A Student Reflects

by Thomas Henkenius

As the Salesians prepare to enter their second century in America and we in the south prepare for our family reunion in April it brings us to a good point where we should reflect on the successful missions that the Salesians of St. John Bosco have endeavored on over the past century.

To be a Salesian student is very different from being a student in any other atmosphere. You are welcomed into a world where teachers do not judge and try to give that gift to the students. The theme, "family", very much has a stronghold on Salesianity. The administrators are like parents, the teachers are like aunts and uncles and the students are all brothers and sisters to each other. Everyone is working toward the common vision of helping the young person grow into a positive contributor to society. The Salesian experience will be cherished by most who receive it for the rest of their life.

Here in Southern California we can be grateful for a variety of different things. We have four high school campuses which contribute to society; one parish which serves its people to the best of its ability; and a variety of clubs that reach out to young people who need someone to rely on for help and support.

Each work prides itself in its ability to remain faithful to the ideals of St. John Bosco. Each place is a parish that evangelizes, a school that prepares people for life, a home that welcomes, and a playground where friends can meet and enjoy. This Oratorian model is essential to each work individually and all works together as a whole especially in this the centennial year.

Starting back in August a committee was formed by Fr. Chris Rosales with student representatives from St. John Bosco High School, Don Bosco Technical High School, St. Genevieve's High

School, and Salesian High School. The directions for this committee have been to plan an event for all Salesians to celebrate the Centenary in the Southland. After a great deal of talk and compromise it was decided that we would have a fiesta with games, food informational booths and a liturgical service to create a day that would follow the Oratorian model. All of this was decided to be held at St. John Bosco High School. The Salesian presence in this committee has helped the compromises to be made and the preparation to begin.

St. John Bosco High School a school in service to students, family and community. Here the number one priority of the faculty is to see that the student succeeds; by a curriculum built so that everyone can learn and by bringing in teachers who want to make a difference. The family is also a main concern at Bosco the goal is to bring the family into the learning process so that the student learns at home and at school. Finally the community, at Bosco we try as much as we can to help out the poor. We live in a major metropolitan area where homelessness and poverty are extreme so we do the best that we can to help out all of our neighbors.

Personally at St. John Bosco High School my life has been challenged, uplifted and rebuilt over the past three and a half years. I am not the same person that I was when I entered through those big double doors freshman year. The teachers have brought me to a new level of understanding life, literature, history etc. Treating me as an inferior; never judging; and always helping; that is the epitome of a St. John Bosco teacher. High school has matured me. I have been involved in most school activities, Christian service projects and most recently serving on a committee that helps the school plan its future goals. For a student to be involved in insuring that the school remains great and to be allowed a voice among administrators is only welcomed in a Salesian atmosphere.

Over these past one hundred years the Salesians have done a terrific job educating generations of students. That is why alumni send their children to get the same great education. If only everyone could at one point be touched by a Salesian maybe the world would be a different place.