Welcome to the digital version of Take 5 – a Spirit Magazine feature that asks five questions to three people about their connection to the magazine’s theme.
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon have a long history of living valiantly. This important Core Value has been seen by the way the Sisters and lay teachers at St. Mary of Valley and Valley Catholic School have fostered a community of lifelong learners and supported its alumni ever since the Sisters opened their first school 120 years ago – St.Mary’s Academy in 1903.
To live valiantly is to live one’s life authentically, to have the courage to do what is right, to go for one’s goals, and to support one another. For this edition of Take 5, we spoke to three different alumni from St. Mary’s of the Valley/Valley Catholic School about their experiences here and how this campus empowered each of them to Live Valiantly.
Jo Drain ’48
- Give us the basics: when did you attend St. Mary of the Valley and share one of your favorite memories from your time on the SSMO campus?
I attended St. Mary of the Valley from 1937 until I graduated on May 30, 1948. It has been 75 years since I attended St. Mary of the Valley, and I have lots of memories from my time there. A few of my favorites are going to mass in the chapel with all of the Sisters. I was always so impressed because they were so saintly looking, and I thought they were certainly saints.
The Sisters had a great big St. Bernard dog, and he would jump on people. I was afraid of dogs. I asked my parents, “What am I going to do if that dog jumps on me?” My father said don’t run, or the dog will chase you. I always managed to find a door to hide behind or go into the building because I was afraid he would knock me down. I still smile when I think of that big, friendly dog.
- One of the Sisters’ Core Values is Live Valiantly. What does Live Valiantly mean to you?
Living Valiantly means doing what I know is right and having the courage of your convictions. It is important to not be afraid to go against the tide if it’s something you feel is wrong. I believe to Live Valiantly is to have the courage to display your beliefs and not be taken up by the crowd.
- Give us a valiant example of how your time as a SMV student influenced your personal life.
Living Valiantly is incorporated into my everyday life. I have six children, and it’s hard not to be valiant when you have six children. It’s about instilling in them the principles you think are right and teaching them honesty and integrity.
- As a Valiant Alumni, how do you describe your school to others?
I describe St. Mary of the Valley and now Valley Catholic School as a top educational institution. It is top not only in education but in teaching students values, courage, integrity, making right decisions, and, most of all, trusting in and loving God.
- Tell us how a memorable teacher left a valiant impression on you.
There were so many teachers that left an impression on me. Sister Mary Annunciata was my music teacher and I thought she was a saint. Sister Mary Everildis was the librarian and a wonderful woman. She was physically disabled so she would keep one hand on the wall as she walked the hallways. She was a valiant woman to manage her physical pain and continue to be so pleasant and cheerful with her students all the time.
Juhea Kim ’05
- Give us the basics: when did you attend Valley Catholic and share one of your favorite memories from your time on the SSMO campus?
I began attending Valley Catholic Elementary School in fifth grade and stayed until I graduated from Valley Catholic High School in 2005.
Some of my favorite memories are making crepes in Madame Miller’s French class, and performing with the school orchestra and Charisma Dance Team.
- One of the Sisters’ Core Values is Live Valiantly. What does Live Valiantly mean to you?
To Live Valiantly means living with integrity and authenticity. It means doing the right thing even if it comes at a cost – especially a personal cost to you.
- Give us a valiant example of how your time as a VC student influenced your personal life.
Valley Catholic was the kind of place where, if an ambulance was passing by in the middle of class the teacher would ask the students to take a moment and pray. That was a lifelong lesson in compassion and empathy, which informed my vegan lifestyle and my animal and environmental advocacy.
- As a Valiant Alumni, how do you describe your school to others?
I describe Valley Catholic School as a compassionate and intellectually rigorous Catholic school that is open to everyone. It is a wonderful educational experience for all students.
- Tell us how a memorable teacher left a valiant impression on you.
Mr. Kipp Johnson taught me from seventh to twelfth grade. It is no exaggeration to say he changed my life. He taught me so much more than math. He taught me the values of excellence, integrity, generosity, faith, humility, and humor.
I owe him all of the Oreo cookies in the world.
Trevor Gates ’07
- Give us the basics: when did you attend Valley Catholic and share one of your favorite memories from your time on the SSMO campus?
I attended Valley Catholic High School from 2004-2007.
My favorite memory was winning the OSAA Boys Basketball State Championship in 2007. Most of us on that team played together for four years and to have it culminate in a state championship was a memorable experience. It is definitely one of the highlights from my time at VC.
- One of the Sisters’ Core Values is Live Valiantly. What does Live Valiantly mean to you?
To Live Valiantly is to live your life with courage, determination, patience, and empathy. These are the values I was needing and learning in high school. Today, they are the values I strive to follow.
- Give us a valiant example of how your time as a VC student influenced your personal life.
My time at VC influenced me in many ways. I made several friends at Valley Catholic School that are still my friends today. The sports I played at VC laid the foundation for playing basketball in college, and my junior year at VC was when I decided I wanted to attend law school. Thanks to that influence, I have been an attorney for ten years now.
- As a Valiant Alumni, how do you describe your school to others?
Valley Catholic provides you the ability to shape your high school experience and empowers you to focus on what is important to you. It provides excellent academic opportunities. That was something I did not fully appreciate while attending Valley Catholic but it certainly helped me get to where I am now.
Valley Catholic School has one of the best librarians in the state, too.
- Tell us how a memorable teacher left a valiant impression on you.
I remember many classes with Professor Innes, specifically those that involved Friday trivia, learning fly fishing in the field, and reading “The Nine Tailors,” which is still the only British mystery novel I have ever read (and actually enjoyed).
