Gardena, CA, November 7, 2014: More than 650 students from 20 partner schools converged on Serra
Friday afternoon for the 8th Annual Cavalier Showcase. It started with a charter bus pickup and drop off, followed by lunch, music and entertainment in the bleachers. The day was unusually hot for a Friday in November, but the students in the bleachers were soaking up the sun and enjoying the camaraderie. As much a promotional event for Serra as it is a chance for middle school students to interact, the Cavalier Showcase has always been a highlight of the school year. “It’s my favorite day of the year,” said Najla Phillips, ASB President and Serra Ambassador. “The middle school students bring a unique energy to the campus.”
Not just fun and games, the Showcase also presents the visiting students with a glimpse at Serra’s curriculum and academic offerings. Groups of 30 students from different schools took a tour of the school, then filed into two random Serra classes to be taught a brief lesson and get a taste of what high school may really be like. “This is a great chance for them to see if what we’re doing is related to their 8th grade curriculum, and to see the connections,” said Robert Duffy, an Algebra teacher at Serra.
After the classes, the students all met in the gym for a pep rally, three-point shooting contest, and talks by school leaders and administrators. Ambassadors Tommy Bothwell, who almost went to Loyola or Harvard Westlake, told students why he chose Serra. “It’s a place that challenges you, and makes you rise to the occasion. That’s what the real world is like.”
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