As the Bosco community transitions into the final quarter of the school year, both students and faculty alike weighed in on surveys to share their thoughts on how the quarter system has positively and negatively affected education during online learning.
One thing many teachers have had to adjust to is the eight-week period as opposed to the previous 16 weeks per semester. Teachers have had to adjust while planning out their lessons or assignments in order to fit them into the shorter schedule. Mr. Flaherty, for instance, has resorted to projects rather than tests and quizzes.
“One thing I have fallen back on, especially during remote learning, is doing a lot of project based lessons, rather than a quiz or a test my students will work on bigger projects that might take longer but overall the assessment of their learning becomes a little more obvious,” said Mr. Flaherty.
On the other hand some teachers are still trying to find that balance when assigning projects, classwork or tests, which is no easy task especially when behind a screen.
“You don’t really know if it’s too much; it’s hard to get a sense of that. You’re trying to teach the same things but you don’t know whether it’s too much or how much everyone can handle,” said Ms. Tracy.
From a student’s perspective, the overall workload is varied depending on the student and classes. Some feel the workload has been the easiest it’s ever been and others feel it significantly amps up at certain points during the semester.
Nicholas Galeana, a Junior in the Computer Science Pathway, feels the workload in his classes has been fairy balanced and manageable.
“My teachers gave me a fair amount of work, nothing too much to stress me. I definitely think it is getting easier to adjust to because we have been online for a while now,” said Nicholas.
Other students have found the workload to be difficult and even overwhelming at times, especially those who participate in extracurricular activities outside of school.
“When we first started, I found myself struggling at times during the quarter especially when I missed a few days for a wrestling tournament. It seemed almost impossible to catch up again since I had missed a couple of days” said senior and Varsity wrestler Jasper Centeno.
Another issue that has sparked some controversy among the Bosco community is the idea of continuity between classes. While seeing the same teachers everyday has its pluses it does not come without a few drawbacks.
“It’s a plus seeing the guys everyday cause there’s some continuity and it’s a challenge because to be dynamic it takes a lot of energy,” said Mr. Cordero.
However, with the removal of a tumbling schedule from previous years it means students aren’t able to rotate between classes and have to wait until the next quarter in order to be in that class again.
“The challenge for some students might be the continuity or the lack of continuity for certain subjects. History for example, we left off in the 1900’s the Gilded Age at Christmas so I haven’t seen those guys for about three months. So that lack of continuity is definitely something that I think that gets broken up a little bit,” said Mr. Cordero
This issue becomes especially apparent in certain subjects such as a language class since there is such a long period of time until students take the class again.
As the Bosco community transitions into its last quarter of the year fatigue and certain challenges such as lack of a break have been apparent in the community.
“I think going from third to fourth quarter you definitely sense that everyone is kinda tired and trying to get that energy up to start all over again is a little more challenging,” said Ms. Tracy.
While most students and teachers share this experience of feeling burnt out after the last quarter. Others feel differently and support the fast transition from third to fourth quarter.
“I think having an extended break can cause some issues because you kind of lose that momentum,” said Mr. Flaherty.
Ultimately it is hard to get a firm grasp on the communities feelings about the quarter system especially during online learning.
Only time will tell how the Bosco community welcomes the quarter system when in person learning is resumed. Until then students and teachers are doing their best to adapt to the new circumstances.
After a long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bosco Football is back, as the Braves are set to take on Sierra Canyon at Panish Family Stadium tomorrow. Despite some new names and younger players leading the team this year, the Braves are still overwhelmingly favored to defend their championship throne.
Aug 25, 2017; Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA; St. John Bosco Braves teammates take to the field prior to the game against the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders at Brian Piccolo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The last time St. John Bosco played in an official game wearing its school uniforms, it was while beating De La Salle High School in the 2019 state championship that also crowned the Braves the undisputed National Champions. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, St. John Bosco were originally scheduled to kick off their season with an opening game against the same Northern California powerhouse De La Salle, but that game was canceled as the pandemic forced the state to shove football back several times.
St. John Bosco will now instead host reigning CIF-SS Division 2 champion Sierra Canyon this Saturday on their home turf looking to show the world they haven’t missed a beat. Last Saturday, St. John Bosco and Damien High School got together at Damien for a scrimmage before both team’s upcoming season openers.
While they spent the first half hour working on special teams and scrimmaged just two quarters, it was worth it for both teams to finally feel what it’s like to trade paint again. It won’t be a full season, but for St. John Bosco High School Head Coach Jason Negro, it’s something to celebrate.
“It was just exhilaration and excitement and I was just so happy for all of the student athletes in California to have an opportunity to get back on to the playing field and to do something they loved,” said Negro in an interview with Spectrum News. “That’s something to really shout about and I’m looking forward to coming out of that tunnel and watching these kids compete.”
St. John Bosco won the Division 1 CIF Southern Section championship in 2019 against Mater Dei, and even though they lost a lot of great seniors from that team, there is enough talent in the pipeline to win a Trinity League title this spring. Bosco sophomore Pierce Clarkson and junior Katin Houser are competing to win the starting quarterback job. Both are Division 1 recruits and both will play this spring.
Clarkson and Houser will be protected by the best offensive line in California led by USC-signee Max Gibbs, UNLV-signee Anton Ambuehl and 2022 four star recruit Earnest Greene. Junior running back Rayshon Luke looked great in St. John Bosco’s scrimmage against Damien last weekend. Tight ends senior Adam Awaida and sophomore Matayo Uiagalelei, as well as senior receiver Jode McDuffie, will be the primary pass catchers this spring for the Braves.
On defense, St. John Bosco brings back a great group of linemen in Uiagalelei and juniors Jairus Satele and Nathan Burrell. Seniors Andrew Simpson, a Kansas signee and Benny Lockhart are the team’s top returning linebackers.
There are no CIF Southern Section playoffs or championships during the COVID-shortened season. Teams can play as many as six games and will finish the weekend of April 16-17, but every team is looking to make the best of the next six weeks playing the sport they love after being away from it for nearly a year and a half.
Senior students from Bosco and St. Joseph’s are invited to a special watch party on Bosco’s campus for Saturday’s Football game against Sierra Canyon. Although there cannot be a physical attendance at the stadium a couple hundred feet away, students can be together on the campus safely. St. John Bosco asks that everyone attending follow the appropriate guidelines.
The event is only for SJ and SJB students and parking is $10, but the event is free for the Class of 2021. It is encouraged for students to carpool safely to the event.
The Braves have a lot of big names at linebacker and in the secondary – but they’re young. Can their freshmen and sophomores on defense rise to the occasion and lead St. John Bosco to a Trinity League title?
by Joshua Hernandez, Editor in Chief and Joaquin Medrano, Managing Editor
The St. John Bosco High School community is one step closer to true normalcy. At the start of 2021, the school opened its doors to students for the first time since its initial shutdown due to COVID-19 in March of 2020, albeit in a much different manner than students and teachers are accustomed to.
Before being allowed to return to campus, students who felt comfortable enough to return to school were subject to showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test as well as agreeing to adhere to the standard protocols set by school officials and local guidelines while on campus.
Amongst the protocols and guidelines those who returned must follow are social distancing, mask-wearing, using sanitizers and following passing period walkways set by the school. Moreover, students are subject to temperature checks upon their arrival to campus.
In addition to this, students who returned to school only go to campus twice a week with specific cohorts, or a designated classroom they must remain in. While the students on campus are doing three of their four classes virtually through Zoom, they are under the supervision of the teacher who is in charge of their specific cohort.
Bosco senior Saul Frausto, who returned to campus to take his period 4 Elementary Statistics class with Mr. Salvador Perez, remains in his cohort with Perez and other students immediately following his arrival to campus in the morning, where he remains and attends his first three classes virtually before the start of his final period, where he is instructed by Perez.
“While there is always that risk of getting COVID, Bosco is following all the right protocols and doing a solid job at taking precautions against any potential outbreak. Of course, things such as following social distancing, wearing masks and extended passing periods with cohort-specific maps and directions to walk help. I definitely feel good going back,” said Frausto.
However, the return to campus is more than just allowing students to feel safe while returning to some semblance of normalcy; it allows some students, such as Senior Ramiro Roque, to be in a space that allows them to focus on their studies and escape the often tough challenge of virtual learning.
“Going back to school in person has been much more engaging than virtual classes for me personally due to the fact that it helps me focus with hands-on learning rather than just staring at a screen for so many hours every day while being tired,” said Roque, who shares a cohort with the aforementioned Frausto.
Without a doubt, St. John Bosco High School is reaping the benefits and bearing the fruit of their labor from the countless investments they have made to ensure the safety of their teachers and students as they return to some sense of normalcy.
The efforts of school officials to execute a flawless reopening plan prompted the local Spectrum News 1 to publicly broadcast and write about how the school has carried out a return to campus in line with local health guidelines. Clearly, the Bosco community has always set a gold standard for surrounding schools and communities, and the reopening plan certainly provides the continuity of excellence.
Furthermore, several changes would have to occur in the next few weeks for reopening to expand at Bosco. For starters, L.A. county has not moved out of the “widespread (purple)” margin in the California tier system. In order for a full reopening to occur, the country should move down to “substantial (red)” tier for at least five days before reopening. The trends in recent weeks, however, project promise.
At the moment, the current cohorts can function in the same manner, as the CDC has declared that small amounts of students can go back for in-person learning with limited staff. Many students at Bosco now have the ability to experience the new garden, lunch options as well as revisiting their favorite places on campus before the school year ends.
News of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially in L.A. county, have allowed for more conversations and acceleration for plans of a safe reopening for the whole student body. Many seniors may have the opportunity to enjoy part of their final moments- prom, graduation, grad night and other activities typical of a normal year.
If numbers start to decrease significantly after the effects of the vaccine start to take place, a pre-COVID era could even be achievable close to the end of the current year. People could return to interact with their peers without the need of an electronic device, while teachers can have the relief of their students learning inside of a classroom, where they can better aid them.
While the coronavirus pandemic left a deep wound in our society, one must never stop holding out hope for a better future where things can go back to “normal.” The school year is not over yet and many changes can happen overnight, even allowing for opportunities such as the full reopening of campus to occur.
In striving to keep tradition going, St. John Bosco’s annual tree lighting goes virtual.
St. John Bosco is staying busy during the Christmas season. The unusual circumstances that we all are facing have definitely put a damper on the year, yet Bosco is not letting that get the best of them.
For obvious reasons, in-person events this year must be kept to a minimum. Because of this, the annual tree lighting that we are typically used to cannot happen on campus. Yet this is a minor issue to overcome for the Braves.
This year, the annual tree lighting is going virtual. Premiering Tuesday, December 15th on YouTube, it will feature the same Christmas cheer we are all used to. Hosted by Student Leadership, the online event will feature the music, entertainment, and good tidings that have occurred in the past events.
Normally, the event would include food, hot cocoa, music performances, and camaraderie within the Bosco community. While the inability to meet together on campus does not allow for all this to happen, the virtual event will be just as entertaining.
The tree lighting will be a great way to finish off the infamous year of 2020. This year has been a first for many things that have occurred within the Bosco community. For the first time ever, Bosco has gone entirely virtual, and has had to adapt to totally unpredictable circumstances.
This event will be a great opportunity for us as a community to come together (as much as possible) before the end of the year and to be grateful for all that we have been blessed with.
You can watch the tree lighting event live at Brave Communications on YouTube. A recording of the event will be available for anyone to watch at any time. Hope everyone enjoys the tree lighting!
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Bosco’s Class of 2021 may not be able to experience Kairos, the well renowned senior retreat which brings the class together and creates memories that last a lifetime.
Kairos is the spiritual trip that the seniors of St. John Bosco High School take every year. The trip is supposed to bring seniors together and is a prime example of the famed Bosco brotherhood. As a 2021 graduate I speak for myself and plenty others when I say that Kairos is something that is very looked forward to. With this year’s unprecedented events, that might not happen.
Earlier this week, Mr. Jaramillo, head of the retreat committee, spoke about the possibility of not having a Kairos retreat this year. When asked about how many Covid-19 cases the city of Bellflower would have to be under for a month, he said that it was “unclear at the moment but that it was most likely the same number for Bosco to have permission to go back to school next semester”.
Furthermore, Mr. Jaramillo also said that the goal was to “have two retreats before the year’s end, and that there was going to be a virtual retreat at the end of January”. Since the old location had been shut down because of a loss of business, and then permanently damaged by the fires earlier this year, a new location would have to be found.
Mr. Jaramillo said that he and the others in charge of the retreat were looking into locations in Orange County where the quarantine guidelines aren’t as strict, as a result of lower Covid-19 cases.
As a member of the very first Kairos retreat, Mr. Jaramillo said that he “couldn’t imagine a year without Kairos”. It is obvious that this hits close to home for Mr. Jaramillo and that he is trying his very hardest to have a retreat for the seniors.
This retreat means something to the Bosco community and for a year to go by without it, it almost seems incomplete. I’m sure that the class of 2021 are hoping that things get better with the virus so that we can have our Kairos.
In what was supposed to soon be the grand reopening for De La Salle and St. John Bosco, kicking off the high school football season in California will have to be delayed once again due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Kobe Pepe (44), leads St. John Bosco onto the field in a trinity league game.
The rematch of last season’s Open Division state championship game, won by Bosco nearly 12 months ago, was scheduled to unfold in Southern California on January 8th.
The announcement last Tuesday has determined that high school football practice in California won’t start until state health officials provide guidelines for youth sports, presumably once COVID-19 cases are flattened once again, thus the De La Salle-Bosco game won’t happen in early January.
De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh said Tuesday that it could, noting that in conversations he’s had with coaches, including Bosco’s Jason Negro, everybody is on the same page.
“Let’s get games in for our kids,” Alumbaugh said. “We’re obviously not playing Bosco on January 8th. There is no way to dive into that type of thing. Obviously, dates are going to have to be shuffled.”
Coach Negro is also doing his part as he wants to give his team some sort of hope that they will play a game this season.
“We are trying to give our boys a glimmer of hope in a time that is so uncertain for all of us, not only in our own state but in our own country,” Negro said.
Neither regional or state championship games will be happening this year as the CIF announced last Tuesday that those games will be removed from the fall calendar because it wants as many students as possible to play as long of a season as possible.
Alumbaugh just wants kids at his school and elsewhere to play, no matter the sport, while Negro is trying to look at the bright side despite it being hard to take some positives from these types of situations.
“As an educator, what I am trying to do is provide the kids with some positivity and let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel. This is just another obstacle in our way of trying to continue to navigate this virus,” said Coach Negro after finding out about the setback.
Just as many schools have, Bosco have gone through conditioning workouts since June, following social-distancing protocols, going through countless temperature checks and separating into pods.
Couple those workouts with pre-pandemic weight training in January and February and Zoom video sessions in the spring, that’s a lot of commitment without playing a single game.
Since March 2nd, the only ones that have been restricted have been the kids.
“I would like for the local and state government to please start communicating a little bit more and to at least start putting some guidelines and restrictions in order so we can be shown a path forward so we can get these kids back into a competitive sport environment,” Negro has pleaded, as he wants an opportunity to show that he and his staff can navigate camp in a safe manner instead of completely shutting them down.
Negro has stated his frustration with the guidance given more than once as he has also said “We don’t get any kind of guidance from the state legislator, our mayor, the governor, the health department and it’s so frustrating for me because I have to try to answer these questions the kids always ask me and I don’t have answers for them.”
The announcement last Tuesday made it clear there won’t be any games until the California Department of Public Health provides guidance.
It has been made clear this isn’t just a learning process for the boys, but for Coach Negro as well as all of what has been happening has all been unprecedented.
As of right now normal field practices will continue as planned for Bosco until December 17th. Starting December 21st, the weight room will begin to be available from freshmen all the way up to varsity
In the meantime, it’s business as usual in the era of coronavirus, such as conditioning in small groups and having more questions than answers.
Without a shroud of a doubt, many fans of the Trinity League and high school football coaches in general hope to see their kids get some action once again. As for the fans of the reigning National Champion Bosco Braves, we most certainly hope to see the Braves back in action against the De La Salle Spartans sometime soon.
For the first time in history, St. John Bosco will light up its 36-acre campus and invite the community to come enjoy a contactless, socially distant Christmas Lights Experience!
The biggest St. John Bosco fundraiser of the long 2020 year has officially begun! St. John Bosco has always been known for their involvement with the community. Some of the main events that they have hosted have been annual Tree Lighting and the Día De Los Muertos celebration.
Due to the Covid-19 guidelines, Bosco has been unable to do many involved community events. This is why this big Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Exhibit is so important. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the new lit up 36 acre campus! Not only will you be able to view the beautiful Christmas lights, but you will also be supporting Bosco Student-Life, as all of the proceeds will go towards the students!
Some are even saying that this Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Exhibit is better than the ones at the Dodger Stadium! Being that this is St. John Bosco’s first time doing something like this, this is a groundbreaking event for us!
This new event is amazing! With new and exciting lights at every corner, and with the Bosco’s very own marching band performing!
The prices start at $60 per car with all of the proceeds going towards the students. Bosco has made sure that the Covid-19 guidelines are being followed. There will be plenty of holiday goodies available for purchase as well!
The next available days for this extravagant event will be on the weekends starting for December 10th to January 3rd. There is always an available time slot for you!
If you are interested in supporting the St. John Bosco students, select what date and time you want to attend by clicking this link and purchasing the tickets! The St. John Bosco students appreciate the community for their contribution.
Different members of our community at Bosco are preparing to make a difference in these season of Benevolenza both locally and internationally.
The Season of Giving just got a little more brighter and joyful! The second opportunity of giving during the Season of Benevolenza has started with the Toy Drive. There will always be a time for you to be able to donate, as there will be toy bins in front of the school until December 17th.
We are approaching the end of the Season of Benevolenza, the season of giving, with the Toy Drive being part of the last event! The Toy Drive has been going on for more than 25 years at St. John Bosco High School, and it is only getting bigger every year.
“[The Toy Drive] is important because it allows us as Braves to reach out to the larger community and share what we have with others. Us Braves, are called to be men of service, and it allows us to actually live it out in a concrete way” said Christian Service Coordinator Mr. John Weinandy
The Season of Benevolenza is more than just giving. It is about the realization that comes out after giving food cans, toys, or blood (prior to Covid). It’s about the smiles that are getting put onto childrens’ faces, the stomachs that are getting filled, and the people that are being saved
“It is always important to give. As Bosco students, we are always called to give”, John Udabe, the Christian Service Chair, said that the Toy Drive is a good way to be selfless.
Just because you cannot go and donate physically, does not mean that you can not practice being Bosco Men of Service. This pandemic has been rough for many, and this has caused some families to have financial struggles. There is always some type of service that we can do at all times.
“We receive so much, but it’s important to expand to the community instead within ourselves, to connect with others,” said Assistant Christian Service Coordinator Brother Quang.
If a $20 toy is too expensive for one person, partner with a few buddies where everyone pitches enough money to buy one gift.
For the people that don’t have the budget, there is always something you can do from home. You can email or talk to a neighbor and ask them how they are feeling, especially during this time of lockdown. Another way to give in service is by reflecting on God’s Scripture. There is always a way to practice being Bosco Men of Service.
“The toy drive is super special because we are helping bring joy into children’s lives. We are impacting people our age or kids younger,” said John Udabe
Last year, the Christian Service team partnered with the South Gate Water Department to give these toys to families in need. The South Gate Water Department Toy Drive is a toy run that has been going on for over seven years and is formed by St. Helen School, themselves, and us! The main goal for them is to help families that are not able to provide a good Christmas for their kids. The Water Department helps these families by putting smiles on children’s faces with a boxload of toys from Santa Clause.
This year, because of the new Covid-19 guidelines, we are unable to go on a big toy run like last year. In fact, we will be donating these toys to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and other families that won’t be able to provide a Christmas for their kids.
Like every year, the toy needs to be new and unwrapped with a price range of $15-$20. Each class will have a specific range of students’ ages for the donation of toys.
Freshmen: Girls ages 1-7
Sophomores: Boys ages 1-7
Juniors: Girls ages 8-16
Seniors: Boys ages 8-16
(Monetary Donations are also welcomed)
In addition to this Bosco Toy Drive, there are other giving drives happening around Bosco.
The Varsity Club is hosting the Blanket Drive for the homeless. There are bins outside of campus ready for collection.
The Spanish Honors Society and Key Club are hosting a masks and shoe covering project. The members of the club are donating boxes of masks and shoe coverings to Spain and Guatemala. In addition to the self donations, they have decided to promote this service project outside of just Bosco and ask small businesses around the community to donate.
The Season of Benevolenza ends on December 17th with the Toy Drive. This does not mean that us as Bosco Braves can’t give. There will be many more opportunities to give in the future! Go out and put a smile on someone’s face. Not only will you make their day, but it can make a difference in your life as well!
The St. John Bosco High School E-sports team is currently on the rise and is already getting eyes looking their way as they have struck a deal with Gamer Company Razer.
SJB Bosco League of Legends team captain Kasen Herroz showing his gratitude to Razer for their generous donation of 50 headphones
Bosco E-sports is a relatively new program who not so long ago weren’t even a club on campus and now have struck a deal with one of the world’s leading lifestyle brands for gamers, Razer.
It has been nothing short of a long road to get to where the program is today and a huge contributing factor to why the program exists is Bosco E-sports Head Coach Gabe Giangualano.
“I had a proposal for the school and next thing we know we had a big fifty player tryout which we narrowed down to twenty and that twenty was ultimately the twenty player roster we carried last season ” said Giangualano.
Razer is a company known for landing huge partnerships as they sponsor Evil Geniuses who are one of the best E-sport teams in the world, UCLA who always have a solid E-sports program and now they’ve partnered with St. John Bosco High School.
Seeson Mahathavorn, a global marketing manager for Razer and a Bosco alumni had seen a post on Facebook regarding how Bosco E-sports was starting up and he couldn’t be happier when he found out the founder of it was his old soccer teammate Coach Giangualano. Once he saw how quickly the program as a whole was growing he reached out to Coach Giangualano about a potential meeting.
“Talent starts at a young age. Kobe got drafted to the NBA from high school, so why can’t the next great E-sports athlete? We don’t believe that age or level of development of a program limits the potential of a player that can be found there. As E-sports has grown we’re seeing that pro level players are being found at all ages and parts of the world. Earlier this year, Razer sponsored their first collegiate E-sports team at UCLA and it’s been amazing so far, even with the current pandemic, so why not go even farther back to where many gamers get their start: high school. As for why St. John Bosco, besides being close to me personally, back in July, my former Bosco Soccer teammate and classmate (c/o ’99), Derek Barraza, reached out to me on Facebook, showing me Bosco’s post about launching their first-ever E-sports Summer [Virtual] Camp. He also mentioned that current Bosco Soccer Coach and c/o ’99 classmate, Gabe Giangualano, was leading all things E-sports and it felt like a great opportunity to support a high school team for the first time ever,” said Mahathavorn.
Giangualano pitched his vision for the program and the two sides managed to reach an agreement which led to Razer donating 50 headsets for Braves to in the Fall 2020 E-sports season.
“It was a match made in heaven, honestly the best E-sports peripheral company in the world says we ‘want you?’ You gotta say ‘of course!” said Giangualano as he hopes the partnership continues for years to come. He went on to say that the program has improved with Razer’s headsets, the BlackShark V2. Currently the Braves are ranked top 10 in League of Legends, #1 in Rocket League, #1 in Smite, and playoff bound with Overwatch and Fortnite. Giangualano is committed to making the Bosco E-sports program a powerhouse.
There is a plan in the works that Bosco E-sports will collaborate an exclusive training conference with UCLA and Evil Geniuses on the Braves campus. With the pandemic these plans have been put on hold but will soon be revisited as soon as the restrictions lift. This conference will allow the Braves to work with professionals and collegiate athletes to hear the strategies and tactics they use in their training regiments. Giangualano is committed to developing high school players the way professional clubs and colleges develop theirs.
“We’re always looking to strengthen all of our partnerships – to help E-sports programs grow, to develop talent, to build character. We’re currently working on a “Path to Pro” type of program where we would utilize all of our sponsored teams: Evil Geniuses at the pro level, UCLA E-sports at the collegiate level, and St. John Bosco at the high school level. It’s currently under construction but would include coaching, mentorships, workshops, friendly scrims, internships, sponsorships, etc where all participants will hopefully benefit from one another both inside and outside of the E-sports world” said Mahathavorn.
Despite the process sounding easy, in reality it was far from it as according to Giangualano it was “a long road to getting E-sports here at the school” and it was “difficult to get the support to get something started”.
This beginning would go back all the way to 2016 as only ten kids showed up for an information meeting on a potential launch which led to nothing.
In 2017 the freshman class had a lot of freshmen who were interested in a program and had to slowly wait out the process for the next big step which finally came in 2018 as “Bosco E-sports” became an unofficial club on campus which was only for fun.
Coach Giangualano saw the potential it had and pushed for it to become an official program alongside current senior Mauricio Contreras.
“I wanted to show people anything can be accomplished as long as you work hard for it” said Contreras.
The dream finally became a reality when in 2019 the school officially approved the program and gave the confirmation to allow five teams within the program.
Not only is each program led by a dedicated coach, but captains are chosen to play a huge role in their respective team as they become the backbone for those teams.
Talent, leadership quality, and inspiration is what goes into the thought process of electing an E-sports captain and Coach Giangualano hopes each captain leads by example and follows these three pillars on a daily basis.
The five programs of Bosco E-sports consist of: Rocket League, Smite, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Fortnite. Each one of those coaches runs their individual team and a normal Bosco E-sport week consists of: practicing three times a week, two days of rest (non consecutive), and two days of competition whether it’s a tournament or a scrimmage.
The Rocket League program consists of a varsity and a junior varsity team. The Bosco Rocket League team can be seen as the highlight of the E-sports program as the Braves sit at #1 in all of California and #1 in the Regional League. The team is led by junior captain Brandon Suiter who is a grand champion status player.
The Rocket League program has had a significant accomplishment as they are the one of the two programs from Bosco to have played against a university, but they are the only program who managed to get a win in their college showcase match.
Cal State Dominguez Hills’ Rocket League program came up short against Braves in what would be one of the biggest victories ever in the young history of Bosco E-sports.
The Smite program consists of seven players in total and is led by captain Lauren Weldon who attends Bosco’s sister school St. Josephs and is the only girl in the whole E-sports program.
“She is doing a really great job keeping the group organized and communicating our strategies, she has natural leadership qualities,” said Giangualano.
Lauren described being part of the Bosco E-sports program as a “win-win” because she finally had a good excuse to be playing video games on a daily basis while representing not only SJB, but St. Josephs as well being the only girl there.
“I don’t really see it as a big deal to me, because at the end of the day we’re all there for one common goal which is to play video games” said Weldon.
Lauren stressed to all the St. Joseph girls, if they feel E-sports is something that they might have a passion for or is something they want to try they should follow her footsteps and just “go for it”.
The League of Legends program is the second program of two to have played against a college level team. They took part in a scrimmage the week prior to the Rocket League victory in which they also faced Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The scrimmage was a best out of three series and each series came down to the last plays making every series a nail biter. Domininguez Hills narrowly escaped with the victory.
The League of Legends program is slowly bouncing back as they lost several notable seniors last year, but are on the right track as they currently hold a 6-2 record in league play.
The Overwatch program is looking solid as it’s a split of upperclassmen and lowerclass men giving a “youngbloods” and “veterans” vibe which could end up being a huge factor in their potential success. The Braves are currently waiting to snatch up a wildcard playoff spot in their inaugural Overwatch season.
Bosco’s Fortnite program is always eager to improve. They’ve had recent success in they’re scrimmages and the coaches as a whole couldn’t be more prouder than the performances of all their teams. They are confident all three teams will lock up playoff spots and head into December on a hunt for a title.
The Bosco E-sports program stays on the grind as they’re always available to watch on a weekly basis on Twitch and Youtube starting at 4:00 PM. You can find them on twitch at StJohnBoscoHSesports.
The Fortnite team streams Monday on YouTube while Smite is streaming on Twitch. The League of Legends team will be streaming on twitch on Tuesday while on Wednesday the Overwatch team takes over. Thursday gets busier as Rocket League varsity and junior varsity can be found headlining on twitch. Friday will usually be whatever scrimmage the program as a whole can muster up and will also live streamed on YouTube.
Saturday isn’t a rest day by any means as the gamers are up and ready to go in they’re households by 6:00 AM for morning practice.
Not only do the Braves work hard on their PCs, but are also very hard workers in the classroom as Coach Giangualano can’t stress time management enough. All students are required to take a time management workshop that helps players and families budget their time.
“One of the things we strive for as a program is Academic Excellence. All players are given a calendar to stay organized and budget their time for the week. The last thing we want is for E-sports to occupy all of our time. It’s very easy for that to happen. The calendar, the time management workshop and parent expectations make for a successful student. It’s when that discipline falls by the waist side do we see declines in grades like with any sport.” said Giangualano.
A future goal for Bosco E-sports is saving money in order to improve their computer lab making it an official E-sport lab dedicated just to E-sports which will finally be the first place all Bosco gamers can call home. This will allow the program to continue to take baby steps in being successful while also building for the future.
While most schools currently offer few game titles, players are found playing multiple game titles throughout the week. The Braves have cut this down and defined the players to a single game title E-Athletes. Meaning players usually only focus on one game title throughout the season. This approach dedicates the player to that particular focus and prevents chaos, burnouts, and loss of passion for a specific game.
Overall, the goal for Bosco E-sports is to “convert kids from gamers to E-sporters” as Coach Giangualano knows from experience who is a “gamer” and who is an “E-sporter”.
“Gamers are kids who want to play a game, but want to play it on their time and their time only. E-Athletes are kids who are committed to improving each and every single practice session, listen to their coaches, and always do what’s best for the team” said Giangualano.
Coach Gabe went on to say that his new E-sports club, Game Knights Youth E-sports Academy is about to open up for public tryouts this December. “It’s the best way to develop kids ages 8-18. I was approached by some parents who wanted their kids to be a part of my program but weren’t Braves. At Game Knights, we believe building the kids up at a younger age will produce a much more serious and competitive player and prevent or stop bad video game habits as we bring discipline to that chaos,” said Giangualano. You can get more information on Game Knights at gameknightsesports.com.
As for Razer, they’re aware Bosco has all the tools to become as successful as possible and will more than happily continue to support Bosco E-sports as long as they stay on the right path trending towards an upward direction.
“We’re always working on growing and supporting the E-sports ecosystem, from sponsoring gear to promising teams and individuals to initiatives that give aspiring E-sports players a taste of playing in big tournament type and even wellness programs on how to take care of yourself while grinding to become the best of the best. Stay tuned for more announcements coming your way” said Mahathavorn.
The future looks very bright indeed as Bosco E-sports are on a mission to become not only one of the best programs on campus, but one of the best programs in the state of California, and very soon one of the best programs in the nation.
Attention Braves! Attention Braves! One of the latest additions to the Saint John Bosco community is Ms. Yesenia Moreno, our newest counselor, take some time to know more about her!
Q. What college did you attend?
A. I attended the University of San Diego for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Q. What was your major/minor in College?
A. I majored in Psychology and double minor in Theatre Arts and Spanish.
Q. What high school did you attend?
A. I attended Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School.
Q. Are you from California, if not where are you from?
A. Yes, I am from California. Born and raised in Montebello.
Q. If there was any place in the world you could travel, where would you go?
A. The next place I would love to visit is New Zealand. I have been interested in visiting since high school but have not had the opportunity to visit yet.
Q. How long have you been a counselor?
A. This is my first official job as a counselor.
Q. What is the best part of counseling?
A. Developing relationships and being a support to others.
Q. What is the hardest part of counseling?
A. A challenge to counseling is the stigma. Mental health and asking for help are both things that are often looked down upon. It’s important to remember that we are never alone in any situation. Someone is always available to support and provide guidance.
Q. Why did you become a counselor?
A. Since high school, I have wanted to help people but I wasn’t sure how. While in college I found that I really liked psychology and had the idea to become a psychologist. However, while I was studying abroad on Semester at Sea, I felt that I would be of more use at a school where I would be readily available to students and be able to support them in developing persona/social, academic, and career goals.
Q. Did you have a different job other than counseling? If so, what were your jobs before you were a counselor?
A. Before I started my graduate program to become a counselor, I worked in a few different offices in the division of University Advancement at USD. The role I held the longest was as Gift Coordinator where I assisted in processing donations made to USD. The last job I had was as a Care Coordinator for Children’s Institute Inc. where I assisted with connecting families we supported at 3 school sites to food, mental health, rent, and many other resources.
Q. Was being a counselor a dream job of yours?
A. Yes! Becoming a high school counselor has been my dream job and I am so grateful that I have reached it.
Q. Do you watch sports and if you do what is your favorite sport and team and player?
A. I do like watching sports but I don’t have any favorites. I’ll watch whatever game my brothers put on (typically football, soccer, basketball, hockey) but I really enjoy going to a game in person and knowing who the players are so I’m looking forward to attending SJB sports games!
Q. What is your favorite movie?
A. My favorite movie is My Neighbor Totoro because it reminds me of my childhood.
Q. What is your favorite genre of music?
A. I listen to a variety of music but in general pop music.
Q. What is your favorite type of food?
A. My favorite type of food is Mexican because it means home to me.
Q. What are some of your favorite shows?
A. I really like Queer Eye, On My Block, Derry Girls, and Never Have I Ever.
Q. What is your favorite season?
A. Summer because I’m able to get outside, travel more freely and go to the beach.
Q. What is your favorite holiday?
A. Christmas is my favorite holiday because of the delicious foods and traditions my family has around this holiday.
Q. In school what was your favorite subject?
A. In school I liked subjects based on the teachers and how fun they made the class. I’ve always enjoyed Literature classes because I enjoy learning about people’s stories.
Q. What is your favorite hobby?
A. I like listening to podcasts. I listen to a wide variety of podcasts from true crime to creating a caring community. For me, podcasts are a way for me to hear stories and learn new things similar to reading but I can do it while driving or cleaning.
Q. Do you have any pets? If so, what is your pet, if not what pet would you like to have?
A. I do not have any pets. I would like to have a dog preferably a labradoodle.
The Brave News 