News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
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THANK YOU, O'DOWD!
The season of gratitude is upon us. What better time to thank you, our O'Dowd community, for all the ways you learn, teach, serve, and contribute?
As you'll read below, O'Dowd students, teachers, and alumni create and sustain community in myriad ways, building a more just, joyful, and sustainable world every day.
We are so grateful to you all! And we hope you enjoy time with family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday.
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25 YEARS OF ADVOCATING FOR OAKLAND YOUTH:
REGINA JACKSON '80
Regina Jackson ’80 recently celebrated her 25
th
anniversary as President and CEO of
East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC). Regina has transformed the lives of countless young people, From EOYC's site, Jackson shared, "When young people don’t have high expectations, they often won’t try. Because my staff and I believe our youth can perform at high levels, they often rise to meet and exceed those expectations." A video was made to honor her service.
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CROSS CULTURAL IMMERSION THROUGH BIONEERS
Students from several of O’Dowd’s Advanced Leadership Teams participated in a unique, transformative program called “Intercultural Conversations” organized by the Bioneers Organization. Bioneers is an innovative nonprofit that supports breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet. The Bioneers program connected and engaged both Native and non-Native youth across the country in conversations around critical environmental and social justice issues.
View gallery and read more
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CREATING OPPORTUNITIES: TRANSFORMING LIVES DINNER
Nearly 300 guests came to raise their paddles high at the seventh annual Transforming Lives Dinner. This year, thanks to generous supporters, O’Dowd raised more than $460,000 for tuition assistance. This generosity helps O’Dowd provide $3.5 million in tuition assistance to 30% of families each year, supporting transformative learning in a socioeconomically diverse community.
View the photo gallery and read more
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ALUMNI CROSS COUNTRY RUN: A TRADITION REVIVED
Cross country alumni and their families gathered with the current cross country team and their families to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Alumni Cross Country Run. This year’s event was reborn after a hiatus of nearly seven years thanks to the support of O’Dowd’s Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Cross Country Coach Hillary Kigar and the Dragon cross country families.
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A CULTURE OF CONNECTION: FALL 2019
DRAGON
Did you receive the latest
Dragon
magazine? This issue focuses on creating a culture of connection for students to experience authentic belonging, learning, and success in and beyond the classroom. It also features stories of alumni in film and more, and includes our Annual Report, thanking our O'Dowd community for the many ways you give back to your alma mater.
Alumni,
i
f you don't currently receive the
Dragon, please
contact us
so we may get your subscription started.
View the Fall 2019 Dragon
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LEADING IN EDUCATION: CAROLINE FIELDS '81
Caroline Fields '81 was appointed as the new principal of Hart Middle School in Pleasanton. Caroline and her three brothers were raised in Oakland, where her mother was a college math teacher and her father coached collegiate basketball. Inspired by O'Dowd history and art teachers as a young woman, Fields taught high school arts and social studies for a decade before moving into leadership in Pleasanton Unified as a vice principal and now principal.
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Roar: Fall 2019 Dragon Athletics in Review
The Fall season was filled with countless great moments for several Dragon teams and individuals. As always, we are grateful to our coaches, athletes, and families for all of the ways you support our community,
cheer on our Dragons, and
ensure our athletics program builds both character and talent.
View fall season photo gallery and read full season recap
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Cartas Con Amor
: Students Write Letters to Families at the Border
In Sara Bauermeister’s Advanced Spanish 2 class, students are honoring and supporting Mexican immigrants at the border. As part of an effort called “Cartas con Amor” created by
Carondelet High School
students, O’Dowd students have written letters of support, love, and encouragement that will be delivered to families at the border who are in the midst of transformative, difficult journeys as they attempt to build new lives for themselves and their families.
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Aliyah Knight '20 Wins Robotics Skills Competition
Aliyah Knight '20 (third from left) won the Intuitive Robotics Skills Competition at the
Association of Women Surgeons
Annual Meeting. Aliyah and others have participated in Physicians Medical Forum's (PMF) Doctors On Board Pipeline Program, Community Health Ambassadors Internship Program, and other workshops and expressed their interest in being surgeons.
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Día de los Muertos:
Sharing Community
Student leaders and teachers celebrated, educated and shared the many traditions of
Día de los Muertos
on campus. From art projects to singing, dancing and personal narratives of loved ones who have passed and stories of living saints who have deeply impacted their lives, this special holiday of remembrance, celebrated along with All Saints Day mass, was filled with memories of loved ones as well as education for the O'Dowd community
.
Read more
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Digital Media, Identity, and Social Responsibility
Students in Ms. Dominguez’s Ethics & Media class are reflecting on their digital lives and inner lives. The class enjoyed a visit from
About Face,
shared their perspectives and experience about the impact (or lack of impact) of digital media on their lives, and explored moral dilemmas associated with social media and responsibility. In the course, students have also created podcasts about media that has shaped their inner lives/spiritualities
and social media inspired "posts" addressing the question, “What difference does representation make to you?”
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Amanda Herbert Elliott '78
was promoted to Director of the California programs for the National Main Street Center. As Executive Director of the Richmond Main Street program for 12 years, Amanda was instrumental in projects that have made Richmond’s Downtown thrive, including the Spirit & Soul Festival and Healthy Village Festival. Congratulations on excellent service and leadership!
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Michael Perry ’04
was interviewed by Business Insider. As Director of Product for Shopify, Michael discussed how the company is raising the bar in e-commerce by avoiding the Amazon model.
Read more
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Tim Beck '06
Congratulations to Tim Beck ’06 who married Ashley Cooper October 13, 2019 in Sonoma. A backyard wedding was held at the home of Shannon and Austin Beck '98. Fortunately, PG&E ended its power shutdown just in time for the festivities to begin on Friday.
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Eddie Mora-Loera '10
was appointed as The Sonoma Stompers new Assistant General Manager. He enters his first season in the front office after spending the last five years on the field.
Read more
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Bianca Lowe ’13
returned to Tony Green's African American History class as a guest speaker, and shared this on Facebook: "Today I got to speak at my old high school in front of Mr. Green’s African American History class (a favorite course of mine)... it felt great to share my college experience, living in another country, a little black British history, and even my short documentary, 'Tracing Thornton.' ... Blessed for these opportunities! Thanks Mr. Green.”
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THIS WEEKEND! November 22-24
Fall Musical
Godspell
Godspell closes this weekend! Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Reserve your ticket in advance by filling out a ticket order form. Tickets are also available at the door! Hope to see you there!
Download and print the ticket order form
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November 30
Alumni Water Polo
Alumni and current water polo families, join us at 10:00am at Mills College for the Alumni vs. 2019 O'Dowd Water Polo (including all JV and Varsity teams).Game starts at 10:15, followed by food with alumni, athletes, and parents at 11:15. Parents are welcome to join this fun relaxed event. Questions? Contact Water Polo Director
Lisa Bowman
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December 1
Registration open for February 1, 2020 Crab & Pasta Feed
It’s always a sell-out! The annual Crab & Pasta Feed raises funds to support co-curricular activities including athletics, drama, debate, retreats, and more than 60 clubs that provide creative outlets and leadership skills. There are lots of ways you can help from donating items or wine to hosting a party.
Donate, sponsor and/or get ready to reserve your table December 1!
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December 3
Giving Tuesday - Spread the Word
#GivingTuesda
y
is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3 and every day. Join the movement here at O'Dowd! Become a social media ambassador to help spread the word and support O’Dowd students.
Contact Director of Annual Giving
Nicole Ferdinando
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December 7
Living Lab Work Day
Students, parents, teachers and alumni are invited to join the fun--all levels of experience welcome. We will provide hats, gloves, tools, and a snack. Bring sturdy shoes and a water bottle. CES Terrace, 9:00am -12:00pm. Other service dates include: February 8, February 22, March 28, April 25, May 16.
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December 8
Anna Costa '90 Memorial Tree Planting, 1:00pm
If you wish to honor Anna Costa '90 or family and friends you have lost, please join us for the Anna Cost
a Memorial Tree Planting. We will plant 20 trees chosen for their ability to adapt to our changing climate, including drought, disease and fire resistance. If you wish to support the event, you may make a gift
online
or bring a check to the event, designating "Anna's Trees." For more event information, contact Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Isabel Rodriguez-Vega
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SAVE THE DATE
January 17-19
Winter Musical
Cabaret
March 28
Dragon Hoops
Book Release
May 1
Alumni Night at the Theater
May 16, 2020
Grand Reunion: Party on the Quad
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SAVVY AND 71?
REDUCE YOUR INCOME TAXES WITH AN IRA GIFT
If you have an IRA, once you reach age 70 ½ you must take out a certain amount every year – the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). To avoid being taxed on this distribution at your ordinary income tax rate, consider a gift to O'Dowd from your RMD. To learn more about the IRA direct transfer rules, and the many advantages, contact
Senior Director of Development
Michelle Hawkins
(or 510-553-8630).
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Bishop O'Dowd High School
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