Welcome to the seventeenth edition of
Memorial Connections,
a monthly electronic newsletter sent to alumni and friends of
San Joaquin Memorial High School.
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When Cliches Ring True: A Scholarship Story
Bette O'Sullivan's family is no stranger to both generosity and the power of education: the sister of long-time Congressman Jim Costa '70, they know all too well the power of giving others a voice. That's exactly what O'Sullivan, SJM class of 1955, had in mind when she established the Lena Costa Scholar Grant in 2008. The Scholar Grant benefits a female student entering her freshman year at Memorial and pays for four years, contingent on the student maintaining academic eligibility.
The scholarship honors Lena Costa, Bette O'Sullivan's mother. Lena Costa had a passion for education, perhaps because she was not able to continue in school after the eighth grade. She received her high school diploma at the age of 70, going back to school to earn her GED.
"Her vision of education involved intellectual doors opening to a world of opportunity, transcending social class or income," said O'Sullivan of her mother. "It is appropriate to honor her commitment to education by offering a superior high school education to an intelligent, ambitious young woman who believes her own future can be almost anything to which she aspires."
O'Sullivan sees the scholarship as a way to continue her mother's legacy of believing education is the great equalizer. She said her mother and father sacrificed to send herself and her brother to San Joaquin Memorial, seeing it as a way to pave a path to a brighter future.
"The expectation that we would attend and graduate from college was a given, and San Joaquin Memorial was the path to this bright future," she said.
More than anything, O'Sullivan believes the scholarship creates that same path for future generations to succeed when perhaps they might have otherwise had the opportunity to do so. Beyond that, she feels it is incredibly rewarding to the donor themselves. She encourages anyone considering starting a scholarship at Memorial to do so.
"It is inspiring and rewarding to see someone achieve something that perhaps they would not have been able to achieve without this instrument in place," she said. "It’s hard not to speak in cliches when you talk about it but cliches are cliches because they have some resonance, because they happen more than once. The feeling of having done something that lasts beyond even your own inner family circle, that makes you feel good about yourself and your life is wonderful. I’d recommend it to anyone who would like to feel that good."
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Congratulations
Brook Lopez '06!
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Congratulations to Jalen Green '20! |
Memorial has spent the week rooting on Jalen Green '20 as he participated in the NBA Draft 2021! Congratulations to Jalen on being drafted 2nd by the Houston Rockets! We'll be watching you in the NBA! |
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SJM Alumnus Kellen Prandini '00 took on an interesting project with his anthropology class at Fresno City College this semester: short films
This past April some of his Visual Anthropology: Introduction to Ethnographic Film students had their work premiere on CMAC in a program titled "Sharing Cultures: Big Read Documentary Series." The class created films focused on "human activities."
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Congratulations to Bryan Hannaford '01 on gaining tenure at North Idaho College. Bryan is currently the Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands for NIC. He directs the NIC Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Cardinal Chamber Orchestra, and the Cardinal Pep Band.
"This is all part of a musical journey that started 20 years ago at San Joaquin Memorial," said Hannaford. "I didn’t read music or play the saxophone going into senior year. I asked Mr. Fabela if I could join the band, and he handed me a saxophone and the rest is history. I’ve had a number of musical opportunities throughout my career, but it all started right there in the Band Room."
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Congratulations to Dominic Rios '09 for his Jeopardy appearance! |
A founder can carry an institution only so far, and then others have to step in, even the alumni. That's how an institution becomes one.
- Shiv Nadar
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This was Tony’s second USGA Senior Open as he previously qualified back in 2015. Tony coaches the Boys and Girls Golf Teams at Memorial and serves as a board member. His caddy was Slater Christensen, one of the players from his team.
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You may have graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School, but that doesn't mean you're not still family. Let us know about your happy life moments: births, weddings and anniversary and we will feature your moments in Memorial Connections! It's simple. Just email [email protected] with your announcement and the year you graduated.
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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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May They Rest in Peace... with God Forever
Sylvia Louise McLeod Foraker '57 passed away June 26, 2021. She is the mother of Therese Foraker Shardlow '76, Patrick Foraker '79, Matthew Foraker '80 and Kevin Foraker '82. She is the sister of William McLeod '59, Frank McLeod '61 and Jane McLeod Duzi '72. She is the mother-in-law of Catherine Irwin Foraker '80 and Alison Peck Foraker '82. She is the Aunt of Stephanie McLeod Bender '84 and Amy McLeod Tenyenhuis '85. She is the sister-in-law of Darrel Duzi '72. Read more about her life at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fresnobee/name/sylvia-foraker-obituary?pid=199309369
Stanley Filgas passed away July 10, 2021. He is the father of Dheryl Filgas Glenn '68, Dale Filgas '68, Janell Filgas Mendoza '69, Alan Filagas '70, Joan Filgas Lepore 71 and Annette Filgas Simmons '84. He is the Grandfather of Matthew Mendoza '91 and Paul Mendoza 95. He is the father-in-law of Catherine Growdon Filgas '69. He is the uncle of Janice Pistacchio Harris '59, Georgene Pistacchio Sabbatini '63, David Pistacchio '67, Scott Raiskup 67, Kerry Filgas '64, Kevin Filgas '72 and Kim Filgas '73. Read more about his life at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fresnobee/name/stanley-filgas-obituary?n=stanley-filgas&pid=199468798&fhid=10705
Anthony "Tony" Grijalva Monreal passed away June 30, 2021. He was the father of Rev. Dr. Anthony Monreal, Jr., SJM chaplain, coach and teacher '88 to '91, John Patrick Monreal '78, Jimmy Monreal '81 and Valerie Monreal Kemp '83. He was the grandfather of Timothy Monreal '04, Ryan Monreal '05, Christina Monreal '07, Kenneth Monreal '09, Kathryn Monreal '10, Sarah Monreal '13, Theresa (Tara) Monreal '15, Patrick Monreal '18 and Michael Monreal '22. He was grandfather to Shaun Monreal-Kemp and Anthony Monreal-Kemp. He was great-frandfather to Irie James Dillon-Monreal and Leary Tona Dillon-Monreal. He was the uncle of Conrad Monreal '76 and Andrew Monreal '82. Read more about his life at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fresno-ca/anthony-monreal-10255771
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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 [email protected].
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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 [email protected]
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