News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
| |
|
CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Every year, O’Dowd joins schools across the country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week. This special week is dedicated to recognizing the achievements and contributions of Catholic education, and strengthening our community of students, faculty, and families. “The O’Dowd community represents how God’s love is truly present in our modern world,” shares Gabe Tarantino ’22. “It’s a place where individuals from so many different backgrounds unite in a common cause, rooted in high moral character and compassion.”
| |  |
|
DRAGON ALUM JOINS SALESFORCE
After graduating from the University of San Francisco, Emily Brazis '15 is a Corporate Recruiting Coordinator at Salesforce, a top cloud-based software company with offices around the world. “It would be an understatement to say that my time at O’Dowd had a profound impact on shaping the person I am today,” shares Emily. “With O’Dowd’s holistic approach to educating the whole person, I’ve carried the Charism to find God in all things with me. O’Dowd’s faith-based approach motivated me to pursue a Jesuit college education.”
| | |
|
ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR
Last month over 100 alumni gathered on the 3rd floor of Cummins Center, sharing memories of their time at O’Dowd while enjoying the boys soccer, girls basketball, and boys basketball games. “I loved seeing old classmates and visiting with other alumni,” says Laura Lynch ’90. “The new construction really shows well. Of course winning against Berkeley High is a bonus!” Alumni across the years raised their glasses high in a toast: Forever a Dragon! View images from the event.
| | |
|
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD CLUB
Our commitments to academic excellence go far beyond the classroom, extending into our comprehensive student activities program. This year, Margo Azzam ’24 started O’Dowd’s first Science Olympiad chapter. The team spent the fall semester studying to prepare for the spring competition, which will cover a number of different science topics. “The Science Olympiad team is a great opportunity for O’Dowd students to explore their potential in STEM,” shares Margo. “We are building community through a fun and unique experience.”
| | |
|
ANNUAL MLK CELEBRATION
Last month we celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with our annual poetry slam. Students and faculty members performed inspiring poetry, spoken word, and songs celebrating the power we each have with our minds, our words, and our hearts. The assembly included a reflection by Omar Vieja ’25, focused on Dr. King’s 1962 sermon, “Shattered Dreams.” Omar encouraged all of us. “We need to transform our shattered dreams into assets we can utilize for further growth,” he said. Watch the celebration!
| | |
|
LEADING CHANGE FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD
For more than two decades, O’Dowd has been a model of sustainability and a leader of change. Michael Downs, Director of Kinship and Justice, serves as a delegate on a Vatican-sponsored international group, promoting educational resources aligned with the Laudato Si Action Platform. “We are creating a webinar for school communities worldwide,” reports Michael. “Our goal is to inspire the global community to take part in the platform, because the more we all commit to Laudato Si, we ensure a sustainable future.”
| | |
|
FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION
This month we honored our namesake - Bishop James T. O'Dowd - by celebrating with an all-school assembly, including a skit by CMT, special messages from former principals, and reflections by faculty and alumni. To end the event, social studies teacher and alumnus Brian Cushing ’84 hosted a spirited round of O'Dowd Jeopardy, with students and alumni faculty members facing off. To all our Dragons - past and present - O'Dowd will always be home.
| |
|
300 WINS
On December 10, Coach Malik McCord secured his 300th win as O’Dowd’s girls basketball coach. Since he came to O’Dowd in 2007, he has helped the girls basketball program reach the following impressive stats:
- 11 league championships
- 6 NCS championships
- 6 NorCal championships
- 4 State championships
- 1 McDonald's All-American
- 27 Players continued to play at the NCAA level
Congratulations Coach McCord!
| |
|
CELEBRATING LUNAR NEW YEAR
To celebrate Lunar New Year, our Mandarin class made dumplings, called Jiaozi (饺子) in Chinese. Students worked in pairs to make and boil the dumplings, all while practicing their Mandarin. Next year, we will be expanding our World Languages program to include AP Chinese Language and Culture.
| |
|
STEPHEN LaBRIE ’82 is currently teaching high school biology and Special Education in the Greater District of Columbia area, also serving as an Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of Education. LaBrie was recently appointed to serve as a NASA Education Ambassador, researching the causes of climate change and collaborating with NASA staff to educate students.
| |
|
JULIE GIANGRASSO-STEELE ’76 retired from a 40-year career, where she spent 31 years as Lead Sonographer for Kaiser Hospital.
| |
|
TAYLOR McDONALD ’88 is the new Downtown Vacaville Executive Director. In his position, McDonald acts as a liaison to businesses, assisting with their needs and helping to devise marketing campaigns to ensure a vibrant downtown.
| |
|
CONNOR TAMOR ’18 began teaching at O’Dowd as a long-term sub and is now a full-time math teacher as he continues his education in law school.
| |
|
MARCH
11 Crab Feed (5:00pm)
12 Black History Family Celebration (2:00 - 5:00pm)
APRIL
22 Living Lab Service Day with Alumni (9:00am - 2:00pm)
MAY
6 Save the Date! O’Dowd Reunion (3:00-7:00pm)
All Alumni (21+) Welcome
| |
|
Help Make Crab Feed a Huge Success!
The Crab Feed is one big party and needs over 100 volunteers to make the night a success! Join in on community building by volunteering throughout the night. Sign up with a 21+ friend or family member and have a blast giving back to the community.
| | | | |
