CLASS OF 1975 MARKS ITS GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY | | |
On June 7, 2025, the Class of 1975 from Notre Dame High School and St. Joseph High School gathered to celebrate their 50th reunion with a joyful Golden Anniversary Mass at Saint Joseph Basilica, followed by a lively luncheon in Notre Dame Hall.
The day began with a special Jubilee Mass attended by 35 classmates, led by Father Steve, who encouraged everyone to release past grudges and embrace the theme, “All is forgiven.” With the class’s former principal and vice principal—Tony Aiello and Phil Gravem—along with legendary basketball coach Bob Sickenger in attendance, memories flowed freely (along with plenty of laughs) about skipped classes, failed tests, and trips to the principal’s office.
The spirit of the Jubilee carried through the day, sparking inside jokes and a relaxed, joyful energy that filled the reunion. Guests enjoyed a festive taco bar, thoughtfully chosen by reunion planner Chivon Kemp-Stephenson. “In 1975, we didn’t have a cafeteria—you either brought your lunch or you didn’t eat,” Chivon shared. “But when I was a sophomore, a taco truck started parking nearby during lunch. It was the highlight of our day.”
Following the meal, the Golden Diploma Ceremony honored each attendee with a glittering diploma presented by Mr. Aiello, Mr. Gravem, Coach Sickenger, and Father Steve. The diplomas were officially signed and conferred by Father Steve Kim, Principal of SJND, and Father Mario, Head Pastor of Saint Joseph’s Basilica.
One of the most memorable moments came when David Teece proudly showed the original graduation card he received in 1975—something Mr. Gravem told him to never lose. “I’ve carried it with me for 50 years,” he said with a smile. Click here to watch the moment.
The program concluded with brief, heartfelt addresses from the class Salutatorian and Valedictorian, who reflected on the class’s enduring legacy and their continued support of the school. An open mic segment followed, with classmates sharing funny, moving, and unforgettable stories from their high school days.
What a special day it was—a celebration of friendship, forgiveness, and 50 years of shared history. Here's to the Class of 1975!
| | DAY OF GIVING - A SMASHING SUCCESS! | | | |  | |
This year, we added a fun twist to our annual Day of Giving: Battle of the Decades! We thought it was time to bring back some of that good ol' class rivalry to all of our alumni. It was a challenge to see which alumni class decade could either raise the most money or bring in the most donors.
We brought back Mr. Aiello for the promotional video to stand side by side with our current principal, Fr. Steve Kim to challenge all decades to give back. We also surveyed our current students and faculty alumni with who would win the heated battle. “I think the 60s will win, they’ve had time to make it out and build a life.” A student ‘25 decides. “I think the 50s will win because that’s when I was in high school,” Tony Aiello argues.
Everyone was waiting in anticipation to see who would pull ahead in their school pride and raise the most money and donors to educate our students. This year, the Day of Giving focused on raising money for our SJND Future Fund, which is focused on closing the $9,000 gap between what it costs to educate a student and what our tuition costs.
The Battle of the Decades was off to an intense start, with the 1950s raising over $10,000 before 10am. The 2010s and 2020s were in the running neck and neck for most participation, with students having a fun donut fundraiser at the beginning of school. The 1960s decade had some wonderful match challenges, including one from Janice Cantu ‘66 for $1,966 dollars to show commitment and school pride!
By the end of the campaign, the 1950s and 2020s are declared the winners with having raised the most money and getting the most donors, respectively. These two class decades will claim their victory with their names on a brand new plaque in the gym. The Battle of the Decades is now the annual theme for Day of Giving. We can’t wait to see who wins next year!
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DONALD HOLMSTEDT
Donald Holmstedt, a former teacher at SJND, has passed away. Mr. Holmstedt left a lasting impact on the school and countless students. He went to great lengths to instill confidence in all learners, both gifted and challenged, in their ability to succeed in mathematics. His dedication to his students’ growth created a legacy of confidence that continues to benefit SJND alumni today. In recognition of his impact, Mandy and Jim Tham have established a scholarship fund in his name. Thank you, Mr. Holmstedt.
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MAUREEN "CORKY" CARY
Maureen “Corky” Cary, Class of 1966, has passed away at the age of 77. Cary entered the convent as a novitiate with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Saratoga. She returned to Notre Dame High School to teach English, showing her dedication and love for being a falcon. Maureen also taught at St. Brigid Academy in San Francisco and Salesian College Preparatory high school in Richmond. She also published her first novel, Winter’s Fire in 2021. Maureen was deeply committed to education and writing throughout her life, and many of her students continue to feel the impact she made.
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This year, two of our esteemed faculty and staff have retired after a long journey here at SJND.
Cathy Fitzgerald has retired after 10 years as an English teacher, mainly focusing on AP Literature and 10th grade English. Cathy has made an immense impact on many of our students, leading them with an unmatched mix of humor and passion. “I still remember how exciting it was to read The Great Gatsby in Ms. Fitz’s class, she made everything fun!” Haley Graybeal ‘19 remarks.
John Gunty has retired from SJND after 25.5 remarkable years as Head of Counseling, having spent the majority of his career helping students. John has an exceptional ability to help students open up and talk about their struggles and stresses. He has made a lasting impact on hundreds at SJND.
"At his party, there were visiting students, two who are now doctors, who felt Mr. Gunty had a huge impact on their lives when high school was really hard. He always provided them a safe space when personal life got in the way of school and was the reason they both decided to become doctors," Eileen Graybeal remembers.
His dad jokes will be deeply missed in the office and by our students. Thank you, John.
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Cathy Fitzgerald and John Gunty will be featured in the next issue of our Update magazine, coming this summer.
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Exciting News!
The Alameda 10-Miler & 8K has been officially renamed the Cooper Teare (‘17) 10-Miler & 8K Classic—in honor of our distinguished alumnus!
🗓 Race Day: August 9 | 📍 Crown Memorial Beach Park
A proud SJND graduate, Cooper went on to star at the University of Oregon, winning two NCAA national championships, setting school and 8K records, and earning the title of 2022 USA Outdoor 1500m Champion. He’s also a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier and now competes with Nike.
✨ What’s New This Year:
* 🎽 Every runner receives a special-edition Nike shirt
* 💰 Cash prizes for the top 8K teams
* 🤝 Friday, Aug 8 (4–7 PM @ Corica Park): Packet pick-up & a special Meet & Greet with Cooper Teare
👉 Spots are filling fast—register now http://bit.ly/45A5KZX!
| | Thank you to our esteemed board members who have completed their terms of service on the SJND Board of Trustees. | | Chris Aria ‘08 served one full term on the Board of Trustees, and is an important member of our community. Chris Aria has been a proud pilot alumni since his graduation, he was inducted into our SJND Hall of Fame for his impressive Tennis skills. Chris will continue his career as an attorney, in trusts and estate planning at Patricia Scott Law, APLC. Thank you for all of the support and hard work you have done for SJND! | | | Stephanie Doud has served one full term on the Board of Trustees, and has been an important parent and member of our community for many years. All three of Stephanie’s children are graduates of Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School: Maddie ‘14, Emma ‘16, and Ian ‘22. She will continue her career as a teacher at Wood Middle School. | | | Bob Butler ’71 served on the Board of Trustees from 2020 to 2025. A longtime journalist, educator, and media entrepreneur, he has reported globally for CBS Radio and led the National Association of Black Journalists as President. Through Butler Media, he continues to train aspiring journalists and support diversity in newsroom leadership. In retirement, Bob enjoys travelling the world! Thank you for your leadership, commitment, and support of SJND. | | | Donna Marie Ferro ‘65 has served two full terms on the Board of Trustees, and has made an incredible impact on both SJND and education at large. “Donna Marie was an educator in the California Community College System for 40 years. More than half of her career was dedicated to developing programs and services for students with disabilities. Donna has been a tireless advocate for students with learning differences and has played a vital role in strengthening our school’s support services. Thank you for all you have done for SJND! | | | CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025! | | |
We are so proud to welcome our newest alumni! The Class of 2025 graduated on a sunny May day, marked by a joyful celebration of all their hard work and achievements. The ceremony featured an inspiring commencement address by John Gunty, thoughtful words of wisdom from our school’s administration, and the presentation of awards and diplomas.
A special highlight came when a few talented students surprised the crowd with a beautiful performance of “Beaches,” by beabadoobee which set the tone for a festive and unforgettable celebration immediately following the ceremony.
Congratulations, Class of 2025 — your future is bright, and we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next!
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