Connections Est. 1956 Fall 2023 Winter 2024

St. Pius X Class of

The first 8th-grade Sartans E

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“The Beginning of Something Great”

by Mike Deely, Head of School - Page 2

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VERBUM DEI 1956

S • DIS CIPLI

Fall 2023/Winter 2024

Record Board

DIVISION III National Final Results

Academics State Results • AcaDec State Championships • AcaDec State Runner-Ups • AcaDec State 3rd Place Finishes

22 4 2

• AcaDec National Championships • AcaDec National Finals Top 3 Placements • AcaDec Nationals Super Quiz Relay Top 3 Placements

Spring 2023 Honors Recipients

6

Athletics

Class of 2023 • First Honors • Second Honors

1 5

67 21

• State Championships • State Runner-Ups • District Championships • First-Team All-State Honorees

89 75 249 596

Class of 2024 • First Honors • Second Honors

29 27

Class of 2025 • First Honors • Second Honors

46 29

Class of 2026 • First Honors • Second Honors

Campus Ministry • Community Service Hours Served (2005-2023) 298,320 • MADAH Meals Prepared 2,654,500 • 2023-2024 Members of Campus Ministry 59

21 28

Fine Arts Band

District VII Honor Orchestra Band & Choir Members (2011-2023)

40

Visual Arts • Scholastic Art Awards (2019-2023) • American Vision Award (2019-2023)

• State Superior Awards • Heritage Festival Awards (2011-2023) o Gold o Silver o Bronze • NM All-State Music Festival Honorees

25 8 6 3 25

Choir 50+ 1

• NMMEA All-State Choir Singers (2018-2022) 36

Scholarship Dollars Earned by the Class of 2023

$12,322,476

Table of Contents

Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fr. John Trambley, President of School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mike Deely, Head of School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Julie Cook, Vice President of Institutional Advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Connections 1956 Masthead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Alumni Games/Holiday Masses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 St. Pius X Alumni Shine in Annual Alumni Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Thanksgiving Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Christmas Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Celebrating 50 Years of Undefeated Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Grandparents’ Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 St. Pius X Revives Grandparents’ Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Honors Convocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Celebrating our Sartan Scholars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Beyond the X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Service: John Cordova ’76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fine Arts: Lynne Peckinpaugh ’64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Athletics: Haley Rizek ’18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Ministry: Father Ed Roden-Lucero, D.Min., J.C.L., ’73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 In Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Reunions/Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 What’s Cooking: Jim Cook ’83, Director of Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 St. Pius X Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Football Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 St. Pius X Volleyball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Volleyball Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 St. Pius X Boys Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Boys Soccer Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 St. Pius X Girls Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Girls Soccer Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 St. Pius X Cross Country (Boys and Girls) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Cross Country Recap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 St. Pius X Cheer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 St. Pius X Dorados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 St. Pius X Boys Basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 St. Pius X Girls Basketball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 St. Pius X Wrestling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 St. Pius X Swimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 St. Pius X Academic Decathlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 St. Pius X Athletic Trainers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Around the X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Around the X Campus Ministry: Senior Retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Around the X Academics: National Merit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Around the X Fine Arts: Band & Choir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Around the X Student Life: Homecoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

1

Leadership

Fr. John Trambley President of School Growth at St. Pius X In addition to intellectual growth, St. Pius Sartans are growing spiritually. This is accomplished through theological study in the classroom, retreats, Bible study, regular attendance at Mass, and other prayers like our Rosary in October and the Stations of the Cross in Lent. The goal is growth in health, happiness, and holiness. Pope Francis says to young people in paragraph 158 of Christus Vivit, “Seeking the Lord, keeping his word, entrusting our life to Him, and growing in the virtues: all these things make young hearts strong. That is why you need to stay connected to Jesus, to “remain online” with Him, since you will not grow happy and holy by your own efforts and intelligence alone...”

Something new this year is an emphasis on formation. Every single one of us can benefit from ongoing formation. Starting this year, our faculty and staff are taking time for regular formation. Our first formation took place on October 4th, the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi. We learned more about this great saint and how to apply his example in our lives. In the future, we would like to include parents and alumni. Pope Francis says to adults in paragraph 161 of Christus Vivit, “Let yourself be loved by God, for he loves you just as you are. He values and respects you, but he also keeps offering you more: more of his friendship, more fervor in prayer, more hunger for his word, more longing to receive Christ in the Eucharist, more desire to live by his Gospel, more inner strength, more peace, and spiritual joy.”

Mike Deely Head of School

Much has been accomplished at St. Pius X since our last issue of Connections. Last Fall we turned our focus to launching a full middle school program. We have held prospective parent evenings to explain every facet of middle school, including curriculum, faith formation, athletics, arts, and student life.

St. Basil will be exclusively used by sixth and seventh grades when the 2024-2025 academic year begins in August, and the eighth grade will overlap with high school classes just as they do currently. We have adjusted the school schedule so that middle school sports will start during the last period of the day to allow for the separation of middle school and high school athletics. We also will have a middle school administration and faculty. Our work this Winter will include hiring middle teachers, conducting campus tours, and processing applications as they come in.

I am also happy to report that the St. Pius X, Inc. Board of Trustees has approved our strategic plan. It is inspired by 1 Corinthians:13 and seeks to build a Community of Excellence, Faith, Hope, and Love. I want to thank our trustees and all who participated in the strategic planning process for dedicating their time and energy to this aspirational plan, which will soon be shared more widely with our community.

To our alumni, I can assure you that your education here at St. Pius X has withstood the test of time by continuing to prepare our students for college and career success. The school has been named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll as a GOLD member, with 69% of our students scoring a 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5.

Congratulations to our Fall sports teams for their high achievements in state competitions. Our varsity volleyball and boys soccer teams won state championships, with state showings by our girls varsity soccer team and boys and girls cross-country programs.

As we start the New Year, I am grateful for our community that so generously supported our Annual Fund. We have had a record number of donors and contributions, from general support to specific programs. Our work to build the school of choice in New Mexico is within reach because you believe in the power of Catholic education.

2

Leadership

Julie Cook

Vice President of Institutional Advancement

I’m thrilled to have recently joined St. Pius X and appreciate the warm welcome. Throughout my professional career of helping donors realize their philanthropic goals, I have been inspired by the transformational change achieved on individual, programmatic and institutional levels.

As St. Pius X works intentionally towards its future, philanthropy on any scale has the unique ability to alter the course of our school. We realized many of the dreams of our founders when they established St. Pius X in 1956 in the basement of St. Charles Borromeo School. We now have growing enrollment, a passionate faculty, formative and dynamic curricula, a promise to meet the needs of each student, and a commitment to provide access to a Catholic education. Our future will be shaped by a new strategic plan, a master site plan for athletics, and an innovative approach to our academic program.

Within the Advancement Office, it is our responsibility to ensure that Sartan students have the resources they need to succeed.

Our goal is to create valuable experiences and to support our students throughout their academic journey and in their eventual career success.

By investing time and resources in our students, we are directly investing in the success of our community’s future. It is our mission to engage past, current, and future Sartans to stay connected to our campus and community through philanthropy and volunteerism.

I invite you to join us in making the evolution of St. Pius X possible.

Connections 1956 Masthead St. Pius X High School, Inc. Board of Trustees

SPX Real Estate Corporation Board of Trustees

Dr. Noreen Duffy Copeland, President Rev. Dr. Michael Demkovich, O.P. ‘72, Vice President Robert Robeda, Treasurer Marijo Rymer ‘64, Secretary Msgr. Lambert Luna

Jerry Sais, President Bob Arguelles ‘74, Vice President Rev. Rick Zerwas, Treasurer John Menicucci ‘70, Secretary

Connections 1956 Magazine

St. Pius X High School

Jennifer Maldonado ‘91, Director of Communications & Alumni Relations Louis Maes, Graphic Designer Matt Lopez, Digital Program Administrator Jose Samora, Director of Technology & School Historian Jim Cook ‘83, Director of Athletics

Fr. John Trambley, President of School Mike Deely, Head of School Julie Cook, VP of Institutional Advancement

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Alumni Games/Holiday Masses St. Pius X Alumni Shine in Annual Alumni Games Every fall, dozens of alumni return to campus for a friendly competition to see who reigns supreme: the highly decorated alumni or the newly named SPX varsity teams. The Alumni Volleyball and Girls and Boys Soccer Games are an annual tradition that unites generations of proud Sartans. This year’s games were no exception, with a remarkable turnout and exhilarating matches. The alumni showing was impressive, with 15 alumni women’s soccer players, 36 men’s soccer alumni, and 14 volleyball alumni attending the event. These former students came prepared to give their all for the win, and the action on the field and on the court certainly did not disappoint.

The girls’ varsity soccer team won a stunning 2-0 victory against the alumni.

On the boys’ side, varsity prevailed with a final score of 6-3. On the volleyball court, varsity dominated with a thrilling 3-0 victory. One of the highlights of the evening was the crowd’s participation between sets. Fans flooded the court and danced to the cupid shuffle.

But more than just the scores, these games are a testament to the enduring sense of community and history at St. Pius X. Alumni return year after year to reconnect with old friends and former teachers to relive the spirit of their high school days. The friendly competition and camaraderie remind everyone that once a Sartan, always a Sartan. Thank you to all who attended!

Go SARTANS!

Thanksgiving Mass

Christmas Mass

The St. Pius X Community once again came together to celebrate Thanksgiving during our annual Native American Mass. Organized by the SPX Native American Club, the Sartan Community collected an impressive three truckloads of food, generously contributing to seven churches and charities in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Rio Rancho. Recipients of the donations were Holy Family, Our Lady of Sorrows, San Martin de Porres, St. Bernadette, St. Felix, Pantry, St. John XXIII, and St. Martin’s Hospitality Center.

On December 8th, the SPX Community gathered to rejoice in the feast of the Immaculate Conception during our annual Christmas Mass, celebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe. Faith, hope, and generosity were in abundance as students, faculty, and staff participated in the Annual Toy Drive. Nearly 1,500 toys were collected for families assisted by the Barrett House, Catholic Charities, Our Lady of Sorrows, and St. Vincent de Paul, guaranteeing joyous smiles on the faces of numerous children on Christmas morning.

4

Alumni Celebrations Celebrating 50 Years of Undefeated Glory In the history of St. Pius X football, there’s a story that has been told and retold with immense pride and nostalgia – the story of the 1973 Champion Football Team. As the 1973 season was ending, the undefeated Sartans were preparing for the championship game and Coach Ray Giannini was quoted as saying, “11-0 doesn’t mean anything unless you can finish 12-0.”

On December 2, 1973, that dream came true for our beloved Sartans. The St. Pius X Sartans, against all odds, achieved the unimaginable, defeating the St. Mike’s Horsemen for the 1973 Football State Championship with a score of 27-16, ending the season a perfect 12-0.

It has been 50 years since that magical run to the title, a season that remains legendary. It’s the only St. Pius X football team to go undefeated in the process, a testament to our players’ and coaches’ dedication, spirit, and resilience. The echoes of their glory still resound, proving that some legacies never die.

The commemorative celebration began with an inspiring speech by John Cordova ’76, a proud alumnus from the Class of ‘76. His words were simple yet resonated deeply with the 2023 football team, “That game was a catalyst to my life and all of the opportunities I was afforded.

With hard work and dedication, anything is possible.” It was a reminder of the values and relentless commitment that propelled the ‘73 team to their unparalleled success.

The festivities continued as the men of ‘73 gathered for a memorable happy hour on campus, held in the library where jokes were made about finally being able to say, “I drank a beer in the SPX library!”

On game day, members of the legendary ‘73 team, alongside original members of the Dorados and Cheer squad, united for a pregame tailgate. During halftime, the team once again took the field to be honored not only for the accomplishments of their historic season, but for a lifetime of memories, unbeaten records, and the enduring bonds of brotherhood. It was a momentous occasion also graced by the presence of Coach San Juan Mendoza, the most decorated St. Pius X Football Coach in history who led the 1999 and 2016 Championship Teams.

Behind this extraordinary reunion was the relentless effort of John Cordova ‘76, who took it upon himself to ensure that this 50th-anniversary celebration would be an unforgettable event.

This celebration is not just a look back; it’s a celebration of the enduring Sartan spirit and excellence that defines St. Pius X. The values of hard work and dedication that led the ‘73 team to victory will continue to inspire our current and future Sartans for the next 50 years.

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Grandparents’ Day St. Pius X Revives Grandparents’ Day St. Pius X High School reestablished the cherished tradition of hosting Grandparents’ Day after a four-year hiatus in a heartwarming and long-awaited return. This special event returned in a new and exciting way, bringing together 500 grandparents, excited to spend the morning with their beloved Sartan grandchildren.

The festivities commenced with a beautiful Mass, celebrated

by Archbishop Wester, followed by a meet and greet over refreshments, and a self-guided tour of the school’s stunning campus. It was a sight to see as nearly 1,000 grandparents and students, arm in arm, filled the Quad and crowded the halls.

One of the day’s many highlights was the opportunity for honored grandparents to attend classes and interact with St. Pius X’s esteemed faculty members. This allowed them to gain insight into the educational environment their grandchildren experience daily. Many grandparents were given tests, quizzes, and assignments allowing them to experience firsthand the engaging and dynamic teaching methods employed at the school.

Yolanda Garcia, Grandmother to Julian ’18, Marcus ’21, Grace ’24, Nico, ’27 and SPX Mother to Dominic ’91, Janna ’95, and JoVanna ’97 stated, “As a grandparent of four SPX students, I have attended six Grandparents’ Days. This year’s event was exceptionally well organized, and I was able to witness the dedication and contributions that many families make for their grandchildren.

Attending classes and meeting my grandchildren’s friends and teachers was a joy, and I will cherish the experience. I eagerly look forward to attending Grandparents’ Day every year.”

St. Pius X is extremely grateful to the grandparents who attended and added a touch of love, gratitude, and history to a day in the life of our students. The entire Sartan family eagerly anticipates the next Grandparents’ Day when we can once again come together to celebrate the invaluable connection between generations. As a token of appreciation, each grandparent received a swag bag, and an open invitation to return to St. Pius X at any time.

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Honors Convocation Celebrating our Sartan Scholars The 2023 St. Pius X Honors Convocation began with the induction of two seniors and 47 juniors into the SPX National Honor Society Chapter.

In addition to possessing the NHS ideals of Scholarship, Character, Service, and Leadership, SPX members also strive to exemplify the qualities that resonate in the school’s motto, “goodness, discipline, and knowledge.” These attributes highlight the unique contributions of the SPX community in shaping future leaders. Students are invited to apply at the beginning of their junior and senior years and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above.

Following the induction, recognition of students in English, French, Latin, and The Academic Decathlon Team, all of whom excelled locally, regionally, and nationally took place. A special congratulations to Juliana Waldroup-Sanchez (12), the recipient of the 2023 West Point Leadership Award, and finalists Madelynn Jewell (12), Jacob Maes (12), and Ethan Donlin (12).

An integral aspect of SPX culture is community service. Routinely, several students demonstrate outstanding service and volunteer 120 hours or more in a school year. This year, 17 students received their first community service letter, two received their second-year service pin, and AvaMarie Machtinger (11) received her third-year service pin.

The SPX Liturgical Choir, Orchestra, Band, and Campus Ministry are essential to our school Masses. Members must accrue at least 100 points to receive an activity letter. This year, 17 students received their firstyear letter in Activities for Liturgical Choir, Orchestra, Band, and Campus Ministry, and 17 students earned their second-year pin.

The Convocation concluded with the Academic Letter Awards and First and Second Honors. Academic letters are given to students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 for four semesters. This year, 46 juniors and five seniors received their first-year letter, and 16 seniors received their second-year pin. For the Spring 2023 semester, 115 students made the Top Honor Roll and 73 received second honors.

Congratulations to each of our distinguished award recipients and honorees. The versatility and well-roundedness of SPX students demonstrate excellence in academics, service, ministry, the arts, and athletics. These Sartans represent true scholars, athletes, artists, and community-minded individuals.

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Beyond the X Service: John Cordova ‘76 A Lifetime of Success and Service In 1976, senior John Cordova was a powerhouse on the field and the court. A three-sport varsity athlete in football, basketball, and track & field, Cordova left his legacy in two inaugural firsts for the Sartans.

In his sophomore year, coached by Ray Giannini, Cordova played the season movies are made of. The Sartans had an undefeated record of 12-0, making history as St. Pius’ first state championship football team in 1973. Reflecting on the win, Cordova states, “That game set the stage for my future and made me realize that anything was possible. We were on a mission, and there was no way to fail.” In three years of playing varsity football, Cordova only lost three games. In his senior year, he placed first in shotput and claimed the first individual state medal for St. Pius. Yet beyond his athletic achievements, his remarkable dedication to service and giving back stands out.

After graduation, Cordova continued to play football at New Mexico State University. As an Aggie, he played on the offensive line while obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and contributed to winning the Conference Championship in his junior year. College was a dark and stressful time for Cordova. The values he learned of never giving up or letting anyone down kept him going. His father, the only college graduate in a family of ten children, was adamant the only way to get ahead was to get an education. John once again realized the importance of giving back to help others succeed. Upon college graduation, he Continued page 29

Fine Arts: Lynne Peckinpaugh ‘64 A St. Pius X Commitment Beyond Four Years Lynne Franchini Peckinpaugh ’64 was a member of the second freshmen class to grace the halls of the original St. Pius X Campus. Those days of SPX were very different than today, with gender-segregated classes and students separated as they walked the halls in between classes. But the memories that stand out in her mind are freshman initiation traditions of wearing her clothes inside out with pin curlers in her hair and membership in Student Council (STUCO). She still remembers listening to President Kennedy’s speech on the Cuban Missile Crisis with Fr. Robert Sanchez and her fellow members of STUCO. Her proudest moment was bittersweet as she and her classmate, Mike Jordan ‘64, raised the flag to half-mast after the assassination of President Kennedy in the fall of 1963.

This experience left such an impression she would later become the STUCO moderator for 17 of her 23-year tenure as an SPX teacher.

After high school graduation, Lynne attended UNM, where she followed her passions, majoring in Home Economics and minoring in Art. Lynne stated, “Food was in my blood, and art was in my heart.” She would later obtain a master’s in Human Development and Family Relations. In 1966, she married the love of her life, Denny, and they had two children, Michele, ’88, and David, ’91. While raising her family, Lynne had the Continued page 31

8

Beyond the X Ministry: Father Ed Roden-Lucero, D.Min., J.C.L., ‘73 A Journey of Faith, Challenges, and Advocacy Father Ed Roden-Lucero, ’73, traces his spiritual journey back to Father Richard Oman, his academic counselor at St. Pius X High School. Ironically, his interests were in drama and journalism, and the priesthood wasn’t at the top of the list until he visited the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHM) in Santa Fe after an invitation from Fr. Oman. As the youngest child of a very conservative Catholic family, Father Ed decided to enter the seminary after graduation. In hindsight, he states, “The priests and nuns who taught at SPX were very progressive and had embraced the teachings of Vatican II. My experience growing up in my family was very different than my theological experience at SPX.” After graduation, Lucero began commuting to Santa Fe while attending seminary at IHM. He recalls the challenges of navigating the philosophy requirements during his formative years at IHM. While the current standard for ordination requires a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, he declared it his Minor, an experience that proved demanding as a college freshman. After seminary, Lucero moved to San Antonio, where he attended the Oblate School of Theology to obtain his Master of Divinity and was ordained by the Diocese of El Paso in 1982, where he remained for 40 years. After his ordination, Father Ed pursued Canon Law studies at the Catholic University of America, obtaining a Licentiate in 1994. Afterward, he began his doctoral program at Oblate in San Antonio, completing it in 2003.

Relocating to El Paso in 1982, Father Ed began a four-decade legacy of service and advocacy. Beyond his pastoral duties, he left a permanent mark on the community, tackling issues ranging from water accessibility to education and poverty alleviation.

His impact on El Paso was profound, seen in initiatives such as the fight for water accessibility and the establishment of Project Continued page 32

Athletics: Haley Rizek ‘18 From a Dirt Track to Olympic Trials Track and field athlete Haley Rizek ’18 began her journey to the Ivy League training on the dirt track at St. Pius X High School before landing at the prestigious grounds of the University of Pennsylvania and later, Duke University. But beyond her athletic triumphs, Rizek has excelled in academics thanks to her unwavering faith and the power of passion, perseverance, and the values instilled in her at SPX. Coming from a Pius family: mother, Regina Larranaga Rizek ’86, and collegiate athletes, father, Tim Rizek ’86, and older brothers, Quintin ’12 and Tristin ’14, Haley believed there was no other option for her than to continue the legacy. During her junior year, she and her parents began the exhilarating, emotional, and exhausting recruitment process. At first, she was set on Power 5 Conference programs but soon shifted gears to the Ivy schools after learning about the history, culture, and drive for all-around excellence they provided. Feeling like it would be a good place to push herself on and off the track, UPenn had a very competitive track program, home to the Penn Relays, as well as a team that was close like family.

After graduating from SPX in 2018, Haley began on the pre-med path at the University of Pennsylvania and soon discovered a passion for cognitive neuroscience. Her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience, with a focus on neuroeconomics and behavioral economics, was complemented by a minor in Consumer Psychology Continued page 33

9

In Memory Sofia Baca ‘06 Passed away on Oct 16, 2023 Daughter of JD Baca, parent and former faculty Sister of Veronica Baca ‘15 and Santiago Baca ‘13

Richard LeDoux ‘64 Passed away on February 16, 2023 Martin Ray Martinez ‘73 Passed away on April 5, 2023 Husband of Eileen Gogen Martinez ‘73 Father of Nathan Martinez ‘04 and Sarah Martinez ‘07 Brother-in-law of Pamela Gogen Harada ’76, Susan Gogen Folkner ’75 and Mark Folkner ‘75, John Davee ‘71 and Mary Jo Gogen Davee ‘71 Uncle of Erin Conner Folkner ‘01, Jacqueline Folkner Vigliano ‘04 and Jessica Folkner ‘06

Edward Jerome Barkocy Passed away on August 3, 2023 Husband of Joyce Cuneo Barkocy ‘62 Father of Kevin Barkocy ‘85 (Marybeth Wright Barkocy ‘85, wife) Grandfather of Brianna Barkocy ‘15 and Nathan Barkocy ‘18 David Baumann Passed away on November 10, 2033 Father of Michelle Mares '06 (Mike Mares ’05, husband) and Aundria Koprowski '08

Laura Melloy Passed away on May 5, 2023 Wife of Joe Melloy ‘64 Sister-in-law of Michael Melloy ‘84 and Pamela Shumard ‘61 Aunt of Grace Melloy ‘18

Bobby Contreras ‘82 Passed away on November 1, 2023 Michael Anne Martinez Crowley ‘62 Passed away on October 12, 2023

Mary C. Menicucci Passed away on December 3, 2023 Mother of Michael Menicucci ‘72, Anne Menicucci ‘74, Tom Menicucci ‘78, Margaret Menicucci ‘81, and Joseph Menicucci Grandmother of Steven ‘04, Shawn ‘06, Sarah ‘12, Jacob ‘24, and Lucas ‘28 Menicucci

John J. Cummings ‘81 Passed away on August 29, 2023 Brother of Kevin Cummings ‘83 and Timothy Cummings ‘85 Theresa Jaramillo Fierro ‘61 Passed away on March 19, 2023 Sister of Frank Jaramillo ’64, Deceased David and Frances Holmes (Passed away on October 26, 2023 & October 13, 2023) Parents of Therese Holmes Wing '79, Karen Holmes Candelaria '81, and Susan Holmes Goheen '82 Grandparents of Dylan DiLorenzo '17, Jordyan DiLorenzo '17, Mitchel DiLorenzo '15, and Hannah Holmes '19 Neal Langford ‘91 Passed away on Jul 21, 2023 Brother of Joseph Langford-Fuchs ‘88 Cousin of Celeste Umbrage ’91 and Chris Umbrage ‘93 Vincent J. Lardner Passed away on December 7, 2023 Father of Timothy Lardner (deceased), David Lardner ‘78, Scott Lardner ‘79 (Christine Gillooly Lardner ‘78, wife), Vincent “Jim” Lardner III ‘85, and John Lardner ‘86 (Tina Knipfing Lardner ‘86, wife) Father-in-law of John Mechenbier ’74 (Cindy Lardner Mechenbier, wife) Grandfather of Danielle Lardner ‘07, Caitlin Lardner ‘08, Avery Lardner ‘13, Sean Lardner ‘14, Ryan Lardner ’15, and Abigail Lardner ‘19

If you would like for us to remember the passing of an alumni or family member, please email spxalumninews@spxabq.org

Callan Moore ‘06 Passed away on Nov 17, 2023 Brother of Chantal Moore ‘04 Jean McIntyre Passed away on October 11, 2023 Mother of Jim McIntyre ‘73, Bob McIntyre ‘75, Dave McIntyre ‘76, John McIntyre ‘77, Tim McIntyre ‘79, Paul McIntyre ‘81, Mary McIntyre DeRoche ‘82, Bill McIntyre ’84, and Joe McIntyre ‘86 Lotario D. Ortega Passed away on January 28, 2023 Father of Teresa Ortega Heaphy '74 (Stephen Heaphy '74, husband), Ann Ortega Johnson '78, Peter Ortega '81, Paul Ortega '83, Philip Ortega '85. Angelica Ortega Benavidez '92 (Mario Benavidez '92, husband) Grandfather of Mario Benavidez ‘22 and Alia Benavidez ‘24 Denny Peckinpaugh Passed away on February 18, 2022 Husband of Lynne ‘64 Father of Michele Peckinpaugh ‘88 and David Peckinpaugh ‘91 Richard Rock Passed away on September 20, 2023 Father of Richard Rock ‘85, Mary Gene Rock ‘86 and Robert Rock ‘88 Ray Vincioni ‘90 Passed away on April 19, 2023 Brother of Vicki Vincioni Brothers ‘73, Alan Vincioni ‘75, Julie Vincioni Kuenstler ‘76, David Vincioni ‘79, and Val Vincioni ‘80.

Nephew of Joe Corazzi ’67 (Betty Klink Corazzi ‘67, wife) Uncle of Adam Powell ‘00, Danielle Vincioni ‘05, Joseph Vincioni ‘08, Amber Vincioni ‘08, Shawna Vincioni ‘09

10

Reunions/Athletics

2024

REUNIONS Class of 1964 September 19-21, 2024

St Pius X High School hopes you enjoy this edition of

Connections.

Please contact Eddie Castoria at 619-507-9406 or nightjumper5@gmail.com.

Consider advertising your business or organization in the next edition!

Class of 1974 September 20-22, 2024 Please contact LouAnne Byrd at 505-379-1198 or louannebyrd@hotmail.com.

Class of 1984 August 2024

Contact Jennifer Maldonado ‘91:

Please contact Ed Larrañaga at 505-217-4035 or Elarranaga1@gmail.com.

jmaldonado@spxabq.org

If you are a member of the classes 1994, 1999, 2004, or 2014 and are interested in planning your reunion, please contact the St. Pius X Alumni Office at spxalumninews@spxabq.org.

505-831-8460

What’s Cooking: James Cook ‘83, Director of Athletics The recent addition of an 8th-grade class at St. Pius X School has had a profoundly positive effect on our athletic programs during the 23/24 athletic seasons. The addition of these new student-athletes has sparked a significant transformation in the culture of athletics, enabling us to expand our offerings and further develop our existing teams. The addition of numbers combined with talent has fostered a noticeable energy in our programs. This increased enrollment has paved the way for the creation of six additional teams within our school. This expansion has enabled us to participate across all high school levels, including Varsity, Junior Varsity, and C-teams. On the athletes’ side, the surge in numbers has also fostered a competitive environment that encourages growth and development. These young athletes bring an enthusiasm and competitiveness that is contagious throughout the programs. Their presence has served as motivation, reigniting the passion and determination of our upperclassmen to strive for excellence and secure their positions on the team.

This new dynamic of youth and experience has cultivated a new balance for the SPX athlete, and it is inspiring to witness how the upperclassmen have stepped into their roles of leadership and led by example in the classroom and the competitive sports arena. As an athletic director and former coach, I am excited to witness this evolution and I look forward to the long-term impact it will have on our programs.

11

St. Pius X Football Senior Captains

Nathaniel “Moosie” Neel Christian Marin

Seniors

Sophomores

Curtis Flakes II

Zachary Brokaw Joziah Chama Prestin Day Collin Foster Diego Gonzales Hayden Maestas, Manager Ryan Maestas Anthony “TJ” Maldonado Deagan Marsh Matthias Marquez James Martinez Jayson Martinez Nathaniel Miera Raphael Neel Kolbe Padilla Dominic Ramsey Anthony Ruiz Preston Terrazas Ramon Torres Logan Underwood

Jonathan Cappon Micheal Deller, Captain Leandro Garcia Benjamin Lahi Jacob Solin Bryan Thomas Thomas Valenzuela

Alonzo Garcia

Andrew Guzman

Robert Musser

Zachary Roth

Leon Sutulov

Joaquin Torres

Peyton Underwood

Trey Valdez

Jacob Wunsch

Aidan Thomas

Head Coach Juniors

Joaquin Candelaria

Freshman Joaquin Aragon Chase Nelson Isaiah Barboa Hershul Olloway Jr. Andrew Bujanda Lucas Saavedra Isaiah Carpenter Max Sarracino Aiden Chacon Ethan Vigil Brennan Craver Landon White Cayl Cox-Liggins Trevor Wunsch Chace Dabney Phillip Delgado Curtis Flakes III Xavier Giron Jonathan Hanna Jayshaun Lewis Carlo Lowery-Garcia Ethan Machtinger Richard Medina Randy Morales

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8th Grade Dominic Bellisario Christian Morales Cash Brewer Ryan Olguin Aiden Garcia Dane Russell Jack Gribble Aaron Taylor Orlando Marquez Joshua Vallez Andre Martinez Ball Boy Camden Flakes

Football Recap

Season Stats Overall Record: 4-7 District Record: 1-2 State Results: #10 Seed ST. PIUS X TEAM (Academic Excellence Award, 4.0 and Higher) Jacob Solin (11), Defensive Back Thomas Valenzuela (11), Linebacker Daegan Marsh (10), Defensive Back Ramon Torres (10), Offensive Line Zack Brokaw (10), Defensive Back Diego Gonzalez (10), Wide Receiver Logan Underwood (10), Wide Receiver 3A, 4A, 5A DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Leon Sutulov (12), Defensive Lineman ALL-STATE 1st Team Leon Sutulov (12), Defensive Lineman 2nd Team Aidan Thomas (12), Offensive Lineman Honorable Mention Christian Marin (12), Offensive Lineman ALL-DISTRICT Defensive Player Of The Year Leon Sutulov (12), Defensive Tackle 1st Team Andrew Guzman (12), Outside Linebacker Christian Marin (12), Right Tackle Leon Sutulov (12), Defensive Tackle 2nd Team Bryan Thomas (11), Wide Receiver Nathaniel “Moosie” Neel (12), Middle Linebacker Kolbe Padilla (10), Safety Thomas Valenzuela (11), Punter Zach Roth (12), Kicker

This year brought many exciting changes to the SPX Football Program. The Sartans welcomed Head Coach Curtis Flakes II to St. Pius X with a roster of over 80 athletes in 8th grade through our graduating seniors. The Sartans continued to strive for excellence both on the field and in the classroom with 44 athletes achieving first and second honors. On the field, the Sartans learned skills while improving their record, advancing from last year’s 2-9 to 4-7, receiving the 10th-seed playoff bid.

St. Pius X celebrates and thanks our graduating seniors and eagerly anticipates the continued growth and skill development of our returning players. The future holds exciting prospects for the Sartan Football Program.

Honorable Mention Aidan Thomas (12), Offensive Lineman Robert Musser (12), Linebacker Michael Deller (11), Defensive End Jonathan Cappon (11), Hybrid Prestin Day (10), Defensive Back Anthony Ruiz (10), Offensive Lineman Chase Nelson (9), Offensive Lineman Cayl Cox-Liggins (9), Wide Receiver Isaiah Carpenter (9), Quarterback All-Academic (All Varsity players with a 3.0 GPA and above.)

Joaquin Candelaria (12) Andrew Guzman (12) Christian Marin (12) Robert Musser (12) Nathaniel Neel (12) Zachary Roth (12) Leon Sutulov (12) Aidan Thomas (12) Jacob Wunsch (12) Jonathan Cappon (11) Michael Deller (11) Jacob Solin (11) Bryan Thomas (11) Thomas Valenzuela (11) Zachary Brokaw (10) Josiah Chama (10) Prestin Day (10) Collin Foster (10) Diego Gonzalez (10) Anthony “TJ” Maldonado (10) Daegan Marsh (10) James Martinez (10)

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Nathaniel Miera (10) Raphael Neel (10) Anozie Ogochukwu (10) Dominic Ramsey (10) Anthony Ruiz (10) Ramon Torres (10) Logan Underwood (10) Joaquin Aragon (9) Chace Dabney (9) Phillip Delgado (9) Isaiah Carpenter (9) Curtis Flakes III (9) Carlo Lowrey-Garcia (9) Hershul Olloway Jr. (9) Richard Medina (9) Lucas Saavedra (9) Cash Brewer (8) ALL-METRO 1st Team Leon Sutulov (12), Defensive Line Andrew Guzman (12), Linebacker Christian Marin (12), Offensive Lineman Prestin Day (10), Defensive Back Cayl Cox-Liggins (9), Wide Receiver 2nd Team Curtis Flakes III (9), Athlete Special Recognition Bryan Thomas (11), Tight End All-Academic Anthony Ruiz (10), Offensive Lineman RED VS. GREEN ALL-STAR Leon Sutulov (12), Defensive Lineman

St. Pius X Volleyball Seniors

Head Coach

Freshmen

Jordan Russell

Leia Aguon Lizzie Coash Sophia Eakes Olivia Forrester Samone Gutierrez Sienna Harrington Aubri Hooee Amari Jaramillo Marisol Lujan Alison Ortiz Kayla Padilla Clare Rimbert

Juniors

Greyse Pitre

Anastasia Romero

Kaitlyn Romero

Julianna Solis

Taylor Alwin Maya Baca Lourdes Gonzales Theron Stafford Eliana Torres Sylvianna Ybarra

Sophomores Alyssa Bendinskas Kayla Bradshaw Haven Gatz Bella Gonzales, Manager Aurora Green Aliyah Lucero Jasmine Martinez Dielissa Molina Maya Perea Ava Robertson Sierra Sanchez Mireya Sauceda Sophia Trujillo

14

8th Grade Daneyah Davila Lily DiLorenzo Feliz Flores Grace Grady Capri Granados Cadence Jackson Jasmine Mang Laila Martinez Sofia Martinez Morgan Ponte Isla Sanchez Gabby Sisneros Sarah Stone Katelyn Sweetin Cecilia White

Volleyball Recap

District Champions State Champions

Season Stats Overall Record: 20-7 District Record: 8-0 State Results: #3 Seed ALL-STATE 1st Team Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter Julianna Solis (12), Defensive Specialist Maya Baca (11), Middle Blocker Alyssa Bendinskas (10), Outside Hitter Maya Perea (10), Libero 2nd Team Kaitlyn Romero (12), Defensive Specialist Sierra Sanchez (10), Setter Mireya Sauceda (10), Middle Blocker Grace Grady (8), Setter ALL-DISTRICT Player Of The Year Maya Perea (10), Libero Coach Of The Year Jordan Russell 1st Team Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter Maya Baca (11), Middle Blocker Alyssa Bendinskas (10), Outside Hitter Maya Perea (10), Libero Sierra Sanchez (10), Setter 2nd Team Anastasia Romero (12), Defensive Specialist Kaitlyn Romero (12), Defensive Specialist 3rd Team Julianna Solis (12), Defensive Specialist Lourdes Gonzales (11), Defensive Specialist Mireya Sauceda (10), Middle Blocker Grace Grady (8), Setter All-Academic Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter Kaitlyn Romero (12), Defensive Specialist Maya Baca (11), Middle Blocker Lourdes Gonzales (11), Defensive Specialist

The St. Pius X Volleyball team had another stellar season. The Lady Sartans concluded the season with a 20-7 overall record, winning their ninth Class 4A State Volleyball Championship. During this outstanding run, they achieved a flawless 8-0 record in district play, remaining undefeated and not conceding a single set to any district opponent. Throughout the entire season, there were only a total of four sets dropped to any 4A opponent.

Their undefeated district play and tough schedule earned the Lady Sartans the third seed in the state tournament. The team faced challenges from Hope, Goddard, and Artesia, but persevered to the finals against the Albuquerque Academy Chargers. The girls demonstrated poise and control, beating the Chargers in a three-set victory with scores of 25-14, 25-16, and 25-19.

Congratulations, Lady Sartans!

Theron Stafford (11), Middle Blocker Ava Robertson (10), Setter Maya Perea (10), Libero Sierra Sanchez (10), Setter Grace Grady (8), Setter ALL-METRO 1st Team Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter Maya Baca (11), Middle Blocker Alyssa Bendinskas (10), Outside Hitter Maya Perea (10), Libero 2nd Team Julianna Solis (12), Defensive Specialist Anastasia Romero (12), Defensive Specialist Kaitlyn Romero (12), Defensive Specialist Mireya Sauceda (10), Middle Blocker 3rd Team Lourdes Gonzales (11), Defensive Specialist Sierra Sanchez (10), Setter Grace Grady (8), Setter Senior All-Academic Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter Kaitlyn Romero (12), Defensive Specialist Senior Student-Athlete Representative Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter

15

RED VS. GREEN ALL-STARS Greyse Pitre (12), Outside Hitter Kaitlyn Romero (12), Defensive Specialist

St. Pius X Boys Soccer Seniors

Javan Barela Ethan Donlin Josh Pettit Student Athletic Trainer

Head Coach

Freshmen

A.J. Herrera ‘99

Christopher Aguilar Joaquin Aragon Chris Ascevez Robert “RJ” Bacon, Manager Jude Benavides Kenneth Calderon David Cerrato Adam Contreras Carson Doherty John Fresquez

Juniors Frank Barela Konnor Bogart Noah Devany Tim Dyson Julian Lovato Valente Márquez Carson McConnell Hunter Vallejos Logan Zerbe

Sophomores David Bunnell Mateo Certain Didier Herrera Gabriel Hess Mario Valdez Ethan Wright

Edgar Rios

Colin Samora

Jayden Gallegos Alexander Lucero Landon Mileshosky Tyler Mudd Elijah Quinto Nico Reyes Chris Ross Hayden Toulouse Dominic Volbrecht Jeremiah Woodhouse

8th Grade Wence Asonganyi Liam Contreras James Gulley Ryder Herbert Diego Herrera

Caiden Monoghan Santiago Munoz Colton Roberson Lance Yarbrough

16

Boys Soccer Recap

District Champions State Champions

Season Stats Overall Record: 21-2 District Record: 8-0 State Results: #1 Seed

One of the standout achievements of the season was the team’s strong defense, shattering the SPX record by conceding only five goals throughout the entire season. The Sartans achieved an unprecedented 18 straight wins to conclude the season, setting a new school record.

ALL-STATE 1st Team Javan Barela (12), Defender Edgar Ríos (12), Midfielder Frank Barela (11), Goalkeeper Tim Dyson (11), Defender Julian Lovato (11), Defender Kenneth Calderón (9), Midfielder Nico Reyes (9), Forward Diego Herrera (8), Midfielder 2nd Team Konnor Bogart (11), Defender Noah Devany (11), Forward Mateo Certain (10), Forward ALL-DISTRICT Player Of The Year Edgar Ríos (12), Midfielder 1st Team Frank Barela (11), Goalkeeper Tim Dyson (11), Defender Julian Lovato (11), Defender Javan Barela (12), Defender Konnor Bogart (12), Defender Edgar Ríos (12), Midfielder Nico Reyes (9), Forward Noah Devany (11), Forward

The 2023 season for the St. Pius X Boys Varsity Soccer team was nothing short of phenomenal. Heading into the state tournament with an impressive 21-2 record, the team “brought home the blue” after a nailbiting victory over the Hope Huskies.

The number 18 played a significant role in the team’s success, securing 18 wins leading up to SPX’s 18th Boys’ Soccer Championship. The district win earned the Sartans the top seed in the state tournament and positioned them as the 5th ranked team in the nation for goals against.

Undoubtedly, the 2023 team will be remembered as one of the most outstanding in Sartan history. With an undefeated run in 4A and a remarkable list of records, they have restored the Pius soccer legacy.

Congratulations, Sartans!

Honorable Mention Mateo Certain (10), Forward ALL-METRO 1st Team Edgar Ríos (12), Midfielder 2nd Team Tim Dyson (11), Defender Julian Lovato (11), Defender RED VS. GREEN ALL-STARS Javan Barela (12), Defender Edgar Ríos (12), Midfielder

2nd Team Diego Herrera (8), Midfielder Kenneth Calderón (9), Midfielder Didier Herrera (10), Midfielder

17

St. Pius X Girls Soccer Seniors

Alia Benavidez

Gabriella Blea

Julie Gonzales

Sanaa Givens

Grace Reyes

Head Coach

Freshmen

8th Grade

Nick Madrid ‘07

Isabella Baldonado Bella Bustamante Vanessa Cichy Maddilyn Garcia Dominica Lujan Aubrey Rodella Marizia Valdez Alexas Wardroup-Sanchez Madeline Warren

Emily Armijo Penelope Lee AnaLucia Torres Amara Torres

Juniors Analisa Aragon Sophia Bolivar Izabella Continola Tatiana Montoya Audrey Mileshosky Kiley Patalan Mia Richards Carina Suarez

Sophomores Alicia Sapien Evangelina Swabenbauer

18

Taylor Wilson

Alyssa Olivas

Girls Soccer Recap

District Champions

Season Stats Overall Record: 15-7 District Record: 8-0 State Results: #3 Seed ALL-STATE 1st Team Taylor Wilson (12), Midfielder Izabella Cotinola (11), Midfielder Kiley Patalan (11), Goalkeeper Carina Suarez (11), Defender 2nd Team Grace Reyes (12), Defender Honorable Mention Alicia Sapien (10), Defender Audrey Mileshosky (11), Defender Vanessa Cichy (9), Forward Aubrey Rodela (9), Forward ALL-DISTRICT Player Of The Year Taylor Wilson (12), Midfielder 1st Team Grace Reyes (12), Defender Taylor Wilson (12), Midfielder Izabella Cotinola (11), Midfielder Audrey Mileshosky (11), Defender Kiley Patalan (11), Goalkeeper Carina Suarez (11), Defender Alicia Sapien (10), Defender Vanessa Cichy (9), Forward Aubrey Rodela (9), Forward 2nd Team Alia Benavidez (12), Forward Amara Torres (8), Midfielder Honorable Mention Sanaa Givens (12), Defender Julie Gonzales (12), Defender Alyssa Olivas (12), Defender Analisa Aragon (11), Forward Tatiana Montoya (11), Midfielder Marizia Valdez (9), Forward

The Lady Sartans began their 2023 season after an incredible summer preseason, which included high-quality training sessions and scrimmages against competitive teams. Notably, the return of a JV team brought several new players into the program, blending a mix of seasoned athletes and new faces, including the program’s first-ever eighth graders, one of whom earned a spot on the varsity team.

The season began with a brutal APS Metro tournament schedule, which included victories against two 5A powerhouses, the Sandia Matadors and the Cibola Cougars. The Lady Sartans also achieved significant wins over 5A Los Lunas and Rio Rancho, along with triumphs against 4A rivals, Los Alamos, and Santa Teresa. The ladies secured another undefeated district title and entered the state tournament as the #3 seed. The quarterfinals brought a 4-0 victory against Santa Teresa and a loss in a semifinal PK shootout to Academy.

Throughout the season, various mottos fueled the team’s spirit, such as “No Pain,” symbolizing the intense effort, and “Play Tuff,” emphasizing the desired toughness and grit in the game. Overall, the season was remarkable, establishing a culture that sets the stage for even greater success in the coming years.

All-Academic (Juniors and Seniors with a 3.5 Cumulative GPA and above.)

Alia Benavidez (12), Forward Gabby Blea (12), Statistician Sanaa Givens (12), Defender Julie Gonzales (12), Defender Alyssa Olivas (12), Defender Taylor Wilson (12), Midfielder Bella Cotinola (11), Midfielder Audrey Mileshosky (11), Defender Tatiana Montoya (11), Midfielder Mia Richards (11), Manager Carina Suarez (11), Defender ALL-METRO Carina Suarez (11), Defender RED VS. GREEN ALL-STAR Taylor Wilson (12), Midfielder

19

St. Pius X Cross Country (Boys and Girls) Seniors Head Coach Jeff Turcotte

Jayden Notah-Johnson

Brendan Tierney

Ethan Zamora

Julie Gonzales

BOYS Junior

GIRLS Junior

Konnor Bogart Silas Cerami Liam Chavez James Lockhart Max Lopez Miquel Maldonado-Lucero Valente Marquez Justin Martindale Sam Menicucci Joshua Robbins

Jessica Castro Leah Crabtree Savannah Ellison Brooke Kelly Athena Martinez Margaret McMillian

Sophomore

Ella Hill

Freshmen

Freshman

Elizabeth Coash Stella Copeland AnaGrace Garcia Takira Konico Olympia Neimann Clare Rimbert Marizia Valdez

Ryan Castillo Diego Paul

8th Grade

8th Grade

Selycia Abeyta Eleni Andritsos Blythe McMillian Marisa Rael

Liam Brown David Bunnel Andres Calbert Quinnlan Wilson

Silas Brown

20

Sophomore

Cross Country Recap

Season Stats Boys State Results: 6th Place Girls State Results: 8th Place ALL-DISTRICT Liam Chavez (11) Max Lopez (11) Brooke Kelly (11) Valente Marquez (11) Justin Martindale (11) Josh Robbins (11) Liam Brown (10) Stella Copeland (9) Zia Valdez (9) Silas Brown (8)

Boys and Girls: District Champions The SPX Cross-Country Team culminated the 2023 season with a series of remarkable achievements, clinching both boys’ and girls’ district titles for the third consecutive year. The girls’ victory was secured by a mere one point, while the boys dominated, unlike any Sartan team in history. Junior Brooke Kelly and freshman Zia Valdez led the girls’ team to 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, and finished with freshman Stella Copeland in 10th place. All earned placement on the All-District Team.

The boys’ team had an exceptional showing, with all nine runners finishing in the top twelve. Seven of them earned coveted spots on the All-District Team: Josh Robbins (11) at 2nd, Liam Chavez (11) at 3rd, Liam Brown (10) at 4th, Max Lopez (11) at 7th, Valente Marquez (11) at 8th, Justin Martindale (11) at 9th, and Silas Brown (8) at 10th. Coach Turcotte was honored as District Coach of the Year. Overall, the team secured 6th place in boys and 8th place in girls, with all seven boys and seven girls achieving personal best times.

Looking ahead, the team is poised for continued success, featuring a roster of returning runners. The anticipation for the 2024 season is met with great excitement and determination.

COACH OF THE YEAR Jeff Turcotte

21

St. Pius X Cheer Seniors Head Coach

Sophomores

Ashlyn Villanueva Shalyn Caudill ‘19

Lillian Miksch Eliana Saiz Mikayla Strickland

Juniors Emma Abrams

Rosie Ortiz

Aliana Calbert

Lexi Linney

Nataly Ruiz-Velasco Meredith Smith

Mia Montano

Alexandra Solin

Facility rental is available at St Pius X. Contact Kurt Hurley for details.

22

Eva Chaidez Diana Flock Isabelle Gauthier Erica Martinez Ava Mudd Anna Nunez Isabella Pacheco Elena Valencia

Freshmen Sarah Butler Annabella Parsons

8th Grade Carly Camilli Emma Carrigan Shane Pruitt Cecelia White

St. Pius X Dorados

Head Coach

Juniors

Sophomore

Freshman

8th Graders

Isabelle Vigil

Addison Harrington Aili Johnson

Mikayla Paiz

Kayla Haddad

Scarlett Meade Jaycee Vallo

CALL 505-865-9696 Call 505-865-9696 FOR ALL YOURPERSONAL PERSONAL INJURY NEEDS FOR ALL YOUR INJURY NEEDS THELAW LAW FIRM FIRM OF OF DAVID THE DAVID C. C.CHAVEZ CHAVEZ

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

IS PROUD TO SUPPORT ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL Jasmine, Class of 2018 Prestin, Class of 2026

Jasmine, Class of 2018

Prestin, Class of 2026

23

St. Pius X Boys Basketball Seniors

Head Coach Freshmen

8th Grade

Ryan Myers ‘09

Santino Castaneda Eli Gallegos Nathanial Grannan Xander Faux Brody Marquez-Baca Caiden Monaghan Christian Morales Isaiah Olivas Novik Richards Erwin Rascon Christian Rivera-Macias Matthew Portee

Juniors

Cade Freeze

Crystian Perea

Diego Maestas

Jackson Carrigan Joshua Darling Jacob Garcia Leandro Garcia James Lockhart Carson McConnell Mason Montoya Brandon Sanchez

Sophomores Jason Montoya

Nick Rodriguez

Aidan Thomas

Marcos Chavez Mario Valdez Kenneth Zamora

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Jonahs Arnold Isaiah Barboa Leland Chacon Cayl Cox-Liggins Curtis Flakes III Nicholas Gomez Jayson Martinez Hershul Olloway Jr Aaron Rodriguez Jeremiah Romero Lucas Saavedra Diego Trujillo Luke Wrobel

Managers Logan Underwood (10) Zachary Brokaw (10) Isaiah Carpenter (9) Fletcher Lee (9)

St. Pius X Girls Basketball Seniors

Head Coach

Sophomores

8th Grade

Bree Rode

Madison Barker Mikaela Trujillo

Marisa Sapien

Juniors

Alyssa Maes

Desirey Ortiz

Catalina Anaya Bella Candelaria Jayna Castillo Bella Cotinola Macy Freeze Arriana Sandoval-Dinallo

Freshmen Leia Aguon Vanessa Cichy Lizzy Coash Carlie Conway Marizia Valdez Maddie Warren

25

St. Pius X Wrestling

Seniors

Captain

Head Coach Monté Wallace

Boys Juniors Santiago Aragon Roybal, 160, Captain Jacob Silva 190, 172

Sophomores

Mason Gladfelter

Mycah Gachupin, 145, 132 Randy Goodman, 127 Ethan Hernandez, 160 Anthony “TJ” Maldonado, 152 Matthias Marquez, 126 Dane Padilla, 106 Valentine Popadiuc, 138, Captain Anthony Ruiz, 285

Jackson Miksch

Freshmen Miles Blanton, 120 Jayshaun Lewis, 106

8th Grade Azeah Ayala, 145 Jack Gribble, 127 Matthew Longdon, 106 Andre Martinez, 190 Richard “Alfredo” Martinez, 106

Girls Juniors Claudia Aragon, 138, Captain Zia Budagher, 152, Captain Sofia Gallegos, 145 Abigail Rael, 138, 132, Captain

Sophomores Mariana Montoya, 185

Freshmen Bridget Braun, 126 Amari Jaramillo, 116 Sophia Pacheco, 132 Ashante Roybal, HWT

8th Grade Avi Phlieger, 126

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St. Pius X Swimming

Senior Captains

Head Coach Darryl Wells

Girls Juniors

Bella Schultz

Jonathan Constable

Grady Whitson

Xavier Olivares

Sophia Bolivar AvaMarie Machtinger Samantha Olguin Madison Power

Isabella Baldonado Madelyn Garcia

Sophomores

Sydney Dexel

Danira Madrid Audrey Phelps Amorah Holmes

Boys Juniors Joshua Caintic Brody Dexel Justin Duran Rylie “Santi” Lopez Dominic Martinez

Isaiah Martinez George Ochs Emmanuel “EJ” Padilla Hayden Tate

Sophomore

Freshmen

Darryk Olivares

Colin Burckel John Carney Ethan Machtinger Griffin Wells Branson Whitson

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Freshmen 8th Grade

St. Pius X Academic Decathlon Seniors

Teacher/ Moderator Mr. James Penn

Chidike Anozie Jonathan Constable

Adam Vigil

St. Pius X Athletic Trainers Seniors

Benjamin Martinez

Sports Medicine Kylee Dorsey LAT, ATC Head Athletic Trainer

Josh Pettit

Aidan Thomas

Juniors Macy Freeze Rylie Lopez Athena Martinez Abigail Rael Thomas Valenzeula Sylvianna Ybarra

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Juniors

Sophomores

Andrew Baldonado Santos Barela Jonathan Cappon

Sophia Lucero

Around the X Campus Ministry: Senior Retreat

Starting Senior Year in Celebration of God and Togetherness For the first time, much of our senior class participated in a class retreat together beginning on campus on Friday, August 4th, and culminating at Glorieta Adventure Camp on the weekend of August 5th and 6th, 2023. This transformative experience was enriched by the presence and guidance of several distinguished individuals, including Head of School Mike Deely, President of School Fr. John Trambley, Business Manager Deacon Tim Parker, Athletic Director Jim Cook, Dean of Students Dr. Juanita Marquez, and Director of Enrollment and Community Relations Jeff Turcotte. The retreat also had the guidance of our senior retreat team including Stephen Armijo, Evelyn Olguin, Kathi McNew, Karen Baca, Abby Tarin, Dawn C’DeBaca, Nic Albonico, Andrew Keleher and Daniel Wilson.

Retreat leader, Juliana Wardroup-Sanchez described her motivation for getting involved, “I wanted to be a leader to get to know my fellow peers on a unique level. Being their leader allowed me to put my fellow students first, before myself, to understand what God means by working as his hands and feet. I gained a lot of wisdom from them and was able to learn mindfulness, especially the value of being present in the moment.”

The retreat commenced with a series of spiritually enriching activities including Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions on campus on Friday night. Then, early on Saturday morning, everyone boarded the buses bound for Glorieta for a day filled with ziplining, arbor (tree) climbing, crate stacking, and spending time at the waterfront which included water slides, boats, swings, and water obstacles. A memorable activity was the s’mores on Saturday night around the campfire. Sunday was dedicated to more spiritual activities including Sunday Mass, additional time for Eucharistic Adoration, and small group talks. Although the focus of the retreat was faith formation, there was still time for a few spontaneous volleyball games adding an element of fun to the weekend. Senior Cisco Sisneros reflected on the weekend, “Everyone including myself was so worked up about having a retreat away from our family with no phones right before school started. However, the second we got off the bus until the second we got back on, we can all agree the retreat was inspiring and a spiritual awakening that brought us all closer together and closer to God.” The Class of 2024 Senior Retreat served as an uplifting and spiritual way to begin the year!

Continued from page 8

John Cordova ‘76, A Lifetime of Success and Service (continued) was offered a coaching position at NM State and continued his education, obtaining an MBA. After two years, he decided to make a change and applied to the FBI and Secret Service while pursuing a career in the business side of sports. He wrote 100 letters to professional sports organizations, receiving 99 no’s and one maybe. In 1983, he was offered a job selling computers for Texas Instruments and decided to accept it to pay the bills while still trying to break into sports marketing. Six months later, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime as a member of the Executive Development Program at the Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Office. In less than one year, Cordova was offered a position with the Miller Brewing Company overseeing marketing for Major League Baseball. Within two years, he was the Marketing Manager for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, soccer, and the Olympics. In 1988, Cordova joined the Milwaukee Brewers as the VP of Marketing and oversaw building the club’s new stadium.

As he was in negotiations with Coca-Cola for sponsorship, he was offered the position of Director for Sports Management. He accepted the position and remained at Coca-Cola for 27 years. John describes his journey, “One thing ultimately led to another.”

In addition to his philanthropic efforts for SPX, Cordova has served on the NMSU Foundation Board for over 12 years. In that time, he established 12 endowments, including his own in 2008. His motivation for service has always come from feeling lucky and privileged to obtain an education with a football scholarship, and he was determined to afford that opportunity to others.

Cordova states, “A lot of people have done a lot of things for me, and now it is my turn to do for them.”

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Around the X Academics: National Merit

National Merit Semi-Finalists

Sartans Once Again Rank Nationally Congratulations to Seniors Chidike Anozie and Olivia Boatman who have been named National Merit Semi-Finalists from College Board’s National Recognition Program. They are two out of the 16,000 seniors in the entire country to receive this honor.

The College Board National Recognition Program also awarded academic honors to an additional 24 SPX scholars. Eligibility was based on their AP, PSAT/NMSQT, or PSAT 10 exam scores and a minimum 3.5 GPA. SPX Sartans were awarded the National African American Recognition Award (NAARA), National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA), or the National Indigenous Award (NIA). Eligible students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year, and results are announced at the beginning of the next school year.

Chidike Anozie

Olivia Boatman

Kristy Agbemadzo

Madison Armijo

Gabriella Blea

Joshua Brown

Jacqueline Cattaneo

Liam Chavez

Justin Duran

Brandon Eklund

Sanaa Givens

Julie Gonzales

Lena Hernandez

Denny Rey Herrera

Madison Lussier

Jacob Maes

Christian Marin

Isaiah Martinez

Andres Navarrete

Jayden Notah-Johnson

Auriana Rey

Mia Richards

Santiago Aragon Roybal

Jacob Solin

Mateo Swabenbauer

Juliana Wardroup-Sanchez

Congratulations to Kristy Agbemadzo, NAARA; Madison Armijo, NHRA; Gabriella Blea, NHRA; Joshua Brown, NHRA; Jacqueline Cattaneo, NHRA; Liam Chavez, NHRA; Justin Duran, NHRA; Brandon Eklund, NHRA; Sanaa Givens, NAARA; Julie Gonzales, NHRA; Lena Hernandez, NHRA; Denny Rey Herrera, NHRA; Madison Lussier, NHRA; Jacob Maes, NHRA; Christian Marin, NHRA; Isaiah Martinez, NHRA; Andres Navarrete, NHRA; Jayden Notah-Johnson, NIA; Auriana Rey, NHRA; Mia Richards, NHRA; Santiago Aragon Roybal, NHRA; Jacob Solin, NHRA; Mateo Swabenbauer, NHRA; and Juliana Wardroup-Sanchez, NHRA.

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Around the X Fine Arts: Band & Choir

A Chilling Showcase Takes Center Stage The annual St. Pius X Halloween Show once again proved to be a spooktacular event. The opening act, under the direction of Ms. Clarissa Clark, featured a hauntingly beautiful performance by the school choir. Inspired by Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel “The Phantom of the Opera.” The show kicked off with an entrance in black light to the notes of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, transitioning into the title song from the Broadway musical. Former SPX dance instructor Mrs. Joselyn Hjorth choreographed a mesmerizing routine that captured the essence of the musical. Draped in period costumes, the ladies wore French provincial dresses paired with elaborate masks, while the gentlemen dressed in black tie, complete with classic black capes and white half-face masks.

Complementing the choir’s captivating concert, the band and orchestra, led by Mr. Keith Jordan, joined forces for a thrilling rendition of “Michael Jackson’s Hit Mix” and “A Rockin’ Halloween.” The drumline then took center stage with an eerie interpretation of the movie franchise, “The Purge.”

In addition to hosting and emcee duties, Mr. Stephen Armijo ’07 directed a scene based on, “The Masque of Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe., adding an extra layer of excitement to the presentation.

Between musical and theatrical interpretations, the audience was also treated to a preview of the Dorados’ state routines.

Every year, the show strives to push creative boundaries, and this year’s event was no exception. The immersive experience left the audience captivated by the fusion of music, dance, and theatrical flair.

Continued from page 8

Fine Arts: Lynne Peckinpaugh ‘64 (continued) opportunity to live all over the country. She opened a design studio and taught interior design in North Carolina and Georgia. Upon Denny’s retirement from the military in 1986, the Peckinpaugh family moved back to Albuquerque.

In 1987, she was the Charter Member of the Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity and was the 2nd President of the chapter.

She was studying for her Certification in Interior Design in 1989 when she began substitute teaching at SPX. She became full-time the following year, teaching Gourmet Cooking and Developmental Psychology.

As a member of the SPX faculty, Lynne was very involved, and she had many proud moments. She developed new classes, moderated several clubs, and was a substitute teacher in art. However, one of her greatest achievements was bringing Habitat to Humanity to SPX. In 1997, Lynne launched a joint effort with SPX, the Albuquerque Academy, and Habitat for Humanity. Every Saturday for the next two years, Lynne supervised the project of building two homes. This endeavor united two rival schools but also had a life-changing impact on two families.. Another proud moment in her teaching career was when she heard the story of a little girl in Ecuador, Sol, who was living with extreme scoliosis and needed a life-saving surgery. Lynne, STUCO, and the students of SPX raised $15k for Sol. The young girl felt such a connection to the SPX community she wanted to attend SPX as a student. In the spring semester of 2019, Sol’s dreams came true, and with the assistance of members of the Class of 1964 and the Peckinpaugh family, Sol was enrolled at SPX and graduated as a member of the class of 2019. Sol will graduate from college later this year.

Since her retirement in 2012, Lynne has been refocusing on her art, specifically watercolors. Her paintings have been in the Placitas Art Series, and several of her classmates have purchased her paintings over the years. She remains very close to her 1964 classmates and attends their lunches monthly. Lynne has had the unique opportunity to experience St. Pius X High School as a student, a parent, a teacher, and an alum. Her most cherished accomplishments were at St. Pius, and she states, “I am so honored and humbled to have been part of the history of SPX and to be asked to be a part of Connections, Est. 1956.”

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Around the X: Student Life

The Timeless Tradition of St. Pius X Homecoming Homecoming at St. Pius X is a cherished tradition that unites classes from every decade, and this year’s celebration was no exception. It was a week filled with excitement, special dress-up days, and the heartwarming reunion of alumni, including Patty Gutierrez ’74, the Homecoming Queen of 1973. She attended the game and graciously took a photo with the 2023 Homecoming Queen, Grace Reyes, a moment that united our past with our present.

The 2023 Homecoming Court was a representation of St. Pius X’s diverse student body. The court members included Ladies Emma Abrams, Alia Benavidez, Gabriella Casco, Lexis Linney, and Juliana Wardroup-Sanchez. The Princesses were Kaylee Arreola and Lizzie Nguyen.

The Lords were Noah Jenkins, Brady McCoy, Nathaniel Neel, Adam Pham, Breyen Strahle.

The Princes were Christian Marin and Leon Sutulov. Ethan Donlin and Grace Reyes were crowned as King and Queen.

Patty Gutierrez ’74, who was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1973, shared her fondest memories of her time at St. Pius X. She recalled the countless moments that filled her high school years with happiness – from initiation and drill team to intramurals, assemblies, and senior week. Homecoming, of course, held a special place in her heart.

“When crowned homecoming queen I was overjoyed,” Gutierrez said, reflecting on that momentous occasion. “Representing my high school was an honor I will never forget. It was the highlight of my high school years at Pius.”

For Gutierrez, returning to St. Pius X 50 years later and witnessing the crowning of Grace Reyes as Homecoming Queen was an emotional experience, and she marveled at the joy and pride on the faces of Grace’s family, just as her parents had felt for her.

It was a reminder of the impact of a St. Pius X education, “My thoughts also went to my gratefulness to my parents and how they knew the importance of a Catholic education and picked Pius for my five siblings and me to attend. It impacted every aspect of my life in such a positive way!”

Thank you to this year’s Homecoming Court and Student Council, led by Director of Activities Ashley Turcotte for all their work and successfully renewing the spirit of community and the legacy of St. Pius X.

Continued from page 9

Father Ed Roden-Lucero, D.Min., J.C.L., ‘73 (continued) ARRIBA (Advanced Retraining & Redevelopment Initiative in Border Areas), empowering individuals to escape poverty through education and skills development. His tenure was marked by conflict, often pitting him against elected officials, business leaders, and sometimes church superiors. Unfazed, he remained committed to speaking truth to power, a trait instilled in him by his mother.

Returning to Albuquerque in 2021 to be closer to family, Father Ed continued his mission to serve. He was first assigned to Immaculate Conception with his seminary classmate, Rev. Steve Rosera, then reassigned to San Martin de Porres. He also began working with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe as a Canon and Tribunal Lawyer. However, his stay in Albuquerque only lasted 11 months before he decided his heart was back in El Paso.

Fr. Ed just recently attended his 50th reunion from St. Pius X. Among the festivities, he had the honor of celebrating a Mass for his classmates in the chapel on campus. Since his return to El Paso, he has continued to work remotely with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and help different parishes throughout the El Paso area. His passion remains the pursuit of social justice and advocacy, extending beyond the church. He states, “I am not ready to retire. The last three years have been so unexpected. I now expect the unexpected.”

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Continued from page 9

Athletics: Haley Rizek ‘18 (continued) from the Wharton School of Business. On the track at UPenn, Haley recalls her greatest athletic achievement was leading the Penn women’s team to an Ivy League Championship title, overcoming Harvard, the heavily favored competitor, by half a point in the final event: the 4x400m, “I put a ton of work into cultivating strong team bonds as the team captain, which I felt paid off remarkably, on and off the track.” After four seasons, COVID gave her an extra year of eligibility. However, in the NCAA, graduate students are ineligible to compete on athletic teams in the Ivy League so she entered the transfer portal and found the perfect master’s program at Duke. She was able to take advantage of her fifth year of eligibility while seeking to meld her studies with business. At Duke, she accomplished an ACC Championship while pursuing a master’s in Management Studies at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Reflecting on her journey, Haley cherishes memories from St. Pius X, UPenn, and Duke, emphasizing the small moments she and her teammates shared, “The victories and losses are memorable, but the feelings created by friends and teammates will last a lifetime.” Her advice to aspiring student-athletes underscores the importance of vision, discipline, and understanding the unique sacrifices required.

Family and faith served as guiding lights throughout Haley’s journey. Influenced by her father and older brothers, who set high athletic standards, and St. Pius X’s faith-centric environment, Haley emphasizes the role of prayer and meditation in her life.

Deacon Rene Greival (RIP), played a significant role in deepening her faith, encouraging her to join campus ministry and spiritual engagement during her time at SPX. Looking ahead, Haley balances athletic aspirations with professional pursuits. Training for the Olympic Trials, she is also involved in coaching at UPenn and launching a personal training business. Her non-traditional path, guided by faith and family values, underscores the importance of doing one’s best, praying, and showing up every day with gratitude and love. A note that has been in her room since her days at SPX reads, “As long as you do your best, pray, and love, everything will be okay.”

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