Wishing you health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.

On behalf of everyone at St. Andrew Nativity School, we sincerely thank you for your support this past year. Your generosity blesses us.

If you haven't already, please remember to make your year-end gift today. Your contribution makes a difference!

Dear friends of Nativity,

My name is Lucía Pacheco Pulido, and I am a proud graduate of St. Andrew Nativity School, class of 2017. I write this letter with profound gratitude because Nativity played a pivotal role in shaping the woman I am today. As a first-generation college student, it has been a tremendous comfort to know that I always have access to additional support just an email away.

My experience at Nativity helped me build a strong foundation for my future, both intellectually and personally. One of the five Jesuit values is being “open to growth”—the idea that although change can be difficult, it can lead to greater opportunities. Whether adjusting to longer school hours or transitioning to rigorous academic environments, Nativity prepared me for life in the classroom and beyond.

At Nativity, I learned the importance of advocating for myself. I realized that you can’t be heard if you don’t speak up. I was encouraged to ask questions whenever I didn’t understand something, and to this day, I make it a goal to ask at least one question in every class or meeting. This mindset has stayed with me throughout my educational journey. I also learned the value of perseverance and the power of seeking resources when needed. For example, I asked for support getting braces, Nativity connected my family with someone who helped make that happen. This small but meaningful change boosted my confidence and gave me the smile I proudly wear today. Now, I make it a goal to smile at least once a day, as I know how much it can positively impact my perspective and those around me.

Nativity also helped me continue to pursue Catholic education and deepen my relationship with my faith. I graduated from St. Mary's Academy and am now in my fourth year at the University of Portland, where I will graduate this spring with a major in Accounting and a minor in Spanish. I am excited to share that I have secured an internship with Deloitte for this summer and plan to pursue my CPA license after graduation.

This Christmas season, I invite you to consider a year-end gift to St. Andrew Nativity School. Your generosity provides students like me with the care, opportunities, and resources needed to thrive academically, personally, and spiritually. Together, we can ensure that future students and graduates have the same support and encouragement that helped me succeed. Thank you for making a lasting impact on our community.

With gratitude,

Lucía Pacheco Pulido

Class of 2017

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to another remarkable Harvesting Success event.

With your generosity, we not only reached but surpassed our $200,000 fundraising goal by $95,000, and we successfully met the $35,000 challenge match from the Karl Kramer Foundation.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support of our deserving students and graduates.

We invite you to watch this inspiring video that highlights the heart of our mission and shows how your contribution can create incredible opportunities for our curious, driven, and engaged young people.

St. Andrew Nativity School Appoints Bri Hennessy as President, Director of Mission

The Board of Trustees of St. Andrew Nativity School is pleased to appoint Brianna Hennessy as the new President, Director of Mission, effective immediately. Bri has served the school faithfully for over twelve years, the last year as Interim Co-President while continuing as Director of Graduate Support. Bri's extensive experience will exceptionally serve Nativity as a longtime member of school leadership, her dedicated work with our students and their families not only during their time at Nativity but beyond, as well as her passion for equity in education and deep understanding of and commitment to our mission.

Bri, a Portland native who grew up in the St. Ignatius Parish, attended La Salle Prep and earned her undergraduate degree from Gonzaga University. After graduation, she dedicated a year of volunteerism as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Bri later pursued her passion for social work, obtaining a master's degree from Portland State University. In addition to her longtime service to St. Andrew Nativity, she is an active member of The Madeleine Parish community in NE Portland, where her children attend school.

"We are confident that St. Andrew Nativity School will continue to thrive under Bri's leadership and uphold its commitment to underserved students in the Portland area," states Nativity Board of Trustees Chair, David Blaskowsky. She is eager to continue engaging with our dedicated faculty, staff, students, families, and greater community to build on Nativity's 23 years of providing a transformative Jesuit education that empowers our students to become people for others.

Bri shared, “Over the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of watching our students grow from curious 6th graders to accomplished adults, taking full advantage of the opportunities at Nativity. This past year, I have engaged more holistically with the entire Nativity community and its supporters, witnessing their remarkable dedication to our mission. I am humbled and look forward to continuing to support our students, families, graduates, and staff as President and Director of Mission at St. Andrew Nativity.”

ST. ANDREW NATIVITY SCHOOL WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL

Please join us in welcoming Joseph Aguilera, our next principal of St. Andrew Nativity School. Joseph received his Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business with a minor in Theology at Loyola University Maryland, followed by his Master of Arts in Teaching at Boston College. He is enrolled in Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education and is a Ph.D. candidate in Administration, Supervision, and Leadership.

Currently, Joseph is the Director of Graduate Support at Brooklyn Jesuit Prep. He has experience in teaching and served as Dean of Students at Nativity Preparatory School of Boston. He brings a strong foundation in student advocacy, leadership, restorative practices, and a deep understanding of our Jesuit charism and the NativityMiguel school model.

Joseph is thrilled to join the Nativity family. “I am a native New Yorker with Dominican and Cuban heritage. I embrace the ‘Cura Personalis’ philosophy, emphasizing comprehensive care for individuals and empowering young people in urban communities. I offer a holistic perspective and work to transform society. It’s an honor to be a part of St. Andrew Nativity’s rich history and exciting future.”

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Empowering the Next Generation

St. Andrew Nativity School is a tuition-free Catholic, Jesuit middle school serving young people of all faiths who qualify for free and reduced lunch and empowering them in their spiritual, intellectual and personal development toward college and career readiness and becoming people for others.

All photography on this site provided by Dan Bigelow (Lake Oswego Photographers), Tom Cook, Rachel LeCrone, Gregory Kozawa, Michael McDermott, and Nick Wiltgen.