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Maggie was the 1962 homecoming queen candidate from St. Paul’s HS. But she was fully invested in Riordan. She went to all of football & basketball games, and our tremendous plays. She adored Mike Cahill (all league basketball). Because our parents were involved, she attended most of the parent club adult events. She lived in the Riordan neighborhood (Gennessee St., Monterey Blvd.), her entire life. She never got away from the purple & gold, as she became to be known as the “purple lady” always having some of her ensemble so colored. She looked forward to the Future publication to find connections to friends & family of friends made over the years.

My brother Vin & I (both younger than her) attended Riordan which lead Maggie more involvement, cheering our exploits.

Maggie & our family received much more than we gave from the Riordan community. I hope others can enjoy such fulfillment.

Maggie Ortelle 1945 - 2026

John Ortelle

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What matters the most to me at Riordan is the amount of different opportunities it offers for students to grow and explore their interests.

I want to be in an environment where I can try new things — whether that be through sports, theatre, band, clubs, or leadership roles, and figure out what I’m passionate about.

Riordan stands out to me because it encourages students to get involved and challenge themselves to new things. Having those opportunities, in my opinion, is important because it can help someone build confidence, develop new skills, and prepare them for the future.

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What matters most to me at Riordan is the amount of diversity it has.

I want to be in a school where people come from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, because that helps me not just learn academically as a person and it helps me relate to others.

Being around a diverse community pushes us to think in new ways, understand others, and grow more open-minded.

From what I’ve seen, Riordan values inclusion and respect, and that’s important to me because I want to be in a community where everyone feels accepted and can learn from each other.

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What matters most to me about Riordan is the way our community comes together.

Events like the Crab Feed are a great reminder that Riordan is more than a school. It is alumni, parents, students, faculty, and friends all showing up, enjoying each other, and supporting something bigger than themselves.

That sense of connection and shared purpose is what makes this place so special.

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What matters most to me about Riordan is the way our students show up for each other.

Whether it is in the classroom, on the field, or just in the hallways, there is a real sense of care and respect. It is something you feel every day, and it is why this place is so special.

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Riordan is a place where students are constantly growing, not just academically, but as people.

Being part of that journey and watching students gain confidence and find their voice is what means the most to me.

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Campus Ministry is what matters most to me.

The opportunity to reflect, serve, and connect with something bigger than myself is incredibly meaningful. It is a part of the Riordan experience that I am deeply thankful for.

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At Riordan, the community is what matters most to me. In our theater and campus ministry, both of which have been integral in my time so far at riordan, exemplify community.

Everyone is caring and kind and most of all, they are supportive. We all lift each other up, check in when we have a bad day, and comfort when the need arises.

Without the Theater and Campus Ministry, Riordan would be vastly different.

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Sophomores at San Damiano for a morning prayer hike

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As a Catholic school in the Marianist tradition, we enrich our programs to celebrate environmental spirituality.

Faith through nature is another way that we live out the Laudato Si goal of responding to the 'cry of the earth'. We feel God's presence in the ordinary, and inspire to care for our common home by experiencing life outside the city while retreats.

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The CORE Team during the record-breaking Thanksgiving Canned Food drive that supports the St. Teresa de Avila pantry in Potrero Hill.

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The CORE team engages the whole Riordan community, students, staff and families, to help respond to the 'cry of the poor' through one Family Spirit.

Student leadership through service brings education, faith values, and action to the forefront of the Riordan experience. Graduates are primed for a life-long desire to serve, an awareness to care for the marginalized, and the skills to a make a difference in the world.

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Everyone’s super awesome and sweet. I love being around my Riordan friends.

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Riordan offers so many different ways to meet new people and get involved. Putting yourself out there is really scary, but this school helps you do it at your own pace.

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What matters most to me about Riordan is the amount of classes we can take in a year, and the semester based schedule which allows me to focus on my current 4 classes better, and overall, be able to learn more throughout the year.

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The relationships and opportunity I’ve gained from Riordan athletics goes beyond playing in a game but also gaining new friendships and supporting those who work hard. When you try out for a sport you’re immediately surrounded by important friends and coaches who want what’s best for you and the team. Im very great full for the opportunities that sports and athletics have provided for me.

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My friends, classmates, teachers, and coaches are what make every day at Riordan worth it. I am so grateful for everyone here and I hope that every student who comes to Riordan experiences the same things I have been able to!

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Riordan enables everyone to cherish and foster friendships that will be continued long after our time at Riordan. My friends make my time at Riordan so much more enjoyable and something that I can actually look forward to everyday. They push me to be a better person and always support me in everything I do.

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One of the aspects of Riordan that matters to me the most are our religious retreats throughout the school year. Through both leading and participating in Riordan’s retreats I can attest to our community’s family spirit that transcends all grade levels. The retreats are a special experience where Riordan’s students can bond, have fun, and grow closer to God. I personally have numerous memories from retreats and I have met many incredible people through the years.

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Pictured from left to right: Fate 3: Emma O’Neil, Fate 1: Isabel Fonseca, Fate 3: Katelyn Tzang. In front is Orpheus: Dylan Dubrwiny in Riordan’s production of Hadestown in March 2026.

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Archbishop Riordan has granted me numerous opportunities to shine on the stage. Mr. Callaghan is an amazing and understanding director who brings to life a fall play and spring musical every year. The performing arts at Riordan have provided me a safe space to express myself, hangout with friends, and become a stronger actress.

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The community spirit and competition that Riordan exhibits through the house system matter the most to me. I can feel the energy at rallies through the house chants. Rallies and R-time are two times when the community is encouraged to participate, and through these experiences, I have not only made friends with fellow freshmen, but upperclassmen as well.

However, the most important thing is that everyone comes together at the end of sports games or rallies, no matter their house or background, to sing our Alma Mater. It shows how, as a community, Riordan is united as one.

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One thing about Riordan that I love is our faith and community with each other though campus ministry. One example is Life Team. This group of students are leaders, leading members of our school back into their faith through MLC’s every month.

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As a student in the Biomedical Sciences program, I can say that it has helped me to prepare for my future in college and beyond. It has allowed me to explore different careers in the scientific and medical field. The program has given me opportunities to participate in labs and projects that are very meticulously thought out in a way that gives students the creative freedom to display their own strengths and interests. I hope to pursue a career in the medical field, and I credit the Biomedical Sciences program with supporting me in this passion of mine.

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Being able to learn new things everyday is such a blessing in my eyes. Multi-Cultural Night is one of the best ways of embracing everyone’s different cultures. It’s such a privilege being able to watch others be proud of who they are and seeing them show it through different forms like dancing, singing, calls, and the language itself!