Welcome to the twenty-first edition of 

Memorial Connections,

a quarterly electronic newsletter sent to alumni and friends of 

San Joaquin Memorial High School.

It is with great excitement that I announce the successful completion of the Empowering Today,Transforming Tomorrow Capital Campaign. The goal of this campaign was $9 million to help transform the educational experience of our students. We currently have pledges and payments in excess of $9.3 million.  

If you have been to campus recently, you can see the tangible results of the generosity of our San Joaquin Memorial community. To name a few of the projects we have installed air conditioning in the main gym, totally updated our cafeteria, created a plethora of outdoor student congregation spaces, begun a complete renovation of Ryan Gym and are installing artificial turf at the stadium this summer. All of these projects will have a significantly positive impact on our students.  

Through the campaign we are also establishing a $2 million dollar tuition assistance program and a $1 million dollar teaching excellence fund. Both of these programs will go a long way to rewarding teaching that is explementary and attracting the most talented students to SJM.

On behalf of the SJM student body, I would like to say Thank You to our generous supporters. All of us have played a role in reaching this milestone in the long history of San Joaquin Memorial High School.   

-Michael C. Burke

SJM President

You are Invited to Michael Phillips '75

Art Show in Downtown Fresno in June 2023

Successful Crab Feed 2023!

The Annual Crab Feed 2023 was held on Friday, February 24, 2023 with over 250 guests. It was a fun and memorable night for all of our guests. This is a night when we all come together to support our athletic programs. Thank you everyone for making this a successful evening! Go Panthers!

Memorial's 77th Annual St. Patrick's Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023

Due to tho the rainy weather conditions we've experienced in the last weeks our St. Patrick’s Board and the SJM President decided to postpone this golf tournament. The head pro at Sunnyside Country Club will not allow us to use golf carts on the course if it is saturated and could potentially damage to the fairways and greens from the excessive water. The conditions will also be difficult for the volunteers and the Country Club employees helping with this tournament.

The tournament has been moved to September 18, 2023. We want to honor this tournament for all of those sponsoring and playing another opportunity to have a great time and play in this traditional golf tournament that we’ve had for so many decades. Those that have pre-paid we will hold your payments and will carry them over to this new date in September.

Thanks for your understanding and your patience, rain is very unpredictable and we want to make sure it is a nice clear day for all to enjoy with past alumni and friends of SJM. And the Leprechaun’s will still be around in September cheering us on.

We will be sending out the revised golf tournament itinerary and we look forward to seeing your team on September 18, 2023.

Co-Chair: Steve Orlando `87

Co-Chair: Justin McKeighan `91

Bob Coyle '79

Chris Gutilla Jr. '03

Jarrod Martinez '89

Garrett Patricio

Tom Ryan '65

Robert C. Supino '76

Ron Wathen '86

Taylor J. Whelan '04

Conner Shayesteh '14

Eric Casares

Congratulations to Pete Dalena '78 for being named the 77th Annual St. Patrick's Golf Tournament Golden Shamrock!

This year we are doing things a little differently so therefore we want to announce our 77th Annual St. Patrick's Golf Tournament Golden Shamrock, Pete Dalena '78. 

Congratulations Pete for being this year's Golden Shamrock. We are thankful for your commitment to San Joaquin Memorial High School over the years. Your passion and commitment to our school does not go unnoticed. 

All Golden Shamrock Recipients in the past have received this award in appreciation of their years of service to SJM and the St. Pat's Golf Tournament. 

This is the first year we announce the Golden Shamrock recipient before the fun event takes place. We are happy to be changing things up like this! This is the 77th Annual St. Patrick's Golf Tournament and the longest standing philanthropic golf fundraiser in California.

Memorial Scholarship Spotlight

In each Memorial Connections we will begin highlighting SJM Scholarships that are in memorial of a loved one. We feel it's important to impart to our SJM community the history of these scholarships our school offers to continue to honor their memory as their families intended.

John L. Saccheri Memorial Scholarship

February 20, 1969 – July 20, 1985

John Saccheri was a beloved SJM student from the fall of 1982 until his premature and unexpected passing in July of 1985. John’s parents remember that “John treasured his time at SJM with his friends and classmates, and especially enjoyed his three years performing in drama productions under the

direction of Dennis DuPertuis. One year he even skipped a trip to Disneyland so that he would not miss any rehearsals.”

Dennis DuPertuis recalls “John loved SJM, and he loved theatre. He was very active in many aspects of the life of Memorial, but being involved in plays was his big love. As drama teacher during John’s time here I have many memories of him. He always worked hard and gave wonderful performances. But I especially miss his smile and the energy he brought to everything he did. I would describe him as intelligent, happy, friendly and helpful. I am so pleased that this scholarship continues in his name. He was a great example of what Memorial is all about.”

“John was well known on campus as an active member of the Drama Club and would be especially remembered for his last role, that of King Sextimus in the Spring production of the “Princess and the Pea”.  He was also a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Competition,” wrote the school newspaper,

the Red and Blue, at the time.

John passed away on July 20, 1985 in the summer after his junior year at SJM after suffering from a severe case of the chicken pox.  His parents, Jim and Judy Saccheri, both 1963 graduates of SJM, established a Perpetual Scholarship at SJM in John’s name. “Each year at the SJM Academic Awards Night, the outstanding drama student for the year is honored with the John L. Saccheri Memorial Drama Award. Additionally, there are usually three or four students per year acknowledged as recipients of the John L. Saccheri Memorial Scholarship. A list of all the students who have received benefits from the

scholarship fund over the years since 1986 are listed on the perpetual plaques in the media center. We started the scholarship fund because we did not want John and his time at SJM to be forgotten, and we wanted to help as many students as possible to experience the benefits of an education at SJM like John had experienced. The initial funding for the scholarship endowment came from two dinner/theatre evenings held at SJM in 1986 and 1987 around the time of John's birthday. Thankfully, through the generosity of family and friends, contributions continue to be made to the scholarship fund,” his father, Jim, expressed.

Each year SJM students apply for one of four $1,100 scholarships for financially deserving students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate an involvement in co-curricular activities. Since 1986, dozens of Memorial students have been privileged to honor John’s memory in accepting these scholarships.

JOHN

John, you were a companion

Now your early life is done.

But as time passes,

Your memory lingers on.

Though time flows fast,

The world won’t forget thee

Nor will we-

Your friendship meant so much,

But in God’s arms our sorrow

We shall entrust.

In your plays and pictures and

Books by Camus-

Your image lives on.

We won’t forget the days spent

In sister Barbara’s class,

The hours of fun in Chemistry.

They are all visions that won’t

Fade fast!

We love you, John!

In our hearts and actions

We trust this Memorial Fund

Will Keep Memories of you,

Forever living on…

Kathleen Brown, SJM Class of 86’

From a program for a dinner/theater fundraiser for the John L. Saccheri Scholarship in 1986

Click on the photo above to view more photos.

Last fall we had several class reunions. It felt so great to have over 60 guests reunited back on campus for each reunion.

Thank you to the planning committee and everyone involved for making this event possible.

Contact Shirley Boujikian at sboujikian@sjmhs.org or at (559) 475-5831 to schedule your upcoming Memorial Class Reunion.

Class of 1982 Reunion was a Success!

Click on the photo above to view more photos.

Washington DC Mini Class of 2014 Reunion

The Class of 2014 had an impromptu mini reunion in DC in September 2022. The SJM Alumni in the photo:

Jacob Dunklin - Legislative Assistant for Rep. Valadeo

Rebecca Campbell - Georgetown Law year 2

Liam Campbell - Artificial Intelligence Designer & Builder 

Katherine Lewis - Georgetown Law year 2

The San Joaquin Memorial community will come together like every year to support The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial!

This exciting annual giving campaign will take place in April. The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial is the school’s annual giving campaign. It is the vehicle by which alumni, parents, parents of alumni, grandparents and friends provide financial support to help keep Memorial strong.

All gifts to the Fund for San Joaquin Memorial have an enormous impact on Memorial’s ability to enhance its standards of excellence in teaching, scholarships, student development and facilities. Your annual gifts fuel the success of this school and touch every aspect of our students’ experience.

Specifically, your gift to The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial allowed us to do the following:

• Provide tuition assistance and scholarships to deserving students – making an education at San Joaquin Memorial possible for more young men and women.

• Contribute to the cutting-edge technology, lab equipment and other state-of-the-art learning tools used in the classroom.

• Instill in students a deep awareness of God’s presence in their lives through a dynamic Campus Ministry program.

• Give students an extraordinary and enriching experience that they will treasure for a lifetime.

Best Wishes on your Retirement Becky!

Happy Retirement Gema!

Class of 2023 will Celebrate their Graduation on Saturday, May 20, 2o23!

On May 20, 2023 San Joaquin Memorial High School will celebrate its 78th graduation with the Class of 2023. There were 126 seniors that will graduate this year. The graduation will take place at the historic and iconic Warnors Theatre in downtown Fresno. It will be a morning filled with joy, excitement, celebration and of course some tears as parents see their children walk the stage and receive their SJM High School diploma.

Memorial FFA Chapter Participates in California State Conference

We had 10 FFA members participate in the California FFA State Conference in Ontario, CA. Students had the opportunity to listen to guest speakers from the agriculture industry, go on a tour of the Aquarium of the Pacific, attend a concert, and grow their knowledge of FFA and Ag. with over 6,000 other FFA members from across the state of California. Way to go SJM FFA Chapter!

Celebrate Abilities Day (CAD) Returns to Memorial!

With excitement, the 2023 Celebrate Abilities Day was held on March 9th. This was the first time since 2019 the event was held on campus. The school-wide service day encompasses a variety of carnival games and activities adapted to meet the needs of our guests with special needs. This year's goal was to have 150 guests from various Special Education programs, Transitional Adult programs and organizations working with clients with special needs from around the valley; however we exceeded our goal.

"To me, Celebrate Abilities Day is a beautiful day in which San Joaquin Memorial remembers that serving others doesn't have to be serious and intense. All acts performed with kindness and love are acts of service." -Jacob Zarate '23



"Two things I learned from my buddy was patience and kindness because even though it was harder to communicate with him we were both able to have a good time and make good memories." -Analise Gutierrez '24

"I taught my guests that they can express themselves in all forms of art, especially in sand art where they were able to use many different colors of sand to pour into a shaped bottle however they wanted." -Janelle Alvarez '25

"The smiles and the enjoyment that they experienced was the best part of the experience." -Yasmine Araim '26

Additionally, we would like to recognize 19 students who received the Good Samaritan Award for their dedication and spirit of humility, these students devoted their time to ensure that this was an equitable and meaningful experience for all of our guests. Please see the list below: 

1. Civiello, Gino

2. Nicholson, Josephine Mary

3. Alvarez, Francisco Giovanni

4. Rubio, Emiliano Raul

5. Smith, Romano

6. Fanucchi, Sofia

7. McConaghy, Braden Michael

8. LanFranco, Nicole Madeline

9. Fitzpatrick, Caudia

10. Lee, "Edward" Hyeongjun

11. Woolf, George Ross

12. De Sousa, Jacob Dylan

13. Gutierrez, Yailanis

14. Verni, Lea

15. Herzog, Hayden

16. Mahoney, James

17. Villalvazo, Sarah

18. Golik, Daniella

19. Traham, Michael

Engagement

Congratulations Arianna & James!

Arianna DiCicco '09 and James Haselton began dating in early 2021 and have been a couple ever since. James proposed to Arianna on July 2, 2022 in Rome, Italy. They work and live in New York City. As the daughter of a restauranteur, Arianna has been James' sous-chef while he's pursuing his passion in culinary school. The DiCicco and Haselton families are very excited for their upcoming wedding on September 23, 2023! 

Wedding

Congratulations Paul James & Kayle!

Paul James "PJ" Cameron ('11) married Kayle Phelan on December 3, 2022 at Oyster Ridge, Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa Margarita, California. PJ is the son of Paul Cameron ('82) and SJM Counselor, Lisa Cameron. Groomsmen included Mitchell Cameron ('15), Connor Chooljian ('11), Spencer Christensen ('13), and Ryan O'Rourke ('11). The following weekend, PJ & Kayle had a Convalidation Ceremony at Our Lady of Victory Church in Fresno with a reception at SJM's Campos Center.

Newborn

Dylan Hickman was born on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 6:25 a.m. She is the second child of Anjelica (Silva) Hickman '11 and Spencer Hickman '11. They were both high school sweethearts and won the title cutest couple in the SJM Yearbook. She is a precious and healthy baby girl. At birth she weighted 8 lbs 0 oz and was 21 in. long. They live in Fresno, California where they both work. CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the Panther family Dylan! 

New Children

Rachel Quinto's '92 family is growing since her and her husband embarked on a journey 2 1/2 years ago that would change the trajectory of 5 people forever! 

Quinto and her husband adopted 5 sisters who had been separated in two different foster homes for 3 years upon the birth of the youngest sister. They were officially adopted in August 2021 and they are so excited and blessed to have them in their family! 

Furthermore, Rachel already had two children graduate from SJM: Maggie Mayo '12 and Blaine Mayo '14. Each of them graduated from college with bachelors degrees, Maggie works for FUSD and Blaine is an Engineer for Cal-Trans.

Photo above: Mark Riedel, Rachel (Quinto) Riedel , Addison Riedel (age 14), Lexi Riedel (age 9), Avery Riedel (age 8), Bella Riedel (age 7), Emma Riedel (age 5)