Welcome to the nineteenth edition of
Panther Press
,
a biweekly electronic newsletter sent to families and friends of
San Joaquin Memorial High School
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The first week of June San Joaquin Memorial High School celebrated its 75th Annual High School Graduation. If you did not have an opportunity to tune in during the live stream, click the links below to watch the presentations:
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Wednesday, June, 3, 2020
Thursday, June 4, 2020
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Memorial Class of 2020,
"On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to the 75th commencement ceremony for San Joaquin Memorial High School.
Congratulations to the San Joaquin Memorial Class of 2020. We are so proud of what you have accomplished during your career at Memorial. While your senior year did not end as we all would have hoped, this time will not define your class.
Each student in the Class of 2020 has been blessed with unique God-given talents. Over their high school careers, they, along with our faculty, coaches and staff have worked to develop each of their special gifts to the fullest. This fact is reflected in the impressive accomplishments of this class.
The Class of 2020 boasts 100% college acceptance. They have earned more than 12 million in college scholarships to date. The Class of 2020 includes 9 AP Scholars, 4 AP Scholars with Honor and 8 AP Scholars with Distinction. This Class also includes 3 Eagle Scouts, 13 future college athletes and 55 Presidential Education Award winners.
Members of the Class of 2020 are heading to an impressive list of top-tier colleges and universities including
Notre Dame, Harvard, Stanford, Boston College, Fresno State Smittcamp Honors College
and, of course, our instate universities like
USC
and
UCLA
and many other outstanding educational institutions within our state and around the nation.
The Class of 2020 has shined brightly on the athletic field. During their four years at Memorial, they have won
15 League championships and 15 Valley championships.
Perhaps their greatest achievement is the fact that this group has demonstrated their faith by reaching out into the community to help others. During their four years in high school, the Class of 2020 has
volunteered more than 20,000 hours to local charities, organizations and care facilities.
The Class of 2020 leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, commitment and service to others. We are very proud of these young men and women and trust they will remember their years at Memorial as an inspiration to seek God always and do good for all those they meet in the course of their lives. We send them off to the next chapter of their lives confident they have the skills and moral compass to make us all proud.
Godspeed Class of 2020. Go Panthers!"
Michael Burke
Head of School
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SJM named Division III State School of Year
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The year 2019-20 at San Joaquin Memorial High School will be etched in the history books for many outstanding accomplishments - one of the most notable being named Division III State School of the Year by California High School Sports, an entity who yearly recognizes overall state sports excellence honors. This is the first state school of the year selection for SJM since 1972-73. The Panthers also are listed as medium schools state school of the year for 1970-71 and 1969-70 according to Cal-Hi’s first published state record books.
SJM Head of School Michael Burke said, “I am so very proud of our student athletes and coaches for their outstanding accomplishments this year. This recognition reflects the relentless character and work ethic of our students and staff at Memorial.”
This tremendous honor was based on Memorial’s championship seasons in football, boys basketball and girls basketball, according to Cal-Hi Sports. Solid playoff runs in additional sports, plus the fact that our Panther baseball team was sitting inside the State Top 20 when its season was shut down, all factored into the decision. Cal-Hi Sports reported, “Once it was decided the Panthers — based on enrollment, divisional placement in all sports and other factors — could be D3 for these honors, they became the front-runner.”
The 2019-20 sports year at Memorial was epic. Our Panthers won another CIF Central Section D2 title in football. They were then given the tough task of having to go on the road to play Serra of San Mateo in the NorCal D1-A regional final and played well in a 28-18 loss. Their final record was 12-2.
Our boys basketball team went to its first-ever CIF Central Section Open Division playoffs and won the title with a 50-48 victory over favored Clovis West. The team then lost to De La Salle of Concord on the road in the NorCal D1 playoffs. The Panthers final record was 24-7.
Rounding out an incredible athletic year at SJM included girls basketball who won their fourth consecutive CIF Central Section Championship with a 24-9 record; boys water polo (19-4 and second-seed for the D3 section playoffs); girls volleyball D3 champions (30-10, lost in NorCal playoffs to Christopher of Gilroy); girls golf (D2 champions); girls waterpolo (D3 champions); boys soccer (section playoffs); and girls soccer (section playoffs).
“This award is one the highest recognitions in the state of California for an athletic department and school community,” said SJM Athletic Director Stephen Ferdinandi.
“We are blessed to have the highest standard of student-athletes, coaches, staff and school community to support our programs and school. Considering we are a student body of 508, a recognition of this caliber speaks volumes about the dedication of our student-athletes and athletic program.”
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Students selected for Summer Medical Internships
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SJM students Gracie Schuh and LaReina Torres have earned spots in prestigious science and medical programs this summer, according to their STEAM/chemistry instructor Jackie Teixeira.
Gracie has been selected to join other talented high school and undergraduate students at Stanford Medicine to explore art, science and the joy of medicine. She will participate in the Stanford Medicine Clinical Summer Internship (CSI) program which runs from July 20-July 31, 2020 in an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gracie will be learning how to approach a patient and his/her health concerns, conduct a rudimentary exam and, by the very end, be challenged to develop a differential diagnosis and come up with a plan in small groups. Many other medical adventures are planned during the 2-week internship program.
LaReina was accepted into the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program, running from June 29-July 31, 2020. SMYSP is a summer program that bolsters students’ science skills while introducing them to a host of health-related careers. LaReina will be doing on-line workshops, a group research project in a health disparity, and receiving advise on health careers, medicine and college training. Special attention is given to developing leadership and interpersonal skills, with workshops and discussions on networking, career planning and multicultural health.
Congratulations girls and enjoy these exciting summer experiences!
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Lasallian Educator of the Year
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It is with great pride and enthusiasm that the San Joaquin Memorial High School administration and faculty have named Joanie Hathaway as the Lasallian Educator of the Year for 2019-20, according to Michele Sani, Assistant Head of School for Academics.
“The Lasallian Educator of the Year Award recognizes members of San Joaquin Memorial who are devoted to the Lasallian educational mission,” said Mrs. Sani. “Ms. Hathaway has shown enthusiasm in academic development, delivery of various teaching methods and a zeal for teaching. Her devotion to each student’s pursuit of excellence and her contributions to the mission of SJM are evident. She has served and contributed to the core values of the Lasallian educational tradition and mission. On behalf of the administration and the entire faculty, we are proud to honor her with this award.”
Fellow colleagues nominated Hathaway for this special honor, and the following are some of the comments they shared. “ Joanie is a wonderful teacher and is always looking for ways to get her students more involved with the school and with the arts. She is a very kind and prayerful person who tries to make the kids work to their potential. She is strict but kind, and rigorous but compassionate, to the needs of her students.”
Another teacher commented, “All the way for Hathaway.... Joanie is amazing! Since she came to Memorial she has been 'all in' for Memorial. She has worked tirelessly in the Art Dept. by getting students involved in the local Art Hop shows; she is diligent in upholding student accountability; she participates in staff socials and the types of festivities that promote community; she is a woman of faith who lives the mission SJM is founded on....Oh, and she has rocked the yearbook and brought a surge of new life and energy to it. Joanie rallies her students and you see them enthusiastically investing in their projects.”
“Joanie is a dynamic, creative, passionate teacher who adores her students,” shared another colleague. “She generously gives of her time, patience and innovation to support their success. She also makes time to be there for her peers - to listen, pray, or laugh with. Her faith and resilience are an inspiration to us all. She has been outstanding in her contributions to our school’s ambiance, such as with the rock wall and murals; and tirelessly, cleverly and enthusiastically promotes the Yearbook with memorable creativity. She is unafraid to speak out and ask questions, but always does so with diplomacy and compassion.”
Congratulations Ms. Hathaway on this tremendous honor!
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