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(WVRC has supported Verbum Dei High School in the past, if you would like to know more about them or contribute, here is a link to their website.) https://www.verbjesuit.org
La Times Article Link - https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2025-09-03/verbum-dei-football-program-to-resume-games-in-october
John O’Keefe (in trademark bow tie) introduced our guest speaker, Father Travis Harris, President of Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in Watts.
The school prepares young men for college through rigorous academics and strong community values. Their motto: “Work Hard. Play Hard. Pray Hard.”
Founded in 1962 by Father Joseph Francis under Cardinal McIntyre, Verbum Dei gained national recognition for its championship basketball program. During the 1965 Watts Riots, students famously protected the school from harm, uniting to safeguard their campus.
Father Harris discussed the ongoing challenges in Watts — including limited infrastructure and political representation — and the school’s powerful role in changing lives:
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96% of parents never attended college
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300 students (grades 9–12), expanding to 350 soon
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100% college acceptance, 98% college
attendance
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Students are three times more likely to
graduate if they attend college out of state
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Annual cost per student: $23,000
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Average family contribution: $2,000
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Average billed tuition: $4,000
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New facilities under construction: student
center, football field, learning center,
and enterprise center
He reminded us:
“There’s no prize for going to college — only for graduating.”
Jesuit education, he said, is about “teaching the whole person and striving for excellence in all things”.
Q&A Highlights
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PP Diane asked: “If you are raising up the men, who is raising up the women?”
Father Harris explained that there is a
nearby girls’ school and noted the absence
of fathers in many families, reaffirming
Verbum Dei’s focus as an all-male
institution.
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When asked how many alumni return to give back, he proudly shared that 11 graduates currently work at the school, with others sponsoring or mentoring students.
Closing
PP Ben presented a Rotary Club gift to Father Harris in appreciation of his inspiring talk.
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m., after a lively discussion and full engagement from members.
A final reminder: please submit three photos for next week’s meeting — none featuring yourself.
Respectfully submitted,
PP Mark Rogo
Chairperson, John O’Keefe Bow Tie Society
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