Students of the Month


Hilary Bowman, Student of the Month for March, was named a National Merit Commended Student and has been a Top Ten Student every year.


With a current GPA of 4.72, Hilary has taken a heavy course load of Honors and AP classes which include:


Hilary Bowman


Honors English I, II, III, AP English, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, Honors Spanish II, III, AP Spanish Literature, AP U.S. History and AP Government.


A scholar athlete, Hilary has also excelled at athletics. She is a four-year member of the Mater Dei Cross Country team and enters her second year as a member of the Girls’ Lacrosse team. Hilary was a member of the Track and Field team as a freshman and sophomore.


Campus Life for Hilary includes Student Government where she currently holds the position of Co-Head Renaissance Commissioner, was a Renaissance Commissioner as a junior and a Senator as a sophomore. Hilary’s club involvement includes a four-year member of Campus Ministry and California Scholarship Federation. She’s a three-year member of the National Honor Society and holds the position of President, and formerly held the position of Secretary as a junior. She was a member of Rachel’s Challenge as a junior.


Community service and outreach is important to Hilary, she has 150 Christian service hours. She is involved in National Charity League, in which she participates in a variety of service projects. “My favorite projects have been the ones that involve children. Specifically, my favorite project was last year when my group threw a party for pre-school age kids at Orangewood Children’s Center. We spent the day playing and reading with them, and afterwards we got to play with some of the older kids, too. Being able to put smiles on their faces was a very rewarding experience”, said Hilary.


A member of St. Bonaventure Church in Huntington Beach, Hilary has participated as a leader for the Vacation Bible School and as a volunteer at the parish festival.


College is in the grasp of her hands and Hilary is considering Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Georgetown and will major in Neuroscience or Psychology.


“My favorite Mater Dei memory has been going to Chicago and Notre Dame with my classmates for Notre Dame Vision, a weeklong retreat. I had a great time bonding with my classmates and meeting new people from around the country, while growing in my faith”, said Hilary. When asked to reflect back and describe her Mater Dei experience to others, Hilary said, “I would say that your high school experience is what you make of it. I encourage everyone to get involved and not to be afraid to try new things. The years go by really fast, so remember to enjoy every second.”


Hilary lives in Huntington Beach with her parents, Christopher and Pamela Bowman, brother, Scott ‘12 and sister, Hannah ‘15.


Eric Goitia, March Student of the Month, is a charming and charismatic leader on campus, currently serving as ASB Vice- President.


Eric carries a 3.8 GPA and has taken several Honors and AP courses which include Honors Algebra I, Honors Spanish I, Honors Spanish II and AP Government.


Campus life has been extremely full for Eric. He has been involved in student government, athletics, performing arts and clubs. As ASB Vice President he and his fellow officers planned and executed an amazing school year filled with fun activities. He was a participant of National Youth Leadership Council while serving as an ASB junior class officer.


Eric Goitia


Athletics made up a big part of Eric’s time at Mater Dei. He is a four-year member of Mater Dei Football team and a four-year member of Mater Dei and Club Soccer teams. Eric is a member of the Chamber Choir as a senior and has enjoyed performing in quite a different realm from athletics. He will travel with the Mater Dei Choral groups to Rome in April and will perform at the Vatican, definitely a trip of a lifetime.


His club involvement includes: four-year member of the Renaissance Club, three-year member in National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation, and member of Caring Kickers, Journalism and Dodge Ball Club.


Eric’s community service included Monarchs for Marines, Operation Santa Claus, and Orange County Autism Family Organization. Eric recounts, “My favorite outreach project was Monarchs for Marines because we were all able to meet and interact with the Marines and their families. I realize how blessed we all are to live in this country.”


When asked about his favorite Mater Dei memory, Eric said, “My junior and senior years at Mater Dei have been so memorable because I have been able to participate in so many different activities with so many different groups.”


Eric is considering the following colleges: USC, Boston College, Clemson, Colgate, and Bowdoin College and is planning to study Biochemistry and Business.


As a senior reflecting back on his Mater Dei experience, Eric states, “My Mater Dei experience has been amazing. Mater Dei has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have at any other school, and has set me up eager and ready for the college world.”


Eric lives in Yorba Linda with his parents, Edgar and Gail Goitia and sister, Elizabeth ’08. The Goitia family attends Saddleback Church.


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