June 6, 2005 VOL. 43, NO. 11Oakland, CA

Tribute to the Class of 2005

Here are some of this year’s outstanding graduates of the Catholic high schools in the Oakland Diocese.

The Catholic Voice salutes them and all graduates of the Class of 2005.

Bishop O’Dowd High School – Oakland

Kyle Jason Chin

College: University of California, Los Angeles
To study: Aerospace engineering
Would like to meet: Guitarist Zakk Wylde, whose passion and dedication to his craft knows no boundaries.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The general sense of apathy and lack of concern for issues that do not directly pertain to us. This is why poverty, social injustice (as seen recently in Darfur), and environmental plight such as pollution and global warning continue to run rampant while most pay little heed.
Solution: Our society needs to be instilled with external awareness in the early years - at home, in school, etc., so that we may become conscientious adults who are active in addressing the global issues that threaten the present and future.

Alissa Deus Petrites
College: Boston University
To study: Biology
Would like to meet: Paul Rusesabagina, the man on whom the movie 'Hotel Rwanda' was based. I feel that his bravery and heroism in times of great turmoil make him a truly exemplary human being.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: A lack of respect for humankind. Individuals need to treat one another with dignity and compassion. Not doing so is the root of all society's problems.
Solution: Convincing people to make small attitude adjustments and practice tolerance. This can make a world of difference in areas such as crime, human rights abuses and the general state of society.

Carondelet High School - Concord

Patty Araj
College: University of California, Los Angeles
To study: Physiology
Would like to meet: Audrey Hepburn - her humanitarian efforts for children in third-world countries inspires me to be involved in community service that aids children in need.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The inequality of wealth and resources between countries. Nations living in poverty face starvation, disease and very poor living conditions.
Solution: Wealthy nations need to assist nations living in poverty by providing resources such as food, clothing and most importantly education so these countries can eventually build resources and improve their poor living conditions on their own.

Shannon Collyer
College: Sonoma State University
To study: Political science and sociology
Would like to meet: Sister Helen Prejean. I have heard her speak in Fort Benning, Georgia, and she is absolutely amazing. Her advocacy for social justice and her passion are truly admirable qualities. She truly inspires me to get involved and change the world.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: Hunger and poverty. Having worked with the homeless I have seen those struggling and I am compelled to make a difference.
Solution: My solution would be to educate others more on social justice issues. I feel that poverty and hunger are two issues that are often ignored in our society. I think the focus needs to be taken off materialism and put on developing a spirit of giving. If people become involved with the poor, their lives will be changed just as mine did.

De La Salle High School - Concord

Larry Del Santo
College: Loyola Marymount University
To study: Business, marketing, and management
Would like to meet: Walt Disney. He is one of the most inspiring people there has ever been. With Disneyland and Disneyworld, he has created an environment for all people to be young again and appreciate the gift of family and happiness.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: Poverty.
Solution: To end poverty, the best thing I can do is giving my time to those who need it most especially those in poverty. My time is the biggest and greatest gift I can give.

Scott Hugo
College: University of California, Los Angeles
To study: Liberal Arts
Would like to meet: The Dalai Lama. Merely being in his presence would make me a better person. His wisdom, serenity and fight for the inherent dignity of human beings are nothing less than inspiring. He is one of my spiritual heroes.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The pervasive apathy that plagues mankind. Ultimately, we inhabit this earth together. When people die, it should no longer be a ten-second sound bite on the news.
Solution: Reaching out to each and every person I can, letting them know they matter; setting an example about taking an active interest in other people; showing love and compassion and fighting daily to make a difference.

Holy Names High School - Oakland

Tanya Budiarto
College: University of California, San Diego
To Study: Chemistry
Would like to meet: Jane Goodall was brave enough to pursue her dream in spite of daunting obstacles. She redefined the way people thought about chimpanzees by discovering their use of tools and intricate social behaviors. I also greatly admire how she treated these animals as individuals with distinct personalities and traits.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The deterioration of our environment should be of utmost concern in the global community. Humans are depleting, polluting and destroying the earth's vital natural resources. The great rain forests and once clear lakes have much too often become wastelands not even fit for animals.
Solution: The global community should take more responsibility for the earth that was entrusted in our care. Our leaders must realize the importance of conserving and maintaining the health of the environment and it is only through persistence and determination from every member of society that will lead to actual changes.

College: Dominican University
To study: Undecided
Would like to meet: William Goldman, author of “The Princess Bride.” It is my favorite book and it has changed my life. It inspired me to read more and whenever I'm feeling extremely stressed or overwhelmed, I can read my favorite parts of “The Princess Bride” and feel much more calm and relaxed.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: A great challenge for many people is simply to be honest. There is a lot of deception in this world, ranging from friends gossiping to political leaders misleading their people.
Solution: The obvious, though difficult, solution would be to stop lying. A way in which I could contribute to solving this problem would be to confront people who I know are lying and urge them to tell the truth. It would also be beneficial for us to confront our leaders and demand the truth from them.

Moreau Catholic High School– Hayward

Antonio Quintana
College: Stanford University
To study: Undecided
Would like to meet: Paris Hilton -- she seems so interesting, and Steve Prefontaine -- he had so much dedication and fire for life.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: People are too apathetic. We just don't care about each other or anything for that matter.
Solution: We must all find our own solution to apathy. Everyone needs something to drive them, to inspire them, to move them.

Sonja Weaver-Madsen
College: University of California, Los Angeles
To study: Political science
Would like to meet: All of my heroes: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, John Kerry and Dick Winters.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: I believe the blatant misunderstandings between nations post the greatest threat to peace.
Solution: I would call for conflict resolution through increased open communication.

St. Elizabeth High School - Oakland

Luke Blueford
College: Stillman College
To study: Physical science
Would like to meet: President Bush and ask him what is really going on between the United States and Iraq and how is he running this country.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: That the poor are getting poorer, the rich are getting richer and middle class is going down.
Solution: We have to divide the wealth more equally. No one really needs a million or a billion dollars while there are people with nothing.

Alma Enriquez
College: University of California, Berkeley
To study: Biology and pre-med (genetics)
Would like to meet: The 35-year-old me and ask her questions about her past and my future. Meeting her would give me a lot to work hard for and look forward to, inspiring me in many ways.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The influence of the media on the public. This influence takes away from each person's uniqueness and convinces individuals to conform to the norms set out by pop culture. Individuals are easily convinced and finally deprived of their individuality as human beings.
Solution: People to become more critical of what is being portrayed and not become absorbed by what the media is portraying as correct. By doing this we would stop conforming to the media and start striving to find the uniqueness that we hold within ourselves.

St. Joseph Notre Dame High School - Alameda

Emily Braga
College: University of California, Los Angeles
To study: Biology and pre-med
Would like to meet: Thomas Brazelton, renowned pediatrician.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: Conflict and misunderstanding of each other in the world. This leads to hatred and lack of help for the benefit of all.
Solution: To help educate people on the needs and customs of others to promote understanding of each other and unity among the world's nations.

Jessica Reader
College: University of California, Santa Barbara
To study: Biological science
Would like to meet: Princess Diana. She was a great leader who went out of her way to help the people of the world. Therefore, she is a wonderful role model.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The presence of hunger, homelessness and poverty.
Solution: This could be solved by not allowing the powerful countries in the world to dominate and take the resources of the weaker countries.

St. Mary’s College High School - Berkeley

Emilio Alejandro Flores
College: Brown University
To study: Engineering and philosophy
Would like to meet: President Bill Clinton because I think it would be interesting to talk to him about the international conflicts he faced while in office. I would also be curious to talk to him about his political and personal life as a president.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The United States' inability to peacefully resolve international conflicts.
Solution: The youth of this nation and all of the countries need to be educated about international conflict resolution and a new generation of diplomats must arise in order to achieve a stable global political environment.

Andrea Nishita
College: University of Southern California
To study: Business
Would like to meet: My grandfather because he died right before I was born and I am told that he was a very good and honest person. I wish I had the opportunity to know my grandfather the way others did and talk to him about his own experiences in World War II. I feel that I have missed an opportunity to have a close connection with a special person in our family.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: One of the greatest challenges is preserving the environment because I do not believe that people understand how their actions affect our natural resources. I think that some people exploit the environment in order to profit monetarily or for their own personal gratification. Due to ignorance and greed, there is a danger that these natural resources will be compromised or may not even be available for future generations.
Solution: My solution would be to encourage and provide education to teach about conservation, preservation and ecological responsibility. We need to find less harmful alternatives to the practices that threaten our natural resources.

Salesian High School - Richmond

Elinor Crescenzi
College: Pitzer College
To study: Psychology, religious studies, and Spanish
Would like to meet: Mother Teresa or Don Bosco. I would have liked to know them. Now, there is not really anyone I'd like to meet, but there are a few that I have already met who I would like to get to know better.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: Apathy, not only are people reluctant to act out against problems in this world, but also they fail to even recognize them. They refuse to see the results of their own actions and inactions on the challenges facing the world today and the challenges facing them in their own lives now.
Solution: I'm starting with me. There is only one person who you can truly change - yourself. Once a person becomes both aware and active, then he or she can serve as an inspiration for others, so they too can change and serve as inspiration.

Emily Hartman
College: University of California, Davis
To study: American studies and theater arts
Would like to meet: Stephen Sondheim and anyone who is passionate and creative.
Greatest challenge facing the world today: The fight against AIDS in Africa and around the world.
Solution: Education is the only way to prevent AIDS. In order to treat AIDS, w must use the technology and funds we have to make medicine available to those who need it most.

Patty Araj

Shannon Collyer

Larry Del Santo

Scott Hugo

Tanya Budiarto

Marnie Peterson

Antonio Quintana

Sonja Weaver-Madsen

Luke Blueford

Alma Enriquez

Emily Braga

Jessica Reader

Emilio Alejandro Flores

Andrea Nishita

Elinor Crescenzi

Emily Hartman

back to top

home