Saint Bonaventure Alumni Update 
 Spring Edition, 2016 
Saint Bonaventure is part of who we are. Our fellow alumni have gone on to do a great many things, but we are bound together by time as Seraphs.
 
It is in this spirit, and for this purpose, that we are founding the Seraph Alumni Association.
 
The mission of the Alumni Association is to serve as a unifying alliance of former students, teachers, parents and administrators; invested in celebrating the Seraph experience, furthering the values and vision of Saint Bonaventure and commemorating all things Green and Gold, past and present.

Let's stand united for the Green and Gold and act upon our motto, Once a Seraph, Always a Seraph.
 
We are excited about the possibilities -  homecoming celebrations, to Alumni cheering sections,  career days - and ask that you join our ranks with a $50 donation.

Your annual membership will support vital programs on campus and connect you to your fellow alumni. Members of the Alumni Association will also receive:

* Exclusive SBHS Alumni Lapel Pin
* Discounted Admission to All School Events
* Free Entry to Our Homecoming Celebration and BBQ
* The Annual Alumni Magazine

Thank you, 
 
Andrew Peake
Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations
apeake@saintbonaventure.com
(805) 648-6836 ext. 118
Alumni Updates:

Homecoming Celebration and BBQ

September 16 th  
Alumni Homecoming Football Game  Ventura College

September 17 th  
Alumni BBQ and Corn Hole Tournament  SBHS Campus
 
The  Alumni Association will be holding our first ever Alumni Homecoming and BBQ this September!
 
Join your fellow alumni for a night of drinks, dancing, great food and our first ever class corn hole tournament! 

This event is free to all Alumni Association Members and their spouses. 

Seraphs take the Field with LA Rams

In the Rams first year in Los Angeles you will be seeing Seraph Alumni on the field, and on the sidelines. Troy Hill ('11) joined the Rams in December and will be playing cornerback

The Rams Cheer Squad will also be featuring  a member of the class of 2011, Zandra Tamayo. 

Congratulations Troy and Zandra!
 
Save the Date: 

1971 Reunion
  • September 16, 2016
  • Contact: Diane Wolpert - mrbruiser@verizon.net
1976 Reunion
  • September 4, 2016
  • Contact: Trish Beckwith - trish.beckwith@gmail.com
1986 Reunion
  • August 6, 2016 
  • Contact: Steve Slyker - slykers2001@yahoo.com
2006 Reunion
  • Date to be determined 
  • Contact: Chelsi Rueter - Chelsi@cpm1.com
Planned Giving Seminar

May 31, 2016
Morning Seminar - 10:00 a.m. 
 Santa Cruz Room
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish

Evening Seminar - 7:00 p.m. 
Mulcahy Center
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish

Personal planning and having a will or trust in place are responsibilities that all of us should take seriously, regardless of our age. If you already have an estate plan in place, need to update a current plan, or would like to learn more about how you can help leave a legacy of faith to future generations, you will benefit from this educational seminar.

Representatives from the Planned Giving Office of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and legal and financial professionals will be presenting on: Catholic teaching on healthcare decisions, advance healthcare directives, legal steps required in Wills, Power of Attorney, and considerations for charitable gift planning.

This is a free seminar and no solicitation will be made.

RSVP to Andrea at 805-642-7966 ext. 129
Planning a Reunion? Have something to share with your fellow Alumni? Let us know! 
Alumni Profile: Bob Clifford, Class of 1977

"The academic foundation, social responsibility, and quest for excellence engendered in me as a Seraph has served me well for almost 40 years.  The Franciscan brothers, Sisters of Notre Dame, and dedicated lay teachers of SBHS all had a profound effect on me as a military officer, FBI agent, and diplomat." - Robert Clifford

In the second grade, Robert F. Clifford ('77) picked up a book about the Federal Bureau of Investigation and sparked a passion that has lasted a lifetime. The 2004 Federal Employee of the Year and the only Seraph Alumni to win the Bolivian National Police Medal of Honor and Merit took time recently to speak about his career and time at Saint Bonaventure High School.
 
Reflecting back to his days at Saint Bonaventure and how he misses the school spirit, the sense of community, playing football, running track and field, and being in government, Robert notes a few teachers who stood out. Religion teacher Sister Marie Paul helped him find the love for theology with her unique and innovative teaching style. He also misses his English teacher Brother Gerald who gave him the love for literature and poetry and Coach Paul, football and track and field coach, who helped  him lear n a bout authority and the value of knowing who has your back.
 
The Ojai native attended Saint Mary's College and majored in Medieval Theology. Following graduation, he attended Oxford University in England and received a Master's in Public Administration at the University of Southern California. 
 
After spending eight years serving in the United States Navy as    an officer, Bob join the Bureau as a Special Agent in 1989. Serving in posts across the world, including assignments in the Middle East, South America, Europe and Washington, Bob advanced to FBI On-Scene Commander in Iraq and the senior FBI representative to NATO and the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

His career is highlighted by assignments to lead teams to take down groups that threatened United States security, groups like MS 13 and November 17.  Robert Clifford's work against these organizations won him the prestigious Federal Employee of the Year award.
 
This career was not without sacrifice. Bob and Deirdre, his wife of 27 years, raised their children in foreign countries. Beyond the normal long hours, there were evenings where a fellow agent would arrive home, explaining that Dad would be missing dinner. However, the opportunity to serve, save lives, and travel far outweighed any downside.
 
On a last note, Robert advised current Seraphs  who want to go into the FBI to look beyond work and strive for a greater cause. Excellence in grades, unquestionable integrity and citizenship are necessary, but it is equally vital to be well-rounded and have passion.   
   
By: Sophie Dahlstedt ('17)

Athletics Update
Track and Field

Senior Celera Barnes continued to dominate her competition in the 100 and 200 meters. Celera has accepted full scholarship to run at the University of California, Los Angeles. 
Softball

Our defending CIF Champion Softball team is once again the #1 Seed in the CIF Southern Division. The Seraphs have won four straight league titles and two straight CIF Championships!  

Baseball

The Seraph Tri-Valley League champion is the lone area team to procure a top seed in the CIF Southern Division Tournament. Darius Vines provided a season highlight by pitching a perfect game and knocking in three RBI's. 

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