STUDENTS EARN BRONZE AT 2026 RIVERSIDE COUNTY SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR
We are so proud of our Saints - Donya, Sommer & Lily who earned Bronze at the 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair.
In their project, “Signal Snatchers: What Materials Weaken a Wi-Fi Signal?”, the team investigated how common materials affect Wi-Fi signal strength. Using a Wi-Fi router and an iPhone to measure signal strength in dBm, they tested materials including aluminum foil, glass, cardboard, plastic, wood, concrete, and even the human body.
Their results showed that metallic materials and the human body have the greatest impact on weakening Wi-Fi signals, providing valuable insight into how everyday surroundings can affect connectivity.
MICHAEL KARLS APPOINTED AS FOURTH HEAD COACH IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Xavier College Preparatory High School has announced the appointment of Michael Karls as the fourth Head Football Coach in program history.
“I am thrilled to introduce Michael Karls as the next head coach of our Saints,” said Director of Athletics Andrew Clark. “Coach Karls has demonstrated the ability to connect with the kids on a deeper level, and his passion for the game, as well as his dedication and commitment to continue growing the Xavier Football program, will soon be on display for the entire Coachella Valley. The time is now for Saints Football.”
Karls previously served as Xavier’s Varsity Offensive Coordinator from 2017 to 2023, helping lead the Saints to a Desert Empire League Championship in 2021, three CIF-SS playoff appearances, and two CIF-SS semifinal appearances in 2018 and 2023.
Xavier President, Mark Campbell expressed excitement about the program’s future under Karls’ leadership.
“I am incredibly proud of the direction we are heading and excited for this next chapter of Saints football,” Campbell said. “I have complete confidence that Coach Karls will build a program that our entire community will be energized by and proud to support.”
A standout quarterback and team captain at Palm Springs High School, Karls led the team to its first CIF Championship in 71 years in 2009 while earning CIF, Desert Valley League, and Desert Sun Offensive MVP honors. He later played collegiately at Midland University, where he set school records for most passing yards in a single game and total yards in a season and earned All Great Plains Athletic Conference honors.
“I am truly blessed and honored to be named the fourth Head Football Coach of Xavier College Preparatory High School,” Karls said. “I’m committed to building a program rooted in preparation, accountability, and hard work while developing young men of character who represent Xavier with pride.”
Karls steps into the role after several years on the Xavier coaching staff and brings a strong vision for continuing the growth and success of Saints football.
SAINTS SELECTED AS YOUTH AMBASSADORS OF DESERT TOWN HALL'S 2026
Congratulations to these five outstanding Saints on being selected as Youth Ambassadors for Desert Town Hall’s 2026 season!
Chosen from more than 75 highly qualified applicants across the Coachella Valley, only 17 students were selected and Xavier proudly leads the way with these five representatives. While most schools had just a couple of students chosen, Xavier’s strong presence speaks to the exceptional leadership, determination and intellectual strength of our students.
These Saints will represent Xavier as they engage with world-renowned speakers, politicians, authors, and business leaders throughout the year. We are incredibly proud. Congratulations, Saints!
STUDENTS ATTEND SCREENING AT PSIFF
A group of our students scored an incredible opportunity to attend the student screening at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
It was an unforgettable experience celebrating storytelling, creativity, and film magic.
XAVIER TO HONOR CLASS OF 2025 IN GRADUATION CEREMONY
Xavier College Prep will hold its 16th Commencement Celebration on Saturday, May 24th at 10:00 am. The ceremony will be held in the Berger Athletic Center, located at 34-200 Cook Street, Palm Desert.
This year's graduating class boasts 161 students, who cumulatively have received over 780, University and College acceptances from nearly 220 institutions. In addition to our student's top acceptances, the class of 2025 Seniors have earned over $22 million in merit and scholarships.
The 2025 Xavier College Prep Valedictorian is Nicolas Magana. Nicolas will be attending Stanford University in the fall, where he has been awarded the QuestBridge Scholarship Match. This year's Salutatorian is Gahui “Emily” Kim, Emily plans on attending University of Notre Dame.
This year Xavier also had three students Isabella Garcia, Tobi Ajumobi and Paloma Holoubek who were accepted to a combined 5 Ivy League Schools to include Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale.
XAVIER SENIOR CAMILLA NAMED FIRST COACHELLA VALLEY EVANS SCHOLAR
Congratulations to Camilla who has become the first student from the Coachella Valley to be awarded an Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies through The Western Golf Association.
To qualify, students must meet criteria to include strong caddie record and excellent academics. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.