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Damien is a place of opportunity and dreams. Famous alumni are great representations of that tradition. Which begs the question, who were these superstars in high school? In this article, we’ll be taking a look at their lives as Damien students Jacob Batalon and Ty "Savage" Gwerder.
Jacob Batalon is an actor most famously known for being in the new Spider-Man franchise who graduated from Damien Memorial in 2015. "Jacob was a good student. Like he wasn't top of the top in his class, but he was a good student. He worked hard. He was responsible. He was like a lot of our guys, he had a goofy side to him and he joked around every now and then, but he was pretty responsible and he worked hard," recalls Brent Limos, Director of Admissions at Damien Memorial, reflecting on Batalon's time at the school. Jacob Batalon's engagement in extracurricular activities, such as the music ministry, showcased his passion for performing arts. As Limos says, "He used to sing for all of our liturgies and he enjoyed music, performing arts. He used to jam the ukulele and kind of sing for his friends."
Gwerder, a graduate of Damien Memorial in 2012, has made a name for himself in the world of combat sports, particularly in MMA and boxing. With a record of 7 wins and 4 losses, he has demonstrated his talent and determination in the ring. His achievements have caught the attention of sports fans both locally and nationally. Gwerder's journey into professional fighting highlights his commitment to his craft and his ability to excel in the competitive world of combat sports. Phil Higa, a long-time English teacher, shares his observations of Ty "Savage" Gwerder's high school years: "He played football, and in class, he was very laid back, a chill guy. He maintained his composure despite playful banter from classmates about his good looks." Reflecting on Ty Gwerder's athletic success, Higa notes, "He always had pretty good size. But kind of like Jacob, he graduated like so many guys, especially when it was all guys in the game. They leave, and then we rarely see them, and then all of a sudden they pop up doing different stuff.”
Gwerder states about his time at Damien Memorial, “Damien definitely helped me prepare for adulthood. The teachers I had really focused on not only academics. But nurturing us into great young men moving on into society after high school. Even though academics was the priority, [the] majority of teachers tried to relate our studies to real life. I'd say religion class was also my favorite. I learned a lot of morals I have today, I carried from the things I learned in class.”It's an honor to be able to give back to the kids back home and speak to them about life after high school” Gwerder states.
Both Jacob and Ty exemplify the transformative power of Damien Memorial School in shaping the path of its students. Their stories serve as inspirations for current and future students. In Damien's legacy, Jacob and Ty's stories stand as examples of the school's impact. Who knows, the next stars could be walking in these very halls today.
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