Category Archives: Life of a Brave

Life of a Brave: 21 Questions With New Theology Teacher And Campus Minister

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Owen Stelzer, co-Sports Editor

Mr. Sergio Esparza, a former teacher at St. Joseph’s High School joins the St. John Bosco staff as a theology teacher and Campus Minister, looking to enhance the spiritual lives of the students at our institution. 

Photo by Owen Stelzer

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Inglewood, CA

Q: What high school did you go to?

A: St. Bernard High School

Q: What college did you attend and what did you study?

A: LMU, and I studied Theology and Studio Arts with an emphasis on photography.

Q:How long did you teach at St. Joseph’s?

A: 10 years

Q:What brought you to Bosco?

A: I really like what Bosco is about. I think it’s [Don Bosco’s] Preventative System. It’s unheard  of anywhere, especially in an all0boys school. I think everyone tries to mimic what were doing here.

Q:What is the difference between teaching here and St. Joseph’s?

A: I think this campus has more to offer besides athletics. I think that being a part of a community has so much to offer is a great way to elevate everyone, not just our students, but every fabric of this campus.

Q: What does it mean to you to be apart of the “Bosco Brotherhood”?

A: I think brotherhood means you can horse around and joke around with your brothers. I grew up in a house of just boys, just me and my brothers. All my cousins, the majority of them, are all guys. It’s always this idea of friendly competition, trying constantly trying to outdo each other. But that helps each other be better. I think the brotherhood is about igniting in the spirit of each other to be the best version of ourselves. And obviously, there will be moments, hard times, challenges, but how we overcome those challenges is what defines us.

Q:Did you play any sports growing up?

A: I played soccer, ran cross country and played volleyball on the court and beach volleyball.

Q:What are your favorite sports teams?

A: For the English Premier League, my favorite would be Arsenal. For the US soccer teams, it would be LAFC. Obviously the Dodgers for baseball. Hockey: Kings. Those are the sports I really watch. My rugby team, to all my Pacific Islanders – I’m sorry, but I studied a semester in New Zealand – my favorite rugby team is the All Blacks of New Zealand.

Q:What is your favorite food to eat?

A: My favorite food is whatever my mom makes, but Mexican food: authentic Mexican.

Q:What is your favorite TV show?

A: Rick and Morty

Q: Who is your favorite band?

A: I think Soda Stereo. It’s Spanish rock.

Q: Outside of school what do you like to do in your free time?

A: I like going to the gym for four hours a day. I have three dogs, so I like to take my dogs for runs. And if I have free time, I’ll go surfing.

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

A: Morocco because they have the biggest spice market, and I want to be able to buy some spices.

Q: If you could time travel, what time period would you go to?

A: I would probably travel back to this early ’60s, so I can buy stocks and buy stocks for everything that didn’t exist yet.

Q: What would you want students to take away from your classroom?

A: What I want them to take from my religion classes is that theology is not just going to church and doing church stuff. It’s the last part of when we go to Mass. The priest says, “Go forth. Mass has ended.” We all say, “Thanks be to God,” because that’s what it really means – for us to go outside and really change the world.

Q:How is your theology class unique?

A: I have a methodology. It’s called the Pastoral Circle Methodology. It’s been around since ’80s, but no one really uses it.

Q: What led you to teaching a subject like religion?

A: I started teaching catechism when I was 15 in my parish. I had about 48 kids from Lenox Public Schools who were going through their Baptism and First Communion, and I was teaching them about the faith. I think that’s where it sparked. It wasn’t like trying to shove information down their throat. It was more about like, “Hey, let’s work on being a better version of ourselves, little by little.” I think that’s what was intriguing to me.

Q: If you weren’t teaching, what would you be doing?

A: I would probably have taken the offer from National Geographic to be a photographer and just travel around the world and sit in some tree and wait for some rare animal to walk by so I can capture the picture for it.

Q: What is a personal achievement you are most proud of?

A: Having my first art show at 20 years old at LMU’s first art gallery and selling all my artworks within six months of my show.

Q:Do you have any motivational quote or motto that you live by?

A: People in this world were only focused on the negative things we do, never the good things. So let’s be amazing and do a bunch of great things.

Q:What is something you are most looking forward to for your time at Bosco?

A: That all the students at Bosco accept me as a brother to them on this campus, not only as a mentor or a guide, but to see me and to see Campus Ministry as a place that they can always go to.

Q:What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?

A: I think it’s just when the student has an “aha” moment. When they’re just like, “Oh, what?” Their mind gets blown, and they’re just like, “Okay, I get it.“


Life of a Brave: St. John Bosco Welcomes Back 2021 Alumnus, Loyola Marymount University Graduate

Posted on by One comment

by Josue Sanchez, co-Editor-in-Chief

Mr. Joshua Hernández, alumnus of the St. John Bosco class of 2021, has returned to Bosco just three years later as an English teacher, bringing in a fresh perspective when teaching his freshman, sophomore and junior students.

Photo by Josue Sanchez, co-Editor-in-Chief

Mr. Hernández’s Bosco journey started in 2017, when he passed through the school walls for the first time as a freshman. He said that he had a few options when it came to picking a high school—Loyola High School from Los Angeles being the main option. However, Bosco prevailed against the other options due to the sense of community here.

“When I toured here at Bosco, I felt at home,” said Mr. Hernández. “As soon as I toured Bosco, I went home and told my mom. I was like, ‘That’s where I’m going.’”

He noted that the interactions between students and teachers played a big role—the authenticity of these interactions were very important to him.

He also participated in a variety of the programs that Bosco has to offer. He participated in the Bosco Football team, the Spanish Honors Society, the Student Ambassadors program and, notably to him, the Academic Decathlon program. He even served as the Editor-in-Chief of this very publication, The Brave News. All of these experiences and activities served as learning experiences for Mr. Hernández, who stated that he grew in ways that he wasn’t initially expecting.

“I kind of look back and realize how much I grew each year at Bosco,” said Mr. Hernández. “It was a culmination of the experiences. Football brought me discipline. Academic Decathlon really broadened my world perspective, and [the Student Ambassadors program] taught me how to be personable with people.”

One of his recurring teachers as a student was Mrs. Michelle Tracy, a current teacher in the English Department. She taught him during his freshman and senior years.

“He was one of the best people as far as participating in class. Despite being at home [during the COVID-19 pandemic], he did make a lot of contributions to our discussions,” said Mrs. Tracy. “I appreciated that a lot because that was a hard time for us teaching online.”

After graduating from Bosco in May 2021, Mr. Hernández moved on, choosing to continue his studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles. This was not his only option; he considered a variety of colleges, including the University of Connecticut, University of California, Berkeley and others. However, according to him, the final choice was motivated by many factors.

“I felt like I needed to be there for my family,” said Mr. Hernandez. “I could have easily made the decision to be selfish. I was really close to committing to [the University of Connecticut], but I felt like I had unfinished business here at home.”

At LMU, he met a variety of friends and continued his educational involvement in many ways.

“I was a Student Ambassador for two years, and I was the Vice President of two clubs,” said Mr. Hernández.

He was also a supervisor at the campus gym and continued to improve his writing capabilities as a tutor. Mr. Hernández’s most important takeaway from his time at LMU is the idea that not everyone learns in the same way.

“Growth is not linear; we all grow in different ways. I’m no different than any other college student who spends four to five years in college,” he said. “Growth is day-by-day, year-by-year, month-by-month, and I think what matters is that as long as you’re growing, you’re doing something positive.”

After two and a half semesters, Mr. Hernández graduated from LMU, majoring in Political Science with a minor in English Language and Literature.

Mr. Hernández’s original plan was to continue on to law school. However, becoming a teacher at Bosco was a great opportunity for him, and he felt that he should get involved with this vocation.

“When I was first approached about the job and about applying for it, I couldn’t pass it up,” said Mr. Hernández. “[St. John Bosco] is home to me. I feel extremely dedicated to the school and the community.”

The community and culture has remained relatively unchanged in his view. He still interacts with the same people and communities that he used to talk to as a student. Now, the only change is that he is a teacher, rather than a student—something which he originally did not expect.

“It feels almost like a simulation,” said Mr. Hernández. “It’s not really the fact that I’m still young—it’s also the fact that I never thought about teaching to begin with, nonetheless teaching at Bosco.”

His path, in his view, was unexpected—but one that he is willing to continue.

Mr. Hernández also plans to bring in his background as a student and political science major into his teaching. His experience at LMU has opened his eyes to the pressures and challenges faced by many students. All of these challenges, according to him, are unique, and he hopes to help each one of his students with them.

“Now, I have much more respect for teaching as a vocation and as a profession,” said Mr. Hernandez. “[My students] are kids with dreams, aspirations and temptations that they’re not always going to overcome.”

“I view students as actors, too. We are all actors within a classroom. We each have defined roles, but just because I am a teacher and have the expertise, while the students are just learners, that doesn’t mean we can’t all contribute.”

“He involves certain events that we’re familiar with,” said student Tucker Dodson, a student in one of Mr. Hernández’s freshman English classes. ”He is really just a very chill teacher, and I really enjoy his class.”

Mr. Hernández has also been interested in the language arts from the very beginning—he loves to write and read, even helping his peers and family with any questions they have. As a teacher, he hopes to develop these skills amongst his students.

“I just want them to be critical thinkers, especially with the world that we live in today,” said Mr. Hernández. “People are very misinformed, misguided, immoral, unprincipled. And so I want [my students] to walk out of my class in a way that they can challenge not just their own views, but the views of the people around them and do it in a manner that is educated and that is back up by fact, not just hearsay or fiction or stuff that’s in their head.”

“I think he really takes seriously what he’s doing,” said Mrs. Tracy. “I know that he’s been very thoughtful in his planning and trying to do the best job that he can, and I think he feels comfortable here at Bosco.”

The way he teaches also emphasizes the abilities of his students. He emphasizes a no devices environment in his classes, ensuring that his students can learn to be better thinkers, writers and readers. He emphasizes a tough-love environment in order to help his students improve.

“If they’re talking in class, I’ll be hard on them,” said Mr. Hernández. “That’s the type of mentorship and leadership that these guys need in their life.”

“They also know that I’m there for them. I don’t want them to struggle. I want them to just have a good high school life.”

Life of a Brave: 21 Questions With History Teacher Mr. Steve Caudillo

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Nicholas Valenzuela

Mr. Steve Caudillo, an alumnus of St. John Bosco High School, joined the school’s faculty last year to give back to the place that has given so much to him.

Photo by Nicholas Valenzuela

Q: Do you prefer cats or dogs?

A: I grew up with a wonderful cat, but now I really enjoy having dogs.

Q: As a student, what was your best subject?

A: History, of course!

Q: What is the biggest difference you see between your time as a Bosco student and your time as a Bosco teacher?

A: So much has changed since my days as a student at Bosco. Pay phones, Rosie’s “roach coach,” lockers and the 440-yard dirt track are all gone. Yet, despite these changes, the heart and soul of SJB remain the same.

Q: What teacher or coach had the biggest impact on you?

A: Several teachers had a profound impact on my life during my time as a student at Bosco. Mr. O., my history teacher, as well as Coach [Joe] Griffin, Coach [Jack] Hastert, and Coach [Tim] McIntosh.

Q: Where did you go to school for your degree?

A: I started at San Jose State, but transferred to Cal State Dominguez because of a family emergency. 

Q: What year did you graduate high school, and what year did you graduate college?

A: 2006 and 2012.

Q: What jobs did you have before teaching at Bosco?

A: I worked various jobs, teaching at numerous schools, working at a car parts store, running a business networking association and selling auto insurance.  

Q: Why did you decide to pursue a future in teaching?

A: I’ve always wanted to teach because I enjoy working with young people. My hope is to encourage and support them just as I was supported when I was a student here.

Q: Where did you work before here?

A: I was running a networking association in Long Beach and substitute teaching/coaching.

Q: Why did you decide to come back to Bosco to teach?

A: Bosco has always been home to me. I have been coaching here on and off since 2009. Bosco gave me so much, and I wanted to give back.

Q: Why did you decide to coach track?

A: I fell in love with track as a high school athlete, running for Coach McIntosh and seeing our hard work pay off with league titles. When I came back from San Jose State, Coach McIntosh offered me a position on his staff.

Q: Why do think that it’s important to learn history?

A: Whether it’s world cultures, American history, or our own family stories, learning history is essential. We study and share it to help guide our future actions.

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?

A: Dodgers & Cowboys.

Q: What is your favorite period so far this year, and why?

A: I love them all—each with their unique personality. It’s been a joy getting to know them better.

Q: Why do you think kids like hanging out in your room during breaks and lunch?

A: Probably because I have a microwave.

Q: If you could have lunch with one person from history, who would it be and why?

A: Johnny Carson: The King of Late Night.

Q: What is your favorite century in history to read or teach about?

A: Twentieth century California.

Q: What is your favorite band, artist and song?

A: I’m all over the place, from Mozart to 2Pac. My main go-to is rock though. 

Q: What’s your favorite cuisine?

A: I love Japanese food. 

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

A: Italy.

Q: What is your advice do you give to students in your class that you want other Braves to know?

A: Who you are in high school doesn’t define your future. You’ll discover so much about yourself along the way, but your journey is just beginning.

Life of a Brave: Bosco Welcomes New CYM Dr. Francesca Po, Who Has A PhD From Oxford

Posted on by One comment

by Nels Nelsen

Dr. Francesca Po, a University of Oxford graduate and theology teacher, recently became St. John Bosco High School’s new Coordinator of Youth Ministry (CYM) after the school had not had one for almost a year.

Photo by Nels Nelsen

Her job entails overseeing the spiritual formation of the school, which includes the faculty, staff, students as well as parents to make sure everything is on par with the Salesian spirituality.

“My title is Coordinator of Youth Ministry, which is kind of like an assistant principal of spiritual formation, but [CYM is] specifically the Salesian title for that role,” said Dr. Po.

She has a PhD in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Oxford in England, and her research focuses on why people leave the church.

“A lot of the findings that I have I’m taking into this job. It transfers well to this job because you want to make sure that students continue to identify with the church and continue to love the church as much as we have and that we counteract the reasons that I found of why people leave the church,” Dr. Po said. “We want to make sure that everybody maintains that direct spirituality with God.”

One of the main reasons that Dr. Po found out why people leave the church is that they feel alienated by the church in some way. They feel rejected maybe because of their sexuality, or they feel rejected because they feel different in  some way. Because there are people in the church that may make them feel alienated or rejected, many do not identify with the church anymore.

The interesting thing to Dr. Po is that even if people leave the church, they do not lose their connection with God. They maintain their faiths, morals or beliefs. It is the institution and specific individuals within it that they were against.

“If the church takes a more inclusive route, that’s really what people resonate with in all kinds of spirituality,” said. Dr. Po.

In addition to her Phd, Dr. Po also received a master’s degree from Oxford and another master’s degree from San Francisco. It was difficult, but she was someone who always did well in school, being a valedictorian in high school. The real challenge was pursuing a PhD from Oxford, her dream school. In the end, Dr. Po knew it was worth it.

The part that made getting her PhD hard was transitioning from the American education system to the English education system. A lot of this adjustment revolved around Dr. Po being a very artistic writer, while the PhD required more straight forward, technical writing and research.

Dr. Po’s personal relationship with God has been the most consistent thing in her life. God has been speaking to her as long as she could remember. Dr. Po has been following what God has been guiding her to through the grace of the Holy Spirit. She feels God has led her to this role as CYM at Bosco.

She strives to be as inclusive as possible to all different kinds of people, because a good leader displays those qualities. She values that everyone should feel loved and included.

Her influences that guided her on her spiritual journey with God are her immediate family. Other early spiritual influences would be her parish priest and Cardinal Roger Mahony. 

In college, there were a lot of spiritual teachers from different faiths that really opened Dr. Po’s heart, mind and soul to different expressions of God.

Mr. Joseph Griffin, the Chair of the Theology Department and a teacher at Bosco for 35 years, believes that Dr. Po is a great pick for CYM. Dr. Po went through an interview process, and Mr. Griffin was a panel member in that interview.

“She’s highly intelligent. She has personal charisma. She has a lot of experience in Catholic education, and I think she’s a very good fit,” said Mr. Griffin.

He also states that besides Dr. Po’s intelligence and charisma, some other good qualities are that she is a very pleasant person, not threatening or intimidating and very welcoming to anyone that wants to engage in discussion or participate in any activities that she is arranging.

“She is not doing the whole job by herself. She has a Campus Minister to rely on,” said Mr. Griffin.

The Campus Minister supporting Dr. Po is Mr. Sergio Esparza, who comes from St. Joseph’s High School and will also be teaching four theology courses on campus.

Due to the vacuum left last year by the previous CYM leaving midway through the first semester and never being replaced, Mr. Griffin is very pleased to have a new and committed CYM in place.

Senior Diego Salcedo is one of the student leaders on the Campus Ministry team. He was involved in Campus Ministry last year and believes that Dr. Po has set a good tone for the year thus far. He thinks reinstituting a CYM this year will improve Campus Ministry, as there will be more people on the job and people that are dedicated to it.

Diego said communication with Dr. Po has been great. She always willing to try new things, and he always tries to find creative ways to bring the faith to students.

Diego would like to add that the Campus Ministry team is always trying to find more students to join and help spread Christ’s love on Bosco’s campus.

Life of a Brave: 21 Questions With New Social Studies Teacher Mr. Ryan Voortman

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Cuahutemoc Solorzano

St. John Bosco welcomes a new sophomore Modern World History and senior Civics instructor, Mr. Ryan Voortman, who wants to provide his students history lessons as well as life lessons.

Photo by Cuahutemoc Solorzano

Q. What high school did you graduate from?

A. I graduated from Ontario Christian High School in 2014.

Q. What college did you graduate from?

A. I graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2018.

Q. What school did you use to work at before you were hired at St. John Bosco?

A. I used to work at Western Christian High School before I joined Bosco.

Q. How did you come across Bosco?

A. I constantly drove by Bosco over the course of the past several years as I went to visit friends who lived in Downey and always hoped that there would be an opportunity in the Social Studies Department.

Q. Why did you come to Bosco?

A. I wanted to work alongside students in a faith-based atmosphere that’s in my local community.

Q. Why did you become a teacher?

A. Believe it or not, I was actually in nursing school for a year before I decided that teaching was what the Lord was calling me to. I believe that holding this position has equipped me with the unique opportunity to share not only my love for history but my faith as well. 

Q. What is the most difficult part of being a teacher?

A. Juggling the many hats that you have to wear as a teacher: grading, lesson planning, attending meetings, doing after-school events and building a relationship with my students, while also taking care of my family at home. 

Q. What’s your favorite part about teaching?

A. Getting to know who my students are outside of the classroom.

Q. Did you move to California? If yes, then from where and why?

A. I have always lived in California. I’m originally from the Chino, Ontario area. However, I moved to Lakewood six years ago.

Q. What do you think the role of a teacher is besides educating?

A. Whether students enjoy your subject or not, as a teacher, it is my job to inspire my students to be difference makers and use their God-given talents to the best of their abilities.

Q. Has being a teacher taught you anything?

A. After being a teacher for seven years, it has taught me not to be so serious and hard on myself. We may have difficult days in this profession, but there is always a tomorrow. 

Q. Did/Do you play sports before and what were/are they?

A. I didn’t play traditional stick and ball sports. I occasionally race in motocross and play disc golf. Those are my favorite pastimes. 

Q. What’s your favorite genre of music?

A. My favorite type of music is country music. I actually wasn’t a really big fan of country music until I got into college. I had a roommate who was a really big fan of it, and I sort of just got into it afterward.

Q. What is at the top of your bucket list?

A. To travel to Italy and the Mediterranean with my family.

Q. What is the highlight of the school year so far?

A. The highlight of my year would simply be how inviting all of the other faculty members and students have been, as well as the connections I have been able to make with my students thus far. 

Q. What do you hope to bring to Bosco as a teacher?

A. I hope that students at Bosco will see me as someone who cares about them as more than just a student, but as a person. 

Q. In high school what was your favorite subject?

A. My favorite subjects would be social studies, English or religion. Though, I’ve always enjoyed Social Studies the most. I liked traveling a lot when I was younger and went to a lot of different countries. My grandfather when I was growing up would bring my sister and I to a different museum almost every single day during the Summer. That really sprouted my love for history. Then I had a lot of really good history teachers in high school, namely my World History teacher who taught me more than just history. He taught me about life in general. My AP US History teacher that I had in high school fostered that love as well.

Q. What do you wish more people knew about you?

A. My testimony as being a father and sharing the way God has affected my life as a whole, especially in the last couple of years. I think that it’s a powerful story that I hope I get to share at some point.

Q. What are certain aspects of history you love the most?

A. The aspects of history I love the most are seeing the way a previous era in history impacts the next era; the way one thing causes another – like a domino effect.

Q. Who in your life inspires you the most?

A. My daughter is the main reason I get up in the morning. She really inspires me the most.

Q. What do you like about Bosco the most so far?

A. I actually got this question a couple of times before. My wife and my family members are like, “What do you like most about this school?” I’d have to say the best part of Bosco is how welcoming everyone is here.

Around Bosco: Mr. Sanchez Plans To Bring Bosco’s Yearbook Into the Digital Age

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Simon Wei

Former yearbook staff Mr. Issac Sanchez becomes the Moderator of the Yearbook Program, ushering in a new system that will redefine St. John Bosco’s yearbook.

Photo by Andy Ortiz

Mr. Sanchez possesses a great vision for the future of the yearbook. He wants a yearbook that’s more than just something visual to capture the year. He wants the yearbook to be a digital storytelling platform that could capture the essence of the school year from multiple perspectives, not just through the lens of the editorial team.

This vision allows him to incorporate something pioneering to the yearbook design this year, a system that will make collaboration more seamless and dynamic. Mr. Sanchez’s new system brings about a new digital project management tool, “like [an] augmented reality.” It will be a photo that if you click on that would unfold multiple other photos.

“Let’s say we have the Mater Dei rivalry game,” Mr. Sanchez said. “A bunch of photos could be in this [one] football picture, and then you click on it [would expand to] multiple others”.

Mr. Sanchez is also passionate about making an environment where students feel more connected and responsible for what they are producing. His approach will make the students have a say in the process, making them engaged and proud of the yearbook.

Mr. Sanchez realizes it will be a gradual process to make the students invested, and he is willing to hold open meetings, in which he offers the opportunity to both the experienced and inexperienced students to be able to contribute. 

“Students should feel like they have a stake in the yearbook,” Mr. Sanchez said. “When they contribute their ideas and see those ideas come to life, it creates a sense of ownership and pride in the final product.”

Of course, no change comes without its problems.

“Change is always difficult, but it’s also necessary,” said Mr. Sanchez. “The key is to approach it with patience and persistence. We’re not just flipping a switch here; we’re building something new, and that takes time.”

Isaac is confident that clear, patient and step-by-step communication will take care of these kinds of challenges and wants the changes that he is implementing to have a long lasting impact on the students who contribute to it.

“I want the yearbook to be something that students look forward to working on each year,” Mr. Sanchez said. “It should be a project that brings people together, something that everyone can be proud of.”

Life of a Brave: 21 Questions With New Teacher Mr. Robert Hilton

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Macade Maxwell

St. John Bosco welcomes a new math teacher Robert Hilton, who hopes to make math enjoyable for students with his vibrant energy and expertise. 

Photo by Macade Maxwell

Q. Where did you grow up? 

A. I grew up in the city of Duarte.

Q. What high school did you attend? 

A. I attended Western Christian High School when it was in Covina.

Q. What college or university did you attend and what was your major of study? 

A. I have three degrees from three different schools. First, I have a B.S. in Computer Science from Cal Poly Pomona. Next, I received a B.A. in Music Education. Finally, I have an M.M. in Music Composition. 

Q. Did you always like math growing up?  

A. We tend to like things that we are good at. So since I was good at math, I did like it growing up.

Q. Where did you teach before Bosco?

A. I used to teach at Southlands Christian Schools.

Q. What initially got you interested in teaching? 

A. I used to work as a piano accompanist for Covina High School. Through this experience, I learned that I like being in the classroom and helping students to become better. This motivated me to pursue teaching.

Q. How long have you been teaching?

A. This year is my 19th year of teaching.

Q. Why do you think math is important to learn?

A. While the specific disciplines of math all have their applications, the skills required to be successful in math are skills that can be universally applied in any context of life. Examples of this are the ability to follow instructions exactly as written, the ability to remember and apply a procedure, the ability to use known tools to solve unknown problems and the ability to model problems in a more understandable way.

Q. What made you come to Bosco and start teaching?

A. Bosco has a lot to offer its students and teachers, and I was excited to be a part of a team that does this. I also love working in a place where God is openly glorified and exalted.

Q. Besides teaching, what are some things you enjoy doing in your free time? 

A. I’m a big video game player. I enjoy computer programming and writing music. I like movies, going to see shows and playing board games.

Q. So far, what are your first thoughts on Bosco?

A. I’m really enjoying every aspect of Bosco, but in particular, the students that I get to teach.

Q. What are your favorite foods to eat? 

A. I’m a huge seafood fan, but I have a soft spot for sushi.

Q. What is your favorite movie or movie series?

A. I like movies of the mystery genre. I particularly enjoyed the Knives Out movies.

Q. If you could take a trip to anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A. I’m not super excited about traveling, but maybe to Paris for the food.

Q. What is your favorite sport to watch?

A. Not really a sports fan, but I enjoy watching the Olympics.

Q. If you were to compete in a sport for the Olympics, what would it be and why?

A. I’m not super athletic, so maybe something like archery. 

Q. Do you have any pets? If not what type would you like to have?

A. No pets, but I had a dog growing up. I’d probably get another dog.

Q. What type of music do you like?

A. I’m a huge choir nerd, but I’m more a fan of contemporary choir, like a cappella music. More like the music you’d find on Pitch Perfect.

Q. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you want to be?

A. Probably a professional musician, either in performance or music publishing.

Q. What is a piece of advice that you would give to your younger self? 

A. Everything matters, but not that much. There are a lot of things that I put in the “doesn’t matter” category that I wish I had paid more attention to. There are also things that I thought were more important than they really were.

Q. What is something that you would like the Bosco community to know about you?

A. At some point in my life, I decided that if I was going to do something, I wanted to do it well. I strive to do everything that I do with excellence.

Around Bosco: Familiar Faces In New Roles, Changes To Bosco’s Student Life Leadership

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Jesus Biag

Staff departures and former Associated Student Body (ASB) moderators stepping down from their positions have led to new additions within St. John Bosco’s Student Life staff.  

Photo by Jesus Biag

At Bosco, ASB is responsible for planning and organizing all of the different events throughout the school year, such as Homecoming and Winter Formal. 

One of the core responsibilities of Bosco’s Director of Activities is to work alongside ASB members and moderators as they come up with ideas for these events. From 2021-2024, Mrs. Mayra Fernandez handled that role within the school. But with her departure, someone new needed to take up the position.

For the 2024-2025 school year, Mr. Geoff McArthur will serve as the Director of Activities. In addition, he will also continue to be the wide receivers coach for the varsity football team, a position he’s held since 2022. 

Mr. McArthur understands the impact that Mrs. Fernandez had on the school and hopes to have a similar one.

“[Mrs. Fernandez] did a great job for us, and it’s hard to fill those shoes,” said Mr. McArthur. “But I’ve had the support of the entire staff around me. We have a family of faculty around us, and they’ve been helping me out in any areas that I’ve had to make transitions in.”

A similar sentiment was shared by new Senior Board Moderator, Mrs. Gina Sterling. She’s felt a great amount of support from Ms. Kelly Blakeman, former Senior Board Moderator and the current Math Department Chair, who has helped her understand her new role alongside all of the logistics that come with it. 

Mrs. Sterling is entering her second year at Bosco. Last year, she worked as an Academic Advisor for SJB Global, but has transitioned into becoming an on-campus English teacher this year. 

She has had a great time as Senior Moderator so far, enjoying the ASB training that took place before the school year began. There, she met with her board members for the first time, as they planned for freshman orientation.

“We had a really good introductory meeting. It was fun because we all got to know each other a little bit more,” said Mrs. Sterling. 

Senior Board President Josh Samonte believes that Mrs. Sterling has done a great job as moderator so far.

“[Mrs. Sterling] has been great to work with due to her supportive and enthusiastic nature,” Josh said. “She has ensured that things be done efficiently, while also making sure that we are engaged during our activities.”

Finally, the new Freshman Board moderator is Mr. Alex Grimm, who takes up a role previously held by math teacher, Ms. Edna Ramirez.

Mr. Grimm, similarly to Mrs. Sterling, is in his second year at Bosco. Alongside his new position on the Student Life Team, he is also a social studies teacher. 

A graduate of St. Anthony’s High School, he participated in ASB while he was there. He believes that his previous experience with ASB is going to help him tremendously as he oversees the Freshman Board. 

As of now, Mr. Grimm doesn’t actually have any board members. With candidates already submitting their applications, however, he has an idea of the types of board members he’s looking for.

“I’m looking for someone who really exemplifies being a young Brave.” said Mr. Grimm. “Someone who is outgoing, someone who is going to take risks and also someone who’s happy with being here.”

Freshman Board elections will take place on Thursday, August 29th for President and Vice President and Friday, August 30th for the rest of the board.

Ms. Jen Schnorr, Vice Principal of Student Affairs, believes that the new leadership will provide a lot of energy and enthusiasm alongside Dean of Academics, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt, who will return as Sophomore Board Moderator and English teacher, Mrs. Michelle Tracy, who continues her role as Junior Board Moderator.

Life of a Brave: Grigor Cholakyan, The Heart Of A Champion

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Jack Turner

Grigor Cholakyan is a CIF State Champion wrestler and Stanford-commit who has left his mark on St. John Bosco wrestling history with his remarkable achievements on the mat. But Grigor’s journey to becoming one of the most sought after recruits in high school wrestling began with his constant hard work, determination and perseverance off the mat. 

Grigor grew up in Burbank, California, but his parents grew up in Armenia and immigrated to the United States of America. Although Grigor did not grow up there, he still takes a lot of pride in his Armenian roots. 

Grigor’s wrestling career began at the young age of ten when he was inspired by one of his father’s best friends, Martin Berberyan, a retired Armenian wrestler who was an Armenian champion, Euro Champion, world medalist and three time Olympian.

“[Berberyan] was coaching at a sports complex where I was doing gymnastics at the time, so I stopped doing that and started wrestling,” said Grigor.

The same sports complex Grigor used to do gymnastics when he was growing up turned into the place where he would perfect his craft of wrestling and learn from his mentor, Coach Martin. 

In his natural ability for the sport and competitive spirit, it was quickly evident that Grigor possessed a talent for wrestling. His coaches recognized his potential early on and nurtured his skills, helping him develop into who he is today. 

Aside from Coach Martin, Grigor has a few more wrestlers in the sport that have continuously inspired him to pursue greatness, people who have achieved success that he can try to chase and replicate. 

“I look up to Jordan Burrows, Kyle Dake and David Taylor,” Grigor said. “They’re really good at what they do, and they’ve accomplished everything in the sport, so that just inspires me to accomplish everything that they have done.”

Grigor’s family has been nothing but supportive to him throughout his time as a student-athlete, and Grigor is always quick to give them high praise for everything they have done to put him in a position to succeed.

“My parents provide me with so many opportunities, and without them, none of this would be possible,” Grigor said. “They take me to practices, fly me across the country to compete and just are with me throughout every step of the journey.”

As Grigor progressed through the ranks, his commitment to wrestling only grew stronger. He spent countless hours grinding on his technique, refining his moves and perfecting his craft. His tireless work ethic set him apart from his peers, earning him respect and admiration within the wrestling community and leading to him being pursued by the top universities in the nation. Ultimately, Grigor signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Stanford University. 

Grigor has expressed nothing but gratitude for his coaches here at St. John Bosco and gives them credit for everything they’ve done to help him along the way. He recognizes how all his coaches played a role in him being the successful wrestler he is today, especially Assistant Coach Ruben Valencia. 

“My coaches have helped me succeed in so many ways, you know?” said Grigor. “Coach Ruben, obviously, he has every college coach in the country in his back pocket, and he helped me get recruited by Stanford and many other prestigious universities and overall helped me jump levels by pushing me to my limits and past my limits every single day. So I owe the world to him.”

With Grigor being a wrestler at Bosco for four years it wasn’t always an easy path to success. During his first three years at Bosco, he did not win a State Championship. Although, that all changed during his senior year. 

“My best memory was how I finished. I didn’t win any state titles my first three years, but my senior season I avenged my only loss and became a State Champion and that was a great feeling,” Grigor said.

Grigor had a dominant senior season with only one loss all year. In the State Championship match, Grigor was blessed with a rematch against the only opponent who beat him during his senior season. Grigor knew he had to avenge himself, and there was only one way he was going to go out: as a champion.

“I felt really confident going into my last match. Right before we had a champions parade – that’s what they do – so when I went there I didn’t even know who was going to be there,” said Grigor. “I was thinking just the usual, my Mom and my Dad, but when I went out I saw all my cousins, my Dad’s friends and my Mom’s friends. So when I saw them, all that was going on in my mind was I wasn’t going to lose in front of them. So going into my last match, I knew I was going to go out and get the W, and God willing, I did.”

With Grigor being a four-year varsity wrestler, he has been able to compete with his Bosco brothers throughout his time and help them out along the way.

“We’ve obviously competed together throughout our years. Not all of us got the results we wanted, but we all learned as the seasons went through how to work hard together, because in the season, we have to weigh in every week and it’s not easy,” Grigor said. “So it’s nice to have a group where we all help uplift each other through our process.”

With Grigor having such high expectations for himself, he also possesses the discipline and determination that comes with it. With his role models being so successful in the world of wrestling, Grigor has many goals for the rest of his career. 

“On the collegiate level, I definitely want to become an All-American and NCAA Division One Champion representing Stanford,” Grigor said.

But Grigor doesn’t just want his success to stop there. On top of dominating the collegiate level, he also sees himself having a professional career. 

“Beyond college, I want to win a World Championship representing the United States of America.”

Grigor has left an indelible mark on Bosco by being an elite wrestler, but even more than that by being a high character, well-respected student and person in the Brave community, which will now be supporting him through the the rest of his career and life. 

Life of a Brave: Unsung Hero, Mrs. Lorraine Limatola

Posted on by Leave a comment

by Rafael Escobedo

Every single day both administrators and teachers strive to make sure the students are able to get the best education possible. However, there is one person behind the scenes that makes all of this possible, Mrs. Lorraine Limatola, who has been our Administrative Coordinator here at St. John Bosco High School for almost 20 years.

Photo by Megan Nash, Director of Marketing and Communications

Growing up locally and attending Downey High School, Mrs. Limatola took on many different jobs up until she saw an opening here at Bosco in the newspaper, which led to the beginning of her time here.

“As soon as I read the original employment ad in a local newspaper, I immediately thought to myself ‘I can do that,'” said Mrs. Limatola. “Truth be told, I got the job by default. The original candidate passed on the job, and lucky for me, I was runner-up. The rest is history!”

At first, she was given the role of School Secretary. But she was asked the following year if she’d be interested in becoming Administrative Coordinator, to which she happily agreed.

Wver since she started here, Mrs. Limatola has always believed that Bosco is a special place. She believes not only the students and teachers here make it great, but the place overall holds importance, making her feel proud to work here.

“When I first stepped onto the campus, I instantly felt that this was truly a special community and somewhere I wanted to be,” said Mrs. Limatola.

Mrs. Limatola is viewed as a source of positive energy and motivation who is always looking to help, whether that be with planning school events or, most importantly, celebrating the accomplishments of both students and teachers.

“Her dedication and generous spirit are the greatest part of her everyday ethos. She is also very proud of her family and everything she does for Bosco is a reflection of the love and adoration she has for them,” said Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs Derrick Fernando. “Often I hear her say how she must work her hardest to support our school community because of how much the school has supported her family.”

Both Mr. Fernando as well as Principal Mr. Antonelli are extremely thankful for having Mrs. Limatola, as she not only allows for their roles to be easier but the entire administrative team. She holds the administrative team together, helping to organize meetings and assist families who may have questions or any concerns.

“For me specifically, she is a great sounding board, both in terms of the experience she has had with previous APs of Academic Affairs and her ability to know what is happening on campus that needs to be addressed,” Mr. Fernando said. “Mrs. Limatola always provides me with the support and guidance I need when I need it.”

Mr. Antonelli further believes her commitment and work ethic are second to none.

“She is a model of the Salesian charism for everyone on campus,” said Mr. Antonelli. “[She] is able to gracefully navigate the many personalities that run through the administrative hallway, allowing the school to meet the needs of a dynamic student body.”

Mrs. Limatola’s goal is to improve the attendance levels of students, as she believes that getting to school on time holds great importance. In addition, she believes that parents should give further notice to the school prior to students are leaving class for personal reasons. 

This is due to the fact that this year is more strict than in recent years, with administrators emphasizing being on time and dishing out the consequences if tardiness becomes habitual.

“I would like to see improvement with tardy counts. No one wants to see [students] receive a Saturday School,” Mrs. Limatola said.

“Your family is sending you to SJB to get an excellent education; so please do your best to arrive on time to each of your periods and to be respectful of your teacher’s and classmates’ time.  Arrive early to school and enjoy the time at SJB because the years truly do fly by.”

The motto that allows her to keep doing what she does is: “It’s for the boys.” She believes that the staff as a whole can truly make a difference and have an impact on the students lives.

This is due to the fact that every single one of her colleagues inspires her to always be better. She hopes to leave an impact on the Brave community through her stalwart work ethic, just as Ms. Woods has, who is someone she admires greatly, praising her for running the attendance office all these years.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »