SJM fab four receive Right to Life accolades

They are friends for LIFE….literally! Not only did they grow up attending Catholic school together, these four San Joaquin Memorial lady alums have been instrumental in the Right to Life of Central California cause for many years. The Fab Four - Cathy Horn, Gina Fry, Diane Mazzoni and Lisa Garver - were recently honored for their dedicated service at the annual Right to Life dinner in December.

Their friendship began as young students at Our Lady of Victory elementary school and continued to blossom at Memorial, according to Cathy Horn. “Diane and I are SJM sifters, she is the Class of ‘80 and I’m ‘85,” explained Cathy. “We met Gina when we were all students at OLV, and Lisa and I became lifelong close friends when we met on the first day of 3rd grade. Gina and Lisa are more like family than friends; they both worked for my mother when she owned a business in our younger years.” 
To the community of San Joaquin Memorial High School,

You may have heard by now that San Joaquin Memorial High School is in the process of partnering with a consulting firm to evaluate all aspects of the school, focusing on how we can capitalize on our existing strengths and identify opportunities to secure the brightest future possible. Our goal is to prepare a Strategic Plan for San Joaquin Memorial to guide us in securing our desired future over the course of the next several years. We are pleased to be receiving the services of Catholic School Management, a division of Christian Brothers Services, and a highly regarded Catholic school consulting organization that supports the educational ministry of the Catholic Church on a world-wide basis. Since 1973, CSM has worked in more than one hundred dioceses and with over three thousand schools. 

The CSM planning process is based on the  National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools  (www.catholicschoolstandards.org). Most importantly, we have chosen CSM because they insist that planning be a participative and collaborative process for a community, reflective of the many voices and perspectives that make us unique among Catholic schools. As part of the planning process, a wide range of aspects of the school will be evaluated including mission and faith community affairs; administrative, academic and student affairs; and our marketing, communication, enrollment, and advancement programs. 

Some of you may receive requests to participate in an online survey as part of the planning process. We thank in advance all who will add their voice by completing a survey. In addition, a team from CSM will be on-site our campus February 18 & 19. You may receive a request to be a part of a focus group meeting on these dates to provide even greater input into this important and valuable assessment process. Please know that your attendance is greatly appreciated.

I will continue to keep you updated with regard to the planning process, and I hope you will join the San Joaquin Memorial community in welcoming the CSM team in a few short weeks.

In faith,
Michael C. Burke
Head of School
Honoring Nick Kauls

On February 4th, the newly installed bench honoring late SJM alumni Nick Kauls ‘19, was blessed by Monsignor Rob, Rector of San Joaquin Memorial. In attendance were family and friends of Lisa Kauls, SJM faculty and staff, alumni, and students. After the blessing, the SJM community gathered in Holy Cross Hall to celebrate Nick’s birthday which is also on February 4th. The bench is located on the side of the football locker room building where Nick enjoyed hanging out with his friends at lunch. 
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

This year's Catholic Schools Week was a great celebration. SJM kicked off the week with the blessing of our Rock Wall which was made possible through the generosity of the St. Pat's Golf Tournament committee. After the blessing, students enjoyed donuts and hot chocolate provided by the SJM Guild. On Tuesday and Wednesday, students participated in a school-wide donation drive which benefited Valley Teen Challenge. On Thursday, SJM celebrated mass as a school, followed by guest speakers from Valley Teen Challenge. The speakers discussed drug and alcohol abuse. Valley Teen Challenge is a non-profit that focuses on giving young adults faith-based solutions to drug and alcohol abuse. Catholic Schools Week concluded on Friday with a school-wide family meal. Thank you to our whole community for supporting San Joaquin Memorial!
SJM's Football team is honored in a special way

SJM's football team is still celebrating being Central Section Champions two months after wining the title! Last week Crystal Creamery released their limited edition milk cartons which features the Central Section's six Valley Champions. The Cartons will be available at a variety of different stores from Bakersfield to the border of Oregon.

"Crystal Creamery is very excited to add these champions to our commemorative cartons achieving the highest honor in their sport," said Brian Carden, Crystal Creamery's Senior Director of Sales. He added, "These cartons provide a fun, lasting memory of a very special moment while honoring the hard work and sacrifice put forth by the student athletes, their coaches and their families."
 
Modesto-based and family-owned, Crystal Creamery has been a sponsor of high school sports since 2012 when it began supporting the CIF’s Sac-Joaquin Section. In 2019, the dairy expanded its sponsorship of the CIF to include the Central and North Coast Sections. Crystal Creamery has now recognized more than 200 Section and State Champions, academic team champions, scholarship winners and Hall of Fame inductees on milk cartons.
SJM Mourns the loss of Ronald Dowl Moore
Ronald Moore was a teacher, football, and baseball coach from 1961-1964 at San Joaquin Memorial. He passed peacefully on January 14, 2020. May he rest in peace with God forever. His funeral was on January 25, 2020 in Chowchilla CA.
Winter Sports Update

Winter sports are well underway and SJM wishes each of its teams the best of luck this season. Here is how every team is doing this season so far.

Girls Basketball: 15-8
The next game is on 2/7 at 6:30 pm. The Panthers will host Bullard.

Girls Soccer: 12-13-1
The next game is on 2/6 at 5:00 pm. The Panthers will host Bullard.

Boys Basketball: 18-6
The next game is on 2/7 at 6:30 pm. The Panthers will play an away game at Bullard.

Boys Soccer: 10-10-3
The next game is on 2/6 at 5:00 pm. The Panthers will play an away game at Bullard.
Spring Sports Kickoff

It's still cold outside but Spring Sports start this week! Here's how every team will start their season!

Softball:  2/4 hosts Liberty-Madera at 3:30 pm.

Baseball:  2/5 plays at Central at 3:00 pm.

Rugby:  2/8 hosts Bellarmine at 10:30 am.

Boys Tennis:  2/11 hosts Stockdale at 3:30.
(please note, all home games are at Fresno City College)

Boys Golf:  2/20 plays Immanuel at Ridge Creek in Dinuba at 2:00.

Swimming:  2/21 plays at Sunnyside at 2:00 pm.

Lacrosse:  3/3 hosts Edison at 5:15 pm.

Track:  3/20 at Gateway.
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.
Career Day

San Joaquin Memorial High School's Career Day will be taking place on  Friday, February 28, 2020 . If you are interested in sharing your career with our students, please fill out the participation form.
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
Alumni Scholarship Fund Created

San Joaquin Memorial alumni have the storied reputation of being generous givers. When asked to show their support for various endeavors, Memorial graduates rise to the occasion. 

With that said, the Advancement Office has created a new SJM Alumni Scholarship Fund that will benefit current students who need financial assistance in order to continue their high school experience at Memorial. 

As an alumnus, you know that your scholarship donation will make a lasting impact on the lives of Memorial students. So, once again, we are asking our alumni to rise to the occasion and donate to the newly created Alumni Scholarship Fund by contacting Kenyeih Williams at kwilliams@sjmhs.org or (559) 475-5841.
Join Us For the 75th Annual St. Patrick's Day Golf Tournament

For more info please contact Shirley Boujikian at (559) 475-5831 or sboujikian@sjmhs.org
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 .

San Joaquin Memorial High School | sjmhs.org