The Plank - Student Life
Sleep well, it’s Finals Week!
Although Christmas break is right around the corner, something a lot less exciting stands in the way: finals.
With the ability to make or break your grade, knowing how to study for finals can be a daunting task, especially if it is your first time taking one at Jesuit. Sam David ’28 echoes these sentiments.
Symphonic and Jazz Band show off hard work at Winter Band Concert
On Thursday, Dec. 12 Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Symphonic Band and Jazz Band will perform at their annual winter band concert in the Harris Center.
Sam Gegax ’25 has been a member of the Symphonic and Jazz Band for the last four years. He is excited to see how far he and the rest of band have grown with their music throughout the year.
Jesuit choirs spread Christmas cheer at Winter Choral Concert
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s three choirs will unite for one of their biggest performances of the year. The men’s choir, concert choir, and chamber choir are welcoming people to attend their joint Winter Concert performance at the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.
The concert will feature all three levels of Jesuit’s choir singing a variety of Christmas-themed pieces – all of which will be tied together by the concert’s theme, “Brightest and Best”.
Learning the reason for the season at Lessons and Carols
On Sunday, Dec. 8, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s chamber choir will collaborate with the Saint Francis High School choir to host the annual Lessons and Carols service.
Originating in England, Lessons and Carols is an event with a rich history that is dedicated to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Choir Director Mr. David Vanderbout explains the central themes and ideas that are communicated in the service.
Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Service aims to inspire gratitude
On Friday, Nov. 22, Jesuit High School Sacramento will host its first ever Thanksgiving Interfaith Prayer Service. In light of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the service will center on the theme of gratitude; more specifically, how we can be thankful in our everyday lives.
As the first interfaith Campus Ministry event, the service will feature Jesuit student speakers and guest speakers from various religions.
Run to Feed the Hungry: Runners for others
On Thursday, Nov. 28, Jesuit High School Sacramento will be participating in the annual Run to Feed the Hungry event, hosted by the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS).
Administrative Assistant for the Office of Service & Justice and Campus Ministry Mrs. Tina Bernardi enjoyed participating in her first run last year.
Shadow Days offer prospective students a glimpse of life on campus
From Oct. 28 to Jan. 9, Jesuit High School Sacramento is welcoming middle and high school students who are interested in attending Jesuit.
The STAR Team is looking to offer prospective Marauders a glimpse inside an average day on campus. The “shadows” will be assigned to a current Jesuit student, who will chaperone the shadow through the first three periods of the day. After experiencing life inside the classroom, shadows will have the chance to eat food from Epicurean and then depart with their parents during lunchtime.
Nurturing relationships at the Mother-Son Mass
On Sunday, Oct. 27, Jesuit High School Sacramento hosted its annual Mother-Son Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, showcasing the appreciation and love students have for their mothers and mother figures.
Senior Nicolas Norton ’25 has attended the mass every year during his four years at Jesuit, and enjoys the opportunity to nurture his relationship with his mom.
You Odda-See This Fall Play
Starting Nov. 1, Jesuit Drama brings to the stage Will Averill’s comedy “The Odyssey: by Thespis and the Peloponnesian Midwest Regional Third Place Chorus.” Performed in the Black Box Theater, the drama team – made up of Jesuit, Saint Francis, and Rio Americano high school students – is ready to bring to life their unique take on The Odyssey.
Artistic Director Mr. Ed Trafton is excited for this rendition of The Odyssey. While it may be a familiar narrative, Averill’s version brings a comedic twist.
Art Event helps fund Jesuit
On Thursday, Oct. 24, Jesuit High School Sacramento hosts the Jesuit Art Event, where renowned local artists get to showcase and sell their artwork.
Executive Director of Advancement Ms. Kim Kalmbach explains that while the primary goal of the night is to highlight artists, the event also benefits Jesuit.
Open House helps Jesuit make its mark
This Sunday, Oct. 20, Jesuit High School Sacramento opens its campus to the larger Sacramento community at its annual Open House.
At the event, teachers and students will welcome incoming students to give a sense of what life at Jesuit offers. Counselor Ms. Gianna Wheeler feels that Open House is a valuable opportunity for families considering Jesuit.
Mini but Mighty RACC College Fair
On Thursday, Oct. 17, during lunch at the Senior Quad, Jesuit will be hosting a college fair with guests from the Regional Admission Counselors of California (RACC). RACC is an organization of college representatives for schools outside of California, and this fair will provide a great opportunity for students to learn about out of state schools.
Counselor Ms. Angela Harger believes that college fairs offer unique opportunities to connect with knowledgeable college representatives.
Homecoming Preview: Nightmare on American River Drive
On Oct. 12, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s annual Homecoming dance will take place.
A highly anticipated event among students, homecoming is an occasion for all to participate in a classic high school tradition. Students of all grades from Jesuitare welcome to attend with a date, alone, or with friends.
Cole Arnold ’25 believes that Homecoming fosters a sense of unity among students and enables them to meet new people.
National Testing Day offers students a chance to practice
On Oct. 9, Jesuit High School Sacramento students will come to campus just like any other day – only this time they will be taking grade-specific tests instead of attending class. National Test Day exists to help students prepare for the different standardized tests that they will encounter in the college admissions process, giving them a baseline of where they stand amongst others in their graduating year throughout the nation.
Freshman will take the Educational Development test, or EDT. This test is very similar to the entrance exam they took as eighth graders entering Jesuit, and it is a good test to identify strengths and weaknesses in students to guide them on their high school journey.
Big Bash brings back brothers
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Jesuit High School Sacramento alumni department will hold their Jesuit Big Bash for alumni, their families, and other members of the Jesuit community. The theme for this 21 and over event will be Oktoberfest flare.
The Big Bash is an opportunity for Alumni and Jesuit parents to come back and reconnect with their brothers that they made during their four years at Jesuit. Alumni Office Support Ms. Allison Hoferer, who is working on the Big Bash, wants to get as many people back to Jesuit as possible.
Showcasing the wonder and beauty of the human spirit
Over the summer, Studio Art Teacher Ms. Jillian Taylor joined Jesuit High School Sacramento’s art department. In her new position, she will teach various levels of art, from Studio Art to AP Studio Art.
Having served as a co-director for an art gallery in Miami and as an assistant director for an art gallery in Paris, Ms. Taylor brings a wealth of experience with her to Jesuit. Her interest in the arts began with her Ivy League education.
Alumni Spirit Shines
On Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Jesuit High School Sacramento will be hosting their first of many Alumni & Family Monthly Masses at the Phelan Chapel of the North American Martyrs. While the mass is for alumni, it is not exclusive and can be attended by anyone.
Fr. Harris believes that these masses can help people rekindle their connection with Jesuit.
Club Day offers new opportunities to explore
On Monday, Sept 23, 2024, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Club Day will give students an opportunity to discover and sign up for the various clubs offered at Jesuit.
Student Activities Director Mr. Peter Ferrari encourages students to make the most of Club Day by engaging in as many activities as possible.
Neon night open dance aims to bring students together
On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 21, Jesuit High School Sacramento will be hosting its first Frosh Soph Open Dance of the school year. This exciting “neon night” will be held from 7 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. in the Father Barry Gymnasium.
Student Activities Director Mr. Peter Ferrari and the student council organized this night full of festivities.
Service and Justice Agency Fair: A Wide Array of Opportunities
Jesuit High School Sacramento’s annual Service and Justice Agency Fair will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5, during the community period. The fair presents a valuable opportunity for anyone who’s hesitant about their service to connect with various service organizations.
Gordon Kim ’25 recalls how the fair introduced him to Loaves and Fishes, an organization dedicated to providing essentials for homeless adults and children.
“[The fair] gave me an idea of what I was getting myself into, which really helped me, since I’m one of those guys who is really uncomfortable doing things without knowing who I’m doing it for,” Gordon said.