Welcome to the fifteenth edition of
Memorial Connections,
a monthly electronic newsletter sent to alumni and friends of
San Joaquin Memorial High School.
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As the year ticks on, we find more and more to be grateful for, including our amazing supporters and alumni. Thank you for everything you do! This month, we look at coaching updates and more.
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The Globetrotter Comes Home: Jackie White '80 Returns to Coach Women's Basketball
Jackie White still relishes the feel of the court under her shoes, the feel of a basketball in her hands, the pure joy of the game. For her, she feels that as a player and coach, she’s come full circle.
This year, she steps in as the Head Coach of the San Joaquin Memorial High School Women’s Basketball team, 40 some years after she herself became part of Memorial’s legacy of fantastic athletes.
“I am elated,” she said. “I feel very honored and blessed to take up this position and it really feels like I’ve come full circle. It’s such a special thing.”
White herself is a Memorial legend. Before graduating in 1980, she dominated Valley basketball courts— winning four straight Valley titles—before moving on to Cal Poly Pomona, where she won a National Championship, and Long Beach State. In 1985, she was tapped for a rare honor: White became only the second ever female Harlem Globetrotter. It was after leaving the Globetrotters, however, that White found a new interest: coaching. White entered the corrections field and ended up coaching young men at the facilities she worked. She went on later to coach at Edison High School from 2018 to 2021.
At Memorial, White’s eyes are on the prize: leading the girls to their first state championship.
However, she also aims to emphasize the importance of personal growth and development to her girls.
“Who these young ladies become as human beings is more important than basketball to me,” she said. “Basketball is just a means to an end. It helps you get to where you want to go in life. It doesn’t take you where you want to go. Education, good character, and work ethic, and a plan with life skills equals success. That’s what I want to teach them.”
Athletic Director Stephen Ferdinandi said Coach White will be a great asset for Memorial.
“Coach White will be an invaluable resource for our girls and the school as a whole,” said Ferdinandi. “Coach Santino Reynolds and Cory Fischer did a great job building the program over the last handful of years, and now it is Coach White's turn to take the baton. Any time alumni come back to be a part of the school is special, but Jackie's athletic pedigree makes her return to SJM even more of a highlight for the current team and the future of SJM Basketball.”
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Save the Date: A Celebration of 75 Years
Join us on September 20, 2021 for the St. Patrick's Golf Tournament
As Board Chair for the Saint Patrick’s Golf Tournament I would like to welcome all the
Irish back to the course at Sunnyside Country Club to make up for lost time we all had
to endure. On September 20th , 2021 the Leprechauns will safely step back on the
greens in honor of Saint Patrick and San Joaquin Memorial High School. We are so
Thankful for all of our sponsors that contributed in 2020 even though we could not have
our golf tournament and celebration of a record year in sponsorships and donations.
Our committee felt is was necessary to have this golf tournament this year to honor
those past sponsors that gave to our charitable golf tournament in lieu of the Covid
Pandemic that affected all of us deeply. With those funds raised, we put them to work by
remodeling the 90’s Bathrooms, purchased touchless water fountains, finished the
beautification of the Courtyard between the cafeteria and boys locker room, earmarked
more funds to the gymnasium locker room and contributed to the Hall of Fame Wall on
the north side of the football field. The grand total of $63,855.00 was unanimously
approved graciously by our Saint Patrick’s Board. We are dedicated to serving to this
private Catholic School that has been in existence for 75 years and blessed to be able
to complete these projects that the students can utilize and share in the wonderful
attributes of all of our generous sponsors.
Sincerely,
Steve Orlando `87 Co-Chair
Justin McKeighan `91 Co-Chair
Pete Orlando `80 Co-Chair
Bob Coyle `79
Chris Gutilla Jr. `03
Jarrod Martinez`89
Tom Ryan `65
Robert C. Supino `76
Ron Wathen `86
Taylor Whelan `04
Derek Youpel `02
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Thank You for Supporting our Drive Through BBQ!
Thank you to the sponsors of our Athletics Drive Through BBQ and Auction!
Lane `99 and Curtis `99 Davies
Stacy and Frank Roque `85 Panoche Creek Packing
Dorothy `83 and Phil Christensen Agriglobe Inc.
Lisa and Brian Dalena `88 Dalena & Dalena Farms
Thank you to our coaches and our Athletic Director Stephen Ferdinandi.
The fundraiser was a success and all funds will be used to support Memorial athletics. Thank you to all who participated.
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Enter our Spring Fling Giveaway for a chance to win and support The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial! You could win up to $5,000 in Cash. |
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May They Rest in Peace... with God Forever
Christopher Monge passed away on December 30, 2020. He is the father of Samantha Monge '19 and Daniel Monge '21. He loved all things Memorial, especially the education his children received and he was a big fan of Panther sports.
Carmine LaRocca passed away February 15, 2021. Though neither he nor his children attended Memorial, he and his wife Giuseppina left Memorial a legacy of love, loyalty and commitment by way of their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is the grandfather of: Joanna Paolilli ’94, Rocco Paolilli ’99, Michael Karagozian '05, Francesca LaRocca ’12 and Isabella LaRocca ’14. He is the uncle of Pasquale DiCicco 77, Giuliano DiCicco ’78, Vittorio DiCicco ’79, Enrico DiCicco ’82, Marlena Paolilli ’87, Mario Vitucci ’93, Joanna Vitucci Lopez 94, Adrianna Paolilli ’97, Christian Paolilli ’01 and Cinzia DiCicco Vaughn ’10. He is the great uncle of Nicola DiCicco ’05, Dante DiCicco ’07, Rocco DiCicco ’08, Arianna DiCicco ’09, Evangelea DiCicco ’14 and Evenia DiCicco ’18. Read more about his life at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fresnobee/obituary.aspx?n=carmine-larocca&pid=197802289&fhid=24134
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Call for Class Notes
Have you recently gotten married, had a baby or experienced a big life moment that you want to share with your fellow Memorial alumni? Have updates about your reunion? Share them with us! Submit announcements to advancement@sjmhs.org.
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Alumni Contact Update
Panther Alums, even though your time here at Memorial has passed, this is still your home! Please stay connected with us so that you can be part of our exciting engagement opportunities such as our sporting event pre-game dinners, alumni mixers and so much more! To stay connected, please fill out this form.
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Call for SJM Memorabilia
Do you have SJM memorabilia from the past 75 years? If you have items you would like to share with us for our 75th anniversary, please contact Shirley Boujikian at sboujikian@sjmhs.org
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