Damien High School: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:45, 1 January 2007

Latest revision as of 07:55, 28 August 2025

Line 1:

{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}

<div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 2em; width: 250px; text-align: right; font-size: 0.86em; font-family: lucida grande, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><!-- start of floated right section -->

{{Infobox school

| name = Damien High School

| native_name =

| latin_name =

| image = Damien_HS.jpg

| caption =

| motto = Cor Unum et Anima Una

| motto_translation = One heart and One spirit

| ___location =

| streetaddress = 2280 Damien Avenue

| city = [[La Verne, California|La Verne]]

| county = ([[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]])

| state = [[California]]

| zipcode = 91750

| country = [[United States|USA]]

| coordinates = {{Coord|34|6|18|N|117|47|18|W|type:edu_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}

| type = [[Private school|Private]], [[Same-sex education|All-Boys]]

| religion = [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]

| patron = [[Father Damien|Saint Damien]]

| established = 1959

| founder =

| status =

| closed =

| district =

| authority =

| superintendent =

| trustee =

| chairperson =

| dean =

| administrator =

| rector =

| principal = Mike Castillo

| headmaster =

| head =

| grades = [[Ninth grade|9]]-[[Twelfth grade|12]]<ref name="NCES"/>

| grade9 =

| grade10 =

| grade11 =

| grade12 =

| other =

| other_grade_label =

| avg_class_size =

| system =

| slogan =

| song =

| fightsong =

| athletics =

| conference =

| sports =

| mascot = Spartan

| nickname =

| team_name = [[Sparta]]ns

| rival = [[Claremont High School (California)|Claremont High School]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2009/09/18/damien-defense-shines-in-24-0-shutout-over-claremont/|title=Damien Defense Shines 24-0 shutout over Claremont|date=18 September 2009 }}</ref>

| accreditation = [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]],<ref name=" WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools ">{{cite web|url=http://www.acswasc.org/directory_search.cfm|title=WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools|access-date=2009-06-05|author=WASC-ACS|archive-date=2009-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814003439/http://www.acswasc.org/directory_search.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Western Catholic Educational Association]]

| national_ranking =

| SAT =

| ACT =

| publication =

| newspaper = ''The Laconian''

| yearbook = ''The Spartiate''

| fees =

| communities =

| alumni =

| nobel_laureates =

| footnotes =

| picture =

| imagesize = 250

| president =Joseph Siegmund

| testaverage =

| testname =

| tuition = $8,100

| endowment =

| campus =

| campus size =

| campus type =

| mascot image =

| colors = [[Gold (color)|Green]] and [[Gold (color)|Gold]] {{color box|green}}{{color box|gold}}

| enrollment = 928<ref name="NCES">{{cite web |title=DAMIEN HIGH SCHOOL |url=https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&ID=00071639 |website=Private School Universe Survey |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=4 November 2020}}</ref>

| enrollment_as_of = 2017–18<ref name="NCES"/>

| teaching_staff= 54.0 {{FTE}}<ref name="NCES"/>

| ratio = 17.2 <ref name="NCES"/>

| feeders =

| homepage = {{URL|https://www.damien-hs.edu/}}

}}

'''Damien High School''' is an all-boys [[Roman Catholic]] [[high school]] in [[La Verne, California|La Verne]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[California]], named for [[Father Damien|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]].

<div style="border: 1px solid #ccd2d9; background: #f0f6fa; text-align: left; padding: 0.5em 1em; text-align: center;"><!-- start of slate grey box -->

==History==

'''Damien High School'''

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.<ref name="History of Damien High School">{{cite web|title=Our History|work=Damien-HS.edu|publisher=Damien High School|url=https://www.damien-hs.edu/apps/pages/about/history|access-date=2023-09-05}}</ref>

In 1967, the school changed its name to Damien High School, in honor of [[Father Damien|St. Damien de Veuster]], [[Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary|SS.CC.]], who had ministered to [[Hawaii]]ans 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.<ref name=VR>{{cite web|url=http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=324616 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525105920/http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=324616 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-05-25 |title=Pope proclaims five new saints |publisher=Oecumene.radiovaticana.org |date=2009-10-11 |access-date=2012-02-23 }}</ref>

<p style="margin: 1em 0;">

[[Image:Sealofdamienhighschool.png|125px|Seal]]<br/>

</p>

The [[Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary|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.<ref name="History of Damien High School"/>

<table style="background: transparent; text-align: left; table-layout: auto; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0; font-size: 100%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Established</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">[[1959]]</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Type</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">[[Private, Catholc]]</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Principal</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">[[Reverend Patrick Travers]]</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Asst. Principal</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">Mr. Tom Carroll</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Location</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">2280 Damien Avenue, [[La Verne, California]]</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Mascot</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">Spartans</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Colors</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top"> [[Green]] and [[Gold]]</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<th style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">Website</th>

<td style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top">[http://www.damien-hs.edu/ www.damien-hs.edu]</td>

</tr>

</table>

</div><!-- end of slate grey box -->

</div><!-- end of floated right section; article starts here -->

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.<ref name="History of Damien High School"/> 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.<ref name="The Naming of Spartan Yard">{{cite web |url=http://www.laverneonline.com/2010/03/14/the-naming-of-spartan-yard-its-a-great-day-for-damien-baseball-and-coach-carroll/ |title=It's a Great Day for Damien Baseball and Coach Carroll|publisher=La Verne Online}}</ref>

'''Damien High School''' is an all-male [[Catholic]] high school in [[La Verne, California]] named for [[Father Damien|Blessed Damien deVeuster]] of [[Molokai]]. The school had its first graduating class in 1963 and has an excellent reputation both academically and athletically. Each of Damien's freshmen classes draws from an average of over 75 different elementary and junior high schools from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Damien was a member of the Baseline League prior to their inclusion in the Sierra League.

== History ==

Holy Name Academy, a boarding high school for girls, located on Holt Avenue in [[Pomona, California]], closed its doors in June 1949. In September of that year, it was reopened by Monsignor English, pastor of St. Joseph Church, as a high school for both boys and girls of the parish and surrounding parishes. Newly staffed by the Felician Sisters, it was named “Pomona Catholic High School.” Despite the expanding population, it was able to provide Catholic education for the next ten years.

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.

With the completion of the new Bonita High School in 1959, the Bonita School District moved the public high school from their old campus on Bonita Avenue to their new ___location on D Street in La Verne. His Eminence James Francis Cardinal McIntrye purchased the old campus site, and in September 1959, the newly named “Pomona Catholic Boys High School” welcomed its first freshman class.

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]].<ref name="Damien claims CIF boys basketball state title, beats Campolindo 70-57">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2015/03/27/damien-claims-cif-boys-basketball-state-title-beats-campolindo-70-57/|title=Damien claims CIF boys basketball state title, beats Campolindo 70-57|date=27 March 2015 |publisher=Daily Bulletin}}</ref>

Classes were held in many of the buildings, which were as yet relics of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s. By 1962 marked changes had begun to take place. In October of that year, a newly constructed wing was opened including eight classrooms and science labs. Spartan Stadium was also completed. During 1964, many of the older buildings were demolished and the campus received a face-lift. Parking facilities were completed during 1965, and early 1966 saw the completion of the priests’ residence. The 1970s and 1980s were also a time of growth for Damien, witnessing the completion of a new gymnasium, the four new classrooms of the 500 wing and, most recently, the Administration and Science building, which includes six new classrooms, two science labs, and entirely new administration offices. In 1995, a music room was added and a library renovation was also completed. 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.

==Admissions==

In academic achievement, Pomona Catholic Boys’ rapidly asserted itself. In 1962, the school was accredited by the state agency of accreditation, the University of California, for the maximum period of five years. It has, since then, enjoyed the privileges of acceptance as an honored place of learning. In 1967, 1972, 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995, and again in 2001, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges granted accreditation to the school for the maximum term. The pioneer graduating class of 1963 garnered its share of awards and scholarships and each year has witnessed an increase, attesting to the growth of academic excellence. During their years at Damien, graduates had their names enrolled on the winning lists of all national and state scholarship competitions. They have or are now attending universities from San Diego State to Seattle, and as famous as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Georgetown, Chicago, Caltech, Notre Dame, Stanford, West Point, and Annapolis.

Each of Damien's freshmen classes draws from an average of over 75 different elementary and junior high schools for youths from [[Los Angeles County|Los Angeles]] and [[San Bernardino County, California|San Bernardino]] counties.

==School activities==

A new phase of school development was begun with the 1967-68 school year. The school was given the name “Damien High School” in honor of Blessed Damien de Veuster, SS.CC., who spent and gave his life for the abandoned lepers of Molokai, Hawaii. His fellow religious, the Sacred Hearts 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, exemplified in the person of Damien, provides an impetus toward social causes in the lives of Damien's students.

===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."<ref name="Top Debate Squads Vie For Unger Cup">{{cite web|url=http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/Rostrum/0509_010.pdf|title=NFL 2009 Results|access-date=2009-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605073556/http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/Rostrum/0509_010.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-05|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Stars Fell on Alabama 2009: NFL National Speech and Debate Tournament">{{cite web|url=http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/NationalTournament/09NFLResults.pdf|title=The Unger Cup|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711112853/http://www.nflonline.org/uploads/NationalTournament/09NFLResults.pdf|archive-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Damien qualified 4 teams to the TOC in 2009, more than any other school in the nation.<ref>[http://results.the3nr.com/2008-2009/2009%20Tournament%20of%20Champions%20Varsity%20CX%20Results.pdf 38th Annual Tournament of Champions Results — 2009]</ref> A school team won the National Debate Coaches Association (NDCA) Tournament, in 2011, making Damien the first school to win the NDCA twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the3nr.com/2011/04/19/damien-becomes-first-school-to-win-two-ndca-national-championships/ |title=Damien Becomes First School To Win Two NDCA National Championships |publisher=The 3NR |date=2011-04-19 |access-date=2012-02-23}}</ref><ref name="Hometown Educator Wins Prestigious National Award">{{cite web |url=http://www.lavernecommunitynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=217&Itemid=2 |title=Hometown Educator Wins Prestigious National Award|publisher=La Verne Community News}}</ref><ref name="National Forensics League">{{cite web |url=http://www.nflonline.org/Main/News |title=NFL News Around the Nation |access-date=2009-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806012815/http://www.nflonline.org/Main/News |archive-date=2007-08-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Student Spaceflight Experiments Program ===

== College ==

Damien High School was one of 23 communities involved with [[Student Spaceflight Experiments Program|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.<ref>{{Citation|last=DamienNews|title=Damien High School SSEP Interview on Channel 13|date=2015-06-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19i3MhtLR8c |access-date=2016-04-14}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ssep.ncesse.org/current-flight-opportunities/ssep-mission-7-to-the-international-space-station-iss/|title=SSEP Mission 7 to the International Space Station (ISS) {{!}} SSEP {{!}} Student Spaceflight Experiments Program|website=ssep.ncesse.org|access-date=2016-04-14}}</ref> The experiment studies the effects of [[tardigrade]]s in a microgravity environment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/SpaceX-Spacecraft-Experiment-California-High-School-Students-310511921.html|title=Rocket Failure a "Huge Bummer" for Students|website=NBC Southern California|access-date=2016-04-14}}</ref>

Upward of 98% of Damien's graduates matriculate to college, with the [[Advanced Placement Program|Advanced Placement]] students having a particularly high success rate. Institutions where Damien graduates are common include the [[Claremont Colleges]], [[USC]], and [[University of California|UC]] schools, as well as several [[Ivy League]] institutions. Damien also sends more students to [[West Point]] than any other school west of the Mississippi.[http://www.damien-hs.edu/content/view/222/285/|1] The last five years have seen twelve Damien students receive appointments to West Point, compared to the average high school which receives one appointment every 17 years.

==Tri-School Community==

== Sports and Activities ==

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.

The Damien [[Spartans]] enjoy excellent reputations both locally and statewide. The Spartans hold impressive win-loss records as well as championships in [[swimming]],football, [[Water Polo|water polo]], [[hockey]], [[Track and Field|track & field]], and [[soccer]]. Damien is the defending [[California Interscholastic Federation|CIF]] Division 1 soccer champion, and has held this honor for the past 2 years. Damien, recently won the Sierra league championship in football, and is looking to CIF. Damien also has a nationally competitive [[policy debate]] team, with success at many national tournaments.

==Notable Tuition alumni==

* [[David Bañuelos]], professional baseball player

For the 2006-2007 academic school year, tuition at Damien was $5,400 for 1 student, $9,180 for 2 students, and $12,420 for 3 students.

* [[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 (1970–85)|New York Cosmos]]); captain of the 1984 Olympic soccer team

* [[Bill Duffy (basketball)|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 (soccer)|Mike Hunter]], retired professional soccer player

* [[Sheldon Jackson (American football)|Sheldon Jackson]], retired professional football player ([[Buffalo Bills]])

* [[Chris Jakubauskas]] – Professional baseball player, [[Toronto Blue Jays]]

* [[Ian Johnson (American football)|Ian Johnson]], retired professional football player ([[Miami Dolphins]])

* [[Stephen G. Larson]], attorney; former United States Federal judge

* [[Cory Lekkerkerker]], retired professional football player

* [[Nick Lodolo]], professional baseball player

* [[Joe Lunardi]], ESPN NCAA Basketball Bracketologist

* [[Chad May]], former [[National Football League|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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailybulletin.com/sports/20150513/cal-poly-pomonas-cody-ponce-leads-broncos-into-ncaa-division-ii-regionals|title=Cal Poly Pomona's Cody Ponce leads Broncos into NCAA Division II Regionals|work=dailybulletin.com|date=14 May 2015 |access-date=June 9, 2015}}</ref>

* [[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]]'')<ref name="king">{{cite news |title= King of comedy - Damien High grad went from stand-up to winning an Emmy |work= The Whittier Daily News |___location= Whittier, California |date= January 31, 2003 |first= La Rue V. |last= Baber |url= http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=0FC334DBE493FB39&p_docnum=296&p_queryname=4 }}</ref>

==References==

== Notable Damien Alumni==

{{reflist|2}}

==External links==

*[[Mark McGwire]]

{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles|Schools|Catholicism}}

*[[Ian Johnson]]

*[[Frank Pastore]]

*[[Rick Davis]]

*[[Kevin O'Connell]]

*[[Andrew Hilberg]]

*[[Corwin Cole]]

*[[Jimmy Felix]]

== Links ==

*[http://www.damien-hs.edu Damien High School Website]

[[Category:High{{La schools inVerne, California]]}}

{{LA County Private Schools}}

{{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles}}

{{Boys' schools in California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Damien High School alumni| ]]

[[Category:Roman Catholic secondary schools in Los Angeles County, California]]

[[Category:Boys' schools in California]]

[[Category:La Verne, California]]

[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1959]]

[[Category:Catholic secondary schools in California]]

[[Category:1959 establishments in California]]