The Plank - Features
Ms. Zhu brings a new language to Jesuit
This year, Jesuit High School Sacramento introduced a new program to the World Language Department: Mandarin Chinese. Ms. Hong Zhu, the new Mandarin teacher, will teach incoming students interested in learning a non-Latin based language.
Welcoming new changes and new faces
This year, the Science department at Jesuit High School Sacramento is undergoing changes.
One of the big changes is welcoming two new teachers to the department: Ms. Nicole Thom and Mr. Bryan Heng.
Setting students up for success
This fall, Ms. Erin Van Parys joined Jesuit High School Sacramento’s faculty as the new assistant for the Academic Support Center (ASC). She previously worked with students at Visions in Education, a local charter school.
Making English accessible
This fall, two new teachers joined the ranks of the Jesuit High School Sacramento English Department: Ms. Anne-Marie Moggan and Ms. Christine Horton. Both of them bring a unique style of teaching to the campus while bringing the passion to help students become “Men for Others”.
The struggle of overcoming football injuries
Football is a physical sport, and with physicality comes injuries. For student-athletes, injuries can have a significant impact on players, forcing them to step away from their day-to-day schedule and disrupting their life as a student.
Campus Ministry starts a new chapter
Since Jesuit High School’s beginning, Campus Ministry has been guiding students along their spiritual journey on and beyond campus. This year, Campus Ministry hopes to maintain their welcoming spirit with the addition of new faces and a new look.
Ms. Faubert brings energy and passion to the class
Jesuit High School Sacramento is excited to welcome Ms. Norma Faubert to its Spanish department this year. Ms. Faubert previously worked in the Roseville School District as a translator.
Vale bene, Domine Witucki
25 years of memories made. Thousands of students taught. Latin teacher Mr. Jon Witucki has made his presence known at Jesuit High School Sacramento. With undying dedication and a wealth of knowledge, Mr. Witucki has indisputably made Jesuit a better school.
Jesuit basketball: levitating, higher than ever before
[from the Print Edition]
The Jesuit High School Sacramento basketball team took home the school’s very first basketball state title. For the first time since 1994, the Marauders made it to the state final, and they won in dominant fashion. The hard work that Head Coach Tim Kelly, the athletes, and coach staff have put forth directly led to the banner that now hangs in the Barry Gymnasium.
At the beginning of the season, one of the areas of concern was that the roster was incredibly green. However, Amaury McKinney ’25 believes the team succeeded precisely because of this inexperience.
Anything can happen if you let it
[from the Print Edition]
If you’ve stepped into Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Black Box theater this year, then maybe you’ve sensed the spirit pulsing through it. Perhaps you’ve felt the dedication of the cast and crew that transformed the building. It’s not often you find a group of people like this – a production that absorbs you through infectious passion, a team so committed that their energy becomes tangible and transcendent.
By the numbers alone, Jesuit Drama’s musical production of “Mary Poppins Jr.” is the stuff of folk legend: the show sold out eight days before opening night, a mark the Black Box hasn’t seen since Sweeney Todd in 2008.
Mr. Zielke’s final sunrise at Jesuit
“We set a new world record and it was amazingly early,” said Mr. David Zielke.
For 33 years, Mr. Zielke has been setting records as a fantastic math teacher, cross-country coach, former vice principal, and Advanced Placement coordinator. After a long career of service, Mr. Zielke will be retiring with a legacy of being a true man for others.
Key Club: serving the community while having fun
Jesuit High School Sacramento is home to many clubs that cater to each student’s interests and passions. Moderated by Ms. Laura Spelman, Key Club is a service club that is part of a greater national organization called the Kiwanis Club. It focuses on raising awareness and money for those in need.
The Kiwanis Club and its title have a rich history, rooted in service.
Black Student Union: ties to culture
One of the most active cultural clubs at Jesuit High School Sacramento is the Black Student Union (BSU), a place where students come together to learn about African American culture.
President of the BSU Amaury McKinney ’25 organizes many of the club’s activities. He values the personal benefits that the BSU offers him and other students.
Pizza and Prayer encourages faith at Jesuit
“It’s the most goated club on campus.”
These words, spoken by Mr. Lawrence Simon ’13, refer to the club he founded: the Pizza and Prayer Club. Created in 2023 to get students to engage in more prayer, the club creates a relaxed environment for students to converse about their religion with like-minded peers.
Cubing Club: a unique hobby for all
Ever since its invention by Erno Rubik in 1974, the Rubik’s Cube has puzzled and intrigued people of all ages. In the mind sport known as speedcubing, or “cubing,” participants try to solve the iconic 3×3x3 puzzle in as little time as possible. Though cubing has been a widespread phenomenon since the 1980s, there has never been an official way for Jesuit High School Sacramento students to partake in this hobby.
That is, until the creation of the Cubing Club.
Mathletes: building problem-solving prowess
While many students at Jesuit High School Sacramento view math simply as a chore they have to do to receive a grade, there is a select group of students that sees past the numbers and symbols into the true beauty of the world of mathematics.
The Jesuit Mathletes team is a collection of students that compete against other schools in math using their problem-solving prowess, relishing the opportunity to sharpen their minds with challenging math problems in the heat of competition.
Buildings and Grounds: the unsung heroes of our school
Jesuit High School Sacramento has a large campus. With over 52 acres of land, year-round effort is required to maintain both the school’s beauty and reputation across every inch of the property.
The Jesuit Grounds Crew is the primary behind-the-scenes workforce that keeps the school clean and welcoming.
Jesuit Engineering Club prepares students for the future
Last year, Max Troppman ’25 revived the Engineering club with the help of Math teacher Mr. Justin Tsai. The club works to showcase upcoming engineering inventions and concepts to foster student awareness and appreciation for the field.
“We typically bring videos regarding new and upcoming technologies and watch them as a group,” Max said. “We then discuss the content in these videos, discuss what we think of the implications that could be had in the future, and just talk a little about our own interests in STEM.”
Science Olympiad team pursues excellence in scientific passions
The Jesuit High School Sacramento Science Olympiad team allows students to dive deeper into their love for science and engineering in ways that a conventional class does not allow. Whether it is building a bridge from scratch or maneuvering a laser through a maze of mirrors, the Science Olympiad team is always doing something fun.
While the team is enjoyable for every student that joins, the ultimate goal of the team is to prepare for an annual Science Olympiad competition.
Jesuit Environmental Justice and Sustainability Club aims to make a greener future
Environmental justice is a globally recognized issue that the current generation of students needs to confront now in order to protect the future of our planet. Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Environmental Justice and Sustainability Club seeks to address this issue.
The club aims to help the environment by spreading awareness for environmental justice among Jesuit students.