Bruin Notes
St. Joseph Catholic School Magazine summer 2018
PAGE 14 ST. JOE’S NEWEST ALUMNI
COVER PHOTO BY SYDNEY SHOEMAKER Collin Ledbetter, left, Alex Shelton and Trey Frierson hold the Mississippi High School Activities Association state championship trophy after the Bruins won the 2A state baseball title at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
THIS ISSUE’S STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS BIANCA MCCARTY, a sophomore, is assistant editor of The Bear Facts newspaper. Her work has won awards from the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association. BAILEY MILLER, a junior, is photo editor for the school newspaper and yearbook. Her work has won awards from the MSPA. JOSEPH PEARSON, a junior, is editor of The Bear Facts. He won the Orley Hood Award for High School Sports Journalism in 2017 and was a finalist in 2018. ANDREW SANLI, a junior, is an anchor and reporter for the weekly, studentproduced Bruin News Now newscast available on YouTube. SYDNEY SHOEMAKER, a junior, is photo editor for the school newspaper and yearbook. Her work has won awards from the MSPA. FACING PAGE: Sales de La Barre, left, and Grant Murphy celebrate their graduation following ceremonies at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Photo copyright 2018 by Vowell Photography.
Bruin Notes summer 2018
Contents
COVER STORY
FEATURES&NEWS
8 / STATE CHAMPIONS
6 / ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The St. Joe Bruins defeated the East Union Urchins in Game 3 of the state championship series, giving St. Joe its first state title in 41 years.
11 / OUR COACH
Baseball Coach Gerard McCall took an unusual path to St. Joe. This is a re-print of a sports column that won junior Joseph Pearson a national award in 2017 from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in New York.
COLUMNS 4 / FROM THE EDITORS Terry R. Cassreino and Vicki Runnels wrote about this premier issue of the new St. Joseph alumni magazine.
5 / PRINCIPAL’S CORNER Dena Kinsey shared the good news about our campus, what sets us apart from other schools and how our Catholic identity makes us unique.
St. Joe alumnus James Christopher “Chris” Maloney has returned to the Jackson area as manager of the Mississippi Braves.
12 / WINNING TEAM
St. Joe named basketball Coach Michael Howell as athletic director and Mississippi State University legend John Bond as head football coach.
14 / NEW ALUMNI
The 75-member Class of 2018 graduated from St. Joe on Wednesday, May 23. Graduates shared their thoughts and plans.
16 / AROUND CAMPUS News and happenings on the St. Joseph campus.
18 / ALUMNI NEWS News about St. Joseph Catholic School alumni, including dates of upcoming events.
22 / IN MEMORIAM Remembering and honoring Bruin alumni and school staff who have passed away. 3
From the Editors
Our new alumni magazine
W
ELCOME to the first edition of St. Joseph Catholic School’s new alumni magazine. We have spent several TERRY months gathering CASSREINO information, choosing a co-editor design and pulling together this first issue of Bruin Notes. The result is in your hands – a great way for our school to let you know about all of the incredible things happening today on our campus. We plan to publish a full-length magazine every summer. Then we plan to electronically publish about a one- to two-page alumni update each of the other three quarters. In every issue, you will find the latest news about St. Joseph Catholic School, Bruin alumni and campus events. Our summer magazine, however, will be more extensive. It will feature photos and stories highlighting campus activities, school news and alumni. We also plan to feature at least one major story on Bruin alumni, what we call the “Alumni Spotlight.”
Andrew Sanli, who will be a junior this fall, wrote the cover story about the Bruin baseball team’s state championship. We re-printed an awardwinning story by Joseph Pearson, another junior, who VICKI wrote about baseball Coach RUNNELS Gerard McCall. co-editor Photographer Sydney Shoemaker, a junior this fall, took our cover photo as well as the main photo for the baseball championship story. Photographer Bailey Miller, another junior, and writer Bianca McCarty, a sophomore, also contributed to this edition. We can’t think of a better way to highlight our talented students. While we plan to incorporate work from students and others in future issues, we need more than that: We need contributions from you – our alumni, parents, stakeholders and anyone else interested in our efforts to prepare students for the future through a strong college prep curriculum and a deep, spiritual appreciation of our Catholic faith. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE
Bruin Notes SCHOOL OFFICE (601) 898-4800 FAX NUMBER (601) 898-4689 PRINCIPAL Dena Kinsey dkinsey@stjoebruins.com ALUMNI COORDINATOR Vicki Runnels vrunnels@stjoebruins.com COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Terry R. Cassreino tcassreino@stjoebruins.com EVENTS COORDINATOR Tricia Harris tharris@stjoebruins.com ANNUAL GIVING COORDINATOR Todd Therrell ttherrell@stjoebruins.com
TEAM EFFORT Like all great endeavors, this publication is a team effort. While we organized stories, edited them and designed pages, others made significant contributions – from researching statistics at the last minute to locating photos and writing stories. In fact, this inaugural issue features stories and photos by students in our award-winning high school journalism program.
“TAKE A FEW
MINUTES
AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT THIS
MAGAZINE.” 4
Take a few minutes and let us know what you liked about this magazine. What worked for you? What didn’t work? Which stories did you enjoy? What do you think should have been included but wasn’t? Those of you who attended St. Joe – whether last year, five years ago, 25 years ago or 50 years ago – please tell us what you are doing these days so we can update your friends and former classmates in a future edition. Tell us about your job and your family; about awards and honors you have received; about what St. Joseph Catholic School means to you now and meant to you then. You can even suggest stories for future editions that others might find interesting. Please send any news about yourself and your thoughts about this magazine by email to alumni@stjoebruins.com. You also can send it by regular mail to Bruin Notes, St. Joseph Catholic School, 308 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, MS 39110. We will read and respond to all messages. Until then, we hope you enjoy Bruin Notes. And, as always, Go Bruins!
STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS Bianca McCarty, Bailey Miller, Joe Pearson, Andrew Sanli and Sydni Shoemaker Bruin Notes (Volume 1, Number 1, Summer 2018) is published quarterly each year, once every summer in magazine format and three times a year as smaller, one-page email or direct mailing. Please send all address corrections to Vicki Runnels at vrunnels@ stjoebruins.com or call (601) 898-4800. Unless otherwise noted, Bruin Notes, the alumni publication of St. Joseph Catholic School, is copyright 2018 by St. Joseph Catholic School, 308 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, Mississippi, 39110. All opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the opinions and official position of St. Joseph Catholic School or the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi.
THIS YEAR . . . COMPLETELY GROUNDED IN THE TEACHINGS OF OUR
CATHOLIC FAITH.”
gifts for Christmas and raising thousands of dollars for the Batson Children’s Hospital.
CATHOLIC FAITH The best part about it all is more than obvious. We accomplished everything this year just like we have throughout our 149year history – completely grounded in the teachings of our Catholic faith. The Sisters of Mercy founded our school in 1870 as St. Joseph Academy in Jackson, a two-room schoolhouse with just 56 students. Through the years, we changed our name to St. Joseph Catholic School, our campus moved to several different locations and the Catholic Diocese of Jackson took over supervision. Today, our campus sits on 65 acres in Madison County just off Interstate 55 North. One thing, however, has remained constant: our strong Catholic faith and identity. It’s what sets us apart from other schools in the Jackson area. It’s what makes us unique. It’s what makes us a family rooted in the teachings of Christ. To our families, friends, supporters and alumni, I hope you take some time to visit the St. Joseph campus this year. Come for a ball game. Attend a theatrical production. Support our annual Draw Down fundraiser. And then you’ll see first-hand what I’m talking about. You, too, will see the great things that are happening at St. Joe.
2,442,000 DOLLAR AMOUNT in scholarships the Class of 2018 received to attend college
NUMBER of students who scored a 30 or higher on the ACT this year
YEARS St. Joe went without winning a state baseball championship until this May
12,471
DOLLARS students attending the 2018 BruinTHON raised for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson YEAR when the Bruin boys soccer team last won a state championship before this year
2011
Consider these major achievements from the 2017-2018 school year: n St. Joseph Catholic School was once again named the No. 1 Catholic high school in Mississippi for 2018 by Niche.com. n The Class of 2018’s 75 students graduated in May; the graduating class received scholarships totaling more than $2.442 million. n Fifteen students – six seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores – scored 30 or more on the ACT, highlighting the strong college prep curriculum we provide. n Fine Arts staged a successful play “Peter and the Starcatcher,” musical “Bye Bye Birdie,” Gifts of the Season Christmas concert and Celebration of the Arts spring concert. n The Bear Facts, our student newspaper, was named one of the top high school newspapers in the nation and Bruin News Now, our weekly student newscast, was named the state’s No. 1 high school newscast. n The Bruin girls swim team, the boys soccer team and the varsity baseball team all won state championships last year with the swim team earning their third in a row. n Our St. Joe family reached out to the local community, providing families in need with food for the holidays, providing
EVERYTHING
75
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TOP ACHIEVEMENTS
“WE ACCOMPLISHED
MEMBERS of the Class of 2018 who graduated in May
41
G
REAT THINGS are happening at St. Joe. From our strong academic success to our championship athletic teams, from our community DENA outreach efforts to our school KINSEY fundraising efforts, St. principal Joseph Catholic School is on a roll. Of course, many of you – families, students, faculty, staff and alumni – already know this because you have experienced first-hand what makes our school so special. As we look forward to the start of the 2018-2019 school year, the St. Joe community will no doubt build on the momentum we have established the past few years. We will continue to make our school the best high school in the greater Jackson area and the state.
BY THE NUMBERS
16,614 TOTAL SERVICE hours all students completed in the 2017-2018 school year
PERCENT of 2018 grads attending college; rest traveling abroad or doing mission work
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The Principal’s Corner Celebrating everything St. Joe
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
5
MALONEY SLIDES HOME
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
James Christopher “Chris” Maloney, former Bruin baseball standout, returns home to manage Double-A Mississippi Braves 6
“I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY
FORTUNATE. I HAVE A JOB
THAT I LOVE AND THAT I LOVE
TO GO TO.”
– JAMES CHRISTOPHER “CHRIS” MALONEY
J
James Christopher “Chris” Maloney, a St. Joseph Catholic School alumnus who played baseball for the Bruins, has returned home to the Jackson area to serve as manager of the Double-A Mississippi Braves baseball team. Photos courtesy of the Mississippi Braves
By VICKI RUNNELS
AMES CHRISTOPHER “Chris” Maloney returned home this year. After years as an assistant coach at minor and major league baseball clubs, the former St. Joseph Catholic School baseball standout has returned to the Jackson area – this time as manager of the Mississippi Braves Double-A baseball team. Maloney, 56, a 1979 St. Joe graduate, has a longtime family connection to St. Joe. His father is Con Maloney, himself a St. Joe alumnus – as well as the longtime owner of the former Jackson Mets and Jackson Generals minor league teams. Chris Maloney had a storied baseball career. As a St. Joe Bruin, he played short stop, third base and pitcher under legendary Coach D.M. Howie. Maloney offered his congratulations to the 2018 Bruin baseball team on the recent state championship. Maloney said St. Joseph was a wonderful and formative experience that shaped his life and love of baseball. He remembers the coaches, teachers and fellow students as good people who cared about you. After graduation, Maloney played ball for Mississippi State where he was nicknamed “The Hammer “ and “Wally Pipp.” Maloney signed with the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 1983 before joining the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986. Then in 1991 he began his coaching career as manager for rookie-level Johnson City Cardinals. Maloney has been named Manager of the Year in three different leagues: the New York-Penn League in 1992, the South Atlantic League in 1993 and the Texas League in 1998.
Maloney said he has had many wonderful opportunities throughout his baseball career. He was with the St. Louis Cardinals organization for more than 20 years and served as a first-base coach 2012-2015 and third-base coach 2016-2017. Before joining the big-league club, he led the Memphis Redbirds, the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, from 2007 to 2011. Maloney also spent three seasons, 2002-2004, as manager of the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, part of the Houston Astros’ system. Maloney said he and his family are excited because this year is the first time since 1983 that he will be home for the summer. When asked about baseball in Mississippi, Maloney said that the game is exploding in the state and across the country. More youth are involved than ever before, with programs that lengthen the youth season. He said his concern for young players and the future of baseball is that the longer seasons could cause young players to burn-out and leave the game before they have the chance to reach their full potential. When the Mississippi Braves moved to Pearl, Maloney told his wife that coaching the team would be a wonderful job and offer the opportunity to be home. He realized the dream when the Atlanta Braves organization named him seventh manager in the Mississippi Braves history. Maloney said he is looking forward to the opportunity to manage the Braves and believes that it is going to be a great ball club and a lot of fun. “I consider myself very fortunate,” Maloney said. “I have a job that I love and that I love to go to.”
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GAME 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ST. JOSEPH 5, EAST UNION 1
After a 41-year drought and a few close calls, Bruin baseball finally wins the state championship by . . .
LEAVING IT ALL ON THE FIELD
P
By ANDREW SANLI
EARL – Seconds after senior Grayson Guillory pitched his last ball and senior Collin Ledbetter caught the game-winning out, Bruin players and coaches frantically celebrated. St. Joseph Catholic School won the 2018 District 2A state baseball championship on Saturday, May 19, ending a 41-year drought. The Bruins topped East Union 5-1 in Game 3 of the state championship series at Trustmark Park in Pearl. The Bruins’ win came on the arm of Guillory, who pitched a complete game against the East Union Urchins. Guillory went twofor-two at the plate and drove in a run. “I had faith in my whole team, and they backed me up on defense,” Guillory said. “All I did was pound the zone. And we got it done.” In just four years as head coach, Gerard McCall turned around the culture of Bruin baseball. McCall took the baseball team to three South State Championship appearances and, now, one state championship. “When I got here, no one thought I could do it,” McCall said. “It means a lot that those guys believed in us, believed in our coaching staff.” The Bruins took Game 1 on Wednesday, May 16, but lost Game 2 on Friday, May 18. The winner-take-all Game 3 began shaky for the Bruins. In the top of the first inning, East Union’s best player, Joel Wilkinson, was on second base when he attempted to score on an Urchin hit. As Wilkinson reached home plate, he ran into the Bruin catcher – knocking off his mask and glove. The umpire counted the run, but ejected Wilkinson from the game for malicious contact with the catcher. Guillory stranded the remaining runner on base; East Union ended the inning up 1-0. Then the Bruins began to build momentum. By the bottom of the third inning, the Bruins still trailed 1-0. Third baseman Joe Pearson reached first base on an East Union error. Guillory
continued on page 10
8
“I’M JUST SO PROUD
FOR ST. JOE.
I’M SO PROUD FOR OUR GUYS. AND I’M JUST THANKFUL, MAN. I’M JUST
HUMBLED.”
– COACH GERARD McCALL
Above: Bruin baseball players celebrate on the field at Trustmark Park after winning the state baseball championship on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Photo by Sydney Shoemaker
Right: The three seniors on the Bruin baseball team – Collin Ledbetter, left, Grayson Guillory and Trey Frierson – hold the state championship trophy on the Trustmark Field minutes after the Mississippi High School Activities Association made the formal presentation. Photo by Bailey Miller
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“I HAD FAITH IN MY
WHOLE TEAM,
AND THEY BACKED ME UP ON DEFENSE. AND WE
GOT IT DONE.” – GRAYSON GUILLORY
Senior Grayson Guillory pitches in the state championship series. Photo by Sydney Shoemaker
continued from page 6 and Trey Frierson bunted to load the bases. When Josh Bailey hit a ground ball out, Pearson tied the game on a run. Guillory scored next on a hit by Wyatt Buck. Frierson ended the scoring on a two-out hit to put the Bruins ahead 3-1. The Urchins tried to come back. But Guillory dominated East Union. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bruins added
two more runs and upped the lead to 5-1. The Bruins entered the top of the seventh inning 5-1, playing defense and a half inning away from a state championship. Guillory got the first batter out on a ground ball. Guillory walked the next batter, but got the second out on a force play at second. One more out remained for the Bruins to win the championship. East Union’s pinchhitter came to the plate; with an 0-2 count, he hit a fly ball to the right field.
“I knew that ball was coming to me before Grayson (Guillory) threw the pitch,” said Ledbetter, who caught the last out. “When I saw that it was right to me, I was already freaking out before it was even in my glove.” From there, it was chaotic celebration as the team and coaches stormed the field. “I’m just so proud for St. Joe,” McCall told reporters immediately after the win. “I’m so proud for our guys. And I’m just thankful, man. I’m just humbled.”
BRUIN FLASHBACK A lot has changed in the 41 years since St. Joseph Catholic School last won a state championship in baseball. In 1977 . . . St. Joseph Catholic School was still at the old Boling Street location.
Jackson Mall was the place to shop; Metrocenter wouldn’t open for another year.
“Smokey and the Bandit” was the top spring movie; it ended the year No. 2 at the box office.
Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumors” was named Billboard’s No. 1 album of the year.
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Jimmy Carter succeeded Gerald Ford and became the 39th president.
“Happy Days” was the No. 1 television show.
The CB radio craze continued to grow when the number of channels jumped from 23 to 40.
Elvis Presley died in Memphis at the age of 42.
“HE WANTS US TO STAY
MOTIVATED
AND KEEP THE GOAL IN SIGHT OF WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO: TO WIN THE STATE
CHAMPIONSHIP.” Coach Gerard McCall watches the Bruins on the field. Photo by Bailey Miller
– ANDREW SANLI
McCall’s unusual path to coaching at St. Joe
G
By JOSEPH PEARSON
ERARD McCALL never thought the day would come. But it did. After one year with the Arizona White Sox minor league baseball team, the organization cut him. McCall sat alone on the edge of a bed in a roadside motel in Scottsdale, Ariz. A bag with his catcher’s mask, catcher’s mitt and a year of memories leaned against the wall. He cried. “I thought I had a second chance,” McCall remembered. “I absolutely did everything I could possibly do from sun-up to sun-down.” That was 2000. Today in 2018, McCall, now 38, is the head varsity baseball coach for the St. Joseph Bruins. He no longer stoops behind the batter every game. He no longer stands in the batter’s box, bat in hand. Instead, he coaches a talented high school team that just missed playing for the state championship in 2016 and 2017 before capturing the championship this year. While McCall is proud to be in his fourth year as head coach, the road to St. Joseph was not entirely smooth. McCall’s story began in the early 1990s when he played in the recreational league in his hometown of Meridian. He was always talented, and would play sports with children – often his cousins – who were older than he was. Sports was everything. Competition motivated him. McCall excelled in baseball, basketball and football. He even started on the Meridian High School varsity baseball team as an eighth grader. As he found success, word of his talent reached major league scouts. When McCall graduated in 1998, the Chicago White Sox drafted him out of high school in the 13th round. The team sent the 18-year-old 1,000 miles away to play for the Arizona White Sox. His first year was a success. McCall was the best-hitting catcher on his team, batting .287. At the same time, he was a young, impressionable teenager far away from his family and constantly facing the threat of being cut. “The worst part was you see a whole lot of politics,” McCall said. “You see guys getting moved up for no reason. It’s like you do the best you can, and you don’t get noticed.” McCall worked hard and was in the best physical shape of his life. While nothing he did sent him to the majors, he found strength in the
one person who had been with him since the beginning: his mother. “Probably my biggest fan and my biggest motivation was my mom,” he said. “She was the most constant. And she helped not just in athletics, but also in the classroom when I was in school.” A year after he was cut by the Arizona White Sox, McCall found a spot on the Jackson Senators – a minor league team that played at Smith Wills Stadium and offered his family a chance to see him play. By 2005, he had enough. He retired from professional play. “It got to the point where it wasn’t what I looked forward to,” McCall said. “I just didn’t see myself continuing on the same path. I wanted to do some other things in my life, like start a family. So, I was just ready to move on.” He turned to coaching and landed a spot as an assistant with the St. Andrew’s Episcopal High School varsity team, where he worked 2002-2014. When the baseball coaching job opened at St. Joseph, McCall jumped on board. That’s when I met him. McCall had just taken over the program and was hosting a baseball camp at St. Joseph in July 2014 for fourth, fifth and sixth graders. An avid baseball fan and player, I jumped at the chance. Even though the camp didn’t start until 8 a.m., my dad dropped me off early every day – giving me a chance to talk with McCall before the start of camp. The sun had just risen, the aroma of freshly mowed grass filled the air and McCall, in his deep, rough, gravely voice, talked about baseball. The wisdom he shared about the game I love struck me. McCall knows how to command your attention. He’s the kind of coach who gets the best from players. He’s the kind of coach players will go an extra mile to please. Andrew Sanli, a catcher on the team, agreed: “He wants us to stay motivated and keep the goal in sight of what we’re trying to do: To win the state championship.” At St. Joseph, McCall has led the Bruins to four successful seasons in a row, last year almost reaching the state championship and this year winning it all. Now, McCall watches games from the third base coaching position, urging his players to success. Every now and then, his thoughts return to his own experiences with professional baseball. And when he thinks back to that fateful day when he sat on the bed in Scottsdale, Ariz., he no longer cries. Why? Without that experience, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
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When searching for a new athletic director and head football coach, St. Joseph Principal Dena Kinsey went with a . . .
G N I N N I N W O I T A N I B COM
S
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
T. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL has new leaders heading the school’s award-winning athletic program. Michael Howell, who coached the Bruin basketball team to its third Elite Eight appearance this year, is now the school’s athletic director. And former Mississippi State University star quarterback John Bond will serve as head football coach. “Being a head coach made the difference,” Bond said. “This place just felt right. I’ve got some friends with their kids here. I’ve always heard great things about the school. And I said I wanted to be a part of that.” School leaders announced Bond’s and Howell’s new roles at a news conference in the St. Joe library on Friday, June 1. Besides serving as athletic director, managing and overseeing all sports at St. Joe, Howell also will continue as head basketball coach. Bond, meanwhile, is taking over a football program that went 7-4 in the regular season last year before falling to Perry Central in a first-round playoff game. St. Joe fields 21 boys and girls sports. Boys sports include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, swimming, bowling, track and cross country; girls sports include softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, cheerleading, swimming, bowling, track and cross country. Howell, 32, who is entering his second year as head basketball coach, said he hopes to improve all sports on campus. Howell said that Bruin coaches have high expectations for their sports, “but they need some resources to meet those expectations.” Howell said he plans to do what he can as athletic director “to get them those resources – fundraising, helping them with scheduling, whatever I need to do to help them get up to the level they want to get to and just trying to see each student athlete be successful.”
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Before joining the St. Joseph Catholic School staff in 2017, Howell worked as an assistant basketball coach at Brandon High School. In his first year as head basketball coach, Howell took the Bruins to an Elite Eight berth in the state high school playoffs. Bond, 57, played quarterback at Mississippi State University from 1980-1983. Bond’s college career included a 6-3 win over Alabama in 1980, one of the greatest wins in school history. He led Mississippi State to appearances in the Sun Bowl in El Paso in 1980 and the Hall of Fame Classic in Birmingham in 1981. Bond’s coaching career is extensive. He served as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at New Hope High School in New Hope, Miss., in 1996 and 1997. He was the quarterback coach/graduate assistant at Mississippi State under Jackie Sherrill from 1998 to 2000. In the Jackson area, Bond served as quarterback coach at Millsaps College in 2002 and 2003. He also served as quarterback coach at Belhaven College under head Coach Hal Mumme from 2015-2017. In college, Bond ran the wishbone offense; he said he doesn’t plan to run the wishbone at St. Joe. “We are going to have to have an athletic quarterback; he’s got to be a threat,” Bond said. “It’ll be some type of option game. We’ve got some pretty good athletes. From what I saw . . . we’ve got some talent, and we’ve got some kids who want to play.” Principal Dena Kinsey said Howell’s promotion and Bond’s hire highlight St. Joseph’s support for a strong athletic program. She said a good athletic program combined with an outstanding college prep curriculum gives St. Joe students a well-rounded education. “I’m so excited about the 2018-19 school year,” Kinsey said. “We have some fabulous leadership in place who will bring the St. Joe family together and move us forward.”
Michael Howell, Dena Kinsey and John Bond. Photo by Terry R. Cassreino
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS “THIS PLACE JUST
FELT RIGHT.
I’VE GOT SOME FRIENDS WITH THEIR KIDS HERE. I’VE ALWAYS HEARD
GREAT THINGS
ABOUT THE SCHOOL.” – COACH JOHN BOND
Join us this fall and see Coach John Bond and his St. Joe Bruin football team in action. Kickoff is 7 p.m. for every Friday night game; home games are at Bill Raphael Field on the St. Joe campus. Aug. 10: Jamboree, location and time TBA Aug. 17: at Newton High School Aug. 24: Tri-County Academy Aug. 31: at Jackson Academy Sept. 7: St. Andrew’s Sept. 14: Jackson Prep Sept. 21: at Union High School Sept. 28: Pelahatchie High School* *(Homecoming) Oct. 5: at Mize High School* Oct. 12: at Canton Academy Oct. 19: Puckett High School* (Senior Night) Oct. 26: at Pisgah High School* * DISTRICT GAMES
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Maren Hrivnak is overcome with emotion after 2018 graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson. Photo copyright 2018 by Vowell Photography
READY FOR A NEW START Recent graduates thankful for time at St. Joseph, look forward to life after high school and in college
A
By BIANCA MCCARTY
S GRADUATION night ceremonies came to a quick close at Thalia Mara Hall one night in May, so did the high school careers of 75 St. Joseph Catholic School students. Many of the seniors had been at St. Joe since the seventh grade, ending a six-year stay at the school. Others, like Leah Blevins, joined St. Joe in high school. All are leaving with amazing memories and deep appreciation for the Bruin Experience. “I’m going to miss the St. Joe community the most,” Blevins said. “I’ve really loved being able to grow into myself here. I’m going to miss the ability to be involved in everything.” Because St. Joe is a Catholic school, faith is an important aspect incorporated into the everyday routine. For most of the graduates, faith won’t be integrated into their curriculum in college. “I’ll miss most the faith that St. Joe offers and that we had church every week,” Rebecca Seale said. For almost all of the seniors, the next step is college, with most of the graduating class staying in the state of Mississippi. Choosing a college is not easy for some students. Some start thinking seriously about their future in ninth grade, while others don’t think about it seriously until senior year. “I started seriously thinking about it toward the end of my sophomore
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year when I learned I had a passion for family life and a passion for making sure other people were safe and with their families,” Linda Martinez said. “So I have decided to be a family domestic lawyer.” Martinez will attend Rhodes College in Memphis this fall, where she plans to major in political science and international studies. Blevins also will head out of state to Florida Southern College in Lakeland. There, the St. Joe theater star plans to major in musical theatre at one of the best such programs in the nation. “While at St. Joe, I realized that I love being able to tell a story onstage,” said Blevins, whose stage appearances include roles last year in “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Most seniors chose to make the most out of their last summer at home. Some stayed home to connect with friends for the last time, while others are spending that time traveling. Martinez planned to visit her brother in London. Despite all the fears and anxieties that come with any new situation, there are many things that the rising college freshmen look forward to. Seale will spend her first year after high school with the National Evangelization Team. The 16 NET teams travel across the nation for nine months to share the Gospel with young people and their families. “What I’m looking forward to is the amount of independence I can have without being really far away from my family,” Seale said. “I can have my family near and still be independent.”
“ST. JOE HAS BEEN SO MUCH MORE THAN A SCHOOL TO ME. IT HAS
BEEN A FATHER
WHEN I NEEDED DISCIPLINE,
A MOTHER
WHEN I NEEDED CARING FOR,
A BROTHER OR A SISTER
“I LOVE YOU GUYS. . . . THE PEOPLE I KNOW ARE
EXTRAORDINARY.
AND I WISH I HAD REALLY TAKEN THE TIME TO TALK TO EACH
AND EVERY ONE OF YOU SO MUCH MORE
WHEN I NEEDED SUPPORT.”
THAN I DID.”
– FRANCO FRASCOGNA, VALEDICTORIAN
– CHRIS HARRISION, SALUTATORIAN
OFF TO COLLEGE St. Joe’s 2018 graduates will attend colleges and universities across the United States, including the following: n Belmont University n Birmingham Southern University n Centre College n Copiah-Lincoln Community College n Florida Southern College n Hinds Community College n Holmes Community College n Louisiana State University n Louisiana Tech University n Millsaps College n Mississippi College n Mississippi State University n Northeast Community College n Northeastern University n Northwest Community College n Pearl River Community College n Rhodes College n St. Olaf College n Virginia Tech n Xavier University of Louisiana n University of Mississippi n University of Southern Mississippi Leah Blevins, left, and Nick Bouldin at St. Joseph graduation. Photo copyright 2018 by Vowell Photography.
One member of the senior class has been accepted into the National Evangelization Team (NET) for 2018-2019 and will attend college afterwards.
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AROUND CAMPUS Hosler leaves for Peace Corps Shortly after the 2017-2018 school year ended, longtime Latin teacher Matthew Hosler left St. Joe to volunteer with the Peace Corps. Hosler had taught at St. Joe for nine years and last year chaired the foreign language department. Hosler taught Latin, Mythology and Creative Writing. The Peace Corps promotes world peace and friendship by helping educate men and women and promote a better understanding of Americans. “The meaning of life is to help people, and I am grateful to be able to do that,” Hosler said. “It will also be exciting to see how other people live. This will be an adventure.” Hosler will travel to Java in Indonesia. He will begin his adventure with three months of training in Jakarta. He will then head to a rural village, where he will live with a local family while teaching English and learning the culture.
Bruins score 30 or more on their ACT Fifteen St. Joe students scored a 30 or higher on the ACT during the 2017-2018 school year. Six just graduated: Franco Frascogna, Sam Indest, Jimmy Kaiser, Jack LeDoux, Allie Milner and Jax Rasmussen. Seven were juniors last year: Leila de Gruy, Mary Greene, Clare Harkins, Jacob Harkins, Alaina Liess, Alice McPhail and Olivia Osborne. And two were sophomores last year: Neziah Igwebuike and Alex Shelton. “We are so proud of these students and their accomplishments,” Principal Dena Kinsey said. “This highlights the strong college prep curriculum we offer at St. Joseph Catholic School.”
BruinTHON raises Spring concert draws Student media rakes thousands for Batson hundreds to campus in state, nat’l honors The 2018 edition of BruinTHON, St. Joe’s largest annual community fundraiser, raised a total of $12,471 for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital. More than 60 students contributed $75, some more than that, to participate in the event on Friday, April 20, in the school gym. There, they danced and played games – staying on their feet from 4 p.m. to midnight. “I’m here at BruinTHON, and I raised $125,” Bruin student D’Asia Evans said. “And I did this for the kids.” Marshall Ramsey, the longtime editorial cartoonist for The ClarionLedger and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, visited this year’s event to talk with and thank the students for their work helping the families whose children are patients at Baston. Pictured here are Linda Martinez, the event chair, Ramsey and faculty sponsor Kathryn Sckiets.
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Hundreds of parents, students, faculty, staff and guests filled the Fine Arts theater on Sunday, April 22, for the 2018 spring concert – part of the annual Celebration of the Arts that also features the senior art show. The concert saw several graduating seniors, including Leah Blevins, Maren Hrivnak and Rodney Self Jr., take to the Bruin stage for one final performance. The Fine Arts Department will return this fall with its annual fall play. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-10, with a 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday, Nov. 10. Then mark your calendar for the 2018 edition of the wildly popular Christmas concert Gifts of the Season. This year’s event is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9.
St. Joseph Catholic School journalism students were successful once again in state and national competition. n Junior Joseph Pearson took second place in sports commentary from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in New York City. His column is re-printed on Page 11. n The Mississippi Scholastic Press Association named Pearson a finalist for the Orley Hood Award for Excellence in High School Sports Journalism – one year after he received the honor. n The Columbia Scholastic Press Association named The Bear Facts one of the top 50 high school newspapers. Entries included more than 1,000 digital, print newspapers, magazines and yearbooks at high schools across the nation and at international high schools. n The Mississippi Scholastic Press Association named Bruin News Now, the weekly student newscast, the top high school newscast in the state for the second year. n Senior Garret Grove attended the all-expense-paid, six-day Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C., in June – the second year St. Joe sent GARRET a student to the prestigious GROVE conference.
AROUND CAMPUS
St. Joseph Catholic School Legacy Photo
The St. Joseph Catholic School Legacy photo for the 2017-2019 school year. These students and faculty had parents, grandparents or both who attended St. Joe. On the back row, from left: Matthew Cottingham, Abby Starnes, Brennyn Bolden, Bryce Bolden, Anderson Nixon, Luckett Nixon, MacKenzie Brown, Julian Brown, Allen Teague, Harlan Barbour, Wils Davis, Preston Campbell, Declan Blaylock, Gabe Blaylock, Wyatt Buck, Hannah Patton, Ralph Arrington, Jordan Muse, Mina Leffler, Mary Hazel Bellan, Jack Clements, Matthew Hornaday, Cole Rueff, Garrett Grove, Shelby Couch, Zoie Jewusiak, Elliott Stephen, Ava Kathryn Stephen, Chloe Taylor, Chase Taylor, Elizabeth Weisenberger, Grace Anne Weisenberger, Max Holman (faculty). Middle row: JoJo Turner, Christian Turner, Benjaman Crout, Anna Crout, Cooper Chaplain, Augusta Hirn, Mary Lee Topik, Bryn Lieb, Audrey Ward, Rachel Donaldson, Rush Harmon, Morrissey Claire Harmon, Max Harmon, Jacob Harkins, Clare Harkins, Noah Harkins, D’Asia Evans, Grace Goodloe, Hailey Greer, Galen Goodloe, Camillia Goodloe, Clifton Goodloe, Katie Joseph, Layla Lewis, Kristin Miller, Amber Paige, Kellyn Paige, Franco Frascogna, De’Angelo Ware. Front row: Connor McMullan, Nick Munoz, Alex Lyle, Katie Porch, David Greene, Mary Greene, Iliana Ramos, Farrell Moorehead, Liam Morehead, Sully Moorehead, John Matthews, Addie Matthews, Luke Rooks, Max Rooks, Olivia Patterson, Isabelle Robinson, Collin Ledbetter, Caleb Pellegrine, Alexandria Smith, Rebecca Seale, Michael Seale, Amari Wells, Anna Moore, Maddie Moore. Not pictured: Jayla Davis, Carrie Ann Loper, Helen Mary Katool, Akili Lewis, Mark Girard (faculty), Anne Piazza (staff), Matt Sigler (faculty), Kathryn Sckiets (faculty), Ryan Starett (faculty)
Bruin tennis nets impressive season
St. Joe’s Nick Zouboukos, who graduated in May, played in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star tennis match this summer. Zouboukos was one of 12 players selected for the match. Zouboukos, Larisa Armour, Nicholas Barone and Caleigh Hankins were selected to the 1A/2A All-State Team. Zouboukos and Barone competed in the boys doubles state championship in Oxford on May 9, finishing runners-up. Armour and Hankins competed in the girls doubles state championship, finishing runners-up. The team as a whole lost North State to the eventual state champions from Tupelo Christian Preparatory School.
Seniors attend APEX Volleyball, cheer, swim Leadership Summit teams ready for action
CATHERINE COOK
HAILEY GREER
MARSHALL RUNNELS
Three St. Joe seniors attended the APEX Leadership Summit at the University of Mississippi. Catherine Cook, Hailey Greer and Marshall Runnels participated in separate four-day programs in June and July. Ole Miss hosts the program every summer for rising high school seniors from across the nation. The program focuses on team-building skills, strengthening leadership traits and participating in service-action opportunities. Student sessions covered ethics and social responsibility, problem-solving and developing a leadership resume.
Fall sports are right around the corner. n Bruin volleyball is readying for a championship run this fall. The Bruins played in competitive summer league games against some of the highest ranked teams in the state including 6A champs Brandon. The Bruins headed to the University of Alabama for team camp and began official practice July 23. Visit the St. Joe website for the full schedule, www.stjoebruins.com. n The Bruin cheerleading squad and the Spirit Steppers dance team found success at summer camps this year. Look for the cheerleaders on the sidelines and Spirit Steppers at halftime of all home football games this fall. n Bruin swimmers will have their largest senior class with 10 being six-year veterans. Many swimmers joined summer league teams in the Jackson area. Sanctioned practice for the fall season began July 31. The Bruins plan to build on the success from last year when the girls won state and the boys finished second.
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BRUIN ALUMNI NEWS 1980s
2000s
Hinds Community College. President’s scholars have a cumulative 4.0 grade point average.
GALE RAY (’88) graduated from Mississippi College in 1991 with a bachelor of science in business administration with a major in accounting. In 1996, she earned her MBA. Ray serves as deputy chief of internal review at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-ERDC in Vicksburg. Prior to her current position, she served as IG liaison with the Defense Information Systems Agency-Office of Inspector General in Fort Meade, Md. Ray is also a certified defense financial manager (CDFM), a certified internal controls auditor (CICA) and Department of Defense financial management Level 3 certified (DFMC3).
LADONNA McMURTRY (’04) was named a Hinds Community College deans’ scholar for the spring 2017 semester. She now is a Hinds Community College Spring 2018 graduate.
NICK BEASLEY (’13), the former St. Joe football standout, landed an NFL internship last year. Nick graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in May 2017, completed an internship with the Tennessee Titans in August and started graduate school in the fall at MTSU.
JABRINA CLAYTON EDWARDS (’05) is an assistant attorney general at the Louisiana Department of Justice. She was selected 2017 President of the Women’s Section of the Shreveport Bar Association.
2010s MOLLY DALLAS LEMOINE (’12) was named president’s scholar for spring 2017 at
PAGE 2
Join us next year as we celebrate St. Joseph Catholic School’s
SESQUICENTENNIAL
SEARCY FOX (’13) received a bachelor of science in education degree from The University of Alabama in spring 2017. QUINTERRA GRIFFIN (’13) was named deans’ scholar for the spring 2017 semester at Hinds Community College. Deans’ scholars have a cumulative 3.5-3.9 grade point average.
BRUIN BROADCASTING NETWORK
ADVER
Br
BankPlus Bruin football, basketball CONTACT:and baseball Brad Gatlin, president, LIVE on Madison County Bruin Broadcasting BILLING ADDRESS: 1010 HighlandNetwork. Colony Parkway, Ridgela BUSINESS NAME:
WATCH ON BRUIN TV: www.stjoebruins.live EMAIL: BradGatlin@BankPlus.net LISTEN LIVE: WJXC Jackson, Mississippi Catholic Radio, 107.9 FM PHONE: (601) 607-8008 Countdown to Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. every Friday Kickoff: 7 p.m.
PACKAGES Produced AND PRICING (see brochure and hosted entirely for by details on each pa St. Joe broadcast journalism students
o BASIC SPONSOR: $500
Marking 150 years of Catholic education in the greater Jackson area. 18
Advertise on Bruin Broadcasting Network and reach a captive audience of St. Joe alumni, families, friends and o I will submit my own video commercials supporters. Contact Terry R. Cassreino.(QuickTime movie tcassreino@stjoebruins.com oruse (601) 454-7419 o I will submit my own logos for on-air
o I will submit my own logos and camera-ready PDF ads for p o Please design me a logo or create a commercial
BRUIN ALUMNI NEWS RACHEL ROBINSON (’13) was named dean’s scholar for the spring 2017 semester at Hinds Community College. Deans’ scholars have a cumulative 3.5-3.9 grade point average.
DEZELL LATHON (’15) studied abroad this spring in Rome. Lathon is majoring in theatre arts and performance studies. The program at John Cabot University is offered in partnership with USD.
JORDAN WELSH WOLFE (’13) was named to the dean’s list for spring 2017 and received a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alabama in spring 2017.
JOSHUA CLAYTON (’16) a University of Mississippi student, received academic and athletic accolades – achieving the Dean’s Honor Roll and receiving the Ole Miss rugby team’s Most Improved Rookie honor. Joshua also has written for The Daily Mississippian.
ANNA EDGE (’14) began a co-op program with Dow Chemical as a sophomore working in Louisiana, Michigan and Texas. She is a member of Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Chi Omega Fraternity, Shackouls Honors College, Catholic Campus Ministries and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Anna will graduate with a chemical engineering degree in December. JOSEPH MICHAEL EDGE (’14) will graduate in December with a degree is sports marketing and business. He has worked as an intern with the Mississippi State University Athletic Marketing Department beginning as a freshman. Edge serves on the executive council for New Maroon Camp, overseeing logistics for 1,000 participating incoming MSU freshman. CHRIS HANNEKE (’14) was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a bachelor of science in criminal justice. He was scheduled to report to The Basic School June 11 in Quantico. Hanneke made the Chancellor’s Honor Roll all four years at Ole Miss. CHARLIE LEDOUX (’14) is co-oping with Nucor Steel and will finish in December. He will complete his final semester in May 2019, graduating with a chemical engineering degree from Mississippi State University. LeDoux is a member of the MSU Chemical Engineering Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.
NOAH AVERY GREENE (’16) was named to the University of Alabama President’s List for fall 2017 and the Dean’s List for spring 2017.
MATTHEW HENDLEY (’17), was one of three Ole Miss broadcast students chosen to attend the Southeast Journalism Convention Feb. 15-17 at Harding University in Arkansas, where he received third place in the On-Site TV Anchoring Competition. JOHN DAVID TOPIK (’17), was named a President’s Scholar for the fall 2017 semester at Hinds Community College. President’s Scholars are those with a cumulative 4.0 grade point average. CHARLIE ROOKS (’17) was named a Hinds Community College Deans’ Scholar for the fall 2017 semester. Deans’ Scholars are those students with a cumulative 3.5-3.9 grade point average.
Aaron Williams ordained as priest AARON WILLIAMS (’10), was ordained to the priesthood Thursday, May 31, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. Williams grew up at the Cathedral and attended St. Richard Catholic School and St. Joe. He was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Joseph parish in Greenville. He also will teach at St. Joseph School in Greenville.
Katool, Hendley win for radio work JOJO KATOOL (’16) and MATTHEW HENDLEY (’17) received a first place award for Best Sportscast or Sports Program from the Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press Broadcaster and Media Editors. The win was for their live Dec. 1, 2017, broadcast on WUMS-FM about Ole Miss’ NCAA penalties. Both graduates played major roles at St. Joe with Bruin Sports Radio and Bruin News Now.
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BRUIN ALUMNI NEWS CAMPUS EVENTS Mark your calendar for these upcoming events, all of which are great times to visit your campus and renew friendships. AUGUST n THURSDAY, AUG. 9, 2018: Meet the Bruins. Meet student athletes for the upcoming school year. Time to be announced. Rain date is Thursday, Aug. 16 n THURSDAY, AUG. 30, 2018: Mass of the Holy Spirit with Bishop Joseph Kopacz, 9:50 a.m., Fine Arts theater. SEPTEMBER n FRIDAY, SEPT. 28, 2018: Homecoming football game, Bruins host Pelahatchie, 7 p.m., Bill Raphael Field. An alumni reception is 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This year will feature reunions for classes whose year
ends in an “8” or a “3” – including the 50th reunion for the Class or 1968. NOVEMBER n THURSDAY, NOV. 8-SATURDAY, NOV. 10, 2018: St. Joseph students will perform the fall play in the Fine Arts theater. Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday. DECEMBER n FRIDAY, DEC. 7 and SUNDAY, DEC. 9, 2018: St. Joseph musicians, dancers and singers will perform the school’s annual holiday concert “Gifts of the Season” in the Fine Arts theater. This concert usually attracts a large crowd so purchase your tickets early. Curtain is 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Bear Facts
Named by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association as one of the TOP 50 high school newspapers among U.S. high schools and international high schools that teach an American curriculum.
APRIL n THURSDAY, APRIL 11-SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019: St. Joseph students will perform the spring musical in the Fine Arts theater. Performances at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday. MAY n SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2019: “Celebration of the Arts.” This annual extravaganza combines the spring concert with the Senior Art Show for a one-time only event. Seniors display and sell selected paintings, sculptures and pottery they created. And the St. Joe band members, singers and dancers perform one last time before end of the school year. Curtain is 2 p.m. Sunday.
Mississippi’s No. 1 High School Newscast
Available on campus or online at issuu.com
The latest news and sports from St. Joseph Catholic School New episodes available every Friday throughout the school year on the Bruin News Now YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/c/BRUINNEWSNOW 20
BRUIN ALUMNI NEWS ST. JOSEPH DONORS Thank you to our many donors whose generosity allows us to offer students a first-rate, highly respected college prep curriculum. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to St. Joseph Catholic School, contact Todd Therrel, our alumni giving coordinator. You can reach him by calling the school at (601) 898-4800 or sending an email to ttherrel@stjoebruins.com Eddie & Becky Adkins Mark Artigues (’82) Angela Barial (’82) Clay & Ann Beard Joe Mac Best Ginger Bisek Nathan & Anna Boggan Timothy Burns William A. Brown (’76) Debbie Carrington Charles & Patricia (’72) Caskey Jim & Dana Caskey Robin Coerver Steve & Diana Cole Chris & Terri Cooper Mrs. Edna Cooper Joan Cowles (’54) Cathy Dunning Denman (’89) Lester & Gina Diamond Gary & Joy Dodson Mike & Kristin Doherty Harry Dolton (’65)
Doug Drane George Evans Jon & Sue Fairbank Kevin Flood (’96) John & Sheila Foggo Cole Green (’16) Matthew Harkey Doug and Tricia Harris Frank & Paige Harrison Mike & Laura Heilman Rosemarie Hoffman Milham (’51) & Harriet Howie Bill Jaquith (’66) Charles H. King, II (’16) Linda King Dena Kinsey Nikki Kelty Joby & Leslie LeDoux Ken (’64) & Maetta Lefoldt David Loper (’82) Jim McCraw (’66) Mr. & Mrs. Ramon Machado
Support the Fine Arts at St. Joseph Catholic School.
JOIN F.A.S.T.
The Fine Arts Support Team Email: fast@stjoebruins.com for more information
Join the St. Joe Booster Club – and –
Support Bruin Athletics Contact Mike Heilman, president boosterclub@saintjoseph.ms
Fred A. Malik, Jr. Dr. Ronald May Ann Messner Tracy Miracle Timothy Mokry (’09) William J. Moran (’69) Bax Mowery Hibbett & Susan Neel Mr. & Mrs. Charles Otto, Jr. Mr. Louis Pellegrine Jody Perry Ronald St. Pierre Robert Rasmussen Mollie C. Reeves (’08) Reilly Reeves (’15) Joseph & Vicki Runnels Edna Marie Campbell Sevin (’55) Lawrence Sims (’67) Charles E. Spence (’69) Paul & Mimi Speyerer Jamie Stringer Charles Therrell
Todd W. Therrell (’91) Anthony Thomas (’65) Chris Thomas (’95) Leonard (’67) & Cathy Thomas Richard J. Thomas (’78) Katrice P. Thompson (’00) Derek & Amy Topik Robert & Carol Walker John Walsh (’74) Kroger AmazonSmile Foundation St. Joseph Catholic Church C Spire St. Dominic Hospital New Hampshire Charitable Foundation George & Mary Kremer Foundation Shell Oil Company George & Mary Kremer Foundation
ADVISORY COUNCIL The St. Joseph Catholic School Advisory Council advise the principal on school matters. Members include alumni and parents whose children attend St. Joe.
OFFICERS
Anna Boggan, president Arista C. Guydon-Evans, vice president John Foggo, secretary Sam E. Smith Jr., treasurer The Rev. John Bohn, canonical administrator Dena Kinsey, principal
COUNCIL MEMBERS
John Baladi (past president) T.G. Bolen Jr. Arista C. Guydon-Evans Joey Katool Tessy Sanli Amy Lee Topik
Anna Boggan Angelia Brown John Foggo Jacqueline O’Quinn Sam E. Smith Jr. Robert Walker
NOTE: The Rev. John Bohn and Dena Kinsey are non-voting members.
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BRUIN ALUMNI NEWS In Memoriam
Austin Devin Berlin (’11), 24, died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, at his home in Madison.
Gerald “Jerry” Michael Geimer (’74), 61, died Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Hospice Ministries.
Santa D. Crout (’53), 82, died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, at the University Medical Center.
Bonnie Carolyn Loper Mowery (’59), 75, died Monday, Sept. 12, 2016.
Veronica Brinkley, 93, died Monday, Oct. 30, 2017.
Paul Perrone (’64), died Sunday, June 4, 2017.
Devin Berlin: active in theater at St. Joe
Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Brinkley: secretary
AUSTIN DEVIN BERLIN (’11), 24, died on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. Devin was born Feb. 18, 1993, to Janice and Paul Berlin. While attending St. Joseph Catholic School, Devin participated in musical theater and was known by his classmates to have the biggest, warmest smile on campus. Devin moved to Oxford to pursue a degree in accounting, While there, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He recently received his real estate license and was employed at Terramark Real Estate. Devin enjoyed hiking, rock climbing, and yoga. He was an avid reader who would often spend hours exploring bookstores.
VERONICA “RONNIE” BRINKLEY, 93, who served as secretary at St. Joseph Catholic School from 19892002, died on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, after a brief illness. Veronica was an active member of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson since 1953, when her family moved to the Capital City. Veronica and her family were founding members of Holy Family Parish in Jackson and an early member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Madison. Veronica was the last founding member of the organization St. Catherine’s Circle started by ladies from both Holy Family and St. Richard parishes of Jackson. Veronica was instrumental in helping start the St. Joe Middle School on Holly Drive.
IN MEMORIAM, BONNIE LOPER MOWERY . . . .
. . . . . . .
p. 3
Bonnie Carolyn Loper Mowery: All about serving others
But recently, I lost the “A Number One best girl of my whole life”.
BONNIE CAROLYN LOPER MOWERY (’59), 75, died on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, following a four-year battle with cancer. Bonnie Carolyn Loper Bonnie is remembered for her many MOWERY accomplishments at St. Joseph Catholic School and in life. Bonnie was an active and vital member of the St. Joseph student body. She lettered Aug 13, 1941 – Sep 12, 2016 in basketball. She also served as circulation manager of the school paper, chairman for Heart Catholic theSacred teen program of theChurch March of Dimes, and 375 Lumen Laneproduction. cast member ofChristi the senior Salisbury, NC 28147 Bonnie’s dedication to service and others September 16, 2016 did not stop with graduation. In 1962, she married young paratrooper Baxter Mowery. She spent the first 20 years of their 54year marriage traveling the world, caring for
22 She had been fighting cancer for 4 years. Many times we thought we had beaten it with some of the wonder drugs now on the market, but that was not to be. Several weeks before she passed, a PET Scan
a family and others as the wife of a battalion commander in the U.S. Army. Their first assignment was in Germany, where Bonnie’s first two children were born just 210 miles behind the Iron Curtain. As an officer’s wife and mother of four, Bonnie quickly became the person to go to for love and support. Bonnie was friend, counselor, and support to the spouses and children of soldiers everywhere they were sent – a role came naturally to Bonnie. After a four-year battle with cancer, Bonnie returned to her Lord in heaven. She is missed and remembered by all those she loved and who loved her and by the many lives she touched through her kindness and service.
SAVE the DATE FEBRUARY 23, 2019
$10,000 DRAW DOWN SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL DRAW DOWN
SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL LIVE AUCTION - SILENT AUCTION BRUIN BUCKS - WALL OF WINE
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL 308 NEW MANNSDALE ROAD MADISON, MS 39110
A statue of Mary stands over the St. Joseph Catholic School Rosary Garden. The garden is the focal point of the school’s amphitheater and a place where students often gather for class and prayer. Photo by Vicki Runnels