MAY 2019 YOUR MONTHLY REPORT ON THE ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL • 3266 NUTMEG STREET • SAN DIEGO, CA 92104-5199 • 619.282.2184 • WWW.SAHS.ORG
RETIREMENT BECKONS
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE:
Leadership Series Tom Merritt
Editor’s note: The school is proud of the leadership provided by the St. Augustine High School Board of Directors. To thank and honor them and at the same time let the Saints Community to know Tom Merritt them a bit more, Saints Scene has been highlighting individual Board members with a series of profiles during 2019.
CAREER KUDOS. Two stalwarts of Saints administration and faculty ranks, Michael Stephenson, left, and Steve Chipp (’68), have decided to retire as of this June, reports Principal James Horne. Both have been with Saints for a combined 77 years.
ARCHITECT OF MR. CHIPP SAINTS ATHLETICS RETIRES FROM FROSH TO THE PROWESS IS SCHOOL’S FISCAL GURU, STEPPING DOWN STEVE CHIPP (’68)
By Joseph Selfani (’21)
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r. Michael Stephenson has announced his retirement from St. Augustine High School as a teacher/coach (34 years) and as Assistant Principal for Athletics (25 years). During his time at Saints his body of work is inspiring. He assumed many roles, including head varsity coaching positions: baseball, football, and swimming. He leaves Continued on page 14
WRAPS UP A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER By Thomas Veder (’20)
ike many distinguished institutions, Saint Augustine High School, St Augustine High School has elevated itself over time through a consistent dedication to excellence with a flexible model that anticipates and adjusts to change. What continues to amaze me after almost 47 years since graduation is the Continued on page 11
TEACHER APPRECIATION & RETIREMENTS
Dear Parents & Friends,
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aints couldn’t be what it is without the man who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, dedicating his life in service to our community, making sure that our school is in shape to face literally every challenge you Continued on page 15
SENIOR EVENTS SCHEDULE See page 3
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great teacher can change a student’s life! And at Saints they do. Our instructors believe in the Mission of Saints: developing the minds, hearts and bodies of young men. They have a deeply held Principal James Horne belief that all students in their classrooms can succeed. They are Continued on page 12
AUGUSTINIAN HERITAGE SHOWING LOVE TO OTHER FAITHS IN MEANINGFUL AND PRACTICAL WAYS
By Kirk Davis, O.S.A., Saints Chaplain
4TH World Day of Prayer for Peace, Assisi (Italy), Oct 27, 2011
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ack in 2001, before discerning the call to join the Augustinians, I was living in Los Angeles and worshiping at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in the Los Feliz neighborhood. Just about one block south of the parish is the Hollywood Sikh Temple, founded in 1947 just after the independence of India. These two faith communities, though neighbors, were virtually invisible to each other. This would change quite suddenly in the wake of the terror attacks of September 11. Shortly after this tragedy, our Sikh neighbors found themselves the target of vandalism and threats of physical violence. One response to this disheartening example of misdirected revenge was for our two communities—Roman Catholic and Sikh—to come together in an effort to understand each other better. We invited our neighbors up the street for an evening presentation of the Catholic faith in our church, followed by refreshments and fellowship in the parish hall. The following Fr. Kirk Davis week, many of us traveled down the street to the temple for an evening presentation of Sikh belief, history and practice, followed by a shared meal. I find myself reflecting on this experience of solidarity as I try to process some of the recent horrifying acts of violence recently directed at Muslim, Jewish, and Christian houses of worship in New Zealand, the United States, Sri Lanka and beyond. These acts of violence certainly call for a strong response from law enforcement, and we can all certainly agree that efforts to prevent such attacks should be occupying our government leaders. But on a personal level, I find myself asking: What have I done lately to reach out in friendship to folks of different traditions? So much of the violence we see in the world is borne of fear and mistrust of some perceived ‘other’. So many tragedies might be averted if each of us took active steps to know and understand each other. As we exit the season of Easter, a time to rejoice, let us all continue to ask ourselves what more can we be doing to be agents of peace in the world? How can we share our joy with someone we don’t yet know well in practical, meaningful ways? Let us continue to offer our prayers for victims of violence, for perpetrators of violence, and for guidance and good counsel in responding to violence with love and peace.
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SENIOR EVENT SCHEDULE Senior Prom
May 4th
6:30 pm Westin Gaslamp Quarter – ends at 11:00 pm
Senior Grad Nite May 17th
7:00 pm – Bus to California Adventure returns to Saints at 3:00 am Saturday morning May 18th
Senior Ditch Day
May 17th
NO SCHOOL
May 22nd
John Sanders Gym 8:00 am
Senior Awards Assembly Senior Graduation Practice Distinguished Students Banquet
May 24th May 24th May 24th
8:50 am after Awards Assembly – MANDATORY By Invitation Only
Senior Exams
May 28th
8:30 am Math and 10:30 am
Social Studies
May 29th May 30th
Senior Book Return
May 30th
Senior Day of Reflection
8:30 am English and 10:30 am Religion 8:30 am World Language and 10:30 am Science 7:00 am to 1:30 pm
Baccalaureate May 31st 9:30 am in John Sanders Gym – Each Senior will receive 10 tickets Only ticket holders may be accommodated Graduation
May 31st
Immediately following the end of Mass – Ticket holders only
Graduation Brunch May 31st
Bali Hai Restaurant immediately following graduation reservations required by the deadline – NO EXCEPTIONS
Cap and Gown Return
7:00 am to 2:30 pm
June 3rd
OUR NEWEST FRIEND IN FORT WAYNE
By Thomas Vedder, Augustinian staff reporter
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hysics teacher Mr. Robert Weber will be leaving Saints at the end of the year after 20 years as a member of the school’s faculty to take care of his father and sister. He is looking forward to continuing his teaching in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Mr. Weber has been an integral part of our community, serving not only as a teacher but also selling tickets for football and basketball games, Mr. Weber coaching both football and track, and helping the Academic League and the robotics team. We are not saying goodbye yet, but unfortunately, our favorite physics teacher will be leaving us at the end of the semester. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and served in the Navy on a nuclear submarine. When asked what he learned from his time in service, Mr. Weber remarked, “The Navy was a great place to reinforce the lessons that I learned in my life. The idea of respect was ever present. It was respect shown not only for the chain of command Continued on page 12
THE ROAD TOGETHER
YOUNG MEN & DRIVING By Edwin Hearn, President, St. Augustine High School
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beying basic traffic rules is critical. On September 30, 1955, the nation was stunned when Hollywood idol James Dean, in his early twenties with a tremendous future in front of him, was killed on a rural highway in San Luis Obispo County when he lost control of his speeding car. That car crash remains fixed in Americana as an example of how dangerous President Edwin Hearn driving really is, especially when traffic rules are not followed. No less riveting, a few years ago, four local teenage boys died in car accidents. All were in cars driven by teens with multiple teen passengers, a violation of the California driving laws. The most telling fact is that all four deceased were not buckled. The others in the cars were buckled and escaped serious injury. Continued on page 13 3
SAINTS GRAD/COACH NAMED CITIZEN OF COURAGE “Courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” – Maya Angelou
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rime is often random and becoming a victim of crime can happen when you least expect it. A Saints assistant baseball coach whose actions saved him and a student from a kidnapping attempt was honored by the San Diego’s District Attorney’s office at last month’s Citizens of Courage Awards Luncheon held at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel, downtown San Diego. Saluting six brave citizens, the 29th annual event drew 400 dignitaries, elected officials, community leaders and guests. Dylan Graham (’06) was working at Saints in December 2015 when he and one of his students were wrapping up a practice session in the batting cages at Hickman Field in Kearny Mesa. Hickman Field is where the school’s baseball teams regularly practice and play year around. A stranger approached them asking for a light for a cigarette. When Dylan said they didn’t smoke, the man pointed his handgun at them and forced them into Dylan’s car. At that point, the incident became an armed kidnapping, one of the most serious crimes in the California legal system. Dylan told authorities that he was ordered to drive while student Jack sat in front passenger seat. The kidnapper sat behind Jack because Dylan had placed his golf clubs directly behind the drivers seat. The kidnapper told Dylan he was taking them to East County where a group of people were waiting for the gunman. As he drove toward Ramona as instructed, Dylan said "It was a long car ride so I had a while to think about my strategy for getting us out of there.” Dylan was grateful he placed his golf clubs where he did because it kept the man from holding the gun on him from behind the seat. “Sitting behind Jack, I got to see him and the gun. As they neared Ramona, Dylan had to slow down for road construction. He was going about 30 mph when he decided to act. “When he wasn’t really paying attention I jumped from behind the steering wheel into the back seat and managed to get my hands around his wrists,” said Graham. “I started fighting for the gun and three shots went off.” During the scuffle, Dylan’s student was able to jump out of the car. “It’s a good thing Jack got out of there because one of the shots went right through the seat he was sitting in.” Dylan ended up with the still loaded gun and was able to flag down a passing motorist to call 911. The kidnapper got away but both Dylan and Saintsman Jack made it safely out of the terrifying situation. The kidnapper was eventually caught in Orange County. Months later, Dylan testified at the gunman’s trial. The attacker is serving a life sentence for kidnapping. After the trial he responded to questions from a TV reporter by saying he didn’t feel like a hero, he was just trying to protect the student he was in charge of and get him back to his parents—safely. It was a bond that he experienced as a Saintsman. We’re all very close knit,” he said. The coach still keeps in touch with his former student. Dylan is now married and owner of a new real estate firm. Although you wouldn't necessarily be able to recognize the heroes from the others attending the luncheon, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, pointed out Dylan Graham and several others acted with extreme valor during terrifying situations. For that they were honored as Citizens of Courage. To see a District Attorney’s Office video re-enactment of the kidnapping go to: https://danewscenter.com/video/2019-citizens-courage-dylan-graham
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San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan introduced Saints Grad Dylan Graham.
Saints President Ed Hearn attended the Citizens of Courage luncheon, where Dylan Graham (’06) was honored for saving himself and a Saints student from an armed kidnapper.
SAINTS STUDENT ART GALLERY, 2019 Impressive work from the school’s art classes.
NIGHTSTAND, Sam Wilhelm (’20), Mixed Media.
A RIDE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, Chuong Nguyen (’20), Mixed Media.
EYES MAKE BAD TENSIONS, Diego Hernandez (’19), Ink.
BONDING AGENTS, Ari Galindo, (’19), Mixed Media
TECHNICOLOR SHADOWS, Andres Castro-Beltran (’19), Colored Pencil
I’M FINE, Michael Farrell, (’21), Watercolor 5
MORE SAINTS STUDENT ART GALLERY, 2019 Impressive work from the school’s art classes.
‘53 CHEVY TRUCK, Frankie Yeo, (’20) Watercolor CONFUSION, Matthew Goodridge (’19), Marker
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TIDES THAT BIND. Here’s one more Intersession class picture from Mrs. Kathleen Walp’s Marine Biology Class, where Saintsmen learned about the diverse sea life in San Diego’s tide pools.
INTRAMURAL HOOPS. This spring’s intramural champs hail from Mr. Kevin Manley’s senior homeroom. They call themselves “It’s Crazy How it Works.” They topped a team of juniors, “The Next Big Thing” 34-19 to capture the school’s popular intramural basketball program. To the victors went a championship t-shirt. And, the winners are: Leo Torres, Marco Nuanez, Richard Squillaro, Henry DiPaolo, Tim Feiner (Captain), Matt Beddow, Josh Santiago, Jake Cavanagh (MVP); Ricky Castro, Adrian Ortiz, and Anthony Maola.
MR. HORNE ON NATIONAL EDUCATION PANEL Each year during the week following Easter, the National Catholic Education Association hosts its annual convention. The NCEA Convention & Expo is the largest, private-education association gathering in the country. Participants come from many avenues of Catholic school education, including elementary and secondary school teachers, superintendents, principals, presidents and board members. Held in Chicago, the event features more than 250 professional development sessions, carefully prepared liturgies, networking events and an expo hall showcasing the latest educational products and services. This year Saints Principal, Mr. James Horne, was part of a panel discussion in a professional development session. The panel presented on the topic: 11 Tips for Starting, Managing, Growing an Online Learning Solution at your School. But the goal of the panel was to share stories of success and pitfalls encountered as Saints began its journey into the world of online offerings. Also on the panel with Mr. Horne was Dr. Mark Beadle, CEO of SevenStar Academy a faith based online education provider who has partnered with Saints since 2013.
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SPRING BREAK SERVICE TRIP TO CHICAGO Saints Faculty members Fr. Max Villeneuve, O.S.A., Mr. Timothy Golden and Ms. Cindy Au led 15 underclassmen on an alternative Spring Break service trip and college tour, an event that has become a popular tradition these past few years. Mr. Golden responded to Saints Scene’s questions. Q. Tell us more about Alternative Spring Break service trip? A: We had the opportunity during break to travel as a group to Chicago and participate in service, college tours, and fun tourist activities. Our service included one day at the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels, and another day at an Aid for Women, Monica’s House, a transition home. The students also assisted at the annual Augustinian Gala our final night in Chicago. Q: What days? How long was the trip? A: We departed for Chicago the Monday after Easter and returned to San Diego on Saturday. Q: Is this a new program? A: The alternative spring break has been run by campus ministry the last several years, recently visiting places such as Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Q: What locations were most popular with the group? A: Wrigley Field, Art Institute of Chicago, and the boat tour on the Chicago River where we got to learn about all the famous buildings throughout downtown Chicago. Q: What was the group’s favorite restaurant? A: I think everyone really enjoyed the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza at Lou Malnati’s Q: What colleges were visited? A: Loyola Chicago, DePaul, and Northwestern. We were able to meet up with Matthew Lujan (’18) for a private tour at Loyola which was great to have the students hear from a fellow Saintsman.
Q: How can Saintsmen participate in the next trip? A: Visit the campus ministry office and tell Fr. Max about your interest in participating. Q: Why Chicago? A: Fr. Max, our Director of Christian Service, had spent three of the last four years in Chicago with the Midwest Augustinians. His knowledge of the city helped tremendously and allowed us to secure great service opportunities and enjoy all the fun the city has to offer. Q: Who went? A: The trip was originally open to sophomores and juniors. We had a total of 15 students go on the trip this year, the majority of which were sophomores.
SPRING TRAVEL. Saints underclassmen took part in the popular Alternative Spring Break, a Christian Service and College visitation trip to Chicago. The team is posed in front of one of the service stops: Aid for Women, a transition home.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW Justin Toscano (’14) graduated from Saints with the goal to become a sports journalist. As the video link below shows he succeeded in landing a major league job covering the New York Mets baseball beat for NorthJersey.com, the online presence for USA Today in the region. https://www.northjersey.com/videos/sports/mlb/mets/2019/04/30/meet-justin-toscano-newnorthjersey-mets-reporter/3630419002
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VEE-BALL. Seniors on the 2019 Volleyball team were celebrated at the last home game of the regular season. L-R: Corbitt Kerr, Nate Cherry, Adrian Abeyta and Xavier Tan.
STATIONS. The Raymond Center for the Arts had a tremendous impact on the annual Stations of the Cross service. Fr. Kirk and Mr. Slevcove and many contributing Saintsmen re-imagined the “stations” service and provided the community a moving and powerful dramatic still version of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection.
BEING MISSED IS GOOD. Mrs Kathaleen Walp's Junior Homeroom, aka Doctor’s Notes, won the Intramural Dodgeball title and a championship t-shirt plus the bragging rights for a year. L-R Andrew Parashos, Sam Scaife, Sergio Bermudez, Brian McCorkle, and Trevor King.
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BIG LIST FOR SUMMER LEARNING & ATHLETICS The school has done an excellent job of posting on its website a complete roster of summer classes and camps for 2019. The site offers class or camp descriptions, pricing and a registration link. The lists are endless, including many offerings that are unlimited in the number of students that can be accepted. For more information on each summer offering press the “register” button once you land on Saints website [www.SAHS.org]. There you will find info on age qualifications, fees, location and overall description. Four categories are offered this summer: Camps; Courses for Credit; Enrichment Courses and Online Classes. Here’s the link: https://www.sahs.org/summer-classes-camps
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BRAVO. Congratulations to Saints Players ensemble on their successful spring run of Disney’s “Newsies, The Musical.”
SOCIAL ISSUES CLASS VISITS BORDER Saints/OLP Border Day Experience is facilitated through our Senior Social Issues class and Campus Ministry. The day is designed to allow the students to see the various players active in an important and sometimes contentious topic. The day began in our school library with a presentation by Saints alum Enrique Morones, the founder of the group Border Angels, he shares his work and mission with the students. We then we were off to a popular chain hardware retailer with brown bag lunches and the students chat with undocumented day laborers and learn about their day to day life trying to make an honest living. Lastly we go to the San Diego Sector Border Patrol, where the agents give us a presentation and we are given a one in a kind tour of the border- driving between the primary and secondary fencing and finishing in Friendship Park. It is a great experience for the students to dialogue and get a first hand look at the issues impacting our community.
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CARITAS. BUILDING A HOME AND A MIRACLE
SHELTER. Saints Freshman Ashton Zakar at the start of construction, poses with the participating family that will receive one of the “Build a Miracle” homes. The non-profit has built more than 357 dwelling for needy families. Many Saintsmen and a few Cathedral Catholic volunteers joined in the Tijuana construction project. Freshman Saintsman Ashton Zakar is building miracles one at a time. As a seventh grader Ashton became involved with Build a Miracle, a San Diego non-profit that has been building homes for the needy in Mexico since 1999. Earlier last month, Saturday, Ashton and fellow Saintsmen joined the Build a Miracle organization and traveled down to Mexico to finish building a home and give a fresh start to a needy family. Each of the 357 homes built by Build a Miracle over the last two decades takes $16,000 and two days of loving labor. On the first day volunteers lay the foundation of the new house, and the second day they frame, paint and furnish the home. Although, the project is coordinated outside of the school, several Saints student volunteers participated in the most recent build; including Kyle Wesseln, Dean Dickow, Tobey Salem, Joseph Soro, Alan Konecke, Sebastian Konja, Nicholas Konja, and Donovan Yousif; along with some friends from the Cathedral Catholic community. Ashton Zakar’s enthusiasm and his connection with Build a Miracle is just one more way Saintsmen are bringing the gospel values of Community, Truth and Love to a world in great need.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Continued from page 1
consistency of students’ descriptions of the Saint’s experience. Brotherhood, community, and collegiality all come to mind. When I share time with my two sons, TJ and Michael (’01, ’10), as well as many of their close friends, we all share a fraternity like relationship founded upon the core values that resonated from the Saint’s experience. I share a similar bond with some of my best friends, my brother Scott (‘75), and others in our extended family that have been blessed to have attended Saints. Even my wife Pam, a graduate of University High School, understands and greatly values what Saints has brought to our family. I’d be remiss not to mention my appreciation for the education that Saints provided to me. I remember writing under my picture in my senior year book that I would attend San Diego State University and study business. Well that is what I did, eventually landing my first and only career job with Pricewaterhouse and Company, today known as PriceWaterouseCoopers, an international accounting and business advisory firm. I spent 35 years with the firm, all in San Diego, except for a one- year tour of duty in the Washington D.C. tax technical office. I retired from the firm in 2012 after having served as the lead tax interface on large, multi-national companies over my 22 years as a partner. Retired, and 57 years old, I reached out to Ed Hearn, President of Saints, seeking an opportunity to re-engage with the school in whatever way possible to make a meaningful contribution. I wanted to give back, and Ed’s invitation to join the Board of Directors of Saints provided a great platform where I could engage with other members having a common objective of building and sustaining Saints’ history of excellence. Furthermore, as a member of the finance committee, I have been able to participate with my fellow committee members in planning for and advising on key financial matters important to the school’s continued success. I am so grateful for having been able to serve in these roles, working with other people who care deeply about Saints and all of its rich traditions.
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DEAR PARENTS & FRIENDS
Continued from page 1
called to be positive, motivating, compassionate, inspiring, empathetic, encouraging, hopeful, joyful, honest, accepting, and challenging forces in the lives of young men on Nutmeg Street. They instill courage, breakdown barriers, build confidence, care deeply and want what is best for the school and the community. May is Teacher appreciation Month, and we want to applaud the great work of the men and women who give their lives and gifts to St. Augustine High School, its families and students. In a special way this year we want to celebrate the fabulous careers of two lead administrators who have shaped Saints now and for decades to come. (articles found here on the front page) Congrats to Mr. Mike Stephenson, Asst. Principal for Athletics and Mr. Steve Chipp, Executive Director of Finance and Facilities upon their retirement. Both of these men have given decades of service to the Catholic Education and to the Saints Community. Their gifts and service will be missed. Yours in the Spirit of Catholic Education,
James Horne Principal
OUR NEWEST FRIEND IN FORT WAYNE
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but also for the fellow man.” He could not elaborate more because “it’s classified.” “When I was younger, I said that I never wanted to be a teacher,” Mr. Weber said. However, during his time in the Navy, he realized that instruction came naturally to him. After he completed his teacher accreditation course at Mission Bay High School, the Diocese suggested that he apply to teach at Saints. He began as an English and Religion teacher, but due to financial restraints within the school during the early 2000s, he was asked to also teach the Physics course, which he has taught ever since. Later, Mr. Weber also began to teach Science Fiction and Fantasy, Chemistry, and his Intersession class, Game Theory and Design. When he was asked one thing he wanted the student body to know about him, he teased, “I want them to know, despite occurrences to the contrary, I love them.” The importance of family and community is very clear in Mr. Weber’s life. When family members are in need, it is important to be there to care for them—Caritas. Other memorable experiences include Kairos. “The ability to be open and honest without fear that you will be compromised,” is what truly stuck with Mr. Weber about the retreat--Veritas. Another fond memory he’ll take to the Midwest with him is when he volunteered to be an offensive line coach for the freshman football team in 1998. “We had a game in Oceanside, and, after the game, there was a police checkpoint. I got up to the checkpoint and the officer waved me through because he, in fact, had graduated from Saints a few years
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earlier. It seemed like everywhere I turned I would meet someone who had some kind of connection with St. Augustine High School.”--Unitas What will he miss about San Diego. “The weather! I looked at the temperature this morning, and it was 48 degrees here. In Fort Wayne, it was four.” However, he is also looking forward to the changing of seasons and enjoying Skyline Chili, a Cincinatti delicacy that contains chocolate, cinnamon, and meat served over a bowl of unseasoned spaghetti. Mr. Weber also dispatched some advice for new teachers, “Make sure you never forget the mission of the school and maintain the connection to Christ. Also, make yourself available to the students as best as you can.” “You’d be hard pressed to find someone with greater integrity and honor in his personal life and profession,” Mr. Vladimir Bachynsky, a faculty colleague said. “When you think about the Augustinian values, he embodies them all. He loves his students, bonds with them in countless activities, and strives to give them an education that is rigorous yet accessible. He genuinely loves his craft.” When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Mr. Weber said, “Someone who isn’t just viewed as intimidating, but also approachable. I may get frustrated with some questions, but I truly want success for each and every student. I suppose as a good role model and someone who tries to live according to the life that Christ taught us.” Truth told, the Saints Community now has a new friend in the Fort Wayne/Cincinnati area.
YOUNG MEN & DRIVING
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For teenage boys, driving a car is a rite of passage that represents freedom. They can be seen driving down streets and freeways at speeds that show little concern for their safety or anyone else’s. Somewhere in the middle of high school, the magic age of 16 is finally reached allowing young boys to drive. Some are more ready than others are. As the father of three sons, it was a constant struggle urging them to slow down, to leave the radio alone or to make sure the braking distance was adequate, in order to be prepared for a potential crisis. Despite repeated admonitions, I realized this concept was over their heads. Unfortunately, it took some fender benders and continued experience for them to fully comprehend the attentiveness driving takes. Thankfully, they survived the lessons without serious mishap. Today’s cars have so many safety features and feel stable at almost any speed, making the posted speed limit feel like one is driving a horse and buggy. Maybe it is the computer whose speed doubles every couple of years that has caused us to lose patience with a normal pace of life. Speed and immature decision-making are the curse of young male drivers. Recent research indicates that young men’s brain function does not mature until the mid to late twenties. It is difficult for adolescents to see the possible consequences of their actions. For this age group, bad things happen to other people. Boys by themselves tend to be better decision-makers than in a group. When there is more than one, their reason seems to go out the window. Their natural proclivity to impress their peers often leads to a total disregard for safety. The addition of alcohol and/or drugs is a recipe for disaster, very often leading to the phone call every parent wishes to avoid – the late night call from the police department that their son has been in an accident. Emphasize the necessity of buckling up for safety, enforce your son’s curfew and California’s teenage driving laws, and talk to him openly about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
SAINTS TEXT BOOK BUY BACK DAYS SENIOR BUY-BACK & RETURNS Thursday, May 30 7:00am – 1:30pm ASB Room
UNDERCLASS BUY-BACK & RETURNS Thursday, June 5 7:00am – 1:30pm ASB Room If someone doesn’t return their book(s) on the one of above dates, the families are responsible to do manage their own book returns through the mail, per the directions found under “returns” on our online bookstore. All “rented” books must be returned. Accounts will be charged a “replacement fee” if a rented book is not returned, or returned in a damaged condition. All “purchased” books can be kept or attempted to be sold-back to Follett. Potential “buy-backs” are not guaranteed and dictated by Follett’s inventory needs. “Buy-backs” are done a first-come, first-served basis until inventory needs are met. Questions about returns/buy-back can be sent to Mr. Linville at mlinville@sahs.org Please note that we are only doing a 1-day underclass buy-back. Students, regardless of their individual final exam schedule, must be present to return books at some point on June 5 between 7am – 1:30pm.
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RETIREMENT BECKONS ARCHITECT OF SAINTS ATHLETICS PROWESS IS STEPPING DOWN
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the school as one of San Diego County’s top high school baseball coaches holding a 427-201 record. He established many programs, such as surfing, lacrosse, and rugby, and hopes that they continue on after he leaves. Students and alumni also will remember him as an English teacher and Physical Education instructor and importantly as an innovator. He is especially proud of being a member of the committee that led to the creation of the new Rev. John R. Sanders Gymnasium. There, he fought for the basketball courts on the roof, which wound up being a decision well-received by the Saints community.
coaches are long-term,” Coach Stephenson said. “For the past 50 years we only had three baseball coaches, and I never had to hire a basketball coach.” Coach Stephenson attributes this to the way he took care of them, giving them autonomy and shielding them from all the outside issues, allowing the coaches to make decisions for whatever is best for the team while knowing that they have the trust of Coach Stephenson. “He always did a good job of letting you know that he supported you but also gave you space to do your job.” Coach Haupt said. One of the important lessons he has learned while at Saints is,
Torrey Pines Holiday Classic Prep Tournament that was held in Saints new gym. “He has instilled a credo to all his staff over the years that we are all here for the students. He has a tremendous love for our school and our students and a great enthusiasm about showing that,” said long-time varsity basketball coach and Admissions Director Mr. Michael Haupt. As Athletics Director, Coach Stephenson’s responsibilities making sure that athletes had the equipment they needed to succeed. He directed that team sports at all levels ran efficiently, which included treating each team fairly when it came to budgets. Other career highlights include making improvements in the Saints track and sports field on campus, plus adding new weight room facilities as a result of the repurposing of Dougherty Gym. He was instrumental in revamping the William Whittaker baseball field at Hickman Field in Clairemont and the installation of campus batting cages. Fairness, levelheaded leadership and a wily sense of humor can also exemplify his career. He wanted everyone to know one of his career accomplishments was adding the stickers on Mr. Chesser’s golf card—to name only a few. But upon further review, Mr. Stephenson will be long remembered for his leadership in steering the ship of sports at Saints. When he arrived on campus in 1985, the school had a hit and miss reputation for athletic success. He enters retirement knowing Saints is now considered a perennial sports power in all of Southern California, which includes in the mix several State Championships. “What separates our school from others is that most of our 14
“you can’t be too big to sweep the gym,” meaning that he would sweep the gym when it needed to be cleaned and do other menial tasks despite his high position. Coach Stephenson feels it is a great time to leave, as all projects are done and everything is set. He is not retiring because he is sick and tired of it, but because it is time for him to move on and start the next chapter of his life, as he has three grandkids and another one on the way. “He deserves it. He did a good job and put a good amount of time into it,” Mr. Cudal said. “I am extremely happy for Coach and his family that he is retiring, but Saints will not be as good without him. He is one of a kind!” Coach Haupt said. When asked how they feel about his retirement, both Coach Stephenson and Mr. Cudal replied: “Thank God.” He plans on helping out at home and also to work on his golf game, bring that 8.2 handicap down a couple of points. He also loves to travel, especially to European countries like Scotland, Italy, Ireland, and France. Coach Stephenson will have a fun time sending pictures of himself golfing in Scotland to Mr. Matt Linville, who will be working to fill his shoes on Nutmeg Street. “I hope I’m seen as someone who believed in school’s traditions and its place in the community and was active in working with decision makers to improve the athletics infrastructure and most of all,” he added with a big grin, “I want my legacy to be that I didn’t ruin this school.”
RETIREMENT BECKONS MR. CHIPP RETIRES
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could think of. He is the man who is manages the money, and the bearer of all keys: Steve Chipp, the Executive Director of Finance and Facilities. Every event you attend, every building you walk by, and every sporting event you attend bears his mark in some way or another. Now, after 43 years of service to our school, Mr. Chipp will be retiring. Mr. Chipp, himself a Saints graduate from the class of 1968, took up his position as Executive Director of Finance and Facilities in 1977. He has accomplished so much at Saints that any attempt to describe it would not do his work justice. When Mr. Chipp first arrived at the school, Saints was struggling with enrollment and had little to no financial planning. The school has since grown from 550 students to over 700 today, has grown its endowment from nothing to over 4 million dollars, and gives away 3 million dollars in financial aid every year. Mr. Chipp also served as the Alumni Director for over 25 years and started the Alumni Golf tournament, which has raised more than $450,000. He has played a major role in the financing, fundraising, and construction of most of the campus as it is today, with the exception of Vasey Hall and the monastery. He played a major role in the most recent additions to campus, beginning in 2007 with the Mendel and Villanova Halls and culminating in the dedication of the theater earlier this year, totaling at a cost of around 55 million dollars. He was also involved in sports. In addition to being a baseball player, he was a sportswriter for The Augustinian and the yearbook. Over the years, he was a regular contributor to Saints Scene and many times penned his articles for the school’s community outreach newsletter without a byline. “Steve Chipp, a true gentleman, was more about getting things done than basking in the spotlight,” said James Horne, who in addition to his leadership role as school principal he is editor of Saints Scene. “If he went into baseball’s Hall of Fame, he’d make it as a utility player. He did it all. When it comes to Saints he’s a living Wikipedia and will be missed.” Speaking of baseball, One of his most memorable moments at Saints, he recalled, came as a member of the varsity baseball team. “We won the school’s first league title and made the playoffs. We played CIF championship at Westgate Park, the Padres’ minor league field,” Mr. Chipp said. “We also played Uni, which is now Cathedral Catholic, and another pitcher and I threw a no hitter against them.”
The relationships that Mr. Chipp formed as a student at Saints are what helped him to develop a strong bond with Saints that saw him return to the school after graduating from Santa Clara University. “The stars just aligned. When I applied, someone else was leaving and they needed someone with a business background,” Chipp said. Mr. Chipp’s daily schedule involves checking with the engineering staff to ensure that our facilities are in great condition. On the financial side, he is always monitoring the money that is brought in through tuition, and manages the expenditures, making sure that our school’s budget is balanced. Faculty and staff have appreciated Mr. Chipp for decades, as he made sure they got paid. The thing that Mr. Chipp will miss most about his job is, “The day to day camaraderie between the staff, and the students as well.” Although Mr. Chipp has been at Saints for some of the best of times, such as the back to back CIF Football championships, he has also been a witness to some of the unfortunate incidents and situations that have affected our campus. For example, Mr. Chipp was here when on September 25, 1978, PSA flight 182 crashed and the old gym became a temporary morgue for the unfortunate souls that perished that day. Also, early in Mr. Chipp’s career at Saints, he worked hard to improve enrollment figures and deal with the aftermath of a fire in the old library in Vasey Hall. “The thing I won’t miss about my job is telling a student that he can’t take a final exam because of outstanding tuition or that a student will not be able to attend Saints because the financial aid he was awarded is not enough,” Mr. Chipp said. “Steve is tremendously dedicated and has worked tirelessly as a key leader in the rebuilding of our campus,” Mr. Horne said. “He is a pretty quiet guy at times, but his work screams loudly about his love for Saints and its future.” Most students and even many alumni may have not met Mr. Chipp, but all of them know him by his work. His accomplishments, those realized and unrealized, surround us daily. “I want to be remembered as someone who was dedicated to the school, put in a full days work, and always had the best interests of the students at heart with every decision I made,” he said. Mr. Chipp has studied here, played here, and worked endlessly here, all in the labor of love. One can scarcely imagine a more ideal embodiment of a Saintsman than Mr. Chipp. On behalf of the entire Saint Augustine High School community, The Augustinian wishes Mr. Chipp a healthy, happy, and fulfilling retirement.
Saints Scene
Publisher: Edwin J. Hearn, Jr. Saints President
Circulation Director: Casey Callery, Director
Editor-in-Chief: James Horne, Saints Principal
of Community Relations and Special Events.
Your Award-Winning* monthly report on the St. Augustine High School Experience
Senior Advisor: Fr. Gary Sanders, O.S.A., Provincial
Editor Emeritus: John D. Keller O.S.A. (’55)
Senior Editor: Steve Chipp (’68),
Staff Photographers: Bill Hill, Saints Parent
Finance & Facilities Augustinian Saints Scene Coordinator: Thomas Shess, Alum Parent (’05): Thomas.Shess@gmail.com
*Awards: Saint Scene has been voted by the San Diego Press Club as the Best Community Newsletter by an Organization, 2011. Second Place in 2006 and Third Place 2012.
Art Director: Kristin Hardy, OLP (’05), Kristin Hardy Design: kristinhardydesign.com
Correction Policy: While every effort is made to be accurate, we occasionally err. We do apologize to those impacted and kindly ask that you notify Saints Coordinator: Thomas.Shess@gmail.com for any corrections.
Mission of St. Augustine High School – Our mission is to provide a Catholic liberal arts education for young men in an environment that promotes the development of mind, heart and body in the Augustinian tradition. By helping to form loving disciples of Jesus Christ we communicate to the world the gospel values of community, truth and love.
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