NEWS: Student highlights and profiles

Lancers in the NEWS

Arya Pratap ’21 Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Arya Pratap began her freshman year this fall at University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign with an extra spring in her step. After being selected as a YoungArts finalist in November 2020, the dancer recently was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the country’s highest honors.

Created by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Presidential Scholars program recognizes seniors’ exceptional accomplishments in academics, the arts, career and technical fields. Honorees also possess a commitment to community service and leadership. Arya, who is one of 161 national scholars and one of nine Californians chosen in 2021, learned of the competition from her national YoungArts honor in Indian Classical Dance or Bharatanatyam, a 2,000-year-old divine art form she’s performed since age 4.

“Being a Presidential Scholar has been my dream,” says Arya, who is studying information sciences at college.” Years of hard work and dedication led me to this honor, along with my friends, family and Saint Francis teachers who shaped my understanding of the world.”

Saint Francis English teacher Meighan Wilson Friedsam ’97 was recognized as a Distinguished Teacher in the 2021 Presidential Scholars program.

Arya has performed at Saint Francis, with Fremont’s Nritanjali Dance Academy, and in dance competitions around the country. She’s used her artistic talents and leadership skills to raise funds for flood relief efforts in India and as a Young Wing member for Voice of a Child, a human rights nonprofit serving children in India.

As a Lancer, she was on Speech and Debate and tutored middle- and elementary-aged students in debate. One of the leaders of the TEDxSaintFrancis program, Arya served on the Speaker Mentor Board and trained speakers. Her own TEDxSaintFrancis talk in 2018, titled (fittingly) “Dancing Through Life,” spoke of her passion for using dance as inspiration for social justice.

Football Player Joe Tongamoa ’21 Showcased on ABC’s ‘Lost Season’

Before the pandemic pushed Saint Francis online in spring 2020, Joe Tongamoa was generating buzz for pushing back on opposing teams. As a linebacker for the Saint Francis varsity football team, Joe was counting on his senior season to showcase his prowess and leadership on the gridiron to earn an athletic scholarship from bigtime football programs.

But one of the many ripples of the COVID-19 pandemic is the effect it’s had on high school athletes. For 11 months, ABC-owned TV station ABC7 (KGO-TV) followed Joe and two other Bay Area athletes on their journey to navigate their “lost season” while dealing with the challenges of the pandemic.

The docu-series focuses on Joe’s familycentered life off the field and how his coaches, teammates, teachers and family help keep his dream of playing college football alive. Spoiler alert: There’s a happy ending — Joe was recruited by Southern Utah University.

To watch the streaming series, download the ABC7 Bay Area streaming TV app or go to the ABC7 Bay Area YouTube Channel.

LANCER profile

Aidan Sanchez ’22

Officer Associated Student Body (ASB) Student Council Junior year Co-founder Filipino-American Student Union Core team leader Ignite (youth group) Discus Saint Francis Track and Field Member Lancer Rally Board Volunteer coordinator Camp Thrive

“Having opportunities to participate in different clubs has helped me discover who I am as a leader.”

How has your leadership style developed?

In middle school, I was on the seventh-grade student council and discovered that I like helping friends and classmates. It’s fulfilling and fun. I don’t like sitting in one place. Saint Francis has really helped me develop as a leader. My first leadership role was as a freshman when I helped lead Ignite’s Jesus Reframed retreat. I’ve been leading small group discussions for Ignite ever since. I am still learning about my leadership style, but I like to be hands on. I used to be a shy, quiet person. Having opportunities to participate in different clubs has helped me discover who I am as a leader. My journalism class in fall 2020 also helped build my desire for public service. I have a zeal to serve.

Why is leading as an advocate important to you?

I co-founded the Filipino-American Student Union two years ago as part of the school’s Social Justice, Equity and Inclusion program. I worked closely with Mrs. Moorhouse, who had the foundation from students who were trying [to get it started] before. This is one of my proudest accomplishments at Saint Francis. It’s so important to show our heritage. Last year, we invited Filipino-American author Randy Ribay, who wrote Patron Saints of Nothing, to do a virtual author’s talk. He was at my parents’ [Filipino] restaurant one day, and I introduced myself.

How do you lead outside of school?

I help lead Camp Thrive, which hosts day camps for first- through fifth-graders at a couple of churches each year, including at my parish, St. Lucy’s in Campbell. The camp was started by Fr. Steve Kim. I am the volunteer coordinator, and there’s not another 17-year-old on the leadership team. The camp is two weeks in July, but we plan for it all year. When schools shut down last year, we helped students with the new style of [virtual] learning. It’s been really helpful to have a chance to learn different ways to lead.

Top: Helping at Martha’s Kitchen (far right) Bottom: With fellow volunteers at Camp Thrive (far left)