Rafael Velez, Author at St. Vincent de Paul High School

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

Rafael Velez2021-03-18T18:36:27-07:00

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…”Rafael Velez2021-03-18T18:36:27-07:00

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

Rafael Velez2021-03-18T19:24:38-07:00

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…”Rafael Velez2021-03-18T19:24:38-07:00

Tom Bonfigli | Legendary Coach, Impactful Teacher
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Tom Bonfigli | Legendary Coach, Impactful Teacher

Rafael Velez2020-04-08T17:41:56-07:00

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 TeacherRafael Velez2020-04-08T17:41:56-07:00

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

Rafael Velez2021-03-19T00:38:42-07:00

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’sRafael Velez2021-03-19T00:38:42-07:00

Ken Blake | Taking Debate to the Next Level
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Ken Blake | Taking Debate to the Next Level

Rafael Velez2020-04-08T17:32:57-07:00

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 LevelRafael Velez2020-04-08T17:32:57-07:00

Ed Evans | Fastest Game on Two Feet – Lacrosse
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Ed Evans | Fastest Game on Two Feet – Lacrosse

Rafael Velez2020-04-08T17:13:47-07:00

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 – LacrosseRafael Velez2020-04-08T17:13:47-07:00

Adam Gokcebay ‘19 heads to George Washington University
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Adam Gokcebay ‘19 heads to George Washington University

Rafael Velez2020-04-22T11:33:48-07:00

Adam attended Twin Hills Charter Middle School in Sebastopol and chose to attend St. Vincent de Paul High School because of “the small school atmosphere.” Following in the footsteps of his sister Nicole, alumna from the Class of 2010 and member of the nationally-ranked debate team, he knew the school was academically challenging. The students were spirited, motivated and many went on to competitive colleges and successful careers. St. Vincent’s is a place where you can be yourself. Many feel obligated to join the debate team, become a multi-sport athlete or earn the highest GPA with a full slate of [...]

Adam Gokcebay ‘19 heads to George Washington UniversityRafael Velez2020-04-22T11:33:48-07:00

Hunter Johnson ’19 off to Sarah Lawrence College
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Hunter Johnson ’19 off to Sarah Lawrence College

Rafael Velez2021-03-19T00:21:36-07:00

Good luck to Hunter Johnson '19 at Sarah Lawrence College and her performance aspirations in New York. During her time at St. Vincent de Paul High School in Petaluma, she was an accomplished student, a vocalist in the jazz band, the Vice President of Teens Against Discrimination while focusing on her true passion; theater. During the school day, she was able to engage with a unique range of relevant classes including AP Literature, AP Art while earning Honors in Creative Writing. Hunter attended St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School yet carefully considered which high school to attend. “I was accepted [...]

Hunter Johnson ’19 off to Sarah Lawrence CollegeRafael Velez2021-03-19T00:21:36-07:00

Abby Chamberlain ‘19 selects Chico State University
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Abby Chamberlain ‘19 selects Chico State University

Rafael Velez2021-03-19T00:23:18-07:00

Abby attended Petaluma Junior High and chose to attend St. Vincent de Paul High School because “it is unique in that you can be involved in so many different activities.” During her four years at St. Vincent’s she played Varsity Softball and Soccer where she was co-captain and All-League in both programs. In addition to Varsity Cheer, she was the founder and President of the “Young Writers’ Club” --not surprisingly, she earned highest honors in journalism, creative and expository writing. CREATING HER OWN OPPORTUNITIES She selected Chico State University because of the distance from home, the gorgeous campus, and a robust [...]

Abby Chamberlain ‘19 selects Chico State UniversityRafael Velez2021-03-19T00:23:18-07:00

About Rafael Velez