Panthers Enjoy Spirit Week

Homecoming Week always means lots of laughs at Saint Mary’s High, with Spirit Week themes every day. Friday’s big Spirit Rally will pit class against class for the loudest and most spirited cheering for the Panthers as they get ready to meet the Pinole Valley Spartans at Brady Park on campus this Saturday. Monday’s ”Memory Lane” theme had the Senior Class dressing like (their take on) Senior Citizens, and having lots of fun (pictured). Tuesday’s ”Twin Day” was another big hit, with faculty men (pictured) proudly showing off their bald heads. The group includes faculty from the Religion, Spanish, Science, History, Athletics, and Counseling Departments, and more. October has also brought a lot of community service and community-building activity at Saint Mary’s, on and off campus. Pictured: Some of the 29 students and five faculty members who met before dawn on Sunday, October 18 to head to San Francisco to help along the route through Golden Gate Park at the Nike Women’s Half-Marathon for cancer research; the campus turned pink on October 15 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month; students and faculty spent the Columbus Day holiday sorting some 20,000 pounds of pears, apples, and cabbage at the Alameda County Community Food Bank; during Fall Lasallian Days, students volunteered at Oakland’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, helping with the hundreds of meals served in the center’s dining room. Two Saint Mary’s students were featured in the Food Bank’s Fall newsletter this month. Class of 2015 alum and San Jose State freshman, Joel Cabral, and current junior, Naomie Flores, delivered 300 pounds of purchased food ($400 worth) as the end result of Joel’s Senior Project at Saint Mary’s. He restored an old 1985 Monte Carlo in his garage, sold it, and with the profits, donated not only the food but also his time and Naomie’s to service hours at the Food Bank. Good work, Saint Mary’s!

Homecoming game time this Saturday is Noon for JV and 2:30 pm for Varsity. GO PANTHERS! Local school alumni are especially encouraged to come out for the game, enjoy the pep band, and cheer the team on to victory! Speaking of pep bands, take a look at the Saint Mary’s Jazz Band (photo) at the 1975 Reno Jazz Festival, and the 1928 Panthers ready for action on the field at Peralta Park. This was the first Panther football team at the school’s Berkeley campus after its move from Oakland in 1927. The school was founded in 1863.