Axel was offered full scholarship to both UCSD and UC Berkeley in San Francisco.
He has yet to decide which to take, but plans to major in Biochemistry and
will attend Medical School afterwards to push toward his career goal of becoming
a Pediatric Surgeon. Axel was a member of the Ambassador for Christ Corps,
ASB and the Cross Country Team. He was also named the Valedictorian his senior year.
When asked what he would miss most about Mater Dei,
he said, “the warm family feeling of the student body and teachers.”

Jesus has received a Trustee Scholarship to attend USD this fall,
where he plans to major in Computer Engineering. He was honored
as Salutatorian in his senior year and also received awards for
Advanced Placement English, Advanced Placement Spanish Literature
and Christian Call. He was also a member of the National Honor Society,
a member of the varsity baseball team and an Ambassador for Christ Corps
member. Jesus commented that his faith has grown so much through the
retreats and daily experiences at Mater Dei, that he feels confident he will
stay true to his beliefs as he goes out into the real world. Jesus’ comment
when asked what was special about Mater Dei was, “it’s more than a school,
it is like a family.”

Marcel received a full football scholarship to
Kent Prep School where he plans to major
in Business Administration and Marketing.
He had a few other scholarship offers to play
at UNLV and Baylor University, but decided
that Kent Prep School was the right place
for him. His career plans include finishing
school with a Master’s and then marke-
ting urban clothing and music. Marcel also
played baseball, basketball and ran track at
Mater Dei. In football, he was named team
captain, Team MVP, 1st Team All-League
Offense for both his junior and senior years,
along with being named to the San Diego
Scholar-Athlete and Leader Hall of Fame and
the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team.
Marcel feels he has grown dramatically in his faith
while attending Mater Dei saying, “I began to
pray more and thank God for the things in my life.”

Kamela will be continuing her education at UCLA, where she has received
an academic scholarship and plans to walk on to the basketball team.
At this time, she plans on majoring in Pre-Global Studies. Kamela was a
member of the State Champion Varsity Basketball Team, where she received
the State Women’s Sportsmanship Award, and was a member of the varsity
softball and track teams. Kamela was also a member of the Ambassador For Christ Corps
and Campus Ministry for 3 years. She feels these clubs have given her
“the sense of security knowing God will guide me through life.”
Kamela feels her faith has strengthened through her involvement in these
clubs at Mater Dei and will deeply miss the relationships she has created
over the past 4 years.

Toni will be attending the University of California Irvine next year,
where she plans to major in Biological Sciences with an emphasis
in Neuroscience. From there, she plans to begin her education in
pre-med and further become a neurologist. Toni was the
ASB President, an Executive Ambassador, a member of the
National Honor Society, a member of the Campus Ministry Team,
played with the Steel Drum Band and was a member of many
numerous clubs. With her involvement in so many avenues on campus,
Toni was named Lady Crusader of the Year, along with being honored
with the 4-Year First Honors Academic Excellence Award and ASB
Executive President Award. Toni feels that her involvement in
Campus Ministry helped strengthen her faith and helped her build
her own. Before Mater Dei, she feels that she followed what her parents
believed and now she can go out on her own with what her own faith has taught her.

Nick will be attending San Diego City College where he was recruited to play
both soccer and baseball. There he plans to study Biomedical Engineering
with hopes to be an Orthopedic Surgeon. Nick was also a member of the
State Champion Soccer Team, Varsity Baseball Team, Cross Country Team,
was an Ambassador for Christ Corps member and played piano at
Mater Dei’s Culture Night. Nick said he would miss the small classes and
familiarity among the students and teachers next year. But he also feels
confident in the Christ-Centered person he has become and will carry that
on in his everyday life outside of Mater Dei.

Frances will be attending UCSD next year and will be studying Biochemistry.
She would really like to work in a Medical Institute, assisting with research
to find cures. Francis received a First Honors Academic Excellence Award
for all 4 years. She was a member of the ASB, the Asian Pacific Islander Club,
Cheer, Yearbook, Steel Drum Band and was an Ambassador for Christ Corps member.
Some of her most memorable times revolve around attending the retreats and
her religion classes that allowed her to reflect on her faith. After leaving Mater Dei,
Frances feels the faith she gained will help her remember who she is and
assist her in getting through some of life’s obstacles.

Laura will be attending Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico next year,
where she will be studying Economics. When she graduates from there,
she hopes to be an Ambassador at the United Nations and help out in
whatever way she can. Laura has already attended Princeton University
and Stanford University to study classes in Foreign Policy, Government
and Political Communications. She also represented Mater Dei at
California’s Girls State and received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.
Laura was also very involved at Mater Dei. She was a member of the basketball,
track and swimming teams, along with being an Ambassador for Christ and joining
numerous clubs on campus. Laura feels her faith has grown deeper in God through
her time at Marian/Mater Dei. And it has taught her that she doesn’t have to
see to believe. When asked what she will miss most about Mater Dei,
she said, “I will miss all the people that taught me to believe in myself"

Watch for Frank playing football for Ohio Wesleyan University next year!
He plans to major in Communications and Journalism, pushing towards
his goal to work for ESPN as a sports broadcaster. Although Frank
was very active in sports, he was also a leader on campus and received
the Pope Benedict XVI Community Service Award, along with other
leadership awards. One of Frank’s favorite things about Mater Dei
has been the family he has developed with the students and teachers,
and says that is what he will miss the most.

Diane will be attending the New School of Architecture and Design
in the fall where she will pursue her dream of becoming an architect.
She was an active member of the ASB, Campus Ministry, National Honor
Society and an Ambassador for Christ. Diane is a 5th generation graduate
of Marian/Mater Dei and she says she will miss her family commute the most
every morning she attends college. When asked how her faith will help her
in the future, she said, “The retreats have helped me grow closer to God
and I have learned that in the future I need to always keep my faith first

   MDCHS: What elementary school did you come from and why did you choose to come to
   Mater Dei?

   Truffa: I went to Fletcher Hills Elementary School. It’s a public school and I chose to come to
   Mater Dei because my parents wanted me to get a better education since I went to a
   public elementary and middle school.

   MDCHS: So why did you choose Mater Dei as opposed to the other private schools?