Brandon Birr, La Salle High School 2003 graduate and 2007 class valedictorian at St. Mary's College in Moraga, believes so strongly in the college's Lasallian mission that he plans to make it his life's work as a teacher.
"I'm ready to take what Saint Mary's has given me and go out in the world to share that by using my strengths where they are best used - in the classroom," said Birr.
This fall, the 22-year-old Los Angeles native begins his career as a social studies teacher at his Pasadena alma mater. Birr said he was inspired by the professors and Christian Brothers at St. Mary's College who have provided guidance to him both in and out of the classroom.
Graduating with a major in history and a minor in Spanish, Birr served two years as a Bonner Leader working at De Marillac Academy in San Francisco and Saint Mary's College High School in Berkeley. He also served for three years as an ambassador in the college's admissions office.
During his valedictory address at the May 26 Commencement, Birr spoke about the values of a Lasallian education. "The Lasallian mission has been so close to my heart," he said. "I'll now have a chance to encourage, praise and listen to the students at La Salle and put in to practice all I have learned these past eight years."
Sacred Heart HS launches centennial year celebration
Sacred Heart High School, originally known as Sacred Heart Academy when it opened in 1907, will begin its yearlong festivities with a 100th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving Sept. 22, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles at 12:30 p.m., with Cardinal Roger Mahony presiding.
An on-campus reception will follow at Sacred Heart High School (2111 Griffin Ave.) in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles immediately following Mass.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Cathedral Plaza, Sacred Heart's Folklorico Dance Group will perform, joined by the St. Raphael Church Children's Mariachi Choir from South L.A.
All are invited to the festivities at the Cathedral in celebration of 100 years of educating young women for the future. Attending the Anniversary Mass will be Sacred Heart students and families, alumnae members, former and present faculty and many friends of the school. For information, call (323) 225-2209.
Golden year for Bishop Amat begins Sept. 17
In its 50th anniversary year, Bishop Amat High School and the institution is gearing up for a year-long celebration of remembering the past and shaping its future.
Signaling the start of the La Puente school's golden jubilee year will be a Sept. 17 Mass (10:30 a.m.) with Cardinal Roger Mahony presiding in the newly built Student Activity Center. In addition to current members of the Amat family, all former faculty, parents, alumni and friends are welcomed.
Other activities for the year include an alumni barbecue on Oct. 12, class reunions on Oct. 13, alumni Mass and picnic Oct. 14, and a decade social for the classes of 1960-1969 on Dec. 2.
In 2008, the school will host a "Salute to Athletic Excellence" on Feb. 9, another decade social for the classes of 1980-1989 on Feb. 24, and the Lancer Classic Gala on April 12. Concluding the festivities for the school year will be a decade social for classes 1990-1999 on April 27, a fine arts showcase and alumni art exhibit may 9-10, and an alumni golf tournament on June 13.
For information and to RSVP for the Mass on Sept. 17, contact Marie LaBouff at (626) 962-2495, or mlabouff@bishopamat.org.
Dodgers appear at SVDP Council of Los Angeles
Approximately 500 people patiently waited in line --- some for more than two hours --- at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's thrift store in Lincoln Heights recently to meet and receive autographs from two men representing different eras in Dodger Blue.
Current outfielder Andre Ethier (left) and current broadcaster (and former All-Star outfielder) Rick Monday signed photos, jerseys, baseballs, bats and other memorabilia, while posing for photos with baseball fans, and remained an extra 30 minutes to accommodate the fans in line.
Ethier, who, assisted St. Vincent de Paul's outreach in Phoenix while in high school, enjoyed talking with the many true-blue Dodger fans.
"I'm a big activist when it comes to meeting the fans and giving back support for what they do for us," he said. "They show up every day for us (at Dodger Stadium). When you get the opportunity and are invited to these events, you should give back, be personable and give them a chance to get to know you on a personal level."
For Monday, an event like this takes him back to his youth at Sunset Little League in Santa Monica, and the importance of proper adult guidance.
"How to equip our youngsters with the ability to choose the right people to surround themselves with and how you can be supportive to those you care about, doesn't come easily. Somebody needs to guide someone. And that's the responsibility we all have, I think, as adults. Maybe it comes easier when you've been a parent, too, because you want people to also be kind to your children." |