Palma School

Palma High School
Address
919 Iverson Street Salinas , (Monterey County) , California 93901 United States
Coordinates	36°39′57″N 121°39′51″W
Information
Type	Private, All-Male
Motto	"Palma Merenti" (Palms to the Victor)
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic; Congregation of Christian Brothers
Established	1951
President	Br. Patrick Dunne
Principal	David Sullivan
Chaplain	Fr. Greg Sandman
Grades	7-12
Enrollment	632 (2008)
Color(s)	Red and Gold
Team name	Chieftains
Accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition	$9,900 (9-12;2008-2009)
Dean of Faculty	Robert Viarengo
Dean of Discipline	Steve Soper
Admissions Director	Chris Dalman
Athletic Director	Steve Clayton
Website	http://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. Its 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. But recently has been noted for their golf program which has been on the rise for the last 4 years. With a 4th place finish in the CIF State Championship in 2008. Member of the 4th best team in California were Joe Azzopardi, Greg Classen, Sean Etow, Matt Ogden, Matt Pinizzotto, and Bruce Taylor.

Football Championships

• CAA: 1959, 1961,1962, 1963, 1965
• MTAL: 1970, 1984 through 1997
• MBL: 1998 through 2001
• T-CAL: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
• 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, 2009, 2010
• Central Coast Section: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007
• Nor Cal: 1992, 1993
• State: 1992

Notable alumni

• Tom Fanoe -- Class of 1964, past president Joe Boxer, noted alum Haas School of Business.
• Rob Smets Class of 1977, five-time World Champion Bullfighter and rodeo legend. Member of Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
• 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. In 2009, returned to working and coaching at Palma High School
• 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. Signed to Raiders practice squad December 2009.
• E.J. Rowland pro basketball player, Bulgarian National team.

See also

• Congregation of Christian Brothers
• Edmund Ignatius Rice

External links

• Palma High School