Junípero Serra High School (Gardena, California)
Encyclopedia
Junípero Serra High School is a private
, Roman Catholic high school
in Gardena, California
, a suburban city located 14 miles southwest from downtown Los Angeles
. Honored as a State School of the Year, Serra is operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
.
, The school, which was largely staffed by the Society of Mary
graduated its first class in 1953. Religious of the Sacred Heart and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and archdiocesan priests have also helped to staff the school at various times in its history. The Marianists left in 1994 due to lack of members to staff all their schools. The school has played a very important role in the life of the community, graduating over four thousand students.
The current administration and faculty are predominately lay women and men. Their dedication to the Catholic philosophy of education and values of the Gospel
serves as an example for today's youth.
In addition to Gardena, the school also serves Carson
, Compton
, Hawthorne
, Inglewood
, Lawndale
, Lennox
, Los Angeles
, Manhattan Beach
, and Torrance
. The student body brings with it a diverse cultural and ethnic background which continues to enrich the traditions begun in 1950.
This tradition, based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, educates the whole person, emphasizing the importance of developing the individual spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. This emphasis instills the self-motivation for success in life now and in the future.
In 2010, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters
(D-CA) presented school administrators with a framed copy of a statement she filed in the Congressional Record
that honors Serra and its academic and athletic achievements.
In 2011, Serra won its second consecutive national championship in the Catholic Math League, outscoring 29 top high schools from around the country.
, became the first school in California
history to win state football and basketball titles in the same academic year. For this achievement, Serra was named "2009-2010 State School of the Year" by Cal-Hi Sports. Based on school enrollment, Serra is the smallest school to ever receive this honor and the first State School of the Year recipient from the South Bay region of Los Angeles
in 44 years.
Football Championship, defeating Arroyo Grande 35-10 for the Western Division title and extending their winning streak to 29 games. That streak was broken on December 18, 2010, when they fell to the Folsom High School
Bulldogs in the CIF
Division II State Football Championship. In 2009, Serra won the CIF Southern Section
Northwest Division Championship, and the Division III California State Football Championship, defeating Marin Catholic High School
.
The 2010 Serra Cavaliers basketball team also won CIF and California State titles, defeating Bishop O'Dowd
, of Oakland, California
in the final game. Since 1980, the school has won numerous state and CIF Championships, in addition to dozens of league titles:
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, Roman Catholic high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Gardena, California
Gardena, California
Gardena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 58,829 at the 2010 census, up from 57,746 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gardena is located at ....
, a suburban city located 14 miles southwest from downtown Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Honored as a State School of the Year, Serra is operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. state of California. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the archdiocese comprises the California counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The diocesan cathedral is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the...
.
Background
Junípero Serra High School was founded by James Francis Cardinal McIntyre in 1950. It is named for founder of the California Missions, Blessed Fray Junipero SerraJunípero Serra
Blessed Junípero Serra, O.F.M., , known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California, United States. Fr...
, The school, which was largely staffed by the Society of Mary
Society of Mary (Marianists)
The Society of Mary, a Roman Catholic Marian Society, is a congregation of brothers and priests called The Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. The Society was founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who survived the anti-clerical persecution during the French Revolution. ...
graduated its first class in 1953. Religious of the Sacred Heart and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and archdiocesan priests have also helped to staff the school at various times in its history. The Marianists left in 1994 due to lack of members to staff all their schools. The school has played a very important role in the life of the community, graduating over four thousand students.
The current administration and faculty are predominately lay women and men. Their dedication to the Catholic philosophy of education and values of the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
serves as an example for today's youth.
In addition to Gardena, the school also serves Carson
Carson, California
Carson is a city in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, Carson had a total population of 91,714. Located south of downtown Los Angeles and approximately 14 miles away from the Los Angeles International Airport, it is known as a suburb of the city....
, Compton
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
, Hawthorne
Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The city at the 2010 census had a population of 84,293, up from 84,112 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, Inglewood
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, Lawndale
Lawndale, California
Lawndale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 32,769 at the 2010 census, up from 31,711 according to the 2000 census...
, Lennox
Lennox, California
Lennox is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 22,753 at the 2010 census, down from 22,950 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach is the wealthiest beachfront city located in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, USA. The city is on the Pacific coast, south of El Segundo, and north of Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Beach is the home of both beach and indoor volleyball, and surfing. During the winter, the...
, and Torrance
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
. The student body brings with it a diverse cultural and ethnic background which continues to enrich the traditions begun in 1950.
Philosophy
In the tradition of Padre Serra, Serra High School provides a Catholic and college preparatory education for our students with varied curricular and extracurricular programs. With the support of faculty, parents, alumni, the advisory board and the community, students from diverse cultural, economic and religious backgrounds work together to create a true Christian spirit.This tradition, based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, educates the whole person, emphasizing the importance of developing the individual spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. This emphasis instills the self-motivation for success in life now and in the future.
Academics
In the past four years, 100% of Serra graduates have been accepted to college.In 2010, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters
Maxine Waters
Maxine Waters is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 29th district, serving since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party....
(D-CA) presented school administrators with a framed copy of a statement she filed in the Congressional Record
Congressional Record
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published by the United States Government Printing Office, and is issued daily when the United States Congress is in session. Indexes are issued approximately every two weeks...
that honors Serra and its academic and athletic achievements.
In 2011, Serra won its second consecutive national championship in the Catholic Math League, outscoring 29 top high schools from around the country.
School of the Year
In the 2009-2010 academic year, the Serra Cavaliers, who compete in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
, became the first school in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
history to win state football and basketball titles in the same academic year. For this achievement, Serra was named "2009-2010 State School of the Year" by Cal-Hi Sports. Based on school enrollment, Serra is the smallest school to ever receive this honor and the first State School of the Year recipient from the South Bay region of Los Angeles
South Bay, Los Angeles
The South Bay is a region of the southwest peninsula of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The name stems from its geographic features stretching along the southern shores of Santa Monica Bay which forms its western border.The picture at right uses the broadest definition of the...
in 44 years.
Championships
On December 10, 2010, the Serra Cavaliers won their second consecutive CIFCIF Southern Section
C.I.F. Southern Section is the largest of the ten sections that comprise the California Interscholastic Federation . Its membership includes most public and private high schools in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Mono and Inyo counties, as...
Football Championship, defeating Arroyo Grande 35-10 for the Western Division title and extending their winning streak to 29 games. That streak was broken on December 18, 2010, when they fell to the Folsom High School
Folsom High School
Folsom High School is a nationally acclaimed American high school located in Folsom, California, established in 1922. It is a part of the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District...
Bulldogs in the CIF
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
Division II State Football Championship. In 2009, Serra won the CIF Southern Section
CIF Southern Section
C.I.F. Southern Section is the largest of the ten sections that comprise the California Interscholastic Federation . Its membership includes most public and private high schools in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Mono and Inyo counties, as...
Northwest Division Championship, and the Division III California State Football Championship, defeating Marin Catholic High School
Marin Catholic High School
Marin Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school located in unincorporated Kentfield in Marin County, California. The school is owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.The student population is approximately 736...
.
The 2010 Serra Cavaliers basketball team also won CIF and California State titles, defeating Bishop O'Dowd
Bishop O'Dowd High School
Bishop O'Dowd High School is a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school in Oakland, California, administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland and named for the late auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, James T. O'Dowd . About 44% of students are non-Catholic...
, of Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
in the final game. Since 1980, the school has won numerous state and CIF Championships, in addition to dozens of league titles:
- 1980: CIF-SS Track
- 1981: CIF-SS Track
- 1982: CIF-SS Track
- 1989: CIF-SS Football
- 1993: State Champs Boys Basketball, CIF-SS Boys Basketball
- 1994: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 1996: State Champs Boys 4x100, CIF-SS Boys Track
- 1997: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 1998: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 1999: CIF-SS Boys Basketball, CIF-SS Boys Track
- 2000: State Champs Boys Track, CIF Boys Track, CIF Regional Boys Basketball, CIF-SS Boys Basketball
- 2003: CIF-SS Boys Track and CIF-SS Girls Track (first CIF Title for girls; was all-boys school until 1991)
- 2004: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 2005: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 2006: CIF-SS Boys Basketball
- 2007: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 2008: CIF-SS Boys Track
- 2009: State Champs Football (Division III), CIF-SS Football, CIF-SS Boys Track
- 2010: State Champs Boys Basketball, CIF-SS Boys Basketball, CIF-SS Girls Basketball, CIF-SS Football, State Champs Boys 4x400
Notable alumni
- Brigadier General Michael J. AguilarMichael J. AguilarMichael J. Aguilar is a retired United States Marine Corps brigadier general and the Federal Security Director of the San Diego International Airport...
, (USMC)United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
(ret.), Federal Security Director, San Diego International AirportSan Diego International AirportSan Diego International Airport , sometimes referred to as Lindbergh Field, is a public airport located northwest of the central business district of San Diego, California and from the Mexico – United States border at Tijuana, Mexico... - Kerry BoagniKerry BoagniKerry Boagni is a retired American basketball player. A native of California, he played college basketball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans and played professionally in the National Basketball Association .-Early life:...
, former professional basketball player, Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... - Deon FiguresDeon FiguresDeon Juniel Figures is a former professional American football cornerback in the NFL. He played four years for the Pittsburgh Steelers 1993 to 1996 and two for the Jacksonville Jaguars 1997 to 1998. While with Pittsburgh in 1994, he helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship Game against the...
, NFL defensive back (ret.), Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
; first round draft selection, 1993; winner of the Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986... - Dana GioiaDana Gioia-Poetry:It was as a poet that Gioia first began to attract widespread attention in the early 1980s, with frequent appearances in The Hudson Review, Poetry, and The New Yorker. In the same period, he published a number of essays and book reviews...
, former Chairman, National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the ArtsThe National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
; and poet - Dwan HurtDwan HurtDwan Hurt, basketball coach and dean at Junipero Serra High School, was named 2010 State Coach of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports; Daily Breeze Coach of the Year 2010; and coached his high school alma mater, the Serra Cavaliers, to the 2010 California Interscholastic Federation Division III Boys...
, SerraJunipero Serra High SchoolJunípero Serra High School is a private secondary school in San Mateo County, California, United States serving students in grades 9-12. A part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, this high school provides single-sex education, accepting only young men...
basketball coach - Pooh JeterPooh JeterEugene "Pooh" Jeter III is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a point guard for Joventut Badalona. He is the younger brother of sprinter Carmelita Jeter, a two-time World Athletics Final gold medalist.-Clubs:...
, professional basketball player, Sacramento KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
point guard - Montel Jordan, hip-hop/R&B recording artist
- Gary E. LieblGary E. Liebl-Background:Gary E. Liebl is an American business leader, founding chairman of the board , QLogic, Chairman Emeritus at Chaminade University of Honolulu, and prostate cancer survivor.-Career:Gary E...
, Chair (ret.), QLogicQLogicQLogic Corporation is an Aliso Viejo, California-based designer and supplier of storage networking, high performance computing networking, and converged infrastructure solutions...
; Chairman Emeritus, Chaminade University of HonoluluChaminade University of HonoluluChaminade University of Honolulu is a private co-educational university in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Founded in 1955 by the Society of Mary, a Roman Catholic religious order also known as the Marianists, Chaminade is located in the historic Kaimuki district of Honolulu. Chaminade offers...
; Life Governor, Chapman UniversityChapman UniversityChapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media... - William MelvilleWilliam MelvilleWilliam Melville was an Irish law enforcement officer and the first chief of the British Secret Service, forerunner of MI5.-Birth:...
, founder, president and CEO (retired), Mayfair Plastics - Dave NelsonDave NelsonDavid Earl Nelson is a former Major League Baseball player and one of the current broadcasters for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team on Fox Sports Wisconsin...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
All Star, and FSNFox Sports NetThe Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
broadcaster for the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... - Milt PalacioMilt PalacioMilton Sigmund Palacio , referred to as Milt Palacio, is a Belizean American professional basketball player. He currently plays with the pro club Obradoiro CAB in Spain. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to Belizean parents and is a Belizean citizen.-College career:Palacio attended...
, NBA point guard, currently plays in Greek LeagueA1 EthnikiThe Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA... - Eugene ProfitEugene ProfitEugene A. Profit is an American investor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and former American football cornerback for the New England Patriots and Washington Redskins...
, CEO, Profit Investment ManagementProfit Investment ManagementProfit Investment Management, LLC is a SEC registered investment advisory firm based in metropolitan Washington, DC with approximately $2 billion under management...
; former NFL cornerback, New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Terrence Quaites, musical artist, rapper with Cash Money RecordsCash Money RecordsCash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
- Kris RichardKris RichardKris Richard is an American football coach for the Seattle Seahawks and former National Football League cornerback.-High school career:Richard prepped at Serra High School in Gardena, California....
, NFL defensive backs coachDefensive backs coachA defensive backs coach or secondary coach is a coach in charge of the safeties and cornerbacks in gridiron football. This position is very common in the CFL, NFL and college football programs. Some common titles are: safeties coach, cornerbacks coach, secondary coach, secondary/safeties coach,...
, Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
; former NFL defensive back, Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Arabian PrinceArabian PrinceArabian Prince is the stage name of Mik Lezan , a rapper and hip hop producer, best known for being an original member of the rap group, N.W.A.-Biography:...
, former N.W.A.N.W.A.N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
member - Jashon SykesJashon SykesJashon Sykes is a former American football linebacker. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, and was subsequently signed by the Denver Broncos. He started 11 games during his career with the Broncos. He now works as the director of football operations for CU....
, NFL linebacker (ret.), Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - David Williams (wide receiver)David Williams (wide receiver)David Williams is a former American football wide receiver. Williams was named consensus All-American twice at the University of Illinois, and is an inducted member of the College Football Hall of Fame....
, played for the National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football.... - Robert WoodsRobert Woods (wide receiver)Robert Woods is an American football wide receiver for the USC Trojans. He is currently a sophomore.-High school career:...
, All-American wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
; California State Athlete of the Year, 2009 Current USC Trojans player.