Welcome to the fifty-fourth edition of the
Panther Press,
a biweekly electronic newsletter sent to families and friends of 
San Joaquin Memorial High School.
In this Issue
SJM Class of 2022 Highlights:
  • 120 Graduates Welcomed to SJM's 11,403 Alumni Network
  • Recap on SJM's Graduation on May 21, 2022
  • 4 New #SJMSpeaks Student Profiles
  • Jack Sampson
  • Ashley Belleza
  • Adrian Ucelo
  • Morgan Stevens
Past Events & Announcements:
  • SJM Renovations During Summer 2022
  • Art 1 & 2 Classes Work
  • International Students from Spain & their Experience at Memorial
  • LAST OPPORTUNITY: We need your Support in reaching our $40K Goal for the 2022 Spring Fling Drawing
Student Spotlights:
  • Mary-Ellison Hage
Upcoming Events:
  • Softball Spring Camp
More Announcements:
  • Fresno Catholic Schools System
  • SJM Summer School 2022
  • Accepting Donations & Panther Den Summer Hours
  • Water Polo Summer Camp
  • Office of College & School Counseling
  • Only 3 Seats Left for Incoming Freshmen
  • Follow us on Social Media!
Class of 2022 Welcome to SJM's 11,403 Alumni Network!
On May 21, 2022 San Joaquin Memorial High School celebrated its 77th graduation with the Class of 2022. There were 120 seniors that graduated this year. The graduation took place at the historic and iconic Warnors Theatre in downtown Fresno. It was a morning filled with joy, excitement, celebration and of course some tears as parents saw their children walk the stage and receive their SJM High School diploma.

This year's valedictorians, salutatorians and awards recipients included:

Valedictorians:
Mia Jo Fisher, Matthew Mon Pere, Omowunmi Temitope Omololu, Jack Douglas Sampson, Kyle Kenji Shimamoto, Izabella Vazquez & William Thomas Wilkins

Salutatorians:
Spencer Christian Douangphouxay, Claire Elisabeth Fitzgerald, Kelly Sora Lee, Jacob Mark Levy & Tong Yi

6 Seniors Awarded at the 77th SJM Graduation:
Christian Character Awards: Jazmine Cortez & Jack Sampson
Student Leadership Awards: Sasha Richburg & Jack Sampson
The Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan Bishop's Award: Alyssa Askins & Spencer Douangphouxay

6 Seniors Awarded at Senior Send-off Assembly:
Henry "Mr. G" Gutierrez Panther Pride Award: Frederic Faul
Henry and Ramona Gutierrez Award: Jack Sampson
Christian Service - Sr. Jean and Br. Philip
Sr. Jean: Nathalie Medrano
Br. Philip: Irvin Arroyo
Male & Female Athlete of the Year Award
Male: Mike Bell
Female: Lauren Lopez

6 Seniors Awarded at the 77th SJM Graduation:
Christian Character Awards: Jazmine Cortez & Jack Sampson
Student Leadership Awards: Sasha Richburg & Jack Sampson
The Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan Bishop's Award: Alyssa Askins & Spencer Douangphouxay

Graduates we are proud of all of you for the positive impact you've left at Memorial. Now go out into the world and make an even greater influence with those you meet!
SJM's 2022 Valedictorians (photo above)
SJM's 2022 Salutatorians (photo above). Photo missing Tong Yi.
#SJMSpeaks: Student Profile on Jack Sampson Class of 2022!
#SJMSpeaks: Student Profile on Ashley Belleza Class of 2022!
#SJMSpeaks: Student Profile on Adrian Ucelo Class of 2022!
#SJMSpeaks: Student Profile on Morgan Stevens Class of 2022!
Past Events & Announcements
SJM campus will be Under Construction during the Summer 2022
On Monday, June 6th the front entrance to San Joaquin Memorial High School on Fresno Street will be closed to begin construction on the new front entrance and foyer. There will be signage to direct you to the north side of the administration building so you can access the building through the side door. This will most likely be the entrance to the school offices for the entire summer. 

Also, beginning on June 13th the President's Office, Advancement, Finance, Tuition, Admissions and Technology offices will be relocating to the Campos Center on the north side of the campus. The best way to access the Campos Center is to park in the north (senior) parking lot and enter the campus through the gate. 
All individual phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same for all employees. 

We will also begin our summer hours on Monday June 6th. The school offices will be open from 9 am - 1 pm, Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays.

Summer hours will be in effect until August 1st. 
Art Class Students Showcase their Talent Through Painting!
We've enjoyed seeing the art pieces that our SJM students have created this school year. For example, the Art 2 class was challenged to create a Surrealistic Art after studying Surreal Artists. It required realism within a dream like, unrelated context. They used mixed media such as acrylic paint, oil paint, colored pencils and some image transfers. 

The student artists include:

Evan Ladeairous 
Audrey Rickelman
Alexandra Kalmbach
Katerina Rodriguez
Blake Anderson
Nic Dovali
Donovan Harris
Gabi Heuring
Xin- Yi 
Sophia Reyna
Levi Sullivan
Gianna Swanson
McKenzie Tarango
George Woolf
Art 1 students used Prisma colored pencils to draw either a flower or
an iris up close. These are some of the examples (photo above) from the 4 Art 1 classes.
International Students from Spain Share More about their Experience at Memorial!
Diego Jimenez at SJM Graduation on May 21, 2022. He will be studying at University of Deusto in Spain.
This 2021-2022 school year Memorial counted with four international students from Spain. Diego Jimenez was one of those students and he was part of the Class of 2022 graduates. He returned to Spain already. The other three students from Spain include Pedro Toston, Carla Sainz and Martin Tejero.

We recently interviewed Pedro and below you'll be able to learn more about him:

1) How did you feel about being an international student at Memorial?
I really like it here. The school is very nice. I always felt welcomed and well treated.

2) What was your favorite part about studying at SJM?
I like the rallies and the facilities the school gives us for studying and working on projects. The people are very nice and I made a lot of friends.

3) Why was it important for you to be studying at a Catholic High School?  
For me is important because you can share not only your religion but also your ideas and thinkings with other people, and you can also formally discuss whatever you want with anyone.

4) Do you have one or several favorite teachers / staff who made your experience worthwhile? 
Of course! I really want to thank to Mr. Bamber, Mr. Giannoni, and Mr. Wathen for all the efforts they made while I was in the integration process. They always helped me with whatever I needed and they were always nice and patient. I also want to thank Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Penelope, they also helped me a lot throughout my time here.

5) What will you miss the most about Memorial? 
I will miss the teachers, the facilities of the school, the relaxed environment at school and all the fun projects.

6) Would you recommend this program to other international students and why? 
Of course! Even if there are challenging times while being here, the school will always try to help you and make you feel comfortable. Also the experience is awesome and you will always leave from Memorial a lot more prepared than when you first arrived.

7) What is one thing Memorial High School can improve on for international students? 
I think the management of the school was awesome with us, and honestly, there is absolutely nothing the international students cannot do here because of being international. Everyone treated me very well and I could also make friends from other countries and share our culture / traditions between each other, and that is super fun!
Pedro Toston (photo above)
We also recently interviewed Martin and below you'll be able to learn more about him:

1) How did you feel about being an international student at Memorial?
When I came to Memorial I thought making friends would be harder, but realized I was wrong because I felt really welcomed by the students here.

2) What was your favorite part about studying at SJM?
What I really enjoy at Memorial is the opportunity to learn so much about life in the USA and take back with me valuable life experiences to Spain.

3) Why was it important for you to be studying at a Catholic High School? 
I also study in a catholic school in Spain so I liked the idea of keeping that connection with my faith based learning.

4) Do you have one or several favorite teachers / staff who made your experience worthwhile? 
If I have to talk about someone that has to be Penelope Villa-Fierro. Penelope (or Mrs. P) has been my host parent for all my stay in the U.S. She's been tolerating me and sacrificing so much of her time so I will always remember her and always be thankful for everything she has done for me.

5) Would you recommend this program to other international students and why? 
YES! Going to another country by yourself is an experience that forces you to adapt to a completely new environment; which can turn you into a new person when you go back home. This experience is also an opportunity to do things you wouldn't do in your country and have lots of fun at the same time.

We wish all of our international students safe travels back home and thank you for making Memorial a part of your learning experience. We've enjoyed having all of you on campus and cannot wait to hear from you in the future as successful professionals!
Martin Tejero (photo above)
Carla Sainz (photo above)
2022 Spring Fling Drawing to Support the Fund for San Joaquin Memorial!
The San Joaquin Memorial community has come together like we do every year to support The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial!

This exciting annual giving campaign will end on June 3, 2022! The $5,000 cash prize drawing will take place on June 3, 2022.

The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial is the school’s annual giving campaign. It is the vehicle by which alumni, parents, parents of alumni, grandparents and friends provide financial support to help keep Memorial strong.

All gifts to the Fund for San Joaquin Memorial have an enormous impact on Memorial’s ability to enhance its standards of excellence in teaching, scholarships, student development and facilities. Your annual gifts fuel the success of this school and touch every aspect of our students’ experience.

Specifically, your gift to The Fund for San Joaquin Memorial will:

Provide tuition assistance and scholarships to deserving students – making an education at San Joaquin Memorial possible for more young men and women.

Contribute to the cutting-edge technology, lab equipment and other state-of-the-art learning tools used in the classroom.

Instill in students a deep awareness of God’s presence in their lives through a dynamic Campus Ministry program.

Give students an extraordinary and enriching experience that they will treasure for a lifetime.

With a gift of any size you are helping Memorial stay faithful to its mission and continue building tomorrow’s leaders.

In order to support from this newsletter you can do so by one of 2 ways:

1) Scan the QR code below and it will take you directly to the page where you can support Memorial

3) Visit the link on our website to donate

Join us to keep Memorial strong! Can we count with your support to reach $40,000?
Scan the QR code above to Support the Fund for San Joaquin Memorial! 
Student Spotlight
Mary-Ellison was Honored as the 2022 Junior Citizen of the Year!
Mary-Ellison Hage '24 was honored as Junior Citizen of the Year for the City of Selma. The Selma Chamber of Commerce, every year, chooses to recognize a high school student that not only excels academically but also gives back to the community. Mary-Ellison earned the honor of being the 2022 Junior Citizen of the Year for the City of Selma. She was recognized by Senator Hurtado, Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes along with the Selma Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations Mary-Ellison for all of your accomplishments! 
Upcoming Events
SJM Spring Softball Camp
Are you interested in being a part of SJM's Softball team? Then come join us in June! The SJM's Softball team will be hosting their spring camp on June 13 & June 14. The camp will take place on both days from 2 pm - 4 pm at the SJM Varsity Softball field. For more information check out the flyer on this newsletter.
More Announcements
Fresno Catholic Schools System
Please continue to visit Fresno Catholic to learn more about the Fresno Catholic School system. On Thursday May 12, 2022 Bishop Joseph V. Brennan announced the creation of a school system comprising St. Helen's, St. Anthony's and San Joaquin Memorial. He also announced the formation of a Junior High on the San Joaquin Memorial campus.

This site is a place to get all of your questions answered. Once you submit a question on the "Leave a Question" tab it will be answered in a timely manner. New questions and answers are continually being uploaded to the same site.

Take a look and leave any questions you might have about this new venture for the Diocese of Fresno.  
Important Information about SJM Summer School 2022!
Attention all San Joaquin Memorial High School Parents/Guardians below you will find the 2022 Summer School Registration packet (click on the photo to view packet). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 559-268-9251.
We are Accepting SJM Clothing Donations
Senior parents, as you are preparing to send your student to college, remember SJM. We gladly take used uniforms for those students in need. Please drop them off at the front desk. This also includes current parents whose students have outgrown their uniforms. Thank you for supporting others!
Panthers!

Do you want to stay cool in the Summer heat? Want to become part of a growing, rewarding program? Come out and train with us in our Panther Water Polo program this Summer!

If you are interested please contact Coach Baymiller at [email protected]
Office of College & School Counseling
Counselors' Calendly Links to Schedule Individual Appointments:

9th & 10th grade: A-G
11th & 12th grade: A-F

9th & 10th grade: H-R
11th & 12th grade: G-N

9th & 10th grade: S-Z
11th & 12th grade: O-Z 
Friendly Reminder for Friends and Family of San Joaquin Memorial High School
San Joaquin Memorial High School has experienced a high demand for freshmen enrollment at this time. If you are interested in your child attending Memorial for the first time in the 2022-2023 school year please submit your completed application as soon as possible. At this time there are only 3 seats available for next school year for the incoming Freshman class.

Memorial wants to make sure that our partner schools are given first priority for registering their soon to be freshmen students. If students from our partner schools want to be at Memorial for the 2022-2023 school year as a freshman we want to remind you to complete your enrollment application as soon as possible if you have not done so already. 

This is your last opportunity to submit your enrollment to San Joaquin Memorial High School as a freshman for the 2022-2023 school year. We are confident that these seats will be filled soon and once these 3 seats are filled with prospective students we will open a waiting list. 

For more information on the application process please contact SJM's Admissions Director Bianca Blanchette at (559) 268-9251 ext. 139 or [email protected] 

We look forward to welcoming your child as one of our SJM Class of 2026 students next year! 
Important Links
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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 tailgates, alumni mixers and so much more! To stay connected please fill out this form.
San Joaquin Memorial High School | sjmhs.org