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May 7, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
It was like any school day at Saint
Francis High School dedicated to learn-
ing, but on this particular day in April,
students attended sessions led by alum-
ni and faculty on topics that were practi-
cal how-to’s and otherwise wouldn’t be
covered in a traditional class.
Lancer alumni returned to their
alma mater to talk about what it is like
to work in their respective careers and
the paths they took to get where they
are. Several alumni said they returned
specifically because they remembered
being inspired by these career talks
when they were students.
“In high school, I was in mock trial,
and I thought I was going to be pre-
law,” said Jenn Perkins ’11, who spoke
to a packed room about nursing. “I be-
cause a nurse because of my counselor,
Sherrie Tasnady, and the alumni talks.”
Rufi Alday ’83 also spoke to a full
classroom about his career in sports
Life Skills, Career Tips and Fun Activities for A Day
medicine. He spoke about how his first
foray into this field came when former
football coach Ron Calcagno asked him
to tape his players’ ankles when Alday
was still a student.
“I wanted to give back because Saint
Francis found something in me I didn’t
know I had,” he said.
Junior Anson De Rego enjoyed the
alumni sessions he attended, with at-
torney Brad Libuit ’02 and orthopedic
More information regarding Catholic Schools in the
Diocese of San Jose can be found at www.dsj.org/schools.
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but you thought you couldn’t afford it?
Tuition Assistance Avaliable
for New Families
For more information contact
Department of Catholic Schools
Diocese of San Jose
Dr. Chyrise King
[email protected] - 408-983-0191
surgeon Jeff Bui ’87 sparking new ideas
in him.
“This was a great opportunity to
learn about different career choices,
and it was great to hear people’s stories.
It informs me of what I need to work on
if I go into those fields,” he said.
After the alumni speakers came
teacher-led sessions designed to give
students valuable, practical life skills.
Teachers spoke on topics that ran the
gamut, such as maintaining a bike or
a car, running a company, mastering
the basics of personal finance and acing
an interview. In addition, there were
several sessions that teachers offered
simply because the subject matters
were fun. There was a demonstration
on cupcake decorating, a kazoo orches-
tra, a session on the statistics of poker
and a nature walk around campus,
among others.
Students said they enjoyed the
change of pace and the opportunity to
take a mental break from academics,
participating in activities that were
engaging, interesting or even silly but
all the while still educational.
“Teachers were able to teach some-
thing they were passionate about that
they normally wouldn’t,” said senior
Noah Covarrubias. “This day felt re-
laxed, and I was able to hang out with
my friends.”
Saint Catherine School Presents
Legally Blonde, Jr.
Under the direction of Kris Heiser,
and assisted by Julie Houle, middle
school students at Saint Catherine
School in Morgan Hill presented
three performances of Legally Blonde,
Jr. Typically presenting a fall musical
in which all students can participate,
this was the first time for an all middle
school cast.
The story of a sorority girl going to
Harvard Law included bits of drama
and comedy. Students enjoyed the
lively music and dancing, especially
the number Whipped Into Shape where
students performed a beautifully cho-
reographed number using jump ropes.
For some students this was their first
time in a featured role.
Director Heiser hopes the experi-
The Transitional Kinder-
garten class at Resurrec-
tion School in Sunnyvale
had a special visitor re-
cently. Officer Ochoa, a
Resource Officer from
Sunnyvale Department
of Safety, stopped by to
say hello and made the
day extra special for the
young students.
ence will prepare and encourage stu-
dents to continue with drama in high
school. Thirty-seven students partici-
pated in the play with another twelve
students, parents and alums serving as
members of the stage crew and running
the lights. Students are eager to learn
which play will be chosen for next fall.