Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Great Grad: Willow Glen dentist Matthew Bernal, a 1977 graduate of St. Christopher Elementary School, was recently named a 2001 Catholic Elementary School Distinguished Graduate by the National Catholic Educational Association.
St. Christopher School alum named distinguished grad
By Melissa Matchak
Nearly 24 years after graduating from St. Christopher Elementary School, Matthew Bernal has been named as a 2001 Catholic Elementary School Distinguished Graduate by the National Catholic Educational Association.
The award is given to people who, as adults, put into practice the values and ideals taught in their Catholic elementary schools, according to Kathy Dorsa, development director for St. Christopher.
"Matt was nominated because of his contributions as a school parent and to the community at large," Dorsa said.
Bernal, who graduated from St. Christopher in 1977, now practices family dentistry in Willow Glen. Bernal also attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, Santa Clara University and the University of the Pacific Dental School. He provides dental care to many members of the Diocese of San Jose, as his father began doing 40 years ago when he started the dental practice.
Bernal volunteers in the classrooms of his two daughters who currently attend St. Christopher, and has provided instruction in dental care to many of the school's classes for several years. He also volunteers in the library at computer lab at St. Christopher, and is a member of the baptism preparation team.
Bernal said he enjoys working with the members of St. Christopher School and Parish, and said the award was a nice honor for the parish, as well.
"The values taught at the school were really important to my parents, and now they're important to me and my wife for our kids," Bernal said. "Now I want to support that, and get involved in any way I can."
Bernal, a Willow Glen resident and native, said his family has been in the area for more than 200 years. He said the award, which was presented to him at a special Mass on Jan. 28, came as a complete surprise.
"It was really a nice honor," Bernal said. "It's been a joy to be a part of the St. Christopher community for my whole life."
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
