In the Media
Folsom teens making waves in robotics; World Finals up next
Two Folsom teens are making waves in the world of robotics, showcasing their ingenuity and leadership as part of the award-winning teams at St. Francis Catholic High School. Senior Darlene Eugenio and freshman Deselyn Galang recently helped their respective teams take first place at the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Monterey Bay Regional Competition, one of the most competitive contests of its kind.
St. Francis Robotics
The all-girls St. Francis robotics teams won first place in
Norcal in the Marine Technology Society underwater robotics
competition for the 5th year in a row and are headed to the world
championships in Alpena, MI. The team has placed in the top 5 in
the world for the past 3 years.
In addition, the freshman team (like a JV team) also took first
place in their division.
In addition to competing in robotics, the team has taken on the
mission of inspiring more girls in STEM.
View From the Sideline: Hope and Grace on the field
UConn catcher Grace Jenkins hit one of her record-breaking 21 home runs this spring for the Huskies.
Having only experienced Little League and high school baseball with my son, I had little idea how different girls sports could be. When my daughters started playing softball, several significant differences became apparent.
St. Francis Celebrates 17 Future Collegiate Athletes
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – St. Francis Catholic High School honored a total of 17 senior students who committed to compete in ten different collegiate sports during the spring edition of its National Letter of Intent and College Commitment celebration on the morning of May 1.
Troubies Win Third Straight Sac-Joaquin Section Swim & Dive Title
ELK GROVE, Calif. – Senior and UCLA commit Erica Jaffe won the 100-yard backstroke and led off two other state-qualifying relay squads, helping St. Francis win its third straight Division II title on the final day of the Sac-Joaquin Section swimming championships, held at Elk Grove Aquatics Center Friday.
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Sailing Across STEMSEAS
First-year student discusses how National Science Foundation-funded cruise buoys engineering research spanning robotics and ocean conservation
The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian Islands. (Courtesy of Siena Marois)
Siena Marois, a first-year computer science and engineering student at the University of California, Davis, had always been interested in marine stewardship and engineering but hadn’t found the currents that connect them until her robotics program at St. Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento, California. The team specializes in developing remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, for use in the ocean.
Robotics Takes First Place at Regionals!
We are proud to share that our robotics team was featured on FOX40 News last night! The segment highlights the team’s incredible achievements, including winning the regional competition last weekend in Monterey. Watch the full segment here.
St. Francis Catholic High School to hold STEM Day event this weekend
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — St. Francis Catholic High School is holding a STEM Day event on Saturday.
The free event is aimed at students in fifth through eighth grades, though all are welcome. It takes place at 5900 Elvas Avenue from 10am to 2pm.
St. Francis senior Kin Tirumala, freshman Cynthia Klein and robotics coach Marcus Grindstaff joined KCRA 3 on Thursday to preview what to expect.
Good Day is Back to Chat with Alumna Siena Marois ‘24
UC Davis freshman, Siena Marois, is one of 12 people selected nationwide to attend the STEMSEAS Student Experience Aboard Ships in collaboration with Columbia and Cal universities.
Robotics for Teens: A Resource Guide to Inspire Future Innovators
When the all-girl robotics team at St. Francis High School in Sacramento, Calif. meets to brainstorm solutions, a poster on the wall reminds them: “Engineering is navigating from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.”
Sacramento County students make their case in a real-life courtroom
Students from 24 schools around Sacramento traded their classrooms for the courtroom this month, stepping into roles as attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs in the county’s annual mock trial competition. The program is held at the Sacramento County Superior Court and offers high school students an immersive experience in the courtroom, giving them a taste of real-world litigation.
Carmichael Native Madie Fahey to be Honored
SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Two California college student-athletes, Madie Fahey, a senior soccer player at Cal Lutheran University, and Will Bermudez, a senior baseball player at UC Irvine, were selected as the January 2025 recipients of the CalHOPE Courage Award.
Alumna Siena Marois ‘24 is one of 12 people selected nationwide to attend the STEMSEAS
Alumna Siena Marois ‘24 and St. Francis High School was featured on Good Day Sacramento this morning. Congratulations to Siena! We can’t wait to hear about her adventures on board STEMSEAS!
St. Francis Featured on Catholic Sports Radio Podcast
Head Varsity Volleyball Coach, Taryn Wright Campbell
St. Francis Catholic High School was recently featured on an episode of the Catholic Sports Radio podcast. The episode highlighted the journey and insights of our Head Varsity Volleyball Coach, Taryn Wright Campbell, showcasing her incredible dedication to faith, athletics, and education.
ROBOTICS AND RESILIENCE
How St. Francis High School is shaping the next generation of female engineers
In the male-dominated world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, St. Francis High students find opportunity and support in their all-girls robotics and Science Olympiad teams.
According to the International Coalition of Girls Schools, girls attending an all-girls school are six times more likely to consider majoring in a STEM subject and three times more likely to consider engineering careers compared to girls who attended co-educational high schools.
SFHS Recognized as One of the Top Private High Schools in the Region by Sacramento Business Journal
In a recent feature by the Sacramento Business Journal, St. Francis High School was recognized as one of the top private high schools in the region. With a 100% acceptance rate at Sacramento State and a strong focus on academic excellence, diversity, and college preparation, our Troubies continue to make us proud. Read the full article to see how St. Francis stands out among Sacramento’s best!
We Mean Business
Women entrepreneurs help next generation
Lucia Hash discovered a wonderful way to overcome shyness. The St. Francis Catholic High School junior became an entrepreneur.
“I’m a person who gets very nervous, and that was holding me back,” she says. “This taught me to just go for it, and it was totally worth it.”
Hash’s breakthrough came during a pitch competition organized by a school club, Junior Achievement Entrepreneurship. The club partners with the National Association of Women Business Owners.
St. Francis aims to further STEM education with new robotics lab
SACRAMENTO — A Sacramento high school girls robotics team is fresh off their trip to the championships, placing fifth internationally. The St. Francis High School Team was excited to return home to a new robotics lab on campus.
Robotics advisor Marcus Grindstaff went over the 4,000-square-foot hands-on discovery and learning STEM zone at St. Francis.
St. Francis Social Studies Department Chair Promoted to Assistant Principal
EAST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - St. Francis Catholic High School is proud to announce Julie Van Houten as its new assistant principal. Van Houten, who holds a Master of Arts in education, is a member of the executive staff and has been serving as the social studies department chair for the past two years. She will assume her new role effective July 1.