Connections Est 1956 - Spring/Summer 2025 by SartanX

St. Pius X School Mission

St. Pius X School serves God in Communion with the Roman Catholic Church by fostering moral, social, and intellectual growth within a college preparatory setting to teach young people to be ethical leaders in service to others.

Mike Deely Head of School

When a school year ends, a sense of joy and relief accompanies the completion of the academic year. At graduation, I saw countless families and graduates capturing their final photos on campus at the Cynthia and Manuel Chavez Alumni Plaza. Four years ago, it was just dust and tumbleweeds. As the school has grown, we have built something remarkable with the support of the Chavez family, and today it stands as one of the most beautiful spots not only on our campus, but I would argue, in the city. The plaza provides an ideal location for our students to bid farewell. After four years of guidance and support from our faculty and staff, they have matured into promising adults who will help transform our world into a better place. As students, athletes, artists, and leaders, they have an impressive list of accomplishments. We eagerly look forward to them doing amazing things in the future as they head off to colleges across the country to start their careers or serve in the military.

Building on this theme of growth, we are excited to announce that next year, we will embark on a new chapter as we commit to becoming a school of innovation. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we will open our new STREAM Center in the upcoming school year. While many people are familiar with STEM, in a Catholic school, we prioritize a more holistic method. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math. We advance the work of STEM by connecting it to our faith, ensuring our projects produce outcomes that help us become ethical leaders in service to others, as stated in our mission. When students arrive on campus, they will have access to one of the few school AI Labs in the state, a new maker space, a robotics arena, a drone launch pad, a water lab, a botanical lab, workshops, a raceway, a print lab, and a new eSports room. By partnering with our alumni and parents from various fields, we will position our students

We are forever grateful for the support of our alumni, parents, and extended Sartan family; and we look forward to continuing to provide

Fr. John Trambley President of School

Dear St. Pius X Family,

St. Paul writes to the Colossians, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. (Col 3: 1-4) Part of serving God is teaching young people to seek the highest things. St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “Earnestly desire the higher gifts.” He then goes on to show us the “still more excellent way.” (1 Cor 12:31) This way is faith, hope, and love.

During this year of growth for St. Pius X, faith is the cornerstone of our daily teachings and in the lives of our students on campus. Whether in the chapel, at all-school Masses, during retreats, or in theology classes, students had the opportunity to grow closer to God. They learned to hope for more than just the latest cell phone or the next good grade; they discovered that Christ is our true Hope. They also practiced love and generosity through various acts of service. This was evident when our junior class volunteered to help at St. Edwin Catholic Church and the Santa Maria de la Vid Norbertine Abbey. In the middle school, our students demonstrated their support for hungry families during packing day, and our entire school collected food for those in need at Thanksgiving and gifts for children during the Christmas season. Additionally, students visited clients at the YDDC and earned countless service hours in our community. Our 2025 graduates are now ready to take what they have learned and live lives of purpose and impact. Great things are happening at St. Pius X, and with your continued support, they will flourish for many years to come.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. John Trambley, President of School

Julie Cook Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Celebrating a Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Giving

This year’s Annual Fund is a celebration of all that makes St. Pius X School a thriving, faith-filled community. With deep gratitude, we recognize the extraordinary generosity of nearly 950 donors who contributed to the vitality and growth of our school. Each gift—large and small—was a testament to the trust you place in our mission and our future.

One of the most meaningful milestones this year was the dedication of the Cynthia and Manuel ‘65 Chavez Alumni Plaza. Nearly a year in the making, this beautiful space now welcomes alumni, students, and families to gather, reflect, and celebrate. With engraved bricks, a bold “X” sculpture, and open gathering areas, the plaza honors our rich history while symbolizing the strength and unity of the St. Pius X community. It stands as a tribute to all who have walked through the halls and continue to support the school’s legacy.

We also celebrated a record-setting Buonasera gala, a joyful evening that brought together alumni across all decades, reflecting a palpable pride found in generations of Sartans. Your generosity at the event helped surpass our fundraising goals and underscored the shared commitment to Catholic education and student success.

Inside the classroom, every middle school student now has an iPad in hand, thanks to your support of enhanced learning. And as we look to the year ahead, Lourdes Hall will be home to our new STREAM Innovation Center—a transformative space that integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, and math to inspire the next generation of ethical leaders and problem-solvers. Our focus has also turned to the school’s performance spaces – Stage 1 and Stage 2 – with our Take a Seat in History campaign, which is raising funds to replace nearly 400 chairs between the two stages.

Thanks to your commitment, our Annual Fund continues to fuel meaningful advancements for students today and tomorrow. We are stronger, more vibrant, and more united than ever. Thank you for believing in our mission and joining us on this remarkable journey.

St. Pius X School Masthead

St. Pius X School, Inc. Board of Trustees

Dr. Noreen Duffy Copeland, President

Robert Robeda, Treasurer

Marijo Rymer ’64, Secretary

Msgr. Lambert Luna

Brian Nigg

J. Jill Rivera

SP X Real Estate Corporation Board of Trustees

Jerry Sais, President

Bob Arguelles ’74, Vice President

Rev. Rick Zerwas, Treasurer

John Menicucci ’70, Secretary

St. Pius X School Foundation Board

Nathan Armstrong ‘91, President

Lonny Hurley ‘77, President-Elect

Jennifer Huffaker, Secretary

Marquita Baca, Treasurer

Tony Pino ‘74, Immediate Past President

Jeannine Holmes Alexander

David C. Chavez

Robert Espat

John M. Garcia

Paul Gessing

Brian Gribble ’92, DDS

Connie Menicucci

Stuart Paisano ‘89

Michael F. Rimbert, ’92, Ph.D.

Matthew Wildau ‘79

Phil Zuber

St. Pius X School

Mike Deely, Head of School

Fr. John Trambley, President of School

Julie Cook, VP of Institutional Advancement

Connections 1956 Magazine

Jennifer Maldonado ’91, Editor-in-Chief,

Director of Communications and Alumni Relations

Louis Maes, Graphic Designer

Campos Photography

XL Sports Photography

Alumni and Advancement

The Heart of the X

Celebrating Legacy and the Future at the New Cynthia and Manuel ’65 Alumni Plaza.

After over a year since the original groundbreaking of the Cynthia and Manuel ’65 Alumni Plaza, St. Pius X alumni, friends, students, and current and former faculty and staff gathered on a beautiful March morning to celebrate a significant symbol of faith, excellence, hope, and love. The plaza encompasses two acres of dedicated gathering space for our students and alumni. At the heart of the plaza is the Giant X, surrounded by commemorative bricks, representing the beginning of a Sartan’s journey but not the end.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was opened by Head of School Mike Deely. Although Manuel and his wife, Cynthia, couldn’t attend this momentous event in St. Pius’ history, Mr. Deely read the following on his behalf, “I’ve continued our family legacy of supporting Catholic education and enthusiastically said “YES” to underwrite this beautiful Alumni Plaza, which creates a much-needed, new front door to the St. Pius campus. The Alumni Plaza, which is expansive and inviting, now allows our campus entrance to match the exceptional culture and academics that are evident once you step inside our school.”

Additional remarks and expressions of gratitude were offered by President of School Fr. John Trambley, Lonny Hurley ’77, SPX Board of Trustees Member Marijo Rymer ’64, and a blessing by Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe. The ceremony concluded with the official cutting of a gold ribbon by our honored guests.

As a community, we dedicate this space to honor those who have paved the way. We extend our thanks to everyone who purchased a brick and contributed to making this possible. We are especially grateful to:

Cynthia and Manuel ‘65 Chavez

Rudy ‘90 and Michelle Guzman/Guzman Construction Solutions

The Ashcraft Family: Scott ‘90 and Missy, Sydney, Mason ’20, and Max

Mark Rainosek, M.D. ‘83

Shannon Rainosek ‘87

Sandia Toyota

Yellowstone Landscape, Contractor

My Landscape Coach, Landscape Architect

Sixty-four years of graduates have joined the ranks of alumni, and the Class of 2025 joins them in continuing this journey while fulfilling St. Pius X’s mission of leading lives of purpose and impact. If you would like to purchase a brick to honor an alumnus or a beloved member of the St. Pius X Family, please scan the QR code today!

Alumni and Advancement

On a spring evening, the St. Pius X Alumni Council welcomed alumni to The Bourbon House for a night of reconnection and celebration. Alumni from every decade, along with future Sartans from the Classes of 2041-2043, attended the event, which showcased the lasting legacy of our SPX family.

The SPX Alumni Council is excited to announce plans for quarterly gatherings, providing regular opportunities for alumni to come together. Please keep an eye on your email and social media for announcements about upcoming events.

If you own a venue and are interested in hosting a future Sartan Social, please contact the SPX Alumni Department at spxalumninews@spxabq.org.

2025 Reunions

Class of 1965

September 26-28, 2025

Please contact Rick Summey at rasummey@me.com.

Class of 1975

September 19-20, 2025

Please contact Paul Clifford at 505-610-0515 or pmclifford@comcast.net

Class of 1985

September 19-21, 2025

Please contact SPXforty@gmail.com for more info.

Class of 2005

September 19-21, 2025

Please contact Jessica Montaño at jessicaleemon@gmail.com.

Class of 2015

If you are a member of the Class of 2015 and are interested in planning your reunion, please contact the St. Pius X Alumni Office at spxalumninews@spxabq.org or 505-831-8460.

We want to hear about your Sartan success stories! If you would like to be featured in the new Beyond the X: Sartan Journeys section of Connections Est. 1956 or on our social media pages, please email spxalumninews@spxabq. org with your story and a photo.

Alumni and Advancement

Sarto

Legacy

Society

Giving to the Future of St. Pius X

As the St. Pius X Alumni Classes begin planning their class reunions, we are reminded of classmates with whom we shared our high school years and several good times afterward. The friendships we thought would last forever (and many have!) are now in their waning years for the classes of the 1960s as we approach our 80th birthdays. Our children are raised, our grandchildren are spoiled, and we have retired from our careers. Looking back on the years, we retrospectively appreciate the firm foundation we received from our parents and our schooling.

In March, alumni from the decades attended the dedication of the new St. Pius X Alumni Plaza, a beautiful place on the bluff overlooking the Rio Grande, and a breathtaking view of the Sandia Mountains. Alumni Plaza was made possible by Manuel Chavez ‘65 and his wife, Cynthia. The best part of the dedication ceremony was listening to “Manny’s” written words giving honor to his parents for sponsoring the Chavez children’s attendance at Catholic schools from elementary through high school. His tribute to his parents will live on at St. Pius X School for generations to come!

What do you have in your treasure chest that will last for generations? The old saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.” As we declutter our lives and downsize our belongings, let us remember the lasting impact of a legacy gift to St. Pius X students. Your contribution could serve as a permanent fund to support students’ education from middle school through high school graduation. The planned giving campaign will be called the “Sarto Legacy Society” in honor of Giuseppe Sarto, who became Pope Pius X and subsequently Saint Pius X.

Alumni and Advancement

Buonasera: Celebrating the Spirit of St. Pius X

Buonasera, translated from Italian as “good evening,” is an understatement for the fabulous event hosted by St. Pius X School on February 8th. The highly anticipated gala, two years in the making, was held at Sandia Resort & Casino and achieved a record-breaking number of attendees. Over 600 alumni, parents, family, and friends of SPX attended the all-inclusive reunion of the Sartan Community.

Thanks to our event sponsors: Golden Pride/Frontier Restaurant, Sandia Toyota, Davis/Gribble/Hollowwa, Berger Briggs, Pino Periodontics & Implants, BMC Roofing, The Law Firm of David C. Chavez, The Wrobel Family, abba Technologies, Gateway Insurance & Financial Services, Raylee Luxury Homes, Dr. & Mrs. Jason Mudd, and Payroll Company, along with the generosity of our guests, over $208,000 was raised in support of St. Pius X School.

A heartfelt thank you to Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe; Emcee Ed Larranaga ’84; Haley Rizek ’18; Grant Smith ’19; SPX Student Dani Madrid ’26; Head of School Mike Deely; President of the School Fr. John Trambley; and President of the Board of Trustees Dr. Noreen Copeland for their participation and support of Buonasera!

St. Pius X School will host our next gala celebrating our 70th Anniversary on February 6, 2027, so please mark your calendars!

The Graduates

Loyola University ChicagoHonors Program

Kristy Agbemadzo

Santiago Aragon Roybal University of New Mexico

Frank Barela St. Edward’s University

Elias Braun Purdue University

Sandra Allison NMSU-Doña Ana Community College

Analisa Aragon University of New Mexico

Santos Barela Eastern New Mexico University

Zia Budagher University of New Mexico

Taylor Alwin University of New Mexico

Claudia Aragon Undecided

Mia Bermudez University of New Mexico

Joshua Caintic University of New Mexico

Catalina Anaya University of New Mexico

Kamryn Aragon Undecided

Caiden Bischoff New Mexico State University

Philip Anderson New Mexico State University

Maya Baca Texas Tech University

Konnor Bogart Texas Tech University

Serafina Apodaca Undecided

Tayla Baggerly University of New Mexico

Sophia Bolivar University of New Mexico

Xavier Apodaca University of New Mexico

Andrew Baldonado United States Army Reserve

Daniela Brandt University of Oklahoma

Jessica Castro University of New Mexico

Jacqueline Cattaneo Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Silas Cerami Colorado State University

Isabella Candelaria University of New Mexico

Eva Chaidez University of New Mexico

Jonathan Cappon University of New Mexico

Liam Chavez Regis University

Jackson Carrigan Texas Tech University

Izabella Cotinola University of New Mexico

Jayna Castillo University of Arizona

Leah-Marie Crabtree University of South Carolina

Evangelynn Cruz New Mexico State University

Joshua Darling University of New Mexico

Michael Deller University of New Mexico

Lily Deprest University of New Mexico

Noah Devany Arizona State University

Broderick Dexel Oklahoma State University

Juliana Dixon University of New Mexico

Diego Dominguez United States Army National Guard

Justin Duran University of New Mexico

Tim Dyson Texas Tech University

Savannah Ellison University of New Mexico

Diana Flock Arizona State University

Macy Freeze Concordia University Irvine

The Graduates

Zachary Gamez New Mexico State University

Jordynn Gonzales University of New Mexico

Lena Hernandez Washington University

Alex Garcia Texas Tech University

Lourdes Gonzales University of New Mexico

Denny Rey Herrera Arizona State University

Ethan Garcia University of New Mexico

Rihanna Gonzales Central New Mexico Community College

Joshua Jepson University of New Mexico

Jacob Garcia University of New Mexico

Marcus Gum-Padilla New Mexico Highlands University

Aili Johnson University of New Mexico

Leandro Garcia Undecided

Andy Gutierrez Morales University of New Mexico

Brooke Kelly New Mexico State University

Isabelle Gauthier University of New Mexico

Alexis Hanson Central New Mexico Community College

Benjamin Lahi Arizona State University

Sofia Gallegos University of New Mexico

Catherine Golden Colorado State University

Addison Harrington Texas Christian University

James Lockhart Central New Mexico Community College

Maximiliano Lopez Central Arizona College

Rylie Lopez University of New Mexico

Julian Lovato University of New Mexico

Santiago Lucero Central New Mexico Community College

Madison Lussier University of New Mexico

AvaMarie Machtinger University of New Mexico

Jacob Madrid University of New Mexico

Miguel Maldonado Lucero University of New Mexico

Eliana Marquez University of New Mexico Valente Marquez Central New Mexico Community College

Justin Martindale New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Angel Martinez University of New Mexico

Athena Martinez Central New Mexico Community College

Dominic Martinez University of New Mexico

Erica Martinez Texas Tech University

Isaiah Martinez University of New Mexico

Gavin McAtee Purdue University - Daniels School of Business

Mariam McCollum Texas Tech UniversityHonors College

Carson McConnell University of New Mexico

Victoria McElhanon Texas Tech University

Violet McGonigle University of Mary

Margaret McMillian Louisiana State University

Samuel Menicucci NMSU-Doña Ana Community College

Audrey Mileshosky Texas Tech University

Derek Mondala University of New Mexico

Luke Montoya Arizona State UniversityBarrett The Honors College

The Graduates

Emmanuel Padilla New Mexico State University

Ethan Romero Undecided

Lorenzo Sandoval University of New Mexico

Ava Mudd University of New Mexico

Kiley Patalan Eastern New Mexico University

Jasleen Sahi University of New Mexico

Jax Mulville Texas Tech Univesity

Madison Power Regis University - Pre Pharmacy Program

Adrianna Salas University of Mary

Annaliesse Nunez University of New Mexico

Abigail Rael University of New Mexico

Brandon Sanchez University of New Mexico

George Ochs Creighton University

Mia Richards University of AlabamaHonors College

Lauren Sanchez Undecided

Gabriel Orona University of New Mexico

Grace Richardson NMSU - Doña Ana Community College

Lucas Sanchez Arizona State UniversityBarrett The Honors College

Mason Montoya University of New Mexico

Emma Ortega University of New Mexico

Joshua Robbins University of New Mexico

Arriana Sandoval Dinallo University of New Mexico

Tatiana Montoya University of San Diego

Isabella Pacheco University of New Mexico

Theron Stafford Fort Lewis College

Eliana Torres Texas Tech University

Daniel Schoppe United States Marine Corps.

Carina Suarez University of San Diego

Andalucia Trujillo University of New Mexico

Elise Schultes University of New Mexico

Kameron Swanson University of New Mexico

Thomas Valdez Arizona State University

Victoria SheehyDeLeon CNM Community College

Hayden Tate Loyola Marymount University

Elena Valencia Lynn University

Olivia Sholtis University of New Mexico

Sean Valencia University of New Mexico

Jacob Silva Colorado State University Pueblo

Kateri Telles New Mexico State University

Thomas Valenzuela University of New Mexico

Jacob Solin Texas Tech University

Bryan Thomas Central Arizona College

Hunter Vallejos University of New Mexico

Avery Witterholt Colorado State University

Sylvianna Ybarra University of New Mexico

Logan Zerbe University of New Mexico

The Class of 2025 Senior Awards

St. Pius X Scholar-Athletes of the Year

The recipients excel equally in academics and athletics. The requirement for this award includes being an honor student (3.75 GPA and above) and a varsity multi-sport athlete or year-round varsity athlete of exceptional leadership and performance.

Athletes of the Year

The recipients demonstrate the highest skills, leadership, teamwork, coachability, and work ethic in all sports. For this award, the athlete must compete at the highest level of competition.

Danny McKay Memorial Manager of the Year

The award is given to a team manager who played an integral role within a team, honoring the character and work ethic of Danny McKay.

Outstanding Sports Medicine Student of the Year

The award is given to the student who most represents what the Sports Medicine Program is all about and is selected by the Athletic Trainer.

West Point Leadership Award

Each year, during Junior year, students are nominated and five are selected to attend the West Point Leadership Luncheon. At the luncheon, the students are interviewed by West Point Alumni who then select one student as the West Point Leadership Winner.

National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year.

Primo Contreras Award

The Primo Contreras Award is selected by the Theology Department and is given to students who have demonstrated joy in serving others on campus as well as outside our school community, a love of St. Pius X School, and exemplary character.

Native American Leadership Award

This award was established to recognize Marcita Marek’s interest in promoting peer education and involvement in the athletic programs at St. Pius X. This annual award is given to a young lady who embodies the qualities of athletic leadership and service Marcita Marek valued.

The SPX Native American Leadership Award is given to a Native American student who meets the following criteria: he or she must be a senior in good standing, an active participant in the SPX Native American Club, and demonstrate leadership in both school and community.

Manuel Lujan Scholarship

The Manuel Lujan Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and is planning to attend a New Mexico four-year college or university.

Marcita Marek Award

Liam Chavez

Eliana Marquez

Bryan Thomas

Elias Braun

Gavin McAtee

Kameron Swanson

Macy Freeze

Sandra Allison

Macy Freeze

Sylvianna Ybarra

Izabella Cotinola

Abigail Rael

Liam Chavez Lucas Sanchez

Thomas Valenzuela

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

The Class of 2025 Senior Awards

Outstanding Graduate

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship (STAR) was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year.

The Renaissance Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Fine Arts department to a student who has excelled in multiple areas of the Visual and Performing Arts.

The Outstanding Graduate is selected by the faculty, using the motto of St. Pius X: “Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge.”

Head of School Recognition Award French Awards - Le Grand Concours

The Head of School Recognition Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the school community and campus ministry activities and has grown as a person academically, spiritually, and in their love for St. Pius X School.

Senior Choice Award

St. Pius X seniors select a young man and a young woman to represent the “best of their class.”

The qualities in nomination are intellectual integrity, respect, sensitivity, congeniality, and leadership.

Annaliesse Nunez: French III: 4th in New Mexico/20th in the Country

Avery Witterholt: French III: 7th in New Mexico/24th in the Country

Zia Budagher: AP French: 1st in New Mexico and 24th in the Country

Erica Martinez: AP French: 2nd in New Mexico and 26th in the Country

Violet McGonigle: AP French: 3rd in New Mexico and 34th in the Country

AvaMarie Machtinger: AP French: 4th in New Mexico and 35th in the Country

Erica Martinez: Le Prix du President

National Honor Society Officers

Excellence in Social Studies Award St. Pius X Top Ten Percent of the Class of 2025

The Social Studies Department Excellence in Social Studies Award is selected by the department and given to a student who has excelled in the social studies program and exhibited a passion for history and government.

Jacob Solin, Valedictorian

Leah-Marie Crabtree, Salutatorian

Elias Braun

Jayna Castillo

Liam Chavez

Catherine Golden

Lena Hernandez

AvaMarie Machtinger

Eliana Marquez

Margaret McMillian

Derek Mondala

Tatiana Montoya

Mia Richards

Lucas Sanchez

Carina Suarez

Leah-Marie Crabtree

Kameron Swanson

Evangelynn Cruz

Santos Barela

Xavier Apodaca Sean Valencia

Jonathan Cappon

Adrianna Salas

Broderick Dexel

AvaMarie Machtinger President Addison Harrington Vice-President Kristy Agbemadzo Secretary Jacqueline Cattaneo Treasurer

AvaMarie Machtinger

Santos Barela: Gold Medalist & Scholarship Winner; MVP Award

Jonathan Cappon: Gold Medalist & Scholarship Winner; MVP Award

Around the X: Academics

St.

Pius X Wins 24th State Title and National Super Quiz Championship

On March 1st, the Saint Pius X Academic Decathlon Team won its 24th State Championship, earning the right to compete at the National Finals, held this year in Des Moines, Iowa. The team faced several obstacles that made a top-tier finish this year more difficult. A large number of additional teams were added to the competition, and the number of teams in each division, based on school size and state scores, increased substantially. Also, several outstanding competitors from last year’s Saint Pius X team were seniors who graduated, making the majority of this year’s team rookies, competing in their first Academic Decathlon competition. A total of 650 students competed in the National Finals.

Thomas Atencio

Perhaps the most fantastic result occurred at the final event at the National Finals, the Super Quiz. It is the only event where students can collaborate, and it has a combination of questions from all the different objective test areas the students have studied throughout the year: art, music, literature, history, science, economics, and math. In front of a large crowd of approximately 1000 people, the Saint Pius X team won the National Championship for their division! This was the third time in school history that Saint Pius X has earned that honor!

Miranda Barela

Alyssa Bendinskas

Ella Hill Danira Madrid

Hayden Maestas

Ava Mudd

Jax Mulville

George Ochs

Sierra Sanchez

Lorenzo Sandoval

At the Awards Ceremony, Saint Pius students won seven individual medals and two scholarships: Honors Division:

Theron Stafford

Konnor Bogart

Sabine Correa-Bruzzese

Valerie Gurule

Isabella Harris

Anthony “TJ” Maldonado

Zoe Mangrum

Daegan Marsh

Maya Perea

Audrey Phelps

Ava Robertson

Emily Stone

Logan Underwood

Ashton Warren Sartan Excellence

• Junior Katheryn Egberg won the National Bronze Medals in Literature and Social Studies, the National Silver Medal in Art, and a scholarship for her overall score.

Manuel Morales-Hernandez

• Sophomore Ethan Ong took 5th Place in Essay. Scholastic Division:

Daniella Romero

• Freshman Marisa Sapien won the National Gold Medal in Mathematics, the National Silver Medal in Literature, and the National Bronze Medal in Art.

• Sophomore Bridget Braun won the National Silver Medal in Literature and took 5th Place in Social Studies.

• Senior Jonathan Cappon won a Gold Medal and a scholarship for earning the Team MVP Award.

Varsity Division:

• Sophomore Gloria Guerin took 4th Place in Literature and 5th Place in both Essay and Music. Her overall score was also just shy of earning a scholarship.

• Senior Santos Barela took 4th Place in Mathematics and 5th Place in both Art and Literature.

• Sophomore Madelyn Garcia took 5th Place in Mathematics.

After all individual scores were tallied, St. Pius X earned an impressive 5th place nationally in Division IV, a strong finish, particularly given the growing number of competing teams.

Congratulations on another successful year!

Around the X: Fine Arts

Spotlight on the Arts: St.

Pius X Showcases Talent in Theater and Music

The Performing Arts Programs at St. Pius X continue to flourish under the expert leadership of Mr. Keith Jordan (Band/Choir) and alumni Stephen Armijo ’07 (Drama) and Kevin Chavez ’12 (Choir). From a dramatic theatrical production to a vibrant spring concert, students demonstrated their talent, discipline, and passion for the arts.

The Theater Arts program impressed once again with its production of Game of Tiaras by Don Zolidis—a clever and dramatic blend of Game of Thrones-style intrigue and the tragic depth of King Lear. The Spring Music Concert showcased the talents of student musicians across all levels, featuring both solo and group performances by the First-Year and Second-Year Orchestras, the High School Orchestra, the Symphonic Band, the First-Year and Second-Year Bands, and the Concert Choir. Bravo, SPX Performing Arts!

Artistic Excellence: St. Pius X Students Earn 19 Honors at NM Scholastic Art Awards

The NM Scholastic Art Awards is the premier juried art competition for high school students across New Mexico, renowned both locally and nationally for its prestigious accolades. It is recognized as one of the most esteemed competitions in high school art. This year, St. Pius X High School students earned an impressive 19 awards, highlighting their dedication and artistic talent.

Leading in recognition among SPX’s standout achievers were several Gold Key winners, including Sophia Labreche (9). Labreche’s exceptional artistic talent shone through in her winning entry, marking a significant accomplishment in the competition. Additionally, SPX celebrated Silver Key awards for Brooke Kelly (12), Delilah Muxworthy (9), and Kathryn Egberg (11); each demonstrating remarkable skill and creativity in their submissions. Takira Konico (10) excelled with two Silver Key recognitions, further showcasing SPX’s depth of artistic talent. The list of Honorable Mentions included Eleni Andritsos (9), Lena Hernandez (12), TJ Maldonado (11), Annaliesse Nunez (12) (2 awards), Arielle Rodriguez (10) (2 awards), Davianna Romero (11), Kathryn Egberg (11) (dual recognition), Sylvianna Ybarra (12), and Grace Richardson (12). Notably, Jessica Castro (12) earned a rare Honorable Mention for her portfolio, one of only ten such awards granted statewide.

Congratulations to our winners and a special acknowledgment to Mr. Robert Willits for his commitment, creativity, and talent in leading the visual arts department at St. Pius X School.

Delilah Muxworthy

Brooke Kelly

Lena Hernandez TJ Maldonado

Around the X: Campus Ministry

Faith in Action: The Class of 2026 Retreat

The St. Pius X Junior Class Retreat offered the Class of 2026 a chance to step away from their daily routine of assignments and class discussions to immerse themselves in prayer, hard work, and community service. This retreat usually takes place at the end of the junior year and marks the first step for the class in preparation to become leaders on campus the following year. This year, the retreat was held at two spiritually rich locations: St. Edwin’s Church and the Norbertine Community at Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey.

The retreat began with a celebration of Mass at St. Edwin’s, uniting the students in prayer. After Mass, the class was divided into two groups to serve the community more effectively.

At the Abbey, students followed in the footsteps of the Norbertine priests and helped restore the beauty of the sacred walking path used for prayer and meditation. While pulling weeds, repainting markers, and clearing debris, the students came to appreciate the sanctity of the space they were helping to preserve. The day concluded with lunch, prayer, and reflection in the Abbey chapel, where students shared how their efforts became acts of love and connection with God and one another.

At St. Edwin’s Church, set against a backdrop of a rural working farm, the students experienced the joy of serving a vibrant parish community. They cleared land, cleaned chicken coops and barns, prepared garden beds, and readied the outdoor amphitheater for the upcoming parish fiestas. Parishioners expressed their gratitude with freshly grilled green chile cheeseburgers from a local butcher and homemade ice cream.

Throughout the retreat, students embraced the spirit of St. Pius X by living out the mission of SPX and putting their faith into action through service to others. It was a day filled with hard work, prayer, and fellowship.

Around the X: Campus Life

SPX Jeopardy!: Seniors Reign Supreme

For thirty-four years, students in Mr. Penn’s Math and Academic Decathlon courses have been treated to Jeopardy! bonus events in the classroom throughout the school year. Categories vary from math to history to vocabulary to pop culture, and students enjoy the opportunity to play. In the 2023/2024 school year, numerous Seniors pushed to get the first-ever SPX All-School assembly approved, and it turned out to be a very successful event! On April 9th, the second All-Star, All-School Jeopardy! event was held, and it was just as exciting as the first! Following the success of the Class of 2024, this year’s Seniors were hoping again to have the chance to show their Jeopardy! skills and establish a tradition of winning this school-wide event.

This year’s categories included 2025 Lenten Gospels, S “C” IENCE Terms (science terms that start with the letter “C”), SAINT PI “-US” 6 (six-letter words that end with “-us”), Action Movie Presidents, Sports Leaders, and High School Science Fiction Novels. The five competing teams represented SPX Faculty and the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes. All five teams had players fast enough and good enough to buzz in and answer questions correctly, but at the end of the regular rounds, three teams stood out with the highest scores and the best chances to win: the Sophomores were in first, led by Ethan Ong, John Carney, and Hershul Olloway, Jr.; the Seniors, led by Elias Braun, Jacob Solin, and Santos Barela, were in second; and the Faculty, led by Mr. Neuschwanger ’90, Mr. Calvo ’17, and Mr. Armijo ’07, were in third.

The Final Jeopardy! category was Football and Math, where players needed to use their knowledge of NFL players and math skills to answer correctly. The Faculty Team risked it all and missed the final question, ending them in last place. The Seniors risked everything and answered correctly, doubling their score. In a surprise twist, the first-place Sophomores also got the question right, but did not risk enough of their points to surpass the Seniors. For the second consecutive year, the Seniors were AllSchool Jeopardy! Champions!

Many people were responsible for the success of the event. Thank you to the SPX Maintenance Crew for setting up, Senior Kameron Swanson for providing sound, Ms. Ashley Turcott ’07 for helping coordinate the event, and to the students who agreed to participate and represent their classes on competing teams.

Seniors

Juniors

Sophomores

Freshmen

Faculty

St. Pius X Boys Basketball Recap

Season Stats

Overall Record: 22-6

District Record: 8-0

District Champions

State Results: #1 Seed

ALL-STATE

1st Team

Mason Montoya (12)

ALL-DISTRICT

1st Team and District Player of the Year

Mason Montoya (12)

2nd Team

Carson McConnell (12)

Kenneth Zamora (11)

Isaiah Carpenter (10)

All Academic District Team

Jackson Carrigan (12)

Marcos Chavez (11)

District Coach of the Year

Ryan Myers ’09

The Boys Varsity Basketball team delivered an exceptional 2024-2025 season, finishing with an impressive 22-6 record.

In December, the Sartans captured the championship title at the Sandia Prep Invitational. They went on to dominate district play with a perfect 8-0 record, earning both the regular season and district tournament championships, setting them on the path to achieve an 11-game winning streak and the #1 seed in the state tournament.

The Sartans advanced to the quarterfinals but fell short against district rivals, the Highland Hornets, with a final score of 51-59.

Congratulations to the team on an outstanding season of grit, growth, and achievement!