News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
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O'DOWD LIBRARY: WHERE STUDENTS BECOME RESEARCHERS
The O’Dowd library holds 5,187 prints and expands way beyond the physical collection, with access to 40 online databases. “Our databases are extensive, and respond to a vast array of subjects and disciplines,” explains Librarian Annette Counts. Recently, we learned that O’Dowd students are some of the top research database users in Northern California. “It demonstrates how sophisticated our student projects are,” Annette says. Read more!
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DRAGON THRIVES IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS
Justin “J Hawk” Hawk ’14 is a guitarist and musical director for rapper and songwriter Duckwrth - the artist behind the widely streamed songs Super Bounce and Kiss U Right. J Hawk, who is credited with helping Duckwrth stand out from the crowd, was recently interviewed by Guitar.com where he shares how his family and the artists he admires have shaped his musical vision. In March, J Hawk will open with Duckwrth for Billie Eilish’s concert.
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SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Courtney Burris ’03 has committed her career to improving child and community safety. Since 2013, Courtney has worked in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office - including acting as the liaison between the DA’s office and the broader community. “My parents encouraged me to care about social justice and marginalized populations,” says Courtney. “My lived experiences and mentors helped me to find my voice and to be an agent of change.”
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CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Faith. Excellence. Service. This year’s Catholic Schools Week focused on all the ways our students leave O’Dowd prepared to contribute to our communities and our nation. "What makes Catholic education so meaningful is that we are connected by a common mission: to become good people who work together for the common good," says Diana Murray, Chair of the Religious Studies Department.
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READY TO CALL THE O'DOWD CENTER HOME
With over 700 Dragons playing across 48 sports teams each year, excitement for the new O’Dowd Center continues to mount. Set to open this fall, the Center will boast an NBA regulation size court, new team meeting rooms, and a state-of-the-art athletic performance center for student-athletes to train, meet, and compete. “We will have championship facilities to match our championship teams,” enthuses Carlos Reed. Read more!
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HIGH SCORING DRAGON
Tia Ravara ’20, member of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s gymnastics team, is turning heads this season. Tia won first place on beam twice in January, and earned a 9.65 in her appearance against UW-La Crosse. While attending O’Dowd, Tia was an active member of the Asian Student Alliance and also served on the Campus Ministry Team her senior year.
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MLK POETRY SLAM
As part of O’Dowd’s Black History Month celebrations, the Black Student Union hosted an inspiring poetry slam for the whole community. Students performed pieces written by prominent authors, as well as thought-provoking original works.
“As I stare at the melanin in my skin I wonder who really lives within
But who are those people?
Those people, my people.”
– Those People by Hailey Hayes ’23
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LUNAR NEW YEAR AT O'DOWD!
Celebrated by many Asian countries, Lunar New Year is based on the 12 cycles of the moon. Families traditionally gather to practice cleansing rituals, share their favorite cultural meals, and often light fireworks to ward off evil spirits. Many Lunar New Year festivities include the color red to symbolize good luck and prosperity. This year the Asian Student Alliance Club celebrated the New Year by making dumpling magnets together and inviting our whole community to join the celebration.
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NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNING DAY
This month we celebrated the following student-athletes for committing to their colleges:
Cahal Connolly ’22 – Basketball – Claremont McKenna College
Alijah Brown ’22– Football – University of San Diego
Zoe Kuhn ’22 – Swimming – Wesleyan University
Matt White ’22 – Football – Rocky Mountain College
Julian Wilson ’22 – Football – Lehigh University
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O'DOWD PILOTS AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
Since 2002, our Social Studies Department has offered students African American Studies as an elective. Recently, the College Board has begun development of an AP African American Studies pilot, selecting O’Dowd to be one of 50 schools, nationwide, to pilot the program. “Africans were central in building the United States. Their history in the Americas precedes that of the British colonies by well over a century,” says Mr. Tony Green, African American Studies teacher. “The study of America is incomplete without the study of those who created its foundation.”
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MARI LYN HENRY '59, author, theater historian, actor, and educator lives in NYC and was recently featured in Episode 7 of the YouTube web series, “There Will Be Bowling.”
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REGINA JACKSON ’80 recently retired as CEO of the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC). During her tenure Jackson empowered thousands of young people to achieve lifelong academic and career success.
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CATHERINE CARTER ’01 was featured in Forbes for her co-owned wine company The Sip. Carter, who serves as COO, graduated from UC Santa Barbara, and worked in hospitality and property management before bringing her years of operations experience to The Sip team.
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Join us Saturday, May 7 from 3:00-7:00pm on O’Dowd’s campus to celebrate with classmates and fellow alumni from the Dragon community!
A special 50th Reunion Celebration will take place from 2:00-3:00pm honoring the classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972.
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We hope you can join the O’Dowd Reunion!
Celebrating Milestone Reunions: 1957, 1962, 1967, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017
Celebrating 50 Years: 1970, 1971, 1972
All alumni are invited to attend.
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