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Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year!
A Home for Academic Excellence and Character Development
St. Francis is thrilled to welcome both new and returning Golden Knights to campus for an exciting 2017-2018 school year! A number of infrastructure and curriculum changes were implemented over the summer to enhance the Capuchin Franciscan educational experience for all of our students. As part of this initiative, we are pleased to open the doors of our beautifully renovated and upgraded gymnasium. We are also looking forward to cheering on our student-athletes as they compete in twelve different athletic events throughout the year.  In addition, we are excited about another strong year for our St. Francis Robotics Team, Team Brobot, and Sports Medicine Program. Our Sports Medicine Program is hoping to build upon its tradition of excellence as it pursues its seventh consecutive national championship! The Visual and Performing Arts Program will continue its award-winning success with two powerful performances, The Farnsworth Invention in fall 2017 and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in sprin g 2018. You will not want to miss these fantastic performances!
 
For new students to St. Francis, the high school transition began with a two-day New Student Orientation and education program that concluded this past Friday. New Student Orientation provided these young men with the opportunity to find their classes, meet their teachers, develop new friendships, and adjust to a new environment prior to the start of the school year. In addition, this was the students' first chance to plug into the LINK Program - a program focused on easing their high school transition and preparing them for a successful high school experience from the very first day. different partner schools from all across the area, they have quickly united as part of the St. Francis family. New Student Orientation provides these exceptional young men the opportunity to find their classes, meet their teachers, develop new friendships, and adjust to a new environment prior to the start of the school year. In addition, this was the students' first chance to plug into the LINK Program - a program focused on easing their high school transition and preparing them for success from the very first day. We look forward to welcoming the rest of the student body back to school tomorrow and we are excited about the 2012-2013 school year. GO KNIGHTS!
 
St. Francis High School is dedicated to ensuring that the values shared by St. Francis with his brothers, steeped in the virtues taught by Jesus Christ to his disciples, are incorporated into everything we do both on and off campus. The Franciscan Virtues Program makes this goal a reality by focusing in on one of the sixteen Franciscan virtues each quarter. This year the program continues with the virtues of hospitality, charity, faithfulness, and goodness. St. Francis aims to ensure that each student learns to appreciate and exemplify each one of these virtues as part of his character development.
 
The Franciscan Spirit and Life Program is busy planning this year's pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. Interest in this dynamic and life-changing program has continued to grow since the first pilgrimage took place in 2009. Once again, thirty St. Francis students and a number of faculty members will travel to Assisi and Rome this spring. The experience enables the students and faculty members to better understand the life and ministry of St. Francis, and how his example can be applied to their daily lives.
 
St. Francis would like to invite the community to join the Golden Knights for a variety of activities throughout the year, both on and off campus. Our annual Back-to-School Day will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2017. The 29th Annual Golf Classic will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017, at Brookside Golf Course. Open House will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for all prospective students and parents. The Entrance Examination for all new freshmen is Saturday, January 20, 2018. This year's MiniPOSH (Preserving Our Scholastic Heritage) celebration will be held on campus under the oaks on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

It's going to be a great year and we look forward to welcoming you to campus as we pursue our mission of enriching the minds and hearts of the young men entrusted to our care. GO KNIGHTS!  
2017-2018 Theater Season Reveal
SFHS 2017-2018 Theater Season Reveal
SFHS 2017-2018 Theater Season Reveal
Franciscan Virtue of the 1st Quarter: Hospitality
Real Friends - A Reflection on Hospitality
Franciscan Spirit and Life Hospitality Information Packet 
A teenage boy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had cancer and was in the hospital for several weeks to undergo radiation treatments and chemotherapy. During that time, he lost all of his hair. On the way home from the hospital, he was worried - not about the cancer, but about the embarrassment of going back to school with a bald head. Despite his concern, he had already decided not to wear a wig or a hat.

When he arrived home, he walked in the front door and turned on the lights. To his surprise, about fifty of his friends jumped up and shouted, "Welcome home!" The boy looked around the room and could hardly believe his eyes - all fifty of his friends had shaved their heads!

Wouldn't we all like to have caring friends who were so sensitive and committed to us that they would sacrifice their hair for us if that's what it took to make us feel affirmed, included, and loved? Friends like that are hard to find in today's world. Friends like that embody the true spirit of hospitality.

Being part of a school family requires us to feel the pains and the joys that everyone feels during the course of the school year. A welcoming, accepting, hospitable attitude ensures that we will all be with each other as the trials and tribulations occur. And when things go well, we will rejoice together.
LIVERESPECT: Coaching Healthy & Respectful Manhood
St. Francis High School is honored to participate in A CALL TO MEN's LIVERESPECT Coaching Healthy & Respectful Manhood Curriculum. The program aims to shift attitudes and behaviors that prevent violence and discrimination against all women and girls. It's encouraging to see the St. Francis student-athletes and teachers featured in this video share their discussing their experience with the curriculum. GO KNIGHTS!
 
LiveRESPECT Curriculum Video 
LiveRESPECT Curriculum Video
St. Francis Sports Medicine Earns 6th Consecutive National Championship
The American Academic Competition Institute (AACI) recently announced the results of last year's National High School Sports Medicine Competition Championships, which took place on May 15-19, 2017. For a 6th consecutive year, St. Francis finished 1st in the Alert Services Division and earned the title of Alert Services Division National Champion! Additionally, 11 Golden Knights earned All-American Sports Medicine distinction by placing in the national top 25. Congratulations to the SFHS Sports Medicine Program and our All-Americans! GO KNIGHTS!

AACI's goal is to give students from across the nation an opportunity to excel in their chosen area of study via an online competition. AACI developed the online National High School Sports Medicine Championship to help test and celebrate student knowledge in Sports Medicine & Athletic Training.

In an effort to reduce the high costs of creating a national championship, and to ensure that all qualified participants have the opportunity to compete at the national level, AACI has created a unique online testing application. Eligible schools were those who had placed in the top 10 (of their respective division) at any regional Sports Medicine Competition). Should a school not qualify, students from the school could compete as individuals if their score in a state or regional competition was in the top 25 individual scores.

ALERT SERVICES DIVISION NATIONAL STANDINGS

1. St. Francis High School (La Canada, CA): Alert Services Division National Champions 
2. Damien High School (La Verne, CA) 
3. Anthony High School (Anthony TX) 
4. East Valley Yakima (Yakima, WA) 
5. Spokane Valley Tech (Spokane Valley, WA)

ALERT SERVICES DIVISION - HIGH SCHOOL ALL AMERICAN SPORTS MEDICINE STUDENT

1. Liam Snashall - St. Francis High School- CA     
2. Patrick Dionisio - St. Francis High School- CA 
3. Christopher Hidalgo - St. Francis High School- CA 
4. Avery Austin - East Valley Yakima- WA    
5. Lili Gomez - Damien High School- CA  
6. Charles Greeves - St. Francis High School- CA 
7. Nick Yeh - St. Francis High School- CA 
8. Seth Valenzuela - East Valley Yakima -WA 
9. Jacob Marmolejo - St. Francis High School- CA 
10. Andrew Burgess - St. Francis High School- CA 
11. Alexa Olson - Damien High School- CA 
T-12. Jack Mitchner - Damien High School- CA 
T-12. Isaiah Garnica - Anthony High School - TX 
T-13. Kaitlyn German - Spokane Valley Tech- WA 
T-13. Ryan DeVore - St. Francis High School- CA 
T-13. Paige McCaslin - Damien High School- CA  
14. Jazmine Bustillos - Anthony High School - TX  
15. Gabriel Tajima-Pena - St. Francis High School- CA
T-16. Alexi Garcia - St. Francis High School- CA  
T-16. Hunter Gunski - St. Francis High School- CA
T-17. Dylan Bender - Damien High School- CA
T-17. Chris Cole - St. Joseph High School - MI
T-18. Jasmine Lopez - East Valley Yakima - WA  
T-18. Benjamin Scanlon - Spokane Valley Tech - WA
19. Esteban Arroyo - Damien High School - CA
20. Brianna Barraza - Anthony High School- TX  
21. Cheyenne Savage - Anthony High School - TX
T-22. Eduardo Juarez - East Valley Yakima - WA 
T-22. Brandon Garcia - Anthony High School - TX
23. Athena Alvidrez - Anthony High School - TX
24. Ramon Torres - Anthony High School- TX
T-25. Savannah Deats - East Valley Yakima - WA
T-25. Magda Paredes - Anthony High School - TX
The Necessity of Prayer: A Ministry Reflection
By Br. Niko Barth, OFM Cap. '12
A wonderful ministry reflection focused on the power of prayer by Br. Niko Barth, OFM Cap. '12 (pictured below on the far left). Br. Niko is a St. Francis graduate from the Class of 2012. His reflection focuses on his experience working at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Watts, Los Angeles, this past summer.

The Capuchin Franciscan vocation is among the most profound gifts God has given me. A fraternal life of prayerful simplicity dedicated to "living the holy Gospel" just makes so much sense to me as a Catholic. This is not to say that I always live up to this vocation or that I find it easy, but the world has opened up to me in ways that I never anticipated ever since I decided to follow. When God calls (and there is a call for everyone), we have a choice to answer or to let it ring. The ring-tones were echoing in the chambers of my heart long before I answered. If we truly give ourselves in faith and respond to God's call, we will be amazed at His work in our lives. I need only recall the past 7 weeks of my life to experience such amazement.

I spent the majority of this summer serving the community in Watts, Los Angeles at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish... actually, it would be more accurate to say that they served me because I ate more Mexican food than is prudent to share with you, dear reader. I would characterize this summer primarily as a summer of prayer. While I would like to report that this was my plan all along, personal history proves that my plans have never worked out this well (I planned on never entering religious life, but here I am!). Prayer was not merely a part of my ministerial life this summer; prayer was my ministry this summer.

The beautiful parish of St. Lawrence of Brindisi is a vibrant community that has been in flux for many years. It currently serves a predominantly Latino population with parishioners packing the pews from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays for 7 Masses, 5 of which are in Spanish (and that's just a glimpse of one day). While I enjoyed getting to know many of the English-speaking parishioners, the majority of my conversations this summer were in Spanish. This posed quite a challenge since my 3 years of high school Spanish have spent 6 years rusting in the recesses of my mind. Having received a quintuple dose of Spanish on my first Sunday in Watts, I quickly realized the absolute necessity of prayer.

As one who enjoys talking to people, hearing their stories, and sharing their lives, communication is central to any and all of my interactions. I knew that I was very limited in what I could say, so I would have to find another way to be a brother to these people. Prayer became the greatest tool to supplement these interactions when my broken Spanish could not suffice. As I recall the strong embraces of people seeking support or the tear drops of people in pain staining my habit, it clearly was not my brilliant advice or wise anecdotes that moved their hearts. It was the Holy Spirit who "helps us in our weakness.... [who] intercedes with sighs too deep for words."

What did I do in Watts this summer? No, the question is better asked, "What did Watts do in me this summer? The people of Watts moved my heart and taught me to pray! My signature phrase became "¡No puedo hablar mucho, pero puedo orar mucho!" ("I cannot speak much, but I can pray a lot!") Prayer brings unity to us as members of the Body of Christ, builds strength to strive for virtue, and orients our lives toward God. Through this gift of prayer, may we all deepen our lives as Christians and strive to fulfill the greatest commandment, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Pax et Bonum!

All-Area Boys' Tennis Doubles Team of Year: Freer brothers overcome injuries before fantastic playoff journey 
By Charles Rich, Glendale News-Press
Congratulations to Jack '17 and Ian '19 Freer on their selection as the All-Area Boys' Tennis Doubles Team of the Year! We are extremely proud of your accomplishments on the court and your tremendous sportsmanship...GO KNIGHTS!

In March, it seemed that Jack and Ian Freer wouldn't make it through the tennis season.

Call it a stroke of bad luck when the brothers were injured on another playing court. The Freers were competing in a charity basketball game at St. Francis High when Jack suffered two herniated discs and Ian sustained a deviated septum.
St. Francis' Jack Freer, with his brother Ian, are the 2017 All-Area Boys' Tennis Doubles Team of Year. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)


It wasn't clear if the Freers would be able to step back on the tennis court and compete for St. Francis.

What seemed improbable at the time was the Freers pairing together and putting forth a successful run that would carry them from the prestigious Ojai Invitational on through to the final day of the CIF Individual Tournament.
 
"I don't think you could have scripted it that way," said Ian Freer, a sophomore. "It was a case of two tough things happening in a charity basketball game and we both had to go through some pain and try to get back on track."

Said Jack, a senior: "When I look back on the day Ian and I got hurt, I wasn't sure if I'd be coming back because I had to go through rehab and try to get my strength back. You might not be at your best from a health standpoint, but there's that adrenaline that kicks in and puts the pain aside."

The Freers pulled off their improbable comeback and advanced to the semifinals in the 117th Ojai Invitational, the finals of the Mission League Tournament and the semifinals of the CIF Individual Tournament.

And at season's end, the Freers were selected as the All-Area Boys' Tennis Doubles Team of the Year by the sportswriters of the La Cañada Valley Sun, Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader.

The brothers put aside their injuries and carved out an impressive run against some top-caliber talent around Southern California.

It began in late April at Ojai, which features top high school and collegiate players. 

Competing in at the junior level, The Freers went 4-1 in the tournament and lost to San Marino's Bryce Pereira and Connor Lee, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2). The UCLA-bound Pereira and Lee went on to win the tournament.

"It's where it all got started for Ian and Jack," St. Francis Coach Ron Zambrano said of the brothers who paired for a 13-3 doubles record. "They put their injuries aside and just immediately started to click.    

"They went out there and beat some of the best teams in a tough environment. After Ojai, their level of play elevated over the next month. What they were able to do was spectacular."

As season's end, the three losses on the Freers' record came only to champions, with two of the defeats against the Ojai and CIF Southern Section titlists and the other against the Mission League champions and CIF runners-up.

Indeed, Ojai proved to be a stepping stone.

"You look forward to something like Ojai because there's an awesome display of talent at the different levels," said Ian, who went 24-6, 11-5 in league in singles play. "You are on one of the highest stages there and you know you'll be tested. That's what it all came down to and we gained confidence with each match played."

The tandem didn't have much time to regroup, as the Golden Knights participated in the league tournament on May 2 and 4 at L.A. Valley College. Buoyed by their splendid display at Ojai, the Freers were awarded the No. 1 seed.

Following a first-round bye, the Freers responded with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Mike Scalera and Noah Froman of Chaminade. Making their second straight appearance in the league semifinals, the duo rallied for a 4-6, 6-2 (10-7) semifinal victory against fourth-seeded Jacob Turner and Sasha Pritzker of Harvard-Westlake to automatically qualify for the CIF Tournament.

The brothers' bid to win the title was foiled by Harvard-Westlake's freshman duo of Timothy Li and David Arkow, which posted a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"There was some real tough competition in league," said Jack, who went 3-0 overall in singles and is heading to Division III Whitman College. "That showed in the semifinals when we had to rally back in the tiebreaker. In the end, Sasha and Jacob were so tough and they played well throughout the final match."

Still, the Freers had plenty of energy left in the tank for their first appearance in the CIF Tournament, which began May 25 at University of Redlands.

They had a first-round bye before a 6-1, 6-0 second-round victory against Anderson Grant and Shravan Patel of Hemet. The Freers then picked up a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Clyde Siringoringo and Eric Chang of Etiwanda.

The event shifted to June 2 at Seal Beach Tennis Center, where the brothers continued to pile up victories. The Freers started with a 6-3, 6-4 quarterfinal win versus David Lee and Mark Schaefer of Newport Harbor before a 6-3, 7-5 quarterfinal victory against Arcadia's Jun Nakamine and Nicholas Figueira.

In the semifinals on June 3 at Seal Beach, the Freers were pitted again against top-seeded defending champions Pereira and Lee, who powered their way to a 6-2, 6-0 victory. Lee and Pereira would move on to win the title against Arkow and Li.

"We came into CIF thinking we'd have a good chance if we played the way we did in Ojai," Ian said. "You go in to the tournament and you don't have any idea who you'll be playing, so you can't take anything for granted.

"Jack had his big serve working and I was able to rush to the net and put away the shots. We ran in to Bryce and Connor again and they were outstanding."

Nonetheless, it's a run that the brothers will not forget.

"We went out there and gave it everything we had. Bryce and Connor are solid players," Jack said. "This run that Ian and I had is something we'll always cherish and remember. It's something we'll be able to talk about for a very long time. Ian and I are very close and we'll be able to share this."...(read the full article HERE)
 
St. Francis football braces for another tough schedule  
By Charles Rich, Glendale News-Press
Though there will be two different opponents on the 2017 schedule, the objective will remain the same for the St. Francis High football team.

Playing a stretch of tough non-league opponents will hopefully put the Golden Knights in position to contend for the Angelus League championship.

"That's what we want to be ready for," said Bonds, whose team finished 9-2, 5-1 in league for second place before falling in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs to Palos Verdes. "We know how hard it is to get through our league and we want to be able to see some teams - some we didn't play against last year - to help us get ready for league.

"So, we like our schedule and there's going to be some real good variety along the way. Some of the nonleague teams we'll play are very athletic and others will be very physical. You get those type of teams in our league, so you'll be ready for anything. The teams that we'll be playing will be well-coached, too."

St. Francis will begin its season at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 against visiting Mira Costa at Friedman Field. The Golden Knights kicked off 2016 with a 42-7 road win at West Covina.

Mira Costa went 7-4 and split the Bay League title last season with Palos Verdes and Redondo Union.

"You know going in Mira Costa will be much improved and they have some real good players," Bonds said. "That's a great first game test for our guys."

St. Francis will make a short trip to Pasadena to face the Bulldogs (2-8 last season) at 7 p.m. Sept. 8. St. Francis posted a 35-0 win last season.

"When you think of Pasadena, you think about them having quite a few athletic players and speed," Bonds said.

Up next for St. Francis is visiting La Serna (8-4) at 7 p.m. Sept. 15. The Golden Knights picked up a 24-21 win versus the Lancers last season after losing to them in the postseason in 2014 and 2015.

"Beating La Serna was a huge thing for our guys after they beat us in the playoffs," Bonds said. "We've developed a good little rivalry with them the last few years. That's going to be a good game."

St. Francis will follow with a pair of road games, starting at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 against Saugus (9-3) at College of the Canyons and at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 versus Buena Park (10-2).

St. Francis and Saugus didn't meet last season. Saugus advanced to the second round of the Division VI playoffs last season after beating fourth-seeded Crescenta Valley.

"Saugus had a nice run last year and they've got an excellent coach in Jason Bornn," said Bonds, whose team defeated Buena Park, 28-19. "They are similar to us athletically.

"Buena Park will have a new coach, but I expect them to be very good again."

St. Francis will then dive in to league play. All five teams in the Angelus League qualified for the playoffs last season.

The Angelus League combined to go 43-28 in 2016.

"It's going to be a dogfight again in our league," Bonds said.

St. Francis will start league at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 against visiting St. Paul (6-7, 2-3). St. Francis picked up a 38-21 win in last season's tilt.

The Golden Knights will embark on their second two-game road trip with contests against La Salle (7-5, 2-3) at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 and Salesian (7-5, 2-3) at 7 p.m. Oct. 20. St. Francis earned a 38-28 win against La Salle and a 20-13 victory versus Salesian last season.

St. Francis will wrap up the regular season with a pair of home contests against Harvard-Westlake (3-8, 0-5) at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 before taking on defending league champion Cathedral (11-1, 5-0) at 7 p.m. Nov. 3.

The Golden Knights defeated Harvard-Westlake, 49-7, last season and suffered a 24-17 defeat against Cathedral.

"It's great to be at home for those last two games," Bonds said. "We're hoping they will be very meaningful games and with a league title on the line."...(read the full article HERE ) 
 
No. 8 St. Francis eyes Angelus League football title in 2017   
By Tarek Fattal, LA Daily News
The St. Francis football team is coming off a 9-2 season in 2016, and both losses left a bad taste in the mouth of returning senior Greg Dulcich.

The first loss came to league-rival Cathedral, and the second came by way of an early playoff exit to Palos Verdes in the first round by a single point, 38-37.

"There's no doubt that those losses created an incentive to work harder this off-season to make sure we go further into the playoffs," the 6-foot-4 Dulcich said. "And Cathedral, that's our big rival, that game is very important to us."

The Golden Knights are known for being even-keel throughout their roster, a tribute to a traditionally run Jim Bonds program, with the occasional star-power player, like Dulcich, who is getting interest from high-level college football programs.

2017 St. Francis football preview 
2017 St. Francis football preview

A stout defense combined with mistake-free football is the recipe for success in La Canada. Mix that with Dulcich, linemen Matt Barriga and Gabriel Grbavac, and skills players like Elijah Washington and Blake Howard, and a league championship could be attainable for St. Francis, which ranks No. 8 in the L.A. Daily News preseason Top 10 rankings.

"Winning league is one of the goals at the top of the list, but also winning CIF, too. That's something we haven't done in a long time," Dulcich said.

Junior Darius Perrantes will be the Week 0 starter at quarterback against Mira Costa at home Aug. 25, taking over for Michael Bonds, who is playing at Glendale Community College.

Perrantes, a Crespi transfer, has little experience at the varsity level.

"We run a very opportunistic offense, so if we need Darius to throw 30 times, then that's what we will ask of him," Bonds said of Perrantes. "We know what he's capable of."

The play of Dulcich and Howard out wide, and Washington out of the backfield, will be crucial to Perrantes' ability to run the offense in a mistake-free way.

Defensively, the team's sack leader, Grbavac, returns. He recorded nine sacks last year, and his eyes are set on bigger numbers.

"I'm looking to double my sack total this year," he said.

The schedule is favorable for St. Francis, including a home game against big-time rival Cathedral on Nov. 3. Look for the Golden Knights to be a mainstay atop the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 polls.

"Our schedule rotates each year, so this year the Cathedral game will be the final game of the season," Bonds said. "With homecoming, the seniors last regular season home game, it has the makings to be great. Hopefully there will be a lot on the line that night."...(read the full article HERE
  
A Call to Action by Matt Fredette '12
A powerful call to action from St. Francis grad Matt Fredette '12. It's always inspiring to see our graduates preaching the Gospel through their actions. Thanks for the reminder Matty! GO KNIGHTS!

By Matt Fredette '12: 5 years ago I donated my peripheral blood stem cells through Be The Match. Around 8 hours in that bed hanging with Greg Fernandez. The end result?  The stem cells flew across the country and were given to the man that matched my HLA type, Joe. Joe was in his late 50's and was given months to live. He was going to die from leukemia. A bag that weighed less than five pounds, 8 hours, a few pokes later and now Joe is alive, healthy, and with his family free of leukemia. I am amazed at the potential for greatness in all of us. But it takes some courage just to say "yes." Sometimes that is the hardest thing, just showing up.

Be The Match needs your help. Could you imagine if you were in that situation? All treatments exhausted and you think it is the end. The only hope you have is the hope that maybe someone will Match your DNA, and maybe that person will be good enough to say yes.

Right now there are people in that exact situation. Children. Men. Women. Fellow Humans.

Go here: Bethematch.org 

No cost. Just four Q-tips and some samples of your DNA from your cheeks. You may get called and you may save a life.

Right now Joe has 100% my Blood in his body. He lived through my stem cells. I did little to nothing but say yes. At 18 I was given the gift to know the power we each have to affect change and give life. The choice is always ours.

Never forget how powerful you really are.
New Student Orientation Eases High School Transition
This past Thursday we welcomed our newest Golden Knights from the Class of 2021, along with our transfer students, into the St. Francis High School Family. It is truly an honor and a privilege for us to have the opportunity to help shape the lives of these diverse and talented young men. It's truly inspiring to see young men from different schools and diverse backgrounds unite as brothers when challenged to embrace hospitality, empathy, and acceptance. In just the two days of St. Francis High School's New Student Orientation, life-long friendships have already started taking shape among our newest Golden Knights. Please pray alongside us, as we work in partnership with our parents, to develop these boys into men of virtue and integrity. GO KNIGHTS!

St. Francis Welcomes New Faculty/Staff Members
Please join us in welcoming our new faculty/staff members! We are thrilled to have (left to right) Ms. Teresa Long (Counseling), Mr. Ted Carroll (Dean of Curriculum), Ms. Theresa Valenzuela (English), Mr. William Rigali (Mathematics), Mr. Albert Cortes (Learning and Research Librarian), and Br. Victor Taglianetti (Campus Ministry) as part of the St. Francis Family. GO KNIGHTS!

Who's the New Capuchin Franciscan on Campus? 
We are thrilled to welcome Br. Victor Taglianetti to the Campus Ministry Team!
 
Br. Victor Taglianetti, OFM Cap, is a native of Southern California from the city of Rancho Cucamonga and a graduate from the University of California San Diego. After being a militant atheist for a number of years, Br. Victor had a profound conversion experience late in 2010 in which he experienced the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God. After this experience, Br. Victor left his pursuit of med school and entered religious life in 2012. Br. Victor is currently in his sixth year in the Capuchin Franciscan Order and is studying for the priesthood at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley. He will be stationed at St. Francis High School for the school year as a member of the Campus Ministry Team. In regards to his hobbies, Br. Victor is highly involved with music and uses his gift of Catholic Rap as a way to evangelize and share the love of God with others. Br. Victor is also an avid sports fan, and loves to play and watch basketball and tennis.


 
Capuchin Brothers Music - Desolation (Official Music Video)
A Summer of Service, Learning, and Spiritual Growth 
St. Francis sophomores Timothy Khoh '20 and Andrew Kowalski '20 participated in this year's Youth Theology Institute sponsored by Loyola Marymount University. Mr. Ramirez '05 served as one of the mentors for the week. Here they are pictured with three directors of the institute, Dr. Susan Abraham, Dr. Daniel Smith-Christopher and Dr. Jonathan Rothchild.

Loyola Marymount University's Department of Theological Studies offered its second Youth Theology Institute, a week-long fa ith leadership experience for high school students. This summer, over 80 students from across southern California participated in an inspiring, fast-paced week of activities centered on themes of identity and ethical leadership.

The Institute was funded by a $600,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., which sponsored 82 similar programs for high school students at faith-based colleges and universities around the United States.

Grad Wins Grant to Pursue Passion 
Congratulations to St. Francis grad Will Schwing '04 on winning $10,000 to pursue his passion! Here's a great article about Will and his current pursuit...GO KNIGHTS!
 
Today, we're pleased to share our winner, William Schwing. Schwing is a curious heart who explores new topics with a self-described "headfirst compulsion." To learn Spanish, he moved to Guatemala. To become better at rugby, he went to New Zealand. He studied Conflict and Reconciliation in South Africa and religious conflict in Northern Ireland. He is also the co-founder and creative director of LA-based Tawny Goods, a small-batch leather footwear company. Alongside his many adventures and pursuits, Schwing has been working to perfect his secret fried chicken recipe. The #LiveThem Award will help him to pursue this passion, the funds allowing him to perfect his recipe, compete in the famous Gordonsville Fried Chicken Festival in Tennessee, and foster fried chicken community online at the Fryer's Club. We talked with Schwing to hear more about his passion and plan...(read the full article HERE)

Foster youth gifted bicycles thanks to brothers' charitable efforts
By Jeff Landa, Glendale News-Press
St. Francis is so proud of these two Golden Knights! These men have hearts for serving others...GO KNIGHTS!

A nonprofit run by two brothers has delivered more than 250 bicycles to orphans across the globe and on Wednesday, June 21st, brought their efforts home with the donation of bikes, helmets and locks to 17 local foster youth.

Bikes 4 Orphans, created by brothers Shawnt and Sebouh Bazikian while attending St. Francis High School in 2012, was founded on the wish to raise enough money to purchase and deliver new bicycles to orphans in six different countries, including Kenya and Armenia.

When a supporting member associated with the All Saint's Church Foster Care Project in Pasadena suggested the brothers direct their work toward American foster youth - who often struggle with basic transportation daily - Shawnt Bazikian said he had to act.

Julia Silvestre, right, is gifted a bicycle by Shawnt Bazikian, who founded the nonprofit Bikes 4 Orphans along with his brother Sebouh Bazikian (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer).

"We thought that this was kind of a similar situation with the orphans in the other countries [that we've previously helped] and there is a real problem here," Shawnt Bazkian said. "The more research we did, the more we wanted to help out these foster students."

According to the Alliance for Children's Rights, there are 28,000 foster children in Los Angeles County and only about 58% make it out of high school. Of those, just 3% graduate from college.

The brothers were referred to CSU Northridge's Resilient Scholar's program, which helps emancipated foster youth succeed during their enrollment at the school. Seventeen students there were identified as in need of the wheeled transportation and given new bicycles, helmets and locks.

"The kids were unbelievably grateful and appreciative, you could really see the smiles on their faces," Shawnt Bazikian said. "One of the student's birthdays was the day before, so it was like a special treat for him."

There were 15 students at the event and the remaining two who could not attend were later delivered their bikes.

Kevin Taylor, representing Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's office, awarded the nonprofit group with a certificate of appreciation at the delivery event.

The money for the bicycles came from year-round fundraising during events such as a bike-a-thon, as well as from general donations. Bikes were purchased at cost from Velo Pasadena Bicycle Shop, which helped with delivery and also donated funds to the nonprofit. Bike manufacturer Felt Bicycles also sold the group some bikes at a discounted cost.

The nonprofit Focus on Children Now, based in Reseda, donated locks and helmets.

"We think the bikes can really help with a means of transportation and give them the motivation and independence they might need to continue with their education," Shawnt Bazkian said. "Not too many of these students have much and we think that if they really own something and they can really care for it, it becomes a part of their daily lives."...(read the full article HERE)

For more information and to learn about future events the nonprofit plans, visit bikes4orphans.com.

Casey McCreary's '16 LA Debut Performance Electrifies Packed House 
It was a magnificent evening in a packed house at Casey McCreary's '16 phenomenal debut performance in Los Angeles! Those in attendance will have the chance to say that they were at his first show when he becomes famous. A special thanks to everyone from the St. Francis Family who came out to support this extremely talented young singer. Congratulations Casey...GO KNIGHTS!


St. Francis Welcomes Robert Lynden Nelson to the World
Congratulations to St. Francis grad Brett Nelson '11 and his wife Kaye on the birth of their son Robert Lynden Nelson, born at 8:59 p.m. on July 27th, 2017 weighing 5 lbs 3 oz and measuring 18 in. Welcome to the family...GO KNIGHTS!

St. Francis' Matthew Molina tops Pasadena Star-News Boys Track and Field team  
By Keith Lair, San Gabriel Valley Tribune 
Athlete of the Year: Matthew Molina, Sophomore, St. Francis

Matthew Molina had no interest in competing in track and field. He was a basketball player, although he won a CYO long jump title in the eighth grade.

But in his freshman year at St. Francis High School, a friend convinced him to try the high jump on the first day of team practice.

"He said, 'Matt, you should try the high jump,'" he recalled. "I thought I would not be that good at it. He said, 'Go try it.' I beat his (personal record) on my first jump at 5-6. I've kept training for it."
St. Francis' Matthew Molina is the 2017 boys track and field athlete of the year. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/SCNG)

In two full seasons, Molina has become the best high jumper in the San Gabriel Valley. The sophomore cleared 6-feet-7 twice and took second in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 final (6-6).

"I love track," he said. "I thought I wouldn't have loved track when I started doing it, but track and field opened doors for me. It's a blessing to be on the track every single day, running and jumping."

The Pasadena Star-News Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year qualified for the CIF-SS Masters Meet, but he failed to make the opening height.

"I definitely learned from my mistake at the Masters," he said. "It was just a bad day overall. Next year is to win State."

Molina competed while suffering from tendinitis in his lower left leg. He said he could not plant his foot properly. On his first attempt, he slid into the mat.

"High jumping is so much fun," he said. "You do not know if you'll get over the bar until you're over."

Molina did more than high jump this season. He finished second in the Mission League triple jump final (44-4¼) and finished fifth in the division final. He qualified for the CIF-SS prelims in the 110-meter high hurdles and had a season-best 15.37 seconds. He ran in the 400 and was a member of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

"Matt Molina is very hard working and is destined to do great things," St. Francis coach Mike Russell said. "He is so athletic. He'll try anything if you ask him. He's a sophomore with a big upside."

All those events, it appears to be a decathlete in the making.

"I had a lot of fun, even when I was not high jumping," he said. "Even on the days I ran the 110 hurdles and days I ran the 400. I'm looking at doing the decathlon next year."...(read the full article HERE)

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words 
Images from Across the St. Francis Community  
A special thanks to our incredible mothers for preparing a fabulous Faculty Welcome Back Luncheon! St. Francis' faculty/staff is ready to welcome the Golden Knights to campus for a new school year!
A beautiful day for an early morning run with members of the St. Francis Cross Country Team! We are looking forward to a new season with a talented group of runners.
Congratulations to Lt Ian Taylor '11 on completing his training in the T-6!
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