As we wrap up celebrations for ICA Cristo Rey’s Class of 2025, we’re excited to spotlight an ICA alumna who also graduated this May—Dr. Nina Caton Banda ’16, who earned a dual M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology!

Reflecting on her time at ICA Cristo Rey, Nina recalls a moment of personal transformation. She entered as a shy, quiet student struggling with low self-esteem. “I barely spoke up for myself, wasn’t social, and didn’t know where I fit in,” she shares. But that began to change the moment she walked through ICA’s doors.

While an ICA Cristo Rey student, Nina gained early professional experience through the Corporate Work Study program, working at Kaiser Permanente, BCLP Law Firm, and marketing company, Thismoment. These diverse roles helped her build confidence, communication skills, and a strong work ethic.

“ICA taught me that my voice matters—that I deserve to be heard and shouldn’t feel intimidated in professional spaces. Others will respect you as you respect yourself.”

Dr. Nina Caton Banda ‘16

After graduating from ICA Cristo Rey in 2016, Nina earned her B.S. in Psychology and Clinical Counseling from Dominican University of California. She went on to pursue a dual M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University in Emeryville, CA. “My Ph.D. program was a journey of self-persistence and self-discovery,” she shares. “It tested not just my knowledge, but also my confidence and perseverance. Through the long nights and internal battles, I realized—I can do this.” Nina graduated from her program in May 2025 with determination and a clear vision for the next step in her career.

Currently, Nina works as a School Psychologist in the Tri-Valley School District in the East Bay and as a Clinical Psychologist at the Portia Bell Hume Center in Pleasanton, CA. She hopes to one day open a private family therapy practice. “I want to be an advocate for those who need it and a voice for children and teens who just want to be heard,” she says. “I want to support parents on their journey to heal themselves in order to better understand their children. There’s a deep reward in helping my clients heal from the trauma they’ve experienced.”

Congratulations, Nina!

On Friday, May 30, 2025, ICA Cristo Rey celebrated its 131st Graduation Commencement Ceremony at St. Ignatius Church on the University of San Francisco campus. Teachers, staff, family, friends, partners, and donors gathered to honor the 62 graduates as they concluded one chapter of their lives and prepare to begin a new one. The church overflowed with proud families, ready to adorn their graduates with intricate leis, lush bouquets, cultural stoles, and more. It was a vibrant and joyous celebration that will be cherished for years to come.

This year, two valedictorians were honored: Gabriela Clemente Cerritos and Judy Tang. These two Spartans exemplified the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Service and consistently showcased academic excellence throughout high school. They also excelled in ICA's Corporate Work Study program, serving as Student Associates at the Archdiocese of San Francisco and UCSF Health in their senior years, respectively. Their dedication and accomplishments set a high standard for future graduates. Both graduates will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall.

Our Student Graduation Speaker, Makayla Marin-Valencia, inspired the audience with her words and her example. As captain of our varsity soccer team and this year’s All-City Most Valuable Player, Makayla has led with heart, hustle, and humility. This school year, through the Corporate Work Study program, Makayla also demonstrated her leadership skills as a Student Associate at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club. This fall, she’ll attend the University of the Pacific, where she’ll play Division I soccer and study Business Analytics and Finance.

We were also honored to welcome Ms. Suzanne McCormick, Senior Director of Global Fragrance at SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands and ICA board member, who delivered a heartfelt message on behalf of Ms. Renata Ferraiolo, CEO of SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands. Although Ms. Ferraiolo could not attend due to illness, her words offered encouragement and wisdom to the Class of 2025.

The Class of 2025 achieved a remarkable milestone: 100% of graduates were accepted to college, with 97% being first-generation college students. Collectively, they earned admission to over 136 colleges and universities nationwide, including Cornell University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, Loyola University Chicago, and more. This outstanding achievement reflects not only the hard work and determination of our graduates but also the unwavering support of the entire ICA Cristo Rey community—our families, administration, teachers, staff, corporate partners, donors, alumnae, and friends. By working together in love and mission, we ensure that the Class of 2025 steps confidently into a future filled with promise.

Celebration of Life of Kathleen Hoffman

Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:30am

St. Edward's Catholic Church

5788 Thornton Avenue

Newark, CA 94560

Burial to follow:

Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery

26320 Mission Blvd 

Hayward, CA 94544

Reception: 

Stonebrae Country Club

202 Country Club Drive

Hayward, CA 94542

Becky Apolinario, an ICA alumnae from the Class of 2011, is a testament to how confidence can be nurtured through the support of inspiring mentors. In a recent interview, she fondly recalls her time as a young student at ICA, learning from exceptional teachers who taught relevant material and recognized her potential. She says, “I've always been this very social person and I appreciate how my teachers leaned into that. They used my social tendencies to help me to learn. I didn't have a teacher like that until I went to ICA, and it made me feel more confident as student.” Becky vividly remembers her statistics teacher, Mrs. Provence, who played a pivotal role in shaping her career aspirations. She credits that class as the spark that ignited her interest in pursuing a career in public health.

Becky was also influenced by her time as a leader in the Filipino American Club. She describes her club moderator and former director of ICA’s Athletic Program, Carolyn “Coach” Sideco, as a role model who helped her embrace her cultural identity. “One of the things she instilled in us was to be proud of who we were and to be unapologetically ourselves," Becky recalls. "At our club meetings, she would ask us, ‘Who do you want to be as Filipina ladies in the city? What type of person do you want to be?’ I really appreciated Coach Sideco calling us out and reminding us to hold ourselves with respect wherever we went."

While Becky’s academic and leadership experiences shaped her aspirations, her involvement in athletics provided a crucial outlet for personal growth. Becky was an avid athlete, playing basketball and volleyball for four years and softball for two. She remembers the gym as a sanctuary where she and her teammates found comfort during stressful times. “Thinking about it now, I owe a lot to the Athletics Program,” she shares. “When we were stressed, our coaches would open the gym and just let us hang out and rest.” For Becky and her teammates, the ICA gym was more than just a place for practice—it was a safe haven where they could relax and just be high school students.

In 2011, as ICA Cristo Rey fully implemented the Corporate Work Study program, many students faced the challenge of balancing school, work, sports, and other responsibilities. She reflects on how those long, demanding days taught her resilience, conflict management, and leadership. “When I was varsity co-captain of the volleyball team, we really had to focus on work ethic. We asked ourselves, ‘How can we make sure we’re giving 100% to everything we do without burning ourselves out?’" Inspired by her time as a Spartan athlete, Becky later became a basketball and volleyball coach for middle schoolers, passing on her skills and wisdom to the next generation.

Becky's journey as an athlete shows up in her dedication to helping others—a commitment she has carried into her professional life. Becky shares: “I work as the Outreach Supervisor at the Institute on Aging, where I connect with the community to educate them about our services and resources, particularly for seniors and adults with disabilities." She oversees the Aging and Disability Resource Centers, a collaboration of nine non-profits that provide assistance with tasks like translating utility bills or completing applications for programs such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. In her many roles, Becky also conducts training on accessibility, elder abuse prevention, and culturally competent practices to ensure their services are inclusive and responsive to the needs of San Francisco's diverse community.

Becky has a Bachelor's degree in Health Science and Psychology from Dominican University of California. She also holds two Master's degrees, a Master of Science in Behavioral Health and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of San Francisco.