Katja Bavendam '08—My Giant Life
By Kareem Cooper ’14
T
he transition from college to the real
to go with it and have a really fun experiworld is never predictable. Katja
ence with it,” Katja said.
Bavendam ’08 had spent years in the
Though the idea of being on a reality
public eye as a star basketball player but she
show might seem scary to some people,
never thought the spotlight would extend to a
Katja says it’s not as bad as it seems:
role on a primetime TV show.
“It’s not as weird as I thought it would be …
Katja, from Hambergen, Germany, was on
of course, you’re always going to be super
the 2004–2008 St. Francis women’s
critical of yourself, so that’s a little weird.
basketball team. The 6'8" center was a key
You’re always going to be like ‘I sound
member of the team that had one of the
funny’ or ‘Why did I say that?’”
Terriers biggest wins up until that time—a
Being surrounded by cameras all day
2007 upset over the #1 ranked Long Island
hasn’t been much of an issue; as a 6'8"
University Blackbirds in the NEC tournawoman she’s used to stares. Though the
ment. Katja’s collegiate success led to an
hours are long and filming can be tiresome,
international professional basketball career.
she says she finds joy in moments where
She was living out her dream playing
she gets filmed with her loved ones, and
basketball throughout Europe when she
when candid moments are captured for the
seriously injured her knee. Doctors advised
world to see. The only frustrating aspect is
L E F T: Katja Bavendam ’08 playing on the Terrier Basketball
her to retire—her basketball career was over.
the repetitive nature of filming; scenes are
Team.” R I G H T: Katja and Julie with their two dogs. Photo by
Katja returned to New York to figure out
shot countless times for various reasons
Sakshi Parikh.
what to do. While contemplating grad school,
and it can become monotonous.
she was contacted by a friend connected to
Katja could never have predicted that
the TLC show My Giant Life. The series focuses on the unique aspects of life
she’d be where she is. From collegiate and professional athlete to reality series
as a very tall woman. Katja’s friend urged her to give it a shot.
star. But for now, she’s found a home for her larger-than-life story.
To Katja’s surprise, the TLC producers offered her a spot on the show.
www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-giant-life/meet-the-women/
Katja and her wife, Julie McGuire, were unsure about opening their lives to
the public but, “We couldn’t really answer the question ’why not?’ We decided
2010s
Joseph B. Kiernan ’10
and Amy M. Ledden
’12 are happy to
announce their
engagement. Both
Joseph and Amy are
middle school physical
education teachers
in New York City. Amy
teaches in Harrison and Joseph in Bushwick.
Kevin Conlon ’11 recently became a founding
Member of the Junior Board of Heart Share
St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS), a multi-program
nonprofit located in downtown Brooklyn. With four
divisions—Foster Care and Preventive Programs,
Integrated Health Services, Residential & Housing
Programs, and Youth Development and Community
Programs—HSVS empowers the youth, individuals
and families it serves to overcome the challenges of
family crises, addiction, mental illness and poverty.
of Alumni Relations and Special Events at Loyola
School and Josephine is Senior Analyst in Regulatory
Financial Reporting at Goldman Sachs.
Ciaran McHugh ’14 was promoted to Account
Manager of News for Turner’s Digital Client Services
team. After interning under St. Francis alumna
Jessica Baeza Boiardi ’05, Ciaran was hired
as a project assistant and became an Account
Coordinator for News.
Nicole D. Scafo ’15 has been named a Woodrow
Wilson New Jersey Teaching Fellow by The Woodrow
Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The highly
competitive program recruits both recent graduates
and career changers with strong backgrounds in
science, technology, engineering, and math—the
STEM fields—and prepares them specifically to
teach in high-need secondary schools.
Saverio A. Nardone ’12 is head coach of the
Midwood Hornets, which recently won the Public
Schools Athletic League championship game.
Joe Acciarito ’12 and
Josephine Pagliughi ’13
are happy to announce
their engagement, which
was celebrated this past
February with their family
and friends, and a full
crowd of SFC alumni,
ranging across more than
a decade of class years.
Joe is currently Director
20 | ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE TERRIER | FALL 2016
Christopher J. Risley ’16 with Chief Joseph Fox
and Stephen Risley ’81
Christopher J. Risley ’16 has joined the NYPD,
following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.
Christopher’s father is Stephen Risley ’81, who is
proud to report that NYPD Chief of Transit Bureau
Joseph Fox was among those who congratulated
Chris personally on his graduation.
Giving Tuesday—We Asked, You Gave
After you’ve spent on gifts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday,
we hope you have a little left over for Giving Tuesday. Last
November, St. Francis took part, for the first time, in this growing
movement that asks people to support non-profit organizations
during the holiday season.
More than 225 of you responded
with over $25,000 in donations to
St. Francis College.
We’re doing it again this year on
November 29, so please watch your
email inbox and social media for news
on how you can participate. ●
https://youtu.be/bcPcG1HZHCI
Christina Somma ’17 thanking
one of our many donors.