240 Alumni, Parents Friends and Students packed the Serra Gym last Saturday night for our 3rd Annual Dedication to Excellence Gala. Indeed, it was a Gala. The evening included special Dedication to Excellence Awards awards to Jerry Thomas '54 for his 64 years of participation in the success of Serra High School and to Alberto Aldana for his 26 years of keeping the campus in top condition and doing a lot more.
The greatest was saved for last. This years Dedication to Excellence honoree, Mr. John McFarland came to the podium. His address was incredible. Here are a few comments from Alumni who wrote in.
"It was an unexpected but wholly "in character" lecture from the bench that we should have all known was coming. It was remarkable....even stunning explanation in his own words of what his teaching strategies/techniques were back then with a vastly more profound and complex philosophical foundation of his take on life in general and in regard to literature."
"The passion of his approach to teaching came through again as he even pounded the podium on Saturday night to make a plea for the all eclipsing importance of English and literature in high school curricula....."
"This was no presentation of a watch and plaque to an old retired guy. H... NO! He gave us the real McFarland once again since anything less would have been impossible for him to do."
A standing ovation lasted a very long time.
Thank you Mr. McFarland for your contribution to Serra students and for your life work.
Ask about Serra's Adopt-a-Student Program
The Event Program is posted on the Serra website at www.la-serrahs.org click on Alumni, click on Development and click on the 2014 Event Program and the Event Program Supplement. Take a look at Mr. McFarland's "Thoughts on Serra High School" and on his biography.
We will be posting many more photos to the website.
This Would Usually be Above the Fold
Coach Megan McCann Kassie Laroratanakul
Serra's Math Team is back in action again. Led by Coach Megan McCann, a part of the Loyola Place Corp Program, the Serra squad finished first in California and fifth in the nation in advanced Math. A Link to the Catholic League Website 16 Cavaliers participated. Our top 3 finishers included senior Kassie Laoratanakul, juniors Zeke Zindler and Ekechi Cross. Kassie was the top advanced math finisher in CA. With a strong group of 11th graders, we will be back in the hunt for a National Championship again next year.
