Michele (Casey '99) Bueno

Michele (Casey ’99) Bueno is the first alumna to serve as President of the Oakcrest School Board of Directors. Her role and her service has allowed her to stay intricately connected to her alma mater, an opportunity she holds close. 

“I would exhort seniors to stay connected with Oakcrest, your alma mater, and when you are able, don’t forget to give back your time and treasure so that future generations can benefit from an Oakcrest education,” she said. 

Mrs. Bueno holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a Master’s degree in Systematic Theology from Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Smith College and a Bachelor of Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College. 

“I have always had a curiosity about the physical world and how things work,” she said. “As an electrical engineer, I find it very satisfying to apply scientific principles to realize solutions to real world problems.” 

Looking back on her years at Oakcrest, Mrs. Bueno says that she believes that all of her Oakcrest teachers impacted her, but two in particular she remembers having a particular influence throughout her life. 

“Mrs. Joanne Walsh was a wonderful math teacher who had a gift for making math make sense,” Mrs. Bueno recalls. “Obviously, that was an important factor in my decision to go into engineering. I also remember Mrs. Walsh’s heroic battle with cancer. I don’t think she skipped a beat, even after her diagnosis and during her treatment. 

“Dr. Edwina Maksym introduced me to philosophy and systematic theology, which have become my favorite subjects to study in my free time.” 

All four years that Mrs. Bueno was at Oakcrest, she performed in the eclectic variety show - one of her favorite memories of Oakcrest is preparing for the show with rehearsals and learning new skills such as tap dancing for the performances. 

The liberal arts education that she received at Oakcrest, played a role in shaping who she is even today, Mrs. Bueno said. 

“I think an Oakcrest liberal arts education has made me a well-rounded person with a wide range of interests,” she said. “I am able to have engaging conversations with people from all different backgrounds and professions. It has also given me the capacity to appreciate the history and culture of the many countries I’ve visited.

“In addition, while many engineers can develop a deterministic or mechanistic view of reality, my exposure to the humanities, especially philosophy, has given me an appreciation for other ways of seeking truth. I think this has allowed me to break free of rote ways of thinking and taught me to think outside the box.”

To the Oakcrest seniors, Mrs. Bueno says to “remember who you are.” 

“Your identity as a unique and beloved daughter of God is not something you earned or created for yourself; it is a gift, a gift that Oakcrest helped you discover,” Mrs. Bueno said. “Whenever you find yourself in some situation, remember that you were created for that very moment and that there is a reason you are there, not necessarily because of what you can do, but because of who you are. The world needs more Oakies!”