About St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure High School is a private, Catholic, co-educational secondary school in Ventura, California. Founded in 1963, this college preparatory institution was built on the spiritual ideals of St. Francis of Assisi and the academic tradition of its namesake, St. Bonaventure.
If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything.”
The Story So Far
In 2022, the Advancement Office began building its CRM and campaign infrastructure from the ground up. Within a year, that foundation supported three capital campaigns and two major grants — and until now, our donors never got to see the full story of what their generosity made possible.
Looking Back with Gratitude
Serving the students of St. Bonaventure for the past 26 years — and as principal these last seven — has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. St. Bonaventure has always been more than a school: it is a family united by faith, tradition, and a shared commitment to forming young men and women of character, compassion, and purpose.
Looking Forward with Hope
It is with deep gratitude and tremendous excitement that I introduce myself as the new Principal of St. Bonaventure. From the moment I first stepped onto campus, I felt the unmistakable spirit that has defined St. Bonaventure for generations — rooted in Catholic values, strengthened by committed educators, and sustained by families who believe in the transformative power of a faith-filled education.
How Gifts Came In
Where Gifts Made an Impact
Transforming Our Campus
Two Generations, One Field
Steve Netzley, Sr. and Steve Netzley, Jr. share more than a name — both have given generously of their time and resources to St. Bonaventure Athletics, generations apart.
The Ribbon Cutting
On a bright January afternoon, the Seraph community gathered at midfield with civic leaders, clergy, donors, coaches, and student-athletes to dedicate the Netzley Family Athletic Field.
With Gratitude to Our Guests
“St. Bonaventure has always been known for its outstanding athletics programs and student-athletes.”
The dedication was made possible in partnership with civic and community leaders who joined us in celebration:
Building a Legacy — The Montgomery Family
Through their transformational leadership gift, Jim and Dominka Montgomery helped create a permanent home for the performing arts at St. Bonaventure. Today their children — Steven, Natalie, and Ethan — continue the family's connection to the school, making this investment both a gift to today's students and a legacy for future generations.
The Archbishop Consecrates the Chapel
The Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, came to campus to consecrate the Brother Paulinus Horkan Adoration Chapel — and stayed to meet the students who would pray in it.
“A quiet place to sit with the Lord” — that is how our students describe the Chapel.
Baseball Field Renovation
Donor support helped enhance the playing environment, creating a safer, more competitive space where players train, compete, and build lasting bonds as teammates.
Campus Beautification Project
Founded by a dedicated group of alumni, Seraph Alumni Legacy has completed numerous beautification projects — installing planters, repainting lockers, restoring the pergola, and more.
Institutional Grants & Foundation Support
Foundations believed in St. Bonaventure the same way our families do — here's where their trust landed.
Transformational Philanthropy
Our single largest institutional partner — a $450,000 gift ($350,000 direct plus a $100,000 matching-funds grant) toward Athletic Field Replacement and $633,320 toward roofing across Admin, Classroom, and Athletic buildings, given across eight separate gifts since 2024.
One of our most consistent partners across all four years — $560,750 in tuition assistance and scholarships, plus a $64,000 Catholic Investment Grant supporting dedicated teacher time for math tutoring.
Brother Paul Horkan
Edward T. O'Donnell, a history professor from Holy Cross College, claims that the origin of the term “luck of the Irish” stems from the fact that many successful gold rush miners were either Irish or of Irish-American birth. That caused the locals to believe their luck may somehow tie into their lineage.
This certainly was true with our beloved Brother Paul Horkan and his ability to inspire donors, students, teachers, coaches, and artists to think beyond what seemed possible — to create new programs, better existing ones, and reimagine our campus. His belief in each person's excellence was contagious.
Brother Paul came to St. Bonaventure High School in 1979 and taught until he was asked to serve as Principal from 1986 through 2007. Under his visionary leadership, the school grew in numbers, and we added a large complex housing the administration, program heads, and new classrooms. The football program rose to new heights, winning consecutive CIF and state titles; all other sports excelled, academic excellence thrived, and an award-winning drama department was created.
Mike Herrera
In July 2024, the Seraph family lost one of its own. Mike Herrera graduated from St. Bonaventure and came home to serve his alma mater — as coach, teacher, Vice Principal, administrator, Director of Advancement, mentor, and friend — giving generations of Seraphs the same faith, compassion, and generosity this school gave him.
Mike Herrera Memorial Scholarship
Mike believed that no Seraph should ever have to sit out — that a family's finances should never decide whether a student got to wear the jersey, join the team, or belong. Established by his wife Beth Herrera and his mother Connie Fincher, this scholarship carries that conviction forward, covering equipment, uniforms, fees, and other essentials for families facing hardship.
Each year, the scholarship recognizes two graduating student-athletes who exemplify the leadership, humility, perseverance, compassion, and school spirit that defined Mike's life.
Building Community Through Tradition
The St. Bonaventure Annual Golf Tournament continues to be one of our premier fundraising traditions, bringing together alumni, community leaders, parents, corporate sponsors, and friends for a day of fellowship and friendly competition. Through sponsorships, contests, auctions, and our inspiring Paddle Raise, participants invest directly in the future of St. Bonaventure and the success of our students.
Einstein, Wine & Brew
Hosted by Director of Events Dawn Norkewicz and the Advancement Team, this evening has become one of Ventura County's signature charitable events — exceptional cuisine, award-winning Central Coast wines, craft breweries, premium spirits, live entertainment, a silent and live auction, and the ever-popular Wine Wall. The event showcases the generosity of local businesses, alumni-owned wineries, restaurants, breweries, and community supporters whose contributions make this unforgettable evening possible.
Fiesta & Car Show
For generations, Fiesta has been one of St. Bonaventure's most beloved traditions. Each spring, the campus comes alive with food, live entertainment, family activities, games, raffles, and the annual Car Show, welcoming alumni, parents, students, parishioners, and friends for a weekend of fellowship.
Athletic Booster Club
An all-volunteer organization raising nearly $783,000 for Seraph athletics over four years — and reinvesting almost all of it, year after year, into equipment, uniforms, and facility improvements. The Club has cleared its $100,000 annual goal every year.
Beyond the Campaigns
The pages that follow celebrate something even greater — the lives transformed every day through faith, scholarship, leadership, creativity, athletics, and service.
Faith Formation
Faith is woven into daily life at St. Bonaventure. Through liturgy, prayer, retreats, Campus Ministry, service, and reflection, students are invited to deepen their relationship with God and recognize the dignity of every person. Rooted in our Catholic and Franciscan tradition, faith formation calls students to live with gratitude, compassion, humility, and a commitment to serve others.
Each grade level takes part in its own faith formation retreat — freshmen, sophomores, and juniors attend a day retreat, while seniors take part in a multi-day retreat experience away from campus, encountering God through prayer, the Sacraments, and fellowship.
A Seraph Easter tradition: each year, the senior class leads the school in the Living Stations of the Cross, a dramatic presentation of Christ's Passion. The entire school community gathers to attend, making it one of the most powerful traditions on campus in the days leading up to Easter.
Living in Service
The St. Bonaventure Interact Club serves the community through hands-on work — local beach cleanups, campus beautification, and wherever else a hand is needed.
“We commit to the education of the whole person, entrusting to each student the values, knowledge, and wisdom to witness the call to serve and transform the world.”
Growing Minds
A rigorous college-preparatory curriculum challenges students to inquire, analyze evidence, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems — through the AP Capstone Diploma Program, Honors and Advanced Placement classes, Dual Enrollment, laboratory science, world language, and the arts.
AP Capstone Diploma
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the ability to think critically has never been more important. Through AP Seminar and AP Research, students learn to analyze complex issues, evaluate evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and communicate well-reasoned solutions to real-world challenges — one of roughly 1,100 schools worldwide authorized to offer the Program.
AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Led by teacher Lynne Grady, St. Bonaventure earned The College Board's AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women's access to AP Computer Science and helping close the gender gap in the field.
Mock Trial
Under the leadership of Vice Principal Monica Hiranandani, St. Bonaventure's Mock Trial team challenged students to think critically, communicate persuasively, and collaborate effectively while exploring the justice system. Through months of preparation, students developed skills in public speaking, legal reasoning, research, and teamwork, gaining confidence as they represented the school in county competition.
Knowledge Bowl
St. Bonaventure's Knowledge Bowl team challenges students to think quickly, collaborate effectively, and apply knowledge across a wide range of academic disciplines. Under the leadership of advisor Thomas Merickel, students sharpen their intellectual curiosity while developing teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving skills in a competitive academic environment.
Girls State
Each year, St. Bonaventure students compete for a place at Girls State — one of the nation's most respected and selective programs in government education, held at Claremont McKenna College and tracing back to 1938. In 2023, Bridget Hefelfinger was selected as our delegate, with Kalia Nielson and Alessia Spies serving as alternates, joining a program that has included more than two million young men and women nationwide.
Seraph Studio Acting Program
Our students train at a conservatory level with seasoned theatrical professionals, staging two fully produced productions every year — six shows and counting.
Six fully produced shows in three years, staged in a theatre our own alumni designed, lit, and directed — and paid for by our donors.
On the Seraph Stage
Every production since the Black Box Theatre opened in October 2023.
Career Readiness
The inaugural Seraph Career Day brought alumni and community professionals back to campus to inspire the next generation — made possible through the generosity of more than 30 alumni and community professionals who donated their time and expertise to mentor our students.
Career Pathways Represented
Championship Seraphs
Boys Golf
Seraph Boys Golf capped a dominant run — three straight league titles from 2022 through 2024 — with a CIF-Southern Section championship in 2025.
Softball
The Seraphs rallied to defeat West Ranch 8–7 in eight innings to claim the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 softball championship — a season that will be remembered for as long as Deanna Manning Stadium stands.
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball reached three consecutive CIF-Southern Section finals and a CIF State Regional final, capping a run of league titles that made the Seraph gym one of the toughest places to play in Ventura County.
League Champions
Beyond CIF-Southern Section play, Seraph teams have claimed league titles across nearly every sport — the steady, season-after-season success that championship banners alone don't capture.
Seraph Youth Sports Camps
Throughout the summer, spring break, and winter break, St. Bonaventure opens its fields, gym, and coaching staff to the entire Ventura community. For many families, a first visit to camp becomes the first step toward a future on campus as a Seraph.
Alumni Reunions
St. Bonaventure welcomed alumni from across the 1970s back to campus as the Classes of 1972 through 1976 celebrated milestone reunion years — campus tours, Homecoming festivities, class receptions, dinners, and barbecues that rekindled Seraph spirit and strengthened the bond between alumni and the school they proudly call home.
Athletic Hall of Fame
Every other year, the Hall of Fame recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, staff, and community members who fostered good sportsmanship and advanced St. Bonaventure athletics — bridging decades of Seraphs past and present.
Alumni Give Back — The Black Box Theatre
The Seraph Studio was built and is sustained by alumni who came home to give their craft back to the students who followed them. Adam Ellison ’04 also sponsored the Theatre for two years.
Investing in Seraphs
Everything in this report was made possible by alumni, parents, families, foundations, businesses, and friends. As we look ahead, continued support ensures every student has the resources, opportunities, and guidance to grow in faith, pursue excellence, and prepare for a life of purpose.
With Gratitude
St. Bonaventure gratefully recognizes the individuals, families, foundations, businesses, parishes, and community partners whose generosity strengthened our mission and transformed the lives of our students. Every gift, regardless of size, made a lasting impact.
The People Behind the Work
Every gift in this report passed through the hands of a small team who knew our donors by name. Most of the Advancement Team, together at the 60th Anniversary celebration:
Dawn Norkewicz · Mike Herrera
Thank You
To every family, alum, benefactor, and friend who invested in our students during these years — thank you. This report exists so you can finally see what your generosity built.
