Left to right: Santiago Vargas, ASB and Youth Ministry Core Team; Kanoa Gomez, Youth Ministry Core Team; Miguel Martinez, ASB and Youth Ministry Core Team; Nathaniel Ruiz, ASB; Christian Figueroa, ASB & Senior Class Co-President
Last year, I was honored to present the Tech’s first State of the School address to our parents. It was a great opportunity to meet new families and provide an overview of the strategic planning process and exciting plans for the Tech.
This year's event, on Sept. 19, again provided the platform to update Tech families on our Strength & Spirit Strategic Plan, the four major goals of the plan regarding operations, educational programs, facilities, and financial growth, and the vital steps already taken in the plan.
During the presentation to parents, Mr. Jeff Krynen and I shared the progress that has been made in the past year, the impressive successes that our students have achieved, and the steady further advancement of our plans for the future growth of the Tech.
The responses I’ve had to the presentation have been overwhelmingly positive; thank you for your ongoing support of the school and of our goals toward establishing the Tech as a recognized institution in the area and beyond.
As a proud alumnus, I understand the sense of anticipation and the vested commitment of our families and graduates. What the Tech has been accomplishing, through its investment in young people, for nearly seven decades is worthy of recognition.
Moving together toward our goals, Memo Gutierrez (AU ‘83) President
The elements of Tech’s Strength & Spirit Strategic Plan are:
• Goal 1: Expanding and enhancing the Tech’s nationally unique academic curriculum ensuring relevance meaningfulness, and real world skills and experience that have been a cornerstone of the academic rigor for nearly 70 years.
• Goal 2: Improving and renewing the Tech’s physical facilities plant.
• Goal 3: Strengthening the Tech’s governance and organizational capacity in order to better serve the community and establish Bosco Tech as an educational pillar in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
• Goal 4: Reinforcing the Tech’s financial position in support of the strategic plan initiatives.
Congratulations to Mr. Sam Hankins, Bosco Tech Band Director and Music Instructor, who won big at the Indie Music Channel (IMC) Awards, held at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood on Sept. 4.
The IMC is the equivalent of the Grammys for independent artists who are not signed to a record label. Artists from all over the world submit their music to be judged in various categories by other music professionals in the field, like music executives, producers, promoters, directors, radio DJs, etc.
Mr. Hankins entered two of his original songs “Alright” and “Jammin, Jammin” into several categories. These two songs won a total of 13 awards and Mr. Hankins was also inducted into the IMC’s Hall of Fame.
“Alright” is a collaboration with his niece Toni (Jackie Michaels) Robertson. Sam composed the music and Jackie Michaels wrote the words and is also the vocalist on this song. "Jammin, Jammin" is an instrumental song composed by Sam. These are all the awards received:
For “Alright”:
Best Female Contemporary Christian Artist
Jackie Michaels
Best Special Demo
Best Pop Songwriter
Best R&B Demo, Best Pop Demo
Best R&B Songwriter
Best R&B Recording -Demo of the Year - Sam Hankins & Jackie Michaels
Best R&B Producer Sam Hankins
For “Jammin, Jammin”:
Best Jazz Artist
Best Instrumental Recording
Best Instrumental Producer
Best Instrumental Songwriter Sam Hankins
Inductee into the Indie Music Channel’s Hall of Fame Sam Hankins.
Congratulations, Mr. Hankins and Ms. Michaels!
Bosco Tech’s Automobile Club is hard at work preparing for the race track with the 2003 Ford Mustang they have rebuilt with the help of alumni Ricardo Mireles (EL ‘83) and Alfonso Gonzalez (AU ’83), and Cameron Wright, IDEA instructor and club moderator.
The team of avid young race enthusiasts and engineers in training is participating in December’s “24 Hours of Lemons” event, a tongue in cheek take on 24 Hours of Le Mans, for amateur racers and their cars valued at less than $500, not including safety equipment. The 16 year old Lemons series of endurance races is held monthly across the United States and holds the Guinness World Record for the most participants (216 cars) in one race.
The December 3-4 race, at the Sonoma Raceway near San Francisco, will be the second in which the Tech group, now headed by junior Caleb Glassow, has competed against other souped up, customized jalopies from all over; the two day race comes to California a few times each year. Last March, the car the Tech team affectionately dubbed Limonada (Lemonade) made a great showing until half way through the second day, when the engine died. And this time, the Tech team, having gained recognition for having the youngest participants, is confidently ready to take on more than 100 teams of mostly adults scheduled to compete.
“The goal is to have fun,” Ricardo explained the race’s premise. “Let’s go racing and have fun and not let anything, including money get, in the way. And this has got ‘Bosco Tech’ written all over it. The primary engineering challenge is always about balance. You want to go fast, but in order to finish first, you have to finish. Yes, it IS challenge, but we ARE engineers. We are Bosco Tech!”
Last year, Mireles, Executive Director of the charter public school Academia Avance in Highland Park, brought students from his school to join the Tech team, bringing girls into the mix. His students plan to participate again this year, bringing the team to more than 35 members.
Although minors are not allowed to actually race, the Tech team’s mechanical skills, ability to improvise, and utilize their engineering abilities are vital on the sidelines and in the pit. At last year’s race, when the team’s car did not pass a preliminary safety inspection, Tech junior Lucas Christman designed and helped fabricate a support for the seat back on the spot, enabling the car to qualify for the start of the race the next morning.
“It’s fun because it requires ingenuity,” said Caleb. “Contestants need to figure out how to make a race able car using only $500, excluding safety equipment. But I think the best thing about competing was how close we were to the action. The garages were, maybe, twenty feet from the racetrack so we could see, hear, and feel the cars zoom by at over 100 mph. If the car broke down, we would immediately start fixing the issue, which was a great hands on experience. Another great thing about the race was the overall tone of the event.
People would help each other out, sharing whatever tools other teams needed.”
The team is very grateful to their advisors for their priceless practical lessons. “Mr. Mireles and Mr. Gonzalez are great at teaching us about the parts and functions of a car,” said Caleb. “For example, when we had to replace the clutch, they went over how power is delivered to the wheels in a car via the differential, the optimal combustion ratio for gas and oxygen, and how the wheel torque affects tire rotation. Mr. Wright, our moderator, has taught us about the actual engineering of a car, including building new parts and factors affecting their implementation.”
Lending his automotive expertise, Alfonso is a master mechanic who provides the grateful students with practical hands on lessons. “While we’re guiding the kids to ensure that everything is done correctly, and stressing safety and race care, it’s really a joint effort,” said Alfonso. “It’s all about camaraderie and coming together as a team.”
The enthusiastic group recently promoted the organization at the Tech’s Club Fair. “I'm hoping that we get new people to join us for the upcoming race,” said Caleb. “It allows students to partake in a unique experience most high schoolers do not get.”
To see a video of last year’s race, in which the Tech team is featured, visit: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=RQI1EvGi7Lk
Keeping things interesting, Mr. Erick Williams, Social Science instructor, held an unofficial September Pi Contest for Tech students and students rose to the challenge! Pi Day is traditionally celebrated at the Tech on March 14 (3/14; get it?!).
“The contest was to enter a lucky drawing for a pie by memorizing the first 25 digits of pi,” said Mr. Williams. “Six students successfully recited the necessary digits: Dominic Hernandez, Christian Figueroa, Caleb Glassow, Aston Wu, Andrew Samperio, and Auston Wu.”
“
But that’s where things get interesting. Just for fun, Andrew recited 74 digits, and Auston recited 150 from memory. To put that into context, Andrew Placencia won the 2021 2022 March Pi Day Contest with 98 digits.”
And Auston said that he did not compete to win a pie; he just wanted to show that he had memorized 150 digits.
As Mr. Williams joked, “Who doesn’t want pie?”
150 digits great job, Auston!
Bosco Tech’s Tech Support is joining forces with the Tech’s National Honor Society chapter, the academic counseling team, and Tech instructors, to provide additional assistance beyond Tech Support. This is a great opportunity for parents and students, especially freshmen, to take advantage of the extensive help that is available on campus.
“Parents can expect their sons to be able to receive tutoring in every subject available,” said Mr. John Garcia, Director of Tuition Assistance and Endowments. “Parents are constantly communicating with me and asking for additional academic support, mentoring, and tutoring. Providing these resources allows us to continue beyond the teachers assistance and helps with the continued improvement in academic retention.” Please contact Mr. Garcia at jgarcia@boscotech.edu with any questions.
Bosco Tech’s top-notch Esports team is getting national attention. Among the most winning Madden NFL teams of all time, the Tech Tigers were featured in a recent USA Today High School Sports ranking. https://usatodayhss.com/lists/high school esports rankings most madden nfl wins of all time? fbclid=IwAR35LhdDaK3q-Jfy4uiVafjvzWnIKxGqYoi9Q_CpaOiaxZtMlDW1KoDSxHw
In other exciting Esports news, most team members are competing in a new league. Now, the Tigers have three league options in the coming year, with the addition of the High School Esports League (HSEL). The new addition offers $100,000 in scholarship prizes for the fall season.
“The starkest difference in leagues is the prize pool,” said Tech Esports Manager Stephen Andryshak. “In other leagues, you’re competing for title alone while, in the HSEL, our athletes are competing for a scholarship prize pool. The HSEL is also a chance for a national title instead of only a state title.”
“We had three league options coming into this year, CIF, UFEA and HSEL. CIF does not start until the spring and so we talked to the students and coaches about which league they would like to play in and the majority chose the HSEL for most of our titles. The opportunity to win scholarship money to aid in their college ventures was understandably very enticing to our players.”
Go, Tigers!
A big shoutout to our band who performed during the 2022 Homecoming Game, especially to our senior members here’s to the Class of 2023!
Do you have questions about the band? Please email our Music Director, Mr. Hankins at shankins@boscotech.net and Drum Major Santiago Alvarez at salvarez.2023@boscotech.net.
Each year, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society selects passionate student candidates who will engage in a philanthropic competition to raise money for cancer research.
This year, Tech seniors Christian Figueroa and Miguel Martinez are excited to announce their candidacy to become Student Visionaries of the Year, representing their high school, Bosco Tech.
The students’ campaign will announce further information soon, and describe the ways you can both vote for our team and participate in this great cause!
Whatever a student’s interests, there's something for every interest! Special thanks to senior Nathaniel Ruiz for these great photos of the recent Club Fair, which Nathaniel also helped organize. Among the campus' many organizations are a few new groups that include : Math Club, Lunch Basketball League, TAG (tabletop activities and games) Club, Remote Control Club, Car Club, and the SpongeBob SquarePants Club.
Just a reminder that convenient on campus services from Counseling Partners of Los Angeles (CPLA) remain available. Our counselor, Mr. Daniel Lian, will continue to support our students this school year; a second counselor, Mr. Bryan Quintas, has just joined the Tech team. Welcome, Bryan!
Students can meet with the counselors for any reason social, emotional, COVID concerns, academic worries, burnout, or just to have a safe space to chat and decompress.
Students can arrange times to speak with the CPLA counselor individually, or parents may use the Counselor Referral Form (also available in Spanish) to refer their child to a counselor. CPLA requests that parents submit an Informed Consent form. See below for contact information. A brief bio for each is available. We look forward to our continued partnership with CPLA to best support Bosco Tech's students.
Mr. Daniel Lian
Mondays and Fridays, 7:30 a.m. 3p.m.
Google Voice #: (424) 243 5767
Bosco Tech Email: dlian@boscotech.edu
CPLA email: daniel.boscotech@counselingpartnersofla.org
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. 3 p.m.
Google Voice: (626) 552 9383 Bosco Tech Email: bquintas@boscotech.edu
CPLA email: bryan.boscotech@counselingpartnersofla.org
*Here are the links to the online Informed Consent forms:
English:
Student Under 18 https://forms.gle/WL1NKVs6vXNBs6Eb9
Student Over 18 https://forms.gle/nCuKiqKUXVds8iJVA
Spanish:
Student Under 18 https://forms.gle/PsNj5RSbZvkfgo4g6
Student Over 18 - https://forms.gle/nbYS9Gs2H7iGcFzF7
Many thanks to Cal State Fullerton Titan Associate Head Basketball Coach Anthony Santos (CT ’07)
recently stopping by the Tigers’ Practice to motivate the team.
coming
Coach Santos!
Your son is invited on an upcoming educational travel experience to Paris, Normandy, and London in Summer 2023!
When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and I would love to have your student join me on this adventure.
Come hear all the details, including the itinerary, activities, academic opportunities, the cost of the trip and EF Tours’s risk free enrollment period at our informational meeting on October 4 at 6:00pm. The meeting will take place on Google Meet you will receive the link after you RSVP. Please click here to register for the meeting ASAP to save your seat: https://bit.ly/3DDrJ42.
There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity! Questions? Contact Dr. Tony Arguelles at targuelles@boscotech.edu.
Bosco Tech yearbook online sales begin on October 1! Your 2023 Yearbook can be bought online for $80 presale or for $100 after December 21.
Look for a direct purchase link to our online store in an up coming email very soon!
Questions? Please contact Ms. Laura Bower at lbower@boscotech.edu
When author and education strategist Ian Symmonds recently visited the Tech, he tweeted the following:
I had the pleasure of visiting Don Bosco Tech in the greater LA area today as we launched a new strategy project. A national leader in STEM education, they have amassed a dizzying display of the most comprehensive tech and science facilities I’ve seen in an American high school.
Thank you, Mr. Symmonds. Follow him at @IanSymmonds.
Derived from a Senior Class Instagram Poll with 80% response
Presented by: Senior Co Presidents Ephraim Joseph De La Cruz and Christian Figueroa. Senior privileges granted by Bosco Tech Administration
Beginning September 12, 2022, a student of the senior class is allowed:
I. At the discretion of your teacher, dismissal for lunch 5 minutes early.
II. Lenient Relaxed Dress Every Last day of the week excluding Mass or Liturgies, in this case, Thurs day would be your relaxed dress day.
A. Non belt loop/athletic pants/shorts allowed (No pajamas or similar types allowed)
B. No violent/derogatory designs allowed
III. Facial hair:
· Neatly trimmed Mustache/goatees, and beards but no Gandalf Beards
IV. Dyed Hair (Allowed in April, 2023)
· Limited to natural colors
1. Black, Brown, Blond, Auburn, Red, Chestnut
V. Piercings
· Single stud earrings are allowed
· NO nose rings allowed
VI. Be the first to be dismissed from student gatherings.
VII. Allowed to paint the senior wall with approved drawings and messages.
The Bosco Tech community is extremely grateful for all recent donations made by generous foundations, organizations and alumni. Among those gifts: October
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
$ 34,000 Scholarships
The Frank McHugh $250,000 BMET Facility Renovations
O'Donovan Foundation, Inc.
Lopker Family Foundation $300,000 Lopker Endowment
Bosco Tech truly appreciates our benefactors who share our mission to educate young people. Please let us know if you have connections to a charitable foundation, or if your employer has a grant making program. Contact Manager of Foundation Relations Anne Sigoloff at asigoloff@boscotech.edu or (626) 940 2027.
Bosco Tech is clarifying the various levels of academic distinction that our students earn, based on their last major grading period report card GPA. These levels include Honor Roll (3.00-3.49), High Honors (3.50 3.99) and Highest Honors (4.0 and up). High Honors is also referred to as the Principal's list and Highest Honors is also called the President's List. Students who make the Honor Roll have achieved at least a 3.00 overall GPA on the First or Second Semester Final report card.
After a full summer of conditioning, including a week of high altitude training in Big Bear, our team of 38 athletes was eager to test themselves with their first meet. The Rosemead Invitational on September 10, at Rosemead High School, was where we began. It was a night meet to avoid the heat. The races were divided by class. For a number of our team members, especially the freshmen, it was their first race ever. We had some good results: sophomore Danny Cendejas finished #7 out of 278 runners with a time of 16:24 for the three miles. Junior Khiru Khan had a spectacular new PR (Personal Record). His previous time was 32 minutes, but at Rosemead he finished in 19:49!
Senior Christian Perez, our top runner, had a noteworthy time of 15:55. Medal winners were sophomores Daniel Cendejas and Josh Camarillo, junior JP Rodriguez, and senior Christian Perez
On September 15, our second meet, also a night meet, was the Woodbridge Invitational at the Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine. This two day meet had thousands of runners competing. Our runners did well: 15 of the 19 participants PRed, and five of the JV had times under 20 minutes (a first for so many this early in the season). Nine of our athletes received medals: sophomores Jacob Campa, Danny Cendejas, and Andrew Rodriguez (who ran in the junior race!); juniors Jad Aribi, Khiru Khan, Joseph Lee, and JP Rodriguez; and finally seniors Anthony Battlaglia and Christian Perez. The best news of all was our varsity team: they finished sixth out of 23 teams!
Our next race was the Del Rey League Invitational on September 20 at Heartwell Park in Long Beach. There were just JV and Varsity races, with no medals given. Our JV team won, beating Cathedral, Bishop Amat, and Salesian! (The first time in 10 years). Five of the first 9 runners were ours! Junior Joseph Lee tied for second place. For the varsity, we missed fourth place by three points; however, Christian finished 6th, and Danny 8th.
Finally, our top five varsity runners are among the top 32 runners of the Camino del Rey Association, consisting of Del Rey, Camino Real, and Santa Fe leagues. We have four meets in October; come cheer us on!
What an amazing day it was Bosco Tech's annual Mothers Luncheon Derby Tea Party on Sept. 25 was a fun and festive event, thanks to our hardworking volunteers, generous donors, and each attendee! We loved the beautiful hats and special dresses, but especially the cheer and friendship that was shared by all! Thank you!
Calling Tech alumni don't miss this fun opportunity to catch up with classmates and recognize deserving alumni and friends of the Tech.
• Friday, Oct. 21 Alumni Honors Ceremony & Cocktail Party
• Saturday, Oct. 22 Individual Class Reunions for those celebrating milestone anniversaries
Nominate a fellow alumnus for the Techman Award of Merit, given to a graduate who has brought renown to the Tech while exemplifying the values instilled at this great school.
Also, tell us about a member of the Tech community who, while not having graduated from the school, has given of themselves to provide a better future for its students. We'll recognize someone special for the Honorary Alumnus Award.
For details about class reunions and nominating a deserving individual for an award, visit https:// www.boscotech.edu/reunions.
The FACTS Family Portal gives you a convenient opportunity to get more involved in your son’s academic progress and future success, all online. A private and secure parents’ portal, it allows you to view academic information specific to your son, while protecting his information. You can also communicate with teachers and other school staff members online whenever necessary.
Here’s how to access our easy-to-use FACTS Family Portal:
If you have created an account at the time of admissions to Bosco Tech and created a username and password, please continue to the following instructions to login;
In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer, go to www.boscotech.edu and click on Student/Parent Hub at the top right hand corner. Scroll down halfway through the page and click on FACTS Login button. The School's District Code: DBTI-CA. Type in your Username and Password used to create the Admission application, select Parent and Login.
Once on the FACTS Family Portal home page, you will have access to the school announcements, calendar, faculty & staff directory, resource documents all school flyers, school forms, The Gear newsletter, student grades, class schedules, FACTS payment plans, reenrollment, FACTS Grant & Aid, and more.
Parents who have not created a username and password please follow the instructions below: Go to the Bosco Tech website (www.boscotech.edu) and click on Student & Parent Hub at the top righthand corner, scroll halfway down the page and click on the FACTS Login. Type the school's District Code: DBTI-CA, and click on Create New Family Portal Account. Type your Email Address and click on Create Account. An email will be sent to your email address that includes a link to create your FACTS Family Portal login. The link is active for six hours only. Click on Create your FACTS Family Portal Login link within the email sent to you. A web browser displays your name and FACTS personal ID. Type a User Name, Password, Confirm your password and Save. You will receive a message stating “User Name/Password Successfully Updated.”
Logging back into FACTS Family Portal: go to www.boscotech.edu, click on Student/Parent Hub at the top right hand corner, then scroll halfway down the page and click on FACTS Login, District Code: DBTI CA, Username and Password click on Parent and Login.
Please note that dates, events and locations are subject to change. Check the school’s full calendar at https://www.boscotech.edu/student life/calendar for the latest updates.
Saturday 10/1 SAT (off campus)
Application Party for Seniors! (FAFSA, CSU & UC application help and submission) in the library from 9 a.m. 1 p.m.
Tues. Fri. 10/4 10/7 First Quarter Exams
Tuesday 10/4 Parent Council meeting at 6 p.m.
Wednesday 10/5 Sophomore Parent College Info Night at 6 p.m.
Thursday 10/6 Junior Parent College Info Night at 6 p.m.
Herff Jones Information on campus (class rings, letterman jackets, graduation announcements, etc.)
Friday 10/7 End of First Quarter
Monday 10/10 Columbus Day (school closed)
Tuesday 10/11 Second quarter begins
Wednesday 10/12 PSAT testing for grades 9 11 8 a.m. 12 noon
College application and scholarship help for seniors 8 a.m.-12 noon (early dismissal for all students at 12:00 noon)
Thursday 10/13 Bosco Tech College Fair 6 8 p.m.
Herff Jones Information on campus 6 8 p.m.
Friday 10/14 School Dance at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10/18 Red Cross Club Blood Drive 10 a.m. 4 p.m.
Thurs. Fri. 10/20 21 Parent Teacher Conferences 1 6 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 10/21-22 2022 Alumni Reunion Weekend
Wednesday 10/26 Technology Information Session #2 for freshman parents at 6 p.m. (in Techs)
Friday 10/28 In person Coffee with the Principal at 8 a.m. in South (near baseball field) Parking lot
Monday 10/31 Halloween
Tues. Wed. 11/1 11/2 Dia de los Muertos
Tuesday 11/1 All Saints Day liturgy
End of Tech Rotation #2 for freshmen
Parent Council meeting at 6 p.m.
Wednesday 11/2 Start of Tech Rotation #3 for freshmen
All Souls Day
