News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
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Dear O’Dowd Community,
As we celebrate Easter — a season of profound hope, renewal, and joy — we are reminded that Easter is not only a celebration of the Resurrection, but also a call to live with open hearts, serving others and sharing the blessings we’ve received.
Here at O’Dowd, we see this Easter spirit alive every day. The generosity of our community has helped us nurture the spiritual, academic, and personal growth of our students—forming young people who are ready to lead with purpose, compassion, and faith.
This season, we are especially grateful for the ways your support has helped our mission flourish. Our recent admissions cycle reflects a strong and vibrant interest in O’Dowd’s distinctive blend of academic excellence, faith-based formation, and inclusive community. Programs like Kairos, robust tuition assistance, and engaging classroom experiences are just a few of the ways your generosity helps our students grow in mind, heart, and spirit.
Thank you for being a part of this mission. May this season bring you and your loved ones renewed hope, lasting peace, and the joy of knowing you are helping light the path for generations to come.
With Easter blessings,
Kim Walsh
President, Bishop O’Dowd High School
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REUNION DAY: SATURDAY, MAY 3
We are excited to invite our alumni back to campus to reminisce with old friends and connect with new ones for O’Dowd Reunion Day on May 3! We will have a special celebration for our milestone reunion classes ending in 0s and 5s, beginning with a Golden Celebration at 2:00pm for classes up to 1975, and a Milestone Celebration beginning at 3:00pm for all alumni and guests (21+)! "As a young alumni I am excited to get back on campus and see so many Dragons celebrating Reunion Day in May!" shares Isaac Roth ’15. Register now!
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CAREER DAY OPENS DOORS TO THE FUTURE
With more than 45 speakers - including 37 alumni - our annual Career Day offered students opportunities to engage with professionals across industries, from performing arts and business, to engineering and environmental protection. For many alumni, Career Day is a full-circle moment - a chance to give back by guiding students through the same event that once shaped their own aspirations. “Exposure to diverse careers helps students uncover their passions early,” said career counselor Anjelica Tynes.
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THANK YOU, MRS. COUNTS!
For nearly 20 years, Annette Counts has supported O’Dowd students and faculty with everything from research guidance to creating welcoming workspaces. “Whether someone seeks the next great read or a quiet place to reflect, we want the library to feel like home,” she shares. Since joining the school in 2005, Annette has developed a scaffolded research program that supports students across all four years. We’re deeply grateful for her lasting impact on our community and wish her all the best in retirement!
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ALUMNUS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Michelle DeCoux Hampton ’88 is the new Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA), the leading psychiatric-mental health nursing journal. A registered nurse with a PhD, she is the Associate Dean of Operations and Scholarship at Samuel Merritt University. Passionate about health equity, Michelle has dedicated her career to expanding access to health education for underrepresented communities and training future and current professionals to better serve underserved populations.
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LENTEN MISSION DRIVE: LOCAL HEARTS, GLOBAL IMPACT
Each year, our Lenten Mission Drive offers students a powerful opportunity to support global communities in need. Through fundraising and education, students learn how organizations make real change—providing aid, hope, and dignity to others. “I’m grateful we can raise money and awareness through fun and engaging campus events like the CMT vs SALT Basketball game to help support those in need,” says Ethan Krom ’25. The mission drives inspire action rooted in compassion and awareness.
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DRAGON RECEIVES NATIONAL AND STATE HONORS
This spring, Eli McKoy Bieser ’25 was named a National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship National Semifinalist and the recipient of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Seymour Memorial Award. Both of these awards received thousands of applicants, and Eli’s academic excellence and commitment to service were noted by both of these prestigious organizations. “Eli’s leadership, compassion, and commitment to service sets him apart. He leads by example and consistently strives to make a positive impact on his community,” shares CSF advisor Britney Brooks.
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MULTICULTURAL ASSEMBLY
Our Associated Student Body leaders hosted our annual Multicultural Assembly! We kicked off this community-favorite event with a flag ceremony and then enjoyed speeches and performances all celebrating some of the many cultures that make up our community. View the assembly!
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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS
Congratulations to August Kerley '25, Jake Song Schnitzler '25, and Andrew Kerley '25 for being named National Merit Scholarship Finalists! We are so proud of you!!
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O'DOWD SENIORS PARTICIPATE IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR PERSONAL FINANCIAL CHALLENGE
Mia Romo ’25, Maeve Kornack ’25, Leila Bernstein ’25, and Olivia Kelly ’25 represented O’Dowd in the State Championship for Personal Financial Challenge. The team scored in the top 90% in the region, qualifying for the state championship, hosted by the National Council on Economic Education and the Federal Reserve of San Francisco. During the competition, the team demonstrated their knowledge of earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk.
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ALUM INSPIRES AT EARTH WEEK ASSEMBLY
As part of our Earth Week Assembly, O’Dowd’s student Eco Leaders welcomed Chris LeBoa ’15, an environmental health researcher at UC Berkeley. Chris spoke about his time at O’Dowd and the mentorship he received in the Living Lab, which inspired him to earn his PhD in environmental health.
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JOANNA ROSSONI ’05 recently opened a new hair salon, The Beehive, located in Walnut Creek. This has been a dream of hers since high school.
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JOHN JAMES ’19 is now a full-time Before and After School Program Site Director with Champions through KinderCare Learning Companies in Daly City. In addition, he will be serving as a Seasonal Site Director with Steve and Kate's Camp in San Mateo, helping to foster creativity, independence, and exploration during camp season.
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FRANCISCO ROMERO ’20 recently graduated from the Hayward Police Department. At his swearing-in ceremony he was pinned by his father, who is an officer for the Oakland Police Department.
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April
26 Last Day to Purchase Tickets to Reunion Day - Purchase Tickets
May
2 Celebration of the Arts Gala and Performances (5:00pm)
2-11 Spring Musical - Purchase Tickets
3 Alumni Reunion (2:00-7:00pm)
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O'Dowd Alumni: Get Ready to Unleash the Power of Dragon Pride!
Something exciting is coming in May...The Dragon Decades Challenge will unite over 13,000 Dragon alums in a giving challenge to honor our past, celebrate the present, and secure a vibrant future for O'Dowd. Together, we’ll unleash the power of Dragon pride!
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