Written by Maria Vanillo / Staff Writer
The alarm goes off at 5 am and Bishop Amat High School senior Tatiana Eiley detaches herself from the warm comforts of bed in order to get to school on time. Everything is done at a hyper speed. The frantic dash from the kitchen to the garage in crucial. Climbing into her car she prepares herself for the drive ahead. Eiley already knows the shortcuts to avoid traffic and has the knowledge of what accidents lie up ahead, reaping the benefits of watching the news every morning.
Students come from all across San Gabriel Valley to attend school at Bishop Amat. The long commute makes skeptics question, why Amat? Attendance results from athletic programs, family graduates, and academic excellence.
Amat is known for its outstanding division-championship-winning athletic program with over 1,000 students participating in at least one sport.
“I came because I knew I would receive a good education and be able to compete in a higher level of sports than the other schools I was looking at,” senior Jimmy Montoya said.
Sports also attract the attention of interested athletes.
“The success of the girls’ basketball program definitely attracted me to Amat,” senior Paulina Santana said. “I wanted to play for a well-disciplined team and a coach who would help me reach my full potential.”
For some students Amat was their choice of school due to the Catholic environment.
“I wanted to further my education in a private Catholic school,” senior Samantha Gonzales said. “I also felt very welcome when I attended open house and toured the campus.”
Some students attend Bishop Amat because of family relatives who have graduated.
“I saw what a great experience my older sister had at Amat and I wanted to invest my high school journey in a place where I know I would love,” Eiley said.
Senior Joni Gener agreed because of the fact most of her family had attended Amat in the previous years.
“It just seemed like a very close family like school,” Gener said.
There are perks to being a member of the Bishop Amat community. You are not treated as just another I.D. number or a child. Everyone at this facility is your personal cheerleader. The teachers want you to graduate, the coaches want you to be the best, and the other students want you to be in line with them as they receive their high school diploma.
“My favorite part is playing a big home game and getting a lot of support from the fans who are always cheering us on,” Santana said. “They are extremely loyal and we always get a good turn out, you really get a sense of family.
The family atmosphere allows students to make long lasting and genuine friendships.
“My favorite part is being able to see my friends everyday and being a part of pep squad,” said Gonzales.
Bishop Amat’s motto is “Once a Lancer always a Lancer.”
“Amat is more like a family,” Gener said.
Enthusiastic teachers are able to motivate students because they truly want to come to class.
“Having the opportunity to challenge myself academically and being exposed to brilliant and caring teachers is always a plus,” said Eiley.
Amat stands out from other high schools through strong morals and establishing commendable work ethics.
“We have stronger traditions and more pride when it comes to sports and extracurricular activities,” Montoya said. “Discipline is emphasized and students are held to a higher standard.”
Educators who are passionate, understanding, and encouraging create a comfortable learning environment.
“The teachers make Amat different from other high schools. Not only do they have a vast knowledge and deep passion for the subject matter they teach, but they truly care about each and every student in their classes,” Santana said.
Size does matter considering Amat has about 1,400 students enrolled.
“Amat is set apart from other schools because we have a small student body which allows us to get to know each other on a deeper level and create long lasting friendships,” Eiley said.
Memories are created, cherished, and never forgotten whether they were created on or off the court.
“We won CIF my sophomore year,” Santana said. “I can still remember how ecstatic the team was. We had worked so hard that season so it was awesome to see it all pay off. It was such a rewarding experience.”
Having peers who respect each other and applaud other’s accomplishments is always a positive.
“Winning homecoming queen this year was a really fun experience to have,” Gener said.
Hard work pays off for those who balance academics and sports.
“Being selected as cheer captain was exciting,” Gonzales said.
Those on the football team always stand “shoulder to shoulder” and will carry with them the discipline and brotherhood that comes along with the sport.
“My last football game as an Amat Lancer was my favorite memory,” said Montoya.
For all eighth grade students wondering if Bishop Amat Memorial High School is the right choice, here is a little advice from the graduating 2014 seniors.
“You will never feel alone,” said Santana. “The student body and faculty are really good about reaching out to students and providing opportunities to get involved. I would encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities and they will find that other students share the same interests and desires as them.”
Bishop Amat Memorial High School provides quality education, astounding athletic success, and a sincere family atmosphere.
