Two-time Olympic gold medal saber fencer, Mariel Zagunis ’03 won the World Cup in New York City the evening of Saturday, June 19.  After defeating fellow American Ibtihaj Muhammad (Maplewood, N.J.) in the quarterfinals, Mariel secured the title with a win over Reka Benko of Hungary, 15-13.

The World Cup marks the first international competition in New York City since 2004. The fencers will look to reach their peak in Brooklyn as it is one of the last international events before the World Championships in Paris, Nov. 4-13.

To read the full story click here.

After graduation from Valley Catholic last year, Chris Kiefer ’09 decided to attend Carroll College in Montana. Already in his freshman year, Carroll presented him with an award for the Outstanding Freshman in Math, Engineering and Science. This award is given out to the top students of each level and is based on overall GPA, faculty perception of the student, and performance in math, engineering and computer science classes.

Dr. Holly Zullo, one of Chris’ professors describes him as “a delight to have in class.” Way to go, Chris!

The Golden Reunion Dinner honors alumnae celebrating their 50th reunion and every five years prior. This year’s event will honor the classes of ’55, ’50, ’45 & ’40.

Friday, June 11, 2010
Prayer Service
5:15 p.m.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel
SSMO Convent

Golden Reunion Dinner
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
SSMO Convent Dining Room

Are you considered missing? Check our Missing Alumni List to make sure you receive invitations and information from your Alumni Relations Office.

Students organize first ever school-sponsored community concert May 15 to help ‘08 alum with cancer treatments

Danny Keagbine '08

Valley Catholic students are joining forces with bands from around the Portland area to put on an outdoor public concert on the school’s soccer field Saturday, May 15.

While a good time is sure to be had by all in this unique show featuring local bands and young Portland talent, the energy to organize the production is driven by one thing only. Valley Catholic students are doing whatever they can to raise money for their friend and 2008 alum Danny Keagbine who is battling cancer.

Keagbine has been undergoing extensive treatment for Ewing Sarcoma since August 2009. Organizers of the concert, hope to make a significant difference by raising thousands of dollars to help defray Keagbine’s medical costs. The “Groovin’ for a Cure” concert promises something for everyone, including reggae, blues and funk. Local bands Waiting in Vain, Daniel Bedlam, Pseudophilis, Tijuana Poop Smugglers, and Speakeasy have been handpicked by a senior and bass player at Valley Catholic. Read the rest of this entry »

Sister M. Callista (Geraldine) O’Connor was born on May 5, 1927 in Washburn, Iowa. She attended elementary school for grades 1–7 in Rapidan, Minnesota before her family moved to Stayton, Ore. where she graduated from St. Mary’s Elementary School. She graduated from St. Mary of the Valley High School (now known as Valley Catholic).

Sister was received as a novice by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon in 1943 and became known as Sister M. Callista. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisc. in 1962, a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Portland in 1969.

Music coursed her veins and energized Sr. Callista throughout her life. She could play the theme of the “Magificent Seven” as a waltz, polka or a march! Sister Callista had a zest for life and believed in possibilities while thinking outside the box.

Sister’s teaching career began in 1945 at St. Mary of the Valley. In the years that followed, when not a student at Alverno College, she taught music, served as head of the Music Department, or as Music Coordinator for the Community in these schools: Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Agatha, Holy Cross in Portland; St. John the Baptist and Christ the King in Milwaukie; St. Boniface in Sublimity; St. Mary’s in Stayton; Sacred Heart in Tillamook, St. Francis in Roy; Visitation in Verboort; St. Matthew in Hillsboro; and St. Cecilia in Beaverton. Her last teaching assignment was at St. Lucy School in Long Beach, Calif. where she taught while also serving as the caregiver for her mother.

Even when she retired in 1991 she continued to share her love for music with Valley Catholic School 7th graders who visited with her as part of their Middle School program. Sister Callista was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but continued to exercise by swimming until recent months. Sister died at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon on March 14. May she rest in peace.

Memorial offerings may be directed to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Retirement Fund.

May she rest in God’s embrace!

Nearly 125 alumni from the classes of 1943-2009 and their guests turned out the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 28 for the 5th Annual Alumni Reception and Valley Catholic musical performance: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With more than double the attendance this event has seen in previous years, the afternoon was lively and full of laughter, colorful desserts and guests from all ages!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, hailed one of the world’s most popular musicals and the biggest production in campus history, brought together the entire K-12 school in a fresh and exciting production. As one alumna said, “The performance was energizing and highly entertaining! We appreciated the opportunity to see how our school has changed and grown since [my sister and I] were students there. Thanks again for this opportunity.”

On behalf of Valley Catholic students of all ages, a warm “thank you” for making this performance special through your support and attendance. We hope to see you back on campus soon!

Sr. Adele Marie shows some Alum Kids around the refreshment table	Guests enjoy refreshments far right: Miyuki Michelle Yoshida '85
Carol Spiering '60 (left) and her older sister, Sr. Joan Spiering, RGS '58 (right) share an afternoon out with friend Sr. Elizabeth Schille, RGS (center)

Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Mariel Zagunis ’03, was honored Sunday, Jan. 31 at The 58th Annual Oregon Sports Awards at the Nike World Campus in Beaverton. Mariel, who won gold in women’s saber fencing at the Athens Olympics in 2006 and at Beijing in 2010, took home Harry Glickman Professional Athlete of the Year award for women at the sold-out event.

Trail Blazers guard Roy took the Harry Glickman professional athlete honor for men for the third consecutive year. Other winners included Heisman Trophy finalist and Ndamukong Suh who won the Bill Hayward Amateur Athlete award for men, and Paul Allen, who is in his 21st year as owner of the Trail Blazers, who won the Merit award for longtime service.

The two-hour event at the Tiger Woods Center honors the Oregon’s top athletes, coaches and teams for their performances in 2009 or lifetime achievements. Bill Schonely, the Portland Trail Blazers’ founding broadcaster/ambassador, served as show ambassador.
Featured categories include the Bill Hayward Amateur Athletes of the Year (male and female), the Harry Glickman Professional Athletes of the Year (male and female) and the Slats Gill Sportsperson of the Year.

The Oregon Sports Awards began in 1948 as the Hayward Banquet of Champions. The event was discontinued after 1996 but returned in 2002 and has been held as the Oregon Sports Awards for the past nine years, with a new, stage-show format and many added award categories. The event is sponsored by Nike, the Portland Tribune, Comcast SportsNet, Les Schwab Tires, Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors, Portland Trail Blazers, Dick’s Sporting Goods and SportsOne.

Nicole Krieger Libal ’97, a senior research assistant in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine (APOM) laboratories, was recently honored as “Technician of the Year” by the Oregon branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (OAALAS). The annual award recognizes a technician from Oregon for “leadership, showing initiative, having good problem-solving skills, being a reliable and hard worker, going above and beyond his or her duties, being mature, trusted and well-liked as well as being a good team player.”

As a senior research assistant in APOM for over three years, Nicole (pictured at left in her senior yearbook) manages the department’s mouse breeding colonies and provides surgical and technical support for ongoing pre-clinical research. Investigators regularly comment on her “professionalism, productivity, communication and [her] sensitivity to their research needs.” Her research and work have resulted in system changes that have improved efficiency and information and protocols for grants. According to her nomination form, “Nicole learns and applies technical skills while subsequently improving animal care and research outcomes.”

Nicole was also awarded the Dan Wilkins Travel Award at the annual OAALAS banquet on Jan. 22. The travel award covers expenses for her to attend the District 8 AALAS meeting in Arizona this May.

Prior to coming to APOM, Libal worked at the OHSU-Oregon National Primate Research Center as a laboratory animal research technician II. She has a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in animal sciences.

OAALAS is one of nearly 50 regional and branch groups of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS). AALAS is the premier forum for the exchange of information and expertise in the care and use of laboratory animals. Since 1950, the organization has been dedicated to the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals and the quality research that leads to scientific gains that benefit people and animals.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Alumni Reception
1 p.m. – Cafeteria

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
2 p.m. – Kelly Auditorium

Please R.S.V.P. by Feb. 19 to join us and include the names of guests.
Alumni Relations Office: alumni@ssmoministries.org or 503.906.1145

Tickets are free for alumni and their immediate family or a special guest. Seating is limited.

Valley Catholic Drama presents one of the world’s most popular musicals and the biggest production in campus history – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Joining middle and high school students playing the iconic roles of Joseph, the Narrator, the Pharaoh, Joseph’s brothers and many others, will be the Valley Catholic Elementary School chorus, bringing together the entire K-12 school in a fresh and exciting production!

What is the most important thing to bring with you to college?

     A) Shower shoes
     B) Duct Tape
     C) Easy Mac
     D) Laundry quarters

The answer, as you might expect, depends on YOU.

The 17th Annual Young Alumni Day was a record-breaking event as 24 alumni from the classes of 2008 and 2009 returned to campus Thursday, December 17 to participate in this highly anticipated panel discussion with Valley Catholic seniors. A tradition developed by the Alumni Relations Office and the College Counseling Office, Young Alumni Day provides a unique opportunity for recent graduates to return to campus and share their university experiences with seniors and provide current relevant information about leaving high school in pursuit of higher education. The discussion, which covered a wide range of topics, was led by College Counselor, Joe Bernard. Strategies for living with roommates, balancing academics and social life and selecting the best professors were among the topics discussed.

Cancelled due to weather in 2008, this year’s Young Alumni Day panel included two years of graduates and a more in-depth look into collegiate life. The diverse university experiences of young alumni also added to the discussion; panel members are attending universities ranging from private to public to international.

After the presentation, young alumni and Valley Catholic faculty reconnected over a lunch reception hosted by the Alumni Relations Office. The class of 2010 boasts 98 members and will graduate June 5, 2010.