Si, Se Puede!,
(Yes, We Can!)
Cathedral High School's
Spirited Phantoms
By Brother Stanislaus Campbell, FSC

"The thing I most remember about Cathedral was the Brothers' commitment to excellence . . . . Here at Cathedral, you had high expectations; you had high standards."
-- Antonio Villaraigosa,
Speaker of the California State Assembly

There probably was no more dramatic experience for me than being kicked out of Cathedral High School," admitted Antonio Villaraigosa, Speaker of the California State Assembly, referring to his abrupt departure from Cathedral in November, 1969, to some 300 guests at the Scholarship Banquet for Cathedral High School of Los Angeles in that city's elegant Biltmore Hotel on the evening of December 12, 1998. "I learned something from that experience. I learned there are rules, and when you break the rules, there are consequences. For most of the time I was here, I was a pretty good student -- until the very end, when I started moving in another direction. I think that experience opened my eyes to my potential, my ability to do well in school.

"The thing I most remember about the school was how close-knit the students were as well as the Brothers' commitment to excellence . . . . Here at Cathedral, you had high expectations; you had high standards. That was true whether you were poor or more affluent, whether you were Black or Latino or Asian or white. The Brothers focused on the kids, and I think in that way, it was a very different experience.

"I went from Cathedral, where I had college-prep classes, to Roosevelt High, where I was put in upholstery classes and in basic reading courses. So Cathedral was very much different, especially in that era, when a lot of kids like me weren't in college-prep programs and didn't go to college . . . . I believe that my experience here at Cathedral played a big role in my being able to successfully complete UCLA -- even to be accepted in the first place . . . . Who would have known that a kid who got kicked out of Cathedral High School and later dropped out from Roosevelt High School would be standing here as the Speaker of the California Assembly . . . .

"The most important thing that we can do -- those of us who have been blessed, those of us who've been given opportunity -- is to give back . . . . I'm not angry anymore. I was an angry kid in 1969. I had a tough life, a lot of obstacles to overcome. I'm not angry anymore; I've been blessed."

To his astonishment, at the conclusion of his remarks Antonio Villaraigosa suddenly found himself in the ranks of Cathedral's alumni. Brother James Meegan, FSC, president, and Brother John Montgomery, FSC, principal, presented him with the diploma, class ring, and school jacket that a forced departure had denied him years ago.

"A dream come true! A dream come true!" exclaimed the Speaker to a standing ovation. "Thank you all so much for this wonderful honor. Remember the importance of giving back; remember the responsibility all of us have. Thank you all so much!"

"An Evening with the Speaker," as the Scholarship Banquet was designated, raised over $125,000 to assist Cathedral students from families with low incomes. Inspiration for this event came from alumnus Lou Nevarez, '68. He and Jesse Barragan, '67, served as co-chairmen of a group of Cathedral alumni who demonstrated, as they have for many years, the remarkable support consistently given to their alma mater. Together they solicited corporate and private donors and orchestrated a memorable evening honoring Mr. Villaraigosa and featuring also Emmy-Award-winning actor Edward Olmos as keynote speaker; Henry Alfaro, '53, Los Angeles Channel 7 newscaster, as master of ceremonies; and Gus Ramos with his Blue Rhythm Jazz Orchestra.

Lou Nevarez and many alumni know that 140 families of Cathedral students earn less than $14,000 a year and many others, not much more than that. In fact, over 60% of the students receive scholarships and/or need-based grants. These alumni also know that the Christian Brothers, since leasing Cathedral High School from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in December, 1996, have committed significant funding to renovate the campus and expand the academic, co-curricular, and athletic programs. That funding, however, is committed for a limited time -- only while the school's development efforts and the various alumni fundraising events make it possible for Cathedral itself to fund its programs without burdening the students' families with impossible increases in tuition and fees. Mr. Nevarez and his co-workers are already planning next December's Scholarship Banquet with increased levels of financial commitment from corporate and private donors.

No less remarkable than alumni efforts for Cathedral are the efforts of the school's development office under Martin Farfan, '86. Every year since 1996, development income has surpassed targeted goals. Indicators are that income for 1998-99 will surpass the targeted $450,000. The Weingart Foundation, the Parsons Foundation, and John and Dorothy Shea have provided for the computerization of library operations and the installation of 18 computers with Internet access for student use. The Ahmanson Foundation has been the major donor in providing state-of-the-art equipment for the television production studio. John and Dorothy Shea, through their foundation, have re-equipped the computer lab to provide the capacity for advanced courses including media graphics.

Why all this effort to maintain and improve the facilities and program at a small Catholic, Lasallian, all-boys, 92% Latino high school built almost 75 years ago on a former cemetery (whence the mascot name, "Phantoms") and standing now in the shadow of Dodger Stadium? Answers are not hard to come by. Antonio Villaraigosa's appreciation is echoed again and again by current students.

Alfred Serpas, a senior, is in the top 10% of his class. He hopes to continue his education at the University of Southern California and eventually to pursue a medical degree. Alfred grew up in Los Angeles and currently lives a few blocks from Florence and Normandie Streets, the epicenter of the 1992 riots. "Coming from public school," he admitted, "I had no idea about what to expect at Cathedral. During the past four years, I have discovered what is so special about Cathedral. Here there is a feeling of comfort and safety in the presence of guidance. Teachers are personable with the students; they care about us academically and personally. The Christian Brothers have provided me with many opportunities. I was able to take part in the Junior Leadership Conference at the Russian River; I was able to meet students from other Lasallian schools. "I am very thankful to my parents for making the sacrifices that have allowed me to attend Cathedral. Without it, my life would be very different. I am not sure if college would be possible next year. Cathedral has allowed me to realize my dreams."

Sentiments similar to Alfred's come from fellow students José Rocha, Hector Becerra, and Julian Aquino. José says "To be at Cathedral is to be at home. The people of the school are like family and I love being here. Whenever I wear my letterman's jacket, I wear it with pride because I am proud of the tradition associated with it." Hector states, "All the Brothers and teachers are there for you. If you need help or if you just want to talk to them they are there. They will stop what they are doing, sit down with you and listen to what you have to say. At Cathedral teachers want you to go to college and be somebody in life." Julian, a freshman who has three brothers at Cathedral, observes, "The school environment is excellent. Good friends, cool teachers, good food, and as far as I know the best athletic program. I must say, Cathedral High School is my second home!"

To the testimony of these students must be added the facts that 98% of recent Cathedral graduates have gone on to college, more than 80% of whom are in four-year colleges and universities. These figures are in striking contrast to those given in recentstudies on the Hispanic/ Latino population nationally which put the percentage of Latinos entering college at only 33% of Latino high-school graduates (see below).

The appreciation and achievement of Cathedral's alumni and students is infectious. Enrollment has doubled in the last four years to 480 and is expected toclimb to a goal of 600 by the year 2002. Cathedral's Phantoms -- trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and friends -- soon will be contributing to the formation of a master plan for updating and expanding campus facilities to accommodate the projected growth.

As they look to the future, Cathedral's spirited Phantoms can resonate with the words of Antonio Villaraigosa: "I'm not angry anymore. I have too much to be thankful for . . . . Cathedral High School really is a special place. It's a place where dreams are realized. It's a place where young people are taught they can be anything they want to be."

Brother James Meegan, FSC, Martin Farfan, and Justin Gutierrez of Cathedral High School contributed to the writing of this article.

 

The Educational Crisis of the National Latino Community From the National Council of La Raza Report, Latino Education -- Status, and Prospects: The State of Hispanic America, 1998: Latino students are more likely to attend schools segregated by race and poverty, and there is strong evidence that Latino students have difficult hurdles to overcome in the quest to achieve quality education. Between 1985 and 1995, the high school completion rate for Latinos decreased from 61% to 57%. From U.S. Census Bureau Report, Educational Attainment in the U.S., March 1996: In 1996, 54% of Hispanics, ages 25 or older, had graduated from high school. From the American Council on Education 1995-96 Status Report: Minorities in Higher Education: In 1995, 33% of Hispanics, ages 18 to 24, attended college, and a majority (56%) were in two-year institutions. 98% of all Cathedral graduates were admitted to a college or a university for the fall of 1998, and 82% were admitted to four-year institutions.