Dear SJM Alumni and Friends, 

During this unprecedented global health crisis, please know that our office is thinking of you who may be impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19), in addition to the healthcare and public service workers who are on the frontlines working hard to care for us all. While we are facing these challenges, we continue to be reminded of our community's compassion and generosity toward one another. 

Please continue to stay connected with SJM by following our Facebook and Instagram pages. At any time, you may visit our coronavirus information page for campus-related updates on this matter.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you and your families are staying safe.

Sincerely,
Office of Advancement 
Follow your passions, SJM alum tells students

Katey Olsen knew she wanted to be an FBI agent from the time she was in elementary school. Hearing intriguing stories as a youngster, told by her special agent grandfather, sealed the deal.

Olsen, a member of SJM’s Class of 2008, recently spoke to students at Career Day where she shared her personal insights; now as a newly minted graduate from the FBI Academy, and the path that led her to where she is today.

Her career advice to students is simple. “Follow your passion, trust yourself, and try to find a career that makes you happy,” said Olsen. “There is not one day I regret following this path. Even during the difficult times, I never had a plan B. I always knew I was meant to be a special agent.” 

Olsen’s passion for the FBI was fueled by her grandfather. “My grandfather was a special agent and hearing his stories about the Bureau was inspiring. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career as a special agent,” said Olsen. “While at Memorial, I made the decision to pursue a career with the FBI by choosing to obtain my degree in Criminology at Fresno State.” 
Holy Thursday Reflection and Prayer

Please join us this Holy Thursday for a reflection and prayer with Deacon John Supino. Deacon John graduated from SJM in 1958. He is a former teacher and coach and is also in the SJM Hall of Fame!
SJM Alumni battles COVID-19 at the virtual frontline

SJM teacher Mr. Dave Duncan sat down with Alumni Dr. Ian Tong to discuss how Doctor on Demand's virtual platform is playing a pivotal role in combating COVID-19. Tong is the Chief Medical Officer for Doctor on Demand. You can watch the video below.
SJM Seniors Celebrate Becoming Eagle Scouts

They have shared this journey since they were boys and now they are young men, making an impact on their community. Stephen Cantelmi, Mateo Escobar and Andrew Vidales will all graduate together from SJM in May. The three are also bonded in the fact that they all became Eagle Scouts together.

Each Eagle Scout is required to complete an individualized community service project. The project has to make such a big impact that it often takes several months to complete. Cantelmi re-did a courtyard on a property owned by the Diocese of Fresno. The property is right next to St. John's Cathedral in downtown Fresno. Escobar refurbished a pinewood derby track and Vidales refurbished pews in the choir loft in St. Anthony's Church.

The trio intended to have their court of honor ceremony last weekend but due to the coronavirus, they had to celebrate in a unique way. The SJM community along with the young men's families and friends came together and held a parade to celebrate their accomplishments. Once again, the SJM community comes together in times we need it most. Thank you to the SJM community for supporting these young men!

Pictured at the top is Andrew, Mateo and Stephen. The bottom pictures are a few of the SJM faculty and staff that drove by to show their support for the boys.
Boyer's book nooks find new purpose

Our own SJM student Emmit Boyer was recently highlighted on a news segment for his innovative idea to repurpose two Free Little Libraries he built for his Eagle Scout project in November 2019. Addressing community needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Emmit retrofitted his hand-made book nooks to include needed pantry items.
 
An avid reader since preschool, Emmit decided the Free Little Libraries would be a meaningful Eagle Scout project in which he could share his passion for reading with the community. They are free neighborhood libraries containing books for others to pick out, read, and enjoy. People can take a book, leave a book and/or read a book, as the contents in the libraries belong to all those in the community. 
 
Emmit raised money through recycling projects to purchase the supplies for the libraries and asked for book donations from friends and family members. With the help of his fellow scouts in Troop 223, the libraries were built, painted and installed.
 
As the news of the current pandemic grew, Emmit came up with the idea to begin stocking the two libraries, one located next to his family’s home church St. Anthony of Padua, and the other at St. Agnes Mission Church in Pinedale, with additional supplies such as toilet paper and canned food. Some of Emmit’s friends have also joined in by helping to keep the little book/pantry nooks replenished on a regular basis.  
 
Emmit says he hopes the supplies go to families and individuals who really need them and they continue to serve the community in a positive way. Thank   you Emmit for being a shining example of kindness and caring for others!
SJM Alumni works towards Olympics

SJM alumni Frank Dalena '15 is a competitor at heart and is looking to put Fresno on the map in the world of bobsledding! Dalena is working towards possibly competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Dalena played football at Fresno State and after graduating he looked to take on another sport. You can check out his journey by clicking the link below.
Prayers for COVID-19 Pandemic
Call for Class Notes

Have you recently gotten married, had a baby or experienced a big life moment that you want to share with your fellow Memorial alumni? Have updates about your reunion? Share them with us! Submit announcements to  advancement@sjmhs.org.
Call for SJM Memorabilia

Do you have SJM memorabilia from the past 75 years? If you have items you would like to share with us for our 75th anniversary, please contact Shirley Boujikian at sboujikian@sjmhs.org
May They Rest in Peace... with God Forever

Rita Manuzak Serbian '57 passed away January 27, 2020. She is the sister of Jerome Manuzak '60, John Manuzak '62, Alicia Manuzak '63, Jean Manuzak West '67, James Manuzak '69 and Christine Manuzak Golden '70. She is the aunt of William Manuzak '83, James West '89, Andrew Manuzak '94, Kimberly West '94, Rita West '97, and Matthew West '03. She is the great aunt of Donovan West-Vassaure '14.

Marian Denise Shubin passed away January 29, 2020. She is the mother of Ashley Shubin '03 and Elliott Shubin '05.

Joseph Nevin Smith '54 passed away February 27, 2020.

John D. "Buzz" Homsy '53 passed away March 16, 2020. He is the husband of Wilma Koenig Homsy '54 and brother of Barbara Homsy Luthin '55, George Homsy '61 and Robert Homsy '63.

Randy Hansen passed away March 24, 2020. He is the grandfather of Nicholas Doviali '23.

Rose Storelli passed away March 24, 2020. She is the grandmother of Gloriann Storelli '99, Tony Storelli '01, Michael Storelli '03 and Marian Storelli '05.

Patricia Drilling passed away March 29, 2020. She is the mother of Sr. Kathleen Drilling, former teacher at Memorial; she is the grandmother of Andrew Phelps '12 and Caitlin Phelps '16.

Cindy Gibson passed away April 5, 2020. She is the aunt of John Perelman ‘05.
Alumni Contact Update
Panther Alums, even though your time here at Memorial has passed, this is still your home! Please stay connected with us so that you can be part of our exciting engagement opportunities such as our sporting event pre-game dinners, alumni mixers and so much more! To stay connected,  please  fill out this form .

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