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Phs PArticiPAtes in solAr cuP

For the third year in a row, on May 13-15 at Lake Skinner, Providence High School students, led by faculty member Jeff Kubasak, participated in the 14th annual Solar Cup, which is sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Providence was among 38 teams participating in the six-county, 5,200 square-mile service area, which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. The Solar Cup is a year long program in which students build, equip and race 16-foot, single-seat boats powered only by the sun. The Solar Cup Program allows students to apply their skills in math, physics, engineering and communications, while learning about Southern California’s water resources, resource management, conservation, and alternative energy development.

Each team constructs a 16-foot boat outfitted with a solarcollection panel. The teams compete in endurance races around a 1.6 kilometer course in the morning and afternoon on the second day of the event. On the final day, the boats’ solar panels are removed. The boats compete in 200-meter sprint races powered by solar energy stored in batteries.

“I am just so incredibly proud of the amazing amount of work both [Jeff] and the kids put in. It was a wonderful weekend,” reflected Susan Beckenham, Providence High School’s Technology Focus Program Director.

the rocket Project finAl Portfolio Assessment or “how i leArned to stoP feAring the unknown And emBrAce A chAllenge” By reece tAlley, Phs fAculty memBer

In late April all of the 11th grade students were handed a huge challenge: to re-enact the Space Race albeit in a greatly simplified form. This is the 23rd year for the project and as usual, the classes rose to the challenge. Students formed engineering cells and then drafted formal engineering proposals complete with operational designs, financial plans, and work assignments. They then set about designing and building model rockets that would meet the proposed goals. Some chose to build multi-staged rockets such as NASA used for the moon shots, others chose to design multi-engine clusters, while others worked on boosted gliders and attempts at breaking the sound barrier. After weeks of blood, sweat, and more than a few tears, they traveled out before dawn to El Mirage Dry Lake Recreation area just north of Lake Los Angeles to flight test their designs.

Amid screams of joy, wows of wonderment, and some oohs related to CATOs (catastrophic failures in rocket jargon), a whole lot of practical learning took place. Every student out there was amazed that they were able to do what they did. Making the day especially enjoyable was that we were joined by a regionally recognized team of girls from Notre Dame Academy and their teacher Dr. Kathy Griffis. The NDA girls had just returned from the national T.A.R.C. rocketry competition. For our launch, the girls built a rocket with a strap on pen camera that captured the launch from a rocket’s eye view. It was pretty amazing.

What makes it all the more so was the fact that PHS had done the same thing back in the 90’s, only with a super 8 movie camera and film! It just goes to show you how much technology has evolved.

sPring sPorts rounduP

The defending Liberty League championship softball team overcame injury and rain delays to have another strong showing in league. The Pioneers finished in second place and qualified for playoffs. The team traveled four hours to Big Pine High School in the first round and won in commanding fashion. The team then played host to number one-ranked Rolling Hills Prep. The Pioneers showed their pride on the field and battled until the last out. Four members of the team, Rachel Camonayan ‘16, Fabi Jimenez ‘16, Emily Mai ‘16, and Francesca Maravilla ‘18 were named to the All Liberty League team.

The boys’ baseball team finished second in league and earned a spot in playoffs for the second straight year. The Pioneers earned an exciting extra-innings walk off win in the first round against St. Margaret’s. Thomas Keller ‘16 hit a ground ball single that scored Nicholas Knezevich ‘18 for the win! Providence then hosted defending champion Flintridge Prep. The Pioneers fought hard but were defeated 4-2. Named to the All Liberty League team were Thomas Keller ‘16, Sean Holt ‘16, and Dante Cano ‘16.

The boys’ volleyball team had another successful season, finishing third in the Liberty League. They earned a spot in playoffs and traveled to AGBU Canoga Park for a Wild-Card match. They swept AGBU and traveled to St. Genevieve for their first round match. The Pioneers earned a five game win that ended in a dominating 25-12 victory over the Valiants. Providence hosted Damien High School in the second round. The Pioneers battled for every point but came up short and lost in three games to the eventual CIF champions.

It was another successful season for the golf program. The golf team earned a third place finish in league. Three members, Joseph Brion ‘16, Eddie Hwang ‘16, and Paolo Largoza ‘17, were among the top golfers in league and qualified for League Finals. Eddie qualified for CIF and traveled to Camarillo for the first round of playoffs, where he finished three over par at Las Posas Country Club but did not qualify for the second round.

Track and Field, Providence’s largest group of athletes, competed in league meets at Birmingham High School. Jasmine Ramirez ‘16 and Jason Batungbacal ‘16 earned first place victories in shot put and the 100 yard dash and earned the opportunity to compete at CIF prelims.

VisuAl & Performing Arts dePArtment concludes yeAr on A high note

The Visual and Performing Arts Department completed the season with a grand performance and awards night at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. This was a night of celebration featuring classical & contemporary music, dance, evocative visual art, and scenes from America’s most prolific playwrights.

Providence Singers concluded their competition season with a performance at the Glendale A Cappella Festival on May 21st . PHS was the only private Catholic high school represented at the event. Out of nine high schools, PHS came in third place next to John Burroughs High School and Valencia High School.

Mr. Rafe Vega was shrunken down to a miniature bobble-head version of himself as part of an auction item benefiting Providence’s Gala. Aram Nadjarian ‘02 was the lucky winning bidder and returned to campus to claim his prize, which truly bears an uncanny resemblance to the real Mr. Vega!