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3rd Quarter Franciscan Virtue: Generosity
What Will My Reward Be? - A Reflection on Generosity
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One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.
About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. "You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman to the fisherman. "You should be working rather than lying on the beach!"
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, "And what will my reward be?"
"Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's answer.
"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still smiling.
The businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!"
"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.
The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!" he said.
"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman.
The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!"
Once again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward be?"
The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"
There are many people who work extremely hard during their lives to achieve happiness. They work hard to accumulate enough money to buy the happiness that they want. But as the story illustrates, there is something inherently wrong with that approach to life.
What is the real reward that comes from working? The businessman in the story never satisfactorily answered that question.
According to Scripture, we work to bring glory to God. Work is one of the ways we worship God. Paul wrote in Colossians, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." True happiness comes from serving God, not from accumulating wealth. "Whatever you do," writes Paul, "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). Our reward is that God is glorified and we are fulfilled as human beings-because that's what we were created to do.
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"The heavens proclaim the glory of God." - Psalm 19:1
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LIVE
RESPECT Curriculum Changing Hearts & Minds
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"It was as if the shackles of the man box had been taken off and they were no longer afraid to show joy, an emotion that our society equates with weakness. I saw a new generation of manhood in those smiles." - Jay Taylor
Coach Timothy Bell reports: "The
LIVERESPECT Curriculum has provided a platform for the young men in our basketball program to discuss what healthy manhood looks like, and what they can do to transform the culture in our community." Coach Bell leads the 9th grade basketball team at St. Francis High School in Los Angeles, and is implementing the curriculum with the 9th grade, junior varsity and varsity basketball teams.
A CALL TO MEN Trainer Jay Taylor was with Coach Bell recently for a session observation. Taylor reported: "Almost every one of these young men had massive smiles on their faces. It was as if the shackles of the man box had been taken off and they were no longer afraid to show joy, an emotion that our society equates with weakness. I saw a new generation of manhood in those smiles."...(read the full article
HERE)
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"
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have found how to serve." - Albert Schweitzer
A special thanks to all of the students and faculty/staff members who joyfully participated in service trips over the past month.
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St. Francis Welcomes the Class of 2021 into the St. Francis Family
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Freshman registration for our newest Golden Knights is this Saturday, March 11, and we are looking forward to welcoming an incredible group of scholars, athletes, artists, thespians, and gentlemen into the Class of 2021! GO KNIGHTS!
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St. Francis Hosts 16th Annual Sports Medicine Competition
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 This past weekend St. Francis High School hosted its 16th Annual Sports Medicine Competition on campus in the gym and throughout the upper level classrooms. This regional competition is one of 13 events taking place across the country this year. Each regional events offers students and schools the opportunity to qualify for the AACI National Sports Medicine Competition. In all, 577 high school students from 40 schools across three states (California, Kansas, Washington) competed in St. Francis' competition. The event also serves as a learning opportunity to interact with other students and sports medicine professionals.
St. Francis' Sports Medicine Program is pleased to announce that 15 Golden Knights qualified to represent the school as a team for the AACI National Sports Medicine Competition which is scheduled to take place from May 15-19. Charlie Greaves '17 ranked 13th overall in the Advanced Division and Jacob Marmelejo '17 earned the 25th position in the Rookie Division. Congratulations gentlemen...GO KNIGHTS!
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Team Brobot Prepares for 2017 State VEX Robotics Championship
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This Saturday, March 11th, three separate robots from Team Brobot, St. Francis' robotics team, will be competing in the 2017 California State VEX Robotics Championship at the Pomona Fairgrounds. The young men in this program have been working extremely hard throughout the year to earn the opportunity to compete at this level. Event details can be found HERE. We are proud of each and every one of you and we are cheering for your success! GO KNIGHTS!
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The Dungeon Receives #1 Spot in LA Boys Hoops Student Section Rankings
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Hats off to the Dungeon, St. Francis' Student Section, for finishing at the top of the 2016-2017 So Cal Sidelines Los Angeles Boys Hoops Student Section Rankings! SKOKNIGHTS!
2016-17 SO CAL SIDELINES LA BOYS HOOPS STUDENT SECTION TOP 20: #1. St. Francis of La Canada (The Dungeon) Despite playing in a very tough Mission League, The Dungeon shows up and shows up big despite the tough competition. The creative way they sing "Sweet Caroline" along with the loud, crazy atmosphere has given the atmosphere a fun, family-like feel for community members and visitors alike...(read the full article
HERE)
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Congratulations to Our Most Recent Eagle Scouts
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The St. Francis family is so proud of juniors Alex Gourdikian '18 and Ben Grace '18 for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! We congratulate you, along with all of our current students and graduates who have reached this impressive milestone. GO KNIGHTS!
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Academic Awards Night Recognizes Students' Success in the Classroom
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On January 31st, the St. Francis family came together for a wonderful evening in celebration of the academic accomplishments of our Golden Knights and important career milestones of our faculty members! We also had the chance to honor and hear from this year's Distinguished Alumnus, Mr. Brian Fogarty '68. The St. Francis family is so incredibly proud of our students' hard work and determination in the classroom. GO KNIGHTS!
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Distinguished Graduate Epitomizes Christian Service, Humility
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Congratulations to Mr. Brian Fogarty '68, this year's Distinguished Alumnus. The St. Francis family is inspired by the work he has done and, more importantly, the example that he continues to set for all Golden Knights. He truly does preach the gospel at all times, using words only when necessary. GO KNIGHTS!
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A Wonderful Legacy Filled with Incredible Teachers, Mentors, Coaches, and Friends
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We are a day early for Throwback Thursday (TBT), but we wanted to share these historical photos in honor of our tremendous faculty and staff! What's missing from the aerial photo of St. Francis High School from 1950? Do you recognize the individuals pictured below? We are certainly blessed to have good men and women on campus serving as positive role models for the young men passing through our doors! GO KNIGHTS!
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Rick Dinger '85 Announces Candidacy for Glendale City Council
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St. Francis grad Rick Dinger '85 is running for Glendale City Council! Rick is a current St. Francis parent, tremendous advocate of the Capuchin Franciscan approach to education, and an extremely active member of the St. Francis family. We're cheering for you Rick and we're grateful for your many contributions to our school community. GO KNIGHTS!
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Mike Weisenberg '89 Promotes to Ventura County Fire Department Battalion Chief
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Congratulations to St. Francis grad Mike Weisenberg '89 on his promotion to Battalion Chief with the Ventura County Fire Department! Mike (pictured on the far right) was 1 of 3 outstanding VCFD captains who received their badges, helmets and promotions to Battalion Chief at a ceremony held on Jan 31st. Mike, best of luck on your new assignment...GO KNIGHTS!
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Dr. Daryl Banta '90 Positively Impacts Lives as Medical Director at Huntington Hospital
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Dr. Daryl Banta '90...we are proud to call you a Golden Knight. Keep up the great work, brother!
Huntington Hospital - March 6th: When Kay Malloy lost consciousness, she was rushed to our Nan and Howard Schow Emergency & Trauma Center for care. Our team responded rapidly, identifying three
blood clots - including one in Kay's lungs.
Daryl Banta, MD, medical director, pulmonary and respiratory services, ordered clot-busting medication, which ultimately saved Kay's life. Then, when further tests identified a nodule on Kay's lungs, Dr. Banta recommended continued monitoring. "I went in for additional testing six weeks later, which confirmed it was a growing tumor," says Kay. "I underwent surgery at the hospital and, thanks to early detection, I'm happy to report I'm now cancer free."
Kay (pictured below with her children) says she is grateful to be alive and is back to playing bridge with friends three times per week. "I just celebrated my 80th birthday," Kay adds. "I feel so blessed to have received such phenomenal care."
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Vinni Lodolo '09 Honored as USAF "Missileer of the Year" for 2016
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C
ongratulations to St. Francis grad Vinni Lodolo '09 on being awarded "Missileer of the Year" for 2016! Vinni is a 2013 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and currently serves as an officer in the USAF's nuclear missile program. While stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Vinni still makes time to serve in the local community where he is a volunteer tennis coach at Great Falls Central Catholic High School. Under his guidance this past year, the school made it to the State Championships for the first time in the program's history. We're proud of you, Vinni! GO KNIGHTS!
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Brendan Walsh '13 Published First Novel While Finishing Undergrad at Wooster
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Congratulations to St. Francis grad Brendan Walsh '13 on published his
first novel, The Raven Gang (Book One of the Noble Animals Series)! The book was published on February 14, 2017 and is available on Amazon. Brendan is currently a senior English major at The Un
iversity of Wooster in Ohio. His twin brother and fellow St. Francis alum, Robert Walsh '13, is a senior at Beloite College in Wisconsin. Brendan, we are proud of you for pursuing your passion for writing and we look forward to cheering on as you publish additional books in the series!
About Brendan - When he's not writing,
he's either drinking coffee, reading comics or thinking about what to write next.
Also, he's a philosopher and a recreat
ional madman.
Book Description: Either they're living their own adolescent adventurous fantasy or witnessing the dawn of a supernatural invasion. Whatever it is, college student Patrick Buchanan and his friends unwittingly fall to the core of a rogue geneticist's plan to reshape the world. Once they're framed for an esteemed philanthropist's murder, they must work together to uncover the man's end game while digging into their own unpleasant pasts. But what's the point of adventure if you don't make friends? Whether human or not.
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Danny Monarrez '13 Lifts His Way to Personal Records
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Congratulations to St. Francis grad Danny Monarrez '13 on completing his 3rd powerlifting competition last month at Camp Pendleton. It was his best meet to date, going 8/9 and hitting personal records in all 3 of his lifts. He totaled 1449 lbs with a 534 lbs squat, 358 lbs bench, and a 557 lbs deadlift. Well done Danny...GO KNIGHTS!
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Michael Natalizio '14 Wraps Up Campaign for Off-Campus Senator Position
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St. Francis is thrilled to receive word that alum Michael Natalizio '14 is campaigning for Undergraduate Student Government Off-Campus Senator at The University of Ohio. Michael hopes to become a catalyst for positive change at THE university he takes so much pride in. He is running alongside presidential candidate, Stephen Post, and vice-presidential candidate, Lauren Todd, two incredibly talented and involved students who are committed to the student body. With election results being announced tomorrow evening, he hopes to become a voice for the students. Good luck, Michael...GO KNIGHTS!
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Douglas Nogueira '15, UCSB Men's Swimming Team Captures MPSF Championship
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St. Francis grad Douglas Nogueira '15 was in town recently for the MPSF (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) swimming championship held at ELAC in Monterey Park from February 15 through February 18. Douglas, a swimmer for UCSB, achieved a NCAA B cut in his 200 yard Backstroke (1:46.17) and the UCSB men's swimming team captured the MPSF championship. Congratulations Douglas...GO KNIGHTS!
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Developing Global Consciousness Though Study Abroad
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It's fun to follow our graduates as they explore the world through various study abroad programs! Here's a great picture of Jacob Lucas '15 (front row, center, with the cool hat). Jacob is learning and traveling in Guatemala this semester. GO KNIGHTS!
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POSH 2017 Live Auction Sneak Peek
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Graduation Seating and Parking
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Football Coach for a Week
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Boys' Tennis Preview: St. Francis looking to extend playoff streak
By Charles Rich, Glendale News-Press |
In the previous four seasons, the St. Francis High tennis team has survived the gauntlet that is the Mission League and qualified for the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
It's a streak St. Francis Coach Ron Zambrano would like to continue.
"We know we're going to have to fight very hard in the Mission League," said Zambrano, whose team took third last season behind Harvard-Westlake and Loyola before falling to Costa Mesa in the first round of the Division I playoffs. "Harvard-Westlake and Loyola have been very strong for a while and we'll have to fight hard with Chaminade in all likelihood to get that third [automatic playoff] spot in league.
"It's going to be a little more difficult than the last couple of years. We have three good singles players and one really good doubles team. We're confident with what all of them can do and we'll look to fill out he remaining spots in the lineup to give us a chance to win."
The Golden Knights will turn to senior Jack Freer and sophomore Ian Freer to stabilize the singles portion of the lineup. The brothers received All-Area recognition last season after reaching the league semifinals in doubles. They will be joined by Shahan Derbedrosian, a junior.
Derbedrosian will also compete in doubles and St. Francis will bring back senior doubles player Nick Sarkisian.
After competing in Division I the past few seasons, St. Francis will move to Division II after the CIF realigned the divisions...(read the full article
HERE)
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Boys' Golf Preview: St. Francis readies for Mission League gauntlet
By Charles Rich, Glendale News-Press |
Since taking over the St. Francis High golf team in 2013, coach Kyle Ostrom has continued to elevate the Golden Knights in the Mission League.
It's certainly not easy with traditional Mission League powers, yet Ostrom has seen St. Francis hold its own and consistently qualify for the playoffs.
Ostrom, a former All-Area Boys' Golf Coach of the Year, will look to guide the Golden Knights to another top-four finish in arguably one of the most difficult leagues in the state and a return trip to the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
"We expect to be right there in league and we think we have a shot at getting back to CIF," said Ostrom, whose team took fourth in league and eighth in the CIF Southern Section Central Team Divisional. "You always know going in, the Mission League will be hard and a lot of the teams have continued to improve.
"It will be a little bit of a rebuilding year, but I think we'll be fine. We'll try to rotate some of the players in the lineup. It will be about who will be able to take that next step along the way."
St. Francis saw Tommy Altmayer, the reigning All-Area Boys' Golfer of the Year, graduate. Altmayer took ninth in the league's individual tournament and was the only area player to reach the CIF Southern Section Individual Golf Finals and Southern California Golf Assn. Regional Qualifying Tournament in 2016.
Still, the Golden Knights are hardly void of talent.
St. Francis will return seniors Stian Lintvedt, Aidan Tracey and David Emeron and will bring in freshman Henry Fitzhugh.
"Stian has had a lot of success," Ostrom said. "I look for him to keep improving and I'm very optimistic that he'll be even better this year."...(read the full article
HERE)
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Spring Sports Season Offers a Plethora of Opportunities to Support the Golden Knights
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The busy spring sports season is underway and the St. Francis baseball, golf, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball teams are working hard in competitions both home and away. Please visit our website or download our mobile app to keep track of the various events and start times. GO KNIGHTS!
SFHS Baseball Preview: Coach Aaron Dorlarque, who previously coached Dunn for more than a decade, begins his first in charge of the St. Francis program.
Dolarque realizes league heavyweights such as Chaminade, Loyola and Harvard-Westlake will make turning the program around all the more difficult.
"In league, I'm anticipating that it's gonna be tough," said Dorlarque, who takes over a program that has had five consecutive losing seasons since they last went to the playoffs with a .500 record in 2011. "I want to put us in a position over the next two or three years to be up there at the top. To do that, the first thing is changing the culture. The second thing is being able to play at that higher level."
To begin that change, Dorlarque is as concentrated on matters off the field as on with his immediate priorities being bringing "stability to the program" and "character development."
On the field, the new skipper expects senior center fielder Brandon Lewis to be a catalyst.
"As he goes, we'll go on offense and, on defense, he's pretty spectacular in center field," Dorlarque said of Lewis, a returning All-Area selection who hit .341 with 16 runs batted in and 13 runs.
Other Golden Knights expected to be valuable contributors are junior shortstop Christian Muro and senior left-handed pitcher Evan Tontini. Dorlarque is also excited about the prospects of freshman pitcher Tanner Tomko.
The biggest quandary for Dorlarque will be on the mound, however, as the rotation is one of question.
"That's going to be the question mark for the team," Dorlarque said. "I think we'll hit a little bit and play good defense, but we need to see about our pitching."...(read the full article
HERE)
SFHS Lacrosse Preview: St. Francis will look to improve on last season, which saw it qualify for the first time in the program's four-year history.
The Golden Knights, who took third in the Mission League, lost in the first round of the playoffs.
St. Francis will be coached by Jared Little, who takes over for Geoff Watson. Little, who won NCAA Division I championships at the University of Virginia in 2003 and 2006, previously coached at Chaminade from 2010-12.
St. Francis' key players are senior defender Jim Murphy, senior midfielder/attacker Spencer Shackel and sophomore attacker Spencer Boyle.
"We haven't set our team goals yet," Little said. "We'll just allow the season to unfold and look for improvement in different areas.
"I think our defense will be strong."...(read the full article
HERE)
SFHS Swimming Preview: It's year No. 3 in the tough Mission League for St. Francis Coach Brady Lowdermilk, who's seen progress.
Though the Golden Knights finished in sixth place, they were within 40 points of Alemany for fifth and did qualify relay teams to the CIF Southern Section Division I preliminaries.
"As we enter this season, I'm really happy with where we stand," Lowdermilk said. "We have 29 guys on the team (up from 15 last year) - including four seniors (up from zero last year). Of those 29 guys, about half were on the water polo team this fall."
Lowdermilk will turn to a few valuable upperclassmen for productivity and leadership in seniors Gabriel Azabache and Elijah Havens and junior Michael Humphrey.
Azabache, one of many Rose Bowl Aquatics products on the squad, enters with personal-best marks of 56.61 and 1:53.93 in the 100 fly and 200 free, respectively. Havens will compete in the 50 free (24.25) and 100 free (54.02) and Humphrey is set to go in the 100 fly (55.33) and 500 free (4:55.73).
Beyond the trio, Lowdermilk has a promising sophomore in John Balog, who will compete in the 50 free (23.86) and 100 free (53.26), and a trio of freshmen who are expected to produce in Christopher Bruce, Ethan Gray and Michael Smith...(read the full article
HERE)
SFHS Track & Field Preview: The numbers continue to rise for St. Francis High in the third year of coach Mike Russell.
"There's about 85 kids out right now for track as opposed to 70 last year," Russell said. "Everything is going to plan and the kids have bought in. I think they have what it takes to be successful."
Russell graduated perhaps the most dynamic athlete in St. Francis track and field history in Foster (Mt. San Antonio College), who won three CIF Southern Section championships over the past two seasons.
While Russell does not have a similar athlete on this year's squad, the Golden Knights collectively may be stronger.
Junior sprinter/relay runner Taylor Bosveld returns and will compete in the 100 and 200, along with the 400-meter and 1,600-meter relays. Junior Blake Howard is also back in the hurdles and long jump, while football standouts Gabriel Grbavac and Greg Dulich will participate in the shot put and triple jump, respectively.
Russell is also optimistic about 200-meter runner Michael Leon, who will be available to compete in the 400 and 400 relay...(read the full article
HERE)
SFHS Volleyball Preview: St. Francis just missed qualifying for the Division I playoffs after taking fourth in the demanding Mission League. The Golden Knights, who are now in Division II, will look for a more favorable outcome while trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
"I think we have a pretty good team in tact," St. Francis Coach Mark Frazee said. "All of our returners started at some point last season, so they have more experience.
"Everybody is fami
liar with one another. So we have the potential to be even better. We lost some close matches, so we'll look to fix things to put us in position to finish up strong."
The Golden Knights will have a lineup that includes senior outside hitter Sean Stephen, sophomore setter Joey Thompson, senior opposite hitter Alejandro Moreno and senior outside hitter Hunter Gunski...(read the full article
HERE)
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Golden Knights Start 2017 So Cal High School Cycling League Strong
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First race of the 2017 season and the Golden Knights are off to a strong start!
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Golden Knights Commit on National Signing Day
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Congratulations to Daniel Scott '17, Maxx Jakeway '17, and Jim Murphy '17 on signing letters of intent last month as part of National Signing Day. Daniel committed to play football at UC Berkeley, Maxx committed to play football at Union College, and Jim committed to play lacrosse at York College of Pennsylvania. We are proud of you, gentlemen...GO KNIGHTS!
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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Images from Across the St. Francis Community
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| Congratulations to our Brotherhood of Christian Athletes (BOCA) basketball tournament champions! |
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A special thanks to everyone who has so generously contributed to POSH 2017! We are tremendously grateful to you and all of our volunteers for helping make this important fundraiser a huge success.
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| Acknowledging our need for repentance as we mark the beginning of the Lenten season. |
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| Our juniors pose for a class photo after their ring/pin ceremony. |
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| Thank you to our wonderful moms for hosting an incredible Chinese-themed faculty lunch! |
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| The SFHS Mountain Bike team had their bikes blessed in preparation for the beginning of the racing season. |
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| Thank you, ladies, for being a part of a terrific team of volunteers for POSH 2017! |
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| A special thanks to the St. Francis LINK Leaders and Spirit Squad for hosting a fun Skate Knight! |
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