It’s a day where 8th graders from across San Diego get a taste of what attending CCHS is like through pep rallies, campus tours, games, and visiting various classes. Dons Day is a day that all students attending look forward to. Teachers, ambassadors, and students all play a crucial role in making a successful Dons Day, but what goes into this, and how do they make Dons Day so appealing?

Liam Kaseburg ‘26 is an ambassador, and contributed to this effort by leading a group of 8th graders from his old school, St. James Academy. When asked about the ambassador’s role in Dons Day, Liam says, “We guide a class of eighth graders around campus to see Cathedral teachers and students during the school day.”

By giving the eighth graders tours during the school day, it gives them a real view into what life as a Don is like. Dons Day will help bring in new Dons “by giving students the opportunity to experience a day in the life on campus,” says Liam. 

Ms. LaPorte, the math department chair here at CCHS, welcomed 4 different 8th grade classes into her 7th period class during these tours. “We welcomed the 8th graders in by cheering for them, and then each 8th grader is assigned to a high school student,” says Mrs. LaPorte. “The high schooler then interviews them, and shows them the IXL lessons the class is working on.”

These visits were fairly quick, and many teachers like Ms. LaPorte did a great job of utilizing their time for the 8th graders. “Hopefully, the 8th graders see the enthusiasm of our students, and how they genuinely like going to school here, and I hope that the 8th graders feel welcome in my classroom, and excited about learning math!” Mrs. LaPorte exclaims.

Lyla Palecek ‘26, a student in Ms. LaPorte’s 7th period class shares her experience from having so many visitors on Dons Day. When it comes to the questions being used to interview the 8th graders, Lyla says they asked “if they were interested in Cathedral, what they liked best about campus, what extracurriculars they are interested in, and then we showed them IXL.”

Giving the 8th graders a raw taste of what CCHS is like from interactions with students is part of what makes Dons Day so successful. Dons Day helps bring in new Dons because “they get to see the campus and experience what the people are like and what high school is like. They also get to ask all of their unanswered questions about life at CCHS,” says Lyla.

Dons Day plays such a crucial role in welcoming 8th graders and promoting our school. Because of our wonderful ambassadors, students, and staff here at CCHS, we can continue to bring in new Dons that will continue to represent our school proudly.