Cooper Zarro ‘26
Plank Staff, Section Chief
Cooper Zarro ‘26
Attendance (916) 482-6060
Mickey 17: A good balance of comedy and complexity
For years after Bong Joon-Ho’s modern classic “Parasite” released, fans wondered what direction the acclaimed director would take his next film. Now, after years of delays and a messy release schedule, they have their answer. Released on March 7, 2025, “Mickey 17” sees Joon-Ho return to some of his familiar themes – only this time in space. While I don’t think that the film is flawless, it has an intriguing story, compelling themes, and great acting.
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.
Student-Teacher Olympics: the dawn of a new tradition
On Monday, Feb. 24, Jesuit High School Sacramento began its first ever week-long Student-Teacher Olympics. Each day, students faced off against members of the faculty and staff in a new competition to decide who really runs the school.
Monday saw a team of trivia aficionados from each side pit their wits against each other in a game of Jeopardy – the students took this event home with a close win.
Buddhist monks return to spread compassion
For the second year in a row, Tibetan Monks from the Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery in India, visited Jesuit High School Sacramento.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the monks visited as part of their monastery’s Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour, which aims to share the culture and traditions of the Buddhist faith with the world, as well as promote religious unity.
The event consisted of a short prayer service, followed by a lengthier Question and Answer session where students had the opportunity to ask about everything from the monks’ dress code to deeper questions about Buddhist philosophy.
Max Troppmann ’25: jack of all trades, master of all
Is there anything Max Troppmann ’25 doesn’t do? As the founder of the Engineering club, a peer tutor, and a member of Speech and Debate, Mathletes, and wrestling team, Max is entrenched in many parts of the Jesuit High School Sacramento community. On top of these skills, he speaks four languages: English, German, French, and Spanish.
Max’s vast and varied talents make him a unique individual.
Jesuit choirs spread Christmas cheer at Winter Choral Concert
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s three choirs will unite for one of their biggest performances of the year. The men’s choir, concert choir, and chamber choir are welcoming people to attend their joint Winter Concert performance at the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.
The concert will feature all three levels of Jesuit’s choir singing a variety of Christmas-themed pieces – all of which will be tied together by the concert’s theme, “Brightest and Best”.
First Big Red Golf Tournament tees off tomorrow
The First Annual Big Red Golf Tournament takes place on Friday, Oct. 11. The event gives alumni and other members of the Jesuit community the opportunity to connect on the Haggin Oaks MacKenzie golf course. This tournament is several years in the making, and serves as another way for people to support Jesuit.
“The purpose of the Big Red Golf Tournament is to create an annual function where alumni and Jesuit supporters can come have a great time on the golf course, talk about old times and future times, as well as help to support the great institution that is Jesuit,” Coach Morton said. “Mr. [Matthew] Ramos [’05] and Mr. [Hank] Weinberger have wanted to do this for a few years and luckily the time came to make it a reality.”
Looking to help where needed most
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.
Playing for each other, the Legacy of Coach Paul Rose
After 45 years as the head soccer coach at Jesuit High School Sacramento, Coach Paul Rose is retiring from coaching, leaving behind an incredible career that cements him as a titan of high school sports in California.
“Pass the ball,” Jesuit celebrates its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit
At the start of every school year Jesuit high schools and universities all over the world celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, spiritually centering themselves to start the year off strong. Jesuit High School Sacramento celebrated its mass on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
Each year, a set of special rituals are performed during the Mass of the Holy Spirit. At the start of the gathering, School President Jayden Canio ’25 and Vice President Justin Paredes ’25 named every school in Jesuit’s West Province, praying for them. Then, each class president lit his class’s candle, as Jayden and Justin explained the meaning of each class color.
Kicking off, under the lights
A new era of Jesuit High School Sacramento football has arrived. With the move into the Sierra Foothill League and the addition of permanent stadium lights, the atmosphere at home games will never be the same again. The first of these matches, which takes place on Friday, Aug. 30 against Rio Americano High School, is crucial to setting Jesuit off to a good start.
Quarterback Theodore “Teddy” Rios ’26 believes that this highly anticipated game will give the team a chance to prove themselves in a new year.
“[The lights] will just bring another level of energy and excitement before the game,” Teddy said. “The Rio game is going to be really energetic, we’re really pumped, it’s a great rivalry, everyone is super close together at both schools and we’re just trying to go out and make a statement that we’re for real.”
COVID-19 four years later: academic impacts
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has entered our collective rearview mirror, its longer-lasting effects are coming into greater focus.
Opinion: “Dune: Part Two” is a must-watch
With the release of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” (Part Two), audiences across the world sighed a collective breath of relief. Somehow, the sequel to the 2021 film has managed to meet and surpass the near insurmountable weight of expectations it carried before its release. The sci-fi epic changed the world of film forever, and it will be talked about favorably for years to come.
Holy Rollers spares no expense
For more than 50 years, the Holy Rollers Bowling Club at Jesuit High School Sacramento has provided students an outlet for fun and social bowling. The club aims to spread bowling in a non-competitive and welcoming way.
It’s in our blood to donate
Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood. Unfortunately, according to the American Red Cross, the number of blood donors in the country has hit a 20-year low. Blood is needed now more than ever, and thankfully, Jesuit High School Sacramento stepped up to answer the call.
Caleb Dixon ’24: leading by doing, on and off the field
Caleb Dixon ’24 is renowned for his charismatic leadership and his caring heart. As a star football player, a member of the senior retreat team, and president of Black Student Union (BSU), his impact has been felt all over Jesuit High School Sacramento’s campus.
Opinion: “The Creator”: stunning visuals can’t save a mediocre story
Filmmaker Gareth Edwards’s much-anticipated original sci-fi film “The Creator” was released in theaters on Sept. 30, 2023, and it failed to live up to the hype. This movie is disappointing because it feels as cookie-cutter and one-note as the typical blockbuster fare, despite it being one of the few sci-fi movies released in the past few years that is not attached to a series.
“Lessons & Carols” was a resounding success
On Dec. 3 and 4, Jesuit High School Sacramento hosted its 15th annual “Lessons & Carols” performances. The voices of the Jesuit and St. Francis High School chamber choirs joined to fill the Chapel of the North American Martyrs with harmony and hope.
Alex Bertran ’24: a bold leader
Alex Bertran ’24 is a hard worker and a bold leader. The impact that he’ll leave after he graduates will be felt, especially in Jesuit High School Sacramento’s robotics team, where he served as chief operating officer.
“Lessons and Carols”: serve through song
This December, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s chamber choir will continue the decades-long tradition of hosting Lessons and Carols services. These performances are open to the whole Sacramento community and are a great way of getting into the Christmas spirit.
Shadow Days leave a lasting impact
Every year Jesuit High School Sacramento hosts Shadow Days when middle-school students can “shadow” a current Jesuit student to learn what a typical day at Jesuit is like. The impact it leaves remains long after the day is over, and for some Jesuit students, the impact still remains.
Directing the power of stories
For over three decades, English teacher and Drama Artistic Director Mr. Ed Trafton ’84 has inspired students at Jesuit High School Sacramento to create, to perform, and to see stories in a whole new light.
Ms. Laura Spelman brings enthusiasm through language
Spanish teacher Ms. Laura Spelman brings a wealth of experience from places all around the world to Jesuit High School Sacramento.
Club Day comes again
On Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, Jesuit High School Sacramento will hold its annual Club Day, a time when students can learn all about Jesuit’s various clubs.