Damien High School

Sam DiCarlo '64

Nowadays time is a commodity, and there never seems to be enough of it in one day. This year Damien High School inducts three men into the Hall of Fame, and one of these outstanding Spartans is Sam DiCarlo. Opening with a statement about time is appropriate when talking about Mr. DiCarlo because he is the finest example of someone who has close to none. Between Damien, his business, and family, Sam DiCarlo stays exceptionally busy and every minute is precious to him.

   When Father Travers told me that I was going to do the interview, he said: "He is a very interesting person." And after the interview, I agree with Father Travers. The single most interesting thing about Sam DiCarlo is that we are not honoring a Damien High School graduate tonight. Instead, we are inducting a piece of the past. Sam DiCarlo did go to school on the land nestled between Bonita and Damien Avenues, but he did not graduate from Damien High School. If you think about it, if Sam graduated in 1964, then he would have had to have graduated from Pomona Catholic Boys High School. Sam was in the second graduating class, and that is special.

   During high school, Sam excelled in both academics and athletics. Sam played quarterback on the football team and third base on the baseball team. While staying busy with sports, Sam was able to maintain good grades. His math class was his favorite and that was taught by his favorite teacher by far, Father Brendan Cominsky, now Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns, Ireland. After graduating from High School, Sam attended Mt. Sac. When finished with two years there, he transferred to Cal Poly Pomona. At Cal Poly, Sam majored in Business Management. With this degree, Sam opened his own business, DiCarlo Concrete Company.

   When Sam's parents put their three sons through Damien High School, they did not realize the potential long-term relationship that they had begun with the school. After he and his two brothers went through the school, Sam saw no better place to send his sons. Two of Mr. DiCarlo's sons have already graduated from here, and Nick DiCarlo is currently a junior. Sam's youngest is in the sixth grade now and will more than likely go to Damien. Since boys seem to run in the DiCarlo family genes, it is probable that they will stay active in the Damien scene for a long time.

   To this day, Sam DiCarlo is an important figure to Damien High School. He is on the Foundation Board and the Financial Support Committee. I never heard of these groups, so I asked Sam what they really did. His simple response was "We basically run the place and raise money." For that, I thank Mr. DiCarlo for running my school and continuing to improve it. I also asked him if he lived and worked by a special motto to keep him on track. He responded with a "no," but he did say this: "My secret to success is quite simple. Hard work and honesty got me to where I am right now."

   I am very honored to have met and interviewed Sam DiCarlo for this prestigious honor. I guarantee you that not many men have accomplished what Sam DiCarlo has. Even though his life is filled with a self-run business and a busy family, Mr. DiCarlo still makes time to give back to the place where he got his solid foundation. Tonight, we should not look at Sam DiCarlo just as a Hall of Famer, but as an inspiring role model to us all.             

by Mark Belanger '03

John Capraro '79

Damien High School has been producing men who are academically and socially prepared to make a difference in the world; this fact is a given. The crème of the crop is being brought forward tonight with the induction of these three fine men into the Damien Hall of Fame. Mr. Capraro is an example of the best of the best, yet it seems as though he is reluctant to accept his accolades; in other words, he is modest. He says that what he does is because it is just the call of duty; it is much more than that. A long-time friend and Damien alumnus, Jimmy Hernandez made the nomination for Mr. Capraro's induction. John was surprised by the nomination and shocked that he won.

   When asked to reflect about Damien, Mr. Capraro immediately responded the way any Damien student would reply, "There were no girls." With no girls to worry about he was able to concentrate on the task at hand; education. He emphasized that education was a priority and Damien prepared him well academically. Lifelong friendships and the fun of high school are also things that the Spartan experience gave him. Mr. Capraro spoke of experiences that will never be forgotten, most notably the 1977 football season. That was the year that the team won the C.I.F. title. He reminisced about how much fun it was playing at the old Anaheim Stadium, with thousands of fans cheering the Spartans to victory. As for other aspects of high school, Mr. Capraro's involvements included ASB Chairman, Letterman's Club, and the Weightlifting Club. "High school life was awesome and fun," explained Capraro.

   Mr. Capraro took the preparation Damien provided him to a fine university, UCLA. College life proved just as rewarding as high school. Athletics were also a part of his life in college. He played the brutal sports of Lacrosse and was a standout. He was a two-time All-American selection while at UCLA, and he graduated with a degree in English.

   All of his achievements thus far are enough for most to pack it up and call it a life, but Mr. Capraro wanted to make a difference. He wanted to make a difference in the lives of young adults. He chose education and athletic mediums through which he could make a difference; he became a teacher and head football coach at Pomona High School. As an educator Mr. Capraro's impact in the community is greatly seen. He is involved in a special alternative education program. The program allows him to become involved in the lives of those in need, most notably pregnant teens and teen parents who just can't find the time to sit in the classroom. Mr. Capraro is proud that his students go on to receive a diploma or GED and often attend college. 

   The one on one tutoring and teaching he is involved in allows a deep relationship with his students, a relationship that includes counseling and guidance. He has been involved in the program for six years and it is safe to say he has changed many lives for the better, giving hope to those in need.

   Football is a sport that is near and dear to Mr. Capraro's heart. He took the role of head coach and is proud that while under his guidance Pomona has sent over 16 players to big-time Division I schools. Mr. Capraro has taken it upon himself to get his team not only physically prepared for college, but academically prepared as well. He spoke of how sometimes athletes put school to the wayside, and he wanted his players to prioritize and balance the load of school and sports.

   Mr. Capraro has also brought one of his favorite hobbies to Pomona High; he started a golf team five years ago and is proud that the program is progressing and developing. After a few years of trying to start the golf program at Pomona, Tiger Woods' Masters' win sealed the deal. Pomona's golf team is now a contender in league, thanks to the community's support through donations of golf equipment. As head golf coach it is apparent that he indeed wants to make life better for his athletes and give them opportunities that would not be realized without a little guidance in the right direction.

   So what does a man like this do in his spare time? He probably doesn't have much spare time, but he says he spends most of it with his wide Juanita and daughters, Alexandria and Brittany. He is thankful for his understanding family. When he's not with his family, he hits the links. Who would've guessed that a man with such little time could become Club Champion at Diamond Bar Gold Course? Well considering the other things that have been accomplished in his life, there's probably nothing this man can't do.

   Mr. Capraro is a fine example of someone who has gone out and made a difference. He has achieved his own success and at the same time guides others to do the same. He is a mentor, coach, friend, father, and all-round Renaissance man. He has certainly accomplished a considerable amount of things in his career so far and will continue to do so for years to come. Mr. Capraro gives credit to the Damien experience for providing him with the tools he needed to do what he does, but I think he is partially wrong, it takes a special breed of man to be what he has become. Congratulations Mr. Capraro, on your induction into the Damien Hall of Fame; you are truly deserving of the recognition.

by Vince Almario '01

Ed Tessier '86

Throughout life we all miss opportunities to meet the truly amazing people in this world, as if you have not met Mr. Ed Tessier, you are passing by another one of those opportunities. The proud graduate of Damien class of 1986 has done a lot in his life, but what makes those actions so notable is their selfless nature. Almost everything Ed has done was for the benefit of many, not just for himself. To top it all off he is a great guy with a personality to match.

   Mr. Tessier is now a very proud developer of his hometown, Pomona. Throughout the ups and downs, Ed Tessier has lived his whole life in Pomona. He hopes to jump start the progression towards his memory of the once flourishing beautiful city. "It hurt to watch it all fall apart," Ed said. The city is almost a part of him and it hurt him to see it in such a state. There was one incident during elementary school that he will not soon forget. While attending Foothill Country Day Elementary School, he never had any of his friends visit because their parents did not want them going to his house in Pomona. This event is probably one of many memories of his that lit the fire that still burns in him today. One of his first projects towards bettering Pomona was the rejuvenation of the Pomona Arts Colony, which has now turned into a well-oiled machine. There are now, as a direct result of Ed Tessier, fifteen galleries and over 200 artists living in the downtown Pomona area. Ed is also directly responsible for the restoration of at least fifteen other buildings in the same area. The arts colony now has six university partners and the best gallery in the Inland Empire, the colony is considered to be one of the top five in the state. Like many of his other projects, it grew away from him, away to the point that he hardly knows what goes on there now. When asked about being the leader of the revitalization, he said "I wake up every morning energetic."

   Ed would not have been able to do this revitalization, however without the help of his family. His mother owned a construction company, his father is a lawyer, and his brother with the MBA does the financing. Mr. Tessier also has a prominent background in architecture. He has been on city planning committees and had other city commissions regarding the issues surrounding Pomona.

   Before he began building up Pomona he was breaking down the barriers for the disabled in today's society. Ed Tessier has been going to protests since the end of his high school career. With the help of others, Ed has been all over the country protesting for the rights of the disabled and other mistreated groups. Pomona College proved undeniably to be his first and more difficult struggle for equality. A hundred years at Pomona College goes by without a wheelchair user being admitted and along comes Ed Tessier. Not only was he the first wheelchair user, he was probably the first thorn in Pomona College's side as well. It is an understatement to say that the college made it difficult for him by not providing proper wheelchair access or the transportation that would have made it much easier for Ed to commute. He remembers having to organize rallies to get the classes he wanted and to protest to be able to walk with his class.

   Throughout his college search Ed had his eyes set on Pomona College, but it turned out to be four years of hell. However, despite all the adversity he faced, he still "kicked . . ." as he put it. He worked hard and received awards from TIME magazine and graduated Summa Cum Laude. That proved to be just the beginning; Ed went on to travel around the country protesting for the rights of the disabled. Not many people can say that they actually booed the Speaker of the House; Ed did. In addition to all of his other activities, Ed teaches disability public policy at Western University.

   Mr. Tessier will always hold Damien in high esteem. He has always seen Damien as a fine institution, full of great guys and experiences for all who attend. Ed was on the newspaper staff for two years, debate, JV soccer and class treasurer for his first two years at Damien. Ed has had a couple of memorable experiences at Damien; one was when he first got his Camaro, he was busted for spinning his tires. He claimed innocence but was accused of showing off for the cheerleaders. The other experience was the standing ovation he received when entering the gym during a basketball game shortly after his accident. The people in the stands made him feel really loved and appreciated, especially because it was not something that they rehearsed. The summer after his sophomore year, Ed was at the beach body surfing with one of his friends. While diving underneath a wave, he hit a rock-hard sand dune and broke his neck; that is why he uses a wheelchair today.

   Despite your preconceived notion he does not regret the accident as much as you'd think. "Before the accident, I thought everything would just come to me. The accident taught me that if I wanted anything, I was going to have to work for it." This mentality is seen throughout all of his activities. It is quite fitting in a way that he ran for congress, it was his way of giving back to the Democratic Party for all of the support that it had given him throughout his war.

   Damien has played a big part in the development of Mr. Tessier's values. The mix of cultures here at Damien helped him to come to the conclusion that everyone has a contribution to make regardless of their differences. One can see these values through his struggle for the equality of the disabled and ultimately everyone. "Make what you do beneficial to everyone," he says is another belief of his. Damien helped him to realize this value again through the different types of people with whom he interacted at Damien.

   Mr. Tessier still jams with his buddies and plays in underground clubs with his band The Undertoad. As for now, Ed is enjoying life with his recently named fiancée Alejandra. hopefully, the two of them go on to live happy lives with each other.

   The students, faculty and especially Mr. Ken Bencomo, at Damien were very helpful in his rejoining the Damien community. Most of all, his family has been an invaluable support.

by Ryan Clinton '01