FOUNDER’S CORNER
MY TIME WITH TOM BY BRIETTA HAYNES (‘17)
were excited and honored to share our experiences at Ave Maria with the high school students. After our MY TIME WITH TOM MONAGHAN WAS A SPECIAL, humbling experience, and brief speeches, we met separately with students. one that I will treasure forever. I am a sophomore at Ave Maria University, As I was talking to prospective students, I noticed where I am privileged to be a student-athlete on the cheerleading team. In a man playing hacky sack with some of the students December, a teammate, our coach Susan Moore, and I went on a trip to Ann on the other side of the room. It took me a moment Arbor to recruit high school students for the team and to speak to students to realize it was Mr. Monaghan. The act struck me as interested in attending Ave Maria. something so simple, yet We departed sunny Southwest Florida with our something that spoke to winter clothes packed and our cheerleading spirits his desire to engage future high. Upon arriving in Michigan, we went straight generations. to Mr. Monaghan’s famous “Tar Paper Shack,” Eventually, I met Mr. where we were welcomed with warm hospitality Monaghan, which of by his assistant, Jeff Randolph. It was so generous course was my favorof Mr. Monaghan to let us stay there, and we took ite part of the trip. We full advantage of the privilege by taking numerous snapped a quick picture Brietta Haynes (second from pictures and enjoying the overall serenity of the right) with the AMU cheerleading (which is now framed in squad during a men’s basketball Shack. my dorm), thanked him, game in January. The next morning we attended a beautiful Mass and enjoyed the rest of in the Ave Maria chapel at Domino’s Farms. As we the night talking with the toured Domino’s Farms after Mass, I learned more about Mr. Monaghan and high school students. My time with Mr. Monaghan his journey through life. I grew more excited to meet the man who founded was very humbling. When someone’s goal is to Ave Maria University. bring as many souls to heaven as possible, how can We then traveled to Mr. Monaghan’s home, where he was hosting Winterone not be impressed by his leadership, generosity, fest, an event for Michigan high school students interested in attending Ave and warmth? It was the trip of a lifetime, someMaria. After a performance by a professional ice skater, the ice was opened thing that I will always remember. I am but one of up for everyone to skate. There was unlimited hot cocoa and ice cream, and thousands, perhaps millions, whose lives have been many games. When the time came for Coach Moore, Jill and me to speak, we touched by Mr. Monaghan.
ave ma r ia maga z i ne | ave ma r ia.edu
Senior Jill Riordan (left) and sophomore Brietta Haynes (right) visited AMU founder and chancellor Tom Monaghan (middle) in Michigan to help recruit students.
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