Volume 8, Issue 4 July, 2012

A Newsletter for Alumni & Friends of St. John Eudes School

Visit us at www.sjeschool.net Inside This Issue: Special Thanks 2 A Class of Peacemakers: SJE Class of 2012 to Our Special Going Forward – but Invited to Come Back Supporters The Pulse: News 3 About SJE Alumni & Friends In a Lighter Vein 3 Teaching the 4 Values of Respect and Responsibility Fun at the 4 Summer Carnival

Highlights: • Class of 2012 Carries Hope of Peace; Strong in Faith • Special Supporters The Class of 2012 poses for the traditional graduation picture in Nugent Plaza with Mrs. Gunter, Ms. Stula, Mrs. Danowitz Help Maintain Edu- and Fr. Lecomte. With their vision of hope as“Peacemakers”, the class is strengthened by faith in their mission. cational Excellence, Their faces sparkled with anticipation. If not usual that fi rst graders go through what Aid to Families fatigued, they didn’t show it, regardless of the you did, when you lost precious Angela.” She • SJE School Wel- busy week fi lled with graduation activities, and continued, “The love and support . . . becom- comes New Parish even longer years of preparation, leading up to ing a tight family . . . demonstrated what it is to Business Manager this evening. The 8th Grade Peacemakers of St. followers of Christ.” A graduation photo of • Alumna Heads to John Eudes School processed forward for their their departed classmate, Angela Abbene (who Peru with Peace last moments together, ready was lost in a car accident), Corps; Hopes to Be- to listen to encouraging words, framed and signed by each The love and support . . . come Brain Surgeon wistful blessings, and to cel- becoming a tight family student, was presented to the • Sr. Encarnación ebrate the culmination of their . . . demonstrated what Abbene Family. Retires After 30 elementary accomplishments. it is to be followers of Charitee Boyd, class vale- Years at SJE; ’ll “Go forward, and - come Christ. dictorian, thanked the teach- Miss You Sr. ! back!” pastor Fr. Gérard ers and staff and invoked her Lecomte told the Class of 2012. Calling the classmates, “. . . never forget the wonderful • Brothers Make twenty-seven graduates, “a vision of hope,” times, blessed with joy, so that we may bless Student Leadership he suggested they meet the challenge, “to live, [the world] . . . we can do all things with faith.” a Family Affair discovering new things, teachers, friends, fol- Aubree Aguinaga, one of the two recipients • Respect and lowing what you learned at SJE. You are strong of the Luke Gaines Memorial Scholarship, Responsibility Key enough to work toward new realities,” said Fr. had used the SJE acronym: “See Jesus Every- to Moral Education Gérard, reminding the students, “. . . you CAN where”, in her winning essay, and presenter • Students, Alumni, come back. am all ready to be invited to Mrs. Molly Gaines remarked the idea speaks Friends Make share a pizza; to gather and share.” to the faithful essence of the class. Jesse Baza Summer Carnival Principal Mrs. Barbara Danowitz noted the noted heartfelt memories of his time at SJE Successful, Fun students had much practice in sharing, “It’s (Continued on page 2) Class of 2012 (Continued from page 1) A Special Thanks to Our Special Supporters in presenting a memorial scholarship in For over almost fi fty years, St. John Eudes School has been building character and honor of brother, Diego Baza, to Spencer self-esteem in students through respect for individual differences and our common Niehaus. beliefs. We have also strongly supported family and community values through the After the presentation of additional teaching of Christian standards and morality. This approach, along with an excep- honors, the exuberant graduates received tional academic program, assures that we are providing a quality Catholic educa- diplomas, moved tassels from left to right, tion to our children. We are very appreciative of those alumni and friends who and strutted forward into the ever hopeful have donated to our school to help us achieve these goals. Their support is vital to future, held together fondly, openly armed allowing us to continue our Christ centered mission. with faith, and purely appreciating the In recognition of the support we receive from our donors, we would like to time spent together, with their class motto acknowledge those alumni and friends who have contributed to the SJE School of remembrance resonating: “You will be Annual Fund Campaign and the Adopt-A-Student Program during the 2011-2012 with me like a handprint on my heart.” school year. These special donors have made the continued excellence of our Congratulations graduates! Surely the school program possible and have provided the means for us to provide a Catholic handprint of the SJE Class of 2012 will education to children of families that would be otherwise unable to afford it. We remain with all who had the privilege of are blessed to have these donors as members of our extended school community. knowing you. Godspeed! 2011-12 Adopt-A-Student Program Eagle’s Club - up to $249 Additional scholarship and award recipients Adoptive Donors - $500 and More Victor & Ellen Abbene were: Cristina Medina - Sr. Rosemary Scholar- Beverly Banks ship, Freddy Cantarine - Sr. Laura Scholarship Carl & Imelda Boyd Kevin & Gabrielle Breard Claudio & Jingmel Capra , Maeve Martinez - PTSO/Room Parents, Fu- Pierangela Castaneda ture Leader of Chaminade, President’s Award Chad & Becky Rach Angelle Roussel John Chady for Excellence, Spencer Niehaus - PTSO/Room William & Gail Cody Parents, Notre Dame HS Leadership, Mad- Elisabeth Star Richard Zeisel Steven Csiszar eline Multer - PTSO/Room Parents, Charitee in Memory of June Zeisel Il D’Auria Boyd - Knights of Columbus, Future Leader of Dolores DiCecco Chaminade, President’s Award for Excellence, 2011-12 Annual Fund Campaign Arle DuBois-Javellana Aubrey Aquinaga - Knights of Columbus, (Campus Safety Improvement Campaign) Carmen Frasca Justin Koochof - Knights of Columbus, Angela PlatinumHeart Circle - $5,000 and More Gail Glasser Neglio - Knights of Columbus, Alexis Vitar - Chad & Becky Rach John Hoh Future Leader of Chaminade, Serina Gar- Sam Homseih cia - St. Genevieve HS Spirit Award, Amaris GoldenHeart Circle - $2,500 to $4,999 Leila Iler Vasquez - Luke Gaines Memorial Scholarship, The William H. Hannon Foundation Virginia Keeling St. Genevieve HS Spirit Award, Jeremiah Lyn Ronald & Susan Lukas Susas - Principal’s Recognition Award. SilverHeart Circle - $1,000 to $2,499 Donald & Suzanne Martin SJE honors at graduation and/or high school Michael Halloran William & Nancy McSweeney honors at entrance were awarded to: Chari- Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hynes Maria Menjivar tee Boyd, Maeve Martinez and Alexis Vitar Gabriel & Phyllis Kalenian Debra M Merrit (Chaminade), Nicholas Motola (Crespi), Union Bank of California Mr. & Mrs. Nick Milazzo Spencer Niehaus and Jeremiah Lyn Susas Matching Gift Courtesy of Carl & Imelda Boyd Mike & Jennifer Prince (salutatorian). C. Dennis & A. Winslow Loomis Brian Reilly The members of the graduating class are: Weber Family L. Relatos Aubree Aguinaga*, Charitee Boyd*, Frederick Michael Rueda Calasanz Council - $500 to $999 Cantarine*, Serina Garcia, Michael Her- Elva Sahugun rington*, Justin Koochof*, Nolan Pascal Loza, Gary & Jan Boudreau Michael & Juanita Saso Paolo Manlucu*, Maeve Martinez*, Cristina Carl & Imelda Boyd Jose Schnaider Medina*, Anthony Mena, Kathryn Mendoza*, Rick & Christine Crandall Mr. & Mrs. Seniyon Nicholas Motola*, Madeline Multer*, Angela Elisabeth Star Mr. & Mrs. Mel Spratley Neglio, Spencer Niehaus*, Matthew Rueda, Julie Corcoran Stranges Peyton Shaffer, Jonah Simon, Jeremiah Lyn Montal Council - $250 to $499 Virgilio & Consorcia Suizo Susas, Timothy Tagle, Amy Thompson*, Alec Robert & Florence Guest Brent & Maralinda Thorell Ure, Amaris Vasquez, Alexis Vitar*, Katherine Teresa Petach Edward & Ann Marie Tinsley Wagner, Andrew Zazueta, Angela Abbene+. Susan Zambetti-Ruda (*9 year, K-8, member of the class) Page 2 The HeartBeat The Pulse: News About SJE Alumni & Friends Erin ’Neill (’94) attended Portola is currently working at a Middle School and was enrolled in the summer job in Malibu, Highly Gifted Magnet Program. She but she will be join- then attended the Highly Gifted Magnet ing the Peace Corps in Program at Hollywood High School. She September. Her Peace participated in the People to People Orga- Corps duties will involve nization where she was a student ambas- teaching health sciences sador for the United States and travelled in Peru for two years. to various countries. After high school, Her goal is to eventually she attended the University of California, become a neurosurgeon. Berkeley, where she majored in Business. We welcome Jordi After graduating from UC Berkeley, she Combs as the new worked for Washington Mutual Bank, Business Manager of St. Countrywide, and Bank of America – John Eudes Parish. Mr. where she is now a Vice President of Combs stepped in on a Investor Relations. During her working temporary basis to help Sr. Encarnación welcomes visitors to her classroom during Open House. Many career, she also earned her MBA from the Fr. Gérard when SJE alumni will remember the California mission model they built while in her 4th Anderson School of Management at the Pastoral Administrator Grade class. As Sr. “E” retires from teaching at SJE, she plans on spending some University of California, Los Angeles. Deacon Bob Seidler ac- time in Spain during the summer before beginning her post SJE School ministry. She enjoys traveling and hiking, and is a cepted the position of assistant to Auxiliary Sr. Encarnación Alvarez, Sch. P., member of the Sierra Club. Bishop Gerald Wilkerson is retiring from teaching after 52 years as Giaconda Zoller ’04 attended last January. Upon the an educator, with 30 years of service to Chaminade College Prepara- advice of the Parish Fi- the students and families at St. John Eudes tory and was active in the Life nance Council, Fr. Gérard School. She has dedicated her life to the Teen Program. Her involvement appointed him offi cially Sisters of the Pious Schools − teaching while at Chaminade earned her to the position effec- children the love of God. Her impact at the Chaminade Spirit Award and tive July 1. As Business SJE School has been tremendous. Provid- she graduated in 2008. She then Manager, Mr. Combs (Continued on page 4) attended Regis University at will be working closely Denver, Colorado, and majored in with Mrs. Danowitz and Neuroscience (being allowed to the Parish School Board In a Lighter Vein . . . directly observe brain surgery as to coordinate parish and a student). As the team manager, school fi nances, ac- Teacher: What does your father do for she also enjoyed traveling around Jordi Combs tivities, projects, main- a living? the country with the Regis Lacrosse tenance, and a number of other important Jimmy: He is a magician. He cuts Team. She graduated from Regis in 2012 matters. We welcome Mr. Combs to our people in two. with a B.S. degree in Neuroscience and school and parish community! Teacher: Do you have any brothers or You just have to wonder sisters? if politics runs in families because these three Jimmy: Yes, one half-brother and one Niehaus Family brothers half-sister. were each SJE Student Council President when Do your own magic by making a they were in 8th Grade! Taylor ʼ07 (left) graduated donation appear for St. John Eudes from Notre Dame HS in School. Donations are tax deductible 2011 and is now attending and help the worthy cause of provid- Sonoma State University. Austinʼ09 (center) is now a ing a quality Catholic education to senior at Notre Dame HS. deserving children. Your donation to Spencer ʼ12 is continuing the Annual Fund, Adopt-A-Student the family tradition and will enter NDHS in the Program, Endowment, or other fall. Participation in the general or specifi c gifts is greatly Student Council allows appreciated. To donate please contact students to get involved with special projects and the School Offi ce (818) 341-1451 or to develop leadership skills visit our website at www.sjeschool.net. that will aid them in high Thank you! school, college, and into adulthood.

Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 3 Teaching the Values of Respect and Responsibility St. John Eudes School An integral component of a Catholic purpose, make amends for wrongdoing, 9925 Mason Avenue school is moral education. Teachers and and take responsibility for improving their Chatsworth, CA 91311 administrators need to project a clear behavior. Phone: (818) 341-1454 sense of their moral authority - their right Fax: (818) 341-3093 Catholic schools seek to develop the and duty to teach students respect and re- Christ-like person. Part of being Christ-like www.school.stjohneudes.org sponsibility and to hold them accountable requires people to accept responsibility Fr. Gérard Lecomte, CJM to those standards of behavior. for their actions and to respect others. The Pastor A moral education approach to discipline rules established in Catholic schools foster Mrs. Barbara Danowitz uses discipline as a tool for teaching the growth in the value of self-responsibility. Principal values of respect and responsibility. This Catholic school students are taught approach holds that the ultimate goal of to recognize the presence of Christ in A Community of Faith discipline is self-discipline – the kind themselves and others. This reverence for is a community of learners of self control that underlies voluntary people permeates all aspects of school life. who recognize and nourish compliance with just rules and laws, that They seek to be “Christ-centered Zones.” God-given gifts. is a mark of mature character, and that a These attitudes hopefully will carry over civilized society expects of its citizens. into adult life so that the homes of Catho- Parents play a vital role in the moral lic school graduates will be “Christ-cen- discipline of the school by supporting tered Homes.” (AmericanCatholic.org) the school and its teachers and being May God continue to help us guide our moral mentors themselves in the teach- children daily along the right path. ing of right and wrong. Parents need to Barbara Danowitz reinforce at home what is being taught in school. Most importantly, parent Stand Up for Religious Freedom 1966-2011 must trust in their child’s A ruling by the .S. Dept. of Health & Human Ser- teacher’s sense of fairness vices that requires religious organizations to offer Celebrating 45 Years and values (Educating for health plans that include contraceptives and aborti- of Excellence in Character). facient drugs violates our faith and will gravely and adversely impact Catholic schools. Contact your Catholic Education Rule setting or norms U.S. senators and congressional representative now is an ongoing effort to to stop this mandate. More information is available The HeartBeat develop a good moral on our parish website at www.stjohneudes.org. community in the school. A publication of the It establishes St. John Eudes School Development Offi ce and enforces consequences in Ernie Star, Director an educational Contributing Writers: way that help Ellen Abbene Eva Star students ap- The Pulse preciate a rule’s (Continued from page 3) ing students with a strong spiritual and educational founda- tion, Sr. Encarnación has instilled excellent work habits in her students, and developed students’ organizational skills. We will miss her very much. We pray for her as she continues to do God’s work as He calls her to new endeavors here or in Spain. And wish her much happiness as she begins the next phase of her ministry! A special thanks to Mrs. Tiffany Pascali, who will be leav- ing the school after six years of service. We wish her success and blessings in her future endeavors. We also wish to thank and congratulate our school secretary, Mrs. Lauren Dottore Thanks to all our students, families, alumni and friends who helped make our SJE 2012 who has obtained her Master’s Degree and is leaving to begin a Summer Carnival such a success! Thousands of visitors enjoyed the great rides, games, new career in counseling. Best wishes also to Fr. Kenneth food, bingo, entertainment, and dancing. And lucky winners won $8,000 cash in the Chukwu who was in residence at SJE for the last 7 years and Grand Prize Drawing. The carnival was held on Memorial Day / Pentecost Weekend and culminated with the Multi-Cultural Mass and Festival which celebrated the wonderful recently moved to our Our Lady of Peace Parish in North Hills. cultural diversity in our parish. Visit www.sjecarnival.org to get more information about the carnival and see pictures of all the fun! Page 4 The HeartBeat