SAN JACINTO—The St. Hyacinth Academy Folklorico Mexican Dance Group delighted attendees of the San Jacinto State of the City Dinner held Oct. 26 at Soboba Country Club. In addition to a speech from San Jacinto Mayor (and St. Hyacinth alumn) Andrew Kotyuk, the evening consisted of recognition and acknowledgement to businesses, schools, teachers, and students, as well as discussion and sharing ideas about the future direction of the City. 

Sacred Heart Academy fourth grader Jordan Munoz got to call the shots at the Redlands school, serving as principal for a day on Oct. 22. He dressed the part and announced several “executive decisions” at the school’s morning assembly, including a new no homework policy and a non-uniform dress day for the next school day. Munoz got his temporary job thanks to his mother’s bid at a school fundraising event. 

SAN BERNARDINO—For the past decade, Aquinas High School Staff, Associated Student Body Leaders (ASB) and the students themselves have been welcoming eighth graders onto their campus for a week of getting future freshman excited about all that Aquinas High School has to offer. 

 “Making the Most of High School Week” continued September 17-21 as over 200 students visited the Aquinas campus.

Both Aquinas and Notre Dame high schools made big displays of pink in October to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer. (Above)On October 5, Notre Dame High School’s ASB held its first Pink Breakfast to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research and Awareness.  Although the primary focus was to raise funds, the day was also a time to remember or support loved ones who are battling through the disease, have overcome it, or are no longer with us.  Students were allowed to wear jeans and a pink polo for a $2 donation, and/or for a $3 donation, have a pancake breakfast.  The result: a morning collection of over $600. (Below) Aquinas welcomed the Pink Heals Tour to campus on Oct. 4, which included a pink fire engine and firefighters in pink uniform. The awareness raising Pink Heals organization distributed information and sold merchandise in the Aquinas parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By Annamaria Ortiz

 Growing up I always had an admiration for priests. A few years ago I remember reading His 

Holiness Pope Benedict XVI’s letter announcing the Year for Priests. And something that stood out to me was this quote by St. John Vianney, the Curé d’Ars: “O, how great is the priest! … If he realized what he is, he would die…”

PALM SPRINGS— Continuing a 10-year tradition, the staff and students of St. Theresa School in Palm Springs celebrated a very moving prayer service in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001. 

 Students carried candles and presented them before a picture of Barbara Keating, a St. Theresa parishioner who perished in the attacks. Candles were also presented to remember those who lost their lives at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania that day. Palm Springs Deputy Fire Chief John Allen spoke to the students about the courage of the firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel who bravely gave their lives in an effort to save the lives of those buried in the World Trade Center buildings.