The Plank - Student Life
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.
Kairos 151 initiates the Kairos season
Jesuit High School Sacramento seniors are currently preparing to take part in Kairos 151, a traditional spiritual retreat held multiple times throughout the school year.
The goal of Kairos is to bring together the seniors in a continuation of building the Brotherhood while also allowing each student the opportunity to explore their own personal relationship with God.
Cam’s Team take the victory at Jesuit’s 3v3 Intramural Basketball Tournament
Nearly every year, Jesuit High School Sacramento hosts an intramural basketball tournament where students from all grade levels compete. With the return of in-person school, this annual event returned as well.
The event was set up by the Students Activities Office in collaboration with Student Council and took place during Community periods starting on Aug. 31 and ending on Sept. 23.
Jesuit hosts successful Homecoming at Haggin Oaks
On Saturday, September 25th, 2021, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s annual Homecoming Dance took place at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. With last year’s homecoming being canceled due to COVID-19 related reasons, this homecoming was more important than usual.
Lots of change had to occur in order to allow Jesuit’s Homecoming Dance to take place. One of the largest changes was the change in venue for the dance.
Mr. Daniel Mascarenhas: Teaching Jesuit Students on the Path to Priesthood
Mr. Daniel Mascarenhas, S.J. is a Jesuit scholastic who came to Jesuit High School Sacramento this year as part of his path to priesthood. After studying philosophy at St. Louis University in Missouri, Mr. Mascarenhas was assigned to the Golden State where he had previously worked as a mechanical engineer in Silicon Valley.
Mr. Mascarenhas was born and raised in Western India where he attended a Catholic school from 1st to 10th grade. His normal routine in India does not sound much different than what students at Jesuit experience every day.
Do’s and Don’ts of Homecoming 2021
Homecoming Dances can be a very stressful time with trying to find someone to ask to the dance, a pair of shoes that fit, and even the best place to take pictures.
After not having a formal dance in almost two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many aspects of the Homecoming Dance have changed. Student Activities Director Mr. Peter Ferrari, who is in charge of homecoming, describes the multiple changes.
Jesuit Parades Into Homecoming at Haggin Oaks
This Saturday, Sept. 25, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Jesuit High School Sacramento will have their Homecoming Dance at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. The Homecoming Dance ends Spirit Week with a fiesta.
The theme for the dance is Mardi Gras. It was inspired by the recent Hurricane Ida in New Orleans and Jesuit’s call to help with disaster relief there. Student Activities Director Mr. Peter Ferrari gives his reasoning for the theme.
Jesuit Highschool prepares for 50th Reunion in Alumni Weekend
Jesuit High School Sacramento is hosting their 50th annual high school reunion within the upcoming Alumni Weekend which will take place on Sept. 24 to 26 on campus. Jesuit is welcoming the classes of 1970-1971, 1980-1981, 1990-1991, 2000-2001, and 2010-2011 to the celebration.
The weekend is filled with six events which all aim to aid the alums in regrounding their roots here at Jesuit, including the 50th Annual Lunch Tour and the 50th Reunion dinner.
Four Jesuit students are announced as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship
The National Merit Scholarship is awarded to students who scored the highest in the nation and the state on their PSAT and have a history of academic excellence.
On Sept. 15, the program announced approximately 16 thousand semifinalists across the nation, and Jesuit High School Sacramento is lucky enough to count four seniors among that group: Charlie Diaz ’22, James Irwin ’22, Mathew Mellas ’22, and Robert Lee ’22.
To become a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship is a remarkable accomplishment.