The Plank - Student Life
Opinion: Struggles of Growing Up Black
Growing up as a young Black man trying to navigate this world is
hard. From a young age, I was taught survival skills that I will
have to live with for the rest of my life.
Jesuit Spring Orchestra Concert: exciting and rewarding
On Thursday, March 31, Jesuit High School Sacramento held their
exciting annual Spring Orchestra Concert. Hosted by Orchestra
Teacher Mr. Paolo Reyes, this production highlighted student
performances from the Beginner Strings, String Orchestra, and
Symphony Orchestra groups.
2022 valedictorian and salutatorian contribute to Jesuit community
On April 13, Jesuit High School Sacramento announced that Matthew
Mellas class of 2022’s valedictorian and that J.P. Leatherby ’22
will serve as the salutatorian. These leaders of the senior class
received these honors not just for their stellar academics, but
also for their involvement in the Jesuit community.
Sophomore retreat reveals God’s plan for Jesuit students
Taking place all throughout February, Sophomore Retreats held by
Jesuit High School Sacramento concluded on March 8.
Raise a glass for Mr. Beers
For Jesuit High School Sacramento teacher, Mr. Timothy Beers,
2022 marks the last school year in which he will teach at Jesuit.
Mr. Beers’ legacy will always be one to remember; he has taught
and coached generations of Marauders with pride and passion.
Spikeball spikes in popularity at Jesuit
Spikeball has been on Jesuit High School Sacramento’s campus for
multiple years. Even today, there are students playing Spikeball
daily at lunch and during community periods.
New Social Justice Summit format is engaging and fun
The Social Justice Summit on Human Dignity took place on March 9,
2022 with the goal of teaching students about different aspects
of justice and how they can be applied to world problems
today.
Saint Isaac Jogues’ life still has impact on Jesuit
Since Jesuit’s founding in 1963, Jogues Hall, Jesuit’s first
classroom building, still stands tall.
Jesuit students represent the school in Washington D.C. at Ignatian Family Teach-in
Jesuit High School Sacramento students took a trip to Washington D.C. for the annual Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice that took place at the Washington Hilton Hotel throughout the weekend of Nov. 6.
The group of nine students made the 2,500 mile trip with the objective of increasing their understanding of justice while also perpetuating it. While on the trip, the students visited historical museums, took part in a night protest, and spent time at the National Mall.
Junior Overnight Retreat Connects Students to the Catholic Faith
At Jesuit High School Sacramento, the Junior Overnight Retreats finished as of Nov.10. This retreat is an essential experience at Jesuit that gives the junior class an opportunity to take a break from day-to-day life in order to reflect on their lives by focusing on their relationship with God and others.
Ms. Windi Mitchell Returns to Jesuit as a Theology and World Religions Teacher
Ms. Windi Mitchell is not new to the faculty at Jesuit High School Sacramento, she previously worked at Jesuit in 2017-2019 before returning to Jesuit for the 2021-22 school year. Ms. Mitchell has a lengthy history of working with Jesuit institutions as a coordinator for Service and Justice, a theology teacher, and a Jesuit volunteer.
Jesuit key club provides service opportunities with a real impact on the community to Jesuit Students
With many different clubs offered at Jesuit High School Sacramento, it is easy to find a club that suits everyone. However, you will find few clubs among them as impactful as the Jesuit Key Club, a student-led group focused on service, building character, and leadership.
Jesuit works to make freshman transition smooth despite COVID-19 challenges
Making the transition from middle school to high school has always been an integral part of a student’s growth. Jesuit High School Sacramento goes to great lengths to make this transition for freshmen as easy as possible.
Coming off of a year that saw a global pandemic limit campus and community life, Dean LaRoddric Theodule is looking to improve and reinvigorate the campus, starting with the freshmen. Dean Theodule explains how the Freshman Retreat was an integral part of the freshmen’s development at Jesuit.
Veterans Appreciation Club Gives Back to Vets in our Community
The Veterans Appreciation Club is one of the several new clubs this year at Jesuit High School Sacramento.
The club was founded by William Ruggles ’22 to focus attention on veterans in our community and to donate needed goods to local military hospitals. William was inspired to start a club focused on giving back to veterans because of his own family’s military history, which goes back several generations.
Jesuit technology team and buildings and grounds crews played a major role in stopping the floods
An intense storm brought power outages, flooding, and the cancellation of classes on Monday, Oct. 25 at Jesuit High School Sacramento. Through a lot of hard work and dedication from Jesuit’s Technology Office and our Buildings and Ground crews, the school was able to invite students back to campus the next day.
Many staff members, one being Plant Manager Paul Speers, played a major role in stopping the floods and finding a way to turn the power back on. He explains what happened when the issue started and what they did to fix it.
Ms. Hilary Ahl uses her expertise to help Jesuit students in the Academic Support Center
The newest addition to the Jesuit High School Sacramento Academic Support Center this year is Ms. Hilary Ahl, the new Assistant of the Academic Support Center.
Before coming to Jesuit, Ms. Ahl had her own tutoring business where she helped students of all ages in math, science, and SAT prep. She found it very satisfying to see growth in students from not being well organized to finding a focus.
Jesuit tradition brings students and their mothers closer together
The morning of Oct. 31, Jesuit High School Sacramento hosted their annual Mother-Son Mass in the Father Barry Gymnasium.
According to Father Aaron Engebretson S.J. the mass was primarily about bringing mothers and sons together through prayer.
Jesuit works to give students opportunities to build community
After being unable to fully come back to campus during the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19, students at Jesuit High School Sacramento returned this year to fully in-person activities with an eager desire to come together and grow the relationships they have formed in the Jesuit community.
As students adjust to in-person learning and activities this school year, one of the most important aspects Jesuit has been focusing on is building community and coming together to form new relationships.
The North American Martyrs embody the spirit of being a “Man for Others”
Oct. 19, marked the celebration of the Feast of the North American Martyrs. These patron saints of Jesuit High School Sacramento serve an important role in our community, to Jesuits, and to Catholics everywhere.
The group consists of eight saints: Saint René Goupil, Saint Isaac Jogues, Saint Jean de Lalande, Saint Antoine Daniel, Saint Jean de Brébeuf, Saint Noël Chabanel, Saint Charles Garnier, and Saint Gabriel Lalemant. These saints were all French Jesuits who died on a mission to North America in the 1600s.
Celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month
Beginning in 1968, Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month is a month dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the history, achievements, and culture of Hispanic people and the impact they have had on the culture of the United States. The month is celebrated each year beginning on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15.
During the month, Latinx and Hispanic students and teachers from Jesuit High School Sacramento answered and explained what the month means to them, who some of their Latinx role models are, and why they believe it is important to celebrate the month.