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DLSNC Welcomes New Director of Admissions
My name is Artice Jackson, and I am proud to introduce myself as the new Director of Admissions. I am so excited to be here! My background is in nonprofit organizations and community-based advocacy (social justice, homelessness, and education), and I have a deep passion for educational leadership and administration. I’m coming to you all not only with my professional experience as the Director of Graduate Support at Seattle Nativity School but also with my personal experience as well. I am a St. Andrew Nativity School graduate (‘08) and also a St. Mary’s Academy alumna (‘12).
I am looking forward to picking up where the amazing 2020/21 admissions team left off and spreading the word on the great opportunities DLSNC has to offer now and into the future. I feel blessed and privileged with my new position—to market our new campus and reach students and their families in the community. I am inspired to present potential students with a life-changing opportunity to enhance their academic careers and open their eyes to all that is within their grasp.
I look forward to meeting both new and old members of Knight Nation as we prepare for the upcoming school year. Lastly, we still have spots for our incoming Class of 2025! Please reach out if you or someone you know is interested.
Artice M. Jackson
Director of Admissions
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Summer School with UP/PACE Tutors
The 2021 Summer School is in session at our temporary location on NE Marine Drive. The program is made possible with 15 PACE (Pacific Alliance for Catholic Education) tutors from the University of Portland who are supporting 25 DLSNC students through their credit recovery and course completion of 2020-21 classes. Our PACE tutors are part of a cohort at UP that launches their graduate program teaching journey with tutoring and summer classes.
Students begin their days with free-writing based on a writing prompt provided by their tutors, then work with their tutors on class material to gain credit. DLSNC has been grateful for the mutually beneficial partnership with PACE and the University of Portland for summer school since 2013. PACE tutors provide our students with 1:1 academic attention, while, in turn, we support tutors through their UP program requirements as they gain experiential tutoring experience. Ultimately, the dedicated and individual attention that PACE tutors provide through their presence as aspiring teachers helps DLSNC students to stay academically motivated over the summer break.
—Sara McLean, Summer School Program Co-Administrator
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Alumna Karen Casas '18 Comes Full Circle at Davis Wright Tremaine
Karen Casas was a freshman in 2014 when she started working at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP for her Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) assignment. She and another student were the very first DLSNC interns at DWT. Karen worked there all four years of her time at DLSNC, including summers and winter breaks. Now, having graduated in three years from the University Honors College at Portland State University, she has landed her first full-time job as an administrative legal assistant for, you guessed it, DWT.
“It has been extremely helpful that I know mostly everyone. Walking down the hallways and having everyone say “welcome back” was so nice,” said Karen about her return to the law firm. She came full circle to land her new position through a connection to a DWT mentor from her CWSP days who guided Karen with job search basics as well as a DWT recruiter who recommended she attend the Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair in March. Among the firms she interviewed with that day was DWT, doing “an excellent and memorable job,” according to LaDonna Luu, her legal assistant manager. “The impression Karen made four-plus years ago has now come full circle,” said Luu about Casas’ first month on the job.
Karen’s CWSP experience has significantly impacted her path. “What I really liked about my time at DLSNC was how I was encouraged to grow...Now I’m hoping to go to law school so I feel like DWT is a great place for me to learn about the different fields of law and get a better understanding of what I want to do in the future,” Karen said. She looks forward to supporting the four DLSNC students who will share one FTE position at DWT starting this September. “I was once in their shoes, so I think it would be great to be in touch with them as much as I can,” she concluded.
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DLSNC Welcomes Two New Trustees
As we start a new fiscal year at DLSNC, we want to recognize the dedication and commitment of several trustees as they move off of our Board, as well as welcome new faces to Knight Nation.
We are so thankful for the hard work and years of service of Robert Jordan (7 years), Br. Chris Patiño (6 years), and Mark Simmons (5 years). These three trustees gave countless hours to serve our mission during a critical time in our history. Thank you!
Knight Nation welcomes two new trustees—Alexsandra Watson, Director of Inclusion & Belonging at St. Mary’s College High School (CA), and Brother Mark Murphy, Vice Chair & COO of the Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation. Br. Mark shared, “As a member of our District Council, I have known what it has taken the DLSNC Board members, past and present, working with the Presidents, to bring the school to the incredible level of development that now exists. It is an honor for me to join with the other Board members, school personnel, parents, and generous benefactors to keep this spirit of improvement moving forward.”
Lastly, a tremendous thank you to Jackie Dunckley who steps down as Board Chair after two years in this role. Jackie led the Board as we embarked upon our ambitious capital campaign and began construction of the new school. With her leadership, the school looks forward to moving into our new campus this fall. For 2021-22, DJ Widmer has been appointed as Board Chair, and Mike Yonker has been appointed as Vice-Chair.
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DLSNC Students Make the Most of Summer
The past year has been challenging for students to connect through a screen, but some of our especially motivated students did not let that get in their way! In 2020/21, I saw an unprecedented level of interest in applying for summer pre-college programs, especially amongst our ninth graders. Summer pre-college programs are an excellent way to boost a student’s college interest and to start building a strong college application. These students attended weekly Wednesday morning meetings to get information and support in completing their applications, learning important skills such as asking for letters of recommendation and writing admissions essays.
Mohamed Bullo (‘23) snagged one of the coveted spots, as well as a generous scholarship, to attend the Summer STEM Institute. Six students attended programs at Seattle University namely Natnael Araya (‘24), Ruby Interian Escobedo (‘24), Liz Leon Esparza (‘23), Jayqueen Gutierrez Monroy (‘24), Diana Ku Peraza (‘24), and Daniela Santiago-Hernandez (‘24). Click here for more details.
—Pam Wood, Counselor
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| DLSNC Ambassador Board's Silent Auction & Cocktail Party
Please join the DLSNC Ambassador Board for a celebratory evening as we raise a glass and funds in support of the incredible students of Knight Nation! Enjoy the return to in-person events with a fun mix of tacos, cocktails, a silent auction, live music from the Oscillators, and new friends as we join together to support the work of our unique and transformative high school. Held in the Pivot Group's outdoor entertainment area, this event will be a night you do not want to miss!
Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 19
Time: 5:00—7:30 pm
Location: Pivot Group, 7405 SW Tech Center #140, Portland, OR 97223
Cost: $30 per person, includes dinner from ¿Por Qué No? + 1 drink ticket (additional drink tickets $5 each)
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| Question of the Month
How many light fixtures were removed from the Kenton building and have been reinstalled at our new campus?
a) 20
b) 28
c) 13
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