Dear Priory Family,

You are, and always will be, an essential part of the Woodside Priory story. The friendships you formed and the Benedictine spirit that shaped your years here on campus continue to live on through you.

This quarterly newsletter is a celebration of that shared journey. Take a minute to read about alumni happenings, a letter to you from the monks, upcoming reunions and gatherings, and meaningful ways to reconnect, mentor, and give back. More than news, it’s a reminder that Priory is not just a place you attended, it’s your community.

With gratitude,

Your Priory Alumni Association 💙

Upcoming Alumni Events:

We’re Headed to Boston! ✈️

Sunday, March 29 | 5:00 PM

Area Four, Cambridge

RSVP

It's been way too long!

Priory is heading east, and we can’t wait for a special evening together catching up with good friends, Ms O, Mr Mathabane, and your Priory Alumni Association!

Our regional events are such a meaningful way to reconnect, strengthen our alumni network, and celebrate what makes the Priory community so special. Come hang out with us because we miss you!

See you there!

Rewind to 1985 Gala

Saturday, March 21 | 5:30 PM

Dust off your leg warmers, break out the big hair, and join us as we Rewind to 1985 for this year’s Priory Gala hosted in our Gambetta Gym for one unforgettable night.

We’re bringing it back to where so many high school memories were made for a night of music, nostalgia, community, and plenty of Priory spirit(s)! ✨💙 Grab your classmates, relive the glory days, and together, let's celebrate!

Special Guests **Class of 1985**!!

Click HERE for Gala Details

💙🐾 2026 Alumni Reunion

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, August 29th

A full day of family-friendly activities followed by dinner and drinks under the stars!

Let’s go ’1s and ’6s! We can’t wait to celebrate YOU! Interested in being a Class Representative or have any reunion questions, please email us alumni@prioryca.org 💙

🙏 Sacred Updates:

“OMG, it has changed so much! I can’t believe it! When I was here as a student in 19……, things were different. We had todo……, we didn’t have…….

A familiar opening to a conversation with a Priory Alum who hasn’t been back to campus in years, or even decades. How Priory has grown! Indeed, it has for the last seven decades. This year, 2026, marks the 70 th anniversary of the founding of the monastery here at Priory, and next year, 2027, will mark the 70 th anniversary of Woodside Priory School. Many, many things have changed and grown over these past seven decades; others have not. The fundamental mission of Priory School remains a constant throughout the changes.

Though the Priory’s official mission statement has been periodically refreshed, its essence remains true to the values envisioned by the founding monks. Today, we are three monks permanently assigned to Priory, Fr. Martin, Fr. Maurus, and myself, Fr. Matthew. We are happy to welcome another monk whose name also begins with “Ma”, Fr. Mathias from Saint Anselm Abbey in New Hampshire, who periodically spends some months here with us. And, this year and next, we have a visiting monk from Hungary with us, Fr. Kelemen.

We continue to carry on the mission of Benedictine presence andservice here on campus and to you, our alums. Know that you areprayed for every day at Mass in the Priory chapel. It was very heartening to participate in the 2025 Alumni Reunion events and to meet so many of you who hadn’t been back to Priory in quite some time. We look forward to seeing you again in August for the 2026 Alumni Reunion.

Stay Priory! God bless!

Father Matthew, Father Martin, and Father Maurus

Alumni News & Updates:

Emma Beriker '12 + Brian Bevilacqua '11 💍✨

What's a newsletter without a love story? 🇮🇹💙

Emma and Brian met at Woodside Priory and tied the

knot last September at stunning Lake Como.

This beautiful photo captures

ALL the former Priory students in attendance

(plus one adorable future Priory student front and center 😉).

🥂 Congratulations, Emma and Brian! Wishing you a lifetime of joy, friendships, and Benedictine blessings ✨

Véronique Filloux ’11 🎶✨

After earning degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Maryland Opera Studio 🎓, Véronique has built an impressive career as a full-time opera singer performing across the U.S. and abroad 🌍.

She has appeared with companies including Pittsburgh Opera, Arizona Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Central City Opera, Music of the Baroque, Opera Lafayette (at the Kennedy Center), and The Atlanta Opera 🎭.

Recently, she won 1st Place in the international Zenith Opera Competition 🏆 and originated the role of Helen in the workshop of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay at the esteemed Metropolitan Opera.

Véronique looks forward to upcoming performances with New Orleans Opera, Eugene Opera, Alabama Symphony, and Arizona Opera in the coming months 🎤🌟.

veroniquefilloux.com

Allegra Somborn-Ryan ’25 🌍✨

From the Priory ceramics studio to Rabat, Morocco

We love seeing our alumni carry their passions into the world! Allegra is currently working with ceramics through a State Department program in Rabat, and it all started in Ms. Sullivan’s class at Priory 💙

Ceramics was one of her favorite classes here, and now she’s continuing that creative journey internationally. How amazing is that?!

So grateful for opportunities like this, and so proud of you, Allegra! 💫

⚡Marco Brougher '22

"I just completed my fourth and final season at Cal, concluding my collegiate career and graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

It has been an incredible journey balancing academics and athletics at such a high level.

With my eligibility now complete, I’m excited for what’s next — and if all goes according to plan, I’ll be signing a professional contract in the near future."

Get Involved:

The Priory Alumni Board ✨

We are thrilled to announce Minsun (Francis) Kevers ’98 and Emily (Cohen) Chapman ’00 as Woodside Priory’s Alumni Board Co-Chairs! Thank you, Minsun and Emily, for your leadership, vision, and dedication to our Priory Alumni community.

🎉 We’re also excited to share that the Priory Alumni Board is officially back! This is an important step towards strengthening our community, building connections, and engaging alumni across the world.

Introducing your 2026 Priory Alumni Board! 🎓💙

Co-Chairs

Minsun (Francis) Kevers ’98

Emily (Cohen) Chapman ’00

Board Members

Michael McCrady ’85

Edward Sun ’87

This dynamic group represents decades of Priory graduates and a shared commitment to service, connection, and community. If you’re interested in getting involved, hosting a regional gathering, mentoring students, supporting internships, or simply reconnecting, we’d love to hear from you. This board is here for you!!

Give Back:

As members of our Priory Alumni Community, your continued connection makes all the difference. We invite you to consider giving back in whatever way feels meaningful whether through a financial gift, mentoring a student, offering an internship, or simply staying engaged. Your generosity strengthens our programs, supports current students, and ensures that future generations can share in the same transformative experience. Thank you for being an enduring and important part of our community.

Stay Priory. 💙

Questions? Contact us at alumni@prioryca.org.

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