Accolades Abound
Enjoy this round-up of achievements by our students and educators, featured in the Spring ‘25 issue of Sacred Heart Magazine.
SHP Computer Science teachers Kayla Holman and Kevin Morris presented a poster session on SHP's Interdisciplinary Computer Science program at this summer's Computer Science Teachers Association National Conference in Cleveland.
SHP Social Science teachers Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams presented on “Educational Advocacy: Calling for the Creation of an AP Women's History Course” at the California Council of the Social Studies Conference in March, and earlier this month presented at Ms. Magazine's Archive Workshop in Los Angeles, along with SHP librarian Sheila Chatterjee, SHP students, and an SHP alumna. The team shared its groundbreaking work to create the first-ever AP Women's U.S. History (WAPUSH) course, highlighted teaching strategies using the digitized Ms. Archive, and introduced a new LibGuide on the Lucas Library website that helps made WAPUSH resources more accessible.
SHP Board Certified Educational Therapist Anna McDonald, Ed.D., has been busy making an impact in education, from co-developing the TeachAAPI Affinity Toolkit with DEIA expert Rosetta Lee, which launched at the Nais People of Color Conference (PoCC) and is shared with schools nationwide, to presenting at Notre Dame de Namur’s master’s class in educational therapy. McDonald also moderated workshops, including a panel on neurodivergent adults in June. A dedicated advocate, McDonald actively seeks ways to empower others in the field.
SHP English teacher Dr. Lisa Harper published "What Nathaniel Hawthorne Has to Say to Silicon Valley About Techno-Optimism" in Literary Hub in March. Her think piece considers how 19th century Hawthorne helps her students consider the ambitions and dangers of 21st century techno-optimism--and especially the risks that tech innovation poses to human dignity.
SHP English teacher Dr. Lisa Harper published "What Nathaniel Hawthorne Has to Say to Silicon Valley About Techno-Optimism" in Literary Hub in March. Her think piece considers how 19th century Hawthorne helps her students consider the ambitions and dangers of 21st century techno-optimism--and especially the risks that tech innovation poses to human dignity.
Recent grad Vishnu Kagolanu (SHP '25) submitted an abbreviated version of a prior English assignment, a “Justice” letter, to the New York Times’ Open Letters opinion-writing contest. Out of over 8,000 submissions, Kagolanu’s letter, “The C.D.C. Should Provide More Funding to Research Rare Neurological Diseases,” was recognized as an “additional finalist,” placing him in the final round of judging.
Katherine Ware (SHP '26) has qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME) for three consecutive years. Other past qualifiers include Eason Bao (SHP '27) in 2024, and Selena Jiang (SHP '25) in 2023, who also won the Young Women in Mathematics Two Sigma AMC 10B Award in 2023.
SHP robotics, a team of over 30 students, competes on four separate smaller teams throughout the season; in January, the freshman team competed in the finals at the Point Church qualifier competition, with two other Sacred Heart teams finishing in first and third. In February, team "Measure Once Cut Twice" competed in the Northern California Regional Tournament, making it into the semifinals and placing third, tying the program's best performance ever, which was in 2019. Co-coach and SHP Creative Inquiry teacher Alex Bucur was surprised with the Compass Award for being the best coach in the Northern California region, a submission that the robotics team members along with co-coach and SHP Computer Science teacher Kayla Holman worked on as a surprise for coach Bucur.
Also early in the new year, last year's fifth-grade robotics team stepped into the spotlight at its very first robotics tournament—a moment two years in the making. Students put their knowledge to the test in driving skills, autonomous programming, the teamwork challenge, and the team engineering interview. Together, the young engineers faced nerves, embraced excitement, and worked as a united team.
SHP's PULSE dance team made a strong showing at the Inferno and Headliners regional dance competitions, earning top awards for their performances across Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop styles. At Inferno, the team received Elite Platinum awards for its four routines, with one performance earning a High Score Award and placing second overall out of more than 70 entries. They continued their success at Headliners, earning High Gold awards, with two routines securing first place in the Senior Large Group and the Senior Class categories. With their dedication and artistry, PULSE continues to elevate the dance program at SHP.
Lower School Art teacher Ciara Bedingfield’s collage artwork, “Peggy’s Visit,” was selected for inclusion in London's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024. As an artist, Bedingfield is interested in the untold stories of women’s struggles throughout history. The inspiration for “Peggy’s Visit” comes from a Polaroid photograph of her grandmother taken in the 1970s. Prior to the exhibition, an artists’ opening included a church service and procession as part of “Varnishing Day.” Bedingfield was able to attend the event in person as part of SHS’s professional development initiatives. The well-known installation artist Cornelia Parker curated the room that held Bedingfield’s art piece.
Stevens Family Library was featured in American Libraries Magazine's March issue story, The Net-Zero Revolution. A decade after becoming the first library in the US to receive Net Zero Energy status, the library's sustainability efforts continue to earn recognition and praise.
SHP's PULSE dance team made a strong showing at the Inferno and Headliners regional dance competitions, earning top awards for their performances across Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop styles. At Inferno, the team received Elite Platinum awards for its four routines, with one performance earning a High Score Award and placing second overall out of more than 70 entries. They continued their success at Headliners, earning High Gold awards, with two routines securing first place in the Senior Large Group and the Senior Class categories. With their dedication and artistry, PULSE continues to elevate the dance program at SHP.
Lower School Art teacher Ciara Bedingfield’s collage artwork, “Peggy’s Visit,” was selected for inclusion in London's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024. As an artist, Bedingfield is interested in the untold stories of women’s struggles throughout history. The inspiration for “Peggy’s Visit” comes from a Polaroid photograph of her grandmother taken in the 1970s. Prior to the exhibition, an artists’ opening included a church service and procession as part of “Varnishing Day.” Bedingfield was able to attend the event in person as part of SHS’s professional development initiatives. The well-known installation artist Cornelia Parker curated the room that held Bedingfield’s art piece.
Stevens Family Library was featured in American Libraries Magazine's March issue story, The Net-Zero Revolution. A decade after becoming the first library in the US to receive Net Zero Energy status, the library's sustainability efforts continue to earn recognition and praise.
Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12
