Issuu

NEWS FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL

THE DUMB OX

SPRING/SUMMER 2026

TABLE of

contents

Letter from The Executive Director

highlights and updates from the Executive Director of School Development

More Than a Cup of Coffee

Aquinas alumnae and sisters-in-law Teresa and Sierra Baguyo share the story behind RoadRunner Coffee and the community they’re building one cup at a time.

La Riviere Scholarships and Teaching Excellence 2026

Celebrating this year’s La Riviere Scholarship recipients and Distinguished Teacher Ted Nguyen for their achievements, dedication, and impact on the Aquinas community.

Welcoming the Class of 2026 to the Aquinas Alumni Family

Celebrating the Class of 2026, its valedictorian and salutatorian, and the accomplishments that marked their final chapter as students and first as Aquinas alumni.

Athletic Hall of Fame Invitation

Aquinas invites the Falcon community to come together in celebration of the athletes, coaches, and contributors whose legacies have shaped Aquinas athletics.

TABLE of

contents

Aquinas Honors Its Newest Distinguished Alumni

Meet the newest Distinguished Alumni honorees and celebrate the achievements, service, and lasting impact that earned them this special Aquinas recognition.

Faith in Motion Aquinas seniors bring Catholic Social Teaching to life through the Poverty Awareness Project, exploring the many faces of poverty while challenging classmates to see dignity, compassion, and service in a new way.

Sports Wrap-Up

A look back at an exciting winter and spring for Falcon athletics, from playoff appearances to championship performances and memorable milestones.

Sterling Hills Opens at Aquinas

Aquinas celebrates the opening of its new on-campus golf training center, made possible through the generosity of dedicated donors and community partners.

Class Notes and In Memoriam Updates and milestones from fellow Falcons, along with a special remembrance honoring longtime Aquinas advocate and benefactor Dick Riddell.

letter from the Executive Director “...we are reminded of how important Aquinas is and that its mission is needed now more than ever.” As we close out our 70th year, we have so much to be thankful for and to be proud of. Who would have thought when this small campus opened its doors in 1955 with less than 50 sudents we would be where we are today. In June we graduated one of our biggest classes to date and when we opened our doors for this school year we welcomed nearly 700 students, a waiting list, and a campus that covers nearly 30 acres! Our campus has changed dramatically over that time as well, with an on-campus beach volleyball stadium (Rezek Beach Stadium) and one of the only schools to offer a their own on-campus golf facility (check out the article inside), it is truly the work of the Lord watching over us! As usual when things are going their best we need to continue to be diligent to ensure our future success. We must constantly be looking to grow and move forward. The best that Aquinas can be will never be obtained, but will instead act as a standard that we will always be chasing. In this issue of The Dumb Ox you will see all the wonderful ways that Aquinas is impacting our community. From great stories of alumni to current students striving to make the world a better place, we are reminded of how important Aquinas is and that its mission is needed now more than ever. St. Thomas Aquinas...Pray for Us! Dr. Chris Barrows Executive Director of School Development Aquinas High School

AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL Voted Best Private High School & Best Catholic School 2025 14 Years in a Row!

More Than a Cup of Coffee Sisters-in-law, business partners and Aquinas alumni Teresa Baguyo and Sierra Baguyo are creating more than a coffee shop... they’re building community.

here are moments in the life of a business that cannot be measured in sales, customer counts, or cups of coffee served. For sisters-in-law, business partners, and Aquinas alumni Teresa Baguyo and Sierra Baguyo, one of those moments came when a mother visited RoadRunner Coffee with her child, who has autism. She later thanked them for creating a place where she felt welcome ; a place where she did not feel like a burden. For Teresa and Sierra, it was the kind of moment that made everything else fade into the background. “And that,” they said, “we will never forget.” Because nearly one year after opening RoadRunner Coffee, it has become clear that what Teresa and Sierra created is about much more than coffee. It is about belonging. When they first imagined RoadRunner Coffee, they wanted to create a space where people could gather and connect. Today, they see that vision playing out in ways both big and small: mothers meeting for playdates, children stopping in for an after-school treat, students settling in to study, and local businesses gathering for meetings. Parents notice the kids’ corner. Families appreciate thoughtful details like children’s stools in the bathrooms. Those details matter. Sierra said one of the most rewarding parts of owning RoadRunner Coffee has been watching customers find joy in something as simple as a cup of coffee or noticing the small touches she and Teresa intentionally built into the space. For Teresa, one of the biggest surprises has been watching RoadRunner Coffee become woven into people’s everyday lives. “Seeing how RoadRunner Coffee has become so much more than a ‘coffee shop’ has been the best surprise,” she said. It has become part of customers’ routines, birthday celebrations, after-school traditions, and time spent together. Of course, creating a place that feels warm and effortless to the people walking through the door has required an extraordinary amount of work behind the scenes. There are products to source, decisions to make, problems that arise without warning, and a seemingly endless list of details most customers will never see. Teresa quickly learned that as a business owner, “you never ‘clock out.’” Sierra said the sheer variety of challenges that appear from week to week has been one of the biggest surprises of their first year.

But they have not had to navigate those challenges alone. As sisters-in-law, Teresa and Sierra entered business ownership with a relationship already rooted in family. Over the past year, that relationship has only grown stronger. They have learned how to divide responsibilities according to their individual strengths, how to share the less glamorous jobs, and, perhaps most importantly, how to have the difficult conversations that come with building something together. “We both care about creating a moment, and the details that play into it,” Sierra said. Their shared vision has been one of the partnership’s greatest strengths. Their different backgrounds allow each of them to bring a unique perspective, while strong communication keeps them moving toward the same goal. “It’s actually brought us closer,” Sierra said. Long before RoadRunner Coffee had a name, a menu, or a front door, Teresa and Sierra had already experienced the kind of community they would one day try to create for others.They found it at Aquinas. When asked what from their Aquinas years continues to influence them today, they did not point to a particular class, award, or accomplishment. They pointed to community. “Aquinas taught us not only the importance of community, but also how to build one, care for it, and help it thrive,” they shared. The supportive community they experienced as students left a lasting impression and eventually helped shape the vision for RoadRunner Coffee: a gathering place of their own, especially for moms and families. There is something especially meaningful about creating that space here in the Inland Empire, in the same region that helped shape their own lives. For Teresa and Sierra, seeing childhood friends, former teachers, and family members walk through the doors of RoadRunner Coffee has made the experience feel full circle. “To be able to give back to a place that helped you grow into the person you are today” is special, they said. And perhaps that is where the connection between Aquinas and RoadRunner Coffee becomes most visible. Community is not created through a sign on a wall or a mission statement. It is built through hundreds of small choices that communicate one simple message: 6

You belong here. A corner designed with children in mind. A place for a student to study. A table where a local business can meet. A mother walking through the door with her child and realizing she does not have to apologize for taking up space. That is community. Behind the business are also two mothers learning how to balance entrepreneurship with family life. Neither pretends that balance has been easy. Sierra said managing motherhood, family, and business ownership has been challenging, but she hopes her children see that she continues to show up for them while also working hard to build something meaningful. One of her favorite signs that they are watching? Her oldest already talks about wanting to be part of the RoadRunner Coffee team when she grows up. For Teresa, the first year has been a lesson in resilience, patience, and letting go of perfection. “It has been overwhelming and stretching in so many ways,” she said, but the experience has also shown her that people are often capable of far more than they think. She hopes her children learn that they can pursue the things they care about, even when those things are difficult that they can work hard, keep showing up, and still remember to have fun along the way. Most importantly, she wants them to see “that you can be a mom, or parent in general, and also have passions that you work hard for.”

If Teresa and Sierra could speak to the two women standing on the edge of RoadRunner Coffee’s opening nearly a year ago, they would tell them not to worry so much about having everything figured out. There would be challenges, certainly. But there would be even more moments of joy. And much of what they needed to know, they could only learn by doing. That lesson will follow them into RoadRunner Coffee’s second year. They want to keep improving. Keep growing. Keep serving their team and their customers better. But most of all, they plan to keep showing up for the community that has shown up for them. Because somewhere between the first cup poured and the countless decisions made behind the scenes, Teresa Baguyo and Sierra Baguyo built more than a coffee shop. They built RoadRunner Coffee, a place where a child can play, a student can study, friends can reconnect, a mother can exhale, and a community can gather. And for two Aquinas alumni who learned years ago what it feels like to belong to a strong community, perhaps there could be no more fitting way to carry that lesson forward.

LA RIVIERE SCHOLARSHIPS & TEACHING EXCELLENCE 2026

Orlando Trujillo

Rachel Hellrich

Olivia Rosa

Luke Oquendo

Mia Dainko

Five Aquinas students have been selected as the 2026 La Riviere Scholars, continuing a scholarship tradition created to recognize something that cannot always be measured by a transcript, résumé or list of accomplishments: character. Five Aquinas students have been selected as the 2026 La Riviere Scholars, continuing a scholarship tradition created to recognize something that cannot always be measured by a transcript, résumé or list of accomplishments: character. This year’s recipients are Mia Dainko, Olivia Rosa, Luke Oquendo, Rachel Hellrich and Orlando Trujillo. The La Riviere Society awards scholarships to deserving students as they enter their senior year at Aquinas High School. Unlike many traditional scholarships, the selection process looks beyond familiar benchmarks such as grade point average, academy track, student-body office, athletic achievement or financial need. Instead, the primary consideration is character. The scholarship honors the legacy of Father La Riviere, who taught at Aquinas from 1959 to 1969. Former students remember him as an inspirational influence who challenged young people to grow in maturity, think critically and express themselves with confidence. His approach emphasized discipline, individual accountability and personal attention. Decades later, the La Riviere Society continues that legacy by recognizing students who demonstrate the qualities it considers most important. A La Riviere Scholar is first a Solid Citizen, a student who demonstrates civic integrity and is regarded as a courteous and honorable member of the community. They are also an Avid Learner — a student who strives within their own abilities toward personal academic achievement. And they are a Moral Model — a young person whose character and ethical values can serve as an example to others. These qualities are intentionally given greater weight than more traditional measures of achievement. A student’s family circumstances, socioeconomic obstacles and efforts to overcome those challenges may also be considered. Candidates are also asked to reflect on the legacy behind the scholarship through an essay examining the question, “What makes a great teacher?” For Mia Dainko, Olivia Rosa, Luke Oquendo, Rachel Hellrich and Orlando Trujillo, the honor recognizes more than what they have accomplished in high school. It reflects the kind of students, and people, they have shown themselves to be. Integrity. Effort. Citizenship. Character. More than half a century after Father La Riviere taught at Aquinas, his influence continues through a scholarship designed to recognize students not simply for what they achieve, but for the character they demonstrate along the way.

Also recognized in connection with the La Riviere scholarship program was Ted Nguyen, who received the Distinguished Teacher honor. His recognition stands alongside the student awards as an acknowledgment of the important role educators play in shaping young people a fitting connection to a scholarship rooted in the legacy of a teacher whose influence continued long after his years in the classroom.

Ted Nguyen

Welcoming the Class of 2026 to the Aquinas Alumni Family The Class of 2026 celebrates achievement, service and the beginning of its next chapter

n Saturday, May 30, Aquinas High School celebrated the Class of 2026, honoring 146 graduates whose years on campus were marked by scholarship, service, leadership and faith. Together, the graduating class received $2.4 million in scholarship offers, completed more than 16,494 hours of student service and will continue on to 50 different college, career and military destinations. Eleven graduates will become collegiate athletes, while 38 students completed Aquinas’ academy programs. At the center of the commencement celebration were two students whose academic achievement and involvement reflected the breadth of the Aquinas experience: Valedictorian Sofia Casillas-Holowatz and Salutatorian David Martinez. Leading the Class Casillas-Holowatz graduated as the highest-ranking student in the Class of 2026 with a 4.76 weighted GPA and will continue her education at UC Berkeley. Her achievements extended well beyond the classroom. During her junior year, Casillas-Holowatz discovered an interest in landscape architecture and pursued that passion so wholeheartedly that, by her senior year, she was already gaining real-world experience working at a landscape architecture firm. She also left a distinct mark on life at Aquinas. CasillasHolowatz founded the school’s sound team, helping provide audiovisual support for campus events and celebrations. A saxophonist in the jazz band, she also participated in National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Campus Ministry, Engineering Academy and Robotics Club. Salutatorian David Martinez, the second-highest ranking student in the senior class, graduated with a 4.69 weighted GPAand will attend UC San Diego. Martinez combined academic achievement with interests in engineering, athletics and innovation. His senior project brought together two of his greatest passions, physical fitness and engineering, as he explored ways that creativity, problem-solving and forward-thinking design could make a meaningful impact on the gym industry. Beyond the classroom, Martinez was a leader on the football field, earning the respect of teammates and coaches through his hard work, determination and character. He was also active in National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation and the Engineering Academy, and earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Honors. Together, Casillas-Holowatz and Martinez represented two students who embraced the opportunities Aquinas offered while developing distinctly different paths toward their futures. A Class Defined by Achievement The academic accomplishments of the Class of 2026 stretched throughout the senior class. Aquinas recognized 21 AP Scholars, including five AP Scholars with Honors and seven AP Scholars with Distinction. Two students earned the Seal of Biliteracy,

one student received Dual Enrollment Honors, and an impressive 50 students graduated with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.Their next chapters will take them across California and beyond. Among the class, 21 students are UC-bound, while 44 will attend CSU or Cal Poly campuses. Eleven graduates will attend Catholic colleges and universities. In all, graduates are headed to 124 California destinations and 19 out-of-state destinations, with one graduate entering a military pathway. Those numbers tell only part of the story. Behind them are years of demanding coursework, practices and performances, campus ministry, service projects, friendships, growth and the countless everyday moments that shaped the Class of 2026. An Alum Returns to the Commencement Stage Adding special meaning to the day was commencement speaker Theodore “Ted” Alejandre, an Aquinas alumnus and the 34th Superintendent of Schools for San Bernardino County. Alejandre has spent more than three decades in public education, serving as a teacher, vice principal, principal and director of fiscal services at the district level before joining the Office of the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in 2008 as assistant superintendent of Business Services. He later served as deputy superintendent, overseeing the organization’s operations. He was first elected to the county’s lead educational seat in June 2014, reelected in 2018 and 2022, and began his third consecutive four-year term in January 2023. As county superintendent, Alejandre works collaboratively with educators, families, agencies and community partners to provide advocacy, leadership and services for nearly 400,000 K–12 students attending public schools throughout San Bernardino County. Among the highlights of his service are nurturing the Cradle to Career Roadmap, targeting early literacy, establishing the county’s first Student Advisory Panel, serving as president of the California County Superintendents coalition, and revamping the Alliance for Education to strengthen the connection between business and community organizations, education and workforce development. In recognition of his advocacy for education, Alejandre was selected as the California Superintendent of the Year for 2022 by the Association of California School Administrators. He is also a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, with military service dating back to 1984. His return to Aquinas as commencement speaker created a meaningful connection between generations; an Aquinas alumnus returning to address a new class of Falcons preparing to begin their own next chapter. The Mission Continues As the Class of 2026 left Aquinas, its accomplishments reflected the four pillars celebrated throughout its years on campus: faith, scholarship, leadership and service. From $2.4 million in scholarship offers to more than 16,000 service hours, from championship fields and concert stages to classrooms, ministries and engineering labs, the class 6 10 leaves behind an impressive record.

But commencement was ultimately about more than what these 146 Falcons had already accomplished. It was about where they are headed next and the values they will carry with them. Formed in faith. Prepared for the future. Sent to serve. For the Aquinas High School Class of 2026, the future is bright, and the mission continues.

A Q U I N A S

H I G H

S C H O O L

P R E S E N T S

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

2026 INDUCTEES 2026 INDUCTEES

2019 CIF CHAMPION FOOTBALL CHRIS PARKER

RON SIMMONS

CHIKE AMAJOYI

OCT 10TH 06:00 PM TICKET $75 SEMI-FORMAL ATTIRE

TIA CHAVIRA

MIKE SCAFIDDI

AQUINAS GOGO GYMNASIUM HALL OF CHAMPIONS 2772 STERLING AVE. SAN BERNARDINO 92404

SCAN THE QR CODE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Aquinas Honors Its Newest Distinguished Alumni

Aquinas High School honored four alumni whose paths since graduation reflect achievement, leadership, service and continued impact in their professions and communities.

he newest recipients of the Mike Riddell Distinguished Alumni Award were recognized during the Alumni Scholarship Dinner. Named in honor of Mike Riddell ’69, the award acknowledges the achievements of Aquinas graduates since their time as students. This year’s honorees span nearly four decades of Aquinas history, from the Class of 1963 through the Class of 2002, with careers and service extending across construction, law, the military, pharmacy, education, marketing and community advocacy. Rick Pence ’77 Rick Pence ’77 has built a career of more than four decades in the construction industry. A third-generation construction professional, Pence began his career in 1977 and developed extensive hands-on experience across the industry. In 1989, he founded Pence Construction, establishing the company on a foundation of expertise, integrity and innovation. As president of Pence Construction, he has become known for developing creative solutions for complex specialty projects while maintaining a personal, hands-on approach with clients. Under his leadership, Pence Construction maintains licenses in California, Arizona and Utah and continues its commitment to industry standards and compliance. James Robert “Bob” Gericke ’63 For James Robert “Bob” Gericke ’63, a life of service has included careers in law, public service and the military. Born in Watsonville, California, Gericke earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University, a master’s degree in correctional counseling from Chapman College and a Juris Doctor from Citrus Belt Law School. He began his public-service career as a Deputy Probation Officer and later served as a Senior Deputy in San Bernardino County. His legal career included private practice, more than two decades as a Supervising Deputy Public Defender and later service as a Superior Court Hearing Officer. He continues his public service as a Justice of the Peace in Mohave County, Arizona. Gericke also served in both the California Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. His military career included a tour in Vietnam and numerous leadership positions. After more than three decades of service, he retired with the rank of Colonel. Gericke has been married to his wife, Patricia, since 1980. Together, they have two sons and four grandchildren.

Dr. Richard Aguilar ’77 Dr. Richard Aguilar ’77 has devoted his professional career to pharmacy and the care of patients with chronic diseases and bleeding disorders. During his years at Aquinas, Aguilar played varsity baseball during his junior and senior years and served as Senior Class Vice President. After graduating, he attended Cal State San Bernardino, earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry before receiving his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Aguilar began his pharmacy career in 1984 with Western Medical Specialties, a pioneer in the homecare infusion industry. He later managed the growth and development of the pharmacy at the Caremark Therapeutic Services division, a precursor to what is now CVS Specialty Pharmacy Services. His career also included overseeing the infusion department at a long-term care pharmacy. In 2002, Aguilar and his wife, Shelley, who is also a pharmacist, established Aero Apothecary, Inc., an accredited specialty pharmacy in Loma Linda focused on chronic and complex disease states. Following a merger of pharmacies, he became Corporate Director of Pharmacy at a national specialty pharmacy provider. Before retiring, he worked for an organization where he was responsible for managing satellite pharmacy and wholesale operations. Aguilar has remained active in several pharmacist associations and has served as an officer, delegate and speaker at professional and patient-centered meetings throughout the country and in the U.S. territory of Guam. He and Shelley have two adult children, both of whom are also Aquinas High School graduates. Outside of his professional life, Aguilar is an aviator and motorsports enthusiast and enjoys culinary adventures while traveling. Dr. Rina Dakanay ’02 Dr. Rina Dakanay ’02 has built a career at the intersection of marketing, education, community engagement and digital innovation. As a marketing and communications consultant, Dakanay works with organizations and communities to develop approaches to learning, connection and leadership. At Claremont Lincoln University, she leads national marketing campaigns and develops strategic partnerships centered on ethical leadership and community impact.

In 2019, her team received the American Marketing Association’s Higher Ed Marketing Team of the Year Award, winning against finalists from the University of Notre Dame and Stony Brook University. Dakanay has taught digital media campaigns, advertising and communications at the Art Institute of California and Claremont Lincoln University. Her work focuses on helping students connect classroom learning with practical applications for organizations and leaders. She earned her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, with research examining the ways social media, fandom and digital storytelling influence collaborative learning. From that work, she developed the Fandom Framework for Learning™, based on the belief that people learn best when they feel included, supported, confident and joyful. She applies the framework to help organizations strengthen programs, communication and connections within the communities they serve. Her community involvement includes service on the Board of Directors for Youth Action Project and as Board Secretary for the Center Against Racism and Trauma, recognized as California’s 2026 Non-Profit of the Year. She also co-chairs the Asian Pacific Islander Awareness Subcommittee with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, advocating for greater representation of Asian and Pacific Islander communities within mental health services. Her global advocacy work includes the Mbokodo Girls initiative with The Justice Desk in South Africa. In 2022, she attended the 18th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in South Korea, where she helped launch the Big Sister project. Dakanay’s work also connects traditional ideas about knowledge and human well-being, inspired by St. Thomas Aquinas, with contemporary practices in collaborative learning, digital culture and community-centered leadership. A Tradition of Achievement From the Class of 1963 to the Class of 2002, this year’s Mike Riddell Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent four different professional journeys shaped by decades of work following their time at Aquinas. James Robert Gericke ’63, Rick Pence ’77, Dr. Richard Aguilar ’77 and Dr. Rina Dakanay ’02 now join the alumni recognized through an award created to celebrate what Aquinas graduates have accomplished beyond their years on campus.

o t d e t t i m m o C quinas Teaching Excellence Endowment high school

Aquinas is committing up to $400,000 in matching funds for any donation to the Committed to Teaching Excellence Endowment. This initiative is designed to ensure our teachers receive salaries competitive with public schools while continuing to provide students with the most supportive and mission-driven Catholic educational environment. Every gift you make will be matched, doubling your impact in honoring our teachers and strengthening the future of Catholic education at Aquinas. Use the QR code below to make your gift today.

Faith in Motion Bringing Poverty Awareness Back to Aquinas

or Aquinas seniors in the Theology: Faith in Motion course, Catholic Social Teaching became more than a classroom discussion through this year’s Poverty Awareness Project. Students researched different “faces” of poverty, forms of poverty that come with their own unique struggles and prepared informational materials on the topic they were assigned. Each group then created a station using mostly used cardboard and other supplies to construct makeshift homes. At their stations, students either demonstrated the experience they had researched or served as a source of information for visiting students. One group focusing on poverty and physical disability, for example, had a student use crutches as part of the demonstration. The goal was to give students an opportunity to “step into the shoes” of those in need. For some of the seniors, the experience became unexpectedly personal. Although many of those visiting their stations were their own friends and classmates, the Theology students noticed that visitors often remained at a distance rather than coming close to them. Several students described feeling “lesser” or as though they were being considered “dirty” or “ugly” because of their appearance during the demonstration. For Theology teacher Chris Estrella, M.A., that reaction helped give the project a greater sense of reality. “Outward appearance directly impacts social perception and social treatment,” Estrella explained, even when those involved know that what they are seeing is only a demonstration and not actual poverty.

The project connects directly with Aquinas’ Catholic identity and its teaching of Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the Dignity of Human Life and the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Senior students were given an opportunity not only to study those teachings, but to share them with younger students who visited the project. “The Catholic-Christian Church has a very direct and strong heart towards caring for those in various forms of poverty,” Estrella said, both when it comes to immediate needs and long-term solutions. The project, he explained, brings attention both to the reality of poverty and to the Church’s desire to address it. The goal was never to suggest that students could solve poverty through one school project. “The hope, importantly, is not that we ‘solved poverty’ with this project, but to bring Awareness,” Estrella said. High school students may not yet have significant money to donate or the ability to join organizations serving those in need, he explained, but they can begin developing knowledge and awareness that can influence the choices they make later. Because the students completing the project are seniors, Estrella sees the experience as a kind of “send-off” into adulthood. They are approaching a time when they will have greater opportunities to make an impact. Before leaving Aquinas, they are also able to pass what they have learned on to younger students. That cycle was already evident following the project. Several younger students approached Estrella afterward and asked, “If I take this class next year, will we do this again?” “This was the goal,” he said, “to bring an awareness for the younger ones, so that they will be formed more deeply in Catholic Social Teaching when they’re older.” The idea for the Poverty Awareness Project was not new to Aquinas. Estrella had already graduated from Aquinas when Father Justin led a similar project years ago. At the time, Estrella was working at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, where Aquinas students came to present the demonstration. The experience stayed with him. “I was very impressed, and thought, ‘I wish we did cool stuff like that when I was there!’” he recalled. Estrella was particularly struck by how seriously the students approached the project. They were able to remain themselves as high school students while also portraying those experiencing poverty in a way that did not disrespect the unhoused or needy.

Years later, when Estrella began teaching Catholic Social Teaching at Aquinas, the earlier project came back to mind. With a project-based approach to concepts such as Catholic Social Teaching, he knew he wanted to bring the experience back. “I knew that we needed to bring this project back, and that students would both learn from and enjoy the process of doing it,” he said. One of the things that stood out most to Estrella was the seriousness with which his students approached their work. He said he was impressed that nearly every student, including some of the students who are normally more playfuL, took both the project and their portrayals seriously. Several students especially stood out to him for their ability to both demonstrate their assigned topic and provide information: Gracen Snodgrass, Charlie Reyes, Rudeejoi Deguia, Kalvin Vinson, Noah Martinez and Mexyica Clesceri. Noah Martinez’s station focused on what Estrella described as “Mute / Deaf Poverty.” After learning signs from Mrs. Crabtree, Noah communicated only through hand signals and ASL throughout the demonstration. “He only used hand signals & ASL to communicate, and ‘stayed in character’ to the point that people truly felt compassion for his need,” Estrella said. The station became the one most engaged with by visiting students. “That really got me emotionally,” he said. Throughout the project, Estrella also heard students discussing what they were seeing. Visitors asked how long students had prepared and whether they had rehearsed. They asked what class was responsible for the project. They encouraged one another to visit particular stations and commented on both the portrayals and the information students were sharing. “It was exciting to see the conversations,” Estrella said. Among the most important lessons Estrella hoped students would take away were two simple realities: poverty has many different faces and challenges, including situations involving young children, and poverty exists closer to home than students may realize.

“You don’t need to go that far from the edge of the campus to find / see it,” he said. Within a Catholic high school, Estrella believes experiences like this also help students recognize that the Church’s teachings extend beyond subjects that may traditionally be viewed as strictly religious. “The Church is not just confined to only praise & worship of Jesus,” he said. “It has a LOT to say, teach, and do about worldly struggles like war, poverty, laws, economics, and more.” Doing justice for others in those areas, he said, is an expression of faith. Students were encouraged before, during and after the project to take what they learned and allow it to influence both their near and distant future choices. “Humanity needs to be loved, cared for, respected, and given dignity, regardless of religion, because God created all people,” Estrella said. His hope is that students learn to connect social action and moral justice with religious faithfulness and Church teaching, not only so they become stronger Catholics and Christians, but so they develop into mature adults with strong moral ethics and values. When asked what Father Justin might think of seeing the project continue years later, Estrella returned to the idea of an ongoing mission. Catholic Social Teaching, he said, is ongoing for Catholics and Christians. “The mission is still incomplete 15 years later, and will still be in-progress 15 years from now.” He pointed to Mother Teresa’s example of continuing to do the work even when there may be no end in sight and noted Pope Francis’ statement that poverty may never be eliminated entirely. Still, he said, “the work is worth doing.” “It starts with knowing/awareness, and then it becomes action, next.” That work is continuing at Aquinas. Faith in Motion has grown from two classes last year to three this year, with more seniors enrolled in the course. Following the response to the Poverty Awareness Project, the program is also expanding to include a primary Catholic Social Teaching-based project each quarter rather than one major project during the year. Not every project will have the same large, visual scope as the Poverty Awareness Project, but Estrella hopes the increased emphasis on projects and action will allow seniors to apply what they have learned during their previous three years of Theology. Several of his current students have already told him that seeing last year’s Poverty Awareness Project is what inspired them to join Faith in Motion this year. For Estrella, that response reflects exactly what the project was designed to accomplish. Awareness first. Action next.

support aquinas through the

al e together weAncan p p nual A Our Together We Can annual appeal is underway. This is years fund will focus on updating our emergency and earthquake supplies. If you have not yet donated, please prayerfully consider donating to support the Christ centered Catholic school mission of Aquinas High School and our ability to offer the safest educationalenvironment possible. The campaign will close June 30th. Thank you for all of your support.

Click Here to Give

N O C L FA S T R O SP

Winter & Spring 2025–26 Aquinas athletics gave Falcon fans plenty to celebrate throughout the winter and spring seasons, with strong finishes, playoff appearances and a CIF championship highlighting another memorable year. On the basketball court, both the Boys and Girls Basketball teams advanced to the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The girls put together an especially strong season, finishing 21–6 overall and 6–0 in Ambassador League play, earning first place in league. The season also marked the close of a chapter for the program as longtime Girls Basketball coach Ron Simmons retired. The spring season brought even more excitement. Boys Swim captured a CIF championship, one of the biggest athletic accomplishments of the year and a proud moment for the Aquinas community. Falcon teams also found success on the field. Baseball finished 21–10 overall and 11–1 in Ambassador League play, taking first place in league and advancing to the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Softball also finished first in the Ambassador League, posting a 19–8–1 overall record and a 7–1 league record before moving on to postseason competition. Boys Volleyball added another playoff appearance for Aquinas, finishing 14–10 overall and 7–3 in league and continuing the strong spring showing across Falcon athletics. From league championships and postseason runs to a CIF title, Aquinas student-athletes once again gave the school community plenty of reasons to cheer. Congratulations to all of the athletes, coaches and teams who represented the Falcons throughout the winter and spring seasons.

‌ p U p Wra 21

CONGRATULATIONS to Boys Swim Division 4 CIF Champions 22

SAVE THE DATE

HOMECOMING 10.9.26 SEE YOU IN THE ALUMNI ZONE

Sterling Hills Opens at Aquinas

A New On-Campus Golf Training Facility for Today’s Falcons and Generations to Come

Aquinas High School celebrated the dedication and opening of Sterling Hills, a new state-of-the-art golf training center located right on campus, on May 15, 2026. Designed to give student-athletes additional opportunities to develop their game without leaving campus, Sterling Hills features four hitting bays, tee boxes positioned at 75, 60 and 45 yards, a dedicated chipping area, and an impressive 1,800-square-foot putting green. The new facility represents another investment in the continued growth of Aquinas athletics, providing current and future Falcons with a dedicated space to practice, train and strengthen their golf skills. Sterling Hills was generously made possible through the support of the Olivas Family, Gomez Landscaping, Athletic Turf Specialists, Wallace Curb and Gutter, the Barrows Family, and Crown Printing. Aquinas extends its sincere gratitude to each of these donors and partners for helping bring this new campus facility to life and for their continued investment in Aquinas students. The addition of Sterling Hills is another example of what can be accomplished through the generosity and commitment of the Aquinas community.

CLASS NOTES

Discover the latest updates from fellow alumni in our class notes section. Your story matters too! Contribute and keep the connections alive by submitting your updates for the next issue.

Charles Phenix

Last May married 55 years. Wife Patti is a retired RN. Expecting great grandchild in Dec. Worked over 50 years in Wildland firefighting.

Jim Underwood

‘6 8

I was honored to be the keynote speaker at Brevard County Florida's 25th Anniversary Commemoration of September 11, 2001. We will never forget!

Diana Ruiz

‘7 2

Aquinas 50+ Year Love Story: Eliseo (Elly) Ruiz and I were part of the first co-ed graduating class of Aquinas in 1972, but we met in third grade at St. Anne’s School.The last time that I was at Aquinas I noticed that Elly’s football picture is on the gym wall with coach Dennis Wilson. Elly was a basketball guard, quarterback, and represented Aquinas as a foreign exchange student in Switzerland. I was able to be a student leader as well. Aquinas gave us a great start and framework with similar values that helped us make it to our 50th wedding anniversary. We celebrated with our kids and their partners snorkeling in Maui.

Ed Dainko

‘7 6

I want to report that Gary Stewart, class of 1975 and living in Atlanta, GA, recently retired from Accenture and one of the first thing he did was join Ed Dainko '76, Jim Dainko '77, Tom Dainko '80, Mike Dainko '82, and Matt Dainko '93 in watching Notre Dame defeat the University of Wisconsin in historic Lambeau Field. Afterwards, Gary and some of the brothers enjoyed the challenge of playing Whistling Straits. As they say: A great time was had by All!

Tori (Victoria Kinne) Brinkly

‘8 6

The Aquinas High School Class of 1986 had their 40th reunion on August 22nd in Corona, CA. It was a hot evening (literally and figuratively) as 30 alumni plus some guests gathered for an evening of fun and reminiscing. There are plans to have a gathering sooner than 2036, including a joint one with other classes.

Melanie Heap

‘0 3

I currently live in the western suburbs of Chicago with my husband, Andrew, and our three children: Harris (9), Ford (7), and Bernadette (4). After working as a NICU and Labor & Delivery Social Worker for eight years, I have moved on to work as a therapist. I continue to specialize in perinatal mental health in the outpatient setting. This year, I was elected to the executive board of the National Association of Perinatal Social Worker as the treasurer. I am fortunate to be able to help support families during the perinatal period both on a local and national level.

Leo Cortez

‘0 5

I was recently promoted to Director, Strategic Finance at Turo, a peer to peer car sharing marketplace based in San Francisco. I’ve been at Turo for close to six years and it is my second post-MBA job. I went to business school and earned my MBA to pivot my career from Engineering to Finance. People at Director level and above are considered leadership at Turo, so this is the most consequential promotion I have received after switching to a career in Finance.

Eddie Aguilar

‘0 8

On August 22, 2026, I had the incredible honor of receiving an Emmy Award for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) I worked on with CAL FIRE.This newfound journey within the Communications Program has brought an incredible amount of excitement, creativity, and fulfillment to my fire service career. I’m grateful for the opportunity to step outside of my traditional role, tell important stories, and help connect CAL FIRE’s mission with the communities of California.

Henry Widdicombe

‘16

I got married! We met during our graduate studies and got married this summer, on June 6th, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Johann Rivera

‘2 1

Graduated from UCR, Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering

In Memorium

The Aquinas community pauses to remember those whose lives, faith, and dedication have left a lasting impact on our school and the generations they touched. In this issue, we honor the life and legacy of longtime Aquinas advocate and benefactor Dick Riddell.

REMEMBERING DICK RIDDELL

By Mike Riddell, son of Dick Riddell Long-time Aquinas advocate and benefactor Dick Riddell passed away peacefully in his home on July 13, 2026 at the age of 101 years. Twice before passing he received the Sacrament of the Sick and the Apostolic Pardon that goes with it, and he was a regular communicant even during the weeks that he was confined to his bed. Mr. Riddell was the third of seven children born to his father Stan and his mother Bernardine (“Bernie”). He and his brothers and sisters all attended St. Bernardine’s grade school and high school when St. Bernardine’s educated grades 1 through 12. He was young for his class, and upon graduation from high school at age 17 he received his parents’ permission to enlist in the United States Navy to fight in World War II, serving as a communications specialist until after the war ended. By his account he logged more than 200,000 miles at sea. Following the war he returned to San Bernardino, enrolled at San Bernardino Valley College, and met and married his wife Cherrie. Together they raised four children (one boy and three girls), sending them to grade school at Holy Rosary and St. Anne’s, and then to high school at St. Bernardine’s and Aquinas. Three of their children received Catholic educations in college as well. Dick Riddell became a leader at Aquinas during the time that his children attended school there and continuously thereafter. He served on the school board at Aquinas and recruited the Vice Principal of Notre Dame High School in Riverside, Fr. Charles Devine, to become the new principal at Aquinas to succeed Fr. Robert Nagler when that position became open. He saw Aquinas change from an all-boys school to a co-educational school when it merged with St. Bernardine’s High School. He was a strong supporter of Aquinas financially and in other ways as well. He regularly attended the sporting events, especially while his children were playing sports there, but also supported the other teams in the sports his children did not play. After his own children graduated from Aquinas he contributed money each year, faithfully, to help finance the education of students who would not have been able to attend Aquinas otherwise. He later made his financial support perpetual by creating and funding an endowed scholarship that now provides financial support to multiple students at Aquinas each and every year. He wanted to make a lasting gift that would survive beyond his death. Mr. Riddell succeeded in countless other aspects of his life as well, in management at the Southern California Gas Company, where he worked for 40 years, and afterwards as a member of the Yucaipa City Council, where he served as mayor for 25 years. He was well known for sound fiscal policy, managed growth, the development of parks and the preservation of scenic open spaces. More importantly he had the gift of making every person in his life feel special. He was able to elevate those around him. Before dying Dick Riddell made his children promise to pray for him following his death, and he promised to continue to pray for them from his new location. His continuing support for Aquinas is now stronger and more important than ever before. Please keep him in your prayers.

Aquinas High School

Month Year Issue Number

The

2772 Sterling Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92404

Solitaire Traveler