MVP Program at McClatchy

MVP enters its third year at McClatchy High School. Frank Victorio started the Moral Values Club at McClatchy in November 2004. The Principal Club asked Frank if he could do something to help reduce the gang violence in the neighborhood and at the high school.

The class now has 250 members. Their dress code has changed dramatically. They no longer wear the "gang look". Instead the boys wear dress shirts, ties and slacks, and the girls wear "dress up" clothes to class.

Before joining the Moral Values Club 25% of the children were gang affiliated. The whole school district has honored Frank and Monica Victorio for their unbelievable work with these students.

A higher percentage of the 250 members are freshen and sophomores. However, there were 13 Senior Club members that graduated from high school this year.

After hearing Chief Nejara (Sacramento Police Department) state in the Sacramento Bee that the Hispanic community was doing little or nothing to stop gang violence, 150 Moral Values Club students marched to the Police Headquarters. They wore tape over their mouths signifying: "Silence the Violence". The President of the Club, Anna Reyes, gave an eloquent speech to the Chief and all in attendance. She described what she and her fellow club members were actively doing to stop violence in their communities.

The club members all remained very polite and respectful throughout the meeting with the Police Chief.

The State Senators were discussing gang violence and possible solutions to this problem. Again, the students marched to the Capital Building where they listened to a speech by Bishop Garcia of the Monterey diocese. Students read speeches and poetry explaining how they see the violence and what can be done. Almost all of the students suggested that there be Moral Values Programs in all the schools.

The successes of the McClatchy Moral Values Club are encouraging to experience. Unfortunately, the press covers very little of what positive things are happening in the community.