Gonzaga College High School

We hope you will prioritize the young men of Gonzaga on Giving Tuesday. Your gift to the Gonzaga Annual Fund enhances every aspect of the student experience on Eye Street – and helps keep Gonzaga affordable and accessible to all of our families. Thank you for making a difference!

https://www.gonzaga.org/support-gonzaga/make-a-gift?bbeml=tp-RKaEjsMuCECjtM4T9lxvmg.j_lqqdQG6pUyjsZ1fmBdZRQ.r-2oOeDWMp0ivx3E9UyLPnA.lVkTa3gJKp0WmXjMKI1qG8w

The Alumni Association Smoker is almost here! If you haven’t registered yet, please do so and avoid the line — visit ⛓️Gonzaga.org/Smoker ⛓️ now. Online registration will close at Noon on Wednesday.

The Smoker is a reunion for all alumni, Gonzaga fathers past and present, faculty and staff, and friends of the school — bringing us together to kick off the holiday season. Our age old tradition begins at 7 PM!

Walk-ups are welcome, but we encourage as many people as possible to register in advance. We look forward to seeing everyone in the Carmody Center soon!

Students in Dr. Schaefer’s AP Art History classes visited the Smithsonian Museum of American Art on Tuesday, November 14. Dr. Jane Carpenter-Rock (P ‘24 and ‘26), an Assistant Director of the museum, welcomed the group before they enjoyed a tour of the museum's scintillating collection of paintings, installations, and sculpture.

In particular, the students enjoyed viewing Nam-Jun Paik's "Electronic Superhighway" [second 📸] installation which is a large, multimedia work created by the Korean-American artist as a paean to his adopted country after arriving in the U.S. in the late 1950's and early 1960's. This is an important work because it is covered as part of the 250 works of global art and architecture that the students are expected to prepare and know for the A.P. exam that is administered in May.

📸 credit:

Last week, the entire sophomore class visited the National Holocaust Museum. In their Religion, History, and English courses, sophomores study various aspects of Jewish culture and history. This impactful annual field trip to the museum helps put those lessons into context. 

Know any middle school students who might love Gonzaga? Tell them to come to our Admissions Open House this Sunday, November 19. Open to all with no advance registration required, the event  runs from 10 AM to 2 PM. Click the link in bio see a map of the day’s schedule and presentations.

Thank you for your wonderful support over the past few days of 111 hours for #11 -- our annual drive for the Dominik Pettey '15 Memorial Scholarship Fund at Gonzaga.

Thanks to your generous support, we have far surpassed our goal of 111 donors to the fund in Dom's name and exceeded the $50,000 dollar-for-dollar match. As of this morning, we have raised more than $110,000 for the fund in Dom’s name – the most in the history of this annual scholarship drive!

If you have already given, thank you. If you haven't given yet, there is still time to make a gift today before the campaign closes tonight at midnight at https://www.givecampus.com/schools/GonzagaCollegeHighSchool/111-hours-for-11-for-the-pettey-scholarship-fund/?a=7209299 or via the link in bio. Either way, we greatly appreciate your help spreading the word, and thank you again for your generosity and partnership.

This 📸 was taken at the Dominik Pettey ‘15 Memorial Purple White Game on Thursday, November 9. From left to right: Gonzaga President Father Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. ‘75; Dominik’s parents, Magda and Pat Pettey (P ‘14 and ‘15) ; Ridge Slater ‘15; Head Hockey Coach Kyle Sennott; and Gonzaga Parent Jeana Norton (P ‘21 and ‘24).

The GDA’s fall production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]! opens tonight and runs through the weekend. We hope you’ll join us Thursday-Saturday night at 7:30 PM or Sunday at 2:30 PM to see this comical high-speed chase through Shakespeare’s 37 plays. Click the link below to purchase your tickets today!

https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/gonzaga-college-high-school/64ecc5a5606ead0e3bf07c24

Gonzaga Dramatic Association

Seven nights in Hawaii, a pig roast and bourbon for 50, the ultimate Washington Capitals fan experience – these are just a few of the live auction items that will be available at the GMC Gala on Saturday, December 2. To have the opportunity to bid on these and other items, make sure to buy your tickets to the Gala with the link below. It is expected to sell out soon!

https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-001C000000nr2fJIAQ/events/vevt:68c53647-ba05-4171-af5d-6026afd60dca/home/story

Thank you to the many alumni and friends who joined us for the Carmody Lynn Open and the fall Reunions. The weather – and company – could not have been better! Click the link to see some great photos, and thank you again to everyone who joined us!

https://www.gonzaga.org/news-detail?pk=1556459

Today, the Student Government Association helped to organize our annual field day, GonzagaFest, a full day of fun that ended with the Go Gonzaga Beat St. John’s Pep Rally in the Carmody Center. Gonzaga Football takes on the Cadets tomorrow at 2 PM on Buchanan Field. The game has sold out and tickets will not be sold at the gate. In addition, ticket-holders are encouraged to take Metro rather than drive as parking will be limited. If you do not plan to attend in-person, you can watch the action live online by clicking the link in bio. Go Gonzaga!!

This past week, Gonzaga's Ignatian Family Teach-In cohort participated in Advocacy Day, a day in which Ignatian Family Teach In attendees use what they learn in keynotes and workshops in meetings with elected officials to advocate for particular legislation.

Campus Ministry’s Dr. Colleen Karchunas states, “We began our day with mass, where Fr. Pat Nolan gave our cohort and Fairfield Prep's cohort a commissioning blessing before their advocacy work for the day. We then walked to Capitol Hill to meet with staff from the offices of Senator Ben Cardin (MD) and Congressman Don Beyer (VA) to advocate for A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. In addition, a group of students from Maryland also met virtually on Zoom with Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD) in collaboration with students from Holy Trinity Georgetown's Youth Ministry. 

Students researched the officials' positions and planned their talking points. They spoke eloquently and intelligently, and were very knowledgeable about each piece of legislation they advocated for. Several of the staffers commented on the students' confidence and knowledge, mentioning that they were very impressed! A special thanks to Shannon Berry and Vince Rizzo, who prepped the students for these meetings and empowered them to do such a good job! I am also so grateful to our other chaperones throughout the Teach-In who accompanied our students, assisted them in reflection, and encouraged them to think deeply about the connection between our Catholic faith and our commitment to doing justice: Robert Van Der Waag, Ariel Laguilles, and Pat Nolan. 

The students who attended the Teach-In were Jacques Sangwa, JP Loyko, Jack Kosch, Alec Wood, Anderson Harlor, Bryan Mercado, Jaden Rivas, Gavin Fore, Max Dunn, Hayden Burnside, and Jack Egge. Please congratulate them on a job well done!” 👏👏👏

Tickets are now on sale for the 's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)[revised][again]!

Performances are November 9, 10 & 11 at 7:30pm, and November 12 at 2:30pm.

Opening night is Student Night - ALL student tickets are $5! Buy your seats today!

CLICK LINK IN BIO or visit https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/gonzaga-college-high-school/64ecc5a5606ead0e3bf07c24

🇺🇸 Three Gonzaga alumni are currently serving on board the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), an aircraft carrier that is deployed to the Mediterranean and operating in support of events in the Middle East.

Pictured from left to right here are: Ford’s Senior Medical Officer/Carrier Strike Group 12’s Senior Medical Authority CDR Terrence Bayly, M.D. ‘01; Ford’s Dental Officer CAPT Patrick McGroarty, D.D.S, ‘81; and LT Riley C. Mazariegos ‘15, a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer serving in the Reactor Department.

“We all come from families of Gonzaga alumni and were happy to find each other on board,” writes Lieutenant Mazariegos.

Thank you to these alumni for their service to our country!

Jeff Clay, class of '94, visited the Forensic Science class to discuss his career as a DC Homicide detective. Mr. Clay shared with the students several real cases that he helped solve and was able to walk the students through the entire process of collecting evidence, questioning witnesses, tracking and interrogating suspects, getting search warrants, making an arrest and closing the case in court.

Science teacher Mr. Hamm ‘03 notes, "Mr. Clay was a dynamic and engaging speaker. The cases he shared with the class tied directly to many of the topics we have studied in class. His presentation generated many excellent questions and the students were able to better understand how much work it takes to solve these crimes."

Mr. Clay attributes a lot of his success in his career as a homicide detective to the valuable skills he learned at Gonzaga, such as the ability to write lengthy reports and warrants as well as manage several different cases all at the same time. A special thanks to Jeff Clay '94 for taking the time to share your knowledge with our students!

Each year, Gonzaga's faculty select two peers to honor as Veteran and Novice Teacher of the Year. The awards recognize teachers from each Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington who embrace teaching as a ministry and demonstrate respect for the Catholic identity and the charism of their school. Congratulations to this year’s awardees: Math Teacher Mr. Paul Buckey ‘86 (Veteran) and Science Teacher Mr. Bob Barry (Novice). Click the link below to read more. 👏
https://www.gonzaga.org/news-detail?pk=1553349

After being identified by , a bone marrow donation program, Jake Winters ‘19 flew to Houston, Texas to donate his peripheral blood stem cells to help save the life of an unrelated adult who is battling leukemia.

Jake is currently studying for a Masters Degree at the University of Virginia. Thank you, Jake, for your selfless act – and for continuing to, as your t-shirt says, “bleed purple” beyond your time on Eye Street!

💜🦅

🕊️ Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those making Kairos CLXXII this week.

May everyone attending return on Friday with a full heart having had fulfilling and transformative experience.

🧪 Earlier this month, AP Biology students were tasked with determining the sucrose molarity of different colored solutions by using the process of osmosis. Each group had to design their own experiment using dialysis tubes which act like a cell membrane, allowing water to flow through but not the sucrose. If the students were successful then their data would help them determine which colored solution matched with the given molarities.

Science teacher Mr. Paul Hamm ‘03 said, “In addition to using the tubes, some students cleverly relied on a good old fashion ‘taste test’ as well as a ‘stickiness test’ to see if they could determine which had the most sucrose.”

Sculptor Brendan O'Neill '60 recently traveled to the Choctaw Nation Reservation in Durant, Oklahoma to install a sculpture that he created for the Choctaw Nation as a gift. The sculpture, which now stands in the Choctaw Cultural Center, represents the bond between the Choctaw Nation and the Irish people -- a bond that dates back to 1847 when the Choctaw Nation sent money to Ireland during the potato famine.

Click the link to read more.
https://www.gonzaga.org/news-detail?pk=1550678&bbeml=tp-RKaEjsMuCECjtM4T9lxvmg.jKNW652FOo0eWrAvvzmy6_A.r8GMxXcmzQkeVsKBN-5F-TQ.liZKPtSdJr0GtHSiTBGq9Tw

A group of students had the opportunity to take part in a flight simulation at Gonzaga this week. The two-day seminar taught them the basics of flight including how to navigate, communicate with, and ultimately fly a single engine airplane. The simulation was a prize won by a group of students that participated in an aviation design competition last year and won second place nationally. Enjoy the photos!

This week, students in Mr. Hudspeth's Chemistry class conducted an experiment where they observed the melting point and combustion of various compounds. Based on their observations, they inferred that molecular compounds exhibited lower melting and combustion temperatures than ionic compounds, demonstrating the stronger forces holding ionic bonds together. 

Students also explored the relationship between bond strength and physical properties by conducting solubility tests in both water and ethanol. In addition, this experiment provided students with hands-on experience in laboratory techniques such as safe operation of a Bunsen burner, adherence to fire safety protocols in the laboratory setting, and how to implement solubility tests.

We hope you enjoy these great photos of their work. 

Eagles’ Wings, an organization for parents of Gonzaga alumni, held an event this past weekend to welcome parents of the Class of 2023. The group enjoyed a Mass in St. Aloysius Church, celebrated by Father Lingan, followed by a reception in the Arrupe Commons. Thank you to everyone who joined!

The Gonzaga Fathers Club (GFC) performed its first service project of the school year on Saturday, September 30 by volunteering with the organization So Others Might Eat by moving 139 mattresses throughout the 14 floors of its new residence for low-income residents. John Matelis ‘93 and son Luke '25 and Randy Stone '90 and son Daniel '26 represented the GFC. If you’re a current Gonzaga dad or male guardian, please watch for GFC emails for future Men for Others service opportunities!

Gonzaga wishes a very happy birthday to Joseph A. Norris ’41! Mr. Norris, who turned 100 on September 14, is believed to be Gonzaga’s oldest alumnus. A graduate of Georgetown University and its law school, he paused his college studies in November 1942 to serve during World War II. He landed on Omaha Beach on November 1, 1944, was taken as a prisoner of war, and returned home in April 1945. David Dugan ‘98 recently visited Mr. Norris at his home in Fort Washington, Maryland. "It's difficult to put in words just how impactful my Gonzaga experience was,” he said at the time. “I'm very fortunate because of my Gonzaga friends, teachers, and memories.” Happy birthday Mr. Norris! 🎉

Spots are filling up fast for this year's Carmody Lynn Open on Friday, October 27 at P.B. Dye and Worthington Manor golf clubs! Please visit https://www.gonzaga.org/support-gonzaga/events/carmody-lynn-open to register now before it fills up. Thank you for supporting this annual tournament, which raises funds for Gonzaga students who do not have a father in their lives.

The Gonzaga Admissions Office recently opened registration for two new opportunities for prospective parents to learn more about our school and community: parent tours of campus as well as a fall information night. For dates and more information, go to https://www.gonzaga.org/admissions/visit

We hope to host you on campus sometime this fall! Go Eagles!

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Sunday for Gonzaga Grandparents Day. We welcomed over 500 students and their grandparents for Mass in St. Aloysius Church, followed by brunch in the Carmody Center. Former Trustee Mark Tuohey, father of three Gonzaga alumni and grandfather of one current Eagle (Joe Tuohey '26), gave remarks during brunch. Click below to see some more nice photos from the day.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gonzagacollegehs/albums/72177720311360536/with/53203760618/

Gonzaga was honored to welcome Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala to Eye Street on Friday, September 22 as celebrant of an all-school bilingual Mass to mark the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Bishop Menjivar, who came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant in 1990 from El Salvador, was named auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington last year. "Gonzaga and the great Church of St. Aloysius has been witness to many momentous events, today was another of those moments," said Mr. Jonathan Ruano, Associate Dean of Students and Latino Student Success Coordinator. "It was an honor to walk with Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala. His immigrant story serves as a reminder and a motivation that with hard work and God on our side, anything is possible."
During the bishop's homily he highlighted the contributions of the Latin American community at Gonzaga, in Washington DC, and across our country. "We are privileged to be part of a rich multicultural city and community," he said. "The Archdiocese of Washington is a great mosaic of people and cultures that reflect the diversity of our country."
Bishop Menjivar also encouraged Gonzaga students to be servant-leaders in their communities: "That is what we need in politics, in business, in our church."
We are grateful to Bishop Menjivar for coming to Gonzaga, and we hope you enjoy these photos from the occasion.

Last week, Mr. Ausema's AP classes took a field trip to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to study plant diversity and wetland ecology. The students identified 71 different species of plants in their investigation, of which a significant fraction are non-native invasive plants. Enjoy these photos from the day!

During the first few weeks of school, is hosting several "Freshman Spirit Days" to help the Class of 2027 get to know one another.

Through pick-up basketball games, spikeball, and 🎮 Mario Kart, these freshmen are building a sense of community with the classmates they will journey four years with on Eye Street.

“New Home for Gonzaga's Alumni Hall of Fame”
•••
Visitors to Gonzaga's Dooley Hall will notice a new installation in the Pastrick Foyer, just across from the President's Office: A new, more prominent home for Gonzaga's Alumni Hall of Fame. The Alumni Hall of Fame honors alumni for "outstanding achievement and the exemplification of a Gonzaga education in their lives."

The honor is bestowed annually by the Gonzaga Alumni Association at the Father Son Communion Breakfast in the spring. Previously, those who had received this honor were recognized on a plaque outside the Carmody Foyer. "This location, in the Pastrick Foyer, right at the entrance to Dooley Hall, gives it the prominence I believe it deserves," Father Lingan says.

Read More and Watch Video > https://www.gonzaga.org/news-detail?pk=1542706

Last Thursday and Friday, Gonzaga's Varsity Football Program traveled to New York for a game Friday night against Fordham Prep at Fordham University. On Friday morning, the team visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

During the visit, Gonzaga students had the opportunity to hear from two first responders, Lieutenant Mike Braccia of the New York Police Department and Lieutenant Greg McGuinness of the New York Fire Department. Both played football at Xavier High School, a Jesuit high school in New York, and had teammates who were killed in the attacks.

“The team was very grateful to Lt. Braccia and Lt. McGuinness for spending time with us and sharing with us their powerful stories of human dignity, courage, and sacrifice," says Varsity football head coach Randy Trivers.

Today, on the twenty second anniversary of 9/11, the Gonzaga community joins all those across our country who are remembering and praying for those whose lives were lost that day. May we never forget.

Know a seventh or eighth grade family who might be interested in learning more about Gonzaga?

Our Admissions Office is co-hosting an event with Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School on September 28 for seventh and eighth-graders and their parents. Experienced admissions officers will be on hand to discuss the Catholic high school application and admissions process. Please spread the word to any seventh and eighth grade families you know who may be interested! More details and online registration can be found at https://www.gonzaga.org/gonzaga-visitation-admissions-event

Eye Street was busy this week with the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Highlights of the week included the Welcome Back Luncheon for Faculty and Staff, hosted by the Gonzaga Mothers Club, New Families Mass and Picnic, orientations for all students, the first day of classes, and the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit, celebrated this year by Fr. Pat Nolan, S.J., our new Director of Campus Ministry and Ignatian Identity.

Enjoy some photos here, and click the link to see more:
https://www.gonzaga.org/news-detail?pk=1541792

The Class of 2027 was officially welcomed to Eye Street today by this year’s Seniors — as both classes attended their orientations.

Next up: The Mass of the Holy Spirit in St. Al’s ⛪️ 👔 and the first day of classes.

Look forward to full coverage of this week’s events in the Eye Street Headlines on Friday — in the meantime enjoy a couple of great photos of some of our newest 🦅s!

Gonzaga's new Global Exchange Program -- an opportunity for students to study abroad and host students from other countries -- came to life this week with the arrival of our first exchange student! Jon Landache '26 (right), a student at Sant Ignasi in Barcelona, is being hosted by Nico Velasquez '26 (left) and his family until mid-November. Click link below to learn more about Gonzaga's new Global Education programs, which are being led by Modern Languages Teacher Ariel Laguilles '96. Welcome to Eye Street, Jon!

https://www.gonzaga.org/academics/global-education

Yesterday, we gathered in St. Aloysius Church to celebrate the life of Mary Ellen Whitcomb, a former longtime member of the and Development teams, who died earlier this month.

Here is a portion of the note from Father Lingan shared with the Gonzaga Community last week, "As those of you who were at Gonzaga in the 80's and 90's will recall, Mary Ellen was instrumental in the introduction and promotion of the Kairos Retreat here on Eye Street. She served at Gonzaga for two decades, from 1981 to 2001.

Kindly remember Mary Ellen and her family, especially her sons John, Kevin '79 and Michael '81, in your prayers.

Saints of God, come to her aid!
Hasten to meet her angels of the Lord!
Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon her.
May Mary Ellen rest in peace. Amen."

We share a few photos in memory of the great work Mary Ellen was a part of, and the legacy of love that she leaves behind.

Gonzaga is co-hosting an event for seventh and eighth grade students and their parents, along with Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, to discuss the high school admissions and application process. Our experienced high school admissions officers will highlight how to determine your family priorities, provide a timeline for approaching the high school search, and share what to look for as you apply and are accepted to schools. Click on the link to register today, and please share this information with any middle school families that may be interested in attending.

https://www.visi.org/admissions/rightschoolforyou

Registration is now open for Gonzaga Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 17. We welcome grandparents of current and former students as well as alumni who are grandparents, to come together with their grandsons for Mass and breakfast on Eye Street. Click on the link to register today!

https://www.gonzaga.org/grandparents-day