When sitting down to write this article, I was shocked to realize that as you read this, almost 25 percent of the school year is over. Back to School Night has passed, progress reports have been completed, Open House and Quarter Exams are a few days away. Wow!

It has been a wonderful start to the year thanks to great students, parents and staff. Everyone has handled the increase of students, the heat, the hectic days and adjustments that come with the beginning of every year amazingly well. Thank you.

Last year at this time, we were talking about the fact that the outstanding academic and co-curricular programs at Christian Brothers High School are the best kept secrets in Sacramento. Well, someone let the secret out. We had more freshman applications than ever before, and the highest retention rate in our history. This has lead to exciting and challenging times. We truly believe that the high interest in Christian Brothers High School is the result of so many of you telling your story and demonstrating to others what it is to be part of the Christian Brothers community. Again, thank you.

This growth in our community has created many challenges. Maintaining our mission and Lasallian identity remain a priority. In addition, we have set class size reduction as a major goal for next year. We will not increase our student population beyond 1,000 students. We are currently 37 students away from that cap, and this years’ wonderful dilemma means we will be pushing 1,000 next fall. We have already begun investigating and planning for next year. Creative solutions will be necessary to accommodate the increase in students while reducing class size. As we look toward the future, the development of facilities plans for the upcoming year will be shared with parents and students to be sure that we are working to meet the needs of our families.

Once more, thank you for making Christian Brothers High School such a wonderful institution. The secrets out; so feel free to share it. God Bless.

Talon Staff
Executive Editor:	Tia Koonse
Editors in Chief:	Joselyn Nussbaum Lindsay Poroli
News Editor:	Aaron Hiers
Opinion Editor:	Tom Eggers
Sports Editor:	Alex Hesser
Copy Editor:	Patrick Minshew
Photography Editor:	Chris Fernando
Photographer:	Stephen Perez
Parent Page Editor:	Stephen Perez
Art/Computer Editors:	Terrin Chan Derrick Tsang
Sports Writers:	Jeff Fattig Danny Pinto Brian Thorpe
Writers:	Brenna Ballestero Chris Fernando Ann Gately Michael Parker Joe Sobolewski Brittney Staropoli Steve Williams
Business Manager:	Pam Marshall
Advertising Manager:	Monroe Howard-Shackelford
Advisor:	Mrs. Susan Snyder

     The Talon accepts editorials on all relevant issues from all students, staff, and members of the community.   Letters to the editors must be accompanied by a signature, however, names will be withheld upon the author's request.  Also note that The Talon reserves the right to deny publication of any works deemed hostile, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate.  In the interest of space, all letters may not be published, and The Talon reserves the right to edit works for length, clarity, and factual accuracy, but without altering the meaning.   Letters should be addressed to The Talon and dropped in Mrs. Snyder's box.
     The opinions conveyed in each issue do not necessarily reflect the views of The Talon staff, the Christian Brothers High School staff and administration or the Sacramento Diocese, and should not be assumed to do so.