As we celebrate our 74th year, Palma is undergoing an exciting period of transition and growth. Much like decades ago, when the school expanded from a small two-wing building to multiple wings and athletic facilities to acco d i l i find ourselves at a similar crossroads today. With our student capacity now full, we are explorin and provide more Chieftains with the opportunity to experience our incredible school.
Today you will see both young men and women walk these hallowed halls, surrounded by the joyful chatter and laughter of students taking full advantage of their time here. From honors and AP classes to a variety of clubs and house activities, as well as our athletic fields and courts, it is an exciting time at Palma, with even more opportunities on the horizon.
In August, we launched the Palma Rising Capital Campaign, our most ambitious project to date. This $11 million campaign aims to upgrade our athletic fields and facilities and strengthen our tuition assistance endowment. By doing so, we hope to provide more opportunities, allowing more Chieftains to attend our school. I invite you to visit palmarising.org for more information and ways to support this next generation of Chieftains. Next year, we will celebrate our 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for our school and the entire Palma family. I welcome you all back to campus to witness the exciting direction Palma is heading.
Brooke Iverson Jeremy Regalado Nicolas Pezzini Enrique Saavedra Valentina Santos Corral
Sebastian Sanchez Isaiah Rangel
Gianna Gastello Lukas Hell Griffin Stoffel
PALMA FUND 2024 - 2025 OVERVIEW
For decades, the incredible Palma community and its benefactors have been charged with bridging the gap between tuition and what it costs to educate a student. From academic support, spiritual engagement, technology, plant maintenance and operation expenses, the Palma Fund supports it all.
STORIES OF IMPACT
I am truly grateful for the generosity the Hitchcock family has shown me. Coming from a Mexican family with an immigrant father and being raised in a low-income household, I have witnessed firsthand the sacrifices my parents made so that I could have the opportunities they never had. Life has not always been easy, but the support has helped open doors for me that once felt out of reach. Job Barroso-Robles ‘26
Because of their generosity, I have been able to focus on my education and personal growth without being held back by financial struggles. Their help has given me the chance to work toward becoming not only a better student, but also a better person. A person who can make his family proud and hopefully inspire others who come from similar backgrounds.
Their belief in me reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. It motivates me to work even harder and to one day give back to others, just as they have given to me. I am grateful that they have made such a difference in my life. I will carry this opportunity with gratitude and responsibility as I continue moving forward.
The Hitchcocks
BREAKING THE CYCLE
When I first came to Palma, it wasn’t because it was easy or convenient. I was waking up at 5 AM every morning, commuting more than three and a half hours, using public transportation and walking two miles daily just to get to school. I transferred to Palma because I wanted something different for my life something more than what I grew up around. My mom has worked in the fields her whole life, and I’ve seen how exhausting and difficult that kind of work is. I even worked alongside her in middle school, damaging my hands, feet, and back. While working there, I was constantly reminded by other adults and parents that this kind of work is the reason I should stay focused on my education — and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Where I’m from, it’s easy to get caught up in cycles of poverty, violence, or in giving up on school. But I chose Palma because it gives me a chance to break that cycle.
To me, Palma is more than just a school. It represents a path of opportunity, discipline, and growth. At Palma, I’ve been pushed academically in many ways more often than not carrying a course load of AP and honors classes. Even when I had setbacks, like my emergency appendicitis surgery and whooping cough both ending my cross‑country season I still pushed through because Palma showed me the importance of resilience and how God helps us through tough times. But Palma isn’t just about grades or sports. It’s also about community and service. Through clubs like the ACTION Leadership Team, Interact Club, the National Honor Society, and our Mexico Immersion trip, I’ve been able to serve others and realize that leadership is about more than oneself; it’s about using what you’ve been given to lift others up.
These experiences at Palma have taught me that my background doesn’t define me — instead, it motivates me to keep pushing forward. Palma has given me a brotherhood, mentors who believe in me, and an environment where I can imagine myself going to college and achieving more than what people expected of me. Whether it’s an Olympian, a Duke alum, a state champion coach, or even a former 49er, these people aren’t just mentors — they’re examples of what is possible. They’ve shown me that success doesn’t come from where you start, but from the choices and hard work you make along the way. None of this, though, would have been possible without financial aid. Whether it was building a house for a family or meeting my biological father for the first time, these experiences would not have been possible without the generous assistance of donors.
Every day, I’m grateful that I no longer have to worry about tuition especially since, at one point, it was the only reason I thought I wouldn’t be able to continue my journey at Palma. Receiving financial assistance has significantly impacted the trajectory of my high school career, and I genuinely don’t know where I’d be without the generosity of others. Coming from a low-income family without the means to afford school, it’s been both a privilege and a blessing not to carry that financial burden. But financial aid isn’t just about money it’s the reason I’m here, grinding every day to create a better life for myself, my family, and my community. I don’t want to take the opportunity I’ve been given for granted. In the end, Palma has become a place where I’ve grown as a student, a leader, and a person by being surrounded by like-minded individuals. It’s not an easy road, but I’ve learned that nothing worthwhile ever is and that, in the end, you will be rewarded for your hard work one way or another.
Kevin Monroy ‘26
Zaniyah Washington ‘29
“The financial aid I received from Palma has made it possible for me to attend a school that challenges me academically and helps me grow as a person. As an athlete that plays 3
sports, I believe the quality programs that Palma has to offer not only academically, but in athletics, will significantly increase my chances of achieving my goal of attending and playing sports at a D1 university. I hope to one day graduate and give back to the community that supported me. Thank you so much for your generosity, support, and the opportunity to be a part of the Palma community.”
EDWARDM.DOWDGYM:
In May 2025, Palma unveiled the Edward M. Dowd Gymnasium. This project was completed after receiving the largest single gift from the Edward M. Dowd Foundation of $2.5 million.
Since its completion, Palma has initiated several new and exciting campus enhancements, including murals, signage, banners, and, most recently, beginning construction of a new Athletic Center and grounds.
As we embark on our most ambitious endeavor since our founding in 1951, our mission is clear: to come together as one and transform our campus into a legacy worthy of its excellence.
We are Palma Rising.
At Palma, we are committed to building a future where every student is empowered to reach their fullest potential.
Palma isn’t just a place, it’s a promise. A promise to ignite lifelong passion in every student, nurture resilience, courage and compassion, and lay the foundation for a legacy of excellence built on faith, service and community.
