Grad at Grad Stories

David B’25

David is the first Bellarmine Lion to attempt, and also pass, the AP Mandarin Chinese Exam with a high enough score to achieve the impressive Global Seal of Bi-Literacy Certification. He serves as a National Honor Society tutor for underclassmen and shares, “One thing I love about mandarin is that speakers from hundreds of years ago could converse with a young person today. You can’t say that for other languages, because Chinese is so ingrained and built on culture and history.”

David is a writer for The Lion, and is the Executive Editor of Digital Media. David shares that for him, “extracurriculars were never an 'extra' part of his education, but a core part of his learning.” He feels it is critical to explore all perspectives on campus because it gives you a deeper understanding of the Bellarmine experience. He aspires to be a life-long learner. To David, it’s important to always speak honestly, and create space and representation for all. This passion drove him to be the founder of Lion Design, a club which creates branding, programs, and communications for all clubs and events that need support. David is applying to architecture schools for college, merging his love for the arts and math.

"The Lion has become my outlet to unmute myself. I've looked at a number of issues... each topic has deepened my understanding of issues I care about, helping me advocate for meaningful discourse on campus." -David

Cassie B’25

“When I ask myself, ‘Who is the best person I know?’ It takes no time at all for my Great Grandma to pop into my head. She may have lived on the other side of the country, but she sure did leave a mark on me.

She was born in Cuba to two parents who weren’t married, which in the eyes of her community, meant she was worth about as much as dirt. Without the help of her parents or community, she raised her ten half-siblings. She taught herself to sew and eventually made enough money to come to the U.S. She moved to Washington Heights, New York, married a man she met there, and raised two sons. She was a strong-willed, hardworking woman. But the grandma I knew was much more than that.

I remember her New York apartment, warm and filled with the smell of cinnamon. I remember her standing in the cramped kitchen, cooking Moros y Cristianos and ropa vieja for the family. I remember the fresh sheets she put on the guest bed every day. I even remember a story my mom tells about the difficulty of getting me baptized because there were too many babies on the list. My Grandma grabbed the priest by the ear and told him he better baptize her little Granddaughter or else.

I was baptized that day, so she must’ve been a scary woman as well as a loving one. What I remember most vividly of all, though, was her funeral seven years ago. The ushers had handed out some of those little prayer cards with her picture on the front and the Beatitudes on the back. All I could think was, ‘She was every one of these things.’

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. The pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Never have I known someone who so greatly exemplified these attributes. If we all think of ‘The Best Person We Know,’ we should all be thinking of somebody who Jesus describes.

Now, the thing about these attributes is that they’re not very difficult. Let’s be honest, how hard is it to be kind? To be humble? To forgive? Sure, these things may seem challenging in a given moment, but they’re simple, uncomplicated. That’s what makes every person being envisioned at this very moment so amazing; they do these simple, good things in an overly complicated world.

Moving forward through the rest of the Christmas Season, we should strive to be that same kind of amazing. Some of you might already be. Maybe somebody here is picturing you in their mind as we speak. The important thing to remember though is that no matter the hardships, we can all be more saintly if we just follow the roadmap in the gospel. Poor in spirit, mournful, meek, righteous, merciful, pure in heart, peaceful, persecuted. If my grandma could do it after being raised under a dictatorship, so can we. So can I. So can you.” -Cassie

Leoni B’25

“Where Leoni really shows her Loving principles is her actions with her teammates. We talk in practice and games of making selfless actions for others, to which Leoni sets the tone. She makes runs off the ball to create space for others, knowing she's not going to get the ball. She will sprint 80 yards back to get back on defense, just in case there's a sliver of a chance that she can help stop a dangerous attack from our opponents. We ask her to play out of position, and she does it without question. The ‘tone from the top’ that Leoni sets has reverberated through the team, and I truly believe it stems from the love she has for her coaches and teammates. And, of course, the love she shows our team is reciprocated back to Leoni. As a captain, leader, and person, Leoni is going to be very difficult to replace.

One of my favorite quotes, which is well known throughout the Bellarmine community is ‘Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.’ Leoni isn't the first one to get rowdy in a huddle or lead a cheer, but her loving actions are felt by all. Her love has made our team better, and has helped our new coaching staff set the culture for what will hopefully be years to come for Bellarmine Lions Girls Soccer.”

- Derek Woodworth B'06, Girls Varsity Head Soccer Coach

Bryce B’25

When we think of Bryce, we think of a student who “does it all!” Bryce serves regularly at the Tacoma Rescue Mission and L’Arche, created his own Barbershop Business in order to provide haircuts to those who cannot afford one, helps support his South Tacoma Assembly of God youth summer camps in order to provide a safe space for “kids to be kids,” leads the Black Student Union (BSU) at Bellarmine, is attending the Courts for Kids trip to Guatemala this spring break, and serves on countless clubs and student organizations around campus.

Leilani B’25

Leilani, a current senior, decided to become a crew leader on Girls Encounter this year after being hesitant to attend as a junior just the year prior. She exemplifies what it means to be open to growth: 

"At first, I was very hesitant to go on Encounter. Not having very many friends or people I talked to seemed scary, but going was probably one of the best decisions I have made. Going back and being a leader for the retreat as a senior was something I realized I wanted to do because I wanted to give the juniors the same wonderful experience I had. It’s important to be open to growth because it allows you to experience and learn from new things that you wouldn’t normally do…

Bellarmine has prepared me to try new things by giving me experiences that allow me to advocate for myself and become more adaptable to talking to new people. The best part of Encounter was getting to know a bunch of new people. It really allowed me to grow socially and into the community at Bellarmine. Everyone should participate in Encounter because it’s really a once in a lifetime opportunity to get close with the people in your grade. Even if it feels uncomfortable at the moment, it’s worth it in the long run." -Leilani