Paula Verkuylen, September Sam Digiovanni, September
Student of the Month, is an Student of the Month, is a
amazing representati ve of
dynamic campus leader. As
Mater Dei both on campus
ASB President, Sam works with
and in her community. Paula
his fellow offi cers to create
proudly represented Mater Dei
a greater sense of Monarch
at the Girls State Conference
pride across the campus. He
at Pitzer College in Claremont,
CA this summer. The American
is instrumental in planning and
Legion Girls State Program
organizing many of the student
is a special group of young
acti viti es this year. In additi on
women; 500 out of thousands
Sam has an extensive number
of outstanding California high
of speaking engagements
school juniors are elected at events geared towards
to attend this nationally students, parents, prospecti ve
recognized leadership
Mater Dei families and the
program. Each summer, in
enti re Mater Dei community
every state, parti cipants learn
while representi ng Mater Dei.
not only about the structure
and responsibiliti es of state Paula Verkuylen
Sam has enjoyed a very busy
Sam Digiovanni
government, but about
themselves as well.
campus life while at Mater
Dei and has been involved in
While at Mater Dei, Paula has taken a heavy course which includes AP
a variety of acti viti es. He carries a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the
US History, AP European History, AP Government, AP English, Honors
California Scholarship Federati on and Nati onal Honor Society. He has
Algebra, Honors Geometry, Honors English I-IV, French II & French III.
taken AP Government, AP Literature and is a member of our Honors
Paula has a 4.33 GPA. Chamber Singers. Sam has been part of the Mater Dei choir for four
years and was involved in both swimming and water polo. He is very
Through athleti cs, ASB, clubs and performing arts, Paula has been acti ve in Campus Ministry, Invisible Children and Mater Dei Special
acti ve in campus life. She was the ASB Freshman Class Treasurer,
Games.
Head Commissioner of Daily, Social, & Special Events, Red Wave, JV
Girls Basketball, Varsity Track & Field, Varsity Cross Country, Scarlet
Community outreach is an important part of Mater Dei life. Sam
Scroll, Nati onal Honor Society, California Scholarship Federati on, CSF
chose to volunteer his ti me through the Junior Lifeguard Program at
Historian and Advanced Women’s Ensemble.
Hunti ngton City Beach. “I was a safety aid and I assisted the younger
A wonderful aspect of Mater Dei life is the volunteer spirit and
kids in their events and encouraged them. It was a very rewarding job
contributi ons to our community. Each student is required to
because I got to see the happiness and sense of accomplishment on a
accomplish 80 Christi an service hours by their senior year. Paula
litt le kid’s face aft er they fi nished a hard event.”
volunteered with the following organizati ons to accomplish this goal.
Mater Dei Special Games, American Cancer Society Walk, Counselor
College is just around the corner and Sam is considering Georgetown,
in Training-Chapman University College for Kids. “I was a former USC, Boston College and LMU. He plans to major in Politi cal Science
College for Kids camper and I enjoyed working with the elementary or Internati onal Relati ons.
school students, teaching them about theatre and cartooning.”
“My favorite Mater Dei Memory was probably orientati on my
Paula is also acti ve in her church community as a volunteer at its
freshman year. Coming from a school of 600 to 2,300 was a crazy
fall festi val and during the summer as a Vacati on Bible School crew
change but I loved every minute of it. All the older kids were making
member.
us dance and be crazy and I really felt at home and excited for what
Paula has her sights set on some great universiti es. Stanford, UCLA,
laid ahead.” As a senior refl ecti ng back on Mater Dei, Sam says, “My
USC, Georgetown, Chapman, UCI, Claremont McKenna and Santa
Mater Dei experience has really prepared me for the real world with
Clara top her list. She plans to major in communicati ons and business
all the challenges and fun ti mes that it will bring. I have learned to be
with an emphasis in public relati ons and marketi ng.
independent but at the same ti me I know that I have a solid support
system at the school and that is something that has changed my life
Paula’s favorite Mater Dei memory is “Mater Dei beati ng Servite at forever.”
Anaheim Stadium my freshman year. It was my birthday and the
game went into double overti me. I remember praying to God to let us Sam lives with his parents Christi ne and Tony and is a member of Saint
win on my birthday.” Her prayers were answered! As Paula refl ects
Bonaventure in Hunti ngton Beach. His siblings are Rhonda, Emily,
back on her Mater Dei years, she had this to say, “Because I chose to
Michael and Sarah (Class of ‘13).
be involved in diff erent aspects of Mater Dei student life, I feel I made
many friends in all grade levels and am so proud to be a Monarch. My
academic and social experiences at MD have prepared me for college
life and beyond.”
Paula lives in Orange with her parents Al and Yvonne Verkuylen, and
her younger sister, future Monarch Annemarie ’20.
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