News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
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REFRESHED CAMPUS SPACES
Many of our campus spaces were given a refreshed look over the summer. From Dominican Hall and our Academic Support Center to new outdoor seating, we are transforming the spaces around campus that make students feel at home. "The transformed spaces at O'Dowd have really made the school feel more united,” reflects Athena Velasquez ’25. “The seated area outside is a place where my friends and I can enjoy the sun, and be in each other's presence.” Take a tour of the transformed spaces at O’Dowd!
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NFL ALUMNI HOST FOOTBALL CAMP
Over the summer, O’Dowd alumni and current NFL players, Alijah Vera-Tucker ’17 of the New York Jets, Jevon Holland ’18 of the Miami Dolphins, Austin Jones ’19 of the Washington Commanders, and Camilo Eifler ’16 of the Atlanta Falcons hosted their second annual “Bay Area’s Finest” football camp on our Lower Field. “It’s important that we come back and stay connected to O’Dowd,” comments Jevon. “As NFL players from O’Dowd and Oakland, we want to inspire kids to keep chasing their dreams.”
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DRAGON ATHLETES TOP THE LISTS
A number of our Dragon athletes competed with their club teams over June and July, with a couple gaining special recognition for their talent and hard work. Varsity lacrosse player Lucy Yu ’25 was named Girls Lacrosse All-American by USA Lacrosse and Jayla Stokes ’26 was named Cal-Hi Sports Girls Basketball All-State First Team for the Class of 2026. We are proud that each year our student-athletes show such dedication as they work toward academic and athletic excellence.
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WELCOME NEW FACULTY & STAFF
A new year is also a chance to welcome new faculty and staff to the Dragon community. “We are delighted with the talented and dedicated professionals who join the O’Dowd community, ready to embrace our mission and charism,” shares President Kim Walsh. “Since joining us, they have already brought so much joy and care to our community.” We are especially excited that four alumni are included in our new faculty and staff! Read more.
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INSPIRING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
O’Dowd’s eight advanced leadership teams provide our juniors and seniors with opportunities to gain valuable skills through their specific leadership focus. 100 aspiring O’Dowd student leaders participated in an immersive two-day retreat this month. “This special retreat gives our students a chance to reflect on what inspires them to lead at O’Dowd,” says Associate Principal Brian Judd.
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DRAGONS ABROAD
A group of students took their French and Spanish language skills abroad this summer during a 10-day cultural immersion trip. The group toured Paris, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Pamplona, and Barcelona. “Exploring France and Spain with my classmates was a memorable experience,” reflects Jacob Croteau-DeFreece ’25. “It was amazing to be immersed in the cultures with my friends, bringing us closer together and creating lasting memories."
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THANK YOU, CLASS OF 2024!
A special thank you to the Class of 2024 families for raising more than $115,000 in support of the Fund for Faculty Excellence, honoring the dedication, talent, and commitment of O’Dowd’s teachers. Gifts given by O’Dowd seniors and their families to the Senior Class Gift continue the proud tradition of offering exceptional college-preparatory education to the next generation. Present and future Dragons will remember the generosity of the students, parents, and grandparents from the Class of 2024.
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ANNUAL O'DOWD FAMILY DAYS
At O'Dowd we are proud of our diverse students and families. All are welcome to join us at our four O'Dowd Family Days, each celebrating the diversity of our students and families. These special events include a chance for families and alumni to celebrate the joy of being Dragons! RSVP for these special events.
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O'DOWD ART TEACHER WINS EISNER AWARD
Last month, O'Dowd art teacher Thien Pham won an Eisner Comic Industry Award for his graphic novel Family Style. This prestigious award, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, is considered the “Oscars” of the comics world.
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SUMMER ACADEMY FUN
We loved seeing our middle school campers explore campus and participate in our academic, creative, and athletic offerings. Our high school-aged counselors joyfully practiced their leadership skills all summer long.
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WELCOME BACK TO O'DOWD!
Congrats to our Dragon alumni whose children (and grandchildren!) started their first day at O’Dowd earlier this month! We are excited to teach and inspire the next generation of Dragons!
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Sara Varni Bright ’96
Lowell Cohn ’64
Jennifer Santos Colgan ’92
Matthew Colgan ’92
Eric Edgerly ’75
Florence Cruz Eriksson ’91
Robert Escorcio ’86
Nancy Garcia ’95
Thomas Gilfether ’65
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Daryl Grace ’88
Mary Nahm Ingenthron ’65
Christopher Jue ’88
Sarah Mertz King ’94
Andrew Lindley ’94
Cara Power Marasco ’96
William Mertz, Sr. ’65
Linda Hitz Meyer ’68
Laura Plageman ’95
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Aaron Quinn ’98
Emily Goldman Quinn ’95
Michele Ragon ’97
Ron Santos ’67
Tyler Stoop ’96
Louis Sweeney ’97
Tracy Thirion ’89
Marcela Weyhmiller ’92
Anthony Varni ’57
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ALLISON CAIN ’83 recently started Able Strategies, LLC, an HR/Operations Consulting Company. She also continues her career as an actor. Allison has performed in over 50 shows in Los Angeles, Connecticut, Chicago, Edinburgh, Michigan, and New York.
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SPENCER CHEN ’97 is a Partner at Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick LLP and assists individuals, couples, and families with estate planning, wills and trusts, probate administration, and trust administration.
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ANDREA URIBE ’13 is a cardiovascular Intensive Care Nurse at Stanford Children’s Health and recently became a nurse practitioner.
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September
14 Inclusive Family Day (1:00-3:00pm)
21 Asian American Pacific Islander Family Day (1:00-3:00pm)
28 Latino Family Day (1:00-3:00pm)
October
5 Black Family Day (1:00-3:00pm)
November
14 Transforming Lives Dinner - Tickets on Sale in September!
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GRATITUDE FOR THE PARENT PLEDGE PROGRAM
Thank you, Dragons! Your gifts to the Parent Pledge Program are already being put to use this school year, for the benefit of each and every O’Dowd student. You’ll see it in the many co-curricular opportunities available to your student now and throughout the year, and in the variety of support services offered, including Academic Support, Tech Support, and Counseling programs. All of this is possible because of your support – thank you! Questions? Contact Andrea Molnar.
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