Don Bosco Technical Institute
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Don Bosco Technical Institute | |
Address | |
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1151 San Gabriel Blvd. Rosemead, California, USA |
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Coordinates | |
Information | |
President | Sharon J. Morano |
Principal | Rev. Mike Gergen, S.D.B. |
Enrollment |
892 (as of Fall 07) |
Type | Private secondary (Catholic) |
Grades | 9–12 |
Motto | "Preparing the youth of today, for the technology of tomorrow" |
Mascot | Tigers |
Patron saint(s) | John Bosco |
Color(s) | Black and Gold |
Newspaper | The Tech Times Weekly (defunct) |
Established | 1955 |
T.V. Station | BTN (Bosco Television Network) |
Homepage | boscotech.edu |
Don Bosco Technical Institute is an all-male high school in Rosemead, California, combining college-preparatory academic courses and technological education (technology programs are listed below). Students select four quarter-long technology courses to take during their Freshman year in the high school program, and at the end of that year, they select one of those four to continue with throughout the next three years. Students can graduate in four years with a high school diploma.[1]
Contents |
[edit] General information
Bosco Tech offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities as well as sports. Although the school may be based on Catholic values, it is entirely interdenominational; students of any faith or religious persuasion may attend.[1]
The school is located in the San Gabriel Valley, 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Los Angeles, just north of the Pomona Freeway (SR 60) in the city of Rosemead, California. It occupies approximately thirty acres.
A nearly 5 million dollar effort to upgrade and create athletic facilities for the athletes at Bosco Tech was recently completed. Also, new academic buildings are planned to be constructed within the school, providing high-tech classrooms for the teachers and students. The new buildings will enable every teacher in the school to have their own room. The start and completion of the buildings are TBD.
[edit] Founding
Don Bosco Technical Institute began in 1955, with the help of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Salesian Society, and the industrial leaders of the Greater Los Angeles Area. [1]
It was named for the founder of the Salesian Society, Saint John Bosco, who was a 19th century Italian priest who established technical schools to give boys the skills they need to be craftsmen and leaders.[1]
The school first opened its doors in 1955, following the Salesian trade-school model offering young men a chance to learn a trade. As time went on, and due to its proximity to many Southern California defense contractors, the school grew from a trade school to a technology school. Many young men were excited to have a high school that combined college-prep courses with technology classes.
In 1969[2], its college division (Don Bosco College of Science & Technology) began its optional "Five-year" program which gives students the opportunity to complete minimum secondary education requirements in three years followed by a two-year Junior college program leading to an Associate of Science degree, both on the same campus. School administrators contend that it was also an attempt at keeping graduates from being drafted into the Vietnam War, but a search through early records will reveal that the program was established several years earlier. However, in the fall of 2006, the college division of Bosco Tech ceased operations due to perceived lack of interest in the program and lack of funding. Upon this being announced in October 2004, controversy erupted from underclassmen who were promised the choice of taking the program. In recent school years, the number of applicants to the school has gone down. In response, many reforms have been proposed. But despite this stepback, Bosco Tech continues to serve young men in the science of technology, Don Bosco's teachings, and offers a sense of brotherly love throughout the years.
The school was intended to mimic the average man's work day, until the late 1980s, the hours were from 7:30am to 4:00pm (9 to 5 job). This was very hectic for students who had an after-school job or were involved in an extracurricular activity. Some students till this day, feel their tech is actually somewhat of a job experience to them. At the end of the school year of 2006, the school day hours were shorted to 7:55 am to 3:05 pm.
[edit] Academics
Founded as a trade school, Bosco Tech has always maintained a legacy of academic excellence, but gained the reputation of a "tech" school. Academically, the school sees other local schools (Loyola, Harvard-Westlake, La Salle, Crespi, St. Francis, Bishop Amat, Serra, Cantwell, and Cathedral) as peers, though none have the technology education offered by the Tech.
Don Bosco Tech is also close in proximity to two other Salesian-based high schools, Salesian in Boyle Heights and St. John Bosco in Bellflower. Its students hail from all over the Greater Los Angeles area; with some students traveling more than an hour's commute each day to the school.
Don Bosco Tech offers a multitude of Honors and Advanced Placement(AP) classes from freshman to senior year, and the students do acceptionally well, especially in the AP Calculus AB and BC tests taken at the end of the year.
Advanced Placement courses at Don Bosco Tech include:
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Honors courses at Don Bosco Tech include:
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[edit] Technology programs
- Computer Science (CS) (formerly part of Electronics)
- Construction (CT, formerly Building Technology (BT), and before that Cabinet Making)
- Design (DE, formerly Drafting and Design (DR))
- Electronics (EL)
- Graphic Communications (GC, formerly Photolithography (PH), and before that Printing)
- Materials Science (MS, formerly Metallurgy (ME))
- Manufacturing (MT, formerly MA), and before that Machine Shop R.I.P.
- Power & Transportation (PT, formerly Automotive (AU)) [3] R.I.P.
- Management (MA) was part of the college division, but is now closed.
- MT and PT are now closing due to low enrollment and due to the new plan to combine technologies and the academics to create 5 new academies. This plan will take effect immediately (May 23, 2008) phasing out MT and PT over the next 2 years.
[edit] Academic & Technology Future: Academy model
Since its founding in 1955, Don Bosco Tech has endeavored to become a leading college-prep educational institution with a unique emphasis on academic study and technology awareness. For several decades, Bosco Tech has strived to offer an academic curriculum and study of key technologies that is both rigorous and relevant. Bosco Tech educators have a mandate to ensure that they continue to provide the best possible educational opportunities for the school's young men. Over the course of the last few years, School Administration and the Board of Trustees, along with a team of many dedicated members of the Bosco Tech family, have been looking at how technology has changed, both in Southern California and around the world. In addition to the technology component, they have been reviewing the admission qualifications required by colleges and universities. As a result of their study and research the school has learned that changes will be needed in order to ensure that the academic offerings at the school continue to be enriching and challenging and that the technology courses continue to be relevant and in alignment with current (and future) societal needs and expectations. As the school looks toward the future, they will continue to build on the foundation of Bosco Tech’s strengths and traditions:
- Technological Uniqueness – Will strive to maintain those qualities that have made Bosco Tech truly unique.
- Student Focus – Will continue to offer programs that are in the best interests of the students.
- Competencies – Will endeavor to ensure the development of those key competencies and experiences in theoretical and practical application into whatever educational model the school will follow.
In order to provide students with the best educational high school experience, it is important that the school adjust the “depth vs. breath” dimensions of the school's programs in order to maintain a viable and appropriate program. They will also need to develop an educational model that better aligns all aspects of the school's college-prep and technology offerings in order to provide a relevant and challenging education. This will require the realignment of technology programs into clusters or “academies” that will offer students a choice from four to five groupings of technological core programs. These programs will no longer function as stand-alone majors, rather as academies of study reflecting key aspects to the industries they represent. Academies will also include extensive integration of academic and technological courses.
The key features of the academies include: the creation of a close family-like atmosphere, integration of academic and technical education; and the establishment of viable business partnerships. Technical education will be closely coordinated with related academic classes, with academic and technology teachers working as teams to plan and implement courses of study. The decision has been made to phase out two of the school's current technologies, i.e., Power & Transportation and Manufacturing over the next two years. This very difficult decision was made based upon current enrollment statistics and the financial impact the undersubscribed technologies are having on the overall fiscal management of the Tech. The priority of the school at this time is to address the immediate needs of the students directly affected by this decision.
Don Bosco Tech is a great school – our goal is to be the best of the best!
--Sharon J. Morano President.[4]
[edit] Athletics
The school has had some success at sports throughout the years (especially cross country, golf and basketball), but the academic rigor of the school has probably limited its success. The athletic teams participate in the Camino Real League and the Del Rey League. It used to offer sports such as water polo and wrestling. It has recently received some recognition for golf and American football. It's most recognizable rivalries are with Serra High School of Gardena, Crespi Carmelite High School of Encino and (with an intense reputation) Cathedral High School (Los Angeles, California) of Los Angeles.[5]
The Athletic Program at Don Bosco Tech consists of:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming/Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- and Cheer / Spirit[5]
[edit] Alma mater
"Where the rolling hills of San Gabriel,
Crown the old Camino Real.
Golden dreams and hopes are abounding
Guide our way with kindly light.
Bosco Tech, today we hail thee,
E'er thy memories treasured shall be."
[edit] Student life
[edit] Then and now
More advanced forms of technology formed over the years and many techs were added or reformed. The school has grown in size since its '55 opening and has garnered a well-known reputation for sending students prepared in the workplace and in higher learning institutions. Since the opening of the school, it has also gained a variety of diverse student organizations and clubs.
Don Bosco Tech Student Activities/Organizations/Clubs:
- A.S.M.(American Society of Materials)/A.S.N.T.(American Society for Nondestructive Testing) Student Chapter
- Art Club
- Associated Student Body (ASB) & Student Council
- Astronomy Club
- Barkada Club
- Beginning Freshman Band
- Big Brothers Program
- Bosco Digital Production Company
- Bosco Television Network (BTN)
- B-Go Club
- Bowling & Bocce Ball Club
- B-TEK (Bosco Tech Engineering Klub)
- California Scholarship Federation
- Campus Ministry
- Chess Club
- Combo Jazz Band
- Computer Repair Club
- Cooking and Nutrition
- Creative Writing Club
- Inter-Club Council (ICC)
- International Trips Club
- Jazz 1 Band
- Jazz 2 Band
- KEY (Kiwanis Edcates Youth) Club
- Letterman Society
- The Don Bosco Mixed Chamber Choir
- Musicians' Club
- National Honors Society
- Next Generation
- Retreats & Liturgy Team
- The Don Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band
- Silent Apostles of Christ
- Social Awareness Club
- Sound Crew
- Spanish Club
- Speech and Debate
- Tech Radio
- Techmen Yearbook
- Tiger M.A.C. (Martial Arts Club)
- Youth Ministry Core Team[6]
The school until now has also been recognized for its renowned debate team, which has competed and placed successfully in local and national debate tournaments even though mainly composed of underclassmen. In the first time in school history, the school will be sending a Public Forum Debate Team to the National Championships held in June in Las Vegas, Nevada. This team is composed of junior classmen Evan Godfrey and Aris Govjian. The debate team is coached by Dr. Kathleen Rabago and assistant coach, David Medina.[7]
The school also has a special relationship with its "sister schools", Ramona Convent in Alhambra, San Gabriel Mission High School in San Gabriel, Alverno in Sierra Madre, and St. Joseph High School in Lakewood, California. The school particpates with its sister schools in several activities:
- The Don Bosco Mixed Chamber Choir [6]
- The Don Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band
- The Don Bosco Tech Yell, Cheer, Pep Flags and Mascot program [8]
and in other school-related activities
[edit] Music program
The music program at Don Bosco Tech consists of:
- Marching Band
- Drumline
- Beginning Freshman Band
- Concert/Symphonic Band
- Advanced Jazz(Jazz 1) and Beginning Jazz(Jazz 2) Bands
- Jazz Combo Band
- and the new edition recently added into the program, Mariachi.[9]
Music education was emphasized as one of the main focuses of Don Bosco's educational approach. Therefore, since the school's birth in 1955, the "Don Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band" became the school's first and oldest extracurricular activity. The band received its unique name after sporting a new military uniform, a gold military tunic trimmed in white with black pants, and a bearskin hat in the 1977-1978 marching season. Its well known band director was Brother Eugene Burns who directed the band from 1957-1978. In its early years, the band performed at primarily school-related events but decided to compete as the years progressed. In the 1970-1971 season the auxiliary units were formed by San Gabriel Mission High School only until 1991, where girls from Ramona Convent Secondary School joined the units. Typically, it was unusual to see a girl in the ranks, but by 1998, girls from the local sister schools became part of the band. The maximum amount of members the band had marched was 70+ during the 70s, but years after until now, band membership has nearly averaged out to 35-55 members. But even though of its relatively small size compared to other high schools, the marching band and the auxiliary units scored high points in it division or even received sweepstakes. [9]
The marching band is known throughout the state as "the band with the cannon" in which the trademark cannon, made on the school premises, was fired and pulled by two students in front of the band during band reviews and parades in Arcadia, La Palma, Temple City, Hawthorne, La Mirada, Long Beach, National City, Montebello, South Gate, Riverside, Azusa, Laguna Niguel, Rowland Heights, Twentynine Palms and San Francisco to name a few. [9]
The band was also invited and appeared in the Los Angeles County Fair, a University of Southern California football game, the California 500 Speedway in Ontario, Disneyland's "America on Parade", Dodger Stadium, San Francisco's Columbus Day Parade, the Hawaii Invitational Music Festival, Kennedy Space Center, Sea World in San Diego and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida to also name a few in all its marching history. Throughout the 80s and 90s many members of the band had received special recognition: one member placing first in the USA National Drum Major Competition in 1988, one member participating in the Top Talented Students' Honor Band at Chaffey High School, four members playing in the orchestra with the Saturday Conservatory of Music at California State University, Los Angeles, and a consistent number of students selected to perform in the Tournament of Roses Parade Honor Band in Pasadena, California. [9]
Under the direction of Robyn Sharp for nineteen years since 1980, the auxiliary units also won awards in each of their respective fields: the Tall Flags and banner groups captured the state championship title fourteen years in a row, the Drill Team and the Tall Flags won regional competitions in each of five years and national competitions in four years, and they won the sweepstakes award in the Maytime Parade in National City. The Dance and Tall Flags teams also had performed at Magic Mountain, Hurricane Harbor, Knott's Berry Farm, and during games featuring the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Los Angeles Clippers. [9]
But as a past band director decided to emphasize jazz education to attract more students to join the program, the marching band and the auxiliary units were brought to a slow halt, and stopped competing. Mr. John Nunez, the current Director of Bands since 2006 has rebuilt the band program that continues to gain more members each year and holds rehearsals in its band room that was newly renovated in the summer of 2006. Each unit of the music program showcases several concerts annually and the marching band currently performs at school functions, community events, and football games. The band program is also mutually patching up a stronger relationship with its sister schools in order to add more members to the band. And at this time, in addition to the program, a colorguard/pageantry is being organized by the school's cheer coach, Michele Casanova, in the hope of marching and participating in parades and competitions. [9]
[edit] Culture
- One of the school's original cheers saluted the inherent "geek" status of the students at a technical high school.
- Secant, tangent, cosine, sine
- Three point one four, one five nine
- Slide rule, slide rule, sis boom bah
- Bosco Tech, beat them raw!
- In 1972 Bosco Tech paid $200 to the then "garage-band" Van Halen to perform at a campus music show
- The current mascot, the Tiger, was adopted after a student vote in 1986. The school did not have an official mascot before this, and the school's students were referred to as the "Techmen."
- The school's sophomore counselor, Brad Stolz, appeared on the weekly Tiger TV broadcast with video from his recent trips from 1976 to 2006. Notable trips include Madagascar (during the December 2004 tsunami), Aruba, South Africa, Fiji, and New Zealand. In March 2006, he was interviewed by Pope Benedict XVI as to whether his college friend, William Joseph Levada, should become cardinal. This ended when Tiger TV was dissolved and replaced by the Bosco Television Network.
[edit] Notable alumni
Surveys show that seventy-three percent of Bosco's graduates are working in engineering, math, science or technology-related professions. Some, however, have made a name in other professions.
- Michael Garciaparra - minor league infielder and brother of Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra from St. John Bosco High School
- Jay Hernandez - Actor (Attended but did not graduate) [10] [11]
- Joseph Pizzorno - President and co-founder of Bastyr University in Bellevue, Washington.
- Alex Meruelo - President and CEO of Meruelo Enterprises, Inc., Cantamar Property Management, Inc. and founder of La Pizza Loca, Inc.
- Wayne Englestad[12] - NBA Basketball player[13]
- Nick Spano
- Jim Governale - Los Angeles-area radio personality
- Ken Gushi(attended but did not graduate) - professional drift racer
- Peter Nguyen - Parody essayist
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "DBTI Website". Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
- ^ "DBTI Website - History". Retrieved on 2009-02-29.
- ^ a b c "DBTI Website - Academic and Technology Programs". Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ "DBTI Website - Bosco Tech News-Academy Model Letter". Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
- ^ a b "DBTI Website - Athletics". Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ a b "DBTI Website - Clubs". Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ "DBTI Website - News". Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ "DBTI Website - Athletics-Cheer". Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ a b c d e f Demeter, Richard; Brother Anthony Freitas, SDB (2005). Don Bosco Technical Institute 50th-Anniversary Commemorative Book: An Educational Pioneer Combining Science, Technology, and the Liberal Arts 1955-2005. Rosemead, California: Don Bosco Technical Institute.
- ^ Jay Hernandez at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Jay Hernandez Biography", filmscafe.com Website. Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
- ^ Spelled "Engelstad" in DBTI and UCI athletic records, but more commonly "Englestad".
- ^ "Wayne Englestad NBA history", NBA Website. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.