A letter from Valley Catholic High School Principal Dr. Sara Bruins
Dear VCHS Families,
As we move into November, the Valley Catholic community turns its focus to gratitude, generosity, and reflection. The changing leaves and crisp fall air remind us of the blessings that surround us — our students, families, alumni, and staff who continue to make this an extraordinary place to learn, grow, and serve.
In the spirit of the season, our high school will soon launch the annual Five Days of Giving, a cherished tradition that invites our students to live out the SSMO Core Values through service. During the course of five days, students will collect blankets, coats, canned food, shoes, and coins for those in need. Donations will directly support St. André Bessette Parish in downtown Portland and Second Home in Beaverton. These two organizations are dedicated to serving people who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. This initiative is a tangible reminder of the power of compassion and the importance of giving back to our wider community.
As we wrap up the fall sports season, we celebrate the many ways our student-athletes have represented Valley Catholic with excellence — on the court, on the field, on the cross country course, and equally so in the classroom. Their dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship embody the spirit of Valiant pride. Additionally, our fall play, “Marian and the Merry Men” wrapped up its final performance. Our student-actors also represented Valley Catholic in stellar fashion.
We reflect with gratitude on our recent Open House, which welcomed prospective families eager to discover what makes Valley Catholic such a special community. With the admissions season now in full swing, we look forward to connecting with future Valiants during our Spend-a-Day visits, interest nights, and athlete shadow evenings — each offering a glimpse into the “amazingness” of life at VCHS.
Academically, our students are now moving into the second half of the first semester. They are continuing to challenge themselves, support one another, and pursue excellence in everything. Our seniors, in particular, are hard at work finalizing college applications. We are so proud to see their years of effort and growth coming to fruition.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we give thanks for our vibrant Valley Catholic community and the many ways it continues to reflect faith, learning, and service in action. May this season remind us all of the joy found in gratitude and the grace found in giving.
With gratitude,
Valiantly,
Dr. Sara Bruins
