Alumni E-Newsletter - Summer 2026

A Look Back at the 2025-26 School Year

As we close the chapter on a remarkable school year, we are grateful for the many moments that brought the Marin Catholic community together. From academic achievements and athletic successes to memorable milestones—including the debut of our new stadium field lights—the 2025–2026 school year was filled with experiences that strengthened the bonds that make MC so special. In this final alumni newsletter of the school year, we invite you to enjoy a few highlights from the months behind us and celebrate the people, accomplishments, and traditions that continue to make Marin Catholic a place we are proud to call home.nGo Cats!

Honoring the Class of 2026 - 76th Commencement Ceremony

On the evening of May 29, 2026, 191 graduates and their families gathered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Mill Valley to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass. Fr. Andrew Ginter celebrated his final Mass as MC Chaplain, and was the Mass was concelebrated by incoming Chaplain Father Juan Manuel Lopez. 

The following morning, Saturday, May 30, Graduation was held on the Richard Ghilotti Family Field in Dino Ghilotti Motta Stadium. President Tim Navone and Principal Chris Valdez presented diplomas as families, friends, and faculty celebrated the Class of 2026. We are pleased to share two pieces from this year’s commencement: Principal Chris Valdez's address to the graduates, and President Navone's closing words to the students. Both reflections center less on where the graduates are headed and more on the people who shaped their journey—their families, friends, classmates, and the extraordinary legacy of the faculty and staff of Marin Catholic. Mr. Navone’s words paid tribute to the memory of beloved and former Italian teacher Karen Raccanello; please see below for more on her passing and the lasting impact she had on the Marin Catholic community.

We are incredibly proud of our 191 graduates, who will attend 87 different colleges and universities across 31 states and countries. Together, they have also contributed more than 23,500 Christian Service hours in support of communities in need, both locally and globally.

Alumni Legacy Families

Congratulations to the 21 Alumni Legacy Families in the Class of 2026! 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. View the gallery of Alumni Legacy Families.

Honoring Karen Raccanello, Beloved Teacher and Friend

We are saddened by the loss of Karen Racanello, who passed away in April. Karen was a beloved teacher and department chair whose remarkable career at Marin Catholic spanned more than four decades. For generations of students, she shared her passion for the Italian language and culture, earning a place among the school's most cherished educators and community members. You can read her obituary here. Karen's influence extended far beyond the classroom. Through her dedication, warmth, and commitment to excellence, she helped shape the spirit of Marin Catholic and left an enduring mark on countless lives.

While we mourn her passing, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind through the students she inspired and the community she helped build. Gifts made in Karen's memory to the Marin Catholic Scholarship Fund are a meaningful way to honor her lifelong commitment to Catholic education and help ensure that deserving students have access to the same transformative opportunities she so passionately championed. To make a gift in Karen's memory and support students in need, please visit: Marin Catholic Scholarship Fund 

Farewell to Two Very Special Wildcats

After seven years serving as Chaplain at Marin Catholic, Father Ginter will be leaving MC to begin his new role as Pastor of St. Pius Church in Redwood City. Throughout his ten years of priesthood in Marin, he has made a meaningful and lasting impact on our community. In gratitude for all he has given, we celebrated Father Ginter Day on May 19, which included his final school Mass of the year and a special celebration all around campus. Father Ginter, we will miss you!

For 25 years, Jamie Waterman has cared for and supported Marin Catholic Students with unmatched kindness and dedication. We are so grateful for her incredible legacy and all she has meant to our community. Thank you, Jamie, for showing up for Wildcats on the sidelines and far beyond! We will miss you!

First Ever Lip Dub!

Our entire community—sports teams, clubs, faculty, staff, and students—came together to create a one-take lip-sync music video that brought incredible energy and joy to campus. This project was months in the making and was brought to life through the leadership of 2025 -26 Associated Student Body leaders and moderators, including Ms. Mariana Flores Chavez ‘17. A special THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this possible, including Kaleb Carpenter '21 for filming and editing. We hope you enjoy the 2025–26 MC Lip Dub HERE or click the image below.

2026 Winter Athletics - That's A Wrap!

The 2025–26 Spring Season was another exciting one for our Wildcats. This year the season was highlighted by the success of the girl's soccer and softball teams and boy's lacrosse and golf teams. We are happy to share the accomplishments of our spring athletes and teams below.

In Memorium

Marin Catholic remembers our deceased alumni and prays for them and their families. May they rest in eternal peace. In Memoriam submissions for publication in these newsletters can be emailed to alumni@marincatholic.org.

Michael Boland ‘73, A Wildcat at heart and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. 

Barbara Mary (Davis) Naan '52

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!

Alumni Reunion News

Class of 1969: Reunion Gathering

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Place: McGinnus Golf Club

Time 4:00 to 8:00pm

Come ready for a fun trivia game—and bring your favorite stories to share! Most of all, we're looking forward to spending time together, catching up, and reconnecting. An email invitation has been sent to classmates whose contact information we have. Please help us spread the word. If you have contact information for classmates who may not have received the invitation, please send them to us so we can keep them informed about the reunion and future class updates. Thank you - Linda Cerutti Panico, Janis Massucco O’Connel, Sue Giorgi and Leila Haran O’Callaghan (leila@powerof2.us) 707888-8794.

Class of 1976: 50 Year Reunion and Golden Diploma

Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026

The Class of '76 will be having their reunion on Saturday, October 24 at the Marin Country Club. On Sunday, October 25 there will be a Mass and Golden Diploma Ceremony, followed by a reception and campus tour. Please contact the Reunion Committee: mcgrads76@gmail.com for more information. Save the Date and spread the word!

Class of 1986: 40 Year Reunion

The Class of '86 is in the planning phases for their 40th Reunion! Please contact Kathleen Snipes ‘86 at kathallrn68@gmail.com for more information and to get on the list.

Class of 1996: 30 Year Reunion

The Class of 1996 is currently in the planning stages. Please contact Julie Meyer '96 at juliemeyer2013@gmail.com for more information!

Class of 2001: 25 Year Reunion

Saturday, September 5, 2026, 5:30pm

Marin Catholic Director of Athletics for Men’s Sports, Adam Callan ‘01 and Director of Advancement, Jacqueline (Leh) Tobe '01 invite you to come back on campus to celebrate the Class of 2001. This event will take place on campus in the Saint John Paul II Student Center.

RSVP HERE. If you have any questions, please contact either acallan@marincatholic.org or jtobe@marincatholic.org. 

Class of 2005: 20 Year Reunion

The Class of 2005 is in the planning stages. Please contact one of your classmates for more information! Julie Wu Scripps '05 at Juliescripps@gmail.com, Mackenzie O'Donell '05 at mackenzie.odonnell@gmail.com 05, or Maggie Kruger Coin '05 at maggieacoin@gmail.com. 

Are you ready to start planning your reunion? Want to plan an event for your classmates? Contact Sandy Starkey at sstarkey@marincatholic.org or at 415-464-3844.

Connect with us on Linkedin!

Please help us build our network worldwide and connect with fellow alumni in hundreds of fields! Connect with us on LinkedIn today and on our Marin Catholic Alumni Group page!

Support a Student Today

Marin Catholic alumni play an essential role in preserving and advancing the Marin Catholic mission. Here is the list of our most current Scholarships.   There are many opportunities to support Marin Catholic students now and into the future. If you are interested in making 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 makes a profound difference in a student's life!