by Brendon Ronan, Director of Formation
Every August since 1958, Servite High School has opened its doors to boys from across Southern California. The hair styles, length of shorts, and music tastes may have changed, but their immaturity, innocence, and desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves for the most part has remained the same. The mission of Servite High School has also remained constant – forming faith-filled leaders. Servite Formation is about taking good boys and forming them into great men – husbands and fathers, priests and brothers, lawyers and police officers, doctors and teachers. Servite men lead their families, communities, and places of employment because they are first able to lead themselves.
Today’s Formation at Servite High School is not much different than the formation offered by Fr. Gillespie and his original band of Friars. Formation in 2018 is built on the foundation that Servite has been crafting since its inception. While it wasn’t until 2005 that Formation evolved into its current form, these values and guiding principles have not changed – discipline, leadership, service, brotherhood, honor, determination, love of Mary – all tenets that should be familiar to alumni from every graduating class. 
It begins in a hot gym in late July with rows of freshmen standing at attention, absorbing the culture and attitudes of their new home, not unlike the experience of countless freshmen football players of the past several decades. Freshmen Formation Weekend sets the tone for their four years and serves as the initial invitation to be different. It progresses into sophomore year when the friars are given greater responsibility on campus and invited to explore their talents and skills by committing to teams and activities. By 11th grade, the junior class is expected to assume formal roles of leadership on campus and in their communities, taking the lessons learned in classrooms and monthly formation talks and applying them to real-life situations. Seniors are encouraged to reflect on their journey while solidifying their values and beliefs as they prepare for life beyond La Palma Avenue. They serve as the primary models on campus of fraternity, school spirit, and leadership. This process is all done under the guidance and observation of a grade level Formation Director – four individuals who monitor, evaluate, and engage students in their individual journeys of growth and discovery, challenging them to always be their best.
Our country and world desperately need Servite men – ultimately men who embrace Christ and bring his message of love and mercy to others. And so the creed rings true for another generation: We are the men of Servite. We are good. We will be great.
