PALMA SCHOOL - Key Persons

Benito Gomez

Job Titles:

Department Chair, Spanish

Carlos Alvarado

Job Titles:

Asst. to Business Manager

Norm Costa was a graduate of Santa Cruz High School and San Jose State University. After a stint in the US Army, he began his teaching and coaching career at Holy Cross High School and then Marello Prep. In 1977 Coach Costa moved to Salinas to teach history and physical education and coach at Palma. Among the many sports he coached were baseball, golf, tennis, track, basketball and wrestling. He also served as Palma's athletic director from 1977 to 1988. Despite his extensive coaching resume, he had a passion for - and excelled at - coaching football. Coach Costa took the reins of Palma's football program in 1977 and by the middle 1980s, his teams were in championship contention. In 1986, Palma lost to San Benito in the division title game (having shut out the Haybalers in the regular season). They also fought their way to a 14-14 tie with North Monterey County in the 1989 section final.

David Cunha

Job Titles:

Director of Technology, IT

David Sullivan

Job Titles:

Principal

Doug Saucedo

Job Titles:

Health

Edmund Rice

Edmund Rice grew up in a wealthy family, wanting for nothing. However, he learned very early that not all enjoyed the comforts that he experienced. A commitment to charity inspired by his mother, combined with a devotion to, and adulation for, the work that Jesus performed, Edmund saw a great need among the poorest people in his community, particularly destitute young men or "street urchins" as they were often called. Without regard for his own comforts or well-being, Edmund applied his powerful sense of empathy and his unwavering devotion to a life spent educating, feeding, clothing, and sheltering a population that was otherwise overlooked in his time. Edmund was not alone in his passionate commitment to providing basic education and religious instruction to the young men of his community. Other men who believed in Edmund's mission and came to teach at his original school were inspired both by Edmund's fervent vision and by the impact they were having on the lives of their students. In 1802, Edmund Rice and seven of his colleagues took religious vows, and the Congregation of Christian Brothers was formed. The Christian Brothers' motto facere et docere, meaning, "to do and to teach," now resonates in the work that these men do on six continents, in 25 countries, in more than 500 schools. Palma is honored to be a part of this proud tradition as Edmund Rice's words and ideas echo in our Mission Statement, in our morning prayer, and in the spirit of compassion that is found on campus. Pope John Paul II beatified Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice in Rome on October 5, 1996, and he became known as Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice. His feast day is celebrated on May 5th.