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Moreau Catholic High School - 27170 Mission Blvd. Hayward, CA 94544 - Vol 45 Issue 3 - February 20, 2013 Christine Kosmicki/ MCHS COMMUNICATIONS
Saying goodbye ... By Kathy Parra A&E/Health Editor
Principal Lauren Lek has announced she will step down as principal at the end of the 2013 academic year. The school has begun an extensive search to replace Lek, whose connection to Moreau dates back to her days as a student-athlete in the 1990’s. “It has been the greatest honor of my career to humbly serve as the school Principal over these past four years,” Lek said in a letter to the Moreau community. “To work alongside such exceptional educators has been a tremendous opportunity for me. I am grateful for all I have been able to give to all of you, and for the chance to simultaneously learn from you.” A career opportunity opened up for Lek’s husband last summer, forcing the family to split time between San Diego and Hayward. “Having an infant and a toddler made this long distance arrangement that much Principal Lek, seen here with former teacher Kathy Kyle, will be leaving at the end of the year.
more difficult,” Lek said. “As my husband and I looked down the road, we saw that for him to remain in this wonderful opportunity it would necessitate a move for the entire family.” Lek graduated from Moreau in 1997. During her time at Moreau she played basketball and was a student of English Department Chair Cheryl Steeb. “[Lek] returned a few years later, first as a student teacher and then as a full-time teacher in the English department, before she eventually became our assistant principal of curriculum and instruction and then our principal,” Steeb said. “We have remained colleagues and friends through each of the changes in her title.” Math teacher Jeffrey Stone thinks that it will be very difficult finding a replacement, because no one compares to Lek.
>> Goodbye Lek Page 3
HENNA KULALY / The Explorer
A DAY FOR Fr.Moreau By Lulit Tadesse Photo Editor Bless-ed Ba-sil An-tho-ny Mo-reau! We often hear this tune during Mass, but for Father Moreau’s birthday, we celebrate a little differently. 2013’s Father Moreau Day was celebrated on Feb. 11, and featured activities organized by ASB, CMT, and Link Crew. “[It’s important] to celebrate Father Moreau and to remember the Holy Cross traditions that he taught,” Link Crew leader Jason Mageria said. “I think it’s also a day to really think about our Holy Cross theme of Building Respect and how we can [apply that to] our lives.” Father Moreau Day is always accompanied by an annual service drive. “This year, CMT is preparing for Father Moreau Day by planning out a way of helping the kids at Children’s Hospital, CMT’s Narciso-Matthew Bernardo said. “We feel that making something for them would be a great way to make the kids smile, even though they’re going through tough times.” photo courtesy of: LENNARD NERONA
GettingCLOSEUP TO OBAMA By Dana McCall & Henna Kulaly Editor-in-Chief & Style Editor
From left to right, sophomore Angela Pedrigal, freshman Liam North, sophomore Sina Abdollahian, and freshman Aaron Rodden enjoy a game of musical chairs as part of Link Crew’s activity station.
How many people at Moreau can say that they’ve seen the president and been to a Beyoncé concert on the same day? As part of the Close Up program, a select group of Moreau students had the opportunity to attend President Obama’s inauguration in late January in Washington DC. The students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, traveled with trip moderators, History teacher Robert Parker and AP of Campus Life, Katie Teekell. Before takeoff, the students really
didn’t know what to expect in the nation’s capital. “I was apprehensive but excited about [Close Up],” senior Neil Barot said. “I was eagerly anticipating the presidential inauguration.” Students were matched with three roommates for the duration of the trip – one Moreau roommate of their choice, and two students from another state. “At first I was nervous to meet [my roommates] because I thought they would be so different,” said senior Jasmine Dhillon, who roomed with students from Texas. “But they were really just like us!” “Meeting people from outside
California was amazing,” senior Scott Lowder said. “Learning about how other kids my age think and act in their everyday lives was a unique opportunity.” “It was fun to talk about the differences in our various states,” junior Savi Koka said. As a part of the program, the students were able to visit many of Washington DC’s legendary memorials, museums, and historical sties. Students had a chance to see places like the Lincoln Memorial, WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam Memorials, various Smithsonian museums, and the Newseum.
>> Close Up Page 5