Raf

About Rafael Velez

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So far Rafael Velez has created 13 blog entries.

Sena Mughannam ‘23 | “She lifts people up…”

2022-04-05T20:43:24-07:00

Sena Mughannam is the setter — one of the most important positions in volleyball — for the St. Vincent de Paul High School.  The setter is the player responsible for providing a well-positioned and timed ball to the hitters, but is also aware of their surroundings at all times. It is their decisions and effort that, to a large extent, will determine the success of the team.   The Head Varsity Volleyball Coach Cassie Taylor contributed that, “she is our leader, who is at the right spot, at the right time where the whole team is counting on her.  She is a [...]

Sena Mughannam ‘23 | “She lifts people up…”2022-04-05T20:43:24-07:00

Jenna Grosser ’22 | “Taking the Initiative”

2022-04-05T11:27:01-07:00

Moving on to high school is a challenging transition.  Most eighth grade students will attend the school in their district or dutifully follow their friends to another.  For some, proactively selecting a high school to attend can be a life-changing decision.  Francis Teixeira, parent of Jenna Grosser of San Rafael, reflected on her experience four years ago.  “More than 90% of my daughters’ graduating eighth grade class continued on to the same high school; choosing a different school that was 20 miles away was not an easy decision. After weighing the pros and cons of a few selected schools, we decided [...]

Jenna Grosser ’22 | “Taking the Initiative”2022-04-05T11:27:01-07:00

Sebastian & Rafael ’24 | “Our Choice”

2022-04-05T11:44:36-07:00

For cousins Rafael Perez Rios and Sebastian Andrade, it was not a direct path to St. Vincent de Paul High School.  They both attended Rincon Valley Middle School Matanzas Charter in Santa Rosa and then matriculated to Montgomery High School.   After an uninspiring freshman year impacted Covid-19 Manuel Andrade, Sebastian’s father and Rafael’s uncle, turned to Principal Patrick W. Daly of St. Vincent de Paul High School.  After many heartfelt discussions and interviews with the boys, need-based financial aid was secured to make this opportunity possible.  Mr. Daly revealed, “I was impressed with these boys.  They committed to work hard and [...]

Sebastian & Rafael ’24 | “Our Choice”2022-04-05T11:44:36-07:00

Wambui Munene ’22 | “Integrity and Responsibility…”

2021-12-09T18:33:39-08:00

Arriving on a new campus without long-standing friendships is a situation most students will never experience, until possibly leaving home to attend college.  With a freshman class of students from over 25 public, private and Catholic schools, for many admitted students at St. Vincent de Paul High School they are the only representative from their middle school.  In the fall of 2018, Wambui Munene of Marin Christian Academy in Novato shared this challenge with many of her new classmates. However, for the daughter of Isaac and Ann Munene, there were even higher expectations.  Wambui was the first recipient, and only member [...]

Wambui Munene ’22 | “Integrity and Responsibility…”2021-12-09T18:33:39-08:00

Patty Marty ’21 | “All at once, so many opportunities…”

2021-03-18T18:36:27-07:00

Patty transferred from Petaluma High School and chose to attend St. Vincent de Paul High School because she “wanted to be in a more academic environment surrounded by motivated students.”  In just two years at St. Vincent’s, she was the Varsity Cheer Team Captain, participated in campus ministry and was elected Student Body Vice President while working at two jobs off campus.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been able to take Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors World Literature and Honors Chemistry.  In her senior year, she added AP Calculus, AP US History, AP Literature and AP Physics.   [...]

Patty Marty ’21 | “All at once, so many opportunities…”2021-03-18T18:36:27-07:00

Jade Schottstaedt ’21 | “Raising the flag, and the bar…”

2021-03-18T19:24:38-07:00

For 13 years, Jade Schottstaedt has attended the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Schools in Petaluma.  Like her two older brothers, she chose to attend SVHS because she “knew they had great teachers”.  Now, she cites that the faculty as the main reason why she was “able to acclimate to high school so quickly”.  AMBITIOUS ACADEMICS + LEADERSHIP At St. Vincent de Paul High School she was able to take an extensive schedule of challenging classes in AP Physics, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, AP Literature, AP US History and AP Spanish where she earned a 4.429 GPA.  A truly exceptional [...]

Jade Schottstaedt ’21 | “Raising the flag, and the bar…”2021-03-18T19:24:38-07:00

Tom Bonfigli | Legendary Coach, Impactful Teacher

2020-04-08T17:41:56-07:00

St. Vincent de Paul High School in Petaluma is proud to announce Tom Bonfigli as the Varsity Head Coach for Men’s Basketball.  Coach Bonfigli is the most accomplished basketball coach in the North Bay. In 38 seasons, his teams have earned 17 league championships, 2 NCS championships, 2 NorCal championships and accumulated a remarkable 816 wins.  While those wins place Coach Bonfigli 8th all-time in the state of California, what he has truly achieved is a lifetime of relationships and positive impact on the lives of his students and players.   The numbers are staggering.  His teams have won 54 sectional or [...]

Tom Bonfigli | Legendary Coach, Impactful Teacher2020-04-08T17:41:56-07:00

Kai Hall ’23 | Building his future at St. Vincent’s

2021-03-19T00:38:42-07:00

Kai chose St. Vincent de Paul High School in Petaluma.  He offers his advice to those considering where they will attend high school. Kai is a resident of Santa Rosa and attended Wright Charter School.  Along with his twin sister, he shared that “We chose St. Vincent’s for the small school atmosphere.  The faculty and students are great.” He continued, “The 100-year tradition of excellence along with the improving athletics programs were also important considerations.  I wanted to be a part of re-building the independent football program, then play in the Northbay League (“NBL”) next year.” Deciding which high school to [...]

Kai Hall ’23 | Building his future at St. Vincent’s2021-03-19T00:38:42-07:00

Ken Blake | Taking Debate to the Next Level

2020-04-08T17:32:57-07:00

In high school, debate teams build the reasoning and argumentation skills needed to be effective in the real world.  Persuasion, argumentation or trial are useful methods that our society utilizes to resolve conflict.  Enter Kenneth Blake from the Kings County District Attorney’s office; more commonly known as Brooklyn, New York.  Mr. Blake takes the reins of the most decorated debate team in the North Bay, consistently ranked in the Top 20 in the nation among all schools.   High school debate competitions have devolved into high speed, endurance events.  For example, the technique of “spreading,” where debaters speak as fast as possible, [...]

Ken Blake | Taking Debate to the Next Level2020-04-08T17:32:57-07:00

Ed Evans | Fastest Game on Two Feet – Lacrosse

2020-04-08T17:13:47-07:00

Lacrosse is commonly called “the fastest game on two feet”.  You can see the skills, tactics and strategies of more familiar sports such as football, basketball, hockey and soccer.  Ed Evans started playing lacrosse in 1966 and was coached by the legendary Coach Cuozzo --- the high school lacrosse coach with the most wins and highest winning percentage.  Subsequently, Ed was recruited to play lacrosse for the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York.  He graduated with a degree in General Engineering and commissioned a 2nd Lt of Infantry in the Regular Army. Ed’s most recent mission; the [...]

Ed Evans | Fastest Game on Two Feet – Lacrosse2020-04-08T17:13:47-07:00
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