Following the awarding of diplomas, the graduation festivities continued with a reception for families and friends and a fun-filled evening for St. Monica's newest graduates at Disneyland's Grad-Nite.

Congratulations to all St. Monica graduates for a great four years!

Mariner science curriculum comes to life!

The SMCHS Honors Biology classes and their instructor Mr. Bill Wengeler recently traveled to Joshua Tree National Park. While camping there, students took part in a rock climbing class, assisted with an on-going dendrochronology (study of the aging of trees) project, and learned about some of the adaptations that suit plants and animals to the desert environment. 

The National Park Service recently discovered that some trees, including the Joshua Tree itself, are much older than previously believed. Contributing their efforts to the dendrochronology project, students learned field techniques in a classroom setting before venturing out into the field to conduct research that will be included in the Park Service’s long-term study. While in the field, students used GPS units to determine the location and elevation of their subject trees then took various measurements of the park’s native trees. Students also examined some of the adaptations exhibited by plants and animals to life in a desert by learning about root systems designed to maximize water uptake, various mechanisms employed by plants to retain moisture, and the burrowing and nocturnal habits of desert fauna. 

The SMCHS science department sponsors several trips aimed at bringing the curriculum to life.  High school-aged parish youth are invited to join our Mariner scientists in next year’s trip to Costa Rica from April 5 - 9, 2010.  If interested, please contact Mr. Bill Wengeler at wwengeler@stmonicahs.net prior to June 1st.