Dear Priory Alumni Family,

You are, and always will be, an essential part of the Woodside Priory story. The friendships you formed and the Benedictine spirit that shaped your years here on campus continue to live on through you.

This quarterly newsletter is a celebration of that shared journey. Take a minute to read about alumni happenings, a letter to you from the monks, upcoming reunions and gatherings, and meaningful ways to reconnect, mentor, and give back. More than news, it’s a reminder that Priory is not just a place you attended, it’s your community.

We are VERY proud to unveil the Woodside Priory Alumni Portal, a dedicated space for our global alumni family. Created and driven by our Alumni Board, this portal provides a meaningful way for you to engage in mentorship, events, and stay connected to the heart of the Priory. Reconnect today!

Thank you for being part of our alumni community!

Your Priory Alumni Association 💙

Alumni Future Events:

Woodside Priory School

Alumni Reunion 2026

August 28 – 30, 2026

"We can't wait to see you!"

Mark your calendars because Woodside Priory School is bringing alumni and their families together for a memorable reunion weekend this summer. While we especially honor the classes ending in '1s and '6s, all alumni and their families are warmly welcome.

RSVP

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 28

Milestone Celebrations — Classes of 1961, 1966, 1971 & 1976

Saturday, August 29

Morning Activities | 8:00 – 12:00 PM

Mini-Reunions | 3:00 – 4:00 PM

Student-Led Campus Tours | 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Wine Tasting & Hors d'oeuvres | 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Dinner Under the Stars | 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Sunday, August 30

Alumni Mass & Closing Reception — Priory Chapel | 9:30 AM

🙏 Sacred Updates:

There's a few new GOATS in town... Welcome Saint Scholastica & our Priory Goats

On Thursday, April 16, we welcomed new guests to our campus. The first was the bronze statue of Saint Scholastica, a long-overdue dream-come-true of creating a symbol of the primacy of love for our female

students and all the rest of us. As you alums may remember, Scholastica was the twin sister of Saint Benedict, famous for outdoing the power and willfulness of her brother. During their yearly meeting which was to be their last, Scholastica begged her brother to remain with her past the accustomed hour. He strongly refused. She then put her hands and head on the table and begged God to intervene. God did so by sending a violent storm which prevented her brother from leaving. Resentful at this frustrating turn of events, he accused her. “Sister, what have you done?” She slyly replied, “I asked you and you said ‘No’. I asked God and he said ‘Yes’”. “Go, now, brother, see if you can return to your monastery.”

The recounter of the story when asked what this reversal meant explained, “She was more powerful because her love was greater.” This story, which is the theme of senior retreat, provides a powerful capstone for seniors, alums and for all of us, namely, that greater love is what matters most of all. It is the way in which Priory people can make a difference in our world so sorely in need of love. Thus, her bronze statue is no mere token of devotion but a powerful reminder that love conquers all things. So may it be for all of us.

On that same day, we welcomed 469 four-legged friends to campus! These goats are helping us reduce fire danger in the most ecological way possible, by eating their way through the tall grass. While they are quiet and hard-working, they do require a little protection so we’ve installed a temporary electric fence to keep them safe. We’ve had a few learning moments with our neighbors (and their curious pups!) regarding the fence, but we are grateful for everyone’s patience as we utilize this sustainable landscaping team. It’s all part of the unique charm of living and working in Portola Valley!

We look forward to welcoming you, our alums, back to campus at any time, but especially look forward to your presence and our Alumni festivities in August. May the Lord bless you all with greater love and

peace.

Stay Priory!

Fathers Matthew, Martin and Maurus.

Alumni News & Updates:

Chris Gregory '14, Theatre, Animal Behavior, and French

Chris Gregory is channeling his passions for service into a health care career, training future EMTs while working toward a career as a pediatric physician.

Click Here for Full Article

Photo by James T. Giffen, Bucknell Marketing & Communication

Let's Go Boston!!!!

A HUGE thank you to the 20+ alums who joined us for a heartfelt, wonderful time together on a Sunday evening in Cambridge.

It was truly inspiring to hear where your journeys have taken you since graduation and to see the strength of our alumni network. These gatherings remind us that no matter how far you roam, you always have a home in the Priory family

💫 Mary Castaneda Almazan '07

Rocking her very first Priory Gala as Priory's Special Events Manager at Woodside Priory!

Priory alumni are making an impact across industries around the world, and we’re especially grateful to have some bringing their talents back home to Priory. 💙

So grateful for all that you are and bring to the Priory!

Our alumni showed up and made the Gala UNFORGETTABLE!!! ✨💙

Thank you for making the night so special through your incredible support of the Priory Gala. Whether you donated, purchased, bid, volunteered, or simply showed up to celebrate, your generosity and enthusiasm helped create a truly memorable evening for our community.

We are deeply grateful to our alumni for making such a meaningful impact.

🐐 Celebrating our Alumni GOATS

From healthcare pioneers like Chris Gregory '14 to community leaders like our Alumni Board Co-Chairs, Minsun Kevers ’98 and Emily Chapman ’00, we are incredibly proud of the impact you make.

You truly are the Greatest Of All Time!

Quick Links for Staying Connected:

Join the New Alumni Portal to find old classmates and mentors.

RSVP for Reunion Weekend (August 28–30, 2026).

Make a Gift to support future generations of Priory students.

Stay Engaged. Stay Connected. Stay Priory! 💙

Get Involved:

The Priory Alumni Board ✨

We are thrilled to announce Minsun (Francis) Kevers ’98 and Emily (Cohen) Chapman ’00 as Woodside Priory’s Alumni Board Co-Chairs! Thank you, Minsun and Emily, for your leadership, vision, and dedication to our Priory Alumni community.

Reconnecting, Redefined: Your New Alumni Portal is Here

We know the feeling—you want to catch up with old classmates or see what your cohort is up to, but you don’t necessarily want to scroll through an endless social media feed or wait for the next official Priory bulletin.

That’s why your Alumni Board has been hard at work building something just for you: The Alumni Portal.

Why Use the Portal?

Think of this as your private digital clubhouse. It’s a space designed to foster genuine connection without the noise of "big tech" algorithms or the formality of school-led communications.

Direct Connections: Find and message former classmates without needing to hunt down handles or phone numbers.
Privacy First: This is a closed circuit. Your data and conversations stay within our alumni community.
Member-Driven: Created by the board for the alumni, ensuring the features actually matter to you.
Beyond the Priory: While we cherish our roots, this space is about your lives now—careers, moves, and milestones.

Ready to Jump In?

We’ve made joining as simple as possible. No complicated sign-ups, just a streamlined way to get back in touch with the people who shared your journey.

Pro Tip: Once you log in, take a moment to update your "Current City." You might be surprised to find out who’s living right around the corner!

https://prioryalumni.org/

Stay Priory!

Your 2026 Priory Alumni Board! 🎓💙

Alumni Board Co-Chairs

Minsun (Francis) Kevers ’98

Emily (Cohen) Chapman ’00

Board Members

Michael McCrady ’85

Edward Sun ’87

This dynamic group represents decades of Priory graduates and a shared commitment to service, connection, and community. If you’re interested in getting involved, hosting a regional gathering, mentoring students, supporting internships, or simply reconnecting, we’d love to hear from you. This board is here for you!!

Thank you for Choosing To Give Back:

As members of our Priory Alumni Community, your continued connection makes all the difference. We invite you to consider giving back in whatever way feels meaningful whether through a financial gift, mentoring a student, offering an internship, or simply staying engaged. Your generosity strengthens our programs, supports current students, and ensures that future generations can share in the same transformative experience. Thank you for being an enduring and important part of our community.

Stay Priory. 💙

Questions? Contact us at alumni@prioryca.org.

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