“Writer Swap” is a collaboration with other Holy Cross high school newspapers. We will work with editors from Holy Cross High School of San Antonio, Texas and San Juan Diego Catholic High School of Austin, Texas to hear stories and traditions from their schools and see the differences in various Holy Cross institutions.

Back-to-school week at San Juan Diego has a rhythm that is unlike most other schools due to our internship program: Corporate Internship Program or CIP. As a result of this part of our learning curriculum, all students are required to undergo an introduction in the first couple weeks, along with attending all the activities we have at the start of the school year.

In the first week of August, our school hosts a new student orientation, mainly for the freshmen but also for the students who transfer; this is an opportunity for them to become more accustomed to each other, the student ambassadors, and the teachers and staff. As we enter the second week, a school-wide orientation takes place, primarily focusing on CIP and its rules and expectations. During this week, there are interviews and placements into job positions, and each student becomes familiar with their future department. By the third week, students are fairly familiar with one another and with the campus, making it a smooth transition as they start their classes for the school year. A little while after, our student government elections take place where we decide who the class representatives are. We also have several activities, including a pep rally, to boost school spirit. 

Being a Catholic school, it’s important to us to have a faith-centered campus. Due to our internships, however, it’s uncommon for the student body as a whole to be together on Mass days. As a result, in the first week of school, we celebrate a school-wide mass with St. Ignatius, the neighboring Holy Cross parish. That Mass, filled with students and staff from both schools, is a visible reminder of our Holy Cross identity. To follow the Mass, a Holy Cross priest visits our school to bless the classrooms, students, faculty, and staff. This special blessing grounds us in the presence of God, allowing for spiritual stability in the school year. 

To consistently remind us of God’s love, our San Juan Diego community has been greatly blessed for many years by the presence of Brother Sam Robin, who is a part of the Brothers of Holy Cross. Brother Sam, who previously served at Saint Francis, has been a pillar of faith in our community at San Juan Diego. His spiritual presence is felt immensely: he greets us every morning as we walk into school and reminds us daily that we have someone who truly supports and believes in us. He speaks to us about God’s love and compassion and always listens with open ears. His consistency, encouragement, and genuine care are small acts that leave a lasting impression and continue to provide comfort to our school community.

Unlike many high schools, our student body averages around 160 students, resulting in our community building a unique bond. While the size of our school may seem quite limited, it is what makes our community so strong. This small scale allows for students to easily have friendships across grade levels, so it’s common for a variety of interests to be interconnected throughout the school. In a place where almost everyone knows your name, it is difficult to remain a stranger to anyone; while not everyone may be close friends, we are all a part of the same family. The familiarity and trust that grow from this environment don’t just make daily life more welcoming, they also shape a sense of belonging that continues to define who we are as a school. 

Each tradition, whether it’s welcoming freshmen at orientation, celebrating Mass together, or being greeted by Brother Sam at the door, makes San Juan Diego’s community and faith stronger than before. Our small, yet strong, student body makes it possible for everyone to be known and supported, and our Holy Cross values keep us rooted in something greater than ourselves: God. At San Juan Diego, back-to-school isn’t just about adjusting to schedules or preparing for internships. It’s about reminding ourselves that we are a part of a family that learns together, prays together, and grows together. That spirit is what makes our school unique and ensures that each new year begins with a sense of purpose, belonging, and unity.