Palma High School

Palma High School is a grade 7-12 Catholic boys school located in Salinas, California. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey, 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, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
• MBL: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2012, 2013, 2014
• T-CAL: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
• Central Coast Section: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011
• State: 1992 (D-III)

Basketball Championships

• CAA: 1964, 1967
• MTAL: 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998
• MBL: 1986, 1987, 2000
• T-CAL: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
• Central Coast Section: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007
• Central Coast Section, Region IV: 1974
• NorCal: 1992, 1993
• State: 1992

Notable alumni

• Jonathan Bomarito Auto racing.
• Chris Dalman—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 Stanford. In 2009, returned to working and coaching football at Palma High School
• David Esquer—class of 1983, head coach of the California Golden Bears baseball team.
• David Fales—Drafted by Chicago Bears in 2014
• Tom Fanoe—class of 1964, past president Joe Boxer, noted alum Haas School of Business.
• Michael Gasperson, American football wide receiver
• Orlando Johnson, Indiana Pacers
• Peter Lauritson TV Producer/director, Star Trek.
• Brian Reader -- Arena Football League quarterback
• E.J. Rowland pro basketball player, Bulgarian National team.
• 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.
• Isaiah Jimenez—class of 2008, NCAA DII Wrestling All-American

See also

• Congregation of Christian Brothers
• Edmund Ignatius Rice

Notes and references

External links

• Palma School

Diocese of Monterey in California Ordinaries Bishop of Two Californias Francisco García Diego y Moreno José Maria González Rubio Bishop of Monterey Joseph Sadoc Alemany Thaddeus Amat y Brusi Bishop of Monterey-Los Angeles Thaddeus Amat y Brusi Francisco Mora y Borrell George Thomas Montgomery Thomas James Conaty John Joseph Cantwell Bishop of Monterey-Fresno John Bernard MacGinley Philip George Scher Aloysius Joseph Willinger Bishop of Monterey in California Harry Anselm Clinch Thaddeus Anthony Shubsda Sylvester Donovan Ryan Richard John Garcia Churches Cathedral Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo Parishes Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission San Juan Bautista Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Mission San Miguel Arcángel Holy Cross Church (the former Mission Santa Cruz) Education High school Mission College Preparatory High School, San Luis Obispo Notre Dame High School, Salinas Palma High School, Salinas Saint Francis Central Coast Catholic High School, Watsonville Santa Catalina School, Monterey Catholicism Portal