Through the Decades: Looking Back on 60 Years

By Sean Chaffin

It was 60 years ago that the Dominican Order of priests founded Bishop Lynch High School. With an eye toward a classical Catholic education, academic excellence, college readiness, and a spirit of service, classes began for an intrepid group of students, teachers, parents and administrators at a new school.

That first year in 1963 kicked off with 365 freshmen and sophomores, but things were a bit different in those early days. Priests and nuns took on much of the teaching load with classes mostly separated by gender. Even in the beginning, many sensed something different developing at the 22-acre campus on Ferguson Road in East Dallas. The school continued to grow in the coming years, both in population and in physical size. The first senior class graduation was held in May of 1966, sending 103 students off into the real world better equipped for the path ahead of them. These students were not just prepared for college but also ready to become leaders in their careers and in their communities.

The property saw a major addition in 1969, with the completion of Roffino Stadium. The venue, along with other athletic facilities, has since hosted numerous events and championship teams. As the school grew, the number of clubs and activities also expanded, and today, Friars enjoy a range of groups and experiences like the House System, Student Ambassadors, Mock Trial, Brigade, and Belonging Board. Many of these groups are not only student led, but also formed by students, including numerous opportunities to engage with charitable causes during their high school years. BL remained staffed and administered from 1963 to 1982, and today the faculty and staff is primarily made up of lay educators. What started with just 365 freshman and sophomores students has grown to a student body of over 1,000 young people.

As the school celebrates six decades of rigorous Catholic education and community involvement, the school mission statement still rings true today.

“Faithful to Catholic Tradition and to our Dominican heritage of scholarship and service, Bishop Lynch High School promotes the development of the total person by bringing together a diverse community in a rigorous, college preparatory environment where students are taught to strive for excellence, seek truth, and work for justice in the world.”

THROUGH THE DECADES TAKES A LOOK AT THE BL SUCCESS STORY THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE WHO WERE PART OF THE ADVENTURE.

MAUREEN FARMER '66

Dallas, TX

RETIRED FOLLOWING LONG CAREEER IN THE BUSINESS WORLD

While 1963 was the first year that BL opened, that year also played a major role in the country’s history and that of Dallas. Just about 10 miles from the campus, President John F. Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, 1963. The assassination resonated with Americans across the country including within the Bishop Lynch community. For students in Dallas, the day’s news and chaos that followed made a major impact. As one of BL’s first students, Maureen Farmer vividly remembers the day’s events.

“Returning to our first class following lunch, an announcement came over the PA system,” she says. “President Kennedy had been shot in downtown Dallas as his motorcade was heading to Market Hall for a luncheon. We were devastated. It was a very dark and sad day in Dallas and in the days that followed.”

That singular event certainly stood out during the school’s early days and among her three years at BL. Many more positive events and opportunities would also come her way as a Friar and she looks back fondly on that time. Growing up in Kansas City, Farmer attended Catholic schools all through elementary and her first year of high school. When her family relocated to Dallas in January 1963, she first enrolled in a public high school. BL offered a bit of salvation.

“I attended a public high school, but was very much a fish out of water,” Farmer says. “In the fall of 1963, Bishop Lynch opened and I entered as a sophomore in a very small class, 60 girls and 44 boys. At the time, BL was co-institutional. Young men and women had separate wings and did not have classes together.

We did share lunchtime and after school clubs together such as the Blackfriars, Folk Singing Club, and student government.”

Initially, those groups and activities took some time to get off the ground. As a new school, those opportunities were limited at first. But Farmer says her class of 1966 started building the foundation for what was to come and she went on to serve as a senior class officer.

After graduating, Farmer married her husband Michael in 1972. The two were casually acquainted while in high school but met again in 1971. He had attended Jesuit, and their wedding ceremony was concelebrated by Fr. Kevin Thissen, a Dominican priest from BL, and Fr. Jack Oster, a Jesuit priest. The couple then moved to Denver, Colorado in 1973 and had two sons before moving to California in 1976. Farmer had a long and varied career after leaving BL which included working in inventory control for Tom Thumb followed by 15 years as a stay-at-home mother.

In 1989, she returned to college at Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos. Following graduation, the Farmers moved to Houston where Maureen worked in marketing at DuPont Flooring. In 1999, the Farmers moved back to Dallas with Michael opening a sales agency in 2007. Maureen began working in public relations for another 13 years and then as assistant to the director with the Children’s Cancer Fund for two years before retiring in 2014.

The family’s return to Dallas also allowed Farmer to once again become involved with BL. She served on the Alumni Board until 2020, and she started a dining group with some 1966 classmates. The group has now been meeting every month since 2005. In 2016, Farmer chaired a committee to organize her class’s 50th reunion and assisted in setting up a memorial scholarship fund to honor deceased classmates.

Farmer looks back fondly on her time at BL and credits the school with helping students develop a sense of service. Her religion, history, and literature classes also fostered critical thinking. As for faculty, Sister Domenico stands out as making a real difference.

“She was and is an amazing woman and was a big influence in my life. Her kindness and genuine caring were so meaningful to so many of us. I stay in touch with her to this day.” Even six decades later, those times at BL still mean so much to Farmer. She adds: “I loved my years at Bishop Lynch.”

THE MOST REVEREND MICHAEL G. DUCA '70

Baton Rouge, LA

BISHOP, DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE

Michael Duca spent much of his time working at a grocery store while at BL. He was on student council during senior year and attended football games but didn’t have much time to join school clubs. Someone looking at his 1979 annual might think differently, however.

“The day they sent around the forms for us to put down what clubs we were in, a lot of us didn't have too many,” he says with a laugh. “We were in Latin class and kind of created a Latin Club. We put ourselves in for four years and each took one year to be president. We padded the list a little bit.”

More than four decades later, Duca has served as bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, since 2018. He remembers a deep sense of community that united students in those early years. There weren’t many student organizations, but musicals, theatrical performances, and an ad-hoc drum corp (because there wasn’t a band yet) kept students involved and provided a wellrounded educational experience.

Attending BL was a family affair and Duca's brothers and sisters and many cousins also attended. The school was mostly separated by gender, and Duca admits he liked that. There was a true fraternal feel to the school day along with the opportunity to build friendships with BL’s female students at school events. His senior year also became a turning point, bringing on some major life choices.

“I enjoyed the quality of education,” he remembers. “The priests talked to us in ways that no nun would ever talk to us. It was refreshing to have this kind of rough, but very honest kind of talk. We also had a good retreat program senior year that really made a big difference in my life. It was a time when the church was changing. It was a very experiential kind of retreat, but for me, it was a kind of personal growth and awareness. It really is what kind of opened me up and that's when I got involved in student council, and maybe partly why I went on to be a priest. It really made me feel able to interact with other people in a much more active way. So, there were great influential moments in my life there.”

After attending Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving from 1970-78, Duca earned a Bachelor of Psychology, and then a Master of Divinity from the University of Dallas. He was ordained on April 29, 1978, and served as a priest in the Diocese of Dallas and rector of Holy Trinity Seminary before being appointed bishop of Shreveport, Louisiana. An average day sees him leading a daily televised mass, with some relatives and BL graduates regularly tuning in. He may visit a school, meet with priests, celebrate mass for nuns, or other duties that are part of shepherding his diocese. The diocese has an extensive prison ministry, and he recently confirmed two incarcerated individuals and baptized and gave first communion to another two. Each day is different, and that’s what Duca loves about his work. Time at BL played a major role in steering the priest toward a life of service.

“I thank God every day for the education I received in my grade school and my high school,” he says. “When I think back on those days and on what the school has become … all built around things like the Blackfriars Guild and things that were just getting started. They've been able to build up into this wonderful institution and just continue to excel. I also always love about Bishop Lynch that they've tried to keep it a balanced student body. They have room for all students there to come in and excel and succeed in their intellectual pursuits.”

PAUL DYBALA, PHD '89

Dallas, TX

PARTNER AND VICE PRESIDENT (OR VP) OF STRATEGY, AUDIOLOGYDESIGN

"BeLieving, BeLonging.” At Bishop Lynch, that’s the message plastered on the walls, buses, website, and everywhere in between. But for Paul Dybala, it’s more than just a catchphrase.

“Anyone who has attended BL knows that those two words best describe the essence of what BL is,” he says. “It’s not a slogan, it’s something that you can feel resonating within you when you’re there. It’s why I love BL. Bishop Lynch is a place where people believe in you, a place where you belong. It’s because of those two things you can figure out who you are and start confidently walking down that path of becoming the best version of yourself.

“The Dominican heritage that BL was founded on is steeped in this philosophy. St. Catherine of Siena, to whom the school chapel is dedicated, famously said, ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.’ This is what BL did for me.”

During his own Friar journey, Dybala was heavily involved as a member of the varsity cheerleaders, Blackfriars Guild, theater arts, student council, and as a student ambassador. That kind of social interaction was a long way from where he was just a few years earlier.

Middle school was a tough time. Dybala stuttered growing up, and speaking in front of the class was embarrassing. At one point he even crafted a list of jobs where he wouldn’t have to talk in front of people much. By eighth grade things began to change, but Dybala still lacked confidence.

“When I got to BL, I got to hit the reset button,” he says. “I remember thinking, ‘Here, nobody knows I’m Paul the stutterer! I can be anyone I want!’ This may sound crazy, but it was at that point I decided I was not going to be ‘Paul the stutterer’ anymore and the stuttering pretty much went away. I never looked back. That mindset could have only flourished in a place where I had people who believed in me, in a place where I felt like I belonged.”

Dybala further shed that insecure persona as a member of the Blackfriars during sophomore, junior, and senior years and lists performing in musicals as some of his most fun times in high school. Commanding the stage and singing in front of an audience was something he’d never imagined doing only a few years earlier.

“It was an awesome feeling and an amazing confidence builder,” he says. “Blackfriars ultimately opened up many other opportunities for me at BL and beyond. This included how I met my wife!”

Being a member of the varsity cheer squad was a special time for Dybala. He went on to cheer at Trinity Valley Community College and Stephen F. Austin University, winning two national championships along the way. He also met his wife Kelly, who was also a college cheerleader. The two now have three children, all of whom have attended or hope to attend Bishop Lynch. The Dybalas recently decided to give back through two arts scholarships, with a goal of raising $1 million in endowed fine arts funds.

Dybala earned a doctorate in audiology from the University of Texas at Dallas and founded a digital marketing company. He credits his involvement with various groups at BL with putting those wheels in motion – from motivation and creativity to work ethic and organization. Looking back, much of what has led to his success started in the halls of Bishop Lynch.

“School is not just about learning a specific skill, it’s also about learning about the type of person you are and how to work and help others,” he says. “If you need a project to be set up, organized, and run, give it to me. I’ll use the same basic skills I learned in Student Council. If you need a presentation or speech to be given, give it to me. The creativity and confidence in front of an audience I learned in Blackfriars and in cheerleading comes into play. I can trace some of my biggest accomplishments in my career to those skills. If you need to run a research project and then present that to an audience – it takes those skills. If you are trying to sell your company by presenting to the board of a multi-billion dollar publicly traded entity – it takes those skills.”

LK PIEROTTI '96

Dallas, TX

RETAIL PURCHASING MANAGER, THE LOCKER AT BISHOP LYNCH

As a member of the BL Brigade, LK Pierotti had a first-hand look at the Friars' success on the athletic field. The football team racked up state titles in 1994 and 1995 and she was right along for the ride. That sense of community and camaraderie stands out when looking back at her time as a student. Those times helped Pierotti create friendships that are still important to her today.

“Being in Brigade was a lot of fun, especially for those football state championship runs!” she says. “I also had so much fun during Freshman-Senior Week – both as a freshman and as a senior. The times I got to spend with my friends were priceless, and I love still being in touch with many of those people today.”

Along with Brigade, where she served as captain her senior year, Pierotti was active in student council through junior year. Pierotti says her time at BL helped pave the way for her career choice and more after graduation. She went on to earn a business degree from the University of San Diego and a Master of Education from Texas A&M University – Commerce. She says the teachers at BL, and St. Pius X before that, solidified her dream of becoming a teacher.

After working in the classroom for five years at All Saints and two years at St. Pius X, Pierotti “retired” to work as a private math tutor and volunteer with the Lakewood Service League and other groups. She’s happy to remain part of the BL family today as retail purchasing manager for The Locker, the school’s spirit wear shop serving teams, clubs, and campus organizations. Along with those duties, Pierotti served as Alumni Association president from 2006-08 and chaired the 50th Anniversary Committee from 2012-14.

“That's how I started in The Locker,” she says of her roles at the school. “I did some merchandise for the 50th Anniversary for the store to sell, and that turned into the most fun job I've ever had! Working at BL part-time gives me a great opportunity to be involved in the community with a more flexible schedule.”

Looking back, one teacher stood out for Pierotti during her time at BL and made a lasting impact on her life and career. Pierotti was pleased to see things come full circle when she began her own career.

“Mrs. Ann Potticary was an amazing math teacher,” she says. “I had her for three years, and she really inspired me to teach math, too. She was still teaching when I started teaching, so it was fun to reconnect with her during those first years in education.

“I am very grateful that I was able to attend Bishop Lynch. I made lifelong friends there and I love the BL community as an adult.”

KEATON MILLER '00

Dallas, TX

SOFTWARE EXECUTIVE

Even from an early age, Keaton Miller dreamed of being an attorney- arguing cases and debating against opponents. BL gave him the opportunity to engage in those types of challenges as a member of the mock trial team. The events simulate an actual trial and team members engage in prosecution and defense as if they were in a real courtroom. Team members go through extensive practice sessions to prepare for every possibility during the trial.

As a sophomore, Miller’s team became the first BL mock trial group to make a state championship appearance. He’s pleased to have witnessed the program's success and how far it has evolved over the past 25 years. Miller credits the school and participation in mock trial with teaching some of the skills that made him a success in the world of business and technology.

“Bishop Lynch certainly helped me with my critical thinking and communication skills which are applicable across all job roles,” he says. “I didn’t end up pursuing law, but fell into management consulting, followed by technology. BL helped me develop confidence to pursue my passions inside and outside of formal education.”

Beyond the mock trial team, being a part of the Student Foundation, Blackfriars Guild, and academic decathlon team were also memorable experiences. Miller served as president of the Foundation, a non-profit club focused on the service to the community. He also finished as valedictorian of his class. The opportunity to be part of a wide range of events and activities was a major benefit.

“BL was a great place to grow my own interests and learn,” he says. “It was the right blend of education inside and outside of the classroom.”

The faculty and staff were truly influential in Miller's life, and mock trial sponsor David Post had a particular impact. Now as a BL graduate, Miller and others are trying to return the favor and keep his memory alive after he passed away in 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Miller established the David Post Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to a deserving senior who adheres to Post's core values of critical and independent thinking, intellectual curiosity, and having an active voice. This is another example of how many graduates stay involved with the school long after receiving a diploma.

Read more about the David Post Scholarship on page 27 of Reflections.

RYAN DOOLEY '14

DeSoto, TX

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CARBON ADVISORY CONSULTANT

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Bishop Lynch’s founding, but Ryan Dooley remembers being part of the 50th when he was in school. He enjoyed helping with BL Live during a lock-in as part of the 50th celebration. This event sticks out in his mind from that year as an example of the fun times and special moments celebrated and the embodiment of the Dominican heritage of scholarship and service.

“We got permission to roam the school and shoot video for the 50th anniversary and pretty much got free rein in the school after hours, which was fun,” he says. “That was a cool experience. I don't know that BL has ever done another lock-in other than that year we had the 50th anniversary. We had a field day and all that, so that was a lot of fun."

“I had a good time in high school. Overall, I had a really good experience. I was really a more shy, timid kid. I would say BL helped me to come out of my shell a bit, and that I felt supported and lifted up just through trying hard and being moderately successful at different things.”

While Dooley has lived in Chicago since 2021, he still keeps in touch with several of his BL classmates. Some have even made the trip to visit him in the Windy City. Dooley was involved with varsity basketball, BL Ambassadors, and the National Honor Society in high school. He also earned second in state for social studies as part of the academic team and was voted prom king.

After graduation, Dooley went on to study engineering at Texas A&M and then earned a master’s degree at Northwestern University. He credits BL’s academic rigor in learning how to work hard academically in much the same way working on his family’s farm in Kansas helped him learn how to work hard physically. The staff was a big part of that, and he singled out Kyle and Paul May as being particularly impactful on his life.

“It challenged me academically, so I learned how to study and retain new information,” he says. “I felt like I was as prepared as I could have been. I had the tools and knew how to study and learn to get through engineering in four years at Texas A&M. I felt like BL gave me a good foundation. I came into college with over 30 college credits, which helped me to graduate on time. Both my parents were school teachers, so education has always been very important to me. I just didn't take for granted the quality education I knew I was getting.”

AFTER SIX DECADES OF SERVING STUDENTS...

the values and principles that have impacted so many Bishop Lynch students before still endure today. Bishop Lynch remains steadfast in its commitment to Catholic tradition and high standards of education. Serving others also remains as much a part of this environment as ever. Today’s students continue striving for excellence, seeking truth, and working for justice with an eye toward those who came before them. That’s been the case for 60 years and will remain so for many years to come.

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, and Ruidoso, New Mexico. His work appears in numerous regional and national publications.