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Major League Futures Ahead for Four JSerra Alumni

June 10, 2013 by JSerra Blog

2013 Alumnus Dane McFarland

2013 Alumnus Dane McFarland

JSerra Catholic High School has four alumni drafted into Major League Baseball, in the 2013 draft.

“Obviously a very exciting day for JSerra Catholic Athletics and the baseball program to see four Lions drafted in the MLB 2013 Player draft,” said JSerra Head Baseball Coach Brett Kay.

Recent graduate and 6-foot-4 outfielder, Dane McFarland was selected 360 overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up his spot to play at Oregon in the fall.

McFarland has one of the most enticing power/speed combos among the prep outfielders in the Draft. With his huge frame he combines this with great bat speed to give him plus power.

Colton Plaia

Colton Plaia ’09

Colton Plaia ’09, was drafted for the second year in a row, this time by the New York Mets as the 446 pick overall from Loyola Marymount University. The catcher who leaves in less than 24 hours, since being drafted for training camp was said to have solid legs and is a durable receiver, with a tough presence and a plus-arm are his best tool.

Plaia was also selected to play for the U.S. National team in 2012.

Another draftee is right-handed pitcher Reed Reily ’10 of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was selected 549 overall to the Orioles.

Reily can touch the mid 90’s with his fastball and he has a good amount of deception to go along with it. He complements the heater with an 80-84 mph slider and a changeup he’ll throw in the low 80s as well.

JSerra’s final draftee is left handed pitcher, Cory Miller ’10 from Pepperdine University was selected as the 482 overall pick to the Brewers.

Miller, a three-year varsity letter winner and pitcher for head coach Brett Kay helped lead the Lions to the 2009 Trinity League championship. Miller also received two coaches awards and two of his team’s Cy Young Awards, set the school’s record for most saves in a season with four.

“All of them were outstanding young men while in our program and have the desire and work ethic to be able to have that great opportunity to get drafted. It will be great to see those guys don the uniform at the next level and know that they were Lions,” said Kay.

To see more on JSerra’s draft picks click here.

Posted in Alumni, Athletics, Awards, Baseball, Education, Family, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, News coverage, Sports, The Pride, Trinity League | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Congratulations to the 2013 Underclassman Award Recipients

June 3, 2013 by JSerra Blog

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2013 Underclassman Award Recipients

Each year, JSerra recognizes the stellar achievements of our 9-11 grade students at the annual Underclassmen Awards. The awards are presented at an all-school assembly in early June. On June 3, ten awards were given to 22 outstanding JSerra students. Congratulations to the recipients:

International Student Award

Haley Park

Faculty Awards

Ethan Worden and Haley Kempf (Freshman)

Nick Robinson and Kimberly Waszak (Sophomores)

Noah Mudd and Cayley Oliver (Juniors)

Class Awards

Joseph Santoro and Gemma Hartigan (Freshman)

Chandler Chaffee and Tiffany Nolet (Sophomores)

Zachary Johnson and Francesca Bacino (Juniors)

CEO Lion Challenge Award

Ben Joseph

National Latin Exam Award

Cum Laude: Tucker Squiers

Magna Cum Laude: Fergus O’Connor and John McGlinn

Maxima Cum Laude: Andrew Cameron

To view the complete album of award recipients click here.

Posted in Academics, Awards, Community service, Education, Events, Faith, Family, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, Teachers, The Pride | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

JSerra’s Class of 2013 Leaves a Record Breaking Legacy

June 1, 2013 by JSerra Blog

IMG_0321Celebrating its tenth anniversary, JSerra has had its share of accomplishments but it is the class of 2013 that has helped mark the school’s first decade as truly remarkable.

The graduates have had national record-breaking swim championships, the school’s first Trinity League Athlete of the Year, a valedictorian with a record high GPA of 4.88, never before seen at JSerra, a cross country team who has won League, CIF, and State championships three times in a row, a first in the state of California, among countless other accomplishments.

With graduates attending top Universities like Duke, USC, Berkeley, Notre Dame, and more, they have collectively received more than $12.5 million in scholarships, the highest of any graduating class at JSerra.

As President Richard Meyer quoted St. John Paul “In the design of providence there is no coincidence.” It is not by mere coincidence that this graduating class has had many successes during their four short years as Lions.

With plenty of cheers from classmates this class has demonstrated the connectedness that is cultivated by the faculty, staff, and parents within the JSerra community.

Salutatorian Vanessa Zuck, delivered her address during the Baccalaureate Mass held on Friday evening. With a smile on her face she remembered her freshman year and the big win against Santa Margarita’s football team, and rushing the field at Saddleback. Zuck also recalled wise words from a past teacher, that remain with her to this day. “Never accept what your told but to learn it for yourself.” As the class of 2013 discovers new adventures in college, Zuck reminds them of what Louis Zamperini said while visiting campus, “while it may be sad to say goodbye, what matters is that we met.”

(left to right): President Richard Meyer, Valedictorian Sachin Govil, and Vice Principal Eric Stroupe

(left to right): President Richard Meyer, Valedictorian Sachin Govil, and Vice Principal Eric Stroupe

Valedictorian Sachin Govil, reminisced about his time at JSerra during his speech said, “It’s astonishing how life comes at us instantaneously, it grabs us and takes us on our own journeys… and in the midst of it, we don’t always appreciate the time we have and the people that we share it with.”

Among those honored where Monica Patel the recipient of the JSerra Award, acknowledged for exemplifying JSerra’s mission and philosophy.  The highest honor a student can receive at JSerra. Jovy Mann receiving the Msgr. Martin Award, Owen Hosseinzadeh receiving the Gillian Sabet Award, Saseen Najjar receiving the Lion Award, Ryer Baldridge acknowledged with the Leadership Award, Madison Myers-Cook received the Campus Ministry Award, Andrew Lee for the Spirit Award, and Josephine Duran receiving the Christian Service Award for her 2,500 hours donated in community service.

To view the complete photo album from Graduation please click Class of 2013.

Be sure to tag your photos with the hashtag #Classof2013 to share on Instagram.

Posted in Academics, Alumni, Athletics, Awards, Education, Events, Faith, Family, graduation, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, News coverage, Scholarships, Sports, Teachers, The Pride | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Saying goodbye to senior year at JSerra

May 31, 2013 by JSerra Blog

By Julianna Crisalli, OC Register

Caritas Cristi

As seniors at JSerra count down to graduation Saturday, let’s take a look at their journey in the past year.

Click the photo above for more photos.

Posted in Academics, Alumni, Athletics, Awards, Education, Events, Faith, Family, graduation, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, News coverage, Scholarships, Sports, The Pride | Tagged , , , , |

Bishop Vann Celebrates at JSerra’s End-of-the-Year Mass

May 29, 2013 by JSerra Blog

photo-29 copy 2“We are delighted that the Bishop of Orange, Kevin Vann, has visited our Catholic School to address the students, faculty and administration. During his stay he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and blessed our new altar and retablo to be used for our weekly, all school Masses,” said JSerra Chairman, Tim Busch.

Following the Mass, Bishop Vann walked through campus and heard more about our students, our accomplishments and the history of JSerra.
 
A special thank you to Bishop Vann and the Busch family for their generous donation of the retablo and altar. 
 
For photos from Mass please click here.

Posted in Campus Ministry, Education, Events, Faith, Family, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, Religion, The Pride | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

McLaughlin Named Swim Coach of the Year

May 28, 2013 by JSerra Blog

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By Dan Albano, OC Register 

JSerra’s girls swim team faced a daunting, new challenge during its quest for a second consecutive CIF Division 1 title.

Instead of playing the role of surprising upstart that marked their championship season in 2012, the Lions were a hunted team this season.

“I think people are coming after them,” JSerra coach Mary McLaughlin said.

But despite the tag of favorite — which usually brings added pressure — JSerra still found its desired destination.

Thanks to an atmosphere of fun and team unity nurtured by McLaughlin, the Lions captured a second straight Division 1 crown, setting a then-national record in the 400-yard freestyle relay and four Orange County records in the process.

For her efforts, McLaughlin has been selected the Register’s girls coach of the year for 2013.

“I want to make (swimming) as fun as possible for them,” the fourth-year coach said. “I try not to make it a big deal, and let them have a good time, and this has been our result.”

JSerra took Division 1 by storm two seasons ago, leaping from a 22nd-place finish in 2011 to its first CIF title.

To read the complete article click Coach of the Year.

Posted in Academics, Aquatics, Athletics, Awards, CIF Playoffs, Education, Events, Faith, Fine Arts, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, News coverage, Sports, Swim, The Pride, Trinity League | Tagged , , , , |

JSerra International Student Arranges Song for Choir’s Farewell Concert

May 28, 2013 by JSerra Blog

AndrewBy Lauren Shepherd, OC Register 

JSerra Catholic High School’s first graduating international student Seung Hyun (Andrew) Lee, from Seoul, South Korea, has been teaching his fellow chamber singers his own arrangement of a Korean folk song for choir’s Spring Farewell Concert. Four years ago, Lee and his family searched for the right school in Southern California that would give him a unique high school experience.

“When I saw that JSerra was accepting international students I took the opportunity,” Lee said. He started his freshman year of high school at JSerra with a love for music and a prodigal talent that would impress his fellow chamber singers.

“It’s really interesting to know that someone so young can be so musically inclined,” said JSerra sophomore and first-year chamber singer, Ian von Gremp. “It’s nice to know that my friend Andrew arranged it,”

Lee became president of the chamber choir, and with his leadership taught his fellow chamber singers the ancient Korean folk song, “Arirang,” which he arranged to fit his own interpretation of its meaning.

“Andrew has always been our leader,” junior and third year chamber singer, Annie Pfost said. “Choir is like a family and Andrew is like the cool big brother.”

“Arirang,” a song handed down through many generations, was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, in December.

At last year’s Spring Concert, Renée Bondi, Christian inspiration singer and mother to JSerra chamber singer, Daniel Bondi, told Lee about her concert in Korea. She said when she sang “Arirang” for the finale, everyone there began to sing along with her. With that motivation, Lee decided to arrange “Arirang” for his high school choir.

To read the complete article click here.

Posted in Academics, Alumni, Awards, Choir, Education, Events, Faith, Family, Fine Arts, graduation, JSerra, JSerra Catholic High School, Magnet Programs, News coverage, Teachers, The Pride | Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

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