St. Matthias honored for excellence

By Sr. Nancy Munro, CSJ

The distinction of National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education is presented infrequently, as indicated by the fact that only two private schools in the state of California were chosen as this year's recipients.

Both are Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - St. Matthias High School in Downey and St. Joseph High School in Lakewood. Both schools sent delegations to Washington, D.C., during first semester of the school year to receive the honors.

On May 1, St. Matthias High School held its local ceremony for students, faculty, parents and invited guests, at which time the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence plaque was presented. Participating in the ceremony were Downey Mayor Richard Trejo, Mayor Pro Tempore Kirk Cartozian, archdiocesan superintendent of high school Nancy Coonis (a former principal of St. Matthias), and Eddie Tafoya, a representative of 34th District Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. The plaque was given to student body president Roxanne Horta for display in the school.

During the ceremony Principal Carolyn Sermeno praised and challenged the faculty and students. "We cannot continue to succeed by standing still," she said. "We must move forward as a community dedicated to achieving excellence and fulfilling our mission as a school that educates its students in faith, with the family, for the future."