Palma School
| Palma High School | |
|---|---|
| File:Palma.gif | |
| Location | |
 | |
Salinas, California United States | |
| Information | |
| Motto | "Palma Merenti" |
| Established | 1951 |
| President | Brother Patrick Dunne |
| Grades | 7-12 |
| Enrollment | 632 |
| Color(s) | Red and Gold |
| Mascot | Chieftain |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Accredited by | WASC WCEA |
| Website | palmahs.org |
Palma High School is a grade 7-12 Catholic boys school located in Salinas, California. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey, Palma is dedicated to providing young men an excellent college preparatory education in a Roman Catholic environment that embraces the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education and challenges each individual to develop spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, and socially. It's motto is "Palma Merenti," which translates in English as "Palms to the Victor."
History
Palma High School was founded in 1951 through the efforts of Monsignor Thomas J. Earley and dedicated laymen, among them the late Joseph Piini and the late Lloyd Stolich. Their collective dream of Catholic secondary education was realized in September, 1951 when Palma opened its doors to boys and girls as a co-institutional school. The boys were instructed and have continued to be instructed by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers, known internationally as Catholic educators, were founded in 1802 by Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice who was beatified in Rome on October 6, 1996; his feast day has been set as May 5. This great man's goal was to give the youth of his time a unique Christian education. Palma continued to be operated as a co-institutional school for thirteen years when, in 1964, a separate facility for girls was opened a few blocks away. At that time, Palma became an all boys' school and the Christian Brothers assumed administration of the entire facility.
A chapel was built in the front of the school in 2003. It has been named the Brother Edmund Rice Chapel. It is used by the students and staff to enhance the religious education program at Palma High School.
Palma is located one block away from a Catholic all-girls school, Notre Dame High School.
Sports
The school is also noted for its excellence in sports. The Football, Cross Country, and Basketball programs have won several section titles.
Football Championships CAA: 1959, 1961,1962, 1963, 1965 MTAL: 1970, 1984 through 1997 MBL: 1998 through 2001 T-CAL: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Central Coast Section: 1989 through 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003 State: 1992 (D-III)
Basketball Championships CAA: 1964, 1967 MTAL: 1968, 1970 through 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998 MBL: 1986, 1987, 2000 T-CAL: 2007, 2008 Central Coast Section: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007 Nor Cal: 1992, 1993 State: 1992
Notable alumni
- Ralph Filice, Class of 1961. Actor and author of mysterties including The Tic Toc Murders.
- Tom Fanoe -- Class of 1964, past president Joe Boxer, noted alum Haas School of Business.
- Peter Lauritsen Class of 1970, producer at Paramount Pictures credits include many of the Star Trek movies
- Dennis Donohue Class of 1972, Mayor of Salinas, CA, accomplished Ag-Businessman.
- Bob Burlison -- Class of 1974, Monterey County Superior Court judge. Longtime assistant DA in Monterey County. While serving as ADA also coached basketball at Seaside High School, Hartnell College, and Cal State Monterey Bay. As head coach led Palma to a state D-IV basketball championship in 1992. Also one of top basketball players in Palma's history.
- Rob Smets Class of 1977, five-time World Champion Bullfighter and rodeo legend. Member of Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
- David Esquer -- Head coach University of California baseball team. Graduated from Palma in 1983. A shortstop at Stanford University from 1984-87, Esquer was a starter on the Cardinal's 1987 College World Series championship team. He earned all-tournament honors after hitting .350 with six RBI in Omaha. He also earned All-Pac-10 Southern Division honors as a senior, batting .318 with 41 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Esquer went on to play professional baseball for four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers organizations. Has career record of 175-161 at Cal going into 2006 season.
- Sam Lavorato, Jr. Class of 1983, Monterey County Superior Court judge.
- Dr. Patrick Byrne Class of 1985, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University.
- Nick Rothstein Class of 1985, lead singer and bassist for German-based ska band Loaded.
- Chris Dalman -- NFL Class of 1988, moved onto Stanford University and was a guard and center for the San Francisco 49ers. Coach with the Atlanta Falcons in 2006, and works on the new Stanford staff under Jim Harbaugh as the offensive line coach.
- Steven Cantrell, MD Class of 1989, Eye physician and surgeon, Visalia, California.
- Corporal Bernard Corpuz Class of 1995, US Army Intelligence Specialist killed in Ghanzi, Afghanistan on June 11th, 2006.
- Tyler Von Schell Class of 1997, veteran minor league baseball player in the San Francisco Giants farm system after being drafted in the 15th round in 2001. Holds the single-season home run record at UC Santa Barbara with 18 in the 2001 season.
- Jonathon Bomarito Class of 2000, race car driver CHAMP Car Atlantic series. Wins include the final event of the 2006 season at Road America and San Jose in July 2007. Finished sixth in the 2006 driver's standings with 178 points, was fifth in 2007.
- Michael Gasperson -- Class of 2000, IAA All-American at University of San Diego. NFL Philadelphia Eagles WR on practice squad 2005-2007, also played in NFL Europe with Cologne.
- E.J. Rowland -- Class of 2001, Point guard playing professionally overseas with the Townsville Crocodiles of Australia's NBL and the Sydney Kings. Currently playing in Germany with Artland Dragons. Finished his collegiate career at St. Mary's College (CA) and played in the NBDL with the Florida Flame.
- Elliot Vallejo -- Class of 2002, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals after starting 32 straight games at OT for UC Davis. Currently on practice squad.
- Tyler Walker -- Class of 2008. Lead Rhythm Guitarist for epic Metal band Electric Messiah. All around uBeR 1337 d00d.