Alumni Sharing Their Stories

Judge Memorial and St. Mary of the Wasatch alumni were asked to share their story including how Judge/St. Mary influenced them as a person or in their career, and what lasting impressions Judge/St. Mary had on their lives. They were also asked to give advice to our graduating seniors. We are pleased to include some excerpts from some of the alumni stories we received.

Stanley Thomas Myles Class of 1964

My time in Salt Lake City was brief -- only three years, 1961-64. My family had come from Texas because my father was doing work for the Kennecott Copper Corp. Nevertheless, because I attended Judge Memorial and benefited from its rigorous academic and spiritual excellence, those three years were the most crucial for my success in life. Simply put, Judge was the best school I ever attended.

When I arrived at Judge for my sophomore year, the school was already 40 years old. In anticipation of the coming increase in students as a result of the “Baby Boom,” the Salt Lake diocese had built the current school building and had invited an order of teaching priests and brothers, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, to come from their headquarters in Philadelphia to run the school and to expand its faculty.

The Oblates brought along the traditions of East Coast Catholic education, including uniforms. My junior year the new administration required dress shirts and ties for the boys, and white blouses and ribbons for the girls. The next year we went to a full uniform – blazer with the school logo on the pocket, tie, and slacks for the boys. Tunic with the school logo and pleated skirts for the girls. We were the first high school in Utah to wear a uniform.

Having come from Texas, not only was I the new kid in town, I was especially an oddity because of my Texas twang. I struggled to fit in, and it was sports that provided me with a needed opportunity. In middle school I had served as a scorekeeper in youth baseball leagues, and so, in March 1962, I was invited to join the baseball team as scorer. Suddenly I had a place in something that everyone at the school cared about. Moreover, I was popular with the baseball players because I “modernized” the statistics operation by the use of a rotary slide rule, which allowed me to get the batting, fielding, and all the other stats of the day out to the players more quickly than they had seen before.

At the beginning of my junior year, the coaches asked me to become one of the football managers for the coming season. Following that season I also became the scorer for the basketball team. For two years I traveled with the team in all three sports. During this time all three teams went to the state playoffs; in my senior year we won the state championship in football.

Ironically, the comfort I felt at Judge from my sports activities contributed greatly to my improvement in academics. My teachers, whether the Oblates, the Holy Cross nuns, or the lay teachers didn't make life easy for us. We knew that we were getting a good education, but I didn't realize how good it was until I went to college and found that I had worked harder at Judge.

Unfortunately, the generally warm memories of my three years at Judge are marred by a truly horrific event -- the assignation of President John Kennedy during my senior year. It was something I will never forget since everyone at the school was crying when they heard the news. It was personal – President Kennedy had visited Salt Lake City earlier in the year and had met with representatives of our school. He was the first Catholic president and a huge role model for us in Utah.

After graduation, I went back to Texas for college but I never forgot my experiences at Judge. Judge had prepared me well for college, and then (after military service) for grad-

Simply put, Judge was the best school I ever attended.

uate school and a career in the U.S. diplomatic service. Through nearly thirty years working in the State Department and in several foreign countries, Judge went along with me. Despite having only two opportunities since graduation to return to Salt Lake for class reunions, I have supported the school financially for many years. I will always be proud to be a member of the Judge family.

My advice for the Class of 2021 is that I hope that all of you graduating and moving on to new challenges will carry Judge in your heart as I have done. You have my congratulations and best wishes.

Jerry Coupe Class of 1967

Let’s start with a quick family story as eight of my 10 siblings graduated from St. Mary’s and Judge between 1965 and 1980. From Judge (class of 1967) I went on to Gonzaga University for one year and then transferred to the University of Utah and earned degrees in business and then an MBA in 1974. Later I also completed the CPA exam.

The beginning of my work career in 1974-75 was also the start of many businesses moving their accounting and other systems to computers. All of my work in both the retail grocery industry and then 28 years in agricultural product distribution involved extensive systems conversion work. It was complex, challenging and rewarding to bring new capabilities to a number of companies. Along the way I held positions in accounting, division controllership and then corporate CIO.

Throughout my career I always held that the basic foundation I had at Judge in Math, English, Latin and History classes played a significant role in the success I had in my career and personal life. I have lived in Seattle, WA since 1974 and have now been married to my Gerry for almost 45 years. We have one daughter and twin grandchildren.

Tanya Montoya Class of 1978

I decided that the best high school education in Salt Lake City was to be had at Judge Memorial. I did well in math and science, but I didn’t go straight into college. At 17, I joined the U.S. military as a crypto technician. I retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves 26 years later.

Along the way I was a housewife going to college when I could. It took me 16 years to get a 4-year degree in Computer and Information Technology. Since then I’ve worked in the field of secure communications all over the world for over 40 years for a number of organizations. I currently help the U.S. military and defense forces by making sure their networks are as safe as possible from cyber threats, both internal and external. I’ve attained multiple professional certifications as a Database Administrator, a Network Professional, a Network Design Professional, a Systems Engineer, a Secure Systems Professional, an Ethical Hacker, and a Digital Forensic Analyst. I’ve taught Network classes at a community college.

The staff and faculty at Judge Memorial molded me (unknowingly at the time) to be honest and ethical, kind and tolerant, and responsible. Such attributes are not only valuable in the work force, but necessary when instilling values in your children. You only have one chance to get it right with your kids. You screw it up, you don’t get a second chance. I thank God everyday for the gifts He has given me and I ask Him to help me honor each day as the gift that it is.

Sean Walker Class of 2001

Greetings future Judge Alumni! Going to Judge was a great experience for me. I made lasting friendships and Judge did a great job of preparing me for my future. I am so sorry how the last year and a half has impacted you. You are all at such an important time in your development as young adults. I wish you all the best and I leave you with my favorite quote and a mantra I try to live by. “Would the child you were be proud of the adult you are?” Worry about what you can control. Worrying about everything else is waste of energy”.