JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 
The Padre Whisper

April, 2019 - Vol 6, Issue 3
Bob Greene '85
Director of Alumni Relations
In This Issue
Michael Collopy '76
Alumni Website
New President
Fund a Dream
Summer at Serra
Serra Social Media
Upcoming Events
April 10
Career Day

April 13
Athletics Hall of Fame

April 20
Alumni Volleyball and Lacrosse

June 1
Graduation Day

June 24
Golf Tournament
Alumni Board Members
Mike Klobuchar '90 (President)
Tushar Zalpuri '11
Andre Monney '03
Kris McAlavey '03
Joel Caceres '87
Marty McCormick '57
Noel Sy '83
Perry Carter '84 
John Langridge '97
Adam Stoye '08
Mike Hannon '90
Ray Baldonado '07
Brian Earley '85
Jonathan Allen '01
Bob Greene '85 (Alumni Director)
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Alumni News
2019 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Serra is proud to announce to selection of Geoff Comfort '98 (baseball), Kelechi Igwe '02 (soccer), Bill Peavey '97 (baseball and basketball), former staff member Jeff Wellemeyer  (service to the Serra Athletics Program), and Dominic Vogl '04 (cross country, wrestling and track) to the Serra Athletics Hall of Fame!

These five Padres will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 13. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. in Serra's Morton Family Gymnasium. Please CLICK HERE for reservations.
Michael Collopy '76 Selected as Junipero Serra Award Winner
Michael Collopy '76 has been selected as the 2019 Junipero Serra Award winner. A world-renowned photographer, it is Michael's passion for helping others and spreading peace throughout the world that has earned him Serra's highest honor.
The Serra Alumni Association presents the Junípero Serra Medal to an alumnus who exemplifies the ideals, goals and objectives of Catholic education. Michael will be presented with the award on April 10. All alu mni and friends are invited to attend a special ceremony at 9 a.m. in Serra's Morton Family Gymnasium.

"Michael uses his artistry to tell the stories of peacemakers," noted Alumni Director Bob Greene '85. "Since the 9/11 tragedy, Michael has dedicated himself, through his photography and his foundation, to inspiring students across the country to get involved and find ways to create a more peaceful world."

In 1996, Michael released Works of Love are Works of Peace with the cooperation of Mother Teresa. In the fall of 2001, Michael released his second book, Architects of Peace. Inspired by children's rights activist Marian Wright Edelman, Michael photographed 75 of the world's greatest peacemakers and asked each one to write a personal statement on the issue of peace.

In 2008, Michael formed the Architects of Peace Foundation, which is involved with peace education. The Architects of Peace project is permanently exhibited at the National Civil Rights Museum, Santa Clara University, Marquette University, Anaahuac University in Mexico City and the Hoover Institute at Stanford University. In 2009, Collopy was honored with Stanford University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Award.
New Alumni Website
We've built something big for our Serra alumni! Our redesigned alumni website is feature-rich and designed to be helpful for alumni looking to network, find old friends and keep up with what's happening on campus!  to check it out!

Around the Halls
New President Announced
It is with great excitement that we announce that  Barry Thornton, Ed.D. has been appointed as Serra's new president. He will assume office in July.

"I am very honored and humbled," said Thornton, the current principal of Serra who has worked at the school since 1996. "I have a passion for this incredible community. We do something profoundly special and unique here at Serra. It's amazing to watch our boys grow into young men of integrity who are spiritually, emotionally and academically ready to go out into the world. I can't wait to tell our story."

Thornton accepted the position after a six-month, nationwide search.
"Dr. Thornton brings an unbridled passion for Serra to this position that is contagious," said Pamela Lyons, Archdiocese of San Francisco superintendent of schools. "After his many years of service to Serra, he knows the school community intimately, yet will bring a fresh perspective to his new role."

As he transitions into his new role, Thornton said finding a new principal will be on his list of top priorities. "We hope to fill that position with someone who has strong leadership skills and an understanding of how boys learn, relate, grow and achieve," he said. "I am eager to find the right person."
Fund a Dream 2019
Fund a Dream 2019 was an evening to remember! This year's event has raised more than $1 million in financial aid for our Padres.

More than 600 people attended the scholarship benefit, which was a warm celebration of the Serra community.  San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy '80 emceed Fund a Dream. Keynote speaker Tom Brady, Sr. shared his experience as a Serra parent and how the school influenced his son's life and built character. Longtime family friend, Fr. Joe Bradley '73, said a few heartfelt words about the Brady family and shared how Tom, Sr. continues to give back to today's Padres by attending football chapel services and mentoring students such as Luke Bottari '19.

Fund a Dream has changed many lives and has enabled Padres from diverse backgrounds to attend Serra. One could have heard a pin drop when guests watched a touching  video highlighting the impact that Serra had on 'Atonio '18 and Tita '16 Mafi.

In a  surprise video, Tom Brady, Jr. '95 introduced his dad during a memorable tribute.

"I've always learned so much from my dad about giving back," he said. "He has given back to everyone who has ever been part of his life. He was always welcoming people into our home. My dad has always felt that people deserve your best-that's what you should give them every day. I've always taken that to heart because my dad has lived it. He is so accepting, so loving. I grew up watching him pour his heart out to his family, his friends and our entire community. Going to high school at Serra was a privilege - I am incredibly proud of it and the bond that I have with the school and all of my fellow classmates. We are all a family and I love the Padre community."

Please  CLICK HERE to view the videos! 
Remembering Jim O'Callahan '73 
We apologize for a mistake in the In Memoriam section of Traditions. Serra alumnus Jim O'Callahan '73 passed away on January 29, 2019 (not 2010). Jim was a beloved Padre; below is a tribute to his inspirational life:

The world lost a rare gem of a man and a lion in the courtroom. Jim passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, stunning his large, tight-knit family and a massive network of friends and colleagues.
 
Jim was many things - a true gentleman and a natural scholar with a shining intellect and a sharp wit. He was a phenomenal lawyer, wise counselor, loyal friend, devoted Catholic, wine enthusiast and dedicated sports fan. His favorite evenings ended with a robust Irish sing-along.  Above all, Jim was a loving and devoted family man, a faithful husband to his wife, Jill, and the proud father of their five children, Jimmy, Patrick, Mickey, Bridget and Conor. 
 
Sympathy cards can be sent to the O'Callahan home, 1437 Club View Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90024.  We will continue to keep the O'Callahan family in our prayers.
Summer at Serra
For more than four decades, Serra has offered a range of summer programs that are geared not only toward academics, but also athletics and the arts.

Serra welcomes girls and boys ages 3-18 during the summer. In addition to summer school, Summer at Serra has eight camps that focus on musical theater, technology skills, swimming, aquatics, rowing, wrestling, athletics and fitness, and classic sports and recreation. Whether your child is looking to hone a skill he or she already has, try a new hobby, or get ahead academically, Summer at Serra offers it all.

Current Serra High School students work as coaches and camp counselors. Many camps provide opportunities for prospective students to build relationships with Serra teachers and coaches and get to know the campus and culture of the school. Please CLICK HERE  if you are interested in Summer at Serra for your son or daughter!
Follow Serra on Social Media
Remember th at you can keep up with what's happening at Serra through social media. Serra's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Link edIn accounts are updated regularly with school and alumni news.  





Once a Padre, Always a Padre!