News for O'Dowd alumni, parents, and friends
Finding God in All Things
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Dear Dragons,
Catholic Schools Week is coming up, and I’m more proud than ever to serve as president of O’Dowd, where we just welcomed over 800 applicants for the class of 2028 (our biggest applicant pool ever)!
Bishop O’Dowd High School was established in 1951, almost 75 years ago. And we continue to grow, attracting students from Oakland and across the East Bay because of how powerfully we enact our Catholic mission and charism.
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President Walsh distributes the Eucharist to students. | |
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CRAB FEED TICKETS ON SALE THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 20!
Parents, alumni, and friends are invited to our favorite event of the year - the 2024 Crab Feed & Auction! Join us on Saturday, March 16 at 5:00pm to celebrate and support our co-curricular programs and show our Dragon Pride. The evening includes games, raffles, all-you-can-eat crab, a live auction, and paddle raise! Tickets always sell out quickly! Be sure to purchase your tickets this weekend at www.odowdcrabfeed.org.
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PORTFOLIO CRITIQUE IN AP ART
As the first semester wrapped up, AP Art and Design students gathered their chairs in a semi-circle for a round of portfolio critique presentations. “The critique comes at the halfway point of the year,” says Briana Loewinsohn, visual arts teacher and New York Times reviewed graphic novelist. “Students get a chance to show their peers their work so far and deepen their perspective.” Read more.
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DRAGON ALUM NAMED MAYOR OF EMERYVILLE
In December, Courtney Welch ’05 was sworn in as Emeryville’s mayor. She was elected to Emeryville’s city council in 2021 and soon after named vice-mayor. “I pull from many lessons learned from my years at O’Dowd,” shares Courtney. “I learned that God calls us to use our talents, not to enrich ourselves, but to be in service to our community.“ Courtney is already planning her re-election campaign for later this fall.
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THE REWARDS OF SERVICE
For 10th grade service learning - The Friends Project - our students partner with local organizations to build mentoring relationships with children. One of those partnerships is with Harbor House, where O’Dowd students match with local elementary school students for tutoring, serving as high school mentors. “I’ve experienced the rewarding impact I can have on another person by committing to their learning, growth, and livelihood,” reflects Sofia Marletta ’26.
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LEGACY GIVING PROMISES A DRAGON EDUCATION
Fr. Paul Vassar ’63, who has spent his adult life serving the Diocese of Oakland, is a key organizer for O’Dowd class reunions and a former member of the Board of Regents. Additionally, he’s made sure O’Dowd is a recipient of his trust. “The world continues to change,” remarks Fr. Vassar. “And O’Dowd continues to prepare students to navigate our changing world with faith, intelligence, and empathy - through the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ.” Learn more about Legacy Giving.
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ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR
Join us for the Alumni Happy Hour on Tuesday, January 30 from 4:30-7:30pm in the Cummins Center. Tickets are $20 each and include snacks, beer and wine, as well as tickets to the boys basketball and girls soccer games. “I attended the O'Dowd Alumni Happy Hour last year and it was such a social and fun event,” shares Tillie Adelson ’03. “It's a great opportunity to connect with fellow Dragons in the Bay Area!” Let’s show our #DragonPride! Purchase tickets for this 21+ event.
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WASTE SORTING IN 9TH GRADE SCIENCE
Our 9th grade Science and the Environment classes are learning to sort waste into compost, recycling, or landfill receptacles, and to reduce plastics in our lives. Taking a few seconds to determine the proper place for our waste makes a huge impact on our environment.
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DRAGON DANCES WITH BALLET FOLKLORICO
Last month, Ariela Moreno ’25 performed with the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano in "Navidad en Mexico," including a solo. The ballet company, which was founded by Ariela's grandfather, has been delighting audiences since 1967.
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FEBRUARY 8-11 DRAMA DEPARTMENT WINTER PRODUCTION
Join us February 8-11 in the Kelly Family and Erin Jaeb Black Box Theater for our winter production, The Wolves, by Sarah DeLappe. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, a girls indoor soccer team warms up. The team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors. The Wolves is a portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals. This production is student-directed by Lila Huckelbridge ’24, under the tutelage of dramatic arts teacher Trina Oliver. The Wolves contains mature themes and adult language. Purchase tickets.
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MLK GIRLS BASKETBALL CLASSIC
Earlier this month, O’Dowd welcomed 23 girls basketball teams from 16 schools to take part in our 6th annual MLK Classic. The celebratory weekend included thoughtful reflections about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and an incredible girls basketball showing.
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LINDSAY OLSON ANSLEY ‘03 has taken over the former Montclair Jewelers in the Oakland Hills (after the previous owner's retirement), renaming it Aster Jewelers. Lindsay, a lapidary with a background in silversmithing, aims to preserve the shop's history while adding her own vision, and will offer jewelry and handmade home goods.
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OLIVIA SALLY ’20 has been awarded the Marshall Scholarship, which funds young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Olivia, who studied Political Science and Education at Yale, will pursue post-graduate degrees in Child Development and Education, as well as Public Policy, at the University of Oxford.
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JESSE MADDEN ‘21, now a student-athlete at the University of Michigan, has been recognized as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar - demonstrating his attention to detail both in the classroom and on the football field. Earlier this month, Jesse and the Michigan Wolverines won the National Championship with an undefeated season.
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January
20 Crab Feed Tickets Go On Sale - look for the email
30 Alumni Happy Hour - Purchase Tickets
March
16 Crab Feed - Purchase Tickets on January 20 - Look for the email
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VOLUNTEER AT THE CRAB FEED!
Do you love good food? Do you love fun events? Do you love to volunteer? Support the O’Dowd Crab Feed by volunteering at this year’s event! The Crab Feed raises important funds for co-curricular activities at O’Dowd including athletics, music, drama, and a multitude of student clubs and programs. It also brings the O’Dowd community together through massive volunteer involvement, culminating in a memorable day of food and drink, games, prizes and ridiculous fun. The Crab Feed could not happen without the hard work of so many dedicated O’Dowd parents, alumni and community members. That’s why we need YOU to make it happen. There are many different ways to get involved, ranging from leadership committee roles to day-of volunteering. There’s literally something for everyone 21 and up!
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