The Plank - Features

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Jesuit High School Sacramento Sportsman’s Association helps students develop their passion for trap shooting in a controlled and welcoming environment. The club is led by Math Teacher Mr. Keegan Smith, and Mr. Mark Smith, the father of Cooper Smith ’25 and Griffin Smith ’27. Every week, Mr. Smith leads practices where members hone their skills, preparing for the several competitions they attend throughout the year.

“The club is primarily focused on giving the boys an opportunity to learn and practice clay target shooting in a safe and fun environment,” Mr. Mark Smith said. “We accomplish this by having practices at the [Sacramento] Valley Shooting Center on Sunday afternoons.”

Jesuit High School Sacramento’s World Religions class, taught by Theology Teacher Dr. Mark Luttio, is a great way for students to gain new perspectives on the traditions that surround them. Dr. Luttio’s profound experience with various religions has been an essential part of the class’s ability to strengthen students’ knowledge of the wider world.

Dr. Luttio’s involvement with World Religions can largely be attributed to his diverse upbringing in Japan.

This year, Jesuit High School Sacramento welcomes a new face to its counseling department. Ms. Jocelyn Kulper, who previously taught health education at Tokay High School in Lodi, California, stepped into the position as Administrative Assistant for Counseling.

In her new role at Jesuit, Ms. Kulper is in charge of ensuring that communication is smooth and efficient throughout the Counseling Department.