Damien High School
Private, all-boys school in La Verne, , California, USA
Damien High School is an all-boys Roman Catholic high school in La Verne , in the U.S. state of California , named for Saint Damien of Molokai . It is located in and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles , part of the tri-school community including St. Lucy's Priory High School and Pomona Catholic High School .
History
When Holy Names Academy, a Pomona boarding school for girls, closed in 1949, the Msgr. Thomas P. English reopened it as Pomona Catholic High School, staffed by the Felician Sisters . In 1959, the school moved to the former Bonita High School campus and became Pomona Catholic Boys High School.[ 4]
In 1967, the school changed its name to Damien High School, in honor of St. Damien de Veuster , SS.CC. , who had ministered to Hawaiians with leprosy (Hansen's disease) from 1873 for the rest of his life. Damien was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday October 11, 2009.[ 5]
The Sacred Heart Fathers have staffed and administered the school since its beginning in La Verne. The courage and capacity for self-sacrifice in the cause of others, is encouraged as an impetus toward social causes in the lives of Damien's students.[ 4]
In 1996, a new swimming pool and locker room were constructed. Six new tennis courts were also built near the priests' residence and a new ticket/snack bar/rest room facility was built in Spartan Stadium.[ 4] A new gymnasium, The Travers Cronin Athletic Center, was opened in 2006. In 2008, the Spartan Stadium was renovated. It now includes an all weather track and FieldTurf . Spartan Stadium was renamed "Dick Larson Stadium" in honor of the school's longtime football coach. 2010 brought a renovation of the football stadium, including the installation of a new scoreboard and stadium seating. The stadium was officially named "Tom Carroll Stadium," in honor of Damien's Athletic Director of 37 years.[ 6]
Damien was a member of the Baseline League prior to their inclusion in the Sierra League.
In 2014, Damien and St. Lucy's Priory High School were moved from the Sierra League, where they had competed since 1998, to the Baseline League. The League consists of Damien/St. Lucy's, Chino Hills, Etiwanda, Los Osos, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.
In 2015, the basketball team won the California Interscholastic Federation State championship (Division III) by defeating Campolindo High of Moraga (CIF North Coast Section) by the score of 70-57 at Haas Pavilion on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley .[ 7]
Admissions
Each of Damien's freshmen classes draws from an average of over 75 different elementary and junior high schools for youths from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.
School activities
Policy Debate Team
The Damien Policy Debate team won the 2009 National Debate Coach's Association National Championship, the 2009 National Forensic League National Tournament, and the inaugural Unger Cup, the award given to the "nation's most successful high school debate squad."[ 8] [ 9] Damien qualified 4 teams to the TOC in 2009, more than any other school in the nation.[ 10] A school team won the National Debate Coaches Association (NDCA) Tournament, in 2011, making Damien the first school to win the NDCA twice.[ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
Student Spaceflight Experiments Program
Damien High School was one of 23 communities involved with Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP's) Mission 7 to send a science experiment to the International Space Station . The experiment was originally aboard the SpaceX-7 rocket launched on June 28, 2015 which exploded 2 minutes into launch.[ 14] The experiment was successfully re-flown on the SpaceX CRS-8 (SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket; Dragon spacecraft) on April 8, 2016, and docked with the International Space Station two days later.[ 15] The experiment studies the effects of tardigrades in a microgravity environment.[ 16]
Damien High School is a part of the "tri-school" community existing between St. Lucy's Priory High School and Pomona Catholic High School. Numerous dances and functions are coordinated between the three schools during the school year. Additionally, financial incentives exist for parents who have multiple children attending these schools.
Notable alumni
David Bañuelos , professional baseball player
Buckethead (né Brian Carroll), guitarist, musician, composer
Chukwudi Chijindu , professional soccer player (Chivas USA )
Casey Dailey , former NFL football player
Nick Davila , professional football player (Arizona Rattlers ); ArenaBowl XXV Champion
Rick Davis , retired professional soccer player (New York Cosmos ); captain of the 1984 Olympic soccer team
Bill Duffy , sports agent
Brian Dunseth , retired professional soccer player; television commentator
Joe Franchino , retired professional soccer player
Bobby Fresques , former professional football player and football coach
Mike Hunter , retired professional soccer player
Sheldon Jackson , retired professional football player (Buffalo Bills )
Chris Jakubauskas – Professional baseball player, Toronto Blue Jays
Ian Johnson , retired professional football player (Miami Dolphins )
Stephen G. Larson , attorney; former United States Federal judge
Cory Lekkerkerker , retired professional football player
Joe Lunardi , ESPN NCAA Basketball Bracketologist
Chad May , former NFL quarterback
Mark McGwire , retired professional baseball player, MLB coach
Mike Morrell , California state senator
Daniel Moskos , professional baseball player
Frank Pastore , retired professional baseball player
Cody Ponce , professional baseball player[ 17]
Nick Lodolo , professional baseball player
William Saito , special advisor for the government of Japan in charge of science & technology; entrepreneur
Dennis Shaw , retired professional football player; 1970 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Geoff Vanderstock , former world record holder 400 metres hurdles
Tristan Vizcaino , professional football player
Larry Wilmore , comedian, writer (The Daily Show )[ 18]
References
External links
Schools Colleges and universities Other topics This list is incomplete.
Los Angeles County private schools
Secular
K–12 2–12 4–12 6–12
7–12 HS K-9 K–8 K–6
Religious
K–12
1–12 4–12 6–12 7–12 HS
K–8
Alverno Heights Academy
Armenian Sisters' Academy
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bethany Christian
Calvary Christian
Chamlian Armenian
Christ the King Catholic
Concordia Christian
Emmaus Lutheran
Foothill Christian
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Good Shepherd Catholic
Heights Christian
Holy Family (Glendale)
Holy Family Catholic (South Pasadena)
Holy Redeemer-St. James
Incarnation Parish
Los Angeles Adventist Academy
Los Angeles Christian
Mayfield Junior
Montebello Christian
North Hollywood Christian Academy
Notre Dame Academy Elementary
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Hermosa Beach)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Los Angeles)
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic
Our Lady of the Valley
Our Mother of Good Counsel
Pasadena Christian
Pressman Academy
Redeemer Christian Academy
Saints Felicitas and Perpetua
Salem Lutheran
San Gabriel Christian
Santa Fe Springs Christian
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St. Andrew Catholic
St. Bede the Venerable Catholic
St. Dominic
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St. Ignatius of Loyola
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K–6
Bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Bishop of Two Californias Bishop of Monterey Bishops of Monterey–Los Angeles Bishop of Los Angeles–San Diego Archbishops of Los Angeles Auxiliary bishops, current Auxiliary bishops, former Priests who became bishops
Churches in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Archdiocese Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Deanery 13 (Westside)
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Pacific Palisades
St. Monica Catholic Church, Santa Monica
St. Augustine Catholic Church, Culver City
St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Brentwood
St. Timothy Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Church of the Good Shepherd, Beverly Hills
St. Ambrose Church, West Hollywood
Saint Victor Catholic Church, West Hollywood
Deanery 14 (Central LA/Hollywood)
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood
Cathedral Chapel, Los Angeles
Christ the King Catholic Church, Los Angeles
St. Basil Catholic Church, Wilshire
St. Brendan Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Deanery 15 (Downtown/South)
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles
Precious Blood Catholic Church
St. Cecilia Catholic Church
St. Patrick Catholic Church
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
St. Vincent de Paul Church
Deanery 16 (South LA/Inglewood)
St. John Chrysostom Church, Inglewood
St. Odilia Church, Los Angeles
Ascension Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Spanish mission
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles (Note: This is not a Spanish mission, but rather, a parish church.)
San Fernando Pastoral Region
Deanery 5 (West San Fernando Valley)
Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Sherman Oaks
Our Lady of Grace, Encino
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Northridge
Our Lady of the Valley, Canoga Park
St. Bernardine of Siena Church, Woodland Hills
St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church, Van Nuys
St. Catherine of Siena Church, Reseda
St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church and School, Encino
St. Euphrasia, Granada Hills
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Sherman Oaks
St. John Eudes Church, Chatsworth
St. John the Baptist de la Salle Church, Granada Hills
St. Joseph the Worker Church, Winnetka
St. Mel, Woodland Hills
Deanery 6 (Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Eagle Rock)
Holy Family Catholic Church, Glendale
Incarnation Catholic Church and School, Glendale
Deanery 7 (Central San Fernando Valley and Burbank)
Guardian Angel Church, Pacoima
Jesus Sacred Heart Syriac Catholic Church, North Hollywood
Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Pacoima
Mission San Fernando Rey de España, Mission Hills
Our Lady of Peace Church, North Hills
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sun Valley
St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Church, San Fernando
St. Anne Melkite Catholic Cathedral, North Hollywood
St. Charles Borromeo Church, North Hollywood
St. Didacus Catholic Church, Sylmar
St. Elizabeth Church and School, Van Nuys
St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, San Fernando
St. Finbar Catholic Church and School, Burbank
St. Francis Xavier Church, Burbank
St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Panorama City
St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, North Hollywood
St. Patrick Catholic Church, North Hollywood
St Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church, North Hollywood
St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Burbank
Santa Rosa Catholic Church, San Fernando
Deanery 8 (Santa Clarita Valley and Lancaster/Palmdale)
Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, Lancaster
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
Deanery 9 (East LA, Boyle Heights, City Terrace)
All Saints Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Assumption Catholic Church, Los Angeles
Deanery 10 (Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Montebello, Alhambra)
All Souls Catholic Church, Alhambra
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Pasadena
St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Pasadena
Mission San Gabriel Parish, San Gabriel
Deanery 11 (Arcadia, Covina, Glendora, Monrovia, La Puente)
Annunciation Catholic Church, Arcadia
Deanery 12 (San Dimas, Claremont, Pomona, Diamond Bar, La Puente, Valinda, Walnut)
San Pedro Pastoral Region
Deanery 17 (Downey, Compton, Huntington Park, Lynwood)
Deanery 18 (Whittier, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Norwalk)
Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church, La Mirada
Holy Family Catholic Church, Artesia
Deanery 19 (South Bay and San Pedro)
American Martyrs Catholic Church, Manhattan Beach
SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Wilmington
Deanery 20 (Long Beach)
Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
Deanery 1 (Lompoc, Solvang, Santa Maria)
La Purisima Mission, Lompoc
Mission Santa Inés, Solvang
Deanery 2 (Santa Barbara)
Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara
Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Santa Barbara
Deanery 3 (Oxnard, Ventura, Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula)
Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura
Deanery 4 (Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo)
Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, Camarillo
Education in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Archdiocese Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Universities and colleges
Loyola Marymount University
Mount St. Mary's University
High schools
Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto HS, Harvard Heights
Cathedral HS (Boys)
Immaculate Heart HS, Los Feliz (Girls)
Loyola HS, Harvard Heights (Boys)
Marymount HS, Bel Air (Girls)
Notre Dame Acad. (Girls)
St. Bernard HS, Playa del Rey
St. Mary's Acad., Inglewood (Girls)
St. Monica Preparatory, Santa Monica
Verbum Dei Jesuit HS, Watts (Boys)
High schools, closed
Daniel Murphy HS, Los Angeles
Mount Carmel HS, Los Angeles
San Fernando Pastoral Region
High schools
Bishop Alemany HS, Mission Hills
Chaminade HS, West Hills
Crespi Carmelite HS, Encino
Flintridge Sacred Heart Acad., La Cañada Flintridge
Louisville HS, Woodland Hills
Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks
Paraclete HS, Lancaster
Providence HS, Burbank
St. Francis HS, La Cañada Flintridge
St. Genevieve HS, Panorama City
High schools, closed
Bellarmine-Jefferson HS, Burbank
Our Lady of Corvallis HS, Studio City
Holy Family HS, Glendale
St. John Paul II STEM Acad., Burbank
Villa Cabrini Acad., Burbank
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
High schools
Ramona Convent Sec., Alhambra
St. Lucy's Priory HS, Glendora
Bishop Amat Memorial HS, La Puente
Damien HS, La Verne
Salesian HS, Los Angeles
Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary HS, Montebello
La Salle College Prep., Pasadena
Mayfield Senior, Pasadena
St. Monica Acad., Montrose
Pomona Catholic HS, Pomona
San Gabriel Mission HS, San Gabriel
Alverno Heights Acad., Sierra Madre (formerly Alverno HS)
San Pedro Pastoral Region
High schools
St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower
St. Pius X-St. Matthias Acad., Downey
Junipero Serra HS, Gardena
St. Joseph High School, Lakewood
St. Anthony HS, Long Beach
Don Bosco HS, Rosemead
Mary Star of the Sea HS, San Pedro
St. Paul HS, Santa Fe Springs
Bishop Montgomery HS, Torrance
Universities and colleges, closed
Marymount College, Palos Verdes
High schools, closed
Queen of Angels Acad., Compton
Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
San Fernando Pastoral Region
San Gabriel Pastoral Region
San Pedro Pastoral Region
Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
Single-gender schools in California
Public boys' schools Private boys' schools
Greater Los Angeles Bay Area Greater San Diego Closed
Public girls' schools Private girls' schools
Greater Los Angeles Bay Area Greater San Diego Greater Sacramento Closed