read more
  • Jazz Workshop Band wins first place in division at Campana Jazz Festival - Read more
Upcoming Events

  • Spiritual Ecology Conference - Saturday, April 13, 2019 - Register
  • Alum Night at the Theater - Friday, May 10, 2019 - RSVP
  • Spring Play: Working - May 3-5 and 10-12, 2019 - Reserve tickets
  • Grand Reunion: Party on the Quad - May 18, 2019 - Get details
Alumni News & Notes
Alum of the Month

As an O’Dowd Mock Trial team member, Dan Hess ’05 was one of the few students who never started off as a witness. “The norm is for a student to be a witness, watching the attorneys, and then move into that role if he/she chooses,” social studies teacher and longtime Mock Trial coach Bonnie Sussman said. “But Dan had such a natural talent and public speaking ability he was an attorney for four years.”
Notes

  • Soccer star Devante DuBose '10 is first player signed by Oakland Roots - Read more
  • David Schwoegler '61 won the February Alumni Challenge! Now it's your turn to accept the challenge! The more monthly challenges you complete, the more chances you'll have to win the Grand Prize.
  • Jackie Robinson Scholar Christopher Lucas '18 rings bell at New York Stock Exchange - Read more
  • Cal basketball standout Asha Thomas '15 recognized for academic excellence - Read more
  • Third-year veterinary student Hayley Dieckmann '09 writes about her experience treating horses and other animals displaced by the Camp Fire - Read more
  • Montana Associate Head Basketball Coach Chris Cobb ‘05 a rising star in his field - Read more
  • Brandon Davis '02 promoted to Senior Associate Director of Athletics at San Francisco State University - Read more
  • Jason Grigsby '06 and Brandon Walker '07 are among the Nice Kics and PENSOLE inaugural Future 50 class who are expected to be instrumental in shaping the future of the athletic industry - Read more