News & Events News
On Saturday, February 22nd, the Janksters hosted their annual Robot Reveal Night to showcase the robot the team had just six weeks to brainstorm, prototype, and build for this year’s challenge. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an innovative program that encourages kids to pursue knowledge and skills in STEM, released a new challenge (Infinite Recharge) to their FRC (First Robotics Competition) teams on January 4, kicking off the 2020 Build Season. Robot Reveal Night allowed team members to present their achievements in front of parents, mentors, sponsors and guests. All eyes were on the robot as it made its way down the aisle in JB Hall.
Today Secretary of State Alex Padilla visited Notre Dame High School and spoke to students about the importance of voting. Secretary of State Padilla has visited more than 80 high schools across "the four corners of the state" in recent weeks. Invited by Malyna Trujillo '23, a leader of Notre Dame's League of Young Women Voters club, his visit to Notre Dame was the first to an all-girls school.
February 12 marked the 15th anniversary of the death of Sr. Dorothy Stang. She dedicated her life & work to poor migrant farmers & the Amazon rainforests of Brazil. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have dedicated 2020 to honor her legacy. Let us pray, God of goodness, On the 15th anniversary of Sr. Dorothy Stang's martyrdom, we proudly join the global Notre Dame family to begin this year of remembrance and celebration. As we lift up Sr. Dot's legacy at various moments throughout the year, may we proclaim your goodness, embrace your people, and care for your creation. St. Julie, pray for us. Sister Dorothy, pray for us. Let us together say, Amen.
Notre Dame's Speech & Debate Team competed last weekend at the Stanford Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament, bringing home trophies and earning accolades. The week before seven students participated in the Santa Clara Valley MUN conference where students represented the Philippines.
Justice immersion opportunities are powerful learning tools that surround a student with an intense experience. Through local, national and international immersion experiences, students are empowered to work effectively with diverse populations in a variety of settings to build global perspective, cultural competency and cultural fluency. This week 20 Notre Dame freshmen participated in a local plunge experience at Sacred Heart Community Service, located in the heart of our downtown San Jose neighborhood.
Notre Dame's 17th Annual Crab Fest sold out in just a few minutes again this year! The event, made possible by a dedicated committee and more than 200 parent and student volunteers, raised money for co-curricular programs including athletics, robotics, ASB leadership and the Peer Ministry Leadership Team.
Notre Dame's Varsity Soccer Team was recognized by the Central Coast Section as a Winter Scholastic Championship Team. The 4th highest GPA in the division. Congratulations to our scholar athletes!
Students began the day with an enthusiastic assembly recommitting to their theme of Belonging. In the evening, the Learning Commons was filled to capacity with parents excited to get a grade-level preview into the next school year as well as a virtual floor-by-floor tour of what students will be experiencing next year in the Center for Women's Leadership.
For the last two days all students in Notre Dame's Class of 2022 have participated in breakaway activities exploring themes of community, communion and relationship. One integral component of this breakaway experience is the Community Action Poverty Simulation, a program of Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County’s Step Up Silicon Valley. The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) immersed participants in the reality of a Silicon Valley that grows in disparity as much as prosperity.
Shruti Sridhar '20 was recently named as one of the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,993 applications received from 659 high schools across 49 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and eight countries.
Students in Notre Dame's Economics class recently visited Normandin Chrysler Jeep & Dodge to learn about the car buying process.
Notre Dame's Regent Collective Dance Company presented its second annual dance extravaganza, Once Upon a Dream, last week. The show featured jazz, ballet and modern dance performances and was enjoyed by more than 200 attendees!
Our most recent alumnae returned to campus to share their experiences with current students this week, providing insight into college life.
Notre Dame kicked off the Christmas season this week with a cookie contest, tree decorating and our 5th annual Christmas in Pardini tree lighting! Family and friends braved the drizzly weather to enjoy hot cocoa, treats and performances by Notre Dame's vocal and dance groups.
Congratulations to Melia '22 who created the winning artwork for our 17th annual Crab Fest! We look forward to welcoming a sell-out crowd to campus on February 1 as we raise funds for co-curricular programs. Thank you, in advance, to the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who make this event such a success every year.
The more than 100 student athletes participating in volleyball, cross country, tennis and golf wrapped up their 2019-20 fall season recently with an awards ceremony. Eleven students were recognized by the West Bay Athletic League for their outstanding performance.
Fast Fashion opened on the San Jose State University campus this week and included the art of Notre Dame students Mikaela Brennan '20 and Marley Gerhart '21. Curated by artist and professor, Dr. Jonathan Fung, Fast Fashion invites viewers to contemplate their carbon footprint and the environmental impact of their clothing purchases.
Recently Alexia Gutiérrez '20 received a commendation from the San Jose City Council and Mayor Sam Liccardo for her work to make golf and STEM more accessible for Latinx youth through her organization, Latinx Golf.
Students in biology and environmental science classes recently visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium where they were able to examine the effects of climate change and learn ways to live more sustainably in our changing environment. Through hands-on exhibits and experiments, they gained a better understanding of the way different biomes function and how they influence our lives as humans.
Notre Dame's AP French Language & Culture students recently visited Stanford University's Auguste Rodin sculpture collection to experience, in person, the art they had been studying in class.
Shreya Garg '20 and Jocelyn Swift '22 recently participated in a panel discussion as part of the Common Ground Speaker Series. The event, attended by more than 400 people, included a screening of LIKE: A Documentary About the Impact of Social Media on Our Lives, followed by a moderated discussion.
Recently the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Office of Hispanic Apostolate hosted the fifth annual Saints in the City: an awards banquet honoring the youth of the Diocese of San Jose who have carried the torch of discipleship with fearless faith, enduring hope, and bountiful charity. Sophie Ciechanowski '20 received the Saint Francis of Assisi Award.
In addition to a whole bunch of Frida Kahlos and #1 dads, and the usual cuteness of animals, devils and superheroes, we had a construction worker who even brought along her specially enhanced drawings for the Center for Women's Leadership! Sorry Emma, the water slide isn't in the budget!
Notre Dame's 11th annual Women of Impact luncheon honored Kim Rivera and Rita Beamish '70, who shared inspiring stories of women's leadership with the more than 750 guests in attendance at the San Jose Convention Center.
On Thursday, October 24th, the Notre Dame chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 57 new members. Students were selected by the Scholarship Committee for demonstrating a high standard of excellence in their character, scholarship, leadership and service.