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Vol. 2 No. 2 RUSADER ONNECTION A publication dedicated to the Marian/Mater Dei Catholic High School Community C C STATE CHAMPIONS! STATE CHAMPIONS! A N N U A L R E P O R T I SS U E H O N O R R O L L O F D O N O R S SummerCrusadertoprint.indd 1 9/1/09 1:56:23 PM

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Page 1: Crusader Connection Vol2 No2

Vol. 2 No. 2RUSADERONNECTION

A publication dedicated to the Marian/Mater Dei Catholic High School Community

CC

STATE CHAMPIONS!STATE CHAMPIONS!

ANNUAL REPORT ISSUE

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

3 Message from the President4 The Annual Report10 Technology in the Classroom12 Student Honors13 Visual and Performing Arts Night14 Science Academy16 Graduation and College Acceptances18 Class of 2009 - Student Recognition22 Winter Sports23 Spring Sports24 Mens Soccer Championship26 Womens Basketball Championship28 Alumni News30 Alumni in the Spotlight, Harris Quesnell32 Student Calendar G

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STATE CHAMPIONS!STATE CHAMPIONS!

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A M E S S A G E

FROM THE PRESIDENT

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 3

BO

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Very Rev. Peter McGuine (Chair)

Rev. Peter Escalante

Sr. Maria Paz Uribe

Steven Boudreau, Esq.

Ms. Linda Bugelli

Mr. Gordon Day ‘74

Mr. Tom Finch ‘82

Mr. Rene Olivo

Mr. Thomas Clayton Beecher, Ex-Officio

Mr. George Milke, Ex-Officio

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1615 Mater Dei DriveChula Vista, CA 91913

ph: 619.423.2121www.materdeicathol ic .org

The Crusader Connection is published two times per year by Mater Dei Catholic High School. Ev-ery effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this publication. Please ac-cept our apologies for any errors or omissions and report them to John Rey at (619) 621-5705 or [email protected].

Director of Publications: John ReyGraphic Design/Photography: Nicole LimogesPrinter: Kings PrintingA special thank you to those who took the extra time to write/proof the articles.

Dear Crusader Families and Friends,

Throughout history there are continuous examples of turmoil in cultures and mar-kets and our times have not escaped these trials. But as time advances we can see that turmoil is always followed by calm and often a reflective and learned response to try and prevent the recent catastrophe from reccurring. This seems to be the path that we are now walking in regard to our most recent economic crisis. I pray that the effects of this recent downturn have been only mild in your life and that you will see the fruits of a recovery blossom within the home of your own family in the days and weeks ahead.

Because of the economy there has been a much greater need for tuition support to students and families in the Mater Dei community. However, we have been truly blessed by the generous response of our alumni and friends who have allowed our Annual Crusade to reach its highest level of participation and total amount received in the history of our school. This issue of the Crusader Connection includes our 2008-2009 Annual Report to donors. We hope that we have recorded your name and gift appropriately and if we’ve made any mistakes I’d like to personally apolo-gize and ask that you call or write us to tell us of our error. Mainly I’d like to thank you for the gift that you’ve made to us in the midst of these very trying economic troubles and ask God to continue to bless you for your faith in Mater Dei Catholic High School.

We invite you to enjoy the many accomplishments of our students and staff as out-lined in this Crusader Connection. Our recent graduates have left a lasting mark as Crusaders of the Class of 2009. Their goals and aspirations can be seen in the pages that follow. They will always have a home here no matter where their life journey leads them. You can also read about some recent innovations in technology that Mater Dei is spearheading along with State Championships and a discussion with one of our very first graduates, Harris Quesnell, Class of 1964! All this and so much more await your review.

Mary Mother of God, Lead Us to Your Son Jesus.

Yours in Christ,

Thomas Clayton BeecherPresident

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HERITAGE SOCIETY donations of $5,000 +ALSAM FoundationAward Designers/ScriberSteven & Sue BoudreauWalter & Maxine OtteMaria ‘81 & John RobertsStephen & Mary Birch Foundation, Inc.

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE donations of $1,000 - $ 4,999Manuel BanalesThomas Clayton BeecherLucila & Juan BrizDiane & David CanedoJean DobynsWilliam & Elizabeth GerkenJames & Katherine GillcristCarlos & Marisol GomezThomas & Sally HardinDavid KassebaumKings PrintingMark LaRiviereWalter & Kelley LindstromVictor & Theresa LopezRamon & Anna MadrigalFaith MannersPatricia McGregorMcMahon Steel Company Inc.MEXICOACHGeorge ‘72 & Jeanine ‘73 Milke IIMills School WearClaire Roach Sempra EnergySylvia TorrezJeffrey & Lorrilee WellerWells Fargo Foundation

BLUE & GOLD CLUB donations of $400 - $999A & M Team SalesCharlie & Susan AhernFidel & Imelda AlmazanHarold & Monica AndreoliCresencia & Alberto AngelesAnamarie & Jim AnthonyBank of America United Way CampaignEduardo & Marisela BecerraJohn & Bertha BlasBlessed Sacrament ParishBob Baker Foundation Inc.Rebecca & Kevin BrownLinda BugelliRamiro & Maria-Amelia CardenasHector & Esther CasillasKaren Chudy ‘68Pedro & Idalia DabdoubGordon ‘74 & Terri DayVery Rev. John DolanMario & Martha FierroThomas ‘82 & Andrea FinchGuillermo Giandoni ‘68Victor & Elba GonzalezErnesto & Elena GuilasRocio ‘81 & John HodgesCarlos & Mary JimenezRuth Judge Robert & Gerriss KlantLifetouchMainly Mozart Ignacio & Sheila MartinezMattel Children’s FoundationPedro & Olga MendozaGeorge & Virginia MilkeNelnet Business Soluntions, Inc (FACTS)

Memorial Gifts

The following names represent gifts made in memory of someone to our general scholarship fund. Memorial scholarship gifts can be made in any amount and are a great way to honor a family mem-ber or friend. The names of all of our memorial scholarship gifts will be displayed in our Annual Report each year.

Juana & Horacio Aguilar

Michael Islas

Jerry Judge

Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum

Fr. Earl LaRiviere

Thomas W. Otte

John Pappas

Katherine Rubano

4 CRUSADER CONNECTION

Darren & Dolores NewellRene & Matilde OlivoFrancisco & Lorena PalacioFrancisco ‘79 & Diana ‘80 ParedesJohn & Mary RheinRuben & Lisa RodriguezRoesling, Nakamura, Terada Architects, Inc.Jean RubanoRubin Seeds, LLCViola Sanchez ‘81Manny SilvaGustavo & Araceli SlovinskyGregory & Dorothy SmythSouth Bay ExpresswayMaria TollefsonRobert & Nancy TrometterRomualdo & Carmelita UyLarry & Frances VanWeyWells Fargo Foundation Dulce Yarza

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CRUSADER CLUB donations of $100 - $399Cesar & Lorena AcostaMichelle Aguinaldo ‘85Robert & Meredith AlcockJerry & Merlinda AllenWalter & Jolene AndersenJorge & Laura ArredondoRaad & Amal Attisha Jody BalestrieriMichael & Anita BarlettaStephen & Teresa BeckPatricia BensanArturo & Carmen BlancasMonica ‘83 & Timothy BrownJoseph & Gloria BrunnerMichael & Carmen BuffaloeCalifornia Candids Graduation PhotographyRev. Msgr. Steven CallahanHelen CallowPablo & Heriberta CarcanoAntonio & Rosalva CarrilloGerarda ‘82 & Marbel CastanedaOscar & Dolores CeballosLuis & Sandra ChaconMargaret & Salvatore ChiappeJessica Cornejo ‘91 Alejandro ‘69 & Rebecca CotaJeanne & Gary CoxJose & Laura De SotoFernando & Irma Del MonteFran DerbyDalene DitommasoCesareo & Jacqueline FernandezSergio & Anna FernandezSergio & Pilar FourzanCarlos & Sandra GageMichael & Maricela GamboaPaul & Elizabeth GanelinSalvador & Maribel GarciaJames & Glicit GarveyAllen ‘77 & Wendy ‘75 GatesNatalie Gerken ‘00Esther GomezEstela & Enrique Gonzalez

Albert ‘83 & Bridget HallorEnrique & Berenice HawleyJerry & Patti HayesBlanca HerreraWil & Daria HollowellJoyce Huddleston ‘79Gabriel & Maria IshinoJesus & Sonia JaquezDelfino & Guadalupe JimenezWilfredo & Editha JulveSherolyn ‘69 & Michael KelleherStan & Janet KozlowskiCarsten & Denise KroonFrancisco & Leticia KuriGeorge KuzukianRigoberto & Perla LaborinGary LaturnoGene & Mary LeDucJeffery ‘69 & Mary LewisDavid & Elisa LichtMichael LoqueRay & Sylvia LugoWilliam & Teressa LyonsRodolfo & Maria MarquezJames ‘78 & Bernadette ‘80 MartinezCarlos & Glenda MartinezTed & Elizabeth MatrangaTerrence Mattis ‘77 Theodore & Rosalia MatulaRaul & Karen MayorWendy Modic ‘85 Christopher & Ashley MoellerAgustin & Alejandrina NavarroViet & Minh NguyenFrancisco & Irma PadresFrancisco ‘07 PadresAnthony & Christine PapapietroTeresa Pappas ‘73Mary Pappas ‘72Benedicto & Ana ParadelaJuan & Marissa ParceroPat & Oscar’sOscar & Silvia PerezRichard & Brigitte PhillipsElena PlazolaHarris Quesnell ‘64

Gary Reneau ‘73John ReyJames & Lilia RitchieJesus ‘69 & Teresa RodriguezGilberto & Eneeth RoblesAlfredo & Maria RuizIleana SalazarEnrique & Nenis SalcedoMike & Boushra SalemChris SchnitziusSister Servants of the Blessed SacramentGreg Smyth ‘89St. Thomas Enterprises Frank StingoTargetThe Immaculata Parish Robert Trierweiler ‘71Gerardo & Leonora TruebaScott UllspergerSensa Educational Systems, Inc.Socorro SifuentesUnited Way of San Diego CountyHomero & Ana Maria ValdespinoZurisaddi GalvezSergio & Marlene ValenzuelaJose & Kathy VargasRoy VasquezFelix & Margaret VazquezRon & Betsy VernettiRebekah VigilMichael WallgrenDon & Joy WalshJalil & Gloria WehberTerry & Maria Wright

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 5

Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Scholarship Fund

Statement of Activity

Scholarship Fund Balance:as of 7/1/2008 $78,325

Donations: from 7/1/2008 – 6/30/2009 $49, 300

Interest Earned: $3,679

Distributions: ($5,000)(Scholarships for Michael Rodriguez

and Lauren Elise Judal)

Scholarship Fund Balance: as of 6/30/3009 $126,304

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TUITION 7,010,131

OTHER FEES 742,553

AUXILIARY SERVICES 165,414

ATHLETICS 99,034

DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING 921,543

INVESTMENTS 68,021

FACILITIES LEASING 623,225

TOTAL REVENUE $ 9,629,921

THE PER STUDENT GAP (@750 STUDENTS) $ 2,503 THE GAP BETWEEN TUITION & FEES INCOME AND TOTAL EXPENSES $ 1,877,237 TUITION & FEES COVER ONLY 80% OF EXPENSES

9%

8%

6%1%

1%

2%

73%

REVENUE

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8%

27%

5%

1%1%

2% 3%

49%

EXPENSE

SALARIES & BENEFITS 4,743,722

ADMIN/STUDENT/PTG/RECRUITING/MISC. 497,319

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS & RESOURCES 244,506

ATHLETICS 159,868

AUXILIARY SERVICES 124,387

DEVELOPMENT 505,063

PLANT OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE/RESERVE 2,544,781

DEBT SERVICE 810,275

TOTAL EXPENSE $ 9,629,921

STUDENTS APPROVED FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE 198 TOTAL TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANTED $787,354 AVERAGE PER STUDENT AWARD $3,977

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 7

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SPORTS PROGRAM SPONSORSAdams Book Co. Blackie’s Trophies and AwardsBrigantine Family of RestaurantsCalifornia Candids Graduation PhotographyChristopher & Juanita WarnerCorpus Christi Catholic ParishDavid KassebaumDrew FordEl Dorado CleanersWilliam & Elizabeth GerkenJerry & Patti HayesHerff-Jones Yearbook TechRaul & Karen Mayor George & Virginia MilkeImperial Beach Pre-School Instant Mexico Auto InsuranceNelnet Business Solutions, Inc (FACTS)ValleyCrest Landscaping Maintenance Vertex Carpet Cleaning LLC GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORSA & M Team SalesTom DavisJose Andres Fierro, DISTRIBUIDORA YUMATom Finch ‘82Drew Ford Jeff Guzman FamilyAna Fimbres Labastida ‘81Michael LogueGene McDonald, Lee Wayne CorporationPala Band of Mission IndiansPrincell FamilyRCP Block and BrickValleyCrest Landscaping

TEE SPONSORSPaul Cacho ‘82Co-Production International, IncBarbara Drossel ‘73 & Wade McKnight Gerken FamilyTom Judge ‘78David KassebaumJeannette & Nicholas KelbaughMexicana Logistics Bud and Gina MilkeMoreno FamilyCorpus Christi ParishPropulsion Control Engineering – Matt Reilly ‘80St. Augustine HS ASB

AUCTION DONORSA & M Team Sales Anthony’s Seafood GroupBonita Golf ClubChula Vista Golf ClubDick’s Last ResortEastlake Country ClubCole Lewis FamilyThe Fish MarketH & M LandingHornblower Cruises and EventsMaritime Museum of San DiegoMDCHS ASB StoreThe Midway MuseumMission Valley ResortMuseum of Contemporary Art, San DiegoOld GlobeOld Town TrolleyRubio’sSalt Creek Golf ClubSan Diego Golf InstituteSan Diego Natural History Museum San Diego ZooVivian Moreno FamilyWorld Wide Golf Shops

It is with gratitude that we make this year’s Annual Report public to our parents, alumni and friends. We realize that only through your generosity can we continue to provide an excellent Catholic education for tomorrow’s leaders.

We hope that you will consider to support the students of Mater Dei Catholic High School in the upcoming year through one or more of the following ways:

Annual Crusade Sports Program Advertisements Alumni Golf Tournament Planned Giving Memorial Brick Program Scholarship Funds

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING YOUR 2009-2010 ANNUAL CRUSADE GIFT WITH THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

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In thanksgiving...

FRIEND donations up to $99Dawn AdamsYvette Albee ‘89 Michael ‘76 & Christine AlvaradoClaudia AmpudiaVeronica ‘72 & Jeffrey AndreoliMary Andrews ‘70Ivan & Blanca BarreraJoelle BiedenbachJuan & Silvia BremerAlejandra Carranza ‘89Joseph & Eileen CartonMargo Clark ‘67Doreen CorreiaRodolfo & Maria CruzDomonic Cruz ‘98Constance CurranElizabeth DoughertyMonique EscobedoJose & Norma FierroNick FrancoAmy GallmannDennis & Violeta GriffinBrenda GroszLaura GutierrezAdrian Hernandez ‘89Margie HernandezOmar & Valerie HomEddie & Suzette JerniganRenee KinningerM. & Maria KrasovskyEmil KrejciKatherine LarsonAlejandro & Imelda LimonLucille LofgrenJuan & Maria MartinezDonald Mc LeesMel & Teresa McBroomeFernando & Angelica MunozSylvia PalaciosMichael Parisi ‘70Mary Petito ‘87Lorraine Pimentel ‘89John & Mary Ann PlazaDiane & Franklin PorterJose & Amaya RebollarGuadalupe RiosArthur & Leslie SchroederSharon SmithKevin SmithGuy SouzaOscar & Guadalupe SuarezMiguel & Matilde TamayoJames & Leanne TruittCarlos Varela ‘89John & Kimberly VasquezKristen WillichPeter Wraith ‘73Francisco & Margarita ZamudioKathleen Zuniga

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Harold & Virgina AndreoliSteve AshcraftThomas A. BalestrieriNoli A. BensanJack BlakelyAlfonso CasillasDulin & Virginia CoveyRay & Loretta EckesMary A. EndsleyMarvin FinchJeanette & Bud GallagherValentine & Annabel GerkenAlicia GiandoniTom Harkness ‘64Ana Luisa HerreraBarbara J. HodgesCarlos Daniel JimenezJerry JudgeDr. Estelle L.KassebaumThomas LopezJon-Jon LunaPat MacCarthyJose Luis Rivas MarentesJoseph F. McGregorG.G. Moran

Jose & Cesarea MorenoBill & Mary MurphyJohn W. NovobilskyThomas Walter Otte’ 77Francisco & Elvira PadresCristina O. ParedesJoe Raef, Class of ‘74Joseph Ruiz RenteriaMr. & Mrs. Lawrence RheinJoe L. RojasEsperanza C. RojasTeresa H. Rojas Agustin Rojas ILuis Sanchez-CortezMary P. Slovinsky-RocheJames P. TollefsonPete TorrezLeon TuttleMr & Mrs. Harvey Westrick, Sr.Belen. D. YapLeonardo D. YapRommel Schoeder YarzaThe Kohrman-Weller Family Victims of Abortion

How to give: In Memory of...On June 20, 2009, a Memorial Mass was held in Mar-ian Chapel on the campus of Mater Dei Catholic High School to commemorate the loss of loved ones. An installation of Memorial Bricks has been placed behind the Marian Chapel. The Memorial Brick Program has become a popular way for our donors to support the mission of our school. All donations of $400 or more to the Annual Crusade will be eligible to participate in the Memorial Brick Program. One way to participate in the Memorial Brick Program is by making a pledge of $20/month for 20 months. We hope it will be a meaningful way for our community to gather in prayer each year to remember someone that has influenced their lives.

Please feel free to contact John Rey, CPA with any questions at (619) 621-5705 or at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support of Mater Dei Catholic High School.

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 9

Memorial Giving

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T E A C H E R P R O F I L E

MDCHS: How long have your been at MDCHS? Mr. Van Wyk: 2 years MDCHS: Where were you before Mater Dei and how long have you been teaching? Mr. Van Wyk: Stella Maris Academy in La Jolla & James Madison High School: 2 years (1 year at each) MDCHS: What is your educational background? Mr. Van Wyk: 13 years of Catholic education, then BA in English Literature from USD and Teaching Credential from Chapman University MDCHS: How did you get involved in the paperless classroom concept at Mater Dei? Mr. Van Wyk: I applied as soon as I heard about it. It sounded like a great idea and I really wanted to be a part of it.

MDCHS: How do you see this paperless classroom concept expanding at Mater Dei and how will it help the students as they move on to post secondary education? Mr. Van Wyk: I believe that this concept can expand the possibilities exponentially. Students have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips and we teach them to harness it and use it in a constructive manner. They can learn to create presentations, spreadsheets, multimedia projects; all of which will be useful moving into post secondary education and ultimately, the real world. MDCHS: How does the technology in the paperless classroom improve the learning process? Mr. Van Wyk: As a product of the pre-internet era, I was a bit skeptical at first. I had to look everything up, learn about the Dewey Decimal System, and use manual typewriters, so I guess I was a bit jealous. However, students in this class learn basically in the same way, just using different tools. People could say that it is easier, but there are a whole new set of challenges that need to be dealt with. Also, this class is excellent preparation for the professional world. Many jobs jobs require some sort of computer training/ experience before candidates are even considered.

Steve Van Wyk and the Paperless Class A classroom without any papers and the world at their fingertips.

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MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 11

WHAT DO THE

STUDENTSTHINK?

“”

This class is so cool. It’s nice

to not have to carry a book

around and be able to access

our homework from anywhere.

It saves on paper and

I can’t lose my homework.

Many parents are intimidated by technology that is being used today and with the paperless classroom it might be even more intimidating for parents. MDCHS: Do you have any advice for parents whose stu-dents are taking classes in this new teaching environment? Mr. Van Wyk: The only advice I can think of is to give it a try. Some people are techno-phobes and that is perfectly understandable. I knew a teacher who sent his first e-mail a year ago after teaching over 30 years. There are so many opportunities with this technology that can be utilized. Cur-rently, Mr. Bookser (our resident technology expert) and I are working on making sure that every parent can have access to most, if not all, of the work done in the class. Parents can be given a user name and password and with those two bits of data, the following phrase will never be heard again: “The teacher didn’t give us any homework.”MDCHS: You spend a considerable amount of time in the classroom, what do you do for relaxation or excitement in your free time? Mr. Van Wyk: I enjoy running, playing bass guitar, reading, watching movies, singing karaoke, and long walks on the beach.MDCHS: How did you get involved in your “band” and what kind of establishments do you play at? Mr. Van Wyk: I joined an instrumental (no singing) surf band called Surf Report in 1994 with two USD alumni. I have been playing the same kind of music ever since. Now, the band is called The Secret Samurai and we usually play bars, festivals, and charity events. We are playing the San Diego County Fair this summer which is exciting because some stu-dents will have the opportunity to come out and watch.MDCHS: Is this something that you would like to explore as a career move in the future or is teaching your career? Mr. Van Wyk: This is my second career in a sense. I tried a few different careers right out of college: mortgage banking, human resources, biotechnology…but I think I finally found something I enjoy and is rewarding at the same time. My future goals are to teach Russian Literature and the Latin language. MDCHS: What do you like most about being a teacher? Mr. Van Wyk: I know it is cliché, but it doesn’t feel like “go-ing to work.” It’s great being at a Catholic school. I’ve sub-stituted at a few public schools and worked at one for a year, and the difference is obvious. There is a level of respect and generosity at this school among the students and faculty that is hard to come by.MDCHS: What piece of advice would you give to your students, in particular the graduating seniors? Mr. Van Wyk: Just to do the best in everything you do and hold on to their Catholic Faith and the values taught by your parents. They will probably be doing jobs that haven’t even been invented yet and that they had no idea they would be doing. I went to a 3-week “computer camp” when I was 13-years-old to learn a computer program called “Basic.” I

would type about 2 pages of text to write a program that would alphabetize a list. It is now completely obsolete. How-ever, there is value in the process itself. Sometimes it’s hard to adapt and hopefully, through programs like this paperless system, the students will learn to flourish with the diversity of tools available to them.

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SENIORS

Violeta Arista-PalaciosJanine DacayoMario DelgadilloJamie EspinoFrances FernandezBrenna GatesAxel GonzalezJesus Gutierrez-NunezEbone HenryAdriana HernandezDanae JohnsonSoo-Jin KimLuisa LopezAilin MendezPaulina MillanChristina PadillaTanya Plascencia-LliterasMariano RayonMichael RodriguezAndres Schramm-FloresMaria Trueba De BuenToni VasquezLaura Watts-CesenaVanessa WoodDiana Zoura

JUNIORS

Dianne AcevedoRafael BlancoMariana BurkleRafael Carrillo-BaylonJasmine CotaKacy EspinozaSergio FourzanMariana GomezMarie Elaine GuilasAndrew HainesErickson JulveNora LeyvaAlicia LopezAlfredo Lucero-CanaanAndrea Lucero-CanaanPatrick MayorDiane-Leah MooreAndrea Navarro-GomezPaola OdriozolaDiana ParedesAlejandra Perez-MadrigalMaria PimentelYazmin RazonJohanna RheinMichel SanchezCatherine ValenzuelaFRESH MEN

Angela BeckLeslie Bustillo-MorenoMark CamachoEdith CamargoTheresa ChiappeDaniela ContrerasMallory DavenportKenny EspinozaCaleb GalvezAlexa GarciaJocelyn GarciaVictor GonzalezStephanie Grimaldi

Ilse Gutierrez-NunezJeff GuzmanThomas HahnAlexis HawleyVannia HernandezCassandra HuinquezHollie KeeneCristina KelbaughStephanie LichtMaritza Lopez-PortilloViviana Marchena-PompaAlejandro Marquez-EscobedoHaley Mendoza

Brandon NguyenTeresa PadillaEva Perez-CecenasAriana RodriguezJonathan RodriguezNina SalazarSabrina ScottPaola TorresBrianna TruffaAndres VelderrainThomas Wright

– a grade point average of 3.8 and above

SOP HOMORES

Jeffrey AlvarezIvanna AmesVivian Ayon-HerediaJessica BaumgardnerSamantha BaxleyNallely BeltranDaniela BlancasAriel CabreraValeria CardenasMichael CartonAlison CastanedaMikayla ConlinAlejandra ContrerasSergio FernandezClaudio GageDiego-Emilio GalanKristin GonzalesElizabeth GonzalezChristine HillmannAnthony Jaquez-MorenoAndrea Martinez-CasillasJose Martinez-RebollarTheodore MatulaPedro OsunaLigia QuijadaRoberto Quijano-LunaMaryel QuinteroRicardo RosalesIsela RuizCarla SanchezRaul Silva-MartinezChloe SlovinskyDaniel SlovinskyIsabel Stonehouse

STUDENT HONORSFIRST HONORS

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T H E F I R S T A N N U A L

May 8th marked the first annual Visual and Perform-ing Arts Night for Mater Dei. This event, organized with staff and student collaboration, was a showcase of Mater Dei’s extraordinary talent in the Arts. A series of musi-cal numbers were performed by both the choral classes and Mater Dei’s fledgling band. In addition to these lively performances, the lobby was filled with mixed media pieces created by our young Crusaders. Works in the lobby represented the efforts of over 200 students. In an effort to promote cross-curricular education, frosh English teacher, Michelle Brooks, stepped in and had her young poets give an interpretation of some of the art pieces. The students’ interpretation, as auditors, not only gave artists an idea of how others viewed their works, but also buoyed their creative talents. The event was a huge success and a testimony to the hard work of Mater Dei’s students and teachers.

There were a variety of projects ranging from acrylic Pop Art painting (see left), Ceramics sculptures (bottom left) and watercolor landscape paintings (see bottom right).

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ACADEMYSCIENCE

A N E W F R O N T I E RTHE

OFA

Students explaining how the experiment works.

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The Mater Dei Academy of Science experienced an extremely successful inaugural school year during 2008-2009. Sci-ence Academy students were introduced to many facets of scientific endeavor. Field trips included a tour of Scripps Green Hospital with Dr. Katya VanHerl and information concerning preparation for a career as a physician. Other activities included a trip to North Island Naval Air Station. Academy students were introduced to Naval aviation and the career choices necessary to become a helicopter pilot for the US Navy. Most memorable was the opportunity to use the flight simulators to experience piloting a helicopter. Mater Dei Academy of Science students also visited the open house at Scripps Research Institute and learned of the summer internships available there. They participated in BioBridge at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at UCSD and were able to present what they had learned to next year’s science academy candidates.

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In conjunction with the San Diego Science Festival and the San Diego Science Alliance, the Science Academy students were invited to participate in the SDSA High-Tech Expo at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and the Small Wonders exhibit at the UCSD Price center. Academy members also built models of various human organs that were part of Operation Balboa at the San Diego Science Festival on April 4, 2009. Additional classroom activities were also a part of the Academy of Science experience. Members were introduced to topics that included the nature of inquiry, data analysis, use of research engines, evaluating sources, writing scientific papers, and materials science. Four of our academy students qualified for in-ternships for the summer. Mariana Gomez and Paola Odriozola qualified for the Scripps Research Institute and Saman-tha Baxley and Theodore Matula were selected for engineering opportunities at the Naval Air Station North Island. This year was a valuable expeience for both students in the academy and for the faculty mentors. But, next year the academy will double in size and the entire community will begin to see the fruits of labor from these budding scientists!

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 15

The Academy of Science students visited Scripps Research Institute, where they received tours, information and an invaluable experience.

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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

The 2009 Bacclaureate Mass was held in the Immaculata Church on the University of San Diego campus, Thursday, June 11.

The graduates placed a rose by the statue of Mary before graduation.

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COLLEGE ACCEPTANCESAir Force Academy Boston CollegeColgate UniversityCornell UniversityUniversity of Southern CaliforniaNew York UniversityUniversity of San DiegoSan Diego State UniversityOhio Wesleyan UniversityArizona State UniversityUniversity of Colorado, BoulderBaylor UniversityUniversity of Nevada, Las VegasUniversity of Nevada, RenoCalifornia Lutheran UniversityNorthern Arizona UniversityDrexel UniversityMetropolitan State College of DenverCobleskill UniversitySt. John’s UniversityUniversity of Albany, NYThe Art Institute of San DiegoUniversal Technical InstituteDevry UniversityJohnson & Wales UniversityPima Medical InstituteDi Medici School of ArtPepperdine UniversityNorwich UniversityWestminister CollegeMenlo CollegeChaminade UniversityLoyola Marymount UniversityMarist College

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, DavisUniversity of California, Dominguez HillsUniversity of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, MercedUniversity of California, RiversideUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa CruzCalifornia State University, FullertonCalifornia State University, HumboltCalifornia State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Monterey BayCalifornia State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Cal Poly PamonaCalifornia State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, San BernardinoCalifornia State University, San FranciscoCalifornia State University, San MarcosCalifornia State University, SonomaSterling CollegeNew School of Architecture & DesignPoint Loma Nazarene UniversityLe Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts InstituteManhattan CollegeCETYS UniversityUniversidad del Valle de MexicoUniversidad AnahuacTecnologico de MonterreyUniversidad de MonterreyUniversidad Autonoma de Nuevo LeonUniversidad de las Americas PueblaTEC, MexicoUDEM, Mexico

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T H E C L A S S O F

I L L U M I N A T I N G T H E F U T U R E2009

Watch for Frank playing football for Ohio Wesleyan University next year! He plans to major in Communications and Journalism, pushing towards his goal to work for ESPN as a sports broadcaster. Although Frank was very active in sports, he was also a leader on campus and received the Pope Benedict XVI Community Service Award, along with other leadership awards. One of Frank’s favorite things about Mater Dei has been the family he has developed with the students and teachers, and says that is what he will miss the most.

Laura will be attending Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico next year, where she will be studying Economics. When she graduates from there, she hopes to be an Ambassador at the United Nations and help out in whatever way she can. Laura has already attended Princeton University and Stanford University to study classes in Foreign Policy, Government

LAURA FABIOLA WATTS-CESENA

and Political Communications. She also represented Mater Dei at California’s Girls State and re-ceived the Rotary Youth Leader-ship Award. Laura was also very involved at Mater Dei. She was a member of the basketball, track and swimming teams, along with being an Ambassador for Christ and joining numerous clubs on campus. Laura feels her faith has grown deeper in God through her time at Marian/Mater Dei. And it has taught her that she doesn’t have to see to believe. When asked what she will miss most about Mater Dei, she said, “I will miss all the people that taught me to believe in myself.”

FRANK HUERTA

18 CRUSADER CONNECTION

FRANCES FERNANDEZ

Frances will be attending UCSD next year and will be studying Biochemistry. She would really like to work in a Medical Institute, assisting with research to find cures. Francis received a First Honors Academic Excellence Award for all 4 years. She was a member of the ASB, the Asian Pacific Islander Club, Cheer, Yearbook, Steel Drum Band and was an Ambassador for Christ Corps member. Some of her most memorable times revolve around attending the retreats and her religion classes that allowed her to reflect on her faith. After leaving Mater Dei, Frances feels the faith she gained will help her remember who she is and assist her in getting through some of life’s obstacles.

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NICK WRIGHT

T H E C L A S S O F

W I T H O U T B O U N D A R I E S2009

Nick will be attending San Diego City College where he was recruited to play both soccer and baseball. There he plans to study Biomedical Engineer-ing with hopes to be an Orthopedic Surgeon. Nick was also a member of the State Champion Soccer Team, Varsity Baseball Team, Cross Country Team, was an Ambassador for Christ Corps member and played piano at Mater Dei’s Culture Night. Nick said he would miss the small classes and familiarity among the students and teachers next year. But he also feels confident in the Christ-Centered person he has become and will carry that on in his everyday life outside of Mater Dei.

Toni will be attending the University of Cali-fornia Irvine next year, where she plans to ma-jor in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Neuroscience. From there, she plans to begin her education in pre-med and further become a neurologist. Toni was the ASB President, an Executive Ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Campus Ministry Team, played with the Steel Drum Band and was a member of many nu-merous clubs. With her involvement in so many avenues on campus, Toni was named Lady Crusader of the Year, along with being honored with the 4-Year First Honors Aca-demic Excellence Award and ASB Executive President Award. Toni feels that her involve-ment in Campus Ministry helped strengthen her faith and helped her build her own. Be-fore Mater Dei, she feels that she followed what her parents believed and now she can go out on her own with what her own faith has taught her.

Kamela will be continuing her edu-cation at UCLA, where she has re-ceived an academic scholarship and plans to walk on to the basketball team. At this time, she plans on majoring in Pre-Global Studies. Kamela was a member of the State Champion Varsity Basketball Team, where she received the State Wom-en’s Sportsmanship Award, and was a member of the varsity softball and track teams. Kamela was also a member of the Ambassador For Christ Corps and Campus Ministry for 3 years. She feels these clubs have given her “the sense of security knowing God will guide me through life.” Kamela feels her faith has strengthened through her involvement in these clubs at Mater Dei and will deeply miss the relationships she has created over the past 4 years.

TONI VASQUEZ KAMELA JACKSON

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JASON MYERS

T H E C L A S S O F

W H E R E D R E A M S2009

Jason will be attending Marist College on a football scholarship next year. He plans to major in Sports Broadcasting and Political Science, unless he meets his dream of becoming an NFL kicker first. Jason received many honors while attending Mater Dei Catholic. In soc-cer he was named Division IV State Soccer Player of the Year, 1st Team All-South Bay and All-Mesa League. He was also named the Football South Bay Kicker of the Year. Jason was also very active in Campus Ministry and played for the varsity baseball team for 3 years.

Axel was offered full scholarship to both UCSD and UC Berkeley in San Francisco. He has yet to decide which to take, but plans to major in Biochemistry and will attend Medical School afterwards to push toward his career goal of becoming a Pediatric Surgeon. Axel was a member of the Ambassador for Christ Corps, ASB and the Cross Country Team. He was also named the Valedictorian his senior year. When asked what he would miss most about Mater Dei, he said, “the warm family feeling of the student body and teachers.”

AXEL GONZALEZ

20 CRUSADER CONNECTION

Soojin is excited to be attending the University of California at Berkeley in the fall. She is plan-ning on studying business and plans to pursue a career in hotel management, where she hopes to work overseas or around the world. She was a member of the soccer team, Campus Ministry, Yearbook, ASB and was an Am-bassador for Christ. She received an Academic Excellence Award for her 4.0 GPA and two others for Chemistry and English. She says she will miss the beautiful campus next year, along with all the nice and caring teachers.

SOOJIN KIM

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JESUS EMMANUEL GUTIERREZ

T H E C L A S S O F

B E C O M E R E A L I T Y2009

Jesus has received a Trustee Scholarship to attend USD this fall, where he plans to major in Computer Engineering. He was honored as Salutatorian in his senior year and also received awards for Advanced Placement English, Advanced Placement Spanish Literature and Christian Call. He was also a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the varsity baseball team and an Ambassador for Christ Corps member. Jesus commented that his faith has grown so much through the retreats and daily experiences at Mater Dei, that he feels confident he will stay true to his beliefs as he goes out into the real world. Jesus’ comment when asked what was spe-cial about Mater Dei was, “it’s more than a school, it is like a family.”

Diane will be attending the New School of Architecture and Design in the fall where she will pursue her dream of becoming an architect. She was an active member of the ASB, Campus Ministry, National Honor Society and an Ambassador for Christ. Diane is a 5th genera-tion graduate of Marian/Mater Dei and she says she will miss her fam-ily commute the most every morn-ing she attends college. When asked how her faith will help her in the future, she said, “The retreats have helped me grow closer to God and I have learned that in the future I need to always keep my faith first.”

DIANE ZOURAMarcel received a full football scholarship to Kent Prep School where he plans to major in Business Administration and Marketing. He had a few other scholarship offers to play at UNLV and Baylor University, but decided that Kent Prep School was the right place for him. His career plans include finishing school with a Master’s and then market-ing urban clothing and music. Marcel also played baseball, basketball and ran track at Mater Dei. In football, he was named team captain, Team MVP, 1st Team All-League Offense for both his junior and senior years, along with being named to the San Diego Scholar-Athlete and Leader Hall of Fame and the San Diego Union Tribune All-Aca-demic Team. Marcel feels he has grown dra-matically in his faith while attending Mater Dei saying, “I began to pray more and thank God for the things in my life.”

MARCEL PITRE

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Under the leadership of Coach Chris Moeller, the Crusaders had a very successful season. Playing arguably the toughest schedule in school history, the boys team ended their season with a tough CIF Playoff loss to the Imperial Tigers. High-lights of the season included a 3rd place finish in the Imperial Tiger Desert Classic and wins over league rivals Chula Vista, Bonita Vista, and Hilltop. Senior RJ Rowan received first team all Mesa League honors and was also chosen as a first team All CIF Division IV team member. Senior De, Anthony Tobe was a 2nd team all Mesa Leaguer. The Crusaders will return a solid nucleus of underclassmen so the future looks very bright for the program

BOYS BASKETBALL

This is the 2nd year that Wrestling has been of-fered at Mater Dei and the program is making great strides. Under the leadership of Scott Ullsperger, the Crusader grapplers have shown great improvement. Highlights of the season were the dual meet vic-tory over San Diego High, hosting of soon to be annual Mater Dei tournaments, and competition in the CIF Division lV Championships. Junior Jorge Gamez became the first CIF Masters qualifier for the Crusaders in 20 + years with his 4th place finish in the Division lV championships. The future looks bright for the Crusader grapplers.

The Girls soccer team maintained the winning tradition with a successful 2009 season. Under the leadership of new coach, Mrs. Brenda Byrn, the Crusaders had a great year. Highlights of the season were a 2nd Place finish in the Lady Vaquero classic, a victory over Chula Vista and ties against local rivals Bonita Vista and Otay Ranch. Post-season honors went to all leaguer Lauren Elise Judal. The future looks bright for the Lady Crusaders who will return eight starters next year.

GIRLS SOCCER

WINTER SPORTS

WRESTLING

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SPRING SPORTS

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 23

The Lady Crusaders softball program is definitely on the rise. The Lady Crusaders finished the 2009 campaign with an over-all 17-15 record and a semi-final appearance in the CIF Di-vision IV playoffs. Highlights of the season included playoff wins over Coronado and Madison. Junior Wendy Tamayo was a first team all leaguer and all-CIF player. The Lady Crusaders have their best days ahead of them with the majority of their team returning for the 2010 season. Expectations are high and don’t be surprised if these girls are competing for a CIF cham-pionship next Spring.

The 2009 Golf Season was a great one. Led by Coach Bill Gerken, the Crusaders finished near the top of the Mesa League Standings. Highlights of the season included the annual trip to Pahrump (Nevada), two all-league players (David Moreno and Cesar Ybarra), and a 7th consecutive trip to the CIF champi-onships in Warner Springs. The Crusaders return four of their top six players next year which should put them in position to compete for a Mesa League championship.

The Mater Dei Swim Program has made great strides since coach Kevin Smith took the helm. The Crusaders have consistently placed swimmers in the CIF championships and this year was no different. Sergio Fourzan and Gisselle Suarez were among the section’s elite this past season and both will return next year. There were 46 total swimmers which made for the biggest team in school history. The highlight of the season was the meet vic-tory over the Chula Vista Spartans. We all look forward to big things from the program in the future.

The Mater Dei Track program is getting stronger every year. The program fielded a large number of athletes and had numer-ous league finalists. Led by coach Carla Martinez, the program is in good hands. The main highlight of the season was the suc-cess of long jumper Jackae Bridges. Jackae was the 2008 CIF Champion and she returned to State Track meet for the second consecutive year. With the high number of athletes returning for the 2010 season, the future looks very bright.

MEN’S GOLF

SWIMMING

TRACK

SOFTBALL

MEN’S VOLLEYBALLThe Boys Volleyball Program, led by Coach Brian Ritz, is mak-ing great strides in the South Bay. Highlights of the season included wins over Sweetwater, Olympian, Chula Vista, and a CIF Quarter-Final appearance. Post-season honors went to Aldo Loera who was named to the All Mesa League First team. The program is gaining steam and the future looks very bright.

Under the leadership of veteran coaches Ed Johnson, Donny Myers and Jim Martinez, the Crusaders had another successful season. The Crusaders finished with an overall record of 19-17 and advanced to the CIF Division IV semi-finals, where they lost to the always tough and eventual champion, Christian Pa-triots. Highlights of the season were victories over league rivals Eastlake, Bonita Vista, and Hilltop. Individual honors went to Sergio Valenzuela ( Jr.) and Emmanuel Gutierrez (Sr. ), who were both named 2nd team All Mesa League. The future is bright for the Crusaders who return a solid nucleus of players for the 2010 season.

BASEBALL

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2009STATE CHAMPIONS

The Men’s Soccer Team from Mater Dei Catholic High School (MDCHS) completed a tremendous run of victories over the last three weeks of their season. It culminated in two separate championships. The Crusaders first cruised through the San Diego CIF Division IV playoffs routing their opponents by an aggregate score of 14-1. The Division IV playoffs culminated in a 2-0 victory over Francis Parker at Granite Hills High School on March 7th for the San Diego CIF title. This vic-tory qualified them for the State playoffs, which was to take place the following week. The Crusaders were seeded number two in the Division III Southern California Regional Soccer Championships. They had to win two games to qualify for the regional finals. They faced two quality teams from Los Angeles in Annenberg and Animo Leadership. MDCHS was able to notch victories in each of those

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MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 25

It’s how you finish it.”

contests. The victory against Animo Leadership at MDCHS was especially dramatic with their two goals coming in the last ten minutes of the 2-1 match. This victory qualified the Crusaders for the Regional Championship game on March 14 at Warren High School in Downey, California versus Bishop Mora Salesian High School. The championship game was a hard fought affair against a very strong opponent. The Crusaders defense had to repel the constant attacks from the Salesian offense. The first half ended in 0-0. In the second half the Crusaders found their second wind. They were able to score twice within a 15 minute period. The goals came from Sergio Lopez and Abraham Trejo. From that point forward the Crusaders had to endure the on-coming attacks from the Salesian side. Salesian broke through once but could not muster the equalizer. The Crusaders were able to hold on for the 2-1 victory and the Southern California Regional Championship. In retrospect the Crusaders finished the season 13-6-1. Seven of those wins came in the 19 day play-off run. Coach Jorge Zavala stated it perfectly, “It’s not how you start a season.

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26 CRUSADER CONNECTION

C A P T U R E S T H EWOMEN’S BASKETBALL

STATE TITLE

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MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 27

CH

AM

PIO

NS

The story of the Mater Dei Catholic High School Lady Crusader State championship basketball team is truly one for the ages. The Lady Crusaders finished their season 30-3. There is no denying that they were one of the strongest teams in the county this season. They had some major successes in early season tournaments. They also breezed through the Mesa League with an undefeated record. They were ranked #2 in the state and in the county. At the beginning of the CIF Division IV Girls Basketball playoffs the Lady Crusaders were the #2 seed behind TheBishop’s School. With an efficient win in the quarterfinals MDCHS was matched up with powerhouse La Jolla Country Day. LJCD had won the CIF championship 8 years in a row. The Lady Crusaders battled against a very tough team and came away with a 51-44 victory. This propelled them into the CIF San Diego finals, but more importantly it qualified them for the California State CIF playoffs. The Division IV CIF finals took place at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on March 7th versus the #1 ranked Bishop’s School.With Bishop Brom in attendance and cheering the girls on, they fell short 71-63. The State playoffs were up next. With victories over Notre Dame Sherman Oaks and Harvard-Westlake the girls got the rematch they wanted with The Bishop’s School in the Southern California Regional Championships at CSU Fullerton on March 14th. This time the Lady Crusaders were up for the challenge. By playing stifling defense and making key shots the Ladies won 54-51. Coach David Monroe made this comment, “There was no way we were going to lose to Bishop’s twice. The girls were focused, played as a team and executed the game plan.” The Regional Championship vaulted MDCHS into the State Championship game being held in Sacramento versus defending champion Modesto Christian (24-6) on March 21st at ARCO Arena . Playing in a difficult venue, early in the morning, the girls struggled through the opening half and were behind 31-19 at halftime. The terrific group of seniors put their heads together and decided they were not going to finish their high school careers this way. They picked up their defensive effort, made their free throws and chipped away at the lead. It was not until under one minute left in the game that the Lady Crusaders attained their first lead with two Ebone Henry free throws. After a Modesto Christian miss and a Kamela Jackson free throw the Lady Crusaders were able to call themselves California State Champions 54-51. Their championship run through the state playoffs brought the first title in girls or boys basketball to San Diego since 2002.

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Stephanie Cortez ‘03 After graduating from Marian, I attended SDSU and majored in psy-chology. I graduated in May of 2008 and received my BA in Psychol-ogy. Up to this date I have been working for two in a half years as a be-havioral therapist for autistic children in san diego area for a company named Aces. I am currently engaged to my boyfriend of six years and planning our wedding for summer of 2010.

Viviana Narvaez ‘03Alejandro Valenzuela ‘03 After high School, Viviana attended CETYS Universidad in Tijua-na, and graduated with a bachelors degree in Psychology, and several months later I married Alejandro Valenzuela ‘03, he graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Administration in Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, and he is currently in charge of his family business in the construction field in Tijuana. We are currently living here in San Diego, we’ve been together since we were sophomores, that’s almost 8 years next month, and married for two years. We have a 1 year old son, Alejandro, who looks just like his Dad. This year Viviana will be going back to work and starting her masters in Education. Alejandro ‘03, is attending a Golf Academy in Carlsbad this upcoming fall.

Mariana Esparza Alford ‘04In early 2006 I enrolled in UEI-Chula Vista Campus to study as a medical assistant. While I was in school I was going through my first deployment with my fiance. I worked in the medical field for 2 years then realized it was not for me. In November 2006 my fiance returned from a long deployment of 10 months. Almost a year later I married my USMC Sgt. on July 21, 2007. I am now a military wife and I am loving it so far...lol. We live in Oceanside, Ca. I then started school for my first love of Makeup Artistry. I enrolled in Empire Academy of Makeup Artistry in Costa Mesa, Ca. I finished school that same year in Demember in of 2007. I started my own business of mainly bridal makeup but will do for any special occasion. I travel to the locations of the clients or they come to my home. I also have a part-time job in my father’s company which is still growing at the moment. My position here is Executive Assistant/ Accounting Assistant. On July 21st of this year will be our 2 year wedding anniversary. So that is it for me. That is what I have been up to.

Mo Alcock ‘06Entering my senior year at UCLA with an Anthropology Major, B.S., and a pre-optometry focus. After graduation, I hope to attend the Southern California College of Optometry.

John-Paul Bruno ‘05 Started working for The District Attorney’s office as a student worker in Cold Case Homicide Dept. for almost 3 yrs, from 06’-08. I worked with Deputy District Attorneys and Paralegals and helped them prepare their cases for court. I took classes at Mira Mar & City College and received my AA in Psychology and Fire protection. I was a volunteer Fire Fighter in Campo for about a year in 07’ and worked the duration of the Harris fire as well. I left the District Attorneys office because i got hired as a Full time Fire fighter for San Diego City and started their academy in Sept. of 08’ and graduated in Dec. I am now a Career fire fighter work-ing for San Diego Fire Dept. and I couldn’t ask for anything more

Daniella Ruiz ‘06I am currently enjoying my summer in San Diego but come September I will be a senior for San Francisco State University and I will be gradua-tion with a degree in Broadcasting and Electronics with an emphasis on video production. I will also graduate with a minor in Drama and have been going to many auditions and actually booked a few fun jobs

Yong-bin Kim (a.k.a. sam) ‘07 I’m currently serving my home country, South Korea as an enlisted Army soldier and enjoying my military duty. I’m going to return to my college next year to take my next step to become a professional pilot. Currently holding PPL(Private Pilot’s License), I’ll start my sophomore year in college next summer.

To be displayed in the next Crusader Connection, please email Bill Gerken at [email protected].

28 CRUSADER CONNECTION

Starting in the fall of 2010, the Crusaders will celebrate a school year long series of celebrations for the 50th Year An-niversary of start of Marian High School. If you are interest-ed in participating on this 50th Year Anniversary committee please contact, Bill Gerken, Director of Alumni Services at [email protected]. In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary Celebration, a Distinguished Alumni Honor Roll will be started which will recognize those alumni who have distinguished themselves in the community or in their contri-butions to Marian/Mater Dei Catholic High School. Stay tuned for future information regarding The Distinguished Alumni Honor Roll.

ALUMNI NEWS

50th Year Anniversary

Pictured above: The Marian/Mater Dei Catholic Alumnni vs. the 2009 Boys Golf Team.

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A L U M N I N E W S

MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 29

2009 ANNUAL CRUSADER GOLF TOURNAMENT

As the new school begins you need think about getting your golf clubs ready for the 33rd Annual Crusader Golf Tourna-ment on Sunday, October 11 (A Charger Bye-Weekend). This year the tournament will be at Eastlake Country Club with a 1 PM shotgun start. This is a four person best ball scramble for-mat so golfers of all level are invited to participate. Cost is $125 which includes lunch, dinner, goodie bag and much more. You can download a copy of the registration form at the school web site or go to http://www.materdeicatholic.org/Docs/golf.pdf .

2009 HOMECOMING:Homecoming this year will be on Friday, November 6 with our Crusader Football Team taking on Hilltop High School at 7 p.m. in Crusader Stadium followed by an alumni social in the gym. You can get more info on the post game alumni social on the alumni portal on the Crusader Web Site at www.mater-deicatholic.org. This years graduation of the Crusader Class of 2009 featured members of the Pioneer Class of 1964 sitting on the Dais with the graduates. Next year the Class of 1965 will be invited to sit on the Dais and join the Class of 2010 in celebrat-ing their graduation. This is becoming a tradition with the 45th Anniversary Class participating in the graduation of the new Crusader graduates until 2014 when the 50th Anniversary Class will be the invited class.

MDCHS would like to thank the following alums for partici-pating in this years Career Day for the junior Class of 2010. John Poole ’66, Patty Saminiego Robles ‘75, John Landicho ’81, Natalie Gerken ’00, Vanessa Gonzales ’03 and Bernando Lara ’07 helped make this an informative and rewarding day for our future Crusader Alum. This event is held each spring for the junior class to help them prepare for college selection and career opportunities.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION:This years Crusader Sports Hall of Fame Induction will be on Thursday, November 5 at 6:30 PM. A wine and cheese social will be held before the induction. This year’s inductees are:

Team Selection: 1966-67 Boys’ Basketball TeamCoach/Teacher Selection: Karen Klein Day Cravens ‘71Individual Crusader Selection: Bob Maruca ’67 Jim Grady ‘73

More information on this event can be found on the alumni portal of the school’s web site.

Career2009Day

Natalie Gerken, Class of 2000, an HR Specalist at

Booze Allen Hamilton, a world wide consulting company was one of the

presenters at Career Day.

ALUMNI EVENTS

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30 CRUSADER CONNECTION

HARRIS QUESNELLdelivering his speech to the class of 2009

A L U M N I I N T H E S P O T L I G H T

C L A S S O F1964

MDCHS: What is your most memorable experience at Marian?Mr. Quesnell: The world that I knew all of a sudden became bigger. Imperial Beach at that time was a small community. Television was in its infant stage and so the world was as big as one could ride his bicycle. This was usually to the beach and back. At Marian, there were groups of students from National City, Chu-la Vista and the San Ysidro/Tijuana area. I had been through those areas and knew the geography but never met the people who lived there. I realize it is hard to believe in today’s society but back then there were actually different cultures within the counties so at Mar-ian I experienced a different and diverse world and it changed my social consciousness. To have had this positive encounter would be very important in my life because later in the mid 60’s, I would spend a year in Mississippi exposed to a completely different and hostile culture. MDCHS: What is the importance of Catholic education?Mr. Quesnell: I believe its greatest value is providing a safe envi-ronment with shared values, beliefs and faith for the formative years of your life. In High School, when one starts taking responsibility for the decisions they make in life, it is such an enormous boost to be validated in a Catholic environment. In today’s society, where there is constant stimulus, a Catholic education helps develop a framework to make choices with a more in-depth perspective on life; looking at our choices in an eternal sense, not as short-term solutions.

MDCHS: Since you graduated from Marian, what career oppor-tunities have you had?Mr. Quesnell: Out of San Diego State, I went to work at the Navy Electron Laboratory Center at Point Loma where my first hardware project involved being part of a team developing the first digital military fiber optic link. The link was part of an upgrade to NORAD in Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs. Fiber technology was still in its infant stage and there were signal disper-sion, jitter, drift and stability problems. I developed a digital writ-ing technique, which latter was patented by the Navy, which took these signal degradations into account and reproduced an in-sync replicate of the transmitted digital waveform. From the success of this project, I was given a more complex problem in switching net-works. I was fortunate to be able to publish papers on the design concept, system and component level testing techniques. From this, I was assigned to develop the Navy metrology (scientific study of measurement) research and development program. The purpose of the program was to develop techniques and technology to measure, test and validate performance of new technology systems in the ar-eas of new infrared imagining systems, Fiber optic communication systems, the emerging very high speed microelectronic and Satellite communication systems. One of the program’s major accomplishments was the devel-opment of testing and validation techniques and standards for the military’s emerging use of millimeter wave spectrum. From this

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MATER DEI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 31

work, I was chosen to lead the microwave, millimeter-wave group in our organization. At this point in my career, I had moved from hardware design, to program management and now to supervision. This technology branch was involved in many areas of Satellite communication, phase array radars, monolithic microwave inte-grated circuits (MMIC) and identify friend or foe systems. During operation Desert Storm, we build a field repair kit for wave guides punctured by missile shrapnel. We had to look at the signal deg-radation caused by holes and sharp edges in the waveguide, then come up with materials and techniques to repair the damage. The branch’s successes opened the door for my next career op-portunity. I was offered a position as a consultant for a technology planning company. It entailed leaving the government and entering private industry and a new area of cyber space technology. One of the technology areas was in information management and high as-surance systems. George Mason University was building up their center of excellence in Command, Control, Communication, Com-puting and Intelligence, established in the late 80’s, and offered me a position on the research faculty. I was interested in getting back to the academic community and so took the position and eventually retired.MDCHS: What would you say is your proudest accomplishment so far in your career?Mr. Quesnell: All things considered, my proudest achievement in my career was retiring. When I was employed, not all my needs in life were addressed such as my need for private time with God and myself. This was a void in my life. Now I am retired I can understand and address all my needs. I have a plenty of private time with God and myself. My need for mental challenge is not directed by engineering problems but by the discovery of who I am. My need for physical challenge is not controlled by a morning and evening commute to work but by leisure walks observing and admiring God’s creation. I have more time to address my need of companionship by volunteer work, spending time with Mary Mar-garet and my sons and their families in San Diego and Kansas City. I never have to postpone living until the weekend because each day is a weekend. MDCHS: As a member of the pioneer class of Crusaders at Mar-ian, is there any advice that you would give to current Crusaders at Mater Dei Catholic?Mr. Quesnell: Life is a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. Although the ups are nice, for me, I would have preferred to avoid the depth of the down part of the ride. So my advice would be a suggestion on how to prevent those tremendous falls in your life. Do not measure success in life by the number of bricks you have on your house here on earth but instead in your mansion in the sky. Where you go in life depends on the one thing that is so impor-tant to you that you cannot walk away from it. That one thing will be your god. When I was young, my god was a material god and it caused great heartache and sorrow. I learned the hard way not to place my trust on created things but on the Creator. Life’s challenge is making that the one thing you can never walk away from to be the God that loves you for who you are and what you are. When you get to that stage in your life where you look back and think of the five most important decisions in your life, hopefully each one will reflect, “how did it help me get to heaven?

Mater Dei Catholic High SchoolAdmissions for the School Year 2010-2011

6 Steps to becoming a student at Mater Dei Catholic

1-Call or email Roy Vasquez, Admissions Office to get on our mailling list. (619) 423-2121 ext 106 or [email protected] our campus - Come to an Admissions Event, schedule a Personal Tour or schedule a Shadow Day. (to RSVP for an event, contact the Office of Admissions) 3-Complete an application (application fee $50)4-Take the High School Placement Test. (This test is only for applicants for 9th grade)5. Turn in Official Transcripts6. Interview - Parents and student meet with a member of MD faculty

RSVP’s are required for all of the following events. Please contact Roy Vasquez in the Admissions Office at (619) 423-2121 ext 106 or email [email protected]

8th Grade Visitation DayWednesday, September 23, 20099:00 am - 11:45 amProspective 8th Grade StudentsBegins and ends in the Lima Center - Lunch included

Open HouseSaturday, September 26, 200910:00 am - 12 Noon in the Lima Center All prospective families welcome

Prospective Parent Information NightWednesday, January 20, 20106:30 pm - 7:30 pm in the Lima CenterAll prospective families welcome

High School Placement Test Saturday, January 23, 20107:45 am - 11:30 am Test and Application Fee $50

Freshmen Interview NightThursday, February 4, 20104:30 pm - 8:00 pm in the De Paul Center

Letters of Acceptance will be mailed February 26, 2010 Freshmen Registration Night will take place on March 9 & 11, 2010

Admissions Process

2 0 0 9 - 2 0 1 0

Admissions Calendar

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Mater Dei Catholic High School1615 Mater Dei Drive

Chula Vista, CA 91913Phone 619.423.2121

www.materdeicatholic.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSan Diego, CAPermit No. 51

2009-2010CALENDAR OF EVENTS

september november

decemberoctober

10 Back to School Night 6:30 p.m.22 New Parent Meeting 6:30 p.m.23 8th Grade Visitation Day26 OPEN HOUSE 10:00 a.m.

7 Ambassador’s Induction 6:30 p.m.9 1st Grading Period Ends17 Mainly Mozart 7:00 p.m.20 Parent Meeting 6:30 p.m.30 Student “Walk-a-Thon”

5 Hall of Fame Induction 6:30 p.m.6 Homecoming Football Game7 Homecoming Dance at Seaworld14 Westwind Brass 7:00 p.m.20 2nd Grading Period Ends20-21 Student Drama Production21 Girl’s Parochial Volleyball Tournament

4 Christmas Choral Concert 7:00 p.m.5 California Ballet “Nutcracker” 7:00 p.m.12 JV Parochial Football Championships

For the most up to date ca l endar and s chedule , p l ease vi s i t www.mate r dei c athol i c .org.

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