Happy New Year! I hope your Christmas break was restful and joyous. Now get ready for the 2nd semester – it's going to be busy!

The month of December was short but action packed. We started off the month with our 2nd Annual Damien Middle School Mathematics Competition on Sat., Dec. 3rd. We had 45 teams from various different middle schools in the area participate. It was a fun day for all involved, especially us math nerds that organized it! Special thanks go out to Mrs. Velasquez, Mr. Yegge, and Mr. Geiger for putting on such a great day.

Also, during the first weekend in December we had ...

the Fall Play at Pomona Catholic. It was an excellent production (the set construction was AMAZING!!). Thanks to all the students who participated in the play, and of course thanks to Ms. O'Rourke and Ms. Curry for again planning and organizing such a wonderful production.

Our basketball team continues to be one of the best in the area, as we won the Glendora and Covina Varsity Tournament over vacation. Chris Reyes was named MVP of both tournaments, while Jared Dizon and Clayton White made the All-Tournament teams. Also, the freshman basketball team won the Rancho Cucamonga Holiday Basketball Tournament. Congrats to all the players, and Coach Dunn and his excellent staff on the tournament victories.

We have a very busy month of January here at Damien. On Saturday, January 7th we will be hosting an Open House at 11 AM for prospective students. If you know of anyone who would like to send their son to Damien please spread the word. On Saturday, January 14th, we will be having a Practice Placement Test, to get ready for the real Placement Test on Saturday, January 21st, both at 8 AM. If your son is interested in practicing for the Placement Test, please call the office. Also, applications to attend Damien are available in the Administration Building. Remember, your son needs to register for the Placement Test to be eligible to attend Damien as a 9th grader.

Our basketball and soccer teams start league play on Wed., Jan. 11th. Our wrestling team begins league play on Thursday, Jan. 5th. Good luck to all our winter sports!

We have another Kairos retreat the week of Jan. 23rd. We also celebrate Catholic Schools Week the week of Jan. 29th. We are grateful to all of you who have made the sacrifice to send your sons to Damien.

May your January be a good month and I hope that 2012 is filled with blessings for you and your family. God bless.

Mr. Sam Pearsall

Principal

Damien High School