2021 Salesian Viewbook Insert

Be You.

Be

Layth Senior

Tell us about your name: My first name means ‘lion’ in Arabic. I was born prematurely and my parents weren’t sure if I’d survive. They gave me the name Layth as a symbol of strength and courage.

Hometown:

Pinole, California

Elementary School:

Canterbury School

Why did you choose Salesian?

I chose Salesian for the friends I had going there at the time, and the welcoming atmosphere.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My mom and dad have always supported me no matter what and have immensely shaped who I am. I also have an older sister who never fails to make me laugh and a pet pitbull that’s a total scaredy-cat.

Tell us about your family at school? Who keeps you going?

My family at school includes my best friend Serena, who’s been with me since preschool, and my friends Natalia,

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Branden, and Gabe.

Although I only met them at the start of high school, I’ve grown super close to each of them, and they’ve consistently encouraged and supported me. There’s not a doubt in my mind that these people will be in my life for a very long time and I’m eternally grateful for that.

What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

Salesian’s focus on leadership and service makes me super happy because it attracts kind-hearted students who are passionate about making a difference in the world.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

My favorite subject is English because it combines my two greatest passions, reading and writing, and it prepares me for my future major: creative writing.

Who is your favorite teacher? Who inspires you?

It’s hard to pick just one, but a top teacher for me would definitely be Ms. Trott. She’s always been a very easygoing, relatable teacher who has helped me improve my writing skills and made classes fun.

What club(s) are you involved in?

SLAM, CMT, Hiking Club, Club Bosco, JSA, API, Tabard, Secret Kindness Agents, Film Club, Interact Club

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Wonderful, Adventurous, Life-Changing Biggest accomplishment so far?

Being elected Class President in my junior year!

How has Salesian changed you?

Salesian has made me a more confident person; I’ve gotten to know myself a lot more and have been able to open up to others and get to know them as well.

What surprised you about Salesian?

The open-mindedness of Salesian was a great surprise. I had never attended a Catholic school before and wasn’t sure how difficult it would be for a non-Catholic student. However, all of the teachers and students are very accepting, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, etc.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

I’d love to attend Northwestern University to study creative writing! I’m also considering minoring in either biology, psychology, or international affairs.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I want to write novels that not only entertain, but make people empathetic to the social injustices of the real world and encourage them to work towards making the world a better place. Honestly, if my writing helps just one person, whether it be in a significant way or a small, personal way, I’ll be happy. www.salesian.com I 3 www.salesian.com

Petra

Sophomore

Tell us about your name: On my mom’s side, they have a tradition of naming their children after other family members. Originally, my mom wanted to name me Mateo—after her father—when she thought I was a boy. However, she found out I was going to be a girl and was struggling to name me in honor of her father. So, she called her mother who suggested the name “Petra:’’ she was Tell us about my grandpa’s mother and was known for running a household comprised of men, was your family at very small, and was an absolute fireschool? Who keeps cracker. As a result, she named you going? me Petra which means I have a big family at school—I’m in two “stone”/“rock” and friend groups but I stick with the ones in is the female my year. It’s mostly composed of guys variant of who can get out of hand, but I love them “Peter”. regardless; they always brighten my mood whenever I’m with them and they Hometown: never fail to make me smile and laugh.

Martinez, California Two people that I am very close with at school are my friends Ambika and Elementary School: Sarabjot who have always supported me.

Queen of All Saints

Why did you choose Salesian?

I chose Salesian because the community here is like a family. Everyone cares about each other and is willing to have an open ear for others.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My blood family consists of my mom and dad—I’m an only child. Although, my family has branched off to my parents’ co-workers (aunts and uncles) and close family friends who support me the best they can.

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What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

Something that I take pride in about Salesian is how diverse, inclusive, and big the community is. It’s always a joy looking around at the crowds during break and seeing how chaotic and fun it is.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

My favorite subject is English. I love literature, reading, and writing, it’s definitely my calling. Everything about English has inspired and motivated me to pursue my dreams and to do everything I can to accomplish them.

Who is your favorite teacher?

Who inspires you?

My favorite teacher is Mr. Malixi. He’s the World History Honors and AP US History teacher. Mr. Malixi is a down to Earth guy and teaches very well. He’s humorous and very calming to talk to. He has an amazing sense of humor and always engages with the class.

What club(s) are you involved in?

Art of Tea Society, American Sign Language, Drama, D&D, CMT, API, Diversity, and Student Ambassador.

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Crazy, Thrilling, Euphoric Biggest accomplishment so far?

My biggest accomplishment so far is becoming the Vice President of the sophomore class!

How has Salesian changed you?

Salesian has made me more tame and patient.

What surprised you about Salesian?

Something that surprised me about Salesian is how big and beautiful the campus is.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

I want to go to UC Berkeley where I’ll major in English, minor in nursing, and maybe become roommates with my best friend.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

If anything, I just want to show the people around me that it is possible to be happy and keep going through all trauma, hardships, and struggles. www.salesian.com I 5 www.salesian.com

Jane Senior

Tell us about your name: I was named after my great aunt on my mom’s side.

She was a dancer with San Francisco Ballet so I think it’s really cool that I’m also a dancer and we share the same name.

Tell us about your family at school? Who keeps you going?

Hometown:

Pinole, California

Elementary School:

Ellerhorst Elementary School

Why did you choose Salesian?

I chose Salesian for many reasons. Both of my siblings went to Salesian, Joe ‘17 and Mollin ‘19, so I’ve been around this community for a long time. I feel very comfortable at Salesian and I was excited about all the service and travel opportunities.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My parents are Sheila and John and I am the youngest of three siblings. Joe is my brother, he is the oldest and he is studying to become a commercial pilot at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. My sister, Mollin, plays college volleyball at CSUMB and hopes to become a lawyer.

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I feel very fortunate that I’ve met so many amazing people at Salesian. I’m closest with my friends Maddie and Emma. Maddie I went to middle school with at St. Joseph’s, and I met Emma our first year at Salesian. They are both very intelligent and caring people and I feel lucky to have them by my side!

What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

I am very passionate about spreading kindness at Salesian! I started a club with my friends Kyra and Sydney called TPWK Club, Treat People with Kindness, which is a service club. My sophomore year I also took a dance class at Salesian which was a lot of fun for me because I’m a dancer. Many of those people I took dance with are now members of the TPWK Club!

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

My favorite class is AP Computer Science.

The teacher for that class, Mr. Bender, is very knowledgeable and funny and I’ve always loved computer science!

Who is your favorite teacher? Who inspires you?

My favorite teacher is Mr. Rhoades. He taught me my freshman and junior year and will teach me this year. I really appreciate his teaching style and his classes are always fun. He is also the teacher moderator for the club I started with my friends Kyra and Sydney, The TPWK Club!

What club(s) are you involved in?

Student Ambassador Club, TPWK Club, Interact Club, and JSA.

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Exciting, Encouraging, Homey Biggest accomplishment so far?

Winning the Don Bosco Award*!

How has Salesian changed you?

I’ve grown so much at Salesian. High school years are important years in everyone’s life: it’s where I’ve met life-long friends and learned lessons that will take me through college!

What surprised you about Salesian?

I was surprised how motivated everyone at Salesian is.

Everyone I know is in multiple clubs or playing a sport.

Also the teachers are very motivated and passionate about the lessons they are teaching.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

I would love to go to the University of California, Los Angeles and major in communications.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

That kindness is so simple but so important!

* The Don Bosco Scholarship is the highest and most prestigious scholarship granted for outstanding academic achievement, and scoring in the upper echelon of the HSPT test. www.salesian.com I 7 www.salesian.com

Penelope Junior

Tell us about your name: The name Penelope means “the weaver”. I was named after Queen Penelope of Ithaca, the wife of Odysseus in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey.

Tell us about your family at school? Who keeps you going?

Hometown:

Richmond, California

Elementary School: School of the Madeleine

Why did you choose Salesian?

I chose Salesian for its outstanding academic reputation and the lively community.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

I have always looked up to my parents for their wisdom, intelligence, and love. I hope to repay them for all their contributions to my life.

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I have many friends at school who keep me smiling, laughing, and working hard everyday. We all share similar ambitions which we hope to pursue after high school.

What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

Salesian’s various courses excite me because I get to listen to many unique stories, educate myself, and enjoy the thrill of being academically challenged.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

My favourite class is AP Biology because I get to learn vast information about our micro and macro environments.

Who is your favorite teacher? Who inspires you?

My favorite teacher is Ms. O’Hair. Her classes are always engaging and she challenges me to think deeply about numerous topics.

What club(s) are you involved in?

I am involved in the Diversity Club.

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Challenging, life-changing, familial Biggest accomplishment so far?

Getting inducted into the National Honors Society with my friends!

How has Salesian changed you?

Salesian changed me in mindset and spirit. The familial environment helped me become more confident in myself. Furthermore, the rigorous academic curriculum pushed me towards ambitious goals that I hope to fulfill.

What surprised you about Salesian?

I was surprised at how much the teachers enjoy their work. I’m so happy that I get to be a student of many teachers who are passionate about their fields.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

My dream school is Northwestern University. In college, I hope to double major in Psychology and Spanish.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I hope to help as many people as I can in the mental health department, and encourage people to share their stories.

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Zander Sophomore

Tell us about your name: My name does not really have a special origin, but it is unique in the fact that it is not short for Alexander, it’s just Zander. breaks I sit under a tree with my friends and Varsity basketball teammates, Amani and Zion.

Hometown:

Hercules, California

Elementary School:

Montessori Family School

Why did you choose Salesian?

I had family who went here, the elite sports program and advanced science courses.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

I have an older brother, Junior, and a younger brother, Elijah. My younger brother has taught me a lot about being responsible and how to care for one another.

Tell us about your family at school? Who keeps you going?

At school I spend most of my break time with my group of friends. During these

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What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

Being able to come to school everyday knowing the environment is welcoming.

Although some classes I may not always enjoy, I am assured that all of them are teaching the content thoroughly. This past year I was not able to experience much of the school activities, but I do acknowledge that through everything that has been happening, the school still made time to have food and toy drives to help out our community.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

It’s a tie between Biomed Science and Math. I really enjoy learning in both classes. Ms. Mac does a very good job teaching us the content while not overwhelming us. I enjoy Biomed because I am passionate and curious about science in general.

Who is your favorite teacher? Who inspires you?

Ms. Mac. She creates a very enjoyable

classroom environment while also teaching me so much. Ms. Mac helps further my love of math.

What club(s) are you involved in?

Richmond Service Club and the Fantasy Football Club.

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Diverse, Fun, Eye-Opening Biggest accomplishment so far?

My biggest accomplishment so far has been making the Boys’ Varsity team as a Freshman and getting 2 academic awards my freshman year.

How has Salesian changed you?

Salesian has really opened my eyes around the importance of helping communities. The school puts a lot of effort into emphasizing this, while also adding some fun to it.

What surprised you about Salesian?

One thing that surprised me about Salesian was the diversity in clubs. Although I did not sign up for many clubs this past year, I did see that there were many clubs that seemed interesting.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

I do not have a specific dream school, but currently my goal is to be able to use sports as a vehicle to have a free education, and more specifically division 1 sports.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I want to be able to make an everlasting change on this world to the point where my grandchildren can be proud to say that I am their grandfather. I also want to be able to inspire others in some way with my actions.

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Elisabeth Junior

Tell us about your name: I was named after my great great great grandmother Elisabeth on my dad’s side.

It means God’s Promise in Hebrew.

It’s also the name I use in French class.

Tell us about your family at school? Who keeps you going?

My friends and teachers. My teachers because they want the students to succeed no matter what.

Hometown:

Martinez, California

Elementary School: Saint Catherine of Siena

Why did you choose Salesian?

I like the diversity at Salesian. Not only that, but I wanted to continue my religious education as well. I also like how friendly and welcoming people are at Salesian. I remember in 8th grade shadowing, everyone said hi to me and asked how I like the school.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My Mom and Dad are my support system.

My Dad takes me and my brother to school.

My Mom helps me with my work. She proofreads my essays and my other work.

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What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

What excites me about Salesian is homecoming week. I was upset that we didn’t get a homecoming week because of the pandemic, but I played JV softball this year and was happy we had a season.

I met new players and my dad was the assistant coach.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

My favorite subject is French and Ms. Ryan’s ASP (Academic Success Program) class. Dr. Heidenfeldt (the French teacher) is an amazing teacher and makes French fun. Ms.Ryan’s Academic Success class is where I can do my homework or take a test. Sometimes I finish my homework in her class so I don’t have to do it at home. Her class is very helpful to me as a student at Salesian.

Who is your favorite teacher? Who inspires you?

I’ll have to say Dr. H and Ms. Ryan. Dr. H because he’s really nice and is always energetic. Ms. Ryan will let you know if you are having trouble in a class or if you scored low on a test. I really appreciate Ms. Ryan.

What club(s) are you involved in?

I’m in the Student Ambassadors club. As a freshman, I was involved in the Recycling and Composting Club!

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Fun, Interesting, Breathtaking Biggest accomplishment so far?

Passing finals and through the improvement of my grades, I was not required to attend summer school.

How has Salesian changed you?

Salesian changed me by making me more independent.

What surprised you about Salesian?

The teachers are amazing at supporting students. They are very patient and care about us succeeding.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

I wish to attend California Lutheran University, Thousands Oaks to earn a degree in biology.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I want to help others reach their goals.

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Jeffrey Freshman

Tell us about your name: I share my name with my father. It means God Peace, and has English and German origins.

Who is your role model?

Who inspires you?

Hometown:

Martinez, California

Elementary School: Saint Catherine of Siena

Why did you choose Salesian?

I chose Salesian because I wanted a Catholic education and Salesian’s model of academics, faith, and family. I feel Salesian will prepare me for college and the rest of my life.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My family is my support system. I have my mom, dad, my sister Elisabeth, and my cousin Adrian. They all help me in one way or another.

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My dad is my role model. He is a hard worker that takes care of his family.

He works hard so my sister and I can have a good education.

What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in?

What do you take PRIDE in?

I am excited to join Salesian and to find my people. I know there are a lot of great people for me to meet and to connect with. I am also excited to play new sports like football and volleyball. I am most excited to join drama and to meet others interested in theatrical arts. I love singing and acting in plays.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

My favorite subject is math. I had a great math teacher in junior high.

I enjoy solving math problems.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

I have been studying Taekwondo for almost nine years. I also serve at my church and look forward to continuing acolyte training once COVID19 restrictions are removed.

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Faithful, Respectful, Social How/when did you find out you were accepted to Salesian?

I found out I was accepted into Salesian on March 19th while attending the installation of our former priest, Father Anthony, at Saint Joseph at Mission San Jose, Fremont.

It was also the Feast Day of Saint Joseph.

It was already a happy occasion, and the news made it happier. I was surprised to know I was accepted and had the opportunity for advanced classes. Many of the Saint Catherine parishioners were at the installation, including our current priest, Father Michael, and I was able to share the news with them. It was a happy time.

You’re starting your first year at Salesian!

What are you most nervous about?

I only know my sister at Salesian, so I am a little nervous about meeting all-new people.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is my dream school. I want to be an engineer and hopefully work for Disney.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I want to continue to help bring awareness to social injustices. Our world is broken in many ways, but we can all help rebuild it for the better. www.salesian.com II 15 15 www.salesian.com

Kamiryn Junior

Tell us about your name: My name Kamiryn was decided by my Mom, even though she only calls me Kami. She always liked the name Cameron but she chooses unique spellings for her children. Kami means “lord” in the Japanese Origin.

Tell us about your family at school? Who keeps you going?

Hometown:

Hercules, California

Elementary School:

Hanna Ranch Elementary School

Why did you choose Salesian?

Salesian was always a top choice when it came to deciding the high school for me.

I loved how diverse Salesian seemed and felt like I could fit in perfectly. Salesian also focused on all the important pillars of life like faith, family, and home.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My family is the most important thing to me. My parents, especially my Mom, keep me level headed when it comes to preparing for my future. My nephew Noah is my source of constant inspiration, always making me want to strive for more, so one day I can make him proud.

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I love the community. All the staff and teachers are great support and make me feel more comfortable in my school environment. I love that I can have positive exchanges with almost anyone I can come across.

What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

The girl’s soccer team, being part of a high school team was something I always dreamed of experiencing. Coming in as a freshman and creating the impact on the field that I had, helped me realize my own skill. I was awarded All League MVP. I love all the bonds I was able to create and will continue to make. Go Lady Pride!

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

English Honors taught by Ms. O’Hair. I felt the class took an untraditional spin and I loved this! I liked the book choices we had and the way we were able to express the lessons through final projects and papers.

Who is your favorite teacher?

Who inspires you?

Tough Question! There are so many teachers at Salesian who I’ve connected with on different levels.

My top two have to be Mr. Jobe and Ms. O’Hair. Mr. Jobe I can come to for advice, support, and where I can be my absolute self. Ms. O’Hair’s pure, kind spirited, and optimistic nature helps me flourish.

What club(s) are you involved in?

AAAK Club, Student Ambassador Leadership and I am also Salesian’s Social Media Marketing Intern

Describe your Salesian experience in 3 words:

Growth, Community, Diversity Biggest accomplishment so far?

Gaining almost 200,000 subscribers on Youtube!

How has Salesian changed you?

Salesian changed me by introducing an idea of a new stage in my life, making growing up a true reality. The Salesian experience made me realize that the next few years are crucial in preparing for my future.

What surprised you about Salesian?

How small it was. As time went on, I realized this is what made Salesian most unique.

It allows more one-on-one time with teachers and students furthering our education in the best way possible.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

My dream school is Stanford. My goal is to play for the women’s soccer team and earn my degree hopefully in law or a medical field.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

The importance of a unique identity because no one else in this world can ever be you! www.salesian.com II 17 17 www.salesian.com

Madden Freshman

Tell us about your name: I was named after the hall of famed football coach, John Madden, who had a legacy of being a beloved coach with a competitive drive. I feel as if I connect with the same competitive spirit in order to be the best I could be.

John Madden being such a huge icon in the sports industry makes me all the more dedicated to the sports I play.

Who is your role model?

Who inspires you?

Hometown:

Pinole, California

Elementary School: Stewart Elementary

Why did you choose Salesian?

I had been attending the same school for nine years and I needed to go outside of my comfort zone to be challenged.

Salesian also offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, and electives.

Tell us about your family!

Who is your support system?

My family has been very supportive with everything I try to achieve. Although my family is separated, they all do the best job to help me accomplish my passions, like music, art, and technology.

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I take a lot of my inspiration and creativity from art and music, one of the role models being my comfort band I always listen to when I’m having some hard times. Twenty One Pilots’ music helps a lot of people with their mental health journey which is something very important to me.

What excites you about Salesian? What activities do you participate in? What do you take PRIDE in?

I’m excited to be a part of the Salesian community. I look forward to being a part of groups like the debate club and the tennis team. I know Salesian will help strengthen my relationship with God and bring me closer to my religion. I take pride in being a very selfless friend and always doing the best I can to help people in times of need.

What is your favorite subject/class and why?

I enjoy science because I love conducting

experiments, learning new methods, and testing out new hypotheses.

I love how math can intertwine with science concepts as well.

How/when did you find out you were accepted to Salesian?

My acceptance letters were received by my mom via email. She printed out the letters and hung them on a congratulations balloon. I felt excited because not only did I get accepted to two different schools, but I also received a scholarship with my acceptance letter.

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?

I practice trumpet weekly and tennis four days a week.

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Curious, Ambitious, Funny You’re starting your first year at Salesian! What are you most nervous about?

I’m anxious about the transition from a public school to a private school.

Especially being new, it’s already difficult to build relationships with other people; some students might already know other people.

Dream school? What are your college goals?

UCLA is my dream school because it has always been an area I’ve wanted to live in. My goal is to major in both political science and psychology.

After that, I plan to apply to law school.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I hope to leave the world a better place than I came into. I wish to help as many people as I can, no matter what the case may be. www.salesian.com II 19 19 www.salesian.com

Join Us

Applications Open: Sept. 1. 2021 Early Bird Deadline: Dec. 6, 2021 ($80) Final Deadline: January 4, 2022 ($100)

Salesian College Preparatory

2851 Salesian Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 | 510-234-4433