DONAHUE ACADEMY
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
The School of Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria, Florida
PASTOR’S MESSAGE Dear families and friends of Donahue Academy,
TABLE OF CONTENTS Principal’s Message.....................................................1 Graduation....................................................................2 Around Donahue.........................................................5 The Alumni Return......................................................8 Fr. Daniel Scanlan: Witness To Freedom.............10 Donahue’s New Students........................................12 Classical Education: The Key Pillars.......................13 Sports...........................................................................14 Donahue Adds New “AP’s”.......................................16 Alumni Notes..............................................................18 Donahue Plans Summer Conference...................19 Principal’s Recognition Reception.........................20
Cover Photo: Fr. Daniel Scanlan ‘13 receives the laying on of hands by his brother, Fr. Eric Scanlan. Fr. David M. Vidal, Pastor Dr. Marc Snyder, Principal Dr. Tyler Graham, Editor Brigid Luzarraga, Director of Advancement, Editor THE SHAMROCK is the magazine of Donahue Academy and Ave Maria Parish, Inc. All views expressed in THE SHAMROCK are solely those of the editors, authors and contributors to this magazine and do not necessarily represent those of Ave Maria Parish, Inc. or Donahue Academy. Photography: Donahue Academy; Michael Sabatino, Studio M Photography LLC; or the Diocese of Venice Design: Caitlin Halle, Partners in Mission, Inc. Printing: Sweetpea Media, Inc., Fernandina Beach, FL
Educating the young is an essential part of the mission of Ave Maria Parish. Our parish school is eager to collaborate with parents in educating their children and is ready to assist the students in being what they must be: lights in this world and messengers of the goodness, truth, and beauty Christ brings. Treasuring the teachings of St. Paul, we tell our students: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” (Philippians 4:8). We also are mindful that the young need more than words but examples. For this reason, as educators, we are committed to living what we preach with the help of God. One of the signs of spiritual maturity in a Catholic community is the fostering of priestly vocations. At the heart of our parish school stands the daily celebration of the Holy Mass and the offering of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We know the Church needs holy priests! We understand that the world needs holy priests! We are grateful for the priestly ordination of Father Daniel Scanlan. He is the first Donahue Academy graduate to become a priest. We thank you for supporting Catholic Education and the mission of our parish school, Donahue Academy. May God bless you and your loved ones with a holy and fruitful 2024! Fr. David M Vidal, Ph.D. Ave Maria Catholic Church, Pastor
Dear Friends of Donahue, Sixteen years ago, I walked through the front doors of Donahue Academy (then Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School) as a founding faculty member and teacher, only five years into my career as an educator. I was thirty something, newly married, with a one-year old daughter. As I now sit behind my principal’s desk and look up at the first all-school photo (of only 120 students!) hanging proudly over my office door, that first year seems like yesterday. I have a few more gray hairs; my daughter is a senior getting ready to graduate from Donahue; and my son, who was just a gleam in my eye on that first day, towers over me at 6’3” as I watch him pass through the Donahue hallways. I imagined then that I would teach at Donahue until I retired, but the Lord had other plans for me. Little did I know He would prepare me to return as principal. I left Donahue in 2013 and over the next nine years followed the Lord’s plan for me, as principal in Spain and then in Miami, and even heading a foundation. Through all those experiences, He was preparing me, not only professionally, but also spiritually, helping me grow in trust and learning to wait, because my heart longed to return to Ave Maria and Donahue Academy. But “in quiet and in trust shall be your strength” (Is 30:15). And so, last year, when I got “the call” to return to Donahue, I was ready to say “yes” to the Lord. There is no other school on the planet quite like Donahue Academy, with our Catholic, classical mission that invites students to encounter Christ and pursue excellence in all things: In our daily Mass, frequent confession, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; in service of the poor; in our teachers and classes where students read great books, engage in authentic dialogue, and discover God’s hand in all they learn; and on the athletic field or in art or music class, where we use our talents for the glory of God. Donahue’s
mission—a mission we take seriously—is nothing less than giving students a personal encounter with the Lord and the tools and discipline to grow in intellect, virtue, and holiness. Donahue has grown from that 120-student body and now stands at the beginning of a “new renaissance” with over 400 students and a 200-person waitlist, and we are prepared to grow and take our school to the next level. Because at Donahue we want more than successful students. We want the next great saints of tomorrow. Saints who, through their very selves, will bring an encounter with Christ wherever they go. I hope you enjoy reading this first issue of The Shamrock magazine and getting a glimpse into our life and mission. I invite you to “come and see.” Come to Ave Maria and Donahue Academy. There is no other place like it. Stop in and say “hi,” I would love to see you. We are glad you are a part of the journey with us! Gloria Tibi, Domine, Marc Snyder, Ed.D. Principal 1
