Pomona Catholic High School: October 2009 Archives

POMONA - Samuel Torres is the first male principal at the all-girl Pomona Catholic High School, but his gender is not what makes him stand out to students or parents.

As far as students are concerned, the principal "could be an alien from outer space" as long as that person "does a good job," said Dani Rose Meave-Cateril, the school's student body president.

So far, Torres is doing just that.

"His door is always open. He is here all the time," Meave-Cateril said. "Questions or ideas you have, he is completely open minded."

Parents have noticed his enthusiasm and commitment to the school as well as its students.

"He is so energetic and has such a positive attitude," said Rosie Gonzalez, president

Samuel Torres, a native of Los Angeles, leads Pomona Catholic High School as the new principal. He comes to the Pomona post after working as an educator in Maryland. (Eric Tom/Correspondent)

of the school's parent group.

Students, faculty and others today will gather at the school for a special Mass, during which Torres will be installed as principal.

Torres on July 1 took over the duties of principal of the academic institution, which is in its 111th year of educating young people.

Torres took over after his predecessor, Kimberlee Gazzolo, left to take the position of superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lake Charles, La.

Torres is well aware of Pomona Catholic's legacy and its tradition of preparing young people for the future both academically and spiritually - a challenging job in today's society.

"The biggest challenge for our young people today is to look beyond themselves and the lesson then is to serve others," Torres said.

Young people are influenced by the media as well as popular culture to look and act a certain way and consume certain products, he said.

"In many ways our faith calls us to be counter cultural," Torres said.

Places such as Pomona Catholic are institutions that instill values, moral integrity and commitment to service, he said.

Torres comes to Pomona Catholic from Bishop Walsh School, a pre-kindergarten to 12th grade school in Cumberland, Md.

Torres, a native of Los Angeles, wasn't always an educator.

The Cal State Los Angeles alumnus earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.

He worked in the private sector and owned a construction business before he and his family decided in 1996 to move east to be closer to relatives.

After the move, Torres found an opening for a high school Spanish teacher at Bishop Walsh School. He applied and got the job, which also provided him with the opportunity to coach sports, he said.

Torres went on to earn a master's degree in administration and curriculum from Frostburg State University in Maryland while his responsibilities increased at Bishop Walsh.

In 2007, he became the school's principal.

Torres said he comes to his new job with experience as an educator and a parent.

Students need affirmation, encouragement and the opportunity to dream, he said.

Adults must also send a message that not all things come quickly.

"First of all, the challenge to our girls is to be educated, spiritually enlightened and with that comes delayed gratification," Torres said. "I'm here to say the work and the sacrifice are worth the wait."

As head of Pomona Catholic, Torres has much to do.

One of his goals is to attract more students to the school, which has a 197-member student body. One way that will be accomplished is by creating the best college preparatory curriculum possible, which is being done by contacting the nation's top colleges, Torres said.

The information gathered will be used to build up and create a more rigorous academic program, he said.

Torres also plans to work with parochial middle schools so children and their families can begin thinking of college and what they must do to prepare for it, he said.

In five years, Torres said he would like to have an enrollment of more than 400 high school girls, a new gymnasium, state-of-the-art technology for the campus and "the continued excitement and courage of praising God for opportunities."

Torres is a person whose "priority is first and foremost the education of the young ladies that attend Pomona Catholic High School," said Adela Solis, principal of Pomona Valley Catholic Middle School, which is on a portion of the high school's property.

Torres has welcomed her faculty members, Solis said, and has expressed an interest in creating a curriculum that allows for smooth transitions from students going from one school to the other.

He also knows what is needed so students receive "the education that will make them successful in college," Solis said.

Word is getting around about Torres, parents and students said.

Alumnae are interested in what's going on at their alma mater as well as parents who had girls attend there in the past and have daughters approach the start of high school, said Gonzalez.

Parents who haven't been active in school are coming back and inquiring about being involved, she said.

"There's just a new buzz about the school," Gonzalez said.