Sharine Thenard '96 Honored for Leadership

Girls Inc., a national organization that has served Alameda since 1964, named Dr. Sharine Thenard '96 as one of its Women Who Dare 2012 in recognition of her volunteer work taking care of needy children in Jamaica.

Dr. Thenard was also invited to be the keynote speaker at the 13^th Annual Women Who Dare Awards on March 24. She is among nine women and teens honored by the organization this year. SJND nominated Dr. Thenard for the award.

In September, Dr. Thenard and a team of staff from her Alameda dental practice traveled to a small fishing village in Jamaica to provide dental care for children, many of whom had never seen a dentist.

Last year, Kelsey Johnson '11 was honored with the Women Who  Dare Award for her efforts to establish a safe zone at SJND, in response to nationwide concerns about bullying. And in 2010, Kristina Taylor, chair of the Science Department at SJND, was honored as part of the Women Who Dare effort by Girls Inc. for her work promoting the importance of science education in the community.

Nineties Night in the Pilot Alumni Lounge

Alumni came out for Nineties Night earlier this month before a basketball game and visited in the Pilot Alumni Lounge with some of their former teachers, including Morris Soublet, Bob Sickenger, Phil Gravem, Leon Aksionczyk and Don Holmstedt.

Allan Ballesteros '93, Glen DeGuzman '93, Ronna Wilkom '93 and Cathy Gacad '93

For many of the alumni in attendance, this was the first time back on campus since graduation. "It was great catching up with classmates, and the tour was great," said Amy Truong '99.  

Glen DeGuzman '93 agreed. "Imagine what I could have done if I had classes like these," he said. Glen is also father of student Gianna '15.

Decade Nights have been hosted by the alumni office for a few years, but this is the first year graduates from the 1990s were invited back for the event. The student Foodies Club catered the event with baked brie, goat cheese skewers, fried chicken balls and spiced nuts. Beer, wine and soft drinks were also served.

"This is really nice," said Allan Ballesteros '93, "although, it feels weird to be drinking beer in a classroom!"

After visiting in the lounge, alums headed into Kelly Gymnasium to cheer on the boys varsity basketball team, who won a tough-fought game over St. Patrick-St. Vincent.

Alumni Baseball Game is March 31

The 7^th Annual Ray Freitas Memorial Baseball Game is March 31 at the College of Alameda, and former SJND baseball players are invited to play.

The game is at 11 a.m., and - as in years past - the alumni will take on current SJND baseball players. Suit up to play or bring your friends to watch the Pilots play the SJND alums. The Boosters always cook up a sumptuous feast after the game and former faculty members stop by as well. 

Contact Athletic Director Chris Pondok at 510-995-9434 if you are interested in playing.

Jason Kidd '92 talks to the New York Times about playing for Coach LaPorte

In an article last month entitled "Jason Kidd and the Disappearing Triple Double," Jason Kidd '92 talks with the New York Times about playing for Coach LaPorte at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.

To read more

Basketball Teams Are in Playoffs ... Go Pilots! 

The men's and women's teams are in the Bay Shore Athletic Playoffs and expected to head to post-league play in the North Coast Section later this month. 

The women lost in a tightly contested game against Piedmont in the BSAL playoffs. They were seeded fourth. They are expected to earn a high seed in the NCS playoffs, Div. V. 

The men's team take on Piedmont at home at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Kelly Gym.

If they win, they will likely play Salesian, ranked No. 1 in the Bay Area, at Albany High School on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. The Pilots lost  to the Salesian Pride ealier this season by three. For a complete rundown on BSAL playoffs, go toBayPreps.com. 

31^st Annual Crab Feed and Auction is Best Ever!

More than 430 people filled the Kelly Gym on Jan. 28 to make the 31^st annual SJND Crab Feed one of the most successful ever, with guests raising thousands of dollars for tuition assistance and the athletics program at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.  

The event was sold out, and diners enjoyed plate after plate of crab as well as sweets from the dessert auction. Thank you to everyone who made this such a great event!  

Yearbook Staff: Send Us Your Photos of SJND Legacy Families

Time is the theme for this year's yearbook, and the student staffers are looking for photos of students with alums.

"We are dedicating at least four pages to current students and graduated alums," said English teacher and yearbook moderator Priscilla Mena '05.

"We are asking for pictures of the alums with current students along with info about their year of graduation," she continued.

Please send digital photos to pmena@sjnd.org.

SJND Monthly Alumni E-Newsletter