Angelus News | December 20, 2019 | Vol. 4 No. 43

LOCAL
Beloved Damien alum, teacher dies on Mt. Baldy
The Damien High School community
is mourning the death of
social science and English teacher
Tim Staples.
Staples became separated from
his partner while taking part in a
search operation for a missing hiker
on the slopes of Mt. Baldy Dec.
13. His body was later recovered in
the ice and snow.
The 32-year-old, nine-year veteran
Search and Rescue Team member,
who graduated from Damien in
2006 and was recently married,
was “a favorite teacher among his
students,” the school said.
“This loss is sure to raise many
emotions, concerns, and questions for
our entire school family, especially
our students. Our school will have a
crisis intervention team of clergy and
professionals trained to help with the
needs of students, parents, and school
personnel.”
A prayer service for Staples was held
at Damien High School in La Verne
on Monday, Dec. 16. Staples had previously
taught at St. Lucy’s Priory.
Tim Staples
DAMIEN HIGH SCHOOL
Drone research pays off for SMA junior
Steven Conaway with his parents after receiving
the Environmental Justice Angel Award along with
a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblywoman
Wendy Carrillo and LA County Supervisor Hilda L.
Solis.
A St. Monica Academy junior was
the recipient of the 2019 Environmental
Justice Angel Award at the
East Los Angeles Community Youth
Center’s (ELACYC) 15th Annual
Gala last month at Cal State University
Los Angeles.
Steven Conaway was recognized
for his ongoing work in designing
a system to measure the air quality
using drone technology to detect and
analyze levels of carbon monoxide,
ozone, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide,
and volatile organic compounds at
various locations within East Los
Angeles.
“Steven’s impressive work on this
project to create a platform to fly sen-
sors on the drone and then measure
and analyze the data made him an
ideal candidate for this environmental
award,” said Michael Murray, ELA-
CYC board treasurer.
The center’s youngest award recipient,
Conaway has worked as a tech
instructor at the ELACYC teaching
elementary and middle-school
students about robotics and drones.
He says he’s considering pursuing
Computer Science and Electrical
Engineering in college.
“I know that our Lord will place
me exactly where I’m supposed to
be because we are all created for his
purpose. I just hope I can serve him
well,” said Conaway.
Mock trial, true victory
Members of the mock trial team
at Holy Family Catholic School in
South Pasadena took home the junior
division championship title from this
year’s Constitutional Rights Foundation
Mock Trial program.
More than 50 public and private
schools in LA County participate in
the program. They study a hypothetical
case, conduct legal research,
prepare for trial, and present. Students
serve as attorneys, witnesses, and
members of the court. Two teams
compete at a time, earning points for
their presentations, their cross-examinations,
and their opening and closing
arguments.
The students at Holy Family practiced
three times a week for the past
two months to develop their communication
skills and analytical abilities.
They made six courthouse appearances,
ending with their championship
win Dec. 4.
Holy Family mock trial team members with Judge
Randolph Hammock (left).
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
6 • ANGELUS • December 20, 2019