Category Archives: Volunteer

Dennis Haas, Longtime Volunteer and Friend of Chaminade dies at 70

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In the fall of 1969, Dennis Haas, then a Marianist brother, joined the Chaminade family. For 48 years, in his own quiet and humble way, he served the school in various capacities, and made lasting connections with four decades of alumni, parents, and employees.

Chaminade College Preparatory is deeply saddened to announce Dennis died on February 17, 2017 in West Hills, California. He was 70-years-old.

According to the Fall 1969 issue of Chaminotes, Dennis came to Chaminade by way of Honolulu Trade Tech, where he majored in carpentry. By the 1970-1971 school year, Dennis was campus manager of the West Hills campus; and he served as a Marianist from 1965 to 1974.

While he did not always work at Chaminade (he was a customer hardware technical support representative for IBM after he gradated from Pierce College), Dennis was a fixture on campus. He led KAIROS retreats, served as moderator for LIFE workshops, chaperoned various student activities, and helped the Advancement Office with archives and events. Perhaps what most in the Chaminade family will remember him for are the pictures he took, and the time he spent with the drama department. The 1988 yearbook was dedicated to him, “The Man with the Camera.”

Dennis was a 1964 graduate of Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco. His physics teacher was former Chaminade President, Fr. Allen DeLong. After graduating from Riordan, Dennis entered the Marianist religious community and moved to Cupertino.

During a Mass on Friday, February 17, 1989, the school celebrated the founding of Chaminade College Preparatory. Dennis was honored as one of Chaminade’s first Founders, 28 years ago; a fitting milestone for the uniquely simple and humble man who served Chaminade for so many years.

Chaminade Honors Four New Founders

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Chaminade College Preparatory’s West Hills campus was a little more crowded than usual this morning. Instead of the usual 1,200 high school students, there were 2,021 middle and high school students, gathered together to celebrate the school’s annual Founders Day Mass.

Main celebrant, Fr. Martin Solma, S.M., led the Mass and was joined by concelebrants, Fr. John-Paul Gonzalez ’97 of Christ the King (Hollywood), Fr. Jim Mueller, S.M. of Central Catholic High School (San Antonio, Texas), and Fr. Ted Ley, S.M. ’58. Together, the Chaminade family remembered Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and recognized four individuals for the contributions they have made to the school.

This year, Chaminade honored Nancy (Valtin) Leone ’86, Cynthia Snyder, David Poms, and Sandra Poms as founders. Nancy and Cynthia are both 25-year employees of the school, while David and Sandra are longtime benefactors and volunteers. Chaminade President, Rob Webb presented each founder with a medal at the end of Mass.

Founders Day also included a renewal of vows for the Marianist brothers and priests. Between them, Bro. Jack Dempsey, S.M.; Bro. David Betz, S.M.; Fr. Martin Solma, S.M.; Fr. Jim Mueller, S.M.; and Fr. Ted Ley, S.M. have 297 years of religious profession!

Chaminade Students Join Other Catholic High School Students for Year of Mercy Service Event

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Last week Chaminade College Preparatory LIFE Team members, Anagette San Roman ’17 and Daniella Torres ’17 participated in a joint service project with other San Fernando Region Catholic high schools at the Fred Jordan Mission on Skid Row.

Students from Chaminade, Notre Dame, Crespi, Louisville, Holy Family, Flintridge Sacred Heart, and Alemany volunteered for the mission’s annual Back to School event. Back to School provides Los Angeles Unified School District students with new clothing, shoes, socks, backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, hygiene kits, and food. The high school volunteers stuffed backpacks with school supplies, and handed them out; as well as passed out clothing and other personal care items.

Following the event, volunteers attended Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in celebration of the culmination of the Year of Mercy.

Chaminade Hosts 32nd Annual Golf Tournament

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The 32nd Annual Golf Tournament was held at Woodland Hills Country Club on Monday, September 19. More than 100 golfers on 28 teams came out to support Chaminade College Preparatory and the school’s tuition assistance program.

They started out the day with breakfast, a putting contest, and perusing over two dozen prizes, including tickets to Disneyland, a spa day at Four Seasons Westlake Village, and signed items from Chaminade alumni athletes Logan Paulsen ’05, Kevin Pillar ’07, and Blake Rutherford ’16. Golfers took to the course at the 11:00 a.m. shotgun start, where they enjoyed BBQ lunches, contests, and beverage service provided by volunteers.

The day concluded with cocktail hour, a live auction, dinner, and awards. Current parent and tournament participant Ron Pivo served as Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer. Thank you to Todd Stevens and Family, Joe Heath and Family, and Drai’s Nightclub Las Vegas for making the live auction the highlight of the evening. After dinner, the tournament awards were announced with Andy Kawatra ’06, Glen Scher and Stuart Fagan taking First Place for the second year in a row.

This tournament was made possible by our event sponsors Community Bank, EPIC and Mike Lynn ’75, Gothic Landscape, Marie McDonough and Family, and Network AutoBody and the Fasone Family. Thank you to our tee sponsors and underwriters, especially to Joe Fabian and the Class of 1982 for sponsoring the beer, gift bag sponsor Great Scott Tree Service, and Tenuta Vineyards for providing tournament prizes.

Thank you to the 2016 Golf Committee (Joe Fabian ’82, Joe Heath, JM Kenny, Jennifer and Kevin Murkey ’94, Erin Sullivan, Tina Miller, Kyle Pearson ’11, and Leah Wagner) for helping plan this wonderful day and to all the amazing volunteers who kept things running smoothly.

The Volunteer Mixers Came and Went but You Can Still Sign-up

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IMG_1068Volunteer Mixers have become part of the back-to-school tradition at Chaminade College Preparatory, and last week more than 200 parents attended one both events.

The mixers are an opportunity for new and returning parents to learn more about the different ways they can volunteer at the school. Representatives from various committees were on-hand to answer questions and encourage people to sign-up for an activity.

Thanks to the help of parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends, Chaminade has a robust group of supporters who help to plan events such as the Golf Tournament, Holly Berry, and Chaminade Gala. In addition, volunteers work with Chaminade Boosters to sell uniforms and spirit wear, as well as to cook and sell food at various sporting events throughout the year. Beyond events and Boosters, parents can also help with specific groups such as Robotics, the Performing Arts, The Chaminade Fund, and more.

There are always many opportunities available for all levels of time commitment. For more information on volunteering, please contact the Advancement Office at (818) 360-0615. The parent volunteer form can be filled out and returned to the Advancement Office on the Chatsworth campus.