Last night, over 300 O’Dowd family, friends, faculty and alumni gathered virtually for our annual Transforming Lives Dinner. While we couldn’t be together in person, the sense of community was astoundingly strong. We had a wonderful time sitting at small tables with our friends, enjoying delicious catered meals by Carrie Dove Catering and Chef Lala’s of Oakland, and hearing the O’Dowd bands and choirs. Then the program started, and we were all blown away.
Emily Quinn ’95 was an incredible host. She inspired and guided our community to stretch and give to invest in the future of O’Dowd through tuition assistance. “It feels so good to be a Dragon right now,” she cheered. “We are supporting students with opportunities to join this community, which we love and cherish. This is a huge YES YOU CAN moment. We are coming together, we are setting records, and we are transforming the challenges we’re facing into something special!” If you did not get to attend, watch the full presentation, including Emily’s amazing hosting.
We were also tremendously honored to have as our guest speaker judicial professor Kimberly Papillon ’87, a parent of three O’Dowd graduates, a founding member of O’Dowd’s Black Student Union, and a nationally recognized expert in the neuroscience of decision-making. “Your gifts are an opportunity to change patterns, to alter the trajectory of someone’s life,” she reminded us. “In times like these, when we can feel vulnerable and powerless, there is something you can do RIGHT NOW. When you open the doors of O’Dowd and give people an opportunity to walk inside, you are exercising your power.”
Together, our community has raised over $330,000 dollars in support of tuition assistance. These funds create opportunities for students, like Selma Louise Apara ’22, to thrive. “I’ve made connections at O’Dowd that I’ll carry through the rest of my life,” she said. Selma loves to perform. She’s participated in school plays, BSU and multicultural assemblies, joined the Cheer Team, and won Nationals. “If I hadn’t gotten financial aid, I wouldn’t have been able to have this great experience,” she declared. “That’s why it’s so important to invest in O’Dowd.” Watch Selma’s speech/
We are beyond grateful for the power and generosity of our Dragon community. Thank you for continuing to make O’Dowd a place for all students to feel welcome, reach their potential, and leave our campus prepared to make the world a better place.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Charita Hill-Avent & Darren Avent, Sr. Lisa Morbidelli & Michael Barbee Katharine Earhart & John Batcheller Namita & Jonel Brown Alison & Steve Burke Elizabeth Cabrall Cabraser ’70 Mike & Frannie Cooley Annette and Tom Counts Shawna Wolverton ’91 & Kirk Crenshaw Devcon Construction, Inc. Dustin Rhoades Dolby ’11 Nancy Scanlon & Ken Dupee Sandra Backovich & David Gleason Mary Gregory & Josh Glidden Nina Green The Hayes Family Margaret & Matt Heafey Wanda M. Holland Greene & Robert L. Greene, Jr. Mary & Glen Hentges Tegan & Pascal Hoffmann Laura Burnett & Ali Iranmanesh Gloria Rhynes-Jenkins & Darrell Jenkins Joanne & Scott Karchmer Erin Jaeb & Kevin J. Kelly Rabi Abdullah & Cormac Kilgallen Deanna & Royal Kirkland Catherine Kelly & Guy Lake Kay Chung & Yoon Lee Cary Littell Stephanie & Martin Long Tracey Borst & Robert Menicucci Boydine Hall & Wendall Mitchell Cherrie Nanninga ’66 Maryann & Thomas Parry The Pirrotta Family Heather Kuiper & Loren Rauch Glenele Oberrich & Max Rosenfeld Mark Sanchez Regina & Craig Shields Debi & Kevin Sweeney John & Louisa Tallarida Anthony B. Varni ’57 PJ & Lionel Vaughn Kim & Sean Walsh Margaret & Richard Walterhouse Carla & Tony Wicks Peggy & Stephen Wilcox Julie Conner and Scott Milstein James and Arleen Russi Family Trust Anthony Family Fund Linell and Joe Pennetta
THANK YOU TO TLD COMMITTEE (click to view)
Co-chairs Katharine Earhart and John Batchellar Nikki Maguire and Alex Byron
Members Lillian and Richard Buziak Sharon and Steven Callaway ’80 Mary Gregory and Josh Glidden Tegan and Pascal Hoffmann Deb Kaplan and John BartkowiakStephanie and Martin Long Monica and John Marcone Kate and Mark Mullen Alison and Stephen Sanger Monica Stevens and Paul Healy Carla and Tony Wicks