Congratulations to senior, Xavier Smith, on making a commitment to play basketball for Oregon State University. Xavier averaged 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game this past season. To read the full article in the Oregonian please click here. Go Irish!

The O’Dea Lacrosse Team worked hard to raise funds for an organized trip to San Diego over spring break. In addition to daily practices, two games, and team building exercises, Coach Craig Snyder (U.S. Naval Academy graduate) was able to secure a visit to the Navy Seal Special Warfare Training Center. This was an exceptional opportunity for our young student-athletes to learn about personal accountability and responsibility, leadership development, and to strengthen their brotherhood.

We are excited to share that the Archdiocesan School Board and Office for Catholic Schools has selected O’Dea High School as the 2016-2017 Outstanding Catholic School. Awarded to one of 74 Catholic schools in the Seattle Archdiocese on behalf of Archbishop Sartain, the recipient of this annual recognition demonstrates “commitment and dedication to Catholic education.” In a letter from Superintendent, Dr. Haggarty, he stated “I am reminded, often, of the banners that hang outside the school. Brotherhood. Excellence. Diversity. Tradition. Catholic. Service. Responsibility. These are not only words adorning the exterior of the campus, they are verbs, that permeate the school culture. They remind us all that O’Dea develops students into young men of character, faith, and service.” Thank you to our entire O’Dea community for supporting us as we work to advance O’Dea’s mission of providing a quality Catholic education. Go Irish!

On Saturday, March 25th, senior Ben Beale attended the Joint Training Facility to present them with a new firefighter memorial he created to honor the men lost during the Mary Pang warehouse arson.  Ben is a member of West Seattle Troop 282. His project will be permanently displayed in the main hallway of the Joint Training Facility.

To read the full article in the West Seattle Blog, please click here.  Nice work, Ben!

Members of the Black Students United for Excellence (BSUE) club at O’Dea invited Mr. Nate Miles, the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and State Government Affairs for Eli Lilly and Company, to be the guest speaker during the annual O’Dea MLK Assembly.  Mr. Miles blessed the students with an unforgettable message on “Dreaming Big” and the important role it has played in his life.