by Aydn Morris

Mr. Adan Jaramillo will serve as Bosco’s principal for the remainder of the school year. It has been quite the journey for Mr. Jaramillo, who is a Bosco alum and has served in numerous capacities as a faculty member over the past few years.

Mr. Jaramillo was the youngest Vice Principal in Bosco history and is now the youngest Principal Bosco has ever had. Being a young principal helps him relate with the students more on their situations and challenges throughout their high school experience.

Mr. Jaramillo is very motivated to take the intern principal role despite the fact that it wasn’t something he was working toward getting. What motivated Mr. Jaramillo to take up the role as Interim Principal were the students, teachers, staff and parents. He was motivated because of the excitement and honor he was given for this opportunity to serve the community even more than he already has.

Mr. Jaramillo wants to give the Bosco Salesian experience to all of the students. Clearly, he has a vision for the school, which is to give all the students their social, emotional and educational needs by treating every kid with care and attention. He also envisions making Bosco known for their inclusive education and school opportunities.

When Mr. Jaramillo was Vice Principal, he took on the challenge of the dress code and grooming system, making his mark by allowing it to be a little bit more free, so that kids wouldn’t have to give up their nationalities or cultural customs to look a certain way. He wanted to enhance the dress code by figuring out if hair and uniform would distract education, while also bringing a sense of discipline. The uniform policies enacted by Mr. Jaramillo gave students the opportunity to say that they have a voice and have the ability to be themselves on campus.

Furthermore, Mr. Jaramillo wants to allow kids of any type of income, background or culture to be able to attend St. John Bosco, not solely who he thinks deserves to be a part of the school. He wants to be able to include the boys in any decision the school makes and also being able to hold teachers accountable by giving evaluations throughout the year to see how well leadership and staff members are doing. 

Mr. Jaramillo was born in Bellflower, grew up in South Gate and raised in Los Angeles. He was supposed to go to a Salesian high school in Los Angeles known as LA Cathedral, but he would always drive by Bosco and his dad told him he was going to go to the school, so that is what he did.

Mr. Jaramillo has been a part of St. John Bosco for 20 years, dating back to the 2000-2001 school year when he was a freshman. He has also been a part of the Salesian world since he was five years old, meaning he has been involved with all things Salesian for nearly three decades. His Brother Eddy Jaramillo also went to Bosco, graduating as part of the class of 2002.

Mr. Jaramillo started teaching at Bosco when he was 24 years old, with current Bosco teachers Mr. Avila and Mr. Alvidrez being amongst his first students. He taught seniors at the time, instructing the History of Los Angeles class, Economics and Government. After that, he became a Dean, then the Dean of Activities, Campus Minister and Vice Principal. He never had any aspirations or thought of what he was going to do or be in the Bosco community, but he watched and admired Mr. Linares and Coach Griffin due to their professionalism, reputations, work ethics, responsibility and the way they cared for their students.  

What inspires Mr. Jaramillo is his wife and his two-year-old son, who he plans to send to St. John Bosco in the future. They inspire him because Mr. Jaramillo wants to be a role model for his son the same way his dad was a role model to him. Mr. Jaramillo’s wife works at St. Dominic Savio and they have been married for five years. 

“Me and my wife crossed paths in Mexico at a camp and never even noticed it. When we figured out that we had both been at the same camp at the same time, it was one of the greatest moments of realization,” said Mr. Jaramillo. 

The former principal, Dr. Christian DeLarkin, was a great leader for St. John Bosco. He was a part of the Bosco community for seven years after being the former Principal of Serra High School in Gardena. Dr. DeLarkin has moved on to serve as President of St. Pius-St. Matthias Academy in Downey. 

Mr. Jaramillo was great friends with Dr. DeLarkin and admired the patience he had. The impact Dr. DeLarkin made during his time at Bosco was certainly noticeable and appealed to Mr. Jaramillo.

“Dr. Christian De Larkin always had time for someone; he never told anyone no. Christian is a very good person. He would always be there for you and listen to you and have an open heart, which I find very fond of him,” said Mr. Jaramillo.

Mr. Jaramillo appreciated that Dr. DeLarkin always seemed to be there for somebody. The day Mr. Jaramillo’s wife went into labor, he called his brother first to tell him the news. But, his brother never answered, so he called Dr. DeLarkin and started confiding in him, to which Dr. DeLarkin asked him to pray.

When former Bosco Head of Security Mr. Ismael “Ish” Fernandez passed away in February, Mr. Jaramillo recalls Dr. DeLarkin acting with true leadership and professionalism in the face of tragedy.  

“When Ish passed, Dr. DeLarkin had been shocked, but he then proceeded to handle the Bosco community well by sending out an email and telling everyone the tragic news, even while mourning his death,” said Mr. Jaramillo.

Mr. Jaramillo also admired Dr. DeLarkin’s resilience, passion and love he had for others, as well as taking time and getting to know them. The St. John Bosco community appreciates everything Dr. De Larkin has done and wishes him the best of luck. Now, here’s to the future with Mr. Jaramillo!

by Andrew Fierro

Mr. Rummel Requerme becomes one of the newest additions to the Bosco community. Find out a little more about him!

Q: What college did you attend?

A: I attended UCLA. Go Bruins!

Q: What did you study?

A: I switched my major a few times but landed on Biology. So I guess you can say I’m a powerhouse…of the ‘self’.

Q: Favorite music, artist or genre?

A: It really depends on the time of day, but I’ve always found myself coming back to either John Mayer or Bruno Mars.

Q: Favorite color or colors?

A: Always has been blue. Go Braves!

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Back to the Future, hands down. Who doesn’t love this movie?!

Q: What you like most about teaching?

A: Having the opportunity to not only have a voice but actively give others a voice when going through lessons. I guess the boys are alright, too…sometimes.

Q: What do you like most about Bosco?

A: The snacks in the Teacher’s Loun-  I mean the students and faculty. 

Q: Favorite place to eat?

A: You can never go wrong with some Chipotle or McDonald’s.

Q: Canes or Chick Fil A?

A: Raising Cane’s. Chicken tenders for daysssssss!

Q: Favorite sport and favorite team?

A: Basketball, LOS LAKERSSS (although that loss to the Mav’s really hit me deeply)

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: I’ve always been conflicted on this one. I love some New Girl, but Big Bang Theory & Modern Family come in real close. 

Q: Favorite video game if you have one?

A: Fortnite. Aha I’m kidding. Probably the Uncharted Series on Playstation. 

Q: How has it been teaching through ZOOM and then only a handful of students in person?

A: It’s been real tough, not going to lie. But the students have been really on top of it, even more than me, and been enthusiastic since Day 1. It’s always nice to see their happy, but mostly tired, faces nevertheless. 

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: This is actually my first year teaching. I’ve led leadership programs and mentored in the past though. 

Q: Where are you from if not California?

A: I am from a sad place called Victorville. However, I did grow up in Downey and even went to Alameda/Carpenter until I moved when I was 10

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a teacher? 

A: My mom has been an elementary school teacher her whole life so I’ve been subliminally influenced by her. I learned to be vocal and helpful from her and to be childish and silly from my dad. So, I’ve always dreamed of providing that type of environment for students (since all my teachers were really strict and not funny).

Q: Dogs or cats?

A: I owned a Turtle. I know that doesn’t answer the question, but I thought I’d let you know. What was that? Answer the question? Okay okay…dogs. 

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: I like playing and writing music during my free time. I do like playing video games when I have the time. Traveling was big for me before the pandemic but the commute to Bosco is a great adventure in and of itself.

Q: Do you have a favorite holiday?

A: Christmas, man. Something about the season and the energy that really makes you FEEL happy and peaceful. Christmas music is also universal throughout the entire year and really gets you hyped.

Q: What made you decide to come to Bosco?

A: The atmosphere; it’s unlike any other school. As you can tell, the faculty and staff really emphasize the need of being a leader more than strictly a teacher. That’s a necessity in any environment, but a lot of schools lack that. So I would say the principles and values of Bosco is what really drew me to it.

Q: If you could vacation anywhere in the world where would you go?

A: Iceland. I really want to check out their system for clean energy and the dozens of things that their culture has that really differentiates themselves from other countries. I’ve also heard their chocolate is fire.

by Ryan Tavera

The annual mother and son mass and breakfast celebrates the special bond between mothers and sons in these times of confusion and uncertainty to uplift all members of the Braves family.

Despite continuous setbacks due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual mother and son breakfast was celebrated on April 25, 2021, hosted in the Saint John Bosco quad. Thanks to the contribution of facuity and the parents association, the Bosco community was able to honor all hard-working mothers that are a part of the Bosco community. 

The event consists of students and their mothers participating in mass together, following a gathering in the quad to celebrate with friends and family, while enjoying a selection of staple breakfast items and music. 

Director of Enrollment Management Mrs. Becky Ellison feels that the event highlights the idea of togetherness and celebrating the relationship between parents and their son within the Bosco community. 

“Parents are the primary teachers always. The Salesian way of teaching is really about accompaniment and that’s not just with your teachers it also with your parents. I think it’s really important because it celebrates students’ relationships with their families,” said Mrs. Ellison. 

This idea that the relationship between mother and son can be so crucial and important in a young man reaching adulthood is something that must be cherished and celebrated. Vice President of Advancement, Ms. Amy Krisch shares this same sentiment and feels the event highlights that exactly.

“Our mothers play such a big role in how the school forms the young men into a Bosco man and their such a critical piece of it. The bond between a mother and son is just so important and it’s important for you guys as students to be able to continue to have that bond with your mom,” Ms. Krisch said.  

While the event highlights that strong and valuable connection between mothers and their sons, the event also showcases Bosco’s strong sense of community and togetherness. As seen throughout this challenging last months, Bosco families have established a community effort to get through several obstacles, while highlighting what it means to be a Bosco Brave.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, the event was much more spaced out and separated, in order to maintain COVID-19 safety precautions. However, the event still managed to captivate that sense of a welcoming and loving atmosphere that the Bosco community provides. 

Thanks to the determination and persistence of faculty and the parents association alike, the event was an extraordinary success. Parents such as Mariah Ruiz, Allie Arredondo, and Veronica Figueroa have given it their all in order to see the event come to fruition. The perseverance and service of the Bosco community truly highlights the sense of community and commitment that being a Brave is all about, giving families hope, that not even a great disaster can destroy the bond established among the Bosco community. 

by Pedro Ochoa

Bosco is a home, a school, a church and a playground.  One person who embodies all those elements on our campus is Bosco alumnus, Mr. Fernando Avila, who will be stepping into a new role for the rest of the 2020-2021 academic school year.

Mr. Avila, from the Bosco class of 2013, became the new interim Dean of Students last month for the rest of the academic school year. After graduating from St. John Bosco High School, Mr. Avila chose to come back to his Alma Mater to teach. Mr. Avila has had multiple roles in the short amount of time that he has been at Bosco. He has been an AP teacher multiple times, the Activities Director, an ASB moderator and now Dean of Students. After accumulating a ton of experience in just a short time, Mr. Avila stepped into the new role seamlessly.

With so many obstacles being thrown at St. John Bosco High School, Mr. Avila and the administration have found ways to get through it. One challenge beyond COVID-19 this school year has been the shifting of leadership within the school’s administration. 

With the easing of L.A. County Public Health restrictions, Bosco was able to offer all students a chance to come back on campus. With the shift of leaderships positions, such as Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt’s new role as Bosco’s Dean of Academics and Mr. Adan Jaramillo as interim Principal, Mr. Avila stepped into Mrs. Hunt’s previous role of Dean of Students, while also maintaining his teaching status. 

When one graduates from Bosco, it really isn’t a goodbye, but a “see you later.” Mr. Avila graduated from Bosco and came back to work right after high school in the summer program. He then came back to teach four years later after graduating from Cal State Long Beach.

The St. John Bosco High School administration has gone through multiple obstacles that called for specific measures. The global pandemic and the departure of former Principal, Dr. Christian De Larkin, left some pieces to be filled within the school. Mr. Avila took this new step in his career because he has always been open to trying to help the school to the best of his ability. Whenever there is a need, Mr. Avila is one to put himself out there to help Bosco be the best it can be. 

“This isn’t just a job. I want to be here everyday. A part of this vocation is putting myself in a position to help the Bosco boys out,” said Mr. Avila.

Despite already dealing with enough of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Avila took on his new responsibilities as Dean of Students. One of Mr. Avila’s main goals is to promote school conduct and show the Bosco Braves that it really is not a punishment to go to the Deans, but advice for the future. 

“The whole perception of a Dean is a little mixed up. We want guys to uphold the student handbook. If there is an issue that gets brought up multiple times, maybe the policy that is enacted needs to get a further review,” said Mr. Avila. 

The transition from Activities Director to Dean of Students is a very big change for not only the administration, but for the students. 

“I am really happy for him,” said senior Hector Andrade. “It just seems weird seeing him with the new title of Dean of Students. I am used to seeing him as [Activities Director].”

Mr. Avila is still the same Mr. Avila that everyone knows and loves, there is just a different title in front of his name now. 

“I’m a pretty laid back person. The change in position is all about the approach. It is not about coming down on guys and getting them in trouble, but about life lessons and growth,” said Mr. Avila.

Mr. Avila knows exactly what the dean’s office feels like, especially at St. John Bosco High School. During his four years at Bosco, Mr. Avila actually went to the dean’s office because he thought a small prank would be funny. He did not get a punishment, but a life lesson as to why he should become a better man. He definitely listened to his former dean, current assistant football coach and math teacher Jacob Negro.