Congratulations Victor. It's a great day to be an Irishman!

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1 Victor Gallardo 18 accepted to the United States Naval Academy The mission of the United States Naval Academy is to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically and imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of Naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government. Few people fit the physical embodiment of the Naval Academy's mission statement as well as Victor Gallardo does which is why it gives us a tremendous amount of pride and joy to announce that Victor Gallardo has been accepted into the United States Naval Academy where he will attend beginning in the Fall of With an acceptance rate hovering around 9%, the young men and women accepted to the Naval Academy truly embody, on an intellectual, physical, and personal level an aspect of our country's people that is truly beautiful - the pursuit of knowledge and excellence in the hopes of excelling in the selfless service of others. Congratulations Victor. It's a great day to be an Irishman! Engineering students tour UTEP facilities Students in two Introduction to Engineering courses spent the afternoon at UT El Paso's state-of-art College of Engineering. They were able to work with a 3D printer, try out a fighter jet simulator designed by the college, and a virtual reality unit. Thank you to Mario Vazquez, Sr., PE, for arranging the learning experience.

2 Diego Quirarte 18 named Coca Cola Scholar Nothing brings us more joy at Cathedral than seeing our students succeed. Thus, it fills us with great pride to share that Diego Quirarte '18 has been named a Coca Colar Scholar, resulting in his earning a $20,000 scholarship to any university he is accepted to! Diego joins Javier Escobar '16, Duke '20 as Cathedral's most recent Coca Cola Scholars. Out of 90,000 applicants, Diego is one of 150 students across the country, and the only student from El Paso, to be named a Coca Cola Scholar. Cathedral Varsity Golf Team wins Cathedral Invitational Congratulations to the Irish Varsity Golf team for taking first place at the Cathedral Invitational Golf Tournament. The JV Team took second place. Kudos goes out to Coach Albers and the team, in particular Juan Carlos Sapien 18 who has won 5 tournaments this year and holds multiple collegiate offers. Stephen Stresow '19 attends United Nations' Winter Youth Assembly A big congratulations to Junior Stephen Stresow who is at the 2018 Winter Youth Assembly at the United Nations, a gathering of over 1000 people from over 100 countries discussing the UN's 17 Sustainable development goals

3 Organized on the theme of Innovation and Collaboration for a Sustainable World, the 21st session of the Youth Assembly is a forum to open up new pathways for cooperation and social entrepreneurship, while harnessing the creativity and energy of youth delegates for global impact. The 2018 Winter Youth Assembly aims to strengthen collaborative networks and foster innovation to enable youth to engage in the global sustainability movement, as well as to consider critically how cross-cutting issues can be addressed through international cooperation. In consultations with technical experts on water and sanitation, clean energy, urban development, green consumption and production, and biodiversity, Youth Assembly delegates will have the opportunity to explore these topics from new perspectives and gain insight into challenges that face the international sustainability movement. Workshops and training sessions with activists and civil society groups will also offer delegates the chance to develop their entrepreneurial skills and hone their talents in advocacy and organizing. Irish Robotics #1 in the city, finishes in the top third of State Championship The Irish Robotics team has seen a resurgence this year under first year moderator, Mario Vazquez Sr. After a couple of 3 rd place finishes to start off the season the Irish took first place at the UTEP sponsored city wide tournament, clinching a spot in the state tournament and earning the distinction of being the #1 team in the city. Following their successful city competition, the Irish Robotics Team traveled to Lubbock for the Regional Tech Challenge. There was fierce competition between the thirty-six teams represented. CHS finished in the top third! Congratulations to the team and to their coach, Mario Vazquez, Sr.!

4 Irish Soccer fights valiantly in Quarterfinals The Irish soccer fought valiantly throughout a grueling state tournament but come up a bit short as they fall 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Though the Irish end the season with a loss they once again finish as a top 8 team in the state and return a bevy of young talent including a number of Freshmen and Sophomore varsity players. Irish Swimming wins their 32nd State title in 33 years! If you swim for Cathedral, entering the MPB can be a humbling and inspiring experience. Banners with 32 years worth of championships -more than all other 9 Cathedral sports combined- hang from the rafters. Look to the wall and you are greeted with the fastest times in Cathedral history where names like Henderson, Estevan, Donovan, Zielsdord, Norton, Azar, Pinedo, and De Jesus to name a few whisper of legacies past. It can be a daunting task to be a Cathedral swimmer, but that's why not everyone swims for La Cate. On February 9th the latest version of the Irish Swim team claimed the State Championship, their 32nd in 33 years by racking up 190 points, nearly 70 more than their closest competitor. Seniors Luis Reynoso and Connor White paved the way for the Irish with each earning 4 medals. Luis Reynoso earned gold in : 200 yard medley relay, 100 yard backstroke, and the 400 yard freestyle relay while earning silver in the 50 yard freestyle. Connor White, the son of current Swimming coach Jack White earned gold medals in : 200 yard freestyle, 500 yard freestyle, 200 yard medley relay, and the 400 yard freestyle relay.

5 Anthony Moulton '18 signs with St. Mary's University (Division II) to play Soccer Anthony Moulton, a 2015 state champion and Varsity Soccer captain, amidst family, friends, and teammates, signed a letter of intent to play Soccer at St. Mary's University. St. Mary's is a Division II Soccer program in the Heartland conference. In addition to his collegiate athletic offer, Anthony also received a merit based scholarship to the university. Patrick Tovar '18 signs with Dordt College (Division II) to play Football Patrick Tovar, a 2016/2017 state champion and Varsity Football captain, with his teammates, family, and Football Head Coach/grandfather Hampton Hurt in attendance has signed with the Dordt College Football program. Dordt College is a private, Christian, liberal arts college whose athletic teams, known as the Defenders, play in the Great Plains Athletic Conference as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Patrick will pursue a degree in Business Administration.

6 Irishmen continue to receive college acceptances Weekly, we receive news that our students are earning letters of acceptance to universities (usually with scholarships!) Please join us in celebrating the following young men who have received the following recent letters of acceptance 4. Abraham Akle - Saint Mary's University ($56,000 scholarship) 5 : Kevin Anaya - Saint Mary's University ($56,000 scholarship) 1. Thomas Chavez - University of Arizona, Arizona State, University of Nebraska, Iowa State, Gonzaga University (over $500,000 in scholarships. 2.Nathan Hernandez - Saint Mary's University, University of Arizona, Arizona State, St. Edward's University, Louisiana State University, Texas Tech, UTEP (over $100,000 in scholarships) 3. Diego Quirarte - Saint Mary's University, UT - Austin, Colorado State University, Coca-Cola Scholarship Regional Finalist 6. Aaron Lozano - Saint Mary's University, NMSU, Arizona State, Oral Roberts, University of Arizona, DePaul (Approximately $100,000 in scholarships) 7. Blaise Bagg - St. Mary's University, St. Edward's, Austin College, UTEP, Texas Tech, University of Denver (Approximately $140,000 in scholarships) 8. Abraham Lopez - Saint Mary's University, New England College, University of Arizona, UT Dallas, Univ. of North Texas (Over $250,000 in college scholarships 9. Franz Reyes - Gustavus Adolphus College, Arizona State, Metropolitan State Univ., Oral Roberts Univ., UTEP ($134,000 in scholarships) 10. Jorge Barrueta - St. Edward's University, UTEP (Approximately $100,000 in scholarships)

7 Brother Javier Hansen named delegate to the 2018 Pre-Synod Gathering The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced that Brother Javier Hansen, FSC, of the District of San Francisco New Orleans (SFNO) of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers) has been named as a youth delegate to the 2018 Pre- Synod Gathering. Brother Javier will be one of three youth delegates to the Pre- Synod, which will convene March in Rome, Italy. The delegates were selected on the basis of their local and national connections to the life of the Church, their work with other young people, and their representativeness of the cultural and vocational diversity of the Church in the United States. Brother Javier, 27, currently serves as a religion teacher at Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas. Speaking about his selection, he said, I believe I offer the perspective of many young religious in this country and those who are currently discerning religious life. I not only will represent the people of my generation but also the young people I interact with every day in the classroom. SFNO Visitor Brother Donald Johanson, FSC, said of the news, We are happy and excited for Brother Javier and the extraordinary opportunity that he has received. We know that the Pre-Synod will be a powerful experience for him, and we look forward to his participation and contributions. Called by the Holy Father Pope Francis, along with the Office for the Synod of Bishops, the 2018 Pre- Synod Gathering was conceived as a way to listen directly to the voices of young adults around the world in advance of the Church s 2018 Ordinary Synod, Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, which will take place in October at the Vatican. Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, General Councilor for the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), to which SFNO belongs, also spoke to Brother Javier s selection, writing, Young people. Faith. Vocational discernment. This is shorthand for the mission of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, and I heartily support the Bishops sending Brother Javier, a man of passionate and joyful service, to help

8 prepare for the Synod. He ll not only bring the hard-earned wisdom of a teacher dedicated to walking with young people in their encounter with God, but the insights of his own encounter. Juan Pablo De Los Rios'13, accepted to USC's PhD program in Chemistry Congratulations to Juan Pablo De Los Rios '13, a Gates Millennium and Reagan Scholar, who has gained admission to the University of Southern California's Ph.D program in Chemistry. It fills us with a tremendous amount of pride and joy when our former students do well as their success provides us with tangible evidence of a job well done on our end when it comes to molding minds and men. You don't work at Cathedral if you seek recognition or adulation but it's small moments like Juan Pablo's message to Brother Nick as he informed us of his acceptance that remind all of us that our role in our students' lives,however big or small, can make a monumental difference. In his Juan Pablo kindly wrote, "You have always inspired me and pushed me to this very point Brother. You are welcome to share it with the world! But give Cathedral all the credit please Brother. It is my other home." The included pictures are of Juan Pablo during his Senior year at Cathedral and of his letter of acceptance which he graciously allowed us to show Luis Reynoso '18 earns college acceptances and scholarships Four years of morning workouts, countless hours of studying, and multiple state championships have defined Luis' career and universities have taken notice. As of today, Luis has received letters of acceptance to Baylor University, St. Mary's University, St. Edward's University, UTEP, Fordham, Loyola University of Chicago, St. John's University, Trinity University, and the University of Arizona. In addition to his letters of acceptance, Luis has received over $460,000 in college scholarships and designation as a Coca-Cola Foundation Semifinalist.

9 Alex Guevara '18 to follow brother's footsteps and attend UT Austin In 1998 Roberto Guevara graduated from Cathedral High School and later matriculated to the University of Texas at Austin. Now, 20 years after his graduation from La Cate, Alex Guevara, Roberto's brother, has committed to attend the University of Texas at Austin, as his brother did two decades ago. Pictured above is Alex pointing to the picture of his brother that adorns Irish Hall, located on the first floor of Cathedral. Congratulations to Mr. Guevara who in addition to his UT acceptance has received letters of admission to Trinity University, Baylor University, St. Mary's University, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UTEP, and Sam Houston State University. Alex has also received a total of $276,500 in college scholarships Luis Guerra '08 pursuing PhD at Princeton University Today we celebrate Luis Guerra from the great Class of 2008 who in nearly a decade since leaving La Cate has made us consistently proud to call him one of our own. After his time at Cathedral, Luis attended the California Institute of Technology where he majored in Chemistry. Afterwards, Luis joined the Princeton Chemistry department as a Ph.D graduate student. Great and talented people walk the halls of Cathedral everyday. In 2008, Luis was as crazy a member of the infamous Zoo as anyone. Today, his work involves the study of DNA and the investigation of real time conformational dynamics of chromatin/protein interactions at a single molecule level. Have fun and work hard. That's the Cate way.

10 Felix N'twa '07 succeeding overseas in professional Football In 2007 Felix N'twa became a member of Cathedral High School. Hailing from Vienna Austria, Felix started out playing basketball before his true passion- Football-during his Senior year ( ).. Despite being new to Football, Felix proved a valuable part of Irish Football as La Cate finished 8-4 and earned a bi-district title (a banner that still hangs in the Old Gym). Despite only one year of organized Football, Felix played Football collegiately at ASA College, San Jose College, and Texas A&M Commerce before playing professionally in Europe. Today, Felix prepares for his 3rd year of professional football. After playing for the Vienna Vikings and Seinäjoki Crocodiles, Felix will suit up for the Kuopio Steelers of Finland. At home or abroad our alumni make us great. Dreams start to take shape at Cathedral. Best of luck Felix. Your brothers are rooting for you. Ronalds Arajs '06 named Director & Head Coach of Latvian team We applaud and celebrate Cathedral alumnus, Ronalds Arajs '06, who has recently been named Director and Head Coach of the Latvian National Track & Field team! As an Irishman, Ronalds won the 2006 TAPPS state title in the 100 meter race, a record that still stands (Ronalds name is still emblazoned in the Cathedral records that adorn the MPB). At UTEP, Ronalds was a Conference USA champion in the 60 meter dash and in the 4x100 meter relay As a member of the Latvian national team, Ronalds holds the record in the 100 meter sprint and competed for his home country in the 2008 summer Olympics, only two years after graduating from La Cate.

11 Dylan Whitfield offered Track & Field opportunities Congratulations to Dylan Whitfield '19 who, thanks to his prolific track & field career at Cathedral has thus far received D1 athletic offers from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Make sure to catch Dylan at one of Cathedral's upcoming Track & Field meets. You might one day see him competing for an NCAA title! Yale University Whippenpoofs Perform at CHS The oldest collegiate men's acapella group, The Whippenpoofs, performed a brief concert for some CHS students on Friday. CHS alumnus David Paul Torres '14, and Whippenpoof member, made the arrangements. This highly selective 14 member group was on a Hometown Tour and raised funds for the Opportunity Center for the Homeless in El Paso. We're very proud of David and wish the group well as they finish out their year of touring!