The Present Dei

By Tamajai Dampeer, Staff Writer

On October 7, 2019, members of Verbum Dei High School’s senior class surrounded a bulletin board on the wall of the MPR hallway before entering the vast room to await their departures to work. All who surrounded this wall were either laughing in extreme amusement or quietly re-evaluating themselves and reconciling their long-term high school goals. Others, who would otherwise fight against this mighty current, stopped even for a second to capture quick glance at the bulletin board that was the source of much commotion: a wall featuring the heading “Advice to my High School Self,” filled with quotes accompanied by throwback pictures of staff and faculty.

“Oh man, I thought to myself, ‘I sure do hope that [Cristina] Cuellar stops them from taking pictures,” said Shannon Slade, college counselor, jokingly after being asked about his initial thoughts on being featured on the wall. “[As previously mentioned in a past story] sometimes you have to embarrass yourself to gain familiarity and respect with high school students. After the bulletin board was revealed, students that I don’t usually interact with on a daily basis approached me about my picture. It made it easier to start a conversation with them about something as sensitive as college.”

Many, if not the majority, of the students who encountered the wall saw it as a way to decompress with laughter and get an easy crack on one of their favorite teachers.

“I’m fine with it, as long as my young handsome face doesn’t end up in one of you guys’ social media accounts,” said Slade.

“It’s a small world,” said Brandi Odom Lucas, Chief Academic Officer, “and an even smaller school.” Verbum Dei is the home to 312 students with a student to teacher ratio of 12 to 1; meaning that a faculty or staff member has a very large chance of their information being accessed by a curious mind within the school.

“You guys are going to find [old pictures and information] any way, all you have to do is spell the name right,” said Odom.  “The internet has made it so that at the click of a button you can access a person’s entire life.”

Odom wanted to emphasize that the aim of the wall was not to make it easier for students to access and possibly exploit these pictures, but it was to convey advice to students who may feel at times that the teaching staff is “out to get them.”

Due to the strict grading system and intense curriculum, students may often resort to blaming a teacher’s personal preference for their poor grades rather than their subpar effort. Although this may be the case in certain situations, it is seldom the reality at Verbum Dei.

“We were high school students too, and we made the same exact mistakes some of you have and will,” said Odom.  “Some of those names on the wall have literally been in the same classrooms you go to everyday when they came to Verb.”

When asked if she thought posting rather sensitive photos for young and mischievous high school students to see would backfire, Odom quipped, “I know my boys, but I also know where their freshman year school ID pictures are.”

By Brian Diaz, Staff Writer

When people think of Verbum Dei High School’s Admission Department, they often just think about William Liu, Dean of Enrollment Management, and Pablo Zapotecas, Director of Admissions. However, many times, people do not realize that Verb’s Office of Enrollment Management involves many more people than the few who work in that department. It takes a community effort in order to maintain and to promote Verbum Dei’s well-respected reputation. The way students and teachers carry themselves on and off the campus is a contribution to the success of the work of admissions.

“The students and faculty also take part in representing the school,” said Liu.  “The teachers’ job description is to not only speak well about Verb on campus but wherever they are. When they are off campus, and someone asks about Verb they are expected to speak about the school in a positive manner. We hope that the teachers love the school enough to speak about it in a well manner to even their loved ones.”

Students also take part in representing Verbum Dei High School. Students are what people first focus upon when considering Verbum Dei High School as an option for their sons. Therefore, it is important for students to stay well-groomed and well-behaved during school hours. However, students are not only responsible for how they carry themselves on campus but how they act off campus. Whether students realize it or not, they represent the Verb wherever they go.

High achieving students also help demonstrate the school’s rigorous college prep curriculum. For example, student ambassador, Justin Funez understands the crucial role he plays in representing Verbum Dei in a well-respected manner.

“I’m involved in VDHS soccer, JEDIS, Student Ambassadors, Kairos Retreat leadership, and the Students Demand Action group. Besides that, I’m part of College Match and do service hours whenever I can at Missionaries of Charity,” said Funez. “As a student ambassador, I often engage with prospective Verb students – whether it is at an Open House, Eagle for a Day, or a shadow day. I know many kids are afraid when they think about coming to high school, so I try to show them my experience at Verb.

“Instead of trying to brainwash them to convince them that Verb is the best school,” said Funez.  “I’m just honest with them.”

“I talk to them from my heart in order for them to understand Verb’s brotherhood, which is what makes our school a second home,” said Funez.  “I’m not sure if the 8^th graders see me as a role model (or if I even consider myself one); however, I think my story can help them to see themselves four to five years from now.”

“Furthermore, I know at times the school search process may be tedious, so I try to make sure that students feel welcome because that’s how other students and staff made me feel when I came to Verb,” said Funez.

“As an ambassador, I’m just happy I can simultaneously show how proud I am about my school, help other students in their high school search, and further demonstrate Verb’s brotherhood as a vital part on campus,” said Funez.

It is important that faculty, staff, and students understand the pivotal role they play in admissions. Although they are not frequently reminded of this, they are the school’s reputation – without them Verbum Dei would not be held in such high regard.