Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School

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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
TRADITIONS
      A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R T H E C O M M U N I T Y O F J U N I P E R O S E R R A H I G H S C H O O L   |   WINTER 2021-22

serra global
M E R G I N G C R E AT I V I T Y W I T H I N N O VAT I O N
A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O N N E C T I O N

                   JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL                      |   A C AT H O L I C C O L L E G E P R E PA R AT O R Y
Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
10
                                                                                                        TRADITIONS                           Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends of Serra,
                                                                                                             WIN TER 2 0 2 1 -2 2
                                                                                                                                             Serra transforms lives!

                                                                            36
                                                                                                     A publication for the alumni, parents
                                                                                                     and friends of Serra High School,
                                                                                                     Traditions is published by:
                                                                                                                                             What a blessing to begin the school year with the entire community
                                                                                                       The Office of Advancement &           in person. We could not be more proud of Serra's response to the
                         CAM P U S L I F E                                                             Alumni Relations                      challenging two years we have had. Serra's outstanding performance
                                                                                                       Junípero Serra High School
                                                                                                       451 West 20th Avenue                  during this period reflects the tremendous resilience and commitment of
                                                                                                       San Mateo, CA 94403                   the entire Serra community. Deep into the year, all programs are running
                                                                                                       650.573.9935

3
                                                                            THE                                                              at capacity, and our students, teachers, administrators and parents have
                                                                            BR OTHER HOOD                                                    embraced the school year with a renewed enthusiasm for our shared
                                                                                                     Barry Thornton, Ed.D.                   mission. We continue to move forward.
                                                                                                     President

                                                  30
                                                                                                     bthornton@serrahs.com
                                                                                                                                             This past November, Serra’s Board of Regents convened to review and
                                                                                                     Charlie McGrath                         adopt Serra’s new five-year strategic plan. The presentation culminated
                        10 Serra Global                                                              Principal                               an extensive and collaborative process to develop a renewed vision
                                                                                                     cmcgrath@serrahs.com
TH E LATEST             13 Rita Lee Named                                                                                                    for Serra. Working side by side with the administrative team, the effort spanned 20 months—starting just
                           Assistant Principal:                                                      Mike Fadelli '88                        weeks before the pandemic, continuing through the remote environment, including interviews and surveys
                                                                                                     Chief Advancement Officer               of hundreds of stakeholders—and culminating in a two-day Zoom retreat where the plan was drafted with
                           Academics                                                                 mfadelli@serrahs.com
                                                  PADR ES                                                                                    more than 60 members of our community.
                        14 Strategic Plan:
                                                  AT HLETI C S              38 Logan Wolf '14        Aimee Strain
                           Transforming Lives                                                                                                The strategic vision includes three main components: Living the Mission, Inspiring Educational Excellence
                                                                                                     Director of Marketing
                        21 2022 Fund a Dream                                   Named Serra's New     and Communications                      and Ensuring the Future.
                           Scholarship Benefit                                 Alumni Director       Feature Writer and Editor
                                                                                                     astrain@serrahs.com
                        22 Tri-School                                       40 Joe Hoyt '12                                                  The board unanimously voted to support the strategic vision, and the Serra administration followed suit the
                                                                               Sports Reporter for   Logan Wolf '14                          next week, greenlighting the plan to set us on a direction that will guide future decision-making. The plan
                           Productions
                                                                               the Dallas Morning    Director of Alumni Relations            will provide a clear road map, by which the administration, faculty, staff and board will be able to navigate
 4 Class of 2021           presents The Alibis                                                       lwolf@serrahs.com
                                                                               News                                                          the next five years on our way to establishing an even more vibrant Catholic school in San Mateo and the
   Valedictorians       24 Meet New Music
                                                                            42 33rd Annual Serra     Michelle Wilkinson                      broader San Francisco Bay Area. We included the plan in its entirety for your review.
   Justin Anderson,        Director Joe Murphy                                                       Creative Director
   Nicholas Button                                                             Golf Classic          Traditons Layout/Design                 However, what was even more compelling than approving this monumental work, was the powerful
                                                  30 Athletics Wrap
                                                                            43 Turning Tragedy       mwilkinson@serrahs.com                  commitment of the Serra community that worked on the plan. Board members, parents, teachers and
   and Shayan Kothari                                2020-21: A Season
6 Class of 2021                                                                 into Philanthropy                                            students all spoke of Serra with passion and agreed on one thing—that buildings, plans and initiatives only
                                                     to Remember                                     Contributors

                        28
   Graduation Awards                                                        44 News and Notes        Jonathan Allen '01                      matter to the extent that they further Serra's mission to help boys become outstanding young men. This
                                                  35 Alumnus Eason                                   Sandy Brook
7 Gavin Costa -                                                             52 In Memoriam                                                   mission energizes us!
                                                     Winston, Jr. '14                                Antonia Ehlers
   2021 Shea Award                                                          55 Padre Giftionary
                                                     Plays for the Saints                                                                    This reflection on Serra’s powerful mission inspired the name of our strategic plan, Transforming Lives.
                                                                                                     Photo Credits
   Recipient                                         in his First Game in                            Joel Caceres '87                        As a community, we walk with the young men in their journey to becoming men of faith, wisdom, service—
7 2021 Blanket                                       the NFL
                                                                                                     Rosie Kirk                              men who build community and lead to make a difference in the world. This transformation happens in the
                                                                                                     Pat Zurcher
   Award Winners         M EN O F                 36 Padre Football                                                                          midst of a culture that embodies Serra’s core values. Our teachers, coaches, campus ministers, counselors
8 Campus                 C O M PAS S I O N           Wraps Up Season in
                                                                                                                                             and student leaders model the mission, and it becomes part of the culture and climate of Serra. The Serra
                                                                                                     Advisory Board of Regents
   Renovations                                                                                       Eric Eger – Chairman                    community transforms lives.
                                                     Open Division State
                                                                                                     Aric Agresti '98 – Vice Chairman
                                                     Championship                                    Megan Armando                           We are moving swiftly to execute the strategic plan and continue the upgrades to Serra’s physical plant.
                                                                                                     Michael Collopy '76                     Beginning with the completion of The Pereira Center for Robotics and Engineering last year, we renovated
                                                                                                     Dan Darcy '96
                                                                                                     Eric Dooley '02                         part of our academic wing this past summer—including new classrooms, a bathroom, air conditioning and
                                                                                                     Brian Dowd                              seismic upgrading.
                                                                                                     Rekha Hemrajani
                                                                                                     Ralph Ho '89
                                                                                                     Roxanne Ivory                           Next up, the Serra team has turned its focus to a transformative renovation of the library space. We look
                                                                                                     Tammy Kiely                             forward to sharing the exciting plans soon!
                                                                                                     Jason McDonald
                        28 Father Joe Bradley                                                        Andrea O'Riordan
                                                                                                     Rob Rius '96
                           '73 Endowed                                                               Nick Severino
                                                                                                                                             Sincerely,
                           Scholarship                                                               Msgr. John Talesfore
                                                                                                     Aida Soto
                                                                                                     Jennifer Ullyot

                                                                                                     For questions or comments,              Barry Thornton, Ed.D.
                                                                                                     please contact:
                                                                                                     Aimee Strain or Michelle Wilkinson      President
                                                                                                     astrain@serrahs.com
                                                                                                     mwilkinson@serrahs.com
Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
T H E L AT E S T

                           Meet 2021 Class Valedictorians Justin Anderson,                                                      While at Serra, Nicholas maintained high            Shayan Kothari
                           Nicholas Button and Shayan Kothari                                                                   grades while taking at least four honors or AP
                                                                                                                                classes each year.                                  Class of 2021 Valedictorian
                                                                                                                                                                                    Shayan Kothari began his
                                                     Justin                 wish I were in the classroom during this class      Balancing school work and baseball was              college career at Duke University
                                                                            to really get the full experience, but I was very   tough, he said. "Serra is not an easy school,
                                                     Anderson               challenged to think critically about issues and                                                         armed with values he said that
           L AT E S T
                                                                                                                                the classes are tough and there is a ton of hard    he amplified during his four
                                                      They say that a       myself and what it means to be a man."              work, but it teaches you honesty and humility."     transformational years at Serra.
                                                      dream does not        Being named valedictorian was likely one of         "Everyone has done something great in their         In his speech, which was
                                                      become a reality      Justin’s more rewarding experiences at Serra.       lives; and at Serra, we are surrounded by           broadcast during the virtual
                                                      through magic;
                                                                            "I was super excited and felt as if I were a        winners and this teaches you to be humble."         Senior Academic Awards night
                                                      it takes sweat,
                                                      determination and     testament not to just my work in the classroom      Many teaches have helped Nicholas along             on May 20, Shayan highlighted
                                                                            but a testament to the people I have met and        the way, notably, Kevin Carey ‘93 and John
                                                      hard work. Class of                                                                                                           his beleive that, "A Padre is someone who puts
                                                      2021 Valedictorian    the impression I have made on my peers—that         Grosey ‘79.
                                                                            was so special," he said.
                                                                                                                                                                                    the needs of others before his own, holds peers
                           Justin Anderson blended four years of                                                                "Mr. Grosey taught me to keep your nose             accountable and never loses faith during a
                           rigorous honors and AP classes, baseball,        A middle school student from Ralston Middle         down and keep working hard, and his tough           challenge—a Padre can overcome and conquer
                           basketball and a side hustle home business       School, Justin noted that watching his              classes always encouraged me. Mr. Carey
         THE

                           that highlighted his value of hard work.         brother, Ryan ‘18 enjoy Serra made him want                                                             all odds."
                                                                                                                                taught me that there is always more than one
                           "Through the teachers and coaches and the        to experience it himself. With a sister in her      truth and to be open to other opinions in           Shayan used three different experiences at Serra to
                           large Serra community, you learn the value of    sophomore year at Notre Dame Belmont,               search of what is true. You must diversify your     describe those core values and added that his time at Serra
                           hard work and how not shying away from it        Justin said that he is so grateful for the          opinion to be the best you can be."                 has helped him become a strong critical thinker and form
                           will help you in every area of your life,"       sacrifices his parents made for him and his                                                             strong relationships with people.
                                                                            siblings to attend such transformative schools.     "This thinking transcends into the whole
                           Justin said.                                                                                                                                             With a love of baseball and basketball, Shayan played both
                                                                            "I am especially thankful for my parents’
                                                                                                                                spirit of a Padre. Serra has taught me to
                           From the time he walked the halls as a shy                                                                                                               sports at Serra until he chose to focus strictly on baseball
                                                                            support. They have allowed me to make my            stand up for each other, while keeping              his sophomore year through senior year. Shayan loves
"A PADRE IS SOMEONE WHO    freshman, Justin said every experience taught
                           him more about the man he wanted to              decisions and have trusted me to grow on my         eyes on the importance of also calling              music and has played guitar since he was young. He sang
PUTS THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
 BEFORE HIS OWN, HOLDS     become. Now a confident freshman at UCLA         own and become who I am."                           out things when they’re not right,"                 in the Serra Men’s Chorus as a freshman and played in the
 PEERS ACCOUNTABLE AND     studying business, he said during his senior                                                         Nicholas added.                                     jazz band sophomore year. He was a big brother his junior
    NEVER LOSES FAITH      year that he drew on the memories he made                                                                                                                year.
                                                                                                                                Good morals, serving the community and
  DURING A CHALLENGE."     and the lessons learned along the way.           Nicholas                                            helping others are also virtues that Nicholas       Above all his learning at Serra, Shayan said it has been
   –SHAYAN KOTHARI '21
                           Learning about faith in theology at Serra        Button                                              learned at Serra.                                   the theology classes that he has really found to be life-
                           sets the school apart from all the others, he    If you ask Nicholas                                                                                     altering. "The faith and the theology courses are my
                                                                                                                                Nicholas played baseball all four years at Serra
                           added.                                           Button what drives                                                                                      favorite," he said. "The philosophy has really helped me
                                                                                                                                and enjoyed his spring season as captain of
                                                                            his motivation,                                                                                         with introspection that I had never experienced before—it
                           "I think it starts with faith. When you’re                                                           the team and his position as catcher. He also
                                                                            he’ll tell you that                                                                                     has shaped my values and helped me identify who I am,"
                           in a classroom with 25 other teenage                                                                 was an executive SERT commissioner, student
                                                                            it’s his parents’                                                                                       he added.
                                                                                                                                ambassador, shadow and open house host and
                           guys and you are sharing about your              encouragement                                                                                           As a junior, with the help of moderator and chemistry
                                                                                                                                a California Scholarship Federation lifetime
                           faith, it makes you feel like you can talk       to always try your                                  member and National Honor Society member.           teacher Mr. Mock, Shayan founded Serra’s Stocks and
                           about anything there," he said. "These           hardest.                                                                                                Economics Club. At Duke, Shayan plans to draw on his
                                                                                                                                The memories made at Serra will be
                           experiences bond you and make you                "My parents made a ton of sacrifices for me                                                             club experience and focus on finance, studying economics
                                                                                                                                remembered forever, Nicholas said. With
                           see and respect the diversity among              come to Serra—I have always appreciated                                                                 and computer science.
                                                                                                                                awesome Jungle Game wins and a bonding
                           us—either in thinking or experience.             them encouraging me to do my best in                pandemic experience, Nicholas said that he          Growing up in Foster City, Shayan attended elementary
                           Serra allows you to be yourself and              everything I do," he said. "I am happy that I       will always cherish his time at Serra and the       school at Kids Connection and junior high school at
                                                                            have been successful at Serra, but my parents       lifelong friendships he forged with his fellow      Bowditch Middle School. His desire to attend Serra was
                           find your own interest and path."
                                                                            cared more about hard work rather than the          Padres.                                             spawned after watching his brother Rohan ‘15 attend
                           The life lessons extend from the classroom       outcomes."                                                                                              school at Serra.
                           to the court. His basketball coaches, Coach                                                          For prospective students, his words of wisdom
                                                                            One of those outcomes is Nicholas being             would be simply to get involved in the Serra        With support from his family, Shayan is looking forward to
                           Carson, Coach Dugoni and Coach Rapp
                                                                            named one of three valedictorians for the           community. "The connections, lifelong               his college experience at Duke. He said he is extremely
                           taught him to play the sport the way you
                                                                            Class of 2021.                                      friendships that you will create at Serra will be   grateful and indebted to his parents for giving him the
                           want to live your life.
                                                                            Nicholas, who attended St. Gregory Catholic         everlasting."                                       opportunity to attend Serra.
                           "Always give your best effort and never
                                                                            School before attending Serra, is at U.C.                                                               "It is a debt I will always try to repay," he said.
                           give up," Justin said. "Inside the classroom,
                                                                            Berkeley with plans to play baseball and study
                           or on Zoom, teachers such as Dr. Meegan
                                                                            economics.
                           encourage you to think outside the box. I
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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
T H E L AT E S T                                                                                                                                   T H E L AT E S T

    CLASS OF ’21
                                                            2021 shea award recipient gavin costa
                                                                                   Gavin Costa was the       athlete at Serra High School. In 1966, the
                                                                                   2021 recipient of the     award was named for Serra alum James P. Shea

    GRADUATION AWARDS
                                                                                   coveted Shea Award. A     from the Class of 1958 who is still classified
                                                                                   leader in the classroom   as missing in action in the Vietnam War. This
                                                                                   and in the pool, Gavin    is the highest honor that Serra confers on
                                                                                   was a four-year member    a graduating student-athlete. Athletes are
                                                                                   of the Serra water        nominated by the head coach of each sport
                                                                                   polo team and swim        and then voted upon by those coaches.
    shayan kothari              lucas dugoni                                       team. A goalie in water
    general scholastic          service medal
                                                                                   polo, Gavin handled
    excellence medal                                        the extreme pressure of the position with
                                University of Notre Dame
    english medal                                           composure and confidence, one of many
    mathematics medal                                       reasons he was incredibly well respected by
    Duke University                                         his teammates and opponents. A leader in the
                                                            water polo program, Aquatics Director Andrew
                                                            Silva said that Gavin "was one of the most
                                gavin costa                 coachable athletes I have ever worked with."
    aditya pathak
    general scholastic          shea sportsmanship award    A volunteer coach and classroom aid at Our
    excellence medal                                        Lady of Angels School in Burlingame, Gavin
                                University of California,
    mathematics medal           Santa Barbara               graduated from Serra with a 4.61 weighted
    science medal                                           GPA. He was on the Principal’s List every
                                                            semester of his high school career.
    University of Chicago
                                                            The Shea sportsmanship award has been given
                                                            annually since 1947 to an outstanding senior

    nicholas button             michael kamenis
                                dramatic arts medal
    activity medal              social studies medal
    music medal                 world languages medal
    University of California,
                                University of California,
                                                                       2020-2021 Blanket Award Winners
    Berkeley
                                Berkeley

                                                            Tommy Rogers                         Enzo Cappabianca                Marco Lozito
                                                            2020 Cross Country                   and Aidan Quinn                 2021 Volleyball
    bruno gheno
    campus ministry medal       isaac robles                                                     2021 Wrestling
                                theology medal              Hassan Mahasin                                                       Will Denning and
    University of Colorado,                                 2020 Football                        Nico Button and                 Aidan Mendoza
                                Menlo College
    Boulder                                                                                      Pat Keighran                    2021 Track & Field
                                                            Alessandro Salemo                    2021 Baseball
                                                            2020 Water Polo
                                                                                                 William Walsh
                                                            Dimitri Koutsogeorgas                2021 Golf
    justin gilmore              slaven buljan               2021 Basketball
    campus ministry medal       visual arts medal                                                Ryan Oh
                                                            Ivan Torres                          2021 Lacrosse
    Skyline College             College of San Mateo        2021 Soccer
                                                                                                 Chad Morrison
                                                                                                 2021 Swimming

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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
T H E L AT E S T                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  T H E L AT E S T

                                                                                                                            subsequent summers, so that student learning and school               am excited that we are moving forward on long-
                                                                                                                            operations will not be disrupted."                                    anticipated plans to completely upgrade the facility
                                                                                                                            The first major stage of the improvements to academic                 and support the exceptional teaching and learning
                                                                                                                            wing classrooms was completed just prior to opening the               experience provided by our talented faculty."
                                                                                                                            fall semester, 2021. Thornton noted that the initial phase            History teacher Rick Boesen said that the new
                                                                                                                            included the renovation of four classrooms, a department              classrooms are more comfortable for students, which
                                                                                                                            office, an ADA bathroom, new HVAC, seismic upgrades,                  makes teaching more effective.
                                                                                                                            fire suppression and other improvements that improve                  "These upgrades have provided tangible benefits
                                                                                                                            safety and add to the student and learning experience. A              for our students," Boesen explained. "The new air
                                                                                                                            total of 10 classrooms received HVAC upgrades with MERV               conditioning system makes the classrooms more
                                                                                                                            13 filters for operation during the pandemic and during               comfortable, and customized window shades and
                                                                                                                            days with poor air quality.                                           dimmer switches allow for easy adjustments to
                                                                                                                            The purpose of these improvements is to support                       lighting."
                                                                                                                            advancements in teacher pedagogy and the lived                        Boesen also added that increased work spaces for
                                                                                                                            experience of students at Serra. The classrooms,                      students with larger desks and chair combos provide
                                                                                                                            technology systems, lighting, sound and furniture design              more room for the students to use their books and
                                                                                                                            were all designed in collaboration with teachers with                 computers simultaneously.
                                                                                                                            student learning as the central focus.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  World Languages Department Chair Mary Dowden
                                                                                                                            The classrooms represented a complete teaching                        said she is very grateful to see Serra in this stage of

           SERRA CAMPUS UNDERGOES MORE MODERNIZATION                                                                        environment, with writable walls, integrated sound
                                                                                                                            systems, adjustable lighting, and Apple TV technology
                                                                                                                            enabling students to seamlessly share work with the class
                                                                                                                                                                                                  renovation and renewal.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  "It has been inspiring to be in such a beautiful space.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  I think the boys feel special learning in the new

A
                                                                                                                            and collaborate with fellow students.
          t any given time throughout the Serra            said. "The shift to an Apple Macbook Air and iPad for                                                                                  classrooms," Dowden said. "It's been fun to test out
                                                                                                                            "The teachers have done an exceptional job of offering                the new furniture and class set-ups. The chairs are
          school day, a group of Padres can be seen        teachers, along with Apple TV, supported teachers
                                                                                                                            new electives, integrating technology at a high level and             a lot more comfortable and the tables allow more
          congregating around a semi-circular couch        already well-versed in technology integration. The
                                                                                                                            building curricula that aligns with critical thinking for years.      room to spread out their work. The boys love using
          in the main office area. Movable computer        new technology provided teachers with the tools they
                                                                                                                            It is paramount that the environment that they teach in               the whiteboard walls for collaboration and sharing
tables surround the couch, where students are either       needed to teach at the highest level."
                                                                                                                            will help to encourage that growth," Thornton said. "I                big ideas."
completing their work or collaborating with one another.   The overall vision for the renovation was validated
The furnishings are just one of many improvements that     in the Strategic Plan, Transforming Lives, which was
Serra has implemented in its master plan to enhance        completed this past November after a 20-month
the lived experience for each student at Serra.            collaborative effort (profiled in this edition of Traditions).
The furnishings visible throughout campus include          The plan highlighted the primary thrust of building
tall tables lining the hallway, positioned to inspire      needs moving forward to include the academic
collaboration among classmates. The furnishings            classrooms and the library, a project still in its design
honor students and support their ability to collaborate,   stage and being referred to as the school’s new Center
socialize and study. The furniture is comfortable,         for Learning and Innovation.
movable and ergonomic, and is an example of                The Center for Learning and Innovation will support
transformative building enhancements that Serra has        student collaboration and study, house the design-led
embarked upon over the past two years.                     innovation program and Serra Global (also profiled in
After addressing the interior spaces and building the      this edition of Traditions), as well as function as a major
Pereira Center for Robotics and Engineering in 2020,       events center for the school. The new space will be
the focus has moved toward a comprehensive upgrade         functional and inspirational.
to the school’s primary academic wing. The renovation      The team of Ratcliff Architects, Nova Partners Project
of the academic spaces process began with a $500,000       Management and Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction—
electrical upgrade of the facility to prepare for major    the same collaboration that successfully executed the
building projects to come.                                 design and building of the school’s Center for Arts
In addition to supporting future development, the          and Sciences and the Aquatics Center—have been                       "The teachers have done an exceptional job of offering new
site work supported Serra’s $500,000 investment in         commissioned to build the vision.
additional technology to respond to the needs of           "This team has intimate knowledge of the facility and               electives, integrating technology at a high level and building
distance and hybrid learning during the pandemic.          are able to successfully execute the exciting plans,"
 "When the pandemic hit, we were able to shift             Thornton said. "Plans for these renovations include                          curricula that aligns with critical thinking for years."
significant resources to upgrade the Serra technology      classrooms, department offices, the library and
platform," Serra President Barry Thornton, Ed.D.           common areas that will be upgraded into phases over                                                                                 – Pri nc i p a l B a r r y T h o r n t o n , E d. D .
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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
CAMPUS LIFE

                          "We are consistently looking for ways to partner
                          with other classes in other parts of the world to
             LIFE         collaborate and expand our students’ perspectives."
                                                                              –rita lee, dean of st u den ts
         CAMPUS

"THE SERRA GLOBAL
PROGRAM INSPIRES
 SERRA STUDENTS
                         serra global                                                                                     merging creativity with innovati o n
                                                                                                                          and international connection

                         E
 TO EXPAND THEIR                 arly morning on a recent Thursday, an     project that focuses on community and          Dean of Students Rita Lee and Rushton Hurley, an             "We want them to think about what can be—to
  UNDERSTANDING                  hour before most of their fellow Padres   service, and that challenges them to apply     international speaker on education who has been              tap into their passions and interests and become
                                 would begin the day’s classes, a group    design thinking principles to topics that      working with Serra for the past 12 years, have teamed        innovators," Lee remarked.
   OF COMMUNITY
                                 of eight Serra juniors and seniors        interests the students.                        up to teach the class. Lee and Hurley challenge their        Another way to get students to think differently and
AND BROTHERHOOD                                                                                                           students to think in new ways and take a human-
                         arranged their desks into a conversation          Creative Solutions for the Global Good is                                                                   creatively is to expose them to people and places
BEYOND THE WALLS         circle. Eeach reported on his progress toward                                                    centered approach to creative problem solving.
                                                                           the mainspring of Serra Global, an evolving                                                                 around the world—to challenge and broaden their
     OF SERRA."          this grading period’s personal challenge.         interdisciplinary program that seeks to        "We want them to use that kind of creative thinking          perspectives.
–BARRY THORNTON, ED.D.   One told of the time management benefits          bring the world to Serra students and Serra    to become better students, to bring new ideas to the         One example took place last spring when students
                         he’d discovered by consistently "studying         students to the world.                         school, to their families and to the greater community,"     from the Creative Solutions for the Global Good class
                         ahead," while another was still struggling to                                                    Hurley explained. "To get students inspired to do really     at Serra, along with students from Parklands College
                         avoid the distraction of his screen devices.
                         Others talked about getting more hours of
                                                                           "Our Creative Solutions for                    interesting projects, we share really interesting stories,
                                                                                                                          and we connect the students with different people and
                                                                                                                                                                                       (a pre-primary through 12th grade school) in Cape
                                                                                                                                                                                       Town, South Africa, presented the projects they had
                         sleep, rising on the first alarm in the morning   the Global Good class helps                    places around the world."                                    collaboratively worked on during the school year.
                         and finding healthy ways to de-stress. These
                         small steps in building stick-to-itiveness        initiate creative thinking, social             On this particular Thursday, creative inspiration came       They received feedback from an online audience.
                                                                                                                          from the story, The Flying Car Completes First Ever          In the audience were almost 100 supporters from all
                         serve to underscore the importance of             interaction, intellectual growth               Inter-city Flight by KleinVision. Previously, the class      sectors of society, as well as 15 different countries
                         systematically working toward a goal.
                                                                           and an ability to learn from                   marveled at Wintergatan-Marble Machine, a story              including Canada, China, Colombia, England,
                         In the case of this class, Creative Solutions                                                    about a music instrument using 2,000 marbles. They           Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria,
                         for the Global Good, the students will be         almost anything around us."                    learned how a team of Stanford bioengineers, inspired        Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa and the United
                         applying that self-discipline to a year-long                                                     by a whirligig toy, developed a 20-cent, hand-powered        States.
                                                                                              –Mikey El - B ad r y '2 2   blood centrifuge.
  14
  10                                                                                                                                                                                                           continued on following page    11
Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
CAMPUS LIFE

     "Since COVID hit, everyone is using Zoom. However,          In both cases, the speakers were introduced to Serra by          Rita Lee Named New Assistant
                                                                 others in our community—a former Serra faculty member
     we were using it more than two years before to help
     make these worldwide connections possible," said            introduced Jeff Frost, and Hurley’s edtech connections           Principal, Academics

                                                                                                                                  S
     Hurley. "This free technology gives us a passport to the    acquainted Brett Kopf with Serra.
                                                                                                                                         erra is proud to announce the appointment of
     world."                                                     Serra Global reflects the direction of Serra’s newly minted             Rita Lee as the new assistant principal, academics,
     This year, students in the class will again be working      five-year strategic plan that calls Serra to . . . distinguish          effective July 2022. Lee will replace Keith Strange,
     in collaboration with the Parklands students, and they      itself globally as a school of innovation, creativity and               who is retiring at the end of the academic year.
     will also connect with students at Nagoya International     service."                                                        Lee holds degrees from Stanford University, including
     School in Japan to participate in their TED-Ed club.                                                                         a bachelor’s of science in biology, a master’s degree
                                                                 Serra President Barry Thornton noted,                            in education and a teaching credential in biology and
     "In the simplest terms, the Serra Global initiative
     provides ways for Serra to connect with the outside         "The program inspires Serra students to                          chemistry. She earned her second master’s degree in
                                                                                                                                  educational leadership from Harvard University. Her
     world in meaningful ways, with creative and inspiring       expand their understanding of community                          program emphasis included instructional leadership,
     people and organizations all over the world,"
                                                                 and brotherhood beyond the walls of                              teacher mentoring and school reform.
     continued Lee. "We are consistently looking for ways
     to partner with other classes in other parts of the world   Serra—to develop meaningful connections                          Prior to pursuing her master's degrees, Lee worked as
                                                                                                                                  a teacher at Serra, where she learned that teaching was
     to collaborate and expand our students’ perspectives.       with people from other countries as they                         her calling.
     We tap into a lot of personal connections to make this
     happen, and we hope to be broadening our reach by
                                                                 collaborate on service projects. This lies at                    "I was on my way to medical school after Stanford and I
                                                                                                                                  got a job teaching at Serra," Lee said. "It was here at Serra
     actively involving our alumni in future endeavors."         the heart of the Serra mission. It is exciting                   that I absolutely fell in love with teaching. Working with the
     The concept of Serra Global was born of the                 and profoundly meaningful."                                      students, seeing them connect the dots, watching them get
     recognition that there are many other places within the                                                                      excited when they really understand how things work, that
     school realm where using connections to other schools,                                                                       is the magic of teaching. So, instead of medical school, I
     using connections to other people—no matter where in          Creative solutions                                             decided that I needed to learn more about teaching and           school that had such a strong and caring community. I came
                                                                                                                                                                                                   back to Serra because of the community."
     the world they are—can be powerful for everybody.                                                                            gain the skills necessary to be more effective in education."
                                                                   for the global good                                            After graduating from Harvard, Lee moved to Southern             Another large factor in Lee’s decision to pursue the position
     Serra Global Speaker Series                                                                                                                                                                   of assistant principal of academics is the outstanding faculty
                                                                   student project                                                California as a founding faculty member and the Science
                                                                                                                                  Department chair of a new school before returning to Serra       that Lee works alongside. "I cannot say enough about the
     Hurley and Lee launched the Serra Global Speaker                                                                                                                                              faculty at Serra," she said. "Our teachers are dedicated,
     Series last year to bring fascinating speakers from           Recent Serra graduate                                          13 years ago to be the dean of studies.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   hardworking and they want all of their students to succeed.
     around the world to Serra to discuss cutting-edge             Matthew Cerza '21                                              "Rita's credentials and experience at Serra will allow her       They are also open-minded and always trying new things. I’m
     topics and share their personal stories.                      developed a project in                                         to oversee the next chapter of our school's academic             looking forward to continuing the great discussions about
                                                                   which he and a friend                                          portfolio," said Serra Principal Charlie McGrath.                critical thinking and creativity and supporting them as we
     With each speaker, they look to connect with people                                                                          "Throughout her tenure at Serra, Rita has developed
                                                                   refurbished donated                                                                                                             continue to improve and expand our teaching."
     from the school community who might be most                                                                                  many of the school's innovation and design programs. She
     interested or get the most value from participating.          laptops to be Zoom-ready                                                                                                        According to Thornton, Lee is highly respected by students,
                                                                                                                                  has the support and respect of the school community as
                                                                   for senior citizens who were isolated from friends             someone who is a good listener and mission focused."             teachers, parents and peers. "Rita’s appointment has in mind
     When photographer/videographer Jeff Frost spoke                                                                                                                                               the educational direction and leadership vision we need with
                                                                   and family as a result of COVID-19.
     about his experiences while embedded with fire crews                                                                         During her time at Serra, Lee pioneered significant              Serra’s Center for Learning and Innovation and Serra Global,"
     fighting the California wildfires, for example, Serra’s       His project won a first-prize award from the                   advancements in Serra’s academic program, including the          he said. "Her leadership style reflects a wonderful mixture
     environmental science classes were on board to hear           San Mateo County Office of Education’s annual                  one-to-one, bring-your-own-device technology integration         of humility, confidence, interpersonal savvy and unrelenting
     his story. And when Silicon Valley success entrepreneur       Solutionary Fair. Matthew was a main-stage                     program, the design-led innovation program centered on           pursuit of the mission. Serra is fortunate to have someone of
     Brett Kopf spoke about the web-to-text communication                                                                         design thinking, and the Serra Global program.                   her intellectual caliber, educational experience and personal
                                                                   panelist who spoke to thousands of teachers at
     tool that he launched, which has been described as the                                                                       Lee shares Serra's mission to help boys become young men         conviction to take the reins of Serra’s academic program
                                                                   ISTE ‘21, the largest teacher-focused educational
     most successful educational technology app in history,                                                                       in a faith environment. A significant part of her life path      moving forward."
                                                                   technology conference in the world.
     many in the Serra community included Academic                                                                                and her desire to pursue teaching came as a result of her        "I am excited about the opportunity to lead the next
     Resource Center students and their parents.                   Today, Matthew is attending the University of                  first teaching job as a biology teacher at Serra from 2001 to    steps of the academic program. Serra’s academic
                                                                   Colorado, Boulder, where he is focusing his                    2003. When she left to pursue her MA at Harvard, she told        program is truly outstanding—100 percent college
                                                                                                                                  then-Principal Barry Thornton, Ed.D. that she wanted to          attendance, more than $21 million in college
                                                                   studies on electrical and computer engineering.
                                                                                                                                  return and pursue a career in education at Serra.                scholarships last year with 95 percent of those being
                                                                                                                                  "One thing I really loved about Serra was that in an all-        awarded for academic achievement. And, most
                                                                                                                                  boys learning environment, the students are very frank           important, students are succeeding in their next steps
                                                                                                                                  and honest," Lee said "I think that in a gender-specific         in academia. I look forward to continuing the academic
                                                                                                                                  environment, teachers build strong relationships with            excellence at Serra and expanding our innovation and
                                                                                                                                  their students, so students feel comfortable talking and         global possibilities.
                                                                                                                                  asking questions. This leads to stronger academic learning       Lee grew up on the Peninsula and graduated from Gunn
                                                                                                                                  because you can talk about more complicated concepts             High School. She lives in Hillsborough with her husband,
     Jeff Frost                   Brett Kopf                                                                                      and topics. The other thing I really loved about Serra was       Paul, and two children, Jayson, 9 and Kate, 8. When she is
     Photographer/videographer    Silicon Valley entrepreneur                                                                     the community. I visited and worked at a number of schools       not working, she enjoys reading science fiction and traveling.
                                                                                                                                  during and after grad school and I couldn’t find another
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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
S T R AT E G I C P L A N                                                                                                                                                                                 S T R AT E G I C P L A N

                                                                                    A letter from our Strategic Plan Steering Committee Co-Chairs
                                                                                    and the Chair of Serra's Advisory Board of Regents
                                                                                                                                                                                         STRATEGIC PLAN
                                                                                                                                                                                         STEERING COMMITTEE

                                                                                                                                                                                         Steering Committee Co-Chairs
                                                                                                                                                                                         Co-Chairs: Rekha Hemrajani and
                                                                                                                                                                                           Jen Ullyot
                                                                                                                                                                                         Staff Liaisons: Barry Thornton, Ed.D.
                                                                                                                                                                                           and Benay Todzo

                                                                                                                                                                                         Academics Domain
                                                                                                                                                                                         Co-Chairs: Ralph Ho ’89 and
                                                                                    Rekha Hemrajani, Co-Chair           Jen Ullyot, Co-Chair                 Eric Eger, Chair              Melissa Olson
                                                                                    Strategic Plan Steering Committee   Strategic Plan Steering Committee    Advisory Board of Regents   Staff Liaison: Keith Strange

                                                                                    E
                                                                                           ducation has always played a critical role in the lives of young people—preparing
                                                                                           them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Serra’s mission in                  Advancement Domain
                                                                                           educating young men is unwavering; however, the world our graduates face                      Co-Chairs: Andrea O’Riordan and
                                                                                           presents new realities that few of us could ever have imagined.                                 Jen Ullyot
                                                                                                                                                                                         Staff Liaison: Mike Fadelli ‘88
                                                                                    How do we prepare today’s students to work, serve, thrive and lead in an unpredictable
                                                                                    world? How do we equip them for unforeseeable changes and prepare them for the
                                                                                    unexpected?                                                                                          Catholic Identity Domain
                                                                                    Serra’s five-year strategic plan, Transforming Lives, demonstrates how Serra plans to rise to        Co-Chairs: Fr. Michael Healy and
 INSPIRING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE • ENSURING OUR FUTURE • LIVING OUR MISSION        these challenges. Confident in our mission, inspired by the dedication of our teachers and             Ann Olson
                                                                                    administrators and proud of our 77-year heritage of educational excellence, innovation and           Staff Liaison: Billy Byrnes
                                                                                    success, we are pleased to share our five-year plan with you.

                             junipEro sErra high school                             Transforming Lives represents the work of alumni, students, parents, faculty and community
                                                                                    members who came together to write a plan that embraces Serra’s time-honored mission,
                                                                                                                                                                                         Enrollment Domain
                                                                                                                                                                                         Co-Chairs: Roxanne Ivory and
                               A C AT H O L I C C O L L E G E P R E PA R AT O R Y   stays true to the authenticity of Serra’s values and boldly articulates a vision that will secure      Patty Macy
                                                                                    an ambitious, productive, creative future. Engaging constituents from all facets of Serra’s          Staff Liaison: Julie Behn

                                  STRATEGIC
                                                                                    community was key to developing a comprehensive and insightful plan. We look forward to
                                                                                    the same level of commitment and involvement from everyone to ensure its success.
                                                                                                                                                                                         Facilities Domain
                                                                                    As you will see in the following pages, Transforming Lives has three important pillars:              Co-Chairs: Joanie Bevilacqua,

                                    PLAN
                                                                                    Inspiring Intellectual Excellence, Living our Mission and Ensuring our Future. These                   Jon Bevilacqua and Scott Pritchett
                                                                                    strategic pillars are interconnected—created to realize our commitment to support                    Staff Liaison: Steve Kalpakoff
                                                                                    young men on their journeys to becoming men of faith, wisdom, service, community and
                                                                                    leadership. We invite you to be part of Transforming Lives at Serra High School!

                           Transforming Lives
                                                                                                                                                                                         Finance Domain
                                                                                                                                                                                         Co-Chairs: Rich Van Doren ‘95

                                                                                    100                                                                     1,000
                                                                                                                                                                                           and Shannon Nash

                                                                                                                           20
                                                                                                                                                                                         Staff Liaison: Mike Catanzarita

                                                                                                                                               MONTHS
                                                                                                                                                              SURVEY
                                                                                                                                                                                         Goverance Domain
                                                                                                                                                                                         Co-Chairs: Aric Agresti '98
                                                                                       STUDENTS, ALUMNI,
                                                                                      PARENTS INTERVIEWED                                                     RESPONSES                    and Eric Eger
                                                                                                                                                                                         Staff Liaison: Barry Thornton, Ed.D.
                                                                                                                           RESEARCH
                                                                                                                         PLANNING                                                        Student Life Domain
                                                                                                                        COLLABORATION                                                    Co-Chairs: Max Moriarty ‘13 and
                                                                                                                  CONSENSUS BUILDING

                                                                                                                                                              15
                                                                                                                                                                                           Aida Soto

                                                                                          60
                                                                                                                                                                                         Staff Liaison: Marybeth Ortiz

                                                                                                                             SAN FRAN CISCO                                              Technology Domain
                                                                                                                        ARCH DIOCESE AN D BOARD                                          Co-Chairs: Andrea Anderson
                                                                                     P E R S O N R E T R E AT             OF REGEN TS SUPPORT                                              and Avi Borthakur

                                                                                         DRAFT GOALS                                           FACULTY/STAFF                             Staff Liaisons: Rita Lee and
                                                                                    TO

                                                                                                                                                                                           Michael Rockwell ‘06
                                                                                                                                                            PA R T I C I PA N T S
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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
S T R AT E G I C P L A N                                                                                                                                                                                       S T R AT E G I C P L A N

        INSPIRING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE                                                                          Expand Learning Through Technology: Serra High School will use technology to inspire
                                                                                                                  students, faculty and the larger Serra community to pursue the school’s mission and distinguish itself
     Sparking Intellectual Curiosity: Serra High School will continue to offer an exciting, modern,               globally as a school of innovation, creativity and service.
     relevant curriculum that encourages creativity, helps students realize their full potential and supports
     the school’s mission of building men of faith, wisdom, service, community and leadership.
                                                                                                                                                                                   Our Plan:
                                                                    Our Plan:                                                                                                      • Establish relationships with other
                                                                    • Offer innovative, collaborative courses                                                                        schools and educators internationally
                                                                      with creative projects that develop                                                                            to bring new academic, leadership and
                                                                      students’ passions, talents and abilities                                                                      service opportunities to students
                                                                    • Expand learning opportunities beyond                                                                         • Use technology to share the breadth
                                                                      the school day to include independent                                                                          of student and teacher learning to
                                                                      learning, research, internships, summer                                                                        increase engagement and showcase
                                                                      immersion, mini-courses and online                                                                             the school’s strengths and values with
                                                                      learning to help students discern                                                                              the community
                                                                      college and life choices                                                                                     • Acquire technology resources,
                                                                    • Encourage a holistic education that                                                                            invest in facility upgrades and
                                                                      includes cross-curricular work that                                                                            prioritize individualized professional
                                                                      integrates real-life themes, faith and                                                                         development opportunities
                                                                      service                                                                                                      • Develop scope and sequence for
                                                                    • Expand opportunities, explore                                                                                  information/media literacy and
                                                                      partnerships and deepen under-                                                                                 digital citizenship to ensure effective
                                                                      standing in coding, AR/VR, AI, STEM,                                                                           integration throughout the curriculum
                                                                      robotics, social media, graphics,
                                                                      video production and other emerging
                                                                      technologies

                                                                                                                                            LIVING OUR MISSION
                                                                                                                  Faith Formation Embraced by Entire School Community: Serra High School will
     Exceptional Teaching: Serra High School will invest to attract and retain outstanding faculty who            enhance its Catholic identity among teachers, staff, parents and students with the intent of forming
     inspire, motivate and mentor students.                                                                       lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.

                                                                                                                                                                                Our Plan:
                                                                       Our Plan:
                                                                                                                                                                                • Maintain focus on educating all students
                                                                       • Create and prioritize funding                                                                            in the Catholic faith while honoring and
                                                                         sources to attract, retain and                                                                           respecting the diversity of religious
                                                                         competitively compensate                                                                                 backgrounds of all Serra students
                                                                         teachers, address housing
                                                                         and promote professional                                                                               • Develop a culture of "encounter"
                                                                         development                                                                                              to promote mercy, justice, advocacy
                                                                                                                                                                                  and service
                                                                       • Develop and implement a plan
                                                                         to ensure our faculty reflects the                                                                     • Show how the Catholic faith can provide
                                                                         diversity of our community                                                                               spiritual support for mental health through
                                                                                                                                                                                  prayer, pastoral counseling, service and
                                                                       • Support faculty with learning                                                                            other faith practices
                                                                         opportunities to expand their
                                                                         craft, develop pedagogical                                                                             • Integrate service-learning throughout all
                                                                         techniques and employ new                                                                                academic departments, strengthen the
                                                                         technologies                                                                                             service immersion program and align
                                                                                                                                                                                  the curriculum and Catholic social justice
                                                                       • Provide flexible open learning                                                                           tradition
                                                                         spaces where students and
                                                                         teachers are encouraged to                                                                             • Evaluate the Mission and Brotherhood
                                                                         collaborate, share and create                                                                            small group structure to increase the level
                                                                                                                                                                                  of trust and student satisfaction

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Serra global MERGING CREATIVITY WITH INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION - Junipero Serra High School
S T R AT E G I C P L A N                                                                                                                                                                                      S T R AT E G I C P L A N

     Preparing Students to be Men of Virtue and Character: Serra High School will create
     a culture that supports the whole person by providing a diversity of experiences that develop life-
                                                                                                                                         ENSURING OUR FUTURE
     long skills, support student interests and emphasize a brotherhood of respect, integrity, inclusion and         Exceptional Facilities: Serra High School will invest in facilities, infrastructure and technology to
     compassion.                                                                                                     develop a state-of-the-art campus that inspires excellence throughout the community.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Our Plan:
                                                                    Our Plan:                                                                                                         • Develop a master plan that
                                                                    • Assess programmatic needs to integrate                                                                            prioritizes capital improvements,
                                                                      diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas                                                                      technology, security and
                                                                      of the Padre brotherhood experience                                                                               classroom needs to support
                                                                                                                                                                                        educational excellence and to
                                                                    • Enhance the counseling program with                                                                               attract diverse students, faculty
                                                                      additional resources to address student                                                                           and staff
                                                                      mental health needs, particularly in the
                                                                      post-pandemic period                                                                                            • Evaluate and implement
                                                                                                                                                                                        construction phasing that
                                                                    • Provide leadership training and support                                                                           minimizes school disruption and
                                                                      to club officers to strengthen the                                                                                creates multiple opportunities
                                                                      activities program and engage the                                                                                 for fundraising and donor
                                                                      community                                                                                                         engagement
                                                                    • Create mechanisms and opportunities                                                                             • Enhance the lived student
                                                                      for students to share feedback regarding                                                                          experience throughout the
                                                                      student life to be inclusive and receptive                                                                        campus through architectural
                                                                      to student needs and wants                                                                                        design, creation of common areas
                                                                                                                                                                                        and selection of furnishings

  Leading with Purpose: Serra High school will align the goals of the school’s administration and
  the advisory board of regents with Serra’s mission, vision and strategic plan objectives.

                                                                      Our Plan:
                                                                      • Assess current board membership
                                                                        and committee structure to ensure
                                                                        its alignment with the objectives of
                                                                        the school and the strategic plan
                                                                      • Ensure accountability through
                                                                        annual goal setting, KPIs aligned to
                                                                        objectives and progress reporting to
                                                                        the community
                                                                      • Integrate board expertise in support
                                                                        of mentoring, internships and
                                                                        outreach programming
                                                                      • Engage board members, staff,
                                                                        faculty and students in a discussion
                                                                        about diversity, equity and inclusion
                                                                        that supports the community,
                                                                        develops opportunities for
                                                                        meaningful change and promotes
                                                                        conversation and reflection

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S T R AT E G I C P L A N

     An Engaged Community of Support and a Financial Plan to Sustain: Serra High
     School will develop a culture of philanthropy—time, talent and treasure—and lifelong relationships
                                                                                                                                     C E L E B R AT I N G T H E S P I R I T O F G E N E R O S I T Y
     among a broad community of donors to create a sustainable source of funds that will ensure the
     vitality of the school now and for generations to come.                                                                   FUND A DREAM 2022
                                                            Our Plan:
                                                            • Plan and execute a five-year capital campaign to                          SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT
                                                              fund the complete remodel of the A-wing, establish
                                                              a new center for learning and innovation and
                                                              complete priorities of the master plan
                                                                                                                                                         MARCH 12, 2022
                                                            • Increase and establish endowments that provide
                                                              financial aid for all students who desire a Serra
                                                              education, enhance teacher recruitment and
                                                              retention, fund key student learning programs and
                                                                                                                          Father Joe Bradley '73
                                                              support the long-term viability of the school                           Keynote Speaker
                                                            • Create a robust alumni program that offers multiple
                                                              opportunities for engagement (events, mentoring,
                                                              speakers, donations) including efforts to specifically   The Serra community will celebrate a spirit of
                                                              develop relationships with Serra’s young alumni          giving at the Fund a Dream Scholarship Benefit
                                                            • Develop a differentiated communication strategy          on Saturday, March 12. Funds raised that
                                                              that engages parents, students, young alumni, older      evening will benefit Padres who receive tuition
                                                              alumni and donors to better educate each group           assistance.
                                                              with opportunities to support Serra with their time,
                                                              talent and treasure                                      "Our Tuition Assistance Program is critical
                                                            • Continually identify and optimize our extensive          to Serra’s mission of offering an outstanding
                                                              resources, with the goal of maximizing opportunities     Catholic, college-prep education to qualified
                                                              for our key constituents, through strategic short and    students," said Serra Chief Advancement Officer
                                                              long-term operational and financial planning                                                                         "Father Joe has such a special relationship with so
                                                                                                                       Mike Fadelli ‘88. "Without the support of our generous      many of our alumni and current Padres," Fadelli said.
                                                                                                                       benefactors, deserving students would not be able to        "He’s the perfect person to talk about tuition assistance
                                                                                                                       benefit from the transformational experience that Serra     here at Serra. He knows a lot of Padres who have
                                                                                                                       provides."                                                  been the beneficiaries of the wonderful kindness of
     Achieve and Maintain Optimal Enrollment: Serra High School will recruit and retain well-                          This year’s keynote speaker will be Father Joe Bradley      the Serra community. We had planned to have Father
     rounded, diverse young men who are intellectually curious, socially conscious and reflective of the               ‘73, Serra’s football chaplain who established the          Joe as our keynote speaker before the pandemic, so
     Bay Area.                                                                                                         meaningful Football Chapel Program with Coach               we’re delighted that Fund a Dream will finally be in
                                                                                                                       Patrick Walsh. Father Joe has been a Serra teacher,         person. We’re really looking forward to celebrating the
                                                                                                                       campus ministry chaplain, football chaplain and school      Serra community’s generosity and commitment to our
      Our Plan:                                                                                                        president. He also was the recipient of the 2004            students."
                                                                                                                       Junípero Serra Award.                                       Since 2005, Fund a Dream has changed many lives
      • Create a strategic enrollment plan to attract
        and retain high-quality, diverse students                                                                      "I am deeply honored to speak at Fund a Dream,"             and has enabled Padres from diverse backgrounds to
        in a competitive market with changing                                                                          Father Joe said. "I received tuition assistance to attend   attend Serra. To date, the event has provided more
        demographics and a growing need for financial                                                                  Serra when I was a young man, so this is very personal      than $6 million for the Tuition Assistance Program. This
        assistance                                                                                                     to me. I love Serra and support its mission to raise        year, financial aid was awarded to 40 percent of Serra
      • Define and articulate Serra’s value proposition                                                                young men of faith, wisdom and service."                    students.
        and differentiation for prospective students and                                                               Over the years, Father Joe has enjoyed being a              "Over the years, alumni from all generations have
        their families                                                                                                 member of the Serra Campus Ministry Team, leading           spoken about how Serra’s financial aid program
      • Create a messaging framework to communicate                                                                    Kairos retreats and being an advocate for social justice    changed their lives," Fadelli noted. "They’re paying
        the school’s strengths and value proposition for                                                               issues. He is known for doing his best to meet people       it forward today by becoming role models and
        prospective students and their families                                                                        where they are, without judgment. He shared his             compassionate leaders. We invite everyone in our
      • Develop a marketing plan that drives top-of-                                                                   courageous story of his heart transplant journey in the     community to help us make even more young men’s
        funnel leads and expands our reach to engage                                                                   popular book, The Four Gifts. Now a stage play, The         dreams come true by supporting the Tuition Assistance
        prospective students early in middle school                                                                    Four Gifts will be presented in 2022 at the Hillbarn        Program. Together, we will be able to continue Serra’s
      • Identify and deploy tech tools to manage,                                                                      Theatre in Foster City.                                     exemplary mission for future generations."
        automate, analyze and optimize enrollment
        programs
                                                                                                                                                     www.serrahs.com/fundadream
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CAMPUS LIFE
                                                                                                                                                                                              CAMPUS LIFE

 Tri-School Productions Students Shine in                                                                                              TRI-SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS STUDENTS FROM SERRA, MERCY AND

The Alibis
                                                                                                                                       NOTRE DAME PRESENTED THE ALIBIS—BRINGING THE WHODUNIT
                                                                                                                                         MURDER MYSTERY OF ECCENTRIC CRIME BOSS BILLIONAIRE,
                                                                                                                                                 J. LESLIE ARLINGTON TO LIFE ON STAGE.

     The lights dimmed and a motley crew of eclectic characters dazzled the      He appreciated the freedom he was given to          which I’ve never done on stage," she said. "I really
     stage in November, when Tri-School Productions students presented           put his own spin on his quirky character.           enjoyed working with my scene partners. People in
     The Alibis in Serra’s Gellert Auditorium. The plot of the clever            "My favorite part," Broderick shared, "was          Tri-School Productions always say, ‘We’re a family,’
     "whodunit" fall play, directed by Lawrence Long, revolves around the        working with Mr. Long, Mr. Soi, Ms. Peng and        and it’s true. Because of this family, I’ve made
     murder of an eccentric crime boss billionaire, J. Leslie Arlington.         the numerous others in the cast and crew who        friends for life. Being in Tri-School Productions has
                                                                                 set aside their time and contributed to making      been the best part of my high school experience. It
     Each of the eight quirky suspects commits some sort of absurd crime—        each performance a success."                        has made the good times better and the bad times
     from a botched diamond heist to a hamster’s untimely death to an                                                                more bearable."
     illegal term paper mill. Detective Casey Neptune (played by Serra’s         NDB junior Isabella Hildebrand-Veccia played
     talented Nolan La Mar) must analyze these eight bizarre alibis, which       theatre diva Davina Arlington.                      Long said the atmosphere during rehearsals and
     are mini stories within the main story. La Mar, in a quasi narrator role,                                                                       performances was filled with fun
     handled each alibi vignette with candor, humor and a dash of sass.          "Davina always needs to be in the spotlight                            and camaraderie between the
                                                                                 and will never pass up a chance to tell a story,"                        Tri-School actors and stage
     "Coming back to live theater for the first time in more than two years,     Hildebrand-Veccia noted. "She has a larger-                                crew students.
                 The Alibis was a choice that allowed more than 50               than-life personality, and I enjoyed including
                     students to participate in the cast and on the crew,"       her nuances while keeping her personality                                     "This hilarious murder
                        said Visual & Performing Arts Chair Lawrence             alive. I loved this show because everyone                                      mystery was a wonderful
                          Long. "The play features eight separate stories,       was comfortable taking risks to develop their                                  chance for our 28
                           which are the alibis of the main characters. Each     characters. My favorite thing about Tri-School                                  student performers to
                           story has its own unique feel, genre, pace and        Productions is the family that comes with it. In                                 shine in their light, and
                            theme."                                              this production alone, I've become infinitely                                    for our 26 members of
                                                                                 closer with the people I already knew, and I've                                  stage crew to learn the
                             Serra senior Will Broderick played the butler,      made new friends as well."                                                       process of putting on
                            Warwick. He described his character as                                                                                                a theatre production,"
                            "hardworking and stern with a silly, goofy side."    Mercy senior Erin Colville                                                       he added. "It was a
                                                                                 played Chef Karen.                                                               great way for us to
                                                                                 "I enjoyed playing                                                              come back to Tri-School
                                                                                 Karen because I got to                                                         Productions and live
                                                                                 have a French accent,                                                           theater."

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CAMPUS LIFE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                CAMPUS LIFE

         THE SUCCESS OF MUSIC IS ROOTED IN THE

          Emotional Connection

       NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR JOE MURPHY
                                                                                                                          great place to work," Murphy said.        of private students, with more than       position was with Tierra Linda in San
              A VISIONARY TO LEAD                                                                                         "The visions that I have for what I       100 young musicians in All-State          Carlos, where he grew his program to
              SERRA'S MUSIC PROGRAM                                                                                       hope to do with the program will
                                                                                                                          come to fruition because of the
                                                                                                                                                                    bands in California, many of them
                                                                                                                                                                    earning first chair in their respective
                                                                                                                                                                                                              be locally renowned.
                                                                                                                                                                                                              It is a rarity for a teacher to have
                                                                                                                          support of the administration and all     bands, meaning they were the top          qualified instrumental and choral
                                                                                                                          of the kids buying into the program."     musicians in their section that year.     experience, according to Serra High
                                                                                                                          Murphy began teaching at La Canada Murphy's first full-time music                                   continued on next page
                                  On December 6, at Serra’s       in its performance of the National Anthem               High School in Southern California at
                                  Christmas Concert, student      at the start of a game in October. The pep band         age 20, while pursuing his bachelor’s
                                  musicians and singers           will also play at basketball games this winter.         degree from Cal State Northridge
                                  received a standing ovation     The Serra Jazz band grew from 10 to 24 musicians        in music and tuba performance. He
                                  for their talent from a crowd   this semester, as well. The Tri-M Honors Society is     began as a low brass coach, but soon
                                  of pleased concert-goers.
                                  It appears that standing
                                                                  thriving at Serra with 10 new inductees. Murphy
                                                                  has also created a curriculum that supports a digital
                                                                                                                          after was offered a job as assistant
                                                                                                                          band director.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      "I really want this
                                  ovation has just as much to
                                  do with its performers
                                                                  production class. Next fall, he will introduce a
                                                                  beginning band class for students who might have
                                                                                                                          While in college and teaching at La
                                                                                                                          Canada, Joe studied and performed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       music department
                                  as it does with new Music       never picked up an instrument.
                                  Director, Joe Murphy.
                                                                  "I really want this music department to be a place
                                                                                                                          with the Santa Barbara Symphony,
                                                                                                                          Inland Empire Symphony, Redlands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         to be a place for
                                   In just one semester,          for everyone—we have a place for every kind of          Symphony, Antelope Valley Symphony
     Murphy has given the Serra music department the jolt
     it needed to spring into action following pandemic
                                                                  musical experience," Murphy said.                       and the Antelope Symphony—a                                                                everyone—we have
                                                                  Murphy came to Serra at the start of the 2021-2022      group of symphony orchestras
     protocols that paralyzed music departments across the
     country.                                                     academic year. He brought with him more than 20         commonly referred to by musicians                                                             a place for every
                                                                  years of leadership experience in the educational       as the "Freeway Symphony." A day
     "It was really tough at the beginning of the school year,"
     Murphy said. "While we didn’t have to wear masks, we
                                                                  and musical fields, having last been the acclaimed      in the life of a symphony player in the
                                                                                                                          Los Angeles area requires a certain
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          kind of musical
                                                                  band director at Tierra Linda Middle School in the
     did have to haul our equipment outside and then tear                                                                 determination, not just in music but
     it down following a short practice, so getting back has
                                                                  San Carlos School District since 2005.
                                                                                                                          also in patience, as each musician                                                                 experience."
     been slow."                                                  Murphy’s musical knowledge and talents are              spends a lot of time driving congested
                                                                  diverse. For the past 20 years, he led symphonic        LA freeways, Murphy noted.
     But COVID-19 regulations haven’t slowed Murphy down.                                                                                                                                                                           – j o e m u rp h y
                                                                  bands, jazz bands, A capella choir groups,
     This semester alone, he has multiplied the Tri-School        marching bands and orchestras at the middle and         Performing on the big stage was
     Choir, which now boasts 43 members. His pep band             high school levels.                                     coupled with his launch of his private
     played at football games and even supported the choir                                                                studio. Since its inception in the late
                                                                  "It’s honestly been an incredible move. Serra is a      1990s, Murphy has trained hundreds
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