The Plank - Senior Edition
Despite multiple setbacks, Tonko Susac ’21 has major-league aspirations
In the afternoon of March 12, 2020, pitcher Tonko Susac ’21 had just finished one of the best performances of his young baseball career — pitching six innings and striking out nine hitters to lead Jesuit High School Sacramento over the nation’s No. 1 ranked team, De La Salle High School.
A gifted slugger, a dominant pitcher, and a humble leader, Devon Walczykowski ’21 does it all for Jesuit baseball
With only six players from last season’s team playing this year, the 2021 Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity baseball team was left shorthanded, especially on the pitching side.
Behind the camera: how Damian Brunton ’21 became a TikTok celebrity
After tearing his ACL while playing club soccer his freshman year at Jesuit High School Sacramento, Damian Brunton ’21 was at his lowest point — unable to pursue his passion of soccer for an extended period of time.
A one of a kind student, Peter Wisner ’21 makes his mark on Jesuit High School
Upon graduation, students at Jesuit High School Sacramento aim to embody the five principles of the Grad at Grad. One of the values, intellectual competence, is something few students personify as much as Peter Wisner ’21.
Student Body President takes on extra responsibilities due to pandemic
The role of Student Executive Council President at Jesuit High School Sacramento has always been to promote efficient communication throughout the school, help maintain school spirit, and organize the student body so that they may act with one voice.
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.
Senior Memory: Brothers on retreat
My favorite Jesuit memory came on Freshman Overnight.
We were tired. It had been a long Saturday, the first day of Frosh Overnight. We had arrived in the morning, before our Little Brothers did. We did our prep work and our activities and our prayers, and the day was finally coming to a close.
Senior Memory: The last stretch
There is no way we can lose, or so I thought as I awaited the whistle that would signal the start of our second rugby game that day. Our first had been in the morning when we won the semifinal game against our longtime rival Gonzaga High School.
Senior Memory: Rushing the court
During my four years at Jesuit High School Sacramento, many memorable and impactful experiences will stick with me for a long time. One of the most memorable was one that happened this school year, at a basketball game, a few days after New Year’s Day.
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.