Panther of the Week: Elizabeth Santoyo '17
This week's notable Panther of the Week is Elizabeth Santoyo. Elizabeth is a 4-year member of the SJM Softball Team, played volleyball for 2 years and soccer for one year. She is a valuable team player to any team and has been awarded CMAC 2nd Team All-League, Most Valuable Player (MVP) and received the Coach's Award for softball. Elizabeth has volunteered at Catholic Charities, Boys and Girls Club, Ronald McDonald house and has helped with the MLS Walk every year with her father. Of all the volunteer work she has done over the last few years, she was most moved by the service day hosted on campus which afforded her the opportunity to bond with 2 special needs students who shadowed her for the day. It was a powerful experience because not only did she see the positive impact it had on these visitors, but it was special to be part of something that was so genuine and authentic. Helping others and being outgoing is something Elizabeth is passionate about which is why she is inspired to major in Kinesiology and/or Communications. She is currently being recruited for softball at Notre Dame de Namur University, Holy Names University, Pace University, and Hiram College but she has also applied to Fresno State University. Keep up the great work, Elizabeth. You make us Panthers proud!
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Alumni of the Month: Gary Bethke '61
Gary Bethke attended Santa Clara Grammar School from 1st grade to 7th grade with a classmate named Armando Ochoa who is now the Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno and Gary's boss! He moved to Fresno in 1957 and went to Sacred Heart School. At that time, it was located where Ryan's Gym is currently stationed. One of his greatest memories at Memorial is the camaraderie, friendships and inclusiveness of ALL members of the class that he still cherishes today. After Memorial, he continued his education and obtained a BS in Accounting. He married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Mastro '61 in 1965, 51 years ago. Their son, Greg '87, also attended Memorial. Gary has been employed by the Diocese of Fresno as their Chief Financial Officer since May 1, 1989 with the privilege and honor of working directly with Bishop Joseph J. Madera, Bishop Norman F. McFarland, Bishop John T. Steinbock, Msgr. Myron Cotta and Bishop Armando X. Ochoa. He has been a member of the Serra Club of Fresno, Fig Garden Rotary, St. Anthony of Padua Parish Finance Council, Diocesan Fiscal Manager Conference, Padrinos (Valley Children's Hospital) and Knights of Columbus. His advice to students is to stay loyal to your faith and remember, "We are in the Holy presence of God."
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Left to right: Frank Esquivel '73, Quincy Pondexter '06, Ramon Esquivel '70, Roscoe Pondexter '70, Tom Cleary '57, Barry Warmerdam '70 and Jim McKenna '69
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Memorial Enjoys A Blast From The Past!
As the SJM Boys Basketball team faced long time rival, Bullard High School in the league championship game on Wednesday, Memorial was honored to host a few legacy alumni who were in for a great competition! The gentlemen photographed above (left to right:
Frank Esquivel '73, Quincy Pondexter '06, Ramon Esquivel '70, Roscoe Pondexter '70, Tom Cleary '57, Barry Warmerdam '70 and Jim McKenna '69) have a true stake in Memorial basketball history as coaches and players. We thank each and every one of them for their continued support of our school and for being such proud Panther fans! The Panthers beat the Knights by a final score of 68-59.
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 SJM Is Proud To Provide An "International Valley Education"
"San Joaquin Memorial High School offers a unique opportunity for international students from China, Mexico, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Poland and more. KSEE24's Connie Tran explores the program - which is the first of its kind in the Central Valley - and how it benefits both the students and our schools."
Click here to watch and read the rest of this incredible feature.
We are proud of the Antonio and Juliet Campos International Academy - the first boarding school in the valley which was launched in the fall of 2014!
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CMAC Winter Standings
As winter sports head int o playoffs, the County Metro Athletic Conference (CMAC) wraps up league play by sharing the 2016-17 winter standings. SJM Boys Basketball took first, SJM Girls Basketball took third, SJM boys Soccer took second and SJM Girls Soccer took fifth. It was a hard fought season for all athletes from each sport. Keep up the great work student-athletes, you make us Panther Fans proud!
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Chili and soup winning team leaders: Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Abney (left to right)
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Student-Teacher Cook-Off Success!
The San Joaquin Memorial High Leadership Group hosted a Student-Teacher Chili and Soup Cook-Off this week. With 5 soups and 5 chilis to vote on, all 83 guests were in for a treat! In the end,
Awesome Abney's Clam Chowder took first place and Bad and BOUJIkian's Tortilla Soup took second place in the soup category. For the chili category, Wonderful Wilson's Special Chili took first place and Marvelous Mel's Can Opener Chili took second place. This community builder raised over $400 that will benefit the leadership class's fundraising efforts. Everyone is already looking forward to the next friendly competition!
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Save The Date: SJM Crab Feed
Save the Date for the San Joaquin Memorial High School Annual Booster Crab Feed and Silent Auction on February 25, 2017 in the main gym! Join us a for a great night of crab, pasta and a fun crowd that comes together to support all SJM athletic programs. Download your invitation here. If you would like to donate an item to the silent auction or are interested in reserving your table and/or seat, contact Shirley Boujikian (559) 475-5831 or sboujikian@sjmhs.org.
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Class of 1987 Reunion
Save the Date! The
Class of 1987 is celebrating their 30 year class reunion on
September 15, 2017. They will also host a Classmate Only Social on S
eptember 16, 2017. Tickets are $65 per person. Don't miss out! S
end your contact information,
any photos and formally RSVP, email sjmclassof87@gmail.com. More information is available on their Facebook page "SJM Class of 1987" which is directly accessible by clicking here.
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Saint of the Day: St. Alexis Falconeiri
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St. Alexis Faloneiri is the patron of the city of Orvieto, Italy and was known as one of the first Servants of Mary of Servites. He was a founder of a new religious community dedicated to prayer after being inspired by a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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A Message From Mr. Tom Spencer, Principal
What a busy week this has been for our students and staff, filled with exciting and memorable events.
Our winter sports teams enter post-season play-off competitions, our students and staff compete in a chili and soup cook-off, our Italian club takes over the Willinger Hall International School kitchen and prepares gnocci, our Juniors celebrate Mass together in St. Anne's Chapel, a number of Board Strategic Planning committees meet and spring sports begin practices. Unfortunately, I missed most of these because I was out of town serving on an accreditation team. This is a true testament to the caliber of our staff as I only received one phone call the entire time I was away!
I'm grateful to be back and looking forward to next week.
God Bless,
Tom Spencer
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Monday, February 20: President's Day/No School/Office Closed
Tuesday, February 21: Blue Day, Girls Soccer Playoffs (TBA), Varsity Girls Basketball Playoffs (TBA), Boys Tennis vs. Madera Liberty at Sierra Liberty at 3:30p.m., Baseball vs. Clovis at Clovis at 3:30p.m.
Wednesday, February 22: Red Day, All-School Formation Hour at 1:35p.m., Varsity Boys Basketball Playoffs (TBA), Boys Golf vs. Madera Liberty at Riverside Country Club at 2:00p.m.
Thursday, February 23: Blue Flip Day, Varsity Girls Basketball Playoffs (TBA), Boys Golf Sanger Tournament at Sherwood, Boys Tennis vs. Clovis East at Clovis East at 3:00p.m., Baseball vs. Mt. Whitney at Mt. Whitney at 3:30p.m., Softball vs. Fresno High School at SJM at 3:30p.m. (Scrimmage)
Friday, February 24:
Red Flip Day, Varsity Basketball Playoffs (TBA), Track Buchanan Distance Classic at Buchanan at 11:00a.m., Swim Sunnyside Preview Meet at Sunnyside at 2:00p.m., Rugby vs. Southside at SJM at 6:00p.m.
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Winter Sports Splash CIF GPA Charts
CIF has shared the annual report of all winter sports and their GPA ranking by school. In order to make this list, the entire team must have an average minimum GPA of a 3.0 or above and advance placement (AP) courses are not taken into account. Congratulations to all of Memorial's winter sports for topping CIF charts: SJM Girls Basketball (3.33), SJM Boys Basketball (3.32), SJM Girls Soccer (3.61) and SJM Boys Soccer (3.52).
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Right to Life Spreads the Love
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Right to Life is celebrating mothers who have chosen life for their babies. In support, they are holding a drive to support mothers and their bundles of joy and Memorial is excited to be a drop-off location for such a great cause.
Download their flier by clicking here
to see how you can donate clothes, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, etc.
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Obituaries
Gene Brengetto passed away January 18, 2017. He is the father of Katrina Brengetto Williams '68 and Karen Brengetto Dyar '74.
Risa Maria Kirchner Rodemeyer passed away January 31, 2017. She is the mother of Lanei Rodemeyer '85 and Adine Rodemeyer '88.
Theresa Wathen Castanos '48 passed away on February 9, 2017. She is the mother of Michael Castanos '70, Craig Castanos '76, Karen Castanos Lowart '78 and Peter Castanos '88. She is the grandmother of Kacy Lowart '08, Joseph Lowart '12 and Jason Lowart '14. She is also the aunt of 18 Castanos and Wathen nephews and nieces that graduated from Memorial.
Ernest Guillen '54 passed away this week.
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