NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL BELMONT
News
News
A ‘normal’ girl finds success
May 25, 2010 By Heather Murtagh Daily Journal Staff
BELMONT, CA -
Despite plans to head to Harvard in the fall, Kristina Garrido sees herself as truly average.“I’m so average,” she said. “I’m a normal person from a really small town who is really … just trying to have success in life. I can’t believe I’m getting the chance to go to Harvard. I’m too normal to be doing this.”
Garrido may not think this is reality, but the 17-year-old senior at Notre Dame High School is living it.
“Kristina Garrido personifies our school-wide learning outcomes which describe Notre Dame, Belmont graduates as ‘Women of faith, compassion and integrity; women of intellectual strength and courage; confident leaders; and global citizens,’” said Principal Rita Gleason.
read moreNotre Dame cheer squad wins nationals
March 30, 2010, 03:50 AM By Heather Murtagh Daily Journal Staff
BELMONT, CA -
Twenty Tigers cheerleaders representing Notre Dame High School in Belmont made it home late Sunday night with a national title in tow.
This year’s varsity squad had much to cheer about, including an undefeated season ending with a national title in the large varsity show cheer novice division at the United Spirit Association Nationals in Anaheim. Notre Dame was one of five local high school-aged squads to represent San Mateo County at last weekend’s competition. Mercy, Hillsdale and South San Francisco high schools and all-star squad Rebels Elite also took to the blue mat in a variety of divisions. While Rebels Elite earned a noteworthy second place, Notre Dame was the only school to secure the national title.
Co-captain Ashley Simms, 17, got a bit choked up when describing how Sunday’s win was a testament to the squad’s hard work over the year.
“We screamed and cried and all broke down,” she said of the squad’s reaction to placing number one.
Simms felt the team was truly unified this year, working together well and it showed on the blue mats when the girls hit the routine.
This win was the sixth for the Tigers, who took first in all the competitions they entered this year.
“I’m very proud,” said coach Morgan Craig. “It’s so rare for any team in any sport to go undefeated. It’s unbelievable.”
Craig attributed the hard work of the team and fellow coach Mario Crespin for the victory.
“They were consistent, made no mistakes with energy up,” Craig said of his squad. “They made it look effortless. They knew the routine. They just went out there and entertained the crowd.”
For three seniors, this win is the second in their high school career. The squad won nationals during the girls’ freshman year as well.
Mercy High School’s Crusader Rabbits took on a new challenge this year, competing in the intermediate level. Moving up has meant meeting a higher challenge, but will also prove a beneficial experience to the younger girls, said cheer coach Rebecca Hazen.
Building up to the competition, the squad was focusing on landing a clean routine. Unfortunately, there was one dropped stunt in competition. The squad placed 16 out of 26.
“They did a great job,” said Hazen, who noted the girls were taking on the big dogs in a new division.
Tumbling will be the focus for the next squad, a move that should strengthen their chances next year.
Hillsdale and South San Francisco high schools competed in the same division as Mercy at nationals. Coaches for both squads were not available to comment on how the teams performed.
Rebels Elite are an all-star squad made up of girls who must prove mastery of certain skills to make the cut. Made up of 13 girls from a variety of San Mateo County Schools — Mercy, South San Francisco, Woodside, Mills and Capuchino — the squad took second in its division.
Students From Notre Dame experience Auschwitzthrough the stories of a WWII Jewish Holocaust Survivor
February 19, 2010
BELMONT, CA - Students from Notre Dame were exposed to an insightful history lesson when 85 year old Alice Braun came to share her first-hand account of Europe during WWII and her time at the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. Through the efforts of local relatives Margaret Scheinman, Elan Scheinman, Mackenzie Scheinman ’13, and History teacher, Anne Schaefer-Salinas, Mrs. Braun gave a presentation that engaged the students with her tale of struggle of Nazi-occupied Slovakia, her survival through the concentration camps, and her quest to build a better life with her husband in the United States. Because of her experience, Mrs. Braun has participated in Steven Speilberg’s Shoah Project, a collection of testimonies of those who managed to survive the Nazi Holocaust.
Students From Notre Dame, Belmont Receive Honors in this Year’s WordMasters Challenge
February 10, 2010
BELMONT, CA - Several students representing Notre Dame High School, Belmont recently won honors in this year’s WordMasters Challenge, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry.
In this year’s second meet in December, Ashley Koenigsberg ’11 and Ellen Ebert ’10 earned perfect scores. At the same time, Kristina Kenny ’12 was one of the highest scoring sophomores nationwide. Eliza Hunt ’13 and Sierra Cirimelli-Low ’10 and Samantha Gatt ’10 earned honorable mention. More than 52,000 students from 46 states and three foreign countries entered the meet. Jason Levine, English Department Chair, serves as the moderator for the WordMasters Challenge.
A New Tradition at Notre Dame High School
February 2, 2010, By Kavitha Arulmozhi, ‘12
BELMONT, CA - With a new Admissions Director came a new era of fun and exciting ideas. This year kicked off with “I am Notre Dame” Week – the brainchild of Ms. Alison Bianchetti, ‘99 and the Institutional Advancement Department. “I am Notre Dame” Week celebrated the fun, excitement, and brilliance of every Notre Dame girl as they aspire into women.
“I am Notre Dame speaks to everybody on campus,” said Ms. Bianchetti, “and celebrates what makes us a unique and absolutely amazing community of rock stars. From every athlete to every artist to every student, we join as a community of teachers, friends, and family with pride. Notre Dame is a part of who we are.”
On the first day, students were treated to cookies by the administration as a way to recognize each individual student as a fundamental contributor to the diversity of the school. I am Notre Dame Week is scheduled to coincide with Catholic School’s Week. As a fun way for everyone to appreciate NDB, it reminds us of how lucky we are to be a member of such an incredible
Tailing Turkey
November 15, 2009, 03:27 AM By Heather Murtagh, San Mateo Daily Journal
This year’s Turkey Trot, the second annual, had a longer course thanks to the beautiful weather. Some participants took the time to dress up. Others benefited with participating by winning a free dress day pass — meaning they do not need to wear a uniform. Either way, everyone involved helped others. A $1 entry fee was collected for prizes. Last year’s debut resulted in a $300 donation to Second Harvest, a local food bank.
This year’s head start boded well for the tall turkey who did not have such a lead last year, as the rainy weather inspired a number of last-minute changes to the race.
“I was able to take on one hunter at a time,” Ottersberg said of this year’s race.
The track, which encircled the school twice, proved difficult in the avian getup as Ottersberg, director of campus ministry, dropped to the grass upon reaching the finish line.
The annual event began last year after Director of Student Activities Theresa Vallez-Kelly noted such races seem to take place everywhere she and her husband spend Thanksgiving.
“It’s such a fun way to start the holidays. Also, it makes you feel a little less guilty about all the food,” she said.
Everyone gathered for a prayer prior to heading out. Those not participating were able to follow the turkey. Those running had to wait a bit. This resulted in Ottersberg having at least eight minutes to run solo, as opposed to last year where he did not reach 200 feet before being mobbed by students. Students who reach Ottersberg can collect a feather which was later redeemed for the free dress day passes.
The experience was a positive one for Ottersberg who pointed to the fun and helpful nature of the event as a reason he would participate in future years.
Although the only turkey trotting yesterday, Ottersberg was not the only food item running for others.
Seventeen-year-old Kelly Schaaf, a senior, wore a brown fleece and wrapped a white sheet over white sweats and a necklace sign explaining she was mashed potatoes and gravy. With some water causing the ink on the sign to run, Schaaf noted it made the outfit more gravy-like.
Senior Sarah Hegarty decided to spend the day dressed as a food which she cannot eat: Corn. Hegarty is allergic to corn, an inconvenience she noted since it’s in most foods. Allergy aside, Hegarty seemed to have no visible reaction to her corn-inspired outfit.
Hegarty walked rather than ran the trot with 17-year-old Rachel Owns who dressed as a cranberry.
Many girls wore headbands with feathers. The student and faculty member who came in first will each be awarded a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.
Notre Dame High School, Belmont Recognizes Two Students for Achieving Top Honors in the National WordMasters Challenge
BELMONT, CA (November 16, 2009) Notre Dame High School’s Principal, Rita Gleason, and English Department Chair, Jason Levine, were notified this month that Sophomore Alex Tabing placed among the 100 highest-scoring tenth graders in the country, and Senior Kelly Costello placed among the 100 highest-scoring twelfth grade students nationwide in the WordMasters Challenge, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry. More than 52,000 students from 46 states and three foreign countries entered the meet.
Seniors From Notre Dame High School, Belmont Named Scholars in the National Hispanic Recognition Program
BELMONT, CA (November 16, 2009) Principal Rita Gleason announced that Notre Dame High School Seniors Kristina Garrido and Monique Takla have been named Scholars in the National Hispanic Recognition Program sponsored by the College Board for excellence in academic achievement. The NHRP was initiated in 1983 to identify outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students. This year, the NHRP is recognizing nearly 5,000 students selected from a pool of over 200,000 students who took the 2008 PSAT/NMSQT. Scholar Recognition is based on the PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index Score and a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Notre Dame High School, Belmont STAND Chapter Rocks Out at the L.E.A.P. Benefit Concert
BELMONT, CA (November 11, 2009) Under the dimly lit canopy of the Moore Pavilion in Belmont, local students in San Mateo County rocked out to 3 student-band performances hosted by Notre Dame High School’s chapter of STAND. Entitled the L.E.A.P Benefit Concert (Love, Equality, Advocate, Peace), senior co-presidents, Dani Labat and Andrea Mufarreh, finally saw 3 years of planning come to fruition. “We wanted to hold a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for and about anti-genocide. In particular, we wanted to raise people’s awareness about the current struggles in Darfur, Sudan,” said Dani Labat.
The evening featured student bands from neighboring Saint Ignatius, Junipero Serra, and Carlmont High Schools. In total, the event catered to a crowd of 175 students and raised over $1600.00 for the Genocide Intervention Network.
Notre Dame Ladies Tackle Their First Powder Puff Football Game Event
BELMONT, CA (October 11, 2009) – On an overcast Sunday morning, more than 50 high school seniors and juniors from Notre Dame High School donned in black eye paint and pink hair ribbons met on the school’s field to play Powder Puff football. With the help of student coaches from Junipero Serra High School, and before a crowd of 200 students, parents, volunteers, teachers, and school staff, the ladies played a best-of-three event.
“I wanted a fun event that would bolster the sense of community within Notre Dame and with Serra,” said Lexy Tamony, Notre Dame’s Athletic Director. “When a group of Notre Dame seniors approached me in September with the idea of a Powder Puff game, I thought it was a great idea.”
Taking place in October, the girls that spearheaded the day’s event wanted to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer research. Both girls and boys displayed their support by wearing pink hair ribbons and armbands, and through ticket sales, they were able to raise $450.00 for their cause.
For many of the girls, this was the first time playing a football game. “I had so much fun playing,” said Katie Flaherty ’11. “I will definitely sign up to play again next year.”
The Seniors took game one by defeating the Juniors by one touchdown. The Juniors stole back the spotlight in game two with a 2-point conversion in triple overtime. The final championship game ended in a tie.
Senior From Notre Dame High School, Belmont Honored by the by The National Council of Teachers of English
BELMONT, CA (September 16, 2009) Sierra Cirimelli-Low, a Senior at Notre Dame High School Belmont, is one of 544 students honored by The National Council of Teachers of English as an outstanding writers in the 2009 NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing. The recipients were chosen from 1,783 students nominated in their junior year by their teachers from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Canada, and American schools abroad.
The Achievement Awards in Writing program was established in 1957 to encourage high school students in their writing and to recognize some of the best student writers in the nation. Assessments of student writing are based on students’ samples of their own best prose or verse and on impromptu themes that are written under supervision. A team of English teachers judges the writing, looking especially for writing that demonstrates effective and imaginative use of language to inform and move an audience.
Students From Notre Dame, Belmont Receive Advanced Placement Scholar Awards
BELMONT, CA (September 14, 2009) Rita Gleason, Principal of Notre Dame High School, announced that thirty-one students from the Classes of 2009 and 2010 have earned Advanced Placement Scholars Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement Examinations.
Jessica Chou ’09, Emma Clark ’09, Kimberly Ransom ’09, and Jaya Reddy ’09 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all Advanced Placement Examinations taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these examinations.
Nasim Barzanian ’09, Cassandra Bass ’09, Caitlin Ellis ’09, Marianthi Gelatos ’09, Erin Longinotti ’09, Lauren Moissiy ’09, Lucy Olson ’09, Danielle Perez ’10, Hannah Prince ’09, Christine Scannell ’09, and Laura Yim ’09 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all Advanced Placement Examinations taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these examinations.
Alexandra Badduke ’10, Natasha Davis ’09, Meghan Dobiles ’09, Danielle Eggli ’09, Alison Fisher ’09, Charlene Gemora ’09, Sarah Hegarty ’10, Daniella Labat ’10, Alison Lam ’09, Esther Lee ’09, Melissa Megowan ’09, Kerry Peterson ’09, Natalie Sayre ’10, Sarah Sobczak ’09, Sara Tamony ’09, and Lyra Tanner ’09 qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Examinations with grades of 3 or higher.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Thien Nguyen
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(650) 595-1913, ext. 225
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