Between the Lions - Winter/Spring 2022

BETWEEN

Lions

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WINTER/SPRING 2022

NEWS and UPDATES for the St. Pius X Catholic High School Community

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$1 MILLI ON MA Million Dollar MATCH

Campus NEWS

Alumni NEWS

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School SPOTLIGHTS

This magazine is produced by the St. Pius X Catholic High School Office of Advancement.

John Favier President Edye Simpson, Ed. D. Principal Jenn Sedlack Director of Advancement Mary O’Brien Beyer ’82 Advancement Coordinator Karoline Rumps Brennan ’82 Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Crofton Special Events Coordinator Deanna Jones-Puig ’01 Communications Coordinator Catherine DeWitt Rice ’00 Assistant Director of Advancement Kyle Snipes Communications Coordinator St. Pius X, an archdiocesan high school, provides a college preparatory education for the formation of the mind, body, and spirit of each student in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Billy Howard Photography, LifeTouch, and the numerous students, parents, faculty, and staff who submitted photos used in this publication.

Contents Letter from the President

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Letter from the Principal

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Ring the Bells Capital Campaign: Explained

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Rise Against Hunger

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Campus Ministry

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St. Pius X News

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From the Office of Advancement

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Fine Arts News

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Athletics News

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Parent Organizations

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Focus on Alumni

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Homecoming 2021

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Spotlight on Alumni

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Lion Lines

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In Memoriam

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From the President

Dear Golden Lion Families,

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The new year is now fully underway!

2021 is now but a memory, and 2022 is filled with hope, promise of great growth, and all-around excitement for St. Pius X. The last time our school was on the precipice of significant construction on our main campus was close to twenty years ago, when our cafeteria, Fine Arts wing, and stadium renovations started. Although the end product was worth every headache, the hard work leading up to groundbreaking and the disruptions caused by the actual construction made life in our hallways “complex.”

I’d argue that the past twenty months of adjusting to ever-changing procedures to keep our community safe in the face of COVID has made us all very well prepared for everything our Ring the Bells capital campaign has in store for us! Will there still be unexpected twists and turns? Undoubtedly. But the Golden Lions are adaptive and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice when it comes to improving St. Pius!

also safely illuminate the path nearly two hundred of our students walk each morning and afternoon to their parking spaces at the Shallowford lots. The progress is real and exciting.

What has also become very obvious since we kicked off our campaign is that our community is remarkably generous. Since mid-October, we have now surpassed the $9 million mark on our path to achieving our $12 million goal. We are still benefiting from the $1 million, dollar-for-dollar match. Now is an incredible time to have your contribution doubled to help ensure our students see this project fulfill so many of their immediate needs. In January, our construction company completed the installation of the new lights over at the Seaver Field Sports Complex. Yes, this is just in time for the upcoming baseball season, but those new lights

Peace,

So when can you expect to see even more dust, demolition, and construction? First, we need to keep chipping away at that campaign goal. If you have not already considered how you might be able to make a meaningful pledge over the next three years to support our campaign, please consider just how monumental a moment this project is in St. Pius’s history. It truly will take all of us to lay the foundation for the next twenty years and more of Pius excellence, community, and vibrancy. But with your help, I have every confidence we will meet our goal, and construction on the library, new front entrance, completion of Seaver complex, and new fieldhouse should get underway as soon as our students leave for summer. Get ready for some hectic months in the near future…would we want it any other way?

John Favier President

From the Principal Dear St. Pius X Families and Friends, Happy New Year to everyone and welcome back to our Spring Semester.

I hope the Christmas and New Year holidays were very good to all of you.

I am reminded of a quote, “No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” (Unknown).

I began to think about this statement and have come to the conclusion that we don’t start over, but we begin right where we are, making things better in our lives. The start of a New Year gives us the feeling of a fresh start, new beginning, and new opportunities.

With half the year under our belts and great successes already achieved, let’s pause and take time to celebrate the achievements that our students accomplished during the fall semester and also look forward to what’s new ahead.

We applaud the students who received the following awards, and whose names can be found on page 15 of this publication.

National Merit Scholarships These students scored in the top one percent nationally out of the approximately 1.5 million test-taking seniors on the PSAT during the previous year.

National Merit Scholarship: Commended Students The National Merit Scholarship Program gives this award each fall to those students who scored in the top 50,000 nationally on the PSAT in the previous school year.

College Board’s National Scholars Recognition This award is given each fall to students who scored in the top ten percent in the state of Georgia on the PSAT during the previous school year.

Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar The Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation sponsors an annual seminar in each state and in many foreign countries for high school sophomores. St. Pius X had one very qualified sophomore to represent our school. Congratulations to Luna Ochoa-Hernandez.

Governor’s Honors Program One of the highest honors a sophomore or junior can receive is to be selected to participate in the Governor’s Honors Program Sponsored by the Georgia State Department of Education. This program brings together the finest students in academics and the arts for an intensive four-week summer program.

Looking forward, our seniors are patiently waiting on acceptance letters from the colleges and universities of their choice. Our teachers are writing many recommendation letters for them. Athletic teams continue to compete for region and state trophies and our fine arts department is busy planning and preparing for their phenomenal performances.

Parents, teachers and students as always, thank you for your continued support. Please continue to generously donate your time and resources to make St. Pius X one of the top schools in the state of Georgia. Continue to keep everyone in your prayers. Moving forward into the New Year, brace yourselves for all the goodness and blessings we all will experience. May God continue to bless us all.

Blessings,

Edye Simpson Principal

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$1 MILL I

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Ring the Bells Capital Campaign Plans to Update Our Campus For 63 years, St. Pius X has been providing students in the Atlanta area an education unparalleled to any other. The success of this school is built on the generosity provided by each new generation that passes through the school, with every new class leaving its own mark on the campus and leaving it better than when they arrived.

Every few years, we reach out to our school community and ask our families to dig deep and help support us renovate buildings that have become dated and build wherever possible. Earlier this academic year, we announced the start of the Ring the Bells Capital Campaign, which is now well underway. At press time for this issue of Between the Lions we have raised $9,101,742 towards our goal of $12 million.

The Ring the Bells campaign has three main areas of focus: • Campus-wide security and the Seaver Family Sports Complex • Renovated Library and Media Center • New Field House In mid-October, a generous donor stepped forward to challenge our school community to raise $1 million by the end of March 2022, and they will match that amount dollar for dollar! It will take all of us coming together to raise $12 million, and every gift is meaningful and important in reaching our goals. By pledging now, your gift will be doubled, dollar for dollar, up to one million!

Thank you for prayerfully considering how you can help Pius so together we can ring the bells of victory!

Please join us and pledge today to help us reach our goal by doubling your gift during the Million Match Challenge. St. Pius X is offering a three year pledge program, allowing for a larger commitment over time. We also have recurring online giving otions, allowing you to set up monthly or annual contributions via credit card.

You may contribute via: • Credit Card at spx.org/ringthebells • Pledge online or by mail • Stock • Check • FACTS (current parents only) • Matching Gifts

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DETENTION POND FIELD HOUSE

CONCRETE PLAZA

SECURE REAR ENTRY PARKING

CONCESSION STAND AND PRESS BOX

STAIRS/RAMP SECURE FRONT ENTRY PRE-ENGINEERED METAL BUILDING/ BATTING FACILITY RENOVATION OF EXISTING LIBRARY

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SUMMARY:

Campus-wide Security and the Seaver Family Sports Complex Student well-being is the number one priority at St. Pius X, and we invest in ongoing efforts to maintain the highest levels of safety while preserving a familiar sense of home for our students.

Safety and security will anchor this phase of capital projects with secured front gates, directing visitors to one designated area to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the heart of campus.

In 2008 and again in 2015, St. Pius X had rare opportunities to acquire land.

The Pius community at that time left the legacy of a new sports complex including baseball and softball fields, a practice field, and additional parking for students on this expanded campus footprint. It’s our opportunity now to complete this area of campus so that our students can flourish in these spaces.

- Three-step visitor access via new front entrance - Front gates secured during school - Attendance office relocated to front lobby - Secured gates and signage at back of campus for gym - Dedicated secure check-in for visitors and late arrivals - Lights along Shallowford Parking Lot path to campus - Field lights for evening and practice games - Accessible restrooms for guests and locker rooms for athletes - Batting cages that double as shelter in weatherrelated emergencies - Press box and concession stand - Satellite training room

Of note, increased lighting will allow for safe athletic play and navigation to parking areas beyond daylight hours. In addition, secure locker rooms and accessible restrooms for both athletes and guests will make the complex more functional, and a satellite training room will ensure our Golden Lions can receive quick medical attention when needed.

A FLOURISHING SCHOOL COMMUNITY $4 million

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UNSCRIPTED LEARNING MOMENTS $1.1 million

SUMMARY: - Reclaim 40 percent of space for student learning - Multiple configurations for group work - Reconfigured computer stations - Improved access to courtyard - Shortened stacks for better light and sight lines - Larger event and meeting space

Renovated Library and Media Center While the heart of St. Pius X is our chapel, the hub of our school is the library. This 8,000-square-foot center for campus activity and fellowship is alive with the buzz of Golden Lions studying, debating, researching, and enjoying one another’s company—and it is now bursting at the seams.

A modernized library will reallocate more of the space to our students while retaining the essential functions of a library.

Flexible seating, a dedicated classroom, meeting spaces, and reduced stacks will create an environment that responds dynamically to student needs. The area can be reconfigured throughout the day for individuals and groups of varying size to use the space effectively, and technology will be integrated throughout so that our learners can always be plugged in.

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SUMMARY:

A New Field House Physical education and athletics are an integral part of St. Pius X’s academic and spiritual mission. Each day, one third of our students take part in physical education and weight training classes, and more than two thirds of our student body are engaged in athletic programming every year.

The new Field House will nearly triple the amount of dedicated space for our students to grow through physical education and athletics. Building an additional athletics building allows the existing sports facilities in Donnellan Center to serve as the hub for several teams, while also providing a multi-purpose space that can be used for extracurricular programs.

- More than 25,000 square feet - Sport specific and physical education locker rooms with shared single-gender shower facilities - Fully-equipped and accessible athletic training room - Enlarged state-of-the-art weight training facility to serve nearly 100 students - Dedicated health classroom, meeting, and film viewing space - Coaches offices - Laundry facilities

The Field House—to be located behind Maloof Stadium—will be home to dedicated locker rooms for multiple teams, an expanded weight training room, and a health and physical education classroom that doubles as a meeting space.

VICTORY OF THE MIND, BODY, & SPIRIT $6.9 million

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Students Send Meals to Haiti in Fight Against Hunger In November, the Theology Department teamed up with Rise Against Hunger to invite the entire school community to participate in an incredible service project.

Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization, is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies. With locations across the U.S. and five international offices, the organization provides immediate nourishment for those facing hunger today and implements sustainable solutions that will lift entire communities for years to come. Rise Against Hunger has facilitated volunteer meal packaging of more than 540 million meals to be distributed to countries around the world.

This year, St. Pius X was honored with an award for packaging over 100,000 meals in the fight against hunger. With the meals packaged this year by students and faculty that number jumped to nearly 150,000. Pius has joined this fight with Rise Against Hunger since 2017.

Meals packaged by the Pius community in November were shipped in a container totaling 261,360 meals from the Atlanta warehouse to the in-country partner World Hope International in Haiti.

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Campus Ministry

News and Updates from Campus Ministry

Learning Faithfulness For Fr. Michael Bremer and Mr. Zahi Ikhwan, two words can best be used to describe the Pius experience thus far: learning and faithfulness. Father Michael and Mr. Ikhwan are new members of the Campus Ministry team, and they have spent the first half of the school year getting immersed in the Pius experience.

Fr. Michael learned an important lesson at the outset of his time here - appropriately enough, being in a school - that a person doesn’t really ever stop learning.

Having come from a parish, Father recognized that there were some similarities in his daily life here at the school, but some major differences as well. The pace, the culture, the people - all of these things require a certain learning to be able to minister well.

For example, students and faculty live by the bell schedule: a class might start at 9:49 or 1:07 and go for 33 minutes, but an administration meeting might start at 9 a.m. sharp. In a high school setting, a person, whether student or faculty, might relate differently to God here than in a church. A particularly fascinating thing to have learned was also that no matter the age or location or background of a person, most people, in the context of God, are generally wanting the same thing: peace, joy, and purpose. All of this has required a humble learning.

For Mr. Ikhwan, this year brought a lot of new things, and a realization that God is faithful throughout the newness of life. Having moved with a brand new

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family, and started a new job, it was evident that throughout the ups and downs that life may bring our God is always faithful. Being at Pius has brought a lot of joy as well as challenges but it has also offered an opportunity to take a step back and see just how God is working in the lives of the St. Pius community.

It has been a beautiful experience to see our faculty and staff feel loved by being treated to Chick-fil-A at the beginning of the semester; to see our students dive into prayer and fully embrace the new campus ministry team; and to be a witness to how God is working day in and day out in the lives of so many of his wonderful children. The excitement that St. Pius brings is one that makes us hopeful for the joys of Heaven.

The campus ministry team, learning and leaning into the faithfulness of God, have very much enjoyed this semester! In early August, it was heartwarming to be welcomed by faculty and students, and a joy to be with the new teachers. September brought the regular schedule of school Masses and prayers, fall sports,

classes, as well as the beginnings of getting to know students who spend time at the campus ministry offices. In October, the pace and way of life here at the school settled for just a little bit. Then November had one of the highlights of the year: the Domini Sumus retreat, where 40 students and a handful of faculty went to a camp in the mountains to learn more about the radical belonging to which God invites us all. In December, as the semester wound down, campus ministry geared up to help our students with final exams. They handed out final exam gift bags and donuts, and therapy dogs were brought on campus to aid students during this stressful time of year. Through it all, a palpable presence of Jesus was present in campus ministry and will continue through the new year!

“A fascinating thing to have learned was also that no matter the age or location or background of a person, most people, in the context of God, are generally wanting the same thing: peace, joy, or purpose. All of this has required a humble learning.”

- Fr. Michael Bremer

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St. Pius X News Lancaster Inducted to Wrestling Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Coach Mike Lancaster who was selected to the Georgia Chapter of the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Service to Wrestling category on Wednesday, December 1 at Berkmar High School. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations.

In December, St. Pius X bid a fond farewell to teachers Michele Berrell and Alison Bruckert Wright ’01. Ms. Berrell has been in our Theology department for close to twenty years and has served as a beacon of serenity and contemplation for her students. Her caring nature will be missed and we wish her nothing but the best in her next phase of life! Mrs. Wright has been our Psychology teacher, work study coordinator, and cheerleading coach for thirteen years, sharing her enthusiasm and love of St.

In October, over 70 students in the fine arts department offered their time to decorate boxes for Meals on Wheels Atlanta and write letters to the Meals on Wheels recipients and Mercy Care clients as a Work of Mercy.

9/11 Display Captivates Students Life in America changed as we know it on September 11, 2001. While they have studied the event their entire lives, students currently attending St. Pius X were not born at the time. To honor the memories, heroes, and lives that were lost, St. Pius X offered a memorial exhibit in the Young Center Lobby, in addition to a book display in the library. The display walked through the events of the day and the days that followed and also included faculty and staff memories, artifacts, and videos.

Alumni Sponsor Pi-Hi Day of Service

PI-HI D “ bec ever au ybo se eve dy c dr ryb an .M be art o in gr lut dy he eat c rk ing an jr. ser v

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Faculty Workouts

Special Thanks to Beloved Faculty

Fine Arts Work of Mercy

The St. Pius X Alumni Association created an jan opportunity in conjunction 17 with Catholic Charities er ice v Atlanta to benefit the residents of St. Joseph Place, an independent living community for low-income seniors in south Atlanta.

The St. Pius X community donated supplies for the 47 residents (mostly women) of St. Joseph Place to use for the basic need of doing laundry. The drive took place from January 10-14 with

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9/11 Memorial

Coach Sara Geiger Schmitt and the Weight Training Staff invited all faculty to join them for a twice weekly training session.

Averaging about twelve to twenty faculty and staff members per session the group is being trained by the best! Each week, in addition to simply having fun, they learn how to properly use the weight room and perform exercises that Coach hopes will translate over to their daily lives. Each session begins with a strength exercise and ends with a cardio program. Thank you to Coach Schmitt for offering her time for these workouts!

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Recognized alongside seven other Berkmar coaches, Lancaster has served as Head Coach of the Golden Lions since 2014.

Throughout his 41-year tenure as a wrestling coach, the 1978 graduate of Georgia State University has served as head coach at Rockdale County, Druid Hills, Duluth and twice at Berkmar. He was named Coach of the Year in 1998 by the Gwinnett County Takedown Club. In addition to his wrestling duties, he also serves as an assistant football and baseball coach for St. Pius X and was inducted into the Class of 2020 National Wrestling Hall of Fame as well.

Coach Schmitt Challenges Faculty with Workout Class

Pius with all. We wish her the best in her future endeavors and know she will do great things with her Pius pride going forward!

Thank you both for your dedication to our students, our mission, and this great school for all of those years.

Fine Arts Work of Mercy

Loads of Love

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donations from alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff. On Martin Luther King Day, January 17, volunteers from the St. Pius X community assembled “loads of love” laundry baskets with detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, hangers, and quarters for the coin-operated machines. In true St. Pius X fashion, our community came together in service for others.

Former Director of Elections for Georgia Speaks to History Classes On November 2, Ms. Kristin Kramer’s U.S. History and U.S. Government classes welcomed St. Pius X parent and former Director of Elections for the State of Georgia Chris Harvey to speak of his experience.

Harvey, father of three St. Pius X graduates and one current student, spoke of the tumultuous elections from 2016, 2018, and 2020 and the types of criticism he received from both Democrats and Republicans, as well as the charges of voter fraud in those election years. Harvey traced the gradual increase in tension and attacks on election officials, as well as discussing how elections work and how ballots are tallied in Georgia. His front row seat and insight in the elections gave him an interesting perspective to share with students. Mr. Harvey shared the importance of filtering the misinformation, his personal experience, and understanding the system we use to select our representatives so that they are better prepared to participate in the process.

SPX Theatre Earns Accolades

Congratulations to SPX Theatre for earning Runner-Up at the GHSA 5AAAAA Regional One Act Awards with their piece Failure: A Love Story. In addition, the group was honored with Outstanding Ensemble Character, Katie Cavanaugh, and All Star Cast, Bianca Cardona and Owen Ingram.

The thespians earned accolades in October at the Georgia Theatre Conference R. Lynne Woody One Act competition, including Best Ensemble for the entire cast, Best performers for Ingram and senior Gracie Rosenberg, and Best Supporting Performers for Cardona and junior Helen Thompson.

Fall Blood Drive

Despite several last minute changes and issues, the annual Fall Blood Drive can be considered a huge success for St. Pius X. The group was able to collect 96 units of blood, saving an estimated 300 lives. Be on the lookout for more information regarding the upcoming Spring Blood Drive on March 24.

SPX Theatre

Student Art Accepted to All State Art Symposium

Congratulations to Liv Diaz, Lily Perella, Kate Richardson, and Mary Claire Morrison on having their respective pieces accepted into the 2021-22 All State Art Symposium. This year, only 100 works were accepted out of over 1,600 submissions by the panel of judges.

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Governor’s Honors Program, Round 1

Students Selected for Round One in Governor’s Honors Program

The annual Governor’s Honors Program is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will be rising juniors and seniors during the program. Offering instruction significantly different than the typical classroom, it is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary for these students to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

Congratulations to ten St. Pius X students who were selected to Round One in the competition: Omeno Abutu (French), Jameson Chatfield (Math), Caroline Woodward (English), Colin Wright (Social Studies), Zoe Devine (Social Studies), Gracie Crofton (French), Grace Tran (Visual Arts), Samantha Hefner (Biology), Hannah Odeh (Dance), and Connor McCarthy (Theatre).

Semi-finalists and finalists will be selected in the spring. We wish our students the best of luck!

National Merit Commended Students

National Merit Scholarship Honorees

The National Merit Scholarship program was created to identify and honor academically talented students and increase support for their education. Congratulations to the following St. Pius X students who have received distinction as a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist: Matthew Bell, Maxi Brogi, Katie Graebner, Sam Grass, Sam Hauck, and Elizabeth Hong. Receiving distinction as a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student are: Alex Cordovado, Jacob Fleming, Eric Hoang, Brian Lieu, Andrew Soha, and Claire Tharp. Receiving distinction as a College Board National African-American Scholar is: Gabrielle Harris. Receiving distinction as College Board National Hispanic Scholars are: Anna Finch, Bailey Gilbert, Ben Irastorza, Bianca Cardona, Caitlin Noble, Daniel MejiaJaramillo, Emily Weber, Eva Springer, Joshua Bartholomai, Karla Perez, Madeleine Miller, Maximilian Brogi, Natalie Ficco, Samantha Hefner, Sofia Arboleda, and William Garcia.

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From Advancement Get an Easy Tax Credit While Supporting a Student In Need You can help a child attend Catholic school with a no cost gift.

The State of Georgia allows you to redirect part of the money that you pay in state taxes to GRACE Scholars, a student scholarship organization (SSO) that provides tuition assistance to Catholic school students. The concept is simple. You redirect tax money to GRACE Scholars, who in turn gives your tax dollars to the school of your choice in the form of tuition assistance.

On your next state tax return, you claim a 100% state income tax credit for the amount you redirected.

Twenty-seven students are receiving a St. Pius X education thanks to taxpayer support and the GRACE program. Please consider making a difference in the life of a student today by choosing GRACE! For more information and to register, go to www.gracescholars. org or call 404-633-4290 ext. 273. The earlier in the year that taxpayers take part in the program, the sooner our students will receive your financial support. Thank you for your generosity!

Generosity of Pius Community Displayed through #iGiveCatholic Campaign On November 30, people worldwide participated in the annual #GivingTuesday campaign. For the past few years, St. Pius X has also joined forces with the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia and the Catholic community nationwide to participate in #iGiveCatholic. The event was another resounding success for our school. Parents, alumni, students, faculty, staff, grandparents, parents of alumni, and friends all stepped up to support St. Pius X. Gifts came in throughout the day from #iGiveCatholic, through the school’s website, by mail, by hand-delivery, and from students during their lunch periods.

We sincerely thank the 286 donors who helped us raise over $137,000 for St. Pius X. St. Pius X was ranked thirteenth nationwide for total amount raised and twelfth nationally for number of donors.

The school led the Archdiocese of Atlanta as the top recipient for amount raised.

These gifts help fund all areas of campus life for our students, including academics, spirituality,

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Fine Arts News

Our artists continue to shine...

Fine Arts Christmas Art Series The Fine Arts Department presented a Christmas Concert series November 30 through December 8. The band, guitar, dance, and theater programs were featured. The new SPX Chorus Club also shared a virtual Christmas performance with the community. Many thanks to all of the performers, the tech crew, directors, and volunteers for making the concert series a great success!

SPX Dance Team Performs During Halftime The SPX Dance Team worked with guest choreographer Cameron Seeley and Ms. Madison Schrama in October. The team also learned the captains’ dance created by Gabrielle Harris and Karla Perez. They are excited to be back on the court sharing their performances at halftime during the home basketball games. We are proud of this amazing group of twenty talented dancers!

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Band Students Perform in Pearl Harbor Day Commemorative Parade St. Pius X band students travelled to Hawaii from December 3-9, 2021 to perform in the Pearl Harbor Day parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. While in Hawaii, students stayed in Waikiki Beach and performed at the USS Missouri, toured the USS Arizona Memorial, visited the North Shore, a macadamia nut farm, the Dole pineapple plantation, surfed in the Pacific Ocean, participated in an authentic luau, visited the Punch Bowl National Cemetery, and heard from Pearl Harbor survivors and other World War II veterans. All of this culminated in marching and playing in the Pearl Harbor Day parade on the evening of December 7, 2021. The St. Pius X Band program is grateful to our St. Pius administration, the St. Pius Arts Society, and our trip sponsors for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Mahalo to all who made it possible for us to have this experience, including the St. Pius X Arts Society who provided financial assistance for the trip.

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St. Pius X Theatre Takes on Broadway The St. Pius X Theatre students had an educational, inspiring, and wonderful trip to New York City November 11-15, 2021. The students stayed in the heart of Times Square. They took in the sights of the city including Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center), Central Park, the famous Drama Bookshop, Little Italy, Chinatown, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Herald Square, 5th Avenue, the 9/11 Memorial Park, Grand Central Station, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and attended mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The students also saw three fantastic Broadway productions: Chicago, Hadestown, and Six. They were able to take two professional Broadway workshops and learned from Broadway performers from All that Jazz (Chicago) and There has to be Something Better Than This (Sweet Charity).

Hello! My name is Katie Cavanaugh.

I am a part of Mrs. Buot’s Advanced Drama Company and a proud member of Thespian Troupe 9021. I recently went on a trip to New York with my fellow students from troupe 9021 and it was an experience I know that I’ll never forget.

The very first day we arrived in New York we saw Times Square because it was right next to our hotel! I will say though, that we did not spend much time in the hotel.

In the course of only about three days, we saw three incredible Broadway shows, did two Broadway workshops with actual Broadway actors, saw the 9/11 memorial, went to Chinatown, walked in central park, and visited the MET. I think my personal favorite was walking around Chinatown with my closest friends and our amazing tour guide, but nothing could top seeing Hadestown with the original cast on Broadway. Overall this trip was an absolutely incredible experience that I’d do again in a heartbeat.

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Athletics News

Golden Lions stats, scores, and news

Golden Lions Sports Wrap-Up The 2021 fall sports season featured two state championships, one state runner-up finish and four region titles. Volleyball won its third state championship since 2013 and girls’ cross country brought home the state crown for the third consecutive year. Boys’ cross country finished second in the state meet. Competition cheer and football captured region championships along with volleyball and girls’ cross country. Volleyball also finished No. 4 in the MaxPreps national Top 25 poll.

With the success also brought individual honors for both student-athletes and coaches alike. Ryan McClay was named Georgia Cross Country Coach of the Year for his work with both cross country teams. Volleyball coach John Frederick, who won his 800th career match during the season, was named State and Region Coach of the Year after a 52-1 state championship campaign. First-year head football coach Chad Garrison was named Region 5-AAAAA Coach of the Year.

Senior libero Emma Farrell was named to the MaxPreps volleyball all-America first-team, while hitter Kate LaRocco earned secondteam honors. In addition to MaxPreps, Farrell was selected an AAU all-American, second-team all-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Prepvolleyball.com all-American. Farrell also participated in the UnderArmour All-American volleyball game. The game features the top 24 high school volleyball players in the country in Orlando. Annemarie Rakoski and LaRocco were named to the Prepvolleyball.com and AVCA honorable mention teams. Nina Shaw was selected to the MaxPreps second-team underclassman all-America team.

Farrell was selected Region 5-AAAAA Player of the Year and was joined by Avery Brown, LaRocco and Rakoski on the first-team. Lura Underwood, Farrell, LaRocco, Rakoski and Shaw were selected to the all-state team.

Girls’ cross country junior Grace Von Biberstein paced the ladies at the state meet, taking the individual state crown by an 18-second margin over the next runner. The accomplishment along with her overall season of four individual race wins helped her to a first team selection on the Powerade All-Metro team presented by the Atlanta Track Club. Collecting all-state honors for the girls team were Hannah Schemmel, Margot Humphrey, Jessica Sheehan and Von Biberstein. The boys placed Ryan Boyle, Nicolas Moore, and Brian Knuth on the all-state team.

Football won its second straight region title and garnered a host of individual honors. Jack Tchienchou was named Region 5-AAAAA Player of the Year by the coaches. Tchienchou was also selected to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s all-state first team as a defensive back, and also to the AJC all-metro team. Joining him on the all-metro team was Shug Bentley, Jacob Hull and Austin Taylor.

Garnering first-team all-region honors for football were Jack Galvez, Jack Kelly, Alex Possert, Cayne Wright, Jack Woods, Bentley and Taylor.

Second-team honorees included Matthew Banna, Cameron DeBose, Jack Geeslin, Luke Jacobellis, James Kirkland, Ryan Sowell, Liam Whitlark, Sully Wooten and Hull. Sam Hauck was named to the all-Academic region team.

Softball placed three team members on the all-region first team. Rachel Austin, Grace Benjamson, and Nina Parker. Lola Frankowksi and Ruby Nelms were selected to the all-region second team.

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Christmas Classic Excitement Thrills Fans While most students and parents celebrated an extended Christmas during the Holiday break, the St. Pius X boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams took to the court in the 20th edition of the St. Pius X Christmas Classic, December 28-30. The event, which is widely known as one of the premier Catholic School tournaments in the nation, featured eight boys and six girls’ basketball teams from five different states and the District of Columbia. Christian Brothers (TN) and Charlotte Catholic (NC) were the champions of the boys’ and girls’ divisions, respectively. The Golden Lions boys’ team took a third-place finish.

The first day of the tournament featured seven games on the slate. The girls’ bracket featured six teams after two teams dropped out on Monday due to COVID protocols within their respective programs.

The Golden Lions girls’ opened the tournament with a loss to eventual champion Charlotte Catholic. The boys’ defeated Cardinal Newman (SC) in the first game of the tournament before dropping a semifinal game to Charlotte Latin (NC). The Golden Lions defeated Canisius (NY) for third-place in a rematch of the 2019 title game in which Canisius took the crown. Alexa Kenah was named to the All-Tournament team for the ladies division, while Devin Portee garnered All-Tournament honors for the boys. Blanca Thomas, of Charlotte Catholic,

won the Megan Callahan Ryan Most Valuable Player award for the girls’ bracket. Florida State-signee Chandler Jackson, from Christian Brothers, took home the Mark A. Jardina MVP award on the boys’ side.

The tournament opened Monday evening with Mass and a tournament banquet. On the second evening, most teams participated in the tournament dance at the host hotel, the Grand Hyatt Buckhead.

The teams participating in the event were from six different states. The girls’ bracket included Archbishop Chapelle (LA), Athens Academy, Charlotte Catholic (NC), Charlotte Latin (NC), St. Joseph’s (SC) and St. Pius X. On the boys’ side, the hosts were joined by Canisius (NY), Cardinal Newman (SC), Charlotte Catholic (NC), Charlotte Latin (NC), St. Joseph’s (SC), Christian Brothers (TN), and Jesuit (LA).

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Home & School Association

Home and School Association Served Community in New Ways By: Valerie Maloof

St. Pius X

The St. Pius X Home and School Association is a vehicle for communication and community building between parents, administration, faculty, and staff. Additionally, it sponsors several events to assist the school, enhance students’ experiences and build community.

This past fall we were busy and excited to fortunately get back to work by sponsoring and enhancing some of our traditional events! Two of our earliest events were the Camp Golden Lion event for freshman students and their parents and the highly attended (and always popular) mini class night for all parents. The activities committee successfully organized and provided a well received Chick-fil-A breakfast for Field Day and also provided the beautiful display of hospitality refreshments for Open House. In addition, we also sponsored and organized the traditional fall blood drive, and the assemblies committee hosted a speaker from Rachel’s Challenge to speak about building community and living life to the fullest. Rachel’s Challenge is an organization founded by Rachel’s parents after the Columbine shooting; they use her diaries and writings as a launching pad to highlight five key inspirational aspects: 1) look for the best in others 2) dream big 3)choose positive influences 4) speak with kindness and 5) start you own chain reaction. After the assembly, over 40 students attended a leadership training to dive deeper into how to make St. Pius a more welcoming, stronger community for all through the Rachel’s challenge key points.

One of our favorite events each year is Career Day which is held in November. The assemblies committee organized and volunteered at the event and hosted 72 speakers

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covering every type of career from lawyers to business leaders and addressed every topic imaginable from Aviation to Veterinary Medicine. Fourteen of the speakers were SPX alumni which made for a very special day! One of our alumni, Midion Smith ’05, graciously offered his time to speak to our students. Currently, he lives in Memphis, Tennessee and is the Director of Retail Sales for Pepsi, leading their retail strategy across many southern states.

In his presentation, he spoke about the importance of relationship building, discipline, and the patience that it takes to build a successful career in corporate America. He also focused on what he looks for when hiring someone and engaged students by asking them to participate in his presentation. Students were engaged by his format, content and insight. We are so very grateful for all of those who joined us on Career Day and for sharing their time, insight and expertise with our students.

We look forward to serving the community in coming months and are thankful for all of those who help us along the way to build community. St. Pius X has always been a special place because of its family atmosphere and warm community and we are grateful to be a part.

Midion Smith ’05

Mothers’ Club Supports SPX and Surrounding Community By: Ashley Marratt For more than 30 years, the St. Pius X Mothers’ Club has been meeting in friendship, sharing in faith and working in service together for the good of the community. Mothers’ Club provides a bridge of supplemental financial and volunteer support to the students, families, faculty and extended community.

The organization’s primary focus is to raise money for student scholarships. This is achieved through the Holiday Marketplace, Used Uniform Sales, Membership and generous donations. Thank you, St. Pius X community, for your support and generosity this school year.

Our events have been so successful thanks to the support we have received.

Our annual Holiday Marketplace was a huge success with over 150 vendors and 300 shoppers!

The event was held in mid-November and allowed shoppiers an opportunity to search for unique Christmas gifts while supporting St. Pius X and our students.

For the fifteenth year, the Dresden Christmas Project delivered a wonderful Christmas blessing to 91 children across 37 families. The main focus of the project is to provide the children with basic essentials and clothing, including grocery gift cards, school uniforms, a winter coat, a gift card for shoes, and other items. The project exemplifies the spirit of St. Pius X with our school community coming together and giving from the heart to help others.

Thank you very much to all the volunteers, sponsors, and donors who made the magic of these two fantastic events happen!

Save the Date for these Spring Events For more details on the Mothers’ Club activities and events please visit spx.org/mothersclub and download our calendar for more information!

Every Friday Adoration Every Month Prayer Group Meets February 5 Student Day of Service February 26 Mothers’ Club Retreat February and March Dresden School Supply Drive March TBD Dresden Coffee & Lunch April 12 Sorority Information Night April TBD Spring Social

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Focus on Alumni Anita Gentle Newcomb ’72 During her time at St. Pius X, Anita endeared herself to her classmates and to faculty members. Anita was a diverse and talented student involved in Fine Arts, Band, Service Club, Future Teachers Club, and Senior Homeroom Council. As an honor graduate she went onto Auburn University where she attained a B.S. in accounting with honors. She received her M.B.A. in finance with distinction from the University of Houston. In 2010, Anita was named the St. Pius X Distinguished Alumni of the year. She has remained a champion for St. Pius X for the last 50 years and proudly represents her alma mater. Anita is the sister of Renee Gentle Powers `69 and Al Gentle `71.

Congratulations to 1972 graduate Anita Gentle Newcomb who has been selected to receive the highest honor given by the Auburn Alumni Association at Auburn’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Awards dinner and ceremony on February 26.

Newcomb graduated from Auburn in 1976 with a degree in accountancy. She earned her MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Houston and then served 20 years as president of A.G. Newcomb & Co., a strategic consulting firm. She currently serves on th board of directors for Luther Burbank Corporation. She was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Pius X in 2010.

Congratulations!

Alison Bruckert Wright ’01: St. Pius X AP Psychology/Sociology Teacher By: Alison Bruckert Wright ’01

This wall of photographs tells the most beautiful love story of a teacher and her students. It spans almost 14 years and 27 semesters, and it contains a picture of every single student I’ve taught since starting at St. Pius in 2008. What began as an effort to learn names as quickly as possible turned into a reflection of connection and impact, a constant reminder of the many lives touched within the classrooms of our school. The photo wall started in room 306, but when students found out I was switching to 215 they sent texts and emails asking if the pictures would come with me…and so they did…and the tradition continued. The first thing kids ask me on the first day of school is whether they’ll get to go on the wall, and the first thing alums ask when they come visit is if they can spend a second looking for themselves before they go. It’s really special to know how meaningful it is to the students! For me, it’s a way to remember and pray for the beloved kids who’ve touched my life over the years, and I’m ever grateful for their impact.

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Susy Ajoy Alfonso ’86 Susana (Susy) Ajoy Alfonso `86, MD, MHCM, FAAFP, was recently inaugurated as the President of The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP).

Susy is an associate professor of family and preventive medicine at Emory University where she serves as Medical Director of Emory’s Physician Assistant Program. She currently practices at Emory Family Medicine in Dunwoody where in addition to her own patient panel she trains residents and teaches medical and physician assistant students.

She obtained her bachelor’s degrees in biology and Spanish from Emory University, her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed her residency program in family medicine at Emory University.

Following that she earned her Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Harvard University. Susy is the mother of Raul V. Alfonso `09 and Miguel Alfonso `14.

Susy has been a champion for St. Pius X serving on the Advisory Council, Advancement Committee, Alumni Association Board, and volunteering her time over the years with various parent organizations.

Clare Naughton`17 Clare Naughton `17 recently completed her volleyball career at Boston College, following a brilliant career playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The NCAA allowed athletes to compete for an additional year because of the COVID pandemic. Naughton was invited to return to Boston College under head coach Jason Kennedy, extending her time as captain of the team.

As a 6-rotation player, Naughton led her team this season with 409 kills, 32 aces and 12 doubledouble performances, while also tallying 288 digs and 37 blocks, ending her career with 1,334 total points. Her career kills alone, at 1,179, make her the 6th all-time hitter in Boston College history. Naughton was a 4-time ACC Honor Role recipient and was one of just 52 ACC studentathletes selected as a 2021 Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship Award recipient for her success on the court and in the classroom.

In May 2021, she earned a BA in Political Science and is currently pursuing her MA in Middle East Studies, which she will complete in 2023.

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Homecoming Re-Cap! St. Pius X celebrated 63 Years of Homecoming by coming together to show what Lion Pride is about. After a hiatus in 2020, Alumni, families, and the St. Pius X community came together for a weekend of events and reunions, October 8-10, 2021. Homecoming – Reunion Weekend 2022 will be held this fall. Stay tuned for the dates. Reunions will be held for classes ending in 2’s and 7’s.

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Spotlight on an Alumni Legacy Family: Ralph Williams ’81 Ralph Williams is a current parent, parent of alumni, and a member of the St. Pius X Alumni Association Board.

Family members: I am married to Kathy Heagney Williams and together we have two children: Joseph Carlos Heagney Williams `20 and Andrea Dana Heagney Williams `23. My brother Kurt Logan Williams `79 is also a St. Pius X alumni.

What drew your parents to St. Pius X? My father was stationed at Fort McPherson. My brother Kurt and I had attended a public school near the post. After my freshman year in the public school, my father set out to find a quality education for us. The military provided transportation to a couple of schools, including Woodward Academy in College Park. But over the summer the Beyer family, the Hammett family, and the Benca family, all living there at Fort McPherson, began talking about attending St. Pius. The faith component became an added plus to my father.

Even though my family is Protestant, he felt strongly in the shared Christian focus of St. Pius.

To this day he tells the story of when he first walked into the hallway of the front office and received a warm greeting by the administration. That first visit made a strong impression on him. The rest is “legacy.”

Why did you and Kathy choose to start the legacy?

Again – although I am Protestant, I married a “good Catholic girl.” Raising the two children Catholic was non-negotiable. When it came time to consider a high school for Joe and Andrea, for me there were several factors. Clearly, I had a bias. Joe and Andrea had been attending a small, private, Christian middle school

and after our experience there, I felt certain that Joe would thrive best in a similar environment. Class size, proximity, and especially faith and legacy were hugely important to me.

What was it like the first time you walked down the halls of St. Pius as a parent?

The word “surreal” is way overused for this line of questioning. But it was just that – very surreal. The school had changed so much inside and out since 1981.

However certain aspects made it feel like it was just yesterday.

The most noticeable change for me to this day has been just how much more focus the administration placed on faith and Christian values. The day we visited and had explained to us what the school’s core values were – I was convinced we were making the right decision for our children.

Your father, a parent, and grandparent of alumni, has remained active into his 90’s. Please share a story or two.

My brother Kurt and I have an older sister, Adria. She had already graduated from high school and started college by the time we moved to Fort McPherson. The three of us could not be more proud our father: LTC Emanuel Logan Williams, US Army RET. After almost 30 years as an officer in the US Army, he retired and spent the next 17+ years as a hospital chaplain. He officiated the wedding ceremony for all three of his children.

Two things are of paramount importance to our father: first and foremost – his faith in God and his savior Jesus Christ. Second his commitment to

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serve his country in the United States Army. June 9, 1963, I was born in Chicago, IL. On that day he was in Fort Benning, GA making his first Airborne Division parachute jump. August 2021, 58 years later, commemorating his 90th birthday, dressed in his Vietnam Veteran t-shirt, he did his first tandem freefall skydive.

What drew you to joining the St. Pius X Alumni Board?

As a kid, I did not do anything to stand out or to really contribute to the school or my time there. That was partly because we lived so far away from school. 40 years later I feel like I can give back to the school and I hope the legacy of the Williams family will live on for decades to come through Joseph and Andrea. I feel as though this is something I can help with by offering my time and ability. If I can help another family who may be on the fence about their St. Pius experience – I hope my service will do just that.

What do you tell prospective families when they ask why you send your children to St. Pius X? Once again: for me, it is a few words; F.F.C.C.-faith, family, community, and commitment. Teenagers may not recognize those values during the years they are walking the halls of St. Pius X. But in the years that follow, as they look back they will remember and benefit from the foundation established as a Golden Lion.

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Lion Lines What have you been up to since graduation? Drop us a line at alumni@spx.org so we can share it with the St. Pius X community!

Caroline Corso ’17 graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2021 from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

She is currently attending Augusta University where she is pursuing a Masters of Health Science in Occupational Therapy.

groom both work for Gilmer County Schools and reside in Talking Rock, Georgia.

Standard

Erin Osment Giudice `11 and Salvatore Del Giudice welcomed Emma Ann Del Giudice on August 1, 2021 in Charlotte, N.C.

Joey Jones Hendrick ’05 and her husband Kris welcomed their first child, Henry-Oliver Daniel on November 3, 2021. Henry-Oliver was born measuring 20.5 inches long and weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces.

Members of the Class of 1990 ran into each other and celebrated the Georgia win at the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Indianapolis on January 10, 2022.

L-R: Chad Eaton, Brad Webb, Nick Rynte, and Tommy Williams. Go Dawgs!

Liz Standard Reynolds ’10 and Benjamin Reynolds welcomed their first child, Benjamin Fiske Reynolds Jr., on October 3, 2021 weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces and 21 inches long.

He has been spoiled by his papa, Paul Standard ’80 who people say he resembles.

P.G. Standard ’09 married Caitlin Shepherd on July 17, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. Father Rey Pineda officiated the wedding and the wedding party included St. Pius graduates: Brian Gee ’10, Brian Connors ’10, Logan Rosborough ’12, Paul Standard ’80. The bride and

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Giudice

Corso

Class of 1990

Hedrick

Reynolds

Davis

Alumni Board

Announcing the engagement of Morgan Taylor-Burns ’09 to Adrien Spencer ’10. Morgan is a graduate of The University of Mississippi and is employed as a Student Life Specialist at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Adrien graduated from Georgia Southern University and is a North American Direct Associate Merchant for Nike, Inc. in Beaverton, Oregon. An August 2022 wedding is planned in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cassandra

Taylor-Burns, Spencer

Julie Murphy Davis `84 welcomed her first grandbaby to the Murphy family making Celeste Pratt Murphy `60 a great grandmother for the first time. Mia Murphy Davis was born to parents Taylor Davis and Claudia Rivas on October 30, 2021 weighing 6lbs, 13 ozs.

Huff

Leach

Members of the 2021-2022 St. Pius X Alumni Board celebrated with Monsignor Richard Lopez on December 8, 2021. From L-R: (front row) Mary Pat Conboy Wilson `83, Karoline Rumps Brennan `82, Teresa Hungeling Ebbs `97, Ralph Williams `81 (back row), Christi Lampe Caragher `84, Fran McLellan Buis `83, Maria Rodriguez Miller `87, Monsignor Richard Lopez, Megan Fannon `09 and Maceo Cozier `00.

Tonnie Cassandra, St. Pius X Business and Computer Science Department Chair, and her husband John Cassandra welcomed Valerie Louise Cassandra on September 21, 2021. Valerie was born at Northside Gwinnett hospital weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz, 19.5 inches.

St. Pius X parent, Sandy Huff, opened Virginia-Highland Books, an indie bookstore, during the summer of 2021. The bookstore is tied to the community, displaying local art on a rotating basis and collecting and donating used books to local nonprofits. Sandy is the mother of Kate Huff `14, Patrick Huff `18 and Sophia Huff `25.

Kate Foster Leach `11 married Andrew Leach on April 3, 2021. The wedding was held at the Foundry at Puritan Mill. Kate is pictured with bridesmaids Marla Oesterle `11, Alexa Eurton `11 and Kaley Markham `11.

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Natalie Wilson `16 has played for the Florida State University Seminole Ladies Ultimate Team since 2016. The team recently won a bid to go to the National Tournament in California.

Natalie is in graduate school and a Teaching Assistant at the FSU Department of Urban and Regional Planning and a Transportation Planner at Hall Planning & Engineering, Inc.

Flanagan

Pete Jones ’77 and wife Mary Jones, celebrated the wedding of their daughter, Amelia Jones on August 14 at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta. Pete’s eight St. Pius X Alumni siblings were in attendance; Kathy Jones Testa ’70, Dave Jones ’71, Eileen Jones Bradshaw `73 (Brad Bradshaw `72), Therese Jones Green `74, Susie Jones Chapman `76, Sheila Jones Curns `79, Mary Jones Clement `80 and Tom Jones `84.

Alex Howard `15 and Alec House `15 were engaged November 1, 2021 on Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. The wedding is planned for spring of 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. The couple’s first date was homecoming their senior year at St. Pius X. Chelsea Jacqueline Rushworth ’16 married Avery Dean Cobb Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church in Peachtree Corners. The evening reception was held at Little River Farms in Alpharetta. The couple resides in Alpharetta.

James Flanagan `01 and Elaine Flanagan welcomed Grace on September 4, 2021. Rose is a proud big sister!

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Rushworth

Wilson

Jones

Howard, House

Megan Fannon `09 is engaged to be married to Cody Savage in June, 2022. Megan is the St. Pius X Alumni Association Board President, SPX coach and teacher at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School.

Maria Rodriguez Donaldson ’00 and Kris Donaldson welcomed Elizabeth Grace on December 16, 2020.

Elizabeth Grace is the goddaughter of Mary Kate McCarthy Springmann ’09 and Eric Springmann.

Fannon

St. Pius X alumni gathered in Charleston, SC to attend a birthday celebration. The crew are photographed on July 18, 2021 at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic. L-R Maryann Waddell Sutter `82, Lauren Fadel Scott `81, Ralph Williams `81, Sharon Fleming Adams `81 and Matthew Adams `19.

Donaldson

Cameron Fannon `15 was selected to attend USMC Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., in January, 2022. A surprise going away party held in December at the Dunwoody

Tavern included former classmates and some of his former Mercer University teammates, Coach Standard, his wife Cindy and St. Pius X parents. Cameron received a Finance degree from Mercer University in Macon, and was also a member of the football team.

Cameron is the son of Tom Fannon `76 and Stacey Fannon.

Emily Cardillo Johnson `10 and her husband, Josh Johnson are co-owners of Inner Voice Brewing in Downtown Decatur. The brewery opened in September 2021 in the modernized and bright space, formerly Big Tex! In early February 2022, Glide Pizza will join them and lease the kitchen area. Expect New York style pizza by the slice, salads, and more...pizza and beer are just too good to beat! Follow Inner Voice @InnerVoiceBrewing for more details on Glide’s opening, as well as special beer releases.

What have you been up to since graduation? Drop us a line at alumni@spx.org so we can share it with the St. Pius X community!

Alumni in Charleston

Johnson

Fannon

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In Memoriam

Jacqueline McGough – November 2, 2021 Mother of Kelli McGough Worman `84

We remember our loved ones

William Barkley – July 8, 2021 Father of Dan Barkley, KT Curran, Paul Barkley, Sally Barkley ’79, Liz Barkley Bartling ’80, Ben Barkley, Frank Barkley, Anne Marie Willis, Regina Barkley ’88, George Barkley ’89 and Jennifer Ferrell Arleene Benoit – December 9, 2021 Mother of Mark Benoit `77, Jaqueline Benoit Dickson `79, Tricia Benoit Kisling `81, Nancy Benoit Griffin ’83 and grandmother of Leila Benoit `99 and Jennifer Benoit Cress ’03 Bob Bollweg – September 10, 2021 Father of Lara Bollweg ’95 and Nicholas Bollweg (Brigid Batten Bollweg ’98) Pat Thoman-Burton `73 Sister of Daniel Thoman ’71 Kathy Callahan – July 31, 2021 Wife of Bob Callahan ’73, mother of Carolan Callahan Mahan ’97 and Ann Callahan ’04, sister-in-law of Tom Callahan ’75 (Judy Bedard Callahan ’77), Kim Callahan ’76, Maureen Callahan Gottfried ’79, Sheila Callahan Spikes ’82, Neal Callahan ’85, John Callahan ’88, Megan Ryan Callahan ’89 (deceased), and Dennis Callahan ’91 (Emily Wilson Callahan ’94) Dr. Rodney Dourron – November 1, 2021 Father of Morgan Dourron `18 and Ryan Dourron `20 Jenni Downen, December 28, 2021 Mother of Ashley Downen `19, sister of John Marlar `82 and Jeannine Marlar Vanderlinden `84 Judy Cousart Ellis - December 18, 2021 Mother of St. Pius X English Teacher Daniel White Larry Fannon – July 25, 2021 Brother of Ron Fannon ’63, Sister Peggy Fannon ’65, Jane Fannon LeFever ’66, Bob Fannon ’69, Mike Fannon ’74 (Paula Thomas Fannon ’82), Tom Fannon ’76, Charles Fannon ’77 and uncle of St. Pius X alumni, Eileen Fannon ’93, Danielle Fannon Barnes ’07, Megan Fannon ’09 and Cameron Fannon `15

Roland Fredette – September 18, 2021 Father of Denise Fredette Dale ’76, Joseph Fradet ’78, Henry Fredette ’79, Renee Fredette Skidmore ’80 Imogene Talley Goode – December 4, 2021 Mother of Dan Goode `76, Marian Goode Rosenberg `77, Mike Goode `79, Kathy Goode McGonegal `81 (Phil McGonegal `81), grandmother of Claire Rosenberg `11, Leah Rosenberg `14, and sister-in-law of Sister Margaret Goode `60 (deceased) Gretchen Gunning – August 25, 2021 Mother of Catherine Gunning Lebovitz ’78 Eugene Howerdd – November 9, 2021 Father of Trey Howardd `73, Chris Howerdd `74 Madame Suzanne Kohn – October 10, 2021 Former St. Pius X teacher and mother of Annette Kohn-Lau `70, and George Kohn `74 (deceased) Cathy Kupris `70 – July 28, 2021 Monsignor Paul Langsfeld `67 – July 9, 2021 Son of John and Catharine Langsfeld, brother of John Langsfeld ’66, Barbara Langsfeld Otwell ’70, Mark Langsfeld, Joel Langsfeld, Beth Langsfeld Abram ’81 and uncle of Ryan Otwell ’98 and Elizabeth Otwell ’01.

Carmen Liedtke – September 25, 2021 Mother of Jenny Liedtke Montana `88 and Alex Liedtke `89 (deceased) Dr. Paul Macik – November 3, 2021 Father of Melani Macik `19, Peyton Macik `22 Marion Maloof – September 5, 2021 Father of Marie Maloof ’10, Kathryn Maloof ’15, and Annie Maloof ’20 Brenda Markham – October 16, 2021 Wife of Billy Markham ’71 and sister-in-law of Terry Markham ’72, Rob Markham ’75, Tim Markham ’77, and Chris Markham ’82 Jeff Martin – September 13, 2021 Brother of Cheryl Martin Patterson ’71, Chuck Martin ’73, Steve Martin ’76, Lori Martin Barefoot ’79, and Mike Martin ’84

Cheryl Ann McMichen – September 23, 2021 Mother of Jessica Scarlato ’95 Larry Montagne, December 30, 2021 Brother of Thomas Montagne `66, Mary Lou Montagne Allen `73, and uncle of Randall Allen `06, Claire Allen `07 Linda Manthe Nardone `64 – October 17, 2021 Mother of Robert Nardone, Jr. `91 and sister of Mary Manthe Holden `60, Kathy Manthe Brady `70 (Terry Brady `70), Steven Albert Manthe Jr. (deceased), and sister-in-law of Elise Nardone Yates ’62.

Rachel Nicolson – July 5, 2021 Daughter of Andy Nicolson ’80 and Greer Nicolson (deceased), sister of Brian Howard and niece of Swan Nicolson ’84, Billy Laube ’72, and Gery Laube Tom Novack – November 3, 2021 Beloved husband of Joanne Novack (deceased) and adopted parent of many St. Pius X families Cecil Reimer – October 11, 2021 Father of Mark Reimer ’81, Anne Reimer Craig ’82, and grandfather of Nicholas Craig ’16 and Elizabeth Craig ’20 Matt Savoy `93 – November 28, 2021 Angela Marie Smith-Lawson – November 11, 2021 Daughter of former St. Pius X teacher Charlotte Schemmel Smith-Harris ’63 and sister of Alison Smith Lopez ’94 Jean Turner – September 10, 2021 Mother of Jan Turner Azar ’86, Ricky Turner ’86, and Michael Turner ’89 Gregg Watson – November 14, 2021 Father of Keith Watson `89 Eugene White – September 18, 2021 Father of Patrick White `15 Walter Wolf – September 16, 2021 Father of Wendy Wolf Grimes `88 Stan Zieg – July 7, 2021 Father of Michael Zieg ’91, Marc Zieg ’92, Matthew Zieg ’95, and Thomas Zieg ’00

Remembering: Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Langsfeld Reverend Monsignor Paul J. Langsfeld of Washington, D.C. passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021 following a long and courageous battle against Multiple System Atrophy. He was 71 years old. Born on October 4, 1949, the second of six children, Paul’s parents sent him to attend St. Pius X where he graduated from the school in 1967.

An avid scholar, he was inspired by the spiritual example of the priests at his parish and schools. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at St. Louis University, the Basselin Scholars Program Theological College, Washington, D.C., the North American College, Rome, Italy, and the American College of Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington on May 14, 1977 at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle.

Assigned as Parochial Vicar to St. Mary of the Mills Parish, Laurel, Maryland, during which time he completed his studies for a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America. In 1984, he was assigned as Parochial Vicar to Our Lady of Victory Parish, Washington, D.C., and served as a teacher in the Diaconate Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Washington.

In 1985 Paul became a member of the Congregation for the Clergy, Vatican Curia, Rome, Italy where he earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. In 1991, he joined Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland as Associate Professor, Dean of Formation and Vice Rector. In 2003, he became the Rector and President of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio.

Paul served as Pastor for a number of parishes in Maryland and D.C. prior to his retirement in 2016 due to his illness. As a priest, Paul aspired to be a true shepherd, modeling his life after Christ.

He was obedient to God’s will and trusted in His Providence.

While he endured great suffering with his illness, he always had faith that God was in control and that good would come from it. His sense of humor brought happiness to those around him.

He loved being with his family and friends, and always enjoyed good food and good conversation. His love of languages, reading and traveling brought him joy. Paul had a brilliant mind, a gentle spirit, and a quiet humility. He will always be remembered as a devoted son, a loving brother and uncle, and a faithful friend. *Content from devolfuneralhome.com.

Remembering: Tom Novack

Thomas Gerald (Tom) Novack passed away peacefully in his Atlanta home on November 4 at the age of 82. A native of Wisconsin and the only child of Steve and Elizabeth Novack, most of his childhood years were spent in the farming community of Belgium, WI. His family lived above the tavern they owned, Steve’s Tavern. Tom attended school in nearby Port Washington for most of his early education. His love for the area and his friends there was so profound, Tom would return to Port Washington and the Belgium farming community each summer of his high school years to work.

Prior to his sophomore year in high school, his family moved to Miami, FL, where he graduated from Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School. After graduation, Tom joined the Air Force where he trained at Syracuse University as a Russian language specialist. After proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Services, he began a long and distinguished career with BellSouth. He retired from BellSouth in 1991 and began his second career as a full-time volunteer at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, GA. Tom is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joanne, and his parents Steve and Elizabeth Novack. His devotion to caring for his mother in her later years was a true testament of the love their family shared. Tom met the love of his life, Joanne Stamm, in Miami where she was working for Eastern Airlines. They were married for 52 years before she died in 2019. Tom’s love for Joanne was an inspiration to all married couples.

He cared for her through her battle with Alzheimer’s with true devotion and gentle love. Though the couple had no children of their own, hundreds of St. Pius X students and faculty looked up to them as parent figures through their high school years and beyond, many remembering the couple on Mother’s and Father’s Day. Tom Novack was a lifelong sports fan and a collector of sports memorabilia. His favorite teams were the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Green Bay Packers, Notre Dame Irish, and the St. Pius X Golden Lions.

On his final day he cheered his Atlanta Braves on to their World Series title. His sports memorabilia collection brought him much joy in his life as did the sale of these items in recent years, which he generously donated to support his beloved St. Pius X. Notably, the concession stand at the St. Pius X stadium was named for Tom and Joanne in honor of their 25 years of service that greatly enriched the school community.

Tom was known by all as a kind, warm, generous, and very dedicated man! He loved God and his Catholic faith, and was a devoted parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Atlanta.

He was an extraordinary example of Christ’s love in this world. There is no doubt that Tom Novack had a profound impact on thousands of people who were blessed to have known him.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Let perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

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NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No.104 Atlanta, GA

St. Pius X Catholic High School 2674 Johnson Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30345-1720 404/633-4290 www.spx.org

January

25 Sophomore Parent Night 28 All School Mass, Honors Assembly Parochial Schools Night

February

5 Under the Tuscan Sun Gala Mothers’ Club Parent and Child Service Day 8 College Financial Aid/Scholarship Info Night 16 Mothers’ Prayer Group 18 All School Mass 21 Presidents’ Day - No School 24-27 Spring Musical

March

2 Ash Wednesday All School Mass 3 Junior Pilgrimage 10 Lenten Penance Service 11 Juried Visual Arts Exhibit 19 St. Pius X Trivia Night 22 Senior Parent Night 24 Spring Dance Concert Spring Blood Drive 30 Senior Pilgrimage

April

4-8 Spring Break 14 Holy Thursday - Asynchronous Virtual Day 15 Good Friday - No School 28 Sophomore Pilgrimage 29 Honors Assembly 30 Prom

May

5-8 Spring Play 12 Baccalaureate 14 Graduation 17 Junior Move-Up Mass 26 Last Day of School Please note, this calendar may change, visit www.spx.org for the most current calendar.

Do you have news to share? We would love to hear from you!

If you have news to share with the St. Pius X community, please contact Deanna Jones-Puig, Communications Manager, via email at djones@spx.org.

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