St. John Eudes School - Alumnus of the Year Biographies

Alumni of the Year

Outstanding Examples of the Spirit of St. John Eudes School

2012 - Kym Piekunka Raines attended St. John Eudes School from 1st through 8th Grades, graduating in 1983. In 3rd Grade she became interested in student leadership and become Student Body President five years later. SJE is also where her passion for the environment and animal welfare was further developed as teachers and administrators encouraged her to fight and “save the whales”. After graduating from Louisville High School, she attended the University of San Diego (USD) where she became active in an alcohol and drug education and counseling program. Her efforts resulted in a significant decrease in alcohol related incidents, including date rape and alcohol poisoning. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology, Kym began working in group homes with abused children. This position inspired a passion to give a voice to those who did not have one. When her sister Kacy died from her eating disorder, Kym felt there was a tremendous need to educate students about eating disorders and delivered presentations to high school and college students focusing on education, tips, and resources on how to help a friend, family member, or roommate. After delivering one of these presentations at freshman orientation, Kym was offered a position at USD, and as a Resident Director and Program Manager, she served as an emergency on-call respondent for alcohol poisoning, drug use, sexual/physical assault, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders. She frequently mediated and counseled students who had personal, relational and academic concerns. She worked with students suffering from eating disorders who lived in university housing, including concerned and often times traumatized roommates. In addition, she was a member of USD’s Health and Wellness Initiatives and Body Awareness Committees. Kym remained interested in the environment and was instrumental in establishing USD's first University President-approved Sustainability Task Force. This team implemented a LEED Certified building, solar panels, organic and locally grown foods, and a recycling program. Kym’s continued passion to give a voice to those who do not have one has continued with her blog, Do I Have to Scream It. Her blog gives voice to the lessons learned from her sister’s 15-year eating disorder struggle and advocates for more education, awareness and family therapy for those in the midst of the eating disorder battle. Kym also advocates through speaking engagements, volunteering for the National Eating Disorders Association as a mentor, and offering panel presentations on body image, the media, and eating disorder education. Kym’s goal is to continue her speaking engagements, write a book for families, and focus on educating the parents and educational institutions to understand their important role in helping their children, teenagers, and young adults address the issues of the media, peer pressure, parental influence, sibling relationships, and their own concerns about weight, self image, and self esteem.

2011 - Mark Gendernalik, of the St. John Eudes School Class of 1984, attended Chatsworth High School (after transferring from Crespi) where he graduated in 1988. In high school he enjoyed playing on the volleyball team. He then attended California State University, Northridge, where he was active in student issues. He graduated CSUN in 1992 with a B.A. degree in Criminal Sociology. He later received his Master's Degree from CSUN in Education and is currently a 4th Grade teacher at Shirley Avenue Elementary. In 2003 Mark received the NASA Explorer School Grant for his school (being 1 of only 48 awarded nationwide). Due to his experiences with insurance companies, he was invited to testify before Congress during the recent healthcare debate. His testimony was widely reported and cited for the impact it made during the Congressional hearings. In preparing for his testimony Mark has said he relied on the writing techniques he was taught at SJE School. Mark and his wife, Bertha (who he married in 1998), have three children − Dean, and twins − Carter and Sidney.

2010 - Dr. Patricia De La Riva attended St. John Eudes School from 1968-1972 and was active on the Girl's Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball teams. Her classmates in the Class of 1974 may remember her by her nickname "PeeWee". Sr. Beatrice was principal at the time and "Miss Rita" was the School Secetrary (she is the sister of Sr. Rosemary, who was a young novice-in-training at the time). She fondly remembers her teachers who were Mother Isaura, Sr. Laura, Mr. Allington, and Mrs. Borchard. She attended Chatsworth High School and played on the All City Girls Basketball Team. After graduating CHS in 1978 with honors as a High School All American Scholar Athlete, she continued her athletic career on a scholarship at California State University, Northridge, playing on the Women's Basketball Team for all four years. She was the team captain and a member of the Varsity N Academic Club. Being the holder of a number of team records, she was honored at CSUN as a scholar athlete and a member of the All CCAA Basketball Team (and was inducted into the CSUN Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001). In 1984 she graduated CSUN with a B.S. Degree in Environmental Occupational Health. She pursued a medical career by attending the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine and graduated in 1989 – the same year that she married her husband, Carlos Fuentes. In 1991 she completed her pediatric residency training at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine and Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, upon which she began practicing as a full time staff physician at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) - Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center. Since beginning her medical career, Patricia has been very active in pursuing her professional and civic interests and has served in a number of capacities: Asst. Chief of Pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley Medical Offices and Panorama City Medical Center (1991-99), Member of the Pediatric Steering Committee at Antelope Hospital Medical Center (1994-96), Board Member of "Tina's Learning Center" (a daycare center for children with special needs) (1996-99), Attending Ambulatory Pediatrician at Olive Medical Hospital Medical Center (UCLA) (1999-07), Member of the Regional Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee for SCPMG (2000-02), Latin American Civic Association Board Member (which is the governing body of the Head Start PreSchool Program of the San Fernando Valley) (2000-03), and Member of the Park Advisory Board for theWoodland Hills Recreation Center (1999-06). She has been recognized for her dedication by SCPMG by being awarded the Kaiser Permanente Physician of the Year Award for 2001, the Everyday Hero Award (2005), and the Latino Association Unsung Hero Award (2006). Patricia is Board Certified in General Pediatrics, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and serves as chair or co-chair of a number of profesional and civic committees, boards, and councils. She is a member of the UCI Alumni Association, and a life-time member of both the CSUN Alumni and Athletic Associations. And above all, she is a loving mother to her two boys, Christian and Alex.

2009 - Sarah Connor graduated from St. John Eudes School in 1981. She graduated near the top of her class and received the Rainbow Award given in memory of Lee Matloz. She then attended St. Genevieve High School and graduated 3rd in her class. She had a perfect 4 year attendance and was selected to "Who's Who Among High School Students in America". Attending UCLA, she graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. At graduation she received the Chancellor's Medal of Honor for outstanding volunteerism and oversaw "Project Mac" for abused children at Maclaren Hall. From 1990 to 1994 she worked for UNICEF coordinating volunteers, fundraising, the press and the media. She then went to work for the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica. She was the Program Administrator for Community Trials to increase cancer screening adherence. Later she became the Assistant Project Manager for mammography promotion in churches. She also continued her education and received her Master's Degree in Public Health in 2000. In 2001 she became UCLA's Health Team Manager for Project IMPACT - to improve access, counseling and treatment for prostate cancer patients. She then became the Project Manager for prostate cancer related studies and has been published several times in peer review publications. Her work with cancer awareness and treatment took on a more personal meaning when she was diagnosed with cancer herself. She has however used this experience, along with her deep faith in God, to inspire others and to gain a greater insight on how to better help cancer patients. And although she has moved south of the Valley to the Westside, she is still active at St. John Eudes as a member of the choir.

2008 - After graduating from St. John Eudes School in 1986, Paige Huff-Hemmis attended Chaminade College Preparatory and then the University of California at Santa Barbara where she received degrees in Psychology & Theology in 1994. She then began a career in the entertainment industry and has received national recognition as a member of the design team for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on ABC. She is an author and has her own clothing line called "Tuff Chix". She credits the principles she learned at St. John Eudes School for the successes in her daily work, but also has used these principles to express her faith through educational efforts and direct personal involvement helping others. She is active with a number of efforts to support community projects that benefit the poor and homeless, and works extensively with Habitat for Humanity.

2007 - Dan Lien was a member of the St. John Eudes School Class of 1974 - also known as the Pioneer Class since its students were the first to attend all 8 years at St. John Eudes. He has remained active with the school and parish giving back with unconditional generosity through volunteering as a coach, referee, PTSO Executive Council Member, and helping with numerous fundraising events. He has also supported the parish and school as a donor, and regularly attends Mass with his family. Dan has given the gift of a Catholic education to his children - all of whom are SJE students. He has embraced the mission of St. Paula Montal to teach and inspire children and families to be life-long learners who live their faith.


	Alumni of the Year Outstanding Examples of the Spirit of St. John Eudes School 2012 - Kym Piekunka Raines attended St. John Eudes School from 1st through 8th Grades, graduating in 1983. In 3rd Grade she became interested in student leadership and become Student Body President five years later. SJE is also where her passion for the environment and animal welfare was further developed as teachers and administrators encouraged her to fight and “save the whales”. After graduating from Louisville High School, she attended the University of San Diego (USD) where she became active in an alcohol and drug education and counseling program. Her efforts resulted in a significant decrease in alcohol related incidents, including date rape and alcohol poisoning. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology, Kym began working in group homes with abused children. This position inspired a passion to give a voice to those who did not have one. When her sister Kacy died from her eating disorder, Kym felt there was a tremendous need to educate students about eating disorders and delivered presentations to high school and college students focusing on education, tips, and resources on how to help a friend, family member, or roommate. After delivering one of these presentations at freshman orientation, Kym was offered a position at USD, and as a Resident Director and Program Manager, she served as an emergency on-call respondent for alcohol poisoning, drug use, sexual/physical assault, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders. She frequently mediated and counseled students who had personal, relational and academic concerns. She worked with students suffering from eating disorders who lived in university housing, including concerned and often times traumatized roommates. In addition, she was a member of USD’s Health and Wellness Initiatives and Body Awareness Committees. Kym remained interested in the environment and was instrumental in establishing USD's first University President-approved Sustainability Task Force. This team implemented a LEED Certified building, solar panels, organic and locally grown foods, and a recycling program. Kym’s continued passion to give a voice to those who do not have one has continued with her blog, Do I Have to Scream It. Her blog gives voice to the lessons learned from her sister’s 15-year eating disorder struggle and advocates for more education, awareness and family therapy for those in the midst of the eating disorder battle. Kym also advocates through speaking engagements, volunteering for the National Eating Disorders Association as a mentor, and offering panel presentations on body image, the media, and eating disorder education. Kym’s goal is to continue her speaking engagements, write a book for families, and focus on educating the parents and educational institutions to understand their important role in helping their children, teenagers, and young adults address the issues of the media, peer pressure, parental influence, sibling relationships, and their own concerns about weight, self image, and self esteem. 2011 - Mark Gendernalik, of the St. John Eudes School Class of 1984, attended Chatsworth High School (after transferring from Crespi) where he graduated in 1988. In high school he enjoyed playing on the volleyball team. He then attended California State University, Northridge, where he was active in student issues. He graduated CSUN in 1992 with a B.A. degree in Criminal Sociology. He later received his Master's Degree from CSUN in Education and is currently a 4th Grade teacher at Shirley Avenue Elementary. In 2003 Mark received the NASA Explorer School Grant for his school (being 1 of only 48 awarded nationwide). Due to his experiences with insurance companies, he was invited to testify before Congress during the recent healthcare debate. His testimony was widely reported and cited for the impact it made during the Congressional hearings. In preparing for his testimony Mark has said he relied on the writing techniques he was taught at SJE School. Mark and his wife, Bertha (who he married in 1998), have three children − Dean, and twins − Carter and Sidney. 2010 - Dr. Patricia De La Riva attended St. John Eudes School from 1968-1972 and was active on the Girl's Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball teams. Her classmates in the Class of 1974 may remember her by her nickname "PeeWee". Sr. Beatrice was principal at the time and "Miss Rita" was the School Secetrary (she is the sister of Sr. Rosemary, who was a young novice-in-training at the time). She fondly remembers her teachers who were Mother Isaura, Sr. Laura, Mr. Allington, and Mrs. Borchard. She attended Chatsworth High School and played on the All City Girls Basketball Team. After graduating CHS in 1978 with honors as a High School All American Scholar Athlete, she continued her athletic career on a scholarship at California State University, Northridge, playing on the Women's Basketball Team for all four years. She was the team captain and a member of the Varsity N Academic Club. Being the holder of a number of team records, she was honored at CSUN as a scholar athlete and a member of the All CCAA Basketball Team (and was inducted into the CSUN Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001). In 1984 she graduated CSUN with a B.S. Degree in Environmental Occupational Health. She pursued a medical career by attending the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine and graduated in 1989 – the same year that she married her husband, Carlos Fuentes. In 1991 she completed her pediatric residency training at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine and Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, upon which she began practicing as a full time staff physician at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) - Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center. Since beginning her medical career, Patricia has been very active in pursuing her professional and civic interests and has served in a number of capacities: Asst. Chief of Pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley Medical Offices and Panorama City Medical Center (1991-99), Member of the Pediatric Steering Committee at Antelope Hospital Medical Center (1994-96), Board Member of "Tina's Learning Center" (a daycare center for children with special needs) (1996-99), Attending Ambulatory Pediatrician at Olive Medical Hospital Medical Center (UCLA) (1999-07), Member of the Regional Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee for SCPMG (2000-02), Latin American Civic Association Board Member (which is the governing body of the Head Start PreSchool Program of the San Fernando Valley) (2000-03), and Member of the Park Advisory Board for theWoodland Hills Recreation Center (1999-06). She has been recognized for her dedication by SCPMG by being awarded the Kaiser Permanente Physician of the Year Award for 2001, the Everyday Hero Award (2005), and the Latino Association Unsung Hero Award (2006). Patricia is Board Certified in General Pediatrics, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and serves as chair or co-chair of a number of profesional and civic committees, boards, and councils. She is a member of the UCI Alumni Association, and a life-time member of both the CSUN Alumni and Athletic Associations. And above all, she is a loving mother to her two boys, Christian and Alex. 2009 - Sarah Connor graduated from St. John Eudes School in 1981. She graduated near the top of her class and received the Rainbow Award given in memory of Lee Matloz. She then attended St. Genevieve High School and graduated 3rd in her class. She had a perfect 4 year attendance and was selected to "Who's Who Among High School Students in America". Attending UCLA, she graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. At graduation she received the Chancellor's Medal of Honor for outstanding volunteerism and oversaw "Project Mac" for abused children at Maclaren Hall. From 1990 to 1994 she worked for UNICEF coordinating volunteers, fundraising, the press and the media. She then went to work for the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica. She was the Program Administrator for Community Trials to increase cancer screening adherence. Later she became the Assistant Project Manager for mammography promotion in churches. She also continued her education and received her Master's Degree in Public Health in 2000. In 2001 she became UCLA's Health Team Manager for Project IMPACT - to improve access, counseling and treatment for prostate cancer patients. She then became the Project Manager for prostate cancer related studies and has been published several times in peer review publications. Her work with cancer awareness and treatment took on a more personal meaning when she was diagnosed with cancer herself. She has however used this experience, along with her deep faith in God, to inspire others and to gain a greater insight on how to better help cancer patients. And although she has moved south of the Valley to the Westside, she is still active at St. John Eudes as a member of the choir. 2008 - After graduating from St. John Eudes School in 1986, Paige Huff-Hemmis attended Chaminade College Preparatory and then the University of California at Santa Barbara where she received degrees in Psychology & Theology in 1994. She then began a career in the entertainment industry and has received national recognition as a member of the design team for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on ABC. She is an author and has her own clothing line called "Tuff Chix". She credits the principles she learned at St. John Eudes School for the successes in her daily work, but also has used these principles to express her faith through educational efforts and direct personal involvement helping others. She is active with a number of efforts to support community projects that benefit the poor and homeless, and works extensively with Habitat for Humanity. 2007 - Dan Lien was a member of the St. John Eudes School Class of 1974 - also known as the Pioneer Class since its students were the first to attend all 8 years at St. John Eudes. He has remained active with the school and parish giving back with unconditional generosity through volunteering as a coach, referee, PTSO Executive Council Member, and helping with numerous fundraising events. He has also supported the parish and school as a donor, and regularly attends Mass with his family. Dan has given the gift of a Catholic education to his children - all of whom are SJE students. He has embraced the mission of St. Paula Montal to teach and inspire children and families to be life-long learners who live their faith.