Bishop O’Dowd High School Magazine D R A G A Culture of Connection O FALL/WINTER 2019 N INCLUDING 2018 - 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Thank you for your support “I love being a Dragon. I am so blessed that O’Dowd teachers and coaches gave me their time and energy, and educated me to improve my life, my family’s life, and communities around me. I will continue to do everything I can to help.” -Garry Hill-Thomas ‘00 O’DOWD’S ANNUAL FUND ENSURES THAT EVERY STUDENT AT O’DOWD FINDS OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE THE FULLEST EXPRESSION OF THEIR TALENTS AND CURIOSITY. EVERY GIFT CONTRIBUTES TO ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF O’DOWD STUDENTS’ LIVES AND LEARNING. Make your gift today at www.bishopodowd.org/give TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2019 10 21 39 A CULTURE OF CONNECTION: READY OR NOT, HERE’S MATT Alumni News FOSTERING BELONGING FOR BETTINELLI-OLPIN ‘96 STUDENT SUCCESS 44 23 In Memoriam LANDMARK GENEROSITY: LARGEST AND FIRST FAMILY GIFTS TO THE O’DOWD CENTER 26 18 Annual Report 45 ILLUMINATING BEAUTY AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS LIGHTING THE WAY FOR OTHERS: JOSH STAUB ‘93 Write us! The Dragon is published twice a year for alumni, parents, and friends of Bishop O’Dowd High School. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and address changes at
[email protected] or by mail to: Dragon Magazine 9500 Stearns Ave. Oakland, CA 94605 Charism Finding God in all things calls us to: Community in Diversity Strength of Character Academic Excellence Kinship with Creation Social Justice From the Joy PRESIDENT Greetings Dragon Alumni, Parents, and Friends, LEADERSHIP James Childs, MA, MEd As the 2019-2020 academic year began, I felt the same excitement I do every President year at the start of school.