Bishop Mora Salesian High School welcomes back former student Alex Chacon as its new principal. Msgr. Sal Pilato, superintendent of high schools, made the appointment following Sam Robles’ departure to work as executive director of the East Los Angeles YMCA.

Since 2010, Chacon has been principal at Santa Monica Catholic High School following a long career in many other educational roles, including English teacher, director of advancement and cross country head coach.

Chacon is eager to return to the school that he says transformed his life and gave him the opportunity to succeed. “It has always been a dream of mine to come home to the place that instilled in me the importance of becoming a community man of integrity,” he said. His new role will begin July 1.

The Salesian Congregation manages the high school, and Chacon says he is dedicated to working with “the faculty and staff in inspiring and educating students in the great Salesian tradition.” St. Don Bosco founded the Salesian Congregation, a community of priests and brothers, in the 19th century in order to provide educational and career training to the marginalized boys of Turin. Today, Salesian schools are found in over 100 countries.