AUGUST 2023

Prepare for takeoff and join us on a soaring adventure of generosity and dreams at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School’s Dream Flight Gala on Saturday, October 14, at the Claremont Country Club in Oakland! We are thrilled to invite you to be a part of this extraordinary event as a valued partner where together we can empower the dreams of our dedicated students striving to take flight!

Sponsorship opportunities are available and tickets are on sale now through our Dream Flight website.

At SJND, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and soar to new heights through education. With over 60% of our students receiving tuition assistance, the Dream Flight Gala’s goal to raise $200,000 serves as a catalyst to making those dreams a reality for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity for an SJND college preparatory education.

The Alumni Office is reaching out to our wonderful alumni community with an exciting opportunity to make this year’s fundraising events an unforgettable success!

SJND hosts three major fundraisers throughout the year — Dream Flight, Crab Feed, and Day of Giving. To make these events truly special, we are seeking contributions in the form of vacation homes or unique experiences.

If any of you own a vacation property or have access to a beautiful getaway destination, we kindly ask for your support in donating it for a weekend or a week, whichever is feasible. Alternatively, if you have connections or access to extraordinary experiences (such as exclusive tours, workshops, or tickets to sought-after events), we would be grateful for your generous contribution.

Your donation will play a crucial role in creating enticing auction items, which, in turn, will motivate our supporters to bid enthusiastically, helping us raise much-needed funds for our beloved students and school. 

Should you wish to participate or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Director of Advancement Lucy Lopez at llopez@sjnd.org. We deeply appreciate your consideration and generosity, and we truly believe that with your support, we will have successful fundraising events. 

Thank you alumni community for helping us make a difference in the lives of our students. Go Pilots!

Want to get to know new SJND Principal Father Steve Kim better?

His favorite book, favorite football team, and rules to live by are just some of the things he reveals in this new short video. You might be surprised!

What better way to get more of the content you desire than to fill out our short magazine survey?

Designed to take no more than five minutes, our brief survey gives you the opportunity to help shape future editions. Tell us what content you like, what content you don’t like, and help us consider a name change. Let your voice be heard!

Our survey is your chance to let us know how we can make your magazine even better. All survey responders who desire will be entered into a drawing for SJND swag.

Our latest magazine includes feature stories on new Principal Father Steve Kim, Coach Don Lippi, and former math teacher and department chair Don Holmstedt, and looks at the accomplishments of our Class of 2023 graduates.

Read the story here.

As we begin the school year, we are thrilled to have seven alumni as members of our faculty and staff.

It is a testament to the education and values of SJND when alumni come back and teach current Pilots or work as staff in other capacities to enhance our students’ educational experience.

Returning alumni this year are: Director of Student Activities Fernando Barragan '12; Substitute Teacher Jessica Edwards '16; Director of Theater Program and Musical Theater Teacher Elijah Fisher '14; Marketing Associate Katherine Hanover '14; and Director of Admission and Director of Equity and Justice Natalya Caraballo Wade '07.

They are joined this year by new arrivals American Sign Language Teacher Michaela Mullin '14, and Computer Science Teacher and Academic Success Coach Kaleb Cervantes '16.

Nearly 200 guests gathered to honor Coach Don Lippi with testimonials, remembrances, hugs, and even some tears as “Coach” wrapped up his 50 years of Bay Area high school and college basketball coaching.

Former players from several of the schools he coached at were on hand at a retirement celebration in Kelly Gymnasium to offer comments and pose for pictures. Master of ceremonies Alex Harris ‘04 introduced speakers and a video tribute. The event included the announcement of a scholarship in honor of Coach Lippi as well as the raising of a banner to honor “Coach’s” 900+ victories, four state titles, and membership in the California Coaches Hall of Fame.

Click here to see photos from the celebration.

Valerie Pham '24 had her painting chosen to represent the 12th Congressional District and be hung for one year in the U.S. Capitol through the annual Congressional Institute Art Competition.

Valerie's work, "Kitchen Chaos," depicts her family's Buddhist altar stand amidst a hectic kitchen scene, representative of the still and grounding role spiritual practices play in a fast-paced world. Her work was submitted through Congresswoman Barbara Lee's 12th District in Alameda.

Artists whose works are chosen for display in the Capitol will be invited to attend a reception in Washington, D.C. Congratulations, Valerie!

The Office of Alumni Relations would love to work with Class Agents to help plan and promote your class reunion. 

The following classes

will be celebrating a milestone:

1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968,

1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998,

2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018. 

If you are interested in helping to plan your reunion, the Alumni Office is here and can provide you with a Reunion Planning Kit.

To get your kit, please contact Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Vicki Bargagliotti, vbargagliotti@sjnd.org.

Members of our Class of 1973 recently commemorated their Golden Reunion with their reunion Mass, luncheon, Golden Diploma ceremony, and campus tour.

Sharing hugs, laughter, and tears, classmates enjoyed reconnecting and renewing friendships. Thank you to the reunion planning committee that orchestrated a fun-filled weekend of activities: Susanne Vierra Dern, Patrick Wallace, Kathy Cunningham Pietrunti, Gregory Trevigne, Brother Charles Hilken, Michael Rossi, Steve Cressy, Melinda Krause Bergeron, and Sheila Dundon.

Teresa Brutcher-Perez traveled from Spain for the reunion. "I have never been happier to have spent 26 hours traveling," she said. "It was so wonderful to reunite. Thank you so much to the most amazing Class of '73 for this absolute highpoint in my life."

Pilots, forever!

The Class of 1993 celebrated their 30th Reunion at Almanac Beer Company in Alameda. 

The Class of 1998 gathered to celebrate their 25th high school reunion pool side in Alameda. 

If you submit by Aug. 31, 2023 you will be entered into a drawing for some very cool Pilot gear!

Let your SJND pride shine and let us know what’s new with you!

Bob Butler '71 retired after an amazing career on KCBS and his induction into the

Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.

SJND seniors Cosmo Hondrogen '24 (second from left) and Jack Hume '24 (right) were in Paris for the World Rowing Under 19 Championships. Their four-man team representing the U.S. includes Mattis Heaven and McKeane McBrearty. And we are happy to report they finished 8th.

Read more.

Cameron Spaulding '17 is starting a dual-degree program at Ohio University this fall. He will be working toward a Master's of Sports Administration and an MBA. He received his BA in Sports Business at Arizona State in 2021.

Charlie Schneider '23 did something that less than one half of one percent of test takers around the world did. He got a perfect score, earning every possible point, on the College Board's AP Computer Science A Exam.

Congratulations, Charlie! Just another Pilot flying high!

Read more.

Tom Stohlgren '70 and Corrine Sbeih co-wrote Twisted Vines, which has been an award-winning festival favorite.

Read more.

Beginning August 15, "Twisted Vines" will be available on Apple, Amazon, Google Play, and Vimeo for rent and purchase. According to Tom, "I had the time of my life creating and drafting the script, but the real heroes of the story are Jihane Mrad Balaa (director/producer), co-writer Sbeih, and the highly skilled actors and crew who brought the pages to life."

Niloy Gangopadhyay '96 met up with Amanda Gerson Caniglia '96 in San Diego and he reflected on his first day meeting her. Niloy wrote, "I remember my first day of freshman year at Saint Joe's, and being so nervous as I heard the "Our Father" being recited over the loudspeaker. It was the summer when School Ties (the movie) had come out and I was so nervous about being a practicing Hindu at a Catholic school. I was trying to do the "Sign of the Cross," when the person behind me whispered, 'Dude, what are you doing? It looks like you're doing baseball signs. Let me show you how to do it.'

"I nervously laughed and took the tutorial from the peppy freshman student behind me. Never tried it again but leaned in on G-Funk many times throughout high school. Incredibly proud of what she's built in San Diego while being invested in her family and friends. The grind doesn't stop for one of Alameda’s finest." (Note: Amanda is the owner of Bella Vista Social Club & Caffé.)

Victor Massad '71, Frank Broker '71 and William Raimondi '71 happened to be in Venice at the same time, and had lunch together.

Anna Victoria Serbin '17 recently became engaged to Daniel Filizzola.

Allie Oilar '15 and Lamont Banks '15.

Erik Castillo '14 and Diana Robles '14.

Christopher Melendez '14 and Kathryn Achuck.

Francesa Zambrano '10 and Alex Na.

Brian Fassler '89 and his beautiful wife, Sherry, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in Venice, Italy.