BREEDING'A NEW QUALITY OF YOUNG MAN

Please sing the first verse of The Star-Spangled Banner. Now, the last What? Don t know the last verse? How about some push-ups? The first day of Servise High School s Freshmen Formation weekend starts at dawn. The questions, and push-ups, come soon after. It s not yet dawn when the day begins for Larry loner, director of formation, communications manager Michelle Thom as and associate director of formation Chris Weir. I oner sitdowm, arm s and ankles crossed. The annual formation weekend at the all-boys high .school dates to 2005, when current President Pete Bowen decided to system size what the school had done with its football team. Over three days, incoming students engage in physical, mental and artistic challenges. Think obstacles courses, zip lines and team songwriting contests. Senior Nicholas Reinders of Buena Park said the first day of formation is designed to break freshmen down, the second to build them back up, and the third to confirm ant body. The third day concludes with Mass and a review of the weekend. I guess I sit down and think about what is really necessary for someone to develop as a person, Toner said. Toner coached the Friars football team from 1989 until 2004 before directing the formation program , which continues long after the weekend ends. H e s studied philosophy, theology and sports throughout his life and drops phrases like self-realization in conversation. Especially as a freshman, you get this impression that Toner s a little more stern, said Daniel Wolfe, a senior from Anaheim Hills. Not stern in anyway, but that he s a big man on campus. Like he deserves respect. Wolfe leads the weekend as prior g