Volume 7, Issue 4 July, 2011

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

Visit us at www.sjeschool.net Inside This Issue: SJE Students 2 Class of 2011: New Paths Begin Excel in Math at End of the SJE Road Competition Special Thanks 2 to Our Special Supporters SJE Summer 2 Carnival Enjoyed by Students & Families The Pulse: News 3 About SJE Alumni & Friends In a Lighter Vein 3 SJE Students 4 Sought by Area High Schools

Highlights: Msgr. Nugent, Mrs. Thies, Ms. Stula, and Mrs. Danowitz join the Class of 2011 in posing for their graduation picture. SJE students are valued by area high schools for their academic, athletic, and leadership skills. • Graduating Class Ready to Head Down Graduation. Commencement. The end to Avery Banks-Thompson, in honor of their New Paths; Urged to and the beginning, all rolled up into departed son, it was duly noted that our faith Take High Road in Life one neat package. The SJE class of 2011 beautifully impels us to not merely endure, but – a little bit of heaven! – twenty-eight strong, • 6th Grade to Use iPads to excel in the face of challenges. in Fall to Supplement, garnered documents of passage (their grade (Continued on page 2) Replace Books school diplomas) at a ceremony on June 10. • SJE Students Show The close-knit class of seventeen girls and Strength in Math Com- eleven boys listened as classmates, Ashlee petiton; Count High in Macalino, Taylor Barnett and Sarah Wetzel National, State, Local spoke – recommending “love at all times”; Standings giving “thanks to Monsignor Nugent for his • Supporters Thanked pastoral care”; advising “make the world a for Gifts to School, better place.” Principal Barbara Danowitz Tuition Assistance reminded the graduates of their special status as • Alumna to Lead Parish the kindergarten class when she fi rst arrived at Music Ministry; Has SJE. She remarked that individually, and as a Qualifi cations of High Note class, they had seen “many joys and sorrows . . . as followers of Christ, you were there for each • New Pastor to Guide School Community; other.” And urged the graduates, “Take your Welcome Fr. Gérard! experience and effect positive change on the world . . . true to who God made you to be.” • Alumnus of the Year Recognized; Receives Mark and Molly Gaines, profoundly comment- Mrs. Danowitz meets with 6th Grade parents to explain the Award at Gala Dinner ed on the diffi cult, yet providential, circum- new iPad Program which will be implemented at SJE in the fall as part of the school’s technology program. iPads will • Local High Schools stances of life that have touched many of the be used to replace or supplement text books and will also Laud SJE Grads; SJE be used as an integral part of classwork and homework Students on High class members and their families. As they pre- assignments The program will be expanded over the next sented the Luke Gaines Memorial Scholarship three years to include all middle school grades. Schools’ Wish Lists Class of 2011 went to Elena Akins, Taylor Barnett, Ashlee (Continued from page 1) Macalino (also Principal’s Recognition A Special Thanks to Our Other scholarship recipients were: Kelly Award), Sean Milkovich, Sarah Wetzel. Special Supporters Gaines (Diego Baza Memorial), Ash- The graduates stood as the commence- With the completion of the 2010- ley Macalino (Sr. Rosemary, K of C, ment ended and strode out on waves of a 2011 School Year, would like Chaminade Future Leader), Taylor Barnett dedication song, “Go Light Your World.” to acknowledge those Alumni and and Dillon Singontiko (Sr. Laura/Pious Smiling and excited, with elementary Friends who have contributed to the Schools, K of C), Elena Akins (PTSO/ problems and fun behind them, they SJE School Annual Fund Campaign Room Parent, K of C), Gisella Patino and boldly walked forward on their new paths and the Adopt-A-Student Program. Sarah Wetzel (PTSO/Room Parent, Kof C, towards high school and life, holding as Donors are also acknowledged on the Allegretti Memorial NDHS), Olivia Vergel yet unforeseen joys, challenges, compli- school website and on a plaque that Dios (Louisville St. Louis De France cations, rewards and “memories of each will be displayed in the School Offi ce Merit), Maciel Argueta, Avery Banks- other”. The whole community of Saint for the coming year. Thompson and Kayla Francisco (Allegretti John Eudes wishes them well and blesses 2010-2011 Memorial NDHS). them on their way. In the words of Princi- Annual Fund Campaign SJE honors at graduation and/or high pal Danowitz, “We will truly miss you.” PlatinumHeart Circle school honors at entrance were awarded Members of the graduating class are: Bridget Abbene*, Elena Akins*, Alana Altamirano*, Al- $5,000 and More to: Gisella Patino, Olivia Vergel De Dios, berto Alvarez*, Maciel Argueta*, Avery Banks- Ronald & Jeannie Piekunka Logan Reilly, Dana Salim, Delaney Tel- Thompson*, Taylor Barnett*, Tristan Bernal, Chad & Becky Rach ford, Kayla Fransisco, Elena Akins, Taylor Diana Cruz, Kayla Francisco, Kelly Gaines*, Cheynne Gobeli, Blake Jones, Desirae Jones*, GoldenHeart Circle Barnett (Alemany); Ashlee Macalino, Christian Lopez*, Ashlee Macalino*, Natalia $2,500 to $4,999 Dillon Singontiko, Adrian Thangavelu Mendoza*, Sean Milkovich*, Gisella Patino*, Hannon Foundation (Chaminade); Sean Milkovich (Chami- Logan Reilly, Dana Salim*, Brian Saras*, Alex Sedeno*, Dillon Singontiko*, Delaney Telford, SilverHeart Circle nade, Crespi); Sarah Wetzel (Notre Dame). Adrian Thangavelu*, Olivia Vergel De Dios*, $1,000 to $2,499 Sarah Wetzel*. (* denotes nine-year members Gary & Jan Boudreau Presidential Educational Excellence awards of the class from K-8). Montal Council $250 to $499 SJE Students Excel in Math Competition Patricia De La Riva Place in Top 10 in National, State, and Local Rankings Thomas F. Treinen Eagle’s Club For the second year in a row, St. John Eudes School participated in the First In Math pro- Gifts up to $249 gram. First In Math (FIM) included more than 1.2 million students playing on more than Beverly Banks 55,000 on-line teams in 45 states. This math supplement employs “Deep Practice” tech- Patrick & Diana Bennett niques to improve fl uency in the core subject areas, while developing high-order thinking John Chady skills such as mental math, problem solving, pattern sensing, reasoning and number sense. Dolores Di Cecco John Hoh St. John Eudes students, 1st-8th Grades, earned over 422,000 stickers! This means the Garbriel & Phyllis Kalenian students solved over 1,267,000 math problems. At the close of the program, SJE school Steve & Susan Ruda was ranked 3rd in the L.A. Archdiocesan district and 7th in the state! (Continued on page 4) 2010-2011 Adopt-A-Student Program Adoptive Donors $500 and More Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Matching Gift Courtesy of Chad & Becky Rach Rick & Chris Crandall Donald D. Lynch Family Foundation Hannon Foundation Chad & Becky Rach Angelle Roussel Richard Zeisel in Memory of June Zeisel Adoptive Donors up to $500 Joemar & Analyn Dacanay Information about contributing to the Left - The recent SJE Summer Carnival was a great event 2011-2012 Annual Fund and Adopt-A- enjoyed by many school families, friends, and alumni. A highlight was the Multi-Cultural Festival and the Parade Student Program is available on our of Flags, which included many SJE School students & website at www.sjeschool.net. families as participants. Right - Sr. Georgina and Sr. Guadalupe display one of the many fl ags of the parade that afterward fl anked the main stage and represented the wonderful ethnic diversity of our parish and school. Page 2 The HeartBeat The Pulse: News About SJE Alumni & Friends Congratulations to Theresa Abbene in Geology. He graduated from CSUN In a recent message, Sr. Rosemary ’96 who was recently married in San with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May and Bochniarz, Sch. P., former SJE Diego to her fi ancé, Brian Ingino. The is now pursuing a career in logistics and School principal, who is currently working wedding was attended by a number of materiel management. He is also continu- in , , writes “ want to inform friends from SJE. While Theresa’s new ing in his musical interests by performing you that we have another holy Sister status as a wife certainly changes her life, with a community band at various venues whose Cause of Beatifi cation has begun she still plans to continue her work with and events in the So. California area. in Rome. Her name is Pilar Solsona and the Campus Ministry at Notre Dame High Christopher Michail (’03) attended she led a life of heroic virtue. She was one School in Sherman Oaks. High School and was active on of the founding Sisters in Argentina and Congratulations also to Jacyln Beard- the tennis and cross-country teams. He in Japan, a Provincial of Aragon, Assis- sly ’02 on being chosen as the new SJE graduated in 2007 and attended the Uni- tant to the General, etc. We are spreading Music Ministry Director. Jacyln is cer- versity of Southern California, majoring intercessory prayers through her and we tainly well qualifi ed (see the recent Pulse in International Relations and minoring in have a “blessing” to a poor widow here article in the January HeartBeat). We are Political Science. At USC he was active in Eramalloor who has two daughters & proud to have an SJE alumna serving our in sports and was a marathon runner. He recurring breast cancer.” She asks that parish in this important ministry! also traveled extensively going to Uganda we use the intercessionary prayer below when praying for appropriate intercessions Clifton Star ’02 attended Chaminade and Europe – and was an exchange student in Paris. He recently graduated from USC to further the Cause for Beatifi cation for College Preparatory where he particularly Madre Pilar Solsona: enjoyed being active in the music pro- and plans to spend two years with the Peace Corps in Cameroon, Africa. gram. He performed as a trumpet player We give You thanks, with the jazz and concert bands, and was a Mrs. Donna Thies, SJE middle school Lord, because You four year member of the Eagle Regiment teacher and vice principal, has decided to looked on Your marching band. After graduating from leave St. John Eudes to focus on improv- daughter, M. Pilar Chaminade in 2006, he attended Califor- ing her health. Mrs. Thies taught at St. Solsona, with a Fa- nia State University, Northridge, where he John Eudes School for 33 years and has ther’s tenderness and majored in Liberal Studies and minored touched the lives of many students. She enriched her soul will be greatly missed. We thank her for with the Escolapian all her years of service and hope the best In a Lighter Vein . . . charism, love and for her future. humility. Heard in school before summer vacation: Msgr. Peter Nugent, who has been Like her, may we also follow Your path Teacher: Didn’t you promise to pastor at St. John Eudes for the last 10 and transmit Your message. behave? years, retired at the beginning of this month. Jimmy: Yes, ma’am. In thanks for Msgr. Nugent’s service to the And now, glorify Your servant, inscribing Teacher: And didn’t I promise to parish, the Pastoral Council has named the her name in the assembly of the saints. punish you if you didn’t? parish plaza in his honor. Msgr. Nugent And through her intercession, grant us the Jimmy: Yes, ma’am, but since I broke will remain in residence at St. John Eudes grace we ask with confi dence . . . (mention my promise, I don’t expect you to keep during his retirement. We welcome our the intention at this point). yours. new pastor, Fr. Gérard Lecomte, who Glory be to the Father . . . Amen. Teacher: I hope I didn’t see you is a member of the Congregation of Jesus looking at Don’s paper. and Mary (also known as Eudists) which Jane: I hope you didn’t either. was founded by our patron saint, St. John Eudes. We look forward to Fr. Gérard work- We hope you know a donation to St. ing with our school community to further John Eudes School is tax deductible the spirit of St. John Eudes in our parish. and helps the worthy cause of provid- Left - Mark Gendernalik ’86 was recently recognized as ing a quality Catholic education to the St. John Eudes School 2011 Alumnus of the Year. The deserving children. Your donation to presentation was made at the gala dinner held for Msgr. Nugent at the Odyssey Restaurant on April 30. Mark the Annual Fund, Adopt-A-Student was recognized for his work as an educator and for his Program, Endowment, or other testimony before Congress during the recent healthcare general or specifi c gifts is greatly debate. The dinner was attended by over 400 of Msgr. Nugent’s closest friends, relatives, and colleagues. The appreciated. To donate please contact Alumnus of the Year is selected based on nominations the School Offi ce (818) 341-1451 or solicited from friends and alumni of the school. The visit our website at www.sjeschool.net. selection is announced during Catholic Schools Week to celebrate the achievements and contributions made by Thank you! SJE alumni to the community and to provide inspiration for current students and families. Volume 7, Issue 4 Page 3 SJE Students Sought by Area High Schools as St. John Eudes School “Bright”, “Enthusiastic, “Faith-fi lled”, “Well Prepared” 9925 Mason Avenue As is evident in our 2011 graduating class, evaluate the potential of any group of Chatsworth, CA 91311 St. John Eudes School consistently strives middle schoolers is to look at their prede- Phone: (818) 341-1454 Fax: (818) 341-3093 to provide a rigorous curriculum for its cessors. SJE students who come to Chami- students, setting high expectations not only nade are exceptionally well prepared both www.school.stjohneudes.org within the academic curriculum, but also academically and personally. This year, we Fr. Gérard Lecomte, CJM in character development and faith practic- are graduating fourteen incredibly talented Pastor . Presently, the school’s strategy focuses students who matriculated from SJE and Mrs. Barbara Danowitz on connecting curriculum, instruction, and many of them are among the top students in Principal assessment through integrated instruction our senior class. Kudos to SJE for helping and active learning. form such intelligent young A Community of Faith Thanks to the gener- SJE students are “the men and women of faith.” is a community of learners ous donations by most amazing group of Mr. Alec Moss, Admissions who recognize and nourish many for high-tech bright, enthusiastic, and Director at Notre Dame God-given gifts. equipment, SJE is able faith-fi lled students that High School: to incorporate technol- any high school could “We are very fortunate to have ogy in all aspects of wish for.” a great relationship with Mrs. the curriculum. Danowitz and the staff at St. On standardized testing, SJE’s classifi ca- John Eudes. They do an outstanding job tion consistently ranks exceedingly above preparing students for Notre Dame High the median. Upon graduation, our students School.” are qualifi ed to attend the high schools Mrs. Kathleen Vercillo, Principal of of their choice. By receiving multiple Louisville High School: scholarships and meeting the criteria to “Louisville is a better place because of the The HeartBeat enter honor classes in English, math, and graduates from St. John Eude’s School. science, students demonstrate evidence of Alumnae from St. John Eudes are aca- A publication of the St. John Eudes’ level of learning expecta- demically well prepared, mature, respon- St. John Eudes School tions. Development Offi ce sible and get along well with others. They Here is what a few of our local Catholic willingly share their gifts and talents with Ernie Star, Director high school administrators say about SJE the Louisville community as class leaders, Contributing Writers: students: Ellen Abbene, Ricca Francis participating in the visual and performing Eva Star, Jill Stewart Brother Tom Fahy, Principal of arts and as athletes.” Chaminade College Preparatory: Congratulations to our hard working SJE “I look forward to my yearly trip to St. students and families, as well as to the SJE Math Competition John Eudes for a recruitment visit. I bring faculty, staff, administrators, and tutors (Continued from page 2) along four or fi Chaminade students who for their excellent work in preparing the Certifi cates of recognition were given to are SJE alums and the seventh and eighth students for high school and beyond! the students who achieved the highest graders convene in the hall during lunch score in FIM for each class. Our own John time; putting us face-to-face with the most Francis, 6th Grade, was recognized for his amazing group of bright, enthusiastic, and So which high schools are lucky enough to get SJE students? outstanding achievement in First In Math. faith-fi lled students that any high school During the 2010-2011 school year, he could wish for. Perhaps the best way to The following high schools are the for- earned over 40,000 stickers and completed tunate recipients of the noted number of approximately 120,000 math problems, students from the SJE 2011 Graduating all on his own. He was honored with the John Eudes. Congratulations to everyone Class: National FIM All Star trophy as the 8th who participated in First In Math! 8 - Bishop Alemany High School ranked player in the nation, all grades! The following students from each class at St. 5 - Chaminade College Preparatory Marc Francis, 1st grade, was also honored John Eudes School received special recognition: 5 - Notre Dame High School by the First In Math program for being a 1st Grade – Marc Francis (#2 in State, #2 in 3 - Louisville High School top ranked player for all 1st Graders in the Archdiocese); 2nd Grade – Jeremiah Uyanga 2 - Crespi High School State of California. He also happens to (#12 in State, #7 in Archdiocese); 3rd Grade – Nathan Valtairo (#76 in State #44 in Archdiocese); 2 - Camino High School be the only other student ranked in the top 4th Grade – Michael Davis (#9 in State #5 in 2 - High Tech Los Angeles Charter H.S. 100 players, all grades, in the nation. Archdiocese); 5th Grade – Daniel Singontiko; 1 - Simi Valley High School The students’ achievements are a testa- 6th Grade – John Francis (#8th in Nation, #1 in State, #1 in Archdiocese); 7th Grade – Paolo ment to the quality of education at St. Manlucu (#65 in State) Page 4 The HeartBeat