Welcome, Chieftains, future Chieftains, and our Palma Community.

 
y name is Andrew Schlegel and I am your Student Body President.There are a variety of ways to become involved at Palma.For example, I am active in the Palma Newspaper, CORE, Model United Nations, and National Honors Society.I am also involved in clubs on campus, including the Interact Club, Diversity Club, and Latin Club.Another large part of who I am is being an athlete.In the fall I compete in football, and in the spring I play tennis.If, by chance, you do not find something that really interests you, you are able to get together with friends and create a new club.

 At Palma, you are encouraged to become involved and try new things that will shape you into an exceptional student.You enter a brotherhood at Palma and we challenge you to be the best that you can be.If you struggle, we will be there to guide you on the right path to success.Extra-curricular activities are what have made my time in high school awesome, and I urge you to find something that interests you and to become passionate about it.The opportunities are available, and I challenge you to take advantage of them.

In addition to the numerous things happening on campus, there are always events going outside and around Palma.From Family Day on the first Saturday of the school year, to the multiple dances with our sister school, Notre Dame, there is never a dull moment.Our homecoming is one of our biggest events at Palma.The dress up days, dodge ball tournament, football game and finally the dance make homecoming a week to remember.

Without a doubt, our school would not be complete without what we do to give back to the others. Palma provides many service opportunities in our own community and even on an international level. Every spring break a group of nearly forty students, faculty, and chaperones go to Mexico to build homes for less fortunate families. In our own community, we glean the fields of Salinas with Ag Against Hunger, taking all left over raw produce from an already harvested field and giving it to the less fortunate. We also make weekly trips to tutor young students in East Salinas at the Center for Life. Students also have the opportunity to serve the hungry at Dorothy’s place.In my own experience, working with students in our area sheds the most light upon the value of the service we do at Palma.

My best advice to you is to make your time at Palma well worth it. Get involved, get active, and cherish the experience of being a Palma Chieftain; be proud, not everyone has this opportunity!

Andrew Schlegel