The Plank - Features
Coaches face a multitude of challenges while preparing for the fall season
When discussing issues brought about by COVID-19, many have focused solely on the educational impact, forgetting the pandemic’s influence on athletics. While it seems right to prioritize learning, those involved in sports have also seen a number of changes.
Father Perry Petrich: new face, same values
A graduate of Bellarmine Preparatory High School in Tacoma, Washington, Father Perry Petrich S.J. is no stranger to Ignatian education — studying at four Jesuit universities, and gaining work experience at 10 Jesuit schools.
College in the time of Corona
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, universities across America were forced to shift their plans, leaving newly-minted college freshmen with a decision about their futures.
Tribute to a beloved Ignatian educator
Ms. Maureen Pryor began her career in education after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, and at the conclusion of this school year, Ms. Pryor moved on to her well-deserved retirement.
No longer business as usual as Jesuit bids farewell to two longtime staff members
Acting behind the scenes in the business office of Jesuit High School Sacramento, Ms. Danise Skewis and Ms. Eileen Woodward help keep the school running — the former as a Risk Manager and Accounts Payable Coordinator, and the latter as a Business Office Assistant.
Technology for the community
Despite having a beautiful campus, Jesuit High School Sacramento had been seeing a noticeable increase in trash in the months before the school moved to remote learning. To combat the trash dilemma, Michael Equi ’20, along with the Bytes Robotics team, worked for months on a new robot called “Garbage Bytes” to serve as a mobile trash can.
When one door closes, another one opens
“You are never going to walk again; you are never going to move your hands.”
On May 6, 2017, a doctor from the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center uttered these words to Robert Paylor ’15, then a sophomore on the UC Berkeley rugby team. Paylor had sustained a spinal cord injury in the Varsity Cup Championship match against Arkansas State University.
Lives joined in service for and with others
Two longtime fixtures at Jesuit High School Sacramento, Mr. Tom McGuire and Ms. Cleann McGuire, will be retiring this year after over 50 combined years of serving Jesuit — the former as a teacher and coach, and the latter as a counselor and assistant registrar.
Embodying Jesuit’s religious spirit
If you didn’t already know him from his over-the-intercom examen prayers and his readings at Mass, then let us introduce Grant Houle ’20, the religious coordinator for Jesuit High School in Sacramento.
Making connections in heart and soul
Director of Liturgy and Theology Teacher Ms. Charlene Cardenas started teaching at Jesuit High School Sacramento in 2002 when the Class of 2020 were infants or yet to be born. Now, as the Class of 2020 graduates, she prepares to retire.
To properly say farewell
Even with Digital Learning Days changing many aspects of life at Jesuit High School Sacramento, the school is doing its best to keep students connected with their end-of-year events. Donghwan Park ’20, this year’s valedictorian, is a crucial part of the effort to have graduation remain a memorable celebration for the Class of 2020.
Making dough during the pandemic
Luigi’s Pizza Parlor, located on Stockton Boulevard, is one of the oldest pizza parlors in Sacramento. After opening in 1953, Luigi’s has had several different owners, with the current owner being Jesuit High School Sacramento alumnus, Mark Delgado ’97.
Willy Park, a man of community and service
It goes without saying that Jesuit High School Sacramento’s campus is impressive, accentuated by manicured sports fields, beautiful grounds, and well-maintained buildings — the resulting aesthetics of Plant Manager and Maintenance Supervisor Mr. Willy Park and his team.
Deuce Zak ’20, the ultimate team player
It’s often said that for a team to reach success, each individual must subordinate their personal desires for the betterment of the team. Deuce Zak ’20 perfectly embodies this saying.
Jonathan Fong ’20, the spirit of “Work Hard. Play Hard. Pray Hard.”
At Jesuit High School Sacramento, students are taught to model their lives after the Grad-at-Grad principles in the ultimate expression of being a “man for others.” Throughout his time at Jesuit, Jonathan Fong ’20 has done just that — applied himself to the callings in his life, a journey that has led him to become the Class of 2020’s Salutatorian.
Jesuit says goodbye to one of its longest-tenured faculty members
After 43 years of working at Jesuit High School Sacramento, the 2019-2020 school year will be the “last dance” for Mr. Ross Evans.
There isn’t much Coach Isaac doesn’t do
Holding the titles of prefect coordinator, VIP student coordinator, director of Academics Plus, and coach on the football and soccer teams at Jesuit High School Sacramento, there isn’t much Jonathan Isaac doesn’t do.
Through her love of Catholic education, Mrs. Cerati left her mark on Jesuit
Since attending high school at Marymount International School, a Catholic institution in Rome, Italy, Mrs.Victoria Cerati never lost her “profound respect and love for Catholic education.”
On the field, in the classroom, as the president
A standout leader, athlete, and student at Jesuit High School Sacramento, Cole Barrett ’20 is hard to miss.
A season cut short, a career still budding
With six graduates currently in professional baseball, Jesuit High School Sacramento has a reputation for producing some of the area’s best baseball talent. That number could grow even larger this summer when Major League Baseball holds its annual First-Year Player Draft.