Alumni E-Newsletter - Summer 2025 | | |
As another school year comes to a close, our halls were filled with celebration, reflection, and heartfelt goodbyes. Through it all, what remains constant is the spirit of community that makes our campus feel like home—a place where lifelong friendships are formed and traditions continue to grow. As President Tim Navone wrote in his summer message to families, “One of the greatest gifts of Marin Catholic is that many students take it to heart when we speak of MC as their home.”
Whether near or far, MC is home to all alumni. We are happy to share these highlights in our final newsletter from the 2024-25 school year. Go Cats!
| | Recent graduates of the MC Class of 2025 in their college gear | | Class of 2025 - The 76th Commencement Ceremony | | |
Both Marin Catholic’s Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation were held on campus this year, offering a meaningful and memorable conclusion to the Class of 2025’s high school journey. The Baccalaureate Mass took place on the evening of May 30, 2025, in Freitas Memorial Gym. Our 195 graduates and their families gathered to celebrate Mass at home one final time. Marin Catholic’s Chaplain Fr. Andrew Ginter, presided at the ceremony, joined by Bishop Thomas A. Daly, Bishop of Spokane. Also concelebrating the Mass were Monsignor Michael Padazinski (St. Patrick) and Father Clement Okeke (Our Lady of Loretto).
Graduation was held the following morning on the Richard Ghilotti Football Field in the Dino Ghilotti Motta Stadium. President Tim Navone and Principal Chris Valdez presented diplomas. A special ceremony highlight was Co-Valedictorians Vivienne Chador and Robert Hadsell's delivery of a dual Valedictory address.
We are incredibly proud of our 195 graduates, who together earned over 1,000 college and university acceptances and contributed more than 28,539 Christian Service hours to communities in need, both locally and globally. Please see the links below containing the graduation program, where you can view more about the graduates outstanding achievements, college destinations, and lasting impact.
| | Congratulations to the 28 Alumni Legacy families in the Class of 2025! Legacy families are those with graduates whose parent(s) and/or grandparent(s) graduated from MC. We were thrilled to see many alumni family members, in addition to parents and grandparents, join our graduates to celebrate their important milestones. Please visit the gallery photo button below. | | Science Wing Phase II Renovation Underway | | |
The final piece of the 30-year Marin Catholic Campus Vision Plan is well underway. Alten Construction was hired to do the project and alums Bobby Alten '10, Billy Alten '15 and Luke O'Neill '06 are working on the project. "I cannot be more excited about working with Alten Construction again after their incredible work on our new St. Anselm Hall," says President Tim Navone. "Having people work on the buildings where they used to study back in the day is very special."
Chaplain Father Andrew Ginter was a part of the pre-construction team by burying Saints medals and blessing the grounds. He will do a formal blessing at the ribbon cutting in November when the building opens. Special thanks to the incredible generosity of all the Marin Catholic benefactors who helped to get the $7 million project underway.
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Scholarship and Endowment Update:
Alumni Giving Makes a Difference
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At Marin Catholic, nearly one-third of our students qualify for and receive tuition assistance, reflecting the significant need within our community for financial support to access a quality Catholic education. In the fiscal year 2025, Marin Catholic’s allocation of financial assistance reached an impressive $1.9 million.
We are deeply grateful to our alumni who generously donated to assist our families in need. Their contributions are vital in ensuring that Catholic education remains accessible to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. View a complete list of our Named and Endowed Scholarships.
Give the Gift of A Catholic Education
If you would like to make a Marin Catholic education a reality for a student in need, please contact Director of Advancement, Jacqueline Tobe '01, at jtobe@marincatholic.org or 415-464-3843. Your support can make a profound difference in a student's life, enabling them to benefit from the academic excellence and values-based education that Marin Catholic offers.
| | After 15 incredible years as the varsity basketball coach, Mike Saia was honored at a heartfelt retirement dinner, surrounded by his loving family, including his wife Cynthia, daughters Ashley ‘06 and Melanie ‘08, his parents Seb and Kathleen, brother Jim, and many former players who returned to celebrate his legacy. The evening was filled with gratitude for Coach Saia’s unwavering dedication, his impact on a generation of athletes, and the countless memories created on and off the court. It was a night of laughter, stories, and deep appreciation for a coach who gave his all. Thank you, Coach Saia, for your years of service—you will be missed. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement! | | |
Several of Coach Saia's Players and Coaches Over the Years
Front Row:
Quinn Meyers '26, Kelly Storms '25, Storm Guelfi '27, Dante Stallone (Archie Williams ‘25), John Gigounas ‘27
Back Row:
Coach Shane Zuvella, Coach Andre Demian, Mike Padovese ‘11, Coach Trevor Smyth, Johhny Kunst ‘13, Dylan Deitch ‘26, Coach Dave Craig, Coach Mike Saia, Connor Renk ‘11, Joey Calcaterra ‘17, Colton Hanley ’13, Nick Calcaterra ’13, Jio Ortiz ’17, Chris George ’16, Dan Fitzpatrick ’14, Coach Jason Silva '06.
Not pictured but in attendance at the event: Frank Calcaterra ‘15.
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Soledad Jean Pierre ‘10
After graduating from Marin Catholic in 2010, Soledad went on to earn a finance degree from Santa Clara University. She’s spent the last few years building her career at a small, local wealth management firm. She adds, “Recently, I've channeled my passion for community and women's sports into launching The Twelfth, Marin's first women's sports bar. The Twelfth is a project close to my heart, and I'm so excited to create a space that will elevate and celebrate women's sports!” To learn more about Soledad’s new venture, The Twelfth, visit twelfthmarin.com.
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Jeanette Torres Ybarra '98
Jeannette is a research health scientist at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System and the University of California, San Francisco. Her scholarly work has been published in The BMJ, BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, and Archives of Dermatology. She is the Co-founder of Basin & Loo, a luxury restroom trailer rental business that services special events and large-scale redevelopment projects based in Marin County.
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Cameron Taylor '21
Cameron was installed as Regiment Commander at USMMA today, the highest-ranking cadet.
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Bob Donlan '98
Bob became the newest member of the Ted Ducey Hall of Fame at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, when the Class of 2025 was honored on Sunday, January 19, at Roberts Pavilion as part of the Hall of Fame weekend.
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Jacob Bannister '24
Jacob graduated from the United States Marine Corps boot camp on October 4, 2024. Private Bannister completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD San Diego/Parris Island as one of 92 recruits in the 3rd Battalion, Lima Company, Training Platoon 2355.
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Daniel Cayard '07
The 2024 Star North American Championship was held in Newport Harbor Yacht Club, and the winner was MC grad Daniel Cayard, along with his father, Paul Cayard. Click here to read more about this father-son sailing team!
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Courtney Sharps ’18
Courtney studied Studio Art at Syracuse University, focusing on ceramic sculpture and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Following her graduation in 2022, she joined Cadogan Tate, the world’s leading fine art logistics firm, where she led their global Art Fair division. She later served as Registrar at Forum Gallery in New York City, gaining valuable experience in the commercial art world.
Courtney has now launched C-lective, a Marin-based fine art company with a fresh approach to collecting and experiencing art. C-lective is an artist-first platform that transforms members' homes into rotating galleries, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the vibrant Bay Area contemporary art scene. Members receive expertly curated artwork delivered to their homes four times a year, along with opportunities to connect directly with featured artists through special events and community gatherings.
C-lective proudly features a range of local artists, including Marin Catholic’s own Dr. Orin Carpenter. With a mission to create meaningful engagement and sustainable support for artists, C-lective is now welcoming new members — a perfect opportunity for MC families who want to support the arts and bring creativity into their homes. Learn more or become a member at joinc-lective.com.
Photo from left to right: Dr. Orin Carpenter, Kaleb Carpenter '21 and Courtney Sharps '18
| | | Have Alumni News to Share? | | |
We Would Love to Hear From You!
Have a milestone to share? Just graduated from college? Have plans to marry or just got married? Gave birth to a future Wildcat? We want to know! Share your milestone with us and stay in touch using the 'Stay In Touch" button below. Submit a write-up & photo to Sandy Starkey, Senior Manager, Advancement, Community & Alumni Programs at sstarkey@marincatholic.org. We will be sure to include it in our next alumni e-newsletter!
| | Milestone Graduation Anniversaries | | |
COMING UP ON A MILESTONE GRADUATION ANNIVERSARY?
The following reunions are in the planning stages. Contact information is provided below.
Don't see your year? Want to plan an event for your classmates? Contact Sandy Starkey at sstarkey@marincatholic.org or at 415-464-3844.
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CLASS OF 1985: 40-YEAR REUNION
The Wildcat Class of '85 is celebrating its 40th Reunion with a fun and festive reunion weekend. See the details below:
Friday, October 17, 2025: MC40 Golf Tournament
Time: 9:30am
Location: Indian Valley Golf Club
Cost: $75 per person
Details: For information/questions, please contact Steve Moriarty at smoriarty239@gmail.com.
Saturday, October 18, 2025: Class Reunion
Time: 6:00pm
Location: San Rafael Elks Club
Cost: $75 per person
Details: For information/questions, please contact Christina (Boss) Del Villar at cdelvillar @ MC40@gmail.com.
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Marin Catholic remembers our deceased alumni and prays for them and their families.
May they rest in eternal peace. In Memorium submissions for publication in these newsletters can be emailed to alumni@marincatholic.org.
| | Marin Catholic | 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd | Kentfield, CA 94904 | 415-464-3800 | | | | |
