Connection – Summer 2018

ConnectionCHRISTIAN BROTHERS SUMMER 2018 THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 150 Years in California A PUBLICATION FOR THE ALUMNI, PARENTS & FRIENDS OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL CB Leadership Team Lorcan P. Barnes President Chris Orr Principal June McBride Board of Trustees Director of Finance David Desmond ’94 The Board of Trustees at Christian Brothers High School is comprised of 11 volunteers Assistant Principal dedicated to safeguarding and advancing the school’s Lasallian Catholic college preparatory mission. Before joining the Board of Trustees, candidates undergo Michelle Williams training on Lasallian charism (history, spirituality and philosophy of education) and Assistant Principal Policy Governance, a model used by Lasallian schools throughout the District of Myra Makelim San Francisco New Orleans. In the 2017–18 school year, the board welcomed two new Human Resources Director members, Marianne Evashenk and Heidi Harrison. David Walrath serves in the role of chair and Mr. Stephen Mahaney ’69 is the vice chair. Kristen McCarthy Director of Admissions & The Policy Governance model comprises an inclusive, written set of goals for the school, Communications called Ends Policies, which guide the board in monitoring the performance of the school through the President/CEO. Ends Policies help ensure that Christian Brothers High Nancy Smith-Fagan School adheres to the vision of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the District Director of Advancement of San Francisco New Orleans. “The Board thanks the families who have entrusted their children to our school,” says Chair David Walrath. “We are constantly amazed by our unbelievable students. They are creative, hardworking and committed to the Lasallian Core Principles. Assisting Connection is a publication of these students are the school’s faculty, staff and administration. All are working to Christian Brothers High School. achieve the Brothers’ goals set for us by the founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle.” The purpose of the magazine is to “As Chair, I want to thank every Trustee for their dedication to the Lasallian education strengthen the connection between mission. We are sad to have two trustees leave the board this year — past chair John the school and alumni, parents and Nunan and trustee Eileen Schuering. We welcomed trustee Marianne Evashank to the friends; to cultivate community Board and look forward to welcoming Donald Fitzgerald during the 2018–19 school year.” support for assisting CB in its operation and advancement; and to recognize and thank supporters. News items or articles for consideration should be sent to: Kristen McCarthy Director of Admissions & Communications (916) 733–3695 [email protected] 4315 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95820 On the cover (clockwise from top): 2017–2018 Board of Trustees: James Kassis ’59, John Nunan, Br. Dan Morgan, FSC, David Br. Leonard Casper, FSC, 1939; Walrath (Chair), Marianne Evashenk, Stephen Mahaney ’69 (Vice Chair), Mary Ann Burford, Br. Walter Smith, FSC, 1939; Tracy Calvillo, F. Javier Plasencia ’74, Dan Petrocchi ’62, Dr. Heidi Harrison. Br. Gregory Schieffelbein, FSC, 1943; Christian Brothers College faculty circa 1900; Br. James Bisset, FSC, 1981; Most Reverend Archbishop Joseph Alemany Message From the President Summer 2018 Dear Alumni, Families and Friends: I recently watched a trailer for a documentary entitled Won’t You Be My Neighbor? In it, Fred Rogers, of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, says “Love is at the root of everything — all learning, all relationships. Love, or the lack of it.” It struck me that this simple state- ment encapsulates so much of what we, as Lasallian Catholic educators, aspire to, and contend with, as we work to prepare our students for college and life. St. John Baptist de La Salle was an innovator in recognizing that education means touching both the hearts and minds of the students entrusted to our care. In January, I had the blessing of attending a Kairos retreat with members of the senior class. It is such a privilege to spend time with these young men and women and get to know them on a deeper level than typical day-to-day encounters allow. Seeing firsthand the joys and challenges of their young lives is both humbling and inspiring. I am humbled by the challenges of growing up in today’s world and inspired by their resilience and spirit. Each day, our talented educators bring to life the charism of St. John Baptist de La Salle, ever mindful of our Lasallian Core Principles of faith in the presence of God, quality education, inclusive community, concern for the poor and social justice, and respect for all persons. The Brothers, who this summer mark 150 years in California, entrust us with this sacred responsibility. And, every six years, they evaluate us on the strength of our Lasallian Catholic identity in a procedure called the Lasallian Catholic Assessment Process (a process is conducted in Lasallian schools throughout the western and southern United States). In the fall of 2017 we surveyed alumni, families, faculty, staff and administrators leading up to welcoming a team of educators in February of 2018. I’m pleased to share that CB is strong and our students are thriving. We are the largest Catholic high school in the region with students joining us from 74 zip “CB also leads the codes and five foreign countries. The academic programs have never been stronger as region in need-based evidenced by five consecutive years on the Washington Post’s list of “America’s Most Challenging High Schools.” Faith and Christian Service abound in our classrooms, clubs tuition assistance with and activities. CB also leads the region in need-based tuition assistance with 423 students 423 students receiving receiving $2.7 million in assistance last year. $2.7 million in assistance Not content to rest on our laurels, the Securing the Future Campaign (page 19) will last year.” provide vital improvements to our athletic fields and infrastructure and grow the endowment, thereby ensuring that Lasallian Catholic education continues to thrive in Sacramento. We are grateful to the families, alumni and friends who so generously make this mission possible. If you haven’t been to campus in a while, I invite you to stop by for a tour and see firsthand the many reasons that CB is the place to be. Live Jesus in our Hearts! LORCAN P. BARNES, PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS CONNECTION 3 CONNECTED THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS 4 The Christian Brothers 150 Years in California 150 Years in 10 142nd Commencement CAMPUS LIFE California 14 Athletics In 1856, San Francisco’s Archbishop Joseph 16 Arts Alemany began what would become a 12-year 19 CB Ambassadors Securing the Future campaign to bring the Brothers of the 22 Intergalactic Family Dance Christian Schools to California. 24 The Auction: An Enchanted Emerald Evening ALUMNI LIFE 28 Alumni Dinner & Athletic Hall of Fame Combine to Make One Great Night! 32 A “Long” Tradition of Service 34 In Memoriam 35 Sacramento Baseball Hall of Fame 36 Lasallian Education: Giving Students What They Need 38 Class of 1958 Reunion 39 Mary Church, A True “Brothers” Mother 40 Alumni News & Notes 46 Upcoming Reunions 46 Mark Your Calendars! 4 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS CONNECTION St. Mary’s College circa 1876 CONNECTED Following numerous communications with the North American Provincial and the Superior General of the Brothers’ International Institute, Alemany traveled to the Vatican in 1867 to appeal directly to the Pope. His prayers were Archbishop Joseph Alemany (left), Br. Cianan answered with the arrival in San Francisco of Griffin, FSC, Principal St. Patrick Institute eight Christian Brothers in the summer of 1868. 1876–1879; Br. Justin Mahon, FSC, first Brother Visitor of the District Their charge, save the struggling St. Mary’s College and bolster Catholic education in the fledgling state. LASALLIAN TRADITION At a time when California teachers were often recent high school graduates and qualifying The Lasallian tradition of education dates back exams were inconsistent at best, the Christian to 1680 when St. John Baptist de La Salle, a Brothers were known to provide high-quality prominent French priest, founded the Brothers education in a nurturing, faith-filled environ- of the Christian Schools “to give a human and ment. Within ten years of their arrival on Christian education to the young, especially the West Coast, the growing community of the poor and working class.” With great One hundred Brothers began work at elementary schools compassion, insight and vision, De La Salle in Oakland, operating five parish institutions emphasized that all people, especially the fifty years later, and establishing Saint Joseph’s Academy young, have an inherent dignity which comes that tradition in Oakland in 1870. Sacred Heart College from being created in the image of God. To him, opened in downtown San Francisco in 1874 education provided the means to develop this of faith and and St. Patrick’s Institute (now Christian dignity for the well-being of each student as excellence lives well as for the well-being of society. Brothers High School) at the corner of 11th on in what is and K St. in Sacramento in 1876. De La Salle was an innovator in the develop- One hundred fifty years later, that tradition of ment of teacher training programs that now known as faith and excellence lives on in what is now embraced both the art and science of the District of known as the District of San Francisco New teaching. He developed curriculum to meet Orleans. Part of the Lasallian Region of North and challenge the varying needs and abilities San Francisco America of the Institute of the Brothers of the of every student, and was revolutionary in his New Orleans. Christian Schools, the District of San Francisco insistence on education for all, regardless of New Orleans family is composed of more than their ability to pay.

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