Schools
Dublin TK-8 School, Emerald High Theater Names Selected
The DUSD Board voted Tuesday on a final name for the future school, and a name for Emerald High's theater.
DUBLIN, CA — And the winner is…Shamrock Hills.
The Dublin Unified School District Board narrowly voted 3-2 Wednesday to name the future TK-8 school the Shamrock Hills School.
The board also voted 4-0 to name the Emerald High School Theater as the Catherine Kuo Performing Arts Center after the former trustee who was killed in a car accident in 2021. DUSD Board Vice President William Kuo, who was married to Catherine, abstained from the latter vote.
The board selected the name from three possible choices, which the 17-member community TK-8 Naming Committee narrowed down from 631 community submissions. Out of Shamrock Hills, Hacienda Meadows, and Martin Canyon, the board selected Shamrock Hills, which was recommended by the TK-8 Naming Committee. “Selecting Shamrock Hills honors the city's name, symbol, and scenic surroundings. It reflects Dublin's Irish heritage, features the city's shamrock logo, and uniquely signifies the TK-8th grade educational journey.”
Following that vote, the board voted to name Emerald High School’s new theater after Catherine Kuo, who was a member of the DUSD Board, an active community volunteer, a member of the Superintendent's Council, a member of the Second High School Input Committee, and president of the Dougherty Parent Faculty Club.
She was fatally injured by a car in March 2021 while volunteering at a Fallon Middle School distribution event. The event led to an outpouring of grief for the popular community activist.
Kuo said the name was fitting for his late wife, a violinist and guitar player who played and sang for her church band.
“My family and friends are honored and humbled to have this gesture bestowed upon Catherine’s legacy,” Kuo said “For us, naming the theater after Catherine is very representative of who she was. She played the violin and was part of the UCLA symphony for a couple of years and she caught my eyes as a bass guitar player for the church band, and she sang with the band. To me, music, singing, and Catherine are all intertwined. Now, with my son, Thomas, involved in the DHS Drama and Choir performances, my appreciation for the performing arts leads me to imagine that we will attend many performances at that future theater. To all of the future students, directors, producers, teachers, and staff, I now thank you in advance for your hard work and dedication to the performing arts. Your efforts will undoubtedly inspire and entertain audiences for years to come at the theater. You will no doubt bring the community together sharing your work onstage and behind the scenes.”
“The Catherine Kuo Performing Arts Center stands as a tribute to an individual whose unwavering dedication to our district and community touched the lives of many. Catherine's legacy in volunteering and her love for the arts will forever inspire generations of students to come,” continued Superintendent Funk.
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