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This opportunity is only available for students who are seventeen and older and want to donate blood.  Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and need only one parent to sign the permission slip that can be picked up in the activities office.

According to the permission slip distributed by the ASB, donors should eat a healthy meal beforehand to help make donation a success. All donors should bring the following when donating

• Photo ID
• List of medications being taken
• List of places visited outside of the U.S. in the past 3 years (if applicable)

Donors should be sure to drink plenty of fluids and have a good meal before donating and should review the donor requirements and verify eligibility to donate at this time.

More information and sign up forms  are available from Activities Director Ms. Elisabeth Tysor in the activities office.

The theme of this year’s event is “Then & Now: Dancing Through the Decades.”  The team has put together a montage of dances to represent the way that the styles of both music and dancing have changed over the years.

“The team has been working really hard to produce one dance from each decade, as well as some more current styles,” said senior Tracy Gallagher.

In preparation for the concert, the team has six practices per week and some extra conditioning in between.  The dancers have been working on incorporating new and improved choreography to their repertoire.

They recently competed and placed 1^st in the West Coast Elite Dance Championships at Westview High school.

“This is the first time we have competed as a team since 2008,” said captain Kelly Madden. “I am so proud of how hard the team has worked, and it is a huge accomplishment for us.  The girls have been truly dedicated and continue to work towards improvement.”

The dancers are hoping to impress the crowd with this year’s show.

“The audience can expect a really fun and electric show with an assortment of music and dances that is fun for every generation.  We are hoping to have all of the support we can get and the biggest crowd yet,” said captain Kelsea Lickert.

There will also be a special group of surprise guests joining the team, as well as an enthusiastic host.

The concert is set to take place Saturday March 3^rd at 6:30 PM and Sunday March 4^th at 2:30 PM.  Tickets will be on presale at lunch or through any team member for $5 and will be sold at the door for $7.

From test rockets to thermodynamics, AP Chemistry, Chemistry, and Physics teacher Dr. Michaela Bertch said that the Science Olympiad offers “something for everyone.”

“It is a competition, and the rules are stringent. The rules were provided to our students in the fall, and they must be followed to the letter,” said Dr. Bertch.

90 students, forming 6 teams of 15, have been preparing to make anything from robots to helicopters since fall. Cathedral’s Olympiad teams are named after great scientists, such as Team Avogadro and Team Bohr.

Dr. Bertch said, “This is a great chance for students to learn about a variety of topics in science, to work as part of a team, to excel in an area of science outside the classroom and have fun doing it. It takes dedication and some serious study as well, so students should be prepared to make a commitment to that if they are interested, but the rewards include acquiring knowledge and experience while having fun being part of a team.”

The Science Olympiad will be held on Saturday, February 18th from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Del Norte High School. An awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., and parents and students are all welcome to attend.

For students interested in participating in next year’s competition, Dr. Bertch said, “We will be advertising in the fall of the next school year for interested students to attend a meeting – this is when students will be able to get on the interest list and choose which events they might be interested in participating in.”

With a final word of encouragement to CCHS students, Dr. Bertch said, “Students do not have to excel in science to participate. It helps, but enthusiasm is very important.”

“I am very excited to be a part of the Cathedral Catholic family,” she said.  ”Everyone has been so kind and welcoming.”

Born and raised in Ventura, California, Mrs. Bascom attended Moorepark High School where she was involved in cheerleading, ASB, and lots of AP courses. She attained her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University before receiving her master’s at California Lutheran University.

“Originally, I was studying to be a teacher. If a student was having a bad day or seemed upset about something, I would make the whole class read just so I could talk to that student one-on-one and see what I could do to help them out,” Mrs. Bascom said.  ”That’s when I realized that my real calling was to be a counselor since I am better at connecting with the students and getting in on what’s going on in their lives.”

Mrs. Bascom previously worked as a middle school counselor in Oceanside and, most recently, as a guidance counselor at Torrey Pines High School for four years. She then decided to come to Cathedral because, she said, she “…loved the religious aspect, like the strong faith and beliefs shared by everyone on campus.”

“I love meeting with students to learn about who they are. It’s so rewarding for me to help them realize all the potential they hold and all they can become,” she said.  ”My favorite part of being a guidance counselor is watching a student really transform from ninth to twelfth grade, growing so much more confident in themselves and their abilities.”

At Cathedral, Mrs. Bascom says that she really likes getting to know students on a more personal level than at public schools, where she has worked her whole life.

She said, “Cathedral is definitely a step above some of the other schools I’ve worked at because of the great family atmosphere. This school is very unique because I can build relationships with students beyond just academics; I can really get to know them and help them discover all they can be.”

When not at work, Mrs. Bascom enjoys hiking, watching movies, and spending time with her seven-month-old daughter, who she says takes up most of her time.,

“I absolutely love Cathedral so far,” said Mrs. Bascom. “I am very fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful counseling team at a school where everyone has welcomed me and embraced me as part of the family.”

According to a flyer, the Study Buddy program is “a community service opportunity to tutor and (befriend) an elementary school student for one hour after school each week.”

Mrs. Dawn Brannman, Director of Christian Services and History of Christianity teacher, said, “We are looking for students who like kids and are interested in helping kids with school.”

Students who apply must be committed to attending six study sessions and the program’s mandatory orientation, along with maintaining an “alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free lifestyle.”

“I recommend that students apply to this program because all oft the students who I have talked to who did this program loved it!” said Mrs. Brannman.  “They loved interacting with the students they were tutoring, and they really felt like they made a difference.”

To access the program applications, click here for North Country or here for South county.

Applications, which include a teacher of counselor recommendation, must be faxed to San Dieguito Alliance, at (858) 408-1908.  Those with questions may contact Study Buddy Program Director Mrs. Diane Grace at (858) 703-7277 or SDAlliance4@aol.com.

  Just click this link:  ElCid11/25/98 

Mr. Ramon Samaniego coached Derek at St. John’s Catholic School in fifth grade flag football and during Derek’s senior year, when he played for the Mustangs rugby team of the San Diego Youth Rugby Club.  As a Mustang, Mr. Samaniego said, Derek was a “standout,” team leader, and season MVP.

After putting on a high school rugby tournament over the summer, Mr. Samaniego worked with the San Diego Youth Rugby Club Board of Directors from Carmel Valley to reach out to the top high school rugby programs in the country (Jesuit High in Sacramento, Xavier High in New York City) to gauge their interest in a tournament.

“The interest was high,” he said.  “But logistics and cost played a major factor.  I then began to focus my efforts on recruiting teams closer to home.”

He received commitments from teams that are now confirmed to attend – Lamorinda Rugby Club, Dixon Rugby Club, and the Marin Highlanders from northern California, along with the Los Angeles Cougars, Belmont Shore Rugby Club, and Fallbrook High School.  Another two teams consist of the San Diego Mustangs U16 AND U19 teams.

“As the tournament started to take shape, Derek was released from Scripps Encinitas and the idea came to me to put a name on our tourney in which to honor one of our MVP’S, since Derek had played for the Mustangs his senior year,” Mr. Samaniego said.  “He was humbled by the idea when I presented it, and at that point, the tournament took shape.”

The Thomas family members, who have played roles on various tournament committees created to coordinate the planning of the event, will be present at the tournament.

“The Thomas’s have been great in embracing this event and in seeing how it has brought a number of people together from St. John’s, Cathedral, and the rugby community for a single cause,” said Mr. Samaniego.

The funds raised are coordinated through the tournament’s partnership with the Burn Institute (www.BurnInstitute.org).  That organization created the Derek Thomas Fund, to which all monies collected will go directly and which the Thomas family can use to offset costs they may incur with Derek’s continued care.

The Burn Institute works to aid burn survivors and their families to help those that have been affected by fire in all aspects of their well-being, Mr. Samaniego said.  “Derek is now a member of their family, and he will be able to draw on them for many aspects of his continued care.”

“Our initial goal of raising $10,000-$20,000 has been eclipsed nicely, with pledges surpassing $70,000,” Mr. Samaniego said.  “The support of the community has been amazing. Companies like Datron have lead the way for making this inaugural event an amazing experience already for all those involved.”

Mr. Samaniego said, “The Burn Institute has been amazing in assisting us with marketing, the financial creation of the Derek Thomas Fund, and in getting the word out to the community as to the good things they do for Burn Survivors and their families.”

A banquet set for the Mission Tower room of the Del Mar Fairgrounds is sold out.  “We were able to sell 55 sponsored tables to individuals and companies who have embraced Derek’s story with their support,” he said.

He encourages Cathedral students and their families to attend the tournament at Cathedral on both Saturday and Sunday, however, to see Derek and watch Youth Rugby games.  Though the tournament is free, attendees may support the event by purchasing food and drinks at the concession stand and by purchasing raffle tickets.  Donations to the Thomas fund may also be made through the Burn Institute website, at http://burninstitute.org/events/event_item.php?id=175.  Those interested may follow the link, click “Donate Now,” and enter their desired donation amount.  In the Designation field, they may select the “Derek Thomas Fund.”

The Opening Ceremony will take place at the main football stadium at 10:30 AM.  Derek himself will be on-site throughout the event to meet and greet all.

Mr. Samaniego said, “Rugby was Derek’s passion so please come out and support him by supporting this awesome event.”

To view the event flier, visit http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/news/item/show/700.  For more information, and for those interested in volunteering to sell raffle tickets, Mr. Samaniego can be reached at ramons@bdata.com or (760) 500-1060.