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The Lady and the Marine
From alumnus Ron Neilson, Class of 1976, we present to our Paraclete Family his words of his heavenly experience.
Preface
“The wind blows there constantly it seems. In the summer it acts as a cooling effect partially countering the summer’s heat. In the winter it cuts through the coats and clothes. It cuts to the bone. I grew up in the Mojave Desert, not at all aware of the things I did not know. To me, Mary was just a name. It was the name of the school where I went. It was the name of the church where my family went to Mass on Sundays and where all those school kids piled into that church to be present at my sister’s funeral. It was the name of the neighbor lady who drove us to school each morning and drove a car-full of kids back home in the afternoon. Mary was simply Mary. It didn’t mean much to me until I met The Lady. It was April 1991.”
Prologue
“There is a photo of three boys sitting on the empty pier, looking out at the large naval vessel that was docked there less than fifteen minutes from when the photo was taken. The boys are alone, with a curious look of concern on their faces as the naval assault ship, the USS Tarawa, had just been pushed from the pier by the San Diego tugboats. Then the lines were released as the Tarawa made its way slowly through the harbor toward the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. The father of each of those boys is on that ship. Two of the boys are mine, Paul, age 8 and Dusty who is 29 days from his sixth birthday. They watch the ship slowly make its way out of the harbor knowing that it could very well be the last glimpse of their father. The first day of December 1990 was a sad day for those boys.
“It is a long way from the waters of San Diego to the murky, and then dangerous waters of the Persian Gulf. It gives one time to both plan and prepare militarily, as well as significant time to reflect, recall, and remember. The days were full and hectic as there was a lot to do for some and little to do for others… other than the latest Gameboy which could occupy a Marine infantryman’s time. As the squadron’s Weapons and Tactics officer, I was in a race to get the newly joined pilots up to speed on the basics of weapons employment and combat survival techniques. While that was job one, that was the easiest of my chores as the daily planning for the amphibious assault into Kuwait City and our squadron’s role on D-Day was in constant change. Though having a “Secret” level of clearance and not a “Top Secret” clearance was of no concern to my entry to the planning session of the top-level officers of admirals and generals, I was included into the mix. 16-hour days had become the norm.
“Isolation on a ship can be both difficult to attain and yet so rewarding when found. I found three places I could go where I could sit (one place) or stand (two other places) for as long as I needed and no one would know I was there. It was in these times, in these places where I was transformed from former altar boy and current Marine aviation officer, a captain by rank, to one soul of the many millions who had walked on this earth. I was one man reflecting deeply on the spiritual lessons from eleven years of Catholic school teaching and more importantly on my many talks with my lifelong friend, my spiritual counselor and Catholic mentor, the Benedictine monk and Abbot, Francis O.S.B. of Saint Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo, California. I could take the many lessons with me into my time of seclusion and brief isolation. The return to California was, at that time, a hope, but certainly far from a sure thing.
“When looking into the darkness of death one sees many things. Some are favorable, some are less than favorable. Yet from the first of December into mid-February gave me time to hope and pray, not necessarily for a successful return to family and friends, but more importantly a return to God the Father’s good graces and the rewards of the eternal life. In these quiet times, where there was a lack of disturbance from the electronic things we surrounded ourselves with in the early 1990s – the television, the radio, the boom box, the VHS player, I was taking myself to a realm I had not realized before. Yet I was not aware how deeply I had been transformed into becoming a messenger of The Lady.
“War is the ugliest creation of mankind. It is wretched with filth and destruction. There is nothing more terrible on Earth. In all the wars of this country, there are but two so short in nature. I was so fortunate to be in the nation’s second very short war. As terrible as war is and as devastating as it can be for the victims of war, I have seen the other side of that very destructive nature of man. I witnessed it on the faces of the people of Kuwait as we, the combatants, liberated these people and returned both their country to them as well as their way of life. In all the celebrations I have been a part of, whether Fourth of July celebration, Super Bowl victory parties, weddings, what have you, none has come close to the celebration on the streets of Kuwait when their oppressors had left their country. For nearly twenty-five years now I am proud to be one of the many liberators of Kuwait, 1991.
“From our culmination in this accomplishment, our skills and efforts put forth and even knowing fellow Marines who would die over there and never come home, eventually our attitudes were supplanted by the business of packing all the war material, returning to the ships and waiting for the word from the President’s staff to set sail for home. Instead, we set sail, not out of the Persian Gulf, but instead to anchor in the sewage of the Persian Gulf, where the evening entertainment after chow hours was to go up to the quiet flight deck and look over the rails to count both the sea snakes passing by as well as the floating turds that went by. There we sat, in the months of March, April, and into May before heading for home, and out of the Persian Gulf only to be directed by the President’s staff to take a turn to the port side and continue north, up the Indian Ocean to aid the people of Bangladesh as they had just suffered the worst typhoon in their history. The machines and equipment that were previously used as destructive tools of war were now, for ten days, to become lifesaving tools for an entire nation so helplessly struggling against nature’s wrath and its sad aftermath. As the people of Bangladesh saw our ship coming they told the international Red Cross and Red Crescent that we were Angels from the Sea. Thus, our mission became known as Operation Sea Angel.
“Before leaving the stinky waters of the Persian Gulf, during our long days of waiting, the ships and those onboard were granted three separate port calls in to allow us to stretch our legs, improve morale, eat something other than green eggs, and revive our sanity. For the first of these three port calls we docked in the port of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. After leaving the ship, I made my way across the river and into the Dubai Sheraton. Once inside I made my way to the lower level where there was a British pub. The first beer in nearly five months was the best beer I’ve had in my life. Amstel on tap, it was. It went down fast and smooth like Gatorade. Throughout the day I enjoyed the new scenery, explored the city, and enjoyed being able to walk more than a couple hundred yards without having to turn around. I ate dinner in a real restaurant. Eventually I returned to the Sheraton, to that same British pub. It was late. There were a handful of Marines there. I met a man named Dave from PepsiCo who had invited other officers from my squadron to sleep in his suite. I was the last to arrive. It was after 3:00 AM when we, the last few, got up to his room. There were approximately nine others already asleep. Some were on the bed, most were on the floor, one on the couch. Dave was a bit discouraged, to put it nicely, that all the items from his hotel refrigerator had been consumed, and there was a trace of at least three large room service trays charged to his room. I think the last thing he said to me was, ‘That’s okay, Pepsi will probably pay for this when I tell them what happened and besides, you guys deserve it.’ With that, I tried to find a place to lay down. The only available floor space to stretch out was inside the closet along the walkway to the toilet. The air conditioning was on, yet I slipped off my shirt and shoes. Exhausted, I soon fell asleep. Eventually I grew chilly and lacked a blanket. I settled for a towel from the towel rack.
“Then it began.”
The Lady and the Messenger
“I met The Lady.
“From shivering in a closet in a hotel room, to being warm and comfortable and by all means, curious, and not knowing where I was; everything about this was different. We communicated fully and clearly, yet without talking.
“We went to see the pieces of light. It was a deep, dark cavern. ‘You’ll see the pieces of light coming from a rock.’ Expecting to see something glorious, I went too. It was damp and dark, but somehow we could see. I could hear the water trickling around the rocks and dripping from the ceiling of the cavern.
“One amongst us began to strike the rock with a hammer. It was on the left side of us. As he hammered, the water began to percolate from an adjacent rock concurrent with the strikes on the rock. The water would rise slightly, then slip back into the rock. It was covered with a moss type blanket that allowed no drops to escape.
“Suddenly one amongst us said, ‘Look!’ We turned around to see the sparkling lights that dazzled us with their beauty. The pieces of light rose from atop of a large rock, some floating gracefully towards the top of the cavern, others swiftly darting high, away from the rock. As I watched I noticed that each piece of light was going vertical, straight up. The ceiling of the cavern could not contain them. They passed through the cavern as if it wasn’t there. I was mesmerized by what I saw.
“The next thing I knew I was being led on deeper into the cavern. Someone was behind me, directing me. The others were still with me but now far behind me. I could not see them, but I could still hear them as they followed.
“The passageway became more narrow and darker. It was as if it was now a tunnel. I was becoming afraid. The one behind me would not let me turn back, although I did not try. The one behind me was quite large, hunched forward in the confining room of the tunnel, though I did not turn around to see this one. As we moved forward, the right side was a wall of stone. The left side had cavities in the wall where some types of tombs and graves of bodies were. The one behind me was telling me something about these bodies. Although I could hear him, I could not understand what he was saying. I thought these to be bodies of Saints. Continuing forward, we approached one I knew was different. I pointed to that one. The large man behind me said, ‘This one is not dead, but very much alive. This is The Lady.’ The body looked brittle and quite dead to me. I was told to look more closely. The body lay on one side facing away from me. I could not see her face. I stooped forward, leaning across her body to see her face. As I did, expecting to see a morbid sight, the body suddenly moved. Shouts of great fear rang out from those who were behind me, but not from the large one who was guiding me. What I saw was truly amazing. The Lady turned to look at me, then arose. The Lady was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. In the instant She moved, the body I thought was brittle and dead was young, fresh, and pure. Her eyes looked at me. Her amazing beauty was beyond human description. Now there was no one there but The Lady and me. She had the softest, most caring eyes ever.
“The tunnel was now dark, except the soft light that shown on Her. She asked me to hold Her hand. I was scared. At first I didn’t want to because I was so frightened. She held out Her hand. It was illuminated with Her light. Her hand called mine to Hers. As I looked my hand moved as if it were floating towards Hers. When my hand reached Hers, She firmly, but lovingly grasped it. When She did, the greatest feeling of warmth and love abound in me. It was a feeling I had never known before. It was the most powerful, yet peaceful sensation I had ever experienced. I didn’t know humans could feel that way. It was a perfect sensation. All my senses were filled. I wanted nothing but to be with Her. We talked, or communicated as our mouths did not move. We discussed the pieces of light. I did not understand what She told me about the pieces of light. I am left with the impression, though, that these pieces of light are travelers leaving this earth as we know it, making their way into the tunnel on the journey to the Light. Although we cannot fully understand it, some of us can see it, is what She communicated to me. Like my niece – she can see the pieces of light though she doesn’t realize what they are. Then together we saw her sleeping in bed. I could see pieces of light in her room. Next we saw her outside playing. Pieces of light were around her. Although not always there, pieces of light were there for her to see. As she grows older, she will no longer be able to see the lights.
“The Lady then told me I must go. I knew I must do what She said, but I didn’t want to leave Her. She told me there would be people I knew traveling in the tunnel to the Light very soon. ‘Will they die?’ I asked. I was told humans do not understand; the traveler will not die but rather travel to a new phase of life. I asked Her who. Would it be from my family? Would it be me? She said if I truly wanted to know, I should come back, and She would tell me. As She let my hand go there appeared a light at the end of the tunnel. The Lady stood by me as I observed The Light. Then She moved towards it without walking. I turned to go the other way. As I did I became aware of my body lying on the floor using a towel from a blanket. The feeling of warmth subsided. I began to shiver again. My body was waiting for me. Inside the tunnel the voices of those who had been behind me began to speak. It was too dark to see them. The voices asked me what The Lady had said to me. The only thing I could say, and I repeated it many times was, ‘WHEN YOU SEE THE LIGHT, BE SURE TO HOLD HER HAND.’ It was as if I had been sent from Her with this message. Then I felt myself lying on the floor, the carpet beneath me. I was back in the hotel room, very cold and very lonely. When it was time to go back to the tunnel I was scared. I didn’t want to go. I shivered more. I grew more frightened. I began to cry. I was afraid they had come for me. I wanted to see Paul, Dusty, and Kari. I was afraid I would never see them again. Someone who I could not see communicated to me without talking. ‘You do not know that the journey is not for your family. You do not know who the journey is for.’ Then I saw Paul, Dusty, and Kari holding hands, looking into the tunnel but not entering it. I realized I had failed. It was too late to go into the tunnel again, even if I could muster the courage. I was overcome with sorrow and grief, shivering all the more. I wanted this to stop. Please leave me alone. Let me sleep. Who am I that thou shall call?
“I returned to an undisturbed sleep.
“When I awoke I did not know where I was. I sat up. Looking around I saw the dressing room from a closet then realized where I was when I saw Dave walk by. Once again I realized I had failed and felt sorrow again.
“I knew I had to tell someone something, but I didn’t know what or to whom. All I could think of was this important message The Lady had given me when I left Her side: ‘WHEN YOU SEE THE LIGHT, BE SURE TO HOLD HER HAND.’
“Someone will travel in the tunnel. Someone I know. I don’t know when, but it will be soon. They need the message. They will see The Light, and they will see The Lady. They will be afraid of Her because She is perfect and we have committed evil and are impure. But don’t be afraid to give Her your hand. Someone needs to know this. For they will travel in the tunnel and meet Her. The traveler will not come back. The Lady will take the traveler to meet Jesus in The Light. The traveler will no longer have a need for the humanly body and will leave it. Unlike me, I did not leave my body to discard it. I traveled beyond it but was not through with it. I believe The Lady is our Holy Mother, Queen of the Angels who will keep the traveler safe on the journey into The Light.”
Epilogue
“Most of that day I was troubled with what had happened in that there was a task for me to do. Although I had just lived through the most incredible experience of my life and been joined at the hand with the perfect, holy Lady and taken to the Light where I learned what pure love is and what Heaven is and what hell means, who would believe me? I had a message to write, but to whom and who would believe me? For most of the day I continued to relive the experience and learn all I could from it and glow from being with The Lady. What I didn’t do is write the message. Later that day I returned to the ship. I slept in my rack on the ship that night as I was to be the SDO (Squadron Duty Officer) commencing at 0800 the next morning. So, the plan was for me to wake up on the ship expecting to rise, wash, put on the uniform, eat chow, and be in the Ready Room by 0750. Instead, I awoke and was immediately scolded. ‘I have left you with a message. Why haven’t you written it down?’ With that I was left with a headache to begin the day.
“As there were few or none of our Marines left on the ship that day, I had very little military duty. It gave me plenty of time to do as The Lady had instructed me as She spoke to me that morning, confirming the previous morning was not a dream. I wrote the initial draft, then re-wrote it in my best penmanship and proceeded then to make copies. I mailed these copies that same day to Kari, my mom, Aunt Addie, Aunt Bess, and Teresa. WHEN YOU SEE THE LIGHT, BE SURE TO HOLD HER HAND.
“While the letter was en route to California and Texas, approximately a week after writing it, I got an urgent message from the American Red Cross regarding Papaw. Suddenly I knew exactly why I wrote that letter and who the message was for. Both Aunt Addie and Aunt Bess later described to me how they gave that message to Papaw. Though each gave him the message at different times, perhaps different days, the story was basically the same. He was in bed, with his eyes closed. When he received the message he smiled. He died weeks before I returned to California.
“There were significant parts of that journey I did not write as there was a key message for me as well. The Lady took me beyond what was described in the letter to give me my message. Another part not mentioned in that letter is when The Lady took me to see The Light. She said I could not go in The Light as it was not my time, yet I could see The Light without being in it. With that I learned that Heaven is simply being in God’s light. Perfect love and with that we have no want, no desire, no knowledge of anything else but to be joined in His Light by our Earthly loved ones. It is perfect love and unimaginable beyond that as there are no words for humans to describe it. Each of us will step into His Light. Many of us will be pulled from His Light to prepare ourselves to be fully ready to join Him in His perfect love. This is commonly known here on earth as purgatory. There is nothing worse than being in His Light, His perfect love, then being removed from it except one thing. That one thing is to be removed from His Light knowing that one lived a life rejecting His love and the result is that one will never (which is a term very, very difficult, perhaps impossible to comprehend here on Earth) return to His Light. There is nothing possibly worse. That is what we refer to here as Hell. Each soul was created to live in The Light of His perfect love. There is nothing worse than to experience it briefly and know that a life was lived rejecting that love and now condemned for eternity without His perfect love.”
Afterword
“A large part of my hesitation to write what The Lady told me to is because of how unworthy I perceived myself. Of all the cousins, of all our grandfather’s grandkids, I would be the least acceptable to carry the words of Our Lady. Why me? Well, the answer is twofold. First, basically it came from Her. Because I was the one She chose. Second, because for the previous five months I had been preparing myself to die and strengthening my spiritual life. Perhaps more than I realized.
“When I returned to the United States, having lived through a war that I was less than sure of returning from, I felt as if someone had thrown open a cage and let me run free. The first ten to twelve months were incredible, as if living common experiences for the first time. What stayed with me for years and years though was a desire to return to The Lady, to be as close as I could be to her.
“In February of 2013 that desire was accelerated as I knew something was wrong with me. I received another message. By April, the doctors ran enough tests, scans, and labs to sit me down on the tenth of that month. Three doctors stood in front of me practically putting on a performance, telling me the results were conclusive, I could get all the second opinions I wanted, but it wouldn’t matter. I had cancer. When they concluded, they paused to ask me if I had any questions for them. I simply said, ‘You all are way too serious.’ Each of them looked at me with a perplexed look on their face. Did you hear what we told you? What I did not say is I’ve already known that since February. It took those doctors twelve days to type me. It took me nearly as long to figure out what type meant. I was called into my oncologist’s office on April 22nd, where she made the announcement and awarded me with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma. Within a month, two separate doctors informed me that I had been awarded a two-to-five-month life expectancy. So as much as I wanted to see The Lady, the most logical way to look at it was for me, too, to be sure to hold Her hand when I see The Light. Well, September had come and gone. I eventually made plans to go in the late summer of 2014 and see where She had been in Fatima and Lourdes [sites recognized for their apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Portugal and France respectively]. For several reasons that didn’t work out. Fortunately, no airline tickets were purchased, and no hotel rooms were reserved because I originally set aside to be in Portugal and France. Then, very unexpectedly, as the summer of 2015 was ending things just fell into place without me even trying. I had lodging in Portugal and southern France waiting for me in the end of November and beginning of December. Airfares were lower than I had expected. Everything fell in place. So, the last week of November I was standing next to the image of the Lady as She appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. In the first week of December, I was kneeling at her miraculous grotto in Lourdes, France.”
Editor’s note: Ron experienced visions of and communication with the Holy Mother, Queen of Angels. He gave permission in writing for this to be shared with the Paraclete community. More recently, his son Paul gave us his blessings to share his dad’s experiences. Regarding his trips to Fatima and Lourdes, Ron shared that he went there to pray for others who needed help and could not go to those sites themselves.
In Ron’s written experience of the visions, his wife Kari and sons Paul and Dusty are mentioned; his daughter Keli joined the family later.
Ron gave the Marines over twenty years of service as a pilot, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and earning numerous personal medals and unit awards.
After taking part in numerous clinical trials to help others, he lived beyond the two-to-five-month life expectancy adding four years and seven months to his life. He passed away on November 12, 2017, and we are certain that when he saw The Light, he held Her hand.
You can read more about Ron in his obituary:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/oceanside-ca/ronald-neilson-7641554
Mike Ruiz * Class of 1992 *
A Life Dedicated to God, Family, and Country.
Mike Ruiz is a man with a warm smile and a giving spirit. We asked Mike to share his story hoping to inspire others.
“I was born in the San Fernando Valley to immigrant parents from Mexico and raised in a devout Catholic family household. I had two younger sisters who later also became Paraclete students. I was part of a very large extended family with eleven aunts and uncles on my mother’s side and ten aunts and uncles from my father’s side, which grew with the addition of their children. I was immediately exposed to what I call ‘A Community Life.’ It was loud, active, but very loving. Family gatherings were large for holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
“My parents were hard working and helped me develop a strong work ethic with a huge emphasis on being family centric. My father was an auto worker for General Motors and my mother was a teacher’s aide for ESL (English Second Language) programs in the Lancaster School District and a part time beautician. I attended St. Didacus Elementary School in Sylmar then my family moved to the Antelope Valley in 1985 during the housing boom. I attended El Dorado Elementary, then Piute Middle School. I was enrolled in Paraclete in 1988 and graduated with the Class of 1992. I was an average student and probably could have applied myself more to my studies. I was more focused on the friendships I made and the sports activities which were a beneficial distraction. I still have communication with a dedicated group of friends. Chase Coleman was the Best Man in my wedding, and I was his. I am the Godfather to Frank Stanley’s son. I often see Robert Aceves and our parents maintain friendships. I also developed friendships with many of my friends’ parents.
“After I graduated, I immediately left for Marine Corps Boot Camp the following Monday while my fellow graduates enjoyed their senior summer, I often say jokingly. I graduated nearly top in my class from San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot in September and continued training at Camp Pendleton San Diego then Camp Lejeune North Carolina. I returned home December of 1992 and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserves and joined an Artillery Unit in Los Angeles (Oscar Battery 5th Battalion, 14th Marines). I enrolled in AV College January of 1993. I rekindled a relationship with my soon-to-be wife at AV College who was a 1991 Quartz Hill High School graduate and a co-worker at In-N-Out Burger. We married on July 4, 1995, and I have been the Luckiest Man Alive since. We have three awesome children: Gabrielle Ruiz, Miranda Ruiz, and Michael Ruiz Jr., all Paraclete grads.
“I transferred military units immediately following September 11, 2001. I was with a helicopter squadron HMH-764, Marine Air Group 46, Detachment Bravo and placed on active-duty January 2002, 2004, and 2005. I was deployed to Iraq in February 2005 for 10 months. I continued to promote in rank with the helicopter squadron then transferred as a First Sergeant to Port Hueneme, CA (Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines) in April of 2012. I then transferred to Headquarters Company 2/23 in May 2015. I again activated October 2015 and deployed to Central America for Military Training of Partner Nations to counter narcotics traffickers. I retired from the Marine Corps Reserves July 1st of 2017. I had a simultaneous career with the LA County Sheriff’s Department, joining in March 1997. I worked patrol at Lancaster Station for 17 years with various additional assignments including school resources deputy, community relations, public information officer, and special patrol detail. I then promoted to a Detective and transferred to Palmdale Station August of 2019. I find my careers both rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling.
“I am inspired by helping people during their most difficult times in life, especially during these hard times in our country. I inspire changes to the media’s narrative and provide truth to people. Most recently, I helped a stranded family who was visiting from Mexico while I was on routine patrol. They had a simple flat tire in an isolated part of Pearblossom Highway during an extremely hot summer day. They were surprised I spoke Spanish, provided them water and an air-conditioned car, and assisted them with their tire repairs. The father told me his wife was scared of American police because of what she had seen on television. They were extremely grateful.
“I strive to just share kindness and the truth of God’s love through my daily actions within my family and community. Too much bitter shouting is going on in the world today and the absence of love, respect, and compromise is far too apparent.
“Raising my children and being married to Heaven Ruiz is my greatest joy.
“Paraclete Football toughened me up for Marine Corps Boot Camp, but Paraclete Baseball is my true sport I enjoyed the most.
“I have many fond memories of Paraclete which include sports, games, dances, COR retreat (Christ in Others Retreat), and many more activities. I still remember to this day Mr. Fulmer’s demonstrations and instruction of Middle Ages Trials by Ordeal and Mr. Riegert’s detailed insight of World War I and II. I’ll always appreciate Mr. Gavel’s positive outlook and inspiring words especially these: ‘It’s a beautiful day for Paraclete Baseball!’”
The Paraclete Family thanks Mike for his spirited dedication to a life of service for others!
Scott Furrow * Class of 1989 *
A pastor with humor as his sidekick!
Written by Brighton Bacchus ’89
Scott Furrow from the Class of 1989 was one of the funniest and most entertaining high school friends of mine when we met freshman year. One of the reasons that I thought Scott was so amazing was his ability to do impressions of famous people – Johnny Carson, Jimmy Stewart, and my personal favorite – Ronald Reagan. Scott literally grew up in church, as his father, Rev. Don Furrow, was the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Palmdale. After a time of working in politics and business, Scott felt the call of God to serve his community as a pastor and that was the path that he chose.
After 25 years of church ministry, beginning as a young adult pastor and eventually serving as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of San Diego, Scott, his wife Kristy, and two sons James and John recently moved to Los Angeles. The family enjoys hiking, traveling, and going to the beach. Scott is now the radio host of The Pastor Scott Show (formerly Southern California Live) which discusses political and other news of the day from a Christian perspective. Furrow is on 99.5 FM KKLA – the largest Christian talk radio station in the second largest radio market of Los Angeles, and on 106.1 FM/1210 AM KPRZ in San Diego, and those stations online and on any radio app. Furrow is on drive time radio 3pm-5pm.
In February, Scott had the honor of moderating an event in Pasadena, called “Ask a Jew, Ask a Gentile.” Some 1,100 people attended the event, which discussed many important issues in our world today. The one thing that was clearly agreed on by all sides is that the wisdom within the Scriptures will change your life. There were healthy and lively discussions about how Jews and Christians keep the Sabbath holy, and what it means, in today’s world. Scott shared that he believes in Saint Tommy of Lasorda as a dedicated Dodgers fan, which got a raucous laugh.
Dennis Prager, with the Jewish point of view, shared an interesting philosophy that there are really only two races in the world – the decent and the indecent, and God does not see the color of our skin. Eric Metaxas shared from the Christian perspective, that you are a true Christian not based on your theology, but based on the way that you live your life which proves what you really believe. Scott presented interesting topics for discussion and the event was deemed a success.
One last note – with Scott Furrow one must be careful! In 2021 he posted on social media that he intended to run for governor of California. A few of his friends took that message to heart and were excited for his success and what that would mean for California. Well, it was April 1st when he did this, and he got another laugh from his gullible friends!
Martin (Marty) Keever * Class of 1984 *
Patricia Nicole (Nikki) Mazzola * Class of 1993 *
Living the #OnceASpiritAlwaysASpirit Dream!
Marty and Nikki are the epitome of Spirit Love, but not in the usual sense. They did not meet as classmates or as an upper classman with an under classman. No, they developed their love over years as colleagues… as fellow teachers at Paraclete. Their relationship developed over time, and soon the students knew the history teacher liked the English teacher. Liked liked.
What makes these two tick? We asked, and they answered.
Martin Keever was born at Edwards Air Force Base as the fourth of six children. His siblings were born at air force bases in Ohio and Maryland as their dad served twenty-six years in the United States Air Force. Following his graduation from Paraclete High School, Marty enrolled in classes at the “…financially frugal and yet academically valid Antelope Valley College for my entry level undergraduate studies,” he shared. Marty later transferred to the California Polytechnic University, Pomona to complete his major in history. As he worked in education, he gradually earned his Preliminary Teaching Credential from California State University, Bakersfield and later his Clear Teaching Credential from Mount Saint Mary’s College. He refers to his academic path as nomadic.
Nikki’s path led her from Antelope Valley College (AA degree) to California State University, Northridge (BA degree), and then Mount St. Mary’s University for her master’s degree. She began teaching at Paraclete in November 2001.
These two spirits married on July 31, 2015, at Saint Serra Church in Quartz Hill. “The ceremony was very much a Paraclete affair. The presider over the exchange of our wedding vows was my dear friend of forty years, Father Giampietro Gasparin (Fr. G – Paraclete campus priest). The music was shared by my friends Sharon (Almsteier) Rohaley (Paraclete Class of 1983) and Konrad Kono (Paraclete Class of 1985). My wife Nikki graduated from Paraclete in 1993. My stepdaughter Bella graduated from Paraclete in 2018 and Sophie will graduate from Paraclete in 2028. We are very much a Paraclete family,” Marty shared. Nikki and Marty just celebrated their seventh anniversary at their home in Lancaster with daughters Sophie and Bella “Who are awesome by the way,” Marty proudly acknowledged.
Our interview with Marty and Nikki continues…
Questions for Marty…
PHS: Share a little about your accomplishments.
M: “Waking up each day with breath in my lungs and energy to stand is a daily accomplishment that I regularly take for granted. Graduating from an academic institution is a great accomplishment that should not be taken for granted either. Institutional academic instruction impacts each student differently. I struggled to find academic success in school mostly due to a lack of confidence in my abilities. My report cards were reflective of my personality challenges. After a traditional twelve years of primary and secondary education and many years in colleges and universities, I finally completed my formal education which is, for me, a great accomplishment.”
PHS: What work experience did you bring with you before you started teaching at Paraclete?
M: “My work experience is vast and varied. As a child, my siblings and I cleaned up under the stands of the local baseball field on Mondays before school. Throughout my childhood, daily chores around the house were required. We were required to finish everything on our plate at dinner time. On the nights when we were served liver and peas, canned lima beans, or tuna noodle casserole…… that was work. I’m counting it. I have worked in the retail industry, the food service industry, the travel industry, and construction. My greatest amount of work experience is in the field of education. Go figure!!! A person who dreaded the classroom setting as a student is about to start his twenty-ninth year as a classroom educator at Paraclete High School. I’m one of the lucky ones. I found something that I enjoy doing which should be everyone’s goal in life.”
PHS: What is your take on service for others?
M: “Service for others is a priority in my life. I receive great satisfaction from helping others. Much of my recent service experience is through Paraclete’s retreat programs. I assist Fr. G [Father Giampietro Gasparin] with the class retreats and the numerous overnight retreats that are offered annually through Paraclete’s Campus Ministry organization. My service role is predominantly in support of the retreat. I prepare and serve the food for the retreatants. I work with a committed group of volunteer parents and Paraclete students committed to creating and maintaining an environment dedicated to spiritual and personal growth for the retreatants. It brings me great satisfaction to see the positive change that takes place in all who share in the retreat experience.”
PHS: Tell us about the traveling you have enjoyed.
M: “I have experienced many memorable trips and vacations in my lifetime. The trips that stand out in my memory are the World Youth Day trips held in countries around the world to celebrate the Catholic faith. Every three or four years, the Pope invites the Catholic youth of the world to congregate in a predominantly Catholic country for five days of worship and celebration. I have traveled with Fr. G and a group of Paraclete students to Krakow, Poland, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Panama City, Panama to participate and embrace this celebration of faith. The accommodations were simple, but the experiences were deluxe. We are planning on attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal next August. I am quite excited to attend.”
PHS: You began teaching at Paraclete in what year?
M: “I began working at Paraclete High School in August of 1994. It is hard to say when I started ‘teaching’ at Paraclete High School. It is rather presumptuous to assume that my first years of work were considered ‘teaching.’ I spent much of my early years trying to stay one day ahead of the students as I figured out my educational strategies in the classroom. For those students that had my classes in my formative years as an educator… I hope that you understand your experience a little bit better now.”
PHS: How many family members attended Paraclete?
M: “Paraclete has educated numerous members of my family. I graduated from Paraclete in 1984. My brother Andy graduated in 1985. My sister Jenny graduated in 1986. Jenny’s children all graduated from Paraclete. Alexis Velazquez graduated in 2008, Ashley Velazquez graduated in 2012, Ricky Velazquez graduated in 2013, and Gabby Velazquez graduated in 2017. My wife, Nikki Mazzola, graduated in 1993, Her daughter Bella Dela Vina graduated in 2018. Cassie Velazquez (a cousin) graduated in 2021. There are three more cousins that will graduate from Paraclete in the next two school years.”
Questions for Nikki…
PHS: Share one of the funniest moments in your classes while teaching at Paraclete.
N: “Not necessarily funny, but I look forward to having class each day because of the happy, vivacious energy the kids bring into the classroom. I appreciate when they have conversations with me and when their lively personalities are a part of the classroom environment. Every day is different and every day the students amaze me with their insights and their abilities.”
PHS: What is your favorite song? Why?
N: “Music is very important in our house. We love listening to all kinds of music and we especially enjoy going to concerts. Recently we saw Sting at his residency in Las Vegas and it was a very fantastic performance.”
PHS: Share one of your favorite topics to teach and why is it your favorite?
N: “There are so many topics that I enjoy teaching: short stories and examining famous speeches in English; in U.S. History I enjoy teaching the Gilded Age and all aspects of 20th century U.S. history.”
PHS: Share a favorite trip/vacation you have taken.
N: “Traveling is one of our favorite things to do. Mammoth is our absolute favorite place to visit but we also especially enjoy Spokane, Washington, New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts.”
PHS: Who was your favorite teacher while you attended Paraclete?
N: “My favorite teachers were Ms. Wiskerson because she always showed patience in the classroom when she explained concepts, Ms. Stevens because she always showed a positive attitude and an interest in having conversations with her students, Mrs. Acciani because she challenged me to always strive to do better, and Fr. Joe [Scalco] and Caryl Hier because they were always helpful to me when I was struggling.”
PHS: How did Paraclete help you in college/life?
N: “I definitely learned skills of being responsible for myself and the importance of self-motivation. It helped me feel capable of taking on difficult life tasks. I also grew in my faith to embrace my faith when I experienced times of struggle or difficulty.”
PHS: Your daughter Isabella graduated from Paraclete in 2018. Please share how having her on campus with you brought you joy.
N: “Bella was part of a great class that graduated in 2018; her class, like many others, loved to interact with each other and they exuded a happy spirit on campus. I was so fortunate to see her form new friendships, be academically challenged and feel supported by my fellow colleagues. She left Paraclete with a strong work ethic, a drive to succeed, and a strong love towards her faith and her family. We are super proud of her and the young lady she has grown to be.”
PHS: Tell us something about your daughter Sophie.
N: “Sophie is very excited to follow in her sister’s footsteps and be a part of the Paraclete family when she enters in the fall of 2024. We are also proud of her as she continues to work hard academically as a student at Sacred Heart; she loves playing guitar and taking contemporary dance classes.”
Questions posed to Marty and Nikki…
PHS: What, in your opinion, is the number one aspect of Paraclete worth promoting?
M: “Paraclete provides many opportunities for student personal growth, but I would place self-discovery at the top of the priorities list. An education is found within the individual. It is a culmination of personal interests and an invitation to explore the unknown that results in the development of the whole person. The unique individual is born from self-discovery, and it is the educational experience that helps to awaken a personal pursuit of knowledge. Paraclete offers opportunities for students to be challenged and amazed as they find their path to self-discovery. In the memorable words of Barney Stinson, ‘Challenge……Accepted’ (catchphrase credit to television show How I Met Your Mother).”
N: “The overall environment at Paraclete is a place of welcome and care. Every day that I walk on campus I have students who say hello with a friendly smile, who open the door for me because my hands are always full, and many who ask me how my day is going. Those are the things that make me wholeheartedly love teaching teenagers; Paraclete students radiate joyfulness on the campus. The students put forth their best effort to make an overall joyful environment on the Paraclete campus.”
PHS: Where do you find inspiration for daily life?
N: “I appreciate starting my day by reading a positive quote daily.”
M: “I am inspired by the people around me. They provide me with opportunities for thought and consideration.”
PHS: What is your favorite memory from your days at Paraclete?
N: “The social part of it – lunch time, dances, football games.”
M: “I remember the laughter and the smiles. I had great friends who helped me develop into the person that I am today.”
PHS: What would you do differently with anything in your past? Why?
N: “I would have put in better effort towards my high school classes and grades.”
M: “As cliche as this sounds, I really wouldn’t change my past because it is the successes and failures of my life that shaped me into the person that I am. I would be different if I changed the past. I like today’s me despite my flaws.”
PHS: What is your favorite movie? Why?
N: “Sleepless in Seattle – rom coms are the best!”
M: “I don’t really have a favorite movie because as I age, I forget the details of the movies that I’ve seen. It’s great though because I get to see each movie for the first time all over again.”
PHS: What is your favorite television show? Why?
N: “Right now, Stranger Things, because of the 80s nostalgia, the heroic ventures of the characters, and the interesting plot.”
M: “My favorite TV shows are any that make me belly laugh. Recently my wife introduced me to How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, and The Middle. My wife is very funny, and she knows funny. Now I realize that these shows are old but so am I… so it works.”
PHS: What is the last book you read?
N: “Where the Crawdads Sing, and right now I’m reading Wonder alongside with Sophie (her assigned summer reading).”
M: “The last book that I read was my AP World History textbook. I read it from cover to cover. I wish that I could say the same thing for the students in my class but that is another story. The only criterion for me is that the book has pictures. Otherwise, it is out.”
PHS: What is your favorite pastime or hobby?
N: “I am a museum nerd – I love any museum and I will spend a lot of time looking at everything!”
M: “I love to travel, visit family and friends, and see beautiful places. When I can’t travel, I like to listen to music while I do stuff.”
PHS: Complete this sentence: I will always remember…
M: “I will always remember when I could remember things. I will always remember when I could afford to drive my truck. I will always remember my time at Paraclete High School.”
N: “I will always remember the love and support from my caring husband and family.”
PHS: Complete this sentence: I love it when…
M: “I love it when everyone gets along. I love it when I say something funny, and it wasn’t intentional. I love it when the weather cools and the holiday season arrives.”
N: “I love it when the melodic sounds of Marty and Sophie practicing their guitar fill my house. I love it when the silly laughter fills my home when my small family is all together.”
PHS: What was your biggest challenge you have faced?
N: “Being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. I feel extremely blessed, fortunate, and grateful to be cancer free since choosing to be aggressive and have a mastectomy. It was tough because it was also the time of the pandemic and 100% online learning/teaching. I received so much care and support from Marty, the girls, my parents, and friends. I also received support from the Paraclete students and their families during that time. I felt so much supportive care from all those around me, especially because many students were brave enough to share with me their own families’ cancer stories, helping me to know that I am not alone on this journey.”
PHS: Who is your role model? Why?
N: “My dad. He had a challenging up-bringing, and he continues to show me to always make a conscious effort in making every day the best it can be. He has taught me the value of doing the hard work and the importance of being supportive towards your family.”
M: “I seek out role models daily. I still have much to learn. I am inspired by the strength and determination of the women in my life. They make me a better man. I am inspired by my peers and my friends who show me the world from a different perspective. I am inspired by my students who encourage me to embrace the changing world. My role models are all around me and I interact with them daily.”
PHS: Do you have words of wisdom or advice that you would like to share with Paraclete students? If yes, what are they?
N: “Make the life decisions that bring in the happiness into your life. Having a support system of friends and family that bring out the best of who you are is essential to getting through life’s trials and tribulations. Take on those difficult challenges knowing there is a valuable life lesson to learn. Be patient to enjoy life as it is happening.”
Words to live by! Thank you to Marty and Nikki for this deep dive. Thank you for your example of enjoying and appreciating life!
Heidi Rocha Witte * Class of 2005 *
With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Heidi (Rocha) Witte, from the Class of 2005, is successful at her goal in life: to serve others while loving goodness. After her Paraclete graduation, Heidi attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in American Studies, with minors in Catholic Social Teaching and Education, Schooling and Society. In 2011, she earned her Master’s in Education through Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education program. None of this is surprising. While at Paraclete, Heidi was a valedictorian and an All CIF [California Interscholastic Federation] Scholar. She excelled in her AP [Advanced Placement] classes while running cross-country and track, singing in the school choir, and making friends in numerous clubs like the Christian Leadership Club. Heidi earned numerous subject awards and served as a peer tutor.
Heidi is someone you would want on your team! While at Notre Dame, she enjoyed the following activities and accolades: Notre Dame Cross Country and Track Monogram winner, Student-Athlete Advisory Council, Christopher Zorich Award for Community Service, Byron V. Kanaley Award for Exemplary Student Leadership, service opportunities with the Center for Social Concerns, cantor for Dorm Masses, and member of Unchained Melodies, a Christian a capella group.
Heidi feels that her courses at Notre Dame deepened her faith in many meaningful ways. “My courses also opened my ears to the call to serve, which led me to the teaching profession through the Alliance for Catholic Education, where I taught as a 2nd grade teacher in an inner-city Catholic school in New Orleans. The ACE program shaped me in countless ways and gave me the tools to serve my students and teach them at their level. Teaching 2nd grade was also a special experience, as I was able to prepare my students for the sacraments of First Confession and First Communion, and I witnessed these special moments with them, sharing in their joy as they received Jesus for the first time. I continued serving as an inner-city Catholic school teacher and Reading Specialist in Los Angeles for four years. At present, I share the skills I learned in the classroom as a volunteer catechist for Christ the King Church’s Children’s Liturgy program and as a mom of two.” At her parish, Heidi also sings as a cantor, serves on the leadership team for the St. Gianna’s Moms Group, and is also part of their Christian Action group.
Heidi and her husband Mark met during their senior year at Notre Dame. Mark graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in English and Japanese, and currently works as a Post-Production Manager at Notre Dame. Their family is complete with their children Grace, 5, and Dillon, 2. Heidi loves being so close to their “second home,” Notre Dame. “It’s such a blessing to take our kids to campus to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. We love going to the Grotto, feeding the ducks by St. Mary’s Lake, and watching the Notre Dame Marching Band parade by on football Saturdays. We also love getting to enjoy the snow in the winter!”
Taking a moment to think about her years at Paraclete High School, Heidi fondly remembers Mrs. Nadine Nichter-Seidel as her favorite teacher for her inspiration to “reach higher and to push myself harder.” Heidi and her family come back to the Antelope Valley about twice a year. “Our kids always love seeing their fun-loving grandparents, so they look forward to it!” Heidi’s parents, Mike and Linda Rocha cherish the visits. She shares that while she and her family do love the change in seasons in Indiana, they miss the year-round sunshine of Southern California.
Following in Christ’s footsteps is Heidi’s life mission. Her favorite passage of the Bible is Micah 6:8: “You have been told…what the LORD requires of you: only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” She is reminded of our calling to act justly towards our neighbor and to show God’s love to others.
Heidi finds solace in a favorite prayer of Father Ted Hesburgh, best known for serving as Notre Dame’s president for over 35 years and as the chairman of the Civil Rights Commission starting in the 1950s. The prayer is simply, “Come, Holy Spirit.” Heidi finds that those three words are a “source of strength and comfort to me, reminding me of the Holy Spirit – the Paraclete – will guide me and accompany me on every step of my journey here on Earth.”
When asked how she and her family have managed the quarantine, Heidi replied with enthusiasm! “Taking on the production of our online Children’s Liturgy program has been a great blessing and distraction for us during this time of quarantine. When our parish, Christ the King, closed due to the pandemic, Mark and I wanted to continue our 5-year-old daughter’s faith formation. Normally, she attends Children’s Liturgy at our parish. We asked our parish if doing an online Children’s Liturgy would be something they’d be interested in, and our pastor encouraged us to go for it. I was able to get in touch with my favorite children’s liturgical composer, John Burland, and he graciously allowed us to use his music in our videos, and Pflaum Publishing also offered free weekly leaflets for families. It just all came together very organically (and definitely with the help of the Holy Spirit)! I couldn’t have done this without the amazing behind-the-scenes work by my selfless husband, Mark. With my teaching background and Mark’s production and editing skills, we have worked as a couple to create this ministry for children from all over the world. We had 2,500 viewers our first week, and families were watching our program from 5 different continents. Our videos were shown on CatholicTV each Sunday morning, as well. We received so many emails and messages from parents thanking us for helping their children during the difficult time of the pandemic. I created a free coordinating coloring page each week, and parents could send in their child’s coloring sheet to be featured on the next week’s Children’s Liturgy video. We received over 140 submissions of beautiful artwork one week! Parents repeatedly told us that the inclusion of children’s liturgical music, movement (including signs in American Sign Language), and the interactiveness of these Children’s Liturgy videos encourage their children to participate and have kept their children’s attention. Music, movement, and speaking to our children in simple terms (or in their ‘language’) can really help young children understand the Gospels and their faith more easily and more fully! They are our future Church, so starting faith formation early is so important. Our hope is that more parishes will offer Children’s Liturgy of the Word, so that young children can grow even more in their faith. It has been truly rewarding to be a part of this ministry!” After much prayer, Heidi and Mark have decided to continue producing their Children’s Liturgy episodes. To learn more and to help support or spread the word about their ministry, visit www.patreon.com/kidsliturgy.
Pflaum Publishing Group has recently hired Heidi as an independent contractor to film short Gospel reflection videos for their Children Celebrate and Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation programs. She is excited to continue spreading the Good News with little ones.
Heidi has certainly given us direction in leading a life of goodness. Thank you, Heidi, for sharing your passion. Blessings and good health to you and yours Heidi!
To see past videos and learn more about Heidi’s projects with Pflaum, visit her Twitter account at www.twitter.com/KidsLiturgy.
Brighton Bacchus * 1989 *
This is a tale of an adventure one alumnus took beginning in June 2019 down the path to create and host the perfect Paraclete party. His love for Paraclete High School is profound and everlasting. Meet Brighton Bacchus, a member of the Class of 1989. His reunion organizing story has made him a Rock Star Party Planner with his mission of giving back, and he just might be sought out for advice for other Spirit Reunions!
Brighton is a friend to many, and with his forever love of Paraclete High School, getting to know him is a joy that will earn him the title “Friend to All.” We asked Brighton to tell us about himself and his pursuit of a the perfect Paraclete party.
Education
“I was born in Lancaster in 1971, and attended Sacred Heart School through 8th Grade, and only wanted to go to Paraclete. After graduating Paraclete in 1989, I went to Loyola Marymount University and graduated in 1993 with a double major in Political Science and Communication Studies. I completed my MBA in 1998 at the University of La Verne with an emphasis in Organizational Communication and E-Commerce.”
Personal
“I was married in 1995 to my wife Aimee (who graduated from Antelope Valley High School in 1991) by Father Joe Scalco (more about him later), and we have been married 24 years. I have two daughters: Lauren is a sophomore at California Lutheran University and is a biology major interested in careers in the medical field, and Amanda is a junior at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks, and is interested in careers in psychology or counseling at this time.”
Life After Paraclete
“After graduation from Loyola Marymount University in 1993, I moved back to the Antelope Valley, and worked at Jones Intercable as a production assistant/news reporter doing new, sports, and feature stories on the local channel. I was also working at A.V. Bank in Palmdale, where I lasted six weeks, but met my wife there, and that was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life.
“I have a condition called Chiari Malformation (which is a congenital malformation similar to Spinal Bifida) and I blacked out while hiking with Carl Ladensack [PHS teacher], Geoff Bates ’89, and Matt Simanski ’87 in 1998. The ironic thing about being on this hike with these three Paraclete Spirits, is it literally saved my life. Within three weeks, I had brain surgery, and I was out of work for over a year – rehabilitating myself physically, learning how to walk again and rebuilding my strength. I had my driver’s license also taken away temporarily due to my neurological condition. One of the advantages of not working while rehabbing is that I was able help with our ten-year class reunion in 1999.”
Career
“I have been in sales for over 25 years working in litigation support sales, and yellow pages and internet advertising for 10 years. The last 15 plus years, I have been in supply chain and logistics sales working specifically on small package, international e-commerce shipping. In early 2019, I was recruited to join the FedEx Cross Border Sales Division, and lead sales for the western U.S.
Faith & Volunteerism
“My Catholic faith is still very important to me, and is the foundation and cornerstone of my existence. I have been a catechist at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo for over 15 years, working in religious education for the First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation Programs. I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over three years as part of Padre Serra Parish. I also serve my community as the president of La Reina Dad’s Club at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks.
“My wife Aimee and I have worked for almost two decades for a charity called Sammie’s Circle – which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars as a non-profit for USC Norris Cancer Research Center. Sammie’s Circle has annual events that raise funds for the center, as well as raising awareness about cancer and cancer treatments.”
What Paraclete Means to Me
“My years at Paraclete High School represent a very special time in my life. I remember attending the Spaghetti Dinner as a new incoming freshman in 1985, thinking how tall and mature everyone else looked there. I remember being very scared and intimidated at that event, just because I didn’t believe in myself.
“Once I got comfortable with myself and my own skin, I got very involved in Paraclete, primarily through clubs and activities. I was very involved in ASB as Christian Service Secretary and Sophomore Class President. I was also Financial Manager of the Yearbook, and was involved in other clubs and organizations.
“One of the things that I remember most is going to communion almost every day at lunch with Geoff Bates, Mike Murphy, Tim Ward, and Rick Abueg (all class of 1989), as it was a very quick Eucharistic Service said by Fr. Joe Scalco [Paraclete campus priest], which was such a blessing during the middle of the day. The Eucharistic Service at lunch would help me realize how thankful and blessed I was to be going to such a special school, where we can pray openly and practice our faith.”
Fr. Joe
“Fr. Joe Scalco was always a very special person in my life. I used to meet with him frequently for spiritual counseling and support, whether it was when my parents had gotten divorced and years later, still feeling like I was responsible for it in some way, to just being blessed and appreciative for the opportunity to go to Paraclete High School. I had the honor of attending the Religious Education Conference in Anaheim three of my four years at Paraclete. One of them was the ultimate opportunity, as we had the honor of seeing Pope John Paul II officiate Mass, and a small select group of students had the honor of attending it with Mr. Andy Gavel in a twelve passenger van. These are the experiences that I will never will forget that that you are blessed with the opportunity while attending Paraclete High School. After I had brain surgery, Fr. Joe came down to visit me at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank. I will never forget seeing his smiling face and the blessing he gave me.”
Paraclete Multi Year Reunion
“What started off as a simple call to Paraclete to find out the status of the Class of 1989 30-Year Reunion back in June, was literally a phone call that changed my life for the better. After speaking with Janet Godde Bower [PHS alumni coordinator], I felt ‘the calling’ from the Holy Spirit that we needed to do something more than a traditional 30-year reunion; we needed to give back to the school that gave us so much.
“I had a minimum headcount of 75 that I had to fulfill at the venue, and I wasn’t having any luck with just my class. I expanded it to 1988 and 1990, and still wasn’t having enough traction. I then realized that it didn’t matter what year you graduated from Paraclete. If you love the school, have positive memories of the school, want to see old friends and meet new friends, and want to give back to the school that had given us so much, then you were welcomed at our Multi-year Paraclete Reunion. I needed more support to get this moving so I reached out to any alumni who were interested in supporting me. I was fortunate to get Shannon Stephens Clasen ’89, Angie Navarette Bowman ’89, Sabrina Ortega ’89, Steve O’Neal ’90, Juanita Edwards Gagnon ’90, Yanir Ram ’91, and Tamar House ’91 to help me spread the Paraclete joy. We had two goals that we envisioned for the Paraclete Multi-year Reunion: to give alumni the opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones, and secondly to raise money for current students at Paraclete so that they could continue their education at Paraclete.
“We didn’t know until speaking with Janet that some 30% of the students at Paraclete, approximately 175 students, receive some support of financial assistance from Paraclete High School. As financial conditions have changed and the population of the Antelope Valley has evolved, there is an increase in population of families that need financial assistance to send their children to the only private Catholic High School in the Antelope Valley.
“We started out by sending letters to Paraclete graduates over an eleven-year span, and realized that we needed to get more creative. We undertook the strategy to get back in touch with faculty, teachers, and staff and invited them to the event for free. We also reached out to some generous Paraclete alumni, and asked them if they would be willing to sponsor the event to accommodate our guests of honor and to keep the prices as low as possible. Our commitment was to keep the cost of the event cheaper than your prom, and you don’t have to ride the bus 30 years later at $50 per person.
“We then asked the teachers to get involved. We were very blessed to have Mrs. Deborah Duke [former teacher at PHS] record a video on social media that spread like wildfire, inviting people to the reunion. I would then record weekly updates on Facebook and Instagram, while traveling for work with FedEx. I did videos at airports in Los Angeles, Reno, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, saying that while we are busy traveling and working, we want you all to consider coming to the event. We were also creative and used memes of screen shots from 80’s musicians from Madonna to Bon Jovi to Michael Bolton to encourage interaction and a sense of humor. We would also post who was going to attend the reunion with a brief profile of what they did at Paraclete when available, to hype up the event and get people interested in going. We wanted to also have raffle prizes donated from alumni to raise funds.
“Thank you to the generous donations from sponsors Team House Realty/All Valley Leasing (Tamar House ‘91), DRI Holdings (Yanir Ram ’91, Derek McMurtry ’91, and Zohar Ram McMurtry ’93), Baker Rescue Services (David Baker ’86 and Brian Baker ’87), and Camacho Auto Sales (Gustavo Camacho ’90).
“Thank you to raffle prize donors: Magic Castle Grand Prize Experience from Tom Laquidara, gift cards from Gino’s Italian Restaurant, Therapeutic Massages by Dr. Buck and Angie Navarette Bowman ’89, Double Smoke BBQ gift sets by David Suppe ’87, Chronic Tacos gift card and T-Shirt by Chad Eberhardt ’91,Wine Basket from Rene Lazare ’84, Arbonne Skin Care Basket by Steve O’Neal ’90, gift card from Mary Grace Fabian ’85, DJ Session Provided by DJ Splice Paul Worthey, Photo Booth provided by Spotlight Photo Booth, Hand Carver Wood Letter Opener by Ms. Jan Wiskerson [retired teacher], Antelope Valley Wine Gift Basket, Tasting & Tour provided by Mrs. Gail Monti [retired teacher] and AV Winery, and Nike gift cards provided by Sarah Hart Pease ’87.
“When the red and yellow Paraclete magic dust settled, the event blossomed into a gargantuan success. We had 130 attendees at Gino’s Restaurant in Palmdale, and raised over $3500.00 for scholarships for students at Paraclete High School. We had the honor of Mr. Carl Ladensack [teacher at PHS] attending and saying a blessing before dinner. Mrs. Deborah Duke and her husband Jay made a very generous donation to the reunion, and students were lined up twenty deep to have their picture taken with the Paraclete Matriarch, Mrs. Caryl Hier. We were also fortunate to have Janet Godde Bower [’74, PHS Alumni Coordinator] attend the event as well.”
Paraclete Spirit
“I still remember all the words to the Alma Mater, but what is really important is what the ‘Paraclete Spirit’ means. To me, it means that you are a positive, enthusiastic person trying to do the best that you can every day with the talents and treasures that God blessed you with, to be the best possible person that you can be through a life of service, humility, and modesty.
“I try to apply that principle to every aspect of my life. On my college applications, I called it the 3 F’s – friends, family, and faith. In the working world as I have gotten older, I call it the 3 A’s – activity, attitude, and accountability. I believe the Paraclete Spirit is a compilation of both.
“With the help of your friends, family, and most importantly, your faith, use your God given talents and treasures in positive and meaningful activities with a heart of service, and a positive, loving attitude, all the while holding yourself accountable to yourself, your family, your friends, and your faith. To me, that is truly what the Paraclete Spirit is, and I believe the Paraclete Multi-year Reunion is a prime example of demonstrating the ‘Paraclete Spirit.’”
In December, Paraclete High School Student Body welcomed Brighton as a guest speaker at a Spirit Start-up where he shared his Spirit and the values he cherishes. Thank you Brighton for your love of school and generosity of time, talents, and passion.
Todd Davis * Class of 2010 *
Once a Spirit…now a Saint!
Paraclete graduate from the class of 2010, Todd Davis, signed with The New Orleans Saints. Todd, a linebacker, was signed to a three-year contract. After graduating from Paraclete High School, he continued to play football at Sacramento State. While in college, he recorded 351 career tackles, 9.5 sacks, 30 tackles for losses, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, six passes deflected and one blocked kick. As a senior, the middle linebacker registered 131 tackles, five sacks, 10 stops for a loss, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, four passes deflected and one blocked kick.
Congratulations to Todd and best wishes for success and good health in the NFL!
Camille Loria * Class of 2011 *
Camille’s mother is happy to share this update: Camille was in Vietnam during the summer of 2013 as a volunteer with the Vietnam Tooth Project (VTP).
Traveling to Asia for the first time, Camille had an unforgettable experience being able to donate time and service to the children of Vietnam. Combating malnutrition and promoting oral health, she loved the children she helped as well as the volunteers she worked with who are now her VTP family. With such a blessed experience, Camille hopes to volunteer again as she is passionate about community outreach and her pursuit of dentistry as a potential career.
Camille just completed her sophomore year at UC Berkeley and is currently taking summer classes. She recently joined a dental office nearby as an intern (with pay!).
Tom Saenz * Class of 1993 *
Navy pilot earns degree in combat zone
By JULIE WATSON | Associated Press – Fri, May 17, 2013
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Finals week was dangerous for Thomas Saenz.
The Navy lieutenant needed armed guards and an armored car to get to an exam site, in Kabul, Afghanistan. A deadly bomb attack also caused him to his miss classes — transmitted live via the Internet — but he persevered and earned a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Southern California while commanding a top security team.
His class graduated on Friday, as he joins a growing number of service members earning college degrees while deployed in a war zone.
“Not only was he out there living on the edge, but he had to get his homework done,” USC professor Frank Alvidrez said.
The Obama administration is pushing universities to find creative ways to help service members complete their degrees as it tracks the success of its post 9/11 GI Bill, which is designed to be the most comprehensive education benefit for veterans since World War II.
Enrollments for the new GI Bill number more than 480,000, according to the Veteran’s Administration, which is starting to track the number of graduates.
It’s not known just how many others like Saenz earn their degrees while in combat. A commencement ceremony for 100 war-zone graduates from various universities is planned in late May in Kandahar.
“They really are multi-tasking in the extreme,” said Bob Ludwig, spokesman for the University of Maryland University College, adding that the coursework can provide relief from the mental turmoil of war. “It really is an opportunity to step away from the battlefield and have the sort of the safety of being in a classroom.”
UMUC has about 30,000 active-duty service members among its students and was among the first schools to send faculty to Iraq to teach troops in 2008 during the war. UMUC also has adjunct professors giving classes in tents in remote outposts of Afghanistan as well as online instruction on bases.
Completing degrees online is a growing phenomenon, as more traditional public universities join private, for-profit schools in offering courses.
Saenz, a 33-year-old father of two, used the GI Bill to enroll at USC but midway through his studies, the Navy pilot was called to be deployed to Afghanistan.
After getting approval from his professors and Navy commanders, Saenz spent his final year of studies racing to his computer on base at 5 a.m. to attend the live transmission of his classes before dedicating his day to overseeing security for top generals and then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
He missed a class that required his online presence when a suicide bomber blew himself up near NATO’s headquarters in Kabul, killing six civilians.
The base was locked down. Saenz wrote to his professor and aide when the Internet was back up to explain his absence.
“I was worried because it was early in the semester and I was afraid it would affect my grade,” he said. “But they were real supportive.”
Another time, he was absent because he was arranging a helicopter to transport Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Saenz caught up by watching the recorded classes.
“I told my class if Thomas can get his homework done on time then I don’t think there are any excuses for the rest of you all,” Alvidrez said. “And he pulled an ‘A.’ He was one of the top 10 percent.”
Even getting to finals was treacherous. After military officials checked intelligence to ensure there were no imminent threats, he crossed Kabul on a highly dangerous road with armed guards in an armored SUV to the Army base where a military official was certified to give him the university exams. While there, he picked up ammo, weapons and dropped off radios to be repaired, then grabbed some barbeque at a tent.
Saenz said he was determined to finish his advanced degree — the second person in his extended family to do so — knowing his 10-year Navy career was ending in June. He is one of 91 service members in the university’s online engineering graduate program called DEN(at)Viterbi.
An essay he wrote for one of his classes was on WWII veterans going on to lead top companies after returning home. With today’s technology, he sees opportunities for veterans to follow in those footsteps more easily than ever.
“I think we’re in that period again, with the post 9/11 GI Bill and all these kids coming back with their experience overseas,” Saenz said. “Hopefully we can come back and do great things for our country outside of our uniform.”
Note from Paraclete: Congratulations Tom! Thank you for your service! May God keep you safe!
Savannah Gutierrez * Class of 2011 *
Alumnus Savannah Gutierrez Named as All American for California Community Colleges!
Savannah placed 2nd in her conference for her batting average, and 31st in the state. She also placed 4th for her Earned Run Average, and 6th in strike-outs. Savannah also led her conference in steals! Way to go Savannah!!
Ashley Velazquez * Class of 2012 *
Congratulations to Ashley!
The Los Angeles County Fire Department selected Ashley as the Post 17 Explorer of the Year!
The Paraclete Family wishes to congratulate Ashley on a job well done. Best of luck to Ashley in her future endeavors!
Alexandra Sepolen * Class of 2012 *
Alexandra shared the following update: “I’ve finally settled into life on Brown University’s campus! Everyone here is extremely friendly and open, and I’m thankful for the tools that Paraclete’s teachers have given me in both academics and leadership. My foundation at Paraclete has allowed me to become a research assistant as an incoming freshman in Brown’s cognitive science department. I’m currently studying how the human body responds and adjust to new environments based on the span of one’s memory. I’m also studying how the body recuperates from physical damage through long-term “muscle memory”. I am one of only two freshmen working on the research project, and I am one of only three women working on the project as well. Here’s a link to the lab’s website for more information: http://www.cog.brown.edu/research/ven_lab/index.html.” Impressive! Good luck to Alexandra!
Scott Sturdyvin * Class of 2000 *
Scott Sturdyvin is the newly hired media/theater technician at Eastside High School in Lancaster. The theater’s sound system was designed by one of the best acousticians in the country. The complex also features a Black Box Theater, dressing rooms, soundproof instrumental and practice rooms, a choir classroom, television production room and a shop where students can construct stage sets. The facility will be available for the high school district and community. Scott said he is looking forward to working with the variety of people from concerts to plays to comedians likely to perform in the theater. He and his wife Monique will welcome their first child in June. Congratulations, Scott!
Mike VanKirk * Class of 2011 *
Mike VanKirk (’11) has given his verbal intent to attend San Jose State and play Spartan basketball. Congratulations Mike!
Karli Norville, * Class of 2012 *
Paraclete Alumn Karli Norville has decided to focus on childhood literacy for her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The Girl Scouts have long been an organization aimed at helping society and promoting a brighter future for generations to come. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn.
Karli has organized and is running a literacy day during which families from throughout the Antelope Valley can come and learn about childhood literacy and kids can start to develop a passion for reading. This day includes story-times, crafts, and a book-give-away. It is taking place on August 25 from 2-4pm. Paraclete students are able to volunteer for Christian Service hours if they would like to come and help with this wonderful event to promote literacy.