Monthly Archives: May 2022

Chaminade Honors 13 Families with Family of Mary Award

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For the past 30 years, during the Baccalaureate Mass, Chaminade has upheld the tradition of presenting a special award to Chaminade families who have made a long-standing commitment by sending three or more children to Chaminade throughout their tenure.

In the spirit of Mary, Chaminade strives to create a community that is truly a family, consisting of students, faculty, staff, and parents. There is no greater trust on the part of parents than to place their children in the hands of our school community.

On May 27, 2022, we proudly recognized 13 families with The Family of Mary Award, marking their exceptional involvement at Chaminade. Congratulations to the 2022 Family of Mary Award recipients:

  • Mr. Brian and Mrs. Kristi Balleweg
    Montgomery ’17, Mackinnley ’19, Maguire ’22
  • Mr. Blake Brown ’84 and Mrs. Maryann Gallagher-Brown
    Brendan ’17, Daniel ’19, Blake ’22
  • Mr. Jason and Mrs. Jeannette Crawshaw
    Eric ’15, John ’22, Victor ’22
  • Mr. Pat Davoren and Mrs. Mary Pat Hurdle Davoren ’83
    Scott ’09, Brianna ’11, Sean ’15, Katie ’16, Tim ’19, Peyton ’22
  • Ms. Laura Espinoza
    Cameron ’10, Ariana ’19, Corina ’22
  • Mr. Rudy and Mrs. Maria Garcia
    Christian ’17, Joshua ’18, Zachary ’20, Jacob ’22
  • Mr. Joel and Mrs. Jennifer Manlucu
    Patricia ’14, Paolo ’16, Pauline ’22
  • Dr. Ashraf Nashed and Ms. Dina Bedwani
    Natalie ’18, Nicole ’20, Noelle ’22
  • Mr. Bud and Mrs. Christina Nations
    Katherine ’15, Daniel ’18, Sophia ’22
  • Dr. Ayman Nouneh and Ms. Liana Alturk
    Kevin ’19, Mary ’21, Christopher ’22
  • Dr. Emmanuel and Dr. Melizza Pacia
    Aimee ’15, Francis ’21, Angelo ’22
  • Mr. Randall Stern and Ms. Thea Pizziano-Carlo
    Aidan ’22, Giovanni ’22, Ramsey ’22
  • Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Traci Zvonicek
    Emma ’18, Lola ’20, Jack ’22

Middle School teacher Walt Stewart recognized as Athletic Director/Sports Coach of the Year. 

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On Thursday, May 19, Chaminade’s middle school athletic director and coach, Walt Stewart, was recognized with the Athletic Director/Sports Coach of the Year award by The Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce at the 18th Annual Unforgettable Educator Awards Gala. Each year, The Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce honors and acknowledges those educators who make a lasting impact on students’ lives and schools in our community. 

He is recognized for his dedication to the students and the Chaminade community. He is always the first one on the field and the last to leave. He is known for his motivational speeches that resonate with students and teaches them life lessons by making them responsible, holding them accountable, and teaching them to work toward a goal as a team. 

 “That is the best thing to see as a parent,” says a current middle school parent, “someone who is dedicated and wants my child to succeed not only in sports but as a person.” 

Walt has been teaching for 28 years. He joined the Chaminade family in 2007, and serves as the athletic director, teaches physical education, and coaches track and field and football. Walt is also president of the Junior High Delphic League, a middle school athletic league featuring twenty-five private middle schools in the Los Angeles area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, a Professional Clear Single Subject Credential in Physical Education, and a Supplementary Credential in Geo-Science.

” I love coaching,” says Walt, which, as he notes, has been especially important following a school year at home due to the pandemic. “I find it rewarding to teach our student-athletes sports skills, strategies, teamwork, and sportsmanship and see them improve on these skills during practices and competitions.”

Walt is married to Jill Stewart, who teaches at Chaminade’s high school in West Hills. Together, they have three Chaminade alumni, Nicholas ’17, Mathew ’19, and Jessica ’21.

Chaminade Celebrates Volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception. 

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Chaminade as a community has emerged from the pandemic stronger and closer. This year, we were thrilled to gather in person to celebrate volunteerism, connectedness to our mission, and the love for our students.

Volunteers are an essential part of Chaminade’s operations and are instrumental to the success of many of our programs and events. Our volunteers do it all, from large and exciting events like EagleFest to the smaller, less glamorous envelope-stuffing parties. They truly demonstrate the Marianist tradition of family spirit through their selfless giving of time and talent. 

On May 11, Chaminade recognized nine extraordinary volunteers who have their last child graduating from high school. Their commitment to Chaminade over the previous four to seven years has had an astounding effect on our school. Congratulations to our 2022 Spotlight on Service honorees:

• Fernando and Nicole Cabaccang P’22
• Dave Dumas P’19, ’22
• Charisse Enrique P’20, ’22
• Adam and Karen Friedman P ’20, ’22
• Guillermo Herrera P’20 , ’22
• Traci Zvonicek P’18,’20, ’22
• Heidi Oney P’20, ’22

In addition to honoring our fantastic parent volunteers, Chaminade also paid tribute to two Board members who are terming off the board at the end of the month. Chaminade expressed its sincere gratitude to Mary Campbell P’13,15,18, and Jeannette Crawshaw P’15, ’22, ’22. For the last six years, they have volunteered their time and invaluable expertise to help ensure that our school upholds our Catholic, Marianist mission.

Consider joining the ranks of our volunteers; you will find that it is one of the best experiences. And along the way, you will forge new and long-lasting friendships. Join us on August 23 and 25 for our volunteer mixers to find your perfect volunteer opportunity and join the ranks of this fantastic group.