The Plank
Golf team teeing off to a great season
This February, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s golf team teed off a busy season. Hoping to carry on momentum from last season, the team is participating in a challenging tournament this weekend, which will allow them to grow and improve their game.
“This season because of some success last season, we were invited to what’s called the De Lasalle Elite 12, where they choose what they think are the best 12 teams in the state,” said Golf Head Varsity Coach Tom Morton. “In [a few days] from now we’re going to be heading to Monterey to play a wonderful golf course at the old four-door base called the Blackhorse at Monterey, so it should be a really great tournament against some really great competition.”
See what’s Poppin’ in the Black Box Theatre
On Friday, March 7, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Drama program, along with students from Saint Francis High School, Christian Brothers High School, Rio Americano High School, and Country Day High School will present Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s “Mary Poppins.” This musical is the largest production Jesuit Drama has brought to stage in recent years, so the performance will be a night to remember.
George Srabian ’25 is excited for this performance, as he and the rest of the team have put in many hours to make this musical as special as possible.
Track team off to the races
The beginning of March brings the beginning of the track season, and this year’s track team, led by Head Coach Mike Rosales, is out to achieve their goals.
“Our goals for this season are crystal clear: we’re here to win,” Coach Rosales said. “We’ve set our sights on taking the league title and bringing home the section championship.”
Tennis team aces first two matchups of the season
With spring sports already underway, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s varsity tennis team has displayed impressive skill and depth as they begin their quest for a Section Championship.
After starting off the season with a scrimmage against McClatchy High School, Jesuit trounced Rocklin High School 9-0 on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Orchestra and Symphonic Band combine forces at Honors Music Recital
Yesterday, Feb. 26, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Orchestra and Symphonic Band performed in their Honors Music Recital.
Cello player Nicolas Padilla ’25 believes that the performances throughout the night went off without a hitch.
Opinion: March Madness, the pinnacle of American sports
The college basketball season may start in November, but for the majority of the country College basketball does really start until March. With its upsets, incredible finishes, and the births of basketball legends, March Madness is the greatest sporting event in America.
One of March Madness’ greatest traits is the amount of upsets, as smaller colleges get matched up with basketball powerhouses. Over the years, there have been many teams that have gone on incredible runs such as Saint Peters, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and Loyola Chicago. Before their runs through the tournament, these colleges were mostly unknown.
Opinion: Don’t close the book on the King Library
Nobody knows how to check out a book.
15 years ago, we were still using the Joseph J. King S.J. Library as a traditional library: researching, reading, and learning from physical books. But then we stopped. The computer was faster, easier, more expansive – plainly better – and those books were no longer needed.
Ralph, Mazibuko lead Teachers to overtime victory vs. Students
The Father Barry Gymnasium has never been this loud.
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, all of Jesuit High School Sacramento rallied behind their faculty and staff for the Teachers vs. Students basketball game. To close the annual Winter Sports Rally, the final two teams of the intramural basketball tournament took on 8 members of Jesuit’s faculty and staff.
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.
Open Mic Night: entertainment for all
On Friday, Feb. 28, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Asian Pacific Islander Club (APIC) will host its annual Open Mic Night in the Harris Center. This event offers high school students from across the Sacramento area a chance to showcase their talents, socialize with friends, and enjoy a variety of foods prepared by student clubs.
“I joined APIC last year when I was a freshman since I wanted to find a community at Jesuit that shared the same cultural similarities and experiences as me,” said Owen Hartono ’27. “Open Mic Night is a fun event where students and their families can come to watch a variety of performances, including cultural ones, such as the St. Francis’ hula team and Tinikling dance, as well as music performances from different students.”
Choir Cabaret: Sockhop knocks audience’s socks off
Jesuit High School Sacramento’s first ever Choir Cabaret took place Saturday, Feb 7. Focused around 50’s rock and roll songs, the event’s theme was “Sockhop.” It featured a variety of singers performing group pieces, duets, trios, and solos.
Director of Choral Music Mr. David Vanderbout helped host the Choir Cabaret, and believes that it provided a unique opportunity to spotlight vocal performance.
Running away with a 10th State Championship
The Jesuit High School Sacramento cross country team has a long history of excellence. This year, they added yet another chapter to that storied legacy, taking home the 10th State Championship title in program history – more than any other high school in California.
The team began the year with a roaring start, winning their first five meets, including the prestigious Nike Portland Invitational. They cruised through the Sierra Foothill league, taking home the league title. Moving on to subsections and sections, the team would continue to dominate, grabbing first place in both meets.
Navin Kadel ’25: running the show
Jesuit High School Sacramento’s cross country team has undoubtedly achieved success in the 2024 season, establishing themselves as a national powerhouse. A major component of the team is the humble and hardworking senior, Navin Kadel ’25, whose example of resilience and compassion serves as an inspiration for many.
Perseverance has been the key to Navin’s success. Cross Country Coach Thomas Witzgall ’98 has witnessed Navin’s evolution as a runner.
Celebrating the contributions of Black Americans
Jesuit High School Sacramento will hold a Black History Assembly on Friday, Feb. 14, to commemorate the contributions of many Black Americans, as well as the achievements of our own African American alumni in the world.
This year, Jesuit is hosting four panelists to speak about their contributions after high school. Ron Barrow Jr. ’98 serves as an associate pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Dr. Caron Houston, M.D. is an internal medicine physician specializing in individualized care for adult patients. Ben Sharpe ’99 received a masters in civil engineering from Stanford University and a PhD in civil engineering from University of California, Davis. Dean of Students La Roddric Theodule has educated students in the Catholic school system since 2002.
Kai Switlick ’25: driven to excel
As someone who strives for greatness in everything he does, Kai Switlick ’25 has been a model of excellence during his four, action-packed years at Jesuit High School Sacramento.
Kai is known by his teachers and peers for his tremendous work ethic and commitment to excellence.
Jayden Canio ’25: embracing every opportunity
Is there anyone on campus who hasn’t worked with Jayden Canio ’25?
Jayden is the epitome of a Jesuit student: he is hardworking and selfless. He has proven his value to the school through passion and utmost dedication.
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.
Mass for the New Year encourages hope
On Christmas Eve of last year, Pope Francis announced the beginning of a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church. A Jubilee Year is a time for forgiveness, a renewal of faith and reconciliation with others. At Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Mass for the New Year, the community learned about the Jubilee Year’s meaning, and the importance of that meaning to the widespread Jesuit community.
The theme of this Jubilee year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” invites Catholics to focus on spreading hope and good will to all. Liturgy Workshop worked to emphasize this message from the Vatican in this mass.
Jesuit soccer continues to pursue goals (and wins)
The Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity soccer team got out to a stagnant start to the season, but started to gain momentum at the halfway point.
While the early part of the season was marked by five draws and some tough losses in the competitive Sierra Foothill League, the Marauder’s momentum has shifted, as they recently achieved their first two wins against Del Oro and Oakridge. They look to expand on this success as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Jesuit bands to perform at Marauder Mardi Gras
On Saturday, Feb. 8, Jesuit High School Sacramento will be hosting its 15th annual Marauder Mardi Gras, formerly known as the Jazz Dinner. In a night filled with music, entertainment, and delicious desserts, the Jesuit band will be performing throughout the night to show off their skills and to raise funds for the program.
Compared to previous years, this dinner will now be showcasing other parts of the Jesuit band program beyond the jazz section, allowing for an exciting introduction to build up to the main jazz showing.